Wednesday Volume 497 14 October 2009 No. 123

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Wednesday 14 October 2009

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2009 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/ Enquiries to the Office of Public Sector Information, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 277 14 OCTOBER 2009 278

at Kyle of Lochalsh were proposed, there would be an House of Commons open consultation and all interested parties would be involved. I am absolutely certain that the right hon. Wednesday 14 October 2009 Gentleman would be foremost among those interested parties, so I look forward to continuing our conversation. The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock Mr. Ian Davidson (Glasgow, South-West) (Lab/Co-op): Given that these torpedoes are being tested for the Royal Navy, does the Minister agree that if Scotland PRAYERS withdraws from it, there would be no need to have a torpedo testing range in Scotland? [MR.SPEAKER in the Chair] Mr. Murphy: In the world we live in, it is a fact that we need these weapons and that they have to be tested BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS safely. It is in the nature of the modern world that, sadly, we need these sorts of ranges. The fact is that the CITY OF WESTMINSTER BILL [LORDS] only real threat to defence jobs in Scotland would be Motion made, Scotland breaking away from the rest of Britain. That so much of the Lords Message [12 October] as relates to [Interruption.] If Scotland left Britain, thousands of the City of Westminster Bill [Lords] be now considered. British jobs would leave Scotland, including the Western That this House concurs with the Lords in their Resolution.—(The Isles, and that also means shipbuilding jobs on the Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.) Clyde and across the whole of Scotland. That also includes RAF bases—[Interruption.] Hon. Members: Object. Mr. Speaker: Order. The group leader of the Scottish To be considered on Tuesday 20 October. National party must behave with due decorum in the Chamber—certainly if he wishes to be called. Mr. Murphy: Thank you for that intervention, Oral Answers to Questions Mr. Speaker. The leader of the SNP in the UK Parliament must be the only MP in it who is campaigning for fewer jobs in SCOTLAND his constituency. His unilateralist position would lead to the loss of hundreds of RAF jobs in his very own constituency. The Secretary of State was asked— Mr. Angus MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): Torpedo Testing The Secretary of State’s announcement, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, about the Uists was very 1. Mr. Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) welcome. Does he know why, since his visit, there has (LD): When he next plans to visit the torpedo testing been renewed speculation in the press about jobs there? range at the inner sound of Raasay. [292278] Mr. Murphy: I am delighted to hear the hon. Gentleman’s belated interest in this issue. Of course, the initial plans The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Jim Murphy): have now been abandoned. There is no plan B whatsoever. There are eight test and evaluation ranges in Scotland. Concern has been expressed by some workers, which is Last month, I visited the firing range in the Uists. I have why I am delighted that the management and the unions no current plans to visit the maritime range in the inner are meeting a little later this week. We are very clear that sound of Raasay. the initial proposals were abandoned, that there is no plan B and that the jobs will stay. I repeat that it is very Mr. Kennedy: I thank the Secretary of State for that clear that the only danger to jobs on the firing ranges in reply. He is obviously aware of the concern about the the Uists in the Western Isles will come if the hon. future consultation planned on the maintenance of the Gentleman has his way and Scotland leaves the United Rona torpedo and submarine facilities, which have played Kingdom. such a huge role since the days of the Heath Government in underpinning that part of the Kyle and Applecross Mrs. Anne McGuire (Stirling) (Lab): I congratulate peninsula and Skye economy. Will he give us an assurance the Secretary of State on the work he did to safeguard that what happened in the Western Isles will be repeated the base on the Western Isles. May I ask how important when any consultation process kicks in and that ministerial the strong community and local authority involvement visits, as well as full consultation with all elected levels was in the discussions that he and colleagues in the for these areas, will be the order of the day? Ministry of Defence had? Mr. Murphy: I know that the right hon. Gentleman is Mr. Murphy: I thank my right hon. Friend for her assiduous in raising this issue in the House and elsewhere, comments. It is important to put on record the excellent and I am certain that he will continue to do so. He is work of council leader Angus Campbell and others right to say that a consultation process in the Western such as Donald John Macsween who did such a remarkable Isles led to a rejection of the initial proposals. I can job in the Western Isles. The fact is that it was a reassure him that our proposals for the Kyle of Lochalsh community effort and a persuasive case was made. are at a very early stage. If any changes in the configuration Ultimately, the Ministry of Defence would have made 279 Oral Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Oral Answers 280 savings, but the costs to the fragile economy in the Miss Anne Begg (Aberdeen, South) (Lab): Given all Western Isles would have been so dramatic that the UK the emphasis on climate change, it is not surprising Government took the view that we should not progress that renewable energy receives a great deal of publicity, with the proposals. but will my right hon. Friend ensure that we do not forget about the oil and gas industry offshore, which Mr. Ben Wallace (Lancaster and Wyre) (Con): Despite will be needed in the short to medium term—if not, the Secretary of State’s comments about the ranges, indeed, the long term—to fill the energy gap that would they need modernising if they are to keep pace with the otherwise exist? It is important not just to the economy next generation of weapons systems, without which our of north-east Scotland but to that of the whole United forces will not get the weapons they need to do the jobs Kingdom, because there are jobs in the industry throughout we send them on. Will the Secretary of State give a the UK. commitment today that his Department and the Ministry of Defence will continue to invest in those ranges while at the same time doing all they can to protect local jobs Mr. Murphy: My hon. Friend raises the importance in that area? Will he also agree with me that— of the North sea oil and gas industry with me probably every week. About 20 billion barrel-of-oil equivalents Mr. Speaker: Order. I apologise for interrupting the are still untapped in the North sea, and we will do what hon. Gentleman, but I must establish the precedent we can to help the industry to exploit that resource. The once and for all that we have one question, and not fact is, however, that while oil and gas will be with us for more than one question. the foreseeable future, we will have to make the transition to renewable energy. Oil and gas are a temporary source Mr. Murphy: On that basis, Mr. Speaker, I shall try to of energy, and Scotland’s energy and economic needs give one answer. are permanent. That is why we must get the balance The hon. Gentleman has made the fair point that right between fossil fuel and renewables, and we will now that the ranges have been established and secured, continue to do so. they must diversify. It is important that they try to attract additional business, particularly from our NATO John Thurso (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) allies. But the economy of the Western Isles, especially (LD): Does the Secretary of State agree that one of the on the Uists, cannot rely solely on MOD ranges in the major opportunities for companies that are currently long term; there must be more diversity, and renewable engaged sub-sea in oil and gas is to work sub-sea on energy opportunities in particular must be taken up. tidal and offshore wind? Does he share my disappointment Oil and Gas Fields that the Crown Estate has yet again delayed its announcement of licences to February, and what can he 2. Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) do to encourage it to be more expeditious? (LD): What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on Mr. Murphy: I had the privilege of being in the hon. the effects of investment in offshore oil and gas fields Gentleman’s constituency during the summer recess, on levels of employment in Scotland. [292279] and he made those very points then. On the same day I The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Jim Murphy): visited an offshore wind turbine in the Beatrice field in I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State the North sea, which represents a remarkable feat of for Energy and Climate Change about the North sea oil modern manufacturing and ingenuity. and gas industry. It may be helpful if I confirm to the hon. Gentleman again that I am happy to facilitate meetings with him Sir Robert Smith: I hope that, during those discussions, and the Crown Estate to discuss the issue, so that we the Secretary of State will begin to realise how important can unblock it once and for all. it is for the Government to get their strategy right now, given the thousands of jobs that depend on the North sea oil and gas industry. The pipelines and platforms are Mr. Brian H. Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) (Lab): Can ageing. If they do not benefit from new investment soon my right hon. Friend give any idea of the stage that the they will be decommissioned, and we will miss out on new licensing has reached? At one time there was drilling the thousands of jobs still to come. Will the Secretary of in the Clyde estuary. Is there any update on that? It State emphasise to the Treasury that while the car would bring a number of jobs to the Ayrshire area. Will industry and the banks receive rescue packages, it is my right hon. Friend take the opportunity of congratulating vital for the right tax regime to be established for the all agencies in Ayrshire— North sea to encourage the maximum investment to protect those future jobs and our security of supply? Mr. Speaker: Order. I think we have had one question, and we will stick at that. Mr. Murphy: The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. The new field allowance announced in the Budget was welcomed by the chief executive of Oil and Gas Mr. Murphy: I am not able to update my hon. Friend UK. Those Budget measures will help to unlock about today on the number of licences, although the Department 2 billion barrels of oil in the North sea. There are, of of Energy and Climate Change has engaged in a rigorous course, additional opportunities, particularly in and process in that regard. However, my hon. Friend is around the area west of Shetland, which constitutes a absolutely right: this is a jobs boon not just for the remarkable untapped resource in particularly inhospitable North sea, Aberdeen and surrounding areas, but for the terrain. We always keep the fiscal regime in mind, and whole of Scotland. Almost 200,000 jobs in Scotland continue to keep fiscal measures under review. rely on related industries in oil and gas. 281 Oral Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Oral Answers 282

Devolution Settlement The best way to have a live debate that includes those who are running away from it is to invite them all to the 3. Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield) (Con): What Scottish Grand Committee to have that debate. recent discussions he has had with the First Minister on the relationship between the Scottish Executive and Mr. Murphy: I am stumped for an answer. Because of the UK Government under the devolution settlement. the many solutions for dealing with the remarkable [292280] economic crisis that Scotland and the United Kingdom faces, I am not yet convinced that a meeting of the The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Jim Murphy): Scottish Grand Committee is the silver bullet. My hon. I met the First Minister most recently on 16 September. Friend the Member for Lanark and Hamilton, East Sir Nicholas Winterton: The saga of confusion and (Mr. Hood) will continue to make the case, however, miscommunication over Lockerbie has demonstrated and if that meeting does take place, I can think of no that Scotland needs to put more thought into how its better Chair of the proceedings than him. Executive decisions play out in the eyes of other Governments. What procedural steps will the Secretary Mr. Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD): of State and his Government put in place to prevent Rather than reconvening the Scottish Grand Committee, such public embarrassment in the future? may I suggest that the Secretary of State’s time might be better spent in giving his attention to the report of the Mr. Murphy: During the year that I have been Secretary Calman commission? There is growing impatience that of State I have tried to strike a different tone in Scottish months after that report was published, there is still a politics. The public expect politicians to agree where lack of progress on it. Scotland looks to the Government possible; I have tried to uphold that and I will continue to deliver on Calman come the Queen’s Speech, and if to do so despite invitations to the contrary. Of course they do not do so, they will pay a heavy price. the Lockerbie and al-Megrahi issue was badly handled. The decision to visit al-Megrahi in prison was a mistake, Mr. Murphy: I am delighted that the hon. Gentleman but ultimately it was a mistake that the Scottish Government and myself, as well as others, had the opportunity to were entitled to make. It is a decision that is entirely, meet over the summer recess to discuss the important 100 per cent., their responsibility; they have the proposals in respect of Calman. We simply believe that constitutional responsibility to take that decision. Scotland is bigger and stronger because it is part of the United Kingdom, but the devolution settlement does Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire) (Lab): It have to be modernised. The Calman commission proposals is obviously beneficial for the First Minister and my are substantial. I want to maintain consensus and right hon. Friend to have discussions, but does my right momentum, and we will respond before the end of this hon. Friend think there is any mileage in some of these year on details of the Calman proposals. discussions being held in public? Mr. Murphy: I have asked the First Minister to have a Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire, North) (Lab): public debate with me. The First Minister is, of course, During my right hon. Friend’s discussions with the not everyone’s idea of an athlete, but he has certainly First Minister, will he ask him to reconsider his party’s tried to run away from these debates in Scotland in decision to abandon the investment in the Glasgow recent weeks. I do not know if he can run, but I do airport rail link, as that would be seriously damaging know that he cannot hide and that this debate will have for the people of Glasgow and the west of Scotland in to take place at some point over the next few weeks. terms of tourism and employment? Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): What discussions Mr. Murphy: It is clear that that is a real blow to the has the Secretary of State had about the higher Scottish city of Glasgow, but that city has never given up on Parliament standards of transparency in respect of allowances itself and, regardless of the Scottish Government’s decision, and expenses? Does he agree that it would be an act of it will not do so now. I will be meeting the leader of leadership and transparency for all Westminster MPs to Glasgow city council later this afternoon, when I will go publish their Legg recommendations, including himself? with him to the Olympic site. I will have the opportunity to discuss these very issues with him then. Mr. Murphy: It is of course important that we change the system of expenses in the House of Commons. The David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Prime Minister has been very clear about that, and he is Tweeddale) (Con): Perhaps the Secretary of State can now in the process of doing it. As the Prime Minister tell us what role he actually played in the deliberations has also made clear, there is a process that we are now on the Megrahi case within the Government. He surely going through. If Legg has requested that repayments had an obligation to ensure that both Scotland’s interests be made, whether to comply is up to individual Members, and the devolution settlement were fully understood. but that is certainly the inclination of the majority of Currently, our only source of information is Channel 4, Members of this House. whose website says, rather bluntly: “There has been a lively discussion behind the scenes in government Mr. Jim Hood (Lanark and Hamilton, East) (Lab): about whether to attack the SNP… I hear that the Scottish May I draw my right hon. Friend’s attention to the Secretary Jim Murphy in particular has been chomping at the bit Hansard for 16 July? In answer to a question from my to go for the SNP administration but has been reined in by the hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) PM and others.” as to when he would be given an opportunity to vote for a Scottish Grand Committee to be held, the Leader of Mr. Speaker: Order. Before the Secretary of State the House answered that replies, may I remind the Chamber that far too many “there needs to be an opportunity for the Scottish Grand Committee private conversations are taking place? That is very to meet, and I will look for an opportunity.”—[Official Report, unfair on the Member asking the question and on the 16 July 2009; Vol. 496, c. 457.] Minister answering it. 283 Oral Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Oral Answers 284

Mr. Murphy: The Foreign Secretary made a statement That is a responsibility of the Scottish Government, but yesterday and I have nothing further to add to it. I was I hope and expect that a decision will be made this year. here for his statement—not all hon. Members were. The time for dithering is over; it is time for real decisions. That is why Ofgem has already approved £43 million of David Mundell: I do not regard that as an answer. pre-construction contracts, as part of the £4.7 billion Given the Secretary of State’s self-proclaimed role as investment, and is working seriously with the industry filter between the UK Government and the Scottish to ensure that we have the right environment to encourage Government, can he tell the House why the UK that investment. Government refused to give the Scottish Justice Secretary, Mr. MacAskill, the facts and representations that he Willie Rennie (Dunfermline and West Fife) (LD): says he requested when making his decision to release Has the Minister had discussions with the Energy Secretary Mr. al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds? Conservative about the punitive charging regime for the construction—the Members do not believe that that decision could have upgrade—during that period of the Scottish-English been made on any reasonable basis. Perhaps the Secretary interconnector? I ask that because there is great concern of State regrets ensuring that Mr. MacAskill did not that the regime will be punitive for Scottish generators. have every piece of information that he needed. [Interruption.] Ann McKechin: I can confirm to the hon. Gentleman that I have had discussions with the Energy Minister Mr. Speaker: Order. There is still far too much noise. regarding transmission charging in Scotland. We do not The public dislike it and, frankly, so do I. believe that the transmission charging regime in any way discriminates against Scotland. I welcome the fact Mr. Murphy: I have nothing further to add to what that Scottish Power has recently announced proposals the Foreign Secretary offered in a very long and detailed for up to five new wind farms in Scotland—that is a statement yesterday. The fact is that this was 100 per good indication that a lot of people want to invest in cent. the responsibility of the Scottish Government—it Scotland. We are reviewing transmission access, as the was 100 per cent. their decision and their responsibility— hon. Gentleman is aware, and we want to ensure that and they made their decision on their merits. However, I renewable energy gets the proper priority that it deserves. think that the issue was very badly mishandled and those scenes in Tripoli were a national disgrace. The Ms Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): St. Andrew’s flag was trailed out on to the tarmac to The Minister will be aware that there is a proposal for a celebrate that man’s return; that image will haunt Scotland new coal power station at Hunterston. Will that be across the world. Some damage was done to Scotland’s allowed to go ahead without carbon capture being in reputation, although I do not wish to overstate it. It is place? now the responsibility of all of us to work together to rebuild Scotland’s reputation across the world. Ann McKechin: I can confirm that any new plant will be required to incorporate carbon capture. As my hon. Electricity Transmission Network Friend will be aware, any planning consents in relation to new power plants in Scotland are a matter for the 4. John Robertson (Glasgow, North-West) (Lab): Scottish Government. What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of funding for the electricity transmission Roma Children network in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [292281] 5. Mr. Anthony Steen (Totnes) (Con): What information he holds on the number of Roma children from other The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland EU member states who attend school in Scotland. (Ann McKechin): The regulation and funding of networks [292282] in the UK is a matter first and foremost for the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Ofgem. Delivering The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland the necessary reinforcements by 2015 will require up to (Ann McKechin): The UK Government do not hold an estimated £4.7 billion of new investment onshore, in information on the number of Roma children in Scottish addition to current refurbishment and expansion plans schools. The pupil census in Scotland is a devolved requiring some £4 billion to £5 billion, which have matter for the Scottish Government. already been approved by Ofgem. Mr. Steen: Wilberforce banished slavery 200 years John Robertson: I thank the Minister for her answer. ago. We have new slavery now both in Scotland and in She will be aware that £1.4 billion is required to upgrade England. We have thousands of eastern European children the transmission system. In addition, new renewables on the streets involved in criminal activity organised by and technology are coming on line. Is she confident that trafficking gangs. They do not go to school. What are this target can be reached by 2015, given that the the Secretary of State and his counterparts doing to rid Beauly-Denny transmission link is still outstanding from our streets of this Fagin-like situation? It is quite disgraceful 2000 and has been held up by the current Scottish and it needs to be dealt with. Government? Ann McKechin: The hon. Gentleman has a proud Ann McKechin: I thank my hon. Friend for his question track record in campaigning on this serious issue. I and for his long-standing interest in energy issues for welcome his concern today. Many of these matters are the benefit of Scotland. He is right to say that the devolved to Scotland, but I can confirm that the UK decision on the Beauly-Denny line is still to be made. Government and the Scottish Government are working 285 Oral Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Oral Answers 286 closely together to tackle the problem. That is one Danny Alexander: I am grateful to the Minister for reason why we ratified the Council of Europe convention that answer. She will know from the recent Highlands on action against trafficking in human beings last year and Islands Enterprise report that access to broadband and why we have set up a national centre for trafficking technology in the highlands lags far behind that in the in Sheffield, with which the Scottish authorities—including rest of the country. If we were to get the next generation the police—are fully co-operating. They are providing of broadband in the highlands, that would make more us with important intelligence so that we can track these difference to our area than to almost anywhere else in criminal networks across the whole of the UK. the country. Will the Minister use the power of her office and her Department to support local moves to Barnett Formula ensure that the highlands, which the “Digital Britain” report relegated to the final third when it came to access to next-generation broadband, can be first in line instead? 6. Mr. Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): What his most recent assessment is of the effectiveness of the Ann McKechin: I very much hope that the hon. Barnett formula in allocating funding to Scotland. Gentleman will fully support the proposal contained in [292283] the “Digital Britain” White Paper to establish a tax levy of 50p per month on fixed landlines so that we can The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Jim Murphy): create next-generation funding for exactly that one-third The Barnett formula is simple, efficient and effective. It of the network that we believe requires additional investment means that every £1 extra public expenditure per person and incentive. We want to ensure that there is no digital in England is matched exactly for each man, woman divide anywhere in the UK. and child elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Copenhagen Summit Mr. Bone: I thank the Secretary of State for that answer, but does he agree with what Lord Barnett has 8. Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): What said? He said: recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of “I do not consider it is successful. I do not think it is fair”. State for Energy and Climate Change on the representation If Lord Barnett thinks that, why do not the Government of Scottish interests at the forthcoming Copenhagen think that? summit on climate change. [292285]

Mr. Murphy: We have considered this very carefully. The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Jim Murphy): Recently, the Calman commission—an independent expert The Copenhagen summit provides the opportunity for group—considered it and said very clearly that the a vital step forward in securing a binding global agreement formula is on climate change action. The Prime Minister has confirmed “a pragmatic solution to the funding question and is near costless” that he will be attending the Copenhagen summit. to operate. We have no plans to change the Barnett formula; I know that many of those who sit on the Jo Swinson: I thank the Secretary of State for that Conservative Benches do. That is one reason why so reply. Scotland has much to contribute to tackling many people in Scotland distrust the modern Conservative climate change, as it has a strong renewables record and party. an ambitious target of reducing carbon emissions by 42 per cent. by 2020. Can the right hon. Gentleman not Lindsay Roy (Glenrothes) (Lab): May I ask my right put party politics aside and accept that Scottish Ministers hon. Friend by how much the block grant for Scotland should also be part of the UK delegation to Copenhagen? will increase in 2010-11? Mr. Murphy: We have put party politics aside, and the SNP Scottish Government will be treated in exactly Mr. Murphy: The Scottish Government will have the same way that their Labour predecessors were treated. more money next year than they have this year. That is a The best way to get Scotland’s climate change interests remarkable benefit of the economics of the United represented at Copenhagen is through the attendance of Kingdom. The fact is that the SNP Scottish Government my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister of the United today have double the budget that Donald Dewar had Kingdom. As far as I am concerned—and the same when he was First Minister. However, the SNP Scottish goes for the majority of Members of this House, and of Government will have to tighten their belt and make people across Scotland—the UK will, of course and for some savings in the same way as every family and the foreseeable future, include Scotland as an equal, full company in Scotland is doing. and strong part. Broadband (Highlands)

7. Danny Alexander (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and PRIME MINISTER Strathspey) (LD): What recent discussions he has had with Scottish Executive Ministers on the provision of The Prime Minister was asked— next-generation broadband in the Highlands. [292284] Engagements The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Ann McKechin): My right hon. Friend has regular 1. [292263] Ann Winterton (Congleton) (Con): If he discussions with Scottish Ministers about the economy will list his official engagements for Wednesday and industrial policy. 14 October. 287 Oral Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Oral Answers 288

The Prime Minister (Mr. Gordon Brown): Before listing that institution. Will the Prime Minister confirm that he my engagements, and on behalf of all parts of this is bound by its rules, and is thus obliged to further the House and the leaders of all political parties, it is right objectives of the European Union in preference to that we should pause to pay our full respects to the those of the United Kingdom? members of our armed forces who have given their lives on behalf of our country in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister: I thank the hon. Lady for her This is a solemn moment for this House and our tribute to those brave men who died in Afghanistan, country. It is the day on which we put on record in the and I hope that the message will go out today that all House of Commons our gratitude and our commemoration political parties—every Member of this House—want of the sacrifice made by 37 of our armed forces serving to send their sympathy and condolences to every family our country in Afghanistan: from the Royal Marines, concerned. Sergeant Lee Houltram; from the Light Dragoons, Trooper We joined the European Union in the 1970s, and we Phillip Lawrence; from 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, Trooper hold by our obligations to the European Union, but Brett Hall; from 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, Warrant that does not prevent us from representing the national Officer Sean Upton; from 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, sovereignty of this country. Lance Bombardier Matt Hatton and Bombardier Craig Hopson; from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, Guardsman 2. [292264] Dr. Tony Wright (Cannock Chase) (Lab): Jamie Janes; from 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, May I ask my right hon. Friend what he thinks is more Guardsman Chris King and Lance Corporal James dangerous: politicians becoming generals, or generals Hill; from 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, becoming politicians? Private Kevin Elliot and Sergeant Gus Millar; from 2nd Battalion the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Kingsman The Prime Minister: I think that I know what my Jason Dunne-Bridgeman; from 2nd Battalion the Royal hon. Friend is thinking about. Let me put on record my Regiment of Fusiliers, Fusilier Simon Annis, Fusilier thanks to the Chief of the General Staff, Richard Shaun Bush, Fusilier Louis Carter, Lance Corporal Dannatt, for the work that he did for our country. James Fullarton, Corporal Joseph Etchells and Sergeant Simon Valentine; from 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Mr. David Cameron (Witney) (Con): The list that the Regiment, Private John Young; from 2nd Battalion the Prime Minister has read out of those who gave their Mercian Regiment, Private Gavin Elliot, Private Jason lives over this summer in the service of this country is a Williams and Acting Sergeant Mike Lockett MC; from very sombre reminder of the incredible sacrifices that 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh, Private Richard Hunt the armed forces make on our behalf. Those 37 men and Private James Prosser; from the Parachute Regiment, have left parents, wives, partners, children, brothers and Private Kyle Adams, Lance Corporal Dale Hopkins, sisters. Those loved ones feel the loss not just today, or Corporal John Harrison and Corporal Kevin Mulligan; on the day when their loved one fell; they will feel it for from 2nd Battalion the Rifles, Rifleman Aminiasi Toge, the rest of their lives, as they think about the lives that Rifleman Daniel Wild, Acting Sergeant Stuart McGrath, could have been lived. Sergeant Paul McAleese and Captain Mark Hale; from 11th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal We must be clear about what has happened in our Logistics Corps, Captain Daniel Shepherd; from the country. Two wars over eight years have seen thousands Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Craftsman of people serve, hundreds killed and many more wounded, Anthony Lombardi and Lance Corporal Richie Brandon; and whole communities affected, as they have celebrated and from 34 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment Acting the success of our armed forces but also mourned the Corporal Marcin Wojtek. losses. I know that the Prime Minister has looked at these issues before, but is it not now time for a more Nothing can erase the pain for their families. Nothing fundamental re-examination of every aspect of the can be greater than the pride that we take in their military covenant, and everything that we do for those contribution to our country, and our sadness at their brave men and women and for their families, who wait loss. I know that the thoughts and prayers of the whole for them at home? House are with the families and friends of all these brave men. Their lives live on in the influence that they will have left behind on other people, and they will not The Prime Minister: Again, I am very pleased that the be forgotten. right hon. Gentleman associates himself, as I knew he would, with the commemoration of those people who We should also pay tribute to all those who have been have died during the course of the summer. It has been wounded and who face rehabilitation, and assure them a particularly difficult summer for our armed forces, that they will have our full support at all times. and also for the families of those members of our This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues armed forces, with their worries about their loved ones and others, and I shall have further such meetings later who are serving in Afghanistan. today. What we have tried to do over the past few months is make sure, first of all, that all military men and women Ann Winterton: All Members will wish to associate on service in Afghanistan, and in any place around the themselves with the Prime Minister’s expression of sympathy world, are fully and properly equipped for the tasks that for the families and friends of those who have fallen in they have got to undertake. I am happy to share with Afghanistan since the House last met for Prime Minister’s the House, in a statement in a few minutes from now, questions. the extra measures that we are taking to protect our When the Lisbon treaty comes into force, the European troops in Afghanistan, particularly against electronic Council will become a formal institution of the European devices, which have been the cause of 80 per cent. of the Union, and the United Kingdom will be a member of deaths over the past few months. 289 Oral Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Oral Answers 290

I also want to assure the House—again, I am very alternative opportunities after they recover from their happy to go into this in more detail in the statement on injuries, we are determined to do everything we can. I Afghanistan—that we stand by the military covenant believe, and it is right to say, that there is all-party with all military families in this country and all serving support for this extra work. members and former members of our armed forces. That is why we published a White Paper only a few Mr. Cameron: As well as the physical injuries, there months ago looking at the range of services, from are of course the mental scars. It is estimated that after education and health to the possibility of jobs after the Falklands war, more service personnel committed members leave the armed forces and help that is given when suicide than died in that conflict. We must not make the people are on location in the different countries in mistake that has been made in the past of brushing this which they serve. I believe that that White Paper is an under the carpet. In the United States veterans are indication—I think that it had all-party support—of contacted regularly, even decades after they have served. the determination of all of us to stand by our military. Does the Prime Minister agree that that should happen here as well? If there are further suggestions about what we could do, I am very happy to look at them. We have an The Prime Minister: As the right hon. Gentleman in-service allowance. We have increased the facilities knows, we have a Minister nominated as the Veterans available to members’ families for phone calls. We have Minister. We try to keep in touch with all the veterans done what we can to make sure that the pay of the organisations. I met the Royal British Legion recently. armed forces rises faster than the pay of the rest of the In the White Paper, where we itemised the services community. We have done what we can at Selly Oak and available to soldiers, armed forces members and former Headley Court to make sure that we give the succour armed forces members, we talked about the mental that we can to those people who have been injured. I health services that are available for the future. We believe that if we build on that record, we will be doing wanted to ensure that those people who are members of the right thing, but obviously I am happy to listen both the armed forces and former members of the armed to members of the other parties and to the Select forces had priority in health service treatment. That was Committees on what more we can do. the purpose of the White Paper and the recommendations in it. Again, I believe there is all-party support for that. Mr. Cameron: The Prime Minister mentioned Selly Mr. Cameron: I hope the Prime Minister will look at Oak and Headley Court. What we do there is remarkable. that specific proposal as well. There is no doubt about that, and because of the We will discuss Afghanistan in a moment, but I want advances in battlefield medicine, many people who to ask the Prime Minister a specific question about the previously would have died of their wounds are surviving. Territorial Army, an organisation that plays a vital role That is obviously fortunate, though they have to live in our armed forces and has lost many people in Iraq with those injuries for the rest of their lives. Soon the and Afghanistan. I have had a specific case of a serving issue will become how we help them as they grow older. officer who is due to go to Afghanistan in October So-called recovery centres proposed by organisations 2010. He has been told that of the training days that he such as Help for Heroes are excellent proposals. There should have between now and then, he will be paid for are some concerns that the Government are a slightly only half of them. Let us be clear about what is happening. slow-moving partner in this endeavour. Can the Prime Volunteers—they are volunteers, being asked possibly Minister update us on what is being done to help more to lay down their life in the service of their country— recovery centres get going? are not getting the basic training that they need. Does the Prime Minister agree that this is totally The Prime Minister: Let me pay tribute to the medical unacceptable? facilities that are available both at Camp Bastion and in Britain. I have visited them myself, as I know other The Prime Minister: I shall look at everything the Members have. These are the most advanced medical right hon. Gentleman says about the matter and I shall facilities available to our troops and it is right that they write to him about the individual case that he has are the best in the world. At Selly Oak, which I also raised. I can tell him also about what we have done in visited recently, I saw the care that goes into helping the Territorial Army, which has been celebrating its those who are injured, many with very severe injuries 100th anniversary. We have tried to make sure that the indeed. When I visited Afghanistan a few weeks ago effort of the Territorial Army can be linked to the work and then went to Selly Oak only a day or two afterwards, that we are doing in Afghanistan, so we have given I saw how quickly treatment was given, as people had priority in the work of the Territorial Army to what it been moved with speed from Afghanistan back to can do to help the effort in Afghanistan. I will write to Birmingham. I agree with the right hon. Gentleman the right hon. Gentleman with the details of what we about the work at Headley Court. We are anxious to are doing in that respect. continue to support that and are investing more in it. Mr. Cameron: The Prime Minister told us in an With reference to members of the forces who retire or answer that he gave at the beginning of Prime Minister’s are not able to serve longer in the armed forces, I am questions that in his statement he will say that we must concerned that compensation arrangements are satisfactory. not send armed forces personnel into battle without the That is why, after the recent court cases, the Secretary of proper training. Two things appear to be happening. State for Defence has set up a review headed by a One is that basic training for all TA members is being former Chief of the Defence Staff to look at those cut. Also, I have the specific case of someone who issues of compensation. On future employment and knows that he is going to Afghanistan in October 2010 some of the projects that have come forward to help having his training cut. A conversation is going on armed forces—men and women—who are looking for between the Ministry of Defence and the Prime Minister. 291 Oral Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Oral Answers 292

I think they need to have a conversation after Prime On our presence in Afghanistan, let me say first—I Minister’s questions in which he says that that is shall talk about this in more detail later—that no one unacceptable and must stop. can be satisfied with what happened during the elections in Afghanistan. Every one of us has questions that have The Prime Minister: The reason why the Defence to be answered, not so much about the security that was Secretary was talking to me was to assure me that the attached to the election, because a huge amount of Territorial Army work that is directed towards Afghanistan work by our troops and forces went into that, but about is properly resourced and will continue to be properly the amount of ballot rigging that appears to have taken resourced. If the right hon. Gentleman has an individual place. Everybody knows that 1 million votes are being case that he wishes to raise with me, or if any Member examined out of the 6 million or 7 million votes that has, I shall look at it in detail, but our determination is happened, but they are the subject of the international that every member of our armed forces who is in or commission’s examination of the issues. So I hope that going to Afghanistan is both trained and equipped for the right hon. Gentleman will wait until we have the the work that they undertake. The right hon. Gentleman final conclusion from the electoral commission and will see from the statement that I make later this afternoon then accept that we will have to follow its verdict. I that we are doing everything in our power to make that believe that the commission, which is half Afghan and happen. I hope that he will then look at the statements half international, has looked at the issues in a great that are made by the Chief of the General Staff and the deal of detail, and I believe that it will report very soon. Chief of the Defence Staff, which will support exactly But I have to say to the right hon. Gentleman that, what I am saying. facing an insurgency, it is remarkable that elections took place at all; and it is remarkable that 6,000 polling Mrs. Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): Last Saturday, stations were open at all. That is a tribute to our forces I was joined by the Porthcawl Guides to celebrate and other forces making it possible for this infant 100 years of Guiding. A year’s celebration is taking Afghan democracy to hold an election, organised by place throughout the world to celebrate that wonderful itself, in the first place. We are there, and I tell him why movement. Will the Prime Minister join me in sending we are there: we are there to protect the streets of congratulations to the Porthcawl Guides, to all Guides Britain; we are there because al-Qaeda poses a threat to who have taken part in the movement over the past us as well as to other countries; and we are there 100 years and to those men and women who have because, if al-Qaeda took control again or had an supported Guiding throughout that period? influence in Afghanistan under a Taliban Government, the people of this country would not be safe. The Prime Minister: I think that all parts of the House will want to congratulate the Guides on 100 years of service to our country, and congratulate those officers Mr. Clegg: I am grateful to the Prime Minister for his and leaders of the Guides who have done so much to reply, but we cannot live in denial about the total lack of encourage young people and young women, in particular, legitimacy of the present Afghan Government. General to make sure that they can make a very big contribution McChrystal himself has said that the job of our troops to the community. Our best wishes go to the Guides on is becoming more difficult because of corruption in their 100th anniversary. Government. Hundreds of thousands of votes were given to President Karzai by block votes from a warlord Mr. Nick Clegg (Sheffield, Hallam) (LD): I should accused of war crimes. So if President Karzai is declared like to add my own expressions of sympathy and condolence the winner of this flawed election—can I be precise?—will to the families and friends of the 37 British servicemen the Prime Minister urge Karzai immediately to form a who tragically lost their lives serving in Afghanistan Government of national unity bringing in opponents over the past three months. We all owe them an from other political groups and other ethnic groups, immeasurable debt of gratitude for their bravery, their because otherwise he will risk losing the support of the professionalism and their sacrifice. We also owe it to international community? every single one of them to ask the difficult questions about what we are doing in Afghanistan. Are we doing The Prime Minister: I am grateful for the right hon. the right things to succeed, as I strongly believe that we Gentleman’s comments, but the whole purpose of the must? commission that is looking at the conduct of elections Many people in the country today will be simply is to eliminate those votes where there has been ballot- asking themselves why British soldiers are fighting and rigging or fraud. That is why it has taken so much time dying for a Government in Kabul who are deeply corrupt to examine these issues. I hope that he will wait until he and have presided over widespread electoral fraud. I sees the report of what the commission has done, what know that the Prime Minister is giving a statement later it recommends and what it proposes, whether it is for a about troop numbers, but does he not owe it to those second round or whether it has come to a conclusion troops to say clearly where he stands on an Afghan about who is the winner. Government whom he is asking British soldiers to As for President Karzai, and the future, I will also defend? talk about this in a few minutes, but I talked to President Karzai yesterday. I also talked to Dr. Abdullah, who is The Prime Minister: I am grateful to the right hon. the second candidate in the elections. I asked them for Gentleman for supporting the message of condolence an assurance that they will sign a contract with us and and sympathy that we are sending to all the families of the other allied powers about the elimination of corruption, those who have been bereaved as a result of what has the proper conduct of Government, the appointment of happened this summer, and I appreciate his direct comments governors who can actually manage in the provinces, on that. and the appointment of junior officials who can do that 293 Oral Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Oral Answers 294 as well. I also asked him, as I will report later, to the major firms in this country, it will be difficult for it support our forces with a proper number of Afghan to regain those contracts over a short period of time. I forces working with them. know that Ministers are working actively to ensure that the parties—the management and the work force—are 3. [292265] Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle) (Lab): Two negotiating. I hope that they will do so, and I hope that years ago, we lost blue light accident and emergency this unnecessary strike can be prevented. services in Burnley and everything went to Blackburn, 25 miles away from where I live, at the furthest edge of 5. [292267] Peter Bottomley (Worthing, West) (Con): the patch. People in Burnley and Pendle, members of Carter-Ruck, experts in reputation management, are all political parties and none, want accident and reported as saying that their original injunction gave emergency back in Burnley. As a first step, will my them the power to prevent what was said in Parliament friend commission an independent review by clinicians from being reported. No court should grant such an from outside the area with no axe to grind, which is order and I intend to report the solicitors to the Law what people want? Society for asking for the injunction. The Prime Minister: Of course I understand my hon. Will the Prime Minister see whether it is possible that Friend’s concerns and those of his constituents, and I any court that grants a secret injunction or emergency will ask the Health Secretary to meet him to talk about injunction should have a copy placed in the Library of these issues—but as he knows, the reconfiguration of the House of Commons and the Press Gallery, if necessary national health services is a matter for the NHS locally. hiding the name of a child or details of grave national I understand that the review concluded in July and that security? it has been accepted by both primary care trusts and by Will the Prime Minister also ask whether any such East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. I understand emergency order can be reviewed the next working day that a programme implementation board is in place, at the Court of Appeal? and that the board is confident that this will not undermine services locally. However, he will want to have that The Prime Minister: I am pleased that the hon. meeting with the Health Secretary and he can come Gentleman has raised this issue, because I think it is back to me afterwards. important that I and the Justice Secretary can say something to him about the concerns that he has raised. 4. [292266] Steve Webb (Northavon) (LD): The Prime This is an issue where an injunction has been awarded, Minister will appreciate that falling mortgage rates are but it has been awarded in the context that it has to of no value to most pensioners, while falling savings remain secret and people are not told what the outcome rates are leaving them out of pocket. At the same time, is generally. The Justice Secretary has talked to the the costs of the things that pensioners spend their parties concerned and is looking into this issue. He will money on, such as council tax, food and fuel, are rising discuss the matter personally with the hon. Gentleman, rapidly. Does he accept, therefore, that a 2.5 per cent. and I hope that on the basis of what he suggests pension rise in April will leave many pensioners out of progress can be made not just in this case but more pocket, and what is he planning to do about it? generally, to clear up what is an unfortunate area of the The Prime Minister: First of all, in the light of what law. we knew was happening to interest rates—I hope that Ms Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): the hon. Gentleman will agree that it is important that The Prime Minister will be aware that the Scottish interest rates are low, not high, at this stage—the Chancellor National party Government have put a proposal for a made proposals in the Budget to improve the individual coal power station at Hunterston in the planning framework savings account, and proposals for people to be able to in Scotland. Can he confirm that no such coal power invest more in that individual savings account tax free. station will be allowed to go ahead without carbon At the same time, the hon. Gentleman knows that we capture being in place? have taken measures to ensure that the pension credit is available to 2 million pensioners and that the winter fuel The Prime Minister: I think my hon. Friend would allowance will be paid to pensioners in the next few agree that any new coal power station has got to be weeks, with a higher rate for those who are over 80; and carbon capture-compliant. That is what we wish to we are determined to do our best to ensure that, even in ensure happens in every area of the country in the a low-inflation environment, the pension will rise by at future. We are planning major investments in carbon least 2.5 per cent. So we are taking the measures that are capture and storage. I have talked to people throughout necessary to ensure that pensioners are protected against the country who wish to make those investments, and it a recession that is hitting every country, but in our is important that we go ahead on that basis in the country we have taken special measures to help the future. unemployed, home owners, and pensioners as well. Mr. David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): Does the Prime 6. [292268] Mark Williams (Ceredigion) (LD): I know Minister agree that the best way to resolve the Royal that the Prime Minister is aware of the extent of the Mail dispute would be to get the parties around the affordable housing crisis across rural Britain and many negotiating table? If he does, will he tell Lords Young of the innovative ways in which local authorities are and Mandelson to start to concentrate on that and stop trying to address the problem through section 106 attacking the Communication Workers Union? agreements. Does he share the sense of bewilderment and anger of many of my constituents that despite the The Prime Minister: We want a settlement of this bail-out of the banks, many mortgage providers are still dispute, and we want to say that this dispute is not in operating a very belligerent attitude, not giving sufficient the interests of anybody. I have to say that if Royal Mail mortgage offers to mortgagees and offering them incredibly starts to lose major contracts such as those of some of high and unaffordable deposits, and would he— 295 Oral Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Oral Answers 296

Mr. Speaker: Order. The Prime Minister. On the military covenant, for some 12 months or so I have been trying to obtain information from the The Prime Minister: I do agree with a lot of what the Government. Could the Prime Minister tell me now, hon. Gentleman said. Building societies and banks have please, how many ex-service personnel are currently in an obligation under the agreements that they have signed prison? with the Government to make available mortgage finance as well as small business finance, at affordable rates, to The Prime Minister: I do not have the exact figure members of our community. However, I think he will and I will write to the hon. Gentleman on that specific also agree that we have put aside £1.5 billion to build matter, but more help is available now than ever before another 20,000 extra affordable homes over the next for people who leave the services, so that they avoid period of time, for rent and for low-cost home ownership. either being homeless or, alternatively, being without jobs or opportunities. If he reads the White Paper in We are doing what we can as a Government to give which we put forward our proposals, he will see that local authorities more powers to build and to ensure more is happening than ever before to help those people. that the private sector responds with offers such as Of course, that has got to be improved over the years, shared purchases and shared equity, as well as the new and we will do so. I hesitate to say what the figure is at public investment that we are making. We are doing the moment, but I will write to him immediately after what we can and will continue to pursue a policy that Question Time. we hope over time will give everybody an affordable home in this country. 8. [292270] Julie Morgan (Cardiff, North) (Lab): The Prime Minister has been a great champion in the fight 7. [292269] Dr. Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast, South) against child poverty and under this Government child (SDLP): The Prime Minister will recall that some poverty has fallen, but there are still far too many months ago I raised serious concerns with him about children living in poverty, and in Wales, too many banks now fleecing small businesses to recover the children living in workless households. What further monies that they lost through foolish and reckless measures can he propose to bring down child poverty? deals. Is he aware that things are getting worse in many cases? Indeed, the Halifax, which is part of the Lloyds The Prime Minister: We are committed to eradicating group and was effectively nationalised, is one of the child poverty in this country. We have taken half a worst offenders. Credit has been withdrawn and million children out of poverty as a result of child tax refused, but worse still I have a note here that says that credits, child benefit and other measures that we have currently, small overdraft facilities are costing £13 a taken. I hope that there is an all-party consensus on month, even for £2,000, and that is going to go up on removing child poverty, but I have to say to the House 6 December— that we cannot cut child poverty if we cut child tax credits, we cannot cut child poverty if we cut educational Mr. Speaker: Order. I think that the Prime Minister maintenance allowance, we cannot cut child poverty if has got the gist of it. The Prime Minister. we cut Sure Start, and we cannot cut child poverty if we deny young people the chance to get both the best Dr. McDonnell: Can the Prime Minister— education and the best opportunity for work. 9. [292271] Mark Hunter (Cheadle) (LD): The RAF Mr. Speaker: Order. I think the Prime Minister knows has identified the need for three further aircraft to what the question is. replace Nimrod R1 spy planes. New Nimrods, built in my constituency in Woodford, in which the Government The Prime Minister: We have signed agreements about have already invested £3.6 billion, are ideal for the task. lending with these banks, and we are determined to Will the Prime Minister therefore explain why his impose them. Our evidence is that large companies are Government have chosen instead to buy 40-year-old able to get money at the moment and that medium-sized American aircraft and how that ties in with his commitment companies are generally able to get money, but there are to British jobs for British workers? specific sectors in which it is very difficult. Small businesses need additional help, and that is what we are trying to The Prime Minister: I know that the hon. Gentleman make available through the Department of Business, is interested in future work for his constituents—that is Innovation and Skills. why he is raising this question. I can tell him that we have not made a final decision on the next stage of I can also say that 200,000 companies have been able orders and I will write to him when we do so. to get help with their cash flow through the measures that we introduced to help small businesses, and £4 billion Anne Moffat (East Lothian) (Lab): Does my right has been deferred by the Treasury. That is a measure hon. Friend share my concern about the ever-increasing that we have taken, as we have helped home owners and exploitation in the construction industry, in which foreign the unemployed, but it depends on our being willing to workers are driving wages down and where people are spend money to take us out of recession. That is our not complying with certain safety regulations. The matter decision, and that is our choice. It is unfortunate that it comes up in my surgery on a regular basis. Both foreign does not have all-party support in this House. and indigenous workers are being exploited by the employers. Do we need stricter regulation? Mr. Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy) (PC): On behalf of my party and my hon. Friends in the The Prime Minister: That is exactly why we are bringing Scottish National party, may I associate myself fully in the agency workers directive and giving it legislative with the words of condolence and sympathy expressed power through the House of Commons. I can also say by the Prime Minister? that there is a helpline for vulnerable workers, which we 297 Oral Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Oral Answers 298 set up after we had the vulnerable workers commission. 10. [292272] Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire) The helpline is available to anybody, on a confidential (Con): Will the Prime Minister confirm that he will and anonymous basis, to put their complaints, and we soldier on to the bitter end? will deal with those complaints. It is in nobody’s interest that vulnerable workers are left without the help that they need, and I hope that we can do everything possible The Prime Minister: We have got a programme for to support them. Government. Unfortunately, the other side do not. 299 14 OCTOBER 2009 Afghanistan and Pakistan 300

Afghanistan and Pakistan First, there is our work with Pakistan against terrorism and extremism. As a result of the meeting of the Friends Mr. Speaker: May I ask Members who are leaving the of Democratic Pakistan, which I chaired in New York Chamber please to do so quickly and quietly so that we on 24 September together with President Obama and can hear the Prime Minister’s statement and Members President Zardari, there is now a clear plan for stabilisation may have the chance to question him on it. and a policy that will assist the reconstruction of those areas of Pakistan where there has been military action 12.34 pm recently. We welcomed the recent success of the Pakistan The Prime Minister (Mr. Gordon Brown): With Government who decided to take action against the permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a statement Pakistan Taliban in Swat, Dir and Buner. The support on Afghanistan and Pakistan: first, on our work with of the opposition demonstrates that a wide cross- section the Government of Pakistan to counter the terrorist of Pakistan society now accepts that terrorism poses a threat from al-Qaeda and the Taliban; secondly, on our threat as serious to Pakistan as to the rest of the world. priorities for Afghanistan in the next stage of the work It is vital that basic services and economic assistance be our armed forces and civilians are undertaking there; provided in the liberated areas of Pakistan as soon as and thirdly, on the conditions we are setting down for security conditions allow. The Secretary of State for the next stage, including for the best possible protection International Development is therefore today announcing of our troops, especially against—as I mentioned earlier— a further British contribution of £10 million, in addition the growing threat of improvised explosive devices. to the £22 million that we have already provided for Earlier this afternoon we honoured those who have humanitarian assistance in those areas. died serving our country in Afghanistan. Today, I also Secondly, in Afghanistan we will now move further want to honour and thank all those who serve and have and faster to implement our strategy, which starts with served there. Each time I visit them, as I did a few weeks training, mentoring and partnering the Afghan army ago, I find myself in awe of the immense skill, courage and police. The more that the Afghans can take and sacrifice of our forces. It is right that we put on responsibility for security, the less our coalition forces record in this House, and for times to come, our gratitude will be needed in the long term—and the sooner our for the immeasurable contribution by all our armed troops will come home. forces to our security. We should also pay tribute to the service and sacrifice In recent weeks, I have discussed this approach with of our allies in the 42-country coalition, including that President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton, NATO of the 873 American soldiers who have been killed in Secretary-General Rasmussen, and I have met Admiral the last few months, and of two of our closest partners Mullen, the US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, in central Helmand—the Danes and Estonians—who and Generals Petraeus and McChrystal, as well as our have disproportionately suffered among the largest losses own military commanders here and on the ground. of all. Britain supports General McChrystal’s ambition to Every time I read to this House the names of those accelerate the growth of the Afghan security forces—an who have lost their lives in Afghanistan, every time I ambition that lies at the heart of his report—with the write a letter of condolence to their families and every Afghan army building to 134,000 within a year; that is, time I meet the wounded at Selly Oak, I ask myself the by next October. question that has been asked already today—whether The Afghans are committed to the recruitment of we can justify sending our young men and women to 5,000 soldiers a month from next spring; the new NATO join our allies to fight on the other side of the world. I training mission, established at Strasbourg, expects to have to conclude that, when the safety of our country is help train 40,000 Afghan soldiers in 2010. Britain is at stake, we cannot and will not walk away; that three- setting up a new training centre that will train about quarters of the most serious terror plots against the UK 900 junior officers and non-commissioned officers each have roots in the border and mountain areas of Afghanistan month. In Helmand, last year there were only 4,200 and Pakistan; that, as our security services report directly Afghan soldiers; this year there are an extra 50 per to me, while the sustained pressure on al-Qaeda in cent.—more than 6,000—and at our request the Afghan Pakistan combined with military action in Afghanistan Government undertook to send more units to support is having a suppressive effect on al-Qaeda, the main Operation Panther’s Claw. Although those units arrived, element of the threat to Britain still emanates from they were below strength and not yet fully ready for the al-Qaeda and Pakistan; and that a peaceful and stable task. In a province that faces 30 per cent. of the violence Afghanistan would be a strategic failure for al-Qaeda. in the country, we need more and better Afghan Our objective is clear and focused—to prevent al-Qaeda participation—and we need it from now. launching attacks on our streets and threatening legitimate government in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But if we That is why I can announce that the Afghans will set limit ourselves simply to targeting al-Qaeda, without up a corps headquarters in Helmand and that British building the capacity of Afghanistan and Pakistan to forces will be ready to partner 5,000 of the 10,000 deal with terrorism and violent extremism, the security Afghan troops whom the coalition will be training in gains will not endure. So over the last two years we have Helmand over the next few months, not just embedding sought to build and support the Afghan army and mentors with Afghan units, as we have done in the past, police and to work with the Pakistan security forces. but working integrally right up to the top of the command Our strategy is dedicated to counter-insurgency and chain. In future operations, the protection of populated what we have called “Afghanisation”. This guiding purpose, areas must be the shared responsibility of Afghan and reinforced in our strategy and in the NATO strategy in coalition forces. This will be central to the new benchmarks April, is at the heart of the announcements I am making and timelines that we, and General McChrystal, will set today. out as part of a new framework for the transition to 301 Afghanistan and Pakistan14 OCTOBER 2009 Afghanistan and Pakistan 302

Afghan authority. That will involve Afghan forces taking commitment be part of an agreed approach across the responsibility for the security of the Afghan people, and international coalition, with all countries bearing their doing so area by area. fair share. As 19 Light Brigade completes its tour of duty, I The combination of force levels, equipment levels know that the whole House will join me in thanking and tasks that I am setting out today follows the clear Brigadier Tim Radford, and the men and women whom military advice from our chiefs of staff and our commanders he leads, for their service throughout this hard-fought on the ground on implementing our strategy and reducing summer, and in sending our best wishes to 11 Light the risk to our forces. It is on that basis that I have Brigade, which is replacing them. That brigade will agreed in principle to a new British force level of 9,500, deploy with further enhancements to deal with the which will be put into effect once those conditions are deadly threat from explosive devices—including more met. specialist troops and more equipment—to protect our As I have said, we do not yet know the results of the forces, to find and defuse the improvised explosive first round of the Afghan elections. But although they devices and to identify and target the networks that were the first ever elections run by the Afghans themselves build and set them. and took place against the backdrop of a serious insurgency, we cannot be anything other than dissatisfied with the It should be noted that 19 Light Brigade was able to intimidation and corruption that has been exposed by prevent 1,200 explosive devices from being detonated. It Afghan and international observers. The Electoral will pass on that experience of success to its successors, Complaints Commission has set out a process of together with the equipment enhancements that I investigation, including the disqualification of fraudulent announced on my recent visit, and which will come on votes, and this process must be allowed to run its course. stream later this month and next to help them. That includes increased flying hours for unmanned aerial When I spoke to President Obama last week, we vehicles for surveillance—a 33 per cent. increase for agreed that when a new Government are formed, the Hermes, 50 per cent. for Desert Hawk and next year international community,including Afghanistan’sneighbours, 80 per cent. for Reaper. It also includes an extra £20 million must develop a contract with the new Government that committed to a fourfold increase in the total number of includes the commitment to growing the Afghan army; Mastiff and Ridgback mine-protected vehicles since tough action on corruption; a more inclusive political April, and the first Merlin helicopters to be deployed in process, including reaching out to the reconcilable elements Helmand in two weeks. of the insurgency; and stronger Afghan control of local affairs. Those are the necessary changes that I discussed That is highly specialised equipment that must be with President Karzai and Dr. Abdullah yesterday, for manufactured, delivered and adapted, and personnel without those changes the efforts of our military will be must be trained to operate it before it can be put into hampered and the new Afghan Government will not action. However, no one should doubt our commitment gain the trust of the Afghan people. to responding as fast as we possibly can to this new and A better future for Afghanistan, with its village and deadly threat from the Taliban, and nor should they rural population, can only be forged if there is stronger doubt the scale of our financial commitment to our governance right down to district level. Last year we soldiers and to this campaign. Since 2006-07, we have doubled the number of advisers we put in for civilian increased annual military spending on the Afghan help, and now our joint civilian-military teams—the operation—spending from the Treasury reserve, in addition first in Afghanistan—are supporting not just Governor to the defence budget—from £700 million to £1.5 billion Mangal, but district governors and village shuras. During to £2.6 billion, and now to more than £3.5 billion this the past year, four new district governors have been year. We are determined to provide our forces with the appointed in Helmand. The Afghan Government are resources that they need to keep them safe, and to make now functioning in nine out of their 13 districts, compared the right decisions about equipment and troop deployments with five last year, and we are supporting community as part of our wider strategy. councils to consult with thousands of local people. To meet the changing demands of the campaign, To ensure that this work has immediate backing, we which require greater concentration of our forces in have announced an extra £20 million for the stabilisation central Helmand, we have confirmed the decision that work in Helmand—money that is already being we made in the National Security Committee in the disbursed—to increase the number of Afghan national summer: that one of the British units—the regional police in Helmand by 1,000 a year for each of the next battle group for southern Afghanistan—will be redeployed three years and to build a new police training academy to Helmand with immediate effect. To support our plan and new facilities for district governors. We are also and to train more Afghan soldiers and police, while working with coalition partners to extend such support maintaining the security of our forces, I have agreed in to the 34 provincial governors and 400 district governors principle a new force level subject to the following right across Afghanistan. conditions. British aid will therefore continue to help to pay the The first is that a new Afghan Government demonstrate salaries of teachers and doctors, but we are also ready their commitment to bring forward the Afghan troops to fund and partner the first Afghan teams sent for to be trained and to fight alongside our forces. I talked stability purposes from Kabul to work alongside us in yesterday to President Karzai and Dr. Abdullah and Helmand. We want to reinforce the hard-won gains of received assurances that it is their determination that our forces in this hardest of summers while fostering this will happen. The second condition is that, as before, greater Afghan responsibility for their own affairs. every soldier and unit deployed to Afghanistan is and We will have prevailed in Afghanistan when our must be fully equipped for the operations that they are troops come home because the Afghans have not only asked to undertake. The third condition is that our the will to fight, but the ability to take control of their 303 Afghanistan and Pakistan14 OCTOBER 2009 Afghanistan and Pakistan 304

[The Prime Minister] equipment? Will people not also ask why, after eight years, we are still playing catch-up on equipment? As we own affairs. The right strategy is one that finishes the have said repeatedly, helicopters are crucial. Will he tell job, giving Afghans the tools to take over themselves. us what progress has been made on getting more Chinooks A safer Afghanistan is a safer Britain. A stronger Pakistan to theatre? He said in his statement that the “first is also a safer Britain. We must never again let the Merlin helicopters” will be deployed in the next two territory of this region or any region become a base for weeks. Can he assure the House that all six Merlins terror on the underground or in the streets, cities and from Iraq will be in Afghanistan by the end of the year, airports of Britain. We must not permit it and we will as he promised? We welcome the delivery of the new not permit it. We have the right strategy and we will see Ridgback and Mastiff armoured vehicles, but, according it through. I commend this strategy to the House. to yesterday’s Public Accounts Committee report, only one in five of the Mastiff fleet were classified as fit in Mr. David Cameron (Witney) (Con): We have long June 2008. Will he tell us whether that completely called for regular reports to Parliament on Afghanistan unacceptable position has now improved? and Pakistan, so we very much welcome this statement. The Prime Minister tells us that the troops going to I would like to ask the Prime Minister about three Afghanistan will be properly trained and equipped, yet areas: first, Britain’s input into the US strategic review; today we see that training for the Territorial Army, secondly, the equipment for our troops; and thirdly, the including some who are going to Afghanistan, has been military’s request for extra troops. cut. Will people not conclude from that that he is not On our overall strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan, fully on top of what is happening in his own Government? and President Obama’s review, the Prime Minister said On the additional 500 troops that he has announced, that he supports General McChrystal’s ambition, but can he confirm that that is what the military have can he tell us whether he basically agrees with General actually asked for? Vitally, will he also make it clear that McChrystal that we need a proper, fully fledged counter- the troops announced today are new, additional soldiers, insurgency strategy in Afghanistan? The Prime Minister not troops who are already there and who have had rightly says that our military effort should increasingly their stay extended? be geared to training the Afghan national army. We I want to return, if I may, to what the Prime Minister agree with that and support it, and we welcome the extra said to me when I asked about the military’s request for Afghan troops who will be in Helmand, but does he extra troops in the summer. On 13 July, in the House, I agree that in order for this to work, the Afghan national asked him specifically whether commanders had asked army needs to be more representative of the country as a for more troops to do more things and whether he had whole? Can he tell us what progress is being made on been asked for 2,000 more troops. He replied: that vital front? “I have been reassured by commanders on the ground and at As the Prime Minister said, the recent elections were the top of the armed services that we have the manpower that we widely seen as flawed and corrupt. If reruns of contests need for the current operations.”—[Official Report, 13 July 2009; are not possible, does he agree that the clearest possible Vol. 496, c. 26.] message should be sent to President Karzai that when Yet we now know that the military did ask for 2,000 British soldiers are fighting and dying for his country, more troops in March this year. Will he tell us why that the corruption and ineffectiveness of his Government option was rejected? Will he also explain why he gave are completely unacceptable? such an evasive answer on such an important issue as On the Taliban, do we not need to get much smarter troop numbers? Does he not understand that we are at distinguishing between individuals who pose a real only going to carry the public’s confidence if we are long-term threat to the security of the UK and its allies, straight with them about the choices that we face? and those who do not? Does the Prime Minister agree Finally, let me ask about what is being done to put that, while we should not be negotiating with the leadership our entire effort in Afghanistan on to a proper war of the Taliban, we should be breaking up the movement, footing in Whitehall. We need a clear sense of direction separating out those who are more motivated by money from Ministers, a clear sense of who is in day-to-day or other factors rather than by ideological commitment? charge, and a Government machine that responds quickly Can he tell us a bit more about what progress is being and decisively. Will the Prime Minister tell us today made on this front? what he is doing to make that happen? Let me be clear: As the Prime Minister has rightly said, security in we support the mission in Afghanistan, provided that Pakistan has a direct link to security here in the UK. we are realistic about what we are aiming to achieve. To While the success in the Swat valley of which he spoke is us, the overriding aim must be to train the Afghan welcome, the recent siege at the army HQ in Rawalpindi— forces so that they can take responsibility for their own just a few miles from the Pakistan capital—was deeply security and our soldiers can come back home. disturbing. Will he tell us what the British Government are doing to increase the Pakistan Government’s ability The Prime Minister: I will answer every specific and capacity to deal with the rise of extremism? Will he point that the right hon. Gentleman has raised, but I address specifically the question of what he thinks is want to stress that the decisions that we are now being done, if anything, to shut down the Quetta announcing today have been made after the fullest shura? possible consultation with our American allies, with The Prime Minister has said that the deployment of the Secretary-General of NATO, with our own military extra troops is conditional on the military assuring him commanders on the ground and with the Chief of the that they have the necessary equipment and training, Defence Staff and the Chief of the General Staff. I but will not people think that it is the Government’s have regularly met them over the past few weeks to deal responsibility to ensure that they have the necessary with these issues. 305 Afghanistan and Pakistan14 OCTOBER 2009 Afghanistan and Pakistan 306

The right hon. Gentleman should also be aware that of the Afghan forces to build up the Afghan army the National Security Committee has been meeting and security forces are absolutely central to everything every week throughout the summer to review events we do. and dispensations. That committee has the advantage When we went in on Operation Panther’s Claw, we of being a committee not simply of Ministers such as wanted the Afghan forces to hold the ground. They the Foreign Secretary, the International Development came, but they were not strong enough or well equipped Secretary, the Defence Secretary, myself and others; its enough to do so. We need an Afghan army that is membership also includes the commanders themselves, properly strengthened and properly equipped. As the our security services and those people who can advise right hon. Gentleman rightly says, that means getting a us on the issues on the ground. On some occasions, we balanced army across the country as well as getting have had a regular input from our ambassador in troops to come from other parts of the country to Kabul. It is completely not the case that these matters Helmand, where 30 per cent. of the violence takes place. are not being properly co-ordinated at the centre of Our aim is to move from an Afghan army of 90,000 to Government by a National Security Committee with one of 134,000, and to train the troops but also to have the advice of our commanders at all times and with them in action with our own troops right up to headquarters regular meetings and discussions with our allies. level. We believe that, in the next year, that extra 50,000 or so troops can be achieved through a recruitment rate Let me deal first with the right hon. Gentleman’s of 5,000 a month and through those troops being sent question about Pakistan. He is absolutely right to say into Helmand. that there are risks in Pakistan, as the Pakistan Taliban in particular are engaged in activities against the Pakistan The integration of people who are part of the Taliban Government. He should also note, however, that in the or the insurgency and who could be persuaded to come past few months in Pakistan we have seen the most over is a central element of the work that we are doing. encouraging coalition of forces: the Opposition parties The Foreign Secretary emphasised that in a speech only as well as the Government, and the security services as a few weeks ago. The importance of it has led General well as the army, are determined to take on the Pakistan Lamb, who acted with great distinction in Iraq, to go to Taliban in those areas where they have a foothold. They work with General McChrystal on the very process of are taking the fight to them, removing them from the reintegration and splitting the Taliban. territory and doing an incredible amount of work to There are Pashtun nationalists, people hired for a ensure that displaced people can get back into their own dollar or two a day, young people who want to assert areas. their independence, and Taliban and al-Qaeda ideologues. We have got to separate the people who worry that they This was reflected in the Friends of Democratic are hit with an occupying army from those who simply Pakistan meeting that we held at the United Nations. want al-Qaeda or the Taliban to regain control of That meeting involved not just ourselves and America; Afghanistan and practise terrorism from that country. I there was representation from all the major countries in believe that all parties share our determination on political Europe and elsewhere wanting to support the efforts of reconciliation, but it is important to note it. the Pakistan Government to deal with the problem that Let me answer the questions on equipment. There they face. I have had assurance from President Zardari—we will be two Merlin helicopters there very soon and our know that there have been discussions because the plan is get six there as soon as possible. The problem Defence Secretary and the Home Secretary were in has been that we have to re-blade the helicopters from Pakistan very recently; the Foreign Secretary is also in their work in Iraq; then the pilots have to be trained for direct touch—that the Pakistan Government plan to the difficult and different terrain of Afghanistan. That take their campaign from the Swat valley into Waziristan work is going on; I have seen it at first hand when I have at some point. They are planning how to deal with not visited the RAF base in which it is being done. I was only the Pakistan Taliban but the Afghan Taliban and also asked whether we would have other helicopters. al-Qaeda itself. It was encouraging, having defined the Chinooks will be going there next year; Lynx has been problem as one that covers the border areas of Afghanistan remodelled for high intensity and very hot atmospheres, and Pakistan, that while we had hoped for years that and they are going there from next summer. With the Pakistan authorities would take action, they are Mastiff and Ridgback, I think I am right in saying that now doing so. As the Leader of the Opposition said, 500 vehicles have been sent to Afghanistan in the last they recognise that the terror threat is very close to period of time. The equipment for Mastiff and Ridgback home for them. is now second to none. Of course we want to get more On Afghanistan, I was asked about General McChrystal’s there as soon as possible, and we are making that report and about a number of issues relating to equipment. happen. I want to ensure that people understand the process of I have already said that I will investigate what the consultation that we have gone through, and the logic Leader of the Opposition said about the Territorial of the decisions that we have made. The basic elements Army, but I emphasise to him that the Territorial Army of General McChrystal’s report relating to the principles is part of our mission in Afghanistan. Anybody who of future operations involve a move from counter-terrorism goes to Afghanistan has the assurance that we will do to counter-insurgency, and a move from an emphasis on everything in our power to make sure that they are fully holding areas to being with the largest areas of population equipped for the tasks that they undertake. and winning hearts and minds. The aim is therefore not I was asked about the numbers of troops in Afghanistan simply to eliminate the Taliban but to win the support and the issues that arose. A number of options were of the Afghan people. It is for that reason that the before us earlier this year for different kinds of operations general is proposing—rightly so; we ourselves proposed that we might mount in Afghanistan. We took the this some months ago—that the partnering and mentoring necessary decision to send more engineers to Afghanistan 307 Afghanistan and Pakistan14 OCTOBER 2009 Afghanistan and Pakistan 308

[The Prime Minister] co-ordinated international plan? What is the Prime Minister doing to advance a political surge to run to protect ourselves against the IED threat. A range of alongside any new military surge? options were discussed and we decided to raise the As Secretary of State Clinton said this week, not number of troops from 8,100 to 9,000 until we could see everyone who calls himself a Taliban is necessarily a what was happening with the American review of strategy threat to the United Kingdom or the United States. I and also what happened during the election campaign. welcome what the Prime Minister said a few minutes We raised the number from 8,100 to 9,000, and we are ago on that issue, but can he be more precise? I see the now making a decision to raise the number again from Prime Minister is smiling, but can he address the point? 9,000 to 9,500. We are redeploying the regional battle What programmes, what budgets and what staff have group to central Helmand, because that is the best use been allocated to the fairly serious job of reconciliation of it as we try to undertake the task of protecting our and grass-roots diplomacy in Afghanistan? Beyond the forces while at the same time conducting our Afghan borders of Afghanistan, what progress has been made support exercise for Afghan troops. The decisions taken to bring other countries in the region together, to share have been agreed by all our military advisers as the right intelligence on the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and to tackle decisions to take for the future. the opium trade? The reason for imposing conditions is obvious. We On military strategy, General McChrystal has highlighted cannot train the Afghan forces without the Afghan the need to defend urban centres. Does the Prime Government making those forces available to be trained. Minister concede that it is now better to focus our We want to go in harmony with the American decisions forces on defending the more populated areas rather that General McChrystal and the President are discussing. than operating from remote outposts in a Taliban- I believe that what we are saying today is consistent with dominated countryside in Helmand? what the Americans will decide. Of course, we want to be absolutely sure that the Finally, the Karzai Government have spectacularly troops we send are properly and fully equipped for the failed to win the trust of the Afghan people. They are future. In other words, whenever there has been a need beset by corruption, crime and the influence of warlords. for us to protect our troops and to move forward the The Prime Minister talked in his statement about the campaign, which is now about Afghans taking more need for a more inclusive political process, but let me responsibility, we have been prepared to send the troops, press him again on the issue that I raised with him to make the investment, to provide the finance and to earlier. Does he agree that, regardless of electoral outcomes, support the troops on the ground. I hope that the only a full Government of national unity can now Conservative party will be able to maintain what has deliver a platform for progress in Afghanistan? been a consistent bipartisan approach to a necessary exercise in Afghanistan, and that we can proceed on the The Prime Minister: The right hon. Gentleman’s first basis that there is support in all quarters of the House remarks were that we did not have a strategy for Afghanistan for the activities that we are undertaking. and that we needed to think it through. His second set of remarks, however, revealed that he has not understood Mr. Nick Clegg (Sheffield, Hallam) (LD): I thank the that our strategy is to give Afghans more responsibility Prime Minister for his statement, quite a lot of which I for their own affairs, to train up the Afghan army and welcome. We on the Liberal Democrat Benches have military, to train up the security forces and police, and argued that we cannot fight and succeed in this war on to make sure that civilian government in Afghanistan is half horsepower, with half measures, with half-baked more effectively done. That is why I will have to correct thinking. Time is running out for the mission in Afghanistan the right hon. Gentleman when it comes to some of his and we need a radical change in direction. proposals. The Prime Minister set out today a number of conditions Yes, General Lamb is working on how he can help to on which the deployment of extra British troops will reintegrate into civilian society people who desert the depend, but does he agree that, ultimately, the key Taliban, but in the end it has to be a process of the condition is that they should have a realistic chance of Afghans themselves coming together and working together success, which requires above all a credible new strategy? for the future. Equally, as far as a Government of The public are rightly cautious about a drip, drip national unity is concerned, it is not for us to prescribe accumulation of British forces in Afghanistan without what the Government should be. That is for the electorate, any overarching strategy to work from or realistic goals and for their verdict to be taken into account by President to work towards. More troops may be necessary, but Karzai, Dr. Abdullah and all the other people involved. they will not be sufficient to guarantee success. If a re-run or second round of the election is necessary, I welcome what the Prime Minister said today about that may have to happen. We have to accept that that is new Merlin helicopters and more Mastiff and Ridgback in the hands of the electoral commission, which will vehicles, although we need more detail on when they make recommendations after it has looked at spoiled will be available on the ground and on whether the and fraudulent ballots. poorly armed Snatch Land Rovers have now been Our strategy in Afghanistan is to build up the army withdrawn from service as the Government promised in from 90,000 to 134,000 as quickly as possible; to build the past. Does the Prime Minister not agree with General up the police from about 98,000 to about 150,000; to McChrystal’s conclusion that focusing just on force or build up the civilian shuras and the district and provincial resource requirements misses the point entirely and that government in Afghanistan to make it more effective; there is more to this than just boots and equipment on and to be in a position to hand control of Afghanistan, the ground? Does he not agree that the key and central area by area, back to the Afghan people. That seems to failure in Afghanistan is the lack, still today, of a me to be the most sensible policy. 309 Afghanistan and Pakistan14 OCTOBER 2009 Afghanistan and Pakistan 310

As far as vehicles are concerned, there has been a sea One of the key aspects of bringing security to the change in the way we have brought in Mastiffs and Afghan people is the training of police who are free Ridgbacks. I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that from corruption. In Iraq we found that it was of great there is an issue about small vehicles, and we are looking assistance if the Iraqi army mentored the Iraqi police. at that at the moment. I suspect that he will hear from Will a similar approach be adopted in Afghanistan? the troops on the ground that, although the IED threat is real, the vehicles brought in during recent months are The Prime Minister: That is one of the approaches by far the best they have ever had and the best in the that we are considering. The European Union responsibility world. We will do everything that we can to ensure that for the training of police forces has been with Germany, there are better vehicles in the future. and it has done a great deal, but more must be done. It is As for President Karzai and governance, I agree with possible to envisage circumstances in which the army the right hon. Gentleman. We cannot tolerate a situation will help with the training of police forces, and it is in which we have British forces, indeed allied forces, in possible that there will be more civilians training them Afghanistan, and a Government who are tolerating as well. I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that we corruption. That is why President Obama, I and others cannot just talk about training the army. As I said, will propose to whoever takes over the government of General McChrystal recommended a build-up of the Afghanistan that there must be a contract that is monitored police forces from 98,000 to 150,000. That is a big to deal specifically with corruption, to deal with the increase, but those forces must be in the right places, appointment of governors in a fair way so that we can they must of course be paid—that is one of the problems deal with corruption in the provinces, to deal with the that we have experienced before—and they must be free training of Afghan forces for the future, and to deal of corruption. That is an order that the Afghan Government with something which, although I was not able to talk must accept. about it today, is absolutely important to the Afghan Mr. Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry, North-West) (Lab): people: to create a climate for economic activity which The whole House will be greatly reassured by what my involves wheat rather than heroin, and in which small right hon. Friend has said about the need to reconcile businesses can develop and Afghan people can have a and reintegrate many of those who are loosely called stake in the future of their country. That is the way Taliban, but who are certainly not under the direction forward, and I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will of the three main insurgencies. He will be aware that find a way in which to support it. in Iraq, 100,000 Sunnis were signed up, reintegrated Several hon. Members rose— and paid by the Americans to join the Iraqi national Mr. Speaker: Order. I want to accommodate as many army in a matter of three weeks. A way ahead like that as possible of the more than 30 Members who are would be possible, but does my right hon. Friend not seeking to catch my eye, so I am looking for single, see that President Karzai is an obstacle? He is widely short supplementary questions and, of course, economical implicated in the fraud that took place in the election, replies. and in the corruption that extends throughout the country. Can my right hon. Friend not think of ways of Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North) (Lab): On Saturday ensuring that Dr. Abdullah is much more closely involved 24 October, thousands of people will march through in the execution and administration of politics in the London calling for British troops to come out of country? Afghanistan, and they will represent the views of millions of people in this country. Does the Prime Minister not The Prime Minister: I have talked to both President realise that this is a war that does not enjoy popular Karzai and Dr. Abdullah about how, whatever happens support? It has gone on for eight years, it has cost too about the election, they can work more closely together many lives, and it has no end in sight. Can the Prime and ensure that there is some common purpose, but that Minister produce a strategy to end it, and not to continue is a decision for them to make after they have seen the the occupation? findings of the independent electoral commission. The Prime Minister: I must tell my hon. Friend that I agree with my hon. Friend that unless corruption is our strategy is to create a situation in which British dealt with, the reputation of Afghanistan and the trust troops can start coming home, which means strengthening that people will have in its Government will be severely the Afghan forces to enable them to do this job. limited. I also agree with him that reintegration must be a central element of what we do. A large number of I think that my hon. Friend should remember the people would be prepared to leave the province of the circumstances in which we went into Afghanistan in the Taliban. We must have a strategy for that, not just at first place. Forty countries are with us in a 41-nation national level but at local level, and that is exactly what coalition, and every other country that has been involved we are working on now. in Afghanistan has put troops, equipment or civilian staff into it. It is important to recognise that there is Sir Malcolm Rifkind (Kensington and Chelsea) (Con): widespread support for this operation across and beyond While it is unlikely that the Taliban can be eliminated, NATO. I think that before people consider their final even with increased NATO troops, is it not equally true view on Afghanistan, they should look at the strategy that it is impossible for the Taliban to conquer Afghanistan that we are actually proposing: a strategy that gives relying, as they do, on roadside bombs and suicide Afghans more control of their army and police forces to bombers? Does that not point to the need to convince enable our troops to come home over a period of time. the Taliban that NATO will stay there for as long as Mr. James Arbuthnot (North-East Hampshire) (Con): necessary? That means that even if we are able gradually We have still not been given a proper answer on the to withdraw our ground forces, we must give a commitment request for 2,000 extra troops, so I will not bother to ask to long-term NATO air support working with the enlarged about that. Afghan Government. 311 Afghanistan and Pakistan14 OCTOBER 2009 Afghanistan and Pakistan 312

The Prime Minister: The right hon. and learned saying. He has reconsidered the American strategy. As Gentleman has made an important point. In hand-to-hand, he says, he is moving from counter-terrorism to counter- one-to-one fighting, the Taliban have lost. That is why insurgency: he is concentrating on people and winning they have changed their tactics, and why their tactics are their support, rather than concentrating on areas and now essentially those of guerrilla warfare. That is why eliminating Taliban military. At the same time, he is they are laying devices to kill or maim our soldiers, and completely signed up to the idea that we must train and why 80 per cent. of deaths—not just British fatalities, partner the Afghan forces. but fatalities across Afghanistan—arise from the use of I believe that that is the right strategy, because it gives IEDs. us a way forward. It moves from the status quo in a way The right hon. and learned Gentleman is absolutely that shows that if the Afghans can take responsibility right to suggest that the Taliban cannot win a conventional for their own affairs more quickly, we can bring our war, but can only disrupt our attempt to bring peace troops home more quickly. and stability to Afghanistan. He is also absolutely right to say that we must think ahead. We must send a Mr. David Crausby (Bolton, North-East) (Lab): Does message to the Taliban that we are not going to walk my right hon. Friend agree that the threat posed by away, and that—as he rightly suggests—NATO will stay al-Qaeda applies to all NATO member countries? Will the course. At the same time, however, we must be he join me in urging some of our more reticent European prepared to integrate those elements of the insurgency allies to contribute on the same brave and dangerous who are not among the Taliban ideologues into the level as the British armed forces? framework of a civilian society that can develop in the future. The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is absolutely Dr. Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) (Lab): right that there must be burden-sharing. Before the In July, when I last visited Afghanistan, I saw for myself elections, I and others persuaded some other European not only the tremendous job that our armed forces are countries to contribute more, and there was a greater doing there, but the growing use of the Afghan national contribution from other countries in the run-up to the army in front-line operations. However, I am less clear elections. It is now for all of us—once the strategy is set about how the Afghan Government are being encouraged out by President Obama and then by NATO itself; and to take responsibility for the overall security situation. there is a meeting taking place in the next few days to do Will the Prime Minister say something more about what that—to persuade other countries that this is the right action he is taking in that regard? way forward for them. Some countries will find it better that they are training Afghan forces and not engaged in The Prime Minister: The Afghan security services military action on the ground; some will be prepared to have already taken responsibility in some areas of contribute more money rather than more helicopters; Afghanistan, but it has become absolutely clear that some may be prepared to contribute equipment rather they must be better trained, better equipped, and better than staff on the ground—but everyone must accept able to deal with both military and civilian tasks. That that if they are part of the coalition they have got to will involve not just the army but the police. Training share the burden. and partnering must develop apace. Training and mentoring will mean, in some cases, embedding British forces with Mr. Mark Lancaster (North-East Milton Keynes) the Afghan forces, but what is currently being proposed (Con): As I am a member of the Territorial Army who is that similar units of Afghan and British forces should has served in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister will work together with a joint command. That would make understand my particular interest, and it is worth the training of Afghan forces more rapid, and give them remembering that a large percentage of our forces in experience of what is happening on the ground more Afghanistan are members of the reserve. Indeed, as one quickly. of the EOD—explosive ordnance disposal—trained As I have said, it is incredibly important that if we engineers to which the Prime Minister referred, it is take and hold ground, that is done not only by British likely that I may have to go there again, perhaps even forces but by Afghan forces, so that Afghanistan’s own sooner than I think after this question. This week, forces are holding ground against the Taliban for the however, I was told that I may not be able to train again future. That is why the strategy of partnering is so until next April. How can that be right and, more important to the next stage. importantly, what sort of message does that send to the members of the reserve forces whom the Prime Minister Sir Menzies Campbell (North-East Fife) (LD): After claims to value so much? eight years, what confidence can we have that the strategy announced by the Prime Minister today has a better chance of success than the strategies previously announced The Prime Minister: I will look in detail at the individual by this Government? cases that are raised but, as I have said, our focus is on Afghanistan at present, and those people who are likely The Prime Minister: We have been proposing something to go to Afghanistan will get the training that is necessary. similar for the last 18 months. I think people have recognised that unless there is a strategy allowing Afghan Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle) (Lab): I am interested people to take more responsibility for their own affairs, in the new timelines that the Prime Minister mentioned we cannot see a way through this that does not involve in his statement. What will happen in 2011 when Canada British or other troops being there for many, many withdraws its combat forces from Kandahar, which is years. The importance of what we are saying today lies next door to Helmand province? Will we be expected to in the fact that it is supported by NATO itself, and is move in there, or will the Afghan army be expected to very much in tune with what General McChrystal is step up to the plate? What is going to happen in 2011? 313 Afghanistan and Pakistan14 OCTOBER 2009 Afghanistan and Pakistan 314

The Prime Minister: It is not the assumption that we Mr. Nicholas Soames (Mid-Sussex) (Con): Even allowing will move in. Yes, there will be greater presence from the for the considerable and remarkable expertise of British Afghan army, because its numbers will have grown by troops in training the Afghans, at which they have been about 50,000 over the next period of time. We are also very successful, the timelines outlined in the Prime awaiting an announcement from the Americans on Minister’s statement will be extremely tight. Given the what they will be doing. Some of their troops who they further advice that he received earlier in the year from announced in the previous round are yet to arrive in the chiefs, is he satisfied that there are within 11 Light Afghanistan. Therefore, I think that quite a few changes Brigade enough British soldiers to hold, clear and build will be taking place as a result of announcements from on that ground until there are sufficient Afghan soldiers different countries. to take the strain?

David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden) (Con): The The Prime Minister: I agree that one of the big Prime Minister is right to emphasise the role of the questions is how we can train Afghan forces at a far Afghan security services, but Afghanistan is bigger, more rapid rate than before. At present, we are seeing more complex and presents a more difficult problem recruitment of Afghan forces at a rate of 2,000 a than Iraq, and as Iraq’s indigenous security forces number month. That will rise to about 5,000 a month. Of 600,000, how does the Prime Minister imagine we can course, not every one of them will go on to get full succeed in Afghanistan with less than half that number? training or even turn up, so we are talking about an estimated increase of 4,000 a month over the next year. I have talked to General McChrystal about this, and we The Prime Minister: First, Afghanistan is very different have talked to the American authorities as well as to from Iraq. Secondly, the right hon. Gentleman should NATO, and it seems to be a practical proposition. Steps accept that the figures I have given for the army are the are being put in place for it to happen. Karzai is sure increase in numbers over the next year—from 90,000 to that he can provide the numbers of those who will be 134,000. That is not necessarily the limit on the numbers prepared to be recruited to the armed forces. That is the that will be placed in the Afghan army or the limit of first stage; if we are to go in to train, we must have the our ability to train members of the Afghan army. I have Afghan forces with whom to do so. already given a figure on the rising numbers of police who will be trained for the future. As we know, in the On numbers, I want to make sure that the House end, Afghan civil society at the local level must operate understands what I said earlier. I said that we discussed as well, and where it does operate successfully—perhaps a number of options earlier this year. None of them through tribal chiefs, the shuras that have been developed, included raising the number of forces by 2,000. We or the community councils that have been created—that discussed several options. We decided to raise the numbers can make a huge difference. We are dealing with a to 9,000. We decided we would review that after the different country and different conditions, but the limits elections had taken place because a lot rested on security I have referred to on the training of the army for the related to the conduct of the elections. We have now next year are not the limits on the army for the future. conducted that review, and we have been in touch with the Americans, and by agreement with our commanders on the ground and the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Hugh Bayley (City of York) (Lab): I ask the Prime Chief of the General Staff and others who have been Minister to maintain a close interest in the poppy involved—I met all the chiefs yesterday for breakfast—we cultivation problem. Such cultivation funds the insurgency, have decided on the increase to 9,500 subject to the and the heroin produced wreaks havoc on the streets of conditions I set out. I hope people will understand that our country. What progress is being made in reducing at all times we have acted in good faith. the amount of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan? Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): First, may I associate The Prime Minister: The International Development myself with the respect paid by the Prime Minister to all Secretary will be able to write to my hon. Friend in those who have lost their lives in Afghanistan and all detail about the success of Governor Mangal’s programme who have loved them. in Helmand, where in order to replace poppy cultivation The Prime Minister’s statement puts considerable we encouraged the growing of wheat. Partly because the emphasis on growing the capacity of the Afghan army. wheat price has been high over the past few months, Does he recognise some future danger in building an that has been very successful in moving thousands of ever stronger army if at the same time we indulge a farmers from poppy cultivation to wheat farming. We systemically weak and corrupt Government? Does the will be extending the programme over the course of the history of Pakistan not point out the danger of such an next year. That is one way in which we are reducing the equation, and what is being done to mitigate these dependence on poppy cultivation in Helmand. We realise risks? that that is a continuing challenge, however. I should also say that there is considerable evidence The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman makes the the people who are involved in the industry of growing very important point that if we are to have Afghan heroin are also those involved in placing IEDs, which responsibility for Afghan affairs, we need both local have caused so much havoc among our troops, and a lot and national Government who work effectively. I would of our surveillance work is now related to tracking perhaps put more emphasis than the hon. Gentleman those people. One of my announcements today was the on local government being effective. For most people in increased surveillance that will take place in Afghanistan Afghanistan the hold of central Government is very of those who are trying mainly by night but also by day weak indeed. However, I agree that President Karzai to plant IEDs. and those who will hold authority in Afghanistan after 315 Afghanistan and Pakistan14 OCTOBER 2009 Afghanistan and Pakistan 316

[The Prime Minister] The Prime Minister: There is a 41-nation coalition that sees its responsibility as making sure that we can the elections—whoever they are—must take responsibility deal with the terror threat of al-Qaeda and that the for making sure that we have corrupt-free government Afghan Taliban do not return to power in the way that across the country. A lot is related to the heroin trade, as they did before. I must say to the hon. Gentleman that has been said, but there is a responsibility on those who 6 million children are at school in Afghanistan—1 rule Afghanistan to make sure that the confidence we million girls, who would never be at school if we left have placed in them by sending troops to deal with the Afghanistan to the Taliban, are at school. More importantly, problems is repaid by their cleansing the Government people in Britain are safer. Three quarters of the plots of corrupt activities. That will be part of the contract that we have discovered in Britain come from the Pakistan with any future Government in Afghanistan. border area. If the Taliban and al-Qaeda are allowed to roam free there, we are at risk. Whatever difficulties he Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): The Prime Minister’s diagnoses from the history of Afghanistan—many statement was silent on the continued abject failure of conclusions can be drawn from its vexed history—we the major European NATO countries to provide troops have a duty to protect our citizens and to ensure that we on the ground in Helmand province. In respect of his do everything in our power to build the capacity of the comments on hearts and minds, may I suggest that his Afghan people to run their own affairs. Government take some leadership? Over the summer his Ministers have told me: “No steps have…been taken by UK Trade and Investment to Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North) (Lab): Is my encourage the export of goods from Afghanistan” right hon. Friend aware that the reason for the growing opposition in Britain to the military position in Afghanistan and is that people simply cannot see victory occurring, even “No locally produced food has been procured for British if we were to stay there for another eight years? I, for troops in Helmand Province by the MOD Food Supply Contractor.”—[Official Report, 14 September 2009; Vol. 496, one, am totally opposed to increasing the number of c. 2188W and 2122W.] troops, and if there is an opportunity to do so, I will Is there not a case for the British Government to boost certainly vote against this. the economy of Afghanistan, and in that connection may I urge his Ministers to discuss matters with UK-based The Prime Minister: I have to say to my hon. Friend charity POM354, which is doing that on the ground in that we have laid out a strategy that does not leave Afghanistan as we speak? things as they are. It is strategy that says that we have to train Afghan forces and that they must be in a position The Prime Minister: There is, of course, a case for to take responsibility where British troops, and American that and we would want to see it happen in the future. and other troops, are taking responsibility now. That The hon. Gentleman has been to Camp Bastion and seems to me to be the best way forward. That training knows the arrangements that have to be made in an function will require us to make a contribution to it. We area that is otherwise barren to ensure that our troops are prepared to make our contribution, and I believe are properly fed and equipped. He knows the airlifts that there will be wider support, both in this House and that take place to make that possible. We should be among the general public, than he suggests. proud that we have been able to supply equipment, food and everything that is necessary for our troops by ensuring that these airlifts take place. He is right that, Dr. Julian Lewis (New Forest, East) (Con): The Prime over time, we must be able to encourage local Afghan Minister admits that 80 per cent. of our casualties have industry too. been caused by roadside bombs. What proportion of the convoys attacked by those bombs were resupply Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton) (Lab/Co-op): The convoys, which could and should have been transported Prime Minister mentioned in his statement welcome by air but which were not because of the disgraceful investment to ensure that the kit and the equipment to shortage of air transport capacity? back up our brave armed forces in theatre is available. On the question of Army vehicles, he mentioned the The Prime Minister: I just do not accept the hon. Ridgback and the Mastiff—of course, the very successful Gentleman’s conclusion. A lot of the casualties have, Jackal vehicle has also been used. Can he assure me that unfortunately, been those people who have been on foot the MOD is looking at a replacement for the Snatch patrol, trying to build relationships with the Afghan vehicle that combines protection and a lower profile, so people, so that we are seen not as an occupying army, that as we move into stabilisation that kind of vehicle is but as an army that works with them. Where vehicles available for our armed forces? have been blown up we investigate what has happened, and I am happy to give him the details. The Prime Minister: I think that my hon. Friend is talking about a vehicle that is made near or in her constituency. She is right to say that the Jackal is a very Paul Flynn (Newport, West) (Lab): How dare we ask important vehicle. It is very popular with our troops more British soldiers to risk their lives for a corrupt and we depend upon it greatly. President, his depraved police and the barbaric warlords, when we have already lost more British lives than have Sir Peter Tapsell (Louth and Horncastle) (Con): May been lost by all our European allies? Every surge of I put it to the Prime Minister that anyone who thinks British troops in the past has resulted in a surge of that a NATO-trained Afghan army recruited from targets for Taliban bombs and British deaths. Do we 67 mutually hostile tribes will defeat the Taliban is not need new thinking, rather than more troops putting living in a political cloud cuckoo land? their lives at risk in an impossible war? 317 Afghanistan and Pakistan14 OCTOBER 2009 Afghanistan and Pakistan 318

The Prime Minister: We have been setting out the new John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): thinking about Afghanisation over the past few months. Following that point, this year this war has cost not I hope that my hon. Friend understands that we are only 200 British lives but 1,000 Afghan lives. It has also doing everything in our power to counter the IED destabilised whole areas of Pakistan, all to install a threat; we have taken very big steps to increase the Government who are a byword for corruption. Now we surveillance and the detection, and we have had a great are sending a further 500 British troops and putting deal of success. As I have said, 1,500 instruments have their lives at risk. What are the specific criteria for the been dismantled or discovered as a result of the work of success of the investment of those 500 troops, because our security services and our forces. He should understand many of us fear that we will back in a few months’ time that a great deal of progress has been made. On the for another 500 lives to put at risk? regime, he is right to say that we must continue the battle against corruption, but I say to him that we are The Prime Minister: I have just said—I hope that I part of a 41-nation coalition. We are working with am able to emphasise this—that the reason why those other countries, and they are suffering casualties, too. troops are being put into Afghanistan, which is being We must understand that the high rate of casualties this done on the conditions that I have set out, is to achieve summer has been the result of the change in tactics by not only security for our existing forces, but the training the Taliban, and that America and other countries have of Afghan forces. That is why we are doing this, and been as affected as we have been. that is why the policy has moved from where it was a year or two ago to emphasising the build-up of Afghan Mr. Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): Yesterday, forces and of Afghan police, so that Afghans themselves my son was deployed to Afghanistan for the third time. are able to take responsibility for their own affairs. If we I wish to take this opportunity to say how proud I am of do not build up the capacity of Afghanistan to deal him and his colleagues, and of the outstanding service with its own problems, at some point either the Taliban that they give to our country. Will the Prime Minister or al-Qaeda, influencing the Taliban, will have a bigger tell us whether he has any plans to extend the Chinook say in the running of that country. That is something fleet, because in Afghanistan flying is safer than driving? that we need to avoid. The Prime Minister: There are more Chinooks going to Afghanistan next year. Mr. Hugo Swire (East Devon) (Con): The recruitment, training and retention of an additional 52,000 police Barry Gardiner (Brent, North) (Lab): At a meeting of are a challenge and will take time, but the real challenge the Pakistan-India friendship forum last weekend, I was is the creation of a genuinely national police force in struck by the number of people whose families live in Afghanistan. When we were there in July, we were told the region who expressed their concern that the Government that there were problems in persuading some people to might pull out prematurely. Will the Prime Minister serve in different parts of the country, which led to give an assurance that notwithstanding the process of corruption and intimidation. What moves are therefore Afghanisation, which many people who spoke to me being made to ensure that the police force in Afghanistan support, he will maintain the support for the change in becomes a genuinely national one? governance that those families so clearly want? The Prime Minister: I have just said that there is The Prime Minister: We want to see that change in going to be a new training academy for police. That is governance. We want to strengthen, first of all, the one of the ways in which we can improve the quality of Pakistan Government, as they take on not only the the police. I have also been in Helmand and watched Pakistan Taliban, but al-Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban how the Afghan police have worked side by side with in Quetta. We also, of course, want to strengthen the the Afghan army and with the British civilian and Government of Afghanistan to make them free of military efforts. That has been a successful operation, corruption. At the same time, we want them to have a and by building out of these successful operations, we security force that is equal to dealing with the problems will get the progress that we need for the future. Yes, of creating order in their own country. I assure people national police training is essential. Quality is necessary, that that is our purpose. as is a corruption-free police force, and people will have Stewart Hosie (Dundee, East) (SNP): Public opinion to move around the country, because the recruits come on Afghanistan is, at best, hanging by a thread, because from areas that are not necessarily the areas where we of the anxiety about corruption, because of the ongoing need people to be placed. However, the measures that concerns about the loss of military and civilian life and we are putting in place—including the national police because the public do not know what success in Afghanistan training academy—are designed to achieve that. will look like. Will the Prime Minister tell us today not a time scale, but how he will define what success in Mrs. Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): The role of Afghanistan will look like, so that the public can measure NGOs and skilled civilians from across Government against that and know when the troops can come home? Departments, working alongside the Army, is critical to a comprehensive approach to supporting and building The Prime Minister: We can immediately measure civilian capacity. Will the Prime Minister tell the House our success in dealing with IEDs and preventing the whether UN resolution 1325, which builds on the important deaths that they have been causing. We can immediately role of women in working to build civil capacity and measure the number of Afghan forces that are being towards peace, is part of our overall approach in recruited, so that we can pursue our policy of Afghanisation. Afghanistan? In the longer term, we want to see the Afghan forces be able to take responsibility, with the police in Afghanistan, The Prime Minister: It must be and will be. I would be for areas of the country, so that our troops are able, as a happy to talk to my hon. Friend about how we want to result, to come home. move this forward after the end of questions. 319 Afghanistan and Pakistan14 OCTOBER 2009 Afghanistan and Pakistan 320

Malcolm Bruce (Gordon) (LD): Following that question, value to terrorists of being able to set up training bases will the Prime Minister acknowledge that President in the haven of a safe foreign country. For that reason, Karzai is excluding women from his Government? In we believe that the troops in Afghanistan are doing a his discussions with President Karzai and Dr. Abdullah sterling service for all people in the UK. I also welcome yesterday, what steps did he take to ensure that women the Prime Minister’s announcement that we are now will have a significant presence in any new Government, spending £3.5 billion on supplying troops, but given the however it is formed, at both a national and a local level reports about the unreliable equipment, the underestimation and that they will have access to secular courts of justice of the reserves that are required and creaky procurement rather than having to rely on sharia? in the MOD, what efforts are being made to ensure that the money is being spent on the right equipment and on The Prime Minister: I can tell the right hon. Gentleman an effective supply chain? that I have regularly spoken to President Karzai about the need to respect the rights of women in the laws that The Prime Minister: We are giving more money to the are being enunciated in Afghanistan. I have sought Afghan effort, not less. The money has gone up substantially from him regular assurances that there will be no changes over the past few years and for one reason—we want in his position. The laws that are passed in Afghanistan our troops to be properly equipped. Let me make it must avoid discrimination against women and absolutely clear that the people who are in Afghanistan discrimination against the human rights of girls as well are in the numbers required for and are equipped for the as those of women. operations that we agreed. If different operations were agreed, there would have been different numbers, but Mr. Douglas Hogg (Sleaford and North Hykeham) the numbers were there for the operations that were (Con): The right hon. Gentleman has said that the agreed and to meet the requirements of those operations. initial deployment is dependent on coalition countries There should be at least some understanding of that. Of taking a fair share. Will he tell us what he means by course, there could have been different operations and that? What assurances has he received and will he give different numbers, but for the operations that were an undertaking that we will not see an additional carried out, the forces that were required were there. deployment of British troops until other coalition partners have made their intentions wholly plain? Mr. Shailesh Vara (North-West Cambridgeshire) (Con): Was the Prime Minister asked for a further 2,000 troops The Prime Minister: First, what I meant was that or not? It is a straightforward question, and a there has been no announcement yet from America straightforward yes or no will do. about what its future disposition will be. We want to work with the Americans as well as with other allies to The Prime Minister: It is a straightforward question find the best way forward for our work in Helmand as and I have answered it on many occasions, including well as in the rest of the country. I also meant that before the Select Committee on Defence. A number of consultation between our country, other NATO countries options were put to us, but not one of them included and partners external to NATO will take place very 2,000 extra troops. soon. I believe that we will have announcements from Mr. Andrew Mackay (Bracknell) (Con): Returning to America, in particular, in the next few weeks. the vexed problem of backsliding by certain of our NATO colleagues, which makes it difficult for those of Mr. Adam Holloway (Gravesham) (Con): Frankly, I us who strongly support the mission to persuade our am staggered at the Prime Minister’s characterisation of sceptical constituents, what more is the Prime Minister the deaths from IEDs as being caused by foot patrols going to do to name and shame those colleagues and and not by the lack of helicopters. Commanders regularly make it clear to them that the NATO alliance will crack complain of unnecessary logistical road moves. Will he without their full participation? not admit that many of these people are dying for lack of helicopters—yes or no? The Prime Minister: I think that I should tell the right hon. Gentleman—although he might not accept it—that The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman will have over the past few months, in the run up to the election, seen that Tim Radford, who commanded Operation additional troops were put in by some countries. That Panther’s Claw, said that the operation was not hampered was a result of the meeting of NATO that took place on by the absence of helicopters. The hon. Gentleman the borders of Germany and France earlier this year, must recognise that the deaths that have occurred from where a number of countries committed to extra troops. IEDs have occurred in different ways—some have been We said—this was controversial, because some Members from vehicles that have been blown up and some from of the House did not agree with it—that we would foot patrols—and he must look at the evidence. review the position after the Afghan elections and in the light of General McChrystal’s review. That is what we Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP): From the long have done, and it is what we will ask other countries to IRA campaign in Northern Ireland, we recognise the do, too. 321 Afghanistan and Pakistan 14 OCTOBER 2009 322

BILL PRESENTED Cervical Cancer (Minimum Age for Screening) EQUALISATION OF TARIFFS FOR GAS AND ELECTRICITY BILL Motion for leave to introduce a Bill (Standing Order Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) No. 23) John Austin, supported by Dr. Alan Whitehead, Dr. Vincent Cable, Mr. Andrew Dismore, Miss Anne 1.47 pm Begg, Susan Kramer, Dr. Brian Iddon, Peter Bottomley, Mr. Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): I beg to Mr. David Drew, Mr. Martin Caton, John McDonnell move, and Mr. Don Foster, presented a Bill to require the That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require NHS bodies in Secretary of State to make regulations for the purpose England to provide cervical screening for women aged 20 and of equalising certain tariffs for gas and electricity; and over. for connected purposes. The Bill would bring England in line with Wales, Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Scotland and Northern Ireland, which all begin screening Friday 16 October, and to be printed (Bill 150). at the age of 20. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women under 35 in the UK. Every year, more than 2,800 women in Britain are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and every year 1,000 women die from the disease. Thankfully, regular cervical screening can detect and treat early the abnormalities that, if left untreated, could lead to cervical cancer. Since the launch of the NHS cervical screening programme in 1988, early detection and treatment has had an excellent success rate. More than 90 per cent. of screening results come back normal, but for the few whose results do not, the test can, quite simply, make the difference between life and death. The new human papillomavirus vaccination programme—HPV—was also introduced last year for girls aged between 12 and 15, and this autumn it will be extended up to the age of 18. So, we have a vaccination programme that ends at the age of 18 and a screening programme that begins at the age of 25. That leaves young women between the ages of 18 and 25 caught in a medical limbo, eligible for neither vaccination nor screening. My Bill seeks to narrow that gap. By making cervical screening available to any woman aged 20 and above, an extra 1.3 million women would have the choice of cervical screening. The support for lowering the screening age to 20 comes from organisations that range from Marie Stopes International and Jo’s Trust to The Sun newspaper, which ran a petition with over 108,000 signatures. In addition, recent polling by Harris for the Metro newspaper showed that 82 per cent. of 16 to 24-year olds in England agree with lowering the screening age. In 2004, the Government raised the age from which cervical screening can begin from 20 to 25. Their justifications were that cervical cancer is rare in women under 25, that the anxiety and stress of unnecessary investigation and the treatment for abnormal cells is proportionally excessive, and that the age limit is now in line with World Health Organisation recommendations. Cervical cancer may be rare in women under 25, but it is inexcusable to dismiss the cases that occur as negligible statistics. Unnecessary investigation and treatment when an abnormal test is proved wrong may be stressful, but it is not for the Government to presume to know best what young women want. If a young woman knows the risks associated with treatment, the decision about whether to proceed with screening and any further treatment should, by rights, be hers alone. Although the Government claim that raising the screening age to 25 brings it into line with World Health Organisation recommendations, the age at which screening 323 Cervical Cancer (Minimum Age for 14 OCTOBER 2009 Cervical Cancer (Minimum Age for 324 Screening) Screening) [Mr. Brooks Newmark] I hope that the argument that I have presented today will convince the Minister that there is still a strong case can begin varies across the world. Oddly, England has to be made for lowering the age of cervical screening chosen to raise its screening age and be out of step with back down to 20. With this Bill, we have the opportunity even its closest neighbours. When England raised its to try and beat one of the deadliest cancers in this screening age in 2004, Scotland, Northern Ireland and country; we must take it. I commend the Bill to the Wales all kept screening from the age of 20. In America, House. screening also begins at 20, or within three years of first sexual contact, whichever is earlier. In Australia, screening begins even earlier, at the age of 18. England’s screening 1.55 pm age of 25 looks out of step by comparison. Dr. Evan Harris (Oxford, West and Abingdon) (LD): So why do our Government have a blind spot when it I rise briefly to oppose this Bill. I do not do so out of comes to this critical health issue? I fear that it may be any personal animosity towards the hon. Member for down to Budget restrictions: this Government’s Braintree (Mr. Newmark), whom I know well from our mismanagement of the country’s finances over the past work on the Health Committee, but because I think 12 years has forced them to cut critical health care that the premise on which it is based is entirely flawed. I services—an observation clearly supported by many was not sure what the hon. Gentleman was going to say, 16 to 24-year olds in England, according to a recent poll but what he said made me more convinced of the need by Harris. to put on record the scientific evidence for the approach The Government are concerned about funding, yet taken by the Government. the numbers attending for cervical screening are actually I do not lightly defend what the Government are falling. In 2007-08, a quarter of those invited did not doing, but I think that they have been absolutely right attend. Alarmingly, the biggest drop was in the 25 to about both the screening programme and the introduction 29 age bracket, with attendance numbers falling from of a vaccination programme. I want the House to 79 per cent. in 1998 to 66 per cent. in 2008. Although I consider the nature of a screening programme, and to understand that demand for screening may have increased show hon. Members that the way in which it is being in 2009 due to the Jade Goody effect, we cannot rely on done in England is appropriate. In addition, I want to those numbers being sustained. show that the reference that the hon. Member for The Government’s health policy needs to move with Braintree made to the vaccination programme was flawed. the times and be realistic about changing lifestyles. A good screening test must be both sensitive and Young women are now more at risk from cervical specific—“sensitive” in the sense that it must pick up as cancer than ever before, as the contributory causes of many as possible of the things that is designed to find, unprotected sex and smoking are on the rise. At some and “specific” in the sense that it should not pick up point in their lifetimes, 75 per cent. of sexually active what it is not supposed to find. The problem of false men and women come into contact with the HPV virus positives leading to treatment is a real one, and there are that causes cervical cancer. With British teenagers now two difficulties with screening at a young age. First, the becoming sexually active earlier, the chance of a young condition being sought is rarer in the young, and there woman developing serious cell changes and early-stage is good evidence that the lesions that are suffered do not cancer before the age of 25 is increasing. progress as quickly as is the case when the person is As I mentioned earlier, there is another weapon in the older. Secondly, early screening can lead to over-treatment, fight against cervical cancer—vaccination. It is not my the risks of which—especially given the possible impact intention in this speech to examine the rights or wrongs on fertility—are greater among younger women. of that vaccination, as my hon. Friend the Member for When talking about the use of public money, it is not Reigate (Mr. Blunt) has already highlighted that in a good enough to say that a non-evidence-based screening previous Adjournment debate. However, the vaccination programme that is neither sensitive enough nor specific programme has implications for the Bill that I am enough will be introduced, and then to leave it to people proposing today. to make the choice. The funding spent on such a programme I am concerned that some young women could see could be spent on other interventions to treat established vaccination as a “silver bullet” solution, leading them to disease or to screen in other areas of ill health where the assume that it has protected them from all risk and that evidence is better. It is not good enough to say that the there is now no need for them to attend their screening matter can be left to individuals to make the choice, appointment. Screening and vaccination share a common because the spending decisions involved have to be purpose, yet Government policy seems contradictory. made responsibly. Even by their own admission, the Government do not It is certainly not logical—I am afraid that it is totally yet know the full risks of the HPV vaccine Cervarix, but illogical—to talk about the existence of a gap between nevertheless they are pressing ahead with the programme. the ages of 18 and 25. The hon. Member for Braintree Yet the same lack of certainty exists in the risks outlined said that the catch-up programme ended at 18 and that in the Government’s argument against reducing the the screening programme started at 25, but it is not an screening age to 20. That just does not stack up. One either/or matter. People who are vaccinated will go on cannot use the same rationale in support of one cervical to get screened. The fact that the catch-up programme cancer prevention scheme and in denial of another. ends at 18 makes it an independent variable, and there What is so frustrating is that there was, until 2004, a will be no more catch-up after the programme has taken good, sound policy in place. The Government requested place. The gap will widen as more people are vaccinated, a further review earlier this year but, unfortunately, they but the hon. Gentleman’s statement was both meaningless have decided to stick with the latest guidelines. and misleading. 325 Cervical Cancer (Minimum Age for 14 OCTOBER 2009 Cervical Cancer (Minimum Age for 326 Screening) Screening) When we look at whom to trust on these matters, it is of the vaccine at preventing infection with HPV, which important not to listen to politicians or even—dare I has been demonstrated to be the cause of many cervical say it?—to journalists. The hon. Member for Braintree cancers. There is clear evidence of benefit, and I urge cited evidence from The Sun, so I want to refer to a parents—as do the Government and, more importantly, recent edition of the British Medical Journal, which I medical experts—to ensure that their children are mentioned to him earlier in the summer. vaccinated. In the BMJ edition of 8 August 2009, a study by Of course, it is impossible to say that any vaccine is Sasieni and colleagues asked: entirely safe. That is not something that should be said, “Does the association between cervical screening and a subsequent or that can be said. However, it is a matter of balancing decrease in the incidence of cervical cancer vary with age?” benefits against risks. There is great known benefit to The summary answer was: the programme, and if there is a risk, it is known to be small. I very much regret, as I hope that the hon. “Cervical screening at ages 35-64 is effective at preventing cervical cancer. It is less effective at ages 25-34 and has no effect at Gentleman does, the coverage of the issue in The Sunday ages 20-24.” Times two weeks ago. In an article asking, “What has That is a pretty clear judgment, so it is not as if there is cervical cancer drug done to our girls?” it cited the case a benefit to be set against the risks; on the basis of the of Natalie Mort, who died after having the vaccine, but study, there does not appear to be a benefit. who, post mortem, was found to have a tumour in her chest. The pathologist said that it was I always caution hon. Members against listening to “so severe that death could have arisen at any point”. the results of one study, because one study may not be representative of the field. Usefully for us, the BMJ It is extremely disappointing that the article went on to commissioned an editorial commenting on that study quote a parent— and a number of others. The editorial, by Guglielmo Ronco of Turin, summarised the study and said that, Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Michael Lord): Order. The according to the study, screening is effective only from hon. Gentleman is straying from the proposed Bill. the age of 35. It said that Perhaps he could return to it. “effectiveness in preventing cancers in the five years after screening is limited below age 25”. Dr. Harris: I take your point, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Clearly, the issues are interlinked, but I think that I have It commented: made the point about coverage. I urge the House to “The large sample size allowed analysis of the cancers by consider, when thinking about the Bill, the role of stage”, evidence-based policy making. Given that there are and there was no finding, when the cancers were stratified different screening ages across the world, it may well be, by stage, that undermined the conclusions made. The certainly on the basis of the reviews that I have read of editorial went on to say: the evidence, that this country has got it correct, not “The question is whether to screen younger women, and if so, only with regard to cost-effectiveness, which is always how? In many developed countries the low incidence of invasive controversial, but with regard to actual effectiveness. cervical cancer and the lack of effectiveness of screening in young That is not to understate the upset that can be caused women indicate that screening should not start before the age when young women develop cancer prior to screening. of 25. For women aged 25-34, screening with HPV testing alone is Such cases occur, rarely; we know of such cases, including much more sensitive than screening with cytology, but it is also less specific.” one that was mentioned by the hon. Member for Braintree. I recognise his commitment to the important and That is a reference to another technique that could be devastating condition that we are discussing, where it used for screening, which it would be useful to debate. occurs, but such feelings are not a substitute for proper, We might debate whether we should test for the presence evidence-based policy making, and I urge the House of the human papillomavirus, because that test has not to support the legislation. greater sensitivity. However, one would find people with the virus who did not have any lesions and were therefore Question put and agreed to. clearly not likely to develop cancer at that point. There Ordered, is an argument that we should look into that, and I That Mr. Brooks Newmark, Mr. Fraser Kemp, Angela hope that the Government will continue to examine Watkinson, Mr. John Baron, Simon Hughes, Ms Sally that area. Keeble, Susan Kramer, Mrs. Eleanor Laing, John McFall, The hon. Gentleman mentioned the cervical cancer Mrs. Ann Cryer and Mr. Nick Hurd present the Bill. or HPV vaccination programme, and it is important to Mr. Brooks Newmark accordingly presented the Bill. say a word in defence of it. There is very good evidence Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on that it will save lives, because of the very high effectiveness Friday 16 October and to be printed (Bill 149). 327 14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 328

flow issue. If one third of our students cannot pay their first Opposition Day instalment, we shall be short of £1 million until the payments are received.” [17TH ALLOTTED DAY] He goes on to make a point that many people are making to us: Higher Education “Students are becoming very frustrated with lost applications, lost or not received duplicate applications, failure to alert the Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Michael Lord): I must tell student of insufficient documentation until the student rings the House that Mr. Speaker has selected the amendment them and then being put to the back of the system on receipt of in the name of the Prime Minister. these.” The situation is a shambles, and it is causing enormous 2.5 pm distress to many students. Ministers have been trying to Mr. David Willetts (Havant) (Con): I beg to move, avoid responsibility for that by hiding behind the Student That this House congratulates those who have secured a higher Loans Company. I very much hope that when we hear education place for 2009-10 and wishes them well in their studies; from the Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual regrets the increase in the number of applicants unable to secure a Property in a moment, he will give a frank account of place this year; further regrets the financial difficulties faced by what has gone wrong and what he will do about it. up to 175,000 students who started term without the loans and Ministers cannot escape responsibility for what has grants to which they are entitled; believes it is unacceptable that three-quarters of a million telephone calls to the Student Loans happened. For a start, the system is one that they Company went unanswered in three months and that an avoidable introduced; it is a consequence of a report that they contact policy was adopted; notes with regret that warnings commissioned, entitled, rather ironically, “Improving about the problems in Student Finance England appear to have the Student Finance Service”. In a written statement on been ignored; asks the Government to clarify the treatment of 3 July 2006, the Minister’s predecessor, the hon. Member emergency loans made by higher education institutions; regrets for Harlow (Bill Rammell), announced the new system. the problems faced by international students as a result of the Previously, assessments were made via local authorities. poor implementation of the new visa system; notes the need for additional, fully-funded, higher education places in 2010-11; calls In that statement he said: on the Government to consider new ways to improve access to “The student finance service needs to be as simple and accessible university for 2010-11; further calls on the Government to provide as possible to students, parents and graduates. more information on its planned sale of the student loan book; As well as clearer information, faster decisions, timely payments and welcomes the idea of a cross-party student finance review to and accurate repayments, the transformed service intends to look at the long-term sustainability of the higher education provide taxpayers with better value for money”. sector, a fairer deal for part-time students and links with further education. That was the promise three years ago. The reality, of We called for this debate at the very first opportunity course, is shockingly different. We are talking about a since the House came back from recess because of the system that Ministers themselves designed. It is also a widespread and deep concern felt, I am sure, in all parts system whose complexity goes back to policy mistakes of the House about the financial uncertainties facing made in the late and not really lamented Department students who are starting university this year. Students, for Innovation, Universities and Skills—an extraordinary especially those starting university, should not have to system in which three separate years of students each face the financial distress, uncertainty and anxiety that has a different regime for maintenance loans and many of them are, sadly, now confronting because of maintenance grants, because the system has been changed problems with the delivery of their student loans. I am year after year, creating extraordinary levels of complexity. sure that all of us will have received e-mails, letters and When we look into the detail of what happened, we messages from students who are constituents of ours. I find that the papers that students send in are sent to think of a student at Liverpool John Moores university Darlington. From Darlington they are taken by truck who e-mailed me only yesterday. She said: to Glasgow, where they are supposed to be electronically “I find it diabolical that my loan is this late, that the Student scanned in. We are told that the electronic scanners in Finance company are aware of the fact that I have a three year Glasgow do not work properly, so the papers are put old, that I’ve got no money, I can’t afford to pay nursery fees and back on a truck and taken back down to Darlington, frankly, I find it absolutely shocking and downright unacceptable to be ignored in this manner. I have NO money at the moment—I where much of the data is apparently being manually NEED my loan in order to live.” input because the electronic scanning procedures do not work. There is a helpline where the phone is rarely That is the type of e-mail that we are receiving. answered. E-mails go unanswered and the website is We are also receiving messages from the National often inactive. Union of Students and student unions across the country, which are aware of the problems. I should particularly I have to say to the Minister that the ghosts of SATS, mention the university of Wolverhampton student union, education maintenance allowances and tax credits are which has been exceptionally active on the problem. We hanging over this debate. He must take some responsibility are also hearing about it from universities and vice- for tackling the problem, especially as these difficulties chancellors. I shall quote a message that I received from were predicted months, if not years, in advance at the vice-chancellor of my local university, Portsmouth meetings attended by senior officials of his own university, yesterday. He said that he has already had to Department. The company forecast—we have this from give emergency loans and grants to 217 students, and the minutes of a meeting on 15 July 2008 attended by said: one of his senior officials—that 40 per cent. of all calls “We anticipate that this will grow rapidly because students would be abandoned because customers would find the arrive with some money, which is now running out. Later this line engaged. The company forecast that it would be week we shall need to defer the first accommodation payment for receiving three times as many e-mails a day as it was those whose funding has not arrived, which is a significant cash possible to process. 329 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 330

The Department’s response to these looming problems That means that people cannot get through. The response was a policy whose official name was—anyone would from the Secretary of State is exquisite in its ability to think I was making this up—minimising “avoidable distance him from any practical responsibilities for which contact” with students and their parents who were he and the Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual trying to get the loans and grants to which they were Property ought to take some responsibility. entitled. That is the story of incompetence, made worse We would like to hear from the Minister a response to by the complacency of some of the assurances that we the following practical questions. First, how many students were getting regularly that the situation was all about to are still affected by the problem? There was a figure of get better. It did not particularly inspire confidence 50,000 at one point. We have seen from a freedom of when the deputy chief executive of the Student Loans information request that there seems to be a gap between Company, challenged on the fact that documents appeared the 1,092,000 applications for student support across all to be going astray and that the caseload was not being three years and the 916,000 that have been processed. tackled, said that we should not worry because the That would suggest a far larger gap of 175,000, so will documents were like lost car keys— the Minister please give us, first of all, an accurate “It’s a bit like losing your car keys—you think you have lost up-to-date account of how many students are affected? them, but they are in the house somewhere”— Secondly, the Secretary of State says that everybody which is not quite good enough for students and their who applied before the deadline is okay, but what was parents. the deadline? Was it last June, long before students had I wrote to the great panjandrum himself, the Secretary their A-level results and long before clearing had started? of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and just What was the deadline? Thirdly, when will the problem about everything else, on 11 September. His reply, as be tackled? When will it be sorted? Can the Minister one would expect from Lord Mandelson, was prompt give a guarantee and a date by which time students who and courteous, but the distancing from the Student are still facing uncertainty will get the information that Loans Company made me think of a man carrying a they need about their grants and loans? In particular, noxious substance at arm’s length while holding his can he guarantee that the problem will be solved before nose. I could not have envisaged a Minister distancing the process of applications in January starts? Some himself more skilfully. students start at university in January or February; they The Secretary of State begins by saying: do not all start in September. “I am told that this year the SLC has received a record number Fourthly, what about the costs being incurred by of applications”. universities? There is the access to learning fund, which “I am told”—was he perhaps at a cocktail party where many universities are having to use to help their students this was mentioned? Did he read it on flicking through in financial distress, but the access to learning fund—whose his press cuttings and say, “Oh dear, look what’s happening size, incidentally, has already been reduced—was intended to student loans”? “I am told”—did a minion perhaps to help students who are under financial pressure through bring this information in on a silver platter for the the year as part of the regular process of assisting Secretary of State to consider? He should have been students with modest incomes. It is not supposed to be told because he is the Minister responsible for an spent in the first few months tackling a financial crisis organisation that belongs to his Department and also not of universities’ or students’ own making. What to the Scottish Executive. financial support will the Minister offer to universities in these difficult situations? The Secretary of State says: Fifthly—this is an area where the Department is “I am told that this year the SLC has received a record number adding insult to injury—will the Minister confirm that of applications”. the main helpline number being used by students and This year is the first year that the system has been their parents to get information is an 0845 number? Will operating. It did not operate in the same way in any he confirm that there are no numbers other than the previous years. This year is the first year when the 0845 number, and will he confirm that this is contrary problem has arisen because this year is the first year to Ofcom guidance, which recommends that public when Ministers’ policy has been in operation. bodies should not use such numbers exclusively? Will he “I am told that this year”— tell us how much money is being made by the Student I admire the skill. One can already sense the Secretary Loans Company obliging people to use an 0845 number of State shimmying round a problem for which he and then leaving them hanging on, sometimes for a very ought to be held accountable. He goes on to say: long time? “I understand the Company has told all students who applied Sixthly, will the Minister undertake regular reports to before the relevant deadline that they will receive confirmation”. Parliament, now that Parliament is back? Instead of We would love to hear from the Minister what this FOI requests and suchlike, will we now have a regular deadline is. There are various deadlines at the end of the update on what is happening? application form. They are not on display on the website, Those are some crucial practical concerns. So far the and some of them are very early indeed. We would like response of universities, students and the National Union to know what the deadline is. of Students has been far more imaginative than anything Lord Mandelson goes on to say: we have heard from Ministers. Universities UK talks about universities delaying payment for university “As you know”— accommodation, which we know is going on. We know That is very encouraging; the Secretary of State knows that universities and the NUS are prepared to write to that he and I share this understanding— private landlords to ask them to be sympathetic to “As you know, demand for university is up this year and this students who cannot pay their rent, and that they are has put some pressure on the SLC’s helplines.” trying to help students with child care payments. The 331 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 332

[Mr. David Willetts] to the demographic bulge that was caused by the higher birth rate in the early 1990s. Some of it, sadly, is also initiatives are all coming from universities and students. down to the fact that young people cannot find jobs, so, From Ministers we have heard nothing, and we now when they receive the qualifications at A-level, they need to know what they are going to do. apply for university. I accept absolutely the argument While the Minister is present, and as the motion that when the economy is in such a mess, if young ranges beyond the subject of the Student Loans Company, people with A-levels that qualify them for university important though that is, will he also clarify the wish to go, it is for them a far better option than their Government’s position in two other areas that are of simply going on the dole. great public interest? The first is the sale of the student At our party conference, we proposed an imaginative loan book, on which we had a statement in answer to an way of offering 10,000 extra, fully funded places for urgent question earlier this week. We believe that the university students next year, when the demographic Government had £6 billion of proceeds from the student bulge will be at least as big and, sadly, unemployment loan book marked down for the future. It looks as if will still be growing. For the summer of 2010, we they now propose to increase that figure, so it would be propose a discount for early repayment of student very interesting if the Minister for Higher Education loans, which would bring into the Exchequer extra cash and Intellectual Property could tell us the new figure, that could be used to pay for extra student places. Our because the sale of the student loan book was specifically belief is that the extra student places—[Interruption.] identified as one item on which the Government would The Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships draw to meet their new target of an extra £3 billion in and Consumer Affairs mutters under his breath, “For receipts. Does he still stand by the statement that he those who are well off.” The policy’s crucial point is that made on 14 July? He said: the 10,000 extra student places will go to students from “The Government still intend to make sales from the student all backgrounds, and, in particular, we know that the loan book, but it is clear that this should only be done at a time best way to help students from modest backgrounds to when we can get a good return for the taxpayer. For the time get to university is to provide more places in total. That being, the market conditions do not allow this.”—[Official Report, is the policy’s crucial feature: it offers extra places at 14 July 2009; Vol. 496, c. 373-374W.] university with a clear, cash-flow benefit going to the Is that still his view of market conditions? If so, where Government in order to pay for it as a one-off measure does he expect the extra proceeds from the sale of the in the likely student places crisis of 2010, which could, student loan book to come from? Any further light that unless we take imaginative action, be at least bad as that he can cast on that would be helpful. of 2009. The other area that is causing universities a lot of Kevin Brennan rose— concern is the visa regime, which we refer to in our motion. We understand the need for tough and effective Mr. Willetts: The Minister wants to intervene again. visa controls, but there are concerns from some universities Kevin Brennan: Given that the money that the hon. about the scale of the delays that foreign students Gentleman hopes his policy will return to the Government experience. Those people are incredibly important sources is money that the Government owe to banks, for the of revenue for British universities, but the registrar of sake of clarity, what is the difference between his proposal the university of Warwick said: and the Government undertaking additional borrowing, “UK visa officials appear to have replaced red tape with red which I understand he opposes? barbed wire”. Universities UK says that we are now Mr. Willetts: Extra cash will go to the Exchequer in the crisis year of 2010, because that is the year when we “in serious danger of sending out a message that the UK does not welcome international students”. envisage there being a bulge in the number of student applications. It will bring extra receipts to the Exchequer, The Minister will be aware of concerns about access to and, if I may say so as we reassemble after three party visas in places such as China, Hong Kong, Japan and conferences, the crisis of student places has been acute Singapore. What measures are the Government taking this year and could be as bad next year, but only one to ensure that the necessary visa controls are implemented party had any imaginative proposals to offer more briskly and effectively and do not damage British higher places for university students next year. education’s reputation in the wider world? Peter Luff (Mid-Worcestershire) (Con) rose— The Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships Mr. Willetts: I see the Chairman of the Select Committee and Consumer Affairs (Kevin Brennan): I sense that the on Business, Innovation and Skills trying to catch me eye. hon. Gentleman is moving towards a conclusion by his eyes flicking upward towards the clock, so I shall be Peter Luff: My Committee has had responsibility for brief. The Opposition’s motion refers also to their belief universities for barely two weeks, and I am very sorry that the Government should provide more places at but a prior engagement means that I cannot be present university this year. Will he enlighten the House about to hear the Government’s response. Through my hon. how he plans to pay for the extra 10,000 places that he Friend, however, may I say to the Minister for Higher pledges? Education and Intellectual Property that I am disappointed that the Government’s amendment does not refer to the Mr. Willetts: I certainly will enlighten the Minister on visa issue? It has been very well flagged up and anticipated, that point, because we think that Ministers are in an and we were led to believe that the problem was being odd position. In their amendment to our motion, they dealt with. I am concerned that it has not been dealt claim credit for the large number of students going to with effectively, and I look forward to reading what the university this year, but of course some of that is down Minister has to say about the issue in his remarks. 333 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 334

Mr. Willetts: I am grateful to the Chairman of the pretend that nothing ever goes wrong. Indeed, the main Select Committee, because that is a very important subject of the Opposition motion today is that something point. has gone wrong in relation to the Student Loans Company, The Opposition are committed to improving and in a few moments I shall turn to that issue. But let opportunities for young people— the House be under no illusion: my hon. Friends and I do not fear a debate about our record; on the contrary, Mr. Andy Reed (Loughborough) (Lab/Co-op): Will we welcome it. Higher education has always provided a the hon. Gentleman give way? stark illustration of the difference between the Government’s vision and that of the Opposition, and I, like the rest of Mr. Willetts: No, I am reaching my conclusion. the country, wait impatiently to find out the suite of That means improving the opportunities to get young policies that the Opposition propose. people into apprenticeships and training; getting them I know, for example, that the hon. Gentleman has off benefit, as they suffer under a recession that this often stated his commitment to widening university Government brought about; more places at university participation. If only those wise aims were matched by for them; and the proper administration of the loans wise means. Instead, we have heard a succession of and grants to which they are entitled. I therefore commend sketched-out proposals that have vanished into thin air the motion to the House. like smoke from the Bullingdon club’s after-dinner parties. The hon. Gentleman has described the latest proposals 2.26 pm in instalments over the past few months. One idea was to charge 8 per cent. interest on student loans. It is hard The Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual to think of a more effective deterrent to ordinary working- Property (Mr. David Lammy): I beg to move an amendment, class students than that. to leave out from “House” to the end of the Question and add: Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton, South) (Lab): Would my “welcomes the record number of students attending university or college this year meaning more students benefiting from higher right hon. Friend also like to point out to the hon. education (HE) today than at any stage in UK history; commends Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) that he is wrong the Government for its record levels of investment in HE, an when he states that old universities are letting students increase of over 25 per cent. over the last decade compared to a down? 36 per cent. decline per student under the previous Government; recognises the Government’s commitment to expanding opportunities Mr. Lammy: He is patently wrong, as my hon. Friend to participate in HE, including an extra 10,000 opportunities this year in courses related to science, technology, engineering and suggests; if he picks up this week’s edition of the Times mathematics subjects and 10,000 recently-allocated additional Higher Education, he can see the international rankings student numbers for 2010-11; commends the Government’s generous that demonstrate that that is not the case. It is not student support package and regrets that this year the Student appropriate for someone who suggests that he wants to Loans Company (SLC) has been unable to provide the level of stand at this Dispatch Box and lead on higher education service students and their families have rightly come to expect; to talk down what our universities are doing. notes that 800,000 English-domiciled students have already had their applications for funds approved and that following additional Government support the SLC has allocated extra resources to Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): Is it not the deal with enquiries and processing; further notes that the vast case, though, that not content with giving this nation a majority of students who applied within the deadline will have huge overdraft, the Government’s failure to take action received their money, that interim payments are available for over the Student Loans Company means that many of students and the Government’s Access to Learning fund provides my constituents are themselves suffering huge overdrafts— help for students suffering financial hardship; further notes the not only the students but the parents? They will be significant contribution international students make to the UK, and believes that the new student immigration system is effective disappointed and surprised that, instead of mocking and fair; and further notes the Government’s confidence in future the very serious points made by my hon. Friend on the economic growth which will enable a viable sale of the student Front Bench, the Minister is not a little bit more contrite loan book.” and humble and offering an apology to the people of I thank the Opposition for the chance to place on the Shropshire, who are suffering real financial hardship. record the Government’s commitment to young people in higher education, which has clearly been one of this Mr. Lammy: I will discuss the Students Loans Company nation’s great success stories over the past decade. I also in a moment. The people of Shropshire will be deeply welcome the opportunity to debate with the hon. Member disappointed that those on the hon. Gentleman’s Front for Havant (Mr. Willetts). I am fast learning that he Bench propose a £610 million cut in our budget. How rarely misses the opportunity to overstate his case. I would that support their endeavours to send their children think back, for example, to our exchanges before the on to higher education? That is the question that he recess, during which the hon. Gentleman confidently should be asking. predicted the collapse of the clearing system this autumn—a The hon. Gentleman should also ask why the hon. collapse, needless to say, that never happened. Perhaps Member for Havant proposes—we heard it again this it is his reputed two brains that account for the tendency afternoon—a 10 per cent. discount for graduates whose to provide twice the level of cynicism and hysteria every parents are rich enough to pay off loans early. That is time he rises to speak at the Dispatch Box. Either way, I clearly another equivalent to the Opposition’s inheritance thank him, because on any analysis, the Government tax cut for some of the wealthiest estates in the country. have a strong record to discuss. He said that he would fund an extra 10,000 places, but The story of more people going to university, from a that is money that he would not have to spend, and that wider variety of backgrounds, to enjoy properly funded the Government certainly do not have to spend, because higher education is clearly a positive one. We do not the Government borrow the money from the banks in 335 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 336

[Mr. Lammy] The hon. Gentleman’s constituents will also be concerned that according to today’s edition of the Evening Standard, order to meet those tuition loan repayments. His proposal the Conservatives are saying, in advance of an independent would therefore cost Government an additional £240 million review, that students should pay £7,000 in fees. That is across those academic years. Where would that money what they are saying to the country. That is extraordinary come from? What kind of a way is that to run the given that we have said that we will set up an independent economy? How is it that he has failed to add up properly review and we have sought to consult Opposition parties and proposed a policy that would actually plunge us on it. I was surprised to read that proposal before I into further debt? came into the Chamber.

Mr. Andy Reed: Although we welcome the expansion Mr. Willetts: So was I. I can tell the Minister that in higher education, is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no such Conservative policy; as we make clear one of the consequences of increased student numbers in our motion, we believe that student finance is something in Loughborough and other small towns is the rise in on which there should be a cross-party higher education the number of houses in multiple occupation? It is funding review. imperative that he always considers the impact of that on the local community and does not increase student numbers just for the sake of it. I wanted to intervene on Mr. Lammy: On the sale of the student loan book, the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) to ask how the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings many of the extra 10,000 places that he is proposing (Mr. Hayes) supported that measure in this House back could be sustained in relation to growth in those in 2007, before the global economic crisis made raising communities, because the figures just do not add up. money from assets a necessity, as it is now. In March, I Will my right hon. Friend ensure that not only the said clearly that the time was not right and we would universities but the communities are taken into account suspend that sale. It is now October. As the Prime when we expand higher education? Minister, the Secretary of State for Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Chief Secretary Mr. Lammy: I recognise that there are genuine issues to the Treasury have made clear, following the progress in constituencies such as Loughborough about houses that Volkswagen and Lloyds have made as regards the in multiple occupation. My hon. Friend will know that securities market, we will test the market. We will of the former Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the course seek to get value for money on behalf of the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham), who taxpayer, but it is right that we test the market to see shares that concern and sees its effect in Southampton, whether we can make that sale possible. has now found his way to the Department for Communities and Local Government, so action can be taken on two Mr. John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings) fronts. (Con): The Minister is right. We support the principle of selling the student loan book—when the time is Ms Dari Taylor: I had hoped that the hon. Member right. He will remember that my hon. Friend the Member for Havant would give way on that point. Does my right for Reading, East (Mr. Wilson) and I made it absolutely hon. Friend acknowledge the veracity of the statement clear at the time that a value-for-money criterion was from vice-chancellors—perhaps not all, but certainly critical. Following today’s debate, will he commit to some—when they say: “If we are to have a further making that funding criterion—a framework that he 10,000 places, is someone going to tell us where the must have in the Department; he would not be diligent classrooms and lecturers are coming from?” Those are if he did not—available to the House so that we can see very serious considerations. on exactly what terms the loan book will be sold? Mr. Lammy: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. She recalls a moment in time during the early 1990s when Mr. Lammy: As the hon. Gentleman knows, the the Conservatives increased participation but lowered Treasury will make that assessment on the basis of the the unit of resource—class sizes grew and facilities were market as is appropriate at the time. poor. They failed to invest in research, and we subsequently Let me turn to recent events at the Student Loans had a Save British Science campaign. We cannot go Company. We have already heard something about that back to that. She is right to remind the House of the from hon. Members. This year, the whole university hard choices that we face in government as we, by applications and admissions process has faced unprecedented necessity, manage growth in the system. demand brought on by the effects of the recession. Unemployment, especially youth unemployment, has Mr. Willetts: We have heard a quite extraordinary set risen, and it is clear that this has caused many more of allegations in the past 10 minutes. There is no young people to apply to university, and for student Conservative policy for an 8 per cent. interest rate for support, than might otherwise have done so. students, there is no £620 million cut, and the 10,000 extra places would be properly funded with extra cash Faced with these pressures, the Student Loans Company going to the Exchequer. I suggest to the Minister that in has fallen short of public expectations in responding to the remaining 10 minutes of his speech he focuses on a increased demand. While it is true that, as at this practical problem facing students and their families moment, 640,000 students in England have been paid now and offers some explanation of what has gone by the SLC this year—more people than ever before at wrong with the Student Loans Company system and this point in the year—I share the concern of Members what he is going to do about it. in all parts of the House that a minority of students have not received their funding in good time ahead of Mr. Lammy: It is my speech and I will make it as I the new academic year. That in unacceptable and falls want to. short of what the public can expect. 337 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 338

This year’s problems have had a profoundly regrettable Mr. Lammy: The deadline was at the end of June. effect on individual students and their families. Even The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that many people when they have not led to financial hardship, they have who apply for student finance do not ultimately go to undoubtedly caused worry and frustration, particularly university. Others apply solely on the basis that they for parents attempting to get through on the phone have entered the clearing process. With the increase in lines. The company’s chief executive has already publicly demand this year, there was a huge growth in the apologised for the difficulties that customers have had number doing that. The SLC says that it is currently in contacting it. Its chairman has also apologised to receiving about 5,000 applications every week, but he customers for their experiences this year, and I repeat will understand that not all those applications result in that I, too, am sorry for what parents and students have students actually going to university. The company has experienced. I also share Members’ frustration at the to process them, but some people are assessing what disappointing customer service provided by the Student their finances might be if they went to university, and Loans Company. Many students and parents have not some are not successful in getting to university at their been able to get through to speak to an adviser and find first attempt. out about their application. Others have been confused There has been a big increase in the number of about the process and what is happening with their applications. In fact, 830,850 applications have been application at an important time in their life. processed, which is 49,000 more than last year. There In anticipation of increased demand, I provided the are 77,000 applications in processing, and we understand SLC with all the resources that it asked for in this that 71,200 students are not eligible or have withdrawn. financial year—an additional £6.9 million—to fund It will be a moveable feast over the course of the next increased costs to the organisation. Problems began to few weeks as students enter university. Of course, some emerge in early September, and I met the chief executive students apply at that point, and this year there has and deputy chief executive of the SLC on 8, 10, 14 and been a growth in the number doing that. Some enter 24 September to express my concern and ensure that university and decide that it is not for them and drop action was taken. To support the SLC further, I made out in the early months of their course, or switch available an additional £230,000 of funding in September institutions. to help put a number of measures in place. They included There are complexities to the numbers, but of course a 70 per cent. increase in the number of phone lines, I do not withdraw from what I have said—that the recruiting additional staff to answer phones, paying standards of service that the public have come to expect more staff to work overtime, increasing call centre from other big call centre operations, be they NHS operating capacity by about 35 per cent., reminding Direct or HMRC, have not been met. The review will students and parents that they could check the status of consider governance, programme management and their application online and improving answers to the processing, and I want it to report quickly so that its most common inquiries. recommendations can be incorporated into the SLC’s The SLC has now stated its target that anyone who preparation for next year’s processing. submitted an application on time, with the correct Stephen Williams (Bristol, West) (LD): In his response information, will receive their full payment by the end to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts), the of October. It is now vital that it learns the lessons of Minister said that many students drop out of their this year and plans for improvement next year. I have studies at this stage. Does he recognise that the reason received a letter from the chairman of the SLC setting why a lot do so in their first year is financial hardship, out his initial view of what happened in the first year of and that the current situation makes it more likely that the transition to a fully centralised system of financial students will drop out? support for students in England. However, there needs to be a thorough consideration of the matter. To that Mr. Lammy: There are a range of reasons why students end, I have invited Professor Sir Deian Hopkin, the drop out of university, and the hon. Gentleman will be former vice-chancellor of London South Bank university, aware that through the widening participation component and Bernadette Kenny of Her Majesty’s Revenue and of the block grant that we make to universities, particularly Customs to bring external scrutiny, expertise and challenge those that specialise and have considerable expertise in to the company’s review of lesson learned from this year supporting more vulnerable students and those from and its preparedness to meet the challenges of next more deprived backgrounds, we provide money that year. The SLC itself is on record as acknowledging the supports the retention of such students at university. As need for such an exercise, but I am determined that the the hon. Member for Havant said, we also provide process should involve the external challenge and expertise £45 million to our universities through the access to needed to provide a frank assessment of what went learning fund, to support students through what are wrong and a series of thorough proposals for the future. normally called “hardship funds”. Those funds are being drawn on to support students at this time in Mr. Willetts: I am grateful to the Minister for the particular. much more sober tone that he is now adopting. Will he It is important that we bear in mind that it is 14 October, clarify two points? First, he said that 640,000 students and most universities’ terms began two weeks ago. We had got their money through. What is his latest estimate are at the beginning of the process. However, the situation of the number of students who have applied, or are has not been good enough, the demand was not anticipated, going to university, but have not yet had their financial there have been problems with scanning and technology assessment completed and are not yet receiving funding? and trialling has not been effective enough. Too many Secondly, the Minister mentioned the target for anyone people have not been able to get through on the phone, who submitted their application on time. It is extremely and automated e-mails have driven people to want to difficult to pin down on the website what “on time”means. phone, increasing demand even further. That must be A lot of students are asking when the deadline was. the subject of a lessons learned exercise. 339 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 340

David T.C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): The Minister Today, however, we are concerned with yet another is, as always, talking the good talk, but does he not shambles presided over by the new Department. According accept that the reality in Members’ constituencies is a to various press reports in the past few days, at least lot of frustrated students? They are not just those going 100,000 students are yet to receive confirmation of their to university but students such as those in my constituency grants or maintenance loans. It has also been reported who want to study at The Hill college in Abergavenny that first-year students have been hard hit. According to but are unable to do so because the Welsh Assembly information released to the BBC under a freedom of have cut their funding. I know that he will say that that information request—it is a shame that the BBC had to is not his responsibility, but my constituents are suffering obtain the information that way and that the Student as a result of the policies of his Government both here Loans Company or the Government were not more and in Cardiff bay. open with students and their parents—28 per cent. of applications by first-year students had not been processed Mr. Lammy: That is a nice try, but as I have said by last week. before, the hon. Gentleman will be aware of his party’s commitment to £610 million-worth of cuts and the We know that universities are able to be flexible, effect that that would have at this time. particularly with first-years, regarding, for instance, The SLC’s current operational difficulties are unfortunate, hall fees, which after all are entirely under university and I have described to the House the measures that are control, but what about students who are having to pay in hand to deal with them to ensure that they are not private landlords, rental deposits or the finding fees that repeated. However, they should not distract us from the letting agencies demand? Hon. Members who represent real issue, which is the Government’s success in building university constituencies, including my hon. Friend the our world-class higher education system, our resolve in Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Leech) and ensuring that the system is truly fit for the challenges I, will know about those fees. What about students who that we will face as a nation in future, and our unswerving have child care considerations and fees to pay? They commitment to building aspiration among young people cannot at the moment be certain that they will have from ordinary and, especially, underprivileged backgrounds, access to the money that they need to meet those for the many benefits that higher education brings. obligations. That is in stark contrast to the Conservatives, who I am especially concerned about non-traditional students offer not a renaissance, but a risk that the country who have accessed university for the first time. On cannot afford. They asked to be judged on how they Monday, our first day back following the summer recess, treat the poorest in society, only to offer unworkable it was my great pleasure to host a reception in the and wasteful discounts to students from the richest Members’ dining room for the Helena Kennedy families in the country, and they have nothing to say on Foundation, at which Baroness Kennedy gave awards to social mobility and widening access to university. They people who have received bursaries from the foundation. promise to peg down debt, only to make spending Many of them are from very difficult backgrounds and commitments that they cannot afford. Having promised were going to university for the first time. Following my people that they have changed, they revert back to a intervention on the Minister he addressed the fact that Thatcherite core, opposing the help that businesses people drop out of university. Many who are going to need to stay solvent, the help that families need to stay university for the first time drop out because of pressing in their homes, and the help that young people need to financial circumstances, and it would be a tragedy if the invest in the future. drop-out rate increased because people’s fears of the The past few months have reminded us that the financial pressures of accessing a degree were realised. Conservatives are in opposition for a reason. Neither This is the first year that the SLC has had responsibility credible nor compassionate, they offer nothing more for handling grant applications; many hon. Members than the echoes of their discredited past. As the country will have gone through the old local authority process. emerges from the economic shock of this century, what The hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) has already people need, especially our young people, is not hollow referred to that most unfortunate quotation in yesterday’s rhetoric, but support, and opportunities to contribute edition of The Guardian of Mr. Derek Ross, the deputy to this country’s renewal. chief executive of the SLC, who said that the problem 2.52 pm was akin to losing one’s car keys. We have all done that Stephen Williams (Bristol, West) (LD): Many of us at some point and it is a personal inconvenience, but will have a sense of déjà vu today. Just before the Mr. Ross has mixed up personal inconvenience with the summer recess, we had many debates and discussions financial hardship and uncertainty faced by others. I about the crisis and shambles over which the Minister hope that those remarks are withdrawn and, indeed, of State was at that time presiding—the lack of places apologised for. in higher education to meet demand. This summer, on Why were the problems not foreseen? The SLC should behalf of my party, I covered A-level results day. In have prepared for its new responsibilities. As I understand previous years, the debate has been centred on standards. it, consultation on moving to the new system took place This year, after seeing television pictures and photographs three years ago, in 2006. It was welcomed by many at of elated students receiving their results, we saw some the time, including the National Union of Students, heartbroken students who had realised that their place because it was a move away from the fragmented system was not guaranteed and who had no idea what was of local authorities processing applications using different going to happen to them in clearing. We will not know procedures, which produced different outcomes up and until next week, when UCAS releases its final figures, down the country, to a uniform system. The NUS was the status of such applications and how many people’s given assurances that the SLC would prepare for the success at obtaining results has led to disappointment at day and time when it took over responsibility, but it is not obtaining a university place. now clear that those assurances were not worth much. 341 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 342

The SLC should also have foreseen that there would early-day motion that I tabled as a new MP in May be a rise in applications this year. UCAS released statistics 2005 and the second speech that I made which was on at various stages in the past academic year, and we have the Immigration Bill. I spoke specifically about the known what the situation would be for some time. We difficulties that Bristol university and Universities UK said in the debate in the summer that the crisis of access had brought to my attention. They anticipated that the to student places should have been foreseen. Likewise, changes in the visa regime in that Bill would lead to the SLC should have foreseen that it would have to deal problems for international students. The then Home with a greater volume of applications than in prior years. Office Minister, the right hon. Member for Harrow, In addition, the uncertainty over the number of places East (Mr. McNulty) who is, as we all know, gentle and meant that there were bound to be more late applications kind, especially to new hon. Members, told me twice for financial support. Those things could have been that I was talking rubbish and more rubbish— foreseen and they should have been planned for. It should be acknowledged that the Minister has Mr. Mike Hancock (Portsmouth, South) (LD): Where expressed his disappointment with the situation, but is he? this is the fifth fiasco that has been presided over either by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Stephen Williams: Perhaps he is studying a letter or by the former Department for Innovation, Universities carefully. and Skills. The right hon. Gentleman is the sole survivor Four years on, we know that there have been massive from that short-lived Department. We have had the delays in processing these visa applications. International further education college capital expenditure programme students are crucial not only to the financing of higher fiasco, delays in education maintenance allowance awards, education in this country—bringing in some £4 billion confusion over the funding of sixth-form places and the of fees a year—but to the intellectual sustainability of uncertainty this summer over higher education places. many courses. Many such courses, especially those in The Minister told us what he is doing to get the SLC shortage subjects such as engineering, would not be to learn lessons and I welcome what he said about viable without the physical presence of international getting a review under way, but it is vital that those students. Anything that blocks their access to study in lessons are learned so that we do not go through the the UK is surely to be regretted, and the Minister needs same again in 2010. I welcome the appointment of to intervene urgently with his Home Office colleagues Deian Hopkin, a former vice-chancellor, whom I met to sort that out. on many occasions at South Bank university, and whom Many of our services depend on the contribution I like and respect very much. Will the Minister tell us made by overseas graduates, and the most obvious when the review will be complete, so that lessons can be example is medicine. Will the Minister give an assurance learned and so that new processes can be put in place in that medical students who have already embarked on a time for next year’s applications? What will the Department degree course will be able to complete the post-graduate do to help universities that are giving short-term, emergency stage of their qualification and will not be subject to loans? The Minister referred to the access to learning further variations in their visa conditions? fund, but he neglected to say that the fund has been cut I turn now to the short-term future of higher education, by 30 per cent. in the past four years, between 2005 and rather than today’s problems. Next year, there must be 2009. What will he do to enable universities to give no repeat of the debacle this year. We know now that ongoing support to individuals who have been affected the number of 18 and 19-year-olds in next year’s cohort by the delay in financial support—an upsetting start to will rise again, just as we knew it would this year. We their university experience—so that they are able to know now that unemployment will continue to rise in continue their studies and the danger of them dropping the short term, and as a result—as we know from all out is ameliorated? previous recessions—more adults will look for shelter in higher education. Mr. Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): I The Conservatives have proposed a fees discount to apologise for missing the start of the debate, but Committee fund places in higher education, although the hon. duties delayed my arrival in the Chamber. Member for Havant was reticent about it in his speech. The hon. Gentleman was a member of the Education That may be attractive as a short-term fix, but it is and Skills Committee, and he mentioned confusion. I another example of the Conservative party seeking to am confused about whether the Liberal Democrats now make life more comfortable for the well-off, especially if believe in variable fees—top-up fees as they are called—or it were to be part of their long-term thinking. We will whether they have changed their minds? Is it that their seek clarity on that point in the run-up to the general leader does not like them, but the party does? election. In the longer term, we agree with the motion when it Stephen Williams: It was a pleasure to serve on the says that there must be a level playing field for part-time Education and Skills Committee and the Children, students. That was the subject of the last report that the Schools and Families Committee under the hon. old Education and Skills Committee produced on Gentleman’s chairmanship, and I learnt a lot from that international students, and one of the last recommendations excellent Select Committee process. If he is patient and that the Committee made. My party passed a resolution stays for the rest of my speech, he may find that his at our conference in March that said that we would also question is answered. abolish the fees for part-time students. However, we The sixth shambles over which this Department has also envisage that in future higher education will see a presided—the problems faced by international students—is greater emphasis on foundation degrees and a strengthening referred to in the motion. On this issue, my sense of déjà of the role of further education colleges, as well as more vu goes even further back. It was the subject of the first emphasis on the skills needs of the nation, especially in 343 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 344

[Stephen Williams] kicked into the long grass in the field beyond the next general election. The Liberal Democrats believe that STEM subjects—science, technology, engineering and students deserve better than that and that higher education maths. I have mentioned that issue many times in such should be a key part of the debate between all three debates. We would recommend a national bursary scheme parties at the next general election. We will certainly be to fund students taking the STEM subjects that are affirming, and reaffirming— essential for us to achieve a low-carbon economy. Mr. Hancock: Before my hon. Friend comes to the Mr. Sheerman: The hon. Gentleman is making a very end of his speech, would he care to comment on the good speech, but his leader has recently mentioned the Prime Minister’s amendment, in which he claims that necessity of savage public expenditure cuts and an interim payments are available for students who have article in The Times mentioned that universities would not received their grants? Does my hon. Friend agree face a 20 per cent. reduction in their budgets. Is that with me about the difficulties that students have had Liberal Democrat policy, and how does it compare with accessing interim payments? Will he also comment on the cuts that the Conservatives would make in higher the difficulties that students experience trying to access education? the learning fund, which the Prime Minister suggests provides financial help to hard-up students? Very many Stephen Williams: The hon. Gentleman will know students have great difficulty accessing those funds. that the leader of my party was referring to the desperate state of the nation’s finances and the reluctance of the Stephen Williams: I thank my hon. Friend for that present Government or the Conservatives to face up to intervention. I do not know, because he is sitting behind the cuts that have to be made if we are to balance our me, whether he was here when I referred to the access to national books, or to give any specific examples of how learning fund and the cuts that the Government have those cuts could be made. At least my party has put made to it. I ask the Minister who sums up to address forward some specific examples, such as the Trident that point. missile programme which no longer needs to be renewed At the next general election I will certainly reaffirm and which would release billions of pounds to be invested my party’s commitment to abolish the current fees in other priorities. model for funding higher education because it is broken. I mentioned the skills that we will need for the There is certainly no scope for fee increases, which we low-carbon economy that must be part of our future. I know is the real purpose of the higher education review just want to draw the House’s attention to some good that is yet to commence. It is essential that we break the practice. For instance, in Cornwall an array has been link between students’ choices over subjects and where built offshore to take advantage of the tidal energy. they study, and the financial contributions that become Combined Universities in Cornwall has introduced a necessary later. At the next general election, the Liberal new degree in renewable energy—the first such example Democrats will be making fully costed and credible in the country—and a foundation degree in renewable proposals in our manifesto to give prospective students technologies, and is working with others to provide and parents a meaningful choice. technical-level skills. We need much more of that happening The Government are coming to the end of their life. in our higher and further education institutions. It would be churlish to say that everything that they I cannot agree with the penultimate sentence of the have done in the higher education field has been a motion, which states that this House failure, so I shall certainly not do that. For instance, I “welcomes the idea of a cross-party student finance review to acknowledge on the record the investment in science, look at the long-term sustainability of the higher education which has been obvious and welcome. However, I also sector”. acknowledge that the bulk of the extra investment at That is not because I oppose trying to reach a consensus undergraduate level has come largely from student tuition on the funding of higher education or other long-term fees, which has broken clear pledges that the Labour issues that face this country, such as long-term care for party made in 1997, and which the Labour Government the elderly or pensions. It is because the fees review in made in 2001. At the previous general election, they higher education was specifically promised in the Higher were punished for that in many constituencies around Education Act 2004. Lord Mandelson has so far dodged the country, including my own and that of my hon. announcing that review, although I congratulate the Friend the Member for Manchester, Withington and hon. Member for Havant on getting a reply to his letter others. The Government are now thrashing around for from Lord Mandelson. My own experience has not funds and are proposing to sell the student loan book. been so happy. We were due to have a meeting to discuss They are desperate to stifle debate about the future of the fees review, but it was cancelled at short notice. It higher education at the next general election. There are was replaced by the promise of a phone call at a very many reasons why the Government deserve to lose the precise time—and at that very precise time the Minister’s election. Their record on student finance is certainly private secretary called to say that he no longer had the one of them. time to speak to me. So I am none the wiser about Lord 3.12 pm Mandelson’s ideas on cross-party working on the future Natascha Engel (North-East Derbyshire) (Lab): It is of higher education, or more critically, when the review a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Bristol, West promised in the Higher Education Act will commence (Stephen Williams), although I disagree profoundly with or what its terms of reference will be. a couple of things that he said. I think that the whole It is evident that a cosy consensus is building up House agrees with the first line of the Conservative between Ministers and Conservative Front Benchers, motion: because they do not want this debate to take place in the “That this House congratulates those who have secured a run-up to the general election. They want to stifle that higher education place for 2009-10 and wishes them well in their debate and ensure that the conclusions of the report are studies”. 345 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 346

I shall ignore the rest of the motion at this point—I backgrounds talking to children in school and working wanted to start with a consensus, before breaking it. with families to ensure that people understand that I want to focus on the issue of widening participation, university is a place for everybody, that it is not closed by which I mean giving access to higher education to as to anybody and that everybody should be allowed to go. many people as possible from as many different types of When it comes to social mobility, widening participation background as possible. Within that, I include further and giving access to everybody, that is a really important education—any education after school that prepares point. people for the world of work. Traditionally, people The increase in the number of over-40s entering from more privileged backgrounds have had better access university is very interesting. It gives people the opportunity to higher education than those from less privileged to enter higher education, which they might not have backgrounds. I think that we all agree on that. Since had growing up—again perhaps because they came 1997—this is where I really disagree with the hon. from backgrounds where it was not the sort of thing Gentleman—we have had a very proud record of achieving that people did. Later in life, they now consider re-entering far better and wider participation in higher education. education, going to university and getting a degree to be the right thing to do. That is a real success story. Mr. Hayes rose— Stephen Williams: The hon. Lady mentioned students Natascha Engel: Is the hon. Gentleman applauding participating in higher education at age 40, many of or does he want to intervene? whom will be studying part time. Does she think that it is about time that the Government removed the anomaly Mr. Hayes: I am terribly sorry to tell the hon. Lady concerning those studying part time and those studying that Higher Education Statistics Agency performance full time in higher education? indicators clearly suggest that the participation rate of working-class students has hardly improved since 1995. Natascha Engel: I was about to come to full-time and part-time education. I am concerned about the 16-hour rule, which I have raised again and again. Natascha Engel: Ha-ha! But if the hon. Gentleman will wait, I shall provide my own statistics. In terms of Mr. Andrew Robathan (Blaby) (Con): They never wider participation and access for all, 2007-08 saw a rise listen! of 20 per cent. since 1997 and an extra 2 million students in higher education. That is a massive number, although we have some way to go. However, I wanted to Natascha Engel: Would the hon. Gentleman like to start with something positive and say that, without a intervene, instead of shouting? doubt, we have widened participation and opened up I chair the youth affairs all-party group where the access to higher and further education—in particular, 16-hour rule is a particular issue. It is an issue particularly higher education, which has traditionally been a bastion for younger people—19, 20 and 21-year-olds—who have for people from more privileged backgrounds. had a bad time in the past. I am talking about ex-offenders, I want to mention briefly the Student Loans Company runaways and people who have been through the care fiasco, which is an issue that has affected anyone with system who are on benefits and receiving support, but students in their constituency. Although nobody is trying who now think that they perhaps want to go into full or to justify what has happened with the company—it part-time education. must never happen again—it was more devastating for Those on jobseeker’s allowance who want to study students from backgrounds without money or without part time—[Interruption.] My speech is so interesting, anyone to make them a loan to ensure that they were all Opposition Members should listen—I listen to theirs. right for the first couple of weeks at college. Furthermore, Those who want to study part time have to pay their the situation has been very frightening for those not tuition fees up front, and that applies whether they are used to the environment of higher education. I hope on jobseeker’s allowance or not. Part-time students still that that is appreciated and that the situation that has have to pay those fees up front, which discourages arisen does not do so again. people from studying part time. It is important to look at that in targeting those people whom we want to take I turn to the Aimhigher programme, which has been up studying. very successful in accessing students and children from backgrounds where people would not normally think My hon. Friends will be aware of this, but the 16-hour about proceeding to higher education. That is the big rule means that jobseeker’s allowance claimants cannot issue about access to higher education: if someone study on further education courses that take up more comes from a background in which parents and other than 16 hours a week or, for those under 20, 12 hours a family members are not used to people entering higher week. That seriously needs to be looked at. I have education, they tend not to aspire to it. They think that mentioned the issue time and again, and I would be university is not the sort of place for them, which cuts grateful not just if someone said that they would look them off early on—before they start out on their careers— into it, but if they did something about it. from any number of higher earning and status vocational careers that those from more privileged backgrounds Mr. Willetts rose— take for granted. I include being an MP among those careers. We still have some work to do. However, Mr. Sheerman: Don’t give way—he was talking. programmes such as Aimhigher do some amazing outreach work in secondary schools—some work is also being Natascha Engel: I am a nice person, so I will give way, done in primary schools. The mentoring is fantastic, as long as the hon. Gentleman promises to listen to the and it involves people who come from less privileged rest of my speech. 347 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 348

Mr. Willetts: I was listening carefully to the hon. stretching back to Roman times, and colleagues in the Lady’s points. I had a conversation with a student at an House may already be familiar with Norwich’s trading FE college the other day who was having to do her prominence in the intervening centuries. We are known course in fewer than 16 hours a week in order to remain for industries such as chocolate, mustard, wool, shoes, on JSA, which is absurd. I commend to the hon. Lady financial services and now modern technologies, including our excellent report, which we produced last week, biotechnology and engineering. We have a high proportion about getting people off welfare and into work, in of small and medium-sized firms, and I applaud all which she will see some imaginative ideas about tackling those in Norwich who choose to take a risk and build that problem. their own businesses. Norwich also has cultural prominence. Underpinning Natascha Engel: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that our current vibrant arts scene, we can also claim the intervention. The 16-hour rule needs to be looked at writing in English—or middle English, to be more seriously, because it definitely discriminates against those specific for any other students of literature in the House—of who come from less privileged backgrounds. Those on the first book by a woman. On the political side, movements jobseeker’s allowance or housing benefits tend not to be have often gathered on Mousehold heath in my those from the most privileged backgrounds in our constituency, including the Chartists 170 years ago and society, so it is critical that we look into the 16-hour rule Robert Kett’s followers before that. to help widen participation. We are also known for the Canaries’ best efforts to I will draw my remarks to a conclusion in a second, stay up the leagues. Norwich City football club is currently but I want to reiterate that record numbers of state prospering in division one. Given that the last full school pupils aspire to go to university. That is critical match that I saw in person resulted in Norwich losing to what this Labour Government have done since 1997—it 7-1 at home to Colchester—is the hon. Member for is about widening not only participation, but aspiration. Colchester (Bob Russell) here? No, he is not—I think We have record numbers of children and young people that, in the interests of the club, it may be wise for me to aspiring to go to university from poorer backgrounds. stay away until promotion is fully secured. For any real It is critical that we ensure that young people are given aficionados of Norfolk’s footballing heritage, I draw the skills to get them through the recession and out the hope from a reputed draw with Arsenal by the village other end, taking a full part in both higher education football club of Thorpe St. Andrew, only as recently as and the world of work. 1894. It remains a shame to this day that the parish One interesting statistic, which counters the one that could not afford to pay the travel costs for the match the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) mentioned replay in London. earlier and refers to a gap that we need to close as quickly as possible, is that 79 per cent. of children from In addition to its fine urban history, Thorpe St. Andrew working households—that is, households where there is but one of the parishes that give present-day Norwich, are working parents—aspire to go to university. That North so much of its character and feeling. According figure drops to 66 per cent. among children who come to local sources, Sprowston is the largest parish in from homes where there is no working parent. That gap Norfolk—I look forward to receiving letters claiming in aspiration is something that all of us in the House, no otherwise, which I shall happily forward to the parish matter what our political party, must aspire to close. I council. Old Catton can claim further cultural merit. In want to finish on that point. Since 1997, this Labour Catton hall, it has the location of the first commission Government have had a long and proud record of for landscaping by Humphrey Repton. Equally importantly, widening participation. We should all work towards Old Catton’s history exemplifies the tradition of widening it even further. independence in the people of Norfolk, among whom I count myself. According to local historians, the parish had 3.23 pm “a high proportion of freemen in the Domesday record which is Chloe Smith (Norwich, North) (Con): I am grateful typical of Norfolk”. to you for giving me the opportunity to take part in this The Domesday Book also lists other parishes in Norwich, Opposition day debate and make my maiden speech, North, including Hellesdon and Taverham, where, in its Madam Deputy Speaker. I also thank the hon. Member Victorian heyday, a paper mill produced half of all the for North-East Derbyshire (Natascha Engel) for her paper used to print The Times. Drayton, the final parish comments. in Norwich, North, has another literary claim to fame. As this is my first speech, I want to pay tribute to During the 15th century, the village was in the possession Dr. Ian Gibson, the previous Member for Norwich, of Sir John Fastolf, a prominent soldier who, it is North. He was a dedicated constituency Member whose claimed, gave his name to Shakespeare’s character Falstaff. tradition of independence and plain speaking I hope to In researching this speech, I found that some of the emulate. He was known locally for his work on science, things that trouble the people of Norwich, North have as I understand he was here in the House, and for not changed in decades. For example, although I was sticking up for the people. Although I do not enter this not sworn in as a new MP until this week, over the place as a scientist, I certainly intend to stick up for all summer my postbag contained a wealth of letters my constituents. complaining about a sewage farm located just in the There has been a Norwich, North seat since 1950, but constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for South the city of Norwich has been represented in Parliament Norfolk (Mr. Bacon), but none the less pungent for since 1298. I am proud of Norwich, North, with its one that. I have found references to residents complaining foot in the city of Norwich and its other foot in surrounding bitterly about the very same sewage works from as early parishes and beautiful Broadland. We have a history as 1933. 349 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 350

I sincerely hope that other problems that are raised or developing relationships with further education, and with me will take less than 70 years to be resolved. For with schools and their communities, supporting the example, I look forward to working over the next nine growth of student numbers and the diversity of subject months on NHS facilities, transport, housing and more. areas. We have seen the development of foundation I am already working on behalf of those constituents degrees and the way in which universities and further who face problems with social housing. My predecessor education are supporting a recruitment exercise of talked eloquently about Norwich’s housing during his youngsters and middle-aged people—often on low maiden speech in 1997, but the problems have not incomes—into higher education. diminished since then. It is a personal priority for me to The activity of persuading young and older people focus on the improvement of the stock and service for that they have talent and can enter higher education local council tenants. takes a serious effort, as does getting them to believe Finally, the backdrop to my first few months as the that they can read for a degree. The language involved Member for Norwich, North is a bleak one for many of can seem different and perhaps a bit peculiar. There is a my constituents, for their jobs and for their businesses. serious challenge involved, but I am delighted to say My constituents are struggling in this recession. In this that the universities in the northern region are doing an Opposition day debate on higher education, I must excellent job. On my doorstep are the universities of highlight the importance of the educational sector to Teesside, Sunderland, Northumbria, Newcastle and the local economy in Norwich and Norfolk. Not only as Durham, and in my own constituency I have the Queen’s a local MP, but as a Norfolk girl who might be said to campus, which is part of the university of Durham. have made good, I look forward to addressing the graduation ceremony at City college, Norwich, on Saturday. We are talking about some important issues today, I shall applaud the many young people who have gained including visa control, the student loans facility, and the qualifications—as does the motion before us today—and way in which the additional 10,000 students are being I shall praise the work of the tutors and others who added. It is important for me to remind the House—if it enable their success. However, I also sympathise greatly needs reminding; perhaps it does not—that we have with the college for the deep confusion that it has seen a staggering increase in student numbers over the experienced through the Learning and Skills Council’s past 12 years. In my own region—Teesside university is capital crisis. Many of my constituents are already within a mile of my constituency—we have seen a losing out in the chaos, and we may all lose further if growth in student numbers from about 14,000 to 28,000 the college cannot recoup the £3 million already sunk youngsters. At Queen’s university, Durham, the student into plans encouraged by this Government. numbers are now topping 15,000. This is a staggering Finishing on today’s higher education topic, I pay increase. It should not surprise any of us that this also tribute to the university of East Anglia, which is the presents enormous problems for those administering former home of my predecessor, although it is in the the student loans and grants, but I believe that the constituency of the right hon. Member for Norwich, figures speak for themselves. South (Mr. Clarke). It is notable for working with local We would not have seen that increase without the partners, the city and the county. The Norwich research high-calibre leadership of vice-chancellors such as Graham park is taking on today’s great environmental challenges, Henderson and his staff, all of whom offer a staggering and Professor Tim O’Riordan of the school of range of qualities. In that, it is not just, as it was in my environmental sciences is our fine city’s sheriff this year. day with the universities of the ’60s and ’70s— Local employers, many of which I have sought to [Interruption.] Yes, I am afraid that it was those decades, meet since my election this summer, want to work with but I am proud to say that I was one of the flower power local institutions such as UEA and the City college to people at that time. [Interruption.] I may be an ancient ensure that the education offered reflects the needs of flower power person now, but it is still there with me. people and businesses in Norwich and Norfolk. That requires clarity and honesty on finance. I look forward When the university of Teesside says, “We must to working with all involved back at home to realise encompass seriously more within our region if we are to higher education’s contribution to economic recovery develop the quality and diversity of education,” it follows and growth, as I look forward to working with colleagues it up by creatively and innovatively developing collaborative in this House to see the many good ideas expressed in work with large companies. I shall specifically mention this debate brought to fruition for my constituents and Rolls-Royce, but that is not the only company. Professor theirs. Simon Hodgson, dean of the school of science and technology, is developing technologies for low-emission 3.30 pm aircraft engines for future generations—just what we Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton, South) (Lab): It is a want if we want to fly. That piece of research is pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Norwich, North extraordinarily important and I am delighted to say (Chloe Smith). I warmly welcome her to the House, as that it is being done on my doorstep. do all hon. Members. It was a pleasure to listen to her It will not surprise anybody when I say that my pride speech, which was young, enthusiastic and knowledgeable— does not stop there, as the university of Teesside has characteristics and qualities that are warmly welcome been shortlisted for the title “university of the year” in here. It is my belief that she will represent her constituents the category of the outstanding employer engagement with care and professionalism. I congratulate her, and I initiative on the basis of its work with the chamber of am delighted that she is taking her seat. commerce. This is a golden field of older, mature and I believe that the Government have an excellent tale experienced people—for many of us, of course, older to tell on higher education, in regard to its expansion means over 30. For me, it means seriously over 60, but I and its development. I live in the northern region, where am prepared to move the older category along the line. we have five high-status universities, all with developed The chamber of commerce is telling its people that they 351 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 352

[Ms Dari Taylor] I am sorry that the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) has left, because I hoped that he might have so much to give, so they should give it. Some of respond to what was said in an article that appeared in those involved are teaching within the university and The Guardian. He would not allow me to intervene—I others are listening. understand that, because we all have much that we want We should not for a moment understate the importance to say—but his views are made clear in the article, of the opening comments of the hon. Member for which states: Havant (Mr. Willetts) speaking for the Opposition or of “Universities are badly failing students with unfit teaching and the Minister speaking for the Government side, and we old-fashioned methods and will have to radically modernise lectures must recognise that the student loans facility needs to and facilities if they want to raise fees, according to the Conservatives’ be seriously improved. In saying that and acknowledging spokesman on higher education.” the problem, it is important to celebrate the expansion I want to know names. Which universities are using of our universities and the increase in the number of “old-fashioned methods”? Which universities are “failing young people—particularly those from low-income students”? We need to know what is being spoken about families—attending them. here. I was born in a two-up, two-down house in the The hon. Gentleman believes that Rhondda valley and from the whole street of terraced “vice-chancellors are not prepared” houses, there were probably only five families out of to face the problem that he would be given by students 90 that sent their children to the grammar school. My “if fees go up”. My husband has worked in universities father was under no illusions when he said, “You will throughout his working life, and I have been part of learn, my girl”—and I did; I had no option. When I them in an indirect way. I can tell the hon. Gentleman said, “How do you know we are bright?”, he said, “I am that parents and students are in absolute agony in their telling you that you are bright, because the more you wish to experience quality. They choose to go to the work at it, the better your intellect will develop”. places where they believe that pharmacology, or engineering, It is worth noting that that sort of statement—too is taught best. They judge on the basis of delivery and many years ago for me to want to inform the House, but quality. When money is spoken of in this way, we well over 50 years ago—is still being said today to our should look at the qualifications involved. young people. It is not just important to say, “You have I wanted to challenge the hon. Gentleman on another got talent”—although we need that vision—as we also issue, because I think it important for us to challenge need a strategy. The strategy that the Government have each other in debates such as this. Universities UK developed has been invaluable. We have seen education makes the position very clear. It says: maintenance allowances to persuade people to stay in education post-16, and then the Aimhigher programme, “Every survey shows satisfaction levels of 80 per cent. or which is clearly changing low to high aspiration. That is above. These do not indicate deep-seated problems.” a struggle—a mammoth struggle—but it is taking place. It also says that there is a genuine belief that UK degrees are world-beaters—world-class—and I can say The universities of Durham and Teesside are the two on the basis of my own knowledge that that is absolutely I know most about; they are out in their communities, true. If the lead Conservative spokesman says that some working with schools serving low-income areas. They universities are failing, it is important for us to know work seriously hard with such low-income groups, and I who he is talking about. am delighted to say that they are producing some serious results. Primary schools in the poorest areas of The details of the student loan facility were articulated Teesside are involved in the graduation ceremony—guns carefully from the Dispatch Box. It is clear that there and all—in the university of Teesside. Nothing is too are problems, but I was delighted to hear my hon. good for this lot. We are trying to persuade them to Friend the Minister explain how they would be corrected. realise that if they have the talent, which they have, it I went to university in 1967, and most of my friends needs working on; we are there for them and will help to were waiting until November for their grants to come ensure that their talent is developed. through. The present position is not new—and I was I have spoken about the need for a strategy and I have one of 5 per cent., not 39 per cent. Let us get things into mentioned Aimhigher and the education maintenance perspective, and then the argument may become rather allowance, but we also know that we need the money. more rounded. The visa system is crucial, and we must We have seen some staggering—multi-million—amounts not allow it to be bunged up in any way. The students in of money being spent on our universities. It was our universities are very important people. inconceivable in my days of the ’60s that such multi-million I am sorry to end on a down, but I think it important amounts would follow, but they have—the Government to say this. When the Government decided on the have delivered them. additional student numbers, they said that they would How has this year of recession affected Sunderland’s be tied to strategically important and vulnerable subject funding allocation? We want more students and we areas. I can tell the Minister that that was an arbitrary want their talents to be developed so that they can join definition of requirement. I think that we should be our economy.Sunderland’s financial allocation for 2009-10 much more cautious about using arbitrary definitions has increased by some 6.2 per cent., which is well above as though they were fact, and related to the requirements the national average. Teesside’s allocation has increased of our economy. by 10.2 per cent., which is more than double the national The system was bureaucratic, and many universities average. We must help areas such as mine where people in my area felt that emerging from that bureaucracy was have seriously low incomes and feel that they have a an impossible task, but the extra 10,000 places are bigger hill to climb, and where traditional industries are valuable. It is important for us always to acknowledge changing. We need them on board. what a superb system of universities and higher education 353 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 354 we have. Do not let us spoil it with systems that have Improving standards in schools is crucial, but we resulted in serious problems for universities to handle, must also look at other ways to open up higher education instead of the serious opportunities which I believe to all groups. It is clear that the one-size-fits-all approach were intended. is failing. I have been extremely impressed by the US model of community colleges. I have spoken about it 3.44 pm before in this Chamber, and I have been banging the Mr. Rob Wilson (Reading, East) (Con): May I begin drum for it for some time. I was therefore very pleased by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for to see positive mentions of the community college Norwich, North (Chloe Smith) on delivering such an system in the recent Select Committee report. Such excellent maiden speech? She can be very proud of colleges constitute the largest part of the higher education herself, and I am certain her predecessor would have system in the US, offering short vocational courses as looked on and nodded in approval. I am sure she will be well as the equivalent to our foundation degrees. They his equal in every respect in fighting for the interests of provide access to learning for millions of students who her constituents in this House. otherwise would be excluded from a traditional university education. In the short time available to me, I would like to focus on three areas: widening participation, the financial One of the main successes of the community college pressure on universities, and the student loan book. I system is that many people from lower socio-economic know that other Members will more than adequately and minority groups have thereby had an opportunity cover the issues to do with student numbers and the to engage in higher learning. Currently, 34 per cent. of recent student loans payment crisis so I do not intend to students enrolled at community colleges are from minority cover those topics. Indeed, my hon. Friend the Member ethnic groups. Students are also typically older, with for Havant (Mr. Willetts) demolished the Government 16 per cent. over the age of 40, and they are typically handling of the loans crisis in such a forensic manner employed, too—77 per cent. are in full or part-time that no more needs to be said on the subject. employment. Students typically begin the first part of their associate degree at a community college with the All Members probably accept that higher education option of using accumulated credit to transfer to a will play a vital role if we are to emerge from this deep traditional university to complete a bachelor’s degree. recession more able to compete in what is a highly skilled global economy. Enabling our young people to By breaking down courses into bite-sized chunks, US have the opportunity to gain entry into higher education colleges also offer the chance to reskill without having is both morally right and an economic necessity. By to shoehorn busy lives into rigid timetables. Credit is preventing a large number of students from fulfilling therefore a vital component underlying the structure their educational potential, the Government risk making and system. Americans rightly view the career ladder as the country less competitive. When we look at what has a career lattice, where people drop in on education as happened over the lifetime of this Government, we see and when it is needed and it fits in with their lives—in that in higher education as elsewhere it is the disadvantaged this country, we often see that as “dropping out”. groups in our society who have been failed most. While Important lessons can also be learned from how the many more middle-class children have been able to go US community colleges manage their finances; put to university, those from lower socio-economic groups simply, the model is much more cost-effective than the have struggled to make progress. Data from the Office one in this country. Networks are organised on a sub- for National Statistics confirm that in the most deprived regional basis and groups of colleges often pool resources, 10 per cent. of neighbourhoods only three in 10 children such as human resources, and other administrative go on to higher education, compared with six out of 10 functions. As purely teaching institutions, colleges typically school leavers in the least deprived 10 per cent. of areas. do not host very expensive research facilities, thus keeping Moreover, this year tens of thousands of young people financial pressures to a minimum. Although there are have suffered because the Government put a brick wall growing examples of good practice in the UK, such as where a ladder should be, blocking the path to university the Staffordshire University Regional Federation for many who have worked so hard to get their A-levels. consortium, which I visited, local articulation agreements It cannot be denied that much of the answer for the should be encouraged. They should be led by a strong underperformance of the lower socio-economic groups university at the core of each grouping. The UK has lies within our schools. As Ofsted has made clear, a 172,000 students studying higher education in 269 further whole swathe of our schools are underperforming and education colleges. Such colleges provide 39 per cent. of failing children. It is not just Ofsted that is making that all entrants to higher education, so we already have a clear, because only yesterday our captains of industry good base on which to build a US-style system. made clear their concerns. The chief executive of Tesco, It is also clear that the student demographic is changing, the nation’s largest private employer, described standards and it is time that the Government realised that the in schools as “woefully low”. He said the private sector higher education system can no longer be centred solely is now being left to “pick up the pieces” by having to on the needs of 18-year-olds undertaking the traditional spend resources on basics such as writing, numeracy three-year course. Although spending on widening and communication skills. The chief executive officer of participation has increased, it has been sprayed around Asda weighed in behind him, as has the CBI. The like a water cannon, whereas it should have been precision- Department’s response to this critique said it all: according guided. If the Government are truly serious about to its spokesman, widening participation, they need to ensure a much “standards have never been higher in our secondary schools.” more strategic focusing of funds. That brings to mind something that I think Tony Blair once said: if we do not understand the problem, it is Mr. John Leech (Manchester, Withington) (LD): Will very difficult to be part of the solution. the hon. Gentleman give way? 355 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 356

Mr. Wilson: I do not think that I have time to do so, Indeed, if my memory is correct, at our insistence a because others wish to speak. framework for making the decision was put in place in I wish to move on to discuss the financial challenges the Bill, but I do not think that details of that framework faced by universities. They are cutting their budgets at were ever published. The Minister for Higher Education an alarming rate and many are in considerable financial and Intellectual Property cannot sidestep that issue, as difficulty. As I said at the previous departmental questions he tried to earlier when he was pressed by my hon. in July, seven universities were on the Higher Education Friend the Member for South Holland and The Deepings. Funding Council’s warning list of “at higher risk” The details of that framework should be published so institutions but soon as many as 30 could be on it, that we can all see just what the criteria are to which the facing significant financial difficulties. Those not in any Government are working. If they are not published, danger, such as my own university of Reading, are still people will believe what I believed when the Bill was having to chop huge swathes from their budgets. Financial introduced: that the Government are in danger of stripping pressures on the university of Reading have meant that taxpayers of a valuable public asset in the hope of it is cutting £10 million from its budget and has had to receiving a quick cash injection. The Minister must make painful decisions about closing departments, such surely be aware that flogging assets recklessly will not as those of physics and health and social care, and make the Exchequer solvent. courses in continuing education. The university recently What about the students? The former higher education announced that it has had to cancel its £60,000 joint Minister repeatedly stated during the progress of the sponsorship with Thames Valley police of four community Bill that it would have “no material impact on graduates”. support officers on its campus. I have had lengthy That proposition remains entirely dependent on the discussions with the pro-vice-chancellor about this, as good will of the Government. Given their incompetence both the safety of students and peace and quiet for local with all things student related—particularly this summer— residents are priorities for me as the local MP. I am very that is a precarious safeguard. This car boot sale of concerned about that and have made my views clear, state assets needs to be managed with caution. The and I am continuing discussions with the university and quick sale of the student loan book is no substitute for the police about how we can ensure student safety will a long-term plan to get the economy back on track. Any not be compromised. Many universities up and down business man—like me—can assure the Government the country are having to make even more painful that a short-term sale for a quick fix is definitely not the decisions affecting staffing and the services to students way forward. The structural budget deficit is what must than the university of Reading is. be targeted. Finally, in light of this week’s announcement, I wish We are very fortunate that we have a world-class to say a few words about the sale of the student loan higher education system in this country. However, through book. In my previous position as shadow Minister for their focus on short-termism and their mismanagement higher education, I was involved in this legislation, and of the UK economy, the Government have made many it appears many of the concerns I raised at the time, universities vulnerable to financial problems and along with my hon. Friend the Member for South international competition. As events over the summer Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes), are being borne have proved, the Government have lost their grip on out by events. Throughout its passage, the Sale of Student higher education. I fear that the only way to get it back Loans Bill was always deemed to be enabling legislation, on track is a general election and a fresh approach from necessary for a rainy day. Indeed, following its Royal an incoming Conservative Government. Assent, the then higher education Minister withdraw the book from sale because he was worried about securing 3.57 pm a fair price and was finding doing so increasingly impossible. Not much has changed since then regarding the value of Anne Main (St. Albans) (Con): I want to touch the loan book in the marketplace, but the Government’s briefly on one or two points raised by my hon. Friend need to get their hands on the money clearly has. The the Member for Reading, East (Mr. Wilson). He said rainy day has arrived and it seems to have become a bit that there is no point trying to widen participation in of a monsoon. The student loan book is once more up education when so many of our children are leaving for grabs as part of a fresh sale of state assets that aims school failed by this Government’s system and with to raise an estimated £16 billion. poor qualifications. Indeed, other hon. Members have also touched on the fact that many colleges have, like The Prime Minister announced that the sale would Oaklands college in my constituency, had the learning not go ahead if a good deal could not be brokered, but I and skills grant pulled at short notice. That college is feel that the panic to plug this massive financial black attended by many severely disabled pupils because hole will override the financial caution. I want to repeat Hertfordshire keeps its disabled pupil teaching within what I said during the passage of that Bill—the legislation Hertfordshire and the college specialises in such teaching. was supposed to be about the sensible management of It was hoping to widen participation for those disadvantaged an important public asset, which at the time was worth young people, and what happened? At the eleventh nearly £20 billion, but it has actually become a tawdry hour and the 59th minute, the funding was pulled, attempt to cash in on a valuable asset by a Government leaving my college in a dilemma about what to do next. running out of resources and of money. The former It is still struggling with that dilemma and Mark Dawe, higher education Minister, the hon. Member for Harlow who I meet regularly, has my utmost sympathy. It is no (Bill Rammell), said on Second Reading: good seeing crocodile tears from the Government. “Making a sound judgment about the timing and pricing of sales is particularly important given the recent turbulence in I want to touch briefly on a topic that has not come world credit and financial markets…Decisions will…always be up. Many young people have been let down because informed by what provides the best value for money for the they wanted to go to university this year but have been taxpayer.”—[Official Report, 22 November 2007; Vol. 467, c. 1393.] caught up in the regrading fiascos that, unfortunately, 357 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 358 left them unable to take up their university places. Even though the figures have been recalibrated and Dr. Jack Alvarez, my constituent, who teaches at recalculated, by last year the Government had achieved Haberdashers’ Aske’s school, which is just outside my just 43 per cent. participation in higher education. constituency, wanted me to bring the matter to the Success for women masked failure for men, for whom attention of the Minister. Many extra pupils have been the rate stood at 38 per cent.—just one percentage point participating in GCSEs and, importantly, A-levels and higher than a decade ago. Under a consistent measure, AS-levels, and if the grades are challenged, the challenges the proportion of university entrants from both sexes need to be lodged within a certain time frame to ensure increased hardly at all over the whole decade. that they meet the clearing house dates. Both my hon. Friends the Members for St. Albans Priority requests for regrading are usually handled (Anne Main) and for Reading, East (Mr. Wilson) made within 18 days. Awarding bodies have until 7 September good contributions to the debate. The latter has championed to deal with them, but the universities close their books the cause of community colleges for some time. I by 28 September, and the bulge in the numbers of pupils acknowledge and praise him for that. His remarks were applying to go to university this year has led to the interesting and stimulating, on a matter that we certainly matter being especially badly handled. take seriously even if Ministers do not. However, I am This year, 80 per cent. of all clearing places were sorry to tell my hon. Friends that, even though the taken by 25 August, even though exam results were Government are spending £2 billion a year on widening released only on 20 August. Although the good news participation, the participation rate for working-class was that many high-flying pupils did get their results students has hardly improved since 1995. upgraded, I am sad to relate that the short time frame If that were not bad enough, the improvement rate meant that a lot of them missed the opportunity to go has actually declined. In the previous decade, participation to university or to the university of their choice, or they by working-class students grew at a faster rate. Although lost their university place. I acknowledge the genuine determination across the The Minister must look at the problem. It is pointless House to try to widen participation, the truth is that the to encourage young people to go to university if regrading Government have failed by any measure. It is clear that is shoehorned into a time scale that is, frankly undeliverable. there are Labour Members, such as the hon. Member The result is that high-flying, well educated and qualified for North-East Derbyshire (Natascha Engel), who care pupils from all walks of life end up being unable to about these matters. It was especially distressing to hear access a college place of their choice. Some of them how her ambitions, and the ambitions of the whole have looked at the loans fiasco, realised that it would country, have been frustrated down by Ministers—not cause them to struggle financially and said, “I’m walking through lack of concern, but through their inability to away.” deliver results. If the Government want to deter young people from The experience at the beginning of the current academic participating in higher education, all they have to do is year has demonstrated beyond all doubt that the to put them in a system where there is very little chance Government have no hope—and, worse, no intention—of of fair play. As happened with the loans fiasco, people meeting their 50 per cent. target. who tried to communicate the problems that they were Even though applications increased by a predictable encountering found that the phone lines were impossible measure this year, the result, as my hon. Friend the to access. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) noted in his excellent I shall rest on that point. We should think about what opening remarks, has been chaos. While the Government young people face: it is hard enough to start out in life blew up expectations, parents and students have been but, when more than one obstacle is put in our way, let down, the dream of a generation has been exploded, many of us would say, “Forget it.” Given the stresses with universities left to pick up the pieces. There are and strains that hon. Members have suffered over the 140,000 potential students who cannot find a place in summer in our relationship with bureaucracy, surely we higher education, as my hon. Friend the Member for must recognise that many people will walk away when Havant pointed out and only 22,000 places were available faced with the sort of obstacle that I have described. through clearing; that is down by 50 per cent. from the If we want to encourage young people into higher year before. education, we must ensure that they leave secondary That so many young people should lose their chance school with the qualifications that they need, and then to learn can hardly come as a surprise to Ministers. that their places and loans are managed properly. Universities received roughly 60,000 additional applications 4.1 pm this year. The Minister for Higher Education and Mr. John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings) Intellectual Property broadly confirmed that, yet the (Con): We have had a rigorous and well informed Government simply did not allocate sufficient places to debate, in which we heard an excellent maiden speech meet that extra demand. Every previous recession has from my new hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, brought an increase in the number of applications for North (Chloe Smith). She is a bright star with a bright university places, so the Government must have known future. that that would happen. The issue should have been This Government promised to extend opportunity anticipated and dealt with, and a solution should have and to ensure that 50 per cent. of young people attended been found. university. That promise was made by the former Prime The Government are still nowhere near their target, Minister Mr. Blair in a speech 10 years ago, and it was and yet the system of student finance that they established repeated in the 2001 Labour party manifesto, yet today’s has not been able to cope with the pressure, as was debate has been all about broken promises and false generously acknowledged by the hon. Member for Stockton, claims. The scar of disappointment cuts deep—in some South (Ms Taylor). She said that the situation was not cases to despair. good enough, and challenged those in her own party, 359 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 360

[Mr. John Hayes] In the past year, there has been a succession of crises in HE, further education and skills. First, there was the on the Treasury Bench, to recognise the problem. I must crisis over FE capital funding; then the crisis of the be fair to the Minister of State: he did acknowledge it. Train to Gain overspend and the problems with His words were damning of his own record and that of apprenticeships; and now there is the crisis in student his hon. Friends. He said that the situation was not finance. Is it any wonder, when responsibility for this good enough; that it was not effective; that it had not vital area of policy has been shifted from one Department been sensibly anticipated; that the technology had failed; to the next, like a macabre game of pass the parcel—first and that systems had let students down. But who is to DFES, then DIUS and now BIS? But this is not a game. blame? I am afraid that the buck stops on the Government The Government are playing with people’s lives—the Front Bench. The Minister knows that, and should have hopes, dreams and potential of a generation. In Labour’s acknowledged that, too. After all, it is the Government end, to paraphrase Eliot, is its beginning—a 13-year who shifted responsibility for processing loans from journey back to where it started. local authorities to Student Finance England. As the Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Announcing the new system in 2006, the then Education Property knows, I admire his progress from disadvantage Minister, the hon. Member for Harlow (Bill Rammell), in Tottenham to high office. I know that in his heart he said: must be ashamed that as a result of his Government, few others so disadvantaged will follow in his footsteps. “As well as clearer information, faster decisions, timely payments For he must also know in his heart that if we want to and accurate repayments” reinvigorate higher education, if we want to reignite would be assured. It is no wonder that after doing so social mobility, if we want to deliver social justice, we little for HE, and FA for FE, he was sent to the FO. He need a Government who genuinely believe in education: left a legacy for the Minister for Higher Education and change driving hope, a fresh start—a new Conservative Intellectual Property; I know that the situation was not Government for a new Britain, because Britain deserves of the latter’s making, but it is still his responsibility. better. How stark is the contrast between past soft-soap rhetoric and the granite-hard reality of the problems facing 4.10 pm students and their families this year! The Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships Some 175 students started this term without loans. and Consumer Affairs (Kevin Brennan): We have had a Worst hit are first-year students, as the hon. Member good debate with some excellent contributions, some for Bristol, West (Stephen Williams) said. At the end of colourful ones and some thoughtful ones from both last week, 28 per cent. of first-year applications had yet sides of the House. It has been an immensely enjoyable to be dealt with, and universities are being obliged to debate. make emergency pay-outs. I hope that when the Minister I congratulate the hon. Member for Norwich, North for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and (Chloe Smith) on her maiden speech. She spoke with Consumer Affairs winds up, he will talk about those great clarity and passion about her constituency. I emergency pay-outs and will comment on the questions particularly thank her for the praise that she gave to her asked by the hon. Member for Bristol, West, about how predecessor, Dr. Ian Gibson, who is a close friend of easy those pay-outs are to access, and what the Government mine and was an excellent Member of the House. She are doing to support universities in that regard. said that she wanted to emulate his independence in the House. I hope she has informed her Whips Office of The problems could have been anticipated. Indeed, that, as I am not sure her Whips will so heartily praise they were; minutes from the board meetings of the her if she does so. Student Loans Company reveal that in July 2008—a We are clear that finance should not be a barrier to full year before the problems became public—the company people entering university. The hon. Member for South forecast that 40 per cent. of telephone calls would go Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes) referred to the unanswered. At the same meeting, a policy of avoidable background of my right hon. Friend the Minister for contact was adopted. That, by the way, is Labour-speak Higher Education and Intellectual Property. Both my for not answering the phone. The Student Loans Company parents left school at 14, and I come from the first is using an 0845 number, against official Ofcom advice, generation of people who had the opportunity to go to so callers must pay for a 10p-a-minute call, and some of university, coming through comprehensive education the revenue can be “shared” with the Student Loans and going to Oxbridge. If people have been through Company. I call that adding insult to injury, and adding that experience, it stays with them and makes them impertinence to both. genuinely and honestly committed to widening participation To add to the chaos, the future of the student loan and access. book is now unclear. At the beginning of the week, the That is what the Government have done. Many more Government announced a fire sale of Government-owned people from my kind of background are now able to go assets. Back in 2007, the comprehensive spending review to university than was the case in past, and certainly committed the Government to raising £6 billion over when I went to university in the early 1980s. We are the next three years from student loan sales, yet no sale committed to widening access to higher education, and has yet been made. When the Minister winds up the that is what we have been doing. That is why we have a debate, will he tell us whether the £3 billion is in generous system of student support providing both addition to the £6 billion in the CSR? Can he tell us grants and loans for tuition fees and living costs in when he expects the first tranche of loan sales to be university.That is why we have non-repayable maintenance made, and if no sale is expected to be made by the end grants of up to £2,906, which were reintroduced by the of the financial year, can he say how the Government Government. About two thirds of all students are expected intend to make up the £6 billion shortfall? to benefit from a full or partial maintenance grant. 361 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 362

Whatever review takes place—[Interruption.] I hear the same head. That is the only possible explanation, the hon. Member for Bristol, West (Stephen Williams) because it would cause most of us great mental perturbance chuntering—it will not involve the savage cuts that the if we tried to square that circle. Liberal Democrat party leader seems to have promised, although the hon. Gentleman was quick to distance Mr. Willetts: I wonder whether the Minister is not himself from that. However, it is appropriate to refer, as holding in his head two completely inconsistent positions. my right hon. Friend the Minister did, to the problems Is he claiming the credit for those extra numbers, because that there have been with the Student Loans Company. some of those extra students are students whom universities He gave a clear explanation of events. It is a matter of should not have recruited, and he is going to fine those great regret that students have not been able to get institutions for taking them on. through to the Student Loans Company to speak to an adviser and find out about their application. Students and parents have been confused about the process and Kevin Brennan: That is a nice attempt to avoid the about what has been happening with their applications. charge, but before I conclude I shall refer briefly to a The poor level of customer service, as my right hon. further confusion in the hon. Gentleman’s head: his Friend made clear, is not good enough. plan to pay for this sudden conversion to 10,000 extra places in university. When I intervened on him earlier, Mr. Leech rose— he told us that he would offer a discount to existing graduates who pay off their student loans more quickly and would use the money that was returned to pay for Kevin Brennan: I have very little time, so if the hon. more university places. However, the cost of student Gentleman will allow me to make some progress, I may loans to the Government is not the amount of money give way later. that is loaned to the student; it is the difference between The Student Loans Company has put measures in the rate of interest charged on a student loan and the place with financial support from the Government to rate of interest charged by the bank from which the help students follow the progress of their applications Government borrow the money to pay for the student and to address the problems that people have had in loan. By asking for money to be returned early, all the getting through to its call centres, including providing hon. Gentleman is doing is taking money that is owed additional helplines and more staff to answer calls. to the bank, bringing it back in-house and giving it out Action is being taken, but we should keep the problems again to students to pay for their higher education. In in perspective. other words, it is a smoke-and-mirrors, totally disingenuous Every single one of those applications is important, way of borrowing extra money, which the hon. Gentleman but more than 640,000 students have been paid by claims he and his party do not want to do. Student Finance England this year. That is more people Earlier today, I heard the Leader of the Opposition than ever before at this time of the year, and we should say of the Prime Minister, “Doesn’t he understand that acknowledge that a significant number of students do we won’t win the public’s trust unless we’re straight with not apply until shortly before the start of term. The them about the choices that we face?” Extra students at suggestion of 175,000 students still being unpaid is way university cannot be paid for through some scam scheme off the mark. Each year a large number of students by which money that the Government already owe begin applications but do not complete them. I understand someone else is repackaged in order to hide the need to from the Student Loans Company that this year that borrow the money to pay for the places. When will we amounts to 77,000. see the detailed costings of that policy and exactly how My right hon. Friend announced a review under much the hon. Member for Havant believes it will raise? Professor Deian Hopkin, which has been welcomed. In response to the point from the hon. Member for Bristol, Natascha Engel: Who does my hon. Friend think is West, the review will be undertaken as quickly as possible. most likely to pay back that money early? What kind of We should make a judgment on what has happened person? Would he hazard a guess as to whether a richer when we hear the full conclusions of that independent or a poorer person would have that kind of money up review, but it should not divert us from the fact that this front to pay back their loan more quickly? year more students than ever before are going to university. From reading the motion and listening to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts), one would think Kevin Brennan: I am not sure of the answer to that that fewer students than ever before were going to question, but I suspect that the money would not come university. The Opposition’s motion regrets the rise in from somebody who saved in a credit union; it would be the number of applicants without a place, and we need more likely to come from somebody with access to a to unpick that, because it means that the Opposition are hedge fund, rather than anybody from the communities saying that we should have provided more places. I that we are discussing. heard the hon. Gentleman say that, but let us just To talk about widening participation while proposing analyse it for a moment. When we had fewer students a a highly regressive policy on higher education, combined few years ago, the Opposition said that we had too with a completely bogus way of paying for additional many—that we were shovelling people into university; places, really is disingenuous. We look forward to seeing now that we have more students than we had then, the the detailed costings of this fag-packet policy. I do not Opposition say that we have too few. How on earth can know whether the hon. Gentleman was consulted when anyone sustain that position? the Leader of the Opposition talked about it on a The hon. Gentleman has been described many times Sunday television programme, nor whether the shadow as having two brains, and perhaps that explains how Chancellor was consulted, but it is unravelling just as two totally different positions can be maintained within quickly as the right hon. Gentleman’s pension plans. 363 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 364

[Kevin Brennan] Harvey, Nick Penning, Mike Hayes, Mr. John Penrose, John When will the man with two brains tell us whether Heald, Mr. Oliver Pickles, Mr. Eric there is one single coherent strand to his policy for extra Heath, Mr. David Pritchard, Mark places? It is not extra cash: one cannot magic money Heathcoat-Amory, rh Pugh, Dr. John out of nowhere. Even in opposition one has a duty to be Mr. David Randall, Mr. John Hemming, John Redwood, rh Mr. John responsible about finances, and we look forward to Hendry, Charles Reid, Mr. Alan hearing him tell us exactly how he would pay for that Herbert, Nick Rennie, Willie policy. Hermon, Lady Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm I fear that my time is running out—[HON.MEMBERS: Hoban, Mr. Mark Robathan, Mr. Andrew “Hear, hear!”] I am afraid that it is running out as Hogg, rh Mr. Douglas Robertson, Hugh rapidly as the credibility of the hon. Gentleman’s policy. Holloway, Mr. Adam Robertson, Mr. Laurence We shall oppose the motion and I urge the House to Holmes, Paul Robinson, Mrs. Iris support the Government’s amendment. Howarth, David Robinson, rh Mr. Peter Howarth, Mr. Gerald Rosindell, Andrew Question put (Standing Order No. 31(2)), That the Howell, John Rowen, Paul original words stand part of the Question. Hughes, Simon Ruffley, Mr. David The House proceeded to a Division. Huhne, Chris Russell, Bob Hunt, Mr. Jeremy Sanders, Mr. Adrian Hunter, Mark Selous, Andrew Madam Deputy Speaker (Sylvia Heal): I ask the Hurd, Mr. Nick Shapps, Grant Serjeant at Arms to investigate the delay in the No Jack, rh Mr. Michael Simmonds, Mark Lobby. Jackson, Mr. Stewart Simpson, David Jenkin, Mr. Bernard Simpson, Mr. Keith The House having divided: Ayes 220, Noes 284. Jones, Mr. David Smith, Chloe Division No. 218] [4.20 pm Kawczynski, Daniel Smith, Sir Robert Kennedy, rh Mr. Soames, Mr. Nicholas Charles Spelman, Mrs. Caroline AYES Key, Robert Spicer, Sir Michael Afriyie, Adam Curry, rh Mr. David Kirkbride, Miss Julie Spink, Bob Ainsworth, Mr. Peter Davey, Mr. Edward Knight, rh Mr. Greg Spring, Mr. Richard Amess, Mr. David Davies, David T.C. Kramer, Susan Steen, Mr. Anthony Arbuthnot, rh Mr. James (Monmouth) Laing, Mrs. Eleanor Streeter, Mr. Gary Atkinson, Mr. Peter Davies, Philip Lait, Mrs. Jacqui Stuart, Mr. Graham Bacon, Mr. Richard Davis, rh David Lamb, Norman Stunell, Andrew Baker, Norman Djanogly, Mr. Jonathan Lancaster, Mr. Mark Swayne, Mr. Desmond Baldry, Tony Dorrell, rh Mr. Stephen Lansley, Mr. Andrew Swinson, Jo Barker, Gregory Dorries, Nadine Laws, Mr. David Swire, Mr. Hugo Baron, Mr. John Duddridge, James Leech, Mr. John Syms, Mr. Robert Barrett, John Duncan, Alan Leigh, Mr. Edward Tapsell, Sir Peter Beith, rh Sir Alan Ellwood, Mr. Tobias Letwin, rh Mr. Oliver Taylor, Mr. Ian Bellingham, Mr. Henry Evans, Mr. Nigel Lewis, Dr. Julian Taylor, Matthew Benyon, Mr. Richard Evennett, Mr. David Lidington, Mr. David Taylor, Dr. Richard Beresford, Sir Paul Fallon, Mr. Michael Lilley, rh Mr. Peter Teather, Sarah Binley, Mr. Brian Featherstone, Lynne Loughton, Tim Timpson, Mr. Edward Blunt, Mr. Crispin Field, Mr. Mark Luff, Peter Tredinnick, David Bone, Mr. Peter Foster, Mr. Don Mackay, rh Mr. Andrew Turner, Mr. Andrew Bottomley, Peter Fox, Dr. Liam Maclean, rh David Tyrie, Mr. Andrew Brady, Mr. Graham Francois, Mr. Mark Main, Anne Vaizey, Mr. Edward Brazier, Mr. Julian Fraser, Christopher Malins, Mr. Humfrey Vara, Mr. Shailesh Breed, Mr. Colin Gale, Mr. Roger Maples, Mr. John Viggers, Sir Peter Brokenshire, James Garnier, Mr. Edward Maude, rh Mr. Francis Villiers, Mrs. Theresa Brooke, Annette Gauke, Mr. David May, rh Mrs. Theresa Walker, Mr. Charles McCrea, Dr. William Browning, Angela George, Andrew Wallace, Mr. Ben McIntosh, Miss Anne Bruce, rh Malcolm Gibb, Mr. Nick Walter, Mr. Robert McLoughlin, rh Mr. Burns, Mr. Simon Gidley, Sandra Whittingdale, Mr. John Patrick Burrowes, Mr. David Goodman, Mr. Paul Willetts, Mr. David Burt, Alistair Goodwill, Mr. Robert Mercer, Patrick Miller, Mrs. Maria Williams, Mr. Roger Burt, Lorely Gove, Michael Williams, Stephen Butterfill, Sir John Gray, Mr. James Milton, Anne Willott, Jenny Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Green, Damian Mitchell, Mr. Andrew Wilson, Mr. Rob Carswell, Mr. Douglas Greening, Justine Moore, Mr. Michael Wilson, Sammy Cash, Mr. William Grieve, Mr. Dominic Mulholland, Greg Winterton, Ann Chope, Mr. Christopher Gummer, rh Mr. John Murrison, Dr. Andrew Clappison, Mr. James Hague, rh Mr. William Neill, Robert Winterton, Sir Nicholas Clark, Greg Hammond, Mr. Philip Newmark, Mr. Brooks Yeo, Mr. Tim Clarke, rh Mr. Kenneth Hammond, Stephen Öpik, Lembit Young, rh Sir George Clifton-Brown, Mr. Geoffrey Hancock, Mr. Mike Ottaway, Richard Younger-Ross, Richard Conway, Derek Hands, Mr. Greg Paice, Mr. James Tellers for the Ayes: Cormack, Sir Patrick Harper, Mr. Mark Paisley, rh Rev. Ian Bill Wiggin and Cox, Mr. Geoffrey Harris, Dr. Evan Paterson, Mr. Owen Mr. Stephen Crabb 365 Higher Education14 OCTOBER 2009 Higher Education 366

NOES Jones, Helen Prentice, Bridget Jones, Mr. Kevan Prentice, Mr. Gordon Abbott, Ms Diane David, Mr. Wayne Jones, Lynne Primarolo, rh Dawn Ainger, Nick Davidson, Mr. Ian Jones, Mr. Martyn Prosser, Gwyn Ainsworth, rh Mr. Bob Davies, Mr. Dai Jowell, rh Tessa Purnell, rh James Alexander, rh Mr. Douglas Davies, Mr. Quentin Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Rammell, Bill Anderson, Mr. David Dean, Mrs. Janet Keeble, Ms Sally Raynsford, rh Mr. Nick Armstrong, rh Hilary Denham, rh Mr. John Keeley, Barbara Reed, Mr. Andy Atkins, Charlotte Devine, Mr. Jim Keen, Alan Reed, Mr. Jamie Austin, Mr. Ian Dhanda, Mr. Parmjit Keen, Ann Reid, rh John Austin, John Dismore, Mr. Andrew Kemp, Mr. Fraser Riordan, Mrs. Linda Bailey, Mr. Adrian Dobbin, Jim Kidney, Mr. David Robertson, John Baird, Vera Dobson, rh Frank Kilfoyle, Mr. Peter Robinson, Mr. Geoffrey Balls, rh Ed Donohoe, Mr. Brian H. Knight, rh Jim Rooney, Mr. Terry Banks, Gordon Doran, Mr. Frank Kumar, Dr. Ashok Roy, Lindsay Barlow, Ms Celia Drew, Mr. David Ladyman, Dr. Stephen Ruane, Chris Barron, rh Mr. Kevin Durkan, Mark Lammy, rh Mr. David Ruddock, Joan Battle, rh John Eagle, Angela Laxton, Mr. Bob Bayley, Hugh Eagle, Maria Russell, Christine Lepper, David Beckett, rh Margaret Efford, Clive Ryan, rh Joan Levitt, Tom Begg, Miss Anne Ellman, Mrs. Louise Sarwar, Mr. Mohammad Lewis, Mr. Ivan Bell, Sir Stuart Engel, Natascha Seabeck, Alison Lloyd, Tony Benn, rh Hilary Ennis, Jeff Sharma, Mr. Virendra Love, Mr. Andrew Benton, Mr. Joe Etherington, Bill Sheerman, Mr. Barry Lucas, Ian Berry, Roger Field, rh Mr. Frank Sheridan, Jim Mactaggart, Fiona Betts, Mr. Clive Fisher, Mark Simon, Mr. Siôn Mahmood, Mr. Khalid Blackman, Liz Fitzpatrick, Jim Simpson, Alan Malik, Mr. Shahid Blackman-Woods, Dr. Roberta Flello, Mr. Robert Singh, Mr. Marsha Mallaber, Judy Blunkett, rh Mr. David Flint, rh Caroline Skinner, Mr. Dennis Mann, John Borrow, Mr. David S. Flynn, Paul Slaughter, Mr. Andy Marris, Rob Follett, Barbara Bradshaw, rh Mr. Ben Marshall-Andrews, Mr. Robert Smith, rh Mr. Andrew Foster, Mr. Michael Brennan, Kevin Martlew, Mr. Eric Smith, Ms Angela C. (Worcester) Brown, Lyn McAvoy, rh Mr. Thomas (Sheffield, Hillsborough) Francis, Dr. Hywel Brown, rh Mr. Nicholas McCabe, Steve Smith, rh Angela E. (Basildon) Gardiner, Barry Brown, Mr. Russell McCafferty, Chris Snelgrove, Anne Gerrard, Mr. Neil Browne, rh Des McCarthy, Kerry Soulsby, Sir Peter Gilroy, Linda Bryant, Chris McCarthy-Fry, Sarah Southworth, Helen Godsiff, Mr. Roger Buck, Ms Karen McDonagh, Siobhain Spellar, rh Mr. John Goodman, Helen McDonnell, Dr. Alasdair Stewart, Ian Burden, Richard Griffith, Nia McDonnell, John Burgon, Colin Griffiths, Nigel Stoate, Dr. Howard McFadden, rh Mr. Pat Butler, Ms Dawn Grogan, Mr. John Straw, rh Mr. Jack McFall, rh John Byrne, rh Mr. Liam Gwynne, Andrew Stringer, Graham McGuire, rh Mrs. Anne Caborn, rh Mr. Richard Hain, rh Mr. Peter Sutcliffe, Mr. Gerry McIsaac, Shona Cairns, David Hall, Mr. Mike Tami, Mark McKechin, Ann Campbell, Mr. Alan Hamilton, Mr. David Taylor, Ms Dari McKenna, Rosemary Campbell, Mr. Ronnie Hanson, rh Mr. David Taylor, David McNulty, rh Mr. Tony Caton, Mr. Martin Harman, rh Ms Harriet Thornberry, Emily Merron, Gillian Cawsey, Mr. Ian Harris, Mr. Tom Timms, rh Mr. Stephen Michael, rh Alun Chapman, Ben Havard, Mr. Dai Tipping, Paddy Miliband, rh Edward Chaytor, Mr. David Healey, rh John Todd, Mr. Mark Miller, Andrew Hepburn, Mr. Stephen Touhig, rh Mr. Don Clapham, Mr. Michael Mitchell, Mr. Austin Heppell, Mr. John Clark, Ms Katy Moffatt, Laura Trickett, Jon Hesford, Stephen Clark, Paul Mole, Chris Truswell, Mr. Paul Hewitt, rh Ms Patricia Clarke, rh Mr. Charles Moon, Mrs. Madeleine Turner, Dr. Desmond Heyes, David Clarke,rhMr.Tom Morden, Jessica Turner, Mr. Neil Hill, rh Keith Clelland, Mr. David Morgan, Julie Twigg, Derek Hodge, rh Margaret Clwyd, rh Ann Morley, rh Mr. Elliot Ussher, Kitty Hodgson, Mrs. Sharon Coaker, Mr. Vernon Mudie, Mr. George Vis, Dr. Rudi Hood, Mr. Jim Mullin, Mr. Chris Walley, Joan Coffey, Ann Hoon, rh Mr. Geoffrey Cohen, Harry Hopkins, Kelvin Munn, Meg Waltho, Lynda Connarty, Michael Howarth, rh Mr. George Murphy, Mr. Denis Ward, Claire Cooper, Rosie Howells, rh Dr. Kim Murphy, rh Mr. Paul Wareing, Mr. Robert N. Cooper, rh Yvette Hoyle, Mr. Lindsay Naysmith, Dr. Doug Whitehead, Dr. Alan Corbyn, Jeremy Humble, Mrs. Joan Norris, Dan Wicks, rh Malcolm Crausby, Mr. David Hutton, rh Mr. John O’Brien, rh Mr. Mike Williams, rh Mr. Alan Creagh, Mary Iddon, Dr. Brian O’Hara, Mr. Edward Williams, Mrs. Betty Cruddas, Jon Ingram, rh Mr. Adam Olner, Mr. Bill Wilson, Phil Cryer, Mrs. Ann Irranca-Davies, Huw Owen, Albert Winnick, Mr. David Cummings, John James, Mrs. Siân C. Palmer, Dr. Nick Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Cunningham, Mr. Jim Jenkins, Mr. Brian Plaskitt, Mr. James Woolas, Mr. Phil Cunningham, Tony Johnson, Ms Diana R. Pound, Stephen Wright, Mr. Anthony 367 Higher Education 14 OCTOBER 2009 368

Wright, David Tellers for the Noes: NHS Dentistry Wright, Mr. Iain Mr. Bob Blizzard and Wright, Dr. Tony Mr. Dave Watts Wyatt, Derek Madam Deputy Speaker (Sylvia Heal): I advise the House that Mr. Speaker has selected the amendment in the name of the Prime Minister. Question accordingly negatived. Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 31(2)), 4.37 pm That the proposed words be there added. Question agreed to. Mr. Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire) (Con): I beg to move, The Deputy Speaker declared the main Question, as That this House supports maximising public access to NHS amended, to be agreed to (Standing Order No. 31(2)). dentistry; notes that under the Government’s new contract considerable Resolved, numbers of patients now do not have access to an NHS dentist; That this House welcomes the record number of students believes the dental contract imposed by the Government is not attending university or college this year meaning more students adequately meeting its objectives for improving oral health or benefiting from higher education (HE) today than at any stage in access to dentistry; recognises that any future contractual arrangements UK history; commends the Government for its record levels of should be appropriately consulted on and piloted; calls for stronger investment in HE, an increase of over 25 per cent. over the last incentives for dentists to carry out preventative care; recognises decade compared to a 36 per cent. decline per student under the the opportunity to bring about better patient care by ensuring the previous Government; recognises the Government’s commitment best treatments are provided at the appropriate time and by to expanding opportunities to participate in HE, including an fostering the stability that will allow new investment in NHS extra 10,000 opportunities this year in courses related to science, practices; supports an approach to NHS dentistry focused on technology, engineering and mathematics subjects and 10,000 preventative care; further believes that the oral health of children recently allocated additional student numbers for 2010-11; commends should be protected by re-introducing dental screening programmes the Government’s generous student support package and regrets in schools; and further supports the introduction of patient that this year the Student Loans Company (SLC) has been unable registration, allied to capitation-based funding rather than fee-for- to provide the level of service students and their families have service, restoring a relationship between patient and dentist conducive rightly come to expect; notes that 800,000 English-domiciled to an improvement in long-term oral health. students have already had their applications for funds approved The House may not know it, but this is a 10th anniversary and that following additional Government support the SLC has debate. Ten years ago, in September 1999, Tony Blair allocated extra resources to deal with enquiries and processing; told the Labour party conference: further notes that the vast majority of students who applied within the deadline will have received their money, that interim “Everyone will have access to an NHS dentist within two payments are available for students and the Government’s Access years.” to Learning fund provides help for students suffering financial The Labour party conference a couple of weeks ago hardship; further notes the significant contribution international might have done well to remember that the nature of students make to the UK, and believes that the new student promises from Labour Governments is that they are not immigration system is effective and fair; and further notes the delivered. In fact, the record shows a loss of access. Government’s confidence in future economic growth which will After the introduction of the new contract, the number enable a viable sale of the student loan book. of people accessing NHS dentistry fell by 1 million. Some 7.5 million people are not going to an NHS dentist, because it is hard to find one. Fewer children are accessing NHS dentistry—more than 100,000 fewer than before the new dental contract. Dental caries is now the third most common reason for children’s admission to hospital. What is the public’s view of the state of NHS dentistry? The British social attitudes survey shows that only 42 per cent. of the public are satisfied with NHS dentistry, compared with a 76 per cent. satisfaction rate with the general practitioner service—although the Government constantly claim that we should be dissatisfied with that service. No doubt the Minister will attempt to pretend that the public are satisfied with NHS dentistry, but they are not. Promise after promise on NHS dentistry has not been kept. After every failure, the Government make a new set of promises that, in their heart of hearts, they know they will not be around to keep. Their latest promise is to deliver access for everyone who seeks it by March 2011 at the latest. There is no evidence of how they intend to achieve that. The Government knew that NHS dentistry needed change, and in preparation for the new dental contract, they rightly piloted new schemes. The personal dental services contracts were designed around the proposition that instead of the dentist treadmill—under which dentists were paid fees for services—dentists would be paid on a capitated basis for the number of patients registered. 369 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 370

The idea was to incentivise dentists for encouraging units of dental activity— good oral health, rather than simply for activity. But “has proved extremely unpopular with dentists.” what happened? The PDS contracts were examined by the Audit Commission, which concluded that patient Does the hon. Gentleman want to respond? charge income had fallen by 30 per cent. as a consequence of the pilots, because there were fewer treatments. The Stephen Hesford: To make it clear, not only is the Government should have said, “Well, that’s worked experience on the ground in my constituency different then. We wanted to incentivise not just treatment, but from what the hon. Gentleman is describing, but the good oral health, and a consequence of that will be a new dental practices are NHS dental practices. reduction in the number of treatments that are chargeable to patients.” But no, completely the opposite happened. Mr. Lansley: I do not know what point the hon. They said, “Well, we can’t have that. We can’t have the Gentleman is trying to make. I have new NHS dental economic viability of the NHS dental service being practices in my constituency. The Minister might even undermined by the fact that patients aren’t paying enough,” have a note about them to use later in the debate. That is so they scrapped the PDS pilots and imposed a new not the point. The point is this: what is the overall contract on the dental profession that had not been picture? That picture is very clear. The number of piloted. Contrary to the dental profession’s expectation people accessing NHS dentistry after the introduction that it would be able to get off the dental treadmill, it of the new contract in April 2006 fell by 1 million. It has remained on it, only with the primary care trusts, instead now recovered by about 500,000. That is across the of it, in charge of the speed of the treadmill. We have country. I do not think that those figures are disputed. ended up, therefore, with a continuing activity-based The point is that even now—three and a half years after contract, and one that, owing to the way in which it was the contract was introduced—access to NHS dentistry imposed and the nature of the contractual provisions, is poorer than when that access was one of the central actually led to a substantial reduction in the number of criteria. dentists willing to sign up to the contract. Many people think that they have access to an NHS dentist—I suspect that many in the House think that Stephen Hesford (Wirral, West) (Lab): The reverse is they have such access. However, if they went to their true in my constituency, where three new dental practices NHS dentist, especially if they did so in the first quarter have opened in the past year—I had the honour of of the calendar year—the last quarter of a financial opening all three. The hon. Gentleman’s experience of year—they would find dentists who have reached their the new contract is considerably different from mine. UDA limit and that their dentist is not their dentist at all, because registration has gone away. We do not have Mr. Lansley: The hon. Gentleman must explain why “our” NHS dentist; we have access to NHS dentistry on nationally the number of dentists choosing to enter a sufferance of the local primary care trust. direct contractual relationship with their PCT has fallen by 7 per cent. in the past year—it involves only 31.8 per Norman Lamb (North Norfolk) (LD): Is it not the cent. of dentists. I freely acknowledge that there are case that the Steele report confirms the problems with more dentists in this country than ever before, but that access? Access is variable around the country, particularly is not the point. The point is this: how many dentists in rural areas, where it is often very difficult, which are willing to be NHS dentists? And how many of those rather confirms the hon. Gentleman’s point. who are NHS dentists find that the access provided to their patients in the locality is not as good as it used Mr. Lansley: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, to be? who helpfully points me towards the next thing to add to the picture, which is the review undertaken by Professor Stephen Hesford rose— Jimmy Steele. Before I do that, however, let me remind the House Mr. Lansley: I will not give way. I tell the hon. that one of the Select Committee’s conclusions was: Gentleman, and other Labour Members, that the Health Committee produced a report last year into dentistry. “We recommend that patient registration be reinstated because The report said that there were four criteria—not its dental care is most effective when delivered over time and as part of a trusting dentist-patient relationship.” criteria, but the Government’s—for the new contract, namely access, clinical quality, NHS commissioning When Government Members start snorting about the and improving dentists’ working lives. I remind Labour fact that people do not have access to an NHS dentist Members what the Select Committee report said about because they are no longer registered with an NHS those four criteria. On access, it stated: dentist, they need to get up to speed. That is what their “The Department’s original goal that patient access to dental Government have done to dentistry in their contract. services would improve from April 2006 has not been realised.” They have removed registration. The Government effectively admitted the failure of their contract by establishing the On clinical quality, it stated: review under Professor Steele within three years of “While the Department argued that the new contract would introducing the contract. improve preventive care, this was disputed by dentists who claimed that the new contract failed to provide the time and the financial incentive to do so.” Dr. Andrew Murrison (Westbury) (Con): Does my On commissioning, it stated: hon. Friend agree that the Government completely missed the point about registration? The value of “The Minister admitted that PCT commissioning of dental registration is that it encourages prevention, because services has been poor.” dentists develop long-term relationships with their patients, On improving dentists’ working lives, it stated: which incentivises good practice and oral hygiene and “The new remuneration system based on UDAs”— inevitably leads to better mouths with better teeth in 371 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 372

[Dr. Andrew Murrison] Mr. Lansley: I do not disagree with that, and my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead will certainly them. That produces less onerous work for dentists, want to elaborate on that point when he replies to the who will practise prevention instinctively if their patients debate later. are registered. The Steele report identified that the current contract was based on activity and was therefore misguided, and Mr. Lansley: My hon. Friend is exactly right, and I that we needed to move to a contract based on prioritising appreciated the time that he and I spent working on the and incentivising good oral health and preventive care. issue in years past. Indeed, when the new contract was However, there is no plan to move from A to B. We have introduced, we argued that registration was precisely consistently made it clear that it is our objective to the basis on which it should be structured. We have now make that move to a contract based on registration and reached the point where the new contract not only does capitation that incentivises quality and outcomes rather not incentivise prevention in the way that it should, but than simply focusing on activity. I want to say a few has incentivised treatment in a way that is completely words on how we propose to do that. counter-productive. For example, a dentist might have the option either to fill a tooth and repair it or simply to There are two parts to our proposal. First, we propose extract it. The structure of incentives in the contract to take immediate steps to ameliorate the problems in points towards extraction, which is why there has been a the existing contract. Secondly, we propose a more significant increase in the number of extractions. fundamental phase of reform. The immediate steps, under the current structure of units of dental activity, Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con): Does my would enable preventive care to be incentivised. We hon. Friend agree that registration is the best proof of know that every £1 spent on giving a patient preventive access? Whether the patient goes ahead with national dental treatment can save at least £8 in subsequent health treatment or chooses an alternative, private treatment, curative work. We need to support children with information it is that access coming from registration that counts. and advice on how to look after their teeth. I have read the Department’s toolkit to support that activity, but we Mr. Lansley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who need to make it more systematically available. That is brings his extensive personal knowledge as a dentist to why we will restore school dental checks for every child, the issues. He will know, because it has been his experience which have been surreptitiously phased out by primary in his professional practice, that the relationship between care trusts since 2007. We will also enable children to a patient and their dentist is a critical part of delivering continue to access NHS services through child-only good quality care. contracts.

Mr. Eric Martlew (Carlisle) (Lab): I will check in Norman Lamb: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is Hansard , but I think that the hon. Gentleman just said aware of the studies that have looked at school screening. that dentists will pull teeth out instead of filling them In particular, is he aware of the study undertaken in because they get more money for that. Is that really 2002 by the oral health unit? It concluded that screening what he is saying about our dentists? I am sure that that did not improve dental health in the target child population, is on the record. that it did not increase dental attendance among those Mr. Lansley: It is, and my hon. Friend the Member who had screened positive, that it did little to improve for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning), who knows the dental health of those who had screened positive these things well, will produce some data to support it and that it tended to exacerbate social division. There is when he speaks. not much academic support or support in the dental profession for the hon. Gentleman’s proposal. Norman Lamb rose— Mr. Lansley: The hon. Gentleman and the Government Mr. Lansley: I will give way to the hon. Gentleman in need to recognise this point. In their amendment to our a moment, but he has mentioned the Steele report and, motion, the Government claim that children’s oral health although I will not go on about it at length, I want to in England is already among the best in the world. The make this point. The Steele review said: evidence for that is the 2003 child dental health survey. “Making the transition from dental activity to oral health as We have not had such a survey since 2003, however, and the outcome of the NHS dental service will be a challenge for we will not have one until 2013. We know, however, that everybody, but it is essential if NHS dentistry is to be aligned with children are presenting at hospital with dental caries, the modern NHS.” and that that is the third most common reason why The message from the Steele report is that we need to children are admitted to hospital. In 2001-02, just before move from an activity-based contract to one that incentivises the last child dental health survey, that did not feature good oral health. I hope that the Liberal Democrats among the five most frequently reported diagnoses now support that. when children presented. We also know that children are not accessing NHS dentistry to the extent that they Norman Lamb: We very much support that approach, did. Significant numbers of children are therefore not but let me refer back to the hon. Gentleman’s comments seeing a dentist, and we need to ensure that that changes. about perverse incentives. He talked about the increase It is perfectly obvious from looking at the Department’s in extractions, but is it not also the case that there toolkit to support better oral health among children appears to be a perverse incentive against doing complex that there needs to be a focus to bring about that work such as root canal fillings, which appears to have change. School dental checks, if they are integrated into lead to a deskilling of the dental profession, with a lot the local commissioning of dental services, could do of dentists simply no longer doing that work? that. 373 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 374

The third thing that we need to do rapidly is to give This is yet another example of an activity-based contract people more access to NHS dentistry. That is not just focused on a narrow objective rather than on good oral about insisting that the PCTs issue more UDAs, or health as a whole, which will not support preventive about simply piling money into the system—valuable care as it should. It has so failed to engage the profession though that might be. The issue is about winning more that the British Dental Association has advised its capacity from within existing resources. For example, members not to sign the new contract. there are unnecessary recalls, including cases of people I am not often minded to read with much care the finding their treatment being divided between a first amendments that Ministers table in response to our attendance and a subsequent one more than three months motions in Opposition debates, as they tend to be far later. The chief dental officer himself rightly criticised too self-congratulatory. This particular amendment, that practice, identifying it as a result of one of the however, seems to make a whole series of claims that perverse incentives in the current contract. Without are simply not justified—they are plain wrong. The such practices, we could be looking at a potential capacity Government are not working “through careful piloting” for 2.3 million people to access NHS dentistry. We are on either the current dental contract or their new proposed not even assuming half that figure in our plan to give 1 draft access contract. They are not working together million more people access to NHS dentistry by eliminating with clinicians as they should. They claim that such unnecessary recalls. “children’s oral health in England is… among the best in the We also need to get more out of dentists’ working world”, hours. We are therefore going to return to dentists the but the evidence of recent years since the last child power to charge patients who repeatedly miss appointments. dental health survey points to a significant loss of Five per cent. do so on a regular basis, and 1.8 million access and dental problems among children. They talk courses of treatment are wasted. If only a quarter of about that waste were remove by this measure, it would enable “access for all… by March 2011”, 100,000 more patients to be treated. but that is risible in the light of their utter failure to Mr. Martlew: If I accept what the hon. Gentleman deliver improved access over the past decade. says on this issue, does he accept that the same principle The Government told everyone that they would offer should apply to general practitioners? access to NHS dentistry, but they failed. They talked about prevention, but they incentivised only treatment. Mr. Lansley: No, I do not. Dentists already have a The dental treadmill is just rolling forward in exactly mechanism for charging patients. Since the late 1940s, the same way as it always did. No doubt money has there has been a clear expectation that the system of been poured into the system. The Minister will doubtless co-payment applies to NHS dentistry, but not to other talk about the level of inputs in dentistry, but the issue NHS services—and I have no intention of changing is not about inputs but outcomes. Once again, it is a that. familiar story from this Government: it is all about how We need additional fundamental reforms so that we much money has been spent and never about the proper can move to a new registration-based contract with structure of reform or the outcomes being achieved. payments linked to the good oral health of patients The Government are pursuing that flawed approach all through a capitation system properly adjusted for the over again. Once more, we need a new approach to patients being looked after—I recognise the Liberal access and quality that is based on outcomes and results Democrat point about the need to incentivise dentists in and not simply on processes. We need proper incentives areas where oral health is poorest—while also providing for prevention and for delivering good oral health, a proper incentive for preventive care, as my hon. Friend working with professionals rather than against them. the Member for Westbury (Dr. Murrison) has mentioned. By those mechanisms, we will reverse the long and slow We also need to bring more dental professionals back death of NHS dentistry. to the NHS, which is why we have proposed—I am glad to say that the Liberal Democrats recently supported 4.59 pm us—that NHS or state-trained dentists, who cost about The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr. Mike £170,000 each, should be required to work in the NHS O’Brien): I beg to move an amendment, to leave out for at least five years. Weneed generally smarter commissioning from “NHS dentistry” to the end of the Question and where we open it up, so that people can access preventive add: work. I am particularly pleased to confirm today that “welcomes Professor Steele’s review report and its endorsement we will widen access to preventive advice and treatment that the principle of local commissioning introduced by the 2006 by removing the regulation that prevents a dental hygienist reforms provides a firm basis on which to develop NHS dentistry; from seeing a patient if the patient is not directly referred agrees with the vision set out in the review of improving incentives by a dentist. We are seeking to empower the whole to support dentists in delivering access and quality; acknowledges dental team to work together to deliver innovative and the Government’s commitment to working with the dentistry preventive advice strategies. profession and other stakeholders to ensure through careful piloting that it implements the recommendations in a way that The Government, far from listening to the Steele delivers the best possible system for patients, dentists and the review and moving in that direction, unfortunately appear NHS; acknowledges that children’s oral health in England is to be moving in the wrong direction. At the time the already among the best in the world; welcomes the commitment Government received the Steele report earlier in the of the NHS to deliver access for all who seek it by March 2011 at summer, they had started work on implementing not the latest, supported by some £2 billion in central funding for that review, but their own draft access contract—contrary dentistry, and understands that access is now growing again; notes that in the last four quarters the number of people seeing an to what is expressed in their amendment to our motion NHS dentist in the previous 24-month period has grown by about meaningful consultation and 720,000; further notes that the dental workforce is growing, with “working with the dentistry profession and other stakeholders”. 655 more dentists working in the NHS in 2007-08 and a further 375 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 376

[Mr. Mike O’Brien] coming into the NHS. That is a good record. As part of our expansion programme we have created two new 528 in 2008-09; and recognises the support that the dental access dental schools, which opened in 2007 in the south-west programme of the Department of Health is providing to clinicians and central Lancashire. That has reversed the Conservatives’ and managers to help them rapidly expand NHS dental services closure of dental schools which was announced in 1987 where necessary.”. and completed in 1992, and which caused a shortage of In 1997 we inherited an NHS that was on its knees dentists in the early 1990s, when there were fewer of and in a mess, and NHS dentistry was part of a system them than there are today. that was struggling. In 1991 two dentistry schools were The hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire made closed by the Conservative Government. The number an extraordinary and, indeed, candid speech. In fact, he of dentists in the country was seriously down, and there was so candid that he seemed to me to impugn the were enormous problems. professionalism of every dentist in the country, saying The hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire that they were prepared to extract teeth with no clinical (Mr. Lansley) disparaged the idea of looking at the justification. He has been offered the chance to retract record of his own party in government, and I understand that statement, and he is shaking his head now: he does why he does not want to look back. All that I can say to not retract it. I do not think that impugning dentists is a those who may be watching this debate is that we do not satisfactory way for someone who thinks that he may at need to listen to the rhetoric, because we can look at the some point be a Secretary of State to proceed. book. We can look at the history. We can look at what the Conservatives did to the NHS last time. We can Norman Lamb: Does the Minister accept Steele’s look at the way in which they left it—and we can know conclusion that the incentives for dentists are not precisely that, if they are re-elected, they will do exactly the same aligned with the goal of oral health, which constitutes a again. This Government, on the other hand, are committed fundamental flaw in the contract? to providing access to high-quality dental care for everyone who wants it, and we are committed to providing it Mr. O’Brien: Let me just say the following about the through the national health service. way we have structured some of the charges and the Dental access has improved for the whole of the last funding. Previously, the funding levels and the charges year, with 720,000 more NHS patients seen by NHS patients paid were enormously complicated. We have dentists. The Steele review, which we set up, has been simplified the whole process. We have a choice here. We accepted and welcomed by the British Dental Association. can have multiple variations in the charging system so We have increased spending, and yes, spending is important. everything is charged at different rates for different The hon. Gentleman may not think that it is important, sorts of systems. Frankly, that will create massive and he may well feel that his Government would be free bureaucracy for dentists and massive complication for to make the cuts in the NHS that they made on the last patients. Alternatively, we can simplify the system so occasion, but we take the view that increased spending that people can understand what they have to do. In on dentistry is necessary. It was up by 11 per cent. in that case, we have to rely on—let me make this very 2008-09, and it is up by 8.5 per cent. this year. This year clear—the professionalism of the dentistry profession funding is running at £2.25 billion net of patient charges. to ensure they are doing what is clinically necessary. We Since 2004 it has risen by 70 per cent.: that is £900 million have taken the view that most dentists are in the job more in six years. Let me say to any dentists who because they want to do the best for their patients—It is happen perchance to read the report of this debate that clearly a different view from that of the Conservative they will be able to look back and see what the Conservatives Front-Bench team but it is the view we take—and we did last time, and to compare it with what this Government have therefore decided that we need to have an appropriate have done in terms of putting money into dentistry. system of charging and remuneration to take that into account. Dr. Murrison: Does the Minister not understand that dentists feel deeply demoralised? Nine years after the Sandra Gidley (Romsey) (LD) rose— 1997 general election, the Government undertook wholesale Mr. O’Brien: I shall give way once more, after which I reform of the system; just three years after that, they are will want to make some significant progress. winding the clock back to the previous position, and dentists are entitled to ask what on earth is going on. Sandra Gidley: Does the Minister accept that the Such changes—welcome though they must be, because system has been oversimplified, thus leading to cases the Minister’s system has clearly failed—must be seen such as that of a constituent of mine who was told she as deeply demoralising to the dental profession, so could choose which tooth to have repaired and would perhaps the Minister would like to apologise. have to wait six months to have the next one done? Thankfully, that is being investigated. I would hope it is Mr. O’Brien: Perhaps I would like to congratulate the a rare case, but nevertheless some dentists do seem to be Government on the fact that 850 dental students are being forced down that path, as a direct result of an expected to graduate next summer, an increase of 25 per oversimplified system. cent. since 2005. I think that that is worth saying. I also think it may be worthy of a little congratulation that Mr. O’Brien: I do not accept that dentists are being there were 655 more dentists in the NHS in 2007-08 forced down that path. There will always be some in than in the previous year, and 528 more in 2008-09 than such professions who do not do what is clinically appropriate in the previous year. and do not use the system as it ought to be used—I put Yes, it is true that much is changing in the NHS, and that at its mildest, perhaps. However, we believe it is much of the change constitutes improvement. Significantly important to recognise that the dentistry profession has more dentists are graduating, and more dentists are responsibilities, standards and professional organisations 377 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 378 that seek to regulate it. We need to ensure that we have a wholeheartedly welcome Professor Steele’s review. We system that not only makes sure that we have a good will be rigorously testing its recommendations through quality of care—and we have to rely on professionalism pilots across the UK—there will certainly be pilots for that—but that also has a charging structure that is across England—over the coming months. not overly bureaucratic. It appears that some in the I am pleased to say that the British Dental Association, Opposition want to introduce such an overly bureaucratic patient groups and other stakeholders have welcomed charging system, however. the review. The Government have shared their In the years since the foundation of the NHS, dental implementation plans with the BDA and others, and health in our country has improved massively. I want to they will be playing their part in delivering them. We make it clear, however, that registration was not one of have made a good start. Professor Steele recommended the reasons for that massive improvement. Registration that we should develop measures for monitoring the payments were introduced only in 1990. There was quality of dental services, and we are developing a set of continuity of care before that, and, broadly, there has key performance indicators for all new contracts under been continuity of care in recent years. Therefore, before the dental health programme. The work has already the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire over- begun to develop clinical pathways and procedures to emphasises the importance of the registration issue, he ensure that all new patients receive an assessment of had better check the historical facts. Registration is, in their oral health and the treatment that they need. fact, just a payment system. Continuity of care is what It is important that we ensure that oral health improves. matters. That is what Steele said; that is what he The level of tooth decay among 12-year-olds in the UK recommended we should ensure happens, and that is is at its lowest ever and is among the best in European what we are seeking to put in place. countries, although inequalities remain. We want every Let us look back to see how NHS dentistry has child to access dental services, but all the evidence changed things in this country. In 1948, half of all shows that, contrary to what the hon. Gentleman suggests, adults had no natural teeth at all. By 1968, the NHS mandatory school screening is not the way to achieve had cut the proportion to 40 per cent., and 10 years ago that. That is what the research considered by the National it had fallen to 11 per cent. We are about to start the Screening Committee showed; children in deprived areas, next national adult dental health survey and we expect who are most likely to be shown to need treatment, were this figure to have fallen still further to about 6 per cent. found to be the least likely to be taken to a dental Let me give another example. Thirty-five years ago, practice to receive the treatment that they need. In other more than 90 per cent. of all 12-year-olds in England words, the suggestion sounds good, but we need to had tooth decay. Today, that proportion is lower than examine this issue in a much more effective way. 40 per cent. In fact—I do maintain this—our older If we really want to deal with the issues associated children have some of the lowest rates of tooth decay in with child tooth decay, we will find that the better way Europe, and they are comparable with the best in the to do so is to ensure that we have fluoridated water world, including those of the United States. We can supplies and that we make changes in the way in which always do better, however. dental health is examined to ensure that we target those Sir Paul Beresford rose— in the most deprived areas for the additional help and support that they need. We are examining ways in which Mr. O’Brien: I will give way to the hon. Gentleman a we can identify and put help into areas where there are little later, but if he will forgive me, I want to make some the most problems. progress now as I am conscious that several Back Benchers In addition, we have begun to look at the way to want to contribute to the debate. improve the information available to patients on NHS The best decisions are those that are made as close to Choices so that, as Professor Steele recommended, patients the patient as possible. In 2006, in line with the rest of have accurate and up-to-date information about what the health service, we reformed NHS dentistry. The new NHS dentistry entitles them to do and how they can system gave power to primary care trusts to commission best access it. We are working with the NHS Business the right dentistry services for their communities. PCTs Services Authority to improve the data that we collect have provided incentives to encourage prevention and from dentists, which was another of Professor Steele’s improve quality, but in some areas progress has been recommendations. That will provide a better sense of too patchy and too slow. Therefore, in December 2008, the nature and quality of services that dentists are the then Secretary of State for Health asked Professor providing. I know that dentists did not like the 2006 Jimmy Steele to conduct a review of the new contract, contract that was introduced, but I hope that the way in which he published in June. I am delighted to say that which the review was conducted and the way in which the review joined the Select Committee on Health in its recommendations will be implemented will help to strongly supporting the principle of local commissioning, heal some of those wounds, because we want to work providing a firm basis for the future of NHS dentistry. with the dental profession as we pilot and evaluate the The review also showed the range of services that are changes. I promised to give way to the hon. Member for needed. It showed that the different generations need Mole Valley (Sir Paul Beresford), so I shall do so now. different types of dental care and that, rather than simply drilling and filling, maintaining oral health and Sir Paul Beresford: I am pleased that the Minister has preventing decay and disease must increasingly be a finally got round to mentioning fluoride, because priority. I did agree with some of the points raised by fluoridation in the water supply and in toothpaste has the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire, and it been the biggest single factor, over and above any appears that we are at one on ensuring that we prevent dentistry, that has brought about the change that he is decay and treat maintaining oral health as a high priority. proclaiming as an asset to his Government. He ought to On the basis that I have set out, the Government realise that countries that have a school dental service 379 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 380

[Sir Paul Beresford] Dr. Julian Lewis (New Forest, East) (Con) rose— are teaching children to use fluoride toothpaste as well Sandra Gidley rose— as the inspection. That is the biggest advantage and that Mr. O’Brien: I shall give way twice more, and then I is where some countries, particularly New Zealand, am going to close. I shall give way to the hon. Gentleman have moved ahead. He ought to look at those results first. before he comes out with a condemnation of what has been suggested. Dr. Lewis: The Minister has nailed his colours to the mast in favour of fluoridation. Does he accept the Mr. O’Brien: I will look at those results. We are principle that no community should have its water prepared to look at the evidence and to make judgments fluoridated if a majority of the members of the community based on it. It is important that when we get independent do not wish its water to be fluoridated? reports that suggest that spending £17 million on NHS dentists going into schools is not the best way of spending Mr. O’Brien: We need to make judgments on fluoridation that money we consider the evidence and base our based on the evidence. Stories always go round that can policy on it rather than on some historical view that frighten people, and we have seen in this country a that was a nice thing that might perhaps be popular. We whole series of scare stories about vaccinations that need to base things on the evidence. resulted in a significant number of people being frightened out of giving those vaccinations to their children. We Bill Wiggin (Leominster) (Con): I am particularly need to ensure that we consider the evidence, that we interested in what the Minister said about continuity of base our judgments on the clinical evidence and that we care. Will he take the opportunity to look at what is ensure, too— going on in Herefordshire? I decided to test the NHS for myself and waited in the queue. I eventually got to the Mr. Lansley: Will the Minister give way on that front and had a filling, which fell out two weeks later. I point? still cannot see a dentist to get it put back in again. Unless people are in pain, it is almost impossible to see Mr. O’Brien: Let me answer the hon. Member for a dentist. I am sure that that is not what the Minister New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis), and then I will give way. wanted, and if there is something that he can do I know As far as vaccination was concerned, there were some that my constituents will be deeply grateful. stories and as a result we are paying the price. We need to ensure that we consider the evidence on fluoridation Mr. O’Brien: Only a Conservative MP can say, “I and make judgments based on that evidence. We have decided to test the NHS by using it.”The hon. Gentleman already seen that there have been some moves towards symbolises where the Conservative party is on this issue. fluoridation in the water supply, particularly in Fillings sometimes come out. I hope that he will be able Southampton, although that is the subject of a judicial to access a good NHS dentist who will ensure that he examination. can get an appointment. I suspect that the best approach will be to go back to the person who originally did the Sandra Gidley: The Minister mentioned the work to ensure that it is done in a way that means that it commissioning report and he slightly cherry-picked the does not come out. results, but he must have been disappointed to read that 60 per cent. of dental leads and 77 per cent. of local Charlotte Atkins (Staffordshire, Moorlands) (Lab): dental committee secretaries agreed or strongly agreed Would not the Minister accept that the best way to that the national contract did not allow as much innovation promote oral health among children is to start very as they would have liked. What steps does he think need early? For instance, we could start in the many Sure to be taken to address that problem? Start centres up and down the country that bring together health, education and social services. Mothers can then Mr. O’Brien: Far from being concerned by that, I work with their children to instil good oral health right welcome the fact that the BDA is saying that we must from the start. Unfortunately, the Opposition are committed do more in relation to innovation and quality so that we to closing down those centres, not expanding them. improve some of the better ideas coming out of dentistry. That means that we have to look at the contract and Mr. O’Brien: My hon. Friend is right, and she presents make sure that it encourages innovation and best practice. a much more coherent argument than the Opposition If I may be critical of the NHS for a moment, there is have. As the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire something that the service as a whole, and not just quoted the British Dental Association during his speech, dentistry, is bad at. There are lots of examples of good may I point out that the BDA does not support mandatory practice in parts of the NHS, including in dentistry, school screening? It agrees with the National Screening with good ideas and work in both management and Committee’s decision. Given the comments made by clinical practice, but those examples are not spread as the hon. Gentleman, it is worth adding that the BDA, in quickly as they should be. I think that the hon. Member a report on local commissioning that was published for Romsey (Sandra Gidley) has made a sensible comment. yesterday, gave a positive picture of the opportunities We need to take it on board and respond in a positive offered by local commissioning, which he derides. It way. states that there are “some truly excellent examples of innovation on the part of Mr. Lansley: The Minister will know, not least from commissioning teams around the country”. what my hon. Friend the Member for Mole Valley It found (Sir Paul Beresford) said, that there are Conservative “very positive attitudes towards liaison between practitioners and Members who agree with the principle of fluoridation. commissioners”. However, the point is not that we should judge the I want to see whether we can build on that to make evidence that suggests that it makes a positive contribution, NHS dentistry as good as we want it to be. but that the legislation makes it clear that there should 381 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 382 be a process of public consultation. There was such a The Government are committed to providing high- process in Southampton and Hampshire, but it began quality dentistry for everyone who wants it. As I have with the strategic health authority setting out the evidence said, in the past two years, we have increased funding by in support of fluoridation and it ended with the SHA some 20 per cent., or about £385 million a year. Although saying that it remained convinced by the same evidence. about 90 per cent. of dentists continued with the NHS The consultation process therefore added nothing at after the new contract was introduced in 2006, others all: what is the point of consultation when a decision did not. That led to an initial fall in the number of has been made already? The Minister and the health people able to access an NHS dentist—a fall that is now authorities need to think about that again and accept quickly being reversed. New practices are opening across that, if evidence is to be presented in a public consultation the country. The Conservative Opposition would like to process, people must be given a more objective paint a picture in which things are the same as they were opportunity—either through a referendum or some other two years ago, but that simply is not the case. In fact, if means—to make their views known. Opposition Front Benchers want to see for themselves, I invite them to go round the corner from the House of Mr. O’Brien: The difference between the hon. Gentleman Commons to Horseferry road, where a dentist’s has and me on this is not as great as he makes out. I agree opened today. that the people who make decisions must take on board the views expressed by local people in the public consultation Mike Penning (Hemel Hempstead) (Con): The Minister process. The process is not a referendum— wants Conservative MPs and Front Benchers to go and see dental surgeries, but can he explain why, when I Mr. Lansley: It should be. asked in a freedom of information request when, in the Mr. O’Brien: By the sound of it, the hon. Gentleman past 12 months, a Government Health Minister of any is committing the Conservative Front-Bench team to description had last gone to see an NHS dentist, the referendums all over the country. I believe that, when answer was that zero had done so? local people are consulted, those who make decisions need to take on board the views that are expressed—and, Mr. O’Brien: I have certainly accessed my NHS dentist indeed, the votes that are taken—by people in local in the past 12 months. [Interruption.] I gather that the areas. Those views are important, and the people who Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend make decisions must consider them and give them due the Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Ann Keen), weight, but they are not binding in the way that a has done so, too. We probably visit such practices in a referendum would be. way that the hon. Gentleman, and some of his Back-Bench colleagues, do not, in the sense that perhaps they do not Dr. Julian Lewis: Will the Minister give way again? use NHS dentists in the way that most of us do. However, that is not the key point. Mr. O’Brien: I will, but this really is the last time. What needs to improve is access. A Which? survey Dr. Lewis: The Minister is very kind to give way published in June 2009 showed that nine out of 10 again, but 72 per cent. of respondents to the consultation people who tried to get an NHS dentist in the past two said no to fluoridation, even though the local PCT had years were able to do so. With more dentists in the NHS sent out a great many postcards, first-class postage last year, dentists delivered an extra 1.4 million courses paid, to get people to say yes when they replied. Presumably, of treatment, and I am confident that access will continue if 72 per cent. of people saying no can be ignored, the on its current track of improvement. All 10 strategic same would be true of 82, 92 or even 100 per cent. What health authorities have now committed themselves to is the meaning of a consultation when an SHA can tell giving everyone who wants it access to an NHS dentist the overwhelming proportion of people saying no that by March 2011 at the latest. the answer is nevertheless yes? The Steele review made a range of recommendations on how to improve the incentives to promote access and Mr. O’Brien: People who have to make a decision quality.We welcomed its recommendations on developing have to give due weight to the views of local people. contracts that encourage dentists to take on new patients They must ensure that all the arguments are taken into and to provide them with high-quality continuing care. account, and that the views of local people are reflected The right to continuing care, in a system that promotes but, in the end, they still have to make the decision. quality, is key to Professor Steele’s vision, and we know I should have known, when I mentioned fluoridation, that patients and dentists value that right. That is why that we would get the reaction that we did from the the new practices being developed under the access reactionary side of the House. Fluoridation is an issue programme will pilot some of the review’s recommendations. that, like Europe, produces an immediate reaction. Existing practices will be invited to volunteer for pilots incorporating Professor Steele’s full recommendations Mr. Lansley: We should have a referendum on it. from next spring. We were encouraged to hear that as Mr. O’Brien: The Conservatives are proposing soon as the review was published, informal expressions referendums once again. They want one on Europe, and of interest started to come in from the NHS and front-line now they seem committed to one on fluoridation as dentists’ practices. well. The important point is that we are working with Prevention and quality are two of the most important the dentistry profession. There were difficulties following principles in today’s NHS, and the review will help us the 2006 contract—I do not dispute that for a moment—but further to embed those principles in the dental system. In we are now working with the dentistry profession to 2007 we produced the world’s first guide to evidence-based ensure that we produce a system of NHS dentistry that prevention in primary dental care. We published a second is right for England and the whole UK. edition this year, and we are already seeing the benefits. 383 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 384

[Mr. Mike O’Brien] An even more recent survey in 2008 concluded: “The evidence from the UK and elsewhere is that while the The prescription of high-concentration fluoride toothpaste concept of dental screening is attractive to policymakers, there is has risen by almost 250 per cent. in one year, and no scientific evidence that it leads to improvements in health, fluoride varnishes are being used much more than ever either for individual children or for the child population.” before. Our focus on prevention is starting to work, and The Conservatives should think again. They are committing we will ensure that the new pilots that I have described resources to something that has no evidence base to it will include preventive dentistry. whatsoever. The Labour party founded the NHS. We have tripled This debate follows on from the Steele report in June. funding to the service as a whole and we want dentistry The Government deserve credit—it was an inspired in the NHS to succeed. By working with the profession move by the previous Secretary of State to appoint to deliver the recommendations of the Steele review, Jimmy Steele to undertake the review. It has been an within the framework of the 2006 reforms, I believe that independent process that has managed to secure the we can ensure that it does succeed. trust and respect of the dental profession and it has been stronger because of that. The recommendations of 5.29 pm the report have secured widespread support. But the Norman Lamb (North Norfolk) (LD): The Liberal outcome of that report should embarrass Ministers, Democrats will support the motion tonight. We will because it demonstrates that their repeated claims, made support it, first, because it is rightly critical of access here on the Floor of the House, that the contract was under the current contract. The Minister referred to working were nonsense. Back in 2007, the then Health statistics suggesting that 90 per cent. of patients are able Minister, now the Minister for Regional Economic to access dentists, but the fact that there are 10 per cent. Development and Co-ordination, the right hon. Member who cannot should be a cause for concern. As my hon. for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton), said: Friend the Member for Manchester, Withington “We know that NHS dentistry is expanding, and that new (Mr. Leech) said to me, if that was the case with access contract is working.”—[Official Report, 26 June 2007; Vol. 462, to GPs, there would be an outcry. For people who c. 154.] cannot access an NHS dentist, that creates a very real The former Secretary of State for Health said in February problem and the Government should not be satisfied 2008: with the current levels of access. “Access to NHS dentistry is getting better all the time.”—[Official The motion is right to stress the importance of piloting Report, 5 February 2008; Vol. 471, c. 772.] before introducing change, something that the Government Those comments fly in the face of reality, and now the failed to do when they introduced the contract. That is authoritative Steele report, which the Government accept, one of the reasons why it was so much resented by the demonstrates that many claims by Ministers and the dental profession. The motion is right also about the resistance to any challenge to the workings of the objectives. The objective should be improving oral health contract were nonsense. and introducing incentives for preventive care. The Minister Professor Steele highlights a number of issues. First, rightly pointed out the importance of all dentists behaving he points out that access is variable. In many parts of professionally, but it must surely make sense for the the country, access is fine and people can get to an NHS system to ensure that the incentives are in the right dentist, but in many other areas that is not the case. direction to encourage and incentivise dentists to do the Steele makes particular reference to rural areas, where, right thing. The motion is also right in identifying the according to a Which? survey that the report mentions, need for an element of capitation-based funding and just 29 per cent. of dentists are taking on new NHS patient registration, and the importance of establishing patients. We should be concerned about that. It compares a long-term relationship. with 46 per cent. of dentists in urban areas. However, the motion falls short in two important respects. First, it says nothing about oral health inequalities. Mr. Martlew: I hear what the hon. Gentleman says That is an issue of fundamental importance, about about rural areas, but if we take my constituency for which we on the Liberal Democrat Benches feel very example, people from rural areas go to the city to strongly. Resources should be targeted at areas of greatest register. Is that not the case in many areas? need, and the motion is silent on that. Secondly, on the face of it, the proposal to reintroduce dental screening programmes in schools looks appealing, but it is wrong Norman Lamb: They may access dentists in urban and should not be introduced. If we are moving into an areas, but they cannot register because they are not era where public finances are stretched and where we allowed to. However, many older people in rural areas, have to ensure that every penny is spent effectively, the including my constituency, struggle to get to an NHS Conservatives should think again about this. All the dentist, and that problem needs to be addressed. Everyone evidence suggests that school dental screening is ineffective accepts that some people cannot access an NHS dentist, in achieving the objectives. but Professor Steele says that for such older people, the problem is of great concern. I have already referred to the survey undertaken by the oral health unit in 2002, but that is not the only research. There was a report in 2006 which concluded Mr. Mike O’Brien: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman that the majority of the children studied for giving way on that point because my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Mr. Martlew) raised a question “derived little benefit from the school dental screening programme in terms of attending the dentist, and receiving treatment for their about how people access dentists. Before 1990, when carious permanent teeth. School dental screening also fails to registration payments were introduced, dentists kept address inequalities in the prevalence of untreated disease and lists of their patients for their own purposes. Many utilisation dental services.” dentists now keep such lists and regularly write to their 385 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 386 patients for their own purposes. We are talking about a Perhaps the Conservative spokesman can clarify their payment for registering—a payment to the dentist. Many position on that in his closing remarks. If we throw the dentists keep their lists anyway, and therefore people baby out with the bathwater and start all over again, access and keep in contact with their dentist, who may there is a real danger that a further range of perverse write to them regularly to bring them in for check-ups consequences will follow that are hard to imagine at this and so on because they have their own list. stage. Professor Steele’s central plea is to conduct a pilot and then apply the findings, which must surely be the Norman Lamb: I note the Minister’s point, but my way forward. central point is simply that many people, particularly those in rural areas, struggle to access an NHS dentist— Mr. Mike O’Brien: May I confirm that, as I said in whether or not they can register. We should all agree my opening comments, it is our intention to pilot? I that that issue must be addressed. agree that it is important that we take Steele’s The second issue that I shall deal with from the Steele recommendations, pilot them, see how they work, and report concerns the original claim from the 2006 contract— ensure that they work effectively. In other words, we too that its operation would take dentists off the treadmill will learn the lessons. The hon. Gentleman makes a and focus on prevention and oral health. In fact, the valid point, but unfortunately it appears that the contract’s focus has been on paying for activity. On Conservative Opposition are of the view that they do page 5 of his report, Professor Steele says: not need to pilot things because they have all the “So long as we see value for taxpayers’ money as measured by answers; I do not think they have. the production of fillings, dentures, extractions or crowns, rather than improvements in oral health, it will be difficult to escape the cycle of intervention and repair that is the legacy of a different Norman Lamb: To some extent I am reassured by that age. intervention, but in due course I will come to something Making the transition from dental activity to oral health as the that causes me concern about the Government’s continuing outcome of the NHS dental service will be a challenge for approach, and the Minister might want to intervene on everybody, but it is essential if NHS dentistry is to be aligned with me again then. the modern NHS.” One of the main current problems is the enormous In other words, he is saying that the contract fails to variability in the quality of commissioning. I agree with achieve that. That shows that its introduction was an the Minister that there are examples of very good enormous mistake. practice, but according to most people the norm is that The truth is that this contract has set back good of not very good practice, in which commissioning has dental health for some four years because of its failure not been developed and the PCTs almost sideline dentistry to encourage and facilitate preventive work. Indeed, in and consider it of little central interest. That is part of many respects preventive work has been sidelined. The the problem. In its paper published yesterday, the British report says, on page 22: Dental Association referred to the short tenure of staff. “Perhaps the greatest surprise relates to the position of a scale It stated that more than a quarter of PCT dental leads and polish as part of a Band 1 charge. Many regular NHS had been in post for less than a year, and the average patients told us they are paying privately for this treatment with a was just 3.4 years. That turnover prevents any mature hygienist.” culture or understanding of the potential of commissioning The Government can easily criticise the dental profession from developing. for that, but that is the reality as a result of the contract: My hon. Friend the Member for Romsey (Sandra it is not facilitating preventive health care under the Gidley) made the point earlier than an enormous percentage NHS. Dentists have been overwhelmingly critical of the of PCTs do not feel that they have enough scope to contract—a view reinforced and confirmed by the Steele innovate under the contract. The examples of the few report, which refers to 86 per cent. of dentists feeling PCTs that have innovated suggest that there is scope to that they are still, in effect, on the treadmill. That is not do that, but for some reason best practice has not exactly an overwhelming vote of confidence in the spread around the country. There is therefore a significant Government’s contract. shortfall in the quality of NHS dentistry compared According to Professor Steele’s vision for NHS dentistry, with what is potentially achievable. the focus should be ruthlessly on oral health—which was not ultimately a central feature of the contract—as Along with a mass of poor quality PCT commissioning well as on quality, prevention and continuity of care. groups, there are none the less some PCTs that are On page 6, he says: doing really impressive, innovative work and making real progress. In Bradford, for example, the PCT has “The incentives for dentists are not as precisely aligned as they worked with the profession with collaboration as an could be to a goal of oral health and consequently there are inefficiencies within NHS dentistry. The pathway we describe important principle. It has developed a system that has should be supported by an altered contractual structure for less reliance on the measure of units of dental activity dentists. We therefore recommend that dental contracts are developed and created a blended contract with quality measures. with much clearer incentives for improving health, improving That is possible under the existing contract, but most access and improving quality.” PCTs have not taken advantage of the scope available Labour Members may simply refer again to the need for to them. The PCT in Bradford has developed effective dentists to act with professionalism, but, as policymakers, care pathways, which are essential to proper treatment, we must surely ensure that the system incentivises the particularly of those with poor oral health. right things—preventive care and good oral health. Salford is another PCT that has been proactive, and Steele argues—I am not entirely clear whether the part of Birmingham is providing an impressive lead on Conservatives support him on this—that we should dental public health. Accredited practices have been work to develop the current contractual framework established there, and some of the money going to instead of throwing it out and starting all over again. dentists is given on the basis of their practices achieving 387 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 388

[Norman Lamb] with disastrous consequences, and they imposed the dental contract, which has set back the cause of preventive quality and engaging in preventive work. Tower Hamlets dental care for some four years. There is now an opportunity PCT has also been doing good work. Those are the to get it right. areas from which we ought to be learning what is The Liberal Democrats’ plea is that the Government possible in the way of good-quality preventive care and learn the lessons from the past and work with the a focus on oral health. That practice needs to be spread profession to secure a dental service that focuses on out across the country.The approach has to be collaboration quality; prevention; areas of greatest need, to address between dentists, PCTs and Government to pilot and the inequalities that we know exist; effective use of then spread out good practice. resources and ensuring that incentives move in the right The concern that I referred to after the Minister’s direction; and, finally and critically, access for those intervention relates to the dental access programme. It who need NHS dentistry and who cannot afford the appears that the Department of Health is up to its old private alternative. tricks again of not collaborating and of imposing an approach against the wishes of the profession. The Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst): The House BDA has specifically expressed its concerns to me, and will be able to do its own maths. We have about no doubt to others. It states that the Department has 50 minutes—just under—and five Back Bench Members attempted to design a new contract in a very short space are wishing to contribute. Perhaps everyone will bear of time, but that it is utterly controlling and far too that in mind. prescriptive. It tells me that the Department started work on the new contract in April, but it was not until July that the BDA got to see it. That is precisely what we 5.52 pm are all complaining about and why Steele complained Charlotte Atkins (Staffordshire, Moorlands) (Lab): so much about the need for collaboration rather than The House’s last debate about dental services took imposition from above. place in December 2008. It was on a report from the The BDA says that the Department now appears Select Committee on Health that followed an inquiry reluctant to make further changes. It advised the on which I persuaded the Committee to embark. The Department in July—I believe that it met the Secretary review that arose from the criticisms made in the report of State—that it should use the existing contract, warts was brilliantly led by Professor Jimmy Steele who, as a and all, to get the access programme running and then clinician, teacher and researcher, had the breadth of seek to effect improvements to it. Now we have got to vision to pull off a report that is comprehensive, the extraordinary and ridiculous position that the BDA authoritative and widely applauded. This debate gives is unable to endorse the new contract. Incredibly, practices us a good opportunity to consider what Steele said in that are tendering for the new contracts are unable to his report. It is ironic that the planned Opposition day see them during the tendering process. How daft is that? debate on dentistry in July was pulled in favour of a Despite its total frustration with the Department, seemingly more newsworthy issue. Dentistry had to take however, the BDA stresses that it has an absolute a back seat. commitment to engage with the Steele reforms and Professor Steele nailed a few myths in his report. work with the Government. The Minister made the First, the media have told us that hordes of dentists point in his intervention that the Government are have been so disgusted with the NHS contract that they determined to learn lessons and pilot schemes before have converted to 100 per cent. private practice. In fact, introducing them. Will he look again at the access as Professor Steele says, the loss of NHS provision was programme to ensure that it is introduced in collaboration very small indeed—just 4 per cent., which is hardly a with the BDA, rather than against resistance from it, mass exodus. which would be entirely counter-productive? Secondly, we were told that no one could find an NHS dentist. Clearly, access to NHS dentistry is a Mr. Mike O’Brien: Such contracts are a matter of problem. However, the Steele review found that it is not negotiation. We cannot say to the BDA, or to any other a universal problem, and that it is concentrated in some organisation, “You’ve got a veto. If you don’t like it, areas. The Which? survey, on which the Minister we’re not going to have a contract like that.” It was part commented, demonstrated that 88 per cent. of people of a negotiation in an attempt to get to an agreement. who wanted to access a dentist could do so. The hon. Gentleman is right that we need to learn Access to NHS dentistry is now firmly the responsibility lessons from how things were done in 2006 and we are of local PCTs. I applaud that, unlike the Opposition, intent upon doing so. There is a process of working because prior to that it was at the whim of individual through the issues from the Steele report and ensuring dentists where they practised and whether they provided that we form a much better relationship with the BDA NHS services, private care or a mixture of the two. The than we have had for at least a few years. PCTs have been given the responsibility to ensure that local demand is met. When they were first given the Norman Lamb: I hope I can take it from the Minister’s responsibility for commissioning, a lot of PCT mergers comments that there will be a further attempt to reach were happening, and that was unfortunate because the agreement and to listen seriously. I appreciate that the commissioning of dental health services was put on to BDA cannot impose a veto, but to get the best possible the back burner. Dentistry did not get the priority in the result, there needs to be proper, meaningful collaboration. NHS that it deserves—indeed, it never has done. More The Government have been guilty of imposing too money has gone into dentistry, but it is still a very small much regarding health. They imposed the modernisation part of the NHS budget even though dentistry is very of medical careers and the fateful national IT programme, important to people, not only because of the pain bad 389 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 390 teeth can cause, but because having a mouthful of such patients and has existed for more than 10 years. I am teeth—although, happily, fewer people do so these days— glad to say that I signed up as its first NHS patient. On can cause a real lack of confidence. The PCTs are now that occasion, my dentist was Dr. Sophie Mitchell. She getting their act together, but many challenges remain. is a delightful lady who gave me a complete and Yesterday a survey by the British Dental Association’s comprehensive examination—clearly checking for oral local commissioning working group was published. Like cancer—an assessment of my dental health and then a the Steele review, it was initiated by the Health Committee’s scale and polish. She had no idea who I was until, when report. The survey found, as other hon. Members have she had finished, I started talking to her about the said, that 60 per cent. of commissioners and 77 per Steele review. I was amazed that she told me, quite cent. of local dental committee secretaries said that the voluntarily, that she had moved from being a 100 per national dental contract did not allow sufficient innovation cent. private dentist to a 100 per cent. NHS dentist. and flexibility, so it is very good news that an effort is When I left, I was offered an appointment in a year’s being made to introduce more innovation. We must time. That is what we need from our NHS dentists: work together to develop that innovation and flexibility. good access, prevention and high-quality provision for the whole family. The survey also contained some good news. There were positive attitudes towards liaison between practitioners The Opposition motion proposes the reintroduction and commissioners. Related research by the BDA identified of school dental screening programmes. I agree with the a broad consensus on the priorities for dental hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) and commissioning—improving access, especially for new the Minister that that is just window dressing. Those patients, and targeting areas of high deprivation. That programmes have been proved to be ineffective, which is would not happen if dentists were allowed to locate why they were stopped. If the Opposition are really wherever they wanted, instead of the PCT being the interested in increasing preventive care, improving children’s driving force. We need to build on that consensus, and dental health and reducing dental health inequalities, Professor Steele’s report provides an excellent starting they should be proposing to increase investment in Sure point. Start and similar initiatives and pushing the fluoridation of water supplies. Sure Start brings together health, The 2006 reforms addressed three key issues. The first education and social services to help pressurise mothers gave responsibility for planning and securing NHS services with children under four. It is the perfect vehicle to to local PCTs, and that is really important. It means promote good, early oral hygiene alongside good access that the local health service can take account of local to NHS dentists. Fluoridation of water in Birmingham need. My PCT was very responsive to my concerns has provided huge benefits to children, compared with about one particular town, Biddulph, which did not unfluoridated Manchester. The figures are very clear on have an NHS dentist, and we now have an excellent the benefit of fluoridation. service there. Fluoride toothpaste has also made a significant difference, The second issue was patient charges. In the past, and I commend my local PCT, NHS North Staffordshire, patients had to steer their way through 400 separate for its work to promote good dental health. I have charges. Many could not tell whether they were receiving joined it in wet and windy supermarket car parks and in NHS treatment or private treatment, because the charging town centres where its representatives have engaged system was so complicated. In 2006, those charges were with shoppers on oral health issues. It also attended my reduced to three bands. These were simpler and less recent health MOT days, which are events that I have confusing for patients, but they could provide perverse organised to promote public health, and I am grateful incentives for patients to store up their dental problems to NHS North Staffordshire for having the forward and delay visits to the dentist. We need to address that thinking to provide the health professionals who carried problem. out health checks, such as on blood pressure, body mass The third issue that arose from the 2006 reforms was index, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. We had an connected to the units of dental activity. Dentists rightly amazing response. During the two MOTs that I organised, complain that UDAs have created a new treadmill, with more than 800 people turned up, and the dental health a possible incentive to provide treatments that are clinically team played an important role at the events. I put on the no better than a lower band alternative as a way of record my thanks to PCT chief executive Tony Bruce, to increasing their practice payments—[Interruption.] I Lesley Goodburn and to all the health professionals, am not suggesting that dentists are pulling teeth because including health visitors and district nurses, who worked it is financially advantageous for them to do so. so hard to make those events such a success. Professor Steele is right to propose more charging One of the criticisms in Professor Steele’s report is bands and a better continuity in the relationship between that PCTs are no good at communicating with people patients and dentists via a more formal registration about how to find a dentist. I am pleased to say that my system. The existing contract framework can be developed PCT, having awarded a new NHS contract to two to allow payments for improving oral health, continuing doctors in Biddulph—Mr. and Mrs. Keen—was very care responsibility and better quality, as well as for proactive in advising potential patients on how to sign increased activity. The Government must work with the up for that excellent NHS service. profession and pilot these new incentives to ensure that Through my local newsletters I was able to hand any problems are quickly resolved. Mr. and Mrs. Keen the names of about 500 families I had the perfect preparation for this debate, because looking for an NHS dentist in Biddulph. Very quickly, I visited my local dental practice, as a patient, just two they signed up thousands of patients, many of whom weeks ago. I attend TLC 4 Smiles, in Leek, which has had not been to a dentist in years. One constituent—a eight surgeries with four full-time dentists, as well as man in his 40s—told me that he had not been to a full-time hygienists and therapists. It covers about 20,000 dentist for well over 20 years, after a bad experience as 391 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 392

[Charlotte Atkins] Local commissioning has become the done thing. There were 300 PCTs, but they were reduced to about a youngster. However, the pain that he was in and the 150, which caused chaos. Most of the PCT officials persuasion of his girlfriend finally led him to pluck up were complete dental novices and there was considerable the courage to go. The Keens did such a fantastic job confusion. Many PCTs are now doing their own thing—I that he has never looked back. The Keens in Biddulph suppose that we could call it 150 variations on a theme. and TLC 4 Smiles in Leek are the modern face of NHS The extra bureaucratic cost of all those little PCT units dentistry. As a Government we must do all that we can struggling to do their own thing on a muddled contract to support them. seems obvious. One of the problems is that dentists are paid by units 6.5 pm of dental activity, which are allocated, probably by a non-dentist, in ranges of supposed difficulty of task. Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con): I will be How one could get the same UDA for a molar root mindful of your point that I will have to scurry along a canal, which probably takes an hour and a half to little, Mr. Deputy Speaker. complete properly, assuming that it is not sitting on an I should point out first that I have a declared interest. infection, and for the alternative solution, namely 15 minutes I was going to be succinct and not touch on fluoride, for an extraction, is beyond imagination. but I can hear a hobby horse being saddled up in the In addition, after asking to get away from the treadmill, Chamber just along from me, and I am bothered that dentists found not only that they were still on it, but my hon. Friend the Member for New Forest, East that it had an allocation of UDAs. Some of those (Dr. Lewis) will have the blinkers on himself rather than UDAs were low and, as my hon. Friend the Member for the horse. In this case I support the Minister, which is South Cambridgeshire pointed out, the dentists completed probably damaging for him. He is absolutely correct: the tasks early, then turned patients away because they the case that was raised in the intervention was a had run out of UDAs. Perhaps more seriously, however, consultation. Consultation is a normal approach for others failed to meet their targets. They suffered clawbacks, local government and the NHS in many areas throughout and the deficits were loaded on to the contract target for the country. There is an ongoing consultation in my the following year. That is worse than any treadmill that area about the hospitals and hospital services. That is they might have been on before. the correct way to do things, and the Water Act 2003 A number of dentists have had considerable financial was adapted as it went through so that that approach difficulties, and the realisation that many of the UDAs would be adopted. had different values in different practices only added to In the case of fluoride there is a good reason for that, the confusion and discontent. Oddly enough, most which is, as the Minister lightly touched on, that the people—including dentists—do not like being paid lower scare tactics and extraordinary stories used by the opponents rates than their colleagues for performing identical tasks. of fluoride frighten people. I have been in the field for I understand that a few primary care trusts are correctly some considerable time and I have heard accusations trying to iron out that problem, but many have not that fluoride makes people sterile—accusations which bothered. make every man deeply worried—that it is used as a The new, untried contract has been mentioned—the poison, that it makes the tea taste strong or weak, or so-called Warburton access programme. Understandably just different, and so on. In the consultation, therefore, at this stage, the British Dental Association is advising as in most local government consultations, the responses against any dentist signing it. As I understand it, dentists were checked to see whether they were valid. feel that the new contract gives the PCTs even greater Perhaps the silliest example is from some years ago, control over dental ownership and practice. Research when a friend of mine was discussing fluoride at a big by a number of the dental media, such as Dentistry public meeting. He came through with all the statistics magazine, suggests that the relationship between many and so on, but at the conclusion of the meeting a PCTs and dentists in many areas is extremely poor. gentleman got up near the back of the hall and said that Because of the contract’s structure, a dentist gains he had been doing his own research too. He had researched the same number of UDAs for a patient who needs one a coastal town without fluoride, where predominantly filling as for a patient who needs 15. There is therefore elderly people lived, and a new town with fluoride, an understandable reluctance among dentists to tackle where mostly young people lived. He said that the VD new patients who might present with extremely complex rate in the young town was higher than in the old town, work. The amount of more complex work being undertaken and that, therefore, putting fluoride in the water supply has therefore dropped, and many of the NHS laboratories led to venereal disease. The disturbing thing was the that provide back-up services are suffering a rather cool number of people in the hall who seemed to agree with freeze. that rather weird synopsis of the decision. It must be said that some dentists and some PCTs To get back to today’s debate, there is much that I do appear to have made the system work. Indeed, some not have to say, because my hon. Friend the Member for have been so successful that they have been accused of South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley), backed to some working the system, rather than making the system degree by the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman work. The comments about “gaming” that have come Lamb), has covered many of the points. The dentists out of Richmond House are not helpful. Added to that, are very upset. As the Minister accepted, many of them dentists are feeling somewhat persecuted because, when they opted out, hedging over signing the contract. His look over their shoulders, they see that the General Dental predecessor set up an implementation panel that is Council—the policing organisation—has 24 members, supposed to ease the way through, but we have not yet only three of them are dentists or have dental heard anything about that. experience. They also see that the National Institute for 393 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 394

Health and Clinical Excellence, the quango that has of NHS dentists—I know that that goes back a long proclaimed on dental recall intervals, does not even time—and closed the dental schools. We have to ensure have a dentist among its ranks. that that does not happen again. In England, NHS dentistry is a world-class mess. I Fluoridation, which is an issue that angers me, has firmly believe that we need a public dental service. been discussed. I agree with the hon. Member for Mole Ministers, however, measure access by the numbers of Valley (Sir Paul Beresford) on that subject. I remember treatments. I believe that the measure should be the that this issue was on the agenda when I was the number of dentists who offer NHS dentistry as a choice chairman of a health authority more than 32 years ago, for patients. Registration would enable such a count, when I suspect that the hon. Gentleman was training as and that would be the case whether the patient chose a student dentist. I suspect that he was told that fluoride NHS treatment or private care. That is the key point: improved the health of children’s teeth, yet we have the patient should have the choice. A decayed tooth done almost nothing about it. filled with an NHS amalgam or with a private porcelain On the west side of Cumbria, fluoride has been in the inlay is still a restored tooth. water for 40 or 50 years, and people are not dying There is much world-class dentistry provided in this early—if they were, it would probably be blamed on country. Much of it is leading-edge advanced dentistry. Sellafield rather than fluoride anyhow! The reality and We have world-class dental schools training students in fact is that fluoride improves the health of children’s world-class dentistry. They are producing porcelain and teeth. I suspect that most Tory Back Benchers would composite restorations, and beautiful world-class endodontics argue that fluoride should not be put in the water, yet it with microscopes and rotary nickel titanium instruments. is a scientific fact that it works. My Government, however, They also produce carefully crafted obturations, inlays, have also failed to get this issue brought forward as it onlays, all porcelain restorations and implants. The sad should have been. We should have encouraged water thing is that, given the present system, those students authorities to increase fluoridation year on year, but we will move out into the real world of UDA targets, have stalled. I remember voting in favour of fluoridation amalgams, high-speed endodontics and extractions. We on a free vote in this Chamber about three or four years need to bring back choice for patients. The blinkered ago, but I suspect that no real progress has been made view that just because it is the NHS it is best completely since then. Consultation will be used as an excuse for blocks the patient’s opportunity for choice. I hope that doing nothing. We must move forward on this issue. those on both Front Benches will think very carefully I shall speak briefly about charges, which have not about that. been much mentioned. In fact, my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands (Charlotte Atkins) mentioned them, but not in the context of how charges 6.14 pm put people off going to the dentist. It is difficult to go to Mr. Eric Martlew (Carlisle) (Lab): Thank you for the dentist anyhow in that we know it is likely to be calling me to speak, Mr. Deputy Speaker. If you think I painful, but finding that there is a charge makes it am going on too long, you can remind me to sit down. worse, which shows the difference between the GP service and the NHS dental service. It may always have The last time that I spoke on dentistry was in the been the case, but we have to remember that some spring of 2006, when my constituency had a major working people in this country simply cannot afford to problem of dentists opting out. There was one disgraceful pay the charges, so they will put off going to the dentist incident in which a dentist who had done so wrote to his as long as they possibly can and then go to the emergency patients and told them that they had to come and apply services. the next day, and that if they did not, they would not get on to his list. He was actually giving out raffle tickets to In an ideal world, I would stand up to say that if we the lucky ones who were going to stay with him. are serious about universal access, we should abolish these charges. If I look to the future, however, I see Since then, however, things have improved greatly. other major priorities for the NHS and financial constraints We now have about 10 new dentists in Carlisle and on Government spending. Although this has been done Penrith, with more on the west coast. We have a large to some extent, my appeal to the Minister is to give practice staffed by European dentists right next to my some assurance in her reply that a Labour Government office in the centre of the city. They are not Polish, but will acknowledge the fact that many people find it very German. The reason why the Germans are coming over difficult to pay those charges, never mind going private. here is that they can make more money working for the The hon. Member for Mole Valley spoke about patient NHS in this country than they can working as dentists choice—choosing to go private or choosing to go to the in Germany. NHS—but if people do not have the money, there is no We have progressed greatly, and I was particularly choice. pleased to receive an invite to the opening of the Carlisle dental centre on 25 February this year, which I will Sir Paul Beresford: When I started working in the always remember. It is not only a multi-million pound NHS in this country, in east London, there were no fees. emergency centre, but part of the Cumbria and Lancashire When the fees were introduced, patients started to question dental school, so we are now training dentists for this the work. They began to ask whether it had to be done, rural area. One of the arguments for training there is, why it had to be done, why if it had been done last time it “Where they train, they settle.” In contrast to the had to be done again, and so forth. The introduction of Conservatives, who closed two dental schools, we have fees brought about monitoring of the dentist by the opened two of them, so things have improved greatly—and patient, and therefore it was a very good thing. rightly so. I worry about what would happen if a Mr. Martlew: I suspect that those who questioned Conservative Administration came in, because we know whether the work needed to be done were those who that they started the rot when they broke the contracts could afford to go and see the hon. Gentleman. That is 395 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 396

[Mr. Martlew] Dr. Lewis: No, I will not. I am sorry, but the hon. Gentleman has had his go, and I have very little time. the point. I fear that a Conservative Government will I am sure that the Minister believes that passionately, take the view that this is an area in which they can put just as my hon. Friends believe passionately, that it is in up the charges. We have already heard one Member say the interests of the people to kick out this failing that he had experimented with NHS dentistry. My fear Government and elect the Conservatives. The one thing is that the Conservatives will raise the charges, because that we agree on in those contexts is that if we want they are not really convinced that we need NHS dentistry. those things to happen, we must persuade the people. I suspect that most of them opt for private treatment. We must give them the choice and the final say. What is We need an assurance from the Government that more, if we are telling them that we are giving them the they will bear in mind the level of charges. I know that final say, we should give them the final say and not since 1997 we have kept them down, but we must bear in cheat them. mind what people can afford, and the least that we can After the Prime Minister came to Southampton, and do is freeze charges for the foreseeable future. after the decision was nevertheless taken that fluoridation was going to occur in our water supply, I tabled a 6.21 pm parliamentary question, which was answered by the Dr. Julian Lewis (New Forest, East) (Con): I do not Minister who will wind up this debate. I asked what the know which of the following two slogans resonates Prime Minister meant when he said that local people more with you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but I know which will decide this question. The response was as follows: resonates more with me. There is “The people will “The Prime Minister’s statement serves to highlight the legislative decide” on the one hand, and there is “The people do requirements contained in section 89 of the Water Industry not know what is good for them” on the other. “The Act 1991 whereby a strategic health authority must ‘consult and people will decide” is the slogan that the Prime Minister ascertain opinion’ before requesting a water undertaker to increase used when he visited Southampton and was asked the fluoride content of a water supply.”—[Official Report,22June whether fluoridation would be imposed on the city of 2009; Vol. 494, c. 722W.] Southampton—and, by extension because of various When one looks more closely at the regulations configurations of the pipework, on 8,000 of my constituents concerned, one is made aware of the Water Fluoridation in the town of Totton as well. It was a banner headline: (Consultation) (England) Regulations 2005, and in “The people will decide”. particular regulation 5, which reads like something straight out of Orwell’s “1984”: Well, the people tried to decide. They responded to the consultation on fluoridation in very large numbers, “A Strategic Health Authority shall not proceed with any step regarding fluoridation arrangements that falls within section 89(2) and, as I said earlier in an intervention, 72 per cent. of of the Act unless, having regard to the extent of support for the respondents decided that they did not wish their water proposal and the cogency of the arguments advanced, the Authority supply to be fluoridated. The strategic health authority, are satisfied that the health arguments in favour of proceeding however, decided differently. Its members do not live in with the proposal outweigh all arguments against proceeding.” the area affected by the proposed fluoridation, apart from, I think, one member of the board. This was Sir Paul Beresford: Hear, hear. supposed to be a decision for local people, but those non-local people decided that although 72 per cent. of Dr. Lewis: My hon. Friend says “hear, hear”, which is respondents did not want the water supply to be fluoridated, fine, but in that case why bother to consult at all, fluoridated it would be. One thing that the leader of my because what that really means is that the health authority party keeps saying—there is a resonant effect on society knows best? If 72 per cent. of people say no but the whenever he says it—is that people do not like being health authority says yes, the health authority gets its taken for fools. It does not matter whether politicians way. If 82 per cent., 92 per cent., 99 per cent. or 100 per are attempting to fool them over dodgy weapons dossiers, cent. of the people say no, my hon. Friend, the Minister dodgy expenses systems or dodgy consultations, but and the people who think like them say, “Tough luck they do not like it. chaps”—and chapesses in these equalitarian times—“you’re going to get it anyway.” That is utterly unacceptable, If the case for fluoridation of the water supply is as and it is undemocratic. scientifically strong as its advocates make out, its advocates have been singularly unsuccessful in persuading people We on my side of the argument are denounced as to agree with them. It may be that my hon. Friend the reactionaries. Well, it is interesting to see the company Member for Mole Valley (Sir Paul Beresford) thinks we are in when we are denounced as such. I am a that I am blinkered because I do not believe in mass Conservative—Iam,indeed,aright-of-centreConservative—but medication via the water supply, and it may be that he Mr. John Spottiswoode, one of the most articulate and thinks that my constituents are foolish and believe all outspoken opponents of this locally, is a candidate for sorts of old wives’ tales because they reject it; but, in a the Green party. Councillor David Harrison, the Totton democracy, it is up to him and people who think like county councillor, and the hon. Member for Romsey him, and people who think like the Minister of State, to (Sandra Gidley), who is not in her place at present, are persuade the people to do what they think is right. I am also not usually regarded as reactionaries; they are, in sure that the Minister believes passionately that it will fact, rather prominent and articulate Liberal Democrats. help people to have their water medicated with fluoride. The Hampshire county council overview and scrutiny For all I know, he may be right—for all I know, he may committee is made up of a highly qualified collection of be hopelessly wrong—but I am sure that he believes people, and it is seriously worried about the way in passionately that it is in the interests of people to which this consultation has been carried out. re-elect a Labour Government at the next general election. Most interestingly of all, however, the right hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham), a Mr. Martlew: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? member of the Cabinet of course, and the hon. Member 397 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 398 for Southampton, Test (Dr. Whitehead) have both said private. I just want to read part of a letter sent to me by that although they are personally in favour of fluoridation, the dentist, to whom I wrote asking for an explanation, they believe that a stop should be put to the process which sums up precisely what so many have said today: because of the lack of public support. I am not cynical “I have worked as an NHS dentist for 20 years, and had always enough to think that those two Labour politicians are imagined I would carry on working for the NHS for my whole saying such a thing just because there is a general working life. I would consider myself a caring professional, and I election coming next year. I reject that view—I am sure hope many of my patients would back me up in this statement. I that they are saying that out of principle. They are had warned the PCT that I may have to go private if they could not help, unfortunately I think they may have wanted to rely on saying it out of principle, and so are we. my better nature not to change at all.” I shall conclude by referring to the letter I was The dentist continues by saying that at a meeting with delighted to receive recently from my hon. Friend the the PCT’s commissioning and performance manager in Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning), who June, he will wind up for the Conservatives. He wrote that he was “asked if it was possible to have a child only [0 to 18 years] NHS “happy to clarify” our position on this issue. He stated: contract and they declined. I also asked the PCT for an NHS “there are serious questions to be raised about the methodologies contract to continue seeing those adults who were exempt from employed” NHS payment charges [those receiving state benefits] and they in the consultation and that declined this also. The targets that the PCT were asking us to achieve were unrealistic and we also want to spend more time “public consent is vital to the implementation of any compulsory with each patient, discussing prevention of oral problems and fluoridation scheme. Communities should have to give their approval how to look after one’s mouth. I thought long and hard…but…I for any proposal before it is permitted to go ahead”. had…to leave”. That is the position of the Conservatives, whether or Unfortunately, that has been the experience of far too not every individual dentist on my own party Benches many dentists in Cornwall, particularly those in South-East chooses to endorse it. Cornwall. The Minister of State, Department of Health, the right hon. and learned Member for North Warwickshire 6.29 pm (Mr. O’Brien), is not in his place, but he was suggesting Mr. Colin Breed (South-East Cornwall) (LD): I am that he might visit. I would welcome the visit to Cornwall pleased that so many areas of this country have had of any health Minister—they could meet me or any of their access to dentistry improved, but that improvement my colleagues—so that we can hunt down greater access has not been the experience of people in Cornwall, to dentists. Greater access is simply not true down in particularly those in South-East Cornwall, who for Cornwall, and it has not been for years. It is about time more than the past 10 years have seen a declining equality of access was actually addressed. service in NHS dentistry. More and more dentists have retired and not been replaced, and many have left to go 6.33 pm into private practice. The declining and appalling service Mike Penning (Hemel Hempstead) (Con): It is a that we have experienced has been raised in this House pleasure to sum up on behalf of Her Majesty’s Opposition on many occasions, and it has been brought to the on such an important debate, which has taken up so attention of the primary care trust. Even in its most much of my time since I became a Front-Bencher. As recent strategy, it failed to put this service in its top we have heard, dentistry does not take up the largest 10 priorities. part of the NHS budget—some £2.7 billion of some Some people who move to Cornwall, because it is £110 billion is spent on NHS dentistry annually in this such a nice place, suddenly discover that they cannot country—but it is something that affects nearly everybody get an NHS dentist and decide, therefore, to hang on to in this country, whether or not they go private. I shall what they have. As a result, some people travel back on return to the comments made by the hon. Member for a regular basis from Cornwall to north Devon, Reading, Carlisle (Mr. Martlew) about where I go for my dentistry Bristol, Somerset and other places to see their dentist in a moment, although I must say that he clearly does because they cannot access a dentist locally—the waiting not know me very well. lists prevent their doing so. That is not to say that we The shadow Secretary of State summed up very well have not been given anything recently. Some emergency the problems within NHS dentistry, which explain why dental services have been provided—someone who is in this debate has been chosen by Her Majesty’s Opposition dire pain and dire need might get in, within 24 or so quickly after the summer recess. That was done—I 48 hours, to receive some emergency services—but that shall come on to this in more detail in a moment—because is not good enough for people who want a proper NHS we welcomed the Steele review, which the Government service. I am also pleased about the new dental school at accepted in full. During the debate, I asked the Under- the Peninsula medical school. I hope that—I think that Secretary whether she accepted it in full, and she said there have been indications about this in the past—the yes. The Steele review is there, and I welcome it. I have fact that new dentists are being trained there might spoken to Professor Steele since he published his review encourage them to stay after their training and, thus, and I think that it was a very important way to look build up the dentist population in Cornwall. I hope that forward. It is visionary—it has similarities to Lord that will happen through the NHS—if there is a compulsion Darzi’s review in that respect—although it perhaps does for them to do NHS work when they have finished not have the detail that we were looking for about how training, that might assist. However, there is no guarantee we should implement some of those ideas. We have that they will remain NHS dentists or that they will those ideas, and the shadow Secretary of State laid remain in the area. them out earlier. It was no surprise that during the summer the last I want to touch on some areas to do with our policy NHS dentist in Saltash in my constituency, which is the on dentistry that we did not have a chance to discuss sixth largest town in Cornwall, left the NHS and went earlier and I also want to make comments on the 399 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 400

[Mike Penning] acceptable for children in our schools today to have abscesses and rotting teeth at such an early age and for contributions made by each individual Member who us to do nothing about it, they should come up with has spoken in the debate this afternoon. This has been a another idea— sensible debate. I have to admit that some of the comments that I have heard about how brilliant the availability of Mr. Martlew: Fluoride. NHS dentistry around the country is seem to be anomalous to the letters and correspondence that I get and the Mike Penning: I hear a comment from a sedentary comments I hear from dentists. As we heard earlier, position that it is just about fluoride. It is not just about provision is patchy and in some parts of the country it fluoride. There has been enough fluoride in toothpaste works well whereas in some parts of the country it is in this country for many years. appalling. How can that be right in an NHS in the 21st century? Mr. Martlew: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? Let us consider some of the comments that were made during the debate. I have been on the platform Mike Penning: No, thank you. The hon. Gentleman many times with the hon. Member for North Norfolk has said enough from a sedentary position. (Norman Lamb) to discuss dentistry. I was slightly surprised when he said that he did not quite know If school inspections are so wrong, how come one in whether we were going to get rid of the contract, keep seven primary care trusts in this country still carry them it, twist it or do whatever else with it. I have stood on out? They have made the decision to put their money the platform with him many times and said that the where their mouth is and to still do that. That is very contract in its present form is unworkable, that it is a important. damaged brand and that it needs to be phased out. We I also listened carefully to the hon. Member for intend to phase in the new contract alongside it. We will Staffordshire, Moorlands (Charlotte Atkins), with whom pilot the hours—the pilot is important—but we will not I served on the Select Committee. I congratulate her on ignore the pilot, as the Government did in 2006 and convincing the Committee to look into dentistry. I appear to have done again now, and force something on would have thought that it would have been an easy dentists. process—I would have thought that all Members of the Committee would have realised what a crisis there was. Norman Lamb: I am grateful for that sort of clarification. The important part of the hon. Lady’s speech was her It was merely that the hon. Gentleman said that he understanding of the problems with the unit of dental accepted Steele’s recommendations, and Steele says that activity. The Select Committee saw the problems in we should build on the existing contract framework, having such a small group of bands. It is not good for develop it and, if necessary, make some changes to the patient, because they do not understand exactly regulations. Essentially, he says that we should build on what they are paying for when they hear of someone what is there at the moment. Is the hon. Gentleman who had a lot less treatment paying exactly the same. saying that that is not the approach that he would take? The bands have to be expanded, as we have said, but they also exert a perverse influence on dentists. What Mike Penning: I have said that there are very good should they be interested in when they look inside a things within Steele, but that how we implement what person’s mouth—oral hygiene, or how much money the he is saying is much more difficult than simply saying, job will cost and how much they will get? I know that “I have a vision.” We do not feel that one could leave the the Health Committee looked at that, because it was contract in this form, discredited as it is within the one of the biggest worries expressed by dentists. profession and around the country—it is discredited not only with patients but with dentists too. It is absolutely It cannot be right that dentists get paid the same to right to say that if we came in on day one and scrapped do one filling, or six. The money has to be based on the it, there would be chaos—there would. There is chaos in activity that is undertaken. Earlier, and again from a parts of the country now, but there would be more sedentary position, the hon. Member for Carlisle made chaos. The new scheme needs to be phased in and to be it clear that he was worried that more extractions than piloted and dentists need to know from day one where fillings are carried out these days. In fact, there has been we are going and we need to work with them, unlike a 45 per cent. reduction in the amount of root canal what is happening at the moment. work done in this country since the new contract came in. Let me touch on the school inspections, which have been commented on by my hon. Friends the Members Mr. Martlew: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley) and for Mole Valley (Sir Paul Beresford). If we only do school inspections Mike Penning: No, you have had your opportunity and nothing else—if a dentist merely walks into a already. There are more extractions and fewer fillings school, looks at a child’s oral health and walks back out now: those are the facts, as given in evidence to the again—there is no point doing it. That is not what we Health Committee. That Labour-dominated Select are proposing. It has to be based on education, and on Committee produced a devastating report about dentistry training for people in the schools and for the nurses in in this country. the schools. We also need to look inside that child’s mouth—in many cases, sadly, they will never have had Mr. Martlew: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? any oral expert look at their oral hygiene at all. I say to hon. Members and to people around the Mike Penning: If you want to get on the Health country—I have said it to the British Dental Association, Committee, I suggest that you talk to your Whips. Then too, so it is no secret—that if they think that it is you can contribute in a better way. 401 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 402

Mr. Speaker: Order. May I just say to the hon. NHS dentist—the removal of the ban that the Government Gentleman that I know that he will not want to use the introduced that prevents children from being seen only word “you” again? on the NHS. In a perfect world, NHS dentists would be available Mike Penning: Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy—I to everyone who wanted to see one, but the crisis is most am sorry, I mean Mr. Speaker. Perhaps “Deputy” is serious when it comes to children. For a large proportion another word that I should not use too often. of the adult population, the damage has been done My hon. Friend the Member for Mole Valley knows already, but children’s dental care is the crisis area and so much about dentistry that sometimes it is very difficult that is why we would allow NHS-only contracts for for me to talk to him about these matters. He probably children. That would have the important effect of knows more about them than anyone else in the House, encouraging dentists back into the NHS. We do not and I was very interested when he said that dentists have a shortage of dentists in this country: what we have were less worried about what happened when they ran is a shortage of dentists willing to work in the NHS. out of UDA than they were about the money that is Those are the facts. then clawed back. Although they may want to treat the We train huge numbers of dentists. In his opening new patients that come to them, the fact that they do remarks, the Minister told the House how many dentists not have enough UDA means that they are not able to. are being trained in this country at the taxpayer’s expense, It is astonishing to me that, in the past nine months, but as the hon. Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands we should have had two debates about the types of said, they may not even stay in the NHS. We train them contracts that are out there yet hon. Members and the very well, with some of the best—probably the best— public still do not realise that, unless they are having training in the world, but once they have done that treatment, they are not registered with an NHS dentist. training, they can walk away from the NHS and the In his report, Professor Steele made it absolutely and taxpayers who pay for it. We must ask them to stay at categorically clear that registration was crucial. He said: least partly within the NHS; it is important that we do “We recommend that patients register in a continuing care so. This has been an important debate. I am pleased relationship.” that so many Back Benchers have— However, you cannot have such a relationship if the Mr. Mike O’Brien: Will the hon. Gentleman give dentist is not responsible for continuing care. If you way? only go to him when you have problems, he is not responsible for your continuing care. That is why registration Mike Penning: No. is so important, and why we need to make sure that dentists, like GPs, are responsible for people’s preventive Mr. O’Brien rose— care. Earlier, the hon. Member for Carlisle said, again Mike Penning: I have said no. I have indicated the from a sedentary position, “I bet he’s always gone to a position of my party throughout the debate. There has private dentist,” but— been a long time for everybody to participate. With a minute to go, I shall defend the statement that the NHS Mr. Martlew: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. That must be there for everybody. NHS dentists must be is not true. I did not say that about the hon. Gentleman. there for those who wish to have an NHS dentist. That is not the position today, but it will be under a Conservative Mr. Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, Government. but I suspect that that represents a point of debate to which the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike 6.45 pm Penning) may or may not wish to respond. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Ann Keen): I thank hon. Members for the high quality Mike Penning: Where people in this country go to the of this evening’s debate. We may often disagree on the dentist is a matter for them, and I happen to be lucky specifics of policy, but I hope that we none the less enough to have an NHS dentist. In fact, most of the share a commitment to providing high-quality national time my dental hygiene was looked after Her Majesty’s health service dentistry to everyone who wants it. Dentistry armed forces. That care was not private either. has come a long way in recent years, although we all In many parts of the country, people do not have the know that there is still further to go. The Government choice to go and see an NHS dentist. There is no point believe that the best decisions are those made closest to in being delusional about the fact that NHS dental the ground. That principle of devolved, local decision provision is good in some parts of the country and bad making is at the heart of everything that is happening in in others. Sadly, the current system is fundamentally the national health service today, and at the heart of failing millions of people who would prefer to have an NHS dentistry. NHS dentist looking after their continuing oral hygiene The new contract in 2006 gave primary care trusts the needs. power and the responsibility to shape local dentistry My hon. Friend the Member for New Forest, East services to fit the specific needs of their communities. (Dr. Lewis) defended local democracy to the hilt. He Many have risen to that new challenge and are providing read out the relevant correspondence and my hon. excellent NHS dental services. I could give many examples; Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire, the shadow some have been given in the Chamber this evening. Secretary of State, set out our party’s position on these South Tyneside primary care trust, like much of the matters. However, one specific thing would help to north-east, has a history of ensuring good access to ensure that an awful lot more children got to see an NHS dentistry, but now the PCT is working with local 403 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 404

[Ann Keen] about quality, prevention and inequalities. He reminded us of the importance of good negotiations with the dentists to improve the quality and efficiency of the BDA, and I take note. services that it provides. The aim is to improve services My hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, for patients while providing best value for money. Moorlands (Charlotte Atkins), who is known for Although places such as South Tyneside are good, championing dentistry in the House, and in particular other areas are not as good, as we have heard today. fluoridation, spoke about TLC 4 Smiles for herself. She Where progress is uneven, we need to go further. That is also mentioned a Mr. and Mrs. Keen, who were making where Professor Jimmy Steele’s review has proved so a valued contribution to dentistry in her area. May I say valuable. It has helped us to understand further the to all in the House and to any journalists who may be modern landscape of dentistry and the needs of the present that I have only the one job. On this occasion I population, and that the focus of modern dentistry can also vouch for my hon. Friend the Member for must be on prevention, the maintenance of oral health Feltham and Heston (Alan Keen). and quality. It also helps us to understand that different The hon. Member for Mole Valley (Sir Paul Beresford), generations can have very different needs. We are asking who spoke from his experience as a dentist and brought our dentists for different approaches in light of that. We much experience to the Health Committee and the are starting to test the recommendations. PCTs that all-party group on dentistry, referred to the BDA survey. tender for new contacts so as to increase access to That survey also stated that relations between PCTs and dental services are starting to place qualitative measures dentists was very good indeed, citing 87 per cent. of in their contracts. Depending on the results of piloting, cases that were reported. That report was published we will start to roll out the Steele recommendations on yesterday and we should acknowledge its findings. quality to all contracts for dental services. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle In the past two years, funding for NHS dentistry has (Mr. Martlew) for his comments on the improvements increased by the best part of £400 million a year. That is that have been made. He mentioned the important extra money going to the front line, and that gives more matter of charges, which is dear to the hearts of all people better access to high-quality dental care. However, Members, especially those on the Labour Benches. All the issue is not only about spending more; it is about children and about 30 per cent. of adults are exempt spending better. The national dental access programme from charges. is helping PCTs to get the most out of existing services, The hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) looking at how things are organised on the ground and raised with typical forcefulness and passion the subject offering advice and guidance on how they can be improved of regulations. I should point out that those regulations within existing budgets. were passed in the House on a free vote. I cannot go further as the matter is subject to a judicial review. The last time I stood at this Dispatch Box to debate dentistry was in December last year. I assured the The hon. Member for South-East Cornwall (Mr. Breed) House that access to NHS dentistry was about to increase. highlighted important topics. From next spring the If I remember correctly, the Opposition did not share PCT responsible for Saltash is commissioning new services my confidence. Well, I am delighted to say that I was that will offer care to all sections of the population. He correct. The NHS information centre’s latest statistics also mentioned that the new dental school in the south-west show that the number of people who have been able to peninsula, part of the development of a dental education see an NHS dentist has risen by 720,000 over the past centre, is under construction in Truro. For the first time, year. I hope the House will believe me now when I say dentists will be trained in Cornwall. that the growth in access will continue in the years to Speaking from the Opposition Front Bench, the hon. come. We are on course to achieve and, indeed, surpass Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) stated the Opposition’s rather unambitious target of an extra 1 that should the Conservatives be in government, dentists million people. Trust the Government and this party to would be required to work in the NHS. I should be do the job properly. Trust this nurse. People should grateful if he would explain how long they would be always trust the nurse when she is telling them what we required to do so and how he intends to achieve that. will achieve. We are well on the way towards replacing the access Mike Penning: If someone is trained by the NHS at lost when a minority of dentists decided not to accept taxpayers’ expense, they will have to have a built-in the new contracts in 2006, but we aim to go much loyalty to the NHS. We have said, and not just today, further. Every strategic health authority is committed that they will have to work in some shape or form for to making sure that by March 2011 everyone who wants five years in the NHS in order to pay back its contribution a dentist can access an NHS dentist. We are committed to their training. to implementing Professor Steele’s recommendations to improve both the quality of dentistry for patients and Ann Keen: Those are very interesting comments, indeed. the working lives of dentists. That proposal is similar, of course, to registration, because registration was in fact a payment to register. In the time that we have left, I will endeavour to Our dentists today recall patients, and they have continuity answer as many as possible of the questions that hon. of care, just as— Members raised. As is traditional, if I fail to answer any questions we will write to the Members who participated in the debate. The hon. Member for North Norfolk Mr. Lansley: Will the Minister give way? (Norman Lamb), speaking from the Front Bench for the Liberals, made a positive contribution and spoke Ann Keen: Yes. 405 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 406

Mr. Lansley: We have been very clear about our We want to congratulate all the dentists who have proposal and have made it before: a five-year tie-in for worked with the contract. It was a difficult contract to NHS, state-trained dentists so that they remain in the introduce, and it has been difficult for some people to NHS. The Liberal Democrats agree with us, and it is implement, but our PCTs, along with our commissioners, practised in Scotland. Will Ministers agree with that are working for dentistry to be accessible for all. We proposal? have made a commitment that by 2011 all those who want a dentist will have access to a dentist. Ann Keen: The registration was a payment. What we We have heard tonight, yet again, from a Conservative are still able to do is— party that pays lip service to everything—

Mr. Martlew: Will my hon. Friend give way? Mr. Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire) (Con) claimed to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36). Ann Keen: Yes. Question put forthwith, That the Question be now put. Mr. Martlew: I am sorry to interrupt my hon. Friend, Question agreed to. but the Opposition would not give way to me. Does she know anything about the policy on making dentists Question put accordingly (Standing Order No. 31(2)), work for five years? Will it apply to doctors as well? That the original words stand part of the Question. Would that not seem fair? Are the Conservatives going The House divided: Ayes 210, Noes 277. to make doctors work for five years for the NHS? Division No. 219] [6.59 pm

Ann Keen: My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. AYES The proposal is certainly news to Government Front- Benchers today, but I think that we should expand on it; Afriyie, Adam Davis, rh David perhaps it is something that we should look at. It will be Ainsworth, Mr. Peter Djanogly, Mr. Jonathan Alexander, Danny Dodds, Mr. Nigel interesting to see how negotiations on it go with the Amess, Mr. David Donaldson, rh Mr. Jeffrey M. BDA. Perhaps the Opposition will keep us informed, Arbuthnot, rh Mr. James Dorrell, rh Mr. Stephen because much has been said today about the professionalism Atkinson, Mr. Peter Dorries, Nadine of our dentists. In fact, accusations have been made Bacon, Mr. Richard Duddridge, James about the number of extractions that are deemed Baldry, Tony Duncan, Alan unnecessary. Baron, Mr. John Ellwood, Mr. Tobias We admire our dentists and congratulate not only Barrett, John Evans, Mr. Nigel them on the real hard work that they do, but all the Beith, rh Sir Alan Evennett, Mr. David team who play such a role, including hygienists and, in Bellingham, Mr. Henry Fallon, Mr. Michael particular, dental nurses. We note also their approach to Benyon, Mr. Richard Featherstone, Lynne Beresford, Sir Paul Field, Mr. Mark health inequalities and their serious work with us and Binley, Mr. Brian Foster, Mr. Don Professor Steele to implement the new contract. I have Bone, Mr. Peter Francois, Mr. Mark heard nothing from Opposition Members about inequalities. Bottomley, Peter Fraser, Christopher I have heard nothing that would actually— Brady, Mr. Graham Gale, Mr. Roger Brazier, Mr. Julian Garnier, Mr. Edward Mr. Lansley: Will the Minister give way? Breed, Mr. Colin Gauke, Mr. David Brokenshire, James George, Andrew Ann Keen: Yes, certainly. Brooke, Annette Gibb, Mr. Nick Browning, Angela Gidley, Sandra Bruce, rh Malcolm Goldsworthy, Julia Mr. Lansley: In my speech I made it very clear that we Burns, Mr. Simon Goodman, Mr. Paul want people to have greater access to preventive care, Burrowes, Mr. David Goodwill, Mr. Robert and we have made it clear that we will allow people to Burstow, Mr. Paul Gove, Michael visit dental hygienists without the requirement of a Burt, Lorely Gray, Mr. James dentist’s referral via a prescription. Will the Minister Butterfill, Sir John Green, Damian agree with that proposal? Cable, Dr. Vincent Greening, Justine Campbell, Mr. Gregory Gummer, rh Mr. John Ann Keen: I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Hague, rh Mr. William would be able to achieve that, because regulation might Carswell, Mr. Douglas Hammond, Mr. Philip come into play. He cannot make such statements just to Cash, Mr. William Hammond, Stephen please himself this evening; he has to be able to fulfil Chope, Mr. Christopher Hancock, Mr. Mike them. [Interruption.] I am sorry, but he does have to Clappison, Mr. James Hands, Mr. Greg look at his subject area again, because it is just not Clark, Greg Harris, Dr. Evan possible to make that proposal tonight. Clarke, rh Mr. Kenneth Hayes, Mr. John Clegg, rh Mr. Nick Heald, Mr. Oliver We are talking about a team of people who work in Clifton-Brown, Mr. Geoffrey Heath, Mr. David our primary care system and are respected and valued Cormack, Sir Patrick Heathcoat-Amory, rh in the community. Interesting points have been made Cox, Mr. Geoffrey Mr. David today about dentists being asked to work up to five Curry, rh Mr. David Hemming, John years for the NHS, and it would be very interesting to Davey, Mr. Edward Hendry, Charles see how that might be expanded to include other health Davies, David T.C. Herbert, Nick professionals and members of the health service work (Monmouth) Hoban, Mr. Mark force. Davies, Philip Hogg, rh Mr. Douglas 407 NHS Dentistry14 OCTOBER 2009 NHS Dentistry 408

Holloway, Mr. Adam Reid, Mr. Alan Bell, Sir Stuart Flello, Mr. Robert Holmes, Paul Rennie, Willie Benn, rh Hilary Flint, rh Caroline Howard, rh Mr. Michael Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Benton, Mr. Joe Flynn, Paul Howarth, David Robathan, Mr. Andrew Berry, Roger Follett, Barbara Howell, John Robertson, Hugh Betts, Mr. Clive Foster, Mr. Michael Hughes, Simon Robertson, Mr. Laurence Blackman, Liz (Worcester) Huhne, Chris Rosindell, Andrew Blackman-Woods, Dr. Roberta Francis, Dr. Hywel Hunt, Mr. Jeremy Rowen, Paul Blizzard, Mr. Bob Gardiner, Barry Hunter, Mark Ruffley, Mr. David Blunkett, rh Mr. David Gerrard, Mr. Neil Hurd, Mr. Nick Russell, Bob Borrow, Mr. David S. Gilroy, Linda Jack, rh Mr. Michael Sanders, Mr. Adrian Brennan, Kevin Godsiff, Mr. Roger Jackson, Mr. Stewart Selous, Andrew Brown, Lyn Goodman, Helen Jenkin, Mr. Bernard Shapps, Grant Brown, rh Mr. Nicholas Griffith, Nia Jones, Mr. David Simmonds, Mark Brown, Mr. Russell Griffiths, Nigel Kawczynski, Daniel Simpson, David Browne, rh Des Grogan, Mr. John Kennedy, rh Mr. Charles Simpson, Mr. Keith Bryant, Chris Gwynne, Andrew Key, Robert Smith, Chloe Burden, Richard Hain, rh Mr. Peter Kirkbride, Miss Julie Smith, Sir Robert Burgon, Colin Hall, Mr. Mike Knight, rh Mr. Greg Soames, Mr. Nicholas Butler, Ms Dawn Hamilton, Mr. David Kramer, Susan Spelman, Mrs. Caroline Byrne, rh Mr. Liam Hanson, rh Mr. David Laing, Mrs. Eleanor Spicer, Sir Michael Cairns, David Harman, rh Ms Harriet Lait, Mrs. Jacqui Spink, Bob Campbell, Mr. Alan Harris, Mr. Tom Lamb, Norman Steen, Mr. Anthony Campbell, Mr. Ronnie Havard, Mr. Dai Lancaster, Mr. Mark Streeter, Mr. Gary Caton, Mr. Martin Healey, rh John Lansley, Mr. Andrew Stuart, Mr. Graham Cawsey, Mr. Ian Hendrick, Mr. Mark Laws, Mr. David Stunell, Andrew Challen, Colin Hepburn, Mr. Stephen Leech, Mr. John Swayne, Mr. Desmond Chapman, Ben Hesford, Stephen Leigh, Mr. Edward Swinson, Jo Chaytor, Mr. David Hewitt, rh Ms Patricia Letwin, rh Mr. Oliver Swire, Mr. Hugo Clapham, Mr. Michael Heyes, David Lewis, Dr. Julian Syms, Mr. Robert Clark, Ms Katy Hill, rh Keith Lidington, Mr. David Tapsell, Sir Peter Clarke, rh Mr. Charles Hodge, rh Margaret Lilley, rh Mr. Peter Taylor, Matthew Clarke,rhMr.Tom Hodgson, Mrs. Sharon Loughton, Tim Taylor, Dr. Richard Clelland, Mr. David Hood, Mr. Jim Mackay, rh Mr. Andrew Teather, Sarah Clwyd, rh Ann Hoon, rh Mr. Geoffrey Maclean, rh David Thurso, John Coaker, Mr. Vernon Hopkins, Kelvin Main, Anne Timpson, Mr. Edward Coffey, Ann Howarth, rh Mr. George Malins, Mr. Humfrey Tredinnick, David Cohen, Harry Howells, rh Dr. Kim Maude, rh Mr. Francis Turner, Mr. Andrew Connarty, Michael Hoyle, Mr. Lindsay McCrea, Dr. William Tyrie, Mr. Andrew Cooper, Rosie Humble, Mrs. Joan McIntosh, Miss Anne Vaizey, Mr. Edward Cooper, rh Yvette Iddon, Dr. Brian McLoughlin, rh Mr. Patrick Vara, Mr. Shailesh Corbyn, Jeremy Ingram, rh Mr. Adam Mercer, Patrick Viggers, Sir Peter Crausby, Mr. David Irranca-Davies, Huw Miller, Mrs. Maria Villiers, Mrs. Theresa Cruddas, Jon James, Mrs. Siân C. Milton, Anne Walker, Mr. Charles Cryer, Mrs. Ann Jenkins, Mr. Brian Mitchell, Mr. Andrew Wallace, Mr. Ben Cummings, John Johnson, rh Alan Moore, Mr. Michael Willetts, Mr. David Cunningham, Mr. Jim Johnson, Ms Diana R. Murrison, Dr. Andrew Williams, Mr. Roger Cunningham, Tony Jones, Helen Neill, Robert Williams, Stephen David, Mr. Wayne Jones, Mr. Kevan Newmark, Mr. Brooks Willis, Mr. Phil Davidson, Mr. Ian Jones, Mr. Martyn O’Brien, Mr. Stephen Willott, Jenny Davies, Mr. Dai Jowell, rh Tessa Öpik, Lembit Wilshire, Mr. David Davies, Mr. Quentin Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Ottaway, Richard Wilson, Mr. Rob Dean, Mrs. Janet Keeble, Ms Sally Paice, Mr. James Winterton, Ann Denham, rh Mr. John Keeley, Barbara Paterson, Mr. Owen Winterton, Sir Nicholas Devine, Mr. Jim Keen, Alan Dhanda, Mr. Parmjit Keen, Ann Penning, Mike Yeo, Mr. Tim Penrose, John Dismore, Mr. Andrew Kelly, rh Ruth Young, rh Sir George Prisk, Mr. Mark Dobbin, Jim Kemp, Mr. Fraser Younger-Ross, Richard Pritchard, Mark Dobson, rh Frank Kidney, Mr. David Pugh, Dr. John Tellers for the Ayes: Donohoe, Mr. Brian H. Kilfoyle, Mr. Peter Randall, Mr. John Bill Wiggin and Doran, Mr. Frank Kumar, Dr. Ashok Redwood, rh Mr. John Mr. Stephen Crabb Drew, Mr. David Ladyman, Dr. Stephen Eagle, Angela Lammy, rh Mr. David NOES Eagle, Maria Laxton, Mr. Bob Efford, Clive Lepper, David Abbott, Ms Diane Baird, Vera Ellman, Mrs. Louise Levitt, Tom Ainger, Nick Banks, Gordon Engel, Natascha Lewis, Mr. Ivan Anderson, Mr. David Barlow, Ms Celia Ennis, Jeff Linton, Martin Armstrong, rh Hilary Barron, rh Mr. Kevin Etherington, Bill Lloyd, Tony Atkins, Charlotte Battle, rh John Farrelly, Paul Love, Mr. Andrew Austin, Mr. Ian Bayley, Hugh Field, rh Mr. Frank Lucas, Ian Austin, John Beckett, rh Margaret Fisher, Mark Mackinlay, Andrew Bailey, Mr. Adrian Begg, Miss Anne Fitzpatrick, Jim Mahmood, Mr. Khalid 409 NHS Dentistry 14 OCTOBER 2009 410

Malik, Mr. Shahid Ryan, rh Joan That this House welcomes Professor Steele’s review report and Mallaber, Judy Sarwar, Mr. Mohammad its endorsement that the principle of local commissioning introduced Marshall-Andrews, Mr. Robert Seabeck, Alison by the 2006 reforms provides a firm basis on which to develop Martlew, Mr. Eric Sharma, Mr. Virendra NHS dentistry; agrees with the vision set out in the review of McAvoy, rh Mr. Thomas Shaw, Jonathan improving incentives to support dentists in delivering access and McCabe, Steve Sheerman, Mr. Barry quality; acknowledges the Government’s commitment to working McCafferty, Chris Sheridan, Jim with the dentistry profession and other stakeholders to ensure McCarthy, Kerry Simpson, Alan through careful piloting that it implements the recommendations McCarthy-Fry, Sarah Singh, Mr. Marsha in a way that delivers the best possible system for patients, dentists McCartney, rh Mr. Ian Skinner, Mr. Dennis and the NHS; acknowledges that children’s oral health in England is already among the best in the world; welcomes the commitment McDonagh, Siobhain Slaughter, Mr. Andy of the NHS to deliver access for all who seek it by March 2011 at McFadden, rh Mr. Pat Smith, rh Mr. Andrew the latest, supported by some £2 billion in central funding for McFall, rh John Smith, Ms Angela C. dentistry, and understands that access is now growing again; McGuire, rh Mrs. Anne (Sheffield, Hillsborough) notes that in the last four quarters the number of people seeing an McIsaac, Shona Smith, rh Angela E. (Basildon) NHS dentist in the previous 24-month period has grown by McKechin, Ann Smith, Geraldine 720,000; further notes that the dental workforce is growing, with McKenna, Rosemary Snelgrove, Anne 655 more dentists working in the NHS in 2007-08 and a further McNulty, rh Mr. Tony Soulsby, Sir Peter 528 in 2008-09; and recognises the support that the dental access Meacher, rh Mr. Michael Southworth, Helen programme of the Department of Health is providing to clinicians Merron, Gillian Spellar, rh Mr. John and managers to help them rapidly expand NHS dental services Michael, rh Alun Stewart, Ian where necessary. Miliband, rh David Stringer, Graham Miliband, rh Edward Tami, Mark Business without Debate Miller, Andrew Taylor, Ms Dari Mitchell, Mr. Austin Taylor, David Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Moffatt, Laura Thornberry, Emily Order No. 41A(3)), Mole, Chris Timms, rh Mr. Stephen Moon, Mrs. Madeleine Tipping, Paddy DEFERRED DIVISIONS Morden, Jessica Todd, Mr. Mark That at this day’s sitting, Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred Morgan, Julie Touhig, rh Mr. Don divisions) shall not apply to the Motion in the name of Huw Morley, rh Mr. Elliot Trickett, Jon Irranca-Davies relating to Common Fisheries Policy.—(Mark Mudie, Mr. George Truswell, Mr. Paul Tami.) Mullin, Mr. Chris Turner, Dr. Desmond Question agreed to. Munn, Meg Turner, Mr. Neil Murphy, rh Mr. Paul Twigg, Derek Naysmith, Dr. Doug EUROPEAN UNION DOCUMENTS Ussher, Kitty Norris, Dan Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Vaz, rh Keith O’Brien, rh Mr. Mike Order No. 119 (11), Vis, Dr. Rudi O’Hara, Mr. Edward Walley, Joan Owen, Albert COMMON FISHERIES POLICY Palmer, Dr. Nick Waltho, Lynda Ward, Claire That this House takes note of European Union Documents Pearson, Ian No. 15869/08. Commission Communication on the Proposal for a Wareing, Mr. Robert N. Plaskitt, Mr. James Council Regulation establishing a Community control system for Pound, Stephen Watson, Mr. Tom ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Prentice, Bridget Watts, Mr. Dave Policy, and No. 15694/08, draft Council Regulation establishing a Prentice, Mr. Gordon Whitehead, Dr. Alan Community control system for ensuring compliance with the Primarolo, rh Dawn Wicks, rh Malcolm rules of the Common Fisheries Policy; and supports the Government’s Prosser, Gwyn Williams, rh Mr. Alan objective of ensuring that this proposal delivers stronger, proportionate, Purnell, rh James Williams, Mrs. Betty more effective control provisions which contribute to the long-term Rammell, Bill Wilson, Phil sustainability of fish stocks.—(Mark Tami.) Raynsford, rh Mr. Nick Winnick, Mr. David Question agreed to. Reed, Mr. Andy Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Reed, Mr. Jamie Woolas, Mr. Phil DELEGATED LEGISLATION Reid, rh John Wright, Mr. Anthony Riordan, Mrs. Linda Wright, David Robertson, John Wright, Mr. Iain STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES Robinson, Mr. Geoffrey Wright, Dr. Tony Rooney, Mr. Terry Ordered, Wyatt, Derek Roy, Lindsay That Sir George Young be discharged from the Committee on Ruane, Chris Tellers for the Noes: Standards and Privileges and Mr David Curry be added.—(Mark Ruddock, Joan Mr. John Heppell and Tami.) Russell, Christine Mary Creagh ACCESS TO PARLIAMENT (UNITED KINGDOM Question accordingly negatived. MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT) Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 31(2)), Motion made, That the proposed words be there added. That the Resolutions of the House of 30 January 1989 relating to House of Commons Services and 6 December 1991 relating to Question agreed to. Access (Former members and United Kingdom members of the The Deputy Speaker declared the main Question, as European Parliament) shall cease to have effect insofar as they amended, to be agreed to (Standing Order No. 31(2)). relate to United Kingdom members of the European Parliament. Resolved, Hon. Members: Object. 411 Business without Debate 14 OCTOBER 2009 412

REGIONAL SELECT COMMITTEE (WEST Complementary and Alternative Medicines MIDLANDS) Motion made, and Question proposed, That this Motion made, House do now adjourn.—(Mark Tami.) That Dr Richard Taylor be a member of the West Midlands Regional Select Committee.—(Mark Tami.) 7.15 pm Hon. Members: Object. David Tredinnick (Bosworth) (Con): I am grateful for the opportunity to address the House on this important issue and I am glad to see the Minister in her place this REGIONAL SELECT COMMITTEE (YORKSHIRE evening. I wish to consider the House of Lords Science AND THE HUMBER) and Technology Committee’s report on complementary Motion made, medicine 10 years on. I shall cover three points: regulation, That Mary Creagh be discharged from the Yorkshire and the how we can widen the number of therapies available in Humber Regional Select Committee and Mr Austin Mitchell be the NHS, and the case for more research. added.—(Mark Tami.) The Committee first met in 1999 and its report states in section 5.53: Hon. Members: Object. “The Osteopathic and Chiropractic professions are now regulated by law. It is our opinion that acupuncture and herbal medicine are REGIONAL SELECT COMMITTEE (SOUTH the two therapies”— WEST) which at this stage would most benefit from regulation. Motion made, I shall start by considering the position of osteopathy and then of herbal medicine. That Linda Gilroy be discharged from the South West Regional Select Committee and Roger Berry be added.—(Mark Tami.) The Osteopaths Act 1993, mentioned in the report, has been a huge success, but there is a postcode lottery Hon. Members: Object. at work. Only 16 per cent. of primary care trusts allow GPs to refer patients to osteopaths on the NHS and an additional 25 per cent. allow GPs to refer patients in exceptional cases. That is wrong, and I ask the Minister to address the problem. Where osteopathy is used in the NHS, its use increases year on year, suggesting patient and GP satisfaction, so the barrier is in the approach of the primary care trusts. The Minister will be aware that the report from the Department of Health steering group on the regulation of acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine was published on 16 June. This followed the work done by Professor Pittilo and the late Lord Chan on herbal medicine and Chinese medicine respectively. The report recommended that in the interests of public health and patient safety all practitioners should be required to attain high standards of competence through the Health Professions Council as soon as practicable. The Government responded by launching a consultation that will seek views on whether a regulatory system should be established. What is the position of that consultation? I suspect that it has been pushed gently into the long grass. The regulation of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and herbal medicine has been a long and arduous process on which many people have worked—I have met many of them—and we need to know whether the Government are still committed to the process. What is the likely timetable? If nothing happens, we will soon be in the ludicrous situation of the herbal medicinal products directive coming into force in 2011 without appropriately regulated practitioners. Another issue that we need to address this evening is homeopathy. Section 5.50 of the report says that therapies should be able to seek statutory regulation, and homeopathy is the one therapy in group 1 in the report—the Minister will remember that there are different classifications—that is not statutorily regulated. I am informed by the Society of Homeopaths, which is the largest organisation representing non-medical homeopaths, that there is a move towards statutory regulation through the Health Professions Council. Will the Government look favourably on that application? 413 Complementary and Alternative 14 OCTOBER 2009 Complementary and Alternative 414 Medicines Medicines Homeopathy has had a long tradition in the health sub-discipline called “right directions”, and it relies on service; it was actually used by Aneurin Bevan—all Chinese astronomy and astrology. I was on the last those years ago—who helped to put it in the health parliamentary delegation to Hong Kong before we gave service. However, homeopathy has been under attack, it back to the Chinese, where I met Chris Patton’s despite the new Royal London Homeopathic hospital. Chinese astronomer and astrologer—it was important The hospital and those who support homeopathy have to the Chinese that he should have one. Ayurvedic faced difficult times, not least the attacks by the so-called medicine also has a long tradition of looking at scientific establishment and a letter that purported to astronomical and astrological factors, and Lahiri is the come from the NHS—it had the NHS logo on it—in official astrological system of the Indian Government. May 2007 which was signed by many retired professors In 2001 I raised in the House the influence of the of medicine. That letter should never have been sent out moon, on the basis of the evidence then that at certain under the NHS letterhead. phases of the moon there are more accidents. Surgeons Attacks have also been made on the efficacy of will not operate because blood clotting is not effective homeopathy. A letter was sent to the World Health and the police have to put more people on the street. Organisation warning against the use of homeopathy, I am arguing for more research. I have been criticised but it ignored the very clear randomised, double-blind for raising the subject, but the criticism is generally trials that proved that it is effective in the particular area based on a misunderstanding. It is based on the idea of childhood diarrhoea on which it was criticised. Will that I am talking about the stuff that we see in the the Government therefore be robust in their support for newspapers about star sign astrology, but I am not. I am homeopathy and consider what can be done so that it is talking about a long-standing discipline—an art and a used more effectively in the health service? science—that has been with us since ancient Egyptian, There are also serious problems in chiropractic, which Roman, Babylonian and Assyrian times. It is part of the one might call an assisted discipline to osteopathy. The Chinese, Muslim and Hindu cultures. Criticism is deeply General Chiropractic Council has been bombarded by offensive to those cultures, and I have a Muslim college complaints from bloggers—spurious complaints I would in my constituency. say—which it is obliged by law to investigate. I am very The opposition is based on what I call the SIP formula— concerned that genuine complaints will not get through superstition, ignorance and prejudice. It tends to be and that any practitioner, against whom a genuine based on superstition, with scientists reacting emotionally, complaint had been lodged, could continue to practise. which is always a great irony. They are also ignorant, Will the Minister look at this very unsatisfactory situation, because they never study the subject and just say that it which arose following an individual losing a court case is all to do with what appears in the newspapers, which against the British Chiropractic Association? it is not, and they are deeply prejudiced, and racially I would like the scope of complementary and alternative prejudiced too, which is troubling. medicine to be widened. Way back in 2001, when I Over the past few years I have looked at the issue in spoke on this subject, I quoted a Minister as saying in detail, as well as at the impact of astronomy and Committee that: astrology on western herbalism, as taught by Culpeper, “Services that were considered outlandish several years ago are whose book “Culpeper’s Complete Herbal” has been in now almost considered to be part of conventional health care”.— [Official Report, Standing Committee G, 6 June 2000; c. 81.] print longer than any other book in this country besides the Bible. There are now people who teach, such as Jane That was in 2001. Now we have a situation in which we Ridder-Patrick, who published “A Handbook of Medical can move on even further. The Government have done Astrology”. They look at aspects of the subject and well with the guidelines from the National Institute for how it affects people’s health. Whatever one believes Health and Clinical Excellence that allow for osteopathy personally, the issue is one that we should look into and and chiropractic for lower back pain. That is definitely consider. We must get away from this awful, mediaeval a step in the right direction. It has come about only superstition. because of the rigorous research carried out, resulting in acupuncture and, as I said, osteopathy and chiropractic Finally, I want to appeal to the Minister to fund a being made available. little more research. Research into complementary medicine We now need to bring in other therapies and to is usually done with individuals, but I am seeking perhaps ensure that they are made available. That can be done in £5 million and for the research to be placed with the different ways. The Complementary and Natural Healthcare King’s Fund, or perhaps another body, for use in universities. Council has been set up to regulate some therapies, such It takes about £125,000 to fund a trial. At the moment as massage therapy, nutritional therapy, reflexology and we just do not know how effective some complementary aromatherapy.However, the numbers are less than expected. medicines are in surgeries where different therapies are Can the Minister help in any way by publicising the used. The Government have helped and some useful benefits of this council to those who might join it? steps have been taken, but if we are really going to understand the best way of using such therapies, which The Science and Technology Committee reported in are increasingly popular, we need more research. I appeal four sections. I shall not go through all the different to the genial nature and the good judgment of the categories, but all those listed—I have reviewed them Minister to help in this way. all—have some validity. Before turning to research, I want to focus on ethnic treatments, which are used by many people in this 7.28 pm country.I am thinking of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. The Minister of State, Department of Health (Gillian I want to look at how they are part of those cultures Merron): I congratulate the hon. Member for Bosworth and at how those cultures look at the sky as part of their (David Tredinnick) on securing this debate on the important medical disciplines. Chinese medicine is closely aligned matter of complementary and alternative medicine, which to feng shui, which is popular in this country and has a was the subject of an important report by the House of 415 Complementary and Alternative 14 OCTOBER 2009 Complementary and Alternative 416 Medicines Medicines [Gillian Merron] The hon. Gentleman also referred to the roles that astrology and astronomy can play. I acknowledge that Lords Science and Technology Committee, which the some forms of complementary and alternative medicines Government welcomed at the time and responded to in and thought consider that there is a link or relationship 2001. between astrology and their practice. An example is I hope that the hon. Gentleman, whom I listened to Indian ayurvedic medicine. I would say to him that, carefully, will find it reassuring that the Government’s with this as with any other CAM, any proposals for position on complementary and alternative medicines, research would be considered on their merits. which I shall refer to as CAM, is the same as our The hon. Gentleman also raised the matter of access position on mainstream medicines. First, decisions about to CAM therapies. I confirm that we are committed to care are best made by clinicians on the ground. Doctors providing the most appropriate and effective treatments and health professionals are best equipped to make the for patients. Complementary and alternative medicine right choices for their patients, and local NHS services therapies that have been proven to be effective, cost-effective are best placed to decide which treatments will benefit and safe will be made available to patients. As he will their communities best. Secondly, the decision to embark know, it is a matter for local NHS organisations to on any course of treatment has to be made on the basis commission health care treatments for NHS patients, as of robust clinical evidence. That means clinical trials, they are best placed to make decisions in the interests of peer-reviewed papers, and guidance from the National their local communities. Primary care trusts manage Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Thirdly, 80 per cent. of the national health service budgets, and the way in which the Department funds new research is they are responsible for making the decisions on what through the National Institute for Health Research. treatments to commission and fund. They often have The NIHR provides substantial funding for a wide specific policies on the commissioning and provision of variety of studies that meet strict scientific criteria and CAM. Within these policies, GPs can give access to that reflect the needs of the national health service. specific therapies, provided that they are in the patient’s Finally, we should always be open to new methods and interest. If someone wishes to receive a specific CAM ideas. That means using the NHS’s world-leading innovation treatment on the NHS, they should discuss this with and research facilities to ensure that health professionals their GP.Clinical responsibility for an individual’s health get the latest and best clinical information, and that rests with their GP, who must be able to clinically justify patients get the best, safest care available. any treatment referral. I want to address the main points that the hon. I want to address the National Institute for Health Gentleman has raised. On the question of research, as and Clinical Excellence guidelines on complementary he has pointed out, the Lords Select Committee report and alternative medicines. NICE has already agreed made recommendations on strengthening the evidence that where there is sufficient evidence to look at specific base and investing more to encourage new research. complementary therapies when developing clinical guidance The Department of Health is one of the largest mainstream for particular conditions, it will do so. The guidance UK funders of research into CAM. It is investing focuses on a particular illness or condition rather than record sums in health research in general, with the on the treatment or therapy. A good example are the NIHR spending nearly £1 billion in 2010-11. Our research recent guidelines produced by NICE on the management strategy, Best Research for Best Health, is being delivered of non-specific lower back pain, of which I know the by the NIHR and has resulted in significant new funding hon. Gentleman will be aware. These guidelines include opportunities for health research. A number of awards consideration of treatments such as osteopathy, spinal have been made in the past year or so in support of manipulation and massage. NICE has already issued studies directly concerned with demonstrating whether guidance on whether some complementary therapies do specific CAM therapies work and whether they represent or do not add benefit in respect of specific conditions, good value. That builds on the 100-plus projects that including multiple sclerosis, antenatal care and palliative were funded in the past 12 years and recorded in the care. national research register. The hon. Gentleman raised a number of important points about the regulation of CAM. Regulation, whether Current projects funded by the NIHR include a it is statutory or voluntary, is primarily, of course, about £1.3 million study into the effectiveness and cost of patient safety. It is our duty to protect the public from poor acupuncture, a £500,000 clinical trial into acupressure or potentially unsafe practices. I note the hon. Gentleman’s for the control and management of chemotherapy-related point about osteopathy and chiropractic treatments, nausea and a clinical trial looking at the use of self-hypnosis which are currently regulated by law. Any future review by pregnant women to reduce pain and anxiety during of regulation would most likely examine whether the labour. In each case, these awards have been made current arrangements are the most cost-effective way to following rigorous peer review and in open competition. manage public safety. No decisions have yet been taken. The Government also run a £3.4 million award scheme, The Government have no current plans to extend which has supported 18 researchers, including those statutory regulation to homeopathy. The hon. Gentleman engaged in post-doctoral studies. They have completed raised concerns about a document recommending a number of reports on topics ranging from acupuncture disinvestment from homeopathy, which was circulated to Chinese medicine. In addition, the Department has using the NHS logo. I can confirm that our inquiries funded research on the role of CAM in the care of found no record of the Department having authorised cancer patients, and on the use of complementary medicine the use of the NHS logo and that those who originated in primary care. It is safe to say that, if CAM researchers the document were asked not to circulate it any further. continue to come up with high quality proposals, there They were advised about the use of the logo in future is no reason why they should not continue to attract and chief executives of trusts were also informed that NIHR support. the document does not represent Government policy. 417 Complementary and Alternative 14 OCTOBER 2009 Complementary and Alternative 418 Medicines Medicines Although we have committed to considering statutory Gillian Merron: I think we could all do with a bit of regulation for herbal medicine and acupuncture, which that this week. I thank the hon. Gentleman for his offer. carry significant risk because they involve skin piercing As I said earlier, and as the hon. Gentleman knows, and/or the ingestion of potentially harmful substances, the Government do not take a position on specific we have no current plans, as I have said, to include complementary and alternative medicines. That is left homeopathy.To clarify, that is because statutory regulations to GPs and local health centres. I think that that is are a priority, I believe, for those conditions where there right, but I also think it right for us to provide the is a particular risk of harm if treatment is placed in the information to which I have referred. Let me recap wrong hands. A consultation has been launched on briefly: we provide information on safety, clinical whether practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and the availability of and traditional Chinese medicine should be regulated suitably qualified or regulated practitioners, and I think by statute. It closes on 2 November this year, and we that that puts us in about the right place. will respond in due course. As I was saying, the hon. Gentleman is a great Other schemes that the Department supports include ambassador and is very knowledgeable about this subject. the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s new traditional herbal medicines registration David Tredinnick rose— scheme, which will make it easier for consumers to identify regulated products. We will also continue to Gillian Merron: And I think that the House will want support the work of the Complementary and Natural to hear a further intervention from him. Healthcare Council, and we have funded its start-up costs. The CNHC is a voluntary registration body that David Tredinnick: I am very grateful for the opportunity, is open to massage, nutritional, aromatherapy and Madam Deputy Speaker. Having been in the House for reflexology therapists. It will open to more therapies in a while, I look for such opportunities. due course. Registration means that the practitioner has I have mentioned the problems of negative information, met certain entry standards, including accredited particularly in the context of the Royal London qualification, and subscribes to a set of professional homeopathic hospital and homeopathy generally, and standards. The Department meets the CNHC regularly of what is effectively an attack on a statutorily regulated to discuss progress. body dealing with chiropractic. Will the Minister offer CAM, of course, covers a wide range of disciplines, to look into the position, and perhaps write to me about and I believe that it is right to keep our options open both the state of the Royal London and the disinformation and to continue to support research into new therapies that has been issued and the chiropractic regulatory and treatments. It is also right that we choose and fund council? those treatments that are effective, cost-effective and safe. That decision must be based on robust clinical Gillian Merron: I think that that intervention standards, backed up by rigorous and evidence-based demonstrates why it is so important for the Government scientific assessment. I thank the hon. Gentleman for to take the position of not being for or against specific raising such an important issue this evening. complementary and alternative medicine, and—as I said at the beginning of my speech—treating it in the same way as mainstream medicine. I am aware of the David Tredinnick: I notice that we have a little time other matter that the hon. Gentleman mentioned, but left. I am grateful to the Minister for her helpful response. obviously neither I nor the Government can control A number of disciplines were mentioned and I could what people put in blogs or letters. What we can do, I have referred to radionics, for example, for which a think, is rise above it, and I believe that that is what we double-blind trial is almost impossible, yet it is very have done by providing the information that we have popular because people believe that it gives them the provided. ability to get remote healing. We need to think out of the box here. As with healers who can do remote I thank the hon. Gentleman for initiating the debate. healing, it is no good people saying that just because we He has made a great contribution and a strong case for cannot prove something, it does not work. The anecdotal the views that he holds, and I know that the House will evidence that it does is enormous. I know that the be grateful for that. Minister is a forward thinker, and I believe that the Question put and agreed to. Department needs to be very open to the idea of energy transfers and the people who work in that sphere. Will 7.42 pm she comment further on that? House adjourned.

73WH 14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Relations with Russia 74WH

about Russia and whether one likes the current Government Westminster Hall or not, one must engage with Russia, because nothing will be gained by what is happening at the moment, Wednesday 14 October 2009 which is a policy of complete non-engagement. As I was saying, our Government take neither approach in terms of how they deal with Russia. They have [MR.GARY STREETER in the Chair] simply allowed relations to ossify. There is almost no engagement whatever. I was about to contrast the UK Relations with Russia approaches of our Prime Minister with the approaches Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting made by Barack Obama and Angela Merkel, but in fact be now adjourned.—(Steve McCabe.) no approach has been made by our Prime Minister. Incredibly, to the best of anyone’s knowledge—this 9.30 am seems to be confirmed in parliamentary questions—our Prime Minister has never met Vladimir Putin since the Mr. Greg Hands (Hammersmith and Fulham) (Con): right hon. Gentleman became Prime Minister two and I was delighted to secure the debate back in late July a half years ago. The last time that we can be sure that and I start by welcoming you to the Chair, Mr. Streeter. the two men met was in 2006, at a meeting of the G8 I also welcome the Minister to his new position. I think Economic Ministers in St. Petersburg. We cannot be that he is, remarkably, the 12th Europe Minister in this entirely sure on this, because 10 Downing street seems Government. He changed briefs with Baroness Kinnock to have had a policy in recent times, under the current on Monday. I expect that that has not given him much incumbent, of not answering parliamentary questions time to prepare for the debate, not least because he has, about visits or meetings. I hope, taken the time to read the Lisbon treaty, which is certainly more than one of his predecessors did. Nevertheless, he and I were previously officers on the Mr. Tom Watson (West Bromwich, East) (Lab): I all-party group on Russia and I suspect that we may agree with the thrust of the hon. Gentleman’s argument find much to agree about this morning. this morning, but will he confirm that the President of Russia is actually President Medvedev, whom my right Thankfully, there has been some movement in UK-Russia hon. Friend the Prime Minister has met on a number of relations since the end of July, when I applied for the occasions, including at the G20? Does he want my hon. debate. Nevertheless, my central premise today is that Friend the Minister to reassure him that he will be the Government have failed in most if not all of their actively engaging with all levels of the Russian Government, foreign policy objectives in respect of Russia in the past including talking about the Khodorkovsky case, which three years and that something needs to be done about is an important legal test for the Russian Government that. Whatever one’s views on Russia—I suspect that with their international partners? there will be a variety of views in the debate, as always—no one can argue that relations have been a success. UK policy towards Russia has been characterised in the Mr. Hands: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that years since the murder of Alexander Litvinenko as one intervention, which I assume has come from fairly close of deep-frozen non-engagement—I would even use the to Downing street itself. Of course it is important also word “festering”. to engage with the current President, but no one should There are essentially two approaches that one can be under any illusion as to who is really in charge in take towards Russia. One can willingly engage with Russia. I was going to say that our Prime Minister has Russia, with a heavy dose of realpolitik, and seek to get met President Medvedev at perhaps three different what one can from the relationship—an approach recently international summits in the past two years, but to the described as Schröderisation by Boris Nemtsov, the best of my knowledge, there have not been proper former Russian Deputy Prime Minister. Alternatively, bilateral meetings at any of those summits. I shall go on one can take a critical approach, also engaging but to discuss the case of Mikhail Khodorkovsky in due being tough in a way that the Putin-Medvedev duumvirate course. understands, and taking a long-term view that short-term Let us contrast our Prime Minister’s approach with benefits should be put second to a primary interest of that of Barack Obama. The US President recently spent getting Russia to behave more like a normal state. a whole two-day summit in Moscow, having long meetings with both Putin and Medvedev. In fact, with Medvedev, Mr. Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) he spent an incredible 10 hours in face-to-face meetings. (Con): I had hoped to make a speech, but unfortunately The President’s top Russia adviser, Michael McFaul, I have another engagement. Whichever of the two said to reporters afterwards: approaches is taken, surely the single most important “I dare you to find a summit that was so substantial, sustained. thing to remember is that we need to engage with Russia We hit all of the dimensions of the US-Russia relationship for trade purposes but also, given the issues of energy between the government and society, the security stuff, the arms security and Islamic fundamentalist terrorism, it is better control stuff, the nuclear proliferation stuff, food, health. I can’t that we have strong engagement and that they are on think of a summit which was more comprehensive.” our side rather than the other side on both those crucial By the way, the 10 hours that Obama spent with issues for the decades ahead. Medvedev is in sharp contrast to UK-US relations, with our Prime Minister’s approaches for a short joint press Mr. Hands: I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention. conference with President Obama being spurned five He has devoted considerable time to these issues. I read times after the Prime Minister’s deft handling of Abdelbaset his very interesting article about UK-Russia relations al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, in August. No one last month. He is right to say that whatever one’s views is saying that all is perfect in US-Russia relations, but 75WH UK Relations with Russia14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Relations with Russia 76WH

[Mr. Hands] We now hear that the Foreign Secretary is to visit Russia, which I am sure we all welcome. Characteristically, there is progress and there is dialogue. President Obama however, the visit was announced by the Russians, not also took the opportunity in Moscow in July to spend the Foreign Office. The Times of 3 October told us, almost a full day engaging with Russian civil society “British relations with Russia thaw as David Miliband and business leaders, and he pressed especially for greater prepares visit”, but I wonder whether we will ever see press freedom, which has been terribly eroded under the thaw that the Government have promised. If we do, Vladimir Putin in particular. will it help to resolve the major outstanding issues in A few days later, Medvedev flew to Munich for UK-Russia relations, which I will come to in a moment? similarly extensive head-to-head talks with Angela Merkel. Relations can thaw only if there is a face-to-face Der Spiegel pronounced: “Medvedev Charms Merkel at meeting between Vladimir Putin and the British Prime Munich Summit”. To her credit and in contrast with the Minister. As I said, however, the Prime Minister has yet rather fawning approach of her predecessor, Gerhard to meet the Russian Prime Minister, and he took four Schröder, Merkel raised various human rights cases, months to meet Dmitry Medvedev after his election in notably the recent murder of Russia-Chechen human March 2008. rights activist, Natalya Estemirova. Merkel had previously raised with Putin crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators Mr. Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con): Is my hon. and other cases. Medvedev actually pronounced in Munich Friend not also staggered that the Foreign Secretary’s his deep shock at the Estemirova murder. He even called visit to Russia in November is the first visit by a British her a model for future generations. He said: Foreign Secretary since 2004? Does my hon. Friend “She deserves justice, because she defended our legal system” agree that the Russians probably look on that as quite a slight on their relations with the UK? and “I am sure the person who committed it”— Mr. Hands: My hon. Friend is of course right. A little the murder— later, I will talk about some of the historic precedents in “will be punished.” British-Russian relations and about how important sending over the right level of person is to the way in which It helps that Merkel speaks Russian well, but she at least Russia views its bilateral relations with the UK. shows what can be done with critical engagement. A new German-Russian energy agency was founded, and The Prime Minister met Medvedev only at the G8 about 300 delegates from both sides participated in a summit. I would not want anyone to think that I was wide-reaching civil society dialogue. being excessively political, because our relations with Russia are too important for that, but I would contrast Where is our Prime Minister in all this? The answer the current Prime Minister’s approach with that of his is, nowhere. My hon. Friend the Member for Rayleigh predecessor. Tony Blair made sure that he was the first (Mr. Francois), who is with us, attended the 70th anniversary western leader to meet Vladimir Putin when he took commemoration of the outbreak of world war two at over from Boris Yeltsin in 2000. Indeed, Blair flew to the Westerplatte outside Gdansk in Poland a few weeks Moscow in March 2000, while Putin was still only the ago. Also there were Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel. acting leader, and two weeks before the general election Our Prime Minister was also invited, but declined to go, that made him President. it seems. It seems as though he is actively avoiding The status quo is very odd. Even at the height of the Putin, Medvedev and, indeed, anyone Russian. cold war, there was engagement with Russia. Indeed, Perhaps the Prime Minister’s boycott of Russia is one could argue that the engagement led by Ronald deliberate. Perhaps it is a principled boycott, rather like Reagan and Margaret Thatcher 20 years ago was a key our approach to someone such as Robert Mugabe. If part of the background to the fall of the Berlin wall. We so, it would be helpful if someone would say so, as if are talking about two of the five permanent members of that is the case, no one knows about it and instead we the UN Security Council effectively having no bilateral just look weak and ineffectual. While Merkel fights for relations at the highest level. There are only 10 sets of the likes of the family of Natalya Estemirova, and bilateral relations between permanent members of the Obama promotes the rule of law, no one is there to bat Security Council, and I would put good money on the for the likes of the widow of murdered British citizen, fact that UK-Russia relations are the absolute worst. Alexander Litvinenko—whom I met last year—as we If the Prime Minister were ever to meet the Russian approach the third anniversary of her husband’s death Prime Minister, which issues might need to be debated on 23 November 2006. from the British point of view? The first would be While Obama generates headlines such as “Obama progress in investigating the heinous murder of Alexander Resets Ties to Russia” and Merkel gets “Medvedev Litvinenko in November 2008 and other incidents that Charms Merkel”, we have had a series of false starts in put UK-Russia relations in a deep freeze at that time. recent years. A headline in The Times in 2008 stated: Second would be the continued detention without proper “British-Russian relations in deep-freeze, as summit trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Platon Lebedev and fails” with a photo of Medvedev holding his hand out others in relation to the break-up of Yukos. Third to our Prime Minister, but our Prime Minister has his would be the continuing downgrading of the BBC face turned directly to the ground and fails to notice Russian service at the World Service, partly thanks to the hand outstretched towards him. An article from the actions taken by the Russian Government in recent BBC in October 2008 was entitled “Mandelson urges years. Fourth would be operations of the British Council end to Russia row”. That was in preparation for in Russia, and fifth would be Britain’s conflicting and Lord Mandelson’s four-day visit, which also ended in often counter-productive approach to visitors’ visas for failure. Russian nationals. 77WH UK Relations with Russia14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Relations with Russia 78WH

I could talk about Georgia, energy security, Chechnya his strong and genuine interest in Russian human rights. and Russian espionage in London, but I will leave those His EDM bemoans the incarceration of Khodorkovsky topics for others to come in on. Similarly, I will not and discuss the issues on which UK-Russian co-operation “calls on Russia to eschew totalitarianism and more securely to might bear real dividends, such as Iran, North Korea embrace democracy, the rule of law, political plurality and freedom and non-proliferation. of expression and peaceful assembly”. Let me put our relations with Russia in a little context. I say, “Hear, hear!” to that. The US Senate and the Russia is going through quite grave economic problems Bundestag have tabled similar motions. at the moment. Its GDP is set to fall by 11 per cent. this We deserve an update from the Minister on the year, unemployment is 9 per cent. and rising, there is progress that he has made on his EDM and on ensuring 15 per cent. inflation and bankruptcies are increasing. that the Khodorkovsky case has been properly raised in Rather incredibly, the Russian rouble is about the only the short time that he has been in his post. It is essential currency against which sterling has appreciated in the for him to tell us that the Foreign Secretary will raise the past 12 months, so bad is the state of the Russian case when he travels to Moscow next month. I hope that economy. Corruption remains a major issue, IKEA has he will publicly condemn the latest trial and that the announced that it is pulling out of the country and so British ambassador will visit the trial before the Foreign on. On the political side, matters could be worse, but Secretary’s visit. Either way, I would be grateful if the they have not really improved in the past three years, Minister could update us on what actions he has taken. and I am sure that others will examine recent activities I want briefly to examine the ongoing controversy on the political front and in civil society. surrounding the BBC Russian service, which I raised at some length in a debate on the World Service last The first of the specific issues that I want to raise is December. As we know, the Russian Government closed the aftermath of the Litvinenko affair. Despite words of down a lot of the joint ventures with local Russian FM protest, no progress appears to have been made. I would stations, and the BBC Russian service—at least the be grateful to hear from the Minister whether, and if so radio service—has never recovered. I would be grateful how recently, requests to extradite Mr. Lugovoi have to hear from the Minister what further proposals there been submitted. I would also be grateful to hear of any are to launch the Russian language TV service that has other progress that might have been made in solving the been talked about at the World Service. murder of this British subject. As we know, Mr. Litvinenko’s widow, Marina, petitioned the coroner in 2008 for an Does the Minister also share my concern about some inquest. She did that against the advice of the Foreign of the editing on the BBC Russian service and about the Office, which feared that such a move might prejudice way in which the service fails to challenge official Russian any future trail of Mr. Lugovoi or others who might be Government viewpoints? In recent weeks, for example, accused of the crime. Given that the Foreign Office there has been intense debate on Russian websites about thought at the time that a trial might happen, it would the 1999 Moscow apartment bombings, but the BBC be helpful to hear what progress it is making. Russian service has not even mentioned the issue, let alone attempted to analyse it. It seems that certain On the ongoing detention of Mikhail Khodorkovsky topics are still too sensitive to be touched. and Platon Lebedev over the collapse of Yukos, the Similarly, the service’s April 2009 interview with the background to the case has been well documented in Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, is an incredible previous debates in the House—notably on 10 March bit of reading. So positive was it for the Russian 2004—so I will not recount the full story. However, Government that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Khodorkovsky is on trial again for more or less the was the first to publish it, on its website. It is just a series same alleged offences for which he was tried in 2004. So of about eight one-line questions, to which each answer far, he has served four and a half years in prison camp is about five paragraphs from Lavrov, putting forward No. 13 in Kamenokamsk in Siberia, which is close to the official Russian viewpoint. He comes out with some the city of Chita—a grim part of Siberia, I can tell you. incredible stuff, and at no point was any of that challenged According to Mr. Khodorkovsky’s interview in The by the BBC Russian service. He says that Russia is Sunday Times on 13 September 2009, which was secretly transmitted to the west, the court proceedings—we “an undeviating protector of international law”. should bear in mind that he is on trial for the same He attacks the colour revolutions in the post-Soviet era, offences that he was tried for and convicted of in saying they are 2004—saw him locked inside a 1.5 tonne bullet-proof “not merely examples of gross human rights abuses”— glass case. When he is not being taken to court, he is in the revolutions, not the background to them—and accuses his cell, where he spends 23 hours a day in less than five them square yards of space with three to eight men. Ironically, “also of trampling upon the norms of ethics and morality.” he told The Sunday Times that the rules on his detention At no point did the interviewer challenge any of those were relaxed only for the year that he spent in a penal views or opinions. colony—the quality of detention there was actually better than what he has at the moment. Mr. Field: The logic of what my hon. Friend says is From time to time, there has been a lot of interest in that we should be interfering with what BBC interviewers Mr. Khodorkovsky’s case in the House. Indeed, the do, across the globe. That is not necessarily a positive most interesting early-day motion on the matter—early-day route forward. Much as I understand some of my hon. motion 2176—was tabled on 23 October 2007. Remarkably Friend’s concerns, surely we should not underestimate enough, it was tabled by the Minister, who is responding the intelligence of people who read such interviews, and for the Government. As I mentioned, we were previously their ability to read between the lines. I wonder whether officers of the all-party group on Russia, so I know of that is happening only in relation to Russia; presumably 79WH UK Relations with Russia14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Relations with Russia 80WH

[Mr. Mark Field] shocking—that of Sergei Mironenko from the Memorial organisation, which documents Soviet era oppression. the BBC has sensitivities with other countries in its He is the leading editor of documents from the Stalinist interviews with politicians or leading business folk. It is past, and was refused a visa to attend the 2009 London a slightly dangerous path if my hon. Friend is asking book fair. I am not in a position to tell the House any Government effectively to interfere in the BBC’s everything about that gentleman’s background, but two operations abroad. others from his group were refused visas as well, and I should be grateful to hear the precise reasons for that. Mr. Hands: I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention, A visa was also recently denied to Yevgeny Tsymbal, but I strongly disagree with him. Members of Parliament a well known maker of documentary films, who has should watch carefully the overall direction that the regularly been invited by Queen Mary college as an BBC takes in its foreign coverage. It would obviously academic visitor. There has been a surprising number of not be appropriate for us to interfere or intervene at a instances where precisely the more democratic-minded localised level, but we should all be concerned if the Russians have been the ones whose visa applications BBC is allowing the unmediated views of someone like have been refused. I was delighted when my great aunt Lavrov to be repeated at length. from Vladivostok was granted a visa and came to my wedding in 2005, but I sometimes ask myself whether Mr. Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton) (LD): four years later she would get the same treatment. It Will the hon. Gentleman give way? seems to me from statistical and anecdotal evidence that the visa situation for more ordinary Russians is Mr. Hands: I will not take another intervention yet; I rather difficult. want to move on to another point. I have a final thought that I want to end on. I I recently met Peter Horrocks, the new head of the mentioned that I would talk a little about the historiography World Service, and found him much more amenable of UK-Russia relations, and I want to contrast two than his predecessor at the time of the Lavrov interview. incidents from the past, to suggest how those might A number of us in this House take an interest in what provide pointers to approaching a proper relationship happens at the BBC Russian service and we look forward with Russia today. The way not to approach matters to a flourishing future for it. was shown in the summer of 1939 when Britain explored I want briefly to turn to the issue of visas. I was the possibility of a rapprochement with Soviet Russia, recently reminded of the effectiveness of the removal of but unfortunately dispatched a middle-ranking naval visa rights from individuals, or sets of individuals, in officer, by sea, to conduct the negotiations. I believe dealing with different Governments. I am told—I believe that my information is correct, although I did not quite reliably—by a former senior member of Boris Yeltsin’s have time this morning to check it. It took the delegation, Government that effective action was taken at an EU at that critical time, three weeks to arrive by boat in level against up to 500 members of the Nashi organisation, what was then Leningrad. I do not for a moment say by ensuring that they did not receive visas for the that the Soviets were a natural ally of this country, then Schengen area. Nashi, hon. Members may recall, is a or later, but if the mission was to seek an alliance with pro-regime irregular group that was prominent in the them, that seems to have been a rather poor way to go very nasty harassment campaign against the then British about it. The Soviets, not unreasonably, contrasted the ambassador in Moscow in 2007. My information is that behaviour of the British towards them with their behaviour Estonia cancelled the visa rights of 500 Nashi members, towards Hitler the previous year, when the then Prime and that that had a knock-on effect in a number of EU Minister flew out at pretty much a moment’s notice to countries. I believe that that those close to the present Munich. They drew the inevitable conclusions about regime fear removal of visas for their visits to London. whether Britain was serious about an alliance or relationship That could be a very effective move in, for example, with Russia. putting pressure on Russia over other issues that I have discussed. The other lesson is from 25 or so years ago, when Margaret Thatcher, who was of course resolute in her By contrast, our visa policy towards other, more approach to the Soviets, nevertheless engaged. She flew humble, Russian citizens is sometimes shameful. Since I to Moscow. She did not take the 21-day boat. She was applied for the debate I have been doing a lot of even cheered by Muscovites in the streets of Moscow on research on the number and nature of Russians refused her walkabout. That sort of example, and the recent visas to this country. I have had representations directly examples of Barack Obama and Angela Merkel, shows from and on behalf of such Russian citizens. The number the importance of engagement and resolution in dealing of visa refusals of Russians, as a percentage of the with Russia. We must have some hopes for the Foreign global total, has risen relentlessly from 3.3 per cent. in Secretary’s visit, and I await the Minister’s views with 2002-03 to 6.8 per cent. in 2008-09. Now Russian refusals interest. We should have no illusion, however, that it is a rank fifth in the world, after India, Nigeria, Pakistan substitute for talks at the highest level. If Obama and and China—all countries that are more populous than Merkel can do it, surely our Prime Minister can finally Russia. Some 10,035 visa refusals were made in the last summon up the courage to do the same, meet Putin and financial year. have substantial talks. I shall not go into detail about some of the cases that have been raised with me, but many of the refusals affect academic and cultural visitors. Those would seem Mr. Gary Streeter (in the Chair): Five hon. Members to be precisely the sort of people we should encourage want to catch my eye, and we have about half an hour to come from Russia to this country. However, I before Front-Bench speeches begin, so concise speeches shall mention one case, which I found particularly would be in order. 81WH UK Relations with Russia14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Relations with Russia 82WH

9.58 am moving back on to the political agenda, thanks to announcements made by our Prime Minister and by Mrs. Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): We need to President Barack Obama. look at our relationship with Russia having examined Iran is a major issue in terms of political and nuclear our past. We in Europe have come out of two devastating threats. It is seeking membership of the Shanghai world wars. We have seen the fall of the Berlin wall, the Co-operation Organisation, consistent with its “looking 20th anniversary of which is approaching. There have east” foreign policy. If we are to have the support of been non-violent revolutions in Czechoslovakia and Russia in tackling the threats posed by Iran, it is important Ukraine, and democracy has spread across eastern Europe. that we also tackle Russia’s feelings of insecurity in However, there has also been ethnic cleansing in the relation to the west. Balkans and war and heightened tensions in the Caucasus. We are withdrawing from Iraq and sending more troops For the west and for Russia, Afghanistan, religious to Afghanistan. North Korea remains isolated and extremism, terrorism and drug trafficking are major antagonistic. Iran is a growing nuclear threat and Pakistan threats. In Russia, 10,000 people a year die from drugs, is unstable. These are far from peaceful times. There are with 70,000 people dying drug-related deaths. We have a new threats: terrorism from religious extremism, and major opportunity to work together to tackle the problems the looming threat of climate change, with its impact on of drugs that come out of Afghanistan and the chemical the migration of people, water shortage and famine. processes needed to process those drugs, which are Energy security is rising up the political agenda, as are currently trafficked through Russia. We have an opportunity cybersecurity, the war on drugs and the threat of nuclear to create joint structures to build on border and police weapons in the control of rogue states. capacity to tackle drug smuggling. The economic crisis in Russia is expected to last long Russia, a former superpower, wants to re-establish its into 2010, giving increased significance to the UK’s global presence and is moving into a new era of diplomatic position as the biggest foreign investor in Russia’s oil relations that are fraught with complexity. The collapse and gas industry, and the largest source of foreign of the former Soviet Union was not a triumph of direct investment into Russia. Russia’s economy is less democracy, but more one of economic disintegration. than 3 per cent. of world gross domestic product, and is As Russia recovers financially, it seeks a new role and forecast to remain below 3 per cent until 2030. Even status in a changing world. That is seen particularly in Russia’s oil and gas companies, whose output is beginning Russia’s relationship with China. The fall of the Soviet to decline, cannot thrive without foreign technology, Union allowed China to grow in influence and power, expertise and capital. To develop, Russia will need the particularly economically.China and Russia are participants support of the west and of the UK to develop its legal in the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, which aims system, to tackle economic and banking regulation, and to provide a regional, multilateral framework within to develop its capacity for labour movement—a problem which mutually beneficial co-operation in economic, that is holding back its economic development. political, diplomatic, security and trade spheres can be pursued. It has become known in some quarters as the Although Russia currently fears further NATO NATO of the east, with some writers even suggesting enlargement, especially the entry of Ukraine and Georgia, that it could develop into a trade bloc rival to the and seeks to erode the significance of NATO and EU European Union. membership, we have to look at the realpolitik of how we develop the relationships between Russia and the The Shanghai co-operation agreement has been used UK and NATO. In a global world, our emphasis has to to maintain de facto control over political movements be on our shared problems. We in the west have long within central Asia, yet Beijing and Moscow diverge on believed that capitalism, prosperity and liberalism go in issues such as energy assets and who should become hand in hand, but the end of the cold war has shown new members of the organisation. There is already a that belief to be fallible. The solution is political engagement possible Sino-Russian tension. China is buying into through bodies such as the World Trade Organisation, Russia’s petrochemical industry, which adds to Russia’s increased exposure to the European Union and to EU concerns. China has shown a willingness to invest billions offers and efforts to build Russia’s economy, and work of dollars in areas such as the far east and Siberia, and with NATO on joint military developments and exercises. even along the Moscow-St. Petersburg highway. Some There is the possibility of a new relationship with would argue that, in that area of Russia, China’s influence Russia in a new global world. We cannot be innocent is soon to become greater than that of the Russian and deny the risks that Russia poses to the west, but we central Government. There are those, therefore, who cannot turn our backs on potential opportunities to argue that China’s rise is as great a threat to Russia’s bring Russia further into closer alliance with the west, east as NATO is to its west. and to understand the opportunities that co-operation That gives the west an opportunity to develop a and working together can bring for peace, security and different dialogue and a new relationship with Russia. financial security for Russia. Through its role in NATO, the UK plays a critical role in working in partnership with Russia, in particular on 10.7 am tackling terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation, the war on drugs and climate change. The resumption of formal Mr. David Wilshire (Spelthorne) (Con): I was born engagement between NATO and Russia on the NATO- when fighting stopped in Europe at the end of the Russia council is a positive step and opens up discussions second world war. I grew up in a household, town and in those areas of potential co-operation. I agree with country that had learned to hate fascism and hate the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham Germans. Sixty-five years later, western Europe is united, (Mr. Hands) that other positive steps have been taken harmonious and making progress. One needs to ask: recently, with nuclear non-proliferation and missile defence how did that transformation come about? Clearly, it did 83WH UK Relations with Russia14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Relations with Russia 84WH

[Mr. David Wilshire] Balkan state. It is geographically enormous, and has an enormous population. Turning around such a country not happen overnight. It started very badly, but there is not as simple as taking action in places such as was mutual commitment from everybody who had been Kosovo or Macedonia. through a world war on the continent and was determined We need to help. In my judgment, it can be done at to do something about it. the parliamentary level only through personal contact. The Soviet Union collapsed only 18 years ago. Surely, We simply cannot afford to leave to Governments, of it is unrealistic to assume that 65 years of progress can any colour, the things that my hon. Friend the Member be made in 18 years. More to the point, when we have for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Hands) wants to taken 300 years to get our democracy into its present see done. We ourselves have to play a part in building slightly chaotic state, to expect similar progress in 18 years those relationships. would be to push our luck a bit. I say that because the With Russia, as in any other case, we need to understand Russian Federation is a country in transition. It is a new that no Parliament is made up of people who all believe democracy; it is new at all sorts of things. The tsars the same, who think the same, and who have the same before the Bolsheviks were not models of democracy, policies and the same powers. It is not like that. In any the rule of law and human rights, so the Russians have Parliament, and certainly in the Russian Duma and the little to draw on. Russian Federation, there are people whose view of In case I am again accused of being an apologist for Russia’s future is of a country that is integrated into the Russians, let me repeat what I say to my Russian Europe—not a member of the European Union but a friends. Of course Russian democracy is far from perfect. European country. We are a European country and Of course the handling of human rights in Russia is not some believe that Russia is part of our continent, but very clever—we have heard examples of that. Of course others want Russia to stand alone again. That is perfectly the rule of rule of law is weak. We know that and we say honourable, but I believe as parliamentarians that we so, but the Russians know it too. could usefully help those who wish to see a united The challenge is to ask ourselves whether things have continent, with Russia being integrated with the rest of improved in Russia, not whether they are perfect. In my us into a peaceful future. The track record of conflict in judgment, Russia has made progress. Many people, Europe—be it Russia’s or anyone else’s—has not gone myself included, wish there was more, but we must be away. We need to integrate Russia into Europe to stand fair. What we have to do on occasions such as this is to the maximum chance of ensuring less conflict or no ask whether, because there are still so many shortcomings conflict in the future of our continent. in Russia, we should condemn or try to help. I know 10.14 am where I stand on that. I readily accept that trying to help a new or emerging democracy, with all its shortcomings, Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab): Mr. Streeter, it is a requires a difficult balancing act for those who want to pleasure to see you here. This is the first time that I have keep their self-respect, but who also need to be pragmatic spoken under your chairmanship. and to be prepared to work with the imperfect to try to I congratulate the hon. Member for Hammersmith make it less imperfect. I know that, but it might help to and Fulham (Mr. Hands) on securing this debate on an admit it. important subject, and I am glad that it is taking place For reasons that I shall explain, I am very much so soon after the recess. I also congratulate the Minister involved and committed to helping people in Russia. I for Europe, my hon. Friend the Member for Rhondda am a member of the UK’s Council of Europe delegation (Chris Bryant), my next-door neighbour, on his recent and the leader of one of its political groups, a group appointment. that has 27 members from United Russia. I have found Many of us have been engaging with Russia for a that progress can be made. My contribution to today’s long time; some, like the hon. Member for Spelthorne debate is to say that it is okay to discuss what the (Mr. Wilshire), through membership of the Council of Government of the day can do, but it would be useful Europe, and others through the Inter-Parliamentary for a moment to spare a little thought to what we Union. Indeed, next week in Geneva some of us will be parliamentarians can do by serving as a route to individual taking part in bilateral meetings with the Russian IPU parliamentarians in other countries. I shall leave it to delegation. Those links are important, and should not the Minister to say what the Government want to do, be underestimated. and I shall leave my hon. Friend the Member for I start with Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian President. Rayleigh (Mr. Francois) who speaks for the Conservatives Had I realised that the hon. Member for Hammersmith to give our party’s view. My view is that if we can build and Fulham had Russian ancestry, I would not have trust and friendship with members of another parliament, spent time in the Library this morning trying to find the however imperfect, we parliamentarians stand some correct Russian pronunciations—next time I shall know chance of passing on some of our beliefs and values. who to ask. When the President, a lawyer who once That is what we need to do, but to achieve it, we must spoke out against Russia’s “legal nihilism”, took office understand the Russians. We are talking about a former in 2008, I hoped that human rights and freedom of superpower that has lost its empire, whose rouble has expression would be strengthened. However, although collapsed and which descended into chaos under Yeltsin he has made statements in support of civil society and and at one point even had to rely upon food aid. Is it human rights non-governmental organisations and met surprising that such a country should feel humiliated their representatives, it would appear that the situation and the need to do something to restore its self-respect? remains largely unchanged. We should to be clear about the range of changes that Seventeen journalists have been killed in Russia since have to be made. When talking about the Russian 2000. The killers were convicted in only one case. Those Federation, we must also remember that it is not some cases include that of Anna Politkovskaya, an internationally 85WH UK Relations with Russia14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Relations with Russia 86WH known journalist who was a harsh critic of the Kremlin Chechen authorities, and stress the importance of thorough and who exposed widespread human-rights abuses and and impartial investigations to ensure that the perpetrators corruption in Chechnya. She was killed a little more are held to account. than three years ago, but no one has yet been found Impunity is a wide problem in Russia and one that guilty of either having killed her or having ordered her undermines reform in a number of areas. The number killing. They include also the case of Mikhail Beketov, of cases filed in the European Court of Human Rights the editor of a newspaper in Khimki, to the north-west against Russia has climbed sharply from 8 per cent. of of Moscow, who had been reporting on local government all cases in 2000 to nearly 30 per cent. last year, with a corruption and who, last November, was beaten nearly number of rulings highlighting torture and judicial to death and left in the freezing cold; he lost a leg and corruption. In her examination of politically motivated fingers to frostbite. In February, the editor of a local abuses of court systems across Europe, the Council of weekly further north-west of Moscow was found Europe rapporteur, a former German Justice Minister, unconscious and bleeding; he had published articles found that prosecutors in Russia have “almost unchecked” critical of local politicians. power to put people behind bars and that judges are In addition, human rights defenders remain at risk. “subject to an increasing level of pressure aimed at ensuring This summer, on 15 July, Natalya Estemirova was convictions in almost all cases.” kidnapped in daylight from a street in central Grozny. In addition, she points out that the practice of telephone Hours later, her corpse, with gunshots to the head and justice—an official calling and telling a judge how to body, was dumped by a road in the neighbouring southern rule—has evolved for the worse. Russian judges are now republic of Ingushetia. Mrs. Estemirova had been gathering so worried about making a mistake and being disciplined evidence for the human rights organisation Memorial or dismissed that they pick up the phone themselves to about an alleged campaign of arson attacks by militiamen, ask for instructions. backed by Chechen President Kadyrov, against his A plan to give extra credit to convicts for time spent opponents. House burnings have become a frequent in notoriously crowded pre-trial detention facilities has form of collective punishment by local authorities, with been derailed because it might have resulted in the at least two dozen incidents in the past 18 months. release of jailed former oil tycoon and Kremlin foe, Suspected militants and collaborators, their relatives Mr. Mikhail Khodorkovsky. The rapporteur also cited and other perceived enemies of the regime are liable to the start of a second trial against Mr. Khodorkovsky in be tortured, abducted and assassinated. March as one of “two emblematic cases” that cast Memorial and Mrs. Estemirova were a constant thorn doubt on the Russian President’s professed commitment in President Kadyrov’s side. I met and spoke with to fighting what he called in the past, “legal nihilism”. Mrs. Estemirova, who was a courageous and principled I call on the UK Government to raise those concerns woman. She knew that her life was in danger, but did with their Russian counterparts and to ask the Chechen not want to talk about that. Instead, she concentrated and Russian Governments to open up Chechnya to on raising awareness of what was happening in parliamentary delegations, international governmental Chechnya—on stopping ongoing and serious human and non-governmental organisations, academics and rights violations and on getting justice for the victims. I journalists. The all-party human rights group, which I understand that President Medvedev has placed the chair, has been trying to go to Chechnya since 2002—in investigation of her murder in the hands of the state fact, I was in Moscow with a delegation in 2002 when prosecutor, who will report directly to the Kremlin. we were invited to go to Chechnya. That visit has never However, the Russian President has already declared taken place. I hope that the dates for the delegation’s that President Kadyrov was not involved. visit will be agreed very soon because if there is nothing Only last week, a court in Moscow ruled that Oleg to hide why not open up the area to visitors? Orlov, the head of Memorial, had smeared President Kadyrov’s reputation by blaming him for the death of Mr. Gary Streeter (in the Chair): We have six minutes Mrs. Estemirova. Mr. Orlov had accused the Chechen for two speakers. President of being guilty of Natalya Estemirova’s murder. However, in court, he explained in his defence that he 10.24 am had meant political guilt, telling the court: “The current situation in the Chechen Republic, where horrendous Mr. Mike Hancock (Portsmouth, South) (LD): I crimes violating human rights go systematically unpunished, has congratulate the hon. Member for Hammersmith and given me every basis for believing in the unconditional political Fulham (Mr. Hands) on securing the debate and on guilt of Ramzan Kadyrov in the death of Natalya Estemirova”. making a very coherent and well informed case. I say to the right hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) Witnesses, mostly colleagues of Mrs. Estemirova, also that each one of us could have cited similar stories and, said that President Kadyrov had personally insulted time and again, we have expressed the hope that the and threatened her, forcing her to leave Russia for a Government would take up such matters, but today’s time. Mr. Kadyrov’s lawyer is reported to have said that debate is about what we can do to bring back a UK-Russia violent separatists, backed by western secret agents, relationship that will allow the sort of representations were probably responsible for Mrs. Estemirova’s death. that she talked about to be made. All of us welcome the If justice is to be done in that case, all lines of inquiry reset button being pushed—if that is the right must be pursued and any subsequent trials must meet terminology—by the Foreign Secretary. I am sure that international standards. I must emphasise that there is he would not call it that, but it is mysterious that we such a thing as state-sponsored violence as well. More have heard about his visit from the Russians rather than generally in relation to all those cases, the British from the Foreign Office itself. Perhaps the Minister will Government must raise them with the Russian and be able to address that point. 87WH UK Relations with Russia14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Relations with Russia 88WH

[Mr. Mike Hancock] Mr. Gary Streeter (in the Chair): I call Mr. Nigel Evans. You have one minute. I am sorry; you have a bit Any attempt to deal with Russia is both challenging longer. and fraught with difficulties. That is the case not just now but traditionally. The hon. Member for Spelthorne 10.29 am (Mr. Wilshire) said that we cannot alter 70 years of one sort of mentality and 200 years of tsarist rule in just Mr. Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con): My contribution 18 years of a change of mood in a country. The changes will be more of an intervention than a speech, Mr. Streeter. that we want to see will never happen quickly in the None the less, I am grateful for having one minute. emerging states of the former Soviet Union, and that is In conclusion—[Laughter.] I want to ask the Minister particularly true of Russia, the largest and most complex a question. Can the Foreign Secretary, when he goes to of those states. The issues in the Caucasus, both in the Russia, raise a number of issues? First, one issue is north and south, will continue to be of concern to all of clearly the British Council. Can the Foreign Secretary us. The area is both volatile and very dangerous. ensure that all our offices are open, to enable cultural exchanges and so that the promotion of education via We are right to try to engage with Russia. We need the British Council is allowed to carry on? Secondly, the Russians for a whole series of reasons, not least regarding NATO membership for countries such as non-proliferation, climate change, international economic Ukraine and Georgia, Russia should not have a veto on co-operation and regional conflicts in the middle east that sort of thing. and Afghanistan. We know how vital their role is in hopefully bringing about some sort of dialogue with Thirdly, regarding human rights, a number of things Iran and we urge them not to play games on that issue, have already been mentioned today. However, may I but to take a firm stance with the west on Iran, but such also say how disturbing it is for us to read in the things will happen only if we are prepared to build a newspapers from time to time about the situation with dialogue with them at all levels. It does not matter that gay rights, for instance, in Moscow? When there is a gay the Prime Minister has not had a close relationship with pride event, the freedoms of young people that we take Mr. Putin. What we need to have is a close relationship for granted in this country when gay marches take place with the Russian state at all levels—whether it is with are completely denied in Moscow. The violence that the Duma, the Prime Minister or President Medvedev. takes place there, when the police turn a blind eye to the Too many issues are of mutual benefit to both of us for type of activities that go on to suppress and oppress the stalemate—the vacuum of non-activity—to go on young gay people, simply should not be allowed to for any length of time. happen in this day and age. Fourthly, it would also be useful if Russia officially The Defence Committee produced a very good report abolished the death penalty. We know that nobody has on UK-Russian relationships, and the Government response been officially executed in Russia for some time—I say to it is one of the best responses that we have had from officially advisedly—but it would still be useful if Russia the Government on a defence paper from the Committee now showed itself to be a country that recognises that for some time. It is well worth a read and I commend it the death penalty no longer has a role to play. to all Members. However, we must deal with a number of issues, including how we get the dialogue back on We know that Russia is important, as far as the track. When the Foreign Secretary returns, perhaps he United Kingdom is concerned; £100 billion worth of will be able to tell us that he has opened doors that have trade between Russia and the UK takes place every been closed. year. Russia is an important country—we know that. In the Council of Europe, on which I serve, we have Other key issues include the Nabucco pipeline. Russia tremendous relations with the Russian Members of has taken one line and the west another, with one going Parliament who attend. It is useful that there is dialogue for one pipeline—the south stream—and the other going from Government to Government, but it is also vital for Nabucco. It is in the west’s interest, and the UK’s that politicians have that dialogue, which we hope will long-term interest, to get secure supplies of gas from continue into the future. Turkmenistan. We must find a way in which Russia can co-operate with making that happen. There is not enough 10.31 am energy coming out of Turkmenistan to supply both pipelines. We must make a decision to back the right Mr.EdwardDavey(Kingston and Surbiton) (LD): I one. would like to begin by welcoming the Minister for Europe to his new position in the Government. I know In addition, as the hon. Member for Hammersmith that it is a position that he will very much enjoy, as it and Fulham said, we must address the problem of visas. goes to the heart of many of the interests and issues I am dealing with a case of a constituent who married a that he has raised in his time in the House. I look British citizen and has a UK-born son who is now back forward to discussing with him the implementation of in Russia, trying to get a visa to come back to rejoin her the Lisbon treaty, when the Czech Republic has signed it. family. She is having enormous difficulties in dealing with that and it is a nonsense. I congratulate the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Hands) on securing this debate. I Once again, we are pressed for time and I know that agree with much of what he said, although what he said the hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr. Davey) about the BBC gave me some cause for concern. It is wants to speak, but I must end by saying that we have to quite right that hon. Members criticise the BBC and the acknowledge that Russia is a big player by any measure way that it reports things; that is absolutely right in a that we care to use, and we need to be working and democracy. However, the argument that the Government co-operating with that country. It is in our interests and should intervene in BBC reporting—as he seemed to the interests of Europe. suggest—is one that I find myself in disagreement with. 89WH UK Relations with Russia14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Relations with Russia 90WH

Nevertheless, the hon. Gentleman’s overall thesis that but his argument was a little unbalanced; it was almost the Government should take a different approach to as though Russia had not played a part in the problems relations with Russia is absolutely right. We have seen a of the relationship. Let us face it; Russia has caused deep freeze. It has not been fruitful for this country, many of the problems. If the British Government had Russia or the wider world. So he is right to stress the taken a different approach, that might have worked. importance of the meetings that he referred to. I agree Equally, however, it appears at times that Moscow has with the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South no interest in any engagement from London. It is as (Mr. Hancock) that those meetings need to happen at though Russia has taken a strategic decision to make all political levels. Britain the bogey man and to pile its venom on Britain, The British Government’s position after the crisis in and that makes any diplomatic overtures much more Georgia sent the wrong signal, too; the Government difficult. I am not saying that we could not do better, made the wrong call on that issue. Over a period of but in not focusing on and understanding that point, or years, the uncritical support from this country for the at least appreciating it, the hon. Gentleman unbalanced way that President Bush undertook relations with Russia the overall thrust of his argument. has also hindered the influence that we have, because we So how do we go forward? I have talked about the are not seen to be an independent critical voice, which significance of working with the Obama team; that we need to be. Therefore, one looks at the success that approach offers real opportunity. We also need to talk President Obama has had. If we had been saying the much more about the role of the European Union in sort of things that President Obama has been saying, this respect. The EU is really important. Other EU perhaps we would have been a bit more successful, leaders are doing much better than the UK’s leaders in although we obviously do not have the influence of this respect, as the hon. Gentleman said. Of course, America. Angela Merkel is leading that process. However, the I strongly welcome what President Obama and Secretary problem within the EU, as we all know, is that many of State Clinton are achieving. I would argue that one different interests are involved in its relationships with of the major steps forward for our relations with Russia Russia. I have seen analysis of the 27 different EU would be to support those achievements, because we member states that shows that they all have very different saw President Bush almost ignoring Russia for many interests in their relations with Russia; sometimes there years. In many ways, he was almost insulting the Russians are competing interests. So it is not easy to get a united, with the lack of attention and the lack of significance concerted EU approach with respect to Russia, and I that he gave to American-Russian relations. We have think that we all recognise that. Equally, however, when seen how quickly a different approach is working and we can work more carefully together to get a united EU bearing fruit. With this different American President approach, Russia has to take notice, not just on issues leading the way, there are so many goals that we can such as energy or trade but on wider issues, too. The jointly achieve. EU, with Britain playing a much stronger role and My hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, South giving a greater lead within the EU on Russia, is one of must have read my notes, because his speech covered the the ways that we can ensure that Russia is persuaded to gamut of the issues. We have seen progress and we are engage in the constructive manner that the hon. Member continuing to see progress on the nuclear issue. There for Hammersmith and Fulham wanted. are talks about cutting the nuclear arsenals. That is I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Spelthorne fantastic and critical as we approach next year and the (Mr. Wilshire). I thought that putting the development nuclear non-proliferation treaty review conference, which of the Russian Federation into a historical context, as could make a historic step in global nuclear disarmament. he did, was very important. In considering that historical We have also seen the very welcome step forward on context, I urge other right hon. and hon. Members to ballistic missile defence. My own party was the only view the EU’s role over a period. In my view, the EU is party in Parliament that argued that Britain should not one of the greatest steps forward for humankind in be co-operating with the Americans on BMD and instead history. What has evolved over a few decades to create should be arguing against it. I am glad that we have an that centre of peace and stability is hugely impressive, American President who has now taken that view as and it also gives lessons for how we deal with Russia, well. I am glad, not only because that will reduce the both in terms of the EU working together and in terms paranoia in Russia on that issue—it was paranoia—but of understanding where Russia is coming from. because a sensible approach was not being taken on BMD. I say all that not wishing for a minute that we should We also must engage with the Russians on climate pull our punches with the Russians. When they behave change. Everyone talks about the importance of China outrageously—particularly on human rights, whether with regard to climate change, but Russia, with its with regard to gay pride marches in Moscow, the appalling massive energy supplies, is equally significant. way that they have behaved over the Khodorkovsk trial and detention, or the way that they behaved over Other hon. Members have talked about Iran, Litvinenko—we must not pull our punches. I urge the Afghanistan, human rights and, of course, the significance Minister to tell the Foreign Secretary that, when he goes of relations with Russia on terrorism and tackling Islamic to Russia, he should make it clear that we will speak out jihad across the world. The Russians understand the about these issues; I am sure that the Foreign Secretary dangers that Islamic jihad poses and have a lot to offer, would do that, but I believe that he has backing from if we can improve our relations with them. across the House to do it. British political parties across There was an area where I disagreed with the thrust the board want to speak out on these issues and Russia of the argument by the hon. Member for Hammersmith has to prove itself. That does not mean that one cannot and Fulham. He was rightly critical of the Government, engage as well on all those other joint, shared interests. 91WH UK Relations with Russia14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Relations with Russia 92WH

[Mr. Edward Davey] fundamentalist terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation and climate change—issues that should be of concern to all I just want to come back to the Khodorkovsky case, of us. however. I hope that the Minister will assure us that Given that great potential for co-operation, it is regrettable that issue will be raised specifically. It is quite symbolic that Russian actions in a number of areas have harmed of how Russia approaches law and order, democracy what could and should be a mutually beneficial relationship. and human rights. If Russia changed its position on the One such area is human rights and includes Russia’s case, it would send a signal to the EU and the west refusal to extradite Andrei Lugovoi—the man accused about reform. A reforming Russia is a Russia that we of murdering British citizen Alexander Litvinenko in can do business with. One dreams of a position where our capital in a particularly cruel and horrifying manner the strategic EU partnership, over a period of years, can that put many Britons at risk. There is also the continuing bring about the reform and prosperity that Russia needs. detention without trial of businessmen involved in the As the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham break-up of the company, Yukos—a matter discussed said, the rouble and the economy are in a mess. That is in detail by my hon. Friend the Member for Hammersmith in neither Russia’s interest nor ours. I hope that we can and Fulham—and the failure to investigate properly the build on such moves forward and that the British death of Anna Politkovskaya, which we believe the Government will show more leadership in doing so. Russians should make greater efforts to follow up. Forgive me if my pronunciation is not correct; the Minister 10.50 am knows who I am referring to. We should also not forget Mr. Mark Francois (Rayleigh) (Con): It is a pleasure the harassment of the British Council and the British to serve under your chairmanship, Mr. Streeter. I Broadcasting Corporation—a subject raised by several congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Hammersmith hon. Members during this debate. and Fulham (Mr. Hands) on securing this debate, which A further direct action by Russia that undermines he introduced very thoroughly. The subject is important trust is the resumption of Russian bomber patrols close and timely, given US Secretary of State Clinton’s visit to our coast. In one of the latest reported incidents, a to Russia only yesterday. I welcome the hon. Member Russian Blackjack—a nuclear-capable and supersonic for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) to his new responsibilities bomber—flew within 20 miles of Hull. That is an as Minister for Europe. His replacement of the previous unnecessary throwback to the days of the cold war and Minister is marked out as perhaps the first Government does not improve Anglo-Russian relations. appointment in the world to be announced via Twitter. I have touched on the subject of British investment in I am sure that his predecessor was interested to be Russia, but the harassment of BP and Shell investments involved in that record. in that country, which effectively forced those businesses I should like to mention some of the other contributions to hand over some of their best assets to Russian from Back-Bench Members. The hon. Member for companies, might now be seen even in Russia as counter- Bridgend (Mrs. Moon) spoke about the importance of productive. With Russian energy assets starved of the Russia-China relationship, which we should note. investment and medium-term forecasts of decreasing My hon. Friend the Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) production, Russia seems to have begun to realise that argued for engagement with Russia, including via the continuing foreign investment is desirable. Last month, Council of Europe, a forum of which he has considerable Prime Minister Putin hosted the world’s major oil experience. The right hon. Member for Cynon Valley companies in Siberia, promising them: (Ann Clwyd) raised a number of important human “We would like you to consider yourselves participants in our rights questions, not least in relation to Chechnya. The undertaking. The main condition from our side is that partnerships hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) should be stable and long-term.” did so as well and made a case for the importance of engagement. President Medvedev’s emphasis on the rule of law for Russia is right, and we eagerly await evidence that it is My hon. Friend the Member for Ribble Valley creating tangible results. (Mr. Evans), in a wide-ranging contribution—[Laughter.] I thought that he crammed a great deal into 90 seconds. As well as our bilateral relationship, Russian involvement He raised a number of issues, including human rights could be influential in a number of global problems. It and gay rights in Russia. He was followed by the hon. would be highly desirable to gain Russian support in Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr. Davey), who Iran. The recent discovery of the Qom enrichment also argued for engagement with Russia, particularly plant has heightened fears that Iran is close to developing under the auspices of the European Union. nuclear weapons capability. It is hoped that further talks, backed up by the threat of further sanctions, will Britain’s relationship with Russia is important to this persuade Iran to allow the International Atomic Energy country. Russia is economically important again, is a Agency full access to its facilities. member of the G8, maintains large armed forces and is one of the world’s biggest energy exporters. On top of For those reasons, it is welcome that US Secretary of that, Russia has considerable diplomatic weight in the State Hillary Clinton visited Moscow yesterday in an world. It is a permanent member of the UN Security attempt to gain Russian support. Russia has a major Council and has influence in key areas of concern such role to play in the international community’s dealings as Iran, North Korea and Afghanistan. Our two countries with Iran and, judging by yesterday’s statements by have great mutual interests and potentially strong grounds Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, it may have begun to for co-operation. Anglo-Russian trade, for instance, is take seriously its responsibilities in that area. Hillary large and has great potential. Despite the BP and Shell Clinton, for her part, said that the talks were “extremely sagas, Britain is the largest foreign investor in Russia. co-operative”. The next few months will demonstrate Britain and Russia have joint concerns about Islamic whether that is really the case. 93WH UK Relations with Russia14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Relations with Russia 94WH

Afghanistan is also key to our relationship with Russia. as it has for many centuries. We would never want to Russia has as strong an interest as we do in the denial of alienate ourselves from a nation that has produced such Afghanistan to those who would seek to use it as a base greats as Andrei Rublev—undoubtedly the greatest icon for terrorism. Russia has a unique knowledge of painter in history—and literary figures such as Tolstoy, Afghanistan that dates back to the days of the great Chekov, Sholokhov and Solzhenitsyn. We need a firm- game and beyond, and it is important strategically as a but-fair relationship, and that is what we strive for. route for overflights to the UK. It is hoped that Russia Russia and the UK are key allies, but there are will continue to use its influence to aid the international undoubted problems, as many hon. Members have said, security assistance force mission in Afghanistan. I believe one of which is the situation with Georgia. Russia’s that the Foreign Secretary will take up that issue when continuing presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia is he visits Moscow in November. The Minister may want an ongoing problem for us because we believe, as does to say a little more about it when he replies in a few the rest of the European Union, that Russia is not minutes. meeting its obligations. There are problems in relation Few people would contend that the UK’s bilateral to energy security. Although only 2 per cent. of the relationship with Russia, despite our many mutual interests, UK’s gas comes from Russia, the figure for the EU is has not been somewhat strained over the past few years. 40 per cent. Russia is therefore key to the EU’s energy It was hoped that the election of President Medvedev security. There are problems with human rights, which I would lead to a warming in relations, to the benefit of will amplify later. The most notable problem in recent both countries. Unfortunately, despite President Medvedev’s years has been the Litvinenko case. arrival, that has not happened. A Conservative Government The Foreign Secretary’s visit in the next few weeks would welcome a positive relationship with Russia based will be important, and we hope to make significant on mutual respect. We respect Russia as a great and progress in our relationship with Russia in the near historic power, but that respect must be mutual. We do future. not believe that relationships between countries should be simply a zero-sum game. Those who believe that tend Mr. Watson: Should the Foreign Secretary raise the to find themselves long-term losers. In dealing with Khodorkovsky case on his visit? If so, will he? Russia, it is important to assess her not just by what she says but by what she does. [Interruption.] I wonder whether that noise is the Russians attempting to contact Chris Bryant: Yes, I am sure that my right hon. Friend us as we speak. will. I hope to speak about that case in more detail later. It is an issue that I raised when I was a Back Bencher. As the shadow Foreign Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) The key areas where Russia and the UK have to work has said, together are climate change, which has been mentioned, and counter-proliferation, which relates not only to “With a Conservative Government, the door will be open to improved relations with Russia. We shall see if a door opens in nuclear weaponry, but to the security of fissile material, return.” on which the UK and Russia have worked closely for a number of years. It is not only the US and Russia that It is to be hoped that that door will open, and that we have moved this issue forward. Our Prime Minister has will be able to enjoy an engagement that is to the mutual taken a key role, because we want to see a comprehensive benefit of our countries and to that of other countries test ban treaty and to ensure that the nuclear arsenals around the world. around the world diminish. We have made a significant contribution by cutting our nuclear weaponry by three 10.49 am quarters. We are prepared to go further if it will help the process. Although no one has mentioned it, Russia also The Minister for Europe (Chris Bryant): Like my right plays an important role in the middle east peace process. hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd), I think this is the first time that I have served under your The hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham chairmanship, Mr. Streeter, and it is a great delight to started with a broad attack on the Prime Minister, of see you in the Chair. whom I gather he is not an enormous fan. Unfortunately, he made many errors. He said that the Prime Minister It is also a delight to reply to a debate secured by the has never met the Russian President. hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Hands), whom I consider to be a friend. We have co-operated on many issues relating to Russia in the past, and I hope Mr. Hands: Will the Minister give way? that we will do so in the future. I note that he adopted an uncharacteristically aggressive and partisan attitude. Chris Bryant: I will not, because I have only a few I would respond in kind and be partisan, but it might be minutes and a great many issues to reply on. The Prime of more use to the House if I were co-operative. It is Minister has met President Medvedev twice this year; good to see so many hon. Members present, and I think the Foreign Secretary has regular dialogue with Foreign that they all have a clear understanding of the significance Minister Lavrov; and the Secretary of State for Energy of this relationship and its problems. The path that we and Climate Change was in Moscow earlier this month must take is not straightforward. to build momentum towards Copenhagen. Russia is obviously a great nation. It has a great sense of pride, which we respect. It was fascinating to see how Mr. Hands rose— many British people wanted to see the “From Russia” exhibition in 2008, for which we had to change the law Chris Bryant: Will the hon. Gentleman restrain himself so that some of the artworks could come to the UK. and wait for a moment? We try to maintain relations at Russia holds a degree of fascination for British people, the highest level that is possible and suitable. 95WH UK Relations with Russia14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Relations with Russia 96WH

Mr. Hands: My question was whether, since he became co-operated satisfactorily on our requests. We will continue Prime Minister in 2007, the right hon. Member for to seek his trial before the UK courts. Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr. Brown) has met Prime The hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend the Member Minister Putin, including in his previous guise as President for West Bromwich, East (Mr. Watson) asked about Putin. I have been refused an answer on that matter in Mr. Khodorkovsky. We have raised that issue with many parliamentary questions. Has he met him or not? Russia and will continue to do so. We raise the issue of human rights with all countries where there are significant Chris Bryant: I am sorry; I misunderstood what the issues. hon. Gentleman was asking. He referred to the President and I thought that he was referring to President Medvedev. The speech of the hon. Member for Ribble Valley I am happy to come back to him on the question that he (Mr. Evans) was the best that I have heard today, by has raised. virtue of its brevity. He raised the issue of gay rights in Contrary to the hon. Gentleman’s comments, there Russia. We do raise that matter and our embassy tries has been a great deal of engagement between this to be supportive of British people who try to go there to country and Russia in relation to climate change and take part. I think that I am right in saying that the counter-proliferation. We believe that there are important mayor of Moscow, whose comments on these issues are movements in Russia’s position in relation to Iran and deeply offensive, is in the political party that is aligned North Korea. We welcome those moves, not least the with the Conservatives in the Council of Europe. The meeting that took place yesterday.However, Kremlinologists hon. Gentleman may want to raise those issues in the have interpreted the meaning of yesterday’s conversations party grouping, although such groupings are a difficult between Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Lavrov differently. We issue for the Conservative party at the moment. have also worked closely with Russia on counter-narcotics My right hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley and Afghanistan—something that has been very helpful. asked whether it would be possible to visit Chechnya. I The hon. Gentleman said various things about the will look into that matter, but it is obviously difficult. World Service. Although one wants to be critical of the She is a very brave woman, as we all know—we certainly BBC at times, it would be wholly inappropriate for know it in south Wales. She visited Iraq when it was Ministers to analyse the rights and wrongs of its editorial very difficult for anybody to do so. She has played an decisions. The absolute integrity and independence of important long-term role in human rights issues. We the World Service is part of what guarantees its reach continue to raise such issues through the EU’s dialogue and its ability to make a difference in places such as with Russia. She raised the case of Anna Politkovskaya. Russia. Press freedom is vital and it is impossible to have a free The hon. Gentleman referred to the Litvinenko case. society when there is impunity when journalists are He knows that I have raised that issue many times. The killed. Becoming a free society is the best direction in courts have issued a warrant for the arrest of Andrei which Russia could move. The problems with Russia’s Lugovoi on a charge of murder. That warrant remains criminal justice system are well documented. valid. We do not resile from that position. It was a My hon. Friend the Member for Bridgend (Mrs. Moon) horrific crime that was committed against a British raised some of the same issues and has taken a significant citizen on UK soil. The Government have worked hard interest in such matters. I hope that we can keep up that to support the Crown Prosecution Service and will dialogue. She, too, is a near neighbour in the south continue to do so. We do not believe that Russia has Wales valleys, so we are well represented in this debate. 97WH 14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Grocery Market 98WH

UK Grocery Market the OFT produced a report on its inquiry into the workings of the supermarket code of practice, which was implemented as a result of the Competition 11 am Commission’s report that I mentioned. In March 2005, Andrew George (St. Ives) (LD): I hope you will agree the OFT produced a second report on the code of that this is also an excellent debate, Mr. Streeter: it is practice and, by May 2006, it referred the grocery sector certainly important to many hon. Members. Many to the Competition Commission. The issue therefore organisations. too, will be following the debate, particularly has a long pedigree. as we are at a crucial stage in the negotiations of the By that stage, many organisations had become frustrated. plans, which I shall explain in a moment, originally They felt that action was required to curtail or control proposed by the Competition Commission following a the excessive power in the supply chain of supermarkets, lengthy inquiry into the grocery market sector. which were able to dictate market conditions and force Many people may question whether it is appropriate suppliers to accept conditions and terms that were to have any kind of debate about the role of the grocery clearly to their detriment; and that it was time one of market sector within the UK in the context of development the competition authorities did something about the policy, but today I would like to explore with the issue. It has taken two years for the Competition Minister the importance of association with such a Commission to complete its inquiry.The organisation—the crucial, leading sector in the UK and development alliance—that I have chaired and convened during that policy itself. I shall also discuss the widespread and time has submitted a number of proposals to the growing concern about how the market operates in the Competition Commission during its inquiry. The proposal UK and the impact of that on developing countries. I for an adjudicator—or, to use the Competition welcome the Minister here today and I am pleased to Commission’s term, an ombudsman—to oversee the have secured the debate. sector and ensure that a code of practice is properly I begin by declaring an interest in that, among my imposed is particularly relevant to today’s debate. many other sins, I am the chairman of the Grocery On 13 March last year, I attended an evidence session Market Action Group, which was set up in July 2006 at with the Competition Commission, of which there is a the commencement of the Competition Commission’s record, and on 30 April 2008, it produced its final inquiry into the grocery sector. Some of the members of report on the UK grocery market. The Government that alliance of organisations are ActionAid UK, Traidcraft produced their response on 29 July last year. Crucially, and Banana Link. The clear impact on suppliers of the the Competition Commission concluded that there was a supply chain to supermarkets means that organisations “transfer of excessive risk and unexpected costs to suppliers” such as the Association Of Convenience Stores, the which Rural Shops Alliance, the British Independent Fruit “if unchecked will have an adverse effect on investment and Growers Association, the British Brands Group, and innovation in the supply chain, and ultimately on consumers”. the National Farmers Unions of England and Wales and of Scotland are also members of the Grocery It recommended the establishment of an ombudsman Market Action Group. They have been involved in to oversee a code of practice. The critical point is that jointly supplying a case to the Competition Commission the supermarket code of practice was found to have during its inquiry. failed in the sense that suppliers living in a climate of fear feared the consequences of making any kind of It is important to understand the context in which I complaint. The supermarket code of practice had become am asking the Minister to respond. The issue is the role relatively useless. The Competition Commission therefore of supermarkets at the end of the grocery market proposed having an ombudsman to oversee what was supply chain, about which there have been concerns for happening and to provide a point to which future some time. Indeed, in 1999, my hon. Friend the Member complaints could be directed. for South-East Cornwall (Mr. Breed) undertook an inquiry into the role of the supermarket from the perspective The impact of the problem on the developing world of both UK planning and the impact of the power of is significant. The point that a number of development the supermarkets within the supply chain itself. The organisations—ActionAid UK, Banana Link, the Fairtrade inquiry considered the manner in which the supermarkets Foundation, Traidcraft, Oxfam and others—have been were able to dictate market conditions for all other making for a number of years is that what is relevant to operators in the supply chain, particularly producers. UK suppliers is just as relevant to suppliers from developing countries. There is currently a price war between The report produced as a result of that inquiry was supermarkets on bananas, for example, and that is entitled “Checking out the Supermarkets,” and was sent clearly having a detrimental effect, not so much on the to the competition authorities. As a result of that and supermarkets, but on the primary producers in developing other concerns expressed at the time, in April 1999, the countries. Indeed, the Fairtrade Foundation’s director then director general of the Office of Fair Trading of communications and policy said in a press release referred the matter to the Competition Commission, last week: which undertook an inquiry and, in October 2000, produced a report on the supply of groceries from “Price cuts serve only to devalue bananas yet further, creating a false illusion amongst shoppers that they can be sustainably multiple stores in the United Kingdom. That report produced for such give-away prices…This is highly irresponsible recommended the establishment of a supermarket code at a time when farmers and workers across the developing world of practice. are facing their own economic crisis, as well as battling the In September 2003, the Competition Commission growing effects of climate change.” produced a report on the Safeway merger, which raised The impact on developing countries comes in several further issues about the impact of the effective concentration forms. The concern relates not only to the supermarkets’ of power in the supermarket sector. In February 2004, ability to force down prices, as they do here in Britain, 99WH UK Grocery Market14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Grocery Market 100WH

[Andrew George] countries? In what circumstances would the Government ever reject the recommendations of a competition authority, but to the impact that that has on terms and conditions. such as the Competition Commission, when it has Often, the supermarkets do not enter into written contracts engaged in such lengthy inquiries into such an important and retrospective changes are made to agreements, and matter? Will his Department make a statement, in parallel when the buyers come back to their original suppliers with BIS, in the first week of November to indicate how they often charge for shelf space. Promotions are often that Department’s decision will impact on suppliers conducted at the expense of the suppliers: buy one, get from developing countries? one free offers are not, in fact, the gift of the supermarket, but something the supplier is required to provide for the 11.17 am supermarket. Several practices set out in the Competition Commission’s report show that what the supermarkets The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for are doing is extracting wealth from suppliers. It is International Development (Mr. Michael Foster): I begin appropriate to note that, in these recessionary times, by congratulating the hon. Member for St. Ives (Andrew supermarkets are posting record profits. Someone is George) not only on securing this important debate at hurting, but it is clearly not the supermarkets. such short notice, but on his long-standing interest in A further argument being made by development charities development—an interest you share, Mr. Streeter. I and others relates to the impact on labour standards in welcome the opportunity to make a few observations developing countries. As the Under-Secretary of State on his comments. will be aware, on 4 August this year, the Competition Around the world, 2 billion people depend on agriculture Commission recommended that the Government establish for their livelihoods. The fragility of the world food the post of ombudsman. That area is the responsibility system was highlighted during last year’s food price of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, crisis. When those price increases came through, they and the post held by his colleague the Minister of State trapped an estimated 150 million additional people in at the Department for International Development straddles poverty and pushed the number of hungry people to both Departments. There will, no doubt, be discussions more than 1 billion worldwide. We urgently need to between both Departments, but the commission has support poor farmers and consumers to deal with clearly recommended in its report that the role of the fluctuating markets and survive the current global economic ombudsman must be established because the supermarkets downturn. have failed to adopt the scheme voluntarily.From 4 August The UK supermarket sector, as the hon. Gentleman the Government had 90 days to respond and make a has so clearly demonstrated, has a critical role to play in decision—three weeks away now. that. It is worth more than £100 billion a year, and its As the Minister may be aware, I also raised the issue purchasing decisions make a huge difference to the at Prime Minister’s questions on 4 February, asking: livelihoods of producers in developing countries. So far, the UK has led the way in developing African horticulture “Does the Prime Minister agree that the commission’s proposed remedies to tackle this problem should now be implemented to supply our markets. Altogether, British consumers without further delay?” spend more than £1 million a day on fruit and vegetables from Africa, and there is an important debate, because The Prime Minister replied: of that flow of goods, about the interaction between “The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to highlight this development and environmental sustainability. problem—first, because of the failure to introduce early payment I will take this opportunity to speak about the argument to many of the suppliers, we are asking the supermarkets to do that. Secondly, in relation to developing countries, we have been relating to food miles, because the hon. Gentleman has in talks with supermarkets such as Asda about how they can an interest in that area as well. As a Department, we source their produce from those countries at a fair price. We will make it clear that, with about 1 million farmers in continue to push that as quickly as possible.”—[Official Report, Africa and their families relying on the fruit and vegetable 4 February 2009; Vol. 487, c. 844.] trade in the UK and depending upon their earnings to This is an important matter. We are entering a crucial get their children through school and to care for them stage in the negotiations. Clearly, many organisations when they are sick, it is important that UK customers that are suppliers of supermarkets are looking out to do not make their purchasing decisions on the basis of see what the Government will do. It is very rare that a food miles alone. Government rejects the clear recommendations of a The distance that food has travelled is an incomplete competition authority, which has a responsibility to argument about how sustainable the food that we eat is, fulfil its statutory duty by assessing a particular case and it is important for customers to recognise that when independent of the Government. The Competition they make ethical consumer choices. In Kenya, for Commission has acted in a responsible manner in this case. example, small-scale farmers bring their beans to the I have several questions for the Under-Secretary. Kaviani sheds in Machakos district. Each week they What discussions has he or his colleague, the Minister sow, weed and pick green beans, and each week they of State, had with BIS, with regard to the Competition earn an income of around £20, which they can invest in Commission’s request that the Government implement their children’s education. its recommendation? Has the Minister or his Department One of the problems in Africa is not so much the discussed the matter with other Departments, such as availability of food but its affordability. People literally the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, do not have enough money to purchase the food that or with their contacts in developing countries, which they need. Exporting commodities, typically food such clearly have an interest in the matter? What assessment as the Kenyan beans, is an essential part of any economic has his Department made of the benefits that an growth strategy to increase incomes and reduce poverty. ombudsman would bring to suppliers in developing It is the same for small-scale farmers who produce 101WH UK Grocery Market14 OCTOBER 2009 UK Grocery Market 102WH coffee and sell it on international markets. They do so increase food production in the poorest countries. We to be able to buy food locally for themselves. The hon. will provide at least £1 billion a year to support growth Gentleman made an important point. and trade over the next three years. The hon. Gentleman referred to the groceries supply In the White Paper, we laid out a commitment to code of practice. When it comes into force in February increase our support for fair and ethical trade fourfold 2010, it will help to ensure better outcomes for both over the next four years. At the weekend, we announced producers and consumers in the international grocery a commitment of £12 million over the same period for market. It will achieve that by ensuring that supply Fairtrade. We therefore hope that, by 2013, we will have agreements are in writing and incorporate the code. The doubled the number of individual producers accessing number of designated retailers will increase from four the benefits of fair trade. At present, 2.2 million people to 11, and they must have trained compliance officers. will directly benefit. We hope that that benefit will Certain practices will be prohibited, and the new code extend to their families and affect some 7.5 million will ensure that disputes are resolved through fair and people all told. legally binding independent arbitration. We are still assessing the Competition Commission’s Andrew George: I very much appreciate what the proposal to establish an ombudsman to monitor and Minister is saying about fair trade and extending the enforce the code of practice. The proposal raises several work of the Fairtrade Foundation, which is extremely complex issues, and we need to consider its potential welcome, but I wish to get back to the point of this impact on consumers and the wider economy. We intend debate: the implementation of the supermarket code of to make a decision on that later this year. practice, which will happen anyway, because the Competition Commission has the power to introduce it. The Competition Commission believes that the benefits The question remains, and we have only days to consider of effective enforcement and monitoring by an ombudsman it, as to whether his Department will exert pressure to would accrue from future investment and innovation ensure that BIS looks seriously at the commission’s due to increased confidence on the part of suppliers. recommendation to establish an ombudsman. There is However, we think that the evidence relating to the an indication in what he has said that it may not, but it argument about those benefits is insufficient at present, would surely be a first if there were a failure to implement which is why we want to do a more careful analysis to the recommendation of an important commission. inform a future decision. An ombudsman would, of course, generate additional costs that would be borne by the retailers, but our view is that, although such costs Mr. Foster: The hon. Gentleman may have misinterpreted are likely to be passed on to consumers, they would not what I said. Of course we will have discussions with constitute a material increase in consumer prices. BIS. My point was that we do not have sufficient evidence to show the direct impact of an ombudsman Little is known about the potential impact of either on developing countries. Although there is a logical the code of practice or an ombudsman on developing argument to be made, and we will make it, we do not countries. Frankly, analysis has not been undertaken on have the depth of evidence required to prove the impact the issue. It is reasonable to consider that, in theory, the of an ombudsman on developing countries. That was code will provide benefits such as increased investment the point I was making. for developing countries, as it would in the UK supply chain. However, in practice, the number of suppliers in Our work on fair trade will produce other benefits in developing countries who would engage with and make boosting the impact on the developing world. We expect use of the code of practice or an ombudsman would be that the global sales value of fair trade certified products relatively low, so that the benefits would likely be will treble over the next four years. We think that that is insignificant. We think that the Government can operate a fair way of doing business. in a more effective way to improve the livelihoods of The hon. Gentleman mentioned bananas. There was poor farmers in developing countries. a major piece in one of the Sunday papers on banana prices. I have discussed the matter with the Fairtrade Andrew George: I certainly appreciate the Minister’s Foundation and wish to put on the record for interested point that an ombudsman could have a low impact, but consumers who may be following this debate or reading even if very few complaints were pursued through the Hansard that those supermarkets that have gone 100 per supermarket code of practice, the existence of an cent. fair trade on their bananas have committed to not ombudsman and the code, if they have real teeth, would joining what I consider to be an unhelpful price war. have a widespread impact. As he says, the cost could Something that I did not realise some 30 years ago easily be borne, particularly by a sector that is posting when I used to stack bananas on shelves was that they the largest profits in its corporate history. were often used by supermarkets as loss leaders to get customers into their shops. Mr. Foster: I understand the hon. Gentleman’s point, We will continue to support ethical trading initiatives, and I assure him that, over the coming weeks, the as we have since 1999, and to work with the food retail Government will keep in contact with him on this issue, industry to develop responsible supply chains that will which he has pursued with vigour for some time, so that provide equitable opportunities for small and poor we can deal with his concerns. producers and enable them to connect with the market. I should like to put on the record the commitment The food retail industry challenge fund will help that my Department has to ensuring that agriculture retailers design new business models that will bring and food security are given the highest attention not millions of farmers into fairer and more profitable just in the UK but internationally. In the White Paper trading relationships with UK consumers. We made that we launched in July, we set out our commitment to available a fund of some £2 million to make partnerships provide more than £1 billion to fight hunger and to work for the benefit of farmers, particularly in Africa. 103WH UK Grocery Market 14 OCTOBER 2009 104WH

[Mr. Michael Foster] City of London Helping poor farmers to increase their crop yields, giving them the support that they need to trade their 2.30 pm goods internationally and ensuring that they can earn a Mr. John Grogan (Selby) (Lab): Mr. Fraser, it is a fair price are all fundamental to helping lift millions of great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, although people out of poverty. I reassure hon. Members that I fear that we are both absentees from the Select Committee DFID will continue to work with Governments and on Northern Ireland Affairs this afternoon. I hope that businesses around the world to support poor farmers the Chairman will forgive us. and their communities. About two years ago, I went on a course entitled “An introduction to the City”, organised by the excellent 11.30 am Industry and Parliament Trust. During week 4, one of Sitting suspended. our number—there were meant to be 10 of us there—was missing. That person turned out to be my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Kitty Ussher). We inquired as to her whereabouts and found that she had been made Minister with responsibility for the City after just three weeks on the course. I did not receive similar preferment; I just got a certificate at the end of the period. I am glad that my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, North (Sarah McCarthy-Fry)—the successor to my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury—will be replying to the debate. Her rise has been similarly meteoric. At one stage in the summer, for one week, she was in the Department for Communities and Local Government and, having solved all the problems there, was rightly promoted into the Treasury. I suspect that her meteoric rise will continue. She is a tweeter on Twitter with 400 followers and it would be the height of my political career if today’s debate got a little mention in a tweet later on. Yesterday, in the Library, an hon. Member asked me, “Why are you interested in the City? What is behind this debate?” I could have mentioned the Industry and Parliament Trust course that I attended, or my economics degree—half an economics degree; I got the other half in history—but I should have said that the City has an impact, for good and bad, on the whole of our economy. That is as true for a northern Member of Parliament as for any other MP in the country. The City has much to take pride in, including its history and the fact that, every day of the working week, 340,000 people pile into the City, which has a resident population of only 8,000. The City should take great pride in underwriting ventures across the world, providing seed corn and capital to entrepreneurs starting up new ventures and businesses in each generation. Equally, the relatively mundane business of making markets, providing liquidity and dealing in foreign exchange all have their value in a market economy. Some of my best friends work in the City. Another virtue of the City in recent years is social mobility, of a kind. The background of people who work in the City has been transformed in the past 20 or 30 years, since the big bang. I chair the all-party group on Ukraine, which has led me to a new understanding of the internationalism of the City and how people from all round the world work there, contributing to all sorts of firms and often returning to work in their home countries with an understanding of Britain and our economy. All those things are to the good. I am an avid reader of the Financial Times and have been since my first Labour party meeting at the age of 15. I sat through the meeting and, at the end, one of the older members of the party—there were only about 10 there—who was well into his 70s beckoned me over 105WH City of London14 OCTOBER 2009 City of London 106WH and asked what paper I read. I told him that I read The Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): I am a James Bond Guardian and he asked why. I knew that he did not have man: I actually tie my bow tie. much of an education himself, so I thought, wrongly, I am delighted that the hon. Gentleman has said that that perhaps he was saying that I should read The we should take pride in the City and what it does. The Mirror or something like that. But he said, “The Guardian City does an honourable job. Its 340,000 workers come is biased.” I asked what he meant and he told me that he from around this region—some 6,000 of them are my always read the Financial Times, which was his paper of constituents. They do a fantastic job and probably choice. He said, “It has to tell the truth because the create more for Britain’s economy on the international political and economic elite read it, so this is the paper scene than any other sector. I accept that there are you should read, my boy.” I have to say that although I major problems, particularly with bonuses, but only for have stuck to The Guardian—there is something about the very highest-paid in the City. reinforcing our own prejudices, is there not?—I also read the Financial Times occasionally. Over the summer, it has indeed been the paper for people to read if they Mr. Grogan: The hon. Gentleman puts his case in a have any interest in the City. balanced way. Let us not think that it is only Lord Turner who says such things. Incidentally, Lord Turner Lord Turner of Ecchinswell, chairman of the Financial was also criticised at one point for being “Red” Adair Services Authority, made a remarkable speech earlier Turner, and it was said that he was only speaking as he this summer questioning the social usefulness of parts did because of his links with the current Government. of the City. I realise that I am quoting him selectively, However, having read the Sunday papers, I note that he but let me read a couple of lines from his speech. He is also held in high esteem by the Opposition Front said: Bench and is perhaps destined for a role in the Bank of “Parts of the financial services industries need to reflect deeply England. His views cannot be dismissed so easily. on their role in the economy, and to recommit to a focus on their essential social and economic functions, if they are to regain Stephen Green, another establishment figure, who is public trust”. chairman of HSBC and the British Bankers Association, and also an ordained Anglican priest, published a book Lord Turner continued: this year. He said: “there are good reasons for believing that the financial industry, “The industry collectively owes the real world an apology for more than any other sector of the economy, has an ability to what has happened and it…owes the real world a commitment to generate unnecessary demand for its own services—that more learn the lesson,” trading and more financial innovation can under some circumstances create harmful volatility against which customers have to hedge, Paul Tucker, deputy-governor of the Bank of England, creating more demand for trading liquidity and innovative products; said, under the dome of St. Paul’s cathedral: that parts of the financial services industry have a unique ability “We can’t give meaning to our lives and have a financial system to attract to themselves unnecessarily high returns and create and economy of integrity purely on the basis of self-satisfaction… instability which harms the rest of society.” We need to have a sense that what we’re doing is socially acceptable.” That remarkable speech was given in the Mansion I have reflected on my reading of the Financial Times House. He got to some of his audience, because they over the summer and thought about what value there is The Daily Telegraph started criticising him in in the in any of those criticisms. days following the speech for the way he tied his bow tie. Apparently, he is a clip-on man. I am a clip-on man as Another report, which I recommend to hon. Members, well. was produced in the summer by the centre for research on socio-cultural change at Manchester university. Manchester is a traditional centre of all sorts of industries, Mr. Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) including manufacturing, and services and perhaps has (Con): Without talking too much about ties, I have to a slightly different perspective. The report was written admit that I, too, am a clip-on man. by a variety of people, including some academics and On social usefulness, surely one of the biggest problems some people with experience in venture capital and so that we face, and one reason for the catastrophe in on. They came up with a number of reflections and I financial services, is the sub-prime market. From the shall go through a few of them and then make one or mid-1990s, in the United States of America, it was two concrete suggestions. those who thought there must be more social usefulness First, the authors of the report reflected on the fact in relation to financial services who tried to persuade a that, in this generation, the reports done on the financial huge group of people who should not have had financial crisis have largely been insider jobs. The Bischoff report products to go that way. Much as Lord Turner may was commissioned by the Treasury. Of the eight people have concerns about social usefulness, when politicians who were the secretariat or the sherpas for that report, or those with an interest in politics try to impose social seven came from the City of London; only one was a usefulness in this area, it can often go awry. civil servant. Looking at some of the previous inquiries on finance, I think that the Wilson committee was Mr. Grogan: The hon. Gentleman makes a fair point, active in the 1980s, Macmillan did a report in the ’30s, but we should not let the City alone be interested in the and the Radcliffe committee worked in the ’50s. A much City. As I will mention in a moment, quite a few of the wider range of people were involved in the reports and reports on the City in this generation have been written in coming to the conclusions that those committees largely by City practitioners. A wider group of people reached. Those reports stood the test of time for a should be involved in things like the Bischoff report, for generation—I studied them when I was doing my economics example, which was commissioned by the Treasury, A-level and degree. In this generation, there perhaps has because in that way we get a more holistic view of social not been an outside look at the City following the usefulness. financial crisis. 107WH City of London14 OCTOBER 2009 City of London 108WH

[Mr. Grogan] some more than others. The first, which is very much the Government-sponsored idea, is to increase capital Secondly, the report from the centre for socio-cultural requirements in the banking sector. That is good as far change at Manchester university produced interesting as it goes, but we have to reflect on the fact that, just figures on tax and employment. Of course the City of before many of the banks were brought in to see the London has been a big generator of tax—£203 billion Government, they were saying that they were meeting in a five-year period—but, to put that in perspective, all the capital requirements at the time. As we saw in the there has obviously been a big financial cost, because various television programmes over the summer, bemused the City has operated in a very procyclical way. The bankers were brought in to meet the Chancellor of the International Monetary Fund calculates that the direct Exchequer, assuring him that they did meet the capital up-front financing cost to the UK taxpayer has been requirements. Of course it is easy to get round capital £289 billion in the past year, which includes the cost of requirements, as various observers have pointed out. the bank recapitalisation fund, the special liquidity One danger is that banks may take on even more risk to scheme and nationalising Northern Rock and Bradford sustain high returns on equity. Another is that banks & Bingley. The IMF calculates that if all the Treasury will find a way round higher capital requirements via loans and guarantees are added to that, the figure could off-balance-sheet vehicles and exploitation of derivatives be more than £1,000 billion. There has been an economic strategies and so on. That is a risk. cost, which has been felt by ordinary people in my Moving on to my second suggestion, a variety of constituency. people have commented that banks are now too big to fail. Given that they are essentially backed by a state Dr. John Pugh (Southport) (LD): It is probably worth guarantee and that things such as the Glass-Steagall observing also that in the City there are a number of Act in the United States have long since been abandoned, very highly paid organisations that specialise in telling a number of people have advocated a return to simpler other people how to avoid paying tax. banking—narrow banking, as some academics refer to it. John Kay, a distinguished economist who taught me Mr. Grogan: Indeed, that is true. The tax benefit from economics many years ago, is a strong advocate of the City is not all one way; we can summarise the narrow banking—of separating casino banking, if I can position like that. There is a big employment impact characterise it like that, and utility banking. He says, for from the City and it is not just in the City of London. example, that we should have a system in which a The financial services sector is an important employer Lehman Brothers should be allowed to fail. A bank throughout the United Kingdom, although many of should not be so interconnected with the rest of the the very high-value wholesale jobs are concentrated in banking system and counterparties and so on that the the City of London. I generalise, but there are more consequences of its failing are so disastrous for the rest retail banking jobs in the rest of the country. Some of the economy. academics have argued that our economy has become imbalanced: Baumol, for example, argues that there is only a certain number of natural entrepreneurs in an Mr. Mark Field: Although broadly I very much agree economy, and if the economic rent is greater than the with that point and I think that in time the failure of value in a particular sector of the economy, it sucks in Lehman Brothers will not be seen as the great mistake so much of the entrepreneurial talent that there are that conventional wisdom suggests it is, is not the fewer entrepreneurs in other sectors of the economy. problem the nature of the guarantee? Whereas all of us That may have happened in the City in recent years. would accept, I think, that depositors should have their interests guaranteed—there is now an implicit if not an Finally, the authors of the Manchester report question explicit guarantee that all deposits will be guaranteed whether some banking activities are what they characterise by the Government—the difficulty that arose in relation as a “great transaction machine”. They do not say that to many of the banks that have had problems in the past there has been too much lending, but that there has 12 months is that bond holders also had that guarantee. been the wrong sort of lending—not a bubble economy, The extension of that guarantee is relevant in relation but certain bubble sectors, with about 40 per cent. of to the idea of institutions being too big to fail. The issue bank lending on property and more than a quarter on is not simply size, but the nature of the guarantees that financial intermediaries. What they characterise as any Government give. productive business investment has stayed much the same throughout the period, at about 10 per cent. of GDP. They calculate that the amount of bank lending Mr. Grogan: I accept that point absolutely. The problem that goes to productive business investment has declined will not go away. I was referring to whether we should from 30 to 10 per cent. They would say that the very divide the banking system so that the public are less at highly paid employees in many of the integrated banks risk from failures in investment banking, essentially, have had a common interest with some of the shareholders and so that there are fewer links into the retail banking in the banks in having as many transactions, often sector. Let us consider, for example, the failure of the obscure transactions, in derivatives as possible. The big insurance firm AIG in the United States. Basically, banks have certainly produced a lot of our profits. At most people in that firm were involved in conventional one stage, about a third of all profits of the FTSE 100 insurance. It was perhaps 100 people in one unit, involved were produced by banks. Again, however, that has not in more speculative activity, who brought down the been stable and there has been a cost for many of my whole firm and put at risk the world economy. constituents who have faced the downturn. In fact, I shall give one lesson from God’s own When in doubt, a politician should produce a 10-point county, if I may—there will be only one mention of plan, so I shall rattle through 10 suggestions that have Yorkshire in the entire debate, Mr. Fraser. The Yorkshire been made for reform of the City, concentrating on bank has adopted a simple banking strategy down the 109WH City of London14 OCTOBER 2009 City of London 110WH years. Rather than a pro-business cycle strategy, it uses a Mr. Field: There are two points. Clearly, we already through-the-cycle business model. It says that it has have a tax of stamp duty on general share transactions. stuck to its knitting in recent years. It never became Many of the markets—the eurobond or eurodollar involved in sub-prime lending and self-certification for market in this country for example—came about simply 100 per cent. mortgages. Indeed, it was criticised, as because of American taxes. Does the hon. Gentleman many traditional or more conservative banks were, for not recognise that having a range of taxes, particularly not being innovative enough. Therefore banking structures on a regional rather than global basis, might see potentially such as Yorkshire bank do have a future. The Chairman risky transactions being moved to some of the more of the Treasury Committee, my right hon. Friend the wild-west elements of the financial services world? Member for West Dunbartonshire (John McFall), has Historically, going down that tax route has not tended tabled an early-day motion on separating retail and to work. casino banking, and that debate will be part of our economic debate for some years to come. Mr. Grogan: I agree with the hon. Gentleman in so Some commentators say that things cannot be done far as I think that such a tax would have to be done in an individual country; they have to be done around internationally. Other measures for banking structures the world. I wish that we had made some banking rules and so on could be done domestically, but all those who like those in Canada or Spain, for example, before the advocate such a tax, from the IMF to Lord Turner, banking crash, because even though the rules were not recognise that it would have to be done internationally. universal, their banks have benefited from the fact that Moving on to bonuses and remuneration, I am reminded they had a more conservative approach. of the phrase, “We’re all in it together”, which has much The third point is that there should be consideration to be said for it. We are now at the point where some of by the authorities when making regulations of the the remaining banks, such as the Royal Bank of Scotland, impact on smaller banks such as Yorkshire bank. Clearly, Goldman Sachs and others, have done pretty well in if there are flat-rate costs, smaller banks will be affected recent times. They have done well for a number of more than larger ones. We must remember that smaller reasons: first, because of the Government guarantees, banks often have to use the clearing systems of larger which mean that they have as much liquidity as they banks. Although the Government have, naturally, been need or want, but also because many of their competitors distracted in recent times by the affairs of bigger banks, have been knocked out of the market. In the coming they should also be interested in the smaller banks. days, they are potentially going to announce quite enormous bonuses for some of their staff. I think that I will move on to the mutual sector which, looking Lord Turner was right to muse in the pages of the back, has been a success. It is interesting that our Financial Times on whether that is right and whether current biggest building society, the Nationwide, was those bonuses have been earned. perhaps the least-favoured building society when it came The Manchester study that I referred to earlier stated to demutualisation. It was not seen as the most likely that a lot of those banks have compensation schemes candidate and was not demutualised, but it is now a that cover about 50 per cent. of their total financial successful mortgage lender. Our building societies have turnover. It suggested a tax on such bank profits. The obviously struggled as a result of the financial turmoil, last party to do that was the Conservative party in 1991. but in many ways they have weathered the storm better Again, the banking sector would be wrong to believe than their banking counterparts. A focus on the protection that it should be business as usual, and the Government of their members, and lending that is based strongly on have made certain proposals regarding bonuses. money deposited by their customers, has meant that they have been far less exposed than most of the banks. Mr. Richard Spring (West Suffolk) (Con): I must Building societies have raised a couple of technical apologise on three points: for disturbing the hon. points about the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Gentleman’s thought patterns in the House of Commons That is a vital safety net, but it impacts on building Library last night, and also for working at some point societies in an adverse way compared with banks, and at both Merrill Lynch and Lehman Brothers. I have a the financial regulators need to consider that. For example, certain amount of form on this. Nationwide was hit with a bill of £241 million at a cost I would like to point out that in the eyes of many, of £17 per member as a result of some of the regulation. both in this country and abroad, we have a very oligopolistic There must be a case for returning Northern Rock to structure—I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will the mutual sector when it goes back to the private agree. One of the keys to addressing the points that he sector. raises, such as excessive bonuses, is the lack of competition, The fifth point is a suggestion that has been made by or potential competition, in terms of access of new commentators far more eminent than myself. There is financial institutions. I am sure he will agree that after nothing wrong with securitisation of loans and so on, the various mergers that have come about, either but in many ways, the shorter the chain, the better and spontaneously or at the behest of the Prime Minister or more transparent it is. Various people, including Dominique someone else, it is very difficult in this country to deal Strauss-Khan from the IMF and Lord Turner, have with the situation. Will the hon. Gentleman comment revived the idea of having some sort of tax. The Tobin on that, because it seems that lack of access is an tax was thought up a generation ago as a tax on foreign inhibition to addressing some of the problems that he is exchange. I do not think that that would work in today’s talking about? circumstances, but some sort of tax on financial transactions Mr. Grogan: I agree with the hon. Gentleman entirely. would reduce liquidity but also reduce that chain. I have always been a great believer in competition. The sixth point is about bonuses, which have already From the left, social democrat or so-called progressive been mentioned. side of British politics, we have been too easy on oligopolies 111WH City of London14 OCTOBER 2009 City of London 112WH

[Mr. Grogan] Mr. Mark Field: I praise Crossrail to a certain extent, although there are no votes in it for me. Most of my or monopolies across a range of sectors. The energy residents, particularly those in Mayfair and the Barbican, sector is one and possibly the media sector is another. are not particularly happy with the idea. The hon. There is a danger in the finance sector now that these Gentleman will know that the Crossrail Act 2008 is now great institutions have been created and merged and in force, and that it would be relatively straightforward some are run directly by the state. What follows on from now that the planning consents and so on are in place. them when they go back to the private sector? We have Indeed, more than £1.2 billion has already been spent to think about competition concerns. on compulsory purchase and demolition. Should the hon. Gentleman regularly visit the bookshops at the Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle) (Lab): Are not these top of Shaftesbury avenue, towards Tottenham Court multi-million pound bonuses and payoffs absolutely Road tube station, he will know that the area is already scandalous? The five directors of MG Rover paid the site of some Crossrail works. themselves £40 million as the car plant was going bust. I hope that it is not necessarily either/or. However, Does my hon. Friend agree that we need a high pay insofar as there are plans to limit the amount of investment commission, or something like that, to police the City in the area, Crossrail is now well ahead of the game, and ensure that excessive bonuses that cannot be justified and it will make an enormous difference to the whole of are not paid? the United Kingdom and not only that part of central London in which it is located. Mr. Grogan: I am a moderate compared with my hon. Mr. Grogan: When I am promoted after the next Friend. election, perhaps to the role of Economic Secretary to the Treasury, I shall carefully take account of the points Mr. Prentice: I read The Guardian. made by the hon. Gentleman. If I was drawing up a list, I would put them in the following order: high-speed Mr. Grogan: My hon. Friend reads The Guardian too. rail, Crossrail and Heathrow. I am glad—The Guardian needs all its readers these A directive on alternative investment managers is days. I would not set a maximum pay level or bonus being promulgated in Brussels, about which the Mayor level. I would look at the taxation of bank profits and of London is getting agitated. I shall not go into massive bonuses and approach it that way. However, I share my detail, but I have read the impact assessment done by hon. Friend’s moral fervour. When people such as the the European Commission, and there is a case for chairman of the British Bankers Association make regulating more alternative investment managers’ funds, comments such as those I quoted earlier, it has to mean such as hedge funds and private equity. I also believe something. Unless the banks address their bonus culture, that there is a case for having a set of rules that apply there will be a role for Government to do more. across the sector, because the financial sector is nothing if not innovative, and if we try to regulate only one part I will move rapidly on. An interesting proposal from of the sector or define it more precisely, we might find the Conservative Front Bench is the idea of having a that the rules quickly become redundant. consumer regulator for the retail banking sector. That almost touches on the point made by the hon. Member I believe that organisations such as hedge funds are of for West Suffolk (Mr. Spring) about competition and sufficient size that they have the potential to pose a entry into the market. Retail banking could be much systemic risk to the economy; lending by banks and the more innovative. herd instinct of many funds could be destabilising. With pension funds now investing much more in alternative The eighth point is purely to ask whether it is time to investment markets, consumer protection is becoming look again, like Macmillan and Wilson, at having an more important. I broadly believe that a strong case can inquiry into venture capital for our industry and services, be made for regulation by Brussels. and at whether our market is efficient. One of my regrets is that, as I understand it, the private equity Mr. Spring: I would point out to the hon. Gentleman movement originated in providing venture capital for that there is no evidence at all that the financial crisis new ventures. It has now largely become a vehicle for that so catastrophically affected this country and others the takeover of assets and so on, of which Lord Myners was the result of the activities of hedge funds. I simply has been critical. He has indicated, as have many economists, say, as gently as I can, that although one wants ultimately that he is not sure that such activity brings much to protect the financial services industry—in the European economic value in the end. That matter would be worth Union, London is the jewel in the crown—the huge looking at. danger, of which we have already seen some evidence, is that it could create a regulatory structure that persuaded The ninth point is that when the public sector makes our financial institutions to locate abroad. It is a fine big investment decisions, we must be careful to ensure balance, and I am sorry to say that there are indications that we do not look too much at the interests of the City that what is coming out of Brussels—I think that Lord as opposed to those of the rest of the country. After the Myners would agree—is excessive and potentially next election, any Government will have tough investment destructive of the financial service industry in London. decisions to make about public expenditure. I would hope, for example, that the high-speed rail link, which is Mr. Grogan: I shall briefly quote Will Hutton. This is of interest to the whole of the country, might be higher from The Guardian rather than the Financial Times—there up the agenda than Heathrow expansion or even, dare I is another view of the world. He said: say it, Crossrail, which has been heavily lobbied for by “Hedge funds in particular cannot be allowed to peddle the the City. If it is a choice between one or the other, as it fiction that they had no role in the financial crisis. For the record, may be, I hope that high-speed rail will be at the top. in July 2007 London and New York hedge funds had assets under 113WH City of London14 OCTOBER 2009 City of London 114WH management of some $2 trillion, of which up to $1.75 trillion (we seeking to deal with the banking sector, it is important will never know the exact figures) was financed by borrowing. It to avoid having a negative impact on those other parts. was the collapse of two Bear Stearns hedge funds and three BNP Paribas hedge funds in July and August of 2007 that triggered the The lord mayor and Stuart Fraser, the leader of the paralysis of the interbank markets in New York and London.” City of London corporation and chairman of policy There are different views on the matter, but whatever and resources, have sought to highlight the fact that, as the responsibility the alternative investment market had well as the banking industry, insurance, communications, in the past for causing crises, we also have to look to the technology, legal, accounting and other related professional future, and future-proof ourselves. Such organisations and business services industries have an essential role to are now big players and they should be regulated. An play in stimulating economic recovery and growth. The awful lot of lobbying money is being used to persuade hon. Member for Selby rightly pointed out, with great the European Parliament to throw out the proposals, fairness, that the whole UK benefits greatly from a but I hope that my colleagues there will resist that and thriving financial services business; it may be based in that they will consider the regulations carefully and that London, but it has great strengths in other centres such they will properly regulate hedge funds and private as Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and Glasgow. equity. Even today, the Financial Times says that according to an American study one in five hedge fund managers Mr. Spring: I know that my hon. Friend is aware of have been found to be misrepresenting facts. For consumer the fact, but because of the long-standing nature and protection, there must be a case for backing those history of the City of London, its livery companies and proposals. various guilds, as charitable foundations, are hugely focused on the broader community, not only in London Slightly controversially, I shall refer to Mr. Rasmussen, but outside. They generously contribute to all parts of the former Danish Prime Minister, who is the nemesis the United Kingdom in a most commendable way. of those hedge funds and private equity firms that are resisting such regulation. He has campaigned for years for such regulation, and came to the City of London Mr. Field: That is an extremely good point. Some of earlier in the summer. He said that, at the moment, the livery companies have strong connections with other hedge fund managers appear to be guaranteed 2 per areas; for instance, given the historical and traditional cent. of their investments in annual fees and 20 per cent. importance of steel, the Cutlers are strong in places in profits. He asked whether, if they had 0.5 per cent. in such as Sheffield. The fact that a huge number of fees and perhaps 10 per cent. in profits, they would schools have received large sums from trusts set up, starve? Such questions are relevant and should not be often centuries ago, by the livery companies bears witness dismissed. Hedge funds are part of our economy, but to what my hon. Friend says, as does the fact that large they should reflect upon the social usefulness of all tracts in Greater London and outside the square mile— their activities. places such as Epping forest, Hampstead heath, West Ham park and Queen’s park—are some of the finest I end by referring again to my economics teacher, open spaces, which are of great benefit to Londoners Mr. John Kay, who said this summer that our financial and those who live in the home counties. sector should be the servant of our wider economy and not the master. As the hon. Member for Selby said, the financial services global competitiveness group report was published on 7 May. It called for greater co-ordination and strategy Christopher Fraser (in the Chair): Before I call the in the way in which the UK financial services industry next speaker, may I remind colleagues that I intend to promotes itself. I take on board his concern that too start the wind-ups at 3.30 pm. many City folk may have been involved, but it is fair to say, as he did, that although the City was regarded— 3.6 pm certainly between 1914 and about 1986—very much as a club, it has become much more open, and there is now Mr. Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) more social mobility in some areas than we could have (Con): I congratulate the hon. Member for Selby dreamed of only 20 or 30 years ago. City professionals (Mr. Grogan) on introducing this important debate. I may therefore come from different walks of life than shall focus mostly on hedge funds and alternative investment would have been the case a generation or so ago. matters, which was the original title of the debate and a Since last year, the City of London corporation has subject on which the hon. Gentleman focused in the been working to set up a new body with the aim of latter part of his speech. providing a single focus for promoting the financial The hon. Gentleman gave us a quick tour d’horizon services industry to a domestic and international audience. of the history of the City of London, and he was right It will work alongside existing bodies in international to say that roughly 350,000 people work there every day. finance, and Sir Stephen Wright plays an important role For the first time since censuses began in 1801 and in that regard, working with the Mayor of London, certainly since the arrival of the railways, its residential who clearly has an interest in the issue. There has been population is beginning to increase, albeit incrementally. some tremendous co-ordination under the auspices of None the less, it is a place not only for work but, to a the City of London corporation, with one eye very large extent, for rest and play. much on the future and the importance of our capital, I stress that the present lord mayor has firmly been alongside Beijing, which held the Olympics in 2008, and making the case during his programme of overseas Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, which will be a big global visits that the City is not simply about the banks. The capital in 2016. banks may have been particularly hard hit in the past As a starting point, a small steering group has been year or so, but other parts of the financial services established, and it is anticipated that the new body will sector have not suffered to the same extent. When be launched and perhaps named later this year. It will 115WH City of London14 OCTOBER 2009 City of London 116WH

[Mr. Mark Field] companies into any new market. One concern is that a highly regulated market will have a very detrimental be independent, practitioner-led, politically neutral and effect. cross-sectoral. Above all, it will try to represent the financial services industry across the UK, not just in Dr. Pugh: The hon. Gentleman is putting forward the central London. The Government, particularly the Treasury hypothesis that regulation invariably leads to capital and UK Trade and Investment, have been closely involved flight. In a sense, that is making the case for no regulation in the development of the initiative, which will form one whatever. However, there is clearly such a thing as a of the most important elements of the City of London’s proper degree of regulation, which attracts capital; outlook in the years to come. regulation is not necessarily negative in its effect on I want now to say a few words about hedge funds. In markets. many ways, their rise and power represent one of the biggest changes to the global economy over the past Mr. Field: If things are taken to an absurd level, one half a century. Largely for that reason, there has been a would have to agree. Clearly, there needs to be some demand, which predates the banking collapses of the regulation, not least to protect consumers. To return to past two years, for an alternative investment directive in the history of the City of London, I was joking with my Europe. hon. Friend the Member for West Suffolk earlier that Hedge funds are predominantly limited liability we should look at the great scandals that took place in partnerships, so they are exempted from much of the the Victorian era, when mines and railway promoters regulation that applies to investment banks and even ripped off consumers. Clearly, that did nothing of value. mutual funds. As pools of highly mobile capital, they There is a strong argument for saying that much of have fast developed a reputation for moving financial what should have given this country’s industry a competitive market mountains by anticipating future expectations. advantage was undermined because there was no proper There is no doubt that they thrive on volatility, and the regulation or sense of transparency in the City of London crux of the controversy that surrounds them is the in that era, when transparency and regulation were very degree to which they cause or affect fundamental shifts much in their infancy. It is at least valid to say that. in financial markets. Clearly, having an entirely laissez-faire approach does nobody any favours—indeed, it does not bring in crucial As the hon. Member for Selby said, this relatively investment. unpoliced, unsupervised and, until recent years, fairly low-profile sector of the financial services world is now To return to my earlier point, the directive as currently firmly in the sights of the European Commission, as drafted would, at a supranational level, diminish well as of Mr. Will Hutton of The Work Foundation. competition and restrict flows of liquidity into the However, the Commission’s proposed directive to regulate single market. It would also be seen as protectionist at hedge funds and the private equity sphere betrays, as the very time when barriers need to be brought down, my hon. Friend the Member for West Suffolk (Mr. Spring) rather than erected. At a domestic level, I fear that it said, a lack of understanding about the business’s workings. would significantly diminish London’s critical mass as a financial centre and reduce individual and corporate Alternative investment funds have already accepted tax revenue. The hon. Member for Selby rightly said that the new regulatory climate means that they will be that the City of London has been a huge cash cow in required to boost transparency, as well as to accept new the past, and one hopes that it will be one in the future. controls on disclosure and, most likely, on clearing, The directive could also damage the market for the settlement and custody. However, the draft directive professional services that assist the hedge fund and goes a long way beyond that and may make it quite private equity industry, such as law, accounting, investment impractical for funds owned by non-EU entities, which consultancy and specialist IT. make up a significant proportion of the funds operating in London, to distribute their products in the EU. Mr. Spring: This is an important point. Some of the The combination of such an approach with other countries that have perhaps been driving the ambition perceived regulatory and fiscal burdens may persuade for further regulation have virtually no hedge fund hedge funds to relocate to other financial centres, such activity. Does my hon. Friend agree that the success of as Switzerland, or to return to the United States, with the City of London and the diversity of financial services—I its much more mature market. Similarly, hedge funds agree that financial services should be properly regulated, that relocate may provide the critical mass for emerging but that has not been the case in the past—are hugely financial centres such as the Gulf or the far east. Such important for the whole EU, which is diminishing in an outcome would be in the interests of neither the UK importance as trade flows and economic activity move and the City of London, nor the EU. eastwards? The success of the City is one anchor of our At a supranational level, the directive would diminish future prosperity, and we risk losing it at our peril. competition, and I entirely endorse what the hon. Member for Selby said, because competition is key. We will no Mr. Field: I entirely agree. That is an important point. doubt experience a big hue and cry about huge banking Power is shifting eastwards to India and China. They profits in the press in the next week or two, but the point have two and half billion people between them, and is that competition has simply diminished and died they will be the two big economic superpowers of our away to a large extent. In fairness, I suspect that most of lifetimes—certainly by the middle of the century. That the huge profits that we will see this year will be an shift has undoubtedly been accelerated by recent events, exception, and I hope that there will be new players in and nothing would be more catastrophic for Europe— the market. We must remember, however, that regulation whether within the confines of the EU or as a time itself is the biggest barrier to allowing new, innovative zone—to relinquish what should be and has been one of 117WH City of London14 OCTOBER 2009 City of London 118WH its traditional advantages. The importance that should the aftermath of the Enron scandal a decade ago, be attached to the financial services business as a whole stricter regulations that were introduced to control off- cannot be overstated, given the propensity of the 20 million balance-sheet activity simply resulted in an explosion in or 30 million people a year who are added to the special purpose vehicles, which were created to bypass a Chinese and Indian middle classes to save, which means culture where stifling regulation presented a massive that there will be a great reliance on what should be a competitive advantage to those institutions able to reap great industry for us. the benefits of economies of scale. To the directive’s opponents, the European I am not here to bury hedge funds, but equally I Commissioners’ attention on these issues seems to have would not give them untrammelled praise. There is little been promoted all too often by an unholy alliance of doubt that the emergence, in reaction to regulatory continental bankers and politicians who are concerned overkill, of a largely unpoliced, unsupervised hedge in part to effect something of a power grab. Eighty per fund sector had significant distorting effects on the cent. of the hedge funds managed in Europe are accounted entire financial system. Additionally the huge, largely for by London, while fewer than 20 per cent. originate unregulated profits derived from the most successful in Paris. hedge funds had a perverse effect on the strategies The plain truth is, as my hon. Friend the Member for employed by investment banks whose profits could West Suffolk pointed out in an intervention, that the never emulate those obtained in the tax-free, “regulation- asset management business has not been directly implicated lite” regimes enjoyed by the funds. As those profit in the global financial crisis, so one must ask why the margins became ever more the talk of the City half a EU is suddenly giving such priority to its regulation. decade or so ago, unrealistic expectations of compensation Typically, hedge funds are small start-up businesses—a were ratcheted up. far cry from the large international banking institutions By 2004, senior banking executives watched enviously whose antics, in part, jeopardised the entire global as hedge funds’ profits soared and the brightest and financial system last autumn. Their offshore domicility best of their junior staff were poached to make their often owes much to the need for simplicity in tax and fortunes in those funds. In retaliation, many leading regulation, as places such as the Cayman Islands are investment banks elected to allow the emergence internally not beset by double taxation treaties and reclaim of “virtual fund” teams specialising in the riskiest but bureaucracy. potentially highest-return sectors. More often than not, The impetus for a European directive derives from such star teams negotiated and were granted special panic in response to the economic crisis, alongside a shadow profit-sharing status internally. I must accept partisan vision of hedge funds and private equity as a that that proved to be the worst of all worlds, giving wild west show of amoral speculators and asset-strippers. those teams the green light to indulge in relatively Even one or two people in the Labour party have been unprecedented risk-taking, all the time underwritten by known to espouse such views. However, there has been the banks’ colossal balance sheet. That seemingly safe no crisis of asset management. Unlike banks, hedge umbrella encouraged ever greater leverage and the spectacle, funds neither leveraged themselves to the hilt—of course, even in the good times, of such a small proportion of they lacked the balance sheets to do so even if they had banks’ profits being retained. Naturally, that strategy been so inclined—nor ran down from adequate levels of was questioned only after the credit crisis exposed the liquidity.Indeed, those that have failed—several have—have folly of allowing an inherently riskier culture of hedge not threatened the entire financial system. funds to pollute the banking system. In truth, one of the unsung successes of the Financial I am glad that I have had the opportunity to speak at Services Authority—I hope that I am not too far out of some length, and want to conclude with this thought on line with my party’s views on this matter—has been its hedge funds: it is right for policy-makers to engage ability to keep the hedge funds sector ticking along intellectually with the proposition that the rewards and relatively nicely in recent years. It cannot make sense for super-profits should be justified only in return for a European directive to insist on onerous hedge fund exceptional performance, rather than as an arbitrage registration requirements by giving Commission officials for tax and regulatory breaks; but that requires a much the right of veto over their investment strategies. That more systematic analysis than the European Commission will simply result in the drying up of investment from has provided of the structure of the financial services outside the EU to hedge funds here, which is, as my sector. Scapegoating hedge funds and the private equity hon. Friend the Member for West Suffolk pointed out, industry cannot be a sensible first step on that path. against not only UK interests but French and German interests and those of the other 24 nations of the EU. 3.25 pm All that investors in the global market ask is to be given free rein to choose their investment managers. Dr. John Pugh (Southport) (LD): I congratulate the Instead, the proposed brave new world for hedge funds hon. Member for Selby (Mr. Grogan) on securing the and private equity risks forcing EU-based investors to debate and keeping us on our toes by leaving us marginally abide by a system of rules whereby they will have to uncertain as to its exact title of the debate. I thank him, instruct EU-based managers and place their assets in too, for sharing his 10-point plan with us. Why he is not EU funds. A more sensible approach would be to examine Chancellor of the Exchequer I do not know. I assume it how and why hedge funds became so powerful so rapidly. is because he is far too cheerful. Perhaps the homogenising of mainstream institutions Down this end of the Chamber, we have a caucus of in the financial sector as a result of interdependencies northerners—or we did have when the hon. Member for and the converging effect of regulatory creep gave rise Pendle (Mr. Prentice) was here—but none the less we to the demand for a new diversity of off-balance-sheet have no doubt about the importance of the City and the methods to manage assets and credit. In particular, in financial sector to the UK and world economies, the 119WH City of London14 OCTOBER 2009 City of London 120WH

[Dr. John Pugh] on the other hand, have had very limited interest and involvement in the mortgage market. However, it has to British balance of payments and Government revenues. be said—it was mentioned, I think, by the hon. Members It is critical. We also have no doubt that that is built for Selby and for Cities of London and Westminster—that around a degree of integrity, probity and good regulation, hedge funds did play a part in accentuating financial connectivity with the rest of the world, length of experience panic because they are such big players and deal in and downright financial skill. We can, I suppose, praise bank shares, often at critical moments and often with that without necessarily overestimating it. I sometimes money borrowed from the banks. get very big brochures sent to me by the City of London, If we want to avoid the evils that have beset us telling me how it pretty well accounts for most of the recently—the frauds, the Madoff affair, which was UK economy. I am never quite certain whether the essentially a hedge fund affair, the foolishness that has information includes all businesses with a head office in characterised patterns of investment, and the instability London as belonging in the City, or whether it estimates that has been all too prevalent recently—we cannot appropriately the substantial economic contribution made duck the problem of regulating the new financial giants. by London outside the City. It is also worth mentioning We cannot back away from that. We must consider the in passing that certain cities, such as Edinburgh, have possibility that something needs to be done if not proportionately—though not in size—a bigger financial because those organisations are responsible for the past sector even than London’s. but because, as the hon. Member for Selby said, there We should not, however, underestimate the importance might be problems in the future, particularly given the of the City. Look at what goes wrong when things go fact that these giants are moving huge amounts of wrong there. We suffer in our constituencies and across money around the globe and they are relatively opaque the land. There has been a long and heated debate in the financially. They are big players that add enormously to north and throughout the country about the relationship liquidity, which is often said in praise of them. However, of the City to the wider economy, and in particular the they engage in aggressive market behaviour while, ultimately, relationship between manufacturing industry and commerce bearing few of the social costs. and the City, manufacturing generally being something When we talk about hedge funds, we have to put it on rather grim up north and City life being something the record that 50 per cent. of them, for whatever rather sophisticated down south. A refrain that has reason, are situated offshore in places such as the Cayman gone on for decades—as long as I have been thinking Islands. I am not saying that they are in league with the about the economy and politics—is criticism of the City pirates of the Caribbean, but we would prefer them to for a degree of short-termism and for being attracted by take their fair share of social responsibility, particularly property rather than production, services rather than as they have a powerful social effect. I recognise that sustainability. many operate onshore in the USA and the UK, but they This is a slightly artificial debate, and all sorts of should be prepared to pay up in tax terms for the qualifications are needed, as well as recognition of the advantage of working in a well regulated economy. positive role that the City has played in the economy as That said, it also has to be pointed out that last year, a whole. However, the picture for most of our lifetimes according to my figures, hedge funds alone paid £3.2 billion has been of the growth of the services and financial in tax revenue, which the UK can scarcely do without at sector in the economy and the decline of the manufacturing the moment. sector, even below EU levels, and even given our acceptance I do not want to be generally damning because if we of the fact that we all have a problem resisting the look into what a hedge fund is supposed to be, we modern challenge of China, India and the like. Coupled would find that the definition is a little more fluid than with that has been the rise of new financial giants. We one might expect. There are different kinds of beast have mentioned some of those: hedge funds, private under the label of hedge funds. The French do not use equity and venture capitalists within and without the the words hedge fund; they use the expression “fond banking sector. It is easy to see it, sometimes, in terms spéculatif” because not all such funds hedge. The case of a further tilt away from the long-term investment in for a degree of regulation beyond self-policing is quite which the mutuals engaged and long-term investment in strong, but the extent of that regulation is the issue. general. Fundamentally, we all agree that we want to secure the I know that there are some pretty solid defences of economic advantages that the funds bring, but we also current City fashion, and the hon. Member for Cities of want to ensure that the social benefits are provided, too. London and Westminster (Mr. Field) did a good job of As the hon. Member for West Suffolk (Mr. Spring) said, presenting such defences. I, too, have read the handouts it is a matter of balance and getting that balance right. from private equity houses and organisations that emphasise I put it on the record that it is not a straightforward that they are not a bunch of shameless asset-strippers, equation—that the more regulation that we have, the as they are sometimes characterised by people who do more capital flight we will get. Mention was made of not qualify their remarks sufficiently, and that in fact the Indian financial market, which is regulated much they re-engineer companies, reconfigure them and in more restrictively than the British markets at the moment, some cases provide more employment and certainly but is still attracting significant capital and investment. greater profits. I know too—it is a perfectly valid point There is a debate to be had and Mr. Rasmussen, if that has been made several times in the debate—that nothing else, has started it. He has the Mayor of London they are not responsible for the credit crunch. That was going, and there are all sorts of views about whether or the result of very traditional high street banks, which not this is a Euro-plot against the British hedge fund formerly nobody was agin, behaving rather badly and industry, which accounts for 80 per cent. of the European uncharacteristically, in a way that suggested more than total. Nevertheless, the debate is well worth having and a flirtation with casino-type finance. The hedge funds, should be conducted in a relatively mature way. 121WH City of London14 OCTOBER 2009 City of London 122WH

The insurance companies are having another sensible about hedge funds and the activities of the people in the debate about solvency. To some extent, there has not City and the insurers remind us that they have an been a great deal of discussion about the type or quality impact on our lives. Today, we have talked about hedge of debate. In this place, we have talked more about who funds in a bit of a bubble, but who are the investors in is to regulate, and not how people are to regulate. hedge funds? It is not just high net worth individuals; it The bottom line for me as a northern MP, whatever is our pension funds. Two thirds of the investment in regulation or fiscal policy we have, is that we must move hedge funds come from pension funds, including that of away from short-termism, or make regulation much the Church of England. There is therefore a direct tougher. Moreover, we must move the economy in the relationship between the returns that they make in those direction of sustainability in financial and economic funds and the benefits that we enjoy in our pensions. We terms and not encourage an environment of the fast cannot view the City in isolation, and nor should the buck. City or the financial services centre think of itself in isolation from the rest of the economy. I shall close with a little story that encapsulates the debate. I hope that the hon. Member for Cities of The hon. Member for Selby had a 10-point plan. I London and Westminster will sympathise with the plight will not go through each of the 10 points, but I want to of the company that I describe. I represent a seaside pick up on a couple. Bonuses, for example, are an town which for decades had a profitable sweet factory, important issue for people to understand. Over the making a product called Chewits. I did not eat it much course of the past two years, the taxpayer has supported myself, but it sold well at the seaside. I went to see the the banking system through the stakes taken in RBS or company when it was in process of retooling; it was Lloyds, which we supported, and the indirect guarantees profitable and doing rather well. It employed people and indemnities that are on offer to the financial services who had to operate at a relatively skilled level and it sector. The current stability of the banking system is a provided a good mix of employment. It was then bought consequence of taxpayers’ support, not just here but by a City company. The machinery was sent to eastern across the world. That support was given to help its Europe, the skilled work force was sacked, the job mix balance sheet and not its bonuses, and banks must in the town was worsened, the carbon footprint of remember that as they come into the bonus round over production was increased and the land was sold for the course of the next few months. The bonuses are a housing. The UK economy did not benefit, but profit product of taxpayers’ support and they should not lose was made in the City. That may be the operation of a sight of that. free market, but I question, in those circumstances, On the hedge fund directive, which both the hon. whether it is wise. Gentleman and my hon. Friend the Member for Cities of London and Westminster discussed, we must remember that it is not just about hedge funds. It is the alternative 3.35 pm investment fund management directive and it affects Mr. Mark Hoban (Fareham) (Con): I congratulate hedge funds, private equity and endowments. The Wellcome the hon. Member for Selby (Mr. Grogan) on securing Foundation and the endowment of Oxford university the debate, even though it had a changing title. As my are affected by it, as well as the funds in Germany that hon. Friend the Member for Cities of London and are used to finance wind farm investment. Most Latvians Westminster (Mr. Field) and the hon. Member for find the finance for their houses through funds and they Southport (Dr. Pugh) said, it was until relatively recently will be affected by the measure, too. What is happening entitled “The Impact of the Hedge Funds on the UK across Europe is that people who thought carelessly Economy” and we had all geared up for that. None the that the measure was just about those nasty big hedge less, the broadening of the title gives us the opportunity funds are now realising that it has much greater impact. to make some more wide-ranging remarks about the Why are hedge funds attractive? It is because people City. want to invest in them and they want the returns from I will, if I may, be critical of the hon. Member for them. However, I think that some people feel under Selby, who used lazy shorthand in the title of the pressure from hedge funds, whose activist nature creates debate. He will have offended people who work in and promotes change in financial markets and economies. Canary Wharf or in the west end, and people who see In some economies, people are reluctant to accept that themselves as part of the financial services sector but change is a good thing in that way. who are not located in the City. He has also forgotten Some people think that there is a zero-sum game here about the people in Whitely, just outside my constituency for Europe—that by introducing tougher regulation on boundary, who work for Zurich Financial Services, and hedge funds, Europe will see business moving from the 300 people who work in the Lloyds Bank call centre London to Frankfurt or Paris. However, it will not in my constituency. They are all part of the financial move to Frankfurt or Paris. That business will move services sector, as indeed are the staff of banks and outside the European Union: it will go to Singapore, insurance companies and the stockbrokers who are Geneva or New York. The regulatory drive in Europe dotted across the whole of the UK. risks making Europe uncompetitive and forcing jobs When we talk about the size of the financial services and business not out of London, but out of Europe. sector and the contribution it makes to the UK economy, That is an argument that we need to make, not just here we should remember that it is a sector that is based in Westminster but in Brussels and in other European across the whole country and not just in the Square capitals. Mile. We must be careful to remember that because it There is another lesson that we should draw from the represents a means by which the financial services sector hedge fund directive. When the directive was being can start to re-establish trust with people by reminding drawn up, the Government failed to recognise the wider them that it is an integral part of our lives. The debate impact that it would have. I think that Lord Myners is 123WH City of London14 OCTOBER 2009 City of London 124WH

[Mr. Mark Hoban] There are some regulatory issues that we need to address. Clearly, the capital requirements in place for rectifying that, but it would have been far better if the banks had not been fully thought through. The capital Government had been engaged much earlier while the requirements under Basle II encouraged procyclicality directive was being thought about, rather than just in lending and they encouraged banks to lend more in waiting until it was published. Can the Minister tell us if the good times. The Spanish banking system had the Chancellor of the Exchequer spoke to the Commission countercyclical capital and it has come through in a the week before the directive was published, because I much more robust state than the UK banking system understand that the Chancellor’s French and German and other banking systems. Obviously, we need to get counterparts did? It would be helpful to know if the the capital requirements right. Chancellor was able to put a word in to stop the We also need to ensure that there is a proper matching directive from being published. It seems that the French of capital to risk. Certain banks were able to make and German Finance Ministers were rather more successful some quite risky investments and engage in some quite in getting their views known. risky trading activities because they had a strong retail base. We should ensure that capital is much more closely Mr. Grogan: Just to be absolutely clear, the hon. aligned to the level of risk in trading activities and Gentleman suggested that the Chancellor should have capital should also reflect the riskiness of bonus structures. stopped the directive, so is the position of the official If remuneration structures lead to a certain type of Opposition that there should not be a directive at all? activity, capital should match those structures too. What is the position exactly? The regulatory structure in the UK needs reform. We have argued that there should be a “twin peaks”approach, Mr. Hoban: There needs to be proportionate regulation whereby the Bank of England would act as a prudential of the sector, which recognises the risks and responds to supervisor and a new consumer protection agency would them. My hon. Friend the Member for Cities of London act as a consumer champion. It is interesting to note and Westminster talked about the Financial Services that France—a country with which we do not necessarily Authority. The FSA has been very effective in regulating see eye to eye on these issues—is looking at moving to a hedge funds, because the regulation is proportionate to “twin peaks” approach, with the Banque du France, the risk. The directive, as it is currently drafted, is not France’s central bank, acting as a prudential supervisor, proportionate to the risk. It is a rather muddled document. just as in the Netherlands and Australia there is a Furthermore, because of the lack of due process in separate prudential regulator and a separate conduct of putting it together, the costs of the directive could business regulator. potentially outweigh its benefits. We want proportionate That structure is important as it would reinforce the regulation that reflects the risk that these funds pose, importance of prudential supervision. Our existing not regulation simply for the sake of it. regulatory regime, whereby the FSA acts as the prudential regulator and is also responsible for the conduct of Let me speak briefly about the wider financial services business, rather meant that the prudential aspect got sector. Clearly, the actions of certain banks and financial lost in recent years, because the accountability of the institutions created the financial crisis that we see today. regulator drove it towards more conduct of business There was a failure to recognise the risk that certain regulation. Our reforms would tackle that problem by financial institutions took on through the way that ensuring that the regulatory structure properly addresses mortgages were sliced and diced and repackaged into both prudential supervision and the conduct of business collaterised debt obligations, or CDOs squared, tripled rules that really regulate the way in which consumers or even cubed. There were complex transactions that buy products from insurers, banks and others, and meant that there was a loss of understanding between receive advice. the product that people bought and the underlying mortgage. There is no magic bullet that will solve the problem, only a series of interventions that we need to make. We There was also a failure to understand the risk attached need to get the capital provisions right and we need to to these instruments. I do not know what other Members get the regulatory structure right. However, we also read on their holiday, but “Fool’s Gold” by Gillian Tett need to ensure that the financial services sector sees is a book on the subject that is well worth reading. She itself as an integral part of the UK economy. It is only sets out in it how little some banks understood about by getting those structures right and by building up that these instruments when taking them on. Their creators—JP trust that once again people be content to see the City Morgan—actually took on very few of them and came continuing to grow. People talk about “the imbalance” through the financial crisis in good shape. and say that the financial services sector is too big. The answer is not to shrink that sector, but to grow other Mr. Mark Field: I have a suggestion; in many ways, it parts of the economy. That is the message that we need is a “back of the envelope” suggestion. It is that unless to think about when we look at the impact of the sector the senior directors of a bank can explain, within two on the UK as a whole. sides of A4, a product that they are trying to create, 3.47 pm such a product should not be marketed by that bank. The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Sarah McCarthy-Fry): First, I want to congratulate my hon. Mr. Hoban: My hon. Friend makes a good suggestion. Friend the Member for Selby (Mr. Grogan) on securing There was a disconnect between the directors and the this debate. I would also like to thank him for his very boys in the engine room: each seemed to think that the kind remarks to me and I am sure that, when we win the other knew what they were doing. I just wonder if that next general election and form the next Government, he disconnect was not a cause of the crisis. will be considered for a starring role. 125WH City of London14 OCTOBER 2009 City of London 126WH

I am afraid that I cannot contribute to the debate on for Fareham and I, who have neighbouring constituencies, bow ties because I have never worn one, hand-tied or know that there are many financial services sector industries otherwise. However, I can confirm that I am a Guardian outside the City. The reality is that London is home to reader. just under one third of overall UK financial services The impact of the City of London on the UK economy employment; individual regions such as the north-west is, of course, a highly topical issue and one that deserves generate almost 10 per cent. Regions differ by sub-sector. a rich and informed debate. I think that we have had a London is strong on broking and fund management, rich and informed debate today, which has gone much the east of England on life insurance and south-western wider than the original title of the debate, and I thank Scotland on life insurance and pensions. my hon. Friend for changing that original title to enable Our long-term objective—anybody’s long-term us to look at some of these wider facets. objective—is fair, efficient, stable financial markets that We have had contributions from several hon. Members. support economic growth and prosperity. That means The hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster that there must be interaction between the financial (Mr. Field) concentrated on the hedge funds, because services industry and the wider economy—another point that is an area of expertise for him. The hon. Member that has been made—but achieving that optimal interaction for Southport (Dr. Pugh) touched on hedge funds, but is, of course, riddled with tensions and challenges. There he also looked at the wider economy and regulation. is a criticism predating the current crisis about the The hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) touched detachment from the broader economy with which the on hedge funds, bonuses and the wider financial services City—sometimes “the City” is used as a synonym for sector. the higher value-added or exotic elements—is seen to My hon. Friend the Member for Selby presented us operate. On one level, that has to do with the complexity with a 10-point plan—double the five-point plan. I of the products, but on another, the sense of detachment hope to cover as many elements of that 10-point plan as cuts to the heart of economic morality. I cannot remember I can, but of course time is limited. I will do my best. who made the point that some see it as encouraging a brain drain from other economically valuable sectors at The hon. Member for Fareham made an important the expense of local economies. point when he asked what we are actually talking about when we talk about the City of London. Technically A second tension is the apparent misalignment between speaking, of course, the square mile and its environs, risks borne by taxpayers in allowing the financial sector including the west end and Canary Wharf, form the hub to grow and the actual benefits gained by those citizens of the major global financial centre, but I think that the from the sector’s basic role in allocating capital and term “City of London” is more often used as a metaphor helping society manage risk. A third is the combined for the wider UK financial services industry. That is gravity of the Government’s actions to tackle problems what I have taken it to mean in the context of this in individual financial institutions and restore system-wide debate. stability. Questions have been raised about whether there is an optimum size for the UK financial sector As my hon. Friend the Member for Selby said, the relative to the wider economy. That, in turn, has generated UK financial services industry plays a vital role in our a debate, mentioned by many hon. Members, about economy. As I have a bit of time, I will start by laying whether individual financial institutions have become down some facts and debunking a few myths about the too big to fail and, if so, what the appropriate regulatory City of London and its position that frequently, and response is. perhaps unhelpfully, circulate. There is an impression that London is only about Having identified what the tensions are, I will try to financial services. That, in turn, translates into concerns answer the questions raised about how we propose to that the UK economy as a whole is unbalanced. It is address them. The Banking Act 2009, the Turner review easy to assume that London’s economic output is completely and the Treasury’s wide-ranging White Paper “Reforming dominated by finance, but the sector generated 17 per financial markets” have given us some pointers for cent. of London’s GDP in 2006, compared with a UK where to go: more effective prudential regulation and average contribution of 7.5 per cent. to regional GDP. supervision of firms, greater emphasis on monitoring That is interesting to note, particularly when one thinks and managing system-wide risks, greater confidence of the remarks made by the hon. Member for Southport that the authorities are ready and able to deal with about the northern regions. Even regions better known problems involving systemically important institutions for their expertise in advanced engineering and low-carbon and greater protection for the taxpayer when an institution technology have financial sector output nearing the fails. national average. That includes Yorkshire and Humberside. My hon. Friend the Member for Selby mentioned the Balance is a relative concept. The UK financial services Glass-Steagall Act. The only point that I would make is industry as a whole, depending on the extent to which that banks of all sizes, not just institutions above a financial intermediation activity is measured, accounts certain size, have encountered difficulties. I am not for between 7.5 and just over 10 per cent. of national convinced that a cap on size would necessarily be an output. As a further comparison, the manufacturing effective way of managing risks. I believe that looking at sector alone accounts for about 14 per cent. of UK systemically important institutions and managing risks output. Of course we stress the financial services sector’s is a better approach. importance to the UK economy, but comments about I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend about mutuals. its dominance need to be considered in context. I would; I am a Labour and Co-operative Member of Many references were made to the importance of Parliament. In “Reforming financial markets”, we made City competitiveness, which assumes that the UK financial the point clearly about the importance of the mutual services industry is only about London. The hon. Member sector, particularly in creating a diversity of institutions. 127WH City of London14 OCTOBER 2009 City of London 128WH

[Sarah McCarthy-Fry] bonuses should be designed to shape future performance and thus subject to appropriate clawback if performance There has been a tendency to concentrate on one type is not good; the regulator should take bank remuneration of institution, and diversity balances risk. into account when supervising a bank. Moving on to hedge funds in my last two minutes, I Mr. Mark Field: I agree. I hope that Northern Rock think that there is a tendency to cast hedge funds as the goes down the mutual route, and that the mutuality of villains. We have heard many different aspects of that in building societies will come back into vogue. Does the this debate. Mention has been made of the total value Minister not recognise, however, that ever stronger added by hedge fund managers to the UK economy; a regulation is an impediment to the diversity to which PricewaterhouseCoopers report said that it was £76 billion she refers? for 2007. The report further highlighted their value with estimates that hedge funds accounted for 1.3 per cent. Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It is about getting the balance of the London work force and 5.9 per cent. of total right and recognising that just because an organisation London earnings. is managed mutually, that does not mean that the consumer assumes less risk. If consumers invest in an The UK regulatory regime is among the most rigorous institution, they are entitled to the protection of regulation, in the world and, in general, has stood up well, but the whether the institution is a mutual organisation or a Government and the Financial Services Authority have plc. It is about getting the balance right. identified one aspect that requires strengthening: oversight We talked a little bit about the international level. of the impact that hedge funds’ investment position and The fifth point, I think, was a financial transaction tax, strategies have on systemically important market sectors. or what in my old Co-op days we called a Tobin tax and We are looking to strengthen oversight in that area. debated regularly at the annual party conference. I am On the EU directive, we support the high-level structure sure that my hon. Friend the Member for Selby will be and approach of the directive, which is similar in many aware that it cannot be done on its own but would have ways to the current UK regime. However, there are a to be done globally. The Prime Minister said in a recent number of detailed points at which we think the current speech that it was worth considering, and I know that draft would impose large costs and constraints on fund the French are conducting a feasibility study and a managers without a commensurate improvement in working party on it. We will be watching with interest regulatory protection. If that improvement is not obtained, how it develops. It is certainly not something that the there is no point doing it. Lord Myners is leading on the UK could do on its own, and there is an awful lot more issue and we regularly meet with other EU member work to do on it. states. The Swedish presidency is developing a revised I am conscious of the time, and I want to pick up as draft that we believe will represent a major improvement many points as possible. I turn to corporate governance, on the Commission’s draft, and the European Parliament because not all risks can be addressed simply through has just started work on the dossier and appointed a regulation. Sir David Walker is due to report on the rapporteur. governance landscape in the UK banking sector in The question of the impact of the City of London on November. the UK economy requires us to consider more broadly A number of people mentioned bonuses. We are how the financial services and the economy interact, the approaching tackling bonuses with four basic principles: tensions in the interaction and how Government, industry rewards for failure are not appropriate; bonus payments and other market participants can work together. The should be based on long-term, sustainable performance; joint effort requires proper regulation. 129WH 14 OCTOBER 2009 Plymouth CityBus 130WH

Plymouth CityBus companies has emerged all over the country. There has been a market survey by the Office of Fair Trading and a consultation is ongoing on the matter. If that leads to 4pm a full-blown investigation by the Competition Commission, Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton) (Lab/Co-op): Plymouth it would be well advised to look at how the sustainable CityBus, with its cheerful red and white livery, is as bus services work in Plymouth. much part of our great city’s identity as the iconic red CityBus provides sustainable bus services that are and white lighthouse, Smeaton’s Tower, that stands on good for older people. I have described the good network Plymouth Hoe. One of the many things that makes with most people living within 200 metres of a bus stop. people in Plymouth angry about the proposed sell-off That is much better than other cities with denser of the bus company by the Conservative council is that populations, which should make it easier to provide a sale to a rival company could rob us of that distinctive such a service. Goodness knows what would happen to part of our city’s identity. People have an attachment to the level of access in our city if the bus service was sold and an affection for their bus company. People like the off. It is clear that any loss of access would hit older red and white buses because CityBus has a successful people, especially older women, hardest as they rely track record of providing good, efficient bus services. more on bus services. As Jack Dromey of Unite said just a moment ago, it is one of the finest bus companies in the land. This debate The issue also matters to younger people. A company is not about a bus company that has failed and so has to that had to serve multiple shareholders rather than the be put into the private sector, but about one of the most community through the proxy of city council ownership successful bus companies in the country. would almost certainly result in a reduction of school buses. At present, CityBus provides an additional 12 CityBus was formed in 1986 and is wholly owned by buses to provide extra capacity on school runs during Plymouth city council, making it one of only a dozen or peak time. The city council is highly unlikely to be able so municipally-owned bus companies left in the United to support those additional services. If it did, the money Kingdom. It employs nearly 500 local people, and some would not come from the current subsidy. That is just of its very fine workers have joined us today. The one aspect that makes the proposal so stupid. The company has an annual turnover of approximately knock-on effect would be that general bus services £17.5 million and although an annual dividend is returned became more crowded and roads would become more to the council, importantly, profit is continually invested congested as people switched back to cars for school in vehicles and services. Through careful stewardship of journeys. The school bus service removes more than resources over the years, the company and the fine 4,000 car journeys from the road each week—that is people who work for it have come up with a recipe that 160,000 journeys in a school year, which all take place ought to be seen as an example of what works. at peak times. The proposal would also affect the target CityBus provides Plymouth with a high level of access to increase bus use from 16 to 20 per cent. Need I say to bus services, despite how spread out the city is. More more? This crazy proposal will be bad for young and than 95 per cent. of people in Plymouth—I think it is as old alike. much as 98 per cent.—are within 200 metres of a bus We must rise to the steep challenge of transport stop. In similar cities, the distance is 400 metres. I hope playing its part in the immensely stretching targets set the Minister agrees that the service is one that many out in the Climate Change Act 2008. The silo mentality would envy. We must surely aspire to create more such of the Tory administration in Plymouth will drive a cart services if we are to meet the urgent demand of our and horses through a valuable green asset. climate change targets. The CityBus recipe is sensitive to change. The success of the 60 or more buses that run every hour between James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend, East) (Con): Derriford and the city centre allows other less well used The Prime Minister is going to put assets such as the routes to survive. It is ironic that the bus war that was Dartford toll crossing into private ownership. Is that prompted by the council’s proposal to sell CityBus is not inconsistent with the points that the hon. Lady is attacking the core of the successful recipe for sustainable making? bus services in Plymouth—that is, the successful routes. The company works well on prices. For example the Linda Gilroy: I will touch on that point in a moment. dayrider ticket is good value compared with those in However, all politics, including local politics, is a matter other cities. That is possible because CityBus, as a of priorities. That applies to assets as much as it does to publicly owned company, has used its competitive position anything else. to benefit everyone. It currently has 60 per cent. of the The silo mentality of the Tory administration in competitive market. If CityBus is sold to a rival bus Plymouth will drive a cart and horses through an incredibly company, an even fiercer price war is likely, as has been valuable green asset, which has been developed through seen in other cities. Although that might drive down cross-party stewardship over several decades. CityBus is prices and appear to be good for customers in the short a green asset that not only provides good access to term, in the longer term it would probably lead to the public transport for a high proportion of the population, emergence of one dominant company. If such a company but invests its profits to that end. It is not under was not in public hands, as sure as night follows day, it pressure, as a private company would be, to distribute a would end up stifling competition and keeping prices higher proportion of its profits to shareholders. That high. means that all vehicles operate on ultra-low-sulphur It is ironic that CityBus, which is a successful recipe diesel fuel and all new vehicles comply with the latest that delivers good outcomes to all, is being put at risk emission levels. It is ahead of the curve in investing in just as the problem of bus wars leading to dominant Euro 4.5 and 5 vehicles. 131WH Plymouth CityBus14 OCTOBER 2009 Plymouth CityBus 132WH

[Linda Gilroy] out if another bus company were to run them. We will support environmentally sustainable transport and we Unlike most other bus companies, CityBus still employs are prepared to put our money where our mouth is in a pool of local engineers, which is a sustainable way of relation to that. ensuring high-quality maintenance and reliability. A To spend £962,000 of Plymouth people’s money to pool of local, skilled employees ensures that engines investigate the sale of a bus company that people do not and parts are maintained to high standards and that an want to be sold is wasteful, arrogant, damaging and it is environmentally unsustainable waste of parts and engines already upsetting a recipe that has worked well in Plymouth is avoided. There is also high-quality performance in for a long time. Why spend so much money now on a terms of emissions. Most companies that might express valuation? It is perverse. an interest in taking over from CityBus do not have engineering or coaching as part of their core business, Mr. Gary Streeter (South-West Devon) (Con): I am so both activities would be likely to stop if it were sold. grateful to the hon. Lady for allowing me to contribute That would result in the loss of 10 per cent. of the jobs. to the debate. I certainly accept that CityBus is a very The engineering work would have to be done elsewhere impressive company, but does she agree that although it and it is unlikely that the win-win balance of engineering is owned by the council, it is not run by the council; it is and sustainable maintenance practices would be preserved. run by its own board. Why on earth would a private Plymouth’s successful bus network is the result of a company spend millions on buying CityBus and then delicate balance and a special recipe. The way in which slash its routes and reduce its services in the way she has the council has gone about what it describes as described? I am bound to ask whether she is just “seeking to place a value” scaremongering and using the issue to launch her election on the company has upset that balance. The early signs campaign. of the bus war that has been prompted must surely be depreciating the value of CityBus. That is not exactly Linda Gilroy: I launched my election campaign in degree-level economics. We have seen negligent stewardship 1997 and have not stopped since. I do not think the hon. not just of an outstanding environmental asset, but of Gentleman can have listened to what I have said. If he taxpayers’ money. There must surely be a case for needs to study what makes up the economic argument I someone in the Audit Commission investigating whether am advancing, he need look no further than the market proper consideration was given to the repercussions of survey of the Office of Fair Trading, which may be selling the company at a time when market values have about to prompt a full blown Competition Commission plummeted, a bus war was entirely predictable and inquiry. I would be delighted to brief him on the detail environmental assets should be most particularly valued of how the margins and the profits are deployed in a and protected. Councillor Tudor Evans, who is Labour’s different way when a company is wholly publicly owned—in leader on the council, specifically drew attention to that fact, I am about to come to that. not just once but several times before the decision was According to Marc Reddy, who is the managing taken to proceed. director of First Devon and Cornwall—one of two Of course, Plymouth city council has to raise money companies to have withdrawn their initial interest in the in the face of difficult economic circumstances and the proposal—the bidding process set up by Plymouth city likelihood of tighter public spending. However, I say to council to find out how much the company is worth is a the Minister that it is a question of priorities and there “shambles” and could end up costing “many millions of are other ways of saving money. The capital programme pounds.” could be engineered differently, or other assets could be sold. It says a lot about Conservative priorities in Plymouth Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Devonport) (Lab): My that they have chosen to target CityBus without setting hon. Friend has made the range of opposition to the out why it is a priority for disposal over other assets. sell-off that exists in the city clear and flagged up the critical reaction of the managing director of one of James Duddridge: Will the hon. Lady give way? the other bus companies. In fact, Mr. Reddy has also expressed concern that the whole management exercise Linda Gilroy: No. I am sorry, but I have only a small has been a “total disaster” and that it could cost the period of time, and I think that other hon. Members taxpayer millions of pounds—far more than the optimistic may wish to intervene. figure quoted by the council. In his response, I hope The decision to proceed comes from a silo mentality that the Minister will consider the fact that, in addition that pays no attention to the consequences for people, to the wholly negative effect of a bus war, pressure may whether they are young or old customers, the environment be put on Plymouth city taxpayers. Far from being an or the service provided. A silo mentality has been asset sale, this is a Dutch auction. compounded by a seemingly cavalier disregard for using up to £962,000 to prompt a bus war, which has made Linda Gilroy: I could not have put it better myself. To bus users and non-bus users alike angry and worried. put it simply, CityBus works. It works by providing The union Unite has done a cracking job in organising value for money, excellent access and environmental a campaign to rally behind CityBus. It has overwhelming efficiency in an age that calls for responsibility, public support from people in Plymouth, including many service and sustainability. Conservative voters and Plymouth’s Labour councillors. In concluding, I want to say to the huge number of Our priorities are clear: unlike the Conservatives, we people in Plymouth campaigning to expose the folly of will support a tried and tested company that is working. selling CityBus, “Keep up the good work. I will do We will support the young, the elderly and those on low everything I can to back you.”I know that the Minister does incomes, who rely on these services and who would lose not have powers to halt this stupid proposal—I wish he 133WH Plymouth CityBus14 OCTOBER 2009 Plymouth CityBus 134WH had—but I feel it is important to tell him about something with bus operators so they can create binding arrangements that works in the world of bus public transport, particularly that provide better and more sustainable bus services, at a time when the Office of Fair Trading is focusing with better facilities and a higher standard of service for concerns on how things are not working in many other passengers. cities and communities. I hope that he will take note of The 2008 Act introduced new powers to allow local this important example of how operations in the world transport authorities to sign voluntary partnership of bus transport can and do work, and that he can point agreements with multiple operators for the first time, or us in the direction of how we can hold the Tory council to further encourage the use of binding quality partnership in Plymouth to account over its appalling stewardship schemes, which compel operators to provide services to of this green jewel in our city’s crown. a minimum standard in exchange for local authorities I would like to think that the Tory council’s negligent improving facilities for passengers and vehicles. Indeed, handling of this issue and taxpayers’ money could open the Act makes quality contracts schemes a realistic it up to being surcharged. I guess it is too much to hope proposition for the first time, under which a local that the Minister will be able to point me in the direction transport authority can introduce a London-style franchise of such powers, but I hope that he will draw the appalling system and take full control over the way buses are record of the Tory cabinet in Plymouth to the attention operated in their authority area. of his colleagues in the Department for Communities and Local Government, so that it is fully taken into James Duddridge: Just to clarify, does the Minister account in the assessment of the council’s hopeless and oppose the sale? hapless performance on this issue. Chris Mole: The point I am making at this stage of my speech is that we have provided the powers across 4.16 pm the piece for local authorities properly to hold bus companies to account. However, the situation would The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport obviously be different in a case where the local authority (Chris Mole): I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member has ownership, which is something I will come to in a for Plymouth, Sutton (Linda Gilroy) on securing the moment. debate and thank her for bringing these matters to the attention of hon. Members. She may be aware that I We are already seeing many examples of close partnership have strong empathy with her view in that Ipswich working across the country, which is reaping real benefits Buses, along with Plymouth CityBus, are two of only for passengers. We continue to work hard to promote nine remaining municipal bus companies. I am well those new powers, providing guidance and advice to aware of the depth of feeling that the proposed sale of local authorities and encouraging them to make full use Plymouth CityBus is causing in her constituency. I of the powers contained in the Act. Of course, we meet congratulate my hon. Friend on the part she has played regularly with our colleagues in local government and in raising the profile of the issue. with representatives from the bus industry, and it is clear that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Of course, we all know how important a strong local Bus operators operate routes where people use them bus service is to communities everywhere in the country, the most, and the economic sense of that is clear. In urban and rural areas alike, and that people have entirely addition, local authorities can, and do, subsidise routes justifiable concerns when their local service appears to that provide a further social benefit—indeed, 500 million come under threat. Central and local government provide vehicle km run on that basis every year. more than £2.5 billion in support and grants to the bus industry every year, which is three times the level of There are many important services and only a finite support provided a decade ago. Support for local transport amount of money, but the message is the same: decisions will remain a priority for the Government. on local bus services are best made by those locally elected to take them. Councils are elected to work in the A reliable bus network that offers good value for best interests of the communities that elect them. While money is vital to further reducing urban congestion, it is for central Government to provide the legislative improving air quality in our cities and lowering carbon framework that gives councils the tools to do their job, emissions from transport by providing a real and credible Westminster cannot, and should not, seek to control alternative to the car for many short journeys. The bus their actions. The same is true for the assets owned by is also key to improving access to employment and local authorities. other services for a great many people, especially, but by no means exclusively, those without a car. 4.20 pm The bus provides a connection with a community— Sitting suspended for a Division in the House. particularly for the more vulnerable people in society— which is why, in addition to providing free off-peak bus 4.30 pm travel across the whole of England to all older and On resuming— disabled people since April last year, we are continuing to look at how concessionary fare reimbursement is Chris Mole: I was saying that councils are elected to paid, so we can ensure that it is administered in the work in the best interests of the community that has fairest and most cost-effective way. Precisely because elected them, and that we in Westminster should not local buses are so important to the communities they seek to control their actions. I was about to say that the serve, it is Government policy to ensure that local same is true for the assets owned by the local authority. authorities are empowered to make decisions on the In many ways, this addresses the point raised by the best way to manage their local bus service. That is why hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East (James the Local Transport Act 2008 gave local authorities the Duddridge), who is no longer in his place. At the end of powers they need to build stronger working relationships the day, it is for locally elected councils to use their 135WH Plymouth CityBus14 OCTOBER 2009 Plymouth CityBus 136WH

[Chris Mole] world in which we need to be more conscious of our carbon footprint, and in which we cannot rely on building assets in a way that provides the best benefits to the new roads to cope with increased demand for transport. people who elected them. Plymouth city council is Behaviour change is absolutely integral to our strategy, ultimately accountable at the ballot box to the people of which the evidence shows is working. I genuinely believe Plymouth for its actions, not to us in Westminster. that we have the right regulatory arrangements between central Government, local government and the private Alison Seabeck: On the question of assets, if the sector in respect of the bus industry, and we will continue Office of Fair Trading decides to call in and look at the to work to build on the improvements that we have impact of sell-offs and bus wars, would the Minister made and to construct a stronger, more robust network think it appropriate for the sale to be halted while the for the future. investigation is undertaken? I promise my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton that I will raise her concerns with my ministerial Chris Mole: People would have to look at the competition colleagues in the Department for Communities and implications of a change in circumstances on a case-by-case Local Government. If she believes that Plymouth city basis. As my hon. Friend knows—I shall deal with this council has done anything inappropriate, there is obviously briefly—there is the question of the OFT review. a role for the district auditor to look at the use of In all our work with the bus industry and local resources. However, as I have said, at the end of the day, authorities, two clear messages come across: local buses it is for the people of Plymouth to make a judgment on are best managed at a local level, and transport works decisions taken by the city council. best when operators and local authorities work together. I understand that CityBus provides the people of Our consistent improvements to the regulatory framework Plymouth with good access to bus services and that it is contribute to those goals. a popular service, especially with older people and Of course, there is a case for competition where it has because of its school-run capacity. I have spoken a great a role to play. Hon. Members may be aware that the deal about the influencing role that councils can have. OFT recently published a report that encouraged more competition in the bus industry. I commend it on the Linda Gilroy: To follow through on the point made depth in which it has examined this issue so far. The by my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport Department for Transport will continue to work with (Alison Seabeck) as to whether there should be a suspension the OFT to decide the best course for the bus industry. if there is a reference to the OFT, would the Minister We can see that even though car ownership has risen, agree that, with a bus company that is as successful as people are still choosing to travel by bus. Plymouth CityBus, there would be a good reason to So where do we go from here? The bus is absolutely consider putting the whole thing in suspension pending key to achieving every part of the Government’s transport the OFT’s consideration? strategy. We want to demonstrate that measures designed to support and encourage sustainable travel, including Chris Mole: I come back to my central point, which is walking, cycling and public transport use, which together that the framework that we have established puts the we have termed “smarter choices”, can help to ease primary responsibility for making such decisions on the congestion, increase physical activity and reduce local authority. It will have to do that in the context of environmental impacts from transport. that knowledge, and I am sure that my hon. Friend will ensure that everyone in Plymouth knows that the city Local authorities are beginning to consider their next council knows that those are the circumstances. local transport plans, and we expect to see smarter choices as a key component, as is already the case for Mr. Streeter: I want to be clear about what the many authorities. By implementing measures on smarter Minister is saying. He is not saying that his Government choices, including encouraging the greater use of buses, are telling Plymouth city council not to sell CityBus. Is local authorities, businesses and local communities will that correct? be able to harness the benefits in their areas. I have said that the bus is a key weapon in meeting Chris Mole: I made it clear that the framework in this country’s obligations on carbon reduction, and that which we see councils having a relationship with bus is true, but the bus is of paramount importance to many companies is one for the local authority. However, people for any number of other reasons. Nearly one having said that, I have entirely described the set of fifth of all commuting trips are now made by public relationships between local government and bus companies, transport, and I fully expect to see that figure rise even and how those can be improved by many of the frameworks further through the support of smarter choices. With that we have put in place in legislation over the past few the introduction of free off-peak local bus travel anywhere years. Any local authority that owns a bus company in England, older people now have more freedom to should cherish the opportunity that it has and make the travel in retirement than ever before. People feel safer most of owning a bus company, because it may find and more comfortable when travelling than in the past, that the power to influence may not always be as great and those factors are reflected in rising patronage, as it has been through direct ownership of the bus which reverses a trend that had been drifting downwards company. since the 1950s. Such changes do not happen suddenly, but take place 4.38 pm over time, as people adapt their behaviour to a modern Sitting suspended. 137WH 14 OCTOBER 2009 The Maldives 138WH

The Maldives Mr. Amess: My hon. Friend has immediately got to the heart of the matter. I am sure that his words are not lost on the Minister. 4.40 pm Since 2005-06, DFID has provided no bilateral overseas Mr. David Amess (Southend, West) (Con): I have the development assistance to the Maldives. In the past honour to be chairman of the all-party group on Maldives, three years, United Kingdom net bilateral aid to the following in the distinguished line of the previous chairman, Maldives totalled only £103,000 out of a total South Lord Naseby. I am delighted to see attending this debate Asia programme worth more than £2.1 million. None my hon. Friends the hon. Member for South-West of that £103,000 came from DFID; it came from other Devon (Mr. Streeter), for West Suffolk (Mr. Spring) and UK official sources, including the British Council. DFID for Braintree (Mr. Newmark), all of whom have a real offers development assistance indirectly to the Maldives interest in the Maldives. through a multilateral aid programme, whereby funding The all-party group was set up some eight years ago is channelled through international organisations such at the request of the then Maldivian high commissioner as the European Union, the World Bank, the International and a great deal has been achieved during that period. Monetary Fund and the United Nations. Last year, I had the privilege of visiting the country, together with my hon. Friend the Member for Mr. Richard Spring (West Suffolk) (Con): The new Northampton, South (Mr. Binley). We were charged President of the Maldives has inherited a difficult fiscal with the task of monitoring the preparation for the position, as my hon. Friend is aware. It is extraordinary 2008 presidential elections and exploring avenues for to note that, for a country of its size, the Maldives has a mutually advantageous co-operation between our two relatively large fiscal deficit and inherited debt is high. countries. This debate gives the Minister the opportunity Yet in absolute terms, relative to DFID’s entire budget, to respond to a number of points, on which I hope the the sum needed would be relatively small to begin to British and Maldivian Governments will be able to address the matter. Just to support my hon. Friend’s work together. point, this is the youngest democracy in the world and The Maldives has made incredible progress, with the in the Commonwealth, and we owe a great deal to it. first multi-party elections being held in October last year, President Mohamed Nasheed being sworn into Mr. Amess: I understand my hon. Friend’s points. I office and President Maumoon Gayoom stepping down do not want to beat up the Minister too much, because after more than 30 years. That is undoubtedly a triumph if I do we will get nothing out of this debate. The whole for democracy and an example that the rest of the world point of an Adjournment debate is to achieve something should applaud, as the transition to democracy was at the end of it. made without violence or bloodshed. That is a proud achievement for all Maldivians. Setting a similarly positive The amounts are still tiny in international development example, I am delighted to tell hon. Members that the terms. Total aid to the Maldives by multilateral agencies new Government of the Maldives—a Muslim nation—has is currently around £10 million annually, to which DFID recently re-established diplomatic relations with Israel contributes about 5 per cent. This is no substitute for after 15 years, which is another splendid achievement. dedicated UK development assistance to the Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed travelled last week from through a structured bilateral programme and a specialist Malé to Manchester to address the Conservative party person operating in DFID’s south Asia desk. conference. The President spoke about the economy, DFID now classifies the Maldives as a lower middle- democracy and climate change, which he described as a income country, and as such it is not on its priority list matter of “life or death” for the country. of low-income countries. However, although it is not During the summer Adjournment debate on 21 July, one of the world’s poorest countries, it is one of the I reported that the high commissioner, Dr. Farah Faizal, lowest lying, and as such is one of those most vulnerable had advised me that no funding had yet been received to the impacts of climate change. More than 80 per from the Department for International Development cent. of the nation is less than 1 metre above sea level and that she could not get a meeting with the relevant and, according to a 2007 study by the United Nations Minister. I am delighted to say that since then DFID Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a rise in has met the Maldivian Foreign Minister, Dr. Ahmed sea levels of 7.2 inches to 23.2 inches by 2100 could Shaheed, but unfortunately the outcome is still far from render the Maldives completely uninhabitable. The Maldives totally satisfactory. DFID is offering relatively little will participate in December’s UN climate summit in support to this fledgling democracy, to which our country Copenhagen, which will be a chance to seal a deal on a owes an obligation, given our historic ties, as the Maldives successor agreement to the Kyoto protocol. This is an seeks to overhaul the public sector, institute democratic important issue for the residents of the Maldives. reform, reduce the budget deficit, improve governance The UK made a significant contribution to aid relief and deal with the threat of climate change. following the 2004 tsunami. DFID committed £50 million in aid, providing assistance in the form of landing craft, Mr. Gary Streeter (South-West Devon) (Con): Although vehicles and humanitarian relief supplies, such as bottled I understand that DFID might take the view that the water. I visited last year and saw some of the assistance country falls outside its framework for assistance, does that was given. The effect of the disaster was phenomenal: my hon. Friend agree that, being a Muslim country that two thirds of the country disappeared momentarily into is now a fully fledged democracy, if its Government and the Indian ocean, and when the sea withdrew, it took democracy were allowed to fail, it would send a bad 62 per cent. of the country’s gross national product with signal to the wider world and that Britain ought to it. Electricity, communications and freshwater supplies ensure that it succeeds? on many islands were destroyed by the salt water. 139WH The Maldives14 OCTOBER 2009 The Maldives 140WH

[Mr. Amess] Kingdom’s GCSE and A-level system. Some 3,000 students sit A-levels each year, but the Maldives has no university Such disaster scenarios have the potential to multiply for them to attend. My colleagues and I are working to exponentially as a result of climate change and rising address that issue and establish links with individual sea levels. Financial assistance is urgently required to British universities, and I think that we are making fund adaptation and mitigation strategies, technology some progress. However, additional assistance from the development, capacity building and preparation of national relevant Department and the British Council would be plans to deal with these threats. Although natural disasters highly beneficial in meeting the Maldivian Government’s can never be completely averted, it makes much more higher education objectives. sense to support the country’s investment in planning and preparation than to rely solely on emergency relief The main scholarship scheme promoted by the British and clean-up operations further down the line. Council in Sri Lanka is the Chevening scholarship scheme, which the British Government created in 1994. The Maldives national adaptation programme for The Maldivian Government would also like to institute action, adopted in January 2007, identifies the most a volunteer programme for United Kingdom graduates urgent and immediate adaptation needs of the country to teach at schools in the Maldives, as part of the with regard to predicted climate change. The cost of international wing of the Maldives volunteer corps. I that alone is estimated at about $100 million. The hope that many graduates will take advantage of that Maldives has pledged to become the world’s first carbon- opportunity, which is being promoted by the high neutral country within 10 years. The country is showing commissioner. I think that the British Government leadership in mitigation actions to reduce national would like to take that forward and ensure that more greenhouse gas emissions and demonstrating its graduates set an example with that initiative. commitment to stopping climate change. The British Government should reward such nations for leading DFID global school partnerships promote partnerships and setting an example. between schools in the United Kingdom and schools in The Maldives has an international reputation as a Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Again, tropical paradise of white sands and wonderful waters, such partnerships provide a wonderful opportunity. as we all know. Tourism is the main economic activity in The UK international health links funding scheme is a the country; it contributes about 30 per cent. of gross Tropical Health and Education Trust and British Council domestic product. The annual number of tourist arrivals funding scheme supported by DFID and the Department is greater than the total population of the Maldives, of Health. The Maldives would definitely benefit from and 70 per cent. of the foreign exchange that flows into such assistance in the health care sector. The acute the country comes through the tourism sector. scarcity of skilled health personnel is a major constraint However, the very things that attract tourists to visit in the sustainable development of the Maldivian health the country are some of those most under threat. I am sector. The links between environmental and human referring to land and beach erosion and damage to health are not unknown, and the Maldives finds itself coral reefs, for example. I hope that the United Kingdom in a precarious position in that regard. Government will help the Maldivian Government to To continue the educational theme, having worked to act now to prevent the loss not only of the special promote and strengthen educational links between our ecology of the islands, but of the country’s most vital two countries, I am shocked and appalled by the situation source of income. Rising water levels pose a threat to in which many Maldivian students find themselves. As livelihoods, infrastructure, food security and health—for there is no British diplomatic mission in the Maldives, example, through the flooding of homes and agricultural applications for United Kingdom student visas must be land, contamination of ground water and an increase in made in Colombo, Sri Lanka; Maldivian citizens enjoy waterborne diseases. visa-free entry to the UK as tourists. That has been The Maldivian Foreign Minister met representatives causing delays in visa processing, and as the university of DFID and secured 50 per cent. funding for the V14 year has commenced, some students are in danger of meeting next month; the 14 countries most vulnerable losing their places. Last year, out of 113 student visa to climate change will meet in the Maldives on 9 and applications, 86 encountered problems, which caused 10 November. I fully acknowledge that that is a most considerable delays and financial cost to the students. welcome contribution, but I hope that the Minister will pledge that he will see whether even more can be done. It is absolutely ridiculous that citizens from the Maldives must travel to Colombo to apply for a visa. That is The Maldives’ programme of economic reform presents unacceptable. I hope that the appropriate Department new opportunities for United Kingdom businesses. The will reconsider the present arrangement. I see no reason, plan to make the Maldives carbon-neutral within 10 years if it is not possible to post a UK Border Agency official offers particular possibilities for co-operation, as UK to the Maldives, why it should not be a condition of the companies have expertise and know-how in the field of outsourcing contract to have, at the very least, an approved renewable and low-carbon energy. officer in the Maldives to collect the necessary information, The British Council has done a great deal, and I hope which could then be forwarded to staff in India for that it will do even more. It does not have a dedicated processing. I simply do not understand the situation, presence in the Maldives, although there is an office in and I have written to the Home Secretary and the Sri Lanka. The Voluntary Service Overseas programme Foreign Secretary on the issue. in the Maldives closed this year, as the country’s rating on the UN’s human development index has considerably To conclude, I am delighted thus far with the assistance improved in recent years. Adult literacy, for instance, is that the Government have given the Maldives, but given almost 100 per cent. However, there is a huge shortage our historical links, I hope that the Minister will be of teachers in the Maldives, which follows the United persuaded to do even more. 141WH The Maldives14 OCTOBER 2009 The Maldives 142WH

4.56 pm change and the economy. As the hon. Gentleman said, Ministers from the Department for International The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Development have recently held talks with the new Office (Mr. Ivan Lewis): I congratulate the hon. Member Government to discuss development issues. Through for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) on securing this important regular visits to the Maldives, the British high commission debate. I welcome his genuine concern and interest, in Colombo maintains strong relationships with the which he has shown over a long period, in the Maldives Government, opposition parties and civil society. and in pursuing the interests of the people of the Maldives. I am sure that we would all acknowledge the The country undoubtedly faces development and genuine passion with which he made his contribution—I economic challenges, but there is no question that over also have to say that I hope that he continues to enjoy the last three decades it has made significant progress many a holiday in what is a beautiful country. on development. It has moved from being one of the 20 poorest countries in 1978, to having one of the highest Our relationship with the Maldives remains a very per capita incomes in south Asia. The economy has important priority for the United Kingdom. I assure expanded at an average of 7 per cent. per year for the the hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members present, last 25 years through effective development of the tourism as well as our friends in the Maldives, that we as a and fishing industries. The powerful progress that the country are fully committed to providing all the support country has made on provision for education and health that we can to the Maldives at this transitional and is indisputable. crucial moment in its history. The hon. Gentleman was right to recognise the serious The debate is an important opportunity to applaud fiscal challenges that the country now faces. Those unashamedly the Maldives for its impressive progress challenges threaten to overshadow recent economic and on both development and democratic reform in recent political progress. President Nasheed has made it clear years, of which all Maldivians can be incredibly proud. that he has inherited a large fiscal deficit. We recognise The hon. Member for Southend, West rightly welcomed the vital importance of the reforms that the Government the first multi-party presidential elections in 2008 and of that country seek to implement during a difficult parliamentary elections earlier this year. I commend the time of economic downturn. success of those historic elections and I recognise the role played by the new Government and the outgoing During the debate, the hon. Gentleman suggested Administration in ensuring the smooth and peaceful that the UK should offer more financial support to the transition of power that followed. The elections were Maldives at this particular time, and that we should undoubtedly an important step on the path to establishing reopen a DFID bilateral programme. He was right to an effective, accountable and functioning democracy. say that DFID has not provided any bilateral development assistance to the Maldives since 2005-06. As a former We as a country played an important role in supporting DFID Minister, I can say that DFID unashamedly the elections. We maintain regular contact with Government prioritises its overseas development assistance to the and opposition parties and encourage cross-party dialogue. lowest-income countries where it believes that it can It is vital that the new Government continue to consult make the most difference to poverty levels. The Maldives and involve the opposition parties and the Maldivian has an impressive record of poverty reduction, and will people in the important decisions that they are making shortly graduate to middle-income country status. It to continue to strengthen democracy. has achieved all but two of the millennium development I pay particular tribute to the hon. Member for West goals that world leaders signed up to during the Gleneagles Suffolk (Mr. Spring) for his personal contribution to conference. and support for that smooth transition of power and In a spirit of bipartisanship, I say gently that it is not for his contribution to emphasising the importance of the position of the shadow Secretary of State for sustaining that responsible approach from the new President International Development, or the Leader of the and Government in an environment of reconciliation. Opposition, to change development policy regarding The hon. Gentleman deserves tremendous credit for the where the UK targets its resources, which is on those role that he has fulfilled. countries that most need support for the elimination of I want to draw attention to the President’s visit to poverty, and those countries that have made very little Manchester—my home city—only last week. I want to progress. It would be entirely inconsistent for the put it on record that the President’s speech was by far Government to single out the Maldives and make it an the best speech heard during the entire period of that exceptional case; we must apply the criteria in a consistent conference in Manchester. With the funding that we way. It is not only a question of my Government taking have provided, we have continued to help the Maldives that position. In my view, based on his previous policy to consolidate and strengthen its democratic institutions, statements, the shadow Secretary of State for International and to raise awareness of the rights and responsibilities Development would adopt exactly the same position if of civil society and the democratic system. As part of he ever had to make such a decision. the European Union, we have taken part in election The UK is a major donor to the Maldives and, as the observation and contributed to projects on democratic hon. Gentleman said, it is important that we calibrate reform. The hon. Member for Southend, West was right that through significant contributions to international to raise the specific question of climate change, and I financial institutions such as the IMF, the World Bank will come on to that in a moment. and the Asian Development Bank. We have encouraged Our contacts with the new democratic Government the Maldives to approach those financial institutions reflect our support for political reform and economic and we have helped with technical assistance to enable it development. The Prime Minister and the Minister to do so. Only this year, the UK funded a fiscal policy with responsibility for Asia met President Nasheed in adviser who assisted Maldives with its recent negotiations April specifically to discuss democratic reform, climate with the IMF. When an application is presented to the 143WH The Maldives14 OCTOBER 2009 The Maldives 144WH

[Mr. Ivan Lewis] special climate change fund, and we encourage the Maldives to seek further support from both those funding IMF board, the UK will work to ensure that it contributes mechanisms. The United Nations framework convention the necessary resources for economic stability and on climate change adaptation fund is due to become development in the Maldives. We will use our influence operational early in 2010, and we hope that the Maldives with the IMF to get the right outcome, providing that will be able to benefit from funding very soon. the bidding process and the application meet the necessary I will deal specifically with the hon. Gentleman’s business standards. concerns about student visas. I was unaware of that As the hon. Gentleman acknowledged, bilateral issue before this debate, but I will be more than happy co-operation must mean more than just financial assistance. to take the matter up and see whether we can make The UK helps to build capacity through targeted progress across Government with all the agencies that interventions in a range of areas to help the Maldives bear responsibility for the issue, to see whether we can tackle some of the serious challenges that it faces, the remove some of the unreasonable, unnecessary obstacles greatest of which is climate change, an issue that has and red tape that prevent student visas from being been well reported in this country in recent times. processed in a more efficient way. I will write to the hon. The effects of climate change are devastating for the Gentleman and make him aware of how we intend to fragile environment of the Maldives, especially since approach the matter, and I will keep him fully informed. 80 per cent. of its 1,200 islands are no more than 1 There is no doubt that the Maldives is heading in the metre above sea level. That makes it an almost unique right direction. We applaud the fact that President situation in the context of the climate change debate, Nasheed and his colleagues are making significant progress and that is why it is crucial that at the UN conference on in consolidating what is a new democracy. The Maldivian climate change in Copenhagen in December, we see an Government have shown domestic leadership and vision ambitious deal that is comprehensive and equitable for on the reform agenda, but at an early stage they also all countries. We believe that a global deal that addresses showed international leadership on climate change. The carbon emissions, funding flows and technology represents UK is a staunch friend of the Maldives, and we shall the best way to protect countries which are particularly continue to help and support it along its path. As vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as the friends, we shall encourage it to make further progress Maldives. on sustainable economic development and human rights, As hon. Members will be aware, our Prime Minister so that the Maldives can secure its position as a progressive will be leading the United Kingdom delegation and and democratic country. demanding that the international community does the It seems to me that the reconciliatory approach taken right thing on climate change, in the same way as he led by the President, with its lack of vengeance and revenge the international community in ensuring that we did for some of the human rights abuses that he and many exactly the right thing during the economic crisis that of his associates suffered, is of great credit. One could we have just faced. argue that it follows the model demonstrated by Mandela We welcome President Nasheed’s leading role on the when he assumed leadership in South Africa; it shows international stage in highlighting the impact of climate the importance of reconciliation, of building bridges change on vulnerable countries, and we fully support and of not looking backwards. I end today’s debate by his recent announcement of a forum for leaders of paying tribute to the President for that; the United countries vulnerable to climate change, which will be Kingdom will stand alongside his Government in dealing held in the Maldives in November. I also applaud the with the economic, social and climate change reforms President’s announcement in May about his ambition necessary for the future. We look forward to remaining for the Maldives to become the world’s first carbon a staunch friend of the country. neutral country by 2020. That is the kind of ambition Question put and agreed to. we want from other players. In terms of adaptation funding, the UK continues to 5.9 pm support the least developed countries fund and the Sitting adjourned. 29WS Written Ministerial Statements14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 30WS

The changes proposed are that the conditions requiring Written Ministerial the purchasing company not to be connected with the debtor during a prescribed period will be replaced by Statements the following three conditions: there must have been a change in ownership of the debtor in the period of 12 months before the debt purchase; Wednesday 14 October 2009 the debt purchase must have been intrinsic to the change of ownership; and before the change of ownership, the debtor must have been suffering severe financial problems. CABINET OFFICE Even if these conditions are met such that the debtor is not taxed on the discount at the time of the buyback, Ministerial Responsibilities any future cancellation of the debt by the new creditor will result in the debtor being taxed on the previously untaxed discount. The Minister for the Cabinet Office and for the Olympics, and Paymaster General (Tessa Jowell): I have today published a revised edition of the “List of Ministerial COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Responsibilities”(October 2009). Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and the Vote Office. Ordnance Survey (Performance Targets 2009-10) The list can also be accessed at: http:// www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ministerial_responsibilites/ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for TREASURY Communities and Local Government (Mr. Ian Austin): The following performance targets have been set for Corporate Taxation Ordnance Survey in 2009-10: Ordnance Survey will report externally against a set The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Stephen of agency performance monitors as required of all Timms): I am today announcing the Government’s intention executive agencies in Government: to present to Parliament in the next Finance Bill a To achieve an operating profit before exceptional items, interest change to the rules on how groups of companies are and dividends of £14.6 million for the financial year 1 April taxed when they buy back their issued debt at a discount 2009 to 31 March 2010. to the amount borrowed. Some 99.6 per cent. of significant real-world features greater than six months old are represented in the database. At present where a debtor company is released from its debt liability for less than the amount borrowed it is To achieve a free cash flow before exceptional items of £12.5 million for the financial year 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. taxed on the difference between the amount it has borrowed and the amount it pays to be released from its To reduce the underlying cost base by 3 per cent. between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010. liability. In order to prevent avoidance of the charge the same rules apply where a company connected to the To achieve a customer experience index score of at least 80 per cent. debtor—for instance a fellow group member—instead buys the debt from the creditor. However, in order to These targets reflect Ordnance Survey’s new business help genuine company rescues, there is an exception to strategy as announced at Budget 2009. this anti-avoidance rule in certain circumstances. The circumstances are: Connecting Communities where the creditor company is arm’s length to the purchaser; and where the purchasing company was not connected to the The Secretary of State for Communities and Local debtor any time during the three-year period ending 12 months Government (Mr. John Denham): I can today inform before the purchase. Parliament about a plan to reinvigorate and connect In the present financial conditions many banks and with those communities that are feeling the pressure other businesses have issued debt that is trading at a from recession most acutely and ensure they are well discount to the amount borrowed. placed to share fully in future prosperity and emerge Many, for good commercial reasons, are seeking to stronger and more cohesive. buy their debt back from the market. However some are taking advantage of the rules set up to help company In recent years substantial investment has transformed rescues in order to avoid being taxed on the profit they large parts of the country. But this investment has taken make when their debt is cancelled for less than the place against a background of wider changes which has amount they borrowed. They do this by setting up a left some communities feeling under pressure. new company to buy the debt. Around 100 areas of the country have been identified The Government therefore propose to change the as the focus of a targeted programme of work that will rules, which will apply in relation to any debt buybacks focus on alleviating those pressures and making sure that take place from today to ensure that only those that real help is available. debt buybacks that are undertaken as part of genuine Practical actions delivered on estates and streets will corporate rescues will benefit from the buyback profits focus on developing a real insight into what is happening not being subject to tax. in those communities and introduce changes that will 31WS Written Ministerial Statements14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 32WS address local people’s concerns, reconnect them with Connecting Communities Areas jobs and tackle the real and perceived sense of unfairness some people are feeling. GO Region LA ILE Area I can today name the first 27 neighbourhoods across Cumbria Cleator Moor 21 local authorities that will be involved in the initial Liverpool Speke phase of this £12 million programme of local intensive West Midlands Birmingham Kingstanding, Stockland engagement that will connect communities. Green & Each area will draw up specific plans to address local Erdington challenges. While the responses will vary from place to Birmingham Druids Heath, place they are likely to focus on three key areas: Brandwood Ward Birmingham Bartley Green & Weoley Leadership— The quality of leadership will be critical to success in this area. Complex challenges require exceptional Stoke Blurton leadership. In order to allow people to feel they are being Stoke Burslem & Shelton heard, there is a need for honest and open debate to explain Southeast Milton Keynes Tinkers Bridge, how decisions are made. Where decisions are contentious Woughton Ward leaders need the skills and confidence to challenge misconceptions and respond with action where needed. There will be support South West North Somerset Western-Super-Mare Central Ward for training leaders; and also the other front line staff and community activists who need also to know and shape the Poole Bourne Valley, Rossmore emerging strategy for each area. Swindon Park Ward, Walcot East Giving people a voice— Local people must have the chance to Yorkshire & N Lincolnshire Caistor Road Estate, express their worries and know that someone will act on their Humber Barton Ward behalf. I want to enable an open debate about what the Swindon Park Ward, Walcot East challenges really are in these areas—even if this raises difficult and uncomfortable issues. This means giving people the space Yorkshire & N Lincolnshire Caistor Road Estate, to air their grievances to political and community leaders. Humber Barton Ward Alongside measures to increase the visibility of more formal leaders, individuals will be encouraged to act as community champions or tenants and have a bigger say in local issues. This will help build up the confidence and self-esteem of residents ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS so that they feel that they can regain control over their estates, their lives and their futures. Agriculture and Fisheries Council Increased opportunities— More particularly, raising awareness of the opportunities already available in the area—whether that is investment and regeneration, jobs and skills, childcare and youth services, education and healthcare, or efforts to tackle The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and crime and anti-social behaviour. Measures like the Future Jobs Rural Affairs (Hilary Benn): The Minister with responsibility Fund need to be delivered in ways which clearly respond to local for marine and the natural environment, my hon. Friend priorities, shaped by the people whose lives it will affect. the Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) and the The areas have been identified by examining a range of hard Minister with responsibility for food, farming and and soft data around cohesion, deprivation and crime, perceived environment, my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar unfairness in the allocation of resources and feedback from and Canning T own (Jim Fitzpatrick) will represent the people working locally. United Kingdom at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 19 and 20 October. Connecting Communities Areas GO Region LA ILE Area There are a number of items on the agenda relating to agriculture and fisheries which are of significant East Broxbourne Bury Green Ward interest to the United Kingdom. Discussions will take King’s Lynn North Lynn place on the following: East Midlands Leicester New Parks the dairy market; Lincoln Abbey Ward placing on the market of products from genetically modified Nottingham Aspley maize; London Barking & River EU/Norway annual fisheries consultations for 2010; Dagenham Becontree control system for ensuring compliance with the Common Thames Fisheries Policy; Heath 2010 fishing opportunities for fish stocks in the Baltic Sea; Bromley Cray Valley & Mottingham marketing standards for poultry meat; and, Bexley Colyers & North End health check corrections North East Gateshead Felling There are currently two items under any other business— Sunderland Castle, Redhill & renewal of fishing fleet under the European fisheries Southwick fund regulation from Lithuania; and a state aid request North West Blackburn with Little Harwood from Poland for the purchasing of agricultural land. Darwen Also scheduled is a ministerial lunch on 19 October Cheshire West Ellesmere Port to discuss ‘Policy Coherence for Development, and in and Chester particular those aspects relating to food security and FAO reform’. 599W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 600W

Table 1: Number of apprenticeship starts by Government Office region Written Answers to and gender, 2007-08 Region Male Female Total

Questions Yorkshire 16,200 13,100 29,300 and the Humber Monday 12 October 2009 East 10,800 10,900 21,700 Midlands [Continued from Column 598W] West 11,600 13,800 25,400 Midlands East of 10,800 10,200 21,000 England CHURCH COMMISSIONERS London 7,200 7,300 14,500 Eco-Towns South East 18,400 13,800 32,200 South West 14,600 10,700 25,300 Robert Neill: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, Other 1,800 1,500 3,200 representing the Church Commissioners whether the Total 118,200 106,600 224,800 Church Commissioners have made an assessment of Table 2: Number of apprenticeship achievements by Government the merits of allowing their land to be used for eco-town Office region and gender, 2007-08 developments. [289357] Region Male Female Total Sir Stuart Bell: With the assistance of their professional North East 4,300 3,300 7,600 advisers, the Church Commissioners keep their property North West 9,700 9,300 19,000 holdings under constant review to ensure that development Yorkshire 9,000 6,300 15,400 potential is identified, thoroughly assessed and taken and the forward in the most appropriate way. Humber East 5,400 5,300 10,700 When the Government originally announced the eco- Midlands town idea, the Commissioners liaised with their advisers West 6,900 6,700 13,600 to determine whether any potential sites already identified Midlands in their portfolio might meet the eco-town criteria or East of 5,400 4,600 10,000 whether any other land might be suitable to accommodate England an eco-town. No suitable opportunities emerged and London 3,100 3,100 6,200 therefore this initiative was not taken forward in relation South East 9,700 6,600 16,300 to the Commissioners’ landholdings. South West 7,500 5,000 12,500 Other 700 500 1,300 Total 61,700 50,800 112,600 Notes: BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS 1. Region is based on home postcode of the learner. 2. Where the postcode is outside of England, or not known, learners Apprentices are shown in the ’Other’ category. 3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and may therefore not sum to the totals. Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department Source: for Business, Innovation and Skills how many Work-based Learning Individualised Learning Record apprenticeships have been undertaken by (a) men and Table 3: Number of apprenticeship starts by sector subject area and (b) women in each (i) region and (ii) industrial sector; gender, 2007-08 and how many were completed in each case. [290221] Sector Subject Area Male Female Total

Agriculture, Horticulture 2,200 2,300 4,500 Kevin Brennan: Table 1 shows the number of and Animal Care apprenticeship starts by Government Office Region and Arts, Media and 100 1—100 Gender in 2007-08, the latest year for which full-year Publishing figures are available. Table 2 shows the number of Business, Administration 14,700 36,100 50,700 apprenticeship achievements by Government Office Region and Law and Gender in 2007-08. This gives the total number of Construction, Planning 27,300 500 27,800 achievements in 2007-08, regardless of the academic and the Built year the apprenticeship started. Environment 1 Tables 3 and 4 show the number of apprenticeship Education and Training — 300 300 starts and achievements by Government Office Region Engineering and 41,800 1,300 43,100 Manufacturing and Sector Subject Area in 2007-08. Information is not Technologies available by ’industrial sector’. Health, Public Services 3,900 27,200 31,100 Table 1: Number of apprenticeship starts by Government Office region and Care and gender, 2007-08 Information and 5,900 2,100 8,000 Region Male Female Total Communication Technology North East 8,600 8,000 16,700 Languages, Literature and 1— 1— 1— North West 18,200 17,200 35,500 Culture 601W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 602W

Table 3: Number of apprenticeship starts by sector subject area and Table 1: Number of apprenticeship starts for learners aged under 19, gender, 2007-08 2003-04 to 2007-08 Sector Subject Area Male Female Total Area 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

Leisure, Travel and 3,400 2,800 6,300 North East 230 210 180 230 240 Tourism Cambridgeshire Preparation for Life and 1— 1— 1— parliamentary Work constituency Retail and Commercial 16,700 32,600 49,300 England 108,300 113,500 99,500 105,600 107,600 Enterprise Notes: Science and Mathematics 1— 1— 1— 1. Parliamentary constituency is based on home postcode of the learner. Unknown 2,200 1,300 3,500 2. The figures provided for England includes learners undertaking Total 118,200 106,600 224,800 apprenticeships in England. It includes those resident in England, a small number of learners which are resident outside of England e.g. Table 4: Number of apprenticeship achievements by sector subject area in Scotland or Wales, and those where their postcode is not known. and gender, 2007-08 3. Figures for parliamentary constituency have been rounded to the Sector Subject Area Male Female Total nearest ten and figures for England have been rounded to the nearest hundred. Agriculture, 1,200 1,300 2,500 4. Age Source: Work-based Learning Individualised Learner Record Horticulture and (WBL ILR) is calculated based on age at start of programme. Animal Care The Government are committed to rebuilding Arts, Media and 100 1— 200 Publishing apprenticeships. Since 1997 we have witnessed a renaissance Business, 6,300 17,200 23,600 in apprenticeships from a low point of 65,000 to a Administration and record 225,000 apprenticeship starts in 2007-08, of which Law 107,600 were by young people (aged under 19). Completion Construction, 17,600 200 17,800 rates are also at a record high with 64 per cent. successfully Planning and the completing an apprenticeship—up from 37 per cent. in Built Environment 2004-05. The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Education and 1— 1— 1— Bill now before Parliament will ensure that an apprenticeship Training place is available for all suitably qualified young people Engineering and 20,200 500 20,800 by 2013. Manufacturing Technologies Apprentices: Financial Institutions Health, Public 1,800 12,000 13,800 Services and Care Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department Information and 4,400 1,200 5,500 Communication for Business, Innovation and Skills how many Technology apprenticeships in financial institutions in the City of Languages, 1— 1— 1— London there are. [290272] Literature and Culture Kevin Brennan: We do not hold data centrally that Leisure, Travel and 2,100 1,500 3,600 can be used to accurately estimate the total number of Tourism apprentices within financial institutions in the City of Preparation for Life 1— 1— 1— London. and Work Retail and 7,800 16,700 24,400 The London Apprenticeships Taskforce is working to Commercial expand apprenticeships in all sectors in London, including Enterprise financial services. Activity to develop apprenticeships in Science and 1— 1— 1— this sector is being supported by the National Skills Mathematics Academy for Financial Services. Eskills (the sector skills Unknown 200 200 400 council for business and information technology) is also Total 61,700 50,800 112,600 developing an IT London Action Plan, which aims to 1 Indicates a value of less than 50. expand apprenticeships in London, including in the Note: financial services sector. 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and may therefore not sum to the totals. Bankruptcy Source: Work-based Learning Individualised Learning Record Mr. Willis: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. Moss: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many for Business, Innovation and Skills how many individuals with debts of less than £15,000 filed for Government-funded apprenticeship places were bankruptcy in each of the 12 months from April 2008. available to young people in (a) England and (b) [289485] North East Cambridgeshire in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [291285] Ian Lucas: The number of individuals with debts of less than £15,000 who filed for bankruptcy in each of Kevin Brennan [holding answer 16 September 2009]: the 12 months from April 2008 are as follows: Table 1 shows the number of Learning and Skills Council funded apprenticeship starts by learners aged under 19 Number in North East Cambridgeshire parliamentary constituency April 2008 902 and England from 2003-04 to 2007-08, the latest year May 2008 768 for which full-year figures are available. 603W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 604W

Bankrupts by age, Stockport Number Age group1 June 2008 873 65 July 2008 1,033 Under and August 2008 737 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 over Unknown September 2008 867 2004 3 30 31 38 12 6 10 October 2008 944 2005 9 40 50 37 17 8 7 November 2008 888 2006 13 66 65 41 27 9 8 December 20087 41 2007 13 50 77 74 18 13 13 January 2009 845 2008 6 62 95 67 40 7 9 February 2009 903 1 Where the bankrupt has provided a valid postcode (increasing from March 2009 977 88 per cent. of cases in 2000 to 97 per cent. in 2008). Total 10,478 Banks: Loans Andrew Stunell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, many bankruptcies there were in (a) England, (b) Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Greater Manchester and (c) Stockport of individuals many banks (a) received information on and (b) are in each age group in each year since 1997. [291309] operating the Working Capital Guarantee Scheme; how much capital has been loaned to businesses under Ian Lucas [holding answer 16 September 2009]: The the scheme to date; and how many businesses have available information on the number of bankruptcies in received financial assistance under the scheme. [275879] England, Greater Manchester and Stockport, by age group, can be seen in the following tables. Information Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 15 May 2009]: prior to 2000 is not available on this basis. The Department sent a mini prospectus to the British Banking Association who circulated it to its members. Bankrupts by age, England The Working Capital Scheme is not directly available to 1 Age group businesses; however, £2 billion of guarantees have been 65 provided to banks under the scheme to free up regulatory Under and capital for new lending to UK companies. As a result of 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 over Unknown action by the Government and the regulatory authorities 2000 829 5,510 6,017 3,948 1,565 378 1,933 leading to improvements in the capital position of the UK banking system since the introduction of the WCS, 2001 1,001 5,956 5,691 4,182 1,801 396 2,227 the Government have been able to allocate resource 2002 1,191 6,003 6,834 4,175 2,019 559 2,038 provision for the WCS to other measures to support 2003 1,655 6,915 7,882 4,888 2,491 679 2,117 businesses, including as announced at the Budget 2009 2004 2,530 8,937 9,949 5,957 3,240 922 2,678 a trade credit insurance ‘top-up’ scheme and a possible 2005 3,338 11,369 13,058 8,103 4,500 1,418 3,584 new letters of credit scheme in the Export Credit Guarantee 2006 3,810 14,844 17,751 11,137 6,368 2,152 4,090 Department. 2007 2,938 14,797 18,371 12,023 6,727 2,400 4,240 2008 2,769 15,121 19,388 13,260 6,892 2,455 4,256 Banks: Meetings Bankrupts by age, Greater Manchester Age group1 Mr. Brady: To ask the Minister of State, Department 65 for Business, Innovation and Skills for what reasons no Under and minutes were taken of the meetings between his 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 over Unknown Department’s officials and Ministers which took place 2000 20 196 237 163 62 17 72 on 13, 16, 20 and 31 October and 11 December 2008 at 2001 31 247 273 187 76 13 125 which the proposed merger between Lloyds TSB and 2002 40 225 289 167 85 22 135 HSBOS was discussed; and what his Department’s 2003 44 255 313 195 91 26 118 policy is on the minuting of meetings between (a) his 2004 74 326 364 266 134 45 87 Department’s officials and Ministers and (b) his 2005 96 378 508 337 206 66 167 Department’s Ministers or officials and private or public companies. [291361] 2006 131 604 751 491 295 122 154 2007 121 599 830 578 334 128 147 Kevin Brennan [holding answer 16 September 2009]: 2008 106 679 887 661 366 118 143 The purpose of these meetings was to enable the relevant Bankrupts by age, Stockport Ministers and officials to consider the substantive issues Age group1 raised by this case and to ensure the Secretary of State was in a position to take properly informed final decisions 65 in accordance with his statutory duties under the Enterprise Under and 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 over Unknown Act 2002. No summary of outcomes from the meetings was required to ensure action was taken forward. Ministers 2000 1 12 30 24 4 3 9 had the appropriate material and relevant officials at 2001 0 23 29 12 9 0 13 the meetings. The conclusions reached are reflected 2002 2 11 21 17 10 1 12 either in the subsequent actions taken, advice to Ministers 2003 5 13 40 25 14 4 7 about the next steps, or are otherwise set out in public 605W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 606W statements such as the final decision document which Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 16 September seeks to provide a clear summary of the reasons behind 2009]: The number of Business Link employees who the decision. The Department does not have a specific carry our health checks as part of their role is shown in policy on taking minutes of meetings though there is a the following table. general requirement to keep an appropriate record of all departmental business. Name of Number of Business Link employees who currently RDA carry out business health checks Broadband: Rural Areas AWM 63 Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department EEDA 80 for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans his EM DA 94 Department has to increase the availability of cable LDA 49 broadband in the rural areas of (a) North Yorkshire NWDA 134 and (b) England; and if he will make a statement. ONE 93 [291697] SEEDA 162 SWRDA 86 Mr. Timms: The cable broadband network in the UK YF 133 is owned and provided by Virgin Media. It is a commercial decision for them whether they should extend this network. However, the Government are working to implement the key broadband recommendations made in the Digital Business Links: Finance Britain Report to improve the UK’s communications infrastructure, namely around the universal service Mr. Harper: To ask the Minister of State, commitment to broadband and Next Generation Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what broadband. the budget for Business Links is for (a) 2009-10, (b) The Universal Service Commitment will ensure the 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12. [285068] possibility of universal broadband access to virtually all UK homes and businesses at a speed of at least 2Mbps Mr. McFadden: For the period 2007-08, an estimate by 2012. The Network Design and Procurement Group of the budget for Business Link allocated by the regional will be responsible for the procurement and delivery of development agencies was £190 million. No forward the universal service commitment, and will be established budget is agreed with the RDAs for this activity. Business by the autumn. Those currently unable to receive a Link services are funded from the Government’s single-pot service will be given priority. to the regional development agencies to deliver agreed The Government are also working to set up the Next core services to businesses in each region. The exact Generation Fund to help pay for upgrading the UK budget for those contracted services is left for each telecoms infrastructure, which will help to incentivise RDA to determine based on what is appropriate for its the delivery of next generation broadband to the home region. or business premises in the final third of the UK that the market will not deliver to. Mr. Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much (a) each Business Link regional development agency and (b) his Department allocated to Business Link in each of the last five years. Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses [289830] have requested and been refused a Business Link health check. [291256] Ms Rosie Winterton: In 2005, responsibility for managing Business Link face-to-face services was transferred to Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 16 September the RDAs. The previous budget used to deliver Business 2009]: The RDAs have no record of any business that Link services was added to the Department’s contribution has requested a Business Link health check having had towards the RDA ″Single-Pot″. This allows the regions their request refused for the whole period since such to draw down as much or as little funding as they see fit health checks began. to deliver the service in their areas. Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department Over the last five years, the RDAs have allocated the for Business, Innovation and Skills how many Business following budgets to their Business Link providers: Link employees attended the Beijing Olympics in July BL funding over period 2005-10 2008 in an official capacity. [291259] £ million 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 16 September 2009]: No Business Link employee who was directly NWRDA 17.8 17.8 14.1 16.5 22.1 employed in the provision of the Business Link service, ONENE 14.1 14.1 12.9 12.9 15.8 by RDAs and their Business Link Providers, travelled to AWM 27.2 24.8 22.8 35.2 34.2 Beijing to attend the Beijing Olympics in July 2008 in EMDA 20.3 14.4 13.0 13.7 18.6 their capacity as a Business Link employee. EEDA 15.7 15.5 15.8 16.0 16.2 Y&H £13.0 13.0 13.0 13.0 17.8 Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department LDA £23.7 23.8 19.4 26.7 26.6 for Business, Innovation and Skills how many Business SWRDA 24.6 24.6 19.6 19.9 25.8 Link employees carry out business health checks. SEEDA 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 30.1 [291260] 607W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 608W

Business Links: Manpower Mr. Ancram: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many small Mr. Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department businesses in England have received assistance from his for Business, Innovation and Skills how many business Department in the last 12 months. [273299] advisers have been employed by Business Link in each of the last 36 months. [289829] Ms Rosie Winterton: Business Link is the Department’s main channel of support businesses of all sizes. In the Ms Rosie Winterton: In the context of the question 12 months to end June 2009, advisers helped over posed, ‘business advisers’ have been defined as including 930,800 businesses, with over 76,000 receiving intensive face-to-face business (link) advisers delivering services one-to-one support. The businesslink.gov.uk website under the Business Link brand; that may include attracted around 11.2 million visitors in the same period. functional/sector specialists but not those operating Examples of other specific assistance received by under other service brands e.g. MAS. Internal/telephone small and medium sized enterprises from BIS and its based support or partnership staff have not been included. predecessors include: From 1 April, skills brokerage for Train to Gain was In 2008/09, UK Trade and Investment activities assisted 20,700 integrated with the Business Link service, accounting individual companies to exploit opportunities in overseas markets. for the significant increase in Business Link adviser The Enterprise Finance Guarantee, which up to 21 August numbers this year. 2009 has offered loans totalling over £470 million to over 4,600 businesses. Comprehensive national data can only be provided from April 2008 by which time all RDAs had re-contracted The Technology Strategy Board has supported various collaborative R&D projects and knowledge transfer activities: to the current network of Business Link providers. Some of the regional data for prior months was held by Nearly 1,000 SMEs have received grants for collaborative R&D projects worth over £25 million in the 12 month to June former Business Link providers and it would be 2009. disproportionate cost to collect this information. Over 760 SMEs have received support for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships totalling over £18 million in the 12 months to July Number of Business Link 2009. Month advisers In addition 57,000 are members of our Knowledge Transfer April 2008 747 Networks of which a proportion are SMEs. May 2008 748 Skill support to SMEs through Train to Gain. Provisional June 2008 744 information for 2008/09 shows that within the academic year July 2008 776 100,000 SMEs have had an employee start a Train to Gain course. August 2008 804 September 2008 829 The annual reports for BERR and DIUS describe the other forms of business support provided more fully in 2008/09. October 2008 830 November 2008 835 Business Link is the Department’s main channel of December 2008 841 support businesses of all sizes. In the 12 months to end January 2009 854 June 2009, advisers helped over 930,800 businesses, February 2009 855 with over 76,000 receiving intensive one-to-one support. The businesslink.gov.uk website attracted around March 2009 854 11.2 million visitors in the same period. April 2009 1021 May 2009 1030 Examples of other specific assistance received by June 2009 1038 small and medium sized enterprises from BIS and its July 2009 1051 predecessors include: August 2009 1160 In 2008/09, UK Trade and Investment activities assisted 20,700 September 2009 1166 individual companies to exploit opportunities in overseas markets. The Enterprise Finance Guarantee, which up to 21 August 2009 has offered loans totalling over £470 million to over 4,600 Business: Government Assistance businesses. The Technology Strategy Board has supported various Anne Main: To ask the Minister of State, Department collaborative R&D projects. for Business, Innovation and Skills how much lending has been guaranteed under the Working Capital Scheme. Nadine Dorries: To ask the Minister of State, [260555] Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Ms Rosie Winterton: £2 billion of guarantees have much funding his Department and its predecessors been provided to banks under the Working Capital allocated for the development of small businesses in Scheme to free up regulatory capital for new lending to (a) Mid Bedfordshire constituency and (b) the East of UK companies. As a result of action by the Government England in each year since 1997; and if he will make a and the regulatory authorities, leading to improvements statement. [280099] in the capital position of the UK banking system since the introduction of the WCS, the Government have Ian Lucas: East of England Development Agency been able to allocate resource provision for the WCS to (EEDA) funds a range of services to support businesses other measures to support businesses, including as in the East of England. announced at the Budget 2009 a trade credit insurance Since 2007 EEDA has invested over £30 million annually top up scheme and a possible new letters of credit on a range of services to support businesses from all scheme in the Export Credit Guarantee Department. sectors across the region. This includes the regional 609W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 610W

Business Link service, specific business support schemes Key examples of funding and support to IT businesses and business finance grants for eligible businesses. in the region, where possible, broken down by IT sector The following information identifies funding for these and location include: services. Since December 2007 £76,561 has been provided through the Note: Take1Ton campaign for businesses to receive support for enhanced ICT. Of this, £9,980 in Bedfordshire and £1,980 in mid-Beds. Not all of these schemes were in place 10 years ago, therefore funding will be provided as far back as possible. EEDA was not Since January 2001 EEDA has provided £4,305,127 in Business created until 1999; and has only been operating significant business finance grants in the East of England and of this, £508,050 in 1 support schemes since 2007. Bedfordshire. Business Support Programmes 1 Some of the above are grants to businesses under either the Grants for Business Investment (GBI) or Grant for Research and From 1 April 2007 EEDA has provided £32 million of funding Development (GRaD) programmes. GBI, previously known as to Business Link East to deliver the service across the region. Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE), transferred From 2008/09 Business Link has interacted with 108,391 businesses to EEDA from the Small Business Service (SBS) in April 2002. in the East of England of which 1,416 have been in mid Bedfordshire. GRaD transferred to EEDA from SBS in April 2005. Since October 2008 around 8,000 free ‘health checks’ have been delivered in the region. For the period of 2005-08 EEDA has funded the Manufacturing Greg Clark: To ask the Minister of State, Department Advisory Service (MAS) East to the value of £3.4 million and has for Business, Innovation and Skills what support his awarded a further £3.3 million between 2008-11. Bedfordshire Department is providing to UK companies which are businesses, during the period November 2005-October 2008, received developing low-carbon goods and services. [289850] £163,680 worth of business support. 104 companies received a basic one-day review through the MAS-east programme. Of Mr. McFadden: In July the Government published these, nineteen companies also received a full implementation programme resulting in 32 projects which generated gross value the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy which outlined the added of £613,852.00. first investments from the £405 million for low carbon EEDA’s Take ITon campaign assists businesses to improve use industries and advanced green manufacturing announced of IT, focused on helping SMEs save cost through IT. Since at Budget 2009. The strategy announced up to £60 million December 2007 the regional programme has totalled 347 grants, to capitalise on Britain’s wave and tidal sector strengths, investing £1,105,508.01 to leverage a total of £3,227,784.06. Mid up to £15 million capital investment in order to establish Bedfordshire Take ITon has funded a total of 11 grants, investing a Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, £32,440 and leveraging in a total of £99,166.50. up to £10 million for the accelerated deployment of £2.2 million has funded a regional response to redundancy electric vehicle charging infrastructure, a £4 million programme which has supported companies across the region expansion of the Manufacturing Advisory Service, up and in Mid Bedfordshire. to £6 million to construct low carbon affordable homes Business Finance Schemes: and up to £120 million to support the development of a EEDA has operated a number of business finance schemes British based offshore wind industry. Copies of the since 2003 such as Grant for Research and Development, Proof strategy are available in the Libraries of the House. of Concept funds, Grants for Business Investment. The amounts funded to date for the former county of Bedfordshire are: Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Minister of State, £ Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses have received money from the Capital Grant for Research and 18,177,981 for Enterprise Scheme; and how much money has been Development provided in total under the scheme to date. [291223] Proof of Concept funds 346,217 For the former county of Bedfordshire funding totalled £20,845,345 Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 16 September which has been matched against further investment of £134,067,981. 2009]: The Capital for Enterprise Fund (CFEF) provides In May 2009 EEDA launched an Understanding Finance for a total commitment of £75 million, made up of £50 million Business Programme which provides coaching and mentoring to in public funds and agreement in principle to an additional SMEs. £25 million from the main banks (Lloyds, Barclays, EEDA launched a £5 million Regional Loan Fund in May HSBC and RBS). 2009, aimed at supporting innovative SMEs in early growth prior to attracting venture capital funding. As from 10 September 2009, CFEF has made 26 EEDA is also promoting Olympic opportunities to businesses offers totalling almost £40 million to 26 businesses. Two through CompeteFor, a web based portal. So far 9612 businesses of these deals have completed so far with a total value have registered in the region of those 573 are in Bedfordshire. of £3 million.

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Minister of State, Department Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what his Department and its predecessors allocated to the the criteria are for small and medium-sized enterprises development of information technology businesses in to receive funding from the Capital for Enterprise (a) Mid Bedfordshire constituency and (b) the East of Fund (CEF); when businesses were first able to apply England in each year since 1997; and if he will make a for funding from the CEF; when the CEF made its first statement. [280100] payment; what the (a) total and (b) average monetary value of payments from the CEF has been to date; how Ian Lucas: East of England Development Agency many businesses have received funding from the CEF; funds a range of services to support businesses from all what steps his Department has taken to promote the sectors across the region. This includes the regional CEF to small and medium-sized businesses; and what Business Link service, specific business support schemes target time has been established for the CEF to and business finance grants for eligible businesses. determine applications. [291810] 611W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 612W

Ms Rosie Winterton: The Capital for Enterprise Fund Ms Rosie Winterton: The Department for Business, (CfEF) makes investments of between £200,000 and Innovation and Skills has not received any representations £2 million of equity and mezzanine finance. The investment from the CBI, the British Chambers of Commerce or is aimed at releasing and sustaining the growth potential any other business organisations on the potential effects of businesses that are over-geared, under-capitalised or of the implementation of the Calman Commission both. To apply, all applicants must have their principal proposals on business costs. place of business within the UK or be able to demonstrate why an investment will be of tangible benefit to the UK. Companies House Additionally, all applications must meet the EU definition of an SME. Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department CfEF was announced as part of the Real Help Now for Business, Innovation and Skills how many customers programme on 14 January and businesses were able to of Companies House (a) were contacted for the purposes register their applications for the fund immediately of and (b) responded to its customer satisfaction survey through a dedicated registration service. Following an in each of the last four years. [289816] appointment process the contracted Fund Managers were able to start processing these in March. Ian Lucas: The information is as follows: As at 22 September five businesses had received investment from the CfEF totalling £6.15 million at an (a) Prior to January 2008 Companies House issued average of £ 1.23 million per deal. The first investment paper customer surveys covering Companies House was completed on 31 July. Direct, E-Filing, the Contact Centre and also a general The Department has marketed the CfEF to businesses survey (which was also available on the Companies as part of the wider programme of support through House website). Approximately 25,000 were sent each Real Help, in particular through Business Link and year. using national and regional promotional activity which Since January 2008 the customer surveys have been includes sources of communications used by the main completely electronic and the paper survey is no longer business representative bodies to their members. The issued. Approximately 60,000 were sent out each year to CfEF Fund Managers have also produced a promotional our WebFiling, Software Filing, Companies House Direct flyer which is distributed to businesses through their and WebCHeck customers. A customer survey is also network of professional bodies. available to complete on our website and the Contact As a commercial fund the investment process for Centre survey is included as a link on every e-mail sent CfEF involves a period of due diligence and negotiation, out by the Contact Centre. which involves the fund manager and potential investee (b) The number of Companies House customer survey company and often existing investors and lenders to the responses are as follows. Unfortunately due to software business. The length of time required to complete this changes there are no statistics available for the year can vary significantly in each case and there is no 2005-06. formal target time between an application and investment, although the managers are working to progress investments Responses as quickly as possible. 2006-07 8,798 Business: Regulation 2007-08 7,775 2008-09 9,975 Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent Greg Clark: To ask the Minister of State, Department estimate his Department has made of the cost to UK for Business, Innovation and Skills at what times of the businesses of the administrative burden of regulation. day the Companies House WebCHeck website is available. [290233] [289941] Ian Lucas: In May 2005, the administrative cost of regulations was measured using the internationally Ian Lucas: The Companies House WebCHeck service recognised Standard Cost Model. The measurement is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. exercise included 19 Government Departments, regulators and agencies. The burden was estimated at £13.2 billion Companies House: Correspondence annually. The Government have committed to reduce administrative burdens associated with complying with regulations by 25 per cent. net by May 2010. As at Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department December 2008, an estimated £1.9 billion net annual for Business, Innovation and Skills how many letters savings had been delivered. from hon. Members the Chief Executive of Companies House received in each of the last four years. [289815] Calman Commission Ian Lucas: The number of letters received by the chief Mr. Wallace: To ask the Minister of State, Department executive of Companies House from hon. Members in for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has each of the last four years is as follows: received representations from (a) the CBI, (b) British 2005: 38 letters Chambers of Commerce and (c) other business organisations on the potential effects of the implementation 2006: 55 letters of the Calman Commission proposals on business costs. 2007: 54 letters [289812] 2008: 60 letters. 613W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 614W

Companies House: Manpower Kevin Brennan: The service operated by Construction Skills provides a helpline offering advice and support for employers, apprentices and parents to help redundant Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department apprentices find alternative employment and help support for Business, Innovation and Skills how many employees those whose job is at risk. Construction Skills also of Companies House were absent from work for (a) no, actively seek new employers for displaced apprentices to (b) one to five, (c) six to 10, (d) 11 to 15 and (e) more complete their Apprenticeship framework. This service than 15 days in each of the last four years. [289923] is now available to all training providers delivering Apprenticeships in construction. Additional funding Ian Lucas: The total absence figures of employees of has recently been made available to Construction Skills Companies House from work from 2006 to 2008 are to provide employers with a £1,000 grant to help with listed as follows and have been calculated by adding the costs of employing a displaced apprentice. These individual employees absence for each year. The figures arrangements are in addition to the contractual requirement for 2005 are not available due to a systems problem. on all training providers to help apprentices find alternative employment if they lose their job. The National Number of employees Apprenticeships Service (NAS) introduced new flexibilities Number of earlier in the year to help ensure apprentices can continue days 2006 2007 2008 in training to complete their Apprenticeship. (a) 0 405 140 246 The clearing house arrangements are not directly (b) 1-5 481 466 447 overseen by a committee; they are managed as part of (c) 6-10 139 191 189 the operational responsibilities of Construction Skills (d) 11-15 54 70 72 and NAS. (e) 16+ 155 190 160 Construction Task Force

Construction Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the Mr. Crabb: To ask the Minister of State, Department answer of 13 July 2009, Official Report, column 191W, for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent on Construction Task Force, (1) if he will list the assessment he has made of levels of productivity in the membership of the Construction Task Force, and on engineering construction sector. [289920] how many occasions the Construction Task Force has met since its inception; [290219] Ian Lucas: Mark Gibson, now chief executive of the (2) what recent steps the Construction Task Force Whitehall and Business Group is currently leading a has taken to ensure the security of apprenticeship review of productivity and skills in the engineering places in the construction industry; and if he will make construction sector. a statement. [290220]

Mr. Crabb: To ask the Minister of State, Department Kevin Brennan: The Construction Apprenticeships for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he Task Force membership comprised: has made of the monetary value of engineering Construction apprenticeships task force construction contracts lost to UK companies as a Member result of (a) low productivity levels and (b) industrial Simon Waugh National Apprenticeship Service action in the last five years. [289950] James Wates Wates Group Alan Ritchie Union of Construction, Allied Ian Lucas: Information relating to the securing of Trades and Technicians individual contracts in a particular sector, including John Thompson Union of Construction, Allied engineering construction, is not collected by Government. Trades and Technicians The award of engineering construction contracts is a Tom Wilson Trade Union Congress business matter for the parties concerned, and the various Bob Blackman Unite award criteria are commercial issues for the private Tom Kelly GMB Union sector clients involved. Frank Horan College of North West London Ian Billyard Leeds College of Building Construction Clearing House: Apprentices Susan Forsyth Chichester College Keith Donnelly Carillion Plc Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department Geoff Green Greenwood services for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) pursuant to the George Fraser ROK Group answer of 13 July 2009, Official Report, column 191W, Nicholas Fowler Denne Construction on the Construction Clearing House, what steps the Geoff Lister Federation of Master Builders Construction Clearing House has taken to ensure that Mark Farrar Construction Skills, Sector Skills construction apprenticeship places which are at risk of Council redundancy are not lost; and if he will make a statement; Representatives from the Department, the Department [289778] for Communities and Local Government and the Homes (2) how many times the Construction Clearing and Communities Agency also attended by invitation. House Committee has met since its establishment; and The Task Force met four times between November 2008 who the members are of that committee. [289888] and April 2009. The group considered the impact of the 615W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 616W economic downturn and its effect on the Construction Construction: Reviews labour market and agreed actions on a number of issues affecting Apprenticeships in the industry. Key Mr. Crabb: To ask the Minister of State, Department recommendations were on public sector procurement for Business, Innovation and Skills what timetable he and support for displaced construction apprentices. On has set for completion of his Department’s review of procurement we continue to work across Government productivity and skills in the engineering construction and in the industry to implement the specific construction sector. [289922] commitment set out in the pre-Budget report, 2008 and the task force provided structured input into this process. Progress includes commitments to create new apprenticeship Ian Lucas: The review is expected to be completed places through the Department of Children’s Schools around autumn this year. and Families’ Building Schools for the Future programme, from the Olympic Delivery Authority on the Olympic Corus: Loans Park and Village site, and through the Homes and Communities Agency’s £5 billion annual investment Mr. Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department budget. For displaced apprentices the Construction for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the Matching Service has sought new jobs for apprentices, £5 million loan to Corus announced on 25 June 2009 and offered advice and support for employers, apprentices has been (a) partially or (b) fully drawn down by and parents through a national helpline. The Task Corus; and whether any assurances relating to jobs in Force also looked at the role of trade unions and the UK have been received in return. [289832] medium-to-long term strategies for expanding apprenticeships in the sector, these wider issues will be Mr. McFadden: On 25 June, my noble Friend the taken forward through the Cross-Industry Construction Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Apprenticeship Task Force which advises Government offered a £5 million training package to Corus. The on Apprenticeship issues affecting the sector. offer was also discussed when the Prime Minister met with Kirby Adams, Chief Executive Officer of Corus Construction: Apprentices on 16 July. At present officials in BIS and the Regional Development Mr. Crabb: To ask the Minister of State, Department Agencies (RDAs) are working with Corus to take forward for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions the offer of assistance which will contribute to training he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Children, the workforce, retain capacity in the UK and help the Schools and Families and (b) representatives of the company through the downturn and to recover more engineering construction industry on increasing the strongly as economic conditions improve. number of young people pursuing careers in that sector. The training package will benefit Corus operations in [289924] the regions covered by Yorkshire Forward and ONE North East RDAs and will support apprenticeship and Ian Lucas: Like other engineering-related sectors, the graduate training programmes and a range of training engineering construction industry offers attractive career packages focussed on Corus’ shop floor workers. opportunities, but shares challenges in attracting employees for the future. In this regard, there are ongoing discussions Corus have provided assurances relating to the future at ministerial, and official levels on issues that directly of 3,000 employees and 1,000 contractors in the Yorkshire impact on engineering construction. A programme of and Humber region and in excess of 1,200 employees actions is being taken forward by Government, in and 500 contractors within the Tees Valley up to the conjunction with the sector skills councils and the end of 2010. It is planned that a significant proportion Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, to of the training support funding will be drawn down address these matters. The Diploma in Construction before the end of December 2009. and the Built Environment, and the Diploma in Engineering, were launched in September 2008, with Departmental Advertising the aim of introducing young people to the world of working in these industries. This Government are also Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister of State, Department committed to a significant growth in apprenticeships. for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his That is why funding for apprentices has been increased Department spent on newspaper advertising carried in by almost a quarter since 2007/08 to over £1 billion in each newspaper in the most recent year for which 2009/10. figures are available. [289515]

Construction: Industrial Disputes Mr. McFadden: The former Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) spent £417,906 Mr. Crabb: To ask the Minister of State, Department on press advertising via the Central Office of Information for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent in 2008-09 as follows: assessment he has made of trends in industrial action in relation to the engineering construction sector. £ [289921] Agency Workers Campaign 2008-09 341,212 Employing People 2008-09 37,140 Ian Lucas: The Department has not undertaken an National Minimum Wage 2008-09 30,260 assessment of trends in industrial action in the engineering Dispute Resolution 2008-09 5,977 construction sector. 617W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 618W

misconduct and the contract of employment terminated. £ Information for the Department and its predecessors in Trawlermen Compensation Scheme 3,317 relation to dismissals is set out in the following table. 2008-09 Totals of less than five are suppressed on grounds of Total 417,906 confidentiality.

In addition central financial records indicate that Number of staff dismissed BERR spent £90,235 in 2008-09 through an advertising agency on advertising for external recruitment. 2009-10 (to date) Less than 5 The former Department for Innovation, Universities 2008-09 8 and Skills (DIUS) spent £208,137 on press advertising 2007-08 14 via the Central Office of Information in 2008-09 as 2006-07 11 below: 2005-06 15 Staff may also be dismissed in law when a fixed term £ contract terminates at the end of the contract period Higher Education Student Finance 58,560 and is not renewed. These are not included. campaign 2008-09 Information about the costs of terminating contracts Science Innovation Press Campaign 149,577 is not held in the format requested and could be obtained 2008-09 only at disproportionate cost. Where the dismissal relates Total 208,137 to either gross misconduct or repeated misconduct no A breakdown of expenditure on newspaper advertising severance cost payments are payable. by title could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. Departmental EC Law Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department Department has spent on advertising arising from its for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent re-branding following machinery of Government estimate his Department has made of the annual cost changes in June 2009. [290081] to the economy arising from UK implementation of EU legislation. [290088] Mr. McFadden: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has not done any advertising of the Department Mr. McFadden: It is very difficult to provide precise due to machinery of government changes. figures for the annual cost to the economy arising from Departmental Buildings UK implementation of legislation that stems from the European Union. Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department The administrative burdens measurement exercise carried for Business, Innovation and Skills in which buildings out by the Government in 2006 put the proportion of in central London each of his Department’s units is administrative burdens stemming from the EU at located. [290264] approximately 1/3 of the annual total of 13.2 billion pounds. Ian Lucas: This Department has directorates based in the following buildings in central London: Departmental Electronic Equipment 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H OET Kingsgate House, 66-74 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6SW Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Departmental Dismissal many (a) mobile telephones, (b) Blackberrys and (c) laptop computers were issued to staff of his Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department and its predecessors in each of the last five Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how years; and how many of these were issued to (i) new many staff have (a) been dismissed and (b) had their staff and (ii) existing staff following the (A) loss or (B) contract terminated by his Department and its theft of a previous device. [290558] predecessors in each of the last five years; what the reason was in each case; and what the severance costs Mr. McFadden: The Department holds information in relation to (i) dismissal and (ii) contract termination only on the total number of Blackberry and laptop were in each such year. [290563] computers used by BIS staff during the requested period and the mobile telephone services held by ex BERR Mr. McFadden: Staff may be dismissed for poor staff in 2008. The information available is presented in performance, poor attendance, gross misconduct, repeated the following table.

Laptops lost/ Blackberry’s in Blackberry’s Mobiles lost/ Laptops in use stolen use lost/stolen Mobiles in use stolen

2004 2,650 12 0 0 n/k 26 2005 2,500 14 60 3 n/k 11 2006 1,620 8 60 3 n/k 14 619W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 620W

Laptops lost/ Blackberry’s in Blackberry’s Mobiles lost/ Laptops in use stolen use lost/stolen Mobiles in use stolen

2007 2,163 8 539 14 n/k 2 2008 1,917 13 567 17 949 2

Departmental Flexible Working SPIRE Reason for development: Provision of a range of electronic Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, export control services Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what Development cost: £2.6 million flexi-time arrangements were available to staff of his In all cases all systems were fully implemented and Department and its predecessors in each of the last five remain fully operational. years; and how many staff participated in such arrangements in each such year. [290565] Departmental Industrial Accidents Mr. McFadden: The information is as follows: Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department 1. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills was created on 5 June, with the merger of BERR and DIUS. for Business, Innovation and Skills how many workplace accidents have been reported in his Department in the 2. Both staff on former BERR and DIUS terms and conditions last five months; and what the causes of each accident have flexible working policies which enable staff to vary their conditioned hours, and support a work-life balance. The different were. [290092] ways to work flexibly include flexi-time, part-time, also compressed hours, term-times and home working. In addition staff can job Mr. McFadden: Since its inception on 8 June, there share and have access to an internal job share register and the have been eight workplace accidents recorded across the wider Civil Service Job Share Website. BIS estate related to departmental employees or contractors. 3. The former Departments do not keep a central record of The cause of each accident, all of which were relatively how many staff participate in such arrangements each year; minor, was as follows: flexible working is dealt with locally by line managers in accordance 1. Finger caught by spring loaded bin lid. with the departmental policies. In the 2008 Staff Surveys, of the staff who responded to the survey 68 per cent. of former BERR 2. Bump on head following fall caused by an ongoing medical and 66 per cent. of former DIUS staff said they worked flexibly. condition. 3. Bump on nose caused by front cover of a paper towel Departmental ICT dispenser falling open. 4. Fall following standing on an office chair (two instances). Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, 5. Contractor cut finger while replacing broken light fitting. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what 6. Injured back while moving a cabinet. IT systems have been in development for use within his Department in the last five years; what the reason for 7. Struck knee while lifting an item of computer equipment the development of each system was; how much has into trolley bag. been spent on the development of each system; and which systems have been subsequently (i) implemented, Departmental Languages (ii) terminated prior to implementation and (iii) terminated following implementation. [290559] Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of Mr. McFadden: The Department for Business, Innovation members of his Department are recorded as having a and Skills IT infrastructure systems are provided via second language. [290458] long standing agreements with Fujitsu Services and cover desktop services, web infrastructure services and Mr. McFadden: This information is not held centrally in some cases other business applications, which are and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. charged for as part of the overall, bundled, service However, based on business demand, there are 19 civil charge. servants in the Department for Business, Innovation In the last five years the following systems have, and Skills currently receiving language training from however, been developed from scratch and the details our preferred supplier. requested are provided: Flexible Computing Departmental Manpower Reason for development: Provision of secure remote access services via Blackberries and mobile laptops Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department Development costs: £4.9 million for Business, Innovation and Skills how many members Lynx of staff in his Department have been required to move Reason for development: Provision of a correspondence handling office in changes arising from the most recent system departmental reorganisation; and how many of these Development cost: £1.9 million had been required to move office in changes arising MATRIX 2 from the previous reorganisation. [290090] Reason for development: Upgrade to the Department’s existing electronic document management system, (itself over five years Mr. McFadden: Since the creation of BIS we have old) moved Ministers and their private office staff, plus Development cost: £104,000 Press Office staff. In total, we have moved 46 staff. We 621W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 622W have also moved 170 policy officials within our two Departmental Marketing London buildings, although these were simply people moves rather than structural changes. Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Moving ex DIUS staff into 1 Victoria Street was Department for Business, Innovation and Skills with already planned before the merger between DIUS and reference to the answer of 26 November 2008, Official BERR to create BIS. None of these moves were required Report, column 1935W, on departmental marketing, at the previous MOG, when DECC was created and ex how many staff in his Department have responsibility BERR staff moved from 1 Victoria Street to 3 Whitehall for branding activity; and what the cost of employing Place. such staff was in 2008-09. [290215]

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. McFadden: The Department for Business, Enterprise for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of and Regulatory Reform (BERR) had one member of staff in his Department joined his Department or its staff responsible for managing the Department’s brand. predecessors after working in the private sector. This included the publication and dissemination of the [290095] brand guidelines and advising on their application. It is estimated that 25 per cent. of this person’s time was spent on branding-related activities. Based on the average Mr. McFadden: We do not record this information pay costs for a member of staff at this grade, this nor hold it centrally. It could only be made available at represents a staff cost of approximately £11,653 in disproportionate cost. 2008/09. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department Skills (DIUS) had one member of staff responsible for for Business, Innovation and Skills how many members managing the Department’s brand. It is estimated that of his Department are suspended from their duties; 25 per cent. of this person’s time was spent on branding- and for what reasons. [290097] related activities. The total staff cost on branding was approximately £6,300 in 2008/09. Mr. McFadden: We are unable to supply details of suspensions as authority to suspend staff is delegated to Departmental Meetings line managers throughout the Department and a central record is not maintained. Greg Clark: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, whether (a) the Secretary of State, (b) Ministers in his Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what Department and (c) officials have met representatives estimate he has made of the average length of of (i) Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd, (ii) Eastern employment of staff of his Department and its Petroleum Corporation Ltd, (iii) African Minerals Ltd, predecessors at each Civil Service payband. [290561] (iv) Landis+Gyr and (v) Energy Enterprises Ltd in the last three years. [289937]

Mr. McFadden: The average length of employment of Ian Lucas: Officials from UK Trade and Investment ex-DIUS staff is shown in the following table as at 31 have met with representatives from Landis & Gyr in the March. last three years. Neither Ministers nor officials have met with Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd., Eastern Petroleum Pay band Years Corporation Ltd., African Minerals Ltd. or Energy EA 8.1 Enterprises Ltd. EO 8.8 HEO 7.9 Greg Clark: To ask the Minister of State, SEO 9.1 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what G7 8.1 stocktake meetings his Department has had with the G6 6.8 Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit in the last 12 months. [289942] Directors, directors general and 3.4 above Mr. McFadden: The Prime Minister’s delivery unit is The average length of employment of ex-BERR staff in constant contact with Departments as part of its is shown in the following table as at 31 March. process of taking stock of delivery. It reports regularly to the PM, the Treasury and the Departments concerned. Pay band Years Departmental Motor Vehicles AA 8.2 AO 19.2 EO 18.2 Andrew Stunell: To ask the Minister of State, HEO 10.9 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent on hire vehicles in each of SEO 21.0 the last five financial years. [291706] G6 12.7 G7. 17.9 Mr. McFadden: The Department spent the following Directors, directors general and 11.6 above on hire vehicles (including leasing) in the last five financial years: 623W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 624W

Mr. McFadden: You will be aware that the Department £ for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has only recently 2004-05 709,714 been created (6 June 2009) by merging the former 2005-06 662,084 Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory 2006-07 574,068 Reform (BERR) with the Department for Innovation, 2007-08 628,126 Universities and Skills (DIUS). BIS is still in the early 2008-09 673,781 stages of setting up its own systems and policies so I have provided you with the information you have requested Departmental Non-Domestic Rates based on the rewards paid by the former BERR and DIUS. Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Ex-BERR and ex-DIUS has two common bonuses, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how while ex-BERR has three. Both Departments awards: many properties owned by the Department and its 1. Non-consolidated performance pay and non-pay reward to predecessors were liable for payment of (a) business recognise performance in particularly demanding tasks or situations. rates and (b) empty property rates in each of the last Staff in receipt of a special bonus may also receive an annual five years; and what the bill for each was in each such performance award. This award is open to all staff. year. [290566] 2. Annual Performance Awards paid to Highly Successful performance as part of the annual pay award. Mr. McFadden: This Department owns only one building, situated in Edinburgh, which is fully occupied. This is a 3. In addition, BERR also awards Team Triumphs—Team warehouse facility that is currently let to the British Triumphs is an awards ceremony designed to recognise the achievements of teams in the Department. Any team can be Geological Survey, part of the Natural Environment nominated providing it has at least two members. Cost of this Research Council, and they are liable for the business scheme comes out of non-consolidated performance pay and rates bill. The building is let to them on a 10 year term non-pay rewards pot. which began in August 2005. The following tables show the number of staff receiving All other departmental buildings are leased. the awards, and the cost of the scheme. Departmental Official Hospitality Financial Non-consolidated performance pay2 (includes Performance year1 non-pay reward and Team Triumph) awards Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department Number of Number of for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the staff Total value staff Total value3 receiving (£) receiving (£) answer of 15 September 2008, Official Report, column 2111W, on departmental official hospitality, how much 2008-09 1,218 586,631 2,930 2,240,592 his Department spent on hospitality and entertainment 2007-08 1,238 693,386 3,86 42,265,502 in 2008-09. [290172] 2006-07 919 491,669 1,286 2,532,180 2005-06 1,237 521,902 1,257 1,808,630 Mr. McFadden: The Department spent £154,444 on 2004-05 1,261 498,592 1,274 1,563,180 hospitality and £1,078,530 on entertainment in 2008-09. 1 Financial year running from 1 April to 31 March. 2 The non-consolidated performance pay and performance awards for non-SCS Departmental Paternity Leave staff are paid on a non-consolidated, non-pensionable basis and do not increase the Department’s paybill costs each year. For the SCS the Senior Salaries Review Body determines the level of expenditure to cover bonuses. Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, 3 The total figure includes SCS staffs. 4 Includes staff who were transferred from DTI to DIUS as part of the June Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how 2007 machinery of government changes as these staff received a DTI/BERR many staff took paternity leave from his Department pay award in 2007. Does not include those staff transferred into BERR from Cabinet Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government as and its predecessors in each of the last five years; and part of the June 2007 machinery of government changes as these staff received what the average length of such leave has been. [290564] Cabinet Office and DCLG pay awards respectively in 2007. Note: In 2007-08 the total value of bonuses paid was approximately 1.5 per cent. of Mr. McFadden: The information is as follows: the total Department’s paybill. 1. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills was Table for DIUS created on 5 June 2009, with the merger of BERR and DIUS. Financial Non-consolidated 2. The former Departments did not keep a central record of year performance pay Performance awards how many staff took paternity leave. Paternity leave is dealt with Number of Number of locally by line managers in accordance with the departmental staff Total value staff Total value policies. The information can be obtained only at disproportionate receiving (£) receiving (£) cost. 2007-08 273 21,125 10 10 3. Paid paternity leave for former BERR staff is two weeks and 2008-09 201 13,855 216 459,615 for former DIUS staff is three weeks. 1 The performance awards for 2007-08 was paid by both former Departments. Departmental Pay Departmental Recruitment Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what employee reward schemes are offered to staff of his Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department Department and its predecessors; what the purpose of for Business, Innovation and Skills what data his each scheme is; how many staff participate in each Department by his Department and its predecessor scheme; and what the cost of operating each scheme holds on the level of diversity in the recruitment of was in each of the last five years. [290567] employees in each of the last three years. [290514] 625W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 626W

Mr. McFadden: The Department invites each candidate BIS is committed to ensuring that public services in individual recruitment exercises to complete a diversity delivered to citizens and business are as efficient and monitoring questionnaire. The information from effective as possible. There are specific staff leading a questionnaires is collated and monitored in order to range of work on value for money, public service reform assess the effectiveness of our advertising and recruitment and public sector reform. They co-ordinate work across processes and the workforce profile. the Department and engage with partners and other In line with the requirements in the public sector Government Departments to drive change. Employment Duties, the Department publishes annual reports covering our equality and diversity reporting Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department responsibilities, including diversity data on applicants for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he for employment. The annual reports for 2008 and 2009 has made of the cost to the public purse of assimilating are not yet available following machinery of Government Ministerial responsibility for skills into his changes and extracting the specified data alone at this Department. [290223] stage would incur disproportionate cost. Mr. McFadden: I refer the hon. Member to the answer Departmental Recycling I gave to the hon. Member for Solihull (Lorely Burt) on 3 July 2009, Official Report, column 436W. Stewart Hosie: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what Departmental Secondment proportion of his Department’s waste was recycled in the latest period for which figures are available. [289660] Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of Mr. McFadden: Since the inception of BIS on 8 June, staff in his Department have worked on attachment to the following amounts of waste have been recycled by the private sector. [290093] this Department: June—40,700 Kg (63.9 per cent. of total) Mr. McFadden: We do not record this information July—42,342 Kg (62.1 per cent. of total) nor hold it centrally. It could only be made available at August—33,929 Kg (64.3 per cent. of total) disproportionate cost. I would also refer the hon. Member to the previously published Sustainable Development in Government (SDiG) Departmental Training reports in which central Government Departments publicly reported on the data requested. The most recent report John Mason: To ask the Minister of State, Department can be found at: for Business, Innovation and Skills how many external http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/sdiu2008/ training courses were attended by staff of his Department and its predecessor in the last 12 months; and what the Departmental Reorganisation cost was of each course. [289677]

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. McFadden: Training budgets are delegated to line for Business, Innovation and Skills whether there have managers to determine locally what external training been any changes to the furnishings in offices of will be funded. This information is not held centrally Ministers in his Department following the recent and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. departmental reorganisation. [290226] Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. McFadden: There have been no changes to the for Business, Innovation and Skills what private sector furnishings in offices occupied by Ministers in this training courses for Civil Service officials are available Department following the recent departmental to staff in his Department with funding provided by his reorganisation. New Ministers have taken the furniture Department. [290096] of departing Ministers. Mr. McFadden: Training budgets are delegated to line Departmental Responsibilities managers to determine locally what private sector training is suitable and will be funded. This information is not Mr. Brady: To ask the Minister of State, Department held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate for Business, Innovation and Skills which Minister in cost. his Department has been assigned responsibility for overseeing the delivery of value for money in his Departmental Travel Department; whether his Department has established a public sector reform team to implement service reforms; and if he will make a statement. [289748] Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Mr. McFadden: In the Department for Business, much his Department and its predecessors spent on Innovation and Skills (BIS), I am the Minister responsible tickets for (a) air and (b) rail travel for (i) Ministers, for overseeing the delivery of value for money. In addition, (ii) special advisers and (iii) civil servants in his Lord Davies has responsibility for overseeing public Department which were not used in each of the last service reform. three years. [280008] 627W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 628W

Mr. McFadden: In BIS the criteria for booking travel East of England Development Agency: Consultants should be value for money, staff travelling on official business must take advantage of any cheap facilities Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, which maybe available including restricted non refundable Department for Business, Innovation and Skills with tickets wherever practical. reference to the answer of 1 May 2008, Official Report, The Department does not separately record details of column 574W, on the East of England Development unused tickets by Ministers, special advisers and civil Agency: Fishburn Hedges, what payments the East of servants. England Development Agency has made to Fishburn For the period April 2008 to March 2009 the total Hedges since May 2008; and for what services each amount of tickets booked through our travel booking such payment was made. [289779] agents and refunded was: Ms Rosie Winterton: Since May 2008, Fishburn Hedges £ have provided support to EEDA with specific public Rail including Eurostar 146,325.71 affairs services. This support includes legislative and policy updates, a parliamentary monitoring service, Air 772,877.29 information and briefings, support on political visits Details for previous years are not centrally recorded and events, and parliamentary procedures. EEDA does due to the number of Government changes to the not have sufficient capacity in house to manage all these Department to provide this information would entail areas of expertise. disproportionate cost. 1 All expenditure is incurred in accordance with the Date Total payment Service principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury May 2008 4,643.22 Public Affairs support handbook on Regularity and Propriety. June 2008 4,555.00 Public Affairs support July 2008 4,514.35 Public Affairs support John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, August 2008 4,565.95 Public Affairs support Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many journeys and at what cost the Secretary of State September 2008 4,638.17 Public Affairs support November 2008 15,384.07 Public Affairs support + has made in a ministerial capacity by (a) airplane, (b) support for business event train, (c) helicopter and (d) car since October 2008; February 2009 18,629.25 Public Affairs support what class of travel was used for each airplane and March 2009 9,513.84 Public Affairs support train journey; and on what dates such journeys took April 2009 9,471.47 Public Affairs support place. [291678] May 2009 10,340.00 Public Affairs support Mr. McFadden: The Cabinet Office has published a July 2009 5,421.35 Public Affairs support list of all overseas visits undertaken by Ministers costing August 2009 10,307.02 Public Affairs support £500 or more during the period 1 April 2008 to 31 1 These figures are inclusive of VAT. March 2009. The list provides details of the date, destination and purpose of all such visits and the cost of Ministers’ Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department travel and accommodation where appropriate. Copies for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the of the list have been placed in the Libraries of both answer of 10 June 2009, Official Report, column 924W, Houses. on the East of England Development Agency: public My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of relations, and with reference to the answer to the hon. State for Transport has published on 16 July 2009, Member for Tunbridge Wells of 1 May 2008, Official Official Report, column 80WS, the number of and cost Report, columns 574W, on the East of England to Departments of the provision of allocated cars and Development Agency: Fishburn Hedges, for what reason drivers by the Government Car and Despatch Agency the payments made to Fishburn Hedges are not classified to Ministers during 2008-09. as payments for external advice on public relations. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance [289781] with the Ministerial Code. Ms Rosie Winterton: The previous question asked Draft Legislative Programme: Finance how much EEDA has spent on ‘retaining external advice on public relations’. Robert Neill: To ask the Minister of State, Department By ‘retaining external advice on public relations’ for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he EEDA interprets this as where a retainer contract is in has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on place, with a monthly fee paid to an agency for public whether funding allocated to his Department is to be relations services. EEDA defines ’public relations services’ allocated to the Department for Communities and Local as supporting EEDA’s corporate communications. This Government to help implement the housing policies is a function we manage in-house with a team of announced in the Draft Legislative programme for 2009-10. professionals. EEDA does not therefore ’retain’ any [290484] agency to provide ’external advice on public relations’. Mr. McFadden: My noble Friend the Secretary of EEDA uses public relations agencies for specific projects State for Business, Innovation and Skills discussed the where additional capacity is required. Department’s £50 million contribution to the housing Fishburn Hedges is a public affairs agency and EEDA policies announced in the Draft Legislative programme uses them on a retainer basis to provide specific public with the chief secretary to the Treasury, as part of the affairs support services. This includes legislative and process of publishing “Building Britain’s Future.” policy updates, a parliamentary monitoring service, 629W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 630W information and briefings, support on political visits EU Membership and events and support on parliamentary procedures. EEDA does not have sufficient capacity in house to Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department provide all these areas of expertise. for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent estimate his Department has made of the annual Electrical Equipment: Waste Disposal regulatory cost to the economy arising from UK membership of the EU. [290089] Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he Ian Lucas: It is very difficult to provide precise figures will take steps to reduce the administrative burden for the annual regulatory cost to the economy arising upon companies imposed by compliance with the from UK membership of the European Union. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive; The administrative burdens measurement exercise and if he will make a statement. [289404] carried out by the Government in 2006 put the proportion of administrative burdens stemming from the EU at Ian Lucas: I am currently considering amendments to approximately one third of the annual total of £13.2 the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) billion. regulations with a view to reducing the administrative burdens on business. The Department issued a consultation Export Credit Guarantees: Maldives paper in December 2008, outlining proposals to streamline the data reporting requirements, approval process for Mr. Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department prospective producer compliance schemes and the for Business, Innovation and Skills what the debt owed introduction of a simplified system for recording evidence to the Export Credits Guarantee Department by the of the levels of WEEE collected and the recycling and Maldives was (a) in each of the last five years and (b) recovery targets achieved. on the most recent date for which information is I am hoping to introduce the amending regulations available; whether he plans to write off outstanding before Parliament later in the autumn with the new debt owed by the Maldives; what recent representations systems coming into effect from 1 January 2010. he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [289609] Employment Tribunals Service Ian Lucas: There are no outstanding debts to ECGD from the Malvides, and ECGD has not written off any Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Maldives debt. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how I have not received any recent representations on this many times his Department and its predecessors have issue. been taken to an employment tribunal in each of the last five years; what the reason cited in each case was; Exports: Government Assistance and in how many cases the tribunal found in favour of the (a) the employee and (b) the Department. [290562] Mr. Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what programmes Mr. McFadden: The Department and its predecessors to support exporters his Department has announced in have defended 28 claims for the financial years 2006-07, the last year; and what further options to support 2007-08 and 2008-09, some of which were for multiple exporters his Department is considering. [292122] reasons. The reasons cited in the claims filed were: Ian Lucas: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is the Age discrimination Government organisation that helps UK-based companies Breach of contract to succeed in an increasingly global economy and maximise Constructive dismissal their international success. Disability discrimination UKTI’s trade development services for exporters aim to help develop their international trade potential and Equal pay provide access to international markets. Further details Gender on these services can be found on UKTI’s website at: Race discrimination www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk Unfair dismissal Specific examples of the help made available by UKTI Unfair selection for redundancy. in the last 12 months include the 12 March 2009 Of the 28 claims: announcement of the “Gateway to Global Growth” programme to provide specialist, tailored advice and Two claims are still outstanding support for British companies to help them improve 14 claims were withdrawn and extend their exporting experience, and the 2009 Eight claims were found in favour of the Department Budget announcement of £10 million of the Strategic Four claims were upheld by the tribunal. Investment Fund being channelled into UKTI, to be spent on events to promote UK sector expertise both in Information for 2005-06 and 2006-07 financial years the UK and abroad. The funds are available to help UK could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. businesses better showcase their strengths to overseas Further details on the above cases are suppressed on customers and markets and form part of the Government’s grounds of confidentiality. New Industry New Jobs strategy. 631W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 632W

A raft of wider Government assistance for UK business as well as those in receipt of income-related benefits, are has been made available through BIS in various initiatives not required to pay a fee for learning. over the past year and details can be found at: Adult learners (aged 19 plus) can apply for the Adult www.businesslink.gov.uk Learning Grant which pays up to £30 per week to those My noble Friend the Secretary of State for BIS on low incomes undertaking full-time learning for their announced the creation of the Advisory Panel on New first full Level 2 or first full Level 3 qualification. Industry, New Jobs, Universities and Skills on 31 July. Education maintenance allowance (EMA) of up to £30 Looking forward, this panel will help generate ideas per week is available to eligible l6-19 year olds participating across the whole of the Government’s New Industry, in learning that meets the EMA eligibility criteria. New Jobs agenda, challenging conventional policy thinking Colleges are allocated discretionary funding to help in these areas. students aged 20 and over meet childcare costs. Learners under the age of 20 can apply for help with childcare Forgemasters: Sheffield costs through Care to Learn. Discretionary Learner Support Funds are also available for learners over the Peter Luff: To ask the Minister of State, Department age of 16 experiencing financial hardship. for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Learners can also apply for loans. Since July 2009, Department is taking to assist Sheffield Forgemasters students have been able to apply for Professional and to invest in a new press for ultra-heavy forgings; when Career Development Loans (P and CDLs). These build he expects the decision to invest to be announced; and on the successful Career Development Loans programme if he will make a statement. [289347] and offer more generous terms for students with loans up to £10,000 and lower interest rates. Ian Lucas: The Government have received an application for investment by Sheffield Forgemasters International Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, Limited, for the development of a production facility Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how for ultra heavy forgings. This is being considered under much Government funding was made available for the Industrial Development Act. As yet no decision has further education in the academic year 2008-09. been taken. [291297]

Further Education Kevin Brennan [holding answer 16 September 2009]: Expenditure by the former Department for Innovation, Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, Universities and Skills (DIUS) on adult further education Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how (FE) and skills for 2008-09 was £4.852 billion. This is many of the 10,000 additional places on science, based on expected outturn data as reported in the 2009 technology, engineering and mathematics courses departmental report (July 2009). announced by his Department on 20 July 2009 will be The majority of funding is routed through the Learning taken up at each higher education institution at the and Skills Council (LSC) and supports adult participation start of the academic year 2009-10. [291632] through the Adult Learner Responsive route, Employer Responsive route (Train to Gain and Apprenticeships), Mr. Lammy: On 23 July we announced that student and Adult Safeguarded Learning. support would be made available for 10,000 additional Some of the resource expended by DIUS supported places on science, technology, engineering and mathematics the wider FE sector including the pre 19 age group, in courses. the role which DIUS had as sponsor of the FE service. The 10,000 places were allocated to institutions by HEFCE according to their share of full-time undergraduates that entered in 2007-08 to priority subjects Haulage: Government Assistance identified by Government. Where institutions indicated to HEFCE that they were unable to take up their share Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, of places they were redistributed pro-rata across the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what sector. support his Department has provided to the haulage More details on the final allocation of the 10,000 industry during the economic downturn. [291682] additional places are available on the HEFCE website at the following link: Mr. McFadden: The Department for Business, Innovation http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/circlets/2009/c117_09/ and Skills does not provide any specific support for the haulage sector. However, we have taken steps to help Further Education: Government Assistance improve cash flow, to increase the availability of the credit businesses need, and to encourage investment so that businesses come through the recession ready to Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, grow. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps the Government has taken to provide In particular, we obtained bank lending commitments financial assistance to those entering further education. from RBS and Lloyds to lend £27 billion additional [291296] lending to businesses this year. This includes lending guaranteed under the Working Capital Scheme. Kevin Brennan [holding answer 16 September 2009]: In addition, we introduced a trade credit insurance There is a range of financial assistance to learners top-up scheme which provides protections for firms entering further education. Learners on priority provision, suffering a reduction in cover. 633W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 634W

We have also taken steps to assist small businesses to Matthew Taylor: To ask the Minister of State, overcome short-term cash-flow problems—for example Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) the enterprise finance guarantee and also measures to what proportion of university students who started ensure prompt payment by both public and private their course in each year since 1997 had parents in the sectors. (a) A, (b) B, (c) C1, (d) C2, (e) D and (f) E social In October 2008, Business Link introduced a health grouping; [292127] check service from which 2,394 businesses in the transport, (2) what proportion of students from Cornwall who storage and communications sector have benefited. started a higher education course in each year since Higher Education 1997 had parents in the (a) A, (b) B, (c) C1, (d) C2, (e) D and (f) E social grouping. [292128] Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Mr. Lammy: The latest information on socio-economic many additional student number places funded by the classification from the Higher Education Statistics Agency Higher Education Funding Council for England there (HESA) is shown in the table. Parental socio-economic will be (a) in total and (b) for full-time, first year classification information is self-reported by entrants undergraduates in 2010-11. [291617] aged under 21, therefore figures are restricted to this group of entrants. This information should be regarded Mr. Lammy: In his letter of 6 May the then Secretary with caution due to the high proportion of students of State informed HEFCE that up to 10,000 additional who fail to report their parents’ occupations, or who student numbers (ASN) could be awarded in 2010-11, provide incomplete or imprecise information. Figures with that figure to be finally confirmed in the next prior to 2002/03 are not comparable due to the change annual grant letter. At this stage in the cycle of negotiations from social class to socio-economic classification. with institutions it is not possible to determine the Figures for the 2008/09 academic year will be available breakdown of those places. in January 2010.

Full-time undergraduate entrants by local authority and socio-economic classification, UK higher education institutions1, academic years 2002/03 to 2007/08 Higher managerial and Lower managerial Small employers Lower supervisory Local professional and professional Intermediate and own account and technical Academic year authority occupations occupations occupations workers occupations

2002/03 All entrants4 17 22 10 5 3 of which; 1424984 Cornwall

2003/04 All entrants4 19 25 10 6 4 of which; 15 24 11 9 5 Cornwall

2004/05 All entrants4 18 25 10 6 4 of which; 1424985 Cornwall

2005/06 All entrants4 17 23 10 5 4 of which; 1323985 Cornwall

2006/07 All entrants4 1722964 of which; 12 25 10 9 5 Cornwall

2007/08 All entrants4 1722953 of which; 14 24 9 10 5 Cornwall

Never worked and Local Semi-routine Routine long-term Missing/not Academic year authority occupations occupations unemployed2 classified Total

2002/03 All entrants4 74031100 of which; 74030100 Cornwall

2003/04 All entrants4 84025100 of which; 93024100 Cornwall 635W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 636W

Never worked and Local Semi-routine Routine long-term Missing/not Academic year authority occupations occupations unemployed2 classified Total

2004/05 All entrants4 84026100 of which; 84028100 Cornwall

2005/06 All entrants4 84030100 of which; 84030100 Cornwall

2006/07 All entrants4 84032100 of which; 94026100 Cornwall

2007/08 All entrants4 84031100 of which; 94024100 Cornwall 1 Excludes the Open university due to inconsistencies in their coding of entrants across the time series. 2 Information is not comprehensively collected on the ‘never worked and long-term unemployed’ category for students: Students who fit this group are usually classed as having missing information. 3 Covers students whose socio-economic classification was missing or not classified: not classified includes occupations which were inadequately described, not classifiable or unstated. 4 Covers entrants of all domiciles. Note: Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Higher Education: Admissions apprenticeship. We have recently announced an extra 47,000 youth jobs supported by the Future Jobs Fund Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for young people who are unable to find work or for Business, Innovation and Skills what percentage of training within a year. state school leavers entered Russell Group universities in 2008. [290373] Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Mr. Lammy: It is estimated that 6 per cent. of young many young people entered (a) further and (b) higher people who were in English maintained schools and education in the last 12 months. [291295] aged 15 at the start of academic year 2002/03, progressed to HE at a Russell group institution by the age of 19 (in Kevin Brennan [holding answer 16 September 2009]: 2006/07). Figures for 2007/08 will be available in 2010. Information on the number of young people participating This figure has been calculated using matched data in further education is given in a statistical first release, from the National Pupil Database, the Higher Education the last version being published on 25 June 2009: Statistics Agency student record and the Learning and http://www. thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/sfriun09 Skills Council individualised learner record. In 2007-08, the latest year for which full-year figures Mr. Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, are available, 1,055,600 learners aged under 19 participated Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what in further education (excluding school sixth forms). estimate he has made of the number of university Provisional figures for the 2008-09 academic year will applicants who fail to secure a place for entry who will be available in October 2009. In 2007-08, the latest year be unemployed and claiming benefits in 2009. [290482] for which figures are available, 301,055 students aged under 21 entered English Higher Education Institutions. Figures for the 2008-09 academic year will be available Mr. Lammy: As of 27 August, one week after A-level in January 2010. results day, UCAS figures show that of those who applied for a university course this year, 151,280 UK Notes for further education figure: domiciled students had not yet secured a place, though 1. Source: FE, WBL, UFI and ACL ILR data—coverage: England. many more students will secure places before provisional 2. This figure has been rounded to the nearest hundred. acceptance figures are published on 21 October. Of these, 39,347 had a non-clearing outcome pending, 3. This figure is based on age as at 31 August of the academic 105,967 were eligible to enter clearing and 5,966 had year. The common definition used for “young people” in further withdrawn from the scheme completely. education is Under 19. 4. This figure includes participation in FE (General Further For those who do not secure a place at university Education Colleges including Tertiary, Sixth Form Colleges, Special through the UCAS main scheme or in clearing there are College—Agricultural and Horticultural Colleges and Art and several options available. For example, this year we Design Colleges, Specialist Colleges and External Institutions), expect there to be 250,000 young people starting an UFI, ACL and Work-based Learning. It includes a small element 637W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 638W of FE provision delivered in HE organisations where the organisations Matthew Taylor: To ask the Minister of State, have submitted ILR data. Data regarding school sixth forms is Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what not included. percentage of 18 to 21 year-olds from Cornwall started 5. This figure is a count of the number of learners that participated a university course in each year since 1997. [292126] at any point during the year. Learners undertaking more than one course will appear only once for each data collection. However, Mr. Lammy: The Department does not hold information learners that are included in different data collections (e.g. participating in FE and undertaking an apprenticeship) will be counted more on the number of 18 to 21-year-olds resident in Cornwall, than once. Information on the number of learners entering/starting so cannot calculate the proportion who enter HE. The a course in published for apprenticeships but not FE provision. number of 18 to 21-year-old entrants from Cornwall Notes for higher education figure: has been provided as an alternative. Figures for the 2008/09 academic year will be available in January 2010. 1. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). 2. This figure is taken from the HESA student record which is Higher Education: Finance collected annually, is based on a HESA standard registration population and has been rounded to the nearest five. Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, 3. This figure covers students from all domiciles entering both Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what full-time and part-time courses of all levels. This figure refers to students starting the first year of their course in the 2007-08 effect (a) the freeze in maintenance loans and grants, academic year and is based on age as at 31 August of the (b) the abolition of the guaranteed maximum financial academic year. The common definition used for “young people” support for new students previously in receipt of the in higher education is Under 21. educational maintenance allowance, (c) the reduction in the student loan repayment holiday from five years to two years and (d) the reduction in support for Higher Education: Cornwall students on initial teacher training courses will have on expenditure on student support in 2010-11; what Matthew Taylor: To ask the Minister of State, proportion of originally planned expenditure will be Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how saved in each case; and if he will make a statement. many and what percentage of students entering higher [291618] education for (a) full time and (b) part time first degrees have been from Cornwall in each year since Mr. Lammy: This Government remain committed to 1997. [291715] ensuring that financial support should enable students to benefit from higher education, particularly for those who most need help to study, while at the same time Mr. Lammy: The latest information from the Higher being affordable overall. Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is shown in the table. Figures for the 2008-09 academic year will be Regulations for the academic year 2010-11 were laid on available in January 2010. 1 July setting out the entitlements for students. Initial estimates indicate that the changes in the regulations, taken together, will reduce expenditure by some £60 All first degree entrants1 and first degree entrants from Cornwall local authority2 million in grants and £130 million in loans1 in financial by mode of study UK higher education institutions3, academic years 1997-98 to 2007-08 year 2010-11 compared to previous estimates. All entrants Of which: from Cornwall 1 Loans expenditure expressed in resource terms. These Percentage Percentage costs are made up of the interest rate subsidy of loans full- part- time time together with the costs that are never repaid, for example, Academic Full- Part- Full- Part- from from loans that are written off after 25 years or death of the year time time time time Cornwall Cornwall borrower.

1997-98 332,075 30,810 2,270 165 0.7 0.5 In the current economic climate, we believe these 1998-99 320,730 34,275 2,240 310 0.7 0.9 tough decisions are in the interests of students, universities 1999- 318,340 33,630 2,245 290 0.7 0.9 and taxpayers alike. The measures we have taken will 2000 help ensure the student support system is affordable 2000-01 319,350 31,630 2,215 225 0.7 0.7 and sustainable in the longer term but without damaging 2001-02 334,235 34,080 2,130 265 0.6 0.8 access to higher education. 2002-03 352,790 35,085 2,215 220 0.6 0.6 2003-04 361,525 35,920 2,255 310 0.6 0.9 Higher Education: Hertfordshire 2004-05 364,025 32,765 2,190 230 0.6 0.7 2005-06 384,775 33,625 2,435 385 0.6 1.1 Mike Penning: To ask the Minister of State, 2006-07 373,625 31,360 2,210 365 0.6 1.2 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how 2007-08 390,180 30,305 2,330 295 0.6 1.0 many people aged (a) 21 years and under and (b) over 1 Figures for all entrants covers students of all domiciles. 21 years old in each socio-economic group resident in 2 Local authority is defined by valid home postcodes. (i) Hemel Hempstead constituency, (ii) Dacorum and 3 Excludes the Open University due to inconsistencies in their coding of (iii) Hertfordshire attended university in each of the entrants across the time series. Notes: last five years. [289418] 1. Figures are based on a snapshot basis as at 1 December and have been rounded to the nearest five. Mr. Lammy: The latest information from the Higher 2. Percentages are based on un-rounded figures. Source: Education Statistics Agency is shown in the tables. Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Figures for 2008/09 will be available in January 2010. 639W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 640W

Table 1: Full-time undergraduate enrolments1 from Hemel Hempstead parliamentary constituency by age and socio-economic classification2 UK higher education institutions academic years 2003/04 to 2007/08 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 Socio-economic 21 and 21 and 21 and 21 and 21 and classification under Over 21 under Over 21 under Over 21 under Over 21 under Over 21

Higher managerial 160 5 235 10 265 25 255 30 270 25 and professional occupations Lower managerial 205 20 295 25 335 30 330 35 350 35 and professional occupations Intermediate 110 10 150 20 155 20 145 25 150 20 occupations Small employers 40 5 55 5 65 5 60 10 70 5 and own account workers Lower supervisory 30 5 45 5 50 10 50 5 45 5 and technical occupations Semi-routine 75 15 85 15 100 20 95 25 110 30 occupations Routine 30 0 35 0 40 5 35 10 35 10 occupations Never worked and 00 00 00 00 00 long-term unemployed3 Total known 650 55 900 80 1,000 125 970 145 1,035 130 Missing4 570 225 295 205 225 200 210 190 250 180 1 The table does not include enrolments where the parliamentary constituency of the student cannot be established due to missing or invalid home postcodes. 2 This field collects the socio-economic classification of students participating in HE if 21 or over at the start of their course or parental classification if under 21. 3 Information is not comprehensively collected on the “Never worked and long-term unemployed” category for students: Students who fit this group are usually classed as having missing information. 4 Covers students whose socio-economic classification was missing or not classified: not classified includes occupations which were inadequately described, not classifiable or unstated. Note: Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded up or down to the nearest five, therefore components may not sum to totals. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Table 2: Full-time undergraduate enrolments1 from Dacorum census district by age and socio-economic classification2 UK higher education institutions academic years 2003/04 to 2007/08 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 Socio-economic 21 and 21 and 21 and 21 and 21 and classification under Over 21 under Over 21 under Over 21 under Over 21 under Over 21

Higher managerial 310 10 485 25 530 45 525 60 545 J 50 and professional occupations Lower managerial 335 30 485 45 550 50 560 55 605 55 and professional occupations Intermediate 160 20 225 25 245 30 230 35 235 30 occupations Small employers 65 5 90 5 95 10 95 10 115 5 and own account workers Lower supervisory 45 5 70 5 80 10 80 10 75 10 and technical occupations Semi-routine 100 20 115 20 140 35 140 35 155 40 occupations Routine 40 5 50 5 55 15 50 15 50 15 occupations Never worked and 00 00 00 00 00 long-term unemployed3 Total known 1,050 85 1,520 130 1,695 195 1,685 225 1,780 210 Missing4 920 340 445 305 360 275 360 260 430 250 1 The table does not include enrolments where the Census district of the student cannot be established due to missing or invalid home postcodes. 2 This field collects the socio-economic classification of students participating in HE if 21 or over at the start of their course or parental classification if under 21. 3 Information is not comprehensively collected on the “Never worked and long-term unemployed” category for students: Students who fit this group are usually classed as having missing information. 4 Covers students whose socio-economic classification was missing or not classified: not classified includes occupations which were inadequately described, not classifiable or unstated. Note: Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded up or down to the nearest five, therefore components may not sum to totals. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) 641W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 642W

Table 3: Full-time undergraduate enrolments1 from Hertfordshire local authority by and socio-economic classification2 UK higher education institutions academic years 2003/04 to 2007/08 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 Socio-economic 21 and 21 and 21 and 21 and 21 and classification under Over 21 under Over 21 under Over 21 under Over 21 under Over 21

Higher managerial 2,955 85 4,015 175 4,360 300 4,405 405 4,440 415 and professional occupations Lower managerial 3,035 190 3,915 335 4,240 415 4,345 510 4,350 505 and professional occupations Intermediate 1,380 175 1,735 250 1,925 305 2,010 315 2,015 320 occupations Small employers 650 25 785 60 840 90 840 120 870 100 and own account workers Lower supervisory 410 15 510 25 560 50 575 70 550 65 and technical occupations Semi-routine 870 165 960 195 1,100 270 1,130 275 1,175 285 occupations Routine 335 50 360 65 390 100 425 100 430 95 occupations Never worked and 00 00 50 50100 long-term unemployed3 Total known 9,640 700 12,275 1,105 13,415 1,525 13,740 1,795 13,845 1,790 Missing4 7,270 3,060 3,565 2,635 2,890 2,455 2,900 2,165 3,155 2,135 1 The table does not include enrolments where the Local Authority of the student cannot be established due to missing or invalid home postcodes. 2 This field collects the socio-economic classification of students participating in HE if 21 or over at the start of their course or parental classification if under 21. 3 Information is not comprehensively collected on the “Never worked and long-term unemployed” category for students: Students who fit this group are usually classed as having missing information. 4 Covers students whose socio-economic classification was missing or not classified: not classified includes occupations which were inadequately described, not classifiable or unstated. Notes: Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded up or down to the nearest five, therefore components may not sum to totals. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Higher Education: Maintenance Grants Mr. Lammy: The information is in the following table. A further breakdown of each non-UK student’s Mike Penning: To ask the Minister of State, country of domicile or declared nationality is not available. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Figures for academic year 2009-10 are not yet available. many students were receiving non-repayable Offers and acceptances for non-UK domiciled applicants for veterinary science maintenance grants from (a) Dacorum and (b) degrees at institutions in England Hertfordshire County Council local education 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 authority in the latest period for which figures are Applicants 21 37 58 47 66 available; and what the average grant received by such receiving offers students was in that period. [289414] Accepted 12 14 35 28 35 applicants Notes: Mr. Lammy: The information requested is as follows: 1. ‘Offers’ covers students who were offered a place which was dependent on obtaining satisfactory exam results or on non-academic conditions. Students awarded grants in academic year 2008/09 (provisional)1 2. Accepted applicants cover students who obtained specified results and were Local Number of students awarded accepted for study on their chosen course. authority grants Average (£) Source: UCAS Hertfordshire 8,530 2,090 1 Figures cover the Higher Education Grant, the Maintenance Grant and grants and allowances for children and dependents. Each of these grant types has a Higher Education: Tamworth different maximum entitlement amount. Data at mid-November 2008. Figures may change as later applications are processed. Source: Student Loans Company Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Reliable information is not available at district level. many pupils in Tamworth constituency entered higher education in each year since 1997; and what estimate he has made of the number of such pupils entering higher Higher Education: Overseas Students education in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011. [291460]

Mr. Touhig: To ask the Minister of State, Mr. Lammy: The Government do not make forward Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how estimates of the number of students entering higher many non-UK domiciled students of each nationality education disaggregated at a constituency level. were offered and accepted places on veterinary science The numbers of 18-year-old undergraduate entrants degree courses at universities in England in the last five to UK higher education institutions from Tamworth academic years. [291535] constituency, in each year since 1997, are shown in the 643W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 644W table. Figures for the 2008/09 academic year will be Mr. McFadden: We have regular discussions with available from the Higher Education Statistics Agency DECC on energy infrastructure. (HESA) in January 2010. Infrastructure UK: Ofgem 18-year-old undergraduate entrants1 from Tamworth constituency2, UK higher education institutions3, academic years 1997/98 to 2007/08 Academic year Number Gregory Barker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what 1997/98 145 work Infrastructure UK plans to take in collaboration 1998/99 210 with Ofgem. [289854] 1999/2000 220 2000/01 210 Mr. McFadden: We are in the process of establishing 2001/02 215 the future work plan for Infrastructure UK. As detailed 2002/03 220 in “Building Britain’s Future”, full details of the new 2003/04 240 body will be announced and it is intended that a chair 2004/05 195 appointed in time for the pre-Budget report. 2005/06 215 2006/07 270 Insolvency 2007/08 235 1 Covers entrants to full-time and part-time courses. 2 The table does Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, not include entrants where the parliamentary constituency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how student cannot be established due to missing or invalid home postcodes. many reports reviewed as part of the recent Statement 3 Excludes the Open university due inconsistencies in their coding of of Insolvency Practice 16 performance report did not entrants across the time series. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). provide sufficient information to creditors on valuation and marketing. [290055] Industrial Sector: Ownership Ian Lucas: The disproportionate cost threshold for Mr. Meacher: To ask the Minister of State, providing an answer to a parliamentary question is Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what £750. percentage of each of the 30 main industrial sectors in The area of the Department responsible for answering the UK is foreign-owned. [292134] a parliamentary question assesses the costs involved, including staff and other resources, and whether this Ian Lucas: The following information is as follows: represents disproportionate cost. Percentage of output (gross value added (GVA)) generated by UK To answer this question would involve examining and foreign-owned companies, 2006 some 202 separate reports. To determine which of those Sector Foreign owned UK owned reports did not provide sufficient information regarding Manufacturing 35 65 valuation and/or marketing would require significant Services1 18 82 staff resources, which would be in excess of the £750 Other1 25 75 disproportionate cost threshold. Total1 22 78 1 The Annual Business Inquiry does not cover all parts of the services Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department and other categories. for Business, Innovation and Skills how many of the Source: failed reports referred to in the recent Statement of National Statistics (derived from Annual Business Inquiry regional Insolvency Practice 16 performance report related to data, published in Regional Economic Performance Indicators, 2009 insolvency practitioners under each of the authorising (BERR)) bodies in the UK. [290056] Infrastructure UK Ian Lucas: The disproportionate cost threshold for Gregory Barker: To ask the Minister of State, providing an answer to a parliamentary question is Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what £750. work Infrastructure UK plans to take in relation to (a) The area of the Department responsible for answering broadband communications and (b) the development a parliamentary question assesses the costs involved, of a smart grid electricity network. [289852] including staff and other resources, and whether this represents disproportionate cost. Mr. McFadden: We are in the process of establishing the future work plan for Infrastructure UK. As detailed To answer this question would involve examining in “Building Britain’s Future”, full details of the new some 202 separate reports. Administration appointments body will be announced and it is intended that a chair are also often held by more than one insolvency practitioner appointed in time for the pre-Budget report. acting on a joint and several basis. To determine which insolvency practitioners provided Infrastructure UK: Meetings information deemed non-compliant with SIP 16 by reference to their authorising body would therefore Gregory Barker: To ask the Minister of State, require significant staff resources, which would be in Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what excess of the £750 disproportionate cost threshold. discussions he has had with the Department for Energy and Climate Change on energy infrastructure in Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department relation to the establishment of Infrastructure UK. for Business, Innovation and Skills which insolvency [289774] practitioners persistently breached Statement of Insolvency 645W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 646W

Practice (SIP) 16 as referred to in the recent SIP 16 Directors Disqualification Act 1986, then the Insolvency performance report. [290058] Service uses contract solicitors to recover those costs or to negotiate an appropriate sum. Ian Lucas: The Insolvency Service considers that the information you have requested is exempt information Mark Hunter: To ask the Minister of State, Department under section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act for Business, Innovation and Skills what responsibility 2000 (FOIA). Section 40 (2) applies where the information his Department has for the (a) investigation and (b) sought is not the personal data of the applicant and bringing of legal proceedings against directors of insolvent either of the conditions in subsections 3 or 4 of that companies in circumstances in which there is evidence section is satisfied. of misfeasance during the winding up of the company The Insolvency Service considers that subsection 3 in question; and if he will make a statement. [290405] applies, and disclosure of the personal data of the insolvency practitioners reporting to The Insolvency Ian Lucas: If the company has entered voluntary Service under the SIP 16 provisions to you would contravene liquidation, receivership or administration, the responsibility the first data protection principle. The first data protection for the investigation and the bringing of legal proceedings principle is defined in part 1 of schedule 1 of the Data for misfeasance, in an asset recovery context, is a matter Protection Act (DPA) and requires that data be processed for the insolvency practitioner. In compulsory winding fairly and lawfully and only processed if at least one of up cases, it is the responsibility of the official receiver if the conditions in schedule 2 is met. the official receiver remains liquidator. In practice if The disclosure of personal information about the there is a misfeasance case to answer, in an asset recovery insolvency practitioners to you would amount to data context, the official receiver will write to the creditors to processing as defined by the DPA in contravention of ask whether they are prepared to fund legal proceedings. this principle as none of the conditions in schedule 2 If sufficient creditors are prepared to do so, the official apply. receiver will seek the appointment of an insolvency practitioner as liquidator to take the matter forward. Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department Without funding from the creditors it is not possible to for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he has take recovery proceedings unless there are already taken to ensure that creditors have been provided with substantial asset realisations in the estate and the creditors missing information in Statement of Insolvency Practice have agreed to there monies being used for this purpose. (SIP) 16 cases where compliance was lacking, as referred If misfeasance is alleged as a matter of unfitted to in the recent SIP 16 performance report. [290059] conduct in a disqualification context, then in a voluntary Ian Lucas: The issuing of a report under the requirements liquidation, receivership or administration, the insolvency of SIP 16 is in addition to the requirements of the practitioner has a statutory duty to report the matter to Insolvency Act 1986 whereby the administrator must the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State then has issue a full report on his proposals for the administration discretion to decide whether it sufficiently serious to within eight weeks of his appointment. In the circumstances warrant further investigation and disqualification we have not requested further missing information be proceedings being taken in the public interest. In a published as it should be contained within the compulsory liquidation, the official receiver must decide administration proposals and sent to creditors. It is whether it is sufficiently serious to justify submitting a always open to creditors to seek further information disqualification report to the Secretary of State and if a from the administrator if they wish to do so. disqualification report is submitted, the Secretary of State must consider the report and decide whether to Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department authorise disqualification proceedings. for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to take to incorporate the recommendations of the Mark Hunter: To ask the Minister of State, Department recent Statement of Insolvency Practice (SIP) 16 for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department performance report in SIP 16 guidance. [290084] releases to company creditors Insolvency Service reports on the actions of disqualified directors; and if he will Ian Lucas: The Insolvency Service will work with the make a statement. [290403] Recognised Professional Bodies (which authorise the majority of insolvency practitioners) to strengthen SIP Ian Lucas: Details of unfit conduct by a disqualified 16 where necessary and issue further guidance to director are made available to creditors and other third practitioners to ensure that creditors are given a detailed parties via the Insolvency Service’s website and via explanation and justification of why a pre-packaged press releases. Official Receivers may also provide an sale was undertaken, so that they can be satisfied that additional report to creditors on the unfit conduct. the administrator has acted with due regard for their interests. Insolvency Service: Finance Mark Hunter: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Mr. Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department Department takes to recover funds from disqualified for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the directors after their companies have been declared insolvent; answer of 13 July 2009, Official Report, columns and if he will make a statement. [290404] 196-7W, on the Insolvency Service: finance, how much was held in the Insolvency Service’s (a) insolvency Ian Lucas: If an order for costs is made against a services accounts, (b) insolvency services investment disqualified director as a result of an application by the account and (c) national insurance fund on average in Secretary of State or official receiver under the Company each month of each of the last three years. [289329] 647W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 648W

Ian Lucas: The amounts held in the Insolvency Service’s Ian Lucas: In each of the last three years, the number (a) Insolvency Services Accounts, (b) Insolvency Services of people who were employed in the Insolvency Service’s Investment Account and (c) national insurance fund Investigation and Enforcement unit is: on the last day of each month for the last three years As at 31 December 2006: 1288 (114 Investigations, 96 Enforcement, were: 78 CIB) As at 31 December 2007: 1316 (135 Investigations, 102 Enforcement, £000 79 CIB) Month (a) (b) (c) As at 31 December 2008: 1314 (129 Investigations, 111 Enforcement, 2006 74 CIB) As at 31 August 2009: 1339 April 65,133 1,170,000 1,701 1 May 17,621 1,239,000 271 Investigations and Enforcement was extended on 1 January 2009 June 6,878 1,213,000 754 to include Companies Investigation Branch (CIB). For the preceding years, figures show how many people would have been in IES, had July 10,435 1,228,000 141 it been extended then. Figures in brackets show how the total August 7,157 1,247,000 7,306 figure is made up. September 11,342 1,207,000 3,193 October 8,958 1,226,000 1,290 Insolvency: Birmingham November 8,232 1,202,000 2,367 December 3,648 1,320,000 4,013 Mr. Godsiff: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many companies 2007 were declared insolvent in Birmingham, Sparkbrook & January 12,657 1,275,000 3,124 Small Heath constituency in each of the last five years. February 7,650 1,358,000 5,837 [291438] March 7,503 1,399,000 3,411 April 9,922 1,340,000 2,354 Ian Lucas: Statistics covering corporate insolvencies May 7,801 1,344,000 1,807 are not currently available at sub-national level within June 9,240 1,341,000 3,317 England and Wales. July 7,567 1,435,000 1,945 August 7,423 1,366,000 838 Meetings September 5,960 1,372,000 5,440 October 7,449 1,398,000 4,123 November 9,388 1,404,000 6,584 John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, Department December 5,632 1,391,000 4,476 for Business, Innovation and Skills what the Secretary of State’s engagements were from 14 to 20 September 2008 2009. [291679] January 17,213 1,379,000 4,755 Mr. McFadden: My noble Friend the Secretary of February 64,768 1,462,000 2,658 State undertook various internal and external engagements March 9,030 1,501,000 4,093 during this period. April 6,285 1,429,000 644 May 8,551 1,431,000 2,307 John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, Department June 46,901 1,404,000 2,131 for Business, Innovation and Skills how many discussions July 6,542 1,479,000 2,150 the Secretary of State has had with representatives of August 7,669 1,486,000 791 the (a) automotive, (b) aerospace, (c) engineering, (d) September 5,571 1,483,000 4,646 fast moving consumer goods, (e) cleantech, (f) mail October 8,068 1,466,000 6,307 service and (g) the music industry since October 2008; November 7,560 1,451,000 1,260 on what dates such discussions took place; and who the December 6,295 1,436,000 3,859 industry representatives were on each such occasion. [291765] 2009 January 9,423 1,427,000 2,259 Mr. McFadden: I refer the hon. Member to the answer February 7,233 1,407,000 586 I gave to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton- March 3,516 1,386,000 1,568 Brown) on 16 September 2009, Official Report, column April 8,104 1,360,000 5,154 2199. May 6,916 1,331,000 8,410 June 6,204 1,294,000 7,634 Members: Correspondence July 27,506 1,244,000 4,031 John Mason: To ask the Minister of State, Department Insolvency Service: Manpower for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 1 June 2009, Official Report, column 62W, on Mr. Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department Members: correspondence, when he plans to reply to for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the the letter of 20 February 2009 from the Member for answer of 13 July 2009, Official Report, columns Glasgow East on small businesses in Glasgow. [289626] 196-7W, on the Insolvency Service: finance, how many people were employed in the Insolvency Service’s Mr. McFadden: The Permanent Secretary for the investigation and enforcement unit in each of the last Department of Business, Innovation and Skills responded three years. [289330] to the hon. Member on 13 August. 649W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 650W

Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Minister of State, (2) whether his Department’s predecessor undertook Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when any review of its programme of preparation for the he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for millennium date change. [290688] West Worcestershire, dated 16 June 2009, on tied lease agreements. [289868] Ian Lucas [holding answer 9 September 2009]: The risk to the UK economy from the millennium bug was Mr. McFadden: My hon. Friend, the Minister for judged to lie predominantly with the 250,000 SME Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer companies in the UK. The primary aim of the Action Affairs (Kevin Brennan) responded to the hon. Member 2000 programme was therefore to communicate to this on 28 July. diverse group, and this strategy resulted in an overall readiness rate for the SME sector of 86 per cent. Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Minister of State, This information is contained in a publication presented Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to Parliament in April 2000 entitled ‘Modernising to the answer of 1 June 2009, Official Report, column Government in Action: Realising the Benefits of Y2K’ 62W,on Members: correspondence, when the Parliamentary (Cm 4703), which also reviewed the Action 2000 programme Under-Secretary of State will reply to the email from more generally, in the context of learning lessons for the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 5 March, future initiatives. on funding for pubs. [289946] Ministerial Responsibility Mr. McFadden: The permanent secretary, Simon Fraser, responded to the hon. Member on 24 August. I apologise for the delay. Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many days per Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Minister of State, week on average the Minister for Digital Britain spends Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. to the answer of 22 June 2009, Official Report, column [291742] 696W, on Members: correspondence, (1) when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Economic Mr. Timms: I discharge my ministerial duties from Competitiveness, Small Business and Enterprise will my BIS or HMT offices or elsewhere, as appropriate. reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 21 April 2009, on Royal Worcester Misconduct Claims porcelain; [289948] (2) when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Economic Competitiveness, Small Business and for Business, Innovation and Skills how many misconduct Enterprise plans to reply to the letter of 21 April 2009 claims relating to (a) pre-pack administrations and (b) from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire, on other administrations there were in each of the last four Royal Worcester porcelain. [292306] years. [290057]

Mr. McFadden: The Minister responded on Ian Lucas: Insolvency legislation does not distinguish 17 September. I apologise for the delay. between “pre-pack” and other administrations. Disqualification claims against the directors of insolvent Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Minister of State, companies are not recorded by reference to specific Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) insolvency procedures. pursuant to the answer of 1 June 2009, Official Report, The Insolvency Service does not therefore hold the columns 61-2W, on Members: correspondence, when information requested. the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State will reply to the email from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries of 13 February 2009, on dormant companies; [289949] (2) pursuant to the answer of 1 June 2009, to the hon. Member for West Worcestershire, Official Report, Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Minister of State, column 61W, on Members: correspondence, when the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State plans to reply many cars have been purchased under the scrappage to the email of 13 February 2009 from the hon. scheme in (a) Merseyside and (b) Crosby to date. Member for West Worcestershire, on dormant [289252] companies. [292297] Ian Lucas: Using data based on the locations of Mr. McFadden: My noble Friend, the Minister for dealerships and data for scrappage transactions which Economic Competitiveness, Small Business and Enterprise, have been completed and cars delivered, there have been responded on 22 September. I apologise for the delay. 1312 completed scrappage transactions in Merseyside. There have been 29 completed transactions in the Crosby Millennium Compliance constituency.

Mr. Lilley: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Minister of State, for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what estimate Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how the Government made of the proportion of UK many (a) loans and (b) loan guarantees have been companies which took steps to prepare for the given under the Automotive Assistance Programme; millennium date change; [290687] and what the monetary value is of each. [291221] 651W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 652W

Ian Lucas [holding answer 16 September 2009]: No Mr. Lammy: The Government established the National loans or guarantees have been made under the AAP yet. Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of BIS has already been in direct contact with nearly Animals in Research (NC3Rs) in 2004 to accelerate the two-thirds of all companies who qualify for AAP assistance. development and application of the 3Rs. The NC3Rs To date, BIS officials have worked with over 20 companies works with research funders, universities, industry, on their formal expressions of interest. regulatory authorities and animal welfare organisations to advance the 3Rs. BIS officials are in advanced negotiations with companies for applications with a value of some £1 billion driving Since its inception, the NC3Rs has worked with the projects worth nearly £2 billion, and there are discussions UK’s leading animal welfare organisations; the Fund in place that have the potential to lead to awards of a for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments further £1 billion. (FRAME), the RSPCA and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW). The AAP is a long-term investment programme and This year, the NC3Rs held a joint meeting with the pace is being dictated by the companies who ask for FRAME to celebrate two important landmarks; FRAME’s time to prepare their business cases and negotiate financing 40 anniversary and the 50 anniversary of the publication with potential lenders. which first described the principles of the 3Rs. The The details of support to companies are commercially NC3Rs, also in 2009, jointly published with the RSPCA sensitive and subject to agreement. As a general rule, guidance on the sharing and archiving of genetically the Government’s intention is to offer loan guarantees, altered mice. The centre is also a member of the UFAW though there is scope under the scheme to offer loans as 3Rs Liaison Group and over the last three years has well. provided £30,000 to support the group’s goal of funding studentships to develop practical solutions that advance Mr. Holloway: To ask the Minister of State, laboratory animal welfare. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many applications for funding under the Vehicle National Skills Academy for Nuclear: Government Scrappage Scheme have been refused because the Assistance applicant first registered the vehicle in Germany while serving in the armed forces; whether officials in his Greg Clark: To ask the Minister of State, Department have had discussions with the Ministry of Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what Defence on the inclusion of such vehicles in the funding his Department has provided to the National scheme; and if he will make a statement. [291283] Skills Academy for Nuclear since its creation; and what funding his Department plans to give to the academy Ian Lucas [holding answer 16 September 2009]: No in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11. [289792] applications for funding under the Vehicle Scrappage Scheme have been refused by BIS, provided British Kevin Brennan: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Forces Germany have been able to verify the date of manages the National Skills Academy (NSA) programme registration of the vehicle on their registration database, on behalf of BIS and leads the NSA selection and and provided the other scheme criteria are met. This appraisal process. Once a NSA has been approved, and arrangement follows discussion and agreement between subject to LSC funding priorities, NSAs can draw on officials in my Department and the MOD. funding from the LSC for three years, matched by contributions from business. After this the NSA is expected to be self sustainable through financial investment Mr. Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department from employers and income from the NSA’s activities. for Business, Innovation and Skills what The NSA for Nuclear was officially launched by representations he has received from the automotive Government on the 31 January 2008, following approval industry on the automotive assistance programme of their three year business plan to take the NSA to the since its introduction. [291885] end of its development period in 2011. The total LSC funding to date (including £504,431 Ian Lucas: BIS has been in regular contact with the paid so far this year) is £6,718,904. In 2009/10 the total Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders about the planned funding (including that already provided) is Automotive Assistance Programme (AAP) as well as £1,419,200 with £43,288 planned funding for 2010-11. direct contact with over 90 automotive companies (including Tata Motors European Technical Centre where a £10 The NSA has also submitted applications for capital million loan has been announced). We have been working funding to the LSC for 2009-10 and 2010-11, which are with over 20 companies on their formal expressions of currently being assessed. interest. Non-Departmental Public Bodies National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals Research Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills for which non- departmental public bodies his Department is Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, responsible; and what the budget of each is for Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what 2009-10. [290087] partnerships by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals Mr. McFadden: The NDPBs for which the Department Research has entered into with animal welfare is responsible in 2009-10 and their budget are set out in organisations since its establishment. [290371] the following table. Where the budget figures and BIS 653W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 654W funding are different, this is because the bodies receive £ million funding from other sources such as other Government Department Departments. Name of body funding Budget 2009-10

£ million Hearing Aid Council 0 £1.5 funded by Department user fees Name of body funding Budget 2009-10 National Endowment for 0 Nil—funded by Science, Technology and the endowment Executive NDPBs Arts (NESTA) from National Lottery Learning and Skills Council 4525 12,158 Simpler Trade Procedures 0.76 0.76 Higher Education Funding 7809 7809 Board (SITPRO) Council for England Tribunal NDPBs Engineering and Physical 814 814 Sciences Research Council Central Arbitration 0.7 0.7 Committee Science and Technology 630 630 Facilities Council Copyright Tribunal 0.15 0.15 Medical Research Council 658 658 Insolvency Practitioners’ 00 Tribunal Biotechnology and 452 452 Biological Sciences Competition Appeals See competition See competition Research Council Tribunal/Competition service service Service North West RDA 397 397 Advisory NDPBs Advantage West Midlands 295 295 (RDA) Council for Science and 0.15 0.15 Technology Yorkshire Forward (RDA) 317 317 Industrial Development 00 Natural Environment 408 408 Advisory Board Research Council Low Pay Commission 1 1 Technology Strategy Board 254 323 Regional Industrial 00 One North East (RDA) 249 249 Development Boards South West of England 157 157 Strategic Advisory Board 00 RDA for Intellectual Property East Midlands RDA 160 160 Union Modernisation Fund 00 South East England RDA 165 165 Supervisory Board Economic and Social 170 170 Waste Electrical and 00 Research Council Electronic Equipment East of England RDA 136 136 Advisory Board Arts and Humanities 104 104 Research Council UK CES (plus 23 SSCs) 89 89 Student Loans Company 81 81 Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department Advisory Conciliation and 52.3 57 for Business, Innovation and Skills how many times the Arbitration Service (ACAS) (a) Aerospace Innovation and Growth Leadership Council, Consumer Focus 17 17 (b) Business Council for Britain, (c) Capital for Enterprise Competition Commission 21 21 Advisory Board, (d) Environmental Innovations Advisory Group, (e) Ethnic Minority Business Task Force, (f) UK Atomic Energy 77 Authority Ministerial Advisory Body on Manufacturing, (g) Design Council 6 Motorsport Development UK Advisory Board, (h) Risk and Regulatory Advisory Council, (i) Vulnerable Investors in People UK 55Workers Pilot Practitioners’ Panel and (j) Women’s (now part of UK CES) Enterprise Task Force has met in each of the last four Competition Service/ 4 2009-10. years; and when each body was established. [291902] Competition Appeals Includes Tribunal Competition Appeals Tribunal Ian Lucas: The information is as follows. Local Better Regulation 44 Office Times met in: Capital for Enterprise Ltd 2 2 Established Office for Fair Access 0.5 1 Name of body (date) 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 British Hallmarking 00 Council Aerospace November 1211— 1— Construction Industry 0 Nil—funded Innovation and 2005 Training Board from employer Growth levy Leadership Council Engineering Construction 0 Nil—funded Industry Training Board from employer Business June 2007 n/a n/a 1 3 3 levy Council for Britain Film Industry Training 0 Nil—funded 1 Board for England and from employer Capital for July 2005 5 12 11 3 — Wales levy Enterprise Advisory Board 655W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 656W

Mr. McFadden: The Department has sponsorship Times met in: responsibility for the non-departmental public bodies Established listed below. Information on staff numbers for the last Name of body (date) 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 five years can be found in their annual report which can Environmental July 2003 4 1 1 1— 1— be downloaded from the Internet. Innovations The advisory NDPBs sponsored by the Department Advisory Group incur little or no expenditure and their administration is Ethnic June 2007 n/a n/a 2 3 3 undertaken by Departmental officials, who have other Minority responsibilities. Business Task Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) Force Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) Ministerial January n/a n/a n/a 6 2 Advisory 2008 British Hallmarking Council Group on Capital for Enterprise Ltd Manufacturing Competition Commission Motorsport November 44441 Development 2003 Competition Service UK Advisory Consumer Focus Board Construction Industry Training Board Risk and January n/a n/a n/a 11 6 Design Council Regulation 2008 Advisory Engineering Construction Industry Training Board Council Film Industry Training Board for England and Wales Vulnerable November n/a1211— Hearing Aid Council Workers Pilot 2006 Practitioners’ Higher Education Funding Council for England Panel Investors in People UK Women’s November n/an/a333 SITPRO (Simplifying International Trade) Enterprise Task 2006 Learning and Skills Council Force n/a = not applicable Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) 1 Ended National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts Non-Departmental Public Bodies: Buildings Office for Fair Access Student Loans Company Ltd Greg Clark: To ask the Minister of State, Department Technology Strategy Board for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will place in the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Library a copy of the (a) display energy certificate and UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) (b) advisory report for public buildings issued in respect Regional Development Agencies of each property occupied by (i) the Office of Fair Advantage West Midlands Trading, (ii) the Postal Services Commission and (iii) South East England Development Agency UK Trade and Investment. [289846] East of England Development Agency Mr. McFadden: The Office of Government Commerce South West of England Regional Development Agency (OGC) have published central Government Department’s ONE North East Display Energy Certificate (DEC) operational ratings East Midlands Development Agency on a building by building level. These can be found at: Northwest Regional Development Agency www.ogc.gov.uk/government_delivery_display_energy_ Yorkshire Forward certificate_data.asp Research Councils It should be noted that the Postal Services Commission Arts and Humanities Research Council share Hercules house in London with the Cabinet Office and UK Trade and Investment share Kingsgate house Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council in London with this Department. The Office of Fair Economic and Social Research Council Trading occupy Fleetbank house and they are listed Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council under their name. Medical Research Council The table that OGC have published also includes Natural Environment Research Council DEC reference numbers for each building. These can be Science and Technology Facilities Council used to view each building’s advisory report on the Advisory NDPB following website: Industrial Development Advisory Board https://www.ndepcregister.com/home.html Low Pay Commission Non-Departmental Public Bodies: Government Regional Industrial Development Boards Assistance Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory Board Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Advisory Board Mr. Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department Council for Science and Technology for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people were employed in each non-departmental public body Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property which received funding from his Department and its Tribunal NDPBs predecessors in each of the last five years. [289828] Central Arbitration Committee 657W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 658W

Competition Appeal Tribunal Ian Lucas [holding answer 16 September 2009]: UK Insolvency Practitioners Tribunal Trade and Investment (UKTI) offers a full range of Copyright Tribunal services for companies who wish to do business in Kazakhstan through trade and investment teams based North West Development Agency: Public Appointments in Astana and Atyrau. UKTI sponsored the Kazakh Growth Forum in June aimed at promoting business Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department with Kazakhstan and contributed to the organisation for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the of the visit by the lord mayor of London to Kazakhstan answer of 20 July 2009, Official Report, column 1124W, in late July this year. Next month my right hon. Friend on the North West Development Agency: Public the Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual appointments, when the decision to appoint a new Property (Mr. Lammy) will visit Kazakhstan to reinforce chair of the North West Development Agency was the UK’s position as a preferred partner of Kazakhstan taken. [290375] on higher and vocational education co-operation and represent the UK at the annual Kazakhstan International Ms Rosie Winterton: The decision to appoint Robert Oil and Gas Exhibition. Hough as the chair of the North West Development UKTI also provides support for the Kazakh British Agency was made on 29 June. It was announced in Trade and Industrial Council. The council identifies Parliament on 9 July. new business opportunities and also focuses on ways to tackle barriers to trade and improve the environment Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for business. The last meeting was in Astana in July. for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 20 July 2009, Official Report, column 1124W, Overseas Trade: Maldives on the North West Development Agency: public appointments, when he expects the new chair of the Mr. Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department North West Development Agency to take up the for Business, Innovation and Skills what assistance his appointment. [290378] Department provides to businesses from the Maldives wishing to (a) invest in the UK and (b) take part in Ms Rosie Winterton: Robert Hough took up the joint ventures with UK companies; how much his position as chair of the North West Regional Development Department made available for these purposes in each Agency on 17 August. of the last two years; and if he will make a statement. Official Hospitality [289622] Mr. McFadden: Businesses from any country, including John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, Department the Maldives, are provided with assistance to invest in for Business, Innovation and Skills how many times the the UK or take part in joint ventures with UK companies Secretary of State received hospitality from representatives either by UK Trade and Investment or the English of the (a) automotive, (b) aerospace, (c) financial Regional Development Agencies or Devolved services, (d) fast moving consumer goods, (e) digital Administrations. Full details of these services are available media, (f) mail service, (g) cleantech and (h) the music publicly on UKTI’s website and the websites of the DAs industry; on what dates such hospitality was provided; and RDAs. and who the industry representatives were in each case. [291764] There are no specific funds for either investment or trade with any one market. Mr. McFadden: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton- Mr. Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department Brown) on 16 September 2009, Official Report, column for Business, Innovation and Skills what the value of 2197W. (a) import and (b) exports of (i) goods and (ii) services between the Maldives and the United Operational Management Support Contracts Kingdom was in each of the last 10 years. [289610]

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department Ian Lucas: The information is as follows. for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary (i) Overseas Trade Statistics data for UK trade in value is of operational management support contracts goods with the Maldives are shown in the following his Department has outsourced to consultants. [290222] table.

Mr. McFadden: The Department for Business, Innovation £ million and Skills does not have a classification called operational UK imports of goods UK exports of goods management support. from the Maldives to the Maldives In 2008-09 the Department spent £18,526,935 on 1999 5.5 4.9 consultancy. 2000 6.8 5.1 2001 6.4 5.0 Overseas Trade: Kazakhstan 2002 7.2 3.0 2003 6.8 5.9 Bob Spink: To ask the Minister of State, Department 2004 10.5 7.7 for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on 2005 11.7 8.9 encouraging trade and investment between the UK and 2006 14.3 6.2 Kazakhstan; and if he will make a statement. [291263] 659W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 660W

exports of goods and services to the Maldives in each of £ million 2007 and 2008 corresponded to about 0.001 per cent. of UK imports of goods UK exports of goods from the Maldives to the Maldives the value of UK GDP, and UK imports from the Maldives to about 0.01 per cent. 2007 15.6 7.1 No formal discussions regarding increased bilateral 2008 13.0 8.5 trade have taken place. However my officials are in (ii) Data on trade in services are not available for the regular contact with the Maldives high commission and full 10 years requested. Table 9.13 of the UK Balance of the UK trade and investment team in Colombo maintains Payments “Pink Book 2009” gives the following figures regular contact with the Maldives Ministry of Commerce. for UK trade in services with the Maldives Overseas Trade: Sanctions

£ million Harry Cohen: To ask the Minister of State, Department UK imports of UK exports of for Business, Innovation and Skills what proposed new services from the services to the trade sanctions against Iran the UK is supporting in Maldives Maldives international discussions. [291270] 2007 121 12 2008 127 9 Mr. Ivan Lewis: I have been asked to reply. The UK is in discussion with its international partners to decide how to address Iran’s failure, so far, to indicate Mr. Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department a willingness to negotiate over its nuclear programme. for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he (a) Discussions on further measures, including trade sanctions, has taken in the last 12 months and (b) plans to take in are in their early stages and form part of a confidential the next 12 months to increase trade between the dialogue with close allies. It would not be appropriate to United Kingdom and the Maldives; how much his publicly disclose the precise details at this stage. Details Department has spent on the promotion of trade will however be made available as soon as possible. between the United Kingdom and the Maldives in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. Parental Leave: Hertfordshire [289611] Mike Penning: To ask the Minister of State, Ian Lucas: The UK trade and investment team in Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what Colombo which is responsible for trade and investment estimate has he made of the number of people in (a) relations with the Maldives has undertaken a scoping Hemel Hempstead constituency, (b) Dacorum and (c) mission to the Maldives and maintains regular contact Hertfordshire who took (i) paternity and (ii) maternity with the Maldivian Ministry of Commerce. This scoping leave in the most recent period for which figures are mission cost approximately £300. No other expenditure available. [289413] has been incurred in the last 12 months. Mr. McFadden: The most recent estimates of take-up In the coming 12 months UKTI has arranged for the of maternity leave are based on Maternity Rights and Maldivian high commissioner in London to give a Mother’s Employment Decisions (published 2007). The presentation on opportunities in the market to its regional survey is based on a random sample of mothers who trade advisers. had a baby between February and May 2006. Mr. Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department Of mothers in paid work, all took at least some of for Business, Innovation and Skills how many officials their entitlement to maternity leave. in his Department of each grade worked on the Up-to-date estimates of fathers taking paternity leave promotion of trade between the United Kingdom and are from the Maternity and Paternity Rights and Benefits the Maldives (a) in each year between 1998 and 2008 in Britain: Survey of Parents, conducted in 2005. 93 per and (b) on the most recent date for which figures are cent. of fathers took some time off around the time of available. [289612] the birth. Of the 93 per cent. who took some time off, 79 per cent. took paternity leave (The survey is based on Ian Lucas: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) does a random sample of mothers who had a baby in December not deliver official services in the Maldives, but lobbying 2003 and their partners). on behalf of British companies may be carried out on a The Department does not collect data on take-up of case by case basis by the high commission in Colombo. maternity and paternity leave at constituency level. It is not therefore possible to give a precise breakdown of staff spent on trade promotion in the Maldives. Patents Mr. Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much trade for Business, Innovation and Skills on how many with the Maldives contributed to gross domestic occasions in the last 10 years a conflict has arisen product in each of the last two years; what recent between the Patent Office and the European Patent discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Office over the registration of individual patents. Maldives on increasing trade between the UK and the [290079] Maldives; and if he will make a statement. [289623] Mr. Lammy: A number of applicants file similar Ian Lucas: Due to the difficulty of differentiating patent applications at both the Intellectual Property between the impact of trade and other factors on growth, Office (IPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO). In it is not possible to quantify precisely the impact of cases where both applications result in granted patents trade with another country on GDP. The value of UK valid in the UK, the IPO carries out a check to determine 661W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 662W whether there is a conflict, that is whether both applications Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, relate to the same invention. It will revoke a GB patent Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if an EP patent for the same invention is granted whether his Department has made an assessment of designating the UK. Over the past nine years, 1,148 GB the length of time for which the Network Subsidy patents were considered by the IPO for revocation in Payment or a successor arrangement will be required to these circumstances (the data for the tenth year is not subsidise Post Office Limited. [290429] available). Many applicants amend one or other to remove any conflict, therefore avoiding revocation. There Mr. McFadden: The Government recognise that there are over 500 cases where an application has been granted will be a continuing need for subsidy payments to by one office and not the other, which is well below 1 support the non-commercial part of the post office per cent. of the total number of patents granted by the network beyond March 2011 when the present funding two offices. In many cases these applications are still package comes to an end. pending before the other office. Determining precisely the outcome of the remainder, many of which will have Post Office Ltd.: Royal Mail been withdrawn for the applicant’s own reasons, would involve information which is not held centrally and which could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he Polly Toynbee will bring forward proposals to increase the availability and clarity of information on the revenue received from Mr. Pickles: To ask the Minister of State, Post Office Limited by the Royal Mail Group. [290515] Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what payments the Economic and Social Research Council Mr. McFadden: Post Office Ltd. prepares a statutory has made to Ms Polly Toynbee in the last five years; report and accounts annually and these are publicly and for what purposes. [290998] available through Companies House. As these indicate, Post Office Ltd. meets the full costs of employment of Mr. Lammy [holding answer 14 September 2009]: In its staff who are all seconded from Royal Mail Group. the last five years the Economic and Social Research In 2008-09 these costs totalled £293 million. In addition, Council has made the following payments to Ms Polly Post Office Ltd. pays its share of the Royal Mail Group’s Toynbee: central costs to its parent company. 2004-05—£587.50 for an Evaluation Review of an ESRC Research Centre, involving three days work; Post Offices 2005-06—£881.25 for an article for ESRC Society Today, the ESRC website. The article was 1,800 words long and involved two days work; Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, 2009-10—£400 for chairing an ESRC lecture on Recession and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the Green Economy. his policy is on the re-opening of Post Office branches Post Office Horizon System in areas in which such branches had closed. [290340] Mr. McFadden: Government policy is to maintain a Mr. Newmark: To ask the Minister of State, sustainable nationwide network of around 11,500 post Department for Business, Innovation and Skills offices and in 2007 committed funding to 2011 in support whether he has received reports of errors in the Post of this policy. Decisions on the opening or re-opening Office Horizon system which have led to Postmasters of individual post office branches are an operational or Postmistresses being falsely accused of fraud; and if matter for Post Office Ltd. The company has an established he will make a statement. [291675] framework for dialogue with local authorities and community groups interested in funding continued service Mr. McFadden: The Department has received no provision where a branch has closed. In such circumstances, such reports. Any issues relating to the Horizon system Post Office Ltd will need to ensure that this does not are operational matters for Post Office Ltd. I have adversely affect the viability of the local network of therefore asked Alan Cook, managing director of Post post offices. Office Ltd., to respond directly to the hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries. Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Post Office Ltd. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many Post Office branches are required to meet his Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department’s access criteria for Post Office branches. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what [290341] steps he plans to take to seek to increase the level of profit made by Post Office Limited. [290428] Mr. McFadden: Post Office Ltd. estimates that the minimum size of network necessary to meet the access Mr. McFadden: The Government are keen for Post criteria is around 7,500 offices but it is Government Office Ltd. to develop its range of products and services policy to maintain a sustainable network of around and the shareholder executive in this Department is 11,500 post offices. The £1.7 billion funding package working with the company to examine the scope and announced in May 2007 supports the network at that opportunities for this. However, it is for the company to level to 2011 and the Government recognise that there determine a business and commercial strategy to increase will be a continuing need for network subsidy payments its profitability. beyond 2011. 663W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 664W

Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department Post Offices: Bank Services for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the Government has had recent discussions with Post Office Limited on Joan Walley: To ask the Minister of State, Department future numbers of Post Office branches. [290342] for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the merits of establishing a Mr. McFadden: Ministers have regular discussions state-owned post bank based upon the Post Office with Post Office Ltd. about a wide range of issues network. [289712] including network size. Government policy is to maintain a sustainable nationwide network of around 11,500 Mr. McFadden: The idea of a state-owned Post Bank post offices and the Government have stated that they as proposed by, among others, the Post Bank Coalition, will not support a future programme of closures. is an interesting contribution to the debate on Post Office financial services. The Government’s priorities Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department with respect to Post Office personal financial services for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on are that the Post Office grows this important part of its the use of Post Office services by Government departments. business and continues to increase the range of products [290427] available across the network. This is an aim that the Business and Enterprise Select Committee report on Mr. McFadden: The Government are keen for the ‘Post Offices—Securing Their Future’ supports. Post Post Office to develop their Government Services work Office Ltd is working hard on this and has recently and have an established mechanism for aiding this announced that it aims to launch a current account next through a cross-Whitehall committee chaired by the year. Secretary of State for Business. The Government have shown their commitment to using the Post Office to Post Offices: Birmingham provide services for Government through the award of the Post Office Card Account contract in November Mr. Godsiff: To ask the Minister of State, Department 2008, as well as the deal in March 2009 with the DVLA for Business, Innovation and Skills how many post to allow the capture of biometric data (photographs office branches in Birmingham Sparkbrook & Small and signatures) for the 10-year renewal of driving licences Heath constituency have been closed in each year since at 750 Post Offices around the country. 2004; and how many such branches have been replaced by Outreach services. [291565] Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Mr. McFadden: The Department does not hold the many (a) Crown post offices, (b) full branches, (c) information requested. I have therefore asked Alan mobile outreach services, (d) hosted outreach services, Cook, Managing Director of Post Office Ltd, to respond (e) partner services and (f) home services branches directly to the hon. Friend and a copy of his reply will there are in the Post Office branch network. [291738] be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Mr. McFadden: I have asked Alan Cook, managing Post Offices: Hertfordshire director of Post Office Ltd., to respond directly to the right hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be Mike Penning: To ask the Minister of State, Department placed in the Libraries of the House. for Business, Innovation and Skills how many post office branches there were in (a) Hemel Hempstead Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Minister of State, constituency and (b) Hertfordshire in each of the last Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how 30 years. [289408] many Post Office branches that have closed temporarily since the end of the Network Change Programme have Mr. McFadden: This is an operational matter for Post (a) re-opened with the same hours, (b) re-opened with Office Ltd. (POL). reduced hours, (c) re-opened with increased hours, (d) I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director not yet re-opened, (e) been replaced by an outreach of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member with the service and (f) been closed permanently. [291739] information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries. Mr. McFadden: The Department does not hold the information requested. I have therefore asked Alan Regional Development Agencies: Finance Cook, managing director of Post Office Ltd., to respond directly to the right hon. Member and a copy of his Robert Neill: To ask the Minister of State, Department reply will be placed in the House Libraries. for Business, Innovation and Skills what changes are being made to the (a) total budget and (b) capital Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Minister of State, budget of each regional development agency as a Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in consequence of the policies announced in the Draft which postcode districts the Post Office branch Legislative programme 2009-10 in each year for which network does not meet the access criteria adopted information is available. [289549] under the Network Change Programme. [291740] Ms Rosie Winterton: Changes to budgets, resulting Mr. McFadden: I have asked Alan Cook, managing from new legislation, would normally be made once the director of Post Office Ltd., to respond directly to the Bills are enacted. We do not envisage any likely changes right hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be to RDA budgets as a consequence of the policies announced placed in the Libraries of the House. in the Draft Legislative programme 2009-10. 665W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 666W

Regional Development Agencies: Manpower Ms Rosie Winterton: Details of the number of women and black and minority ethnic people on the Regional Margaret Moran: To ask the Minister of State, Development Boards since 2001 and shown as a percentage Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how of the Board. many (a) black and minority ethnic people and (b) For new appointments up to April 2009 BIS have women have served as board members of a regional 33.5 per cent. women and 4. per cent. black and ethnic development agency (RDA); and what percentage of minorities on their boards overall. BIS targets by 2011 the board of each RDA each group represented in each are 50 per cent. board members to be women and 11 per year since 2001. [291760] cent. ethnic minority.

Women 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 RDANo.%No.%No.%No.%No.%No.%No.%No.%No.%

AWM 3 23 2 13 3 20 4 27 3 20 3 20 3 20 3 20 3 20 EEDA 3 25 5 33 5 33 6 40 6 40 4 27 3 20 4 27 5 33 EMDA 4 29 6 40 6 40 3 20 3 20 4 27 3 20 4 27 4 27 NWDA 4 31 4 27 4 27 4 27 5 33 5 33 5 33 5 33 4 27 One NE 3 23 5 33 6 40 6 40 6 40 5 33 5 33 5 33 5 33 SEEDA 5 33 4 27 4 27 3 20 3 20 3 20 4 27 3 20 4 27 SWRDA 3 23 4 27 4 27 5 33 5 33 5 33 6 40 5 33 5 33 YF 4 31 6 40 5 33 6 40 6 40 6 40 6 40 6 40 5 33 Total292736303731373137313529352935293529

Ethnic Minority 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 RDA No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %

AWIW2153202132131717170000 EEDA00213213171700000017 EMDA0021321317213213171717 NWDA001717171717000000 OneNE18213213170000000000 SEEDA 001717213213213213213213 SWRDA 000000000000000000 YF1817171717171717213 Total441210119988776544365

The London Development Agency is not included in total remuneration package = total cash remuneration + pension the above statistics as it is the responsibility of the + benefits in kind (where the RDA has benefits in kind in place). Mayor of London and not the Minister. For the board members: the total remuneration = basic remuneration paid. Board Regional Development Agencies: Pay members are only paid a remuneration figure agreed by the SoS in accordance with the RDA Act 1998. These posts do not Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, attract bonuses, pensions or benefits in kind. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Copies of the tables will be placed in the Libraries of much was paid in remuneration to (a) the Chief the House. Executive and (b) each board member of each regional development agency, including benefits in kind in each Regional Development Agency: Finance of the last three years. [277994] Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 4 June 2009]: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what The break down of the total financial value of the the annual budget is for each year to 2011 of each (a) remuneration made to (a) RDA chief executives; and national and (b) UKTI programme operated by (b) the board members of each RDA, including benefits regional development agencies and not included in the in kind, in each of the last three years is detailed by Solutions for Business portfolio. [291355] RDA in the tables (the information excludes London, which is the responsibility of the Mayor). The RDA Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 16 September chairs details are identified separately to the other board 2009]: The RDA total budget for 2009-10 is £2.253 members as their remuneration entitlements are different. billion and the budget for 2010-11 is £1.762 billion. The figures have been collected by each RDA and RDAs are in the process of producing revised corporate show: plans showing how this will be spent in each region. The For the chief executive and RDA chairs: amount of money spent by each agency on Solutions the total cash remuneration = basic salary (before tax) + for Business products and on other types of intervention performance related bonus (bonuses are awarded based on will vary according to local and regional need for particular performance against objectives delivered in the previous year); forms of business support and the wider economic and context. 667W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 668W

Renewable Energy: Government Assistance Royal Mail

Mr. Crabb: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. Weir: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what assessment for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his he has made of the effectiveness of grant assistance Department spent on Royal Mail services in each of given by his Department to developers of marine the last five years. [290065] renewables technology in the last five years; [291698] (2) how much funding his Department has provided Mr. McFadden: During the last five financial years, to developers of marine renewable energy technology this Department and its predecessors spent the following on Royal Mail services provided to buildings on its in the last five years. [291699] central London estate:

Ian Lucas: In the last five years, the Department’s £000 funding to developers of marine renewable energy technology has primarily been delivered through the 2004-05 215.5 Technology Strategy Board (TSB). Support for collaborative 2005-06 194.1 R and D provided by the TSB to developers of wave 2006-07 119.2 and tidal renewable energy technologies in the last five 2007-08 118.5 years is as follows: 2008-09 137.9

£000 Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, 2003-04 5,019 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what 2004-05 1,235 steps his Department plans to take to secure the (a) 2005-06 1,655 short-term and (b) long-term viability of Royal Mail 2006-07 2,258 as a commercial enterprise. [290343] 2007-08 2,560 2008-09 5,131 Mr. McFadden: The Government consider that the implementation of the Hooper review recommendations BIS also supports developers indirectly through as a package is the best way forward to secure Royal investments via the Energy Technologies Institute and Mail’s future. We will return to this package once the Research Councils: market conditions are right to secure a suitable partner In January the ETI announced £11 million for ReDAPT, to for Royal Mail Group Limited. In the meantime, the demonstrate the viability of a 1 MW tidal turbine, and expects to Government are looking to the management and the announce further marine projects with a potential value of £10 unions to take forward the modernisation of the company. million during the next quarter. We encourage both the management and the unions to work together to achieve this. Mr. Crabb: To ask the Minister of State, Department Royal Mail: Meetings for Business, Innovation and Skills what mechanisms are in place to monitor the use by developers of marine renewables technology of financial assistance provided Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department by his Department in the last five years. [292024] for Business, Innovation and Skills on how many occasions the Secretary of State has met Royal Mail trustees to discuss the Royal Mail pension plan since 1 July 2009. Ian Lucas: The Department’s support to developers [290344] of marine renewable energy technology is delivered through its delivery partners. Mr. McFadden: The Secretary of State has met the Tidal energy projects funded by the Technology Strategy Chair of the Royal Mail Pension Fund Trustees once Board are monitored by a dedicated monitoring officer since 1 July. who is technically qualified to work in this specialist area and monitoring is carried out against: SkillFast UK Stated project outputs, deliverables and milestones. The original and revised project plans, and Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has Budgeted expenditure versus total grant. for the future of SkillFast-UK. [290146] Projects are monitored monthly with formal reports furnished on a quarterly basis. Kevin Brennan: Skillfast-UK is an independent skills Projects supported by the Energy Technologies Institute body that is currently licensed as a Sector Skills Council. involve: Skillfast-UK was recently assessed by the UK Commission Monthly reporting of progress (financial and non financial) for Employment and Skills against the standards set out in the Relicensing Framework for Sector Skills Councils. Payment against deliverables only (not effort) with clear acceptance The UK Commission recommended to Government criteria that Skillfast-UK had not met the standard required of Variations approved only as contract variation an SSC, with a proposal for consultation with the Projects reviewed at significant key stages (stage gates; go/no industry to identify options for future coverage of the go) checking technology, financial progress and integrity of sector. Government are in the process of considering business case, and the UK Commission’s recommendation for Skillfast-UK. Annual reports on project progress. In the event that an SSC did not have its licence renewed 669W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 670W by Government, it would be asked to work with the UK Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, Department Commission to ensure that the skills needs of the sector for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary in question continue to be met. This would include value of payments to businesses from the is to date; access for employers to high quality labour market what the average monetary value of such payments is; information about skills, and the continued development and how many (a) life sciences and (b) other businesses of national occupational standards that underpin have received such payments. [291811] qualifications that meet both employer and individual needs. Mr. McFadden: Over £700 million of the £750 million within the Strategic Investment Fund has already been Skillset: Yorkshire and the Humber allocated, or is earmarked for specific projects in support of the vision set out in New Industry New Jobs framework Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Minister of State, Department document. The remaining £50 million will be allocated for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions to projects by the end of October. he has had with representatives of Skillset on the future While commitments to fund investments have been of the creative industries in Yorkshire and the Humber. made, the money has not in itself been drawn down as [290145] claims as they will either be paid in arrears, or on the basis of future calls. There is no average monetary value Kevin Brennan: Since taking up post as Minister for of such payments at this stage due to the differing State for Skills I have not had any discussions with values and timing of individual calls on the SIF. No Skillset about the future of the creative industries in businesses have received specific payments for life sciences, Yorkshire and the Humber. Skillset is the Sector Skills at this stage. Council for the broadcasting, photo imaging, audio visual and publishing sector. In a recent assessment by Students: Fees and Charges the National Audit Office, Skillset was recognised for its commitment to working across the regions in England. Mr. Touhig: To ask the Minister of State, Department Strategic Investment Fund for Business, Innovation and Skills how much on average a (a) UK and (b) non-UK citizen pays in tuition fees to study a veterinary science degree course at a university Charles Hendry: To ask the Minister of State, in England. [291536] Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the amount of carbon dioxide Mr. Lammy: The information is not held by the emissions that will be abated as a result of the elements Department. of the Strategic Investment Fund earmarked for low-carbon projects. [285038] In the academic year 2009-10 students from the UK and EU will pay up to £3,225 in tuition fees to study Mr. McFadden: It has not been possible to estimate veterinary science degree courses. Total expenditure the impact of projects supported by the Strategic Investment over the length of their course will depend on whether Fund on future carbon dioxide emissions. their institution charges the maximum fee, and on the length of the course. Loans are available to eligible The Strategic Investment Fund is supporting the students to cover the full cost of tuition fees. research, development and demonstration of key low carbon technologies in areas including wind and marine Tuition fees for international students from outside energy and electric vehicles, which if viable will support of the EU are unregulated and therefore HEIs are free delivery of the carbon reduction targets to which the to set fee levels as they see fit. UK is committed. Wherever possible their potential to contribute to long-term abatement was taken into account. Students: Loans The Strategic Investment Fund was established to support advanced industrial projects of strategic importance, Mike Penning: To ask the Minister of State, Department consistent with the vision set out in New Industry, New for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people of Jobs, and the UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy. The each age group resident in (a) Hemel Hempstead latter, published on 15 July 2009, set out the first constituency, (b) Dacorum and (c) Hertfordshire had investments from the £250 million of funding allocated not repaid their student loans on the latest date for for low carbon economic development. which figures are available. [289415]

Mr. Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. Lammy: Borrowers become liable to repay their for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of loans in the April after they leave their course (the the £750 million Strategic Investment Fund announced Statutory Repayment Due Date). After that date those in the 2009 Budget has been allocated to individual with earnings of over £15,000 will repay, usually by projects; and how much has been paid from the fund to deductions from salary. Those liable to repay who have not yet made a repayment will include borrowers whose eligible projects. [289833] earnings are below the repayment threshold, have gone Mr. McFadden: Over £700 million of the £750 million on to further study or are doing voluntary work. within the Strategic Investment Fund has already been Income-contingent loan borrowers, Hertfordshire, March 20091 allocated, or is earmarked for specific projects and Numbers who have Numbers who investments. While such allocations have been made, not yet made a have made a 2 the money has not in itself been drawn down as claims Age repayment repayment Total as they will either be paid in arrears, or on the basis of Less 20 10 30 future calls. than 20 671W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 672W

Income-contingent loan borrowers, Hertfordshire, March 20091 in relation to the implementation of EU Directive 2008/ Numbers who have Numbers who 104/EC on Temporary Agency Work. [290425] not yet made a have made a 2 Age repayment repayment Total Mr. McFadden: The Department’s forthcoming response 20 to 24 2,180 4,790 6,970 to the consultation, which closed on 31 July, will include 25 to 29 1,910 11,780 13,690 a list of the businesses and other organisations who 30 to 39 530 1,200 1,730 responded publicly. 40 to 49 260 480 750 50 and 100 190 290 Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, over Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what Total 5,000 18,450 23,440 timetable has been set for the implementation in the 1 Table covers income-contingent loan borrowers past SRDD with UK of EU Directive 2008/104/EC on Temporary known repayment status, the local authority in which the borrower Agency Work. [290426] was resident at the time of application for student finance; this does not indicate current residence. Figures rounded to the nearest 10. Mr. McFadden: We are committed to ensuring that 2 Age at the end of the last tax year for which repayment/non-repayment information has been posted, mainly end of tax year 2007/08. the implementing Regulations are on the Statute Book Source: in the current Parliament. Student Loans Company The Government’s forthcoming response to the Reliable information is not available at constituency Consultation, which closed on 31 July, will be published or district level. shortly.

Mike Penning: To ask the Minister of State, Department Tesco: Meetings for Business, Innovation and Skills how much has been deducted from the salaries of individuals in each income Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department group resident in (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency, for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the (b) Dacorum and (c) Hertfordshire for student loan Minister for Trade, Investment and Business has met repayments in the last 12 months. [289416] any representative of Tesco plc since relinquishing a Mr. Lammy: The information requested is as follows: non-executive directorship with that organisation; and if he will make a statement. [290263] Student loans PAYE deductions, Hertfordshire, tax year 2007-08 (provisional)1 Ian Lucas: The Minister met Sir Terry Leahy on Numbers who have had a Amount 18 June and has communicated with him through the Earnings in deduction from deducted from Average Business Council for Britain. tax year earnings under earnings under amount 2007-08 PAYE PAYE deducted Textiles: Government Assistance Less than 3,210 430,000 130 £15,000 Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Minister of State, £15,000 to 3,200 970,000 300 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what £20,000 plans he has to assist the development of levels of skills £20,000 to 3,720 2,470,000 660 in relation to the fashion and textile sector. [290148] £25,000 £25,000 to 2,710 2,880,000 1,060 Kevin Brennan: The Government are committed to £30,000 supporting skills development in the fashion and textile £30,000 to 1,420 2,060,000 1,450 £35,000 sector. Skillfast-UK, which is the Sector Skills Council for the sector, sets the overall strategy for skills and £35,000 to 740 1,340,000 1,800 £40,000 engages directly with employers about their skill needs. Over £40,000 1,060 3,110,000 2,920 Skillfast-UK provides labour market information for Total 16,070 13,250,000 820 employers, and is engaged in the development of qualifications. Skillfast-UK is also running a Women 1 Tables cover deductions by PAYE from income-contingent loans. Excludes Self Assessment deductions. Tables cover deductions which and Work Sector Pathways Initiative project to develop HMRC has notified to SLC by 31 March 2009. There will be further the skills of 600 women in 2009-10 in relation to the deductions notified for tax year 2007-08. The table shows the local fashion and textile sector. The Fashion Retail Academy authority where the borrower was resident at the time of application promotes fashion retail as a career, and delivers a flow for student finance; this does not indicate current residence. of young people to the industry with the fundamental Source: Student Loans Company skills required to work in the sector. Government are also providing funding through Sector Compacts to Deductions from salaries are made when the borrowers’ tackle skills shortages in key sectors, including fashion income is above £15,000 per year, £1,250 per month or and textiles. £288 per week. Reliable information is not available at constituency Trade Unions or district level. Temporary Employment: EC Law Mr. Hurd: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department discussions he has had on possible revision of the for Business, Innovation and Skills which (a) businesses Warwick Agreement arrangement with the trades and (b) other organisations his Department has consulted unions. [250237] 673W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 674W

Mr. McFadden: The Labour Party’s policy making Kevin Brennan: Train to Gain is a service to help structures are a matter for the Labour Party. employers improve the skills of their existing employees. It is not a programme that is designed to create jobs. Mr. Hurd: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to Training: Construction negotiate a revised Warwick Agreement arrangement with the trades unions. [250293] Mr. Newmark: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Mr. McFadden: The Labour party’s policy making much capital funding was originally allocated to each structures are a matter for the Labour party. National Construction College by the Learning and Skills Council for 2009-10; and how much of that funding has since been withdrawn from each college. Train to Gain Programme [288699]

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department Kevin Brennan [holding answer 21 July 2009]: No for Business, Innovation and Skills what methodology capital funding has been allocated to either of the was used to set the initial targets for the Train to Gain National Construction Colleges for 2009-10, and as programme. [290269] such, no funding has since been withdrawn. Initial approval for funding from the FE capital Kevin Brennan: Initial Train to Gain targets were set funding stream had been granted to the Birchen Newton out in the Learning and Skills Council’s 2006 Annual proposal in autumn last year. However, following the Statement of Priorities. They were based on contributing Learning and Skills Council’s recent FE capital to the PSA target to reduce by at least 40 per cent. the prioritisation process, the proposal was unsuccessful, number of adults in the workplace without a Level 2 or and has not been granted final approval. equivalent qualification by 2010, and an assessment of As with every college, the LSC will discuss with the the Employer Training Pilots that preceded the start of College on how the project can move forward. the programme in April 2006. The assessment included the expected annual cost of the programme and the UK High Technology Investment Fund planned number of employers taking part per annum. These targets have subsequently been updated in the Mr. Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department LSC’s 2007 Annual Statement of Priorities, and reflect for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he the broader skills aim set out in the 2006 Leitch Review: has made of the liability his Department would incur in to increase the proportion of adults holding Level 2 the event of a confirmed downturn in the performance qualifications to 90 per cent. by 2020. of the UK High Technology Investment Fund; what As Train to Gain is a demand-led programme, learner criteria would be used in determining whether such a volumes and annual spend may differ from initial liability had to be paid; and if he will make a statement. projections, depending on levels of employer demand. [289939] Regular reports are received from the LSC in order to enable the Department to monitor ongoing levels of Mr. McFadden: The UK Innovation Investment Fund performance. is a 10-year Fund of Funds. The Government are committing £150 million of tax payers’ investment to Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department the UK Innovation Investment Fund and we expect to for Business, Innovation and Skills what leverage significant investment from the private sector. representations his Department has received from (a) We aim to appoint an experienced Fund of Funds the Learning and Skills Council and (b) others on the manager in December to manage the fund and make adequacy of the Train to Gain programme; and when investments in underlying technology funds with the such representations were received. [291463] expertise and track record to invest directly in technology businesses. The Government and Capital for Enterprise Kevin Brennan: The Department has regular and Limited issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from ongoing contact with the Learning and Skills Council prospective Fund of Funds manager(s) on 3 August. regarding all aspects of Train to Gain delivery, and The RFP sets out the Government’s expectation that receive monthly performance reports and updated financial private and public funding should be invested on a information. pari-passu basis and that private investors should not receive advantageous terms. Bidders are asked to set out The Department also receives frequent correspondence their investment strategies and demonstrate how they and other representations from colleges, employers, will raise money from private sector investors. members of the public and other interested parties on a variety of skills policies including Train to Gain. It will not possible to say any more about the nature or terms of investments into underlying funds until an investment mandate is awarded. Train to Gain Programme: Finance UK Innovation Investment Fund Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the average Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, cost to the public purse of a job created under the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what Train to Gain programme was in the latest period for criteria will apply to the provision of funding to which figures are available. [290232] businesses from the UK Innovation Investment Fund; 675W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 676W when funding will begin from the Fund; what steps he years old were not in education, employment or has taken to inform small and medium-sized training in (a) each local authority area and (b) each enterprises about the Fund; and whether he has set a region in each of the last 12 quarters for which figures target for the time between applying for funding and are available. [289275] receiving funding. [291631] Kevin Brennan Table 1 and table 2 as follows show the Mr. Lammy: The Fund will operate on a Fund of number and percentage of people aged1 16 to 24 not in Funds structure which means it will not invest directly education, employment or training by Government Office in companies, but rather invest in a small number of Region. These estimates are from quarterly Labour specialist technology funds that have the expertise and Force survey (LFS) data and are rounded to the nearest track record to invest directly in companies. The Fund 1000. will only invest in those companies that have strong Table 3 shows the number and percentage of people survival and growth prospects. aged1 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training We hope to announce the appointment of a Fund of by local education authority (LEA). These estimates Funds Manager by Christmas 2009 and anticipate that are from the Annual Population survey (APS) which the Fund will start investing soon after that. covers the period January to December. Due to the There have been a number of events to promote the small populations of local authority areas, we have used fund to all interested parties and there will be further the APS (which has a larger sample) to breakdown the events during autumn 2009 and beyond. estimates by LEA (larger geographical area). This enables us to provide more robust estimates. The Department wishes to see the fund supporting firms as soon as possible. Please note that even for regions, sample sizes can be small and these estimates are subject to sampling variability. However, it will be down to the Fund of Funds Confidence intervals, which indicate how accurate estimates Manager(s) to allocate funding in the most appropriate are, are between 2 and 3 percentage points for these manner. regional estimates, and between 3 and 10 percentage points for these local education authority estimates. Unemployment: Young People Numbers have been rounded to the nearest thousand and estimates denoted with a ‘*’ means less than 1000 Andrew Stunell: To ask the Minister of State, young people are estimated to be NEET in that area. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how 1Age used is the respondents academic age, which is their age at many and what proportion of people aged 16 to 24 the preceding 31 August.

Table 1: People aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training by region

Q3 2006 Q4 2006 Q1 2007 Q2 2007 Q3 2007 Q4 2007 Q1 2008 Q2 2008 Q3 2008 Q4 2008 Q1 2009 Q2 2009

England 970,000 808,000 828,000 833,000 909,000 782,000 810,000 840,000 973,000 857,000 935,000 959,000

North East 53,000 45,000 48,000 47,000 52,000 49,000 52,000 56,000 65,000 54,000 57,000 69,000

North West 140,000 120,000 127,000 134,000 144,000 120,000 136,000 139,000 151,000 142,000 156,000 155,000

Yorks and 118,000 95,000 97,000 92,000 105,000 82,000 75,000 101,000 119,000 92,000 107,000 121,000 Humber

East 81,000 65,000 72,000 66,000 81,000 70,000 69,000 71,000 86,000 68,000 69,000 75,000 Midlands

West 112,000 96,000 111,000 107,000 111,000 93,000 95,000 98,000 119,000 105,000 126,000 131,000 Midlands

East of 92,000 77,000 76,000 84,000 92,000 74,000 87,000 77,000 82,000 79,000 83,000 82,000 England

London 184,000 148,000 119,000 130,000 136,000 123,000 129,000 132,000 149,000 131,000 127,000 120,000

South East 115,000 93,000 107,000 112,000 125,000 116,000 104,000 111,000 131,000 122,000 130,000 142,000

South West 74,000 68,000 70,000 61,000 63,000 56,000 63,000 55,000 71,000 63,000 78,000 66,000

Table 2: Percentage of people aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training by region Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009

England 17 14 14 14 15 13 14 14 16 14 16 16 NorthEast171415151615161720171821 North West 17 14 15 16 17 14 16 16 18 17 18 18 Yorks and 18 14 14 14 16 12 11 15 18 14 16 19 Humber East Midlands 16 12 14 13 15 13 13 13 16 13 13 14 West Midlands 18 15 18 17 18 15 15 16 19 16 20 21 East of 16 13 13 14 15 12 14 13 13 13 14 13 England London 21 17 14 15 16 14 15 15 16 15 14 13 South East 13 11 12 12 14 13 12 12 14 13 14 15 South West 14 12 13 11 11 10 11 10 13 11 14 12 677W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 678W

Table 3: People aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training by local education authority 2006 2007 2008 NEET Percentage NEET Percentage NEET Percentage

England 849,000 15 850,000 14 857,000 14 Barking and Dagenham 6,000 25 4,000 20 4,000 20 Barnet 3,000 7 1,000 4 7,000 19 Barnsley 5,000 19 6,000 23 5,000 19 Bath and North East Somerset 3,000 10 2,000 9 2,000 9 Bedfordshire 7,000 15 7,000 16 4,000 8 Bexley 4,000 17 3,000 12 3,000 14 Birmingham 30,000 19 30,000 20 29,000 20 Blackburn with Darwen 3,000 19 3,000 21 2,000 16 Blackpool 4,000 22 3,000 20 2,000 12 Bolton 5,000 14 5,000 14 4,000 12 Bournemouth 2,000 7 2,000 11 3,000 14 Bracknell Forest 1,000 11 1,000 11 2,000 13 Bradford 12,000 18 12,000 18 9,000 14 Brent 7,000 22 5,000 17 4,000 14 Brighton and Hove 4,000 11 5,000 13 4,000 12 Bristol 7,000 13 8,000 15 9,000 14 Bromley 5,000 18 5,000 16 5,000 16 Buckinghamshire 5,000 11 4,000 10 5,000 11 Bury 3,000 17 3,000 19 3,000 14 Calderdale 4,000 17 3,000 13 4,000 18 Cambridgeshire 5,000 8 6,000 9 8,000 11 Camden 4,000 16 3,000 12 3,000 10 Cheshire 6,000 8 7,000 9 9,000 13 Cornwall 5,000 10 7,000 13 5,000 10 Coventry 6,000 14 6,000 15 9,000 19 Croydon 2,000 7 6,000 15 6,000 16 Cumbria 7,000 16 6,000 12 2,000 5 Darlington 2,000 20 3,000 24 1,000 12 Derby 4,000 16 5,000 16 4,000 13 Derbyshire 14,000 19 13,000 16 10,000 14 Devon 9,000 12 11,000 13 5,000 6 Doncaster 6,000 20 5,000 14 8,000 22 Dorset 2,000 5 4,000 11 3,000 8 Dudley 4,000 11 4,000 14 8,000 19 Durham 13,000 21 8,000 13 11,000 17 Ealing 5,000 15 6,000 16 5,000 13 East Riding of Yorkshire 5,000 14 4,000 11 5,000 14 East Sussex 4,000 9 7,000 15 8,000 17 Enfield 5,000 19 4,000 14 3,000 12 Essex 16,000 11 19,000 13 21,000 14 Gateshead 4,000 18 3,000 15 4,000 21 Gloucestershire 9,000 16 6,000 10 6,000 10 Greenwich 6,000 22 6,000 26 4,000 16 Hackney 5,000 22 4,000 17 5,000 20 Halton 2,000 15 2,000 16 3,000 23 Hammersmith and Fulham 3,000 14 2,000 11 2,000 12 Hampshire 14,000 11 19,000 14 16,000 11 Haringey 8,000 26 4,000 15 6,000 20 Harrow * * 2,000 11 3,000 13 Hartlepool 2,000 23 2,000 26 3,000 27 Havering 2,000 9 3,000 12 2,000 7 Herefordshire 2,000 10 2,000 12 2,000 12 Hertfordshire 15,000 14 13,000 12 14,000 13 Hillingdon 4,000 15 6,000 18 4,000 15 Hounslow 5,000 16 5,000 16 6,000 22 Isle of Wight 2,000 17 2,000 13 2,000 18 Islington 4,000 20 4,000 15 3,000 14 Kensington and Chelsea 3,000 21 2,000 9 3,000 16 Kent 23,000 16 24,000 17 25,000 17 Kingston upon Hull 6,000 18 8,000 20 8,000 18 Kingston upon Thames 3,000 17 2,000 11 2,000 11 Kirklees 9,000 19 9,000 19 8,000 19 679W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 680W

Table 3: People aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training by local education authority 2006 2007 2008 NEET Percentage NEET Percentage NEET Percentage

Knowsley 4,000 20 4,000 22 5,000 20 Lambeth 5,000 17 5,000 15 4,000 12 Lancashire 19,000 14 17,000 12 21,000 14 Leeds 11,000 10 16,000 13 20,000 15 Leicester 7,000 14 7,000 15 9,000 18 Leicestershire 6,000 9 6,000 9 9,000 14 Lewisham 5,000 18 6,000 20 5,000 19 Lincolnshire 11,000 16 10,000 14 10,000 13 Liverpool 10,000 16 11,000 17 10,000 15 Luton 4,000 18 4,000 17 4,000 16 Manchester 10,000 13 12,000 15 13,000 16 Medway 5,000 16 4,000 12 5,000 18 Merton 3,000 13 3,000 14 3,000 15 Middlesbrough 4,000 22 4,000 21 5,000 24 Milton Keynes 3,000 16 4,000 14 2,000 9 Newcastle upon Tyne 5,000 10 5,000 11 6,000 10 Newham 6,000 18 7,000 18 4,000 12 Norfolk 11,000 14 12,000 14 15,000 17 North East Lincolnshire 4,000 23 3,000 17 4,000 21 North Lincolnshire 3,000 15 3,000 18 2,000 15 North Somerset 1,000 7 * * 2,000 7 North Tyneside 4,000 18 4,000 17 4,000 20 North Yorkshire 6,000 11 6,000 9 7,000 12 Northamptonshire 11,000 14 11,000 13 12,000 14 Northumberland 4,000 14 6,000 17 4,000 11 Nottingham 8,000 15 8,000 14 7,000 12 Nottinghamshire 12,000 13 10,000 11 12,000 14 Oldham 7,000 24 6,000 25 7,000 25 Oxfordshire 7,000 9 11,000 14 6,000 8 Peterborough 4,000 20 5,000 22 4,000 20 Plymouth 5,000 13 5,000 15 3,000 8 Poole 2,000 15 1,000 10 2,000 12 Portsmouth 4,000 15 3,000 9 3,000 8 Reading 2,000 15 2,000 11 2,000 11 Redbridge 6,000 22 4,000 16 4,000 14 Redcar and Cleveland 3,000 17 3,000 19 4,000 27 Richmond upon Thames 3,000 22 2,000 14 2,000 12 Rochdale 6,000 22 3,000 14 3,000 14 Rotherham 7,000 21 5,000 19 7,000 24 Rutland ****** Salford 5,000 20 4,000 16 6,000 22 Sandwell 8,000 23 8,000 24 9,000 26 Sefton 5,000 15 5,000 16 7,000 19 Sheffield 12,000 16 12,000 15 13,000 16 Shropshire 3,000 11 4,000 15 3,000 10 Slough 3,000 18 2,000 15 2,000 14 Solihull 2,000 12 3,000 16 4,000 18 Somerset 8,000 15 8,000 13 7,000 13 South Gloucestershire 2,000 7 2,000 9 2,000 7 South Tyneside 4,000 24 3,000 15 3,000 16 Southampton 6,000 14 6,000 18 4,000 10 Southend on Sea 2,000 17 3,000 20 3,000 20 Southwark 7,000 21 6,000 18 6,000 16 St Helens 4,000 19 5,000 26 4,000 21 Staffordshire 8,000 10 10,000 12 11,000 11 Stockport 4,000 11 4,000 10 4,000 13 Stockton-on-Tees 4,000 19 5,000 18 4,000 18 Stoke-on-Trent 7,000 20 7,000 20 5,000 19 Suffolk 10,000 15 8,000 11 11,000 16 Sunderland 5,000 14 5,000 14 6,000 15 Surrey 9,000 9 12,000 11 8,000 8 Sutton 3,000 17 4,000 23 1,000 8 Swindon 2,000 13 1,000 8 3,000 16 681W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 682W

Table 3: People aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training by local education authority 2006 2007 2008 NEET Percentage NEET Percentage NEET Percentage

Tameside 5,000 18 6,000 20 6,000 23 Telford and Wrekin 4,000 20 3,000 15 3,000 15 Thurrock 2,000 17 2,000 12 3,000 17 Torbay 2,000 18 2,000 14 2,000 12 Tower Hamlets 10,000 24 9,000 25 7,000 22 Trafford 4,000 16 3,000 12 3,000 13 Wakefield 7,000 19 8,000 17 7,000 16 Walsall 7,000 21 8,000 24 5,000 17 Waltham Forest 4,000 14 5,000 16 6,000 18 Wandsworth 2,000 8 3,000 13 3,000 12 Warrington 2,000 10 2,000 13 3,000 14 Warwickshire 8,000 13 7,000 12 6,000 13 West Berkshire 3,000 19 2,000 11 1,000 9 West Sussex 9,000 13 8,000 11 8,000 11 Westminster 4,000 11 5,000 14 5,000 15 Wigan 7,000 21 6,000 17 5,000 13 Wiltshire 5,000 13 3,000 9 7,000 15 Windsor and Maidenhead 1,000 12 2,000 15 1,000 10 Wirral 6,000 18 6,000 17 6,000 20 Wokingham 2,000 9 * * 2,000 11 Wolverhampton 6,000 21 7,000 23 9,000 29 Worcestershire 6,000 12 4,000 8 5,000 8 York 5,000 17 4,000 15 1,000 4

Mr. Moss: To ask the Minister of State, Department cent. of 16 to 17-year-olds in education and training at for Business, Innovation and Skills how many young the end of 2008, and the third consecutive fall in the people were not in education, employment or training proportion of 16 to 17 year olds NEET. Connexions in (a) England and (b) North East Cambridgeshire in services provide advice and support to all young people each of the last five years; and if he will make a and since April 2009, 18-year-old jobseekers who have statement. [291284] been NEET for 26 weeks have received early entry to the additional support available through the New Deal. Mr. Iain Wright [holding answer 16 September 2009]: I have been asked to reply. Visits Abroad: Maldives Estimates of participation in education, training and Mr. Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department employment for those aged 16 to 18 are published by for Business, Innovation and Skills how many officials the Department in a Statistical First Release (SFR) of each grade in his Department visited the Maldives each June and can be found on the Department’s website (a) in 2008 and (b) 2009 to date. [289621] http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000792/ index.shtml Mr. McFadden: There were no visits to the Maldives These estimates cannot be broken down to constituency by officials of the Department, either during 2008 or level. However, Connexions Services collect information during 2009 to date. on the number and proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil NEET in each local authority area. Figures for Service Code and Civil Service Management Code. In Cambridgeshire are shown in the following table. As the BIS the criteria for booking travel is value for money Connexions data set is calculated in a different way to based on cost and convenience. the Department’s official estimates set out above, comparative figures for England are also shown. Figures Work of the Sector Skills Councils for Cambridgeshire are not available prior to 2006. 16 to 18-year-olds NEET (Connexions estimates) Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Minister of State, Department 2006 2007 2008 for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent progress Cambridgeshire Number 900 840 900 he has made in evaluating the effectiveness of the work [290147] Proportion 5.4 5.0 5.2 of the sector skills councils. (percentage) Kevin Brennan: All 25 Sector Skills Councils are England Number 126,500 109,300 110,890 currently undergoing a robust and rigorous re-licensing Proportion 7.7 6.7 6.7 assessment, in order to ensure they are as effective as (percentage) possible. For each SSC there will be a detailed report by the National Audit Office and an overall assessment by Through the September Guarantee, we are providing the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. The every young person aged 16 to 17 with a suitable offer of assessment tests the performance of SSCs against four a place in learning. This has helped us to make excellent key themes: that the organisation is well run; is able to progress on participation, with a record level of 88 per deliver core products and services; is able to deliver 683W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 684W sector specific solutions in line with employer demand; To help defend against electronic attack, it is standard and, is making progress in achieving results and impacts. good information security practice for corporate IT Eight of the initial 10 SSCs assessed have achieved the systems, not to publish internal IP addresses. When standard to be re-licensed by Government. Further accessing internet websites, the IP addresses of all of announcements on the performance of SSCs are taking the computers on the Department internal office IT place before the end of the year. All of these SSC system are hidden behind the following IP addresses reports and assessments are in the public domain on the which are publicly available: 164.36.50.240, 164.36.50.240 UK Commission website. In addition, the UK Commission and 164.36.50.217. is implementing a new performance framework for SSCs. Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Minister of State, Written Questions: Government Responses Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when he will reply to Question 281131, tabled on 15 June Mr. Hoban: To ask the Minister of State, 2009, on a reply to correspondence on banks. [289947] Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to answer question (a) (i) 252245, (ii) 252243 Mr. McFadden: I replied to the hon. Member on and (iii) 252242 on the Working Capital and Enterprise 21 September. I apologise for the delay in responding. Finance Guarantee schemes and (iv) 252241, on the Capital for Enterprise Fund tabled on 23 January 2009 Simon Hughes: To ask the Minister of State, and (b) (A) 261653, on the Working Capital Scheme, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when (B) 261624, on loans from the European Investment he expects to answer question (a) 279301, (b) 279302 Bank, (C) 261512, on regional development agencies and (c) 279303, on the Enterprise Finance Guarantee and (D) 261487, on contracts with banks, tabled on Scheme, tabled on 9 June 2009. [290211] 3 March 2009. [268313] Ms Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the Mr. McFadden [holding answer 1 April 2009]: Questions answer I gave to question 279301 on 20 July 2009, 252243 and 252245 were answered by my right hon. Official Report, column 1104W. Friend the Minister for Regional Economic Development I refer the hon. Member to the answers my hon. and Co-ordination on 3 July 2009, Official Report, Friend the Minister for Further Education, Skills, column 430W. Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs gave to questions Question 252242 was answered by my hon. Friend, 279302 and 279303 on 9 September 2009, Official Report, the then Minister for Economics and Business on 27 April column 2059W. 2009, Official Report, column 1060W. Question 252241 was answered by my hon. Friend, the then Minister for Economics and Business on 28 April HEALTH 2009, Official Report, column 1271W. Question 261653 was answered by my right hon. Abortions Friend the Minister for Regional Economic Development and Co-ordination on 16 September 2009, Official Report, Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health column 2192W. what recent assessment he has made of progress in Question 261624 was answered by my hon. Friend, using NHS numbers as a national unique patient the then Minister for Economics and Business on 2 April identifier in respect of abortion operations; what 2009, Official Report, column 1446W. proportion of such operations performed in the last I answered question 261512 on 2 April 2009, Official 12 months were assigned an NHS number; whether Report, column 1447W, and question 261487 on 8 June that proportion has increased since September 2008; 2009, Official Report, column 762W. and whether the requirement to use NHS numbers in such operations from 18 September 2009 applies to Stewart Hosie: To ask the Minister of State, Department independent clinics who perform abortions under NHS for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to contract. [290273] answer question 280004, tabled on 10 June 2009, on the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme. [281284] Gillian Merron: This information is not collected centrally. The Department currently has no plans to use Ms Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the national health service numbers as a unique patient reply given by the Minister for Further Education, identifier in respect of abortion operations. Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs on 16 September 2009, Official Report, column 2199W. Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many repeat abortions there were in each Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Minister of State, primary care trust area in each of the last five years. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when [291583] he plans to answer question 241954, on Government departments: information communications technology, Gillian Merron: The information requested has been tabled to the Secretary of State for Innovation, placed in the Library. Universities and Skills on 4 December 2008. [289453] Allergies

Mr. McFadden: I apologise for the delay in replying Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to the hon. Member, which was due to administrative pursuant to the answer of 2 July 2009, Official Report, error in the Department. column 388W, on meeting dates, when his Department 685W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 686W plans to respond to the emails from the National Table 1: Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of male breast cancer1 Allergy Strategy Group of 28 May, 4 June, 19 June and by strategic health authority and primary care trust2 6 July 2009. [289173] 2006 Central and Eastern Cheshire 7 Ann Keen: The Department cannot find any record of Cumbria Teaching 7 receiving e-mails from the National Allergy Strategy Group (NASG) on 28 May, 4 June or 6 July, although Halton and St. Helens 3 we are aware that the group have requested a meeting. Salford 4 The Private Office of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health has previously attempted to contact Yorkshire and the Humber Mandy East, chair of the NASG and been unsuccessful. Kirklees 4 However, contact has recently been made and a meeting Leeds 5 has been organised for 15 October 2009. North Yorkshire and York 3 Arthritis Sheffield 3 Wakefield District 3 Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of East Midlands (a) primary and (b) secondary care consultations for Lincolnshire Teaching 4 rheumatoid arthritis in the latest year for which figures Northamptonshire Teaching 6 are available; and at what average cost. [289458] Nottinghamshire County Teaching 3 Ann Keen: We have made no estimate of the number, and cost, of primary and secondary consultations for West Midlands rheumatoid arthritis. Birmingham East and North 6 Coventry Teaching 3 Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Stoke on Trent 3 for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of Warwickshire 3 rheumatoid arthritis to (a) the NHS and (b) the social care system in the latest year for which figures are available. [289566] East of England Bedfordshire 3 Ann Keen: We have made no estimate of the cost of East and North Hertfordshire 3 rheumatoid arthritis to the national health service and Norfolk 4 social care system. North East Essex 5 Breast Cancer: Males South East Essex 6 Suffolk 8 Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State West Hertfordshire 6 for Health what the incidence of male breast cancer is in each primary care trust area. [290207] London Angela E. Smith: I have been asked to reply. Barnet 3 The information requested falls within the responsibility Bexley 3 of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority Brent Teaching 4 to reply. Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated August 2009: South East Coast As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Brighton and Hove City 3 recent Parliamentary Question asking what the incidence of male East Sussex Downs and Weald 3 breast cancer is in each primary care trust area [290207]. Medway 3 The latest available figures for newly diagnosed cases of cancer (incidence) are for the year 2006. There were 275 newly diagnosed Surrey 8 cases of breast cancer in males in England in 2006. West Sussex 3 Figures are not released for all individual primary care trust areas due to small numbers. Table 1 shows primary care trust South Central areas with three or more newly diagnosed cases of male breast cancer in 2006. There were fewer than three cases in each of the Berkshire West 3 remaining 108 primary care trust areas. Buckinghamshire 3 Table 1: Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of male breast cancer1 Hampshire 4 by strategic health authority and primary care trust2 Oxfordshire 4 2006

North East South West Newcastle 3 Bath and North East Somerset 3 Sunderland Teaching 3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 5 Devon 8 North West Gloucestershire 4 Bury 3 Somerset 4 687W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 688W

Table 1: Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of male breast cancer1 Phil Hope: Information in the form requested is not by strategic health authority and primary care trust2 collected centrally. However, we expect that around one 2006 million people will be offered an NHS health check by South Gloucestershire 3 the end of March 2010. 1 Breast cancer is coded to C50 in the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Care Homes 2 Based on boundaries as of 2008. Due to small numbers only primary care trusts with three or more newly diagnosed cases are included. Source: Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Office for National Statistics. for Health pursuant to the Government’s response to the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care, Cm 4818- II, page 8, in which years the Government’s investment Burns: Health Services would fund the cost of the Royal Commission’s recommendation; what research his Department has Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State commissioned to ascertain how much money goes to for Health where each burns unit in England is located; supporting older people in residential homes; and what and how many (a) adults and (b) children with each recent estimates he has made of the average annual cost category of burn each unit treated in each of the last to his Department of supporting older people in three years. [289454] residential care. [290280]

Phil Hope: Tables which provide a breakdown of Phil Hope: The Government accepted each of the burn injury by strategic health authority, for the years Royal Commission on Long Term Care’s recommendations 2005-06 to 2007-08 for adults and children have been except the recommendation to provide free personal placed in the Library. care. Making personal care free for everyone carries a very substantial cost: the estimated cost is some £1.5 billion in 2003-04 rising to £2.65 billion in 2010-11. Cancer: Health Services The NHS Information Centre for health and social care publishes annually data on councils’ expenditure Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if on residential care for older people. The latest data are he will provide patients receiving treatment for cancers £4,740 million gross or £3,340 million net of user charges with (a) dental and (b) eye care fee exemptions; and if for 2007-08. he will make a statement. [289563] The Department commissioned the Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) at the London School Phil Hope: We have no current plans to extend the of Economics to make projections of expenditure on exemption arrangements for national health service dental long-term care for older people in England. In a joint charges or the eligibility criteria for free NHS sight study with the Universities of Essex and Birmingham, tests. funded by the Nuffield Foundation, they estimated that Patients do not have to pay for NHS dental treatment the introduction of free personal care could cost between if they receive treatment from a hospital dentist as an £1.3 billion and £1.8 billion or more in 2002—PSSRU in-patient or attend as a hospital dental service outpatient, Research Summary 40, available at: although they may have to pay for any dentures or www.pssru.ac.uk/researchsummaries.php bridges supplied. Children, pregnant and nursing mothers, adults on certain income-related benefits, and adults Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State who qualify for full assistance under the NHS low for Health when he expects to publish a response to income scheme may also receive free treatment if attending his Department’s consultation on ordinary residence an NHS primary care dentist. guidance. [290393] No NHS charges apply to patients attending a hospital eye department for the investigation or management of Phil Hope: The response to the ordinary residence an eye condition. In addition, free NHS sight tests are guidance consultation is expected to be published in the available from primary care optometrists to a wide winter. range of patients. These include children, people aged 60 and over, people with glaucoma or diabetes or who Care Homes: Learning Disability are at risk of glaucoma, people registered as sight-impaired or blind or who need complex lenses, and adults on Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for certain income-related benefits or who qualify for full Health what the median quality rating for (a) local assistance under the NHS low income scheme. Private authority provision, (b) voluntary provision, (c) sight tests are widely available for other adults not private provision and (d) NHS provision of residential eligible for an NHS sight test. care home placements for adults aged under 65 years with learning disabilities in each (i) region and (ii) local authority area was in each of the last five years. Cardiovascular System: Screening [290245]

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Phil Hope: The quality or “star” rating system for Health what estimate has been made of the number of social care providers was introduced by the then regulator cardiovascular screening checks undertaken by each of social care, the Commission for Social Care Inspection primary care trust since 1 April 2009; and if he will (CSCI) in May 2008. For this reason, the information make a statement. [291615] requested is not available for each of the last five years. 689W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 690W

Information on average quality ratings of care homes We are also preparing key messages on cervical cancer for younger adults with provision for people with learning for members of the public. The first draft is currently disabilities, as at 8 August 2008 and 28 July 2009, has being reviewed by an expert group of stakeholders, and been provided by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), our plans are to launch these before the end of the year. which took over the responsibilities of CSCI on 1 April These will go on to NHS Choices and stakeholder 2009. This information has been placed in the Library. websites, and stakeholders will be encouraged to use them in a variety of ways to raise awareness. Carers The independent Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening (ACCS) at its formal review in May agreed Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State unanimously that there should be no change in the for Health what plans he has to enable carers to (a) current policy in England of starting cervical screening attend general practitioner consultations with those for at 25 years. However, the cervical screening age range who they care and (b) speak to general practitioners will be a standing item on the agenda of meetings of the on behalf of such persons. [290392] ACCS, which reviews all new research to assess its significance to the cervical screening programme. Phil Hope: The Government have no current plans to NHS cancer screening programmes maintain an on-line change the arrangements for carers attending general database of literature relating to cervical screening, and practitioner (GP) consultations with, or speaking to publish ‘Cervical Screening: Literature Update’ twice a GPs on behalf of, those for whom they care. year. If further evidence is published that warrants The Mental Capacity Act 2005 enshrines in statute a another formal review of the screening age range, this presumption that every adult has the capacity to make will be done. his or her own decisions. It is for individuals with Children: Health Services capacity, who have carers, to decide whether they want their carer to attend a GP consultation or to speak to a Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for GP on their behalf. Health how much funding has been provided by each Where a person does not have capacity to make such health trust for safeguarding of children in 2009-10; a decision, the Mental Capacity Act will come into and if he will make a statement. [291616] effect. Those caring for the person may need to attend the GP consultation and/or speak to the GP on behalf Phil Hope: This information is not collected centrally. of the person lacking capacity. Where they do so, the GP has no new obligation to share confidential information Coeliac Disease with the carer so will need to exercise his or her judgment as to what information they need to share if any about Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the health care needs of the person they are caring for. Health (1) how many requests for coeliac disease antibody tests NHS pathology laboratories have received in the last five years; [292019] Cervical Cancer (2) on how many occasions the NHS has taken a biopsy from a patient in order to confirm a suspected Mr. Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for diagnosis of coeliac disease in the last five years. Health (1) what steps his Department is taking to [292020] increase awareness of cervical cancer symptoms by public healthcare professionals; [291468] Phil Hope: The information requested is not collected (2) if he will make it his policy to lower the cervical centrally. cancer screening age to 20 years. [291471] Complementary Medicine Phil Hope: Through the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative, we are making the public David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for and health care professionals more aware of the signs Health if he will commission a study in England with and symptoms of cancer, including cervical cancer and equivalent terms of reference to the Get Well UK pilot encouraging those who may have symptoms to seek study of use of Complementary and Alternative advice earlier. We have allocated £5 million to the Medicine carried out with Government funding in national health service to support cancer networks and Northern Ireland in 2007-08; what assessment he has primary care trusts in implementing services that will made of the cost effectiveness of allowing GPs to refer improve awareness of cancers and promote early diagnosis. patients to complementary and alternative health practitioners; and if he will make a statement. [289640] A national audit in primary care of all patients diagnosed with cancer is being undertaken in collaboration Gillian Merron: The Department is currently considering with the Royal College of Practitioners and the National the findings of the complementary and alternative medicine Patient Safety Agency. Findings from the audit will be pilot study which took place in Northern Ireland. It is used to make decisions about how best to provide more for local practitioners to decide whether to refer patients support to general practitioners and other primary care for specific therapies. One factor that they will wish to professionals to ensure early diagnosis of cancer. take account of is clinical and cost-effectiveness. The We have set up a working group to produce a new National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is guideline to assist general practitioners in the management responsible for assessing clinical and cost-effectiveness of young women who present in primary care with and can look at this in relation to specific complementary gynaecological symptoms. The aim is to issue the guideline and alternative therapies, which have an evidence base, before the end of the year. in the context of specific clinical guidelines. 691W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 692W

Continuing Care Dental Services

Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for for Health pursuant to the Government’s response to Health how much his Department spent on the Dental the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care, Cm Access programme in the latest period for which figures 4818-II, page 10, whether approval was given to a are available; and how many staff the programme national survey to monitor trends in health expectancy. employs. [289996] [290278] Phil Hope: In 2008-09, the Department spent an Phil Hope: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing estimated £125,000 on commissioning specialist consultancy (ELSA) began in March 2002, funded jointly by Her to support the new Dental Access programme. Precise Majesty’s Government and the United States National costs and headcount figures are not available because Institute of Ageing. The Government hope shortly to some of the consultants supported a range of activities finalise arrangements to extend the survey for a further in which the Dental Access programme was only one five years. The ELSA data can be used to estimate element. Input from departmental staff to support the health expectancy in England at older ages. programme has been provided from within existing departmental resources at no additional cost to the The Office for National Statistics (ONS) regularly Department. produce and publish national estimates of health expectancy at birth and at age 65, using data from the General The Dental Access programme is providing on-going Household Survey.The most recent estimates are published support to strategic health authorities and primary care in Health Statistics Quarterly), winter 2008 (p77), available trusts to help them improve access to NHS dental on the ONS website: services and make the most effective use of the extra national health service funding, now totalling more www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=6725 than £2.25 billion, made available for primary dental care services. Information on expenditure on the Dental Contraceptives Access programme in 2009-10 will be available after the year end. Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what measures the £26.8 million allocated Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for for the improvement for young people’s access to Health (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of contraception in February 2008 has been spent; and if implementing the six medium-term actions referred to he will make a statement. [291582] in chapter seven of the Independent review of NHS dental services in England; [290345] Gillian Merron: A total of £26.8 million has been (2) with reference to page 88 of Chapter 7 of the allocated this year to strategic health authorities (SHAs) Independent Review of NHS Dental Services in England, and primary care trusts (PCTs) to improve women’s what recent estimate he has made of the cost to his knowledge of, and access to the full range of contraception, Department of implementing the four longer-term aims to help reduce the number of teenage pregnancies and identified by the Review; [290490] abortions. (3) with reference to page 84 of Chapter 7 of the It is for SHAs and PCTs to determine how to use this Independent Review of NHS Dental Services in funding most effectively to meet the needs of their local England, whether he has estimated the cost of populations. However, officials are working with SHAs implementing the seven immediate priorities identified to provide advice and spread good practice. Priority by the Review. [290493] areas include encouraging innovation and providing sustainable services to ensure equitable access to all Phil Hope: Work has begun to estimate these costs. methods of contraception including long acting reversible Funding has been identified for the implementation of (LARC) methods. Guidance from the National Institute the seven immediate priorities and to determine the for Health and Clinical Excellence highlighted that the costs of the medium and longer term priorities. national health service could save around £100 million through reducing unintended pregnancies if women Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for switched to LARC. Health what discussions his Department has had with In addition, each SHA will also receive an additional the National Institute for Health and Clinical £250,000 to pump-prime the provision of information Excellence on standards of dental services in the last 12 technology in community contraception services. months. [290346]

Dementia Phil Hope: We have had no such discussions.

Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Health on how many occasions (a) he, (b) his for Health when he plans to publish his Department’s predecessor, (c) other Ministers in his Department and review of the use of anti-psychotic medicine for (d) Departmental officials met Professor Jimmy Steele dementia treatment. [290387] and the Dental Review Team between the dates of the (i) announcement and (ii) publication of the Phil Hope: The review of the use of anti psychotic independent review of NHS dental services in England. medicine for dementia treatment will be published shortly. [290347] 693W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 694W

Ann Keen: As was the case with previous Administrations, Work has begun to implement the seven immediate it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of priorities identified, and a programme is being developed all such meetings. Professor Steele met a wide range of to take forward the implementation of the other stakeholders as part of his independent review and recommendations, and the contract pilots. these are listed in an annex to his review. This has been placed in the Library and is also available on the Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Department’s website at: Health with reference to Chapter 7 of the Independent www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/ Review of NHS Dental Services in England, whether PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_101137 his Department has identified separate funding streams in respect of the (a) immediate priorities, (b) Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for medium-term actions and (c) longer-term aims Health how much his Department has spent on its identified in the Review. [290494] review of the dental public health workforce; and if he will make a statement. [290349] Phil Hope: Funding has been identified for this year for the immediate priorities. Budget plans for 2010-11 Phil Hope: Officials with policy responsibilities for are still being finalised. oral health and dental education within the chief dental officer’s team are leading on the review with the help of Dental Services: Information and Communications an external consultant. As at July 2009, the consultant’s Technology fees and the costs of providing accommodation and services for meetings amounted to a total of approximately Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for £43,000. Estimating and costing the proportion of the Health if he will make it his policy to develop an IT time, which officials have devoted to the review within plan for NHS dentistry; and if he will make a their other duties, could be undertaken only at statement. [290455] disproportionate cost. Phil Hope: The report of the Independent Review of Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for NHS Dental Services in England, led by Professor Health when he expects the review of the dental public Jimmy Steele, recommend that there should be a formal health workforce commissioned by his Department to national information technology (IT) strategy for NHS be published; and if he will make a statement. [290350] dentistry, aiming to link all dentists to the wider NHS within five years. We have accepted the recommendations Phil Hope: We hope to publish the report of the of the report in principle, but any decision on an IT review by the end of the year. It has taken longer than plan would need to be subject to a full appraisal of cost expected because of the need to take account of helpful and the wider financial context. recommendations in the report of the Independent Review of National Health Service dental services in Departmental Advertising England led by Professor Jimmy Steele. The continuing development of the World Class Commissioning initiative, which is intended to ensure that the health and care Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for services provided by the NHS effectively meet the needs Health how much his Department spent on newspaper of the population, is also relevant to this review. advertising carried in each newspaper in the most recent year for which figures are available. [289506] Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) with reference to page 88 of Chapter 7 of Phil Hope: The following table provides a breakdown the Independent Review of NHS Dental Services in of the Department’s expenditure through the Central England, which of the four longer-term aims identified Office of Information (COI) on advertising in each by the Review his Department has accepted; and what national newspaper for the 2008-09 financial year. mechanism his Department has put in place for To identify the amount of expenditure by the Department implementation in each such case; [290491] in each regional newspaper would incur a disproportionate (2) which of the medium-term actions identified by cost. the Review his Department has accepted; and what mechanism his Department has put in place for National press 1 April 2008-31 March 2009 (£) implementation in each such case; [290492] The Sun 1,697,736 (3) with reference to page 87 of the Independent News of the World 1,048,402 Review of NHS Dental Services in England, which of Daily Mirror 1,255,682 the seven immediate priorities identified by the Review Sunday Mirror 474,998 his Department has accepted; and what steps his Sunday People 233,186 Department has taken towards implementation in each Daily Star 230,934 such case. [290495] Daily Star Sunday 75,490 Daily Mail 353,794 Phil Hope: The Government have accepted all the Mail on Sunday 243,750 recommendations of the review in principle, subject to Daily Express 197,952 working through the detail of their financial implications Sunday Express 119,896 and the outcome of piloting. The report recognises the The Times 69,500 more difficult future fiscal environment, and rightly The Sunday Times 29,970 puts an emphasis on piloting, cost containment and The Daily Telegraph 100,548 more efficient ways of working. 695W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 696W

Department of Health advertising spend1 in 2004-05 to 2008-09 National press 1 April 2008-31 March 2009 (£) £ million The Sunday Telegraph 23,712 2008- 2 The Guardian 59,604 Campaign 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 09 The Observer 10,500 Flu (Immunisation) 1.45 1.83 1.11 0.98 1.42 The Independent 16,677 Hepatitis C 0.00 0.00 0.52 1.34 1.30 The Independent on Sunday 3,400 HPV Vaccination 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.80 Metro (National) 140,244 Immunisation 0.00 0.00 1.66 0.00 0.32 The London Paper 39,854 National Health 5.96 0.22 0.00 0.00 0.00 London Lite 20,010 Service including nurse recruitment Ethnic press 1 April 2008-31 March 2009 NHS Injury Benefits 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.40 0.00 Scheme Daily Ausaf 1,000 NHS Choices* 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.55 Eastern Eye 1,300 Patient Choice* 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.53 The Muslim Weekly 1,200 Respiratory and 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.32 1.53 Pride 1,890 Hand Hygiene The Trumpet 1,500 Sexual health/teenage 1.40 0.00 2.88 3.11 2.83 The Voice 2,000 pregnancy Weekly Gleaner 1,200 Social care/worker 1.80 L2.42 2.31 2.22 2.03 recruitment Asian Age 1,300 Smoking—Tobacco 20.05 20.80 13.17 10.79 23.38 Emel 2,000 Control Asian Leader 1,000 Stroke 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.52 Asian Voice 1,400 Tobacco Legislation 0.00 0.00 0.32 5.38 0.00 Asiana 2,500 Winter (Get the right 0.54 0.59 0.00 0.00 0.00 African Voice 1,500 treatment/ask about Notes: medicines day) 1. All figures above exclude VAT. All figures exclude advertising 5 a Day 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.00 0.00 rebates and audit adjustments and therefore may differ from COI E111/EHIC 0.24 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.16 official turnover figures. 2. Advertising spend is defined as covering only media spend (inclusive Department of 0.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 of agency commissions but excluding production costs, COI commission Health outdoor and VAT). campaign 3. These figures do not include the Department’s recruitment/classified Totals 32.73 27.47 23.92 26.24 56.43 advertising costs. 1 Advertising spend is defined as covering only media spend 4. These figures may include occasional minor spend through COI by (inclusive of agency commissions but excluding production costs, national health service organisations, to supplement national campaigns COI commission and VAT). All figures exclude advertising rebates in their area. While this expenditure has been excluded as far as and audit adjustments and therefore may differ from COI official possible, it would incur disproportionate cost to validate that every turnover figures. All figures are rounded to the nearest £10,000. item of NHS expenditure has been removed. These figures do not include departmental recruitment/classified advertising costs and ad hoc spend under £10,000. These figures may include occasional minor spend through COI by NHS organisations, Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to supplement national campaigns in their area. While this on which initiatives of his Department and its agencies expenditure has been excluded as far as possible so that this chart expenditure on advertising has been incurred in each of reflects central departmental spend, it would incur disproportionate the last five years; how much was spent on each such cost to validate that every item of NHS expenditure has been initiative; and which such initiatives were offered for removed. 2 Provisional figures. tender through the Central Office of Information. 3 From 2006-07 Department of Health contribution to campaign [292527] run jointly with Home Office. 4 Department of Health contribution to campaign run jointly with Phil Hope: The following table shows the Department’s Home Office advertising expenditure over the last five completed Departmental Dismissal financial years. A further breakdown of these figures is available in the Library. Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for All departmental advertising listed as follows was Health how many staff have (a) been dismissed and carried out via the Central Office of Information (COI), (b) had their contract terminated by his Department in with the exception of those initiatives highlighted with each of the last five years; what the reason was in each an asterisk. To identify other ad hoc expenditure not case; and what the severance costs in relation to (i) carried out via the COI would incur disproportionate dismissal and (ii) contract termination were in each cost. such year. [290443] Department of Health advertising spend1 in 2004-05 to 2008-09 £ million Phil Hope: In each of the last five years, less than five 2008- individuals have been dismissed from the core Department. 2 Campaign 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 09 In each of the last five years, less than five non-permanent Alcohol3 0.00 0.00 0.56 0.61 4.77 workers have been terminated for reasons other than Antibiotics 0.00 0.38 0.00 0.39 1.15 the completion of the work under their contract. Change4Life 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.69 Exact figures are not provided and related information Drugs4 0.91 0.18 1.34 0.67 1.45 suppressed on confidentiality grounds. 697W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 698W

Departmental Flexible Working Phil Hope: The average length of employment in the Department for each grade are presented in the following Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for table. Health what flexi-time arrangements were available to staff within the Department in each of the last five Grade Average length of service (years) years; and how many staff participated in such Administrative Officer 8.6 arrangements in each such year. [290445] Executive Officer 9.0 Higher Executive Officer 8.7 Phil Hope: The Department recognises that flexible Senior Executive Officer 10.7 working allows staff to combine employment and a Grade 7 9.0 career with other responsibilities as well as meeting Grade 6 10.2 personal needs. The Department encourages staff to Senior Civil Service 1 9.6 work flexibly through providing opportunities such as part-time working, job sharing, term-time only working Senior Civil Service 2 11.1 and the use of flexitime. It also provides the technology Senior Civil Service 3 8.6 to allow staff to work at home on occasions and has in Fast Stream 1.5 place specific arrangements to allow parents, adopters, All Grades 8.9 guardians and foster carers of children under 16 (or disabled children under 18) to apply to work flexibly. Departmental Marketing Most staff participate in the flexitime work arrangement. The Department also encourages other flexible Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State arrangements such as spreading working hours over for Health with reference to the answer of 26 November nine days within a fortnight or four days within a week. 2008, Official Report, column 2061W, on departmental marketing, how many staff in his Department are Managers have the discretion to agree flexible working responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of arrangements locally, without making contractual changes. employing such staff was in 2008-09. [290214] These local arrangements are not recorded centrally so the numbers of staff working flexibly is not available, Phil Hope: In the 2008-09 budget year three staff but is likely to be a large proportion of the work force. were employed to work on branding. In our last submission to Office of National Statistics The cost of employing branding staff during this (1 April 2009) we had 201 staff working part-time, period was £141,752. based on those arrangements where contractual changes were agreed centrally. Of those, six had job-share Departmental Motor Vehicles arrangements and five were working term-time. Prior to July 2008 this information was not held centrally. Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for At the website Health how much his Department spent on hire www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=2899 vehicles in each of the last five financial years. [291612] There are details of full- and part-time employees in the Department. Phil Hope: Figures for car hire expenditure booked From 16 June 2009 civil servants hoping to find a through our car hire contract company Arval are only job-share partner can now use a new online job-sharing available for the last two years. board to help match them with a suitable person. This can be found at: Car hire expenditure (£) www.civilservice.gov.uk/news/2009/june/job-share.aspx 2007-08 22,815 2008-09 31,118 Departmental Information and Communications Technology The previous car hire contract expired in May 2006 and figures for previous years are not easily available Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Health what IT systems have been in development for Departmental Non-domestic Rates use within his Department in the last five years; what the reason for the development of each system was; how much has been spent on the development of each Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for system; and which systems have been subsequently (a) Health how many properties owned by the Department implemented, (b) terminated prior to implementation were liable for payment of (a) business rates and (b) and (c) terminated following implementation. [290439] empty property rates in each of the last five years; and what the liability of each was in each such year. Phil Hope: This information could be obtained only [290446] at disproportionate cost. Phil Hope: The information requested is provided as Departmental Manpower follows. The Department has occupied two freehold properties Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for for which business rates are paid during the five-year Health what recent estimate he has made of the average period. length of employment of staff of his Department at Information in relation to empty business rates is not each Civil Service payband. [290441] readily available other than for the last two years. 699W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 700W

Mr. Mike O’Brien: I am the Department of Health Business rates Empty business rates Minister with responsibility for overseeing the delivery Number of Number of of value for money. The Department has not created a Properties Cost (£) Properties Cost (£) new single public sector reform team because directorates 2004-05 2 2,765,930 n/a within the Department lead on different elements of 2005-06 2 601,350 n/a service reform. 2006-07 2 2,017,780 n/a Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2007-08 2 2,108,180 3 15,817 what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor 2008-09 2 2,193,200 3 45,842 of the Exchequer on whether funding presently allocated to his Department is to be re-allocated to the Departmental Paternity Leave Department for Communities and Local Government to help implement the housing policies announced in Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Draft Legislative Programme for 2009-10. [290487] Health how many staff took paternity leave from his Department in each of the last five years; and what the Phil Hope: The Secretary of State for Health discussed average duration of such leave has been. [290444] the Department of Health’s contribution to the housing policies announced in the Draft Legislative Programme Phil Hope: The figures for the number of staff taking with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, as part of the paternity leave are only available from the implementation process of publishing Building Britain’s Future. of the Department’s Business Management System on 1 July 2008. Prior to that date information is only be Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health available from hard-copy files and so it would incur with reference to the Prime Minister’s announcement disproportionate costs to establish that information. of 29 June 2009 on provision of social housing, Our records show that the number of staff taking whether funds from underspends in his Department’s paternity leave in 2008 was nine, and so far this year budget will be re-allocated to social housing initiatives. (2009) the number has been five. The average length of [291877] paternity leave taken was 14 days. Mr. Byrne: I have been asked to reply. Departmental Public Consultation I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 21 July 2009, Official Report, column 1352W. Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the responses to Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health his Department’s consultation on its Green Paper, what the reasons are for the time taken to publish the Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673. [290395] National Programme Budgeting data for 2007-08. [291878] Phil Hope: The Green Paper consultation closes on 13 November 2009. The Government’s response to the Mr. Mike O’Brien: I am told that the time taken to consultation will be published after this date. publish the 2007-08 programme budgeting data was due Departmental Public Consultations to a new data collection mechanism for both the reference cost data (which are used as part of the programme Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health budgeting calculations) and the programme budgeting which (a) individuals and (b) organisations he data. In addition, due to a change in the programme consulted on his proposals to (i) give 350,000 people budgeting data collection methodology, additional free personal home care, (ii) provide patients with validation work was undertaken to estimate expenditure access to cancer diagnostics within one week of levels per programme without methodological changes. concerns being raised and (iii) provide free parking for hospital in-patients. [292535] Departmental Publications

Andy Burnham: The Department and Ministers engage Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State continuously with key stakeholders across all policy for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 July 2009, areas and through this process can identify key issues Official Report, columns 350-1W, on parliamentary and develop proposals to address them. bulletins, what amendment was requested to the first Such engagement and consultation with individuals edition of Westminster; for what reason a reference to and groups with an interest in these proposals will the remuneration of the Chair of the Appointments continue as we work with them towards their Commission was removed; and what the Chair’s implementation. remuneration is. [289693] Departmental Public Expenditure Phil Hope: The Appointments Commission had planned Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to include an article on the remuneration of Chairs in which Minister in his Department has been assigned the first edition of the ‘Westminster’ bulletin. During responsibility for overseeing the delivery of value for discussions on the draft, departmental officials suggested money in his Department; whether his Department has that the article might raise expectations of Chairs of established a public sector reform team to implement national health service organisations about the Secretary service reforms; and if he will make a statement. of State’s discretion when deciding remuneration increases, [289739] within the framework of the Public Sector Pay Committee’s 701W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 702W decisions, which were not correct. The Appointments the system, exactly how it would operate and the precise Commission, who have editorial control, made a decision costs will be finalised once there is consensus about the to replace the article. preferred funding option, since the choice of funding The planned article was about Chairs’ remuneration option is likely to influence the cost of the deferred in general. It did not refer to the remuneration of the payment scheme. chair of the Appointments Commission specifically, and no such reference was removed from Westminster Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Bulletin. for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, Remuneration for the Chair of the Appointments Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page Commission is in the range of £45,000-50,000 as published 123, if he will place in the Library a copy of the data in the Appointments Commission’s latest Annual Report modelling for the (a) comprehensive and (b) and Accounts (2008-09). This can be found on their partnership model. [290122] website: www.appointments.org.uk/publications.asp Phil Hope: A summary of the costs and benefits for the comprehensive and partnership funding models are Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State available in the regulatory impact assessment for the for Health what the cost of producing his Department’s Green Paper, Shaping the Future of Care Together. publication Shaping the future of care together, Cm This has been placed in the Library, and can be seen at: 7673, was; what the cost of obtaining pictures for the http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/greenpaper/the-green- publication was; and from where the pictures were paper-and-supporting-documents/ obtained. [290101] A summary of the model from which these costs are derived has been placed in the Library, and can be seen Phil Hope: The production cost of the Green Paper at: “Shaping the Future of Care Together” was £68,451. http://www.pssru.ac.uk/pdf/dp2644.pdf The cost of obtaining pictures for the publication, which will also be used for The Big Care Debate, was £6,580. These were sourced from the national health Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State service photo library, as well as from private image for Health whether each of the models referred to in his library banks. Department’s Green Paper, Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page 123, is to be used in the Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State funding of (a) domiciliary, (b) residential and (c) for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, domiciliary and residential care. [290123] Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page 27, whether his Department has (a) commissioned and Phil Hope: All of the funding options cover the costs (b) evaluated research to update the figures provided of care. The costs of care include services in both by the study on Lifetime risk of entering residential or domiciliary and residential care. nursing home care in England. [290120] Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Phil Hope: Research commissioned by the Department for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, and carried out by the personal social services research Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page 42, unit (PSSRU) “Analysing the costs and benefits of what assumptions were made on the level of state social care funding arrangements in England: technical funding in each year to 2025. [290179] report, Julien Forder and José-Luis Fernández, 2009, PSSRU Discussion Paper 2644” looks at the lifetime Phil Hope: The Green Paper Shaping the Future of probability of needing care and the cost of this care. Care Together does not make any commitments about This includes residential home care. the level of state funding for adult social care in the future. This will be a matter for future spending reviews. Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, The net cost to the state of each of the Green Paper Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page 19, funding options has been estimated for 2014 and 2026. what data modelling of a universal deferred payment This is given in the regulatory impact assessment (RIA) mechanism his Department has undertaken; what for the Care and Support Green Paper which is has estimate he has made of the inflationary costs of such a already been placed in the Library, or can be seen at: mechanism; what estimate he has made of the likely http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/greenpaper/the-green- default rate under such a mechanism; and how his paper-and-supporting-documents/ Department would finance such a mechanism. [290121] In order to produce these projections of likely cost it was necessary to make a series of assumptions for Phil Hope: At present, local authorities that choose modelling purposes, including illustrative assumptions to can offer individuals to pay for their care through a around levels of funding. The purpose of these projections deferred payments scheme. However, this option is not is to provide early indicative costs to allow comparison currently available to all—approximately 30 local authorities between funding options: they are not intended to be a do not offer deferred payments to people entering residential projection of actual future funding. The actual costs of care. The Green Paper proposes making the scheme the different models could alter substantially following available to all who wish to use it. Further detail on the decisions about precisely how the funding options are assumptions made underpinning this proposal can be implemented, as well as by future public spending and found in the Impact Assessment. The detailed design of prioritisation decisions. 703W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 704W

Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Currently, this would amount to £4.7 billion for for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, younger disabled people (younger physically disabled Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page and people with learning disability) and £5.1 billion for 126, what definition his Department uses of a older people, giving a total cost of £9.8 billion. consensus across society; and what mechanisms he plans to use to determine the extent of such a Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State consensus. [290180] for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page 77, what assessment he has made of the reasons for which Phil Hope: The new National Care Service will affect there is little solid evidence about what prevention every adult in England, whether people use the system methods work best. [290182] themselves, have family members who need support, or are taxpayers. It is vital that everybody gets involved in Phil Hope: Robust evidence that specifically examines the Big Care Debate to have their say on the future the cost effectiveness of prevention interventions is direction of the new care and support system. limited. This is owing to the long time scales involved—the The Big Care Debate is one of the biggest consultations impact of an intervention may not be felt for many ever conducted by Government to find out the views of years—and the difficulty of establishing causality. In the public. We are reaching out to people in an “Securing Good Care for Older People” Derek Wanless unprecedented number of ways, through stakeholder found that it can be difficult to make quantitative events in every region in England, public road shows, assessments due to the complex nature of prevention. leaflets, questionnaires and postcards, a dedicated website, This is because outreach in general practitioner surgeries, universities “even when using a very narrow specific target such as reducing and other locations and using new digital media including the number of falls in a locality, determining cost-effectiveness is Facebook and Twitter. not straightforward...[as] there may be numerous factors at play (for example new transport facilities).” The consultation closes on 13 November 2009 and The Department is funding 29 local authority-led we will be looking closely at all the responses to identify partnerships to take part in Partnership for Older People what national consensus has formed around the options Projects (POPPs) across England. These partnerships in “Shaping the Future of Care Together”, a copy of include social care, health and third sector members, which is available in the Library. and aim to create a sustainable shift in resources and culture, moving away from institutional and hospital-based Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State crisis care towards earlier and better-targeted interventions for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, for older people within community settings. The pilots Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page cover a wide range of activity to meet low to high levels 112, how many more people born with care and of need. The final evaluation for these projects is expected support needs would qualify for free care under the in autumn 2009. partnership element than qualify under his The relative lack of quantitative evidence should not Department’s current policies; and what estimate he stop prevention pilots being trialled. There is a great has made of the cost of providing care for people who deal of qualitative evidence for the value placed on would qualify for all their care free under that element. lower-level services by older people in helping them to [290181] maintain their independence. That is why existing and new prevention and early intervention schemes funded Phil Hope: We do not have an exact estimate of the by the Government build evaluations into their projects. number of people born with care and support needs who would qualify for free care under the partnership Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State funding option outlined in the Green Paper “Shaping for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, the Future of Care Together”. However, it is likely to be Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page 40, very similar to the number of people born with a if he will place in the Library a copy of HM Treasury’s disability who receive entirely free care under the present fiscal projections for the costs of long-term care. system of care and support. [290183] This is because currently, the majority of individuals Phil Hope: HM Treasury’s long-term fiscal projections who are born with a disability and who are entitled to show that the costs of long term care are set to increase state support receive their care free of charge because by 17 per cent. by 2027-28, from 1.2 per cent. of gross they tend not to have the opportunity to accumulate domestic product in 2007-08 to 1.4 per cent. in 2027-28. assets and they tend not to be in employment. This These projections are contained in the published “Long- would also be the case under the partnership system. term public finance report”, HM Treasury, March 2008. The Personal Social Services Research Unit estimate that cost of providing care for people who would qualify Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for all their care free under the partnership funding for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, option in 2009 would be £9.8 billion. Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page 38, whether the statistics on life expectancy for children From the modelling results, the total cost of providing born with Down’s syndrome are based on research care to those who would qualify for all their care free undertaken in (a) the UK and (b) the US. [290184] under the partnership system can be approximated as the sum of the care costs for younger adults, since most Phil Hope: The increase in life expectancy for people will receive it for free, and the cost for the minority of with Down’s syndrome quoted in the Green Paper older people who would receive their care entirely for Shaping the Future of Care Together, Cm 7673, page 38 free. is based on American research. 705W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 706W

Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State the opportunity to debate the principles that should for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, underpin the future of the care and support system for Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page 14, all adults. what data were used to calculate figures on the cost of Over the course of the engagement, a total of 1,092 care; and if he will place in the Library a copy of those stakeholders and citizens attended 15 deliberative events data. [290185] held across all English regions. A further 97 people were interviewed either individually or in mini-groups. 1,449 Phil Hope: The information on the lifetime costs of separate communications were received through the care for those aged over 65 sited on page 14 of the dedicated website and by letter and email. Inclusivity Green Paper Shaping the Future of Care Together is research with 11 specific groups of citizens engaged in taken from section 5.1.2 Lifetime risks and costs in the an appropriate and accessible way with people for whom Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) technical the deliberative events might not be suitable. These report into Analysing the Costs and Benefits of Social included young adults and people with learning disabilities, Care Funding Arrangements in England. physical impairments, those living in rural areas, Gypsies A copy of the report has been placed in the Library, and Travellers, ex-offenders and people for whom English and is available on PSSRU’s website at: was not their first language. www.pssru.ac.uk/pdf/dp2644.pdf On publication of the Green Paper on 14 July 2009, a wide ranging consultation process was launched to Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State encourage people to give their views on the proposals for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, and join the Big Care Debate. This consultation closes Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page 12, on 13 November 2009. when he plans to publish the action plan on workforce development. [290186] Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper Phil Hope: The Department is currently working on Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page closely with our key partners in the social care sector to 10, what estimate he has made of the cost of the develop an action plan for the development of the adult proposed six week re-ablement plan; what steps he social care workforce of the future. plans to take to (a) promote telecare and (b) make The Department aims to publish this plan this autumn. information available on prevention and early intervention as part of his proposals on the care and Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State support system; and what estimate he has made of the for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, cost of taking such steps. [290519] Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page 10, what the earliest date is on which each of the six Phil Hope: While re-ablement is, hour for hour, more proposals could be implemented. [290187] expensive than home care, many people do not need an ongoing home care package after a few weeks of Phil Hope: The consultation on the Green Paper will re-ablement. A re-ablement package would typically last until 13 November 2009. Once the consultation has pay for itself if a re-ablement user continued not to been completed, these responses will be used to inform need ongoing care for around five to seven months, and finalise our proposals. We will then publish a White where they would otherwise have required a typical care Paper on care and support in 2010. package. Work on many of the areas highlighted in the Green Using a high estimate that it would cost £1,000 per Paper is already underway through the Putting People re-ablement package, we believe it would be possible to First programme. offer re-ablement to people leaving hospital who would qualify for care and support from the state for the first Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State time, subject to future funding decisions. for Health if he will place in the Library copies of the The consultation on the Green Paper will last until 13 results of the (a) polling and (b) focus group work November 2009. Once the consultation has been completed, conducted in relation to his Department’s Green Paper, these responses will be used to inform and finalise our Shaping the Future of Care Together, Cm 7673. proposals, including those on the promotion of telecare [290386] and making information available about prevention and early intervention. We will then publish a White Phil Hope: “The Case for Change—Why England Paper on care and support in 2010. needs a new care and support system: Engagement Findings” has already been placed in the Library. Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Department’s Green Paper, Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673, page 17, for Health how many (a) young adults with what estimate he has made of the level of personal cost disabilities, including learning disabilities and (b) other at which paying for care is fundamentally unfair. people he consulted in the preparation of his [290520] Department’s Green Paper, Shaping the future of care together, Cm 7673. [290397] Phil Hope: No estimate has been made of the level of personal cost at which paying for costs is fundamentally Phil Hope: The ‘Care Support Independence’engagement unfair since this is likely to differ from one individual to process took place between May and November 2008 to another. However, the Government believe that a system give a cross-section of the public and key stakeholders which leaves everyone to pay for themselves with no 707W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 708W state support—what is called in the Green Paper the Phil Hope: The following table presents the average “Pay for Yourself” option—would be fundamentally working days lost per person in the Department for the unfair because: years available and the associated cost estimates for Care would be unaffordable for many people. Many people sickness. The cost estimates for 2007-08 and 2008-09 are would not be able to afford the costs of private insurance. For not available. those without insurance, the costs of care can be very high: someone who develops dementia could need 10 years of high-level, Average working days lost skilled care in a residential care home, which could carry a price per person Cost estimate (£ million) tag of over£250,000; This option would have a large negative impact on people on 2008-09 5.6 n/a low incomes and with high levels of need, as the group of people 2007-08 5.3 n/a who would previously have been eligible for state support and 2006-07 6.5 2.1 also who are unable to afford the costs of care or insurance 2005 7.0 2.2 themselves; and 2004 3.8 5.3 Those individuals unable to afford the cost of care would be n/a = not available left without the care they need. This could result in high levels of Note: unmet need in the future, or pressure on friends/families to Cost estimates given are based on information published in the provide informal care. annual civil service sickness absence reports, available on the Cabinet Office website. Departmental Recruitment The figure for 2004 includes both the core Department and its Agencies: the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data his Department holds on the level of Reporting periods changed from calendar years to diversity in its recruitment of employees in each of the financial years between 2005 and 2006. last three years. [290507] Departmental Training Phil Hope: The requested diversity information for previous years can be found in the civil service statistics John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Health tables, available from the civil service statistics website how many external training courses were attended by at: staff of his Department in the last 12 months; and what the cost was of attendances on each such course. www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/who/statistics/index.aspx [289703] or www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/ Phil Hope: Decisions on external training courses for Product.asp?vlnk=2899&Pos=&ColRank=l&Rank=422 staff are made locally. The Department does not therefore The Department monitors diversity data at all stages hold central records of course attendance or the costs of the recruitment process to ensure fairness at every involved. To collect such information would incur point. The Department has a range of measures in disproportionate cost. place to encourage applicants from under-represented groups, including operating the Guaranteed Interview Departmental Travel Scheme for people with disabilities and offering a broad range of flexible working options to all staff. Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on (a) car Departmental Recycling hire, (b) air travel, (c) hotels and (d) restaurant meals for (i) Ministers and (ii) staff of his Department in each of the last five years. [290168] Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of his Department’s waste was Phil Hope: Travel by Ministers and civil servants is recycled in the latest period for which figures are undertaken in accordance with the “Ministerial Code” available. [289658] and the “Civil Service Management Code” respectively and all expenditure on air and rail travel has to be Phil Hope: For 2008-09, 83.47 per cent. of the incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Department’s waste was recycled. Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity The information covers the Department’s central and Propriety. administrative estate of Richmond House, Wellington The amount spent on these expenses is not easily House and Skipton House. The Department is a minor available and could be obtained only at disproportionate occupier in New Kings Beam House (HM Revenue and cost. Customs) and Quarry House in Leeds (Department for The Cabinet Office publishes an annual list of overseas Work and Pensions) and the data for these sites is visits made by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of reported by them. £500 dating from 1997 onwards. Details on all Health Ministers overseas travel for 2008-09 can be found on Departmental Sick Leave the Cabinet Office website. www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ministers/ Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for travel_gifts.aspx Health how many sick days were taken by staff of his Details of business expenses and hospitality received Department in each of the last five years; and what the by departmental senior officials on a quarterly basis cost to the public purse of these absences was. [290440] will be published in October 2009. 709W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 710W

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for (3) what steps his Department plans to take to Health how much his Department spent on travel by provide screening and treatment services for Type 2 train for Ministers in each of the last five years. diabetes in community pharmacies for hard-to-reach [291489] groups. [290008]

Phil Hope: Travel by Ministers is undertaken in Phil Hope: The Government take its advice on screening accordance with the Ministerial Code and all expenditure matters from the National Screening Committee. It has on rail travel has to be incurred in accordance with the advised that, while whole population screening for diabetes principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury would not be clinically nor cost effective, targeted screening handbook on Regularity and Propriety. in a wider context of cardiovascular risk assessment The amount spent on rail travel is not easily available would be effective. We do not have any plans for the and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. introduction and provision of screening for diabetes alone. Diabetes However, we have introduced the NHS Health Check programme which will assess people’s risk of heart Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes and will Health (1) what assessment he has made of the effects support people to reduce or manage that risk through on the quality of diabetes in primary care trusts of individually tailored advice. This programme is for the diabetes networks; [291806] whole population between 40-74 that is not already on a (2) what assessment he has made of the effects of disease register for cardiovascular disease, diabetes or diabetes networks, as defined in the National Service kidney disease. Framework for Diabetes, on patient outcomes for To ensure that it contributes to tackle health inequalities, people with diabetes. [291807] the programme has been designed so that the risk assessment element can be undertaken in a variety of Phil Hope: Diabetes networks, as defined in the Diabetes settings, including community pharmacy. Phased National Service Framework, can play an important implementation of the programme began in April and role in driving the delivery of quality of diabetes services, some primary care trusts (PCTs) have commissioned and improving patient outcomes. We are working with services from community pharmacies. NHS Diabetes and Diabetes UK to expand networks To help PCTs commission the NHS Health Check across England. programme from community pharmacies, we have been We have not undertaken any formal assessment of working with a number of organisations, including the effects on the quality of diabetes in primary care those representing pharmacy, to develop a number of trusts of diabetes networks or the effects of diabetes tools. With the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating networks on patient outcomes for people with diabetes. Committee, a national template has been designed to help PCTs commission the programme from community Diabetes: Health Services pharmacy and is available at www.pcc.nhs.uk/302 Mr. Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health In association with Primary Care Contracting, a Primary what assessment has been made of the potential role of Care Service Framework has been developed to assist community pharmacies in helping to reduce health PCTs in commissioning the NHS Health Check programme inequalities for people (a) at risk of and (b) diagnosed from a number of providers including community with type 2 diabetes. [290004] pharmacy and is available at: Phil Hope: The White Paper, Pharmacy in England: www.pcc.nhs.uk/news/531 Building on strengths - delivering the future, published Community pharmacists are well placed to support in April 2008, is closely aligned with the Government’s people diagnosed with diabetes to manage their condition strategy for primary and community care, developed as effectively and many are doing so. Community pharmacy part of the NHS Next Stage Review, and set out in Our can provide a range of services from blood glucose vision for primary and community care. It sets out the testing, blood pressure management, safe use of medicines contribution that community pharmacy can make to to providing healthy lifestyle advice. reducing health inequalities by identifying and managing Drugs: Counterfeit Manufacturing chronic disease, such as diabetes, especially in the most deprived areas as community pharmacy services are well placed to reach groups and individuals who do not Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State routinely use primary care or general practice. Copies for Health how many instances of counterfeit (a) of both publications have already been placed in the medicines and (b) devices have been discovered in the Library. supply chain in each of the last four years. [289451] Diabetes: Screening Mr. Mike O’Brien: Since 2004, there have been 15 incidents of counterfeit medicines and 13 of counterfeit Mr. Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health medical devices discovered in the United Kingdom (1) what plans there are for future provision of diabetes supply chain. 10 incidents of counterfeit medicines screening services in community pharmacies; [290006] reached pharmacy and patient level and led to the (2) what steps his Department plans to take to products being recalled. All 13 incidents of counterfeit encourage commissioning by primary care trusts of medical devices reached patient level and action was services provided by community pharmacies for (a) taken to remove the products from the supply chain and screening for and (b) treating Type 2 diabetes; [290007] inform the public. 711W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 712W

Employment Tribunals Service 2004-05 2005-0 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Total

Medicines 21240110 Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for (reaching patient level) Health how many times his Department has been taken Medicines 0311005to an employment tribunal in each of the last five (discovered in years; what the reason cited in each case was; and in supply chain before reaching how many cases the tribunal found in favour of (a) the patient) employee and (b) the Department. [290442] Total medicines 24350115 Devices03152213 Phil Hope: As detailed in the following table, in the last five years the Department has been taken to an No fatalities or serious adverse reactions have been employment tribunal twice. attributed to counterfeit medicines in the UK. The case in 2007-08 reason was one of discrimination Although this represents a fraction of the 850 million on the grounds of sexual orientation, found in favour of prescriptions dispensed annually in the UK, or over the Department. 93,000 different types of medical devices on the market, The case in 2005-06 reason was one of discrimination the Government take the issue of counterfeit medical on the grounds of disability, found in favour of the products very seriously. claimant. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Number of Found in Agency has implemented a comprehensive anti- cases Reason cited favour of counterfeiting strategy which focuses on reducing the availability of counterfeit medical products in the UK. 2009-10 10 n/a n/a 2008-09 0 n/a n/a 2007-08 1 Discrimination on the Department of grounds of sexual Health Electromagnetic Fields: Health Hazards orientation 2006-07 0 n/a n/a 2005-06 1 Discrimination on the Claimant Mr. Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health grounds of disability what recent advice he has received on the possible 1 No cases from the current financial year have proceeded to tribunal to date. relationship between incidence of childhood leukaemia and exposure to extremely low frequency electrical and Epilepsy magnetic fields; and if he will make a statement. [290042] Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information his Department has on levels of Gillian Merron: The Department has received advice misdiagnosis of epilepsy in (a) the general population from the Stakeholder Advisory Group on Extremely and (b) the prison population; [289957] Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (SAGE). SAGE (2) what information his Department has on the is a group of stakeholders representing sectors engaged number of people with epilepsy who have been with electricity transmission, regulation, property valuation, diagnosed by an epilepsy specialist in (a) the general academic research and public concern campaigning. population and (b) the prison population. [289960] The remit of SAGE is to explore the implications for a precautionary approach to extremely low frequency Ann Keen: Information on the number of people electric and magnetic fields (ELF/EMF) and to make diagnosed by an epilepsy specialist is not collected practical recommendations to Government. SAGE’s centrally. First Interim Assessment: Power Lines and Property, Wiring in Homes and Electrical Equipment in Homes Information on the level of misdiagnosis for epilepsy considered two sources of EMF: high voltage overhead is not collected. power lines and electrical wiring and equipment inside In July, I wrote to all strategic health authorities the home and was published in April 2007. drawing their attention to the report “Epilepsy in England: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) advised Time for Change”, which was published by Epilepsy Government on the SAGE First Interim Assessment in Action earlier this year. In my letter, I also reinforced October 2007. The HPA’s advice is available at: the importance of implementing the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s guidance and the www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/ National Service Framework for Long-term neurological HPAweb_C/1204276682532?p=1207897920036. Conditions in delivering high quality, accessible services The reply from the former Minister of State can be for those living with epilepsy. found at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthprotection/ Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health DH_4089500. (1) what information his Department has on the I will be issuing a written statement on the Government’s number of people with epilepsy who have had a response to the SAGE First Interim Assessment very medical review in the last 12 months in (a) the general shortly on behalf of myself and my hon. Friends the population and (b) the prison population; [289958] Minister of State at the Department of Energy and (2) what information his Department has on the Climate Change (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath), and the number of people with epilepsy who have uncontrolled Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local seizures in (a) the general population and (b) the Government (Mr. Austin). prison population. [289959] 713W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 714W

Ann Keen: Information on the number of people with in the Library. The first book is a short, easy-read epilepsy who have uncontrolled seizures is not collected. version for prisoners with learning difficulties, the second Information on the number of people with epilepsy book contains more in depth detail for prisoners on who have had a medical review in the last 12 months is their health, daily life, and how to get help in prison and not collected. on release this includes information on epilepsy. In July, I wrote to all strategic health authorities Since 2006, PCTs have been responsible for drawing their attention to the report “Epilepsy in England: commissioning health services for their offender health Time for Change”, which was published by Epilepsy population. In commissioning these services, the NICE Action earlier this year. In my letter, I also reinforced guidelines for epilepsy provides the benchmark for providers the importance of implementing the National Institute of these services. for Health and Clinical Excellence’s guidance and the The Department does not collect information on the National Service Framework for Long-term neurological number of people in prisons and young offender institutions Conditions in delivering high quality, accessible services that have epilepsy. for those living with epilepsy. Offenders are now all screened on arrival in prison by Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health a trained nurse or trained officer to find out what their whether the Care Quality Commission plans to health needs are and get them the right treatment. All undertake a review of the care of people in prison with new offenders entering prison reception either on remand epilepsy. [289965] or sentenced, have an initial health assessment undertaken to ensure that any immediate health needs are identified Phil Hope: Following consultation, the Care Quality on the first night with a fuller comprehensive health Commission published in June 2009 their forthcoming assessment completed within five days of admission programme of special reviews. A review of the care of into custody. people in prison with epilepsy is not currently within the agreed list of topics to start in 2009-10. Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The Commission has informed us that it is considering what information his Department has on levels of what topics should be undertaken as special reviews and incorrect prescription of medication for people with studies from 2010-11 and what consultation process epilepsy in (a) the general population and (b) the would help inform its final decisions. A special review prison population. [289956] on the health and social care needs of offenders is one of many potential topics under consideration. Ann Keen: Information on incorrect prescribing of medication for those with epilepsy is not collected. Epilepsy: Offenders In July, I wrote to all strategic health authorities drawing their attention to the report “Epilepsy in England: Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Time for Change”, which was published by Epilepsy (1) what steps are taken to identify people with epilepsy Action earlier this year. In my letter, I also reinforced (a) (b) on entry into prisons and young offender the importance of implementing the National Institute institutions; [289953] for Health and Clinical Excellence’s guidance and the (2) how many people in (a) prisons and (b) young National Service Framework for Long-term neurological offender institutions have epilepsy; [289954] Conditions in delivering high quality, accessible services (3) what guidance his Department provides to staff for those living with epilepsy. in (a) prisons and (b) young offender institutions on the care of people with epilepsy; [289955] (4) what recent assessment he has made of the extent Food Standards Agency: Energy to which the care of people in prison with epilepsy is in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines of 2004. [289961] if he will place in the Library a copy of the (a) display (b) Phil Hope: There has been no centrally commissioned energy certificate and advisory report for public research or audit on this matter. Local primary care buildings issued in respect of each property occupied trusts (PCTs) are responsible for assuring the quality of by the Food Standards Agency. [289925] care provided in primary care settings to their local population, which includes all publicly run prisons. Gillian Merron: The display energy certificate for the All clinical staff are regulated and subject to the same Food Standards Agency can be found on the Office of standards of practice including those providing care in Government Commerce website: prisons. The standards of care are found in the National www.ogc.gov.uk/ Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) government_delivery_display_energy_certificate_data.asp guidance CG20. The standards of care expressed in the From the table one can obtain the relevant record New General Medical Services Quality Outcomes number which allows viewing of the buildings advisory Framework will be monitored, as they are in general report which can be found on the following website: practice, across the prison estate following the roll out of a general practitioner clinical IT system. www.ndepcregister.com The Department of Health and the Prison Reform This response only covers the agency’s property in Trust have recently published two new information books England where it is the major occupier, that is Aviation for prisoners with a disability. Copies have been placed House in Holborn. 715W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 716W

Food: Infant Milk General and personal medical services and hospital and community health services: All Doctors1 within specified PCTs Numbers (headcount) Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Of which: Health what procedures are in place to ensure the As at 30 September each General marketing of breastmilk is in accordance with the year All Doctors Medical staff practitioners International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk. 2008 [289571] West Hertfordshire PCT 456 21 435 Gillian Merron: The marketing of breastmilk substitutes 2002 must comply with the European directive on infant Dacorum PCT 102 3 99 formula and follow on formula 2006/141/EC, which Hertsmere PCT 69 3 66 reflects the principles of the International Code for St. Albans and 97 3 94 Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. This sets out rules Harpenden PCT about the composition, labelling and advertising of Watford and Three 122 1 121 Rivers PCT formula. Notes: The Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula (England) 1. Excludes medical Hospital Practitioners and medical Clinical Assistants, Regulations 2007 implement the provisions of this directive most of whom are GPs working part time in hospitals. 2. Data quality and prohibit the advertising of infant formula to the Workforce statistics are compiled from data sent by more than 300 National general public. The impact of these measures on the Health Service trusts and PCTs in England. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage way follow-on formula is advertised and presented is submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and currently being reviewed by an independent panel of the effect of missing and invalid data. Processing methods and procedures are experts. continually being updated to improve data quality. Where this happens any impact on figures already published will be assessed but unless this is significant at national level they will not be changed. Where there is impact Gambling only at detailed or local level this will be footnoted in relevant analyses. Source: The Information Centre for health and social care Medical and Dental Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Workforce Census Health what running costs have been incurred and how The Information Centre for health and social care General and Personal many patients have been treated at the Central and Medical Services Statistics North West London National Problem Gambling Genetics Clinic since its opening in November 2008. [292316]

Mr. Mike O’Brien: The information requested is a Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State matter for Central and North West London NHS for Health what funding his Department has provided Foundation Trust. We have written to Dame Ruth for translations research on single-gene disorders since Runciman, Chair of Central and North West London the publication of the Genetics White Paper in 2003. NHS Foundation Trust, informing her of the hon. [291770] Member’s inquiry. She will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library. Gillian Merron: The information requested is shown in the following table. General Practitioners Actual and planned expenditure on single gene disorder (SGD) research: 2003-14 Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Expenditure Planned Health how many GP practices in (a) Hertfordshire Start End to date expenditure and (b) England are closed at lunchtimes on weekdays. Departmental funding stream date date (£ million) (£ million) [289429] Genetics White Paper: gene 2004 2010 3 — therapy research programme Mr. Mike O’Brien: Information on general practitioner practices’ opening hours is not collected centrally.Practices National Institute for Health 2007 2009 2.3 n/a are required to include in their practice leaflets the Research (NIHR) Biomedical opening hours of practice premises and the method of Research Centres obtaining access to services throughout core hours. Practices can also place this information on the NHS NIHR Collaborations for 2007 2010 — 0.05 Leadership in Applied Health Choices website. Research Care General Practitioners: Hertfordshire NIHR Health Technology 2005 2013 1.4 1.8 Assessment Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors were employed by West NIHR New and Emerging 2006 2009 0.3 — Hertfordshire NHS primary care trust (a) in 1997 and Applications of Technology (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. [289444] NIHR Programme Grants for 2009 2014 — 2 Applied Research Phil Hope: The number of doctors employed by West Hertfordshire primary care trust (PCT) for 2002 when NIHR Research for Patient 2010 2012 — 0.2 PCTs were first established and for 2008 which is the Benefit latest data available, is shown in the following table. 717W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 718W

Actual and planned expenditure on single gene disorder (SGD) research: Data about lapsed registered health visiting qualifications 2003-14 in England are held by the Nursing and Midwifery Expenditure Planned Start End to date expenditure Council. Departmental funding stream date date (£ million) (£ million) Strategic health authorities in partnership with the Department are considering currently the feasibility of Policy Research Programme 2006 2010 — 15.8 developing a Return to Practice programme for their n/a = not available 1 This figure includes the total funding allocated by the Department to the areas. National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit. Only one of the Unit’s five work streams is relevant to SGD but we do not have the means separately to identify Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for the cost of that work stream. Health how many and what proportion of health Note: Planned expenditure figures are a snapshot of the position at September 2009. visitors were (a) male and (b) female in each year Actual expenditure in future years will depend on a number of presently since 1997. [289387] unknown factors, including the possible allocation of funds to new studies. Ann Keen: The numbers are given in the following The NIHR Clinical Research Network is additionally table. providing national health service research infrastructure support to 16 SGD-related studies. NHS hospital and community health services: Health visitors in England by gender as at 30 September each specified year The Medical Research Council (MRC) also invests in headcount and percentage headcount genomic research and genomic medicine. The MRC % % receives its grant in aid from the Department for Business, All staff Male Female Unknown Male Female Innovation and Skills. 1997 12,410 140 12,270 0 1.1 98.9 1998 12,572 164 12,071 337 1.3 98.7 Haemophilia 1999 12,800 189 12,260 351 1.5 98.5 2000 12,827 185 12,179 463 1.5 98.5 Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State 2001 13,053 180 12,310 563 1.4 98.6 for Health what his Department’s policy is on the 2002 12,774 165 12,149 460 1.3 98.7 involvement of people affected by haemophilia in the 2003 12,984 151 12,309 524 1.2 98.8 consultation process for the re-tendering of the 2004 13,303 173 12,517 613 1.4 98.6 national contract for clotting factors for patients with 2005 12,818 173 12,191 454 1.4 98.6 haemophilia. [290517] 2006 12,034 176 11,507 351 1.5 98.5 2007 11,569 139 11,140 290 1.2 98.8 Gillian Merron: Work is under way with NHS Purchasing 2008 11,190 127 10,704 359 1.2 98.8 and Supply Agency to tender for new national contracts Note: Percentages are based on the numbers of staff whose gender is known. The for blood clotting factors, which will commence from gender of bank staff is not collected. April 2010. Source: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce As part of the consultation process the Haemophilia census. Society (which represents patients affected by haemophilia) Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for have been intensively involved in the planning stages of Health how many and what proportion of health this contract and are also facilitating patient representation visitors were from black and minority ethnic groups in in the evaluation of products which will form part of each year since 1997. [289388] the decision-making process. In addition, a series of workshops are currently being Ann Keen: The numbers are given in the following rolled out across the national health service to ensure as table. wide as possible consultation is carried out prior to NHS hospital and community health services: Health visitors in England by commencing these contacts this will representation of ethnic group as at 30 September each specified year patients through their clinicians and directly through Old ethnic codes the Haemophilia Society. White Black Asian Other Unknown 1997 9,802 535 155 443 1,475 Health Visitors 1998 10,184 601 178 278 1,331 1999 10,511 624 208 268 1,216 Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for 2000 10,511 624 208 268 1,216 Health what estimate he has made of the number of 2001 6,754 391 147 134 512 qualified health visitors aged (a) between 20 and 30 2002 3,929 154 49 79 317 years, (b) between 31 and 40 years, (c) between 41 and 2003 2,381 149 32 38 112 50 years, (d) between 51 and 60 years and (e) 60 years 2004 348 14 5 4 13 and over who are not presently practising. [289309] 2005 214 80 4 5 10 2006 108 29 7 1 16 20072 32 14 7 0 8 Phil Hope: The Department does not collect this 2008 23 11 4 0 4 information.

New ethnic codes

Asian or Total ethnic Asian Black or minority White Mixed British black British Chinese Other Unknown groups1(%) All groups

1997 — — — — — — — 10.4 12,410 719W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 720W

New ethnic codes Asian or Total ethnic Asian Black or minority White Mixed British black British Chinese Other Unknown groups1(%) All groups

1998 — — — — — — — 9.4 12,572 1999 — — — — — — — 10.2 12,800 2000 — — — — — — — 9.5 12,827 2001 3,750 16 53 224 28 45 999 9.0% 13,053 2002 6,390 41 157 339 53 48 1,218 8.2% 12,774 2003 8,229 55 119 467 64 57 1,281 8.5% 12,984 2004 10,680 75 170 699 79 86 1,130 9.3% 13,303 2005 10,579 72 170 685 76 74 849 9.7% 12,818 2006 10,027 81 164 705 73 70 753 10.0% 12,034 20072 9,449 70 169 983 71 59 707 12.6% 11,569 2008 9,156 68 178 728 68 57 893 10.8% 11,190 1 ″Unknown″ includes unstated and unrecorded ethnic group. The ethnic group of all bank staff is not recorded. 2 We are aware of the apparent increase in the numbers of black/black British health visitors in 2007 then subsequent decrease in 2008. We have analysed this data from a number of different perspectives and have concluded that there is not a single cause for this. Data is now extracted from Electronic Staff Record and this has improved on data quality from previous years. Percentages are calculated on the numbers of staff whose ethnic group is known. Source: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce census.

Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The following table shows the percentage of home how many and what proportion of student health help contact hours in each region provided by councils visitors became qualified health visitors in each of the with adult social services responsibilities (CASSRs) and last five years. [289966] the independent sector during the sample week in September 2008. Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply The Department does not hold information down to Hours Percentage of hours the level of health visitor students. Higher Education provided Statistics Agency information on the number of students Region All sectors CASSR Independent who qualified from nursing courses, the category within North East 242,300 18.7 81.3 which health visitor students are included, has been North West 848,900 21.9 78.1 provided as an alternative. Yorkshire and 391,300 30.4 69.6 The proportion of nursing students who became The Humber qualified is not available. East Midlands 352,900 22.2 77.8 West Midlands 426,200 17.8 82.2 Health Visitors: Manpower South West 352,000 19.6 80.4 Eastern 442,800 14.6 85.4 Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for London 506,700 11.9 88.1 Health what the average vacancy rate for health visitors South East 519,800 12.6 87.4 in each primary care trust was in the latest period for England 4,082,900 18.7 81.3 which figures are available. [289310] Source: HHl return, table 1.1. Phil Hope: The vacancy rate for health visitors by The full HHl data for 2008—the latest available—has primary care trust has been placed in the Library. been published and is available on the NHS Information Centre website at: Home Care Services www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/social-care/ adult-social-care-information/community-care-statistics- Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State 2008:-help-care-services-for-adults-england for Health (1) what percentage of home help contact A copy has been placed in the Library. hours in each region were provided by (a) council authorities and (b) the independent sector according to the results of his Department’s home help returns in Hospices: Finance the latest period for which figures are available; [289449] Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) if he will publish the results of the 2008 home Health how much each hospice funded by his help returns for each (a) region, (b) shire county, (c) Department has received from his Department in the unitary authority and (d) metropolitan district. latest period for which figures are available; and what [289450] criteria his Department uses to determine its funding allocations to hospices. [289551] Phil Hope: Information on the number of people receiving home care/home help services during a sample Phil Hope: Funding for hospices comes from primary week in September each year is collected on the HHl care trusts (PCTs), not from the Department. It is for return and published by the NHS Information Centre individual PCTs to decide the level of funding they for health and social care. allocate to hospices, based on assessments of local 721W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 722W needs and priorities. The level of funding a hospice efficiency standards within healthcare facilities. This receives is a matter for negotiation between the local guidance covers new build and refurbishment as well as PCT and the hospice. the energy management of existing operational facilities and provides advice about pumps, fans and boilers. Hospital Wards Capital project teams will make their own decisions about specific items of equipment, such as circulator Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pumps, to ensure they are appropriate to meet the what data NHS trusts are required to collect to needs, circumstances and efficiency of their particular monitor levels of (a) use of mixed-sex accommodation schemes. and (b) standards of privacy and dignity provided for Hospitals: Waiting Lists patients. [291785]

Phil Hope: Annually, the national adult in-patient Mr. Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Health survey conducted by the Care Quality Commission what the average waiting time for a hip replacement (CQC) is used to measure patient experience relating to operation has been in (a) Sunderland and (b) England mixed sex accommodation and privacy and dignity. in each year since 2001. [289332] Nationally, there is no requirement to monitor occurrences of mixed sex accommodation. Mr. Mike O’Brien: Median time waited (days) for hip The 2009-10 NHS Standard Contract for Acute Hospital replacement operations for Sunderland Primary Care Services states: Trust and England are shown in the following table:

“The Provider shall have a Mixed Sex Accommodation Reduction Sunderland Primary Care Trust England Plan, and shall comply with its obligations under that plan.” The definition of such a plan is: 2001-02 337 220 2002-03 283 229 “The plan agreed in accordance with the Law and Guidance between the provider and the co-ordinating commissioner which 2003-04 223 217 sets out obligations, timescales and performance monitoring 2004-05 227 182 mechanisms to deliver substantial reductions in the number of 2005-06 167 158 patients sharing with members of the opposite sex sleeping or 2006-07 165 148 sanitary accommodation owned or controlled by the provider or 2007-08 147 107 a sub-contractor.” Notes: Because the Department is committed to keep patient 1. Time waited data has been provided where the main operation was a hip replacement operation. experience at the heart of delivery, ahead of the next 2. Operative procedure codes were revised for 2006-07 and 2007-08. The (2009) CQC annual in-patient survey outcome, it is 2008-09 and 2007-08 data uses OPCS 4.4 codes, 2006-07 data uses OPCS 4.3 currently exploring with strategic health authorities, codes, data prior to 2006-07 uses OPCS 4.2 codes. All codes that were in OPCS 4.2 remain in later OPCS 4 versions, however the introduction of OPCS 4.3 arrangements that would provide indications of progress codes enable the recording of interventions and procedures which were not by the local national health service in delivering same-sex possible in OPCS 4.2. In particular, OPCS 4.3 and OPCS 4.4 codes include high accommodation. cost drugs and diagnostic imaging, testing and rehabilitation. Some activity may have been coded under different codes in OPCS 4.2. These changes need to be borne in mind when analysing time series and may explain some apparent Hospitals: Energy variations over time. Please note that care needs to be taken in using the newer codes as some providers of data were unable to start using the new codes at the beginning of each data year. Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State 3. The quality and coverage of HES data have improved over time. The for Health (1) what recent estimate he has made of the improvements in information submitted by the national health service have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when number of A-rated circulator pumps which are analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly installed in NHS hospitals; [291788] 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when (2) what energy efficiency standards his Department analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be has stipulated for circulator pumps in its guidance on undertaken in out-patient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the private finance initiative projects. [291789] HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time. 4. Time waited statistics from HES are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to Mr. Mike O’Brien: The Department does not collect hospital within a given period, whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have data centrally on the number of A-rated circulator been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference pumps installed in national health service hospitals in between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting England. list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension. All capital development schemes, whether private Source: finance initiative or publicly funded projects, are expected Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health to comply with energy efficiency standards of 35 to 55 and social care. gigajoules per one hundred metres squared (Gj/100m2), Incontinence and also with BREEAM Healthcare requirements (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Method) to ensure healthcare facilities are constructed for Health how many universities offer (a) pre- and with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind. The (b) post-registration courses for nurses on continence Department provides guidance to assist the NHS and education and training. [289452] their partners in meeting this criteria. This information is contained in the guidance document Phil Hope: This information is not collected centrally. “Health Technical Memorandum 07-02: Encode—making For pre-registration education, the United Kingdom energy work in healthcare”, a copy of which has been regulatory body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, placed in the Library, and which provides general energy sets Standards of Proficiency for all nursing courses. 723W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 724W

Although continence is not identified separately, its the continued commissioning of this Directed Enhanced management is implicit within several of the essential Service through the GP contract arrangements. nursing skills which are required to be demonstrated. We will also collect information to support a newly Post-registration training is the responsibility of agreed Vital Sign indicator on the number of health employers, who are best placed to understand the roles checks completed in 2008-09. This will begin in October. and responsibilities—and hence the training needs—of This exercise will be repeated in May 2010 to collect their staff. Specific post-registration training courses in retrospective information on the number of checks continence and continence care are available and these completed in 2009-10. are accessed according to local need.

Infant Mortality Liver Diseases

Mr. Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the most common cause of infant Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) mortality is. [291646] how many patients were admitted to each hospital in the East of England as a consequence of (a) alcoholic Angela E. Smith: I have been asked to reply. liver disease and (b) cirrhosis of the liver in each of the The information requested falls within the responsibility last 10 years; [291482] of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked them to (2) how many patients were admitted to hospital as a reply. consequence of (a) alcoholic liver disease and (b) Letter from Jil Matheson, dated September 2009: cirrhosis of the liver in each of the last 10 years. As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your [291483] recent question asking what the most common cause of infant mortality is. (291646) Gillian Merron: Data on the number of patients Infant mortality is defined as death under one year after live admitted for alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis of the birth, and can be divided into neonatal deaths (less than 28. days liver for the last 10 years to each hospital in the East of after live birth) and postneonatal deaths (28 days but under one year). In England and Wales, neonatal deaths are registered using England are not available. However, the following tables a special perinatal death certificate which enables reporting of provide the number of admissions to hospital for alcoholic relevant diseases or conditions in both the infant and the mother. liver disease and cirrhosis of the liver for the last 10 For postneonatal deaths, a single underlying cause of death can years in England and for each hospital provider for the be reported as for adults. ONS has developed a classification East of England strategic health authority. system producing broad cause groups to enable direct comparison of neonatal and postneonatal deaths. When considering this data, it is important to note Using this ONS classification, the most common cause of the following: infant deaths is ‘Immaturity related conditions’. This includes that data for 2008-09 is provisional; certain respiratory, cardiovascular and other conditions related primarily to the prematurity or low birthweight of the infant. In to protect patient confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 have 2007 (the latest year for which figures are available), there were been suppressed and replaced with “*” (an asterisk) and where it 1,346 infant deaths coded to ‘Immaturity related conditions’, 42 was possible to identify numbers from the total due to a single per cent of all infant deaths in England and Wales in that year. suppressed number in a row or column, an additional number (the next smallest) has been also been suppressed; Learning Disability that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year; and Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State K70, the ICD-10 code for alcoholic liver disease, was used to for Health (1) how many people with a learning identify admissions due to alcoholic liver disease, while K70.3, disability have been referred for further treatment as a K71.7, K74.3-K74.6 and A52.7 with K77.0 were the ICD-10 result of an annual health check in the latest period for codes used to identify admissions due to cirrhosis of the liver. which figures are available [290203] Table 1: Number of finished admission episodes for alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis of the liver for (2) how many practising GPs have (a) had training 1999-2000 to 2008-09 for each hospital provider for the and (b) been accredited to provide health checks to East of England strategic health authority has been people with a learning disability. [290206] placed in the Library. Ann Keen: This information is held at local level and Table 2: Number of finished admission episodes for alcoholic liver is not available centrally. disease and cirrhosis of the liver in England for 1999-2000 to 2008-09 Admission for alcoholic liver Admission for Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State disease cirrhosis of the liver for Health (1) what steps he plans to take to (a) monitor and (b) evaluate the effect of direct enhanced 2008-091 14,239 8,773 service annual health checks on people with a learning 2007-08 14,461 8,549 disability; [290204] 2006-07 14,668 8,511 (2) how many people with a learning disability have 2005-06 13,930 7,834 had a health check in the last 12 months. [290205] 2004-05 13,201 6,979 2003-04 12,336 6,482 Phil Hope: We have commissioned an extraction of 2002-03 11,560 6,056 data from a sample of general practitioner (GP) practice 2001-02 10,802 5,859 clinical systems. This information will be used to inform 2000-01 10,311 5,655 725W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 726W

Table 2: Number of finished admission episodes for alcoholic liver Purchase of secondary health care—maternity services 2004-05 to disease and cirrhosis of the liver in England for 1999-2000 to 2008-09 2007-08 Admission for £000 alcoholic liver Admission for 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 disease cirrhosis of the liver North Yorkshire — — 22,434 27,100 1999-2000 10,098 5,716 and York PCT 1 Provisional data. Selby and York 5,228 5,562 — — Notes: PCT 1. Finished admission episodes: Hambleton and 3,241 3,195 — — A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care Richmond PCT under one consultant within one health care provider. Finished admission episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode Craven, 6,126 6,167 — — finishes. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of Harrowgate and in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the Rural District PCT year. Scarborough, 1,341 1,450 — — 2. Primary diagnosis: Whitby and The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to Ryedale PCT 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Total 15,936 16,374 22,434 27,100 Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. 3. Provisional data: England 1,544,838 1,677,204 1,616,777 1,786,896 The 2008-09 data is provisional and may be incomplete or contain Note: errors for which no adjustments have yet been made. Counts produced Where possible any inter PCT expenditure is eliminated to avoid from provisional data are likely to be lower than those generated for double counting in the England figures. the same period in the final dataset. This shortfall will be most Source: pronounced in the final month of the latest period i.e. November Primary care trust audited summarisation schedules from the (month 9) April to November extract. It is also probable that clinical data are not complete, which may in particular affect the last Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for two months of any given period. There may also be a variety of errors due to coding inconsistencies that have not yet been investigated and Health how many times hospitals in (a) the Vale of corrected. Yo rk , (b) North Yorkshire and (c) England closed 4. Secondary diagnosis: maternity units to expectant mothers in (i) 2005, (ii) As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 19 (13 from 2002-03 2006, (iii) 2007 and (iv) 2008. [291796] to 2006-07 and six prior to 2002-03) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care. 5. Data quality: Phil Hope: Information is not collected centrally on HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and the number of maternity unit closures. primary care trusts in England. Data is also received from a number Patients from the Vale of York and North Yorkshire of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social access obstetric care at the Friarage hospital, but there care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission are also women who receive their obstetric care from of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the James Cook University hospital in Middlesbrough. the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this There has been one occasion when maternity services brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. have closed for a significant amount of time. This is the 6. Assessing growth through time: HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. The quality and closure of the Friarage hospital between the 17 July coverage of the data have improved over time. These improvements in 2009 and the 26 October 2009. information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time Members: Correspondence series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of Health when he plans to reply to the letter of 15 June procedures may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and may 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any Gorton on MrAIUlHaq. [290234] reductions in activity over time. Source: Phil Hope: A reply was sent to Sir Gerald Kaufman, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), the NHS Information Centre for health and social care. the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 27 July 2009. Maternity Services Mental Health Services Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on NHS maternity Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health services in (a) the Vale of York, (b) North Yorkshire (1) what systems are in place to address non-adherence and (c) England in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006, (iii) 2007 and (iv) to treatment or medication amongst mental health 2008. [291713] service users; and what information his Department holds on the number of mental health services where Phil Hope: Information is not collected in the format these systems are applied; [290318] requested. In the following table we show information (2) how many serious untoward incidents where on maternity expenditure by the primary care trusts treatment or medication adherence was a contributing (PCT) that cover the York and North Yorkshire area. In factor there have been in the last 12 months. [290319] 2006-07, the Selby and York, Hambleton and Richmond, Craven, Harrowgate and Rural District, Scarborough, Phil Hope: The information requested about serious Whitby and Ryedale PCTs amalgamated to form the untoward incidents and treatment or medication adherence North Yorkshire and York PCT. is not held centrally. 727W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 728W

There are no national systems in place that are specific Mental Health Services: Prisons to addressing non-adherence to treatment or medication. However, non-adherence is a key issue in mental health Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for risk assessment and as such should, where appropriate, Health what steps he has taken to implement each of form part of a service user’s care plan. The introduction the recommendations of Lord Bradley’s review of of supervised community treatment helps to ensure that people with mental health problems or learning service users get the right treatment at the right time disabilities in the criminal justice system which were and will help with adherence. accepted by his Department. [290010] This represents a 52 per cent. decrease between the first quarter of 2006 and the first quarter of 2009. Phil Hope: Lord Bradley made 82 recommendations, Mental Health Services many of which Lord Bradley himself recognised needed further work to ensure that all implications are considered Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for for children, young people and adults. The Government Health what data his Department collects on the have accepted all recommendations and the direction availability of low, medium and high secure beds in the set out in the report and has committed to publish a independent sector; and if he will make a statement. cross-departmental Health and Criminal Justice Strategic [290244] Delivery Plan by the end of October 2009. A Health and Criminal Justice National Programme Phil Hope: There are no high secure beds in the Board has been fully operational since June 2009 bringing independent sector. High secure services can only be together senior officials in the key departments (Department provided under licence by the Secretary of State, and of Health, Ministry of Justice, Home Office, Department such licences can only be granted to national health for Children, Schools and Families). The Programme service trusts approved for this purpose. Board has been meeting monthly to pull together the Information is not collected centrally on the availability national delivery plan and ensure appropriate cross- of low and medium secure beds in the independent government representation and engagement as actions sector. are being developed. The Delivery Plan will set out our shared vision for Mental Health Services: Hertfordshire improving health and social care services for all those in touch with the criminal justice system and the newly Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for established Health and Criminal Justice Programme Health how much funding his Department has allocated Board are working hard to ensure that all the Bradley for provision of mental health services in West Hertfordshire recommendations are fully incorporated into this cross- for 2009-10. [289409] government plan. Phil Hope: Funding is allocated to primary care trusts and they are responsible for commissioning services, Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for including mental health services to meet the needs of Health what estimate he has made of the number of the communities that they serve. prisoners with acute, severe mental illnesses who have waited more than 14 days for transfer to an appropriate Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for healthcare setting in each of the last five years; and if Health at what locations in Hertfordshire severely mentally he will make a statement. [290012] impaired children may be treated; and what choice parents have about the location at which treatment is Phil Hope: National data on prison transfers for the provided. [289411] current 12-week waiting standard is collected on a quarterly basis with transfer rates compared against a Phil Hope: It is for primary care trusts to commission 2005-06 baseline. The data indicates a downward trend services in order to ensure that Child and Adolescent in prisoners waiting in excess of 12-weeks for transfers; Mental Health Services (CAMHS) services are available since 2005-06, these numbers have reduced by 33 per to the children and young people for which they are cent. responsible, taking into account the needs and wishes of the patients and their carers. Prisoners waiting longer than 12 weeks for mental health transfer Date Number of prisoners The Department provided £2.5 million capital funding to enable Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation April—June 2005 62 Trust to recently refurbish a facility for children and September 2005 58 young people being treated for mental health problems, October—December 2005 40 specifically designed to eliminate the inappropriate use January—March 2006 43 of adult psychiatric wards by children and young people. April—June 2006 44 The East of England Strategic Health Authority has July—September 2006 43 advised that on 17 September 2009 the £7 million October—December 2006 38 redevelopment of Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust January—March 2007 44 was officially re-opened. This newly expanded and upgraded April—June 2007 46 unit will accommodate 16 young people (up to the age July—September 2007 51 of 18); with several of the beds earmarked for young October—December 2007 41 people with eating disorders. This extra capacity means January—March 2008 24 the trust will be able to care for the most vulnerable April—June 2008 36 young people who need in-patient care within the county, July—September 2008 34 and in easy reach of their families. 729W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 730W

Prisoners waiting longer than 12 weeks for mental health transfer The Government are considering the feasibility of Date Number of prisoners introducing a 14-day transfer standard. A specific project to address prison transfers has been established, this is October—December 2008 26 focusing on the provision of guidance and support to January—March 2009 40 the national health service and Criminal Justice System April—June 2009 27 to ensure transfers happen both smoothly and as quickly as possible. The Government will make a further report Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for to Parliament in the autumn. Health (1) what the membership is of the National Programme Board responsible for developing a national Mental Health Services: Young People approach to mental health and learning disability services for offenders; [290192] Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) whether the Government has accepted in full the Health how many bed days were recorded for patients recommendation to establish a national advisory aged (a) 16 and (b) 17 years on adult psychiatric group, made in Lord Bradley’s review of people with wards in each quarter of the last three years. [291934] mental health problems or learning disabilities in the criminal justice system. [290325] Phil Hope: It is not possible to disaggregate the Phil Hope: The membership of the National Health figures for 16 and 17-year-olds but the following table and Criminal Justice Programme Board is as follows: gives the number of 16 to 17-year olds in England who were treated on adult psychiatric wards in each quarter Name Organisation for the past three years. David Behan Department of Health Bed days—16/17s on Anita Barucha HM Courts Service Quarter psychiatric adult ward Andrew Campbell Department for Communities and Local Government 2006-07 1 4,697 Gary Cann Association of Chief Police 2 4,780 Officers 3 4.679 Helen Edwards Ministry of Justice 4 4,511 Anne Jackson Department for Children, Schools and Families 2007-08 1 3,954 David Lamberti HM Treasury 2 3,893 Peter Lewis Crown Prosecution Service 3 4,255 Peter Makeham Home Office 4 4,926 Ian Cumming West Midlands Strategic Health 2008-09 1 4.019 Authority 2 3,713 Harvey Redgrave Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit Phil Wheatley National Offender Management 3 2,854 Service 4 3,101 Naomi Eisenstadt Social Exclusion Unit 2009-10 1 2,260 Paul Williams NHS Wales To be confirmed Chair, Advisory Group This represents a 52 per cent. decrease between the The Government have fully accepted Lord Bradley’s first quarter of 2006 and the first quarter of 2009. recommendation that a National Advisory Group be established to support Ministers and the Health and Mental Health: Prisoners Criminal Justice Programme Board in their development of this agenda. The cross-departmental National Health Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for and Criminal Justice Programme Board has been fully Health what estimate he has made of the number of operational since June 2009 and alongside officials, has prisoners diagnosed with serious mental illnesses since been developing arrangements for the set up of the July 2000; and if he will make a statement. [290011] National Advisory Group. The membership of the National Advisory Group is currently being agreed by Ministers and will be confirmed shortly. Phil Hope: Although there are no officially recognised data on prisoners with severe mental illness, we are Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for aware that there is a significant number of people in Health what steps he has taken since the publication of custody suffering from serious mental illness. A review Lord Bradley’s review of people with mental health of mental health in reach teams for the National Institute problems or learning disabilities in the criminal justice for Health Research in 2008 suggested that around system to increase the rate of transfer of prisoners with 23 per cent., of the prison population suffer from severe severe mental illnesses from prison to secure hospital mental illness. settings; and if he will make a statement. [290243] The Government will be publishing its response to Phil Hope: The Government recognise the importance Lord Bradley’s review of people with mental health of ensuring that prisoners with severe mental illness problems and learning disabilities in the criminal justice who require treatment in hospital have timely access to system in the autumn as part of a wider ranging offender that treatment. The Government’s response of 30 April health strategic delivery plan. This response will include 2009 to Lord Bradley’s Report accepted in principle the the Government’s plans for improving mental health direction in respect of 14-day prison transfers. care for prisoners. 731W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 732W

Methadone: Prisoners Phil Hope: The numbers of midwives employed in the national health service in York Hospitals NHS Trust, Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Health North Yorkshire Primary Care Trusts and NHS Trusts, if he will make it his policy to suspend methadone and England in 2005-2008 are shown in the following prescriptions for prisoners in prisons where the drug table: rehabilitation programme is based on abstinence. NHS hospital and community health services: Midwives in England, [291958] Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority and North Yorkshire Primary Care Trusts and NHS Trusts Phil Hope: No. In line with the National Treatment Headcount as at 30 September each specified year Agency guidance, when matching treatment to individual 2005 2006 2007 2008 need, both treatment (such as methadone prescription) England 24,808 24,469 25,093 25,664 and drug rehabilitation programmes might be appropriate depending on the needs of the individual at a given time and it would not be appropriate therefore to exclude Yorkshire and the Humber 2,539 2,445 2,449 2,472 one form of treatment at the expense of another. Strategic Health Authority

Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Harrogate and District NHS 62 65 70 71 what consultations took place on the introduction of Foundation Trust methadone prescriptions for prisoners. [291959] Scarborough and North 74 76 75 71 East Yorkshire Health Care NHS Trust Phil Hope: Since at least 1995 methadone has been Scarborough, Whitby and 1——— recommended as one of a number of possible treatments Ryedale PCT for the management of drug dependence in prison. York Hospitals NHS Trust 129 125 131 130 The current clinical guidelines are “Clinical Management Source: of Drug Dependence in the Adult Prison Setting” which The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non- was published in December 2006, a copy of which has Medical Workforce census. been placed in the Library. The document aimed to MMR Vaccine address the current challenges facing the care and treatment of substance misusers in prisons including: the need to Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for provide clinical interventions that harmonise with practice Health how many and what proportion of children in community and other criminal justice settings and under the age of five years received two doses of MMR meet the individuals need and address the vulnerability vaccine in each quarter of the last 10 years. [289314] of drug-using prisoners to suicide and self-harm in prison, and to death upon release from custody due to Gillian Merron: The Health Protection Agency collect accidental opiate overdose. and publish quarterly provisional data on the proportion The document was developed in consultation with of the population who are vaccinated at five years of key Government Departments, professional organisations, age with a second dose of measles, mumps and rubella commissioning organisations and service providers (MMR). including: Percentage of five year olds (England) who have received two doses of HM Prison Service; MMR Department of Health; Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Home Office; 1999- 77.5 77.1 75.6 75.7 National Treatment Agency; 2000 National Addiction Centre; 2000-01 74.5 73.9 74.7 75.5 National Offender Management Service Drug Strategy Unit; 2001-02 73.8 73.0 73.6 73.8 Prison Officers Association; 2002-03 74.3 74.4 73.7 73.9 Royal College of Psychiatrists; and 2003-04 75.0 75.1 75.6 75.1 2004-05 74.4 73.5 72.9 73.9 Royal College of General Practitioners. 2005- 74.5 n/a n/a n/a The 2007 “Drug Misuse and Dependence: UK guidelines 061 on clinical management” a copy of which has already 2006- n/a 72.9 73.0 73.2 been placed in the Library, contains specific information 071 on the clinical management of drug dependence in 2007-08 73.5 73.1 72.8 74.3 prisons as a specific setting and are in line with the 2008-09 75.2 76.3 77.4 80.0 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 1 2005-06—last three quarters and 2006-07 first quarter—national (NICE) guidelines “Drug misuse: psychosocial data not estimated due to missing data for 10 of the 31 London interventions” (NICE clinical guideline 51) and “Drug primary care trusts (PCTs) due to problems relating to the implementation misuse: opioid detoxification”(NICE clinical guideline 52). of new child health IT system. Coverage estimates are always significantly lower in London compared to all other regions in England therefore Midwives: Manpower to calculate an England estimate without these PCTs would have given a spurious increase in coverage. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Muscular Dystrophy Health how many midwives were employed in the National Health Service in (a) the Vale of York, (b) Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State North Yorkshire and (c) England in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006, for Health if he will include in the forthcoming Health (iii) 2007 and (iv) 2008. [291794] White Paper proposals for ring-fenced funding for 733W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 734W

Duchenne muscular dystrophy research and clinical Phil Hope: The Department’s current contract with trials. [291768] The Carers Federation started in April 2006. A yearly breakdown of funding from the Department to the Gillian Merron: There are no plans to change the Carers Federation to administer the independent complaints usual practice of the Department’s National Institute advocacy service in the East Midlands from September for Health Research and of the Medical Research Council, 2003 as follows: not to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics: research proposals in all areas compete for the Financial year Amount paid (£) funding available. Future levels of expenditure on Duchenne 2003-04 353,470 muscular dystrophy research will be determined by the success of relevant bids for funding. 2004-05 836,478 2005-06 771,404 Muscular Dystrophy: Continuing Care 2006-07 1,117,657 2007-08 1,073,847 2008-09 1,102,167 Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the provision of continuing NHS: Correspondence care for people with (a) Duchenne muscular dystrophy and (b) other single-gene disorders. [291767] Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Phil Hope: A revised “National Framework for NHS what recent estimate he has made of the annual cost to Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care” NHS hospitals of complying with his Department’s was published in August 2009. This framework covers copying letters policy; and what proportion of NHS those with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy and other patients chose to opt out of the policy. [290091] single-gene disorders as the eligibility criteria for continuing care is not disease specific. A copy of the framework Phil Hope: The Department does not collect information has been placed in the Library. on the annual cost of copying letters to patients or on the numbers of patients that choose to opt-out of National School for Social Care Research receiving copies of their letters.

Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State NHS: Cost Effectiveness for Health what research the National School for Social Care Research has (a) undertaken and (b) Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for published since its establishment; and what research Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the projects are ongoing at that school. [290391] report commissioned by his Department from McKinsey and Co on NHS efficiency savings. [292108] Gillian Merron: The National Institute of Health Research’s School for Social Care Research became Mr. Mike O’Brien: The report McKinsey provided operational on 1 April 2009 and published its first call on how to deliver efficiency savings in the national for research proposals in July. The school has begun a health service was commissioned by officials in February small number of preliminary studies, but none has 2009. Neither the Prime Minister or Ministers were reached the publication stage. informed of the commission or sighted on the advice. More information about the school and its research Ministers were informed following initial media inquires activities can be found on-line at: in September 2009. Ministers rejected the main proposals www.lse.ac.uk/collections/NIHRSSCR/. in the report. The information has been commissioned for internal NHS management consideration and is not NHS Litigation Authority intended for publication. It is therefore not appropriate for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library. Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the largest (a) absolute and (b) percentage NHS: Costs reduction in costs to the public purse was following successful taxation of claimant costs in cases involving Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for the NHS Litigation Authority in each of the last five Health on what dates (a) he and (b) the Prime years; and which solicitor’s firm was involved in each Minister were first informed of the commissioning by case. [289838] his Department of the study by McKinsey and Company into NHS costs, staffing and services; and Phil Hope: The information requested can only be when he plans to publish (i) the terms of reference of provided at disproportionate cost, as it would involve the study and (ii) its (A) interim and (B) final reports. the NHS Litigation Authority working through each and every claim received within the five-year period. [291490] NHS: Complaints Mr. Mike O’Brien: The information McKinsey provided on national health service productivity was commissioned David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for by officials in February. Neither my right hon. Friend Health how much funding his Department has the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Health provided to the Carers Federation to administer the (Andy Burnham) or his predecessor Alan Johnson were Independent Complaints Advocacy Service in the East informed of the commission or sighted on the advice. Midlands in each year since the service was launched in Ministers were informed following initial media inquiries September 2003. [292390] in September. Ministers rejected the main proposal in 735W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 736W the report. The information had been commissioned for attributed to increased exports of medicines with the internal NHS management consideration and is not decline in value of the sterling. The Department is intended for publication. watching the situation with care. NHS: Crimes of Violence NHS: Finance Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2009, Official Health what estimate he has made of the savings which Report, column 532W, on health visitors: crimes of have accrued to the NHS arising from the introduction violence, what figures his Department holds on of NHS charging for those refused asylum in the UK incidents of harassment, bullying or abuse of (a) heath in each year since 2004. [291808] visitors and (b) other national health service staff by (i) patients and service users and (ii) managers. [291451] Phil Hope: Although total income received from chargeable overseas patients is recorded, national health Phil Hope: Information on the number of incidents service trusts do not routinely record the immigration of bullying, harassment or abuse against national health status of patients that are treated either free or on a service staff is not collected centrally. This could be chargeable basis. Hence, no estimate is available of the collected only at disproportionate cost. However, the savings accrued to the NHS from charging those refused 2008 survey of National Health Service staff undertaken asylum in the United Kingdom. by the Healthcare Commission provided information on staff views about working in the national health service, including experience of harassment, bullying or NHS: Negligence abuse. The relevant findings are presented in the following table. Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many claims were made under the Clinical Percentage staff Negligence Scheme for Trusts in each financial year experiencing Percentage staff since 1997-98 for which figures are available; what the harassment, bullying experiencing or abuse from harassment, bullying combined monetary value of such claims was in each patients/relatives in or abuse from staff year; and what proportion of such claims (a) were for last 12 months in last 12 months the recovery of the claimant’s legal and other costs and (b) related to each clinical area in each year. [291501] All Health Visitors 19 19 All NHS Staff 21 17 Phil Hope: The information requested was provided by the NHS Litigation Authority and a copy has been NHS: Drugs placed in the Library.

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2009, Official what the highest ratio of claimant costs to legal costs in Report, column 524W, on risk assessment of automatic cases involving the NHS litigation authority in respect generic drug substitution, what plans he has to of which legal proceedings have been completed was in undertake (a) a full risk benefit analysis and (b) other each of the last five years; and how much was spent on impact assessment evaluation in respect of each (a) claimant costs and (b) damages in total in relation specific proposal; and if he will make a statement. to such cases in which claimant costs exceeded [290156] damages in each of those years. [291711]

Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Phil Hope: The NHS Litigation Authority does not (1) when he expects his Department to publish record data specifically on legal costs, but records global proposals for the implementation of generic costs paid by defendants and claimants, which will substitution; [291537] include legal costs, medical expert witnesses and other (2) when he plans to launch his consultation on the disbursements. To provide data specifically on legal implementation of generic substitution. [291538] costs would be at disproportionate cost. The NHS Litigation Authority has provided data in Mr. Mike O’Brien: The Department is currently refining the following tables that cover overall claimant costs its proposals for the implementation of generic substitution and damages as an alternative to the information requested. and plans to formally consult in the autumn. An impact Table 1: Top highest claimant costs to damages ratio for clinical assessment will be published alongside the consultation negligence claims in each of the last five years where legal proceedings document. were completed in those years Proportion of Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health costs to what recent assessment he has made of the effects on Year of Damages paid Claimant costs damages levels of availability of pharmaceuticals in the UK of closure (£) paid (£) (percentage) increases in exports of such pharmaceuticals 2004-05 3,000.00 34,000.00 1133 consequent on the value of sterling. [291782] 2005-06 1,750.00 102,334.00 5848 2006-07 5,000.00 101,082.85 2022 Mr. Mike O’Brien: We have had reports from 2007-08 2,500.00 62,500.00 2500 pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers and pharmacy 2008-09 1,000.00 10,500.00 1050 contractors of problems with the supply of medicines 737W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 738W

Table 2: Damages and claimant costs paid on all closed clinical negligence claims where the claimant costs exceeded the damages by In post date Number of staff year of closure 1 April 2003 105 Claimant costs paid Year of closure Damages paid (£) (£) Salaries have been recalculated based on the changes 2004-05 9,824,545 17,135,815 in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), averaged over the 2005-06 10,946,714 19,786,927 whole of each year and include all pay-related allowances. 2006-07 11,852,076 20,681,500 Information prior to 2003 is not held centrally and 2007-08 18,309,285 31,968,752 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost as 2008-09 16,923,244 31,569,368 recalculation before that date would involve searching Total 67,855,864 121,142,363 individual paper files. The number of staff receiving a salary of more than NHS: Pay £100,000 on 1 April 2009 was 74.

Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2009, Official Health (1) what the percentage change in salary of each Report, column 583-84W, on staff pay, how many staff board member of each NHS (a) trust and (b) received a salary of more than £100,000 in current foundation was in each year since 2001; [291757] prices in each year; and how many staff were receiving (2) what (a) pay and (b) other benefits each board a salary of more than £100,000 on 1 April 2009. member of each NHS (i) trust and (ii) foundation has [290286] received in each year since 2001. [291758]

Phil Hope: The number of the Department’s staff Phil Hope: This information is not collected centrally. receiving a salary of more than £100,000 in each year, National health service trusts and NHS foundation expressed in prices as at 1 April 2009, is presented in the trusts are public bodies, and the remuneration of their following table. senior executive teams is a matter of public record and published in their annual accounts. In post date as at 1 April each year Number of staff NHS trusts and foundation trusts have full responsibility for determining the rates of remuneration for their 2008 76 senior executive board members. Foundation trusts have 2007 83 full responsibility for determining the remuneration of 2006 89 their non-executive directors (that is, of their board 2005 96 members). 2004 99 Pay rates for non-executive board members in NHS 2003 105 trusts are set centrally by the Department. The rates for all years since 2001-02 are as follows: Salaries have been recalculated based on the changes in the consumer price index (CPI), averaged over the Chair— Chair— Non- whole of each year and include all pay-related allowances. scale scale executive Percentage Information prior to 2003 is not held centrally and minimum maximum director increase can only be obtained at disproportionate cost as 2001-02 16,017 20,420 5,294 n/a recalculation before that date would involve searching 2002-03 16,017 20,420 5,294 0 individual paper files. 2003-04 16,827 21,453 5,562 5.1 The number of staff receiving a salary of more than 2004-05 17,164 21,882 5,673 2.0 £100,000 on 1 April 2009 was 74. 2005-06 17,164 21,882 5,673 0 2006-07 (from 17,335 22,100 5,730 1.0 Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 April 2006) Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for 2006-07 (from 17,545 22,235 5,800 1.2 South Cambridgeshire of 6 July 2009, Official Report, 1 November column 583W, on departmental pay, how many staff 2006) (a) received a salary of more than £100,00 in each year 2007-08 17,773 22,524 5,875 1.3 since 1997, expressed in 2009 prices and (b) were 2008-09 18,164 23,020 6,005 2.2 earning more than £100,000 on 1 April 2009. [290305] 2009-10 18,436 23,365 6,095 1.5

Phil Hope: The number of the Department’s staff NHS: Per Capita Costs receiving a salary of more than £100,000 in each year, expressed in prices as at 1 April 2009, is presented in the Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for following table. Health what estimate he has made of per capita NHS spending in (a) North Yorkshire, (b) Yorkshire and In post date Number of staff the Humber and (c) England in 2009-10. [291693] 1 April 2008 76 1 April 2007 83 Mr. Mike O’Brien: The following table shows the 1 April 2006 89 2009-10 revenue allocations made to North Yorkshire 1 April 2005 96 and York Primary Care Trust (PCT), the sum of the 1 April 2004 99 allocations made to the PCTs within Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authority (SHA) and the 739W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 740W

England total. Over 80 per cent. of national health availability of the goods/services - there should be no known service revenue funding was allocated directly to PCTs market distortions such as shortages or surpluses as these may for 2009-10 in this way. The table also shows the 2009-10 have an impact on e Auctions which is not beneficial to the allocation per head and the total responsible population buyer; and that each of these areas covers. there must be a credible ″switching threat″ —i.e. a willingness by stakeholders to switch to an alternative supplier if this is the SHAs also receive funding, some of which is passed result of the e Auction because any contract offer must be to PCTs. Yorkshire and Humber SHA received £703 made to the winning tenderer. million for 2009-10 or £133 per head of responsible No guidance has been provided to NHS PASA regarding population. PCTs also receive some funding through the use of e-auctions. NHS PASA led the way in the other, smaller, allocations. NHS on e Tendering, e Auctions and e Sourcing. As 2009-10 PCT revenue allocations early as 2003-04 NHS PASA instigated a pilot project 2009-10 2009-10 2009-10 on the use of e auctions in the NHS. The e Auctions allocation allocation per responsible managed by the Agency delivered substantial savings (£000) head (£) population1 and the NHS continues to benefits by the appropriate North Yorkshire 1,076,587 1,347 799,426 use of e auctions. and York PCT Yorkshire and the 8,120,633 1,532 5,301,734 NHS: Surveys Humber SHA2 England 80,030,703 1,540 51,961,577 Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 The responsible population is the number of people permanently Health pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2009, Official registered with general practitioner (GP) practices within the PCT Report, column 532W, on health visitors: crimes of boundary, irrespective of where the people are resident. It also violence, whether the results of NHS staff surveys are includes people not registered with a GP such as prisoners, armed forces including their dependants and asylum seekers. To reconcile available to the NHS Security Management Service. ‘list variation’ between the GP registered population and Office for [291450] National Statistics (ONS) populations for PCTs, the GP registered populations were constrained to the 2006 based ONS population Phil Hope: The results of national health service staff projections published on 12 June 2008. surveys, such as the 2008 Healthcare Commission survey, 2 SHAs do not receive allocations and the allocation shown here are in the public domain and so are available to the represents the sum of the allocations to PCTs within Yorkshire and the Humber SHA. NHS Security Management Service. NHS: Telephone Services NHS: Procurement Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the results of his Department’s Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State consultation on the use of 0845 telephone numbers by for Health (1) what medicines and patient services have the NHS will be published. [289568] been procured through a reverse e-auction in each of the last 48 months; [290388] Mr. Mike O’Brien: The results of the Department’s public consultation on the use of 084 numbers in the (2) what criteria the Purchasing and Supply Agency national health service were announced on 14 September uses in deciding whether to use a reverse e-auction to 2009. The Department’s response to the consultation is procure medicines or services for patients; [290389] available on the ‘consultations’ section of the Department’s (3) what guidance his Department has issued to the website at: Purchasing and Supply Agency on the use of www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Responsestoconsultations/ e-auctions. [290390] index.htm A copy has been placed in the Library. Mr. Mike O’Brien: The NHS Purchasing and Supply NHS: Working Hours Agency (NHS PASA) has undertaken one reverse e-auction in the last 12 months for water coolers. Information on Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State what medicines and patient services procured through for Health pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2009, reverse e-auctions in the national health service is not Official Report, column 546W, on NHS: working collected centrally. hours, when the Department plans to communicate to The NHS PASA consider the following criteria before the European Commission on the provisions of the deciding on whether to undertake an e-auction: Working Time (Amendment) Regulations. [289638] an accurate and unambiguous specification of the buyer’s requirement to ensure that suppliers are clear on what is Phil Hope: It is expected that information will be required, and are bidding against the same criteria. The regulations published following receipt of the European Commission’s state that the specification must be established with precision. response to the Secretary of State’s original notification Where your requirements cannot be established with precision, to the Commission of our intention to derogate and our or where some elements of your requirements are negotiable, it response in accordance with the directive. will not be appropriate to use an e Auction; a sufficient (proposed) spend to encourage competition and Nurses supplier participation; a large enough pool of suppliers to ensure competition during Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the e Auction (and a willingness and aptitude of such suppliers Health when he expects the Family Nurse Partnership to participate in electronic bidding—this can be driven by to be extended to the Huddersfield and Calderdale spend or the strategic importance of the contract); primary care trust area. [291800] 741W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 742W

Phil Hope: Calderdale primary care trust has been In April this year, the Department also published running a Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) since September guidance on “Managing Demand and Capacity in Health 2008. Kirklees primary care trust, which encompasses Care organisations (Surge)”. The document gives guidance most of Huddersfield, started to test FNP in July this on measures the NHS can take to handle the pressures year. it will face, including in providing paediatric care during a pandemic. A copy of the guidance has already been Nutrition placed in the Library. To further support local planning, on 10 September, Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State a strategy for critical care services was published that in for Health how many (a) admission episodes and (b) part set out how the NHS would work to substantially discharge episodes with a primary or secondary increase availability of paediatric intensive care beds diagnosis of (i) malnutrition, (ii) nutritional anaemias should this be required at the peak of the pandemic. A and (iii) other nutritional deficiencies were recorded in copy has been placed in the Library. each primary care trust area of commissioning responsibility in the Hospital Episodes Statistics Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for database in 2007-08. [289455] Health what estimate he has made of the likely change in numbers of paediatric beds available between 2010 Gillian Merron: The information requested has been and 2012; and what assessment he has made of the placed in the Library. likely effects of that change on winter planning during that period. [290021] Osteopathy Phil Hope: This information is not collected centrally. David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of levels of Parkinson’s Disease: Medical Treatments variability across the country in levels of access for patients to (a) osteopathy and (b) other manual therapies; [289641] Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to strengthen (2) what procedures have been put in place to ensure mechanisms to improve implementation of the primary care trusts are informed of the National National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines clinical guidelines on Parkinson’s Disease dated 2006, on low back pain of June 2009, with particular in light of the relevant recommendations contained in reference to the recommendation that GPs consider High Quality Care for All. [289565] referral of patients to a course of manual therapy such as osteopathy. [289642] Mr. Mike O’Brien: We have no plans to strengthen Gillian Merron: Decisions on which treatments to mechanisms to improve the implementation of the National provide in the best interests of patients are the responsibility Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s clinical of the national health service at local level taking into guidelines on Parkinson’s disease. It is the responsibility account the differing health needs of different communities. of individual health professionals to ensure they comply To aid implementation of National Institute for Health with all existing clinical guidelines when providing health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance such as that and social care. on lower back pain, NICE also develop tools, available From April 2009, the Care Quality Commission took on their website alongside the guidance, which offer over from the Healthcare Commission and will consider, advice on costings and commissioning. The guidance in discussion with stakeholders including NICE, how to and tools can be accessed at take account of NICE guidance as it develops its http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG88 compliance criteria. Paediatrics: Hospital Beds Prescriptions Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the likely effect Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health of a swine influenza pandemic and normal winter what recent reports he has received of the prevalence of trends in hospital admissions on the availability of the automatic ordering of repeat prescriptions; and if paediatric beds. [290009] he will take steps to end the practice. [290100] Gillian Merron: We continue to base our planning Mr. Mike O’Brien: I am told that the Department has work with the national health service for the H1N1 received one report of automatic ordering of repeat pandemic on independent expert advice. The latest prescriptions by pharmacies. The terms of service of assumptions that we published on 3 September, assume pharmacists (Schedule 1 of the National Health Service that 1 per cent. of people who become ill with H1N1 (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2005) include a will require hospitalisation. This would be above normal number of provisions relevant to this issue. For example, winter levels of flu activity and all NHS organisations paragraph 10 (a) and (c) of the terms of service makes have been planning to handle this if necessary, for both provision for pharmacists to ensure that appropriate adult and paediatric services. advice is given to patients, in particular with regards to Measures that may be taken include the cancellation the request of repeatable prescriptions. of out-patient services and elective admissions in order This is supported by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to free up staff and capacity to care for an increase in of Great Britain’s (RPSGB) professional standards and children admitted with H1N1. guidance for patient consent, which makes clear that 743W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 744W patients have a basic right to be involved in decisions Primary Care Trusts: Hertfordshire about their health care and the process of obtaining consent is fundamental for patient autonomy. Obtaining consent is an on-going process and not a single event. Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes to the amount of funding It is for primary care trusts to take action in relation allocated to primary care trusts in Hertfordshire there to any breach of pharmacists’ terms of service and for have been in the course of 2009-10; and what such the RPSGB to take action in relation to any breach of changes he anticipates in the course of 2010-11. professional standards. [289410] Prescriptions: Fees and Charges Phil Hope: Revenue allocations are made to primary Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for care trusts (PCTs) on the basis of the relative needs of Health (1) pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2009, the populations they serve. The following table provides Official Report, column 486W, on prescription: fees and the revenue allocations made to East and North charges, for what reasons the projections for revenue Hertfordshire PCT and West Hertfordshire PCT for from prescription charges do not take account of proposals 2009-10 and 2010-11. to exempt from such charges those with long-term No changes have been made to revenue allocations conditions; [290227] during the course of 2009-10. There are no plans to (2) pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2009, Official change the revenue allocations for 2010-11. Report, column 486W,on prescription: fees and charges, for what reason the preparations for prescription charge £000 income do not take into account his Department’s Revenue allocation proposals in relation to the exemption from prescription PCT 2009-10 2010-11 charges of people with long-term illnesses. [290311] East and North 759,311 803,338 Mr. Mike O’Brien: Forecasts for 2009-10 and 2010-11 Hertfordshire PCT in the departmental report 2009 (Cm 7593) take no West Hertfordshire 773,604 813,380 account of the effect of the Government’s decision to PCT exempt patients with long term conditions from prescription charges because the cost and timeframe for the phasing in of the long term conditions exemption will depend Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for on the recommendations set out in Professor Ian Gilmore’s Health which primary care trusts in Hertfordshire have review, which is due to report in the autumn. a financial deficit against their budget for 2009-10; and how much the deficit is in each such case. [289412] Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards ending Phil Hope: Information published in the Director prescription charges for all people with long-term General for NHS Finance, Performance and Operations medical conditions. [292141] report “The Quarter” show that neither East and North Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) nor West Mr. Mike O’Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the Hertfordshire PCT are forecasting a deficit in the 2009-10 written answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for financial year. The following table shows that both Gloucester (Mr. Dhanda) on 14 September 2009, Official PCTs were forecasting a surplus. Report, column 2167W. 2009-10 quarter 1 forecast Prescriptions: Tamworth outturn (£000)

Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health East and North Hertfordshire PCT 2,855 how many people in the Tamworth constituency have West Hertfordshire PCT 576 received prescriptions without charge since such exemptions were introduced. [291466] The 2009-10 and 2010-11 PCT revenue allocations represent £164 billion investment in the national health Mr. Mike O’Brien: This information is not held centrally. service, £80 billion in 2009-10 and £84 billion in 2010-11. The Department does not know the number of people PCTs received an average increase in funding of 5.5 per for whom prescription items are dispensed because the cent. in 2009-10 and will receive an average increase in information collected is based on the number of prescription funding of 5.5 per cent. in 2010-11, a total increase in items dispensed in the community. These data are not funding of £8.6 billion. available at a constituency level. The latest data for The following table provides the two year revenue England (for 2008) show that around 93 per cent., of allocations made to PCTs in Hertfordshire for 2009-10 prescription items were not charged for at the point of and 2010-11 along with the cash and percentage increases. dispensing, either because the patient was not liable to East and North Hertfordshire PCT will be 0.6 per cent. pay a charge, or because they held a valid prescription under target in 2010-11, West Hertfordshire PCT will be pre-payment certificate. 5.3 per cent. above target in 2010-11.

Two-year cash increase Two-year cash increase PCT 2009-10 allocation (£000) 2010-11 allocation (£000) (£000) (percentage)

East and North 759,311 803,338 83,612 11.6 Hertfordshire PCT 745W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 746W

Two-year cash increase Two-year cash increase PCT 2009-10 allocation (£000) 2010-11 allocation (£000) (£000) (percentage)

West Hertfordshire PCT 773,604 813,380 78,190 10.6

Respiratory System (a) hospital and (b) admission episodes related in each case. [289570] Phil Hope: The following table shows hospital episodes Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for and admission episodes for diseases of the respiratory Health pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2009, system by age group. Data has been provided for the Official Report, column 479W, on respiratory system, hospitals referred to in the answer of 20 April 2009, to how many patients in each age group the figures on Official Report, column 479W.

Number of finished consultant episodes and finished admission episodes for diseases of the reparatory system1, by provider, 2003-04 to 2007-08, activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector Finished consultant episode Finished admission episode Provider code age on 2007- 2006- 2005- 2004- 2007- 2006- 2005- 2004- 2003- Provider admission 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003-2004 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

England 0-4 166.834 158,687 160,414 145,440 151.275 159,767 152,598 155,488 140,894 146,920 5-14 88,979 353,433 91,257 85,227 82,492 86,104 303,515 88,909 83,223 80,651 15-44 371,268 407,415 331,310 294,025 266,354 319,752 311,264 285,875 255,202 233,088 45-64 437,064 88,955 368,283 329,234 297,838 335,215 86,183 283,516 253,918 231,791 65-74 384,229 364,437 337,372 311,341 288,567 270,674 256,448 238.312 220,632 205.615 75-84 474,390 452,019 426,243 397,711 364,725 303,678 290,360 275,833 260,636 241,755 85-120 268,279 242,555 224,093 195,762 179,883 156,279 144,382 135,189 120,915 113,351 Age not 2,963 1,699 1,184 1,213 1,479 2,139 1,206 866 930 1,148 known

Ashford 0-4 745 639 597 631 585 744 639 596 619 585 and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust RTK 5-14 401 368 385 473 350 401 368 385 473 350 15-44 1,355 1,154 1,323 1,216 847 1,276 1,119 1,214 1,111 762 45-64 1,523 1,224 1,405 1,197 1,017 1,372 1,125 1,205 973 811 65-74 1,394 1,119 1,459 1,386 1,237 1,211 994 1,225 1,088 930 75-84 2,174 1,853 2,085 2,078 1,746 1,737 1,571 1,663 1,557 1,258 85-120 1,594 1,473 1,502 1,290 1,088 1,202 1,227 1,180 958 747 Age not 0000 000000 known

Ealing 0-4 524 536 564 570 5,17 524 531 564 569 514 Hospital NHS Trust RC3 5-14 348 276 352 407 2,55 346 275 352 407 255 15-44 1,859 1,646 1,459 1,446 1,241 1,635 1,456 1,337 1,347 1,169 45-64 1,603 1,384 1,179 1,018 976 1,208 1,088 1,028 881 871 65-74 1,454 1,198 929 962 809 1,017 869 768 809 697 75-84 1,650 1,444 1,147 1,040 984 1,088 928 887 881 621 85-120 910 722 654 579 494 521 417 519 478 422 Age not 3201 121011 known

The 0-4 344 277 293 275 246 344 276 284 275 244 Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust RAS 5-14 174 161 160 104 87 173 158 155 104 87 15-44 1,487 1,005 954 674 599 1,386 905 868 565 553 747W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 748W

Number of finished consultant episodes and finished admission episodes for diseases of the reparatory system1, by provider, 2003-04 to 2007-08, activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector Finished consultant episode Finished admission episode Provider code age on 2007- 2006- 2005- 2004- 2007- 2006- 2005- 2004- 2003- Provider admission 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003-2004 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

45-64 1,440 1,308 1,096 849 634 1,298 1,148 945 686 563 65-74 1,234 1,129 1,002 848 673 1,058 984 849 639 572 75-84 1,563 1,457 1,411 1,314 883 1,233 1,154 1,097 935 746 85-120 1,055 882 973 803 568 777 613 709 523 470 Age not 0001 000010 known

Richmond 0-40000 000000 and Twickenham PCT SM6 5-140000 000000 15-440000 000000 45-6400** 000**0 65-740*** ****** 75-84 0 * 24 25 * * * 24 25 * 85-1200104628311010462831 Age not 0000 000000 known

West 0-4 582 386 568 566 481 581 386 568 565 481 Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust RFW 5-14 346 185 343 312 315 344 184 341 311 315 15-44 1,763 720 1,446 903 705 1,382 529 1,105 732 684 45-64 1,612 666 1,447 873 623 954 384 906 612 547 65-74 1,459 700 1,321 902 568 704 373 685 567 467 75-84 1,888 833 1,833 1,174 705 850 411 890 674 572 85-120 1,412 603 1,112 760 506 593 265 506 408 388 Age not 49 29 25 12 0 28 16 11 4 0 known Notes: Ungrossed data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (ie the data are ungrossed). Finished Consultant Episode (FCE) A finished consultant episode (FCE) is defined as a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Finished admission episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. Number of episodes in which the patient had a (named) primary or secondary diagnosis These figures represent the number of episodes where the diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and 7 prior to 2002-03) primary and secondary diagnosis fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. Each episode is only counted once in each count, even if the diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record. 1 The following ICD-10 codes have been used: J00-J99—‘Diseases of the respiratory disease’. Please see the following table for J00-J99 sheet for ICD-code descriptions. Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 National Health Service trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data are also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. The quality and coverage of the data have improved over time. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time. Small numbers To protect patient confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 have been suppressed and replaced with “*” (an asterisk). Where it was possible to identify numbers from the total due to a single suppressed number in a row or column, an additional number (the next smallest) has been suppressed. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics HES. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. 749W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 750W

Diseases of the respiratory system Diseases of the respiratory system Diagnosis Diagnosis code Primary description code Primary description

J00 Acute nasopharyngitis (common cold) J93 Pneumothorax J01 Acute sinusitis J94 Other pleural conditions J02 Acute pharyngitis J95 Postprocedural respiratory disorders NEC J03 Acute tonsillitis J96 Respiratory failurenot elsewhere classified J04 Acute laryngitis and tracheitis J98 Other respiratory disorders J05 Acute obstructive laryngitis (croup) and epiglottitis J99 Respiratory disorders in diseases classified J06 Acute upper respiratory infections of multiple and elsewhere unspecified sites J10 Influenza due to identified influenza virus Rheumatology J11 Influenzavirus not identified J12 Viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified J13 Pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of J14 Pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae (a) inpatient and (b) outpatient attendances in the J15 Bacterial pneumonianot elsewhere classified rheumatology speciality in the latest year for which J16 Pneumonia due to other infectious organisms NEC figures are available; and at what average cost. [289457] J17 Pneumonia in diseases classified elsewhere J18 Pneumoniaorganism unspecified Phil Hope: We have made no estimate of the number, J20 Acute bronchitis or cost, of in-patient and out-patient attendances for J21 Acute bronchiolitis rheumatology. J22 Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection However, the total number of ordinary, and day case J30 Vasomotor and allergic rhinitis admissions, to hospital where the main consultant specialty J31 Chronic rhinitisnasopharyngitis and pharyngitis is recorded as rheumatology is given in the following J32 Chronic sinusitis table. J33 Nasal polyp J34 Other disorders of nose and nasal sinuses Day case Ordinary J35 Chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids J36 Peritonsillar abscess 2006-07 62,707 31,577 J37 Chronic laryngitis and laryngotracheitis 2005-06 56,938 32,277 J38 Diseases of vocal cords and larynxnot elsewhere 2004-05 53,183 31,530 class 2003-04 49,003 31,440 J39 Other diseases of upper respiratory tract 2002-03 41,003 32,279 J40 Bronchitisnot specified as acute or chronic 2001-02 33,041 34,056 J41 Simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis 2000-01 30,331 35,524 J42 Unspecified chronic bronchitis 1999- 27,275 37,033 J43 Emphysema 2000 J44 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 1998-99 24,045 36,968 J45 Asthma 1997-98 20,496 38,976 J46 Status asthmaticus 1996-97 17,538 40,053 J47 Bronchiectasis Note: A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care J60 Coalworker’s pneumoconiosis under one consultant within one health care provider. Finished admission J61 Pneumoconiosis due to asbestos and other mineral episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode fibres finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a J62 Pneumoconiosis due to dust containing silica person may have more than one admission within the year. J63 Pneumoconiosis due to other inorganic dusts J64 Unspecified pneumoconiosis Schizophrenia J65 Pneumoconiosis associated with tuberculosis J66 Airway disease due to specific organic dust Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health J67 Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to organic dust (1) what proportion of mental health NHS provider J68 Respiratory cond’s due to inhalation of chemicals, organisations are implementing the National Institute gases, fumes and vapours for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guideline J69 Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids update for Schizophrenia; [290314] J70 Respiratory conditions due to other external agents (2) what steps he is taking to (a) publicise and (b) J80 Adult respiratory distress syndrome implement the recommendations of the updated J81 Pulmonary oedema National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence J82 Pulmonary eosinophilia, not elsewhere classified clinical guideline update for schizophrenia; [290315] J84 Other interstitial pulmonary diseases (3) what (a) support and (b) guidance has been J85 Abscess of lung and mediastinum made available to healthcare professionals to facilitate J86 Pyothorax adherence to the National Institute for Health and J90 Pleural effusionnot elsewhere classified Clinical Excellence clinical guideline update on J91 Pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere schizophrenia; and whether he has put in place J92 Pleural plaque ongoing monitoring to assess the implementation of the guidance by healthcare professionals. [290316] 751W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 752W

Phil Hope: We welcome the National Institute for of NICE clinical guidelines over a reasonable period of Health and Clinical Excellence’s (NICEs) updated guidance time using available resources. on schizophrenia and expect it to help further improve Schools: Nurses the quality of treatment and care for people with schizophrenia. It is for NICE to publicise the release of its guidance Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for to the national health service and it is for the NHS to Health what estimate he made of the number of implement it. NICE publishes implementation tools to secondary schools which employ a school nurse; and help the NHS implement its guidance locally. what estimate he has made of the number of school nurse posts to be established in secondary schools in Clinicians are responsible for deciding on the most the next 12 months. [292116] appropriate form of treatment for their patients, and in doing so they are expected to take NICE guidance fully Phil Hope: There are about 3,000 secondary schools. into account. The Department does not become involved The 2008 NHS Workforce Census shows there were in clinical decisions, nor does it collect data on 3,643 qualified nurses in school nursing areas,(2,634 full implementation levels of this NICE guidance among time equivalent), an increase of 63 per cent. since 2004. NHS organisations. Of these, there were 1,447 (headcount) school nurses NICE issues both technology appraisals (TAs) and with a post registration school nurse qualification (1,062 clinical guidelines (CGs) and the schizophrenia guidance full time equivalent), an increase of 69 per cent. since issued this March is a CG. Clinicians are expected to 2004. consider treatments outlined in CGs when considering It is for individual primary care trusts to determine prescribing options, but are not obliged to prescribe how to use the funding allocated to them to commission these. As CGs are very broad in approach and can services to meet the health care needs of their local contain 100 or more recommendations, health bodies populations over the next 12 months. should implement the guidance as and when resources permit. The overall number of professionals within community services for children and families has increased. School Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health nurses are able to access more resources than was how the Care Quality Commission is monitoring traditionally the case. adherence to the National Institute for Health and Smoking: Greater Manchester Clinical Excellence clinical guideline update on schizophrenia; and what steps it will take in respect of Mr. Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for NHS organisations found to be non-compliant. Health how many people in (a) Bolton and (b) [290317] Greater Manchester have received assistance from the NHS to stop smoking in each of the last five years. Phil Hope: There are no plans for the Care Quality [291645] Commission to monitor adherence with the clinical guideline on schizophrenia published by the National Gillian Merron: The information is not available in Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). the format requested. The following table shows the ICE clinical guidelines support national health service number of people setting a quit date and the number of commissioning and best practice in service provision, those who successfully quit smoking through national but compliance with these are not direct indicators of health service stop smoking services in the Bolton primary levels of safety and quality. The Department expects care trust (PCT) and Greater Manchester, 2004-05 to NHS organisations to work towards full implementation 2008-09.

Bolton PCT1 Greater Manchester strategic health authority (SHA)2’3

2004-05

Number setting a quit date3 2,336 39,131

Number of successful quitters4 1,749 18,973

2005-06

Number setting a quit date3 3,846 45,282

Number of successful quitters4 2,158 21,383

2006-07

Number setting a quit date3 4,742 44,177

Number of successful quitters4 2,206 21,174

2007-08

Number setting a quit date3 5,724 52,405

Number of successful quitters4 2,320 22,838

2008-09

Number setting a quit date3 3,934 49,100 753W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 754W

Bolton PCT1 Greater Manchester strategic health authority (SHA)2’3

Number of successful quitters4 1,718 20,153 1 Bolton PCT was unaffected by the PCT restructuring which took place in October 2006. 2 Figures for Greater Manchester SHA were calculated using the constituent PCTs for 2004-05 to 2006-07. Although this SHA did not exist in subsequent years as a result of restructuring, the new PCTs which the constituent old PCTs mapped to have been identified in order to produce figures on the same basis for comparability in 2007-08. 3 This data is based on figures collected through the quarterly stop smoking services data collection return. If a person sets more than one quit data in the quarter, the details of each attempt should be recorded on the form. 4 A client is counted as having successfully quit smoking at the four week follow-up if he/she has not smoked at all since two weeks after the quit date. Notes: 1. The figures provided for 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 have been extracted from the corresponding annual Statistics on NHS stop smoking services in England report for each of these years. These publications have already been placed in the Library. 2. Bolton PCT figures provided for 2007-08 and 2008-09 have been extracted from the corresponding annual Statistics on NHS stop smoking services in England report for each of these years. Greater Manchester SHA figures were not published in these later reports2. These publications have already been placed in the Library. 3. On the basis that the clinical viewpoint tends to be that a client should not be counted as a ‘failure’ if he/she has smoked in the difficult first days after the quit date, a client is counted as having successfully quit smoking if he/she has not smoked at all since two weeks after the quit date. The four week follow-up (and Carbon Monoxide (CO) validation, if appropriate) must be completed within six weeks of the quit date. Persons not contacted within this time are treated as lost to follow-up for evaluation purposes. 4. Only people who set a quit date through the NHS stop smoking services are included in the quarterly monitoring returns, those who attend the service but do not set a quit date are not included. 5. NHS stop smoking services data are based on the PCTs which provide the service. People using their services are not necessarily resident in that PCT. 6. The information centre for health and social care collects data from the NHS stop smoking services as part of the NHS stop smoking services quarterly monitoring returns forms, undertaken since 2005 on behalf of the Department. Source: The Information Centre for health and social care

Social Services For the longer term, the Green Paper, “Shaping the Future of Care Together”, together with the public consultation, “The Big Care Debate”, which will run Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State until 13 November, is addressing the national and local for Health what steps he is taking to increase provision challenges we face in providing care and support in the of social care support in (a) England and (b) future. Coventry. [289302] Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to Phil Hope: The direction of travel for adult social ensure consistent levels of provision of social care care is set out in “Putting People First”, the shared support across the country. [289303] vision and commitment to the transformation of adult social care, published in December 2007. It is confirmed Phil Hope: The fairer access to care services (FACS) in the Green Paper, “Shaping the Future of Care Together”, has just been revised and is out for consultation until which was published in July this year. 6 October 2009. The Commission for Social Care Inspectorate’s (CSCI) “Putting People First” commits to significant change state of social care report 2006-07 identified a trend for by April 2011. It confirms that reform of social care can councils to raise their eligibility thresholds and the only be delivered through partnership across central potential implications for people seeking support. In and local government. It is holistic in its approach to the light of recommendations made by CSCI in their delivering social care services for all individuals in the report “Cutting the Cake Fairly: CSCI review of eligibility community, not just those eligible for statutory support. criteria for social care” (October 2008), the Government “Putting People First” clearly sets out a vision of a worked with stakeholders to revise the FACS guidance. universal offer to the entire community, including social The revision of the FACS guidance is aimed at bringing care service users. Not only will this increase the provision about improvements to the system as it currently stands, of social care support, but the strategic shift towards making implementation fairer and more consistent for prevention and early intervention services is designed to people seeking support and reinforcing the current direction provide more help to people with lower level care needs, of policy established by “Putting People First”, a copy to reduce the likelihood that they will need more intensive of which has already been placed in the Library. services in the longer term and to help them retain their The “Fairer Contribution Guidance”was also published independence. on 14 July 2009 to accompany the existing “Fairer By the end of 2009-10, this Government will have Charging guidance”. Copies have been placed in the increased local government funding by 45 per cent. in Library. This provides councils with a model to help real terms since 1997. These are unprecedented rises in them decide how much (if anything) a person should funding to local councils and provide the resources they contribute to their personal budget. Councils will be need to improve the provision of care and support for expected to implement the “Fairer Contributions Guidance” their populations. by March 2010. The Department is investing circa £3.5 billion over Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State this comprehensive spending review period to support for Health what guidance his Department provides to improvements in the provision of social care. In particular, local authorities on application of criteria of (a) the social care reform grant will provide over £500 substantial and (b) critical needs in decisions on million for the reform and transformation of adult eligibility for adult social care services; what powers social care. In 2009-10, Coventry will receive approximately local authorities have to limit provision of such services £8 million of revenue and capital grants from Department to people with those categories of need; and if he will to help support this agenda. make a statement. [289304] 755W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 756W

Phil Hope: The Fairer Access to Care Services (FACS) during the year. The Care Quality Commission has guidance (June 2003), a copy of which has already been informed us it is planning an integrated report on the placed in the Library, sets a framework to help local state of health care and adult social care in England. It authorities identify those people who are eligible for will lay its first annual report to parliament to cover the social care services. The FACS guidance sets out four year 2008-09 and its second report will cover the year eligibility bands of criteria (Critical, Substantial, Moderate 2009-10. and Low). The Commission for Social Care Inspectorate’s (CSCI) Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State State of Social Care report 2006-07 identified a trend for Health when in 2010 he plans to publish a White for councils to raise their eligibility thresholds and the Paper on social care. [290396] potential implications for people seeking support. In the light of recommendations made by CSCI in their Phil Hope: The care and support Green Paper, ‘Shaping report “Cutting the Cake Fairly: CSCI review of eligibility the Future of Care Together’, announced that the criteria for social care” (October 2008), the Government Government will publish a White Paper in 2010. The have been working with stakeholders to revise the FACS consultation on the Green Paper will run until 13 November guidance and this is out for consultation until 6 October 2009 and we will make further announcements about 2009. the timing of the White Paper in due course. The revision of the FACS guidance is aimed at bringing about improvements to the system as it currently stands, Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State making implementation fairer and more consistent for for Health what assessment he has made of the merits people seeking support and reinforcing the current direction of making changes to the Disability Living Allowance of policy established by “Putting People First”, a copy programme as part of his proposals on social care. of which has already been placed in the Library. [290398] The Fairer Contribution Guidance was published on 14 July 2009 to accompany the existing Fairer Charging Jonathan Shaw: I have been asked to reply. guidance. Copies have been placed in the Library. This The Green Paper ″Shaping the Future of Care Together″ provides councils with a model to help them decide how set out the reasons for considering the future role of much (if anything) a person should contribute to their disability benefits in the context of the social care personal budget. Councils will be expected to implement review. It proposed that one option is to bring some the Fairer Contributions Guidance by March 2010. disability benefits and the new social care system together Local authorities must ensure that everyone who is into a single system, as a better way of providing eligible for social care has their needs met. support. However, it is important to note that this is a consultation exercise for long-term reform and no final decisions have been made on the specific merits of Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State changing the Disability Living Allowance programme. for Health how many packages of care were provided We are seeking the views of all stakeholders in further by local authorities to clients with (a) physical developing these proposals. disability and (b) rheumatoid arthritis in the latest year for which figures are available; and at what (i) Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health gross and (ii) net cost. [289456] during which month in 2010 he expects his Department’s White Paper on care and support to be Phil Hope: Central data collated in 2007-08, show published. [291863] that the number of adults (aged 18 and over) with a physical disability or sensory impairment and receiving care services was 221,000 adults (aged 18-64) and 1.045 Phil Hope: The care and support Green Paper, ‘Shaping million adults (aged 65 and over). the Future of Care Together’, announced that the Government will publish a White Paper in 2010. The The gross current expenditure on adults aged 18-64 consultation on the Green Paper will run until 13 November with a physical disability or sensory impairment was 2009 and we will make further announcements about £1.48 billion in 2007-08, and the net current expenditure the timing of the White Paper in due course. on adults aged 18-64 with a physical disability or sensory impairment was £1.39 billion in 2007-08. Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Data are not collected centrally on the gross and net with reference to page 106 of his Department’s Green costs of adults aged 65 and over with a physical disability Paper, Shaping the future of care together, on what or individually broken down to show packages of care evidence the estimate that a quarter or a third of basic for rheumatoid arthritis and the associated costs. care and support costs could be paid for by the state was based; and what estimate he made of the cost of Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State (a) a quarter and (b) a third of all annual care and for Health whether the Care Quality Commission plans support. [291865] to conduct a State of Social Care review for (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10. [290394] Phil Hope: The Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) at the University of Kent and the London Phil Hope: The Health and Social Care Act 2008 School of Economics have carried out analysis to model requires the Care Quality Commission to report annually the cost of the Green Paper funding options. The statement on the provision of national health service care during that under Partnership a third to a quarter of basic care the year, the provision of adult social care services and support costs could be paid for by the state is based during the year, and the carrying on of regulated activities on that analysis. 757W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 758W

We expect to publish shortly a report by PSSRU Phil Hope: The Big Care Debate closes on 13 November outlining the modelling and costs of the Green Paper 2009. The Government’s response to the consultation funding options. A copy will be placed in the Library. will be published after this date. Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has produced an impact how much he expects his proposals for the creation of a assessment for the proposal in the Green Paper, National Care Service to cost; which organisations he Shaping the future of care together, to use attendance expects to comprise the service; what assessment he has allowance to help to fund social care; what estimate he made of the likely effects of his proposals on (a) has made of the number of people who will receive existing (i) NHS and (ii) social care budgets and (b) social care under such arrangements in the next 12 existing local authority provision of social care. months; and which categories of people will be [292537] prioritised under these arrangements. [292100] Phil Hope: We believe that reform of the care and Phil Hope: The Department published a regulatory support system is necessary in order to make the long impact assessment alongside the Green Paper “Shaping term care costs sustainable for the State and the individual. the Future of Care Together”which sets out the estimated The Impact Assessment for the Green Paper ‘Shaping costs and implications of the funding models discussed. the Future of Care Together’ suggested that a National The impact assessment is available online at: Care Service could cost the State between £18.2 billion http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/greenpaper/the-green- and £20.7 billion in 2014, depending on the funding paper-and-supporting-documents/ model chosen. These are illustrative comparative costs A copy has been placed in the Library. suggesting the possible cost to the state of the different Due to the wide range of reforms proposed within models. These are indicative only and could be subject the Green Paper, full introduction of a new care and to change. Costs would be met from within the public support system will be around 2014 at the earliest. spending envelope set for future spending reviews, which will be in line with the plans for fiscal consolidation set Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health out at Budget 2009. what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary Local authorities are key to the delivery of our vision of State for (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern for the future. This Green Paper underlines the important, Ireland on the implementation of proposals contained continued and strengthened role they will play under in the Green Paper, Shaping the future of care together. reform, in any future funding system. But we also know [292103] that one of the most common problems with care and support is an apparent lack of connection between Phil Hope: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of different services, particularly health, social care, housing State wrote to Ministers in Wales, Scotland and Northern and benefits. So a central plank of a National Care Ireland to provide them with the full text of the Green Service will be a coherent strategy centred on patients, Paper prior to publication. Departmental officials have care-users and their carers, to support local leaders to been in regular contact with their counterparts in the make sure that joined-up services are delivered. Devolved Administrations and a further series of meetings are planned. Streptococcus: Pregnancy Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role he plans for GPs in the proposed National (1) what guidance his Department provides to health Care Service as set out in the Green Paper, Shaping the professionals on implementation in maternity units of future of care together; and what arrangements he the guidelines issued by the Royal College of plans to put in place for the provision of National Care Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for preventing Service to patients resident in England and registered Group B streptococcus infection in newborn babies; with GP practices in Wales. [292104] [292168] (2) if he will take steps to ensure that pregnant Phil Hope: Care and support covers a range of reserved women are informed about Group B streptococcus as and devolved issues. Where matters are devolved, there part of their antenatal care. [292169] will inevitably be consequences for people who live near the geographical boundaries between two areas with Ann Keen: Current guidance for obstetricians, midwives different policies. This is the case with the current and neonatologists is provided by the Royal College of system. We will continue to work with the devolved Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) which published Administrations to ensure the implications of the Green its Green-top guideline No. 36 on the prevention of Paper for people living near the borders are fully understood. early-onset neonatal group B streptococcus disease in We do not envisage the new national care service November 2003. In 2005, the RCOG, in collaboration altering any existing cross-border provision of health with the National Screening Committee, established a services. For example, the new national care service will national audit to evaluate practice in United Kingdom not mean that patients in England who are registered obstetric units against the recommendations of the with general practitioners in Wales cannot continue this guideline. The audit published in January 2007, reported arrangement. that current practice followed the established patterns of care described in the RCOG guideline. Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The Department supports the Maternity Standards when he expects to publish (a) the responses to and published by the RCOG in 2008, which state that maternity (b) the conclusions of his Department’s consultation services should comply with evidence-based guidelines on its social care Green Paper. [292536] for the provision of high-quality clinical care. 759W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 760W

Information for women on group B streptococcus is primary care trusts and local authority representatives contained in “the Pregnancy book” a guide to health with health and social care responsibilities. The focus of pregnancy, labour and giving birth, life with your new the day was on the swine flu response to date, delivering baby, which is given to all pregnant women during their the swine flu vaccination programme, the challenges antenatal care. A copy has already been placed in the that lie ahead and sharing best practice. Library. Information is also available on NHS Direct and NHS Choices website. Women who are concerned Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health are advised to talk to their doctor or midwife. what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on informing the British Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Health tourism industry on the effect of the swine influenza what assessment has been made of the implications for pandemic in the UK. [289657] his policy of the most recent evidence on testing pregnant women for Group B streptococcus. [292170] Gillian Merron: The Civil Contingencies Committee Ann Keen: The UK National Screening Committee has been meeting regularly since the swine flu outbreak, (UK NSC) reviewed the policy for screening for Group and is chaired by the Secretary of State for Health. The B Streptococcus in pregnancy in March 2009 and concluded Department for Culture, Media and Sport attends these that the evidence did not support its introduction. The meetings at which all elements of the Government’s UK NSC will review its position on screening in three response to the swine influenza pandemic are discussed. years time unless any significant evidence emerges which Throughout the outbreak, the Government have provided suggests this should be undertaken earlier. a wide range of advice to businesses generally about the impacts swine flu could have on them, through mechanisms Strokes such as the Business Advisory Network on Flu and the BusinessLink website. Planning assumptions have been Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for issued which are of use to all sectors. Health (1) whether patients who have had strokes qualify for continuing healthcare assessment; [292359] Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) what criteria govern the award of continuing Health what criteria his Department uses to identify healthcare assessment to patients who have had strokes. epidemic levels of swine influenza in an area; and in [292371] which areas such levels have been identified to date. [290152] Phil Hope: A revised national framework for continuing care was published in August 2009. This framework Gillian Merron: We are now relying on clinical diagnosis covers those patients who have had strokes as the eligibility instead of laboratory confirmation to identify cases of criteria for continuing care is not disease specific. A swine flu. copy of the framework has been placed in the Library. The rates of general practitioner (GP) consultations Swine Flu for influenza like illness from a sample of participating GP practices is used to identify epidemic levels of swine flu activity in an area. Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with representatives The current criteria used to define the level of flu of (a) primary care trusts and (b) hospitals on their activity are: preparations for a swine influenza outbreak. [289493] Baseline (outside of a normal flu season) activity (<30 GP consultations per 100,000) during a week; Gillian Merron: The Secretary of State for Health Normal seasonal activity (30-200 GP consultations per 100,000) meets regularly with the NHS chief executive and the during a week; and NHS flu resilience director, who are responsible for Epidemic activity (>200 GP consultations per 100,000 people) ensuring the national health service is prepared for a during a week. swine flu outbreak. Strategic health authorities that experienced levels of On 2 July, the national director for NHS flu resilience, above 200 GP consultations per 100,000 population Ian Dalton, wrote to all NHS chief executives to make over the summer of 2009 are: clear the expectation that preparedness plans need to be London; reviewed and subjected to further testing. North East; To further support local planning, on 10 September, a strategy for critical care services was published that East Midlands; sets out how ventilated critical care capacity can be North West; increased in the NHS during the peak weeks of a West Midlands; potential second wave of swine flu. The published full critical care strategy sets out how the NHS will collectively South West; and achieve this increase. A copy has been placed in the South East Coast. Library. On 10 September, the national director for pandemic Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health influenza preparedness, Lindsey Davies, also hosted a how many calls the swine flu information line had pandemic flu conference on the theme of “Looking received on the latest date for which figures are back, moving forward”. The conference, attended by available; and how much his Department has spent on 375 delegates, was open to strategic health authorities, that service. [291783] 761W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 762W

Gillian Merron: As of 5 pm 25 September 2009, initially trained to provide the service. The agents are around 1.3 million calls to the Information Line were employed by a range of private and public sector call received. centre operators to ensure that the service can flexibly Up to 30 September, the Department has spent around operate seat and agent supply to meet public demand. £230,000 on the provision of the service. The service is capable of operating 7,500 concurrent call centre seats. This level of operation, if required, Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health would enable around 1 million calls in a 24 hour period with reference to the Statement of 20 July 2009, to be handled by call centre operators in addition to Official Report, columns 583-5, on swine flu, which those using the web service. groups will be regarded as higher risk for the purposes From the launch of the interim NPFS on 23 July of vaccine prioritisation. [291856] 2009 to 29 September 2009, around 590,000 antivirals Gillian Merron: Based on advice from the Joint were dispensed for treatment of patients. The breakdown Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the following by age group and primary care trust is shown in the groups will be the first to be vaccinated with H1N1 following tables. swine flu vaccine, in the following order: These figures relate solely to antivirals collected through individuals aged between six months and up to 65 years in the the NPFS, as antivirals distributed between 2-22 July current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups; 2009 were distributed through normal primary care all pregnant women, subject to licensing conditions on trimesters; routes and by the Health Protection Agency; those data household contacts of immuno-compromised individuals; and are still being collated. people aged 65 years and over in the current seasonal flu The antiviral collection point system that has been vaccine clinical at-risk groups. developed enables members of staff in collection points In addition to this, front line health and social care to: workers will be offered the vaccine at the same time as check the validity of an authorisation number generated by the the first clinical at risk groups as they are at increased NPFS; risk of infection and of transmitting that infection to check and confirm the name of the patient and the antiviral susceptible patients. and dose authorised; Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health check that the authorisation number has not been used previously with reference to the Statement of 20 July 2009, to collect an antiviral; Official Report, columns 583-5, on swine flu, if he will record the checking of identification (ID), and types of ID place in the Library a copy of the analysis he received provided by the flu friend for themselves and the patient; which showed that the initial containment policy for record the details of the flu friend who has collected the swine flu worked well. [291857] antiviral; record the collection of the antiviral to prevent the authorisation Gillian Merron: The Health Protection Agency has number being used more than once; and worked with independent academic experts to analyse provide regular information on the number of antivirals issued the impact of the containment policy on the spread of using an authorisation number. the virus in the United Kingdom. This work has been The autumn solution (i.e. full NPFS) does have increased submitted for publication and a copy of the publication functionality and offers a more flexible Information will be placed in the Library when it is available. Technology platform. The Health Protection Agency is also conducting a Individuals who use the service will follow a very full review of the containment phase that is expected to similar process to the current service. The main change be completed in early 2010. from an individual’s perspective is the additional ID functionality. An overview of additional functionality Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health is as follows: (1) with reference to the Statement of 20 July 2009, Official Report, columns 583-5, on swine flu, how many a dynamic algorithm will provide greater flexibility if the algorithm needs to be changed and enables changes to be people will be employed to staff the interim flu line processed more quickly; service; and how many calls per day the interim service an enhanced ID process: identification can be verified during will be capable of handling; [291858] the assessment as well as at the collection point; (2) how many courses of antivirals have been the functionality to re-issue an authorisation number through dispensed for the treatment of patients with swine flu in NPFS will be available to enable patients who forget their each (a) age group and (b) primary care trust since 2 authorisation number to re-contact the service quickly and July 2009; [291861] efficiently to access a new number that can be used in an (3) pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2009, Official antiviral collection point; and Report, column 671W, on swine flu, what the additional the autumn service is planned to offer additional languages on antiviral collection point functionality added to the flu the web. line service is; [291866] (4) what the differences are between the full National Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Pandemic Flu Line Service and the interim solution. with reference to the Statement of 20 July 2009, [291867] Official Report, columns 583-5, on swine flu, which 110 primary care trusts had reported exceptional levels of Gillian Merron: The interim National Pandemic Flu flu like illness. [291859] Service (NPFS) launched with 1,500 concurrent seats from seven call centre operators, operating from 19 sites Gillian Merron: The primary care trusts (PCTs) that across the United Kingdom. Over 3,500 agents were reported exceptional levels of flu like illness are: 763W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 764W

Tower Hamlets PCT Solihull Care Trust Greenwich Teaching PCT West Hertfordshire PCT Islington PCT Herefordshire PCT Lewisham PCT Stockport PCT Leicester City PCT Shropshire County PCT Barking and Dagenham PCT Bromley PCT Harrow PCT Northamptonshire PCT Bedfordshire PCT Cambridgeshire PCT Coventry Teaching PCT North Lancashire PCT Middlesbrough PCT Bristol PCT South Tyneside PCT Derby City PCT City and Hackney Teaching PCT Westminster PCT Telford and Wrekin PCT Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT Redbridge PCT Wakefield District PCT South Birmingham PCT Southampton City PCT Hillingdon PCT Western Cheshire PCT Sutton and Merton PCT Suffolk PCT Lambeth PCT Barnet PCT Camden PCT South Gloucestershire PCT Warrington PCT Derbyshire County PCT Buckinghamshire PCT Waltham Forest PCT Enfield PCT Berkshire West PCT Brent Teaching PCT Hampshire PCT Blackburn with Darwen PCT Newcastle PCT County Durham PCT Worcestershire PCT East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT Doncaster PCT Manchester PCT Hounslow PCT Newham PCT East Lancashire PCT Gateshead PCT Wirral PCT Northumberland Care Trust Bolton PCT South Staffordshire PCT North Yorkshire and York PCT Sunderland Teaching PCT Liverpool PCT West Kent PCT Plymouth Teaching PCT Peterborough PCT North Somerset PCT Southwark PCT Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT Ealing PCT East and North Hertfordshire PCT Havering PCT Croydon PCT Portsmouth City Teaching PCT Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT Somerset PCT Lincolnshire PCT Blackpool PCT Wolverhampton City PCT North Tyneside PCT West Sussex PCT Redcar and Cleveland PCT Stoke on Trent PCT Halton and St. Helens PCT Surrey PCT Nottinghamshire County PCT West Essex PCT Luton PCT Knowsley PCT Warwickshire PCT Leeds PCT Nottingham City PCT Devon PCT Oxfordshire PCT Norfolk PCT Swindon PCT Sefton PCT Gloucestershire PCT Tameside and Glossop PCT Hammersmith and Fulham PCT Milton Keynes PCT Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT Brighton and Hove City PCT Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Medway PCT how much his Department had spent on the provision Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT of information on swine flu; and how much further expenditure on such provision he has planned. [291862] Kingston PCT Unclassified Gillian Merron: Communicating accurate and timely Central Lancashire PCT information to the general public and health care Wandsworth PCT professionals during the current swine flu pandemic has 765W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 766W been recognised as a priority by the Department and by Syringes: Injuries the World Health Organisation. We have communicated regularly via a range of channels Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for including advertising, online information, technical and Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of professional guidance and media briefing, including by NHS staff who have contracted (a) HIV/AIDS and Ministers, senior officials and clinicians. (b) hepatitis C through a needlestick injury in each of Because of this, it is not possible to quantify accurately the last five years; [291584] the cost of all this activity in producing information on (2) how many needlestick injuries have been recorded swine flu, however we are able to give a figure for public in each hospital trust in each of the last five years. advertising activity. [291585] The cost of advertising and publicity activity in England on swine influenza, including the Swine Flu Information Gillian Merron: Information on the number of needlestick Phone Line, is approximately £8.2 million to date. injuries to national health service staff in each hospital trust is not collected centrally. This may increase over the course of the pandemic. Various scenarios are being considered to allow a flexible However, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) collects response if swine flu escalates to ensure that the public information on significant occupational exposures to have timely and accurate information about the disease, blood-borne viruses in health care workers in the United how to protect against it, and how to access treatment if Kingdom. The HPA’s latest report “Eye of the Needle, they catch it. United Kingdom Surveillance of Significant Occupational Exposures to Blood Borne Viruses in Healthcare Workers, November 2008” has been placed in the Library and is Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for available on the HPA’s website at: Health what plans his Department has to provide vaccinations against swine influenza to homebound www.camr.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb-C/ 1205394781623 patients. [292317] This report, which provides data up to the end of 2007, includes information on the number of documented Ann Keen: The Department has asked primary care cases of health care workers who have contracted HIV/ trusts and strategic health authorities to work with local AIDS and hepatitis C through a needlestick injury in national health service stakeholders to develop local 2004-07, which are summarised in the following table. plans to ensure that all of those identified in the Chief Medical Officer’s list of high priority groups receive Number of documented cases of health care workers who have their swine flu vaccinations. These plans should include contracted HIV and hepatitis C through a needlestick injury in the UK, 2004-07 provision for housebound patients. Infection 2004 2005 2006 2007 The Department will be supporting this work by providing core materials about swine flu vaccination for HIV0000 staff training and communications with the public and Hepatitis C 1 2 2 2 NHS staff. Tamiflu Swine Flu: Birmingham Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the average shelf-life is of the Tamiflu Mr. Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health the Government have in stock; [289237] how many cases of swine flu have been reported among (2) what procedures the NHS has in place to ensure residents of Birmingham, Sparkbrook & Small Heath the use of the oldest stock of Tamiflu first. [289238] constituency to date. [291587] Gillian Merron: The existing pandemic stockpile of Gillian Merron: Data on the precise number of swine Tamiflu was purchased in instalments between the autumn flu cases in a particular area is not available. of 2006 and 2007 (totalling some 15 million treatment However, the Department does have data on the courses) and in spring 2009 (eight million treatment number of antivirals dispensed through the National courses). This makes determining the average life of the Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS). We do not have figures stockpile difficult. All of this stock has a shelf life of specifically for the Sparkbrook and Small Heath five years so is currently well within its expiry date. constituency but we do have figures for the two primary However, following a decision of the European medicines care trusts (PCTs) which the constituency crosses. These regulator (the EMEA), stock produced after June 2009 show that: will have a shelf life of seven years. We are currently Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT: around 3,500 antivirals discussing with Roche and with the medicines regulator were collected between 23 July 2009 and 22 September 2009; both the implications of this decision and the possible and extension of the shelf life of stock we hold. NHS Birmingham East and North PCT (including part of the A small amount of Tamiflu that we are making use of Small Heath area): around 3,800 antivirals were collected but that was not procured for pandemic flu planning between 23 July 2009 and 22 September 2009. will expire later in 2009. We expect that most of this These figures relate solely to antivirals collected through stock will now have been used. the NPFS since its launch on 23 July. Antivirals distributed Stock currently held by the national health service for prior to this time were distributed through normal treatment of swine flu at antiviral collection points primary care routes and by the Health Protection Agency; (ACPs) is used in accordance with guidance provided that data is still being collated. on stock rotation. 767W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 768W

All ACPs have pharmaceutical oversight provided by evaluated at a number of sites. Subject to this work senior primary care trust pharmacists, who ensure there going ahead, the tool would then be available to download are safe systems and processes in place for the safe to national health service trusts at the same time as the management and supply of antiviral medicines. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Stock held in stockpile warehouses is managed by publish their venous thrombroembolism clinical guidelines professional inventory and stock managers, and in for all hospitalised patients. accordance with standard inventory management practice on a “first in, first out” basis. Thrombosis: Hospitals Telemedicine John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 July 2009, Official Report, Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State column 356W, what progress has been made in his for Health pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2009, Department’s work with the Office for National Official Report, column 550W, on telemedicine, in Statistics to provide the requested information; and if which (a) local authority and (b) primary care trust he will make a statement. [291573] areas business has been procured through the PASA Telecare National Framework Agreement. [289637] Phil Hope: The Office for National Statistics are still working on the data which is by nature quite complex, Phil Hope: This information is commercially confidential, spanning many different areas. We have received some as releasing it could give a commercial advantage to preliminary data and are continuing to work with them other organisations outside the framework agreement. to produce meaningful information on episodes of venous The following table gives a high level breakdown of the thromboembolism. number of organisations procuring through the framework.

Organisation type Number of organisations Treatment Centres

County Council 308 Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Acute 211 Health if he will conduct an audit of the cost of PCT 106 residual value payments which may be made to Borough Council 301 providers of independent sector treatment centres Northern Ireland Board 157 (ISTC) projects contracted under the (a) first and (b) City Council 154 second wave of the ISTC programme. [290308] Ambulance 55 MHT 3 Mr. Mike O’Brien: No. There is a duty to make a Housing Association 58 residual value payment at contract expiry where the County Borough Council 16 requirement exists under the terms of an independent Welsh Local Health Board 6 sector treatment centres contract. District Council 78 Housing Consortium 2 Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Local Council 8 Health what guidance he has issued to primary care Miscellaneous 4 trusts on the commissioning of services from City and Borough Council 3 independent sector treatment centres. [290309] Note: The table shows the number of purchasing points it was set up around Mr. Mike O’Brien: The Department has not issued a trust having one purchasing point put in practice some may have primary care trusts (PCTs) with guidance on the more than one. commissioning of services from independent sector Thrombosis treatment centres. It is for PCTs to determine their commissioning requirements. John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The Department has requested that PCTs review when he plans to consult on the inclusion of venous their capacity requirements and has provided guidance thromboembolism risk assessment and prevention in to support the competitive procurement of treatment the 2010-11 NHS Operating Framework. [291660] centre services. PCTs will review contracts on a case-by-case basis and commission new services where capacity is Phil Hope: We expect the NHS Operating Framework required. for 2010-11 to be published later this year and we can confirm that it will include venous thromboembolism Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for risk assessment and prevention. Health what the NHS tariff is for procedures John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health undertaken in independent sector treatment centres. when he expects his Department’s venous [290310] thrombroembolism risk assessment model to be made available to all health professionals in the NHS through Mr. Mike O’Brien: The national health service tariff the National Programme for IT; and if he will make a does not apply to procedures undertaken in Wave One statement. [291661] and Phase Two Independent Sector Treatment Centres. Providers are paid for services according to the terms Phil Hope: We are currently looking to pilot the tool and conditions of their contracts. Future contracts to within a clinical setting and, if approved, the intention provide services from treatment centres will be paid at is that the tool together with the technology could be the NHS tariff. 769W Written Answers12 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 770W

Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Vioxx Health what plans he has for the management of the expiry of the contracts of phase one independent Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health sector treatment centres. [290348] what the cost to the NHS of prescribing the drug Vioxx has been in each of the last two years. [292312]

Mr. Mike O’Brien: Contracts for the centrally procured Mr. Mike O’Brien: The net ingredient cost (NIC) of wave one independent sector treatment centres are scheduled prescription items written in the United Kingdom and to end from 2010. Each contract will be reviewed on a dispensed in the community in England for 2007 and case-by-case basis and new services will be commissioned 2008, cannot be reported as the NIC was reimbursed where local commissioners determine that capacity is for less than 50 prescription items. Reporting this figure required. could potentially identify individual patients. Written Questions: Government Responses Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of the costs Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State likely to be incurred by his Department in relation to for Health when he plans to answer question (a) its contractual obligations under phase one of the 279209, on the composition of his Department’s independent sector treatment centre programme after Applications Committee, tabled on 11 June 2009 and the expiry of phase one contracts. [290516] (b) 283263, on the NHS IT Programme, tabled on 26 June 2009. [289567] Mr. Mike O’Brien: The total potential expiry cost Mr. Mike O’Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the (including residual value) for wave one independent answers I gave him on 21 July 2009, Official Report, sector treatment centres is approximately £200 million. columns 1594W and 1609W. 771W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 772W

mitigate the negative impact of empty shops on the Written Answers to high street. The 57 local authorities, shown in the following list, have each received £52,631.58. This is Questions new funding for 2009-10 only, which forms part of the package of support that CLG is providing to boost town centres and high streets, as set out in “Looking Tuesday 13 October 2009 after our town centres”, which we published in April. In accordance with the Government’s policy on local authority funding, it is for the local authorities concerned to decide precisely how it should be spent. However, we COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT continue to work with local authorities and other Council Housing: Antisocial Behaviour Orders stakeholders to highlight positive approaches for making use of empty shops, and other ideas for promoting town centres. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local Local authorities receiving empty shops funding: authorities have successfully applied for anti-social Ashfield behaviour orders against their tenants in the last three Barnsley years. [292383] Barrow-in-Furness Birmingham Mr. Ian Austin: The Department does not collect this Blackburn with Darwen information. Blackpool Information collected centrally by the Ministry of Bolton Justice on the number of antisocial behaviour orders Boston (ASBOs) issued from April 1999 to December 2007 is available at: Bristol http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/asbos/asbos02- Burnley 090713.xls Copeland Corby Council Housing: Finance Coventry Darlington Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Derby City Communities and Local Government whether he plans to move debt from highly indebted local authorities to Doncaster those with no debt as part of his plans for a Dudley redistribution of housing debt. [289546] Durham Gateshead Mr. Ian Austin: On 21 July my right hon. Friend the Great Yarmouth Minister for Housing published a consultation paper Hackney setting out proposals to replace the Housing Revenue Halton Account subsidy system with a devolved system of Harlow responsibility and funding for council housing. This would end the need to redistribute income between Hartlepool council landlords each year, in exchange for a one-off Hastings adjustment of housing debt. Under the proposals, some Hyndburn authorities would be provided with funds to pay off Ipswich debt and others would take on more housing debt, Kingston Upon Hull putting all councils in a position to sustain their stock Kirklees in future from their own income. The consultation Knowsley paper, ‘Reform of council housing finance’, is published on my Department’s website at: Leeds www.communities.gov.uk Leicester City Liverpool Empty Shops Funding Grant Manchester Mansfield Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Middlesbrough Communities and Local Government how much funding has been (a) distributed to each local Newcastle upon Tyne authority through the Empty Shops Funding Grant North East Lincolnshire and (b) subsequently spent by each authority; how North Tyneside many empty premises have been utilised as part of the Nottingham City scheme in each year since its inception; and how many Pendle he estimates will be used in the next two years. [292080] Preston Mr. Ian Austin: On 13 August, CLG announced Rochdale £3 million funding to help areas hit hardest by the Rossendale recession find ways to boost town centres, and in particular Rotherham 773W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 774W

Salford Local Government: Official Hospitality Sandwell Sefton Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Sheffield Communities and Local Government what guidance South Tyneside his Department issues to local authorities on the Stoke-on-Trent receipt of gratuities and hospitality by staff. [291730] Sunderland Ms Rosie Winterton: The Department has issued no Tameside guidance on the receipt of gratuities and hospitality by Thanet local authority employees. Walsall Wigan Local Government: Pay Wolverhampton John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Local Development Frameworks Communities and Local Government which 100 elected local authority representatives had the highest total Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities remuneration in the latest year for which information is and Local Government which local authorities have available. [291990] commenced but not yet completed processes for the approval of a new Local Development Framework; and Ms Rosie Winterton: This information is not held if he will make a statement. [291952] centrally.

Mr. Ian Austin: ‘Local Development Framework’ is National Housing and Planning Advice Unit the collective name for the folder of various planning-related documents that local planning authorities have prepared. Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Some of these documents will have been subject to Communities and Local Government on what date the statutory independent examination in public by the contracts of each member of the National Housing and Planning Inspectorate; others will have been approved Planning Advice Unit board expire; and what plans he and adopted by individual authorities where there is no has to renew each such contract. [292350] statutory requirement for independent examination. All authorities will have approved documents of one kind Mr. Ian Austin: All board members contracts expire or another in place and all are subject to regular monitoring on 31 October 2009. We will announce our decision on and review, so it is an ongoing process. future board appointments after we have completed a Documents that the Planning Inspectorate has considered review of the unit later this month. sound to date are: 50 Core Strategies Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many full-time 37 Area Action Plans equivalent staff members the National Housing and 9 Site Allocation Policies Planning Advice Unit employed in each of the last three 7 Development Control Policies years. [292352] 17 Minerals and Waste Policies 10 other plans dealing with specific themes Mr. Ian Austin: The National Housing and Planning 385 Statements of Community Involvement. Advice Unit has employed the following full-time equivalent staff1 over each of the last three years: Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities 1 Assumes permanent civil service staff only, excludes two temporary and Local Government which local authorities have staff for part of period. approved Local Development Frameworks with provision Number for new house building at a level lower than that required to meet Government targets; and if he will make a October 20061 to March 2007 1.42 statement. [291953] April 2007—March 2008 12.25 April 2008—March 2009 12.66 Mr. Ian Austin: ‘Local Development Framework’ is April 2009—current 12.8 the collective name for the folder of various planning-related 1 NHPAU established and first started incurring staff salary costs in documents that local planning authorities have prepared. October 2006. Some of these documents (development plan documents) In addition, the unit also currently has six board will have been subject to statutory independent examination members who work for the unit for up to a maximum of in public by the Planning Inspectorate; others will have 30 days per year each. been approved and adopted by individual authorities where there is no statutory requirement for independent Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for examination. Communities and Local Government whether his In order to be found sound, development plan documents Department has reviewed the effectiveness of the National are required to be in general conformity with the regional Housing and Planning Advice Unit’s remit. [292454] spatial strategy (or spatial development strategy if the LPA is located in London), including housing allocations, Mr. Ian Austin: A review of the unit began in August if appropriate. and is expected to conclude shortly. 775W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 776W

Refuges: Domestic Violence I have asked my officials to undertake an assessment of all the matters that have been raised since the introduction Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for of the order. Once that is completed, they will meet with Communities and Local Government how many domestic stakeholders to discuss these issues further. violence refuges there are in each local authority area in England and Wales. [292520] Social Rented Housing: Cornwall

Mr. Ian Austin: The Department does not collect this Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for information. Communities and Local Government how many There is a range of support for victims of domestic properties are expected to be added to the stock of violence. Some victims will be accommodated in refuges, social rented housing in Cornwall through (a) but Sanctuary Schemes and mainstream local authority construction and (b) purchase in each of the next five accommodation may be an option for others, while years. [291559] some victims will pursue independent solutions with help and advice from support schemes as necessary. Mr. Ian Austin: The Homes and Communities Agency The Department has recently commissioned new research is delivering a £59 million affordable housing investment that will identify the current housing options available programme in Cornwall over the 2008-11 period. In to households at risk of domestic violence, and to assess 2008-09, 209 new social homes for rent were completed whether this provision meets current need. It will involve in Cornwall. 539 new social homes for rent are expected establishing the extent and type of temporary and settled to be completed in 2009-10 and a minimum of 365 new accommodation available for households at risk of domestic social homes for rent are expected to be completed in violence in England, including the provision of housing 2010-11. Approximately 52 homes were bought from related support services delivered to both temporary developers on the open market for social rent in 2008-09 and settled accommodation, and to households’ own and 79 homes are expected to be bought form developers homes. This will report early next year. Whether it will on the open market for social rent in 2009-10. There are show a breakdown in each local authority depends on no estimates for future years. how many local authorities respond to the research. As the research is still ongoing we are currently unable to Social Rented Housing: Standards determine what the response rate is. Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for In 2003 the Government announced major investment Communities and Local Government whether any changes in refuge provision in England in 2003-06. A total of are planned to levels of Decent Homes funding to fund £34 million capital was allocated and 511 units of the other housing measures announced in the Draft accommodation were refurbished or newly built. More Legislative Programme. [289545] recently the Hostels Capital Improvement Programme (2005-07) funded six new and refurbished refuges at a Mr. Ian Austin: There are no current planned changes cost of £4 million. to levels of Decent Homes funding to fund other housing CLG provides essential revenue support for victims measures announced in the Draft Legislative Programme. of domestic violence through the Supporting People Programme. £64.5 million in 2007-08 up from £61.6 Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities million in 2006-07. and Local Government when expenditure is planned to Information for Wales has not been included as provision start under the Decent Homes programme to improve of refuges is a devolved matter. the standards of rented homes under the management of Round 6 arms’ length management organisations Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for which have gained a two-star rating. [289905] Communities and Local Government how many domestic violence refuges have closed in the last five Mr. Ian Austin: Four Round 6 ALMOs—Haringey, years. [292521] Blackpool, Enfield and Stevenage—have funded Decent Homes investment programmes. On 14 July, as part of Mr. Ian Austin: The Department does not collect this the Housing Pledge announcement, the Housing Minister information. announced that those remaining Round 6 ALMOs, who had yet to qualify for Decent Homes funding on Regional Planning and Development that date, are more likely to receive their capital allocations in 2011-12, subject to the ALMO achieving the Audit Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Commission inspection rating required. Communities and Local Government what representations his Department has received on clarification of aspects Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities of the Town and Country (General Permitted Development and Local Government how much money is planned to Order) (Amendment) (No 2) (England) Order; and if he be diverted from the arms length management organisations will make a statement. [292456] decent homes programme in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11 to contribute to funding the building of new homes. Mr. Ian Austin: The Department has received a number [289919] of representations from organisations and individuals seeking clarification on issues arising from the Town Mr. Ian Austin: There are no plans to divert funding and Country (General Permitted Development Order) from the Decent Homes programme in 2009-10. In (Amendment) (No. 2) (England) Order 2008. The 2011-11, £150 million has been reprioritised from the representations include concerns about the way the programme to fund the Housing Pledge initiative to order is being interpreted by planning authorities. contribute to the building of new homes. 777W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 778W

Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities 1,500 properties in West North West area will benefit and Local Government what estimate he has made of from the Social Housing Energy Saving Programme the proportion of former council properties transferred which will provide insulation measures thus increases out of council ownership through local authority stock levels of thermal comfort. transfer which meet the Decent Homes standard. Leeds and Kirklees will also benefit from the recent [290228] first round announcement regarding the local authority new build programme which was announced in the Mr. Ian Austin: As at 31 March 2009, the proportion budget and was recently strengthened by the Housing of homes owned by registered social landlords that own Pledge. This will provide much needed high quality stock transferred from local authorities, which met the additional social housing—63 units supported by Decent Homes Standard was 88.1 per cent. £3.5 million in Leeds and 36 units supported by almost Source: £2 million grant in Kirklees. RSR 2009

Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of NORTHERN IRELAND the proportion of properties owned by arms-length management organisations which meet the Decent Homes standard. [290229] Departmental Motor Vehicles

Mr. Ian Austin: Information reported by local arms Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for length management companies in 2008 on dwellings Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on that meet the Decent Homes standard show that 69 per hire vehicles in each of the last five financial years. cent. of their homes met the standard. [291607]

Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities Mr. Woodward: The following table shows how much and Local Government what estimate he has made of the Northern Ireland Office, including the Public the proportion of homes owned by registered social Prosecution Service Northern Ireland, but excluding its landlords which meet the Decent Homes standard. agencies and NDPBs has spent on hire vehicles in each [290231] of the last five financial years.

Mr. Ian Austin: As at 31 March 2009 the proportion £000 of homes owned by Registered Social Landlords which met the Decent Homes standard was 91.7 per cent. 2004-05 70 Source: 2005-06 73 2006-07 50 RSR 2009 2007-08 74 Social Rented Housing: West Yorkshire 2008-09 73

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take to increase the standard of social housing ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE in (a) West Yorkshire and (b) Leeds North West constituency in the next 12 months. [292117] Climate Change: Import Duties Mr. Ian Austin [holding answer 12 October 2009]: The Government have provided significant funding to Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for support delivery of Decent Homes Programmes in the Energy and Climate Change what progress has been social housing sector across West Yorkshire. Such works made on the Doha Declaration paragraph 31 commitment will help to uplift the condition of housing which is to reduce or eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers on currently deemed non-decent. With the exception of the environmental goods and services. [289776] Wakefield local authority area all other local authority areas in the West Yorkshire sub-region are on track to Mr. McFadden: I have been asked to reply complete the decency programmes in line with the The Doha Round remains the UK Government’s top December 2010 deadline. trade priority and we will continue to work closely with In terms of Leeds North West, the Arms Length our EU and international partners to secure a deal as Management Organisation, West North West is on track early as possible. to deliver decent homes by 2010-11. Significant investment Trade liberalisation of environmentally friendly goods of £1.5 million in 2009-10 and £1.8 million in 2010-11 and services is an important part of the negotiations. will be made on decency works and essential maintenance. The World Trade Organisation’s Committee on Trade West North West has also set its own lettable standard and Environment, which is mandated to take forward which is published on the website and provides for a these negotiations, recently met where all parties, including higher level decency. the EU, reaffirmed their commitment to the negotiations. In addition, West North West will be investing £74,000 The UK Government are committed to seeking an early in 2009-10 and £62,000 in 2010-11 on environmental resolution that will support the comprehensive global works to complement housing investment and improve deal on climate change that we are seeking in Copenhagen the standard of the public realm. this December. 779W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 780W

UK Low Carbon Transition Plan Helen Goodman: The information is in the following table. Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing benefit expenditure on social and private tenants (£ million Energy and Climate Change against what criteria he and as a percentage of the total expenditure) expects his Department to decide on the location of the £ million Percentage 15 test hubs as identified in the UK Low Carbon Social Private Social Private Transition Plan; and when he expects that decision to tenants tenants tenants tenants [290893] be taken. 1997-98 7,740 3,437 69 31 1998-99 7,885 3,180 71 29 Joan Ruddock [holding answer 9 September 2009]: 1999-2000 8,098 2,966 73 27 The criteria against which we will be short-listing the 20 test hubs were published on 28 September and we have 2000-01 8,311 2,851 74 26 invited local authorities in England, Wales and N Ireland 2001-02 8,768 2,827 76 24 to participate. 2002-03 9,615 3,040 76 24 2003-04 9,326 3,028 75 25 The criteria can be found at 2004-05 9,813 3,361 74 26 http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/ 2005-06 10,222 3,723 73 27 consumers/lc_communities/lc_communities.aspx 2006-07 10,716 4,143 72 28 We expect to announce the location of these short-listed 2007-08 11,239 4,513 71 29 test hubs by the end of this year or early next year. Notes: 1. Expenditure figures are in millions of pounds, in cash terms. Warm Front Scheme 2. Figures include all housing benefit expenditure, whether funded by DWP and its predecessors, or by local authorities. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy 3. Figures include expenditure on discretionary housing payments. Source: and Climate Change how much has been paid to Eaga Local authority subsidy returns and housing benefit administrative since the inception of the Warm Front scheme. [292031] data.

Mr. Kidney: Payments for Warm Front heating, insulation and other energy efficiency measures, as well as scheme Incapacity Benefit administration, are made to the main contractor, Eaga plc. Eaga deliver these measures through a network of Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work subcontractors. The total value of payments made to and Pensions how many sanctions were imposed on Eaga since the beginning of the current phase of the incapacity benefit claimants who missed their (a) first, scheme in June 2005 is £1,494 million. (b) second and (c) third work-focused interview in each quarter since 2003. [291008]

WOMEN AND EQUALITY Jonathan Shaw [holding answer 14 September 2009]: Data is not available in the form requested. Human Rights: Gender

Lynne Jones: To ask the Minister for Women and Minimum Wage: Apprentices Equality what assessment she has made of the recommendations for Council of Europe member states on human rights and gender identity made by the Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights and Pensions what assessment she has made of the on 29 July 2009; and if she will make a statement. merits of applying the national minimum wage to [292093] apprentices. [290989]

Michael Jabez Foster [holding answer 12 October Mr. McFadden [holding answer 14 September 2009]: 2009]: We are aware of the Commissioner for Human I have been asked to reply. Rights issue paper on Human Rights and Gender Identity. The effects of the NMW on younger workers need to We are considering carefully the recommendations he be considered carefully to avoid damaging incentives has made and will make clear the Government’s response between education and work and ensure the employment in due course. prospects of younger workers are not adversely affected. We know that young workers experience substantially worse unemployment and employment rates than adults. WORK AND PENSIONS Both are more sensitive to the economic cycle. That is Housing Benefit: Expenditure why the Low Pay Commission recommended a separate youth rate from the outset in 1999 and continues to Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Work believe there is a case for retaining them. Government and Pensions (1) what percentage of the expenditure of and the LPC are concerned that removing the youth her Department and its predecessors on housing rates could adversely affect employment levels for this benefit was related to (a) social tenants and (b) group. Earlier this year, the LPC recommended that private tenants in each year since 1997; [292356] 21-year-olds be entitled to the adult minimum wage. We (2) how much has been spent on housing benefit for have accepted this recommendation but, given the current (a) private tenants and (b) social tenants in each year economic conditions, stated that this change will be since 1997. [292357] implemented from October 2010. 781W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 782W

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION TRANSPORT Aviation: Fees and Charges Members: Email Mr. Swire: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what discussions he has had with (a) Mr. Hurd: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, BAA plc and (b) the Manchester Airport Group on representing the House of Commons Commission pursuant the change to its methodology for aeronautical charges to the answer to the right hon. Member for Horsham of levied on airlines; and if he will make a statement. 24 April 2009, Official Report, column 948W,on Members: [292407] email, whether hon. Members’ staff are permitted to install on parliamentary computers the encryption software Paul Clark: Oversight of the level of airport charges recommended by Parliamentary Information and at price-controlled airports (currently Heathrow, Gatwick Communication Technology service. [288673] and Stansted) is normally a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority. However, as part of the Department’s review Nick Harvey: Yes. of the economic regulation of airports officials have taken evidence from BAA, MAG and a number of Mr. Hurd: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, other stakeholders (including other airports, airlines, representing the House of Commons Commission pursuant and consumer representation bodies). We expect to to the answer to the right hon. Member for Horsham of announce the findings of the review later this year. 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1212W,on Members: Aviation: Security email, if the Commission will introduce remote access software with which Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) software is compatible to ensure that PGP software can be used Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Minister of State, on hon. Members’ computers. [288675] Department for Transport if he will make it his policy to seek (a) additional powers for airport security personnel and (b) the creation of new and more Nick Harvey: No, as the product is not compatible specific offences in order to protect airline crews and with software in use by Parliament. passengers from bad behaviour by other passengers; and if he will make a statement. [292509]

Members: Security Paul Clark: The information is as follows: (a) All passengers entering the restricted zone of an John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for North airport are subject to screening and searching procedures; Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission these procedures are conducted with the consent of the if the House of Commons Commission will publish a traveller. Failure by the passenger to undertake this list of the names of parliamentary passholders sponsored requirement will result in refusal of entry into the by each hon. Member before the start of the next restricted zone and aircraft. Security personnel are not parliamentary session. [292083] state employees and do not have the same powers as control authorities (police and UK Border Agency); Nick Harvey: The names of parliamentary passholders they operate by consent only. Where airport security are the individuals’ personal data. Disclosing these personnel require support from enforcement powers names would pose an unacceptable risk to the health they can request assistance from control authorities. and safety of the individuals. Some information on (b) There is already a range of specific offences Members’ staff (paid and unpaid) is available within the related to disruptive passenger behaviour on board public Register of Interests: aircraft. We consider that existing policy and legislative http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmsecret/ penalties are sufficient to deal with such behaviour. memi01.htm Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls

Visits Mr. Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many times tolls have been suspended at the Dartford Crossing in the last 12 months. [292444] John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission Mr. Khan: The charges/tolls have been suspended on what the estimated marginal cost of opening Parliament four occasions since 1 October 2008. for visitors during the summer adjournment was in 2008; and how much income was received from paying Three suspensions were planned overnight power visitors during that period. [292017] outages for two hours each. The fourth occasion was for five and a half hours during a major power failure across south-east London. Nick Harvey: The cost of running the summer opening programme in 2008 was £736,026 and the income received Employment Tribunals Service from paying visitors was £733,783. The summer opening programme runs as a cost-neutral Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, (self-financing) operation, the strategy being to break Department for Transport how many times his Department even over a three-year period. The current three-year has been taken to an employment tribunal in each of period, for this purpose, is 2007-09. the last five years; what the reason cited in each case 783W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 784W was; and in how many cases the tribunal found in Dan Norris [holding answer 12 October 2009]: No favour of the (a) employee and (b) Department. recent specific assessment has been made by DEFRA [290590] on leakage from landfills into aquifers. Landfills are subject to strict permitting requirements Chris Mole: The total number of employment tribunal under European and domestic legislation concerning cases in each of the last five years is broken down in the their location, design, operation, closure and aftercare table following below and also include figures to date in order to prevent harm to human health and the for 2009-10: environment.

Found Found In 2004, the Government published a report that in in assessed the environmental and health effects of different favour favour types of waste management facilities. It looked at leakages Financial of (a) of (b) year Number Withdrawn Settled Ongoing employee Department from municipal solid waste landfills to surface water and groundwater. It stated: 2009-10 11 1 2 7 — 1 “While the lack of data means that the numbers themselves are 2008-09 39 9 12 16 — 2 of poor quality, they indicate that emissions from waste management 2007-08 30 8 12 1 1 8 are a very small proportion of total UK emissions”. 2006-07 9 1 3 — — 5 2005-06 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Waste Disposal: Greater Manchester 2004-05 12 4 3 2 3 1 Information withheld on grounds of confidentiality as less than five. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for The cases above have not been broken down further Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provision by category in order to protect the confidentiality of the has been made by the Government for the underwriting persons concerned. However, claims include unfair of the recently-agreed Greater Manchester Waste dismissal, sex, race and disability discrimination, declined Disposal Authority private finance initiative scheme. applications of statutory flexible working requests and [291994] unlawful deduction from wages claims. Dan Norris: DEFRA has made no provision for the Overall, 23 were contested and decided at a full Government to underwrite the recently agreed Greater hearing of the Employment Tribunal. Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) private Government Departments: Official Cars finance initiative (PFI) scheme. DEFRA has, however, provided £124,500,000 of PFI credits which assist GMWDA John Mann: To ask the Minister of State, Department payment obligations under the contract itself. These for Transport which Minister with a Government car payments made by GMWDA would only be made for recorded the lowest average daily mileage in that car in services actually received. the year to 31 March 2009. [291998] Waste Management Paul Clark: The Government Car and Despatch Agency is responsible for providing ministerial cars. It does not Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for record individual journey information and so is unable Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent to calculate how much use each Minister has made of discussions he has had with (a) London and (b) their official car and could provide an answer only at a Greater Manchester waste authorities on their strategic disproportionate cost. waste management policies in respect of (i) site Rolling Stock management of waste, (ii) locations of waste management sites and (iii) the combination of waste Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department technologies selected. [291991] for Transport how many of the additional rail carriages Dan Norris: The Secretary of State for Environment, announced in the 2007 Rail White Paper have been Food and Rural Affairs spoke to the Greater Manchester ordered; and what the timetable is for the ordering of Waste Disposal Authority about the work they are the remainder. [290299] doing on waste management when he went to Manchester Chris Mole: 543 new vehicles have been ordered to on 24 September. Helen Ghosh, DEFRA’s permanent date. secretary, also visited the Waithlands Recycling Centre Following the Government’s electrification in Greater Manchester on 5 August. announcement on 23 July the requirements for rolling No recent discussions have been held with the London stock have been radically altered. We will be publishing waste authorities. an updated Rolling Stock Plan setting out a revised Waste: Renewable Energy strategy in the autumn. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS authorities have embarked on local consultation on Landfill: Pollution their energy-from-waste strategy since the publication of the UK Renewable Energy Strategy. [291986] Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Dan Norris: In order for a local authority to submit assessment his Department has made of the effects on an outline business case (OBC) to request private finance public health of leakage from landfill sites into aquifers. initiative (PFI) credits, they must have embarked upon [292109] a public consultation exercise. 785W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 786W

Since the publication of the UK Renewable Energy The recapitalisation of the banks and subsequent Strategy, DEFRA has not received any new OBCs, measures to support bank lending, are essential to therefore we are not aware of any consultations. secure and sustain a competitive UK lending market. Water: Meters This is essential for businesses given that the vast majority looking for finance will continue to seek support from Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for mainstream lenders, and not from Government supported Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many water schemes. meters were installed in residential dwellings by water The UK is the first country in the world to have supply companies in each water supply area in each of negotiated legally binding lending commitments with the last three years. [289271] banks receiving state support. RBS have committed to £25 billion of additional net lending over the next Huw Irranca-Davies: The following table sets out the 12 months, including £16 billion for lending to businesses. number of meters water supply companies have installed Lloyds have committed to an additional £3 billion of in households in the last three years. gross mortgage lending and £11 billion of additional Total household meters installed each year net lending to businesses over the next 12 months. Both 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 agreements are in effect immediately. While supporting lenders to continue lending, the Water and sewerage companies Government have also introduced targeted support for viable businesses who continue to struggle to raise Anglian (including 25,516 28,586 33,222 Hartlepool Water) finance from commercial sources. For small and medium Dwr Cymru 18,753 15,042 19,947 businesses who find themselves on the margins of Northumbrian Water 41,743 34,489 31,292 commercial lending decisions, the £13 billion Enterprise (including Essex and Finance Guarantee encourages lenders to extend their Suffolk Water) usual lending criteria by providing them with additional Severn Trent Water 38,594 33,215 44,331 security in the form of a Government backed guarantee. South West Water 26,330 28,528 23,162 The Government continue to work with the banks Southern Water 35,847 19,224 21,160 and business representative bodies, through fora such as Thames Water 47,204 34,519 36,288 the Small Business Finance Forum, and we continue to United Utilities 39,503 37,734 58,240 monitor bank lending to SMEs, with the Bank of Wessex Water 11,325 11,277 18,570 England. Yorkshire Water 32,391 25,176 40,144 The measures delivered by the Government are across all sectors, including the construction and agricultural Water only companies sectors. Business: Government Assistance Bournemouth and West 6,353 4,755 4,806 Hampshire Water Lorely Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Bristol Water 7,285 5,949 9,431 how many businesses have had an application for Cambridge Water 1,466 1,381 1,432 assistance from the business payment support service Dee Valley Water 2,659 2,432 2,487 declined in each month since the scheme was Folkestone Water 5,117 3,793 3,787 introduced. [291968] Portsmouth 5,797 3,734 5,219 Mr. Timms: The business payment support service South East Water 21,959 14,489 13,339 was introduced on 24 November 2008. To 27 September (including Mid-Kent Water) 2009 6,119 requests for time to pay tax due have not South Staffordshire Water 6,176 4,344 7,568 been agreed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Sutton and East Surrey 8,871 5,814 7,179 representing 1.9 per cent. of the total requests received. Water Some businesses will have submitted more than one Tendring Hundred Water 1,110 890 1,242 request. Three Valleys Water 40,933 30,351 28,247 The following table provides the monthly breakdown. Source: Ofwat. Period Requests not agreed 24November2008-1March 1230 TREASURY 20091 Banks: Regulation 2 March 2009 - 29 March 2009 414 30 March 2009 - 3 May 2009 522 Mr. Cash: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 4 May 2009 - 31 May 2009 407 what steps he has taken in the last three months to 1 June 2009 - 28 June 2009 473 require banks to provide (a) financial resources and 29 June 2009 - 26 July 20092 2263 (b) credit lines to companies and businesses which 27 July 2009 - 30 August 2009 422 wish to purchase construction and agricultural vehicles 31 August 2009 - 27 September 388 and equipment from UK companies. [247883] 2009 Total 6119 Mr. McFadden [holding answer 15 January 2009]: I Notes: have been asked to reply. 1 Disaggregated figures are not available prior to 2 March 2009. 2 Validation work in July 2009 led to the data capture of requests for The Government recognise that the current economic time to pay agreements that had been processed but not previously climate is causing significant difficulties for established entered on HM Revenue and Customs’ management information businesses and start-up firms alike. systems. 787W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 788W

Charities Departmental Incentives

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the what grants his Department made to charitable Exchequer what employee reward schemes are offered organisations in each of the last five years. [292658] to staff of his Department; what the purpose of each scheme is; how many staff participate in each scheme; Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Treasury does not hold a and what the cost of operating each scheme was in central record of payments made to charitable organisations each of the last five years. [290604] and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Sarah McCarthy-Fry: HM Treasury offers a wide range of benefits to all of its employees. A summary of these is published on its recruitment website: Child Benefit http://recruitment.treasury.gov.uk/policyadvisors/rewards.php Performance related pay increases and non-consolidated performance awards for all eligible staff are linked to John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer the annual performance appraisal system. All staff below how much child benefit was paid to children living in the Senior Civil Service are assessed against their peers each other EU country in the latest period for which in relation to the Treasury competency framework and figures are available. [292011] the achievement of their performance objectives. Awards are paid in recognition of excellent performance throughout Mr. Timms: According to the latest statistics there are the appraisal year. Reward arrangements for staff in the 30,068 child benefit awards in payment in respect of Senior Civil Service are based on recommendations by 50,586 children resident in other member states. A the independent Senior Salaries Review Body. geographical breakdown of these awards by member HM Treasury also pays non-consolidated special state can be found in the following table. performance awards to recognise exceptional performance for specific contributions or pieces of work during the Number of awards at Number of children Country 8 October 2009 included in awards year, or for situations outside the normal expectations of a post. Austria 29 52 The following table gives details of the amounts paid Belgium 153 297 and number of recipients of non-consolidated performance Bulgaria 45 70 awards paid in 2008-09. For details of previous years, I Cyprus 51 82 refer the hon. Lady to the answer my predecessor gave Czech Republic 197 340 to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 17 Denmark 13 24 November 2008, Official Report, column 164W. Estonia 17 30 HM Treasury non-consolidated performance pay awards paid in Finland 16 29 2008-09 France 1,256 2,346 Amount paid Germany 311 529 No of staff1 (£000)2 Greece 51 81 Performance awards3 437 1,090 Hungary 96 172 Special performance 411 164 Iceland 2 4 awards4 Italy 175 300 1 Non-consolidated awards were paid in 2008-09 in respect of staff Latvia 259 346 performance in the 2007-08 performance appraisal year. Lithuania 747 1,093 2 Special performance awards are paid at various times during the Luxembourg 14 26 year, and may relate to specific contributions or pieces of work completed in the previous year. Malta 17 26 3 The number of staff receiving bonuses includes individuals who Norway 45 92 received more than one bonus in the period. Poland 22,858 37941 4 The amounts paid by HM Treasury excludes amounts recovered Portugal 222 329 from external organisations to which staff were seconded at the time of payment. Republic of Ireland 883 1,818 Departmental Pay Romania 36 53 Slovakia 1,483 2,573 John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Slovenia 5 7 how many staff in his Department had a salary of Spain 741 1,230 more than £64,000 in the latest year for which figures Sweden 57 107 are available. [291999] Switzerland 104 216 The Netherlands 185 373 Sarah McCarthy-Fry: 91 members of staff currently Totals 30,068 50,586 working at HM Treasury have a full-time equivalent consolidated base salary of more than £64,000. The value of the benefit paid is only available at Departmental Redundancy disproportionate costs because under the EC social security co-ordinating regulations (EC Regulations 1408/71 Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the and 574/72) not all awards of child benefit in respect of Exchequer how many staff have (a) been dismissed children living in other member states are made at the and (b) had their contract terminated by the full UK rate. Department in each of the last five years; what the 789W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 790W reason cited in each case was; and what the severance European Parliament and of the Council on the taking-up costs in relation to (i) dismissal and (ii) contract and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Re-insurance, termination in each year were. [290600] Solvency II.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: HM Treasury defines a dismissal as either the termination of a permanent contract for a Overseas Trade: Kazakhstan major breach of its terms, or the non-renewal of a fixed-term contract. HM Treasury does not provide Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer information relating to numbers of staff fewer than five what his policy is on encouraging reciprocal investments where to do so might lead to the identification of between Kazakh and listed public companies; and if he protected information concerning individual cases. will make a statement. [291262] In each of the five years to 2008-09, fewer than five permanent staff were dismissed from HM Treasury. Ian Lucas [holding answer 16 September 2009]: I The table below shows the number and costs of non- have been asked to reply. renewals of fixed-term contracts in those years; of these 351contracts, 167 related to staff working at HM Treasury The aim of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is to under its student placement schemes. help companies to realise opportunities around the world that will deliver an economic benefit to the UK. Fixed-term contracts not renewed at HM Treasury 2004-05 to 2008-09 To do this UKTI prioritises the markets that we are Number Costs (£000) active in. UKTI offers a full range of services for companies who wish to do business in Kazakhstan 2004-05 74 — through trade and investment teams based in Astana 2005-06 49 0-5 and Atyrau. 2006-07 62 — UKTI actively encourages investment into the UK 2007-08 97 — from companies in many developed and some emerging 2008-09 69 — markets. Although Kazakhstan is not a priority market for inward investment, UKTI assistance would be available Financial Services Authority to Kazakh companies who were interested in investing here. Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria the Financial Services Authority takes Tax Collection: Administration into account in regulating the take-over of listed public companies by Kazakh companies; and if he will make a statement. [291261] Mr. Wallace: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the administration costs to HM Ian Lucas [holding answer 16 September 2009]: I Revenue and Customs of implementing the changes have been asked to reply. to tax collection recommended by the Calman The Takeover Panel is the authority designated to Commission report. [289811] supervise and regulate takeovers in the UK. The Panel’s statutory functions are set out in part 28 Mr. Timms: The Government are considering carefully of the Companies Act 2006 and include powers to make the recommendations made in the report by the rules governing the orderly conduct of takeovers in the Commission on Scottish Devolution chaired by Professor UK as set out in the City Code on Takeovers and Sir Kenneth Calman, including issues around Mergers. implementation. It would therefore be for the Panel to decide on issues of non-compliance with the rules in respect of takeovers Taxation: British Overseas Territories in the UK. They may seek to enforce breaches of the Code through the Courts and the Financial Services Authority. John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Exchequer received in taxation from UK Insolvency: EC Action overseas territories in the latest period for which figures are available. [292518] Mr. Fallon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely cost to (a) the Mr. Timms: Taxation is a devolved competence in the public purse, (b) insurance companies and (c) UK overseas territories under the terms of their individuals of implementing the draft EU Solvency II Constitutions and UK tax legislation does not apply to Directive. [292092] them. Exceptionally, however, three overseas territories apply a withholding tax on income from savings of UK Sarah McCarthy-Fry [holding answer 12 October 2009]: residents under the terms of an agreement with the UK A final estimate of the impact of the EU Solvency providing for measures equivalent to the European Directive cannot be made until the Commission publishes Savings Directive. its proposals for Level 2 implementing measures. The The amounts paid to the United Kingdom by those Government’s initial assessment of the impact is set out overseas territories in relation to these withholding in the Explanatory Memorandum on the Level 1 Directive taxes for the most recent year available are shown in the EM 6996/08: Amended proposal for a Directive of the following table. 791W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 792W

Special Withholding Tax Received by the United Kingdom by virtue of Mr. Michael Foster: The Department for International European Savings Directive or equivalent agreements: Overseas Development operate non-consolidated performance related Territory period ending in UK Tax year 2008-09, tax received in 2009 (as at September 2009) pay award schemes for: Amount of Senior Civil Servants (SCS) withholding tax Staff in grades below SCS UK Overseas The number of staff eligible and the cost of operating territories Year end Approx. £ equivalent the schemes in the last five years are shown in the British Virgin 31 December 2008 2,470.39 following table. Islands Non-consolidated performance related award scheme Gibraltar 30 June 2008 379,801.55 Cost (£) per year Turks and Caicos 30 September 2008 2,901.36 Number Islands of eligible staff 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

SCS 98 266,750 377,100 504,000 641,510 634,150 SCOTLAND Below 1520 230,600 515,8651 558,233 199,6702 736,815 SCS Departmental Motor Vehicles grade 1 The significant increase in the value of awards from 2005-06 Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for onwards is because changes to the Special Achievement Awards Scotland how much his Department spent on hire (SAA) scheme were introduced as part of a new pay deal in 2004-05. 2 vehicles in each of the last five financial years. [291606] The SAA scheme for DFID staff below the SCS ended on 31 July 2007, with IBAS not becoming effective until the following reporting Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office spend on hire year (2008-09). vehicles in each of the last five financial years was as These non-consolidated costs are contained within follows: the overall increases for pay awards agreed with HM Treasury as a small percentage of the total pay bills. Cost (£) Performance awards are not guaranteed and have to be re-earned each year. The main purposes of both schemes 2004-05 10,938 are to: 2005-06 20,610 have clear links between pay and performance 2006-07 10,441 encourage and reward sustained high performance against set 2007-08 17,786 criteria 2008-09 19,076 comply with central Cabinet Office and HM Treasury The figures do not include the Government Car frameworks and guidelines on pay and reward. Service London costs for which I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement issued on 16 July Developing Countries: Internet 2009, Official Report, column 79WS. Departmental Public Expenditure Mr. Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many children Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland have accessed the One World Zone of the Gold Star which Minister in his Department has been assigned Café internet site funded by his Department through responsibility for overseeing the delivery of value for the Development Awareness Fund. [291620] money in his Department; whether his Department has Mr. Douglas Alexander: The Department for established a public sector reform team to implement International Development (DFID) funded the One service reforms; and if he will make a statement. World Zone of the Gold Star Cafe internet site through [289734] the Development Awareness Fund from April 2006 to Ann McKechin: I have responsibility for overseeing March 2009. During the three years of DFID support the delivery of value for money at the Scotland Office. to the zone, there were approximately 90,000 visits. The Secretary of State and I both take an active role in ensuring that the Scotland Office delivers value for money in all its activities. The Scotland Office does not FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE directly deliver services, so has not established a dedicated public sector reform team. Breaking the Silence: Finance Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much funding his Department provided through UK embassies and Departmental Pay overseas missions to the non-governmental organisation Breaking the Silence between April 2006 and April Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009. [291997] International Development what employee reward schemes are offered to staff of his Department; what Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Government have spent £78,701 the purpose of each scheme is; how many staff since April 2006 to support Breaking the Silence’s participate in each scheme; and what the cost of educational tours of Hebron. This financial year we operating each scheme was in each of the last five have allocated a further £38,233 to Breaking the Silence, years. [290557] again for their educational tours of Hebron. 793W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 794W

The Government fund Breaking the Silence through Mr. Woolas [holding answer 14 September 2009]: I the Conflict Prevention Pool, which is managed jointly have been asked to reply. by the Department for International Development, the The right hon. Member’s letter was passed to me for Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of reply and I replied on 7 September. Defence. It is a shared budget to support the Government’s conflict prevention policies. Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will request the High Departmental Manpower Commissioner to South Africa to ensure that the hon. Member for West Chelmsford receives a response to the matters raised in his letters to the High Commissioner John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign of 17 July 2009, 13 August 2009 and 7 September 2009 and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff there were and his telephone conversations with the High in his Department (a) in 1997 and (b) on the latest Commissioner on 16 September 2009 about the case of date for which figures are available. [292063] Mr. Ian Freshwater of Chelmsford. [292154] Chris Bryant: There have been numerous organisational Chris Bryant: Foreign and Commonwealth Office changes in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials have drawn this request to the attention of the since 1997. Explaining changes in staff strength over South African high commission in London. Officials at that period is, therefore, not straightforward. In 1997 the South African high commission will follow up this the FCO employed 5,539 Full Time Equivalent UK request. based staff, including those working on entry clearance. The comparable figure for 1 October 2009 is 5,478. This Morocco: Travel Restrictions includes just under 950 staff in FCO Services, which is now a Trading Fund but excludes staff working on Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign entry clearance. This function has transferred to the and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations UK Border Agency (UKBA)—an agency of the Home he has received concerning (a) the detention in Morocco Office. of six Western Saharan students who were to travel to the UK and (b) Morocco’s obligations under Article 12 The reduction in FCO numbers since 1997 is the net of the International Covenant on Civil and Political effect of: Rights. [292453] the transfer to UKBA of the entry clearance function; expansion in the consular and migration functions; and Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Government have received efficiency savings in other areas. representations from the UK-based Western Sahara Campaign, the Talk Together project in Oxford and the UN Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Iraq: Iran about the case of the Moroccan and Saharwi students prevented from travelling to the UK on 5 August 2009 Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign to attend a conference on cross-cultural understanding and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations and conflict resolution, organised by Talk Together. he has made to the government of Iraq on the treatment of those living in Camp Ashraf. [292431] Razouk Choummad Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Ivan Lewis: Our ambassador in Iraq met with the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask HM Iraqi Human Rights Minister on 6 October 2009 to Ambassador in Rabat to investigate the detention on discuss the situation at Camp Ashraf and the latest 1 September 2009 of Mr. Razouk Choummad. [292452] developments surrounding the 36 camp residents who were arrested on 28 July 2009. Our ambassador has also Mr. Ivan Lewis: Our ambassador to Morocco and his raised the issue with the Iraqi Prime Minister’s office staff at our embassy in Rabat have already sought and the Minister of Internal Affairs. clarification from the Moroccan Government regarding We remain in close contact with the US, UN and EU, Mr. Razouk Choummad and the other Sahrawi students who regularly discuss the issues around the camp with due to take part in an event in Oxford in August this the Iraqi authorities. Also, our UK Representative to year. the UN in Geneva has also discussed the situation with The Government made clear to the Moroccan authorities the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. that they regretted that the students had been prevented Officials from our embassy in Baghdad visited the from travelling to the UK and that they were concerned camp on Saturday 26 September 2009. They confirmed by allegations of the disproportionate use of force. that Iraqi police and Iraqi Security Forces were present The Moroccan Government have told us that they inside the camp, and were cooperating peacefully with remain open to participating in future events organised the residents. by Talk Together and have investigated the allegations of mistreatment, which they deny. We will continue to Members: Correspondence seek further clarification from the Moroccan authorities. Yemen: Armed Conflict Sir John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for reply to the letter of 11 March from the right hon. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss Member for Tonbridge and Malling on behalf of the conflict in Yemen with his Saudi Arabian Mrs. Debra Guneri. [291047] counterpart. [291975] 795W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 796W

Mr. Ivan Lewis: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Electronic Warfare Secretary discussed Yemen with His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al Faisal on a number of occasions, most Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for recently earlier this month. The UK and Saudi Arabia Defence what discussions he has held with his US are both committed to supporting the government of counterpart on vulnerability to electromagnetic pulse Yemen in addressing the difficult challenges it faces, attacks; and if he will make a statement. [289837] including the conflict in the Northern region of Sa’dah. We have welcomed the commitment by the Kingdom Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 12 October 2009]: of Saudi Arabia to work with the UN to facilitate the Defence equipment and systems are procured against a safe passage of emergency relief supplies to the internally set of specifications that includes appropriate protection displaced persons in Northern Yemen. The UK will against electromagnetic attack. These specifications are provide £2 million of additional humanitarian aid to informed by appropriate consultation at expert level the situation. with relevant experts. I will continue to discuss the situation in Yemen with His Royal Highness as and when the opportunity arises, Littoral Warfare: Helicopters and my officials will remain in regular contact with their Saudi counterparts. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of training provided for helicopter pilots DEFENCE participating in amphibious operations. [290328] Armed Conflict: Children Bill Rammell: The UK amphibious helicopter capability Mrs. Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for is provided by the Commando Helicopter Force operating Defence what plans he has to review the operation of Sea King Mk 4 and Lynx Mk 7 helicopters, augmented the interpretative declaration on article 1 of the when required by Chinook and Apache helicopters. Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the The initial training provided to helicopter pilots as Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in part of the Commando Helicopter Force is considered Armed Conflict for the purposes of (a) taking steps to satisfactory. The tempo of Land operations over recent ensure that children are not exposed to the risk of years has had an impact on the ability to conduct taking direct part in hostilities and (b) monitoring amphibious operations. Nevertheless, small scale exercises Government compliance with the spirit of the Optional have been achieved and a minimal level of currency and Protocol. [291448] competency for amphibious operations maintained. Bill Rammell: There are no plans to review the operation of the interpretative declaration on article 1 of the Military Aircraft: Helicopters Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Conflict. Government policy is that Service Personnel Defence what the timescale is within which the under the age of 18 are not routinely deployed on helicopter fund announced by the Prime Minister will operations outside the UK. The exception to this is deliver 11 helicopters. [289530] where the operation does not involve personnel becoming engaged in or exposed to hostilities, such as disaster Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The first helicopters will be deployed relief. in Afghanistan before the end of 2009. On current The MOD believes that its policies on under 18s are plans, further deliveries will take place in 2010 and will robust and compliant with national and international complete by the end of 2013. law. We remain fully committed to meeting our obligations Additional contributions to the fund would increase under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the total. the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Mrs. Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the length of Defence what training has been delivered to armed time it would take (a) to place an order for new Merlin forces personnel on the Optional Protocol to the UN helicopters, (b) for Agusta Westland to manufacture Convention on the Rights of the Child on the the new helicopters and (c) for the armed forces to involvement of children in armed conflict; and how bring the new helicopters into service after delivery. many such personnel have completed that training. [292330] [291674] Mr. Quentin Davies: We recently reviewed whether Bill Rammell: All members of the armed forces receive the acquisition of new medium helicopters could be training on the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) shortly advanced in lieu of the planned life-extension of the after joining and regularly throughout their careers. Puma helicopter. Several companies, including Agusta The UK armed forces do not routinely train all Westland provided outline cost and delivery information personnel on the Optional Protocol specifically, but for their potential candidate aircraft in support of this personnel involved in handling prisoners of war, internees review. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, we and detainees receive training which addresses the handling cannot disclose details of their proposal, including delivery of juveniles and children. estimates. 797W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 798W

More generally, the timescales for procurement decisions PCT Boundaries are dependent on the urgency of the capability need, the value and complexity of the procurement, and the time 16. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for needed to demonstrate that the solution meets the Health what assessment he has made of the effect of requirement and represents value for money. We have the restructuring of primary care trust boundaries on ‘fast track’ arrangements for those capabilities required the delivery of healthcare. [292243] urgently for operations. Once manufactured, it can take significant time to bring a helicopter to the standard Mr. Mike O’Brien: Proposals for the reconfiguration required to meet any role, mission or theatre specific of services are a matter for the NHS locally, working in requirements, to train crews (and maintainers) accordingly, conjunction with clinicians, patients and other stakeholders and to ensure that the aircraft meets the required and advocated through Lord Darzi’s 2008 publication specification and airworthiness standards, and can withstand “Leading Local Change”. the rigours of war. Territorial Army: Training East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for 17. Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of Defence what assessment he has made of the effects on State for Health when he expects to receive an the deployability of the Territorial Army of the application for foundation trust status from East limitation on man training days. [292125] Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. [292244]

Bill Rammell [holding answer 12 October 2009]: The Mr. Mike O’Brien: I expect East Lancashire Hospitals Army is on a campaign footing with activity focused on National Health Service Trust to make a foundation support to current operations. trust application late in 2010. Man Training Days are being prioritized to ensure that mobilised TA personnel continue to be properly Emergency Care prepared for their operational roles, prior to deploying alongside their regular counterparts. 18. Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the delivery of emergency care in (a) independent sector HEALTH treatment centres and (b) NHS hospitals. [292245]

Cancer Services Mr. Mike O’Brien: Independent sector treatment centres provide elective care, not emergency care. 14. Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the Primary care trusts commission national health service adequacy of provision of cancer services in (a) hospital trusts to provide emergency care services according Billericay constituency and (b) England; and if he will to local needs and monitor performance. make a statement. [292241] The Department has set an operational standard that 98 per cent. of patients should not spend more than Ann Keen: The first annual report of the “Cancer four hours in accident and emergency departments. Reform Strategy” published in December 2008 is the National annual performance against the standard most recent assessment of cancer service provision in was 98.1 per cent. in 2008-09. England. The report showed that good progress is being made against the objectives of the Strategy. Strategic Health Authorities Funding for local health services has been allocated to primary care trusts (PCTs) on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. It is therefore for South 19. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for West Essex PCT in partnership with East of England Health what assessment he has made of the role of Strategic Health Authority and the local Cancer Network strategic health authorities in promoting public health. to make an assessment of cancer services in Billericay. [292246] Dentistry Gillian Merron: The Strategic Health Authority Assurance Framework reaffirms their role in promoting 15. Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for public health by including a specific section on “Improving Health what recent assessment he has made of levels of and protecting Health and Wellbeing”. access to NHS dentistry in England. [292242] Combining self-assessments and site visits, a Panel chaired by the Department will assess performance Ann Keen: More than 27.6 million people saw an against the Framework over the next few months. NHS dentist in the 24 months ending June 2009. This is almost three quarters of a million more than in the same period ending June 2008. The number of dentists Swine Flu working in the NHS, and the number of courses of NHS dental treatment provided are also growing steadily. 20. Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for We have invested a record £2 billion in dentistry and set Health what steps his Department is taking to assist up a national access programme to help the NHS acute hospital trusts in which levels of accident and deliver its goal of access for all who seek it by 2011. We emergency department admissions have increased as a therefore expect access to continue to increase. result of the swine influenza pandemic. [292247] 799W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 800W

Gillian Merron: The NHS, including acute hospitals, are responsible for the performance management of has been preparing for pandemic influenza for several PCTs in their region. The 2008 Healthcare Commission years, and all organisations have robust plans in place review of urgent and emergency care found that the that cover the whole health economy. These have recently NHS has significantly improved performance since 2005. been tested by a series of comprehensive exercises and PCT Funding confirmed by each Board’s assurance statements during September. 24. Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for The Department has also issued guidance on surging Health what recent assessment he has made of the capacity so that hospitals can care for increased numbers effectiveness of the primary care trust allocation of admissions. formula used in 2009-10. [292252] National No Smoking Day Mr. Mike O’Brien: The independent Advisory Committee on resource allocation keeps the formula 21. Dr. Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State under continual scrutiny, updating it to account for new for Health what plans his Department has to fund information and data, changes in service provision and National No Smoking Day in 2010; and if he will make health outcomes. The 2009-10 formula builds and improves a statement. [292248] on the previous formula, targeting funding where it is needed most. Gillian Merron: We will make funding available for No Smoking Day’s 2010 campaign at around the same Accident and Emergency Departments: Greater London level as last year, on a regional basis. Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Waiting Times how many accident and emergency departments in Greater London were not open 24 hours a day on the latest date 22. Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for for which information is available. [291724] Health what recent assessment he has made of the length of waiting times in North Lincolnshire and Mr. Mike O’Brien: By definition a Type 1 accident Goole NHS Foundation Trust; and if he will make a and emergency (A&E) department must be open 24 hours statement. [292250] a day. All other types of A&E departments need not be open for that period. The opening times of departments Mr. Mike O’Brien: In July 2009, 99.4 per cent. of are not collected centrally. admitted patients, and 98 per cent. of non-admitted Acute Beds patients at the trust started consultant-led treatment within 18-weeks of referral. Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Staff at the trust should be congratulated for their how many (a) acute and (b) critical care beds were efforts in helping to bring about this achievement. reported in situation reports to his Department as being in use in hospitals in each week since 1 April Out-of-hours Care: London 2009. [291860]

23. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Mike O’Brien: The requested information is Health what recent assessment he has made of the contained in the following table. This is a snapshot of provision and quality of out-of-hours care in London. the number of beds available at midnight on the Thursday [292251] of the week. The availability of beds nationally will vary on an almost constant basis and therefore these Mr. Mike O’Brien: Primary care trusts have a legal figures should not be compared with data on critical requirement to provide high quality out-of-hours cover care bed availability published in other formats. The for the local population, and strategic health authorities data are validated locally but may be subject to revisions.

Number of acute and critical care beds, available and occupied, England, each week since April 2009 Period Adult critical care beds at Number of neonatal critical care Number of paediatric critical Total number of acute hospital midnight on the Thursday of the cots (or beds) at midnight on care beds at midnight on the beds at midnight on the reporting period the Thursday of the reporting Thursday of the reporting period Thursday of the reporting period period Week ending: Available Occupied Available Occupied Available Occupied Available Occupied

5 April 2009 3,265 2,901 1,081 816 359 258 104,869 95,509 12 April 2009 3,282 2,852 1,076 803 378 254 101,921 88,669 19 April 2009 3,313 2,862 1,088 812 357 267 104,550 93,411 26 April 2009 3,312 2,835 1,083 801 369 262 103,495 91,977 3 May 2009 3,307 2,885 1,066 819 320 221 103,032 91,719 10 May 2009 3,373 2,855 1,108 856 367 269 103,367 93,145 17 May 2009 3,335 2,915 1,087 866 355 257 103,565 93,079 24 May 2009 3,361 2,825 1,089 854 365 258 103,495 92,682 31 May 2009 3,379 2,857 1,074 812 350 243 104,057 91,133 7 June 2009 3,279 2,911 1,085 824 374 258 103,096 92,194 14 June 2009 3,316 2,897 1,111 848 352 247 103,705 91,663 21 June 2009 3,302 2,846 1,082 830 372 264 102,918 90,883 28 June 2009 3,321 2,740 1,083 827 360 262 103,102 90,804 801W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 802W

Number of acute and critical care beds, available and occupied, England, each week since April 2009 Period Adult critical care beds at Number of neonatal critical care Number of paediatric critical Total number of acute hospital midnight on the Thursday of the cots (or beds) at midnight on care beds at midnight on the beds at midnight on the reporting period the Thursday of the reporting Thursday of the reporting period Thursday of the reporting period period Week ending: Available Occupied Available Occupied Available Occupied Available Occupied

5 July 2009 3,318 2,789 1,099 791 364 250 103,021 91,984 12 July 2009 3,356 2,888 1,098 835 349 247 102,791 91,128 19 July 2009 3,352 2,830 1,121 820 359 236 101,699 89,175 26 July 2009 3,301 2,801 1,120 825 357 238 102,787 89,077 2 August 2009 3,319 2,748 1,114 786 360 240 102,421 87,995 9 August 2009 3,384 2,752 1,109 767 362 237 102,651 88,478 16 August 2009 3,388 2,739 1,117 761 360 244 102,415 88,532 23 August 2009 3,335 2,691 1,133 809 402 268 101,333 90,410 30 August 2009 3,329 2,683 1,125 807 389 258 102,317 88,378 6 September 2009 3,370 2,725 1,119 810 328 216 102,027 89,143 Notes: 1. Data within the ‘Weekly SitReps’ collection are subject to revision. Therefore data may differ from previous submissions. 2. Acute beds collected on the ‘Weekly SitReps’ collection is a voluntary data item. 3. Data are provided from the start of the financial year, which for SitReps means the first week is week ending 5 April 2009. Source: Department of Health form—Weekly SitReps

Breastfeeding the number of consultants working in radiology had increased by 54 per cent. to 2,269, and the number of Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for qualified radiographers employed in the national health Health how many people have called the National service by 28 per cent. to 15,600, 13,400 of whom were Breastfeeding Helpline in each of the last two years. working in diagnostics therefore the NHS is very well [291933] placed to deliver this commitment. The commitment will be phased in over five years Ann Keen: The National Breastfeeding Helpline was and where extra staff are required, these will be developed launched in February 2008. Since then, there has been a with the NHS and reflect service redesign and new steady increase in the number of calls received. The models of delivery. The NHS already has a solid platform total number of calls received between February 2008 on which to build. and August 2009 is 24,087 as shown in the following The appropriate balance between expanding existing table. diagnostic capacity and developing new models of delivery such as diagnostics centres will be considered in consultation 2008-09 Number of calls received with the National Quality Board and the NHS. February 2008 to February 2009 11,430 Initial estimates are that the extra activity required by March 2009 to August 2009 12,657 the NHS in England over the five years of the programme Total 24,087 equates to 155 pieces of Ultrasound equipment, 75 in Computed Tomography, 60 for Magnetic Resource Imaging, Cancer: Diagnosis and 85 for Endoscopy , but this does not mean that the NHS will need to purchase this many new machines. Additional equipment requirements will be worked up Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with the NHS taking in to account new models of how many additional (a) staff, (b) diagnostic centres delivery and changes in working practices. and (c) diagnostics machines he estimates will be required to implement his proposals to provide patients The proposal takes forward the commitment in the with access to cancer diagnostics within one week of Government’s “Cancer Reform” Strategy published in concerns being raised. [292540] 2007, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library, to improve access to diagnostics in primary Ann Keen: On 29 September, my right hon. Friend, care. We will be consulting widely on the implementation the Prime Minister announced plans to offer all patients of these proposals, working with the NHS, key stakeholders in England access to tests which can confirm or exclude and the professions to ensure that this commitment to cancer within one week. patients is successfully delivered. Remarkable progress has been made in reducing Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health diagnostic waiting times to date. In April 2006 (when how much he expects his proposals to provide patients figures for diagnostic waiting times were first published) with access to cancer diagnostics within one week of there were 404,200 waits over six weeks for diagnostic concerns being raised to cost (a) in each financial year tests and the average time waited was six weeks. The for which figures are available and (b) in (i) capital and number of waits over six weeks at the end of August (ii) revenue costs over the period of the programme; 2009 was 4,000—a reduction of 98.9 per cent.—and and from which budgets the funding for the proposals patients can now expect to wait on average under two will be taken. [292541] weeks for a diagnostic test. Due to the record investment that this Government Ann Keen: Further work is being undertaken to finalise have already made since 1997, there are more than the costs of implementing these plans, to refine the 42,000 extra scientific and therapeutic staff. By 2008, modelling and assumptions that underlie them. This 803W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 804W will take account of the investment made to date in Department of Health advertising spend1 2004-05 to 2008-09 improving cancer and diagnostic services and new models £ million of delivery. 2008- 2 Remarkable progress has been made in reducing Campaign 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 09 diagnostic waiting times to date. In April 2006 (when Alcohol3 0.00 0.00 0.56 0.61 4.77 figures for diagnostic waiting times were first published) Antibiotics 0.00 0.38 0.00 0.39 1.15 there were 404,200 waits over six weeks for diagnostic Change4Life 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.69 tests and the average time waited was six weeks. The Drugs4 0.91 0.18 1.34 0.67 1.45 number of waits over six weeks at the end of August Flu (Immunisation) 1.45 1.83 1.11 0.98 1.42 2009 was 4,000—a reduction of 98 per cent.—and Hepatitis C 0.00 0.00 0.52 1.34 1.30 patients can now expect to wait on average under two HPV Vaccination 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.80 weeks for a diagnostic test. Immunisation 0.00 0.00 1.66 0.00 0.32 Initial estimates are as follows: National Health 5.96 0.22 0.00 0.00 0.00 Capital costs will be about £650 million between the periods Service including 2011-12 and 2014-15. nurse recruitment Early estimates of revenue costs are in the region of £1,250 NHS Injury Benefits 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.40 0.00 million between the periods 2011-12 and 2014-15. Scheme Final costing requirements and profiling will be worked up NHS Choices* 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.55 over the coming months in consultation with the national health Patient Choice* 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.53 service taking into account new models of delivery and changes Respiratory and Hand 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.32 1.53 in working practices. Hygiene The proposal takes forward the commitment in the Government’s Sexual health/teenage 1.40 0.00 2.88 3.11 2.83 Cancer Reform Strategy published in 2007, to improve access to pregnancy diagnostics in primary care. We will be consulting widely on the Social care/worker 1.80 2.42 2.31 2.22 2.03 implementation of these proposals, working with the NHS, key recruitment stakeholders and the professions to ensure that this commitment Smoking—Tobacco 20.05 20.80 13.17 10.79 23.38 to patients is successfully delivered. Control The major programme of renovating and rebuilding NHS Stroke 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.52 hospitals is nearing completion. As this winds down it will release Tobacco Legislation 0.00 0.00 0.32 5.38 0.00 the resources to switch into new diagnostic equipment. Winter (Get the right 0.54 0.59 0.00 0.00 0.00 treatment/ask about medicines day) CJD: Screening 5 a Day 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.00 0.00 E111/EHIC 0.24 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.16 Department of Health 0.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State outdoor campaign for Health when his Department expects to commence Totals 32.73 27.47 23.92 26.24 56.43 the second stage of trials for the anticipated blood test 1 Advertising spend is defined as covering only media spend for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; and if he will (inclusive of agency commissions but excluding production costs, make a statement. [292342] COI commission and VAT). All figures exclude advertising rebates and audit adjustments and therefore may differ from COI official Ann Keen: Evaluation of prototype variant Creutzfeldt- turnover figures. All figures are rounded to the nearest £10,000. These figures do not include departmental recruitment/classified Jakob disease blood test is ongoing, and results of the advertising costs and ad hoc spend under £10,000. These figures may latest round of tests are expected to be considered by include occasional minor spend through COI by NHS organisations, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Resource Centre Oversight to supplement national campaigns in their area. While this Committee by the end of the year. expenditure has been excluded as far as possible so that this chart reflects central departmental spend, it would incur disproportionate cost to validate that every item of NHS expenditure has been removed. Departmental Advertising 2 Provisional figures. 3 From 2006-07 Department of Health contribution to campaign run jointly with Home Office. Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for 4 Department of Health contribution to campaign run jointly with Health which initiatives of (a) his Department and (b) Home Office. its agencies have been advertised in each of the last five Departmental Electronic Equipment years; how much was spent in each case; and which initiatives were advertised via the Central Office of Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Information. [292687] Health how many (a) mobile telephones, (b) Blackberrys and (c) laptop computers, were issued to Phil Hope: The following table shows the Department’s staff of his Department in each of the last five years; advertising expenditure over the last five completed and how many of these were issued to (i) new staff and financial years. A further breakdown of these figures is (ii) existing staff following the (A) loss or (B) theft of a available in the Library. previous device. [290438] All departmental advertising listed as follows was carried out via the Central Office of Information (COI), Phil Hope: The Department does not hold detailed with the exception of those initiatives highlighted with historic information about its issue of mobile devices to an asterisk. To identify other ad hoc expenditure not staff, but with the advent of the new Human Resources carried out via the COI would incur disproportionate System, Business Management System, and Asset cost. Management tools, we can say that, as at the end of 805W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 806W

August 2009, the number of mobile assets allocated to The Department’s expenditure on advertising for staff or business unite was as follows: the 2009-10 financial year to date is approximately Laptops: 2,431 £29.6 million. Blackberry: 1,334 This figure does not include the Department’s Mobile telephones: 1,008. recruitment/classified advertising costs. Advertising spend In addition the Department does not differentiate is defined as covering only media spend (inclusive of between devices issued to new staff or existing staff and agency commissions but excluding production costs, therefore does not hold this information. However, the Central Office of Information commission and VAT). following table gives the number of devices lost or All figures exclude advertising rebates and audit adjustments stolen in the last five years. and therefore may differ from Central Office of Information official turnover figures. Losses and thefts for period April 2005 to March 2009 Mobile Departmental Pay telephones Blackberrys Laptops

2004-05 15 2 23 Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for 2005-06 11 4 18 Health what employee reward schemes are offered to 2006-07 18 5 11 staff of his Department; what the purpose of each 2007-08 21 9 14 scheme is; how many staff participate in each scheme; 2008-09 18 22 34 and what the cost of operating each scheme was in Totals 83 42 100 each of the last five years. [290447] Departmental Manpower Phil Hope: The Department operates two reward systems for its permanent staff. The first, which is for John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health staff below the Senior Civil Service (SCS), is geared how many staff there were in his Department (a) in towards recruiting and retaining staff with the right 1997 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are qualities to drive high performance within the organisation. available. [292064] The second system for SCS is based on annual recommendations from the independent Senior Salaries Phil Hope: According to the Departmental Report Review Body and its terms of reference can be found in for 1998, there were 4,486 full time equivalent (FTE) its latest report at the following website: civil servants in the 1996-97 financial year. www.ome.uk.com/review.cfm?body=4 According to the Departmental Report for 2009 annual The Department and its agencies also operate a scheme report there were 2,222 FTE civil servants in the 2008-09 which allows managers to recognise outstanding financial year. contributions in particularly demanding situations. These The Departmental Reports for the above years and in-year non-consolidated performance payments the intervening years can be found at: (IYNCPPs) for the past five years, are shown in the www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/ following table. The growth in payments over the last AnnualReports/index.htm#jumpTol three years is related to the abolition of pay flexibilities Departmental Marketing in the Department’s 2006 Reward Strategy and the scheme is currently under review. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The Department operates a long service award what the budget of his Department for publicity is in scheme—a reward of either a monetary nature or special 2009-10. [292504] leave, which is given to staff in recognition of having served for more than 20 years. The figures available for Phil Hope: A total budget figure for the 2009-10 the monetary payments are presented as follows. The financial year cannot be provided at this stage as detailed information about leave taken instead of payment is not planning for some campaigns is under way and advertising held centrally and would incur disproportional cost to media allocations have not yet been finalised. establish.

Monetary payments 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 £ Number £ Number £ Number £ Number £ Number

IYNCPPs 420,720.92 555 351,886.09 405 326,897.99 256 486,257.55 457 709,386.14 786 Long service 4,200.00 21 3,200.00 15 3,200.00 16 3,000.00 15 2,400.00 12 award Total 424,920.92 576 355,086.09 420 330,097.99 272 489,257.55 472 711,786.14 798

The Department runs a child care voucher scheme 2005-06 and a cycle to work scheme. www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/ Overall staff costs and numbers can be found in the PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_063170 Resource Accounts for each year. The websites for these 2006-07 documents are as follows: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/ PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_081317 2004-05 2007-08 www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc0506/hc06/0668/ www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/ 0668.asp DH_089421 807W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 808W

2008-09 Mr. Mike O’Brien: The number of general practitioner www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc0809/hc04/0456/ (GP) surgeries that applied for funding and the amount 0456.asp awarded to each practice is not available centrally. More than 800 GP practices have been granted funding Departmental Work Experience to improve and extend training facilities, significantly more than 600 envisaged at the outset of the programme. Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Haemophilia what provision is made to enable students to undertake work experience in his Department; and by what means Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State members of the public may obtain information about for Health whether tissue or blood samples taken from work experience in his Department; and if he will make UK haemophiliacs, and held as library samples, have a statement. [288726] been tested for the presence of diseases in the last three years without disclosure to the patients concerned; and Phil Hope: The Department has committed to five if he will make a statement. [292346] places on the New Graduate Internships Programme announced by the Department for Business, Innovation Ann Keen: The Department is not aware of any cases and Skills earlier this year. where samples from United Kingdom haemophiliacs The Department has placed nine students on the have been tested without appropriate consent being Cabinet Office’s Ethnic Minority Summer Development given. Programme this summer. This offers training placements in Government Departments to high calibre candidates Heart Diseases: Health Services from black and ethnic minority backgrounds or those with disabilities, with the aim of increasing representation Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health from those groups in the Fast Stream and Senior Civil what steps his Department is taking to improve access Service. to angioplasty services in (a) Cumbria and (b) The Department also regularly takes on one-year Lancaster. [292374] placement students and summer students within the analytical community. Ann Keen: It is the responsibility of primary care trusts (PCTs) to plan, develop and improve health services In addition, some directorates arrange work experience according to the health care needs of their local populations. placements locally. As this information is not recorded PCTs in Cumbria and Lancashire work closely with the centrally, it would incur disproportionate costs to collect Cumbria and Lancashire Cardiac Network to improve all the information requested. the quality of care for those affected by coronary heart disease. This is monitored by the PCTs and the North Diabetes West strategic health authority in its role of overseeing performance. Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Heroin: Clinical Trials how much and what proportion of the expenditure of each primary care trust was spent on (a) all services John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health relating to diabetes and (b) campaigns to increase what methodology his Department used to calculate awareness of diabetes in the latest year for which the average cost per patient of its clinical trials of information is available. [291966] medicalised heroin injections; how many patients undergoing the trials had a previous criminal record Ann Keen: Estimates of primary care trusts’ (PCTs) including a custodial sentence; how many patients were expenditure on diabetes are available from the programme under the age of 30; and how many patients did not budget returns. complete the trial. [292043] A table which shows the estimated PCT reported expenditure on diabetes for 2007-08 in England has Ann Keen: The results of the Randomised Injectable been placed in the Library. It should be noted that these Opioid Treatment Trial are currently being written up figures do not include prevention expenditure or General by the National Addiction Centre which led this research. Medical Services/Primary Medical services expenditure. Once the report is published, a copy will be placed in It is not possible to identify PCT expenditure on the Library. campaigns to raise awareness of diabetes. Home Care Services

General Practitioners: Training Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much he expects his Department’s proposals to Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for give 350,000 people free personal home care to cost per Health how many GP surgeries have (a) applied for year; from which budgets he expects the money to be and (b) been granted funding to upgrade to become drawn; how much is to be drawn from each budget; and training practices in each strategic health authority what consequential reductions he expects to be made in area; how much has been granted to each successful other programmes funded from such budgets; [292399] surgery; and what assessment has been made of the (2) what methodology he has used to define highest effect of the length of implementation timescales on need in his proposals to give 350,000 people with the the (A) number and (B) quality of applications. [292077] highest needs free personal home care; how he has 809W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 810W calculated that there are 350,000 people in need of this Mr. Mike O’Brien: This data is not collected centrally. level of care; what estimate he has made of the average amount to be spent on each person per week under the Hospitals: Construction proposals; how many hours of care each will receive on average per week; and whether he has included in the Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 350,000 anyone who presently receives any proportion how much he expects to be spent on each hospital of their home care free of charge. [292542] building programme in each of the next five financial years. [292531] Phil Hope: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has announced that the funding for the first full year Mr. Mike O’Brien: The public capital budget for the would be £670 million. We will be working with stakeholders next financial year 2010-11 is £4,822 million (including over the coming months and further clarity on the Personal Social Services). However, full details of the scope of the proposals will be published in due course. capital expenditure programme for 2010-11 have not yet The money for this policy will be met from reprioritised been finalised, which includes expenditure on public central budgets and we will be working with stakeholders capital funded hospital building schemes. to make sure other services are not affected. We will Budgets for 2011-12 to 2013-14 will be decided as need to ensure legislation is brought into force to define part of the next spending review. what high needs will be covered by this announcement The estimated capital expenditure arising from Private in time for its commencement in October 2010. Finance Initiative hospital build schemes already under construction over the next five financial years is shown Hospital Wards: Closures in table 1. The capital values of public capital funded hospital Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for build schemes over £10 million under construction (for Health how many hospital trusts in London have which information is held centrally) and which will not closed in-patient wards in the last 12 months. [292445] complete until 1 April 2010 or later are shown in table 2.

Table 1: Private finance schemes under construction (plus the £418 million North Bristol NHS trust scheme) Estimated capital expenditure (£ million) Estimated completion Trust Description date 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15

Tameside NHS Hospital Integration of services onto Q4 2010 25 ———— Foundation Trust one site North Middlesex University Reconfiguration of Acute Q2 2010 12 ———— Hospital NHS Trust Hospital services Mid Essex Hospital Services Modernisation of Acute Q3 2010 26 ———— NHS Trust Services, including DTC, in Chelmsford Salford Royal Hospitals New build and refurbishment Q1 2011 53 ———— NHS Foundation Trust at Hope Hospital Salford Maidstone and Tunbridge Modernisation and Q4 2010 82 ———— Wells NHS Trust reconfiguration from four sites to two at Pembury and Maidstone Peterborough and Stamford Reconfiguration of Acute Q1 2012 71 71——— Hospitals NHS Foundation Hospital services Trust Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Rationalisation from two Q2 2010 29 ———— NHS Trust main sites to one at Pinderfields Hospital. Small Unit at Pontefract University Hospital of Major new build and Q4 2012 67 68 51 — — North Staffordshire NHS reconfiguration at University Trust Hospital site Barts and the London NHS Acute site rationalisation Q4 2013 130 130 130 97 — Trust North Bristol NHS Trust Relocation of acute services Q1 2014 105 105 105 105 — onto single site at Southmead

Table 2: Public capital funded hospital build schemes Table 2: Public capital funded hospital build schemes Estimated Estimated completion capital cost Estimated Estimated Trust Description date (£ million) completion capital cost Trust Description date (£ million) Bolton Hospitals Making it Better Q3 2011 21 NHS Trust (Making it Better) Maternity and Barking and Maternity, Urgent Q2 2010 10 Paediatrics Dagenham PCT Treatment Centre, Birmingham and Moseley Hall Q4 2010 14 Sexual Health, Solihull Mental Hospital (Mental General Practice Health NHS Hall Development) and Outpatients Foundation Trust 811W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 812W

Table 2: Public capital funded hospital build schemes Table 2: Public capital funded hospital build schemes Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated completion capital cost completion capital cost Trust Description date (£ million) Trust Description date (£ million)

Blackpool, Fylde Phase 6 Q2 2010 34 Suffolk Mental Modernisation of Q4 2010 22 and Wyre Development— Health Suffolk Mental Hospitals NHS New Surgical Unit Partnership NHS Health Services Foundation Trust Trust Christie Hospital Oak Road Q4 2010 19 The Newcastle Institute of Q2 2011 24 NHS Foundation Development— Upon Tyne Transplant Trust New Patient Hospitals NHS Treatment Centre Foundation Trust East Lancashire Women’s and Q2 2010 25 University Wythenshawe Q4 2011 12 Hospitals NHS Newborn’s Unit Hospital of South Maternity Unit Trust BGH Manchester NHS Foundation Trust Eastern And King’s Avenue Q2 2011 14 Coastal Kent PCT Development— Worcestershire Malvern Q4 2010 134 New Health Centre PCT Community Hospital Gloucestershire Women’s Services Q4 2010 23 Hospitals NHS Redevelopment Foundation Trust Learning Disability Harrogate and ‘A’Wards Q1 2011 13 District NHS Redevelopment and Foundation Trust Associated Works Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Kettering General New Women and Q1 2011 16 Hospital NHS Children’s Unit Health (1) how much of the £175 million fund to build Trust new homes in the community for people with learning Leeds Teaching Clinical Services Q4 2010 24 disabilities has been spent in each year since the fund Hospitals NHS Reconfiguration was established; [291931] Trust project Leicestershire Mental Health Q4 2012 25 (2) with reference to his Department’s press release Partnership NHS Refurbishment of 9 August 2007, Opening the door to a new life for Trust 2012 Vision people with learning disabilities, what recent estimate Newham Maternity and Q3 2011 18 he has made of the number of people still resident on University Newborn Hospital NHS Development NHS campuses. [291884] Trust North East Site Rationalisation Q1 2011 17 Phil Hope: The Government are making good progress London NHS Foundation Trust towards its commitment to close by 2010 national health service residential accommodation (campuses) for people Nottinghamshire High Secure Q2 2010 35 Healthcare NHS Learning Disability with learning disabilities. Trust Unit for Men The NHS Information Centre undertake a twice yearly Oxford Radcliffe Renal Transplant Q1 2011 22 Hospitals NHS and Medicine data collection of campus numbers in April and October Trust and figures for April 2009 are currently being analysed. Pennine Acute Women’s and Q2 2010 29 In August 2007, we estimated that there were around Hospitals NHS Children’s 2,100 people living in NHS campuses and by April Trust development 2009, there were around 1,000. Pennine Acute Ambulatory Q2 2010 16 Hospitals NHS Radiotherapy The Department invited primary care trusts to bid Trust Centre for capital from the £175 million fund in three stages Pennine Care Low Secure Unit Q1 2011 11 and expenditure has been as follows: NHS Foundation Trust £ million Portsmouth City Portsmouth City Q4 2011 19 Teaching PCT Teaching, St. Stage 1—2007-08 5 Mary’s Campus Stage 2—2008-09 43 Rotherham, Modernisation of Q4 2011 17 Stage 3—2009-10 52 Doncaster and Rotherham Mental South Humber Health Services Mental Health Bids have also been made for 2010-11 and £15 million NHS Foundation Trust has been committed. Royal Berkshire Bracknell Spoke Q2 2010 12 A total of £115 million has been spent or committed. NHS Foundation Trust Midwives: Manpower Somerset PCT Refurbishment and Q1 2011 13 new build of Community Hospital—South Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Petherton Health how many full-time equivalent midwives the Somerset PCT Re-provision of Q4 2010 16 NHS employed in each strategic health authority area Minehead in each year since 2005. [291936] Community Hospital South Tees Oncology Project Q2 2011 23 Ann Keen: The number of full-time equivalent midwives Hospitals NHS in each strategic health authority area in each year since Trust 2005 is set out in the following table. 813W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 814W

National health service hospital and community health services: Qualified midwives in England by strategic health authority area as at 30 September each Average answered specified year Week ending: Calls received Calls answered delay (seconds) Full-time equivalent 25 July 2009 176,382 88,423 436.67 2005 2006 2007 2008 1 August 2009 127,184 99,923 126.74 England 18,949 18,862 19,298 19,639 8 August 2009 113,442 95,481 83.27 15 August 112,576 99,184 58.60 2009 North East strategic health 1,011 1,003 1,025 1,063 22 August 104,152 94,073 45.22 authority area 2009 North West strategic health 3,094 3,138 3,111 3,032 29 August 103,014 95,561 31.56 authority area 2009 Yorkshire and the Humber 2,047 1,906 1,942 1,947 5 September 109,577 99,218 41.39 strategic health authority 2009 area 12 September 99,494 89,836 40.25 East Midlands strategic 1,310 1,294 1,322 1,351 2009 health authority area Total 2,355,342 1,810,534 — West Midlands strategic 2,123 2,092 2,171 2,177 health authority area Note: It should be noted that this information only refers to calls made to 0845 46 East of England strategic 1,725 1,742 1,806 1,801 47, and not any other services provided by NHS Direct. health authority area London strategic health 3,326 3,442 3,499 3,751 NHS: Finance authority area South East Coast strategic 1,320 1,325 1,382 1,413 health authority area Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health South Central strategic 1,187 1,145 1,255 1,301 how much (a) was spent in (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 health authority area and (b) is planned to be spent in (A) 2009-10, (B) South West strategic health 1,806 1,774 1,786 1,803 2010-11 and (C) 2011-12 on the (1) recruitment authority area processes, (2) better handling of complaints, (3) Note: strengthening clinical governance, (4) information for Figures are rounded to the nearest whole number. Source: monitoring, (5) boundary transgressions and special The Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census. issues in mental health services, (6) revalidation of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder healthcare professionals, (7) the national clinical advisory group, (8) remediation and rehabilitation, (9) independent adjudication, (10) General Medical Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Council affiliates, (11) medical training and (12) what steps his Department is taking to ensure proper language testing strand of the safeguarding patients and effective NHS treatment for those diagnosed with and trust, assurance and safety policy. [287505] multiple chemical sensitivity. [292437] Phil Hope: For 2007 to present, recruitment processes, Ann Keen: The provision of services for investigation strengthening clinical governance, information for and treatment of allergy is decided locally by the national monitoring, boundary transgressions and special issues health service depending on need. The Department in mental health services and remediation and rehabilitation expects general practitioners to exercise their clinical spending is a matter for local determination and the judgment to decide appropriate specialist referrals for information is not held centrally. investigation of particular symptoms which may be due to allergy. For better handling of complaints, the Department collects centrally the number of national health service NHS Direct complaints received, but does not collect data on the costs of handling those complaints. Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The last year for which data are available (2007-08), how many calls NHS Direct has received in each week show 87,080 complaints in Hospital and Community since 7 May 2009; and how long on average it took for Health Services and 45,942 in general practice (including such calls to be answered in each such week. [291493] dental). The approach to revalidation of Health Care Mr. Mike O’Brien: The information requested is set professionals is still under development. out in the following table: The following are amounts spent on preparatory work: Average answered Week ending: Calls received Calls answered delay (seconds) 2007-08: £2,503,137 2008-09: £4,284,582 9 May 2009 55,125 49,606 30.52 2009-10 (to end of august): £1,950,416. 16 May 2009 128,474 120,351 18.44 23 May 2009 119,386 111,942 23.14 The National Clinical Audit Advisory Group is an 30 May 2009 117,332 108,687 26.33 advisory body that prioritises spending on national 6 June 2009 107,345 97,438 33.73 clinical audits. Audits are funded by the Healthcare 13 June 2009 109,738 99,925 29.26 Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP), which was 20 June 2009 105,460 92,304 53.85 established in 2008. 27 June 2009 115,408 93,399 94.45 In 2008-09 HQIP received £6.3 million from the 4 July 2009 163,429 98,735 284.83 Department to support the management, development 11 July 2009 186,058 92,106 473.43 and promotion of clinical audit. The projected budget 18 July 2009 201,766 84,342 463.79 for this in 2009-10 is £7.0 million. 815W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 816W

In respect of Independent adjudication the following Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health are amounts spent on preparatory work for establishing what the percentage change in (a) NHS real terms the Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator: expenditure and (b) finished consultant episodes has 2007-08: nil been since 1997. [292249] 2008-09: £109,171 Mr. Mike O’Brien: From 1997-98 to 2007-08 total 2009-10 (to end of August): £114,271. real terms expenditure in the national health service For General Medical Council Affiliates, the only increased by 90 per cent. (6 per cent. p.a.) and finished expenditure so far is the funding of two pilots in London consultant episodes increased by 39 per cent. (3 per and Yorkshire and Humberside: cent. p.a.). 2007-08: £400,000 NHS: Manpower 2008-09: £100,000 2009-10 (to end of August): £90,000. Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for In respect of medical training, there have been no Health how many (a) NHS doctors, (b) NHS nurses, significant costs or expenditure for the Department or (c) NHS dentists and (d) GPs have been employed in the NHS arising from the White Paper recommendations. (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the For language, testing the policy position is still being North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 2007. clarified in light of European Union directives; therefore, [292075] there have been no costs or planned costs. Phil Hope: The number of national health service On future spending, the planned spending for 2010-11 doctors, nurses, general practitioners (GPs) and dentists has not yet been agreed and will be considered as part is given in the following table. The numbers quoted of the standard departmental business planning exercise. cover England only. Copies of the “NHS Dental Statistics As for 2011-2012, future years are subject to the next for England: 2008-09” Report and Annex have been spending review, the timetable of which is not yet known. placed in the Library.

NHS staff in England, the North East Strategic Health Authority area and each specified organisation and by each specified staff group as at 30 September each specified year Headcount 2007 2008 Hospital and community health care staff Number of (HCHS) Number of (HCHS) doctors Qualified dentists doctors and Qualified dentists All GPs1 and dentists2 nursing staff3 2007-08 All GPs1 dentists2 nursing staff3 2008-09

England 36,420 91,790 399,597 20,815 37,720 95,942 408,160 21,343

Of which North East 1,974 5,145 23,419 1,049 2,009 5,367 24,036 1,108 Strategic Health Authority area

Of which Gateshead Health — 288 1,048 — — 309 1,095 — NHS Trust South Tyneside — 163 550 — — 173 540 — NHS Foundation Trust South Tyneside 107 9 307 94 109 8 297 104 Primary Care Trust Notes: 1 All GPs include GP providers, other GPs, GP registrars and GP retainers. 2 Excludes hospital practitioners and clinical assistants in headcount, most of these also work as a GP. 3 Includes all HCHS qualified nursing and midwifery staff and GP practice nurses. Source: The NHS Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census. All rights reserved. This work remains the sole and exclusive property of The Information Centre and may only be reproduced where there is explicit reference to the ownership of The Information Centre.

NHS: Pay The authorities’ boards are made up of non-executive board members, who receive remuneration at set rates agreed by the Department, and executive members who John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health are paid under the Department’s Pay Framework for which health authorities do not pay a salary to their Very Senior Managers. board members. [291979] The Pay Framework for Very Senior Managers also applies to the executive board members of special health Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally. authorities, primary care trusts and ambulance trusts, There are nationally agreed rates for the remuneration issued by the Department. A copy has been placed in of board members of the 10 strategic health authorities. the Library. 817W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 818W

NHS: Pensions Primary Care Trusts

Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for Health with reference to paragraph C.76, page 242 what recent discussions he has had on mergers of of Budget 2009, if he will place in the Library a copy of primary care trusts. [292377] the actuarial advice he received on the NHS pension scheme; and if he will make a statement. [289103] Mr. Mike O’Brien: There have been no recent discussions. Proposals for the reconfiguration of services are a matter Phil Hope: The net expenditure projections for the for the national health service locally, working in NHS Pension Scheme, used to build up the financial conjunction with clinicians, patients and other stakeholders. statement and the Budget report, reflect assumptions set by NHS Pensions after taking into account comments Social Services from their actuarial advisers, the Government Actuary’s Department. The actuarial assumptions for the scheme Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health can be found in the latest full actuarial valuation of the what plans he has for a public consultation on the scheme which was published in December 2007. A copy proposals in the Shaping the future of care together of the valuation has been placed in the Library. Green Paper to use attendance allowance and other disability benefits to fund social care; and if he will Prescriptions: Fees and Charges make a statement. [292101]

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Phil Hope: We are currently consulting on all of the what estimate he has made of (a) the percentage of options considered within the Green Paper, in our Big prescriptions dispensed which have incurred charges Care Debate. The Green Paper consultation will run and (b) the amount paid in prescription charges in until 13 November this year. More information about each of the last 12 months. [291576] the Big Care Debate, is available on our dedicated website at: Mr. Mike O’Brien: NHS Prescription Services (NHSPS) www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk are responsible for the reimbursement and remuneration of dispensing contractors in England on behalf of the Tuberculosis: Children Department. The NHSPS captures information from prescription items submitted by dispensing contractors Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for for reimbursement and remuneration purposes. Health how many paediatric tuberculosis cases have The following table provides an estimate of prescriptions been notified in England in the last five years. [292375] charges for items written in the United Kingdom and dispensed in the community in England, during the Ann Keen: The data on the number of paediatric latest available 12 month period, August 2008 to July tuberculosis cases in England for 2003-2007 are provided 2009. in the following table:

Percentage of prescription Number of cases items where prescription charges were paid at the point Total prescription 2003 376 1 2,3 of dispensing charges paid (£000) 2004 445 August 2008 6.6 37,622 2005 493 September 2008 6.6 39,835 2006 422 October 2008 6.1 42,101 2007 534 November 2008 6.3 37,781 Note: Paediatric cases are defined as those aged under 16 years. December 2008 6.5 41,961 Source: January 2009 6.4 39,685 Enhanced Tuberculosis Surveillance, Health Protection Agency February 2009 6.3 36,280 March 2009 6.3 41,777 Viral Diseases: Drugs April 2009 6.1 38,864 May 2009 6.1 37,333 Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health June 2009 6.0 39,419 (1) how many antiviral collection points have been July 2009 5.9 40,552 provided in each primary care trust area; and how Total 6.3 473,250 many courses of antivirals have been distributed in 1 This excludes items dispensed against pre payment certificates (PPCs) as it is each primary care trust area through such points to not possible to extract this information from other items dispensed where a [286319] patient is exempt from the prescription charge. date; 2 Total income from prescriptions dispensed with a charge at the point of (2) with reference to the Statement of 20 July 2009, dispensing and from PPC sales. Refunds against both of these sources of income have been subtracted from the reported total income. Official Report, columns 583-5, on swine flu, if he will 3 The ‘total prescription charges paid’ is an estimate as prescription charge place in the Library a copy of the list of all antiviral refunds included in the calculation of this total may relate to a previous month collection points in each primary care trust. [291855] to that in which the prescription charge was paid. NHSPS payment information captured at the time of processing is not amended as a result of the refund process. Gillian Merron: Data on the number of antiviral Source: collection points (ACPs) in each primary care trust PD1 report available on the NHS Prescriptions Services website at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/PrescriptionServices/947.aspx (PCT) was made available to all Members following the and NHS Help With Health Costs Pre-payment Certificate database. launch of the National Pandemic Flu Service on 23 July 819W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 820W

2009. However, this list changes in response to local Letter from Jil Matheson, dated October 2009: demand and the list as at 30 September 2009 has been As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your placed in the Library. recent question asking how many deaths as a result of (a) In each PCT area, or where demand from swine flu heat-related and (b) cold-related factors there have been in England has been very modest across a number of PCTs, they and Wales in each of the last five years. (292446) have been asked to mobilise at least one ACP locally. There are no official definitions of’ heat-related’ and ’cold-related’ More have been opened to respond to the level of deaths. Estimates of the excess deaths resulting from a summer demand from patients and the public for rapid access to heat wave arc calculated only when temperatures remain abnormally high over a sustained period. The most severe heat wave of recent antivirals. times occurred in August 2003. During July 2006, there were also Cumulatively from 23 July to 29 September 2009 several days when heat wave threshold temperatures were reached around 590,000 antivirals have been collected. The in one or more regions. Table 1 provides the number of excess breakdown by PCT has been placed in the Library. deaths during these hot periods. Estimates of excess winter deaths are calculated annually, and Wheelchairs are based on the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the average Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health number of deaths during the preceding four months (August to November) and the following four months (April to July). It is pursuant to the answer of 14 September 2009, Official not possible to say whether these deaths were cold-related. Table 2 Report, column 2165W, on motor neurone disease: provides the number of excess winter deaths that occurred in wheelchairs, when he expects the Care Services England and Wales from 2003-04 to 2007-08 (the latest figures Efficiency Programme to report on a new model for the available). delivery of community equipment and wheelchair Table 1: Excess mortality during periods when temperatures were above heat services. [292336] wave threshold in one or more regions, England and Wales,2003-071, 2, 3, 4, 5 Percentage increase in Phil Hope: The Care Services Efficiency Delivery Number of excess deaths mortality above baseline Programme report was sent to departmental officials in (persons) (%) February 2008 and the new retail model for community 4 to 13 August 2,139 16 equipment has been shared with local authorities and 20031, 2 health organizations. 1 to 7 July 20063, n/e 0 4 We have provided assistance to Whizz-Kidz to support 16 to 28 July 680 4 the development of a partnership between them and 20063, 4 NHS London, in conjunction with primary care trusts n/e=Noexcess and local authorities, to improve joint commissioning 1 Final data based on deaths occurring each day in this period. 2 Excess mortality was calculated as observed daily deaths in 2003 minus the and the provision of wheelchairs for children and young baseline (average 1998 to 2002) expected mortality over the same time period. adults across London. The resulting lessons and learning 3 Estimated data based on deaths occurring each day in this period. from the pan-London project are providing additional 4 Excess mortality was calculated as observed daily deaths in 2006 minus baseline (average 2001 to 2005) expected mortality over the same time period. information to inform departmental discussions about 5 Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. future wheelchair services. Table 2. Excess winter deaths, England and Wales, 2003-04 to 2007-081, 2, 3, 4 Number CABINET OFFICE 2003-04 23,450 2004-05 31,640 Civil Servants: Influenza 2005-06 25,270 2006-07 23,740 Mr. Hurd: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 2007-08 25,300 whether civil servants will have priority access to 1 Estimates of excess winter deaths are based on the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the antiviral drugs in the event of an influenza pandemic. average number of deaths during the preceding four months (August to November) [290209] and the following four months (April to July). 2 Figures are based on deaths occurring in each month. 3 Figures for 2003-04 to 2006-07 are final, figures for 2007-08 are provisional. Gillian Merron: I have been asked to reply. Final figures are rounded to the nearest 10, provisional figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Civil servants have not been given priority access to 4 antivirals during the swine flu outbreak. We have sufficient Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. stocks of antivirals for anyone reporting symptoms to receive treatment following an assessment through the Departmental Responsibilities National Pandemic Flu Service, or general practitioner practices if they have underlying health conditions. Mr. Burns: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Death when she plans to publish a revised list of ministerial responsibilities; and what the reasons are for the time Sammy Wilson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet taken to prepare the revised list. [292124] Office how many deaths as a result of (a) heat-related and (b) cold-related factors there have been in England Tessa Jowell [holding answer 12 October 2009]: The and Wales in each of the last five years. [292446] revised list of ministerial responsibilities, which provides a detailed breakdown of individual ministerial portfolios, Angela E. Smith: The information requested falls will be published on 14 October 2009. Copies will be within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. placed in the Libraries of the House and the Vote I have asked the Authority to reply. Office. In addition, hard copies will be sent to all MPs. 821W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 822W

Minimum Wage Suicide

Mr. Crausby: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) female and (b) male employees Mr. Vara: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office in the Bolton North East constituency receive wages at how many deaths where suicide was the underlying the national minimum rate. [291470] cause of death there were in each (1) county of England and Wales in each quarter in (a) 2006, (b) Angela E. Smith: This information requested falls 2007, (c) 2008 and (d) 2009 to date; [292322] within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. (2) 10 year age cohort in England and Wales in each Letter from Jil Matheson, dated September 2009: quarter in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008 and (d) 2009 to date. [292323] As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) female and (b) male employees in the Bolton North East constituency receive wages at the national minimum rate. (291470) Angela E. Smith: The information requested falls Estimates for the number of jobs paid at the national minimum within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. wage are not available from the Office for National Statistics. I have asked the Authority to reply. Estimates for the number of employee jobs paid below the national wage are available, but only for all employee jobs by Letter from Jil Matheson, dated October 2009: Government Office Region, which is the lowest geographical breakdown published by ONS. These estimates exclude the self As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your employed. I attach a table showing the number of all employee recent questions asking jobs earning less than the national minimum wage for the North West Government Office Region. 1) how many deaths where suicide was the underlying cause of death there were in each quarter in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008 and A guide to measuring low pay and associated articles can be (d) 2009 to date, in each county in England and Wales. (292322) found on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=5837 2) how many deaths where suicide was the underlying cause of death there were in each 10 year age cohort in each quarter in (a) Estimates of employee jobs paid below the National Minimum Wage by North 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008 and (d) 2009 to date in England and West Government Office Region in 2008 Wales. (292323) 2008 Government Office Table 1 attached provides the number of deaths occurring in Region Thousand Percentage each calendar quarter in 2006 and 2007, where suicide was the underlying cause of death, for each county in England. Unitary North West (including *27 *1.0 Merseyside) authorities in England are not included in areas covered by Guide to Quality: counties, and there are no counties in Wales. Total figures for the The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller 56 unitary authorities within England and the 22 unitary authorities the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice in Wales are included at the end Table 1. the CV—for example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent., we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220 Table 2 attached provides the number of deaths occurring in Key: each calendar quarter in 2006 and 2007, where suicide was the CV<=5 per cent. underlying cause of death, by 10-year age groups, in England and * CV>5 per cent. and <=10 per cent. ** CV>10 per cent. and <=20 per cent. Wales. Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics. Death occurrence figures for 2008 and 2009 are not yet available 2008 in this form.

Table 1: Number of deaths occurring in each calendar quarter, where suicide was the underlying cause of death, counties in England, 2006-071, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Deaths (persons) 2006 2007 Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec

Area England 1,034 1,004 992 898 973 1,082 897 739

North East Tyne and Wear (Met County) 27 18 25 17 23 20 22 14

North West Cumbria 13 15 12 19 12 7 10 5 Greater Manchester (Met 54 66 64 45 52 59 59 45 County) Lancashire 21 19 20 24 31 30 28 21 Merseyside (Met County) 30 34 32 23 21 31 29 23

Yorkshire and The Humber

North Yorkshire 13 13 9 9 9 14 7 16 South Yorkshire (Met 26 33 28 22 38 29 21 21 County) 823W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 824W

Table 1: Number of deaths occurring in each calendar quarter, where suicide was the underlying cause of death, counties in England, 2006-071, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Deaths (persons) 2006 2007 Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec

West Yorkshire (Met County) 46 37 33 36 42 38 53 37

East Midlands Derbyshire 11 11 12 11 14 13 7 11 Leicestershire 14 12 7 13 8 4 7 4 Lincolnshire 21 16 14 20 15 18 9 19 Northamptonshire 15 12 19 7 11 16 11 5 Nottinghamshire 20 14 17 19 14 10 9 20

West Midlands Staffordshire 11 7 15 10 16 23 15 15 Warwickshire 7 6 12 4 10 10 12 2 West Midlands (Met County) 53 48 46 34 44 56 43 25 Worcestershire 12 12 8 12 8 10 10 11

East of England Cambridgeshire 10 12 11 10 14 13 15 14 Essex 2025191528292311 Hertfordshire 11 18 11 16 15 15 20 11 Norfolk 19 11 16 11 16 13 10 24 Suffolk 13 14 15 12 18 19 21 11

London Greater London 149 156 130 112 115 162 120 95

South East

Buckinghamshire 4 7 8 8 4 12 8 3 East Sussex 14 14 10 9 11 11 8 8 Hampshire 21 10 23 21 21 30 16 16 Kent 33 24 36 24 34 36 19 15 Oxfordshire 12 13 11 12 14 6 13 8 Surrey 1927181118191515 West Sussex 9 19 14 21 18 1 11 18

South West Devon 111523181511116 Dorset 12 6 8 6 5 9 10 11 Gloucestershire 20 9 10 12 16 8 7 5 Somerset 15 12 8 10 10 8 6 7

Unitary Authorities 248 239 248 245 233 286 212 167

Wales 7359696767647053 1 Suicide was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-I0) codes X60-X84 and YI0-Y34, excluding Y33.9 (where the Coroner’s verdict was pending). 2 Suicide and undetermined intent deaths have not been included for children under the age of 15 years. 3 Over the period 2006-07, three suicides did not have a ‘month of death’ recorded at death registration, and were therefore not included. 4 Based on boundaries as of 1 April 2009, following local government reorganisation. 5 Unitary authorities in England are not included in areas covered by counties. Therefore, not all areas within England are included in a county, and there are no counties in Wales. 6 Figures are for deaths occurring in each calendar quarter. Table 2: Number of deaths occurring in each calendar quarter where suicide was the underlying cause of death, by age group, England and Wales, 2006-071, 2, 3, 4, 5 Deaths (persons) 2006 2007 Age group Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec

15-24 92 94 80 107 107 90 85 61 25-34 160 161 188 167 176 189 178 129 35-44 273 242 270 234 242 273 233 187 45-54 226 214 218 169 206 242 204 157 55-64 182 169 154 134 156 185 120 139 825W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 826W

Table 2: Number of deaths occurring in each calendar quarter where suicide was the underlying cause of death, by age group, England and Wales, 2006-071, 2, 3, 4, 5 Deaths (persons) 2006 2007 Age group Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec

65-74 92 98 77 74 72 81 66 63 75-84 59 65 58 62 65 58 61 51 85+ 28 28 24 22 24 34 24 13 1 Suicide was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84 and YI0-Y34, excluding Y33.9 (where the Coroner’s verdict was pending). 2 Suicide and undetermined intent deaths have not been included for children under the age of 15 years. 3 Over the period 2006-07, three suicides did not have a ‘month of death’ recorded at death registration, and were therefore not included. 4 Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. 5 Figures are for deaths occurring in each calendar quarter.

Mr. Vara: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office The table attached provides the number of deaths where suicide how many deaths where suicide was the underlying was the underlying cause of death, for each calendar quarter in cause of death there were in England and Wales in each 2006 and 2007, by occupational group. Due to the small numbers quarter in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008 and (d) 2009 of suicides in individual occupations, figures are given for occupational groups, which are defined in the Standard Occupational Classification by profession. [292324] 20001. These figures do not include suicides at ages 75 and over (346 in 2006 and 328 in 2007) as occupational information is not Angela E. Smith: The information requested falls available from death registrations for this age group, or suicides within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. for which occupation was not recorded for other reasons (984 in I have asked the Authority to reply. 2006 and 941 in 2007). Letter from Jil Matheson, dated October 2009: Figures for 2008 and 2009 are not yet available in this form. 1 As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Office for National Statistics (2000) Standard Occupational recent question asking how many deaths where suicide was the Classification 2000 Volume I. Structure and description of unit underlying cause of death there were in each quarter in (a) 2006, groups. The Stationery Office: London Available online at: (b) 2007, (c) 2008 and (d) 2009 by profession in England and http://www.ons.gov.uk/about-statistics/classifications/current/ Wales. (292324) SOC2000/index.html

Table 1: Number of deaths where suicide was the underlying cause of death by occupational group by quarter, England and Wales 2006-071, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Deaths (persons) 2006 2007 Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec

Occupational groups Corporate managers 29 31 41 29 25 32 37 15 Managers and proprietors in agriculture and services 42 33 33 35 33 29 21 24 Science and technology professionals 14 21 20 13 21 17 11 21 Health professionals 12 12 745474 Teaching and research professionals 16 26 19 17 22 22 23 12 Business and public service professionals 6 15 16 17 11 14 12 11 Science and technology associate professionals 21 10 13 6 10 6 8 18 Health and social welfare associate professionals 19 19 19 20 17 24 9 13 Protective service occupations 17 8 11 12 15 12 9 8 Culture, media and sports occupations 17 23 19 20 16 15 15 13 Business and public service associate professionals 20 26 22 17 22 29 18 17 Administrative occupations 36 35 46 40 41 44 29 36 Secretarial and related occupations 12 9 10 17 18 18 13 13 Skilled agricultural trades 22 21 19 18 24 23 21 12 Skilled metal and electrical trades 69 36 41 51 57 48 57 37 Skilled construction and building trades 85 69 69 66 84 94 82 55 Textiles, printing and other skilled trades 21 27 20 19 21 25 19 21 Caring personal service occupations 26 27 35 28 20 31 20 19 Leisure and other personal service occupations 14 19 15 12 16 13 14 6 Sales and customer services occupations 36 31 24 21 30 43 24 23 Process, plant and machine operatives 49 35 46 45 43 49 43 31 Transport and mobile machine drivers and operatives 62 54 55 54 48 55 46 45 Elementary trades, plant and storage related occupations 71 70 76 71 54 72 78 53 Elementary administration and service occupations 53 64 55 38 45 68 61 33 1 Suicide was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84 and Y10-Y34, excluding Y33.9 (where the Coroner’s verdict was pending). 2 Suicide and undetermined intent deaths have not been included for children under the age of 15 years. 3 Over the period 2006-07, three suicides did not have a ’month of death’ recorded at death registration, and were therefore not included. 4 The sub-major groupings of the Standard Occupation Classification 2000 have been used in this analysis. Sales Occupations and Customer Services Occupations have been amalgamated to avoid disclosure due to small numbers. 5 Occupation is not coded at death for individuals over the age of 74, thus suicides for individuals over the age of 74 are not included. 6 Figures are for deaths occurring in each calendar quarter. 827W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 828W

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Business Link

Broadband Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Mr. Swire: To ask the Minister of State, Department long it took on average for Business Link to carry out a for Business, Innovation and Skills what monitoring his health check from the original business enquiry in the Department is undertaking of the pace of delivery of latest period for which figures are available. [291257] the broadband Universal Service Commitment. [292401] Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 16 September 2009]: The figures refer to the lead time (the time lapse Mr. Timms: The delivery of the universal service between original inquiry and the health check) for commitment (USC) will be carried out by the Network businesses requesting a health check on 26 August. Design and Procurement Company. We hope to appoint Typically, across all regions an initial telephone conversation the chief executive of this company in the autumn, who will result in those identified as being urgent cases, will then work to begin delivery as soon as possible. being offered an early meeting with an adviser. Once established, the Government will ensure appropriate monitoring of delivery, primarily through a steering These data indicate that urgent cases are likely to be board which the company will report to. visited within a week with less urgent cases taking anything up to 17 calendar days on average, albeit this is Broadband: Rural Areas dependent on the level of demand and client availability. The average lead time is likely to be less than 10 days across the RDA network. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which Average length of time it takes Business Link to carry out a rural areas of the UK have exchanges that are not health check from the original business inquiry (as at broadband-enabled. [291984] RDA 26 August 2009) AWM The health checks are categorised at different levels of Mr. Timms: All of BT’s exchanges are broadband Intensive Assistance as follows; enabled (DSL). Recent research published by the Level 2—The average number of calendar days to deliver a independent regulator Ofcom (Communications Market level 2 Intensive Assist (which is the referral for a Business Report, August 2009) shows that 99.92 per cent. of Account Manager) is 8.6 days since 1 April 2009. households in rural UK are linked to a broadband Level 3—The average number of calendar days to deliver a enabled exchange. However, some households will be Level 3 Intensive Assist (which is the referral for an unable to receive broadband for various network reasons, Adviser) is 16.5 days. for example the distance of the household from the Note: Some of the time lags are dependent upon client availability as much as adviser availability. exchange).

Mr. Swire: To ask the Minister of State, Department EEDA 24 hours for call back. for Business, Innovation and Skills what monitoring his Up to five working days for a visit but will respond sooner if urgent. Department carries out of bandwidth speeds available in rural areas. [292402] EMDA Adviser appointment lead times remain at an average of eight calendar days. Urgent cases are prioritised. Mr. Timms: The Department does not currently carry out any monitoring of bandwidth speeds available in rural areas. However, the independent telecommunications LDA Adviser appointment lead time continues at 10 working days, with a triage process involving telephone diagnostics regulator, Ofcom, have published the broadband speed and local adviser surgeries for more urgent needs. Code of Practice which all major internet service providers have signed up to, and have also recently published research on broadband speeds. The Code of Practice NWDA There is a significant variance in this depending on the availability of the customer to meet and the complexity of can be found at the Action Plan subsequently developed. We provide http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/features/bbcode. contact between same day and up to two working days on average. The Health Check activity meeting may then be The broadband speed research can be found at scheduled from within 48 hours or up to two weeks ahead. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/features/broadbandspeedsjy. ONE Lead times (mean average for stated time period): 7 August Mr. Swire: To ask the Minister of State, Department 2009 to 26 August 2009—7.6 calendar days for Business, Innovation and Skills what barriers he has identified in the delivery of the broadband Universal SEEDA Across the region’s six Business Link Providers, the average Service Commitment to rural areas. [292403] adviser lead-time is seven working days, with urgent requests met in one-two working days whenever possible. Mr. Timms: The proposed arms-length body, the Network and Design and Procurement Company will SWRDA For urgent cases, a fast track route is available to speak to be responsible for identifying any barriers to the delivery an adviser directly on the same day and have an of the universal service commitment across the UK, on appointment within one week maximum. Average lead- behalf of Government. We hope to appoint a chief times vary from 7.5 calendar days in the north and east zones of the region to 17 calendar days in the southern executive of this body in the autumn, and work will zone. begin on the analysis later in the year. 829W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 830W

trade credit insurance, including developing closer Average length of time it takes Business Link to carry out a health check from the original business inquiry (as at relationships with their buyers, which is one of the RDA 26 August 2009) policy objectives of the scheme.

Business: Public Sector YF Initial pre-filtering takes place at the time that the inquiry is taken. Urgent requests are dealt with within 24 hours and a health check can often be done within two-three Margaret Moran: To ask the Minister of State, working days of the initial inquiry being made. A typical Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what enquiry will normally be responded to within 48 hours and assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the an appointment made that will be at the customer’s earliest supply2gov portal in increasing the number of bids by convenience. This would normally be within a week to 10 small and medium-sized enterprises for public sector working days. contracts. [288851] Business: Government Assistance Ms Rosie Winterton: Supply2.gov.uk seeks to increase access to lower value public sector contracts by publishing Mr. Hoban: To ask the Minister of State, them in a single location. As an advertising portal, it Department for Business, Innovation and Skills does not collect data on the number of bids made by pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2009, Official Report, SMEs. column 430W, on business: Government assistance, A 2007 user survey indicated that 34 per cent. of which banks are participating in the Working Capital registrants had bid for a contract on the site. Since then, Scheme; how many businesses had received additional the number of registered suppliers has risen from around funds from each such bank on the latest date for which 50,000 to over 163,000, and the number of low-value figures are available; and what the monetary value was contracts from below 16,000 to over 47,000. Around of the additional capital which had been made 300 new low-value contracts are published on the site available under the scheme on that date. [289898] every week. As part of the implementation of the Glover recommendations, central Government spend Ms Rosie Winterton: 50 per cent. guarantees have with SMEs will be monitored from this financial year been agreed on loan portfolios from Royal Bank of onwards. Scotland plc (RBS), National Westminster Bank plc (NatWest), and Lloyds TSB Bank plc and Lloyds TSB Departmental Information Officers Scotland plc (Lloyds Banking Group) in respect of portfolios of loans that will enable RBS, NatWest and Paul Holmes: To ask the Minister of State, Lloyds Banking Group to make additional lending to Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what UK companies. the cost to his Department of employing (a) press Information on the number of businesses receiving officers and (b) other press office staff has been in each new loans is not available. £2 billion of guarantees have year since 1997. [283071] been provided to banks under the Working Capital Mr. McFadden: The Department for Business, Innovation Scheme to free up regulatory capital for new lending to and Skills was created on 5 June. Figures are not UK companies. available for BIS but are available for the former Department As a result of action by the Government and the for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), regulatory authorities leading to improvements in capital the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills markets since the introduction of the WCS, the Government (DIUS) and the Department for Trade and Industry have been able to allocate resource provision for the (DTI). WCS to other measures to support businesses. The total staffing costs for Press Office staff for the Business: Insurance former BERR, DIUS and DTI are: Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how £ many policies have been written under the Trade Credit 2008-09 Insurance scheme; and what the monetary value is of BERR 1,080,000 the cover provided. [291222] DIUS 766,000 Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 16 September 2009]: As of 4 September this Government ‘top-up’ 2007/08 scheme has written 64 policies to a value of £10,435,865 DTI/BERR 1,261,000 in cases where commercial credit insurers have reduced cover. This reflects the targeted nature of the scheme 2006/07 which was designed to provide breathing space for those DTI 1,023,000 firms who have suffered a reduction in their credit insurance as a result of the current economic climate. It is part of the Real Help Now package of measures, and 2005/06 has provided targeted, temporary assistance to give DTI 992,000 companies that require time to talk to their banks and buyers, and then adjust their business models to respond 2004/05 to the current climate the time to do so. Many businesses DTI 871,000 have successfully found ways to reduce their need for 831W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 832W

Figures for earlier years for the DTI and a breakdown the Institutions as Seconded National Experts. In addition, of costs for press officers and non press officers could we usually support the participation of at least two be provided only at disproportionate costs. members of staff per year in the European Commission’s National Experts in Training Programme, which entails Departmental Manpower six month attachments. An investigation to determine the proportion of staff who have ever worked on attachment John Mann: To ask the Minister of State, to the Institutions would incur disproportionate cost. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff there were in (a) his Department’s Departmental Sick Leave predecessor in 1997 and (b) his Department on the latest date for which figures are available. [292056] Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many members Mr. McFadden: The number of staff in the Department’s of his Department have been on sick leave for over six predecessor (Department of Trade and Industry) in months. [290098] 1997 is shown within the Civil Service Statistics 1997 link ‘Civil Service Statistics 1997’ and forms part of the Mr. McFadden: The Department does not routinely Civil Service statistics archive calculate the number of staff who have been on sick http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/who/statistics/archived- leave for over six months. However, in common with reports.aspx other Whitehall departments we do regularly report our The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory sickness absence. The latest performance report is available Reform (BERR) ceased to exist on 5 June when the at this link: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) http://www.bis.gov.uk/sicknessabsence was created from the merger of BERR and the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many working There are a total of 3,618 staff within BIS as at 30 days in the last month were lost owing to sick leave September. taken by staff of his Department. [290099] Departmental Reorganisation Mr. McFadden: The Department does not routinely calculate the number of working days lost owing to sick Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, leave taken by staff in the last month. However, in Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what common with other Whitehall departments we do regularly the cost of (a) designing and (b) purchasing branded report our sickness absence. The latest performance stationery for the Department for Innovation, report is available at this link: Universities and Skills was during its existence; how http://www.bis.gov.uk/sicknessabsence much such stationery remains unused; and what plans he has for that stationery. [279781] Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what Mr. McFadden [holding answer 15 June 2009]: For the cost to the public purse of sickness absences in his part (a) I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by Department and its predecessors was in each of the last my right hon. Friend, the then Minister of State for five years. [290560] Higher Education and Intellectual Property at the then Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills on Mr. McFadden: The Department does not routinely 27 February 2008, Official Report, columns 1645-46W. calculate the cost to the public purse of sickness absences. The Cabinet Office has published previous annual sickness For part (b) I refer the hon. Member to the answer absence reports for the Civil Service (from 2003 to given by my hon. Friend, the then Parliamentary Under- 2007). These can be viewed via sickness absence reports. Secretary of State for Further Education at the then The latest of these reports was published for the year up Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills on 1 to April 2007. June 2009, Official Report, column 213W. However in common with other Whitehall departments Branded stationery is ordered on demand by individual we do regularly report our sickness absence. The latest business units. Records are not held on how much was performance report is available at this link. unused at the point of the creation of the Department http://www.bis.gov.uk/sicknessabsence for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS). However all stocks of stationery which featured the DIUS branding Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme were recycled when BIS was created. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Departmental Secondment Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what percentage of funds available under the Enterprise Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department Finance Guarantee scheme has (a) been lent to for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of businesses, (b) is in the process of being lent to staff in his Department have worked on attachment to businesses and (c) remains available for future lending. institutions of the European Union. [290094] [291684]

Mr. McFadden: Secondments to the EU Institutions Ms Rosie Winterton: The Enterprise Finance Guarantee are a valuable means of building relationships and (EFG) is a £l billion loan guarantee scheme delivered influencing policy. In recent years, at any given time through the banks that will enable an additional £1.3 there have been approximately 12 BIS staff working in billion of lending to businesses up to end March 2010. 833W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 834W

As of 16 September, 5,241 loans have been offered to Dr. Murrison: To ask the Minister of State, customers with a total value of £535 million. Of these, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when 4,132 have been drawn down with a total value of £405 he expects the Shareholder Executive’s review of the million. Met Office to be concluded; and if he will make a statement. [289394] Learning Grid Ms Rosie Winterton: There will be a general update around PBR on the progress of the OEP and its individual Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, assets, including the Met Office. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of Learning Grid Ministers: Training programmes on the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects in schools; what Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department funding his Department has provided for the Learning for Business, Innovation and Skills which training Grid in each year since it was founded; and what plans courses were attended by Ministers in his Department the Government has for the future of the Learning or its predecessor in the last 12 months. [290450] Grid. [292513] Mr. McFadden: A number of Ministers in the Mr. McFadden: The evaluation report commissioned Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and its by the East Midlands Regional Development Agency, predecessor departments have received training to assist received by Government in August does not directly them in the discharge of their various ministerial address the immediate impact of the Learning Grid on responsibilities. the teaching programmes in schools. The as yet unpublished report concludes that the full New College Nottingham: Basford Hall extent of programme impacts cannot be accurately gauged until 10-15 years into the future given that one Mr. Allen: To ask the Minister of State, Department of the key objectives of the programme is to increase for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment the the size of the skilled recruitment pool entering into Learning and Skills Council has made of the high performance engineering employment. application from New College Nottingham for approval in principle for a new campus at Basford Hall. Set up in 2005 the Learning Grid has received a total [292192] of £4 million from BIS and supporting RDAs up to July 2009. Currently there are no further plans to provide Kevin Brennan: New College Nottingham submitted additional financial support to the Learning Grid. their application for an in principal project proposal to the Learning and Skills Council for the development of Members: Correspondence their existing campus at Basford Hall in November last year. Mr. Pope: To ask the Minister of State, Department The Basford Hall project application was reviewed for Business, Innovation and Skills when the Minister with all other capital projects as part the prioritisation for Economic Competitiveness, Small Business and exercise carried out by the LSC based upon rigorous Enterprise will reply to the hon. Member for and fair prioritisation criteria agreed with the sector Hyndburn’s letter to her of 6 January 2009. [291633] and that built upon Sir Andrew Foster’s recommendations. Unfortunately, the Basford Hall project application was Ms Rosie Winterton: My noble Friend, the Minister not successful in securing funding this spending period. for Economic Competitiveness, Small Business and Enterprise, responded on 28 July 2009. Police National Computer

Met Office: Reviews Mr. Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what access his Department has to information stored on the Police Dr. Murrison: To ask the Minister of State, Department National Computer. [290003] for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has met representatives of the Met Office to discuss the Mr. McFadden: The Department has two, separate, recommendations of the Operational Efficiency programme requirements for information held on the Police National review that the Met Office should introduce private Computer (PNC): capital in some areas; and if he will make a statement. (i) Company Law and Insolvency investigations and [289320] enforcement: The Department carries out PNC checks for possible suspects, Ms Rosie Winterton: The OEP review process is defendants and witnesses in relation to cases it prosecutes. These conducted through extensive consultations and dialogue cases tend to arise from individual and corporate insolvency between the Met Office, Ministry of Defence and the proceedings and associated fraud together with a range of other Shareholder Executive on all issues connected with the matters arising from the Department’s regulatory functions such review, including the potential introduction of private as Employment Regulation offences. capital. The introduction of private capital was identified (ii) Security checks for people who work within BIS: as only one of the available options which could help PNC checks are only carried out on those requiring CTC, enhance the commercial opportunities available to the (counter terrorist check), SC (security clearance) or DV (developed Met Office. Ministers are kept informed on the progress vetting) clearance. The PNC checks cover spent and unspent on all options. criminal convictions. 835W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 836W

Royal Bank of Scotland the Library a copy of the reports certifying claims and expenditure from the Union Modernisation Fund in Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, respect of each additional company listed in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what Answer. [292085] discussions his Department has had with (a) UK Financial Investments and (b) the management of the Mr. McFadden [holding answer 12 October 2009]: I Royal Bank of Scotland on its marketing (i) strategy am unable to place in the Library any copies of the and (ii) agency arrangements; and if he will make a certifying claims and expenditure from the Union statement. [267780] Modernisation Fund in relation to the accountancy companies listed in my previous answer because the Mr. McFadden [holding answer 30 March 2009]: reports are prepared for the confidential use of the UKFI manages the Government’s investments in financial unions and BIS, and solely for the purpose of verifying institutions on a commercial basis at arm’s length from the grant claimed. Government. This condition is set out in the standard terms of engagement agreed between the Institute of Chartered Royal Mail Accountants of England and Wales used for all the Department’s grant-aided projects. Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what expenditure his Department has incurred on external HOME DEPARTMENT advisory fees in relation to the proposed part- privatisation of the Royal Mail to date. [291893] Antisocial Behaviour

Mr. McFadden: The estimated expenditure incurred Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the to end September 2009 on legal, accountancy and financial Home Department (1) pursuant to the answer of advice to take forward the implementation of the Hooper 21 January 2009, Official Report, column 1484-86W, on Review’s recommendations (which included work on crime: statistics, how many anti-social behaviour securing a partner for Royal Mail) was £4.6 million. incidents were recorded in 2008-09; [289587] Shareholder Executive (2) pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2009, Official Report, column 74W, on public order offences, what data on anti-social behaviour will be collected as Mr. Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department defined by the simplified National Incident Category for Business, Innovation and Skills what role the List from 2009; [289588] Shareholder Executive has in (a) delivering and (b) administering (i) the Working Capital scheme, (ii) the (3) pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2009, Official Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme, (iii) the Capital Report, column 74W, on public order offences, if he for Enterprise Fund and (iv) the Automotive will provide a breakdown of figures for incidents Assistance programme; and if he will make a recorded in 2008-09. [289589] statement. [289831] Alan Johnson: The total number of incidents of antisocial Ms Rosie Winterton: The Shareholder Executive has behaviour recorded by the 43 police forces in England no role in delivering or administering schemes (i), (ii) and Wales as defined within the National Incident and (iii). However, the Executive did advise on some Category List (NICL) for 2008-09 was 3,661,498. A organisational and resourcing aspects of delivering the detailed breakdown is given in the following tables. Automotive Assistance programme and continues to The data are normally used for management information give ad hoc advice on individual applications made only and are not subject to the detailed checks that under that scheme. apply for National Statistics publications. The data are It also advised on the design and implementation of therefore provisional and may be subject to change. the Capital for Enterprise Fund. A decision as to the data on antisocial behaviour incidents as defined by the NICL that will be collected Union Modernisation Fund: Publications centrally for 2009-10 will be made later this year. As part of the Home Office’s work to reduce the data Mr. Hurd: To ask the Minister of State, Department burden on police forces, this data return has been reviewed for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the and the monthly collection discontinued. A single annual answer of 21 July 2009, Official Report, column 1756W, return will be implemented, the extent and scope of on the Union Modernisation Fund, if he will place in which has yet to be finalised.

2008-09 Antisocial behaviour Abandoned vehicles (not Inappropriate stolen or Hoax calls use/sale/ Prostitution causing an Animal Begging to emergency possession of Malicious related obstruction) problems /vagrancy services fireworks communications Noise activity

F01 Avon and Somerset 1,558 2,773 724 4,996 632 2,993 1,578 164 F02 Bedfordshire 2,264 408 249 881 212 1,694 247 177 837W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 838W

2008-09 Antisocial behaviour Abandoned vehicles (not Inappropriate stolen or Hoax calls use/sale/ Prostitution causing an Animal Begging to emergency possession of Malicious related obstruction) problems /vagrancy services fireworks communications Noise activity

F03 Cambridgeshire 2,985 44 318 708 142 3,079 1,712 164 F04 Cheshire 1,446 1,158 314 801 364 3,980 323 10 F05 City of London 23 21 362 7 0 33 128 3 F06 Cleveland 1,752 1,601 155 2,416 404 4,231 76 107 F07 Cumbria 381 571 68 922 196 1,801 473 11 F08 Derbyshire 3,412 853 168 1,577 279 2,624 1,288 41 F09 Devon and 2,463 2,234 847 3,627 352 7,011 545 18 Cornwall F10 Dorset 2,801 529 1,138 606 264 2,730 1,166 132 F11 Durham 157 1,439 68 4,447 218 4,082 2,428 1 F12 Dyfed Powys 751 1,478 134 1,072 151 2,609 1,516 3 F13 Essex 3,093 2,694 168 2,993 880 3,258 1,644 136 F14 Gloucestershire 1,006 796 174 2,301 188 2,558 1,098 20 F15 Greater 15,208 815 1,517 10,140 1,643 12,143 809 172 Manchester F16 Gwent 1,104 1,331 100 1,601 301 5,348 598 22 F17 Hampshire 4,204 1,315 1,116 2,561 625 8,004 3,008 91 F18 Hertfordshire 5,789 793 288 4,346 430 3,843 3,064 14 F19 Humberside 1,855 836 241 1,373 436 4,080 475 63 F20 Kent 1,068 901 537 2,460 591 6,592 2,022 44 F21 Lancashire 4,827 3,460 852 6,023 1,241 9,070 3,830 174 F22 Leicestershire 3,058 805 269 3,970 314 1,458 661 175 F23 Lincolnshire 999 412 179 917 291 3,187 975 6 F24 Merseyside 2,248 1,867 643 3,160 883 4,183 1,794 111 F25 Metropolitan 13,519 13,852 8,231 1,138 4,647 18,518 10,650 1,638 Police F26 Norfolk 2,904 1,723 393 2,336 205 4,913 1,671 229 F27 2,171 600 141 1,616 270 3,832 641 16 Northamptonshire F28 Northumbria 1,638 2,044 563 3,935 630 9,104 657 27 F29 North Wales 1,413 0 90 1,913 121 1,396 2,148 1 F30 North Yorkshire 1,627 911 386 737 277 4,569 368 11 F31 Nottinghamshire 3,748 1,471 235 11,106 604 3,545 1,520 69 F32 South Wales 5,162 1,270 625 1,757 227 4,674 279 556 F33 South Yorkshire 3,782 3,980 323 2,415 586 6,510 2,976 191 F34 Staffordshire 809 414 119 220 315 1,781 1,362 109 F35 Suffolk 1,839 989 131 1,766 51 4,383 526 97 F36 Surrey 3,537 1,331 234 5,094 326 2,172 1,214 23 F37 Sussex 4,206 2,206 152 6,703 249 4,410 745 13 F38 Thames Valley 5,620 1,239 617 2,748 386 2,495 4,038 190 F39 Warwickshire 1,845 192 38 566 88 2,692 530 6 F40 West Mercia 1,115 1,690 193 1,952 289 6,244 1,698 3 F41 West Midlands 3,261 1,873 1,878 18,516 1,308 8,310 4,669 658 F42 West Yorkshire 5,086 2,461 552 5,977 852 8,107 1,442 95 F43 Wiltshire 471 360 50 1,091 88 1,152 190 4 Total for Forces 128,205 67,740 25,580 135,491 22,556 199,398 68,782 5,795

Rowdy/ Rowdy/ nuisance- Vehicle nuisance- Rowdy/ rowdy or nuisance/ environmental nuisance- inconsiderate Street Solvent inappropriate damage/ littering neighbours behaviour drinking misuse Trespass vehicle use Total

F01 Avon and Somerset 2,475 5,823 67,776 610 28 393 8,911 — F02 Bedfordshire 252 3,203 25,348 341 11 290 5,711 — F03 Cambridgeshire 150 4,721 34,727 390 2 71 4,703 — F04 Cheshire 239 4,749 37,845 117 5 193 9,147 — F05 City of London 7 17 1,283 70 0 13 87 — F06 Cleveland 236 4,061 41,114 840 54 139 7,520 — F07 Cumbria 455 3,872 29,076 439 9 409 2,052 — F08 Derbyshire 462 5,623 50,242 640 17 89 7,498 — F09 Devon and 334 9,142 70,281 1,215 17 604 8,915 — Cornwall 839W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 840W

Rowdy/ Rowdy/ nuisance- Vehicle nuisance- Rowdy/ rowdy or nuisance/ environmental nuisance- inconsiderate Street Solvent inappropriate damage/ littering neighbours behaviour drinking misuse Trespass vehicle use Total

F10 Dorset 379 3,679 28,931 210 35 343 4,904 — F11 Durham 133 2,819 36,563 1,773 19 298 9,545 — F12 Dyfed Powys 368 4,417 17,056 579 13 355 5,325 — F13 Essex 382 5,475 53,360 173 4 500 7,876 — F14 Gloucestershire 240 2,503 20,184 232 19 181 2,860 — F15 Greater 726 19,290 146,431 3,477 15 523 24,671 — Manchester F16 Gwent 500 5,025 41,671 1,229 36 583 6,332 65,781 F17 Hampshire 872 10,132 83,654 1,723 243 1,101 13,702 132,351 F18 Hertfordshire 636 5,175 44,458 475 4 126 8,924 78,365 F19 Humberside 267 4,648 30,634 933 21 345 4,918 51,125 F20 Kent 638 9,003 37,172 452 7 475 14,548 76,510 F21 Lancashire 1,184 10,393 101,237 2,704 173 1,319 10,660 157,147 F22 Leicestershire 409 3,026 33,962 252 47 175 5,481 54,062 F23 Lincolnshire 237 1,809 25,919 326 7 203 4,170 39,637 F24 Merseyside 478 8,924 58,037 1,249 46 178 7,995 91,796 F25 Metropolitan Police 793 22,298 193,852 20,431 38,541 3,567 12,035 363,710 F26 Norfolk 613 3,879 39,683 286 68 127 4,982 64,012 F27 Northamptonshire 119 2,261 38,648 439 7 87 3,179 54,027 F28 Northumbria 1,816 14,107 87,629 3,155 322 418 16,966 143,011 F29 North Wales 536 1,502 30,969 403 0 76 2,977 43,545 F30 North Yorkshire 306 2,983 31,708 1,341 19 879 3,781 49,903 F31 Nottinghamshire 139 2,470 56,669 753 124 213 7,854 90,520 F32 South Wales 1,781 6,795 63,479 1,012 127 170 17,562 105,476 F33 South Yorkshire 722 5,413 83,796 1,498 175 165 16,290 128,822 F34 Staffordshire 349 5,213 44,069 982 214 433 4,500 60,889 F35 Suffolk 227 3,058 23,306 567 54 388 5,631 43,013 F36 Surrey 748 5,473 29,413 381 50 250 8,213 58,459 F37 Sussex 299 5,865 56,625 2,376 37 228 11,347 95,461 F38 Thames Valley 1,514 10,066 54,052 1,488 292 618 18,864 104,227 F39 Warwickshire 256 2,364 17,838 346 4 292 3,479 30,536 F40 West Mercia 956 7,172 51,328 281 26 605 11,828 85,380 F41 West Midlands 1,008 19,210 106,710 1,058 0 1,166 12,745 182,370 F42 West Yorkshire 437 7,434 90,994 614 48 561 14,528 139,188 F43 Wiltshire 51 965 14,988 61 4 77 3,141 22,693 Total for Forces 24,729 266,057 2,232,717 57,921 40,944 19,226 366,357 3,661,498

Asylum: Children financial year 2005/06 because of the way in which funding claims from local authorities before that time Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for were finally settled. the Home Department what the (a) aims and (b) The breakdown of total expenditure over the past eligibility criteria are of the Unaccompanied Asylum four years is set out in the table: Seeking Children Grant is; how much funding was (i) distributed to local authorities via the grant and (ii) Total expenditure (£ million) subsequently spent by local authorities by local authority in each year since the grant began; and what 2005-06 144.3 estimate he has made of the amount of such funding to 2006-07 139.7 be provided in the next two years. [292410] 2007-08 132.7 2008-09 138.5 Mr. Woolas: The aim of the grant is to assist local authorities in meeting the costs of supporting It is anticipated that funding levels for the next two unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) under years will be at roughly the same level as at present but the provisions of the Children Act 1989. With a few this depends on discussions with local authorities and small exceptions all UASC that the local authorities are on the numbers of new UASC that arrive in the United supporting can be included in a claim for funding under Kingdom. the terms of the grant. The full terms of the grant and Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for eligibility criteria can be found at: the Home Department what categories of expenditure www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/ are covered by the Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking workingwithasylumseekers/localauthoritygrants/ Children Grant; how many children have received such The grant reimburses local authorities for expenditure funding in each local authority in each year since the already incurred (subject to audit). It is not possible to grant began; and what estimate he has made of such break down expenditure under the grant by year before funding in the next two years. [292411] 841W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 842W

Mr. Woolas: The grant covers the main expenditure Departmental Manpower local authorities incur in looking after unaccompanied asylum seeking children. This includes the cost of a Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for foster placement, the cost of accommodation provided the Home Department what estimate he has made of when fostering is not the placement option, the cost of the average length of employment of staff of his the social workers who provide the care and general Department at each Civil Service payband. [290570] administrative costs. The numbers of children covered by the expenditure Mr. Woolas: The following table provides the average since the financial year 2005-06 is set out in the following length of employment of staff in the Home Office and table. It is not possible to break down numbers before its agencies at each pay band as at 31 March 2009. 2005-06 because of the way in which funding claims from local authorities before that time were finally Median length of service (years) settled. Pay band as at 31 March 2009 It is anticipated that funding levels for the next two A/AA 3.8 years will be at roughly the same level as at present but B/AO 4.82 this depends on discussions with local authorities and C/EO 6.95 on the numbers of new UASC that arrive in the United D/HEO 7.33 Kingdom. E/SEO 8.44 F/G7 7.1 Supported numbers at end of G/G6 7.75 year SCS 3.24 2005-06 5,521 2006-07 4,993 The average length of employment refers to the length of time employees have been working in the Home 2007-08 4,493 Office and its agencies rather than time in a particular 2008-09 4,604 pay band or career length of service. Drugs: Sentencing Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the progress of his departmental goal to Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home transfer a large number of Unaccompanied Asylum Department how many people have been sentenced to Seeking Children away from London and the South immediate custody for possession of drugs of each (a) East as stated in his Department’s February 2007 type and (b) class in (i) each police force area and (ii) consultation paper, Planning better outcomes and England in each of the last 10 years. [291481] support for unaccompanied asylum seeking children. [292412] Claire Ward: I have been asked to reply. The information requested has been placed in the Mr. Woolas: Insufficient local authorities outside the Libraries of the House. South-East have expressed a willingness to accept the transfer of the children to their areas to make this Entry Clearances policy goal viable. Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the We are therefore developing the other policy goals set Home Department if he will take steps to prohibit out in the consultation paper on the basis that children Yunus Yosfiah and Christoforus da Silva from entering who are the responsibility of authorities in the South-East the UK following their naming by the Coroner of New will stay in that area for as long as they remain in the South Wales in her findings on the murders of British United Kingdom. citizens Malcolm Rennie and Brian Peters in 1975 in East Timor; and if he will make a statement. [292313]

Business: Government Assistance Mr. Woolas [holding answer 12 October 2009]: It is not Home Office policy to comment on individual Mr. Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the cases. Any individual whose presence in the UK is not Home Department how many loans have been granted considered conducive to the public good may be denied under the Small Business Loan Guarantee Scheme to entry. small and medium-sized businesses in Birmingham, Sparkbrook & Small Heath constituency since the Entry Clearances: Appeals establishment of the Scheme. [291445] Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Ms Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply. Home Department what guidance he has issued on the time elapsing between an appeal determination being The Small Business Loan Guarantee Scheme announced issued by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal and a in November 2008 was launched as the Enterprise Finance visa being issued to the applicant. [291932] Guarantee (EFG) in January 2009. Within the constituency of Birmingham, Sparkbrook Mr. Woolas: Guidance on Appeals (INF 19) is available & Small Heath, as of 16 September 2009, eight businesses on the UK Border Agency’s Visa Services website: have been offered loans totalling £833,265. www.ukvisas.gov.uk 843W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 844W

This advises appellants that it can take up to six weeks Mr. Woolas: Since the phasing out of embarkation for the visa section to be notified through official channels controls in 1994 no Government has ever been able to that an appeal has been allowed, and that the visa produce an accurate figure for the number of people section will then contact the appellant. Visa sections are who have overstayed their visas, including those who expected to do so within three weeks of receiving the entered on a student visa. notification. The guidance does not go on to indicate However, as part of the Government’s 10-point plan how long it will then take for the visa to be issued as this for delivery, by 2010 over 95 per cent. of non-EEA will depend on how quickly the appellant returns their foreign nationals will be counted in and out of the passport to the visa section and the number of checks country, rising to 100 per cent. by 2014. This is part of a that need to be carried out. sweeping programme of border protection which also includes the global roll-out of fingerprint visas, watch-list Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for the checks for all travellers before they arrive or depart Home Department when his Department plans to from the UK and ID cards for foreign nationals. implement the decision of the Asylum and Immigration Further to this, Local Immigration Teams (LITs) are Tribunal in respect of the appeal OA/46462/2008; what being established to serve every community in the UK. the average period between a tribunal decision in favour Each local team will enforce immigration laws working of an appellant in an entry clearance case and the shoulder-to-shoulder with police, Her Majesty’s Revenue granting of entry clearance was in the most recent and Customs, local authorities and other local partners period for which figures are available; and if he will to target immigration crime (including seeking to detect make a statement. [292046] and remove those overstaying on their visa) and address local community concerns on migration. By December Mr. Woolas: Although appeal number OA/46462/2008 2011 there will be a team serving every community in was allowed on 2 March 2009, notification was not the country. received in the Visa Section in Islamabad until 10 June. A letter was sent to the appellant on 15 June requesting Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the submission of the passport and this was subsequently Home Department what steps he plans to take to received on 2 July.Verification checks were then undertaken ensure the effectiveness of the system for granting visas and the visa was issued on 8 October. The processing to overseas students wishing to study in the UK; and if was delayed due to a backlog of appeal cases in Islamabad. he will make a statement. [291978] The UK Border Agency plans to reduce this to near zero levels by mid-November. Turnaround times in Mr. Woolas: At the end of March this year we allowed appeal cases will then be significantly quicker. implemented Tier 4 of the Points Based System for international students. We have monitored carefully the implementation of Entry Clearances: Pakistan the new system, making various small changes to it in the light of experience. We have now received and Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for the processed more student applications than at the equivalent Home Department when a decision on the entry time last year, predominantly within customer service clearance application made to the High Commission in standards. Further IT changes will be introduced between Islamabad, reference 1494299, will be made. [292044] now and February 2010 to further improve processing. We have kept in close touch with stakeholders to understand their needs. Mr. Woolas: Entry clearance application reference Islamabad 1494299 was submitted on 15 April 2008 and Information on end to end processing times at each a decision was made on 6 June 2008. Although the overseas post can be found at: appeal against the decision was allowed on 2 March https://ukvisas-stage.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/ 2009, notification was not received in the Visa Section processingtimes until 10 June 2009. A letter was sent to the appellant on 15 June 2009 requesting submission of the passport, Human Trafficking: Females and this was subsequently received on 2 July 2009. Verification checks were then undertaken and the visa Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the was issued on 8 October 2009. Home Department how many shelters for trafficked The delay in processing was due to a backlog of women his Department plans to build in each of the appeal cases in Islamabad. The UK Border Agency next five years. [291552] plans to reduce this to near zero levels by mid-November. Turnaround times in allowed appeal cases will then be Claire Ward: I have been asked to reply. significantly quicker. The Council of Europe Convention on Trafficking which the Government ratified in December last year commits the UK to provision of sheltered accommodation Entry Clearances: Students for all those trafficked women who need it. The Government have consequently invested £4 million Mr. Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the into specialist support services for victims of human Home Department what estimate he has made of the trafficking over the next two years. number of people who entered the UK on a student This includes an investment of £3.7 million into the visa and remained in the UK after the expiration of the Poppy project to expand and improve the services that visa in the last 10 years. [291928] are available to victims that have been trafficked into 845W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 846W the sex-industry and domestic servitude. The additional (latest available) is shown in table 1 as follows. It is not investment will see an expansion of supported possible to separately identify computer based offences accommodation, with refuge places for victims of trafficking from other offences related to indecent photographs. for sexual exploitation and domestic servitude in London, Sheffield and Cardiff. The investment will also fund a The number of persons found guilty at all courts in new national co-ordinator who will help set best practice England and Wales for offences relating to child abuse, standards and work with areas to raise awareness with from 2003 to 2007 is shown in table 2 as follows. There local agencies and funding commissioners. There will is no specific offence of “child abuse” therefore statistics also be an increase in advocacy workers to help provide are only provided where the age of the victim can be one-to-one tailored support and the community outreach identified as a child from the description of the offence. team will also be extended with two link workers based Furthermore the term “child abuse” describes harm within the UK Human Trafficking Centre to work in caused to a child arising from emotional, physical, partnership with the police, UK Border Agency and sexual abuse or neglect caused by a parent, guardian, other partners to help with victim identification and carer, or stranger. A number of other offences such as onward referral into support. offences against the person including physical assault may frequently be used by the police to charge offenders. Additionally, £300,000 is being invested into the UK Human Trafficking Centre to develop flexible support The Sexual Offences Act 2003 significantly modernised services for victims of labour trafficking. and strengthened the laws on sexual offences in England and Wales to provide extra protection to children from National Security sexual exploitation. This makes direct comparisons with previous legislation very difficult. Many new offences Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the created by the Act will not have a direct equivalent Home Department what measures are in place to under the old legislation. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 protect the supply of (a) water, (b) food and (c) came into force on 1 May 2004. Table 2 includes, for communications from burn-out caused by an 2003 only, comparable offences under the Sexual Offences electromagnetic pulse attack. [289836] Act 1956. Court proceedings data for 2008 are planned for Mr. Hanson [holding answer 12 October 2009]: The publication at the end of November 2009. Government’s Cyber Security Strategy of the United Table 1: The number of persons found guilty at all courts in England and Wales Kingdom, published alongside and reflected in the National for offences relating to child pornography1 from 2003 to 20072, 3 Security Strategy update, considers a number of methods Offence Description 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 of cyber attack, including those that generate high levels of power that can damage or disrupt unprotected Take, permit to be taken, or 1,048 978 958 768 782 to make distribute or publish electronics. It also outlines the new governance structures indecent photographs or and workstreams which will build on existing work to pseudo-photographs of take forward the Government’s plans for reducing the children impact on and vulnerability of the UK’s interests from Possession of an indecent 239 184 196 166 185 photograph or pseudo- cyber attacks. photograph of a child The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure 1 Offences under the Protection of Children Act 1978, section 1 and section 6 (CPNI) provides advice on electronic or cyber protective as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 84 & Criminal Justice & Court Services Act 2000 S.41(1); Offences under the security measures to the businesses and organisations Criminal Justice Act 1988 Sec. 160 as amended by the Criminal Justice & that comprise the UK’s critical national infrastructure, Court Services Act 2000. including public utilities, companies and banks CPNI 2 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 also runs a CERT (Computer Emergency Response guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which Team) service which responds to reported attacks on the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or private sector networks. In addition, CESG, provides more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the more severe. government departments with advice and guidance on 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and how to protect against, detect and mitigate various complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted types of cyber attack. from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection It would not be in the interests of national security to processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those provide information about specific protective measures data are used. Source: relating to electromagnetic pulse attack. Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence & Analysis Unit. Table 2: The number of persons found guilty at all courts in England and Wales Offences Against Children: Internet for offences relating to child abuse, 2003 to 20071, 2 Offence Statute description 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the last five Domestic Causing or 4— 4——26 Violence, allowing the years have been convicted of offences of both child Crime and death of a child abuse and viewing online child abuse images. [291751] Victims Act or vulnerable 20043 S.5 person Claire Ward: I have been asked to reply. Children and Cruelty or 494 540 482 488 493 Young neglect of The number of persons found guilty at all courts in Persons Act children England and Wales for offences relating to child 1933 S.1 pornography of taking, permitting to be taken, distributing, Offences Abandoning 1——21 against the children under publishing or possession of indecent photographs or Person Act 2 years pseudo-photographs of children, from 2003 to 2007 1861 S.27 847W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 848W

Table 2: The number of persons found guilty at all courts in England and Wales The Government have been very clear that the use of 1, 2 for offences relating to child abuse, 2003 to 2007 blocking to prevent access to these images is something Offence Statute description 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 that internet service providers should do, and we are very pleased with the support from these providers, Sexual Rape of a 6254 275 234 219 236 which has led to 98.6 per cent. of UK consumer broadband Offences Act female aged 20035 S.1 under 16 lines being covered by blocking of sites identified by the Sexual Rape of a male 629 28 32 15 23 Internet Watch Foundation as containing such illegal Offences Act aged under 16 images. 5 2003 S.1 The Government, through the Child Exploitation Sexual Rape of a 4— 5 58 85 91 Offences Act female child and Online Protection Centre, has also supported the 20035 S. 5 under 13 by a European Financial Coalition, which brings together male law enforcement and the financial sector to help tackle Sexual Rape of a male 4— 1 14 32 37 websites providing these images for financial gain. The Offences Act child under 13 20035 S. 5 by a male Government support this work, both at UK and at EU Sexual Sexual assault 4— 34 174 243 273 level, to make sure that not only do law enforcement Offences Act of a female catch the perpetrators, but that their financial gain is 20035 S.75 child under 13 minimised. Sexual Sexual activity 4— 20 127 185 190 Offences Act involving a Offensive Weapons: Schools 20035 child S.8(1)(2)(1)(3), S.10(1a,b,ci)(3), Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State S.9(1a,b,cii)(2)(3), for the Home Department what recent assessment he S.10(1,a,b,c(ii)(2)(3) has made of the effect on the number of offences Sexual Abuse of a 4— 3 14 16 15 Offences Act position of related to the possession of a knife of those aspects of 20035 trust: Sexual the Tackling Knives Action Programme which apply to S.16(1ei,2- activity with schools. [287551] 5),(1eii,2-5), children S.17(1ei,2- 5)(1eii,2-5), Mr. Hanson [holding answer 20 July 2009]: Figures S.18(1fi,2-5), S19(1ei,2-5) for possession of a knife or offensive weapon which Total 778 906 1,135 1,287 1,365 relate to schools are too small for reliable interpretation; therefore they are counted within the sentencing statistics 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 for England and Wales. Figures are given for all knife guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which crime possession offences in England and Wales, including the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or those on a school premises. more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the more severe. The most recent figures from the Ministry of Justice 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and show that the number of offences involving possession complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts, and police of a knife or offensive weapon fell 7 per cent. (from forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection 6,931 to 6,477 offences) in January to March 2009, processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those compared with the same period in 2008. data are used. 3 Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 S.5 came into force on 21 In the same period the number of offences committed March 2005. by young people aged 10-17 years, fell by 15 per cent. 4 Not applicable. 5 The Sexual Offences Act 2003 came into force on 1 May 2004. (from 1,591 to 1,359 offences). 6 Sexual Offences Act 1956, S.1, as amended by the Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1994, S.142—comparable offences to S.1 Sexual Offences Act 2003. Opiates Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence & Analysis Unit Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the weight notified to his Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Department by manufacturers of opiate derivatives the Home Department what steps his Department (a) and finished products of loss or theft of product was of has taken and (b) plans to take to implement the (a) opiate raw material, (b) opiate medicinal products, commitments made by G8 Justice and Home Affairs (c) oxycodone raw material and (d) codeine raw Ministers in relation to combating child pornography material in each year between 1999 and 2009. [290063] on the internet. [291976] Mr. Alan Campbell: The data are not available in the Mr. Alan Campbell: The Government fully support format requested. However figures for total losses including the declaration on combating child pornography made during manufacturing, destructions, thefts and losses by the G8 in Munich in 2007, and followed up by the are available for the years 2001 to 2007 in the following Declaration made in Rome this year. The Government table. These figures are a combination of losses during believe that the UK has the right laws in place to tackle the manufacturing process, destruction and stolen/mislaid child sexual images, but is always willing to consider drugs and are based on figures reported by licensees. We changes should the need be identified. do not have data for loss or theft alone.

Reported losses of opioid drugs (includes losses during manufacturing process, amounts destroyed, stolen and mislaid) Kgs Drug 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Codeine 1880.523 1273.943 1383.577 1762.57 1420.662 1330.045 233.929 849W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 850W

Reported losses of opioid drugs (includes losses during manufacturing process, amounts destroyed, stolen and mislaid) Kgs Drug 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Dextromoramide 0.007 0.026 0.005 0.08 0.091 1.776 2.915 Dextropropoxyphene 2.764 130.296 13.14 304.99 136.113 51.721 331.377 Dihydromorphine 0.77 1.037 0.606 0000 Dihydrocodeine 12.011 570.047 326.345 49.887 96.236 18.353 14.881 Diphenoxylate 0.002 0.491 0.083 0.021 0.014 1.46 1.89 Dipipanone 0 0.006 0.01 0.013 0.77 23.112 0.205 Etorphine 0.097 0.03 0.039 0.027 0.02 0.094 0.029 Heroin 46.804 51.949 26.098 29.109 39.025 23.543 35.904 Hydrocodone 0.452 0.094 0.788 0.967 44.722 2.596 3.647 Hydromorphone 110.554 99.899 104.177 102.933 87.988 73.491 15.288 Ketobemidone 0.009 0.157 0.239 0.521 1.58 0.114 0.257 Levorphanol 0.009 0 0.009 0000 Methadone 5.184 46.574 18.588 21.279 22.711 104.658 10.579 Morphine 2219.643 1728.901 2494.167 2738.084 2714.037 2118.924 1981.159 Opium 0 0.215 165.025 0.001 73.153 0 0.001 Oxycodone 1338.908 379.842 1735.686 987.854 415.843 223.074 71.826 Oxymorphone 0.025 0 0.066 0.008 0 0 0.001 Pethidine 10.401 30.482 4.385 11.061 35.181 7.159 16.491 Pholcodine 3.963 94.612 146.058 109.038 19.03 16.753 4.139 Thebaine 11.963 4.875 5.902 8.618 10.241 2.262 3.305 Medicinal Opium 0.329 0.464 0 1.578 0.208 0.929 0.63 Alfentanil 0.13 0.15175 0.174041 0.17802 0.41201 0.13029 0.059211 Fentanyl 0.774 0.282424 516.72064 1.28224 2.74025 0.84992 0.391571 Piritramide — 0.000005 0.0129 0 0.003 0 0.002401 Remifentanil 0.069 0.000098 1.99571 11.834 9.659 0.059321 0 Sufentanil 0.085 0.000026 0.09621 0.045097 0.107012 0.0202 0.030521

Police Police Authorities: Pay

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the salary is of the (a) chair Home Department what assessment he has made of and (b) vice chair of each police authority in England. differences in the delivery of policing in (a) rural and [291980] (b) urban areas; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Hanson: Chairs and vice chairs of police authorities [292370] receive no salary. Under regulation 29 of the Police Authority Regulations 2009, each police authority must Mr. Hanson: The Government do not make assessments publish the arrangements they have in place for their on the differences in the delivery of policing in rural chair and vice chairs’ expenses and allowances. This and urban areas. Under the Police Performance Assessment information will be available from the individual police Framework, police forces were compared within a similar authorities but is not held centrally. group of forces. Selection criteria for these groups took Police: Manpower into account a range of socio-economic factors including urbanisation and rurality. Following the publication of Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the the Policing Green Paper, responsibility for assessing Home Department how many police officers there were policing performance shifted from the Home Office to (a) per head of population and (b) per notifiable Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary (HMIC). offence in each police force area in each year since 1997. [291186] The HMIC are currently reviewing the mechanisms for qualitative assessments and developing rounded Alan Johnson [holding answer 14 September 2009]: assessments for the delivery of policing services. The available data are given in the following tables:

Police officers1 (FTE)2 per 100,000 of the population by police force, as at 31 March 1997 to 31 March 2009 Police force 19973 1998 1999 2000 20014 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Avon and Somerset 204 203 203 197 197 205 213 229 225 226 224 218 213 Bedfordshire 200 197 189 185 184 189 198 210 215 213 207 204 209 Cambridgeshire 188 184 179 172 179 187 196 197 194 196 187 183 191 Cheshire 209 208 211 204 204 209 217 224 223 223 225 218 217 Cleveland 261 266 255 252 253 263 294 314 305 308 315 303 314 Cumbria 233 237 229 220 213 224 237 254 257 256 255 251 258 Derbyshire 187 184 182 183 187 189 210 216 213 212 209 212 215 Devon and Cornwall 186 192 186 182 187 192 204 208 212 219 216 214 213 Dorset 189 192 186 189 196 198 205 209 211 216 217 216 213 851W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 852W

Police officers1 (FTE)2 per 100,000 of the population by police force, as at 31 March 1997 to 31 March 2009 Police force 19973 1998 1999 2000 20014 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Durham 240 249 258 256 263 266 281 288 293 288 285 272 263 Essex 197 193 190 183 178 181 186 192 198 203 203 203 206 Gloucestershire 205 198 197 200 209 209 219 229 230 228 229 234 235 Greater Manchester 268 270 265 264 268 279 298 323 321 318 314 315 321 Hampshire 198 199 197 193 193 195 208 211 212 211 215 214 207 Hertfordshire 205 202 198 201 184 174 191 204 206 208 210 204 204 Humberside 230 228 223 219 217 234 244 256 255 251 251 248 233 Kent 210 209 204 203 209 210 221 228 227 227 229 227 231 Lancashire 228 229 228 223 228 231 239 252 251 253 252 254 259 Leicestershire 211 214 215 215 218 224 232 246 246 241 237 233 243 Lincolnshire 196 193 184 179 191 189 191 189 185 183 183 175 177 London, City of5 ************* Merseyside 296 297 298 290 291 294 302 303 318 315 325 331 333 Metropolitan Police5 367 356 352 341 351 366 404 420 433 428 426 430 432 Norfolk 185 184 176 175 178 183 189 190 192 193 191 190 198 Northamptonshire 196 193 186 181 186 194 194 198 201 207 200 196 196 Northumbria 256 263 269 266 272 278 290 294 294 291 283 285 294 North Yorkshire 183 186 181 173 175 188 193 203 206 216 217 202 185 Nottinghamshire 225 225 216 214 214 226 239 245 245 243 235 224 227 South Yorkshire 242 244 243 243 245 246 252 261 260 259 256 248 235 Staffordshire 209 217 211 204 201 201 212 218 220 219 219 214 208 Suffolk 180 179 179 171 168 177 188 196 195 191 196 188 182 Surrey 209 207 212 227 192 184 182 183 184 184 183 179 170 Sussex 211 203 191 188 188 190 203 206 205 207 205 201 208 Thames Valley 180 183 180 178 175 177 186 195 198 202 199 194 198 Warwickshire 186 185 180 178 182 190 198 197 195 198 199 198 189 West Mercia 183 180 180 166 171 176 196 202 203 202 205 210 208 West Midlands 270 271 278 274 283 293 307 311 316 318 318 324 332 West Yorkshire 247 244 236 228 228 230 242 254 271 270 270 269 268 Wiltshire 195 195 192 185 184 189 190 198 198 196 192 190 191 Dyfed-Powys 212 210 215 217 219 234 237 236 237 237 236 237 236 Gwent 275 222 224 227 229 239 244 248 259 264 268 266 257 North Wales 208 213 212 213 220 228 234 243 250 242 238 234 234 South Wales 223 242 241 236 250 259 273 275 273 271 273 264 255 England and Wales 241 240 237 233 234 240 254 264 267 267 266 264 266 1 This table is based on full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the constituent items. 2 Figures up to 31 March 2002 exclude staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. The figures for 31 March 2003 onwards figures include those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. 3 Boundary changes on 1 April 1996 transferred resources for the policing of the Rhymney Valley from South Wales Police to Gwent Police. 4 Boundary changes on 1 April 2000 transferred some resources from the Metropolitan Police to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey police forces. 5 Officers per 100,000 population for City of London and Metropolitan Police are combined.

Table 1: Total offences per officer for 1997 Table 1: Total offences per officer for 1997 Police force area Number Police force area Number

Avon and Somerset 48 Merseyside 30 Bedfordshire 44 Metropolitan police 30 Cambridgeshire 47 Norfolk 37 Cheshire 30 Cleveland 43 Northamptonshire 46 Cumbria 31 Northumbria 37 Derbyshire 42 North Yorkshire 37 Devon and Cornwall 32 Nottinghamshire 55 Dorset 34 South Yorkshire 41 Durham 32 Staffordshire 39 Essex 31 Suffolk 30 Gloucestershire 43 Greater Manchester 44 Surrey 24 Hampshire 36 Sussex 37 Hertfordshire 29 Thames Valley 42 Humberside 60 Warwickshire 39 Kent 38 West Mercia 47 Lancashire 37 Leicestershire 41 West Midlands 39 Lincolnshire 36 West Yorkshire 47 London, City of 6 Wiltshire 29 853W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 854W

Table 1: Total offences per officer for 1997 Table 2: Total offences per officer for 1998-99 to 2001-02 Number Police force area Number Police force area 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 England 37

Note: London, City 9111213 Recorded crime statistics were collected on a calendar year basis up to 1997 and of thereafter on a financial year basis. Therefore, these figures are not comparable Merseyside 33 36 35 37 with those for later years. Metropolitan 36 41 40 40 Table 2: Total offences per officer for 1998-99 to 2001-02 police Number Norfolk 41 43 40 40 Police force Northamptonshire 58 55 49 50 area 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 Northumbria 39 38 35 35 Avon and 50 50 50 57 North 41 42 40 42 Somerset Yorkshire Bedfordshire 47 52 48 49 Nottinghamshire 61 62 61 68 Cambridgeshire 53 56 50 51 South 42 42 39 42 Yorkshire Cheshire 31 32 32 34 Staffordshire 41 46 49 55 Cleveland 47 46 46 49 Suffolk 34 38 39 42 Cumbria 36 35 31 34 Surrey26263131 Derbyshire 48 48 45 49 Sussex46484847 Devon and 38 39 35 33 Cornwall Thames 47 51 51 52 Valley Dorset41403740 Warwickshire 42 43 40 44 Durham 32 31 28 32 West Mercia 40 45 40 51 Essex33373738 West 43 51 49 48 Gloucestershire 44 46 43 43 Midlands Greater 53 55 53 53 West 55 54 54 61 Manchester Yorkshire Hampshire 37 40 39 39 Wiltshire 33 34 33 33 Hertfordshire 29 30 33 37 England 41 44 42 44 Humberside 66 63 58 57 Notes: Kent 40 39 39 36 1. The coverage was extended and counting rules revised from 1989-99. Figures Lancashire 36 34 36 42 from that date are not directly comparable with those for 1997 and earlier. 2. The data in this table are prior to the introduction of the National Crime Leicestershire 47 47 43 42 Recording Standard. These figures are not directly comparable with those for Lincolnshire 41 41 37 42 later years.

Table 3: Total offences per officer for 2002-03 to 2008-09 Number Police force area 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Avon and Somerset 55 48 48 46 48 44 42 Bedfordshire 55 53 48 50 48 44 37 Cambridgeshire 61 57 53 47 50 49 46 Cheshire 40 42 41 44 41 37 35 Cleveland 47 44 41 43 40 40 31 Cumbria 33 32 35 35 31 30 25 Derbyshire52484140403735 Devon and Cornwall 41 40 40 36 36 32 29 Dorset 44444040373535 Durham 31 29 27 31 32 30 29 Essex 46474240393632 Gloucestershire 45 45 41 41 40 34 32 Greater Manchester 52 46 40 41 42 38 35 Hampshire 42 48 46 47 48 44 43 Hertfordshire 44 46 46 45 42 38 36 Humberside 63 64 56 52 51 44 42 Kent 37 38 38 41 40 36 32 Lancashire 39 43 43 40 38 34 32 Leicestershire45424241424037 Lincolnshire 51 49 48 47 45 44 42 London, City of 12 11 10 10 9 9 9 Merseyside 40 41 40 41 35 29 27 Metropolitan police 39 36 33 32 30 28 27 Norfolk 48 46 43 42 40 36 30 Northamptonshire 61 63 58 52 52 50 45 Northumbria 42 39 35 33 33 28 26 NorthYorkshire47474036333235 Nottinghamshire 67 64 57 56 57 54 49 855W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 856W

Table 3: Total offences per officer for 2002-03 to 2008-09 Number Police force area 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

South Yorkshire 48 43 43 50 49 45 43 Staffordshire49484446463939 Suffolk 40 41 40 41 38 37 37 Surrey 36383736393636 Sussex 44444644433934 Thames Valley 54 52 50 48 50 48 46 Warwickshire 44 45 43 42 43 41 40 WestMercia47454036343432 West Midlands 45 43 36 36 34 30 27 WestYorkshire64624746444037 Wiltshire 38 35 33 35 37 37 34 England 45 44 40 40 38 35 33 Note: The data in this table take account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are therefore not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the In other cases, the response will be determined in Home Department how many police officers were accordance with the caller’s needs and the provisions employed in (a) Vale of York constituency, (b) North within the pledge. Yorkshire, (c) Yorkshire and the Humber and (d) England in (i) 1997, (ii) 2006, (iii) 2007, (iv) 2008 and Surveillance (v) 2009. [292369] Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Mr. Hanson: Officer strength figures for North Yorkshire, Department how many requests were (a) made and the Yorkshire and Humber Government office region (b) granted to use powers under the Regulation of and England are all available within the annual Police Investigatory Powers Act 2000 by (i) each local Service Strength England and Wales, Statistical Bulletin. authority and (ii) each NHS trust in England in (A) Figures as at 31 March are published every July. 2003-04 and (B) 2007-08. [291737] Police personnel statistics are not available by parliamentary constituency. Figures at basic command Mr. Hanson: The Government do not have figures for unit level are available in the supplementary tables to individual public authorities. The total number of requests the statistical bulletin. for each covert investigative technique is available in the Recent editions of the bulletin are available on the published, independent annual reports of the Interception Home Office website and previous editions are available of Communications Commissioner and the Chief in the House of Commons Library at: Surveillance Commissioner. These give the following: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/policeorg1.html Table on covert investigatory powers authorised Interception 2003 2007

Police: Pay Authorised by the Home 1,983 2,026 Secretary or Scottish Executive John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Communications data 2003 2007 Home Department how many employees of police By all public authorities 1— 519,260 services received more than £64,000 in salary in the By local authorities 1— 1,707 latest year for which figures are available. [292000] Intrusive Surveillance 2003/04 2007/08 By law enforcement agencies 447 355 Mr. Hanson: This information is not held centrally. Property interference 2003/04 2007/08 By law enforcement agencies 2,483 2,493 Police: Rural Areas Directed surveillance 2003/04 2007/08 By law enforcement agencies 26,986 18,767 Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the By other public authorities 6,398 9,535 Home Department what the maximum acceptable CHIS 2003/04 2007/08 response time is for a police force to respond to a By law enforcement agencies 5,907 4,498 By other public authorities 273 234 report of a crime in a rural area. [292366] 1 Not given Note: Mr. Hanson: The Policing Pledge, introduced in the Figures taken from annual reports from the relevant oversight Commissioner Green Paper 2008, sets out the police service’s offer to The figures are not broken down further. Copies of citizens for delivery of service. the Commissioners’ reports are in the House Library. The pledge includes specific elements that encompass how the service aims to respond to reports of crimes. Terrorism That response will depend on the grading applied in accordance with National Call gradings. There is no Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the maximum acceptable response time, but in the case of Home Department how many people convicted of an emergency in a rural area, most police forces aim to terrorism offences in the UK since 2001 are foreign respond within 20 minutes. nationals. [290102] 857W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 858W

Mr. Woolas: Details of the nationality of individuals relation to the sixth form college estate in deciding who have been convicted of terrorism offences since which local authorities will be included in the next wave 2001 are not available and could be obtained only at of the Building Schools for the Future programme. disproportionate cost. [289403] Terrorism: Deportation Mr. Coaker: Pursuant to the answer of 21 July 2009, Official Report, column 1403W, I restate that we have Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the made our intention clear to bring sixth form colleges Home Department how many people convicted of within the scope of the Building Schools for the Future terrorism offences in the UK since 2001 have been programme. That remains our position. We will make deported. [290114] the details clear as soon as we are able. Mr. Woolas: Details of the number of people who Children: Prisoners have been convicted of terrorism offences and who have subsequently been deported since 2001 are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assistance is made Terrorism: Illegal Immigrants available to children with one or both parents in prison (a) to maintain contact with their parents where Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the appropriate, (b) to prevent unequal treatment of them Home Department how many people convicted of and (c) for other purposes. [291852] terrorism offences in the UK since 2001 were illegal immigrants. [290115] Dawn Primarolo: The Department recognises that many children of offenders are vulnerable and is working Mr. Woolas: Details of the number of illegal immigrants closely with the Ministry of Justice and National Offender who have been convicted of terrorism offences since Management Service to meet their needs. 2001 are not available and could be obtained only at The Department for Children, Schools and Families disproportionate cost. and the Ministry of Justice will jointly publish a cross- Work Permits: Bulgaria/Romania Government framework later this year setting out recommended practice by local agencies and offenders services in identifying and supporting these children. Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for the The Department has also funded a range of innovative Home Department how many UK work permits have voluntary sectors projects supporting families of offenders been issued to (a) Romanian and (b) Bulgarian through the Children, YoungPeople and Families (CYPF) nationals since the accession of those countries to the grant programme. EU. [291067] In addition to this many prison establishments hold Mr. Woolas [holding answer 14 September 2009]: regular family days for visitors—enabling children to The number of work permits issued between 1 January spend a longer period of time with their parent who is 2007 and 31 December 2008 to Romanian nationals is in custody. This will often involve opportunities for 1,690 and to Bulgarian nationals is 3,240. participation in family learning and play and sports activities, enabling offenders to interact with their children Figures are rounded to nearest 5. on a one to one basis. The Assisted Prison Visits Scheme The figures quoted are not provided under National operated by the National Offender Management Service Statistics protocols and have been derived from local also helps children maintain contact with their parent management information and are therefore provisional while they are in prison by meeting travel expenses and subject to change. where the child’s parent has a low income. The figures equate to the number of individual nationals who were granted a work permit. Not all those who Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for were granted a work permit took up the job and some Children, Schools and Families what support is given may have been refused entry clearance or further leave to children with one or more parents in prison, with to remain. particular reference to (a) maintaining contact with the parent or parents, unless this is deemed contrary to the child’s best interests and (b) preventing stigmatisation of and discrimination against them. CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES [292526] Building Schools for the Future Programme: Sixth Form Colleges Dawn Primarolo: The Department recognises that many children of offenders are vulnerable and is working Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, closely with the Ministry of Justice and National Offender Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of Management Service to meet their needs. 13 January 2009, Official Report, column 636W, on the The Department for Children, Schools and Families Building Schools for the Future programme: sixth form and the Ministry of Justice will jointly publish a cross colleges, how sixth form colleges located within local government Framework later this year setting out authority areas which have already received Building recommended practice by local agencies and offenders Schools for the Future funding will access funds to services in identifying and supporting these children. renew their buildings; and what assessments he made in The Department has also funded a range of innovative 859W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 860W voluntary sectors projects supporting families of offenders Mr. Coaker: Of the 3,159 maintained mainstream through the Children, YoungPeople and Families (CYPF) schools published in the 2008 Achievement and Attainment grant programme. Tables, In addition to this many prison establishments hold 1,810 (57.3 per cent.) entered no pupils for physics, regular family days for visitors—enabling children to 1,802 (57.0 per cent.) entered no pupils for chemistry, spend a longer period of time with their parent who is 1,737 (54.8 per cent.) entered no pupils for biology and in custody. This will often involve opportunities for 131 (4.1 per cent.) entered no pupil for history. participation in family learning and play and sports National Curriculum Tests: Disadvantaged activities, enabling offenders to interact with their children on a one-to-one basis. The Assisted Prison Visits Scheme Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, operated by the National Offender Management Service Schools and Families how many and what proportion also helps children maintain contact with their parent of pupils who failed to achieve a Level 4 or above in while they are in prison by meeting travel expenses reading, writing and mathematics in their Key Stage 2 where the child’s parent has a low income. tests in the latest period for which figures are available Children: Social Services were eligible to receive free school meals. [286715]

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Coaker: The requested information is shown as Children, Schools and Families what steps he has taken follows: to ensure social workers and directors of children’s Pupils achieving Level 3 or below in reading, writing services are aware of the provisions of section 53 of the and maths1 Children Act 2004; and whether his Department plans Free school meal to issue good practice guidance on taking the views of eligibility Number Percentage children into account in decision-making. [291771] FSM 17,783 33 Dawn Primarolo: The Government’s statutory guidance Non FSM 35,058 66 “Working Together to Safeguard Children” (2006), Total2 53,332 100 supplementary guidance associated with Working Together 1 Includes pupils working below the level of the test (Level B); pupils who took the test but failed to registered a level (Level N), Level 2 (maths only); Level 3. and the “Statutory guidance on making arrangements 2 Includes pupils for whom FSM information was not sought or for which to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under information was refused. section 11 of the Children Act 2004” (2007) all set out Pupil Exclusions the responsibilities of directors of children’s services and social workers in relation to section 53 of the Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Children Act 2004. The training materials “Safeguarding Schools and Families (1) what research his Department Children—a shared responsibility” (2007), commissioned has commissioned on the effects of exclusion on pupils by the Department for Children, Schools and Families in the last three years; [291949] to assist staff at all levels fulfil their safeguarding (2) what guidance his Department has issued to responsibilities, also explain these provisions and advise schools on the criteria to be used in determining on how to implement them in appropriate ways. The whether or not to exclude a specific pupil; [291950] updated Working Together, being revised following Lord (3) what guidance his Department has issued to local Laming’s recommendations, will make even clearer the education authorities on school exclusions and the responsibilities of those concerned to ascertain the wishes provision of alternative arrangements for the education and feelings of children. of excluded pupils. [291951] Children’s Trusts Mr. Coaker: The law on exclusion is a devolved issue Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for and any question relating to Wales’ educational system Children, Schools and Families what roles schools have should be put to the Welsh Assembly. in providing information to parents on Children’s The Department has not commissioned research on Trusts; and if he will make a statement. [289697] the impact of exclusion from school on pupils in the last three years. Dawn Primarolo: Subject to the passage of the Guidance for schools and local authorities in England Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill 2009 on exclusion is available in “Improving behaviour and currently before Parliament, maintained schools will attendance: guidance on exclusion from schools and become ‘relevant partners’ of the Children’s Trust, and Pupil Referral Units 2008” available at: statutory members of the Children’s Trust Board. Subject www.teachernet.gov.uk/exclusion to consultation, statutory guidance will make clear that Head teachers have discretion to deal with pupils each Children’s Trust Board should ensure that systems who are displaying challenging behaviour. Responses to are in place to provide accessible and comprehensive such behaviour should be made in the context of the information about what services are available locally to school’s behaviour policy, and should encompass a parents and young people. range of strategies, with exclusion as one option, so that GCSE the interests of the whole school are reflected in the action taken. Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Exclusion from school in England should not mean Children, Schools and Families how many and what exclusion from education. Since September 2007, all proportion of maintained mainstream schools did not schools have had a statutory duty to provide suitable, enter any pupils for (a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) full-time education for pupils who have been given a biology and (d) history GCSE in 2008. [286404] fixed period exclusion of six days or more. Likewise, 861W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 862W

English local authorities have a duty to arrange suitable, and (b) classroom assistants were employed in full-time education for pupils who have been permanently maintained schools in each local education authority excluded from the sixth day of their exclusion. This area in the North West in each year since 1997. requirement applies to all pupils of compulsory school [289293] age. Mr. Coaker: The following table provides the full Schools: Manpower time equivalent number of regular teachers and teaching assistants in service in local authority maintained schools Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for in each local authority in the North West Government Children, Schools and Families how many (a) teachers Office Region in January 1997 to 2009.

Full-time equivalent regular teachers (excluding occasional)1 and teaching assistants2 in local authority3 maintained schools. Years: January 1997 to 2009. Coverage: Local authority area in the North West Government Office Region 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Teachers Cumbria 4,030 4,060 4,130 4,240 4,180 4,380 4,430 4,450 4,560 4,750 4,260 4,350 4,210 Former 8,1908,240——————————— Cheshire Cheshire — — 5,490 5,610 5,600 5,680 5,770 5,710 5,700 5,770 5,780 5,730 6,060 (post 1.4.98) Halton — — 1,220 1,140 1,140 1,140 1,170 1,140 1,130 1,140 1,150 1,150 1,110 Warrington — — 1,530 1,650 1,680 1,720 1,730 1,780 1,800 1,880 1,810 1,820 1,820 Bolton 2,440 2,430 2,430 2,500 2,500 2,560 2,540 2,540 2,510 2,550 2,550 2,570 2,580 Bury 1,460 1,420 1,460 1,470 1,480 1,490 1,500 1,500 1,550 1,590 1,550 1,540 1,550 Manchester 3,850 3,730 4,220 3,750 3,790 3,760 3,820 3,830 3,990 3,920 3,840 3,910 3,910 Oldham 2,240 2,220 2,230 2,220 2,280 2,270 2,250 2,290 2,380 2,350 2,310 2,290 2,290 Rochdale 1,830 1,840 1,830 1,880 1,870 1,900 1,890 1,930 1,920 1,950 1,910 1,870 1,870 Salford 1,920 1,900 1,900 1,950 1,920 1,920 1,890 1,930 1,930 1,910 1,940 1.820 1,760 Stockport 2,220 2,170 2,210 2,210 2,330 2,350 2,340 2,380 2,280 2,270 2,270 2,200 2,200 Tameside 1,830 1,870 1,940 1,960 1,930 2,070 2,030 2,010 1,990 2,020 1,970 1,990 1,890 Trafford 1,750 1,860 1,880 1,910 1,900 1,880 2,020 1,970 1,960 2,010 2,040 2,100 2,000 Wigan 2,760 2,690 2,690 2,690 2,590 2,800 2,800 2,830 2,890 2,800 2,770 2,700 2,770 Former 11,87011,930——————————— Lancashire Lancashire — — 9,690 9,750 9,710 9,640 9,710 9,920 9,910 9,950 9,840 9,850 9,800 (post 1.4.98) Blackburn — — 1,360 1,390 1,310 1,390 1,400 1,410 1,420 1,480 1,460 1,350 1,440 with Darwen Blackpool — — 1,010 1,030 1,100 1,120 1,150 1,160 1,220 1,260 1,230 1,140 1,180 Knowsley 1,530 1’,530 1,570 1,640 1,530 1,450 1,570 1,510 1,500 1,470 1,430 1,390 1,390 Liverpool 4,340 4,280 4,240 4,130 4,320 4,750 4,290 4,410 4,350 4,290 4,150 4,170 4,180 St. Helens 1,590 1,570 1,570 1,570 1,570 1,580 1,630 1,550 1,600 1,570 1,550 1,550 1,540 Sefton 2,540 2,520 2,510 2,540 2,610 2,620 2,660 2,700 2,520 2,520 2,500 2,450 2,420 Wirral 2,930 2,970 2,990 2,970 3,020 3,090 3,080 3,050 3,050 3,020 2,970 2,800 3,030 North West 59,300 59,200 60,100 60200 60,400 61,600 61,700 62,000 62,200 62,500 61,300 60,800 61,000

Teaching Assistants Cumbria 610 620 660 730 840 1,100 1,110 1,150 1,200 1,310 1,470 1,540 1,540 Former 1,1301,240——————————— Cheshire Cheshire — — 830 870 1,020 1,120 1,230 1,350 1,530 1,740 1,960 2,240 2,370 (post 1.4.98) Halton — — 190 200 240 250 270 320 320 330 350 370 410 Warrington — — 250 270 320 370 380 440 510 630 690 720 800 Bolton 390 430 480 570 650 790 830 950 1,050 1,070 1,090 1,190 1,190 Bury 270 260 280 330 360 460 480 540 590 640 680 740 810 Manchester 740 750 750 810 1,080 1,430 1,610 1,750 1,880 1,920 2.290 2,100 2,410 Oldham 390 410 430 470 560 580 630 690 780 830 950 1,050 1,070 Rochdale 260 270 290 340 530 680 710 760 840 860 950 1,040 1,130 Salford 430 440 450 480 530 700 570 660 790 780 820 900 840 Stockport 340 360 310 410 510 670 700 750 810 780 840 910 980 Tameside 280 290 310 360 490 360 420 460 520 660 650 770 710 Trafford 190 200 220 230 300 230 300 380 420 440 510 650 650 Wigan 340 390 420 430 560 440 740 800 880 980 1,160 1,130 1,190 863W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 864W

Full-time equivalent regular teachers (excluding occasional)1 and teaching assistants2 in local authority3 maintained schools. Years: January 1997 to 2009. Coverage: Local authority area in the North West Government Office Region 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Former 1,7802,000——————————— Lancashire Lancashire — — 1,670 1,830 2,190 1,960 3,130 3,300 3,570 3,890 4,070 4,640 4,870 (post 1.4.98) Blackburn — — 300 350 430 360 530 580 610 650 660 740 760 with Darwen Blackpool — — 190 220 290 190 390 430 480 480 470 560 560 Knowsley 210 230 260 280 350 470 430 490 480 460 510 610 600 Liverpool 450 490 520 610 920 720 1,150 1,150 1,190 1,130 1,100 1,260 1,300 St. Helens 260 270 290 310 390 420 480 530 640 610 640 660 720 Sefton 360 380 410 470 580 490 650 680 750 780 870 1,020 1,010 Wirral 320 350 390 420 570 620 780 790 850 1,020 1,010 1,110 1,170 North West 8,750 9370 9,920 10,990 13,700 14,400 17500 18,950 20,700 22,020 23,730 25,970 27,080 1 Source: Annual Survey of Teachers in Service and Teacher Vacancies (618g). 2 Source: School Census. 3 The first, second and third phases of local government reorganisation came into effect on 1 April 1996, 1 April 1997 and 1 April 1998 respectively. The new authorities are shown directly below their former parent local education authorities.

Schools: Nottingham Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which schools in the National John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Challenge programme (a) entered pupils for and (b) Children, Schools and Families what the value added offered courses in the separate sciences at GCSE in the measures for each school in Nottingham were in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if latest period for which figures are available. [292397] he will make a statement. [287529] Mr. Coaker: The Achievement and Attainment Tables (AATs) give a summary of performance of each school, Mr. Coaker: The Department does not hold information including their Contextual Value Added measure. on which subjects are offered by schools. The 2008 AATs can be found at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables/ Based on 2008 data, the latest year for which validated results are available, there were 440 schools below the and are also in the Library. National Challenge floor target, Of those, 125 schools Science: GCSE entered at least one pupil in at least one of the separate sciences in 2008. Those schools are listed as follows. Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) how many schools in the (a) Location maintained mainstream and (b) independent sector Kidbrooke School Greenwich had one or more students achieve a GCSE in both core St. Michael and All Angels CofE Southwark science and additional applied science in each year Academy since 2007; [286803] St. Paul’s Way Community School Tower Hamlets (2) at how many schools in the (a) maintained George Green’s School Tower Hamlets mainstream and (b) independent sector one or more Bexleyheath School Bexley students achieved a GCSE in both core science and The Business Academy Bexley Bexley additional science in each year since 2007. [286806] John Kelly Boys’ Technology College Brent Mr. Coaker: In 2007, no schools had one or more Selsdon High School Croydon pupils at the end of key stage 4 achieve pass grades in Albany School Enfield both core science and additional applied science GCSEs. Harlington Community School Hillingdon In 2008, 908 maintained schools and 14 independent Barnhill Community High School Hillingdon schools had one or more pupils at the end of key stage 4 Stockley Academy Hillingdon achieve pass grades in both core science and additional Feltham Community College Hounslow applied science GCSEs. Tom Hood Community Science College Waltham Forest In 2007, 37 maintained schools and one independent Golden Hillock School, a Specialist Birmingham school had one or more pupils at the end of key stage 4 College for Sport achieve pass grades in both core science and additional Hodge Hill Sports and Enterprise College Birmingham science GCSEs. Cockshut Hill Technology College Birmingham Moseley School A Language College Birmingham In 2008, 2,992 maintained schools and 549 independent George Dixon International School and Birmingham schools had one or more pupils at the end of key stage 4 Sixth Form Centre achieve pass grades in both core science and additional Castle High School and Visual Arts Dudley science GCSEs. College Source: Menzies High School Sandwell Achievement and Attainment Tables database Bristnall Hall Technology College Sandwell 865W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 866W

Location Location

Holly Lodge Foundation High School Sandwell St. Luke’s CofE VA Secondary School Portsmouth College of Science Woodlands Community College Southampton Smith’s Wood Sports College Solihull Riverside Business and Enterprise College Leicester City Grace Academy Solihull Solihull Fullhurst Community College Leicester City Darlaston Community Science College Walsall Belgrave High School Staffordshire Willenhall School Sports College Walsall Berry Hill High School and Sports Stoke on Trent All Saints Catholic High School Knowsley College Alsop High School Technology and Liverpool Churchfields School Swindon Applied Learning Specialist College Ryeish Green School Wokingham Broadgreen International School, A Liverpool Technology College Coleridge Community College Cambridgeshire Harper Green School Bolton St. Neots Community College Cambridgeshire Hayward School Bolton Thomas Clarkson Community College Cambridgeshire North Manchester High School for Boys Manchester Sir William Stanier Community School Cheshire Cedar Mount High School Manchester Paignton Community and Sports College Torbay The Hathershaw College of Technology Oldham St. Peter’s Church of England and Essex and Sport Specialist Arts College Buile Hill High School Salford Sawyers Hall College Essex PEMBEC High School Wigan The Grays School Media Arts College Thurrock Hesketh Fletcher CofE High School, Wigan The Gateway Academy Thurrock Atherton Baxter College Worcestershire The Foulstone School Barnsley Swanley Technology College Kent Willowgarth High School Barnsley Hartsdown Technology College Kent Northcliffe School Doncaster The Towers School Kent Hatfield Visual Arts College Doncaster Wilmington Enterprise College Kent Mexborough School Doncaster Sittingbourne Community College Kent Clifton: A Community Arts School Rotherham The City School Sheffield Minster College Kent Yewlands School Technology College Sheffield St. George’s Church of England Kent Foundation School Buttershaw Business and Enterprise Bradford College Pent Valley School Kent Wyke Manor School Bradford Brockhill Park Performing Arts College Kent Rhodesway School Bradford The Hundred of Hoo Comprehensive Medway Nab Wood School Bradford School Parklands Girls’ High School Leeds Chapter School Medway All Saints College Newcastle upon Tyne City of Preston High School Lancashire Norham Community Technology College North Tyneside Skerton Community High School Lancashire Castle View School A Specialist Business Sunderland Fleetwood Sports College Lancashire and Enterprise College Sir John Thursby Community College Lancashire Henbury School City of Bristol Portland School Nottinghamshire Monks Park School City of Bristol The Queen Elizabeth’s (1561) Endowed Nottinghamshire Bridge Learning Campus—Secondary City of Bristol School The City Academy Bristol City of Bristol Top Valley School and Engineering City of Nottingham King’s Manor School, Specialist Sports Middlesbrough College College Redruth School: a Technology College Cornwall Kingswood College of Arts City of Kingston upon Thorncliffe School—A Specialist Sports Cumbria Hull College Archbishop Thurstan Church of England City of Kingston upon Southfield Technology College Cumbria Voluntary Controlled School Hull Brockworth Enterprise School Gloucestershire The Lindsey School and Community Arts North East Lincolnshire The Aveland High School Lincolnshire College Matthew Humberstone Church of North East Lincolnshire Birkbeck School and Community Arts Lincolnshire England School College Oasis Academy Wintringham North East Lincolnshire Saint Bede’s Catholic Science College Lincolnshire Parkside Community School Derbyshire Smithdon High School Norfolk Shirebrook School Derbyshire Marshland High School Norfolk Springwell Community School Derbyshire Kingsthorpe College Northamptonshire Bern rose School City of Derby Hirst High School Northumberland Royal Manor Arts College Dorset Robert Blake Science College Somerset Wellfield Community School a Specialist Durham Chilton Trinity Technology College Somerset Maths and Computing College Chantry High School and Sixth Form Suffolk Eastbourne Technology College East Sussex Centre Patcham High School Brighton and Hove Manhood Community College West Sussex Oak Farm Community School Hampshire Source: Mayfield School Portsmouth Achievement and Attainment Tables’ database. 867W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 868W

Serlby Park School: Finance local authorities for the last three years for which figures are available are given in table 2. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what capital funding bids submitted to his Department by Nottinghamshire Teachers: Hemsworth County Council in the last 12 months contained reference to Serlby Park 3-18 school. [292167] Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average Mr. Coaker [holding answer 12 October 2009]: full-time equivalent gross pay of teachers was in Nottinghamshire county council has not submitted any schools in Hemsworth constituency in (a) cash and bids for funding a three to 18 school at Serlby Park. (b) real terms in each year since 1997. [288810] Most capital funding is allocated by means of a formula rather than through a bidding process. Decisions about priorities for investment are rightly matters for local Mr. Coaker: The information requested is not available determination. at the constituency level but can be provided by local authority where the data source is considered to be of Specialised Diplomas sufficient quality. Information on the average salary of teachers is Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for available only for full-time regular qualified teachers in Children, Schools and Families what recent assessment service in local authority maintained schools. The following he has made of the standards of (a) English and (b) table provides this information for Wakefield local authority mathematics teaching for students studying for the in both cash and real terms in each year, March 1997 to diploma qualification. [291506] 2007, the latest year for which information is available by local authority. Mr. Coaker: The Department does not routinely make Average salary of full-time regular qualified teachers in local authority assessments of standards in English and mathematics maintained schools, March 1997 to 2007, Wakefield local authority teaching. The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Gross average salary (£)1 Services and Skills makes these assessments. The recent Actual Real terms2 Ofsted report, “Implementation of 14-19 reforms, including the introduction of Diplomas”, published on 17 August 1997 22,100 28,000 2009, includes an evaluation of the first year of teaching 1998 22,800 28,100 of functional skills in mathematics and English as part 1999 23,600 28,600 of the Diploma. 2000 24,800 29,400 The Department has substantially increased its work 2001 26,800 31,300 for the 2009/10 academic year with schools and local 2002 27,700 31,600 authorities, through a programme of support provided 2003 29,500 32,700 by National Strategies, to support the teaching and 2004 30,700 33,100 learning of functional skills across all of the curriculum, 2005 31,700 33,200 and act on the findings of the Ofsted report. As part of 20063 32,800 33,700 offering this support, NS and LSIS work continually at 20073 33,900 33,900 a local level to assess training requirements in the light 1 Gross salary of teachers of all grades including allowances. of readiness for functional skills teaching in local schools, 2 Adjusted using HM Treasury GDP deflator. 3 Provisional. colleges and other post-16 institutions. Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest £100. Sure Start Programme: Finance Source: Database of Teacher records Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of Teachers: Training funding for Sure Start (a) children’s centres and (b) local programmes has been retained by each local authority in each of the last three years for which Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for figures are available; and what the total (i) revenue and Children, Schools and Families (1) how many entrants (ii) capital allocation was in each case. [290452] to postgraduate certificate of education courses had a lower second class degree or better in the last year for Dawn Primarolo: Local authorities do not retain which figures are available; [288244] unspent allocation of the Sure Start, early years and (2) how many entrants to postgraduate certificate of childcare grant (SSEYCG). The Department claws back education courses had a third class or lower any unspent allocation of revenue following receipt of classification degree in the last year for which figures audited statements of expenditure. The Department are available. [288245] also does this for capital allocations but offers carry-forward of unspent capital each year until the end of March 2011 (2010-11 financial year). Mr. Coaker: The following tables show the number of first year trainees in 2006-07 by the classification of The information requested has been placed in the their first degree for: Libraries. The Sure Start Local Programme (SSLP) and children’s centres allocations for each local authority 1. Postgraduate ITT trainees for the last three years are given in table 1. The spend by 2. Employment Based Routes (EBR) trainees. 869W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 870W

Table 1: Proportion of postgraduate trainees in their first year of Undergraduate entrants to ITT courses by their highest qualification mainstream ITT courses by classification of first degree 2006-07, on entry 2006-07—England England Mainstream Employment based First year ITT entrants Number Percentage Number Percentage Classification of Highest first UK degree Number Percentage qualification on entry: Total with 2:2 and 20,660 92.6 With A or AS 4,960 63.6 0 0.0 above GNVQ 1— 1— 0 0.0 Access 660 8.5 0 0.0 Third 760 3.4 Other 2,180 27.9 170 100.0 Pass 440 2.0 Total 7,790 100.0 170 100.0 1 Unclassified 460 2.1 Less than 5, or a rate based on less than 5. Notes: Total 22,320 100.0 1. Mainstream includes Universities and other higher education institutes and Open University, but excludes Employment based ITT (EBITT). Notes: 2. EBITT includes trainees through the Registered Teacher programme. 1. First year entrants to post graduate ITT courses. Includes Source: Universities and other Higher Education Institutions, SCITT and TDA ’s Performance Profiles Open University. Excludes employment based routes and cases where QTS was granted without a course in ITT. Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for 2. Classification of first UK degree only. Children, Schools and Families what average number 3. Unclassified includes cases where degree class was undefined or unknown. of hours of continuous professional development 4. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. training was received by teachers in the last year for Source: which figures are available. [288345] TDA’s Performance Profiles Table 2: Proportion of postgraduate trainees in their first year of Mr. Coaker: The Department does not collect this employment based routes to ITT by classification of first degree data in the manner requested centrally. However, the 2006-07, England Teachers’Workloads Diary survey, managed until recently First year ITT entrants by the Office of Manpower Economics and funded by Classification of the Department, does include time spent on training first UK degree Number Percentage and/or development activity, including INSET, peer Total with 2:2 and 4,630 88.6 observation or being mentored. The survey results reflect above each individual’s definition of continuing professional Third 260 4.9 development (CPD) and, as such, will not necessarily Pass 340 6.5 record many activities that would constitute CPD such Unclassified 0 0.0 as coaching or reading teaching and learning material. Total 5,230 100.0 The latest results from that survey, for 2008, showed Notes: that the average time per week spent on this activity 1. Excludes Universities and other Higher Education Institutions, was: SCITT and Open University and cases where QTS was granted without a course in ITT. Hours 2. Classification of first UK degree only. 3. Unclassified includes cases where degree class was undefined or Primary: unknown. 4. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Heads 3.2 Source: Deputy Heads 2.3 TDA’s Performance Profiles Classroom teachers 1.4 Secondary: Heads 3.2 Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Deputies 1.7 Children, Schools and Families how many entrants for Heads of department 1.1 B.Ed degree courses had no A level passes, excluding Classroom teachers 0.8 equivalents, in the last year for which figures are available. [288341] The full report is available at: www.ome.uk.com/downloads/ 2008%20Teachers%20Report%20FINAL.pdf. Mr. Coaker: The available information is given in the table and shows the number and percentage of entrants JUSTICE to undergraduate initial teacher training (ITT) courses by their highest qualification on entry. Qualifications Asylum and Immigration Tribunal included in the “Other” category might be higher than A/AS level and can include trainees who have A/AS Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for levels. Information relating specifically to entrants with Justice how many files were destroyed by the fire at the no qualifications at advanced level is therefore not Asylum and Immigration Tribunal Centre in London available. on 19 March 2009; how many such files have yet to be reconstructed; how many cases have been delayed as a Undergraduate trainees represent 24 per cent. of consequence of that fire; and when he expects those trainees on mainstream ITT courses. cases to have been determined. [290262] 871W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 872W

Bridget Prentice: On 18 March 2009, 127 Asylum and cases of FGM when the Act came into force in 2004. Immigration Tribunal (AIT) files and 22 Special The Association of Chief Police Officers incorporated Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) files were FGM in guidance for police forces which was revised completely destroyed by fire at the AIT’s centre, Field and reissued in 2008. The Crown Prosecution Service House. included FGM in its Policy for Prosecuting Cases of All of the SIAC files have been reconstructed. All the Domestic Violence, which was disseminated to all 127 AIT files were awaiting decisions from the Court of prosecutors by the end of 2008. This was accompanied Appeal. Of these, 12 have been reconstructed and remitted by a modular training package which has been rolled back to the AIT. Administrative staff have requested out to all CPS areas. the necessary papers from the parties in order for these The Home Office chairs a cross-governmental steering cases to be listed for hearings. A further 26 have been group on FGM which brings together officials from completed because they were withdrawn at the Court of across Government and key voluntary organisations Appeal or Court of Appeal judgments not in favour of and service providers. The group’s aim is to develop the appellant have been delivered. The Court of Appeal actions and practical tools to assist victims and potential has now returned from summer recess and it is expected victims of FGM and to provide a co-ordinated response that the remainder of these will be cleared. to tackling the issue. As part of this work, the Under- There were also 141 files, at various stages of the AIT Secretary of State for Crime Reduction, my hon. Friend reconsideration process, that were damaged by water the Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Alan Campbell) and smoke and these were sent to a file recovery centre. announced on 24 September the appointment of a On return, the files were checked and any papers that cross-Government co-ordinator to provide a single point were illegible were re-requested from parties. All these of contact for work on this issue. cases are now progressing through the appeal system. A total of 128 AIT cases were adjourned immediately Land: Registration after the fire but hearings resumed a week later at an alternative venue. A total of 93 have already been heard Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for and determined, four have been heard and are awaiting Justice (1) how many claims there were to the Land determination, 24 were heard in September and will be Registry Indemnity Fund by nature of claim in each of determined in October, two will be heard and determined the last four years; how many such claims were paid; in October and five will be heard and determined in what estimate he has made of the monetary value of November. These timescales reflect the time needed, in such claims by nature of claim; and if he will make a some cases, to reconstruct damaged appeal files. The SI statement; [290118] AC cases have not been subject to any delay. (2) how many complaints were received by the Land Priority has been given to High Court Review Filter Registry regarding errors in or omissions from register Applications (where a party is dissatisfied with the first entries in respect of indemnity claims in each of the appeal decision) with the aim that parties received last four years; and if he will make a statement; decisions within 10 days. Here, the impact of the fire [290119] was compounded by unexpected increases in workload. (3) with reference to the table on page 44 of the Land All of these cases have now been cleared. Registry Annual Report 2007-08, what criteria apply to The files destroyed and damaged represent a small the calculation of substantive loss in respect of Land number compared with over 1,000 which were salvaged Registry indemnity claims; and if he will make a from Field House. A huge contingency operation where statement; [290137] administrative staff and members of the judiciary worked (4) with reference to the Land Registry Annual closely together ensured that hearings were resumed Report 2007-08, if he will publish an updated version and the business relocated with a minimum inconvenience of the table on page 44 providing the same information and delay to customers. in respect of indemnity claims for 2008-09. [290142] Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions Mr. Wills: The Land Registration Act 2002 makes provision for the payment of statutory compensation or Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice ‘indemnity’ where a mistake arises, which includes not how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there only mistakes in the register itself but also, for example, have been for offences related to female genital mistakes in official copies of documents referred to in mutilation in each of the last five years; and what steps the register or mistakes in official searches of the register. he plans to take to increase the prosecution rate for The Land Registration Act 2002 sets out the circumstances such offences. [291551] in which the register can be altered so as to put right a mistake and also the circumstances when this is not Claire Ward: There have been no prosecutions or possible. Mistakes in the register can result in losses to convictions for female genital mutilation (FGM) reported those affected by them whether or not the register is to the Ministry of Justice up to the end of 2007. Data subsequently altered and Land Registry will where for 2008 will be available towards the end of 2009. appropriate pay indemnity to compensate anyone who The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 is intended suffers loss as a result of the rectification of the register to help to prevent this unacceptable practice from happening (where the register is altered to correct the mistake and in the first place. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is this prejudicially affects a registered title), or as a result doing this. A range of guidance has been issued to of a mistake in the register that could have been rectified heighten awareness among all relevant professionals. but for some reason (for example because land is in the The Home Office issued guidance to all chief officers of possession of an innocent registered proprietor) was police in England and Wales on the investigation of not. 873W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 874W

The following tables show details of the number and apply to the calculation of substantive loss in this nature of claims over the last four years. The number of respect. Instead, the claimant or their legal representative claims received, paid and monetary value of such claims submits a claim based on the value of the loss (including has been recorded from 2006-07. Prior to that date, it any legal or other costs) caused by the mistake in the was not Land Registry practice to record either the register and Land Registry considers the claim in the number of claims received or the amount claimed. light of the individual facts and in accordance with the When the number of claims received is fewer in number provisions of the Land Registration Act 2002. It may than the total this is because a claim is not necessarily follow that a claim is reduced through negotiation or paid in the year in which it is received. because, for example, there has been negligence or ‘lack The tables include information on indemnity claims of proper care’ on the part of the claimant. In some as a result of errors and omissions in register entries. cases a professional valuation is obtained in order to The question of the number of complaints about this quantify the value of a claim. In the absence of agreement, type of error is a different issue. It does not necessarily the Land Registration Act 2002 entitles a claimant to follow that a complaint will be received when a mistake seek a determination from the court as to any question resulting in a payment has been made or, conversely, of entitlement and the amount of any such indemnity. that a payment will be made when a complaint is Land Registry may also pay indemnity in respect of received. Land Registry has specific complaint category legal and other costs, where appropriate. records from 2008-09. During this period 182 complaints Land Registry’s Annual Report always contains an were received about this type of mistake. Indemnity Report. The table for the year 2008-09 is Land Registry does not itself calculate the value of within the recently published report and a copy is also an indemnity claim, so there are no criteria as such to set out as follows:

Indemnity report for 2005-06 Number of claims Nature of claim paid Substantive loss paid (£) Legal costs paid (£) Percentage of total

Extent of registered titles 487 1,696,162.58 1,272,091.06 21.03 Errors in/omissions from register entries 181 533,582.82 328,818.11 6.11 Sundry plans errors 52 15,617.81 117,589.04 0.94 Fraud and forgery 31 8,632,656.95 1,201,960.78 69.67 Official inspections of Title Plans 18 26,065.14 28,276.03 0.38 Bankruptcy Errors 3 34,379.30 0 0.24 Official Searches 9 16,503.55 4,580.50 0.15 Office Copies 5 700 1,359.70 0.01 Errors in SIMS 36 73,441.06 24,368.48 0.69 Errors in filed extracts 3 195 160 0.003 Lost documents/administrative errors 169 43,796.61 63,650.53 0.76 Land Charges Errors 3 46 41.12 0.0006 Total 997 11,073,146.82 3,042,895.35 — Gross Payment made (£) 14,116,042.17 — Less sums recovered under the Land — — 178,809.97 — Registry’s statutory right of recourse (£) Net Indemnity Paid (£) — — 13,937,232.20 —

Indemnity report for 2006-07 Number of claims Number of claims Amount claimed Substantive loss Legal costs paid Percentage of Nature of claim paid received (£) paid (£) (£) total

Extent of registered titles 331 197 7,250,189 1,207,312.23 652,088.67 35.39 Errors in/omissions from 152 104 881,952 530,203.50 143,185.43 12.82 register entries Sundry plans errors 45 39 82,553 172,246.99 58,758.08 4.40 Fraud and forgery 24 31 3,282,104 2,001,137.11 122,359.23 40.42 Official inspections of Title 16 14 74,313 52,454.99 62,653.89 2.19 Plans Bankruptcy Errors 0 0 0000 Official Searches 8 8 19,303 4,280.36 5,033.89 0.18 Office Copies 9 9 1,041 110 1,230.72 0.03 Errors in SIMS 19 20 241,227 3,392.42 15,152.53 0.35 Errors in filed extracts 18 23 5,795 1,062.00 8,125.95 0.17 Lost documents/administrative 249 220 349,468 113,781.73 98,040.29 4.03 errors Land Charges Errors 2 0 0 806.50 0 0.02 Total 873 665 12,187,947 4,086,787.83 1,166,628.68 100 Gross Payment made (£) — — — — 5,253,416.51 — Less sums recovered under the — — — — 654,715.36 — Land Registry’s statutory right of recourse (£) Net Indemnity Paid (£) — — — — 4,598,701.15 — 875W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 876W

Indemnity report for 2007-08 Number of claims Number of claims Amount claimed Substantive loss Legal costs paid Percentage of Nature of claim paid received (£) paid (£) (£) total

Extent of registered titles 360 242 1,216,972 750,244.31 879,272.43 17.89 Errors in/omissions from 148 119 3,392,744 1,795,681.27 326,818.24 23.30 register entries Sundry plans errors 39 34 30,705 13,611.23 22,747.87 0.40 Fraud and forgery 60 53 6,335,864 3,429,131.38 524,246.64 43.39 Official inspections of Title 11 10 36,312 20,000 8,579.83 0.31 Plans Bankruptcy Errors 1 1 18,629 0 18,628.94 0.20 Official Searches 15 10 895,421 421,557.93 31,597.14 4.97 Office Copies 22 26 41,006 875.35 3,859.20 0.05 Errors in SIMS 33 21 39,620 1,084.30 30,029.54 0.34 Errors in filed extracts 51 38 14,852 89,651.52 29,294.07 1.31 Lost documents/administrative 331 308 723,486 40,805.41 157,113.50 2.17 errors Land Charges Errors 1 0 0 450,000 65,388.75 5.66 Total 1072 862 12,745,611 7,012,642.70 2,097,576.15 100 Gross Payment made (£) — — — — 9,110,218.85 — Less sums recovered under the — — — 72,535.89 — Land Registry’s statutory right of recourse (£) Net Indemnity Paid (£) — — — — 9,037,682.96 —

Indemnity report for 2008-09 Number of claims Number of claims Amount claimed Substantive loss Legal costs paid Percentage of Nature of claim paid received (£) paid (£) (£) total

Extent of registered titles 431 316 3,240,957 1,018,056.69 713,363.13 17.21 Errors in/omissions from 175 144 3,999,026 1,994,887.52 433,617.33 24.14 register entries Sundry plans errors 45 36 116,142 340,128.92 46,290.67 3.84 Fraud and forgery 62 82 9,237,179 4,257,074.48 815,038.95 50.42 Official inspections of Title 18 14 88,400 13,358.00 19,851.29 0.33 Plans Bankruptcy Errors 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 Official Searches 14 10 9,718 431.94 4,218.95 0.05 Office Copies 22 18 7,531 707.85 15,785.28 0.16 Errors in SIMS 40 30 150,877 74,399.53 38,376.27 1.12 Errors in filed extracts 62 51 30,289 12,380.83 19,250.39 0.31 Lost documents/administrative 495 473 634,677 125,434.63 116,292.74 2.40 errors Land Charges Errors 0 2 1,559 0 0 0 Total 1364 1176 17,516,353 7,836,860.39 2,222,085.00 100 Gross Payment made (£) — — — — 10,058,945.39 — Less sums recovered under the — — — — 89,235.00 — Land Registry’s statutory right of recourse (£) Net Indemnity Paid (£) — — — — 9,969,710.39 —

Magistrates Courts: Leicestershire magistrates, and staff will be taken regularly to ensure that that is the case. Local discussions are currently under way to determine the sitting levels for 2010-11—these Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice discussions have not concluded and no proposals have which magistrates courts in Leicestershire he proposes therefore been made yet. to (a) close and (b) reduce the sitting hours of in the next (i) 12 and (ii) 24 months. [288373] HMCS regularly reviews the use and utilisation of its estate. Where there is insufficient work and alternative facilities within a reasonable travelling distance we will Bridget Prentice: I refer the hon. Member to the hold consultations to seek views on whether to close a written ministerial statement made earlier today setting court. We will make a decision on whether to close a out the Government’s plans to consult on the closure of court after considering the responses to consultations. a number of under used magistrates courts. Many of the courts we are consulting on do not have adequate facilities for victims and witnesses or other court users. Offences Against Children: Convictions None of the courts we are consulting on are located within Leicestershire. Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for HMCS must keep the level of magistrates courts Justice how many people have been convicted for sitting commensurate to the amount of work—local offences related to viewing child abuse images in each management decisions, involving local judiciary, including of the last five years. [291748] 877W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 878W

Claire Ward: The number of persons found guilty at Table 2: The number of persons found guilty at all courts in England and Wales 1, 2 all courts in England and Wales for offences relating to for offences relating to child abuse, 2003 to 2007 Offence child pornography of taking, permitting to be taken, Statute description 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 distributing, publishing or possession of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, from Children and Cruelty or 494 540 482 488 493 Young Persons neglect of 2003 to 2007 (latest available) is shown in table 1 as Act 1933 S.1 children follows. It is not possible to separately identify computer Offences against Abandoning 1——21 based offences from other offences related to indecent the Person Act children under photographs. 1861 S.27 2 years Sexual Offences Rape of a 6254 275 234 219 236 The number of persons found guilty at all courts in Act 20035 S.1 female aged England and Wales for offences relating to child abuse, under 16 Sexual Offences Rape of a male 629 28 32 15 23 from 2003 to 2007 is shown in table 2 as follows. There Act 20035 S.1 aged under 16 is no specific offence of “child abuse” therefore statistics Sexual Offences Rape of a 4— 5 58 85 91 are only provided where the age of the victim can be Act 20035 S. 5 female child identified as a child from the description of the offence. under 13 by a Furthermore the term “child abuse” describes harm male Sexual Offences Rape of a male 4— 1 14 32 37 caused to a child arising from emotional, physical, Act 20035 S. 5 child under 13 sexual abuse or neglect caused by a parent, guardian, by a male carer, or stranger. A number of other offences such as Sexual Offences Sexual assault 4— 34 174 243 273 offences against the person including physical assault Act 20035 S.75 of a female may frequently be used by the police to charge offenders. child under 13 Sexual Offences Sexual activity 4— 20 127 185 190 Act 20035 involving a The Sexual Offences Act 2003 significantly modernised S.8(1)(2)(1)(3), child and strengthened the laws on sexual offences in England S.10(1a,b,ci)(3), and Wales to provide extra protection to children from S.9(1a,b,cii)(2)(3), sexual exploitation. This makes direct comparisons with S.10(1,a,b,c(ii)(2)(3) Sexual Offences Abuse of a 4— 3 14 16 15 previous legislation very difficult. Many new offences Act 20035 position of created by the Act will not have a direct equivalent S.16(1ei,2- trust: Sexual under the old legislation. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 5),(1eii,2-5), activity with S.17(1ei,2- children came into force on 1 May 2004. Table 2 includes, for 5)(1eii,2-5), 2003 only, comparable offences under the Sexual Offences S.18(1fi,2-5), Act 1956. S19(1ei,2-5) Total 778 906 1,135 1,287 1,365 Court proceedings data for 2008 are planned for 1 The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal publication at the end of November 2009. 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 Table 1: The number of persons found guilty at all courts in England and Wales the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or for offences relating to child pornography1 from 2003 to 20072, 3 more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory Offence Description 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 maximum penalty is the more severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and Take, permit to be taken, or 1,048 978 958 768 782 complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted to make distribute or publish from large administrative data systems generated by the courts, and police indecent photographs or forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection pseudo-photographs of processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those children data are used. 3 Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 S.5 came into force on 21 Possession of an indecent 239 184 196 166 185 March 2005. photograph or pseudo- 4 Not applicable. photograph of a child 5 The Sexual Offences Act 2003 came into force on 1 May 2004. 1 Offences under the Protection of Children Act 1978, section 1 and section 6 6 Sexual Offences Act 1956, S.1, as amended by the Criminal Justice & Public as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 84 & Order Act 1994, S.142—comparable offences to S.1 Sexual Offences Act 2003. Criminal Justice & Court Services Act 2000 S.41(1); Offences under the Source: Criminal Justice Act 1988 Sec. 160 as amended by the Criminal Justice & Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence & Analysis Unit Court Services Act 2000. 2 The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal Offences Against Children: Sentencing 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 Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or Justice what the (a) minimum and (b) maximum more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the more severe. length of sentence handed down for offences relating to 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and viewing child abuse images was in each of the last five complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted years. [291749] from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection Claire Ward: The information available is shown in processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. the following table. Source: Minimum and maximum length of immediate custodial sentence handed down Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence & Analysis Unit. for offences relating to viewing child abuse images1, 2003-07 Table 2: The number of persons found guilty at all courts in England and Wales for offences relating to child abuse, 2003 to 20071, 2 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Offence Total 1,261 1,140 1,129 948 944 Statute description 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 sentenced Domestic Causing or 4— 4——26Total 640 595 561 392 404 Violence, Crime allowing the immediate and Victims Act death of a child custody 20043 S.5 or vulnerable Maximum 9 7 IPP IPP IPP person (Years) 879W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 880W

Minimum and maximum length of immediate custodial sentence handed down Maria Eagle: The administration expenditure for the 1 for offences relating to viewing child abuse images , 2003-07 assisted prison visits unit (APVU) is as follows: 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Minimum 42448 £ (Weeks) 1 Section 1 (1) of the Protection of Children Act 1978, Section 160 (1) of the 2006-07 697,000 Criminal Justice Act 1988. 2007-08 693,000 Note: 2008-09 710,000 These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. The gross expenditure by the assisted prison visits Source: unit for giving assistance to prisoners’ visitors is as OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice. follows: There is no specific offence of viewing child abuse images, this table covers a wider range of offences and it £ is not solely based on viewing child abuse images. This 2006-07 1,941,000 data is presented on the principal offence basis. Where 2007-08 2,170,000 an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence, 2008-09 2,171,000 the principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed. Where the same sentence has The total expenditure for APVU has been included in been imposed for two or more offences, the principal the revenue costs of the Ministry of Justice for 2008-09 offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is and 2007-08, and the Home Office for 2006-07. most severe. The assisted prison visits scheme provides help with There are two main offences in this area: travel and where appropriate accommodation expenses Under Section 1 (1) of the “Protection of Children to prisoners’ close relatives, partners or a friend (where Act 1978” it is an offence for a person: they are the only visitor). In all cases the visitor must be (a) to take, or permit to be taken, or to make any indecent in receipt of specified benefits or on a low income. photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child; or (b) to distribute or show such indecent photographs or pseudo- Prisoners Release: Mentally Ill photographs; or (c) to have in his possession such indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs, with a view to their being distributed or Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice shown by himself or others; or what mentoring programmes are available for people (d) to publish or cause to be published any advertisement likely with (a) mental health problems and (b) learning to be understood as conveying that the advertiser distributes or disabilities who leave custody; and if he will make a shows such indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs, or statement. [290014] intends to do so. These offences carry a ‘maximum 10-year prison Phil Hope: I have been asked to reply. sentence’. The Department does not keep any central record of Section 160 (1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 mentoring programmes for people leaving custody with makes it an offence for a person to have any indecent mental health problems or learning disabilities. Such photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child in his schemes are usually local initiatives started by voluntary possession. agencies working with their local prison and other This offence carries a maximum prison term of five years. services. A sentence of imprisonment for public protection can be given for a specified sexual (or violent offence) Prisoners: Death that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years or over; the relevant offences are set out in schedule 15 to the Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Criminal Justice Act 2003 and include an offence under (1) how many people have died from cancer while in section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1978. These custody in each year since 2001; [291956] sentences ensure that serious offenders will not be released from prison unless their level of risk to the public is (2) how many inmates have died in prison from assessed by the Parole Board as manageable in the natural causes in each year since 2002. [291957] community. If the level of risk cannot be assessed as manageable, they will not be released. An offence under Maria Eagle: The following table gives the number of section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 may attract people known to have died from cancer while in prison an extended sentence for public protection. Such a custody in England and Wales in each year since 2001. sentence requires the offender to be on licence and Number of known cancer related deaths in prison under supervision for a longer period for the purposes custody in England and Wales of public protection. 2001 6 Prison Visitors: Expenditure 2002 7 2003 17 Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 2004 21 (a) how much was spent on the administration of and 2005 19 (b) expenditure by the Assisted Prison Visits Unit in 2006 18 each of the last three years; and whether those costs 2007 14 were included in the revenue costs of his Department. 2008 22 [291887] 881W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 882W

The number known to be cancer related are shown in Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care this table and refer to primary cause of death but is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject exclude cases where cancer played a secondary or tertiary to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. role. In later years the numbers should be interpreted as Source: provisional, as they may change following inquests or OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice as new information emerges. The following table gives the total number of deaths Prisons: Private Sector from natural causes in prison custody in England and Wales since 2002. Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he has taken to ensure that private sector Total number of deaths from natural causes in prison custody in England and Wales prisons take action in response to criticisms contained in the reports on them by HM Inspector of Prisons. 2002 66 [291962] 2003 86 2004 102 Maria Eagle: Contracted Sector Prisons are subject 2005 88 to the same procedures as public sector prisons for HM 2006 83 Inspector of Prisons. Within three months of the publication 2007 92 of a report on any prison, the National Offender 2008 98 Management Service is required to develop and submit an action plan to HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. This Every death in prison is a tragedy, and affects families, plan will respond to every recommendation made in the staff and other prisoners deeply. Ministers, the Ministry report. After a further nine months this action plan is of Justice and NOMS are committed to learning from updated. Ministers approve both action plans. The action each death and to reducing the number of such incidents. plans enable progress to be monitored. Deaths in prisons are among the most scrutinised of all incidents and each case is subject to a police investigation and independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Prisons: Television Ombudsman. Robust systems are in place for monitoring deaths and learning from them. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Prisoners: Foreigners how much HM Prison Service (a) spent on televisions in prisons in the last 12 months for which figures are available and (b) received from prisoners under David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for contracts for television rental. [292515] Justice how many (a) Romanian and (b) Bulgarian nationals have been sentenced to a term of Maria Eagle: Prisoners have access to televisions imprisonment in each of the last three years. [291830] in-cell as part of local incentives and earned privileges Claire Ward: The requested data are not available as schemes. Prisoners can rent televisions for £1 per week. the nationality of those sentenced is not recorded on The revenue generated from this charge is used for the the Court Proceedings database. Data on the number of purchase of new and replacement televisions and to Bulgarians and Romanian nationals currently in custody fund the switchover of the prison estate from analogue can be found in the Table 5 of the June 2009 ‘Population to digital television. in Custody’ bulletin published by the Ministry of Justice, In the financial year 2008-09, HM Prison Service following this link: expenditure and rental income from prisoners in respect http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/ of in-cell TV is shown in the following table. populationincustody.htm £ The following table taken from the Offender Management Caseload Statistics shows the total number of Bulgarian Expenditure 2,311,000 and Romanian receptions for 2006 to 2008. The figures Rental income from prisoners 2,135,000 for 2006 are considerably lower because both these countries joined the EU in January 2007. Receptions into prison establishments by nationality and sex, 2006-08 Probation Officers Male Female Total

2006 Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the number of trainee Bulgaria 29 13 42 probation officers expected to qualify in 2009 who will Romania 255 35 290 not find employment in the Probation Service. [290327]

2007 Maria Eagle: There are currently 44 graduating TPOs Bulgaria 47 128 175 in the national clearing house arrangements who have Romania 438 114 552 yet to receive offers of employment. A further 59 graduates have left the National Probation Service to take up 2008 posts elsewhere, or elected not to join the clearing house Bulgaria 40 133 173 arrangements. 27 trainees have received training contract Romania 749 122 871 extensions and will not therefore qualify in 2009. 883W Written Answers13 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 884W

Probation: Costs Maria Eagle: The following table shows the total number of multi-agency public protection arrangements Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (MAPPA) eligible offenders living in the community in what estimate he has made of the cost to the public Hertfordshire. The table also shows the number of purse of probation facilities management contracts in eligible offenders who were managed at the higher (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10. [290291] MAPPA levels and who were considered by multi-agency public protection panels. Cases are referred to level 2 Mr. Straw: The final cost of the fixed fee facilities where the ongoing involvement of several agencies will management services for the Probation estate for 2008-09 be required to implement or monitor the risk management and expected costs for 2009-10 are currently subject to plan and to level 3 where more senior oversight is commercial negotiations. Once the negotiations have additionally required. The data are collated from those concluded I will write to the hon. Member setting out data prepared for Hertfordshire’s MAPPA Annual Reports. the costs. Hertfordshire 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 Probation: Hertfordshire Total MAPPA eligible 867 808 791 732 665 offenders Mr. Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cases were referred to multi-agency public Level 2 1— 583 57 329 125 protection panels in Hertfordshire Probation Area in Level 3 113 112 31 45 14 each of the last five financial years. [289342] 1 Not collected.

885W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 886W

Most recently, in September, I attended the Scottish Written Answers to engineering executive committee dinner in Glasgow and the Scotland Office, jointly with the David Hume institute, Questions hosted a seminar bringing together key leaders in Government, industry and the university sector to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the high-tech Wednesday 14 October 2009 engineering sector in Scotland.

Defence Establishments SCOTLAND 14. Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Outreach Service Scotland what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the future of defence 9. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for establishments in Scotland. [292291] Scotland what discussions he has had with the House of Commons authorities on the production of the Mr. Jim Murphy: I have regular discussions with Outreach Service’s publication entitled People and ministerial colleagues on defence establishments given Parliament: connecting with communities. [292286] the many jobs they support in Scotland.

Ann McKechin: I am aware of the project that the Glasgow Airport Rail Link hon. Member refers to and welcome its aim to spread awareness of the work and relevance of Parliament. I 15. Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for am very happy to support this project and to encourage Scotland what recent discussions he has had with greater engagement between the public and this Parliament. Scottish Executive Ministers on the decision not to Power Stations proceed with the Glasgow airport rail link. [292292] Ann McKechin: I have had no such discussions with 10. Ms Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Scottish Ministers. Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Scottish Executive Ministers on the siting of new Departmental Postal Services coal-fired power stations in Scotland. [292287]

Mr. Jim Murphy: I have had no discussions with Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland Scottish Government Ministers about the siting of new how much his Department spent on Royal Mail coal-fired power stations in Scotland. services in each of the last two years. [288745] Identity Cards Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office spend using Royal Mail was £7,199 in 2007-08 and £13,476 in 2008-09. 11. Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for The Office was not required to top-up its franking Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the machine in London during 2007-08, which significantly First Minister on the (a) cost to the public purse of reduced the overall costs. and (b) implementation of the national identity card The Scotland Office also incurred Royal Mail costs of scheme in Scotland. [292288] £6,718,002 in relation to the posting of candidates’ free mailing and the delivery of poll cards for the Scottish Mr. Jim Murphy: I have had no discussions with the Parliament election in 2007-08. In 2008-09 the Scotland First Minister on national identity cards. office incurred Royal Mail postage costs for two Westminster by-elections totalling £147,475. Tourism Departmental Training 12. Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received on the effects of UK Government policies on tourism John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in Scotland. [292289] how many external training courses were attended by staff of his Department in the last 12 months; and what Ann McKechin: My right hon. Friend has received no the cost was of each course. [289606] recent representations on this issue. Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office encourages all Manufacturing Sector staff to undertake learning and development activities. The majority of opportunities are provided through the 13. Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Scottish Government and the Ministry of Justice; but Scotland what recent representations he has received where the training need is still not available within on UK Government support for the Scottish central Government, external training courses may be manufacturing sector. [292290] considered. The Office does not maintain a central record of all Mr. Jim Murphy: I have had discussions with a range training courses attended by staff. However, during the of stakeholders about support for the Scottish current financial year, the Office has incurred £12,164.94 manufacturing sector. in direct expenditure. 887W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 888W

Departmental Travel http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/ 2009-06-12-csd-final-report-2009fbookmarked.pdf Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for A steering group has been established under the Scotland how much his Department spent on (a) car chairmanship of the Secretary of State for Scotland to hire, (b) train travel, (c) air travel, (d) hotels and (e) help the UK Government and the Scottish Parliament restaurant meals for (i) Ministers and (ii) staff in his plan how to take forward the Calman recommendations Department in each of the last five years. [289971] and deliver stronger devolution within a stronger United Kingdom. Ann McKechin: The tables show the Scotland Office spend on car hire, rail and air travel. The Office does not separately record the spend on hotels and restaurant CABINET OFFICE meals. 2009 Edition of Public Bodies Ministers £ Car hire1 Rail Air Greg Clark: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she expects to publish the 2009 edition of 2004-05 8,042 374 2,822 Public Bodies. [289842] 2005-06 16,559 1,223 5,509 2006-07 5,797 1,745 5,270 Tessa Jowell: We expect to publish “Public Bodies 2007-08 14,237 1,358 7,518 2009” early in the new year. Copies will be placed in the 2008-09 18,439 1,381 23,313 Libraries of the House and made available online. 1 This does not include the Government Car Service London costs for which I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement Civil Servants issued on 16 July 2009, Official Report, column 79WS. Staff Mr. Hurd: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office £ what information the Cabinet Office holds on the Car hire Rail Air average turnover rate amongst civil servants in each (a) Government department and (b) executive agency. 2004-05 2,896 25,632 74,331 [290037] 2005-06 4,051 32,244 73,431 2006-07 4,644 37,150 70,263 Angela E. Smith: The Department does not hold data 2007-08 3,549 31,100 56,946 centrally on civil service average turnover rates among 2008-09 637 22,045 87,323 civil servants in each (a) Government Department and (b) Executive Agency. Holiday Accommodation: Taxation Information on the number of leavers in the year to 31 March 2008 and the number of permanent staff as at Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 31 March 2008 by (a) Government Departments and what discussions he has had with Treasury Ministers (b) Executive Agency is collected by ONS as part of on the effect of the abolition of furnished holiday the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey. A copy lettings tax relief on tourism, rural areas and regional has been placed in the Library and is available at the economies in Scotland. [293432] following ONS webpage: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/ Ann McKechin: My right hon. Friend has regular Product.asp?vlnk=2899&Pos=&ColRank=1&Rank=422 discussions with Treasury colleagues on a range of matters affecting Scotland. Civil Service: Pensions Government will publish an impact assessment at pre-Budget report 2009 alongside draft legislation. Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to paragraph C. 76, page Scotland 242 of Budget 2009, if she will place in the Library a copy of the actuarial advice she received on the civil Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for service pension scheme; and if she will make a Scotland whether his Department plans to make a statement. [289102] submission to the Scottish Executive’s National Conversation consultation on Scotland’s constitutional Tessa Jowell: The projections underlying forecast expenditure for the civil service scheme reflect the actuarial future. [288951] assumptions set at the time of the last scheme valuation. Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office has not submitted A copy of the actuary’s report of December 2007 is in evidence to the Scottish Government’s National the Library. Conversation. Glasgow The Commission on Scottish Devolution was established by majority vote in the Scottish Parliament and with the John Mason: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet full support of the UK Government. UK Departments Office whether she plans to visit Glasgow on official submitted evidence to the Commission during its first business during the summer adjournment. [288937] phase of evidence gathering. The Commission recently published its final report, Tessa Jowell: I have not visited Glasgow on official which can be found here: business during the summer adjournment. 889W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 890W

Government Communication Network Jonathan Shaw [holding answer 9 September 2009]: The information is provided in the table: Mr. Hoban: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet The number of people in Glasgow East constituency and Scotland in Office (1) what the budget for (a) the Government receipt of higher and lower rate of attendance allowance at February Communication Network and (b) the Government 2009 Communication Group is for (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10, Lower rate Higher rate (iii) 2010-11 and (iv) 2011-12; [242218] Glasgow East 1,290 2,050 (2) what the cost to the public purse of (a) the parliamentary Government Communication Network and (b) the constituency Government Communication Group was in each year Scotland 57,360 87,640 for which figures are available. [242220] Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten. 2. Totals show the number of people in receipt of the lower or higher Tessa Jowell: The budget for Government rate attendance allowance. Excludes people with an entitlement Communication Group for 2008-09 was £2.1 million, where payment has been suspended. and is £2.1 million for 2009-10. The Cabinet Office has Source: not yet finalised unit budgets for future financial years DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal beyond this spending review period. Study The group’s remit includes improving professional Pensioners: Poverty capability of government communication, cross- departmental co-ordination and the customer service Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work standard. The Government Communications Network and Pensions what recent estimate she has made of the is the mainly online community to share best practice number of pensioners living in poverty in East and learning to communication staff across government. Dunbartonshire constituency. [292933] Its administrative support is provided through the Government Communication Group and its costs are Angela Eagle: Estimates of poverty, published in the not separately identified but included in the total figure. households below average income series, only allows a Expenditure for the Government Communication Group breakdown of the overall number of people in poverty was as follows: at Government Office Region level. Therefore, information for East Dunbartonshire constituency is not available. Expenditure (£) Latest information for Scotland, Government Office Region, is based on three year averages and is provided 2005-06 2,335,000 in Table 1 as follows: 2006-07 2,407,000 2007-08 2,114,000 Table 1: Number of pensioners (thousands) falling below various thresholds of median household income, after housing costs, Scotland 2008-09 1,813,000 Government Office Region, 2005-06 to 2007-08 Number Government Departments: Data Protection Below 60 per cent. of contemporary 200,000 median household income Mr. Wallace: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Below 50 per cent. of contemporary 100,000 Office what (a) losses of information and (b) breaches median household income of information security have been reported to her Below 60 per cent. of the 1998-99 median 100,000 Department by other Government departments since household income uprated in line with June 2008. [288962] prices

Tessa Jowell: As required in the cross government Social Fund: Glasgow data handling review and to facilitate greater openness and transparency of data security breaches, Departments Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work are required to report on significant personal information and Pensions pursuant to the written ministerial security breaches in their annual resource accounts. The statement of 20 July 2009, Official Report, column first summary reports by Departments were published 110WS, on the Discretionary Social Fund, for what in their annual resource accounts at the end of the reasons the changes to the Discretionary Social Fund 2007-08 reporting year and these have now been followed were extended to Glasgow; and when she expects such by the 2008-09 accounts. These reports are publicly an extension to end. [292915] available through departmental websites. Helen Goodman: This change requires customers to be interviewed when they make a third or subsequent application for a crisis loan to cover living expenses (not WORK AND PENSIONS including loans to cover the period before the customer receives their first payment of benefit or wages) in a Attendance Allowance: Scotland rolling 12 month period. This policy was extended to Glasgow in order to test John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Work the impact of this change in a large city environment; and Pensions how many people in (a) Glasgow East and to provide a comparison for Jobcentre Plus of the constituency and (b) Scotland were in receipt of the (i) impact of interviewing a client on a third and subsequent higher and (ii) lower rate of attendance allowance on crisis loan application in isolation from the combined the latest date for which figures are available. [290779] measure being tested elsewhere. The testing in the two 891W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 892W other areas—the East Midlands and South West Regions— Shalit. However, we are clear where we believe Israeli included limiting the number of some crisis loan awards policies undermine hopes of peace and cause Palestinian for living expenses to no more than three in 12 months. civilians to suffer, notably through Israeli settlement We plan to rollout the changes nationally from the building and movement restrictions in the west bank end of October 2009. and east Jerusalem, and the restrictions on people and goods moving in and out of Gaza.

Morocco WOMEN AND EQUALITY Equality and Human Rights Commission Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will instruct HM Ambassador in Rabat to investigate the abduction Robert Neill: To ask the Minister for Women and and torture by Moroccan security agents on 27 August Equality what assessment she has made of whether the 2009 of Ms Hassawina Nguyia, a 19 year-old Sahrawi Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights woman who had previously been prevented from Commission has a conflict of interest in relation to his travelling to London to participate in the programme, role in the Equate Organisation. [288268] Youths talk together about Western Sahara. [292829] Maria Eagle: The chair of the EHRC has declared Mr. Ivan Lewis: Our ambassador to Morocco and his his interests in relation to Equate and has organised his staff at the British embassy in Rabat have already work in order to avoid a conflict of interest. sought clarification from the Moroccan Government regarding Ms Hassawina Nguyia and the other Sahrawi students due to take part in an event in Oxford in FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE August this year. The Government made clear to the Moroccan authorities India: Christianity that they regretted that the students had been prevented from travelling to the UK and that they were concerned Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for by allegations of the disproportionate use of force. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his The Moroccan Government have told us that they Department has taken to address the problems faced remain open to participating in future events organised by Christians in Orissa state, India. [292760] by Talk Together and have investigated the allegations of mistreatment, which they deny. We will continue to Mr. Ivan Lewis: Foreign and Commonwealth Office seek further clarification from the Moroccan authorities. Ministers expressed their concerns directly to the Indian government at the time the violence occurred in 2008. Nigeria: Arms Control The Indian central government has since urged the state government of Orissa, who are responsible for law and Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign order in the state under the Indian constitution, to and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has prevent any further such incidents. It has also offered received of developments in the case of a Ukrainian compensation and assistance to victims of communal aircraft detained in Nigeria in June 2009 following violence in India, including in Orissa. The EU sent a reports it was carrying weapons and ammunition. fact-finding mission to Orissa in December 2008 (in [292076] which a member of our high commission participated). Our high commission subsequently discussed the findings Chris Bryant: We were not previously aware of this of that visit with the Indian government in Delhi, and incident, although it was reported by the BBC and in also raised the issue of minority rights in Orissa at the the African press over the summer. The hon. Member last EU-India Human Rights Dialogue meeting in February for Winchester (Mr. Oaten) has been a member of the 2009. They will participate in a further EU visit to Commons Committee on Arms Export Controls since Orissa, which is currently planned for December. September 2008. Middle East North Korea: Nuclear Power Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he place on the agenda of the United Nations Security has had with the government of Israel on its policy Council the matter of the sale of nuclear technology by priorities for (a) Gaza and (b) the West Bank; and if North Korea to the government of Burma. [291973] he will make a statement. [292961] Mr. Ivan Lewis: We are aware of unconfirmed reports Mr. Ivan Lewis: We are in regular contact with Israeli of nuclear cooperation between the Democratic People’s Ministers and officials. My right hon. Friend the Prime Republic of Korea (DPRK) (North Korea) and Burma Minster spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu on 18 and continue to monitor the situation. September. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary We are already working actively with international spoke to Defence Minister Barak on 13 October. partners to ensure effective implementation of the robust These discussions cover a range of issues, including package of sanctions imposed in the new UN Security Israeli policies in the west bank, east Jerusalem and Council Resolution 1874 on DPRK. This was agreed Gaza. Israel has legitimate concerns about its security unanimously in June following the North Korean and is right to demand the immediate release of Gilad underground nuclear test of May 2009. 893W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 894W

HOME DEPARTMENT the Vetting and Barring scheme is flagged on Criminal Records Bureau checks. [289340] Identity and Passport Service: Complaints Mr. Hanson: In accordance with provisions of the Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, the status of Home Department (1) how many complaints the an individual under the Vetting and Barring Scheme Identity and Passport Service has received from (a) will be included on an Enhanced Criminal Records members of the public and (b) hon. Members in each Bureau disclosure with effect from 12 October 2009. of the last 12 months; [289520] (2) how many complaints his Department has received from hon. Members in respect of the operation of the TRANSPORT Identity and Passport Service in each of the last 12 months. [289521] Departmental Paternity Leave Mr. Woolas: The total number of complaints received during the period of June 2008-May 2009 are: Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many staff took Number paternity leave from his Department in each of the last five years; and what the average duration of such leave (a) Members of the public 7,137 has been. [290592] (b) Hon. Members 707 The following table is the breakdown of the complaints Chris Mole: The following table provides details of received in each of the last 12 months: the number of staff who took paternity leave in the last five years: Members of the MP cases public Number

June 89 859 2004-05 117 July 99 891 2005-06 151 August 79 724 2006-07 154 September 66 570 2007-08 171 October 71 488 2008-09 152 November 47 563 The information in the above table does not include December 49 358 the Driving Standards Agency and Vehicle Certification January 29 386 Agency. Their information can be provided only by February 39 522 incurring disproportionate costs. March 58 650 April 42 567 The average length of paternity leave is 8.4 days May 39 559 across Department for Transport Central and its Agencies. Total 707 7,137 Motorways: Speed Limits The Identity and Passport Service does not record complaints in the form of the operation of the service. Mr. Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department However, hon. Members’ complaints received in IPS are for Transport what powers traffic officers have to (a) broken down into specific categories and the top three stop and (b) report speeding vehicles on motorways. categories from June 2008-May 2009 are: [292430] 1. Customer care 2. Delay in processing postal application Chris Mole: Under the provisions of Part 1 of the 3. IPS policy and procedures Traffic Management Act (2004), Highways Agency Traffic It should also be noted that one letter can generate Officers have the power to stop and direct traffic and multiple categories. pedestrians. This is the same power as a police constable has under sections 35, 37 and 163(1) and (2) of the Police: Drugs Road Traffic Act 1988. Traffic Officers do not have an enforcement role and Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the therefore do not stop vehicles for speeding. This Home Department how many police officers have been responsibility remains with the police. Traffic Officers tested for substance misuse in each of the last three have a general instruction to report acts of a criminal years; and how many of those tests have recorded a nature to their control office for reporting to the police positive result of substance misuse. [292441] for possible prosecution. This is in line with their procedures for identifying when an incident should be police led. Mr. Hanson: The information requested is not available centrally. Public Service Vehicles: Fuels Vetting Derek Wyatt: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for for Transport what progress his Department has made the Home Department what mechanisms are in place in supporting the development of oxyhydrogen as an to ensure that the barred status of an individual under alternative fuel for public transport vehicles. [292905] 895W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 896W

Mr. Khan: The Department for Transport is committed In particular, there will be far less need for diesel trains to reducing emissions of both air quality pollutants and and a greater requirement for electric trains. The greenhouse gases from road transport, for example Department will publish a new rolling stock plan in the through setting of performance requirements for new autumn, setting out a revised strategy. vehicles. We welcome developments which assist in the meeting of those commitments, but do not generally provide support for development of specific technologies. Rather we leave industry free to develop the most JUSTICE effective technologies to meet the performance requirements we set. Bankruptcy We are not aware of anyone currently proposing the use of a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen gases as a fuel Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for road vehicles. We are, however, frequently approached how many UK (a) companies and (b) individuals filed by companies marketing ″hydrogen on-demand″ systems for bankruptcy in the financial year 2008-09. [289484] which produce small quantities of this gas mixture on-board the vehicle, to feed into the inlet air. This is Bridget Prentice: The following table shows the number claimed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions of of insolvency and bankruptcy petitions issued in the pollutants. High Court and county courts of England and Wales during 2008-09. The Ministry of Justice does not hold As with other proprietary products claimed to deliver corresponding statistics for Scotland or Northern Ireland. fuel consumption benefits we recommend that companies commission objective testing to support the benefits Insolvency and bankruptcy petitions filed in England and Wales, claimed in the marketing of their products. The Department 2008-09 has not, to date, seen any objective evidence that hydrogen Number on-demand systems for retrofitting to engines actually Company winding up 12,966 produce such benefits. Creditors bankruptcy 20,442 Debtors bankruptcy 59,453 Railway Stations: Crimes of Violence Statistics on insolvency and bankruptcy petitions are Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, published in a quarterly National Statistics bulletin Department for Transport how many crimes of each “Company winding up and bankruptcy petition statistics” type were recorded as having taken place (a) on trains which can also be found on the Ministry of Justice and (b) at railway stations in each London borough in website at: each of the last four years. [293052] http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/ companywindingupandbankruptcy.htm Chris Mole: This information is not held by the The Ministry of Justice statistics do not indicate the Department for Transport, but by the British Transport actual number of company winding-up orders and Police who can be contacted at: bankruptcy orders during a particular period. These British Transport Police, statistics are published by the Insolvency Service and 25 Camden Road, London NW1 9LN, can be found on their website at: E-mail: [email protected] http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/otherinformation/statistics/ insolv.htm Rolling Stock Data Protection Jim Dobbin: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many of the 1,300 additional rail Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for carriages announced in the 2007 Rail White Paper will Justice what guidance the Court Service has issued on be allocated to each rail operator. [289496] the practice of file-sealing in cases involving alleged breaches of (a) privacy and (b) duty of Chris Mole: So far there have been 543 new rail confidentiality. [292089] carriages ordered by the following Train Operators. Bridget Prentice: I am told there has been no guidance TOC Type Class No of Vehicles issued by Her Majesty’s Courts Service (HMCS) nor any process that would involve the courts in file-sealing. Southern EMU - DV 377 48 I have also been informed that HMCS does not hold London EMU 350/2 148 any information about Privacy or duty of confidentiality Midland cases. London DMU 172 69 Midland Divorce Chiltern DMU 172 8 Southern EMU -DV 377 44 Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Virgin West EMU 390 106 (1) what estimate his Department has made of the Coast number of decrees absolute granted in (a) 2005, (b) NXEA EMU 379 120 2006, (c) 2007 and (d) 2008; [292372] On 23 July, the Government announced a major new (2) how many divorces his Department recorded electrification programme which radically affects the centrally in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007 and (d) 2008. requirements for train rolling stock over the next decade. [292373] 897W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 898W

Bridget Prentice: The estimated number of decrees Bridget Prentice: The Legal Service Commission (LSC) absolute granted is shown in Table 5.5 of Judicial and regularly monitors access to specialist legal advice. Where Court Statistics 2008. A copy of this Command Paper particular geographical access issues have been identified, (CM7697) was laid before Parliament on 24 September the LSC aims to fill gaps through interim bid rounds. In 2009 and is also available in the Libraries of the House. addition, as part of the impact assessment of all policy This is also available online at: changes the LSC carries out rural proofing. http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/ The LSC is also establishing a number of Community judicialandcourtstatistics.htm Legal Advice Networks in rural locations which will A central record of decrees absolute is kept by the offer integrated advice services, including specialist legal Principal Registry of the Family Division. The information advice in debt, employment, welfare, community care on the central record is compiled by Office of National and housing. Clients will be able to obtain face to face Statistics (ONS) upon receiving notification of decrees advice on tackling their civil legal problems in one or absolute from the courts, and is then sent to the Principal more easily accessible sources. Registry of the Family Division. In addition, the LSC runs the Community Legal The provisional figures for the number of decrees Advice helpline (0845 345 4 345) in England and Wales, absolute granted each year are shown in the following which provides specialist advice to people who live on a table. low income or benefits by the telephone on debt, housing, employment, welfare benefits and tax credits, education HMCS/MOJ ONS/Central index and family matters. Last year the Community Legal figures figures Advice helpline dealt with over 335,000 cases. 2005 142,367 141,750 2006 133,026 132,562 Vexatious Litigants 2007 129,146 128,534 2008 122,861 193,100 Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 1 Up to 3rd quarter 2008 what consideration he has given to additional restrictions Note: on the ability of people who have been declared vexatious These figures include both decrees absolute and decrees of nullity. litigants to pursue court proceedings. [291766] The ONS figures for 2007 and are provisional. The ONS figures for 2008 are provisional, rounded to three significant figures and cover the first three quarters of 2008 only. Bridget Prentice: Vexatious litigants may not instigate, ONS figures can be found at: continue or make any application in any court proceedings without first seeking leave from the High Court. To give Table 1: Divorces: Petitions filed and decree granted, leave the court has to be satisfied that there is no abuse available at: of process and that there are reasonable grounds for the www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=14124 proceedings or application. We have no current plans to Annual Reference Volume: Marriage, divorce and impose additional restrictions on vexatious litigants. adoption statistics (series FM2 no. 34), available at: www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/ Young Offenders: Magistrates Courts FM2no34/FM2_No34.pdf Population Trends 137, Table 2.1: Vital statistics summary. Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/ how many (a) magistrates who sit in adult magistrates’ PopTrends137web.pdf courts and (b) other magistrates had received training Legal Aid on dealing with juvenile offenders on the latest date for which figures are available. [289378] Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many legal aid lawyers dealing with immigration Bridget Prentice: No figures are kept centrally in this and asylum cases there were in (a) England, (b) Devon format. Having been selected to sit in first the adult and (c) East Devon constituency in each of the last 10 court, and perhaps later specialising in the youth court, years; [292335] magistrates and district judges (magistrates court) receive training from both the Judicial Studies Board and local (2) how many legal aid lawyers dealing with (a) Magistrates Area Training Committees to fulfil their housing cases, (b) employment cases and (c) family judicial roles and functions. This is a combination of cases there were in (i) England, (ii) Devon and (iii) East courses on induction, continuation and bench chairmanship Devon in each of the last 10 years. [292439] training by which includes information and practising Bridget Prentice: The information requested is currently practical examples of court scenarios such as bail decisions, being collated. Some information that addresses these trials, youths appearing in the adult court, youth remands, questions is held by the Legal Services Commission, but and by specific issue training when new legislation is not in a form which can immediately be used to answer commenced. This is supplemented by both the Adult the questions. I will write to the hon. Member once we Court and YouthCourt Bench Books which are available have the information requested. to courts in both hard copy and via the JSB website. Since the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, the Lord Legal Aid: Rural Areas Chief Justice is responsible for the provision and sponsorship of judicial training, within the resources Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice provided by the Lord Chancellor. Each year, the Judicial what schemes his Department has in place to ensure Studies Board publishes its own Annual Report and, on that those living in rural or isolated areas have access to behalf of the Lord Chief Justice, a National Summary legal aid lawyers. [292438] of individual Magistrates Area Training Committees’ 899W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 900W annual reports, which includes the details and volume HEALTH of the training provided in the area during the preceding year. Blood: Contamination Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for Health pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2009 to what steps he is taking to ensure that all (a) the hon. Member for Cardiff Central, Official Report, magistrates sitting in adult magistrates’ courts and (b) columns 656-57W, on blood: contamination, whether district judges receive (i) specific training in bail law he has sought from the people whose personal and (ii) guidelines in relation to juvenile remands. information is in the seven withheld records permission [289380] to disclose those records. [290157]

Bridget Prentice: Since the Constitutional Reform Gillian Merron: No. I am advised that the documents Act 2005, the Lord Chief Justice is responsible for the contain personal information (exempt under section 40 provision and sponsorship of judicial training, within of the Freedom of Information Act), some of which the resources provided by the Lord Chancellor. The was provided in confidence (and so exempt under section Lord Chief Justice exercises his executive responsibilities 41 of the Freedom of Information Act). In view of the for oversight of the Judicial Studies Board through the time that has elapsed, and the personal nature of the Judicial Executive Board. information, we do not believe that it would be appropriate for the Department to make such requests. Each year, magistrates and district judges (magistrates court) receive training from both the Judicial Studies Drugs: Misuse Board and local Magistrates Area Training Committees designed to assist in fulfilling their judicial roles and John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health functions via courses on induction, continuation and what the annual cost to the public purse of drug action bench chairmanship training which includes information teams is; and how many staff are part of drug action and practising practical examples of court scenarios teams. [292505] such as bail decisions, youths appearing in the adult court, youth remands. This is supplemented by both the Gillian Merron: Local drugs partnerships (such as Adult Court and Youth Court Bench Books which are Drug Action Teams) are responsible for delivering the available to courts in both hard copy and via the JSB Government’s drug strategy at a local level. These combine website. representatives from key local bodies including local authorities, health, probation and the prison service. Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Because these partnerships operate at a local level, their what the names are of the chairs of the board of each structure differs from area to area, enabling them to youth magistrates’ court. [289385] best address the needs of their local populations. Information about the structure and staffing of individual Mr. Straw: The Ministry of Justice does not hold a local drugs partnerships and their costs is not collected central list of chairmen of youth panels for each magistrates centrally. court. Chairmen of these panels are elected annually Haemophilia and can service for a maximum of three years. The number of youth panel chairmen are held by the Justices’ Clerks Society with names held locally at each bench. Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State This information can be obtained only at disproportionate for Health (1) how many tissue or blood samples taken cost. from UK haemophiliacs in the last three years are held by the National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit; [292343] Youth Justice (2) how many tissue or blood samples taken from UK haemophiliacs who are deceased are held by the National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit; Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice [292344] (1) how many children have appeared before a (3) how many tissue or blood samples taken from magistrates’ court on a Saturday in the latest year for UK haemophiliacs and held by the National which figures are available; [289383] Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit have been (2) how many youth courts have sat on a Saturday in tested to date. [292345] the latest year for which figures are available. [289384] Gillian Merron: In the past three years (January 2006 to date), as part of an ethically approved surveillance Bridget Prentice: There are no figures available regarding study, the National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance how many children have appeared before a magistrates Unit (NCJDSU) has received and tested 252 tissue court on a Saturday. Data that is collected cannot be samples from 12 patients with haemophilia for the broken down into days of the week. presence of disease-associated protein. Of these 15 tissue There are no figures available regarding whether any samples were from five living people, and 237 tissue youth courts have sat on a Saturday. Youths appearing samples from seven deceased people. All samples were at court on a Saturday will appear before a magistrates tested, and all samples had consent prior to them being court and be remanded or bailed to the relevant youth sent to the NCJDSU for testing. No blood samples court. were received or tested. 901W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 902W

To date, in total the NCJDSU holds 372 tissue, and Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health no blood, samples from a total of 12 deceased patients what plans his Department has to ensure that all staff with haemophilia. at NHS hospitals in England do not have to pay car All samples received by the NCJDSU have been parking charges; and if he will make a statement. tested. [292936]

Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State Mr. Mike O’Brien: My right hon. Friend the Secretary for Health whether tissue or blood samples taken from of State recently announced plans to phase out car UK haemophiliacs, and held as library samples, have parking charges for in-patients. The Department has no been tested for the presence of the PA virus in the last plans to extend this to staff. It is the responsibility of three years. [292347] each national health service organisation to set a policy on staff car parking that is appropriate to its local Gillian Merron: There have been no known such tests. situation.

Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State Midwives for Health what recent advice his Department has sought on individual haemophiliacs’ unique experience Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for of multiple virus exposure, and its consequences for Health how many agency midwives were employed by their health and treatment. [292348] each primary care trust (PCT) in each of the last five years; and how much each PCT spent on the Gillian Merron: In the past year departmental officials employment of agency midwives in each such year. have met with officials of the Haemophilia Society and, [292681] separately, with representatives of the UK Haemophilia Centre Doctors’ Organisation. Haemophilia patients’ Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally. experience of multiple virus exposure was discussed at The midwifery agency spend is collected within the some of these meetings. financial return as part of agency nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff costs. Agency midwifery spend Hospitals: Parking is not identified separately.

Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Midwives: Training (1) how much he expects his proposals to provide free parking for hospital in-patients to cost in each financial Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for year; from which budgets he expects the money to be Health how much each strategic health authority has taken; and whether he expects the budgets of any other spent on (a) three-year and (b) 18-month midwifery programmes to be reduced consequent on the courses in each of the last five years. [292676] implementation of those proposals; [292538] (2) what estimate he has made of the percentage of Ann Keen: Information on how much each strategic income from hospital parking charges accounted for by health authority has spent on three-year and 18-month charges paid by (a) outpatients and (b) staff; and midwifery courses in each of the last five years is not whether these groups will have access to free parking at held centrally. hospital sites under his policy for free parking for hospital in-patients. [292539] NHS: Employment Agencies

Mr. Mike O’Brien: Over the next three years, as it can Mr. Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health be afforded, car parking charges for in-patients will be if he will bring forward proposals to increase the phased out. Out-patients will benefit from improved number of regionally-based recruitment agencies used Concession guidance that will be launched next year. to supply staff to the NHS. [293007] Staff car parking is decided locally by national health service organisations and is not changed by the policy Ann Keen: The recently awarded nursing framework of phasing out of car parking charges for inpatients. has given agencies the opportunity to tender on both a The cost per annum for phasing out car parking for regional and national basis and the framework has been in-patients and their visitors has been estimated at awarded regionally i.e. aligned to strategic health authority £141 million. Funding of these costs will be provided by boundaries. reducing back office costs without affecting clinically related budgets. NHS: Renewable Energy The information requested on the assessment of parking charges is not available in the format requested. Data John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health provided by the NHS in 2007-08 indicated that £27.9 how many NHS buildings use heat generated by (a) million was received from staff car parking and £83.6 solar panels and (b) ground source heat pumps. million from inpatients, outpatients and visitors. Parking [292014] charges relating specifically to outpatients was not collected separately. This information is as provided by the NHS Mr. Mike O’Brien: The Department does not collect and has not been amended separately. It was collected data centrally on the number of national health services on a voluntary basis and therefore is not likely to be buildings in England that use heat generated by solar complete. panels and ground source heat pumps. 903W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 904W

NHS organisations are legally autonomous and are a timetable for its review of Quality and Outcomes best placed to make their own decisions locally about Framework indicators. [292934] specific items of equipment, such as solar panels and ground source heat pumps, to ensure they are appropriate Mr. Mike O’Brien: The independent Advisory to meet their needs, circumstances and strategies. Committee met in July and agreed principles for its The Department is committed to supporting the NHS review of Quality and Outcomes Framework indicators. to meet the requirements of the Climate Change Act Details of these discussions have been published on the 2008, such as carbon budgets and the forthcoming National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence carbon reduction commitment. It is recognised that this website and a copy placed in the Library. will only be achieved by greater take-up by the NHS of renewable energy sources and better, more holistic energy Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for efficiency measures. Provision by the Department of a Health what the remit of the Quality and Outcomes £100 million energy and sustainability capital fund, indicator pilots for the Quality and Outcomes encouraged the take-up of renewable energy forms of Framework will be. [292935] heat and power such as biomass boilers, solar panels Mr. Mike O’Brien: Details of the Quality and Outcomes and heat pumps. Framework (QOF) indicator pilots are set out in the The Department is actively supporting the NHS National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s Sustainable Development Unit (NHS SDU), which has (NICE’S) interim process guide for the development of produced the NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy.In addition, QOF indicators. This guide has been published on the the Department, in partnership with the Carbon Trust, NICE website and a copy placed in the Library. is working with individual NHS organisations to identify appropriate investment strategies. The Carbon Trust Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for along with the NHS SDU is also raising management Health for which diseases pilot indicator studies will be awareness and providing implementation advice to NHS conducted for inclusion in the 2011-12 Quality and organisations. Outcomes Framework . [292949] The Department provides guidance to assist the NHS and their partners in meeting the criteria in the document Mr. Mike O’Brien: The National Institute of Health Health Technical Memorandum 07-02 “Encode—making and Clinical Excellence have published details of indicators energy work in healthcare”, a copy of which has been currently in development and for further review on their placed in the Library. This guidance provides general website. A copy has been placed in the Library. energy efficiency standards within healthcare facilities and covers new build and refurbishment projects as well Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for as the energy management of existing facilities. Health what mechanism exists for stakeholders to (a) contribute ideas for the expansion of or an amendment Prescriptions: Fees and Charges to Quality and Outcomes Framework indicators and (b) suggest new areas for pilot indicator development. Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health [292960] what expenditure his Department has incurred on the NHS business authority administering pre-paid Mr. Mike O’Brien: The National Institute for Health prescription certificates in the last 12 months; and what and Clinical Excellence opened an online suggestions estimate he has made of the income forgone in facility on 15 September to enable any stakeholder to exemptions to prescription charges in the same period. propose new a topic—or changes to an existing topic—for [291575] Quality and Outcomes Framework. The cut-off date for the current round of submissions was 13 October. Mr. Mike O’Brien: The administering of pre-payment After this date, there will be a further opportunity to prescription certificates (PPCs), medical exemption suggest topics in spring 2010. certificates and maternity exemption certificates is a single process. It is not possible to provide a cost for Slaughterhouses administering PPCs. The total costs for England, including overheads, for Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health the 12-month period August 2008 to July 2009 for what the average change in veterinary charges in administering PPCs, medical exemption certificates and abattoirs has been in each year since 2006-07. [291918] maternity exemption certificates for residents of England was £4.418 million. Gillian Merron: The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) is responsible for official controls in all approved fresh The estimate of income forgone in England from meat establishments in Great Britain to verify that Food exemptions to prescription charges in the most recent Business Operators comply with hygiene and other 12 months for which data are available (August 2008 to legislation including animal welfare. July 2009) is £5.6 billion. The estimate assumes no deterrent effect, and no substitution of charged prescriptions Total charges to abattoir operators (excluding cutting with Over the Counter Medicines. This is likely to mean plants) for official controls carried out by the MHS that this is an over-estimate. were: Quality and Outcomes Framework £ million 2006-07 21.1 Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for 2007-08 23.1 Health when he expects the National Institute for 2008-09 24.5 Health and Clinical Excellence to publish on its website 905W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 906W

Swine Flu Gillian Merron: The supply of Tamifiu has been kept under review since the pandemic was declared and only Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health very limited amounts have been available in the supply what the chemical composition is of the swine flu chain to fulfil private prescriptions. Bulk purchases by vaccine his Department is planning to issue to the the United Kingdom and other Governments globally NHS. [291494] have meant that, to date, stocks available for supply against private prescriptions have been very limited. However, this situation is being kept under review and Gillian Merron: It is the manufacturer’s responsibility we are in regular touch with the manufacturer. to provide this information to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) as part of licensing requirements. For the licensed Glaxo Smith Kline vaccine named Pandemrix, the excipient list as listed at EMEA website CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT is as follows: Archives: Internet After mixing, 1 dose (0.5 ml) contains: 1 Split influenza virus, inactivated, containing antigen equivalent Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State to: for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to 3.75 micrograms2 ensure that the British Library and other institutions A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)v-like strain (X-179A) are able to build a digital archive which captures 1 propagated in eggs material published on the internet; and if he will make 2 haemagglutinin a statement. [293178] AS03 adjuvant composed of squalene (10.69 milligrams), Mr. Simon: We are currently considering the Legal DL-a-tocopherol (11.86 milligrams) and polysorbate 80 Deposit Advisory Panel’s recommendations on the (4.86 milligrams) “Collection and Preservation of UK Online Publications, The suspension and emulsion, once mixed, form a free of charge and without access Restrictions”. We are multidose vaccine in a vial. The vaccine contains 5 still awaiting recommendations from the Legal Deposit micrograms thiomersal. Advisory Panel on “E-journals and other commercial Suspension vial: and protected online publications”. Policy formulated Polysorbate 80 in response to these recommendations will be published for public consultation. In the event that draft regulations Octoxynol 10 result, they would be subject to affirmative resolution in Thiomersal both Houses. Sodium chloride (NaCI) Churches: Finance Disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HP04) Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2P04) Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Potassium chloride (KCI) Media and Sport if he will bring forward proposals to Magnesium chloride (MgC12) ensure that grant-making bodies for which his Water for injections Department has responsibility give preference to those Emulsion vial: places of worship which donated their bells as a Sodium chloride (NaC1) contribution to munitions in the Second World War in awarding grants for the replacement of church bells. Disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HP04) [292923] Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2P04) Potassium chloride (KCI) Margaret Hodge: There are no plans to influence Water for injections grant-giving policy in the way that is suggested. However, Whole virion influenza vaccine, inactivated containing the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme makes antigen of pandemic strain1: grants equivalent to the VAT incurred in making repairs to places of worship that are listed buildings. Eligible 2 A/California/07/2009 (H1N1)v 7.5 micrograms per 0.5 ml works include repairs to bells, their ringing mechanisms dose and bell frames. Replacement of bells would only be 1 propagated in Vero cells (continuous cell line of mammalian considered under the scheme where they are damaged origin) beyond economic repair. Another source of funding is 2 expressed in micrograms haemagglutinin. the Heritage Lottery Fund that has awarded a total of This is a muitidose container. £12,148,814 to 237 projects that have involved the repair, Trometamol conservation and restoration of church bells and bell-frames throughout the UK. Sodium chloride Water for injections Circuses: Licensing Polysorbate 80 Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Media and Sport with reference to his response to the Health what recent assessment he has made of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee report on the availability of Tamiflu for dispensing on private Licensing Act 2003, if he will set a timetable for the prescriptions; and whether the increase in the NHS introduction of portable licences for circuses; and if he stockpile of Tamiflu affects this availability. [292902] will make a statement. [289355] 907W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 908W

Mr. Sutcliffe: As the Government’s response to the centrally about the percentages of staff involved. DCMS Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee suggested, have, recently, installed a new Human Resources we are currently looking at options for a portable licence Information System (Oracle), which will record this for travelling entertainment such as circuses. Once we information. have developed these further, we will announce a timetable for progressing our proposals, including any necessary Departmental Information and Communications public consultation. In the meantime, I would be happy Technology to meet the hon. Member to discuss how we can ensure that the views of circuses are fed into the development of these options. Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what IT systems have been in Departmental Consultants development for use within his Department in the last five years; what the reason for the development of each Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for system was; how much has been spent on the Culture, Media and Sport with reference to page 33 of development of each system; and which systems have his Department’s Corporate Plan 2008, how many (a) been subsequently (a) implemented, (b) terminated policy and (b) expert advisers who are not special prior to implementation and (c) terminated following advisers are employed by his Department. [290810] implementation. [290542]

Mr. Sutcliffe: [holding answer 9 September 2009]: In Mr. Sutcliffe: My Department has developed the addition to the 43 policy/senior advisers employed by following IT systems: DCMS the Department currently employs the equivalent of 1.3 (one at 0.8 and one at 0.5 hours) expert advisers Cost on secondment from other organisations. 0.5 is shared System Purpose (£) with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Livelink Electronic document and records 2,469,198 Departmental Dismissal management FoI/CMS The management of Freedom of 467,654 Information cases and general Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for correspondence Culture, Media and Sport how many staff have (a) User Account Provide electronic requests for IS services 24,196 been dismissed and (b) had their contract terminated Request with approval workflows by his Department in each of the last five years; what Enterprise Provide an integrated search across all 72,396 the reason for such action was in each case; and what Search DCMS internal data. the severance costs in relation to (i) dismissal and (ii) Nakisa Staff Directory 50,330 contract termination were in each such year. [290545] Secure To provide a method of collaborating 533,851 Sharepoint securely with third parties such as Mr. Sutcliffe: The information is as follows: NDPBs and delivery partners up to restricted level. Number of Estimated CIBU Wiki Information sharing for briefing and 212,485 Number of termination of severance cost1 correspondence dismissals contracts (£) All have been implemented except Secure Sharepoint 2004-05 2 0 7,738.98 which is in the final stages of development. None have 2005-06 0 0 — been terminated. 2006-07 2 0 50,385.59 This answer does not include systems that are procured 2007-08 0 0 — as a service such as the accounting and HR services. 2008-09 0 0 — 1 The exact severance costs are held in Departmental offsite archives. Recalling this information can be provided only at disproportionate Departmental Logos cost. Note: The information is obtained from the Department’s central electronic Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, database. Due to the lower number of dismissals, it is inappropriate Media and Sport for what reasons his Department has for detailed reasons to be provided. The Data Protection Act 1998 adopted a logo. [291500] requires these data to be treated on confidence. Departmental Flexible Working Mr. Sutcliffe: The DCMS logo is part of a wider visual identity that was adopted following the Department’s Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State name change in July 1997. The logo was refreshed in for Culture, Media and Sport what flexi-time April 2006 in order to better explain the work of the arrangements were available to staff of his Department Department to the public as well as improve the consistency in each of the last five years; and how many staff and distinctiveness of DCMS communications. participated in such arrangements in each such year. [290547] Departmental Manpower Mr. Sutcliffe: Staff in DCMS are actively encouraged to work alternative working patterns, including part-time Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for working, job-sharing and working from home. These Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made are mainly arranged at local line management level and of the average length of employment of staff of his the Department does not hold comprehensive data Department at each Civil Service payband. [290544] 909W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 910W

Mr. Sutcliffe: The table shows the average length of Mr. Sutcliffe: The information requested is as follows: employment of DCMS staff at each civil service payband— time in grade at DCMS only, excluding previous Number of Average length Total number departmental experience. employees of leave (days) of days 2008-09 2 11 21 Grade Average length of 2007-08 5 10.2 51 employment/years 2006-07 0 0 0 DCMS Civil service 2005-06 0 0 0 AGrade772004-05 0 0 0 A(U) Grade 6 7.5 B HEO/SEO/HEOD 6.5 Departmental Pay CEO7 D AA/AO 8 Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for SCSI SCSI 7.5 Culture, Media and Sport what employee reward schemes SCS2 SCS2 4.5 are offered to staff of his Department; what the purpose SCS3 SCS3 9 of each scheme is; how many staff participate in each Grand total 7 scheme; and what the cost of operating each scheme was in each of the last five years. [290548] John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff there were in Mr. Sutcliffe: The Department for Culture, Media (a) his Department’s predecessor in 1997 and (b) his and Sport offers two such schemes: (a) special bonuses Department on the latest date for which figures are to reward outstanding contributions in particularly available. [292059] demanding tasks or situations, and (b) consistent with the general civil service principles of performance-related Mr. Sutcliffe: According to the published civil service pay, to reward highly successful performance over a statistics for 1997, the Department (then called the whole year. All permanent employees of the Department Department for National Heritage) had 1,004 full-time are eligible to receive either, subject to meeting the equivalent staff (44 industrial and 960 non industrial) performance criteria. The costs of running this scheme and of these 666 were in executive agencies (at the time for the past five years are set out as follows: Historic Royal Palaces and the Royal Parks). Special bonuses There have been some structural changes in the Total cost (£) Department since then and the Department lost the Football Licensing Authority and Gambling Commission; 2009-10 121,800 and created the Government Olympic Executive (GOE) 2008-09 60,855 to oversee the whole Olympic programme in 2006. 2007-08 87,000 Currently the number of full-time equivalent staff as 2006-07 69,565 of 30 September 2009 is as follows. 2005-06 57,141 1 DCMS: 457 Year to date The Royal Parks Executive Agency: 105 Performance bonuses Total cost (£) Departmental Motor Vehicles 2009-10 452,889 Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008-09 373,064 Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department 2007-08 477,100 spent on hire vehicles in each of the last five financial 2006-07 413,160 years. [291599] 2005-06 293,241

Mr. Sutcliffe: The Department has spent the following Departmental Recycling amounts on hire vehicles in each of the last four years:

£ Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of his 2005-06 13,947.79 Department’s waste was recycled in the latest period for 2006-07 16,094.75 which figures are available. [289674] 2007-08 17,054.99 2008-09 10,823.38 Mr. Sutcliffe: 48.2 per cent. of the Department’s waste was recycled in the 2007-08 financial year. Unfortunately we are unable to provide data for 2004-05 as this information is not held on our financial Departmental Sick Leave system. Departmental Paternity Leave Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many sick days were Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for taken by staff of his Department in each of the last five Culture, Media and Sport how many staff took years; and what the cost to the public purse of such paternity leave from his Department in each of the last absences was in each such year. [290543] five years; and what the average duration of such leave was in each such year. [290546] Mr. Sutcliffe: The information is as follows. 911W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 912W

The total cost of absence is based on the calculation Cost (£) made by the Department’s payroll provider and it does not include the expense of covering absence with temporary 2,000 staff or overtime. 230 1,360 Total number of working days lost Cost of absence (£) 2,000 850 2004-05 1,577 206,542 2005-06 1,556 248,762 300 2006-07 1,449 242,210 283 2007-08 1,315 238,693 275 2008-09 1,679 298,862 Total 7,576 1,235,069 October (Courses = 22) 761.7 Departmental Training 480 495 John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for 76.5 Culture, Media and Sport how many external training 795 courses were attended by staff of his Department in the 499 last 12 months; and what the cost was of each course. 1,220 [289676] 365 Mr. Sutcliffe: The number of external training courses 905 attended by staff totals 180. The total cost of external 1,350 training over the last 12 months was £216,274.91. The 365 cost for each session is set out in the following table. 783.75

Cost (£) 488.55 1,500 2008 1,755 July (Courses = 13) 331.67 200 1,150 850 1,940 428 550 2,600 1,940 331.67 480 331.67 1,395 1,350 1,259.1 2,300 2,250 November (Courses = 23) 765 1,775 345 2,500 895 1,365 310 430 315 August (Courses = 9) 300 899 85 1,500 1,100 1,470 1,250 1,100 1,360 160 775 2,250 1,799 480 2,300 480 108 400.5

September (Courses = 15) 2,100 227 1,470 801 1,470 245 2,200 480 4,500 480 315 480 1,750 480 913W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 914W

Cost (£) Cost (£)

300 235 935 December (Courses = 16) 760 755 315 1,760 1,500 1,365 630 1,470 1,100 2,500 2,500 1,799 1,550 430 1,360 430 940 480 10,000 480 2,250 480 2,500 4,250 1,550 100 395 494.1 340 967 650

April (Courses = 10) 140 2009 140 January (Courses = 12) 1,000 700 170 1,470 300 1,460 480 630 845 480 1,100 1,500 1,210 480 315 480 1,590

395 May (Courses = 14) 999 3,000 140 3,000 2,500 3,660 665 February (Courses = 16) 6,500 1,600 872.1 630 872.1 990 967 2,275 967 1,620 1,365 1,550 315 1,500 2,250 1,290 890 805 1,585

1,440 June (Courses = 10) 430 1,695 1,350 700 920 395 2,500 395 10,500 395 1,111.5 1,998

March (Courses = 20) 480 230 1,490 855 1,600 189 915W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 916W

Digital Broadcasting future channel developments, including the introduction of High Definition services on the digital terrestrial Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for television (or Freeview) platform. Culture, Media and Sport how many households have been affected by the loss of ITV3 and ITV4 following Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the digital television re-tune of 30 September 2009; and Culture, Media and Sport whether his Department was who took the decision to remove ITV3 and ITV4 from informed of the loss of ITV3 and ITV4 to many the areas so affected. [292937] television viewers by (a) Freeview and (b) ITV prior to the digital television re-tune of 30 September 2009. Mr. Bradshaw: We believe that up to 1 million households [292941] could have been affected by the loss of ITV3 and ITV4 after the digital television re-tune. In some cases the Mr. Bradshaw: The Television Multiplex Services services will be restored at digital switchover. (Reservation of Digital Capacity) Order 2008 required the transfer of one non-public service channel operated The decision to move one ITV service was approved by Channel 3 license holders from a public service as part of The Television Multiplex Services (Reservation broadcasting (PSB) multiplex to a commercial multiplex. of Digital Capacity) Order 2008, which paved the way The aim of this measure was to facilitate the transfer of for new services, including up to four High Definition Five, a PSB channel, to a PSB multiplex in order to services, on Freeview. ITV plc decided which channel to ensure universal coverage of Five , equivalent to the move to meet this requirement. The company also other public service channels at switchover, as well as decided for commercial reasons to move another ITV further developments of the digital terrestrial television channel to make way for other future channel developments platform, including the introduction of high definition as part of the re-tune process. services. I was also informed that ITV intended to move Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for another ITV service to one of the commercial multiplexes, Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of licence which have more restricted coverage, to make way for fee receipts has been used to facilitate digital switchover; future channel developments. The decision on which what proportion of the digital switchover help scheme channels to move was a commercial matter for ITV plc. budget remains unspent; and if his Department will make an assessment of the merits of using money from that scheme to upgrade relay transmitters. [292938] Digital Technology: Legal Deposit

Mr. Bradshaw: £803 million was set aside in the Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for 2007-13 TV licence fee settlement to facilitate digital Culture, Media and Sport whether he plans to switchover. We expect there to be an under-spend on the introduce regulations to permit or require delivery of £603 million provided for the Digital Switchover Help publications to legal deposit libraries by electronic Scheme but it is too early to estimate the level of means under the Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003. under-spend with any precision. However, as set out in [292904] the Digital Britain White Paper, a number of ways the under-spend might be redeployed have been identified. Mr. Bradshaw: The Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003 These include contributing to the roll-out of universal allows for regulations to be made to widen the existing broadband; the maintenance of plurality of news in the system of legal deposit to cover non-print publications. nations, locally and in the regions; and the roll out of We are currently considering the Legal Deposit Advisory Digital Audio Broadcasting. There are no plans to use Panel’s recommendations on the “Collection and the under-spend to increase the coverage of the three Preservation of UK Offline and Microforms Publications” commercial digital terrestrial television multiplexes. and the “Collection and Preservation of UK Online There is a licence requirement that the three Public Publications, free of charge and without access Service Broadcasting (PSB) digital multiplexes, which Restrictions”. Policy formulated in response to these carry the public service broadcasting channels, should recommendations will be published for public consultation reach 98.5 per cent. of UK households after Digital in due course. In the event that draft regulations result, Switchover. Since the national re-tune, ITV3 and ITV4, they would be subject to affirmative resolution in both which are not PSB channels, have been carried on Houses. commercial multiplexes where the licence post-Switchover requirement is that 90 per cent. of household coverage Freeview Service is achieved. Any decision to build out beyond 90 per cent. coverage would be a commercial decision for the Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for multiplex operators. Culture, Media and Sport what statutory obligations apply to Freeview to ensure that all national free-to-air Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for broadcasts from free-to-air broadcasters are equally Culture, Media and Sport for what reasons the digital available to all licence fee payers. [292939] television re-tune of 30 September 2009 resulted in the loss of channels ITV3 and ITV4 by many viewers in the Mr. Bradshaw: There are no such statutory obligations. UK. [292940] The Communications Act 2003 requires that the coverage of the digital terrestrial television multiplexes carrying Mr. Bradshaw: The digital re-tune was undertaken by the public service channels1 should substantially match broadcasters to facilitate the move of Five to a Public the coverage of the comparable analogue services, which Service Broadcasting multiplex and to make way for is estimated to be 98.5 per cent. of UK households. 917W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 918W

Ofcom has included this condition in broadcasters’ Public Library Statistics 2007-08 show 7,557,494 adult digital replacement licences and multiplex licences. and 1,692,573 children’s talking books issued on loan. 1 All BBC channels, ITV1, Channel Four (main channel only), Public libraries will also often refer visually impaired Five (main channel only) and S4C. people to the RNIB National Library Service where a wide variety of book formats are available, including Horse Racing: Betting Braille titles. Sports: Cambridgeshire Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to assist the Horserace Betting Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Levy Board to collect Levy payments arising from bets Media and Sport how much funding his Department placed with betting operators registered overseas. allocated to sport-related groups in North West [291485] [291815] Cambridgeshire in each of the last 10 years. Mr. Sutcliffe: Sport England have advised that they Mr. Sutcliffe: We support the Levy Board’s aim of are unable to detail Exchequer funding for sport-related securing contributions from gambling operators to ensure groups in North West Cambridgeshire as these type of the continued health of racing. data are not collated on a constituency basis. The Department is currently conducting a review of The Department for Culture, Media and Sport allocated remote gaming, which is examining this issue along Sport England over £480 million of Exchequer funding with others. The review will report to Ministers by the in the last five years, to invest in community sport both end of the year, and Ministers will report findings to through national governing bodies and more specific Parliament. local initiatives. Publications: Sight Impaired In addition, in 2009-10, the Department has allocated Sport England £135.7 million of Exchequer funding. Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Sport England has targets to get one million people Culture, Media and Sport what guidance his doing more sport by 2012-13, and to make a major Department provides to public libraries on the contribution to the delivery of the five hour sports offer proportion of books which should be made available for children and young people. North West Cambridgeshire for people with visual impairments; and if he will make will benefit, alongside every area of England, from a statement. [293057] Exchequer and lottery investment by Sport England in 2009-10 in support of these targets. Margaret Hodge: Decisions on stock purchasing remain Although non-departmental funding, Sport England with local library authorities and there are no national have advised that the following initiatives have received guidelines for the proportion of stock which should be lottery funding to support participation in sport in held in accessible formats in individual libraries. However, North West Cambridgeshire in each of the last financial public libraries recognise the special needs of visually years. impaired people in obtaining various suitable formats Projects relating to ‘Living Sport’ are delivered through including large print books and spoken word material. the County Sports Partnership, and as a result this The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy funding will have been spent across all of Cambridgeshire.

Award date Parliamentary constituency Recipient Project description Total award (£)

20 October 1999 Cambridgeshire North West Peterborough Area Canoeists and Award will enable members to go 4,875 Kayakers Club on essential coaching and safety courses they will then use the skills and qualifications acquired to provide training in canoeing to other clubs and non sporting organisations.

15 February 1999 Cambridgeshire North West Castor and Ailsworth Tennis Land purchase and construction 44,570 Club of new court and clubhouse

19 October 2000 Cambridgeshire North West Yaxley Wanderers Participation is paramount to this 811 group and grant will enable children of all abilities to enjoy league football particularly those denied opportunities elsewhere in the locality.

29 August 2000 Cambridgeshire North West Peterborough Area Combined This project aims to raise the 4,999 Triathlon Club profile of the group and the sport of triathlon to help establish develop membership and skill levels at the club. 919W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 920W

Award date Parliamentary constituency Recipient Project description Total award (£)

29 August 2000 Cambridgeshire North West East Midlands Rugby Union This group provides training and 1,580 Referees Society development for referees in Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire. The award is for a laptop pc and 10 copies of MS office.

14 June 2000 Cambridgeshire North West Corby Rugby Football Club This rugby club would like 4,022 equipment to provide and promote a mini and junior team. The award is for a rucking sled, 20 junior rugby balls, 4 tackle bags, 3 body suits, 3 contact pads, a storage container and a training cd.

17 September 2001 Cambridgeshire North West Upwood Cricket Club Club uses award to develop and 2,000 encourage children and young people to participate in village cricket and coaching with the provision of an artificial cricket wicket.

8 June 2001 Cambridgeshire North West Shia Sports The award provides a festival of 2,772 sport on 21/22 July inc. swimming, netball, football and badminton for women and girls from local ethnic communities.

28 March 2001 Cambridgeshire North West Orton Longueville School The award will enable this school 3,878 to provide a lunch-time and after school club to introduce rowing to young people and to open up rowing to all sections of the community.

20 March 2002 Cambridgeshire North West Stanground College To provide opportunities for 4,289 young people to be introduced to rowing both in lunchtimes and after school to develop physical fitness and new skills.

20 March 2002 Cambridgeshire North West St Ivo Racquets Club To further increase capacity with 4,845 additional coaching and practice facilities and to develop squash and tennis opportunities in the area with club/school links and other initiatives.

20 March 2002 Cambridgeshire North West Stanground St. John’s Primary An after-school athletics club to 521 School promote good practice and develop physical education activities in association with the secondary school.

20 March 2002 Cambridgeshire North West Ormiston Children and Families Extending sporting opportunities 4,346 Trust to more children and families in the community with the provision of start-up costs and equipment for a new sports club.

20 March 2002 Cambridgeshire North West Peterborough Athletic Club To extend athletics opportunities 4,700

10 April 2002 Cambridgeshire North West Sawtry Ladies Hockey Club To encourage new members to 1,028 this small rural hockey club by distributing leaflets to all homes in the area and the local secondary schools and providing essential training and kit. 30 October 2006 Cambridgeshire North West Living Sport Community Sports Coach 17,998 Scheme

30 October 2006 Cambridgeshire North West Living Sport Living Sport Year 1 delivery Plan 149,250 921W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 922W

Award date Parliamentary constituency Recipient Project description Total award (£)

16 August 2006 Cambridgeshire North West Living Sport County Sports Partnership 382,832 Business Plan

30 April 2007 Cambridgeshire North West Living Sport Workforce Development Plan 07 160,275

7 May 2008 Cambridgeshire North West Living Sport Workforce Development 2008-09 160,735

17 June 2008 Cambridgeshire North West Living Sport County Sports Partnership 140,000 Annual Development Plan -2008-09

12 December 2008 Cambridgeshire North West Living Sport Community Sports Coaching 18,323 Scheme Total 1,685,001

Sports: Energy and young people to take part in 10-week taster sessions in sports and aims to get 300,000 participants to join John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for clubs and continue with sport beyond those sessions. Culture, Media and Sport how many sports buildings Additionally, one of Sport England’s strategic targets is which receive funding from his Department use heat to reduce the drop-off among 16 to 18-year-olds in nine generated by (a) solar panels and (b) ground source key sports. This target will be measured by the Active heat pumps. [292015] People survey and is based on reducing the gap between 16 and 18 year old participation by 25 per cent. The Mr. Sutcliffe: The Department primarily channels its national target is therefore to increase overall participation sports funding through two main distributors, Sport in the nine drop-off sports among 18-year-olds to England and UK Sport. 31 per cent. Due to the widespread nature of the estates covered The latest 12 month rolling participation figure illustrates by these two bodies it is not possible to provide detail at that there has been a statistically significant increase in the level requested without incurring disproportionate overall participation in the nine drop-off sports among cost. DCMS and our NDPBs are keen to ensure that 18-year-olds from 189,100 to 202,500. If this level of estates are maintained on a sustainable basis. overall participation in the nine drop-off sports were maintained until the end of the current strategy period then the participation figures are expected to reach the Sports: Young People target of 31 per cent.

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Television: Licensing Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of young people who ceased participating in sport after leaving school in the Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for latest period for which figures are available. [291342] Culture, Media and Sport what the cost of collecting the television licence fee was in each of the last five Mr. Sutcliffe [holding answer 16 September 2009]: years. [292908] Sport England have advised that during the ages of 16 to 19, the period when young people leave school, sport Mr. Bradshaw: Administration and enforcement of participation1 drops by 7 percentage points, (or the the television licensing system are the responsibility of equivalent of 42,000 participants) from a participation the BBC, which operates independently of Government. rate of 37.4 per cent. at age 16, to a participation rate of The day-to-day administration and enforcement of the 30.4 per cent. at age 19. licence fee regime is undertaken by TV Licensing, who 1 Participation is defined as the percentage of the adult population act as agents for the Corporation. participating in at least 30 minutes of sport, of at least moderate I have, therefore, asked the BBC’s Head of Revenue intensity, at least three times a week. Management to consider the question raised by the hon. Member for Bath and to write to him direct. Participation rate Number of Age (percentage) participants Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. 16 37.41 251,370 17 34.60 230,829 18 31.14 208,625 World Cup 19 30.40 209,368 Source: Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Sport England’s Active People Survey 2 (Oct 2007-Oct 2008). Culture, Media and Sport if he will discuss with the To address this, through the Sport Unlimited initiative, Football Association the inclusion of (a) Lilleshall Sport England works closely with the Government to National Sports Academy and (b) other football deliver the 5 Hour Young People’s Sports Offer. Over training facilities in Shropshire in its bid for the UK to three years, the programme will enable 900,000 children host the 2018 World Cup. [291995] 923W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 924W

Mr. Sutcliffe: The Football Association are leading in arrangements are probably more common. The research the bid for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups and are suggests that share farming is carried out by 1 to 2 per following a selection process to make venues available cent. and contract farming by 3 to 4 per cent. of farms for FIFA to select host cities and training venues. I will in England. ensure that bid officials are aware of Lilleshall’s potential. This research was based on the Farm Business Survey sample in England between 2002 and 2004. The farms represented in the survey account for 95 per cent. of national economic output from farming. No data are ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS available for other similar arrangements, nor for earlier Agriculture years. 1 https://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/reports/jvf/ JVF_Research_Project-Final_Report.pdf Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he Agriculture: Manpower has made of the proportion of registered holdings which are farmed by people other than the owner or Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for tenant under (a) contract farming, (b) share farming Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people and (c) other similar arrangements; and what estimate in each county were employed in agriculture in each of he has made of the equivalent figures (i) five and (ii) 10 the last 10 years. [291907] years ago. [291915] Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of employees working Jim Fitzpatrick: Recent research (published in 2007) on agricultural and horticultural holdings in each county into joint venture farming, including contract farming in England for 1999 to 2008 can be found in the table. and share farming1, indicates that a small minority (3 to Employees are defined as salaried managers, full-time, 5 per cent.) of farmers in England are involved in a joint part-time and casual workers working on the holding venture farming activity—although more informal on 1 June each year.

19991 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Hartlepool and 186 154 167 167 146 144 122 119 126 133 Stockton-on-Tees South Teesside 201 179 183 183 187 198 204 180 197 210 Darlington 165 132 131 131 2— 120 121 110 102 107 Durham CC 1,211 1,060 978 978 888 923 869 845 831 901 Northumberland 2,560 2,184 2,211 2,211 2,056 1,847 1,879 1,775 1,712 1,744 Tyneside 195 209 194 194 176 185 154 145 138 150 Sunderland 66 80 87 87 2—9091834343 West Cumbria 1,239 1,109 1,077 1,077 944 1,018 1,079 1,052 1,046 1,100 East Cumbria 2,808 2,395 2,090 2,090 1,956 2,035 2,075 2,004 2,059 2,116 Halton and 253 280 288 288 281 303 341 199 197 214 Warrington Cheshire CC 3,936 3,455 3,142 3,142 2,888 3,002 3,039 2,786 2,853 2,959 Greater 463 424 436 2— 394 382 305 317 312 315 Manchester South Greater 566 416 442 442 367 400 387 410 357 360 Manchester North Blackburn with 84 65 66 66 2—6360516071 Darwen Blackpool 140 27 31 31 2— 2—191313 2— Lancashire CC 5,791 5,456 4,830 4,830 4,290 4,455 4,427 4,442 4,407 4,382 East Merseyside 335 183 211 211 204 230 194 274 248 301 Liverpool 70 74 84 2—74812—818078 Sefton 177 138 146 146 139 149 154 181 176 175 Wirral 134 107 113 113 2— 123 2—9294100 Kingston upon 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—92—12 Hull, City of East Riding of 4,659 3,926 3,709 3,709 2— 3,610 3,446 3,359 2,991 3,022 Yorkshire North and North 1,128 1,040 950 950 895 982 926 791 773 794 East Lincolnshire York 272 283 255 255 2— 220 2— 215 194 224 North Yorkshire 7,616 6,415 6,173 6,173 5,733 6,071 5,893 5,692 5,861 6,076 CC Barnsley, 1,092 904 871 871 785 801 759 766 703 768 Doncaster and Rotherham Sheffield 186 171 167 167 139 155 165 154 167 187 Bradford 302 243 258 258 216 221 228 225 229 245 Leeds 644 637 631 631 540 596 539 521 562 559 925W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 926W

19991 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Calderdale, 1,046 881 821 821 726 782 752 800 722 783 Kirklees and Wakefield Derby 31 20 20 20 19 19 22 27 20 10 East Derbyshire 530 431 410 410 351 369 350 346 371 422 South and West 2,135 1,794 1,464 1,464 1,350 1,441 1,452 1,399 1,434 1,523 Derbyshire Nottingham 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— North 1,825 1,587 1,609 1,609 1,584 1,685 1,763 1,501 1,455 1,558 Nottinghamshire South 846 759 835 2— 773 828 811 751 622 652 Nottinghamshire Leicester 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—3429122— 2— Leicestershire CC 2,716 2,513 2,279 2,279 2,238 2,290 2,316 2,256 2,285 2,349 and Rutland Northamptonshire 1,883 1,717 1,594 1,594 1,447 1,514 1,446 1,529 1,635 1,658 Lincolnshire 11,108 10,079 9,163 9,163 8,755 8,749 8,844 8,288 7,886 7,933 Herefordshire, 3,990 3,783 3,578 3,578 2— 3,807 2— 5,279 5,902 5,896 County of Worcestershire 4,171 3,700 3,198 3,198 3,074 3,405 3,169 3,058 2,945 3,116 Warwickshire 2,899 2,741 3,041 3,041 2,881 3,126 2,962 2,679 2,247 2,304 Telford and 459 396 342 342 320 328 314 293 284 304 Wrekin Shropshire CC 3,881 3,480 3,218 3,218 3,024 3,174 3,412 3,368 3,092 3,233 Stoke-on-Trent 14 12 20 20 2—182—141112 Staffordshire CC 3,943 3,414 3,277 3,277 2,654 2,767 3,015 2,938 3,096 3,324 Birmingham 32 19 19 19 24 36 91 46 39 51 Solihull 205 148 137 137 2— 130 2— 111 115 117 Coventry 62 57 43 43 2—422—364349 Dudley and 45 48 58 58 54 57 64 44 35 44 Sandwell Walsall and 85 85 65 65 61 67 66 55 62 64 Wolverhampton Peterborough 349 261 274 274 258 266 266 258 245 247 Cambridgeshire 4,832 4,344 4,329 4,329 3,833 4,335 4,583 4,540 4,301 4,676 CC Norfolk 9,781 8,560 8,325 8,325 7,776 8,111 7,393 6,539 7,000 7,441 Suffolk 6,532 5,715 5,157 5,157 4,712 4,982 4,986 4,715 4,449 4,416 Luton 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Bedfordshire CC 1,380 1,203 1,339 1,339 930 1,002 1,015 835 860 898 Hertfordshire 1,761 1,564 1,638 1,638 1,343 1,391 1,286 1,237 1,314 1,265 Southend-on-Sea 2— 2— 2— 2—0002—0 0 Thurrock 129 106 116 116 2—932—8679112 Essex CC 6,065 5,248 5,104 5,104 4,705 4,740 4,708 4,633 4,519 4,887 Inner London— 002— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— West Inner London— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—612—515057 East Outer London— 315 297 281 281 246 290 294 266 274 235 East and North East Outer London— 347 339 345 345 275 203 206 212 212 195 South Outer London— 154 134 120 120 114 118 109 97 98 101 West and North West Berkshire 1,148 945 1,125 1,125 1,146 1,267 1,338 1,294 1,592 1,642 Milton Keynes 188 155 160 160 2— 158 145 155 134 136 Buckinghamshire 1,727 1,424 1,279 1,279 1,146 1,267 1,301 1,155 1,210 1,267 CC Oxfordshire 2,666 2,172 2,125 2,125 1,903 2,041 2,003 1,934 1,924 1,958 Brighton and 82 72 65 2—60622—443841 Hove East Sussex CC 2,291 1,798 1,843 1,843 1,714 1,766 1,747 1,683 1,630 1,769 Surrey 2,998 2,555 2,414 2,414 2,109 2,317 2,286 2,318 2,212 2,053 West Sussex 5,394 4,633 4,660 4,660 4,351 4,488 4,622 4,494 4,422 4,075 Portsmouth 2—02— 2— 2— 2— 2—00 0 Southampton 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Hampshire CC 5,572 4,471 4,488 4,488 4,343 4,677 4,461 4,196 4,233 4,310 Isle of Wight 865 812 627 2— 916 897 870 824 345 1,070 927W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 928W

19991 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Medway 410 319 356 356 334 311 2— 527 463 615 Kent CC 11,492 9,675 10,103 10,103 9,204 10,215 9,814 10,553 9,456 10,350 Bristol, City of 31 54 76 76 50 56 53 30 35 62 North and N E 2,203 1,932 1,364 1,364 1,221 1,263 1,258 1,199 1,147 1,150 Somerset, South Glos Gloucestershire 3,416 2,919 2,918 2,918 2,704 2,891 2,832 2,833 2,594 2,598 Swindon 176 160 149 149 2— 120 2— 118 121 116 Wiltshire CC 3,244 2,853 2,675 2,675 2,413 2,520 2,556 2,441 2,467 2,623 Bournemouth and 53 40 34 34 30 35 35 19 18 14 Poole Dorset CC 3,508 3,023 2,808 2,808 2,815 3,080 3,082 2,825 2,717 2,822 Somerset 5,277 4,690 4,343 4,343 3,886 4,216 4,235 4,047 3,849 4,013 Cornwall and Isles 5,204 5,004 4,323 4,323 4,010 4,350 3,924 3,827 3,724 4,534 of Scilly Plymouth 100 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—122— 2— Torbay 27 25 16 16 2—1217272031 Devon CC 7,451 6,355 6,353 6,353 5,884 6,302 6,179 5,452 5,417 6,011 England 175,656 153,357 146,585 146,585 135,293 143,059 141,868 137,252 134,057 140,605 1 Data prior to 2000 refers to main holdings only. From 2000 onwards all holdings are included. 2 Suppressed to prevent disclosure of information about individual holdings. Note: Employees are salaried managers, full-time, part-time and casual workers, (paid and unpaid). Source: June Agricultural Survey

Badgers Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table shows the amount of beef imported from Brazil in May, June, July and August in each year since 2005. Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will publish Total number of the research on badger perturbation produced by the Month and year consignments Total quantity (kilos) Woodchester Project. [292424] May 2005 6 69,034 June 2005 11 157,602 Jim Fitzpatrick: The Food and Environment Research July 2005 6 132,157 Agency’s Woodchester Park team has published over August 2005 5 101,854 100 papers on the relationship between badger biology and bovine TB dynamics. Research on the perturbation of badger populations, including work on the relationship May 2006 232 3,244,413 between badger movement and TB dynamics at June 2006 238 6,137,593 Woodchester Park, has been peer-reviewed and published July 2006 166 2,599,620 in the following recent scientific papers: August 2006 156 3,836,404 Carter S, Delahay R, Smith G, Macdonald D, Riordan P, Etherington T, Pimley E, Cheeseman C (2007) Culling-induced May 2007 193 3,120,213 social perturbation in Eurasian badgers Meles meles and the Jun 2007 189 3,129,371 management of TB in cattle: an analysis of a critical problem in July 2007 108 1,510,158 applied ecology. “Proceedings of the Royal Society B (Biological August 2007 117 1,668,119 Sciences)” 274, 2769-2777. Vicente J, Delahay R, Walker N, Cheeseman C (2007) Social May 2008 6 45,529 organisation and movement influence the incidence of bovine June 2008 8 99,549 tuberculosis in an undisturbed high density badger (Meles meles) July 2008 0 0 population. “Journal of Animal Ecology” 76, 348-360. August 2008 4 6,812 McDonald RA, Delahay RJ, Carter SP, Smith GC, Cheeseman CL (2008) Perturbing implications of wildlife ecology for disease control. “Trends in Ecology and Evolution” 23, 53-56. May 2009 7 81,629 June 2009 26 143,413 Further detail of the DEFRA funded Woodchester July 2009 3 35,101 Park project (SE3032 The long term intensive ecological August 2009 13 764,575 and epidemiological investigation of a badger population Note: naturally infected with “Mycobacterium bovis”) is available Information obtained from TRACES. on the DEFRA website. Bovine Tuberculosis: Hertfordshire Beef: Brazil Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for in (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency, (b) Dacorum Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much beef and (c) Hertfordshire were under bovine tuberculosis was imported from Brazil in (a) May, (b) June, (c) restrictions on the latest date for which figures are July and (d) August in each year since 2005. [291919] available. [289426] 929W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 930W

Jim Fitzpatrick: TB statistics are available currently Departmental Energy at county and regional level. On 30 June 2009 the number of herds under restriction in Hertfordshire was Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, 13, with one new unconfirmed TB incident. It should be Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is noted that herds under restriction on 30 June will taking to promote energy efficiency in its operations. include herds under restriction due to overdue TB tests. [289529]

Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination Dan Norris: We are taking the following steps to maximise our energy efficiency: Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Interactive building management systems (BMS) linked to Food and Rural Affairs who his Department plans to visual displays, informing staff of energy efficiency within the contract to undertake the vaccination of badgers in the building and other sustainability indicators, e.g. CO2 emissions, forthcoming bovine TB project; and if he will make a water use, waste and recycling. statement. [292423] Adoption of the Carbon Trust Standard and Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme (EEAS)—both of these measure actual performance in terms of CO output. Jim Fitzpatrick: Contractors to undertake the vaccination 2 of badgers for the Badger Vaccine Deployment Project Sustainability Champions have been appointed as part of the new Sustainable Workplace Management contract. They will will be recruited through an EU tender run by the Food work within each site to monitor energy use, identify and and Environment Research Agency (Fera). This is currently implement efficiency measures and report progress towards underway and will run until April 2010. site energy targets on a quarterly basis. Fera will train the recruited contractors to trap and This is supported by an ongoing programme of vaccinate badgers as part of the licensing and accreditation installation of energy efficient technologies. Initiatives process. which have already been implemented include: voltage regulation technologies, energy efficiency lighting, insulation Departmental Communication and draught proofing, biomass, combined heat and power plants and automatic metering (AMR) of utilities. Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Thermal imaging surveys have also been undertaken at Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff a number of sites, the survey results will form a programme in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies are classified of works to improve the thermal efficiency of the buildings. as (i) communicators and (ii) have access to the Government Communication Network. [291843] Departmental ICT

Dan Norris: There are currently 67 staff in the Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communications Career Home within core DEFRA Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what IT systems including individuals outside the Communications have been in development for use within his Department Directorate. in the last five years; what the reason for the development All UK civil servants can access the Government of each system was; how much has been spent on the Communication Network (GCN) to view and receive development of each system; and which systems have e-mail alerts for job vacancies but they must be working been subsequently (a) implemented, (b) terminated as a communicator to register as a member and access prior to implementation and (c) terminated following networking areas of the site. implementation. [290522] Information on Communicators in DEFRA Executive Agencies and NDPB’s is not held centrally at present. Dan Norris: Data on costs of IT systems could be However, these data are likely to become available over provided only at disproportionate cost. Instead data the next few months. has been provided for the entire project where IT system development costs are a significant proportion. Departmental Electronic Equipment The projects listed are information technology projects in DEFRA that were estimated to cost more than £1 million over the life of the project. Costs listed Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State exclude the day-to-day running costs after the completion for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to of the project. The figures quoted are either the actual the answer of 9 December 2008, Official Report, cost for completed projects or the latest forecast estimates column 38W, on departmental electronic equipment, as at April 2009 for those that are not yet completed. how much (a) his Department and (b) its agencies The estimated costs to completion are subject to change have spent on (i) flat screen televisions, (ii) DVD and the Department carries out regular reviews of the players and (iii) stereo equipment since December projects and their associated business cases at key strategic 2008. [289171] points. Dan Norris: The core-Department’s financial system Projects costing less than £1 million, those being records expenditure of £18,024 on flat screen televisions carried out within Executive agencies, projects transferred since December 2008. No expenditure is recorded for to the Department for Energy and Climate Change and DVD players and stereo equipment. Expenditure on projects initiated after November 2008 have all been electronic equipment by DEFRA’s agencies is not recorded excluded as such data is not held centrally. Collection centrally outside of the core-Department’s financial would incur a disproportionate cost to the Department. system and the information could be provided only at No projects have been terminated following disproportionate cost. implementation. 931W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 932W

Actual/expected Actual/estimated costs Project Reason for development completion date Status (£)

Catalyst To provide Electronic Data and — Project closed in November 2005. 12,600,000 Records Management system for Pilot phase demonstrating that DEFRA predicted productivity benefits would not be fully realised and costs would be higher than expected and would outweigh the quantified benefits. Further cost to taxpayer avoided estimated at £19 million. Customer and Land To enable a limited set of Rural March 2010 Ongoing 1,730,000 Database (CLAD) Payments Agency (RPA) customer and land data sets to be shared securely within the DEFRA delivery body Network Customer Information To enable DEFRA to hold — Project closed during development 9,920,663 Programme improved customer information phase in June 2007 due to reprioritisation of budget. Project deliverables (valued at £247,000 were reused in CLAD development) e-Domero Development of an online April 2007 Completed 1,000,600 application for management of plant health-related processes. It is used by plant health and seeds inspectors to record licensed inspections of plants coming into and out of the UK Enabling Technology Annual investment programme in March 2010 Ongoing 3,100,000 Programme 2009-10 high priority infrastructure and application architecture developments driven by DEFRA Network’s business needs National Equine Database Joint industry/public sector December 2006 Completed 1,570,000 development of a database to hold data on ‘horse passports’ for the purpose of monitoring passport compliance and for disease control surveillance Noise Mapping IT system developed to meet May 2007 Completed 4,300,000 requirements of Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006 to enable the production of Noise Maps to help production of plans to manage noise issues and effects RADAR (Rapid Analysis Development of a data March 2009 Completed 12,228,000 and Detection of Animal- warehouse bringing together related Risks) information about livestock populations and diseases from many different Government data sources allowing for analysis to be performed in event of a disease outbreak UK Location Programme DEFRA leads the cross- December 2012 Ongoing 12,800,000 Government UK Location Programme, a joint programme to implement the INSPIRE EU Directive and the UK Location Strategy Phoenix IT Project To handle licences for protected — Project closed in June 2006 due to 3,998,807 species covered by international reprioritisation of budgets. Further conventions cost to taxpayer avoided estimated at £2.5 million Renew IT Providing a modern and efficient March 2009 Completed 9,000,000 IT working environment based on refreshed IT services Spatial Information Supports policy making and March 2010 Ongoing 14,950,000 Repository (SPIRE) operational delivery by providing access to up-to-date geographic information Waste Data Strategy Development of a data June 2007 Completed 2,500,000 warehouse that takes data from Environment Agency and DEFRA systems to allow for production of summary and ad-hoc reports/analysis to produce a sound evidence base for improved waste management policy development Web Rationalisation To support the Transformational March 2011 Ongoing 1,440,000 Government Web Rationalisation Programme 933W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 934W

Actual/expected Actual/estimated costs Project Reason for development completion date Status (£)

Whole Farm Approach Current work is centred on March 2011 Ongoing 74,000,000 providing online access to key transactional systems from various DEFRA agencies via the Whole Farm Approach including single farm payment, environmental stewardship and cattle tracing

Departmental Recycling Forests

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he of his Department’s waste was recycled in the latest has made of the area of commercial woodland and period for which figures are available. [289664] forestry in England that is owned by (a) Forest Enterprise and (b) private landowners and public limited companies. Dan Norris: The latest available figures show the [291914] following percentages of waste were recycled and recovered in 2007-08: Huw Irranca-Davies: The information is not held in that format by the Forestry Commission. The “National Percentage Inventory of Woodland and Trees” published in 2001 included information on ownership type for woodland Recycled (recycled, composted, 29 reused externally) areas of 2.0 hectares or more. This is given in the Recovered (recycled, composted, 60 following table. reused externally, incinerated with energy recovery) Ownership type Area (hectares)

It should be noted that DEFRA incinerates Personal 480,794 approximately 30 per cent. of its waste, from which Business 146,601 significant quantity of heat and energy is recovered. Forestry or timber business 7,200 Current Sustainable Development Commission reporting Charity 68,484 does not acknowledge energy recovery from waste Local authority 61,098 incineration as recycling or waste recovery under current Other public (not Forestry 27,302 Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate (SOGE) Commission) guidelines. Forestry Commission 222,694 Community ownership or common 3,732 Food: Production land Unidentified 3,917 Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Total 1,021,822 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he Foxes has made of the proportion of food consumed nationwide which was produced domestically in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [291925] Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table provides the estimated number of foxes in each county in England answer to this question. was in each of the last 10 years. [291955] Percentage of food produced in the UK which is consumed in the UK Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA does not carry out Percentage annual surveys of fox numbers by county and is not 1997 58 aware of any measures of absolute numbers of red fox 1998 56 (‘Vulpes vulpes’) per county. 1999 57 However, information on game bags (foxes taken e.g. 2000 56 by shooting) is provided by the Game and Wildlife 2001 56 Conservation Trust’s national gamebag census. The analysis 2002 54 of mammal data from this annual survey is funded by 2003 53 the Joint Nature Conservation Committee as part of its 2004 53 surveillance programme. It provides an index of bag 2005 50 density for this species at a UK, country and regional 2006 49 scale and can be used to indicate what the population 2007 50 trend might be. The gamebag data for foxes over the last 2008 153 10 years fluctuates, but the overall trend appears to be 1 Provisional. stable or slightly increasing. Note: This should not be confused with the measure of UK Self-Sufficiency in all The results of this scheme are available in a report Food, which in 2008 was 60 per cent. (provisional figure), since self sufficiency entitled “Participation of the National Gamebag Census shows the percentage of all UK food production, including UK exports, as a percentage of consumption. Both measures are based on the value of unprocessed in the Mammal Surveillance Network”. A copy of this food. has been placed in the House Library. 935W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 936W

Hill Livestock Allowances volume and (b) monetary value of each meat product imported from (i) Argentina, (ii) Botswana, (iii) Brazil, Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for (iv) China, (v) Democratic Republic of Congo, (vi) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average Ecuador, (vii) Egypt, (viii) Israel, (ix) the Palestinian age of a farmer receiving the hill farm allowance was in Autonomous Territories, (x) Russia, (xi) South Africa, each year since the introduction of the allowance. (xii) Turkey and (xiii) Vietnam was in each of the last [291922] five years. [291909] Huw Irranca-Davies: The Rural Payments Agency does not keep records concerning the age of applicants under the Hill Farm Allowance scheme. Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table provides details Meat: Imports of imports of meat and meat products from the specified countries, as recorded in the Official Overseas Trade Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Statistics, for the period 2004-08. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a)

UK imports of meat and meat products from selected countries for 2004 to 2008 2004 2005 2006 Country Type Cut £000 Tonnes £000 Tonnes £000 Tonnes

Argentina Beef Boneless 24,188 8,641 28,413 9,226 20,299 5,128 Edible offal 165 169 376 265 98 57 Meat and offal 11,259 8,931 10,164 7,309 8,212 4,906 (other than liver) inc. corned beef Other cuts with 1— 1—16111— 1— bone in Chicken Bone in 67 66 1— 1— 1— 1— Boneless 1,306 1,015 1,782 1,276 1,322 997 Prepared or 24 14 1— 1—7150 preserved meat, offal or blood Whole 148 249 350 485 148 228 Goat Carcases and half 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— carcases Lamb Boneless 297 180 1,066 515 1,108 696 Carcases and half 2,285 1,496 2,012 1,233 337 227 carcases Other (not elsewhere Meat 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— stated) Sheep Bone in 54 42 69 34 562 275 Boneless 36 24 1— 1— 1— 1— Sheep and goat Edible offal 3 8 65 107 57 76

Botswana Beef Boneless 15,422 4,848 11,351 3,461 8,317 2,380 Meat and offal 506 285 376 201 538 235 (other than liver) inc. corned beef

Brazil Beef Boneless 60,783 34,588 59,134 32,120 68,290 28,340 Carcases and half 22 23 32 23 1— 1— carcases Edible offal 324 331 323 339 163 163 Meat and offal 72,984 58,677 73,581 53,237 77,097 50,305 (other than liver) inc. corned beef Other cuts with 1— 1—93331612 bone in Chicken Bone in 7 12 Boneless 46,060 34,891 59,759 48,194 24,158 16,846 Prepared or 9,445 6,148 14,087 10,224 13,540 9,324 preserved meat, offal or blood Whole 2,674 4,674 1,902 2,822 1,677 2,711 Homogenised Prepared or 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— preparations preserved meat, offal or blood Lamb Boneless 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 937W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 938W

UK imports of meat and meat products from selected countries for 2004 to 2008 2004 2005 2006 Country Type Cut £000 Tonnes £000 Tonnes £000 Tonnes

Carcases and half 30 17 14 17 1— 1— carcases Other (not elsewhere Edible offal 1— 1— 1—2924 stated) Meat 1— 1— 1— 1— 6,957 5,672 Prepared or 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— preserved meat, offal or blood Poultry Prepared or 1— 1— 1— 1—21 preserved meat, offal or blood Sheep Bone in 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Sheep and goat Edible offal 73 63 1— 1— 1— 1— Turkey Bone in 1— 1— 1— 1—2919 Boneless 452 324 220 144 161 117 Prepared or 5,451 4,233 1,063 863 138 96 preserved meat, offal or blood

China Beef Meat and offal 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— (other than liver) inc. corned beef Chicken Prepared or 1— 1— 160 109 30 19 preserved meat, offal or blood Lamb Boneless 1— 1— 20 4 30 13 Poultry Prepared or 1— 1—62185422 preserved meat, offal or blood Sheep Bone in 1— 1—73201— 1—

Egypt Sheep and goat Edible offal 1— 1— 1— 1—66

Israel Chicken Bone in 45 17 22 9 25 7 Boneless 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Edible offal 1 0 1— 1— 1— 1— Prepared or 69 20 53 15 35 8 preserved meat, offal or blood Other (not elsewhere Prepared or 1— 1— 1— 1—21 stated) preserved meat, offal or blood Poultry Prepared or 59 7 42 3 93 6 preserved meat, offal or blood Sausages and similar Prepared or 23 7 11 3 1— 1— products preserved meat, offal or blood Turkey Bone in 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Boneless 180 97 1— 1—219 Edible offal 1 1 1— 1— 1— 1— Prepared or 584 278 107 32 48 16 preserved meat, offal or blood Whole 1 1 1— 1— 1— 1—

South Africa Beef Boneless 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Meat and offal 519 388 399 254 197 118 (other than liver) inc. corned beef Chicken Prepared or 1— 1— 1— 1—4219 preserved meat, offal or blood Duck, goose and Bone in 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— guinea fowl Game (not Meat and edible 95 31 69 16 58 15 elsewhere stated) meat offal 939W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 940W

UK imports of meat and meat products from selected countries for 2004 to 2008 2004 2005 2006 Country Type Cut £000 Tonnes £000 Tonnes £000 Tonnes

Game or rabbit Prepared or 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— preserved meat, offal or blood Other (not elsewhere Meat and edible 62 15 1— 1— 1— 1— stated) meat offal Prepared or 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— preserved meat, offal or blood Poultry Prepared or 741— 1— 1— 1— preserved meat, offal or blood Sheep Prepared or 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— preserved meat, offal or blood

Turkey Beef Boneless 1— 1— 1— 1—41 Meat and offal 155 160 1— 1— 1— 1— (other than liver) inc. corned beef Chicken Boneless 38 13 1— 1— 1— 1— Pig Meat 1— 1—961— 1— Sausages and similar Prepared or 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— products preserved meat, offal or blood

Vietnam Chicken Prepared or 1— 1— 1— 1—3020 preserved meat, offal or blood Frogs’ legs Meat and edible 1— 1—239104 meat offal Poultry Prepared or 921— 1— 1— 1— preserved meat, offal or blood Reptiles Meat and edible 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— meat offal

2007 2008 Country Type Cut £000 Tonnes £000 Tonnes

Argentina Beef Boneless 13,755 3,481 14,055 3,051 Edible offal 82 58 175 74 Meat and offal (other than 10,391 6,987 13,764 6,731 liver) inc. corned beef Other cuts with bone in 1— 1— 1— 1— Chicken Bone in 1— 1— 1— 1— Boneless 1,644 994 3,113 1,603 Prepared or preserved meat, 370 201 576 210 offal or blood Whole 1,557 2,168 1,813 1,929 Goat Carcases and half carcases 26 19 1— 1— Lamb Boneless 602 356 1,155 503 Carcases and half carcases 256 191 468 286 Other (not Meat 34244320 elsewhere stated) Sheep Bone in 539 294 345 147 Boneless 81 48 1— 1— Sheep and goat Edible offal 90 68 8 6

Botswana Beef Boneless 13,158 3,897 10,539 3,247 Meat and offal (other than 739 273 1— 1— liver) inc. corned beef

Brazil Beef Boneless 61,333 25,679 14,798 5,422 Carcases and half carcases 1— 1— 1— 1— Edible offal 56 68 35 15 941W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 942W

2007 2008 Country Type Cut £000 Tonnes £000 Tonnes

Meat and offal (other than 80,813 58,458 64,272 35,306 liver) inc. corned beef Other cuts with bone in 99 12 105 48 Chicken Bone in 1— 1—7892 Boneless 11,432 7,456 10,189 5,926 Prepared or preserved meat, 22,260 14,795 42,320 21,772 offal or blood Whole 3,217 4,347 4,626 4,450 Homogenised Prepared or preserved meat, 1— 1—289 preparations offal or blood Lamb Boneless 30 12 51 18 Carcases and half carcases 1— 1— 1— 1— Other (not Edible offal 1— 1— 1— 1— elsewhere stated) Meat 26,745 17,829 34,455 20,693 Prepared or preserved meat, 13 8 1— 1— offal or blood Poultry Prepared or preserved meat, 1— 1—146 offal or blood Sheep Bone in 20 12 52 25 Sheep and goat Edible offal 1— 1— 1— 1— Turkey Bone in 1— 1— 349 126 Boneless 937 440 2,356 1,056 Prepared or preserved meat, 305 162 252 92 offal or blood

China Beef Meat and offal (other than 142 99 1— 1— liver) inc. corned beef Chicken Prepared or preserved meat, 93 45 198 71 offal or blood Lamb Boneless 43 18 34 19 Poultry Prepared or preserved meat, 1— 1— 1— 1— offal or blood Sheep Bone in 1— 1— 1— 1—

Egypt Sheep and goat Edible offal 46 44 25 20

Israel Chicken Bone in 66 23 13 4 Boneless 1— 1—124 Edible offal 1— 1— 1— 1— Prepared or preserved meat, 55 23 1— 1— offal or blood Other (not Prepared or preserved meat, 1— 1—51 elsewhere stated) offal or blood Poultry Prepared or preserved meat, 108 8 1— 1— offal or blood Sausages and Prepared or preserved meat, 1— 1— 1— 1— similar products offal or blood Turkey Bone in 205 81 72 26 Boneless 45 18 441 151 Edible offal 3 6 3 4 Prepared or preserved meat, 524 257 68 22 offal or blood Whole 4 2 1— 1—

South Africa Beef Boneless 1— 1—10 Meat and offal (other than 51 34 1— 1— liver) inc. corned beef Chicken Prepared or preserved meat, 1— 1— 1— 1— offal or blood Duck, goose and Bone in 5 1 1— 1— guinea fowl Game (not Meat and edible meat offal 179 63 1— 1— elsewhere stated) 943W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 944W

2007 2008 Country Type Cut £000 Tonnes £000 Tonnes

Game or rabbit Prepared or preserved meat, 20 1 1— 1— offal or blood Other (not Meat and edible meat offal 9 2 1— 1— elsewhere stated) Prepared or preserved meat, 501— 1— offal or blood Poultry Prepared or preserved meat, 1— 1— 1— 1— offal or blood Sheep Prepared or preserved meat, 526 157 532 146 offal or blood

Turkey Beef Boneless 1— 1— 1— 1— Meat and offal (other than 1— 1— 1— 1— liver) inc. corned beef Chicken Boneless 1— 1— 1— 1— Pig Meat 1— 1— 1— 1— Sausages and Prepared or preserved meat, 101— 1— similar products offal or blood

Vietnam Chicken Prepared or preserved meat, 1— 1— 1— 1— offal or blood Frogs’ legs Meat and edible meat offal 1— 1— 1— 1— Poultry Prepared or preserved meat, 1— 1— 1— 1— offal or blood Reptiles Meat and edible meat offal 1 1 1— 1— Notes: ‘0’ = quantity less than half the unit shown 1—=nilvalues Source: HM Revenue and Customs Data prepared by Trade Statistics, Economics and Statistics Programme, DEFRA © Crown Copyright

It should be noted that imports of certain meats from Members: Correspondence many of these countries are not permitted. The following provides details of these import restrictions: Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Country Import restrictions Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Brazil Bone in beef meat (inc carcases Worcestershire, dated 23 June 2009, on carbon and half carcases) emissions and climate change. [292906] Brazil Sheep meat, inc lamb and goat meat Argentina Sheep and goat meat/lamb (only Joan Ruddock: I have been asked to reply. from May 2002) I replied to the hon. Member for West Worcestershire Israel Beef on 6 August, and apologise for the delay in response. China Sheep meat inc lamb Turkey Beef, pig meat, sheep meat Russia Pig meat Milk: Overseas Trade Turkey All poultry meat Vietnam All poultry meat Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Egypt All poultry meat Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much (a) China All poultry meat was prohibited liquid milk and (b) milk powder was (i) imported and from China in 2004 (ii) exported in each of the last three years. [291911]

Where imports are not permitted we believe that any Jim Fitzpatrick: Imports and exports of liquid milk imports recorded in the Overseas Trade Statistics represent and milk powder are shown in the following tables. consignments which have been exported from GB, rejected Liquid milk is imported into and exported from the and returned or goods where the incorrect customs UK in two forms, as raw milk for processing by dairies code have been entered. (Table 1), or as liquid drinking milk (e.g. pasteurised or There was no recorded trade in meat and meat products UHT milk) (Table 2). during this period for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Raw milk is only traded across the Irish border, that Ecuador, Russia or West Bank/Gaza Strip. West Bank/Gaza is raw milk imports come from the Republic of Ireland Strip is the recognised designation for the Palestinian for processing by dairies in Northern Ireland, and vice region used by HMRC. versa. 945W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 946W

Table 1: UK imports and exports of raw milk for processing (all trade UK annual average retail price of whole milk across the Irish Border) Units (pence per litre) Million litres 2006 2007 2008 2000 60 2001 65 Total imports 33.3 57.1 48.5 2002 63 Total exports 617.3 537.6 559.2 2003 64 Source: 2004 62 DARDNI. 2005 61 Table 2: UK imports and exports of liquid drinking milk in 2006 to 2008 2006 61 Million litres 2007 65 2006 2007 2008 2008 74 Source: Total imports 84.4 87.7 134.1 ONS Total exports 511.7 423.0 456.9 National Bee Unit: Manpower Table 3: UK imports and exports of milk powder in 2006 to 2008 Tonnes Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for 2006 2007 2008 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many bee Total imports 51,387 60,561 65,693 disease inspectors were employed by the National Bee Total exports 96,333 105,186 98,100 Unit in each year since 2004. [291913] Source: HM Revenue and Customs. Jim Fitzpatrick: The numbers of bee inspectors employed by the Food and Environment Research Agency’s National Milk: Prices Bee Unit (NBU) in England and Wales each year since 2004 are as follows: Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average Number price per litre paid to (a) farmers, (b) purchasers and (c) supermarkets for milk was in each year since 1997. 2004 45 2005 45 [291926] 2006 45 Jim Fitzpatrick: The following tables show annual 2007 45 UK farmgate and retail milk prices. No information is 2008 45 available on prices paid at all other points in the supply 2009 63 chain. These figures include eight full-time regional bee The farmgate price is calculated from monthly surveys inspectors and the national bee inspector. The remainder of milk purchasers conducted in England and Wales by are seasonal bee inspectors who are employed for the DEFRA, in Scotland by RERAD and in Northern active beekeeping season. Details of the work undertaken Ireland by DARD. The farmgate price is the average by the NBU’s bee inspectors can be found on the NBU price received by producers, net of delivery charges. No website at: deduction has been made for superlevy. www.nationalbeeunit.com UK farmgate milk price Units ( pence per litre) Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008

1997 22 Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, 1998 19 Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of 1999 18 the average cost to each farm of implementation of the 2000 17 Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008. [292408] 2001 19 2002 17 Huw Irranca-Davies: An estimate of the average cost 2003 18 to each farm of implementing the Nitrate Pollution 2004 18 Prevention Regulations 2008 has not been made. 2005 18 The estimated annual cost to the agricultural sector 2006 18 of implementing the regulations is in the range £48,500,000 2007 21 to £68,600,000. The UK’s successful negotiation of a 2008 26 derogation from the livestock manure N farm limit, one Source: of the more demanding requirements set by the nitrates DEFRA directive, means these costs could be reduced by £16,900,000 Average retail prices are published monthly by the to £21,700,000 per annum. ONS. Nitrate Vulnerable Zones UK annual average retail price of whole milk Units (pence per litre) Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for 1997 62 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what grants his 1998 60 Department makes available for the construction of 1999 60 slurry storage in nitrate vulnerable zones. [292404] 947W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 948W

Huw Irranca-Davies: We are not intending to provide steps he plans to take to ensure that British Standards a capital grant scheme for the construction of slurry relating to the welfare of chickens reared for meat stores. Past experience has shown that this may simply production are maintained following the introduction increase supply prices and merely postpone the impact of EU Council Directive 2007/43/EC; and if he will of market forces. make a statement. [291816] Slurry storage facilities are eligible for plant and machinery allowances such as the annual investment Jim Fitzpatrick: We are currently considering the allowance, capped at £50,000 per year. Slurry pits also responses received to our 12-week public consultation qualify for allowances in their own right under the on the transposition of council directive 2007/43 for the Capital Allowances Act 2001. protection of chickens kept for meat. Poaching At present there is no specific detailed legislation in place regarding meat chicken welfare other than the Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for very general requirements contained within the Welfare Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007. Council maximum penalty for an offence of poaching is; and directive 2007/43 is a big step forward into looking at what statutes govern the offence of poaching. [292368] the welfare of meat chickens and is unique in that it is the first piece of EU welfare legislation which looks at Huw Irranca-Davies: Some statutes specifically refer welfare outcomes as well as prescribing the conditions to the offence of poaching; others make it an offence to in which chickens should be kept. illegally take or kill wildlife in certain circumstances. The new European rules do therefore for the first The main statutes governing poaching are: the Game time produce a legal baseline for all producers, including Act 1931 (maximum penalty £5,000); the Poaching those who do not participate in any voluntary assurance Prevention Act 1862 (maximum penalty £1,000); and schemes, while complementing, not replacing, existing the Night Poaching Acts 1828 and 1844 (maximum voluntary assurance schemes of which many farmers penalty £2,500 and/or six months imprisonment). are already a part. Statutes carrying a penalty for the illegal taking or killing of certain wildlife species are: the Wildlife and Poultry: Feathers Countryside Act 1981 (maximum penalty £5,000 and or/six months imprisonment); the Salmon and Freshwater Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Fisheries Act 1975 (the maximum penalty is an unlimited Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantity of fine and/or up to two years imprisonment); and the poultry feathers were imported from each East Asian Deer Act 1991 (maximum penalty of £2,500 and/or country in each of the last five years. [291912] three months imprisonment). Poultry: Animal Welfare Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table provides details of the imports of bird feathers from East Asian countries Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of as recorded, in the Official Overseas Trade Statistics, for State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the period 2004 to 2008.

UK imports of bird feathers from East Asian countries for 2004 to 2008 Tonnes Description Country 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Bird Feathers Bangladesh ———— 1 China 1,867 1,268 1,389 1,965 1,775 Hong Kong 21 1 78 15 1 India10000 Pakistan 13———— Singapore0———— Taiwan 817 992 1,163 1,247 1,189 Vietnam 52———— Bird Feathers Total 2,771 2,262 2,630 3,228 2,966 Notation: 0 = quantity less than half the unit shown. — = nil values. Source: HM Revenue and Customs Data prepared by Trade Statistics, Economics and Statistics Programme, DEFRA.

Private Finance Initiative to date; and how many have made applications for participation which are under consideration. [291688] Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local Dan Norris: There have been 37 waste projects which authorities have participated in the private finance have participated in the Waste Private Finance Initiative initiative credits scheme announced in the Budget 2009 (PFI) credits scheme since it began. 949W Written Answers14 OCTOBER 2009 Written Answers 950W

The 37 individual projects represent 53 waste disposal circumstances where in his opinion representations or authorities working in partnership with 120 local authorities. objections to an Order were irrelevant to the A further seven projects (consisting of 16 waste disposal determination of that Order. [291948] authorities covering 34 local authorities) have applied to participate in the PFI scheme. Their applications are Huw Irranca-Davies: During the period 1 April 2008 under consideration. to 31 March 2009, five Definitive Map Modification Full details can be found on the DEFRA website: Orders were determined without holding a local inquiry or hearing in circumstances where representations or http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/ objections to an order were considered irrelevant to the fundinq/pfi/projects.htm determination of that order. Figures are not available Property Development: Worksop for any earlier period.

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) Sheep: Tagging correspondence, (b) emails and (c) telephone calls have taken place between the Environment Agency and Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Bassetlaw District Council and its development Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment partners concerning the development of Turner Road he has made of the effects on farmers of the in Worksop in the last 12 months. [292308] introduction of electronic sheep tagging. [291929]

Jim Fitzpatrick [holding answer 12 October 2009]: Jim Fitzpatrick: Impact Assessments were published The Environment Agency has had no contact over the in March as part of a wider public consultation on the last 12 months with the developer or their consultants implementation of electronic identification of sheep in in relation to the leisure development at Turner Road, England. A final Impact Assessment will accompany Worksop. implementing legislation later this year. Over the last three weeks, the Environment Agency and Bassetlaw District Council have been in contact regarding Turner Road. The details of these conversations Supermarkets will be placed in the House Library. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what delays in discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Turner Road development site in Worksop have Business, Innovation and Skills on the regulation of resulted from Environment Agency interventions in the supermarket trading practices. [291927] last 12 months. [292389] Jim Fitzpatrick: Ministers are currently considering Jim Fitzpatrick: The Environment Agency is not the recommendations of the Competition Commission. aware that it has caused any delays in relation to the proposed leisure development at Turner Road, Worksop over the last 12 months. Water Charges Ragwort: Weed Control Mr. Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take his Department’s press release of 14 July 2009 on steps to establish the number of local authorities which surface water drainage charges, DEFRA Minister remove ragwort from grass verges. [291930] pledges action on rain tax, what the timetable is for the introduction of new guidance to water companies. Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA does not hold information [292227] about weed clearance activities by local authorities. Responsibility for clearance of ragwort and other weeds Huw Irranca-Davies: The Government announced on on grass verges rests with the local authority in respect 28 September that they will bring forward legislation to of minor roads and with the Highways Agency in enable water and sewerage companies to operate respect of motorways and trunk roads. concessionary schemes for community groups for surface Rights of Way water drainage charges. The legislation will be brought in as part of a Flood and Water Management Bill at the earliest opportunity. Ms Angela C. Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Definitive Map Modification Orders he has determined [Continued in Column 951W] without holding a local inquiry or hearing in

ORAL ANSWERS

Wednesday 14 October 2009

Col. No. Col. No. PRIME MINISTER ...... 286 SCOTLAND—continued Engagements...... 286 Devolution Settlement ...... 281 Electricity Transmission Network ...... 283 SCOTLAND...... 277 Oil and Gas Fields ...... 279 Barnett Formula ...... 285 Roma Children...... 284 Broadband (Highlands) ...... 285 Torpedo Testing ...... 277 Copenhagen Summit...... 286 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Wednesday 14 October 2009

Col. No. Col. No. CABINET OFFICE...... 29WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Ministerial Responsibilities...... 29WS AFFAIRS...... 32WS Agriculture and Fisheries Council...... 32WS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 30WS Connecting Communities...... 30WS TREASURY ...... 29WS Ordnance Survey (Performance Targets 2009-10)... 30WS Corporate Taxation...... 29WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 12 October 2009—[Continued.]

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 599W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Apprentices...... 599W Departmental Paternity Leave...... 623W Apprentices: Financial Institutions ...... 602W Departmental Pay ...... 623W Bankruptcy ...... 602W Departmental Recruitment ...... 624W Banks: Loans ...... 604W Departmental Recycling...... 625W Banks: Meetings...... 604W Departmental Reorganisation...... 625W Broadband: Rural Areas ...... 605W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 625W Business: Government Assistance ...... 607W Departmental Secondment ...... 626W Business Link...... 605W Departmental Training ...... 626W Business Links: Finance...... 606W Departmental Travel ...... 626W Business Links: Manpower ...... 607W Draft Legislative Programme: Finance...... 627W Business: Regulation ...... 611W East of England Development Agency: Calman Commission...... 611W Consultants...... 628W Companies House...... 612W Electrical Equipment: Waste Disposal ...... 629W Companies House: Correspondence ...... 612W Employment Tribunals Service...... 629W Companies House: Manpower...... 613W EU Membership ...... 630W Construction...... 613W Export Credit Guarantees: Maldives...... 630W Construction: Apprentices ...... 615W Exports: Government Assistance ...... 630W Construction Clearing House: Apprentices...... 613W Forgemasters: Sheffield ...... 631W Construction: Industrial Disputes...... 615W Further Education ...... 631W Construction: Reviews ...... 616W Further Education: Government Assistance ...... 631W Construction Task Force...... 614W Haulage: Government Assistance ...... 632W Corus: Loans ...... 616W Higher Education...... 633W Departmental Advertising...... 616W Higher Education: Admissions ...... 635W Departmental Buildings...... 617W Higher Education: Cornwall ...... 637W Departmental Dismissal...... 617W Higher Education: Finance ...... 638W Departmental EC Law ...... 618W Higher Education: Hertfordshire ...... 638W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 618W Higher Education: Maintenance Grants ...... 641W Departmental Flexible Working...... 619W Higher Education: Overseas Students ...... 641W Departmental ICT ...... 619W Higher Education: Tamworth ...... 642W Departmental Industrial Accidents ...... 620W Industrial Sector: Ownership ...... 643W Departmental Languages...... 620W Infrastructure UK...... 643W Departmental Manpower...... 620W Infrastructure UK: Meetings ...... 643W Departmental Marketing ...... 622W Infrastructure UK: Ofgem ...... 644W Departmental Meetings ...... 622W Insolvency...... 644W Departmental Motor Vehicles...... 622W Insolvency: Birmingham ...... 648W Departmental Non-Domestic Rates...... 623W Insolvency Service: Finance ...... 646W Departmental Official Hospitality...... 623W Insolvency Service: Manpower...... 647W Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued HEALTH—continued Meetings ...... 648W Carers ...... 689W Members: Correspondence ...... 648W Cervical Cancer...... 689W Millennium Compliance ...... 649W Children: Health Services...... 690W Ministerial Responsibility ...... 650W Coeliac Disease ...... 690W Misconduct Claims ...... 650W Complementary Medicine...... 690W Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries...... 650W Continuing Care ...... 691W National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement Contraceptives ...... 691W and Reduction of Animals Research...... 651W Dementia ...... 691W National Skills Academy for Nuclear: Dental Services ...... 692W Government Assistance ...... 652W Dental Services: Information and Non-Departmental Public Bodies ...... 652W Communications Technology...... 694W Non-Departmental Public Bodies: Buildings ...... 655W Departmental Advertising...... 694W Non-Departmental Public Bodies: Government Departmental Dismissal...... 696W Assistance ...... 655W Departmental Flexible Working...... 697W North West Development Agency: Public Departmental Information and Communications Appointments ...... 657W Technology ...... 697W Official Hospitality ...... 657W Departmental Manpower...... 697W Operational Management Support Contracts ...... 657W Departmental Marketing ...... 698W Overseas Trade: Kazakhstan...... 657W Departmental Motor Vehicles...... 698W Overseas Trade: Maldives ...... 658W Departmental Non-domestic Rates...... 698W Overseas Trade: Sanctions...... 660W Departmental Paternity Leave...... 699W Parental Leave: Hertfordshire ...... 660W Departmental Public Consultation...... 699W Patents ...... 660W Departmental Public Consultations ...... 699W Polly Toynbee...... 661W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 699W Post Office Horizon System ...... 661W Departmental Publications ...... 700W Post Office Ltd...... 661W Departmental Recruitment ...... 707W Post Office Ltd.: Royal Mail...... 662W Departmental Recycling...... 707W Post Offices ...... 662W Departmental Sick Leave ...... 707W Post Offices: Bank Services ...... 664W Departmental Training ...... 708W Post Offices: Birmingham ...... 664W Departmental Travel ...... 708W Post Offices: Hertfordshire...... 664W Diabetes ...... 709W Regional Development Agencies: Finance ...... 664W Diabetes: Health Services...... 709W Regional Development Agencies: Manpower...... 665W Diabetes: Screening...... 709W Regional Development Agencies: Pay ...... 665W Drugs: Counterfeit Manufacturing ...... 710W Regional Development Agency: Finance ...... 666W Electromagnetic Fields: Health Hazards ...... 711W Renewable Energy: Government Assistance...... 667W Employment Tribunals Service...... 712W Royal Mail ...... 668W Epilepsy ...... 712W Royal Mail: Meetings...... 668W Epilepsy: Offenders...... 713W SkillFast UK...... 668W Food: Infant Milk ...... 715W Skillset: Yorkshire and the Humber ...... 669W Food Standards Agency: Energy...... 714W Strategic Investment Fund ...... 669W Gambling...... 715W Students: Fees and Charges...... 670W General Practitioners ...... 715W Students: Loans ...... 670W General Practitioners: Hertfordshire...... 715W Temporary Employment: EC Law ...... 671W Genetics ...... 716W Tesco: Meetings ...... 672W Haemophilia ...... 717W Textiles: Government Assistance...... 672W Health Visitors...... 717W Trade Unions ...... 672W Health Visitors: Manpower...... 719W Train to Gain Programme ...... 673W Home Care Services ...... 719W Train to Gain Programme: Finance ...... 673W Hospices: Finance...... 720W Training: Construction...... 674W Hospital Wards ...... 721W UK High Technology Investment Fund...... 674W Hospitals: Energy...... 721W UK Innovation Investment Fund...... 674W Hospitals: Waiting Lists...... 722W Unemployment: Young People...... 675W Incontinence ...... 722W Visits Abroad: Maldives...... 682W Infant Mortality...... 723W Work of the Sector Skills Councils...... 682W Learning Disability ...... 723W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 683W Liver Diseases ...... 724W Maternity Services ...... 725W CHURCH COMMISSIONERS ...... 599W Members: Correspondence ...... 726W Eco-Towns ...... 599W Mental Health: Prisoners ...... 730W Mental Health Services ...... 726W Mental Health Services ...... 727W HEALTH...... 684W Mental Health Services: Hertfordshire...... 727W Abortions...... 684W Mental Health Services: Prisons...... 728W Allergies ...... 684W Mental Health Services: Young People...... 730W Arthritis ...... 685W Methadone: Prisoners ...... 731W Breast Cancer: Males ...... 685W Midwives: Manpower...... 731W Burns: Health Services ...... 687W MMR Vaccine ...... 732W Cancer: Health Services ...... 687W Muscular Dystrophy ...... 732W Cardiovascular System: Screening...... 687W Muscular Dystrophy: Continuing Care ...... 733W Care Homes ...... 688W National School for Social Care Research...... 733W Care Homes: Learning Disability...... 688W Col. No. Col. No. HEALTH—continued HEALTH—continued NHS: Complaints ...... 733W Prescriptions: Fees and Charges...... 743W NHS: Correspondence ...... 734W Prescriptions: Tamworth...... 743W NHS: Cost Effectiveness ...... 734W Primary Care Trusts: Hertfordshire...... 744W NHS: Costs...... 734W Respiratory System ...... 745W NHS: Crimes of Violence...... 735W Rheumatology ...... 750W NHS: Drugs...... 735W Schizophrenia ...... 750W NHS: Finance ...... 736W Schools: Nurses...... 752W NHS Litigation Authority...... 733W Smoking: Greater Manchester ...... 752W NHS: Negligence ...... 736W Social Services...... 753W NHS: Pay...... 737W Streptococcus: Pregnancy ...... 758W NHS: Per Capita Costs ...... 738W Strokes ...... 759W NHS: Procurement ...... 739W Swine Flu...... 759W NHS: Surveys ...... 740W Swine Flu: Birmingham ...... 765W NHS: Telephone Services...... 740W Syringes: Injuries...... 766W NHS: Working Hours ...... 740W Tamiflu ...... 766W Nurses...... 740W Telemedicine ...... 767W Nutrition...... 741W Thrombosis...... 767W Osteopathy...... 741W Thrombosis: Hospitals...... 768W Paediatrics: Hospital Beds...... 741W Treatment Centres...... 768W Parkinson’s Disease: Medical Treatments ...... 742W Vioxx ...... 770W Prescriptions ...... 742W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 770W WRITTEN ANSWERS

Tuesday 13 October 2009—[Continued.]

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 827W CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES—continued Broadband ...... 827W Science: GCSE ...... 863W Broadband: Rural Areas ...... 827W Serlby Park School: Finance ...... 867W Business: Government Assistance ...... 829W Specialised Diplomas ...... 867W Business: Insurance...... 829W Sure Start Programme: Finance ...... 867W Business Link...... 828W Teachers: Hemsworth...... 868W Business: Public Sector...... 830W Teachers: Training...... 868W Departmental Information Officers ...... 830W Departmental Manpower...... 831W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 771W Departmental Reorganisation...... 831W Council Housing: Antisocial Behaviour Orders..... 771W Departmental Secondment ...... 831W Council Housing: Finance ...... 771W Departmental Sick Leave ...... 832W Empty Shops Funding Grant...... 771W Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme ...... 832W Local Development Frameworks ...... 773W Learning Grid...... 833W Local Government: Official Hospitality...... 774W Members: Correspondence ...... 833W Local Government: Pay ...... 774W Met Office: Reviews ...... 833W National Housing and Planning Advice Unit...... 774W Ministers: Training...... 834W Refuges: Domestic Violence...... 775W New College Nottingham: Basford Hall ...... 834W Regional Planning and Development...... 775W Police National Computer ...... 834W Social Rented Housing: Cornwall ...... 776W Royal Bank of Scotland ...... 835W Social Rented Housing: Standards...... 776W Royal Mail ...... 835W Social Rented Housing: West Yorkshire ...... 777W Shareholder Executive...... 835W Union Modernisation Fund: Publications...... 835W DEFENCE...... 795W Armed Conflict: Children ...... 795W CABINET OFFICE...... 819W Electronic Warfare ...... 796W Civil Servants: Influenza ...... 819W Littoral Warfare: Helicopters...... 796W Death ...... 819W Military Aircraft: Helicopters ...... 796W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 820W Territorial Army: Training ...... 797W Minimum Wage ...... 821W Suicide ...... 822W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 778W CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES ...... 857W Climate Change: Import Duties ...... 778W Building Schools for the Future Programme: Sixth UK Low Carbon Transition Plan...... 779W Form Colleges...... 857W Warm Front Scheme ...... 779W Children: Prisoners ...... 858W Children: Social Services...... 859W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Children’s Trusts...... 859W AFFAIRS...... 783W GCSE ...... 859W Landfill: Pollution...... 783W National Curriculum Tests: Disadvantaged ...... 860W Waste Disposal: Greater Manchester ...... 784W Pupil Exclusions...... 860W Waste Management...... 784W Schools: Manpower ...... 861W Waste: Renewable Energy ...... 784W Schools: Nottingham ...... 863W Water: Meters ...... 785W Col. No. Col. No. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 792W HOME DEPARTMENT—continued Breaking the Silence: Finance ...... 792W Police ...... 849W Departmental Manpower...... 793W Police Authorities: Pay ...... 850W Iraq: Iran ...... 793W Police: Manpower ...... 850W Members: Correspondence ...... 793W Police: Pay...... 855W Morocco: Travel Restrictions ...... 794W Police: Rural Areas...... 855W Razouk Choummad...... 794W Surveillance...... 856W Yemen: Armed Conflict ...... 794W Terrorism ...... 856W Terrorism: Deportation...... 857W HEALTH...... 797W Terrorism: Illegal Immigrants ...... 857W Accident and Emergency Departments: Greater Work Permits: Bulgaria/Romania ...... 857W London...... 800W Acute Beds...... 800W HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 781W Breastfeeding ...... 801W Members: Email...... 781W Cancer: Diagnosis ...... 801W Members: Security ...... 781W Cancer Services...... 797W Visits ...... 781W CJD: Screening ...... 803W Dentistry...... 797W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 791W Departmental Advertising...... 803W Departmental Pay ...... 791W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 804W Developing Countries: Internet...... 792W Departmental Manpower...... 805W Departmental Marketing ...... 805W Departmental Pay ...... 806W JUSTICE...... 870W Departmental Work Experience...... 807W Asylum and Immigration Tribunal...... 870W Diabetes ...... 807W Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions...... 871W East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust ...... 798W Land: Registration ...... 872W Emergency Care...... 798W Magistrates Courts: Leicestershire ...... 875W General Practitioners: Training...... 807W Offences Against Children: Convictions...... 876W Haemophilia ...... 808W Offences Against Children: Sentencing ...... 878W Heart Diseases: Health Services ...... 808W Prison Visitors: Expenditure ...... 879W Heroin: Clinical Trials...... 808W Prisoners: Death ...... 880W Home Care Services ...... 808W Prisoners: Foreigners...... 881W Hospital Wards: Closures...... 809W Prisoners Release: Mentally Ill...... 880W Hospitals: Construction...... 810W Prisons: Private Sector ...... 882W Learning Disability ...... 812W Prisons: Television ...... 882W Midwives: Manpower...... 812W Probation: Costs ...... 883W Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder ...... 813W Probation: Hertfordshire...... 883W National No Smoking Day ...... 799W Probation Officers...... 882W NHS Direct...... 813W NHS: Finance ...... 814W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 778W NHS: Manpower ...... 816W Departmental Motor Vehicles...... 778W NHS: Pay...... 815W NHS: Pensions...... 817W SCOTLAND...... 791W Out-of-hours Care: London...... 799W Departmental Motor Vehicles...... 791W PCT Boundaries ...... 798W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 791W PCT Funding...... 800W Prescriptions: Fees and Charges...... 817W Primary Care Trusts...... 818W TRANSPORT ...... 782W Social Services...... 818W Aviation: Fees and Charges...... 782W Strategic Health Authorities...... 798W Aviation: Security...... 782W Swine Flu...... 798W Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls ...... 782W Tuberculosis: Children ...... 818W Employment Tribunals Service...... 782W Viral Diseases: Drugs...... 818W Government Departments: Official Cars...... 783W Waiting Times...... 799W Rolling Stock ...... 783W Wheelchairs...... 819W TREASURY ...... 785W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 836W Banks: Regulation...... 785W Antisocial Behaviour...... 836W Business: Government Assistance ...... 786W Asylum: Children...... 839W Charities ...... 787W Business: Government Assistance ...... 841W Child Benefit...... 787W Departmental Manpower...... 842W Departmental Incentives ...... 788W Drugs: Sentencing...... 842W Departmental Pay ...... 788W Entry Clearances...... 842W Departmental Redundancy ...... 788W Entry Clearances: Appeals ...... 842W Financial Services Authority...... 789W Entry Clearances: Pakistan ...... 843W Insolvency: EC Action ...... 789W Entry Clearances: Students ...... 843W Overseas Trade: Kazakhstan...... 790W Human Trafficking: Females...... 844W Tax Collection: Administration...... 790W National Security ...... 845W Taxation: British Overseas Territories ...... 790W Offences Against Children: Internet...... 845W Offensive Weapons: Schools...... 848W WOMEN AND EQUALITY ...... 779W Opiates...... 848W Human Rights: Gender...... 779W Col. No. Col. No. WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 779W WORK AND PENSIONS—continued Housing Benefit: Expenditure...... 779W Minimum Wage: Apprentices...... 780W Incapacity Benefit ...... 780W WRITTEN ANSWERS

Wednesday 14 October 2009

Col. No. Col. No. CABINET OFFICE...... 888W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS— 2009 Edition of Public Bodies...... 888W continued Civil Servants...... 888W Poultry: Animal Welfare ...... 947W Civil Service: Pensions ...... 888W Poultry: Feathers...... 948W Glasgow...... 888W Private Finance Initiative ...... 947W Government Communication Network...... 889W Property Development: Worksop...... 949W Government Departments: Data Protection ...... 889W Ragwort: Weed Control ...... 949W Rights of Way...... 949W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 906W Sheep: Tagging...... 950W Archives: Internet ...... 906W Supermarkets ...... 950W Churches: Finance ...... 906W Water Charges...... 950W Circuses: Licensing...... 906W Departmental Consultants...... 907W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 891W Departmental Dismissal...... 907W India: Christianity...... 891W Departmental Flexible Working...... 907W Middle East ...... 891W Departmental Information and Communications Morocco ...... 892W Technology ...... 908W Nigeria: Arms Control...... 892W Departmental Logos ...... 908W North Korea: Nuclear Power ...... 892W Departmental Manpower...... 908W Departmental Motor Vehicles...... 909W HEALTH...... 900W Departmental Paternity Leave...... 909W Blood: Contamination ...... 900W Departmental Pay ...... 910W Drugs: Misuse...... 900W Departmental Recycling...... 910W Haemophilia ...... 900W Departmental Sick Leave ...... 910W Hospitals: Parking ...... 901W Departmental Training ...... 911W Midwives...... 902W Digital Broadcasting ...... 915W Midwives: Training ...... 902W Digital Technology: Legal Deposit...... 916W NHS: Employment Agencies ...... 902W Freeview Service...... 916W NHS: Renewable Energy...... 902W Horse Racing: Betting...... 917W Prescriptions: Fees and Charges...... 903W Publications: Sight Impaired...... 917W Quality and Outcomes Framework ...... 903W Sports: Cambridgeshire...... 918W Slaughterhouses ...... 904W Sports: Energy ...... 921W Swine Flu...... 905W Sports: Young People...... 921W Television: Licensing ...... 922W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 893W World Cup ...... 922W Identity and Passport Service: Complaints...... 893W Police: Drugs...... 893W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Vetting ...... 893W AFFAIRS...... 923W Agriculture...... 923W JUSTICE...... 896W Agriculture: Manpower...... 924W Bankruptcy ...... 896W Badgers ...... 927W Data Protection...... 896W Beef: Brazil ...... 927W Divorce ...... 896W Bovine Tuberculosis: Hertfordshire...... 928W Legal Aid ...... 897W Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination...... 929W Legal Aid: Rural Areas ...... 897W Departmental Communication ...... 929W Vexatious Litigants ...... 898W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 929W Young Offenders: Magistrates Courts ...... 898W Departmental Energy...... 930W Youth Justice...... 899W Departmental ICT ...... 930W Departmental Recycling...... 933W SCOTLAND...... 885W Food: Production...... 933W Defence Establishments ...... 886W Forests ...... 934W Departmental Postal Services...... 886W Foxes...... 934W Departmental Training ...... 886W Hill Livestock Allowances...... 935W Departmental Travel ...... 887W Meat: Imports...... 935W Glasgow Airport Rail Link ...... 886W Members: Correspondence ...... 944W Holiday Accommodation: Taxation...... 887W Milk: Overseas Trade ...... 944W Identity Cards ...... 885W Milk: Prices...... 945W Manufacturing Sector ...... 885W National Bee Unit: Manpower...... 946W Outreach Service ...... 885W Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008 ...... 946W Power Stations ...... 885W Nitrate Vulnerable Zones ...... 946W Scotland...... 887W Poaching ...... 947W Tourism...... 885W Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT ...... 894W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 889W Departmental Paternity Leave...... 894W Attendance Allowance: Scotland ...... 889W Motorways: Speed Limits ...... 894W Pensioners: Poverty ...... 890W Public Service Vehicles: Fuels...... 894W Social Fund: Glasgow...... 890W Railway Stations: Crimes of Violence ...... 895W Rolling Stock ...... 895W

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CONTENTS

Wednesday 14 October 2009

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 277] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Scotland Prime Minister

Afghanistan and Pakistan [Col. 299] Statement—(Prime Minister)

Equalisation of Tariffs for Gas and Electricity [Col. 321] Bill presented, and read the First time

Cervical Cancer (Minimum Age for Screening) [Col. 322] Motion for leave to introduce Bill—(Mr. Newmark)—agreed to Bill presented, and read the First time

Opposition Day [17th allotted day] Higher Education [Col. 327] Motion—(Mr. Willetts) Amendment—(Mr. Lammy)—on a Division, agreed to Motion, as amended, agreed to

NHS Dentistry [Col. 368] Motion—(Mr. Lansley) Amendment—(Mr. Mike O’Brien)—on a Division, agreed to Motion, as amended, agreed to

Complementary and Alternative Medicines [Col. 412] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall UK Relations with Russia [Col. 73WH] UK Grocery Market [Col. 97WH] City of London [Col. 104WH] Plymouth CityBus [Col. 129WH] The Maldives [Col. 137WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 29WS]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 599W] [see index inside back page]