Monday Volume 577 17 March 2014 No. 137

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday 17 March 2014

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2014 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 533 17 MARCH 2014 534

of new contracts is even greater with over a third of all House of Commons new contracts placed with SMEs in each of the last three years. Monday 17 March 2014 Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): Devolved Administrations and their arm’s length agencies often The House met at half-past Two o’clock have very close relationships with their SME community. What discussions is the Ministry of Defence having with the devolved Administrations to make sure defence PRAYERS contractors based outside England also have an opportunity to bid?

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Mr Dunne: Of course defence, and therefore defence procurement, is not a devolved matter and therefore the work the Ministry of Defence does is primarily with industries right across the country. I have undertaken Oral Answers to Questions events in Scotland and I am looking forward to an event in Wales in due course later this year.

DEFENCE Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): May I wish you a very happy St Patrick’s day, Mr Speaker, and no doubt MOD Ministers will be pleased to put on record their The Secretary of State was asked— appreciation for the increasing co-operation with the Irish defence forces? Military Procurement In a parliamentary answer on 3 October 2011 the MOD admitted that out of 6,000 SME contracts with 1. Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire) the MOD, only 50 contracts were in Scotland, which is (Con): What steps he is taking to support small contractors 0.83%, just under 10 times less than Scotland’s population in military procurement. [903043] share. When will the MOD answer my question on SME spending across the UK by region, which was The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence tabled in January? (Mr Philip Dunne): I recognise that small businesses are an important source of innovation and flexibility in Mr Dunne: As I have said to the hon. Gentleman meeting defence and security requirements. I am determined previously, we do not believe it is relevant to look at the to help small and medium-sized enterprises access defence location of where we procure equipment. We want to opportunities, including standardising and simplifying procure the best equipment for our armed forces from our procurement systems. So from this month we are the best place. Scotland of course has a significant minimising the use of pre-qualification questionnaires share of much of our spending, not least through the and increasing use of standard contract templates for aircraft carrier contracts, which I saw for myself last low-risk requirements of under £100,000. week, and much of that defence work would be at risk We are regularly making progress on these and other were Scotland to vote yes in the referendum in September. SME initiatives, but we also need to inform the SME community that it is getting easier to do business with Defence Equipment and Support the Ministry of Defence, which is why we publish the SME action plan on the gov.uk website and why I am undertaking a series of regional visits to talk to SMEs, 2. Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab): such as the excellent event that my hon. Friend hosted What discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the in Hereford on 6 December 2013. Exchequer on staff pay and conditions in the new DE&S model. [903044] Jesse Norman: I very much thank my hon. Friend for that reply and for the extremely encouraging news that The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): he has described. There are a large number of specialist We have agreed with Treasury Ministers that Defence defence suppliers in my constituency in Herefordshire. Equipment and Support will be established as a bespoke They provide vital new technologies and training for the central Government trading entity from 1 April this troops, but they often face huge and apparently unnecessary year, with the necessary freedom to operate, including mark-ups and delays forced on them by the requirement freedom, within very broad limits, to set the pay and to be part of prime contracts. What can the MOD do to conditions of its civil service staff. help these companies compete more fairly? Mrs Lewell-Buck: I thank the Secretary of State for Mr Dunne: I agree with my hon. Friend that SMEs that response, but bearing in mind that bringing private have an important role to play across defence procurement, skills into Defence Equipment and Support is likely to but in particular in new technologies and in training. create a two-tier work force and, if handled badly, could That is why the Government are committed to increasing demoralise an already hollowed-out department, will the proportion of our annual spend on SMEs. Last year the Secretary of State update the House on what discussions that rose to 15% by value of all spend, with some he has had with employee representatives and trade £1 billion spent directly and £2 billion spent indirectly unions within Defence Equipment and Support regarding through larger prime contractors, but the proportion changes to employees’ pay and conditions? 535 Oral Answers17 MARCH 2014 Oral Answers 536

Mr Hammond: There have been discussions with the DE&S as a trading entity with freedoms and flexibilities trade unions and there will of course be further discussions to enter the marketplace and hire the people it needs to with the trade unions as DE&S-plus develops its pay do the job properly and effectively, we will ensure that model, but we do have to face the reality that this part outcome. of the public service is very much commercial-facing. It deals with commercial bodies and it interacts and exchanges Reserve Forces staff with commercial contractors, and we have to be able to pay competitive rates and we have to adopt 3. Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): What competitive employment practices if we are to get the progress his Department has made on its planned best deal for the taxpayer and the best deal for our increase in the activity of reserves in Cornwall. [903046] armed forces. The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mr Mark Francois): Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Con): Does I know my hon. Friend is concerned about the future of my right hon. Friend agree that reforming defence reserves in her constituency following the proposed procurement is a key step in driving better value for relocation of D company, 6th Rifles, and I welcome her money for the defence budget, and will he join me in strong interest in this issue on behalf of her constituents. paying tribute to the staff of DE&S in my constituency, I understand that my predecessor, my right hon. Friend especially those involved in the draw-down of kit and for South Leicestershire (Mr Robathan), gave her a equipment from Afghanistan? commitment that we would look closely at this decision, but that examination is not yet complete. Mr Hammond: The staff at DE&S at Abbey Wood perform an extraordinary range of functions and play a Sarah Newton: I thank my right hon. Friend for that vital part in this new whole-force concept. It is about response. We have had good news in Cornwall about how the armed forces work together, regulars and reserves, more RAF reservists being stationed at RAF St Mawgan, with civilian employees of the Ministry of Defence—whom but the continued uncertainty about the future of The I am happy to put on the record in the House today are Rifles in Cornwall is a major concern. People in Cornwall not pen-pushers, as some parts of our media would want to support their country and to have the opportunity have us believe, but vital components of our defence to serve as Army reservists. May I therefore urge my infrastructure. right hon. Friend to make a speedy, and the right, decision to enable people to serve from Truro? Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): The Secretary of State is ever the optimist, but he will know Mr Francois: I stress to my hon. Friend that we are that staff in DE&S and industry need certainty, and not closing the Truro Army Reserve centre, which will nothing in the changes to DE&S fits that description. remain the home of elements of both medical and His Department still has not confirmed the arrangements logistics units, as well as supporting local cadet forces in to bring the managed service providers into the business. any event. However, I do understand the strong historical He talked about the flexibilities and freedoms being attachment The Rifles have to Cornwall, so I hope to be broad—they are not in the public domain yet, and April able to give her a clear answer on this matter in the near is almost upon us. Is he not cutting it just a little fine? future.

Mr Hammond: No. The contract notices for the Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab): Whether people procurement of the managed service providers will be are seeking to join the reserves in Cornwall or in any published shortly. We are finalising the terms of the other part of the country, everyone I talk to says it is memorandum of understanding between the Treasury still taking too long from the point at which they and the MOD, but the broad parameters have been express an interest in joining the reserves to the point at agreed. The freedoms will be very broad, but there will which they are subsequently enlisted. What is the Minister be some constraints, as I hope the hon. Lady would doing and what more can be done to speed up that expect. There will be an overall envelope of resources process, so we can get more people serving in the for operating costs, which will be subject to a downward reserves—in Cornwall and in the rest of the country? trajectory over time, representing efficiency. Within that envelope, there will be very broad freedom to Mr Francois: I am glad to be able to say to the hon. tailor pay and conditions to the requirements of the Gentleman, whom I know in view of his past service marketplace. takes a close interest in these matters, that we have reduced some of the bureaucracy in the process—we Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Did the shadow have simplified the forms and some of the medical Secretary of State for Defence not say in December of procedures—and we launched a new recruitment campaign last year that we all wanted to see the best of the public in January, the benefits of which are beginning to feed sector alongside the best of the private sector? If everyone through. The process was too bureaucratic; it is less so is in agreement on this—from the shadow Secretary of now, and it is beginning to work. State for Defence to Lord Levene—it must be a good idea. Presumably, the only really important thing here is Sir Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD): May I urge the ensuring value for money for taxpayers. Minister, when considering the move of The Rifles from Truro to Barnstaple, to recognise that the Army Reserve Mr Hammond: My right hon. Friend is exactly right: centre in Barnstaple is the only opportunity for people it is about ensuring that the armed forces get the kit to participate in the Army Reserve, covering an area they need and have been promised when they need it, from west Somerset down to North Cornwall? If we are and that the taxpayer gets a fair deal. By creating to achieve the targets we set ourselves nationally for 537 Oral Answers17 MARCH 2014 Oral Answers 538 increasing the size of the reserves, it is very important I have written to my colleagues at the Treasury suggesting that people in all communities, however rural, have a that we look at a change to the regime to make the realistic opportunity to participate in the reserves. situation much clearer to the civil authorities in advance.

Mr Francois: I understand the point being made by Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): the hon. Gentleman, a predecessor of mine in this job. May I add my congratulations to RAF Linton-on-Ouse We are looking to grow the Army Reserve in Cornwall and the neighbouring Royal Engineers who have helped and in Devon, and indeed across the whole United in both the vale of York, and Thirsk and Malton during Kingdom. previous floods? On the funding, I understand that one reason why civil authorities were slow to take up the Flooding: Military Assistance offer from the military was precisely the issue of who was to pay. Will my right hon. Friend explain to the House from which budget the payment will be drawn? 4. Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of military Mr Hammond: In almost all cases—perhaps I can say assistance provided to civil authorities during recent in all cases—the net additional cost of military operations flooding. [903047] that is recoverable from authorities that have lead responsibility under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): will be 100% funded under the Bellwin formula, in The MOD’s ongoing support to the civil authorities has accordance with the statement that the Secretary of been significant and achieved real effect on the ground, State for Communities and Local Government made to with a peak of about 5,000 personnel from all three the House about the increase in the percentage recovery services available to provide everything from sandbagging rates to 100% to cover this emergency. to aerial reconnaissance. We provided assistance to nine county councils and five unitary authorities. We are Spouses of Armed Forces Personnel now in the recovery phase, with 220 service personnel still engaged. Once the task is complete, we will work 5. Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): What with the civil authorities to assess in detail our armed plans he has to increase employment opportunities for forces’ contribution to the overall national response and the spouses of armed forces personnel. [903048] to look at how the contribution of the armed forces to civil resilience can be enhanced and accelerated in future The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence emergencies. (Anna Soubry): We know that one of the most important factors in enabling spouses to enter employment is Dr Coffey: I thank my right hon. Friend for that making sure that good child care provision is available answer. I bring to the House’s attention the honourable at a good cost. In addition to the measures that the membership of the Institution of Royal Engineers that Government have taken to help all workers, I am pleased I hold because I am a Member of Parliament for a to tell the House that £20 million of the LIBOR funding constituency with Royal Engineers in it. Will he join me announced by the Chancellor in the autumn will specifically in congratulating the Royal Engineers on their work go to help the provision of child care facilities for across the country, not only in helping to fix the problems, service families, particularly the infrastructure. We also but in being involved in the emergency checks, which have a number of excellent schemes to encourage people means that we are able to get around the entire country to go into employment and to support them to set up in just a matter of weeks? their own businesses, as well, of course, as the corporate covenant. Mr Hammond: I am happy to join my hon. Friend in Mr Buckland: I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. congratulating the Royal Engineers on the role they May I commend to her the work of the social enterprise have played. There is a continuing detachment of Royal Recruit for Spouses, which is doing so much to challenge Engineers inspecting thousands of flood defences around outdated perceptions of military families always being the country, triaging them so that the Environment on the move and to engage with businesses to unlock Agency can target its specialist engineers on those most the potential of armed forces spouses? Recruit for Spouses at risk. is based in Wiltshire, and it does a lot of work in both Wiltshire and in Swindon. Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): One reason why civil authorities may be reluctant to call Anna Soubry: As it happens, I have heard of Recruit in military assistance is the full costing regime in the for Spouses and I know that its aims are admirable, and MOD. Has the Secretary of State considered introducing of course we support all such projects. That is one a marginal costing scheme, which would make that reason why I mentioned the corporate covenant: it is interaction easier for all the parties concerned? very important that businesses recognise the real benefits they get when they employ people who are married to Mr Hammond: The hon. Lady is understating the our excellent service personnel, because their spouses case—one of the reasons most certainly is fear of what tend to be as good. the costs will be. The MOD’s position is clear: we would like to do more to support the civil authorities, and Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Is we want to make sure that the defence budget is neither the Minister not living a little bit in the 20th century advantaged nor disadvantaged from doing so. That rather than the 21st century? It is not just child care that implies a full marginal costing recovery regime, and spouses need, but a tailor-made system that allows 539 Oral Answers17 MARCH 2014 Oral Answers 540 them to use their enormous talent for a productive report and read it, did he have even the slightest momentary purpose. Could she not do something more adventurous? frisson of worry that he might—just might—have done We are talking about not trailing spouses, but people the wrong thing? who give a great deal to this country under enormous stress. Mr Francois: I have a frisson when I open any Defence Select Committee report. It is worth taking into account Anna Soubry: I am sorry, but I do not think that the the fact that the report has only recently been received hon. Gentleman heard what I said. I will happily go and the implications of its recommendations are being into more detail. We have programmes in place with the reviewed by the respective staffs. We will be providing a Royal British Legion Industries and the university of full response to the report in the normal way in May Wolverhampton, which run workshops specifically for 2014. It is clear to me that the Army’s response to the spouses on finding jobs and on helping them to start challenges posed by the end of combat operations in businesses, so, on the contrary, I am far from living in a Afghanistan and the move to a UK base force remains previous century. I do not underestimate the issues. I fully valid. have spoken to various families’ federations, which told me in no uncertain terms that child care costs and the Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op): In that availability of good provision are absolutely critical. Select Committee report, Sir Peter Wall, the Chief of The hon. Gentleman should welcome my announcement the General Staff, says that Army 2020 was financially of £20 million of LIBOR funding. I do not think that driven. Does the Minister agree with that? Furthermore, he matched that when he was in Government. will the shortfall of 8,000 not lead to capability gaps? If so, what will he do to plug those gaps? 19. [903063] Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): As a graduate of the excellent armed forces parliamentary Mr Francois: As my right hon. Friend the Defence scheme, I have had the privilege of learning about all Secretary has said on numerous occasions, the Ministry aspects of military life, including the ability to settle in of Defence and the armed forces cannot operate oblivious one location thus enabling military spouses to find and to the country’s fiscal position. However, we and the to keep down regular employment. What estimates has Army are quite clear that Army 2020 represents the best my hon. Friend made about whether the return of answers to the challenges, fiscal and otherwise, the British troops from Germany will help increase the country faces and is best placed to help us address opportunity for spousal employment in the future? the future.

Anna Soubry: That is a good question. We believe Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con): Events that the return of units from Germany offers a major such as in Crimea and the South China sea remind us of opportunity for more service families to lead more the need for strong defence. Has the time not now come stable lives, and we also know that that is important. It for a fundamental reassessment of how much we spend is vital that Government, local authorities, employers, on our armed forces? That figure should be increased the Army and the other services work together and plan even if white elephants such High Speed 2 have to be carefully. A good case in point is the great work that is sacrificed along the way. We may have the fourth or fifth being undertaken by Rutland county council and its biggest defence budget, but we rank nearer 30th when it partners. Let me give one quick example of that. Its comes to deploying troops overseas, which is nonsense latest initiative is to hold a job fair at Kendrew barracks given the extent of our global interests. next month. Mr Francois: My hon. Friend might want to turn up Army 2020 to Treasury questions in the near future and ask the same question. In the meantime, as he mentions overseas 6. Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): What deployments, he might be interested to hear that last recent progress he has made on the Army 2020 week I visited 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of proposals. [903049] Fusiliers in Cyprus, in which I know he takes a strong interest. I can report to him and the House that despite The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mr Mark Francois): difficult circumstances its members are in good order. The Army remains on track to implement Army 2020 The planning for the merger of the two regiments of the structures in accordance with the announcement made Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is almost complete and a by the Secretary of State on 5 July 2012. number of soldiers in the 2nd Battalion have expressed Of particular note is the fact that all units have now interest in remaining in the Army. We are seeking to been assigned to the new reaction force, adaptable force facilitate that wherever possible. or force troops; regular and reserve units have been paired, in line with the move to a fully integrated Army; Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): In paragraph 32 and future unit locations have been confirmed, taking of its recent report on Army 2020, the Defence Committee account of the return of units from Germany to the stated: United Kingdom. “We were…concerned to hear that it was the Ministry of Defence’s Permanent Secretary who told the Chief of the General Mr Gray: The Defence Committee’s report into Army Staff the future size of the Army under the Army 2020 plan.” 2020, which was published last week, expressed grave Will the Minister say what exactly the role of the Chief concerns about the reduction to 82,000 soldiers, the way of the General Staff was in determining the size of the in which that figure was arrived at and the fact that the Army? Why was it left to the permanent secretary to Army was informed of it rather than consulted about it. inform him what the size of the Army would be under When the Minister for the Armed Forces opened our Army 2020? 541 Oral Answers17 MARCH 2014 Oral Answers 542

Mr Francois: Decisions about the overall size of or refurbishment of existing housing. The bid criteria the armed forces are ultimately taken by Ministers, have been published and the fund is open for applications but the Army 2020 plan was designed by the Army, and now. it is the Army that has the primary responsibility for implementing it. While we are on the subject of advice, Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier Programme. one thing we will not do in trying to grow the Army and the reserves is follow the example of the previous Government, who thought that it was a good idea, for 8. Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) growing the Territorial Army, to threaten not to pay its (Lab): What recent assessment he has made of the members for turning up for training. economic effects on west Fife of the Queen Elizabeth class carrier programme. [903051] Military Personnel: LIBOR Funding The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Dunne): The carrier programme as a whole is 7. Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): estimated to have sustained about 10,000 jobs across What progress he has made on using funding from the UK, 4,000 of which are based in Scotland. Although LIBOR fines to benefit former and serving military we have made no specific assessment of the impact on personnel. [903050] the hon. Gentleman’s constituency, to the end of January the Ministry of Defence had spent about £2.3 billion on 9. Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): What progress work billed to the programme by BAE Systems on the he has made on using funding from LIBOR fines to Clyde, and by Babcock at Rosyth. I was pleased to visit benefit former and serving military personnel. [903053] Rosyth last week to see the progress of the work on the Queen Elizabeth carrier, which is on track to be flooded The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence up in July. The initial bow sections of the Prince of (Anna Soubry): The short answer is that a great deal of Wales carrier are dockside, ready for assembly to start progress has been made. As Members will know, in later this year. December 2012 the Chancellor transferred £35 million from fines levied on the banks following the LIBOR Thomas Docherty: I am grateful for that answer. Is scandal. The whole of that £35 million has now been the Minister aware that Babcock commented last week allocated to almost 100 projects that will provide support that if Scotland votes yes it would be highly unlikely to members of the armed forces community. In addition, that my constituency dockyard would get further orders we can now look forward to the £40 million recently for maintenance work from the MOD? Is that why the announced for the veterans accommodation fund, the Scottish National party has admitted that there would £20 million about which I have already given details be significant job losses at Rosyth in the event of and, in perpetuity, £10 million each year for our service independence? charities. Mr Dunne: The hon. Gentleman will not be surprised Andrea Leadsom: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for to learn that I keep an eye on press cuttings relating to her answer. Will some of the money from the LIBOR all defence procurement matters. The in-service support fines be used to deal with the awful mental illness that solution for the Queen Elizabeth class carriers is still comes to those who have lost loved ones in conflict, and in development and will not be decided until next year, to help the families of those who have suffered mental but much support will be delivered at the base port and health problems after spending time overseas in conflict on deployment at sea. I think, however, that the hon. areas? Gentleman was referring to depth maintenance and refit, and the security implications of that work being Anna Soubry: I am happy to confirm that Cruse undertaken in a non-sovereign dock outside the UK Bereavement Care, a wonderful charity that comforts would need to be carefully considered. Several dry bereaved people—not only service families but anyone docks in the UK are physically capable of accommodating who has lost someone—has received £500,000 of LIBOR such ships outside Scotland. funding. An additional £2.77 million has gone to Combat Stress, and SSAFA has a number of projects that have NATO Summit benefited, to the tune of £2 million. I hope that shows that we take this work very seriously. 10. Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): What discussions he has had with his counterparts in NATO Andrew Stephenson: Finding the right accommodation member states in preparation for the NATO summit in for veterans who have been wounded or injured is an September 2014. [903054] important part of upholding the duty we owe them for their sacrifice. What assistance is the Ministry of Defence The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence providing to ensure that veterans with a housing need (Dr Andrew Murrison): My right hon. Friend the Secretary are properly supported? of State has had a range of discussions with his counterparts in recent months in relation to the NATO summit in Anna Soubry: As I have explained, £40 million of Wales this September. Most recently he discussed the LIBOR funding has been set aside specifically for what summit and its possible content with fellow Defence we are calling the veterans accommodation fund. It will Ministers at the NATO Defence ministerial in Brussels make a big difference, and is available to fund the on 26 and 27 February. The Wales summit falls at a building of purpose-built accommodation and the purchase crucial time for partners as they contemplate a post-2014 543 Oral Answers17 MARCH 2014 Oral Answers 544 future and the importance of the transatlantic alliance. Vernon Coaker (Gedling) (Lab): There is, rightly, It is also a great opportunity to showcase the best of broad consensus on both sides of the House that military British to our allies and partners. action in Crimea is not an option, but will the Minister confirm what contribution the UK has made to NATO Jason McCartney: As an active member of the NATO in response to the Ukraine crisis, and what role our Parliamentary Assembly, may I ask what plans there are forces have played in NATO training exercises in Europe? for such members—parliamentarians from the 28 member Will the matter be discussed up to and including at the nations—to engage with the NATO summit later this year? autumn summit?

Dr Murrison: We look forward to members of the Dr Murrison: The hon. Gentleman knows of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly playing an active role, strategic concept in relation to NATO and what it and we are exploring what that might mean. May I say implies. He will also be aware of our contribution of the how pleased I am that the hon. Member for York E-3D airborne warning and control system aircraft that Central (Hugh Bayley) is president of the Assembly? is currently deployed to make sure that we have situation The Prime Minister has appointed my hon. Friend the awareness in Poland and Romania. We are, of course, Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) as his open to requests from NATO, in relation to what we parliamentary adviser on the summit. I know that my might do on collective security, but he knows very well hon. Friend is working hard, and I look forward to the implications of article 5. The importance here is to working with him on the preparations. de-escalate, not escalate.

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Bournemouth Vernon Coaker: I thank the Minister for that considered East (Mr Ellwood) has already approached me about reply. It is the Opposition’s view that we must be prepared an event that he wishes to stage, so he is going about his to ask serious questions about the UK’s role in NATO duties with great conscientiousness, and I hope to be and about the security of our allies, including those in able to assist him in his endeavours. the Baltic states and eastern Europe. Does the Minister agree that the forthcoming summit should discuss Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): how NATO can best protect our own security, as well as With the threat of cyber-attack and espionage rising that of our allies? Is it not clear that one of the most substantially, will the UK play an active part at the important discussions up to and at the autumn summit summit in pushing for NATO-wide cyber-capability? must be about the future long-term strategic direction for NATO following the present crisis? Dr Murrison: The hon. Gentleman is right to raise Dr Murrison: The agenda is primarily a matter for the that point. He will know that the UK’s preparations are Secretary-General of NATO, not for the host nation, reckoned to be far advanced, but he will also understand although it is probably true to say that the host nation that cyber-defence is a sovereign capability. However, traditionally has a role in trying to suggest and shape it is important that supranational institutions such as the agenda for summits on its soil. The hon. Gentleman NATO ensure that their own systems are protected might expect us to be considering what NATO means from cyber-attack. post-2014. He would probably expect the transatlantic alliance to be debated at some length, and what will happen Sir Menzies Campbell (North East Fife) (LD): May with regard to Afghanistan and NATO’s involvement we have an assurance that if there is any discussion of in that country. I suspect that all those things will be Ukraine at the NATO summit, careful attention will be important and top of the agenda in Cardiff, but it is paid to the defence anxieties of Latvia, Lithuania and important to note that this is primarily a matter for the Estonia about what appears to be the emergence of a Secretary-General. Putin doctrine, not least because of the close proximity of Kaliningrad to all three countries? Armed Forces Covenant

Dr Murrison: The right hon. and learned Gentleman 11. Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con): is right to raise the concerns of the Baltic states, which What steps he is taking to strengthen the armed forces are nervous at the moment. Of course, they are covered covenant. [903055] by article 5, so they have a particular relationship with NATO that is not enjoyed by Ukraine. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Anna Soubry): We continually review areas where we Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): Does the best of can make a difference, from home purchase schemes British that we are hoping to show to the delegates and health care to transition and increased pupil premiums include the best of Newport, which is a wonderful in schools, and our approach is making a difference habitat for the conference? Will the conference arrangements right across the armed forces community. Upholding be such that the delegates will have plenty of time to see the covenant is not a matter just for the Government; it and enjoy the robust personality of Newport and its is the responsibility of the whole of society. Charities, beautiful hinterland? employers, local authorities and individuals are all asked to recognise members of the armed forces community Dr Murrison: The hon. Gentleman is a doughty and give them the respect, support and fair treatment advocate for the area that he represents, and he is that they so richly deserve. absolutely right that the summit is an opportunity to show off Newport and Wales in general. It will clearly Mr Raab: A 2012 survey showed that one in five of be great to showcase our military, but the summit is also our armed forces received abuse back home, and 6% a great opportunity for Wales. were victims of violence. I do not think we need to 545 Oral Answers17 MARCH 2014 Oral Answers 546 legislate for new offences, but is my hon. Friend satisfied The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence that the police properly investigate all allegations, and (Mr Philip Dunne): We are in negotiations with BAE has she considered with other Government colleagues Systems for the contract to build the three new offshore the case for raising the sentence for criminal violence patrol vessels announced in November. As part of these harassment where it deliberately targets serving British arrangements, only last Wednesday, during a visit to troops? Scotstoun, I announced that the MOD had committed £20 million to this programme, with the award of a Anna Soubry: As my hon. Friend will know, different contract for long-lead items, such as engines and gearboxes, offences relating to violence have different sentences which need to be ordered in advance. The main investment attached to them. I do not think there is a case for decision is due in coming months and construction raising those sentences overall, and the sentencing guidelines work of the vessels is due to begin this autumn. make it clear that if somebody is assaulted by virtue of their being in the armed forces, that is clearly an aggravating Oliver Colvile: Will my hon. Friend also set out the feature and as a result, in simple terms, the perpetrator timetable for the building of these frigates and ships, receives a higher sentence—and rightly so. and say a little about when the base porting announcement might be made? Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): In opening, the Minister rightly mentioned transition. Given Mr Dunne: I thought that my hon. Friend might be the concerns about members of the armed forces’ transition interested in the base porting announcement. As is that were highlighted in the recent review by Lord normal practice, we will make the announcement around Ashcroft, which of his recommendations will the Ministry the time of the main gate investment decision, which, as of Defence be taking forward? I have already said, is likely to be this autumn. I am sure that he will advocate strongly his constituency interest, Anna Soubry: We are considering all the but I have to advise him that other hon. Members will recommendations in Lord Ashcroft’s report. On balance, be doing so as well. it was a positive report, and it shows what many of us know—that when our personnel transit out of service, Army 2020 they do so extremely well. They are more likely to find a job than other members of society, because of the 13. Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): What remarkable skills that they have, often as a result of the effect the Army 2020 review has had on the operational experience that they gained as members of our military. capability of the armed forces. [903057] On balance, things are working well, but that does not mean that we cannot do more. We are looking at that report and at improving things, and much of the work I The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mr Mark Francois): am doing leads to that. Under Army 2020, the Army will be equipped to face future threats after more than a decade of enduring operations and will remain capable of operating across Mr James Arbuthnot (North East Hampshire) (Con): the full spectrum of military capability, either at home On Thursday, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of or overseas. State for Defence announced that the Service Complaints Commissioner would become an ombudsman, for which the existing commissioner, the excellent Dr Susan Atkins, Sir Edward Leigh: The Minister said earlier this afternoon and the Defence Committee have been calling for years. that the MOD cannot be “oblivious” to the country’s Does the Under-Secretary agree that this very welcome fiscal position, but the Treasury cannot have it both move will mean that the complaints system will be both ways. If it insisted that the Army had to suffer dangerous quicker and fairer, and will help to bring in more cuts in a non-strategic review in 2010, surely in 2020, aspects of the armed forces covenant? when the economy will be growing, the Army, in a dangerous world, is entitled to share in the proceeds of growth. Anna Soubry: Absolutely. I completely agree with my right hon. Friend in his assessment of the benefits of this new system. As he says, Dr Susan Atkins has Mr Francois: Again, my hon. Friend tempts me to welcomed this greatly, and may I use this opportunity stray into what are perhaps Treasury matters. It is to pay tribute to the great work she has done? I notice evident that the Ministry of Defence must live within its that the Royal British Legion also welcomed these means, as must all other Departments. There is no changes. The new system will do exactly as he says: it national security without economic security. That said, will help to speed things up, and where there has been we believe that with Army 2020 we have a credible and maladministration, the service complaints ombudsman realistic plan, and we are determined to carry it through. will not shirk from making recommendations to the Defence Council, and we will see huge improvements. Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): Does my right hon. Friend agree that while many of us would like to Offshore Patrol Vessels see more emphasis on and funding for defence within the money available, the rebalancing brings us into line with all other English-speaking countries? May I further 12. Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) report that my local TA battalion has recruited as many (Con): What progress his Department has made on its people during the last two months as during the previous procurement of three new offshore patrol vessels from 10, because at last the pipeline is starting to come BAE Systems. [903056] unblocked? 547 Oral Answers17 MARCH 2014 Oral Answers 548

Mr Francois: On behalf of the whole House, I am My hon. Friend will be aware of the EU training delighted to receive my hon. Friend’s positive report. mission to Mali—EUTM Mali—and EUCAP Nestor. We do believe that we can meet the target. The reserve It is very important to understand that in all of these forces when I served in the 1980s had 75,000 men and scenarios we have to work with partners, meaning NATO women under arms. I have to believe that now, with a first and foremost, but other partnerships where it is larger population, we can get to 30,000 trained, particularly expedient to do so. as we start with 19,000 trained now. Put another way, it would require a net increase of only about 20 in each of the 650 parliamentary constituencies in this country HMS Vanguard across a period of four years. I believe that is eminently achievable and, backed by initiatives such as the corporate covenant to get employers’ support, we are getting on 15. Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): with it. We will deliver this programme. What recent progress his Department has made on its response to the internal radiation leak aboard HMS Conflict Prevention Vanguard; and if he will make a statement. [903059]

14. Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): What steps The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): his Department is taking to support conflict prevention; Let me make it clear to the hon. Lady that there has been no issue with the reactor on HMS Vanguard or, and if he will make a statement. [903058] indeed, any of our submarines. I announced to the House on 6 March that there had been a small fuel The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence element breach in the naval test reactor at Dounreay, (Dr Andrew Murrison): Together with the Department but that did not lead to a leak of radiation from the for International Development and the Foreign and reactor circuit. Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence is a full partner in the delivery of the July 2011 building stability overseas strategy, and uses a multi-departmental approach Katy Clark: I thank the Secretary of State for his to prioritise UK activity in upstream conflict prevention answer. What assessment has he made of whether the and stabilising fragile and conflict-affected states around reactors on all Vanguard and Astute-class submarines the world in association with partner nations. will last the full lifetime of the submarines? In addition, the Ministry of Defence has developed the international defence engagement strategy jointly Mr Hammond: As I explained to the House when I with the FCO. Published in February 2013, this sets out made my statement, the purpose of the naval test reactor how the Ministry of Defence can contribute most effectively at Dounreay is to run the reactor hard and flat out, as it to the building stability overseas strategy, as well as wider were, ahead of the operational reactors on the submarines, overseas Government objectives. to see what happens as they approach the end of their planned life. The reactors on board our submarines Martin Horwood: I welcome the Ministry of Defence’s have nothing like the percentage fuel burn that the involvement in the strategy. Security sector reform is reactor at Dounreay has now experienced, so we are one of its key elements with regard to conflict prevention. looking at something that has developed at a much How do we ensure that, by building capacity among further advanced stage of the life of the reactor. We local security forces, we do not inadvertently enable have, however, taken the decision, on a precautionary repression and repressive tactics among those organisations, basis, to refuel HMS Vanguard during her planned and that we instead make people feel safer in those deep-maintenance period. Once the reactor at Dounreay countries? is decommissioned, it will be examined in detail and we will then have much greater evidence of what has caused the issue and be able to make sensible decisions about Dr Murrison: My hon. Friend will be aware that, the future. when taking training to countries we partner, we put a great deal of effort into instilling what might be called the “moral component” of warfare very directly into Gemma Doyle (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab/Co-op): what we teach and into what we inculcate in them. That Will the Secretary of State advise whether and when the is a very strong part of our overall offer. We can never Commodore at Clyde naval base was alerted to a potential guarantee that the people we train will not go on to do issue with the reactors of the Vanguard submarines, terrible things, but we can reduce the chances of that and whether, no matter whose responsibility it was, he happening and make sure that the ethos we are rightly would have expected the relevant local authorities— proud of in our own armed forces is exported to others. namely Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire councils—to be alerted? 21. [903065] Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): The Minister spoke about multi-departmental work, but Mr Hammond: If there had been any health and may I press him on multilateral work? What is he doing safety risk or any risk to the environment, I certainly to make sure that a priority of work with NATO and would have expected the relevant local authorities to the European Union is a focus on conflict prevention? have been notified, but there was none at any time. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has a written Dr Murrison: My hon. Friend takes a great interest in agreement with the MOD that allows it oversight of this and will be aware of the large number of military these matters in military bases in Scotland. If it had and civilian missions that the European Union has thought there was any risk at any time, it would have mounted: there are 16 in all, four of which are military. notified the necessary civil authorities. 549 Oral Answers17 MARCH 2014 Oral Answers 550

Topical Questions Mr Hammond: As the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my hon. Friend the Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison), has already said, the status of T1. [903069] Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): If he will make a statement on his departmental Ukraine is quite different from the status of NATO responsibilities. countries—NATO countries enjoy the article 5 guarantee, which protects and assures their security—but we are doing everything we can to reassure our NATO allies The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): about the protection that we offer. I am able to advise My first priority remains the success of our operations the House this afternoon that we have taken the decision in Afghanistan. Beyond that, my priorities are maintaining this morning to offer NATO UK Typhoon aircraft budgets in balance, developing our reserve forces, reinforcing from late April to augment the Polish contribution to the armed forces covenant and reforming the defence the NATO Baltic air policing mission. I hope that will procurement organisation so that our armed forces can provide reassurance to our NATO allies in the east. be confident of being properly equipped. T6. [903074] Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/ Mr Gray: The people of Wiltshire love the Army and Co-op): In thinking about the importance of learning will welcome the 4,000 soldiers who are shortly due to from the past, has the Secretary of State read “Why return there from Germany, but we also love Stonehenge England Slept”, a little book by John Fitzgerald Kennedy? and the mysterious mists and swirling druidical mysteries That was about Britain not being prepared in the 1930s that surround the stones. Will the Secretary of State for what was going to happen in Germany. Does he look carefully at reports that houses to be built to house think that England, or Britain, is sleeping now, with an the 4,000 soldiers will block off the rising sun at the uncertain and unpredictable presence in the east of summer equinox, and if they do, will he make sure that Europe? it does not happen? Mr Hammond: I have not read the book, but I have Mr Hammond: My hon. Friend is right to highlight said consistently in this House and elsewhere since I the importance of preserving important sites such as came into this post that we should not forget Russia’s Stonehenge and of having a careful approach to the very significant rearmament programme. Russia remains design of any development that might impact on them. a major military force on the continent of Europe, and I, too, have seen the press articles to which he referred. I its interests are not always aligned with ours, as we have am happy to reassure him that although Larkhill is an seen only too clearly over the past few weeks. important element of our strategy for accommodating troops returning from Germany—we intend to invest T4. [903072] Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): about £800 million in the area to accommodate 4,300 Much as no one wishes to see the cold war return, do service personnel—no decision has been taken about not recent events between Russia and Ukraine indicate the location of additional service accommodation. A that this is not some flight of fancy, but that it really public consultation is about to close, and organisations could happen, and does that not mean that we must be such as English Heritage have very clearly expressed the extremely careful never to let down our nuclear or issues that he has raised. We will make a decision in due conventional defence guard? course. Mr Hammond: What those events do show is that we Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab): Although we have been right throughout in maintaining the need to welcome the events in France and, indeed, around the continue with a strategic nuclear deterrent as the ultimate UK to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-day in guarantor of Britain’s sovereignty and freedom of action. 1944, does the Secretary of State not agree that it would The world is a very uncertain place, while the time be appropriate to hold a national event in London at horizons for the provision of military equipment are that great symbol of sacrifice, the Cenotaph, to provide very long, and we are looking forward 40 or 50 years in a real focal point for remembrance here? the planning. The events of the past months and years show that it would be a very brave man indeed who said The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence that there would be no threat to our sovereignty and (Dr Andrew Murrison): I share the hon. Lady’s concern independence over that time horizon. that we should mark the 70th anniversary appropriately and, indeed, that we should learn the lessons of the past T7. [903075] Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) in this respect. I know that considerable work is under (Lab): Last week, the Under-Secretary of State for way to make sure that the 70th anniversary in France is Defence, the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr Dunne) a huge success, and that veterans and their carers who admitted that he had wasted £50 million on the Cipher want to go are supported in returning to the beaches to cyber-security project. This weekend, we heard that commemorate this huge anniversary. On anything more the NATO website and other websites came under than that, we will have to wait and see, but the important attack following the recent actions in Ukraine. Will the thing is to make sure that veterans and carers who want Minister give us a timely assessment of the UK’s and to go can do so in the manner they wish. NATO’s cyber readiness, particularly with regard to the situation in Ukraine? T2. [903070] Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): An attack on one NATO country is an attack on all of The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence them. Can we therefore thank God that Ukraine never (Mr Philip Dunne): The Cipher contract cost the MOD did join NATO, because otherwise we might now be £46 million. Work under the contract ceased in June of involved in a European war? last year at the end of a protracted assessment phase, 551 Oral Answers17 MARCH 2014 Oral Answers 552 which concluded that the project would not meet the requires a new fleet of Apache AH-64E attack helicopters full defence capability requirement at value for money for operational use by 2020. Has that contract been for the taxpayer. I remind the hon. Lady that the signed yet? contract was placed in November 2008. It is a classic example of the legacy of out-of-control procurement Mr Dunne: If the hon. Gentleman is familiar with the contracts that we were left when we took office in May AgustaWestland contracts, he will be aware that last 2010. month the Secretary of State announced a contract for the sustainment of the existing Apache fleet for the next T5. [903073] Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con): To pick five years. Thereafter, we are looking to introduce a up the theme from the hon. Member for Huddersfield contract that will take the effective use of the helicopter (Mr Sheerman), between 1935 and 1939, defence up to 2040. Discussions on how we should go about expenditure doubled in response to the deteriorating procuring that sustainment upgrade are under way. security situation in Europe. Does the Department do any contingency planning to determine how our T9. [903077] Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) defence capability could be improved rapidly if there (Con): In Budget week, will the Defence Secretary join was a greater call on our nation’s defence resources? me in commending Britain’s improved economic outlook, thanks to the Chancellor’s stewardship, which potentially Mr Philip Hammond: As I have said before in the gives rise to finding the annual £65 million required to House, part of the outcome of the strategic defence and run the second aircraft carrier? Does my right hon. security review in 2010 was that we should focus, while Friend agree that operating two carriers would strategically consolidating our armed forces, on our regeneration extend and involve Britain’s diplomatic military influence capability in case the need arose, or the resources became in a manner not seen for a generation? available, for capabilities or scale of operations that we do not have. Mr Hammond: I am happy to join my hon. Friend in congratulating the Chancellor on the remarkable recovery John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab/Co-op): in Britain’s economic prospects. He knows well my own We were delighted that the Secretary of State and his view, which is that having invested £3 billion each in Australian counterpart made it through the Barrow fog building our carriers, it would look strange if we did not to visit the shipyard on Thursday to announce major make every possible effort to find the relatively small new infrastructure investment to make the Successor amounts of money that will enable them to be operated, programme possible and the cutting of steel on the so that we can have a set of doctrine based on the seventh Astute-class submarine. Did his conversations continuous availability of a carrier at sea. with the company and the work force on that day maintain his confidence that the leak in the test Vanguard Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): The Secretary reactor will not affect the build of the Astute programme? of State gave a written statement saying that the armed forces complaints commissioner is now to become Mr Hammond: I am not sure that I discussed that an armed forces ombudsman. Will he explain why an matter with the work force at Barrow, although I did announcement of such importance to the House and have some interesting conversations that reassured me the armed forces family was not made on the Floor of greatly about their commitment to the programme. We the House, rather than through The Times and through are clear that the incident at Dounreay will not have any a written statement, as that would have given us far impact on the progress of the Astute or Successor greater awareness of what was going to happen? programmes. Mr Hammond: May I suggest to the hon. Lady that, T8. [903076] Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con): Will as many of her colleagues have clearly understood, if the Secretary of State join me in paying tribute on Members wish to pursue a written statement further, St Patrick’s day to all the Irish citizens who currently they always have the option of asking an urgent question? serve in Her Majesty’s armed forces and the 100,000 who sacrificed their lives in the British armed forces Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): Given that during the first world war? Does he agree that our Russia has effectively annexed Crimea, in contravention defence partnership with Ireland would be immensely of the Budapest agreement signed by Britain, the United strengthened if it considered joining NATO? States and Ukraine in 1994, and that it continues to threaten eastern Ukraine, what consideration has my Dr Murrison: My hon. Friend will know that we are right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, or indeed working closely with the Republic of Ireland to ensure NATO, given to mounting maritime exercises in the that our period of shared history is commemorated Black sea so that a message may be sent to Mr Putin’s appropriately. Today, we are operating with troops from Russia that any attack on Odessa would be a step too the Republic of Ireland in Mali. He will know that the far? UK and Ireland stand shoulder to shoulder in EUTM Mali. It is a strengthening relationship and one that has Mr Hammond: We are clear that a graduated response great promise. to these unjustified actions by Russia is necessary, but it should be a diplomatic response in terms of economic Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): As and trade sanctions. Meetings are ongoing today across the Secretary of State says, procurement times are the European Union to try to agree the best way to long. Joint Helicopter Command has indicated that it deliver that response. 553 Oral Answers17 MARCH 2014 Oral Answers 554

Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab): There is no Ministers of the Crown. Such things are examined doubt that the late Corporal McLaughlin of 3 Para through well-established procedures, and it is not down demonstrated outstanding courage during the battle for to Ministers to take individual decisions. Mount Longdon in the Falklands conflict of 1982. We know that a citation was put forward by his commanding Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con): officer, but it was apparently not considered by the Is the Secretary of State aware that some Scandinavian MOD. Given that new evidence now casts doubt on armies are not allowed out after dark? This pernicious the reason why it was not considered, would it be human rights culture is already infiltrating our armed reasonable for Ministers to look at the detail of the case forces. What will he do to exempt our armed forces and satisfy themselves that an injustice has not been from human rights laws? served on Corporal McLaughlin, his unit and his family? Mr Hammond: There are issues about the encroachment of judicial processes into the operation of the armed The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mr Mark Francois): forces. A number of cases currently before the courts, or I have been to the Falkland Islands and visited the pending, could have a significant impact, and we are battlefield at Mount Longdon. Having done so, I can watching them closely. We are clear that once we commit appreciate what a remarkable feat of arms it was for our armed forces to combat, they must be able to carry that assault to have taken place and to have succeeded. out operations without fear of constant review in the I fully acknowledge the hon. Gentleman’s regimental civil courts. If we find that the current cases develop in a links in all of this, but as he will know, the decision to way that makes that difficult, we will come back to the give individual military awards is not a matter for House with proposals to remedy the situation. 555 17 MARCH 2014 556

Speaker’s Statement Points of Order

3.34 pm 3.37 pm Mr Speaker: It is my sad duty to have to report today Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): On a point of to the House the death, at the age of 88, of the right order, Mr Speaker. I thank you very much for what you hon. Tony Benn, who served in this House from 1950 have just said. I wonder if you might assist me and my with only very modest interruptions until 2001, representing hon. Friend the Member for Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy) over that period of half a century two parliamentary in making our constituents aware that books of condolence constituencies, Bristol South East and Chesterfield, lie in Chesterfield Labour club and Bristol city hall. We the first for 30 years and the second for approximately know people want to make their comments known and 17 years. Colleagues in all parts of the House will hope they provide some comfort to the family. remember Tony Benn very well. For my part, I believe he was a man of deep socialist principle, of great Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. He integrity, and of demonstrable passion and compassion; has effectively advertised his own point. It will be on the a brilliant parliamentarian, a brilliant platform speaker, record and I am sure he will be taking further steps to and a brilliant diarist. The House will also doubtless ensure that people are aware of those important facts. know—I can recall for Members’ benefit—that, when he left the House, alongside, at the time, only Sir Edward Bill Wiggin (North Herefordshire) (Con): On a point Heath, Tony was granted the freedom of the House. It of order, Mr Speaker. I am sure that, should it have was a freedom that he exercised. I think it is right that a been my father you were speaking about, I would have book of condolence should be established, and it has been delighted with your very kind comments. been—it sits in the Library and is there for Members, On a completely unrelated matter, sadly, last Thursday, staff of the House, Members’ staff and others to sign. I raised a point of order about Members who shout I thought it might perhaps also be convenient for the “Aye”and then vote no, and vice versa. Mr Deputy Speaker House to know what arrangements are intended by me was kind enough to repeat your judgment. Subsequently, and by the usual channels to acknowledge Tony’s at least three witnesses have come to me to say that they contribution. On Wednesday, there will be an opportunity have seen hon. Members ignoring that advice. I have for the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition not named them and would not do so because I have to pay tribute to Tony, and on Thursday, after Question not warned them, but I wonder what you would like me Time, a tributes session will be opened by the Deputy to do, Mr Speaker. Should the witnesses write to you? Prime Minister and responded to by the deputy Leader of the Opposition. There will then be an opportunity Mr Speaker: I was not present at the time, but I am for Back-Bench Members to record their own recollections advised by a very high—even bewigged, dare I say— and impressions of Tony Benn. The intention is that authority that the matter was dealt with at the time, and that set of exchanges will be wound up by the shadow that there is no particular merit in going back over the Leader of the House and by the Leader of the House. incident, as far as I am aware. However, I say to the hon. At what is, in particular for the family, a very sad time, a Gentleman that Members are free to write to me at any difficult time, a time of trauma and a time for grief, I time if they feel that there has been an impropriety or a hope that we collectively want to extend our condolences breach of protocol. The matter should be treated on its to Tony’s children, two of whom, Hilary and Stephen, merits. It is the case—[Interruption.] Order. It is the I can see in my line of vision, to all his grandchildren—it case that vote should follow voice. That is a very long- is a privilege to see Emily present today—and to all established principle. Vote should not go in opposition members of the family. to voice.

Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con) rose—

Mr Speaker: The hon. Gentleman is gesticulating in an eccentric fashion, but we will come to him in a moment.

Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. It is helpful to have your ruling on the record, but the matter was most certainly not dealt with, because we were advised to wait for the recorded vote to be made available. Your ruling is clear, but one wonders what the situation is now for those who called a vote in false circumstances.

Mr Speaker: I thank the hon. Lady for what she has said. I know that she always seeks to be helpful to the House, and I always listen to her.

Dr Lewis: Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I apologise for my eccentric gesticulations, but one cannot change the habit of a lifetime. I speak as one who, within living memory, may have been guilty of 557 Points of Order 17 MARCH 2014 558 that practice in getting what we considered to be a which include the suggestion that there should be a rather important vote on Syria on the record. If it is station at Crewe. That completely ignores the excellent decided that the practice is unsuitable and should never proposal advanced by Stoke-on-Trent city council that be repeated, when there is an important Back-Bench would save £5 billion and bring services to Manchester debate on which there needs to be a vote to make the seven years earlier. Has the Secretary of State for Transport public well aware of the opinion of the House, and given any indication that he will come to the House and the Government choose for technical reasons to advise explain why Sir David Higgins has apparently ignored everyone to abstain, are there other mechanisms available the recently concluded consultation and introduced that would enable that vote to be called? proposals that completely fail to take into account the other sound suggestions that have been made? Mr Speaker: For a moment I thought that, not for the first time, the hon. Gentleman had foxed me. I am sorry Mr Speaker: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that to disappoint him, but his point is not quite as powerful, point of order, to which there are two responses. First, or his inquiry as penetrating, as he imagined. The short the observations by Sir David in his report will be the answer to his question is yes. There is a simple mechanism subject of ongoing debate, and probably dispute, for a by which a Member who is anxious to ensure that the long time to come. I make that point, within the boundaries will of the House is tested can see to it that it is, and that of what the Chair can say, with some personal feeling. is the mechanism of putting in Tellers. That is a different Secondly, I know that it is the Secretary of State’s matter from registering a vote in opposition to what the intention to make a statement on that important matter. voice has said. Initially, I believe he had intended to make an oral statement to the House today, but it may have come to Hon. Members: He should join the Labour party. the hon. Gentleman’s notice that the Secretary of State is engaged elsewhere, and quite unavoidably would Dr Lewis: I did that once before. not be able to make that statement at this time. I am hopeful, however, that he will soon make it. Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for New Forest East (Dr Lewis) says that he did that once before, but I think he was operating under cover at the time. Business without Debate Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. The hon. Member for New Forest East (Dr Lewis) has got form. He is the last person who should talk about doing things for other CO-OPERATIVE AND COMMUNITY BENEFIT reasons. He joined the Labour party many years ago SOCIETIES BILL [LORDS] because he wanted to protect a so-called Labour MP Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing who, when he next came to Parliament, crossed the Order No. 58), That the Bill be read a Second time. Floor of the House and joined the Tories. The hon. Question agreed to. Gentleman has got form. Bill accordingly read a Second time. Mr Speaker: There are only two responses to the hon. Motion made, and Question put forthwith, That the Gentleman. First, lots of us have got form. Secondly, he Bill be not committed—(Greg Hands.) has made the point conclusively for me that it is time to Question agreed to. move on. Motion made, and Question put forthwith, That the Bill be now read the Third time. Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. This morning, Sir David Question agreed to. Higgins announced his proposals on High Speed 2, Bill read the Third time and passed, without amendment. 559 17 MARCH 2014 560

Pensions Bill (Ways and Means) (No. 2) Pensions Bill Resolved, Consideration of Lords amendments That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Pensions Bill, it is expedient to authorise the levying of charges under the Mr Speaker: I must draw the House’s attention to the Pensions Schemes Act 1993 for the purpose of meeting expenditure fact that financial privilege is involved in Lords of the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs amendments 1, 3, 9 to 13, 15 to 23, 27, 29 and 32 to 38. under or by virtue of the Act.—(Steve Webb.) If the House agrees to them, an appropriate entry will be made in the Journal. PENSIONS BILL (PROGRAMME) (NO. 3) Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Clause 2 Order No. 83A(7)), ENTITLEMENT TO STATE PENSION AT FULL OR REDUCED That the following provisions shall apply to the Pensions Bill RATE for the purpose of supplementing the Orders of 17 June 2013 (Pensions Bill (Programme)) and 29 October 2013 (Pensions Bill 3.47 pm (Programme) (No. 2)): Consideration of Lords Amendments The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (1) Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (Steve Webb): I beg to move, That this House disagrees (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion with Lords amendment 1. three hours after their commencement at today’s sitting. We are on the home straight of the Pensions Bill. It Subsequent stages has been all the way through this House and their (2) Any further Message from the Lords may be considered lordships’ House, and we have come back to it today to forthwith without any Question being put. deal with amendments that, with one exception, make it (3) The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords a better Bill. I am grateful to my noble Friends Lord shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion Freud and Lord Bates who, from the ministerial Benches, one hour after their commencement.—(Greg Hands.) took the Bill through another place. I am also grateful Question agreed to. to all my colleagues who have contributed to the Bill, and to peers on both sides of the House of Lords who have made insightful contributions and improved the Bill in a number of ways. We have made a number of amendments in response to concerns raised by noble Lords, so I emphasise that our decision to ask this House to disagree with their amendment 1 is exceptional. Indeed, that is the only amendment with which we are asking the House to disagree, so I hope that we will be seen to have taken a constructive approach and that we have sought to improve the Bill on a cross-party basis wherever possible. For reasons that I will explain, however, we ask the House to disagree with this amendment. As the House will know, access to the national insurance system through employment is dependent on earning above the lower earnings limit, which is currently £109 a week or, expressed annually, £5,668. People earning above the lower earnings limit but below the primary threshold of £149 a week receive a credit and do not pay national insurance but effectively build up national insurance rights. The issue raised by Baroness Hollis in another place related to the position of people who have more than one job, none of which, by itself, results in their paying national insurance but whose wages, if added together, would be above the lower earnings limit. It was suggested that there was apparent unfairness, because someone with a single job that pays £120 a week would get a year of national insurance, whereas someone with two jobs, each paying £60 a week, would not. We are grateful to Baroness Hollis for raising the issue. We will set out the extent to which we think the issue is significant, the extent to which we think there is evidence for it and how the Government plan to address it. We ask the House to disagree with the amendment, but we accept the principle that we need a pensions and national insurance system that is fit for the modern age. Crediting and various other issues have evolved and need to evolve to reflect the fact that we are dealing with a changing labour market. I want to share with the 561 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 562

House some examples of how that has happened and that perhaps 50,000 people might at any given point be will continue to happen. One particular example is the doing multiple small jobs that together take them over introduction of universal credit. the floor, but do not on their own. If, for most of those At present, there is a set of low-earning individuals people, this happened for a few years and did not who do not get credits. When universal credit is fully in happen again, and it was relevant to the state pension place and they come within its scope, they will receive for only a handful of people, should we legislate for that credits. Potentially, some will be the very same people handful? It could happen and it probably does happen we are talking about in relation to the amendment. The to some people, but to make well-informed policy the House may not be aware that the introduction of universal Government ought to at least assess the scale of the credit will bring an estimated 800,000 additional low-earning problem. households into the scope of crediting. That demonstrates In particular, we should not rush into specific solutions. that the Government are not complacent about the The amendment advocates a specific model, but I believe changing labour market, or the position of low earners that we must begin by identifying not just the number and their access to the national insurance system. This but the types of people who are doing multiple part-time is a concrete and substantive way through which people jobs of this kind. For instance, are they people with will gain access in future. children? Is that why they are doing such jobs? If they I understand the concern of Baroness Hollis that have children under 12, they will receive credits under people might miss out on a qualifying year for national the general system. insurance. Why does that matter? If they were to repeatedly We must match our data on multiple small jobs with miss out on qualifying years, they might fail to build up data from other sources. We must look at longitudinal a full single-tier pension. That requires 35 qualifying as well as cross-sectional data in order to gain a sense of years, bearing in mind that these are years of contributions the scale of the problem and the types of people affected, or credits. However, the mere fact that I have used the rather than legislating for a single solution. We believe phrase “35 qualifying years” demonstrates the first that the amendment is technically flawed for a number reason why the problem might not be as significant as of reasons, but we certainly think that rushing to amend one might, at first sight, imagine. An 18-year-old might, the Bill in order to give ourselves power to do something for the sake of argument, have a 50-year working life, or that we might or might not want to do because it is one possibly slightly more. Of that 50 years, only 35 years possible solution to a problem whose scale we do not need to be qualifying years for a full single-tier pension. know would be premature. That person could, therefore, spend 15 years doing multiple small jobs—which is exactly what the noble Baroness is concerned about—and it would not make a Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): Is it not jot of difference to their single-tier pension entitlement. especially important to enable women to juggle caring We do not know how many people spend how many for young children with part-time employment? Will the years in this situation, and that brings me to one of my Minister reassure me that the great improvements that central points: we do not have the evidence base to we have made in relation to credits will continue, so that know the scale of any potential problem, let alone to women will retain the flexibility that so many of us rush to solutions, which is what the amendment does. really appreciate when our children are young? We have cross-sectional data. On the basis of surveys, we know how many people report having multiple jobs Steve Webb: My hon. Friend is right. It is important in any given year. We know what the wages are and we to attribute value to the time that people—both men can have a stab at aggregating them. What we do not and women—spend at home bringing up young children, know very reliably is how that changes over time: whether and I can reassure her that years spent doing that will the people who in any given year have multiple small count in full as qualifying years towards a single-tier jobs are the same people the next year and the next year. pension. For the first time, more or less, since the If it is just a transient phase that happens for a few years introduction of the system—at least, since earnings-related of someone’s working life and does not happen again, it pensions were introduced— those years will count just may be entirely irrelevant to their state pension position. as much as years spent running a FTSE 100 company. A year is a year, and a qualifying year is a qualifying year. Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): This matter came to my attention through a constituent who was in The provision will apply to anyone who is looking exactly this position, and the Minister will be aware that after a child under 12 and entitled to child benefit—well, I raised it in Committee. The amendment is an enabling it is slightly more complicated, but that is the basic amendment rather than a prescriptive amendment, and idea—and to anyone who is caring for an elderly relative even if there are only a few people who will be in that and receiving carers allowance, or, in certain cases, position, is it not worth making provision for them? caring for more than 20 hours a week. There is, rightly, Not everybody will necessarily enter the labour force at a network of credits which bring people into the system. 18, particularly with greater further education and so Those will remain, and, in many respects, will become on, so reaching 35 years might be quite difficult for more valuable in the single-tier context. some people. If there is a small number, as the Minister keeps telling us, I do not understand the objection to Sheila Gilmore: The Minister advanced exactly the the amendment. same arguments on Second Reading and in Committee. He said on those occasions that he did not have enough Steve Webb: I am grateful to the hon. Lady who, as information. Given that we last considered the Bill she says, has shown an interest in this issue. There will several months ago, may I ask what steps he has taken be an issue of proportionality in any change. We estimate to obtain the information that he feels is needed? 563 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 564

Steve Webb: We have increased our earlier estimate of earnings limit, which is what we imagine Baroness Hollis the number affected from about 20,000 to about 50,000. meant, but the amendment is unclear and we could not In 2010, the last Government reduced the scope of what have in primary legislation a reference to a threshold used to be known as home responsibilities protection that does not exist. by reducing the upper age of children being cared for Secondly, the lower earnings limit, if that is what is following the end of child benefit and not being covered meant, is normally expressed in weekly terms and has to by credits from 16 to 12, and that has slightly increased be multiplied by 52 to be expressed in annual terms, so the number affected by our proposals. We also made a we would have to make sure that there was consistency. technical change in starting credits for 16 to 18-year-olds. The amendment refers to a year, but it is unclear whether Those two factors, combined with more recent data, it is a calendar year or a financial year; we presume it is give us an estimate of 50,000. So we have updated our the latter. There are a whole raft of reasons why the estimates, but, as the hon. Lady says, we need to take the amendment is flawed. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman matter further. Although we do not accept the amendment, would not want to put a flawed provision on the statute we do accept the need to build an evidence base, and book, but that is exactly what voting against the I will explain in a moment how we plan to do that. Government would do. Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con): The Minister is We do not know for certain how the proposal would demonstrating that for low-paid people the system is work, although we have a clue. If it is about crediting— currently so complicated that they cannot tell whether about giving somebody a qualifying year without their or not it is worth working an extra hour. Will he make it having to pay for it—then we think that crediting ideas simple for me? If the amendment were adopted, would would fit better in section 22 of the Social Security low-paid people be worse off in that year while they Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 rather than as were earning? part of this Bill. Extensive regulation-making powers are available to us to modify the crediting system, if that Steve Webb: The honest answer to the question is that is what is intended, so we do not think that such a because there is not enough information in the amendment, proposal would be necessary from a legislative point we do not know, but that might be so. of view. Let us take the example of someone with two jobs If, however, we are talking about combining wages paying £75 a week, who does not currently pay national and aggregating and then levying national insurance, insurance. If the two sums were added together to make that would bring in a different set of unfairnesses. That £150 and national insurance were levied on that basis, applies particularly to the example of a person with a that person would then have to pay national insurance. single job at £150 who has to pay NI and someone who Such people might turn out not to need the qualifying has two jobs at £75 who does not have to pay that but year, because they would already have 35 qualifying who could be credited. That creates different anomalies years. As the hon. Gentleman says, a set of people could which we obviously want to avoid. be worse off if the amendment were interpreted to On the issue of the evidence base, we have looked at mean what we assume that it means. It may merely people who have multiple jobs. Clearly, someone can mean opting in for a credit, which would be a free have multiple jobs and one of them might pay above entitlement and would therefore constitute pure gain, £109 a week, so the fact that someone has multiple jobs but in that case there would be a different unfairness. does not of itself exclude them from national insurance. We would have people who did a single job at £150 a Each job has to pay below £109. Of course, some week who had to pay NI and somebody else who had people do not go above £109 even when their multiple two jobs paying £75 a week who did not have to pay NI jobs are put together—someone who does two lots of but got a free year of national insurance. My hon. babysitting, perhaps, or a couple of cleaning jobs—so Friend highlights an important point, and I am grateful presumably they would not qualify.We are therefore talking to him. about a very specific group of people with multiple jobs which together take them over £109, but neither of 4pm which is over £109 on its own. We believe the amendment is both unnecessary from We also would not want to include in our figures a legislative point of view, because we have crediting those who have children, those who are doing multiple powers elsewhere, and sets a precedent which concerns small jobs because they are carers, or those on universal us. The amendment is not clear either. The hon. Member credit, because they would all be credited in. There are for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East (Gregg quite a few people with two or more small jobs, but McClymont) has tabled a motion to agree with the Members can easily see that it is a big leap to the amendment, indicating that he disagrees with the assertion that there is a big problem. Furthermore, as I Government’s view on this amendment. In a number of have indicated, the fact that in any given year a person is respects the amendment is flawed, and were he to be in that situation may have no effect on their eventual successful in a vote on its staying in the Bill, there would state pension, because it depends on how long they are be no further parliamentary opportunity to correct it. in that situation. We therefore need more evidence This is the only amendment on which we disagree with before we rush to policy conclusions. the Lords, so that would be the end of the process. He We take seriously and respect these issues, so let me would therefore have ensured that a defective clause explain how we propose to build up an evidence base. became part of the law of the land and I am sure he First, we need to look further at the characteristics of would not want that to happen. people in such situations—who they are and how long Let me give some examples of the flawed drafting. they might have that kind of working pattern. Secondly, The amendment refers to the “lower earnings level”, we commit to updating and revisiting our 50,000 figure but in fact there is no such thing. There is the lower to make sure it is the latest available. In that context, 565 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 566 before moving on I want to say a few words about the pattern. Again, I counsel the House against rushing to issue of zero-hours contracts, as I have a feeling that policy conclusions in amendments that are not accurately might come up in our debate. drafted rather than saying, “Let’s get the evidence base It is said that zero-hours contracts are a growing part together.” of the labour market; the recent official figures substantially As well as undertaking to update our own figures, we increased the estimated number of people with zero-hours are happy to commit to a literature review of what is contracts. There is some suggestion that the number of known about this end of the labour market, making zero-hours contracts certainly has not risen as quickly sure we have access to all the available data. We are also as the figures might suggest, and that because of the content to convene what we have grandly called an discussion of this issue in the media, people are more analytical stakeholder forum—that is three words of aware that that is the kind of arrangement they have; jargon in one go, so it must be impressive. The point the Office for National Statistics has urged caution in of that is to pick the brains of those who study this end assuming that there has been this big surge in zero-hours of the labour market, and we will be very pleased to contracts. However, I am pleased to be able to tell the benefit from the insights of the noble Baroness Hollis, House that the ONS is undertaking employer research with whom I have already had an informal conversation into the use of zero-hours contracts, which should, I about this matter. I should stress that she would like us believe, be published next month and provide us with to retain Lords amendment 1 to avoid misrepresenting some robust evidence on the scale and use of that form her views. We are very keen to gain her insights and of contract. those of economists and others who study this end of Although zero-hours contracts are a feature of the the labour market to try to establish what more we modern labour market, they are not what we are talking might be able to find out through existing data and about in this debate. To be clear, we are talking about whether any further work needs to be done. people having two or more mini-jobs which together It seems to us that we need to take a step-by-step take them above the £109 threshold. They might be approach, rather than rushing to policy conclusions as zero-hours contracts, but there is no reason to assume the amendment would. If we found that there were lots that a zero-hours contract is a mini-job, that it results in of people in this situation and that something must be someone earning less than £109, or that people who done, even the something that must be done might not have zero-hours contracts have multiple jobs. Those are be the thing proposed in this amendment, and it seems a all dirty great leaps to an assumption that we are not bit odd to pick one option, which as far as we can see is entitled to make on the basis of the data. a sort of opt-in crediting option, when there might be For example, I understand that the average person others. For example, one might think that lowering the with a zero-hours contract could typically work 15 to lower earnings limit might be a better solution. That 20 hours a week or so. The zero is just what is guaranteed, would reduce the number of people in this position but the typical outcome is very often a week of work because their combined wages would be more likely to that pays someone enough to have to pay national be above that floor. It would not necessarily require an insurance. Again, related to that is the fact that qualifying opt-in process, and it would be simpler. That might years for national insurance are based on the situation therefore be a better solution; there might be others. We over a whole year, so even if someone is on a weekly might relax the rules on voluntary national insurance zero-hours contract and does not work every week—they contributions and the deadlines for payment. One can work zero hours some weeks—they could still build up think of a whole raft of solutions, but if we are not clear a full qualifying year, because in the weeks they work about the scale of the problem, the groups affected and they might pay significant amounts of national insurance. the permanence or otherwise of the situation, putting Therefore, again, simply saying there are lots of zero-hours just one such provision in primary legislation—giving contracts does not prove that it is an issue. The fact that ourselves a power we might not use through what is, at someone is on a zero-hours contract does not mean that, an ambiguous amendment—does not seem to us they have multiple jobs. The fact that people are on to be the way forward. zero-hours contracts and sometimes work zero hours Let me try to draw these threads together, because we does not of itself stop people getting qualifying years. I have a lot to get through. We are concerned that the imagine the debate may move in the direction of saying, amendment itself is unclear, and I have run through a “Oh, there’s all these zero-hours contracts. It’s a scandal number of reasons why, such as the reference to the and therefore we need this amendment,” and there are lower earnings “level”, not “limit”, and the reference to about 17 logical flaws in that reasoning. “income”, not “earnings”. National insurance liability is based on earnings, so the wording would have to be Sheila Gilmore: Does the Minister feel that there is a thus changed. The lower earnings limit figure is currently technical problem in including such people, however a weekly figure, whereas the amendment refers to an small a group he thinks they form, because he seems annual figure. Of course, all these things could normally to accept that people might end up not making up the be tidied up, but we do not have the opportunity to do 35 years towards a pension? so because if the House accepts the amendment, that is it: it is the end of the parliamentary process, the Bill Steve Webb: We have always been clear that there will becomes law and a deeply flawed amendment is on the be people who will not make the 35 years, particularly statute book. those who come into the country later in life, for example, It is unclear exactly how the amendment is meant but the link between multiple mini-jobs and not making to work. As was said earlier, would people have to opt the 35 years, which we are talking about here, is unclear in and get credited, or would there be a duty on Her at best. We simply do not know whether it is a transient Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to combine these incomes phase for people or whether they are in a recurring and then levy national insurance, which might be to the 567 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 568

[Steve Webb] who has a child under 12. A grandparent caring for the child of a working mother can get credits for the state detriment of some? There are a great many issues to be pension, as can someone on disability benefits or carer’s examined, but it is not our view that we should not look allowance. It is important to recognise those points in at them. We should, and as I said at the outset I the context of an ever more complicated labour market. absolutely accept the principle that we should have a The amendment is clear that it does not propose a system of pension rights and national insurance that particular solution. It is a permissive amendment and reflects the current labour market, rather than the one relates clearly to job insecurity issues and the changing in existence after the second world war. We are making nature of our labour market. The House had a very a number of changes in that regard, but as I have said, interesting debate on job insecurity at the beginning of the amendment as it stands is flawed in a number of February that covered a number of important issues, respects and ambiguous in others. It rushes to a single yet during it, the pensions aspect was not raised. That solution to a problem whose scale and nature we simply reflects the extent to which we are all trying to catch up are not year clear about, so we believe that— with this non-standard labour market—the shift from the full-time permanent employment that has historically Sheila Gilmore: Will the Minister give way? characterised work in this country. The Minister said, I think, that those who support Steve Webb: A poetic conclusion was nearly reached; the amendment should be aware that the Department but before I conclude I give way to the hon. Lady. for Business, Innovation and Skills is currently assessing zero-hours contracts. He is absolutely right, but if the Sheila Gilmore: I understand that the Minister is Government accepted this permissive amendment, the anxious not to rush to a conclusion, but can he tell us DWP would be poised to respond swiftly to the BIS what time scale he has in mind? zero-hours contract review. Steve Webb: We envisage updating our own estimates The amendment seeks to future-proof the Bill, to by the summer and would be very happy to do that, and construct a pensions platform underneath the poorly bringing together experts and trawling through the related paid—those in deeply insecure, fractured work—and to literature in the latter part of this year. We do not want make it clear that this House believes that they should to kick this into the long grass. If we concluded that not lose or be denied a full state pension because of further data-gathering was needed, and it was qualitative changes in the labour market structure which are not of rather than quantitative, that would take some time, but their doing. well-informed evidence-based policy making sometimes Let me deal with some of the other points the Minister does take time, frustrating though it may be, and that is made. I shall begin at the end, so to speak, with the the approach the Government wish to take. extraordinarily attractive offer that he made. He said I urge the House to disagree with the Lords in their that the Government are committed to a literature amendment 1. review and to an analytical stakeholder forum. One can hardly wait. He suggested that there are 17 logical flaws Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and in the amendment. I am sure that Baroness Hollis Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): I shall of course be disagreeing would be delighted to hear all 17—assuming he has not with the Government’s disagreement with Lords just come up with that figure spontaneously—and it amendment 1. would be useful to know what they are. After all, we all believe in saying what we mean and meaning what Let me begin by putting the amendment and the we say. labour market issues it pertains to into some context. Since 2008, only one quarter of the jobs created in this Steve Webb: For the avoidance of doubt, I think the country have been permanent. There are hundreds of hon. Gentleman will find that the record shows that I thousands of short-hours contracts and, according to did not say there were 17 logical flaws in the amendment. some figures, approximately 1 million zero-hours contracts, I said that there were 17 logical flaws in leaping from the in addition to other non-standard job patterns. Some assertion that there are lots of zero-hours jobs nowadays, 40% of all jobs are not the permanent, full-time positions to this amendment. My point was that it takes an awful that we traditionally associate with the UK labour lot of logical assumptions, all of which are false, to get market. That context is important to bear in mind: the to the amendment. Minister rightly referred to the need for the pensions system to keep up to date with changes in the labour Hansard market, and that is the reality of the labour market we Gregg McClymont: Of course will tell this are now all living with and working in. story, but it was a short quote and I think I managed to get it down correctly. If the Minister is saying that it was not that there were 17 flaws in the amendment, I am 4.15 pm sure the whole House is delighted to have that clarification. The labour market structure needs to be seen alongside Let us probe a little further into the Minister’s argument. the structure of the state pension system. The Minister He says that on the Government’s estimates only about alluded to that, but as things stand, by 2016, under the 50,000 people are affected, that there should be no Government’s state pension reforms, people will need “rush to solutions” and that the amendment is flawed 35 years of contributions to get a full state pension. technically for many reasons—but perhaps not 17. He Alongside that is the system of credits, which has been says that the Government need to build their evidence mentioned and others will doubtless refer to. Someone base on the issue. Interestingly, he said that the Office who is unemployed and on jobseeker’s allowance gets for National Statistics has urged caution about the credits for the state pension, as does a working mother notion of an upsurge in zero-hours contracts. His point 569 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 570 was, and the ONS’s point is, that it might be that involved. As he will know, Baroness Hollis has come to individuals are more aware that they are on such a a different conclusion about the number affected and is contract than that the upsurge has been so great. If that very clear that the universal credit, which he mentioned, is the case, it does not negate the point that there are a will not help the largest group—single people—nor, significant number of these sorts of contracts around, usually, will it help women without younger children or and that has significant implications for a state pension households where the joint income, including the man’s system based on contribution. income, floats them off universal credit altogether. She I asked the Minister about the 17 logical flaws, but his calculates the number of individuals affected as being argument also was that we do not know enough to go 250,000, which is a very different figure from the one forward with an amendment to solve the problem. However, the Minister gives. Universal credit, which he said would he also said he understands that the average zero-hours ameliorate the problem, will not help single people, contract gives an individual between 15 and 20 hours of women without younger children or households where work a week. Is that his estimate or is it based on the joint income, including the male income, floats research? In a world where we are not precisely aware of them off universal credit. It is important to put that on the figures involved, there is a danger of bandying the record. If a significant number of people are affected around our own figures without a relevant citation. by this and if the Minister wants to make the state pension as universal as possible, as the Opposition What situation are we trying to deal with through this believe he does, it would seem sensible for him to accept amendment? As I said, we have an increasingly fractured a permissive amendment allowing him to go forward and insecure labour market, and the question is whether on the basis of his thoughts about the various ways in individuals in that labour market and the pension system which this might be taken up by the Government and relating to that market are appropriately structured and to get cracking on it. The fundamental point is: why linked. The amendment, introduced effectively in the should those who, through no fault of their own, are in other place by Baroness Hollis, seeks to deal with what short-hours working or zero-hours contracts—those is, on any measure, a significant problem. We welcome various kinds of flexible employment contracts—be the fact that the Bill brings 4 million self-employed denied the benefits of a full state pension? individuals into the state pension without an employer’s contribution, and of course those self-employed people The Minister said that the problem is not as significant pay £2.70 a week. The amendment’s thrust is that we as Baroness Hollis has suggested and that someone need a similar approach for short-hours workers. The would need only 35 of 50 years in the labour market to Minister rightly said that this is not just about zero-hours qualify, but the issue is that where people spend significant contracts; it is about the insecurity of short-hours working parts of their life on these contracts, what is meant to be in the labour market more broadly and matching that a universal state pension does not necessarily become one. up effectively with a universal state pension—the Minister is keen on that. Steve Webb: I sense that the hon. Gentleman is concluding. The amendment is flawed in a number of Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab): I have been respects. For example, it refers to a lower earnings level, listening to my hon. Friend and to the Minister, and I but there is no such thing. Does he not have any qualms was alarmed by the Minister’s statement that people on about the fact that if his vote were to succeed, he would zero-hours contract “could” be okay, be that to do with be putting flawed legislation on to the statute book? their working arrangements in other areas or the fact that they may work a sufficient number of hours. That Gregg McClymont: The Opposition’s view is clear: implies that they also might not be okay. the issue of job insecurity, of short-hours working and of zero-hours contracts is a significant problem for the pensions market and, specifically, for the state pension. Gregg McClymont: As usual, my hon. Friend makes In that context, it seems wise to us to allow the Minister a pertinent intervention. to crack on with solving this problem. I have confidence There is an issue to address and the question is how that he will ensure that this amendment, if agreed to by to do it. The Minister suggested that Baroness Hollis’s the House, provides the basis for matching up the state amendment, which my colleagues and I agree with, pension with people on these insecure and flexible prescribes a specific solution, but of course it does not; employment contracts. On that basis, we disagree with it is a permissive amendment. As the Minister, using the Minister’s disagreement, and we intend to support that fertile mind of his, started to think about different the Lords amendment. solutions, one could see the point of the amendment even more: to give him and his colleagues in the Department Sheila Gilmore: Having been with this Bill from the for Work and Pensions the authority to think carefully outset, I remain disappointed, given the answers that about how to solve this problem. He gave a number of the Minister gave to my interventions, that we have not ideas as to how it might be solved, which was when we made any substantial progress on resolving this issue. It particularly saw the function of this amendment. It will be predominantly women, although not necessarily would bring the best minds in the DWP together to entirely so, who will be disadvantaged. In other aspects deliver a solution, and it would remove the need for of the Pensions Bill, the Minister has said how important subsequent primary legislation. So, by his own words, it is that people will now build up their own entitlements the Minister gives succour to the amendment. for their own individual pensions. Being able to get a The amendment has a clear purpose: it is a permissive derived pension from a spouse, a deceased spouse or an amendment to enable the Government to more finely ex-spouse will disappear from the system. We discussed match the state pension reform that the Minister is that issue at considerable length during the passage of introducing with the nature of the modern labour market. the Bill. Indeed the Minister has majored on this whole He talked about estimates of the number of individuals issue of people having their own individual entitlement. 571 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 572

[Sheila Gilmore] wrong. If we were to update our figures, we might find that the number has continued to go down. There is a 4.30 pm whole raft of statistics I could give the hon. Gentleman, I can understand a Minister saying in Committee but to assume that this is a vast issue and that the that an amendment is flawed and could perhaps have numbers are inexorably rising is far from the case. been better expressed. However, given that we have been The case of the hon. Member for Edinburgh East at this for some months and that there has been such (Sheila Gilmore) is that even if only one person were in interest in the matter, which goes right back to the this situation, we should fix it, but there is an issue of evidence session and before, it is disappointing that an proportionality here. To set up the lightest touch crediting effort has not been made to reach out and say, “We regime based on past precedent would probably cost think this is flawed, but this is what we can do about it about £1 million and more than £1 million to run. One to make it real.” must always ask the question—as least we do on the I am not convinced that the time scale suggested by Government Benches—about value for money. That is the Minister is sufficiently energetic to allow this matter why we need to know how many people are affected, to proceed. Even if there are only a few people who fall who is affected and the best way to deal with the issue. outwith the other categories, they are none the less real. Finally, when the hon. Gentleman was asked whether As my hon. Friend the Member for Cumbernauld, he cared about putting flawed amendments in the Bill, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East (Gregg McClymont) he essentially said that he did not; he simply wanted to said, universal credit—even if does emerge in its full make a political point. That is regrettable. As legislators, form, which is slightly doubtful—is not the complete we are voting today on legislation. This is not an solution. Those women who, in the past, depended on Opposition day debate where he can make a point. This their husband’s contributions will no longer be able to is deciding what goes into the law of the land. I am do that and will not qualify for universal credit if their rather disappointed that he feels that it does not matter household income lifts them above the required level. if an ambiguous and unclear amendment, which uses I am disappointed that the Minister has not found a terms that have no meaning in reality, should just go in solution to the matter so far, and regret that he has not the Bill, so that he has the chance to have a vote and put used this opportunity to do so. out a press release. That is obviously where he is coming from. I regret that, and urge the House to disagree with Steve Webb: Let me respond briefly to the debate. On the Lords amendment. the issue about the typical number of hours worked by Question put, That this House disagrees with Lords someone on a zero-hours contract, I said 15 to 20 from amendment 1. memory, but the exact figure is 20 hours. The ONS The House divided: Ayes 274, Noes 198. estimates that the average number of hours worked by people on zero-hours contracts in 2013 was more than Division No. 233] [4.35 pm 20 hours. There is a danger that when we hear the words “zero hours” we assume that it means there is no money AYES coming in. However, it simply refers to the number of Adams, Nigel Bridgen, Andrew hours guaranteed under the contract. Lots of people Afriyie, Adam Brine, Steve with zero-hours contracts are building up full qualifying Aldous, Peter Brooke, Annette years. Alexander, rh Danny Browne, Mr Jeremy Amess, Mr David Buckland, Mr Robert Andrew, Stuart Burns, rh Mr Simon Gregg McClymont: Of course the Minister will be Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Burrowes, Mr David more than aware that averages can hide a multitude of Baker, Norman Burstow, rh Paul sins; I am sure he accepts that. Baker, Steve Burt, Lorely Baldry, rh Sir Tony Byles, Dan Steve Webb: Yes, I do. The point is that 20 hours on a Baldwin, Harriett Cable, rh Vince minimum wage would get someone above the lower Barclay, Stephen Cairns, Alun earnings limit. If half of everyone on zero-hours contracts Barker, rh Gregory Campbell, rh Sir Menzies are doing more than 20 hours, we can immediately say Baron, Mr John Carmichael, Neil that they will qualify, and those doing slightly fewer Beith, rh Sir Alan Carswell, Mr Douglas hours will also qualify. The link between zero-hours Bellingham, Mr Henry Cash, Mr William Benyon, Richard Chishti, Rehman contracts and multi mini-jobs, which is the subject of Beresford, Sir Paul Chope, Mr Christopher the amendment, is, at best, unclear. In extremis, it could Berry, Jake Clappison, Mr James be that no one on a zero-hours contract is even covered Bingham, Andrew Clarke, rh Mr Kenneth by this amendment, if they have only one job at a time Binley, Mr Brian Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey and no other job. We do not know and nor does the Birtwistle, Gordon Coffey, Dr Thérèse hon. Gentleman. Our sequencing is evidence first and Blackman, Bob Collins, Damian policy next; the Opposition’s is the other way around. Blackwood, Nicola Colvile, Oliver The hon. Gentleman refers to the emerging labour Blunt, Mr Crispin Cox, Mr Geoffrey market, and chose 2008 as his base because that enabled Boles, Nick Crabb, Stephen Bone, Mr Peter Crockart, Mike him to get a figure that worked for him. However, let me Bottomley, Sir Peter Crouch, Tracey bring him right up to date. In the past year, the number Bradley, Karen Davey, rh Mr Edward of women working full-time increased by 270,000 while Brady, Mr Graham Davies, Glyn the number of women in two jobs, which is germane to Brake, rh Tom Davies, Philip the amendment, decreased by 25,000. The suggestion Bray, Angie Davis, rh Mr David that there is some sort of inexorable rise might be Brazier, Mr Julian de Bois, Nick 573 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 574

Dinenage, Caroline Kwarteng, Kwasi Robertson, rh Hugh Thornton, Mike Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Lamb, Norman Robertson, Mr Laurence Tomlinson, Justin Doyle-Price, Jackie Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Rudd, Amber Truss, Elizabeth Drax, Richard Laws, rh Mr David Rutley, David Turner, Mr Andrew Dunne, Mr Philip Leadsom, Andrea Sanders, Mr Adrian Tyrie, Mr Andrew Ellis, Michael Lee, Jessica Sandys, Laura Vaizey, Mr Edward Elphicke, Charlie Lee, Dr Phillip Scott, Mr Lee Vara, Mr Shailesh Eustice, George Leech, Mr John Selous, Andrew Vickers, Martin Evans, Graham Leigh, Sir Edward Shepherd, Sir Richard Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Evans, Jonathan Leslie, Charlotte Simpson, Mr Keith Walker, Mr Charles Farron, Tim Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Skidmore, Chris Wallace, Mr Ben Field, Mark Lewis, Brandon Smith, Chloe Weatherley, Mike Foster, rh Mr Don Lewis, Dr Julian Smith, Henry Webb, Steve Francois, rh Mr Mark Lilley, rh Mr Peter Smith, Julian Wharton, James Freer, Mike Lloyd, Stephen Smith, Sir Robert Wheeler, Heather Fuller, Richard Lopresti, Jack Soames, rh Nicholas Whittaker, Craig Gale, Sir Roger Loughton, Tim Soubry, Anna Whittingdale, Mr John Garnier, Sir Edward Lumley, Karen Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Wiggin, Bill Garnier, Mark Maynard, Paul Spencer, Mr Mark Willetts, rh Mr David Gauke, Mr David McCartney, Jason Stanley, rh Sir John Williams, Roger Gibb, Mr Nick McIntosh, Miss Anne Stephenson, Andrew Williams, Stephen Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl McPartland, Stephen Stevenson, John Williamson, Gavin Glen, John Menzies, Mark Stewart, Bob Willott, Jenny Goldsmith, Zac Mercer, Patrick Stewart, Iain Wilson, Mr Rob Goodwill, Mr Robert Metcalfe, Stephen Stewart, Rory Wollaston, Dr Sarah Gray, Mr James Miller, rh Maria Streeter, Mr Gary Wright, Jeremy Grayling, rh Chris Mills, Nigel Stunell, rh Sir Andrew Wright, Simon Green, rh Damian Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Sturdy, Julian Yeo, Mr Tim Greening, rh Justine Moore, rh Michael Swales, Ian Young, rh Sir George Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Mordaunt, Penny Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Zahawi, Nadhim Griffiths, Andrew Morgan, Nicky Swire, rh Mr Hugo Gummer, Ben Morris, Anne Marie Syms, Mr Robert Tellers for the Ayes: Gyimah, Mr Sam Morris, James Tapsell, rh Sir Peter Mr David Evennett and Halfon, Robert Mosley, Stephen Teather, Sarah Gavin Barwell Hames, Duncan Mowat, David Hammond, rh Mr Philip Mulholland, Greg NOES Hammond, Stephen Munt, Tessa Hands, rh Greg Murray, Sheryll Abbott, Ms Diane Crausby, Mr David Harper, Mr Mark Murrison, Dr Andrew Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Creagh, Mary Harrington, Richard Neill, Robert Ali, Rushanara Creasy, Stella Harris, Rebecca Newmark, Mr Brooks Allen, Mr Graham Cruddas, Jon Harvey, Sir Nick Newton, Sarah Ashworth, Jonathan Cryer, John Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Nokes, Caroline Bailey, Mr Adrian Cunningham, Alex Hayes, rh Mr John Norman, Jesse Bain, Mr William Cunningham, Mr Jim Heald, Oliver Nuttall, Mr David Barron, rh Kevin Dakin, Nic Heath, Mr David O’Brien, rh Mr Stephen Beckett, rh Margaret Danczuk, Simon Heaton-Harris, Chris Offord, Dr Matthew Begg, Dame Anne David, Wayne Hemming, John Ollerenshaw, Eric Benn, rh Hilary Davidson, Mr Ian Henderson, Gordon Opperman, Guy Benton, Mr Joe De Piero, Gloria Hendry, Charles Ottaway, rh Sir Richard Berger, Luciana Dobbin, Jim Herbert, rh Nick Paice, rh Sir James Betts, Mr Clive Dobson, rh Frank Hinds, Damian Parish, Neil Blackman-Woods, Roberta Docherty, Thomas Hoban, Mr Mark Patel, Priti Blears, rh Hazel Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Hollingbery, George Paterson, rh Mr Owen Blomfield, Paul Dowd, Jim Hollobone, Mr Philip Pawsey, Mark Blunkett, rh Mr David Doyle, Gemma Horwood, Martin Penning, rh Mike Brennan, Kevin Dromey, Jack Howarth, Sir Gerald Penrose, John Brown, Lyn Dugher, Michael Howell, John Perry, Claire Brown, Mr Russell Eagle, Ms Angela Hughes, rh Simon Phillips, Stephen Bryant, Chris Eagle, Maria Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Pickles, rh Mr Eric Buck, Ms Karen Efford, Clive Hunter, Mark Pincher, Christopher Burden, Richard Elliott, Julie Huppert, Dr Julian Poulter, Dr Daniel Byrne, rh Mr Liam Ellman, Mrs Louise Jackson, Mr Stewart Prisk, Mr Mark Campbell, rh Mr Alan Engel, Natascha James, Margot Pritchard, Mark Campbell, Mr Ronnie Esterson, Bill Javid, Sajid Pugh, John Champion, Sarah Evans, Chris Jenkin, Mr Bernard Raab, Mr Dominic Chapman, Jenny Farrelly, Paul Johnson, Gareth Reckless, Mark Clark, Katy Field, rh Mr Frank Jones, Andrew Redwood, rh Mr John Clarke, rh Mr Tom Fitzpatrick, Jim Jones, rh Mr David Rees-Mogg, Jacob Coaker, Vernon Flello, Robert Jones, Mr Marcus Reevell, Simon Coffey, Ann Flint, rh Caroline Kawczynski, Daniel Reid, Mr Alan Cooper, Rosie Fovargue, Yvonne Knight, rh Sir Greg Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Cooper, rh Yvette Gardiner, Barry 575 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 576

Gilmore, Sheila Mudie, Mr George Clause 24 Glass, Pat Murphy, rh Paul Glindon, Mrs Mary Nandy, Lisa Godsiff, Mr Roger Onwurah, Chi ABOLITION OF CONTRACTING-OUT FOR SALARY Goodman, Helen Osborne, Sandra RELATED SCHEMES ETC Green, Kate Owen, Albert Greenwood, Lilian Pearce, Teresa Steve Webb: I beg to move, That this House agrees Gwynne, Andrew Perkins, Toby with Lords amendment 2. Hain, rh Mr Peter Phillipson, Bridget Hamilton, Mr David Pound, Stephen Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): With this Hanson, rh Mr David Powell, Lucy it will be convenient to discuss Lords amendments 3, Harris, Mr Tom Qureshi, Yasmin 12, 13 and 19 to 27. Havard, Mr Dai Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Healey, rh John Reed, Mr Jamie Steve Webb: Following that brief moment of Hendrick, Mark Reed, Mr Steve Hepburn, Mr Stephen Reeves, Rachel disagreement with their lordships, I am pleased to say Heyes, David Reynolds, Jonathan that we encourage the House to agree with all other Hillier, Meg Riordan, Mrs Linda Lords amendments to the Bill. Some amendments in Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Robertson, Angus this group were initiated by the Government all on their Hopkins, Kelvin Robertson, John own, while others are constructive amendments that we Hosie, Stewart Robinson, Mr Geoffrey tabled in response to concerns raised by noble Lords Hunt, Tristram Rotheram, Steve and others. That shows our willingness to improve Irranca-Davies, Huw Roy, Mr Frank the Bill when we think that valid arguments have been Jackson, Glenda Ruane, Chris made. Jamieson, Cathy Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Jarvis, Dan Sawford, Andy Lords amendments 19 and 21 will affect the spouses Johnson, rh Alan Seabeck, Alison of service personnel. In the context of our motion to Johnson, Diana Sharma, Mr Virendra disagree with Lords amendment 1, which was tabled by Jones, Graham Sheerman, Mr Barry Baroness Hollis, it is appropriate to say that Lords Jones, Mr Kevan Shuker, Gavin amendments 19 and 21 respond to a concern that she Jones, Susan Elan Skinner, Mr Dennis helpfully raised during the Commons Public Bill Kane, Mike Slaughter, Mr Andy Committee’s oral evidence sessions about the position, Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Smith, rh Mr Andrew under the single-tier state pension, of wives of service Khan, rh Sadiq Smith, Angela personnel who have served overseas. Lammy, rh Mr David Smith, Nick Lords amendment 21 places a duty on the Secretary Lavery, Ian Smith, Owen Lazarowicz, Mark of State to legislate for a new retrospective national Spellar, rh Mr John insurance credit for spouses and civil partners of armed Leslie, Chris Straw, rh Mr Jack Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma forces personnel who accompanied their partner on Stringer, Graham postings outside the UK from 1975-76 onwards. We Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Stuart, Ms Gisela Love, Mr Andrew promised to think about the matter as long ago as last Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Lucas, Caroline June—have we really been considering the Bill for that Tami, Mark Lucas, Ian long?—after it was raised in our oral evidence sessions. Thornberry, Emily Mactaggart, Fiona As we know, the single-tier pension is essentially based Timms, rh Stephen Mahmood, Shabana on one’s own record of national insurance contributions Mann, John Trickett, Jon Turner, Karl and credits, rather than a derived entitlement from a Marsden, Mr Gordon partner. However, that creates a problem for women McCabe, Steve Twigg, Derek Twigg, Stephen who were posted overseas with their husband and, for McCarthy, Kerry entirely legitimate reasons—because, say, they did not McClymont, Gregg Umunna, Mr Chuka McDonagh, Siobhain Vaz, rh Keith speak the language of the country they were in—were McDonald, Andy Vaz, Valerie unable to work, or could not build up national insurance McDonnell, John Watts, Mr Dave rights because of their role supporting their husband. McFadden, rh Mr Pat Weir, Mr Mike It is right that we take action for that group. There is McGovern, Alison Whiteford, Dr Eilidh a cross-Government commitment in the armed forces McGovern, Jim Whitehead, Dr Alan covenant to removing the disadvantages caused by military McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Williamson, Chris life, and we recognise the difficulty that spouses and McKechin, Ann Winnick, Mr David civil partners would have faced in maintaining their McKenzie, Mr Iain Winterton, rh Ms Rosie national insurance record while on an overseas posting. McKinnell, Catherine Wishart, Pete Their prospects of securing employment during the Mearns, Ian Woodcock, John Miller, Andrew posting would have been significantly hampered by Wright, David Mitchell, Austin language barriers, for example, and they may have been Wright, Mr Iain Moon, Mrs Madeleine unable to accrue UK qualifying years while abroad. Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Tellers for the Noes: Since last June, we have worked closely with colleagues Morris, Grahame M. Phil Wilson and in the Ministry of Defence to devise a workable solution, (Easington) Tom Blenkinsop and we are pleased to offer an approach that addresses this unique difficulty faced by the service community. Question accordingly agreed to. Under the Lords amendments and subsequent regulations, credits will be available for people who reach state pension age on or after 2016. Those credits build on the prospective credits in place from 2010-11, 577 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 578 and help to ensure that people will not be prevented the negative procedure. Lords amendment 13 specifically from gaining a full single-tier pension, even if they are provides that frozen-rate regulations should be subject in the now rare situation of having spent their entire to the affirmative procedure on every use. working life accompanying their spouse abroad. The Lords amendments 3 and 27 create a new class of detailed design of the scheme, including the application voluntary national insurance contributions—class 3A. process and information on when applications may As the concept of the contributions was introduced in start to be made, will be set out in regulations. Although the other place, it is worth my spending a moment it is difficult to give a precise figure, we estimate that explaining more about it, as the House has not yet had about 20,000 people could benefit from the credits. the chance to consider it. The new class of contributions Lords amendment 19 is a technical measure to will allow pensioners to top up their additional state accommodate the retrospective credits in the calculation pension. It will be available to people who reach state of an individual’s foundation amount. pension age before the introduction of the single-tier Lords amendment 2 deals with the issue of a statutory pension on 6 April 2016. Details of the scheme, including override for protected persons. The single-tier pension the pricing, the maximum number of units and the means the end of contracting out, so employers will administrative processes, will be set out in regulations. have to pay more national insurance. The Bill provides We will make details of the prices available shortly, but for a statutory override to allow employers to change they will be set on an actuarially fair basis using the future contribution levels or accrual rates in order to latest longevity figures. We envisage that the scheme recoup that increased national insurance when they will open in October 2015 and run for 18 months. It will would otherwise be prevented from making changes by help groups who have only modest amounts of additional their scheme rules. During the Bill’s passage through pension, if any, such as women and the self-employed this House, the Government consulted on whether protected whose social and economic contributions were not captured persons should be within the scope of the statutory in the state earnings-related pension scheme and are not override. We think that a relatively small group of fully reflected in the state second pension. individuals—perhaps 60,000—are affected. The scheme has just two simple entitlement conditions: The responses to the consultation were polarised, as first, a person must reach state pension age before employers wanted the flexibility to apply the override, 6 April 2016; secondly, they must be entitled to a UK while trade unions and others representing employees pension. Even if someone has the full 30 qualifying did not. We took the balanced judgment that we should years for a full basic state pension, they will not be honour promises made at the time of privatisation— debarred from paying class 3A contributions and boosting promises that, in many cases, were subsequently confirmed their state pension because they will be buying additional by Ministers when legislation providing for pension state pension, not basic state pension. I stress that that protection was enacted. Lords amendment 2 makes it distinguishes the contributions from class 3 national explicit that the statutory override cannot be used in insurance contributions, which fill gaps in the basic relation to protected persons. Regulations will specify state pension. the details of who is considered to be a protected We intend to cap the amount of additional pension person, but the intention is to include all the people payable as a result of class 3A at about £25 a week. As set out in our consultation response, especially rail that extra pension will be additional state pension, it workers, including Transport for London employees, will be uprated according to the consumer prices index. and workers in the electricity, coal, and nuclear waste The pension will be inheritable and people will be able and decommissioning industries. to defer it in line with existing rules. More details of the The group includes several technical amendments. scheme will be announced shortly, but the main regulations Lords amendments 20 and 22 amend the Social Security will be subject to the affirmative procedure, so Members Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 to make it clear will have the opportunity to debate the detail. that funds for paying the single-tier pension are provided We have undertaken research and polling to gauge by national insurance contributions, and that references interest in the scheme. We expect to publish more to “benefit” include the single-tier pension. Lords information on likely interest and take-up shortly after amendment 23 repeals redundant provisions in the Marriage the Budget, but our first poll suggests that 14% of (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, while Lords amendment 24 pensioners might be interested. People’s ability to pay removes a redundant reference in legislation to the class 3 voluntary national insurance contributions to contracting-out compliance standard. Lords amendment 25 cover gaps in their contribution record for the basic deals with the application of the statutory override to state pension will be unaffected by the introduction of shared-cost arrangements. Lords amendment 26 is a class 3A. We will put in place administrative arrangements response to a recommendation made by the Delegated to ensure that individuals who apply to pay class 3A Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee. It removes contributions are made aware that they should first the power to create exceptions to the limit on the check their eligibility to pay class 3 contributions. People amount that employers may recoup under the override. will need to consider whether making class 3A contributions The Bill originally allowed regulations to be made to is the best option for them. We believe that class 3A will create exemptions to the limit to deal with unconventional allow some people to boost their state pension income funding arrangements, but we are now making provision with a secure, inflation-proof income that has the added for such a power in primary legislation under Lords advantage of survivor benefits. amendment 25. I hope that the House, like their lordships, will support In response to points made by the Delegated Powers and the Lords amendments. They improve the system for Regulatory Reform Committee, Lords amendments 12 military wives and offer protection for protected workers. and 13 provide that several regulations under the Bill They tidy up several technical aspects of the Bill and, will be subject to the affirmative procedure, rather than for people reaching state pension age before April 2016, 579 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 580

[Steve Webb] Grahame M. Morris: I, too, will not detain the House for long, but there are a few points that I wish to place introduce a new option of paying voluntary national on record. I thank the Minister for meeting the trade insurance to top up their additional state pension. unions on a number of occasions, and the Department I commend the Lords amendments to the House. for its active engagement in the consultation exercise. I shall not rehearse the arguments about the importance 5pm of maintaining trustee consent, which were made by my hon. Friend the Member for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Gregg McClymont: I do not intend to detain the Kirkintilloch East (Gregg McClymont) from the Front House too long on this group. On Lords amendment 2, Bench. The workers concerned are those in former I welcome the Government’s decision. The issue of nationalised industries, including coal mining; electricity individuals with protected status in pension schemes transmission workers; workers in Transport for London that were nationalised has been significant, both for the and the train operating companies; and workers in the House and for the people concerned. Those with protected nuclear waste and decommissioning industries. An status are a group of approximately 60,000 individuals important principle is at stake, and I am grateful to the employed on the railways, including by Transport for Minister for accepting the Lords amendments. As was London, and in the electricity, nuclear waste and pointed out, it is important that we have ongoing decommissioning and coal industries. They are protected discussions, and I hope that the Minister will commit to because they were given guarantees by the Government that. If he would engage with the trade unions, which of the day when the industries were privatised. On have undisputed expertise in this area and could assist Report, the official Opposition made clear their view, the Department in the drafting of the regulations, that and tabled an amendment that aimed to remove these would be much appreciated. protected schemes from the scope of the provisions on the statutory override as it pertains to the new flat-rate Steve Webb: I am grateful to both hon. Gentlemen state pension and the end of contracting out. who have spoken for their constructive responses. The I welcome the Government’s decision on the continued amendments relating to protected persons have been protection of these schemes. I pay tribute to my hon. welcomed, and I am grateful for that. I welcomed the Friends, the trade unions, and others with whom Members opportunity recently to meet the hon. Member for have worked closely to make the case. It is a good Easington (Grahame M. Morris) and his colleagues example of how a case properly made, and a Government from the relevant trade unions. I am pleased to assure prepared to listen to the detail and the reality, can him that we will be happy to have that ongoing dialogue produce an outcome that we all welcome. when it comes to drafting the regulations that will implement these changes. As he knows, we take the view Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): My hon. that a statutory override is not a statutory override if Friend is making excellent points, and I thank him for trustees have the power to block it. We differ on this his efforts to prosecute the case. Does he agree that the point—I understand that—but we are imposing a principle of trustee consent is an important one that we substantial cost on employers, and we believe that they should honour? need to be able to recoup that. We hope and believe that many will do so in a constructive and collaborative way, Gregg McClymont: I thank my hon. Friend for his with engagement with trustees and others. intervention and for his work on the issue. As he knows, The hon. Member for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and we tabled an amendment to clause 24 in Committee on Kirkintilloch East (Gregg McClymont) mentioned this issue. We welcome the decision to accept Lords what might loosely be called the army wives provisions. amendment 2, a concessionary Government amendment As he says, they are an attempt to do right by our moved on Report. armed forces personnel and their families, and again, Let me say a little about Lords amendment 21, another the measure seems to have attracted wide support. I am concessionary Government amendment moved on grateful for the support from across the House for Report, which will place a duty on the Secretary of these amendments from their lordships, which we State to make regulations to allow service spouses and accept. I commend Lords amendment 2 to the House. civil partners who are due to reach state pension age Lords amendment 2 agreed to. from 6 April 2016 to apply for national insurance Lords amendment 3 agreed to, with Commons financial credits for periods during which they accompanied their privileges waived. spouse abroad. I agree with the Minister that the amendment will strengthen the armed forces covenant and remove some of the disadvantages that the armed Clause 37 forces community may face in comparison with other citizens. I add to the Minister’s tribute to Baroness Hollis for her work in ensuring that the provision was AUTOMATIC ENROLMENT: POWERS TO CREATE GENERAL included in the Bill. EXCEPTIONS I look forward to the provisions in Lords amendment 3 being taken forward by the Government. I look forward Steve Webb: I beg to move, That this House agrees also to the pricing of those provisions. It will be striking with Lords amendment 4. to see what take-up there is of the offer to procure more state pension for people who retire before the new Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): With this flat-rate state pension is brought in. On that note of we may consider Lords amendments 5 to 8, 9 and consensus, we welcome this group of amendments. amendment (a) thereto, 10, 11, 14 to 18 and 28 to 38. 581 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 582

Steve Webb: We move to the final group of amendments makes no sense. We tabled a clause at the beginning of and, as I mentioned earlier, we urge the House to agree the process that would give us the power to exclude a with their lordships in all of them. For reasons that I small group of people where it would not make any shall explain, we do not accept Opposition amendment (a) sense for employers to have a legal duty automatically to Lords amendment 9. to enrol them. For example, employers said to us that I shall run through the categories of amendment they had employees who were high earners or who had before us. I shall deal at the end with the charges and exhausted their lifetime tax limits and had some protected disclosure amendments, where there appears to be the or enhanced status who were asking not to be put into a remaining lack of agreement. I apologise in advance for pension scheme because that could jeopardise their tax the fact that it might take me a moment or two to work status, and having been auto-enrolled they would have my way through the amendments as some of them are to opt out straight away. That would be a waste of quite technical, but at this stage in our proceedings it is employers’ and employees’ time. If they failed to opt important not simply to nod these measures through. out, they could lose valuable tax protection, which In some cases quite substantive changes were made in would create unnecessary bureaucracy for the employer another place—welcome changes, we believe, but they and hassle for the employee, and we do not want to do are ones to which this House should give proper scrutiny. any of that when it comes to auto-enrolment. I shall begin with amendments 5 and 6 and then 4, We always envisaged that we would exclude tightly which relate to automatic enrolment. It is worth putting defined and limited categories of employees from the on the record that automatic enrolment is already a auto-enrolment duty. Following consultation, we have huge success story, with 3.2 million people now enrolled. now indicated specifically which groups of people those I had the pleasure last week of visiting Upton Park to are. I have mentioned those with tax protection status meet someone who I am told is the three millionth and another would be those on the brink of retirement person to be automatically enrolled. I have my doubts, or leaving. Someone might have said that they were but one never knows. I have to declare in some sort of about to leave the company, but the legal requirements register somewhere that I was given a West Ham shirt on automatic enrolment or re-enrolment meant that the with the squad number 3 million on the back, which firm had to put them in the pension scheme, perhaps may be my transfer fee—I do not know. We have days before they left. Clearly, we do not want to bring certainly reached an important stage in the process. It is automatic enrolment into disrepute. We do not want one of the almost unsung success stories of this coalition firms to be required to do things that are not common Government to implement automatic enrolment in an sense, that have a cost to the firm, perhaps create hassle effective way, to see more than 3 million brought in and for the individual and are unnecessary, and we always to have very high levels of staying in—of the order of envisaged that the exceptions would be limited in scope. 90%—which means that getting on for 3 million people are now in workplace pensions who were not in such 5.15 pm pensions just a couple of years ago. All the signs are When we first discussed the provisions, the hon. that this will continue to be a success. Member for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch But ongoing success is dependent on being able to East (Gregg McClymont) got very excited about the learn as we go and to make changes where necessary, Beecroft report and he called this the Beecroft clause and amendments 5 and 6 are tabled in that spirit and and thought that we would use it to drive a coach and relate to defined benefit schemes. In general, DB schemes horses through auto-enrolment, exclude small firms are high-quality pension schemes provided by employers and all the rest of it. We assured him that that was not who take pensions seriously, and we would not want our intention, but I sense that he did not believe us. In employers to feel that they could not use a DB pension another place, we have chosen to make it clear, through scheme for auto-enrolment because of some technicality amendment 4, that this power cannot be used to exclude or because in some way we provided a higher hurdle for an employer on the basis of size, whether that is the a DB pension scheme to be used for automatic enrolment number of employees, turnover, VAT liability or whatever. than for a defined contribution scheme. Amendments 5 It was never our intention to exclude these people. and 6 allow for simpler alternative quality requirements Faced with the ongoing, almost universal cynicism of for employers providing good quality DB schemes. the Opposition, we thought it best, for the avoidance of The amendments will allow DB schemes to meet doubt, to put that in the Bill. either the existing test for money purchase schemes, or a The hon. Gentleman sought such an amendment test based on the cost of future accruals. More work has earlier in our proceedings, but we chose to do this in a to be done on adding the detail in regulations, and we cleaner and more precise way, simply so that people can look forward to working with our stakeholders on that. be confident that the Government believe that automatic The simpler tests will help those employers providing enrolment is—dare I use the phrase?—for the many, not good schemes to meet their automatic enrolment duties. the few. The process continues right down to firms that This is important because of the end of contracting employ one person. Just because not many others work out. Contracting out itself had a set of standards that with someone, does not mean that they do not need to schemes that wanted to contract out had to meet, and have a decent pension. We do not think that anyone once contracting out has gone and those standards have should be excluded. gone we can use the opportunity to set simpler equality We accept that there are costs and burdens to small requirements for employers wanting to use DB schemes. firms undertaking automatic enrolment, but we believe I hope that that will be welcomed by the House. that the best way to address those is through amelioration Also in the context of making automatic enrolment measures of the sort that we have taken rather than by work, amendment 4 relates to the power to ensure that excluding them. For example, the National Employment employers do not have to enrol individuals for whom it Savings Trust is there to enable small firms to have 583 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 584 somewhere to go to that has a public service duty to a new pension scheme might be able to look at the take their business, that has been designed with smaller member’s previous employers over the past 12 months firms in mind—obviously it is a significant provider at and at other pension schemes of which they were a the larger end of the market—and designed to be easy member. The new scheme could then contact those to engage with for people who do not speak pensions, schemes, check for stranded pots and pull them across so it is jargon-free. by default, unless the member objected, and the costs We have taken a number of other measures to ameliorate could be recovered from the general levy under Lords the position for smaller firms. For example, we have amendment 29. changed the phasing of the roll-out of auto enrolment Lords amendment 28 is a technical change designed so that those that employ 50 or fewer will, in general, to clarify that the automatic transfer provisions can not have to auto-enrol until at least June 2015, or, in apply to those who are not yet in receipt of their some case, a good while after that. We have introduced pension but are eligible to have access to their benefits—that a waiting period of up to three months, which again will is, those who are over the age of 55. help smaller firms. Crucially—I know the Opposition The next set of amendments relates to the Pension have objected to this—we have raised the trigger threshold Protection Fund compensation cap, which we introduced to £10,000 a year from April 2014, which will mean a during the course of our proceedings in this House. We small firm employing perhaps one person on £7,000, said at the time that it would be necessary to complete £8,000 or £9,000 a year will not have to go through the primary legislative framework in the House of Lords, automatic enrolment. We believe that all of those measures and that is what we have done. Lords amendments 32 to are better ways of helping smaller firms than simply 34 provide further detail on how pensionable service, some sort of blanket exclusion. Therefore, amendment 4 for the purposes of the cap, is to be determined in makes it clear that that is not the way that we propose to specific circumstances, such as when a person is a proceed. member of two separate but connected schemes. I will come back to the amendments on charges, I will explain why that is important. The change we because I think that that is the area of principal difference, have made to the Pension Protection Fund cap is designed and deal now with the other amendments in the group to help people who have given long service. The cap where there might be greater agreement. Amendments 28 prevents people from getting very high levels of Pension and 29 relate to automatic transfers and what happens Protection Fund compensation and is designed to exclude when somebody leaves a firm, leaving behind a small in particular some of the high earners who might have pension pot. We envisage that any pension pot of less been involved in decisions about the future of a company. than £10,000 left behind would fit our definition of a It also captures people who are not gratuitously rich, small pot. Their lordships debated whether our proposed but who have built up a substantial pension, perhaps model of automatic transfers, where the pension pot by through working for one employer for their entire working default follows people as they change job, was the right life. We do not think that the cap was ever meant for model, or whether an alternative aggregator model—a such people, so we have provided that, beyond 20 years, home of lost pots model—would be a better bet. There it should be increased at a rate of 3% per additional was a high-quality debate where arguments were carefully year. The definition of the length of pensionable service made on both sides, and their lordships, by a large is important, which is why Lords amendments 32 to 34, margin, with considerable Cross-Bench support, backed which tidy that up, are necessary. the Government’s position on this measure. So we will Lords amendments 37 and 38 deal with the application move ahead with our proposals for pot follows member, of a cap during the assessment period and wind up. but we have to get the framework right to ensure greater They provide for the valuation of scheme liabilities if consolidation. The Bill will provide that framework. Pot the scheme is in assessment when legislation is commenced. follows member will reduce the number of people with The valuation will continue to be based on the current five or more dormant pension pots from one in four cap, although members of such schemes will be paid under the current system to one in 30. Our focus now is using the new cap during the assessment period. The to work with employers, providers and consumer groups amendments also provide for schemes winding up when to deliver a safe and secure system. the legislation is commenced. They will allocate assets It is clear that we should try to use the existing based on the current cap. infrastructure where possible, including the existing Lords amendments 35, 36 and 38 clarify details such PAYE system. As I told the House at oral questions on as the transitional provision to be made for those who 24 February, we are working with our colleagues at share compensation following divorce. The policy for HMRC on that. In addition to expenditure incurred by people with a pension in their own right and a pension the DWP, amendment 29 extends the provision to allow based on a pension-sharing order is that each is kept any specific costs incurred by HMRC to be met from separate and capped separately. This is to the benefit of the general levy, which is the levy on pension schemes. If members. The Pension Protection Fund has been applying we go down that route, which incurs costs—we are the current cap in this way. finalising it at the moment, so this is an enabling power— Finally on the PPF cap, Lords amendments 10 and HMRC will be able to recover them. 17 deal with the change to the application of the existing One of the attractions of going down that route is cap on compensation from two sources of pension and that if HMRC already holds data on the jobs that bring legislation in line with policy and practice. The people have had, for example in the previous 12 months, current legislation assumes that the cap is applied after and could also hold matching data on the pension the amounts are added together. Amendments 10 and schemes of which people were a member, it would be 17 amend the legislation so that it reflects current ideal to look at existing data sources. However, we have practice, and this will apply retrospectively. As I have to do a full cost-benefit analysis internally. For example, said, that is to the benefit of members. 585 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 586

Lords amendments 11, 15, 16 and 18—relate to the creative—if we ban something, it will do something Public Service Pensions Act 2013. In layperson’s language, else—so what is the point of putting in primary legislation the amendments allow consolidation of schemes without a list of the charges he can think of, saying that they loss of transitional protection. The 2013 Act reforms should be disclosed and then adding, “and anything public service pension schemes and provides for transitional else”, on the end? Clearly, there could be a new category protection from that reform for members of public of charge at any point and we do not want to be service pensions who were less than 10 years from their governed by having to pass a new Act of Parliament normal retirement age in April 2012. The Act also every time there is a new charge on which we want to stipulates that, for the larger public service schemes, the take action. We think that the charges to be disclosed individual needs to have been a member prior to that should be set out in regulations because that approach date in order to be eligible for that protection. gives the Government maximum flexibility to respond Lords amendments 11, 15, 16 and 18 create exceptions to a fast-moving market. That is why we do not agree to that rule to allow members of smaller public service with amendment (a). schemes to be transferred into a larger scheme without Under Lords amendment 9, the duty is placed on losing their transitional protection. The Government’s both the Secretary of State and the FCA, which reflects intention is to seek to make administrative and management the dual regulation of pensions and means that the savings by consolidating smaller schemes into larger FCA will consult on how and what to disclose, but not ones. The amendments mean that that can happen with if costs should be disclosed. One of the many problems no impact on members’ benefits. with the Opposition’s amendment (a) is that it would Finally, the substantive set of amendments are those remove that duty from the FCA. I do not know whether led by Lords amendment 9 which relate to charging. that is accidental or deliberate. The amendment would Obviously, this is a contentious issue. We believe that leave the power solely with the Secretary of State, but their lordships have improved the Bill and we will urge with none of the sanctions available to the FCA. Just to the House to accept their amendments. be clear, amendment (a) would take the duty to consult on how and what to disclose away from the FCA and Making automatic enrolment work is not just about give it to the Secretary of State, but the Secretary of the employer duty; it is about ensuring that people are State does not have the powers that the FCA has. To be enrolled into high-quality schemes. I want to be absolutely frank, that is a muddle. I know the Opposition will vote clear, because no doubt there will be a lot of hand-wringing for their amendment because they tabled it and they from the Labour party on this issue. When the previous want to make a point and tweet about it, but the Government put in place part of the necessary legislative substance of the amendment, even in terms of what the framework for automatic enrolment, they put in place Opposition want to achieve, is deeply flawed, because it no quality standards at all for auto-enrolment schemes, would take a duty away from a body that has a power bar the requirement to have a default fund—just to have and give it to the Secretary of State, who does not have one; there was nothing about charges or quality—and a that power. minimum employer and employee combined contribution. It is pretty shocking that the previous Government Gregg McClymont: I know the Minister believes that thought it was good enough to put 10 million people on God is a Liberal, but does he really have to be so pious? workplace pension schemes with no consumer protection at all. When hon. Members hear what the Labour Steve Webb: I usually sound grateful to the hon. shadow spokesman—the hon. Member for Cumbernauld, Gentleman for his interventions, but I am not sure I am Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East—has to say about this for that one. There is a bit of a pattern here. Labour has issue, they will imagine that Labour has somehow been already called one vote on an amendment that was riding to the rescue of the consumer. However, they flawed, but it decided to vote for it anyway in order to should remember that when the legislation was first make a point. I am explaining why amendment (a) is passed it was done with no regard, as far as I can see, for flawed, even according to the terms of what the Opposition the position of consumers. There was no action on want it to achieve, and it is obvious that the message charges, no action on small pots or, to be frank, no has hit home, given the tenor of the hon. Gentleman’s action on anything. response. The coalition Government are committed to ensuring that schemes provide good value for money and are well Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): On the charges governed. Lords amendment 9, therefore, deals with the that will be outlined later and the requirement for them transparency of costs and charges, which we believe is to be disclosed, how does the Minister envisage that vital for good scheme governance. We already have powers process being taken forward? Will there be a consultation? to require disclosure under the Pension Schemes Act 1993. Within what sort of time frame does he imagine the However, for the avoidance of doubt, amendment 9 charges being outlined? places a duty on the Secretary of State and the Financial Conduct Authority—I will come back to that, because Steve Webb: I am grateful to my hon. Friend who, as it is an important point—to require the disclosure of chair of the all-party group on pensions, has great costs and charges. The charges to be disclosed will be set knowledge and expertise on these issues. We need to out in regulations, and rightly so. take forward the matter in partnership with the FCA. On amendment (a), the hon. Member for Cumbernauld, As he knows, the Pensions Regulator regulates defined Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East wants to put in primary benefit and occupational defined contribution schemes, legislation a shopping list of the charges he can think while the FCA works on group personal pensions, for of. I think the House will immediately see the flaw in example, but we want to make sure that, as far as that. The hon. Gentleman would be the first to say that possible, parallel regulations apply to both. We will, the financial services industry has been known to be indeed, consult on exactly what should be included. We 587 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 588

[Steve Webb] Gregg McClymont: I rise to speak to amendment (a), but let me start with Lords amendment 4. In Committee, certainly want to get a move on with it all, so we will the Opposition argued strongly that clause 37, as drafted, move as fast as we can, but we want to do so in was far too widely drawn and left a possibility that partnership with other regulatory bodies. I hope that those with an agenda to exempt smaller businesses from that offers him the assurance he seeks. auto-enrolment could do so. We therefore welcome the Government’s concession. Among the Minister’s rather 5.30 pm curious language, he said that I “got very excited” and We are working out how best to publish the information. that there was “almost universal cynicism” from the Some have suggested that we should just bung it on a Opposition, but within that odd framing, he has actually website. We obviously want meaningful information, accepted what we said in Committee. That is very not just to have tens of thousands of pension schemes welcome, because it makes the Bill better. recording vast amounts of data. We think that it is most Let us think about amendment (a) in the context of important to make the information available first to the the wider debate. The issue of costs and charges for fiduciaries in any scheme—the people, whether the trustees pensions has shot up the political agenda for obvious or the independent governance committees, who act on reasons. If the Government are enrolling millions of behalf of scheme members—and that members should people into a pension scheme for the first time, they had have the information in meaningful form, not just pages better make sure that the schemes are all value for of gibberish. We have all seen how information that is money. required by law to be sent to scheme members can turn out to be more or less useless, because nobody ever Steve Webb: I agree that the Government had better reads it. We therefore have to think about the right make sure that the schemes are value for money. Why, formats in which to supply information to fiduciaries therefore, did Labour not legislate for that when it could and to scheme members, and the right way to make the have done so? information public, and we are thinking that through at the moment. Disclosure on its own is not enough; powers in the Bill will allow the Government to regulate Gregg McClymont: The Minister made that point in to control charges and to require minimum standards of his speech, as he has done repeatedly, and he has now governance. put it on the record again. Let me pick him up on something he said. In what has become his quite common Afurtherambiguityorslightinconsistencyinamendment(a) style, he suggested that it was rather peculiar to give the is that it specifically requires the Government to restrict Secretary of State powers to ensure that transaction “transaction costs”. The hon. Member for Cumbernauld, costs are disclosed. However, he must be aware—in fact, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East may want to intervene, he alluded to this—that the FCA already has powers to because the Opposition have previously said that transaction require transparency of transaction costs, but has never costs should not be part of a cap, certainly at this stage. exercised them. Making the Secretary of State responsible We therefore assume that it is a drafting error but if their does not mean that the Government should not use the position is now that transaction costs should immediately FCA’s expertise. Indeed, the Government’s amendment be part of a cap, perhaps he can explain why he has states that the Secretary of State must consult the FCA changed his mind. when setting transaction costs for those pensions over Lords amendments 7, 8, 30 and 31 remove references which he wishes to retain responsibility, so why could to work-based schemes, which will allow us to extend the same model not be maintained for contract-based the powers to closed schemes. That is important, because pensions? Of course it could be so maintained. a legacy scheme review of old, closed and other schemes is currently taking place, and we will need a legislative On the Minister’s suggestion that it is somehow peculiar route if it is necessary, following the voluntary approach in his world to list the transaction costs that must be of the Association of British Insurers, to review high-cost disclosed in amendment (a), I have to tell him that we and legacy schemes. Finally, amendment 14 means that used Lord Lawson’s amendment in the House of Lords, regulations under the powers will be brought forward as where it was commended by Members on all sides, soon as practicable, which follows a recommendation including by the Government spokesman, Lord Freud. [Interruption.] from the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform The Minister is mumbling, but he suggested Committee, and ensures that the regulations will be that the amendment was peculiar, although Lord Lawson’s affirmative on the first use. Our full response to our amendment was along exactly the same lines. I am consultation on such matters will be published soon. afraid that the Minister is disagreeing not just with the Opposition, but with Government Members. This is another group on which we urge the House to agree with their lordships in all their amendments. The Let me say a little about our additions to Lord Lawson’s Lords amendments will make automatic enrolment work list. I make it very clear that our list of transaction costs better, particularly for defined benefit schemes; ensure is the same as that tabled by Lord Lawson in the Lords, that small employers are not excluded; allow HMRC to with two additions—transaction costs in underlying recover the costs of pot follows member, if we go down funds; and interest on client cash balances or profits that route in relation to involving HMRC; make the from stock lending retained by the fund manager. The PPF compensation cap work; ensure that protections reason for including such additional transaction costs is for public service pensioners are properly implemented; that it needs to be strongly signalled to the body setting and implement the changes made in another place to the rule—whether the FCA or the Secretary of State—that require the disclosure of information, particularly on those items should be declared. transaction costs. All the Lords amendments make Let us remember that the Investment Management the Bill better. I commend Lords amendment 4 to the Association has deliberately failed to include those House. items in its draft statement of recommended practice. 589 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 590

Amendment (a) should be discussed in that context, not Lords amendment 9 removes the responsibility to set the diversionary trail thrown up by the Minister. It is transparency rules for workplace DC pension schemes important that transaction costs in underlying schemes from the Secretary of State and gives that power to the are disclosed because a transparency regime can otherwise FCA. The FCA does not currently require the publication easily be bypassed by any fund manager that operates of transaction costs for workplace pension schemes. Its multiple funds. The fund receiving moneys can simply view is that any transparency requirements should be use them to purchase units in another house fund. The identical to those for retail investment products. IMA SORP recognises that the fixed charges in underlying funds should be reported, but it fails to apply the same Richard Graham: Is not the key point that is under principle to transaction costs, which is why they are laid discussion whether the list of charges to be covered down in the amendment. should be included in the Bill? We agree that there are many issues of detail, especially on the transaction side, The House should be aware of the wider context. The that should be consulted on. The Minister has said that Government have previously left it to the fund managers’ that will happen. The hon. Gentleman has not answered trade association to decide what, if any, transaction the central question of why the list should be included costs should be declared. The IMA has put forward a in primary legislation. draft statement of recommended practice, which would require fund managers to declare some transaction Gregg McClymont: The answer to the hon. Gentleman’s costs in their annual accounts. The SORP must be question is that nobody who looks at this matter reasonably agreed by a Government quango called the Financial can have confidence that the Government will deliver Reporting Council. The concern that the SORP failed the disclosure of any transaction costs. The only reason to include significant types of transaction costs led a we have the inadequate Lords amendment 9 is that cross-party group of MPs and peers to write to the FRC there was a rebellion among Conservatives in the House to say that it would be inappropriate for it to agree to a of Lords that was supported by Cross Benchers. Before statement of transaction costs that omits significant that, the Government had no intention of disclosing types of transaction costs. That was widely reported at transaction costs, as far as one could see. To answer his the time. It is common knowledge that a number of question, amendment (a) is a way of ensuring that the critical submissions were made to the FRC. Unusually, Government deliver what they say they want to deliver. those submissions were not released at the end of the To sum up, the Government have brought forward in consultation period, and we still await them. the Bill a hard, fast, rapid wind-up of the state second pension. If that is to be successful for those who can no Richard Graham: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? longer accrue into the state second pension, there must be similarly speedy action to ensure that there is an Gregg McClymont: I am always delighted to hear adequate, meaningful pensions cap as quickly as possible. from the hon. Gentleman, but I must make progress. Alongside that pensions cap, all transaction costs must be disclosed. Before the campaign by the Opposition It is worth adding that the FCA sits on the working and, more recently, Lord Lawson, the Government had group that reviews the IMA’s SORP. been very slow to get to grips with the disclosure of To put the SORP of the IMA—the fund managers’ transaction costs, never mind the pensions cap. The trade association—in context, the Government refused intervention of Lord Lawson has led the Government to accept Labour amendments in Committee and on some of the way down the necessary path towards Report that specified a non-exhaustive list of transaction ensuring that there is disclosure of transaction costs, costs that needed to be made transparent. The noble but they have got to that stage only because of the Lord Lawson then made it clear that the Government’s threat of a rebellion in the other place. position was not acceptable. He said that it was like putting the fox in charge of the hen coop. He added that 5.45 pm there is a reason why fund managers meet in Monte Amendment (a) would ensure that all transaction Carlo and pension fund trustees meet in Manchester. costs were disclosed and that the Secretary of State That was the context in which Lords amendment 9 had the authority, power and obligation to ensure that appeared. Lord Lawson, who sits on the Government that happened, rather than the FCA, which has shown Benches, made it clear that he agreed with the Opposition, no interest in disclosing any transaction costs. If we rather than the Minister, who has failed to get to grips are to have decent workplace pensions to replace the with the disclosure of transaction costs. That is the income that is lost through the hard, fast wind-up of context in which this debate has been taking place for the state second pension, all these things must be disclosed. the past year and a half. In this day and age, it is simply not good enough to Lords amendment 9 does not state which transaction say that those who are involved in pensions should costs will be included. It gives the Secretary of State the not be aware of all the costs and charges that are right to include extracted by fund managers. For that reason, I commend amendment (a) to the House. “some or all of the transaction costs”. It also allows the Secretary of State to not require full Steve Webb: I will respond briefly to the hon. Gentleman. transparency in contract-based defined contribution However, I suspect that he decided to press for a vote on schemes—those that are provided by insurance companies amendment (a) a good deal earlier this afternoon, so I —if the transparency regime is “equivalent”. Lord Freud, do not think that anything that I say will have the power speaking for the Government, emphasised that those to change his view. words were intended to ensure that no costs were missed For the record, the hon. Gentleman seems to be and that they were not an attempt to water down the confusing a power and a duty. He says that the FCA has regime for contract-based DC pensions. the power to require transparency, but it has not done 591 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 592

[Steve Webb] The hon. Gentleman avoided the question I asked on an intervention. His amendment (a) appears to contradict so. If he reads Lords amendment 9, which I encourage what he has said in the past, and it brings transaction him to do, he will see that it states in subsection (2): costs into the scope of any potential charge cap. That “The FCA must make”. was not his policy this morning, but it appears to be his That is the bit that he wants to take out—the bit that policy this afternoon. Quite how he would set such a requires the FCA to do the thing that he wants it to cap when we do not have the data on transparency is do—so his amendment (a) is incoherent. Instead, he beyond me. Clearly, amendment (a) is not about how would give the duty to the Secretary of State, but the the law of the land should be written; it is simply about Secretary of State does not have the same powers as the making a political point and doing so rather badly. On FCA over the schemes that it regulates. The hon. Gentleman that basis, I urge the House to reject amendment (a), wants to take the duty away from the body that has the and to agree with Lords amendment 9. sanctions and give it to somebody who does not have Lords amendment 4 agreed to. the sanctions. That would not achieve what he wants to Lords amendments 5 to 8 agreed to. achieve. Amendment (a) proposed to Lords amendment 9.—(Gregg McClymont.) Gregg McClymont: Will the Minister confirm that the Government’s amendment states only that Question put, That the amendment be made. “some or all of the transaction costs” The House divided: Ayes 214, Noes 277. should be disclosed? Will he put that clearly on the Division No. 234] [5.50 pm record? AYES Steve Webb: The text of Lords amendment 9 is before Abrahams, Debbie Danczuk, Simon the House. The whole point is that we want all sorts of Alexander, rh Mr Douglas David, Wayne pension schemes—those that are regulated by the Pensions Ali, Rushanara Davidson, Mr Ian Regulator and those that are regulated by the FCA—to Allen, Mr Graham De Piero, Gloria ensure that there is effective disclosure. His amendment Ashworth, Jonathan Dobbin, Jim (a) is defective because it would take the duty away from Austin, Ian Dobson, rh Frank the FCA, which regulates one category of schemes, and Bailey, Mr Adrian Docherty, Thomas give it to the Secretary of State, who does not have the Bain, Mr William Donohoe, Mr Brian H. sanctions to enforce the very thing that he wants to Balls, rh Ed Doran, Mr Frank happen. I know that he does not care that his amendment Banks, Gordon Dowd, Jim Barron, rh Kevin Doyle, Gemma is flawed, because he wants to make a point, rather than Beckett, rh Margaret Dromey, Jack to pass good law, but for the record, his amendment Begg, Dame Anne Dugher, Michael would fail to achieve what he says he wants. Benn, rh Hilary Eagle, Ms Angela The hon. Gentleman said that the noble Lord Lawson, Benton, Mr Joe Eagle, Maria who has made a valuable contribution to this debate, Berger, Luciana Efford, Clive came up with a list and that we should therefore have a Betts, Mr Clive Elliott, Julie list. Of course, the noble Lord Lawson did not pursue Blackman-Woods, Roberta Ellman, Mrs Louise his amendment because he accepted that we did not Blears, rh Hazel Engel, Natascha need all the detail in primary legislation. If the hon. Blomfield, Paul Esterson, Bill Gentleman lists the name of a charge in primary legislation, Blunkett, rh Mr David Evans, Chris Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Farrelly, Paul all it would take is for the ever-inventive investment Brennan, Kevin Field, rh Mr Frank industry to give it another name and we would need Brown, Lyn Fitzpatrick, Jim regulations anyway.Including a list would achieve nothing. Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Flello, Robert The hon. Gentleman asked about the words “some or Brown, Mr Russell Flint, rh Caroline all”. To clarify, the intention is to require full disclosure Bryant, Chris Flynn, Paul of all costs and charges. The reason for that wording is Buck, Ms Karen Fovargue, Yvonne that it will future-proof the legislation—something that Burden, Richard Francis, Dr Hywel he has called for—by providing the flexibility to deal Byrne, rh Mr Liam Gardiner, Barry with new costs as they arise. That is all that we are Campbell, rh Mr Alan Gilmore, Sheila Campbell, Mr Ronnie Glass, Pat trying to do by using that wording. Champion, Sarah Glindon, Mrs Mary Chapman, Jenny Godsiff, Mr Roger Gregg McClymont: I thank the Minister for that Clark, Katy Goodman, Helen clarification. Has he spoken to the FCA and asked what Clarke, rh Mr Tom Green, Kate its view is about the disclosure of all transaction costs? Coaker, Vernon Greenwood, Lilian Does it support that? Coffey, Ann Gwynne, Andrew Cooper, Rosie Hain, rh Mr Peter Steve Webb: The hon. Gentleman will know that the Cooper, rh Yvette Hamilton, Mr David FCA is regulated by Ministers from the Treasury, rather Crausby, Mr David Hanson, rh Mr David than the Department for Work and Pensions. However, Creasy, Stella Harman, rh Ms Harriet I have met the FCA on a number of occasions, as have Cruddas, Jon Harris, Mr Tom my Treasury colleagues, and we have corresponded on Cryer, John Havard, Mr Dai these matters. We are agreed that there should be full Cunningham, Alex Healey, rh John disclosure, as under the terms of the Bill, of all categories Cunningham, Mr Jim Hendrick, Mark of pension scheme that are covered by the legislation. Dakin, Nic Hepburn, Mr Stephen 593 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 594

Heyes, David Pearce, Teresa Beith, rh Sir Alan Garnier, Mark Hillier, Meg Perkins, Toby Bellingham, Mr Henry Gauke, Mr David Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Phillipson, Bridget Benyon, Richard Gibb, Mr Nick Hopkins, Kelvin Pound, Stephen Beresford, Sir Paul Gilbert, Stephen Hosie, Stewart Powell, Lucy Berry, Jake Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Howarth, rh Mr George Qureshi, Yasmin Bingham, Andrew Glen, John Hunt, Tristram Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Binley, Mr Brian Goldsmith, Zac Irranca-Davies, Huw Reed, Mr Jamie Birtwistle, Gordon Goodwill, Mr Robert Jamieson, Cathy Reed, Mr Steve Blackman, Bob Graham, Richard Jarvis, Dan Reeves, Rachel Blackwood, Nicola Gray, Mr James Johnson, rh Alan Reynolds, Jonathan Blunt, Mr Crispin Grayling, rh Chris Johnson, Diana Riordan, Mrs Linda Boles, Nick Green, rh Damian Jones, Graham Robertson, Angus Bone, Mr Peter Greening, rh Justine Jones, Mr Kevan Robertson, John Bottomley, Sir Peter Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Jones, Susan Elan Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Bradley, Karen Griffiths, Andrew Jowell, rh Dame Tessa Rotheram, Steve Brady, Mr Graham Gummer, Ben Kane, Mike Roy, Mr Frank Brake, rh Tom Gyimah, Mr Sam Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Roy, Lindsay Bray, Angie Halfon, Robert Keeley, Barbara Ruane, Chris Brazier, Mr Julian Hames, Duncan Khan, rh Sadiq Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Bridgen, Andrew Hammond, rh Mr Philip Lammy, rh Mr David Sawford, Andy Brine, Steve Hammond, Stephen Lavery, Ian Seabeck, Alison Brooke, Annette Hands, rh Greg Lazarowicz, Mark Sharma, Mr Virendra Browne, Mr Jeremy Harper, Mr Mark Leslie, Chris Sheerman, Mr Barry Buckland, Mr Robert Harrington, Richard Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma Shuker, Gavin Burns, Conor Harris, Rebecca Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Skinner, Mr Dennis Burns, rh Mr Simon Harvey, Sir Nick Love, Mr Andrew Slaughter, Mr Andy Burrowes, Mr David Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Lucas, Caroline Smith, rh Mr Andrew Burstow, rh Paul Hayes, rh Mr John Lucas, Ian Smith, Angela Byles, Dan Heald, Oliver MacNeil, Mr Angus Brendan Smith, Nick Cable, rh Vince Heath, Mr David Mactaggart, Fiona Smith, Owen Cairns, Alun Heaton-Harris, Chris Mahmood, Shabana Spellar, rh Mr John Campbell, Mr Gregory Hemming, John Mann, John Straw, rh Mr Jack Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Henderson, Gordon Marsden, Mr Gordon Stringer, Graham Carmichael, Neil Hendry, Charles McCabe, Steve Stuart, Ms Gisela Carswell, Mr Douglas Herbert, rh Nick Cash, Mr William Hinds, Damian McCarthy, Kerry Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry McClymont, Gregg Chishti, Rehman Hoban, Mr Mark Tami, Mark McDonagh, Siobhain Chope, Mr Christopher Hollingbery, George Thornberry, Emily McDonald, Andy Clappison, Mr James Hollobone, Mr Philip Timms, rh Stephen McDonnell, John Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Horwood, Martin Trickett, Jon McFadden, rh Mr Pat Coffey, Dr Thérèse Howarth, Sir Gerald McGovern, Alison Turner, Karl Collins, Damian Howell, John McGovern, Jim Twigg, Derek Colvile, Oliver Hughes, rh Simon McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Twigg, Stephen Cox, Mr Geoffrey Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy McKechin, Ann Umunna, Mr Chuka Crockart, Mike Huppert, Dr Julian McKenzie, Mr Iain Vaz, rh Keith Crouch, Tracey Hurd, Mr Nick McKinnell, Catherine Vaz, Valerie Davey, rh Mr Edward Jackson, Mr Stewart Meacher, rh Mr Michael Watts, Mr Dave Davies, Glyn James, Margot Meale, Sir Alan Weir, Mr Mike Davies, Philip Javid, Sajid Mearns, Ian Whiteford, Dr Eilidh Davis, rh Mr David Jenkin, Mr Bernard Miller, Andrew Whitehead, Dr Alan de Bois, Nick Johnson, Gareth Mitchell, Austin Williamson, Chris Dinenage, Caroline Johnson, Joseph Moon, Mrs Madeleine Winnick, Mr David Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Jones, Andrew Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Jones, rh Mr David Morris, Grahame M. Wishart, Pete Doyle-Price, Jackie Jones, Mr Marcus (Easington) Woodcock, John Drax, Richard Kawczynski, Daniel Dunne, Mr Philip Kelly, Chris Mudie, Mr George Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Murphy, rh Paul Ellis, Michael Knight, rh Sir Greg Wright, David Nandy, Lisa Elphicke, Charlie Kwarteng, Kwasi Wright, Mr Iain Nash, Pamela Eustice, George Lamb, Norman Onwurah, Chi Tellers for the Ayes: Evans, Graham Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Osborne, Sandra Phil Wilson and Evans, Jonathan Laws, rh Mr David Owen, Albert Tom Blenkinsop Evennett, Mr David Leadsom, Andrea Farron, Tim Lee, Jessica NOES Field, Mark Lee, Dr Phillip Foster, rh Mr Don Leigh, Sir Edward Adams, Nigel Baker, Steve Francois, rh Mr Mark Leslie, Charlotte Afriyie, Adam Baldry, rh Sir Tony Freeman, George Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Aldous, Peter Baldwin, Harriett Freer, Mike Lewis, Brandon Amess, Mr David Barclay, Stephen Fuller, Richard Lewis, Dr Julian Andrew, Stuart Barker, rh Gregory Gale, Sir Roger Lilley, rh Mr Peter Baker, Norman Barwell, Gavin Garnier, Sir Edward Lloyd, Stephen 595 Pensions Bill17 MARCH 2014 Pensions Bill 596

Lopresti, Jack Percy, Andrew Swales, Ian Webb, Steve Loughton, Tim Perry, Claire Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Wharton, James Lumley, Karen Phillips, Stephen Swire, rh Mr Hugo Wheeler, Heather Maynard, Paul Pickles, rh Mr Eric Syms, Mr Robert Whittaker, Craig McCartney, Jason Pincher, Christopher Tapsell, rh Sir Peter Whittingdale, Mr John McCartney, Karl Poulter, Dr Daniel Teather, Sarah Wiggin, Bill McPartland, Stephen Prisk, Mr Mark Thornton, Mike Willetts, rh Mr David Menzies, Mark Pugh, John Tomlinson, Justin Williams, Roger Mercer, Patrick Raab, Mr Dominic Tredinnick, David Williams, Stephen Metcalfe, Stephen Reckless, Mark Truss, Elizabeth Willott, Jenny Miller, rh Maria Redwood, rh Mr John Turner, Mr Andrew Wilson, Mr Rob Mills, Nigel Rees-Mogg, Jacob Tyrie, Mr Andrew Wollaston, Dr Sarah Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Reevell, Simon Vaizey, Mr Edward Wright, Jeremy Moore, rh Michael Reid, Mr Alan Vara, Mr Shailesh Wright, Simon Mordaunt, Penny Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Vickers, Martin Yeo, Mr Tim Morgan, Nicky Robertson, rh Hugh Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Young, rh Sir George Morris, Anne Marie Robertson, Mr Laurence Walker, Mr Charles Zahawi, Nadhim Morris, James Ruffley, Mr David Wallace, Mr Ben Tellers for the Noes: Mosley, Stephen Rutley, David Watkinson, Dame Angela Amber Rudd and Mowat, David Sanders, Mr Adrian Weatherley, Mike Mark Hunter Mulholland, Greg Sandys, Laura Munt, Tessa Scott, Mr Lee Murray, Sheryll Selous, Andrew Question accordingly negatived. Murrison, Dr Andrew Shapps, rh Grant Lords amendments 9 to 38 agreed to, with Commons Neill, Robert Shepherd, Sir Richard financial privileges waived in respect of Lords amendments 9 Newmark, Mr Brooks Simpson, Mr Keith to 13, 15 to 23, 27, 29, and 32 to 38. Newton, Sarah Skidmore, Chris Nokes, Caroline Smith, Chloe Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up Norman, Jesse Smith, Henry Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to Nuttall, Mr David Smith, Julian their amendment 1; O’Brien, rh Mr Stephen Smith, Sir Robert That Tom Blenkinsop, Gregg McClymont, James Morris, Offord, Dr Matthew Soames, rh Nicholas Claire Perry and Steve Webb be members of the Committee; Ollerenshaw, Eric Spencer, Mr Mark Opperman, Guy Stanley, rh Sir John That Steve Webb be the Chair of the Committee; Ottaway, rh Sir Richard Stephenson, Andrew That three be the quorum of the Committee. Paice, rh Sir James Stevenson, John That the Committee do withdraw immediately.— Parish, Neil Stewart, Bob (Mr Gyimah.) Patel, Priti Stewart, Iain Paterson, rh Mr Owen Stewart, Rory Committee to withdraw immediately; reasons to be Pawsey, Mark Streeter, Mr Gary reported and communicated to the Lords. Penning, rh Mike Stunell, rh Sir Andrew Penrose, John Sturdy, Julian 597 17 MARCH 2014 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma) 598

Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma) fixed in stone, but raising the level to 100% would push me, or whoever happened to be Minister at the time of such a review, too far. 6.7 pm The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP): (Mike Penning): I beg to move, Everyone will welcome the move to 80%. Can the Minister give an estimate of the cash differential between That the draft Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme Regulations 2014, which were laid before this House on 3 February, be 75% and 80% for potential beneficiaries? approved. It is a pleasure to move these regulations on the Floor Mike Penning: The move will take the payment up to of the House. We had good debates on the Mesothelioma some £126,000, which represents an extra £13,000. That Act 2014, which allows us to move the regulations we is in addition to the payment of £7,000 for legal fees, need to ensure that the payments go to those who need which will be introduced in separate regulations. When them so much. The debates in the House and those with Ministers promise the House that they will listen, it is my noble Friend Lord Freud in the other place were important that they try to do what is requested of them. incredibly valuable. I should like to place on the record I stuck rigidly to 75%, because I was not confident that my thanks to the late Paul Goggins. Paul campaigned there would be enough money in the fund to increase for many years for the compensation for which these payments to 80%, let alone 100%. However, I am now regulations make provision. It is a fitting tribute to him confident that there is enough capacity to move to 80%, that I listened to him so much that we have moved to the so when the scheme starts—I hope that that will be on figure of 80%, as I will say later in the debate. 6 April—all those affected will receive 80%, even though we have been looking at 75% We have debated these provisions, but it is good to mention at the start that the Act and the regulations continue to refer to 75% average civil compensation Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab): payments. I announced to the House on 6 March that, I am grateful to the Minister for his explanation, and I because the scheme administrator contract was let, admire what he has done in getting us to 80%. In truth, and because we will stay within the 3% of the levy to compensation ought to be at 100%. Sufferers feel 100% employers, I am able to raise the percentage from 75% of the injury, and the industry took 100% of the premiums to 80%. I will introduce further regulations later, but I at a time when it believed that it would often have to did not want to delay in any shape or form the compensation compensate for pleural plaques as well as for mesothelioma. that is so badly needed. I hope that the matter is not closed and there will be an opportunity to discuss it again. Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con): Mike Penning: I would be amazed if we did not Will the Minister confirm that, now we are moving to a discuss the matter again, as we have done over the years. scheme that will have an 80% compensation rate, 80% It would be right and proper for us to do so. If we raise will apply to all claimants, including those who make compensation payments to 80%, many people will receive their application under the regulations, on the face of more than they would have done through a civil court. which is the figure of 75%? The payment is an average, so some people would have received less in the civil courts. By raising the level from Mike Penning: My hon. and learned Friend is absolutely 75% to 80%, we have ensured that more people will right. I was going to say that, even though the regulations receive more than they would have done if they had are being debated today, all those eligible for the scheme found their employer or their employer’s insurer. will get 80%. It is important that people do not get one or another of the figures. It will be 80% across the Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): I apologise board. for being a little late. It would be interesting to know the difference in costs between payments of 80% and 100%. Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab): I am pleased with the increase from 75% to 80%. Will there be an opportunity Mike Penning: I will write to the hon. Gentleman in the near future to review the legislation to increase it with that information. We debated the matter at length from 80% to 100%? at each stage of the Bill, and I reiterate that the key is to stick within the 3% agreement, which is not being Mike Penning: No, because I have to stay within the passed on to new business. The House agreed when we agreed 3% of the levy. The important thing, as we said debated the subject that to pass on costs to new business throughout the deliberations on the Mesothelioma would be improper. Bill, is to ensure that the cost is not passed on to new business. I have come under huge pressure not to raise Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): While we payments to 80%, because of the risk to the levy. are on the subject, does the Minister accept that, as we However, because we managed to let the contract to a discussed in the Mesothelioma Bill Committee, even if reputable organisation, we have been able to raise payments we maintained the levy at 3%, the Government’s impact to 80% without putting the fund at risk. assessment makes it clear that after four years it would Although we will review the legislation, we will not at least be possible to raise payments to 90%? raise payments to 100%. If nothing else, the hon. Gentleman has been consistent in pushing for 100%, and I fully Mike Penning: We looked at that extensively in understand why. I promised throughout the deliberations Committee, but those figures are all based on assessments. on the Bill that I would listen and that nothing was When the four-year review comes up, we will look 599 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma)17 MARCH 2014 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma) 600

[Mike Penning] breaking the existing deal. The regulations are in their current format to avoid delay and allow the scheme to carefully to see what is in the pot, but it would be start, we hope, in the first week in April. We want irresponsible of me or any Minister to stand before the to help those who desperately need the funds quickly. House and commit to emptying the pot completely by going even further. By moving to 80% I have moved as Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): I congratulate far as I can, and a lot further than many wanted me to the Minister and welcome his announcement that the move. I promised to increase payment levels if I could, level of compensation will be increased. We anticipate and I have done so. that there will be a rush of claims. If the fund is in surplus when that initial rush has been addressed and Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab): The measure is not settled, will he give an assurance that the Government perfect, but we are greatly relieved that at last something will look at using that money for other asbestos-related is happening on behalf of sufferers all over the country. diseases or research? Has the Minister made any special provision for legal costs in the scheme? Mike Penning: We expect there to be a surge, and that is why the scheme has received Government funding, Mike Penning: The hon. Gentleman must have been which will be claimed back. It would be improper for reading my notes, because I was just about to come to me to make a commitment now about how any money that. During the passage of the Bill, we made provision that might be left in the fund will be used. However, we for payment of £7,000 for legal costs to all successful are working closely with the Department of Health and claimants, which will be made on top of the 80% specialist research bodies. We are particularly focusing payment. I was adamant that that £7,000 would go to on the tissue bank, which is important in finding out the claimant or their families as the fund of last resort, why mesothelioma acts as it does so long after contact and not directly to any lawyer. It is up to the individual with asbestos; a gestation period of 40 or 50 years is not to decide whom they appoint and how much they pay unusual. them. If there is money in the fund when the review happens, We are looking carefully at the operation of the whoever is the Minister at the time—I may still be in scheme and the website, and we think that many people place; one never knows—will look at how best to use it. will be able to make claims without the need for legal I am conscious that if I take any more praise from the advice. If they can do so and they spend none of the Opposition, my reputation will be diminished enormously. £7,000, they will keep the money. If they spend part of With that in mind, I commend the regulations to the it on legal fees, they will keep the remainder. It is House. important the moneys do not simply go off to lawyers as they have done in other, not dissimilar, schemes. 6.19 pm Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): I am very Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab): I congratulate pleased to see the progress that has been made on the the Minister on the progress that has been made. Any introduction of the scheme and, at risk of doing further progress towards the 100% that the Opposition believe damage to the Minister’s reputation, I should like to to be justifiable is a step in the right direction. Can he join colleagues from across the House in congratulating assure the House that the legal payment of £7,000 will him on taking this further step towards ultimately, we not be a pro rata payment, and that claimants will hope, securing full justice for mesothelioma victims. I receive the full amount even if they do not use it all on want to take this opportunity to pay tribute again to the legal advice? many campaigners involved, especially the victim support groups and trade unionists, and to acknowledge that Mike Penning: Let me try to be as blunt as I possibly the uplift in the level of payments was pressed for in can, which is not unusual for me. The £7,000 is theirs. both Houses of Parliament and across all parties. I am Even though the money is targeted at legal fees, how grateful to the Minister for highlighting the contribution claimants spend it is entirely up to them. As I have said, of our much-missed colleague and friend, Paul Goggins. we are trying to make the application as simple as We are all pleased that the Minister has been able to possible. If they spend none of the money—remembering bring this increase to the House. I note that he intends that we are talking about a fund of last resort for those to achieve the increase in payments through negative who have been unable to find their employer or their regulations to be tabled immediately after the regulations employer’s insurer, and that, sadly, the money will often before us come into force. On that basis, we are entirely go to the dependants and loved ones of sufferers of this happy to accept the motion before us tonight, although terrible disease—they will be able to keep all of it. it is clear that the amount of scheme payments in Others, including hon. Members and trade unions, will schedule 4 do not represent the level of payments that assist them to ensure that they are not ripped off. The we now expect to be made. important point is that the £7,000 is an additional sum The Minister said that he had been able to achieve on top of the 80%. the increase in payments because of savings made on I know that some colleagues are disappointed that we the administration costs. He will recall that I suggested have not moved to 100%. Some colleagues may also be doing exactly that in Committee on 12 March 2013, so I disappointed about the cut-off date, which we discussed am pleased that he has been able to take up my suggestion. extensively during deliberations on the Bill. As I have Will he give us a little more information about exactly said—the right hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne where the savings have been found? We have discussed East (Mr Brown) will understand this as a former this before in Committee. The Government’s impact Minister—I did not want to delay compensation by assessment told us last November that an uplift in 601 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma)17 MARCH 2014 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma) 602 payments from 75% to 80% of average civil damages impact assessment has now been reduced, and if so, by would cost an additional £11 million in the first four how much? What effect will that have on the handling years of the scheme, and an additional £22 million over of cases, and what impact will it have on claimants? the first 10 years of the scheme. It also stated that, with Will the Minister tell us whether the contract with the payments set at 75%: Gallagher Bassett International, which is to administer “The costs of the scheme are split between a levy of £371m on the scheme, includes a profit element? I assume that it the insurance industry and £17m in government funding. This does. If so, is it included in the running costs? If the covers scheme payments direct to individuals (£261.4m), benefit additional funds to meet payments at 80% have been recovery (£72.2m), applicant legal fees (£24.6m) and admin of found elsewhere, rather than from the costs I have just £30.0m (including case legal fees of £24.2m, set up of £1.4m and mentioned, will he tell us exactly where we should look? running costs of £4.4m).” He has just told us that the levy on the insurance The Minister will recall our extensive discussions in industry would remain at 3%. I had hoped that the Committee about the detail of those admin costs, and Government’s commitment to maintain it at 3% would about the legal fees within them. As the impact assessment appear in the regulations, but it has not done so. Will he shows, there are two sets of legal fees involved: applicants’ tell us whether payment at 80% remains affordable fees, at £24.6 million, and case legal fees, at £24.2 million. within a levy of 3%, during and beyond the first four However, despite extensive discussion in Public Bill years of the scheme? Committee—and despite what he has said tonight, which is reassuring—I am still unclear about the respective Mike Penning: We have always tried to have a consensus, levels and purpose of the two sets of legal fees. and I thought the shadow Minister knew that that was Claimants’ legal fees were set at £7,000 per case when exactly what I had said. That is exactly what is going to the legislation was first introduced in the House of happen, and I do not know why she is going over this Lords, when payment was set at 70% of average civil old ground again. We went through all this in Committee, damages. During the passage of the Bill through the and she seems to be reiterating the arguments that she House of Lords, the legal fees were reduced to £2,000 made at that time. We are talking about the regulations per case and payments increased to 75%. I think we that are now before us, and we need to get through this understood that to be a quid pro quo. But later, during tonight so that the compensation can be paid. the Committee stage in the Commons, legal fees reverted to £7,000. The Minister told us that he had had discussions Kate Green: I am simply trying to understand where with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the additional £11 million has been found. It would be felt £7,000 to be a reasonable figure after all. However, helpful to the House if we knew that. We are particularly he also said that if cases could be conducted more anxious that this should not have a detrimental effect cheaply, applicants would nonetheless receive the full on the way in which the scheme works for claimants. I £7,000. He has confirmed that again this evening, which know that the Minister does not want that to happen, we welcome. That did not cut much ice with the hon. but it would be helpful to understand how he can give and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham us an assurance that it will not. (Stephen Phillips) in Committee. As a lawyer himself, On some of the other aspects of the scheme, regulation he might be assumed to have some insight into lawyers’ 5 sets out the general duties of the scheme administrator, thought processes in these matters. He suggested that if including a duty to take reasonable steps to publicise £7,000 was the assumed rate for the job, that would de the scheme. Now that the administrator has been appointed, facto become the tariff, whether it accurately reflected will the Minister tell us more about how that will be lawyers’ costs or not. achieved? What discussions have taken place with the Now the Minister tells us that extra moneys have administrator to ensure the widest possible dissemination been squeezed out of the admin costs to fund a further, of information about the scheme to those who might and very welcome, uplift in payments. Can he tell us have a claim under it, and what discussions are taking exactly where it has come from? He has placed on place with trade unions, victims’ groups and others to record that £7,000 per head remains the sum allocated ensure the widest possible promotion of the scheme? to applicants for their legal fees, and that if their actual Have health care professionals in the NHS been alerted fees fall short of that amount, they will receive the to it, and will there be clear signposting to the application difference, in cash, up to £7,000. If there are no changes process? in the position in relation to applicants’ legal fees, can I was pleased to hear the Minister say a moment ago he tell us where he has found the additional £11 million, that he expected applications to be accepted with effect or £22 million, necessary to pay for the uplift in payments from 6 April. However, there is nothing on the Department to 80%? for Work and Pensions website explaining how people On the face of it, the extra money must come from a should make an application—or at least, there was no combination of the other admin costs. Will the Minister such information there two or three hours ago, when I tell us what he now assesses the running costs and last checked. The Minister will understand the importance set-up costs of the scheme to be? Have those costs of making that information available very quickly, given decreased since the impact assessment was conducted? the poor prognosis of the disease. Will he tell us when If so, will he tell us by how much, and how that was he expects the application form to be available, and how achieved? Will he tell us how much is now allocated for claimants will be able to access it? case legal fees, as opposed to applicant legal fees? I am Regulation 5(4) requires the scheme administrator still struggling to understand what these encompass, to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of suitably but the Minister assured us in Committee that they qualified persons to determine applications under the would be incurred for the benefit of claimants. Will he scheme. Will the Minister tell us more about the likely therefore tell us whether the sum of £24.2 million in the professional background and qualifications of those 603 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma)17 MARCH 2014 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma) 604

[Kate Green] and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham that in conducting a review, the administrator must persons, and in particular about their independence and ensure that anyone who had responsibility for the original how they will be employed? Will they be employees determination will play no role in the consideration of of the scheme administrator, or might they work on that review. a freelance basis? Is it possible that they could have a I am disappointed that schedule 2 continues to include conflict of interest if they held other appointments or eligibility for payments under the Turner and Newall roles within the insurance industry at the same time? schemes as grounds for exclusion from access to this How would such conflicts be identified and dealt with, scheme. As the Minister knows from our discussion in and how will the public and claimants be reassured of Committee, this will leave a number of people considerably the independence of those employed to take decisions worse off than if they had been able to access this in the scheme? scheme. I had hoped he would have wanted to be as I welcome the provisions in regulation 9 on time generous as possible to those sufferers, and I regret that limits for applications. The Minister has made good on he has not been able to do that. his assurance in Committee that applicants would have Finally, may I ask the Minister to say a little more on three years from the date of diagnosis or three years a discussion that took place a few moments ago in from when the regulations come into force if diagnosis relation to the review of the scheme? I welcome the is after 25 July 2012 but before they come into effect. commitment in regulation 27 to annual review of these However, there are concerns about time limits when we regulations, but will he be absolutely clear that in addition look at regulation 18. there will be a full review of the scheme after four years? Generally, if a claimant dies before the case is determined, In Committee, he told us: a payment may be made to his or her personal representative “It is very important that the insurance companies know that in the event that they leave no dependants. This will, the 3% is there. In Committee in the other place, Lord Freud however, still leave a small group of mesothelioma committed to a review at the end of the smoothing period, after sufferers without dependants who were diagnosed on or four years, to see exactly how things were going…I will place that after 25 July 2012, but who died before they could make fact in regulations so that the Committee has confidence that a an application, for example because the forms were not review will take place after the four-year smoothing period. At that point, we will have a much better idea of how much the levy available. In those cases, it is my understanding that collector is collecting. We may be able to spend that by increasing no payment will be made to the deceased’s personal the percentage, or we may be able to do other things with representative. That seems unjust. It has been clear in it.”––[Official Report, Mesothelioma [Lords] Public Bill Committee, all our discussions that the Government’s firm intention 10 December 2013; c. 77-8.] is for claims to be met for anyone with a diagnosis after That is important, since by my calculation an even 25 July 2012, and it cannot be right that a small group, more generous level of payment—at least 90% of average who otherwise would qualify, should be excluded. Will civil compensation—could be affordable within the the Minister say what he intends to do to address that proposed 3% levy after the first four years of the situation? scheme. I had hoped the regulations would specifically I welcome regulation 11, which sets time limits for the provide for a four-year review to take place, but they do provision of additional information. That was a suggestion not. Will the Minister say why they do not and what his made by my noble Friend Lord Browne, in discussion intentions are in that regard? with the Minister’s officials. I am very pleased that it Let me sum up as follows: we warmly welcome the has been taken on board. I must emphasise my continuing progress that has been made towards the establishment concern, however, that where information is needed of the diffuse mesothelioma payments scheme and we from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs—a situation certainly have no intention of delaying or opposing the I raised in Committee and on Report—the problem of regulations, but there remain a number of outstanding HMRC insisting on a court order to release the employment issues. I hope the Minister will be able to respond and records of deceased claimants remains totally unresolved. offer further reassurance on them. This is a very serious matter, since it risks building in delay and costs for claimants accessing the scheme. On 6.35 pm Report, the Minister assured the House that a suitable Tracey Crouch (Chatham and Aylesford) (Con): I do vehicle for dealing with this problem would be found in not wish to detain the House long. As the Member who good time for the establishment of the scheme, and I tabled the amendment on Report and put it to a vote, I recall that he responded positively to the suggestion of was disappointed when the Government did not listen the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh) to the call to raise compensation to 80%. Members will that it could be dealt with in secondary legislation. therefore not be surprised to learn that I am delighted There is, however, no sign of any such provision in the that progress has been made and that the Minister and regulations before us. Indeed, as recently as 25 February, his officials have managed to find savings, through the I received a letter from the Exchequer Secretary to the tendering process, to ensure that those who contract Treasury which suggests that the Government have this dreadful and fatal condition receive the compensation made absolutely no progress whatever on the matter they deserve. since we discussed it at the beginning of January. That is It is worth reminding the House that mesothelioma is really concerning, given the imminent launch of the one of the worst diseases that anyone can contract scheme. I hope the Minister will be able to update us on simply by going to work. There is no reason behind what urgent action the Government are taking. having mesothelioma other than exposure to asbestos. I welcome the provision in regulation 18, which provides Unfortunately, those who do contract it often die very for the applicant to request a review of a determination— quickly, leaving their dependants without the financial another of Lord Browne’s suggestions. I also welcome security that they would have hoped to have provided in regulation 24, which adopts the suggestion of the hon. any other circumstances. 605 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma)17 MARCH 2014 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma) 606

The Mesothelioma Act 2014 provides compensation of the scheme, so no one could reasonably criticise him to those who are unable to get compensation via the civil for the way in which he has carried out his responsibilities; claims process. Increasing the compensation level to I hope that the Government Whips and the Leader of 80% is the right thing to do. I know there is still disagreement the House, who are listening, will find that satisfactory. across the House on the level of compensation, but Having spelled that out, I must add that the Minister there was consensus on an initial minimum compensation has done everything that he could to help the victims of level of 80%. Other hon. Members may wish to increase this terrible condition. I pay tribute to him for that that to 90% or even 100%. The perfect outcome would work, and to Lord Freud for his work in the other place. be 100%, but that is unachievable, and I believe that 80% Above all, I pay tribute to the Minister for sticking is the right figure to settle on at this stage. with this issue, because not every Minister would have Following Report, many people across the country—not done so; it is not a popular issue in Whitehall. It may be just in my constituency—contacted me to ask when the appropriate for me to conclude the thanks that are due scheme would start and how they would be able to by thanking the civil servants in the Minister’s Department access it. Will the Government ensure that a “How to” who have helped us to reach this point. Once the guide is published on the website and is readily available administrator of the scheme was established, some issues for all victims? must have become clearer. It must have been easier to see whether an agreement could be reached on the Mike Penning: It is important that we make the vexed issue of whether the compensation level should scheme as simple as possible. There will be a direct link be the 75% at which it stood at the end of the Bill’s on the Department for Work and Pensions website to Committee stage, the 70% at which it stood when it the administrator’s website. We want to make that as simple started life, or the 100% that I wanted, which always as possible so that, as I suggested earlier, in some cases seemed out of reach in view of the parameters of the the legal profession will not need to be involved. I urge scheme. As I have said, the Minister stuck with this, and colleagues and representative bodies to get the information has brought us to 80%. I must say to him, “Well done.” out there. The administrators will do that, and we need to do that in constituencies where mesothelioma has The Minister has also preserved the “3% or less” blighted the lives of so many. All hon. Members across parameter on which the industry would no doubt have the House have websites, and they should use them to insisted. That is an industry figure, and there is some promote the scheme. scepticism about it on the Opposition Benches. In the letter that he courteously sent to those who were members Tracey Crouch: I am grateful to the Minister for that of the Committee, he said that he felt that it would be response. It is very important that we make it as simple possible to keep the cost to less than 3%. I wonder as possible for people to understand exactly how to whether he is able to tell us today how much less, and access the scheme. As long as they are aware that it is a whether this scheme of last resort involves a trade-off scheme of last resort, and have gone through the appropriate between that and a yet higher compensation level for civil process, we can do what is best to ensure that victims. It is early days, and I do not criticise the victims and their families receive compensation quickly Minister. I have no reason to doubt his good faith in and fairly. these matters; indeed, far from it. He has stuck his neck There has been good progress, and that is a fitting out for our side as far as one would expect any Minister tribute to the late Paul Goggins. The issue of mesothelioma to do. However, having seen the calculations produced is wider than just compensation, although that is very by his Department, I should like to hear something important, and I will do my bit to continue to fight on about the period over which the costs will be spread. many of the issues on which he made a start, such as Perhaps he could tell us whether there is any prospect of better research funding to ensure that we find a cure; taking the compensation rate in this scheme of last resort that is beyond the remit of the Minister’s Department. I closer to the 100% that many of us think is justified. recognise that the Minister has done an incredible job. We have had to sacrifice our wishes for an earlier He has not just listened to Members in all parts of the start date for eligibility. Opposition Members still think House, but ensured that the level was increased, and that that eligibility should start from the date on which the those in the insurance industry settled for that. I will not last Labour Government consulted on the introduction say that they have welcomed that, or are happy with it, of a scheme of this kind. We believe that the consultation but they have settled for it, and they have not walked exercise, during which the Government made it clear away from the scheme. It will provide valuable financial that they were minded to legislate, raised legitimate security for those who contract this dreadful disease. expectations in the minds of potential applicants. I wonder whether there is room for a little more generosity 6.39 pm within the scheme’s parameters. The cost of picking up Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab): the several hundred cases that I understand to be involved It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Chatham would be a one-off; continuing costs would not be and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch), and to find myself incurred, because eligibility would have to fall between broadly on the same side of the argument as her. I the start date advocated by the Opposition and the date particularly thank her for her kind words about Paul on which the Government settled. Goggins, who had many friends in all parts of the The Minister said that he wanted a clear-cut scheme House, and who made a really significant contribution that would be easy to access and would not put undue to our debates on the Bill and on the issue more pressure on applicants. I welcome that, but applicants generally. He is still sadly missed. still have to demonstrate that they are eligible. It is up to The Minister has stuck to the departmental briefing them to show that there is not still an employer whom that was agreed with the Treasury, and to his original they can sue, or an insurer who has an obligation to pay agreement with the insurance industry on the parameters compensation. That is a big responsibility to put on the 607 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma)17 MARCH 2014 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma) 608

[Mr Nicholas Brown] with in England by the Department, and that number of cases, as you of all people will well know, Madam shoulders of an applicant. I welcomed what the Minister Deputy Speaker, is a precursor to the number of said about the £7,000 and the legal costs, but someone compensation claims that there will be—if, that is, the who puts £7,000 in front of a claims farmer or a lawyer injury was inflicted through work. The House will be will be presented with a bill of about £7,000. distressed to learn that the number is still rising. The number identified by the Department is now over 7,000 a Ian Mearns: I agree with my right hon. Friend that year, and that is not a very easy fit with the projection of proving that one has been susceptible to exposure to the number of fatalities coming from the Department asbestos during a long and sometimes diverse career via the Health and Safety Executive. can be very tough. I know that a number of people who have succumbed to mesothelioma have not worked in Ian Lavery: With regard to public sector workers, heavy industry but have, for instance, taught in schools 10,000 teachers died because of mesothelioma. Does in which asbestos has been present. It is very difficult to my right hon. Friend agree that we have to look seriously prove exposure, because asbestos fibres often lie dormant at the impact on children in schools where asbestos is in the lungs for decades. present? If an adult—a teacher or a caretaker—can get mesothelioma from being at school, what has happened Mr Brown: My hon. Friend and constituency neighbour to the kids? is absolutely right. The effects of this horrible condition can be with a victim for decades, but once full-blown Mr Brown: Like my hon. Friend, I stand up for every mesothelioma has been diagnosed, life expectancy is single individual who has been exposed to asbestos. extremely short. It is no accident that the north-east of This is an entirely preventable condition. Although I England is disproportionately represented on the Opposition understand why in law we draw the distinctions we do, Benches today, because we represent people who are in morally this is not right. We should set out to save each the older tranche of victims. I know that I do not need and every one of the citizens we represent from being to explain this to the Minister. I am talking about exposed to this awful condition. That applies to young people who worked in heavy engineering, shipbuilding children, too. My hon. Friend will recall me referring and ship repair, people who sprayed carriages with to the young children who found a pile of asbestos just asbestos, and thermal insulation laggers. Members of lying in a yard in Leeds, and who threw it at each other that generation were the victims of those industries. as if it were snowballs. Of course, the inevitable happened, However, as my hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead and 40 years later they are coming down with mesothelioma, (Ian Mearns) pointed out, the new victims will be but whom do they sue? teachers who have been scraping on asbestos-based boards, school caretakers and janitors who have breathed Mike Penning: As I said on Report, I think, and in asbestos from insulation that is flaking because it has certainly in the Committee stage of the Mesothelioma not been properly lagged, and builders who have carried Bill, I hope this is the start of a fund of last resort in out occasional repairs without being properly protected other areas as well. What the hon. Member for Wansbeck against the asbestos that they were drilling into, and (Ian Lavery) and the right hon. Member for Newcastle have generated dust. upon Tyne East (Mr Brown) are alluding to is a public liability area, not liability for employers. It is absolutely Mike Penning: The right hon. Gentleman is right to right that we should try to protect everybody, but sadly say that there has been a disproportionate effect in the I think I have gone as far as I can within the scope of north-east in particular because of the heavy industry the regulations and the scheme before us. there, and to mention many of the organisations involved. However, in such cases it is relatively easy to trace the Mr Brown: I welcome what the Minister says. If any victims’ employers, because they are large companies in Minister could take this forward in government, he large industries. This scheme is intended to cover cases would be the Minister to do so. I thank him for what in which we cannot find the employers, and hence the he has done, and welcome what is in front of us tonight. insurers, who are legally responsible. That is why it is a scheme of last resort. As for the right hon. Gentleman’s other point, I think it is absolutely right for us to help, 6.52 pm because the scheme will not work if a large number of Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Dwyfor Meirionnydd) (PC): It is a people resort to it when they could have claimed elsewhere. pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Newcastle We need to help them to obtain compensation from the upon Tyne East (Mr Brown) who made, as usual, a very source from which they deserve it. thought-provoking, good and balanced contribution. I would also like to associate myself sincerely with all the Mr Brown: I agree with the Minister that in the public genuine and heartfelt tributes to our late friend and sector it should be easier to trace a responsible insurer, colleague Paul Goggins, who worked tirelessly on this and indeed a responsible employer, but there is a rich issue—as I know he did on many others, but he was history of subcontracting, even in the public sector, and particularly involved with this issue for many years. As not all these people have insurers who maintain liability. the hon. Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey It is the missing insurer, as well as the missing contracting Crouch) said, this is a fitting tribute to him as well. or subcontracting company, who generates the cases The scheme we are debating today is of course a step with which this last-resort scheme is intended to deal. forward for victims of this disease, many of whom will The Minister is right to anticipate more public sector for the first time be given recourse to compensation if cases in the future. I have asked the Department of the insurers of their former employers cannot be traced. Health how many mesothelioma cases were being dealt There are, however, problems with this scheme which 609 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma)17 MARCH 2014 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma) 610 were highlighted in part from the outset, and indeed model of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, from the Second Reading of the Mesothelioma Bill which pays out 90% of the value of civil compensation onwards, and some of these problems are still with us. claims to individuals exposed to asbestos before employer’s The hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate liability insurance was made compulsory in 1972. Green) detailed several of them. Finally, the fact that claimants will be eligible for First, the scheme, which was established under the compensation under this scheme only if they were diagnosed Mesothelioma Act 2014, will apply only to the victims on or before 25 July 2012 is arbitrary and will be suffering from mesothelioma and will do nothing for desperately unfair on many. However, as was argued in those with other asbestos-related conditions, such as both Houses in debates on the Mesothelioma Bill, it asbestosis. That seems fundamentally unfair. I hope would surely make far more sense to allow all claimants that the Government will consider implementing similar to claim compensation if they were diagnosed during or schemes for all victims of asbestos-related diseases who before February 2010, when an initial draft of this are unable to trace the insurers of their former employers. scheme was first proposed, or when the consultation Secondly, it seems to me to be equally unfair that the was proposed, as the right hon. Member for Newcastle victims who are eligible for compensation under this upon Tyne East said. Just before the 2010 general scheme will be able to claim not 100% of the average election, the then Government began a consultation compensation claim but, rather, 80%. The individuals proposing that an employer’s liability insurance bureau who will find themselves in a position to make a claim should compensate all individuals with industrial diseases for compensation through this scheme will not only who were unable to trace their employer’s insurers. I am have been exposed to asbestos, but will also have had to pleased that, in any event, that is now coming through. go through the rigmarole of attempting to trace the However, individuals diagnosed between these two dates employers’ insurers only to find that it cannot be done, are being left out of the scheme through no fault of thus they are being penalised for others’ negligence. their own, but simply because the Government did not perhaps expedite the scheme sufficiently. I also remind the Government that an individual is not usually alive for very long after being diagnosed I find it difficult to be hyper-critical, because I know with this awful disease. Yet still, dependants will be left that this measure will make a huge difference to many with only 80% of the average value of a compensation people, and broadly speaking we all appreciate that. claim after their loved one has passed away. Of course, However, the insurance industry could surely afford until very recently the Government were determined also to compensate those falling between the two dates, that the victim should be able to gain only 75%. We not least since the industry’s costs will be lowered, as it heard that the Minister recently sent a letter stating that will not be entering into negotiations on a case-by-case the figure has been raised to 80%, and we are grateful basis, but awarding average compensation to claimants. for that. We are grateful that he has moved on the issue, I hope we can build on the progress thus far, in order, having heard representations, as the right hon. Member somehow or other, to compensate these people, who, as for Newcastle upon Tyne East said. I also understand I have said, are being dealt with detrimentally for no that the letter specifies that applicants can now expect good reason and through no fault of their own. After to receive average payments of about £123,000 prior to that long diatribe, I can say that there is no doubt that benefit recovery, as well as £7,000 towards legal fees. this scheme will assist many people, and I am sure we are all very grateful for that. We have heard from several Members this evening about the £7,000 for legal fees and the fact that people 7pm presume that lawyers will just take the money and do as little as they can. Speaking as a lawyer—I have been a Mike Penning: Although some of this evening’s solicitor and I am a barrister—I remind those who will discussions were similar to those we have had previously, have to claim that they are entitled to have the lawyer’s it was right and proper that many colleagues reiterated bill evaluated independently by a professional body and some of their concerns about the scheme and how it is if it is found to be too much, the lawyer will pay it back. going to work, particularly in respect of the regulations. It is a straightforward procedure and will cost the As we discussed at length during the passage of the applicant nothing. More often than not, these professional Mesothelioma Bill, which is now an Act, there are bodies are very strict in not allowing huge, unwarranted different callings on the money in the pot—let us bring fees to go unchallenged. it down to basics. There were calls for us to go further I would argue that claimants should be entitled to back with the scheme, not only to when the previous 100% compensation, but it is easy to say that. I know Administration made the announcement, but even further; the Government have worked hard and that the dead to move the compensation percentage from 75 to 80; to hand of the Treasury floats above us all, day in, day out, include others in the scheme, perhaps the wife, spouse particularly those on the Treasury Bench. However, the or loved one of someone working in this industry who Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979— had contracted mesothelioma as a result of cleaning her which I am proud to say my party, Plaid Cymru, was husband’s overalls—I am not being sexist, but that instrumental in introducing—did introduce 100% was the environment at the time; and to be generous in compensation. Indeed, Dafydd Wigley, then a Member other ways. of Parliament, together with another colleague, drove it The right hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne through and had an understanding with the Labour East (Mr Brown) was kind enough to allude to the fact Government that it should be introduced. My friend that I inherited the Bill. Lord Freud had done a fantastic the noble Lord Wigley, as he now is, was instrumental in job. When the Bill entered the Lords the compensation introducing the legislation before us in the other place, figure was 70% and he is the one who got the insurers and I am pleased to say that it is coming to fruition. around the table to come up with any scheme whatsoever— However, at the very least the scheme should follow the herding cats is probably a good way of describing it. 611 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma)17 MARCH 2014 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma) 612

[Mike Penning] what should I do? Can you please help me?” Is that the system that operates at the moment? If it is not, it I am sure that the Association of British Insurers will should be. not like me saying that, but it is one of the reasons why, even when previous Administrations tried to do this—the Ian Lavery: I will second that. right hon. Gentleman tried and so did Paul Goggins—it has taken so long. In the end we did a deal—let us be Mike Penning: The motion is not carried. I appreciate honest, we did a deal at 3% which would not be passed that my hon. and gallant Friend has not been with us on to new business. We then started to frame where the for all the debates on this, but I am afraid that that is money could go in the scheme of last resort. not the case. This is a scheme of last resort. In most Assumptions were made and some are still being cases, people who get this abhorrent, horrible and made today, even though we have appointed a scheme preventable disease will be able to claim from their administrator, which has cost us less—that was what employer and thus their employer’s insurance. Employer’s the shadow Minister was asking about earlier. Assumptions liability insurance is compulsory. The stakeholder groups were made about case legal fees—I am no lawyer, but and the trade unions have been excellent over the years. my brief says that. Legal fees were highlighted by the I pay tribute not only to them but to Members across shadow Minister and there are case legal fees that we the House for representing people with mesothelioma, now know we do not need, so we have saved money. I because it is a horrible and terminal disease. The employers could have gone to 81% today, but that would have who put those people into this position should be liable. stretched the credibility of my honesty to the House This has to be a scheme of last resort. and to the sufferers in terms of making sure the scheme is safe. A myriad different questions have been asked Kate Green: Can the Minister say what progress he during our consideration of the regulations, but the and the Government are making in order to obtain crux of the matter is: how far could we go without employers’ records from HMRC? He is right that most putting the scheme at risk. That is why I have resisted people will be able to make a claim against an employer, some suggestions throughout our consideration, even but they will need to be able to obtain those records to though my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and do so. Aylesford (Tracey Crouch) rightly pushed me very hard. As the Minister, I had to stand firm until I knew how Mike Penning: The hon. Lady is absolutely correct, much money was in the pot—how much the scheme and we are still working with HMRC to ensure that that was going to cost us. So we are where we are. happens. If necessary, we will introduce legislation. However, at the moment, the Data Protection Act prevents Ian Lavery: Will the Minister assure the House that us from doing that. I explained that in Committee. I am he will examine an anomaly outside the 3%: the situation sure that that was never the intention, but it is one of of the people who receive 80% compensation but will the restrictions that the Treasury lawyers have had to have 100% of their benefits taken? Is it not right that look at. anybody who gets 80% of what they should get should I want to deal with a couple of issues quickly because have to pay only 80% of the benefits back, too? I do not want to delay the House. Should beneficiaries of someone who qualifies under the scheme—not dependants or loved ones—get a payment? The answer Mike Penning: I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman is that they will not, because the scheme is designed for raising the issue again. I do not think there is an specifically for the sufferers of this terrible disease, their argument with the moral position, but the legal position loved ones and their dependants to allow them to get on is something completely different. When someone gets with their lives. benefits—the right hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East is nodding because he was dealing with On the £7,000 payment, we will look enormously exactly the same schemes—and then gets compensation, closely with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, those benefits are reclaimed to the taxpayer. That is our own lawyers and the Ministry of Justice to ensure what happens across the board. I said all along that I that no rip-offs take place. would love to have paid 100%—my heart tells me that—but it has not been possible. I would like to have touched on Ian Lavery rose— a lot of the things that the right hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East discussed in his speech such Mike Penning: Bear with me for a second, because as groups of people outside the scheme. I would like to I need to make a tiny bit of progress on this. have dealt with those outside employee liability and The scheme is as simple as we can possibly make it. with public liability. We talked earlier about young There is a huge amount of skill out there among the children in schools today who might inhale a tiny stakeholders who know this disease and the compensation fraction of asbestos into their lungs and, 40 or 50 years scheme back to front. I think that quite a bit of the from today, might get a preventable disease. It would be £7,000, if not most of it, will stay with the people who in their lungs and there is a possibility that they would are claiming. get mesothelioma, which is terminal, and die within four to nine months. Ian Lavery: Does the right hon. Gentleman share my fears that once the £7,000 becomes common knowledge Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): I apologise for my there will be claims farmers advertising in every paper ignorance, but once a person has been diagnosed with up and down the country? Can the Minister say whether this dreadful disease should they not go straight to a claims farmers will be able to claim part of that £7,000, civil servant and say, “I have been diagnosed with this, or is it strictly for the legal profession? 613 Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma) 17 MARCH 2014 614

Mike Penning: It is being paid directly to those who Business of the House are beneficiaries of the fund, and it is for them to decide who they pay it to. When we introduced these regulations, 7.10 pm I was absolutely adamant that the lawyers should not get direct payments from this scheme. I am not a lawyer The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew Lansley): and I have seen what happened before, but because I beg to move, everybody knows exactly where we are and how simple That at the sitting on Tuesday 18 March: the scheme is I would tell the stakeholders and everyone (1) proceedings on the motion in the name of the Prime else to shop around to make sure that they are not Minister relating to Ukraine may continue for three hours and ripped off. There are decent lawyers out there even shall then lapse if not previously disposed of; and though there are some scallywags as well. (2) notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Union documents), The four-year review, which the shadow Minister the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of specifically asked for, is in place. This is an important proceedings on the motions in the name of Secretary Eric Pickles set of regulations that will ensure that we get this relating to Local Government not later than three hours after the compensation through as soon as possible. I have not commencement of proceedings on the first such motion; proceedings been able to answer all the questions that have been on those motions may continue, though opposed, after the moment asked this evening, but I will write to hon. Members, of interruption; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply. including those on the Opposition Front Bench, with the answers. I hope that the House will pass the regulations Last Thursday, during the business statement, I this evening so that we can get the compensation to announced three items of business for consideration those who deserve it so much. tomorrow, Tuesday 18 March. They are a general debate on Ukraine, the consideration of motions to approve Question put and agreed to. statutory instruments on combined authority orders Resolved, and the consideration of a motion on three EU proposals That the draft Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme Regulations on criminal justice. The business motion before the 2014, which were laid before this House on 3 February, be House will control those proceedings. approved. The effect of passing the motion will be to allow three hours for the debate on Ukraine. It is an important debate and I am pleased that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will update the House during the opening of the debate before appearing before the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs tomorrow afternoon. The House has been kept up to date with statements, but it is important that there is also a debate so that we can hear from Members. I have provided Government time for that and we will continue to keep the situation of how the House is kept informed and can discuss such important issues under review. The motion also allows for statutory instruments relating to combined authority orders to be considered for up to three hours. They are important orders that affect a large number of members and their constituents. I hope that the House agrees that it would be for the convenience of members for them to be debated together on the Floor of the House. If the motion is not passed tonight, those four motions would be taken separately for up to 90 minutes each. I do not think that that is a sensible way to proceed. We will also debate a motion on three EU proposals on criminal justice for up to 90 minutes, as provided for under Standing Order No. 16. That business is therefore not directly covered by tonight’s motion as it is already governed by Standing Orders. I commend the motion to the House. Question put and agreed to.

PETITION Bingo Duty

7.12 pm Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): It is my pleasure to present a petition signed by 220 people that was arranged by those who enjoy bingo at Palace Bingo in Felixstowe. I thank Vivienne Warren for organising the petition. 615 Business of the House 17 MARCH 2014 616

[Dr Thérèse Coffey] Transport Infrastructure (South of England) The petition states: The Petition of the people of Suffolk Coastal, Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Amber Rudd.) Declares that the bingo industry is currently subjected to bingo duty at 20% whereas most other forms of gambling are taxed at 15% and further that the Petitioners believe that bingo venues 7.14 pm offer a pleasant and safe environment for people to come together and enjoy themselves. Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) (Con): I am delighted The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons to have the opportunity this evening to raise the important urges the Government to reduce bingo duty from 20% to 15% so issue of transport infrastructure in the south of England. investment can take place in the bingo industry modernising In particular, I want to talk about the south coast, but premises and creating jobs. the regional economy of the south is undergoing deep And the Petitioners remain, etc. structural changes. Improved connectivity between our [P001332] southern cities and better links to the capital are vital if we are to ensure that no one gets left behind as we move forward. The presence of international hubs such as Portsmouth and Southampton means that the south and, in particular, my region of the Solent act as a gateway to the world. Good transport links are therefore crucial to connect local firms with the rest of the country and international markets. Unfortunately, people in the south too often feel cut off from prosperity due to unreliable and overcrowded transport links. The deep pockets of deprivation across the south coast will never be overcome while we have the second-rate transport network that we currently endure. Better connections would allow suppliers to reach more businesses, allow businesses to reach more customers, and allow customers to visit more towns to spend their hard-earned cash. In short, they would increase trade, create jobs and raise the living standards of people throughout the region. They are also vital if flagship Government projects such as the Solent enterprise zone, which is an attempt to breathe new life into the disused military airfield at Daedalus in my constituency, are to fulfil their economic potential and generate the employment and prosperity that are desperately needed. Such connections would help to spread investment and raise the living standards of some of the poorest people in the country. I know that the Government fully appreciate the importance of transport and I am glad that they are committed to investing in major developments of our rail and road networks, which are welcome and cannot come too soon after decades of rising congestion and chronic underinvestment. The UK now ranks 24th in the world for the quality of our roads, so the £28 billion that is to be spent on the maintenance and enhancement of national and local roads is long overdue. However, our debates about transport seem to focus too often on two issues: the need to deal with crises in capacity in the capital; and the nebulous desire to rebalance the economy from south to north. That dangerously overlooks the real and immediate need to invest in the south of England at a time when it is undergoing huge economic changes. It is often incorrectly assumed that the south of England is made up of leafy suburbs and rural shires that are untouched by poverty. Sadly, parts of the south suffer from shocking deprivation. In the town of Gosport, 19% of children live in poverty, and the proportion rises to 32% in parts of neighbouring Portsmouth. Gosport has less than half a job per working adult—it has one of the lowest ratios of people to jobs in the UK—which means that 20,000 people have to commute out to work every day along a single carriageway road. Given 617 Transport Infrastructure (South of 17 MARCH 2014 Transport Infrastructure (South of 618 England) England) that we have low average wages, it is a testament to my deal with the crisis in capacity. I join my hon. Friend the constituents’ strong work ethic that our unemployment Member for Portsmouth North (Penny Mordaunt) in rate is not significantly higher. her call for an express train from Portsmouth to London As both a peninsula and the largest town in the every half-hour. This is an excellent idea that could cut country without a train station, we are hugely reliant on journey times and relieve passenger congestion. our bus network. Unfortunately, recent commercial After decades of underinvestment, action to address decisions to change bus routes risk cutting people off the problems of nightmare roads such as the A32 is from prosperity, stifling aspiration and allowing pockets crucial. They were described by a Deputy Prime Minister of poverty to deepen. Local people are not afraid to get in the previous Government as strategically unimportant, on their bikes, as Gosport has the UK’s third highest which does not do much for the morale and self-esteem regular bicycle use. Everyone is doing their bit to try to of an area. Investment in the area would help my ease the congestion, but it is plainly insufficient to have constituents who frequently feel cut off from the prosperity a single carriageway on and off a peninsula. being enjoyed in other parts of the country. Better connections are therefore no vanity project; At a meeting earlier today Hampshire county council they are essential to fighting the deprivation that is transport team gave the green light to the Solent local endemic in communities throughout the south of England, enterprise partnership to bid for £90 million of Government and even more important as a result of recent heavy funding in order to make desperately needed road economic blows. Following BAE’s decision to end improvements around Gosport and Fareham. I hope shipbuilding in Portsmouth and the job cuts at Ford the Government will look seriously at this bid and in Southampton, the city deal for Portsmouth and understand that it is vital if we are to stand a chance of Southampton that the Government have announced is redressing decades of chronic underinvestment in our welcome, but to maximise the potential of that investment local transport infrastructure. This Government have a and subsequent business opportunities, we need to improve good record on investment for London and the north. links between towns and cities in the south. We need to make sure that every part of this country The distance between Portsmouth and Southampton has a modern transport infrastructure that is fit to face is just 20 miles, yet at peak times that journey can take the challenges of the 21st century. well over an hour by road. The journey by rail often takes the same time, as there are only two or three direct 7.22 pm trains an hour. Inevitably, slow journey times and poor The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport service frequency on the rail network mean that more (Stephen Hammond): I congratulate my hon. Friend the and more people take to the roads, thus clogging up the Member for Gosport (Caroline Dinenage) on securing already hideously busy M27. I have heard that it can be this debate. It follows on from an Adjournment debate quicker for commuters in the extreme western end of that I was delighted to respond to last week when, as my the Solent to get to Portsmouth via the Isle of Wight, hon. Friend pointed out, my hon. Friend the Member which involves taking two ferries, than by using the for Portsmouth North (Penny Mordaunt) made a number M27, which is clearly ridiculous. Such wholly inadequate of salient points about transport infrastructure in the connections are more than just an annoyance; they south of England. My hon. Friend the Member for hold back business. A study by Atkins estimates that Gosport clearly made the case tonight that this is a road congestion is already costing Hampshire around subject of great importance to her and her constituents, £400 million every year. More than that, it reduces the including businesses in the area. I am sure she will attractiveness of the area for future inward investment. remember that when she launched her innovative suggestion Work by Solent Transport shows that without the necessary that the HMS Daedalus site become an economic zone investment in transport infrastructure, the region could I was delighted to be with her and to support her on that miss out on around 8,000 jobs. first occasion, some 18 months ago. That campaign has The naval dockyard and the commercial port in been hugely successful and I shall comment on it later. Portsmouth are significant defence and economic assets My hon. Friend the Member for Gosport is right that to the UK, and the port of Southampton is seeing effective transport infrastructure is vital in supporting massive growth across all its key sectors. The port local communities, enabling people to access their master plan has identified that cruise passengers through workplace, and driving local economic growth, so it is Southampton will increase 113% between 2005 and right that we take time to debate these issues. She is 2020, and container handling is forecast to increase right, too, to point out that, as many of us who are 95% over the same period. In order to take full advantage Members of Parliament for constituencies in London of our great southern hubs, it needs to be easier to travel and the south of England know all too well, the south is between these two cities. not all leafy suburbs. As a man who was born and bred It is also vital that we improve links between London in Southampton, I am delighted that she raised the need and the south coast. It is often assumed that geographical for connections between Southampton and Portsmouth. proximity to the capital means fast connections, yet it They may have traditional rivalry in a number of things, takes longer to get from London to Portsmouth on the but the links between the two great cities of the south fast train than it does to get from London to Doncaster—a need improving. I am pleased that the Government are distance that is more than twice as far. These journeys clear that we need to invest in record amounts to are rarely pleasant, as both the trains and the stations maintain, upgrade and expand our road and rail are packed. Passenger journeys on South West Trains infrastructure. are up 22% in the past six years, and more people now go through Waterloo in three hours every morning than Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): I go to Southampton fly from Heathrow in an entire day. We need more trains by train quite a lot and I totally support what my hon. on the line as well as more carriages on those trains to Friend the Member for Gosport (Caroline Dinenage) 619 Transport Infrastructure (South of 17 MARCH 2014 Transport Infrastructure (South of 620 England) England) [Bob Stewart] As the Chancellor made clear in his statement in June last year, we will announce further infrastructure says about the time that it takes to get to Southampton improvements and commitments during the next period. from London. If we had an express link, as suggested The Government will invest £28 billion in enhancements by my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth North and maintenance of national and local roads. That (Penny Mordaunt), more people could get up to London includes £10.7 billion for national road schemes and and get more jobs, helping the depressed people of £4.9 billion for local major projects. In addition, £12 billion Portsmouth and Gosport. has been allocated for maintenance on both the local and the strategic road network, which means that 26 new Mr Hammond: My hon. and gallant Friend is right. major Highways Agency projects will go ahead, subject I will comment on rail infrastructure in a few moments, to the usual value-for-money and deliverability requirements. but I want at the outset to set the debate in context. My hon. Friend the Member for Gosport is specifically The Government inherited not only a budget deficit interested in the south-east, where we have committed to but an infrastructure deficit. In doing what we are delivering smart motorway schemes between junctions 9 doing, we will improve the growth potential of the and 14 of the M3 from Winchester to Southampton economy and boost demand. In total, between 2011 and between junctions 4 and 11 of the M27 from and 2014, we are investing £32 billion in roads, rail and Portsmouth to Southampton and the A27 Chichester local transport infrastructure, and between 2015 and bypass, subject to the finalisation of options and 2021 we are committed to a funding plan of some consideration of the business case. £56 billion, which will be spread across the length and The smart motorway schemes will allow us to make breadth of the country, including the south of England. maximum use of what we already have by delivering We are also working with local authorities to ensure additional capacity through the conversion of the hard that that is being shaped by local priorities. shoulder into an additional running lane. The schemes My hon. Friend the Member for Gosport was right can be delivered more quickly and provide more real to raise the issue of investment in rail infrastructure. We benefits than would be achieved through a conventional are committed to record levels of investment in the widening scheme. network, again supporting economic growth and jobs and delivering a greener and more efficient railway that The Highways Agency is also committed to an investment is better for freight and passengers. During the next of more than £10 million in two pinch point schemes in five years, Network Rail will be spending more than the Solent area, on junctions 3 and 5 of the M27. Those £38 billion running and expanding our railways. There junction improvements will help reduce congestion by are major infrastructure projects, as has been pointed increasing the capacity of the junctions, reducing the out several times before, in and around London as well journey times experienced by most road users and improving as across the country. A huge programme of electrification safety at the junctions. I hope that will ensure that the will provide faster and more reliable services on the sorts of delays my hon. Friend mentioned will no longer Great Western main line, including some of those from be experienced by those trying to travel on the M27 Southampton to the north of England, and there is a between Portsmouth, Gosport and Southampton. £50 million capital contribution towards the redevelopment My hon. Friend will be aware that the Highways of Gatwick airport station. Agency is currently conducting its route-based strategy I am clearly conscious that, as my hon. Friend the process, which is, importantly, involving local stakeholders Member for Gosport pointed out, Gosport is the largest in the consideration of future priorities. Such strategies city not directly connected to the national rail network. provide a new, smarter approach to investment planning She will know that different sections of the branch were across the network and will see much greater collaboration closed from the 1950s onwards. Network Rail is identifying with local interest groups to determine the nature and funding priorities for the Wessex route for the period need of future investment and to ensure that it follows 2019 to 2024, as well as the strategy beyond that. I know local priorities. that my hon. Friend has an aspiration that the town will We are in the process of producing a series of strategies be reconnected with the national network, and I encourage for the whole network, a number of which cover the her, as I did my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth south of England, including the south coast central North in an Adjournment debate last week, to engage route, which includes consideration of the A27; the with Network Rail. I will be happy to facilitate that Solent to midlands route, which includes the M27; and contact. Just as I said to my hon. Friend the Member the M25 to Solent route, which includes the A3 and M3. for Portsmouth North last week that I hope that in the near future there is the Mordaunt Flyer, I hope that The Highways Agency completed a series of local there will be the Dinenage Dynamo in the near future engagement events last autumn to help identify performance from Gosport. My hon. Friend the Member for Gosport issues and future challenges. I congratulate stakeholders is right to mention the number of people who wish to on their engagement in that process. travel to and from Waterloo. She will know that the My hon. Friend will also know that we are committed Government, working with Network Rail, are ensuring to identifying and funding early solutions to the long- that the Eurostar platforms will come back into use standing problems on the A27 corridor. Initially, there over a period of time, which will facilitate growth at will be a feasibility study. The A27 corridor study aims Waterloo. to work with local interest groups to identify the It is also important that the road network is fit for opportunities and understand the case for future investment purpose, and the Government have already announced solutions on the corridor. The outputs of the route-based increased levels of funding to deliver improvements all strategy work and the outcomes of the feasibility studies around the strategic road network. That is a step change. will inform the Department’s roads investment strategy, 621 Transport Infrastructure (South of 17 MARCH 2014 Transport Infrastructure (South of 622 England) England) which is currently being developed and put together I note that one of my hon. Friend’s particular priorities and which we have committed to publishing by the end is to improve the traffic flow in her constituency. I urge of the year. her to work with the Solent LEP to consider the local growth fund as a possibility for funding schemes that It is, rightly, widely recognised that the condition and will help deliver that priority. efficiency of local road networks is an essential contributor to economic growth. Practically all journeys start or Caroline Dinenage: I referred in my speech to the finish on those networks and they are relied on by local £90 million that Hampshire county council will ask the residents and local businesses alike. Responsibility for Solent LEP to make when it meets on Friday. That is all the maintenance and management of those networks part of the scheme mentioned by the Minister, which is lies with local authorities—in the case of Gosport, that about looking at roads in the Gosport and Fareham is Hampshire county council—and it is essential that area, including the A27 corridor, about which he has they spend money on that. Funding from the integrated spoken. I very much hope that the Government will transport block supports those networks, and from look very favourably on that bid. 2011-12 to 2014-15 the south-east and south-west will have received some £400 million for local transport Stephen Hammond: I obviously hear my hon. Friend’s schemes. plea. As she will know, a number of people will make In addition, in the autumn statement of 2012 we such a plea. introduced the local pinch point fund, which was designed I was going on to commend my hon. Friend, because to target local congestion and to ensure that we help the fact that the Solent LEP and Hampshire county facilitate the creation of jobs and the delivery of new council are working together will make their bid to the housing. To date, the Department has awarded local Government for a grant from this fund more powerful. authority funding of more than £266 million for From this Dispatch Box, as well as in writing and in 112 schemes across the whole of England, which, along one-to-one meetings, I have stressed to several colleagues with joint funding, will enable schemes costing more that it is absolutely essential for the local economic than £511 million to go ahead. One of the schemes partnership and the economic zone to work together, being delivered by Hampshire county council is designed which will certainly achieve a higher priority in assessments. to ease congestion for road users in Havant and help to She is right that it is clear that a LEP’s agreement to a unlock the Dunsbury Hill farm development site, a key scheme ensures that it is most likely to be in the strategic employment site between Waterlooville and Havant. economic plan, and although the process is competitive, Another scheme, which is being delivered by Southampton it is of course likely that the strongest bids will receive city council, will ensure that six key bridges in the city the biggest slices of funding. remain fit for purpose in the years to come. In conclusion, I again congratulate my hon. Friend Looking to the future, the Government have recently on securing this debate. The powerful case that she has announced plans to create a local growth fund from made tonight has reminded us of the importance of an 2015-16. The pot will be at least £2 billion a year until effective transport network for the economy. As I have 2021, and all LEPs across the country—including the made clear, this Government are committed to, and Solent LEP, which includes Gosport—will have the have set out plans for, large-scale investments now and opportunity to bid for funding through their strategic in the future to improve local and strategic networks economic plans, which are due to be submitted to the both in rail and on the road and—importantly—across Government by the end of this month. Among other the whole of this country, including the south of England. things, the fund will allow local people to identify and Question put and agreed to. local authorities to prioritise infrastructure schemes that they deem essential for economic growth in their 7.38 pm area. House adjourned.

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Media organisations were consulted previously by Written Statements the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee. However, in response to concerns expressed directly to me and Monday 17 March 2014 at the Second Reading debate, I met on 11 February representatives of both print and broadcast media groups, including lawyers and union representatives. The meeting was also attended by the hon. Member for Hayes and CABINET OFFICE Harlington (John McDonnell) as the secretary of the NUJ parliamentary group. At that meeting we agreed that our objectives were in fact the same and that City Deal we would work together to find a mutually agreeable amendment to the Bill. Some additional consultation is currently under way, I hope to be able to table such an The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Greg Clark): amendment at Report stage. Following the successful completion of the first wave of city deals in July 2012, with the “core cities”the Government committed to work with a further 20 cities and their wider areas to negotiate a second wave of city deals in Open Public Services October 2012. I can today inform the House that the Government, The Minister for Government Policy (Mr Oliver Letwin): businesses and civic leaders in Sunderland and South We are today announcing the publication of the annual Tyneside have reached agreement on a city deal. open public services progress report for 2014. This The Sunderland city deal, in partnership with South document shows the significant progress made by the Tyneside, will support the future development of the coalition Government in reforming our public services new international advanced manufacturing park—a against the five principles of open public services, originally proposed 100 hectare development to the west of the articulated in the White Paper of July 2011. The report Sunderland city centre that will house new automotive, will be available online and in the House Library. logistics and offshore wind-manufacturing businesses. This development will build on the existing strengths of Sunderland and South Tyneside, supporting the vision for local economic growth as set out by the north-east TREASURY local enterprise partnership and increasing private sector growth and employment. The city deal also confirms the local and Government investment to construct the New Wear crossing, a key Double Taxation Convention (UK/Belgium) component of the Sunderland strategic transport corridor which will support the international advanced manufacturing park and the wider economic growth of The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Sunderland. Gauke): A second protocol to the double taxation convention with Belgium was signed on 13 March 2014. Alongside these agreements the city deal also includes The text of the protocol has been deposited in the local commitments to deliver the development of the Libraries of both Houses and made available on HM former Vaux brewery site and to increase private sector Revenue and Customs’ website. The text will be scheduled investment in the skills of the local work force. to a draft Order in Council and laid before the House of Through the development of the international advanced Commons in due course. manufacturing park enabled by the city deal, Sunderland city council and South Tyneside council predict that, by 2027, 5,200 new jobs will be delivered. The New Wear crossing is predicted by the local authorities to enable DEFENCE up to 60,000 square metres of new commercial, office and housing development and create between 1,500 and 2,250 new jobs. Chemical Weapons Convention

Deregulation Bill The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Andrew Murrison): The UK’s chemical protection The Minister for Government Policy (Mr Oliver Letwin): programme is designed to protect against the use of At the Second Reading of the Deregulation Bill on the chemical weapons. Such a programme is permitted by 3 February I intervened on the hon. Member for Brighton, the chemical weapons convention, with which the United Pavilion (Caroline Lucas) in relation to clause 47 to say Kingdom is fully compliant. Under the terms of the that the Newspaper Society had not provided evidence convention, we are required to provide information to the Joint Committee on the Draft Deregulation Bill. annually to the Organisation for the Prohibition of I have since been informed that this statement was Chemical Weapons. In accordance with the Government’s incorrect. While the Newspaper Society was not called commitment to openness, a copy of the summary that to provide oral evidence to the Joint Committee, it did has been provided to the organisation outlining the provide written evidence. This evidence, however, was UK’s chemical protection programme in 2013 will be not referred to in the Joint Committee’s final report. placed in the House Library. 53WS Written Statements17 MARCH 2014 Written Statements 54WS

TRANSPORT to the existing network during control period six (2019- 2024). I am, therefore, commissioning HS2 Ltd and Network Rail to make recommendations before our Higgins Review response to the phase 2 consultation. Our priority must be to get the benefits to the midlands and the north as soon as possible. Our proposals must The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Patrick stand the test of time and we must put our money where McLoughlin): Sir David Higgins has today published it will do the most good. Sir David is clear that he does proposals to build HS2 better and bring the benefits to not think the existing proposals for the HS2/HS1 link the north sooner. The Government strongly support meet those tests. His report concludes that the link this ambition and welcome his report. HS2 is vital for proposed in the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) the economic health of this country and our international Bill has not secured a consensus. The link requires too competitiveness. many compromises in terms of impacts on freight, passengers and the community in Camden. I, therefore, It was in this context that I asked Sir David Higgins, intend to take the necessary steps to remove the link when he became chair of HS2 Ltd, to undertake a from the Bill and withdraw the safeguarding of this review on maximising the benefits of HS2 and managing section of the route as soon as possible. I will also costs. Given his experience on delivering the Olympics, commission a study into ways to improve connections there was no one better equipped for the role. to the continent that could be implemented once the Sir David has carried out a robust and rigorous initial stages of HS2 are complete. review of the cost estimates for constructing phase 1 I also agree with the report that more can be made of and confirmed they are right. He proposes to use any Euston station. It is a significant opportunity to maximise savings to protect the contingency at this early stage in the economic potential of the line and regenerate a site the parliamentary process and the project as a whole. that has been neglected. It is also a significant opportunity The Government support that. to generate private sector investment that can reduce Sir David’s report also proposes to deliver benefits, the overall burden on the taxpayer. I will, therefore, ask particularly benefits to the midlands and the north, HS2 Ltd and Network Rail to develop more comprehensive more quickly. The report sets out a clear proposal to proposals for the redevelopment of Euston, working accelerate construction so that the Crewe section of with the rail industry and the local community. This phase 2 would be completed by 2027, not 2033, and to work should include proposals for the Euston Arch build a new integrated hub station at Crewe. Therefore, which should never have been knocked down and which I am commissioning HS2 Ltd and Network Rail to I would like to see rebuilt. undertake work to allow both these proposals to be HS2 is a project that will be built over many Parliaments considered in detail as part of my consideration of the and will serve people for many generations. We must public consultation responses to phase 2. design it carefully and build it correctly. The Government Sir David also makes recommendations about are keen to rise to the challenge and we hope that hon. connectivity in the midlands and the north. He says the Members on all sides of the House will do the same. key to improving this is to integrate decision making on Copies of Sir David’s report have been placed in the HS2 with Network Rail’s decision making for improvements Libraries of both Houses. 3P Petitions17 MARCH 2014 Petitions 4P

The Petitioner asserts that from the 25 May 2013 Petition until the conclusion of the appeal on the 6 March 2014 the Department for Work and Pensions applied on four Monday 17 March 2014 separate occasions for a stay of proceedings, those stays were granted because of the Department’s exclusive powers contained within Section 26 of the Social Security PRESENTED PETITION Act 1998 to stay, any and all appeals within that calendar Petition presented to the House but not read on the Floor years legislation, pending the outcome of a test case, the Petitioner asserts that, that was an abuse of power due The Appeals Process against the Sanctioning and to the Petitioner’s Clients Appeal which fell outside the Removal of State Benefits parameters of the test case and was made significantly The Humble Petition of Jerry Lonsdale, a Lay Advocate/ prior to that of the test case being made, and, that the McKenzie Friend residing in Merseyside, England, test case was challenging the consequential years legislation, Declares that, the Petitioner’s client, Miss Deborah that year being 2012 and not 2011 as in the Petitioners Davies residing in Merseyside, England, who was a Clients Appeal. Litigant in Person, found herself in severe hardship for The Petitioner had applied for the Tribunal Court a period of over two years following significant delays not to accept the application made for the stays applied in the determination of her appeal(s) against sanctions for by the Department of Work and Pensions, however, placed upon her by the Department of Work and until the start of this year, the Petitioners applications Pensions, thus, accumulating in the none receipt of state were not responded upon. benefits for these said periods:- The Petitioner wholeheartedly asserts that, due to the 1. 20/04/2012-03/05/2012 significant delays in reaching the conclusion of his 2. 27/04/2012-25/10/2012 Client’s Appeal, Miss Deborah Davies suffered undue 3. 11/05/2012-08/11/2012 and severe hardship and was prevented from concluding The Petitioner assisted Miss Davies throughout the her appeal matters in a timeframe that reduced those whole of the appeals process, over two years, which hardships faced. The detrimental effect further compounded reached its conclusion on the 6th day of March 2014, Miss Deborah Davies’s place in society in that she was the concluding decision was the Appeal was allowed on many occasions destitute and in significant risk of and the sanctions were wrongly applied. losing her home due to the sanctions placed upon her by the Department of Work and Pensions. The Petitioner asserts that those hardships faced by his client as well as the lack of Legal Aid assistance The Petitioner therefore requests that the House of further compounded the difficulties in the way in which Commons Justice Committee investigates the procedures his client was able to pursue her such appeal to its that are used within the English and Welsh Tribunal conclusion, Courts, and that the House of Commons Justice Committee calls for the provision of independent legal assistance The Petitioner recognises that there is no Legal Aid for those people who wish to appeal against Department support for those people who wish to argue against a of Work and Pensions Sanctions, the Petitioner also sanction or sanctions made against them, through the requests that the same Committee urgently review the Tribunal Process. The Petitioner believes that it is difficult benefit appeal process in the view that delays and for someone to believe the equality of arms when a not attendance by Representing Officers does not further Litigant in Person is challenging the appealed decisions, delay any of the appeal process similar to those alone, whereas in matters contained within this Petition aforementioned above. are opposed or challenged by the respective Departments, notably the Department for Work and Pensions, those The Petitioner further requests that the House of oppositions are progressed through the process by the Commons Work and Pensions Committee investigates use of Tax Payer funded Counsel or Representing Officers. procedures and formulates fresh legislation for when people who are faced with applied Sanctions, do not The Petitioner raises that, in this specific appeal, the face compounded and further hardships until the outcome Department for Work and Pensions failed on all occasions of any applied appeals are concluded, in that, the to attend any preliminary, or directional hearings, nor person appealing should still be entitled to receive State was there any Representing Officer present during the assistance through a state benefit, including any required final hearing of the said appeal, despite the requests Housing Benefit. made by Her Gracious Majesties Courts and Tribunals Service, on six separate occasions, over a two-year period, The Petitioner finally requests that the House of the respective Department failed to communicate or Commons Work and Pensions Committee make available respond to those requests made by HMCTS, and, failed a direct compensation scheme open to those people to attend on all six reported occasions. who through no fault of their own are faced with those difficulties outlined within this Petition, specifically, The Petitioner raises that, during a directional hearing those people significantly affected by the noted failing on the 25 May 2013, the Tribunal Judge, Mr Cooke, state benefit appeal processes, most notably, when an requested that, the Secretary of State for Work and appeal is found in favour of the appellant, costs incurred Pensions, the Rt. Honourable lain Duncan Smith MP by the appellant should be recoverable and compensation do attend at the next timetabled hearing in order to should be duly made available to the appellant. explain the notable failings of his Department, again the Petitioner notes that his attendance did not happen, And your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray, however, the respective Department simply applied to &c.—[Presented by John Hemming.] the Tribunal for a stay of proceedings, [P001334]

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George Eustice: I have been asked to reply on behalf Written Answers to of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Questions Every dog, cat and ferret entering the UK must be vaccinated against rabies, with the details of the treatment recorded in an EU pet passport or third country certificate. Monday 17 March 2014 Dogs, cats and ferrets entering from the EU or from lower risk non-EU countries must wait 21 days after vaccination before travelling. More stringent rules are in place for those coming from higher risk non-EU HOME DEPARTMENT countries. These include a blood test 30 days after vaccination followed by a three-month wait before travelling. Alcoholic Drinks: Young People Dogs travelling from countries other than Ireland, Finland, and Malta and Norway must also be treated against the Echinococcus multilocuiaris tapeworm one to five days Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the prior to arrival in the UK. Dogs, cats and ferrets Home Department what estimate she has made of the imported for sale or rehoming under the commercial number of online sales of alcohol to minors since 2010. import rules are subject to the same requirements as [191031] well as additional rules including a clinical examination by an authorised veterinarian prior to travel. Norman Baker: The Home Office does not collect or hold statistics on underage sales of alcohol and no The UK operates a robust checking regime to make assessment has been made of the number of online sure that dogs entering the UK do not pose a risk to sales of alcohol to minors. animal and human health. Ferry, rail and air operators are approved to carry pets on the basis that they check The Government has made it clear that underage every pet dog, cat or ferret travelling with its owner for selling cannot be tolerated. All licensed premises, including compliance with the rules of the EU Pet Travel Scheme. those conducting online sales, are required to have an Meanwhile dogs, cats and ferrets imported for sale or age verification policy in place. The Government has rehoming are subject to risk-based post import checks. doubled the maximum fine to £20,000 for persistent under-age sales and increased the powers available to The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) the police and local authorities to deal with the offence Order 2006 includes a provision that pet animals should of persistently selling alcohol to children. It has also not be transported “in a way which causes or is likely issued statutory guidance for licensing authorities under to cause injury or unnecessary suffering”. Transporters the Licensing Act 2003 which specifically covers online of dogs imported in connection with an economic activity sales. are subject to the requirements of Council Regulation 1/2005. Asylum: Wrexham Drugs: Misuse

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Department how many properties she has allocated for Home Department if she will bring forward legislative dispersed asylum seekers in the area of Wrexham county proposals to ban the sale of legal highs. [191139] borough council. [191151] Norman Baker [holding answer 12 March 2014]: The James Brokenshire [holding answer 12 March 2014]: coalition Government has already banned hundreds of The Secretary of State for the Home Department does so-called ‘legal highs’, more accurately termed new not allocate properties for dispersed asylum seekers in psychoactive substances. We work closely with law Wrexham or any other region in the United Kingdom. enforcement to tackle this reckless trade. Accommodation and transport services for asylum Concerted action, started in November, has so far seekers is provided under the COMPASS Contracts resulted in over 40 arrests and seizures of new psychoactive awarded in February 2012 to G4S Care and Justice substances, including 9 kilograms by Kent police. (UK) Ltd, Serco Ltd and Clearel Ltd. On 12 December 2013, Official Report, columns 57-8WS, Clearel Ltd is the COMPASS provider in Wrexham I laid a written ministerial statement before Parliament and is operating 14 properties there. According to published announcing a review to look at how the UK’s response statistics (see following link), at the end of quarter 3 to new psychoactive substances can be further strengthened 2013, there were 38 asylum seekers in dispersed by enhancing our legislative, health and educational accommodation in Wrexham. response. The terms of reference for the review can be found on the Home Office website. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tables-for- immigration-statistics-october-to-december-2013 Entry Clearances

Dogs: Imports Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what preparations and resources her Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Department has put in place to address the backlog of the Home Department what measures her Department deferred visa applications following a decision on her has in place to (a) safeguard biosecurity and (b) protect Department’s appeal against the judgment of Mr Justice against animal welfare violations regarding the importing Blake on 5 July 2013 on the Government’s visa income of dogs from Eastern Europe to the UK. [190489] threshold. [191099] 365W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 366W

James Brokenshire [holding answer 11 March 2014]: Parliament. The possible need for a thematic inspection UK Visas and Immigration are closely monitoring the on firearms licensing will be one of the issues the Home number of applications on hold pending the outcome Secretary will take into consideration when deciding of the appeal. The appeal was heard at the Court of whether to approve the Inspectorate’s programme of Appeal on 4 and 5 March 2014 and the Home Secretary work for 2014-15. awaits the final determination of the courts. It would be This decision will be partly based on advice from the wrong to pre-empt the court’s decision in this matter, or National Policing Lead for Firearms and Explosives on indeed when the court is likely to make that determination. the benefits of an inspection as a means of assessing the These are factors that will inform the Department’s efficiency and effectiveness of the licensing process. approach to clearing the applications placed on hold. Policy and operational teams are considering a range of Immigration Bill options that may best accommodate a clearance programme once the court finally determines the case. Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to conduct a Entry Clearances: Overseas Students full child rights impact assessment of the Immigration Bill covering (a) its effect on both migrant and British Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the children, (b) the implications of Article 8 of the Home Department (1) how many people on Tier 2 visas European Convention in Human Rights for Clause 14, studying medicine left the country in each year since (c) healthcare charges and (d) immigration checks by 2010; [191339] landlords in the private rental sector; and if she will (2) how many people entered the UK on Tier 2 visas make a statement. [191550] to study medicine in each year since 2010. [191340] James Brokenshire: The Home Office is committed to James Brokenshire [holding answer 13 March 2014]: considering the impact of all new policies and legislation, Tier 2 is a route in which applicants are sponsored for including where they impact specifically on children. skilled work, not for study. Students coming to the UK Careful regard has been had to the best interests of to study degrees in medicine normally apply in Tier 4. children in the UK in framing the provisions of the Immigration Bill. We are satisfied that the Bill, including Postgraduate doctors can be sponsored for work-based the provisions on article 8, healthcare charges and landlords, training in Tier 2, but it is not possible to identify the is compatible with our obligations under the UN convention number of these without reviewing individual case records. on the rights of the child and with the children’s duty under section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and EU Law: Firearms Immigration Act 2009. The Home Office has published an impact assessment of the Immigration Bill and a Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the European Convention on Human Rights Memorandum, Home Department what representations she has received and has no plans to conduct a separate child rights from (a) the British Association for Shooting and impact assessment. Conservation and (b) the Countryside Alliance on the review of the EU Firearms Directive. [191382] Immigration Controls

Norman Baker: Representations regarding the review Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for the of the EU firearms directive have been received from Home Department what assessment she has made of the Federation of Associations for Hunting and the security risk caused by the boarding pass exchange Conservation (FACE UK) and from the British Shooting at Gatwick arrivals, where Irish and Channel Islands Sport Council, of which both the British Association passengers mix with passengers needing passports to for Shooting and Conservation and the Countryside go through UK Border Control. [191204] Alliance are members. James Brokenshire [holding answer 13 March 2014]: Firearms: Licensing Irish and Channel Islands passengers share the International Arrivals Hall at Gatwick South but are dealt with Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the separately.Intelligence-led exercises undertaken at Gatwick Home Department what discussions she or Ministers in airport by the Border Force since 2011 have not identified her Department have had with (a) Association of Chief any specific abuse of the Common Travel Area but Police Officers and (b) Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of nevertheless the Border Force has local standard operating Constabulary (HMIC) about HMIC conducting a review procedures in place to mitigate any new threats as they of police forces’ performance in issuing and monitoring emerge. firearms certificates; and if she will make it her policy to Gatwick Airport Ltd has responsibility for the security request HMIC undertake such a review. [191516] and integrity of the CTA Channel and operates it robustly to the satisfaction of Border Force. Damian Green: Firearms licensing is one of the thematic inspections that Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Passports: Databases (HMIC) is currently considering for its 2014-15 inspection programme. Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the HMIC is required by law to seek the approval of the Home Department what proportion of passengers (a) Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right leaving the UK and (b) entering the UK had their hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), passport details checked against Interpol’s SLTD before laying its annual inspection programme before database in each year since 2010. [191337] 367W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 368W

James Brokenshire [holding answer 13 March 2014]: digital communications experts to help civil society It is long-standing policy not to disclose details of groups exploit the potential of the internet, and we will records which may be held in relation to arrivals in the be expanding this work in line with ETF recommendations. United Kingdom, as to do so would not be in the This Government takes action against illegal terrorist interests of border and national security. content online. The police’s Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) has removed over 26,000 pieces Passports: Theft of illegal terrorist content online since February 2010. Under the proposed EFT measures, we are looking to Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for the further restrict access to illegal content hosted overseas. Home Department on how many occasions passengers We are also working with industry to identify harmful or potential passengers have been arrested as a result of extremist material to include within family friendly Interpol identifying stolen passports used or about to filters, to try to bring consistency to industry terms of be used on (a) flights to and (b) transit flights through use in respect of extremist content and to make it easier UK airports in each of the last 10 years. [191347] for the public to refer material of concern.

James Brokenshire [holding answer 13 March 2014]: Visas The Home Office does not hold the information requested. Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Police: Disciplinary Proceedings Home Department how many people working through an ICT visa in the UK have applied to move from a Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for short-term to long-term visa in each year since 2010. the Home Department pursuant to the statement of [191314] 12 February 2014, Official Report, column 713, on police integrity, what progress has been made towards James Brokenshire: It is not possible to switch from a ensuring that those officers under investigation for short-term to a long-term Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) misconduct are not allowed to avoid sanctions or visa from within the UK. charges through leaving the force; and if she will make Short-term ICT workers may apply to return to the a statement. [188204] UK as long-term ICT workers, providing they will be paid at least £40,600 per year on their return. Home Damian Green: If an allegation is criminal, an Office systems do not record the number of applicants investigation will always be pursued to conclusion. When who make such applications to return in an easily the allegation concerns a breach of professional standards identifiable way. and a case to answer for gross misconduct has been established, officers who submit their resignation will be added to a list of struck off officers held by the College of Policing. The Home Office and College of NORTHERN IRELAND Policing are currently finalising arrangements to make that list public. Officers who are under investigation for Terrorism gross misconduct, but who leave a police force before a case to answer has been established, will also be added Mr Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for to this list where the chief officer of the force feels that Northern Ireland how many royal pardons have been this would be appropriate having reviewed the case, granted to terrorists convicted of offences in connection including where the resignation is a ploy to evade the with the Northern Ireland troubles. [191234] finding of a case to answer. Mrs Villiers: The Royal Prerogative of Mercy has Social Networking: Radicalism been granted 18 times since 1998 in respect of individuals convicted of terrorist offences relating to Northern Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Ireland. Home Department what steps her Department is The RPM has not been used since 2002. taking via social media to help tackle misinformation from extremist and radicalisation groups. [191190] Mr Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many letters of comfort have James Brokenshire: We know terrorist and extremist been sent since May 2010. [191259] groups make extensive use of the internet and social media to spread their propaganda. The PM-chaired Mrs Villiers: The term ″letter of comfort″ is not the Extremism Taskforce established in the wake of the appropriate terminology in this instance. Under the Woolwich attack made a number of recommendations administrative scheme for dealing with so called ’on-the- for combating extremist propaganda, particularly online. runs’, 12 letters have been issued since May 2010 advising The report from the ETF can be found at: the recipients that they were not wanted for arrest on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling- the date the letter issued. extremism-in-the-uk-report-by-the-extremism-taskforce Under the Government’s Prevent strategy, which aims Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State to stop people becoming involved in and supporting for Northern Ireland what provision there will be for terrorism, our approach to challenging extremism online members of the public to contribute to the independent involves working with industry, law enforcement, civil inquiry into the on-the-run scheme announced by the society groups and the public. We have worked with Prime Minister on 27 February 2014. [191761] 369W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 370W

Mrs Villiers: The independent review by Lady Justice Mr Alistair Carmichael: We know rising energy bills Hallett will welcome submissions from members of the are a serious concern for consumers in Scotland and public. Details of how these submissions can be made across the rest of the UK. We are sustaining vital will be announced shortly by the judge’s Secretariat. financial support for the most vulnerable consumers and have delivered a £50 reduction in energy bills by driving down the cost of the green levies. DECC publish bill estimates for Scotland in the SCOTLAND DECC statistics publication Quarterly Energy Prices: Currencies https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/annual- domestic-energy-price-statistics The following table shows annual average domestic Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for fuel bills in Scotland from 2010 to 2013: Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Scottish organisations and businesses on their preferred currency Average annual fuel bill (£) in an independent Scotland. [191554] Gas Electricity Total (£) 2010 628 414 1,042 David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, 2011 687 446 1,133 the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr Carmichael), and I regularly engage with Scottish 2012 763 469 1,232 organisations and businesses on a wide range of issues. 2013 810 499 1,309 Note: Dounreay Bills expressed in cash terms

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when his Department was first informed of the problem with the reactor cooling system at the ATTORNEY-GENERAL Dounreay Naval Reactor Test Establishment; [191633] (2) whether his predecessor was informed of the problem with the reactor cooling systems at the Legal Profession: Industrial Disputes Dounreay Naval Reactor Test Establishment when he visited the facility on 2 April 2012; [191634] Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General (3) whether he was informed of the problem with the what discussions he had with the Director of Public reactor cooling system at the Dounreay Naval Reactor Prosecutions (DPP) about the decision by the DPP to Test Establishment on taking office. [191635] send prosecutors at the independent Bar a letter discouraging them from supporting industrial action Mr Alistair Carmichael: The Scotland Office was first over reductions in criminal legal aid. [190864] notified in September 2012. With no safety or environmental risk in Scotland, there is no reason why the Scotland The Attorney-General: I was made aware that a letter Office should have been notified at an earlier stage. As was to be issued by the Crown Prosecution Service recognised by the Scottish Environmental Protection (CPS) areas to heads of chambers prior to the 7 March Agency, this occurrence was classed Level 0 (below action. The letter did not discourage barristers undertaking scale—no safety significance) on the International Atomic legal aid work from participating in the industrial action Energy Agency scale. As made clear in the Secretary of but reminded barristers of their professional obligations State for Defence, the right hon. Member for Runnymede to appear as instructed in criminal cases where they are and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), statement to the House acting on behalf of the prosecution. Given that the CPS on 6 March 2014, Level 0 events are not routinely made is not a party to any dispute, there is no justification for public and are not routinely reported in either the civil failing to do so and therefore it is entirely legitimate for or military nuclear sectors. CPS areas to remind barristers of their obligations to The previous Secretary of State for Scotland visited the CPS. the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment (NRTE) at Dounreay on 2 April 2012 for a meeting with Rolls Royce on their business priorities in Scotland. He did Theft: Metals not meet MOD officials during the visit and the matter was not discussed with Rolls Royce. Philip Davies: To ask the Attorney-General what I was informed of the decision to refuel HMS Vanguard, assessment he has made of the effects on prosecutions including the background on the prototype core at of the Court of Appeal judgment in the case of Pace Dounreay in February 2014 ahead of the Secretary of and another v. R on 18 February 2014, EWCA State for Defence’s announcement to the House on 6 Crim 186. [191677] March 2014. The Solicitor-General: I have made no personal Energy: Billing assessment of the case of Pace and Another v. R. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), however, has considered Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for the implications of the judgment for similar prosecutions. Scotland what estimate he has made of the change in The CPS recognises that in future cases of this nature, average household energy bills in Scotland since 2010. prosecutors will need to ensure there is sufficient evidence [191827] to show an accused believed the property was stolen. 371W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 372W

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Trade Union Officials

Direct Selling Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding her Department provided for staff to carry out trade union activities in each of Mr Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, the last three years; and how many days staff spent on Media and Sport when she expects to publish an action those activities in each of those years. [190237] plan for tackling nuisance calls. [188959] Mrs Grant: The following table shows the total funding Mr Vaizey: Tackling nuisance calls is one of my top provided for staff in each of the last three financial priorities and we have achieved greater co-operation years. between the two regulators (the Office of Communications and the Information Commissioner’s Office), improved £ guidance and information for consumers and also ensured 2013-14 (to more effective enforcement of the existing regulations. 2011-12 2012-13 date) We will be publishing our Action Plan for nuisance calls Total funding 69,249.65 69,949.30 31,082.89 shortly, which will set out the substantial progress that for staff to carry has been made so far, work under way and our future out trade union plans. activities The following tables show the percentage of time that Empty Property Trade Union representatives spent to carry out industrial relations and trade union activities, in the last three Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for financial years. Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made Financial year 2013-14 of the empty property business rates for the vacant Percentage of properties recorded on the e-PIMS database owned by time spent on Number of days industrial spent on industrial (a) her Department and (b) any Executive agencies or relations and relations and non-departmental public bodies of her Department in Number of trade union trade union the current financial year. [191804] employees activities (%) activities Branch Chair1 1 100 128 Mrs Grant: The Department does not have any vacant Branch 1 20 12.7 properties. Secretary1 Organiser 1 5 12.8 Treasury 1 5 12.8 Secondment Health and 155 Safety representative1 Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Local 35212.8 Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 28 Representatives November 2013, Official Report, column 424W, on 1 These members of staff left the Department in the financial year 2013-14 secondments, to which private-sector organisations the and have not been replaced. 2 Days per representative. civil servants in 2011-12 were seconded. [181348] Financial year 2012-13 Percentage of Mrs Grant: In 2011-12, one civil servant in my time spent on Number of days Department was seconded to the following private sector industrial spent on industrial relations and relations and organisations: Number of trade union trade union employees activities (%) activities Name of private-sector organisation Number of civil servants Branch Chair 1 100 256 LOCOG 1 Branch 12051 Secretary In the answer I gave on 28 November 2013, Official Organiser 1 5 12.8 Report, column 424W, I stated that two civil servants Treasury 1 5 12.8 were seconded to private sector organisations. This Health and 155 Safety answer was based on financial years, rather than calendar representative years. In fact, since 2010, three civil servants in the Local 35112.8 Department were seconded to the following private Representatives sector organisations. 1 Days per representative. No civil servants were seconded to trade unions. Financial year 2011-12 Percentage of time spent on Number of days Number industrial spent on industrial Financial year (a) Private sector (b) Trade unions relations and relations and Number of trade union trade union April 2010 to March 2011 1 0 employees activities (%) activities

April 2011 to March 2012 1 0 Branch Chair 1 100 256 April 2012 to March 2013 1 0 Branch 12051 April 2013 to date 0 0 Secretary Organiser 1 5 12.8 373W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 374W

Financial year 2011-12 Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Percentage of if he will include measures in the 2014 Budget Statement time spent on Number of days industrial spent on industrial to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the relations and relations and hospitality sector. [191273] Number of trade union trade union employees activities (%) activities Mr Gauke: In accordance with the practice of all Treasury 1 5 12.8 administrations, it would not be proper to pre-empt the Health and 155Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget statement. However, Safety the Government is committed to making the UK the representative best place in Europe to start, finance and grow a Local 35112.8 Representatives business, and is taking steps to support small and 1 Days per representative. medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality sector. At the autumn statement the Government announced a package of business rates measures including extending the doubling of the small business rate relief for a TREASURY further year from 1 April 2014. For two years from April 2014 there will be a new £1,000 business rates Bus Services discount to support small retail properties (including pubs, cafes, and restaurants) with rateable values of below £50,000. Karen Lumley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the introduction of a To help with staff costs, from April 2014 the employment salary sacrifice scheme for bus commuters. [191295] allowance will enable every business to deduct up to £2,000 from their employer NICs bill each year. From Mr Gauke: Bus commuters, including the lowest earners, April 2015, employer national insurance contributions can already benefit from targeted tax incentives where (NICs) for under 21-year-olds (ie aged 20 and under) on employers provide free or subsidised work buses or they earnings up to £813 a week will be abolished, benefiting subsidise public bus services. many employers in the hospitality sector. Salary sacrifice arrangements can be operated in Corporation Tax: Wrexham conjunction with these tax exemptions as long as all the statutory conditions are met. In particular, they cannot Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer be used by the lowest earners working at or close to the how much was paid in corporation tax by businesses national minimum wage. registered in Wrexham constituency in the last year for Additionally there is a tax exemption for small which figures are available; and what proportion of employment-related loans provided at less than commercial such taxation was paid by small and medium-sized rates of interest which are often used to purchase season enterprises. [191108] tickets. At Budget 2013 it was announced that the threshold for the small loans exemption limit would Mr Gauke: The amount of corporation tax liable for double from £5,000 to £10,000. payment by businesses with a registered address in the Wrexham parliamentary constituency for accounting Business: Government Assistance periods ending in financial year 2011-12 was £15 million. This is the latest year for which figures are available. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Figures on the amount of tax paid, broken down by Exchequer what further fiscal steps he plans to take to company size, are not readily available and could be support small and medium-sized enterprises in the provided only at disproportionate cost. HMRC does hospitality sector. [191157] hold information on corporation tax liability by the rates at which corporation tax is charged on companies’ chargeable profits. However, we are unable to disclose Mr Gauke: The Government is committed to making the proportionate breakdowns for Wrexham, as this the UK the best place in Europe to start, finance and would be a breach to HMRC’s statistical disclosure grow a business, and is taking steps to support small control policy to protect taxpayer confidentiality. and medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality sector. At the autumn statement, the Government announced Excise Duties a package of business rates measures including extending the doubling of the small business rate relief for a Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the further year from 1 April 2014. For two years from Exchequer how much the average UK consumer pays April 2014 there will be a new £1,000 business rates per year in (a) fuel duty and (b) alcohol excise duty; discount for small retail properties (including pubs, and if he will make a statement. [191592] cafes and restaurants) with rateable values of below £50,000. Nicky Morgan: I refer the hon. Member to my previous To help with staff costs, from April 2014, the employment answer on 28 February 2014, Official Report, column 591W. allowance will enable every business to deduct up to £2,000 from their employer NICs bill each year. From Exports April 2015, employer national insurance contributions (NICs) for under 21-year-olds (i.e. aged 20 and under) Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the on earnings up to £813 a week will be abolished, benefiting Exchequer what the UK largest export industry by many employers in the hospitality sector. value is. [191161] 375W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 376W

Mr Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). It does that given to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Philip by investigating all complaints made about employers Davies), on 11 March 2014, Official Report, column 151W. suspected of not paying the minimum wage, in addition carrying out targeted enforcement where it identifies a Housing: Northern Ireland high risk of non-payment of NMW across the whole of the UK. Naomi Long: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer HMRC does not capture complaints or the outcomes if he will take steps to address levels of negative equity of its investigations by reference to Government regions, and home repossessions in Northern Ireland. [191505] constituencies or county. Its management information relates to the work of teams who are multi-located. Sajid Javid: The Government recognises that many Additionally, because it resources to risk, work relating homeowners in Northern Ireland faced a significant fall to a specific geographical area is not always done by the in the value of their homes following the financial crisis, NMW team based in that area. and that although the housing market is now showing Prior to 6 April 2009, HM Revenue and Customs signs of improvement, prices have been slower to recover (HMRC) issued penalty notices to those employers who than in some other parts of the UK. failed to comply, within 28 days, with an enforcement In terms of policies the UK Government is responsible notice. A new enforcement regime, introduced in April for, the Pre-Action Protocol legislation, as well as the 2009, saw the introduction of automatic penalties for Financial Conduct Authority’s rules, require that the employers who are found to have underpaid their workers. repossession of a property must always be the last I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave the resort for lenders. This means that lenders must consider hon. Member for Corby (Andy Sawford) on 24 February alternatives to repossession before they can take possession 2014, Official Report, column 30W, for the number of of a property. companies that have received financial penalties from It is also worth being aware that the Financial Conduct HM Revenue and Customs for non-payment of the Authority’s rules prevent mortgage lenders from taking minimum wage across the UK in the financial years commercial advantage of customers who are in negative 2010-11 to 2012-13. Between 1 April 2013 and 28 February equity and therefore may not be able to remortgage to this year, HMRC has issued 561 penalties across the another provider. For example, lenders cannot charge UK for non-payment of national minimum wage, with customers higher fees and interest rates than other a combined value of £671,524. similar customers because they are in negative equity. The Northern Ireland Executive has devolved Monetary Policy Committee responsibility for social security and welfare-related policies related to support for homeowners, including the administration of Support for Mortgage Interest in Diana Johnson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Northern Ireland. (1) how many women have been short-listed for positions on the Monetary Policy Committee since 2010; how Income Tax: Wrexham many of those on each (a) short-listing panel and (b) appointments panel were women; and what steps he has taken to identify qualified female candidates and encourage Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer them to apply; [191539] how many (a) higher rate taxpayers and (b) people who earn over £1 million there were in Wrexham (2) how many women were short-listed for the constituency in the last year for which figures are available. position of Deputy Governor of the Bank of England; [191119] how many of those on the (a) short-listing panel and (b) appointments panel were women; and what steps Mr Gauke: It is estimated that 3,000 individuals in he took to identify qualified female candidates and the Wrexham constituency were higher rate taxpayers encourage them to apply for that position. [191680] where the higher rate of income tax was their highest marginal rate for 2011-12. Sajid Javid: Positions on the Monetary Policy Committee Reliable estimates for individuals with total income are advertised widely and are subject to open competition. over £1 million in the Wrexham constituency are not Diversity is always an important consideration and the available due to small sample sizes. Government is always very keen to attract candidates from a wide range of backgrounds. Estimates are based on Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) data for 2011-12. Four women have served on the MPC: Rachel Lomax; Minimum Wage: South East Marian Bell; DeAnne Julius; and Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Kate Barker. Exchequer how many fines have been issued to employers in (a) Portsmouth South constituency, (b) Hampshire The Government would like to see a greater number of and (c) the South East for non-payment of the national women apply for future vacancies on the MPC and will minimum wage in each year since 2010; and what the continue to encourage them to do so. total value of such fines was in each such area. [191668] When Ian McCafferty was appointed in 2012, the chief economic adviser at the Treasury and chair of the Mr Gauke: The Government takes the enforcement Interview Panel sent a standard email to 66 people, of of NMW very seriously and HMRC enforce the national which 48% were women who may have been interested minimum wage legislation on behalf of the Department and suitable for the position. The purpose was to draw 377W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 378W peoples’ attention to the vacancy without prejudice. Of Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Chancellor of the the five appointments made to the MPC since 2010, Exchequer what consumer goods products sold in the three had a woman sitting on the panel. UK attract the highest levels of tax per product; and The process to appoint the new Deputy Governor what level of tax is so levied. [191559] Monetary Policy is ongoing, and it would not be appropriate to reveal information of this kind before the process has Nicky Morgan: I refer the hon. Members to the concluded. The appointment panel, as published when answer I gave on 12 March 2014, Official Report, column the role was advertised, comprises: 227W. Sir Nicholas Macpherson; Taxation: Mothers Sharon White; Dave Ramsden; and Dr McCrea: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir David Lees. if he will take steps to ensure that the tax system does Mortgages: Succession not disadvantage families with stay-at-home mothers. [191887] Richard Harrington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had on the effects Mr Gauke: The Government has taken a number of of Shared Appreciation Mortgage schemes on the steps to help all families. For example, we have increased status of estates left behind after the death of the loan the income tax personal allowance, helping 25 million applicant. [191780] people. We have cut fuel duty. It now costs £7 less for a typical motorist to fill their tank, and it will cost £11 Sajid Javid: The Government is aware that approximately less by the end of the Parliament. We have also made 15,000 Shared Appreciation Mortgages were sold in the funding available to help local authorities in England late 1990s, with the subsequent increase in property freeze their council tax for a third year in a row. prices resulting in many people owing more money than Additionally, the Government will introduce the they had expected. transferable tax allowance for married couples from The Financial Ombudsman Service has received a April 2015. This will allow married couples and civil number of complaints from people who purchased partner to transfer a fixed amount of their personal shared appreciation mortgages and are alert to the allow to their spouse. Doing so will benefit couples issues involved. The Financial Ombudsman Service said where one spouse does not currently use their full in its Annual Review for 2003-04 that in most cases it personal allowance. had not upheld the shared appreciation mortgage mis-selling VAT complaints it had received because it had concluded that the documents were extremely clear and the terms had been fully explained to the borrowers. Pauline Latham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what savings have accrued to the Exchequer Shared Appreciation Mortgages have been subject to as a result of lowering the Low Value Consignment conduct regulation since 2004. The Financial Conduct Relief threshold in the 2011 Finance Bill from £18 to Authority have rules regarding the information that has £15. [191497] to be disclosed before, during and after sale and, in addition, rules in respect of the advice that should be Mr Gauke: The low value consignment relief threshold given to consumers. for imports from non-EU countries was reduced from Non-domestic Rates: Brigg £18 to £15 in November 2011. This information request can be obtained only at a Andrew Percy: To ask the Chancellor of the disproportionate cost. Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of small businesses in Brigg and Goole constituency Wine and Spirit Trade Association which will be affected by the extension of the small business rate relief scheme to March 2015. [191639] Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will include in his Budget 2014 measures included Mr Gauke: No estimate has been made by the Treasury in the wine and spirit trade association submission. of the number of small businesses in Brigg and Goole [191799] constituency that will be affected by the extension of the Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) scheme to March Nicky Morgan: The Government carefully considers 2015, which was announced at Autumn Statement 2013. all the representations it receives ahead of Budget. The Government estimates that around 540,000 small Working Tax Credit: Scotland businesses in England will benefit from the extension of the SBRR and that around 60,000 of these small businesses will be in Yorkshire and the Humber. Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid in working tax credits payments to Taxation recipients in (a) Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Dundee and (d) Aberdeen in the last year. [191622] Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which consumer goods products sold in the Nicky Morgan: Using finalised annual tax credits UK are subject to the highest levels of tax per product; awards data, total entitlement to working tax credits in what the level of tax is on each such product; and if he the respective local authority areas for 2011-12 is shown will make a statement. [191591] in the following table: 379W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 380W

Entitlement Elizabeth Truss: Primary schools are free to decide Local authority area £ million whether pupils should be taught about the Commonwealth. The national curriculum for history at key stage 2 states Glasgow City 97.6 that pupils should study an aspect or theme in British City of Edinburgh 46.9 history beyond 1066, which schools can use to teach Dundee City 22.7 about the Commonwealth. At key stage 3 pupils should Aberdeen City 16.8 study British history from 1745 to 1901, including the Note: development of Empire, which can include a depth This information pertains to working tax credits (WTC) entitlement only. Some WTC recipients also receive child tax credits. study, for example of India. Later, they should study the challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world from 1901 to the present day, which can include the end of Empire and Britain’s place in the world since 1945. EDUCATION Key stage 4 citizenship education covers the United Kingdom’s current relations with Europe, the Chemistry: Teachers Commonwealth, the United Nations and the wider world. Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many secondary school chemistry Faith Schools teachers have a chemistry degree. [191324]

Mr Laws: The Department for Education estimates Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Education that in November 2012, 66% of chemistry teachers in if he will continue to provide additional funding for the publicly-funded secondary schools in England had a security requirements of Jewish faith schools after 2015. degree level or higher qualification in the subject. This [191586] is an increase from 60% in 2010. 89% of chemistry teachers in publicly-funded secondary schools in England Mr Laws: We will carefully review this issue in the had a degree level or higher qualification in science, an spring. increase from 85% in 2010. This information is from the School Workforce Census Free Schools and is published in Table 13 of the School Workforce in England Statistical First Release, November 2012. It is Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for available at: Education what steps his Department is taking to ensure https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school- free schools do not teach intolerance to their students. workforce-in-england-november-2012 [191408] Children’s Centres Mr Timpson: The Department for Education has put in place robust processes to ensure the integrity of the Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for free schools programme. Only free school applications Education what recent assessment he has made of the that promote fundamental British values of democracy, effects of children’s centre closures on the long-term the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, development of children from disadvantaged families. and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs [191750] in their teachings and policies will be approved. Extensive checks are also carried out on those setting up and Elizabeth Truss: It is for local authorities, in line with running free schools. their statutory duties, to ensure there are sufficient Free schools’ funding agreements explicitly require children’s centres to meet local need and to consult, them to promote fundamental British values and particularly with disadvantaged families, before opening community cohesion, and preclude the promotion of or closing a children’s centre or making significant partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in changes to children’s centre services. A recent survey by the school. Free schools are also subject to the public 4children showed that more families, over a million, sector equality duty, which requires them to have regard than ever before are benefiting from children centre to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality services. of opportunity, and foster good relations between different Information from local authorities shows that at people. 30 November 2013, 3,055 children’s centres were open, Free schools are subject to regular inspection by and a further 501 additional sites were designated as Ofsted. Ofsted’s inspection framework includes a focus children’s centres in April 2010 that remain open and on pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, offer services to families and children as part of a which enables inspectors to identify inappropriate practice. network of children’s centres. Information from local authorities show that only 65 have closed since April Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State 2010 and six new centres have opened. for Education which schools officials in his Department have visited in connection with finding (a) permanent Commonwealth: Education and (b) temporary sites for free schools due to open in September 2014. [191589] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to Mr Timpson: We do not hold the information requested ensure children are taught about the Commonwealth centrally and collating it would incur disproportionate during their primary school years. [191407] cost. 381W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 382W

Officials, agents and contractors working for the Elizabeth Truss: Pupils will learn about the effects of Department for Education regularly visit potential drugs on behaviour and health as part of the new permanent and temporary sites, including former school science national curriculum at key stages 2 and 3 from buildings, for free schools approved to open in September September 2014. Teachers can also cover the issue through 2014 and beyond. personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) lessons, drawing on specialist resources such as the PSHE Association draft programme of study, and the new Head Teachers drug and alcohol information and advice service for practitioners (ADEPIS), delivered by Mentor UK. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when the application process will (a) Independent Schools open and (b) close for the Champions League of Head Teachers scheme. [191778] Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education by what means the National College for Mr Laws: The Deputy Prime Minister announced on Teaching and Leadership agency gathers information 24 October 2013, in his speech on education and on child protection issues in independent schools. outstanding leaders, that the Government will be setting [191691] up a programme to get outstanding leaders into the schools that need them the most. At the North of Mr Timpson: The National College for Teaching and England Education Conference, I announced the new Leadership (NCTL) does not gather information on Talented Leaders Programme. child protection issues except when it receives referrals The National College for Teaching and Leadership regarding serious teacher misconduct. The NCTL can (NCTL) is currently leading an open and competitive receive referrals regarding allegations of child abuse at tender process to contract a provider to deliver the independent schools from the employer, the Disclosure Talented Leaders Programme. The tender process started and Barring Service (DBS), and the police. Where an in January 2014 and will end in April 2014 when the offence is involved, it is likely that the referral will come contract will be awarded. from the police under the Notifiable Occupations Scheme. Once the contract has been awarded, the provider Where an employer makes a referral to DBS, DBS will will work in partnership with the NCTL to finalise the send a copy of the referral to NCTL where serious delivery model. The precise dates relating to the opening misconduct of a teacher is involved. and closing of the application process will be confirmed after the contract is awarded. It is expected that the first Music: Curriculum application round will open in the autumn term 2014. The first cohort of talented leaders will be deployed in schools by September 2015. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what steps his Department is taking to encourage the study of classical music in (a) primary Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State and (b) secondary schools; [191404] for Education what his Department’s target is for the number of (a) applications and (b) recruits to the (2) what steps his Department is taking to encourage Champions League of Head Teachers scheme. [191779] the study of a musical instrument in both (a) primary and (b) secondary schools. [191477] Mr Laws: The Deputy Prime Minister, announced on 24 October 2013, in his speech on education and Elizabeth Truss: Under the new national curriculum outstanding leaders, that the Government will be setting music will continue to be taught to all pupils in maintained up a programme to get outstanding leaders into the schools from key stages 1 to 3. schools that need them the most. At the North of Under the new curriculum, there is a greater focus on England Education Conference, I announced the new the historical development of music, and on listening to Talented Leaders Programme. the work of great composers and musicians. As pupils The National College for Teaching and Leadership progress they will be taught to listen with discrimination (NCTL) is leading an open and competitive tender to the best in the musical canon. From key stage 2 they process to contract a provider to deliver the Talented will also be taught to use and understand staff notation. Leaders Programme. The tender process started in January The new national curriculum will also ensure that 2014 and will end in April 2014 when the contract will pupils will be taught how to play tuned and untuned be awarded. instruments musically, fluently and with accuracy and The programme has a target within its first two years expression; and how to perform confidently in a range to recruit and deploy 100 talented leaders to headship of solo and ensemble contexts. They will also be taught positions in schools facing challenging circumstances. how to improvise. Although academies do not have to follow the national curriculum, they are required to provide a broad and Health Education: Drugs balanced curriculum, and to provide for pupils’ cultural development. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for At key stage 4, music remains within the arts ‘entitlement’ Education what steps his Department is taking to area, within the national curriculum. Maintained schools ensure school children are taught about the harmful must provide access to at least one course in each effects of drugs. [191410] entitlement area. 383W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 384W

We have continued to provide substantial amounts of with up-to-date materials and advice on changing funding for music education programmes from 2012 to technologies that fit within the framework of our sex 2015. This includes £171 million for the new network of and relationship education guidance. 123 music education hubs which are working to improve the quality and consistency of music education in schools Primary Education across the country. One of their core roles is to ensure that every child aged five to 18 has the chance to learn a musical instrument through whole class ensemble teaching. Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Hubs are also expected to provide opportunities for Education what his policy is on the provision of guaranteed children to play in ensembles and to perform, and to reception class places for children aged five who were ensure that clear progression routes are available and born between 1 August and 1 September. [191359] affordable to all young people. Mr Laws: Parents of all summer-born children (children We additionally fund the music and dance scheme, born between 1 April and 31 August) can request that which supports exceptionally talented young musicians their child is offered a reception class place following and dancers; National YouthMusic Organisations, which their fifth birthday. It is for the admission authority and allow talented pupils to perform in national ensembles; school head to consider the individual circumstances of Music for Youth,which provides opportunities for young each case in arriving at a decision. musicians to perform in some of the UK’s most prestigious venues; and the In Harmony programme, which aims to inspire and transform the lives of children in six of the Pupil Exclusions most deprived areas of the country through community- based orchestral music making. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students were permanently National Curriculum Tests excluded from school for violence against a member of staff in 2013. [191405] Mr Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Elizabeth Truss: Any form of violence in school is what guidance his Department has given on the proportion completely unacceptable. The Government expects schools of the questions in the revised Key Stage 2 Mathematics to take immediate and robust action if incidents of tests which should be (a) real life problems and (b) violence occur. abstract arithmetical calculations. [191746] Data collected on the reasons for exclusion includes Elizabeth Truss: At present, no guidance has been information on physical assault and verbal abuse or published on the tests of the new national curriculum to threatening behaviour against an adult, but not specifically be administered from the academic year 2015 to 2016. against members of staff. The terms ‘physical assault’ Guidance on the nature of the revised key stage 1 and and ‘verbal abuse’, as collected in the school census, key stage 2 tests, including mathematics, will be published cover a range of offences. Further detail on the reasons covered under each of these terms is published as part by the Standards and Testing Agency in the form of test 1 framework documents. The frameworks are due to be of the Schools Census Guidance . released as part of the Government’s response to the The number of permanent exclusions for these reasons primary assessment and accountability consultation. In has been falling in recent years. In the 2011/12 academic addition, some example test questions will be made year there were 550 permanent exclusions for physical available to schools this summer and a full sample test assault against an adult compared with 580 in 2009/10. will be made available in the summer of 2015. In addition, there were 470 permanent exclusions for verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against an adult2 in Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education 2011/12 compared to 630 in 2009/10. Exclusion data for the 2012/13 academic year will be available in summer 2014. Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 1 Available at: what discussions he has had on introducing compulsory sex and relationship education in schools with (a) https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/school-census teachers, (b) parents, (c) religious bodies and (d) 2 Available at: organisations with an interest in young people’s welfare; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permanent-and- and if he will publish the results of those discussions. fixed-period-exclusions-from-schools-in-england-2011-to-2012- [191787] academic-year

Elizabeth Truss: Sex and relationship education (SRE) Pupils: Absenteeism is compulsory in maintained secondary schools and many academies choose to teach it. Primary schools do Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for not have to teach sex and relationship education but Education in which (a) primary and (b) secondary many choose to do so in later years. When teaching schools in each local authority area more than (i) 10, (ii) SRE, all schools (including academies through their 20, (iii) 30 and (iv) 40 per cent of pupils were classified funding agreements) must have regard to the Secretary as persistent absentees in the latest year for which of State’s statutory guidance. figures are available. [190543] Schools are encouraged to develop their SRE practice with the support of specialist organisations and expert Elizabeth Truss: The requested information has been professionals who are best placed to provide schools placed in the House Library. 385W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 386W

The last full year for which data is available is 2011/12. Proportion of Estimated Overall persistent absence fell by 15% from 2010/11 to Estimated RE1 teachers number of 2011/12, from 379,035 pupils missing 15% of school number of who are a “specialist” time in 2010/11 to 320,880 in 2011/12. RE1 teachers “specialist”2 RE1 teachers (thousand) (%) (thousand) In 2011/12, there were 300 state-funded primary schools and 661 state-funded secondary schools with a persistent 2012 15.4 46.3 7.1 absentee rate of 10% or higher compared to 700 state- 2011 16.5 44.7 7.4 funded primary schools and 981 state-funded secondary 2010 15.5 45.5 7.1 schools in 2010/11. 1 Includes philosophy. 2 Specialist defined as those teachers with any relevant post A-level The number of pupils missing 15% or more of school qualification in the subject. is down from 450,330 in the first two terms of 2010/11 Source: to 310,580 in the first two terms of 2012/13. School Workforce Census While the table shows that the majority of RE teachers are non-specialist, we know specialist teachers tend to Religion: Education teach more hours. Specialist RE teachers taught 71.1% of the hours taught in November 2012, compared to non-specialists who taught 28.9% of the hours. Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for This information is from Table 13 of the Statistical Education what proportion of religious education First Releases ‘School Workforce in England’, November lessons were taught by non-subject specialists in each 2010, 2011 and 2012. They are available at the following of the last five years. [191439] links: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school- Mr Laws: The following table shows the proportion workforce-in-england-november-2012 of hours of religious education lessons taught by teachers https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school- with no relevant post A-level qualification in religious workforce-in-england-november-2011 education. The data was collected in November 2010, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school- 2011 and 2012 and represents a typical week’s lessons in workforce-in-england-november-2010-provisional religious education as taught by publicly funded secondary schools in England. Data is not available on a consistent School Meals basis before 2010.

Proportion of hours of religious Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State education lessons taught by non- for Education what proportion of children in reception, specialist1 teachers year one and year two will be provided with a hot, 2012 28.9 nutritious meal at lunchtime from September 2014. [191776] 2011 27.2 2010 27.2 1 Non-specialist defined as those teachers with no relevant post Mr Laws: All state-funded schools in England will be A-level qualification in the subject. required to offer free school meals to all pupils in Source: reception, year 1 and year 2 from September 2014. The School Workforce Census legal requirement will be to offer a meal that meets the This information is from Table 14 of the Statistical relevant school food standards. We expect that pupils First Releases ’School Workforce in England’, November will routinely be offered a hot option. 2010, 2011 and 2012. The tables are published online at: For schools that need support in delivering the new https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school- entitlement from September, we are investing £9.6 million workforce-in-england-november-2012 in an implementation support service staffed by school food experts. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school- workforce-in-england-november-2011 Details of the service can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school- http://www.childrensfoodtrust.org.uk/schoolfoodplan/uifsm workforce-in-england-november-2010-provisional We have also published a toolkit which can be found at: Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.schoolfoodplan.com/toolkit/ Education how many specialist religious education teachers there were in England in each of the last five Schools years. [191442] Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Laws: The following table shows the estimated for Education which schools he and other Ministers in total number of teachers who teach religious education his Department have visited since May 2010. [191588] (RE) and the proportion who are deemed to be a “specialist”as they hold a relevant post-A level qualification Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education does in the subject. The figures provided are for November not hold a list of school visits made. To compile a 2010 to November 2012 and represent teachers working comprehensive list of all visits would incur disproportionate in publicly-funded secondary schools in England. cost. 387W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 388W

Schools: Admissions review’s effectiveness when they next inspect the school. The National College for Teaching and Leadership Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State provides advice for governing bodies on how to conduct for Education when he will publish the Statistical First a good external review: Release Admission appeals in maintained primary and secondary schools in England: academic year 2011 to Science: Teachers 2012. [191777] Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Laws: There was no admission appeals data collected Education how many primary school teachers who are for 2011/12 or 2012/13 while improvements were made science subject leaders have a science degree. [191323] to the collection process. These improvements were to make the collection more timely and to include admission Mr Laws: The information requested is not held appeals for academies, which were not previously included. centrally. Data on admission appeals for the 2013/14 academic year is currently being collected and is scheduled for Teachers: Job Satisfaction publication in July 2014.

Schools: Closures Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent representations he has received on the importance of the morale of teachers. [191762] Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether it is his policy immediately to close Mr Laws: We routinely receive representations about schools which refer themselves to the National College teacher morale in the course of our ongoing discussions for Teaching Leadership on the grounds of suspicions with teachers’ representatives, including trade unions. of child abuse. [191703] We also regularly receive public correspondence relating to the issue. Mr Timpson: Schools have a duty to consider referring teachers to the National College for Teaching Leadership The Government places enormous value on good (NCTL) who have been dismissed for serious misconduct, quality teachers, and we are committed to supporting or would have been dismissed had they not resigned. In the profession by reducing bureaucracy, trusting teachers such cases involving child abuse, schools have a duty to to exercise their professional judgment, and ensuring refer the teacher to the Disclosure and Barring Service that good teaching is properly recognised and rewarded. (DBS) who will share the referral with the NCTL. In It is very encouraging that so many good people are these circumstances, schools should also report the case choosing a career in teaching; for example, teaching is to their local authority designated officer, who will now the number one destination for graduates from co-ordinate the case locally and refer to the Department Oxford university. We are proud to have many thousands for Education where necessary. of dedicated, hard-working individuals in our schools, The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. delivering high-quality education to their pupils. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), A recent survey for The Times Educational Supplement will always consider closure when there is evidence that found that teachers generally feel positive about the that is the right course of action. He expects schools to work they do. Last year, the Varkey GEMS Foundation’s take appropriate action to refer cases to either the DBS Global Teacher Status Index found levels of public or the NCTL where there are suspicions of child abuse. respect for the teaching profession in England were higher than in Finland or Germany. Schools: Governing Bodies Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Education what steps he has taken to assess the morale what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of of teachers. [191763] school governing bodies in holding head teachers to account; and what plans he has to review the guidance Mr Laws: We have enormous respect for teachers and his Department issues to school governors. [191825] the vital role they play. We continue to support teachers by reducing unnecessary bureaucracy. We trust them to Mr Laws: The evidence is that school governing use their professional judgment and we reward good bodies’ effectiveness varies across the country. That is quality teaching, including through pay flexibilities which why we have sharpened the role of governing bodies in allow heads to pay good teachers more. the new Roles, Procedures and Allowances regulations, A recent survey for the Times Educational Supplement which came into force in September 2013. Earlier this found that teachers generally feel positive about the year we issued advice on those regulations, together work they do. Last year, the Varkey GEMS foundation’s with a revised version of the Governors’ Handbook Global Teacher Status Index found levels of public which contains detailed guidance for governors on all respect for the teaching profession in England were aspects of their role. We will keep the Handbook under higher than in Finland or Germany. review and plan to publish the next update in September It is very encouraging that so many good people are 2014. choosing a career in teaching. 74% of new teachers now Through the school inspections framework, Ofsted have a 2:1 or a first degree—the highest ever recorded. assesses the effectiveness of school governance. Where 14% of Oxford graduates go into teaching, and the inspectors find governance to be weak they will recommend annual Graduate Market in 2014 report identified Teach an external review of governance, and will report on the First as Britain’s biggest graduate recruiter. 389W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 390W

Teachers: Political Impartiality which are struggling to recruit enough trainees. The criteria for eligibility do not relate to whether or not Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for someone is a fully qualified subject specialist. The largest Education what guidance his Department provides to bursaries are given in the subjects which are most teachers to be politically neutral when teaching on difficult to recruit for. subjects pertaining to current affairs, politics and history. [191411] ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE Elizabeth Truss: Section 406 of the Education Act Electoral Register 1996 requires head teachers and governing bodies of maintained schools, as well as local authorities, to forbid the pursuit of partisan political activities by pupils and Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South the promotion of partisan political views on the teaching West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on of any subject in the school. Section 407 also provides the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the answer of that, where political views are brought to the attention 22 January 2014, Official Report, columns 209-10W, on of pupils, they are offered a balanced presentation of electoral register, what assessment the Electoral opposing views. Commission has made of (a) which were the most cost-effective campaigns and (b) what the reasons were Teachers: Qualifications for that cost effectiveness. [187332]

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me Education what guidance his Department provides on that it carries out evaluations at the conclusion of each the required level of experience a substitute teacher of its campaigns to encourage voter registration, including consideration of cost effectiveness. Consideration is must have to provide leave cover. [191409] given to the most cost effective media channels, the Mr Laws: The Education (Specified Work) (England) impact of the campaign creative and costs of production, Regulations 2012 set out the circumstances where someone and the timing and amount of media purchased. (other than a qualified teacher) can teach and be used Improvements made as a result of these evaluations are to cover teacher absence under the direction and supervision likely to have contributed to an increase in the cost of a qualified teacher. The head teacher must be satisfied effectiveness of our campaigns. that the staff member has the appropriate skills and The cost of each campaign divided by the number of experience. voter registration forms downloaded during the campaign period (cost-per-download) provides a useful indicator Teachers: Training of overall cost effectiveness. These costs are presented in the following table. Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for A significant factor beyond the Commission’s control Education pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2014, that affects the cost effectiveness of different campaigns Official Report, column 914W, on teachers: training, is the level of public interest in the elections they relate how many bursaries for initial teacher training were to. Within the table the elections are therefore grouped offered for each subject where there was not a shortage together on a ’most similar’ basis to provide an indicative of fully qualified subject specialists in each of the last point of comparison. However, no two sets of elections five years; and if he will make a statement. [191526] are entirely comparable in part due to the different combinations of elections taking place on the same day. Mr Laws: The purpose of bursaries is to incentivise None the less, there has been a general trend of increasing applications to initial teacher training in key subjects cost effectiveness over the past nine years.

Total registration forms Cost per registration form Total campaign spend downloaded during the downloaded during the including producing material, campaign period pre- Cost of airtime/advertising campaign period pre- research and running a call Campaign registration deadline space (£) registration deadline (£) centre (£)

General election 2005 49,000 3,600,000 73.47 14,100,000 General election 2010 466,000 2,300,000 4.94 2,700,000

England and Wales local 34,000 1,300,000 38.24 1,500,000 elections 2006 England and Wales local 51,000 1,800,000 35.29 2,400,000 elections 2007 England, Wales and London 128,000 3,200,000 25.00 3,900,000 elections 2008 English local elections 2013 87,000 900,000 10.34 1,200,000

English, Scottish and Welsh 146,000 2,900,000 19.86 24,100,000 elections 2012

European Parliament 2009 137,000 3,200,000 23.36 4,000,000 391W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 392W

Total registration forms Cost per registration form Total campaign spend downloaded during the downloaded during the including producing material, campaign period pre- Cost of airtime/advertising campaign period pre- research and running a call Campaign registration deadline space (£) registration deadline (£) centre (£)

European Parliament 2014 Target: 150,000 Budgeted: 2,264,000 Expected: 15.09 Budgeted 2,800,000 1 2005-06 financial year only. 2 Included £1.4 million from the Scottish Government to fund a booklet drop to all households in Scotland.

In this table, costs per download are based purely on In addition the statutory guidance, ‘Emergency the costs of running campaign media advertisements Preparedness’, which supplements the Civil Contingencies because some campaigns draw on existing resources Act 2004, sets out clearly the legislative requirements while others require the production of new materials. and the role expected of category 2 responders in planning The total campaign expenditure (including producing and exercising. The non-statutory guidance, ‘Emergency material and other costs such as research and call centre Response and Recovery’, and other sectoral guidance provision) is shown in the final column. and legislation sets out their expected roles in response. The Government believes the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 already enables effective enforcement. Government Ministers have powers to require information about ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS actions taken by category 2 responders; and an explanation as to why a responder has not taken appropriate action. Where he or she is not satisfied with the information Emergencies given, the Minister may choose to take enforcement proceedings. Additionally, another responder may itself Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for take court action, in respect of a failure by a responder Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether category body to fulfil its responsibilities. 1 and 2 responders currently assess the effectiveness of their emergency response facilities, including flexible Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for accommodation, IT and communications systems. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he [190423] has made of the degree to which, for emergencies spanning more than a single local authority area, Government Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply on behalf offices have ensured coherence and coordination between of the Department for Communities and Local recovery operations. [190451] Government. Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply on behalf In 2012 the Government reported that Pitt Review of the Department for Communities and Local Recommendation 44, that: Government. “Category 1 and 2 responders should assess the effectiveness of their emergency response facilities, including flexible accommodation, The Government offices for the regions closed between IT and communication systems, and undertake any necessary 2010 and 2011. In this context, this specific recommendation improvement works” from the Pitt Review is redundant and no longer applies. had been implemented. Current arrangements for responding to and recovering from incidents, including coordination of emergencies In addition, the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 statutory spanning more than a single area, are set out in the guidance, ‘Emergency Preparedness’, and the non-statutory Government’s Concept of Operations, available at: guidance, ‘Emergency Response and Recovery’, set out www.gov.uk what is expected of category 1 and 2 responders in terms of planning for emergencies. There is an explicit Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for requirement to test and exercise plans, which includes Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether local the testing of supporting infrastructure. recovery coordination groups have made early recommendations to elected local authority members Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for about longer-term regeneration and economic development Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the opportunities. [190452] Government has issued clear guidance on expected levels of Category 2 responders’ engagement in planning, Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply on behalf exercising and response; and what assessment the of the Department for Communities and Local Government has made of the case for strengthening Government. enforcement arrangements. [190432] This Government reported in 2012 that Pitt Review Recommendation 85—that Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply on behalf “local Recovery Coordination Groups should make early of the Department for Communities and Local recommendations to elected local authority members about longer- Government. term regeneration and economic development opportunities” The Government confirmed in 2012 that Pitt had been implemented. It is for the local area to agree recommendation 56, that: the priorities for recovery in their communities. Government “the Government should strengthen and enforce the duty on is supporting local recovery through a number of financial Category 2 responders to share information on the risks to their support packages including for businesses and farming. infrastructure assets, enabling more effective emergency planning Details of all schemes can be found at: within Local Resilience Forums” https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flood-support- had been implemented. schemes-funding-available-from-central-government 393W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 394W

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for My Department’s resilience and recovery advisers Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether all have been in frequent contact with local areas as they Government guidance has been updated to reflect the start to recover from the recent severe weather. I have new arrangements for recovery; and whether local resilience also met leaders of local authorities of most of the forums have planned, trained and exercised on this areas that have been impacted. All areas have kept us basis. [190453] informed of the arrangements in place to engage with their citizens. Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Government. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether, in all Yes. The Government reported in 2012 that Pitt cases relating to the recent flooding, upper tier local Review Recommendation 80—that authorities have become the lead responders to multi-agency “all central Government guidance should be updated to reflect planning for severe weather emergencies at the local the new arrangements for recovery and Local Resilience Forums level and for triggering multi-agency arrangements in should plan, train and exercise on this basis has” response to severe weather warnings and local impact has been implemented. assessments. [190421] The non-statutory Emergency Response and Recovery Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply on behalf guidance describes the multi-agency framework for of the Department for Communities and Local responding to and recovering from civil emergencies in Government. the UK and was revised in October 2013. The guidance The Government reported in 2012 that Pitt Review is not prescriptive and can be adapted in light of local Recommendation 41 had been implemented. Under the circumstances, experiences and priorities. Local authorities Civil Contingencies Act 2004 statutory guidance are responsible for the planning, training and exercising ″Emergency Preparedness″ local authorities and other for the recovery of the community following any major responders work together as a local resilience forum to emergency, working with other agencies in the Local draw up multi-agency plans. It is for these forum meetings Resilience Forum. to discuss local arrangements for who will lead on Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for planning for different emergencies and how the multi-agency Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether and plans will be triggered. when local resilience forums have evaluated and shared Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for lessons from both the response and recovery phases to Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what work the inform planning for future emergencies. [190458] Environment Agency has done with its partners to Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply on behalf progressively develop and bring into use flood visualisation of the Department for Communities and Local tools that are designed to meet the needs of flood-risk Government. managers, emergency planners and responders. [190429] Yes. The Government reported in 2012 that this Dan Rogerson: The Environment Agency has produced recommendation from the Pitt Review had been an Incident Management Map Viewer for use in Strategic implemented. In addition, the Civil Contingencies Act (Gold) and Tactical (Silver) Coordination Centres. 2004 statutory guidance “Emergency Preparedness”includes The viewer allows responders to view and share incident guidance to local resilience forums to evaluate lessons mapping data consistently and can be used during a post-exercise and post-operation to inform planning for flood event to visualise what areas are at risk of flooding, future emergencies. using current and forecast information. The timing is up to the local resilience forum to Flood visualisation tools have been used effectively determine; notwithstanding, the last National Capability during the recent winter flooding (2013-14) to help the Survey (2012) found that 91% of respondents had used Environment Agency and its partners make better decisions lessons to modify and improve plans after they had about where and how to respond during a flood incident. been exercised or invoked. The Environment Agency continues to work on new Floods visualisation systems which are due to be implemented later this year. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress he has made of whether local authorities have the Government has made towards creating a fully- co-ordinated a systematic programme of community funded national capability for flood rescue, with fire engagement in their area during recovery phases. and rescue authorities playing a leading role. [190430] [190414] Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply on behalf Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local of the Department for Communities and Local Government. Government. The Government reported in 2012 that Pitt Review The Government reported in 2012 that Pitt Review Recommendation 39—that Recommendation 76—that “the Government should urgently put in place a fully funded “local authorities should coordinate a systematic programme national capability for flood rescue, with Fire and Rescue Authorities of community engagement in their area during the recovery playing a leading role, underpinned as necessary by a statutory phase” duty” had been implemented. has been implemented. 395W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 396W

Over 100 specialist flood rescue teams and associated I have not since made any assessment of whether equipment are on standby across the country as a result local authority contact centres have taken the lead in of the 2011 Flood Rescue National Enhancement project. dealing with general enquiries from the public during These teams are drawn from a mix of organisations and after major flooding. It is up to local authorities to including Fire and Rescue Authorities and voluntary meet their statutory obligations under the Civil organisation, with new assets added to the register on a Contingencies Act 2004, the Reservoirs Act 1975, and regular basis. the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to prevent All asset holders have signed up to deploy as required and plan for flooding. nationwide in a flood emergency, with local requests for Floods: Crops assistance being managed by the Fire and Rescue Service National Co-ordination Centre. To be included on the Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for register of assets, specific equipment and crew training Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support his standards must be met. A quality assurance of all flood Department plans to make available to farmers whose rescue assets is currently under way to confirm compliance crops are late or reduced as a result of severe wet with these standards. weather. [191383]

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for George Eustice: The Government has introduced the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether all Farming Recovery Fund (FRF) which provides up to upper tier local authorities have established Oversight £10 million to support farm businesses affected by and Scrutiny Committees to review work by public flooding. sector bodies and essential service providers in order to While the fund does not provide financial support for manage flood risk and implement the suggestions of loss of income related to late or reduced crops, it does the Review following the 2007 floods; and whether any provide farmers who have been affected by the floods such reports have been made public and reviewed by with a one-off grant to restore flooded land. This will Government Offices and the Environment Agency. help to bring land back into production as quickly as [190457] possible and to secure future production once the land is restored. Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply on behalf Additionally, the Farming and Forestry Improvement of the Department for Communities and Local Scheme (FFIS) has been widened to provide support Government. for rural businesses in flood affected areas to become In January 2012 the Government reported that Pitt more resilient in future. Review recommendation 90 had been implemented. In Reptiles: Smuggling addition, pursuant to Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000, a local authority that is a lead local flood authority must review and scrutinise the exercise by risk Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for management authorities of flood risk management Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many functions related to flood or coastal erosion risk reptiles were seized by HM Customs under CITES in management. Where such a lead authority undertakes each year from 2001 to 2013; and how many such any such reviews or scrutiny, it may publish reports or seizures there were. [189656] recommendations. James Brokenshire: I have been asked to reply on The Department does not monitor the review and behalf of the Home Department. scrutiny activities of lead authorities or the report or Border Force is responsible for seizing live animals recommendations that may be provided. listed as endangered species under Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 on the protection of species of wild Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for fauna and flora which implements the Convention on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in he has made of whether local authority contact centres the EU. Prior to 5 August 2009 CITES enforcement at have taken the lead in dealing with general enquiries the UK border fell to HM Revenue and Customs and from the public during and after major flooding and its predecessor, HM Customs and Excise. redirecting calls to other organisations when The number of live reptiles seized by HM Revenue appropriate. [190461] and Customs between 2005 and 2009 and by Border Force between 2009 and 2013 under the Convention on Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply on behalf International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) are of the Department for Communities and Local given in the following table. Government. Border Force does not hold data for the number of In January 2012 the Government reported that the live reptiles seized by HM Customs and Excise between Pitt review recommendation 66 had been implemented. 2001 and 2005.

Seizures include: Seizures Number of specimens Number Name

2005-06 27 1,336 501 Leopard Tortoises 220 Caiman Crocodiles 149 Royal Pythons 397W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 398W

Seizures include: Seizures Number of specimens Number Name

170 Terrapins

2006-07 38 1,313 325 Terrapins 294 Spiny tailed lizards 138 Leopard tortoises

2007-08 21 347 200 Tortoises

2008-09 32 1,044 356 Turtles 111 Leopard tortoises 100 Hingeback tortoises 98 Spiny tailed lizards

2009-10 17 528 210 Kleinmann’s Tortoise 100 Leopard Tortoise

2010-11 5 804 585 Royal Pythons

2011-12 19 571 180 Royal Pythons 160 Hermanns tortoises 95 Chameleons

2012-13 8 17 Tortoises

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Ukraine

Afghanistan David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much additional aid Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Government plans to give to Ukraine. [191325] International Development what assessment she has made of the safety of women’s human rights defenders Justine Greening: The UK Government is providing a in Afghanistan. [191413] package of technical assistance of up to £10 million as part of our wider effort to support economic and political Justine Greening: The UK Government shares the stabilisation in Ukraine. widespread concern about attacks and intimidation faced by Afghan women who work to defend the rights and fundamental freedoms of others. Eliminating violence COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT against women and girls is a strategic priority for DFID’s work in Afghanistan and a range of programmes are Betting Shops being implemented. Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Developing Countries: Family Planning Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department gives to local authorities on preventing the proliferation of betting shops and fixed odds Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for betting terminals. [191345] International Development how much of the total budget for overseas development assistance is allocated Nick Boles [holding answer 13 March 2014]: I refer for reproductive health education and family planning. the right hon. Member to my answer of 4 December [191191] 2013, Official Report, columns 741-42W, which outlines the broad advice we give to councils who want to use Lynne Featherstone: Reproductive health is one of article 4 powers to tackle localised problems in relation the Government’s priority areas. At the 2012 Gold to betting shops. Moment we committed to spend £516 million on Family Planning over eight years towards the summit goal of Career Development enabling an additional 120 million women and girls in the world’s poorest countries to be using modern methods Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for of family planning by 2020. Our country programmes Communities and Local Government (1) what proportion also have investments that contribute to family planning. of civil servants in his Department who were promoted Last year alone we spent over £200 million on family in each of the last five years were (a) male and (b) planning. female; [189137] 399W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 400W

(2) what proportion of civil servants in his Percentage Department who were promoted in each of the last five Promotions split by disability status years were identified as (a) white British and (b) from Proportion of Proportion of staff any other ethnic minority group; [189157] Total proportion staff promoted promoted who of staff promoted who declared declared (3) what proportion of civil servants in his in the themselves as themselves as Department who were promoted in each of the last five Department disabled non-disabled years were identified as (a) disabled and (b) non- 2013 7.1 5.3 94.7 disabled. [189177] 1 As indicated above, there were just 12 promotions in 2011; the small sample size is the reason for this figure. Brandon Lewis: The information requested is shown As at end January 2014, the total proportion of civil in the following tables. The following proportions in servants in the Department reporting themselves as terms of gender, ethnic origin and disability status are disabled was 5.3%. based only on those staff who have voluntarily declared Taken as a whole, and given the issues with small this information. sample sizes, these figures show that promotions broadly reflect the general composition of the Department. The Department undertook a restructuring process from October 2010 to October 2012 which caused a Emergency Services significant reduction in the number of promotions during its peak in 2011 as staff numbers were reduced. To put this into context, there were a total of 12 promotions in Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for 2011 against an average of 128 promotions in the other Communities and Local Government on what proportion years in question. of occasions when a fire engine was despatched in response to a 999 call (a) a police vehicle and (b) an Percentage ambulance was also sent to the same incident in the last Promotions split by gender year for which figures are available. [191786] Total proportion of staff promoted Proportion of Proportion of Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities in the male staff female staff and Local Government does not collect this particular Department promoted promoted information. 2009 11.9 47.8 52.2 2010 4.0 45.8 54,2 Empty Property 2011 0.6 50.0 50.0 2012 4.4 53.0 47.0 Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for 2013 7.1 39.8 60.2 Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the empty property business rates for the As at end January 2014, the total proportion of vacant properties recorded on the e-PIMS database female civil servants in the Department was 51.3%. owned by (a) his Department and (b) any Executive agencies or non-departmental public bodies of his Percentage Department in the current financial year. [191803] Promotions split by ethnicity Proportion of staff Brandon Lewis: No information is held centrally on Proportion of promoted who Total proportion staff promoted declared the business rates paid on vacant properties (recorded of staff promoted who declared themselves as on e-PIMS or otherwise) owned by the Department for in the themselves as black, Asian and 1 Communities and Local Government, or any Executive Department “white” minority ethnic agencies or non-departmental public bodies of the 2009 11.9 77.4 22.6 Department for Communities and Local Government. 2010 4.0 74.0 26.0 The Government Property Unit has been supporting 2011 0.6 91,7 8.3 Departments to rapidly rationalise the Government’s 2012 4.4 83.8 16.3 estate. Since May 2010, over £1.25 billion has been 2013 7.1 86.9 13.1 raised in sales of freehold properties. Through the exiting 1 Due to the manner in which data is reported by staff, meaningful disaggregations of property across the central civil estate, we have also are not available. delivered cumulative, gross run rate savings of over As at end January 2014, the total proportion of civil £454 million per annum. servants in the Department reporting themselves as Where surplus property is awaiting disposal or lease black, Asian and minority ethnic was 20.7%. end, the Government looks to explore all disposal options, including commercially sub-letting all or part of the Percentage space. Where surplus property is awaiting disposal or Promotions split by disability status lease end but cannot yet be sold or sub-let commercially, Proportion of Proportion of staff the Space for Growth scheme, run by the unit, invites Total proportion staff promoted promoted who of staff promoted who declared declared small and medium-sized businesses, charities and social in the themselves as themselves as enterprises to utilise this space for free, boosting economic Department disabled non-disabled growth. Over 1,500 workstation spaces are now available 2009 11.9 6.5 93.5 in 57 different locations around England. 2010 4.0 6.3 93.8 My Department has had considerable success in reducing 2011 0.6 0.0 1100.0 the cost of its wider estate through the rationalisation 2012 4.4 3.7 96.3 of retained office space and targeted building disposals. 401W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 402W

This has seen the Department surrender six leasehold (ii) Numbers of households in temporary accommodation as at office properties through a combination of lease breaks the end of each quarter: and expiries, generating net savings in the period of Which contain dependant children or a pregnant mother, and around £7 million per annum. The Department has also the number of children and expected children in these households; successfully sub-let surplus space across its leasehold and office estate during the same period, reducing the overall Where the applicant was 16 or 17 years old. property costs by around £6.5 million per annum. Data from 2009 has been given for extra comparison. Building on this success, in 2013-14, we have already secured further savings of £4.6 million by sub-letting The law is clear—no child should be without a roof further space in Eland house in London. Most recently, over their head. Any child under 18 who becomes the Department negotiated the early surrender of Eland homeless and without anyone to look after them is a house and is scheduled to relocate to 2 Marsham street. child in need. They must be housed by a local authority This move will reduce my Department’s running costs and supported by Children’s Services. If a child is by £9 million a year from 2015-16. Overall, these changes homeless because their parents are homeless then that will save the Government £24 million a year. family is protected by the homelessness legislation and must be housed. If a family is unable to care for a child This illustrates the scope for local government and, under 18 then that child must be taken into care. indeed, the public sector as a whole to make sensible savings through better property management. We want children to be able to stay with their families in secure and settled homes and we want to help local Fracking authorities support families before they reach crisis point. We are investing £470 million in homelessness prevention over four years of the spending review period— Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for funding going to all local authorities and the voluntary Communities and Local Government if he will make it sector. We are continuing to support local authorities to his policy that planning permission is only granted on raise their game with an additional £1.7 million over condition that shale gas pads pipe water and gas on two years (2012-13 to 2013-14) for a new Gold Standard and off sites. [191481] support and training scheme across the country to deliver the best possible service to those that are at risk Nick Boles: Local planning authorities are able to of homelessness. attach planning conditions to a planning permission to mitigate the effects of any development and make an We have also worked closely with leading voluntary otherwise unacceptable proposal acceptable in planning sector organisations and local authorities to develop terms. Conditions must be necessary, relevant to planning and promote a positive youth accommodation pathway and to the development, enforceable, precise and reasonable. for those who cannot stay within the family network or In that context, a local planning permission for shale are leaving care. The pathway approach offers tailored extraction will wish to outline the appropriate arrangements accommodation options and a supportive transition for the transport of materials and equipment, and may into adulthood, helping young people to avoid the crisis address the issue of piped connections and highways of homelessness. movements. The appropriate solution will ultimately More recently, the Department for Communities and depend on local circumstances of the individual application. Local Government and the Cabinet Office set up a £15 million Fair Chance Fund to support vulnerable, Homelessness: Barrow in Furness homeless 18 to 25-year-olds that are ineligible for assistance from local authorities under the homelessness legislation. John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many individuals registered as homeless in Barrow and Furness constituency were aged (a) under 16 and (b) Housing 16 to 18 in each of the last three years. [190315]

Kris Hopkins [holding 6 March 2014]: The Department Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for does not collect data on homelessness at a constituency Communities and Local Government what value of level. grants has been issued in (a) Brigg and Goole constituency I have therefore placed in the Library of the House, a and (b) Yorkshire and the Humber under the New table containing the most relevant available figures for Homes Bonus Scheme since that scheme’s introduction. two local authorities that include part of the Barrow [191637] and Furness constituency: Barrow-in-Furness and South Lakeland. Kris Hopkins: New Homes Bonus is a clear, transparent The table includes: incentive for authorities to welcome growth. Since it (i) Numbers of households accepted as being unintentionally began in April 2011, local authorities have received homeless and in priority need: £2.2 billion of New Homes Bonus funding, recognising The applicant was aged 16-24; or delivery of nearly 550,000 homes and bringing over The household was in at least one of the following Priority 93,000 long-term empty homes back into use. Need categories: New Homes Bonus is paid by local authority area Aged 16 or 17; rather than parliamentary constituency boundaries. Figures Household with children; are therefore given for the councils of East Riding of Household member pregnant. Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. 403W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 404W

Since 2010, over 100,000 people have been helped to buy or £ million reserve their own home through the right to buy and schemes like Authority 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-151 Total Help to Buy: Equity Loan, which are in turn, supporting new housing construction. East Riding 1.09 2.21 3.07 4.18 10.55 of 69,000 homes are being brought forward on locally-supported Yorkshire large sites, with £474 million in the Local Infrastructure Fund. North 0.52 1.20 1.77 2.27 5.76 We are supporting private investment in new housing to rent, Lincolnshire through our Built to Rent and Guarantees programmes. Total 1.61 3.41 4.84 6.45 16.31 A package of measures is helping self-builders, and a programme 1 Allocation of activity is helping refurbish and bring empty homes back into These figures recognise delivery of 2,475 additions to use. stock and 636 long-term empty homes returned to use Action has been taken to get stalled sites building which were for East Riding of Yorkshire, and 1,487 additions to left uncompleted or unstarted due to the Labour Government’s stock and 204 long-term empty homes returned to use housing crash. for North Lincolnshire. We have kept interest rates down and ensured economic stability The New Homes Bonus is allocated to individual by tackling the deficit left by the Labour Government. local authorities based on increases in their effective House building starts for past year (to December housing stock. My Department no longer produces 2013) increased by 23%, according to DCLG statistics, regional statistics, not least since policies like the New the highest since 2007. The figures for the last quarter Homes Bonus do not operate on a regional basis. were 89% higher than during the crash. Similarly, housing construction orders are at their highest level since 2007 Housing: Construction at over £4 billion in the third quarter of 2013 (up 42% on same period last year) according to the Office for National Statistics. Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) And according to National House Building Council successful and (b) unsuccessful applications were figures, in 2013, new housing registrations rose by 30% received for Get Britain Building funding in (i) round in England on the year before. In London, new registrations one in January 2012 and (ii) round two in July 2012. rose 60%, the highest annual total since these records [190131] began 26 years ago. Registrations across the country are at their highest since 2007. This is all clear evidence the Kris Hopkins [holding answer 5 March 2014]: In my Government’s long-term economic plan is working. By answer of 27 February 2014, Official Report, columns contrast, new registrations fell by 12% in Wales last 445-46W,I noted how the Get Britain Building programme year, linked to the Labour-led Welsh Government’s is on track and on course, with 11,165 starts to date increased regulation and their failure to support home (and more to come), helping unlock sites that had ownership. stalled due to the last Government’s housing bust. While I am aware that the Labour party has been In the first round, 106 applications were, successful, actively advocating rent controls, we have no plans to 198 were unsuccessful and 101 withdrew. In the second re-introduce them. Rent controls would cut investment round, 75 applications were successful, 69 were unsuccessful and mean less accommodation available for new tenants and 18 withdrew. to rent. Previously, rent controls decimated the private rented sector, shrinking in size from 55% of households It is and was important that value for taxpayers’ is in 1939 to just 8% in the late 1980s. Rent controls also achieved from the programme, given the sizeable funds meant that many landlords could not afford to improve allocated for investment. Applications may have been or maintain their homes, leading to worse conditions rejected since they simply did not comply with the for tenants. The interests of tenants are best served by criteria laid out in the prospectus, or since they failed to avoiding excessive regulation which would ultimately meet the due diligence or value for money assessments. force up rents and reduce supply and choice. Applicants may have withdrawn for a number of reasons— but this could have included improving market conditions Land Use: Agriculture meaning that such funding was not necessary for their particular sites. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what formula his Communities and Local Government if he will take Department uses to value Best and Most Versatile steps to increase investment in house building; and if (BMV) land for the purposes of assessing planning he will consider the introduction of rent controls. applications to local planning authorities; if he will [190549] make it his policy to include in that formula the economic value of food production from BMV agricultural land Kris Hopkins: This Government is investing in housing over a sixty-year period, in a similar way as for infrastructure to get Britain building again, fix the previously broken applications; and what discussions he has had with the housing market and help hard-working people get the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural home they want: Affairs on planning applications for BMV agricultural land and their potential effects on local food security Over 160,000 new affordable homes have been delivered over and biodiversity. [190335] the last three years, based on New Homes Bonus figures. Our affordable housing programme will lever in £19.5 billion of public and private investment over the current spending review period. Nick Boles: The Agricultural Land Classification system Over 2015-18, we will be investing a further £23 billion in public is used by Natural England and others to give advice to and private funding for affordable housing. planning authorities, developers and the public. Best 405W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 406W and most versatile farmland is land identified as Grade (2) in how many cases draft local plans have been 1, 2 or 3a. Such land is generally the most flexible, referred back to authorities because of points raised productive and efficient, and forms about a third of all about the duty to co-operate set out in the National agricultural land in England. Our National Planning Planning Policy Framework since the adoption of that Policy Framework requires local authorities to take into framework. [190572] account the benefits of best and most versatile land when plan-making or deciding planning applications. If Nick Boles [holding answer 10 March 2014]: Through significant development on farmland is unavoidable, our reforms in the Localism Act and National Planning local authorities should seek to use poorer land in Policy Framework we have ensured that local plans set preference. As a safeguard, local authorities are required the framework in which decisions on particular applications by law to consult Natural England in certain circumstances are taken locally. This includes amending legislation so before permitting non-agricultural development on best that a planning inspector may only propose modifications and most versatile land that does not accord with the to a draft local plan where invited to do so by the local Local Plan. planning authority. The National Planning Policy Framework also sets Three quarters of local planning authorities have out how the planning system should contribute to and now published a local plan and 42 local plans have been enhance the natural environment by minimising impacts adopted since the publication of the National Planning on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity Policy Framework in March 2012. To place this in where possible. context, six years after the Labour Government’s 2004 Planning Act, by May 2010, only one in six local Leasehold planning authorities had an adopted core strategy.Labour’s top-down regional strategies were one of the key reasons Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for for this delay: adding complexity to the planning process Communities and Local Government what data (a) his and discouraging local decision-making. Department holds and (b) can be estimated from the Land Registry, the Census and the Office of National Where a local plan withdraws from examination it Statistics on the number of leasehold domestic premises will be for reasons specific to that plan; only six local in (i) Worthing West constituency, (ii) Worthing borough, plans have been withdrawn since the publication of the (iii) Arun district, (iv) West Sussex county, (v) South framework for reasons which include (but are not limited East England region, (vi) England and (vii) England to) the effective application of the duty to co-operate. and Wales; what data collection his Department makes on housing tenure types; and if he will make a statement. Planning Permission: Cheshire [191129] Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Kris Hopkins: The Department does not hold data on Communities and Local Government if he will implement the number of leasehold domestic properties by a moratorium on approving planning applications for parliamentary constituency, local authority district, county greenfield sites in Addisbury constituency before local or Wales. As outlined in the written ministerial statement neighbourhood plans are finalised; and if he will make of 18 September 2012, Official Report, columns 29-31WS, it his policy that a draft local plan should be taken into my Department no longer publishes statistics by government account when considering such planning applications. office region. The English Housing Survey collects data [188252] from owner-occupied homes on whether the home is owned leasehold or freehold, but not from homes that Nick Boles: Through our reforms in the Localism Act are let in the private rented sector or social rented and National Planning Policy Framework we have ensured sector. In the past this partial data has been used to that Local Plans set the framework in which decisions estimate the total number of leasehold domestic properties on particular applications are taken locally. Three quarters in England across all tenures, but the methodology is of local planning authorities have now published a currently under review. Local Plan and over half have an adopted Local Plan. The census does not collect data on the number of To place this in context, six years after the Labour leasehold domestic properties so census based estimates Government’s 2004 Planning Act, by May 2010, only of leasehold domestic properties are dependent on one in six local planning authorities had an adopted assumptions (ie property type as a proxy for leasehold core strategy. properties). The National Planning Policy Framework is clear The Land Registry holds some information on leasehold that plans may gain weight in planning decisions before properties but have not estimated the number of leasehold they are formally adopted. We have now set out in dwellings. planning practice guidance where circumstances may The Department collects data on housing tenure via justify the refusal of planning permission on grounds a number of different sources, including the English that an application would be premature in relation to Housing Survey and local authority returns. the emerging local or neighbourhood plan. Planning Permission Sleeping Rough: North East Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how many Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for draft local plans have been referred back to local authorities Communities and Local Government how many rough for revision since the adoption of the National Planning sleepers there were in each local authority in the North Policy Framework; [190571] East in each of the last five years. [190504] 407W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 408W

Kris Hopkins: I refer the hon. Member to the counts/ 2011-12 2012-13 20131 estimates which are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/homelessness- Days 647 2703 163 statistics#rough-sleeping Staffing costs (£) 140,687 153,814 33,445 I also refer him to my answers of 20 January 2014, Travel and hotel 399 0 0 Official Report, columns 62-64W, which outline the expenses (£) action we are taking on rough sleeping. 1 To December 2013. 2 The increase in 2012-13 was not due to an increase in the number of Figures before 2010 are neither comparative nor accurate, trade union representatives, but rather a combination of higher staff due to fundamental flaws in the count methodology. salaries, following the annual pay changes and since trade union However, those previous figures for 2008 and 2009 are representatives in higher grades used more facility time than in the accessible from: previous years. We anticipate that the final staffing cost figure for https://www.gov.government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/7388/1648099.xls 2013-14 may be in the region of £47,000. To place this in context, facility time staffing costs were £245,644 in 2008-09 and £177,100 in 2009-10. This represents a Social Rented Housing significant saving of taxpayers’ money. The reductions since April 2013 are also being Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for implemented across our arm’s length bodies. In my Communities and Local Government (1) how long the answer of 13 September 2013, Official Report, columns average family will spend on the waiting list for social 882-84W,I noted that our changes across my Department housing before being allocated a property in (a) the and arm’s length bodies may save up to £400,000 a year London Borough of Havering and (b) England; of taxpayers’ money. [191390] We would encourage local authorities to follow our (2) how many people were living in local authority example in delivering such sensible savings, helping social rented housing in the London Borough of protect frontline services and keep council tax down; we Havering in 2013. [191392] have published helpful guidance for councils along those lines. Kris Hopkins: This information is not collected centrally.

Trade Union Officials ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Carbon Sequestration Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding his Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Department provided for staff to carry out trade union and Climate Change whether his Department plans to activities in each of the last three years; and how many bid for European Union funding for carbon capture days staff spent on those activities in each of those and storage projects; and if he will allocate part of any years. [190236] of such funding to Drax power station. [191144]

Brandon Lewis: Ministers in this Department believe Michael Fallon: In July 2013 the Department submitted that the taxpayer-funded subsidies and support that the White Rose Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) previously have been given to the trade unions were project’s bid to the second call of the NER300 programme. poor value for money and represented an unhealthy The White Rose project co-developers are Alstom, Drax relationship between the state and voluntary sector. and BOC. The aim behind the NER300 programme is Trade union activities and campaigning in the public to support the deployment of innovative renewable sector should be funded by members’ subscriptions, not energy technology and carbon capture and storage. The bankrolled by the taxpayer. Greater freedom from state European Commission is expected to make an Award dependency will help ensure that trade union bosses Decision for the second call in June 2014. Should White better reflect and respond to the wishes and views of the Rose be successful in its bid, the funding will be directed grassroots members who pay the bill. to Capture Power Limited, the consortium founded by the project co-developers. Following the Cabinet Office review of the use of facility time and facilities in the civil service, the Department Drax Power Station for Communities and Local Government has made changes to its facility time arrangements. With effect Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy from 1 April 2013, the guideline facility allocation is and Climate Change at what stage of development the 0.04% of the pay bill (the private sector average benchmark). conversion of Drax power station to biomass is; and All trade union representatives now spend the majority when that project is due to be completed. [191145] of their time in civil service roles—we no longer fund full-time “pilgrims”. The Department does not now Michael Fallon: Drax converted one unit of their power provide any funding for staff to carry out trade union station to biomass by April 2013. They have applied for activities. We have also taken broader steps to prevent two Investment Contracts to convert two further units inappropriate use of departmental facilities for campaigning through Final Investment Decision Enabling for Renewables purposes. process. The affordability assessment and down-selection The following table sets out the costs of such process for Investment Contracts will be carried out departmental facility time to the public purse: following the receipt of binding applications later this 409W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 410W month. Investment Contracts are expected to be signed recognises that regulators must be allowed to take decisions and laid in Parliament in spring 2014. According to depending on the circumstances of each particular case. Drax’s website, they intend to complete the conversion The Environment Agency, for example, takes a risk-based of one of these two units by April 2015 and quarter approach to permitting that in most cases means a four of 2015, at the earliest, for the second of the two. blanket refusal to issue a permit in certain circumstances would not be appropriate. Planning authorities also Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy assess each application on a case by case basis, recognising and Climate Change whether the conversion to that each application may have specific circumstances biomass at Drax power station will continue to ensure that need to be taken into account. that the station provides seven to eight per cent of the There are standards that all operators must adhere UK’s electricity needs. [191146] to. These can be found in legislation and guidance set out by Government and regulators, such as the Environment Michael Fallon: The Department does not publish Agency. The industry’s own guidelines also include best forecasts of the expected generation of individual power practice which operators are committed to following. plants. Such figures would be commercially confidential. The UK’s goal based approach to regulation of shale We do however expect that Drax will continue to play a gas extraction was commended by an authoritative major role in providing electricity for the UK. Drax review by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the have published information about their intentions at: Royal Society, which was published in June 2012. http://drax.presscentre.com/News/Preliminary-results-for-the- year-ended-31-December-2013-b8c.aspx Fuel Poverty

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Dr McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what socio-economic benefits the and Climate Change what proportion of people in each local community will receive from Drax power station’s region of the UK are in fuel poverty. [191865] conversion from coal-fire to biomass. [191147] Gregory Barker: Fuel poverty is a devolved issue and Michael Fallon: This is a matter for Drax and the each UK nation monitors and reports on fuel poverty local authority. DECC does not collate such information. independently. Furthermore, each nation has its own preferred definition of fuel poverty. In England, the Energy: Prices Government now uses the Low Income High Costs definition of fuel poverty. Figures show that in 2011 Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for there were 2.4 million households in England in fuel Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made poverty under this definition. of the change in energy costs for the average household In Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland the principle of pensionable age since May 2010. [191514] indicator of fuel poverty is the “10% definition” under which a household is fuel poor if it needs to spend more Michael Fallon: Data on household expenditure are than 10% of its income on domestic energy. The latest only available on an annual basis. The following table available figures are as follows: shows average weekly household expenditure on energy in each year since 2010, where the household reference Number of person is aged 65 or over. fuel poor Proportion of households the population Year of Average weekly expenditure on Country (millions) fuel poor (%) estimate energy (£) England 3.20 15 2011 2010 21.20 Scotland 0.58 25 2011 2011 21.80 Wales 0.37 29 2011 2012 22.20 Northern 0.29 42 2011 Ireland These figures include expenditure on electricity, gas and other household fuels, but exclude expenditure on All fuel poverty statistics published by the Department petrol and diesel. They are based on data from the of Energy and Climate Change can be accessed easily at Living Costs and Food Survey, which is run by the the following website: Office for National Statistics. Expenditure has been https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty- expressed in cash terms and the latest data available are statistics for 2012. Natural Resources Fracking Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department will be and Climate Change what steps he is taking to develop taking to implement the findings of the second State a UK standard in mitigation measures, operating of Natural Capital report by the Natural Capital conditions and planning requirements for shale gas Committee. [191585] pads. [191483] Gregory Barker: The Natural Capital Committee (NCC) Michael Fallon: The UK has a strong regulatory formally reports to the Economic Affairs Committee system which provides a comprehensive and fit for and the second report was directed to it. The NCC’s purpose regime for exploration. The regulatory regime report contains a range of recommendations which the 411W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 412W

Government needs to consider collectively. DEFRA is Fund for Technical Co-Operation of £8.6 million; and co-ordinating the Government response and will reply DFID’s contribution to the Commonwealth Youth to the NCC’s report once it has fully considered it. Programme of £1 million. Conflict Pool

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs where annual Cayman Islands reports of the Inter-departmental Conflict Pool for (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13 or equivalent Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign information are published. [191669] and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of progress in implementing the Mark Simmonds: The Conflict Pool is a conflict Framework for Fiscal Responsibility in the Cayman prevention resource collectively managed by the Foreign Islands. [191569] and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development Mark Simmonds: The Cayman Islands Government (DFID). remains on track to meet the sound fiscal trajectory and Since the beginning of the current spending review other commitments set out in the Framework for Fiscal period, and in line with commitments made in the Responsibility. Building Stability Overseas Strategy, published in 2011, Commonwealth all three Departments adopted a multi-year funding model based on three-year programmes. No annual reports have since been produced. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth he has taken to strengthen ties with the Commonwealth. Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond [191470] (Yorks) (Mr Hague), the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Mr Swire: The Prime Minister, the Secretary of State Weybridge (Mr Hammond) and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. for International Development, my right hon. Friend Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) the Member for Putney (Justine Greening) annually and I attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government update the House on Conflict Pool annual allocations, meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka in November 2013. 1 by written ministerial statement. also addressed the Commonwealth People’s Forum and Additionally, Departments publish details on Conflict the Commonwealth Business Forum, held in parallel Pool spending they manage through their websites and with CHOGM. On 24 February 2014, I hosted a meeting in line with their departmental requirements. DFID of high commissioners to discuss the Commonwealth. I reports to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation will meet high commissioners and others later this and Development’s (OECD) Development Assistance month to consider the organisation’s role and its relationship Committee (DAC) on any spending that is eligible as with its members. Official Development Assistance. The United Kingdom continues to make the largest In 2012, both the National Audit Office and the financial contribution to the Commonwealth Secretariat Independent Commission for Aid Impact published and the Commonwealth Foundation. independent reports on the Conflict Pool. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Democratic Republic of Congo Affairs and all Foreign Office Ministers meet regularly with their Commonwealth counterparts. This week, the Secretary of State has met the Indian, Pakistani, Australian Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for and New Zealand Foreign Ministers. We will of course Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment also use the opportunity of this summer’s Commonwealth he has made of the effectiveness of the UN sanctions games in Glasgow to promote and reaffirm our regime against the Democratic Republic of Congo. commitment to the Commonwealth. [191845] Commonwealth Secretariat Mark Simmonds: We welcome United Nations Security Council Resolution 2136 (2014) about the Democratic Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Republic of Congo (DRC) adopted on 30 January 2014 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much financial that renewed the sanctions regime in force on the DRC. support the UK provides to the Commonwealth Secretariat Sanctions can be an effective foreign policy tool in each year. [191595] helping to influence behaviour. In the DRC, the persistence of a complex mosaic of violent conflicts has caused Mr Swire: We remain the largest financial contributor widespread death and displacement, and the destruction to the Commonwealth Secretariat, providing around of the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of households, 30% of its total budget. In the financial year 2013-14, particularly in the eastern part of the country. the British Government provided £14.8 million to the Taking steps, including imposing sanctions, to cut Commonwealth Secretariat. This was made up of the funding and other support to the illegal armed groups Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s assessed contribution responsible for the violence is an important element of of £5.2 million; the Department for International the Government’s strategy aimed at bringing stability to Development’s (DF1D) contribution to the Commonwealth the region. 413W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 414W

Falkland Islands line with the Geneva communiqué; and encourage our international partners to make similar points in their Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for engagement with Iran. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Middle East answer of 10 March 2014, Official Report, column 46W, on Falkland Islands, and with reference to the Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State for answer from the Minister for Universities and Science Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment of 27 January 2014, Official Report, column 447W, on he has made of recent reports of rocket fire from overseas students, British overseas territories, what southern Lebanon into Israel. [R] [191241] discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the correct use of the name of the Falkland Islands by Government Hugh Robertson: The situation on the Blue Line Departments; and what cross-governmental guidance between Israel and Lebanon remains relatively calm. We were concerned on 29 December 2013 by one rocket his Department has issued on this matter. [191513] fired from Lebanon into Israel to which the Israeli Mr Swire: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials Defence Force responded with artillery rounds; no injuries have been in contact with the Department for Business, or material damage were caused on either side. We Innovation and Skills to remind them of the appropriate welcome the positive role that the United Nations Interim terminology for the Falkland Islands. No specific cross- Force in Lebanon plays in maintaining the ceasefire on governmental guidance has been issued on this matter, the Israeli-Lebanon border and urge both Israel and but it is clear that all Government Departments and Lebanon to take advantage of the ceasefire to conduct agencies should use the correct name, which is of course negotiations towards a permanent peace, including settling the Falkland Islands. all outstanding border disputes. Occupied Territories Hezbollah Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State for and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has had with his Israeli counterpart on levels of he has made of recent reports that Hezbollah is settlement construction. [191562] stockpiling missiles. [R] [191240] Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Foreign Hugh Robertson: We remain very concerned by and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Hezbollah’s own claims that it possesses significant Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) most recently military capabilities and the continued reports of the raised the issue of settlements with the Israeli Minister transfers of conventional weapons from Syria and Iran of Foreign Affairs, Avigdor Lieberman, on 7 January to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Any weapons transfers are in 2014, during his recent visit to the UK. violation of Security Council resolution 1701 and pose a threat to Lebanese and regional stability. Palestinians

Iran Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for he has had with the Israeli authorities about their Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what effect the handling of visa requests from Palestinian medical students reported interception of Iranian arms shipments to for travel to the UK in connection with the work of the Gaza has had on his assessment of the role of International Federation of Medical Students’ Association; President Rouhani in promoting stability in the middle and if he will make a statement. [191541] east. [191537] Hugh Robertson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Hugh Robertson: We are deeply concerned by the Office has had no discussions to date with the Israeli reports of a recent Iranian arms shipment to Gaza, authorities on this issue. which was intercepted by Israel. Arms exports by Iran are prohibited under UN Security Council resolutions Russia and such shipments undermine peace and security in the middle east. David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign on the imposition of sanctions which directly affect and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department President Putin. [191319] is taking to reduce Iranian military and financial support for the Assad regime. [191616] Mr Lidington: As the Prime Minister said to the House on 10 March 2014, Official Report, column 25, Hugh Robertson: We raise our concerns about the the European Council agreed to begin work on sanctions impact of Iran’s support for the Assad regime both measures which could be taken in the absence of meaningful bilaterally with Iran and publicly; and we supported the engagement from Russia with Ukraine. Sanctions are EU decision to impose travel bans on and asset freezes imposed at the EU level and so any sanctions measures against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps members in relation to the crisis in Ukraine, including asset and entities involved in Syria. We continue to press Iran freezes and travel bans, will be taken with our EU to support a political resolution to the Syrian crisis, in partners. 415W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 416W

Spain As part of our broader humanitarian contribution of £600 million the UK has put in place £30 million of Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for funding to provide protection, trauma care, education Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he and counselling for children affected by the crisis. We has received on the practice of Spain’s Guardia Civil also support efforts to train investigators to collect firing rubber bullets into the sea and using similar evidence of sexual violence and other crimes to ensure that survivors can seek justice. As part of this we have tactics used to repel immigrants. [189729] sent members of the Secretary of State’s team of experts to the Syrian borders to help train health professionals Mr Lidington: The British Government has not received and human rights defenders to document crimes of any reports on such practices, beyond what has been sexual violence to a criminal law standard. Ultimately reported in the media. The Spanish delegation provided though, the only way to thoroughly protect Syria’s a report to the Frontex Management Board, at their children is to find a political solution to the crisis. This meeting in Warsaw on 19 February, about recent attempts is why we are at the forefront of international efforts to by immigrants to enter Ceuta and Melilla. The UK is support the political process. not a member of the Management Board, but attends the meetings by invitation. Operational decisions on policing of borders are a Ukraine member state competence. On 26 February, the Spanish Interior Minister announced that the Guardia Civil would no longer use rubber bullets in Ceuta and Melilla. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for A judicial investigation is currently under way in Spain. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further. he has taken to improve relations between the governments of Russia and Ukraine. [191399] Ensuring the security of the EU’s external borders is an issue of concern to all member states, which we Mr Lidington: There has been intense work to persuade continue to discuss in EU fora and with other relevant Russia to come to the negotiating table with the countries. Government of Ukraine and to discuss its stated concerns face to face. Syria As the Prime Minister said to the House on 10 March 2014, Official Report, column 25, the idea of a contact David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for group, including other countries and organisations, was Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what more his one that the Prime Minister first proposed to the Polish Department can do to protect Christians in Syria from Prime Minister back in January. The European Council Al-Qaeda splinter groups who demand payments in on 6 March agreed it was essential for such talks to start gold and curb any displays of faith by threatening within the next few days and for them to deliver progress death by sword. [191320] quickly. The UK also agreed that if Russia did not co-operate there would need to be further measures Hugh Robertson: We condemn the reported attempts which would need to start rapidly. by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to There has been a range of recent extensive multilateral extort money from Christian inhabitants of Raqqah and bilateral diplomatic activity that has taken place in governorate in Syria. This reinforces the need for us to pursuit of improving relations between the governments support the moderate opposition, who are fighting these of Russia and Ukraine. The Secretary of State for extremist groups and who, as the UN Commission of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Inquiry has acknowledged, are pressing for a pluralist Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and democratic vision of Syria. called for de-escalation in Crimea and respect for sovereignty and independence of Ukraine during his telephone call David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for with Foreign Minister Lavrov on 1 March. He also Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is urged Russia to talk directly to the Ukrainian Government taking to protect children in Syria from sexual abuse. through ministerial and military channels. The UN [191322] Security Council held an urgent meeting on 2 March at UK request. Members of the Council called for Hugh Robertson: The prevention of sexual violence is international monitors to be sent to Ukraine to observe a personal priority of the Secretary of State for Foreign the situation and stressed the importance of Ukraine’s and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the territorial integrity and the need to de-escalate tensions. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), who has I also met with the Russian ambassador on 4 and led international efforts on this issue. In January the 11 March and underlined the messages in the Secretary UN Secretary General reported on the horrific sexual of State’s statement to the House on 4 March 2014, abuse of children, particularly in regime detention facilities. Official Report, column 755, and the Prime Minister’s The UK is fully committed to ensuring that all those statement to the House on 10 March 2014, Official responsible for such crimes are held accountable and we Report, column 25. have called for the situation in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court. Attempts to deal with Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for this issue are severely hampered by the sensitivities Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent surrounding sexual violence, which means people are discussions he has had with the Russian Foreign often reluctant to discuss abuse, particularly when Ministers on Russian troops leaving the Crimea region committed against children. of Ukraine. [191401] 417W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 418W

Mr Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) pressed for clarification Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning of the Russian position relating to the Crimea during and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 his telephone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on 1 March 2014. The Foreign Secretary called Pete Wishart: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) for de-escalation in Crimea and respect for sovereignty whether he plans to meet charities and other interested and independence of Ukraine. He also urged Russia to parties to discuss the issuing of guidance on the talk directly to the Ukrainian Government, through implementation of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non- ministerial and military channels. party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration The Foreign Secretary, US Secretary of State, John Act 2014; [191232] Kerry, and Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs, (2) whether he plans to publish guidance to inform Andriy Deshchytsia met in Paris on 5 March 2014 to charities and other affected organisations about the discuss the Budapest Memorandum; the Russian Foreign implementation of the Transparency of Lobbying, Minister was invited but did not attend. The Foreign Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Secretary and allies met with the Russian Foreign Minister Administration Act 2014. [191233] separately where they discussed the formation of a contact group which would, among other things, address Greg Clark: Guidance is being produced by the Electoral the issue of Russian troops in the Crimea region of Commission regarding the operation of the rules for Ukraine. non-party campaigners. The commission are working with the UK’s three charity regulators and other Unmanned Air Vehicles organisations to ensure that the guidance is clear and helpful. Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take in response to the recommendations of the UN Special BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism in his report dated 28 February 2014 on the use of armed Apprentices: Yorkshire and the Humber drones in extraterritorial lethal counter-terrorism operations. [191665] Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in Hugh Robertson: This report identified a number of (a) Brigg and Goole constituency and (b) Yorkshire interesting and challenging legal questions. The UK and the Humber employed an apprentice in each of the believes that existing international law sufficiently covers last five years. [191636] the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). We regard them as subject to the same legal considerations as Matthew Hancock: Information is not available on other weapons systems. the number of businesses employing apprentices. UK forces operating RPA in Afghanistan do so in Table 1 shows the number of workplaces (site level) in accordance with international humanitarian law, following Brigg and Goole constituency and Yorkshire and the the principles of distinction, humanity, proportionality Humber that employed apprentices from 2010/11 to and military necessity. The incident referred to in Now 2012/13. Information for earlier years is not readily Zad, Helmand was subject to an International Security available. Assistance Force (ISAF) investigation, and therefore Table 1: Workplaces that employed apprentices by geography, 2010/11 to any final decision on the report’s disclosure sits within 2012/13 the ISAF chain of command. Number 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

Brigg and 400 300 400 Goole WOMEN AND EQUALITIES constituency Yorkshire and 20,100 23,300 26,500 Business: Females the Humber Notes: 1. The figures are a count of the number of individual workplaces (site level). Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Minister for Women 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. and Equalities what steps she is taking to increase the 3. Geographic information is based on the delivery location of the apprenticeship. Note that some workplaces deliver apprenticeships in more number of women in senior positions in business. than one location. [900835] Source: Individualised Learner Record. Mrs Grant: Under this Government, more women Diabetes: Research are in work than ever before. And we are determined to do more. Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, My right hon. Friend has already mentioned the Innovation and Skills what amount the Government excellent work to increase the number of women on has spent on research on type one diabetes in each of boards and we have also set up Think, Act, Report—a the last five years for which figures are available. [191682] voluntary initiative promoting gender equality in the workplace. 131 companies have signed up so far, covering Mr Willetts: The Medical Research Council (MRC) almost 2 million employees. is one of the main agencies through which the Government 419W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 420W supports medical and clinical research. Expenditure by At the time the contract was being negotiated, Mrs the MRC on research into type 1 diabetes is shown in Callcut was the first secretary defence and security in the following table. the British high commission in New Delhi. As part of Medical Research Council expenditure on type 1 diabetes, 2008/09 to 2012/13 her role, she underlined UK Government support to the £ million Indian authorities in reaching a decision to contract with AgustaWestland. As with any embassy overseas, 2008/09 4.7 supporting UK companies in this way is a key role of 2009/10 3.7 the first secretary defence and security or its equivalent. 2010/11 3.6 2011/12 4.0 2012/13 3.6 Mr Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Note: Innovation and Skills what the name was of each official Where a research project is related to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, 100% of in his Department who took part in negotiations prior the project value has been included in the totals shown above. to the 2010 sale of 12 VIP AgustaWestland AW 101 Department of Health spend on research on type 1 helicopters to the Indian gove rnment. [191545] diabetes through research programmes, research centres and units, and research training awards is shown in the Michael Fallon: No Government officials took part in following table. the commercial negotiations running up to the 2010 Department of Health expenditure on type 1 diabetes, 2008/09 to 2012/13 sale of 12 VIP AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters to £ million the Indian government. UK government support for 2008/09 n/a the sale was emphasised to Indian government officials 2009/10 1.8 in the course of routine meetings as part of the normal 2010/11 2.1 lobbying undertaken in support of UK companies seeking 2011/12 1.8 to secure valuable export orders. 2012/13 2.9 2013/14 12.8 1 Estimated. Mining Note: Total DH spend on research on type 1 diabetes is higher because expenditure by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for (CRN) on this topic cannot be disaggregated from total CRN spend. Business, Innovation and Skills what progress he has Energy: Industry made on developing a global standard of financial transparency in the extractive industry. [191496] Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions Jenny Willott: The Government is committed to he has had with the European Commission on when increasing transparency in the extractives sector and the compensation scheme for the carbon floor price this was a key theme during our G8 presidency. will be approved. [191142] Implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in the UK is progressing Michael Fallon: Ministers have regular discussions quickly. The Multi-Stakeholder Group has met three with the Commission on the issue of state aid approval times and I attended the last meeting. I was impressed for the Carbon Price Floor compensation scheme for by the commitment of the members, who are working energy intensive industries. I am optimistic that a decision effectively and consensually to implement EITI. will be received this month. In addition, we are committed to implementing chapter Merlin Helicopters: India 10 of the accounting directive which introduces mandatory reporting. A consultation is due shortly. Mr Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Library copies of the memoranda of understanding Music: Higher Education underpinning the 2010 sale of 12 VIP AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters to the Indian government. [191543] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many undergraduate Michael Fallon: There is no memorandum of students are studying music in the UK in the current understanding underpinning the 2010 sale of 12 VIP academic year; [191402] AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters to the Indian government. (2) how many undergraduate students are studying music at a conservatoire in the UK in the current Mr Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, academic year. [191403] Innovation and Skills whether Jackie Callcutt was involved in the negotiations for the AgustaWestland deal with Mr Willetts: The Higher Education Statistics Agency India which collapsed earlier this year. [191544] (HESA) collects and publishes data on student enrolments at UK higher education institutions (HEIs). In the Michael Fallon: Mrs Jackie Callcutt was not involved academic year 2012/13 there were 21,110 full person in the negotiations for the AgustaWestland deal with equivalent undergraduate enrolments in music subjects India that collapsed earlier this year. The deal is a in UK HEIs, of these 2,655 were at conservatoires in the commercial contract negotiated directly by the company. UK. 421W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 422W

The conservatoires included are the Royal College of Since November 2012, the Department for Business, Music, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Northern College Innovation and Skills (BIS) has been formally collecting of Music, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and information on trade union facility time usage for Dance, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the University publication by Cabinet Office in line with their new of South Wales (The Royal Welsh College of Music and framework. Prior to this, facility time use was monitored Drama merged with the University of Glamorgan in locally after the yearly allocations had been agreed the academic year 2007/08 and this subsequently merged centrally with HR and the BIS trade unions. with the University of Wales, Newport in April 2013 to form the University of South Wales). 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

Information on enrolments at UK HEls in the academic Time spent 184.5 113.6 236.28 year 2013/14 will become available from HESA in January (Days) 2015. Cost of TU 32,975.93 1,965.83 5,094 activities (£) Post Office Card Account 1 October to March. 2 April to December. Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for The variations in time and cost can be accounted for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions by the different time used by union representatives his Department has had with (a) Post Office Limited, across grades. (b) the National Federation of Sub Postmasters, (c) the Department for Work and Pensions and (d) the Trade: Developing Countries Treasury on the future of the Post Office card account. [191517] Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the Government’s Jenny Willott: The Post Office Ltd has a contract objectives are in the work of the Doha Development with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to Agenda. [191482] provide the Post Office card account (POCA). This is regularly used by some three million people to access Michael Fallon: Our immediate objective is to implement their pensions or benefits and is available across the those elements of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) Post Office network. that were agreed at the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference The current arrangements for collecting pensions and in Bali in December last year. Trade facilitation, worth benefits at post offices will remain in place until at least in itself almost half of the value of DDA, represents the 2015. Any decision about the future of POCA arrangements bulk of the deal. This was accompanied by agreements and related commercial negotiations are a matter for in agriculture and development issues. The remaining DWP. However I can confirm that DWP and the Post elements of the DDA are agriculture, non-agricultural Office are in discussions about a long-term successor to market access, and trade in services and we would like the Post Office card account and that all options under to move forward on all of these, although we cannot be consideration conclude that access to pensions and sure of quick progress on all elements. benefits will continue, beyond March 2015, across the UK Trade and Investment whole post office network of at least 11,500 branches. The National Federation of Sub Postmasters is aware Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for that these discussions are under way. Business, Innovation and Skills how much UK Trade & Post Office Card Account: Northern Ireland Investment has spent in the (a) production and (b) postage of promotional materials to hon. Members in each year since 2010. [191749] Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the change was Michael Fallon: UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in the number of Post Office Card accounts in Northern does not normally provide promotional material to Ireland between 1 January 2012 and 1 January 2013. hon. Members and does not hold a complete record [191769] since 2010 of instances where promotional items may have been provided. However UKTI recognises that Jenny Willott: The information requested is an that hon. Members have significant access to companies operational matter for Post Office Ltd. I have therefore in their constituencies to communicate the support that asked Paula Vennells, Chief Executive Officer of Post UKTI can provide to companies willing to consider Office Ltd, to reply to the hon. Member directly, and a exporting. To this end campaign material including a copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House. GREAT Britain poster has been supplied to each hon. Member to display in their constituency offices at a cost Trade Union Officials of £17,800.

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what funding his TRANSPORT Department provided for staff to carry out trade union activities in each of the last three years; and how many Bus Services days staff spent on those activities in each of those years. [190234] Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to help Jenny Willott: The principal funding consists of salary young people in apprenticeship schemes with the cost costs. of travel to work by bus. [191296] 423W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 424W

Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport is to rolling stock where it provides value for money and is working with the bus industry and others to see how affordable. In the longer term, the Norwich in Ninety travel discounts offered to young people, including those Task Force will inform the specification for the competed who are in an apprenticeship scheme, can be improved. franchise which is due to start in October 2016. In September 2013 I met Claire Haigh, Chief Executive of Greener Journeys, who advocated development of a discounted bus travel scheme for apprentices. The First Capital Connect Department is currently commissioning some technical economic research into the young people’s bus travel Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for market. Transport pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2014, The legislation which regulates the bus industry does Official Report, column 387W,on First Capital Connect, not require bus operators to offer reduced fares to what the (a) net franchise payment and (b) revenue them. Many local authorities provide discretionary travel support are for the extension of the Essex Thameside concession schemes to young people although they are franchise from May 2013 to September 2014. [191754] not aimed specifically at apprentices. Bus operators in most areas offer discounted travel tickets to various Stephen Hammond: Contracted subsidy for the interim groups of young people on a commercial basis but the franchise agreement is c.£1.7 million. A profit share age at which these are available varies a great deal from mechanism is in place, which will capture any out one operator to another. performance in revenue, thereby lowering subsidy The Department carries out annual surveys of travel requirement. Subsidy and premium payments are published concession schemes. Statistics showing the provision of regularly on the Office of Rail Regulation website. discounted travel for young people are published in Table BUS0842 at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for- General Lighthouse Authorities: Pensions transport/series/bus-statistics Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the (a) principal value, (b) annual Transport what estimate his Department has made of interest rate and (c) estimated total cost of the loan the economic costs and potential benefits of a salary provided by his Department to facilitate the transfer of sacrifice scheme for bus commuters. [191297] the General Lighthouse Authorities’ pension schemes to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme. [191755] Stephen Hammond: The Department has not made any estimates of the economic costs of a salary sacrifice Stephen Hammond: The estimated value of the General scheme for bus commuters. I am aware that Greener Lighthouse Authorities’ pension liability is £360 million. Journeys, a body that campaigns on behalf of the bus In paying for this liability to be transferred to the sector, has developed a scheme of this kind as part of its Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, it is anticipated recent Bus 2020 document. It has shared its emerging that roundly £160 million will come from the General work with the Department. Lighthouse Fund and £200 million from the Department Commissioners of Irish Lights for Transport. The latter sum will be repaid over 10 years, attracting an annual interest rate of around 2%, to be set on the day of the transfer. It is estimated that £221 Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for million will be repaid from the General Lighthouse Transport what assessment he has made of the savings Fund. that will be made in (a) financial year 2015-16 and (b) succeeding years as a result of the work of the Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Commissioners of Irish Lights in the Republic of what assessment he has made of the effect on the size of Ireland being met fully from Irish sources. [191837] pension received by employees of the General Lighthouse Authority of the transfer of pensions from that authority’s Stephen Hammond: In 2012-13, £8.5 million of the scheme to the Principal Civil Service pension scheme. Commissioners of Irish Lights’ costs in the Republic of Ireland was funded from light dues paid by ships calling [191835] at UK ports. This payment will cease from 2015-16. Stephen Hammond: The General Lighthouse Authorities’ East Anglia Railway Line pension schemes work by analogy to the Principal Civil Service pension scheme; in effect they apply the same Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for rules. Transport what recent discussions he has had with Abellio on potential improvements to rolling stock on the Great Eastern Main Line. [191766] General Lighthouse Fund

Stephen Hammond: The Secretary of State has not Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport personally had any meetings with Abellio Greater Anglia pursuant to the Written Statement of 6 March 2014, on potential improvements to rolling stock on the Great Official Report, columns 64-5WS, what estimate he has Eastern Main Line. However, the Department for Transport made of (a) the cost to the General Lighthouse Fund is in regular discussion with Abellio Greater Anglia (GLF) and (b) effect on the GLF’s reserves of reducing about the interim franchise which is expected to operate light dues by one penny in (i) 2014-15 and (ii) 2015-16. from July this year and is seeking modest improvements [191836] 425W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 426W

Stephen Hammond: The reduction in the light dues Northern Rail rate of one penny in 2014-15 is estimated to reduce annual income to the General Lighthouse Fund by £2 Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for million. No decision has been made on a further reduction Transport what steps his Department is taking to in 2015-16; this will be dependent on the final valuation ensure that all trains operated by the Northern Rail of the General Lighthouse Authorities’ pension liability franchise will be compliant with the Equality Act 2010 and a decision on the appropriate minimum level of the by 1 January 2020. [191843] General Lighthouse Fund necessary to maintain operational cashflow. Stephen Hammond: The Department has set out the The Government’s intention is to set light dues at a level of accessibility that it requires trains to have if rate which holds income and expenditure in balance, they are to remain in service after 2019. It is for the maintaining a steady General Lighthouse Fund reserve rolling stock leasing companies to decide whether to around that minimum level. invest in life-extension works, having gauged the future demand for those vehicles. High Speed 2 Railway Line The necessary work on train fleets currently operated by Northern has already been proposed as part of the Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for current operator’s bid for an extension to its current Transport (1) how many representations were received franchise until February 2016. After February 2016 the in response to the Environmental Statement on (a) the next franchisee will propose which types of vehicle it High Speed 2 project and (b) the High Speed 2/High wants to operate, and ensure that these meet the requirements for disabled passengers by the legal deadline Speed 1 link project; [191365] of 2020. (2) how many representations from Londoners were received in response to the Environmental Statement Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for on (a) the High Speed 2 project and (b) the High Transport what the average age of rolling stock used by Speed 2/High Speed 1 link project; [191366] the Northern Rail franchise has been in each of the last (3) how many representations were received in 10 years. [191853] response to the Environmental Statement on (a) the High Speed 2 project and (b) the High Speed 2/High Stephen Hammond: Information on the average age Speed 1 link project in each week of the consultation. of rolling stock is available from the Office of Rail [191367] Regulation’s website, by following this link: http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/ Mr Goodwill: Following the deposit of the High 53dcc4e1-3223-48f9-9e9c-10d51359cdd7 Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill on 25 November The age of rolling stock is a crude measure of quality—as 2013, as required by Standing Orders, a consultation on a properly planned refurbishment of an older train can the Environmental Statement was held. In response to result in a very pleasant travelling environment and a this consultation 21,833 responses were received. “new train feel”—but at a fraction of the cost of a new The responses are not being analysed by the Department unit. for Transport but have been passed to an independent assessor, appointed by parliamentary authorities, who Railway Stations: Copeland will summarise the issues raised in them and provide a report directly to Parliament by 7 April. Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for As a result the Department for Transport does not Transport what the station usage figures were for each hold accurate information on how many responses were railway station in Copeland in each of the last 10 years. received from Londoners, or in relation to the HS1 [191844] Link, including figures for how many responses were received each week of the consultation. Stephen Hammond: Estimates of the number of passengers using each station on the rail network are Light Dues published on the Office of Rail Regulation’s website at the following link: Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for http://orr.gov.uk/statistics/published-stats/station-usage- Transport pursuant to the written statement of 6 March estimates 2014, Official Report, columns 64-65WS, on light dues The methodology for this data set has changed over 2014-15, what estimate he has made of the total revenue time as improvements have been made, so the estimates foregone by the Exchequer by reducing the light dues from different years may not have been produced on a rate by one penny to 40p per net registered tonne in consistent basis. Details of the methodology changes 2014-15; and what estimate he has made of the total made each year can be found in the accompanying revenue so foregone through a further reduction in reports. 2015-16. [191782] Railway Stations: West Yorkshire Stephen Hammond: Income from light dues is paid into the General Lighthouse Fund, not to the Exchequer. Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Therefore no revenue is foregone by the Exchequer. Transport what plans his Department has to introduce No decision has been made on a further reduction in car parking charges at rail stations in West Yorkshire as 2015-16. part of the Northern franchise. [191687] 427W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 428W

Stephen Hammond: Negotiations for the northern Railways: Pensioners direct award, due to run from April 2014 until February 2016, are still ongoing; an announcement will be made Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for in due course. Having considered the matter, the direct Transport what recent estimate he has made of the award will not include proposals to introduce car parking number of people of pensionable age using rail services. charges at additional rail stations. [191515] Railways Stephen Hammond: The following table shows an estimate of the number of people of pensionable age Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for using surface rail for given self-reported frequencies in Transport how much the Government has spent on rail 2012. services per head of population in each region of Frequency of surface rail use by people of pensionable age (males aged 65+, England in each of the last 10 years. [191841] females aged 61+): Great Britain, 2012 Estimate of the number of Stephen Hammond: The following table shows estimated Frequency of surface rail use Percentage surface rail users1 Government expenditure on railways per head of population in each region of England between 2007-08 At least once a week 3 350,000 Less than once a week, at 9 1,060,000 and 2012-13. Estimates for earlier years are not available. least once a month Government expenditure on railways1 per head of population Less than once a month, at 29 3,440,000 Region 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 least once a year Less than once a year or 60 7,170,000 NorthEast595858575452never North West 108 112 97 97 88 89 Total 100 12,020,000 Yorkshire 87 103 94 92 101 101 1 Calculated using mid-2012 population estimates and rounded to the nearest and the 10,000. Humber Source: National Travel Survey East 59 64 42 39 35 37 Midlands Roads: Repairs and Maintenance West 79 84 60 52 48 50 Midlands Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for East483456536058Transport pursuant to the answers of 22 November London 348 256 390 372 331 294 2013, Official Report, column 1052W, on road traffic South East 127 127 89 85 71 69 control, and of 11 December 2013, Official Report, South West 51 50 48 45 40 41 column 221W, on roads: repair and maintenance, what England 123 111 120 115 106 100 the real terms funding for local road maintenance spent 1 Includes expenditure on all types of railway Source: but not announced was in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 HMT, ONS and (d) 2013. [191630] These estimates are based on the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) published by the Treasury. Mr Goodwill: The Department does not hold or Expenditure is usually allocated between regions on the publish local authority expenditure figures that can be basis of where it occurs rather than on the basis of who directly compared to the Highways Maintenance Capital benefits, as a robust methodology is not always available Block Grant Funding which is allocated to local highway to allocate expenditure in this way. Therefore expenditure authorities. in one region may benefit people that live in another. All expenditure information held by Government is The methods used to allocate expenditure between published by the Department for Communities and countries and regions may be subject to changes over Local Government (DCLG), split by categories that do time, so changes from year to year may reflect differences not align with the intended scope of the Highways in methodology rather than real changes. Maintenance Capital Block Grant Funding. For example, one recorded expenditure line that may be funded by Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for this grant is the improvement of roads, however this Transport what rail spending per head will be in each grant forms only one of several possible sources of region of England in each year of Control Period 5. funding for such work. Consequently it is not possible to disaggregate from the information published by DCLG [191878] precisely where this funding is spent. Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport More information on the total capital expenditure of does not hold this information. authorities, including details of all transport expenditure lines, can be obtained from the DCLG’s “Local Authority Railways: Fares Capital Expenditure, Receipts and Financing” statistical series: Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-authority- Transport what the average change in rail fares was in capital-expenditure-receipts-and-financing each of the last five years. [191557] The Department’s best estimate of combined capital and revenue expenditure on highways maintenance, across Stephen Hammond: Data displaying the average change all local authorities and the Highways Agency, can be in rail fares from 2004 to 2013 can be found on the found in the published Table RDC0310 “Maintenance ORR website at: Expenditure by Road Class”: https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/7cff3127- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/rdc03- a5cc-4173-ac78-016db2339811 roads-requiring-maintenance-and-road-lengths 429W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 430W

West Coast Railway Line Damian Green: Remuneration for special advisers across Government is published on the gov.uk website. Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for The most recent publication can be found at this link: Transport what steps he is taking to increase rail https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ competition for passengers on the West Coast Main attachment_data/file/253081/SPAD_list_Live_UPDATE.pdf Line. [191294] Prison Governors Stephen Hammond: Competition in the passenger rail market is provided by franchised operators, where there Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice are multiple operators on the same line, and open access which prisons saw (a) a change and (b) more than one rail operators. Open access operators apply to the change of governor in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and ″ ″ independent Office of Rail Regulation ( ORR ) for the (iv) 2013. [191291] right to run services. ORR considers applications against published criteria, which are set out on their website. I Jeremy Wright: The number of changes of governor understand that the ORR is currently considering an for each prison establishment for (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) application for open access services on the west coast 2012 and (iv) 2013 are provided in the following table. main line and a decision is expected in due course. Number of changes in governor in: Prison 2010 2011 2012 2013

JUSTICE Altcourse 0001 Fines: Surcharges (Director) Ashfield 0001 (Director) Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Aylesbury1000 Justice how much and what proportion of the victim Bedford 0010 surcharge imposed by adult courts since 1 October Belmarsh 0000 2012 has been collected where the main sentence in the Birmingham 0100 case was (a) a conditional discharge, (b) a fine, (c) a (Director) community order, (d) a suspended prison sentence of Blantyre House 0010 up to six months, (e) a suspended prison sentence of Brinsford1010 more than six months, (f) a prison sentence of up to Bristol 0010 six months, (g) a prison sentence of between six Brixton0100 months and two years, (h) a prison sentence of Bronzefield 0001 (Director) between two and four years, (i) a prison sentence of Buckley Hall 1001 between four and 14 years and (j) life imprisonment. Bullingdon 0001 [191440] Bure1000 Cardiff1001 Mr Vara: The Ministry of Justice does not centrally Channings 0101 collate the information in the manner requested, and it Wood is not possible to attribute the amount of victim surcharge Chelmsford 0000 collected by type of sentence imposed by the courts. Coldingley0001 Mental Health Cookham Wood 0001 Dartmoor 0200 Deerbolt 0010 Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Doncaster 0000 Justice if his Department will sign up to the Mental (Director) Health Concordat. [189410] Dovegate 0101 (Director) Jeremy Wright: The Government is fully supportive Downview1001 of the Mental Health Concordat albeit we are not an DrakeHall0010 explicit signatory to the document. We are already Durham 0100 working in partnership to guarantee a better service for East Sutton 0010 offenders with mental health needs. For example, we are Park currently rolling out liaison and diversion services at Eastwood Park 0010 police stations and criminal courts, to identify, assess Elmley1101 and refer those with a range of vulnerabilities, including Erlestoke0000 mental health issues, into treatment so that health problems Exeter0100 can be picked up early on in the criminal justice process. Featherstone0000 Feltham0001 Ministerial Policy Advisers Ford0001 Forest Bank 0000 (Director) Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice FostonHall0011 how many special advisers are employed in his Frankland 0100 Department; what the budget is for the employment of FullSutton0100 special advisers; and what the cost of employing special Garth0001 advisers in his Department was in each year from 2010. Gartree0100 [190578] 431W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 432W

Number of changes in governor in: Number of changes in governor in: Prison 2010 2011 2012 2013 Prison 2010 2011 2012 2013

GlenParva1010Standford Hill 1101 Grendon and 0100Stocken1010 Springhill StokeHeath0000 Guys Marsh 1000Styal0010 Hatfield 1012Sudbury 0010 Haverigg0101Swaleside1011 Hewell1020Swansea1001 Highdown 0001SwinfenHall0010 Highpoint 0011Thameside n/a n/a 0 0 Hindley1000(Director) HollesleyBay0000Thorn Cross 0011 Holloway1000Verne,The0100 Holme House 0010Wakefield1000 Hull0100Wandsworth 0010 Humber 0100WarrenHill0100 Huntercombe 1000Wayland1010 Isis0100Wealstun 0100 IsleofWight0101Werrington0010 Kennet 0001Wetherby0100 Kirkham 0011Whatton0000 Kirklevington 0010Whitemoor 0001 Grange Winchester 0010 Lancaster Farms 0001Woodhill 0001 Leeds 1001Wormwood 0001 Leicester0011Scrubs Lewes0001Wymott 0000 Leyhill 0001 Lincoln 0010 Prisoners: Death Lindholme 0011 Littlehey 0100Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Liverpool 1000how many deaths in custody there were in the secure Long Lartin 1000estate between 2 and 9 March 2014. [191679] LowNewton0000 Lowdham 0001Jeremy Wright: Deaths in prison custody are designated Grange (Director) National Statistics and published in the Safety in Custody Maidstone0101statistics bulletin. The latest statistics cover the 12 months Manchester 0011to the end of September 2013 and are published at: Moorland 1012https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody- Mount, The 0010statistics New Hall and 1010 Askham Grange Prisons: Discipline North Sea 0000 Camp Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Northumberland 1100how many (a) acts of active concerted indiscipline, (b) (Director) acts of passive concerted indiscipline, (c) hostage Norwich1000 situations and (d) incidents at height occurred in the Nottingham 0010 prison system between 2 and 9 March 2014. [191678] Oakwood n/a n/a 0 1 (Director) Onley1000Jeremy Wright: While the number of active concerted Parc(Director)0000indiscipline, passive concerted indiscipline, hostage situations Pentonville 0001and incidents at height are available centrally, it has not Peterborough 0100been possible to provide the number occurring between (Director) 2 and 9 March 2014 at this time as they are currently Portland0100subject to data validation checks. Prescoed and 0000I will write to the right hon. Member once this data is Usk validated to provide the information requested. Preston0000 Ranby0101 Prisons: Females Risley0010 Rochester 0100Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Rye Hill 1011Justice (1) what the capacity is of each women’s prison (Director) in England and Wales; [188761] Send 0100 (2) how many women are currently held in each Stafford0100 women’s prison in England and Wales. [188782] 433W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 434W

Simon Hughes: The following table shows the population Jeremy Wright: Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) and operational capacity of each women’s prison in scrutinise prisons and immigration removal centres on England and Wales as of 28 February 2014. behalf of the Secretary of State. IMB members are volunteers who monitor the day-to-day life in their local Prison Operational capacity Population prison and make sure that proper standards of care and decency are maintained. Annually, each board reports Askham Grange 128 104 to the Secretary of State. Bronzefield 527 494 Drake Hall 315 308 The table provides a breakdown of running costs for East Sutton Park 100 87 Independent Monitoring Boards in each prison in England Eastwood Park 363 337 and Wales from 2010 to 2013. These figures cover travel Foston Hall 310 309 and subsistence of IMB members and other miscellaneous Holloway 591 528 expenses relating to the work of the boards at each Low Newton 329 320 establishment. An improved system of allocating of Peterborough1 384 336 resources to Boards, with levels of monitoring activity New Hall 425 409 agreed at the outset of the year, was put in place for Send 280 274 2012-13. This has reduced variation between some boards’ Styal 460 442 expenditure. 1 HMP Peterborough holds both male and female prisoners. The figures The total IMB budget has decreased in recent years, provided in the table are for female prisoners only. from £3 million in 2010 to £2.2 million in 2013-14. This information is published monthly on the Government website at: Expenditure (£) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prison- 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 population-figures-2014 These figures have been drawn from administrative Acklington 8,524 9,478 2,119 IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording Albany 4,929 1,566 856 system, are subject to possible error(s) with data entry Altcourse 16,409 13,801 11,503 and processing. Ashfield 8,420 8,460 8,132 Ashwell 3,040 484 1— Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Askham Grange 6,309 4,055 3,790 Justice what the estimated estate value is of each Aylesbury 4,375 2,846 3,651 women’s prison in England and Wales. [190611] Bedford 8,085 5,756 4,498 Belmarsh 4,604 8,094 12,311 Simon Hughes: The audited value for each women’s Birmingham 8,927 3,990 6,815 prison in England and Wales as at 31 March 2013 as Blantyre House 3,989 3,985 3,978 listed in the Department’s asset register, is shown in the Blundeston 3,936 4,768 6,646 following table. Brindsford 7,613 6,781 5,260 Bristol 8,518 8,886 8,800 Asset valuation as at 31 March 2013 Brixton 1,508 1,571 1,153 Public prison £ million1 Bronzefield 9,023 9,944 8,380 Askham Grange 7.90 Buckley Hall 6,729 6,808 6,802 Downview 27.98 Bullingdon 19,137 17,754 17,295 Drake Hall 14.94 Bullwood Hall 3,253 3,937 2,914 East Sutton Park 8.23 Bure 8,305 7,568 5,812 Eastwood Park 25.48 Canterbury 2,429 2,010 1,268 Foston Hall 13.01 Cardiff 17,403 12,290 9,823 Holloway 36.70 Castington 6,186 8,800 2,242 Low Newton 12.55 Channings 9,843 8,390 6,710 Wood New Hall 26.28 Chelmsford 15,690 10,742 10,850 Send 25.26 Coldingley 4,036 5,642 4,719 Styal 21.11 Cookham 5,474 3,748 6,917 Total public prisons 219.44 Wood Dartmoor 21,530 18,888 16,539 Bronzefield 65.19 Deerbolt 4,781 5,461 2,691 Peterborough (both male and 70.84 Doncaster 7,960 7,973 8,701 female) Dorchester 12,177 9,654 6,333 Total PFI 136.03 Dovegate 9,878 9,765 6,730 Total prisons 355.47 Downview 2,403 2,074 1,947 Includes valuations for the prison, land and dwellings associated with it. The Drake Hall 8,425 6,303 5,871 method of valuation for these properties is described in the NOMS annual report and accounts 2012-13, page 71 and can be found at: Durham 11,677 15,263 13,461 http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/corporate-reports/noms Earlestoke 6,344 7,233 4,532 East Sutton 3,354 2,876 3,086 Prisons: Monitoring Park Eastwood Park 11,332 6,134 5,133 Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Edmond’s Hill 10,772 5,703 5,681 Justice what the running costs were of the Independent Elmley 15,819 17,707 17,875 Monitoring Board in each prison in England and Everthorpe 10,842 10,249 10,563 Wales in each year since 2010. [190597] Exeter 13,023 8,021 8,685 435W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 436W

Expenditure (£) Expenditure (£) 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Featherstone 5,749 6,733 8,538 Peterborough 14,096 11,805 9,188 Feltham 7,827 6,703 6,285 Portland 5,654 3,878 3,170 Ford 9,101 9,872 7,197 Preston 5,907 5,625 4,625 Forest Bank 12,547 10,065 12,878 Ranby 11,083 1,486 10,014 Foston Hall 3,905 4,370 5,376 Reading 5,903 3,717 5,285 Frankland 12,719 14,419 11,267 Risley 13,329 10,290 11,158 Full Sutton 13,486 11,042 13,061 Rochester 5,323 3,489 4,047 Garth 10,196 11,347 11,023 Rye Hill 14,074 13,281 13,206 Gartree 8,469 6,610 5,830 Send 5,281 4,801 4,089 Glen Parva 5,902 5,374 5,572 Shepton Mallet 6,762 4,277 5,682 Gloucester 7,295 7,719 5,869 Shrewsbury 3,272 4,205 2,528 Grendon 5,876 6,344 5,833 Stafford 5,043 5,646 4,200 Guy’s Marsh 8,891 6,696 6,554 Standford Hill 8,420 9,306 10,453 Haverigg 8,067 9,131 8,734 Stocken 11,257 14,340 13,748 Hewell 11,572 11,691 10,492 Stoke Heath 14,992 15,041 14,315 Highdown 9,831 9,052 6,706 Styal 4,723 3,907 3,169 Highpoint 15,085 13,494 12,863 Sudbury 6,580 4,594 3,847 Hindley 7,739 7,284 5,889 Swaleside 14,515 13,408 14,299 Hollesley Bay 6,745 7,536 6,790 Swansea 3,624 2,413 2,839 Holloway 6,129 4,071 2,663 Swinfen Hall 3,369 2,832 2,557 Holme House 5,505 7,223 7,216 Thameside — — 946 Hull 5,363 4,734 3,831 The Mount 10,519 13,333 9,455 Huntercombe 6,081 5,317 4,735 The Verne 8,082 8,240 8,439 Isis 2,192 5,853 4,962 Thorncross 4,265 3,292 3,986 Isle of Wight 4,182 12,082 12,148 Usk and 5,829 4,799 4,516 Kennet 4,075 3,885 5,229 Prescoed Kingston 3,895 3,099 3,694 Wakefield 12,357 10,918 9,162 Kirkham 3,496 2,374 1,984 Wandsworth 3,351 3,721 2,656 Kirlevington 3,971 1,026 510 Warren Hill 4,672 4,697 3,757 Grange Wayland 17,195 12,229 11,993 Lancaster 2,920 168 1— Wealstun 6,822 8,224 5,788 Castle Wellingborough 9,482 9,736 10,602 Lancaster 9,210 8,145 8,909 Werrington 4,014 2,843 2,012 Farms Wetherby 8,041 7692 6,815 Latchmere 1,631 881 257 House Whatton 13,836 10,378 12,832 Leeds 6,103 4,099 4,127 Whitemoor 16,157 12,049 12,614 Leicester 2,899 2,231 1,600 Winchester 9,719 7,829 9,309 Lewes 12,109 11,372 10,877 Wolds 3,881 5,998 4,493 Leyhill 4,146 4,283 3,372 Woodhill 9,189 4,810 7,595 Lincoln 10,697 9,906 10,198 Wormwood 4,445 5,600 2,293 Scrubs Lindholme 17,783 19,190 16,132 Wymott 2,781 2,897 2,770 Littlehey 16,402 13,722 11,447 Total 1,142,806 1,019,710 956,801 Liverpool 13,409 11,448 7,649 1 Closed. Long Lartin 17,923 20,144 14,182 Low Newton 4,006 5,146 5,058 Prisons: Wrexham Lowdham 10,071 5,545 8,488 Grange Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Maidstone 6,788 4,593 4,406 how much has been spent on preliminary work associated Manchester 15,220 15,583 13,151 with the building of a new prison in Wrexham to date. Moorland 16,193 17,793 13,186 [188769] Morton Hall 15,786 16,906 13,121 New Hall 10,945 9,619 8,278 Jeremy Wright: The Department has spent c. £505,000 North Sea 5,154 2,317 1,729 on the preliminary work associated with the building of Camp a new prison in Wrexham. This is a responsible and Northallerton 6,317 5,528 6,703 proportionate amount of preparation for a £250 million Northumberland — — 5,273 project, and includes the cost of the design, surveys, Norwich 13,975 13,267 13,084 preparation and planning, all of which are essential Nottingham 4,423 757 2,165 requirements for a project of this size. Internal costs, Oakington 4,593 1——such as staff time associated solely with the building of Oakwood — — 1,168 the new prison at Wrexham, are not held separately and Onley 8,910 7,026 7,068 could, therefore, be provided only at disproportionate cost. Parc 12,139 9,568 7,310 We need a fit for purpose, modern prison estate that Parkhurst 9,534 1,165 1— provides affordable, modern prison accommodation in Pentonville 1,295 556 729 the right places to deliver our ambition of reducing 437W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 438W reoffending. That is why we are replacing older prisons The Ministry of Justice does not maintain a public across the estate with newer, more efficient, accommodation register of restorative justice schemes operating in England at a much lower cost. and Wales. However, the Ministry has provided funding This new prison will be a huge boost for the regional to the Restorative Justice Council to assist Police and economy, with the creation of around 1,000 jobs and an Crime Commissioners to map the services available in estimated £23 million per year for the area. We will also their areas. hold prisoners close to their homes, which we know helps prevent reoffending. Secure Colleges Probation Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will publish a detailed breakdown of his Department’s Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for £85 million budget for a Secure College. [191649] Justice (1) how much his Department has spent to date on external legal advice on the design of contracts with Jeremy Wright: To avoid prejudicing the effectiveness community rehabilitation companies; [189475] of the design and build competition for the Secure (2) who has been employed by his Department to College, the Ministry of Justice will not be able to provide legal advice on drawing up contracts for publish a breakdown of the budget until the competition community rehabilitation companies; and how many has been completed. such advisers are Queen’s Counsel. [189477] Sexual Offences: Rehabilitation Jeremy Wright: Under our Transforming Rehabilitation proposals we are opening up the market to a diverse Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for range of new providers across the public, private and Justice how many places are available annually on sex voluntary sectors to bring innovation to rehabilitative offender treatment courses in each prison in England services and help deliver reductions in reoffending rates. and Wales. [189476] We are currently engaged in a competition to appoint the 21 owners of the new Community Rehabilitation Jeremy Wright: The number of treatment programmes Companies (CRCs) which will be responsible for the attended by sexual offenders does not provide a complete provision of services to all but those offenders which picture of the availability of sex offender treatment, or pose the highest risk. the range of services NOMS is providing to reduce risk The design and set-up of CRCs, and the drawing up and protect the public. We provide a range of programmes of contracts require specialist legal advice. Alongside for this highly complex group of offenders. These are the Department’s own legal teams, Allen and Overy, tailored to address an individual’s risk and need, and who were appointed following a competitive process, can also include substance misuse, anger management are delivering that advice to the Rehabilitation Programme. and violence reduction. Sex offender treatment programmes The contract with Allen and Overy gives us access to a are not suitable for every prisoner, in each case a thorough range of specialist and highly skilled legal advisers, but assessment will be carried out. to date we have not used Queen’s Counsel to draft any Interventions are commissioned on an annual basis part of the contractual suite. Invoiced and accrued in response to the National Offender Management Service costs by the programme on external legal advisers between Commissioning Intentions. The commissioning round April 2013 and January 2014 are £3 million. We use for 2014-15 has not yet been finalised so the final external advisors and consultants for complex projects number of sex offender treatment places that will be where there is a strong business case and the specialist available is not yet known. skills are not available in-house. This represents less than 1% of the annual value of what the new CRC The number of completions of sex offender treatment contracts are worth. It is right to seek high quality legal courses commissioned for each prison in 2013-14 is set advice to protect the taxpayer. The cost of the implementing out in the following table. these reforms are affordable within the context of the As well as sex offender interventions, NOMS invests overall MOJ budget and our commitment to deliver in a range of services, assessment, management and annual savings of over £2 billion by 2014-15. public protection arrangements to reduce the risk posed by sexual offenders. Reparation by Offenders Directory of establishments running accredited and unaccredited intervention (non-ETE) Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Commissioned Establishment Programme completions whether his Department maintains a public register of restorative justice and similar schemes operating in Aylesbury Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming 5 England and Wales. [191650] New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD Aylesbury Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 17 Accredited Jeremy Wright: The Government is committed to Brixton Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 27 ensuring that restorative justice is victim-focused, of a Accredited good quality and available at all stages of the criminal Brixton Sexual Offending-SOTP HSP 2 justice system across England and Wales. That is why (Formerly HSF) Accredited we are providing almost £23 million to Police and Bullingdon Sexual Offending-SOTP Rolling 5 Crime Commissioners over the years 2013-14 to 2015-16 Accredited to deliver victim-initiated and pre-sentence restorative Bullingdon Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming 7 New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD justice. 439W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 440W

Directory of establishments running accredited and unaccredited intervention Directory of establishments running accredited and unaccredited intervention (non-ETE) (non-ETE) Commissioned Commissioned Establishment Programme completions Establishment Programme completions

Bullingdon Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 34 Usk Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended 9 Accredited Accredited Bure Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 25 Usk Sexual Offending-SOTP HSP 6 Accredited (Formerly HSF) Accredited Bure Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended 17 Wakefield Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming 7 Accredited New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD Bure Sexual Offending-SOTP BLB 17 Wakefield Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 17 Accredited Accredited Channings Wood Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 25 Wakefield Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended 8 Accredited Accredited Frankland Sexual Offending-SOTP ABLB 7 Wakefield Sexual Offending-SOTP HSP 2 Accredited LDD (Formerly HSF) Accredited Frankland Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 17 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP-Deaf/ 4 Accredited hearing impaired (Pilot)-LDD Full Sutton Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 8 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP ABLB 15 Accredited Accredited LDD Full Sutton Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended 8 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming 7 Accredited New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD Full Sutton Sexual Offending-SOTP HSP 10 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP BLB 43 (formerly HSF) Accredited Accredited Hull Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming 7 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 34 New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD Accredited Hull Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 33 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended 17 Accredited Accredited Isle of Wight (IoW) Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 51 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP HSP 10 Cluster Accredited (Formerly HSF) Accredited Isle of Wight (IoW) Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended 25 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP Rolling 36 Cluster Accredited Accredited Littlehey Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 25 Wymott Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming 7 Accredited New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD Littlehey Sexual Offending-SOTP Rolling 23 Wymott Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 34 Accredited Accredited Northumberland Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 8 Total 881 Accredited Northumberland Sexual Offending-SOTP BLB 9 Trials Accredited Parc Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 8 Accredited Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Parc Sexual Offending-SOTP Rolling 4 (1) how many defendants elected jury trial in each of Accredited the last five years and (a) pleaded guilty and (b) were Risley Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 8 found guilty by each offence category; what proportion Accredited of defendants in each offence category received a prison Risley Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended 8 Accredited sentence; and what average prison sentence per offence Risley Sexual Offending-SOTP HSP 5 category was handed down; [191217] (Formerly HSF) Accredited (2) pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2014, Risley Sexual Offending-SOTP Rolling 28 Official Report, column 262W, on sentencing, in how Accredited many of the cases listed in each year (a) there was a Rye Hill Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming 7 New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD plea of (i) guilty or (ii) not guilty and (b) the case had Rye Hill Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 23 been sent to the Crown Court (i) by magistrates for Accredited trial, (ii) by magistrates for sentence or (iii) as the result Stafford Sexual Offending-SOTP BLB 9 of the defendant electing a jury trial. [191283] Accredited Stafford Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 25 Accredited Jeremy Wright: Owing to the way in which information Swinfen Hall Sexual Offending-SOTP ABLB 7 is collated centrally by the Ministry of Justice, it is not Accredited LDD possible to identify separate sentence outcomes for those Swinfen Hall Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming 7 cases completed at the Crown court in which the defendant New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD elected jury trial. Swinfen Hall Sexual Offending-SOTP BLB 8 Accredited To provide this information would involve the creation and validation of new data sets and the cost of doing so Swinfen Hall Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 24 Accredited would be disproportionate. Swinfen Hall Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended 8 Accredited Young Offenders Usk Sexual Offending-SOTP ABLB 8 Accredited LDD Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Usk Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming 8 (1) what average length of custodial sentence was New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD handed down to those aged 18, 19 or 20 and found Usk Sexual Offending-SOTP Core 18 guilty of criminal offences and receiving a custodial Accredited sentence in 2013; [189896] 441W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 442W

(2) how many and what proportion of people aged offences the proportion of offenders given custody increased 18, 19 or 20 who were found guilty of criminal offences between 2010 and 2012. The number and proportion of received a custodial sentence in 2013; [189897] persons aged 18, 19 and 20 sentenced to an immediate (3) how many people aged 18, 19 or 20 received a custodial sentence by length of sentence and the average custodial sentence of (a) under six months, (b) under custodial sentence length (ACSL) from 2008 to 2012 12 months, (c) under 18 months, (d) under 24 months, (latest data available) can be seen in the table. (e) under five years, (f) under 10 years, (g) under 20 Please note that court proceedings statistics for the years and (h) 20 years or over in 2013. [189898] year 2013 are planned to be published by the Ministry Jeremy Wright: For offenders within the 18 to 20 age of Justice in May 2014. group that were sentenced for indictable (more serious)

Offenders sentenced to an immediate custodial sentence at all courts by age, sentence length and average custodial sentence length, England and Wales, 2008 to 20121, 2 Age Sentence length 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

18 Total Sentenced 40,178 40,827 37,565 32,565 26,148 Immediate Custody 3,726 3,733 3,463 3,288 2,696 Custody Rate (percentage) 9.3 9.1 9.2 10.1 10.3 Less than 6 months 1,726 1,640 1,538 1,238 998 6 months but less than 12 483 476 441 519 353 months 12 months but less than 18 400 471 462 445 395 months 18 months but less than 24 277 255 231 261 203 months 24 months but less than 5 650 724 660 706 614 years 5 years but less than 10 years 109 105 88 88 91 10 years but less than 20 444612 years Indeterminate sentence 60 42 30 17 20 Life sentence 17 16 9 8 10 Average Custodial Sentence 13.1 13.9 13.3 14.9 15.9 Length3

19 Total Sentenced 48.337 49,781 45.946 42,373 34,148 Immediate Custody 4,941 5,130 4,960 4,455 3,555 Custody Rate (percentage) 10.2 10.3 10.8 10.5 10.4 Less than 6 months 2,394 2,439 2,214 1,695 1,414 6 months but less than 12 661 670 663 655 520 months 12 months but less than 18 565 619 669 652 475 months 18 months but less than 24 280 335 312 335 228 months 24 months but less than 5 791 893 888 884 705 years 5 years but less than 10 years 142 113 144 183 148 10 years but less than 20 7 13 9 16 14 years 20 years or over and less —— 1 2— than life Indeterminate sentence 83 26 39 23 30 Life sentence 18 22 21 10 21 Average Custodial Sentence 12.7 12.9 13.7 15.8 15.5 Length3

20 Total Sentenced 49,060 51,360 47,833 45,165 38,366 Immediate Custody 4,788 5,154 4,801 4,537 3,708 Custody Rate (percentage) 9.8 10.0 10.0 10.0 9.7 Less than 6 months 2,412 2,635 2,298 1,786 1,446 6 months but less than 12 638 595 591 681 526 months 12 months but less than 18 474 581 577 621 491 months 18 months but less than 24 257 283 267 280 264 months 443W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 444W

Offenders sentenced to an immediate custodial sentence at all courts by age, sentence length and average custodial sentence length, England and Wales, 2008 to 20121, 2 Age Sentence length 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

24 months but less than 5 759 828 867 940 763 years 5 years but less than 10 years 142 145 138 170 154 10 years but less than 20 912111018 years 20 years or over and less —1—21 than life Indeterminate sentence 76 54 41 30 28 Life sentence 21 20 11 17 17 Average Custodial Sentence 12.7 12.7 13.4 15.5 16.1 Length3

18-20 Total Sentenced 137,575 141,968 131,344 120,103 98,662 Immediate Custody 13,455 14,017 13,224 12,280 9,959 Custody Rate (percentage) 9.8 9.9 10.1 10.2 10.1 Less than 6 months 6,532 6,714 6,050 4,719 3,858 6 months but less than 12 1,782 1,741 1,695 1,855 1,399 months 12 months but less than 18 1,439 1,671 1,708 1,718 1,361 months 18 months but less than 24 814 873 810 876 695 months 24 months but less than 5 2,200 2,445 2,415 2,530 2,082 years 5 years but less than 10 years 393 363 370 441 393 10 years but less than 20 20 29 24 32 44 years 20 years or over and less —1141 than life Indeterminate sentence 219 122 110 70 78 Life sentence 56 58 41 35 48 Average Custodial Sentence 12.8 13.1 13.5 15.5 15.9 Length3 1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with.Whena defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed fortwoor more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 Excludes life and indeterminate sentences. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Young Offenders: Alternatives to Prison Jeremy Wright: Overall crime and proven offending by young people has fallen in recent years. Fewer young Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice people have entered the criminal justice system, and as a how many young offenders have breached referral result fewer young people have ended up in custody. orders in each year since they were introduced. [191652] This has allowed excess capacity in the youth secure estate to be decommissioned. Jeremy Wright: The information requested is not held centrally. Breach of sentences in the criminal courts The YouthJustice Board is responsible for purchasing is not an offence and so is not recorded as such. Additional places in secure children’s homes, secure training centres powers to punish young offenders for breaching the and under-18 young offender institutions. terms of their referral order contract have been included in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, now before No places have been created or decommissioned in Parliament. These will give the court, in certain secure training centres since 2010. The following tables circumstances, the additional options of either imposing provide the number of new places contracted and those a fine up to a maximum of £2,500, or extending the decommissioned in secure children’s homes and under-18 referral order up to the maximum length of 12 months young offender institutions in each year since 2010. as an alternative to revoking the referral order and Secure children’s homes1 resentencing. New places contracted Places decommissioned Youth Custody

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010-11 6 6 Justice how many places have been (a) created and (b) 2011-12 1 9 decommissioned in (i) secure children’s homes, (ii) secure training centres and (iii) young offender 2012-13 0 17 institutions in each year since 2010. [189760] 2013-14 0 0 445W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 446W

Secure children’s homes1 of the Procedures for the Approval of Independent New places contracted Places decommissioned Sector Places for the Termination of Pregnancy and the Total 7 32 letter from the Chief Medical Officer to all doctors 1 The figures above show additional places contracted and those decommissioned involved in abortion care dated 22 November 2013 were across all the secure children’s homes (SCHs) holding contracts with the Youth discussed. No recent meetings have been held with Justice Board. In 2010-11, six additional places were contracted across three pregnancy and abortion counselling organisations who SCHs, and six were decommissioned in two different SCHs. In 2011-12, one additional place was contracted in one SCH, and nine were decommissioned in do not provide abortion services. another SCH. In 2012-13, 17 places were decommissioned across four SCHs.

Under-18 young offender institutions Accident and Emergency Departments New places Places decommissioned commissioned David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010-11 0 710 Health what steps his Department is taking to increase 2011-12 0 273 the number of accident and emergency doctors. 2012-13 0 0 [191317] 2013-14 165 905 Total 65 1,888 Dr Poulter: The shortage of accident and emergency 1 These places refer to the 65 new places commissioned at Cookham Wood YOI. (A&E) doctors is long-standing and was first identified in 2004. Recently the Department has set up Health Education England (HEE) to deliver a better health HEALTH and health care workforce for England. Abortion HEE has established the Emergency Medicine Workforce Implementation Group to develop and implement Mr Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health innovative workforce inventions to support the workforce which official body has responsibility for ensuring that in emergency departments. HSA4 forms are correctly filled out; whether he plans HEE has also increased the number of Acute Core to provide details of the procedures that are used by Common Stem (ACCS) Emergency Medicine (EM) that body to investigate incomplete HSA4 forms to posts to account for the attrition rate that is currently ensure that the terminations in question were legally being experienced. HEE has formally agreed to increase and safely conducted; and if he will make a statement. ACCS EM by 75 posts per year for the next three years. [190800] A parallel run-through training programme has been developed to also increase retention in specialty training. Jane Ellison: A practitioner terminating a pregnancy HEE is also looking to expand its training and consultant has a legal duty to submit form HSA4 to the Chief workforce on an interim basis through international Medical Officer within 14 days of the termination and recruitment. It is establishing a targeted recruitment to certify to the best of their knowledge that the information programme in India and exploring opportunities in contained in the forms is correct. Every form is checked Europe. HEE is working with the College of Emergency for compliance with the Abortion Act by Department Medicine on this initiative and is planning to go out to officials, authorised by the Chief Medical Officer. Selected India in May 2014. forms are also scrutinised by a Department medical adviser. Forms with missing information are returned NHS Employers is currently in negotiations with the to the practitioner, and if the revised forms are not British Medical Association on changes to contractual returned within six weeks, reminders will be sent regularly arrangements. It is the Government’s aim that medical until the information is received. The Department has contracts be reformed so that they offer the right rewards published detailed guidance on the completion of HSA4 for doctors in all specialties, including those like A&E forms. where there have been historical recruitment challenges. Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2014, Official Report, what (a) change and (b) percentage change there was column 949W,on abortion, whether the general discussions in Accident and Emergency (i) admissions and (ii) with the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and Marie attendance in each NHS trust in each of the last four Stopes International involved sharing with those years. [191535] organisations any of the interpretations of the law which it is proposed should be included in the new Jane Ellison: The information has been placed in the guidelines; on what date each such discussion took Library for the financial years 2009-10 to 2012-13. place; what discussions his Department had over the same period with pregnancy and abortion counselling Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for organisations which do not provide abortion services; Health how many accident and emergency attendances what representations he has received from private sector there were by children in each year since 2010. [191579] abortion providers regarding the proposed new guidelines; what the name of each such organisation is; on what Jane Ellison: The information is shown in the following date each such representation was made; and if he will table. make a statement. [191211] Number of accident and emergency (A&E) attendances by children in each year Jane Ellison: Departmental officials met with the since 2010 British Pregnancy Advisory Service on 20 December Attendances 2013 and Marie Stopes International on 13 December 2010-11 3,843,109 2013. At both meetings, the consultation on the update 2011-12 4,120,914 447W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 448W

Number of accident and emergency (A&E) attendances by children in each year Norman Lamb: No assessment has been made of the since 2010 number of national health service providers who deliver Attendances care that meet the quality statements contained within 2012-13 4,215,878 the Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality Standard, QS33, Notes: developed by the National Institute for Health and 1. Children are defined as aged 0 to 17 years. Care Excellence (NICE). 2. A&E attendances are a count of the number of attendances at A&E and do not represent the number of patients as an individual may attend on more than While providers and commissioners must have regard one occasion in any given period. to the NICE quality standards in planning and delivering 3. Changes to the figures over time should be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage and changes in NHS practice. services, the quality standards do not provide a 4. NHS England situation reports are the official source for A&E attendances. comprehensive service specification and are not mandatory. However, HES publish more detailed data on A&E attendances that are broken down by age and diagnosis. Quality standards are important in setting out to Source: patients, the public, commissioners and providers what Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre a high quality service should look like in a particular area of care. Ambulance Services NHS England continues to champion their use with providers and commissioners. Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulances have taken longer than Calderdale Royal Hospital (a) 30 minutes and (b) one hour to arrive at the patient in each region in each of the last five years. Mrs Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for [191796] Health how much has been spent on improving accident and emergency facilities at Calderdale Royal Jane Ellison: These data are not collected centrally. Hospital in the last five years. [191193] However, we do collect ambulance performance against the three national response time standards. Jane Ellison: The information requested is not collected centrally. There are three ambulance response time standards, which ambulance trusts are required to meet at trust The amount spent on improvements to accident and level: emergency facilities at Calderdale Royal Hospital is a matter for the local national health service. 75% of Category A ’Red 1’ calls should be reached within eight minutes, from the time the call ’connects’. ’Red 1’ calls are those We have written to Andrew Haigh, Chair of the patients in cardiac arrest or similar. (The A8 Red 1 performance Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, measure); informing him of the hon. Member’s query. He will 75% of Category A ’Red 2’ calls should be reached within eight reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in minutes, from the time that either (i) the chief complaint is the Library. identified, (ii) the call handler determines a priority response is required, or (iii) after 60 seconds has elapsed, whichever is the Mrs Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for sooner. ’Red 2’ calls are those patients such as strokes and fits, Health how many people have accessed treatment at which are still life threatening emergencies, but not as time critical Calderdale Royal Hospital in (a) each of the last 12 as ’Red 1’ patients. (The A8 Red 2 performance measure); and months and (b) each of the last five years. [191194] 95% of all Category A calls should receive an ’ambulance capable of conveying the patient within 19 minutes’ (The A19 performance measure). Jane Ellison: The data requested is not collected centrally. Information is available at national health The most recent performance (January 2014) shows service trust level, but not at hospital site level. that nationally, ambulance services have met all three Information on the number of admitted patient care standards. These data are published by NHS England finished admission episodes, accident and emergency on a monthly basis and can be found at the following (A&E) attendances (including planned attendances), link: and attended outpatient appointments for all hospital www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance- sites managed by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS quality-indicators/ Foundation Trust, is shown in the following table A8 and A19 are the only nationally mandated response time standards. It is a matter for local commissioners to Admitted patient agree with ambulance trusts the appropriate protocols care-finished Attended admission A&E out-patient for dealing with non-Category A calls based on available Year Month episodes attendances appointments clinical guidelines and local circumstances. However, efficiency, timeliness and high quality care for patients 2008-09 Total 105,937 131,729 391,803 are nevertheless expected. 2009-10 Total 111,364 130,906 393,769 2010-11 Total 117,732 134,525 386,772 2011-12 Total 120,510 138,646 391,706 Arthritis 2012-13 Total 119,992 141,139 392,765

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2012-13 April 9,455 11,286 30,386 how many NHS providers deliver care that meets the 2012-13 May 10,606 12,228 37,018 quality statements contained within QS33, the quality 2012-13 June 9,877 11,904 30,889 standard for rheumatoid arthritis development by the 2012-13 July 10,297 12,350 33,703 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 2012-13 August 10,096 11,737 32,583 [191640] 2012-13 September 9,418 11,750 31,865 449W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 450W

Jane Ellison: No representatives of commercial Admitted patient care-finished Attended companies have been or will be appointed to the board admission A&E out-patient of Genomics England. Genomics England has appointed Year Month episodes attendances appointments independent non-executive directors for their knowledge, 2012-13 October 10,554 11,895 36,689 skills and experience in their respective fields, who sit 2012-13 November 10,508 11,426 35,345 alongside representatives of NHS England and the 2012-13 December 9,794 12,775 28,117 Department. 2012-13 January 10,105 11,223 34,674 2012-13 February 9,317 10,640 31,094 Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2012-13 March 9,965 11,925 30,402 what contractual or similar relationship exists between Notes: NHS England, PA Consulting and Genomics England 1. These figures do not represent the number of patients as it is possible for an Limited. [191230] individual to have one or more episodes of care or hospital attendances in any given period. 2. Finished admission episodes Jane Ellison: UK Trade & Industry (UKTI) has an A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under existing contractual relationship with PA Consulting to one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not provide support on inward investment. Through this represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one existing contract, UKTI has seconded someone to work admission within the period. with Genomics England part-time for three months. 3. Assessing growth through time (In-patients) Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. There is no contract in place between PA Consulting Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of and NHS England on the £100,000 genome project led improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), by Genomics England. improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. Health Education 4. Assessing growth through time (A&E) HES figures are available from 2007-08 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health coverage and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. how much his Department spends on reproductive 5. Assessing growth through time (Out-patients) health education and family planning; and what his HES figures are available from 2003-04 onwards. Changes to the figures over policy is on such matters. [191192] time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For Jane Ellison: An estimated £110 million per year was example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. spent by primary care trusts on commissioning Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre contraception services prior to 1 April 2013, when responsibility for commissioning these services transferred Congenital Abnormalities to local authorities. Local authority spending on these services in 2013-14 will be published on the gov.uk Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for website later this year. Contraception is also provided Health how many ground E abortions for cleft palate by general practitioners (GPs) as an additional service were diagnosed by (a) ultrasound and (b) other under the GP contracts, but the Department does not diagnostic tests in each of the last 10 years; what other hold information on this element of spending. methods of diagnosis were listed under other; and how The Department also has a contract with the Family many such diagnoses which did not result in abortion Planning Association to produce and distribute information were recorded in the same period. [191643] resources on sexual health including reproductive health and contraception. The value of the contract is £1,129,653 Jane Ellison: This information cannot be provided. for the period from July 2012 to 31 March 2015. Cleft lip and palate is associated with other fetal abnormalities. It is therefore not possible to extract Health Services: Hearing Impairment from Form HSA4 the method used to diagnose cleft lip and palate in isolation from the other abnormalities Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for that have been listed. Health pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2013, Official Report, columns 831-32W, on health services: Emergency Services hearing impairment, if he will place in the Library a copy of the initial survey on the implementation of Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health AQP in audiology services. [191312] on what proportion of occasions when a fire engine was despatched in response to a 999 call an ambulance Jane Ellison: The initial survey on the implementation was sent to the same incident in the last year for which of Any Qualified Provider in audiology services was information is available. [191794] commissioned by Professor Sue Hill, who is now the chief scientific officer at NHS England. The survey Jane Ellison: This information is not collected centrally. findings have been shared with stakeholders for comment, and are in the process of being finalised. There are no Genomics England plans at present for NHS England to formally publish the document, but the final survey results will be shared Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with stakeholders. whether representatives of commercial companies will From 1 April 2013 it has been entirely for commissioners be appointed to the board of Genomics England to decide where to extend choice of provider to further Limited. [191229] services, in the best interests of patients. 451W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 452W

Hospital Beds: Greater London London hospital trust in each of the last four years. [191534] Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) change and (b) percentage change there was Jane Ellison: The information requested is shown in in the estimated number of delayed discharges in each the following table:

Average number of patients delayed 2009 vs. 2010 2009 vs. 2010 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 change % change

Havering PCT 9.3 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -8.3 -89.3 Barnet PCT 2.6 4.3 10.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 67.7 Enfield PCT 2.7 0.5 0.8 0.0 0.0 -2.2 -81.3 Barking and Dagenham PCT 6.0 1.4 4.3 0.0 0.0 -4.6 -76.4 Tower Hamlets PCT 6.3 7.4 6.6 0.0 0.0 1.2 18.7 Newham PCT 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 — Haringey Teaching PCT 2.0 1.8 2.3 0.0 0.0 -0.3 -12.5 Brent Teaching PCT 4.9 2.3 5.6 0.0 0.0 -2.6 -525 Camden PCT 3.3 3.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -7.0 Islington PCT 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 — Lambeth PCT 0.0 1.1 0.8 0.0 0.0 1.1 — Southwark PCT 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 — Wandsworth PCT 1.3 2.9 2.3 0.0 0.0 1.7 133.3 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 5.2 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 -4.8 -93.5 Redbridge PCT 1.9 2.5 4.4 0.0 0.0 0.6 30.4 Waltham Forest PCT 4.7 3.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 -1.3 -27.1 Barts Health NHS Trust 25.2 35.3 41.0 39.5 49.6 10.1 40.1 Royal Free London NHS Foundation 6.7 7.1 9.0 6.8 5.4 0.4 6.2 Trust Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital 1.0 1.4 2.4 2.9 3.2 0.4 41.7 NHS Trust North Middlesex University Hospital 9.3 9.1 6.5 8.6 8.3 -0.2 -1.8 NHS Trust The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS 2.0 3.4 1.3 1.2 3.3 1.4 70.8 Foundation Trust North East London NHS Foundation 11.8 7.3 13.4 23.1 17.4 -4.5 -38.0 Trust Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation 21.5 11.8 12.4 16.0 14.4 -9.8 -45.3 Trust Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 9.4 13.7 7.6 14.4 11.3 4.3 45.1 Barking, Havering and Redbridge 43.8 46.1 45.4 41.6 18.8 2.3 5.1 University Hospitals NHS trust West Middlesex University Hospital 13.3 11.1 3.3 4.4 9.4 -2.3 -16.9 NHS Trust Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust 10.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -10.7 -100.0 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -12.7 -100.0 Queen Mary’s Sidcup NHS Trust 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -2.3 -100.0 Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS 2.7 6.5 10.7 8.9 9.4 3.8 143.8 Foundation Trust Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust 13.0 13.1 5.6 9.3 7.6 0.1 0.6 Croydon Health Services NHS Trust 5.8 7.1 10.8 6.8 8.4 1.3 21.4 St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust 8.9 7.5 12.3 7.9 6.4 -1.4 -15.9 King’s College Hospital NHS 8.8 12.5 4.5 4.2 5.5 3.8 42.9 Foundation Trust The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 5.2 5.3 6.1 5.8 7.4 0.2 3.2 West London Mental Health NHS 41.1 27.3 28.1 25.4 37.3 -13.8 33.5 Trust Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.1 0.1 100.0 Foundation Trust Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust 17.9 19.7 10.3 10.9 13.2 1.8 10.1 The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation 0.6 0.1 0.9 0.7 0.4 -0.5 -85.0 Trust Chelsea and Westminster Hospital 3.5 2.8 2.9 2.9 5.8 -0.8 -21.4 NHS Foundation Trust Homerton University Hospital NHS 1.9 7.3 9.8 14.1 10.3 5.4 282.6 foundation Trust South West London and St George’s 24.1 18.5 17.2 10.4 10.1 -5.6 -23.2 Mental Health NHS Trust Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental 19.2 17.0 17.1 14.1 21.8 -2.2 11.9 Health NHS Trust 453W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 454W

Average number of patients delayed 2009 vs. 2010 2009 vs. 2010 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 change % change

University College London Hospitals 3.3 0.5 1.5 0.9 14.2 -2.8 -84.6 NHS Foundation Trust Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS 2.3 3.8 6.6 3.1 0.6 1.5 66.7 Foundation Trust Central and North West London 40.4 44.2 42.8 53.8 38.1 3.8 9.3 NHS Foundation Trust South London and Maudsley NHS 19.5 8.7 9.8 23.8 26.9 -10.8 -55.6 Foundation Trust North West London Hospitals NHS 16.8 15.3 13.7 16.0 17.1 -1.4 -8.5 Trust Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals 14.5 16.4 13.9 15.9 16.9 1.9 13.2 NHS Trust Epsom and St Helier University 12.8 12.7 19.4 14.8 19.2 -0.2 1.3 Hospitals NHS Trust East London NHS Foundation Trust 16.3 20.7 27.3 21.9 21.4 4.3 26.5 Hounslow and Richmond 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.1 2.2 0.0 — Community Healthcare NHS Trust Imperial College Healthcare NHS 25.0 23.8 22.9 22.7 21.1 0.0 0.0 Trust South London Healthcare NHS Trust 17.0 16.0 18.8 11.4 14.2 0.0 0.0 Central London Community 0.0 0.0 13.0 9.0 12.1 0.0 — Healthcare NHS Trust Camden and Islington NHS 2.9 4.2 3.9 2.5 5.1 1.3 42.9 Foundation Trust Source: NHS England statistics

2010 vs. 2011 2010 vs. 2011 % 2011 vs. 2012 2011 vs. 2012 % 2012 vs. 2013 2012 vs. 2013 % change change change change change change

Havering PCT 0.0 0.0 -1.0 -100.0 0.0 — Barnet PCT 5.7 130.8 -10.0 -100.0 0.0 — Enfield PCT 0.3 63.6 -0.8 -100.0 0.0 — Barking and Dagenham PCT 2.9 203.5 -4.3 -100.0 0.0 — Tower Hamlets PCT -0.8 -11.4 -6.6 -100.0 0.0 — Newham PCT -0.6 -100.0 0.0 — 0.0 — Haringey Teaching PCT 0.6 33.3 -2.3 -100.0 0.0 — Brent Teaching PCT 3.3 141.6 -5.6 -100.0 0.0 — Camden PCT -3.1 -100.0 0.0 — 0.0 — Islington PCT 0.0 — 0.0 — 0.0 — Lambeth PCT -0.4 -34.4 -0.8 -100.0 0.0 — Southwark PCT 0.0 — 0.0 — 0.0 — Wandsworth PCT -0.6 -20.0 -2.3 -100.0 0.0 — Richmond and Twickenham 0.0 0.0 -0.3 -100.0 0.0 — PCT Redbridge PCT 1.9 77.8 -4.4 -100.0 0.0 — Waltham Forest PCT -3.4 -100.0 0.0 — 0.0 — Barts Health NHS Trust 5.8 16.3 -1.5 -3.7 10.1 26 Royal Free London NHS 1.9 27.1 -2.3 -25.0 -1.3 -20 Foundation Trust Royal National Orthopaedic 1.0 70.6 0.5 20.7 0.3 9 Hospital NHS Trust North Middlesex University -2.6 -28.4 2.1 32.1 -0.3 -4 Hospital NHS Trust The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS -2.2 -63.4 -0.1 -6.7 2.1 179 Foundation Trust North East London NHS 6.1 83.0 9.7 72.0 -5.7 -25 Foundation Trust Kingston Hospital NHS 0.7 5.7 3.6 28.9 -1.6 -10 Foundation Trust Ealing Hospital NHS Trust -6.1 -44.5 6.8 90.1 -3.1 -21 Barking, Havering and -0.7 -1.4 -3.8 -8.4 -22.8 -55 Redbridge University Hospitals NHS trust West Middlesex University -7.8 -70.7 1.2 35.9 5.0 113 Hospital NHS Trust Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS 0.0 — 0.0 — 0.0 — Trust Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust 0.0 — 0.0 — 0.0 — Queen Mary’s Sidcup NHS 0.0 — 0.0 — 0.0 — Trust 455W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 456W

2010 vs. 2011 2010 vs. 2011 % 2011 vs. 2012 2011 vs. 2012 % 2012 vs. 2013 2012 vs. 2013 % change change change change change change

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS 4.2 64.1 -1.8 -16.4 0.5 6 Foundation Trust Lewisham and Greenwich -7.5 -57.3 3.7 65.7 -1.7 -18 NHS Trust Croydon Health Services NHS 3.7 51.8 -4.0 -37.2 1.7 25 Trust St George’s Healthcare NHS 4.8 64.4 -4.4 -35.8 -15 -19 Trust King’s College Hospital NHS -8.0 -64.0 -0.3 -7.4 1.3 32 Foundation Trust The Whittington Hospital 0.8 14.1 -0.3 -4.1 1.6 27 NHS Trust West London Mental Health 0.8 2.7 -2.7 -9.5 11.8 47 NHS Trust Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS 0.0 0.0 0.4 250.0 -0.5 -86 Foundation Trust Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust -9.4 -47.6 0.6 5.6 2.3 21 The Royal Marsden NHS 0.8 1000.0 -0.3 -27.3 -0.3 -38 Foundation Trust Chelsea and Westminster 0.2 6.1 0.0 0.0 2.8 97 Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Homerton University Hospital 2.5 34.1 4.3 43.2 -3.8 -27 NHS foundation Trust South West London and St -1.3 -7.2 -6.8 -39.3 -0.3 -3 George’s Mental Health NHS Trust Barnet, Enfield and Haringey 0.1 0.5 -3.0 -17.6 7.7 54 Mental Health NHS Trust University College London 1.0 200.0 -0.6 -38.9 13.3 1445 Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Royal Brompton and Harefield 2.8 75.6 -3.5 -53.2 -2.5 -81 NHS Foundation Trust Central and North West -1.3 -3.0 11.0 25.7 -15.8 -29 London NHS Foundation Trust South London and Maudsley 1.2 13.5 13.9 1415 3.2 13 NHS Foundation Trust North West London Hospitals -1.7 -10.9 2.3 17.1 1.1 7 NHS Trust Barnet and Chase Farm -2.5 -15.2 2.0 14.4 1.0 6 Hospitals NHS Trust Epsom and St Helier 6.8 53.3 -4.7 -24.0 4.4 30 University Hospitals NHS Trust East London NHS Foundation 6.6 31.9 -5.3 -19.6 -0.5 -2 Trust Hounslow and Richmond 0.7 — 0.4 62.5 1.1 100 Community Healthcare NHS Trust Imperial College Healthcare -0.9 -3.8 -0.3 -1.1 -1.6 -7 NHS Trust South London Healthcare 2.8 17.7 -7.4 -39.4 2.8 25 NHS Trust Central London Community 13.0 — -4.0 -30.8 3.1 34 Healthcare NHS Trust Camden and Islington NHS -0.3 6.0 -1.4 -36.2 2.6 103 Foundation Trust Source: NHS England statistics

Hospitals: Parking car parking in relation to patients, visitors and staff which will be made to support their clinical and operational needs. Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has issued any Guidance relating to the management of car parks is guidance to hospital trusts on the management of car included in: parks and the issuing of parking charge notices. “Fair for all, not free for all—Principles for sustainable car [191556] parking”, published by the NHS Confederation; and “Health Technical Memorandum 07-03”—Transport management Dr Poulter: National health service organisations are and car-parking”, published by the Department. A copy of this responsible locally for decisions on the management of document has already been placed in the Library. 457W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 458W

Information Centre for Health and Social Care Kidneys: Donors

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many senior staff employed at the Health Health what steps his Department is taking to and Social Care were previously employed at the NHS encourage more older people to become kidney donors. Information Centre; and what the grade is of each such [191416] member of staff. [191116] Jane Ellison: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Dr Poulter: There are 11 members of the Health and actively campaigns to promote public awareness about Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) management the importance of organ donation and transplantation board, six of whom are non-executive directors and five and to encourage people to join the NHS Organ Donor of whom are executive directors. Three of the non-executive Register. Although NHSBT’s promotional activity does directors and two of the executive directors were previously not specifically include initiatives to encourage older members of the NHS Information Centre (NHSIC) people to become kidney donors, it does however raise management board. One of the executive members is awareness that there is no age restriction to becoming graded as a very senior manager post and the other an organ donor. For organs it is the condition of the transferred as a senior doctor. organ and the individual’s health, not age, which is the Two of the current non-executive directors who deciding factor. previously worked at the NHSIC will leave on 31 March 2014. One of the executive directors who previously worked at the NHSIC will leave the HSCIC on 31 March Medical Records: Databases 2014. Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for which companies outside the NHS have received NHS Health how many staff are employed at the Health and patient data over the last 10 years; what data was Social Care Information Centre; and how many of provided; and how much was charged for that data in those staff were previously employed at the NHS each case. [191104] Information Centre. [191121] Dr Poulter: Sir Nick Partridge, a Non-Executive Director Dr Poulter: As at 28 February 2014 the Health and on the Health and Social Care Information Centre Social Care Information Centre employs 2,075.5 full-time (HSCIC) Board has agreed to conduct an audit of all equivalent staff, of whom 494 were previously employed the data releases made by the predecessor organisation, at the NHS Information Centre. NHS Information Centre, from its inception on 1 April 2005 and report on this to the HSCIC Board by the end Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for of April 2014. Health how many former staff of the NHS A report is to be published on 2 April detailing all Information Centre were employed in the Health and data released under the HSCIC, since April 2013, including Social Care Information Centre. [191490] the legal basis on which data was released and the purpose to which the data is being put. The report will Dr Poulter: As at 28 February 2014, the Health and be updated on a quarterly basis and is intended to Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) employs 2,075.5 encourage public scrutiny of HSCIC decisions. full time equivalent staff. 550 employees of the NHS Information Centre transferred to the HSCIC on 1 April Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2013. whether advice on the use of data without consent has been obtained from the Confidentiality Advisory Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Committee. [191209] Health how many senior staff at what level in the Health and Social Care Information Centre previously Dr Poulter: Identifiable information can be processed worked at the NHS Information Centre. [191491] only with a legal basis to do so. Prior to April 2013 the NHS Information Centre Dr Poulter: There are 11 members of the Health and relied upon Regulation 5 of the Health Service (Control Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) management of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 (often referred board, six of whom are non-executive directors and five to as “section 251 support”) for the processing of identifiable of whom are executive directors. Three of the non-executive information where patient consent could not practicably directors and two of the executive directors were previously be gained, and sought approval from the Ethics and members of the NHS Information Centre (NHSIC) Confidentiality Committee which has since become the management board. One of the executive members is Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG). graded as a very senior manager post and the other One of the measures outlined in the Care Bill, currently transferred as a senior doctor. before Parliament, stipulates the Health and Social Two of the current non-executive directors who Care Information Centre must have regard to external previously worked at the NHSIC will leave on 31 March advice given by the committee appointed by the Health 2014. One of the executive directors will leave the Research Authority, the CAG, when publishing or otherwise HSCIC on 31 March 2014. disseminating information. 459W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 460W

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS England plans to upload care.data to (1) what work has been done by NHS England to Google servers or use Google’s Big Query service. consider how genomic sequencing data might be held, [191218] connected to patient records and used; [191226] (2) whether genomic data will be extracted as part of Dr Poulter: The Health and Social Care Information care.data; [191227] Centre can only release information under its general (3) whether proposed links between care.data and dissemination powers if for the purposes of health and genetic data will be reviewed by an independent ethics care or adult social care provision, or in future, under committee; [191228] amendments to the Care Bill for the promotion of health. (4) whether PA Consulting or any other commercial company has or will have access to NHS genomic data; [191231] Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has concluded a memorandum (5) whether informed consent must be obtained of understanding with US medical authorities over the before genomic data is (a) taken from patients and (b) stored. [191248] future sharing of NHS patient data. [191223] Jane Ellison: Genomic data is vital for patient care Dr Poulter: A memorandum of understanding was and research. Access to genomic data is controlled signed between the Secretary of State for Health, my under the same national health service safeguards as right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey other patient data as outlined in the Data Protection (Mr Hunt), NHS England, the Health and Social Care Act 1998. Under the Human Tissue Act 2004 it is an Information Centre and the United States Department offence to analyse DNA for diagnosis or research without of Human and Health Services on the 23 January 2014 consent. on a collaboration of work on health information technology and open data. There are no plans in this NHS England, the Department and Genomics England working agreement to share any patient identifiable are in discussions about the future use of genetic and information between countries. genomic data for health care and research as part of the Prime Minister’s commitment to introduce the benefits A copy of the signed memorandum of understanding of genomic technology for NHS patients. has been placed in the Library. The Board of Genomics England is advised by an independent Ethics Committee chaired by Professor Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Michael Parker. It is made up of patients and experts on whether patients can opt out of their hospital data ethics who will ensure that the project has regard to a being shared or uploaded to anyone who does not wide range of relevant ethical issues. directly provide them with care. [191349] Medical Treatments Dr Poulter: Patients should talk to their care provider if they object to information that identifies them being shared or uploaded to anyone who does not directly Mr Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for provide them with care. Health which technology appraisals conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and The NHS Constitution does say individuals have a completed in each year since 2005 (a) did and (b) did right to object to the disclosure of personal confidential not have a Patient Access Scheme attached to them for data about them and they have a right to have any consideration; to what technology each such Patient reasonable objections considered. In addition, the Secretary Access Scheme related; what the outcome of the appraisal of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member in each case was; and in each such case whether the for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has given a commitment technology was (i) fully recommended, (ii) partly that in relation to data held in general practitioner recommended and (iii) not recommended. [191488] records, individuals’ objections to disclosure to the Health and Social Information Centre will be respected. Norman Lamb: The information requested has been placed in the Library. Medical Records: Genetics Mental Health Services

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for with reference to paragraph 20 of NHS England Board Health (1) what steps his Department is taking to Paper NHSE 180 716, what is meant by the improve the lives of people experiencing mental health exploitation of sequencing data. [191212] problems; [191394] (2) what steps his Department is taking to support Dr Poulter: Genomics is a separate programme from the carers of people with mental health problems; care.data. By “exploitation of sequencing data”, NHS [191395] England is referring in its board paper entitled “NHS England Genomics Strategy” to how the national health (3) what steps he is taking to improve the provision service can make the best use of genomic data from of care to people with mental health problems; [191396] volunteers who have donated their data on the basis of (4) how much his Department spent on mental consent for the benefit of other NHS patients. health research in 2013. [191397] 461W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 462W

Norman Lamb: We have already taken significant Norman Lamb: Ministers have had no such discussions steps to improve the lives of and provision of care to, with the British Medical Association or the National people with mental health issues. Mental health and Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). well-being is a priority for this Government. Our NICE is currently appraising Tecfidera (dimethyl overarching goal is to ensure that mental health has fumarate) for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple equal priority with physical health, and that everyone sclerosis, and issued initial draft guidance for consultation who needs it has timely access to the best available on 19 February 2014. treatment. In the absence of NICE technology appraisal guidance, We made it a key priority in our Mandate to NHS it is for national health service commissioners to make England, to put mental health on a par with physical funding decisions on the use of Tecfidera based on an health. Consequently, we have enshrined in law the assessment of the available evidence and the individual equal status of mental and physical health in the Health patient’s clinical circumstances. and Social Care Act 2012. This commitment is at the heart of our document NHS England ‘Closing the Gap; Priorities for essential change in mental health’ which sets out our priorities for action in mental health, the 25 areas where people can expect to Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health see and experience the fastest changes. It also sets out whether any directors of NHS England are on the our expectations and shows how changes in local service board of (a) HSCIC, (b) Genomics England Limited planning and delivery will make a difference in the next and (c) PA Consulting. [191208] two or three years to the lives of people with mental ill health. Jane Ellison: This information is in the public domain. NHS England has one director in common with the We are investing over £400 million to give thousands board of Genomics England Limited, who is Professor of people, in all areas of the country, access to approved Sir Malcolm Grant, as listed in his declaration of interests psychological therapies. The Improving Access to which is available on the NHS England website; and no Psychological Therapies programme is fundamental to directors in common with the boards of Health and the success of our drive to improve mental health Social Care Information Centre (HSCIS) and PA services. Consulting. On 18 February 2014 we published our mental health Non-executive directors of NHS England are: ‘Crisis—Care Concordat’ a shared agreement produced Lord Victor Adebowale; by the Home Office and the Department in association with 20 national organisations. This sets out how police, Margaret Casely-Hayford; health, social work and ambulance professionals should Ciaran Devane; work together to help people going through a mental Dame Moira Gibb; health crisis. It describes the principles and best practice Professor Sir Malcolm Grant; and that need to be in place to make sure that crisis services Ed Smith CBE. work together to give vulnerable people an appropriate The executive directors of NHS England are: response that provides safe care and support in the right setting. Paul Baumann; Jane Cummings; Carers are central to the Government’s proposals for improving care and support, including those who are Dame Barbara Hakin; caring for those with mental health problems. There are Professor Sir Bruce Keogh; significant improvements in the Care Bill for carers, Tim Kelsey; including extending carers’ rights to an assessment, Bill McCarthy; which will include consideration of the impact of caring Sir David Nicholson; on the carer, and the outcomes they wish to achieve. For Rosamond Roughton; and the first time, there will be a duty on local authorities to Jo-Anne Wass. meet carers’ eligible needs for support, putting them on an equal footing to the people they care for. The board of Genomics England consists of: We have provided £400 million to the NHS over four Professor Sir John Bell; years from 2011 for carers to have breaks from their Professor Mark Caulfield FMedSci; caring responsibilities. In the 2013 spending review, we Sir John Chisholm; announced the £3.8 billion Better Care Fund, which Dame Sally Davies; includes £130 million funding for carers’ breaks for Kevin J. Dean; 2015-16. Professor Sir Malcolm Grant; The Department spent £70.4 million on mental health Professor Michael Parker; research in 2012-13. Vivienne Parry; and Multiple Sclerosis Jon Symonds CBE. The board of PA Consulting consists of: Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Marcus Agius; Health what discussions he has had with the British Esther Dyson; Medical Association and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence about approval of the Andrew Hooke; Tecfidera form of dimethyl fumarate as a treatment for Alan Middleton; MS through the NHS. [191380] Tom Mullen; 463W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 464W

Michael Queen; and and Richard Wilson. www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/malcolm- This information is also available at the following grant-decl.pdf websites: We are advised by Genomics England that they will NHS England: be updating their website. www.england.nhs.uk/about/whos-who/ Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for HSCIC: Health what the name, job title and salary level is of www.hscic.gov.uk/our-board each director who has worked in NHS England since PA Consulting: its formation. [191533] www.paconsulting.com/about-us/board-of-directors/ Jane Ellison: The information for national director Genomics England Limited: level staff in post during 2013-14 is shown in the following www.genomicsengland.co.uk/the-board/ table:

Name Job title Salary (in £5,000 bands) £000

Professor Sir Malcolm Grant Chair 60 to 65 Lord Victor Adebowale Non-Executive Director 5to10 Margaret Casely-Hayford Non-Executive Director 10 Ciaran Devane Non-Executive Director 5to10 Dame Moira Gibb Non-Executive Director 5to10 Naguib Kheraj Non-Executive Director 10 Ed Smith Non-Executive Director 10 to 15 Sir David Nicholson Chief Executive 210 to 215 Professor Sir Bruce Keogh National Medical Director 190 to 195 Paul Baumann Chief Financial Officer 200 to 205 Dame Barbara Hakin Acting Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Chief Executive 195 to 200 Bill McCarthy National Director: Policy 175 to 180 Tim Kelsey National Director for Patients and Information 180 to 185 Jo-Anne Wass National Director: HR and Organisation Development 155 to 160 Jane Cummings Chief Nursing Officer 165 to 170 Rosamond Roughton Acting National Director: Commissioning Development 165 to 170 1 Margaret Casely-Hayford and Naguib Kheraj waived their entitlement to remuneration for their appointments.

Earlier information, covering the period from which North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust NHS England was first established in shadow form as the NHS Commissioning Board in October 2011, has Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for been published in that organisation’s annual reports, Health what discussions he has had with North West copies of which are held in the Library. Ambulance Service Trust about delays in attending Information on regional director and equivalent level call-outs. [191789] posts, with corresponding salary bands, is collected every six months by NHS England, as it is by all Jane Ellison: No Ministers in the Department have Government Departments and arm’s length bodies. A held such discussions with the North West Ambulance copy of the information as at 31 March 2013 has been Service NHS Trust. placed in the Library. The most recent performance data (January 2014) shows that North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Information covering the period April 2013 to September has met all three national response time standards. 2013 is currently being validated by NHS England, as These data are published by NHS England on a monthly individual staff members must be. informed before basis and can be found at the following link: publication. However, NHS England expects to be able to disclose the information at the end of the financial www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance- quality-indicators/ year. PA Consulting Group NHS: Annual Reports Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Mr Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for NHS hospital episode dataset uploaded by PA Health when he expects the NHS Annual Report to be Consulting is removed after the agreement end date. [191748] published; and if he will make a statement. [191222]

Dr Poulter: The Department’s Annual Report and Dr Poulter: The data sharing agreement with PA Accounts for 2013-14 is expected to be laid before Consulting is due to end on 30 November 2015, following Parliament and published before parliamentary summer which PA Consulting will be required to provide a recess. The Secretary of State will lay before Parliament certificate of destruction for the data. The Health and and publish an annual report on the performance of the Social Care Information Centre will then decide whether health service in England in 2013-14 later in the year. any follow up action is required, such as an audit. 465W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 466W

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The information requested has been placed in the whether any security audits have been conducted by his Library. Department on PA Consulting following that company’s cancellation of its contracts with the Home Office. Tuberculosis [191224]

Dr Poulter: The Health and Social Care Information Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Centre (HSCIC) can confirm that no security audit has how many people were diagnosed with tuberculosis in been carried out by or for HSCIC in relation to PA each of the last three years. [191417] Consulting to date since contracts were cancelled with the Home Office. However, if the requirement should Jane Ellison: The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in arise, the HSCIC has the ability to audit the recipients the United Kingdom is assessed through systematic of any data at any time. analysis of notification data obtained from the Enhanced Tuberculosis Surveillance System run by Public Health Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health England (PHE). whether NHS England has received payment for In 2012 in the UK, a total of 8,751 cases of TB were allowing PA Consulting to use NHS data. [191225] reported, a rate of 13.9 cases per 100,000 population. In 2011, 8,899 TB cases were reported in the UK (a rate of Dr Poulter: The Health and Social Care Information 14.1/100,000 population), and 8,397 TB cases were reported Centre is the organisation which holds the data sharing in 2010 (a rate of 13.5 per 100,000 population). agreement with PA Consulting. The latest analysis can be found in the updated PHE NHS England has not received any payments from TB annual report, which has been placed in the Library. PA Consulting to use national health service data. Vaccination Patients: Taxis Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of Health how many taxis have been used by ambulance the private availability of vaccines on different trusts to collect urgent or emergency patients in each measures of health equality. [191375] region in each of the last five years. [191797] Jane Ellison: Immunisations provided through the Jane Ellison: These data are not collected centrally. national health service are freely available to all for Taxis are never used for patients in emergency or life whom a particular vaccine is recommended. We have threatening situations. not made any assessment of the effect of the private The first priority for all emergency services is the availability of vaccines on health equality. welfare and safety of patients. It is up to individual ambulance trusts to decide how resources are used to meet local demand. All 999 calls to the ambulance service are assessed on CABINET OFFICE priority and paramedics are dispatched to the most serious cases first, known as Red calls, which require a Civil Servants: Working Hours response within eight minutes in 75% of cases. In very limited circumstances where an ambulance is Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Minister for the clearly not required, and the trust is under pressure, Cabinet Office what the change in numbers of civil patients may be transported by taxis. This is only after servants working less than 20 hours per week was the patient has been assessed, usually on a face to face between January 2010 and January 2014. [191685] basis, as having a minor ailment and confirmed as having a transport only need. Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Social Services asked the authority to reply. Letter from Glen Watson, dated March 2014: Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I how many and what proportion of adults received have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question social care in each English local authority in each year to the Minister for the Cabinet Office asking what the change in since 2009-10; [191724] numbers of civil servants working less than 20 hours per week (2) how many, and what number per 1,000, of the was between January 2010 and January 2014. adult population received social care in each English Estimates of Civil Service employment are published annually by the Office for National Statistics, with a survey reference date local authority in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2012-13. [191725] of 31 March. Norman Lamb: We are informed by the Health and As of 31 March 2010, the Civil Service employment headcount Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) that it collects was 527,257, of which there were 22,257 employees working less than 20 hours per week. As of 31 March 2013, the Civil Service data on the total number of adults aged 18 and over employment headcount was 448,835, of which there were 21,435 who receive social services funded wholly or in part by employees working less than 20 hours per week. Therefore over Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities this period there was a reduction of 822 in the number of (CASSRs). This is published annually. employees who worked less than 20 hours per week. 467W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 468W

Government Departments: Charities Letter from Caron Walker, dated March 2014: On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Richard Burden: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Office how much each Government department has Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what change there has been in (a) gross and (b) net immigration into Northern allocated to charitable, benevolent or philanthropic Ireland in the last three years [191872] institutions to deliver programmes through the Charities The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency publishes Act 2006 to date. [191743] statistics on migration flows into and out of Northern Ireland. The latest available migration statistics available are for the period Mr Hurd: Cabinet Office is investing £470 million mid-2011 to mid-2012. Table 1 shows total immigration, emigration over the spending review period directly to support and net migration for the last three years available. These statistics charities and voluntary groups. In most cases these include all migration between Northern Ireland and both Great payments are made under the Charities Act 2006. Britain and the rest of the world. Data on the legal powers exercised to make these and Table 1 Total Migration estimates for Northern Ireland, Mid-2009 to Mid-2012 previous allocations to charitable, benevolent and Mid-2009 to Mid-2010 to Mid-2011 to 1 1 philanthropic institutions by the Cabinet Office are not Mid-2010 Mid-2011 Mid-2012 held. Immigration 24,544 23,724 (-820) 23,255 (-469) Emigration 23,394 25,218 (+1,824) 24,570 (-648) Government Departments: Internet Net migration 1,150 -1,494 (-2,644) -1,315 (+179) 1 Figures in italics show change from previous year Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet These statistics are based on the United Nations definition of a Office if he will estimate the net benefit to the UK long-term international migrant, that is, someone who changes economy of data.gov.uk since it publicly launched in their country of usual residence for a period of at least one year. January 2010. [191143] These data are available on the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) website Mr Maude: We know that open data are of huge http://www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/demography/population/ value to the economy. It is difficult to cite an exact midyear/CoC_0012.xls figure for the net benefit of: www.data.gov.uk Overseas Students A recent Deloitte report, available at LINK, cited £1.8 billion of direct benefit and £6.8 billion of indirect Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet benefit to the UK economy from the use of open data, Office how many non-EU students (a) came to the UK although this also includes data that are not Government and (b) departed the UK in the last period for which data. figures are available. [191830] Government Departments: Standards Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Paul Blomfield: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet asked the authority to reply. Office (1) how many consultants have been engaged in Letter from Caron Walker dated March 2014: the Crown Oversight Function since its creation; what On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National each of their job roles were; and how much has been Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to respond to your Parliamentary paid in consultancy fees to date; [191301] Question to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (2) how many civil servants of what grades have been how many non-EU students (a) came to the UK and (b) departed the UK in the last period for which figures are available. [191830] employed on the Crown Oversight Function since its The latest available provisional estimates published by ONS creation. [191302] are for the year ending September 2013 and are based on the United Nations definition of a long-term international migrant, Mr Maude: Prior to the last general election the civil that is, someone who changes their country of usual residence for service lacked commercial and procurement skills. This a period of at least one year. In addition to the ONS estimates, the Government’s commercial and procurement reforms Home Office have published counts of study-related visas issued saved taxpayers £3.8 billion last year alone. The Government to non-EEA citizens in 2013. is strengthening central procurement skills to ensure a) How many non-EU students came to the UK? further savings can be realised. The Crown Oversight The latest provisional estimates from the International Passenger Function was created on 1 November 2013 and has 52 Survey (IPS) show that 124,000 non-EU citizens arrived in the civil service roles. Further details will be available via UK for formal study in the year ending September 2013, with a the Department’s organogram. Consultants were not margin of error of +/- 14,000. The margin of error refers to the 95 employed at Government expense. per cent confidence interval and is a measure of the uncertainty associated with making inferences from a sample. Immigration: Northern Ireland HO visa and admissions data provide a more complete count for non-EEA students coming to the UK. The latest Home Office data show that there were 218,773 study-related visas issued to Dr McCrea: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet non-EEA nationals (including dependants, excluding student visitors) Office what change there has been in (a) gross and (b) in 2013. Please note that Home Office student visa data will net immigration into Northern Ireland in the last three include some short-term migrants, who stay in the UK for less years. [191872] than 12 months. b) How many non-EU students departed the UK? Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Latest provisional IPS estimates show that 49,000 non-EU responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have citizens, whose previous main reason for immigrating to the UK asked the authority to reply. was formal study, emigrated from the UK in the year ending 469W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 470W

September 2013. This estimate has a margin of error of +/- 5,000. Departments and agencies about possible funding solutions have It should be noted that a person’s main reason for migration may concluded. We expect to be in a position to do this by the end of not be their only reason for migration. A note has been published April 2014. to provide guidance on interpreting previous main reason for migration estimates, particularly within the context of student Trade Union Officials migration: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/method-quality/ Alun Cairns: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet specific/population-and-migration/international-migration- Office what funding his Department provided for staff methodology/international-migration-how-to-interpret-table- to carry out trade union activities in each of the last 4.pdf three years; and how many days staff spent on those Profumo Inquiry activities in each of those years. [190235] Mr Maude: Prior to January 2013, the Cabinet Office Frank Dobson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet did not differentiate between time spent on trade union Office pursuant to the answer to Lord Lexden of 18 activities and time spent on trade union duties in recording July 2013, Official Report, House of Lords, column 872, the usage of trade union facility time. on the Profumo Inquiry, how many of the people interviewed by Lord Denning in his inquiry into the No facility time has been granted for trade union circumstances surrounding the resignation of Mr activities since January 2013. Profumo are still alive. [191368] Since January 2013, data relating to departmental facility time are published on the GOV.UK website: Mr Maude: The information requested is not held https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trade-union- centrally. facility-time Public Sector: Fraud Unemployment Benefits: Graduates

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Office whether he plans to publish the report of the Cabinet Office how many graduates of British independent project review of the Counter Fraud universities aged 21 to 25 are claiming unemployment- Checking Service once it is completed. [191593] related benefits. [191449]

Mr Maude: Prior to the last general election, there Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the was no-cross Government work to tackle the billions of responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have pounds of taxpayers’ money lost to fraud. asked the authority to reply. We are currently reviewing the business case for a Letter from Glen Watson: Counter Fraud Checking Service. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking Statistics the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many graduates of British universities aged 21 to 25 are claiming unemployment-related Katy Clark: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet benefits. (191449) Office which statistics identified as high impact outputs The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles data on the with less widespread support by the Office for National number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, the main Statistics in consultation on statistical products 2013 unemployment related benefit, from the JobcentrePlus Administrative have had funding secured for their compilation in System. 2014-15. [191785] Unfortunately, information on whether claimants have graduated from British universities is not available from this source. Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the National and local area estimates for many labour market responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at: asked the authority to reply. http://www.nomisweb.co.uk Letter from Glen Watson, dated March 2014: As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I Unemployment Benefits: Havering have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office which statistics identified as Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the high impact outputs with less widespread support by the Office Cabinet Office how many people living in the London for National Statistics in consultation on statistical products 2013 have had funding secured for compilation in 2014-15. 191785 borough of Havering have moved off unemployment benefit as a result of gaining employment in 2013. As part of the consultation on statistical products 2013, we identified a number of ’high impact outputs with less widespread [191451] support’ which we can no longer afford to fund. In our consultation response published on our website, Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/get-involved/ responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have consultations/consultations/statistical-products-2013/response/ asked the authority to reply. index.html Letter from Peter Fullerton: we said that we would continue to seek alternative solutions that On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National would enable their continuing production, but that if alternative Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary solutions have not been identified by 31 March 2014, outputs in Question asking the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions this group would no longer be produced by ONS. how many people living in the London Borough of Havering have We plan to publish an updated response on our website once moved off unemployment benefit as a result of gaining employment the ongoing discussions we are having with a number of Government in 2013. (191451) 471W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 472W

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles data on WORK AND PENSIONS the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), the main unemployment related benefit, from the JobcentrePlus Administrative System. It is not possible to provide data on the Access to Work Programme number of people who have ceased claiming JSA. As an alternative we have provided data on the total number of claims that have ceased during 2013 which will include multiple instances for some Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work individuals over the year. and Pensions (1) what consultation his Department undertook with deaf users of the Access to Work The reason for moving off JSA is not known for over 40% of UK cases. In many of these cases the claimant, will, in fact, have scheme and their representative groups prior to introducing moved into employment. Of the 12,910 moves off JSA in Havering recent restrictions on the funding available for in 2013, 5,685 provided the reason “found work” but this will be communication support through that scheme; and what an underestimate of the total number of moves into employment. alternative cost-reduction measures his Department National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, considered; [191235] including employment, unemployment and claimant count are (2) whether his Department undertook (a) an impact available on the NOMIS website at http://www.nomisweb.co.uk assessment and (b) consultation with deaf and deafblind Unemployment: Scotland users of Access to Work, their representative organisations and with employers prior to the implementation of Access to Work funding limitations for the provision of Margaret Curran: To ask the Minister for the communication support for deaf and deafblind people Cabinet Office how many people aged 18 to 24 years in the workplace; [191236] old in Scotland have been unemployed for (a) six months, (b) one year, (c) two years and (d) more than (3) whether his Department applies quotas to different disability groups for funding available through Access two years. [191751] to Work; and if he will make a statement; [191237] Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the (4) how many fraudulent claims were received by responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Access to Work for communication support for deaf asked the authority to reply. and deafblind people in each year for which figures are Letter from Glen Watson: available; [191238] As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), (5) what proportion of his Department’s Access to I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking Work budget was spent on communication support for the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people aged 18 to (a) deaf and (b) deafblind individuals in each year for 24 in Scotland have been unemployed for (a) six months, (b) one which figures are available; [191243] year, (c) two years and (d) more than two years. (191751) (6) what estimate his Department has made of the The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles detailed estimates of unemployment from the Annual Population Survey market value of a NRCPD-registered sign language (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. interpreter; and how this estimate was used during the The attached table shows the number of people aged 18 to 24 identification of an appropriate Access to Work resident in Scotland who were unemployed for less than 6 months, funding cap for a full-time sign language interpreter; 6 months to less than one year, one year to less than 2 years and [191253] over 2 years, according to survey responses from the APS for the (7) what estimate he has made of potential additional period October 2012 to September 2013. financial costs for employers resulting from newly As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject implemented restrictions on Access to work funding for to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates communications support for deaf and deafblind people; is given in the table. and what consultation he undertook with employers of National and local area estimates for many labour market deaf people on that matter; [191254] statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at http:// (8) what assessment his Department made of the www.nomisweb.co.uk potential effect on deaf and deafblind people of Number1 of unemployed people aged 18 to 24 resident in Scotland by duration of restrictions on access to work funding for the provision unemployment, October 2012 to September 2013 of communication support for such people prior to the Number (Thousand) introduction of those restrictions; [191255]

Less than 6 months **33 (9) how many (a) deaf and (b) deafblind people 6 months to less than 1year ***12 have employed a full-time communication professional 1 year to less than 2 years ***12 following recent changes in the implementation of 2 years and over ***7 access to work guidance; [191256] 1 Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an (10) what the surplus or deficit of the Access to indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality below. Guide to Quality: Work budget was in each financial year for which The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the figures are available; and if he will make a statement; smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within [191257] +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. (11) what guidance is provided to deaf and deafblind Key: *0≤ CV<5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise users of the Access to Work scheme regarding that ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably scheme’s complaints procedure and the process for precise requesting a decision review. [191258] *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes Mike Penning: Access to Work supports employed CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: people with all types of disability; the budget is not Annual Population Survey. allocated to particular disability groups in advance of 473W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 474W applications. Existing policies on the cost effective funding No separate assessment has been made of accuracy of full time support workers are being enforced to of data for benefit and non-benefit recipients for the ensure the programme remains available for new applicants. purposes of data matching with the electoral register. Access to Work supports employed people with all To undertake such an assessment would entail types of disability; the budget is not allocated to particular disproportionate costs due to the need to contact and disability groups in advance of applications. Existing compare citizen details against data held by DWP. policies on the cost effective funding of full time support workers are being enforced to ensure the programme Employment and Support Allowance remains available for new applicants. There are no quotas applied to customer numbers or Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for funding for particular disability groups. Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of (a) new employment and support allowance claimants There are currently a small number of investigations and (b) existing employment and support allowance where charges have been made and are due to be heard claimants reporting a change in circumstances receive in court over the summer months. We continue to their benefit payments within (i) one week, (ii) two monitor the system for abuse. weeks, (iii) three weeks, (iv) four weeks, (v) eight weeks, Please note that DWP only has information based on (vi) 12 weeks and (vii) more than 12 weeks. [191499] Primary Disability type. Therefore total spend on hearing impaired customers is shown, this includes other Access Esther McVey: The information requested is not available. to Work support. However spend relating to Deafblind customers is not available from our records. Employment Schemes Department of Work and Pensions—Access To Work (ATW) Number of Amount spent Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work people helped on hearing Total ATW and Pensions what protections have been built into with hearing impairment Total ATW spend (£ impairments (£ million) customers million) Universal Job Match to ensure the service cannot be infiltrated with non-existent jobs with the aim of accessing 2008-09 4,950 21.7 32,130 69 personal data; and if he will make a statement. [191219] 2009-10 5,450 28.5 37,280 98 2010-11 5,300 32.7 35,820 107 Esther McVey: The security of a user’s data is of the 2011-12 4,960 34.1 30,780 93 utmost importance to us and built into the service are 2012-13 5,250 34.5 31,460 95.3 monitoring tools and vacancy checks, which help to detect, deter and remedy inappropriate use of the site. Children: Day Care There are also warnings to users of the service advising them they should not be asked to reveal personal details. Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Additionally, a ’Contact Us’ facility is provided so users Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made can quickly highlight any employers that they may have of the number of people of pensionable age providing concerns about. DWP then investigate such concerns. unpaid childcare support. [191512] Employment Schemes: Rhyl Steve Webb: The information requested is not available. The Childcare and Early YearsSurvey of Parents estimates Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work that grandparents provided informal child care for 1.8 and Pensions what additional funding his Department million children in 1.4 million families in 2012-13 with allocated to the town of Rhyl for the purpose of 4% of these families making some form of payment to piloting back-to-work projects in each year since 1997. the grandparent. We are unable to identify the ages of [191213] these grandparents; previous studies have shown that around half of grandparents are aged over 65. Esther McVey: The information requested is not readily Source for grandparent age distribution: available and to provide it would incur disproportionate https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ cost. attachment_data/file/220274/eia-ni-credits-changes.pdf Source for Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents: Health and Safety Executive: Fees and Charges https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childcare-and- early-years-survey-of-parents-2012-to-2013 Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to review his Databases Department’s Fee for Intervention policy. [191832]

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Mike Penning: The Fee for Intervention (FFI) scheme and Pensions what assessment he has made of the will be reviewed as recommended in the recent Triennial accuracy of his Department’s databases of people (a) Review of the Health and Safety Executive. An independent in receipt of and (b) not in receipt of benefits for the FFI Review Board is being established and will report purposes of data matching with the electoral register. its conclusions later this year. [191352] Housing Benefit Esther McVey: Results of DWP data matching with the electoral register have been subjected to review by Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for both the Electoral Commission and Electoral Registration Work and Pensions how many households which claim Transformation Programme with positive results. housing benefit do not have access to a kitchen. [191316] 475W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 476W

Steve Webb: The information requested is not available. (a) 19 ACOPs have been reviewed since May 2010. Of these, five have been revised and re-published, nine Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for consolidated into three revised ACOPs and five withdrawn Work and Pensions if he will make an assessment of completely. These are: the potential effect on the housing benefit budget of Revised limiting all rents to local authority rent levels. [191578] L5—Control of substances hazardous to health Steve Webb: It is not possible to make a meaningful L8—Legionnaires’ disease. The Control of legionella bacteria assessment. Limiting all rents to local authority rent in water systems levels would be a dramatic change to the housing market. L24—Workplace health, safety and welfare It is therefore not possible to reliably predict what L117—Rider-operated lift trucks: Operator training would happen to the supply and demand for L118—Health and safety at quarries. accommodation, especially in the private rented sector, and the impacts on housing benefit expenditure. Consolidated L56—Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and Housing Benefit: Scotland appliances. This is a consolidation of two ACOPs (L56 and COP20: Standards of training in safe gas installation) into a single revised ACOP (L56) Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for L138—Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres Work and Pensions how much in housing benefit consolidated the following five ACOPs into a single revised payments was paid to recipients in (a) Glasgow, (b) ACOP (L138): Edinburgh, (c) Dundee and (d) Aberdeen in the last L134—Design of plant, equipment and workplace year. [191626] L135—Storage of dangerous substances Steve Webb: The amount paid in housing benefit in L136—Control and mitigation measures 2012-13 can be found in the following table: L137—Safe maintenance, repair and cleaning procedures Housing benefit, 2012-13 L138—Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres £ million L143—Managing and working with Asbestos. This is a consolidation of two ACOPs (L127—The management of asbestos Glasgow City 348 in non-domestic premises and L143—Work with materials containing City of Edinburgh 200 asbestos) into a single revised ACOP (L143). Dundee City 77 Withdrawn Aberdeen City 55 L21—Management of health and safety at work L74—First aid at work Note: Expenditure is shown for the last complete financial year. Benefit L81—Design, construction and installation of gas service pipes expenditure for housing benefit can be found in the local authority L116—Preventing accidents to children in agriculture tables as per link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ L130—Compilation of safety data sheets. attachment_data/file/266828/la-tables-201213.xls Source: (b) A review of a further 14 ACOPS will be completed Local authority statistical data and subsidy returns. by the end of 2014. These are: COP25 Safety in docks to be replaced by L148 Safety in docks Independent Living Fund ACOP Five Diving ACOPs: Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work L103—Commercial diving projects offshore and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Executive on the closure of the independent L104—Commercial diving projects inland/inshore living fund. [191486] L105—Recreational diving projects L106—Media diving projects Mike Penning: The devolved Administrations in Wales L107—Scientific and archaeological diving projects. and Scotland have been informed of the decision to close the independent living fund on 30 June 2015. I will Three Provision and Use of Work Equipment be writing to Ministers with further details shortly. Regulations linked ACOPs: L22—Safe use of work equipment Industrial Health and Safety L112—Safe use of power presses L114—Safe use of woodworking machinery Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for L113-Safe use of lifting equipment Work and Pensions which Health and Safety Executive L101—Safe work in confined spaces Approved Codes of Practice (a) have been reviewed since May 2010, (b) are scheduled for review or amendment L122—Safety of pressure systems and (c) are not currently scheduled for review. [191791] L133—Unloading petrol from road tankers L146—Consulting workers on health and safety. Mike Penning: Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reviewing all of its Approved Codes of Practices (ACOP) A further 19 ACOPs associated with changes to in line with Professor L?fstedt’s independent review of legislation and will be reviewed in accordance with the health and safety legislation, ’Reclaiming health and timescale for legislative change. safety for all’ (published November 2011). (c) All HSE ACOPs are scheduled for review. 477W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 478W

Jobseeker’s Allowance Esther McVey: The information requested is not available. Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people and what Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of proportion of the working age population have been in (a) new jobseeker’s allowance claimants and (b) receipt of jobseeker’s allowance for over (a) two years, existing jobseeker’s allowance claimants reporting a (b) five years and (c) 10 years in each region of change in circumstances receive their benefit payments England. [191628] within (i) one week, (ii) two weeks, (iii) three weeks, (iv) four weeks, (v) eight weeks, (vi) 12 weeks and (vii) more Esther McVey: The information requested is shown than 12 weeks. [191498] in the following table.

Jobseeker’s allowance claimants in each region in England by duration of claim and as a percentage of the working age population, as at August 2013 All Duration of 2 to 5 years Duration of 5 to 10 years Duration of over 10 years Region Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage

North East 77,400 4.9 14,330 0.9 300 — 50 — North West 166,260 3.8 22,990 0.5 1,400 — 180 — Yorkshire and the 140,760 4.3 23,660 0.7 810 — 110 — Humber East Midlands 87,700 3.2 12,900 0.5 630 — 40 — West Midlands 141,210 4.2 23,410 0.7 1,490 — 120 — East of England 93,300 2.6 13,370 0.4 420 — 50 — London 191,590 3.5 30,990 0.6 1,420 — 250 — South East 107,830 2.1 13,550 0.3 610 — 80 — South West 68,750 2.2 8,530 0.3 180 — 50 — Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages are shown rounded to one decimal place. “—” denotes nil or negligible. 2. Working age population figures are defined as males aged 16-64 and females aged 16-59. Source: DWP IGS 100% WPLS and ONS Mid-2012 Population Estimates.

Jobseeker’s Allowance: Disqualification Esther McVey: The Government are committed to helping people off benefits and into work, so it is Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for encouraging that we have seen record numbers of people Work and Pensions how many people have received in work nationally, with unemployment falling. sanctions in relation to their jobseeker’s allowance for The Government’s Work programme revolutionises non-attendance in (a) the London Borough of the help available to people who were in danger of Havering and (b) England to date. [191391] becoming long-term unemployed. Private providers offer tailored help to people who may have been out of work Esther McVey: The information requested is published for many years - moving them closer to getting a job. and available at: According to industry figures released this month (March), https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/ half a million people have found work through the Guidance for users is available at: Work programme. https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat- We are determined to do everything we can to support Xplore_User_Guide.htm those people who are hardest to help into work, and Labour Force Survey that is what the Work programme is designed to do, whilst also being a good deal for the tax payer. Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the Work coaches in local jobcentres now have the flexibility effect (a) generally and (b) on ease of comparisons to offer all claimants a comprehensive menu of help with previous years of collecting work-related ill-health which includes skills provision, job search support and data through the Labour Force Survey biennially instead the Flexible Support Fund. of annually. [191798] Pensioners Mike Penning: Experience from collecting work-related ill health data through the Labour Force Survey from Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State 2003-04 to 2011-12 indicated that figures rarely changed for Work and Pensions what the pension entitlement is significantly year-on-year. The main value in the data is of people of pensionable age who served long in comparisons over longer time periods and in combining sentences in prison. [191684] survey years to look at detailed sub-populations. Work-related ill health data for 2013-14 has been Steve Webb: A persons entitlement to the contributory collated and will be published in the autumn. state pension is dependent on the national insurance Long Term Unemployed People: Peterborough contributions they have paid or had credited to them over their working life (from the age of 16 up to the year Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State before they reach state pension age) which builds up for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to qualifying years. This will also be the case for the new reduce long term unemployment in Peterborough single tier pension, but with a requirement to have a constituency; and if he will make a statement. [191744] minimum number of qualifying years. 479W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 480W

A person who has served a long prison sentence Steve Webb: The Post Office card account (POca) during their working life is likely to have a below contract expires in March 2015 with the possibility of a average entitlement to contributory state pension. However, two-year extension beyond that date. pension credit is available where the person’s (and partner’s) The POca is a very simple account designed for the income from all sources is inadequate. receipt of pensions and legacy benefits. It cannot be used for the payment of wages/salaries and does not Personal Independence Payment offer transactional services such as direct debits so will not be suitable for the majority of working age claimants Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work eligible for universal credit. and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to No decision has been made on the future of the POca tackle delays faced by people waiting for a medical but discussions are currently taking place between DWP, assessment following their application for personal Post Office Ltd and the Department for Business, independence payment. [191500] Innovation and Skills to consider the future needs of customers beyond 2015 and any announcement on this Mike Penning: We are committed to ensuring personal matter will be made in due course. independence payment (PIP) claimants receive high Ministers and officials have also met with relevant quality, objective, fair and accurate assessments. Since stakeholders, including the National Federation of Sub- the introduction of PIP new claims in April, we have Postmasters to discuss POca related issues. been closely monitoring all aspects of the process. Our latest analysis is telling us that the end-to-end Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for claimant journey is taking longer than expected. We are Work and Pensions what plans his Department has for working closely with the assessment providers to ensure the future use of Post Office card accounts. [191790] that they are taking all necessary steps to improve performance, speed up the process and ensure claimants Steve Webb: The Post Office card account (POca) receive a satisfactory experience. We are also seeking to contract expires in March 2015 with the possibility of a ensure that all the steps in the process run as smoothly two-year extension beyond that date. as possible and that there are no barriers in our processes No decision has been made on the future of the POca and systems that contribute to claims taking longer but discussions are currently taking place between DWP, than necessary to progress. Post Office Ltd and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to consider the future needs of Post Office Card Account customers beyond 2015. Post Office Card Account: Warrington Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what his policy is on the payment of Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work benefits into post office card accounts; [191484] and Pensions how many people in Warrington (2) what his policy is on the payment of pensions currently have benefits of which type paid into a Post into post office card accounts. [191485] Office card account. [191788]

Steve Webb: The Department pays benefits and pensions Steve Webb: The information is not available in the by direct payment into a bank, building society, credit format requested as data held relates to payment accounts union or post office card account. rather than people. A customer may receive benefits in The post office card account is a very simple account the form of a separate payment for each benefit to with limited functionality. Our policy has always been which they are entitled or a single, combined payment. clear that the best option, especially for people of Each of these payments is termed a payment account working age, is an account that can accept payments which would be paid into the same Post Office card from employers and has transactional facilities such as account. direct debits for the payment of bills and housing costs. The number of payment accounts paid into a Post The Department is currently in discussions with Post Office card account split by benefit type in Warrington Office Ltd and the Department for Business Innovation local authority as at February 2013 is shown in the and Skills to consider the future needs of customers following table. beyond 2015. Number of payment accounts paid via a Post Office card account by benefit type in Warrington local authority: February 2013 Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Number and Pensions (1) what recent discussions his Department Total Benefits paid via Post Office 9,540 has had with (a) Post Office Limited and (b) the card accounts National Federation of Sub-Postmasters on the future Attendance Allowance 390 use of the Post Office Card Account; [191495] Bereavement Benefit 10 (2) what assessment his Department has made of the Disability Living Allowance 1,260 future use of the Post Office Card Account; and if he Employment and Support Allowance 610 Incapacity Benefit 200 will make a statement; [191493] Carer’s Allowance 170 (3) what recent discussions his Department has had Industrial Injuries Disablement 190 with the Department for Business, Innovation and Benefit Skills on the future use of the Post Office Card Income Support 480 Account. [191494] Jobseeker’s Allowance 440 481W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 482W

Number of payment accounts paid via a Post Office card account by benefit type timeliness, an average 98% of all application decisions in Warrington local authority: February 2013 made throughout the operational year since April 2013 Number were made within 24 hours. Pension Credit 1,730 State Pension 3,970 Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Severe Disablement Benefit 90 and Pensions if he will assess the potential for Widow’s Benefit 10 improved administration and awareness of the short- Notes: term benefit advances scheme to affect demand for 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. food banks; and if he will make a statement. [191156] 2. Figures refer to payment accounts. Claimants with more than one account will be counted for each account. Figures only relate to accounts live and in Esther McVey: DWP does make claimants aware of payment on the specified date. relevant support services, but will always consider whether Source: DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate, 100% data it has provision first. Short-term benefit advance awards are available to those entitled to them prior to initial payment of benefit, Social Security Benefits almost 100% of applications are routinely processed within 24 hours. Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for quality of the administration of the short-term benefit Work and Pensions how many people and what proportion of the working population have been in receipt of advances scheme since its inception. [191105] incapacity benefit or employment and support allowance for over (a) two years, (b) five years and (c) 10 years in Esther McVey: DWP has a quality framework in each region of England. [191625] place for checking the accuracy of Short Term Benefit Advance decisions. In February 2014, checks confirmed Esther McVey: The information requested is shown 96% accuracy of application decisions. In terms of in the following tables:

Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance (IB/SDA) claimants in each region in England by duration of claim and as a percentage of the working age population—as at August 2013 Duration of 2 Duration of 5 Duration of Region All cases % to5years % to 10 years % over 10 years %

North East 29,950 1.9 1,820 0.1 6,380 0.4 21,500 1.4 North West 77,400 1.8 3,250 0.1 17,650 0.4 55,980 1.3 Yorkshire and 47,770 1.5 1,980 0.1 10,700 0.3 34,760 1.1 the Humber East Midlands 39,600. 1.4 1,370 — 9,020 0.3 28,820 1.0 West Midlands 55,560 1.6 2,130 0.1 13,770 0.4 39,260 1.2 East of England 45,960 1.3 1,730 — 12,710 0.4 31,030 0.9 London 87;890 1.6 4,420 0.1 26,990 0.5 55,570 1.0 South East 60,710 1.2 2,250 — 15,570 0.3 42,410 0.8 South West 51,240 1.6 1,960 0.1 13,200 0.4 35,620 1.1

Employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants in each region in England by duration of claim and as a percentage of the working age population—as at August 2013 Region All % Duration of up to 5 years %

North East 102,540 6.5 16,010 1.0 North West 284,580 6.6 49,000 1.1 Yorkshire and the Humber 170,050 5.2 29,980 0.9 East Midlands 130,210 4.7 23,430 0.8 West Midlands 166,670 4.9 30,220 0.9 East of England 133,560 3.8 26,410 0.7 London 227,650 4.1 48,070 0.9 South East 185,150 3.5 36,240 0.7 South West 135,980 4.3 26,390 0.8 Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages are shown rounded to one decimal place.″—″ denotes nil or negligible. 2. Working age population figures are defined as males aged 16-64 and females aged 16-59. 3. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) for new claims from October 2008. 4. Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance figures will include some people receiving national insurance credits only. 5. The caseload data provided for IB/SDA and ESA is published and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistics-tabulation-tool Source: DWP IGS 100% WPLS and ONS Mid-2012 Population Estimates

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification (c) three years in each month since January 2010. [191565] Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Esther McVey: The information requested is not readily and Pensions how many benefit claimants have been available and could be provided only at disproportionate sanctioned for (a) four weeks, (b) three months and cost. 483W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 484W

Social Security Benefits: Immigrants 2012-13 £ million ESA JSA Dame Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what work his Department has Aberdeen City 25 11 commissioned on the use by migrants of UK welfare Note: Expenditure is shown for the last complete financial year. Benefit expenditure systems. [190447] for employment and support allowance and jobseeker’s allowance can be found in the local authority tables at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/ Esther McVey: The previous government did not 266828/la-tables-201213.xls collect data; we are rectifying this and the data collected Source: on migrants’ use of the welfare system continues to DWP statistical data. grow as the current welfare reforms are rolled out. For example, under the recently strengthened habitual residence Unemployed People: New Businesses test we have started to record nationality and immigration status. Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Under universal credit we will also make better records for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to of claimants’ circumstances including nationality. promote small business entrepreneurial skills for people who are currently unemployed. [191768] Social Security Benefits: Scotland Esther McVey: The Government is keen to promote and provide support to help people start and build their Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for own business. One of the ways we are doing this is Work and Pensions how much was paid in disability through the new enterprise allowance (NEA). living allowance and personal independence payments The NEA provides access to business mentoring and to recipients in (a) Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Dundee financial support for people on benefits interested in and (d) Aberdeen in the last year. [191621] starting up their own business. The financial support consists of a weekly allowance payable over 26 week’s Mike Penning: The amount paid in disability living worth up to £1,274. If participants need start-up capital allowance in 2012-13 can be found in the following they may also apply for an unsecured loan through the table. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills start-up Personal independence payments were introduced in loan scheme. April 2013 and therefore there was no expenditure in So far 32,520 businesses have been created and 56,700 the 2012-13 financial year. claimants have started working with a mentor. DLA 2012-13 We announced in the autumn statement our intention £ million to extend the scheme through to 2015-16.

Glasgow City 234 Edinburgh, City of 93 Unemployment Benefits Dundee City 47 Aberdeen City 40 Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Note: and Pensions how many people have been in receipt of Expenditure is shown for the last complete financial year. The benefit expenditure out-of-work benefits for (a) one year, (b) two years for disability living allowance can be found in the local authority tables as per the following link: and (c) three years or more in (i) Wrexham https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/ constituency, (ii) Wales and (iii) the UK in each of the 266828/la-tables-201213.xls [191126] Source: last three years. DWP statistical data Esther McVey: The information we can provide is Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for shown in the following table: Work and Pensions (1) how much was paid in employment Out of work benefit claimants by statistical group and duration of oldest claim, and support allowance payments to recipients in (a) for Great Britain, Wales and Wrexham constituency: August 2011 to August Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Dundee and (d) Aberdeen 2013 Up to 1to2 2to3 3years in the last year; [191623] All 1 year years years and over (2) how much was paid in jobseeker’s allowance August Great 4,842,010 1,937,380 503,230 290,240 2,111,170 payments to recipients in (a) Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, 2011 Britain (c) Dundee and (d) Aberdeen in the last year. [191624] Wales 296,370 105,870 27,670 18,030 144,790 Wrexham 6,350 2,370 620 420 2,930 Esther McVey: The amount paid in employment and support allowance and jobseeker’s allowance in 2012-13 August Great 4,721,460 2,138,490 649,290 313,940 1,619,740 is shown in the following table. 2012 Britain 2012-13 Wales 286,820 124,910 35,260 17,320 109,320 £ million Wrexham 6,090 2,850 660 380 2,200 ESA JSA

Glasgow City 153 83 August Great 4,395,860 2,051,340 881,810 389,270 1,073,440 Edinburgh, City of 55 38 2013 Britain Dundee City 26 19 Wales 267,890 121,960 53,400 21,180 71,340 485W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 486W

Out of work benefit claimants by statistical group and duration of oldest claim, Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work for Great Britain, Wales and Wrexham constituency: August 2011 to August 2013 and Pensions whether the IT systems supporting universal Up to 1to2 2to3 3 years credit are able to process a change in a claimant’s All 1 year years years and over circumstances when he or she (a) moves to live in an area where universal credit is not being piloted, (b) Wrexham 5,710 2,740 1,160 400 1,400 forms a new relationship and is re-classified as part of a Notes: couple and (c) has a child. [191511] 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and totals may not sum due to rounding. 2. Out of work benefits which are included in this analysis are: Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) Esther McVey: Where a universal credit claimants Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) circumstances change in the way set out IT systems Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance (IB/SDA) support the processing of those changes. Income Support (IS). 3. Incapacity Benefit and IS on incapacity grounds were replaced by Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for new claims from October 2008. Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for 4. The duration of claim reflects the longest out-of-work benefit claim for each person. Work and Pensions what effect on the budget of universal 5. Where a claim has converted to ESA from IB/SDA or IS data reflects credit the decision to develop a second IT system will duration from start of ESA claim. have; and if he will make a statement. [191629] 6. Great Britain data have been provided as the information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Social Development. Northern Ireland statistics can be found at: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/stats_and_research.htm Esther McVey: I refer the right hon. Member to the Source: reply I gave him on 12 December 2013, Official Report, DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate: Work and Pensions column 314W. Longitudinal Study Where a claim has converted to employment and support allowance (ESA) from incapacity benefit/severe Work Programme disablement allowance or income support the data reflects the duration from the start of ESA claim. Most of these re-assessments have occurred since April 2011 when the Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for re-assessment process commenced. Work and Pensions how many of the claimants who have returned to Jobcentre Plus after 104 weeks on the Universal Credit Work Programme are attached to each jobcentre in the UK; and what proportion of each jobcentre’s caseload such people represent. [191627] Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) whether the Universal Credit system will accept new claims for employment and Esther McVey: Statistics on the number of claimants, support allowance by the end of 2016; [191507] who have returned to Jobcentre Plus after 104 weeks on the Work programme, by Jobcentre Plus district, can be (2) whether claimants who begin claiming found at: employment and support allowance prior to new claims being accepted by the Universal Credit system https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistics- will be transferred to the universal credit system by the tabulation-tool start of 2017 or end of 2017; [191508] Guidance for users is available at: (3) whether the universal credit system will accept https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-tabulation- (a) any and (b) all new claims for employment and tool-guidance support allowance at the start of 2017 or end of 2017. In order to calculate the proportions, statistics on the [191509] number of jobseeker’s allowance claimants by jobcentre plus district can be found at: Esther McVey: While the majority of the legacy caseload https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp will move to universal credit during 2016 and 2017, claimants in receipt of income based employment and Guidance for users can be found at: support allowance (ESA) will retain their current https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp arrangements during this period unless there is a relevant change in their circumstances. Final decisions on the implementation of the programme will be informed by Work Programme: Brigg the development of the enhanced digital solution.

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number processing a change in a claimant’s circumstances when of people in Brigg and Goole constituency who have he or she (a) moves to live in an area where universal begun an apprenticeship through support provided on credit is not being piloted, (b) forms a new relationship the work programme. [191638] and are re-classified as part of a couple and (c) has a child. [191510] Esther McVey: The data requested are not available. Participants on the Work programme are some of the Esther McVey: No estimate of this has been made (in hardest people to help into work, what we do know the examples quoted the changes would be processed in from the latest industry published statistics is that nationally the same way as any other reported change of from June 2011 to December 2013, 498,000 people have circumstances). been helped into work by the Work programme. 487W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 488W

DEFENCE Anna Soubry: All personnel, but especially injured service personnel, are encouraged to participate in Combat Troops: Human Rights Legislation competitive sporting events. Earlier this month, it was announced that the first Invictus games will be held in 16. Mr Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for September. It is anticipated that some 100 serving and Defence what steps he plans to take to ensure that veteran wounded, injured and sick personnel will take human rights legislation does not apply to troops part. deployed in combat operations. [903060] The games will be an international sporting competition bringing together armed forces of nations that have Mr Philip Hammond: It is for the courts to decide in served alongside each other. The Invictus games will use what circumstances legislation applies. The Government the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation are however clear that forces in combat must be able to and generate a wider understanding and respect of take operationally necessary decisions without worrying those who serve their country. about the risk of future civil litigation. We have therefore Another key component of our approach is Battle made clear that we will consider legislating in this area Back, a Ministry of Defence-led Adaptive Sport and should the need arise. Adventurous Training programme. Individuals are being introduced to it at Headley Court, Lilleshall or through Army Helicopter Capability the network of personnel recovery centres.

17. Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Watchkeeper Vehicles Defence what recent progress he has made on upgrading army helicopter capability; and if he will 22. Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for make a statement. [903061] Defence when the British Army plans to begin flying Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicles. [903066] Mr Dunne: The Government are committed to providing the armed forces with the helicopter capability required Mr Dunne: The Watchkeeper unmanned aircraft system to deliver Future Force 2020. For the Army this includes was awarded an initial release to service three weeks ago the Apache and Wildcat battlefield helicopters. on 28 February 2014 and personnel from the 1st Artillery We expect the Army variant of the Wildcat helicopter Brigade will begin training flights from Boscombe Down to achieve Initial Operating Capability later this year, next month. Watchkeeper will provide the British Army and to fully replace the in-service Lynx Mk7 and Mk9a with an enduring tactical surveillance and reconnaissance fleets later this decade. capability. In addition, as the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Army Recruitment Weybridge (Mr Hammond), announced at the end of January, we have recently placed a contract worth £430 million with Agusta Westland to support the Apache 23. Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for fleet for the next five years, and are currently considering Defence what steps he is taking to improve the Army’s options to sustain this fleet until its planned out of recruitment process. [903067] service date in 2040. Anna Soubry: The Secretary of State for Defence, my Afghanistan: Force Withdrawal right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), said on 14 January 2014, Official Report, columns 715-16, we are taking a number 18. Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for of steps to improve recruiting performance. These include Defence what arrangements have been made for the the major recruiting campaign currently under way for withdrawal of UK personnel and heavy equipment Regular Army and Army Reserve personnel, highlighting from Afghanistan through Russian territory; and if he the variety of roles and skills available in the Army, an will make a statement. [903062] improved offer to Reservists, and a more efficient application and medical assessment process for all candidates. Mr Philip Hammond: We use a number of Lines of Communication to move personnel and equipment into and out of Afghanistan. Currently, a very small proportion Air Force of materiel, around 1%, is being redeployed from Afghanistan by means of the Northern Line of Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Communication, which includes Russia. We keep all Defence (1) if he will place in the Library copies of the Lines of Communication under constant review and (a) operating cost statement, (b) balance sheet, (c) stand ready to adapt our redeployment plans should the statement of recognised gains and losses, (d) cash flow need arise. statement and (e) fixed asset register for each of Air Command’s basic level budget groups for financial Injured Service Personnel: Competitive Sport years 2010-11 to 2012-13; [191170] (2) if he will place in the Library copies of Air 20. Mark Pawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Command’s (a) operating cost statement (b) balance Defence what steps he is taking to increase opportunities sheet, (c) statement of recognised gains and losses, (d) for injured service personnel to participate in competitive cash flow statement and (e) fixed asset register for sporting events. [903064] financial years 2010-11 to 2012-13. [191182] 489W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 490W

Mr Francois: Air Command is not required to produce Location Squadron Strength Establishment financial records in the format requested at Basic Level Budget level. Oxford (RAF 78 SQN 122 148 Benson) However, I am placing in the Library of the House Oxford (RAF Brize 10 SQN 97 113 operating cost statements and balance sheets for the Air Norton) Command Top Level Budget for financial years (FY) Oxford (RAF Brize 101 SQN 78 111 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 and the Statement of Norton) Changes in Taxpayers’ Equity (this expanded set of Oxford (RAF Brize 216 SQN 330 390 information replaced the statement of recognised gains Norton) Oxford (RAF Brize 24 SQN 77 80 and losses in 2009-10) and cash flow statements for the Norton) Air Command Top Level Budget for FY 2010-11 and Oxford (RAF Brize 30 SQN 52 71 2012-13. The Statement of Changes in Taxpayers’ Equity Norton) and cashflow statements were not produced for Top Oxford (RAF Brize 47 SQN 104 148 Level Budgets for FY2011-12 across the Department. Norton) Oxford (RAF Brize 99 SQN 323 304 The fixed asset register could be provided only at Norton) disproportionate cost. Ruislip (RAF 32 (TR) SQN 68 57 Northolt) Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for St Andrews (RAF 1(F) SQN 161 165 Defence what the (a) establishment and (b) number of leuchars) ST Andrews (RAF 6 SQN 183 189 established posts filled is for each RAF operational Leuchars) squadron. [191178] Total — 4,461 4,886 1 Squadron disbanding on 31 March 2014. Mr Francois: The establishment and number of 2 Squadron disbanding on 31 March 2014. 3 This Squadron was temporarily established to support an Urgent established posts filled for each RAF operational flying Operational Requirement. Squadron as at 11 March 2014 is shown in the following table. Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of Air Location Squadron Strength Establishment Command’s Command Plan for financial years Akrotiri (air base) 84 SQN 17 17 2012-13 and 2013-14. [191181] Various units—SAR 202 SQN 72 77 Various units—SAR 22 SQN 77 77 Mr Francois: I am withholding the plans as their Basingstoke (RAF 7 SQN 163 181 release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the Odiham) capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces. Basingstoke (RAF 18 SQN 100 112 Odiham) Basingstoke (RAF 27 SQN 107 112 Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Odiham) Defence if he will list each branch and trade in the Elgin (RAF 12 SQN1 28 181 Royal Air Force. [191184] Lossiemouth) Elgin (RAF 617 SQN2 138 183 Lossiemouth) Mr Francois: Branches and trades in the Royal Air Kings Lynn (RAF II (AC) SQN 178 182 Force are set out in the following table and list: Marham) Functional Branches Kings Lynn (RAF 31 (B) SQN 179 182 Branch Specialisation Marham) Kings Lynn (RAF IX (B) SQN 186 182 Flying (Fg) Pilot Marham) Remotely Piloted Air System (Pilot) Las Vegas (Creech 39 SQN 79 92 (RPAS(P)) AFB) Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) Lincoln (RAF 11 SQN 156 163 Coningsby) Air Traffic Control (ATC) Lincoln (RAF 3 SQN (F) 170 164 Aerospace Battle Manager (ABM) Coningsby) Intelligence (Int) Lincoln (RAF 14 SQN3 140 7 Waddington) Flight Operations (Fit Ops) Lincoln (RAF V SQN 169 157 Fit Ops Fire Waddington) Lincoln (RAF 51 SQN 188 224 RAF Regiment (Regt) Waddington) Provost (Prov) Lincoln (RAF 8 SQN 250 287 Engineer (Eng) Aerosystems (AS) Waddington) Communications-Electronics (CE) Lincoln (RAF XIII SQN 93 77 Waddington) Logistics (Logs) Northallerton (RAF 100 SQN 24 36 Medical Support Officer (MSO) Leeming) Oxford (RAF 230 SQN 103 120 Personnel (Pers) Benson) Medical Oxford (RAF 28 SQN 131 159 Benson) Chaplain Oxford (RAF 33 SQN 118 138 Legal Benson) 491W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 492W

Functional Branches Registered Nurse (Mental Health). Branch Specialisation Dental: Nursing Officer Dental Technician Director of Music (DOM) Dental Hygienist Dental Nurse. RAF Trades Personnel: Aircraft Engineering: Personnel (Support). Aircraft Engineering Technician Logistics: Aircraft Technician (Avionics) Logistics (Supplier) Aircraft Technician (Mechanical) Logistics (Mover). Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic (Avionics) Logistics: Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic (Mechanical) Logistics (Catering Manager (Chef) Engineering Technician Weapon Logistics (Chef) Weapon Technician Logistics (Catering Manager) Information and Communications Technology Manager Logistics (Caterer). Information and Communications Technology Technician Music: Information and Communications Technology Aerial Erector Musician. General Engineering Technician Air Force: Military Bases General Technician Electrical General Technician (Mechanical) Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for General Technician Workshops Defence (1) which Royal Air Force bases and Logistics (Driver). establishments in England are currently in use; [191167] Force Protection: (2) which RAF bases and establishments (a) have RAF Police been closed since 2010 and (b) are due to be closed; Gunner [191169] Firefighter. (3) which Royal Air Force bases and establishments Air Traffic Control: in Wales are currently in use; [191175] Air Traffic Controller (4) which Royal Air Force bases and establishments Air Traffic Control Assistant in Northern Ireland are currently in use; [191176] Flight Operations Manager (5) which overseas Royal Air Force bases and Flight Operations Assistant establishments are currently in use; [191177] Meteorological Observer. (6) which Royal Air Force bases and establishments General Service: in Scotland are currently in use. [191183] Trainee Dr Murrison: The information requested in respect of RAF Physical Training Instructor. RAF Main Bases is set out below. Intelligence: RAF Main Bases in England: Intelligence Analyst RAF Benson (Joint Helicopter Command base) Intelligence Analyst (Voice) (Includes Student (Sdt) trade). RAF Boulmer Aerospace Systems Operating: RAF Brize Norton Aerospace Systems Manager RAF College Cranwell Aerospace Systems Operator RAF Coningsby SNCO Weapons Control. RAF Cosford Safety and Surface: RAF Halton Survival Equipment Fitter RAF Henlow Painter and Finisher. RAF High Wycombe Photography: RAF Honington Photographer RAF Leeming Air Cartographer. RAF Linton on Ouse Medical: RAF Marham Pharmacy Technician RAF Northholt Environmental Health Technician RAF Odiham (Joint Helicopter Command base) Operating Department Practitioner RAF Scampton Radiographer RAF Shawbury Biomedical Scientist RAF St Mawgan RAF Medic. RAF Waddington The Princess Mary’s RAF Nursing Service (PMRAFNS): RAF Wittering Nurses Spine RAF Main Bases in Scotland: Registered Nurse (Adult) RAF Lossiemouth 493W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 494W

RAF Leuchars RAF St Mawgan RAF Bases in Wales: RAF Valley RAF Valley RAF Waddington RAF Main Bases in Northern Ireland: Nil Air Force: Property RAF Main Bases overseas: There are no RAF Main Bases overseas; however there is a large RAF presence at the following Permanent Joint Operating Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Base overseas locations operated by Joint Force Command: Defence what the (a) location and (b) value is of all Ascension Island land and buildings, dwellings—tangible fixed assets Cyprus valued at £1 million or over held on Air Command’s balance sheet. [191174] Falkland Islands Gibraltar Dr Murrison: Details of Air Command’s land and RAF Main Bases that have closed, and have transferred building dwelling assets valued at £1 million and over to other Defence use, since 2010: are shown in the following table. The values are net RAF Cottesmore book values (NBV) as at 31 March 2013. Assets under RAF Kinloss construction at any of the locations are not included. RAF Lyneham RAF Main Bases due to close and will transfer to other Location NBV 31 March 2013 (£ million) Defence use: CBRN Winterbourne Gunner 6.2 RAF Leuchars. MOD St Athan 9.0 In addition to Main Bases, the RAF also operates a RAF Brize Norton 42.4 number of minor units, weapon ranges, radar sites and RAF Coningsby 19.9 RAF Reserves units, and maintains an interest in the RAF Cranwell 49.2 US Visiting Force airfields, a number of which have RAF Halton 6.0 also closed since 2010. In addition, RAF units are also RAF High Wycombe 14.7 deployed in support of operations overseas. RAF Honington 14.5 RAF Leeming 19.8 Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for RAF Linton on Ouse 2.6 Defence which RAF bases and establishments are held RAF Marham 6.2 on a leasehold basis. [191171] RAF Northolt 24.7 RAF Shawbury 10.7 Dr Murrison: No RAF bases or establishments are RAF Valley 8.8 completely held on a leasehold basis. However, small RAF Waddington 2.8 areas of land and/or some buildings at the following RAF Wittering 12.6 RAF bases and establishments are held on a leasehold RAF Wyton 15.1 basis: RAF Benbecula Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for RAF Boulmer Defence what the (a) location and (b) value is of all RAF Brize Norton land and buildings, non-dwellings tangible fixed assets RAF Buchan valued at £1 million or over held on Air Command’s RAF Conningsby balance sheet. [191180] RAF Cottesmore RAF Cranwell Dr Murrison: Details of Air Command’s land and RAF Croughton building non-dwelling assets valued at £1 million and over are shown in the following table. The values are net RAF Daws Hill book values (NBV) as at 31 March 2013. Assets under RAF Fairford construction at any of the locations are not included. RAF Fylingdales RAF High Wycombe Location NBV 31 March 2013 (£ million)

RAF Kinloss Bordon 2.9 RAF Lossiemouth CBRN Winterbourne Gunner 11.1 RAF Lakenheath Centurion Building—Hampshire 6.4 RAF Leeming Chetwynd Airfield 1.8 RAF Leuchars DCAE Cosford 105.9 Hampshire Road Bordon 2.7 RAF Linton on Ouse Hazebrouck Barracks 44.9 RAF Marham HMS Sultan 110.0 RAF Mildenhall ISS St Eval 1.3 RAF Saxa Vord JSATI Llanrwst 1.1 RAF Scampton Kenley Aerodrome 1.1 RAF Shawbury Little Rissington Airfield 3.6 Manston Station 8.3 RAF Spadeadam 495W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 496W

Armed Forces Pay Review Body Location NBV 31 March 2013 (£ million)

MOD St Athan 10.4 Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for MOD Stafford 31.7 Defence when the Triennial Review of the Armed Prince Philip Barracks 3.3 Forces Pay Review Body will be completed; and what RAF Barkston Heath 3.0 estimate he has made of the cost of this review. RAF Barnham 1.3 [191251] RAF Boulmer 14.3 RAF Brampton 45.1 Dr Murrison: The Triennial Review of the Armed RAF Brize Norton 82.7 Forces Pay Review Body is expected to be completed RAF Church Fenton 4.7 shortly. The review has been conducted with the use of RAF Colerne 3.4 existing staff resources. RAF Coningsby 66.0 RAF Cottesmore 23.8 RAF Cranwell 64.1 Bomb Disposal: Northern Ireland RAF Fylingdales 38.1 RAF Halton 28.6 Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State RAF Henlow 20.1 for Defence on how many occasions military personnel RAF High Wycombe 78.1 were deployed on the streets of Northern Ireland to RAF Honington 14.6 deal with explosive devices in 2013. [191686] RAF Kinloss 60.9 RAF Kirton in Lindsey 6.1 Mr Francois: The Explosive Ordnance Device teams RAF Leeming 45.5 in Northern Ireland respond with great professionalism RAF Leuchars 20.0 to requests for assistance. We will continue to support RAF Linton on Ouse 21.6 the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the most RAF Lossiemouth 15.6 operationally effective way. RAF Lyneham 25.9 Incidents requiring explosive ordnance disposal experts RAF Marham 41.8 in Northern Ireland are dealt with solely by military RAF Northolt 183.5 personnel. The information requested on the number of RAF Portreath 2.7 occasions Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel have RAF Scampton 11.7 responded to incidents in Northern Ireland is published RAF Shawbury 18.2 annually in the Report of the Independent Reviewer of RAF Spadeadam 1.7 the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007. A RAF St Mawgan 4.9 copy of the report covering up to July 2013 is available RAF Syerston 17.6 in the Library of the House. RAF Topcliffe 2.1 Between August 2013 and December 2013, Explosive RAF Valley 21.9 Ordnance Disposal personnel have responded on a RAF Waddington 95.2 further 168 occasions to incidents in Northern Ireland. RAF Wittering 36.5 RAF Woodvale 4.2 RAF Wyton 21.7 Capita RHQ AGC Worthy Down 12.0 RRH Staxton Wold 3.2 Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for West Wessex Volunteer Estate 1.9 Defence what the value is of the break clauses in each Total 1,510.8 contract his Department currently holds with Capita. [191617] Armed Forces Mr Dunne: In any contract, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) can include a ’break clause’ that allows it to Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for terminate a contract at its convenience before the expiry Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of his of its term. This may be required to respond to changes Department’s Single Integrated Capability Priority to Government policy or other unexpected events. List. [191179] The MOD has a standard break clause (Defence Condition (DEFCON) 656); the general terms of which Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence has moved away include actions the MOD wants the contractor to take from the concept of holding a list of projects that in the event of a break, the types of liabilities that will compete for funding as a basis for apportioning the fall to the MOD and the general principle that MOD unallocated budget. Instead, high-level military objectives liability will not exceed the contract price. Individual have been mapped to the elements, such as equipment contracts may have specific terms attached to the clause and support, necessary to achieve those objectives. This but in most cases they do not have a monetary value process has been used to identify where and when gaps associated with them. in future capability might appear, to inform the DEFCON 656 states that break clauses must be apportionment of the unallocated budget available from included in all goods and service contracts due to last 2017-18 onwards. This approach was set out in the nine months or more and which have a value over NAO EP 2013 to 2023 report published on 12 February £250,000, or in any contract below that threshold where 2014, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of there is a risk that the customer may withdraw the the House. requirement. 497W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 498W

Separate provisions in contracts cover instances when Ministers and officials remind allies at all appropriate the MOD may terminate a contract if a supplier breaches opportunities of NATO’s resource guidance that members the terms and requirements of the contract. of the Alliance should devote 2.0% of GDP to defence Only one MOD contract with Capita has a monetary spending. value associated with its break clause. This contract is related to the provision of theatre network services and Defence Infrastructure Organisation I am withholding the value as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what criteria his Department used in its Cyprus decision on to whom to award the contract to manage the Defence Infrastructure Organisation; [191619] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) what the role of the new strategic partner taking Defence whether the Sovereign Base Areas Administration over the Defence Infrastructure Organisation will be in or the Government of the Republic of Cyprus will be the statutory planning process; and whether his Department responsible for formulating the new planning regime for will be the final arbiter in planning matters relating to the Cyprus sovereign base areas. [191398] local plans regarding his Department’s land and property following that new partner assuming its role. [191620] Dr Murrison: The Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) Administration and the Government of the Republic of Dr Murrison: The evaluation of the tenders that Cyprus are working together to formulate the formal informed the decision to appoint a Preferred Bidder for planning zones and policies for the SBAs. This is in the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)’s Strategic accordance with the arrangement signed on 16 January Business Partner was in accordance with the criteria 2014 between the UK and Republic of Cyprus published in the Invitation to Negotiate and was designed Governments relating to the regulation of development to identify the most economically advantageous solution in the SBAs. for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) that represented the best way forward for the DIO and value for money Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for for the taxpayer. Defence whether his Department plans to conduct a The Strategic Business Partner will have responsibility strategic environmental assessment on the new planning for managing the DIO, including the DIO’s input into regime to be developed in the Cyprus sovereign base the statutory planning process, in accordance with existing areas. [191406] MOD policy, rules and guidelines. Under the contractual governance arrangements the MOD will retain final Mr Francois: The Sovereign Base Areas Administration approval in any matters, including planning, which are is currently evaluating the legislative and procedural not covered by the DIO’s delegated powers, which requirements needed for the new planning regime, which would fall within the existing MOD approvals framework will include legislating for strategic environmental or which are classed as “sensitive or novel”. assessments. In addition, the MOD will retain its role in exercising any specific exemptions or powers on behalf of the Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Secretary of State for Defence in planning matters. Defence whether the new planning regime for non- military development in the Cyprus Sovereign Base areas will be subject to public consultation before it its Dounreay introduced. [191412] Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Mr Francois: The framework for introducing formal pursuant to his oral statement of 6 March 2014, Official planning zones and policies for the regulation of Report, columns 1077-79, on nuclear submarines, what development in the Sovereign Base Areas is currently the evidential basis is for the statement that there has being prepared by the Sovereign Base Areas Administration been no detectable radiation leak from the sealed circuit and the Republic of Cyprus. It has not yet been completed. of the nuclear reactor in HMS Vanguard at Dounreay. The procedures normally applied in the Republic of [191389] Cyprus for operating a planning regime, including the participation of local authorities, the general public Mr Philip Hammond: There has been no leak from and other organisations, are likely to be applied. the Naval Reactor Test Establishment (NRTE) at Dounreay. There have been no reported issues with the reactor on Defence HMS Vanguard. All naval nuclear reactor plant have sensitive radiation monitoring and other equipment Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for installed that are able to detect leaks from the sealed Defence what proportion of the UK’s gross domestic reactor circuit. product the Government spend on defence; and what Some discharges of noble gases did increase at NRTE steps he is taking to encourage the UK’s NATO allies as a result of increased sampling, but these were still to match this proportion. [191555] less than half the regulatory limit, which itself is a tiny fraction of the public dose limit. Discharge information Dr Murrison: The NATO-recognised figure for UK is published annually as part of the “Radioactivity in Defence spending as a proportion of gross domestic Food and the Environment” publication, available from product (GDP) in 2012 is 2.3%; the latest estimate for the SEPA website at: 2013 is 2.4%. www.sepa.org.uk 499W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 500W

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence continually Defence when Ministers in his Department were first reviews its force structure and basing options, but at made aware of problems with the reactor cooling present there are no plans to station UK F-35 aircraft in systems at the Dounreay Naval Reactor Test the Falkland Islands following their acceptance into Establishment; and which Minister was so informed. service. [191631]

Mr Dunne: The Secretary of State for Defence was Military Aircraft made aware of the issue with the reactor core in May 2012, shortly after it had been confirmed that the most probable cause of low levels of radioactivity in the Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for reactor’s cooling water was a breach in a small area of Defence (1) how many (a) Typhoon, (b) Tornado GR4 the metal cladding that surrounds one fuel element and (c) Sentinel R1 aircraft are (i) fully serviceable, (ii) within the core of the reactor. It took a number of undergoing first line maintenance, (iii) undergoing second months to test and investigate the issue. line maintenance and (iv) undergoing third and fourth line maintenance; and if he will make a statement; Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for [191168] Defence on what date in January 2012 the problem (2) how many (a) C-17A Globemaster, (b) Hercules with the reactor cooling systems at the Dounreay Naval C1/C3 (K), (c) Hercules C4/C5 (J), (d) Tristar and (e) Reactor Test Establishment was detected. [191632] VC10 aircraft are (i) fully serviceable, (ii) undergoing first line maintenance, (iii) undergoing second line Mr Dunne: The first indication of the issue with the maintenance and (iv) undergoing third and fourth line reactor at the Naval Reactor Test Establishment followed maintenance; and if he will make a statement. [191172] routine sampling on 25 January 2012. It then took a number of months to investigate further and carry out additional sampling and assessments to ascertain what Mr Dunne: First to Fourth line maintenance are the situation was. terms no longer in use with the RAF. Aircraft are now either in the Forward or Depth Fleets. The Forward Fleet comprises aircraft which are serviceable and those Gibraltar which are short-term unserviceable. Short-term unserviceable aircraft are undergoing minor works, forward maintenance or any other unforeseen rectification or Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for technical inspection work that can arise on a day-to-day Defence what type of ships are held for Maritime basis. Security Operations in Gibraltar. [191480] The Depth Fleet comprises aircraft which are undergoing planned depth maintenance, upgrade programmes and Mr Francois: The Royal Navy patrols British Gibraltar fleet management temporary storage, but excludes those Territorial Waters as part of Her Majesty’s Government’s which are redundant, declared as surplus or awaiting commitment to uphold our sovereignty against unlawful disposal. incursions with a range of proportionate naval, police and diplomatic responses. The Hercules C1/C3(K) and VC10 fleets have been The Royal Navy’s presence in Gibraltar is maintained withdrawn from service and the TriStar fleet will be by the Gibraltar Squadron, consisting of HMS Scimitar withdrawn from service by 31 March 2014. and HMS Sabre and is frequently bolstered by Royal The number of aircraft available in individual fleets Naval vessels transiting the region. varies day-to-day according to normal fleet management activities. The following table shows the number of aircraft in each fleet, as a snapshot, on 11 March 2014. International Military Sales Number Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Type Forward Fleet Depth Fleet Defence how much his Department spent on legal costs Typhoon 85 32 relating to International Military Sales Ltd in each of Tornado GR4 72 30 the last five years. [191575] Sentinel R1 3 2 C-17A Globemaster 6 2 Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence has not spent Hercules C4/C5 (J) 15 9 any funds on legal costs related to International Military TriStar 6 0 Services Ltd in each of the last five years. These costs are a matter for the company. Military Bases Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which military bases and establishments in the Defence whether he plans to station any of the new UK are occupied by US visiting forces; how many US F35 joint strike fighters in the Falkland Islands personnel are stationed at each; and what the name and following their commissioning into service. [191400] rank of the commander is at each. [191173] 501W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 502W

Mr Francois: The numbers of US military and civilian Mr Francois: The Royal Navy has a range of assets personnel, together with the name and rank of the US available at various states of readiness. We do not commander, at bases and establishments that are made release information on the readiness levels of these available to the United States visiting forces are given in units on the basis of safeguarding national security. the following table.

Bases US commander Total US personnel Navy: Unmanned Air Vehicles RAF Croughton Colonel Hamilton 660 RAF Fairford Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for RAF Welford Defence which types of unmanned aerial vehicles are (a) currently deployed by the Royal Navy and (b) RAF Barford St John being (i) procured and (ii) considered. [191188]

RAF Lakenheath Colonel Robinson 4,700 Mr Dunne: The Royal Navy has deployed the (unarmed) RAF Feltwell Scan Eagle unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and is currently running a two-year Capability Concept RAF Menwith Hill Colonel Gilmore 1,000 Demonstrator to look at the use of rotary wing UAS, which will include a demonstration from a Royal Navy RAF Mildenhall Colonel Bibb 3,430 ship in UK waters in late 2014. Other work being conducted by Navy Command and Joint Forces Command is considering the future utility of UAS, but no decisions RAF Molesworth Colonel Sweeney 620 on procuring specific aircraft have been made. RAF Alconbury

Blenheim Crescent Colonel Gresham 210 RAF Northolt

The numbers of personnel have been rounded up and Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for are current as of 15 February 2014. Defence what recent assessment he has made on RAF Northolt’s fulfilment of its obligations under MOD St Athan Regulation (EC) No. 1108/2009. [191106]

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Dr Murrison: Under the terms of (EC) No. 1108/2009 Defence what recent progress his Department has (Article 1, Paragraphs 2(b) and 2(c)), as a military made on its work at MOD St Athan. [903052] aerodrome RAF Northolt is not bound by civilian regulation. However, the regulation requires that any Dr Murrison: The Ministry of Defence is undertaking military facilities open to public use offer a level of assessment work to determine the footprint required to safety as effective as that required by (EC) No. 1108/2009. support the move of 14 Signals Regiment announced as In order to satisfy this requirement, RAF Northolt is part of the Army Basing plan. regulated and assured by the Military Aviation Authority Department officials work closely with their Welsh (MAA) through compliance with the MAA Military Government counterparts to secure the future of the Regulatory Publications (MRP). As a result, all Ministry site for aerospace-related activities alongside the of Defence Aerodromes, including RAF Northolt, although Department’s ongoing defence requirements. The latest not bound by, do meet the spirit and intent of Article 1, meeting of the steering group was on 10 March 2014. Paragraph 3 of (EC) No. 1108/2209.

Navy: Deployment Reserve Forces Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons there are no Royal Navy Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for vessels on duty in the Far East. [191479] Defence what the cost to his Department was of promotional material for recruitment to each of the Mr Francois: The Royal Navy has no standing reserve forces in each year since 2010. [189330] requirement to station a vessel permanently on duty in the Asia Pacific Region. Should there be a requirement, Anna Soubry: The information requested will take such as the deployment of HMS Daring and HMS time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member shortly. Illustrious to the Philippines to support the disaster Substantive answer from Anna Soubry to Kevan Jones: relief effort, the Royal Navy has a contingent capability to deploy to this region. HMS Daring also took part in Pursuant to the answer I gave you on 4 March 2014 (Official the Royal Australian Navy’s 100th Anniversary and a Report, column 814W), to your question on the cost to the Ministry of Defence of promotional material for recruitment to number of training opportunities in the Far East. each of the reserve forces in each year since 2010, I am now able to provide you with an answer. Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for The figures set out in the following table relate to physical Defence what types of vessels are assigned to UK materials produced for the purpose of supporting or promoting contingency operations; and at what notice each such the recruitment of the Reserve forces; the figures of expenditure type of vessel is held. [191492] on the Army Reserve are included in the Capita RPP contract. 503W Written Answers17 MARCH 2014 Written Answers 504W

Type 26 Frigates £ Financial year: 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (to date) (1) what assessment he has made of the procurement process of the Type 26; and if he will make a statement; Maritime Reserve 10,000 1— 266,000 57,000 [191187] Army Reserve 2— 2— 2— 855,000 Royal Auxiliary 15,488 41,604 30,602 89,650 (2) when the key procurement decisions relating to Air Force the Type 26 frigate will be made; and if he will make a 1 There is no identifiable spend on promotional materials for the Maritime statement. [191189] Reserve for this year. 2 Figures are not available prior to the start of the current Recruiting Partnering Project contract. Mr Dunne: The Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme These figures relate to identified spending from central budgets; is in its Assessment Phase. A detailed assessment of the local units may also have had funding for promotional materials, work carried out during this phase will inform the main but such spending cannot be identified without disproportionate investment decision, which is expected towards the end effort. of 2014. I hope that this is helpful. Russia Ukraine

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for (a) Russian Defence what provision he has made to allocate UK attendance and (b) Russian dialogues in the margins of troops to any UN deployment of troops to Ukraine. the NATO Summit to be held in Wales in September [191326] 2014. [191881] Dr Murrison: The UK has not made any specific Dr Murrison: Planning for the Wales Summit continues provision to allocate UK troops to any potential UN between the UK and NATO. The final attendance list deployment to the Ukraine. and a decision on events in the margins of the Summit If a UN mission were authorised, the UK, along with have yet to be finalised. other member states, would assess in the usual manner whether we wished to contribute. Trade Union Officials Unmanned Air Vehicles Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding his Department provided for Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence staff to carry out trade union activities in each of the pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2014, Official last three years; and how many days staff spent on Report, column 33W, on unmanned air vehicles, if he those activities in each of those years. [190238] will publish a complete list of countries to which his Department has sent pilots to operate unmanned aircraft. Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) makes [R] [191683] certain facilities available to civilian employees who are accredited representatives, but not paid officials, of Mr Francois: The Army only operates Unmanned trade unions recognised by the Department. The amount Aircraft Systems (UAS), which are all unarmed, of time off and the purposes for which it is allowed is in operationally in Afghanistan, and previously in Iraq. accordance with the ACAS Code of Practice Time off The Army has also conducted training of UAS operators for Trade Union duties and activities. This is recorded in the following countries; UK, Israel, Jordan, Canada, as facility time (FT). USA and Kenya. The MOD only began to record centrally the number of days and cost of funding trade union duties in 2013. Veterans For the period 1 April 2013 to 6 March 2014, the number of staff days spent on FT was 3,087 days, at a Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for cost of some £377,000. In 2013 53 departmental staff Defence what estimate he has made of the potential were recorded as 100% FT, in 2014 this has reduced to cost of implementing the recommendations of the 11 departmental staff. Veterans’ Transition Review, published on 11 February These figures do not include the FT provided to the 2014. [191553] MOD police, Royal Fleet Auxiliary or trading funds. They also do not include non-departmental public bodies Anna Soubry: We are grateful to Lord Ashcroft for who have their own agreements with the trade unions. his efforts in producing a comprehensive review. Some Figures collected on the same base for earlier years of his recommendations are already in place, others are are not available, but the Department has previously being taken forward through existing programmes of estimated that in the year 2011-12 some 27,060 staff work, and many require cross-Government implementation. days were spent on FT at a cost of £3.65 million. A comprehensive cost estimate is therefore not available.

7MC Ministerial Corrections17 MARCH 2014 Ministerial Corrections 8MC

Mr Timpson: The National College for Teaching and Ministerial Correction Leadership (NCTL) has received referrals from four independent schools, relating to convictions for sexual Monday 17 March 2014 offences, since it commenced its regulatory role on 1 April 2012. Under the previous Government, there was no requirement for teachers at independent schools to be EDUCATION registered. Under our new NCTL regulatory system, teachers in independent schools must be registered and Private Education: Offences Against Children are therefore regulated by the NCTL. The correct answer should have been: Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many independent schools have Mr Timpson: The National College for Teaching and reported to his Department in each of the last five Leadership (NCTL) has received referrals from four years that a member of their staff has been convicted independent schools, relating to convictions for sexual of a sexual offence. [184535] offences, since it commenced its regulatory role on 1 April 2012. [Official Report, 27 January 2014, Vol. 574, c. 396W.] Under the previous Government, only registered teachers Letter of correction from Edward Timpson: were considered by the regulator and there was no requirement An error has been identified in the written answer for teachers at independent schools to be registered. given to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak Under our new NCTL regulatory system, all teachers, (Steve McCabe) on 27 January 2014. including those in independent schools are regulated by The full answer given was as follows: the NCTL.

ORAL ANSWERS

Monday 17 March 2014

Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE...... 533 DEFENCE—continued Armed Forces Covenant ...... 544 Military Procurement ...... 533 Army 2020 ...... 539 NATO Summit ...... 542 Army 2020 ...... 546 Offshore Patrol Vessels...... 545 Conflict Prevention ...... 547 Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier Programme...... 542 Defence Equipment and Support...... 534 Reserve Forces ...... 536 Flooding: Military Assistance...... 537 Spouses of Armed Forces Personnel ...... 538 HMS Vanguard...... 548 Topical Questions ...... 549 Military Personnel: LIBOR Funding ...... 541 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Monday 17 March 2014

Col. No. Col. No. CABINET OFFICE...... 51WS TRANSPORT ...... 53WS City Deal...... 51WS Higgins Review ...... 53WS Deregulation Bill...... 51WS Open Public Services...... 52WS DEFENCE...... 52WS TREASURY ...... 52WS Chemical Weapons Convention ...... 52WS Double Taxation Convention (UK/Belgium) ...... 52WS PETITION

Monday 17 March 2014

Col. No. Col. No. PRESENTED PETITION ...... 3P The Appeals Process against the Sanctioning and Removal of State Benefits ...... 3P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 17 March 2014

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 370W CABINET OFFICE—continued Legal Profession: Industrial Disputes...... 370W Public Sector: Fraud ...... 469W Theft: Metals ...... 370W Statistics...... 469W Trade Union Officials...... 470W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 418W Unemployment Benefits: Graduates ...... 470W Apprentices: Yorkshire and the Humber ...... 418W Unemployment Benefits: Havering ...... 470W Diabetes: Research...... 418W Unemployment: Scotland ...... 471W Energy: Industry ...... 419W Merlin Helicopters: India...... 419W Mining ...... 420W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 398W Music: Higher Education...... 420W Betting Shops...... 398W Post Office Card Account ...... 421W Career Development ...... 398W Post Office Card Account: Northern Ireland ...... 421W Emergency Services...... 400W Trade: Developing Countries ...... 422W Empty Property ...... 400W Trade Union Officials...... 421W Fracking...... 401W UK Trade and Investment...... 422W Homelessness: Barrow in Furness ...... 401W Housing ...... 402W CABINET OFFICE...... 466W Housing: Construction...... 403W Civil Servants: Working Hours...... 466W Land Use: Agriculture ...... 404W Government Departments: Charities ...... 467W Leasehold...... 405W Government Departments: Internet...... 467W Planning Permission ...... 405W Government Departments: Standards...... 467W Planning Permission: Cheshire...... 406W Immigration: Northern Ireland...... 467W Sleeping Rough: North East...... 406W Overseas Students ...... 468W Social Rented Housing...... 407W Profumo Inquiry ...... 469W Trade Union Officials...... 407W Col. No. Col. No. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 371W EDUCATION—continued Direct Selling ...... 371W Teachers: Qualifications...... 389W Empty Property ...... 371W Teachers: Training...... 389W Secondment ...... 371W Trade Union Officials...... 372W ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 390W Electoral Register...... 390W DEFENCE...... 487W Afghanistan: Force Withdrawal ...... 487W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 408W Air Force...... 488W Carbon Sequestration ...... 408W Air Force: Military Bases ...... 492W Drax Power Station...... 408W Air Force: Property ...... 494W Energy: Prices ...... 409W Armed Forces ...... 495W Fracking...... 409W Armed Forces Pay Review Body ...... 496W Fuel Poverty...... 410W Army Helicopter Capability...... 487W Natural Resources...... 410W Army Recruitment ...... 488W Bomb Disposal: Northern Ireland ...... 496W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Capita ...... 496W AFFAIRS...... 391W Combat Troops: Human Rights Legislation ...... 487W Emergencies ...... 391W Cyprus ...... 497W Floods...... 393W Defence...... 497W Floods: Crops ...... 396W Defence Infrastructure Organisation...... 498W Reptiles: Smuggling...... 396W Dounreay...... 498W Gibraltar...... 499W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 411W Injured Service Personnel: Competitive Sport ...... 487W Cayman Islands ...... 411W International Military Sales ...... 499W Commonwealth ...... 411W Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft...... 499W Commonwealth Secretariat...... 411W Military Aircraft ...... 500W Conflict Pool...... 412W Military Bases...... 500W Democratic Republic of Congo ...... 412W MOD St Athan ...... 501W Falkland Islands...... 413W Navy: Deployment ...... 501W Hezbollah ...... 413W Navy: Unmanned Air Vehicles...... 502W Iran...... 413W RAF Northolt...... 502W Middle East ...... 414W Reserve Forces ...... 502W Occupied Territories...... 414W Russia ...... 503W Palestinians ...... 414W Trade Union Officials...... 503W Russia ...... 414W Type 26 Frigates...... 504W Spain...... 415W Ukraine...... 504W Syria...... 415W Unmanned Air Vehicles ...... 504W Ukraine...... 416W Veterans ...... 504W Unmanned Air Vehicles ...... 417W Watchkeeper Vehicles...... 488W HEALTH...... 445W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 418W Abortion ...... 445W Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Accident and Emergency Departments ...... 446W Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Ambulance Services ...... 447W Act 2014...... 418W Arthritis ...... 447W Calderdale Royal Hospital ...... 448W EDUCATION...... 379W Congenital Abnormalities...... 449W Chemistry: Teachers...... 379W Emergency Services...... 449W Children’s Centres...... 379W Genomics England...... 449W Commonwealth: Education ...... 379W Health Education...... 450W Faith Schools ...... 380W Health Services: Hearing Impairment ...... 450W Free Schools...... 380W Hospital Beds: Greater London ...... 451W Head Teachers ...... 381W Hospitals: Parking ...... 455W Health Education: Drugs ...... 381W Information Centre for Health and Social Care ..... 457W Independent Schools...... 382W Kidneys: Donors...... 458W Music: Curriculum...... 382W Medical Records: Databases ...... 458W National Curriculum Tests...... 383W Medical Records: Genetics...... 459W Personal, Social, Health and Economic Medical Treatments...... 460W Education ...... 383W Mental Health Services ...... 460W Primary Education...... 384W Multiple Sclerosis...... 461W Pupil Exclusions...... 384W NHS: Annual Reports...... 463W Pupils: Absenteeism ...... 384W NHS England ...... 462W Religion: Education ...... 385W North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust ...... 464W School Meals ...... 386W PA Consulting Group ...... 464W Schools ...... 386W Patients: Taxis...... 465W Schools: Admissions ...... 387W Social Services...... 465W Schools: Closures ...... 387W Tuberculosis...... 466W Schools: Governing Bodies ...... 387W Vaccination ...... 466W Science: Teachers ...... 388W Teachers: Job Satisfaction ...... 388W HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 363W Teachers: Political Impartiality ...... 389W Alcoholic Drinks: Young People ...... 363W Col. No. Col. No. HOME DEPARTMENT—continued TRANSPORT—continued Asylum: Wrexham ...... 363W Railway Stations: Copeland ...... 426W Dogs: Imports...... 363W Railway Stations: West Yorkshire...... 426W Drugs: Misuse...... 364W Railways...... 427W Entry Clearances...... 364W Railways: Fares ...... 427W Entry Clearances: Overseas Students ...... 365W Railways: Pensioners...... 428W EU Law: Firearms ...... 365W Roads: Repairs and Maintenance...... 428W Firearms: Licensing ...... 365W West Coast Railway Line ...... 429W Immigration Bill ...... 366W Immigration Controls ...... 366W TREASURY ...... 373W Passports: Databases...... 366W Bus Services ...... 373W Passports: Theft ...... 367W Business: Government Assistance ...... 373W Police: Disciplinary Proceedings ...... 367W Corporation Tax: Wrexham ...... 374W Social Networking: Radicalism ...... 367W Excise Duties...... 374W Visas ...... 368W Exports ...... 374W Housing: Northern Ireland ...... 375W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 397W Income Tax: Wrexham ...... 375W Afghanistan ...... 397W Minimum Wage: South East ...... 375W Developing Countries: Family Planning...... 397W Monetary Policy Committee ...... 376W Ukraine...... 398W Mortgages: Succession ...... 377W Non-domestic Rates: Brigg ...... 377W JUSTICE...... 429W Taxation...... 377W Fines: Surcharges ...... 429W Taxation: Mothers ...... 378W Mental Health...... 429W VAT ...... 378W Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 429W Wine and Spirit Trade Association...... 378W Prison Governors...... 430W Working Tax Credit: Scotland...... 378W Prisoners: Death ...... 432W WOMEN AND EQUALITIES...... 417W Prisons: Discipline ...... 432W Business: Females ...... 417W Prisons: Females ...... 432W Prisons: Monitoring...... 433W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 472W Prisons: Wrexham ...... 436W Access to Work Programme...... 472W Probation ...... 437W Children: Day Care ...... 473W Reparation by Offenders ...... 437W Databases...... 473W Secure Colleges ...... 438W Employment and Support Allowance ...... 474W Sexual Offences: Rehabilitation...... 438W Employment Schemes ...... 474W Trials...... 440W Employment Schemes: Rhyl...... 474W Young Offenders ...... 440W Health and Safety Executive: Fees and Charges..... 474W Young Offenders: Alternatives to Prison ...... 443W Housing Benefit ...... 474W Youth Custody...... 443W Housing Benefit: Scotland ...... 475W Independent Living Fund ...... 475W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 368W Industrial Health and Safety...... 475W Terrorism ...... 368W Jobseeker’s Allowance...... 477W Jobseeker’s Allowance: Disqualification...... 477W SCOTLAND...... 369W Labour Force Survey...... 477W Currencies...... 369W Long Term Unemployed People: Peterborough ..... 477W Dounreay...... 369W Pensioners...... 478W Energy: Billing ...... 369W Personal Independence Payment...... 479W Post Office Card Account ...... 479W TRANSPORT ...... 422W Post Office Card Account: Warrington ...... 480W Bus Services ...... 422W Social Security Benefits...... 481W Commissioners of Irish Lights...... 423W Social Security Benefits: Disqualification...... 481W East Anglia Railway Line...... 423W Social Security Benefits: Immigrants...... 483W First Capital Connect...... 424W Social Security Benefits: Scotland ...... 483W General Lighthouse Authorities: Pensions ...... 424W Unemployed People: New Businesses...... 484W General Lighthouse Fund...... 424W Unemployment Benefits...... 484W High Speed 2 Railway Line ...... 425W Universal Credit...... 485W Light Dues ...... 425W Work Programme...... 486W Northern Rail ...... 426W Work Programme: Brigg ...... 486W MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Monday 17 March 2014

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

not later than Monday 24 March 2014

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PRICES AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES DAILY PARTS Single copies: Commons, £5; Lords, £4. Annual subscriptions: Commons, £865; Lords, £600. LORDS VOLUME INDEX obtainable on standing order only. Details available on request. BOUND VOLUMES OF DEBATES are issued periodically during the session. Single copies: Commons, £105; Lords, £60 (£100 for a two-volume edition). Standing orders will be accepted. THE INDEX to each Bound Volumeof House of Commons Debates is published separately at £9·00 and can be supplied to standing order. All prices are inclusive of postage Volume 577 Monday No. 137 17 March 2014

CONTENTS

Monday 17 March 2014

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 533] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Defence

Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Bill [Lords] [Col. 558] Read a Second and Third time

Pensions Bill [Col. 559] Motion—(Steve Webb)—agreed to Programme motion (No. 3)—(Greg Hands)—agreed to Lords amendments considered

Payment Scheme (Mesothelioma) [Col. 597] Motion—(Mike Penning)—agreed to

Petition [Col. 614]

Transport Infrastructure (South of England) [Col. 616] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Statements [Col. 51WS]

Petition [Col. 3P] Presented Petition

Written Answers [Col. 363W]

Ministerial Correction [Col. 7MC]