Thursday Volume 540 9 February 2012 No. 264

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 9 February 2012

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2012 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through The National Archives website at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/our-services/parliamentary-licence-information.htm Enquiries to The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 451 9 FEBRUARY 2012 452 House of Commons Gaming Machines 2. Mr Don Foster (Bath) (LD): What estimate he has Thursday 9 February 2012 made of the number of category B2 gaming machines in operation in the UK. [94331]

The House met at half-past Ten o’clock The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (John Penrose): The latest version of the Gambling Commission’s six-monthly PRAYERS industry statistics was published in December 2011. It showed that the number of category B2 gaming [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] machines—fixed odds betting terminals, or FOBTs, as they are sometimes known—in operation in Great Britain as at 31 March 2011 was 32,007. Oral Answers to Questions Mr Foster: I am most grateful to the Minister for that answer. The FOBTs he refers to, through which punters can lose £100 a spin or £18,000 a year, have been described as the crack cocaine of gambling. As he said, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT numbers are exploding: some 32,000 such machines are in easily accessed high street betting shops, yet the The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media evidence shows that they are causing real damage to and Sport was asked— individuals and families, including some of the poorest people in our communities. Does the Minister therefore Local Radio Franchises not agree that a responsible Government should be taking urgent action to address this problem, including 1. John Pugh (Southport) (LD): What assessment he looking at the recommendations in early-day motion has made of the potential for local radio franchises and 2634, such as cutting the stakes and prize levels of these licensing; and if he will make a statement. [94329] machines so that they are more akin to those in other adult centres? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): We John Penrose: I completely share my right hon. Friend’s have made no assessment of the potential for radio concern about gambling addiction. Although it affects franchises because radio licensing is a matter for Ofcom, only a small number of people, it can ruin lives and is a which awards licences via a “beauty parade” mechanism, very serious issue. Many colleagues on both sides of the assessing individual applicants’ ability to deliver services House have raised it, as did Mary Portas in her recent for the local area. review of the health of high streets throughout the country. However, my right hon. Friend will agree that John Pugh: I thank the Minister for that reply. News we have to ensure that any policy or regulatory changes content aside—[Interruption]—should there not be more that might be considered are based not just on concern flexibility in licences and franchises to allow commercial and anecdote, but on firm evidence and factual foundation. radio to respond to market conditions? Therefore, my invitation to him and any other colleagues concerned about this issue—on either side of the House—is Mr Vaizey: I found it slightly difficult to hear the that if they can bring me hard evidence and facts, I will question, but I think my hon. Friend was asking about of course consider them extremely carefully. flexibility in content regulation. That will be an important Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): Despite what the right matter for the Green Paper as we look at communications hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster) says, does my hon. regulation in the round. Friend the Minister not accept that the percentage of problem gamblers using FOBTs declined from 11.2% in Mr Speaker: The difficulty in hearing was not attributable 2007 to 8.8% last year, and that the availability of to the questioner but to ministerial nose-blowing, which gambling on the internet drives a coach and horses is entirely understood. through the ridiculous limits we now have on the use of betting shop terminals? Given that people can use only Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): Follow that, one at a time—or perhaps two at best if they are Mr Speaker! particularly proficient—whether there are four, six or BBC Radio Merseyside is the most popular radio eight in a betting shop makes absolutely no difference at station on Merseyside and is a lifeline for many elderly all to an individual’s problem gambling. and disabled people. Rather than setting up local radio franchises, would the Government not do better to John Penrose: I accept that the causal link between support much-loved existing local BBC radio such as FOBTs and problem gambling is poorly understood, Radio Merseyside? which is why I asked for better evidence and facts to back up any suggested changes in regulation. I also Mr Vaizey: I heard the hon. Gentleman loud and agree with my hon. Friend that remote gambling is clear, and I am delighted that the chairman of the BBC changing how people gamble. We need to make sure Trust has made it clear that the BBC will review its that such gambling is properly controlled and regulated, original plans for BBC local radio, which is very good which is why we propose to introduce new regulations news. on it in due course. 453 Oral Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 454

Broadband Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend makes an important point. In the Thames Valley local enterprise partnership, which covers his constituency, the broadband plans are still at 3. Simon Hart (Carmarthen West and South amber, rather than green, and I would be most grateful Pembrokeshire) (Con): What recent progress he has for his help in getting the three unitary authorities to made on the roll-out of superfast broadband to rural work together to get those plans into a state where they communities. [94332] can be approved. He rightly says that we need to be technology-neutral about this; fixed-line fibre will go 5. Adam Afriyie (Windsor) (Con): What recent into the ground in some areas, but for the more remote progress his Department has made on the roll-out of areas we will definitely need wireless solutions, be they superfast broadband; and if he will make a statement. mobile, wi-fi or satellite, and we will keep all options [94334] open.

6. Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): Andrew Selous: Residents of villages such as Hockliffe, What steps he is taking to extend broadband coverage. Stanbridge, Tilsworth and Eggington often have to [94335] make do with broadband speeds of only 1.5 megabits per second, which is very restrictive for local people and The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media severely limits the ability of local businesses to grow. So and Sport (Mr Jeremy Hunt): Our plans for the roll-out when can residents in these villages expect things to get of superfast broadband mean that— better for them?

Mr Speaker: Order. I am very interested to hear Mr Hunt: Again, I ask for my hon. Friend’s help, about the plans for the roll-out of superfast broadband, because the plans for Bedfordshire are also amber-rated, but I believe I am right in saying that the Secretary of rather than green-rated. We have said that we want all State wants to group this question with two others. local authorities not only to start procurement for their broadband plans, but to complete procurement by this Mr Hunt: With your humble permission, Mr Speaker, Christmas, otherwise we will consider taking back the I would like to take this Question with Questions 5 funds that we have allocated and putting them in a and 6. national contract. We are very keen to ensure that roads I wanted to say that our plans for the roll-out of start to be dug up and solutions actually happen by the superfast broadband will mean that conditions such as start of next year. the common cold, even when held by Ministers, will be able to be diagnosed online. The roll-out continues Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): What assessment has apace, and broadband plans have now been approved the Secretary of State made of the impact of YouView for a third of local authorities. on the demand for broadband services?

Simon Hart: The progress on this subject is particularly Mr Hunt: The hon. Gentleman makes an important welcome in rural areas, but inevitably 2%, 3% or 4% of point. I think that the impact will be huge. The iPlayer people will fall outside the proposals. What are the is already a very big source of demand for broadband, Government going to do for them? and as YouView arrives many more people will use the iPlayer and other such services. I am pleased to say that Mr Hunt: I am going to Pembrokeshire next week on Wales is making excellent progress. Its broadband plans holiday, when I will personally be inspecting the rural have been given the green light and we have had a good broadband facilities and mobile coverage in my hon. partnership with the Welsh Government. I hope that his Friend’s constituency, although I cannot promise to do constituents will benefit from that. the same for all hon. Members. He makes an important point, and we have made good progress this year. Our Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): Following plans for superfast broadband will cover 90% of the on from the Secretary of State’s report on Wales, will he country, but Ofcom’s plans, as announced in January, update us on the situation in Northern Ireland? What for the 4G spectrum auctions mean that the new 4G discussions has he had with the Northern Ireland Executive coverage will reach 97% of the country, and that will and what progress has been made there? offer a broadband signal. That still leaves 3% to go, and we must work very hard to make sure that everyone is Mr Hunt: We have had very good discussions. There included in the broadband revolution. is good news and bad news as far as Northern Ireland is concerned. The funding allocation has been quite small Adam Afriyie: With such a massive budget deficit, we for Northern Ireland, but that is because it has one of cannot rely on extra Government spending for ever the best superfast broadband networks in the UK and, more, so it seems to me that we have no choice: we have in many ways, is a model for the rest of the country. to rely on innovation—both innovative industries and the innovation of our people—to bring economic growth Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): I would to every region. Today’s satellites can beam high-speed like to bring a little reality to this debate. My constituency internet access to every region of Britain, instantly covers rural Teesdale, so I know that farmers are being opening up remote areas to economic activity. Does the required to communicate online with the Department Secretary of State share my vision for a connected for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs even when Britain in which satellites bring jobs and the power of they have no broadband. Given that the problem is in online public services to every region of our nation? rural areas, why did the Secretary of State earmark 455 Oral Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 456

£150 million of new money for cities? What is he going The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, to do for people whose local authorities do not come Olympics, Media and Sport (John Penrose): In March forward with viable plans? VisitEngland will launch a new £4 million domestic marketing campaign to promote UK tourism throughout Mr Hunt: The hon. Lady ought to have a bit of 2012. We are encouraging the tourism industry to sign humility, because when her Government left office, a up to a scheme that offers 20.12% off all sorts of quarter of a million homes still had no broadband different accommodation and attractions. The promotion whatsoever. We are going to sort that out. We have will be supported by a high-profile TV campaign. massively increased the investment in rural broadband. It is five times more than the amount that is going into Mrs Laing: I am sure that the House will be delighted urban broadband. Her party makes a big song and to hear the Minister’s enthusiasm, and to hear of the dance about opposing cuts, but in the interests of worldwide advertising campaign to encourage people to consistency, it might like to support increases in spending, come to London. Will he also publicise the fact that particularly when they are much more than her Government many Olympic venues are outside London, such as the ever promised. excellent white water centre in Waltham Abbey in my constituency? Will he encourage people to enjoy the Electronic Communications (Privacy) wonders of the Lee valley park, the ancient town of Waltham Abbey, its beautiful church and, of course, the 4. Eric Joyce (Falkirk) (Lab): What discussions he wonders of the beautiful Epping forest? has had with his EU counterparts on the EU directive on privacy and electronic communications; and if he John Penrose: I would be delighted to do that. In fact, will make a statement. [94333] that is one of the central aims of the campaign. We will use the torch relay, which I believe will go to my hon. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Friend’s constituency on 7 July, as a way of promoting Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): We are the different parts of the country that it will visit and all very good Europeans on the Government Benches and we the things that can be done there, including, in her case, are one of the first countries to have implemented the the Lee valley white water centre, as well as the Waltham e-privacy directive. Naturally, we are engaged in ongoing Abbey church and its links with King Harold. discussions with our EU colleagues. Several member states, including France and Germany, have had discussions Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab): One with us about the best way to implement it. of the great tourist attractions for 2012 visitors to the west midlands and north Staffordshire is the Wedgwood Eric Joyce: This measure contains a number of sensible museum. It is facing the loss of its UNESCO-listed dimensions, as does the related data protection directive, collection because of loopholes in pension protection but does the Minister agree that we should reject the fund legislation. The museum has had great assistance idea of a freedom to be forgotten, which is what is being from the arts Minister, so will the heritage Minister now proposed by the European Justice Commissioner? commit the Government to do everything possible to save this world-class museum? Mr Vaizey: We will have discussions with Ministers at the Ministry of Justice, which is the Department responsible. John Penrose: I agree completely that it is a world-class We will undertake a consultation and call for evidence, museum. I am pleased to say that my colleague the so that people can give us views and help our negotiations culture Minister has already had close, detailed meetings on the data protection directive. with the administrators, and I understand that the hon. Gentleman has been closely involved as well. We will Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con): Does the continue to help in any way we can. Minister agree that things such as cookies and targeted behavioural advertising are of great benefit for both Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con): Will the Minister businesses and consumers, and that a lot of the fear of cast his eye over the availability of reasonably priced them is based on ignorance? What is his Department hotel rooms during the Olympics? A number of my doing to try to increase understanding of these technologies constituents have told me that they have been unable to so that decisions can genuinely be made as a result of book rooms. There seems to be a block-booking, or informed choice? blocked-out, period during which these reasonably priced rooms are unavailable. The feeling is that they Mr Vaizey: When we implemented the e-privacy directive will be released late and charged at great expense to the we made sure that we worked closely with business. punters. There is a balance to be struck between implementing the law and ensuring that business still has the freedom John Penrose: My hon. Friend is right that there has to innovate. The e-privacy directive is about transparency. been concern. I am pleased to say that the LOCOG— So long as consumers know what is happening to data, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and they should be comfortable with what is being done Paralympic Games—block booking, which was instigated with them. some time ago, has released a tranche of rooms so there is now more supply on the market. The marketing Olympics (Domestic Tourism) campaign that I just mentioned is aimed at producing good value “20.12% off or better” accommodation 7. Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest) (Con): What offers not just in London, but in the London travel-to-work plans VisitEngland has to promote domestic tourism area and other parts of the country, so that people can during the London 2012 Olympics. [94336] get into London to view Olympic events if they want to. 457 Oral Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 458

If they do not want to attend the Olympics but want to alongside the mass market and their strategies operate visit other parts of Britain instead, there will still be in completely different spheres. There are many different great offers for them to use. savings and a lot of possible synergies.

Tessa Jowell (Dulwich and West Norwood) (Lab): Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): When the Secretary of There is a big problem here, and although I welcome the State was the shadow Secretary of State he respected Government’s £4 million to encourage domestic tourism the different roles of UK Sport and Sport England. In a and yield the potential £2.5 billion Olympic tourism press release that is still on the Conservative website, he premium, does the Minister agree that the Government said he would retain should act to address this scandal of extortionate price “the current split between UK Sport and Sport England”. rises in London hotels during the Olympic and Paralympic He said one thing before the general election and something games? We could take the case of Mrs Aileen Hamer completely different—that these organisers should merge— from Exeter, for example. Having to pay £1,000 a night after it. No one opposes economies of scale such as for a room with a track hoist to be able to take a sharing offices and back-office services, or co-ordination disabled daughter to the Paralympics—a room which at where it is necessary, but these two bodies serve two Easter costs £375—would represent a 167% increase. very different functions. UK Sport has taken us from Our research shows that the increase in prices across 36th to fourth in the Olympic medal tables. Will he say London is averaging at 315%, so will he act on behalf of something now so that we can end the speculation those already struggling families across the UK who about a merger of governance, not dither until after the want to be able to afford to come to London and enjoy general election and allow these organisations to get on the Olympic and Paralympic games? with their jobs? John Penrose: I agree with the right hon. Lady that it Hugh Robertson: Nobody has ever said that the two is vital that we have properly accessible attractions and organisations are merging. I think the hon. Gentleman accommodation. Indeed, a great deal of work has been misunderstands what is on the table—probably because done to make sure that the important legal obligations, the briefing has led him to do so. There has never been as well as commercial opportunities, in respect of making any question but that the new body will contain two accommodation available to people with disabilities are separate organisations, one of which looks after elite well understood and the opportunity is grasped. However, and high-performance sport and one that looks after it has always been the case that prices alter during the community sport. I simply want central governance season, as is entirely natural. What has happened in arrangements over the top so that we do not end up London is that the LOCOG block booking—she will be with boards all over the place. Actually, the former aware of it, as it was part of the original Olympics Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when deal—meant there was a restriction in supply. That has she was in the chair, was well known for having described now been eased as a result of the additional rooms that the organisation of British sport—she will correct me if LOCOG has just released. I am wrong—as a nightmare. Sport England/UK Sport Mountaineering, Hill Walking and Climbing 8. Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): What progress his Department has made on his plans to merge Sport 9. David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): What steps his England and UK Sport; and if he will make a Department is taking to support increased participation statement. [94337] in mountaineering, hill walking and climbing. [94339]

The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh Robertson): The project board set up at the request of Robertson): Sport England has awarded £1.3 million UK Sport and Sport England, which is chaired by under the whole sport plan to the British Mountaineering Sir Keith Mills, has identified four key benefits: shared Council between 2009 and 2013 to grow and sustain resources to reduce costs, co-location, increased commercial participation in mountaineering, hill walking and climbing. income and enhanced strategic co-ordination. We will discuss the future governance arrangements after the David Rutley: As one of the co-chairmen of the 2012 games. all-party parliamentary group on mountaineering—we like to think of it as the pinnacle of APPGs—[HON. Valerie Vaz: I thank the Minister for his response. MEMBERS: “Ah!”]—I thank the Minister for Sport for These two organisations have different articles of association his ongoing support of mountain-related activities and and different objectives. It is almost like one of them of the British climbing team. As part of the Olympic services a Lotus and the other encourages Ford Fiestas legacy, the Outdoor Industry Association, supported by to become Lotuses. Other than sharing back-office the BMC, is planning to launch a major new campaign, functions, can he say what the cost savings are? Britain on foot, to promote outdoor activities and to get people outdoors and keep them fit and healthy. Hugh Robertson: Yes. The cost savings are considerable. Does my hon. Friend support those objectives, and The bodies both have entirely separate back-office could one of the ministerial team meet the organisers in operations, and they both live in central London offices the months ahead? for which they signed leases at the height of the market without any break clauses at £57 a square foot and £35 Hon. Members: A summit! a square foot, I think. There is no co-ordination of commercial strategy to drive success at the elite end Hugh Robertson: I am having one of those days. 459 Oral Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 460

May I start by paying tribute to the work of my hon. four years, but the cut against anticipated income is Friend the Member for Macclesfield (David Rutley) some 32%, which is really challenging. Is it not important both in the all-party group and as the parliamentary for S4C to be able to manage its own business and have sports fellow? One of the key opportunities for operational independence? mountaineering and hill walking lies in the tourism initiative launched by my right hon. Friend the Secretary Mr Hunt: We do want S4C to learn from what the of State and guided by the tourism Minister, the Under- BBC does as a much larger broadcaster—it is one of the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and most successful public service broadcasters in the world, Sport, my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare if not the most successful—in how it runs its operations, (John Penrose). Many people will want the chance not because S4C has been through a very difficult period. only to take part in the activity of hill walking but to see The most important thing is editorial independence, so some of our fabulous countryside. that there is a choice of Welsh language services and plurality of news provision in Wales. I point out to the Woolf Review right hon. Gentleman that the new agreement between the BBC and S4C is supported not just by peers from 10. Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) his party but also by Plaid Cymru in the other place. (PC): What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of the Woolf Review. Sport England/UK Sport [94340] 12. Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh What assessment he has made of the effect of the Robertson): We welcome the International Cricket Council’s merger of Sport England and UK Sport on (a) Sport commitment to an independent review of its governance. Northern Ireland, (b) Sport Wales and (c) Sport It is a key Government priority to improve the governance Scotland. [94342] of all sports, including those operating internationally—it does not say FIFA in my notes but it probably ought The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh to—so we look forward to the ICC’s response. Robertson): Ministerial and Sports Council colleagues from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been Jonathan Edwards: The Woolf review offers a damning closely involved and the issue was formally discussed at critique of the current governance structure of cricket the last sports cabinet. We all agree that the restructuring and, to its credit, mentions aspirations for a national should be implemented in a way that maintains and one-day Twenty20 cricket side in Wales, backed by 81% improves the links that currently exist between the of those responding to a recent Western Mail poll. Will sports councils, and increases available funding for athletes the Minister engage with the Woolf report findings and across the UK, as a result of reduced administrative work towards reforming the global game? costs and increased commercial revenue. Everyone has Hugh Robertson: Yes, I shall certainly work towards agreed to move forward on the four key points I mentioned. reforming the global game. The points the hon. Gentleman makes about the structure of the ICC are indeed correct. Mr Brown: I very much welcome the Minister’s As far as Wales is concerned—I think Wales lies under comments. We all recognise how important sport is in his question—it is worth recording the very real contribution people’s lives, especially young people. Has he taken any that many Welshmen have made to English cricket. At a specific action to ensure that young people in Northern time like the present, when independence is very much Ireland, Wales and Scotland can continue to participate the political currency, it is worth noting that one of the in school games, which are so vital to their development? men most closely associated with England’s rise to the top of the test rankings is Hugh Morris, who is of Hugh Robertson: Sport in Scotland, Wales and Northern course Welsh. Ireland is clearly a matter for the devolved Governments, but discussions are ongoing with those Administrations S4C and we very much hope that all three countries will compete in the UK school games. 11. Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/ Co-op): What assessment he has made of the potential Creative Industries effect of new financing arrangements on the editorial and operational independence of S4C. [94341] 13. Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): What support his Department is providing for the The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media creative industries. [94343] and Sport (Mr Jeremy Hunt): I agree with the assessment of the new independent chairman of S4C that financial The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, and governance arrangements agreed between the BBC Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): This is and S4C will my first chance to welcome the hon. Lady to the House “safeguard the Welsh language services provided by S4C for the following her by-election victory. foreseeable future” We are of course supporting the creative industries. and We have established the Creative Industries Council, “allow S4C to maintain its editorial and managerial independence.” which is chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation Alun Michael: I thank the Secretary of State for that and Skills. Creative England is supporting the creative reply, but why have he and the BBC explicitly ruled out industries throughout England. We have created one operational independence? The cut in grant is 24% over home for British film, with increased lottery funding, 461 Oral Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 462 and established the film policy review, which has been broadband inevitably means that they are being prevented widely welcomed. The computer science curriculum is from enjoying the benefits of the internet that many of being revolutionised as a result of the Livingstone-Hope us take for granted. Is there anything my right hon. review. Friend can do to speed up the process?

Seema Malhotra: I thank the Minister for that answer. Mr Hunt: Absolutely. We are doing everything we The global games industry is likely to see more than can, including insisting that all local authorities complete £50 billion a year in software sales alone by 2014. their broadband plans and have contracts signed by the Having worked with much of Britain’s developer and end of this year, which is much faster than normal publisher talent, it is clear that there is great potential procurement processes. We want to ensure that we are for our interactive entertainment industry to provide able to deliver for my hon. Friend’s constituents well much-needed growth to the UK economy.What assessment before the next election. have the Government made of the needs of the interactive entertainment industry and how we need to respond? Football Club Licensing

Mr Vaizey: The UK has a thriving video games 15. Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) sector; it is fair to say that we are probably the European (Lab/Co-op): What recent discussions he has had with leaders. As I mentioned earlier, we have conducted the the premier league, Football Association and Football skills review to ensure that kids can learn about computer League on the licensing of football clubs. [94345] science in school and be ready for the industry. We engage regularly with the industry on a whole range of The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh issues. Robertson): The Secretary of State and I have had several discussions with the Football Association, the Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab): In the last year premier league and the Football League since we published of the Labour Government, UK television exports grew our response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s by 13%, which is further evidence of our creative industries’ football governance inquiry last October. The football global appeal and potential for jobs and growth. Can authorities are due to respond with their proposals to the Minister tell the House when we can expect a the reforms that we have called for, including a new comprehensive strategy for increasing our international licensing model for clubs, by 29 February. business with developing economies, especially Brazil, Russia, India and China? Tom Greatrex: I understand that the Football Association may have other things on its mind today, but is it not Mr Vaizey: We have regular discussions with the important that by the end of this month it comes BRIC countries. I have been to Beijing to represent the forward with proposals that include the role of supporters creative industries and my right hon. Friend the Secretary in clubs? of State has been to Brazil. We obviously engage with India and Russia, and this week we met a delegation Hugh Robertson: Yes. from Mexico to talk about the creative industries, so we are engaging around the globe on the creative industries Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Lab): We will and their huge success, which is admired around the have the opportunity to debate the Culture, Media and world. As the House will be aware, last year the UK Sport Committee’s report on football governance this topped the US singles chart at Nos. 1, 2 and 3, more afternoon in Westminster Hall, although, ideally, we than 50% of the top albums in the UK were by British would have wanted to have debated the report after the artists, and British films topped the UK box office for FA had responded. The Minister says that he still 20 weeks. We are doing extremely well in the creative expects the FA to respond by the end of February, but industries, and the world recognises it, and 2012 will put that is not our understanding, so when does he really the spotlight on that. expect a response from the football authorities? Mr Speaker: It looks like there is scope for an Adjournment debate on the matter. Hugh Robertson: I absolutely do expect the football authorities to respond by the end of February. That is Broadband (Greater Manchester) the deadline to which we are working.

14. Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): What steps Child Protection (Internet) he is taking to speed up the roll-out of broadband in Greater Manchester. [94344] 16. Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): What steps he is taking to protect children online; and The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media if he will make a statement. [94346] and Sport (Mr Jeremy Hunt): We are doing a great deal to promote the roll-out of broadband in Manchester, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, including a £100 million urban broadband fund, which Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): The has been warmly welcomed by Labour-controlled previous Government set up the UK Council for Child Manchester city council, if not by Opposition Front Internet Safety, which works very well in bringing together Benchers. industry stakeholders to promote the safety of children online. This week we had safer internet day, and UKCCIS Mr Nuttall: For residents in small villages such as launched its advice on child internet safety. I am also Affetside in my constituency, the length and complexity delighted by the industry agreement to introduce active of the procurement process for the delivery of high-speed choice controls on websites. 463 Oral Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 464

Mr Sheerman: Will the Minister look at the very year shortlist failed to identify even one woman, while good report that is out this week from the commission its woman of the year shortlist somehow managed to on stalking, of which I had the privilege of being a include a panda, but we all know that what is on the member? Cyber-stalking, like cyber-bullying, originates screen is a product of what goes on behind the camera. in schools, but there is not enough action to control the There has been progress, and now there are many way in which children are exposed to danger, and if one fantastic women in the industry, but they still face visits schools, as I do, one finds that the number of unequal odds. When even the BBC today acknowledges children who are exposed to pornography, as well as to that there should be more women throughout the industry, manipulation, is growing not diminishing. why is the Secretary of State proposing to strip Ofcom of its duty to promote gender equality? Will he drop Mr Vaizey: The hon. Gentleman makes a very good that proposal? point, and that is a very real problem. It is important that the Government work with industry and look at Mr Hunt: First, the right hon. and learned Lady, like self-regulatory solutions first, because the answers will me, knows that it is important that we respect the BBC’s best come from industry, but there should be no doubt editorial independence. There is cross-party agreement on the industry’s part that this is a very real problem, on that. I am sure that she will welcome the huge and we expect action from it to help parents to protect progress that the BBC has made, including the clear their children from every kind of inappropriate content, acceptance by the director-general of the BBC today whether pornography or inappropriate behaviour, on that something needs to be done to address this issue the internet. urgently. The Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my hon. Friend the Member Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con) rose— for Wantage (Mr Vaizey) has made big efforts in this respect. We have arranged for my hon. Friend the Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Member for Devizes Member for Mid Bedfordshire (Nadine Dorries) to (Claire Perry) has a topical question, so the time when meet the director-general to talk about this issue. I am we will hear from her will not be long delayed. hopeful that we will make progress without the need to resort to legislation or regulation. Topical Questions

T3. [94351] David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con): T2. [94350] Mr Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase) (Con): If he will make a statement on his departmental Each year, the Football Association raises a surplus of responsibilities. about £100 million, mostly from the England football team. By convention, 50% of that money goes to the The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media professional game, where it is not needed, and not and Sport (Mr Jeremy Hunt): As my Department is to the community and grass-roots game, where it is proudly responsible for the diamond jubilee celebrations, badly needed. I declare an interest as a director of I wish to add my congratulations to those of the Prime Warrington Town football club, which badly needs the Minister yesterday to Her Majesty the Queen. All money. When will the Minister address this governance Departments are of course at the disposal of Her issue? Majesty, but this Department is at her personal disposal in order to make sure that we mark this wonderful The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh moment for the nation in the best way possible. Robertson): I can tell my hon. Friend exactly when we will address the issue. There has been a Culture, Media Mr Burley: Two Sundays ago I rode 45 miles around and Sport Committee report into the entire issue and Cannock Chase in a charity bike ride known locally as we are awaiting a response that will come by the end of the Tour de Nock, a race only slightly less famous than February.Only when the FA board has a better governance the Tour de France. The event was organised by a local structure will it be able to tackle such issues. At the man, John Hibbs, and sponsored by Cycle Shack, Cannock, moment, it is simply divided on the basis of the vested and it raised thousands of pounds for a local charity, interests inside the game. the Hibbs Lupus Trust, which raises funds to support people with that incurable condition. In this Olympic T4. [94352] Lindsay Roy (Glenrothes) (Lab): Further year, what are the Government doing to encourage to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for more people to take up cycling as a way both of keeping Feltham and Heston (Seema Malhotra) about the fit and of raising money for good causes? video games industry, given the success of the film tax credit in the UK, will the Minister reconsider Mr Hunt: I congratulate my hon. Friend on his introducing a tax credit for the video games industry, as efforts, and we are doing a great deal, but perhaps the per his manifesto commitment, to assist innovative most significant thing that we have done in terms of businesses such as those in Dundee? grass-roots sport participation is the change that we made to the lottery, meaning that over the five years that follow the Olympics an extra half a billion pounds The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, will go into boosting grass-roots and elite sport. Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): Dundee is, of course, the home of Abertay university, which is Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham) (Lab): one of the world’s leading universities for the video May I ask the Secretary of State about women in games industry. The tax credit for the video games broadcasting? I am sure he will agree that it is a sorry industry remains a lively topic, and I am sure that the state of affairs when the BBC sports personality of the hon. Gentleman will direct his questions to the Treasury. 465 Oral Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 466

T6. [94355] Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con): Ministers T7. [94356] Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): I draw the will know that a group of concerned MPs and peers House’s attention to my entry in the Register of recently concluded a cross-party parliamentary inquiry Members’ Financial Interests. into online child protection. Without wishing to Members will know that those who have taken civil front-run the conclusions of the report, it is clear that action, which is now complete, against the News of the the current protections are failing. We know that 93% World have faced legal bills of some £300,000, £400,000 of women are extremely concerned about the ease with or £500,000, yet the most that has ever been awarded by which online pornography can be accessed by children. a court in a privacy case is £60,000, and many settlements The “active choice” response of the internet service have been for much less. Given the changes to the providers targets only new customers and will not be conditional fee agreements that the Government are rolled out fully until October. Given that 80% of pushing through, may I suggest that it might be a good British households are already ISP customers, does the idea to have a small claims court for privacy and libel Secretary of State really think that that response is cases? Would the Secretary of State support that? I do enough? If he does not, what is he going to do about it? not want him to say, “Let’s wait to hear what Leveson and the Justice Secretary say”. We want to know what Mr Jeremy Hunt: It is a great pleasure finally to hear he thinks. from my hon. Friend. I have a great deal of sympathy for her point. She has campaigned assiduously on this Mr Hunt: Without wishing to pre-empt what Lord issue. I do not want to pre-empt the Green Paper that Justice Leveson says, I think the hon. Gentleman’s idea we will publish shortly. I hope that that will address may have some merit. We will look into it and see some of the concerns that she has raised. whether it is something that we can pursue. Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): Can T5. [94353] Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): Will the the Secretary of State confirm that the fit and proper Sport Minister give an update on the participation of person test in relation to media ownership applies equally a British team in the Olympic football competition? to companies as to individuals? As a Welsh Member of Parliament, I recognise that the Football Association of Wales has difficulties. Mr Hunt: I can. We have looked into that very closely However, does he agree that it would be a travesty if the following the phone hacking and BSkyB merger issues, British team comprised only English players? and it is absolutely the case that when Ofcom considers the application of the fit and proper person test, under law it must consider whether a company is a fit and Hugh Robertson: The composition of the team is proper organisation to hold a broadcast licence, because properly a matter for the selectors and, through them, licences are held by companies. the British Olympic Association. I hope that the BOA has sent out invitations to young men and women up T8. [94357] Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton and down the United Kingdom, and that politics will West) (Lab/Co-op): The arts Minister may well be aware not stand in the way of their having the opportunity to that next Thursday marks the start of the Glasgow film represent their country in a home Olympics. festival, which, fortunately for me, coincides with part of the recess. Will he undertake to consider the role of Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): May I return the film festivals, including the Glasgow one, in promoting Secretary of State to the issue of rural broadband? My British film? They play a vital role that is sometimes constituents in northern Lincolnshire, in particular in under-appreciated. the villages of Kirmington, Croxton and Aylesby, have severe problems with their connection. That is a key Mr Vaizey: I agree with the hon. Gentleman, and issue for the rural economy. Kirmington is the home of part of the film policy review, so ably conducted by Humberside airport and is therefore a vital area. May I Lord Smith of Finsbury, highlighted the important role wish the Secretary of State a good holiday in Pembrokeshire of film festivals in promoting film education and film next week and suggest for future holidays that he might culture. like to taste the delights of Cleethorpes? Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): I declare that I am a parliamentary fellow to the Football Association. Mr Jeremy Hunt: I gratefully accept my hon. Friend’s Does the Minister agree with the leadership of David kind invitation. As soon as the diary permits, I will race Bernstein in recent days on matters of judgment, and to Cleethorpes for my next family holiday. He is right will he condemn Fabio Capello’s decision to walk out that broadband is incredibly important for rural on the England team with only a few months to go until communities. That is why, unlike the previous Government, Euro 2012? we have secured a £530 million central Government investment, through the licence fee, to transform the Hugh Robertson: The FA had absolutely no option situation. I am pleased to say that north Lincolnshire but to strip John Terry of the captaincy, not to prejudge has been at the forefront on this issue and that I have the court case but simply because it would have been given the green light to its local broadband plan. I am impossible for him to discharge his responsibilities as optimistic that the problems that he talks about will be captain of the England team with that hanging over addressed very soon. him. It is a very great shame that Fabio Capello has acted Mr Speaker: I note the Secretary of State’s unilateral in the way he has. If a player in his team had behaved in decisions about family holidays. Whether that is a precedent the way he has behaved to the FA, he would have taken that other right hon. and hon. Members will feel inclined the toughest possible action. I am delighted that the FA to follow is open to speculation and doubt. has agreed with him that he should no longer be manager. 467 Oral Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 468

Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland e-petitions have passed the 100,000 signature threshold. West) (Lab): I am sure that the Secretary of State will They remain viewable on the site, including the Government share my excitement about the recently announced concert response. to celebrate the Queen’s diamond jubilee. How confident is he that the measures being put in place by his Department Claire Perry: May I ask the Deputy Leader of the will tackle the scourge of ticket touts and prevent them House for his opinion on the report from the Procedure from getting their hands on, and profiting from, tickets Committee, which is chaired so ably by my right hon. for a publicly funded celebration? Friend the Member for East Yorkshire (Mr Knight)? The report suggests that e-petitions should be debated Mr Jeremy Hunt: I congratulate the hon. Lady on in Westminster Hall, which would be opened up so that brilliantly linking the diamond jubilee to her personal we have more time for such debates. I welcome that commitment to improve how tickets are sold. I commend proposal, but my constituents would be very concerned her determination to improve the situation. if they thought all e-petitions would be shuffled off to There will be more tickets to more events this year Westminster Hall. Will the Deputy Leader of the House than at any time in our history, with the diamond reassure them and me that we will still have time to jubilee, the Olympics, the Paralympics, the cultural debate e-petitions on the Floor of the House? Olympiad and the London 2012 festival. It will be a very good year to see whether the touting problem Mr Heath: I agree with the hon. Lady. It is important needs to be addressed in legislation, or whether changes that the Backbench Business Committee can choose in technology can do the trick. where it holds debates, including on the Floor of the House and in some cases on a substantive motion. Last Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): Last year’s debate on the release of Hillsborough papers is a week, I took part in a panel auditioning for participants good example of just such scheduling of a debate that in a new production of “Swindon: The Opera”. Will the showed the House at its best. Minister join me in congratulating the Janice Thompson The Committee should also continue to be able to Performance Trust on an admirable project that will decide that e-petitions are not appropriate for debate, or help to showcase the cultural richness of Swindon? that they have already been considered, and not schedule them for debate. Members should be free to seek Mr Vaizey: My constituency is next door to Swindon, Adjournment debates on e-petitions if that is felt to be so I can confirm that Swindon is an area rich in cultural the best route. I note that there will be such a debate in pleasures. It contains Wroughton, which is the storeroom Westminster Hall on 22 February relating to the e-petition of the Science museum, and a very successful football on the death of Kevin Williams at Hillsborough. club and is the home town of Jamie Cullum. Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): On Tom Greatrex: I am sure the Deputy Leader of the something slightly different, will Ministers explain how House has looked at the report of the Procedure Committee, they intend to turn the enthusiasm to volunteer to help of which I am a member. One issue that the report with the Olympics into long-term volunteering in our looks at is how expectations have been raised because communities, given the decision to axe funding for the the wording on the Government website suggests that national volunteer service? every petition that gets more than 100,000 signatures will be debated on the Floor of the House. If the Hugh Robertson: The answer to that is very simple. A Committee comes up with an amended form of wording, fantastic new scheme called “Join In”, which is being will he undertake to look at it and to implement changes promoted by the Cabinet Office, will do exactly that. suggested by the Committee quickly? Mr Heath: The Government will respond in due course. My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House LEADER OF THE HOUSE and I generally support the thrust of the Committee’s report, but we will respond in the normal way, shortly The Leader of the House was asked— after the Hansard Society seminar on e-petitions, which I welcome. That is due to take place on 6 March. E-petitions Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire) (Con): Is the Minister 1. Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con): What recent assessment aware that many of us feel that the Government should he has made of the Government’s e-petitions website. be congratulated on introducing for the first time an [94320] e-petition system that can trigger a debate in Parliament? However, does he also agree that any new system needs 2. Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) examining, refining and improving in the light of experience? (Lab/Co-op): How many e-petitions have attracted Because of that, will he try to secure a Government more than 100,000 signatures. [94321] response to the Procedure Committee’s report as soon as possible, so that the House can debate this matter The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of sooner rather than later? the House of Commons (Mr David Heath): In the six months since the launch of the site, more than 3.5 million signatures Mr Heath: I thank the right hon. Gentleman and his have been submitted to more than 11,000 published Committee for their work on this matter. No system in petitions. Those statistics underpin my view that e-petitions the world is incapable of refinement and improvement are connecting the Government and Parliament with a by looking at it over time and I am grateful for the remarkable number and range of people. So far, eight points he makes. I did not think there was any doubt in 469 Oral Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 470 what we have consistently said. We have said that e-petitions Sir George Young: My view is that the problem has are eligible for debate once they reach the threshold, not been less acute in this Parliament than in previous that they will necessarily be debated. The system is Parliaments, partly because the Government are making working well, but the Procedure Committee has made more statements to the House than previously: we are some fair points on how we can better manage the making 0.7 statements per day in this Parliament, as process in the House. We will certainly respond to the opposed to 0.4 statements per day in the previous Committee as soon as is appropriate. Parliament. I take on board what the hon. Gentleman has said. There is already written guidance in the ministerial Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab): The code, and I do not hesitate to remind my ministerial Procedure Committee report was not only excellent; it colleagues of the imperatives in the code on every was done in record time to ensure that we could have a appropriate occasion. timely debate and to ensure that the e-petition system works as well as it possibly can. Will the Government Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): ensure that their response to the Committee’s e-petitions The Leader of the House will be aware that there are report comes before 6 March, so that we can consider it 18 written ministerial statements on the Order Paper in the Hansard Society seminar? today. Given that the House is now rising for recess, it will be impossible to debate them. Will he publish the Mr Heath: We will do our best. The seminar to which policy criteria determining whether written, as opposed the hon. Lady refers will help to inform the work of the to oral, ministerial statements are made? Procedure Committee. The results of the seminar plus the Government’s response will—I hope—enable something Sir George Young: My hon. Friend asks a good to be laid before the House that will improve how we question. There is a balance always to be struck between deal with e-petitions. With co-ordination and co-operation the imperative of making an oral statement and the from everybody involved, we will ensure we get the right need to preserve time for the House to debate the issues response. before it on that particular day. We try to strike the right balance. Today, we have an oral statement from the Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I think I am Foreign Secretary and an important debate thereafter right in saying that virtually every e-petition a Member on Somalia. It would have eroded the time for the has brought to the Backbench Business Committee that statement and the debate if, on top of that, we had has reached 100,000 signatures has been debated in one scheduled for oral statement some of the written ministerial way or the other. The Government should be enormously statements to which my hon. Friend referred. We try to congratulated on bringing the public in line with Parliament. get the balance right, but we are always open to fresh The Leader of the House has not had enough praise for suggestions. that. Without this system, we would not have had the Statutory Register of Lobbyists EU referendum debate. 4. John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab): Whether Mr Heath: I am always grateful for praise and the introduction of a statutory register of lobbyists will congratulation from the hon. Gentleman. I genuinely require any changes to the Standing Orders of the think the e-petition system has been a great improvement. House. [94325] The old Downing street e-petition system, under the previous Government, had no mechanism for questions 5. Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): Whether the ever to get on to the Floor of the House. The most introduction of a statutory register of lobbyists will memorable thing it ever produced was a suggestion that require any changes to the Standing Orders of the Jeremy Clarkson be Prime Minister. I think our system House. [94327] works an awful lot better. The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of Ministerial Statements the House of Commons (Mr David Heath): The Government published our initial proposals in the form 3. Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): of a consultation document on 20 January. Any effects Whether he has provided written guidance to Ministers on Standing Orders would best be considered in the on ministerial statements. [94323] light of what emerges from that consultation and subsequent legislation. The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir George Young): Ministers take seriously the requirement in the John Cryer: Does not the fact that there are links ministerial code that when Parliament is in session, the between serving parliamentarians and certain lobbying most important announcements of Government policy firms imply that there would be a need to change should be made in the first instance to Parliament. My Standing Orders in some way? Does not this exchange hon. Friend and I do not hesitate to remind colleagues reinforce the fact that the Deputy Prime Minister should of that requirement. have made an oral statement on the Floor of the House to launch the document, rather than fobbing us off with Mr Brown: I thank the Leader of the House for that, a written statement? but he knows only too well that concern is all too often expressed in the House about Ministers speaking and Mr Heath: I really think we need to understand leaking to the press. Can he assure the House—I think that the House is not being fobbed off with a written he can, from what he has said this morning—that he ministerial statement, particularly when there is a and the Deputy Leader of the House take this issue consultation paper the hon. Gentleman can contribute very seriously? Should he not, as a belt-and-braces to in the same way as every other Member. Consultation exercise, issue written guidance to Ministers? papers are there to consult, and it is perfectly appropriate 471 Oral Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 472 to let the House be aware of a consultation paper that Oral Questions has been issued by issuing a written ministerial statement—a point you, Mr Speaker, have also made in recent weeks. 6. Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab): Graham Jones: It took months for the consultation Whether he has any plans to change the order of oral to be published. There is obviously a lot of dithering answers to questions. [94328] by the Government. When will the register of lobbyists finally be put before the House so that we can scrutinise it? The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of Mr Heath: Let us make a comparison on dithering. the House of Commons (Mr David Heath): The Government We have brought before the House, within 18 months, have shown themselves willing to make changes to the firm proposals in a consultation paper with draft clauses. order of oral questions for the convenience of the In 13 years, the Government that the hon. Gentleman House. For example, they responded positively to a supported did nothing whatsoever, despite being asked request from the official Opposition to extend the length several times by Committees of the House to bring of questions to the Deputy Prime Minister to 40 minutes. forward a statutory register of lobbyists. I think that we The status of the oral questions rota is kept under are making progress where his Government did not. review.

Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): Why have the Government not been able to provide a concise Jonathan Ashworth: The Deputy Leader of the House definition of a lobbyist? will recall that a couple of weeks ago the Chancellor was unable to make it to Treasury questions because he Mr Heath: Because, believe it or not, it is rather a was at ECOFIN, That was a perfectly reasonable and difficult thing to define, which is why the consultation acceptable excuse, but given what is happening in the paper invites responses on precisely that issue. Some eurozone and given that ECOFIN usually meets on a people would take an all-encompassing definition, which Tuesday, does it mean that the Chancellor will miss would require every one of our constituents who comes future Treasury questions and should we not consider to see us in an advice surgery to register as a lobbyist changing the time of Treasury questions, perhaps back before attending. I think that that would be an over-extensive to Thursdays, which is when they used to be a couple of definition. years ago?

Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): Mr Heath: The hon. Gentleman raises a perfectly The Government’s proposals, inadequate as they are, proper question. From my experience, however, the will require primary legislation. Will the Government Chancellor of the Exchequer never knowingly loses an now commit to pre-legislative scrutiny, which might opportunity to debate matters in the House or to answer encourage Ministers to come up with more substantial questions. He is no Macavity. He has attended 11 of the proposals? 13 Treasury oral sessions since he took office, which compares well to the previous Chancellor. The hon. Mr Heath: Pre-legislative scrutiny requires the publication Gentleman might have a point, though, and I will of draft clauses, and that is what we have done. The discuss the matter with Treasury colleagues, if there is a hon. Lady might have noticed that. Of course, if, as a problem. I believe, however, that we will see the Chancellor result of consultation, a very different proposal is put the Exchequer regularly here answering questions on before the House, that too will be subject to pre-legislative economic matters, as he would wish to do. scrutiny, because it is important that we get this right. Again, though, I really cannot take seriously the hon. Lady and her colleagues, who were incapable of doing Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): May I put in a plea for an anything about this problem, now complaining that we extension to Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Question are doing something, which we are. Time, which is still limited, despite there being so many particularly interesting matters relating to rural affairs Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): The tentacles of and food? the corrupt and semi-corrupt lobbying system have sunk deep into the body politic. If politics is to be reformed and confidence in the House and politics Mr Heath: I hear what my hon. Friend says. The restored, major reform is essential. Unfortunately, the trouble is that we cannot extend one Question Time consultation document shows that instead of listening without reducing another or lengthening the interval to what the Prime Minister said when in opposition, the between them. I know that the House wants to hold Government have spent their time listening to lobbyists Ministers and Departments to account and to fulfil its lobbying about lobbying. scrutiny role, and we have to find a balance in order to ensure that that is done efficiently and effectively, but I Mr Heath: That is absolute nonsense. hear what she says. 473 9 FEBRUARY 2012 Feed-in Tariffs 474

Feed-in Tariffs this will be a challenging package. The tariff degression mechanism that we will propose will not allow for fat profits or excessive rents, but it will show a serious 11.34 am ambition. Under our new plans, we believe that by 2020 Caroline Flint (Don Valley) (Lab) (Urgent Question): we could see up to 20 GW of solar installed in the UK. To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate That is a huge increase in our ambition for decentralised Change if he will make a statement on the Government’s energy. This coalition wants to see a bright and vibrant reforms to feed-in tariffs. future for small-scale renewables in the UK, in which each of the technologies is able to reach its potential The Minister of State, Department of Energy and and get to a point where it can stand on its own two feet Climate Change (Gregory Barker): I am sorry that the without the need for subsidy, sooner rather than later. Secretary of State cannot be here today. He is in Cumbria In opposition, we promised a decentralised energy opening the world’s largest industrial offshore wind revolution, bringing power to the people. Today we take farm—another big step forward in the deployment of a huge stride forward to making that dream a reality. renewables under this coalition Government. The Government have today announced ambitious Caroline Flint: I understand that the Minister was plans to ensure the future of the feed-in tariffs scheme due to give a press conference at his Department at and make it more predictable. The reforms will lead to a 11 am to announce his plans for feed-in tariffs. I hope bigger scheme, providing better value. The feed-in tariffs that Her Majesty’s Opposition have not inconvenienced scheme provides a subsidy, paid for by all consumers him too much by forcing him to come to this House to through their energy bills, to enable small-scale renewable defend his plans. Nor will it have escaped the House’s and low-carbon technologies to compete against higher- notice that, faced with the first opportunity to deal with carbon forms of electricity generation. The unprecedented this chaotic policy, the new Secretary of State has surge in solar photovoltaic installations in the latter ducked the challenge and gone AWOL. I do not think part of last year, owing to a 45% reduction in estimated that is a particularly encouraging start. I received a installation costs since 2009, has placed a huge strain on copy of the Government’s statement only 20 minutes the feed-in tariffs budget. That threatened the Government’s ago, so we shall have to look closely at the details of the ability to roll out small-scale low carbon technologies announcement. over the next few years in the numbers that we had Last night, the Minister tweeted that he had an wanted. We therefore acted as swiftly as possible to ambition for 22 GW of solar capacity to be installed by respond to the threat, through the changes we are now 2020. That is all very well, but not if his policies do not making to the tariffs for solar PV. Today is a turning get us anywhere near the figure. Will he confirm that he point for the feed-in tariffs scheme. is today proposing a further cut in the tariff level for solar power to 13.6p from July of this year? That would Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central) (Lab): I’ll be a 70% cut in six months, which would be out of all say—downwards! proportion to the falling costs in the industry. The Minister mentioned the analysis that his Department Gregory Barker: The right hon. Lady might care had commissioned, but will he confirm that the study to listen, because she clearly knows nothing about it. was commissioned on 10 January and asked to report Rather than cackling, perhaps she will just listen for a back just three days later? In those three days, how change. The Opposition asked for a statement and I am many businesses were consulted? Will he also tell us giving it. whether his plans will result in a contraction in the solar We have looked at the feed-in tariffs budget and made industry in the next four years and cause people to lose the most of the flexibility available under the levy their jobs? The Minister tried to claim that his original control framework to ensure that we can keep the plans would create an additional 1,000 to 10,000 jobs in scheme going, but we want to do much more. The the solar industry, but we have found out that that was reforms I am announcing today are designed to make the total number of jobs that the industry would support, that budget go as far as possible to maximise the not the additional number of jobs, which would in fact number of people able to benefit from feed-in tariffs. mean 15,000 to 20,000 job losses. I suppose that he will With the new reform package, we aim to give plenty of try to tell us that even deeper cuts will create even more TLC—transparency, longevity and certainty, which were jobs. absent from the old scheme that we inherited from For months, I have warned that the Government’s Labour. The reforms will provide greater confidence to plans to change the eligibility criteria would exclude consumers and industry investing in exciting renewable nearly nine out of 10 families from having solar power. technologies, such as solar power, anaerobic digestion, Moving the energy efficiency requirement from band C micro-CHP, and wind and hydro power. to band D is a welcome retreat, but will the Minister tell Instead of a scheme for the few, the new, improved me how many people will still be excluded from having scheme will deliver for far more people. Our plans will solar power, and how much they will need to spend on see almost two and a half times more installations than improving their property before they meet the revised was planned by the Labour Administration, and that is eligibility criteria? just by 2015. That is good news for consumers and good Finally, one of our deepest concerns with the news for the sustainable growth of the industry. We are Government’s proposals is that they will exclude everyone proposing a more predictable and transparent scheme, in social housing and community groups from having as the costs of technologies fall. That will ensure a solar power. What have the Government done to enable long-term, predictable rate of return, which will closely people in social housing and community organisations track changes in prices and deployment. Make no mistake: to access solar power? More than 80% of the people 475 Feed-in Tariffs9 FEBRUARY 2012 Feed-in Tariffs 476 who responded to the first consultation told the two schedules—one on the FITs that are currently Government that they had got it wrong. The appointment available and another on those that are likely to be of a new Secretary of State was an opportunity for introduced in the future—so that business, individuals them to change course. Today, we can see that they have and community groups can have certainty about what failed to take that opportunity. they are entering into?

Gregory Barker: I am sorry that the right hon. Lady Gregory Barker: Earlier this morning, I placed a constantly sees the glass as being half empty, and carps written statement in the Library, and I encourage the at a very ambitious scheme that will be very good news hon. Gentleman to download the full consultation for the industry. She clearly wants to invest her political document. If he does so, he will find all the proposed capital in failure. If she looks at the consultation, she tariffs, with the various options, set out very clearly. We will see that we are proposing a further cut in the tariff would welcome his, and all other, contributions to this for solar power. She mentioned one of the options, but discussion. there are actually three. The proposals for smaller schemes, Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Will my hon. Friend which typically involve installations on the roofs of confirm that the subsidies are paid not by the Treasury average homes, include the options for 16.5p, 15.7p and but by consumers as a whole—by other electricity users— 13.6p. We will consult on those options. She clearly does and that we must therefore strike a fair balance between not understand the big dynamic that is driving down the consumers who are benefiting from the subsidy and costs. We welcome the fact that costs are coming down, every other electricity consumer? and we are determined to ensure that tariffs come down with them. If she wants to stick to, and defend, the old Gregory Barker: That is absolutely right; my hon. scheme, she is welcome to do so. Friend is spot on. Under the scheme we inherited from I welcome the right hon. Lady’s acknowledgement Labour, a very small number of people were enjoying that we listened to the consultation—that rarely happened bumper returns. Our improved scheme is much fairer. under her Government—and that we are going for Under it, there will be far more deployment and at a band D. More than 50% of homes in Britain already fairer rate, which will be better news for consumers—who, meet the band D criteria, and, when the green deal is as my hon. Friend rightly points out, pay for this launched in the last quarter of this year, everyone in the through their bills. country will be able to access measures to improve their home at no up-front cost. We have also announced Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): Given the shattered today that we are going to consult on a community consumer and business confidence following the fiasco scheme, which the Labour Government failed to introduce before Christmas, has the Minister conducted any analysis when they launched this programme. For us, communities of how many people will take up the FITs on a 13.6p are at the heart of the renewable energy revolution, and return? I am also concerned that this new scheme might we want to do far more to encourage and enable exclude a lot of people who are not in a position to have communities to come together to generate low-carbon loans out for a very long time and who need to get the and renewable energy. We expect to be able to achieve money back more quickly. exactly that under this scheme, which will be bigger and deployed to give better value for consumers and Gregory Barker: We expect to see two and a half householders. times more installations by 2015 than under the original scheme introduced by the Leader of the Opposition when he was Energy Secretary, and we also expect that Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk) (Con): The Minister’s that higher level of deployment will be delivered for far statement is welcome in that it restores a degree of less money. We therefore believe we have struck the order to a situation that had become increasingly chaotic. right balance between consumers and having a higher I am afraid that the chaos was aggravated by the nature level of ambition. Our scheme will be predictable: it will of the consultation process on solar feed-in tariffs before offer greater transparency, and it will offer certainty to Christmas. Does he agree that the new package will be the industry. judged on whether it offers more predictability for investors, thus bringing down the capital costs, and on Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): I welcome the move whether it will give value for money to the consumers on the eligibility of domestic properties, widening the who are required to contribute to the development of scheme to a wider group of potential consumers, and the renewables industry? the move to widen it to community groups. What will the Government do to ensure that community groups, Gregory Barker: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. and especially housing estates, are made aware of this Those two things are right at the heart of this new great opportunity, and what reassurance will the Minister scheme: better value for money and greater predictability, give to organisations that might be approaching this with a regular, predictable degression, particularly for sector for the first time? solar PV, allowing us to anticipate, and take advantage of, the falling costs of this exciting technology. I think Gregory Barker: A couple of weeks ago, the Department he will see that industry broadly welcomes these measures. launched a new project to help communities build local energy schemes and programmes, and many communities Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): I agree with the across the country have responded very positively to it. Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Committee They will be ideally placed to help inform, encourage that the previous FITs debacle has tarnished the industry, and drive forward local programmes. We take the issue but we have not had an opportunity to discuss this new of communities very seriously, which is why we are scheme; had it not been for today’s urgent question, we consulting on a new community tariff. We are also would not have known about it. Will the Minister print considering introducing a community tariff guarantee 477 Feed-in Tariffs9 FEBRUARY 2012 Feed-in Tariffs 478

[Gregory Barker] Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): I welcome the Minister’s statement, and in particular his announcement to make it easier for communities to plan ahead, recognising that band D properties will be eligible for solar panels. that it sometimes takes them a little longer to get their A number of older properties on Exmoor and in the plans in place. Blackdown hills in my constituency have solid walls and are very expensive to insulate. Can the Minister provide Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab): Does any extra help for those owners of those properties? the Minister intend to increase the proportion of the levy cap that is provided for FITs up to the end of the Gregory Barker: Under the green deal and its supporting spending round in 2015? If so, how much will he increase energy company obligation, a significant subsidy will be it to—and why could he not do this before the recent available for homes that are hard to treat, and I imagine fiasco? that those cottages on Exmoor are exactly the sort of homes that would benefit from additional subsidy for Gregory Barker: We will substantially increase the solid-wall insulation. DECC resources that are made available for this scheme. We are happy to do that now because this new scheme Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): Businesses and consumers offers much better value for money than the scheme we in my constituency will assume that the Minister’s “TLC” inherited. We expect that about £1.3 billion will be stands for “turbulence, losses and chaos”. The Government made available for this scheme over the spending period, have already spent £66,400 on fighting this case in the but there will not be any increase in the cost to consumers, courts. How much more public money will they waste and the total sums will still be within the overall levy before they put solar energy on a sustainable footing? control framework. This will be achieved through better budgetary management by DECC, and our conviction Gregory Barker: The proposal we have presented that the new scheme offers better value for money than today means that we are indeed putting solar energy on the one we inherited from Labour. a sustainable footing. What we are not going to do is give up trying to save the consumer £1.5 billion, which Nicola Blackwood (Oxford West and Abingdon) (Con): is what it would cost if our appeal to the Supreme Court As the Minister knows, I am a patron of ONCORE— did not succeed. We think that it is right to stand up for Oxford North Community Renewables Limited—a hard-pressed consumers, and we do not think it is right community group in my constituency that has built a to over-inflate rewards for the few people who receive photovoltaic array on a local school in partnership with unnecessarily high rewards of 43p. community investors, a local climate group, and the school itself. I am sure he agrees that ONCORE is Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): Green technology exactly the kind of group that we want FITs to encourage, leaders such as Worcester Bosch in my constituency will but unfortunately under Labour’s scheme it was impossible welcome the increased transparency and certainty and to distinguish between community groups and businesses, the increase in eligibility, but they will particularly and as a result it has been impossible to treat community welcome the increase in support for combined heat and groups differently under the review. What action is he power. Does the Minister agree that given the continuing taking to deal with that? prevalence of gas central heating in this country, CHP is a key technology in encouraging microgeneration, Gregory Barker: My hon. Friend is absolutely spot and will he do everything in his power to support it? on. Labour failed to discriminate in favour of community groups, as we propose. We are consulting on proposals Gregory Barker: Absolutely. We are very pleased that for a special community band to ensure that we give as a result of our reforms we shall be able to increase the communities the preference we believe they deserve. tariff for micro CHP. So far there has been relatively little deployment of such exciting technologies, but I Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): The owners of hope that the industry will now grasp the opportunity Trusted Solar, a company in my constituency, contacted with both hands and that we shall see a greatly increased me this morning to say that they were appalled by the uptake. way in which the statement had been sneaked out. They told me that they had had to lay off staff, and would not Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): be able to go ahead with their plans for jobs and growth. The Minister will recall that in December he met my How will any firm be able to trust this Government—or hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead (Ian Mearns) to plan for jobs and growth—if this is the kind of and me to discuss the terrible impact of his changes on action that we are going to see from them? my constituents who work for Carillion, which has announced 4,500 redundancies. I hope that the measures Gregory Barker: Issuing a written ministerial statement announced today will safeguard jobs. I shall study them and a full consultation document hardly constitutes in more detail, but what measures will the Minister take sneaking something out. Later this morning I shall to ensure that the uncertainty created by his actions meet dozens of members of the industry and all the does not spread to the green deal? major trade groups at a stakeholder round table at DECC, which will be extremely open and very inclusive. Gregory Barker: I think that people will take confidence The message I am receiving from those in the industry from the fact that we are managing the budget responsibly, is that they welcome the predictability we are providing. and introducing budgetary mechanisms that allow the They will find the tariff reductions challenging, but available subsidy to be spread over the whole budget there is a great deal that they will be able to bank on, period. We shall no longer see the boom and bust in and invest in, as a result of the improvements we are feed-in tariffs, and indeed in the green deal, that we saw making to Labour’s failed scheme. under Labour’s scheme. 479 Feed-in Tariffs9 FEBRUARY 2012 Feed-in Tariffs 480

Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty) (Con): What advice Gregory Barker: I hope that my hon. Friend will can the Minister give the thousands of householders contribute to our consultation on how we should define throughout the country who, as we speak, are receiving a community scheme. We obviously want to make the direct mail shots from the solar industry offering them scheme as inclusive as possible, but the more narrowly it the opportunity to benefit from the 43p per kWh tariff? is defined, the greater the differentiation from other I am not sure that that is an entirely honest way of large-scale schemes we shall be able to offer. There is a doing business, but will the Minister advise people on balance to be struck. We are genuinely interested in how they should respond? receiving feedback, and I think that, as a real community champion himself, my hon. Friend will be well placed to Gregory Barker: I think that people should be very help us. cautious about making a decision based on a rate of 43p. What they can do is plan with certainty on the Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): Why do the basis of a 21p rate until July, and a stable rate of return Government move with the speed of a striking cobra after that. when they are slashing support for essential renewable energy, but with the speed of an arthritic sloth when it Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): comes to recognising the subsidies that will be essential May I ask the Minister to answer the question put by for nuclear power in future? my right hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint), and tell us how many people will lose Gregory Barker: First, we are not subsidising nuclear their jobs if the Government proceed with a further cut power. Secondly, we are introducing a very dynamic in the solar tariff to 13p in July? system of tariffs that I think other countries will now try to copy. I think that rather than being the slow man Gregory Barker: I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman in Europe in renewable deployment, we shall be in the has misunderstood the statement. We are talking about fast lane. growing the solar industry, and we expect a steady growth in the number of people who will be employed David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con): The Minister in the industry until 2015 and beyond. will be aware that in the last year of the previous Government, we were 25th out of 27 European countries Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con): As one who in the use of renewables. I note his target of 20 GW, approves of local production for local consumption, I which seems quite heroic. Can he confirm that meeting welcome the statement, but can my hon. Friend tell us it would put us at the top of the league and not in the what is the recommendation for the small-scale wind relegation zone position he inherited? FIT and why any change has been made in it? Gregory Barker: The Secretary of State is in Cumbria today to open the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Gregory Barker: There is to be a dramatic reduction which will help to push us up the table, and I certainly in the tariff for small-scale wind. We had to take a hard believe that solar has the potential to push us higher look at it on a value-for-money basis, and as a result we still. Whether that will take us to the top—given the are having to reduce it substantially to 21p. We must progress being made in Europe, and the severe disadvantage make it clear that we can justify paying a significant we inherited owing to Labour’s record in government—I subsidy to individual technologies only if there is a real do not know, but all I can say is that things are going to chance that they will reach a point at which they are get better. cost-competitive with other mainstream renewables, and indeed fossil fuels, in the relatively near future. Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): My Unfortunately, that case has not been made so far in hon. Friend knows, given the representations I have relation to small-scale wind, but I hope that the industry made to him, among others, about the desperate need will respond with proposals for innovation and plans to for stability on the question of solar installations. Will make its technologies more cost-competitive. he assure me that the outcome of the consultation process will represent the Government’s settled policy Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): Is the Minister aware on this matter for the years ahead? that following his chaotic stewardship in DECC, the biggest barrier to the success of the solar industry in Gregory Barker: Absolutely. The good thing about this country is him? this scheme is that, unlike the one we inherited from Labour, it will not depend on arbitrary decisions or Gregory Barker: I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman interventions from politicians. Rather, it will clearly set is talking absolute rubbish. We in DECC have really out the mechanics of how we will degress tariffs not good engagement with the industry. The stakeholders just this year or next, but for years to come, and will will be in my office in about an hour and a half, and I provide the stability and longevity that investors are look forward to a sensible, grown-up, constructive discussion crying out for. with them. Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): We are very Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): I was grateful to the lucky today in having an urgent question answered by Minister for arranging a meeting just before Christmas the greenest Member of this House; nobody here is to discuss the Harlow community scheme, which was to more committed to renewable energy. The Opposition benefit 1,500 houses by providing them with solar panels. attacking the Government for not leaking in advance a Will he explain how his new, revised proposals will help written statement is also novel. However, will the Minister to ensure that the scheme continues? look into the problem with the Nene valley hydro 481 Feed-in Tariffs 9 FEBRUARY 2012 482

[Mr Peter Bone] Business of the House scheme? It is an excellent scheme that I know his Department supports, but the Department for Environment, 12.1 pm Food and Rural Affairs is dragging its feet. Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): Will the Leader of Gregory Barker: This package of measures is good the House please give us the business for next week? news for hydro. We are very ambitious for the hydro sector, and I should be delighted to meet my hon. The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir George Friend to see whether we can iron out any small difficulties. Young): The business for the week commencing 20 February will be: MONDAY 20 FEBRUARY—Motion relating to Iran. The subject for this debate has been nominated by the Backbench Business Committee. TUESDAY 21 FEBRUARY—If necessary consideration of Lords amendments, followed by a European document relating to the remuneration of European Union staff. The Chairman of Ways and Means has named opposed private business for consideration. WEDNESDAY 22 FEBRUARY—Opposition day (un-allotted day). There will be a debate on an Opposition motion including on the publication of the NHS risk register. THURSDAY 23 FEBRUARY—Motions relating to the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2012, the draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2012, and the draft Pensions Act 2008 (Abolition of Protected Rights) (Consequential Amendments) (No. 2) (Amendment) Order 2012. The provisional business for the week commencing 27 February will include: MONDAY 27 FEBRUARY—Estimates day (4th allotted day). Details will be given in the Official Report. [The details are as follows: Funding for the Olympics and Paralympics: Oral evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 14 and 21 December 2010, HC689 i and ii, 17 May 2011, HC689-iii, 15 November 2011, HC689-iv, and 24 January 2012, HC689-v; Forensic Science Service: 7th Report from the Science and Technology Committee of session 2010-12, HC 855; Government Response – The Forensic Science Service, Cm 8215] Colleagues will wish to be reminded that they will have the opportunity to pay individual tributes to Her Majesty the Queen on 7 March during the debate on the Humble Address, marking the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne. I should also like to inform the House that the business in Westminster Hall for 23 February will be: THURSDAY 23 FEBRUARY—Debate on cycling. For the convenience of the House, I would like to provide additional information on the parliamentary calendar. The House will return from the conference recess on Monday 15 October. In addition to the dates already announced, the House will rise at the close of play on Tuesday 13 November and return on Monday 19 November. The House will rise at the close of play on Thursday 20 December and return on Monday 7 January 2013. As previously announced, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver his Budget statement on Wednesday 21 March. As is usual, the Budget debate will continue for a further three days. I will bring forward a motion to allow the continuation of the Budget debate on Friday 23 March. This will also 483 Business of the House9 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 484 facilitate the Backbench Business Committee’s usual 30%. Representation on the Government Front Bench pre-recess Adjournment debate prior to the Easter recess in the Lords is already at 39%. Will the Leader of the on Tuesday 27 March. House therefore rule out stuffing the House of Lords The House will also want to be aware that the private any further with Government peers? Members’ Bills Fridays for the next Session will be: The Deputy Prime Minister also said this week that 6 July, 13 July, 7 September, 14 September, 19 October, he was asking Liberal Democrats “day in day out” to 26 October, 2 November, 9 November, 30 November, vote for things they 18 January 2013, 25 January, 1 February and 1 March. “wouldn’t do in a month of Sundays” All these dates are contained in a revised version of the calendar, now available for Members and staff from the if there were a majority Liberal Democrat Government. Vote Office. It might have escaped his notice, but we have not been voting for legislation “day in, day out” due to the Ms Eagle: I thank the Leader of the House for his Government’s shambolic mishandling of parliamentary statement and for announcing yet another packed week. business in this House. The few votes we have had were clearly too much for the children’s Minister, who fled The Government’s legislative incompetence has reached London rather than going into the Division Lobby with new heights with the announcement the Leader of the the Conservatives to vote for the Welfare Reform Bill. House has just made of a Friday sitting for the Budget. Does the Leader of the House agree with his own Back Did Government business managers forget to schedule Benchers who said that the children’s Minister should the time they needed to debate the Budget, or did the have the courage to vote for the Government’s business, Chancellor not bother to inform them when he announced or the guts to resign? the date? They certainly know how to manage the legislative factory, although I note that once again, the Labour called for the RBS chief executive not to take House is rising on a Tuesday so the Prime Minister can his bonus; it happened. Labour called for the board of dodge his Question Time. Network Rail not to take their bonuses; it happened. On Tuesday, Labour initiated a debate on bankers’ Yesterday, the Government were defeated in the Lords bonuses and not a single Cabinet Minister could be on day one of the Report stage of the Health and Social bothered to speak for the Government. The Chancellor, Care Bill. In yesterday’s Financial Times a Conservative speaking to the Federation of Small Businesses, even Back Bencher was quoted as saying: seemed to think it was anti-business to be talking about “No Tory MP knows what the point of these reforms is”. executive pay at all. Had he deigned to come to this Let me reassure Conservative Members: they are not House on Tuesday, he would have realised it is actually alone. No one—with the possible exception of the about fairness. Health Secretary—understands the point of these Will the Leader of the House confirm that as a result reforms. However, what doctors, nurses, the royal of quantitative easing, every bank in the country has colleges, patients’ groups—in fact, just about anyone benefited from taxpayer funding, and does he agree that working in or using the health service—do understand it is not fair for the bosses of all banks that have is that this disastrous Bill is damaging our NHS. As the benefited from taxpayer support to earn in one day massive increase in the number of people waiting more many times more than most people in this country earn than 18 weeks for treatment shows, it is patients who are in a lifetime? Every time I have raised this matter, the suffering. right hon. Gentleman has ducked the question. Given The Health Secretary may have presided over the that Barclays is due to announce its bonus round, will biggest legislative shambles and policy disaster in recent the Leader of the House now send an unequivocal history, but apparently the Prime Minister still has message to banking bosses about what the Government confidence in him. I do not imagine he feels particularly consider fair? reassured, given that one No. 10 insider is quoted in The Times as saying that the Health Secretary I want to pay tribute to two remarkable women. Her Majesty the Queen has reigned for 60 years, and her “should be taken out and shot”. commitment to the nation and the Commonwealth has That was followed by a story in The Daily Telegraph rightly earned respect across the country and around with a headline saying that No. 10 does not want to the world. Florence Green, who died this week at the shoot the Health Secretary. Given that the Prime Minister age of 110, was the last known surviving service member cannot even get his story straight on whether or not he from world war one. Mrs Green was one of 100,000 women wants to shoot his Ministers, is it any wonder that they to serve this country in the great war. Will the Leader of have made such a mess of running the NHS? Will the the House now agree to schedule the traditional debate Government recognise reality and finally drop the Health to mark international women’s day, so that we can and Social Care Bill? pay tribute to the service of those remarkable women Ever willing to help the Government out, the Deputy and many others who enhance our public life in this Prime Minister briefed this week that he thought about country? vetoing the Health and Social Care Bill, but decided against it “for the sake of coalition unity”. So there we Sir George Young: The Government are anxious that have it: the Liberal Democrats in government—power we should have the normal pre-Easter recess Adjournment before principle. debate, which is normally scheduled by the Backbench The Health and Social Care Bill has become the Business Committee, and that is why we are scheduling latest Government Bill to run into trouble in the Lords. an additional day’s debate on the Friday after the Over the period of the Labour Government, when we Budget; if we did not do so, there would be a risk that lost about a third of whipped Divisions in the Lords, that popular occasion would be squeezed out of the the proportion of Labour peers reached a maximum of calendar. 485 Business of the House9 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 486

[Sir George Young] Ian Austin (Dudley North) (Lab): I am sorry to say that a student present at a lecture given yesterday by a The Prime Minister relishes Prime Minister’s holocaust survivor has complained about the conduct questions—probably more than the Leader of the during that lecture of the hon. Member for Cannock Opposition does. If the hon. Lady had been listening to Chase (Mr Burley). Is it not about time that the Government what I said, she would have heard me announce that the sorted this whole affair out by publishing the outcome House would be rising on a Thursday in December, not of the inquiry and organising a debate on the investigation on a Tuesday. As for the upper House, the Labour party that the Prime Minister announced into the hon. has more peers than any other party and if there was Gentleman’s involvement—[Interruption.] representation on the basis of votes at the previous general election, Labour would clearly not be entitled to Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Member for Cannock that number of peers. Chase will be silent—I will brook no contradiction of There are three principles in the Health and Social that point. I assume that the hon. Member for Dudley Care Bill: more control for patients; more power for North (Ian Austin) notified the hon. Member for Cannock professionals; and less bureaucracy. Those are three Chase— principles that the previous Labour Government were embarked on following when they were in power; they Mr Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase) (Con): No, he were establishing foundation trusts, they were promoting didn’t— choice and they were promoting practice-based commissioning in the mid-2000s. We take forward that Mr Speaker: Order. I require no interference from the agenda. In addition, I say to the hon. Lady that it is hon. Gentleman, who will behave himself and that is called the “Health and Social Care Bill”—everyone the end of it. I asked the hon. Member for Dudley agrees that social care must be linked more closely to North for an indication of whether he contacted the the NHS, and the Bill promotes better financial and hon. Gentleman in question. professional integration. As for the independent sector, I just remind her of what her manifesto said: Ian Austin: My office contacted his. “We will support an active role for the independent sector Mr Speaker: Well, it is preferable that there should be working alongside the NHS in the provision of care”. direct contact—[Interruption.] Order. The hon. Member We are actually precluding the sort of arrangements for Dudley North will finish his question, there will be that Labour promoted, whereby independent treatment an answer and we will proceed. centres were parachuted into the NHS with no powers for the NHS to compete. Ian Austin: I attempted to phone personally, but the On the point about the education Minister, the shadow answerphone was on and so I asked my office to call. Is Leader of the House was a Minister and she knows it not about time that this whole affair was sorted out, perfectly well that Ministers are occasionally away on so that we can get to the bottom of the hon. Gentleman’s ministerial business. That was the issue for my hon. involvement in a party at which people chanted “Hitler, Friend. If the shadow Leader of the House looks at the Hitler, Hitler” and toasted the Third Reich? voting register, she will find that a large number of her colleagues did not take part in that particular vote. Sir George Young: Ihavetosaythatthatisnota matter for the Government—it is a matter for the party—and On taxing the banks, the shadow Leader of the it would not be appropriate for me to respond to that House will know that our annual levy on the banks question at this Dispatch Box. brings in more each year than Labour’s one-off tax—that deals with that issue. Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): When On international women’s day, that debate is one of my right hon. Friend had his conversations in January the fixed events now allocated to the Backbench Business with the chairman of the Independent Parliamentary Committee, but I can say in response to the hon. Lady’s Standards Authority, was he conducting them wearing question that we will seek to allocate to that Committee his hat as Leader of the House of Commons—in other a day so that it can hold the traditional debate on words, on behalf of Parliament—or as a member of the international women’s day roughly on the date when it Government? May we have an early debate on the issue occurs in March. of the separation of powers and how that fits in with the operation of IPSA? Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con): May we have a Sir George Young: I cannot promise a debate along debate on the purpose of confirmatory hearings by the lines that my hon. Friend has requested. However, Select Committees, particularly those into public as Leader of the House, I have regular discussions with appointments? Does my right hon. Friend agree that it the chief executive and the chairman of IPSA, as it is very unwise for Ministers to disregard the autonomy would be appropriate for me to do, given the responsibilities and authority of Select Committees, particularly the that I hold. Select Committee on Business, Innovation and Skills? Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab): We Sir George Young: I am aware of the report by the have just heard mention, both from the Leader of the BIS Committee and what it said about the proposed House and his shadow, of the fact that international appointment at the Office for Fair Access. The Government women’s day falls on 8 March and St David’s day falls will want to reflect on that Committee’s recommendations on 1 March. The Backbench Business Committee received before they come to a conclusion on any appointment. bids for both of those debates on Tuesday. The Leader 487 Business of the House9 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 488 of the House touches on a sore point, because it is Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con): I am extremely impossible for the Committee to allocate those debates concerned about recent developments in the Republic without the Government allocating us time to do so. of the Maldives, following the forced resignation of the Will he commit to meet our successor Committee in the former President Mohamed Nasheed, who is a close new Session to divide up those set-piece debates on friend of mine. I have also heard worrying reports of events that fall on specific days every year? Alternatively— escalating violence. As we speak, Mohamed Nasheed is this is much more preferable—will he allocate a set day awaiting arrest at his parents’ home. Will the Leader of every week in the Chamber that is specifically reserved the House urgently make time for a debate on the for Back-Bench time? political situation in the Maldives and on the pressing need for judicial reform? Sir George Young: We will, of course, seek to accommodate this year the specific events to which the Sir George Young: I understand my hon. Friend’s hon. Lady has referred: the St David’s day and international concern. We are to have a debate on Somalia and, women’s day debates. On her second point, I am sympathetic depending on the flexibility of whoever is in the Chair, to the idea of pre-allocating to the Backbench Business it may be appropriate for my right hon. Friend the Committee a certain number of days each year and Foreign Secretary to touch on the Maldives. It is a then allocating it a day in order to honour a commitment young democracy where the President has just resigned. in respect of international women’s day, the pre-EU The high commissioner is in the capital at the moment Council debates, St David’s day and other such events. I to seek to establish what is going on. We call on the new would be happy to have that particular dialogue. On the Government to demonstrate their respect for the rights concept of a fixed day each week, the Wright Committee of all political parties and their members, and to ensure looked at that but did not actually recommend it. That that the constitution is upheld. The latest reports indicate Committee said that that there would be a risk of no reports of unrest directly affecting tourists. If appropriate rigidity if we went down that road, so at the moment I later on today, my right hon. Friend will seek to bring say no to a fixed day but I am happy to try to accommodate the House up to date. her in the way that she indicated. Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): The Mr Don Foster (Bath) (LD): In 1975, five journalists Leader of the House will know that Mary Portas conducted died in Balibo in East Timor. In 2007, an Australian an important review of our town centres. Is it not about coroner’s court found that they had been deliberately time that the Government helped them, in this time of killed by Indonesian troops and that this constituted a recession? In particular, may we have a debate on the war crime. Five years on, with two British citizens role of Tesco, which is ravaging our town and city having been killed in a war crime, is it not time that we centres throughout the country? It is a dangerous monopoly had a statement from the Foreign Secretary on what our and it is about time that it was curbed. Government are going to do about it?

Sir George Young: I am grateful to my right hon. Sir George Young: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman Friend for his concern. I will draw that matter to the for his question. He will know that the House debated attention of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary the Mary Portas report in Back-Bench time a few weeks and, of course, see whether it would be appropriate for ago. The Government are grateful to Mary Portas for the Government to make a statement in the light of that her report. We will publish our response in the spring tragedy. and we will take on board the hon. Gentleman’s point about the risks of too much power being vested in a Glenda Jackson (Hampstead and Kilburn) (Lab): number of supermarkets. The Leader of the House will be aware of today’s report from the Children and Family Court Advisory and Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): The Mayor of Support Service—CAFCASS—highlighting a dramatic London will end his first term in office with 1,000 extra increase in the number of children being taken into care police officers, 1 million extra patrols on the streets and due to parental neglect. One of the most effective crime down by 7.6%. After three years of council tax programmes in assisting dysfunctional and problem freezes, following eight years of a Labour Mayor increasing families is early intervention, yet these programmes are the council tax by 152%, the welcome news is that suffering across the country because of the Government’s London’s council tax will be reduced for the first time in savage cuts to local authority funding. So may we have London’s history. May we therefore have a debate on a debate on this issue, in the hope that the Government the effectiveness of local and regional government? will think again, if on the grounds not of compassion towards our children but of reducing the astronomical Sir George Young: No one would welcome such a costs to the nation of keeping our children in care? debate more than me, but I cannot promise my hon. Friend one in the immediate future. He makes a point. Sir George Young: The Government have sought to The Mayor intends for the Met to have 32,510 fully protect the early intervention grant for precisely the warranted police officers by the end of his first term, reasons cited by the hon. Lady. It is indeed the case that, which is significantly more than he inherited. I pay following the tragedy of Peter Connelly, more local tribute to what the Mayor of London has done in his authorities are taking children into care. Whether they first term. remain in care is, of course, a matter for the courts, but we want to learn the lessons from what has happened, Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): May we have a take advantage of the report that has been published debate on the contribution that apprentices make to today and see whether we can improve the quality of their local communities? Eight young apprentices from life of those children who are at risk. MBDA in my constituency are about to compete against 489 Business of the House9 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 490

[Julie Hilling] Sir George Young: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing attention to an issue of which the Government seven other teams in the Brathay challenge. They will are already aware. He might know that the Treasury has raise money for a local charity, raise awareness of announced previously that it will introduce a relief from apprenticeships and take part in an outdoor challenge. the carbon price floor for combined heat and power This is just one of the many commendable activities in plants. We will bring forward the details in due course, which they take part each year, and I am sure that the and the Treasury and DECC are working closely together Leader of the House would like to join me in wishing on the issue. them good luck in the challenge. Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): May we Sir George Young: Indeed, I do wish them good luck. have a statement or a debate in Government time on the I also wish good luck to the more than 400,000 apprentices high and escalating price of fuel in Northern Ireland starting their apprenticeships this year. That is a record and the Treasury’s contribution to it? According to a number and a significant contribution to tackling the National Consumer Council report published this week, problems of youth unemployment that we inherited the price is now the highest of any region in the EU. from the outgoing Government. That will have a massive effect on the economy and on household bills. Can the Leader of the House offer any Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): Given that the hope to the hard-pressed families and businesses of forthcoming parliamentary timetable is unlikely to be Northern Ireland? overburdened with new Government Bills, may we have a debate on the merits of repealing existing legislation? Sir George Young: I think we had an Opposition day Sir George Young: I advise my hon. Friend not to debate relatively recently on the high cost of energy. I believe everything he reads in the press about a light will draw the attention of my right hon. Friends the legislative programme in the second Session, but there Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Northern might be an opportunity, subject to what is in the Ireland to the particular problems referred to by the Queen’s Speech, to make progress with the repeals of right hon. Gentleman and ask them to write to him. certain measures that are surplus to requirement. That is part of our deregulatory initiative, which we are Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): anxious to pursue. Tomorrow is my constituent Gary McKinnon’s birthday, but he will not be celebrating, because this is the 10th year Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): As you that he has faced extradition to the United States, know, Mr Speaker, Swansea is the cultural capital of which, given his mental state, is tantamount to facing Wales. [Interruption.] In 2014, the world will celebrate execution. Will the Leader of the House ensure that we the centenary of the birth of Dylan Thomas—a great have a statement when the Home Secretary finally makes literary icon and a great British and Welsh brand—in her decision? Swansea. Will the Leader of the House find time to debate a programme of events throughout 2014 to Sir George Young: I commend my hon. Friend for the support inward investment and tourism, related to the way in which he has championed the cause of his centenary celebrations for Dylan Thomas, in the United constituent. He will know that the Home Secretary has Kingdom, Wales and Swansea? commissioned some reports and advice on medical issues. She will need time to reflect on those. I understand Sir George Young: I hope that the hon. Gentleman that the court has directed that the Home Secretary will catch your eye, Mr Speaker, during the St David’s provide Mr McKinnon’s representatives with the experts’ day debate, for which I hope the Backbench Business report by 24 February and that he will then have a Committee will find time. I noted some dissent from further 28 days to respond. The court has also directed behind the hon. Gentleman when he claimed that Swansea that a hearing should take place in July, but I will pass is the cultural capital of Wales. He may have difficulty on what my hon. Friend has just said to the Home with some of his parliamentary colleagues. Secretary.

Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): As a Swansea Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): I boy, I have to agree with the hon. Member for Swansea do not know whether you have seen the front page of West (Geraint Davies), rather than with my Government’s the business section of today’s Daily Telegraph, Mr Speaker, Front-Bench representative on this occasion, which is but it refers to Vauxhall and General Motors in Europe. most unusual for me. Against that background, you will be able to understand Oil refineries and large chemical plants have been the anger expressed by my constituents following the investing in combined heat and power units, but they Prime Minister’s response to me yesterday on public face the loss of certain financial exemptions, without procurement. Given that police authorities are buying which an oil refinery may face a loss of £7 million a year foreign cars and that Governments are buying products if it continues with the CHP units. If it discontinued from all over the world—the leader of the Scottish using them, tens if not hundreds of thousands of tonnes Government is buying steel from China—may we have of CO2 will be generated, with obvious environmental an urgent debate about public procurement and the disadvantages. Will the Leader of the House arrange Government’s role in leadership on it? time for an urgent statement from the Department of Energy and Climate Change to show that it is aware of Sir George Young: The hon. Gentleman will know the unintended consequences of the change in the levy that it is not a matter for the Government which cars system and that it will make representations to the are procured by police authorities, which are independent Treasury to make an adjustment in the Budget accordingly? bodies. Also, he will have seen the encouraging 491 Business of the House9 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 492 manufacturing output information that was published Mr Wayne David (Caerphilly) (Lab): Is it possible to today. However, I will raise with my right hon. Friend have a debate on the excessive inventiveness of the the Minister for the Cabinet Office the broader procurement Prime Minister? I am thinking in particular of yesterday’s issue that the hon. Gentleman has raised and see what Prime Minister’s questions in which he referred to the further steps we can take within the confines of the fair national health service on two occasions and got his trading laws the hon. Gentleman will be familiar with. facts completely wrong.

David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con): Last week, Sir George Young: I would deny that my right hon. I attended a public meeting at which more than 100 of Friend the Prime Minister ever got any fact wrong. I my constituents were protesting about the 15-year licence heard the point of order raised by the right hon. Member extension to a landfill in the constituency, which will for Cardiff South and Penarth (Alun Michael) at the take no waste from Warrington after 2013 but a great close of play yesterday and I am sure we will want to deal of waste from surrounding cities. May we have a respond regarding the issue he raised. debate on regional landfill strategy? Cities such as Liverpool and Manchester should be encouraged to look after Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): I hope that Mrs Bone their own waste and not send it to my constituency. does not mind that I have been called before my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone). Sir George Young: For reasons that my hon. Friend Has my right hon. Friend seen early-day motion 2695? will understand, I cannot comment on the specific instance to which he refers, but he will know that under [That this House believes that public procurement the Localism Act 2011 local authorities have a duty to should be used to boost the number of British apprentices; co-operate with one another to co-ordinate the effective notes that the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) handling of waste to meet their communities’ needs. I new Apprenticeship and Skills Requirements Contract hope that the provisions of that Act will give him some Schedule, published in July 2011, has successfully encouraged comfort. contractors to hire more than 2,000 apprentices in the Department’s supply chain, on a voluntary basis and that Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab): a similar scheme has been successful in Essex County May I echo the comments of my hon. Friend the Council; estimates that if this were rolled out across the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Andrew Miller), wider public sector it would instantly create 120,000 new particularly those about public procurement affecting apprenticeships at little or no cost to the taxpayer; further local charities such as Erskine in my community, which estimates that if the normal ratio of these apprenticeship looks after and provides jobs for disabled ex-service places went to young people, youth unemployment would personnel? Unfortunately, in these austere times it is be cut by seven per cent.; and therefore urges every having to lay off ex-service personnel. Will the right Government department to bring in similar contracts to hon. Gentleman look at public procurement through all those of the DWP and to give thousands more young Government Departments to explore whether there is Britons a fighting chance of a job, a qualification and a any way they can help that organisation? decent wage.] May we have a debate on apprenticeships and public Sir George Young: The hon. Gentleman might also procurement? Since 2011, the DWP has successfully want to raise this issue with the Scottish Parliament, but been encouraging suppliers to hire more than 2,000 he may have heard my right hon. Friend the Minister apprentices. That is different from Labour’s proposal, for the Cabinet Office indicate on Wednesday that he as it is cost-neutral to the Treasury and is voluntary for wants more small and medium-sized enterprises and the firms involved. If that were copied across the public organisations such as the one to which the hon. Gentleman sector, it could create 120,000 extra apprenticeships. referred to be able to bid for public procurement. Of Will the Leader of the House look at this proposal? course I will share with my right hon. Friend the point that the hon. Gentleman has raised and see whether we Sir George Young: I commend the example of the can try to help the organisation threatened with a loss organisation my hon. Friend has mentioned, which is of jobs in his constituency. using the supply chain to employ more apprenticeships. I understand that many public sector bodies are already Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): I am sure you are doing this as a matter of good practice, but we believe aware, Mr Speaker, that it is nearly 20 years since that even more can be done through a non-legislative British soldiers were deployed Bosnia, yet the political approach to promote skills through public procurement. situation there, where we put so much effort and resources In the light of what my hon. Friend has just said, I shall and where we lost so many men, is getting worse and see whether the Government can give added momentum worse. Could we possibly have a debate about what is to the initiative to which he has referred. happening in a part of the world into which we put so much effort two decades ago? Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): The public do not regard a Westminster Hall debate as sufficient Sir George Young: My hon. Friend raises an important recognition of the level of interest shown when an issue with which he is probably more familiar than e-petition reaches the 100,000 signature mark. That is almost anyone else in the Chamber. I can only suggest especially true in the case of Kevin Williams, who died that he should apply to you, Mr Speaker, for a debate in at Hillsborough. Will the Leader of the House make Westminster Hall or for an Adjournment debate so we sure that sufficient time is given to such debates in this can have time to focus on Bosnia, the investment we Chamber and not push the responsibility on to the made there and the role we have to play in tackling the Backbench Business Committee, which has many other outstanding problems that remain. pressing issues for which to find time? 493 Business of the House9 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 494

Sir George Young: I gently make the point that there because of the real possibility that the former Secretary would not be a Backbench Business Committee allocating of State for Defence was conducting his own private any time at all had this Government not set it up. I am foreign policy that could lead us into a war with Iran? not sure I agree with the premise on which the hon. Gentleman’s question was based, namely that a debate Sir George Young: I have seen the evidence that in Westminster Hall is not sufficient recognition of an Sir Philip Mawer gave before the Select Committee on issue. Some of the best debates I have attended in this Public Administration, and I have seen the exchange Session have been in Westminster Hall, including a very with the hon. Gentleman. It would make sense to await moving debate on Holocaust memorial day last month. the Committee’s report before coming to a view on this I think we need to dispel the myth that because something issue, but he will know that the Cabinet Secretary is debated in Westminster Hall it is not important. We produced his report, which led to the resignation of my should do all we can to raise the public perception of right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Defence, debates in Westminster Hall rather than denigrate them. and we regard the matter as now closed.

Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): The whole Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op): House will thank the Leader of the House for provisionally I am glad that the Leader of the House noted what I publishing the dates of recess and for private Members’ said in my point of order last night, because that was Bills, which is a welcome move. If the hon. Member for not an isolated incident. Increasingly, at Prime Minister’s Wallasey (Ms Eagle) does not like those dates and questions we see the Prime Minister red in the face and wants to be here on Wednesdays, she can lead the spraying inaccurate figures about Wales around the Opposition through the Division Lobby and vote against Chamber while he attempts not to answer sensible it. Indeed, I might well be with her on that occasion. questions. In addition to the St David’s day debate—a Would it not be much easier and help the Backbench tradition on which I hope the Leader of the House will Business Committee out enormously if the 35 days in deliver—may we have a debate in Government time on the next Session for Back-Bench business were allocated the NHS in Wales and England so that we can make the in the calendar? They would not have to be on the same comparison between the Government in Wales, who are day each week and they could even be provisional, but it attempting to improve the service and who have the would help us enormously if they were allocated. support of the people, and the Government here, who do not have a mandate and seek to bring in changes that Sir George Young: I can move some way in the will undermine both care and efficiency? direction that my hon. Friend advocates. As I said in response to the hon. Member for Wallasey (Ms Eagle), Sir George Young: I listened to the right hon. Gentleman’s there are a number of set-piece debates that would point of order, and even on his own figures it seemed normally take place on or around a certain day and I that the NHS in Wales was not doing as well as the am very happy to have a dialogue to see whether we can NHS in England. I would welcome such a debate, which make that time available. However, it would inject undue would give us an opportunity to contrast the extra rigidity into the parliamentary timetable if we were to resources we have provided to the NHS in England and allocate in advance days for the Backbench Business the reduced waiting times since the election with the Committee. Given the various events that occur during relatively poorer performance of the Administration in a Session and the unpredictability of many of them, it Wales. would impose undue rigidity on the business of the House if we had to pre-allocate all the Back-Bench Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab): Will the business days right at the beginning of the Session. Leader of the House guarantee that the Health Secretary leads for the Government in the Opposition day debate Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): May we have a on the NHS risk register when we return? Does he agree debate on the definition of Government savings? The that the handling of the Health and Social Care Bill has National Audit Office has said that the Cabinet Office been an utter shambles from start to finish? Every day cannot say whether the £2.6 billion comes from the we see blue-on-blue briefing against the poor, downtrodden reduction of public bodies or wider efficiency savings. If Health Secretary. Would it not better for all concerned we cannot have a debate, will the Leader of the House if the Government just dropped the Bill? kindly ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office to lay before the House a full impact assessment regarding the Sir George Young: In response to what the hon. savings made for those public bodies that are going to Member for Wallasey said from the Opposition Front be abolished or transferred under the Public Bodies Bench, I explained why we need to make progress with Act 2011? the Bill. As for the hon. Gentleman’s question about the debate when we come back, the Government will put up Sir George Young: I understand that my right hon. an appropriate spokesman on any motion that the Friend has already done so in the context of the Act, Opposition table. I refer him to what the Prime Minister but I will draw the hon. Lady’s remarks to his attention. said yesterday about the position of the Health Secretary If he has not done what I think he has done, I am sure being more secure than that of the Leader of the he will do it in future. Opposition.

Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): As Sir Philip Mawer Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): I know that as a serious has resigned his post and said that he believes he should parliamentarian the Leader of the House greatly values have been the person who inquired into the Adam the independence of Select Committees, but there is Werritty affair, should we not look at this again to make clearly something fishy going on with the Business, sure we have a thorough investigation into that affair Innovation and Skills Committee. Will he investigate to 495 Business of the House 9 FEBRUARY 2012 496 establish whether the Prime Minister and/or the Chancellor Afghanistan of the Exchequer were involved in the consideration by the Select Committee of the appointment of Mr Ebdon? 12.42 pm Sir George Young: I have looked very quickly at the The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth report of the BIS Committee. If the hon. Gentleman is Affairs (Mr William Hague): Mr Speaker, with permission implying that somehow members of the Committee I will present a quarterly review of our progress in have been nobbled by people who are not members of Afghanistan since October last year, representing the it, I strenuously deny any such assertion. combined assessment of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): Further to the issues International Development. regarding the Welsh NHS raised by my hon. Friend the As always, I begin by paying tribute to the brave men Member for Caerphilly (Mr David) and my right hon. and women of our armed forces. They have borne the Friend the Member for Cardiff South and Penarth brunt of the immense difficulties and dangers that (Alun Michael), may we have a debate in Government Afghanistan has presented each and every day of the time about cross-border provision between Wales and last 10 years and which it still presents in so many ways England? It is often overlooked now that we have today. Three hundred and ninety-seven British service devolved the Welsh side and have England-only Bills on personnel have lost their lives since 2001, and 14 since the English side. It is a serious issue. There have been my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary made the serious cuts to the budget in Wales and we need a previous statement on 18 October. This House and our debate on their impact on my constituents and others. It nation will never forget the sacrifices they have made to would also educate the Prime Minister so that he gets protect Britain’s national security. his facts right in future. Our Government’s objective in Afghanistan is shared Sir George Young: The Prime Minister always gets his by the Afghan Government and all 50 nations that facts right, as I have just asserted. It may be appropriate contribute forces to the international security assistance in the debate on St David’s day to raise specific issues force. We all want an Afghanistan that is able to maintain about cross-border trade and the NHS. I will refer the its own security and prevent the country from being hon. Gentleman’s remarks to my right hon. Friend the used as a safe haven for international terrorists. Our Secretary of State for Health. strategy is to help the Afghan Government to build capable Afghan national security forces; to make progress towards a sustainable political settlement; and to support the building of a viable Afghan state. Central to that is the gradual handover of security responsibilities from international forces to the Afghan national security forces by the end of 2014, as we agreed at the Lisbon summit in 2010. British and ISAF troops will continue to perform combat roles until the end of 2014. Our commitment in terms of aid, trade, investment and close diplomatic ties will of course last far beyond 2014. It was reflected in the enduring strategic partnership agreement signed by the Prime Minister and President Karzai on 28 January, and will play a crucial part in securing our long-term objectives. No one in this House should underestimate the scale of the challenges that remain, but we are confident that our strategy in Afghanistan is the right one to maintain our national security, and we are making steady progress towards our goals. In December, the National Security Council reaffirmed that strategy, and agreed our objectives for the year ahead: 2012 will be an important year to consolidate progress in Afghanistan. The NATO conference in Chicago in May and the Tokyo conference on development in July will build on pledges made at the international Afghanistan conference in Bonn last December, with the aim of securing concrete financial, development and security commitments for Afghanistan beyond 2014. The process of transition made considerable progress last year. The House will know that this is the means by which responsibility for security across Afghanistan is progressively transferred from the international community to Afghan national security forces, up to the end of 2014 when international troops will withdraw from a combat role. Transition is based on conditions on the ground; it is phased, it is gradual and it can take up to 18 months in any one area. In December 2011, transition 497 Afghanistan9 FEBRUARY 2012 Afghanistan 498

[Mr William Hague] The Afghan Government also made commitments at Bonn. They include further efforts to tackle corruption began in the second group of areas. Approximately half and improve the capacity of Afghan institutions. The the Afghan population lives in areas now in the process Government committed themselves to upholding of transition. international human rights obligations and to protecting The progress made in Helmand by Afghan, UK and women’s rights as enshrined in the Afghan constitution. ISAF troops is illustrated by the inclusion of Nad Ali, Respect for women’s rights is a fundamental obligation, alongside Lashkar Gah, early in the transition process, and is important for Afghanistan’s future. We agree which began in July. The security situation in these with the Afghan Government, and regularly impress districts is unrecognisable compared with the start of upon them, that the rights of women must not be British operations in 2006. Violence levels have fallen sacrificed as part of the political process. This was dramatically. Afghans have freedom of movement in emphasised at Bonn by the Minister for Equalities, the Lashkar Gah and in all five central Helmand districts. Government’s ministerial champion for tackling violence Pupil enrolment for both girls and boys is rising, and against women and girls overseas. the Afghan Government are able to provide services to Britain supports an Afghan-led political process to the province. help to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan. We British forces continue to conduct operations in Helmand, know that this will take time and will require support. but are supporting a growing number of Afghan-led The Afghan Government’s approach received broad operations. In December, more than 280 British service endorsement from the Loya Jirga in November 2011 personnel joined forces with 550 Afghan troops on and from the international community at Bonn. Operation Winter Success. The operation was planned There have been a number of important developments and led by the Afghan national army with ISAF mentoring in the political process already this year. Last month, and support. It succeeded in clearing insurgents from the Taliban expressed their willingness to participate in the area where three Helmand districts meet—Nad Ali, a political office in Qatar. We welcome any steps towards Nahri Sarraj and Lashkar Gah—before building new reconciliation but recognise that they are at an early checkpoints, manned by Afghan forces, to increase stage and that more work will be needed to move security and extend the governance and development forward. Nevertheless, the Taliban leadership have accepted footprint of the Afghan Government. the need to engage in a political process, and this is The success of such operations allows us gradually to significant. If they are willing to renounce violence, focus our efforts on mentoring and training. We will break links with al-Qaeda and respect the Afghan help to create an Afghan national officer academy constitution, there can be a place for them in their to produce the Afghan army officers of the future, and country’s future. A political office provides an opportunity it will open its doors in 2013. It is expected to accept for all Afghans to work together towards a sustainable 1,350 recruits annually, and approximately 120 British peace, for it is only with the engagement of all Afghans troops will be based at the academy to provide training that we can hope to see a durable settlement. Britain and related support. will continue to support the Afghan Government in At the end of December, the Afghan national police these efforts. were more than 143,000 strong and the Afghan national In November, the International Monetary Fund agreed army numbered more than 170,000. They are deploying a new three-year programme of support with the Afghan in formed units, carrying out their own operations and Government, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary planning complex security arrangements. Last year, of State for International Development helped to secure. they responded to a series of high-profile attacks promptly, This has helped to get back on track the internationally professionally and increasingly independent of ISAF agreed set of Afghan development and governance support. commitments known as the Kabul process. It also allowed For the first time since 2006, year on year violence donors, including Britain, to resume support to the levels decreased across Afghanistan in 2011. This is a Afghanistan reconstruction trust fund, which is helping good indication of progress. However, the regional picture the Government to deliver vital basic services, including remains varied: in the east in particular the number of education and health care. security incidents rose. We cannot be complacent, as gains are fragile and not yet irreversible, but we are None the less, Afghanistan remains one of the world’s firmly on track for the ANSF to have lead security poorest countries and its financial future is uncertain. A responsibility by mid to late 2013. The ANSF will have World Bank report published in November showed that full security responsibility across Afghanistan by the the Government budget shortfall might still be $7 billion end of 2014. This means that plans for British combat by 2021. At Bonn we agreed in principle to provide troop draw-down by the end of 2014 also remain on long-term financial support in line with the Afghan track. The Prime Minister has indicated that there will Government’s priorities. These plans will be discussed be a steady and measured draw-down between now and further at the Chicago and Tokyo conferences. We will then, and that British forces will be reduced by 500 to continue to support the Afghan Government’s efforts to 9,000 by the end of this year. The rate of reduction will increase tax revenue and economic growth in order to be determined by the progress of transition on the reduce the budget shortfall and aid dependency. Our ground. support to their Revenue Department is helping to We have also seen progress on the political track. In exceed IMF revenue collection targets. In November, December, I attended the international conference in quarterly revenue collections increased to £322 million, Bonn. The conference signalled that our commitment an increase of 23% over the same period last year. to Afghanistan will continue beyond the completion of My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for security transition and will be reinforced at this year’s International Development launched a major new civil Chicago and Tokyo conferences. society programme to strengthen the capacity of Afghan 499 Afghanistan9 FEBRUARY 2012 Afghanistan 500 civil society bodies during his visit to Afghanistan in I will divide my questions between the security situation October. This, too, will have a strong focus on women’s and the diplomatic effort. On the security situation, the rights. The first call for proposals has resulted in over Foreign Secretary has just told the House: 200 applications, which are now being assessed. “British and ISAF troops will continue to perform combat These developments in Afghanistan are essential to roles until the end of 2014.” the country’s future. So, too, are the actions of Afghanistan’s How is that consistent with the comments of the American neighbours. At last November’s regional conference, Defence Secretary, Leon Panetta, who only last week hosted by our Turkish partners in Istanbul, Afghanistan’s said: neighbours gave their collective backing to the Afghan “Hopefully by mid- to the latter part of 2013 we’ll be able to Government’s efforts to promote an inclusive political make a transition from a combat role to a training, advice and process. They also agreed to work together through a assist role”? detailed set of confidence-building measures, and a Incidentally, that comment was confirmed by the Prime follow-up meeting will be held in Kabul in June. In Minister’s official spokesman, but there was no statement March, the fifth regional economic co-operation conference to the House. Given the integrated nature of ISAF’s on Afghanistan will also take place, aiming to further work, both in Helmand and across Afghanistan, is the economic integration. Britain will continue to support Foreign Secretary seriously suggesting that British military these efforts while recognising that they must be led by personnel will be involved in combat operations for the region. potentially between a year and 18 months after our Finally, Pakistan has a crucial role and much to gain American allies have transferred from combat operations from improved stability in Afghanistan. It already suffers to providing training, advice and assistance? more casualties from terrorism than any other country What is the Foreign Secretary’s assessment of the in the world. Both countries need to work together to military implications of America’s decision to wind stem the flow of militants, who undermine the sovereignty down combat operations more than a year before the of both democratic Governments and remain intent on previously stated deadline for withdrawal? What is his killing their citizens and destabilising the region. The assessment of the impact on the ISAF mission’s timetable best way to achieve this is through regular, frank and for transition of the announcement in January by the honest dialogue. We welcome Pakistan’s participation French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, that French troops in the Istanbul conference and its support for the will now leave Afghanistan by the end of 2013? commitments that were agreed. The recent visit to Kabul by the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, The statement comes shortly after the publication of is a positive indication of improving relations between a leaked NATO document cataloguing the depth of the two countries and signals the resumption of the links and assistance between the Afghan Taliban and Afghanistan-Pakistan dialogue. I look forward to receiving the Pakistani security services. The report also details the Foreign Minister in London on 21 February, when widespread collaboration between the insurgents and we will discuss Afghanistan and the region as well as the Afghan police and military, so what is the Foreign our strong bilateral relations. Secretary’s assessment of the findings of the report, and how does he reconcile its bleak findings with his description Serious challenges remain in Afghanistan. There will today that undoubtedly be setbacks and difficulties ahead, but we are making steady progress. This will be an important “we are making steady progress”? year to consolidate this progress and to strengthen the The Foreign Secretary has just told the House: international commitments to Afghanistan and long-term “For the first time since 2006, year on year violence levels partnership with its people. decreased across Afghanistan in 2011.” How does he reconcile that statement with the report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan 12.54 pm only last week that indicated that the number of civilians Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire killed and injured has risen for the fifth year running, South) (Lab): I thank the Foreign Secretary for his with the majority of deaths caused by insurgents? The statement and for advance sight of it. Of course, the report documented 3,021 civilian deaths in 2011, compared context of this discussion is the number of British with 2,790 in 2010 and 2,412 in 2009. personnel currently serving in Afghanistan—almost The Foreign Secretary said in his statement that 10,000—who are harnessing their professionalism and 120 British troops will be based at the Afghan national expertise to the task of securing a stable Afghanistan academy. Will he reassure the House that all necessary that will not threaten this country’s security again. force protection measures will be in place for them at Their bravery is rightly and regularly praised in the that time? He stated that the Afghan national army now House, but each time it is a genuine and sincere reflection numbers 170,000. Will he confirm how large the British of the admiration on both sides of this House for the Government now expect the Afghan national army to work they do on our behalf. be at the time of transition in 2014 and say a little more The Foreign Secretary knows that we supported the about how these force levels are to be financed in the mission in Afghanistan in government and continue to light of the deficits he spoke of? do so in opposition. We are keen to discuss these issues Let me now turn briefly to the diplomatic effort. We in a spirit of shared support for the mission, but it is have expressed our concern in the past that there was also the Opposition’s job to scrutinise, and that task is not an oral statement to the House following the Bonn especially important when the lives of our servicemen conference in December and that, despite the intense and women are at stake. I hope that he will see my effort required in these critical months, the Prime Minister questions in that spirit. has not made a statement on Afghanistan to the House 501 Afghanistan9 FEBRUARY 2012 Afghanistan 502

[Mr Douglas Alexander] to express alarm at the idea of such a difference, which is not something that the Government intend or would for many months. It is vital that the scale of our military accept. effort is matched by diplomatic efforts. The Foreign The leaked document to which he refers should not Secretary spoke of November’s Istanbul conference, have too much importance attributed to it. It was but will he set out for the House what sustained efforts actually a collection of the views and various opinions are being made to co-ordinate the regional players, such of Taliban detainees held in custody, and it should not as China and Pakistan, and bind them into the work of be taken as a necessarily accurate reflection of the securing a stable and durable peace? overall strategic situation. I do not accept, therefore, The Foreign Secretary spoke of the Taliban’s willingness that a leaked document of Taliban views contradicts to participate in a political office in Qatar. While it is everything I have said in this statement about the steady suggested that only talks about talks are now under progress that is being made—steady progress always way, what progress is being made on the broader and qualified by my saying how fragile it is in some areas, more inclusive political settlement needed within and how the picture has been varied. Afghanistan for a stable state post 2014? Specifically, That brings me to the right hon. Gentleman’s next will he update the House on what progress has been question, because he asks about the number of incidents. made by the Afghan High Peace Council, established at It has risen over the past year in Regional Command the London conference in 2010, on reaching a consensus East and Regional Command South West, but it has on constitutional arrangements and how it is ensuring gone down in Regional Command South, down particularly that women have a proper role in Afghanistan’s future? sharply in Helmand, our own area of responsibilities, Finally, given the timetable for transition, will the and down on average throughout the country. It is true Foreign Secretary provide the House with the British also, nevertheless, that some of those incidents have Government’s assessment of the capacity of the Afghan been considerable attacks and cost civilian lives. About state to undertake, as is planned, free and fair presidential 80% of civilian casualties in Afghanistan are caused by elections during 2014? insurgent activity, and that is why the civilian casualty figures are as he cites—something, therefore, that we We now have an end date in Afghanistan, but it is cannot at all be complacent about. through urgent diplomatic work that we can also have an end state worthy of the sacrifice endured during this The right hon. Gentleman asks about the academy, long decade. and I can of course assure him that the necessary protection will be in place. The academy will be on the same site as the United States academy, and full protection Mr Hague: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman will be afforded to it. for his questions. He rightly pays tribute to the bravery On the strength of Afghan national security forces, of our armed forces and reflects how sincere those they will be built up, as the right hon. Gentleman tributes always are in this House, particularly from knows, to a total strength of 352,000. Decisions will be those of us on both sides who have travelled in Afghanistan made—probably at the NATO summit in Chicago, which and seen the work of our armed services and what the Secretary of State for Defence, the Prime Minister happens in field hospitals. We recognise the extraordinary and I will attend—about the strength of Afghan national commitment of all involved. He is quite right to point security forces in later years, and about what the out again—I am grateful to him for it—from the Opposition international community’s financial contribution will Benches that those operations enjoy support across the be. We certainly expect the United Kingdom to make a House, and I certainly take his questions in the spirit in significant contribution to those forces after 2014. which they are obviously intended. The right hon. Gentleman asks about oral statements, The right hon. Gentleman asks about reconciling but I must gently point out that we introduced the what I have said today with what the US Defence quarterly statements on Afghanistan, having called for Secretary has said over the past couple of weeks. The them for a long time during the previous Parliament, US Defence Secretary has stressed that US forces will and indeed a monthly report to Parliament. We will remain combat-capable and ready in Afghanistan to the always consider requests for further statements, but we end of 2014, and he has also said very clearly: have a great deal more statements on the matter than “We’ve got to stick to the Lisbon strategy. The United States was the case in the previous Parliament. has a very strong commitment to Lisbon and to the strategy that was laid out there.” On regional efforts, the Istanbul meeting was important, and the forthcoming economic co-operation conference That strategy involves withdrawing from a combat role that I mentioned will be important also in binding in after the end of 2014. the partners, but at the Bonn conference it was striking Sometimes, in the reporting of different comments, how the regional partners were committed to economic there is confusion between lead responsibility and full and development co-operation with Afghanistan, as responsibility. As I said in my statement, however, we well as all of us who make such a large security contribution. expect Afghan forces to have lead responsibility throughout It would not be fair to say that a consensus on the Afghanistan in mid to late 2013, and I also reflected on future, which the right hon. Gentleman quite rightly how they have lead responsibility for many operations looks for in Afghanistan on constitutional arrangements, now in Helmand. Full responsibility—that is, full transition has yet been reached, but the meeting of the Loya Jirga to Afghan security control—is from the end of 2014, so was important progress, as is the establishment of the we are not conscious of any difference between the Taliban’s political office, although that is at an early approach of the United States, and its intentions for its stage. It does not indicate necessarily that they have armed forces, and ours; nor would we want there to be signed up to the idea of reconciliation overall, nor that any difference. The right hon. Gentleman is quite right they are united on it, but it is one indication of progress. 503 Afghanistan9 FEBRUARY 2012 Afghanistan 504

The conduct of forthcoming elections, including the military position of British troops would be substantially presidential one, will be a very important factor in altered. Can we be satisfied that both my right hon. Afghanistan’s political future and in its stability. We saw Friend and the Secretary of State for Defence are aware in the most recent round of elections—the presidential of that and are ready to take steps if necessary to and parliamentary elections in Afghanistan—an protect the interests of British forces? improvement in the holding of free and fair elections conducted in an orderly way. We look for another Mr Hague: I understand the anxieties in the House improvement in the next presidential election. on this issue. The US Defence Secretary clarified any doubts, certainly to my satisfaction and that of my right Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): I thank the hon. Friend the Defence Secretary, in saying, as I quoted Foreign Secretary for his statement. I share his approach earlier: to the draw-down of troops, which depends on the “We’ve got to stick to the Lisbon strategy.” conditions on the ground, and I note that the cost of The United States has a strong commitment to that. Of the ANSF post-2015 is still to be resolved but will, I course, part of that strategy is that in 2013, Afghans hope, emerge after the NATO summit. Will he say a will have lead responsibility across much of Afghanistan, little more about the ongoing negotiations with the as I indicated in my statement. Increasingly, the role of Taliban in Qatar? Those discussions are clearly very ISAF is to provide mentoring, training and support. I important. Is there anything that we can do to give gave examples of that from Helmand. The United States them more impetus? and the United Kingdom have the same strategy, as do all the ISAF nations. Mr Hague: As I just said, it is too early to say very It is true that France has announced a change in its much about those negotiations, but the United Kingdom withdrawal. President Sarkozy has announced the has, as my hon. Friend knows, for a long time supported withdrawal of French troops by the end of 2013, rather the concept of reconciliation in Afghanistan, including than 2014. No other ISAF partner, among the 50 nations, the involvement of the Taliban, provided ultimately has announced accelerated withdrawal plans. The clear that the conditions of their breaking with al-Qaeda and consensus at the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting on accepting the constitution of Afghanistan can be met. 2 and 3 February was that we should stick to the Lisbon The negotiations are at an early stage and do not time lines, with staged troop draw-down up to the end necessarily indicate that the Taliban are in favour of of 2014. reconciliation or have decided collectively to pursue it. It is the possible beginning of a process. We will have to Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): The Foreign see how that goes, but it is too early to say anything Secretary has referred to the crucial role of Pakistan more than that about it at the moment. vis-à-vis Afghanistan, and to the fact that Pakistan suffers more from terrorism than any other country. Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): Does the Will he give a detailed assessment of Pakistan’s current Foreign Secretary recognise that, while we pay tribute—I commitment in terms of tackling terrorism? What is certainly do—to our armed forces, as I have said previously, Pakistan doing with ourselves and others to take forward and to all the innocent victims of war in Afghanistan the situation in Afghanistan? and Pakistan, the overwhelming majority of British people want to see an end to our combat role as quickly Mr Hague: Pakistani leaders are determined to tackle as possible and, we hope, before the end of 2014? All terrorism. We will have a detailed discussion about that the indications are that the sentiment in Britain is when the Pakistani Foreign Minister comes here in two shared in the United States, France and Germany. weeks’ time. I have seen for myself on recent visits to Pakistan how much Pakistanis mourn the loss of tens Mr Hague: British people do want their own—our of thousands of lives to terrorism. We have to accept own—national security to be secured, and, yes, they that Pakistan is in an almost uniquely difficult situation. very much support our troops whenever they are sent Its Government are not wholly in control of all their overseas into combat operations. This country has a own territory and their writ does not run in all their very strong tradition of such support, but what we are territory. There is a long history of terrorist activity. doing now—setting a clear timetable, whereby by the This is an enormous challenge for Pakistan. We work end of 2014 we will have withdrawn from a combat role, with it in many ways, and we use that work to encourage or from having our troops there in anything like their its fight against terrorism. We will continue to do so, but current numbers—is something that meets the approval it will remain a difficult struggle. of the country. But we would not be doing a service to the country or, indeed, to the sacrifices of our forces Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): Unless there over recent years if we indulged in a precipitate western forces retain some strategic reserves in one or withdrawal that left a far more difficult situation than more strategic bases in Afghanistan after the end of the one that we hope to leave. 2014, the highly optimistic portrait that my right hon. Friend has painted will not long survive that date. Will Sir Menzies Campbell (North East Fife) (LD): I hope he confirm that America, regardless of pre-election that my right hon. Friend will excuse me if I return to statements, is actively considering retaining some form the issue of the attitude of the United States and of the of significant military presence in one or more strategic French, but there is a common background. Each country bases in Afghanistan? is in the throes of an acrimonious presidential election, and it leads me to the conclusion that statements may Mr Hague: That is a matter to be concluded between be made for political rather than military reasons. If the United States and Afghanistan. It is a pertinent some of the predictions, based on what Mr Panetta has question. The answer will depend on the definition that said and has never withdrawn, were to be fulfilled, the those countries together have for their future strategic 505 Afghanistan9 FEBRUARY 2012 Afghanistan 506

[Mr Hague] critical. One pleasing thing has been the literacy training programme, which 125,000 members of the security partnership. Of course, the long-term presence of United forces have passed through, greatly improving their States forces is a controversial subject in the region. The capabilities. Such work on quality has to continue, as matter has not been settled. I stress to my hon. Friend well as building up the size of the forces. the growing size and capability of the Afghan national security forces, which are building up to a total of Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) 352,000. They are equipping themselves extremely well (SNP): Now more than ever our armed forces need to in the current conditions. know that we are supporting them. Will the Secretary of State ensure that soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): will not be made redundant as part of the latest tranche I thank the Secretary of State for his reference to the of armed forces job cuts? welfare and rights of women in Afghanistan. However, he will be aware of the growing concerns highlighted in Mr Hague: Yes. Soldiers will not be made redundant The Guardian last week that improvements for women while serving in Afghanistan or within six months of will see a reversal. Women for Women International has coming back from service in Afghanistan, as my right asked that the allies do not pull out without insisting on hon. Friend the Defence Secretary has indicated. guarantees for women’s rights in Afghanistan. What specific commitments are the British Government and Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Will my right hon. our allies calling for to ensure that the support for Friend set out the extent of Iranian influence in Afghanistan women’s rights is not rhetoric and that women will stay and the support that Iran is giving to the insurgents? safe in Afghanistan in future? Mr Hague: My hon. Friend is assiduous in pointing Mr Hague: We are continuing to press the Government out the malign influence of Iran on its neighbours in of Afghanistan, who made important commitments at several directions. We are concerned about that in Syria the Bonn conference on this matter, to deliver on their at the moment, but it also applies to Afghanistan. There human rights commitments, including on the elimination have been clear incidents of practical Iranian support of violence against women law and the implementation for insurgent activity. We absolutely deplore that. of the UN convention on the elimination of all forms of Afghanistan will succeed most effectively if it is free of discrimination against women. As the hon. Lady will such influence. We have made that point to the Government know, we are taking a lot of other action to entrench of Afghanistan. the concept of women’s rights and women’s involvement in Afghan society and leadership. We have funded a Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): Withdrawal in contact project to provide support to female parliamentary with an enemy is most difficult and delicate, and must candidates and parliamentarians; supported a women’s be extremely well planned. I am mindful that when we legal aid centre in Kabul; and provided funding for went into Helmand in 2006, we had difficulties and the elimination of violence against women special fund stirred up a hornets’ nest. It is possible that the same and for a five-year women’s empowerment programme, will happen as we withdraw. I ask the Foreign Secretary implemented by the non-governmental organisation, and the Defence Secretary to ensure that the generals Womankind. Across the board, the United Kingdom who are planning our withdrawal are meticulous about has a good record on this subject. the withdrawal plan, so that we minimise the casualties. I hope that there will be none. Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): My noble Friend Lord Ashdown has written a highly critical account in Mr Hague: Of course my hon. Friend is quite right, the The Times this week of the international community’s and my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary, myself record in Afghanistan over more than a decade. He and the whole National Security Council will certainly concluded, with typical military bluntness, that only the be very conscious of that. Of course, in this case it is not poor bloody infantry, with all their courage and the withdrawal of all forces that is ensuring that there determination, can expect to march out of Afghanistan is space for political and economic development in with their heads held high. Although I do not expect the Afghanistan, since the Afghan national security forces Foreign Secretary to endorse that statement precisely, are being built up all the time. That is different from a does he agree with my noble Friend that alongside the complete withdrawal, but of course we will be very political process, it is critical that we leave behind an conscious of his point. Afghan army that is robust, professional and non-political? The upside of saying that we will have come to a Does he agree that that, and not the attempted eradication certain point by 2014 is that it concentrates the minds of of the Taliban, is the key security objective from now all others concerned. Our experience is that when we on? say to the Afghans that they will take security responsibility in a particular town or province on such a date, it is a Mr Hague: That is very important, as are all the forcing mechanism to encourage them to organise things that we have talked about, such as building a themselves to take that responsibility. We have to ensure viable Afghan state and creating a sustainable political that it has the same beneficial effect across the country. process. Those things are important, as well as the security gains. Lord Ashdown is right to draw attention Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): Having to the extraordinary role of our Army and other armed recently visited Afghanistan, I know that one of the key forces in making it possible to make progress in other issues in the transfer of security responsibility to the areas. It is right that building up the Afghan national ANSF is the alarmingly high churn of up to 30% in security forces, not only in numbers but in quality, is individual Afghan national army units. What plans 507 Afghanistan 9 FEBRUARY 2012 508 does the Foreign Secretary have to address that, for Point of Order example by ensuring that better leave arrangements are in place for ANA service personnel? 1.22 pm The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of the House of Commons (Mr David Heath): On a point Mr Hague: This is still an issue. The attrition rates of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. In answer to the hon. among the Afghan national army are still too high. The Member for Penistone and Stocksbridge (Angela Smith) average is 2.6% a month across the army, so let us get it in questions to the Leader of the House earlier, I may in perspective, but it is still higher than we would like it have given the impression that draft clauses had been to be. The target is 1.5%. Afghan national police attrition included in the consultation paper on the registration of rates have come down to more or less the 1.5% target, lobbyists. That is not so, although I repeat that it is the but they are nevertheless still too high. They show the Government’s intention to publish legislation in draft importance of the better training arrangements that are after the consultation has been concluded. I have already now in place. Better pension arrangements are also apologised to the hon. Lady in private, and I now do so being introduced, so a range of measures are being from the Dispatch Box. I wanted to correct the record brought forward to deal with that very problem. at the earliest opportunity. 509 9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 510

Somalia Mr Hague: Yes, of course. The right hon. Gentleman has been a great expert on, and friend of, Somaliland [Relevant document: The Tenth Report from the Foreign for a long time, and we can indeed make that distinction. Affairs Committee, Piracy off the coast of Somalia, I spoke to the President of Somaliland last week to HC 1318.] encourage him to come to the London conference, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International 1.22 pm Development has visited Somaliland. We give it a lot of assistance in many ways and welcome the fact that it The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth has become a more stable area within Somalia, and we Affairs (Mr William Hague): I beg to move, will welcome its participation at the London conference. That this House has considered the matter of how to build a I will come back to Somaliland later. I have been giving stable and peaceful Somalia. a general introduction to Somalia as a whole, but the At the encouragement of Mr Speaker I shall say a right hon. Gentleman is certainly right to make that word about the Maldives, at the other end of the Indian distinction. ocean, before I turn to Somalia. I know that some hon. Somalia as a whole not only cries out for compassion Members have been asking about it, and I am assured but is a point of great weakness in the long-term by Mr Speaker that I ought to address it since there security and prosperity of the wider world. The people have been developments there this week and it has not of Somalia deserve their country to be more stable and been possible for colleagues to ask questions. peaceful, and we in this country need it to be so. For I wish to register our concern about developments in reasons of national interest and our common humanity, the Maldives, in particular the reports of attacks on we need to help Somalia get on its feet. We need to do members and supporters of the Maldivian Democratic so to reduce our vulnerability to terrorist attacks, to party. The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and maintain the free flow of trade on which our economy Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member depends, to limit our exposure to the effects of uncontrolled for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), who is migration, to increase the support that we can give to responsible for the middle east, has spoken to both education and economic development in Somalia and former President Nasheed and the new President and to support the stability of a part of Africa where our expressed those concerns. It is for the new leadership to country has a great many interests and our nationals establish its legitimacy with its own people and the have been shown to be vulnerable. international community, with an independent review, Nearly $1 trillion of trade to and from Europe travelled we hope, of the circumstances that led to what happened through the gulf of Aden last year. Some 20,000 British earlier this week. We hope that it will demonstrate nationals live next door to Somalia in Kenya, and a its respect for the rule of law, including peaceful further 200,000 travel there every year. They would be demonstrations. I welcome the call for calm and order deeply affected if the violence in Somalia spread to its made by former President Nasheed to all his supporters. neighbours. My hon. Friend will be delighted to discuss with hon. Members the situation in the Maldives, with which he is All those interests are undoubtedly threatened by in close touch, if they wish. many factors in Somalia, including piracy and terrorism. The House will be familiar with many of the risks, so I As the House will well know, Somalia today is not will not list them in detail, but just one aspect of the stable or peaceful, and that is the matter that we are going crisis in Somalia brings home the problem dramatically. to consider today. It presents the most acute symptoms Large parts of south central Somalia are still controlled of state failure seen anywhere on the globe, even relative by the group known as al-Shabaab, which until recently to Afghanistan, which we have just been discussing. It occupied Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab has publicly declared has had no properly functioning central Government sympathy for al-Qaeda’s aims and methods, and elements for 20 years now, and it is the scene of some of the worst of its leadership welcome foreign fighters and sympathisers humanitarian suffering that the modern world has known. from around the world who have swelled its ranks and I will say more about that shortly, but I start with the coffers and used Somalia as a base for terrorism. single heart-rending, staggering and deplorable fact that between 50,000 and 100,000 people starved to death in Attack planning linked to extremist networks in Somalia Somalia last year, half of them children. Somalia’s has been thwarted from Sweden to Australia, and the problems present a growing threat to its own people, its Kampala bombings of July 2010, which killed 74 people, neighbours and the security of Britain and our allies were planned and executed by individuals with links to around the world. Somalia. Al-Shabaab’s violent tactics inflict suffering on Somalis, including through its known forced recruitment Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op): of children, and its embrace of al-Qaeda imposes a What the Foreign Secretary says about the situation in concept of global jihad and violent extremism that is Somalia is absolutely true, and his interest in it is greatly alien to most Somalis, highly damaging to their country appreciated not only in this country but, I am sure, and dangerous to us. worldwide. Will he take the opportunity to clarify the In the face of such threats, our Government contend, situation with regard to Somaliland, about which there as did the previous Government, that we do not have is sometimes misunderstanding? As he said, there has the option of disengaging from the problems of Somalia. been no effective central Government in the former We cannot afford simply to continue to treat the symptoms Somalia for more than 20 years, but there has been a of those problems without addressing the underlying very effective Government in Somaliland, albeit that it causes such as the fundamental lack of governance and has not been recognised as a separate state. Will he take security across most of Somalia. We believe that a the opportunity to acknowledge that difference between stronger and more united international approach is the situation in the north and the south? needed if we are to achieve a stable and peaceful Somalia 511 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 512 over time that combines political will with practical great in the last year—I could not have visited at all a measures to boost security and development. We also year ago. I can envisage that time if we do all the things judge that recent positive developments in Somalia mean that I shall describe. that the time is right for a new international effort. This It is because of that moment of opportunity that I moment of opportunity is why, in two weeks’ time, we mentioned that we have appointed a new ambassador will host the London conference on Somalia, bringing to Somalia for the first time since 1991—I took him to together 50 countries and organisations. present his credentials to the President of Somalia last week—and we are working to reopen our embassy in Tony Cunningham (Workington) (Lab): I very much Mogadishu. All of that is consistent with our interests welcome the conference on Somalia, but is there a in Somalia and the increased emphasis that we place on danger that the country’s humanitarian needs will be conflict prevention as a priority in British foreign policy. sidelined if there is too much emphasis on political and We do not take on that task lightly or without humility. security concerns? The international community has not succeeded in turning Somalia around, but that is not for a lack of effort by Mr Hague: There would be such a danger if we other Governments and this one in recent years. We constructed the conference in the wrong way. I am supported the important initiatives of the previous Labour talking about security concerns, but the UK makes Government, but we have not succeeded so far largely a huge contribution to addressing humanitarian concerns because the problems are so vast and complex, and —we were the second-largest bilateral donor in the because international policy is fragmented. recent humanitarian crisis. My right hon. Friend the We must always be clear-sighted and realistic in setting Secretary of State for International Development will our expectations for what we can achieve. We cannot host, alongside the conference, an event to discuss transform any of Somalia’s problems overnight or impose humanitarian needs. As I will describe, one of the a political solution on it. Britain cannot achieve any of conclusions that we hope for from the conference is to the goals I am discussing without working with a broad highlight those humanitarian needs. range of countries across the world and Somalis themselves, This is about much more than security, as I will but we can aim for the long-term goal of a Somalia that describe. is more stable; that is able to meet the basic needs of its population; that can begin to build its economy with international support; that is able to govern its territory; Laura Sandys (South Thanet) (Con): I very much and that can work with us to prevent terrorism flourishing welcome the conference in London, but how will it on its soil. To do that we must try to change the differ from the one that is being held in Turkey? What dynamic in Somalia, from the trends of recent years of are the differences between the objectives of the Turkish inexorable decline to an upwards trajectory of gradually conference and the UK-based one? increasing stability and security. To achieve even that is an immense challenge. Our Mr Hague: They will be integrated. I have discussed recent experiences of rebuilding states after conflict are that a couple of times with my Turkish counterpart. In that the international community has a tendency to set recognition of our conference in February, the Turks unrealistic goals that are not fulfilled, disappointing the have moved their conference back a little to later in the expectations of the people we are trying to help and year. Both Turkey and the UK hope that that will weakening the impact of our efforts. We must not make follow on from the progress we make in London. The the same mistake with Somalia. We have a responsibility conference in London is largely at Head of State level—it to match ambition with resources, our expectations will be hosted by the Prime Minister, and many Heads with a good understanding of realities, and our hopes of State and Heads of Government will be coming—and for quick results with the likely need for patient and will address the whole range of issues affecting Somalia. long-term engagement. It is therefore one of the most ambitious conferences that has been held internationally on Somalia. I believe Somalia today is a nation still at war with itself and it will help to establish momentum for all the conferences without a sustainable peace. Its conflict has taken many that will follow, including the one in Istanbul. forms over the past 20 years, from clan-based regional insurgencies, which overthrew the ruling regime in 1991, through warlordism, to the current violent insurgency Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): I am grateful of al-Shabaab. There have been 14 peace processes in to the Foreign Secretary for giving way on that point that time, culminating in the current UN-led Djibouti and I welcome the conference and all discussions that peace process. Somalia’s problems are compounded take place on Somalia. It is past time that there was and fuelled by geography, such as the fact that it has the detailed involvement. Can he envisage a day when a longest coastline in Africa—it is more than 3,000 km conference on the future of Somalia will be held in long—and yet has no functioning coastguard or navy. Somalia, which would show real movement and a real The scale of the human suffering is unimaginable and advance? the number of victims so large as to be hard to fathom by people in this country. To put it in terms that would Mr Hague: I can envisage that day, but we are not hit home here in Britain, more people in Somalia are there yet. As the right hon. Member for Cardiff South dependent on emergency assistance than the entire and Penarth (Alun Michael) said, there are stable areas populations of Edinburgh, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds in Somalia and some stable regional and local Governments. and Liverpool put together; the number of people displaced Based on what I saw on my visit last week, I would not in Somalia is seven times the population of Nottingham; say that the conditions are right to hold an international and the average life expectancy in the 21st century is 48, conference there yet, but the improvement has been which is roughly the same as life expectancy in Britain 513 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 514

[Mr Hague] than the current elite does; to help people to return to Mogadishu and rebuild their lives there; to strengthen in 1880. An entire generation of children in Somalia has the African Union forces in Somalia; to put in place a grown up with guns, not school books, knowing nothing plan to build up Somalia’s own security and justice other than insecurity and deprivation. sectors; to introduce more effective arrangements to Even against that sober background, however, we can tackle piracy and terrorism; and to work better to see a glimmer of hope for Somalia today. There are support the pockets of stability that are now emerging three compelling reasons why the time is right for a in parts of the country. major push on Somalia, the first of which is that That is what the Somalia conference will aim to do. Mogadishu has been liberated by African Union Mission We have invited Government and multilateral organisations in Somalia forces, thanks to the skill and courage of the that are active and influential on Somalia; representatives Ugandan and Burundian troops that form the backbone from Somalia, including the transitional federal institutions; of the African Union contingent in Somalia. I saw that the Presidents of Puntland and Galmudug; and myself when I visited Mogadishu a week ago today. It representatives of Aluh Sunnah wal Jamaah. We welcome was encouraging to see people going to the shops and the participation of the President of Somaliland, with markets. The road to the airport was crowded and some the experience that Somaliland can provide of peacebuilding were looking forward to going to the beach on Friday. in the region. Those are semblances of normal life compared with We have secured senior attendance from the region, what they have experienced in the past few years. including from Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, as well as Nevertheless, it is hard to see many buildings that from the United States, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, have no bullet holes in them, or that are not scarred by Nigeria, Sweden, the United Nations, the African Union the effect of war. Today, almost all of Mogadishu is and the European Union. I am delighted to say that UN controlled by AMISOM and the transitional federal Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will attend the conference. Government forces, and other regions are more stable, We hope to agree practical measures in seven key making it possible to make progress on Somali governance. areas, all of which I discussed on my visit to Mogadishu Djibouti has sent troops further to strengthen AMISOM, and Kenya last week, and which are the subject of and Sierra Leone is expected to provide a battalion in extensive discussion with our partners all around the July, making further progress a possibility. world ahead of the conference. The second reason for optimism is that those operations On the political track, the current transitional institutions and successful counter-terrorism work are putting pressure in Mogadishu run out in August. They must not be on al-Shabaab. We need to seize the opportunity to extended. The Somali political process must become intensify that pressure and not allow al-Shabaab to broader and more representative. That might involve a regroup. Its guerrilla tactics inflict huge suffering on constitutional assembly drawn from all of Somalia’s ordinary Somalis and it harbours foreign extremists, as communities. I have described. On security, African Union forces have pushed Related to that, the international community has al-Shabaab out of Mogadishu to create political space made progress in diminishing the pirate activity that is a there, and Kenyan action has put al-Shabaab on the symptom of, and contributor to, Somalia’s conflict. back foot. However, African forces have insufficient There have been no successful hijacks in the gulf of funding for UN Security Council-mandated actions. Aden since November 2010. The number of vessels and We therefore hope that the conference will consider how crews currently held by pirate groups is at its lowest funding can be made sustainable for African troops since 2009. Twenty-two ships were hijacked off the willing to put their lives on the line. coast of Somalia between November 2010 and January The success stories in Somalia are in the regions. 2011, but in the same period in the past year only two Puntland and Galmudug have established local peace ships were hijacked. deals and set up administrations. The conference should The third reason for optimism is that there is an agree a co-ordinated international package of support opportunity to create a broader and more representative to Somalia’s regions that complements work on peace political arrangement when the transitional federal and stability at the national level. Government’s mandate expires this summer. That gives Piracy off the Somali coast is the affront to the rule an opening to launch a broader political process that of international law that I described. We must break the embraces all Somalis, and that places emphasis on piracy business cycle. We hope the conference will strengthen supporting regional governance as well as better and arrangements to catch, try and imprison pirates, and more representative government from the centre. continue to develop regional maritime capacity in Somalia I pay tribute to the Governments and parties that and across the region. have played a part in bringing that about; to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): As one knows from Development, who has made two visits to Somalia this the UN court in Sierra Leone, imprisoning people is year; and to staff from the Foreign and Commonwealth quite expensive. Does my right hon. Friend or DFID Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for have any suggestions for how the international community International Development, who have all played an can ensure that sufficient prisons are built to hold these important role. pirates and make sure they do not disappear? Secondly, Those changes on the ground give the international and related to that, one argument put forward to explain community a window of opportunity to unite behind a this piracy is that too many of the fisheries have been clear strategy; to support a new political process that taken. What can we do to enhance fisheries protection has greater legitimacy in the eyes of the Somali people off Somalia? 515 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 516

Mr Hague: The United Kingdom is very active on the We hope to emerge from the London conference with provision of increased prison places in the country and a stronger common understanding of the way forward the region. The Department for International Development and a renewed political commitment for the long haul. is helping to fund the construction of three prisons; in Beyond the conference itself, we will continue to be an fact, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for active member of international groups on Somalia, International Development has been to see the construction including the international contact group on Somalia of one of them, so we are involved in that. and the contact group on piracy off the coast of Somalia, My hon. Friend is right about the fishing issue. The and we will maintain our strong bilateral engagement. Minister for Africa—the Under-Secretary of State for Through the Department for International Development, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend Britain is providing substantial development support the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham)— over the next four years, working on longer-term and I have been engaged in encouraging the transitional programmes to address the underlying causes of poverty federal Government in Mogadishu to claim their exclusive and conflict and helping Somalis to take control of economic zone, and we will encourage their successors their lives and rebuild their communities and livelihoods. do the same, because that will give them the necessary That involves working with local and regional governments rights to the waters off Somalia. They will, of course, in areas such as Puntland, which the Development then need a coastguard, naval and maritime capability Secretary visited last month, where we will help build of some kind to enforce those rights, but, as I mentioned democratic institutions that can respond to the needs of earlier, that is one of the issues we also want to address. their citizens, help the police and justice systems work These things are therefore part of the longer-term solution so that people can feel more secure, and increase access to piracy, and my hon. Friend is quite right to ask about to health care, education and jobs, which are absolutely them. critical to Somalis and to breaking the cycle of piracy. I was just listing some of the aims of our conference. We intend to make it harder for terrorists to operate in Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab): Will and out of Somalia. We hope the conference will agree the conference look at giving people in Somalia access the areas we need to develop to disrupt terrorism across to humanitarian aid, which has been blocked by al-Shabaab? the region, including stopping the movement of terrorists One million people were being supported by the to and from Somalia, disrupting the flow of their finances International Committee of the Red Cross and others. and supporting the Somali criminal justice sector so Secondly, what steps have been taken to involve and that it can detain and prosecute terrorists in a human engage the British Somali diaspora, which has many rights-compliant manner. members in my constituency and elsewhere, as part of the discussions and the build-up to the conference? Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): There are disturbing reports that about 50 British nationals are involved with Mr Hague: Humanitarian access is a critical issue al-Shabaab. Has my right hon. Friend heard such reports, that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for and are they justified? International Development has pursued for a long time. Part of our objective in doing most of the things I have described is to improve humanitarian access and the Mr Hague: Yes, they are justified. It would, of course, ability to encourage sound development across parts of be difficult to put a precise number on these things, Somalia, including those that are currently under the but we are concerned about foreign fighters, in general, control of al-Shabaab. going to Somalia, and there is certainly evidence that The diaspora in this country has an important role to they include British fighters. Wherever that occurs, and play. Yesterday, Chatham House held an excellent wherever we are aware of it, we work in various ways conference with many leading figures from the Somali with the authorities in the region, including in neighbouring diaspora in the United Kingdom. I spoke to the conference countries, and with the emerging authorities in Somalia to set out the objectives of the London conference in to try to contain that threat. That is why the defeat of two weeks’ time, and my hon. Friend the Minister for terrorism in the area is an important national objective Africa spent many hours there. The views expressed at for the United Kingdom. the conference are now being fed into our preparations On the humanitarian front, the conference provides for the London conference. We look to Somalis in this an opportunity to highlight the need for donors to country to assist as actively as they can with engagement continue to respond generously and on the basis of with Somalia. Somalia is partly dependent on the needs, to invest more in livelihoods and basic social remittances it receives from the diaspora overseas; in services, to increase the resilience of households in fact, those remittances amount to more than $1 billion Somalia to future economic shocks and to help reduce a year, which is more than the total assistance from the likelihood of future famines. foreign Governments. The diaspora therefore plays a We want London to be the start, not the end, of a crucial role in the future of its country, and we recognise new process—the process I have described. We want the that in the preparations we are making for the conference. conference to agree on how we handle Somali issues in We want to help ensure that last year’s tragic future, on a revitalised international contact group, on humanitarian crisis is never repeated. Britain has been UN and African leadership and on more countries one of the most generous donors to the relief effort, deploying diplomats and staff into Somalia, not just having provided £128 million to the relief effort across basing themselves in Kenya, as many, including ourselves, the horn of Africa since July, including £57 million for have had to do in recent years. Those are all practical Somalia alone, in addition to our main development but meaningful steps that will have an impact on the programme and on top of the £72 million raised by the ground. Disasters Emergency Committee from concerned people 517 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 518

[Mr Hague] Alongside the security threat, the United Kingdom is also deeply affected by the inevitable burden of responsibility in this country. British aid has reached more than that it rightly shares with the rest of the international 1 million vulnerable people, saved the lives of thousands community to protect and provide for those affected by and contributed to lifting 750,000 people out of famine the ongoing humanitarian crisis and seeking refuge, aid and the risk of imminent death. and sanctuary during these desperate times. Given all We are proud of the role that we play and the those factors, I support the Government’s stated intention example we set to others. The UK also contributes 14% to affirm Somalia as a key priority of British foreign of all European Union spending in and on Somalia, and development policy in the years ahead. including on development and humanitarian aid, and Although Somalia’s decline goes back much further we actively support all three international naval operations than the past few months, the timeliness of this debate in the waters around Somalia, including by providing reflects the fact that the situation on the ground has the operational commander and the headquarters in changed dramatically in recent months, as the Foreign Northwood near London for the EU naval mission Secretary made clear. Al-Shabaab has suffered several Operation Atalanta. All that work will continue beyond military setbacks that have seen it pushed out of parts the London conference on Somalia, because it is only of the southern border areas of Somalia and most of through such a sustained and co-ordinated effort that Mogadishu, creating an opportunity for the Government we can play our part in helping to build a stable and to strengthen their hold in these crucial areas. In the peaceful Somalia. second half of last year, famine struck six regions of southern Somalia, and although the United Nations That will be the Government’s approach. We will has, I am pleased to say, declared the famine officially pursue a policy that is realistic, based on our national over, the situation remains fragile and millions more interests as well as our international obligations, conscious could still die if international support is not maintained. of the enormity of the problems and aware that only Somalis can resolve their political differences. It is a The changing situation in the country provides an policy based on partnership with other nations, because opportunity, but no more than that—I respectfully it is only by working with others that we can address the suggest—because the causes of state failure lie much scale and international dimensions of the conflict in deeper than the recently changing dynamics on the Somalia, and it is a policy that is broad and comprehensive, ground. For many years, the state in Somalia has not that recognises that it is not enough to treat the symptoms existed in any meaningful sense. It has failed to secure of the problem without addressing its underlying causes, its borders, monopolise force within the territory and and that encompasses development, human security even to provide basic services to its people. As a result, and the rule of law, human rights and political participation, Somalia faces challenges of security, governance and as well as counter-terrorism and counter-piracy. That is corruption that would test even the strongest of states. the approach that we will urge the international community That is the context of the conflict with the Islamist to maintain, through the London conference, and which terrorist organisation, al-Shabaab, and of a famine that I hope will have the full support of the House. has put 4 million people in crisis and caused the displacement of about 2 million people and the spread of violence perpetrated by terrorists and pirates who 1.51 pm terrorise the local population and destabilise the region as a whole. Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire It is vital that we can distinguish between symptom South) (Lab): I was a little surprised that the Foreign and cause in relation to a state that has failed as Secretary chose to mention the Maldives without the comprehensively as Somalia. The structural failures of courtesy of prior notification, but I have noted all that widespread violence, endemic corruption, weak governance he said on the matter. and a state unable to maintain a monopoly of force over I welcome the opportunity to debate Somalia this its own population in turn contribute to desperate poverty, afternoon. Although I obviously welcome the conference the rise of non-state terror and violence, and the on 23 February, it is necessary to put the changes of Government’s failure to deliver basic goods and services. recent months within the broader context of the decades It is vital, therefore, that the London conference and the of conflict, poverty and violence that Somalia and the work that follows from it address not simply the symptoms horn of Africa more widely have endured. Somalia’s but the causes of Somalia’s decline—at root a profound crisis did not begin with the poor rains of 2010 or the failure of politics and, more broadly, of governance. collapse of the Somali dictatorship in 1991; the tragedy Each of us inevitably brings our own perspective and in Somalia has been the inevitability of the cycles of experience to this debate. For myself, this involves not despair from which, to date, it is has been unable to only being a Member representing a constituent, a escape. merchant seaman, taken hostage for some time by It is right to begin by acknowledging, as the Foreign Somali pirates but my work as International Development Secretary did, the significance of Somalia to the United Secretary in the previous Government working to find Kingdom. Somalia’s trajectory of decline poses real ways to deliver aid and support development in what is threats to our security and continues to draw on British undoubtedly one of the most challenging environments resources. The threat of piracy, kidnapping and terrorism, on earth during some of the most desperate years of and the potential radicalisation of British youth in violence and famine that the country has experienced. terrorist training camps across the country, all directly Aid to Somalia increased from just over £3 million in threaten the security and stability of the region, as well 2002 to more than £30 million by 2009, which meant as posing an immediate risk to British interests at home that we could achieve limited but real progress in dealing and abroad. with some of the most acute challenges facing Somalia, 519 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 520 including helping to deliver basic health care, treatment bodies, progress remains limited. The number of attempted for malnutrition and improved clean water and sanitation attacks, the cost to the industry and the cost of ransoms facilities. I say with genuine humility, however, that have all increased significantly since 2007. notwithstanding these sustained efforts, progress was In addressing the issue of piracy, a co-ordinated limited. This was not a failure of will but a testament to international response is therefore key.NATO, the European the scale of the challenge that we faced then and that Union and the combined maritime taskforce have all remains today. thankfully established naval operations to counter piracy, Then, as now, it is important to acknowledge that a and we welcome the fact that the UK has contributed response to the pressing humanitarian crisis is a necessary naval assets to all three operations. We also support the but not sufficient condition for dealing with the broad Prime Minister’s recent announcement that armed guards spectrum of challenges that face Somalia. Circumstances will be allowed to be used in protecting UK ships, on the ground, specifically the changing security situation, although I would be grateful if the Minister could provide new opportunities for action, so I shall first confirm whether the terms of engagement for those address some of the symptoms of Somalia’s recent armed guards have been agreed. Although tackling decline before addressing the root cause. Somali piracy cuts across a number of Departments, I shall begin with the most immediate level of human will the Minister also indicate which has the overall lead suffering that has added such an immense sense of on countering piracy? urgency to this crisis. The humanitarian situation in Let me turn more generally to terrorism and criminality, Somalia has been described as a chronic catastrophe. which continue to plague Somalia and pose an increasing The horn of Africa has experienced one of the worst risk to British security and British interests. Large areas droughts in 60 years and the most severe food crisis in of Somalia are today still controlled by militants, and the world since Somalia’s famine in 1991. The situation Somalia has become a haven for some of the worst in Somalia is deteriorating so rapidly that for the first criminality and terrorism to be found anywhere on time in 10 years, the UN last year announced a famine earth. As early as 2010, the MI5 director general warned across the country. Almost 4 million people—more of the threat posed to Britain from the rise of terrorist than half the population—are living in crisis, with training camps in Somalia, one of the gravest security 750,000 of them living in absolute famine. That is an threats that our country faces, not least because there increase of 46% from July last year. are now steady numbers of UK nationals known to be The situation is made all the more severe as a result of receiving training in al-Shabaab camps in Somalia. We the deteriorating security situation in parts of the country are right to be concerned that those who are today and the stranglehold of the Islamist organisations that fighting alongside al-Shabaab could some day redirect continue to hold sway in parts of the country. Since the their focus back towards the population in the United first failed rains in 2010, international aid efforts have Kingdom. Will the Minister give an updated assessment been in place, but from the outset they have been beset from the agencies of the scale and character of the by challenges, particularly al-Shabaab’s decision to ban Somali-based threat to British interests? some aid organisations from operating in the country. Alongside the threat from al-Shabaab-affiliated camps, An immediate task, therefore, is to alleviate the suffering there is also growing concern about the spread of al-Qaeda- resulting from the famine declared by the UN. When inspired jihadists across the country. Somalia today is the Minister winds up this debate, will he share with the showing many of the worrying characteristics that made House some of the Government’s thinking about how Afghanistan so dangerous a seedbed for terrorism under the immediate humanitarian needs can be better addressed the permissive regime created by the Taliban. Strengthening and international efforts better co-ordinated in the critical counter-terrorism co-operation in Somalia—and, indeed, months ahead? across the region—is of vital national interest to the I turn to the piracy off the coast of Somalia, which United Kingdom, and will be a crucial step on the path was mentioned by the Foreign Secretary. Somali piracy towards securing peace and stability for Somalia. I hope has recently grown into a major international problem, and trust, on the basis of the Foreign Secretary’s remarks, exacerbating many of the underlying challenges that we that it will therefore find a place on the agenda of the face in promoting the rule of law and in helping Somalia London conference. to recover from conflict and famine, not least because I have spoken of the symptoms of decline that have many argue that some of the ransom money paid to plagued the people of Somalia and threatened the vital Somali pirates is finding its way back into funding interests of the UK and the wider international community. groups like al-Shabaab. It is right that tackling those symptoms should remain a Somali piracy also threatens vital trading routes and high priority for the Government, but let me turn to poses significant risks to international security, which what I believe are some of the underlying causes that makes it an ever-more pressing aspect of the crisis must be addressed if we are to make genuinely sustainable which must be addressed if significant progress is to be progress on other fronts. Military efforts—although made. I welcome the limited progress of which the welcome, and significant in recent months—will not Foreign Secretary spoke, but there are currently thought alone bring a lasting peace to Somalia. Structural political to be between 1,500 and 3,000 pirates operating off the reform is the only sure foundation for progress. The coast of Somali. Some 49 of the world’s 52 hijackings depth of the failure of governance has to be understood last year took place off the coast of Somalia, and the in order to understand the depth of the crisis still facing global annual cost of piracy has been estimated at Somalia today. Somalia has not had a functioning between $7 billion and $12 billion. Despite nine United Government for 21 years. Since 2004, the country has, Nations Security Council resolutions, three multinational at least in name, been governed by the transitional naval operations and a counter-piracy policy that has federal Government. Beset by corruption and institutionally been taken forward by a number of different international weak, Somalia’s transitional Government now have only 521 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 522

[Mr Douglas Alexander] past decades. Given that, we would like to ask the Minister some specific questions about the approach six months before their mandate expires. However, in that he plans to take at the upcoming conference on these crucial few months, the situation on the ground 23 February and what steps he will take to ensure that it has changed dramatically. For the first time in years, is not a missed opportunity, but the start of real progress. Somalia now has a Government who can hold and Given that the strength or weakness of the TFG will control a portion of Somali territory beyond the borders prove to be as decisive for the future of Somalia as the of Mogadishu. That is a significant advance, but the strength or weakness of Al-Shabaab, how will the fundamental question remains whether the TFG are in conference progress without either guarantees of security a position to benefit from, and capitalise on, the military on the ground or a credible partner in the TFG for the progress being made, and thereby fully assume responsibility task of political reconciliation and reform? It is clear for security across the country. that the problems of Somalia will not be solved by a The international community cannot ignore the reality single conference, but will require a continued process that the TFG are seen by many Somalis as inadequate of engagement and reform. Given that, what measures and ill-equipped to deal with the immense task at hand. are being put in place now to ensure that the outcomes For many Somalis, the record of the TFG is marred by of the conference are sustainable over the long term? allegations of corruption, embezzlement and state- In order to be sustainable, the outcomes must be sponsored violence. For others, the TFG are still largely closely linked to the existing United Nations structures—the seen as a Government made up of the victors of Somalia’s Djibouti process has been mentioned—that are already bloody civil war. Many struggle to see the current in place. Given that, what measures are being taken to leadership as representing Somalia as a whole. In August, ensure that the decisions taken at the conference are even as the United Nations agreed to extend the TFG’s effectively linked to the existing goals, strategies and transitional mandate for one more year, it noted that objectives of the United Nations operation in Somalia? the TFG had failed to accomplish a single one of their Given that part of the task of the conference must be to previously agreed goals in the seven years since they tackle the root cause of so many of Somalia’s problems—a were created, including completing a Somali constitution chronic failure of governance—what steps has the Minister and holding local elections. taken to ensure that civil society groups from across In less than six months, the transitional period is due Somalia are engaged at all stages of the process of to come to an end. Neither allowing a political vacuum political transition? Finally, will the Minister set out to develop nor simply continuing with business as usual how the goals and objectives of the conference are is sufficient under the circumstances. A key challenge expected to tie in with the existing timetable, set out in for the London conference, therefore, is to encourage the road map on political reform that is already in the development of a political process that is deemed place? legitimate and judged inclusive, and that allows all It is clear that Somalia today stands at a critical those Somalis who wish to play a constructive role in juncture in its history. 2012 is a crucial year for the their country’s future to take part. For durable progress political process in Somalia, and 2011 saw significant to take hold, the transition stage must end and the task security progress on the ground. It is right, therefore, of establishing permanent representative government that we must seize this opportunity to make real progress structures, based on a robust constitutional processes, and deliver a better and more secure future for the must begin. people of Somalia. However, our broad experience of supporting countries emerging from conflict—as well Alongside the pressing need for an effective transitional as our more recent experience of state building— political arrangement in Somalia, establishing effective demonstrates that changes in the security environment political structures will also be a crucial step towards in Somalia will not alone be sufficient to bring real hope enabling the people of Somalia to engage with the for development. Instead, what is needed is an approach ongoing demands and struggles for representation and to reform the governance structures that lie at the heart self-determination that communities in the country have of so many of the more visible symptoms of state long been seeking. On that issue, I praise the work that failure that we see on the ground in Somalia today. The many colleagues across the House have done to promote challenge is one that will take years and decades to the cause and facilitate the genuine progress that has tackle, not weeks and months; but this should harden, been achieved—in particular, the work of my right hon. rather than weaken, our shared resolve. Friend the Member for Cardiff South and Penarth (Alun Michael). In government, we were clear in acknowledging the unique and distinct character of 2.9 pm Somaliland and Puntland, and continue to defend their Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): I congratulate right to appropriate representation. However, we must the Foreign Secretary on his speech, on the work that he be clear that the task of securing legitimate representation is doing in this regard, and on the establishment of the must not be divorced from the broader task of developing conference. I congratulate the Secretary of State for the inclusive national political structures that are a International Development on his many visits to Somalia. necessary part of Somalia’s development into a stable I also congratulate the shadow Foreign Secretary on his and secure country. speech, and particularly the passage on piracy, which The case for focusing sustained effort on Somalia is bore a close resemblance to the Foreign Affairs Committee’s clear. However, there have been many attempts—which, report on the subject. to be fair to the Foreign Secretary, he acknowledged—by Somalia is a country of violence, insecurity and human the international community that have so far failed to tragedy. The recent famine resulted in thousands of resolve the underlying tensions that have had such people being displaced, suffering and dying. In its wake, devastating consequences for the people of Somalia in the famine has brought conflict, insecurity and a slow 523 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 524 response from the international community. The cause is they are now pausing, however, and trying to find out weak political leadership. There have been 15 internationally whether they have the backing of the international sponsored peace talks but, at the end of the day, their community. conclusions have failed to produce a settlement. In the As the Foreign Secretary said, there will be an view of Saferworld, an excellent non-governmental opportunity, when the transitional national Government’s organisation that spends a lot of time on the ground, mandate ends, to look at a broader base from which to that is because the debate revolves around exclusive conduct policy. The essential needs, however, are to deny processes between Somalia’s political elites and foreigners. terrorists a base from which to operate, and to establish Local Somalis feel shut out, and a trust deficit has stability. The conference must look at the root causes: opened up between them and their leaders. It is important poverty, human rights issues, security and the need to that the conference does not go down that route. I quite work with civil society. It must also focus on conflict understand that civil society groups will not be attending prevention, the elimination of famine and hunger and a conference of Heads of State, but I hope that there the improvement of health. I am the first to recognise will be close contact with that particular group in the that Rome was not built in a day, however, and I think build-up to the conference. that this will take a generation of input and influence. Without security, we cannot address the humanitarian The Foreign Affairs Committee recently published a situation or promote longer-term development. Defeating report on piracy, which is one of the headings for the al-Shabaab and piracy will not be enough; we must conference. It might seem self-centred to talk about eliminate local grievances and conflicts within parties. something that affects British interests: shipping comprises This is not only about peace with al-Shabaab; it is 1.8% of our gross domestic product. None the less, about lower-level conflicts, and I welcome the focus on piracy is a component part of Somalia’s instability, and local areas of stability. We must be careful, however, it clearly needs to be addressed. As the Foreign Secretary not to derail the process by putting in too much by way pointed out, 40% of world trade passes through the of resources and making unrealistic bureaucratic Indian ocean and the Gulf of Aden. Globally, the demands without having a good understanding of local annual cost of piracy runs at between $7 billion and power dynamics. We must promote legitimate $12 billion. The extra costs to shipping include the extra representation, which is often different from what is premiums, the ransoms, the extra staff required, the expected internationally. It is grounded in traditional higher wages and the danger money; they all add up to processes, which are sometimes more successful than a substantial sum. local elections. This is not easy—even Somalis disagree Piracy perpetrates instability in Somalia and threatens about it—but important issues of human rights, democracy other economies. Nairobi has seen an increase in criminality, and the role of women are involved. for example. There is a threat to international security, I would be interested to hear from the Under-Secretary and rumours of links between the pirates and al-Shabaab. of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my There is also the human cost. Some 3,500 hostages have hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk been taken, 62 of whom have been killed. There are up (Mr Bellingham), about the two-state solution that was to 3,000 pirates operating off the coast of Somalia. mentioned by the right hon. Member for Cardiff South They are a mixture of fishermen and maritime criminals. and Penarth (Alun Michael). I have to confess that I They are all aged between 15 and 30, and they are have an open mind on that question, but I find it uneducated and unskilled. Their operations stretch far slightly ironic that a Welsh MP who believes in the into the Indian ocean. United Kingdom should be calling for such a separation in Somalia. The pirates’ behaviour is the complete opposite of the traditional role of the pirate that we read about in Alun Michael: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? books when we were kids. Then, the pirates captured the ship, threw the crew over the side and sold the cargo. Richard Ottaway: Yes—I asked for that. Today, the crew is the valuable item because the cargo is hard to sell. The pirates operate by sailing a single skiff Alun Michael: In Wales we believe in the value of alongside a ship, throwing up a hook and hopping on being part of the United Kingdom as well as having board. They operate out of mother ships that have a certain devolved matters. Were that choice available to range of some 1,400 miles. They behave in a violent the Somalilanders, it would be acceptable, but it should manner; some 15 crewmen were killed in 2011. be their choice. The impact of piracy specifically on the UK has been limited. We all know of the case of Paul and Rachel Richard Ottaway: My comment, made in jest, has Chandler and their yacht, the Lynn Rival. I am pleased produced a serious response from the right hon. Gentleman. to say that they are now free, and that their yacht is Countries that function well should stay together, but back in their custody.Two ships were affected in 2009—the those that do not function well obviously do not want MV St James’s Park and the Asian Glory—and Judith to know about each other. I would be interested to hear Tebbutt was snatched from a Kenyan beach. She remains the Minister’s views on that matter. in custody. It is therefore right and proper that the UK We have a long way to go before we achieve stability. should play a leading role in the international response The famine conditions are ending, but tens of thousands to piracy, and we are all very much involved in that. have died and 1.5 million have been displaced. Al-Shabaab The response from ship owners has been good. They has banned contact with the International Committee recognise the need for self-defence and for best management of the Red Cross. At the same time, African Union practices to minimise the risk of attack. Some nations troops are conducting a major offensive, and the Kenyans have put vessel protection detachments on their ships. are establishing a buffer zone on their southern border They are troops from the nation state in question. Many as they try to cope with large numbers of refugees. Even ship owners have also started to use private armed 525 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 526

[Richard Ottaway] International maritime law allows pirates to be prosecuted anywhere, and former French Minister Jack Lang has security guards. It is a fact that no ship with armed suggested to the UN Security Council that an international guards on board has ever been pirated; it is a significant piracy tribunal might be established. The Government and effective deterrent. The Foreign Affairs Committee were right to reject that proposition, which would have therefore welcomes the Government’s announcement been very expensive and complicated, and to focus that private armed security guards will be allowed on instead on the transfer agreements to Kenya. Given that British ships. The Government have published interim such transfers have recently stopped, however, I would guidance, but it is thin on detail. It has been left to the like to know what steps the Foreign Office will take to ship owners to draw up the rules, and—dare one say restart them. it—the responsibility for the outcome has been offloaded The ransoms that have been paid have been eye- on to the shoulders of the owners. The guidance advises wateringly high. In 2007, the average ransom was $600,000, use of the minimum force necessary. There is a question but that figure had grown to $5 million by 2011. The to which everyone needs an answer, however. If a skiff is total ransom sums paid in 2011 were $135 million. They approaching a ship at high speed carrying pirates with are paid by air drop, and owners see them as the price of rifles or rocket-propelled grenade launchers, can the doing business. Ransom payments are not illegal under armed guards on board the ship open fire? The Government UK law but, rightly, Government policy is that ransoms must provide clearer direction on this. If Royal Navy should not be paid and they have nothing to do with ransom troops were on board these ships, they would be given payments. However, one is left with the slight feeling guidance on what to do. That guidance should be made that they have been turning a blind eye to the practice. available to private armed security guards. I have no better suggestion at present, however, other Some 60 marine security companies operate in the than that we should take a harder look at financial area, and it is very difficult to tell which of them are tracking. We have little information about where ransom good and which are bad. We must give some consideration money goes. Some goes to the pirates, some goes to to the question of licensing weapons. We must also Somali officials, and one suspects that some goes to liaise with port and coastal states surrounding Somalia, terrorist groups and international criminals. We need to establish an agreement on the transit of weapons both more information and more action on tracking. used by private armed security guards. The Serious Organised Crime Agency might investigate The naval policing of the Indian ocean has been the flows of ransom money through the UK financial good, but patchy. In response to UN calls, there are now system, and the Government should establish a mechanism three ongoing international operations. NATO Operation to collect data. Ocean Shield and the EUNAVFOR—European Union I apologise to the House for having focused almost Naval Force Somalia—Operation Atalanta both operate exclusively on piracy, but it has been a particularly from Northwood, where they are based in adjacent difficult problem. In truth, the Government have not rooms. There is also the combined US multinational been doing badly, but there is much more to be done. taskforce, operating from the Gulf. Several other countries Somalia remains a very troubled region, and I wish the also have their own regimes. There should be a greater conference well and hope the outcome will be successful. degree of co-ordination. Do we really need three different organisations, all regularly travelling to the Gulf to 2.25 pm discuss operations? We accept that this is not an immediate priority, but it must be addressed. Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op): The naval response has been effective. Although the I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s speech and his enthusiastic number of attacks has risen, the proportion of successful engagement with these issues. He is being very ambitious, attacks has fallen. This year alone, however, there have and I applaud him for that. I also applaud the Secretary been two successful hijackings and Somali pirates have of State for International Development. He has visited taken 28 hostages. The Royal Navy Fort Victoria engaged Somaliland, and so, too, has the Under-Secretary of in a highly successful intervention, in which 14 pirates State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. were arrested and taken to the Seychelles. It is right that Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), the we adopt a cautious approach to military operations, Minister with responsibility for Africa. I wish them well but there is more work to be done in this area. in their endeavours. I roundly applaud the energy that is being put into the British engagement in Somaliland International co-ordination is particularly important and Somalia. in one respect. There have been nine UN Security I also congratulate the shadow Foreign Secretary on Council resolutions and we have established a contact his contribution to the debate. When he was International group on piracy, in which the UK is playing a prominent Development Secretary, he took a great interest in this role, but we must now address how to get the pirates to subject, and that came across in his speech. He met the justice. Nine out of every 10 pirates taken are released Somali community in Cardiff, as did the then Foreign without trial. The failure to prosecute has been criticised Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for South by industry. The Baltic Exchange has said that the Shields (David Miliband). There has been a Somali “UK has gained a degree of notoriety” community in Cardiff, in the docks area of my constituency, for failure to prosecute. In the past two years, 21 pirates since about the 1830s. It is now a community that is have been transferred to other nations, but recently passionately committed both to Wales and being British, there have been practical difficulties in the implementation and to Somaliland. I shall talk about that shortly. of such transfers. There are also difficulties in respect of The Foreign Secretary highlighted the issue of security. the presentation of evidence at trial, and we must That sometimes comes very close to home. In just the review how we collect evidence. past few days, three men from Cardiff have appeared in 527 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 528 court on terrorism-related offences, and I believe that so many people in the long term would involve huge they will be sentenced today. Only a few weeks ago, two problems—and we have to look at the long term. I young men from Cardiff went to Kenya with the intention know that the right hon. Gentleman is thinking along of travelling across the Somalia border to join al-Shabaab. those lines as well. Fortunately, they were detained and returned. That is a positive outcome for them, as well as for the community Alun Michael: The hon. Gentleman is right, and in Cardiff, which, with strong Somali leadership, realises again it is interesting to observe the contrast between that it has to engage more with the young people the north and the south. After the end of what was growing up in the city and ensure that the temptation of known as the hidden war in the north, there were very being drawn into terrorism is guarded against. A recent large refugee camps. Some were over the border in Home Affairs Committee report on radicalisation in Ethiopia, some were in parts of Somalia, and some the UK is of relevance in this regard. I mention these were further south in Kenya. In the north that situation events as they underline a point that the Foreign Secretary is history, because of the development of democratic made: security in Somalia is not just about what happens institutions and stability. Those things are closely in the horn of Africa and to ships sailing in that region. interrelated. It can also come very close to home. The hon. Gentleman is right to say that giving The Foreign Secretary stressed security and common humanitarian aid cannot in itself create a sustainable humanity as the twin motivations for this fresh engagement. situation for the long term. One of the main issues That is absolutely right, but we must also add development raised with me by representatives of the International to the list. Committee of the Red Cross was the problem of providing Unless the vacuum is filled by jobs and opportunity, humanitarian aid at a time when al-Shabaab is preventing education and improved health standards in these fragile it from being delivered, as well as preventing free regions, any gains that are made will be temporary. communications and preventing people from living where Military intervention alone is not enough to change the they want to live. That must be tackled. situation in the south. There is also a need to develop A problem highlighted by my right hon. Friend democratic institutions. As I shall make clear in a the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire South moment, that is one of the big differences between the (Mr Alexander) was the failure of the transitional federal situation in Somaliland, which wishes to be separate, Government. It is very transitional, it is not very federal, the situation in Puntland, which wants to be part of a and it is not really a Government; otherwise it is fine. I single Somalia, and the situation in the south, where do not say that in a spirit of negativity, because I think those democratic institutions are lacking. we all want it to succeed. We want the individuals there to make something of their Government. However, it Laura Sandys: As the right hon. Gentleman will would be foolish not to recognise that the necessary know from his experience of the Somali community, in change has not happened. Somalia does not have a all the chaos and difficulty that Somalia faces we should Parliament, although some people have been nominated not lose sight of the fact that Somalis are extremely as parliamentarians. For that reason we, as parliamentarians entrepreneurial, and have a fantastic sense of business here, have very little capacity to help directly. and international trade. While there are few positive The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in things to say about Somalia at the moment, we must the United Kingdom did give assistance to a group of bear in mind their potential to use such assets to enforce Members who visited Somaliland a few years ago, and and underpin long-term security for the country. has welcomed parliamentarians and clerks to the UK to learn more so that they can develop the institutions that Alun Michael: The hon. Lady is absolutely right, and they have in Somaliland. It is, of course, as much in the I am glad to say that those characteristics are reflected interests of Somalilanders as in anyone else’s interests in the Somali community in Cardiff. One of the problems that there should be an effective Government in the of that community, however, is that it is invisible. In south. It is not a good thing to have instability in the recent years, we have organised an event to celebrate general neighbourhood. I hope that the Foreign Secretary’s Somalis who have achieved some success, such as gaining initiative will succeed, and that the CPA and the Inter- a PhD in chemistry or developing a proficiency in art or Parliamentary Union will be able to work with elected sport, in order to encourage and motivate young people. representatives in the future. I applaud the fact that the I am certain that such skills exist even in the most IPU, of whose UK branch executive I am a member, disastrous parts of Somalia, and will be evident if they plans to visit Somaliland in the coming year, and indeed can only be nurtured and developed through proper hopes to visit both parts of Somalia. institutions and a degree of stability that is absent at the moment, particularly in the south-central part of the Piracy has changed in that, at one stage, it was a country. substitute for fishing and other ways of earning an income; it is clear that it has become far more organised. Bob Stewart: My wife started a camp in South Sudan, Interestingly, many of those arrested came from the which by 1991-92 contained 100,000 people. While I south-west of Somalia, rather than from the coastal was preparing for this debate, she warned, “Remember regions, which rather encourages that view. That issue when you start these big camps that they become a certainly needs to be tackled in breaking down and focus for people to come to, and they cannot really undermining the infrastructure of illegal activity within sustain that number of people.” We should bear her Somalia. words in mind when we are considering humanitarian I particularly welcome the Foreign Secretary’s visit problems. When she was setting up that huge camp she to Mogadishu a few days ago and his appointing an suddenly realised, once she was on the ground, that ambassador to that country. That signals confidence trying to ensure that the surrounding area could sustain that progress can be made, and confidence is enormously 529 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 530

[Alun Michael] such as economic development, and seeking the development of parliamentary institutions, education important, given that for 21 years there has been none and health were even more of a priority than recognition, in that regard. The appointment did raise a frisson of which they prize greatly. concern in Somaliland, which thought that in some It is worth while highlighting the history. In 1960, the ways this might symbolise a belief on the British former British Somaliland gained its independence and Government’s part that diplomatic channels should be shortly after joined the former Italian Somaliland to concentrated through that avenue. I was grateful to the form Somalia. The early hopes had been that Djibouti, Minister for his Department’s confirming that the the former French Somaliland, would join to create a arrangements for Somaliland will continue to be made single Somali nation, but that did not happen. Sadly, through the deputy ambassador to Ethiopia, who has the rule of President Siad Barre became increasingly specific responsibility for relations with Somaliland. oppressive towards the north, leading to the emergence I also welcomed the Foreign Secretary’s acknowledging, of the opposition Somali National Movement, which following my earlier intervention, that the situation in became increasingly successful in the late 1980s. The Somaliland is different. I understand the reasons for his fighting mainly took place in the north and there was policy of not formally recognising Somaliland as a little international coverage of it, but the coverage increased separate country. The last Labour Government looked as the civil war progressed and affected Mogadishu, at this issue on a number of occasions, and my right where most of the diplomats and foreign correspondents hon. Friend the Member for South Shields, as Foreign were based. Thus, as has happened so often in the past, Secretary, took the same view not because he lacked the concentration in the international diplomatic and sympathy for Somaliland or did not respect the wishes media spotlight was on events in the south. As the civil of its population, but because, if recognition is to come, war progressed, the south descended into instability, it must start in Africa and come from Somaliland’s with increasingly vicious conflict between various war neighbours, rather than from a former colonial power. lords. We all know how unsuccessful the international The Foreign Secretary was of course right to put the attempts were to intervene and support the development main emphasis on tackling the disastrous state of affairs of proper government in the south. in the south-central regions of the former Somalia, In the north, without any great help from the because that is where the threats lie to the local people—for international community, Somaliland has developed over whom the situation is truly disastrous—and to the the past 21 years to have local government elections, international community. Again, that situation has been parliamentary elections and presidential elections. They underlined by the International Committee of the Red are not perfect but, given that it is a country without Cross. However, it is understandable that people in international recognition, they are certainly remarkable. Somaliland feel they are being ignored. The newspapers The creation of an independent electoral commission, and the media in general cover the problems; it is not a which played a considerable part in leading to the headline to say that a country is living at peace and presidential elections, was very important, as was nothing excessively exciting is happening. the support that we have given in trying to work with However, I welcome the fact that the Foreign Secretary the Somalilanders, Parliament to Parliament. underlined that distinction. Such a distinction could be It is also worth remembering the history because made on the Foreign Office’s website without compromising there have been Somali communities in the UK for the Government’s position—for instance, by indicating more than 150 years, and Somalis have made a particular that security is greater, or that the dangers are less, in contribution to the merchant navy, the Army and the Somaliland than in the south. It would be like making Royal Navy, and to our traditional industries. The roots the distinction that London was not subjected to regular of my constituency’s Somali community are in the violent incidents when such things were taking place in north and sentiment is strongly in support of Somaliland; Belfast. We got pretty annoyed when, on occasion, there is increasing strength in the plea to Britain and to some Americans did not make that distinction. The the international community to recognise Somaliland. Indian Government certainly got irritated when, after That requires a process, as I think it is in the “too the bombings in Mumbai, the problems were treated as difficult” box for the African Union and for individual if they were the same right across that very large country. African countries, many of which fear precedent. The The Foreign Secretary’s emphasis is right, but I make precedent of having a democracy for 21 years without no apology for wanting to say a few things about the recognition would be a pretty high hurdle for anyone situation in Somaliland in particular. I summed it up a else to imitate, but those fears nevertheless exist. few years ago by saying that Recognition requires a process that will allow the “Somaliland has not been recognised—but it has become people of Somaliland to say whether they wish to respected—as a beacon of democracy.” continue to assert, as they do now, their right to That remains true, and in fact those words have been independence or whether they wish to enter into a loose used by the Prime Minister. Following the elections in confederation or some other arrangement. This should Somaliland, I asked the Prime Minister his views on be for Somalis to decide and I simply plead that we 7 July 2010. In effect, he said that Somaliland has continue to recognise—perhaps I should say earned respect through elections. A transfer of power “acknowledge”, given that “recognition”is so difficult—the had taken place from the outgoing President to President success of Somaliland in maintaining a democracy over Silanyo, after a fairly narrow election victory. The new a period of time. I wish to make one point about this, Government took a mature view, saying that they wanted which is that they have the legal right to independence. to be recognised but their top priority was meeting the There is nowhere they can assert it, because that is not needs of their people. Engaging with the international the way things work in international diplomacy, but as community, trying to work with neighbours on things this country was once independent, however brief the 531 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 532 period before it entered into coalition with the former investment in Somaliland and economic interaction for Italian Somaliland in the south to create Somalia, the benefit of the Somaliland people. As an unrecognised international law and precedent gives them the right to state, it is isolated. Despite its extraordinary achievements assert it. in stability and democracy, international donors cannot We need to create the environment in which Somalis deal directly with its Government, and foreign investors can talk to Somalis in an atmosphere of mutual respect, face uncertainty about whether contracts—the basis of but part of the responsibility of the international secure business—can be enforced. The point of the community, and of Britain in particular, is to insist that corporation is to establish an entity to circumvent that there must be no assumption that the development of a problem. Indeed, I hope that it might lead the Foreign successful Government in the south would give that Office, through our trade arrangements, to be able to Government automatic rights over the north. That should underpin some of the potential for business development not be the case. It should be a question of a process—a and trade with Somaliland, which is difficult at present. proper discussion—and of the right of Somalilanders The development corporation will deal with donors to determine their own future. such as Governments, aid agencies and international In the meantime, the Government of Somaliland financial institutions; individuals, including enhancing chose not to spend all their time arguing about the contribution that is made by many members of the constitutional issues, but to look to development. I Somaliland diaspora, as the Foreign Secretary rightly want to make two points. The first is about the encouraging said; philanthropists and foundations; and foreign fact that President Silanyo has taken the unprecedented companies that wish to invest for profit. The founding step, which I welcome, of deciding to attend the conference directors are co-operating with the Crown Agents on in London. I believe that the Minister for Africa’s the provision of banking services, and the intention is willingness to engage directly in understanding the to develop a business plan with aims and objectives in sensitivities has played a great part in making that the short, medium and longer term that will be available happen. It would have been unthinkable to have had on the corporation’s website. The plan would be influenced this conference and for it to have been successful without by the development priorities of the Somaliland having Somaliland at the table, but the process has been Government, the decisions of the two boards and the difficult and risky. Somaliland was left out of the Djibouti Somaliland development corporation trust. The launch process and felt unable to join international processes on 22 February will show the confidence of the Somaliland that would have given it a seat only on the assumption Government in engaging with business and economic that it came under the aegis of the Government in development as well as being a participant at the table Mogadishu, so agreeing to be at the table involves at the conference. considerable risks for the President. It is a tribute to his I greatly applaud the Foreign Secretary for initiating leadership that he has agreed to do so and that he has the conference. By acknowledging that Somaliland’s involved the two opposition parties, as well as his own, participation is a positive way of coming into the in saying that it is the right thing to do. That in itself international community, I hope that the UK Government’s demonstrates a strong willingness to co-operate in seeking lead in these matters will be acknowledged in return. a solution to the instability in the horn of Africa. It is I hope that the Minister will cover some of these also to the credit of the Somaliland Government that points in his response. I return to my initial point and they have provided humanitarian aid to the south. congratulate the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of Again, that gives one hope for a period of proper State for International Development and the Minister engagement. That is important because the Somaliland not just on this initiative but on their personal commitment model of peace building, based on people sitting down to making it work. I hope they achieve success. and working out what they want in a constitution, contains useful lessons, which I hope will be shared at the conference. Will the Minister assure us that Somaliland 2.51 pm will gain respect as a result of that? Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): I am very pleased to Will the Minister give comfort to President Silanyo follow the right hon. Member for Cardiff South and and those who have supported him in his difficult Penarth (Alun Michael) because we, together with the decision by agreeing that the conference communiqué hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn), are should contain explicit references to Somaliland that officers of the all-party group on Somaliland and Somalia. welcome his participation; note Somaliland’s achievements We have been working very closely on all these issues in building peace and democracy; draw attention to the and very much welcome the initiative being taken by the relevance of the Somaliland experience to the problem Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister in organising of securing peace in Somalia; note the assistance the London summit later this month. through humanitarian aid that I have mentioned; thank This is a tale of two countries. In 2004, the Select it for its co-operation in the fight against terrorism and Committee on International Development, which I chaired piracy; and encourage Somaliland’s wider economic at the time, paid a study visit to see how DFID development interaction? assistance was being used in Ethiopia. On that trip, we My second point is that I know that the Minister has had a free weekend, but ambassadors do not like it already welcomed one initiative, namely the establishment when Members of Parliament have a free weekend of the Somaliland Development Corporation. It is being because they are never quite sure what the MPs are established because of the lack of recognition that going to get up to, so they like to keep Select Committee makes involvement in international trade and business teams busy. Myles Wickstead, our excellent ambassador difficult. It will be launched on 22 February, the day in Addis Ababa at the time said that he had recently before the conference, which Ministers will host. The been to Hargeisa for Remembrance day for the Somaliland point of the corporation is to facilitate international Scouts. We should remember that during the last war 533 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 534

[Tony Baldry] What had been the British Somalian protectorate and Italian Somalia sought to work as a single sovereign many from Somaliland served in the armed forces. state. However, it floundered as a consequence of the There is in Hargeisa a Commonwealth graves war memorial activities of the Government of Siad Barre, and things to the Hargeisa Scouts, to which he had been. He said, become so desperate that in 1991 the Government of “Look, no one has been to Somaliland for a very long Siad Barre actually bombed Hargeisa. As BBC journalist time. Would you be interested in visiting it?” To be Mary Harper comments in her recently published book: totally honest, with one exception I do not think that “The authorities’ response to the rebellion was extraordinarily any of us on the Select Committee had ever heard vicious; Siad Barre’s ground and air forces carried out such heavy Somaliland. We knew nothing about it, so we said, bombardment of the regional capital, Hargeisa, that it was known “Yes, of course, we’d be interested in going to Hargeisa,” as the ‘Dresden of Africa’. Barely a wall was left standing and and we flew there. We were the first parliamentary almost every roof of every building was blown off or looted. The city was smashed and stripped; its population eventually left, delegation to have visited Somaliland for many years walking all the way to Ethiopia in a biblical-style Exodus, as and the scene at the airport was one of crowds the like described by Mark Bradbury in his book Becoming Somaliland: of which I have rarely seen, holding banners saying “We The flight in 1988 was one of the fastest and largest forced love our Queen”, “We want to come home”, and “Support movements of people recorded in Africa.” the Commonwealth”. It was amazing. From the airport If one goes to Hargeisa, one still sees the bomb damage to the hotel in Hargeisa, the crowds welcoming members inflicted on the city, which it has been impossible to of the Select Committee were about 10 deep. rebuild. I also think that it would be impossible to rebuild the Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): Does that trust between the Somalilanders and Somalia, between ever happen in Banbury? Hargeisa and Mogadishu. The people of Somaliland want independence. They have now been independent Tony Baldry: Alas, the only time we see such crowds for more than 20 years. They have had contested in Banbury is when the Queen comes to visit, and I am parliamentary and presidential elections and, in contrast glad to say that when Her Majesty came to visit Banbury with many other African states, peaceful and democratic to celebrate our charter, we had similar crowds. transfers of power without any difficulty, as with the The people of Hargeisa saw the parliamentary delegation recent transition from President Rayale to President as very much representing the UK, the Commonwealth Silanyo. and this Parliament. They made it clear that they identified Somaliland is in exactly the same position as the with us, and wanted to identify with us. That caused me Gambia. For a while the Gambia was part of Senegal, to look a bit at history. but that did not work and the Gambia decided that it The crown of the British empire was of course India, and wished to be independent again. It was granted to protect the sea routes to India the British occupied independence and recognised by the international Aden, and to protect Aden we occupied what became community. I suggest that Somaliland is in exactly the the British Protectorate of Somaliland. Interestingly, same position in international law. If so, that prompts the British Protectorate of Somaliland, unlike many the following question: why has Somaliland not been other countries in colonial Africa, had well defined recognised as a de jure state? I think that it has been boundaries that in the last century the United Kingdom really bad luck for Somaliland that some of the key negotiated by treaty with Ethiopia, France and Italy, and players in the region, for their own reasons, have not there has never been any dispute about them. Indeed, wanted to recognise it. some fantastic British Protectorate of Somaliland postage First, one would have expected the other Arab nations stamps from the reign of the late King George VI show in the region to support Somaliland, because it is primarily the map of that territory, which is now Somaliland, a Muslim and Arab nation. However, Egypt has for a clearly marked by treaty. Its boundaries are clearly long time been in dispute with Ethiopia over the Nile marked and defined. waters, and I think that it has suited Egypt for there to To the south of the British Protectorate of Somaliland be as much uncertainty, difficulty and turbulence as was what was called Italian Somalia, practically the possible on Ethiopia’s borders. As Egypt has not been only legitimate Italian colony in Africa. After the second prepared to recognise Somaliland for that reason, neither world war and the defeat of the axis powers, responsibility have other Gulf Arab states. for Italian Somalia fell to the United Nations and a UN Secondly, I think that many other African Union mandate. Understandably, the UN was keen to release member states regard Somaliland as being a long way itself from the mandate at the earliest possible opportunity, away; it is not a sub-Saharan nation, and they see it and so in 1960 it was agreed that Italian Somalia would primarily as an Arab nation. It really has not been be given independence. As the right hon. Member for sufficiently high up the agenda in African Foreign Ministries, Cardiff South and Penarth has already explained, the such as that in Pretoria. One of the things that will be Somalis generally hoped to see a greater Somalia, involving good for the Somalilanders about the London conference, Italian Somalia, the British Somali protectorate and and for others, is that it will for the first time bring Somalis living in Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia. The together in the same place all the key players, including British Protectorate of Somaliland was given independence the senior representatives of the African Union. It is a on a Sunday, and for a number of days it was an matter of fact that President Silanyo has so far not met independent de jure state. Later in the next week, what the key players in the African Union, so the conference was the British Protectorate of Somaliland, which had will be a good opportunity for that. been granted independence by the United Kingdom, Having visited Somaliland on a number of occasions, joined Somalia to become what is now known by the as I am sure the right hon. Member for Cardiff South international community, and recognised by the United and Penarth has, I can report to the House that, Nations, as de jure Somalia. notwithstanding the lack of international recognition, 535 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 536 it has striven to build itself into a decent country. The other sectors to set up a Somaliland development banking system does not work, because of course it corporation, so that we here can give Somaliland whatever only has a central bank and the only currency is the old help we can with investment and job creation. They are Somali one, which is constantly being devalued, so all really good initiatives. However, those on the Treasury people have to move around wheelbarrows full of money. Bench need to understand that the Somalilanders are What they do have, however, is a sophisticated system of willing to give the London conference their full support, remittances from the very supportive diaspora community but do not want to prejudice their claim to be an here and elsewhere in the world, so this afternoon we independent state. They support it because they see could go to various places in London and hand over themselves as neighbours of Somalia. Like Ethiopia, cash for recipients in Somaliland, who could collect it Kenya and other neighbouring states, they see that they later on this afternoon. The system is even more efficient have an interest in certain issues, such as in ensuring than Western Union. that piracy off the coast of Somalia stops and that the Somaliland is not that far from Dubai and the United Mogadishu regime becomes more stable. They are coming Arab Emirates, so its potential to do significant back-office to London co-operatively and supportively, but want to work, if it had the opportunities, is immense, but it make it clear that they, like many others in the past in suffers from not being recognised by the international Africa, wish to assert their right to self-determination. I community. As President Silanyo said recently: suggest to the House that they have international law “We need foreign recognition because that is the only way we and history on their side. will become a fully fledged member of the international community. I will make two concluding comments about the We cannot attend conferences organised by the United Nations conference. As the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and other organisations. We cannot benefit from programmes of said, one reason the London conference is being held is the World Bank and other international bodies. We miss out on a that the international community and the seas around lot by not being recognised. We have been very patient about this and we hope our patience will be rewarded very soon. If we are Africa have been bedevilled by Somali piracy for some granted international recognition during my presidency, we would time. If the international community is to succeed in put on the biggest celebration the world has ever seen.” bearing down on piracy, it will have to bring prosecutions We have seen other countries, such as Kosovo and states and imprison people. Someone will have to accept the from the former Yugoslav republic, emerge in recent responsibility for the cost of running those prisons. times. Understandably, African countries are often not prepared The British Somaliland protectorate, now Somaliland, to do so. One reason Charles Taylor, the former President was part of the empire and of the Commonwealth. It of Liberia, is being tried for war crimes in The Hague is has incredibly strong connections with the UK, and, that no African country was willing to have him tried in although I fully understand the Foreign Office’s reticence, Africa, because they were concerned that if he was feeling that if Somaliland is to be recognised it must be convicted they would be liable for the lifelong costs of recognised first within Africa, I do not think that we detaining him in prison, notwithstanding the fact that should ever forget, or for a moment be seen to be formally he is being tried under the jurisdiction of the forgetting, Somaliland. UN Special Court for Sierra Leone. If we expect African states to imprison pirates from Somalia and elsewhere, I am very pleased that, of the development assistance there must be agreement on the long-term funding of that DFID now allocates to Somalia, a significant the prisons and on how the prisoners will be looked proportion goes to Somaliland, which has phenomenal after. This is not something that we can start and then potential. It has a fantastic port, at Berbera, with enormous forget about and abandon once the problem has abated. potential, and its access to the sea could, if it were developed, be used by countries such as Ethiopia. But it My second concluding remark is about fisheries. Fisheries has just been incredibly difficult for Somaliland to take are an essential natural resource for Africa. For many forward any such developments without international coastal countries, the potential income from their fisheries recognition, and because international companies are is greater than that from their oil, minerals or mineral reluctant to enter into contracts there, where they could deposits. Tragically, far too often the fisheries around never be sure what status in law, recognition in law and Africa have been raped and pillaged by much more system of law they would experience if there were ever a sophisticated countries, and African countries have not dispute about an investment or contract. had the wherewithal to protect their exclusive fishing That makes life hard for Somalilanders, but Mary zones. It is said that one historic reason Somalis took to Harper, whom I quote simply because she has spent piracy is that it was no longer viable for them to make a much more time in Somaliland than I have and has all livelihood from deep-sea fishing. The Foreign Secretary the objectivity of being a BBC reporter, says: was right to make it clear that one objective of the London conference is to help the Somalis assert their “The reason why so many Somalilanders have returned home and have been able to embark on such exciting projects for national exclusive fishing zone. If that is to happen, themselves and for the territory as a whole is that, unlike Somalia, they must be given help with fisheries protection vessels Somaliland has since 1991 been rebuilding its economy, society and fisheries management schemes so that they can and government. It has been doing this slowly, in its own way, defend their fisheries. If they can do that, those vessels with a careful progression from a clan-based political system to and systems will help to bear down on piracy. what should ultimately be a Somali-style multiparty democracy. Everyone will wish the London conference every Because western models of peacemaking and state-building have not been imposed from the outside, Somaliland has in many ways success. We all want Somalia to cease being a failed saved itself from the fate of Somalia. The example of Somaliland state. Far too many people have starved to death there has demonstrated that, when left to themselves, Somalis can form as a consequence of its failures as a state and its a viable nation state.” ongoing humanitarian difficulties. I hope that in seeking I am therefore delighted that President Silanyo is to improve the plight of its people and bring stability to coming to the London conference. It is excellent that it, we do not lose sight of the considerable achievements UK initiatives are being taken by the voluntary and of the people of Somaliland, notwithstanding all the 537 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 538

[Tony Baldry] 1.4 million of the estimated population of more than 9 million have been displaced. As other Members have difficulties that they have experienced over the past pointed out, piracy also remains a major problem, not 20 years, in creating a stable and potentially extremely least because a large proportion of food aid—90% of viable state. They wish it to have independence and, I World Food Programme aid in 2010—arrives by sea. As am sure, in due course become a member of the well as the wider costs of piracy, therefore, a wider Commonwealth of nations of which we are all so proud challenge is posed by it in respect of getting aid and to be members. support to people affected by the famine. A concerted effort from a coalition of African forces 3.15 pm is, as has been said, pushing al-Shabaab back. Its withdrawal Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab): Somalia from Mogadishu last August provided some hope, for is one of the places that are seen most often through the the first time in a long time, that it can be defeated. lens of conflict, famine and humanitarian disaster as There is some evidence to suggest that its support from failed states. Today’s debate has echoed some of the big sections of the population is beginning to wane, which challenges that it faces. clearly needs to be encouraged and supported. In the Somalia has often been spoken of in relation to interim, the international community must prioritise international terrorism and the threats posed by al-Shabaab, protecting civilians, and encouraging reconciliation and along with the challenges of piracy. However, I and a political solution. I am encouraged by the fact that the many other Members know that there is another story, conference will focus on such issues, which are important which is often depicted by our constituents from the because conflict costs not only lives, which is tragic British Somali community. It is a story of aspiration enough, but prospects for the country. and of the heritage and history of Somalia before the More than 1.5 billion live in countries affected by ongoing conflicts. repeated cycles of political and criminal violence. As From speaking to many members of the British Somali the “World Development Report 2011”shows, a developing community in my constituency, I know that they are country in the middle of a conflict does not grow or proud of their cultural and religious heritage. They do create jobs for its people, and does not invest in the next not want Somalia to be portrayed by the current negative generation. There is currently no formal economy in images. They are also proud of the contributions that many parts of Somalia. Although I am aware of positive they make to the people of Somalia through remittance examples, they are clearly not enough. The conflict is and support, through family connections and more not conducive to economic investment or growth, so the widely. They aspire to see a Somalia that is stable, resolution to the conflict is a priority. There must be secure, democratic and economically sustainable, in which reconciliation, but that must go hand in hand with the people can live free from fear, conflict and famine. The development challenges in creating the climate in which decent majority both in Somalia and outside want to we can ensure that there is humanitarian assistance, see an end to the conflict and terrorism that have support for medium and long-term development, and a damaged the reputation of their country and led to its pathway to progress to stability for the country and its often negative portrayal. Our job is to do everything we population. can to ensure that we somehow make that aspiration a Those living in conflict or fragile states are twice as reality. likely to be under-nourished and more than three times The humanitarian crisis in the horn of Africa has as likely to be unable to send their children to school. only made that job harder. No conflict-affected or Child mortality is twice as high in conflict states. Worse, fragile state will achieve the millennium development conflict in one country affects neighbouring countries. goals, which means that large swathes of the world will As we have seen, the effect of Somalia on neighbouring be left further behind. Today’s debate and the Somalia countries such as Kenya in the form of refugee flows conference, which I welcome along with other hon. has led to huge aid challenges. I welcome the contribution Members, provide an important opportunity to talk that our Government have made to supporting those about not only security issues, which are vital to our affected by the famine, but greater action is clearly interests as well as Somalia’s, but the challenges of needed for those still suffering in the aftermath. development, economic progress and stability facing The conflict in Somalia continues to cost lives—it is the people of Somalia. I hope that development will virtually impossible to estimate exactly how many—and genuinely be a central component of the conference makes it harder to tackle the problems that can help to later this month alongside those other issues. resolve it. Hospitals and feeding centres have been hit As other Members have pointed out, there has been by artillery and civilians continue to be killed in the no effective government in Somalia for more than two fighting. Protecting them and the vital services they decades, and the impact is all too clear to see. The need must be central to our programme in Somalia. internationally recognised transitional federal Government Understanding and tackling the drivers of the conflict control only the capital and a small area in the centre of is essential. For example, resource scarcity and natural the country. Puntland and the de facto independent disasters, which are clearly drivers of conflict, have Somaliland both have more effective, if unrecognised, affected Somalia greatly. governments in the north and north-west of the country. Conflict in such countries is also—critically—about Despite the recent setbacks for al-Shabaab, it continues development, as I have mentioned. Political security to control large sections of the south and engage in and economic dynamics all play their part, but lower constant conflict with the TFG. gross domestic product per capita is also associated Somalia today is a country with some of the worst with large-scale political conflicts. Alongside work to human development indicators in the world. Average resolve the conflict, which is vital, we must address the life expectancy is only 48 years, and approximately humanitarian and long-term development challenges. 539 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 540

Crises such as droughts are drivers of conflict, so As the worst of the famine passes, we cannot forget supporting the people of Somalia who are affected by that 4 million people, including 2 million children, are the famine and getting aid in are critical. As I stated still in need of immediate food security and livelihood earlier, removing the barriers to the delivery of aid support. Britain must remain committed to helping that through organisations such as the International Committee group of people, who desperately need our support. of the Red Cross, which was reaching more than 1 That means having a stronger focus on food security. million people and is now being prevented from doing The international community had warnings of imminent so by al-Shabaab, must be a priority for the conference drought and famine in Somalia but it did not act early agenda. I hope the conference will address that issue enough, as was shown by the recent Oxfam and Save and make much more progress than has been made so the Children report. far, because al-Shabaab has prevented one non- Alongside the need for democratic and functional governmental organisation after another from getting state institutions, I hope that we can consider how aid into parts of Somalia. countries such as Somalia can gradually attract and The UK has a good track record. Despite the difficult build a viable economic environment. Although it is a climate and the conflict, it has worked to try to get aid challenge, we must consider the medium and longer-term into Somalia through different organisations and through aims, if we are to ensure that a failed or fragile state can the means available to us. However, there remains a make the transition to economic and social development huge challenge. It is estimated that at least a quarter of and if we are to secure lasting progress. the Somali population—one of the highest proportions I hope that the conference will focus on how to get in the world—is still in urgent need of relief and assistance, humanitarian assistance to those still affected in Somalia and 60% of the population live below the poverty line, and that a concerted effort will be made to build strong, on less than $1 a day. democratic institutions. It might feel premature now As the shadow Secretary of State, my right hon. but we have to aspire to ensuring the Somalia has Friend the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire South institutions and governance arrangements fit to serve (Mr Alexander), said, the previous Government increased the people of the country. To prevent future disasters aid to Somalia from just over £3 million in 2002-03 to and learn from what has happened, the international £34 million, and that money made a huge difference to community must focus on building resilience within people’s lives. For instance, 650,000 people in south-central both the international systems and the country itself, Somalia received basic health treatment, including and we must help Somalia to respond more effectively vaccinations, deworming tablets and nutritional screening, than it has in the past year to disasters, famine and the and more than 120,000 children were treated for acute humanitarian challenges that it is likely to continue to malnutrition in the same region. Water points and face. It is also important that the most vulnerable sanitation facilities were created for about 50,000 people, people, such as women and children, who are often the and much more was done. Leaving aside those achievements, first to suffer in conflict and humanitarian disasters, be however, it is clear that we have to do much more, given supported. the challenges Somalia faces and the nature of the In conclusion, I look forward to progress being made conflict. Given the current climate, we have to focus on at the conference. I and other hon. Members with a where and how we can get support to people in conflict passionate interest in Somalia will follow the conference zones to ensure they do not face a continued crisis. closely to see that it makes a genuine difference, and we When the Foreign Secretary visited Somalia last will support the Government’s efforts to bring the week—we are pleased to see the beginning of new, more international community together to ensure that the normalised relations with Somalia—his focus seemed concerns and interests of the Somali population are to be particularly on security and piracy. Although that addressed alongside our interest in a secure and stable is crucial, and although it is in our interests and those of country. the region, it is critical that we move beyond the rhetoric about development and supporting countries facing 3.33 pm conflict to ensure they have the appropriate support and assistance to make the transition from being failed Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): May I warmly and fragile states facing conflict to being more independent, welcome the Foreign Secretary’s initial remarks and say sustainable societies, where our aid effort genuinely can that it is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for make a difference. Bethnal Green and Bow (Rushanara Ali) and so many The February conference is an important development other well-informed and constructive contributions from and a chance for the Government to show the international both sides of the House? This has been the House of leadership that is vitally needed. Many of us will be Commons at its best, because there is a great deal of watching closely, along with our constituents, to see cross-party agreement and expertise. I join the hon. whether progress is being made. We will be willing the Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry), who is no longer international community on to ensure that this opportunity in his place, in playing tribute to Myles Wickstead, our is not missed and that there is lasting peace and security former ambassador in Addis Ababa, who, as well as in Somalia. Although the military dimension and the taking the hon. Gentleman to Somaliland, has been a regional co-operation dimension are vital, the humanitarian great source of advice to me. I am happy to put on the dimension must be integral to the discussions and the record my gratitude for his expertise. actions that follow the conference. Long-term stability For decades, it seemed almost as though the international in Somalia will be about finding a peaceful resolution to community had given up on Somalia and, by neglect, the conflict and a political settlement that includes been prepared to sacrifice its people to an almost endless addressing Somaliland’s independence, as well as about cycle of war, deprivation and violence. War is often achieving sustainable development. described as development in reverse, and I am afraid 541 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 542

[Martin Horwood] areas, and to Somalia as a whole, and also now to the Kenyan and Ethiopian troops present in the country. that Somalia is possibly the best example of that in the The fact that different foreign military forces are present world. It is identified by the UN as having the world’s emphasises the need for a co-ordinated international worst humanitarian crisis. As hon. Members have approach to security and, indeed, the need to support mentioned, there are nearly 1 million Somali refugees in the Somali security and justice sectors. other countries, 1.5 million internally displaced people However, as in many other places in the world, the there and millions more in crisis and, in many cases, at military solution will never be the ultimate solution to immediate risk of their lives. We see the whole population’s Somalia’s problems. It is therefore absolutely right that resilience to natural crises, such as the recent, repeated the conference will focus on the political process. failed rains, reduced to the point where natural disasters immediately mean an humanitarian disaster, in a way Bob Stewart: Military solutions are of course not that does not now happen in neighbouring countries acceptable in isolation, but what we require in this such as Ethiopia, where there are grain supplies, reserves situation is first-class military command and control on and so on, and where the Government are managing the ground in Somalia. That is crucial—perhaps we will the natural crisis. We see humanitarian assistance being even have to give some guidance to African nations that blocked by the conflict, and we see the conflict itself might be involved—but I am quite sure that this is what causing death, destruction and dislocation—the terrible the Foreign Office has in mind as well. euphemism of so-called collateral damage—with thousands and thousands having lost their lives as a direct result. Martin Horwood: The hon. Gentleman makes an It is absolutely fantastic, therefore, that the British important point. AMISOM—the African Union Mission Government have taken such an exceptional lead on in Somalia—has made genuine efforts to limit civilian Somalia. The Foreign Secretary and all his colleagues at damage and the use of certain armaments in built-up the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department areas, for instance, yet there have been criticisms of for International Development and the Ministry of some of the impacts on civilians and, perhaps, of the Defence should be congratulated on taking the lead and application of international humanitarian law. As part hosting the forthcoming London conference. However, of the international co-ordination of the security effort, the Secretary of State for International Development it is important that AMISOM operates to the very best and the Foreign Secretary should also be congratulated international standards of peacekeeping and military on visiting Mogadishu, which not many international intervention. politicians may have done yet, and seizing the opportunity The political process is absolutely critical. The mandate to open an embassy there again, which is a positive step for the current transitional Government expires in August and a sign of confidence in Somalia’s progress; on this year, and it is important that we take the opportunity reflecting in our policy towards Somalia the emerging to build on their achievements. I think that my briefing Government policy on building stability overseas, which states that this is the 15th attempt to form a Government is an important reflection of the overarching strategy in in Somalia over the past 20 years, but it is one of the our international policy; and on the commitment most successful such attempts. The Government have significantly to increase aid to Somalia over the next established a reasonable degree of control, at least over four years, which is now set to average £63 million a the capital city and some surrounding areas. It is important year. not only to build on that success but to take the opportunity Labour Members were quite right to point to their to make the next incarnation of Somali government record in government on supporting Somalia. It is even more inclusive and broad based, and to build a terrific to see the coalition Government increasing that political process. aid, and trying to increase its impact and effectiveness The conference is also going to discuss local stability, wherever possible. In particular, it is important that the counter-terrorism and, of course, piracy. The Select London conference is going ahead and that we are Committee’s contribution to that debate will be important. hosting it. It is a tribute to the diplomatic skills of the The hon. Member for Croydon South (Richard Ottaway) FCO that such a broad-based conference has emerged, referred in passing to ransoms. The British Government with 40 Governments, the United Nations, the African have taken a clear position on that matter: we are Union, the European Union, the World Bank, the opposed to ransoms, as they feed the pirate economy. It Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the Arab would be good if that was an internationally agreed League attending, as well as representatives from the position that could be properly enforced. We need to various territories and Governments in the wider area take real action to address that source of funds for of Somalia. That is an important step forward in trying Somali pirates. to secure co-ordinated international action. The humanitarian effort is also extremely important. The conference has seven headings. I think it was It is most welcome that the Department for International originally suggested that the conference might focus Development is already co-ordinating its efforts with overwhelmingly on piracy, so I very much welcome the the European Union to reduce duplication and maximise much broader approach that it is now taking to Somalia impact. There will be an opportunity to do that more as a whole, reflecting the fact that piracy is in many widely, with the United Nations and other representatives respects a symptom of Somalia’s problems, not a cause. who will be present at the conference. Security is there as a heading right at the start. We Non-governmental organisations are concerned about should pay tribute to the African Union forces, in the way humanitarian aid is being affected by the conflict particular those from Uganda and Burundi who over in Somalia and, to some extent, by international policies. many years have made extraordinary sacrifices to help It is important that the international community draw a to bring security to Mogadishu and the surrounding distinction between non-political humanitarian assistance 543 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 544 and the military and political strategy. NGO staff are The hon. Member for Banbury emphasised the endangered when they become associated with the political importance of fisheries. Around the world, fisher folk and military approach, and that can also lead to the are often disadvantaged populations, but the survival of delivery of aid becoming a controversial part of the their communities becomes utterly unviable if international conflict. That inevitably leads to the aid not getting fishing fleets are coming through and simply removing through. The international community needs to draw their sources of livelihood. That will serve only to hand that distinction and protect that non-political humanitarian them, once again, into the clutches of the warlords and space for the delivery of aid. In planning the international the pirates. Trying to protect and promote the future approach, and the military approach, it is also important prosperity of the Somali fisheries is, therefore, a very to factor in a respect for human rights and for international important task. humanitarian law. Somewhat counter-intuitively perhaps, some bits of One topic is not on the conference agenda although I infrastructure have survived almost untouched through think it should be. The hon. Member for Bethnal Green the conflict. I understand that the mobile phone network and Bow talked about economic development. Aid will in Somalia works extremely well, and that many Somalis always be valuable for a country in humanitarian crisis, have two mobile phones. Sadly, there is an obvious but in the end it is economic development that will lift reason why pirates and warlords would tell their fighters people out of poverty. I will illustrate the problem to the not to attack the mobile phone masts: they are rather Minister by citing a report that appeared recently in important for their operations. We must seize all New Scientist. It concerned work by Anja Shortland of opportunities, however, and try to build on the bits of Brunel university, who has tracked the economic infrastructure that still work. development of various villages in Somalia using satellite It may seem even more hopeless to talk about the images. She discovered that two villages in particular prospects for tourism, but a former diplomat has told had made spectacular progress. Tracking such features me that Somaliland is a relatively peaceful and prosperous as electric light, she found that, over the past 10 years or country that is safe for visitors and apparently has so, those villages had prospered and that the wealth had beautiful beaches. If it was recognised and had the spread among the community. status of a separate country, and then began, as it were, Sadly, the reason was that those two villages were to build its brand separately from Somalia and the areas closely associated with one of the clans most implicated still affected by war and conflict, Somaliland could in piracy. Anja Shortland concluded that piracy had become quite a positive economic development story, proved quite effective in stimulating economic development and tourism could be a key sector. We must seek out in those places, although that is obviously not a statement opportunities to help Somaliland to develop. It is absolutely that any politician could comfortably make. Piracy is right that 40% of DFID’s development aid is focused clearly illegal, as well as divisive. It helps only one clan, on Somaliland and that we are taking steps such as rather than the whole of Somalia, and it undermines establishing the Somaliland Development Corporation, the entire peace and political process. Nevertheless, this because that example of prosperity and stability could does set a challenge for our approach to development. send a very powerful message in the region. It is precisely We must tackle what makes piracy attractive to clans the kind of message that will gradually begin to persuade and warlords. The economic development we deliver communities in Somalia proper to think about pursuing must be at least as effective as piracy at spreading a rather different path from the one that some of them prosperity to poor communities. have been pursuing. It would also undermine al-Shabaab’s claim to offer the only route to salvation for the Somali Alun Michael: The hon. Gentleman is making a very people. It is, therefore, very important that we promote good point. Of course, economic development is also the development of Somaliland. important for long-term stability. Does he agree that we Political recognition is a difficult issue. It would clearly must find mechanisms to allow investment in Somaliland be somewhat tactless if the UK were to be the first in the absence of recognition, in order to make sure that country to recognise Somaliland. It would probably be what is a successful self-governing area—or independent equally tactless for Ethiopia to be the first country to do country, if that is one’s view—is not penalised? The so, as it also has a complicated political history with people of Somaliland should not be penalised in respect Somalia. We should try to encourage those states that of economic development. are traditional leaders in pan-African politics, such as Ghana, South Africa and Nigeria, to move towards recognition of Somaliland. That example of prosperity, Martin Horwood: The right hon. Gentleman makes stability and democracy could prove very powerful, and an extremely important point, one I was going to address could help countries throughout the region and the in due course. He has highlighted the importance of the continent to tackle what has been a running sore for a establishment of the Somaliland Development Corporation, long time. and I certainly welcome that. I also particularly welcome one of the four priorities DFID has identified for its development programme. It Alun Michael: I am happy to endorse what the hon. says that it will Gentleman is saying. Does he agree, however, that it may well be that that single point of recognition is “boost wealth creation through supporting investment climate what is too difficult, and that what is needed is a reform, skills development and job creation.” process that will lead us from the present situation, It is essential that we help young Somalis to prosper. In which does not seem to offer the hope of recognition some respects, promoting economic development may at any point in the future, to a number of possible seem like a hopeless task, but we must seize all opportunities conclusions, one of which might be the recognition that to help to increase prosperity. he recommends? 545 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 546

Martin Horwood: That is a fair point—I think that it 1,432 were on ships boarded by pirates. Estimates suggest has to be an iterative process—but the point I am that the ransom take has increased significantly: in 2006 making to Ministers is that I consider recognition to be the average ransom was $150,000, whereas in 2011 it a part of that process. It cannot really start with the was $4.5 million. According to the Foreign Affairs UK, but I think that we could involve ourselves in a Committee’s report, the total ransom amount has reached very positive way by encouraging other African states $135 million. I understand the UK’s position on ransoms, to think about the legal arguments and the fact that the and I think that it is right, but perhaps the Minister old colonial boundaries will not really be threatened—that could tell us whether other nation states think that they is obviously a sensitive issue in many parts of Africa—and should be made illegal. I believe that the United States to make the case for that prosperous democratic example has been considering that. I agree with the Committee as one that should lead to recognition, which, in turn, that it is not a good idea, but I should be interested to will help the economic development of the country. hear the Minister’s view. I think that, in many respects, the British Government The hon. Member for Cheltenham (Martin Horwood) are doing exactly the right thing in regard to Somalia, talked about the economic development of parts of and I think that the Foreign Secretary, in particular, Somalia near where piracy is prevalent. Those areas should feel very proud to be hosting an important may well have developed economically, but inflation has international conference that offers a real prospect of—at been stoked and commodity prices are increasing last—some progress towards prosperity and peace for hugely, which brings all kinds of social problems. Then the people of the wider Somalia. there is the tragic humanitarian crisis in Somalia, which many Members have spoken about. In 2011 it experienced 3.51 pm the worst drought for 60 years and the worst food crisis for 20 years. Four million people are living in crisis Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab): Let me conditions, and child malnutrition rates are the highest begin by adopting what is rapidly becoming the custom in the world. today and pay tribute to every Member who has spoken I welcome the fact that the Government are convening so far. I cannot possibly list all their constituencies, this conference, which meets at a time when there are but everyone has spoken with great eloquence and signs of progress. The UN Secretary-General has said knowledge—much more eloquence and knowledge than that I shall be able to muster, although I shall do my best. “the prospects for positive change appear greater than they have Let me also say at the outset how pleased I am that been for many years.” we are having this debate. Three weeks ago during business questions I suggested to the Leader of the The transitional federal Government are arguably in House that he should find time for a debate on Somalia, their strongest position for some time. Al-Shabaab has and I was pleasantly surprised when he took me up on been driven out of Mogadishu almost entirely, and as it. I hope that Ministers will convey my gratitude to the Foreign Secretary said, the photos of Somalis enjoying him— Lido beach in Mogadishu in recent weeks contrast hugely with the photos we are all used to seeing of Alun Michael: And take note of all your future burnt-out buildings. suggestions. Such progress has been recognised internationally. The Foreign Secretary visited Mogadishu a few days Jonathan Ashworth: Indeed. ago, and yesterday the EU special envoy for the horn of In my Leicester constituency I represent a significant Africa was there. However, we should remember last Somali diaspora community, many of whose members year’s suicide bomb, which killed 70 teenagers. Just will be watching the debate with great interest. I am sure yesterday a café was bombed, and guerrilla warfare that I speak for a large number of them when I pay continues. So although it is right for us to be ambitious tribute to the Foreign Secretary for the tone of his and to have high hopes for this conference, that backdrop— opening remarks, and welcome the fact that there is a along with 15 failed peace processes in 20 years—is the degree of bipartisanship in the debate. sobering reality against which the conference is convened. Many Members have described the situation facing The international community should try to find a Somalia extremely well. It is a country with no effective solution not only because that is the right thing for central Government, notwithstanding those in Somaliland Somalia, but, as the Foreign Secretary said, because it is and Puntland, as my right hon. Friend the Member for in our national security interest. Finding that political Cardiff South and Penarth (Alun Michael) pointed out; settlement is very important, but I am well aware that a country where the terrorist group al-Shabaab occupies the conference is only part of the process. I should be much of the centre and south; and a country which, for interested to hear how the Minister expects things to all the reasons mentioned, has been one of the largest develop, and what he sees as the Foreign Office’s role, generators of refugees and internally displaced persons post-conference. in the world. A symptom of that instability is the piracy There are a couple of issues that I hope the conference off the coast of Somalia, of which the Chairman of the will turn its attention to in detail, the first of which is Foreign Affairs Committee, the hon. Member for Croydon the humanitarian situation. Somalia’s humanitarian needs South (Richard Ottaway), spoke with great knowledge. will never be fully met until the violence, political instability Let me develop some of the points that he made. and insecurity are addressed. We can all agree that the Even after the United Nations Security Council drought and the famine were a total tragedy, and that resolutions and the various multi-naval operations, piracy the international community’s response was perhaps has increased over the last five years or so. In 2010, too slow, although I do praise the work of the International 4,185 seafarers were attacked by Somali pirates and Development Secretary and DFID. We can all agree 547 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 548 that al-Shabaab’s banning late last year of a number of signals were there; we knew that the rains had failed and aid agencies has not helped matters. Thankfully, the that commodity prices were escalating; and we all knew rainfall this winter has been the best in years. However, of the lethal consequences of the political instability in it could be argued that the humanitarian situation is that part of the world. Instead of reacting when it is too deteriorating in parts of southern Somalia as a result of late, we have to do more to address the underlying issues increased military intervention in support of the transitional and to support investment in local food production, federal Government. sustainable livestock production and agriculture as we I hope the conference discusses and explicitly promotes try to build political stability in Somalia. the protection of citizens and compliance with international I hope that the conference also considers climate humanitarian law, and that the role of children is considered. change, because in the conversation about that we do We know that, too often, children are recruited to fight not always think about Somalia and the horn of Africa, in these conflicts. Although we should welcome the because other parts of the world take more of our TFG’s commitment to working with the UN on this attention. We know why the short rains failed, but matter, more needs to be done to convince them properly emerging scientific thinking suggests that the long rains to monitor the use of children in their forces. Perhaps failed and will continue to fail as a result of climate the Minister can touch on that issue. change. We need to examine and discuss that, and I hope that the conference will have a chance to start Jeremy Corbyn: I am sure my hon. Friend, like me, deliberating on the issue. If climate change is also will have read of Amnesty International’s concerns affecting that part of the world and its long rains, we about child soldiers in Somalia. Does he not think that will need to do more to invest in better irrigation a very useful outcome of this conference would be a systems and we will need a strategy to deal with the specific, in-terms declaration, signed up to by all parties, problem. that no more children will be involved in any conflicts I represent a significant Somali community in Leicester, by any party? one that has settled in Leicester from all over Somalia and Somaliland; some members of the community like Jonathan Ashworth: I absolutely agree, and I hope to refer to themselves as “mini Somalia”. It has much that the use of children in these conflicts will be explicitly expertise, and much good sense is talked by many of referred to in any communiqué resulting from the those in Leicester’s Somali community, many of whom conference. attended the conference yesterday. The Somali community in Leicester recently raised funds to send an ambulance Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): I understand that to Mogadishu in the next few weeks. People in the Somalia has not ratified the UN convention on the community tell me that they want this conference to rights of the child. Perhaps the Minister might comment succeed, but they are weary from having seen too many on that later, but such ratification would achieve the conferences and initiatives fail in the past. They want same end. the international community to do what it can to help foster a solution, but they are well aware that any Jonathan Ashworth: The hon. Lady makes a good solution has to be Somali-led. Crucially, they want the point and she is quite right. I hope that the Minister Foreign Office to continue to engage with them, not listened to both those interventions and will comment only in the run-up to this next conference, as happened on them. in respect of yesterday’s very successful event, but beyond. I am sure that I speak for many in the Somali community I wish to make a few points about refugees. We know on the St Matthew’s estate in my constituency when I that 1 million Somalis have sought international protection invite the Foreign Secretary, the International Development in the region, many of whom are residing in Kenya. To Secretary or the Minister for Africa to come to that pick up on a point made by the hon. Member for estate. They would get some very good coffee and some Beckenham (Bob Stewart), the camp at Dadaab was very fine food, and such a visit would send a very good initially designed for 90,000 refugees but it now holds signal as to how the Foreign Office, or perhaps DFID, is about 440,000 registered refugees, as well as a number engaging with the Somali community in Leicester. of unregistered refugees. I hope that the conference will discuss how to ensure that refugees are registered as quickly as possible. In coming up with any solution that 4.4 pm deals with mass displacement, we need to consider the Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): We have role of the Kenyan and Ethiopian Governments. I either the hon. Member for Leicester South (Jonathan particularly hope that the Kenyan Government will Ashworth) to thank for this debate—we are grateful to ensure that Somalis who seek refuge in Kenya are not him—or perhaps the lack of business, because a Bill is prevented from doing so, and I would be interested to being discussed in the other place before it comes back know whether the Foreign Secretary is making here. Sometimes we are too self-absorbed and it is good representations to the Kenyan Government on that to have a few weeks to look beyond our own horizons matter. and think about what is happening elsewhere in the The hon. Member for Cheltenham and my hon. world, where often there is great suffering. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Rushanara I warmly welcome what my hon. Friend the Africa Ali) spoke about economic development and building Minister and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary resilience in Somalia. That must be a central objective have achieved in their proactive stance on Somalia. It is of the international community. As we know, Oxfam clear that we have a Foreign Secretary of stature—of and Save the Children have said that the world did not course we knew that already—and a Minister for Africa respond fast enough to the crisis, although I pay tribute who has tried to push the process forward. He said to the work done by DFID. We knew that the warning recently that he wanted a “strategic approach”, but 549 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 550

[Mr Edward Leigh] there are worrying comparisons with Afghanistan. There is foreign intervention for a start, there is the resurgent Somalia defies strategy. Nostrums of liberal unitary Muslim al-Shabaab—read the Taliban in Afghanistan—and democracy do not work with Somalia. It has tinges, there is a weak, corrupt central Government who are shades, gradations and distinctions that evade a simple too reliant on aid from the west. I think we have been solution. We have to learn to work with that reality too kind to the Mogadishu Government in this debate. rather than try to defeat it with our own notions of It might be difficult for the Foreign Secretary to say what is right. this—I went to the Somali conference yesterday at Chatham House, at which he gave an excellent speech—but Alun Michael: I do not think we should be quite so the failure of the transitional federal charter and the defeatist, given that the Somalis themselves have a transitional federal Government, whom we support, is model that has worked in Somaliland. It has dealt with almost absolute. They are virtually a failed entity, apart what was a clan situation and has engaged with the from in Mogadishu, where they operate only with foreign elders through the Guurti. I think that the hon. Gentleman intervention. is right about the current situation, but I do not think The corruption in that Government, whom our we should write off the capacity of Somalis to build Government support, is absolutely appalling, and taxpayers democracy, especially if they can do so with our help. here should know about it. A confidential audit of the Somali Government suggests that in 2009 and 2010, Mr Leigh: I agree entirely and apologise if my opening 96% of direct assistance to the Government from outside remarks had a defeatist tone. I did not mean to convey powers simply disappeared, most likely into the hands that at all. I just wanted to be realistic. I will, as have of corrupt officials. Billions of pounds and dollars from many who have already discussed Somaliland, pay tribute the west have therefore simply disappeared. I am not to what it has achieved. There is a model about which attacking international aid, and I will say something the right hon. Gentleman speaks with great knowledge, about the vital importance of humanitarian aid in a as does my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Tony moment, but it is appalling that, according to a confidential Baldry), so we should not despair of the situation. I was and authoritative audit, 96% of aid from our country leading up to saying—I hope that the right hon. Gentleman and others has simply gone down the drain—into the will agree with this—that there is no single solution or pockets of corrupt officials. governmental process that is right, because Somalia is a patchwork of sub-national entities: some, such as I believe the transitional road map should be abandoned. Somaliland, are large, some are small, and some are If possible, another road map should be agreed that is clan-based. more flexible and able to develop in response to the Somaliland has developed governmental structures implementation of changes—bending to them rather that exercise authority in a relatively normal and competent than being broken by them, as has happened in the past. way, despite or—dare I say it—because of almost total In that part of the world, as in many others, a strict non-recognition by outside powers. Perhaps we should road map is unlikely to succeed in practice. It is clear learn something from that. Elsewhere in Somalia power that the presidential system of a central Administration can shift rapidly as clans align, separate and shift alliances. is inappropriate for Somalia. That has proved to be I suspect that progress can be made only by encouraging unworkable and it might be wise to propose a confederal the peaceful institutionalisation and regularisation of solution to the problem. The country could be arranged the clan structures. That is not being defeatist; it is just into a number of cantons that bestow authority upwards recognising reality. That is why I believe that any kind to the national Government rather than there being a of imposed solution or attempt to create one out of this system that works downwards from the centre, as with conference would be a mistake. most unitary states. At least, in my view, we have learned some lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan. I strongly opposed both Martin Horwood: I rather agree with the hon. Gentleman those ventures, because I believe they were badly planned about having a federal organisation of the possible and because they involved western troops on the ground. state, which would reflect the history of Somalia, but Thank God we have learned the lessons and British may I question him about the report that so much aid coffins are not returning through Wootton Bassett from has been wasted? That is rather counter-intuitive given Somalia. We are, however, engaged and not a great deal that a high proportion of our aid goes to Somaliland, has been said about this so far. We are, apparently, which is relatively well governed and where structures training, equipping and supporting Kenyan and other are well in place. Quite a high proportion goes through African Union troops. I am told that British Army NGOs, with which that kind of exercise of being siphoned officers can often be seen in Nairobi doing that. Not a off by officials should not apply. Will he give a little great deal is disclosed about it by our Government—perhaps more detail about this report and its sources? that is right and it should be under the radar—but I think that Parliament, which pays for it, needs to know Mr Leigh: I am not attacking aid to Somaliland. I am what is happening on behalf of our taxpayers. talking about aid that goes directly to the Somali We have to acknowledge the limitations of foreign Government, not about aid that goes to Somaliland or intervention, even if we are being cleverer about it this NGOs. I will happily send my hon. Friend the report, time and using troops from the African Union effectively which is very clear, explicit and authoritative. There is as proxies. The fact that troops are from Burundi and undoubtedly a failed state in Mogadishu. We have to be Kenya does not mean they are not resented as interloping aware of and recognise that. Christians and foreigners by many in Somalia. We have A report from the Council on Foreign Relations in to recognise that and we must not be over-optimistic New York suggests there should be recognition of the about their ability to change events there. I still believe reality on the ground with the creation of a council of 551 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 552 leaders to replace the bloated and ineffective transitional some confusion about exactly what ships can do when federal Government and Parliament. That would surely pirates approach them. We heard what my hon. Friend be a step in the right direction. I believe that if a said; there must be clarification of the law of the sea, political process begins to succeed in stabilising Somalia, and I am sure the Minister will provide it when he winds the issue of Somaliland, as we have said again and again up the debate. in this debate, will need to be addressed. Somaliland has There has been much good progress. Operation Atalanta demonstrated its ability to function as an independent is an impressive effort involving 23 of the 27 EU member state; it is the only part of Somalia with a Government states. We provide the operational headquarters at who function properly, and they do so with some democratic Northwood. A combined naval taskforce—CTF 150—has legitimacy, which is all the more commendable. All of been undertaken by a coalition under US co-ordination. Somalia, apart from Somaliland, is committed to the It involves the UK, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan idea of a united state; for example, Puntland, while and Germany, with participation from Australia, Italy functioning separately, participates in negotiations for and the Netherlands. It is very impressive and we should the creation of a recognisable national Government and pay tribute to it. seeks to be a state within Somalia. On the contrary, As my hon. Friends who took part in the defence Somaliland has decisively demonstrated the desire to debate pointed out, all these things show the importance add de jure sovereignty to its de facto independence, of the work of our Royal Navy and that it is increasingly and it should be granted. The Foreign and Commonwealth over-stretched: in the Falklands, where we have had to Office says that self-determination is right for Falklanders, send a Type 45 destroyer, in the strait of Hormuz and so why is it not right for Somalilanders? in anti-piracy control. We cannot rely on others. An One way forward would be an offer to Somaliland authoritative report from the Defence Committee underlines that it sign up to a confederal Somalia, with a guaranteed the fact. In recent years, people have said that there is time frame for an independence referendum, as happened not enough for the Royal Navy to do, but actually it is in South Sudan. Nobody doubts what the result would extraordinarily important and it should be a national be. If there was a fair referendum in Somaliland, its priority. We of course have allies for counter-terrorist people would vote for independence, which, as we heard and anti-piracy purposes—let us not doubt it—but from my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury, they perhaps we should remember Lord Palmerston’s warning, had in the past. That would give Somalilanders a realistic which applies to us just as it does to others, that nations prospect of achieving the international recognition that have no permanent friends or allies, only permanent their state currently lacks, while retaining national legitimacy interests. We do not necessarily have permanent allies, at a Somali-wide level, even if only transitionally. I but we have a permanent interest in maintaining maritime suggest it as an idea for the conference, as others have security. That is why I take every opportunity I can in done. such debate to pay tribute to the Royal Navy for the Much of the piracy stems from Puntland, which is important work it does. I hope that when my hon. one of the poorest areas in an already poor country. Friends succeed in catching your eye, Mr Deputy Speaker, Given the lucrative nature of piracy, its financial attraction they, too, might make that point. is understandably strong, but it should also be noted Let me end my remarks by talking about humanitarian that Somalia’s fishing industry has collapsed over the intervention, because I did not want my earlier remarks past 15 years. Its waters have been overfished, not by to sound defeatist about the importance of international local people but by European, Asian and other African aid. I condemn the libertarian approach that says we ships. Lack of maritime security in Somali coastal should sit by and let the problem solve itself while waters means that they provide a safe haven for people hundreds of thousands of people go hungry and die, smugglers and arms smugglers, in addition to illegal which I think is completely counter to our history of fishing. humanitarianism. Therefore, I warmly commend what In Britain, we suffer from the common fisheries policy—a my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International thoroughly counter-productive strategy that our Development is doing and the help he has given. I often Government are forced to accede to. We should therefore talk about the need for strict controls on public money, sympathise with the position of Somalis who are being but occasionally one has to cut through Treasury controls ravaged by an immeasurably worse depredation of their and get the aid out there. I would like to echo the fishing stocks by outsiders. While the pirates—until concern expressed in a Chatham House paper: if the now—seem to be in it simply for financial enrichment, international community does only one thing, ensuring we must be aware of the potential convergence of the safe delivery of food aid should be the priority. I terrorist groups in the area. have no argument with that. When between 50,000 and Worse things could happen. For instance, the sinking 100,000 people are dying, it is right that we should be of a large container or tanker in the approach to the prepared to take action. Suez canal would be a propaganda coup for terrorists. So much of this issue concerns the lack of interest. Insurance premiums have already risen more than tenfold There is a lack of interest in many parts of the west. since the first flourishing of Somali piracy in 2008. Perhaps up to 100,000 people have died in the past year, Although the pirates obviously keep most of the ransom but this debate has not been overwhelmingly well-attended. funds they obtain, we can assume that a significant There is the lack of interest, the divided counsel and the amount provides local factions with an injection of violence. None of this is new. I will end with a quotation cash that helps to finance warfare and escalates conflict I recently read from Shakespeare’s “Henry VI, Part I”, in the area. Act I: I shall not repeat the points made by my hon. Friend “Gloucester: Is Paris lost? Is Rouen yielded up?... the Member for Croydon South (Richard Ottaway), Exeter: How were they lost? What treachery was used? who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, but there is Messenger: No treachery, but want of men and money; 553 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 554

[Mr Leigh] the criticism that would be made if emergency supplies were put in place and then not fully utilised, but we Among the soldiers, this is muttered— must accept the conclusion is that, if necessary, a risk That here you maintain several factions, must be taken by making early preparations to avert And whilst a field should be despatched and fought, such famines. That is why the proposals in the recent You are disputing of your generals: humanitarian emergency response review, the Ashdown report, are relevant. Its recommendations on stockpiles One would have lingering wars with little cost; of supplies and the means to deliver them have to be Another would fly swift, but wanteth wings. considered and put in place in Somalia and elsewhere, A third man thinks, without expense at all, so I should be interested to know how the Government By guileful fair words peace may be obtained. will apply the report’s conclusions in their approach to Awake, awake, English nobility!” the conference in a couple of weeks’ time. We are focused on Somalia, but there are increased Several hon. Members rose— warnings of another hunger crisis breaking out elsewhere Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. Nine in Africa, in the Sahel region. This debate is of course Members are trying to catch my eye. The winding-up about Somalia, but it is noticeable and concerning that speeches will start at 5.36 pm, so if hon. Members take many features that are described as contributing to the roughly between seven and eight minutes each everyone potential crisis in the Sahel are similar to those that we will have an equal footing. If Members cannot show heard about a couple of years ago in relation to the self-constraint, I will help them. crisis in the horn of Africa. We are told that there were late and poor rains in 2011, that food prices are now too high for people to afford at markets and that instability 4.23 pm is arising both from internal factors and from the Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ knock-on effects of developments elsewhere in Africa. I Co-op): I am not prepared with a suitable Shakespearean should therefore be interested to know also how the quote to follow the hon. Member for Gainsborough Government will ensure that the international community (Mr Leigh), but I want to pick up on his last point responds in advance of any crisis in the Sahel. about humanitarian assistance. Somalia, of course, was the country worst hit by the famine in the horn of That point relates to the Somalia issue, because, as we Africa. Just as one cannot deal with the famine without have seen in the horn of Africa, famine can destabilise a looking at the underlying security issues, one cannot much wider area than the one most badly affected. approach the security issues without taking into account Given that we face also a worrying increase in the the famine and the circumstances that led to it. tension between South Sudan and Sudan, we in the world community could well be faced with a massive I want to make a couple of points on the famine in area, stretching from west to east Africa, of hunger, the horn of Africa. It has been said time and again that disease and instability, which, as well as damaging the it was both predictable and predicted. I am sure that countries and peoples directly affected, is bound to have Members will have seen the excellent report recently effects on neighbouring countries, including those that produced by Save the Children and Oxfam, which have recently made substantial economic, developmental concluded: and political progress. “There were clear early warning signs many months in advance, yet there was insufficient response until it was far too late.” Those are big issues, and there are limits to what the There was a failure to respond at many levels—by UK can do. This country has been a major provider of international organisations, international agencies, countries emergency aid under this and the previous Governments, throughout the world and countries in the region. The but we have to get the world to mobilise and to focus UK Government were one of the first to respond, and consistently on the issues. The Save the Children and their role was very positive, but together the world Oxfam report makes the point that one reason for the community did not act, in spite of the repeated warnings international community’s lack of response to the that many Members will have read and heard about developing crisis in the horn of Africa might have been over the past year. other events, such as the Arab spring, the global recession, The question must be: why was there such a failure to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and I am sure act in time when there were such clear warnings? Several that that is right, but there are certainly as many—if not features had their role to play, including a lack of more—crises affecting the world now as there were two flexibility among the system in place to respond to the years ago, so there has to be some way of providing a crisis and, in Somalia in particular, the non-existence of continued focus on the long-term solutions that are state organisations and a lack of security for NGOs and required to prevent such crises from developing in the other actors, but the report from Oxfam and Save the first place. Children makes another important point: when such In the time available, I do not have time to develop all information from early warnings systems is produced, the points that I would have made. However, we need to action has to be based upon those early warnings, and it consider the kind of proposals that were outlined in the has to take place at that point, not when one is certain Save the Children and Oxfam report, such as the proposal that there is going to be a crisis. If we wait until there is for a charter to end extreme hunger. That would look at certainty, we will find that the crisis is well upon us and longer-term solutions to ensure, above all, that countries much harder to deal with. have resilience so that when crises and natural disasters Governments and NGOs have a difficult issue to deal happen, they can respond internally without having to with in their approach to crises. The resources of countries rely on emergency assistance on every occasion. There and NGOs are of course limited, and I can well foresee is obviously also a need to resolve the security issues. 555 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 556

Finally, the role of the African Union is extremely point has been made well by Members this afternoon important. It should not be seen just as a proxy by and I concur with it. However, we must not put our which richer, western powers can get forces in on the heads in the sand and ignore professionals who are cheap; it must be something much more than that. At accountable to this Parliament and the professional the end of the day, African countries, leaders, peoples advice that they give us. and organisations, such as the African Union, will have I welcome what the Government are doing to re-establish to provide the long-term support to deal with immediate an embassy in Somalia and the efforts of the UN to security crises and other crises. I would be interested to re-establish its base in Mogadishu. hear from the Minister what further support the UK In the weeks around the forthcoming major conference can give the African Union, both in its organisation and on Somalia, hosted by the Prime Minister, I hope that for specific missions, so that it has the ability to respond our media play their part in helping people up and to crises, such as those that we are seeing in the horn of down the country—especially people in places such as Africa and that we may see in western Africa. Clearly, it my constituency, who do not have day-to-day contact will not provide the sort of development assistance that with the Somali community—to understand why it is comes from richer and more developed countries, but important that they support Britain’s continued involvement its role can be important, and should become increasingly in Somalia. As we are all in the Chamber today, it is important, in providing security, technical and political clear that all parties understand that, but a large percentage support. I hope that it will have the full support of the of the people who have sent us here do not really UK Government as it develops that role. understand it and have reservations about why we are continuing our support. That is quite understandable, Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): I am extremely because people are often susceptible to compassion grateful to you for taking note of the time constraints, fatigue, especially when their standard of living is being Mr Lazarowicz. squeezed and some people are losing their jobs. Many fear that good money is being wasted. With so many 4.31 pm conflicts erupting around the world, they might tire of Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): We live even trying to keep up with what is going on. As in a time when one can feel the tectonic plates of taxpayers’ money is being spent, it is vital that we all do geopolitics move. In and out of this Chamber, Parliament our bit to make the case for support. I believe that is rightly engaged in debates about our nation’s role in people will want to support our efforts in Somalia if the world. The demands on our armed services in they understand the risks to our national security and Afghanistan, where we are working with our allies, and believe that we are really making a positive difference in countries around the world are increasing. Our diplomatic on the ground. and humanitarian effort is being stretched even further. Today, I want to share with colleagues the positive With so much going on, it would be all too easy to difference that humanitarian aid is making to thousands forget Somalia, and to think it less important than it is. of people in Somalia, who, we must not forget, are I think that it is essential to work with nations around among the poorest and longest-suffering on the planet. the world to continue to provide support for Somalia. I have mentioned ShelterBox in the House before. It is a Many of my constituents ask me why that is so. great Cornish emergency humanitarian aid charity that Fundamentally, it is because it matters to the security of provides boxes containing shelter, basic cooking equipment, the UK. More than 350,000 Somalis live in the UK and water sanitisation equipment and tools. Its ingenuity in we ignore Somalia’s problems at our peril. We should responding to different situations has enabled it to heed the words of the mayor of Mogadishu, who said deliver a remarkable array of services in Somalia in its to the BBC that disaffected young British Somalis were sturdy boxes. The boxes are all packed in and distributed leaving to train in the al-Shabaab terror camps before from Cornwall, and enabled by donations and volunteers. returning to the UK with “revenge in their hearts”. In Over the past few years, several thousand boxes have 2010, the MI5 director, Jonathan Evans, warned that it been sent to Somalia, and nearly a further 500 boxes, was including 50 classroom boxes, are currently en route. “only a matter of time” That shipment of direct aid is enough to provide shelter before terrorists trained in Somali camps inspired acts for about 1,000 families. of violence on the streets of the UK. Due to the security risks of working in Somalia at the Points have been made about the importance of keeping moment, ShelterBox does not actually have any volunteers our shipping routes open and free from pirates. on the ground there. It is instead working with a partner agency, a French medical charity called Women and Jeremy Corbyn: I am interested in what the hon. Health Alliance International, which has a long history Lady is saying about the Somali community in Britain. of working in Somalia. At the main displacement camp She is correct that there are at least 350,000 Somalis in Mogadishu, it has already set up a health centre, living here. Will she for a moment pause and reflect on where there is a hospitalisation facility using the disaster the hard work and contributions of that community in relief tents donated by ShelterBox. It is providing primary developing businesses and opportunities, and on the health care consultation rooms, a delivery suite and positive role that a lot of young Somalis play within even a small hospital. The ShelterBox tents not only their community and the education system? We should provide a clean, sterile area for the medical staff to not allow a message to go out that denigrates an entire work in but allow patients to be hospitalised while community of ambitious and hard-working young people. staying with their families rather than being separated. Pregnant women also have privacy while they are having Sarah Newton: I do not believe that my point reflected their antenatal consultations and giving birth. The facility negatively on the vast majority of Somalis living in our has been described by the doctors on the ground as country, who make a very positive contribution. That having made 557 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 558

[Sarah Newton] In my short contribution I shall deal with three matters: the engagement of the Somali diaspora, the “a dramatic difference to the well-being of hundreds of Somali situation of Somaliland, and developing systems and families in dire need of assistance in Mogadishu.” livelihoods, which is a theme of the conference. First, ShelterBox’s success in helping people in Somalia is a on the engagement of the Somali diaspora, I wanted to result of having worked around the world for many mention the helpful comments by the Secretary of State years building effective working relationships with local during the Chatham House event, which other Members organisations that do not have the bureaucracy and have referred to, and the pledge that members of civil inefficiency of some of the multinational agencies. Wherever society and the Somali diaspora will have the opportunity it works in the world, it works with locals and, in doing to contribute positively to the conference outcomes. so, it tries to build capacity in those nations to deal with Will the Minister say more about that in his winding-up future disasters. speech? Will members of the Somali diaspora in this Working in partnership with other countries’ aid country, including those from my constituency, be engaged efforts and with people in the countries that we are in future activity? The conference will be the start of a supporting, so that they can develop their own capacity, new phase of work and its legacy is important. It would is rightly at the heart of the Government’s humanitarian be a lost opportunity indeed not to build on some of the aid response. That theme was echoed in a recent report relationships and engagement that develop in the run-up published by Oxfam, which stated that the UN and to the conference. international non-governmental organisations provided Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): The only part of the answer to crises from Haiti to the horn hon. Lady makes a powerful case for the diaspora of Africa. community in her constituency. I have a diaspora When the Minister responds to the debate, I would community in Swindon, and I should like to reinforce appreciate his reassurance that the Government’s admirable to the Minister the hon. Lady’s point about the need plans to publish information on how taxpayers’ money for the mechanisms of engagement to be made clear so is spent in Somalia will be implemented so that all can that my constituents, like the hon. Lady’s, can make a see it, just as donors to ShelterBox can go online and positive contribution to, for example, the future of see how their money is being spent so well. Publishing Somaliland. that information would go some way towards reassuring my constituents that their money was being well spent Seema Malhotra: I totally support the hon. Gentleman’s and, as a result, build public support for the essential comment. work that Britain needs to continue to do in Somalia. Jane Ellison: When those mechanisms are established, Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Thank you for can we make it clear that we want to engage both men your time restraint. and women from the community? Too often when we talk about community engagement, we do not mean men and women equally. 4.39 pm Seema Malhotra: The hon. Lady will probably be Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): aware of my commitment to the engagement of women I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in this in all aspects of political and public life, and I totally important debate, and I add my congratulations to the concur with her comments. Foreign Secretary and his team on their leadership on Somalia. It is excellent that he visited Somalia to see On the situation of Somaliland, I simply want to add first hand the challenges in rebuilding the country. The to comments made so eloquently by Members on both Secretary of State said last week: sides of the House. Somaliland will be represented in its own right at the conference. Will the Government continue “For the security of the UK, it matters a lot for Somalia to become a more stable place”. to acknowledge the separate and successful development achieved by Somalilanders, who have turned Somaliland I echo that, and I am pleased that the UK is hosting the into a beacon of democracy in Africa? There is a fear Somalia conference. among Somalilanders that Somaliland could be dragged Feltham and Heston has a small but significant Somali into the quagmire of the south-central region. We want population. My experience is of a hard-working community a secure and democratic south and the continuation of looking to develop a life for their families, and of a secure and democratic Somaliland, so that Somalis parents encouraging their children to do well at school can together decide their future. and take up the opportunity of education that was Finally, will the Minister further highlight denied to so many. Many make a positive contribution developing systems and livelihoods, which is one of the to the local community through voluntary and other themes of the conference? I extend that request to the work. powerful comments made on economic development The leaders of the Darussalam Masjid and Cultural by the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Martin Horwood) Centre in Heston have also shown a lead in helping and my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester South fellow Somalis who have settled here to deal with the (Jonathan Ashworth). To what extent will access to consequences of experiencing two decades of conflict education and jobs be part of the agenda at the and famine. I should like to build on what my hon. conference? How can we help to develop an environment Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Rushanara in which young Somali men, who might otherwise be Ali) said about the aspiration of so many in the Somali more vulnerable and who might be drawn into terrorism, community. The conference in two weeks’ time is an have an alternative and a new hope for themselves and opportunity to highlight that other side of the story of their families? Creating an alternative life so that the Somalia and to keep it centre stage as a symbol of hope. next generation can live peacefully would surely be a 559 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 560 tremendous legacy for the conference, and one of which officer on board to make sure that any decisions that we would all be proud. I am grateful to the House to are taken are compliant with international law. That is a have had the opportunity to make this contribution. very different story from the days of Captain Bligh sailing around the south Pacific. He would not have worried about such things. Nevertheless, it shows how 4.45 pm much things have moved on. Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) The crew were concerned that their Royal Marines (Con): I thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for giving me could not go on land to take out terrorist and piracy an opportunity to participate in the debate. camps. I hope that Ministers will consider that point at I am not going to pretend for one moment that I the welcome Somali conference, although it must be know an enormous amount about Somalia; the nearest taken forward on a firm United Nations basis when a I have been to it was probably when, as a member of the lot of people are around. Addis Ababa division of the barmy army, I flew down to South Africa to watch some cricket. Waking up at six Bob Stewart: I was spurred into action by my hon. o’clock in the morning to the sound of the imam Friend’s comments about Royal Marines going ashore. certainly gave the whole place an enormous cultural As part of our initiative, I think we should plan to put feeling. anti-piracy headquarters, protected by Royal Marines, A lot of the issues we are dealing with at the moment, in Somalia, perhaps Mogadishu, so that we can get a especially in Somalia, are very much a legacy of the grip on piracy along the coast. That is the only way to cold war. When the cold war came to an end, it was do it. At the moment, we are fiddling around in the clear that there were no longer two superpowers that large ocean. We want to get a base onshore and sort it could argue the case, so places such as Somalia ended out. If possible, that should be considered at the London up falling through the cracks a bit. conference. If the walls of this Chamber were able to talk, they Oliver Colvile: In the main, I agree with my hon. would no doubt tell us that similar debates took place Friend, although it is important, if we are to do that 175 years ago. After the Napoleonic wars, there was a kind of thing, that we take with us the people who are in sense that a great deal of piracy was taking place in a position to make those decisions. There would be north Africa, as well as in the Mediterranean. nothing worse than putting troops on the ground, only In 2008, nearly $1 million of trade travelled to the to find ourselves in a similar position to that in Iraq and EU through the Gulf of Aden. The UK therefore has a other places where we have not been welcomed. keen interest in making sure that we support and look I pay tribute to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines after our maritime position in the world, and it is based in my constituency, especially HMS Cornwall important that my right hon. and hon. Friends in the and HMS Chatham, both of which were port-based Government are playing the part they are in leading the Type 22s that unfortunately have had to go. They did an great debate on this issue. excellent job and I was incredibly impressed when I had Our shipping industry is worth about £10.7 billion to the great opportunity to go to the Mediterranean last the UK’s GDP. I am told, however, that piracy could year. The other big issue was people’s concern at not cost as much as £12 billion a year. Surprise, surprise, I having the opportunity to earn a medal like those in will be speaking for the Navy in a moment or two, as Afghanistan and Iraq. I urge the Minister to take that hon. Members would expect, given that I am the Member point onboard because they make a significant contribution of Parliament for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, to protecting this country’s trade routes. which I would claim is one of the Royal Navy’s major If we are to be in the business of nation building, homes, although others might disagree. which potentially we should be, we must give advice to Some 23,000 ships go through the Gulf of Aden each potential new leaders. Our universities could provide year, and that is a good example of how important it is opportunities to would-be leaders to learn about that we, as a nation, do not become sea blind. I am international relations and, more important, about creating reminded of the story of a frigate that went into port in structures of government, such as the judiciary, policing Sierra Leone and out again. For six or nine months and governance. That would be an effective way of after it left, the terrorists and people in Sierra Leone exporting our knowledge. who wanted to create lots of trouble were convinced This country has a proud—in my opinion—reputation that if they started misbehaving, it would come straight for empire, and we still have structures in many countries. back into the port to make sure they did not have As we all know, Somaliland used to be a British dependency, another opportunity to create trouble. and in seeking to work with it would it not be wonderful Can hon. Members imagine what it would be like in if, in the year of the Queen’s jubilee, Somaliland could this country if we no longer had any petrol or any be encouraged to rejoin the Commonwealth and thereby groceries in our food stores? That is why the Royal Navy continue this great relationship? has a significant part to play and why I want to make sure that Somalia is seen as an international issue, and one that we are looking after. 4.53 pm Last summer, I travelled on one of the Type 23s Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): I am pleased travelling from Malta to Majorca. I had an opportunity that we are having this debate on Somalia. It is the first to talk to the crew and to see how they operated. They debate on this subject for a long time—if not, the first had just come back from dealing with piracy issues off ever—on the Floor of the House, although there have the coast of Somalia. It was very interesting. The first been Adjournment debates. It is a major step forward thing I learned was that all naval ships now have a legal and I welcome it. 561 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 562

[Jeremy Corbyn] Saferworld has sent an interesting briefing for today’s debate, which says that There is a clear need for peace, reconciliation and “it will only be through addressing the factors that underlie social justice, which I hope the London conference will Somalia’s conflicts that the country will ever move from repeated help to provide. As I said in my intervention on the crises towards lasting peace and prosperity.” Foreign Secretary, I hope that instead of lots of international Saferworld outlines a whole lot of issues surrounding conferences all over the world, we will witness, observe that instability—lack of political cohesion, corruption, and hear reports of proper, open political dialogue in the power of warlords, the fear that many people feel, Somalia by all sections of the community, indicating and, of course, the ready supply of arms and guns—and the development of a democratic and free society. That the inability of any effective civil society in much of the is what we want. country, although not all of it, to do anything about it. I represent Islington North, which includes the Finsbury I have also received an interesting briefing from the Park area, where a large number of Somali people have National Union of Journalists about the killing of made their homes. They have a strong, vibrant and journalists. Indeed, I tabled early-day motion 2638 on hard-working community, with ambitious groups of the issue. The latest to be killed was Abdisalan Sheik young people trying to achieve. My intervention on the Hassan, who was shot dead on 18 December 2011, hon. Member for Truro and Falmouth (Sarah Newton) although I listed a number of other journalists who was not intended to be critical of the points she was were killed in 2011. “Lives and Rights of Journalists making; it was intended to ensure that we get the message Under Threat”, a report by the National Union of out that there is a big Somali community in Britain that Somali Journalists, goes through, in gruesome detail, is making a great contribution to our society, with the number of journalists who have been killed for young people—just like young people anywhere else—who trying to report what was going on or have been harassed want to achieve the best in life. We should support them by officialdom, in all parts of Somalia, for trying to and applaud what they do, rather than allow an entire report the “unreportable”—the things that it did not community to be denigrated, which is what some of the wish to be reported. We want to know what is going on media have unfortunately done to Somali people over a in Somalia, so I hope the Minister will assure us that considerable period. one outcome of the conference will be a reference to the This morning I chaired a large meeting at the right to know and protection for those who are reporting, Finsbury Park mosque that, I am delighted to say, the because if authorities of any sort—I am talking of Minister attended as the guest speaker. We had more illicit authorities, as well as legitimate authorities—kill than 70 people present, with many questions asked journalists, they do it for a reason: they do not want the about what will happen at the conference and how news to get out. We have to recognise that and be as things will develop from there, and also about support supportive of journalists as we can be. and recognition for the community in Britain. I thank The issues of children’s rights and child soldiers were the Minister very much for being prepared to come raised earlier. Amnesty International’s recommendations along. It was much appreciated by the mosque and by on those matters are important. They state that all the community that we had that open dialogue and elements should verify that children are not among the debate. I hope that such dialogue and debate can be Government forces and that no person under 18 is held in other communities, because the point that we all recruited into any such forces. They also stress the made this morning was that there is a big diaspora importance of the demobilisation and reintegration of community and a lot of links between the communities child soldiers. This is not some esoteric liberal argument in Britain and in Somalia. Much money is sent home, being pursued from afar; if we do not do anything, or and also people go back and forth, to exercise their encourage something to be done, about the use of child skills and pursue their wish to see the development of soldiers and the brutalisation of children in that conflict, their society. We should see that as an asset and a they will grow up, post-conflict, into adults who know contribution for the future. Also, the local community nothing other than the use of a gun and the assertion of in my area has raised a great deal of money for famine force to get their way. That would result in all the support. Interestingly, One True Voice, the Somali women’s horrors of criminal gang cultures such as those experienced organisation, organised an evening concert for famine in post-conflict societies in Guatemala and El Salvador, support in a Catholic church, to emphasise that and in parts of South Africa after the end of apartheid. participation in the local community, which is something It is in everyone’s interests to ensure that the rights of we should all applaud. children are respected. I fully endorse the point made We are dealing with the consequences of a colonial earlier that the United Nations convention on the rights past, the cold war and, in many ways, the history of of the child should be recognised by the conference; I Africa—all those straight lines between countries hope that it will be. drawn on the map to describe boundaries that were The conference is being held in a former colonial utterly meaningless to the communities, except that in capital. There are some awful European traditions, and Somalia things are slightly different, because it is the one involved the congress of Berlin in 1884, which only country in Africa that is linguistically unified decided most of the borders in Africa. I hope that this is and where only one language is spoken. Every other the last time that this kind of thing happens. I want to country in Africa has a multiplicity of languages— see progress in Somalia and the development of an [Interruption]—although I am about to be corrected by open and democratic society. I also want to see a many Government Members. However, if they can just recognition of the poverty among many of the people contain themselves, I will be brief and then they can there, and of the deaths from wholly preventable conditions speak. Let us say “one of the few countries in Africa”, and illnesses. I also want to see a recognition of the way okay? in which a great deal of aid does not reach the people 563 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 564 that it should, because gangs, corrupt officials and signs of progress in some parts of the country, the vast others get hold of it, so that no benefit whatever is majority of girls undergo what is a brutal practice that derived from it. has no health benefits and leaves irreparable long-term In a briefing that I have received, I note that the damage. I particularly want to raise this topic now United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of because Puntland will be represented at the forthcoming Humanitarian Affairs has published an assessment of conference and its Government are seeking to pass the situation in Somalia. That assessment is a couple legislation that would enshrine FGM in law. We must of months old, but I suspect that the situation is not try to stop this very bad law being passed. very different now. It echoes what the Foreign Secretary I understand from local campaigners on the ground said. Based on food supply figures, it is estimated that working against this practice that the original aim of 4 million people—53% of the Somali population—are the legislation, which is referred to as the circumcision in crisis, countrywide. Of those 4 million people, 3 million law, was to outlaw all forms of FGM. It has since been are in the southern region of Somalia, which represents diluted by some Puntland politicians so that it now an increase from last summer, and 750,000 are seriously allows for—indeed, legislates for—a less extreme, but suffering in the famine, which has worsened. still invasive and serious, form of this very harmful Yes, we must provide food aid and support for those practice to girls and women. The law even offers indemnity people who are suffering, and let us also recognise that to parents who force FGM on their daughters, and it the situation has become very bad in Somalia. The rest promises that no action will be taken if the procedure of the world has finally woken up to that fact, and to goes wrong. the need for aid and recognition. Fortunately, so far in The President of Puntland, President Farole, has yet this debate and the others that I have heard, no one is to assent to the proposed circumcision law. I believe talking about an Iraq-type or Afghanistan-type western that he was the original proponent of the law to outlaw military intervention. People are talking about a process the practice completely. The new, changed law seeks to to bring about political change, recognition and respect criminalise the worst, most severe kind of FGM— for all the different traditions in Somalia. infibulation, which is sometimes known as pharaonic I am proud to represent a large Somali community circumcision. However, it would also make legal type 1 in Britain. It breaks my heart when I hear about my FGM, which is, in effect, a clitoradectomy—I apologise constituents’ relatives being stuck in refugee camps for for the necessarily graphic language—and which in years on end, or about people being killed on the streets Somali is called “sunna”. of Mogadishu and their relatives here being unable to I welcome, of course, any moves to make the most go home to attend their funeral. That is not the future extreme forms of mutilation illegal, but to enshrine in that my constituents want for Somalia; they want a law a measure that makes it possible to do type 1 FGM Somalia that is based on political recognition and on little girls is deeply regrettable, as that would both democratic institutions, and on an understanding that normalise and medicalise what is a serious human rights we have a responsibility to do our very best to end this abuse—it is recognised as such by the World Health crisis and help the people to realise the dreams that we Organisation—potentially on a massive scale. It would all have, for a long life, for fulfilment for our children also undermine the efforts of DFID and local and and for a fair and secure society. That, surely, is what international NGOs working in Puntland and across the aim of the conference should be. Somalia to eliminate this practice. Worst of all, it would undermine the astonishing and brave work of local women, in particular campaigners going from village to 5.4 pm village to get the cutters to put down their knives and to Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): I welcome the opportunity change hearts and minds. This law must not be passed, to speak in this important debate, and I am pleased to as that would undermine all the good work that is being follow the hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy done. Corbyn). I echo the sentiment expressed in his final The ratification of this law would send the wrong comments. One of the saddest pieces of casework that I message to the rest of Somalia and the wider region, have had to undertake in my short time as a Member of where there are some signs of progress. It would also Parliament was to try to help a constituent to find out undermine efforts here in the UK. FGM has been whether his family were dead or alive; it was extremely illegal in the UK since 1985, and in 2003 a loophole sad. The hon. Gentleman has also rightly urged us to allowing families to take girls abroad to have them cut dwell on the positive contribution of the Somali community was closed. However, there are close links between the in this country. I have a large Somali community in my homeland and the diaspora community, and if this law constituency, and I strongly echo the positive comments in Puntland were passed it would send a strong negative that have been made about the contribution of such signal to women here and elsewhere in the diaspora. communities. Unfortunately, I must focus on a negative That, in turn, would make the job of eliminating FGM issue. It is in part a health issue, and it has not thus far in the UK—which is, in fact, on the rise—much harder. been raised. No one should doubt that it is on the rise. Earlier this As some Members may be aware, Monday was week, I spoke at the Royal College of Obstetricians and international day of zero tolerance to female genital Gynaecologists conference specifically on this matter, mutilation. About 140 million women worldwide have so great is the problem now being presented in maternity undergone FGM, and it is estimated that each year a departments and specialist units around the country. further 3 million girls in Africa are at risk of the We should back the Puntland President’s original practice. Somalia has one of the highest prevalence opposition to all types of FGM. He issued the presidential rates. According to a 2006 UNICEF study, as many as decree in November 2011, and I hope we can support 98% of all Somali girls undergo it. Although there are that stance. Our Government in general, and DFID in 565 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 566

[Jane Ellison] of the famine suffered in that part of the world have already been spoken about in the debate, and I shall not particular, have been excellent at focusing on the prevention repeat them. of violence against women and girls in their international strategy. This is an uphill struggle, but it would be made It is clear, then, that the prevailing conditions in much harder if this law were passed. Somalia are not conducive to the establishment of a viable nation state. However, the challenge to the We are a major supplier of aid to Somalia, and, like forthcoming London conference is at least to show that all who have spoken today, I strongly support that. there is a pathway to a stable Somalia, secure in the rule DFID has placed the health, well-being and education of law and representative of its people, who are reconciled of women at the heart of its overseas aid programme. I to the systems of regional and federal government that am pleased to say that tackling FGM is specifically are put in place. An end to famine, the rule of law and mentioned as a “gender priority” in its strategy on democracy are the ultimate objectives. The prerequisite Somalia. However, I fear that that aspect of its work for the achievement of those objectives is security, and would be hugely undermined if this proposal were in that respect Britain is again in the lead. adopted. I urge Ministers to use meetings at the imminent conference as opportunities to raise the issue with Somali The Royal Navy leads the joint European Union and Puntland representatives, to put it on the agenda enterprise Operation Atalanta, is in overall control of for discussion, and to register their concerns. NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield, and supports the Like every other Member, I want the conference to separate US-led Combined Maritime Forces. Away from go well—that is enormously important to members of the “pointy end” of the Royal Navy is Maritime Trade my local community—but eradicating FGM around Operations, a capacity-building organisation that trains the world and here in the UK is a tough enough task merchant seamen. The Royal Navy has been at the already, and it would be made more difficult if this forefront of the development of counter-piracy operations, law were ratified. I urge Ministers to put the human including most recently increasing the speed of access rights of girls and women firmly on the conference’s to plans of merchant ships that have fallen foul of agenda. pirates. It has also played a great role in advising companies on how to keep their crews safe. It was as part of the NATO operation that the Royal Navy, 5.10 pm operating from Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Victoria, captured 13 Somali pirates last month. Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Battersea (Jane It is, of course, all to the good that apprehended Ellison). I want to praise her for raising the issue of pirates are no longer at large. However, in the absence of female genital mutilation, and not just in today’s debate. a legal structure making it possible to prosecute them in I am sure that all Members are aware of her considerable Somalia, neighbouring countries have had to take on work on the issue, which is incredibly important and a those cases, with the Royal Navy tasked with providing credit to her. much of the damning evidence. The first principle of a stable state is the rule of law. My hon. Friends the Members for Gainsborough Our most famous expression of that is arguably found (Mr Leigh) and for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport in Magna Carta, which states: (Oliver Colvile) have already spoken about the difficulties “No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his the Royal Marines face with rules of engagement and rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his the requirement to have a legal officer on board. This is standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against not just some bureaucratic problem; it is leading to him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful Judgement of people being hurt and killed. When the Royal Marines his equals or by the law of the land.” or the Royal Navy come across a pirate vessel or an act Without that foundation, there can be no sustainability of piracy, there is a time delay affecting their ability to and no democracy. act, which means that hostages are often taken out on Somalia has spent two decades in the grip of a lawless deck and tortured. As a result, it is often not possible to malaise as its people have been borne on the violent undertake an assault. ebbs and flows of competing warlords, yet there is a I have often rehearsed in this Chamber the point that break in the cloud. The Foreign Secretary spoke of the the work of the naval service—the Royal Navy and window of opportunity which currently exists in the Royal Marines—is not well understood by parliamentarians. country, and that opportunity must be taken. Mogadishu At last year’s Trafalgar event, one of our colleagues has recently been forsaken by al-Shabaab; the strengthened approached a member of the Royal Marines and asked African Union and transitional federal Government him why he was there, as he was not aware that the forces have been acting to force out the remaining Army had a role in Trafalgar. I am happy to say that he guerrilla operatives, and are even poised to tackle al-Shabaab walked away from that exchange with no limbs in its crucial port stronghold of Kismayo, from which it broken. We expect the Navy to be there when the runs the kidnap, drugs and piracy operations which are Falklands must be defended or Libyan tyrants its lifeblood and which sustain it in control of swathes contained, almost as though Her Majesty’s ships are of central Somalia. moored in Portsmouth—or indeed Plymouth—waiting While those struggles for control rage, the Somali for the call. The fact is that the Navy is constantly people suffer unbearable degradations. Lamentations at working, constantly advancing and protecting British the decline of law and the collapse of civil structures interests. Day and night—while we go about our daily and infrastructure are easily forgotten when supplanted business and while we sleep—the men and women of by a daily struggle for simple survival. The bald statistics the Senior Service are at work, keeping the fuel flowing 567 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 568 and the shelves stocked, tightening the grip on terrorist deaths of between 50,000 and 100,000 people, did, to activities and undertaking counter-piracy operations to use a pun, “take the basket”. Half of those who died help keep trade routes open. may have been children, and it is time that we did If the Navy is to fulfil these tasks it must be properly something about this. Somalia’s government simply is resourced, so I rejoiced when I heard the Prime Minister not working and it has not worked at all since 1991. speak enthusiastically of the Royal Navy yesterday. The Given those sorts of conditions, it is hardly surprising new Type 26 frigates—the global combat ships—will be that piracy flourishes; it flourishes in anarchy. Somalia’s a vital tool in the protection of British interests around long coast offers the perfect opportunity for attacks on the world. The 13 that will enter service will be the shipping. Of course, shipping is vital to our nation and workhorses of the fleet and will complement the six to many others. Type 45 destroyers currently doing such a good job in On top of all that, al-Shabaab started to take over demonstrating Britain’s instinct for resolute defence. Somalia in 2006. Someone born a Somali in Mogadishu The qualities of the Type 26 will be directly applicable must curse. Thankfully, last August, al-Shabaab was to the Somalia operations. It is ideal for service in the ousted from Mogadishu but it is still a huge force in the Indian ocean to tackle piracy and illegal trade, keeping south. That terrorist organisation imposes very violent our trade routes open, cutting off the supplies of terrorists, rule. As we know and as has been mentioned, it is and protecting British citizens home and abroad. blocking aid to many starving Somalis. It has unrelenting The Royal Navy’s contribution to Somalia is considerable, belligerence, it rejects any possible peaceful political and I echo the comments of my hon. Friend the Member settlement and it is imposing a brutal sharia regime on for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport: the Royal Navy the people of Somalia. It seems that Somalis are getting and Royal Marines personnel involved in those operations very tired of all this and are beginning to turn away really do qualify for a medal. They are often in harm’s from these people, so perhaps opportunity knocks. way. With the London conference on 23 February, we must push as hard as we can to try to make a start on Eric Joyce (Falkirk) (Lab): The hon. Lady is making sorting this basket case out. The main aim of the an excellent speech and is rightly praising the role of the conference must, of course, be to try to start on the Royal Navy. Does she agree that former members of the road to peace and security, and getting some form of Royal Navy and the Royal Marines play an important decent living standards for Somalis. The situation in role in private sector companies in protecting shipping? Somalia is very difficult, but we must do all we can to Many of the companies are members of the Security help our fellow human beings who are unlucky enough Association for the Maritime Industry, which plays a to have been born into it. We are so lucky and they are really important role—perhaps the greatest role—in so unlucky, so let us try to do what we can to help them. world shipping. What is really needed in order to help Somalia? What Penny Mordaunt: I agree absolutely with the hon. steps shall we try to aim for at the London conference? I Gentleman. The former head of the Royal Marines said see the Minister looking at me and wondering where this on this subject that it is a big ocean and we will have to is going, so I will do my best to be on message. First, the work much more with private companies and navies in Security Council resolution we already have does require order to protect those trade routes. It is positive that reinforcing. The international community must show its many of the people working in the private sector know determination. We already have a chapter VII enforcement how the Royal Navy and Royal Marines work. action Security Council resolution, but we need the international community to have the courage—I was The Foreign Secretary has articulated Britain’s will to going to use a different word—to do something about bring Somalia within the comity of nations, and in so it. We need enforcement action to be taken, in some doing we will not only be doing the people of Somalia a form or other, to sort out Somalia and we need effective service but advancing our own interests. It is to the funding for all aspects of that action. I have seen what Prime Minister’s and the Foreign Secretary’s credit that happens when we have unpaid UN battalions in the the forthcoming conference will be held in London, at field—they flog their petrol and sell their food. There which we hope some light can be shone on the shadowy has to be proper funding and the humanitarian operations path leading to the clear objectives of stability, rule of have to be supported by international action. law and democracy. I hope that the participants in the conference, and the British contingent especially, will A timeline for action is already in place, as the end of bear it in mind that these ends cannot simply be willed; the interim Government arrangements are scheduled they must be brought about by the investment of time, for August. That gives us five months and, as I know resources and effort. The Royal Navy is ready to supply from my own experience, quite a lot can be done in that all three, and I trust that its critical role will provide yet time. However, quite a lot of that time is needed to sort further evidence of the need for a strong, well-resourced, out a plan. First-class leadership by international and large Royal Navy. organisations and military forces on the ground is of course required. The military forces that go into Somalia 5.19 pm must have effective, well-thought-through, practical rules of engagement. The one thing they must not do is back Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): In my lifetime, Somalia away from a confrontation; they must deal with any has probably been the biggest and most tragic basket confrontation. If they back away once, they will destroy case in the world. It has had severe problems since well their mandate. We have to be robust about imposing a before 1991—indeed, I can recall them from when I was solution. First-class leadership is required, particularly a boy living in Aden. However, the 2011 drought, which, on the ground, and it must be supported internationally as the Foreign Secretary has explained, caused the by all Governments. 569 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 570

[Bob Stewart] The conference is important, but I am concerned about certain elements. A group of political leaders are The initiative also has the continuing problem of coming to London and this is the 14th transitional piracy.One solution—I am not suggesting it is ideal—might Government with whom we have had to deal. Thirteen be for the international anti-piracy efforts to be put on have failed and we have three or four months before the the ground in headquarters located in a port in Somalia. 14th come to the end of their mandate. Politics, Somalia That might be considered during the conference, as I and politicians have not been a very successful combination. said when I intervened on my hon. Friend the Member Of course we have to deal with the politicians and we for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Oliver Colvile). have to deal productively with the parts of Somalia that What we require most of all at the London conference have developed much greater stability. However, we is what the Germans call a schwerpunkt, which is a should also look at the strengths of Somalia and Somalis. Clausewitzian term that I learned in the military. It One of their greatest strengths is their entrepreneurial means a point of concentrated effort, and the point of business acumen. One could say that even with piracy concentrated effort of the London conference is to they were early adopters of a new economic model. make sure that, internationally, we establish determination There is nothing that stops a Somali trading from to sort out the problem of Somalia. That requires Mogadishu right the way to Cape Town or across to everyone to attend with the determination to apply the Nigeria. Security Council resolution to which they have already Despite the fact that Somalis place more trust in their signed up and to provide the assets, resources and business community and business leaders than in their money to help the poor, wretched people in what is, as it politicians, we are not engaging with the business stands, a dreadful country. Somalia is not blessed by community there. Certain business men, who are well God, but, my goodness, we must do our very best to try known, are invested in conflict. That is not unique to to sort things out for the people who live there and help Somalia: the same is true of every other country where them. there is an economy based on conflict and insecurity. I wish the Foreign Secretary the very best of luck at However, there are also leading Somali business men the London conference. He will need it. Right now, with who are trying hard and who would and will be invested al-Shabaab on the back foot, this is probably the best in peace. Economic stability will be crucial to any opportunity that the international community has had settlement, and the business community has the ability for a generation to get in and help the people of Somalia. to make a difference. There is a large diaspora, and I wish the best of luck to our team at the London competent business men who are seen as being party to conference. the conference and to the overall settlement will be able to link that diaspora in and procure a lot of the investment that is currently coming in as remittances for humanitarian Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. I call response. In a more stable environment, that money Laura Sandys and ask that she sit down no later than could be invested in greater economic development. 5.36 pm. I have nothing to add to the great strategies and the approach the Government are taking except to say one 5.27 pm thing to them: do not forget that there is an important Laura Sandys (South Thanet) (Con): It is a great part of civil society out there—the Somali diaspora and honour to follow my hon. Friend the Member for the Somali business sector. They are agents for change Beckenham (Bob Stewart). One thing that Somalia and, in many ways, they are counterparts that can help has—it would be a great asset if it had peace—is, to secure change once we establish it through political apparently, the best beaches in east Africa. I declare an mechanisms. Sadly, I have less confidence in the transitional interest, because my husband was the head of the Government. I hope we are successful in the next couple United Nations in Somalia eight years ago, during of weeks but I think we need to broaden our horizons some of the more difficult periods of its history. I have and our networks. lived through many of the ups and downs and many of the political and diplomatic initiatives that have taken 5.32 pm place over the years. Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): I thank all those who I would say that this is a special period. There is much have contributed to the debate, in which we have all greater optimism for this conference. We are starting learned something, ranging from people’s membership from a low base, but we have progressed and some of of the barmy army to people’s reaction to Select Committee the conditions and elements are ready to create a little visits to Somaliland. It has been very interesting and more stability, greater co-operation and movement forward. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I I very much welcome the conference and hope that it also welcome the UK Government’s decision to host will represent a proper step change in the security and the international conference on Somalia, and I congratulate stability of the area. the Foreign Secretary and his team on bringing forward I commend the Government for their dedicated and the important discussion that is to take place. focused attention on Somalia. The previous Government We have heard much about the scale of the task did a lot of work in Somalia, but I think that we have facing the conference. We know that Somalia has not seen a change in our relationship and engagement. The had a properly functioning Government since 1991 and Minister, who represents North Norfolk— [Interruption.] that it is the world’s most failed state. It has been the I apologise—that is a Liberal Democrat constituency—but object of failed military intervention and has received King’s Lynn is at the heart of the Minister’s constituency. tens of millions of pounds of UK aid and international He has done a lot of work on this issue and on the aid, and it is the source of the world’s most serious appointment of our ambassador. piracy problem. We all know the difficulties and that 571 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 572 there is a transitional federal Government, and I think A range of issues were raised, and I shall not have we all accept that they have failed in their role. It is key time to refer to all the contributions. I highlight the to the future of Somalia that some form of functioning speech of the hon. Member for Battersea (Jane Ellison), Government is established. It is for the Somali people to who spoke about the important issue of female genital solve the tremendous problems they face, but unless mutilation. That is another example that shows the and until there is a mechanism in the form of a Government need for a governmental structure that can address a to provide sustenance and security for the people of particularly horrific practice. If there is no Government, Somalia, I fear that despite the best efforts of countries it cannot be confronted. The problem is very hard to around the world and of the people in non-governmental deal with and the hon. Lady explained interestingly and organisations who contribute so much on a day-to-day clearly the difficulties, even when there is a Government, basis, this problem will continue. It is important that we with legislation achieving the opposite of what was as parliamentarians have the opportunity to present our intended. That is sadly familiar, as it has happened once experiences and our different opinions about what needs or twice in this place. to be addressed at the conference. It is important that we recognise that Somalia needs a We have heard contributions based on an enormous functioning Government if it is to address the problems wealth of experience. We heard from the hon. Member it faces. It is for that reason that we have this window of for Croydon South (Richard Ottaway), the Chairman opportunity, to use the Foreign Secretary’s phrase, and of the Select Committee, whose important report was I think that it is important that we seize it. used by my right hon. Friend the Member for Paisley It is also important at this stage to clarify the and Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander) in the composition Government’s intentions. We are holding the conference of his excellent speech. Like me, he learned a great deal now because we have this window of opportunity, but I from the report. I thank the Committee for the maps would like more detail on the format of the conference—if that were included; they were very useful in my preparation not today, perhaps in writing. For example, who will for the debate. attend, why will particular people attend, and what are The key issue of piracy is a symptom of the political the Government’s expectations and goals? It is important situation in Somalia and we need further clarification that we manage those expectations. This is a hugely from the Government about the rules of engagement, difficult problem, as we all know, and there is a danger which cause practical problems for those who have to of creating expectations that are too high and that, if face incidents of piracy. dashed, could make the present situation, as appalling as it is, even worse. The history of the past 20 years is We heard from my right hon. Friend the Member for littered with genuine and determined attempts by many Cardiff South and Penarth (Alun Michael)—a very dedicated people to address Somalia’s problems, but good friend—from whom I benefited in private discussions they have not succeeded, so this is a hugely difficult about Somalia and Somaliland. He explained the diplomatic task. approach of the all-party group on Somalia and Somaliland, and why its title has both names—a useful We need to learn from local examples where positive tactic that the Minister might adopt. It is vital that we steps have been taken, and Somaliland is one such look at Somaliland, as there are clearly lessons to be example that we have heard about today. It is particularly learned from that part of Somalia, which has managed ironic that Somaliland seems to have a Government to construct, albeit over a protracted period, a functioning who exist and function but are not acknowledged, form of government. That point was well made several whereas Somalia has a Government who are acknowledged times during the debate. but do not seem to exist. The hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr Leigh), in What are the legitimate expectations of the UK his interesting speech, referred to the people of Somalia Government towards the conference, and how will they using their own institutions to develop governance in address accusations of interfering as a former colonial their country. That is crucial. It is clear from my reading power? Clearly we cannot have a conference on the around the subject that there is distrust of, and disbelief matter in Mogadishu, but we must be wary of creating a in, Governments among the people of Somalia—not perception that a solution is being imposing from outside. surprisingly—particularly Governments imposed from My hon. Friend the Member for Islington North (Jeremy outside, whether from countries such as the United Corbyn) referred to the congress of Berlin, which also Kingdom and the United States or from African countries, crossed my mind when preparing for the debate. We even those who are offering help and assistance in the must present the conference in the correct way to both form of troops. the world at large and, most importantly, the people of Somalia. We need to think very hard about how the We should use examples from Somaliland in discussions conference will be presented in Somalia itself. How will between the parties who will meet at the conference. It is it engage not only politicians in Somalia, but civil good news that the President of Somaliland will attend society? Civil society in Somalia will be very important, and that there will be dialogue. There can be no substitute because the politicians have failed in the past. If the for people coming together to try to find a way forward. conference involved only politicians, it might not be The hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) gave us perceived as successful and so might not succeed in the great insight into feelings in Somalia. We heard an way we want it to. interesting contribution from my hon. Friend the Member What format will the conference take, in so far as the for Bethnal Green and Bow (Rushanara Ali). She talked different governmental institutions within Somalia are about development. We need a governmental framework concerned? What role will the Government or to bring it about. No matter how hard the charitable representatives of Somaliland and Puntland have in the institutions and the NGOs try, they need a functioning conference, and how will they contribute to the wider Government to create a positive future. discussion on Somalia? Many questions need to be 573 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 574

[Ian Lucas] My right hon. Friend explained also that we are realistic about the conference. We are not setting up a asked about the involvement of international institutions, new, parallel process. We want to enrich the existing because they are heavily and actively involved in Somalia, process and to act as a catalyst to drive international as we all know, from the United Nations downwards, action: on security, with more sustainable funding for and African Union countries have troops on the AMISOM; on the political process, by building on the ground. I understand that they will be involved in the local stability that I have just mentioned; by breaking conference, but what role will they play, and what will the business model for piracy; and by making a renewed their contribution be to the discussions? My hon. Friend commitment to tackle the humanitarian crisis and to the Member for Feltham and Heston (Seema Malhotra) bring about better international co-ordination. mentioned the diaspora, its contribution within the Over the next few weeks, it will become apparent how United Kingdom and its interest in the conference and we plan to deliver on all that, but one of the most how it can contribute to the debate. I was delighted to important areas that has been discussed today is the hear that the Minister attended the meeting in Islington political process because it is incredibly important that North this morning, where I am sure he received a lot of we build on local stability. There are areas, such as advice and information. Some pieces of advice might Puntland, Galmudug, those controlled by the ASWJ have been more useful than others, but I am sure that he and those being opened up in the west and the south, will make the judgment well. where people deserve to have their voices heard, and It is important, however, that we engage with the that is why we need a more inclusive and representative Somali community in Britain, which I know from my political process. We need a constituent assembly that postbag is very interested in what is going on and wants really does represent those people, and to prepare us to contribute as positively as it can to the debate. My for transition we need a more credible authority and hon. Friend the Member for Feltham and Heston, who Government. has just been elected to the House, carried the whole Several right hon. and hon. Members asked about Chamber when she made that point, and she had two the political process. Indeed, the shadow Foreign Secretary supportive interventions, which is more than I have asked about civil society and NGOs, and it is important achieved in 11 years, so congratulations to her. I missed to involve them. A number of hon. Members were very her maiden speech, but she certainly did very well today, critical of the transitional federal government, particularly and it was tremendous to hear. the right hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth I know the Minister, who will be winding up the (Alun Michael), and my hon. Friend the Member for debate in a few moments, very well. He is a dogged and Gainsborough (Mr Leigh), who noted that 96% of all determined opening batsman, who will try very hard to the aid that has been given to the TFG has gone go the distance with a long innings. I am sure that he missing. That is why we are setting up a new financial will do very well, and I should like to have some answers management board, which is incredibly important. to my questions, if not today then perhaps in writing. He has the good wishes of Her Majesty’s Opposition Mr Leigh: My hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham for the work that he is undertaking, and he knows, from (Martin Horwood) asked me what the source was for the voices that he has heard in the Chamber today, that the statistic that 96% of direct bilateral aid to the TFG he has a lot of support in what is a very difficult task. was going astray. I am sorry that I did not have that information with me then, but it is important to put it 5.46 pm on the record. It comes from the investigative report for The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign 2009-10 by the TFG’s public finance management unit. and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Henry Bellingham): I The TFG’s own internal report shows that 96% of the am grateful to the hon. Member for Wrexham (Ian bilateral aid going to them goes into the hands of Lucas) for his remarks. I may be a dogged opening corrupt officials. batsman, but when we played together for the Lords and Commons at Lord’s about four years ago, I was out Mr Bellingham: I point out that we have never given for four and he made, I think, 38 not out—at the aid directly to the TFG. Of course, a lot of aid has gone headquarters of cricket. into Mogadishu. That it why it is important that we have a new financial management board. We have had a really excellent bipartisan debate, with a lot of experience being brought to the table and to the The hon. Members for Leicester South (Jonathan House. As the hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy Ashworth) and for Islington North and my hon. Friend Corbyn) pointed out, this is a debate of huge significance the Member for Battersea (Jane Ellison) mentioned and importance, because it is probably the first time women and children, and the role of the TFG in ensuring that Members have debated Somalia on the Floor of that issues relating to them are addressed. We will the House for a very long time, indeed. certainly look at the language in the communiqué on that. As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary explained, the time is now right for action to be taken. Mogadishu I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, has fallen, other areas of stability in Somalia have now Sutton and Devonport (Oliver Colvile) that it is essential developed, al-Shabaab is undoubtedly on the back foot that after the transition we build more capacity and and the pirates are under pressure, so we have an administrative ability into the structures of the opportunity to make the most of the transition by Administration and Government in Mogadishu. putting in place a new political process. We as a Government The right hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth were absolutely right to seize the opportunity, and my (Alun Michael) and my hon. Friend the Member for right hon. Friend explained why he felt that that was the Banbury (Tony Baldry) spoke eloquently about Somaliland. case. Indeed, my hon. Friend gave a brilliant history lesson to 575 Somalia9 FEBRUARY 2012 Somalia 576 us all. He told us about his visit to Hargeisa a few years peacekeeping mission would be able to do. It contains back, when the red carpet was rolled out and there were brave troops from the countries that I mentioned, who crowds 20 deep on the streets into the city. I visited have worked incredibly hard. However, there is no substitute Hargeisa last July. I was met by the President at the for building up the capacity of the TFG’s Somali national airport and I was received with a red carpet, but the crowds forces. AMISOM is a short-term solution, and we need were certainly not 20 deep on the drive into the city to build the capacity of the Somali police and national centre. I am grateful to my hon. Friend and the right forces. hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth for their The right hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire knowledge. South (Mr Alexander) mentioned the scale of the threat This is an important conference for President Silanyo. from al-Shabaab and asked what we were going to do He has been invited to take part. We feel strongly that about it. I can tell him that we want to galvanise the this is a conference to which the Somalilanders can international community to support the countries in the contribute. They can tell the rest of Somalia what they region, so that they can improve their capacity to investigate have done to build stability, what has worked in their and disrupt the immediate terrorist threat. free and fair elections, and why they are a good development A number of hon. Members mentioned piracy, including partner for the UK. His decision is a brave one and the my hon. Friends the Members for Croydon South (Richard right one. Ottaway), for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, and My hon. Friend the Member for Banbury asked me for Portsmouth North (Penny Mordaunt). I congratulate whether Somaliland’s position will be enhanced by them on the work that they have done in their constituencies attending. I believe that it will. President Silanyo will to support the Royal Navy. I say to my hon. Friend the have a chance to speak. He will talk not about independence Member for Croydon South, the Chairman of the Foreign for Somaliland, but about what Somaliland can do to Affairs Committee, that we will reply to his report in enhance the peace process in Somalia and about what is detail in the near future. happening on his doorstep. By coming on to the My hon. Friend asked whether private armed security international stage, he will meet a large number of guards would be licensed. Yes, companies need to apply international statesmen and Heads of State. He will be to the Home Office for a section 5 licence in advance of able to explain to them what he has done that has deploying to a high-risk area, and so far five companies worked in Somaliland and why it has been so successful. have applied for licences. As far as the rules of engagement I take on board what my hon. Friend said about the are concerned, the Department for Transport has already Somaliland development corporation and the role of provided guidance to the industry on the use of force, the private sector. and negotiations with the Home Office are ongoing. I In the meantime, we will work with Somaliland, hope that we are moving into the right place in our particularly on the agreement with the Seychelles to policy on the matter, which has been widely welcomed. allow convicted pirates in the Seychelles to return to The co-ordination of the international navies has Somaliland to serve their sentences. Obviously, we are been excellent, but piracy obviously has to be solved on urging President Silanyo to pass his draft piracy law and the land. We are dealing with the problem at sea because prisoner transfer law, which are essential to allowing the we have to, but if we can build political progress in transfer of prisoners back to Somaliland, in time for the Somalia, particularly in Puntland, Galmudug and the conference. south, we will be able to solve the problem on the land. I am really keen to ensure that when communities chase Alun Michael: This may seem like a minor point, but out the pirates, development aid from the donor community the Minister referred to pirates returning to Somaliland. and the private sector goes to those communities to By and large, the pirates are not from Somaliland, but build new fish markets, schools and medical centres. will go there to serve their sentences as part of the In the meantime, we are trying to get memorandums assistance that Somaliland is giving to the international of understanding in place so that pirates who are detained community. can be taken for trial in the region and then taken to serve their prison terms in Somaliland. We are working Mr Bellingham: That is a very good point. Some of on MOUs with the Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya—there the pirates may well originate from tribes in Somaliland, is already an MOU there and we want to get it but others will be from tribes in Puntland or further reactivated—Tanzania and Mozambique. Although we south. It is a sign of Somaliland’s commitment to cannot be complacent, we are making progress. solving the scourge of piracy that it is prepared to enter into this important memorandum of understanding. On the humanitarian front, I underline the fact that the Department for International Development has done A number of right hon. and hon. Members have a quite superb job. However, we must now move from mentioned AMISOM. I pay tribute to the brave and aid to development—I agree with the hon. Member for courageous young Ugandans and Burundians who put Leicester South and my hon. Friend the Member for their lives on the line to secure the space in Mogadishu Cheltenham (Martin Horwood) that that is the way for the TFG to move in and, we hope, provide better forward. It is incredibly important that we bear in mind services. We have supported AMISOM. We are the the fact that the Somalis are entrepreneurs and business biggest contributor to its trust fund on a non-caveated people, and DFID’s emphasis on the private sector is basis. very relevant to Somalia. Combined with the remittances I am pleased to tell my hon. Friend the Member for going back into Somalia, which my right hon. Friend Beckenham (Bob Stewart) that AMISOM is looking at the Foreign Secretary pointed out were worth roughly its command and control configuration and considering $1 billion, I believe that means the situation is much sector sub-commands. As a peace enforcement mission, more promising for young people in Somalia. Rather it is doing things that I do not believe a normal UN than looking to extremism and possibly terrorism, they 577 9 FEBRUARY 2012 578

[Mr Bellingham] Benefits (Terminally Ill Patients) Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House can look to businesses and to helping to rebuild Somalia do now adjourn.—(Mr Newmark.) through the private sector, entrepreneurial drive, enterprise and initiative. My hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Laura Sandys) also made that point. 6pm As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said, Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ we are determined to have a reinvigorated and focused Co-op): As MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, I international approach to Somalia. We feel that the am privileged to represent a number of organisations time is absolutely right for that. The international that are national leaders in their field, one of which is community has worked on Somalia over the years, but St Joseph’s hospice, which, founded by the Sisters of there has been a lack of a really co-ordinated approach. Charity, has for 109 years provided support for east I have been to a number of international contact group enders who are dying. meetings on Somalia, and although a great many positive things have been spoken about, we have not had really St Joseph’s works with patients to help support them well developed work groups or work streams. The UN in their final months of life. It offers end-of-life care in has also now been brought in, with its serious expertise, its hospice and day hospice, and at home, for terminally along with the African Union and European Union. ill people, their families and carers. It has a great deal of experience in ensuring that patients get the benefits to Momentum has built up towards the conference, and which they entitled. my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I are very encouraged by the number of countries that have St Joseph’s has recently alerted me to serious problems accepted the invitation to come. It will not be a one-off. with the administration of benefits for people who have We want it to kick-start a reinvigorated and imaginative been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Hackney citizens international approach. There is a very important role advice is also helping a number of people who are for the diaspora, and we have undertaken outreach diagnosed as terminally ill who are not receiving consistent with it. support and advice when applying for benefits, particularly employment support allowance. Somalia is at a crossroads. There is no shortage of good will, but ultimately it is up to the Somali people I want to outline the scale of the issue; what is themselves to rebuild their country. supposed to happen when someone who is terminally ill claims benefits; and the experience of national and Question put and agreed to. local providers and individuals. If I may, I also want to Resolved, suggest to the Minister some ways in which the situation That this House has considered the matter of how to build a can be improved. stable and peaceful Somalia. Nationally, Macmillan Cancer Support and Citizens Advice work together to support cancer patients with Business without Debate benefits and debt advice. From March 2007 to March 2011, they helped more than 39,000 cancer patients with over 190,000 issues. Out of those 190,000 issues, BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (22 FEBRUARY) 78% were related to welfare benefits in general, Ordered, with employment support allowance cases totalling 10,659, That at the sitting on Wednesday 22 February paragraph (2) of or around 8% of cases. Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments) shall apply to Over the same period, Citizens Advice and Macmillan the Motions in the name of Edward Miliband as if the day were an Opposition Day.—(Mr Newmark.) caseworkers gained more than £77 million for their clients. More than £71 million of that was through ensuring that clients received all the benefits to which BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (23 FEBRUARY) they were entitled. Behind those big numbers are vital Ordered, payments to families of people who are dying and That at the sitting on Thursday 23 February, notwithstanding unable to support themselves financially without the the provisions of Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an support of the state. Act or on European Union documents), the Speaker shall put the Let me explain to Members of the House who may Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motions in not be aware how the system of claiming is supposed to the name of Secretary Iain Duncan Smith relating to Pensions work. To be “terminally ill” in order to qualify for and Social Security no later than 5.00 pm.—(Mr Newmark.) benefits, a person must have a progressive disease and their death must be reasonably expected within six months. That is certified by a general practitioner or specialist using a medical report called a DS1500. Once someone is given a DS1500 form, they automatically qualify for disability living allowance at the higher rate. Employment support allowance is the benefit for people under 65 who are unable to work because of their illness. Under special rules, people who are terminally ill and not already receiving one of those benefits are entitled to swift access at the very highest level of support from one of those options. Some who are still working will qualify for both, but not necessarily at the same time. 579 Benefits (Terminally Ill Patients)9 FEBRUARY 2012 Benefits (Terminally Ill Patients) 580

Macmillan Cancer Support tells me that in its experience could be sorted. I put it to the Minister that we need a nationally, the system for disability living allowance has step change in how the service is delivered for those who worked well. The disability and carers service is able to are terminally ill. fast-track payments and usually does so. The service is The Minister will have been briefed about the guidance well attuned to the needs of someone with a terminal that he and his ministerial colleagues have issued to illness. However, when it comes to employment support workers on the front line. Whatever the edicts of Whitehall, allowance the picture is different. To claim for ESA, the my concern is that his guidance is not fully understood person must advise the jobcentre personally that they or is not being followed at a local level. The human are terminally ill. In some cases, patients are not aware impact is immense, and I hope he shares my serious of their prognosis; in others, they are too ill to advise concerns. their jobcentre. Why, therefore, can local jobcentres not just accept the DS1500 form from a doctor, welfare Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): My hon. adviser or relative as proof of the right to ESA, as can Friend has concentrated on people with cancer, but I be done with DLA? Why can a check not be done on have a constituent who developed cerebellar ataxia, the DLA database by the assessor from the Department? which is a chronic and progressive illness resulting from the degeneration of nerve tissue in the spinal cord. It Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ leads to muscle weakness, loss of co-ordination, vision Co-op): My hon. Friend is setting out the situation and hearing impairment, slurred speech, heart disorders, powerfully and clearly. My constituent Mr McGowan, progressive staggering or stumbling, and frequent falling. of Blantyre in Lanarkshire, is in the latter stages of his My constituent was initially disallowed her ESA. An life. He has a terminal illness, severe dementia, multiple assessment restored it. Since then, despite the fact there sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, he is bedridden and he is a letter from a consultant, she has been told she must cannot even swallow. He recently received a standard regularly have a work capability assessment. That is not letter from the Department for Work and Pensions only deeply distressing and unpleasant for her, but it is a asking him to get in touch so that he could be given complete waste of public money. guidance about how to get back to work. Given that the Meg Hillier: My hon. Friend makes a powerful point, DWP knows all the people who are terminally ill, and I am sure the Minister is ever alert to the impact of because they have filled in the DS1500 form, is it not decisions on the public purse. One of the things I would irresponsible and distasteful, as well as deeply upsetting say about this issue is that it is not necessarily the case for those concerned and the relatives looking after that getting this right for terminally ill patients would them, for the DWP to send such standard letters, when cost the public purse any more money; this is simply the data already exist, and people know they should not about making the system work better. be in that position? My hon. Friends have raised some individual cases, and I would like to highlight some from my constituency. Meg Hillier: I completely agree, and it would be These involve real people who have experienced stress simple to solve the problem. Simply sharing the data and worry about money in their final months of life. would mean that individuals and their families do not Mrs A is a constituent of mine who has asked me not to have to go through the distress that such letters can identify her in the House. Her husband died six months cause. ago, and she contacted me to tell me of his experience. There are times, of course, when a patient who is Despite having a terminal illness—not cancer—he was diagnosed continues to receive income from their employer. called in for a back-to-work interview after six months That can mean that they do not need to claim ESA until on ESA. Incredibly, the assessor found him fit for work. months later, when their paid work stops. They can have They claimed that this was on the basis of health checks their DS1500, but by the time they stop their paid work, that my constituent, who accompanied him to the it will be out of date. As we know, people have been assessment, tells me they did not even make. asked to get an up-to-date form from their doctor. A debate in Westminster Hall secured by my hon. Macmillan tells me that there have, unfortunately, Friend the Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West been cases where jobcentre staff, on seeing the form or (Tom Greatrex) on 1 February highlighted serious issues requesting it, have disclosed to a terminally ill patient with Atos assessments. I will not repeat those concerns their prognosis. Imagine someone’s shock at learning here but this case underlines them, although it is worth they are going to die from a member of staff at the echoing a point that he made at the beginning of that jobcentre or from a stranger over the phone. That debate. I have no problem with work assessment. My underlines why the support needs to be particularly issue is with the treatment of people who will clearly sensitive for people who are dying. never go back to work because of a long-term progressive illness and who have the paperwork to prove it. Recently, there has been a serious backlog of claims. Six months later, Mr A’s case has only just gone to St Joseph’s has had patients who have died while waiting appeal. The assessor claims that Atos did not know my for their benefits claims to be assessed. I support calls constituent was terminally ill. My recently widowed by St Joseph’s and others for the Department to introduce constituent is still dealing with the appeal. She said to a fast-track approach for end-of-life patients, as with me, “My husband worked all his life. He probably DLA. worked longer than he should have done given his Macmillan operates a national helpline and tells me health.” He was entitled to support. The treatment that that the situation varies across the country.Some jobcentres he received and the stress caused by losing his benefits say the patient has to make a claim themselves, and should not have been experienced by him in his last some say that is not necessary to start a claim. That months of life; nor should his widow have to continue variation suggests that, with some focus, the problem to battle after his death. 581 Benefits (Terminally Ill Patients)9 FEBRUARY 2012 Benefits (Terminally Ill Patients) 582

[Meg Hillier] What training is provided to jobcentre staff, and does the Minister have any plans to change it? Given that I St Joseph’s has told me about two recent cases where have picked up on the fact that there are quite significant there have been issues with assessments. A patient who regional variations, how is best practice shared across was blind and terminally ill from a brain tumour was the country? I urge him to ensure that no more patients asked to attend a medical assessment. Fortunately, the face a bureaucratic maze in ensuring that they can hospice social worker wrote to the medical team to support their families in the final months of life, and explain the terminal illness and point out that he was that no more widows such as Mrs A have to deal with a blind and could not get to Wembley independently. As a system in bereavement that should be supporting them result, the assessment was cancelled. when they need that support most. Another patient had been found fit for work and was The system is a lottery. If someone is lucky, they will appealing with the help of another agency. He was find an adviser who can help them negotiate the system. terminally ill and had been awarded disability living They might find a Department for Work and Pensions allowance under the special rules. All the paperwork adviser who understands and can fast-track their was in place, so he should never have even been called application. However, many are not getting the service for an assessment, let alone have been deemed fit for and the benefits to which they are entitled. They are work. When St Joseph’s stepped in and contacted the among those who need the support most, and they need appeals section to inform it of this, his benefit was it immediately. Add to those problems the current backlog reinstated promptly.However, there is nothing to substitute and the lack of a freephone number, and the costs for for that good advice at a late stage. The system needs to patients already struggling with money are increasing. work better before organisations that are attuned to The Minister must acknowledge that all is not well. I this, such as St Joseph’s, Macmillan and others, step in. want to hear what he will do to solve those problems. Marie Curie told me that the DWP confirmed to it, Has he, for example, considered a central service, so on 20 January this year, that the time limit on ESA that anyone who is terminally ill is dealt with by someone would not apply to people who were terminally ill who is sensitive to their support needs? Again, I am not because they were automatically placed in the support asking for more money; I am simply asking for the group rather than the work-related activity group under reconfiguration of the existing service, which is already the Work programme. Under the Welfare Reform Bill, being paid for by taxpayers. I urge the Minister to act people in the support group will not have their access to now, to ensure that terminally ill people and their ESA time-limited. This should mean that someone who families are able to spend their last days without the is terminally ill should not be called for a work capability worry that they will have to justify their entitlement to assessment. Will the Minister confirm that fact? Will he benefits. also tell me what he and his colleagues are doing to ensure that front-line staff are aware of it, and not 6.16 pm putting our constituents through the pain and upset that he has heard today? The Minister of State, Department for Work and St Joseph’s hospice has raised with me a number of Pensions (Steve Webb): I congratulate the hon. Member for other problems that its clients have faced. Often a Hackney South and Shoreditch (Meg Hillier) on securing patient has missed out on benefits for a long time before this debate about such an important and sensitive matter. being advised at the hospice about his or her entitlement, I join her in praising the work of the hospice movement— as other agencies miss the implications of terminal including St Joseph’s hospice in her constituency—for illness on benefits or give incomplete advice. The Minister the care and support it gives terminally ill people and needs to be aware of this issue, as it needs to be tackled. their families, and, as she said, for helping people to Hospital staff do not always refer a patient, even when access the benefits that, perhaps in many cases, they help is available at the hospital. should have been receiving earlier. I welcome that work, If ever there was an area where timeliness and joined-up as well as the work of Macmillan Cancer Support, with government was necessary, this is it. St Joseph’s can which the Department works closely on a range of issues. work with agencies, such as the pension service, to refer The hon. Lady has raised some important matters, to those over 60 for help claiming and completing forms. which I hope to respond. I can offer her the assurance Everything does not always go smoothly, but there is a that the coalition Government seek to put in place real need for a similar joined-up approach to helping structures in the benefits system that treat people with those under 60 with life-limiting illnesses. terminal illness with dignity and give them efficient and The debate over the future of welfare has been raging effective support—as, indeed, did the predecessor in both Houses and in the country since the last general Administration. Individual cases have been raised, both election and before. There are many disagreements between by the hon. Lady and by her hon. Friends the Members the Opposition and the Minster, but we can surely agree for Rutherglen and Hamilton West (Tom Greatrex) and that one core element of our benefit system is that it will for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman). I cannot respond support those unable to support themselves through to those individual cases immediately, but I can certainly sickness or disability. give an undertaking that if any hon. Member here I have highlighted just some of the cases that have today wants to follow up on those cases with details— been drawn to my attention. There are, I am sure, cases national insurance numbers, and so on—we will be keen where patients or members of their families have died to do that, because it is by following through what before a claim has been processed and where people sometimes appears to have gone wrong that we learn might not be aware of their rights. I hope that the lessons that will be of general benefit. Minister will take onboard these concerns and the We want to make it clear that if an individual has a impact on terminally ill patients and their families. This terminal illness, they must be entitled to the highest rate problem can be solved, and solved quite quickly. of support, and should receive that support quickly and 583 Benefits (Terminally Ill Patients)9 FEBRUARY 2012 Benefits (Terminally Ill Patients) 584 in the most sensitive way possible. As the hon. Member they are not paid the lower 13-week assessment rate. for Hackney South and Shoreditch mentioned, the two That is quite properly an additional source of support. key benefits that are relevant to terminally ill people Similarly for disability living allowance, individuals are and their families are employment and support allowance, fast-tracked to the highest rate of the care component, and disability living allowance—or instead, for those of which is currently worth £73.60. They do not have to pension age, attendance allowance. In both cases, our satisfy the normal entitlement conditions for the care aim is to ensure that terminally ill individuals are fast- component, or meet the usual qualifying period of tracked through the process for DLA and ESA, so that three months. These have all been features of the system they can receive the highest level of support as quickly for some time, and they are designed specifically to as possible, with a minimal burden on them and their assist terminally ill people. family. The hon. Lady also, quite properly, raised the issue of Although there are some differences between the two people finding out in an inappropriate manner that they benefits—for reasons that I will explain—there are also are terminally ill. It is totally unacceptable for someone common threads, which links in slightly with the hon. to find that out from a jobcentre or over the phone: that Lady’s point about having common treatment for people simply should not happen. with terminal illness. One of those threads, quite properly, is that the definition of terminal illness that the Department Meg Hillier: I thank the Minister for that categorical uses is the same for ESA, DLA and attendance allowance. statement. Would it not be easier for DWP assessors The definition is, as she said, that an individual is simply to check the disability living allowance database? suffering from a progressive disease and that death in They would not then have to ask for a form, which consequence of that disease can reasonably be expected would make life a lot easier for the patient. within six months. Although that is a standard definition, I stress that there is also a good deal of flexibility built Steve Webb: Absolutely. Atos was awarded the contract in. Therefore, although the definition is an indicative to do the face-to-face assessments some years ago. In rule for accessing what are called the special rules, regard to data sharing, it would be aware that a DS1500 nobody in a jobcentre or a benefits processing centre form had been completed for a claimant, so it should will say, “Well, if it’s six months and a day, forget about not need to ask for another form to be completed. I it.” The definition is intended to be applied as flexibly would be keen to hear about any individual cases in and sensitively as possible. which that has none the less happened, when it should not Let me give an indication of the extent to which have done, and we will follow them up. The intention is people qualify under the special rules scheme—that is, that, whenever possible, these matters should be dealt let me place before the House some indications, as it with on the basis of paperwork and forms that have were, of where the system is delivering as it should. As already been submitted, rather than calling people in the hon. Lady said, 4,200 people are placed directly in for a face-to-face assessment. As the hon. Lady says, the support group—which is for non-time-limited calling them in is inappropriate and unnecessary, and it support—for employment and support allowance owing also costs money. There is no reason why anyone would to terminal illness each year. Around 22,000 people want it to happen, and we are keen to ensure that it are awarded DLA owing to a terminal illness, while does not. 38,000 people are awarded AA, which is obviously for We also recognise that some people do not know, or older claimants, owing to a terminal illness each year. do not wish to know, that they are terminally ill. The Therefore, although there will be some overlap between provisions for DLA allow a claim to be made for such the two groups, roughly 65,000 people are, quite properly, people under the special rules by a third party, and such accessing the special rules, which get their claims fast- a claim will be handled sensitively to ensure that the tracked, so that they can be put straight on to the prognosis is not revealed to the terminally ill person. highest rates. For both benefits—DLA and ESA—processes are in I want to say a bit more about the process that should place to ensure speedy access to benefits and minimal be followed. The hon. Lady asked why there was no form filling. I shall talk the House briefly through the fast-tracking for employment and support allowance. I process involved. The claim is sent for urgent medical can assure her that there is. Individuals are fast-tracked advice from medical services, which have 48 hours to into the support group, and they receive financial support, provide advice on whether the individual meets the which is currently £113.90 for a single adult over 25. No terminal illness criteria. Performance data over the last obligations are placed on them to look for work or to year on the typical turnaround time for these applications undertake work-related activity. show that medical services are providing advice in an average of 1.2 days for ESA claims, and an average of Tom Greatrex: Will the Minister give way? 1.5 days for DLA claims. In general, therefore, these claims are being turned round very quickly, and rightly so. Steve Webb: I will not, if the hon. Gentleman does To provide this advice, medical services can contact not mind. This is the hon. Lady’s debate, and I have the claimant’s GP, or the treating health care professional, only a few minutes in which to respond. to check whether they are already receiving DLA due to Unlike other claimants to employment and support terminal illness. Advice is then provided to a decision allowance, individuals who are terminally ill are paid maker, who makes a judgment on the balance of the support group component backdated to the date of probabilities and has some discretion. The whole process claim. So, the assessment period, during which those should take no longer than a week from start to finish. making a standard claim would be paid at a lower rate, Claims for employment and support allowance are currently does not apply. Once we have identified that someone is taking just over seven working days, and claims for terminally ill and put them in the support group, their disability living allowance are taking just under six payment at the higher rate is backdated to week one; working days. 585 Benefits (Terminally Ill Patients)9 FEBRUARY 2012 Benefits (Terminally Ill Patients) 586

[Steve Webb] Steve Webb: One problem is that defining someone as terminally ill for the purposes of the special rules involves Appeals have been mentioned, and I would be the the notion of a six-month prognosis. The hon. Lady first to accept that it is taking too long to deal with will appreciate that this is not a science, and that it is them. These matters are handled by the tribunals service, hard to predict with any degree of certainty. Somebody under the Ministry of Justice, and we are working might be identified, perhaps even by their clinicians, as closely with the service to try to reduce the backlog. having a longer prognosis, and the appeals service will Some progress has been made. For most of this year, the in such cases look again at the initial decision. We are number of new cases coming in has been lower than the trying to make those decisions as swiftly as possible. If a number of appeals cleared, but I freely accept that it is decision is made to take somebody off benefit, their still taking too long. benefit continues while they await the appeal, and it is There are a lot of reassessments taking place at the important that it should. moment, involving people who have been on incapacity The hon. Lady mentioned fast-tracking of ESA benefit for a long time, and the volume of appeals is applications, and that is in place. If someone is identified inevitably rising as a result. When someone appeals, as having a terminal illness, when they have their WCA they stay on benefit in the meantime. I am talking now a flag should be set because those deemed to be terminally about general decisions on IB, rather than those for ill should not be contacted for three years. That is the terminally ill people. Appealing enables the benefit to norm; that should be what happens. However, some continue, so there is quite a strong incentive to do so, conditions—HIV, for example—used to be regarded as and the volume of appeals has greatly increased. terminal, but now they are not. There is therefore a sort of backstop that, in effect, says that after three years the We are taking steps to address that. First, we are person in question may be contacted. In general, however, dealing with appeals more quickly. The volume of appeals people will not be contacted again. We are continually processed by the tribunals service has been 66% higher looking to ensure that robust processes are in place for in the first seven months of 2011-12 compared with the sorts of cases the hon. Lady mentions, and I will 2009-10. There is much greater throughput, therefore. raise this important issue with operational colleagues Secondly, we must try to get the decisions right in the on the front line. first place. That is in everybody’s interests. I am proud of the Harrington review process, which analysed the The hon. Lady asked why we do not have a single very flawed work capability assessment. Professor central service. One of the dilemmas we face is that Harrington produced his first report, and the Department people always tell us they want DLA and ESA to be accepted all his recommendations and has been seen separately. DLA is about the costs of disability and implementing them. Professor Harrington has reported has nothing to do with work. Some people ask why we back, saying the Department is doing a pretty good job do not have a single form or system, but there is a in taking on his recommendations. He has now produced danger of muddying the waters. Claimants’ organisations a second round of recommendations. As I have said, the tend to ask us to keep them separate, and say that DLA key is to get these decisions right in the first place, and should not be about pressurising people to work, and we are finding that the rate of successful appeals against that instead it should be about meeting the costs of WCA decisions is significantly lower than under the old care. personal capability assessment. I thank the hon. Lady for raising these issues. I have set out what the Department is seeking to do to help terminally ill people with their benefit claims, but I Meg Hillier: That is all very well for the bulk of cases, would be very happy to follow up any individual cases but the key point in today’s debate is that those who are Members want to bring to our attention. terminally ill should not have to go through an appeal in the first place. Speed of delivery is also important. Question put and agreed to. We are hearing of serious delays for people with a terminal illness. Will the Minister move on to the element 6.29 pm of his remarks that deal with that? House adjourned. 143WH 9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 144WH

visits. We went to Manchester City football club to see Westminster Hall the huge investment that has taken place under its new owners. They have taken the club from the bottom levels to the top levels of the premier league. We went to Thursday 9 February 2012 Arsenal to see the Emirates stadium and to meet the management there. We held oral evidence sessions at [MR DAI HAVARD in the Chair] Wembley stadium and Burnley football club. We also went to Germany. Looking at Germany’s model of licensing football clubs was a particularly influential Football Governance part of our inquiry. It made quite an impact on the [Relevant documents: Seventh Report of the Culture, Committee. Media and Sport Committee, Session 2010-12, HC 792, I will not go through the whole report in detail, and the Government Response, Cm 8207.] because many hon. Members are present and want to Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting contribute and I hope that most of them have already be now adjourned.—(Greg Hands.) read the report and are familiar with our findings.

2.30 pm Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Lab): Will the hon. Gentleman give way before he goes into the Mr Dai Havard (in the Chair): For the benefit of report? people in the Public Gallery and everyone else, I should make it clear that today’s debate is about the Select Committee’s report entitled “Football Governance”, Mr Whittingdale: I will of course give way to my which makes recommendations to the Government, colleague on the Committee. and the Government have responded. Both documents are available for hon. Members. I hope that we have a Paul Farrelly: I apologise that I cannot stay for the constructive discussion. I call the Chair of the Culture, whole debate because of constituency engagements. Media and Sport Committee to introduce the debate. Does the Chairman of the Select Committee agree that the centrepiece of the report is the recommendation Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con): It is a pleasure that the Football Association reassert its role as the to speak under your chairmanship, Mr Havard, and to sport’s ultimate governing body—in particular, through have the opportunity to discuss the Select Committee’s a licensing system, which he has just mentioned, and a report on football governance. This was a substantial modern, effective form of governance that would not inquiry by the Committee. It is worth remembering why allow, for example, the FA to be bounced into a naive the Committee decided that this was an important issue renegotiation of the England manager’s contract as it that deserved examination. There were two reasons, the was? first of which was the clear commitment given by both the parties that now form the coalition Government. It Mr Whittingdale: The hon. Gentleman—he is really a was clear that action needed to be taken, particularly to friend on the Committee—encapsulates the report in a assist and encourage supporters to have greater involvement couple of sentences very well. I am almost tempted to in the ownership and running of football clubs. That say that he has done my job for me and finished my commitment appears plainly in the coalition agreement, speech. Yes, there is no question but that we felt that at although it was perhaps slightly less clear on precisely the heart of the reforms that were necessary was the how it should be delivered. The Committee thought game’s governance structure: ultimately, the FA. I will that it might be in a position to help the Government by go on to talk about that in more detail. I did not intend taking evidence, examining that question and making to talk at great length about the management of the recommendations. England football team, although that is obviously a However, this was not just about supporter involvement, matter of great interest and debate today. I heard the although that is a very important element. It rapidly Minister’s remarks during Culture, Media and Sport became apparent to us that there was quite significant questions a few hours ago, and I entirely agreed with concern among hon. Members on both sides of the him. I am sure that the matter will crop up again during House about the general state of our national game. A the debate. debate in this Chamber was extremely well attended by Before I move to the report’s main recommendations, hon. Members, many of whom spoke up about the I want to pay tribute to three people. The first two were difficulties facing their local football clubs. There was our expert advisers: Christine Oughton and Rick Parry, widespread concern that something was wrong with the who provided enormously helpful experience and wise game. Perhaps that was best summed up by my hon. advice to the Committee. We relied a lot on their input Friend the Minister, who famously described football as throughout our inquiry. the “worst-governed sport” in England. I have to say The third person to whom I should pay tribute, that in the course of the Committee’s inquiry, we did particularly in a debate on football governance, is our not find much evidence to contradict what he said. late colleague on the Committee, Alan Keen. [HON. However, we also found much to admire and praise MEMBERS: “Hear, hear.”] Alan was the senior member about English football. There is no question but that it of the Committee. He was a member of it before I arouses huge passions up and down the country. became Chairman. Football was his passion. He chaired As I said, this was a substantial inquiry. We received the all-party group on football. He was very—I am more than 100 submissions of evidence. We held eight tempted to say keen—eager that we should embark on oral evidence sessions, to hear from every component this inquiry. It was a great sadness to us that, because of part of the game. The Committee went on a number of his illness, he was not able to play as great a part in the 145WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 146WH

[Mr Whittingdale] FA board. We felt that that was not wholly realistic. We were also clear that, as in most corporate structures, the inquiry as he would have liked. He is certainly greatly board needed to be relatively streamlined to be effective. missed. It is only right in a debate on football that we After some debate, we decided to recommend that pay tribute to him. the right size for the FA board was 10, and that it Some people asked why the Committee was looking should include the chairman and chief executive of the at football at all, because it is a huge success in many FA, the two non-executives and two more of the FA respects. The Premier League is probably the most executive directors—in particular, the director of football successful in the world. It has an average attendance of development. Alongside them, we decided that there 350,000 people each weekend and about 92% occupancy. should be two representatives of the professional game— The second league—the Football League—gets average presumably one from the Premier League and one from attendances of 375,000. Some £2 billion of revenue the Football League—and two representatives of the comes into the Premier League. There is no question national game. Although we understood the reasons but that the top English clubs are watched not just why others, such as supporters, players and managers, throughout this country, but in almost every country in wanted representations, we felt that that could make the the world. It is hard to go into a bar in any country and board unwieldy. Therefore, we felt that we had come up not see a screen in the corner showing the premier with the right composition. league. To that extent, it is hugely successful. There were those who said, “In that case, why are you bothering to At the same time, we also felt that there needed to be spend this time looking at it? Why don’t you go off and reform of the FA council, which is an extraordinary look at other things?” But we found that there was and enormous body. It dates back many years to include widespread concern about the underlying state of the representatives from Oxford and Cambridge, the three game. That was felt right across football and among separate services and the public schools, but very few followers of football. representatives of players and people who actually watch football. We therefore felt that that was something that Despite the huge revenues that come in, very few needed to be addressed. We were also slightly concerned clubs trade profitably. The main reason for that is the that the meetings started at 11 o’clock and finished at extraordinary amount of money paid out on players’ lunchtime and that some of the members of the FA salaries. The consequence is that debt has become an council seemed to have been there for 50 years or more. enormous problem throughout the game. Debt kept We felt that there was a need to address the composition coming up as one of the principal issues causing concern. of the council, the tenure of its membership and the More than half of Football League clubs have gone form of its meetings. We felt very strongly that the into administration at some stage since 1992, and all council should be a parliament and not an executive operate on very narrow margins. The net debt of the decision-making body. Premier League clubs is £2.6 billion. Some people would say that that in itself may not be a problem. Indeed, Once those governance reforms are in place, we will there will be clubs that operate with quite significant be able to move forward to tackle some of the underlying debt, but as long as they can service that debt and trade, difficulties affecting the game. I have talked about debt, it is not necessarily something that need be addressed so the next is financial management. We welcomed the immediately. However, there is no question but that the introduction of UEFA’s new financial fair play rules, debt is a major issue. We were told by the chairman of which will affect those clubs that have ambitions to play the Football League, for instance, that it was the issue in European matches. We felt that the principles underlying that kept him awake at night. the financial fair play rules were absolutely right; they There is also concern about ownership, which is not commanded a lot of support and should be applied wholly dissociated from the question of debt. That, too, throughout football. was something that we considered. As the hon. Member One aspect of the financial management of clubs that for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Paul Farrelly) suggested, caused considerable concern to the Committee was the we decided that if we were to address the problem, the football creditors’ rule. I have absolutely no doubt that most important thing that needed to be tackled was my hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe governance. Therefore, we wanted to establish, right (Damian Collins) may talk about that a little more, from the start—this may seem self-evident, but it was because he particularly pursued that issue during our not necessarily self-evident—that the FA is the ruling discussions. Although we could see the reasons why that body of football. The FA therefore needs to be reformed rule was in place, we felt that it was unfair on creditors, if we are to get this right. as they were often small firms in local communities that Some years ago, Lord Burns produced an extremely had supported the local team. If that team gets into good report, which made a number of recommendations difficulty and goes into administration, they have to go for reform. When we heard from him, some of his to the back of the queue after all the football creditors recommendations had been accepted. They included before having their debts paid. We felt that that was the incorporation of the FA chairman and chief executive unfair, and I am sure that my hon. Friend will say more on to the FA board, but they were still waiting to bring about that. on the two independent non-executive directors. Progress, One aspect that I have taken a long-standing interest I believe, has been made since then. in and that still creates significant potential difficulties Terry Burns told us that, if anything, he felt that he is the ruling of the European Court on broadcasting had been too timid and that he would have liked to have rights and territorial sales, the full implications of which gone further in involving non-executive directors. Indeed, we are still waiting to see. It could have a very damaging we heard from one former chief executive of the FA effect and it is of concern not just to certain broadcasters that he wanted an entirely independent, non-executive but to a large number of people involved in football. 147WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 148WH

As for how we enforce the financial fair play rules are right to say that it should be encouraged. It is and the other necessary changes, we were impressed by unrealistic to say that the top Premier League clubs are what we saw in Germany. Germany has a licensing likely to be owned by their supporters, but there are model and we saw the way in which it was used to some clubs lower down that are already supporter owned ensure that the clubs do not trade beyond their means and more should be done to help supporters’ trusts that for long periods. We saw how they were required to want to become owners. For example, there was some follow certain rules specified by the Bundesliga. We concern about the way in which the Financial Services decided that if we were to achieve our changes, we and Markets Act 2000 operates. It causes difficulties for needed a national licensing scheme. The best body to supporters, and we thought that the Government might administer that is clearly the FA. Therefore, the other address that. We thought that when supporters’ trusts main thrust of our recommendations was that we should have minority stakes, there might be some merit in move to a licensing scheme under the FA, which should giving them protection, so that if a club is acquired and address issues such as the financial management of the the 90% threshold is reached, they are not necessarily game, the sale of stadiums, investment in youth development forced to give up their ownership to the new owner. and all the other areas where, understandably, concerns There are several areas where we would like clubs if not have been raised. It could also address ownership. formally to give a role to supporters, to involve them Foreign ownership in the game is not necessarily a much more in decision making and with information. bad thing. After we saw what Sheikh Mansour had One club that we visited, and whose supporters are done in Manchester City, we could understand why the extremely involved through the fanshare scheme, is fans had great banners up saying, “Long live Sheikh Arsenal. When the Minister came before us, I raised the Mansour.”However, there are other who are less committed fact that Arsenal’s new owner had not then given a to the development of clubs. We also felt that the fit and public commitment to support the fanshare scheme. proper person test, which is necessary, had not always My understanding is that he has still not done that, and been as effective as it might have been. Indeed, we I think the Minister said that he might encourage him debated long and hard about what someone had to do to do so. That is an example of an active supporters’ to fail the fit and proper person test in English football. organisation and how it can play a valuable role if the club ownership recognises it. Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) (Con): My hon. Friend is talking sense on the fit and proper Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): I am grateful person test which seems to be honoured more in its to the hon. Gentleman’s Committee for the work that it breach. Going back to overseas ownership, does he feel has done in this area. The recommendation for a fan that there should be a different regime for football clubs liaison officer is a good idea. Supporters up and down compared with the rest of the UK economy? If so, how the land are crying out for that. Can the Chairman of does he see that operating? the Committee offer any hope that that might be made to happen? Mr Whittingdale: The truth is there will be different regimes governing the ownership of football clubs. For Mr Whittingdale: I think that that is a matter more this particular aspect, a slightly different regime should for my hon. Friend the Minister than for me, but I apply. I am not against the principle of foreign ownership. certainly agree that it is something to be encouraged, Just as I do not have a kneejerk response to foreign and that fan liaison officers can play a valuable role. I ownership in football, the same is true of the wider am sure that my hon. Friend will touch on that. economy. To some extent, there are special factors, but I I thank the Minister for the Government’s extremely am not opposed to overseas ownership per se. positive response to the report. He could not have done Let me pay one word of tribute. When the Committee more to make it clear that they want its recommendations visited Burnley FC, we were well entertained by the to be implemented. I think he and I take the same view chairman of the club, Barry Kilby. In many ways, he that it is not desirable for the Government to legislate, represents all that is best about local ownership. He was but that the matter is so important that if that is what a business man who had been successful in his community must happen, it will happen. I hope that we will not and had put back a huge amount into Burnley FC. His come to that, and he may be able to say a little more passion for the club was undoubted. Therefore, a strong about the state of discussions. He made it clear today local owner can bring great benefits. that the deadline of 29 February is still in place, and I hope that all those involved in football who may listening Paul Farrelly: Will the Committee Chairman extend this afternoon will be spurred on to ensure that the sort the same compliments to Peter Coates, who is chairman of reforms that we think are necessary are achieved by of Stoke City? The Chairman may be aware that I have that deadline. been supporter of the club since I was five years old. Mr Dai Havard (in the Chair): Order. Given the number of hon. Members who wish to speak and the Mr Whittingdale: I am very happy to pay the same time constraint, Members should estimate to speak for tribute to Peter Coates. As an aside, let me say that the 10 minutes, and plan do so for eight minutes. rest of the Committee used to enjoy having a sweepstake on how long it would take the hon. Gentleman to mention Stoke City during our deliberations. I am glad 2.52 pm that he has done so today. Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab): That is a The issue that I want to finish on is the one that we tall order, Mr Havard. It is a pleasure to serve under set out to address, which is that of supporter ownership your chairmanship this afternoon. I was not a member and involvement. It is a crucial factor, and the Government of the Select Committee at the time of the inquiry into 149WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 150WH

[Steve Rotheram] In 2009, the all-party group on football found that the group most under-represented in the game was football governance, but it is reasonable to argue from those who should have the most say—the fans. One of the tone of the Committee’s report and the Government’s the biggest problems with football governance is that at response that the topic has been debated in a good most levels of the game those who pay for it are excluded spirit, and I wish to continue that. I am in the unique from the decision-making structures in clubs, leagues and fortunate position of being the only Member of and even governing bodies. In pursuit of a global Parliament to have two Premier League football clubs phenomenon, which we have achieved with the Premier in my constituency—Everton and Liverpool. I cut my League, we failed properly to regulate our national parliamentary teeth leading a well-attended Westminster obsession. Hall debate on this very issue way back in September 2010. I do not pretend that there is a simple answer, but a Before I begin my speech in earnest, I want to take major problem that needs to be addressed is the fit-and- the opportunity to echo the comments by the Chair of proper-person test, to which the Chair of the Select the Select Committee about Alan Keen, and to send my Committee has referred. It is an absolute sham. If it condolences and, I am sure, those of right hon. and were not, the majority of aforementioned clubs would hon. Members on both sides of the Chamber to the never have been in the position they were because of families of the 75 supporters who were killed recently at owners who abused the system and played fast and a football stadium in Egypt. No matter which club we loose with football clubs that are the pillars of communities support, we are all part of the wider football family, across Britain. and that loss is a football tragedy as well as a human one. Mark Field: All too often, clubs in appalling financial Football is one of our country’s undoubted successes, difficulty grasp at the nearest straw like a drowning and we are the home of the beautiful game. We are also man. There may be only one individual who can save the home of the best and most competitive leagues in the club, but they may not pass the fit-and-proper-person the world. Children from around the globe are dreaming test in a meaningful way. However, if the choice is that about the chance to play football at Wembley, the person or the club going bust, one understands why the Emirates stadium, Stamford Bridge, Goodison Park, former choice is made, albeit one that leads to other Anfield, and perhaps even Old Trafford. Wealthy tycoons difficulties further down the line. How does the hon. are dreaming of the Premier League promised land. Gentleman envisage getting round that problem if the They are attracted to English football as a way of alternative is for a club to go bankrupt and to spiral out investing their money and seeing the best players in the of the league, as has happened to several former league world play for their clubs to an extent not seen in other clubs in recent years? countries. Steve Rotheram: That is exactly the point, and I am Despite the merits of other leagues such as the sure that my hon. Friend the Member for Hyndburn Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue Une and Serie A, it is the (Graham Jones) will talk about his beloved football Premier League and even the championship that attracts club, and the fact that that happens too often for the international investors, because they continue to offer problem not to be tackled. That is exactly what the the best that football has. Roman Abramovich and Select Committee set out to do—to consider what Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan are the only two recommendations we could suggest on a non-party owners with an unlimited pot of money, and who are political basis to ensure that the football authorities capable of injecting copious amounts into their respective have to take cognisance of such issues, and include clubs. Today, some clubs, such as Tottenham, are plcs football fans in the governance of their football teams. and listed on the stock market. Others, such as Manchester We cannot pretend that one size fits all, because it United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Blackburn and Sunderland, does not. We need a proactive approach to redress the are owned by professional sport investors. Others seem imbalance in football governance, an imbalance that to be owned for the prestige—for example, Fulham, has seen some owners and directors of football clubs which is owned by Mohammed al Fayed. My hon. using them like playthings that can be thrown aside Friend the Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West when they become bored, while the fans—the lifeblood (Tom Greatrex) may speak about that. of any club—are pushed further and further away from However, some takeovers reinforce the point that the decision-making process. A more inclusive approach football clubs are simply economic entities to be bought would probably not be universally popular among football’s and sold like any other commodity, which completely elite. Indeed, I spoke to one senior representative of a neglects the broader social impact that clubs have in football club who said that he did not want the lunatics their local communities and beyond. The result for to run the asylum. I am a bit fed up with seeing fans many clubs in recent times has been to chart a course given the rough end of the stick. They are treated by that is perilously close to the brink. Portsmouth, which some club owners as an irritant or a problem, but yet I think we will also hear about, ran up debts totalling they are expected to be part of the solution when those £119 million, and it is still far from fiscal safety. Southend errant owners disappear, leaving the club in financial United and Cardiff City recently managed to pay their crisis. debts just before the taxman’s axe was wielded. Several Supporters Direct is leading a new initiative that I other clubs have suffered administration, such as think deserves more focus. It builds on the ideas and Southampton, Darlington, Crystal Palace, Wimbledon, recommendations made by the Committee and on the Hornchurch and Scarborough. Leeds United, which Government’s response regarding the implementation was probably the biggest victim of all, was allowed to of a new licensing framework that is impartial and play in the Football League despite no one knowing independent of the reformed FA board. I welcome the who owned the club. changes to the FA at board level. 151WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 152WH

It is crucial that impartiality is maintained because 3.4 pm that will ensure total transparency which, we will all Mr Don Foster (Bath) (LD): It is a pleasure to serve agree, has been missing from the FA for some time. We under your chairmanship, Mr Havard. I know that must, however, give credit where it is due, and there have many hon. Members wish to speak, so I will try to be been welcome introductions since David Bernstein’s brief. I welcome equally the report by the Culture, appointment. I hope, however, that the chairman of the Media and Sport Committee and the Government response. FA will not rest on his laurels, and that he will do We should pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Minister. something about the current ludicrous situation that He has been robust in his criticism of football’s current allows football managers to profit from the sale of governance arrangements, and he has insisted on a players. Regardless of what has happened over the past response to those criticisms by the end of the month. I 24 hours, that immorality remains, and if ever there know he is confident that he will get a reply, and were a conflict of interest, that is it. perhaps when he responds to the debate he will say what There are two dimensions to the licensing framework sort of content he expects that reply to contain. proposed by Supporters Direct: We all accept that the English game is played to a “Promotion of financial and social responsibility, and balancing very high standard, and we know that 8 million fans of the supporting, commercial and social objectives of clubs.” have already watched premiership games this season. and Six premiership teams have taken part in the past 10 finals of the European championships, and we have fantastic “To ensure that clubs and their assets are protected for current and future generations.” football in this country. We cannot, however, say the same things about what takes place inside the boardroom, Supporters Direct has stated: or the governance of the game, that we say about the “The framework for supporter and community engagement quality of the playing. All too often, fans have to worry should provide rights for supporters on behalf of the community about issues such as debt and ownership, rather than subject to conditions…Rights would be granted to a ‘Fit and performance on the pitch. Fans are losing out because Proper Supporters’ Trust’ for engagement with their clubs.” of the ridiculously high price of a premiership season The level of engagement would increase according to ticket, or because many of our top-flight clubs still do the degree of development of the “fit and proper” not have adequate facilities for disabled fans. Fans and supporters’ trust. If such a measure were implemented, clubs that want to introduce safe standing do not have it would give fans a voice at the top table. the opportunity to do so, and many of the clubs that are lower in the league are in difficulty because they are I believe that football fans would use the opportunity obliged to adhere to ludicrously inappropriate rules to nominate a trusted supporter to make informed such as those on transfer windows. decisions—it is the big society writ large. I am aware of some football clubs that would hold an election and There is much to sort out. The predominant areas of offer season ticket holders, as well as club members, the concern expressed by the Committee were, quite rightly, opportunity to vote for a candidate on the basis of a those of money and governance. quasi-manifesto set of pledges. Paul Farrelly: The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate Supporters Direct has stated: the central role that football plays in communities because “The co-operative ownership of football clubs via supporters’ he is the Member for Bath, where rugby has a similar trusts thus offers huge benefits not only to the way that the game role. Does he agree that one key task for a governance is run, but also to local communities.” regime in football is that of fostering a game where the Although I recognise that there will always be a tension finances are sustainable? People involved in the premiership, between financial and social returns, the football world such as David Gill of Manchester United and Peter is starting to realise that a greater balance needs to be Coates of Stoke City, have broadly welcomed the thrust struck. We are starting to see a yearning for the greater of the Committee’s report. It would therefore be surprising involvement of supporters in football governance not and disappointing if the FA, which has acted so decisively only in the UK, but across Europe. over the England captain and manager, did not welcome the reassertion of its role, and the means by which to do Another proposal is for the reformed FA board to that. consider ways to increase the number of ex-footballers in boardrooms. Such a move would appease the grumblings of many fans who believe that directors are not “football Mr Foster: I hope the hon. Gentleman proves to be people”but are out-of-touch businessmen. That is currently right and we will hear about the response on that issue the case at Blackburn Rovers, a club that is rich in that the Minister will receive. He is right to mention his history and has fantastic loyal support. concern for the sustainability of finance in football. As we heard from the Chair of the Committee, although Despite becoming a global phenomenon with a the level of debt has been declining, in the premiership worldwide audience, football is not immune to external it still stands at £2.6 billion. Some 68% of its income is forces outside the control of its internal market. Lessons currently being spent on players, rather than on other must be drawn from disasters such as the global financial important things. crash. All bubbles have the potential to burst. Football If we compare the premiership with the rest of European needs a regulatory framework and a governance structure football, we discover that the English premiership has that is as transparent as reasonably practicable. more than 50% of the total debt held by all the leading I am confident that there is the political will in the clubs in Europe. Last season, the championship declared Chamber and the DCMS to make progress. I hope that its highest ever level of debt at £133 million, and we that continues, and that the Minister will take on board know that it is spending about £4 for every £3 that it the strength of feeling on this issue. generates. That is not sustainable. It is vital to welcome 153WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 154WH

[Mr Foster] greater involvement in the governance of the game that they help to fund. There are real benefits to a stakeholder UEFA’s proposals, and they will be implemented even model of corporate governance, which is why Supporters though they will not affect all the clubs in this country. Direct goes through the all the key things in its proposals, That is why the licensing proposals are so critical. but also talks about how supporters can play a key role UEFA’s proposals are key.A report by Deloitte published in the governance of individual clubs as part of the today reflects much of what it said in its 2011 report, licensing proposal. and points out that although there have been a lot of I said that I would try to be quick and I hope that I false dawns, the UEFA proposals may provide the key have been. It is an important report, but what will to moving forward and to financial sustainability. As it matter most is not what is in it or the Government’s said in its 2011 report, however, response but, critically, what the FA does with it. It “the more things change, the more they stay the same. While must now get a grip on the governance and the finances football’s revenue performance has been spectacular, sustainably of this crucial part of the culture of this country. So far, managing its costs remains football’s primary business challenge.” it has failed us. Let us hope that this time it will do That is a key issue that the Select Committee’s report something about it. and the UEFA proposals seek to address, which I welcome. Mr Dai Havard (in the Chair): Ten minutes with an I also very much welcome the proposals from the intervention. Exemplary, Mr, Foster. Select Committee on governance of the game. It is right that the FA be the leading body for football in this 3.14 pm country, and it must take charge of many of the deliberations that take place in the 14 different committees. Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ It is ludicrous that so many of them report, not to the Co-op): I will endeavour to do as well as the right hon. board, but to the council. The key people making the Member for Bath (Mr Foster) in keeping to time. decisions are therefore at a distance from the considerations I declare an interest as a founder of the Fulham of those various committees. The Select Committee was Supporters Trust, which was long before I ended up in quite right to suggest that the board must be slimmed this place. I have knowledge and awareness of the issue down. We should all welcome the moves to bring non- from being involved in and running that trust, with a executives on to the board, but clearly more must be huge amount of support and guidance from Supporters done to move forward and slim down. Direct, which is a superb organisation that should valued. Reform of the FA council itself is equally important. I hope that when the football authorities respond to the The Chair of the Select Committee has already made it Minister, they will properly have taken into account its clear how inappropriate the current arrangements are. I proposals on licensing, which my hon. Friend the Member was interested in what Malcolm Clarke, the chairman for Liverpool, Walton (Steve Rotheram) dealt with in of the Football Supporters’ Federation, said: some detail—I will not repeat them. I unashamedly stand here to talk about the interests of supporters. “It is impossible in a body of 118 people to have a critical Whatever the future licensing regime, it is imperative challenge to the board about what it’s doing, partly because the decisions are long since passed and partly because of the sheer that it involves and incorporates the views of supporters, format of a body of that size.” who are in many cases the lifeblood of the clubs in which they are involved. That echoes very much what the Chair of the Select Committee said, and it is crucial. I congratulate the Chair of the Select Committee, the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale), and the Rule 34 should be looked at again. The report fails to other Committee members on the report; it is fantastic. say very much about that and the remarks of the Chair He is obviously chairing a very high-profile Committee, of the Select Committee were perhaps slightly lacking which has lots of other issues to deal with. The report is for not mentioning it. Rule 34 makes it clear that at least as important as—if not more important—anything football should be run like a not-for-profit company, else that the Committee has done this Parliament. It is with sport and football put before profit, and sadly I do crucial that we deal with the issue, and I join the hon. not see that operating in spirit or to the letter. Gentleman in paying tribute to Alan Keen. I knew him Finally, licensing is critical. If we wish for a financially for a long time before I entered the House; I used to see sustainable game, the UEFA rules will not cover all the him when Fulham played Middlesbrough, and he was clubs that concern us. The licensing proposal that the unfailingly cheerful even after we had beaten them. His Select Committee and others have suggested is the way work for the all-party group on football in years gone forward to ensure that similar rules on “fit and proper by helped to develop the awareness in Parliament of persons”, sustainability of finance and so on can be some of the issues in football ownership that have led us enshrined in a way that covers all the clubs in the game. to where we are now, so it is absolutely right that those I am particularly drawn, as the hon. Member for Liverpool, tributes have been paid. Walton (Steve Rotheram) is, to the recommendations of There have been ownership issues at many clubs. I Supporters Direct on club licensing, which deserve to was thinking earlier that we could go through a list and be looked at seriously. find very few that have not had concerns about ownership My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister to deal with at some point, but it is striking that, with recently advocated the great benefits of the John Lewis very few exceptions, most have survived. I contend that model of running companies and employee share in many cases they have managed to do so due to the ownership, but with employee share ownership comes involvement of supporters, not all the way through in employee participation in governance. It seems vital running the clubs, but because they have got involved that those who are key funders of the game have a much when everyone else has walked away. We see that again 155WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 156WH and again through football history. The most prominent Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): My hon. Friend is early example of that is probably Charlton Athletic in making a powerful argument on behalf of supporters. the early to mid 1980s, when they were effectively left It can be seen in its purest form with FC United of homeless and nomadic. It was the fans’ involvement in Manchester, a club that started from nothing. It is the Valley party and everything else that eventually got building a multi-million pound stadium and gets regular them back to the Valley and into a sustainable position decent attendances. where they became a very renowned community club, as they still are, even though they have fallen a couple of Tom Greatrex: My hon. Friend mentions another divisions on the field. good example, of which there are many.FC United formed a club on the basis of issues around ownership of Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East Manchester United and the takeover by the Glazer family. Cleveland) (Lab): Another club in a similar situation in It would be much better if supporters were involved not 1986 was, of course, Middlesbrough, which was fortunate at the point of crisis—not when everyone else walks away enough to have a very wealthy supporter in Steve Gibson, —but on a sustained basis. We have seen such examples. a local fan and local businessman, who is highly regarded The Chair of the Select Committee mentioned Manchester across all the English football leagues. Has my hon. City. In Scotland, the owner of Heart of Midlothian Friend looked at paragraphs 43 and 44 of the Government’s effectively persuaded fans to give up their shareholding response to the report? There are quite a number of and give it all over to him, because he had a great plan points of consensus across both sides of the House on that was going to be the salvation of the club. Now look Supporters Direct’s proposals, but the real issue is whether at the position they are in. That has happened on more Supporters Direct has adequate funding to ensure that than one occasion. The sustained involvement of fans there is a network to help supporters’ trusts in future. will be much more valuable to the interest of clubs in the medium and long term, despite the difficulties and Tom Greatrex: My hon. Friend makes an important the misjudgments that different owners may make. point. I have raised it with the Minister in relation to The other point that I want to make—again, it was in Supporters Direct’s previous funding difficulties. It does the Supporters Direct proposal, which is important—is a huge amount of valuable work and we should be able about grounds. In many cases, football grounds and to come up with a way to enable it to continue its work stadiums have strong links with the communities that supporting and guiding supporters’ trusts, often when the clubs serve and with the clubs themselves. Too often clubs are in crisis and trusts are seeking to maintain in the past we have seen situations in which teams end them at very difficult times. up, through different ownership structures, being separated Mark Field: Although I accept that an engaged from the grounds or moving out of their grounds for supporters’ base that can play an integral role in its other reasons, and that creates all sorts of problems. As ongoing development is fantastic for any football club, a Fulham supporter, I know about that. At various does the hon. Gentleman recognise that it is not entirely times we have come close to losing our ground, largely a panacea for all problems? There have been examples because the potential value of the ground’s real estate is of supporters’ trusts that have not worked terribly well— higher than the value of running the club. That is due to Stockport County, for example. Without the requisite an accident of geography—where the ground is. expertise on top of the enthusiasm of a supporters’ There was a period in the mid-1980s when Fulham, base, it can often go horribly awry. Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea were owned by a property development company whose interest was not Tom Greatrex: The hon. Gentleman is perhaps in anything to do with the three football clubs, but to do danger of straying into the territory of Ron Noades a with the potential value for development on those sites. few years ago, who said, “Fans can’t do it and probably At one point we were going to merge with QPR, but aren’t able to do it.” I am not saying that fans should be that got stopped. In 2001, the current owners of the running clubs 100%. The Chair of the Select Committee club that was referred to earlier thought it would be a is right to say that we would not have every club great idea for Fulham to move out and have a new completely run by supporters, but if fans are involved, ground near White City. In the end, that did not happen, they can often help to stop making the mistakes that led partly because of the views of supporters who were able to the position that Stockport were in. They were in that to persuade the club that its judgment was wrong. position because of mismanagement before the supporters’ However, I am pleased to say that that position has trust was able to take over. In that case, it was very changed and we are now on the same side as the club. difficult for the supporters’ trust to be able to rescue Supporters are back at Craven Cottage and will hopefully them. If we look at other examples, Exeter and Brentford be there for many years to come. have managed to help turn things round. My hon. We need protection in the football licensing set-up Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain that stipulates a club cannot leave a ground unless it has McDonagh) will no doubt wish to speak about AFC somewhere else to go. Wimbledon, where they started from scratch. We should never underestimate the ability of football fans from all Andrew Bingham (High Peak) (Con): What does the walks of life, who have a club in common, to get hon. Gentleman think about those lower down the together and make things happen. football pyramid in the lower league level? I am thinking The main point that I want to make about football of a team such as Witton Albion, which he is probably fan involvement in the running of clubs is that it should not familiar with. They sold their ground, and as part not happen at the point of crisis. It should not be when of the sale they got a brand-new ground, which was a everyone else walks away, or when owners have mucked great facility that could be used by the community. it up and decided that they have had enough and walk What does he think about that? I take his point on the away. higher levels, but what about the lower levels? 157WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 158WH

Tom Greatrex: The hon. Gentleman has anticipated Given that it is in everyone’s interests that Portsmouth my next point. If a club has somewhere to go and has is sold to new owners—ideally, in my book, to a coalition plans in place, that is fine. There are plenty of examples of businesses and supporters who are genuinely interested of clubs that have moved and got new grounds. I am in Pompey—it is a frustration to me that the dialogue reminded of Manchester City and Bolton. I am concerned that would make that outcome more likely is being about clubs that are left high and dry without a ground. frustrated. Today, I hope we can send a clear message to Not being allowed to leave a ground without somewhere all those who hold sway over a club’s future, especially else to go would be an important protection. When clubs administrators and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, are separated from their grounds, it causes huge difficulty. that this Parliament wants everything that can be done I am conscious of the time. I have not managed to do to ensure that the businesses survive. We would want as well as the right hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster). I that for any business, and I am sure that many of us in will conclude by saying that I think the Committee’s this Chamber have gone in to bat for businesses and report is superb and it should be congratulated. I also individuals to sort out their tax affairs. We should not want to compliment the Minister. Whenever I have shy away from doing the same for football clubs. I also asked him about these issues, he has always been forthright argue that these businesses are a special case. The point in his opinions and in his views on football governance. that I made to the Prime Minister last week was that if a He is absolutely right. I hope that the response that he supermarket folds, someone can go and buy their carrots gets from the football authorities at the end of this elsewhere. If Portsmouth goes under, the fans will not month will be good and comprehensive and deals with be content with buying their season tickets from another the issues. If not, I hope that he has the courage to go club. back to the football authorities and say that that is not We also need to recognise the social value of clubs. good. I hope that we get the right system in place for the The Portsmouth study centre is an award-winning education future of football in this country. facility and it was a pilot site for the national citizenship programme. Its health outreach programmes are also Mr Dai Havard (in the Chair): My only disappointment, exceptional in a city that has poor health and education Mr Greatrex, is that you did not mention Merthyr outcomes. Add to this the community cohesion, the Town, which is my club. It is now a community club. It bridge it creates between generations and the sense of has gone through many of the same things. Welsh clubs place and identity that it brings and we soon realise the who play in the English league have an interest. impact that its absence will have. There is, however, reason for optimism. I congratulate 3.26 pm Pompey fans on recently forming the Portsmouth Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): My apologies Supporters Trust, and on the unity they have shown in to hon. Members. In addition to being the home of pushing for a greater role in the governance of their Fratton Park, Portsmouth is home to the surface fleet, beloved club. I have been struck by their professionalism— and I am due to speak in the debate on Somalia. ably supported by the wonderful Supporters Direct—by I thank the Select Committee for an excellent report. their knowledge and by how they have conducted Its conclusions are sound and its arrival timely.Portsmouth themselves. There should be no concerns about their football club has been poorly served by its successive ability to respect confidentiality and develop a bid, and owners, and it is a prime example of why we need reassuringly they are considering several scenarios on reform in football. It has been badly abused, but it is how they can contribute to Portsmouth’s survival, including worth saving. Much has been said about the social value a community buy-out. Time and a level playing field are of the club. needed if the fans are to contribute, and I am sure that the report will go a long way to creating the latter. The I want to thank all hon. Members who have been report contains both practical measures for a more helpful and supportive towards Portsmouth. At this pragmatic approach to such a crisis, and measures to time, we do not know what the future holds, but the prevent one happening in the first place. grim situation is checked with a mass of good will, and the professional approach that the supporters’ trust and I know that Pompey fans would want me to mention the fans are taking in response. Our club has a future, the appalling fit and proper person test, which has so and for the first time it has a well-run supporters’ trust badly let them down. that is keen to have a financial stake as well as a governance foothold in the club. Paul Farrelly: I am making brief interventions in lieu At the end of last year, I sat down with the trust and of a speech. I am sorry, Mr Chairman. listened to their frustrations. Despite being able to lever considerable funds, they could not get access to the Mr Dai Havard (in the Chair): You will get pinged if financial information of the club or see the administrator. necessary, Mr Farrelly. On my quick and dirty maths, they were being asked to demonstrate that they had access to funds five times the amount that the club was worth before they could even Paul Farrelly: Does the hon. Lady agree that Portsmouth start a dialogue. They have managed to talk to the is the most recent case in point in which a licensing administrator, but they are still not being taken seriously. model that applied a rigorous fit and proper test would The administrator has even gone to Portsmouth city have produced a wholly different outcome? The Football council, which we all know does not have deep pockets, Association could use its licensing power to encourage to ask for help, yet they are ignoring the community, not only the formation of supporters’ trusts but their which can demonstrate that it has considerable funds. access to administrators, by making it clear that it is That illustrates the considerable culture shift that is most likely to favour bids that involve registered supporter needed, and that I hope the report will help. organisations. 159WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 160WH

Penny Mordaunt: I absolutely agree. It is an amazement be allowed to leave while a new stadium was found. As a to Portsmouth fans, who after just 10 minutes on Google former Merton councillor, my biggest regret is that we have discovered that someone should not be anywhere accepted his word. Wimbledon began a ground share near their club, that somehow that person is allowed to with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in Croydon and become an owner of it. never returned. The other issue that the fans would want me to I like to think that if proper licensing of football mention is the creditors rule. I shall not steal the thunder clubs had been in place then, supporters would have of my hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone and had a greater say over the move, and that that would Hythe (Damian Collins), but I will pay tribute to the have made all the difference. Instead of returning, Sam staff at Portsmouth football club, who have done a lot Hammam sold the club, and Plough Lane was turned of work in repairing the damage that was done by the into blocks of flats. Worse still, in 2001 the club’s new rule the last time they were in this situation. They have owners announced that they wanted to move to Milton worked very hard to rebuild both trust and the support Keynes. Despite opposition from fans of not only of local businesses and charities. Wimbledon but virtually every football team in the We must all keep the pressure on for reform. I am country, and from many MPs and even the Football pleased that tomorrow morning Her Majesty’s Revenue Association, which blocked the move twice, in May and Customs will be back around the table with Portsmouth 2002 an independent commission gave the move the football club, but I sincerely hope that we get a result green light. That decision was the end of the road for from the dialogue. If it fails, the supporters’ trust and our Dons, but it could have been prevented with proper all in our city will rally behind a community buy-out, licensing of football clubs and genuine supporter and I would welcome the Minister’s views on that and involvement on the boards. his support. I take this opportunity to praise his The case of Wimbledon is relevant not only because involvement. We all agree that he is a genuine champion we want to prevent such a thing from happening again, for the reforms, and I welcome the Government’s response but because we can learn from what happened next, and to the Committee’s report. use our experience of the aftermath to learn how Finally, I want to say that Portsmouth will survive. communities can be enriched by genuinely inclusive, We all know that a club’s true and unique value lies in supporter-run football clubs. What happened next is the its fans; the question is how. Whatever course of action remarkable story of AFC Wimbledon. When it was the trust and the fans take will be greatly strengthened agreed that Wimbledon could move all the way to by the report’s proposals and strong message. We must, Milton Keynes, most fans, including my dad, simply therefore, all get on with implementing the report’s stopped supporting the club. As a result, it went into recommendations. administration even before it had moved up the M1. Supporters could have reacted with anger alone—justified anger—but instead they did something remarkable. A 3.33 pm group of fans met and decided to set up their own team, Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab): owned by the fans and rooted in the local community—a My contribution to the debate is from the viewpoint of club of which they could be proud. In June 2002 they a fan of one of the clubs that has been most adversely held open trials on Wimbledon common, and cobbled affected by poor football governance over the past together a team in just a few weeks. They quickly found quarter of a century. Some 24 years ago, a team that somewhere to play—Kingsmeadow, just over the Merton had been in the Football League for only 11 years beat border in Kingston—and persuaded the Combined probably the best team in Europe—[Interruption.] It’s Counties Football League to let them enter its competition. not going to get any better, is it? The Dons of Wimbledon What has followed has been astonishing. The ground beat the mighty Liverpool in one of the FA cup final’s has been packed for virtually every home match, and greatest giant-killings. In the words of the great John after five promotions in nine years the team has made it Motson: all the way to the Football League, playing good football, “The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club.” the right way, and winning the Fair Play award year My dad, a proud Wimbledon season ticket holder, and after year. The club is owned by the Dons Trust, a my sister, who is known to many Labour Members, supporters’ group which has pledged to retain at least were there. That weekend was one of the happiest of 75% control of the ownership, and it has been the their lives. When we attended the civic reception the model of a good community football club. It has a following Sunday, my dad embarrassingly took his genuine commitment to community sport, and the chief autograph book along and got the signature of every executive, Erik Samuelson, is nothing short of fantastic. member of the team. Because of my line of work and Until recently, his pre-match ritual was not living the that of my sister, my dad has had the opportunity to high life in the boardroom, but directing cars in the car meet many great famous people, but that was the first park. He is typical of fans who paint the ground, sell and last time he took along his autograph book. programmes and do all the other essentials. Clubs such as Wimbledon have enormous meaning The review of governance will not only stop clubs to people, not just to my dad and my family but to the going the way of Wimbledon but be an opportunity to whole community I live in. As we now know, however, ensure there are more clubs like AFC Wimbledon. We great joy was eventually to turn to great anger and need to ensure that it is not possible for clubs to just up frustration. Just three years after that win, the club left sticks and leave the communities that support them, its home at Plough Lane in 1991 and never returned. and we must make it clear that the future has to be The owner, Sam Hammam, persuaded Merton council based on genuine relationships between clubs and the that Plough Lane was unsuitable for top-flight football, communities in which they operate. The Supporters which required all-seater stadiums, and that he should Direct formal licensing model would have prevented 161WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 162WH

[Siobhain McDonagh] was before the announcement to move to Milton Keynes was made. On 28 May 2002, the independent Football Sam Hammam and his successors from ruining our Association commission met and said: community’s club, and new rules to give rights to supporters “Our decision is that, in light of its exceptional circumstances, on behalf of the community will strengthen clubs such WFC should be given approval to relocate to Milton Keynes…We as AFC Wimbledon and encourage more to behave like do not believe, with all due respect, that the Club’s links with the it. I therefore support the proposals for a fit and proper community around the Plough Lane site or in Merton are so supporters’ trust to engage with each club. In my view, profound, or the roots go so deep, that they will not survive a the trusts should have basic rights to information, including necessary transplant to ensure WFC’s survival. What is unusual about WFC fans is that they do not seem to come from a single financial information, and rights to meet club executives. geographical area. Indeed, the vast majority of WFC fans do not It should be mandatory that any fundamental change live in Merton or Wimbledon. 20% of current season ticket to a club, such as the sale of its ground or a move to a holders live in Merton and 10% in Wimbledon. We do not accept different part of the country, must first have the agreement that WFC will die if the Club relocates”— of the fit and proper supporters’ trust. I also hope that of course, we have seen evidence of that. The commission we can prevent clubs from assimilating other clubs’ continued: identities. “The Club has been in Croydon for 11 years (almost half its I hope that all Members with an interest in not just Football League history). There is no stadium which is a focus for football but the power of community will want to join the community in Merton, and has not been for 11 years.” me in saying how proud we are of AFC Wimbledon, and how pleased we are that the club has risen to the Mark Field: People will remember that Arsenal, although Football League. This is an opportunity to say: let us now based in north London, started its life in Woolwich, support the model of clubs such as AFC Wimbledon, south of the river. Queens Park Rangers obviously was and prevent clubs from collapsing, as Wimbledon did. not based in Shepherd’s Bush for quite some time. I am afraid that the logic of that argument is that it gives a 3.39 pm green light to any would-be owner to think, “I will relocate for a few years, and then we can franchise the Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con): Perhaps club to a different part of the UK entirely.” it is appropriate that I, as the Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes, have the opportunity to follow the hon. Mark Lancaster: There is a strong parallel. In 1913 Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh). the owners of Arsenal, Henry Norris and William Hall, I shall be brief. moved the club away from Woolwich Arsenal and in the I commend the hon. Lady on the passion that she following year dropped the word “Woolwich” from the showed for AFC Wimbledon. Certainly, I would hate to name to just “Arsenal”. see this debate descend into a rivalry between two clubs. In June 2002, AFC Wimbledon was formally established Perhaps one thing that we can agree on is that whatever by the Dons Trust, and I congratulate AFC Wimbledon the process, we now have two thriving football clubs out on its success in the past 10 years. However, as a result, of it, and perhaps we should focus on that. crowds fell at Wimbledon from an average of 6,961 to In the brief time available to me, I want to focus on just 2,787, placing Wimbledon FC into even further three things. First, I want to put on record the timeline financial difficulties. of the move. Much of what the hon. Lady has said is In June 2003, Wimbledon went into administration. correct, but she has failed to mention a few gaps, which The administrator decided that the only possibility to I think should go on the record. Secondly, I want to keep the club alive was to pursue the relocation to celebrate the economic success that Milton Keynes Dons Milton Keynes. In the same month, Milton Keynes has brought to Milton Keynes. Finally, I fear that I have council stepped in and supported the community element some bad news for the hon. Lady, as I will explain why of Wimbledon FC by employing staff who had been her campaign to drop the word “Dons” is set to fail. made redundant by the administrators and paying their The hon. Lady was quite right: the last game that salaries. The London borough of Merton made no Wimbledon played at Plough Lane was in May 1991, attempt to continue the community side of club. In and the club was moved as a result of the Taylor report. September 2003, the first game in Milton Keynes at the That was the last time the club played in Wimbledon, Hockey stadium against Burnley was played; I was there. some 21 years ago. I cannot comment on Sam Hammam—I The administrator moved Wimbledon to Milton Keynes. do not know the man—but I take the hon. Lady’s word No approach was made by supporters of Wimbledon to for what happened in that period. take the club over, and no support was given by the In July 2001, the Wimbledon board confirmed that it London borough of Merton to Wimbledon FC. would pursue the relocation to Milton Keynes, 10 years after the club left Wimbledon. In August 2001, Wimbledon Siobhain McDonagh: I hope that my contribution wrote to the Football League to seek permission to was in no way unpleasant or anti. I congratulate the relocate to Milton Keynes, but the league rejected the MK Dons on its fantastic success at the moment with request. Interestingly, at the time, Merton council, of its great young manager and its great chairman, Pete which I believe the hon. Lady was a member, produced Winkelman. My point was about what had happened in a report equating the task of finding a home for the our local area and how people felt about it. It does not club in the borough as in any way indicate a suggestion that I do not want the “achieving the impossible in a densely built up urban area”. MK Dons to do well, although I might like them to In April 2002, the Football League received a further change their name; “MK City” might be a better name, letter from Wimbledon, and on 27 May 2002, the Dons as it would fully represent the city—the town is likely to Trust was formed to develop an alternative club—that become a city—and the area. 163WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 164WH

Mark Lancaster: I accept the hon. Lady’s point, but I have already mentioned that, subsequent to the unfortunately I will seek to disappoint her on the issue move of the club to Milton Keynes in 2003, the patrimony with the name; we will get to that shortly. Equally, I am of Wimbledon was transferred to the London borough not seeking to offend anyone. We simply have two of Merton in 2006 after the signing of an accord. The successful clubs now, and perhaps we should focus on accord was an arrangement between the MK Dons FC, the future. the MK Dons Supporters Association and the Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association. Its purpose was to transfer the honours obtained by the original club to Mark Field: Will my hon. Friend give way? the London borough of Merton, not, it must be said, to AFC Wimbledon. However, during the negotiations, Mark Lancaster: I will not, because that is not fair on the MK Dons agreed that the trademarks related to the other hon. Members, and I have given way to my hon. old Wimbledon, such as the badge and the term “Crazy Friend once already. Gang”, could be passed on to AFC Wimbledon by the London borough of Merton in return for dropping the In July 2004, Inter MK brought Wimbledon out of call from the Wimbledon contingent that MK Dons should administration and the name was changed to “Milton drop the “Dons” element of the club’s name. Indeed, Keynes Dons FC”. That was approved by the Football apart from the accord itself, an e-mail dated 10 September League without any comment. The community staff 2006 from Ross Maclagan, the Wimbledon Independent transferred to Milton Keynes Dons from Milton Keynes Supporters Association secretary, confirms that. council after the support from the council. Since then, we have had a fantastic new stadium, which next year Although I am sure that this is not the case, there is a will achieve elite status from the Union of European feeling among some in Milton Keynes that we are Football Associations at championship level. We have attempting to renegotiate the accord signed in 2006. I had great success at the club, winning the Johnstone’s must therefore say to the hon. Member for Mitcham Paint trophy and the league 2 title. Only today, MK and Morden that the feeling in Milton Keynes, given Dons has been unveiled as the Coca-Cola community the signing of the accord, is that we will be keeping the club of the year for the south-east. name MK Dons. The move has been successful, and the club is of 3.50 pm enormous importance to the community.The introduction of professional football has supported huge economic Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): It is a pleasure to activity, with active public policy support and partnership serve under your stewardship for the first time, Mr Havard. but no public money. We have seen inward regeneration I declare an interest as a season ticket holder at Blackburn investment of £250 million. Some 3,500 full-time jobs Rovers, where I have been attending regularly since have been created around the site of Stadium mk. More 1978. Blackburn’s proud 137-year history and status as than £10 million has been invested into the local transport a founding member of the Football League is under and other civic infrastructure. significant threat due to the risks of poor foreign ownership. The club is in a sorry state, finding itself in the firestorm In addition to MK Dons matches at all levels, there of the foreign ownership debate. I hope that lessons can have been special events in the new stadium, including be learned from my contribution. two England under-21 internationals, two full internationals involving the England’s women’s international team, Over the past 14 months, the club’s proud history has three Heineken cup rugby union games, including a received little respect from its new Indian owners, Venky’s semi-final, an Aviva premiership rugby game, and even London Ltd. I must apologise at this stage; I was a JLS pop concert, which I confess I did not go to. It supposed to be joined by my right hon. Friend the has been a success story. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw), who wanted to concur with a lot of what I am going to say. I would like While the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden that noted on the record. rightly praised the community work of AFC Wimbledon The club’s sale by the Jack Walker Trust to the Indian and elicited support from the Minister in her Adjournment company Venky’s in November 2010 has been followed debate, it is worth noting that the community work of by a series of damaging headlines, shock resignations, MK Dons has been established over a shorter time instability and regression of the club’s fortunes on and frame to an even greater success—this is no disrespect off the field. More recently, elements within and connected to AFC Wimbledon—engaging some 55,000 people to the club have engaged in a damaging PR campaign directly, including the piloting of the Government’s against supporters that has been confrontational and, national citizenship service programme, the championing in my view, has highlighted significant failings of the of apprenticeships in MK and a disability scheme that owners, the manager and his expansive role and associated offers support to more than 250 people with a disability. parties. They are at the centre of the shambles that is As I have already mentioned, only today we have been currently Blackburn Rovers, a club held up and respected announced as the community club of the south-east. by the football industry as an example of one of the I shall briefly touch on the hon. Lady’s campaign to best-run clubs in the premier league. Weekly protests, a drop the word “Dons” from the name. The overwhelming plummeting league position, huge losses, dubious transfers, majority of MK Dons fans want the club to retain its escalating agents’ fees and—more pertinently, and against name. It is now part of our history, as can be seen from league rules—the suggested involvement of agents in the Johnstone’s cup and the league 2 championship. the running of the club have all undermined its authority When the Queen came to open our stadium, it was there and management. as the MK Dons stadium, and at no point was there I put on record the comments of Alex Ferguson, who ever an agreement not to use the word “Dons” in our seemed to echo that final point about the role of agents title. in football clubs. The role of the board of directors is 165WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 166WH

[Graham Jones] Mr Dai Havard (in the Chair): Order. Can I advise the Member? I need to be careful about privilege. I understand now unclear, and their authority is now negligible or, at what you are saying, but I am listening carefully. Quoting worst, undesirable. That is far removed from the mirage from published material is fine, and I noted your word painted by the new owners: a Shangri-La of increasing “allegedly”. If you carry on with caution, I am happy, transfer budgets, Champions League football and the but I am listening carefully. promised continuation of a stable and well-run club. The current situation at Blackburn Rovers opens up Graham Jones: Thank you for that advice, Chair. I a new set of questions about football governance, respect your latitude. The letter has been published in transparency, the fit and proper persons test and the several national newspapers and online, just for clarity. undermining of the premier league itself. What concerns me and many supporters is the role of Jerome Anderson, Mr Dai Havard (in the Chair): It must be true, then. a leading football agent, and of Steve Kean, manager and, more significantly, Anderson’s client in the running Graham Jones: It is more than alleged; I think it is of the club under the Venky’s governance arrangements. probably true, as nobody has come out and disputed it. Following Rothschild’s failed attempt to sell the club, Clearly, there is a significant risk that Blackburn Mr Anderson was brought in to find a new buyer, and Rovers will regress rapidly while its owners have little found Venky’s. After that takeover, he became an adviser understanding of football and the whole management for Venky’s at Blackburn Rovers. In his own words, that of the first team and club administration rests with an involved sleeping and eating at the training ground and individual as unqualified and inexperienced as Steve advising and helping during the transfer window of Kean. Mrs Desai, the club’s apparent owner and quasi- 2011. I remind the House that rule H8b of the football decision maker, confirmed in the Lancashire Telegraph agents regulations governs the behaviour of agents and that Mr Williams did not get on with manager Steve their organisations and prohibits them from having an Kean: interest in a club, which includes “I know that he did not get along with Steve (Kean) and he had “being in a position or having any association that may enable the struggled to accept Jerome (Anderson)’s role at the club.” exercise of a material financial, commercial, administrative, managerial Ian Battersby, a well-known supporter and local or any other influence over the affairs of the Club whether directly or indirectly and whether formally or informally.” businessman, flew out to meet Venky’s in Pune, India. Blackburn Rovers football club is just one of It could not be clearer. 170 subsidiaries in the Venky’s group. Each has a business Anderson has stated on his own website and reported head who reports directly to the Venky’s board. In the on the Sky Sports website: case of the Rovers, that appears to be Steve Kean. Ian “In January 2011 I was requested by the owners to assist the Battersby said: club during that transfer window…At the conclusion of the “The notion of a board executing the owners’ plans on a January 2011 transfer window I ceased to assist Blackburn Rovers day-to-day basis is a complete anathema to them and many of Football Club in any capacity and I can confirm that I have not our problems flow from that…We have a sporting director who had any role or influence in their transfer policy or any other nobody would know if they were sat next to him, and that’s a business of the club whatsoever since that date.” high-profile job allegedly responsible for player recruitment. We I wish to draw Members’ attention to a leaked letter have a deputy chief executive—but no chief executive—whose signed by the former and respected chairman John effectiveness is, in the circumstances in which he operates, negligible.” Williams, currently employed by Manchester City, his I place on record the manager’s statement that he had equally able assistant Tom Finn and the finance director an irrevocable confrontation with the outgoing manager of Blackburn Rovers. The letter says: and that important questions persist about his involvement, “Finally, our Football Secretary” as a client of Jerome Anderson, in a coup to oust the former manager, Sam Allardyce, bypassing the board of at Blackburn Rovers directors. None of that serves the club well. “has, this morning, been instructed by SEM”— Questions remain whether proper due diligence took the company with which Jerome Anderson is involved— place and whether Mr Anderson or his associates had a “to issue a mandate to a third party without any reference or predetermined managerial change in mind and were approval from the Board. We are not familiar with the player interested not in the club’s assets and liabilities but in concerned nor is he one that has been mentioned to us by the first team managerial contracts. The FA must look into Manager. Could you please, therefore, clarify the role of SEM in it. What we do know is that the current board tasked our transfer policy?” with the responsibility of managing the club seems That letter was sent to the owners last January. I will powerless to act in the best interests of the club. Serious draw further on its contents later. questions now have to be asked about the owners’ Those decisions have led to the resignation of an ability to manage an English premier league club; their experienced and highly regarded set of administrators, awareness of Premier League rules; their future intentions risking the club’s ability to manage its own affairs. for the club; whether foreign business practices bring Notable and of grave concern is an agent’s admission the club into disrepute; and whether such practices that he has been involved in decision making within the should be prohibited within the framework of the Football club, that that has allegedly involved instructions to the Association premier league’s fit and proper persons test. club’s directors to make payments to third parties, and Recent financial accounts have resulted in further that the manager connected to that agent and given destabilisation of the club, and newspaper reports have overall responsibility for all affairs at the club—on and claimed that the club’s bank, Barclays, has initiated steps off the field and above the board—has a conflict of to protect its liabilities. Recent club accounts detail interest. losses accrued up to June 2011 of £18.6 million; the previous 167WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 168WH year’s loss was only £1 million. The club’s value while it Venky’s management of Blackburn Rovers has raised is in the English premier league is approximately £40 million. a number of broader questions about the corporate According to newspaper reports, Barclays is protecting governance of premier league clubs. The FA must look its liabilities in the club by reducing credit facilities and beyond its current ownership rules at arrangements for discouraging asset sales of high-value players. In other licensing prospective owners. Those arrangements must words, the bank is determining transfer policy. That include, as Mr Battersby recommends, stricter compliance practice is not new. John Williams stated a year ago in over financial strength and track record; the quality and his letter to the owners of the club: strength of the management team; experience of delivery “Brian Foreman from Barclays Bank is attending the Liverpool in the sector; the feasibility of the business plan and game tomorrow and has asked for a catch up meeting with us strategy; and corporate governance. There would need before the match. He will inevitably ask about our plans for the to be provision for the submission of quarterly or transfer window and at the present time not only are the Board half-yearly accounts in addition to the annual ones. The unaware of these but it has been made clear that we will not have fit and proper persons test in this case has failed. any input into the strategy. This is unacceptable and not in the Dialogue with supporters has failed, because the owners best interests of the club.” have resisted all communication and have neutralised Why were Blackburn Rovers purchased by Venky’s? the board’s involvement. Were they purchased to promote football or to promote chicken burgers? Worryingly, during this period, fees I conclude with another remark from Mr Battersby: paid to agents have risen approximately threefold. The “137 years of football heritage has been decimated inside £475,000 transfer of Ruben Rochina carried an additional 12 months. It is like watching a slow motion car crash.” agent payment of £1.65 million, which was during Jerome Anderson’s admitted involvement. Despite an [SIR ROGER GALE in the Chair] alleged defensive injury crisis, an out-of-contract 28-year- old, Bruno Ribeiro—described by the manager as the 4.5 pm next Denis Irwin—who had no caps and little top-flight Brazilian experience, was given a three-year contract Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): It is a and has yet to make a single appearance in the team or pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Roger, on the bench. Myles Anderson, who is Jerome Anderson’s in this important debate. We have heard a lot from both son, was brought in despite having made only one sides of the Chamber about the report and about people’s appearance in the Scottish league. David Goodwillie, experiences of their local football clubs. It is clear that who is, to quote the manager, “the next Wayne Rooney,” when football and football clubs fail, fans bear the cost, was brought in from Scotland. which is why we take the matter so seriously. Because football plays such a fundamental role in society—football What has been destructive in this spiralling vortex is a in Britain is an expression of the country in which we smear campaign by the manager, his agent and other live—it is right that Parliament takes a view on some of clients, which is aimed at ordinary Blackburn Rovers the issues that are highlighted in the report. Those fans who seek only constructive dialogue with the club issues affect the whole of society and not simply the on the subject. To my knowledge, there have been no administration of a football club or a football competition. arrests or public disorder during the protests, which have always been conducted with the full consent of the Mark Field: I can understand why many in the footballing police and dialogue with the club. The protests were fraternity might think it is not necessarily Parliament’s suspended for seven matches to facilitate positive place to opine in the way that we are doing. Not only do discussions, but those discussions have not taken place. we have an interest on behalf of our constituents, but Three pre-arranged meetings between the manager and we have a fundamental financial interest. The British organisers have been cancelled by the manager or by the footballing industry was on its knees during the mid-1980s club, the authority over which lies with the manager. after a series of disasters, hooliganism and, ultimately, The Premier League is culpable in allowing the current the Bradford City fire, which led to the Taylor report. A trend of foreign ownership to continue without suitable huge amount of public money has gone, and continues safeguards; we have heard about Liverpool, Manchester to go, into the game. That is one of the reasons why it is United and Portsmouth. I welcome the comments of appropriate for Parliament to have a say on the matter. the Select Committee Chair that one can drive a coach and horses through the fit and proper persons test. That Damian Collins: I agree with my hon. Friend. When is clearly the case. This is coming from a completely we have foreign ownership and we do not know who the different angle from Manchester United and Liverpool, owners are; when we have a largely unregulated transfer and it should open our eyes to how we deal with market bringing billions of pounds into and out of the football governance matters. As Mr Battersby, the country, which is largely unknown and uncontrolled at Blackburn businessman, states: its source; and when communities bear the cost of the “We hear an awful lot about the sham that is ‘fit and proper’…This financial failure of a football club and taxpayers bear is a major industry we are talking about here—it’s worth billions the loss through unpaid tax bills, Parliament should globally and there has to be something akin to licensing of take an interest. We do not seek to take away someone’s owners. How can someone wing their way into the UK, take right to run their football club badly. That is beyond the ownership of a club and within 12 months destroy a community? The warnings of Portsmouth, Notts County and now Blackburn control of Parliament. The report of the Culture, Media must be heeded. and Sport Committee and the debate have thrown up legitimate public interest concerns, however. The events If the same had happened at Jaguar or similar, there would have been outrage in the House of Commons and yet we sit and of the past seven days demonstrate that the Football watch this happening. In essence, the Premier League are watching Association has an obligation to be the moral guardian one of their member clubs get savaged and haven’t batted an of the game in this country, not simply the administrator eyelid. It is nonsense.” of football. 169WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 170WH

[Damian Collins] Damian Collins: The test is designed to make it possible to understand whether someone is a capable administrator, I am sure that Members support teams in their without criminal convictions, but also whether they constituencies at all levels. I am a lifelong supporter of have no conflicts of interest in the game, such as stakes Manchester United, but one of the most exciting football in other football clubs that might give them a biased matches I have ever watched was when Hythe Town view in competition and an unbalanced view in the beat Staines Town last season to qualify for the first operation of the transfer market. “Dispatches”on Channel round proper of the FA cup for the first time in its 4 highlighted the case of investors in the far east seeking history. That was the first time in more than 50 years to invest in British football clubs and taking multiple that a side from the Kent league had qualified. That is a stakes in them by using different businessmen and personas single competition in which a club in the Kent league to make the investments, beyond the football authorities’ can compete alongside clubs that are competing in the ability to track them. That undercover report was an Champions League. When multiple clubs are playing in important piece of work, and it highlights some of the multiple formats and competitions, there must be a issues and the test’s failures. single governing body that can have some oversight over the whole of football in this country. That can only Mr Foster: The hon. Gentleman constantly refers to be the Football Association, which is the guardian of the fit and proper persons test. Does not that draw the game in all competitions. attention both to the concern of many hon. Members I praise the chairman of the Football Association, that football clubs are often in the hands of an individual; David Bernstein, for taking a stand on the John Terry and to the merits of greater supporter involvement, affair. David Bernstein rightly accepted that the captain which would spread the load and the responsibility and of the England football team has a position in public would be a more sensible way forward? life in the country, and millions of sport fans look up to him as a role model. If his position is put into question Damian Collins: I completely agree with my right by a criminal charge that has been made against him, hon. Friend that it is a good thing for supporters to although he is not guilty of that charge, while doubt have that interest, but if they do not control the club, remains about his role it is not appropriate for him to be and the controlling interest lies with another party, they captain of the England football team. If the manager of should have the right to understand who that is, and the the England football team, Mr Capello, could not accept source of the finance. That is crucial. I made some that ruling, it was right for him to stand aside. Although inquiries of the Football League about the ownership we might not have wished for the outcome of the past of Coventry City. It transpired that it is owned by an seven days—the removal of the captain and the manager— investment trust—a private equity firm. It is not known the course of events was inevitable. It was right for the who the investors in that trust are. The Football League Football Association to take a moral lead on the case, had to concede to me that to this day it does not know and I commend it for doing so. There are real financial who owns the club. concerns about the administration of football and clubs in this country, and a real concern about the lack of Tom Blenkinsop: The hon. Gentleman is making an powerful oversight and intervention. There are many excellent point and a valid argument. I want to praise areas of concern, and hon. Members have touched on a the Government, who talk in points 40 to 42 of their good number. I will limit my remarks to three issues—club response about allowing supporters to have representatives ownership, the football creditors rule and player ownership on club boards; but there would be a trigger point. and the player transfer market. What type of trigger point would the hon. Gentleman During our inquiry the fact that Leeds United was see as tenable, in allowing more clarity and transparency owned by a trust whose investors were not known was in club boards by allowing the fans in? highlighted, together with the fact that Mr Ken Bates was employed by that trust to be chairman of the club, Damian Collins: The hon. Gentleman makes a good but did not know who the owners—the investors in that point. I shall come on to my views on the solution to the trust—were. No one in football in this country believes problem; but many clubs in Coventry City’s position that Ken Bates did not always control that club. There is will have a management company—a holding company no other way in which he could suddenly have completed that runs the club—and a supporters’ trust may have a the purchase of it within days, without any kind of seat on that board. However, that is just a holding tendering process, and assumed ownership. He blamed company. The ownership of the club is somewhere else the political obsession of the Select Committee, which completely, and that management company may not was simply standing up for the legitimate interest of know who the owner is. It may deal with a businessman Leeds United fans to know who owned their club, for its who represents the owners, but it may not know who interest in Leeds United. Many hon. Members have the owners are. spoken about the role of the fit and proper person test. I recently had conversations with a businessman who How can that test be applied if we do not know who the was involved in running Sheffield Wednesday from the person is? That has been a recurrent problem for the moment when it went into administration through to football authorities, and shows that the test, which the period when it was taken over by Milan Mandaric. should function as a guardian, works only if the person He described a series of potential investors coming who is being investigated is the owner, and if that can be forward, some of whom used fake names and identities. proved beyond reasonable doubt. When non-disclosure agreements were signed, it turned out that the principal investors were based in the far Graham Jones: On that note, does the hon. Gentleman east and were not who they originally seemed to be. The think that somehow the fit and proper person test could impression is created of a murky world where no one is include stupidity? quite who they say they are. People running clubs in this 171WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 172WH country who seek to sell them to a foreign investor to about Coventry City, if a football body—the Football raise funds for the club may not know who they are League, the Premier League or whatever it is—cannot dealing with. be satisfied about who the owner of a club is, it should When I wrote to the Football League about Coventry stop that club competing in its competition. It should City, I had a reply from Nick Craig, the director of legal not necessarily be for the football authorities to chase affairs, who made a telling point: round the world trying to find the owner of a club. If “We have for some time expressed our concerns as regards the club cannot demonstrate it to the satisfaction of the investment vehicles (often offshore) and the issue of the lack of competition, it should not be allowed to take part. transparency surrounding ownership of them. Indeed we have A way to carry out that policy would be to request previously sought assistance from DCMS and HMRC in that clubs, perhaps as part of the licensing scheme, to allow respect but to no avail. We are left in a position where we can the football authorities to inquire of their bank what regulate and seek to require clubs to comply but are reliant on the source of funding is, and who the club’s owners are. self-declaration with no official means of independent verification. The bank should make that information available, and That the proliferation of offshore investment trusts means we if it cannot or does not, the matter should be passed to will never always be 100% certain in all cases but we continually assess the appropriateness of our rules in a changing environment.” the Financial Services Authority. The ownership of clubs is not just a matter of football competition. If There is not very much comfort there for any football money is being channelled in by businessmen whose fans concerned, because the Football League is saying identity is not known, that should be a matter for the that if a company is registered offshore and it buys a tax and financial authorities, as it would be in any other British football club, it does not have the authority or business. power to know who owns the club. I want to make a couple of points about the football The Select Committee report contained a request to creditors rule, which other hon. Members have touched the Government for a retrospective examination of the on. As the chairman of the Football League said when I Leeds United case. That would require powers beyond questioned him in the Select Committee, there is no those of the football authorities to inquire what was the moral case to justify the fact that, when a football club source of the finance to purchase the club out of goes into administration, the local printer who prints administration, how much Ken Bates paid for it and the match programmes or the local building firm that where the money went, so that we could determine who does ground maintenance should get 1p in the pound controlled the club’s source of finance, even if it is for its debts, while a football club at the other end of the impossible to determine who the owners were. The country or a multi-millionaire footballer get their football source of finance will take us to the owner of the club. debts paid in full. That is wrong. The taxpayer loses too, because owed tax is not covered by the football creditors Graham Jones: The hon. Gentleman is generous in rule. That is currently the subject of a court case between giving way, and makes an excellent point, which I want HMRC and the football authorities. If that is not to add to, as well as supporting the Minister’s position. resolved, it should be a matter for legislation, and the What would the hon. Gentleman say about a club such House should resolve it. There is no moral case for that as Blackburn, however? The board exists, but it is being state of affairs, and we should move on. bypassed; the manager is directly responsible and flies out every month to Pune in India to run the football On player ownership and player transfers, concerns club. What would happen if the supporters’ trust sat on have been raised that third-party ownership of players, the Blackburn Rovers board? It now has no role within although outlawed in this country, is still part of the the club. Is that an issue that concerns the hon. Gentleman? game. A magazine, Tipsbladet, in Denmark, published How would he deal with it? an article this week that raises concerns about third-party ownership. Players are channelled through clubs in Damian Collins: I am grateful for that comment, but I Denmark and, ultimately, on to the premier league. will make that the last intervention that I take, if the Funds that seek to own and control players have a House does not mind, as I want to make a few other financial interest in moving those players between clubs. points. I said at the beginning of my speech that I do That financial interest is greater than the interests of the not think it is the role of the House or the Government player, or the club he may go on to on an intermediary basis. to stop people running a football club badly. It would Bloomberg’s news website also raised a concern last be difficult to legislate that a club now in private ownership week about what it called “letterbox companies”, which should be majority owned and controlled by the supporters, are set up for a matter of days to loan money to a even if the supporters might want that. As the report football club to purchase a player, and are then closed says, the Government should—they have stated in their down almost straight away. It highlighted a case with response that they will look at this—make it as easy as Porto, in Portugal, where companies set up in this possible for supporters’ trusts to be set up, so that such country had loaned money—non-bank lending—to FC representation exists, where the club wants that. Porto to buy players. Those companies were then shut As to ownership, I do not have a problem with clubs down straight away, making it almost impossible for the being owned by foreign investors. If people want to authorities to identify where that money had come spend their money on football in this country to improve from. facilities and the quality of competition, that should be The flow of money in football is an issue of the welcomed. However, there should be a clear register of utmost importance, and one that we touched on in our any individual, with any investment in a football club, report. The football authorities have to get to grips with no matter how small, and that information should be the matter. The Government should consider it in their available. I would push for it to be publicly available, but response to our report, and in their consideration of the it should at least be available to the football authorities. response of the football authorities at the end of the In response to what the Football League said to me month. 173WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 174WH

4.20 pm with a large population that is not traditionally served by a nearby football club—I hope that that will be a Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) (Con): lesson for the future. Outside the Football League, I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon Darlington have high-profile problems, having fallen (Mr Whittingdale) and his Committee on producing into administration only this season. They are now such a detailed and comprehensive report on the state subject to a bid for a community takeover. of governance in our national game. I am the vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary football group, and I It must be acknowledged, as other hon. Members associate myself with the comments of other hon. Members have, that on occasion the football authorities are faced about our late friend Alan Keen and all the work that he with the choice between allowing a bad owner to complete did. a takeover, or a club simply no longer existing. Football I am a lifelong football fan, and in the past 20 years League clubs tend not to disappear, with the exception since the foundation of the premier league, English of Aldershot 20 years ago. However, often when they football has undergone a massive transformation. Rather lose league status oblivion follows very quickly—one than continually attacking FIFA—I am glad that we thinks of Maidstone United, Scarborough and Rushden have not really spoken too much about the national & Diamonds. With that in mind, the Football League, game, but there has a campaign against FIFA, particularly rather than the Premier League, has led the way in in the aftermath in December of the Football Association’s recent years in improving the good governance of football failure to secure the World cup, either in 2018 or 2022—we in this country. Many measures that began in the Football need to examine seriously the governance of the domestic League have since been adopted across English professional game. There should now be a pledge from both the game. Football Association and the Premier League to put A number of hon. Members have mentioned the their houses in order urgently. True fans of the national owners and directors test, so I will not go over old game have become increasingly dismayed—as we have ground. On players’ wages and the issue of debt, average heard from hon. Members—at the cynical culture of wage spending per club at the advent of the premier illegal payments, opaque ownership and disregard for league in 1992-93 was £4.5 million, which was 44% of the grass roots of the game in recent years, as global TV turnover. That has since risen in the past 20 years to an money has dominated. average of £1.3 billion—68% of turnover. Deloitte and As has been said, half, perhaps slightly more, of all Touche suggests that 60% would be a prudent number. premier league clubs are now foreign-owned, and an Wage spending is at its most corrosive in the championship, increasing number of sides in the championship are where it amounts to 88% of average club turnover. attracting wealthy investors from overseas. However, as Championship clubs together made an operating loss of the report points out, a majority of clubs are still owned £133 million in 2009-10, and their aggregate debt hit by a local business man on a philanthropic basis. Foreign £875 million in summer 2010—£36 million for each ownership itself is not a problem if we have a robust fit club. and proper person test. Many will recall that Manchester Premier league clubs generally make an operating City has not had an easy path in this regard. In 2007, profit until financing and player trading costs are taken they were bought by the disgraced former Thai Prime into the account. By contrast, each division in the Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. As we heard from my Football League—championship, league one and league hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth North (Penny two—has collectively lost money. In total, debt across Mordaunt), Portsmouth had no fewer than four owners the 92 clubs stands at a £3.5 billion. Those staggering in a single season before entering administration in numbers really do put in doubt the future sustainability 2009-10. Manchester United and Liverpool have both of our game outside the premier league, with all its been subject to highly leveraged buy-outs from US wealth in its current format. Football League clubs are owners. That model is highly risky and is not supported a vital pillar in all our communities and they play a vital by the vast majority of fans or, indeed, by the Premier role in developing young players, not just for our national League. team, in a professional and competitive environment. There is a risk of chronic overreaching by clubs. I fear One problem is parachute payments, which make that the reckoning—the same can be said for much of getting into the premiership such a strong financial the rest of the economy—is yet to come. Under all types inducement. The pressure on clubs to succeed is perpetuated of ownership models, this has led to a massive inflation by parachute payments, which are paid over a four-year in the cost of running a football club, which has usually period after a club is relegated from the premier league impacted most profoundly on loyal, long-standing fans and are currently worth £48 million in total. The justification who find themselves priced out. is that it provides insurance to promoted clubs to allow Asset stripping is highly detrimental. The separation them to be competitive in the premier league. The of a football club from the ownership of their ground downside is that clubs only have to be in the premiership often spells long-term financial disaster. We have heard one in every five years to have such untold wealth that that was the genesis of many of the problems for coming their way.It therefore provides a perverse incentive, Wimbledon in 1991. My hon. Friend the Member for providing artificial support and allowing clubs to spend Milton Keynes North (Mark Lancaster) is not here, but money that they have absolutely no hope of raising one of the lessons of the phenomenal success of AFC naturally. That distorts and undermines the integrity of Wimbledon is that the franchising model need not the championship and, by extension, the rest of the necessarily be one to which we should aspire. It took football pyramid. There is no provision forcing clubs to eight long years—in the scheme of things, quite a short use parachute payments to honour existing player contracts, period of time—for Wimbledon to move their way right for example, or to pay down debt. They can instead can back up that pyramid into the Football League. If there be used, and often are used, to finance the purchase of are to be such instances as Milton Keynes—a new town new players in a winner-takes-all gamble to win promotion. 175WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 176WH

On financial sustainability, currently, all clubs must huge fees. Although it is easy for the footballing fraternity include divisional pay clauses in player contracts that —the FA, the premier league and even the Football indicate what the player would be paid in each division, League—to accuse agents of being at the core of all if he were to play in them, in each term of his contract. these problems, they often have a symbiotic relationship A salary cost management protocol was introduced as with agents, some of whom may be on their side, as the long ago as 2003 for league two, limiting club spending hon. Member for Hyndburn (Graham Jones) said on player wages to 60% of turnover. That limit was reduced specifically in relation to Blackburn Rovers, but that to 55% this season. Clubs provide budgetary information applies within many other clubs as well. to the league, which is updated as the season progresses. I am keenly aware that other hon. Members want to Any player registrations that take clubs beyond the speak. Payments to HMRC have already been discussed threshold are refused. The protocol has proven successful, by other hon. Members. On FA governance, as we with the vast majority of clubs in the division spending know, the Football Association was created in an Olympian, less than 45% of turnover on players’ wages. League Victorian age. In fairness to Oxford university, it won two’s operating losses fell from £9 million to £8 million the FA cup a few times in the 1880s, which is probably in 2009-10. I am very pleased that league one clubs are why it still has representation to this day, but clearly this currently shadowing the protocol this season, with a is not a sensible body to go forward as a 21st-century 75% limit of turnover in place, although at this juncture model for running our national game. there are no sanctions for clubs. Next season, the threshold will reduce to 65% with firm sanctions in place. The Given the commercial explosion over the past couple limit will fall again in future years. of decades following the emergence of the Premier League, which I have mentioned, one has to wonder I understand that the Football League is currently in how the FA in its current form can have any influence. discussions with clubs in the championship regarding In many ways, the Premier League has, again, been the introduction of UEFA-stylefinancial fair play measures complicit in this and has colluded and been happy to based on a kind of break-even model. That is much allow the FA to take quite a lot of flack for elements of needed if championship clubs are to bear the brunt of the governance concerns that we have addressed today. some of the premier league-induced wage inflation without the requisite TV money to absorb it. The FA will need to change its culture to understand that it alone is there to enforce the rules and policy agreed by the whole game. The overall direction of Damian Collins: The hon. Gentleman mentioned the football in this country should now have significant UEFA scheme. Does he share my concern that a report input from the Premier League and the Football League— published by FIFPro this week, based on a study of not as a takeover, but as a partnership. Just think how players in the former Soviet republics in eastern Europe, much more successful even a relatively traditional FA showed that the salaries of 40% of the players it surveyed could be with more input from the acknowledged day- were not paid by the clubs that they play for, but by to-day leaders in the leading tiers of global club football. another party? A change in the culture will see the FA participate alongside the rest of the football family in creating Mark Field: Yes, I share many of those concerns. I policy with more of a focus on oversight, which is close suspect, I am afraid, that at some level, even within our to all our hearts. own professional game, there are similar problems. Hon. Members have mentioned having more independent Other hon. Members want to speak, but I hope that I directors. Such directors would have an important role have a few moments to say a little about sporting in examining the game’s policies at a board level. More sanctions, which have caused considerable angst within power should be handed to them and to expert executives the footballing community.The Football League pioneered who will initiate the policies. the use of sporting sanctions, with a mandatory 10-point The Government are keen to avoid having an independent penalty applied to any club that enters administration. I regulator for our domestic national game. Football must strongly support the sanction, because it protects the accept that, if many of these proposals are not acted upon, integrity of the competitions by ensuring that clubs do working together with footballing organisations, an not gain a competitive advantage, not just by going independent regulator may be a sanction. I am interested through insolvency, but through overspending in the to hear what the Minister has to say about that. This years before that. subject has probably been a headache for him, knowing I understand why many fans are upset by the sanctions, that he is, in truth, much more of a professed player of particularly fans of clubs such as Luton Town and cricket and rugby—more than just a fan—but I suspect Plymouth Argyle, which have dropped rapidly through that football takes up a huge amount of his time. the divisions as a result of not just a 10-point penalty, This report will play an important role as a stepping-stone but often more punitive penalties. In a sense, the new to ensuring that the national game, which all hon. Members owners and loyal, much put-upon supporters find have close to our hearts, will thrive in the years to come. themselves left to pick up the pieces, although they are not responsible for many of those past misdemeanours. 4.38 pm We have not discussed agents’ fees to any great degree today, and there is also the issue of publication. The Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): It is a abolition of the minimum wage 51 years ago and the pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Roger, Bosman ruling, fundamentally, in 1995 have so massively and that of Mr Havard, the previous Chair, who probably tilted the power away from clubs to the players. It has prefers the oval ball, but accepts that the round ball gone from one terrible extreme of indentured play to game—the beautiful game—touches all four nations of the other, where the players have the whip hand. They the United Kingdom. I am delighted that three of those have so much power that their agents can now extort nations were represented in the debate at some point. 177WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 178WH

[Dr Thérèse Coffey] A lot has been said about the ownership of football clubs and financial fair play. I was keen to ensure that I thank other Committee members. For a football the model of a significant owner was not condemned as fan, it was a fabulous inquiry. The hon. Member for a particularly bad thing. I say that because that is one Liverpool, Walton (Steve Rotheram) was a bit gutted reason why we are able to have so many clubs throughout not to be on the Committee at the time. However, he the country. I do not want to come across as patronising, should take credit for having been part of the main because I was born in Wigan and grew up in Liverpool inspiration for the inquiry in that seminal debate in and have always believed that it was working man’s Westminster Hall some time ago. I hope that he is proud philanthropy. Others ensure that their theatre keeps now to be part of the Committee that was able to put going or donate to the Royal Opera House and there is the report to the House for consideration. no greater thing than to keep a local football team There is no question but that football is probably our going. I do not pretend to be an Ipswich fan. I always most successful export. I appreciate that Sepp Blatter want them to do well. But whether it is Marcus Evans at thinks that the Chinese invented football, but I firmly Ipswich Town or the infamous Delia Smith, saying, believe that it is the English version of the game that “Come on, let’s be having you,” up at Norwich, it is has gone around the world. Indeed, we seem to be important that people invest in something that is critical importers of talent nowadays, but our game is no worse to their community. for that. The extent of professional football here goes Everyone is worried that the huge amounts of money far beyond anything we saw in Germany, in terms of the coming in have skewed the field somewhat, and financial number of teams and the quality of football, as the fair play will go a long way towards addressing that. I right hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster) mentioned am impressed that the owners of Manchester City have earlier. That is reflected in the fact that we have had basically put equity into their finance, as opposed to such success in European competitions. loans—that is a good thing—and it has to some extent Success perhaps eludes the three lions. Of course, we shaken up the premier league. However, when the rules all hope to put that right in 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, are introduced we must ensure that there are no loopholes, and in Brazil in 2014. But as I will mention later, that is which we saw in Germany, when okay money has not one reason why the Committee felt that it was important been invested—a ¤100 million sponsorship deal for a to do something about football governance. particular team was the way of getting money in, and it I will try not to repeat too many things that my hon. went straight through to the profit and loss. Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Damian Collins) said and I will try to develop a few different Damian Collins: My hon. Friend is making an important points, but I echo his tribute to David Bernstein. I point. She is referring to the loan made by Gazprom to ought to say that I am parliamentary fellow to the FA at Schalke. Such informal financial arrangements might, the moment, so this is not being done in an attempt to potentially, confer some influence over the running of try to get free tickets for any game, or anything. the club, which people could find concerning. I was looking at the evidence from 29 March 2011, when the Committee visited Wembley stadium to take Dr Coffey: That might well be true, but I do not evidence from the FA. At that time I brought up the pretend to speak on behalf of Schalke. There are, issue of governance and Fabio Capello’s contract. All I however, some interesting, tidying things to be done, can say is that David Bernstein’s responses that day gave which financial fair play needs to take account of. me confidence, as did his actions, in respect of exactly The involvement of supporters was part of the coalition what happened with the captaincy of England—and in agreement. Before the previous election, the three main the situation in the past 24 hours. political parties each had an element on how to get David Bernstein has persuaded the council, the supporters more involved. Supporters Direct has been shareholders and other board members to bring on two working hard to see how supporters can get involved. I new independent non-executive directors. That has support its bronze-level approach of ensuring that every happened and already they are making a contribution team has a liaison officer or a trust, so that there is to the board. Give credit where it is due, despite the fact appropriate interaction with the club. To be honest, that he is a Manchester City fan. As we all know, we can supporters having a veto on the sale of assets is a little be very tribal in the main Chamber, but we are all here unrealistic, although many will take advantage of the for the greater good of football. Localism Act 2011 and designate certain places as community assets, which might be a useful step. We Steve Rotheram: Does the hon. Lady agree that the have also seen fans getting together and buying their FA still needs to do more to become fully inclusive? An club—most recently in Wrexham, where a lot of my FA board needs to reflect all society and include, for family live and where I fought the election in 2005. That instance, people from different socio-economic and cultural is something to be welcomed, to keep it afloat. backgrounds and minority ethnic groups and perhaps Some interesting points have been made. Someone even women. wrote to me from Arsenal, concerned about the illiquid market, although there is a supporters’ trust and a Dr Coffey: Of course, one of the new independent “fanshare” scheme. I cannot necessarily come up with a directors is a woman, which was a little bit of a surprise, solution, and it might just be the nature of trying to but I was delighted that a lady with a pedigree at raise finance in these times. Indeed, Spurs was taken off Millwall is already making a contribution at the highest the stock market last month, because of the restrictions level of the game. Kelly Simmons is in charge of the on how to get additional investment into the club. national game and does a great job working with Something that the Government can easily do, therefore, communities. which I am sure the Minister will confirm, is to amend 179WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 180WH the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Supporters’ Absolutely, those people deserve full recognition; I have trusts could then come together, whether through industrial been out with Suffolk FA and local community clubs, and provident societies or community interest companies, and football would not survive without them. and get over those silly bureaucratic hurdles, which If only the professional game were involved, we would were not meant for such community organisations. not have that same emotional connection. However, given the role of the council, changeover of people is Other colleagues have already talked about licensing. appropriate for governance. The reason we came up I must admit that the whole concept seems contrary to with 10 years was simply that the chairmanship of a classic English law. Under the Napoleonic civil code, on Select Committee in this place is two terms of five-year which most continental law is based, people are permitted Parliaments. That is where it came from—[Interruption.] to do something—that is how the legal basis operates— We talked about it, didn’t we? We thought about how to whereas our basis is that people can do anything they ensure changes of governance as well as continuity, like unless we legislate to say that they cannot. Licensing helping the organisation to look at itself. I understand would change that, and at first I was a little unsure fully that many people rightly deserve a little reward about it, but eventually I was persuaded that it is the once they have been serving the FA for some time as a right thing to do to provide stability in the football volunteer, and that should continue, but fresh blood is family. The Premier League and the Football League also useful. Likewise, older or longer-standing Members have already moved considerably to try and address of the House hopefully recognise the value of change at some such points in their terms of practice, whether an election, when we get new Members. paying PAYE and national insurance on time or ensuring enough liquidity to operate for the next 12 months. The On that note, although we have had some interesting formality that we saw in the German league probably is discussion, such as a spat—dare I say it—about Milton appropriate and should put fans’ minds at rest. Keynes or Wimbledon, the debate shows the strong emotion that we have about our beautiful game, our We are interested, however, in the future and in the national game. I hope that football fans at the FA money that sometimes struggles to get down to the recognise the opportunity to put our game on an even grass roots. The 50:50 rule has already been mentioned, better footing. Long may the celebrations continue for and my understanding is that the national board are Euro 2012. happy to leave it at that—I suggest leaving that option open. The investment that has been put into St George’s Sir Roger Gale (in the Chair): Order. I will call Park is fantastic. I was lucky enough to go up there only Mr Bingham next, then the two Front-Bench spokesmen. this week to see it. I cannot believe that it will open in I understand that Mr Whittingdale may wish to make a September—perhaps I am too used to debating Network few closing comments. As they say, do the math, please. Rail and things taking a year and an eternity to be done. That is a genuine vision of how to put in place the coaching that we desperately need. Again looking across 4.48 pm to Germany, after it had a disaster in Euro 2000, it set Andrew Bingham (High Peak) (Con): I shall attempt about a 10-year plan, which has proved rewarding. I pay to be as brief as possible. As ever when speaking last in tribute to David Sheepshanks, a former member of the such debates, a lot of things I wanted to say have FA board. He happens to be a constituent of mine, but already been said. credit is due to him for taking that vision along and Football has seen great changes over the past 20 or 30 making it a reality. Long may that continue. years: the advent of the premier league; the European Coming on to the structure of the FA, as has been championships in England in 1996, which I remember explained we have the FA council, the shareholders and invigorating the nation with football; the Bosman ruling; the board. Credit is due again for the two non-executives, pay-per-view television; and subscription television. Those which is quite a change of view by Mr Roger Burden changes have revolutionised the game. There has been who back in March last year was yet to be persuaded of an explosion in transfer fees, players’ wages, admission the case for two independent directors. I am pleased costs and corporate hospitality. The beautiful game of that he changed his mind and with the vote in favour. yesteryear has very much become the commercial leviathan My right hon. Friend the Member for Bath has already of today. mentioned the committee structure. Our recommendation The days when the chairmen used to count the gate is imperative: that all committees should report to the receipts around a table after the match are long gone; board, rather than to a mixture of the board and the they now deal in reaping the best sponsorship deals, the council, simply because we end up with the board sale of shirts, negotiating image rights or perhaps preparing effectively not being able to run the FA even though it the prawn sandwiches so beloved by Roy Keane over at has been given that direction by the council. That Old Trafford—the list goes on. I may be appearing to change is absolutely imperative, and I hope that the FA paint a rosy picture of halcyon days, with baggy shorts, council will take it firmly on board. flat caps, Stanley Matthews galloping down the line—I am a little disappointed that the hon. Member for Coming on to other things such as the proposal for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Paul Farrelly) is no longer present term limits, I understand that many felt that that was an to intervene about Stoke City—or George Best swerving attack on people who are very good for football. To be around defenders. blunt, such people have been there in all weathers, I am not implying that things are not what they painting the lines, coaching the young kids and running were—the game has been improved immeasurably in the teams, out there in the freezing cold, and they the past few years. It is a faster game, it is wider and will be thinking, “Why is a bunch of MPs telling us that with a more inclusive audience. Indeed, even Mrs Bingham we can’t stay on our council?” It is not about that. has been known to go to the odd game in the past. 181WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 182WH

[Andrew Bingham] All those clubs have people at their heart. Many people work in a voluntary capacity, but they are also at We have not talked about the growth of ladies’ football— board level. We have heard hon. Members today talk there has been phenomenal growth up and down the about people sweeping car parks, selling programmes country. In addition, modern football stadiums are and so on. That supporter involvement creates a strong much better than the ones that we used to have. Even club with a happy atmosphere. When Glossop reached someone of my tender years remembers the old football the final of the FA vase in 2009, the whole town was grounds. People were jammed into them, and they had gripped by it. When the team came back on an open-top inadequate toilet facilities and so on. I remember going bus, it was just like Manchester United coming back to the last game at the old Wembley stadium and from Wembley—the whole town came out. Unfortunately, thinking how old and archaic it looked compared with we did not win the cup—we lost—but even going down the new and modern grounds. [Interruption.] I cannot to the final we had the Glossop special. Who remembers comment on Bath City. I have to admit that I have never the old football special trains? We had a huge train been to Bath. going from Glossop. I had been on the train for two The point that I am trying to make is that football hours and I was further from Wembley than I was when has changed immeasurably from what it used to be. I started. The whole atmosphere grabbed the town. Apart from the basic rules of the game—give or take That is the power of football when it embraces the tweaks to the offside rule and one or two other things—it supporters and makes them feel that they have a stake is a completely different business from what it used to in and are part of their club. We do not say that football be. Many of the changes have been for the better, but supporters should completely own every club; we are the question that I ask is whether they have brought it talking about involvement. By necessity, non-league closer to the football fan, the man in the street, the clubs are leading the way. They are showing the premier supporter. It is still the beautiful game, but is it still the league and the other big clubs what can be done. I people’s game? Some may say that it is not, but it is still understand that it is impossible to recreate that at the our national sport. As we have heard, it is watched by big clubs, but if the supporters had some representation thousands of people each week, yet the distance between on the boards, they would feel that their voice was being the players and clubs and the fans seems to have grown heard. They would have a say in the direction of their larger than ever. club. Above all, they would have that sense of ownership of the club. The pride that people feel in their local club The Select Committee report is a fabulous piece of would be fostered in the big clubs. work. I wish that I were a member of the Select Committee, because being involved in this inquiry would have been I have been as brief as possible. I congratulate the a labour of love for me. The report makes many members of the Select Committee. This is a great report, recommendations, but one that caught my eye was the and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. We in the House one in which it urged more involvement by clubs with read many reports. With some of them, the pages do supporters, through trusts or consortiums. The Government not turn quite as quickly as they did with this one—it is have agreed with that. Indeed, the Government response a thumping good read. I support the recommendation is equally good: they state their belief that football for more supporter involvement in clubs. I urge the FA clubs are stronger when they have supporters to take on board the report’s recommendations and to get on with it, but please, can we get an England “at the heart of the club”. manager by next week first? I agree with that. Sir Roger Gale (in the Chair): I am grateful to the I would not seek to draw like-for-like comparisons hon. Gentleman for his forbearance. between non-league football and the heady heights of the premier league. A club such as Manchester United cannot replicate the homely atmosphere of somewhere 4.54 pm such as Buxton football club in my constituency, but I Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): I congratulate the Select do look at local non-league clubs and the way in which Committee on the report. I join the Chair of the Committee they work. I am a particular fan of non-league football, in the tribute that he paid to our friend and former sad as that may be. I used to be on the committee at colleague, Alan Keen. I believe that our former colleague Buxton. I think that I have been watching the team David Cairns was also involved in the inquiry when it since 1971. The team plays at what is reputed to be the started, although sadly he passed away before the report highest football ground in England—I can promise that was written. it is one of the coldest, particularly at this time of year. This is an extensive and detailed report on the future We also have New Mills football club and Glossop governance of football. It would have been better if we North End. Glossop is one of the oldest football clubs could have had this debate in the full knowledge of the in the country. It is a former member of the first response of the Football Association, but given what division. If Sir Roger will permit me a little self- has gone on over the last couple of weeks in football, it indulgence—I do have an eye on the clock—I will tell has given us an opportunity at least to pass some hon. Members that it was formerly chaired by Sir Samuel comment on what has been going on. For my part, I pay Hill-Wood, one of my predecessors as Member of tribute to the Football Association for showing strong Parliament for High Peak. To this day, his family are leadership on these issues and particularly on the issue still involved in football. His grandson is Peter Hill-Wood, of racism in football. Its leadership has been exemplary. the chairman of Arsenal. His grandfather left Glossop The international football bodies could learn from the when they were relegated, and came down to Arsenal. way in which the FA has dealt with that issue. It has Arsenal’s fortunes went one way—and Glossop’s have acted in the best interests of football, and I sincerely not quite gone the same way as Arsenal. wish it all the best in selecting the best replacement as 183WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 184WH

England manager. If that means that the FA has to take When Wimbledon moved to Milton Keynes, it virtually time in doing it and allow people to finish current just moved the management structure and a bank contracts, it should be given that time in order to do account—what was left in it, that is—but the heart and what is in the best interests of the England football soul of the club clearly stayed with the local community, team. which exemplifies my point about football clubs being This report and debate give us an opportunity at least part of their community. We have a remarkable story to set out the will of Parliament to the Football Association from what was left of the club: five promotions in nine ahead of its response to the report. They allow us to say years and back in the Football League. That just shows what we feel about football governance and what we what fans can achieve when they work together to think the FA should respond to. We all have a responsibility support their club and to help in its management and to face up to the many challenges that the report running. highlights. That applies to us all, from the FA at the top, Even some of the mighty clubs are vulnerable in this through its executive and the council, to the county current climate. We have heard about Leeds United—I FAs. I say to the people in those particular bodies that will not dwell on it—and Portsmouth. Their experiences they have to look to themselves to review the vested testify to some of the pitfalls in football today. Even interests highlighted in the report, because unless all of Manchester United is not beyond controversy over its us together, as one community of people who love finances. The green and gold campaign is not just about football, are prepared to take on the issue of change in a dispute with the club’s current owners, but came the governance of football, the changes that we need about because many fans were absolutely shocked to will not come about. It will also require the other discover that despite a very successful season in 2009, governing bodies, the Premier League, the Football their club would have been in deficit had it not been for League, club chairmen, managers, players, the dreaded the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo for £81 million. Manchester agents and, of course, the fans. All of us together have United Supporters Trust is the biggest in the world. an opportunity to set out a course that will resolve the Who is to say that even the mighty, internationally problems that face our national game. We can begin to recognised Manchester United might not end up a fans’ work together to take on the tough choices over the co-operative some day in the future? If it can happen to future of governance and finance in order to democratise Manchester United, why not to other clubs? our game and bring it closer to the fans. The Spirit of Shankly is another group of supporters Football is our national game because it is played in who were in dispute with the then owners of their club. every community the length and breadth of the country. Its ultimate aspiration, which is still on its website, is to Football teams are part of the communities in which own Liverpool football club. Recently, we have seen the they are based, whether it is Manchester United, at the dispute between Chelsea fans, who hold the ownership very top of the game—it is one of the biggest and most of Chelsea football club, and the owners, who want to highly recognised clubs in the world—or Darlington, in get that ownership back and possibly move the club. the conference league, which is struggling to survive on I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Portsmouth what is, frankly, a pittance compared with what is paid North (Penny Mordaunt) for her contribution to the to a premier league agent, player or manager or the debate. I was alarmed to hear that the administrator receipts that those clubs get from TV rights. Darlington would not speak to the local community. I would like to was saved from complete closure only by a couple of know what the Football League is doing to ensure that fans, who at the last minute were able to raise £50,000 to the administrator talks to the local community and the buy more time to save the club. Without them, there fans about trying to save the club. would be no club to save. The problems at Portsmouth are an example of where I spoke to my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington things are going horribly wrong in our game. Mr Antonov’s (Mrs Chapman) yesterday about the fight to save Darlington bank, Bankas Snoras—I have not made up that name— football club. The reason why she is not here speaking applied in 2006 to operate banks in the UK, but was on behalf of her local community is that she has had to turned down by the Financial Services Authority. It was return to Darlington to try to bring together all the suggested that the bank had repeatedly given incomplete different parts of her community that are fighting to and inaccurate answers to the FSA. The FSA’s website save Darlington football club. I urge everyone here to states: get behind her and the local community—those people who bought that extra time to try to save Darlington “Bankas Snoras was likely to fail to deal with the FSA in an open football club. Everyone needs to work together in the and co-operative way.” best interests of the club. Something that we can do Yet in 2011, Mr Antonov was allowed to take over here today with the debate and the response to the Portsmouth football club. If the FSA had that degree of Select Committee’s excellent report is to put the case for concern about the financial matters of this individual, it change that will prevent a situation like the one that has must have been written large for others to ask questions affected Darlington football club from arising again in about his suitability to own one of our large football the future. clubs. One of the best examples that I can point to of a local Such a case highlights our concerns that due diligence community-based football club is AFC Wimbledon. If is not taking place and that there are not sufficient fit we consider its history, notwithstanding the speech and proper person tests. Something should have alerted from the hon. Member for Milton Keynes North (Mark the Football League or the FA to that person’s history, Lancaster)—I make no comment on Milton Keynes and they should have considered whether the purchase Dons or any criticism whatever; I wish them all the best, was in the best interests of the club or the game. I do except for when they are playing Millwall—we have a not make that point to ask for an inquiry or to blame club that started from scratch in the local community. somebody for that decision, but we have the right to 185WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 186WH

[Clive Efford] because of the place that football occupies in the heart of communities up and down the country—from the demand that the governing bodies go back and look at local pub team to the professional clubs. Fans respect those cases. They should put their heads together and the work that their local clubs carry out in the community, learn from such experiences. They should establish a set and it is at the heart of what they want from their clubs of criteria that will try to prevent such sales from in the future. From supporters’ trusts to fans’ representative happening again. bodies, such as Supporters Direct, the common desire My hon. Friend the Member for Hyndburn (Graham to enhance links between clubs and local communities Jones) made a powerful contribution about Blackburn is right at the heart of what they want to achieve. Fans and vividly described the gaping holes in the current are the community and they are the future of the clubs; administration of our national game. He set out how they are fans at the professional grounds and they are one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League fell foul the coaches and managers at the lower levels of the of the financial regulations and the investigations that game. It is essential that everyone at every level of are carried out by our governing bodies prior to people football respects that fact. Fans are looking to the taking over clubs. sports governing bodies to give them more influence over their clubs, with a licensing system that is regulated As the hon. Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Damian from above, from the FA down, but is monitored by Collins) said, under the current regime it is too easy for fans who can be the eyes and ears of the system, and people to hide the real owners of our football clubs. It is police it at local level. For that, they need access to coming out loud and clear from this debate today that information, and resources. that is simply not acceptable. The report is unequivocal in its condemnation of the Steve Rotheram: On access to information, people are issues relating to club ownership. It referred to “startlingly probably aware that Everton football club and its supporters poor business practices” and “unacceptably low” levels are going through a troubled time. Everton football of transparency. It is clear that football has begun to group—Trust Everton—is trying to raise money to move in the right direction to protect the future integrity purchase Everton’s training ground at Finch Farm. If of the game, but more needs to be done. The UEFA the FAadapted appropriately, and gave power to supporters, financial fair play regime is a step in the right direction, they could access the very information that they need to but we need to remind ourselves, as the hon. Member help their own football club. for Cities of London and Westminster (Mark Field) pointed out, that 56% of debt that is held by football Clive Efford: That is absolutely right. I could not clubs in Europe is held by our Premier League. agree more with my hon. Friend. What we want from The pursuit of survival in the top flight is forcing governing bodies, who support Supporters Direct, is clubs to over-extend themselves. The slightest hiccup in not just to hold meetings when fans can investigate their cash flow, and they are in serious difficulties. decision-making processes at their club, and the decisions Meanwhile, those clubs with owners with seemingly made, but the opportunity to interrogate the board bottomless pits of wealth can be run at eye-wateringly members. If they identify something that is going wrong, high levels of losses, and that is simply not sustainable. they should have the means to raise that at the most Although we cannot resolve this matter overnight, our appropriate level. We are not asking just for a fan on the debate today, the Select Committee report and the board, or for a meeting every year when fans can come responses from football’s governing body can make a along and ask questions. We want to know what the start at addressing the problems that we face. Too many governing bodies will do and how they will respond clubs hit a financial brick wall when they run out of when fans ask questions and receive answers that cause money or simply when their financial backers run out. them concern. If we do not empower fans, and allow We must move to a system in which clubs have to them to investigate the sort of things that my hon. balance their books, otherwise the present form of our Friend the Member for Hyndburn described about game will not survive. Blackburn, how will we ever have an early-warning system? The fans are the early-warning system to tell us Every club has links with its local community. Every what is going wrong at a club. Member present can provide examples of their clubs doing excellent work within the local community. They Tom Blenkinsop: Guisborough Town football club may be dealing with young people or trying to tackle in my constituency—I am its president—has an antisocial behaviour. I am not just talking about Football excellent supporters group network. I am also a fan of League clubs, but clubs at much lower levels. Indeed, Middlesbrough football club, which has a disabled clubs at the lowest level have armies of volunteers who supporters association, an official supporters club, and go out every Sunday morning or Saturday afternoon to Middlesbrough Supporters South, which organised an run the line, organise football matches and engage event last night with parmos provided to make sure that hundreds of thousands of young people up and down exiled Teessiders had some food and fare after the the country.Football is right at the heart of our community Sunderland game. For all those good intentions and and something that we all hold in high regard. good endeavours, paragraph 37 of the Government’s It is also members of the local communities who response states that consideration will be given to the gather outside football clubs when those clubs are in establishment of trouble. Who is it who commits their hard-earned cash “an informal expert group to report on the degree to which there to save their club? It is always the dedicated fans from are other issues that create genuine barriers and to provide the local communities. They are the ones who desperately recommendations for practical action”, fight for the survival of their clubs when the chairman which would allow groups to make informative and or executives have long gone. They do that not just informed decisions, and to be able to see what is happening because they feel passionate about their teams but at their club. 187WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 188WH

Clive Efford: That is absolutely right, and we need a Government and Parliament with a solution. I very mechanism so that the FA, the Premier League and the much hope that they will respond positively by the end Football League can set up a system whereby they can of this month. hear the voice of those people at that level, and take I absolutely share the reservations expressed by my action when necessary and when that comes under their hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale), jurisdiction. the Select Committee Chairman, but the football authorities Finally, I want to consider the role of agents and must be left in no doubt that if they do not step up to their influence on the game. That was highlighted in the mark, we will legislate. It will be difficult to find recent court cases, and by my hon. Friend the Member time for primary legislation in the next Session in view for Hyndburn. In the Premier League last year, more of what else is going on, but if we do not achieve that, than £70 million was paid in agents’ fees, but only we can certainly do so beyond that, and there will be £10 million goes to grass-roots football from the Football opportunities through private Members’ Bills. Association. That cannot continue. In the Football League, it was £16.7 million. I know that action is being Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Minister will have plenty of taken following the Stevens report, which was published volunteers to help. in 2007, and some work has been done to tighten up the activities of agents, but those figures are not justifiable. Hugh Robertson: I hope that the football authorities They cannot continue, and more must be done to will step up to the plate and produce the right response restrict agents’ activities, and the malign influence that at the end of the month, but if they do not do so, I they still have on the game. We must address that factor suspect that the next stage will be for us to hand the in our game. formal consultation back to the Select Committee and Paragraph 254 of section 8 of the report states; to get it to look over it and then to seek a recommendation, “There is a need for a strong FA”. if necessary, to go to legislation from there. I am keen to do that not only to recognise the Committee’s contribution There is a need for a strong and robust response from to the matter, but because it is important that a clear the Football Association to the issues that have been message goes out to the football authorities that there is highlighted in today’s debate, and in the Select Committee’s cross-party support for that, and that it is not a party report. I hope that its shows the same strength that it political issue. has shown in the response to the issues that have occurred in the last couple of weeks. I sincerely look forward to I will quickly run through some of the contributions reading its response. from individual Members before concluding. The Chairman of the Select Committee spoke, as always, wisely, and is absolutely right that the core issue of the debate is 5.15 pm reasserting the FA’s role as football’s governing body. The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh There is a thought that it is some sort of representative Robertson): Without wishing to disappoint anyone, I organisation with power flowing up from the bottom. have a horrid feeling that the eyes of the football world That is not my wish; it is not how other sports work; may not be on Westminster Hall this afternoon in view and I do not think that that is the way in which effective of what is happening elsewhere, but this is a timely governing bodies work. The FA needs to have control of moment to debate the report. I want to join others in the national game. paying tribute to Alan Keen and David Cairns. I knew I absolutely share the Committee Chairman’s desire Alan Keen very well. I was not a good enough footballer to see a board of 10. We normally say that for good to play football with him, but I played cricket and hockey governance principles throughout sport we like boards with him for parliamentary sides. He played hockey in to be between eight and 12, so 10 is perfect. It should rather the same way as he played football, and I think have a much better mix of independent expertise, and that in his mind the two games were interchangeable. represent the constituent interests in the game. In that He was a fabulous man, and a great sports fan. way, the expertise of people who have had a lifetime of I thank the Select Committee for its report, and pay involvement in the game can be brought together with tribute to its Chairman on the way in which he conducted people outside who have independent expertise. the inquiry. Football is an emotive topic, and there are The reform of the council is absolutely important, as strong views on almost every side, so it is not always the Committee’s Chairman has said. It is there to be a easy to pilot the way through those choppy waters. parliament; it is not an executive body. He is absolutely However, at the end of the process the Select Committee right that the principle of financial fair play should produced an excellent report and gave us a fantastic underpin the licence. The full implications of the European basis for moving forward. ruling are as yet unclear. Lawyers are working on that The debate has been long running. It has been going issue and my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon is on for just less than 20 years, through the football task right to say that it will have an impact. What he and force, the Burns review, and the exchange of letters that other hon. Members have said about supporters’ ownership the right hon. Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) is what we want to achieve. It is a spectrum with a undertook. I think there is a real desire—there certainly dedicated fan or supporter liaison officer at one end, is here, and I hope that there is in the football world—to and supporters who sit on the board at the other. bring the matter to a conclusion. We do not want to be Different solutions will work in different ways for different having these debates in a couple of years’ time. It is clubs, but the current situation is clearly some way from important for the footballing world to realise that this is where it ought to be. an opportunity for the football authorities—the FA, the The hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Steve Premier League and the Football League—to come Rotheram)—perhaps I should say the hon. Member for together, to work together, and then to present the Everton and Liverpool football clubs—spoke passionately 189WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 190WH

[Hugh Robertson] be the introduction of St George’s Park, and the way that it will turbo-charge the production of coaches and as always. He is right to concentrate on the make-up of officials in the game at grass-roots level. It is an football boards. Until we get right the corporate governance extraordinarily exciting development. at the top of the game, little else will be achieved. My hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Andrew The right hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster) was Bingham) spoke powerfully in favour of supporters’ right to speak powerfully about the importance of representation. He must be the only person from my financial fair play, governance and licensing, and he will 10 years in the House who has described a Select have an important role in moving forward the debate on Committee report as a thumping good read—a great supporters. The work that the Deputy Prime Minister is tribute to the Committee’s Chairman. I thank the hon. doing on shareholder involvement will be key to unlocking Member for Eltham (Clive Efford) for his contribution. that issue. As well as encouraging football clubs to do As I said earlier, cross-party support is vital, and like something, we must encourage owners to make available him, I send my best wishes to those hoping to save more of their shares for supporters’ groups to buy. How Darlington football club. we do that will be a key part of unlocking the debate. We await a response from the football authorities by The hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West 29 February. So far, their approach has been encouraging (Tom Greatrex), quite properly, paid tribute to the work and they have worked together constructively. I hope of Supporters Direct, and I pay tribute to the work that that they will produce something that will allow us to he did during his time at Fulham. He is right to emphasise move on by the end of the month. It is fair to warn the crucial link between a club and its ground. Selling people that this is a complicated subject involving many grounds is not always bad, but often it is, and the hon. different views and passions that are running high. If Gentleman was right to draw attention to that issue. My we are to achieve a solution by consensus—and I hope hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth North (Penny we do—we will need a bit of compromise and give and Mordaunt), who was speaking in the main Chamber a take from all sides. moment ago, was right to congratulate her newly formed I feel that good progress has been made on a licensing supporters trust. I wish her well in her discussions with system. The principle is that an overall licensing system HMRC. I agree that a community buy-out would be an will be held by the FA, with a degree of subsidiarity to exciting new chapter for her club. individual leagues. Progress has been made on tidying up the work of the council and shareholders, but reform I am not sure whether I should intervene in the of the board is proving more difficult. private dispute between Wimbledon and Milton Keynes, except to pay tribute to the excellent community work done by both clubs involved. The hon. Member for Clive Efford: I wanted to say that there is no quick fix. Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh) and I This is a huge problem that has grown up over many discussed the matter at some length in a recent Adjournment years, mainly since the creation of the Premier League. debate. I do not know enough about Blackpool football It is something that will take time to fix, and we must club or its owners, or indeed about chicken burgers, to work together consistently on that. comment at any length, but the situation described by the hon. Member for Hyndburn (Graham Jones) is cause for concern. My hon. Friend the Member for Hugh Robertson: I thank the shadow Minister for Folkestone and Hythe (Damian Collins) made a powerful those remarks. If anyone has any doubt about whether case for reform. No one would doubt the veracity of his something as arcane as a board is important to the remark that if we are to have a fit and proper person’s process, they should consider that if this inquiry is test, we need to know the person involved, and we about anything, it is about governance and the way that should pick up on that in the new licensing proposals. the game is run. The FA board is crucial. I am delighted by the introduction of the two independent non-executive My hon. Friend the Member for Cities of London directors. In the short time that they have held their and Westminster (Mark Field) was right to draw attention posts they have already made a considerable impact, to the importance of wages. I had not heard the figure including on events in recent days. For the outside of 60% of turnover, but it seems a prudent level. When world, however, reform of the board is emblematic of one considers that that figure is 88% in the Football the whole process. Crucially, if one looks at the Committee’s League—I think that was the figure given—one understands report, unless the board is reformed and the FA has a why, when asked what he thought was its biggest problem, proper system of corporate governance, it becomes its chairman simply replied: “Debt.” My hon. Friend difficult to achieve a great number of the other things also asked about an independent regulator for football. that lie further down the stream. I think that the Committee considered that, although it is not something on which we are consulting at this I will hand the debate back to the Chairman of the stage—I hope that the Chairman of the Committee will Committee for the final few minutes. Once again I correct me if I am wrong. thank him for his leadership and the Committee for its report. We are committed to this process, and I hope I pay tribute to the work done by my hon. Friend the that by the end of the month we will have the right Member for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey) as a parliamentary response from the football authorities. They should be fellow for the FA. She is right to draw attention to the in no doubt that if such a response does not arrive, the excellent work done by David Sheepshanks at St George’s House will legislate, although I hope that things will not Park. There are always as many reasons to be cheerful come to that. I hope that through the process under way about English football as there are to be miserable, and we will see long-term and systemic change in our national one of the great developments of the next few years will game. 191WH Football Governance9 FEBRUARY 2012 Football Governance 192WH

5.27 pm (Tom Greatrex). There were also contributions from other members of the Committee, and from the right Mr Whittingdale: With the leave of the House, I will hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster) who has asked me make one or two brief comments. One of the pleasures to say in the short time available that the chairman of of chairing the Culture, Media and Sport Committee is Bath City football club is a woman—Manda Rigby—so that although the topics that we examine may not be at progress is being made. the centre of political debate, they often involve things that people talk about in living rooms, pubs and cafés. We discussed earlier whether it would have been No subject fits that description more than the one we better to wait until we have a response from the FA, and have debated this afternoon. We have heard passionate then debate the proposals. It helps, however, that three contributions from across the Chamber. Hon. Members weeks remain before the Minister’s deadline, and whatever have mentioned their own clubs, and there was an the differences in the views expressed this afternoon, I entertaining discussion between the hon. Member for am gratified that the recommendations contained in the Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh) and my report have received unanimous support. I hope that hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes North that will send a strong message to the FA that it has (Mark Lancaster). We are all agreed, however, that at three weeks to come up with serious proposals that least we have two good football clubs as a result of that meet the objectives that we have set for reform. I would discussion, so progress is being made. prefer it if the Government do not have to legislate, as, I suspect, would the Minister. Nevertheless, he has made My hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth North it clear that he will legislate if necessary, and for that I (Penny Mordaunt) and the hon. Member for Hyndburn am grateful. I thank both Front-Bench spokesmen for (Graham Jones) made more worrying contributions that strong message. that illustrate some of the problems of individual clubs. Passion for the game was shown by my hon. Friends the Question put and agreed to. Members for Cities of London and Westminster (Mark Field) and for High Peak (Andrew Bingham), and by 5.29 pm the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West Sitting adjourned.

31WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 32WS

This fund was first announced by the Chief Secretary Written Ministerial for the Treasury in July 2011 and I am now publishing the prospectus which sets out the delivery arrangements Statements for the fund and the criteria that will be used to assess bids. Thursday 9 February 2012 The fund will be equal to 50% of the revenues generated by the Crown Estate’s marine assets. The fund is UK-wide, with allocations to the devolved Administrations on the BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS basis of revenue generated by the Crown Estate’s marine EU Informal Competitiveness Council assets. The devolved Administrations will have country specific boards who will work with the Big Lottery Fund to deliver this fund on the ground. In 2012 the The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David fund will be worth £23.7 million, and the allocations Willetts): My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State will be: for Business, Innovation and Skills, (Baroness Wilcox) England—£18.2 million has today made the following statement: Scotland—£3.9million (Highlands and Islands—£1.85 million. The Informal EU Competitiveness Council took place in Rest of Scotland—£2.05 million) Copenhagen on 2-3 February 2012. I represented the UK on both Wales—£1.15 million days of the Council. A summary of those discussions follows. The research session of the Council on 2 February was preceded Northern Ireland—£0.45 million by a conference on 1 February, attended by BIS officials, discussing Coastal towns often missed out on the economic informally the structure of the Horizon 2020 programme. This growth of the past decade that centered on London. included three plenary sessions on “Excellent Science”, “Industrial Smaller seaside towns are also more reliant on the Leadership” and “Societal Challenges”. tourist trade and retirement and lack the more diverse The research Council then began on the 2 February, hosted by economic base of many larger towns. Danish Minister for Research, Innovation and Higher Education, Morten Østergaard. There were presentations from EU Seaside towns have shown they can build stronger, Commissioners Geoghegan-Quinn and Hahn on Commission more diverse economies when given the chance. This proposals on Horizon 2020, followed by three plenary sessions fund will give them the chance to transform economic centring on three of the key challenges Horizon 2020 must growth along our coast and unleash their potential to address. These are: improving complementariness with other EU create businesses and jobs. The fund underlines our programmes (principally structural and cohesion funds); simplifying commitment to supporting coastal towns so they can rules of participation; and bridging the “valley of death” between basic science and commercialisation. benefit from the growth in marine revenues generated I attended the third session regarding the gap between basic by the Crown Estate as it develops its coastal and science and commercialisation. I intervened to press for a stronger offshore resources. focus on the successful exploitation of research, and for support We have worked with the Big Lottery “Big Fund” to for innovation to be embedded throughout Horizon 2020. I also establish how the fund will work and the timetable for pressed the Commission to come forward with more detailed its introduction. The deadline for applications in 2012 proposals for pan-European venture capital support and a version of the small business research initiative. Among the other workshops, will be September, with winners announced in December. member states pressed for more clarity on the link between In England and Wales there will also be a fast-track Horizon 2020 and structural and cohesion funds, and for more process with a deadline in May 2012 and allocations in ambitious plans for simplification. July. The Industry and Internal Market Council followed on 3 February. I want to encourage quality bids from the many This was hosted by the Danish Minister for Business and Growth, different types of organisations that support economic Ole Sohn and was focused on the digital single market. Minister development including charities, social enterprises, voluntary Sohn opened the Council with a speech setting out six current and upcoming dossiers which should help the digital single market organisations, local businesses as well as local authorities reach its full potential; e-payments, e-invoicing, e-procurement, and local enterprise partnerships. The Big Lottery’s common IT standards, the e-signatures package and the alternative “Big Fund” will deliver the Coastal Communities Fund dispute resolution. This was followed by speeches from Michel and will be issuing more detailed guidance shortly. Barnier and Neelie Kroes, acting in their capacities as Commissioners for Internal Market and Services, and the Digital Agenda respectively. Two workshops were then held focusing on both supply and Firefighters’ Pension Scheme demand in the digital single market. The main conclusion from the supply workshop was that it is imperative to boost the trust of consumers when ordering online. From the demand workshop, it The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for emerged that the mutual recognition of e-signatures is crucial to Communities and Local Government (Robert Neill): improving e-invoicing, and that e-billing systems should be accessible Following constructive discussions with the firefighters’ across EU borders. trade unions, on 8 December I wrote to all of the firefighters’ trade unions to issue the cost ceiling for the COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT firefighters’ pension scheme. This included a generous accrual rate, and provided protection for all those within Coastal Regeneration 10 years of their current scheme’s normal pension age from any change in when they can retire, nor any The Secretary of State for Communities and Local decrease in the pension they receive at their current Government (Mr Eric Pickles): I am today announcing normal pension age. the launch of the Government’s “Coastal Communities The Government pay tribute to the importance of Fund” which will allow seaside towns to seize the the work undertaken by our fire and rescue service and opportunity to boost economic growth along our coast. the bravery, dedication and professionalism of the men 33WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 34WS and women who work within it. The Government are b. a provisional accrual rate of 1/58.7th of pensionable committed to providing public service pensions that are earnings each year subject to further agreement on the sustainable, fair and effective. outstanding issues; c. there will be no cap on how much pension can be accrued; Building on the proposals brought forward by Lord d. a revaluation rate of active members’ benefits in line with Hutton, these proposals aim to strike a balanced deal average weekly earnings; between public service workers and the taxpayer. They e. pensions in payment and deferred benefits to increase in will ensure that public service workers continue to have line with prices index (currently consumer prices index); access to good pensions, while taxpayers benefit from f average member contributions of 13.2% from April 2015, greater control over their costs. with some protection for new entrants. However, the Government Public sector pensions will remain among the very will review the impact of the proposed 2012-13 contribution best available—a guaranteed level and inflation proofed. changes, including the effect of membership opt-outs, before Only one in 10 private sector workers has access to such taking final decisions on how future increases will be delivered schemes. in 2013-14 and 2014-15, and in the new scheme. g. flexible retirement from the scheme’s minimum pension I am pleased to report that the Heads of Agreement age of 55, built around the scheme’s normal pension age of for the design of a new pension scheme for firefighters 60, with members able to take their pension from minimum in England has now been established. Each trade union pension age as follows: with firefighter members will now consider the main for all active members who are aged 57 or more at retirement, design elements of a new scheme to be available for 2015 scheme benefits taken before normal pension age will their members from 2015. Further work will take place be actuarially reduced with reference to the 2015 scheme’s over the coming weeks to establish the final details and normal pension age, rather than the deferred pension age; Executives can consult members as appropriate. all other members will have their 2015 scheme benefits actuarially reduced on a cost neutral basis from the scheme’s I am particularly grateful for the manner in which deferred pension age. firefighters’ trade unions have maintained a constructive h. the normal pension age will be subject to regular review. dialogue over the emerging detailed elements of the new These reviews will consider the increasing state pension age scheme. Further discussion will now take place through and any changes to it, alongside evidence from interested the scheme’s pension reform group. parties, including unions and employers. It will consider if There will be full protection for the accrued rights of the normal pension age of 60 remains relevant, taking account of the economical, efficient and effective management existing scheme members: of the fire service, the changing profile of the workforce and all benefits accrued under final salary arrangements will be the occupational demands of, and fitness standards for, linked to the members’ final salary, in accordance with the firefighting roles rules of the members’ current schemes, when they leave the i. this regular review will be informed by such research reformed scheme; carried out by the Firefighters’ Pension Committee, which full recognition of a members’ expectation to double accrual will monitor and collate scheme data and experience; for service accrued under the firefighters’ pension scheme j. late retirement factors for members retiring from active 1992 (“the 1992 scheme”), so that a members’ full continuous service to be actuarially neutral from normal pension age; pensionable service upon retirement will be used to calculate k. a deferred pension age equal to the individuals’ state an averaged accrual rate to be applied to service accrued pension age. under the 1992 scheme; l. optional lump sum by commutation at a rate of £12 for members to be able to access their 1992 scheme benefits every £1 per annum of pension forgone in accordance with when they retire at that scheme’s ordinary pension age (i.e. HMRC limits and regulations from age 50 with 25 or more years pensionable service), subject to abatement rules for that scheme. Pensionable m. abatement in existing schemes to continue; service for the purpose of calculating the ordinary pension n. ill-health retirement and all other ancillary benefits to be age will include any continuous pensionable service accrued based on the arrangements in the 2006 scheme under both the 1992 scheme and the 2015 scheme; o. an employer contribution cap and floor to provide backstop members will continue to have access to an actuarially protection to the taxpayer against unforeseen costs and assessed commutation factor for benefits accrued under the risks. 1992 scheme. The Government Actuary’s Department has confirmed There also will be transitional protections for qualifying, that this scheme design does not exceed the cost ceiling existing members: set by the Government. Copies of the Heads of Agreement all active scheme members who, as of 1 April 2012, have 10 and the Government Actuary’s Department verification years or less to their current normal pension age will see no report have been placed in the Library of the House. change in when they can retire, nor any decrease in the amount of pension they receive at their current normal pension age. This protection will be achieved by the member Housing Funding remaining in their current scheme until they retire; there will be a further four years of tapered protection for scheme members. Members who are up to 14 years from The Minister for Housing and Local Government (Grant their current normal pension age, as of 1 April 2012, will Shapps): I am today announcing £20 million funding have limited protection so that on average for every month of for local housing authorities for preventing repossessions. age they are beyond 10 years of their normal pension age, Some £19 million is allocated for a Preventing Repossessions they gain about 53 days of protection. The last day of Fund and £1 million will contribute to Housing Court protected service for any member will be 31 March 2022. Possessions Duty Desks. The main parameters of the new scheme are set out The £19 million Preventing Repossessions Fund provides below: additional options for local housing authorities to tackle a. a pension scheme design based on career average revalued repossessions in their area as part of their duties to earnings; prevent homelessness. This will be achieved by offering 35WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 36WS small interest-free loans, or grants, to households at risk Leicester elected its city mayor in May 2011. On of repossession. Small loans can address immediate 7 February 2012, Liverpool city council resolved that short-term financial difficulties, allow “breathing space”, their city will have a directly elected mayor and plan to and avoid households becoming homeless due to mortgage hold the first election for a Liverpool mayor on 3 May possession. This funding has been allocated to local 2012. authorities using weighted criteria which reflect demand The orders I have made are the next major step and which reward homelessness preventions. All local towards creating mayors in the remaining 10 cities. housing authorities will receive funding. Local people in each of these cities will now have the £1 million is allocated to local housing authorities to opportunity to say whether they want their city to have fund Housing Court Possession Duty Desks within the an elected mayor. Where the people decide in the referendum 54 county courts in England that are not already funded that their city should have an elected mayor, they will by other sources, such as the Legal Services Commission. elect their first mayor on 15 November 2012. Court desks offer households free legal advice and I have also now made, following parliamentary approval, representation on the day of a possession court hearing, the Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) regardless of an individual’s financial circumstances. Regulations 2012 which make provision for the conduct This funding ensures universal access so that all households of referendums about local governance changes, including at risk of possession or eviction can access free legal the conduct of the referendums required by the orders. advice when attending court. As we made it clear in the parliamentary debates on Details of the amount awarded to each authority will the draft orders, it was open to any of the city councils, be available on the Department’s website. A table giving before their order was made, to resolve to move to an the funds provided to individual authorities has been elected mayor. Liverpool has done so, and hence I have placed in the Library of the House. not made an order for Liverpool. A range of Government support is already in place to help homeowners at risk of repossession including Support DEFENCE for Mortgage Interest, a Department for Work and Pensions benefit to help out-of-work households meet Operation Herrick 16 Roulement (Correction) their monthly interest payments (£386 million is forecast to be spent in 2011-12). The Government have invested £221 million over the next two years for the Mortgage The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): Rescue Scheme, aimed at vulnerable homeowners at I regret that the written ministerial statement I laid on risk of repossession. This scheme has been improved to 7 February, Official Report, column 11WS, contained deliver better value for money for the taxpayer. The an error of detail. I am therefore laying a revised Government have also asked the Money Advice Service statement today. to establish a strategy for delivering free debt advice to The next roulement of UK forces in Afghanistan is empower consumers to take charge of their finances. due to take place in April 2012. The UK’s current In addition, the Government’s ongoing efforts to framework Brigade in Helmand, 20th Armoured Brigade, tackle the record deficit will help avoid rapid increases will be replaced by 12th Mechanised Brigade. The forces in interest rates, which would put further pressure on deploying include: already stretched family budgets. Interest payments for mortgages are currently the lowest as a proportion of 12th Mechanised Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (228) total income since records began. Elements of 19th Light Brigade Headquarters Headquarters102 Logistic Brigade 857 Naval Air Squadron Local Democracy The King’s Royal Hussars The Light Dragoons Elements of 1st Royal Tank Regiment The Minister of State, Department for Communities Elements of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry and Local Government (Greg Clark): Following 19th Regiment Royal Artillery parliamentary approval, I have now made orders under Elements of 5th Regiment Royal Artillery section 9N of the Local Government Act 2000, which Elements of 12th Regiment Royal Artillery come into force today, and which require mayoral Elements of 16th Regiment Royal Artillery referendums to be held on 3 May 2012 in Birmingham, Elements of 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle Elements of 39th Regiment Royal Artillery upon Tyne, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wakefield. Elements of 40th Regiment Royal Artillery In their coalition agreement the Government committed 26 Engineer Regiment to creating directly elected mayors in the 12 largest Elements of The Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) English cities outside London, subject to confirmatory Elements of 21 Engineer Regiment referendums and full scrutiny by elected councillors. Elements of 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) We are clear from experience both internationally Elements of 36 Engineer Regiment (Search) and here in this country that elected executive mayors Elements of 38 Engineer Regiment can significantly enhance the leadership of our major Elements of 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographical) cities, delivering greater economic growth and prosperity. Elements of The Military Stabilisation and Support Group Led by a mayor, our cities will have the potential to Elements of 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group perform even more strongly economically, socially and 16th Signal Regiment environmentally, making the contribution that they should Elements of 10th Signal Regiment to the growth and success of the country’s economy. 37WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 38WS

Elements of 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) Elements of 15 Psychological Operations Group Elements of 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support) 604 Tactical Air Control Party 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards 614 Tactical Air Control Party 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards 621 Tactical Air Control Party 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment 632 Tactical Air Control Party 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington’s Regiment) 2 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron, Royal Air Force 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Elements of 24 Squadron, Royal Air Force 3rd Battalion The Rifles Elements of 30 Squadron, Royal Air Force Elements of The London Regiment 12(B) Squadron, Royal Air Force Elements of 3rd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment Elements of 5 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron, Royal Air Force Elements of 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment Elements of 32 Squadron Royal Air Force Elements of 3rd Battalion the Royal Welsh Elements of 28 Squadron, Royal Air Force Elements of 6th Battalion The Rifles Elements of 216 Squadron Royal Air Force Elements of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps Elements of 101 Squadron Royal Air Force Elements of 4 Regiment Army Air Corps Elements of 39 Squadron Royal Air Force Elements of 6 Regiment Army Air Corps Elements of 27 Squadron, Royal Air Force Elements of 9 Regiment Army Air Corps Elements of 18 Squadron, Royal Air Force Elements of Joint Helicopter Support Squadron 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force Elements of Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Support Battalion Elements of 99 Squadron Royal Air Force 4 Logistic Support Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps Elements of 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force 10 The Queen’s Own Ghurkha Logistic Regiment Number 5 Royal Air Force, Force Protection Wing Headquarters Elements of 9 Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps Elements of Number 2 Royal Air Force Police Wing Elements of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, The Royal Elements of Number 3 Royal Air Force Police Wing Logistic Corps 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment Elements of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, The Royal Logistic Elements of the Tactical Supply Wing, Royal Air Force Corps Elements of 1 Air Mobility Wing, Royal Air Force Elements of 23 Pioneer Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps Elements of 1 Air Control Centre, Royal Air Force Elements of 24 Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps Elements of 90 Signals Unit, Royal Air Force Elements of 27 Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps Elements of 2 (Mechanical Transport) Squadron, Royal Air Force Elements of 29 Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps Elements of 5001 Squadron, Royal Air Force Elements of 88 Postal and Courier Regiment (Volunteers), The Royal Elements of 3 Mobile Catering Squadron Logistic Corps Elements of Tactical Medical Wing Elements of 148 Expeditionary Force Institute Squadron (Volunteers), The Royal Logistic Corps Elements of 1 (Expeditionary Logistics) Squadron Elements of 152 Transport Regiment (Volunteers), The Royal Logistic Elements of 93 (Expeditionary Armaments) Squadron Corps Elements of Tactical Imagery Wing Elements of 159 Supply Regiment (Volunteers), The Royal Logistic Elements of 5131 (BD) Sqn. Corps Elements of 162 Movement Regiment (Volunteers), The Royal Logistic Volunteer and ex-Regular members of the reserve Corps forces will continue to deploy to Afghanistan as part of Elements of 166 Supply Regiment (Volunteers), The Royal Logistic this integrated force package, and we expect to issue Corps around 300 call-out notices. On completion of their Elements of 151 Transport Regiment (Volunteers), The Royal Logistic mobilisation procedures, the reservists will undertake a Corps period of training and, where applicable, integration Elements of the Catering Support Regiment (Volunteers), The Royal with their respective receiving units. The majority will Logistic Corps serve on operations for around six months. As part of Elements of the Operational Headquarters Support Group (Volunteers), The Royal Logistic Corps this commitment, we expect up to six members of the sponsored reserves to be in theatre at any one time. 4th Medical Regiment The UK’s conventional force level is expected to 22nd Field Hospital remain at 9,500 for the duration of the deployment. Elements of 254 Medical Regiment (Volunteers) I shall make a further statement on the units we 4th Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers expect to serve under 12th Mechanised Brigade’s planned Elements of 104 Force Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical replacement formation, 4th Mechanised Brigade, nearer Engineers the time of their deployment. 174 Provost Company Royal Military Police Elements of 160 Provost Company Royal Military Police Elements of Special Investigations Branch United Kingdom DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Elements of The Military Provost Staff Elements of 1st Military Working Dogs Regiment Individual electoral Registration Elements of 1st Military Intelligence Battalion Elements of 2nd Military Intelligence Battalion Elements of 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Mark Elements of 4th Military Intelligence Battalion Harper): I am announcing today the publication of the Elements of 5th Military Intelligence Battalion Government response to the pre-legislative scrutiny and Elements of The Defence Cultural Specialist Unit public consultation on individual electoral registration (IER) and changes to electoral administration. 39WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 40WS

Last June we set out our proposals for improving the people who cannot be confirmed automatically will electoral system through the introduction of IER in be invited to provide identifying information to be Great Britain. verified. This should simplify the transition process As we said then, the electoral register is a key building for the majority of electors, reducing the number of block of our democracy. We see both registering to vote people required to provide personal identifiers and and voting as civic duties and we strongly encourage will also allow EROs to free up resource to target the people both to register and to vote. We published our smaller group of people whose information cannot proposals for consultation and for scrutiny by the Political be matched and those who are currently missing from and Constitutional Reform Committee (PCRC) because the register. this is a vital part of our democracy, so we want our Compulsion and Personal Choice plans to be tested, and we want to be sure that the It remains our firm belief that registering to vote is a choices we make on the costs and benefits of the civic duty; we have taken into account the concerns options open to us are well informed. We are grateful raised by the PCRC and those who responded to the for the feedback that we have received not only from the consultation about the possible impact that an “up Committee, but from everyone who took the time to front” opt out could have on registration levels. As we respond to our White Paper. made clear last year, we are minded to amend this In addition to putting our proposals out for testing, provision and intend either to retain the “opt out” we have actively sought evidence from a range of other but require a person wishing to do so to complete a sources to inform policy development. separate application, or to entirely remove this option The research we funded the Electoral Commission to altogether. undertake has underlined the case for reform of the way There has also been widespread discussion of whether people carry out their civic duty of registering to vote. it should be an offence for an individual not to We commissioned a literature review of research in this register to vote when invited to do so. Despite the area from Dr Stuart Wilks-Heeg, a respected academic, strong feelings expressed in the consultation on this which is published alongside this paper and adds further issue, our view is that the evidence is not conclusive to the evidence base which informs our decisions. that introducing a new criminal offence will make any We have paid attention to the lessons learnt from significant difference to registration levels, nor do we experience of Northern Ireland including the importance feel it is appropriate that we use the threat of a of carrying forward electors who have not registered in criminal offence to promote greater engagement in the first canvass under the new system, and their excellent the electoral process. However, there are arguments work in registering new voters including working in for and against introducing a civil penalty for non- partnership with schools to encourage young people to response to an invitation to register, and some important register. practical implications to resolve on how such a system The principle of introducing IER was widely supported could work. by both by the PCRC and those who responded to the We will explore these issues, including with our key White Paper. We have listened to the feedback expressed stakeholders and in the light of this decide on the about elements of the Government’s proposals and are approach to take on both a civil penalty and the proposing a number of key changes to the proposals “opt-out”. We will set out our decision on this in the included in the White Paper. In particular we want to legislation when introduced. ensure there are more safeguards in place to ensure as Move the 2013 household canvass to 2014 many eligible people as possible stay on the electoral register during the transition and that we can focus on We have listened to concerns that the gap between the those people eligible to vote but missing from the register. last old style household canvass and the amended The major changes to the policy position are as follows: canvass in 2014 is too long. Therefore to ensure that a more accurate and up-to-date register is used as the Simplifying the Transition basis of the new register we are planning to delay the Over the past year we have carried out a series of data annual canvass in 2013 to the early part of 2014. matching pilots, comparing electoral registers in 22 areas with a range of data from public authorities. While We believe these changes, along with the others outlined the final evaluation is still being concluded, the evidence in the Government’s response, will significantly strengthen so far suggests that comparing entries on an electoral these proposals. The full response to the PCRC’s register with information held by the DWP allows us report and the views expressed during the public to confirm as accurate a significant majority (an consultation on our White Paper and draft legislation average of two thirds for that data set alone in the are set out in the Command Paper, but they are not pilot areas) of entries on the registers concerned. our final word on the subject. Subject to the results of the full evaluation, and As we continue to refine our proposals ahead of further testing this year with stakeholders, we are introduction of legislation later this year, we will therefore minded to build on this to simplify the continue to work closely with stakeholders to further transition to IER for the majority of electors. It is inform our thinking and develop our proposals. We now our intention that the name and address of all have listened and learned, and we shall continue to individuals on an electoral register when IER is do so. introduced will be matched against the data held by Copies of this Command Paper have been placed in public bodies such as the DWP and local authorities the Libraries of both Houses. We will also be shortly themselves. If an elector’s information can be matched, publishing on the Cabinet Office website only a literature the individual will be automatically placed onto the review on electoral registration, written by Dr Stuart new IER register and would not need to take any Wilks-Heeg, and a high-level implementation time line further action to be registered under IER. Only those for individual electoral registration. 41WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 42WS

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE We are also today laying before Parliament draft licence modifications which, subject to the parliamentary Feed-in Tariffs process set out in the Energy Act 2008, make provision for these new requirements to come into effect for new PV installations with an eligibility date on or after The Minister of State, Department of Energy and 1 April 2012. Climate Change (Gregory Barker): This Government (ii) A consultation on solar PV cost controls—In line are committed to promoting decentralised energy and with the encouraging evidence we have seen of the the take-up of small-scale low-carbon technologies by reduction in costs associated with solar PV,this document the public and by communities. sets out proposals for an ambitious programme of The feed-in tariffs (FITs) scheme is an important six-monthly degression for solar PV tariffs, with an instrument in meeting that commitment, but it needs added deployment trigger to ensure that subsidy levels to be reformed as we want as many people as possible to keep in step with the market. This builds on the best of be able to benefit from the scheme. For too long it has the German system and will remove the need for emergency been limited to the lucky few. reviews, consistent with our commitment to a stable, So today I am publishing a series of documents predictable future for solar PV and for the whole FITs which mark a crucial turning point for the FITs scheme. scheme. It will also help to keep the long-term costs of Taken as a whole, this reform package will put the supporting solar PV down, increasing the number of scheme on a predictable, certain and sustainable footing people able to benefit from FITs over time. The consultation for consumers, and for the businesses delivering these closes on 3 April. exciting renewable technologies. (iii) A consultation on tariffs for FIT technologies It is no secret that the uncontrolled surge of solar other than PV,and other scheme administration issues—This photovoltaic (PV) installations in the latter part of last includes proposals to carve out special arrangements year, driven by rapidly falling costs, placed a huge strain for community projects, including greater tariff stability. on the FITs budget, threatening the Government’s ability It also proposes an increase in the rate of return available to roll out those small-scale low-carbon technologies for micro-combined heat and power, in recognition of in the numbers we wanted over the next few years. We the benefits this technology could bring, and potential acted as swiftly as possible to respond to the threat this tariff guarantees for wind, anaerobic digestion and posed both to the future of the FITs scheme and to the hydro projects, so that those technologies can have bills of hard-pressed consumers, through the changes greater certainty about what rates of return they will we are now making to the tariffs for solar PV. receive. The consultation closes on 26 April. But that is by no means the end of the story on FITs. All these documents, together with the supporting We are now taking the opportunity of the review to put impact assessments, are available from the Department’s right the many limitations of the scheme we inherited. website: www.decc.gov.uk/FITS. We have looked hard at the FITs budget and made the most of the flexibility available under the levy control ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS framework to ensure that we can keep the scheme going. The reforms I am announcing today are designed Flood and Coastal Erosion (Risk Management) to make that budget go as far as possible to maximise the number of people able to benefit from FITs; to The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for provide greater certainty to the industries concerned; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Richard Benyon): and to ensure value for money to consumers who pay I am today, in conjunction with the Environment Agency, the bills. announcing details of flood and coastal erosion risk FITs reform package management schemes going ahead in the next financial The documents we are publishing today are as follows: year. In additional to the continuing construction of (i) Government response to the consultation on FITs over 80 schemes, a total of 60 new schemes will begin for solar PV—This supplements our announcement of construction in the coming year. When complete these 19 January 2012 which confirmed the new tariffs for new schemes will give over 25,000 homes a better level solar PV that will continue to provide a competitive of protection from the devastating effects of flooding return on investment for householders, communities and coastal erosion. and others. The new tariffs are designed to apply to all This Government will spend £2.17 billion on managing installations with an eligibility date from 3 March onwards. the risk of flooding and coastal erosion over this spending We are now also announcing the details of the new period (April 2011 to March 2015). We have prioritised energy efficiency requirement, and of the new multi- areas of severe flood and coastal erosion risk, and installation tariff rates. We have listened carefully to households in deprived communities. Of the 145,000 homes concerns raised in last autumn’s consultation and have that will be better protected by 2015, around half will decided that the energy efficiency requirement should be in areas of significant flood risk and almost 15,000 be based on an energy performance certificate (EPC) homes will be both at significant flood risk and in the rating of level D or above, not level C or any other most deprived parts of the country. option as previously mooted. We have also decided that New estimates show that the risk management authorities the threshold at which the multi-installation tariff rates are on track to exceed the goal of better protecting would apply should be increased from more than one 145,000 homes by March 2015. This is in part due to the PV installations to more than 25. This will help community new partnership approach to funding that has helped groups, small businesses and councils who do not benefit secure £72 million of external contributions for projects from the economies of scale that larger aggregators over the next three years. Regional flood and coastal can obtain. committees, which include local authority representatives, 43WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 44WS have worked with local communities to attract flood growth. We will also be calling for Governments to take defence funding from external sources such as businesses, steps to measure and account for their natural and social private investors and local authorities. For example, in capital, in addition to GDP. south Derbyshire, Nestlé has contributed £1.7 million A clear focus on the private sector as drivers of green to a £7 million scheme to protect 1,600 homes and growth, through trade, innovation and investment. Rio should further financial contributions have been made from drive uptake of sustainable business practices—in particular transparent and coherent sustainability reporting, and resource industry, the community and local landowners. A scheme efficiency. in Water End, York, which was turned down for funding Recommendations for institutional reform which draw on last year, is going ahead after the Environment Agency the Prime Minister’s global governance report for G20. worked with York city council to agree a package of Greater coherence, efficiency, and improved co-ordination cost reductions and partnership contributions. are needed to deliver better outcomes at a lower cost. The Other schemes that will go ahead next year include UK supports a collective focus on interrelated issues and Warrington in Cheshire, protecting over 2,000 households, shared goals. Salmons Brook in North London, protecting over 1,300 I will continue the dialogue with the private sector households, and Godmanchester in Cambridgeshire, and civil society over the coming months, and will press protecting over 300 households. The Environment Agency for action on these priorities within the EU as well as has also committed to increasing the number of households internationally. I will keep Parliament updated on progress receiving free flood warnings to over 1.1 million. as the negotiations evolve. The full programme of schemes going ahead in 2012-13 alongside a provisional programme for future years will be published on the Environment Agency website later Rural Payments Agency today. The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr James Paice): The Rural UN Conference on Sustainable Development Payments Agency (RPA) is today publishing a plan setting out how the agency will be transformed over the next five years so that it delivers both vastly improved The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and service to its customers and much better value for Rural Affairs (Mrs Caroline Spelman): I would like to money for taxpayers. I have arranged for copies to be update the House on preparations for the UN Conference placed in the Libraries of both Houses. on Sustainable Development, Rio plus 20, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 20-22 June this year. It This is an important turning point for the agency. follows directly on from the G20 summit in Los Cabos. The 2013 review of RPA which I published in July 2010, provided an independent, evidenced based view of RPA’s Rio plus 20 has two major themes: the green economy then current state as well as its readiness for implementation in the context of sustainable development and poverty of the expected reform of the common agricultural eradication, and the institutional framework for sustainable policy (“CAP 2013”). The conclusions offered a stark development. assessment of the agency’s capabilities in terms of basic The UN’s negotiating text, entitled “The Future We finance functions, customer service, IT, leadership and Want”, was published on 10 January. It is based on over governance. The negative effects on RPA customers and 250 contributions submitted by member states and for taxpayers were as clear as they were unacceptable. I stakeholders. The UK welcomes this document as a said then that I would not allow that state of affairs to starting point, but would like to see further prioritisation continue and that I would personally drive forward and a focus on tangible actions. The UK will call for: progress by chairing a new oversight board. A clear political declaration that we need green growth; that Under a new chief executive and senior management development, the environment, and the economy are inextricably team improvements are already being seen at RPA. For linked; and that we need to consider all three together for example, my written statement of 11 January 2012, our future prosperity. Official Report, column.16 WS reported that in December Sustainable development goals (SDGs) to drive international 2011 the agency had made its highest ever proportion of action and increase co-operation in key sectors such as agriculture, water and energy. SDGs should not and cannot SPS payments in the opening month of the payment distract attention away from achieving the millennium window. However, as is made clear in the plan, further development goals (MDGs) by 2015. The UK remains firmly work is required in a number of areas (data, controls, committed to delivering these goals. We must work towards IT, organisational structure, systems and people) in a clear position beyond 2015 which builds on the millennium order to fully overcome the legacy of the failed development goals, in which sustainable development goals implementation of the SPS in 2005. Meanwhile, the could play an important part. This is a priority for the UK challenge of implementing the CAP 2013 reforms, currently and an area in which we will take the lead with international under negotiation in Brussels, looms ever closer on the colleagues. horizon. Action in key sectors for green growth: supporting international initiatives to drive sustainable growth in agriculture, sustainable Against that background, the plan comes in two energy access, water, and forestry. parts. Phase 1, the strategic improvement plan (SIP) Tangible outcomes that will put sustainability at the heart of involves a series of 45 projects which will run from decision making and support all countries in efforts to move 2012-15 and deliver: to a more sustainable growth path. Governments can and Cleansed data; must provide the framework for green growth, through Improved processes and controls; reducing or removing environmentally harmful subsidies, getting price signals right, standards and voluntary approaches, Maintained or improved technology; valuing natural resources, developing indicators of green Fit for purpose structure and corporate services; 45WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 46WS

Better customer service tools; will continue to need investment in new waste water Improved people capacity and capability. infrastructure in order to modernise outdated infrastructure, Many of these projects deal with improving underlying meet future demands from a growing population and processes and data to make RPA’s foundation more the effects of climate change, and to fulfil our EU solid and the outputs may not be very visible to its obligations. customers during the life of the SIP itself. However, It has been agreed with the House that the same these projects will be crucially important in ensuring procedure as set out in the Localism Act, when it comes that the agency is on a sound footing to deal with the into effect, will be followed for national policy statements amount of change it faces over the next five years. already in development. I intend to designate the national Phase 2, the future options programme (FOP) will policy statement after a period of 21 sitting days has take centre stage from 2014-17. The FOP is looking elapsed, or following a debate in the House of Commons presently at alternative models for delivering some or all if the House wishes one, and approves the national of RPA’s business following the CAP scheme changes policy statement, within that period. post-2013. Once the right operating model for the future is established the FOP will assess delivery options, which may include various forms of outsourcing, and FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE then set in train the procurement process; all this activity will take place within the next two years. The objective of the FOP is to build on the work of the SIP to provide UK-Afghanistan Enduring Strategic Partnership a much better service to RPA’s customers and much better value for money for the taxpayer. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Annual RPA business plans will set out in more detail Affairs (Mr William Hague): I wish to inform the House the expected costs and outputs in the year ahead. The that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is today business plan for 2012-13 is scheduled to be published publishing the Enduring Strategic Partnership document in April However, I can confirm now that DEFRA is between the UK and Afghanistan which was signed by investing an addition £21.8 million in the next financial the Prime Minister and President Karzai on 28 January, year, with a further £19.1 million provisionally earmarked 2012. for the following two financial years. This represents a serious commitment to finally drawing a line under The Enduring Strategic Partnership signals our shared RPA’s unfortunate legacy and putting it in the best vision of a secure, stable and prosperous Afghanistan possible position to implement the CAP 2013 reforms. I able to maintain its own security and prevent the country will continue to chair the RPA oversight board in order from again being used as a safe haven for international to provide the necessary support and challenge to ensure terrorists that objective is met. Building on the strong message from the Bonn conference last year of the international community’s commitment to Afghanistan post-2014, the Enduring Strategic Waste Water National Policy Statement Partnership demonstrates our long-term partnership with Afghanistan. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and The document reaffirms both countries’ commitment Rural Affairs (Mrs Caroline Spelman): Having considered to continuing partnership and friendship. It makes clear consultation responses and the report of the Select that we will have a wide-ranging relationship with Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, I Afghanistan which will continue beyond transition and am today laying before Parliament the waste water the drawdown of international combat troops. national policy statement as an un-numbered Command The partnership sets out our agreement to co-operate Paper. At the same time, I am also laying, pursuant to on political dialogue, security, governance and rule of section 5(9)(b) of the Planning Act 2008, the Government’s law, economic and social development, and cultural response to the Select Committee. links. A written response to the consultation and an updated I am placing the document in the Library of the version of the impact assessment is also being published House. It will also be published on the Foreign and on the Department’s website at: Commonwealth Office website (www.fco.gov.uk). http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/water/ sewage/. Export of Tasers (UK Policy) National policy statements are critical to the new planning system, which will help developers bring forward waste water projects of national significance without The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign facing unnecessary delays, while ensuring local people and Commonwealth Affairs (Alistair Burt): Members have an opportunity to have a say about how their will recall that in July 1997 the Government announced communities develop, and that decisions are made in an their policy on preventing British companies from accountable way by elected Ministers. manufacturing, selling or procuring equipment designed The waste water national policy statement sets out primarily for torture. Reference was made to the UK our need for waste water infrastructure to protect public taking the necessary measures to prevent the export health and ensure the health of our water environment from or transhipment through the UK of portable with the consequent benefits for our water supply and devices designed or modified for riot control purposes biodiversity. Despite measures which will slow the growth or self-protection that administer an electric-shock. This in demand for new waste water infrastructure in England, included electric discharge shock guns, of which taser is for example the use of sustainable drainage systems, we a brand. 47WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 48WS

The Government are committed to maintaining this which enables others to be set below cost recovery to policy given their commitment to preventing British support wider Government objectives. The revenue companies from manufacturing, selling or procuring generated will contribute towards securing the UK’s equipment designed primarily for torture and to continuing border and controlling migration for the benefit of the to press for a global ban on such equipment. UK. These fees must be set out in regulations before We therefore propose to maintain this prohibition on both Houses of Parliament and are subject to the the export, transhipment, and trade in such equipment affirmative legislative procedure. In addition, I will shortly to all destinations, except in certain very limited and lay another set of regulations in Parliament for the fees specific circumstances with regard to tasers in specific for immigration and nationality services that are set at cases relating to approved use by UK police. or below the administrative cost of the service. Further The need to allow the limited export of tasers has details of all fees changes will be outlined in the explanatory arisen because of operational difficulties for UK police memoranda accompanying both sets of regulations. services, police services of the Crown dependencies and Subject to parliamentary approval the Government hope some British Overseas Territories who seek to use tasers, to bring the new fees into force from 6 April 2012. consistent with their use by UK police forces, as a Details of all the proposed increases are set out in the measured alternative to the use of lethal force. table attached (new fees are shown in italics). The table The Government will therefore now consider applications includes indicative unit costs for each application for for the grant of a licence for the export of tasers, but financial year 2012-13. The unit cost is the estimated only under the following limited circumstances: average cost to the UK Border Agency of processing each application. Although these unit costs are not (i) Where the export of tasers is to the police service of a Crown dependency or UK overseas territory and where it fixed over the course of the financial year, the unit costs has been specifically recommended by Her Majesty’s inspectorate are published so it is clear which fees we set over cost of constabulary that such a police service adopts the use of and by how much. such equipment by trained officers as an alternative to the In developing these proposals, the UK Border Agency use of lethal firearms, and that the use of the equipment is in line with the accepted standards set for UK police officers; has sought to limit most increases to approximately 2%. or In addition, the fees paid by dependants, for applications (ii) Where tasers constitute officially issued equipment for made within the UK, are being maintained at the use by suitably trained UK police officers who are being current level of 50% of a main applicant’s fee. In future deployed in support of a police operation in a Crown the UK Border Agency will look to charge the same fee dependency or overseas territory, and where that deployment in the UK for dependants and main applicants, as has been requested by the chief police officer of the Crown currently already happens for visa applications made dependency or overseas territory; or overseas. (iii) Where the equipment belonging to a UK police force, the police service of a Crown dependency or UK overseas Full details on how to apply for all of these services territory, or to an authorised agent working on their behalf, will be provided on the UK Border Agency’s website, is being returned to the original manufacturer for repair, or www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. replacement of faulty equipment, or as unwanted goods. Unit Previous New Costs Fees Fees Visas-non PBS (New products are April April April HOME DEPARTMENT shown in italics) 2012 2011 2012

Out of Country Immigration and Nationality Services Visit visa - short £140 £76 £78 Visit visa - long 2 year £140 £265 £270 Visit visa - long 5 year £140 £486 £496 The Minister for Immigration (Damian Green): Iam Visit visa - long 10 year £140 £702 £716 announcing proposals to change the fees for immigration Short Term Student Visa (between £140 £140 £140 and nationality applications made to the UK Border 6 & 11 months) Agency. The Government review these fees on a regular Settlement £391 £810 £826 basis and make appropriate changes as necessary. I am Settlement Armed Forces Dependants £391 £810 £810 today laying regulations for fees that are set at levels Settlement - Dependant Relative £458 £1,814 £1,850 above the estimated administrative costs of the service. Settlement (Refugee dependant relative)* £458 n/a £458 We have continued with our strategic approach to charging; setting certain fees above cost on the basis of the value Certificate of Entitlement £355 £265 £270 of the service. Other Visa £163 £265 £270 Given the ongoing need to reduce public spending, Transit Visa £73 £51 £52 we believe it is right that we continue to seek to reduce Media Representatives* £250 n/a £480 the burden on UK taxpayers of delivering the border Vignette Transfer Fee £163 £100 £102 and immigration system by asking migrants to make a Call Out/Out of Hours Fee £134/hr 130/ £130/hr greater contribution to the funding of the UK Border hrmax Agency. The UK Border Agency has given careful £939/ consideration to its fee levels, to ensure it can maintain day good service levels to customers and secure the border Single entry visa to Replace £70 £70 £70 for the general public. Biometric Residence Permit Overseas Some fees are set above the administrative cost of Forwarding documents to n/a £70 £70 providing the service to generate the revenue which is Commonwealth Countries / used to help fund the UK immigration system and Overseas Territories (additional fee). 49WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 50WS

Unit Previous New In Country Costs Fees Fees Unit Previous New Visas-non PBS (New products are April April April Costs Fees Fees shown in italics) 2012 2011 2012 April April April Nationality 2012 2011 2012 Handling applications on behalf of n/a £50 £50 Commonwealth Countries/ Overseas Status Letter (Nationality) £91 £86 £88 Territories. Non-Acquisition Letter £91 £86 £88 *Both previously applied for under other visa category (Nationality) Nationality Correction to £91 £86 £88 Unit Previous New Certificate Costs Fees Fees April April April * Additional £80 per applicant is included to cover the ceremony fee. Visa-PBS 2012 2011 2012 ** Additional £80 per applicant is required to cover the ceremony fee should the minor turn 18 during the application process. This will be Tier 1 (Entrepreneur, Investor, £432 £800 £816 requested at point of decision. Exceptional Talent) - Main Apps Tier 1 (Entrepreneur, Investor, £432 £800 £816 In Country Exceptional Talent) - All Unit Previous New Dependants Costs Fees Fees Tier 1 CESC - Main Apps £432 £720 £734 April April April Tier 1 (Transition) n/a £332 £332 In UK-Non PBS 2012 2011 2012 Tier I (Transition) CESC - Main n/a £300 £300 ILR Postal Main £255 £972 £991 Apps ILR Postal All dependants £255 £486 £496 Tier1PostStudyWork– £459 £474 £483 Dependants ILR Postal CESC Main £255 £875 £893 Tier 2 General, ICT - Long term £250 £400 £480 ILR Postal CESC Dependant £255 £486 £496 staff. Sport & MOR - Main Apps ILR PEO Main £255 £1,350 £1,377 Tier 2 General, ICT - Long term £250 £400 £480 ILR PEO Dependant £255 £675 £689 staff. Sport & MOR - Dependants ILR PEO CESC Main £255 £1,215 £1,239 Tier 2 General, ICT - Long term £250 £360 £432 ILR PEO CESC Dependant £255 £675 £689 staff. Sport & MOR - CESC - Main ILR Dependant Relative Postal £299 £1,814 £1,850 Apps ILR Dependant Relative PEO £299 £2,214 £2,258 Tier 2 ICT Short term staff. £227 £350 £400 Graduate Trainee or Skills Transfer - LTR Other Postal Main £308 £550 £561 Main Apps & Dependants LTR Other Postal Dependant £308 £275 £281 Tier 2 ICT Short term staff. £227 £315 £360 LTR Other PEO Main £307 £850 £867 Graduate Trainee or Skills Transfer - LTR Other PEO Dependant £307 £425 £434 CESC -Main Apps Transfer of Conditions Postal £229 £216 £220 Tier4-MainApps £289 £255 £289 Main Tier4–Dependants £289 £255 £289 Transfer of Conditions Postal £229 £108 £110 Tier 5 Temp Work & Youth Mobility £206 £190 £194 Dependant - Main Apps Transfer of Conditions PEO Main £229 £648 £661 Tier 5 All Dependants £206 £190 £194 Transfer of Conditions PEO £229 £324 £331 Tier 5 CESC - Main Apps £206 £171 £175 Dependant CESC = Council of Europe Social Charter reduction Travel Documents Adult (CoT) £249 £238 £238 ICT = Intra Company Transfer MOR = Minister of Religion Travel Documents Adult CTD £159 £77.50 £77.50 Applications to the Channel Islands under Employment and Study Travel Documents Child (CoT) £159 £149 £149 routes attract Tier 2 & Tier 4 fees and costs respectively. Travel Documents Child CTD £113 £49 £49 In Country BRP/Replacement Biometric £37 £37 £37 Residence Permit Unit Previous New Costs Fees Fees Mobile Case working (Premium+) £2,211£6,000+PEO £6,000 April April April Fee + PEO Nationality 2012 2011 2012 Fee Call Out/Out of Hours Fee £134/hr £130/hr £130/hr Naturalisation (UK Citizenship) £181 £836 £851 Work Permit Technical Changes £123 £22 £22 Single* Residual FLR IED Postal – Main £246 £550 £561 Naturalisation (UK Citizenship) £272 £1,294 £1,317 Residual FLR IED Postal – £238 £275 £281 Joint * Dependants Naturalisation (UK Citizenship) £181 £836 £851 Residual FLR IED PEO - Main £148 £850 £867 Spouse * Residual FLR IED PEO - £148 £425 £434 Nationality Registration Adult * £181 £620 £631 Dependants Nationality Registration Minor ** £181 £540 £551 Residual FLR BUS Postal - Main £148 £1,000 £1,020 Nationality Registration Multiple £272 £810 £827 Residual FLR BUS Postal - £148 £500 £510 Minor Main ** Dependants Nationality Registration Multiple £181 £270 £276 Employment LTR outside PBS £253 £550 £561 Minor Dependant ** Postal Renunciation of Nationality £238 £225 £229 Employment LTR outside PBS £253 £275 £281 Nationality Reissued Certificate £91 £86 £88 Postal Dependant Nationality Right of Abode £181 £162 £165 Employment LTR outside PBS £259 £850 £867 Nationality Reconsiderations £181 £80 £80 PEO 51WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 52WS

In Country In Country Unit Previous New Unit Previous New Costs Fees Fees Costs Fees Fees April April April In UK - PBS (New products are April April April In UK-Non PBS 2012 2011 2012 shown in italics) 2012 2011 2012

Employment LTR outside PBS £259 £425 £434 Tier1-Graduate Entrepreneur £181 n/a £500 PEO Dependant PEO All Dependants Additional Out of Hours n/a £300 £300 Tier2-General,ICT-Long £160 £550 £561 Premium* - PEO Main term staff, Sport & MOR - Postal Additional Out of Hours n/a £150 £150 Main Premium* - PEO Dependant Tier2-General,ICT-Long £160 £275 £281 * Out of hours fee payable on top of standard PEO fee term staff, Sport & MOR - Postal All Dependants CESC = Council of LTR = Leave to Remain Europe Social Charter Tier2-General,ICT-Long £160 £495 £505 reduction term staff. Sport & MOR - Postal CESC Main PEO = Public Enquiry ILR = Indefinite Leave to Remain Office Tier2-General,ICT-Long £160 £850 £867 term staff. Sport & MOR - PEO FLR = Further Leave to IED = Immigration Employment Main applicant Remain Document Tier2-General,ICT-Long £160 £425 £434 Postal = Postal or Online applications where online application is term staff. Sport & MOR - PEO available All Dependants In Country Tier2-General,ICT-Long £160 £765 £780 term staff. Sport & MOR - PEO Unit Previous New CESC Main Costs Fees Fees In UK - PBS (New products are April April April Tier 2 ICT - Short term staff. £160 £350 £400 shown in italics) 2012 2011 2012 Graduate Trainee or Skills Transfer Postal Main Tier1-Postal Main (General) £181 £1,000 £1,500 Tier 2 ICT - Short term staff. £160 £175 £200 Tier1-Postal All Dependants £181 £500 £750 Graduate Trainee or Skills (General) Transfer Postal All Dependants Tier 1 - PEO Main (General) £181 £1,300 £1,800 Tier2-ICT-Short term staff. £160 £315 £360 Tier 1 - PEO All Dependants £181 £650 £900 Graduate Trainee or Skills (General) Transfer Postal CESC Main Tier1-Postal CESC Main £181 £900 £1,350 Tier2-ICT-Short term staff, £160 £650 £700 (General) Graduate Trainee or Skills Tier I - PEO CESC Main £181 £1,170 £1,620 Transfer PEO (General) Tier2-ICT-Short term staff. £160 £325 £350 Tier1-Postal Main £181 £1,000 £1,020 Graduate Trainee or Skills (Entrepreneur, Investor, Transfer PEO Dependants Exceptional Talent) Tier 2 ICT - Short term staff. £160 £585 £630 Tier1-Postal All Dependants £181 £500 £510 Graduate Trainee or Skills (Entrepreneur, Investor, Transfer PEO CESC Main Exceptional Talent) Tier4-Postal Main £259 £386 £394 TierI-Postal Main CESC £181 £900 £918 (Entrepreneur, Exceptional Tier4-Postal All Dependants £259 £193 £197 Talent) Tier 4 - PEO Main £259 £702 £716 Tier 1 - PEO Main (Entrepreneur, £181 £1,300 £1,326 Tier 4 - PEO All Dependants £259 £351 £358 Investor, Exceptional Talent) Tier5-Postal Main £196 £190 £194 Tier 1 - PEO All Dependants £181 £650 £663 (Entrepreneur, Investor, Tier5-Postal All Dependants £196 £95 £97 Exceptional Talent) Tier5-Postal CESC Main £196 £171 £175 Tier I - PEO CESC Main £181 £1,170 £1,193 Tier 5 - PEO Main £145 £648 £661 (Entrepreneur, Exceptional Talent) Tier 5 - PEO All Dependants £145 £324 £330 TierI-Transition Postal Main n/a £500 £500 Tier 5 - PEO CESC Main £145 £583 £595 Tier1-Transition Postal n/a £250 £250 PBS Dependants Applying £418 £550 £561 Dependant Separately - Postal Tier1-Transition PEO Main n/a £700 £700 PBS Dependants Applying £419 £850 £867 Tier1-Transition PEO n/a £350 £350 Separately - PEO Dependant Tier4-Permission to Change £160 £160 £160 Tier 1 - Graduate Entrepreneur £181 n/a £700 Sponsor * Postal Main CESC = Council of Europe PEO=Public Enquire Office Tier1-GraduateEntrepreneur £181 n/a £630 Social Charter reduction CESC Postal Main Tier1-GraduateEntrepreneur £181 n/a £350 ICT = Intra Company Transfer MOR=Minister of Religion Postal All Dependants Postal = Postal or Online Tier1-GraduateEntrepreneur £181 n/a £1,000 applications where online PEO Main application is available Tier1-GraduateEntrepreneur £181 n/a £900 * For migrants that applied to UKBA for permission to study from PEO CESC Main 31 March 2009 to 4 October 2009. 53WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 54WS

TRANSPORT In Country Unit Previous New Costs Fees Fees PBS Sponsorship {New products April April April ATOL Reform Regulations are shown in italics) 2012 2011 2012

Premium Scheme Large Enterprises n/a n/a £25,000 The Minister of State, Department for Transport Premium Scheme Small Sponsors n/a n/a £8,000 (Mrs Theresa Villiers): Today I am pleased to announce Tier 2 Large Sponsor Licence £1,531 £1,025 £1,500 the Government’s decisions on the proposals set out in Tier 2 Small Sponsor Licence £1,531 £310 £500 last summer’s consultation on the reform of the Air Tier 4 Sponsor Licence £1,531 £410 £500 Travel Organiser’s Licensing (ATOL) scheme which can Tier 5 Sponsor Licence £1,531 £410 £500 be introduced through new regulations under existing Tier 2, Tier 4 &/or Tier 5 Licence £1,531 £615 £1,000 powers. (where sponsor currently holds T4 or T5 licence) ATOL is a longstanding and important scheme, which Highly Trusted Sponsor Licence £1,531 £410 £500 last year protected 18 million holidaymakers from travel Sponsor Action Plan £1,531 £1,000 £1,500 company failure. ATOL is particularly relevant in today’s Tier 2 COS £153 £175 £179 uncertain times, allowing consumers to book with the Tier 5 COS £13 £10 £13 confidence that if their holiday company fails, their Tier 4 CAS £13 £10 £13 money will be protected or they will be able to return home as planned if they are already away, without any extra cost. It is essential that the scheme should apply in an JUSTICE effective way in the modern holiday market; so that consumers are clear about their rights and how to use them, and holiday companies know which of their Civil Justice Consultation (Government Response) products must be protected. In addition the Air Travel Trust Fund, which provides The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice for refunds and repatriations under the scheme, is operating (Mr Jonathan Djanogly): I am today announcing the at a deficit and is supported by a Government guarantee. publication of the Government’s response to the civil The fund needs to return to a financially self-sustaining justice consultation on “Solving disputes in the county basis as soon as possible so that taxpayers’ money is no courts”, which included proposals to modernise the longer exposed to risk. civil justice system and make it simpler, quicker, cheaper Between 23 June and 15 September 2011 the Government and more effective. consulted on a set of initial reforms to the ATOL The consultation was launched by the Ministry of scheme with the following objectives: Justice on 29 March 2011 and closed on 30 June 2011. Improving clarity for consumers about what holidays are Based on the broad support many of the Government’s protected. proposals received, we plan to increase the small claims Returning Air Travel Trust Fund finances to a self-sustaining limit to £10,000 initially, with a possible further increase basis, with the deficit repaid and Government guarantee to £15,000 in the future after evaluation. We do not phased out. recommend an increase to the fast-track limit at this The longer to medium-term objectives are to: time. Further improve the clarity of the scheme and develop a All small claims will be referred automatically to more consistent and coherent mediation, on the basis that this is not compulsory regulatory framework for businesses. mediation, but rather a requirement to engage with a Look at options for how the ATOL scheme is managed and- small claims mediator. Mandatory information sessions financed once it is financially self-sustaining, with a view to for higher-value claims will not be introduced. reducing its cost to the travel trade and consumers. After liaising further with stakeholders we will be The ATOL reform consultation received 82 responses. extending to £25,000 the existing RTA PI scheme to I am grateful to stakeholders for taking the time to provide a speedier, more transparent system for dealing reply. In the light of the responses and further analysis, with low-value personal injury claims arising out of I am confirming today that new ATOL regulations will accidents. This will assist in deterring spurious claims, be made that will: while ensuring compensation is available more quickly Bring into the ATOL scheme flight-plus holidays sold by where it is merited. tour operators and travel agents. These are holidays that look like packages but do not meet the legal definition, and The Government will proceed with streamlining so do not currently require protection under the scheme. procedures and commencement of certain provisions of Including these holidays will end a significant source of part 4 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act confusion for consumers, and we expect up to an additional 2007, which have already been approved by Parliament. 6 million holidays a year will be fully ATOL protected as a A single county court for England and Wales will be result. established and provisions introduced to enable cases Ensure that on paying for an ATOL protected flight-only, and judges to be allocated more efficiently and effectively. package holiday or flight-plus, consumers receive a certificate Specialist claims will be placed under the exclusive confirming that their trip is covered by the scheme. To give jurisdiction of the High Court. the travel trade sufficient time to prepare, this requirement will come fully into effect on 1 October 2012. Until then, The document is available online at: http://www.justice. consumers will receive clear confirmation that their holiday gov.uk. or flight is ATOL protected. 55WS Written Ministerial Statements9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 56WS

Taking account of consultation responses and further State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my hon. Friend discussion with stakeholders, the new ATOL regulations the Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb), who will include a number of changes to the draft regulations is the Minister with responsibility for employment relations, consulted on. These include changes to the definition of consumer and postal affairs, will represent the United a flight-plus holiday and a revised approach to the Kingdom. exemption for flight-only sales where tickets are provided There will be three roundtable discussions at this immediately on payment. Further details on these meeting. The first will be a policy debate on women on changes are included in the summary of responses and company boards. My hon. Friend will stress that the the Government’s decisions published today on the UK is committed to seeing more women on company Department’s website. boards. He will further highlight the merits of industry-led It is intended that the new regulations will be laid in measures that achieve real culture change as opposed to Parliament in March, before coming into effect on the setting of legally binding quotas. 30 April 2012. The second discussion is scheduled to be an initial In addition to bringing greater clarity to consumers exchange of views on new European Commission proposals about ATOL protection for holidays and flights, we related to the posting of workers. The proposals are yet expect that these reforms should allow the ATOL scheme’s to be published. When responding to these proposals, financial deficit to be repaid within three years. This my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary will make clear will pave the way for possible future changes to improve that in considering the proposals the UK will take how the ATOL scheme is funded and managed. The account of their likely impact on growth, competitiveness Civil Aviation Authority plans initial discussions with and jobs. stakeholders on options for this later in the year, building The third discussion will be a policy debate on the on responses to the question posed in the consultation implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy in the field on this subject. of employment and social policy. The debate will centre These regulations complement the clause in the Civil on a set of Council conclusions on the joint employment Aviation Bill introduced on 19 January 2012 that would report priorities for action. My hon. Friend will stress allow the ATOL scheme to cover holidays sold by the need for deeper structural reforms to get European airlines and those organised on an agent for the consumer economies moving and people back into work. He will basis. Subject to parliamentary process, the Government’s acknowledge that the conclusions fully reflect the mandate intention is that such a step would only be taken following given to Council by heads of state and Government in full consultation with stakeholders including an impact December 2010 and at last month’s informal European assessment. Council for EU Employment Ministers to exchange views on the effective functioning of labour markets. Under any other business the Commission will provide information on transitional arrangements on the free WORK AND PENSIONS movement of workers from Bulgaria and Romania. The presidency will provide information on the preparation Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer of the tripartite social summit. The Commission and Affairs Council presidency will provide information on preparation for the G20 Meeting of Labour and Employment Ministers; and on the Euro-Mediterranean employment and labour The Minister of State, Department for Work and high-level working group. Finally, the Employment Pensions (Chris Grayling): The Employment, Social Policy, Committee and Social Protection Committee chairs Health and Consumer Affairs Council will be held on will provide information on their work programmes for 17 February 2012 in Brussels. The Under-Secretary of 2012.

1P Petitions9 FEBRUARY 2012 Petitions 2P

and further the estate was not reimbursed the costs of Petition the legal action, resulting in a net loss to the estate. Declares that the petitioner believes that where a Thursday 9 February 2012 person is mentally incapacitated, they are by definition unable to comprehend complex financial matters and PRESENTED PETITION unable to challenge a bill of costs. Consequently they are at risk of being financially abused by others, particularly Petition presented to the House but not read on the Floor where there is no third party input to an assessment of Mentally Incapacitated Persons (Rights of Carers to their costs. Financial Information) Declares that relatives of mentally incapacitated persons The Petition of Antoinette Mary Tricker, are required to be accountable and transparent in providing Declares that the Petitioner, as the closest relative and financial information about the person to a financial carer of Feliks and Rosemary Zakrzewski, both of deputy and declares that the Petitioner believes that the whom had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, was not financial deputy should be similarly accountable and permitted under client confidentiality rules to see the provide copies of any bill of costs and narratives to the bill of costs submitted by the financial deputy for the person’s family. above persons, a solicitor appointed by the Court of The Petitioner therefore requests that the House of Protection, despite having serious concerns about over- Commons urges the Government to bring forward charging. legislation to allow the nearest relative of a mentally Declares that when the above named persons died, as incapacitated person to see all bills of costs relating to both executor and beneficiary under their wills, the that person during their lifetime, to ensure that where Petitioner was deemed to have a financial interest in items are disputed, they are reviewed in collaboration their estates and therefore had authority to investigate with a costs officer prior to payment of any bill and to their financial affairs. In order to challenge the bill of ensure that where charges are found to be inappropriate costs, the Petitioner was forced to go through a long or excessive, the person should not have to bear the and costly judicial process. The Petitioner’s concerns costs of a reassessment. about over-charging were found to be justified, resulting in a substantial refund to the estate. However, the above And the Petitioners remain, etc. named persons were unable to benefit from this refund [P001007]

331W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 332W

Mr Paterson: My Department has not spent any Written Answers to money on recruitment services or executive search agencies since May 2010. When agency staff are engaged, the Questions Department is charged an hourly rate for such staff and they are paid via their agency. The agency may include a fee element in the hourly rate it levies. Thursday 9 February 2012 Voluntary Organisations

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for LEADER OF THE HOUSE Northern Ireland what contribution his Department is making to implementation of the Compact with the Backbench Debates voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement. [92280] Mr Bone: To ask the Leader of the House if he will bring in a fixed day each week for backbench business Mr Swire: Responsibility for the voluntary sector in for the remainder of this Session. [94524] Northern Ireland is a devolved matter and the Northern Ireland Executive have their own arrangements in place. Sir George Young: No. Parliamentary Scrutiny DEFENCE Armed Forces: Meals Simon Hughes: To ask the Leader of the House what plans he has for pre-legislative scrutiny of bills in the Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence second Session of the current Parliament. [94324] what the average cost of each meal provided to armed forces personnel was when stationed (a) in the UK, Sir George Young: The Government have published (b) in Germany and (c) overseas in an operational nine draft measures this Session and are committed to theatre in the latest period for which figures are publishing more measures in draft in the next Session available. [93390] for pre-legislative scrutiny. Peter Luff: At any one time some 70% of armed forces personnel in the UK and permanent bases overseas are catered for through a number of Catering, Retail SCOTLAND and Leisure and other multi-activity contracts Olympic Games 2012 (incorporating Pay As YouDine arrangements) to deliver this and other services. Contractors are required to offer a core meal, covering breakfast, lunch and dinner, Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for with set calorific and nutritional standards, in line with Scotland how many invitations to attend events at the the prevailing daily food charge, which is currently London 2012 Olympics (a) he, (b) other Ministers in capped by the Armed Forces Pay Review body at a his Department and (c) senior officials in his maximum of £4.25 per day in UK and ¤4.85 per day in Department have accepted; and if he will make a Germany. Service personnel can, however, choose an statement. [93634] alternative retail offering if they prefer. Those serving in the UK at sites not covered by these arrangements are David Mundell: Details of hospitality received by charged the standard daily food charge of £4.25 per Ministers and special advisers and the most senior day. officials are published on a quarterly basis and will be Armed forces personnel serving on operations and available for July to September 2012 in due course. exercises are not charged for the food provided to them. Deloitte

NORTHERN IRELAND John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts his Department has awarded to Departmental Recruitment Deloitte since May 2010; and what the (a) net and (b) individual monetary value was of each such contract. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for [92441] Northern Ireland how much his Department has spent on (a) recruitment services and (b) executive search Peter Luff [holding answer 30 January 2012]: Since agencies in each month since May 2010; and if he will May 2010, MOD has awarded the following 16 contracts make a statement. [93558] with Deloitte or associated companies:

Contract title Current contract value Current contract value (banded) Contract start date

Sector transformation main gate business £27,762 Under £100,000 23 November 2010 case scoping study

Technical support to assist with the £32,130 Under £100,000 2 December 2010 implementation of the LE OC portfolio governance arrangements 333W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 334W

Contract title Current contract value Current contract value (banded) Contract start date

Facility of community consultation event £45,000 Under £100,000 1 April 2011 at RAF Brampton

Facility of community consultation event £63,800 Under £100,000 9 September 2010 at RAF Brampton

Generic vehicle architecture cost benefit £81,917 Under £100,000 7 March 2011 analysis

Merlin PT structural review £90,006 Under £100,000 13 April 2011

Network enabled airspace defence and £100,762 £100,000-£250,000 14 September 2010 surveillance (NEADS) acquisition strategy and business model study—part 2

External assistance to the Army 2020 £106,000 £100,000-£250,000 4 January 2012 study

Technical support to the re-negotiation £120,000 £100,000-£250,000 22 September 2010 process

Provision of accountancy and secretariat £139,776 £100,000-£250,000 1 April 2011 support to review board for government contracts

Supporting services audit £179,712 £100,000-£250,000 4 May 2010

Whole force (equipment support) pilot £185,175 £100,000-£250,000 14 December 2011 study RM 353 catalyst multi-disciplinary framework

Provision of technical support to the £694,179 £500,000-£1 million 20 June 2011 defence core network service commercial team

And equipment end to end (E2E) support £998,528 £500,000-£1 million 21 January 2011 study

Project and programme management and £2,160,000 £1-£5 million 2 August 2010 technical advice to the Vulcan disposal and decommissioning (VDAD) programme

External assistance for defence £2,214,295 £1-£5 million 28 March 2011 infrastructure transformation programme

The total value of these contracts is £7,239,042. dedicated driver to reduce costs and now share a central Ministry of Defence (MOD) car pool with senior military Departmental Travel officers and officials working in the MOD Main Building. The total cost of ministerial cars is as follows: Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 Financial year Car cost (£) January 2012, Official Report, column 31WS, on cost of 2009-10 l324,433 ministerial cars, whether his Department has any other 2010-11 2171,041 arrangements for ministerial travel; and how much his 1 This includes £106,342.80 for ministerial car services provided by the Department has spent on (a) private hire vehicles and Government Car and Despatch Agency as set out in the written (b) taxis for each Minister since May 2010. [92843] ministerial statement of 16 January 2012, Official Report, column 31WS. 2 Mr Robathan: Road transport for the Secretary of This includes £39,419 for ministerial car services provided by the Government Car and Despatch Agency as set out in the written State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for ministerial statement of 16 January 2012, Official Report, column Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), is normally 31WS. provided by the Metropolitan police. The junior Defence Expenditure by Defence Ministers on taxi fares and Ministers have, in accordance with the Ministerial Code private hire vehicles totalled £316 between May 2010 published on 21 May 2010, given up their cars with a and the end of December 2011. 335W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 336W

Ex-servicemen: Health Services I am withholding cost information for the Teutates programme as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and impact on the formulation or development Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for of Government policy. Defence (1) pursuant to the answer of 17 January 2012, Official Report, column 728W, on ex-servicemen: health India: European Fighter Aircraft services, how many patients referred to the Medical Assessment Programme suffering from (a) physical Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for and (b) mental health disorders were subsequently Defence what discussions he has had with UK Trade directed back to the NHS in each of the last five years; and Investment on the decision of the Indian [92170] Government not to buy the Eurofighter. [94072] (2) what information and guidance he has provided to relevant (a) interest groups and (b) organisations Peter Luff [holding answer 7 February 2012]: We are on any changes in Medical Assessment Programme obviously disappointed that the decision has been made provision to patients presenting with physical health by the Indian Government not to take forward Typhoon issues; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each into the detailed negotiation stage of the Indian Medium item of information or guidance; [92172] Role Combat Aircraft competition. (3) how many patients were referred to the Medical The campaign to export Typhoon to India being led Assessment Programme who had (a) physical and (b) by Germany on behalf of the Partner Nations is receiving mental disorders in each of the last five years. [92270] significant UK support. There have been regular cross-Whitehall discussions Mr Robathan [holding answer 30 January 2012]: throughout the campaign and MOD and UKTI remain Changes in the service provided by the Medical Assessment in close touch on exports of Eurofighter Typhoon, Programme have been notified on the Ministry of Defence including the campaign in India. (MOD), Veterans-UK, and NHS websites. I refer the Ministerial colleagues and I will continue to provide hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 December support to all Typhoon export campaigns as part of an 2011, Official Report, column 962W,in which I explained active and innovative defence diplomacy initiative. that copies of the Ministry of Defence web pages have been placed in the Library of the House. The MOD has Radar: Wind Power received one inquiry relating to changes to the programme from the Royal British Legion in December 2011, and I Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence have placed a copy of our response in the Library of the how much his Department has spent to change, alter, House. update or modify radar systems as a result of the The numbers of referrals for purely physical health presence or likely presence of UK on-shore wind problems over the last five years have been very low, but farms; and if he will make a statement. [93602] in such cases, referrals would be redirected through their general practitioner for treatment by the national Peter Luff [holding answer 9 February 2012]: The health service (NHS), which has primary responsibility Ministry of Defence has not committed expenditure to for health care provision to veterans. No records have change, alter, update or modify radar systems as a result been kept of the number of these cases in each of the of the presence, or likely presence, of UK on-shore last five years. wind farms. However, to overcome the interference to existing Ministry of Defence radars caused by wind The number of client referrals for mental health farms, wind farm developers have agreed to fund the assessments during the same period has been stable at cost of three new wind farm tolerant radars. around 100 referrals each year; in these cases the details of the assessment and recommendations on treatment, Radioactive Waste: Dalgety Bay if required, would be provided to the relevant NHS body. Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether his Department detected and removed any of the radiation-related sources in France: Military Alliances Dalgety Bay in January 2012; [94445] (2) what discussions his Department has had with Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Defence (1) whether funding for the Hydrus project has on its January 2012 survey of Dalgety Bay, and the been reallocated to the Teutates programme; [93881] additional radiation-related sources, which SEPA has (2) what the cost to the public purse is of the removed for analysis. [94446] Teutates programme. [93882] Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence detected and recovered a number of radioactive sources from Dalgety Peter Luff: The Teutates programme is planned to Bay in January 2012. deliver the hydrodynamics capability previously planned to be delivered through the Hydrus programme. The Ministry of Defence has held no formal discussions Expenditure on Hydrus has therefore stopped; funding with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) originally allocated for Hydrus has not, however, been regarding their survey. reallocated to Teutates. The Teutates programme will However, I met Professor James Curran, chief executive seek the funding it requires separately, in accordance of SEPA, in Rosyth on 31 January to discuss Dalgety with established Ministry of Defence processes. Bay. 337W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 338W

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS Work is being undertaken at present on the capacity of the annunciator system and the services which could Metals: Theft be provided in the future. The hon. Member might find it helpful to speak directly to the Director General of Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, Facilities on these detailed matters. representing the Church Commissioners, what the cost was of metal theft from Church of England property in (a) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, (b) the Cromwell Green Entrance Tees Valley and (c) the Diocese of York in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011. [94536] Jim Dowd: To ask the hon. Member for Aberdeen North, representing the House of Commons Commission, Tony Baldry: The three Dioceses covering the areas what plans there are to provide a covering over any part specified in the question are Durham, Newcastle and of the ramp that leads to the Cromwell Green visitors’ York. The following figures have been obtained from entrance. [93890] Ecclesiastical Insurance which insures the majority of Churches in the country. They show the increase in Mr Doran: The possibility of partly or entirely covering claims for metal stolen from the church buildings for the ramp was considered as part of the original design 2011 compared with 2010. of the visitor entrance. But Westminster city council planning officers and English Heritage provided firm £000 advice that any obscuring of the west elevation of 2010 2011 Westminster Hall or the statue of Oliver Cromwell Durham 85 87 would result in rejection of the planning application, Newcastle 24 32 and so covering the ramp was not included in the York 71 115 application. The Director General of Facilities rejected a business case proposing such a covering in early 2011 The figures above do not include the cost to parishes because this advice remained unchanged. It would be in administrative support or the continued erosion of desirable to have a covering over the ramp, but no our national heritage. purpose would be served by planning one unless it was clear that the views of Westminster city council and English Heritage had changed. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Departmental Work Experience

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY Communities and Local Government what work experience STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE or traineeship schemes his Department offers to minority groups. [92757] Robert Neill: The Department for Communities and Access Local Government participates in a summer diversity internship programme organised by the Cabinet Office, Helen Jones: To ask the hon. Member for which offers work experience to graduates or Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for undergraduates from minority groups. the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, The Department also participates in the University what the cost was of (a) the tokens and (b) staff time of Greenwich summer internship programme. This scheme for changing access tokens for hon. Members and their does not target any specific group. staff. [94396]

Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply. BBC Letter from Andrew McDonald, dated 8 February 2012: Diana Johnson: To ask the hon. Member for Aberdeen North, representing the House of Commons Commission, As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary what plans the House of Commons Commission has to Question asking about the cost and staff time taken to replace improve access to live BBC and other local radio and RSA tokens issued to Members and their staff. regional television services in the offices of hon. Members As communicated to all MPs via our MP Bulletin dated 23 and their staff on the Parliamentary Estate. [94322] January 2012, we took the decision to replace the tokens on the advice of RSA, the manufacturer of the tokens. Mr Doran: It is already possible to view the regional The replacement tokens were supplied free of charge by RSA television news content and services that broadcasters and the token exchange project has been managed in-house make available on their websites, via the internet. The without any additional resourcing costs. Incidental costs relating annunciator screens carry national and international to the replacement of tokens amount to approximately £300. television news, but the number of channels that can be The project is still underway but as of the 7th February 2012, provided through this system is limited. The current IPSA has devoted 35.75 staff days to the project, including four allocation was made on the recommendation of the events at the Palace of Westminster to allow Members to exchange Administration Committee. their tokens and collect new ones. 339W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 340W

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Chris Grayling: DWP have no formal definition of the term ″capacity pressures″ within the context of the Euthanasia contract with Atos Healthcare. DWP uses this term in relation to the ability of Atos Healthcare to deliver the Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Attorney-General required number of assessments. The introduction of whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals changes to the work capability assessment (WCAs) to place the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the Policy process increased the time taken to conduct WCAs for Prosecutors on cases of encouraging or assisting which reduced the capacity to deliver planned numbers suicide on a statutory footing. [94091] of assessments. DWP and Atos are working together to improve this situation. The Solicitor-General: The Director of Public 20 December 2011, Official Report, column 1082W: Prosecutions (DPP) is under a statutory duty, set out in “training” was unrelated as it referred to mental health section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, to conditions that are not within their clinical specialism. issue a Code for Crown Prosecutors. I have no plans to legislate farther on the Code for Crown Prosecutors or Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work to bring forward legislation to place the DPP’s policy and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 20 December for prosecutors in respect of cases of encouraging or 2011, Official Report, column 1082W,on Atos Healthcare: assisting suicide on a statutory footing. training, which other recommendations of the independent review of the work capability assessment have not been Theft: Metals implemented due to capacity pressures at Atos Healthcare. [94569] Valerie Vaz: To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions were brought by the Crown Prosecution Chris Grayling: Professor Harrington recommended: Service for offences relating to metal theft in the last “Better communication between Decision Makers and Atos five years for which figures are available. [94312] healthcare professionals to deal with borderline cases”. The implementation of a telephone helpline so that The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service decision makers can speak directly to Atos health care (CPS) does not maintain a central record of the number professionals to obtain medical advice in specific cases of defendants prosecuted for offences relating to metal means increased capacity for communication between thefts and such data could not be reasonably obtained the two. either locally or nationally other than by a manual exercise at disproportionate cost. Therefore it has been implemented, as have all of Professor Harrington’s year one recommendations for Atos.

WORK AND PENSIONS Employment and Support Allowance: Appeals

Atos Healthcare: Training Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 26 January Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012, Official Report, columns 340-1W, on employment Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 20 and support allowance: appeals, how many appeals December 2011, Official Report, column 1082W, on against incapacity benefit reassessment decisions there Atos Healthcare: training, what discussions he has had have been in each month since May 2010; and if he will with Atos Healthcare on capacity pressures. [94565] make a statement. [94608]

Chris Grayling: Over the last six months, there has Chris Grayling: The Department plans to publish been extensive discussion, meetings and workshops between official statistics on outcomes of the work capability DWP and Atos Healthcare where the capacity pressures assessment for claimants going through the incapacity have been discussed. The introduction of changes benefit reassessment process and will be announcing recommended by Professor Harrington resulted in an publication on the statistics publication hub in due increase to the Medical Standard Time (MST), that is, course. These statistics will include information on appeals the time taken on average to conduct a face to face heard for these claimants. medical assessment. The focus of discussions between DWP and Atos Healthcare has been on improving the Employment Schemes new process and gradually reducing the impact of the Harrington changes with learning and development Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for support, process efficiencies and a focus on recruitment Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 30 January and increasing productivity overall. 2012, Official Report, column 448W, on employment 20 December 2011, Official Report, column 1082W: schemes, what data on sector-based work academies his “training” was unrelated as it referred to mental health Department plans to publish; and on what date publication conditions that are not within their clinical specialism. will take place. [94570]

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Chris Grayling: Figures on take-up of sector-based and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 20 December work academies pre-employment training, plus 2011, Official Report, column 1082W,on Atos Healthcare: demographic breakdowns by age, gender, disability, ethnicity training, what definition he uses of capacity pressures and geographic group, for August 2011 to November in relation to work capability assessments. [94566] 2011 (the latest available time period) will be released 341W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 342W for the first time on 15 February 2012 as part of the employment trends in Harlow constituency in each of pre-Work programme support and ‘Get Britain Working’ the last 10 years. [93397] publication. Mr Hayes I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2012, Official Report, column 448W, on employment Trend data on literacy and numeracy levels and their schemes, if he will place in the Library the summary of effect on employment levels in Harlow constituency service standards and complaints process that each over each of the last 10 years are not available. The Work Programme provider issues to participants upon most recent available data on literacy and numeracy levels in the Harlow constituency are the modelled attachment. [94571] estimates based on the 2003 Skills for Life survey1. Chris Grayling: We will arrange for the summary of Table 1 as follows provides the estimated numbers and service standards along with the complaints process proportions of adults aged between 16 and 65 (inclusive) that DWP requires Work programme providers to operate at each literacy and numeracy level: to be placed in the Library. 1 Available online at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100415101327/ Employment: Literacy http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/readwriteplus_skillsforlifesurvey/ statics/allpcons_881_0.shtml Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for accessed on 7 February 2012. This webpage includes the literacy Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of estimates for the Harlow constituency. Numeracy estimates are the effects of literacy and numeracy levels on obtainable by clicking on the ‘Numeracy’ button above the table.

Table 1: Literacy and numeracy levels in Harlow constituency (2003) Literacy Numeracy Number Percentage Number Percentage

Entry Level or below 5,435 10 27,290 48 Level 1 26,340 46 18,580 33 Level 2 or above 25,390 45 10,480 18 Note: Numbers and proportions are estimates. Proportions may not sum to 100 due to rounding. Source: Modelled estimates based on the 2003 Skills for Life survey.

The fieldwork for the survey on which these modelled reported in the 2003 Skills for Life survey report indicated estimates are based was conducted between July 2002 that the literacy and numeracy Levels of people in and May 2003. No information is provided at a constituency employment were higher than those who were not level in the survey of the impact of literacy and numeracy employed, as shown in tables 2 and 3 as follows: levels on employment. The overall findings for England

Table 2: Literacy level by employment status in England, 2003 Employed Non-employed All Full-time Part-time All Seeking work Not seeking work

Entry level and below 13 12 14 26 25 26 (percentage) Level 1 (percentage) 40 39 42 39 39 39 Level 2 or above (percentage) 48 48 44 35 37 35

Base 5,485 4,086 1,399 2,379 308 2,071 Base: All respondents in 2003 Skills for Life survey with literacy level recorded. Note: Figures may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Table 3: Numeracy level by employment status in England, 2003 Employed Non-employed All Full-time Part-time All Seeking work Not seeking work

Entry Level and below 41 38 51 61 58 62 (percentage) Level 1 (percentage) 30 30 27 23 22 23 Level 2 or above (percentage) 29 32 22 16 20 16

Base 5,544 4,127 1,417 2,489 322 2,167 Base: All respondents in 2003 Skills for Life survey with numeracy level recorded. Note: Figures may not sum to 100% due to rounding. 343W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 344W

It is worth noting that the correlation between Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for employment and skill level does not necessarily imply a Work and Pensions with reference to his Department’s causal relationship, as other factors also affect both impact assessment for the household benefit cap, for variables. what reason households in Northern Ireland were not included in his assessment of the location and tenure of Housing Benefit households affected. [94438] Chris Grayling: Under the Welfare Reform Bill the Mr Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and benefit cap will be applied in Great Britain. The analysis Pensions how many (a) individuals and (b) households in the Impact Assessment published on 23 January 2012 in Sheffield will have a reduction in their benefits as a was therefore confined to Great Britain. Matters of result of the implementation of his proposed benefit social security in Northern Ireland are the responsibility cap. [94247] of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Chris Grayling: We estimate that in Sheffield around Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for 300 households may be affected by the cap and that Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with these households contain around 400 adults and 1300 the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the children. effects of his proposed household benefit cap on Northern On 23 January 2012 the Department published an Ireland. [94454] updated impact assessment for the household benefit cap, which estimated that in Great Britain 67,000 households Chris Grayling: Under the Welfare Reform Bill the would be affected by the cap in the first year of its benefit cap will be applied in Great Britain. Matters of implementation (the financial year 2013-14). Following social security in Northern Ireland are the responsibility the concessions won in the House of Commons on 1 of the Northern Ireland Assembly. February, these figures are of course subject to change We are working closely with Northern Ireland Ministers ahead of the Welfare Reform Bill gaining Royal Assent. and officials to support the delivery of welfare reform The impact assessment assumes that the situation of and universal credit. Several meetings have been held. these households will go unchanged, and they will not Mortgages: Repossession Orders take any steps to either work enough hours to qualify for working tax credit, renegotiate their rent in situ, or find alternative accommodation. In fact, in all cases the Anna Soubry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Department is working to support households through and Pensions what discussions he has had with the this transition, using existing provision through Jobcentre banking sector to ensure that people adversely affected Plus and the Work programme to move as many into by changes in support for mortgage interest rate are not work as possible. placed at immediate risk of having their homes repossessed. [92768] Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Steve Webb: We have discussions from time to time Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the with the Council of Mortgage Lenders about support number of households whose income would be affected for mortgage interest. When we changed the standard by the household benefit cap (a) before and (b) after interest rate to its current level of 3.63% in October he announced a grace period. [94576] 2010, the Council of Mortgage Lenders told the Department that it expects lenders to continue to exercise Chris Grayling: The impact assessment published on forbearance where it is fair to do so for the borrower, the 23 January stated that 67,000 households would be and the borrower has a chance of paying off any arrears affected by the household benefit cap in 2013-14. in the future. The Council of Mortgage Lenders has Following the concessions won in the House of told us that where arrears levels increase for some Commons on 1 February, we estimate that the grace borrowers as a result of the change in the standard period of 39 weeks for claimants who have been in interest rate this does not necessarily translate into an employment for 52 weeks or more before leaving work immediate possession risk. will reduce the number of households affected to around We have made clear our expectation that lenders 57,000. should continue to offer support and forbearance to The figures are of course subject to change ahead of their customers who are struggling with their mortgage the Welfare Reform Bill gaining Royal Assent. repayments. Lenders are required to consider what they can do to Housing Benefit: Northern Ireland prevent borrowers losing their homes. Under the Pre-Action Protocol, lenders must prove they have considered all other options before trying to repossess a property. For Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for example, they may agree to change or lengthen the term Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of of the loan, accept reduced payments in the short term, the effects of his proposed household benefit cap on or add the debt to the amount borrowed. Northern Ireland. [94437] Social Security Benefits Chris Grayling: Under the Welfare Reform Bill the benefit cap will be applied in Great Britain. Matters of Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work social security in Northern Ireland are the responsibility and Pensions what proportion of (a) (i) employment of the Northern Ireland Assembly. support allowance, (ii) disability living allowance and 345W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 346W

(iii) incapacity benefit claimants and (b) applicants for Unemployment a review of a decision to award (i) employment support allowance, (ii) disability living allowance and (iii) Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for incapacity benefit were from ethnic minorities in the Work and Pensions how many local newspapers were last year for which figures are available. [94442] called by his Department following publication of the most recent unemployment figures. [94577]

Chris Grayling: Ethnicity data are not available for Chris Grayling: The Department’s press office contact disability living allowance (DLA) and incapacity benefit local media as a matter of course every month following (IB)/severe disablement allowance (SDA) claimants. the publication of the Labour Market Statistics. Information is only available for employment and support This is to provide them with our press notice, to allowance (ESA) claimants. ensure they have all the information they need or if Table 1 presents ethnicity data for all people claiming there is anything else that the Department can help ESA as at May 2011, the latest data available. them with. Table 1: Employment support allowance claimants by ethnicity: May 2011 For January’s figures, the press office contacted 176 Ethnicity Number of claimants Percentage local news outlets either via email or phone.

White 445,500 67 Mixed 6,590 1 Universal Credit Asian or Asian British 24,750 4 Black or Black British 19,280 3 Chinese or Other 10,230 2 Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Ethnic Group Work and Pensions whether his Department has Prefer not to say 43,720 7 stopped any IT contractors working on the universal Unknown 112,170 17 credit programme in the last three months; and if he All 662,230 100 will make a statement. [94575] Source: DWP 100% WPLS data Chris Grayling: We have not stopped any IT contractors working on the UC programme in the last three months. Ethnicity data on appeals against incapacity benefit, Our contractors/service providers HP, Accenture, IBM, incapacity benefit reassessment and disability living BT and emergn all remain fully engaged working within allowance is not available. the programme on planned activity. Table 2 gives the ethnic group breakdown of all claimants for employment and support allowance (ESA) who have appealed against a fit for work decision at Work Capability Assessment their initial Work Capability Assessment (WCA). Note that the figures in table 2 are not directly Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work comparable with the caseload ethnicity data provided in and Pensions whether Atos Healthcare employees involved table 1 above since they cover a different time period. in work capability assessment are subject to the Official Secrets Act 1989. [94567] Table 2: ESA appeals against a fit for work decision at the initial WCA, broken down by ethnic group. Appeals heard against claims starting between December 2009 and November 2010 Chris Grayling: The work of Department for Work Ethnic group Number of appeals Percentage and Pensions is confidential and the Official Secrets Act binds all staff. Under the Act, it is a criminal offence for White 69,190 77 civil servants to disclose any official information without Asian or Asian British 4,000 4 lawful authority. Atos Healthcare do not have to sign Black or Black British 3,000 3 the Official Secrets Act. There are specified clauses in Chinese or other 1,720 2 the Medical Services Agreement which confirms that Mixed 890 1 Atos Healthcare will comply with the same confidentiality Prefer not to say 4,660 5 rules and any person found to be knowingly disclosing Unknown 6,940 8 confidential information would be subject to disciplinary Total 90,390 100 action and in some instances it could be treated as a Notes: 1. Employment and support allowance replaced incapacity benefit and income criminal offence. support paid on the grounds of incapacity for new claims from 27 October 2008. 2. Percentages are rounded to the nearest percentage point. Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work 3. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Figures may not sum due to and Pensions whether any Atos Healthcare (a) director rounding. and (b) employee involved in the work capability assessment 4. Data shown in the tables above are available on the Department’s website at: received a performance-related bonus payment as part http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html of the contract with his Department in (i) 2010 and (ii) 5. Information is not available on the ethnicity of IB/SDA or DLA claimants. [94568] 6. DLA figures above show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, 2011. and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. Source: Chris Grayling: Health care professionals who are Administrative data held by the DWP, assessment data provided by Atos employed by Atos Healthcare to compile medical Healthcare and appeals data provided by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals assessment reports do not receive bonuses and are not Service. part of a bonus scheme. 347W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 348W

HOME DEPARTMENT January to September 2011 there were 1,7141,2 asylum applications received from Iranian nationals. Abu Qatada 1 All published figures for 2011 are provisional. 2 Data relates to main applicants only. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has Civil Disorder spent on cases involving Abu Qatada in each year since 2001. [94606] Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Damian Green: The information requested could be Home Department (1) how many claims from police obtained only by the examination of individual records authorities have been made to her Department for at a disproportionate cost. reimbursement of payments made by police authorities under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886; [93576] Animal Experiments: EU Law (2) how many reimbursement payments her Department has made to police authorities under the Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 since August 2011; and what Home Department pursuant to the answer of 2 the monetary value was of those payments. [93577] November 2011, Official Report, column 638W, on animal experiments: EU law, when she expects draft Mrs May [holding answer 6 February 2012]: All legislation transposing EU Directive 2010/63/EU to be claims received by the Home Office from police authorities available for consultation; and which groups will be have been paid. So far that amounts to three claims for consulted. [94518] reimbursement totalling £707,000. The Home Office stands ready to fund further claims. However, the vast Lynne Featherstone: We expect to publish regulations majority of householders and businesses have already to transpose the provisions of European Directive 2010/ received full or interim payments from insurance companies. 63/EU in May 2012. During the process of transposing the directive we Departmental Billing are regularly engaging with the bioscience sector, animal welfare and protection groups, funding bodies, training Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the accreditors and practitioners under the Animals (Scientific Home Department how many and what proportion of Procedures) Act 1986, and will continue to do so until her Department’s invoices from its private sector the transposition process is completed. suppliers were paid (a) within 14 days, (b) between 15 and 30 days, (c) between 31 and 60 days, (d) between Asylum: Appeals 61 and 90 days and (e) more than 90 days after receipt in the last 12 months. [93449] Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average number was of appeals Damian Green: The data in the tables include both an asylum seeker in the UK went through before being compliant and non-compliant invoices that the Home either deported or granted leave to remain in the latest Office and its Agencies have paid their suppliers in the period for which figures are available. [94142] period January to December 2011. Non-compliant invoices include those disputed or those which contain insufficient Damian Green: This information is not available and detail to pay without further investigation. could be obtained only at disproportionate cost through The number and percentage of invoices that the the examination of individual case files. However, a Home Office and the UK Border Agency have paid person applying for asylum is only able to appeal once their suppliers in the period January to December 2011 against a decision. They are able to challenge a decision is as follows: by appealing to the Immigration and Asylum Chamber Table1:HOHQ&UKBA of the First Tier Tribunal of the Courts and Tribunals Days Number of invoices paid Percentage Service, and thereafter to the Upper Tribunal and onward to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. The onward (a) 0-14 58,678 89.4 right of appeal is with permission of the relevant court (b) 15-30 4,514 6.88 or tribunal, and lies only on the ground that the previous (c) 31-60 1,469 2.24 court or tribunal made a material error in law. (d) 61-90 473 0.72 (e) 90+ 498 0.76 Asylum: West Midlands The number and percentage of invoices that the Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Criminal Records Bureau has paid it suppliers in the the Home Department how many Iranian nationals period January to December 2011 is as follows: who are claiming asylum in the UK are resident in Table 2: CRB Birmingham, Ladywood constituency. [94062] Days Number of invoices paid Percentage

(a) 0-14 483 97.38 Damian Green: Constituency level data is not held in (b) 15-30 11 2.22 a format compatible with National Statistics. However (c) 31-60 2 0.40 published statistics are available on a quarterly and (d) 61-90 0 0 annual basis which cover all UK asylum claims by (e) 90+ 0 0 nationality. Published statistics show that for the period 349W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 350W

Information for the Identity and Passport Service information is collated annually. Figures covering the (IPS) for the period 1 January to 21 November 2011 period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 are due to be could be provided only at disproportionate cost. published in Quarter 2 2012. Information for the IPS for the period 22 November to The 2010-11 resource accounts are available from the 31 December 2011 is as follows: Home Office website at: Table 3: IPS http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/ Days Number of invoices paid Percentage corporate-publications/annual-report-201011

(a) 0-14 28 77.78 (b) 15-30 2 5.56 Departmental Pay (c) 31-60 5 13.89 (d) 61-90 0 0 Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the (e) 90+ days 1 2.78 Home Department how much was paid to officials in her Department and its non-departmental public bodies Information for the National Fraud Authority (NFA) in (a) bonuses, (b) allowances and (c) other payments for the period 1 January to 30 September could be additional to basic salary in each of the last two years provided only at disproportionate cost. Information for for which figures are available; what categories of payment the NFA for the period 1 October to 31 December is as may be made to officials in addition to basic salary; follows: what the monetary value is of each category of payment; Table 4: NFA and what the monetary value was of the 20 largest such Days Number of invoices paid Percentage payments made in each of the last two years. [89674]

(a) 0-14 15 83.33 Damian Green: The information requested is set out (b) 15-30 3 16.67 in the following tables: (c) 31-60 0 0 Table 1: Non-consolidated performance payments. (d) 61-90 0 0 (e) 90+ 0 0 Table 2: Largest 20 non-consolidated performance payments. Table 3: Allowances in addition to salary. The information provided is for all suppliers. The There are two separate sets of these three tables: one Home Office does not distinguish between private sector set covers Home Office HQ, the UK Border Agency and the public sector suppliers in this respect. To do so (UKBA), the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) and would incur disproportionate cost. the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB); the other set Departmental Data Protection covers the Home Office’s non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Non-consolidated performance payments are one off Home Department how many cases of (a) data loss payments which are non-pensionable, paid only to the and (b) breaches of confidentiality occurred in her top achievers and which are used to help drive performance. Department in 2011. [94251] Allowances comprise skills and recruitment and retention allowances. The figures exclude locational allowances Damian Green [holding answer 8 February 2012]: and temporary payments, such as those paid to staff for The Home Office has published details of protected fulfilling temporary duties. They also exclude expenses, personal data related incidents notified to the Information for example the reimbursement of costs actually and Commissioner’s Office in 2010-11 in its resource accounts. necessarily incurred in the course of official business. Of these incidents two related to cases of data loss and Pay arrangements for the senior civil service (SCS) two related to breaches of confidentiality. are based on a framework set by the Cabinet Office. For The Home Office has also published details of incidents staff below the SCS, Departments, agencies and NDPBs deemed by the Data Controller not to fall within the have delegated authority to tailor reward packages to criteria for report to the Information Commissioner’s meet their own business needs, and performance pay Office. Of these incidents eight related to cases of data and pay-related allowances are a matter for each loss and 10 related to breaches of confidentiality. This organisation.

Table 1: In-year and end of year non-consolidated performance payments Total number of staff eligible Total value of largest Financial year Total value of payments Number of staff receiving to receive payment 20 payments (£)

2010-11 531,054 721 5,655 105,824 2009-10 915,993 924 5,818 213,893

Note: Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) joined the Home Office on 1 April 2011; figures for 2009-10 do not include EHRC. Table 2: Largest 20 non-consolidated payments £ Payment 2010-11 2009-10

1 10,000 16,793 2 8,460 16,350 3 8,250 12,500 4 5,000 10,000 351W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 352W

Table 2: Largest 20 non-consolidated payments £ Payment 2010-11 2009-10

5 5,000 10,000 6 5,000 10,000 7 5,000 10,000 8 5,000 10,000 9 5,000 10,000 10 5,000 10,000 11 5,000 10,000 12 5,000 10,000 13 5,000 10,000 14 5,000 10,000 15 5,000 10,000 16 5,000 10,000 17 5,000 10,000 18 4,232 10,000 19 2,482 10,000 20 2,400 8,250

Table 3: Allowances in addition to salary Driving: Young People Financial year Allowances in addition to salary (£)

2010-11 1,004,093 Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2009-10 1,018,864 Home Department if she will make it her policy to allow car rental companies to refuse to rent cars to drivers under the age of 23; and if she will make a Deportation: Peterborough statement. [93596] Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 6 February 2012]: Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State We are currently considering the issue and will announce for the Home Department how many individuals last our decision in the Government’s published response to registered as domiciled in the Peterborough city council the 2011 age discrimination consultation in due course. area and who have no legal basis to remain in the UK were removed by the UK Border Agency in each Entry Clearances: Foreign Workers quarter since May 2005; and if she will make a statement. [93837] Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permit Damian Green [holding answer 7 February 2012]: intracompany transfers were granted in respect of each Constituency level data are not held in a format compatible (a) nationality and (b) occupation in each of the last with National Statistics. However published statistics three years for which figures are available. [89795] are available on a quarterly and annual basis which provides figures on all removals from the UK. These Damian Green [holding answer 16 January 2012]: data are not available broken down by region. The The work permit intracompany transfer scheme closed following table was extracted from published statistics in 2008 and was replaced by the Tier 2 (intracompany and shows all in-country removals for the period January transfer) category of the points based system. 2005 to September 2011: The Home Office does not hold the statistical data requested. Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4

2005 6,492 6,338 7,745 7,834 Entry Clearances: Iran 2006 8,122 8,593 7,196 8,060 2007 7,490 7,890 8,381 8,461 Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008 8,809 8,627 9,842 8,336 the Home Department how long on average Iranian 2009 8,685 8,898 9,955 10,514 citizens wishing to enter the UK for a holiday wait for 2010 11,106 10,424 10,531 9,907 a visa; and what steps have been taken to enable 2011 10,402 7,448 9,112 — Iranians to obtain such visas following the closure of Notes: 1. Data from Q1 2010 onwards are provisional. the UK embassy in Tehran. [88868] 2. Figures include dependants. 3. Figures include all in-country enforced and voluntary removals (including Damian Green: The UK Border Agency publishes data matching). 4. Data are extracted from table rv.01.q at the following url: information on processing times for visa applications ‘Removals and voluntary departures data tables Immigration Statistics July - on its website at: September 2011’ (Microsoft Excel file - 6mb - Warning: large file) http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research- www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk statistics/immigration-asylum-research/immigration-tabs-q3-2011/removals- In common with all nationals who require visas to q3-11-tabs 5. Figures for October to December 2011 are scheduled for publication on 23 visit the UK, Iranian nationals can apply for a visa to February 2012. visit the UK at any visa application centre worldwide. 353W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 354W

Immigrants: Employment British Sikh Police Association Christian Police Association Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Gay Police Association Home Department what steps she is taking to ensure National Association of Muslim Police that migrants have the necessary skills for employment. National Black Police Association [93297] National Disabled Police Association Damian Green: In April 2011 we made significant National Trans Police Association. changes to the rules governing the admission of skilled workers, including introducing a higher minimum skills requirement of National Qualifications Framework level Police: Infant Mortality 4. We have now asked the Migration Advisory Committee to look at whether it is right to raise further the minimum Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the skills levels. Home Department what (a) funding and (b) guidance We have increased English language requirements to her Department provided to police forces on support ensure that all migrant workers are able to speak English for parents who have experienced sudden infant death. to an appropriate level. [94433] Internet Nick Herbert: While the Home Office provides the majority of core Government funding to the police, Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the each force has the freedom and flexibility to make Home Department what consideration she is giving to spending decisions locally. As such, there is no specific (a) purchasing new capabilities to monitor social or ring-fenced funding to forces for the provision of media and (b) increasing the resources her support to parents who have experienced sudden infant Department allocates to monitor social media. [94403] death. The Home Office has not issued guidance on this subject. James Brokenshire: The Government are committed to a free and open internet. It is also important that law enforcement has the necessary capabilities to assess and Police: Information and Communications Technology identify potential criminality disclosed through social media and other online communication platforms. Work is under way to consider how existing capabilities within Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the law enforcement can be enhanced. We will consider any Home Department what savings she expects to make additional resource requirements in the light of this on policing ICT costs following the establishment of work. the new police information and communications technology company in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and Members: Correspondence (c) 2014-15. [93876]

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Nick Herbert: The Government have been clear that the Home Department when she plans to reply to the there is potential for at least £180 million of savings per letter of 22 December 2011 from the right hon. annum through ICT. Forces have already made substantial Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Jano savings. The company will assist in driving out savings Ridwa. [94047] by offering services that help forces to achieve efficiencies and operational effectiveness through the procurement, Damian Green: I refer the right hon. Member to my re-use and management of their ICT. The savings forces letter of 6 February 2012. will make will depend on their choices of company Police services.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 28 Security: Olympic Games 2012 November 2011, Official Report, column 1071W, on police, when (a) Ministers and (b) officials of her Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Department have met representatives of each body Home Department what the cost to the public purse referred to in the answer since May 2010; and what the was of the recent tests of security measures in Glasgow name is of each Diversity Staff Support Association. for the London 2012 Olympics; and what proportion of [91011] the cost was paid by the (a) Government and (b) Scottish Government. [94399] Nick Herbert: Ministers have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals James Brokenshire: The recent testing of security in the public and private sectors, as part of the process arrangements at the Hampden Park football stadium of policy development and delivery. As was the case were undertaken by the London Organising Committee with previous administrations, it is not the Government’s of the Olympic Games (LOCOG). The Government practice to provide details of all such meetings. announced last year that they were making £553 million The national police Diversity Staff Support Associations available to LOCOG for venue security, and the recent (DSSAs) are as follows: testing is funded from this. There is no additional cost British Association of Women in Policing to the Government, or to the Scottish Government. 355W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 356W

Yvonne Fletcher Departmental Food

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Neil Parish: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer the Home Department what recent reports she has what proportion of food purchased by his Department received from the Metropolitan Police on the investigation was produced in the UK in each of the last five years. into the death of WPC Yvonne Fletcher [94301] [93714]

Nick Herbert: The investigation into the death of Miss Chloe Smith: The data requested are only available WPC Yvonne Fletcher is ongoing. I am therefore unable for the last three financial years: to comment on the case. 2010-11: 71% 2009-10: 58% 2008-09: 55%. TREASURY HM Treasury’s catering services are supplied by a Banks: Iceland sub-contractor to Exchequer Partnership, the Department’s PFI supplier. The services provided were accredited by Mr Darling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Assured Food Standards in July 2010, enabling them to what assessment (a) he and (b) the Financial Services display the Red Tractor logo within establishments where Authority has made of the findings of the Special they provide a catering service. Investigation Commission established by the Icelandic government into the failure of Icelandic banks in 2008 Departmental Official Hospitality published on 12 April 2010; if he will place in the Library a copy of the English translation of the report; Pete Wishart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer and if he will make a statement. [42557] what receptions and events have been hosted by his Department since May 2010, including those sponsored Mr Hoban: The Special Investigation Commission’s by a third party. [84183] report has not been translated into English. The parts of the report that have been translated in English are Miss Chloe Smith: HM Treasury does not hold a available online at the following link: central record of receptions and events hosted by the http://sic.althingi.is/ Department. The information could be obtained only The Treasury has not undertaken an assessment on the at disproportionate cost. report. City of London Corporation Departmental Responsibilities

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings he had with the City of London at how many events organised by (a) charities, (b) Corporation in preparation for the most recent EU other civil society groups, (c) businesses and (d) summit. [89035] lobbying organisations Ministers and senior officials in his Department have given speeches in each month Miss Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. have meetings with a wide variety of organisations and [77333] individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was Miss Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and senior the case with previous administrations, it is not the officials speak regularly to a wide variety of organisations Government’s practice to provide details of all such as part of their official duties. Copies of speeches made meetings. by Treasury ministers and senior officials are available A list of ministerial meetings with external organisations on the Treasury website at: is published quarterly on the HM Treasury website: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches.htm http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Departmental Data Protection Exchequer if he will estimate the average number of hours per day he was engaged on official duties in the Mr David Davis: To ask the Chancellor of the last three months. [85818] Exchequer how many cases of (a) data loss and (b) breaches of confidentiality occurred in his Department Miss Chloe Smith: The information requested is not in 2011. [94249] held centrally. Responsibilities of Treasury Ministers are set out on the Treasury website at: Miss Chloe Smith [holding answer 8 February 2012]: There is no record of any data loss in HM Treasury in http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about_whoweare_index.htm 2011, but there have been three accidental breaches of confidentiality during that period. Departmental Travel The three accidental breaches in confidentiality came from low risk emails inadvertently being sent to “no Maria Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer need to know” addressees. On each of these occasions, pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 January immediate action was undertaken to satisfactorily rectify 2012, Official Report, column 31WS, on cost of ministerial the situation. cars, whether his Department has any other arrangements 357W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 358W for ministerial travel; and how much his Department Olympic Games 2012 has spent on (a) private hire vehicles and (b) taxis for each Minister since May 2010. [92847] Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many invitations to attend events at the London Miss Chloe Smith: The total amount spent on taxis 2012 Olympics (a) he, (b) other Ministers in his (excluding VAT) by HM Treasury Ministers between Department and (c) senior officials in his Department May 2010 and December 2012 is £11,498.01. There has have accepted; and if he will make a statement. [93628] been no spending on private hire vehicles for Ministers since May 2010. Miss Chloe Smith: Details of hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers and HM Treasury’s most EU Countries senior officials are published on a quarterly basis and will be available for July to September 2012 in due course. John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many visits (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department made to (i) Brussels and (ii) Frankfurt in Research: Finance an official capacity in 2011. [88987] Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Chancellor of the Miss Chloe Smith: Details of ministerial overseas Exchequer what fiscal measures he plans to take to travel are published quarterly on the Treasury website: encourage research and innovation at UK universities. http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm [94264]

Hargreaves Lansdown Danny Alexander: In order to support the highest value research in UK universities, Spending Review 2010 (SR10) maintained the science budget in cash John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer terms until 2014-15 with resource spending of £4.6 billion what meetings he has had with (a) directors, (b) per annum. Since SR10, £495 million of capital to partners and (c) employees of Hargreaves Lansdown support research and innovation has been allocated since 10 May 2010. [89030] over the SR period, including for: science campuses to provide facilities for the commercialisation of research Miss Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials and encourage innovative SMEs to make links with the have meetings with a wide variety of organisations and research base, high performance computing to support individuals in the public and private sectors as part of sophisticated university and business research and a the process of policy development and delivery. As was national graphene hub to connect UK researchers and the case with previous administrations, it is not the businesses working to commercialise applications of Government’s practice to provide details of all such graphene. meetings. The tax system incentivises research, development A list of Ministerial meetings with external organisations and innovation through R and D tax credits. The SME is published quarterly on the HM Treasury website: scheme rate of relief was increased from 175% to 200% http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm from 1 April 2011 and will be increased to 225% from 1 April 2012. In addition, an above the line R and D tax Members: Correspondence credit will be introduced from April 2013 to encourage research and development activity by larger companies. The Government will consult on the detail of the credit Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer at Budget 2012. Further incentives for research and (1) when the Financial Secretary to the Treasury plans innovation are provided through the Patent Box—applying to respond to letters from the right hon. Member for a reduced 10% rate of corporation tax on profits from Leicester East of 29 October 2010 and 19 March 2011 patents from April 2013. concerning a constituent; [58734] The impact of measures to encourage research and (2) when he expects to respond to the letters from the innovation will be kept under review and decisions on right hon. Member for Leicester East of (a) 4 June any new measures may be taken at fiscal events. 2011, (b) 19 March 2011 and (c) 29 October 2010 concerning Mrs Jansari; [70076] Taxation: Business (3) when he plans to reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Leicester East of 25 July 2011 and 19 March Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the 2011 concerning a constituent, Ms Jansari; [73063] Exchequer what proportion of the (a) corporation tax (4) when he will respond to letters from the hon. and (b) valued added tax paid by businesses in the Member for Leicester East concerning his constituent latest period for which figures are available was paid by Ms Jansari dated 4 and 25 June 2011; and when the (i) micro-entities, (ii) micro-businesses, (iii) small Financial Secretary to the Treasury will respond to businesses and (iv) medium-sized businesses. [93604] letters from the hon. Member for Leicester East of 29 October 2010 and 19 March 2011 also concerning Mr Gauke: It is not possible to provide on a consistent Ms Jansari. [80467] basis, the proportion of tax revenue raised from (i) micro-entities, (ii) micro-businesses (iii) small businesses Mr Hoban: I have now replied to the right hon. and (iv) medium-sized businesses for corporation tax or Member. VAT. 359W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 360W

For corporation tax a breakdown based on profit is policy development and delivery. As was the case with available on the HMRC website for those paying via the previous administrations, it is not the Government’s Quarterly Instalment Regime and the Non-Quarterly practice to provide details of all such meetings. Instalment Regime. Companies that make profits for an The Department for Energy and Climate Change is accounting period at a rate of over £1.5 million annually responsible for the long-term strategy on heat and the must normally pay by instalments: treatment of combined heat and power. The Treasury is http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/table11-1a.pdf responsible for tax policy. HMRC also publishes information by tax liability, with a breakdown of those paying main rate, marginal Taxation: Gambling rate and small companies rate. Companies with no associates with chargeable profits less than £300,000 Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pay small companies rate and those with chargeable pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2011, Official profits between £300,000 and £1.5 million pay marginal Report, column 408W, on taxation: gambling, when he rate: intends to announce a decision on whether to proceed http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/table11-3.pdf with reform. [94538] Home VAT is VAT charged on supplies of goods and services made in the UK. Information on the amount of Miss Chloe Smith: On 18 July 2011, the Government home VAT received by turnover is available from the announced their intention to review the taxation regime UK Trade Info website: for remote gambling, looking at the case for taxing https://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=factvat operators on the basis of customer location. The Government expect to announce the outcome of Taxation: Combined Heat and Power the review at Budget 2012.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the World War I: Anniversaries Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of relief from the carbon price floor on combined Mr Keith Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the heat and power; what recent discussions (a) he and (b) Exchequer what plans his Department has to mark the Ministers in his Department have held with industry on 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War. this matter; and whether he or the Secretary of State for [76065] Energy and Climate Change is ultimately responsible for this policy; [94050] Miss Chloe Smith: Traditionally, we mark the anniversary (2) whether he plans to extend the use of Levy of the conclusion of a conflict rather than its beginning. Exemption Certificates for combined heat and power So the main commemorations will be on the centenary until 2017; and whether State Aid Approval is required. of the end of the first world war in 1918. However, [94051] given the importance of the centenary of world war one, a number of anniversaries of key events from 2014 Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the to 2018, including the beginning of the war, will be Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect marked in an appropriate way. The Prime Minister has on combined heat and power stations of the proposed asked my hon. Friend the Member for South West carbon floor price for fuel used for heat generation. Wiltshire (Dr Murrison) to act as his special representative [94090] and coordinator for world war one commemorations. Dr Murrison will work with international partners to Miss Chloe Smith: The Government announced in ensure that the UK plays a full and active role; and will March 2011 that the exemption from the climate change coordinate the cross-Whitehall effort in respect of the levy (CCL) for electricity generated from CHP plants commemorations. that is supplied indirectly to an energy consumer will be removed from 1 April 2013. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE An assessment of the impacts of the carbon price floor is given in HMRC’s Tax Information and Impact Note published alongside the Budget, available online Australia: Anniversaries at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6111.pdf Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has The assessment of the impacts of removing the any plans to mark the centenary of Canberra. [94289] exemption from the climate change levy (CCL) for electricity generated from CHP plants that is supplied Mr Jeremy Browne: The centenary of Canberra will indirectly to an energy consumer was published alongside be an important event for all Australians. The Australian the autumn statement and is available online at: Capital Territory has implemented a Canberra 100 http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/tiin/tiin700.pdf taskforce to oversee the celebrations throughout 2013. The Government will announce in due course the At this early stage, representatives from our high level of relief for combined heat and power. commission in Canberra are in discussions with the Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a Canberra 100 organising committee, and will participate wide variety of organisations and individuals in the in commemorative events involving the diplomatic public and private sectors as part of the process of community. 361W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 362W

Burma Mr Jeremy Browne: The Burmese Government have stated their commitment to the UN’s Millennium Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Development Goals, which include achieving universal and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has access to primary education and health care provision. had with the Government of Burma on the recruitment During his visit in November 2011, the Secretary of of child soldiers into the Burmese Army. [94435] State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), Mr Jeremy Browne: The use of child soldiers continues met with the Burmese President and Health Minister to be a problem in the Burmese military and some and pressed them on the need for the Government to armed ethnic groups. Many children continue to work, use their budget for the benefit of the people. Department largely due to poverty, and there remains no code of for International Development officials have also met conduct to protect working children. There is little with both the Education and Health Ministers to urge protection under the law for how children are treated the Government to increase its spending on health and within the Burmese police justice system. education. We understand that the Burmese Parliament is now The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth in the process of agreeing its budget and hope it will Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond include big increases for health and education. We will (Yorks) (Mr Hague) visited Burma on 5-6 January continue to press the Burmese to honour their commitments. 2012. During his visit the Foreign Secretary urged further reforms and emphasised the importance of an end to conflict, humanitarian access, political dialogue and Burma: Political Prisoners national reconciliation. We will continue to work closely with civil society Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State organisations and UN agencies on children’s issues. We for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact support the work of the International Labour Organization he has had with the Burmese authorities about the in highlighting the problems and need for action on release of political prisoners in Burmese jails in the last child labour and underage recruitment in the military. year. [94151] We raised the use of children in armed conflict in Burma in the UN Security Council in November. We Mr Hague: During my visit to Burma in January supported a reference in the resolutions on Burma at 2012, I welcomed recent progress, in particular the the Human Rights Council and UN General Assembly, release of some political prisoners in 2011, and urged calling on the Government to end the recruitment of the Burmese President to commit to the further release child soldiers by the armed forces and other armed of all political prisoners, in time for the by-elections on groups, to intensify measures to ensure the protection 1 April. Most recently, the Minister of State, Foreign of children in armed conflict, and to intensify its and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Taunton co-operation with the UN in this area. The Department Deane (Mr Browne), raised the issue of the remaining for International Development’s Operational Plan for political prisoners directly with the Burmese ambassador 2011-15 aims to support more than 200,000 children when they met on 6 February. through primary school in Burma. I welcomed the release of a significant number of political prisoners on 13 January, including 88 Generation Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and ethnic leaders. However, a number of prisoners and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has remain. We will continue to call for the release of all received on abuses of human rights in ethnic states in political prisoners with the Burmese authorities. Burma in 2011. [94436] Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Jeremy Browne: During his visit to Burma in for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what January of this year, the Secretary of State for Foreign assessment he has made of the potential consequences and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the of the decision by the Burmese authorities to release Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) heard first- political prisoners on 13 January 2012. [94152] hand the concerns and aspirations of different ethnic minorities, including the Shan, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Mr Hague: The release of political prisoners on 13 Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Rohingya communities. January 2012 was a further demonstration of the Burmese Our ambassador regularly meets Burmese Ministers Government’s commitment to reform. It included almost in Naypyidaw, raising our human rights concerns directly all prominent political prisoners, including members of with the Government. Our embassy officials also provided the 88 Generation and some ethnic leaders. The timing regular updates throughout 2011 on the situation in-country, of the release was additionally significant because those and their reporting helped us to ensure that the resolutions released can now contest and campaign in the by-elections on human rights in Burma at the Human Rights Council on 1 April increasing the likelihood that those elections and the Third Committee at the UN General Assembly will be genuinely inclusive. were well-evidenced and reflected positive progress as well as detailing concerns. Chevening Scholarships Programme

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of Department has made to the Government of Burma maintaining Chevening was under each budget heading on spending on health and education. [94521] in each of the last two years. [93514] 363W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 364W

Mr Lidington: I refer the hon. Member to the response Mr Lidington: The proportion of food purchased by my noble Friend, Lord Wallace of Saltaire, gave in the the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other place on 26 October 2011, Official Report, House produced in the UK in each of the last five years is as of Lords, column WA155. follows: April 2011 to date: 57% Departmental Drinks 2010-11: 25%. Data for 2007-2010 were not compiled in this format Mr David: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. and Commonwealth Affairs how many bottles from For 2010-11 ‘Produced in the UK’ is defined as of the Government wine cellar have been sold in the last guaranteed UK provenance which can be fully traced year; and how much revenue has been generated by back to the source, i.e. food that has been grown and such sales in the last year. [93123] harvested or born, bred and slaughtered in the UK. Therefore we have not included any products that, even Mr Bellingham: I refer my hon. Friend to my written though may have been produced or manufactured in the statement of 13 May 2011, Official Report, column UK, are of mixed origin. 49WS, in which I said that there will be an annual For 2011-12 the figure more accurately reflects the statement to Parliament on the use of the wine cellar, DEFRA definition of food produced, sourced or covering consumption, stock purchases, costs, and value manufactured in the UK. In addition we can confirm for money, and that a report on the cellar’s operations the following: will be placed in the Library of the House during the 100% of our fresh beef is UK sourced month of May following the end of the appropriate financial year. 100% of our fresh pork joints is UK sourced 100% of fresh milk is both UK sourced and Red Tractor Sales from the cellar are in-hand for the financial year 2011-12, and further sales are planned in FY 100% of shell eggs are UK sourced and Lion marked 2012-13. All of our potatoes and root vegetables are sourced from UK when in season. Mr David: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign The data for 2010-11 relating to this request and and Commonwealth Affairs by what date he expects other food related targets are published on the FCO the Government wine cellar to be self-financing. website. [93124] This answer relates to the UK catering contract only. It would incur disproportionate cost to source this Mr Bellingham: I refer the hon. Member to my written information from our network of Posts as this information statement of 13 May 2011, Official Report, column is held locally. 49WS, in which I said that there will be an annual statement to Parliament on the use of the wine cellar, Departmental Manpower covering consumption, stock purchases, costs, and value for money, and that a report on the cellar’s operations Mr David: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign will be placed in the Library of the House during the and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) male and month of May following the end of the appropriate (b) female staff his Department employs (i) in the UK financial year. and (ii) overseas. [93513] Sales from the cellar are in-hand for the financial year 2011-12, and further sales are planned in FY Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth 2012-13. Office records the gender of its UK based civil servants and locally engaged staff. At 1 January 2012 the information Mr David: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign requested was: and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the value of his Department’s wine cellar; and what UK based staff Locally engaged staff the 20 most valuable bottles are. [93156] (a) Male (b) Female (a) Male (b) Female

(i) In the 1,366 1,320 — — Mr Bellingham: I refer the hon. Member to my written UK statement of 13 May 2011, Official Report, column (ii) Overseas 1,207 636 4,775 3,914 49WS, in which I said that there will be an annual statement to Parliament on the use of the wine cellar, Departmental Training covering consumption, stock purchases, costs, and value for money, and that a report on the cellar’s operations will be placed in the Library of the House during the Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for month of May following the end of the appropriate Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many away financial year. days his Department has held since May 2010; what the location was of each such away day; how many staff attended; and what the cost was of each such event. Departmental Food [93839]

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Mr Bellingham: Responsibility for such events is devolved and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of food to directorates and our network of nearly 270 Posts purchased by his Department was produced in the UK overseas. This information is not held centrally and in each of the last five years. [93716] details could be provided only at disproportionate cost. 365W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 366W

All officials have been reminded that they must keep of the Egyptian Parliament and the President of the expenditure on away days to a minimum, partly by Freedom and Justice Party, which won the largest share making use of official premises which are cost free. of the vote in recent parliamentary elections.

Developing Countries: Christianity European Union

Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has recently taken to protect Christians Department plans to publish a White Paper on abroad from persecution; and if he will make a repatriation of powers from the EU. [94161] statement. [94162] Mr Hague: The Government’s stated intention is to Mr Hague: Protecting religious freedoms and preventing examine the balance of the EU’s existing competences. discrimination on religious grounds is a key human That review does not have a pre-determined outcome. rights issue for the Government. Ministers and Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff in our missions overseas Falkland Islands Dependencies: Environment Protection regularly raise our concerns with host governments. Where possible, they take action on individual cases and lobby for changes in discriminatory practices and Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for laws. This includes recent efforts in relation to the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his situations in Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Pakistan. Department is sponsoring any schemes in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands to promote marine We have also been developing a strategy and programme biodiversity and conservation of marine species. [94418] of work to strengthen our approach in this area. As part of this effort, we have nominated a number of pilot Mr Bellingham: The principles of environmental countries to test out new approaches to promoting protection and sustainable ecosystem management are freedom of religion and belief, providing funding for enshrined in the Government of South Georgia and the projects in support of our policy objectives. We have South Sandwich Islands’ published strategy. For example, also agreed a number of recommendations for activity the South Georgia tooth fish fishery achieved the third in the EU, OSCE and UN. highest Marine Stewardship Council certification in the world. Any decision further to strengthen these policies Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State will be for the Government of South Georgia and the for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what South Sandwich Islands, which has been discussing assessment his Department has made of the threat with interested parties the possible designation of a posed to Christians around the world. [94165] sustainable use marine protected area. However, we would support moves which preserve the rich biodiversity Mr Hague: The members of my Advisory Group on of the islands. Human Rights identified freedom of religion as a key human rights issue at our first meeting in December Falkland Islands: Sovereignty 2010. Officials subsequently mapped out a programme of work to strengthen our freedom of religion or belief policy in 2011. As part of this, I asked for a review of Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State the treatment of religious minorities worldwide. The for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact review highlighted the widespread nature of religious he has had with representatives of Mercosur on its discrimination and that overall restrictions, including decision to forbid ships flying the flag of the Falkland on Christians, remain high. Islands from docking at certain ports. [94173] Egypt: Politics and Government Mr Hague: I have discussed these issues directly with the Chilean, Uruguayan and Brazilian Ministers, and Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State senior officials have spoken to Mercosur diplomats in for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact London and in the region. I also spoke to Foreign he has had with the authorities in Egypt about recent Ministers at the Caribbean Forum. Our message has developments in that country. [94149] been that political differences over the Falkland Islands cannot justify support for illegal and counterproductive Mr Hague: I am following events in Egypt closely actions which aim to damage the livelihoods of the and we have discussed recent events with the Egyptian Falkland Islands’ people. We are assured that there is authorities at the highest level. On 30-31 January the no intention among Argentina’s neighbours to participate Chief of Defence Staff visited Cairo where he held in such measures. discussions with Egyptian military leaders and other We will continue to be vigilant about any further political leaders about the political situation in Egypt. measures designed to damage the Falkland Islands’ He also met the Grand Imam of AI Azhar, the highest economy. Sunni authority in Egypt, whose voice carries great public weight. On 2 February, the Parliamentary Under- Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East he has made of the potential effect on British trade of Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) visited Cairo. He held the decision by Mercosur to forbid ships flying the flag discussions with a range of political figures, including of the Falkland Islands from docking at certain ports. the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Speaker [94174] 367W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 368W

Mr Hague: As I stated in my written ministerial We regularly raise the issue of settlement expansion statement of 10 January 2012, Official Report, columns with the Israeli authorities. The Prime Minister raised 5-6WS, our priority has been to ensure that trade and this issue with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on 5 commercial links between the Falkland Islands and January 2012. The Deputy Prime Minister commented South America are not compromised by this political in strong terms on settlement expansion at his joint declaration. The Governments of Brazil, Chile and press conference with Palestinian President Abbas on Uruguay have confirmed that Falklands-registered vessels 16 January 2012. flying the Red Ensign, as they are entitled to do, will I most recently emphasised the importance of Israel continue to be assured of access to their ports. There doing enough on this and other issues to sustain the has been no practical impact on the ability of vessels to prospect for peace talks leading to a two-state solution trade between the Falkland Islands and South America. during my discussion with the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister, Dan Meridor, on 16 January 2012. During his Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State recent visit to the region on 7-11 January 2012 the for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign assessment he has made of the potential effect of and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member Argentina holding the presidency of Mercosur on for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), raised strong British interests in the region. [94175] concerns over the significant numbers of settlement announcements with the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Mr Hague: Argentina will be holding the presidency Danny Ayalon and the impact these are having on the of Mercosur for the first six months of 2012. The UK prospects for a two state solution. engages positively with the Mercosur group, including on the mutual benefits of a potential association agreement Lesotho with the EU and hopes to continue to do so when Argentina holds the Mercosur presidency. However, the Government of Argentina have used such regional Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for groupings to seek political and practical support for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has their claim to sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. The any plans to visit Lesotho. [94645] principle of self-determination is enshrined under the United Nations Charter, and we expect all Mercosur Mr Bellingham: The Secretary of State for Foreign countries to respect this and other international laws and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the when considering the rights of the Falkland Islanders. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) currently We do not therefore anticipate that the UK’s or Falkland has no plans to visit Lesotho. Islands’ interests will materially be affected by Argentina’s presidency of Mercosur. Lesotho: Diplomatic Service

Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British is taking to seek a reversal of the decision taken by nationals have requested consular support in Lesotho Mercosur to forbid ships flying the flag of the Falkland in each of the last five years. [94646] Islands from docking at certain ports. [94176] Mr Bellingham: Four British nationals requested consular Mr Hague: We do not accept that the decision to assistance in Lesotho in the financial year 2010-11. One close ports to ships flying the Falklands flag has any British national requested consular assistance in 2009-10 basis in international law. However, as I said in my and one in 2008-09. No British nationals have so far written ministerial statement of 10 January 2012, Official requested consular assistance in 2011-12, and there Report, columns 5-6WS, our priority has been to ensure were none in 2007-08. These figures do not include that trade and commercial links between the Falklands provision of general consular advice or documentary and South America are not compromised by this political services, which are not recorded. declaration. The Governments of Brazil, Chile and Uruguay have confirmed that Falklands-registered vessels flying the Red Ensign, as they are entitled to do, will Lesotho: Foreign Relations continue to be assured of access to their ports. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Israel: Politics and Government Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of bilateral relations with Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Lesotho; and if he will make a statement. [94644] for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what recent occasions (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department Mr Bellingham: Britain greatly values our diplomatic have raised the issue of continued settlement expansion relationship with Lesotho which is underpinned by with Israeli government officials. [94180] frequent visits from our staff in the British high commission Pretoria who are accredited to Lesotho. I have also met Mr Hague: Continued systematic settlement construction with the Lesotho high commissioner. I look forward to by Israel in disputed territory in the Occupied Palestinian the prospect of successful and peaceful elections in Territory makes it ever harder to achieve the common Lesotho later this year. goal of international efforts: a contiguous state of Palestine We continue to provide around £10 million each year side-by-side with a secure Israel, with Jerusalem as a in aid to Lesotho through multilateral shares, debt relief shared capital. and international non-governmental organisations. 369W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 370W

Middle East: Oil UK exports of goods to Morocco, 2010 £ million

Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Miscellaneous manufactured articles 57 for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Commodities/transactions not elsewhere classified 0 assessment his Department has made of the potential Total 527 economic effects of a full-scale oil embargo on Iran. Source: [94156] BIS analysis of data from HM Revenue and Customs

Mr Hague: The aim of the EU oil embargo on Iran, Somalia: Diplomatic Service agreed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 January, is to put pressure on Iran to negotiate seriously with the Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for international community over its nuclear programme. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British The embargo will come into effect on 1 July. It is already nationals have requested consular support in Somalia causing consumers of Iranian oil to turn to other producers in each of the last five years. [94647] for supplies. The economic effects of a full-scale embargo are difficult to predict. Much would depend on the Mr Bellingham: We advise against all travel to Somalia. availability of alternative sources of oil supply. But the There is no British representation in any part of Somalia direct effect would be a loss to Iran of its oil revenues. and we are unable to provide direct consular assistance The aim of the measure, as with all sanctions, is to there. However, through our embassy in Addis Ababa increase peaceful pressure on Iran to encourage them to and high commission in Nairobi, we have provided return to the table on the nuclear issue. some consular assistance to British nationals who have travelled there. There have been seven consular cases Middle East: Peace Negotiations relating to Somalia in the financial year 2011-12. There were 10 cases in 2010-11, two in 2009-10, nine in 2008-09 Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State and one in 2007-08. These figures do not include provision for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent of general consular advice or documentary services, assessment he has made of progress made in the Middle which are not recorded. East peace process since the Israeli and Palestinian Syria: Politics and Government leaders’ decision to restart direct bilateral talks. [94181]

Mr Hague: I have welcomed the efforts of King Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Abdullah of Jordan and Jordanian Foreign Minister, for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact Nasser Judeh, to bring the parties together under the he has had with his counterpart in Turkey on matters framework of the Quartet statement of 23 September. related to Syria in recent weeks. [94164] We call on both sides to take this opportunity and show the political leadership and courage needed to make Mr Hague: The UK has been at the forefront of progress towards a negotiated two-state solution. efforts in the international community to increase pressure on the Syrian regime to stop the violence. As I said Morocco: Overseas Trade during my statement to the House of Commons on 6 February 2012, Official Report, column 27. Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign “I have very regular consultations with the Turkish Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the monetary value Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, about this matter. Last Tuesday I of exports to Morocco was for each category of spoke to him from New York while I was there; that was my most recent consultation with him. Turkey was a co-sponsor of the exports in the last year for which figures are available. resolution, and I expect it to be a very active participant in the [91888] new informal international grouping that we expect to be formed.”

Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what HMRC’s overseas trade statistics show that £527 assessment he has made of the potential consequences million of goods were exported to Morocco in 2010. of a decision by the Arab League to withdraw its The Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) Pink Book observer mission from Syria. [94166] shows that the export of services to Morocco in 2010 totalled £137 million. A further breakdown of the exports Mr Hague: The Arab League continues to have the of goods is shown in the following table. A breakdown UK’s full support in its effort to resolve the crisis in of services by type is not published by the ONS. Syria and to bring an end to the violence. Despite the UK exports of goods to Morocco, 2010 introduction of the Arab League Observer Mission on £ million 26 November the Syrian regime has shown no intention of implementing the Arab League Plan it signed on Food and live animals 21 2 November 2011. Instead it has continued its brutal Beverages and tobacco 12 repression. Crude materials, inedible, except fuels 25 Despite some limited co-operation by the Syrian Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials 190 Government in response to the Observer Mission I am Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes — deeply concerned that the increasing violence in Syria Chemicals and related products 55 led the Arab League to halt its operations. The current Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material 50 military offensive in Homs highlights the continuing Machinery and transport equipment 117 violence by the Assad regime. This is why I travelled to 371W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 372W

New York on 31 January to support a tough Security Mr Hague: We have daily conversations with Russia Council resolution calling on the Syrian Government to and China at the Security Council. I spoke to my implement the Arab League plan to stop the violence in Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on 8 February about Syria and for a peaceful political transition to a democratic, the situation in Syria. I told him that the UK was plural political system. As I said in my statement on appalled by the continued violence, in particular, in 6 February, The UN Security Council’s failure to agree Homs and that we wanted an end to violence from all a resolution does not signal the end of our efforts to sides in Syria. stop the violence in Syria. We will continue our strong support for the Arab League and seek to widen the international coalition of nations seeking a peaceful and lasting resolution to the crisis in Syria. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Public Service Broadcasters Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the potential 17. Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for effectiveness of Arab League observers in Syria. [94167] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to increase investment in content by public service broadcasters. [94347] Mr Hague: The Arab League continues to have the UK’s full support in its effort to resolve the crisis in Mr Vaizey: Investment in UK originated content is Syria and to bring an end to the violence. Despite the one of the key pillars of the public service broadcasting introduction of the Arab League Observer Mission on system. We shall examine the purpose, obligations and 26 November, the Syrian regime has shown no intention requirements of PSB and consider ways of increasing of implementing the Arab League Plan it signed on investment in UK originated content in the communications 2 November 2011. Instead it has continued its brutal Green Paper, to be published shortly. repression. Despite some limited co-operation by the Syrian Superfast Broadband Government in response to the Observer Mission, I am deeply concerned that the increasing violence in Syria 18. Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for led the Arab League to halt its operations. The current Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent progress military offensive in Homs highlights the continuing he has made on the roll-out of superfast broadband to violence by the Assad regime. This is why I travelled to rural communities. [94348] New York on 31 January to support a tough Security Council resolution calling on the Syrian Government to Mr Jeremy Hunt: We have just approved the Local implement the Arab League plan to stop the violence in Broadband Plan for Lancashire and Buckinghamshire Syria and for a peaceful political transition to a democratic, and Hertfordshire, so now a third of rural areas have plural political system. As I said in my statement on their plans approved. I have set a target for all broadband 6 February 2012, Official Report, columns 23-25, the procurements to be completed by the end of 2012 so UN Security Council’s failure to agree a resolution does that delivery can be complete by 2015. This will extend not signal the end of our efforts to stop the violence in 2 mbps broadband coverage to the whole country and Syria. We will continue our strong support for the Arab superfast broadband to 90% of the country. League and seek to widen the international coalition of nations seeking a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Arts: Finance crisis in Syria. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact made of whether there has been an increase in funding he has had with the head of the Arab League Secretariat through philanthropy for arts organisations in England on matters related to Syria in recent weeks. [94168] since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [94611]

Mr Hague: Immediately prior to my statement to the Mr Vaizey: This Department publishes regular updates House of Commons, 6 February 2012, Official Report, on charitable giving received by funded cultural institutions, columns 23-25, I spoke to the Secretary-General of the which can be found on our website at: Arab League, Nabil El Araby. I welcomed and encouraged http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/8564.aspx the proposal to appoint a Special Envoy of the Arab In terms of the wider arts sector, patterns of giving League, and I commended the Arab League’s leadership can be skewed by major donations and vary enormously and action so far. Arab Foreign Ministers will meet this from one organisation to another, so we should be weekend to consider options. The Secretary-General cautious about assuming trends over a period of less was clear about the urgency of the situation, the Arab than two years. However, evolving analysis suggests world’s continued determination to act, and the need to that individual giving, and support for the arts from step up their efforts. I told him that the Arab League trusts and foundations have increased since May 2010. would have our complete support. We shall be able to assess this more robustly as more data emerges from Arts and Business’ annual survey of Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State private investment in culture later in the year. I welcome for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts and commend the generosity of all those who give to he has had with counterparts in Russia and China on the arts in this country. Their support deserves our matters related to Syria in recent weeks. [94169] thanks and appreciation. 373W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 374W

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Hugh Robertson: Regular Olympic intelligence briefings Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much take place between the Secretary of State for Culture, funding the Arts Council has allocated to support Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the international cultural exchange through (a) its funded Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), myself, organisations and (b) other activities with (i) China, Home Office Ministers and the Olympic Intelligence (ii) India, (iii) Brazil, (iv) the Gulf States, (v) Russia Centre, to discuss and review threats to the games, and (vi) Japan; and if he will make a statement. [94613] including human trafficking. Although there is currently no evidence of an increase Mr Vaizey: Arts Council England supports many in human trafficking linked to the games, the Government organisations which work internationally, promoting are aware of the threat, which is real, and will continue cultural exchanges and developing markets for their to remain vigilant. If intelligence suggests an increased work abroad, including China, India, Brazil, the Gulf threat, the Government will ensure that the appropriate States, Russia and Japan among other countries. This measures are in place. year will see particularly strong engagement with China and Brazil through major festivals of UK culture in Television: Local Broadcasting those countries, as well as during the London 2012 Festival. The Arts Council also works closely with the British Council to ensure UK and international audiences Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for are able to experience the best of British and world Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he culture. It does not ring-fence specific allocations to its has made of the number of jobs which his proposals funded organisations for individual countries, as activities for local television will create in (a) local television often involve both domestic and foreign activity in a stations and (b) Muxco. [94389] number of countries. Together with our national museums, Arts Council England funded organisations continue to Mr Vaizey: The consultations on the Department for reinforce the UK’s reputation for cultural excellence Culture, Media and Sport local TV proposals provided around the world. broad indications of the numbers of people that might be employed; ranging from 10 to 60 people per local TV station. Regarding the multiplex it is Ofcom’s assumption Departmental Contracts that about three posts will be required to operate it. Ofcom advise commercial radio employs between five Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for and 30 people and community radio stations have on Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what contracts of average 78 people involved per station on a paid and over £1 million in value his Department has let in the voluntary basis full and part-time. last year; and what the shortest period has been between the published opening of the tender for any Tourism such contracts and the closing date. [94103] Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, John Penrose [holding answer 7 February 2012]: Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what plans his Department Broadband UK tendered for supply of legal services in has to review its plans for the National Quality Assessment April 2011 to support delivery of the Broadband and Scheme in England following the adjudication of the related programmes. The cumulative value of this contract Advertising Standards Authority in respect of complaint will exceed £1 million by the end of the programmes in reference A11-16687 by Kwikchex Ltd; [93859] 2015. The period between the published opening of the tender and closure was four weeks. (2) what steps his Department is taking to ensure that visitors to the UK are provided with accurate and Olympic Games 2012 impartially-assessed information on the standards and quality of tourist accommodation; and if he will make a statement; [93860] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many letters (3) if he will make it his policy to ensure that overseas he has received (1) on the London 2012 Olympics in the visitors to all parts of the UK are given the option of last six months; [94637] accessing information on the quality and standard of tourist accommodation to a standard equivalent to (2) on the London 2012 Paralympics in the last six VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance scheme. [93861] months. [94638] John Penrose: I refer the hon. Member to the answers Hugh Robertson: The Department received 844 letters I gave him on 2 February 2011, Official Report, in the last six months about matters relating to staging column 819W and 17 March 2011, Official Report, both the Olympic games and Paralympic games in columns 525-26W.Our basic approach has not changed, London. This includes nine letters which were specifically we want to encourage any scheme that improves the about the Paralympic games. quality of tourist accommodation information available for visitors, particularly when specialist information is Olympic Games 2012: Human Trafficking required such as accessibility or how ‘green’ a provider is. However, a quality-assessed star rating is no longer Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, the only proviso for booking accommodation, and many Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has potential customers now rely on personal feedback on had with ministerial colleagues on progress on customer review sites. Consumers choose which websites measures to prevent human trafficking at the London to use based on whether they trust the information they 2012 Olympics. [94523] contain. Alternative websites are, of course, always only 375W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 376W a click away so we shall see whether the Advertising active role; and will co-ordinate the cross-Whitehall Standards Board ruling alters consumer views about effort in respect of the commemorations. Announcements Tripadvisor or not. about the centenary will be made in due course. Until the end of March 2012, the Enjoyengland.com and Visitbritain.com websites will list all star-rated accommodation in England and the UK respectively. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT From April 2012, VisitEngland ratings will be searchable on: Thailand: Burma http://www.qualityintourism.com the official website of the licensee responsible for Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for VisitEngland’s quality assessment scheme. The AA has International Development what plans he has for funding its own website: food and shelter for refugees in camps on the Thailand http://www.theAA.com Burma border in each of the next three years. [94434] where ratings can be checked, as do VisitScotland, Visit Wales and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Many Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International third party commercial websites also choose to display Development (DFID) is in the process of reviewing its official star ratings and Quality in Tourism and the AA last three years’ programme of assistance to refugees will continue to supply ratings data on a regular basis. and internally displaced people (IDPs) along the Thailand- Burma border, including support for the provision of Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, food and shelter for refugees in camps on the border. Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made This review will inform the nature of future support to of the average expenditure per head by overseas tourists refugees on the Thailand-Burma border, to which I visiting (a) Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency remain strongly committed. Following the Bilateral Aid and (b) Cumbria in each of the last five years. [94447] Review I agreed to a doubling of the overall British aid budget to Burma. John Penrose: The Department does not record this information but, through the International Passenger Survey, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) record ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS the number of visits made by overseas residents to the UK by county, and the total spend per year. From this Crows information we can estimate the average spend per visit in Cumbria in each of the last five years. Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Cumbria Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions Spend per visit (£) Natural England has had with the British Association 2006 263.19 for Shooting and Conservation and Countryside [92029] 2007 310.6 Alliance on the control of crows. 2008 319.9 Mr Paice: Natural England has been involved in 2009 343.72 discussions with the British Association for Shooting 2010 298.44 and Conservation (BASC) since November 2011 regarding the legal status of controlling hooded and carrion crows These figures are per visit, not per head. As visits under the general licences that Natural England issues. rather than visitors are counted, there is a possibility for These discussions are ongoing. double counting if, for example, a person made more than one visit to the same place. The ONS do not Natural England has had no recent discussions with provide this information by constituency. the Countryside Alliance on crows. Further information can be found at the following Natural England invited key stakeholders including website: BASC and the Countryside Alliance for views on its http://www.visitbritain.org/insightsandstatistics/ general licences in February 2011 and later this year it inboundvisitorstatistics/regions/towns.aspx will launch a full public consultation on a series of new proposals. One proposal will consider whether or not the hooded crow should be added to the general licences World War I: Anniversaries which allow certain protected bird species, such as the carrion crow, magpie and rook, to be controlled where Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for they are causing problems to prevent, for example, Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has predation and crop damage problems. to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War. [94432] Departmental Billing

Mr Vaizey: The Prime Minister has asked my hon. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Friend the Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and to act as his special representative and co-ordinator for what proportion of her Department’s invoices from its world war one commemorations and this Department private sector suppliers were paid (a) within 14 days, has been appointed to be the lead Department in supporting (b) between 15 and 30 days, (c) between 31 and him. Dr Murrison will work with international and 60 days, (d) between 61 and 90 days and (e) more than national partners to ensure that the UK plays a full and 90 days after receipt in the last 12 months. [93439] 377W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 378W

Richard Benyon: 15,923, or 99.97% of invoices were Richard Benyon: The Marine Management Organisation paid within 14 days of receipt of a valid invoice. Five, or (MMO) was first requested by DEFRA, on behalf of 0.03% of invoices were paid between 14 and 30 days of UK fisheries administrations, to start investigating such receipt of a valid invoice. No invoices were paid more exchanges for the calendar year 2011 at the beginning of than 30 days after receipt. August 2011. This was after advice had been received This information includes invoices which fall under that there was insufficient scientific evidence available the prompt payment directive (private sector suppliers to support making a request to the European Commission only) and relates to 2011. for an increase in level of such effort available to the UK fleet under the regime, and that such exchanges were needed. Departmental Correspondence As the quotas that could be used in such exchanges had already been allocated to industry groups, the Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for MMO organised a meeting between officials from all Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average UK fisheries administrations with representatives from time taken was by her Department to reply to the scallops sector to identify potential sources of quota. correspondence from hon. Members and Peers in the After this meeting, analyses were made of the levels of last 12 months; and for what proportion of letters it uptake by other member states to identify possible took longer than (a) one month, (b) six weeks, (c) two sources of extra effort available to transfer to the UK months, (d) three months and (e) six months for a along with possible needs for quota. The dates of initial response to be sent in that period. [93502] contacts with member states were as follows: Richard Benyon: In 2011 DEFRA replied to 80% of Spain: 31 August 2011 correspondence from Members and Peers within our France: 13 September 2011 target of 15 working days. The average time for reply The Netherlands: 21 September 2011 was12days. Ireland: 3 October 2011 The percentages requested are given in the following Belgium: 20 January 2012. table. These were only the first contacts made with regards to exchanges, and not all of these contacts resulted in Time to respond Percentage1 exchanges being made. Those exchanges agreed have Within 15 working days 80 been submitted to the European Commission for review, approval and incorporation into the EU monitoring Over 15 working days but less 11 than a month systems. Once this process has been completed, the One month to six weeks 5 MMO will be releasing further details of the exchanges Six weeks to two months 3 that have taken place related to the calendar year 2011. Two months to three months 1 Fishing Vessels Three to six months 0.6 Longer than six months 0.1 1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest whole number except for Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for percentages below 1%, which are given to one decimal place. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many Scottish owned fishing boats are registered in England; Departmental Pay and what proportion of the UK fishing quota such registrations represent; [94392] Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, (2) what proportion of licensed fishing boats are Food and Rural Affairs how much was paid to officials registered in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and in her Department and its non-departmental public (d) Northern Ireland; [94393] bodies in (a) bonuses, (b) allowances and (c) other (3) how many Scottish owned fishing boats have payments additional to basic salary in each of the last quotas set by (a) English and (b) Northern Irish two years for which figures are available; what categories producer organisations; [94394] of payment may be made to officials in addition to (4) what estimate she has made of the number of basic salary; what the monetary value is of each category licensed fishing boats in the UK. [94440] of payment; and what the monetary value was of the 20 largest such payments made in each of the last two Richard Benyon: As of 1 January 2012, there were years. [89692] 6,446 UK registered and licensed fishing vessels, including vessels registered to a port within the Island Crown Richard Benyon: I will place this information in the Dependencies (Isle of Man and Channel Islands). Of Library of the House. these, 45% were registered to a port in England, 34% to a port in Scotland, 8% to a port in Wales and 6% to a Fisheries: EU Countries port in Northern Ireland. It is not possible to attribute the ownership of vessels Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for to individual nationalities in the way requested. However, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which EU looking at the port of administration provides a close member states have offered additional Western Water approximation. On this basis, as of 1 January 2012 scallop effort to the UK in exchange for other species; there were 2,094 vessels of all lengths based at a port in and when the Marine Management Organisation first Scotland. Of these, 62 were members of English producer discussed this matter with each such member state. organisations and 11 members of Northern Irish producer [93825] organisations. 379W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 380W

144 of these 2,094 vessels were registered to a port in £ million England—111 vessels of 10 metres and under in length, Central Local and 33 vessels over 10 metres. As an estimate of the Government government share of UK fishing quotas involved, the number of spending spending Total fixed quota allocation units linked to the 33 over 10 metre 2011-12 550.2 — — vessels involved represents 0.6% of the total number of 2012-13 554.6 — — units allocated to individual UK vessels. This does not 2013-14 542.1 — — include units that might be held collectively by producer 2014-15 529.6 — — organisations on behalf of their members. It is not possible to estimate the share of UK quota held by the under 10 metre vessels as these vessels do not usually Central Government expenditure includes DEFRA’s have quota allocations units associated with them. own direct expenditure, DEFRA grants to the Environment Agency, plus capital grants to individual local authorities Flood Control: Finance and internal drainage boards. From 2004-05 block grant from DEFRA to the Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment Agency largely replaced the previous system Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost to of central Government grants to individual local authorities. the public purse was of flood prevention work in each This accounts for the large shifts in figures between region in each of the last 13 years; and how much will 2003-04 and 2004-05 between central and local government. be spent in each of the next five years. [94227] Local government expenditure in recent years has been supported by grants from the Department for Richard Benyon: The following table sets out public Communities and Local Government. The funding spending on flood and coastal erosion risk management provided is unringfenced and unhypothecated; it is therefore in England from 1996-97 to 2014-15 by central and not possible to state how much funding has been provided local government. for any particular activity or outcome. For this reason the local authority spending figures above rely on outturn £ million data, which are not yet available for the period 2011-12 Central Local Government government to 2014-15. spending spending Total Spending beyond 2014-15 will be the subject of future 1996-97 101.9 205.2 307.1 Government spending reviews. 1997-98 87.1 223.3 310.4 Within the grants provided by DEFRA to the 1998-99 78.3 233.2 311.5 Environment Agency, supplemented by other income 1999-2000 75.5 246.6 322.1 the Environment Agency may receive, the allocation of 2000-01 71.4 262.7 334.1 funding by the Environment Agency to each of the 2001-02 84.7 281.4 366.1 Regional Flood and Coastal Committee areas since 2002-03 128.4 299.4 427.8 2006-07 is given in the following table. Records prior to 2003-04 135.5 322 457.5 this are not held centrally, as allocations were administered 2004-05 415.4 80.3 495.7 at a regional level. 2005-06 514.8 84.4 599.2 The regional funding allocation for 2012-13 is subject 2006-07 505.2 84.5 589.7 to agreement by the Environment Agency Board in 2007-08 456.7 90.0 546.7 early February 2012. The board is also expected to 2008-09 568.2 90.0 658.2 agree indicative allocations for the years 2013-14 and 2009-10 627.9 94.6 722.5 2014-15 at the same time. Details will be available on 2010-11 664.1 97.4 761.5 the Environment Agency website in due course.

£ million Allocation 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Environment agency Total Capital Resource Total Capital Resource Total

Anglian (Central) RFCC 1107.4 8.1 11.1 19.2 8 10 18 Anglian (Northern) RFCC 1— 14.4 14.2 28.6 23.7 13.4 37.1

Anglian (Eastern) RFCC 1— 15.5 14.6 30.1 46.4 14.7 61.1

Midlands RFCC 56.2 16.6 28.9 45.5 17.1 22.5 39.6

Northumbria RFCC 147.8 4.2 5.7 9.9 3.3 5.4 8.7

Yorkshire RFCC 1— 15.7 18.6 34.3 25.1 17.7 42.8

North West RFCC 39.5 15.5 27.7 43.2 17 24 41

South West RFCC 151.1 15.3 11.3 26.6 6.1 8.9 15

Wessex RFCC 1— 7.3 17.9 25.2 11.5 16.9 28.4

Southern RFCC 48.3 24.6 26.5 51.1 25.9 26.9 52.8

Thames RFCC 77.1 21.1 48.1 69.2 31 44.9 75.9 381W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 382W

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Environment agency Capital Resource Total Capital Resource Total Capital Resource Total

Anglian (Central) RFCC 9.4 9.1 18.5 14.8 9.1 23.9 8.6 6.5 15.1 Anglian (Northern) RFCC 26.2 12.8 39 28.8 15.2 44 32.1 12 44.1 Anglian (Eastern) RFCC 28.1 14.3 42.4 223 14.6 36.9 12.9 10.7 23.6 Midlands RFCC 30.1 21.9 52 32.4 24.1 56.5 25.1 19.7 44.8 Northumbria RFCC 4.2 5.5 9.7 8.9 5.6 14.5 16.9 4.1 21 Yorkshire RFCC 37.5 17.7 55.2 33.9 19 52.9 16.9 13.3 30.2 North West RFCC 26.7 24.1 50.8 29.4 25.4 54.8 18.3 18.7 37 South West RFCC 7.8 8.9 16.7 10.1 9.7 19.8 7.7 7 14.7 Wessex RFCC 10.7 17.1 27.8 9.6 18.3 27.9 6.3 12.9 19.2 Southern RFCC 38.7 26.8 65.5. 37.3 27.6 64.9 22.7 18.5 41.2 Thames RFCC 40 45.3 85.3 52.3 79 131.3 35.5 35.4 70.9

Floods Richard Benyon: The following table lists the number of properties in areas of significant flood risk (one in 75 Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for (1.3%) or greater chance of being flooded in any given Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many year) in each year since 2004 for which figures are people lived in a high flood risk area in each of the last available from the Environment Agency’s National Flood 13 years; and how many are predicted to live in a high Risk Assessment (NaFRA).The NaFRA results for flood risk area in each of the next five years. [94228] 2010-11 will be published in February 2012.

Total number of properties in areas of Of which, residential properties in areas of Year of assessment Date of publication significant risk (England and Wales) significant risk (England and Wales)

2004 December 2004 373,000 — 2005 December 2005 569,000 — 2006 January 2007 517,000 432,000 2007 No update — — 2008 August 2009 578,000 373,000 2009 August 2010 561,000 358,000 Note: The Environment Agency first started to provide a separate analysis for residential and non-residential properties at flood risk in 2006.

The Environment Agency’s method for assessing flood (3) how much her Department has spent on subsidising risk dates from 2002 with the first results published in insurance premiums for residents in high flood risk 2004. Newly completed defences are taken into areas in each of the last 13 years; and how much will be consideration in the assessment on a quarterly basis. spent in each of the next five years. [94231] Since the original assessment, the risk in different areas of England and Wales will have changed because Richard Benyon: The current Statement of Principles of a change in climate or newly constructed or improved has not guaranteed that all those at risk of flooding will flood defences. However, both the data and methods be able to insure their properties; nor does the Statement used to produce the assessment have also substantially of Principles make any guarantees about the price of improved over this period of time so it is not possible flood cover, which remains a commercial decision for for the figures to be used as part of a consistent year-on-year insurers. analysis of how flood risk has changed. The last agreement, signed in 2008 by the previous Continual improvements to the data and methods in Government, was always intended to be the last and the assessment also make it difficult to produce a meaningful insurers do not want to renew it beyond its expiry on year-on-year projection. The Environment Agency can, 30 June 2013. A new shared understanding is being however, identify specific areas (such as in the Vale of developed that will set out more clearly what individual Clwyd) where the risk is likely to reduce because of, for customers can expect from their insurer, and from the example, a newly completed defence. Government. The Government have had regular discussions with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) regarding the Floods: Insurance future of flood insurance. We will continue to meet regularly with ABI as we consider options over the Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for winter months, with the aim of making further Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when she announcements in the spring, including details on how plans to announce the replacement of the Statement of any future flood insurance solution might be funded. I Principles cover for homes in high flood risk areas; have also corresponded with numerous Members of [94105] Parliament on the matter. (2) what discussions she has had with (a) ABI and The Government remain committed to making sure (b) hon. Members on co-operation between the public flood insurance remains widely available. We are working and private sectors on flood risk insurance; [94106] closely with insurers, the devolved Administrations and 383W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 384W communities affected by flood risk, and are especially Richard Benyon: The remuneration and bonus scheme mindful of those on lower incomes living with the risk for the chief executive and members of the Ofwat of flooding. The Government have not subsidised flood executive team are set in an appropriate and transparent insurance premiums in any of the past 13 years, but we manner in line with arrangements for other members of continue to invest to reduce the risk of flooding and are the senior civil service (SCS). This means that they are committed to spend at least £2.17 billion on flood and all paid at SCS pay bands 1 (from £58,200 to £117,800) coastal erosion risk management over the next four or 2 (£82,900 or £162,500). years. The arrangements for pay and bonuses are set out in the senior teams’ contracts and subject to annual review by the Ofwat Remuneration Committee in line with Food awards recommended by the Senior Salaries Review Body. Each permanent member of the executive team Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for participates in a bonus scheme, which is also in line with Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will prepare the Senior Salaries Review Body recommendations. The and publish on her Department’s website a league table non-consolidated and non-pensionable bonus is paid of Government Departments in respect of the proportion on the individual’s performance and is only awarded to of food sourced (a) from UK producers, (b) from UK the top 25% of SCS performers. Bonuses are also capped fisheries and (c) to Government buying standards. at £10,000 for pay band 1 and £12,500 for pay band 2. [94807] The remuneration and bonuses of the Ofwat executive team are published in Ofwat’s annual report and accounts, Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not intend to prepare which are audited and laid before Parliament each year. reports on the performance of Government Departments These details are also published on the Ofwat website. in respect of Government Buying Standards or of food or fish sourced from UK producers. Such a report was Stray Dogs attempted previously under the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative (PSFPI) and proved to be of little value as they did not compare like with like and Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for gave a false picture of catering provision within Government Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Departments. assessment she has made of the operation of Section 68 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act Departments have agreed to apply the Government 2005. [94275] Buying Standards as a minimum and mandatory level of sustainability for the food procured under their catering contracts. They are encouraged to follow the Richard Benyon: The effectiveness of Section 68 of Government’s principles of transparency in reporting, the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 in a proportionate way and at reasonable intervals, their is currently being reviewed. performance against these standards. UN Conference on Sustainable Development

Milk: Wales Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for has for further roundtable events with businesses in Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions preparation for the Rio+20 Summit in June; and on she has had with the Welsh Government on exclusive what dates those events will be. [93582] milk contracts. [94624] Richard Benyon: Engagement with businesses is an Mr Paice: DEFRA officials have worked closely with essential aspect of the Government’s preparations for their colleagues in the Welsh Assembly in formulating Rio+20. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food the UK’s policy position during the negotiation of the and Rural Affairs has held a number of meetings with Commission Dairy Package, which sets out rules on business and civil society groups about this, and plans contractual relations in the milk and milk products to hold a further meeting on 9 February 2012. She sector. This collaboration will continue as we consider intends to meet again with key representatives from how the Dairy Package should be implemented across both the business and civil society communities before the UK. the Conference in June.

Water Ofwat: Pay Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what to bring forward legislative proposals on the measures assessment she has made of the salary structures of (a) set out in the Water for Life White Paper. [94045] the chief executive and (b) other senior management of Ofwat in respect of the criteria by which they receive Richard Benyon: DEFRA intends to publish a draft bonuses; [93652] Water Bill in the coming months, to bring forward those (2) under what criteria the chief executive of Ofwat legislative proposals set out in “Water for Life” which receives a bonus additional to her annual salary; and if are not included in the Water Industry (Financial she will make a statement. [93653] Assistance) Bill currently before Parliament. 385W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 386W

Water Charges Mr Hayes: No employers have yet received any payments under this initiative. The Prime Minister announced Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, that from 7 February the incentive scheme would be Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had live, with small employers new to the programme advertising with representatives of (a) Ofwat and (b) water companies vacancies, and able to take on apprentices. Employers on the cost of water and sewerage services in the next taking on an apprentice under the scheme receive the financial year. [94007] payment in two instalments, with the first due two months after the apprentice starts. We therefore expect Richard Benyon: As Ministers with responsibility for the first payments to be made in April. policy on water, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), and I meet Apprentices: Special Educational Needs representatives of Ofwat and water companies regularly. Water companies are obliged to submit their planned Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, price adjustments to Ofwat for approval each year. This Innovation and Skills (1) what recent discussions he has is ahead of the water companies confirming the rises to had with the National Apprenticeship Service on increasing their customers. As the regulator for the water industry, the number of people with (a) special educational Ofwat, having set price limits on a five-yearly basis, needs and (b) autism who undertake an apprenticeship; challenges companies’ proposed bill rises and approves [93772] each company’s charges scheme. (2) what plans he has to increase the number of The most recent price review was in 2009 and this set people with (a) special educational needs and (b) price limits at 0.5% above inflation to allow companies autism who undertake an apprenticeship. [93773] to make the necessary investment to secure water supplies and infrastructure. The next price review will be in 2014 Mr Hayes: The National Apprenticeship Service is and will cover price limits from 2015 to 2020. committed to increasing the number of people with learning difficulties or disabilities undertaking apprenticeships. It is currently running a number of BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS pilots to explore ways to increase diversity within apprenticeships and this includes apprentices reporting Aluminium a range of disabilities. The National Apprenticeship Service regularly reports to me on the progress of the Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State pilots and we will discuss how to implement for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he recommendations once I have seen the final report in has made of the economic viability of the UK aluminium March. industry; and if he will make a statement. [94014] I recently commissioned an independent report on Mr Prisk [holding answer 7 February 2012]: We have “Creating an Inclusive Apprenticeship Offer”. Evidence made no such assessment. Aluminium is a globally from the report shows a steady rise in the number of traded commodity with prices set on the London Metal apprentices declaring a disability over the last five years. Exchange. Current depressed market conditions have However the rise is not as great as the rise in overall impacted on the global price of metals, including apprenticeship numbers. I will consider each of the aluminium, which in turn has created a difficult commercial report’s recommendations, and will work with the National environment for the UK aluminium industry. Apprenticeship Service and other partners to ensure employers are given good information and advice about The Government recognise that the aluminium industry recruiting and managing apprentices with disabilities plays an important role in the manufacturing supply and that people with disabilities get the help and support chain with high technology industries like aerospace, they need to secure an apprenticeship place and to be automotive and construction requiring high value— successful in that apprenticeship. continually improving—aluminium products. The Government are taking action to support manufacturing, I have met with a number of groups concerned with including the aluminium industry, through their Special Educational Needs (SEN) and autism and will encouragement of higher levels of innovation, exports, continue to seek their views on how to improve accessibility business investment and technical skills as well as cutting and inclusion within the apprenticeship programme. excessive red tape. In addition, UK Trade & Investment has a programme Basic Skills of support for the UK manufacturing sector, including materials, in partnership with numerous stakeholders. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for This includes organising UK groups at overseas trade Business, Innovation and Skills what change there has shows, leading targeted trade missions and bringing been in adult (a) literacy and (b) numeracy rates in potential buyers, investors and decision-makers to the each region in the last 25 years. [90925] UK to see our manufacturing capability first-hand. Apprentices Mr Hayes: Data on changes in adult literacy and numeracy by region over the last 25 years are not Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, available. The last published analysis of regional-level Innovation and Skills how many employers in Bromsgrove literacy and numeracy levels was the 2003 Skills for Life constituency have received payments to take on their survey1. This survey showed the following literacy and first young apprentice under the Government’s incentive numeracy distributions among the adult population of scheme since its inception. [94135] England, aged between 16 and 65, broken down by 387W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 388W

Government office region (see tables 1 and 2 as follows). of Literacy, Numeracy and ICT skills”. Department for Education The results were based on fieldwork conducted between and Skills Research Report 490, available online at: July 2002 and April 2003. https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrdering Download/ The Government have recently undertaken a follow-up RR490.pdf survey to the 2003 Skills for Life study, which examines changes in adult literacy and numeracy between 2003 accessed on 18 November 2011. and 2011. The headline findings of this survey, covering 2 TNS-BMRB and AlphaPlus Consultancy Ltd. (November 2011) national level changes in literacy and numeracy were “2011 Skills for Life survey: headline findings”, Department for published in December 20112. The full 2011 Skills for Business, Innovation and Skills, BIS research paper 57. Available Life survey report will include analysis of regional online at: changes in literacy and numeracy over the past eight http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/ years. This report is due to be published in spring 2012. docs/0-9/11-1367-2011-skills-for-life-survey-findings.pdf 1 Williams, J., S. Clemens, S. Oleinikova, and K. Tarvin (2003) “The Skills for Life Survey: a National Needs and Impact Survey accessed on 18 January 2011.

Table 1: Literacy level by region in 20033 Skill level Regions Yorks & West North East South East of Total North East London Humber Midlands West Midlands West England South East

Base 7,874 881 862 883 857 880 761 879 749 1,122 Entry Level 1 3454 443222 or below EntryLevel22322 222311 Entry Level 3 11 14 13 13 11 12 10 9 9 8 Level 1 40 41 34 42 42 42 41 40 40 37 Level 2 or 44 37 46 39 41 41 43 46 47 51 above Note: Base: all respondents with literacy scores Table 2: Numeracy level by region in 20033 Skill level Regions Yorks & North East South West East of Total North East Humber West Midlands West London Midlands England South East

Base 8,040 898 923 895 785 889 881 865 766 1,138 Entry Level 1 5666 656644 or below Entry Level 2 16 22 17 19 16 16 17 16 13 12 Entry Level 3 25 27 28 24 27 28 25 25 25 24 Level 1 28 24 28 28 27 29 26 29 28 27 Level 2 or 25 21 21 23 23 23 25 24 30 32 above Note: Base: all respondents with numeracy scores

3 Both tables are included in the 2003 Skills for Life survey as Business: North West tables 3.A1 and 3.A2 on page 178. Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Business: Lancashire Innovation and Skills what (a) financial and (b) other support the North West Regional Development Agency provided to businesses in Rossendale and Darwen David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for constituency in the last three years; and what changes Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department he expects to the provision of such assistance after the plans to make funding available for businesses in Heysham transition to local enterprise partnerships and other to upgrade their premises following the planned expansion successor bodies. [93730] of the port of Heysham. [93307] Mr Prisk: The Department allocated budgets to regional Mr Prisk: The expansion of the Port of Heysham is development agencies (RDAs). RDAs determined which being proposed by the port owners, Peel Ports. The projects to support, subject to the terms of the Government’s go-ahead for the Heysham-M6 link road accountability and financial framework. RDAs investments will improve access to and from the port increasing the have been guided by the regional economic strategy and viability of this proposed development. The Lancashire their corporate plans. The Department does not hold local enterprise partnership has also been awarded details of individual projects supported by the RDAs £13,092,450 Growing Places funding to support within their delegated financial authorities. infrastructure investments. There is no transition to local enterprise partnerships. In terms of business support details of all Government They are not replacements for RDAs, but are business-led support available to businesses can be found on: partnerships that bring business and civic leaders together www.businesslink.gov.uk to drive sustainable economic growth and create the 389W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 390W conditions for private sector job growth in their the World Bank Doing Business Report and the communities. Rossendale and Darwen are part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership and information (OECD). on their priorities can be found at The Government are committed to creating the right http://www.lancashirelep.co.uk conditions for businesses to succeed, removing barriers Business: Regulation that are preventing them from performing to their full potential. The Plan for Growth and the 2011 autumn statement set out a wide-ranging package of more than Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for 280 measures to build a stronger and more balanced Business, Innovation and Skills (1) which (a) Ministers economy.These measures are currently being implemented. and (b) officials were present at the Red Tape Challenge meeting held on 12 January 2012; and what Business: Taxation matters were discussed; [94390] (2) on what dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, have met to discuss environmental regulations as part Innovation and Skills if he will discuss with the Chancellor of the Red Tape Challenge. [94391] of the Exchequer the possibility of using communications between HM Revenue and Customs and business taxpayers Mr Prisk: As part of the Red Tape Challenge process, as a vehicle for conveying advice and support from his Ministers and officials meet regularly to discuss the Department to businesses. [94217] proposals for each theme. The process is explained on the Red Tape Challenge website at: Mr Prisk [holding answer 7 February 2012]: We are http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/how-it- already working closely with HM Revenue and Customs works to improve Government communications with business The Environment theme has been open for comment and we will continue to do so. on the website since April 2011, with a ‘spotlight’ Companies: Manpower period in September 2011. The Government expect to announce their plans by the end of March 2012. Meetings have taken place throughout this time period. Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many companies There are no plans to remove important environmental in each region employed more than (a) 50, (b) 100 and protections or climate change commitments. Our aim is (c) 250 employees in 2010-11. [94620] to make sure that our environmental policies are being implemented in the most effective ways possible and Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the that, in order to comply with our regulations, businesses Cabinet Office. and individuals are not over-burdened by rules that make it more difficult to comply than is really necessary. The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority Business: Standards to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated February 2012: Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to page have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking nine of the Plan for Growth, published in March 2011, how many companies in each region employed more than (a) 50, what progress he has made in benchmarking of the UK (b) 100 and (c) 250 employees in 2010-11. [94620] against best practice around the world; if he will Annual statistics on the number of enterprises are available publish benchmarks carried out; and if he will make a from the ONS release; UK Business: Activity, Size and Location statement. [93942] at www.statistics.gov.uk Mr Prisk [holding answer 6 February 2012]: Government These estimates relate to the count of live businesses in March Departments’ Quarterly Data Summaries report on of each year. UK performance against relevant international indicators. The table below provides estimates for the number of companies For example, the Summary for the Department for in each region that employed more than (a) 50, (b) 100 and (c) 250 Business, Innovation and Skills includes indicators from employees in 2010-11.

Count of enterprises by region and employee size band for 2010 and 2011 Employee size band 50-99 100-249 250+ Total 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010 2011

North East 590 560 315 320 195 185 1,095 1,065 North West 1,920 1,920 1,020 1,010 605 585 3,545 3,515 Yorkshire and The Humber 1,510 1,480 775 765 455 450 2,740 2,700 East Midlands 1,350 1,295 720 705 370 390 2,440 2,390 West Midlands 1,525 1,500 780 775 500 495 2,805 2,770 East 1,735 1,730 865 855 620 595 3,220 3,180 London 2,735 2,825 1,595 1,600 1,270 1,265 5,600 5,690 South East 2,525 2,565 1,400 1,370 980 975 4,905 4,910 South West 1,385 1,410 695 710 395 400 2,475 2,515 391W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 392W

Count of enterprises by region and employee size band for 2010 and 2011 Employee size band 50-99 100-249 250+ Total 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010 2011

Wales 700 675 335 360 180 175 1,215 1,210 Scotland 1,350 1,305 755 775 430 435 2,540 2,515 Northern Ireland 515 500 265 235 125 125 905 860 Total 17,840 17,765 9,520 9,480 6,125 6,075 33,485 33,320

Company Accounts Norman Lamb: The UK has supported the Anti- Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) from the outset Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for and continues to support the agreement. Kader Arif, Business, Innovation and Skills what recent estimate European Rapporteur for ACTA, made comments that has he made of the number of micro-entities in the there was UK. [93603] “no consultation of the civil society” and Mr Prisk: The current definition of a micro-business “lack of transparency since the beginning of negotiations”. is fewer than 10 employees. There are a total of 4,332,565 micro-businesses in the UK. This represents 95% of all It is normal for international negotiations to be confidential UK businesses, out of a total of 4,542,765. but there are clear rules on how the Members of the European Parliament should be informed and these Source: have been followed. The European Commission also BIS Population Estimates 2011 organised four stakeholder conferences and the Intellectual Property Office held a number of stakeholder meetings Construction: Olympic Games 2012 during the ACTA negotiations. The range of stakeholders included business, internet service providers and consumer Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for interest and open rights groups. Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of the completion of the building of Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for infrastructure for the London 2012 Olympics on levels Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has of employment in the construction industry; and if he made of the extent to which the concerns of the will take steps to mitigate any potential increase in European Parliament on the transparency and status of unemployment by boosting orders in the construction the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement negotiation industry. [94111] expressed in its resolution of 10 March 2010 have been addressed. [94405] Mr Prisk [holding answer 7 February 2012]: There are no data available on the effect on employment of Norman Lamb: The rules on how the Members of the completion of the Olympic build. What I can say is that European Parliament should be informed about the Olympics is a world-class project delivered well international negotiations have been followed. Members ahead of schedule and to budget and is the envy of the of the European Parliament’s Committee on International world’s construction industry. Trade have had access to successive versions of the Over 46,000 people worked on the build of the park Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) text. The full and the village between 2008 and 2011. The peak workforce text has been fully public since April 2010. The European was around 12,000 people during March 2011. Many Commission also organised four stakeholder conferences contractors brought their existing workforce to work on and the Intellectual Property Office held a number of the park and used 450 apprentices across 27 trades. The stakeholder meetings during the ACTA negotiations. Olympic Delivery Authority opened a National Skills The range of stakeholders included business, internet Academy for construction which provided 3,500 training service providers and consumer interest and open rights places for local people and Londoners to help deliver groups. the venues and infrastructure. The final ACTA text has been reviewed by government The Government have taken steps to protect capital lawyers and the European Commission Legal Services investment in construction by giving approval for major who confirm that ACTA will not create new intellectual projects in new high value road, regional and local property rights, laws or criminal offences in the UK or transport schemes, including over £14 billion to Network EU. As such, the agreement does not affect the protection Rail; providing funding to Cross Rail; spending £6 billion of fundamental rights, privacy or data protection and it on upgrades and maintenance on London Underground; respects the important role of the internet. and providing £860 million to support households and business investing in renewable heat measures. Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the 40th Report Counterfeit Manufacturing: Trade Agreements from the European Scrutiny Committee, HC 428-xxxv, if he will assess the level of scrutiny in the House of the Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. [94407] Innovation and Skills if he will reconsider his policy on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) in Norman Lamb: The Department for Business, Innovation the light of the resignation of and comments made by and Skills fully followed the EU scrutiny process with Kader Arif, European Rapporteur for ACTA. [94404] respect to the Draft Council Decisions on the conclusion 393W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 394W and signing of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. Firth of Forth: Bridges The European Scrutiny Committee felt that these did not raise questions of sufficient legal or political importance Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for to warrant a substantive report to the House. Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Scottish Government on the effect on the steel industry of the Forth Replacement European Fighter Aircraft Crossing. [94277]

Mr Prisk: There have been no such discussions. The Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Forth Replacement Crossing procurement is a devolved Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what assistance his matter for the Scottish Government. Department has provided to BAeSystems to help them with securing Typhoon export deals; [94183] Flexible Working (2) how many meetings he has had with his German counterpart to discuss the possibility of selling Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Typhoon to the Indian Air Force; and what specific Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects to topics were discussed at those meetings. [94184] publish the Government’s response to the Modern Workplaces consultation. [94768] Mr Prisk: UK Trade & Investment Defence & Security Organisation has worked closely with BAeSystems over Norman Lamb: The Government expect to publish a number of years to assist them with Typhoon export the response to the Modern Workplaces consultation in campaigns. The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation the spring of 2012. and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Foreign Companies: EU Countries Twickenham (Vince Cable), and other Ministers, have met representatives of the company on numerous occasions, Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State and have discussed Typhoon export opportunities with for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is counterparts in other nations. taking to encourage European businesses to expand The Secretary of State has not met with his German their activities within the UK. [94016] counterpart to discuss selling Typhoon to the Indian Air Force. However, there have been a number of meetings Mr Prisk [holding answer 7 February 2012]: Toencourage to discuss the German led campaign to promote Typhoon investment into the UK, from Europe and elsewhere, to the Indian Government, and how to progress that, the Government continue to focus on ensuring that the between officials of this Government and their counterparts UK offers investors a globally competitive business in Germany, as well as Ministers in other Departments. environment for them to grow their business. This includes: creating the most competitive tax system in the G20 by Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for cutting the main rate of corporation tax from 28% to Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has 26% in April 2011 and to 23% by 2014—the lowest rate made of the likely effect on unemployment of the in the G7 and fifth lowest in the G20, and making the decision of the Indian Government not to buy the UK the best place in Europe to start, finance and grow Eurofighter. [94071] a business by focusing on reducing the regulatory burden on business. The UK also has a dedicated support service for Mr Prisk [holding answer 7 February 2012]: While companies looking to invest in this country—the Inward the Indian Government have selected Rafale as the Investment Services Network. This service, delivered by preferred bidder for their combat aircraft requirement United Kingdom Trade & Investment (UKTI), offers and have asked them to enter into further negotiations, individually tailored support, and a single point of they have not taken a final decision. No assessment has contact, for overseas businesses wanting to establish or been made of the likely effect on unemployment of a expand their operations here. decision not to buy Eurofighter. Green Deal Scheme

Fireworks: Scotland Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many meetings he Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for has had with members of the insulation industry on the (a) (b) Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation. of 2 November 2011, Official Report, column 641W, on [94300] fireworks, whether he plans to meet (a) the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and (b) Mr Prisk: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation other animal welfare organisations to discuss the sale and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), regularly meets with of fireworks. [94520] representatives of a wide range of construction industry organisations at the Strategic Forum for Construction, Norman Lamb: I currently have no plans to meet the and through my co-chairing of the Green Construction Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Board, both of which have discussed the Green Deal nor other welfare organisations, to discuss the sale of and Energy Company Obligation (ECO). In light of the fireworks. new evidence emerging during the consultation period 395W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 396W for the Green Deal and ECO, I have scheduled an Mr Prisk: The Regional Growth Fund (RGFs) additional meeting with insulation industry representatives (£2.4 billion) is a national fund which although focused to hear their views directly. on areas which are heavily dependent on the public sector can support particularly strong proposals from Higher Education London. Two RGF programmes run by HSBC and RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) for small and medium-sized Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for enterprises (SMEs) may be attractive to SMEs, including Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to in manufacturing, as the funding is tied to the purchase take to enable student representatives to sit on the of capital assets eg machinery. board of private providers who are granted degree The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills awarding powers. [94266] (BIS) officials meet regularly with manufacturing interests including the new Thames Gateway Manufacturing Mr Willetts: All providers of higher education, whatever Alliance (which covers south east London and met their legal structure, are autonomous, independent recently at the Coca Cola plant in Sidcup) and Made in organisations. As such they are responsible for determining London, EEF (The Engineering Employers Federation their own arrangements for ensuring that students are the manufacturers—organisation, and SEMTA (Sector) effectively represented. Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Student representation on boards is not one of the Technologies), with a view to encouraging networking criteria required to be met for the granting of degree and working together across the sector to improve the awarding powers. image of manufacturing, to offer more apprenticeships We do recognise the value of effective student and to access appropriate funding eg to tackle skills representation and the role which students’ unions play shortage issues. in facilitating partnerships between higher education We are also encouraging the participation of local institutions and their students. This was highlighted in manufacturing firms in the new Make it in Britain the Higher Education White Paper, alongside a number campaign and hope they will be able to feature strongly of measures designed to encourage greater student in the showcasing of British manufacturing over the engagement. For example, question and answer (QAA) summer. review teams now include student representatives and SME manufacturing businesses in South East London we endorse the use of student charters, which are jointly can take advantage of our new streamlined Solutions agreed by institutions and students’ unions. for Business portfolio: eligible companies can gain support in areas such as training and skill development, resource Higher Education: Applications efficiency, exploiting ideas, accessing international opportunities and growing your business. For example, Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for we have just launched the Business Coaching for Growth Business, Innovation and Skills how many applications programme, which aims to help up to 10,000 high had been submitted from home students through growth businesses a year to address barriers to growth UCAS by 15 January 2012 to (a) Russell Group and grow more rapidly. universities, (b) 1994 Group universities and (c) all other higher education institutions; and how many Support is also available from the new Manufacturing such applications had been submitted by the equivalent Advisory Service (MAS), which was announced on 3 January and offers manufacturing SMEs practical date in the previous admissions cycle. [93477] support on all aspects of manufacturing, including direct access to manufacturing experts with a proven Mr Willetts: The information, provided by the track record. Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), is shown in the table. Finally, manufacturing companies in South East London will be eligible to apply for the Advanced Manufacturing Applications1 by UK domiciled applicants as at 15 January 2012 Supply Chain Initiative, announced in December 2011, Year of entry 2 3 which will support investment in training to improve 2011 2012 skills as well as expenditure on research and development Applications to: and capital equipment. Russell Group institutions 488,972 456,619 1994 Group institutions 239,663 226,297 Other institutions 1,481,676 1,345,468 Manufacturing Industries: Redditch Total 2,210,311 2,028,384 1 Each applicant can submit up to five applications, or up to four if Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for applying for medical, dentistry and veterinary science courses. Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking 2 Applicants applying to enter courses starting in autumn 2011, including those who applied for deferred entry in 2012. to promote manufacturing in Redditch County 3 Applicants applying to enter courses starting in autumn 2012, constituency. [94369] including those who applied for deferred entry in 2013. Mr Prisk: Manufacturing small and medium-sized Manufacturing Industries: Greater London enterprises (SMEs) in Redditch can take advantage of our new streamlined Solutions for Business portfolio: Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for eligible companies can gain support in areas such as Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking training and skill development, resource efficiency, exploiting to support manufacturing firms in South East London. ideas, accessing international opportunities and growing [93880] your business. For example, we have just launched the 397W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 398W

Business Coaching for Growth programme, which aims Mr Prisk: Details of hospitality received by Ministers to help up to 10,000 high growth businesses a year to and special advisers and the most senior officials are address barriers to growth and grow more rapidly. published on a quarterly basis and will be available for Support is also available from the new Manufacturing July to September 2012 in due course. Advisory Service (MAS), which was announced on 3 January and offers manufacturing SMEs practical support on all aspects of manufacturing, including direct access Regional Growth Fund to manufacturing experts with a proven track record. Manufacturing companies in Redditch will also be Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for eligible to apply for the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Business, Innovation and Skills for what reasons he Chain Initiative, announced in December 2011, which decided that Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest and will support investment in training to improve skills as HSBC should facilitate the distribution of £95 million well as expenditure on research and development and of Regional Growth Fund money; what steps he is capital equipment. taking to monitor (a) the distribution of funds and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is (b) any commercial advantage; and what steps he has putting in place a range of local initiatives to complement taken to ensure that any interest accrued is used for these national measures. These include a ‘business grants or returned to the Government. [94057] development’ forum to assist expanding companies experiencing barriers to growth, work to establish sector- specific skills requirements and a recent workshop to Mr Prisk: Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC bids promote the opportunities which are still available from were both successful bids from Round 1 of the Regional the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Growth Fund (RGF). These bids were part of a competitive future international sporting events. Redditch based process and decisions taken by the ministerial committee Slick Seating Systems, AMS Group and Alto Seating chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister. are among the Worcestershire firms to have secured The banks schemes are an effective conduit of investment Olympic contracts. aid to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with The LEP will be holding its first annual conference projects that would create employment in areas that had on 23 February, which will be an opportunity for local become over dependent on the private sector. They are manufacturers to put forward their views on priorities monitored quarterly to ensure that funds are distributed for stimulating business growth in the region. according to the terms of the offer letter which specify: Manufacturing Industries: Trade Competitiveness All the RGF funding must be used for beneficiary grants. The banks may not charge any fees for administering the schemes, and interest earned on any funds held on Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State the bank’s balance sheet must be used for additional for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he beneficiary grants or returned to HMG; has made of the effects of delays in the speed of supply chain production on the global competitiveness of Beneficiary grants must only be awarded to SMEs to leading UK manufacturing companies; and if he will support the purchase of new capital assets (typically make a statement. [94015] plant and machinery), where the beneficiary agrees to create new employment or safeguard employment that Mr Prisk [holding answer 7 February 2012]: The will be lost if the investment in new plant and machinery Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has not is not made; carried out any formal assessment of the effects of Beneficiary grants can only be awarded alongside an delays in the speed of supply chain production on the award of a new bank loan (with normal/unsubsidised global competitiveness of leading UK manufacturing terms and conditions) for the purchase of a new asset— industries. grants cannot be used to support refinancing of existing The impact of disruption to global supply chains can debt by a beneficiary. Furthermore, grants cannot be have an adverse impact upon the UK economy. As an provided where the reason why the original loan application example, the Office for National Statistics indicates is declined is that the beneficiary has insufficient collateral there is some evidence of the transport equipment to support the new debt, as in these circumstances the sub-sector and motor vehicle production being affected Government’s existing Enterprise Finance Guarantee by the after-effects of the Japanese tsunami during the scheme can help the beneficiary access commercial debt; second quarter of 2011. The banks must use their best endeavours to support The Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, the SME project using commercial sources of funding of up to £125 million, was announced on 6 December before awarding a grant to a beneficiary; 2011 and will provide support to improve the global competitiveness of advanced manufacturing supply chains. The schemes must operate in a manner that is consistent with European State aid rules on SME investment aid Olympic Games 2012 and regional investment aid. Specifically: where the beneficiary is located outside of the assisted areas Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the maximum amount of RGF support that can be provided is Business, Innovation and Skills how many invitations 10% (medium sized enterprises) or 20% (small enterprises) of to attend events at the London 2012 Olympics (a) he, eligible costs (typically the cost of the asset); (b) other Ministers in his Department and (c) senior where the beneficiary is located in an assisted area then the aid officials in his Department have accepted; and if he will intensity can be increased by an amount between 10% and 30% make a statement. [93646] depending on the level of economic vulnerability. 399W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 400W

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Statement of New Regulation. This document is a Business, Innovation and Skills how much Regional formal report. There are no plans to review the one-in, Growth Fund money to be distributed by (a) Royal one-out system for regulation. Good practice is to Bank of Scotland, (b) NatWest and (c) HSBC has review Government policies in a proportionate and been disbursed since the creation of the Fund. [94058] practicable manner. This also applies to the one-in, one-out rule. Mr Prisk: Information relating to the progress of Teachers: Foreign Nationals these schemes will be available the beginning of March 2012 when quarterly monitoring returns are due. Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Regulation Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of foreign national academics Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for carrying out research in UK universities. [94064] Business, Innovation and Skills if he will review the one-in, one-out system for regulation. [93296] Mr Willetts: The latest available information on the employment function and nationality of academic staff Mr Prisk: An update on the operation of the one-in, is shown in the table. Figures for the 2011/12 academic one-out system is published every six months in the year will become available from January 2013.

Academic staff1 by employment function and nationality2, UK higher education institutions, academic year 2010/11 Nationality Employment function UK Non-UK Not known Total

Teaching only 34,235 8,355 2,415 45,005 Research only 23,480 16,075 1,185 40,740 Teaching and research 72,830 18,825 3,100 94,760 Neither teaching nor research3 630 50 5 685 Total 131,175 43,305 6,705 181,185 1 Covers full-time and part-time staff. 2 The nationality field of the HESA Staff Record defines the country of legal nationality and is not necessarily the domicile of the person. 3 Covers academic staff whose primary employment function is not teaching or research: includes vice-chancellors, medical practitioners, dentists, veterinarians and other health care professionals who undertake lecturing and research activities. Notes: 1. Figures in the table are rounded up or down to the nearest five, so components may not sum to totals. 2. Figures are on a full person equivalent basis (FPEs). Individuals can hold more than one contract with an institution and each contract may involve more than one activity. Staff counts are divided among the activities in proportion to the declared full-time equivalent for each activity. This results in counts of full person equivalents. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Staff Record.

Thermal Insulation: Training Mr Prisk [holding answer 6 February 2012]: UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) will support a road show Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for event for the agri-food sector at the Foodex trade fair at Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions his the NEC Birmingham, 25-27 March. UKTI is working Department has had with the Department for Energy on the programme for further road show events next and Climate Change on re-training cavity wall and loft financial year (from 1 April 2012). The dates and locations engineers to provide solid wall insulation. [94140] of these will be agreed with industry and government partners. Mr Prisk: Officials from this Department meet officials from the Department for Energy and Climate Change UK Trade and Investment: Visits Abroad on a regular basis to discuss the Government’s green growth agenda, including re-training cavity wall and Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, loft insulation operatives and others to meet the anticipated Innovation and Skills how many (a) UK Trade and demand for solid wall insulation. In December we Investment staff and (b) Ministers in his Department announced that Government funding is available for the attended the recent World Economic Trade and Investment training of up to 1,000 Green Deal apprentices, as part Forum in Davos. [93365] of plans to insulate the UK’s homes and businesses. Apprenticeships such as these offer the perfect training Mr Prisk: No UK Trade & Investment staff or Ministers for creating the skilled workforce we need by providing at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills practical on-the-job training aligned to employers’ needs. attended the World Economic Forum in Davos. The Department for Energy and Climate Change will soon be making an announcement concerning how they are planning to support solid wall installer training. UK Trade and Investment: Exports

Trade Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what staffing, resources Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for and funding UK Trade and Investment have provided Business, Innovation and Skills what the scheduled (a) to support the Driving Export Growth initiative in the dates and (b) locations are for the Explore Export farming, food and drink sector (a) until the end of regional road shows due to start in March 2012. [93583] 2011-12 and (b) in 2012-13. [93585] 401W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 402W

Mr Prisk [holding answer 6 February 2012]: In 2011-12 Gregory Barker: Estimates of biomass electricity UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) had three headquarters- generation will be included in the Government response based staff in London and Glasgow responsible for to the recent consultation on the renewables obligation agri-technology, food and drink as part of their duties. banding review which will be published later this year. A network of international trade advisers with agri-food skills in the English regions and their colleagues in the Boilers: Government Assistance devolved Administrations delivered UKTI export services to their client businesses. UKTI funded visits by overseas Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for commercial officers to the UK and to international Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of trade fairs and Taste of Britain events where they 1 December 2011, Official Report, column 1021W, on advised companies on specific markets. Under the boilers: government assistance, what assessment he has Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) approximately made of the effect of a future boiler scrappage scheme £680,000 will have been used by the end of 2011-12 to on (a) energy efficiency and (b) fuel poverty. [94501] support SMEs exhibiting at agri-food fairs overseas. UKTI has also allocated approximately £100,000 on Gregory Barker: DECC has not undertaken an other agri-food activity such as “meet the buyer” events assessment on the effect of a future boiler scrappage and outward missions in 2011-12. UKTI is considering scheme. However, the evaluation report of the initial staffing and funding for agri-food in 2012-13 under the scheme is publicly available at: business planning process now under way. Additional http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Publications2/Energy- funding from the autumn statement will be made available efficiency/English-Boiler-Scheme-Scrappage-evaluation- to TAP, the biggest support instrument for agri-food, report and the sector can expect to gain from that increase. The Department is carrying out further analysis to determine how best to use the £200 million funds announced in the autumn statement of 29 November 2011, Official Report, columns 799-810, to drive demand for the Green ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Deal—which will support installation of wide range of energy efficiency measures. We will use lessons learnt Biomass from the boiler scrappage scheme where appropriate. The new energy company obligation, in particular Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for the affordable warmth element, will also provide further Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has help for those in fuel poverty. made of the potential role of biomass boilers in helping local authorities reach their carbon emissions Departmental Procurement reduction targets. [91740] Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Gregory Barker: Local authorities do not have carbon and Climate Change which contracts his Department emissions reduction targets. However, the Government has tendered or will tender in 2011-12 which require believe that biomass boilers have an important role to successful organisations to have a capital bond of more play in meeting our renewable energy and climate change than £5 million; which contracts have not required such targets along with a range of other renewable and low a bond; and if he will make a statement. [94937] carbon heating solutions. Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Biofuels Climate Change does not require organisations to have capital bonds for its contracts. All potential suppliers Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for are checked to ensure they have sufficient funds to carry Energy and Climate Change what assessment his out the services of a contract before the contract is let. Department has made of the capacity for domestic wood feedstock to meet the demands of biomass generation Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy in addition to those of UK wood processing industries; and Climate Change what proportion of the total value from which locations his Department expects any further of contracts issued or to be issued by his Department supply to be sourced; what assessment his Department in 2011-12 have required successful organisations to has made of the effect on UK wood processing industries put up a capital bond; and if he will make a statement. of biomass demands for domestic wood feedstocks; and [94915] if he will make a statement. [94377] Gregory Barker: No organisations in 2011-12 have Gregory Barker: The Department is leading a cross- put up a capital bond or been asked to do so. Government UK Bioenergy Strategy considering these issues which we expect to publish in March. We are Departmental Travel discussing our assessments closely with representatives of the wood processing and other industries to ensure Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy we have the fullest possible evidence base. and Climate Change pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 January 2012, Official Report, column Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for 31WS, on cost of ministerial cars, whether his Department Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made has any other arrangements for ministerial travel; and of the energy that will be generated from domestic how much his Department has spent on (a) private hire wood feedstock supplies in each year up to 2020; and if vehicles and (b) taxis for each Minister since May 2010. he will make a statement. [94462] [92825] 403W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 404W

Gregory Barker: The cost incurred by DECC on Balancing costs are system costs that depend on the Ministers travel by using private hire vehicles and taxis technology generation mix and the balancing methods since May 2010 is set out in the following table: used. Estimates of these system costs are not available on a strictly comparable basis to the technology levelised (£) costs above. (a) Cost of private hire Minister vehicles (b) Cost of taxis Analysis by Redpoint consultants (2008) suggests that the additional balancing cost in 2020 per MWh of Secretary of State 9,652.85 3,006 intermittent renewables could be around £8/MWh, and Minister of State for 13,205.62 786.83 that this will vary over time according to the proportion Climate. Change of intermittent renewables on the system2. Minister of State for 5,379.59 1,066.33 1 Energy Arup (2011), “Review of the generation costs and deployment Parliamentary Under 3,246.29 1,808.75 potential of renewable electricity technologies in the UK”, available Secretary of State at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/ Including the costs incurred by the ministerial use of cons_ro_review/cons_ro_review.aspx the Government Car Service, DECC has spent £223,075.68 2 Redpoint/Trilemma (2008), “Implementation of the EU2020 on ministerial domestic car travel in the 21 months since Target in the UK Electricity Sector: Renewables Support Schemes”, May 2010 compared to £303,129.83 during the single available at: financial year April 2009 to March 2010 under the http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/ previous Administration. cons_res/rescon_support/rescon_support.aspx

Electricity Fossil Fuels: Exploration

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for and Climate Change what assessment he has made of Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has the lifetime levelised costs, taking into account the had with the Environment Agency on the regulatory requirement for additional capacity resulting from regime for the toxicity level of chemicals used in intermittency, of electricity generated from (a) onshore hydraulic fracturing. [94514] and (b) offshore wind sources. [93393]

1 Charles Hendry: My officials are in involved in a Charles Hendry: A recent report by Arup consultants , regular dialogue with all of the UK environment agencies, contained current and projected levelised costs for onshore and other key UK regulators, on issues relating to wind and offshore wind, reproduced in the following unconventional gas exploration and hydraulic fracturing. table. Among other things, such discussions have included the Levelised costs of wind technologies chemicals used or proposed for use in Cuadrilla’s hydraulic £/MWh fracturing operations. Financial close 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 Green Deal Onshore >5MW Low 7572716968Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Medium 91 88 86 84 82 and Climate Change what assessment he has made of High 108 105 103 101 99 the effectiveness of the Green Deal. [94779]

Onshore <5MW Gregory Barker: The Green Deal is not yet in place. The Government’s current assessment of the likely Low 8280787675effectiveness of the Green Deal is set out in the Consultation Medium 104 102 99 98 96 Impact Assessment published on the 23 November High 127 125 122 120 118 2011. It is estimated that the preferred option under the consultation proposals will deliver net benefits of £8.7 Offshore Round 2 billion and lead to a total reduction in non-traded Low 149 123 95 87 81 emissions of 114 MtCO2e over the lifetime of the Medium 169 139 107 98 91 policy.The Government are currently considering responses High 191 158 121 111 104 to the consultation, which closed on 18 January, and will publish their response in due course, along with an Offshore Round 3 updated impact assessment. Low n/a 168 127 113 92 The Consultation IA can be found here: Medium n/a 192 145 129 105 http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/green- High n/a 225 170 151 122 deal/3603-green-deal-eco-ia.pdf Source: Arup (2011). Discount rate used is the assumed investment hurdle rate (project IRR required for investment to proceed) for each technology. Local Energy Assessment Fund The levelised costs are calculated on the basis of costs up to and including the first land-based sub-station. In Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy other words, they do not include the balancing costs and Climate Change how many projects in London he relating to intermittent technologies, such as the requirement expects to receive funding from the Local Energy for back-up capacity. Assessment Fund. [94838] 405W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 406W

Gregory Barker: All LEAF winners have now been Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy announced. A list has been published on our website at and Climate Change how many jobs he expects to be http://ceo.decc.gov.uk created in London as a result of the Renewable Heat Incentive. [94811] on a map giving the location and further detail of all the winners. Gregory Barker: The RHI offers a standard tariff to 21 of these projects are located within Greater London. installations, differentiated only by size and technology, which is available to any non-domestic property, unaffected by location. The RHI is expected to deliver 39,000 Natural Gas installations through 2015. This is expected to support a large number of jobs, however DECC is not attempting Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for to quantify the regional impacts of job creation or Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has support caused by the RHI. made of the potential effect of shale gas production on (a) the UK’s carbon reduction targets and (b) carbon Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy leakage. [94471] and Climate Change how many organisations in London he expects to receive support from the Renewable Heat Incentive up to 2015. [94814] Charles Hendry: Emissions from shale gas extraction processes will be determined by the design and conditions Gregory Barker: The RHI offers a standard tariff to of a particular development and no development has installations, differentiated only by size and technology, been proposed for the UK. Provided that good practice which is available to any non-domestic property, unaffected is adhered to, particularly in the control of fugitive by location. As such, DECC is not attempting to estimate emissions of methane, we consider that shale gas should the number of organisations in any given region which have a carbon footprint of the same order as natural gas will receive support up to 2015. In total, DECC’s latest from conventional onshore fields, and significantly lower estimates are that some 39,000 installations will be than that of other hydrocarbon sources including coal. delivered by 2015. We will include shale gas related emissions in the UK greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy The Environment Agency has commissioned a study and Climate Change how much investment in to review monitoring and control practices for fugitive renewable heat in London he estimates will result from methane emissions from unconventional gas, with the the Renewable Heat Incentive up to 2015. [94817] focus being on land-based (rather than off-shore) operations. The review will compare life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions Gregory Barker: The RHI offers a standard tariff to from unconventional and conventional gas extraction, installations, differentiated only by size and technology, and assess what additional monitoring and controls which is available to any non-domestic property, unaffected might be applied to unconventional operations, if necessary, by location. As such, DECC is not estimating the level to minimise fugitive emissions. of investment in any given region up to 2015. In total, DECC’s latest estimates are that some 39,000 installations will be delivered by 2015, within a spending envelope of Renewable Energy: Heating £864 million over the period to 2015. Warm Homes Scheme Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has for the future of the domestic renewable heat premium Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy payment after 1 April 2012. [94084] and Climate Change how many pensioners in London are eligible for the automatic £120 rebate on their energy bills through the Warm Homes Discount. Gregory Barker: An announcement on further support [94837] for renewable heating in the domestic sector will be made shortly. Gregory Barker: Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount Core Group rebate is linked to the type of benefits Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for received. In 2011-12, older people will be eligible for a Energy and Climate Change whether commercial-scale discount of £120 off their electricity bill if on the air source heat pumps will be eligible for the renewable qualifying date of 11 September 2011: heat incentive by October 2012. [94413] they were in receipt of the guarantee credit element of pension credit only; and Gregory Barker: DECC is considering the inclusion they (or their partner) were named on their electricity bill; and of air source heat pumps for RHI support. Officials they received their electricity from a supplier participating in have been working with the heat pump industry with the scheme. the aim of addressing the issues which had previously 167,290 pensioners were in receipt of pension credit prevented support for these technologies in the RHI. guarantee credit only in the London region in May 2011 We are reviewing the timetable for introducing further (the latest available data). We expect that many of these support for renewable heat which means I cannot provide pensioners will meet the other requirements set out exact confirmation of the schedule at the present time, above and be eligible for the Warm Home Discount but DECC will be making an announcement on timings Core Group rebate. The majority of those eligible will in the near future. receive the discount automatically, although some will 407W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 408W need to claim. All those who are or may be eligible will Throughout the procurement and planning process receive a letter from Government before the end of for bus and coach services to transport athletes, officials February 2012. and other members of the Games Family, LOCOG In addition to the Core Group, pensioner households received assurances from its contractors that they can may also benefit from assistance with their energy bills provide the level of resources contracted without impacting through the Broader Group and legacy spending elements their existing day to day operations elsewhere in the of the Warm Home Discount scheme. country, in particular registered bus services. Transport for London (TFL) published, in December 2011, its plans for temporary changes to bus services in London. These maintain London’s current comprehensive TRANSPORT network during the Games while accommodating temporary changes to the road network and enhancing capacity where appropriate to meet increased demand. Aviation: Iraq Departmental Food Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her officials plan to visit Iraq to discuss direct flights between Iraq and the UK; and Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for when any such visits will take place. [93034] Transport what proportion of food purchased by her Department was produced in the UK in each of the Mike Penning: Officials from the Department plan to last five years. [93726] visit Iraq soon to discuss with the Iraqi authorities the possibility of direct flights. Norman Baker: Between 2007 and 2010 DEFRA published three annual reports on food procurement Blue Badge Scheme: Cumbria which covered the period April 2006 to March 2009. The final one of this series is available at Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/policy/publicsectorfood/ Transport how many Blue Badge permits for disabled documents/100226-food-proc-initiative.pdf drivers have been issued in Westmorland and Lonsdale A summary of all three years is on page 4 of this constituency in each of the last five years. [94444] document. The data for year 4 was not captured by the Department. Norman Baker: Figures are not held by parliamentary For year 5, the available information from across the constituency. Figures are available at local authority Department is as follows: level for the last three years and the data for Cumbria are shown in the following table: For DFT(c) over the last 12 months, 70% of food purchased, through its food and catering services contractor, was produced in the UK. Total number of Blue Badges issued in Cumbria For the period 1 September 2011 to 31 January 2012, 54% of food purchased by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) through 2008-09 11,823 its food and catering services contractor was produced in the UK. 2009-10 11,482 The Highways Agency (HA) procures food via its Facilities 2010-11 11,539 Management contract. The contractor does not report this data to the Department. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) procures Bus Services: Olympic Games 2012 food through a PFI contract that has been in place since 29 March 2005. The contractor does not report this data to the Department. Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) does not have a Transport what measures are in place to ensure that significant spend on food and does not capture this data. any additional buses required in London for the The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has not London 2012 Olympics do not affect bus services had any on-site catering facilities since 2009. elsewhere in the country; and what estimate she has The Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) have not made of the number of buses which will be displaced purchased any food in the last two years. during the Olympics for such purposes. [94078] The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) does not record the requested information centrally. Mike Penning: No displacement of buses from elsewhere in the country is expected. The Olympic Delivery Authority Departmental Public Expenditure (ODA) and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) recognise the need to ensure that people’s daily bus services are not adversely impacted Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for by the requirements for the London 2012 Olympic and Transport what steps her Department plans to take to Paralympics Games. encourage private sector capital investment in its As part of the procurement for spectator bus and infrastructure investment programme. [93155] coach services to provide the park and ride and rail shuttles and direct services to some venues, ODA awarded Norman Baker: The Department for Transport (DFT) the tender to a bus operator who showed that there investment programme includes projects in procurement would be no adverse impact on their existing operations that are estimated to attract £6 billion in capital investments elsewhere in the country. from private sector capital investment. 409W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 410W

DFT is working with Infrastructure UK on developing Heathrow Airport an integrated view of future investment by identifying and prioritising pipeline infrastructure projects. Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Infrastructure UK, alongside DFT, will work closely Transport what operational freedoms her Department with developers and funders in order to stimulate increased is considering in respect of Heathrow airport. [93518] private sector investment in transport infrastructure projects. Mike Penning: Two measures are being considered DFT has also started work on reforming Rail under the current operational freedoms trial at Heathrow: Refranchising in order to attract increased private sector the more flexible use of tactically enhanced arrivals investment to deliver improvements to the railways. measures (TEAM) and the use of tactically enhanced departures measures (TEDM). Further details can be found at: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency http://www.heathrowairport.com/noise Once assessed, the results of the trial will form the basis Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for for a consultation with local communities which will Transport pursuant to the answer of 16 January 2012, inform the Government’s decision on whether an Official Report, column 476W, on Driver and Vehicle operational freedoms regime should be adopted at Licensing Agency, when she plans to publish the results Heathrow on a more permanent basis. of the consultation; and which organisations in Scotland have been consulted. [94516] Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions (a) she and (b) her Mike Penning: We aim to publish a summary of officials have had with BAA on the introduction of responses and announce our future plans as soon as mixed mode at Heathrow airport. [93519] possible after the consultation has closed and analysis has been completed. Mrs Villiers: None. As stated in a written ministerial Key stakeholders have been invited to participate in statement on 7 September 2010, Official Report, the consultation, including the Scottish Government columns 13-14WS, the Government remain firmly and police forces, courts and local authorities in Scotland. committed to runway alternation and will not be reviving The Scottish Motor Trade Association is also being the plans for mixed mode considered by Ministers in the consulted as part of the wider programme of stakeholder previous Government. engagement. Additionally, the most frequent customers High Speed 2 of each local office have also been asked to give their views. These include a cross section of Scottish businesses involved in the motor trade. Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether she has plans for the future Responses have already, been received from individuals mutualisation of High Speed Two Limited. [94093] and businesses using the five local offices in Scotland. Justine Greening: The Government will explore all the potential options available for long-term ownership Driving: Older People of HS2 in order to provide the best value to the taxpayer. No decisions on the long-term ownership of HS2 have Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for been made at this stage. Transport whether her Department has assessed the efficacy of (a) self-assessment and (b) the use of a Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for compulsory medical assessment to determine the Transport whether compulsory purchase orders served fitness to drive of older people. [93829] as a result of the High Speed 2 project will proceed in the event of a change of route. [94400] Mike Penning: No formal assessment has been undertaken by the Department, on the efficacy of self- Justine Greening: No, as the Government would not assessment or the use of compulsory medical reviews to use compulsory purchase powers unnecessarily. determine the fitness to drive of older people, independent research and recent publications on the elderly and High Speed Trains: Scotland driving, report that there is no evidence that greater intervention had a positive effect on older driver road Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for safety. Transport pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2012, Each year around 70,000 medical investigations result Official Report, column 916W, on high speed trains: from self declaration at age 70 and over. For those who Scotland, what estimate she has made of the additional declare that they have a medical condition, medical capacity for freight which will arise on the West Coast reports and appropriate medical and driving assessments Main Line as a result of High Speed 2; and what are used to determine fitness to drive. discussions she has had with rail operators on such estimates. [94517] The declaration of whether a medical condition affecting driving fitness is present including confirmation that a Justine Greening: The recent Network Rail and Passenger number plate can be read from the appropriate distance, Focus report, “Future Priorities for the West Coast has proven to be effective. Main Line: Released Capacity From a New High Speed The current medical licensing regime supports Great Line”, notes that HS2 is likely to enable in full the Britain having some of the safest roads in the world. forecast growth in rail freight on the southern section of 411W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 412W the West Coast Main Line (WCML). This is currently The Highway Agency audit included recommendations the busiest and. Most congested section of the WCML, that have been developed into an action plan, which is for both freight and passengers, and effectively acts as a currently on programme for completion before the end bottleneck on the level of freight services that can run of spring 2012. through to the northern sections of the line. The second phase of HS2 (the lines from the West M25 Midlands to Leeds and Manchester) will relieve the further freight capacity constraints in relation to traffic Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to the North West. with reference to the recommendations of the Report Network Rail is currently investigating options for by the National Audit Office on Procurement of the enhancing the capacity of the WCML north of Preston M25 private finance contract, what progress has been for potential delivery between 2014 and 2019 in order to made on (a) the development of a strategy for managing meet the current forecasts for increases in rail freight the risks of introducing demand management on the demand. M25 by 30 July 2011 and (b) implementing demand A number of rail freight operators and organisations management measures on the M25. [94388] responded to the recent HS2 consultation. Mike Penning: The National Audit Office Report on Large Goods Vehicles procurement of the M25 private finance contract was considered by the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts (CPA) in December 2010. The Department Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for of Transport and the Highways Agency gave evidence Transport pursuant to the answer of 31 January 2012, at that hearing. The resulting CPA report did not Official Report, column 566W, on large goods vehicles, recommend the production of a strategy to manage the which local authorities her Department has answered risks of introducing demand management measures. questions from regarding large goods vehicles trials. The benefits of the current widening of the M25 are [94803] not dependent on demand management techniques being implemented. Since 2009, widening of the M25 has Mike Penning: The Department has answered questions been limited to dual four lanes, and once the current from South Gloucestershire council and from Banwell widening schemes between junctions 16 to 23 and 27 to parish council, and has agreed to meet representatives 30 are completed a total of 35 miles of M25 will have of Bath and North East Somerset council. been widened. Subject to statutory processes all 35 miles will incorporate mandatory variable speed limits. London Olympics 2012 Work is programmed to start upgrading a further 27.4 miles of the M25 by 2015 by managed motorway techniques, which incorporate similar variable mandatory Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport speed limits. how many invitations to attend events at the London 2012 Olympics (a) she, (b) other Ministers in her Department and (c) senior officials in her Department Maritime and Coastguard Agency have accepted; and if she will make a statement. [93627] Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for Mike Penning: Ministers and senior officials in the Transport when she expects the Maritime and Coastguard Department for Transport have not accepted any invitations Agency to revise its national contingency plans to reflect to attend events during the London 2012 Olympics. the removal of emergency towing vessels and Maritime Details of hospitality received by Ministers and special Incident Response Group services; and whether she has advisers and the most senior officials are published on a any plans to test the revised arrangements in the Southwest quarterly basis and will be available for July-September Approaches. [93055] 2012 in due course. Mike Penning: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is about to undertake a major review of the National M1: Fires Contingency Plan (NCP) for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore installations. Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for This review will reflect the findings and recommendations Transport when her Department will publish the report arising from: the Deep Water Horizon Incident in the into the scrap yard fire that caused disruption on the Gulf of Mexico; those of the Oil Spill Prevention and M1 in April 2011. [93395] Response Advisory Group (OSPRAG); those emergent from Exercise SULA; and those of the UK Oil and Gas Mike Penning: The investigation and subsequent criminal Regulatory Review. The reviewed document is expected proceedings following the M1 Deans Brook Viaduct to be issued in the latter part of 2012 once all stakeholders fire are the responsibility of the Metropolitan police have had the opportunity to provide input and comment. and Crown Prosecution Service. Following withdrawal of the emergency towing vessels, As a result of the fire, the Highways Agency and the responsibilities for the provision of towage in the Network Rail carried out audits to categorise potential waters around the UK will also form part of this review. sources of fire risk from third party activities at other Similarly, the ending of the Maritime Incident Response critical locations beneath, or adjacent to, their respective Group (MIRG) as part of the UK’s incident response networks. toolbox will be reflected in the new NCP. 413W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 414W

There are currently no specific plans designed to test Licensing Agency operated one roadside tax disc check towage provision or previously undertaken MIRG response using one of its automated number plate recognition activity for the south-west. However, the NCP review vehicles in the London borough of Bexley. will address national exercising arrangements across all levels of emergency incident response, from that deemed Public Transport: Finance as a local area responsibility (Tier 1) through those requiring a wider regional response (Tier 2) and finally, Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for to those warranting the whole range of national engagement Transport what proportion of the funding announced (Tier 3). Where appropriate a variety and combination in the autumn statement to limit rail and Transport for of incident response activities will be programmed and London fare increases will be spent on (a) Transport undertaken which best test our capabilities across the for London services, (b) London and South East rail waters of the UK. services, (c) regional rail services and (d) inter-city rail The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has services. [94314] made arrangements for shipping to be alerted in the areas affected. The relevant coastguard co-ordination Mike Penning: As part of the autumn statement of 29 centres are actively monitoring shipping using the automatic November 2011, Official Report, columns 799-810, the identification system (AIS) and will be proactive in Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that an additional contacting ships that are observed to be stopped at sea £136 million would be provided, under the GLA Transport or behaving erratically. Coastguards will monitor tug Grant, to Transport for London. availability in the waters around the UK and will encourage This was part of the Government funding package ship masters, owners and their insurers to take early which limited the increase to regulated rail and Transport action to summon tug assistance should ships get into for London fares in January 2012 to the retail prices difficulty or become disabled. Coastguards will also index plus 1%. advise the principal salvage and towage brokers about the existence of a disabled vessel so that they can match Under devolution it is for the Mayor of London to market capabilities with demand. decide transport priorities in London and to allocate his budget (including the grant funding received from Additionally, Her Majesty’s Coastguard has longstanding the Department) accordingly. Decisions about where to arrangements with ports, harbours and tug brokers for spend this additional money will therefore be for the the supply of tugs in an emergency situation using the directly elected Mayor and not the Government. Coastguard Agreement for Salvage and Towing (CAST). The CAST establishes pre-agreed terms for the hire Railways: Tickets of tugs which, subject to availability, can be engaged to assist vessels that get into difficulty or which are disabled. Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for This helps to provide tug assistance of last resort, with Transport how much funding her Department has provided the cost being borne by Government. It also serves to to (a) Transport for London and (b) train operating provide the Secretary of State’s Representative—SOSREP, companies in the South East for the implementation of with the means to exercise his powers of direction and smartcard ticketing in each of the last five years; and intervention on maritime salvage. how much funding her Department has provided in (A) Passenger Transport Executive areas, (B) Bristol and (C) Nottingham in each of the last five years. [94117] Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties Norman Baker: Funding has been provided to TFL Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for to ensure that the London Oyster estate is equipped Transport how many Driver and Vehicle Licensing with the capability to read and accept ITSO products. Agency roadside tax disc checks there in Kent in each The Department does not directly finance train operating of the last five years; and how many drivers have been companies for the implementation of smart ticketing. prosecuted as a result of such checks. [94287] The Department provided a smartcard grant of £1.11 million in each of the financial years 2009-10 and Mike Penning: The information requested is not readily 2010-11 to each of the passenger transport executives available and would incur disproportionate costs to (PTEs) and to Bristol and Nottingham. gather. However, during 2011, the Driver and Vehicle The Department for Transport provided £31 million Licensing Agency operated 84 roadside tax disc checks of grant to English local authorities in 2007-08 for the using its automated number plate recognition vehicles cost of producing and issuing the new England-wide in Kent. bus passes. Of this, PTEs received £9.44 million, Bristol unitary authority £0.29 million and Nottingham unitary Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for authority £0.25 million. Transport how many Driver and Vehicle Licensing Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of funding Agency roadside tax disc checks there have been in the provided. London borough of Bexley in each of the last five Table 1 years; and how many drivers were prosecuted as a £ million result of such checks. [94411] (a) Transport for London (b) Train operating companies

2010-11 32.19 0 Mike Penning: The information requested is not readily 2009-10 10.40 0 available and would incur disproportionate costs to 2008-09 0 0 gather. However, during 2011, the Driver and Vehicle 415W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 416W

Table 1 Roads: Accidents £ million (a) Transport for London (b) Train operating companies Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for 2007-08 0 0 Transport how many fatal road accidents involved 2006-07 0 0 drivers (a) under 25 years, (b) under the influence of Table 2 alcohol, (c) using hand-held mobile telephones and £ million (d) who passed their driving test in the 12 months (A) PTEs (B) Bristol (C) Nottingham preceding the accident in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in each of the last five years. [94443] 2010-11 6.66 1.11 1.11 2009-10 6.66 1.11 1.11 Mike Penning: The information requested on item 2008-09 0 0 0 (a) is detailed in the following table: 2007-08 9.44 0.29 0.25 2006-07 0 0 0 (a) Number of reported fatal road accidents involving drivers under 25 in the Westmorland and Lonsdale1 parliamentary constituency 2006-10 Regional Airports Number of accidents Westmorland and Lonsdale1 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department is taking to Fatal accidents 32101 involving driver ensure the long-term sustainability of (a) Blackpool under 25 airport and (b) other regional airports. [94141] 1 Based on 2010 parliamentary boundaries. Mike Penning: We recognise the vital contribution Information relating to items (b), (c) and (d) is not regional airports make to local economies. The Government available at parliamentary constituency level. However are currently developing a sustainable framework for the Department does collect information on factors UK aviation which will support economic growth and contributing to road accidents, which is available at address aviation’s environmental impacts. We will publish regional level. The relevant figures for north-west region the framework for consultation in March 2012. are given in following table:

Number of reported fatal road accidents1 in the former north-west Government office region by contributory factor 2006-10 Number of accidents Contributory factor reported in accident 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

(b) Driver impaired by alcohol 34 24 24 21 13 (c) Driver using mobile phone 25100 (d) Learner or inexperienced driver/rider 88984 1 Includes only accidents where a police officer attended the scene and in which a contributory factor was reported.

The contributory factors reflect the reporting officer’s Capital: opinion at the time of reporting and are not necessarily http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/ the result of extensive investigation. Moreover it is statistics/capitallocaldata201011 recognised that subsequent inquires could lead to the reporting officer changing his opinion. It is important We do not hold these data per head of population by to note where some factors may have contributed to a local authority. cause of an accident it may be difficult for a police However, the following table provides data on total officer attending the scene after the accident has occurred road maintenance expenditure in England on an annual to identify these factors. basis, including per head of population. This does not provide a breakdown of expenditure by each individual local highway authority as the Department for Transport Roads: Repairs and Maintenance does not hold these data. The grant formula and distribution of this funding are the responsibility of the Department for Communities and Local Government. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Table 1: Maintenance expenditure1 on local authority managed roads, England: Transport what estimate she has made of expenditure 1996-97 to 2009-10 by each local authority (a) overall and (b) per head of £ million at 2009-10 prices population on road maintenance in each of the last 10 Treatment years. [92907] Routine per Population Road class Structural and other Total capita estimate2

Norman Baker: The Department for Communities Non-trunk and Local Government publishes overall local authority roads data on expenditure by service, which includes categories 1996-97 1,210.6 1,171.1 2,381.6 49.1 48,519,100 on road maintenance. The raw data for 2010-11 is 1997-98 1,091.1 1,080.3 2,171.4 44.6 48,664,800 available at: 1998-99 997.8 1,107.4 2,105.2 43.1 48,820,600 1999-2000 1,296.5 925.3 2,221.8 45.3 49,032,900 Revenue: 2000-01 1,503.5 849.1 2,352.6 47.8 49,233,300 http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/ 2001-02 1,740.8 928.7 2,669.6 54.0 49,449,700 statistics/revenue201011localdata 2002-03 1,837.0 962.8 2,799.8 56.4 49,649,100 417W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 418W

Table 1: Maintenance expenditure1 on local authority managed roads, England: Transport: Finance 1996-97 to 2009-10 £ million at 2009-10 prices Treatment Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Routine per Population Transport what proportion of her Department’s integrated Road class Structural and other Total capita estimate2 transport block and highways maintenance grants she has allocated to (a) integrated transport authorities, 2003-04 1,860.1 1,038.9 2,899.0 58.1 49,863,300 (b) shire counties and (c) unitary authorities in 2011-12. 2004-05 2,003.0 1,080.8 3,083.8 61.5 50,109,700 [94313] 2005-06 1,943.3 1,136.9 3,080.3 61.0 50,466,200 2006-07 1,842.5 1,118.0 2,960.4 58.3 50,763,900 2007-08 1,792.0 1,212.7 3,004.7 58.8 51,106,200 Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has 2008-09 1,762.4 848.6 2,611.0 50.7 51,464,600 published tables on its website providing information 2009-10 1,984.4 1,174.9 3,159.4 61.0 51,809,700 on how much local transport capital funding has been 1 Includes expenditure on bridges. allocated for integrated Transport and Highways 2 Population estimates for the first year of the financial years (e.g. data for Maintenance Block grants in financial year 2011-12 for mid-2007 is presented for 2007-08). (a) integrated transport authorities, (b) shire counties Source: Department Communities and Local Government LA Outturn, ONS and (c) unitary authorities. These are available at: Population Estimates http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/local-transport-capital- block-funding/block-capital-grants-2011-2012.pdf Further details were published following the additional Severn River Crossing £50 million allocated to the Integrated Transport Block grant, as announced in the autumn statement of Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for 29 November 2011, Official Report, columns 799-810. Transport with reference to the Severn Bridges Act http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/local-transport-capital- 1992 Account 2010-11, what estimate she has made of block-funding/top-up-allocation-data.pdf the date on which the Severn Bridges concession will expire; and what discussions she has had on the ownership of the bridges after that date. [94599] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Mike Penning: The concession will end when a defined sum is collected from the tolls, currently set at £995.83 million in July 1989 prices. The end date is variable due Constitutions: Reform to the unpredictability of traffic flows and other factors. At present, we estimate that the concession on the Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Deputy Prime Severn Crossing will expire in 2017. However, we are Minister if he will establish a commission to consider currently negotiating with the concessionaire over how constitutional reform. [94975] changes to the tax regime in 2007 should be handled under the concession agreement, and the projected date Mr Harper: The Government have established a of expiration may change as a result. Commission on Devolution in Wales, led by Paul Silk, No decisions have been taken on the future of the which is looking at the case for devolving fiscal powers Crossing; officials meet regularly with the Welsh and will review the powers of the National Assembly Government, and are in communication over alternative for Wales in general, recommending modifications to post-2017 scenarios. improve the present constitutional arrangements. The Government have also established a Commission on the consequences of devolution for the House of Speed Limits: Schools Commons, led by Sir William McKay, to consider how the House of Commons might deal with legislation Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for which affects only part of the United Kingdom, following Transport what recent discussions her Department has the devolution of certain legislative powers to the Scottish had with Lancashire County Council on variable 20 Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the mph speed limits outside schools. [94543] National Assembly for Wales. The Government have no current plans for any further commissions into Norman Baker: My officials have had various discussions constitutional reforms. with officials in Lancashire county council on this subject between April 2011 and January 2012. West Lothian Question In October 2011, the Department for Transport issued a national authorisation to all local authorities (including Miss McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister Lancashire) which permitted them to erect traffic signs what recent progress he has made on the West Lothian to indicate advisory part-time 20 mph speed limits question; and if he will make a statement. [94616] without further reference to the Department. Authorities may continue to apply to the Department for authorisations Mr Harper: I made a written ministerial statement on to permit the erection of signing to indicate mandatory 17 January 2012, Official Report, columns 35-36WS, on part-time 20 mph speed limits. the establishment of the Commission on the consequences An authorisation for the use of the signs to indicate a of devolution for the House of Commons. The Commission mandatory part-time speed limit at 12 school sites was will begin its work this month and is due to report issued to the council in January 2012. during the next parliamentary Session. 419W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 420W

HEALTH Eating Disorders

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Ambulance Services: Greater London (1) what Government guidelines his Department publishes for the (a) treatment of eating disorders and Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (b) prevention of eating disorders; and what targets on how many occasions the response time by the exist in respect of such conditions; [94129] London Ambulance Service to an emergency call has (2) what his Department’s total budget for been over nine minutes in (a) the London borough of prevention of eating disorders was in (a) 2010-11 and Bromley and (b) London in the last six months. (b) 2011-12. [94132] [94286] Paul Burstow: This Government take the issue of Mr Simon Burns: This information is not centrally eating disorders, especially among young people, very held. My hon. Friend may wish to approach the chief seriously. executive of the London Ambulance Service. NICE guidance, ‘Eating disorders: Core interventions in the treatment and management of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa arid related eating disorders’ was published Cancer in 2004 and is due for review in January 2014. Early intervention is essential for those with eating disorders Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for and we have been clear that general practitioners are Health what estimate he has made of the level of expected to use NICE guidance when choosing the investment made in the Clatterbridge Centre for most appropriate treatments, from physical and Oncology’s proposed satellite centre. [94052] psychological treatments to medicines. There are no specific targets in respect of the prevention Paul Burstow: Decisions about the provision of local of eating disorders, nor has the Department set aside a health services, including cancer services, are a matter specific budget. The Government Equalities Office have for the local national health service. As such, no assessment begun a campaign which aims to reduce the burdens has been made by the Department. that popular culture places on an individual’s well-being A number of proposals are in development following and self-esteem. The Government have convened a group an independent review of the future configuration of of experts to identify non-legislative solutions to tackling cancer services in the Liverpool area, commissioned by low levels of body confidence. This includes representatives the Merseyside and Cheshire NHS Cancer Network on from health care, fashion, beauty, media, advertising, behalf of the Merseyside and Cheshire primary care and the voluntary sector. trusts. Gynaecology: Medical Treatments The outline business case for the proposals is at an early stage. Investment figures will be identified through Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the development of the business case. Health (1) with reference to his proposals for reform of the NHS, how he proposes that the NHS Commissioning Board will ensure that Clinical Commissioning Groups Dementia: Research (a) follow the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guidance and (b) ensure that women Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health have access to Uterine Artery Embolisation as a first-line how much funding was provided for medical research treatment for symptomatic fibroids where clinically into dementia in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) appropriate; [94081] 2010-11; and what proportion of the health research (2) how he proposes that the NHS Commissioning budget this represented in each year. [94406] Board will ensure that Clinical Commissioning Groups commission appropriate treatment options for women Mr Simon Burns: Dementia is a research priority for with symptomatic fibroids including minimally invasive the Government. Through the National Institute for procedures such as Uterine Artery Embolisation. Health Research and the Policy Research Programme, [94083] the Department funds a wide range of research on dementia including research on causes, diagnosis, treatment, Mr Simon Burns: The National Institute for Health and organisation and delivery of health and social care and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published guidance services. The amount spent by the Department on dementia on the safety and efficacy, of Uterine Artery Embolisation research in the years from 2008-09 to 2010-11, and the for fibroids through its interventional procedures proportion of the Department’s central research and programme. NICE interventional procedures guidance development revenue budgets this represented, is shown makes recommendations on whether procedures are in the following table: sufficiently safe and efficacious for use in clinical practice, but does not provide guidance on whether they represent Proportion a clinically and cost-effective use of national health Spend (£ million) (percentage) service resources. 2008-09 18.4 2.2 Subject to the passage of the Health and Social Care 2009-10 12.7 1.4 Bill, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 2010-11 18.6 1.9 (NICE) will be established and will publish a range of evidence-based products providing advice and guidance 421W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 422W for the NHS on the promotion of good health and of ill health or following injury’ an area for improvement prevention of ill health. The Government have committed is “preventing lower respiratory tract infections (LRU) to ensuring that NHS commissioners will continue to in children from becoming serious. 3.2 Emergency be required to make funding available for drugs and admissions for children with LRU”. treatments recommended by NICE technology appraisals. On 26 January 2012 the Secretary of State for Health, NICE’S other advice and guidance will be a valuable my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire source of advice for local commissioners in their decision- (Mr Lansley), announced the development of the Children making. and Young People’s Health Outcomes Strategy. The The NHS Commissioning Board will be able to strategy will seek to ensure that the outcomes measured support implementation of NICE guidance by clinical are the ones that matter most to children, young people commissioning groups through commissioning guidance. and their families and the professionals that support them, and set out how different parts of the system will Health Services: Bolton contribute to delivery of these outcomes.

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Hospital Wards: Inspections Health what his estimate is of the costs of NHS reorganisation in (a) Bolton and (b) Bolton South East constituency. [94137] Michael Ellis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he plans to implement the Government’s proposals that local people should inspect hospital wards; and Mr Simon Burns: The impact assessment, published how his Department will ensure that balanced and alongside the Health and Social Care Bill in January informed conclusions are made by such people. [94298] 2011 and republished when the Bill was introduced into the House of Lords in September, estimated the cost of the NHS modernisation to be £1.2 to £1.3 billion. This Mr Simon Burns: Formal governance arrangements upfront cost will be more than recouped as a result of for the new patient-led inspections are being established. the associated cost-savings by the end of 2012-13. The The new inspections will have patients’ views at their saving of the modernisation will be £4.5 billion over the heart from concept to delivery. Most importantly, patients lifetime of this Parliament, and £1.5 billion per year and their representatives will drive the development of from 2014-15 onwards. the new system, under the auspices of the National Quality Board, and a Department steering group. The Department has not estimated a regional breakdown of these figures, as these will depend on local decisions. The Department will be working closely with patient representative groups to ensure the involvement of patients A copy of the impact assessment has already been at all stages, including development of the system, the placed in the Library. inspection process and the validation of inspections. Local Involvement Networks, Local HealthWatch and Health Services: Young People HealthWatch England will also play a pivotal role during all stages of the project delivery to ensure the new Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health system remains focused, and provides an informed view. for what reasons the number of people under the age of To ensure that the new inspection process delivers a 18 being treated by NHS hospitals rose between 2010 balanced and informed conclusion, the Department and 2011. [94054] will use lessons learned from existing inspections of the hospital environment, alongside extensive stakeholder Anne Milton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I engagement. Training and ongoing support will also be gave her on 20 December 2011, Official Report, provided. columns 1145-47W. We are advised that the overall increases in finished Infant Mortality admission episodes (FAE) and accident and emergency (A&E) attendances for people under the age of 18 are not statistically significant. However, in both cases the Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for major identifiable causes of increase are respiratory Health if he will fund impartial support and guidance conditions. FAE for respiratory disease increased from for parents bereaved by sudden infant death. [94395] 124,558 in the period January to August 2010 to 134,339 in the same period in 2011, an increase of 9,781 FAE Anne Milton: In the sad circumstances of sudden (51% of the total increase in FAE). A&E attendances infant death, bereaved parents should receive advice for respiratory conditions increased from 77,706 in the from health professionals such as their general practitioner period January to August 2010 to 90,506 in the same who will direct them to the appropriate services, which period in 2011, an increase of 12,800 A&E attendances local national health service organisations are responsible (10% of total increase in A&E attendances). The single for commissioning. largest increase in A&E attendances was attributed to The NHS Choices website also provides information ‘Diagnosis not classifiable’ which represented 56% of and advice on reducing the risk of sudden infant death.. the total increase in attendances. It contains information on coping with bereavement We accept that the care of children and young people and sign posts parents to organisations that can offer with respiratory conditions is an area for improvement support and advice. Details can be found at: and is recognised as such in the NHS Outcomes Framework www.nhs.uk/conditions/Sudden-infant-death-syndrome/ 2012-13. Under ‘Helping people to recover from episodes Pages/Introduction.aspx 423W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 424W

The Department and Foundation for the Study of is estimated to be spent on them in 2011-12; and how Infant Deaths jointly published the leaflet on “Reducing much the Government intends to spend on them in (a) the risk of cot death”. This leaflet is currently out of 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14. [94205] stock, however, its contents will be reviewed and further copies will be printed as part of the Start4Life programme. Mr Simon Burns: As a first step in estimating future The leaflet provides parents with practical tips for reducing grants to local authorities (LAs) for their proposed new death rather than bereavement support. public health responsibilities, the Department carried out analysis to provide a better understanding of primary NHS Trusts: Private Patients care trust current spend on public health. Based on this analysis, public health spending in Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010-11 was estimated to be £5 billion, and an estimated Health what the private patient income was for each £5.1 billion for 2011-12. The Department estimates that NHS trust in (a) cash terms and (b) as a percentage of during 2012-13 the national health service will spend that trust’s total patient-related income in 2002-03; and £5.2 billion on public health services, of which £2.2 billion what the total private patient income for each NHS will in future fall to LAs for their new public health trust and foundation trust was in each subsequent responsibilities. Actual allocations for 2013-14 for LAs financial year in (i) cash terms and (ii) as a proportion for public health will be announced before the end of of that trust’s total patient-related income in that year. 2012 and for the first time these will be ring-fenced. [93330] Work is continuing to determine public health allocations for the NHS Commissioning Board and Public Health Mr Simon Burns: This information is not held centrally. England for 2013-14. Organs: Donors NHS: Finance Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many successful organ transplant operations took (1) what funding local authorities in England will receive place in (a) Cumbria, (b) the North West and (c) for public health services in 2012-13 and 2013-14; and England in each of the last five years. [94448] how much of the funding will be ring-fenced; [94203] (2) what the cost to the public purse was of providing Anne Milton: The number of organ transplants is public health services in England in 2010-11; how much provided in the following tables.

Table 1: Organ transplants performed in the United Kingdom on Cumbrian residents in the last five years, 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2011, by type of transplant and year Year of transplant Type of transplant 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Deceased donor kidney 14 9 17 8 8 Living donor kidney 44886 Kidney/pancreas 10010 Pancreas 00100 Heart 12220 Deceased donor single lung 01102 Deceased donor double lung 00012 Heart/lung 10000 Deceased donor liver (including domino) 43625 Deceased donor liver lobe 00210 Living donor liver lobe 10000 Total 2619372323 Note: There are no transplant centres in Cumbria, the table is based on Cumbrian residents who have received transplants at transplant centres elsewhere in the UK. Source: NHS Blood and Transplant Table 2: Organ transplants performed in the UK on North West residents in the last five years, 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2011, by type of transplant and year Year of transplant Type of transplant 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Deceased donor kidney 113 137 146 169 171 Living donor kidney 71 79 85 104 103 Kidney/pancreas 17 12 11 6 16 Pancreas 48832 Pancreas islets 00012 Heart 14 14 13 15 17 Deceased donor single lung 88637 Deceased donor double lung. 10 7 14 14 16 Heart/lung 10001 Deceased donor liver (including domino) 51 38 56 60 52 Deceased donor liver lobe 4 8 8 14 2 Living donor liver lobe 13025 425W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 426W

Table 2: Organ transplants performed in the UK on North West residents in the last five years, 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2011, by type of transplant and year Year of transplant Type of transplant 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Othermultiorgan 11211 Total 295 315 349 392 395 Source: NHS Blood and Transplant Table 3: Organ transplants performed in the UK for English residents in the last five years, 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2011, by type of transplant and year Year of transplant Type of transplant 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Deceased donor kidney 996 1,144 1,195 1,270 1,277 Living donor kidney 688 796 857 866 851 Kidney/pancreas 153 134 133 131 138 Pancreas 42 48 44 35 30 Pancreas islets 1 2 8 11 19 Heart 105 105 115 97 109 Deceased donor single lung 24 24 29 21 32 Deceased donor double lung 76 85 95 106 123 Living donor lung 10000 Heart/lung 74334 Deceased donor liver (including domino) 406 411 425 440 465 Deceased donor liver lobe 73 98 75 91 73 Living donor liver lobe 8 12 8 6 13 Other multi organ 12 21 18 12 23 Total 2,592 2,884 3,005 3,089 3,157 Source: NHS Blood and Transplant

Prostate Cancer: Drugs The Skills for Care framework for Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) recognise that NQSWs need a range of support at different stages of their careers. David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for They need: Health what recent discussions he has had with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Support to build on the expertise and knowledge they, have developed on. qualifying programmes and how to apply this to a on the use of abiraterone in the NHS. [94625] practice setting as a qualified worker; Good quality induction to the profession and to their organisation; Mr Simon Burns: We have had no such discussions. Access to the correct type and level of quality supervision; and The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence A structured process of continued professional development (NICE) is an independent body and its technology which supports them to develop their career beyond the first year appraisal guidance is based on the best available evidence in practice and to meet registration and post-registration training and is developed through consultation with stakeholders. and learning requirements. NICE is currently carrying out two technology appraisals It also recognises that managers need support so that of abiraterone and recently published initial draft guidance they can provide the most appropriate environment for consultation on the use of abiraterone for castration- possible for NQSWs and, in particular, meet their resistant metastatic prostate cancer previously treated supervision and ongoing development needs. with a docetaxel-containing regimen. Social Services: Expenditure Social Services Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the change has been in the proportion of gross Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health current social services expenditure on (1) meals for (1) what steps he is taking to support newly qualified people aged over 65 by each local authority in the social workers to find employment relevant to their period from 2001-02 to 2010-11; [94656] qualifications; [94145] (2) personal social care for those aged over 65 years (2) what recent steps he has taken to promote social by each local authority in the period from 2001-02 to work as a vocational career for young people. [94146] 2010-11. [94657] Paul Burstow: The information requested is currently Paul Burstow: While it is the responsibility of newly being collated and will be placed in the Library as soon qualified social workers to find employment for themselves as it is available. arid the responsibility of employers to recruit, the Department funds Skills for Care to provide a programme Tobacco: Packaging to enable newly qualified social workers to make the transition to the world of work in adult services. Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The Department continues to support the work of what recent representations his Department has the social work reform board and their programme to received from the tobacco industry on its consultation make social work a more attractive profession. on plain packaging for tobacco products. [94508] 427W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 428W

Anne Milton: Since May 2011, Ministers at the Over the summer, Ofsted consulted on local authority Department have received a number of letters from child protection inspection arrangements that are more tobacco manufacturers. While some have made reference child centred. These new arrangements will begin in to standardised or plain packaging of tobacco, none May 2012. All relevant inspectorates have also now have specifically addressed the Government’s planned agreed in principle to Professor Munro’s proposed model consultation on tobacco packaging. Consistent with of joint inspection to ensure that the contribution of all obligations as a party to the World Health Organisation’s local services to safeguarding is examined. The inspectorates Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) are working through what such a model will look like and in accordance with the guidelines for the and when it will begin, and will give a progress update implementation of article 5.3 of the FCTC, Health by end March 2012. Ministers have not had any meetings with tobacco On 31 October we published a co-produced work manufacturers. programme, ‘Safeguarding Children in the reformed Further information on the planned consultation on NHS’. Phase one is under way, led by the Chief Nursing tobacco packaging is available in the written statement Officer and a consultation on the draft Accountabilities made by the Secretary of State for Health, my right Framework is in progress and nearing completion. hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire We have been working with partners to consider the (Mr Lansley), on 15 December 2011, Official Report, best route to secure Professor Munro’s vision of a column 125WS, and we would encourage anyone with transparent and co-ordinated offer of early help for an interest to respond to the consultation when it is children and families. We have engaged with partners in published, including the tobacco industry. ADCS, health, police and education and have concluded that we do not need a new statutory duty to deliver early help and that there is sufficient existing legislation EDUCATION to realise Professor Munro’s recommendation. We are Academies continuing to work with partners to clarify existing legislation to emphasise the importance of early help. Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education In the meantime we encourage local areas to continue how many academy schools there are in England; and to work to provide early help for the compelling arguments which local education authority has the highest number that Professor Munro articulated. of such schools. [94564] We are working with eight local authorities to trial more flexible approaches to assessment. The early evidence Mr Gibb: As at 1 February 2012, there were 1,580 from these trials and emerging findings are encouraging academies open in England. The Kent local authority and suggest that both removing the distinction between area has the highest number of open academies in the initial and core assessments and replacing nationally England with 77 academies open. prescribed timescales for assessment with timely, Child Protection Review professional judgments can have the positive impact on practice envisaged by Professor Munro. Some of these Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education trials have been running for only a few months and we what plans he has to implement the recommendations need to explore further the impact of these changes, of the Munro review of child protection. [94449] especially for children and young people. For this reason we have extended the trials to run until 31 March 2012 Tim Loughton: Good progress is being made across and will be consulting on flexibilities as part of the the full range of commitments in the Government ‘Working Together’ consultation. response published in July. After consultation, and a market sounding exercise, We are reducing bureaucracy and making it easier for we have taken the decision to decommission the National the front line to use their professional judgment through electronic Common Assessment Framework system revisions to ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (National eCAF). This is consistent with Professor and the ‘Framework of Assessment for Children in Munro’s view that we should remove constraints to Need and their Families’. There will be a formal 12-week local innovation and professional judgment that are consultation and we will publish revised statutory guidance created by prescribing approaches such as national IT by July 2012. A multi-disciplinary professional advisory systems. We are currently working with the current group is advising us on this work. users of the system to ensure a smooth transition. As Government, Ofsted and the Association of Directors part of the decommissioning process we will consider of Children’s Services (ADCS) have come together with the options to secure value out of the Government a range of other partners to develop and agree local owned assets. child safeguarding performance information that puts Our reforms of child protection are underpinned by professional expertise, rather than process, at the heart work force reform, in particular reform of the social of local quality assurance. This was published on 23 January work profession which is being led by the Social Work and is now available on the Department’s website: Reform Board and the College of Social Work. http://www.education.gov.uk/munroreview/downloads/ The Children’s Workforce Development Council LCSPIDec2011.pdf (CWDC) and the College of Social Work are supporting We launched a public consultation asking for views local authorities in designating a Principal Child and on the proposed children’s safeguarding national Family Social Worker in every local area. These roles performance data: will play a key part in redesigning child and family http://www.education.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action social work. The Department for Education and the =consultationDetails&consultationId=1803&external=no&menu-1 Department of Health have been making preparations This consultation will run until 16 April 2012. for the appointment of a Chief Social Worker to advise 429W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 430W

Government on social work practice and the effectiveness solutions to be imposed from the centre, but a joint of help being provided to children, families and adults. venture between central Government, local agencies, We are confident that the Chief Social Worker will be in local authorities and professionals. Our reforms are post in 2012, ahead of the timeline envisaged in the designed to shift the focus of the child protection system Government’s response. on to the things that matter most: the views and experiences We are clarifying and strengthening accountabilities of children and young people. in the system and taking action to improve learning from serious case reviews. Departmental Data Protection We have consulted on new guidance for DCSs and Lead Members so that we have real clarity about their Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for roles and will be publishing the revised guidance by the Education how many cases of data loss or breaches of end of April. My officials and I have also held discussions confidentiality occurred in his Department in 2011. with groups of Local Safeguarding Children Boards [92973] Chairs to consider what might be done to strengthen their central role in challenging and monitoring the Tim Loughton [holding answer 1 February 2012]: effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements and we will During 2011 there were six data loss cases in the Department be exploring options with stakeholders over coming for Education. All six cases involved either a loss of weeks. This will build on our reforms around learning, personal data or a breach of confidentiality. early help, inspection and performance information which emphasise the importance of LSCBs. Departmental Procurement Improving learning from serious incidents is critical to driving improvements in practice in child protection. Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Following Professor Munro’s recommendation to use Education how much his Department spent procuring systems methodologies for serious case reviews (SCR), products and services in 2010-11. [93873] we are considering how the Social Care Institute for Excellence’s (SCIE) ‘Learning Together’ model can be Tim Loughton: The Department spent £336.8 million developed further for use in SCRs. Two LSCBs, Coventry procuring products and services in financial year 2010-11 and Lancaster, are piloting the SCIE model and we (2009-10, £509 million). have now agreed that Devon will also carry out a pilot. While the pilots are in progress, my officials are also This figure includes spend with suppliers who are exploring, learning from sectors such as aviation and classed as a trading organisation or as a non-trade health, other ways of ensuring effective, sustained learning social care provider where the products and/or services from serious incidents embedded in every day practice, were negotiable and influenceable. The figure also includes with greater transparency and accountability. We will spend with suppliers such as local government, charities be consulting formally on new arrangements for SCRs or housing associations and other non-trade organisations. later in the year. We have been working with Ofsted to develop transitional Departmental Training arrangements in response to Professor Munro’s recommendation to end Ofsted’s evaluation of SCRs. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for In January 2012, Ofsted introduced more streamlined Education how many away days his Department has evaluations of SCRs with a greater focus on identifying held since May 2010; what the location was of each and embedding learning in order to support improvements such away day; how many staff attended; and what the in professional practice. cost was of each such event. [93846] Implementing the Munro recommendations requires a shift in mindset. The Government response was not Tim Loughton: Information for Ministers and the intended to be seen as a one-off set of recommended Department’s Board away days is set out as follows:

Cost (food, Meeting Date Period of event Location Number of staff refreshments) (£)

Meeting 1 17 July 2010 1 day Sanctuary Buildings, London 21 112.82 Meeting 2 27 February 2011 1 day Sanctuary Buildings, London 26 1192.88 Meeting 3 9 September 2011 1/2 day Sanctuary Buildings, London 20 200.00 Meeting 4 10 January 2012 1 day Sanctuary Buildings, London 24 228.70 1 Meetings 1 and 2 were held at the weekend. To avoid substantial costs, heating was isolated to the part of the building where the meetings were taking place. The electrical monitoring capability within the building was not available for meeting 1 and so specific usage could not be monitored. Heating costs for meeting 2 was £548.39.

Information for the rest of the Department is not Where this is not possible, any meetings organised held centrally and could be obtained only at outside the Department’s buildings, where accommodation disproportionate cost. Given the financial constraints costs and other charges are involved, are done so with on administrative costs in the Department, staff are careful consideration to cost and in accordance with the clear that any events to bring staff together from across principles of ‘Managing Public Money’ and the Treasury our sites, should be held in the most appropriate handbook on ‘Regularity and Propriety’: departmental buildings. http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/psr_governance_valuefor money.htm 431W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 432W

Education: Epilepsy http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/official-statistics- maintained-school-inspections-and-outcomes Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will undertake a review of the educational support Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2012, given to children with epilepsy. [91659] Official Report, columns 432-34W,on GCSE: assessments, Mr Gibb: We have no plans to undertake a review of what the main changes were in data collection and the educational support given to children with epilepsy. reporting methodology referred to in footnote 2 to The Departments of Education and Health published Table 1; to what extent these changes have affected the guidance on managing medicines in 2005. It is designed answer; and whether the data in Table 1 refer to the to help schools and early years settings and their employers total number of subject entries or the number of unique to put in place effective management systems to support pupils or individual papers and modules. [94182] individual children with medical needs. It includes practical guidance on common conditions such as epilepsy. The Mr Gibb: The main changes in data collection since guidance is currently being updated. 2004-05 on eligibility for extra time in GCSEs and GCEs are: Free Schools In 2004 the National Assessment Agency introduced an online tool for schools and other exam centres to record access arrangements Mr Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for such as extra time that could be decided locally. Education what progress he has made in allowing (a) In 2008 the Qualifications and Curriculum Agency introduced the Thérèse Lord School in Lincolnshire and (b) other a new facility for exam centres to process all access arrangements proposed special free schools where parental demand online. exists but there is reluctance from the local authority to On both occasions, the new tools were complemented by be established. [93470] extensive training initiatives by these two bodies to ensure that staff in schools and colleges recorded applications correctly. Mr Gibb: The Department is currently working with The changes had been made to ensure that all centres three projects aiming to open special free schools: Rosewood collected adequate evidence to confirm eligibility for School, Southampton; City of Peterborough Academy these access arrangements, which was subject to inspection. special school, Peterborough; and Lighthouse School, The reporting of applications for extra time has Leeds. In these projects we are working constructively therefore steadily grown more reliable over the reporting with the relevant local authorities. Applications for the period. The recorded figures therefore over-state the 2013 round for free schools can be submitted between true increase in eligibility for this access arrangement 13 and 24 February 2012 and further details are available and it is not possible to estimate the extent to which the on the Department’s website at: change is real. www.education.gov.uk/freeschools The data in Table 1 of that question reflect the total While we are keen to understand the extent to which number of candidates awarded extra time in a given local authorities will place children in proposed special academic year but it is not subject specific. Any individual free schools, we are equally keen to understand demand candidate may have had access to additional access for places from parents themselves. arrangements such as a reader, a scribe and/or a word processor; extra time of up to 25% may not have been GCSE the sole arrangement for the candidate. In addition, these figures show extra time that was allocated; this Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for does not mean that it was necessarily used by the Education what the (a) unique reference number and candidates. (b) establishment number was of each school in England and Wales that entered candidates for GCSEs Languages: GCSE in school year 2009-10; what the most recent Ofsted overall rating was of each such school; and how many GCSE results were recorded by each such school Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for through (A) Edexcel, (B) WJEC, (C) OCR and (D) Education how many pupils took each foreign AQA in school year 2009-10. [92235] language at GCSE level in Gillingham and Rainham constituency in the last year; and what proportion of Mr Gibb: The Department for Education is responsible them achieved grades between A* and C. [94261] for education in England. The information requested based on those English schools published in the 2010 Mr Gibb: The information requested on pupils taking Key Stage 4 School Performance Tables has been placed each foreign language at GCSE level in Gillingham and in the House Libraries. Information on Ofsted overall Rainham constituency can be found in the following ratings is available on their website here: table:

Number of pupils1,2,3 entering each foreign language GCSE4 and percentage achieving A*-C grades5,6 in Gillingham and Rainham constituency7, south-east region8 and England9, 2009/10

Gillingham and Rainham South East England

Number of eligible pupils3 1,081 90,934 575,970

Number of pupils taking GCSE French 172 23,206 134,664 433W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 434W

Number of pupils1,2,3 entering each foreign language GCSE4 and percentage achieving A*-C grades5,6 in Gillingham and Rainham constituency7, south-east region8 and England9, 2009/10 Gillingham and Rainham South East England

Of which: Percentage achieving A*-C grades 64.0 71.5 67.7

Number of pupils taking GCSE German 97 10,438 58,364 Of which: Percentage achieving A*-C grades 83.5 75.7 72.7

Number of pupils taking GCSE Spanish 121 9,030 46,483 Of which: Percentage achieving A*-C grades 86.0 72.7 69.9

Number of pupils taking GCSE Italian 10— 609 2,834 Of which: Percentage achieving A *-C grades 10— 81.6 85.6

Number of pupils taking GCSE Modern Greek 10— 18 332 Of which: Percentage achieving A*-C grades 10— 100.0 913

Number of pupils taking GCSE Chinese 10— 222 1,300 Of which: Percentage achieving A*-C grades 10— 94.1 93.5

Number of pupils entering GCSE Panjabi 10— 67 790 Of which: Percentage achieving A*-C grades 10— 89.6 81.1

Number of pupils entering GCSE Polish 10— 305 2,411 Of which: Percentage achieving A*-C grades 10— 96.1 95.6

Number of pupils entering GCSE Russian 10— 54 845 Of which: Percentage achieving A*-C grades 10— 100.0 92.5

Number of pupils entering GCSE Turkish 4 50 1,211 Of which: Percentage achieving A*-C grades 100.0 96.0 92.7 1 Figures do not include pupils recently arrived from overseas. 2 Figures include all maintained schools (including CTCs and academies). 3 Pupils at the end of key stage 4 in the 2009/10 academic year. 4 Only those language GCSEs where at least one pupil in Gillingham and Rainham took the subject are shown in the table. Therefore Dutch, Danish, Portuguese. Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Japanese, Modern Hebrew, Urdu and Persian are not included in the table as no pupils were entered for these language GCSEs. 5 Percentage achieving A*- C based on the number of pupils entering each subject. 6 Including attempts and achievements by these pupils in previous academic years. 7 Parliamentary constituency figures are based on the postcode of the school. 8 Regional figures are based on the region of the local authority maintaining the school. 9 England figures are the sum of all local authority figures. 10 Figures not shown in order to protect confidentiality. Source: National Pupil Database

Maternity Services: Data Protection share live-birth data with local authority children’s services. Local authorities have different arrangements Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for for sharing birth data depending on local relationships Education what estimate he has made of the proportion with professionals such as health visitors and outreach of primary care trusts who do not share live-birth data support in children’s centres. with local authority children’s services for use by children’s The Department of Health and the Department for centres and associated early years outreach programmes. Education recognise that effective sharing of live birth [93301] data and related information is essential to maintain a national record on childhood immunisation and is critical Sarah Teather: The Department has made no assessment to safeguarding and integrated working. The Department of the proportion of primary care trusts who do not of Health is doing further work on the information and 435W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 436W intelligence functions that will support public health Reading: Primary Education outcomes for children in preparation for the establishment of Public Health England and the transition of Directors Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for of public health to local authorities. Such arrangements Education what assessment he has made of the effect could include the sharing of information. of his proposals for phonics screening at age six on children’s development. [93863] Mossbourne Academy Mr Gibb: The phonics screening check, which will be Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for implemented nationally in June 2012, is designed to Education if he will require Mossbourne Academy to provide reassurance that children have reached the expected publish information about its school exclusion rate; standard in phonic decoding and to identify pupils who and if he will make a statement. [94592] need extra help. The check was piloted with 300 schools in 2011, and Mr Gibb: The Department does not require individual an independent evaluation was carried out by Sheffield schools to publish data on exclusions. However, if they Hallam university. The evaluation looked at the ease of wish to do so, schools are free to publish this information administration of the check, and its suitability for a themselves. The Department publishes annual statistics wide range of pupils. The evaluation found that the on exclusions available at: check enabled 43% of teachers to identify pupils with reading difficulties of which they were not previously http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001016/ index.shtml aware, enabling them to target additional support to help pupils to progress. All aspects of the screening and will continue to provide these statistics by local check were seen as suitable by at least 74% of teachers authority. in the pilot. We will evaluate the impact of the screening check Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education when it is rolled out nationally, including its effect on the teaching of literacy and its impact on pupils’ future Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for attainment. Education whether he plans to introduce a social and emotional well-being service in schools in England. [94006] Schools: Bible

Mr Gibb: We have no plans to do so. Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many copies of the King James Pupil Referral Units Bible he plans to distribute to schools; and what estimate he has made of the cost of doing so; [91969] (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Ben Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for message he plans to include in the front of each copy of Education when he plans to publish the Government’s the King James Bible that will be distributed to schools strategy on pupil referral units and behavioural as part of the King James Bible project; [91970] support services. [94548] (3) if he will publish a list of all paper and electronic correspondence between (a) Ministers, (b) officials Mr Gibb: In September, the Secretary of State for and (c) special advisers in his Department and (i) the Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Cabinet Office and (ii) 10 Downing Street in which the Heath (Michael Gove), asked his behaviour adviser, King James Bible project was discussed in the last Charlie Taylor, to conduct a review of alternative provision. 12 months; [91971] Mr Taylor’s report on that review will form the basis of the Government’s continuing strategy on pupil referral (4) whether he plans to publish guidance to schools units and alternative provision. We expect the report to on the use of copies of the King James Bible that he be published before the end of March. plans to distribute to them; and whether his Department will oblige children to read scripture as part of that project. [91972] Ben Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he has any plans to allow pupil Mr Gibb: The story of the King James Bible, and its referral units to convert to academy status. [94549] impact on the English speaking world, can help pupils—of all faiths and none—better appreciate our language and Mr Gibb: The Education Act 2011 included provision literature, democracy and culture. to enable pupil referral units (PRUs) to convert to academy status by creating a new category of academy—the To mark the 400th anniversary year of the publication alternative provision academy. We are currently consulting of the King James Bible, the Department for Education on regulations that will allow the management committees is sending a facsimile copy to each state primary and of PRUs to apply for academy orders, which is the legal secondary school in England. This will enable all pupils process to enable a PRU to become an alternative to understand its place in our nation’s identity and provision academy. We will publish information about history. the process for this shortly, making sure that all the We are working to achieve the best possible value for necessary information is available for PRUs to make an money and will be fully transparent about the costs informed decision about whether to apply to convert. when they are finalised. 437W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 438W

We hope this exercise will inspire teachers to teach important area. The report’s conclusion that the teaching about the impact of the King James Bible, although of ‘Information and Communication Technology’ (ICT) there is no requirement on them to do so. We are not in schools needs reform is consistent with other evidence prescribing that every child must read the King James on the shortcomings of ICT and related qualifications Bible, nor are we prescribing its role in the curriculum. in schools. That is why we are now consulting on Printing will commence in the next few months. There withdrawing the existing ICT Programmes of Study will be no foreword from the Secretary of State for and Attainment Targets from September 2012. This will Education. We will place a copy of this edition in the free schools to develop more innovative ICT curricula library when it is ready for distribution to schools. with a greater focus on computer science, drawing on Information relating to internal discussion and advice is support from industry and other expert groups. not normally disclosed. ICT will however remain a compulsory subject at all key stages, pending the outcome of the current review Schools: ICT of the national curriculum in England. Science: GCSE Michael Ellis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the recommendations Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for of the Royal Society’s report entitled, “Shut down or Education how many children in Dartford constituency restart?: The way forward for computing in UK schools”, achieved A* to C grades in GCSE (a) biology, (b) published in January 2012. [94280] chemistry, (c) physics and (d) combined sciences in each of the last three years. [94293] Mr Gibb: We welcome the publication of the Royal Society study on the state of computing in schools, Mr Gibb: The information requested can be found in which makes a valuable and timely contribution to this the following table.

Numbers and percentages of pupils1,2 at the end of Key Stage 4 achieving A*-C grades in biological science, chemistry, physics and combined sciences3 GCSEs4,5 in Dartford constituency6, South East region and England8, Years: 2007-08 to 2009-10, Coverage: England 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Biological science Dartford Number 47 160 303 Percentage 3.4 12.1 22.1

South East Number 10,088 12,469 16,820 Percentage 10.9 13.9 18.5

England Number 52,868 65,792 91,504 Percentage 8.9 11.4 15.9

Chemistry Dartford Number 47 147 300 Percentage 3.4 11.1 21.9

South East Number 9,655 12,027 16,463 Percentage 10.4 13.4 18.1

England Number 50,049 63,261 89,436 Percentage 8.4 11.0 15.5

Physics Dartford Number 49 145 303 Percentage 3.6 11.0 22.7

South East Number 9,678 11,932 16,491 Percentage 10.4 13.3 18.1

England Number 49,521 62,680 89,416 Percentage 8.3 10.9 15.5

Combined sciences3 Dartford Number 753 604 476 Percentage 54.6 45.7 34.7 439W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 440W

Numbers and percentages of pupils1,2 at the end of Key Stage 4 achieving A*-C grades in biological science, chemistry, physics and combined sciences3 GCSEs4,5 in Dartford constituency6, South East region and England8, Years: 2007-08 to 2009-10, Coverage: England 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

South East Number 43,292 40,987 37,263 Percentage 46.7 45.8 41.0

England Number 272,948 259,951 230,888 Percentage 45.8 45.7 40.7 1 Figures do not include pupils recently arrived from overseas. 2 Figures include all maintained schools (including CTCs and academies). 3 Pupils who achieved A*-C at GCSE in either single science or core science. 4 Full GCSEs only have been included (full GCSEs, double awards, accredited international certificates and their predecessor iGCSEs). Figures from 2008-09 exclude iGCSEs. 2010 figures include accredited iGCSEs. 5 Including attempts and achievements by these pupils in previous academic years. 6 Parliamentary constituency figures are based on the postcode of the school. 7 Regional figures are based on the region of the local authority maintaining the school. 8 England figures are the sum of all local authority figures. Source: National Pupil Database

Teachers: Crimes of Violence abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult, but not specifically against teachers or school staff. David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Information on the number of permanent and fixed Education how many teachers in each region of period exclusions classified as relating to ‘physical assault England have reported physical assaults on them in the against an adult’ for 2009/10 is shown in the following last year. [94130] table. Any violence against school staff is totally unacceptable. Mr Gibb: Information is not available in the form It is for head teachers to consider whether a particular requested. case warrants a pupil being given a fixed-period exclusion, The Department collects information on the reason a permanent exclusion or other disciplinary penalty, pupils are excluded from school. This includes data on taking account of the severity and circumstances of the exclusions classified as relating to physical assault, verbal assault.

Maintained primary, state-funded secondary and special schools1,2: Number of permanent and fixed period exclusions for physical assault against an adult3, 2009/10, by region in England Number of permanent exclusions Number of fixed period exclusions

North East 30 670 North West 80 2.010 Yorkshire and the Humber 60 1,960 East Midlands 60 1,490 West Midlands 110 1,770 East of England 40 1,540 London 90 2,460 Inner London 40 1,130 Outer London 60 1,330 South East 70 2,890 South West 40 1,590

England 580 16,370 1 Includes middle schools as deemed, city technology colleges and academies (including all-through academies). 2 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. 3 Figures relating to permanent exclusions are estimates based on incomplete pupil-level data. 4 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, therefore totals may not appear to equal the sum of constituent parts. Source: School Census

The latest available data on exclusions were published Mr Gibb [holding answer 7 February 2012]: The in the Statistical First Release ‘Permanent and Fixed information requested is not available for each county. Period Exclusions from Schools in England 2009/10’ on Statistics for each local authority have been placed in 28 July 2011 at: the House Libraries. http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001016/ index.shtml

Teachers: Retirement Young People: Employment

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of teachers Education what estimate he has made of the number of retired in each county in England in each of the last 16 to 18-year-olds without a level 2 qualification who five years. [94240] are in full-time work with no training element. [94430] 441W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 442W

Tim Loughton: In the third quarter of 2011 there Mr Hurd: Grant award decisions are made by a panel were an estimated 24,000 16 to 18-year-olds in England of local people in the eligible ward. This ensures that without a level 2 qualification who worked full-time responsibility for decisions is taken as close as possible and were not in receipt of any education or training. to the community that the grants seek to serve. More The estimate is based on a sample of around 50 from information is available from the website of the grant the Labour Force Survey which has been grossed to administrator (the Community Development Foundation, figure for England. The level of qualification, working CDF): patterns and training are all self-reported by survey http://www.cdf.org.uk/web/guest/neighbourhood-matched- respondents. The age is as at the start of the academic fund year. The panel must maintain a web site as a condition of the funding. The website is to be used to promote the programme and provide information to the community PRIME MINISTER on what projects and groups have been funded. The website also provides an opportunity for more local Tax Avoidance people to get involved and also to make applications for project funding. The panel works with a local organisation as a panel partner, helping to ensure transparency and Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Prime Minister (1) probity, and may have a local councillor as a panel what assessment he has made of the use of tax member. CDF collect monitoring information on avoidance schemes in the civil service; [94194] expenditure by the grant recipients. (2) what assessment he has made of the extent of the use of tax avoidance schemes by the senior management of public bodies. [94199] Robert Flello: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what input local councillors will have to the Danny Alexander: I have been asked to reply on distribution of funds by the Community First behalf of the Treasury. Programme. [94425] The Government are committed to tackling tax avoidance, wherever it occurs. This applies equally to the civil service and public sector bodies. That is why I Mr Hurd: Local councillors are welcome as Community have asked officials to review the appropriateness of First panel members, helping with the process of making allowing senior public sector appointees being paid in a grant decisions. They can play a vital role in encouraging way that could be perceived as being to minimise tax local people and groups to get involved and to apply for payments. The Treasury Officer of Accounts has also funding. They cannot however be in the majority on the written to departmental accounting officers to remind panel as the aim of the programme is for the community them that public sector organisations should not use to take the lead on setting priorities and making funding artificial tax avoidance devices. decisions directly.

Robert Flello: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet CABINET OFFICE Office how the Community First Programme will ensure that all local people with an interest in being Business: Portsmouth members of a local panel have an opportunity to join; and if he will ensure that priority is not given only to Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister for the those who apply first. [94426] Cabinet Office how many new jobs have been created by small businesses in Portsmouth South constituency in each of the last five years. [94778] Mr Hurd: In aiming to form panels with strong local involvement, the Community First programme has taken Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the a number of steps to raise awareness of the chance to be responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have a panel member. The Community Development Foundation asked the authority to reply. (CDF) launched the Community First Programme on 4 October 2011, engaging with a large number of national, Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated February 2012: regional and local voluntary and community sector As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I (VCS) organisations. I wrote to all top-tier local authorities have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking at the same time, asking for their support in helping the how many new job opportunities have been created by small businesses in Portsmouth South constituency in each of the last eligible wards take advantage of the opportunity. Local five years. (94778) and national press has also raised awareness. The requested data are not available. Once in place, the Community First panel uses a website to advertise their presence, to aid transparency Communities First Fund and to encourage involvement from the community. CDF have provided guidance to each panel to encourage Robert Flello: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet them to develop and change the panel membership Office what arrangements have been put in place to during the course of the programme. The subsequent ensure that the Community First Programme is accountable development of the Community First plan is a good to the local community for its disbursement of funds. opportunity for more and new people to get involved in [94424] decision making in their neighbourhood. 443W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 444W

Community Development Fund Employment: Young People

Mr Laws: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet how many 18 to 24-year-olds in England were (a) Office what proportion of Community Development employed, (b) self-employed, (c) serving in HM Forces Foundation grants have been made in each region in and (d) government-supported trainees in September the last year. [94526] (i) 2009, (ii) 2010 and (iii) 2011. [93759]

Mr Hurd: The Community First small grants programme Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the does not allocate the funding on a regional basis, but to responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have council wards in top-tier local authority areas. For asked the authority to reply. example, Leeds has 15 eligible wards and a total allocation Letter from Stephen Penneck: over the term of the programme of up to £1,593,770. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I The amounts per ward range from £33,910 to £237,370. have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking Overall, Leeds has more than 5% of the total programme how many 18 to 24 year olds in England were (a) employed, (b) allocation for small grants. self-employed, (c) serving in HM Forces and (d) government-supported Information on the allocations to each top-tier local trainees in September (i) 2009, (ii) 2010 and (iii) 2011 (93759) authority area is available from the download section of The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment the following web page: statistics from the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. The requested http://www.cdf.org.uk/web/guest/neighbourhood-matched- estimates for 18 to 24 year olds are not available for the requested fund periods. As an alternative, table 1 shows the number of people aged 18 Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet to 24 in England who were employed, which includes employees Office how much he allocated to spend on the and self-employed, or on government employment and training Community Development Foundation in each year of programmes during the 12 month periods ending in December for the current spending review; and what proportion of 2009 and 2010 and for the 12 month period ending June 2011, being the latest period available. Estimates of those serving in such spending was allocated for (a) administration and HM Forces are not available from this source. Defence Analytical (b) grants. [94531] Services and Advice (DASA) produce the number of HM forces by age and by region but not by age and region. Mr Hurd: The Community Development Foundation As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject (CDF) have been awarded a contract to deliver the to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates Community First programme, comprising fees for managing is given in the table. the £30 million Neighbourhood Match Fund (NMF; National and local area estimates for many labour market the small grants part of the programme) and the £50 statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant million Endowment Match Challenge (EMC). The EMC count are available on the NOMIS website at: is subcontracted by CDF to the Community Foundation http://www.nomisweb.co.uk Network (CFN). Table 1: Number of people aged 18 to 24 in England who were employed, employees, self-employed or on government employment and training For 2011-12, the fees for the NMF are £107,000; the programmes grants allocation in this financial year is £4.9 million. Thousand For 2012-13, the fees for the NMF are £112,000; the Government grants allocation is £7.4 million. For 2013-14, the fees employment Self- and training for the NMF are £114,000; the grants allocation is £7.4 Employed1 Employees employed programmes million. For 2014-15, the fees for the NMF are £117,000; the grants allocation is £9.9 million. Over the contract 12 months period, CDF will be paid £450,000 in fees for administering ending December 2,815 2,686 129 30 the NMF, representing 1.5% of the total small grants 2009 budget of £30 million. December 2,752 2,624 128 33 2010 Departmental Travel June 20112 *2,745 *2,612 **133 ***34 1 Employed includes employees and self-employed. 2 Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an Maria Eagle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality below. Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, Office pursuant to the written ministerial statement of the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie 16 January 2012, Official Report, column 31WS, on within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% cost of ministerial cars, whether his Department has we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: *0≤ CV<5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise any other arrangements for ministerial travel; and how ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably much his Department has spent on (a) private hire precise vehicles and (b) taxis for each Minister since May *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable 2010. [92823] for practical purposes CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: Annual Population Survey. Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office does not have any Job Creation: Westmorland other arrangements in place for ministerial travel. The Department has an account with Addison Lee. Spend Tim Farron: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet by Ministers on Addison Lee cars and taxis for the Office how many new job opportunities have been period May 2010 to March 2011 is £4,234. Spend from created by small businesses in Westmorland and Lonsdale April 2011 to December 2011 is £2,897. constituency in each of the last five years. [94305] 445W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 446W

Mr Hurd [holding answer 8 February 2012]: The Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice expanded its information requested falls within the responsibility of existing prison incident response command structures the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to work with Criminal Justice System (CJS) partners to to reply. support the police during and after the disturbances, Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated February 2012: and to ensure that adequate resources were available As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I across the CJS to deal with cases expeditiously. This have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking included opening prison receptions and liaison with the how many job opportunities have been created by small businesses judiciary to ensure courts were able to open overnight in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency on each of the last during, and in the immediate aftermath of the disturbances. 5 years. (94305) Information on the CJS response and the contingency The requested data are not available. measures deployed across the system is available in Legal Proceedings Volume II of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee Sixteenth Report of Session 2010-12—Policing Mr Jenkin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Large Scale Disorder: Lessons from the disturbances of whether it is his policy to apply for costs in cases where August 2011: Written evidence submitted by the Ministry organisations funded by his Department bring legal of Justice (MoJ) (Ev 165) proceedings against it. [93353] http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/ cmselect/cmhaff/1456/1456ii.pdf Mr Maude: There is no set policy to apply for costs in all cases. The Cabinet Office will generally apply for Civil Proceedings: Legal Costs costs of litigation where it is entitled to do so. Each case is considered separately, on legal advice. Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for The Cabinet Office will bear in mind any legal action Justice if he will place in the Library a copy of any taken when providing funds to these organisations in advice his Department received from the Senior Judiciary the future. including the Master of the Rolls on (a) qualified one-way cost shifting and (b) a 10 per cent. uplift in Public Sector: Procurement general damages as part of his proposed reform of civil litigation funding and costs. [94402] Chris White: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) social enterprises, (b) charities Mr Djanogly: I have placed Lord Justice Jackson’s and (c) small businesses have successfully bid for public responses to our consultations, Proposals for the Reform sector service contracts in each of the last five years. of Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and [88393] Wales and Costs Protections for Litigants in Environmental Judicial Review Cases, in the House Library. Mr Maude: Data were not held previously on the number of small businesses awarded Government contracts. There have been discussions with the Senior Judiciary This Government have started tracking this for the first about how the 10% uplift in damages for non-pecuniary time and, during 2011, of 5,196 contracts published on loss such as pain, suffering and loss of amenity is to be Contracts Finder 1,842 were flagged as awarded to implemented. As I explained on 13 September 2011 to small businesses (35%). However this does not capture the Public Bill Committee on the Legal Aid, Sentencing data for lower value contracts or for all parts of the and Punishment of Offenders Bill, the Senior Judiciary wider public sector. have agreed to take this forward. The Civil Justice Council, chaired by the Master of Senior Civil Servants: Tax Avoidance the Rolls, has been assisting the Ministry of Justice with the development of qualified one way costs shifting. Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Minister for the We have not received further advice on these issues Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the from the Senior Judiciary. effect on morale in the civil service of the use of tax avoidance schemes by senior civil servants. [94196] Dangerous Driving: Convictions Mr Maude: The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the right hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Strathspey (Danny Alexander), has commissioned an (1) what assessment he has made of the number of immediate review of the tax arrangements of senior drivers convicted of (a) causing death by careless or public appointments. No assessment has been made on inconsiderate driving, (b) causing death by careless the impact on morale in the civil service of any such driving when under the influence of drink or drugs, (c) arrangements. causing death by dangerous driving and (d) manslaughter within (i) less than 12 months and (ii) between 12 and 24 months of passing their driving test in each of the last five years; [94224] JUSTICE (2) how many drivers were convicted of (a) causing Civil Disorder death by careless or inconsiderate driving, (b) causing death by careless driving when under the influence of Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice drink or drugs, (c) causing death by dangerous driving what steps his Department took to ensure expeditious and (d) manslaughter in the case of a road traffic hearing of cases following the public disorder in August accident in which a cyclist was killed in each of the last 2011. [94532] five years. [94123] 447W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 448W

Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings As part of the Department’s ‘Act on CO2’ emissions Database holds information on defendants proceeded campaign, bottled water is no longer made available for against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences meetings. However, jugs of tap water are made available in England and Wales. This database holds information upon request. on offences provided by the statutes under which The Department’s accounting systems do not identify proceedings are brought but not the specific circumstances separate expenditure on wine, other alcoholic refreshments of each case. It is not possible to identify from this or bottled water and because such events are managed centrally held information the length of time since a locally by business areas, for the period from May 2010 driving test has been passed or whether a manslaughter to date, the Ministry has no central records on such offence is related to a road traffic accident. expenditure. To obtain information on departmental The number of defendants convicted for (a) causing expenditure on these specific items would involve death by careless or inconsiderate driving, (b) causing disproportionate cost. death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs, (c) causing death by dangerous driving Drugs: Convictions 2006 to 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the table. Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for for publication in May 2012. Justice how many people were charged with possession of cannabis in (a) Dartford constituency, (b) Kent Defendants found guilty at all courts for selected motoring offences, England and Wales: 2006-101, 2 and (c) England in each of the last five years. [94297] Guilty Offences 2006 2007 20083 2009 2010 Mr Blunt: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for cannabis possession in England Causing Death by n/a n/a 4 81 238 and the Kent police force area, from 2006 to 2010 (latest careless or available) can be viewed in the table. inconsiderate driving4 Charging data are not collated centrally by the Ministry Causing Death by 65 67 46 35 41 Careless Driving of Justice therefore proceedings data have been provided when under the in lieu. influence of Drink or Court proceedings data are not available centrally at Drugs parliamentary constituency level. Causing Death by 223 233 221 225 154 Dangerous Driving Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned n/a = Not applicable for publication in May 2012. 1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they cannabis possession, England and Kent police force area, 2006 to were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or 20101, 2 more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more Area 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory England maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are Proceeded against 12,616 14,103 17,846 21,374 25,100 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. of which: As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection Kent police force processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account area3 when those data are used. Proceeded against 1 49 403 412 440 3 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and 1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons August 2008. 4 In August 2008 section 2B of the Road Traffic Act 1988 was added for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they by the Road Safety Act 2006. were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or Source: more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are Departmental Drinks 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 Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their Justice how much (a) his Department and (b) its inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are public bodies have spent on (i) wine, (ii) other alcoholic used. refreshments and (iii) bottled water since May 2010. 3 We are aware of under-reporting issues in the Kent police force [92646] area in 2006 and 2007. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. Mr Kenneth Clarke: The Department’s policy on the provision of alcohol prohibits the supply of any alcohol Legal Aid scheme paid from tax-payers’ money on in-house hospitality. For external hospitality, given the significant savings Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for being delivered by the Department and the stringent Justice what assessment he has made of the effect on financial controls in place, such discretionary expenditure demand for legal aid in respect of private family law of is only incurred on the rare occasions in which director-level implementation of an assumption of shared parenting. approval is granted. [94398] 449W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 450W

Mr Djanogly: As part of existing work to reform Provider office name legal aid, the Government have already announced that, Arthur & Co. from April 2013, the majority of private family cases Blaser Mills will be out of the scope for legal aid. Brooklyn Solicitors Court is often not the best way to resolve disputes Camerons Jones about the arrangements for children following parental Caplans separation or divorce. Mediation can be quicker, cheaper David Phillips & Partners and less acrimonious than court proceedings and legal aid will therefore remain available for mediation in Duncan Lewis Solicitors private law family cases to those who are eligible. We Goodwins estimate that legal aid spend on family mediation will Hanson Young & Co. Solicitors increase by £10 million a year taking the total annual Harrow Law Centre spend to £25 million. Harrow Law Partnership Legal aid will also remain available for private family Harrow Solicitors and Advocates law cases where there is evidence of domestic violence Johal & Co. and cases where a child is at risk of abuse. We will also Law Partnership Solicitors continue to provide civil legal aid for the victims of LMK Law domestic violence to apply for protective injunctions M2M Community Solicitors LLP and will continue to waive the financial eligibility limits Mills Chody in these cases. Nicholls Christie & Crocker The Government recently indicated in its response to Redferns the Family Justice Review its intention to make a legislative Samy & Co. statement emphasising the importance of children having an ongoing relationship with both their parents after Siddiqui & Co. family separation, where that is safe, and in the child’s Thakker & Co. best interests. We have established a working group of Thakrar & Co. Ministers to develop proposals for legislative change, Walter Wilson Richmond which will be brought forward for wide debate and Wick&Co. consultation later this year. The impacts on legal aid Current legal aid contracts are due to expire in 2013 will be considered as part of an overall impact assessment, so the position on contract awards in 2013-14 is not yet informed by consultation responses. known. This is a complex and difficult area that affects many parents and children and we are determined to make National Association for the Care and Resettlement of the right decision. We are mindful of the experience in Offenders: Finance Australia and the need to ensure that any welfare or safety issues are appropriately considered and that any Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice change to legislation does not lead to an increase in how much funding (a) his Department and (b) its litigation. non-departmental public bodies have provided to Nacro in each of the last five years. [94626] Legal Aid Scheme: Abu Qatada Mr Blunt: The following table provides details of payments made to Nacro and its related organisation in Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice each of the last five financial years recorded in our what the cost to the public purse was of legal aid for central financial system. Payments are made to Nacro cases involving Abu Qatada in each year since 2001. from the National Offender Management Service, and [94607] the non-departmental public bodies expenditure relates to payments made by the Youth Justice Board. Mr Djanogly: The case against Abu Qatada is ongoing. It would be wrong of me to either comment on or to £ disclose specific details concerning the costs of any case Payments to Nacro while it is still ongoing. (a) NOMS payments (b) YJB Payments

2006-07 1,473,060.70 53,160.06 Legal Aid Scheme: Harrow 2007-08 1,120,033.02 19,167.84 2008-09 2,854,805.12 2,568.70 Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 2009-10 3,182,237.56 1,811.25 pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2012, Official 2010-11 3,846,846.94 3,408.00 Report, column 362W, on solicitors: Harrow, which firms of solicitors in the London borough of Harrow Offenders have active legal aid contracts for financial years (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14; and if he will Mrs Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for make a statement. [94610] Justice (1) how many hearings for offenders serving indeterminate sentences for public protection and whose Mr Djanogly: Following is a list of the 25 solicitor release was refused by the Parole Board because they had firms or not for profit providers with offices that will completed insufficient courses were delayed by up to have legal aid contracts in Harrow in the financial years (a) two months, (b) six months and (c) one year after 2011-12 and 2012-13: their tariff had ended in each year since 2007; [94258] 451W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 452W

(2) how many offenders serving indeterminate sentences Prisoners for public protection were refused parole because they had not completed a course specified in their sentence Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in (a) 2007, (b) 2008, (c) 2009, (d) 2010 and (e) 2011. if he will review the prisoner rating system. [94260] [94259] Mr Blunt: The National Offender Management Service Mr Blunt: The stated reasons for the Parole Board (NOMS) has no plans to review the prisoner security not directing the release of prisoners serving an categorisation system. It is carrying out a review of indeterminate sentence for public protection are not security arrangements for escorting prisoners outside of recorded centrally, but are held on prisoners’ individual prison. Part of that review will look at ensuring that the case file. correct security arrangements are in place for the escorting There are around 3,500 prisoners serving an of all prisoners, taking into account the category of indeterminate sentence for public protection and whose prisoner and assessed security risks. It will also reinforce tariff expiry date has passed. In order to answer the the importance of public protection as part of the question fully we would have to search each of these categorisation process. files to establish the Parole Board’s reason for not Prisoners: Christmas directing release. This would breach cost limits. Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Offenders: Drugs Justice what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of Christmas parties held for adult Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice prisoners in 2011. [89296] how many and what proportion of offenders who have been treated by Nacro (a) nationally and (b) at the Mr Blunt: Detail of the cost of one-off activities in Bridge Project in Witham subsequently reoffended within prisons is not available centrally. This could be obtained (i) one month, (ii) two months, (iii) three months, (iv) only at disproportionate cost by examining expenditure six months and (v) one year. [94609] locally in each establishment, and disaggregating and then collating the costs. Mr Blunt: Data identifying those offenders who have Prison Service Instruction 38/2010 provides instructions been treated by Nacro nationally or at the Bridge Project on activities in prisons. It does not preclude or mandate in Witham is not held by the Ministry of Justice. For specific activities, but sets out that in authorising activities this reason, the re-offending rates of these offenders are and events for prisoners, operational managers should not available. consider how they will contribute to NOMS objectives or local targets, specific offender needs or the maintenance Offenders: Rehabilitation of a safe and decent regime, without undermining public confidence in the criminal justice system. Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Sentencing Justice how many offenders served part or all of their sentence working on community projects in Dartford Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for constituency in each of the last three years. [94296] Justice how many people received sentences of between 30 and 48 months for each type of charge relating to Mr Blunt: This information is not available in relation (a) offences against the person, (b) sexual offences to the Dartford constituency. The numbers of offenders and (c) property crimes in each of the last three years. allocated to Community Payback work projects in the [94401] borough of Dartford during the last three years are shown in the following table: Mr Blunt: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty at all courts, and Number of offenders sentenced to immediate custody by sentence length, for various offence types, in England and Wales, from 2008 2009 117 to 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the table. 2010 98 2011 108 Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in May, 2012.

Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty at all courts, and sentenced to immediate custody by sentence length, for various offence types, England and Wales, 2008 to 20101,2 20083 Sentence length 30 months up Up to but not to and Proceeded Immediate including 48 including 48 Over 48 Offence type against Found guilty Sentenced4 custody months months months5

Violence against the person 59,941 41,517 41,441 13,380 10,144 1,333 1,903 Sexual offences 8,421 5,116 5,121 3,000 1,209 584 1,207 Burglary 30,850 23,882 23,651 9,960 7,797 1,790 373 Robbery 13,096 8,475 8,495 5,095 2,444 1,553 1,098 Theft and handling stolen goods 123,876 110,921 110,348 21,008 20,708 249 51 Criminal damage 12,234 9,628 9,574 1,157 845 202 110 453W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 454W

2009 Sentence length 30 months up Up to but not to and Proceeded Immediate including 48 including 48 Over 48 Offence type against Found guilty Sentenced4 custody months months months5

Violence against the person 65,431 43,450 43,215 14,085 11,007 1,412 1,666 Sexual offences 9,369 5,107 5,093 2,987 1,119 630 1,238 Burglary 30,871 22,983 22,765 10,028 7,694 1,909 425 Robbery 13,655 8,645 8,664 5,155 2,440 1,693 1,022 Theft and handling stolen goods 125,509 111,981 111,514 19,958 19,606 284 68 Criminal damage 9,975 7,860 7,836 1,037 709 207 121

2010 Sentence length 30 months up Up to but not to and Proceeded Immediate including 48 including 48 Over 48 Offence type against Found guilty Sentenced4 custody months months months5

Violence against the person 66,644 44,794 44,458 13,982 10,879 1,379 1,724 Sexual offences 10,564 5,784 5,772 3,287 1,251 709 1,327 Burglary 31,811 23,909 23,599 10,447 7,967 2,036 444 Robbery 13,704 8,499 8,514 4,946 2,345 1,561 1,040 Theft and handling stolen goods 135,726 121,794 121,230 22,284 21,883 322 79 Criminal damage 9,961 7,778 7,754 1,096 746 238 112 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 data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. 4 The number of offenders sentenced can differ from those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty in a particular year, and committed for sentence at the Crown court, may be sentenced in the following year. 5 Includes life and sentences of imprisonment for public protection introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Social Security Benefits: Ethnic Groups Appeal outcomes of appellants surveyed—Social Security and Child Support Tribunal Percentage Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Base Successful Unsuccessful Justice what proportion of appellants to the Social Entitlement Chamber of the First Tier Tribunal were Non-white (87) 53 43 from ethnic minorities in the last year for which figures The survey also reported on appellants’ level of are available; and what proportion of such applicants satisfaction with the service provided. The following were appealing employment and support allowance, table shows the satisfaction levels reported by appellants disability living allowance and incapacity benefit to the SSCS jurisdiction. decisions. [94441] Customer satisfaction of appellants surveyed—Social Security and Child Support Tribunal Mr Djanogly: The Social Entitlement Chamber of Percentage the First Tier Tribunal does not routinely request or Base Satisfied Dissatisfied record information on the ethnicity of appellants. Total (1,246) 68 26 However, a customer satisfaction survey was carried out for the Tribunals Service in 2009-10 which showed Ethnicity that there were no differences in the outcome of appeals White (1,152) 69 26 by ethnicity. The following table shows the percentages Non-white (87) 62 31 of appellants surveyed whose appeals were successful or unsuccessful in the Social Security and Child Support (SSCS) jurisdiction of the Social Entitlement Chamber. Youth Justice Appeal outcomes of appellants surveyed—Social Security and Child Support Tribunal Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Percentage pursuant to the answer of 16 January 2012, Official Base Successful Unsuccessful Report, column 520W, how many juvenile offenders in Total (1,246) 51 47 each youth offending team area (a) received a court disposal, (b) were sentenced to custody, (c) were Ethnicity remanded in custody and (d) were subject to court White (1,152) 51 47 ordered secure remand in England and Wales between April 2010 and March 2011. [93875] 455W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 456W

Mr Blunt: The following table shows the number of Number of juvenile offenders who (a) received a court disposal; (b) were sentenced to custody; (c) were remanded in custody; and d) were subject to juvenile offenders in each youth offending team (YOT) court ordered secure remand, England and Wales, April 2010 to March 2011 in England and Wales who (a) received a court disposal; (d) Court (b) were sentenced to custody; (c) were remanded in (b) (c) ordered custody; and (d) were subject to court ordered secure Youth offending (a) Court Custodial Remanded secure remand between April 2010 and March 2011. team (YOT) disposals disposals to custody remand The data to answer this question have been drawn Croydon 762 51 54 26 from across two administrative databases within the Cumbria 833 40 21 1 Youth Justice Board (YJB). The data for court and Darlington 152 0 9 2 custodial disposals come from the Youth Justice Derby 474 54 38 14 Management Information System (YJMIS), the data Derbyshire 873 41 22 7 for remand to custody and court ordered secure remand Devon 732 22 14 3 come from the Secure Accommodation Clearing House Doncaster 598 53 36 10 System (SACHS). Dorset 331 5 8 0 Due to delays in technical updates to the YJMIS in Dudley 262 16 9 2 the latter part of 2011 there are some data quality issues Durham 665 19 17 6 with the court disposal data. For this reason, the YJB Ealing 367 38 41 8 East Riding of 468 17 20 4 has not published this local level data and is currently Yorkshire waiting for the completion of the YJMIS update and a East Sussex 724 26 29 5 resubmission of the 2010-11 data before publishing. Enfield 566 36 45 8 These figures have been drawn from administrative Essex 1,418 67 40 6 IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording Flintshire 212 7 4 1 system, are subject to possible errors with data entry Gateshead 439 15 5 0 and processing and can be subject to change over time. Gloucestershire 499 17 8 2 Number of juvenile offenders who (a) received a court disposal; (b) were Greenwich 513 37 31 4 sentenced to custody; (c) were remanded in custody; and d) were subject to Gwynedd Mon 301 16 7 3 court ordered secure remand, England and Wales, April 2010 to March 2011 Hackney 470 36 48 11 (d) Court Halton and 378 25 11 1 (b) (c) ordered Warrington Youth offending (a) Court Custodial Remanded secure team (YOT) disposals disposals to custody remand Hammersmith 329 26 24 7 and Fulham Barking and 478 36 44 7 Haringey 557 46 40 10 Dagenham Harrow 282 19 18 12 Barnet 330 18 31 2 Hartlepool 253 8 13 1 Barnsley 397 22 22 4 Havering 327 5 16 1 Bath and North 167 10 3 2 Hertfordshire 1,331 42 30 3 East Somerset Hillingdon 409 14 32 10 Bedfordshire 539 14 20 6 Hounslow 453 17 11 4 Bexley 275 7 20 0 Isle of Wight 1— 1—171 Birmingham 1,695 174 125 15 Islington 448 45 33 11 Blackburn with 339 29 19 0 Darwen Kensington and 163 15 23 1 Chelsea Blackpool 475 27 15 11 Kent 1,618 57 58 13 Blaenau, Gwent 416 24 5 4 and Caerphilly Kingston-Upon- 581 34 27 4 Hull Bolton 488 27 16 5 Kingston-Upon 162 12 20 2 Bournemouth 360 12 15 5 Thames and Poole Kirklees 656 73 23 6 Bracknell Forest 70 1 3 0 Knowsley 319 19 10 1 Bradford 1,033 99 62 9 Lambeth 483 48 85 19 Brent 472 41 71 15 Lancashire 1,951 63 71 14 Bridgend 188 19 8 3 Leeds 1,294 121 84 4 Brighton and 356 20 24 5 Hove Leicester City 604 37 35 9 Bristol 819 48 52 6 Leicestershire 465 12 20 0 Bromley 308 16 25 0 Lewisham 725 61 116 18 Buckinghamshire 379 13 11 3 Lincolnshire 739 46 29 8 Buy 287 28 8 0 Liverpool 950 70 51 2 Calderdale 372 31 25 3 Luton 389 16 11 3 Cambridgeshire 726 25 21 1 Manchester 1,591 133 119 15 Camden 443 38 28 10 Medway 310 12 13 3 Cardiff 578 30 35 2 Merthyr Tydfil 148 18 19 3 Carmarthenshire 264 14 12 2 Merton 239 13 15 7 Ceredigion 67 1 2 0 Milton Keynes 333 11 16 5 Cheshire 623 18 23 4 Miscellaneous 1— 1—80 Conwy and 237 6 7 1 Monmouthshire 221 6 10 1 Denbighshire and Torfaen Cornwall 415 11 8 0 Neath Port 232 12 11 0 Coventry 628 51 40 10 Talbot 457W Written Answers9 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 458W

Number of juvenile offenders who (a) received a court disposal; (b) were Number of juvenile offenders who (a) received a court disposal; (b) were sentenced to custody; (c) were remanded in custody; and d) were subject to sentenced to custody; (c) were remanded in custody; and d) were subject to court ordered secure remand, England and Wales, April 2010 to March 2011 court ordered secure remand, England and Wales, April 2010 to March 2011 (d) Court (d) Court (b) (c) ordered (b) (c) ordered Youth offending (a) Court Custodial Remanded secure Youth offending (a) Court Custodial Remanded secure team (YOT) disposals disposals to custody remand team (YOT) disposals disposals to custody remand

Newcastle-upon- 310 12 24 8 Swindon 368 13 18 14 Tyne Tameside 378 23 34 2 Newham 656 59 71 18 Thurrock 267 14 4 2 Newport 357 28 27 3 Torbay 243 8 1 0 Norfolk 968 51 30 4 Tower Hamlets 512 19 35 7 North East 420 37 17 5 and City of Lincolnshire London North 376 37 22 2 Trafford 366 26 15 4 Lincolnshire Vale of 171 10 4 4 North Somerset 331 21 12 0 Glamorgan North Tyneside 432 20 8 1 Wakefield 399 26 20 4 North Yorkshire 786 27 34 5 Walsall 480 37 24 3 Northamptonshire 633 49 25 18 Waltham Forest 524 35 34 12 Northumberland 449 11 14 0 Wandsworth 486 39 46 9 Nottingham 503 43 61 15 Warwickshire 397 12 11 4 Nottinghamshire 714 26 28 3 Wessex 3185 117 78 33 Oldham 561 35 17 1 West Berkshire 199 2 8 0 Oxfordshire 463 26 30 2 West Sussex 1,072 29 21 7 Pembrokeshire 133 1 6 0 Westminster 308 24 31 4 Peterborough 439 21 26 8 Wigan 473 23 11 4 Plymouth 499 15 17 1 Wiltshire 433 4 1 5 Reading 153 5 11 2 Windsor and 105 5 2 0 Redbridge 411 27 36 6 Maidenhead Rhondda Cynon 344 33 7 1 Wirral 684 30 27 1 Taff Wokingham 91 1 2 0 Richmond- 159 3 6 1 Wolverhampton 425 48 25 5 upon-Thames Worcestershire 865 42 25 10 Rochdale 468 58 45 4 and Rotherham 299 22 17 4 Herefordshire Salford 540 44 37 2 Wrexham 195 4 21 4 Sandwell 398 43 23 4 York 336 6 9 0 Sefton 531 41 17 0 Sheffield 789 39 36 31 79,747 4,494 3,977 800

Shropshire, 505 27 14 0 1 Telford and Data is not available Wrekin Notes: 1. Data for columns (a) and (b) Slough 179 11 21 2 The columns labelled (a) and (b) in the table show the number of (a) court Solihull 207 12 12 5 disposals and (b) custodial sentences given to young people (aged 10 to 17) in each YOT area in England and Wales between April 2010 and March 2011. Somerset 518 16 10 4 These are court disposals as reported by YOTs to the YJB through the Youth South 266 16 5 0 Justice Management Information System (YJMIS). Due to delays in technical Gloucestershire updates to the YJMIS in the latter part of 2011 there are some data quality South Tees 722 2B 35 9 issues with these data (to note, the data provided here will not match the records held on local YOT case management systems). For this reason, the South Tyneside 445 8 12 0 YJB has not published these local level data and is currently waiting for the Southend-on- 290 19 14 0 completion of the YJMIS update and resubmission of the 2010-11 data before Sea publishing Southwark 566 55 66 15 2. Data for columns (c) and (d) The columns labelled (c) and (d) in the table show the number of episodes St. Helens 335 6 2 2 started by young people (aged 10 to 17) attached to each YOT who were (c) Staffordshire 626 38 24 4 remanded in custody and (d) subject to court ordered secure remand (remand Stockport 457 30 11 0 to secure accommodation) in England and Wales between April 2010 and March 2011. Stockton-on- 385 13 7 0 An episode refers to a period a young person has spent in custody and it is Tees possible that one young person can start more than one custodial episode at Stoke-on-Trent 553 3t 20 2 different points of each year for different offences or for change in legal basis Suffolk 781 31 36 7 for detention. These figures come from the YJB’s Secure Accommodation Clearing House Sunderland 616 13 7 0 System (SACHS) database. Surrey 821 17 26 6 3. All of these figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, Sutton 287 6 5 0 as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be subject to change over time. Swansea 281 25 14 0 ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 9 February 2012

Col. No. Col. No. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT...... 451 CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT—continued Broadband ...... 453 Sport England/UK Sport...... 457 Broadband (Greater Manchester) ...... 461 Sport England/UK Sport...... 460 Child Protection (Internet)...... 462 Topical Questions ...... 463 Creative Industries ...... 460 Woolf Review...... 459 Electronic Communications (Privacy)...... 455 Football Club Licensing...... 462 Gaming Machines...... 452 LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 467 Local Radio Franchises ...... 451 E-petitions ...... 467 Mountaineering, Hill Walking and Climbing...... 458 Ministerial Statements ...... 469 Olympics (Domestic Tourism)...... 455 Oral Questions ...... 472 S4C ...... 459 Statutory Register of Lobbyists ...... 470 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Thursday 9 February 2012

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 31WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS— EU Informal Competitiveness Council ...... 31WS continued Rural Payments Agency ...... 44WS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 31WS UN Conference on Sustainable Development ...... 43WS Coastal Regeneration...... 31WS Waste Water National Policy Statement...... 45WS Firefighters’ Pension Scheme ...... 32WS Housing Funding...... 34WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 46WS Local Democracy...... 35WS Export of Tasers (UK Policy) ...... 46WS UK-Afghanistan Enduring Strategic Partnership .. 46WS DEFENCE...... 36WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 47WS Operation Herrick 16 Roulement (Correction)...... 36WS Immigration and Nationality Services...... 47WS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 38WS JUSTICE...... 53WS Individual electoral Registration ...... 38WS Civil Justice Consultation (Government Response) ...... 53WS ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 41WS TRANSPORT ...... 54WS Feed-in Tariffs...... 41WS ATOL Reform Regulations...... 54WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 55WS AFFAIRS...... 42WS Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Flood and Coastal Erosion (Risk Management).... 42WS Affairs Council ...... 55WS PETITION

Thursday 9 February 2012

Col. No. Col. No. PRESENTED PETITION Mentally Incapacitated Persons (Rights of Carers to Financial Information)...... 1P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Thursday 9 February 2012

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 339W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Euthanasia...... 339W Basic Skills...... 386W Theft: Metals ...... 339W Business: Lancashire ...... 387W Business: North West...... 388W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 385W Business: Regulation ...... 389W Aluminium...... 385W Business: Standards ...... 389W Apprentices...... 385W Business: Taxation ...... 390W Apprentices: Special Educational Needs ...... 386W Companies: Manpower...... 390W Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued EDUCATION—continued Company Accounts...... 391W Departmental Training ...... 430W Construction: Olympic Games 2012 ...... 391W Education: Epilepsy ...... 431W Counterfeit Manufacturing: Trade Agreements ..... 391W Free Schools...... 431W European Fighter Aircraft ...... 393W GCSE ...... 431W Fireworks: Scotland ...... 393W Languages: GCSE...... 432W Firth of Forth: Bridges ...... 394W Maternity Services: Data Protection ...... 433W Flexible Working...... 394W Mossbourne Academy ...... 435W Foreign Companies: EU Countries ...... 394W Personal, Social, Health and Economic Green Deal Scheme...... 394W Education ...... 435W Higher Education...... 395W Pupil Referral Units ...... 435W Higher Education: Applications...... 395W Reading: Primary Education...... 436W Manufacturing Industries: Greater London...... 395W Schools: Bible ...... 436W Manufacturing Industries: Redditch ...... 396W Schools: ICT ...... 437W Manufacturing Industries: Trade Competitiveness. 397W Science: GCSE ...... 438W Olympic Games 2012 ...... 397W Teachers: Crimes of Violence...... 439W Regional Growth Fund ...... 398W Teachers: Retirement...... 439W Regulation ...... 399W Young People: Employment...... 440W Teachers: Foreign Nationals...... 400W Thermal Insulation: Training ...... 399W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 401W Trade...... 399W Biofuels...... 401W UK Trade and Investment: Exports ...... 400W Biomass ...... 401W UK Trade and Investment: Visits Abroad ...... 400W Boilers: Government Assistance...... 402W Departmental Procurement...... 402W CABINET OFFICE...... 441W Departmental Travel ...... 402W Business: Portsmouth...... 441W Electricity...... 403W Communities First Fund...... 441W Fossil Fuels: Exploration ...... 404W Community Development Fund ...... 443W Green Deal...... 404W Departmental Travel ...... 443W Local Energy Assessment Fund ...... 404W Employment: Young People...... 444W Natural Gas ...... 405W Job Creation: Westmorland...... 444W Renewable Energy: Heating ...... 405W Legal Proceedings ...... 445W Warm Homes Scheme...... 406W Public Sector: Procurement...... 445W Senior Civil Servants: Tax Avoidance...... 445W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS...... 376W CHURCH COMMISSIONERS ...... 337W Crows...... 376W Metals: Theft ...... 337W Departmental Billing ...... 376W Departmental Correspondence ...... 377W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 337W Departmental Pay ...... 377W Departmental Work Experience...... 337W Fisheries: EU Countries...... 377W Fishing Vessels ...... 378W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 372W Flood Control: Finance ...... 379W Arts: Finance ...... 372W Floods...... 381W Departmental Contracts ...... 373W Floods: Insurance ...... 381W Olympic Games 2012 ...... 373W Food ...... 383W Olympic Games 2012: Human Trafficking ...... 373W Milk: Wales...... 383W Public Service Broadcasters...... 372W Ofwat: Pay ...... 383W Superfast Broadband ...... 372W Stray Dogs ...... 384W Television: Local Broadcasting ...... 374W UN Conference on Sustainable Development ...... 384W Tourism...... 374W Water ...... 384W World War I: Anniversaries...... 375W Water Charges...... 385W

DEFENCE...... 332W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 360W Armed Forces: Meals ...... 332W Australia: Anniversaries...... 360W Deloitte...... 332W Burma...... 361W Departmental Travel ...... 333W Burma: Political Prisoners...... 362W Ex-servicemen: Health Services...... 335W Chevening Scholarships Programme ...... 362W France: Military Alliances...... 335W Departmental Drinks...... 363W India: European Fighter Aircraft ...... 336W Departmental Food...... 363W Radar: Wind Power...... 336W Departmental Manpower...... 364W Radioactive Waste: Dalgety Bay ...... 336W Departmental Training ...... 364W Developing Countries: Christianity...... 365W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 418W Egypt: Politics and Government ...... 365W Constitutions: Reform ...... 418W European Union ...... 366W West Lothian Question ...... 418W Falkland Islands Dependencies: Environment Protection ...... 366W EDUCATION...... 427W Falkland Islands: Sovereignty ...... 366W Academies...... 427W Israel: Politics and Government ...... 367W Child Protection Review ...... 427W Lesotho...... 368W Departmental Data Protection...... 430W Lesotho: Diplomatic Service ...... 368W Departmental Procurement...... 430W Lesotho: Foreign Relations ...... 368W Col. No. Col. No. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE— JUSTICE—continued continued Offenders ...... 450W Middle East: Oil...... 369W Offenders: Drugs...... 451W Middle East: Peace Negotiations...... 369W Offenders: Rehabilitation ...... 451W Morocco: Overseas Trade ...... 369W Prisoners ...... 452W Somalia: Diplomatic Service ...... 370W Prisoners: Christmas ...... 452W Syria: Politics and Government...... 370W Sentencing...... 452W Social Security Benefits: Ethnic Groups...... 453W HEALTH...... 419W Youth Justice...... 454W Ambulance Services: Greater London ...... 419W Cancer ...... 419W LEADER OF THE HOUSE...... 331W Dementia: Research ...... 419W Backbench Debates...... 331W Eating Disorders ...... 420W Parliamentary Scrutiny ...... 331W Gynaecology: Medical Treatments...... 420W Health Services: Bolton...... 421W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 331W Health Services: Young People...... 421W Departmental Recruitment ...... 331W Hospital Wards: Inspections ...... 422W Voluntary Organisations ...... 332W Infant Mortality...... 422W NHS: Finance ...... 423W PRIME MINISTER ...... 441W NHS Trusts: Private Patients...... 423W Tax Avoidance ...... 441W Organs: Donors ...... 424W Prostate Cancer: Drugs ...... 425W SCOTLAND...... 331W Social Services...... 425W Olympic Games 2012 ...... 331W Social Services: Expenditure ...... 426W Tobacco: Packaging ...... 426W TRANSPORT ...... 407W Aviation: Iraq...... 407W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 347W Blue Badge Scheme: Cumbria...... 407W Abu Qatada ...... 347W Bus Services: Olympic Games 2012...... 407W Animal Experiments: EU Law ...... 347W Departmental Food...... 408W Asylum: Appeals...... 347W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 408W Asylum: West Midlands ...... 347W Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency...... 409W Civil Disorder ...... 348W Driving: Older People ...... 409W Departmental Billing ...... 348W Heathrow Airport ...... 410W Departmental Data Protection...... 349W High Speed 2...... 410W Departmental Pay ...... 350W High Speed Trains: Scotland...... 410W Deportation: Peterborough...... 351W Large Goods Vehicles ...... 411W Driving: Young People...... 352W London Olympics 2012 ...... 411W Entry Clearances: Foreign Workers...... 352W M1: Fires ...... 411W Entry Clearances: Iran ...... 352W M25 ...... 412W Immigrants: Employment ...... 353W Maritime and Coastguard Agency ...... 412W Internet ...... 353W Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties...... 413W Members: Correspondence ...... 353W Public Transport: Finance...... 414W Police ...... 353W Railways: Tickets ...... 414W Police: Infant Mortality ...... 354W Regional Airports ...... 415W Police: Information and Communications Roads: Accidents ...... 416W Technology ...... 354W Roads: Repairs and Maintenance...... 415W Security: Olympic Games 2012 ...... 354W Severn River Crossing ...... 417W Yvonne Fletcher...... 355W Speed Limits: Schools ...... 417W Transport: Finance...... 418W HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 337W BBC ...... 337W TREASURY ...... 355W Cromwell Green Entrance...... 338W Banks: Iceland ...... 355W City of London Corporation ...... 355W INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY Departmental Data Protection...... 355W STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE...... 338W Departmental Food...... 356W Access ...... 338W Departmental Official Hospitality...... 356W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 356W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 376W Departmental Travel ...... 356W Thailand: Burma...... 376W EU Countries...... 357W Hargreaves Lansdown...... 357W JUSTICE...... 445W Members: Correspondence ...... 357W Civil Disorder ...... 445W Olympic Games 2012 ...... 358W Civil Proceedings: Legal Costs ...... 446W Research: Finance...... 358W Dangerous Driving: Convictions...... 446W Taxation: Business ...... 358W Departmental Drinks...... 447W Taxation: Combined Heat and Power ...... 359W Drugs: Convictions ...... 448W Taxation: Gambling ...... 360W Legal Aid scheme...... 448W World War I: Anniversaries...... 360W Legal Aid Scheme: Abu Qatada...... 449W Legal Aid Scheme: Harrow ...... 449W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 339W National Association for the Care and Atos Healthcare: Training...... 339W Resettlement of Offenders: Finance...... 450W Employment and Support Allowance: Appeals...... 340W Col. No. Col. No. WORK AND PENSIONS—continued WORK AND PENSIONS—continued Employment: Literacy...... 341W Social Security Benefits...... 344W Employment Schemes ...... 340W Unemployment ...... 346W Housing Benefit ...... 343W Universal Credit...... 346W Housing Benefit: Northern Ireland ...... 343W Work Capability Assessment...... 346W Mortgages: Repossession Orders...... 344W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. The Bound Volumes will also be sent to Members who similarly express their desire to have them. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied, nor can corrections be made in the Weekly Edition. Corrections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy containing the Corrections must be received at the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

not later than Thursday 16 February 2012

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CONTENTS

Thursday 9 February 2012

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 451] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport

Feed-in Tariffs [Col. 473] Answer to urgent question—(Gregory Barker)

Business of the House [Col. 482] Statement—(Sir George Young)

Afghanistan [Col. 496] Statement—(Mr Hague)

Somalia [Col. 509] General debate

Benefits (Terminally Ill Patients) [Col. 578] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Football Governance [Col. 143WH] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 31WS]

Petition [Col. 1P] Presented Petition

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 331W] [see index inside back page]