Monday Volume 515 13 September 2010 No. 44

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES ()

Monday 13 September 2010

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2010 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/ Enquiries to the Office of Public Sector Information, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 577 13 SEPTEMBER 2010 578

some of our European allies—he will not stay in the House of Commons Cabinet, but resign and protest against such an attack on our status as a world armed power? Monday 13 September 2010 Dr Fox: We are subjected to quite a lot of humbug in the Chamber, but that takes the biscuit. This Government The House met at half-past Two o’clock are committed to the security of the , but we will have to deal with defence expenditure in the PRAYERS light of the huge economic disaster that we inherited from the outgoing Labour Government, and of the fact that we have a massively overspent and overcommitted [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] defence programme, for which the previous Government never bothered to put any money into the budget. Oral Answers to Questions NATO Reform 2. Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): What recent discussions he has had on the reform of NATO. DEFENCE [14518]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence The Secretary of State was asked— (Mr Gerald Howarth): As my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary made clear at the meeting of NATO NATO Responsibilities Defence Ministers in June, reform of NATO is a key priority for the UK. Defence Ministers will have further 1. Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): What discussions on reform at their next meeting in October. recent discussions he has had on NATO responsibilities We also have frequent bilateral discussions with fellow outside the north Atlantic area. [14517] NATO Ministers and the Secretary-General on the importance of both ensuring that the alliance has the The Secretary of State for Defence (Dr ): right capabilities and structures to carry out its missions, NATO’s responsibility is to provide for the collective and on making better use of resources by making it a security of its allies against an increasingly diverse leaner, more efficient and more effective organisation. range of security challenges, both within the north Atlantic area and beyond. This is being reflected in Richard Ottaway: In the coming months three major work on the alliance’s new strategic concept, on which I developments will have a profound impact on Britain’s look forward to further discussions with the Secretary- foreign and defence policy in the medium term: the General and fellow NATO Defence Ministers at our comprehensive spending review, the strategic defence next meeting in October. review and the NATO summit. Does my hon. Friend agree that, although it goes without saying that NATO Mr Turner: There is growing concern off the coast of should be effective and efficient, it must also be flexible? Somalia, where cargo ships and holiday craft are regularly Will he focus on flexibility in his pursuit of the reforms challenged by pirates seeking ransom from western that NATO needs? Governments. With 90% of EU imports arriving by sea, is NATO doing enough to ensure safe passage through Mr Howarth: May I take this opportunity from the the Arabian sea and the Indian ocean? Dispatch Box to congratulate my hon. Friend on his election as Chairman of the Select Committee on Foreign Dr Fox: My hon. Friend is quite right. For a nation Affairs? As a result, the Committee is in very safe hands such as the United Kingdom, where 92% of all our indeed, and the House should be grateful for that. He is trade is by sea, the security of the high seas is vital. We absolutely right: we do need to be flexible, and we do contribute in a number of ways: through the NATO need to make NATO much leaner and more able to mission and through the EU’s Operation Atalanta, react to circumstances as they arise. However, he is also which we command and to which we make a military right to point out the pressures under which we are all contribution. It is also worth pointing out that there are labouring at the moment. As my right hon. Friend the contributions from other countries, which are increasingly Secretary of State said, we have inherited no money in recognising that the security of the high seas goes a lot the kitty with which to defend the country. wider than any of the alliances I have mentioned— particularly given the importance of trade—and is in Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East) (Lab): NATO’s fact a global security responsibility. new draft strategic concept—to be discussed at the NATO summit—suggests that participation in missile Mr Denis MacShane () (Lab): Britain’s defence is open to all allies. What conclusions has the contribution to NATO, after the United States and Minister drawn regarding Britain’s involvement in new along with France, is by far the most important, because missile defence systems? we spend a good chunk of our GDP on defence. Can the Secretary of State confirm that he is doing everything Mr Howarth: As the hon. Gentleman knows well, the to ensure that we spend more than 2% of GDP on strategic concept will be discussed at the Lisbon summit, defence in the coming review, and that if we fall below but as yet the Secretary-General’s paper on it has not 2%—to the level of the runtish, anaemic armies of been seen. However, I understand that missile defence is 579 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 580 a matter of interest, and I know that, as a former that has been going on there. That is improving the member of the Select Committee on Defence, the hon. whole time. I should say that this is a new development, Gentleman takes a keen interest in such matters. Indeed, and things will evolve as we move forward. when he and I were on the Committee, we both looked at missile defence. This is an important area that NATO Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): One of the needs to address, and I hope it will be addressed squarely centres will be in Bulford and Tidworth, in the constituency in the context of the strategic concept. of my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (), and it will open in 2012. Does the Minister agree Dr Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire) (Con): that, as well as looking after the injured servicemen, My hon. Friend knows of my long-standing interest in there are two elements that we must not lose sight of? the kingdom of Morocco. What future does he think The first is to look after their families, who often suffer NATO’s European Mediterranean dialogue has? In greatly. The second is to find really practical ways of particular, what future does NATO’s relationship with giving these people jobs and putting them in touch with Morocco have, in the light of Morocco’s participation employers, so that they can be employed for many years in the Mediterranean dialogue since 1995, its assistance to come. in the Balkans and its activities in Operation Active Endeavour? Does he agree that Morocco, as one of our Mr Robathan: Yes, I agree with my hon. Friend. oldest allies, has a strong part to play in future NATO Families play a hugely important role in that regard. operations? Indeed, I regularly meet members of the families federations of the Army and the other forces, and I can assure him Mr Howarth: I know that my hon. Friend takes a that they let me know their views in no uncertain terms. keen interest in Morocco; indeed, he is the chairman of Regarding his second point, the Army recovery capability the all-party parliamentary group on Morocco. He has is working on ensuring that, whatever the future of the rightly pointed out that that country is part of Operation personnel it is treating, they have a future either in the Active Endeavour, although I understand that certain armed forces or in civilian life. technical difficulties currently preclude it from contributing to naval shipping. I must also point out to him that Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): I am sure Morocco is not involved in Afghanistan. However, we that the Minister has seen in The Sun newspaper this welcome support from wherever we can obtain it, and I morning the proposal to throw out of the armed forces hope he will be able to use his good offices to that effect. those who have been severely wounded on active service. I note that the Ministry of Defence and the Secretary of Army Recovery Capability State are citing the introduction of manning control points as a justification for that. When I was the Minister 3. Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): What plans he responsible for these matters, I resisted the introduction has for the future of the Army recovery capability; and of manning control points, and it was only after intense if he will make a statement. [14519] pressure from the head of the Army, General Sir David Richards, and the Army Board that they were introduced. What was clear, however, was that they would not be The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence used as a way of getting rid of brave servicemen and (Mr Andrew Robathan): The coalition Government are women injured in the defence of this country—a position fully committed to supporting injured servicemen and that was underlined when General Richards and I launched women who have sacrificed so much for our country’s the Army recovery capability in February. At the time, security. We are therefore proceeding with the delivery General Richards said that he expected of the Army recovery capability, which was announced by the previous Administration in February this year, in “that no soldier who thinks it is in his interests to stay will be partnership with Help for Heroes and the Royal British forced out.” Legion. This extremely laudable initiative will make a May I ask the Minister whether that has now changed? real difference to the support that the sick and wounded Is it now the intention of the Ministry of Defence, receive during and after the excellent clinical care from under pressure from the Treasury, to use manning control which they already benefit. Last Wednesday, I met the points to force out those injured in the line of duty? If it future Chief of the General Staff to discuss progress is, it will be a moral betrayal and run contrary to all the with the delivery of this capability, and to consider what rhetoric— more can be done to support these individuals as they return to duty or make the transition to civilian life. Mr Speaker: Order. We have got the thrust of the question, and I am extremely grateful to the hon. Member Nick Smith: I thank the Minister for that answer. Will for North Durham (Mr Jones). A brief reply from the the Government confirm that the three new personnel Minister, please. recovery centres are on track to open according to the time scale set up by Labour? Mr Robathan: I hate to agree with the hon. Gentleman, but I think it would be a moral outrage if we were to Mr Robathan: May I first, unusually, pay tribute to throw people out through manning control points after the previous Administration? The Army recovery capability they had been injured on active service. As he will know, represents a really positive, sensible move forward. They if people have been treated through the Army recovery committed resources to it, and we shall continue to do capability, they will be going down an entirely different so. Yes, at the moment, we are definitely on track for the route and no manning control point will be used at the opening times. I visited the current centre at the Erskine time. I counsel the hon. Gentleman against believing homes in Edinburgh three weeks ago and saw the work everything he reads in The Sun or any other newspaper. 581 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 582

Gulf Region Security international community. That is the future we want to see Iran turning to, in order to gain the respect it seems 4. Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con): so greatly to crave. What his most recent assessment is of the security situation in the Gulf region; and if he will make a Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): Has the statement. [14520] Minister made any assessment of when, at the current rate of uranium enrichment, there is likely to be a breakout capability? In those circumstances, how optimistic 11. Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): What his latest is he that sanctions will be effective in stopping the assessment is of the security situation in the Gulf seemingly relentless drive by the Iranian regime towards region. [14529] having a nuclear weapon? The Minister for the Armed Forces (Nick Harvey): Nick Harvey: A whole range of time scales is being The security situation in the Gulf remains delicately looked at, although I cannot say that anything is precisely balanced, with Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Arab-Israel clear in that respect. The situation is monitored very relations and the risk of Yemen becoming a failed state closely by the international community, ourselves included. being the most destabilising factors. We are working If there is any sign of development of the sort the hon. closely with our allies in the region as well as key partners Gentleman describes, we will undoubtedly ramp up our such as the US to find a diplomatic solution to all these response accordingly. issues, but it is clear that they will not be resolved quickly. I welcome my right hon. Friend the ’s Gulf initiative, which recognises increased Combat Stress (Retired Service Personnel) engagement in the region as a key foreign policy priority. It makes it clear that there are significant economic as 5. Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) well as national security interests in the Gulf, and that (Con): What discussions he has had with the Secretary the presence of UK forces there is vital in order to of State for Health on provision of facilities for retired reassure our allies and act as a stabilising influence. service personnel diagnosed with combat stress. [14522]

Mike Freer: My hon. Friend will share my concerns The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence about Iran’s nuclear programme. What action is being (Mr Andrew Robathan): The Ministry of Defence works taken to ensure that the UN sanctions are enforced closely with the Department of Health on issues relating effectively to deter Iran from future developments? to support for former service personnel with mental health needs, in particular through the Partnership Board, Nick Harvey: I certainly do share my hon. Friend’s which brings together the MOD and the four UK concern, as I am sure do all Members. The Government Departments of Health. of Iran are facing increasing economic and political pressure as a direct result of their failure to address Oliver Colvile: I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. international concerns about their nuclear programme. I understand that my hon. Friend the Member for South Alongside sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison) has produced a report on resolutions, Iran has also faced autonomous sanctions combat stress, and I wonder whether the Minister knows from the EU, the US, Canada, Australia and Norway. when it might be published. Both the Combat Stress Others will follow soon, and many major companies charity and the Plymouth and district branch of Mind have decided to stop business with Iran. Iran has much are interested, and they would like to read it sooner to gain from taking the necessary steps to restore rather than later. international confidence in its nuclear intentions and will face tougher and tougher sanctions if it fails to Mr Robathan: May I first pay tribute to Combat do so. Stress—an excellent organisation—and its current chief executive Dave Hill, whom I understand is retiring Jane Ellison: I thank my hon. Friend for his reply. shortly to Northumberland, where he lives? It does Will he comment further on the Iran Government’s excellent work among ex-service personnel. As to the increasingly provocative approach in their military and date of publication, there is an old parliamentary procedure: nuclear programme and their apparent disregard for it will be published shortly. international opinion, which has been evidenced in recent times? Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): It is an admirable aspiration for veterans to get priority in Nick Harvey: There is no doubt that Iran is behaving receiving NHS treatment. Will the Minister update us provocatively. Our policy towards Iran remains that we on how former veterans will be identified, and what wish to address a broad range of concerns, of which progress he is making with the Department of Health nuclear proliferation is undoubtedly the foremost. Iran’s on achieving that? support for terrorism, its negative role in the wider middle east region and its record on human rights all Mr Robathan: People who have served in the armed remain matters of serious concern. We remain committed forces need to declare that they have done so, but under to diplomacy, dialogue and engagement, but that does the previous Government much work was done to not prevent us or the international community from ensure that as people leave the armed forces, they are maintaining pressure about legitimate concerns. A positive identified by GPs as former service personnel, and that future for Iran is possible, based on its leadership recognising is how we are progressing. The report that will be its obligations to its own people, neighbours and the produced shortly by my hon. Friend the Member for 583 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 584

South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison) will deal with this House whether, as a result of his meeting in Paris last issue. I pay tribute to him for his work, and thank him week, there was any discussion of the possibility of on behalf of the House and the Government. sharing responsibility for nuclear deterrence?

Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): Post-traumatic Dr Fox: We have repeatedly made it clear that we stress disorder is a serious condition, and the lack of believe that having an independent nuclear deterrent is diagnosis has led to significant compensation claims. a vital part of the United Kingdom’s sovereign capability, Considering that in the UK health is generally devolved and we intend to keep it that way. Where we can to the various Parliaments and Assemblies, what action co-operate on technical matters with the French, without is the Minister taking to ensure a consistent response interfering with our sovereign capability in any way, it and to address the issue of compensation payments? would make sense to do so.

Mr Robathan: PTSD is indeed a serious condition David Cairns (Inverclyde) (Lab): On press reports and should not in any way be treated lightly. It is certain about the sharing of aircraft carriers, may I say that, that some people returning from combat do suffer from despite having 500 constituents who work in the upper PTSD. The King’s Centre for Military Health Research, Clyde shipyards, I have always seen the matter as a led by Professor Simon Wessely, has done a lot of work strategic, not primarily industrial, question? In that looking at the condition and what further we can do. context, does the Secretary of State agree that having I do not have an immediate answer to the question one aircraft carrier would be a strategic nonsense, and of how we can have settled compensation, except that that not having any of our own would be a major under the armed forces compensation scheme each breach of the nation’s sea-based defence posture, which person with some form of health problem has a particular goes back not just decades but centuries? tariff, which might apply to PTSD too. Dr Fox: I am the first to defend, as I have regularly, Sharing Military Equipment the concept of sea-borne air-power projection, especially for a maritime nation such as the United Kingdom. 6. Mary Creagh (Wakefield) (Lab): What recent However, the hon. Gentleman’s question is an eloquent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on and crafty try at tempting me into commenting on the the sharing of military equipment with other countries. current SDSR discussions, which I will be happy to [14523] share with the House at the appropriate time.

The Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Liam Fox): Defence Industrial Strategy (SMEs) On operations, we will always try to share equipment with our partners to best effect, for example with the pooling of helicopters in Afghanistan. More broadly—I 7. Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): imagine this might be what the hon. Lady has in mind—the What assessment he has made of the potential benefit strategic defence and security review is considering options to small and medium-sized enterprises of the new for closer bilateral co-operation with key nations, but Defence Industrial Strategy. [14524] NATO will remain the cornerstone of our defence. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Mary Creagh: I thank the Secretary of State for that (Peter Luff): The Government are committed to enhancing reply. There has been a great deal of speculation over the role of small and medium-sized enterprises, both as the summer, and while there is no problem with joint a vital part of the United Kingdom’s economy and as procurement, the operational problems are potentially suppliers to the Ministry of Defence. In December we huge if we end up purchasing our Tornados on some will publish a Green Paper on our defence industrial sort of time-share or hire-purchase arrangement with and technology policy, which will include proposals for another nation. Will he reassure the House that any better support for small and medium-sized enterprises. decisions he makes will be driven by the operational It will be followed by a White Paper. In parallel, we requirements of the armed forces? Will he also bear it in propose to work with industry to review the representation mind that if one buys cheap, one often pays twice? of small and medium-sized enterprises on the National Defence Industries Council to ensure that their voice is properly heard. Dr Fox: There are two issues. First, why would we want to get involved in further joint co-operation? Clearly, economy of scale needs to be taken into account in the Andrew Bridgen: I thank the Minister for his answer, difficult budgetary environment. Secondly, who would but will he agree to meet me at his earliest convenience the key partners be? In looking at key partners, we to discuss the legitimate concerns of companies in my certainly consider operational effectiveness and those constituency about tendering for MOD contracts? countries that are likely to deploy and to spend on the research necessary to get the capability we would want. Peter Luff: We are well aware that SMEs can suffer Clearly, for such partnerships, the two frontrunners are particular challenges as a result of excessive delays, the United States and France. frequent changes and complexity in the procurement process. We intend to take full account of those concerns Sir Menzies Campbell (North East Fife) (LD): Does during our development of the Green and White Papers. the Secretary of State accept that there may be However, I should welcome an opportunity to discuss circumstances in which it is more effective to share the issues with my hon. Friend in my office at an early responsibilities rather than equipment? Will he tell the date, and I look forward to seeing him with his constituents. 585 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 586

Mr Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East) (Lab): Dr Fox: What I can tell the hon. Gentleman is that When the Government purchase from small and medium- the total target set by the Afghan Government for the sized companies, those companies’ ability to deliver Afghan national security forces has been exceeded, that must be taken into account in the procurement process. the number of recruits to the Afghan national army is Given that the Minister has not yet signed the contract more than two months ahead of schedule, and that the for the light protected patrol vehicle, can he assure us number of people entering the Afghan national police that in that instance, ability to deliver—and in a timely is increasing. way—will be fully evaluated? The vehicle really is needed I can also tell the hon. Gentleman that there is a in Afghanistan without delay, and that must surely be particularly positive trend in the Afghan national police the Minister’s priority. as a result of a change of policy in Kabul. The pay for those entering the national police is now the same as the Peter Luff: I understand the right hon. Gentleman’s amount paid to the army, which has helped to increase close personal and constituency interest in this procurement. recruitment. Moreover, literacy lessons are now provided I entirely agree with what he has said, and I can give for those joining the Afghan national police. In a country him an absolute assurance that the ability to build the in which literacy levels are barely above 20%, that vehicle on time will be a key part of our decision. As he makes a major difference to recruitment to the security has pointed out, it is very important to the protection of forces. our troops in Afghanistan. Sir Peter Tapsell (Louth and Horncastle) (Con): Why Kabul International Conference did British Ministers choose to ignore the advice given to them on Afghanistan by our exceptionally distinguished former ambassador to Kabul, as a result of which he 8. Mr Sam Gyimah (East Surrey) (Con): What has asked to be transferred to other duties? assessment he has made of the implications of the outcomes of the recent Kabul international conference Dr Fox: The Government take advice from a wide range of British troops in Afghanistan; and if he will make a of sources; we are not in Afghanistan on a unilateral statement. [14525] basis, but as part of an international coalition. Decisions are taken jointly with those in the international community. The Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Liam Fox): We listen to a wide range of experience but are not The importance of a co-ordinated civilian, political and always able to satisfy every opinion. military strategy was agreed by the Afghan Government and the international community at the Kabul conference. British Troops Under US Command (Helmand) It includes a phased approach to the security-led transition of Afghan provinces from the control of the international security assistance force to that of the Afghan National 9. Patrick Mercer (Newark) (Con): How many British Security Force, with the aim of ensuring that the Afghan troops are under US command in Helmand province. forces are leading military operations across Afghanistan [14526] by the end of 2014. United Kingdom personnel are working closely with the ANSF to help it to build its The Minister for the Armed Forces (Nick Harvey): capacity and capability and enable it to achieve that There are no British troops under US national command. aim. The majority of British forces in Helmand, around 6,500, are assigned to the International Security Assistance Force mission, under the command of Commander Mr Gyimah: It is clear that one of the success stories Regional Command (South West), who is currently a of the Afghanistan situation is the growth and increasing US Marine Corps general. The remainder of UK Forces competence of the Afghan security forces. Can my right in Helmand fall under UK national command. hon. Friend confirm that we will hand over areas of control to Afghan forces well before 2015, and that it will be a process rather than a single event? Patrick Mercer: There are elements on the Opposition benches and in some parts of the media who seem to suggest that coalition warfare never involves, or should Dr Fox: This is an important issue for the international not involve, one nation subordinating its troops to community as well as the United Kingdom. It is important another. British troops have been under American that, as we achieve transition in Afghanistan, we maintain command since at least 1917 and vice versa. The system the cohesion of the alliance and the international coalition has worked well. Will the Minister give the lie to the as a whole. The process must therefore involve phasing nonsense that such things actually impede our sovereignty out, not walking out. It is to the advantage of the entire rather than help it? coalition that the countries whose transition takes place in some of the easiest parts of Afghanistan find an Nick Harvey: I readily agree with my hon. Friend that alternative role to augment what the international coalition that must indeed be the case. I must also point out that is doing until we are all ready to transfer fully to Afghan it has been agreed that the UK will take command of authority. Regional Command (South West) on a rotational basis in Afghanistan. More to the point, we should remember Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): A quarter of the that, as part of the ISAF mission, a UK general currently Afghan national mercenary army desert every year. commands Regional Command (South), which includes Can the Secretary of State tell us whether, in the last six troops from the US, Canada, Australia and Romania months, the number of new recruits has been exceeded among others. It works both ways and we are all the by the number of deserters? stronger together for it. 587 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 588

Strategic Defence and Security Review Mr Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East) (Lab): May I say to the Secretary of State that the leaders of industry, as well as the trade unions, are enormously worried that 10. Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con): adequate evaluation of the industrial ramifications is What recent progress his Department has made on the not taking place ahead of the main decisions of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. [14528] SDSR? He cannot do this in sequence without taking huge risks. Will he ensure that the industrial consequences The Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Liam Fox): of the review are fully evaluated—or is the timetable We are in the final stages of the Strategic Defence and being dictated by the Treasury? Security Review. The Department has concluded its detailed policy and capability studies and concluded the Dr Fox: The biggest risk that we face in our security is force testing process. No decisions have yet been taken that we have a muddled and incoherent defence programme by the National Security Council. left over from the previous Government. Before the Labour party lectures the coalition Government about the financial Eric Ollerenshaw: I wish my right hon. Friend well in implications that we face, it might want to remember dealing with the numerous problems left by the previous that with a defence budget of some £35 billion a year, it Government. Does he agree that, despite the need for has left behind an overspend in the equipment programme greater co-operation with our allies on procurement of £38 billion by 2020, with which we are going to have and acquisition, we still need to maintain our own to deal. world-beating design and manufacturing base if we are to have true operational sovereignty? Equipment Funding Dr Fox: It is vital for the UK clearly to identify our sovereign capability requirements and to pursue them 13. Mr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): What recent rigorously. That is why we will publish a consultation representations he has received on funding for equipment document later in the year, asking for full consultation for UK troops in combat operations. [14531] on the process to ensure that we have the industrial capability, skills base and regulatory framework to ensure The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence that what my hon. Friend has outlined is made possible. (Peter Luff): The coalition Government are absolutely committed to funding equipment required for UK troops on operations. In June, the Prime Minister announced Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): Since the last strategic uplifts totalling £256 million for equipment for Afghanistan defence review, more than 10,000 defence jobs have and, on top of that, the MOD and the Treasury continue been lost in Scotland. Bases have been closed and to approve new urgent operational requirements—more regiments amalgamated, and there has been a mammoth than £95 million since June. I am also delighted to be defence underspend of £5.6 billion. Will the Secretary able to tell the House that the latest armoured all-terrain of State tell us how the Ministry of Defence will take vehicle, Warthog, arrived in Afghanistan on Friday. these facts into account and ensure that consideration and fairness is given to defence spending in all the nations and regions of the UK? Mr Offord: I thank the Minister for his response. Given that improvised explosives devices are now the favourite weapon of the Taliban in Helmand province and are Dr Fox: The priority in the defence review is to ensure causing more of our troops to be killed and injured, will that the UK has at its disposal what it needs for its the Secretary of State tell us what he is doing to ensure wider national security and that the industrial implications that our brave soldiers have the necessary equipment to of that are taken into account. I intend to have discussions counter this deadly threat? with the devolved Administrations over the coming weeks to be fully apprised of their concerns about the industrial implications of the SDSR. Ultimately, in a Peter Luff: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to constrained financial environment the No. 1 procurement emphasise this very serious threat to our forces. We priority is to ensure that the armed forces have what recognise fully the rapidly evolving threat of IEDs and they need when they need it at a reasonable cost to the take all possible measures to combat them. While visiting taxpayer. our troops in Afghanistan on 10 June, the Prime Minister announced an additional £67 million for the counter-IED campaign; this will include specialist dogs, bespoke Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): Given the counter-IED Mastiff vehicles, remote-controlled vehicles, highly specialised tasks involved in defending our airspace and equipment to neutralise and analyse IEDs. In addition, for the indefinite future, does the Secretary of State the MOD and the Treasury continue to approve new agree that it would not, in any way, compromise the equipment to counter the impact of IEDs through the integrity of the strategic defence and security review if urgent operational requirements process. Since June, an he were to state today, in the week in which we celebrate additional £50 million of new counter-IED UORs have the 70th anniversary of the climax of the battle of been approved, including sophisticated detection equipment, Britain, that he will give no time to the strategically new personal protective clothing and the new counter-IED illiterate suggestion that the Royal Air Force should be collective training capability—it is a pretty good story. abolished and absorbed into the other two services? Mr Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East) (Lab): Dr Fox: In general it would be wrong of me to May I ask the Minister to try to answer this question, pre-empt the SDSR, but I can give my hon. Friend an rather than to rant in the way that the Secretary of absolute assurance that the Royal Air Force will continue. State did in response to my previous question? Can the 589 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 590

Minister tell us why the Government have delayed the an earlier question, we are looking into post-traumatic deployment of the new Chinook helicopters ordered stress disorder and, indeed, I will visit the King’s Centre last December? for Military Health Research next month to discuss that matter with Professor Wessely. It is very important that Peter Luff: I understand why the right hon. Gentleman we take mental health seriously, and we are looking at wants to make mischief on this particular issue, but he how we can identify mental health problems, but I am is confusing two separate issues. Commanders on the not a clinician—I am not aware whether the hon. ground will always welcome enhanced helicopter Gentleman is—so I cannot take other than the advice capability—of course they will—and we will do what of mental health professionals who say it is very difficult we can to deliver it. However, military commanders to screen people correctly and accurately for mental have confirmed that they have the helicopters they need health problems until they present themselves with those to carry out the tasks that they have been given. Since problems. November 2006, helicopter availability has increased considerably— by 140%—and more Chinook mark 3s Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con): May I ask the Minister will be available for deployment in the months ahead. to continue to recognise the wider impact of combat These kinds of criticisms from those on the Labour stress, particularly on Army families? As my hon. Friend Benches would be better made if they had not left us the Member for North Wiltshire (Mr Gray) alluded, with this wretched £38 billion overspend. and as we discussed when I went to the launch of a new charity in Tidworth, combat stress has a huge impact on Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): The House will the wives, children and husbands of serving armed have noticed a certain role reversal just then. On helicopters forces members. Please will the Minister also confirm in Afghanistan, may I urge my hon. Friend to look hard that other measures, such as our educational premium at the practice of the Americans, nearly half of whose for Army children and scholarships for the children of combat helicopters are piloted by reservists? Such an the fallen, will survive the spending review, as they are approach would make a huge saving to the taxpayer critical to bolstering the military covenant? and guarantee a large number of flying hours on the part of those operating them. Mr Robathan: My hon. Friend has put her finger on exactly the right spot: we are looking at the military Peter Luff: I understand the point that my hon. Friend covenant and how we may enhance the relationship makes, and I am aware that he has made it on a number between the Government and people of this country and of occasions. Of course we benefit from the activities of the armed forces and the work they do. We are looking American pilots in Afghanistan and I assure him that very closely at some of the issues my hon. Friend we will continue to do so. mentioned. As she will know, one or two of them are covered in the coalition agreement for Government Mental Health Care document and I think it highly unlikely that any Minister would dare renege on that programme for Government. 14. Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op): What recent assessment he has made of the provision of mental Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): First, may I health care for members of the armed forces and for say that I agree totally with the Minister’s opposition to veterans. [14532] screening for mental health? He is right on that. Contrary to the rhetoric before the last general election, as a The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence member of the last Labour Government I was pleased (Mr Andrew Robathan): The Ministry of Defence has a to be part of an Administration who delivered the seven wide range of measures in place to monitor and manage mental health pilots and the partnership agreement the mental health of serving personnel, and has been between Combat Stress and the Ministry of Defence exploring with the NHS to ensure ex-service personnel and who funded the research at the King’s Centre for get the care they require. The current strategic defence Military Health Research. Can the Minister give an and security review will include consideration of possible assurance that those mental health pilots will be rolled enhancements to medical care, including improved mental out and that he will fight hard to ensure that not only health care. As I said in answer to an earlier question, are the lessons learned but the money is there to support the Prime Minister has asked my hon. Friend the Member them? for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison) to conduct an independent study into the provision of support and Mr Robathan: I am glad that we are agreeing about so services to the armed forces and ex-service personnel much today, but I am afraid that I cannot prejudge the and to make recommendations for improvement, SDSR in any way, shape or form as that is more than particularly in the area of mental health. my job is worth. However, I will say this: I think it highly unlikely that we will reduce the mental health Chris Evans: I thank the Minister for that response. services provided for our serving and ex-service personnel Given that he implied on BBC “File on 4” in June that because, frankly, we have made commitments on that he does not believe people should be screened for mental and we cannot possibly renege on them. health problems, will he give an assurance that the Government are still committed to a compulsory mental health check for people on discharge from the services? Cyber-Security

Mr Robathan: If I might say so, the hon. Gentleman 15. Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): misquotes what I said on “File on 4”. We take mental What steps he is taking to develop a military health very seriously; for instance, as I said in answer to cyber-security policy. [14533] 591 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 592

The Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Liam Fox): oppose or block arms sales to Taiwan—a friend in that Cyber-security is an important element of the SDSR part of the world and somewhere with which British and has already had considerable consideration. Decisions industry can do business? on enhancing our capabilities will form part of the review, which we will announce to the House later this Mr Howarth: First, may I confirm to my hon. Friend autumn. and to the House that the Government attach the highest priority to defence exports? The procurement Andrew Selous: Can my right hon. Friend tell the House decisions that the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the how much interdepartmental co-operation there is on Member for Mid (Peter Luff), will be these issues, which remain a very serious, if invisible, making as Minister for procurement will be based on threat to the United Kingdom, and one that the MOD considering exportability as a key factor. As for Taiwan, should not have to shoulder on its own? I can confirm to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre and Preston North (Mr Wallace) that there is, as I Dr Fox: I entirely agree with the sentiments at the end understand it, no reason why defence exports should of my hon. Friend’s question. Indeed, this is a cross- not be made to Taiwan. He will understand the sensitivities governmental problem, and it is one of the matters in involved, and that although the licensing of defence which there is a huge advantage from dealing with it exports is primarily a matter for the Department for under the National Security Council because that means Business, Innovation and Skills, that Department we are able to consider it in a cross-governmental nevertheless consults both the Ministry of Defence and manner. It would be quite wrong if the enhancements the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and that that is to cyber-security that protected all of government were the right way to proceed. I take note of my hon. to fall only on parts of it. It therefore makes sense to Friend’s invitation to explore another market where we look at the concept of how we approach it both on a might make some progress. budgetary and a functional basis.

Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): If we are to Topical Questions develop an effective cyber-security policy and to think forward, we must also invest in research and development. T1. [14542] Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): If he Will the Minister give a commitment to ensuring that as will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. part of the defence and security review there will be sufficient capacity for research and development, The Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Liam Fox): particularly on cyber-security? My departmental responsibilities are to ensure that our country is properly defended now and in the future, that Dr Fox: Investing in better cyber-security will not be our service personnel have the right equipment and an option for the United Kingdom. What is being training to allow them to succeed in their military tasks considered under the National Security Council as part and that we honour the military covenant. of the SDSR is how that occurs. We will face increasing threats in cyberspace in the years ahead—the question Andrew Stephenson: On Saturday I visited Euravia, a is how we identify the weakest areas, which need to be company that repairs and overhauls aircraft engines, looked at first, and how we develop the technologies so which is located in Kelbrook in my constituency, for the that, as the other technologies that might affect us presentation of the Queen’s award for enterprise in the continue to evolve, we are best protected. That will international trade category. Does the Secretary of State require us to look at research across the board. agree that high-tech manufacturing jobs play a vital role in our economy? Defence Export Sales (Taiwan) The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence 16. Mr (Wyre and Preston North) (Con): (Peter Luff): It is difficult not to agree with that very What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary important statement. I agree entirely with my hon. of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on support Friend. Of course, defence manufacturing jobs play a for defence export sales to Taiwan. [14534] particularly important part in the high-tech end of manufacturing. We will bring forward a defence industrial and technology policy Green Paper later this year, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence which I hope will underline the importance of that (Mr Gerald Howarth): Defence Ministers have had no issue. engagement with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on support for defence export sales to Taiwan. Mr Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East) (Lab): In May, the Secretary of State said that Mr Wallace: I thank the Minister for that answer. “there is no lack of clarity in the Government’s policy: we believe Given that a fundamental plank of our procurement in a continuous, at-sea, minimum, credible, nuclear deterrent, based on the Trident missile system. I hope that that is explicit policy is exportability and in light of the fact that the enough”.—[Official Report, 26 May 2010; Vol. 510, c. 272.] Secretary of State’s right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has an historical Will the Secretary of State repeat that? lukewarm attitude to our aerospace industry, will the Minister make it absolutely clear that there is no official Dr Fox: Well, I am not sure that I need to repeat it or unofficial policy on the part of this Government to —put simply, I agree with it. 593 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 594

T2. [14543] Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) memory of Captain Martin Driver of 1st Battalion the (Con): Given the importance of stability in to Royal Anglian Regiment, who died earlier this year. this country’s security, will my right hon. Friend say Will the Government join me in paying tribute to that what assistance this country’s armed forces are giving truly outstanding individual and in sending condolences to the armed forces of Pakistan at the moment? to his family and friends?

Dr Fox: My hon. Friend is absolutely correct that Dr Fox: I have the greatest pleasure in doing so. It is Pakistan is a very important security partner if the gains always worth our remembering that we are extremely that we have made in Afghanistan are to be maintained fortunate in this democratic country to have people who in the longer term. We must help with the technical volunteer to put life and limb at risk for the security of capability of the Pakistani security forces in policing their fellow citizens. We should remember the heroic and with their wider military capabilities and we must sacrifices that they make at every opportunity. When also encourage the Pakistani Government to maintain there are those who, as we have seen in recent times, the necessary political drive behind the process. In protest against what our armed forces do, the correct particular, it is vital that the Pakistani Government answer is not to restrict what they get to say but for recognise that it is their duty to deal with the Afghan more of us to get on to the streets in every possible way, Taliban and not just with the Pakistan Taliban if we are including at the sort of ceremony that the hon. Gentleman to get security in the longer term. mentions, to show our support for our armed forces. T5. [14546] Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): T4. [14545] Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): The Secretary of State will be aware of the recent Last Thursday, the House debated for the first time a reports on the failure of UN forces in the Democratic substantive motion on the war in Afghanistan. Fifty-one Republic of the Congo to prevent the horrific scale of Members spoke, many more attended and the Government’s rapes and violent attacks against women. Will he policy was supported overwhelmingly. Will the Secretary confirm what priority he and this Government will be of State confirm that, in future, progress on the war will taking in promoting UN security resolution 1325 and be reported to the House and that, in particular, any in tackling violence against women in conflict areas? change in policy will be announced in the House first rather than to the media? Dr Fox: We take this responsibility extremely seriously. Dr Fox: May I begin by reiterating what I said in that In conjunction with my right hon. Friends the Foreign debate, which is that for the House to have more control Secretary and the International Development Secretary over its time is a positive step and that for it to have we will continue to push to ensure that the rights of chosen Afghanistan as the subject for one of its first women in those areas are fully protected because what debates was an extremely positive development? We are we have seen in recent years, particularly the use of rape committed to keeping Members of the House and of as a weapon of war, is utterly disgusting to any civilised the other place fully informed about what is happening part of the world. in operations. There is a further briefing by General Messenger this evening in the House. On the very first T3. [14544] (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): occasion that I was at this Dispatch Box as the Secretary The bodies of five people working for the Afghan of State I said that it was our intention to keep the House woman MP Fauzia Gailani were recently found after updated quarterly on Afghanistan: that will be undertaken having been abducted by the Taliban. Their hands had by the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and me. been tied and they had been shot in the head. With the elections this Saturday, many candidates and their staff, Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): Will especially women, fear for their safety. What are the the Secretary of State confirm that his Department is Government doing to ensure that the integrity of the having discussions with other Departments, including elections is not compromised by the security threat the Treasury, about the impact that the SDSR proposals posed by the Taliban? will have, linked to the comprehensive spending review, on the skills base in places such as Plymouth? We in The Minister for the Armed Forces (Nick Harvey): I Plymouth, in the dockyard and the naval base, depend entirely share my hon. Friend’s abhorrence of what has on those jobs; we are 309th out of 324 authorities in happened and I am sure that everyone in the House terms of being dependent on the public sector, so any would condemn those appalling murders outright. We loss of jobs or in the skills base will impact seriously on are working with the Government of Afghanistan and our local economy and on the Treasury. with international partners to ensure that female candidates and voters have an increased level of support, but the Dr Fox: The hon. Lady raises an important question. Afghan national army and national police have the lead In the deliberations we have had in the House on the throughout Afghanistan in providing security for the defence industry and defence capabilities, I am not sure elections as they did successfully during the presidential that the skills base has always been given the priority it elections last year. On the ground, ISAF forces, including ought to have. That is why as part of the consultation UK forces in Helmand, will provide support such as that I outlined earlier we will be specifically looking at ISTAR—intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and the skills base, because if we are to look at the contribution reconnaissance—to assist the Afghans, and partnered to the defence industry, for example, of our small and UK-Afghan combined forces will stand ready to provide medium-sized enterprises, the skills base, as well as the any further assistance that may be required. regulatory and fiscal frameworks, is key. Of course, as the hon. Lady knows, I cannot pre-empt the SDSR but (Barnsley East) (Lab): Tomorrow in these things are a very important part of the Government’s St John the Baptist church in Cudworth in my constituency wider defence industrial strategy, which we shall outline there will be a memorial service and dedication to the and welcome consultation on, in the months ahead. 595 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 596

T6. [14547] David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): Dr Fox: In adopting the so-called adaptive posture The circumstances of the death of former Ministry of the National Security Council specifically said that Defence employee, Dr David Kelly, continue to leave because we are unable to predict the exact nature of many people feeling profoundly uneasy. Are those future conflict it was essential to maintain generic and concerns shared within the Ministry of Defence and, if flexible defence capabilities that can adapt to the sort of so, will the Minister be pushing other Departments to threats that may emerge in the future. That of course come up with a full, open and transparent investigation came on top of the Foreign Secretary’s clearly stated as soon as possible? aims that in a genuinely globalised economy where our economic interests are so widespread the United Kingdom Nick Harvey: This matter is predominantly the cannot afford strategic shrinkage. responsibility of the Attorney-General. I am pleased that he has indicated that if any new evidence is put T8. [14549] Mr Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (Con): The before him that would flesh out the concerns that have Minister has the unenviable task of running a Defence been expressed about the circumstances of Dr David Department in a difficult financial climate. Does he Kelly’s death, he would be willing to instruct that a fresh agree that this makes it all the more vital that we get inquest should take place. maximum value from our defence budget? Could we not achieve that if we bought more kit generically off the shelf, rather than through a protectionist defence Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): Many industrial strategy? former British military personnel are working in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq on UK and US Government Peter Luff: Obviously, the prime duty of Ministers in security contracts. What steps are the Ministry of Defence the Ministry of Defence is to ensure that our troops have and the Secretary of State taking to ensure that when battle-winning military superiority, but I agree with my former British military personnel lay their lives on the hon. Friend that that can often be done by buying off line, like their currently serving colleagues, the terms, the shelf. Strangely, in a fast-moving technological world, conditions and welfare of those very brave men and that can often mean superior products with lower women are looked into and they are looked after and operational risk, which brings double benefits. As I taken care of? have emphasised, there are many areas in which sovereign capability is absolutely vital, and cannot be prejudiced—for The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence example, in cryptography. (Mr Andrew Robathan): The hon. Gentleman asks a very interesting question. Of course, people who go out Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): The Secretary of to Afghanistan for commercial organisations are usually State rightly mentioned the importance of skills to our paid a great deal more than our service personnel, armed personnel. Will he take the opportunity to reaffirm which is often why they have left the Army, for instance, the previous Government’s commitment to the building to work for security companies. I pay tribute to their of a new defence training college at St Athan in south bravery in Iraq, now and in the past, and in Afghanistan, Wales? but I am not sure it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence to compensate them should they be injured Dr Fox: The whole training defence review and its while on a commercial contract with a commercial consequences, including St Athan, will be looked at as company. part of the wider strategic defence review.

T9. [14550] Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) Several hon. Members rose— (Con): I declare an interest as a serving Territorial Army officer. In considering the defence review, will my Mr Speaker: Order. If we are to make serious progress, right hon. Friend bear in mind the important role of we need rather pithier questions and answers from reservists in recent military conflict, and the potentially now on. more important role that they might play in future conflicts? T7. [14548] Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): What recent assessment has the Secretary of State Mr Robathan: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. made of the benefit of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary cluster [HON.MEMBERS: “Gallant.”] Indeed; my hon. and gallant contract in reducing costs and improving efficiency? Friend, if hon. Members like, because he certainly is. I pay tribute to him and to my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes North (Mark Lancaster), as they Peter Luff: I am delighted to be able to tell my hon. have both served in operational theatres, gaining invaluable Friend that her constituency is playing a major part in experience, which they bring to the House to provide ensuring that those contracts are delivering, as it were, knowledge for those debates from which it may conceivably more for less, with much greater capability compared be lacking. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member to previous contracting arrangements, at lower cost. I for New Forest West (Mr Swayne), and to the reservists. congratulate her constituents in Falmouth for the part He is absolutely right: historically, for instance in both they are playing. the first and second world wars, it was the Territorial Army, the yeomanry and so on who made up the bulk Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): In the of our forces who defeated our enemies. light of the strategic defence and security review, can the Secretary of State assure the House that the coalition Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): Government will maintain our forces’ capability to protect As well as being a world leader in weather forecasting, UK interests across the world? the Met Office is playing an increasingly important 597 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 598 role in accurately monitoring climate change. What an important part as a bridge between society as a whole discussions has the Secretary of State had regarding its and the armed forces. They are greatly to be encouraged, privatisation? and we are looking at ways in which we can make them more effective as part of the SDSR. Dr Fox: I have not been involved in any specific discussions so far, but we will certainly look at all the John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab/Co-op): assets owned by the Ministry of Defence to determine When the Secretary of State was in opposition, he whether they offer value for money or whether, in the repeatedly and convincingly made the case that delays current fiscal climate, we need to be able to realise the to projects ended up costing the UK taxpayer more and value of some of our assets. put at risk our prized skills base. Will he rule out any such delay in the Trident successor programme or anything T10. [14551] Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) else in the strategic defence review? (Con): Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating cadet forces in the year in which they Dr Fox: I would love to be able to give just such an celebrate 150 years of activity in the UK? What assurance, but as I pointed out earlier, with a defence assurances can he offer the combined cadet forces so budget of £35 billion or so a year, we inherited an that they can play their part in the big society following overspent equipment programme of £38 billion. The the strategic defence review? Opposition may not regard that as a priority, but dealing with it is a priority for the coalition Government if we Dr Fox: Well, they keep digging. My hon. Friend is are to put our armed forces and our defence industry on absolutely right about the role of the cadets, who play a sound, stable and predictable footing for the future. 599 13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts 600

Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts plan—£10 billion that those who opposed the Budget plan would have to find to pay the holders of Government debt. 3.33 pm That leaves £61 billion that will come from reductions Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD) (Urgent Question):To to departmental expenditure plans. It is worth reminding ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a the House that £44 billion of that £61 billion was statement on his additional proposals for cuts in public assumed in the figures left to us by the previous expenditure. I am grateful to you, Mr Speaker, for Government. In other words, for all the synthetic noise allowing this urgent question. and fury that we hear, £3 of every £4 that we are having to cut were cuts that the Opposition were planning to The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr ): make. Unfortunately, not a single one of those pounds I am grateful for the opportunity to update the House was allocated to a specific programme. on the progress of the spending review, and to remind Our job now is to allocate those departmental budgets. people of the context in which we make these difficult That is the purpose of the spending review that is under decisions. way, and I will announce the full results to the House of The previous Government left Britain with the largest Commons on 20 October. The review is informed by the budget deficit of any major economy and no credible largest public consultation exercise ever undertaken on plan to deal with it. That was a major cause of instability public expenditure. More than 100,000 substantive ideas and uncertainty that threatened any prospect of economic have been received from members of the public. Teams recovery. It was reflected in the substantially higher at the Treasury have been sifting through these ideas market interest rates that British families and businesses over the past six weeks and some are already being were being charged compared with those for families implemented. and businesses in countries that were regarded as less We have also created a mechanism for collective exposed to sovereign credit risk. The new Government discussion of spending issues across the Cabinet, which had to take urgent steps to restore stability and allay is something of an innovation, so the Prime Minister— fears about our country’s ability to pay its way in the [Interruption.] Well, there was a Cabinet Committee on world. In the words of the previous Labour Prime life chances, on talent and on democratic renewal under Minister, the previous Government, but no permanent committee “if we fail to offer a convincing path out of debt, that...will itself on public expenditure. The Public Expenditure Committee plunge us into stagnation”. of the Cabinet has already met twice this month and Those views were echoed in the comments this weekend will meet again this week. from the International Monetary Fund, which said that Of course, some decisions that shape the spending “fiscal consolidation remains essential for strong, sustained growth review have already been taken. We will protect the over the medium run”. budget of the NHS with real increases, we will honour the commitments on international aid that we have That is why in the Budget I announced decisive steps made to the poorest in the world, and we will protect to get the deficit under control. I believe that that capital investment in our economic future. We have not Budget has restored stability to the British economy reduced capital spending in future years beyond the and provided a sound basis for a sustainable recovery. It plans that we inherited, and as we take further decisions, has helped keep down the market interest rates that we will strive to ensure that those support economic Britain pays on its debts, which are today more than growth, promote reform and local control, and are half a percentage point lower than at the general election. fair—fair between different sections of society and between In other countries, such as Spain, Portugal or Ireland, different generations. these same rates have stayed broadly flat or gone up since then. Let me say something about welfare spending— [Interruption.] Because of the measures that we are taking, independent forecasters are increasingly confident about the British economy. Last week the OECD predicted that the UK Mr Speaker: Order. May I tell the Chancellor that he would see the strongest growth in the G7 this quarter has well exceeded his time? Allowance will have to be and the second strongest growth next quarter. I can also made for the Opposition Front Bench. That will happen tell the House that today the EU predicted that the UK today, but in future the time limits must be adhered to will see the strongest recovery in the second half of this in this place. year of any major European economy. These, of course, are just forecasts and all this hard-won stability would Mr Osborne: I will heed your injunction, Mr Speaker, be put at risk if we did not now implement the components but the question was a very general one about an update of our Budget plan. on the public expenditure review. Let me remind the House of the measures that we I shall say something about welfare, if the Speaker will took at the emergency Budget and the steps that we now allow me. The welfare bill has risen by 45% in the past have to take. We are set to tighten the public finances by 10 years and almost £1 in £3 that the Government spend a total of £113 billion by 2014-15. Of this, £29 billion goes towards welfare. The current system is not protecting will come from tax measures, including the increase in those who genuinely cannot work, nor is it helping those VAT, higher capital gains tax and a new permanent levy desperately looking for work to find a new job quickly. on banks. A further £11billion will come from the Close to 5 million people are on out-of-work benefits, welfare reforms announced at the Budget. Another more than half of whom have spent at least half of the £10 billion will come as a consequence of paying lower past 10 years in this situation. Rather than rewarding interest charges on the national debt as a result of our work and supporting the vulnerable, we are wasting the 601 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts 602 lives of millions of people. That is why my right hon. those with aspirations to improve their income, to make Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is sure that work is rewarded by the benefit system, and to working with me and other Cabinet colleagues to see do that while we are protecting those who cannot work what we can do fundamentally to reform the welfare and protecting the most vulnerable in our society. I system so that it rewards work and supports aspiration, would argue that the failure on welfare reform over the as well as saving the taxpayer on what someone once last decade was one of the greatest failures of the called the bills of social failure. When we have decisions previous Government. to announce, we will bring them to the House and, of Despite the lurid headlines in some newspapers, the course, we will want to keep the House informed in relationship and the co-operation between the Treasury other ways. and the DWP is strong. There is a perfectly natural— I have already given the Treasury Committee an [Interruption.] unprecedented power to veto my preferred candidate to chair Office for Budget Responsibility, Mr Speaker: Order. The Chancellor must be heard. Mr. Robert Chote, and I can tell the House today that I This sedentary chuntering needs to come to an end. I have asked my hon. Friends the Members for Gainsborough want to hear the Chancellor. (Mr Leigh) and for Southport (Dr Pugh) to draw on their considerable expertise on the Public Accounts Committee in the last Parliament to advise the Government Mr Osborne: It is an improvement on the situation on how to improve the financial management systems under the previous Government, where there was absolutely that we have inherited, and in turn improve accountability no contact between the Secretary of State for Work and to the House. Pensions and the Chancellor. The two Departments are working very well. Obviously the Treasury is interested We have many difficult choices to make, but one in financial management and control: that is a proper thing is clear: one party created this mess; two parties part of our function. My right hon. Friend has inspirational are working hard to clear it up. plans that he has worked on to reform welfare and get people working, and the two of us are working together Bob Russell: If the Chancellor wished to give a full with colleagues in the Cabinet to make that happen. statement to the House, he could have done so last week rather than giving a cursory one to the BBC and having Let me finally say something about the tax gap and to be dragged here today. I acknowledge that 75% of people who do not pay their taxes. Later this week, the cuts are Labour’s cuts, but we have not as yet had figures will be produced—independent figures, not produced the spending review. Clearly, none of the cuts will affect by me—which will show the latest situation on the tax the quality of life of Members of Parliament, but they gap that we have inherited: in other words, the gap will certainly affect the disadvantaged in society. We between what should be collected in tax and what is not know that there will be higher food costs in the coming collected in tax at the moment. Judging by previous year, and other costs will rise. I have no time for the figures I have seen, I think that the House will be pretty welfare cheats, but to try to blame this country’s financial staggered by this number. [Interruption.] Labour Members ills on that small category of the population is unethical. seem to forget that their people were in power for It would be more ethical to act with equal determination 13 years. We have inherited this situation, and we will be towards those who cheat on tax, whether it be income taking steps to reduce tax avoidance, including tax tax, value added tax or corporation tax. There is now a avoidance by the richest people in our society, so that whole industry of financial experts advising people on everyone makes a contribution. tax avoidance. The turf war between the Chancellor’s office and that Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford) of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is (Lab): The shadow Chancellor and the shadow Chief somewhat immature. Children living below the poverty Secretary are not in Westminster today, Mr Speaker, line and people on low incomes, the disadvantaged in and you will be aware that I had asked a similar urgent society, do not want this fun and games, they want question of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, fairness. so it is good that the Chancellor is replying, although very unfortunate that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has chosen not to come to respond. Mr Osborne: The position on welfare is exactly as I set out in my Budget speech at this Dispatch Box when On Thursday, the Chancellor told the BBC that the I said that if we could find further savings on welfare, Government were cutting an additional £4 billion from we would be able to reduce the pressure on other out-of-work benefits. The BBC website says: Departments. That was what we were planning to do “The government is planning to reduce the annual welfare bill over the coming months as part of the spending review, by a further £4bn, Chancellor George Osborne has told the and that is exactly what I said in the television interview BBC.” to which my hon. Friend refers. Today, he has refused to tell the House what he told the Secondly, it would be impossible to conduct a spending BBC. Did the BBC correspondents just get it wrong? review without looking at the welfare bill. Whether one Did they mishear what he said? Will he now come clean was looking for £61 billion of savings or £44 billion, and tell us what he has in fact got agreed and planned welfare spending accounts for a third of the entire for the additional cuts that he wants to make to the Government budget, so one has to look at the welfare welfare bills for the spending review? Will he tell us budget. That is what we are doing, but we are looking to whether the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions do it in a way that reforms welfare, to help those has agreed to £4 billion of additional cuts? Will he millions of people who have been trapped for a decade admit that the timing of this interview had nothing to or more on out-of-work benefits into work, to help do with reaching agreement on the spending review 603 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts 604

[Yvette Cooper] In the Budget speech, I made it very clear that we were looking for additional savings to welfare. If the with the Work and Pensions Secretary and everything Labour party wants to propose some ideas to make up to do with getting off the BBC headlines its £44 billion part of the savings package, perhaps it for the day? will contribute to this debate. Sadly, at the moment, we In June, the Chancellor wrote to the Secretary of have had absolutely no ideas from it. It opposed the State: VAT rise; the pay freeze; the in-year savings; the housing “I am pleased that you, the prime minister, and I have agreed benefit reforms; the tax credit reforms; the switch to the to press ahead with reforms to the ESA as part of the spending consumer prices index for benefits; and the abolition of review that deliver net savings of at least £2.5bn by 2014/15.” child trust funds. It opposed all those things. They are His Chief Secretary said yesterday that this was not £33 billion worth of cuts. agreed; well, is it agreed or isn’t it? Where are the Labour party’s numbers? Where are its The Chancellor is not being straight with the House— ideas? If it wants to engage with us in a real debate [Interruption.] about how we reform welfare, protect the most vulnerable and help people who can work into work, we will be all Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Member for Wellingborough ears. But at the moment there is a deafening silence (Mr Bone) is normally a pretty equable fellow; he is from the Labour party. getting a little over-excited. I must ask the right hon. The right hon. Lady talks about my right hon. Friend Lady to withdraw that term. No Minister would be the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions not being other than straight with the House. She will find another here. He happens to be at a conference in Europe about word, I feel sure. international labour market reforms. The shadow Chancellor is not here, and nor is a single one of the Yvette Cooper: I certainly accept your point, Mr Speaker. Labour party leadership contenders. That is because I am sure that no Minister would want not to be straight instead of talking about the national interest, they are with the House, and I am sure that the Chancellor will courting the votes of vested interests. be. I withdraw any suggestion that he was not, because I am sure that he will be. (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): I Will the Chancellor confirm, therefore, that saving an congratulate the Chancellor on his innovative way of additional £4 billion from getting people into work will taking suggestions from the public on the spending require new jobs for 800,000 people, at a time when his challenge. Has he had any suggestions from the shadow own Office for Budget Responsibility says that far from Chancellor or the Labour party leadership contenders? creating an extra 800,000 jobs, his Budget will cut 100,000 jobs from the economy in each and every year? Mr Osborne: The answer to my hon. Friend is no. Since The Chancellor has also said that he plans to target Labour Members called for a vote on the value added the workshy and those who are fit for work. Will he tax rise, we have discovered that actually the shadow confirm, however, that savings from getting those who Chancellor supports the VAT rise. So he did have ideas; are fit for work off sickness benefits are already built he just did not tell us about them. into the Treasury figures, and that cutting an extra £2.5 billion from employment support allowance would Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): If the recent hit only those who have been through the new, tougher report from BDO Stoy Hayward, which says that we test and who even his Ministers agree are genuinely too could be back in recession by Christmas, proves true, sick or too disabled to work? Is it not the truth that he is how many more billions will the Chancellor take off the planning to cut the level of support for some of the most vulnerable in society? most vulnerable people in society? Will he confirm that someone who is on employment support allowance, and has been through the test, is already facing a £285 cut in Mr Osborne: I draw the hon. Gentleman’s attention the value of their ESA and an average £650 cut in their to the central forecasts produced by the Office for housing benefit as a result of his plans? Budget Responsibility, the Bank of , the OECD The Chancellor claims to support jobs and to be and the European Commission. They forecast steady progressive, but he is doing the opposite. The truth is and sustainable growth over the coming period. I take that his plans hit the poorest harder than the rich, the view—a view shared by quite a number of people women harder than men and children and pensioners who observe the British economy—that if we had not worst of all. Now he has shown that he is targeting put in place, in the Budget, a credible plan to reduce the those who are most sick and disabled in society. Is it not budget deficit, this country would be in an economic the truth that he has decided to hit those whom he mess. knows will find it harder to fight back? This is not progressive; it is a nasty attack, and he should withdraw Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester) (Con): The Chancellor it now. helpfully published, decile by decile, the distributional effects of a number of his measures in the Budget. But Mr Osborne: First of all, I note that there has still not the exclusion from his analysis of a number of other been a word of apology about leaving this country with measures has led to a lot of controversy about whether the worst public finances in its history. Nor, by the way, his Budget is progressive or regressive. Will he now has there been an apology for the complete failure, by commit to publishing in the comprehensive spending the right hon. Lady and her predecessors as Secretary review a full analysis of all the measures in aggregate, of State, to reform the welfare system, despite all those decile by decile, so that we can see whether their effects promises. will be progressive or regressive? 605 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts 606

Mr Osborne: First, let me say to my hon. Friend that of Parliament and people who are severely disabled are the previous Government never published any distributional frightened to death of losing their benefits? Is it not impacts as part of their Budgets. We have begun that time that he had the gall to tell the truth: that this is all work in the Red Book. We said that we wanted to about using the deficit, which we had planned for, as an receive comments about how we could improve the opportunity to carry out the Tory ideology of cutting work. There is a real challenge, of which my hon. the power of the state? Friend is well aware, given all his experience, to do with the modelling of some of the impacts. The Treasury Mr Osborne: As the hon. Gentleman is now a Blairite, model, which, of course, we inherited—we did not I thought that I would read out what his master said create a new Treasury model—has made it very difficult recently, which is relevant to what he has just said: to model certain expenditure changes. “I look at those policy papers now—the work on…the use of We will continue to try to provide Parliament with social security budgets…and I do think how different it would the best information that we can, but I do not want to have been if we had done it. If we had…not wandered into a promise to deliver something that I cannot actually cul-de-sac of mixed messages and indecision… But there it is. It deliver. didn’t happen, and that’s it.” We are trying to do the things that he once promised in Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): I welcome his election manifesto. the Chancellor’s repeated commitment to supporting people back into work. Can he confirm that benefits Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): In his article savings that may be achieved will be prioritised for yesterday, David Smith, the economics editor of The DWP back-to-work programmes and, in particular, Sunday Times, reminded us that the structural deficit that the funding needed to meet the objectives of dynamic had averaged 2.7% since 2003 and that we inherited benefits will be provided to the Secretary of State for planned tax rises and expenditure cuts of £73 million. Work and Pensions as a first call on any savings on the Given the positive reaction of the markets to his Budget benefits bill? of a few months ago, what does the Chancellor think would happen if he did not persist with these tough but Mr Osborne: We have a dual task. We have a welfare very necessary measures? bill that represents a third of all Government spending; and, given that at least half the Labour party—I think—still Mr Osborne: The answer is simple: there would be a believes in trying to reduce the deficit, we have to find catastrophic loss of confidence in Britain and an increase savings from the welfare bill. At the same time, we are in market interest rates, which would hit every business seeking a fundamental reform of welfare to encourage and family. That would lead to an increase in people into work. Bringing those two objectives together unemployment, which is why we are not prepared to is precisely what I am working on with the Secretary of take the prescription offered by at least some of the State for Work and Pensions. people standing for the leadership of the Labour party.

Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South) (LD): I am Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op): The sure that the whole House will be pleased to hear the Chancellor ought to read the International Monetary comment about going after those who deliberately avoid Fund report on that subject. The economy is slowing, paying tax—it would be interesting to know when we business confidence and business investment are flat, will hear how that will be achieved—but more importantly, and net trade is going through the floor rather than the Chancellor mentioned the phrase “protection of the through the roof. In those circumstances, is it not folly vulnerable” several times in his statement today. I would of the first order to cut public expenditure? Is not the be interested to know how that is going to be achieved, Chancellor threatening a double-dip recession—the very and when he will explain to the House how the vulnerable thing we do not need? in our society—including the very poor—will get the protection that they deserve. Mr Osborne: The people who are talking down the British economy are the Opposition. Since the hon. Mr Osborne: Let me give my hon. Friend a specific Gentleman mentioned the IMF, let me remind him example: disability living allowance. We were faced with what it said this weekend: a number of options, but we decided that we wanted to “Fiscal consolidation remains essential for strong, sustained keep it as a universal benefit, and instead look at the growth over the medium term.” criteria that allowed people to get on it and ensure that they were entitled to stay on it. We are particularly Matthew Hancock (West Suffolk) (Con): Since the conscious of benefits on which people in vulnerable election, the interest rates on gilts at two and three positions are dependent, but with each benefit, we are years—the kind of time periods that people borrow for proceeding with caution, seeking as wide a consensus as their mortgages—have halved. Does the Chancellor possible. However, my hon. Friend has my commitment think that that has anything to do with the new Government that we are doing everything that we can to protect the getting to grips with the nation’s finances? vulnerable during this process. I would also make a general observation: the thing that really hurts the most Mr Osborne: I think it does have something to do vulnerable in our society is when a country loses control with the new Government setting out their plan, and it of its public finances. is easy to see why. We can compare what has happened to market interest rates for the United Kingdom with Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): Is the Chancellor market interest rates for countries such as Spain, Portugal, really aware that as a result of these successive sadistic Ireland and Greece. At the time of the general election, statements about cuts, war pensioners are ringing Members it was well understood that people in the world were 607 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts 608

[Mr George Osborne] getting the public finances in order the best way to stop hitting the sick and the vulnerable? Should not all concerned about the record UK budget deficit, the Members of the House work together to champion the largest in the G20. As a result of the steps that we have sick and the poor, rather than scaremongering when we taken in the Budget—which we now need to see through do not have the details? in the spending review—we have restored stability to the economy and helped to bring down market interest Mr Osborne: My right hon. Friend is absolutely rates. That would not have happened if Labour had right. People will remember that, in the mid-1990s, a stayed in office. central part of the then new Labour party’s claim to office was that it was going to reduce the bills of social (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): How failure. No doubt that was in all the election addresses does the Chancellor think that slashing jobs at tax that it delivered at the time. It did not do that, however; offices up and down the country will help with the the welfare bill went up by 45%, and its former leaders collection of the £120 billion that is lost every year are now telling us candidly that they completely failed. through tax evasion and tax avoidance in this country? We are going to succeed where they failed. What other measures does he have in mind for collecting that money, which could be saved and used to prevent these enormous cuts, which are going to hit the poorest Mrs Anne McGuire (Stirling) (Lab): I am always the hardest? astonished that when Members move over to the Government side of the House, they ask for less spending Mr Osborne: As I was saying in reply to my hon. on welfare than they did when they were on the Opposition Friend the Member for Colchester (Bob Russell), we are side. I was visited on Friday by a severely disabled keen to ensure that the tax gap is reduced and that Her constituent who was seriously worried about her future. Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is an organisation that Why has the Chancellor promoted the legitimate debate is able to collect that tax that is due to us all. Unfortunately, on welfare reform by contextualising it with reference to as has been well documented in recent days, we have those who abuse the system—for whom there is no inherited a whole string of problems, including 6 million support on either side of the House—thereby sowing people being given the wrong tax information under the great seeds of concern among many disabled people previous Government. We are putting in place the measures and their families in the UK today? that I believe will improve HMRC and enable it to focus on reducing that tax gap. Mr Osborne: It is difficult to see how we can have a debate on out-of-work benefits and how to reform them Dan Byles (North Warwickshire) (Con): Does the without at least addressing the issue of some people Chancellor agree with the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy who should perhaps be doing more to get into work. and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown), who said in 1996: Let me stress that we are doing everything we can to “Losing control of public spending doesn’t help the poor”? make sure that the poorest and the most vulnerable are helped, while rewarding work. If the right hon. Lady or Mr Osborne: It is not often that I say this, but I agree any other Labour Member wants to make a positive with the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and contribution or propose a positive plan, we will listen Cowdenbeath on that. Maybe one day he will turn up in to it. the House of Commons and explain what he meant. (Witham) (Con): Will the Chancellor condemn Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): Instead the calls for civil disobedience coming from the trade of hitting the sick and the disabled with these cuts, why unions in the light of the necessary spending decisions does not the Chancellor tackle the bankers’ welfare bill that have to be made in view of the economic mess left by reversing his ridiculous decision to give a £1 billion by the last Government? cut in corporation tax to the banks? Mr Osborne: I do not think that strike action would Mr Osborne: Over the past 13 years, Labour allowed help anyone at this point in time. Again, the people who the banking system to become completely unregulated suffer most when countries lose control of their public and presided over the biggest banking crisis of our finances are often those working in the public sector, so lifetime. At the time of the general election, I remember I would hope that the trade unions, like everyone else in arguing in the television debates for a bank levy to be our society, will work together to sort out this national introduced in this country even if other countries did problem—and do so in the national interest. not introduce it. The then Chancellor opposed me on that. We have now introduced the levy, and I see that it Mr Chuka Umunna (Streatham) (Lab): The Chancellor’s has been universally accepted by the people who opposed emergency Budget was criticised for adversely impacting it just a few months ago. The receipts from the levy on certain groups, not least women—indeed, it is subject massively outweigh any gain that comes from the lower to litigation in the courts at the moment by the Fawcett corporation tax, and that was taken into account when Society. With particular regard to the extra £4 billion of I set the level of the bank levy at £2.5 billion. cuts announced by the Chancellor to the BBC last week, has he carried out an equality impact assessment Malcolm Bruce (Gordon) (LD): Why, if the previous of the effects of that measure? Government were so successful in achieving economic success, did the welfare bill rise by 47%? Is it not the Mr Osborne: Of course, as we prepare the comprehensive case that the former Chancellor of the Exchequer and spending review, we will comply with the legislation on Prime Minister threw prudence to the winds? Is not the statute book. 609 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts 610

Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): Does the make a serious contribution to the debate, I suggest that Chancellor appreciate that on the coalition Benches, he proposes some specific measures to deliver the plans there is unanimous support for his policy of shrinking on which he stood at the last general election. the size of the state? Are we not lucky to have a Chancellor with the guts and ability to carry it out? () (Con): Does my right hon. Friend have a view on why Labour Members continue Mr Osborne: I thank my hon. Friend for his last remark. to treat the entire British public like children? They The state currently consumes almost half of national spend, spend, spend, bringing our country to the verge income and I do not think that there is a serious of bankruptcy— contender for high office on the Labour side who does not think that it needs to come down. Unfortunately, Mr Speaker: Order. There is much pressure on time. I not a single proposal has been forthcoming. It is quite remind the hon. Gentleman that he must ask a Minister remarkable that this is the most contentious issue that about the policy of the Government, not the attitude of we are debating, yet the people who aspire to lead the the Opposition. We will leave it there; the Chancellor Labour party have absolutely nothing to say about it. can respond briefly if he wants, but he is under no obligation. David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): While there is action to be taken against those who have defrauded the Mr Osborne: My hon. Friend said some very good benefit scheme, what are the Government doing to things about how the Opposition treat the rest of the encourage those who are in genuine need of those country like children. benefits, and how are they going to be made available? Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): Formula grant for local Mr Osborne: The hon. Gentleman would know, first, government is about £24.5 billion, made up of just over that we are creating the new Work programme, which £3 billion in revenue support grant and just over we believe will help people currently looking for work £21 billion from business rates. The cut is £6 billion, to get the skills and support they need to get into work. which leaves about £3 billion income from business It will be a far better system than the one we inherited. rates that is not being redistributed in formula grant. Then there is the broader debate, alluded to in a number Would not a good use of that money be the protection of questions, about how we reform the out-of-work of the poorest and most vulnerable in our communities benefit system to reward work and give people a greater from the ravages of the cuts being imposed by the incentive to take on additional hours of work. That is Government? Exactly how will businesses be accountable absolutely central to the debate. for what that £3 billion is used for?

Mr Osborne: As well as considering reforms to the (North East Cambridgeshire) (Con): formula grant, we took some steps earlier this year, and The recent independent report by the National Audit we hope to take further steps, to increase the freedoms Office found that on the last Government’s cost-reduction that local authorities have to spend the money and to targets for 2010-11, only one Department had achieved have fewer ring-fenced programmes from central even 50% of that target; that of the savings reported, Government Departments. We are looking at a review only 38% could be relied upon; and that one Department of the formula grant. had the distinction of achieving even less than 5% of its cost-reduction target. What representations has my right hon. Friend had on how to make up that shortfall? Nick Boles (Grantham and Stamford) (Con): If we do not put up VAT, do not cut defence expenditure—as the Labour party proposed during Defence questions—and Mr Osborne: Not many, is the answer. My hon. do not cut the welfare bill, as the right hon. Member for Friend is right to draw the House’s attention to the fact Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) that what we used to hear from the Labour Government proposes, will the Chancellor confirm that the only way about efficiency savings—in the press releases issued at to have a sustainable budget is to slash spending on the the time of their last Budget—was all guff. Anyone who NHS? has examined whether any of the former Government’s claims stack up has found that they do not. It is another part of the Labour party’s fraudulent record. Mr Osborne: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The Labour party has opposed the £13 billion VAT increase, even though we now know that the shadow Chancellor, Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): Does the Tony Blair and all supported that Chancellor really believe that the Government’s proposals increase; and it has opposed some of the other measures will not be met with the widest opposition up and down to which my hon. Friend refers. There is a difference the country? The Chancellor might dismiss this comment, when it comes to the NHS: I believe it is the official but the Cabinet is playing with fire. policy of the Labour party that the NHS should not be protected from cuts and should not have a real increase Mr Osborne: Let me say this to the hon. Gentleman: in funding. I happen to disagree with that policy, and he sat on the Government Benches year after year while we will see what the public think about it. the budget deficit racked up; he allowed this country to have the largest budget deficit in the developed world. (Leicester West) (Lab): The Chair of the We are now seeking to reduce that budget deficit. The Treasury Committee asked the Chancellor to publish previous Government pencilled in but never identified new details of the distributional impact of the Budget, £44 billion of public expenditure savings. If he wants to including the proposed cuts to housing benefit and 611 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts 612

[Liz Kendall] Labour’s legacy. Does the Chancellor agree that if any party is to have credibility in criticising specific cuts, it disability living allowance. Is the Chancellor aware that must present a realistic alternative that does not just the Institute for Fiscal Studies produced such an analysis saddle the next generation with thousands of pounds last month? Is he aware that it says that of debt? “the overall effect of the new reforms announced in the June 2010 Budget is regressive, whereas the tax and benefit reforms announced Mr Osborne: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. by the previous Government” — The plethora of memoirs and interviews from people for the same period— who were at the top of the Labour party until a few “are progressive”? months ago have consistently made clear that it is not credible for the Labour party not to issue its own In the light of that evidence, will he explain whether he proposals and come up with its own ideas. As I have still claims that his Budget and his Government are said, £44 billion of the cuts with which we are proceeding progressive? were pencilled in by the last Government, and they have between now and 20 October to tell us where those Mr Speaker: Order. There were three questions there, £44 billion of cuts would have fallen. but one answer will suffice. Miss Anne Begg (Aberdeen South) (Lab): On Saturday Mr Osborne: I can do no better than repeat what the I attended a conference organised by the Aberdeen IFS said in the report to which the hon. Lady has branch of the Disability Advisory Group. The people referred. It said that in 2012, there were genuinely worried about the reassessment for “Considering all tax and benefit reforms… the richest tenth of disability living allowance and the medicalisation that households lose the most in both cash and percentage terms.” has been announced. They were completely baffled, and kept asking, “Why us?” Whoever is to blame for the Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con): Does the Chancellor economic crisis, it is certainly not disabled welfare recipients. agree that there is nothing progressive about leaving May I now ask the Chancellor, “Why them?”? 5 million people on out-of-work benefits—a system that condemns single women in particular to a lifetime of poverty—and that there is nothing progressive about Mr Osborne: I respect the fact that the hon. Lady is leaving the Labour party’s debts to the next generation the Chair of the Select Committee on Work and Pensions, to repay? but I must tell her that the number of working-age people who claim disability living allowance has risen by more than 40% in the last decade, which is a substantial Mr Osborne: I can go better, and quote Lord Myners, increase. When I considered reforms to the allowance, I who said: saw that it would be possible to introduce such reforms “There is nothing progressive about a Government who consistently as means-testing, but I rejected those. I said that it spend more than they can raise in taxation, and… nothing progressive that endows generations to come with the liabilities would be fairer to introduce an up-to-date assessment incurred by the current generation.”—[Official Report, House of to help people to receive the benefit and ensure that Lords, 8 June 2010; Vol. 719, c. 625.] they were eligible for it in future. I think that that is the fair way in which to proceed with this particular benefit, Sir Gerald Kaufman (, Gorton) (Lab): because I well understand that those who receive it are The right hon. Gentleman says that he wishes to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our society. the most vulnerable. Will he intervene personally to solve the problem of a constituent of mine, who is (Dover) (Con): Can the Chancellor severely epileptic, who has not received his tax credit for tell us whether, having bankrupted the country, the last six weeks owing to the total inefficiency of Her Majesty’s Government left any detailed financial restraint, according Revenue and Customs, and who has no money to Treasury officials? This reminds me of the kids—the whatsoever—[Interruption.] Don’t you care about this yobs—who smash the bus shelter and then throw stones man? He has no money whatsoever, and is only able to at the people who are trying to clean up the mess. It is a feed his family as a result of collections from his church. disgrace. The chairman of the board says that it is nothing to do with him; will the Chancellor say that it is something to Mr Osborne: The last Government left nothing except do with him? a letter from their Chief Secretary saying “I am sorry, but there is no money left”. Mr Osborne: Of course I take responsibility for the tax credit system that I have inherited. We know that Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): Does the there are real problems with the way in which it operates, Chancellor recognise that most ordinary people consider and we are trying to establish how we can reform things a £2.5 levy for rich bankers to be grossly unfair, given in general. I will, however, look urgently at the case that that ordinary people are paying 10 times more? He can the right hon. Gentleman has brought to the House’s now do better with tax-dodgers. Does he expect Lord attention: if he will give me the details this afternoon, I Ashcroft to pay more on 24 October? will get on to it straight away. Mr Osborne: We were the first major economy to Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): Like many introduce the banking levy. We were bitterly opposed in Members of Parliament—although, perhaps, not the the run-up to the election by a Government, in whom I hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone)—I want think the right hon. Gentleman was a Minister, who to see cuts in our public services. I accept that they are, told us that we should not introduce the banking levy sadly, necessary to deal with the huge deficit that is until all the other countries had done so. We took a lead 613 Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts 13 SEPTEMBER 2010 614 and introduced the banking levy, which will raise Queen’s Speech (Date) £2.5 billion. Since then, many other countries have followed our lead. [Interruption.] Opposition Members say it’s nothing or a pittance. If that is the case, why did 4.20 pm they not introduce a levy? They had 13 years to do it Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab): (Urgent and they did not. The only thing they did was cut Question): To ask the Leader of the House about his capital gains tax, which we have had to increase. proposed date for the next Queen’s Speech. Several hon. Members rose— The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir George Young): This morning, I issued a written ministerial Mr Speaker: Order. In recognition of the level of statement to the House in relation to parliamentary interest, I have given this question a very good run but, Sessions. It set out that the Fixed-Term Parliaments due to pressure of time, some people will have to be Bill, which has its Second Reading this afternoon, proposes disappointed. We must now move on. that parliamentary general elections will ordinarily take place on the first Thursday in May every five years. I decided that it was important to set out to the House at the earliest opportunity the Government’s proposal that, subject to the successful passage of the Bill, it would be appropriate to move over to five 12-month Sessions over a Parliament beginning and ending in the spring. One of the benefits of this proposal is the greater certainty it brings to the parliamentary timetable. It also has the advantage of avoiding a final Session of only a few months, when—as we saw with the last Administration —Parliament is forced to consider a lame duck legislative programme of little significance. Under this proposal, Her Majesty’s Gracious Speech on the occasion of the state opening of parliament will, in future, ordinarily take place in the spring, rather than in the autumn. In order to ensure a smooth transition, the Government have proposed that the current Session of Parliament will run until around Easter 2012. The next state opening of Parliament will therefore take place shortly afterwards. Dependent on progress on the Fixed-Term Parliaments Bill, we envisage that the House would then move to a pattern of annual state openings in the spring, consistent with the new statutory provision for general elections to be held in the spring. Following the announcement of the proposals this morning, the Government intend to listen intently to right hon. and hon. Members’ views, particularly during the passage of the Bill, and to work with the authorities of both Houses to implement the necessary changes. I am not able today to announce the specific date of the next Queen’s Speech, as requested by the right hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr MacShane). As he well knows, the date can only be announced, as it usually is, nearer the time and only after proper consultation with the Palace. I am sure he would not want to short-circuit that process today. I intend to give the House as much notice as possible of future proposed recess dates and will issue a calendar of the future sitting days as soon as is practicable. This is a sensible response to a Bill in the coalition Government’s programme that the Opposition support. It is announced in good time and subject to parliamentary scrutiny, during the Bill that will be debated this afternoon. Today’s announcement will also ensure that Parliament has adequate time in this Session to debate and scrutinise the Government’s legislative programme, which, as the House will be only too aware, was something consistently denied by the last Government. Far from being an affront to Parliament, it is one way in which this Government are empowering it. 615 Queen’s Speech (Date)13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Queen’s Speech (Date) 616

Mr MacShane: The Leader of the House is an MP’s As my right hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham MP and by far the nicer of the two Georges in the (Mr MacShane) said, time is power. Of course any Cabinet. But this is not Eton, we are not his fags and he Government may expect a reasonable time in which to should not be the Prime Minister. It cannot be acceptable get their legislation through, but if they are unable to do that a decision to abolish next year’s Queen’s Speech so, that legislation must fall. Will the Leader of the was not made in person to the House. Will he confirm House confirm that no Session of Parliament, whether that the Government have not discussed this constitutional in wartime or peacetime, over the past century and a change with Opposition parties via the usual channels, half has lasted for two years? but that instead that he made his announcement in a May I, like my right hon. Friend, ask the Leader of wholly unilateral manner? This represents a major shift the House to explain why he, as a Minister whose of power to the Executive at the expense of the people. responsibility is to protect this House, chose to make Time is power in this or any democratic Parliament. such an important announcement in a written ministerial This constitutional change allows the Government two statement? His statement said that years to extend their legislation, unlike the normal “it would be appropriate to move towards five, 12-month, sessions constitutional convention that a Bill not made into law over a Parliament”. within the year falls. Yes, there are carry-over provisions, So why has he not implemented that by the simple but pushing the Queen’s Speech back to 2012 is a major arrangement of having the first of those five Sessions power grab by the Executive—I would have thought finishing in May 2011? Is it that the Leader of the House that the Lib Dems, above all, would want to have wanted to protect the rights of this House but was something to say on this. Does the Leader of the House simply overruled by those who wanted simply to protect agree that as we will now have to wait until May 2012 their legislation? Is this what happens if the Leader of for the next Queen’s Speech, we have plenty of time to the House is not in the Cabinet speaking up for the debate the boundary changes Bill and we no longer rights of this House? There has been no consultation need to rush the alternative vote referendum Bill through with other parties and with Parliament on this. He says in just a few days? that he will enable time for consultation, but his statement As Hansard will confirm, on 25 May, the Deputy says that Leader of the House—our favourite bearded Lib Dem “the Government have decided that the current session of Parliament wonder—promised that the House would be at the will” centre of all constitutional change. That promise was continue; it did not say that consultation will take place broken this morning. He, at least, should resign and on this. become a Liberal Democrat again, and I urge the Leader of the House to withdraw the written statement, The Government have made much of their “new and bring it back for a full debate and a vote in the ” and of giving away power from the Executive House of Commons. to Parliament. So why is one of their first acts to give the Executive huge power by extending the time in Sir George Young: May I return the compliment, by which to get their legislation through? Does the Leader saying that of the two Denis’s that confront me the right of the House not see that this is, in effect, an abuse of hon. Gentleman is by far the nicer? power? Will he, as my right hon. Friend asked him to do, withdraw his plans, consult Parliament properly May I say to the right hon. Gentleman that I totally and come back with proposals that respect Parliament reject his accusations that somehow this is taking power and respect our democracy? away from people? This is a wholly sensible proposition and it is right that the House should know the Government’s Sir George Young: If we were to do what the right intentions before it begins to debate the Fixed-term hon. Lady has just proposed and were to end this Parliaments Bill—that debate follows in a few moments’ Session in May next year, we would have to guillotine time. There are opportunities to carry over at the end of all the Bills in the programme, and I suspect she would one Session, which he appeared to ignore, and we have be the first to object if we were to rush the programme allowed ample time to debate the constitutional Bills to through on that timetable. Secondly, I laid a written which he has referred. Far from this being an insult to ministerial statement before the House; I did not make the House, at the earliest opportunity I made a written this announcement on the “Today” programme, which ministerial statement to the House, and the proposals is something that we grew used to in the last Parliament. that I have referred to will be debated in respect of the I think the right hon. Lady should welcome the extra Bill that the House is shortly to address. time that is now being given to this year’s legislative programme, which contains some serious Bills and which Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): What consideration will now get enough time to be debated. did the Leader of the House give to instead bringing May I also just remind the right hon. Lady and other forward the next Queen’s Speech to May 2011? Front-Bench Members of what they did when they came into office in 1997? Without any consultation or Sir George Young: If one were to do that, it simply discussion, they told the House they were changing the would not give the House adequate time to debate fully frequency of Prime Minister’s questions from twice a the programmes announced in the last Queen’s Speech. week to once a week. We should contrast that with the 18-months’ notice I have given of this proposal, which Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central) (Lab): The is also subject to the passage of a Bill. Leader of the House has, in effect, announced today that the Government have abolished next year’s Queen’s Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest) (Con): Is the Speech and given themselves an extra year to get through Leader of the House encouraged by the synthetic anger their legislation, including some very controversial Bills. of Opposition Members, who have had 13 years of 617 Queen’s Speech (Date)13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Queen’s Speech (Date) 618 losing control of Government business, guillotining with other parties more widely, and on, for a change, Bills and not giving anything like enough time to consider seeking to involve other parties represented in the House important business? Will the Leader of the House confirm before decisions are made or proposals brought forward that when we come to the Committee stage of the that involve major changes to the parliamentary system Fixed-term Parliaments Bill, which we are about to and our constitution? discuss on Second Reading, the House will be able to examine the proposals he has just made in greater Sir George Young: I am grateful to the right hon. detail, thereby ensuring that the right balance between Gentleman for making that point. My view is that if a the Government and the House is maintained? Government have a serious policy proposal, they should share it with the House. That is what I have done by Sir George Young: I am grateful to my hon. Friend publishing a written ministerial statement. I have also for her support, and she is right to point out that there made it clear that it is subject to the passage of legislation. will be more time to debate important constitutional That legislation will be subject to scrutiny by the House, reform under this Government than there was under when the right hon. Gentleman will have the opportunity the last one. Her point about raising this matter during to make his points in Committee. the passage of that Bill is also a good one, and it was heard by both the Ministers who will be responsible for Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con): Is it not the Bill’s passage and the Members who will be speaking clear that if the previous Government or an Opposition on its Second Reading. I know that they will want to party had put forward a proposal to have four—or address the concerns she has just mentioned. possibly even five under this new system—Queen’s Speeches in a Parliament they would have been able to knock Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North) (Lab): May I away any criticisms on the grounds that it would help welcome what the right hon. Gentleman calls “the Parliament to give consideration to the business in front greater certainty”this proposal “brings to the parliamentary of us, especially in its first year, when some progressive timetable”, but object on behalf of my Select Committee, and even radical Bills need serious scrutiny both here which was elected by all Members of this House to and in the other place? scrutinise such matters? We have had two weeks to scrutinise the AV and parliamentary boundaries Bill, Sir George Young: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. one week to scrutinise the Fixed-term Parliaments Bill As I said, I was surprised that the right hon. Member and now, it appears, at best one week to look at this for Doncaster Central (Ms Winterton) did not welcome proposal announced today. Will the Leader of the House the extra time that would now be available to scrutinise stick to his word in writing to the Liaison Committee, the legislation in the current Queen’s Speech. and give every Bill that comes before the House 12 weeks of pre-legislative scrutiny? That way, the House will be Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): Does the Leader able to do exactly what it should do: make sure we get of the House agree that dividing Parliament into five better laws from this place. segments is an anachronism, irrational and in fact wastes a huge amount of money? It also acts as an obstruction Sir George Young: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman to good government. It costs millions to cover the time for the support, albeit a little qualified, in his opening of the police and military when we open Parliament sentence. He has raised this issue with me before, and I each year. Although the Government are probably doing say to him that the Government are grateful to his the right deed for the wrong reason, does he not appreciate Select Committee for the work it has been able to do on that this will be a great help for the next Labour those two Bills, which were published on 22 July, and Government when it is elected in 2015? whose Committee stage will be taken in, I think, October. I hope that will give the Select Committee some headroom Sir George Young: I am not sure that I followed the in which to conduct an examination, which I know the hon. Gentleman’s logic. As I understand it, he wants no House will find worth while. I hope he also understands Queen’s Speeches at all, whereas those on his Front that in the first Session of a new Parliament it is not Bench want one more than is currently proposed. How possible to publish as many Bills in draft as it is in the they square the circle, I am not quite sure. later years of a Parliament. Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): May I Mr Don Foster (Bath) (LD): Can my right hon. congratulate the Leader of the House, first, on making Friend tell the House what will be the implications for this written statement to the House of Commons and private Members’ Bills? not leaking it in advance? That is a great benefit for the Sir George Young: My hon. Friend asks a good House. question. Clearly the announcement I have made will On the subject of private Members’ Bills, 13 days are have consequences, and we will need to discuss with the allocated and Standing Orders imply that that should House the allocation of Back-Bench days for the Backbench be for each year. We must address that now. We already Business Committee and the allocation of days for have an extended Session without an extension in the private Member’s Bills. number of days and if we are going to go through an extra extension, we really must have more days. Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): While the Government have been innovative in introducing so Sir George Young: My hon. Friend makes a good much constitutional change at breakneck speed, most point. There are consequentials, as I have just indicated of it not in the manifesto of either party in government, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bath (Mr Foster). It will the Leader of the House care to be more innovative would be logical to increase the number of days allocated on the idea of consensus building and seeking consultation to private Members’ Bills. 619 Queen’s Speech (Date) 13 SEPTEMBER 2010 620

Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): I shall let the Leader Point of Order of the House into a secret: when we were in government, we did not introduce perfect legislation all the time. Just 4.38 pm about the only thing that managed to make us drop particular bits of Bills or individual clauses or bring in Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): On a point of order, and support amendments was the fact that we might Mr Speaker. I want to raise the question of the written lose the whole Bill because the end of the Session was ministerial statement laid at 11.35 am today by the coming along. In all honesty, I think that although it Minister for Europe regarding the proposed Bill requiring might be absolutely right to have proper annual Sessions any proposed future treaties and amendments to be when we go over to a fixed-term Parliament, having one referred to a referendum. The problem is simply that the two-year Session is a problem and he ought to reconsider. statement has not been accompanied by any pre-legislative scrutiny as regards a Bill with which we are going to be provided and it dodges the issue of the transfer of Sir George Young: I am grateful for the admission at powers under the Lisbon treaty as well as the majority the beginning of the hon. Gentleman’s remarks that the of voting arrangements and co-decision. May I invite last Government did not get everything right. One you to consider allowing the House to hear an oral mistake we are determined not to make is that of giving statement from the Minister so that we are in a position inadequate time to the House of Commons to debate to ask him questions about this extremely important serious Bills. We are proposing more days in the current constitutional proposal? Session in order to give longer time for the consideration of the Bills that we have introduced. He also totally Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for overlooked the provision, which all Governments have his point of order. He is a seasoned campaigner in the if they find that they are reaching the problems that he House and first entered Parliament 26 years ago, so he has just outlined, of carrying over Bills. will know very well that the decision on whether a statement should be written or oral is not a matter for the Chair but a matter for the Government. However, Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD): Is not this change the hon. Gentleman’s words will have been heard very just a logical consequence of the move to a fixed-term clearly by those on the Treasury Bench. In addition, the Parliament beginning and ending in spring? hon. Gentleman’s new position as Chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, on which I congratulate him, will afford him an unrivalled opportunity further Sir George Young: Yes. to explore these important matters. 621 13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 622

Fixed-term Parliaments Bill of Prime Minister during the course of a Parliament there should be a general election within six months? [Relevant document: The Second Report of the Political Where has that proposal gone to? and Constitutional Reform Committee, on the Fixed-term Parliaments Bill, HC 436.] The Deputy Prime Minister: I do of course recollect Second Reading what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said during the general election campaign. What he said has The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr ): Ihaveit been improved upon and superseded by this Bill. in command from Her Majesty the Queen to acquaint [Laughter.] Hon. Members may laugh, but it has been the House that Her Majesty, having been informed of improved upon because it gives the House the right to the purport of the Bill, has consented to place her decide whether it wants to dissolve Parliament for any prerogative, so far as it is affected by the Bill, at the reason that it wishes. If the House decides that it does disposal of Parliament for the purposes of the Bill. not want to continue to express confidence in a Government when a Prime Minister has changed, the Bill will give it Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the Deputy Prime the right to dissolve Parliament and trigger a general Minister and I invite him to introduce the measure and election. address the House. Mr David Hamilton (Midlothian) (Lab): Will the 4.40 pm right hon. Gentleman give way? The Deputy Prime Minister: I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. The Deputy Prime Minister: Let me make a little I should like to thank the Select Committee on Political more progress. and Constitutional Reform, under the chairmanship of Although I understand that some hon. Members have the hon. Member for Nottingham North (Mr Allen), expressed unease at the speed with which we are advancing, for its report on the Bill. The Committee has raised a let us remember that we are not starting from square number of important issues in its report that I shall seek one. People have been debating the length of Parliaments to address one by one in my comments today. since the 17th century and all the parties now agree on The Bill has a single, clear purpose: to introduce the principle of fixed terms. fixed-term Parliaments to the United Kingdom to remove the right of a Prime Minister to seek the Dissolution of Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): In advancing his Parliament for pure political gain. This simple constitutional rather remarkable theory about improving the powers innovation will none the less have a profound effect of Parliament, can the Deputy Prime Minister give an because for the first time in our history the timing of assurance—indeed a guarantee—that in order to ensure general elections will not be a plaything of Governments. that Parliament as a whole could properly make a There will be no more feverish speculation over the date decision on any such motion, there would be a guaranteed of the next election, distracting politicians from getting free vote on it? on with running the country. Instead everyone will know how long a Parliament can be expected to last, The Deputy Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman is a bringing much greater stability to our political system. great expert in expressing his views regardless of what Crucially, if, for some reason, there is a need for Parliament the Whips say. Whipping is of course a matter for the to dissolve early, that will be up to the House of Commons parties. I question his suggestion that there is something to decide. Everyone knows the damage that is done unorthodox or unwelcome about giving the House more when a Prime Minister dithers and hesitates over the power. We have a Prime Minister who is the first in election date, keeping the country guessing. We were history to relinquish the right to set the date of the subjected to that pantomime in 2007. All that happens general election. Surely the hon. Gentleman, who has is that the political parties end up in perpetual campaign always fought so valiantly for the rights of the House, mode, making it very difficult for Parliament to function welcomes that shift of power from the Executive to the effectively. The only way to stop that ever happening legislature. again is by the reforms contained in the Bill. As we hammer out the detail of these reforms, I hope Sir Peter Tapsell (Louth and Horncastle) (Con): The that we are all able to keep sight of the considerable right hon. Gentleman has just made a statement that consensus that already exists on the introduction of the Prime Minister has made on a number of occasions— fixed-term Parliaments. They were in my party’s manifesto, that he is giving away a power that no previous Prime they have been in Labour party manifestos since 1992, Minister has chosen to do. Why do the right hon. and although this was not an explicit Conservative Gentleman and our Prime Minister think that they are election pledge, the Conservative manifesto did include wiser than their 40 predecessors? a commitment to making the use of the royal prerogative subject to greater democratic control, ensuring that The Deputy Prime Minister: As I said, the virtues of a Parliament is properly involved in all big, national fixed-term—[Interruption.] It is not a question of wisdom; decisions—and there are few as big as the lifetime of it is a question of the weight of history. We have been Parliament and the frequency of general elections. talking about this for decades, the Labour party campaigned on it, as did other parties, and at a time when we are Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): Does trying to restore people’s confidence in politics after the the right hon. Gentleman recall that during the general expenses scandals, one of the essential ingredients is to election campaign the present Prime Minister said he strengthen the rights of the House at the cost of the thought it was desirable that were there to be a change excessive powers of the Executive. 623 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 624

Several hon. Members rose— The Deputy Prime Minister: The right hon. Gentleman is already doing it, so I am sure that there will be more The Deputy Prime Minister: I want to make a little opportunities for him and his colleagues to do so in headway on the detail of the Bill. Committee. I would like to point out a fact to him. The The Bill makes provision for the next parliamentary extension of this Session will last in practice for five general election to be held on 7 May 2015. months. It is a one-off, transitional arrangement to make sure that we have reliable annual Sessions from Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): spring to spring, in keeping with the fixed-term Parliament Was the right hon. Gentleman aware of anything else provisions that we have introduced in the Bill. happening in May 2015? National elections perhaps? Did he consider them and reject them? Why is he John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): May I holding an election on the same day as the elections for remind my right hon. Friend of the comments by the the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the hon. Member for Newport West (Paul Flynn), who said Northern Ireland Assembly? that the whole issue of whether we should have a Queen’s Speech every year or every two years—and in The Deputy Prime Minister: If the hon. Gentleman can fact, whether we should divide Parliaments into segments— be patient, I will turn to that issue as it is a legitimate should be considered? The hon. Member for Nottingham one. We had a debate last week about the coincidence of North (Mr Allen) has argued that we should not put the date of the referendum being the same as that of the that in the Bill, because it needs to be considered by the elections for the devolved Assemblies, but, as I shall Select Committee on Political and Constitutional Reform. acknowledge later, if he can hold on, I recognise that concerns about the coincidence of two parliamentary The Deputy Prime Minister: It is not in the Bill, but it elections are qualitatively different and need to be examined is a consequence of it. If we have fixed-term Parliaments, further. we need to revisit the way in which Sessions are organised. Each subsequent parliamentary general election after We must retain flexibility on an exceptional basis, 7 May 2015 will be expected to occur on the first allowing us to deal with unexpected crises or conditions Thursday in May every five years, dovetailing with new that make it necessary to move the election—for example, arrangements that will see parliamentary Sessions run a repeat of the foot and mouth crisis, which led to the from spring to spring from 2012, as we have just heard postponement of elections in 2001. In such circumstances, from my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House. the Prime Minister will, by affirmative order, be able to Mr (Blackburn) (Lab): On parliamentary vary the date of Westminster elections by up to two Sessions, the right hon. Gentleman heard his right hon. months, either before or after the scheduled date. Such Friend the Leader of the House say that there would be a move will require the consent of both Houses, thereby opportunities during debates on this Bill to debate his preventing this power from being abused in a partisan announced decision this morning in respect of abolishing manner. one Queen’s Speech and having a two-year Session, until May 2012. Will the Deputy Prime Minister explain Mr Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): how those debates on the proposals made by the Leader May I put it to my right hon. Friend that these proposals, of the House will arise during the Bill, because there is whatever the merits of fixed-term Parliaments—personally, absolutely nothing in it that relates to them? To facilitate I do not support those proposals—smack of such provision, will the Deputy Prime Minister ensure, gerrymandering the constitution in favour of a particular if necessary, that the Government move new clauses coalition? That is definitely a bad thing. It is a subjective providing for the dates of Prorogation and the Queen’s judgment to suggest that this is giving power to Parliament, Speech so that we can have those debates? as it can be argued that it is taking it away from it. Does this not smack of constitution making on the hoof? The Deputy Prime Minister: As the right hon. Gentleman What we need is a proper constitutional convention to knows, that is not a legislative matter so such provisions consider such a major change to our constitution. would not be necessary. As I am sure he will acknowledge, these matters are linked. If we adopt this legislation on The Deputy Prime Minister: I do not agree that this is fixed-term Parliaments, which I understand he supports— an innovation made on the hoof, as it has been discussed unless he has changed his mind—it will have a knock-on for decades. I am disappointed that my hon. Friend effect: we need to align the Sessions of this Parliament does not recognise that taking a power away from the to the new fixed-term provisions. Instead of hyperventilating Executive after years in which they have been too dominant about the abolition of a Queen’s Speech, I hope the in relation to the legislature is a step in the right direction, right hon. Gentleman will recognise that all we are providing more powers to Parliament that do not exist doing is introducing a one-off, transitional arrangement at present. It is also fully in keeping with democratic so that those two facts are aligned. practice in many other democracies.

Mr Straw: Of course I understand why it is being Mrs Anne McGuire (Stirling) (Lab): I am astonished done, but there is a lot of objection, and not just from by the Deputy Prime Minister’s comment that he would the Opposition, to having a Session lasting two years. build flexibility into the legislation so that if something That has not happened for the last 150 years and it has such as foot and mouth occurs, changes can be made. Is implications for the power of the House. As the Official that not giving back to the Prime Minister the prerogative Report will show, the Leader of the House told the to call an election, although the right hon. Gentleman is House just a few minutes ago that there would be attempting to take that prerogative away from him? opportunities to debate his proposal under this Bill. Surely it was a political decision not to hold the election Could we know how that will arise? in May 2001, not a constitutional one. 625 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 626

The Deputy Prime Minister: With respect, the right Several hon. Members rose— hon. Lady is reading too much into something that is a perfectly practical, common-sense solution to what happens The Deputy Prime Minister: I should like to make if, in exceptional circumstances, as we saw in 2001, the some headway on the next issue— election simply cannot be held on a proposed date. Mr Straw: The right hon. Gentleman mentions the Mrs McGuire indicated dissent. Second Reading speech by Herbert Asquith in February 1911. I am very grateful to the House of Commons The Deputy Prime Minister: Well, the right hon. Lady Library for drawing this to our attention. I have the full shakes her head, but she would not have liked elections speech. The right hon. Gentleman cannot use that to be held in the middle of the foot and mouth crisis. We quotation to justify something that was never the sense need to respond to such things. The decision would be that Asquith was putting across. What Asquith was made by affirmative order, so the House of Lords, too, suggesting was that Parliaments within the five-year would have a say, preventing the politicisation of that bracket would normally last from beginning to end for decision. four years. That was the Liberal party policy as late as 2007. Why is it not now? Several hon. Members rose— The Deputy Prime Minister: I will not compete with The Deputy Prime Minister: I should like to make Herbert Asquith as well as with the right hon. Gentleman. progress before giving way again. The wording, as I said, makes it clear that he was Some hon. Members have asked, quite reasonably, pointing out something that we all know: that politics why Parliaments will run for five years, not four. That is becomes consumed by electioneering in the run-up to a one of the issues that has been raised by the Political general election, and that therefore, if we have a five-year and Constitutional Reform Committee in its report. Let fixed term, as we are advocating in the Bill, in reality the me explain: five years is the current maximum length Government of the day have at least four years to for which our legislation provides. Five years is the govern for the benefit of the country. length of Parliaments in France, Italy, and South , among others, and it is the maximum length of Parliament Mr David Hamilton: I will go back not 100 years, but in India. In the United Kingdom, three of the past five 10 years. Have the Government considered the other Parliaments have run for five years. Leaving aside the three nations of this country, which have decided on a very short Parliaments, half of all Parliaments since the four-year period? Surely four years fits, so that there war have run for more than four years, so five years is will not be a conflict in the future. The current term both in keeping with our current arrangements, and has should be either four years, or six years, moving back to international precedent. a four-year cycle, otherwise there will be a conflict that is insurmountable. (Rhondda) (Lab): But if the right hon. Gentleman is to give us all the statistics, he must add The Deputy Prime Minister: As I said earlier, I recognise that since 1832 the average peacetime length of a Parliament that there is an issue there, as the hon. Gentleman says. has been three years and eight months—nowhere near That coincidence of UK elections to the House and five years, which has been pretty exceptional across that devolved elections will occur every 20 years. If he will time. On the international comparisons, none of the allow me, I will return to the issue in greater detail in other countries that he mentioned has the same structure a while. with the Executive coming out of Parliament, so ours is a very different system. I urge him to look again at The date of the next election specifically— four years. Mr George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab) rose— The Deputy Prime Minister: I am not entirely sure whether that last assertion is correct. The hon. Gentleman The Deputy Prime Minister: I should like to make wants to give the House a history lesson, so perhaps I some headway. The date of the next election, Thursday may refer him to the Parliament Act 1911, which introduced 7 May 2015, has also raised some questions, as Holyrood, the current five-year maximum. The then Prime Minister, the Welsh Assembly and Stormont will all be holding Herbert Asquith, told the House that five years would their own elections on the same day. The issue of “probably amount in practice to an actual legislative working combining polls came up last week when we were term of four years”—[Official Report, 21 February 1911; Vol. 21, debating the decision to hold a referendum on 5 May c. 1749.] next year, as that referendum will coincide with elections That is a quote that I picked up from the Committee’s in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. report, rightly pointing out that when a Parliament is Let me be clear. We believe that holding a referendum expected to last for only four years, as is now the case, it on the same day as a parliamentary or Assembly election very often ends up, in effect, a three-year Parliament. So is entirely justifiable. It allows us to avoid asking people our view is that by fixing the cycle at five years, we help to traipse back and forth to the ballot box, it is an to mitigate—[Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman says uncomplicated event in which people are simply being that that is a ridiculous decision. He knows as well as asked to say yes or no to the referendum question, so it anybody else that for 12 or 18 months before an election avoids any confusion or overlap with the elections to is held, work in the House is blighted by all the parties the devolved Assemblies, and of course it will save politicking in advance of polling day. Therefore, if we money. However, as I said, I accept that holding elections want Governments to govern for the long term, we to different Parliaments or Assemblies on the same day think five years is the right period of time. is altogether more complex— 627 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 628

Mr Jenkin: Why? drafted? If it had occurred before the Bill had been drafted, surely some provision should already be in the The Deputy Prime Minister: I shall explain. It is not a Bill, but he will have to bring forward some new provision. simple yes or no choice to a referendum question, but raises a host of questions about how people are governed The Deputy Prime Minister: As I was seeking to at the UK-wide and devolved level by different parties explain, our approach is first to acknowledge that there and different politicians. With elections to the devolved is a legitimate issue—[Interruption.] If the hon. Lady legislatures every four years and to Westminster every could just listen to me, she may find satisfaction in the five years, such a situation would occur every two explanation. We believe that the answer to that does not decades. With the next occurrence in five years, we have necessarily lie in this Bill, but in the powers enjoyed by time to plan for it, but we need to give the issue proper the devolved Assemblies in Holyrood and in Cardiff. further thought. There is already scope in legislation to That seems to us to be the right way to proceed. vary the dates of elections to devolved legislatures, and I note today that the Electoral Commission has the Government are now actively considering whether highlighted that an extension to the electoral timetable those powers are sufficient. We have not yet reached a would support participation by overseas and service conclusion—we will be very interested to hear the views voters, and support the effective administration of elections. of others—but if we decide that further powers are The Government are considering this issue and I have needed, we will put forward proposals for an alternative. already indicated to the commission that we think there is a great deal of merit in exploring the potential for a Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con): With the change to the timetable. As the commission said in its Prime Minister having the power, subject to resolutions statement today, the matter requires a thorough review of both Houses, to vary the date of the general election, to ensure that any change is coherent with the arrangements would a condition for varying that date be the date of a for elections across the piece. We will set out our proposals devolved Assembly election, and would it be for Westminster and the timetable once that review is complete. or the devolved Assembly to make the variation? I want now to focus on the issue of early Dissolution. The Government of course recognise the possibility of The Deputy Prime Minister: As I explained earlier, exceptional circumstances that would make it appropriate the purpose of that exceptional power is to deal with for Parliament to dissolve before completing its full exceptional circumstances, such as the foot and mouth term. Currently, the House of Commons may vote—by crisis in 2001, so that is not the intention. What I have a simple majority—to say that it has lost confidence in just tried to explain is that there will be an issue, once the Government, and there is a wide expectation that every 20 years, with the coincidence of elections to this this will result in Dissolution. That is an important House and to devolved Assemblies. The devolved convention, which will be not just unaffected by the Bill Assemblies, as I said, have powers to adjust that date, but strengthened, a point that I will come to in more and we are considering whether those powers are sufficient detail shortly. to deal with this. [Interruption.] There is a lot of harrumphing from the hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Mr Llwyd). I am trying to be very open Mr George Howarth: I am grateful to the right hon. and to acknowledge that there is an issue that people Gentleman for eventually giving way. If the measure is understandably feel strongly about in Cardiff, Edinburgh genuinely a transfer of power from the Executive to the and elsewhere, and we want to work with him and legislature, can he explain the reason for clause 2(1)(c)? others to find a solution. The Deputy Prime Minister: The right hon. Gentleman Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Dwyfor Meirionnydd) (PC): Surely may be referring to the continuation of the existing it is not in the interests of this Government or anybody powers to prorogue Parliament, which will remain in else to have two major elections within four weeks. That place, particularly after the House has been dissolved is the point, because there is a leeway of only four weeks for exceptional reasons. In addition, the Bill provides within the devolved Administrations. for a new power for the House of Commons to dissolve Parliament early by means of a motion, passed by a majority of two thirds of the total number of seats in The Deputy Prime Minister: That is exactly what we this House, which states that an early general election need to look at, and it is exactly why we need to should take place. This new power ensures that Parliament consider whether the existing provisions are sufficient. will be able to dissolve itself in any eventuality, regardless The hon. Gentleman implies that they are not. of whether the reasons relate to the merits or failings of the Government of the day. Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood) (Lab) rose— As you will be aware, Mr Deputy Speaker, these votes have already been the subject of considerable discussion. The Deputy Prime Minister: I would like to make I shall therefore take a little time to explain to the progress. I have given way plenty. House exactly how they will work. First, on the new power of early Dissolution, the defining principle of Maria Eagle rose— this Bill is that no Government should be able to dissolve Parliament for their own political advantage. The Deputy Prime Minister: Okay. So as I said, in order to secure a Dissolution motion, a vote will need to be passed by a majority of two thirds Maria Eagle: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman of MPs— the same threshold that is required in the for giving way on this point. Is he saying that the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly. Hon. problem occurred to the Government after the Bill was Members will remember that originally the coalition 629 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 630 proposed a threshold of 55%. That was not found to be under existing provisions, but legally enforced, and that satisfactory by many Members of this House, who any new Government who then try to reconstitute feared that it would not provide a sure enough guarantee themselves would have to enjoy the confidence of this against a Government with a large majority triggering House—and therefore also, by extension, the confidence an election for partisan gain. We listened to those of the people we all represent in our constituencies, arguments and we agreed that the bar should be raised. until the end date of the fixed-term Parliament comes At two thirds, we have settled on a majority that no around. post-war Government would have been able to achieve. It will be possible only if agreement is secured across Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): At the moment, party lines, thereby preventing any one party or the the situation is that if there is a vote of no confidence, Executive from abusing this mechanism. the Queen will decide whether Parliament is dissolved, On powers of no confidence, no-confidence votes and she then has the right to look for an alternative have until now been a matter of convention. Government. Why do we need to mess around with the constitution, changing something that seems to work Sir Peter Tapsell: Before my right hon. Friend moves very well? on to his next point, can he explain why, when he is putting forward a Bill of the most enormous constitutional The Deputy Prime Minister: We are seeking to strengthen importance, almost revolutionary in concept, there is and reinforce the powers of this House. The motion of not a single Conservative Cabinet Minister on the Front no confidence will be passed by this House, and it will Bench to support him? be up to this House to decide whether any subsequent Government constituted within a very short period of The Deputy Prime Minister: I am sure that they have time—within two weeks—deserve to continue to be other things which they need to attend to. supported by this House. If Members of the House do not wish to provide that support to that Government, As I said, no-confidence votes have until now been a the House can say no. That seems to me to be strengthening matter of convention. Although it has been widely accepted the powers of the House. that a no-confidence vote would require a Prime Minister either to resign or to call an early election, there has been nothing to date to enforce this. So for the first Mr Richard Shepherd (Aldridge-Brownhills) (Con): I time, the Bill gives legal effect to a motion of no am obliged to the Deputy Prime Minister. Will not all confidence passed by this House. Such motions will we have in those 14 days just be an auction of offices continue to require only a simple majority. and promises and the usual making of a Government? [Interruption.] No, I did not mean it in that sense. Mr (South Swindon) (Con): Does In Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, my right hon. Friend agree that it is imperative that the a succession of Caesars were bought and sold by the courts do not end up determining issues arising from praetorian guard. Is that what this constitutional reform Dissolution, and is he satisfied that the Bill as drafted programme amounts to? ensures that that awful nightmare never happens? The Deputy Prime Minister: I really think that my The Deputy Prime Minister: I am absolutely confident hon. Friend is reading too much into the provision. The of that. I will shortly explain why in further detail, existing arrangements on votes of no confidence are because that possibility was raised in a memorandum fairly similar to what we are proposing. First, the vote by the Clerk of the House to the Political and Constitutional will be precisely as it is now—50% plus one. Secondly, a Reform Committee. new Government can be asked to be formed after that vote of no confidence. Such motions of no confidence will continue to require only a simple majority. Following the passing of a no-confidence motion, there will be a period of 14 days Mr Shepherd: But we have an election. during which a Government may seek to gain the confidence of the House. If, during the 14-day period, a The Deputy Prime Minister: No, not necessarily; that Government emerge who can command the confidence is not an automatic consequence of the existing provisions. of the House, then they will be free to govern for the We are giving the House a new power, passed by two remainder of the five-year term. We believe that a thirds, that would force an early election and the Dissolution period of 14 days strikes the right balance, allowing of the House. enough time for an alternative Government to be formed while ensuring that there is not a prolonged period Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP) rose— without an effective Government. Mrs McGuire rose— Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con): Earlier, the right hon. Gentleman said that this was partly The Deputy Prime Minister: I would like to make about restoring the public’s confidence in Parliament, some progress. but is it not correct that we could witness a change of In the event of an early Dissolution, under whatever Government without there being a general election, circumstances, the decision will be confirmed by the which surely will not satisfy the public? issuing of a Speaker’s certificate, meaning that there will be no ambiguity about whether the House had The Deputy Prime Minister: The point of this change voted for a Dissolution with the requisite majority or is that if the House no longer has confidence in the whether a vote of no confidence in the Government Government of the day it can pass a vote of no confidence should trigger a Dissolution. It will also mean that 631 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 632

[The Deputy Prime Minister] It is also a power that falls totally outside the remit of the European courts. On that note, I give way. procedures of the House will determine whether the triggers are satisfied, rather than that being in the hands Mr Cash: It was not that point at all. I assure the Deputy of either the Executive or the courts. Prime Minister that I am very much more concerned As I said earlier, I know that the Clerk of the House about our domestic arrangements in this House in this of Commons has expressed concerns about these respect. arrangements in a memorandum to the Political and The Clerk of the House, a very distinguished expert Constitutional Reform Committee. The memorandum and our pre-eminent expert in the House on matters of suggests that the courts may be able to intervene in procedure, was quite clear in his evidence. Does the parliamentary business. The suggestion is that we would Deputy Prime Minister not find it, to say the least, a therefore be better off implementing the changes through little curious—even bizarre—that he should be using Standing Orders rather than primary legislation. I would this opportunity to repudiate the views of the Clerk of like to reassure the House that the Government have the House of Commons about a matter of vital looked into the issue in considerable detail. We are constitutional importance, without our having had the satisfied that the provisions in the Bill will not allow the opportunity to see the counter-evidence? In addition, courts to question the House’s internal affairs. does doing that in this way not undermine the integrity The Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform, and standing of the Clerk of the House? the Parliamentary Secretary, , my hon. Friend the Member for Forest of Dean (Mr Harper), The Deputy Prime Minister: First, it is worth has placed in the Libraries of the House a paper setting acknowledging, as the Chair of the Committee would out our views. Briefly, we are satisfied that the courts do, that many other distinguished experts and academics will continue to regard matters certified by the Speaker in this field explicitly demurred from the analysis provided as relating to proceedings in Parliament and therefore by the Clerk when the evidence was provided to the falling under the protection of article 9 of the Bill of Committee recently. Secondly, the Clerk’s memorandum Rights. The memorandum refers to the legal challenge was provided to the Committee and it is therefore in 2005 to the Hunting Act 2004 as authority that available to everyone in the House to examine for courts will interfere in parliamentary proceedings. However, themselves. Thirdly, we have today placed in the Library that case was concerned with the validity of the Parliament of the House a letter from the Parliamentary Secretary, Act, not the internal proceedings of Parliament. Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Forest of Dean, that sets out in detail our reasoned views. I do Mr Jenkin rose— not think that this is a question of scientific doctrine. It is a matter of some significant judgment, and our Mr Cash rose— judgment, based on important precedent, is that there is nothing in the Bill that will invite the courts to intervene The Deputy Prime Minister: I shall finish what I am in the internal proceedings of the House. saying about this detailed and involved point. Mr Cash: This is a very important constitutional During that case, the House of Lords reiterated that question. The Deputy Prime Minister has just implied courts cannot interfere in those proceedings, so far from that there could well be a dispute. The letter—which I leading us to believe that courts may intervene under have not yet had an opportunity to see—itself disputes the provisions of the Bill— the view of the Clerk of the House. Will the Deputy Prime Minister not concede that this matter could well Mr Straw: On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. be referred to the courts, even if he and his Government Will you confirm that, as “Erskine May” makes very take the view that it could not, and that their view does clear, when a Minister seeks to quote in detail from a not preclude the courts from intervening in certain document, it must be laid on the Table of the House? circumstances? This is his view, and the view of the letter writer, but it is not necessarily the view of the Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): I understand courts. that “Erskine May” states that, but how much detail has just been given is open to debate. I call Mr Clegg. The Deputy Prime Minister: As I have said, it is not only our view in the Government; it is also the view of a The Deputy Prime Minister: I hope that the right hon. number of very distinguished constitutional experts Gentleman will acknowledge that I have merely referred who gave evidence to the Committee on this very point in passing to a court case, which, as I said, confirms that just a short while ago. As I was seeking to point out, we courts will not involve themselves in internal parliamentary have looked at the court case on the Hunting Act 2005 proceedings. specifically cited in the memorandum from the Clerk, The Bill explicitly confirms that the Speaker’s certificate and found that it arrives at exactly the opposite conclusion. “is conclusive for all purposes.” So the decision is for the Speaker, not the courts or the Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North) (Lab) rose— Executive. The Deputy Prime Minister: Perhaps the Chairman Mr Cash: Will the Deputy Prime Minister give way? can help us on this point.

The Deputy Prime Minister: Not yet, as I suspect the Mr Allen: In the very limited time that we had to look hon. Gentleman might want to raise the point that I am at this matter, the Clerk was the only person to raise this about to mention. question, and the academics who have been referred 633 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 634 to—Professor Hazell, Professor Blackburn and others— The Deputy Prime Minister: The Bill speaks for itself. completely disagreed with the view put forward by the With respect, this is genuinely not about the internal Clerk. This is simply a question of whether the power dynamics of this coalition Government. [Interruption.] exists in statute law or in Standing Orders. I should like I hear from the groans and the roars that that view is to quote from the Committee’s report, in which we said: not widely shared. I hope that anyone who has listened “It would be a pity if the Executive gave up the power to call an to what I have said today will reasonably conclude that election at a time of its own choosing only for the legislature to the Government are doing something that should be hand it back by a simple suspension of Standing Orders to that welcomed in this House—strengthening its powers, while same end.” weakening those of the Executive. We are surrendering In other words, we all know that the Standing Orders of the Prime Minister’s right to set the date of the general the House can be suspended at any moment on the election—a power that has been used and abused and whim of the Executive. It would be a shame, were the has become the plaything of Prime Ministers of all Executive finally to give up that power, for us simply to parties for far too long. hand it back again. Mark Durkan: Is the Deputy Prime Minister not being The Deputy Prime Minister: I am grateful for that somewhat disingenuous in stressing that the Dissolution clarification. I strongly agree with the hon. Gentleman, of Parliament is a spectacular new power to be given to and we agree with the Committee’s conclusions on this this House, when just a few moments ago he stressed point. Given the constitutional significance of the Bill, that the very high threshold for that power would make which has been underlined by many Members during it virtually impossible to attain? the debate, it would be inappropriate for those significant constitutional provisions to be translated into Standing The Deputy Prime Minister: What I was trying to Orders. They need to find their way into primary legislation, explain was that the existing powers to pass a motion of and into law. no confidence will not only remain exactly as they are, but be given legal force so that they will be strengthened. In the event of an early Dissolution, and an early In addition, to cover any exceptional circumstances that general election, the new Parliament will run until the might arise, we are giving the House new powers—I first Thursday in May in the fifth year of its existence, stress that this is a new power, which currently does not unless, of course, it too is subject to early Dissolution. exist—to dissolve Parliament altogether and trigger a Questions have been asked about whether the new general election. The only institution whose power is Parliament should run for the full time, or whether its being seriously curtailed by the Bill is that of the Prime life should be limited to whatever period its predecessor Minister. had left on the clock. Our view is that resetting that clock is a more sensible proposition. That is the arrangement This Bill is modest in size—it has just five clauses and that will be most natural to voters; people do not expect one schedule. Clause 1 relates to polling days for to elect a Parliament knowing that it will last only a parliamentary general elections, including the setting of short time. When they hand a Government a majority, the date of the next election on 7 May 2015, and sets they are giving them a mandate to govern for up to out the five-year term. Clause 2 provides for the five years. circumstances in which an early parliamentary general election can be held. Clause 3 makes the key necessary changes to electoral law and the law concerning the Mr Jenkin: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman meeting of Parliament in the light of fixed days for for giving way. He is being assiduous, and the House elections. Clause 4 deals with certain supplementary appreciates that. I put it to him bluntly, however, that and consequential matters—preserving the Queen’s power the Bill takes away from a simple majority in the House to prorogue Parliament. Clause 5 sets out the short title the right to cause a general election and puts into the of the Bill and provides that it will come into force on hands of, perhaps, himself leading a minority party the Royal Assent. The schedule contains consequential ability to withdraw his support from one party and give amendments to a number of Acts of Parliament. In it to another in order to form an Administration, without contrast to the previous Government, who aggressively the risk of a general election. Is that really fair? programmed their Bills, we propose not to curtail debate on each clause, but to allow two full days on the Floor The Deputy Prime Minister: First, that is precisely the of the House for Committee stage. position now, as the hon. Gentleman knows. Secondly, he is viewing the Bill through a prism of—how can I put Paul Uppal (Wolverhampton South West) (Con): Is it?—suspicion, which really is not justified. It gives new the Deputy Prime Minister mindful of unintended powers to the House, and I hope that he will come to consequences? One aspect of fixed-term Parliaments that view himself as it is examined on the Floor of the and fixed terms in general elections is that costs are House, as it should be. The Bill is giving new powers to often associated. Campaigning often starts earlier—in the House in addition to the powers of no confidence North America, for example, where there are seats for that do not already exist, which we are also strengthening the Senate, the House of Congress and presidential in turn. seats. General elections and primary elections start very early, so perhaps an unintended consequence of the Bill Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): Will the could be additional costs for campaigning, not to mention Deputy Prime Minister confirm that if, God forbid, our apathy among the general public. friends and Liberals were to walk away from the coalition and if the Bill were passed, there is no doubt that our The Deputy Prime Minister: I would argue that the Prime Minister could call an immediate election? Is real cost is incurred by all of us when we are constantly there any doubt about that? on tenterhooks about whether or not the Prime Minister 635 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 636

[The Deputy Prime Minister] Mr Straw: Of course not. That kind of thing might go on in Stoke-on-Trent, but certainly not in Witney of the day is going to call a general election. That is and the prosperous bit of Sheffield. precisely what happened in 2007. At the last general Whatever the provenance, the Bill is proof that election, we all promised the voters that we would seek Conservative Members made a Pauline conversion on to provide stable, good and strong government not the issue— constantly hijacked by the ducking and weaving of the Executive trying to second-guess what people are thinking Maria Eagle: Some of them. and trying to choose a date in the political calendar to suit their own ends. That is what the Bill delivers, and it Mr Straw: From a sedentary position, again, my hon. seems to me that, in one way or another, we all promised Friend prompts me to correct myself: Conservative that to the voters at the last general election. Members in the Government have made a Pauline Clearly, there are strong views across the House on conversion, although it is palpable from today’s debate the best way to implement fixed-term Parliaments, but that, unlike St Paul, they have taken few voluntary everyone can surely now acknowledge that the Prime converts with them. Minister has, through this Bill, become the first Prime If the Government and the House get the Bill right, it Minister in British history to agree to relinquish his will be a positive innovation for our democracy. I do not power to trigger elections. share the Deputy Prime Minister’s hyperbole, but I certainly share his belief that it is a step forward, not a Gavin Shuker (Luton South) (Lab/Co-op) rose— step back. We intend to work constructively to deliver what would be a significant constitutional change. For The Deputy Prime Minister: I want to finish now. that reason, we will not divide the House tonight. That is a hugely important break with the past, and However, let us be clear from the outset: the Bill as exemplifies the reformist spirit at the heart of our new currently drafted does not stand up to scrutiny, even the politics. Let me finish by reminding hon. Members that limited scrutiny that the Government have permitted although we might disagree on some of the detail of the the House to date. The Bill will need substantial revision Bill, we are united on the principle that underpins it. if we are to be able to support it on Third Reading, as Fixed-term Parliaments constitute a major transfer of we had wished to do. power away from the Executive and a major strengthening The introduction of fixed-term Parliaments is intended of Parliament’s authority over its own lifetime. The Bill to strengthen Parliament and fetter the Executive, and is a major step towards the more legitimate, stable to make the political process more legitimate in the eyes political system that we have all promised to the British of the public by reassuring them that the date of elections people. can no longer be at the whim of the Prime Minister. We have heard a lot about the power of the Prime Minister. 5.25 pm Having known one or two Prime Ministers, I think that Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): The Labour party many Prime Ministers and potential Prime Ministers manifesto contained a commitment to legislate for fixed- would rather not have the right and power to call a term Parliaments, as did that of the Liberal Democrats, general election, as it has a brutal logic: if they win, they as we have heard. The Conservative party manifesto have made the most positive decision of their life; if included no such commitment whatever, and as the they lose, they are out of office almost always, too. hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr Chope) reminded the House at the beginning of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Mr Jenkin: Can we take it that the right hon. Gentleman speech, the proposition from the then Leader of the has also reached a completely dispassionate judgment, Opposition, now Prime Minister, was directly contradictory and that his decision to allow the Bill a Second Reading to that contained in the Bill. His proposition is that, is in no way coloured by the possibility that his party were there a change of Prime Minister during a Parliament, will end up in government without a general election if that change should trigger a general election within it is passed? six months of the new Prime Minister taking over. As a direct consequence of the Bill, that solemn commitment Mr Straw: Funnily enough, I had not thought of at the general election has been not just bypassed but that. Perhaps I should have. It is not that I am innocent wholly contradicted. of such considerations, but on this occasion it had not occurred to me. I am quite sure that the process that led to the Bill, following the general election, was entirely one of The Bill does botch the job, however. It provides for a cerebration and consideration of the balance of the standard Parliament to be too long, at five years. It fails intellectual arguments— to clarify the procedures for confidence votes, opening up the possibility of a lame-duck Administration and Mr Jenkin: Of course. constitutional limbo. It leaves a large loophole enabling Prime Ministers to use the prerogative power to prorogue Mr Straw: I note the hon. Gentleman’s comments Parliament, as happened recently in Canada. The from a sedentary position, and he is often right about mechanism for triggering an early Dissolution of Parliament these matters. I am quite certain that the process had may impinge—I put it no more strongly than that—on absolutely nothing whatever to do with horse trading parliamentary privilege by creating the risk that courts about a deal. could intervene on parliamentary proceedings. Much of the incoherence of the Bill is a consequence Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): Of course of the unnecessary haste with which it is being rushed not. through Parliament. A week ago, the House debated 637 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 638 the Second Reading of the Parliamentary Voting System explained to the House this time last week, I would have and Constituencies Bill. That too is being rushed through, been delighted to have voted in favour of the Bill if all with the Deputy Prime Minister breaking all previous that it contained was part 1. The Deputy Prime Minister undertakings about the importance of pre-legislative knows better than me why he has decided to put alongside scrutiny. that proposition—one that was broadly agreed—an If Members accept the imperative of a May 2011 entirely separate and unrelated proposition wholly to date for the alternative-vote referendum—although I change the agreed and consensual way in which we have do not—at least the right hon. Gentleman has a fig leaf set boundaries in this country for many years, a manner of an excuse for seeking to rush that Bill through at this last amended by this House not under Labour, but early stage, but palpably no such excuse exists for rushing under the Conservatives. this Bill through. Had there been any justification, such as a packed legislative programme which might have hit Sir Peter Tapsell: May I put to the right hon. Gentleman the end-of-Session buffers, that excuse would have been an historical example of how the Bill would have created blown away this morning by the ill thought through great problems in the past? In 1950, the Labour party announcement by the Leader of the House that the won the general election with—if my memory is correct—an current Session is to last for two full years. overall parliamentary majority of seven. That entitled a Labour Government to stay in power for five years. Mr George Howarth: I am grateful to my right hon. They were never defeated on a motion of confidence in Friend, in all his newly proclaimed virginal innocence, that Parliament, but by 1951, Mr Attlee, a great statesman, for giving way. Does he not believe that this Bill and the felt that his Cabinet colleagues were exhausted and that other Bill to which he has referred are in some way it was against the national interest for the Labour linked? Government to struggle on with a majority of only seven. He decided to ask the King for a Dissolution. He Mr Straw: Let me say first, for the avoidance of would not have been able to do so under the provisions doubt, that I have made no protestations of virginal of the Bill. innocence, and would never seek to do so. The two Bills are certainly not cognate, but they are Mr Straw: With great respect, I anticipate that he linked in the sense that they are the price that the would have been able to do so. I am not seeking to Conservative party agreed to pay in order to stitch justify in detail what is in the Bill, but let us take that as together this very curious coalition. I am glad, in saying a possibility. That was an unusual circumstance; Attlee that, to receive the approbation of many right hon. and and his colleagues, the senior ones of whom had been in hon. Members on the Government Benches. In any office for more than 11 years and all the way through event, the idea that this Bill had to be bashed through the Churchill coalition Government, were completely very quickly was blown away by this morning’sannouncement. exhausted. Some were dying; others had already passed away. Attlee was right to say that there should be a Dissolution. Under the terms of the Bill, he would have Mr Shepherd: Given that the right hon. Gentleman is put that to the House. I cannot see that the Conservative giving us a catalogue of what is wrong with the Bill and party would have opposed it; it would have been astonishing what is difficult about it, how can he vote in favour of if it had, since it thought that it was going to win. In the principle of the Bill as drafted and lying in front of that situation, the likelihood would be that the resolution the House of Commons, rather than voting against it as of the House would have easily exceeded the two-thirds a matter of principle? It does not strike me as amenable threshold. As a matter of historical record, that has to to satisfactory changes in Committee, even if the good be the case. will of the Government were there for the purpose. Why is the right hon. Gentleman not standing by that principle, and demonstrating that this is an unsatisfactorily Mrs McGuire: My right hon. Friend is quite right in prepared Bill? saying that we accept the principle of fixed-term Parliaments, but I do not want to lose his earlier comment that he would review that situation on Third Reading if Mr Straw: It is an unsatisfactorily prepared Bill—on some of this dog’s dinner of a Bill were not tidied up that the hon. Gentleman and I are in absolute agreement— between then and now. Will he reiterate the commitment but we may be in disagreement on the principle of the that we will reconsider our position on Third Reading if Bill. I have done many things from the Front Benches in we do not get some satisfactory changes? 30 years to seek to justify difficult positions and have emerged upright at the other end, but with a commitment as clear as daylight in our manifesto—of blessed memory Mr Straw: I am delighted to do that, and I put that and only five months old—that said, in terms, that the absolutely on the record. Labour party will introduce legislation for fixed Parliaments, it would have been a bit tricky for me to have come to Mr George Howarth: My right hon. Friend said a few the House and opposed the Bill. [Interruption.] The moments ago that one reason why he felt inclined to Deputy Leader of the House may say that that did not give this Bill its Second Reading is a commitment made worry me a week ago. But it did. [Laughter.] in the Labour party manifesto. Perhaps it would help if There is a serious point. Had the subject of this Bill I reminded him of what we actually said in our manifesto. been tied up with a proposition with which we wholly We said that we would have the following: disagreed—as with the Parliamentary Voting System “Legislation to ensure Parliaments sit for a fixed term and an and Constituencies Bill, where the Government could All Party Commission to chart a course to a Written Constitution.” and should have separated the alternative vote and At least two elements which would make the Bill conform boundaries issues—that would have been different. As I with that commitment are missing. 639 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 640

Mr Straw: If I may say so, the “and” is disjunctive, certainty that this Parliament will last five years? We not conjunctive—and I know that because I drafted will, thus, avoid the nonsense that we had in the summer that piece of the manifesto. and early autumn of 2007, when the whole country had I simply do not understand why—and we have heard no idea whether or not it was going to the polls. no serious explanation as to why—the Government are bolting it. This morning, the Leader of the House gave Mr Straw: We need to do it in the next couple of us a further example when he announced a decision—not years, but we do not need to do it now. If the Leader of a proposal; it had been decided, and that was the word the House were true to his word, he would at least have he used—that this Session should last for two years. He allowed for the 12 weeks’ pre-legislative scrutiny that his then tried to excuse that, having run into something of a Government promised would normally take place for Bills. squall in the House, by saying—we can check this against the record—that it was a “proposition” that Mr Allen: Does my right hon. Friend agree that were could be further considered in this Bill. I hope that the the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee to Deputy Prime Minister will examine closely what the have been given 12 weeks—I think that we have done an Leader of the House said about commitments for debate incredible job in two days, producing this report—many on that aspect of a consequence of this Bill. of the wrinkles that everyone concedes are in the Bill could have been smoked out? We could have heard from Robert Flello: Does my right hon. Friend agree that a lot of expert witnesses and we would have proposed not having an opportunity in Committee to discuss that ways in which a principle that appears to have the matter should also be a potential trigger for voting support of the whole House could have found consensus, against the Bill on Third Reading? as opposed to becoming a cause for bitterness and division. Mr Straw: Yes, I accept that. It will not be a pre-emptive decision for me to take, but one that will be taken in the Mr Straw: I accept that entirely.Constitutional legislation usual way by the shadow Cabinet as a whole and the is always complicated and we should always seek consensus parliamentary party. on it. I have to say—I believe Members know this—that I can think of plenty of occasions when I brought I am sure that my hon. Friend the Member for forward constitutional legislation and then had to take Nottingham North (Mr Allen) will make his own point it away again. With the single, terrible exception of the about this next matter when he addresses the House. He European Parliamentary Elections Bill—for which I chairs the Select Committee on Political and Constitutional have already abjectly apologised as it was a dreadful Reform, which is an all-party Committee with, I believe, piece of legislation—I have always both provided sufficient a Conservative majority. It has been very clear about time and quite often changed proposed legislation what he has described as: addressing this complicated territory in the light of “The severe lack of time which the Committee has had to what was said in this House or the other place in scrutinise this…Bill”. Committee and the Chamber. He continued by saying that this To consider why we have ended up in this situation, “is not only frustrating but very disappointing.” we have to return to a point made by the hon. Member for Harwich and North Essex (Mr Jenkin) in an intervention Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): The right hon. on the Deputy Prime Minister. The hon. Gentleman Gentleman is scrabbling for excuses to oppose the Bill echoed a comment made last week by the right hon. on the grounds that it is being rushed. Is there not a risk Member for Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis), who that if we did not rush it we might end up in the said of the Parliamentary VotingSystem and Constituencies embarrassing situation of a supporter of fixed-term Bill that people might have more respect for the Government Parliaments who had been 13 years in government but if they admitted that it was about party advantage. never got round to introducing that? There would have been greater respect for the Government over the timing and abject drafting of the Bill before us Mr Straw: I have simply explained to the House, if the Deputy Prime Minister had said, “Yes, we brought while the hon. Gentleman has been sitting there, that we this forward—and the Prime Minister has stood on his are not opposing the Bill tonight and the reason is that head on this—because we did a deal for a variety of we agree with the principle of fixed-term Parliaments. reasons which I shall explain. That is the price the What I disagree with is the manner in which it has been Prime Minister paid for this bit of the deal, and we are introduced. I also disagree with some very important rushing it through for internal reasons.”The hon. Member detail, part of which needs to be amended, not least to for Harwich and North Essex was absolutely right to bring it into line with Liberal Democrat policy. I will say—he can correct me if I get a single preposition in explain that, because one of the consequences of their the wrong place—that the Bill smacks of gerrymandering going into this coalition has been the complete amnesia the constitution in favour of the coalition, which is that has affected the whole of the Liberal Democrats’ what I heard him say, and that it was legislation on the policy. hoof. That is true. The Deputy Prime Minister should have taken his time and invited the other parties into Iain Stewart rose— discussion, sought the advice of the Liaison Committee and others, and come forward with a much better Mr Straw: As it is to a Conservative, I shall give way. proposition.

Iain Stewart: Will the right hon. Gentleman concede Nick Boles (Grantham and Stamford) (Con) rose— that it is important to introduce this measure early so that we can give the country and the business community Mark Durkan rose— 641 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 642

Mr Straw: If I may first make a little more progress, I Mark Durkan: My right hon. Friend rightly touches will then give way to both hon. Gentlemen. on many of the concerns about the timing of the Bill, Had the previous Labour Administration acted in given the fairly scrappy nature of some of its proposals. such a fashion, the irony would not have been lost on Is the timing not really related to the fact that the the House. Members of the current Government parties Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, would rightly have expressed outrage, and Liberal Democrat which we discussed last week, and the Bill that we are Members would have done so in unbearably sanctimonious discussing this week were the Liberal Democrats’ two and pious terms. Everybody knows that to be the case. glittering prizes in the coalition agreement, and they Professor Robert Hazell of University College London’s want to go to their party conference saying that they constitution unit has said: have already achieved the Second Reading of both those Bills? That is why we are being put through this “The legislation could still be introduced with cross-party support, if the government is willing to take it slowly. That is what today. the government is seeking to do with reform of the House of Lords”— Mr Straw: I am quite sure. I was in favour of September I commend the Government’s approach on that— sittings and my hon. Friend will recall that they had to “It should adopt the same approach with this Bill.” be abandoned one year so that the screen in the Chamber Notwithstanding the fact that the Bill has now been could be put up. When I tabled a motion the following introduced, my very strong advice to the Deputy Prime year as Leader of the House to reinstate September Minister is that he should take a long time before sittings I was roundly voted down by an all-party alliance, bringing it back before the House so that the Select including many Conservative Members. Both parties in Committee can have a look at it. If he wants examples the coalition are probably now regretting this September of Bills just sitting around for some time while Ministers sitting, because it has done them absolutely no good. have repented at leisure of mistakes they and their Long may that continue. colleagues have made and regrouped to bring back something better, I will provide him with them. Mr Leigh: Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? As we know, the Bill’s primary purpose is not high- Mr Straw: Of course, and then I need to come on to minded; the hon. Member for Harwich and North one or two reasons why I think that the Bill needs to be Essex was correct about that. Its effect may be welcome, changed. but its primary purpose is to serve as a form of constitutional handcuffs to prevent either of the coalition Mr Leigh: The right hon. Gentleman is being very unfair parties from assassinating the other. This is, indeed, a to our Liberal friends. Does he share my understanding partnership characterised by paranoia. that, if there were a crisis and the Liberals had to walk Nick Boles: The right hon. Gentleman criticises my out of the coalition, the Conservative Prime Minister right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister for not would be prevented from calling an election if the Bill giving time for consultation, yet even before the Bill was had become law? If the Liberals were then to offer to published he had taken on board concerns expressed on join a coalition with the right hon. Gentleman, would both sides of the House about a specific provision he embrace them tenderly? relating to early Dissolution and radically changed his proposal. It seems to me that he is listening much more Mr Straw: I am not going to get into too many intently than the right hon. Gentleman ever did when hypotheticals, but it is a matter of public record that, he was proposing constitutional reforms. speaking personally, I was not too keen on the embrace when it was offered on or about 8 May. The hon. Mr Straw: I was just checking with my hon. Friend Gentleman might wish to take some comfort from that the Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle) for the future. Aside from anything else, he should do whether the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford the arithmetic as to whether there could be some stability (Nick Boles) was a Conservative or a Liberal Democrat, from such a coalition. because I was very confused after this morning’s pamphlet, As others want to speak, let me come to the crucial but I gather from my hon. Friend that he is both. I am issue of whether the fixed term should be five years or going to buy and distribute copies of his pamphlet in all four years. Most constitutional experts are agreed that Liberal wards—there are none in my constituency, but four years is a more appropriate fixed term and would there are some in the borough. I shall dish out copies of better reflect the constitutional position, historical practice the pamphlet in the borough, because one of my views and comparisons with other Parliaments. Professor Robert about this coalition is that it made every bit of sense for Blackburn has said: the Conservative party and was total madness for the “In the UK, there can be little doubt that the period between Liberal Democrats. With a little luck, the Liberal Democrats general elections should be four years...It was the period expressly will go the same way as their predecessor party did in approved of as being normal in practice, when the Parliament Act the early 1920s as a result of exactly the same process. set the period of five years as the maximum.” The reason why the hon. Gentleman’s right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister had to change from Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): Will the abjectly partisan proposal of 55% was that it was the right hon. Gentleman give way? too obvious, since they had 56% of the votes. They must have thought that we were all stupid. He had to change Mr Straw: If the hon. Gentleman will first allow me that before he introduced the Bill because he would not to make this point, I shall give way. have had a dog’s chance of getting a Second Reading The Library alerted me to what Asquith said in had that ridiculous and outrageous proposal remained. February 1911, and so I asked for the whole of the It was survival that led to the change, not high principle. speech, which I have here. As the information from the 643 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 644

[Mr Straw] The answer to all that is to go for four-year Parliaments. Among many others things, if we set a four-year Parliament Library and Blackburn both show, Asquith was talking this one would finish in 2014 and could never clash with about the idea that a Parliament would normally last the four-year cycle of the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments. for four years. There is not a word in Asquith’s opening speech on the Second Reading of the Parliament Bill Pete Wishart: Will the right hon. Gentleman give way along the lines that the right hon. Gentleman who is on that point? now leader of the Liberal Democrats tried to tell us that there was. He should not busk on these points. Asquith Mr Straw: I will give way to the hon. Gentleman, but said that the Act would lead to a normal length of four I promised the hon. Member for (Lorely Burt) years and that was what he meant. Overall, as my hon. that I would give way to her first. I shall then give way Friend the Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) has both to him and the hon. Member for South Antrim pointed out, that has been the average length of a (Dr McCrea). Parliament. Lorely Burt: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. Lorely Burt (Solihull) (LD): Will the right hon. Between the two sides this evening, we are having an Gentleman give way? interesting history lesson. Perhaps I might point him towards a more recent piece of history: the passage of Mr Straw: May I finish this point, and then I shall of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009, which course give way? Indeed, the hon. Lady might wish to covers the regulations for election campaign spending answer a question that I am about to pose to her right and also refers to five-year Parliaments. That Act was hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister. supported by many of our colleagues on the Opposition Alongside the position adopted by a former Liberal Benches. Prime Minister—last but one, it must be said, and look what happened to him and to his successor, although we Mr Straw: I do not know whether the hon. Lady was need not detain the House on either of their fates—I in the House at the time, but I was responsible for that want to refer to recent Liberal Democrat policy. I know Bill, which emerged from cross-party negotiation. It that that apparently does not matter, but if the roles was an agreed measure. As for the reference to five were reversed and if, just three years ago, the Labour years, we were not setting the length of a Parliament in party had said that there should be fixed Parliaments the Bill. We were accepting that as a fact and then that should last four years, we would soon hear something determining how we dealt with party funding within about that from those on the Liberal Democrat Benches. that frame. There was no commitment whatever in We would hear suggestions that we were selling out and principle in favour of five years rather than four. standing on our heads and that we did not know what we were talking about, and would be asked what was Pete Wishart: The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely the point of making commitments—especially as simple correct and spot on in his views on five-year fixed-term a commitment as that—simply to tear them up. However, Parliaments. I know that it is not my job as a Scottish that was the Liberal Democrat position. They published National party Member to give the Labour party further a position paper—I am happy to take an intervention reasons to vote against Second Reading, but will he from the Deputy Prime Minister on this point—called guarantee to me that if there is no change in the date “For the People, By the People”, which said that the and if these elections are to clash, the Labour party will term should be four years and not five. Let me gild that oppose the Bill? lily: David Howarth, the excellent former Member for Cambridge, introduced a ten-minute Bill to the sounds Mr Straw: First, I cannot make that offer,not least because of cheering from the Liberal Democrat Benches that set it is almost certain that it will not be me standing on the a term of four years and not five. He made very good Front Bench, for reasons that the House knows. Although arguments that were absolutely right. I keep saying that I will leave the Front Bench—and I have probably never been busier as a Front Bencher—it I am glad that the Deputy Prime Minister has at long is my intention to do so. Secondly, it would be a matter last spotted that coinciding the date of a general election for the shadow Cabinet and the parliamentary party with that of national elections in Scotland and Wales is even if I were to lead on this issue. As I have said to my crazy and he is about to seek to go through hoops by other hon. Friends, we would weigh all these matters which the people of Scotland and Wales and the political and come to a view. parties that are an essential part of the process— Dr McCrea: I am sure that the people of Wales and Pete Wishart: Will the right hon. Gentleman give Scotland will be very touched that they have been way? remembered by both the Deputy Prime Minister and the right hon. Gentleman. Perhaps when he is thinking Mr Straw: I shall in a second. Those people and about the elections he could remember Northern Ireland parties would be burdened with two successive elections as well. with substantial and understandable arguments about which should come first and which should come second. Mr Straw: Of course I do and I accept the admonition. That could directly affect the outcome. Alec Shelbrooke: I have listened to the right hon. Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP) rose— Gentleman’s arguments. I am a newly elected Member, and I have spent a great number of years as a prospective Mr Straw: I shall give way in a second. parliamentary candidate wondering when the election 645 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 646 would be. All I hear from him now is excuses why we draconian controls on donations and spending. Stephen should have Parliaments of four years, although it Harper, the Prime Minister, in justifying all that against suited his Government rather well to have Parliaments an austerity budget, decided to abandon the commitment of five years. Is this just about trying to get an election and arbitrarily and unilaterally to reduce the amounts as quickly as possible? to be given to the other parties and his opponents. They cried foul and there was a crisis. When there was about Mr Straw: I have long been in favour of fixed terms. I to be a motion of no confidence against him, which could dig out correspondence I had with Margaret almost certainly would have been won, he went to the Thatcher in 1983 about fixed terms. The Labour party Governor-General, in the seat of Her Majesty, and got committed itself to fixed terms in the 1992 election. a Prorogation so that Parliament would be suspended What typically happens—this is why I welcome the for quite a long time. The Prorogation was accepted and measure and why I wanted that commitment in our he subsequently sought, but was not successful, a further manifesto—is that parties in opposition that are in Prorogation. Given that the Bill is making significant favour of fixed terms go off the boil on them when they changes, clause 4(1) has to be changed to ensure that come into government. As someone who was a PPC on the Bill does affect the right of Her Majesty to prorogue a number of occasions before coming an MP, I know the House. that the speculation is difficult. It is important to have some certainty and that is why we are not opposing the Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): Will Bill on Second Reading. I hope that the Deputy Prime the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the ability to Minister will use the time available to get things right, prorogue would also be useful to a Prime Minister who not least on whether terms should be for four years wanted an early general election? They could prorogue or five. the House for a fortnight, preventing an alternative Government from being formed and leading straight to Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest) (Con): Is the a general election. coincidence of elections in different parts of the country not just a problem of our having too many tiers of Mr Straw: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. government? Would not it be better if we simplified the People say that such things will never happen, but I am whole thing and did not have so many tiers of government? sure that Stephen Harper is an honourable man—as Then this problem would not arise. honourable as any British Prime Minister. When senior politicians are up against it and are fighting for their Mr Straw: I do not think that the hon. Lady is life, they will clutch at any lawful provision, and it proposing the abolition of the Scottish Parliament and would be lawful to do that, so this issue must be the Welsh Assembly. considered.

Mrs Laing indicated assent. Mr George Howarth: My right hon. Friend referred to my intervention on the Deputy Prime Minister as Mr Straw: Oh, she is—okay. I shall ensure that the being about clause 2(1)(c), which I said in terms it was Prime Minister is made aware of her views. Obviously, about, but the Deputy Prime Minister is so knowledgeable this is her job application for the position of Secretary about this five-clause Bill that he confused it with of State for Scotland as she hails from there. I am clause 4(1), so my right hon. Friend is right about the certainly in favour of abolishing one tier of government answer but wrong about the question. where there is two-tier local government, which does not work. Thanks to a wise Conservative decision in Mr Straw: I acknowledge the point that my right 1995, Blackburn and Darwen have greatly benefited hon. Friend makes. from being outwith the clutches of county council and the two-tier system. However, that is not I want now to deal with the privilege of the House, Conservative party policy and nor is it in the Bill. which was much aired in the evidence that the Clerk gave the other day to the Political and Constitutional On Prorogation, as my right hon. Friend the Member Reform Committee chaired by my hon. Friend the for Knowsley (Mr Howarth) has pointed out, clause 4(1) Member for Nottingham North. This issue has echoes expressly states: of our debate 15 months ago about the Parliamentary “This Act does not affect Her Majesty’s power to prorogue Standards Bill. I recall that when I introduced the Bill Parliament.” there was a huge harrumph about the degree to which Hon. and right hon. Members on both sides might not Parliament’s privilege would be being affected by its particularly have considered this, but it is perfectly provisions. There was such a huge harrumph that the possible for a Prime Minister who faces the prospect of Government were defeated on those provisions and had a defeat on a motion of no confidence and who does to go back to the drawing board, so I have thought not want an early general election, which would otherwise about this matter. arise on a simple majority, to seek a Prorogation of the I would not dream of asking the Deputy Prime House. That is not idle speculation, because that is Minister to confirm this, but I dare say that the advice exactly what happened in 2008 in Canada. that he has received about the implications of this Bill In Canada, there are fixed terms, by law, of four are from similar sources to those from which I received years, but there are also procedures for early elections, advice on the 2009 Bill. I understand that the arguments as all fixed-term Parliaments have, if a Government lose are often finely balanced. I have certainly given similar confidence. The crisis in Canada arose because there undertakings to that given by him about the very long had been an agreed all-party deal on substantially enhanced odds on the courts intervening, but this House and the state funding for the political parties in return for other place are both highly sensitive to interventions by 647 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 648

[Mr Straw] that have been made about the Bill. We want to play our part in helping them to do that and, as I said, we shall the courts on the privilege of the House. The hunting not oppose Second Reading, but we want considerable decision can be used in both ways: the actual decision of revisions, which requires more time and considerably the courts, in respect of the Parliament Acts, was not to greater opportunity for scrutiny. It also—if I may say overturn a decision of this House, but the very fact that so—requires the Deputy Prime Minister in particular to they entertained the argument was worrying. I ask him adopt a more measured, considered and consultative to think very carefully about that. approach than has been evident to date. I fully accept that the House’s not knowing about the note on privilege Mr Geoffrey Cox (Torridge and West Devon) (Con): was an error and in no sense intentional, but I have to Can the right hon. Gentleman think of any other say that it is very aggravating and does not improve the statute in respect of which the courts have declined at environment in which the House receives such measures. least to entertain an arguable interpretation? I hope that we can see a different approach from Ministers. Although most Members support the principle, a huge Mr Straw: No, and that is the point. The courts will amount of detail has to be got right before there is any decline to entertain arguments, and actions, about what chance of the legislation becoming law. happens in the House, because they are banned from doing so; their job is to interpret legislation. The Government are inherently more vulnerable—I do not 6.14 pm say that I share the view of the Clerk that they are very vulnerable—because they can get past the first base. Dr Daniel Poulter (Central Suffolk and North Ipswich) (Con): I am grateful for the opportunity to make my Mr Cash: As the right hon. Gentleman probably first formal contribution to the debates of the House. knows, I was very active on questions about the privileges As many right hon. and hon. Members are aware, of the House in relation to the Bill he just mentioned. Sir Michael Lord, the previous Member for Central Just now, the Chair of the Political and Constitutional Suffolk and North Ipswich, and a long-standing Deputy Reform Committee implied that the views of the Clerk Speaker, was gravely unwell during the summer, and I had effectively been overridden by the views of other felt it inappropriate to make my maiden speech while he experts. I have looked carefully at the evidence, and it is was so ill. Members will be pleased to know that he is clear that the Clerk gave his view on 7 September now making a good recovery and I am sure they will whereas the main evidence, from all the other experts, join me in passing our best wishes to Sir Michael for his was given on 21 August; in other words, the Clerk of the continued recovery and for his retirement. House of Commons—a distinguished expert and very Sir Michael Lord was first elected for the then knowledgeable about the House—gave his evidence in constituency of Central Suffolk in 1983. He was appointed the light of the evidence that had already been given, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the right hon. John save only for the oral evidence given by Professor Blackburn. MacGregor in ’s Government and The Committee did not ask Professor Blackburn specifically then, as many Members are aware, for 13 years, he whether he repudiated the views of the Clerk of the served with great distinction, alongside Sir Alan Haselhurst, House, so it seems to me—I hope the right hon. Gentleman as a Deputy Speaker. In Central Suffolk and North agrees—that the matter remains very open and that Ipswich, Sir Michael will be remembered as a hard-working both the Clerk and Professor Blackburn agree that and diligent constituency MP. there should have been a draft Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny. In those circumstances, the evidence is The constituency of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich overwhelming that the scrutiny should be properly done. was created in 1997 from the then Central Suffolk constituency, taking in wards from what was then Suffolk Mr Straw: On the hon. Gentleman’s first point, it Coastal and the northern wards of the Ipswich constituency. would have been difficult for me not to notice that he It is a constituency of great diversity. Central Suffolk had taken an interest in privilege in relation to the boasts agriculture and a growing tourist trade. I am Parliamentary Standards Bill, as he was scarcely ever privileged to represent a very diverse population in not on his feet complaining about something or other North Ipswich, which includes the local Sikh temple that I was doing from the Treasury Bench. The Clerk and a Sikh community as well as a large Caribbean was absolutely right to raise the issue and in the end we community. got through it. We were genuinely up against the clock As there are more than 100 parishes in my constituency, with that measure, because the leaders of all three main I shall not talk about each in detail, but I will outline parties had agreed both a timetable and broad outline some of the main concerns that affect both my constituency contents. and Suffolk as a whole. Members may be aware that In this case, I am not coming down on one side or the before my election to the House I was a front-line NHS other, but the issue is sufficiently worrying that we need hospital doctor. That experience has stood me in good to take our time. stead in representing my constituents, particularly the health care concerns that they face. In the NHS we have Mr Jenkin rose— a key battle before us to ensure that we keep front-line services at Ipswich district general hospital. Under the Mr Straw: Many Members want to speak and as I regionalisation agenda of the previous Government, we have spoken at some length I want to conclude. saw the loss of vital cardiac and cancer care services at Legislation for fixed-term Parliaments is a desirable the hospital. It is important that we fight to restore objective and it could be achieved on a cross-party Ipswich hospital to its former glory and make sure that basis, but that requires the Government to go back to once again we provide the vital services that the people the drawing board and respond to the valid criticisms of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich need. 649 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 650

In a predominantly rural constituency, Hartismere is said, I genuinely believe both that the Bill is wrong in a vital community hospital that unfortunately was closed principle and that its details have not been properly during the last three and a half years of the previous tested or subjected to wider scrutiny. There was legislative Government. I am grateful to my right hon. Friend the scrutiny in the second report this Session by the Political Secretary of State for Health and his team when he was and Constitutional Reform Committee—I am sure that shadow Secretary of State for working with me to help my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham North reopen the hospital, which provides essential services to (Mr Allen) will give his views to the House—but it can the older people, families and pregnant women who live hardly be said that that report, although helpful, gave in our rural communities. the proposals a ringing endorsement. Quite the opposite, It would be wrong of me not to draw attention to the in fact. In its conclusion on page 8, while not ruling out fact that throughout Suffolk, thanks to the previous the principle of fixed-term Parliaments, the Committee Government’s out-of-hours contract, we were left with expressed its position: only two GPs to look after 650,000 people. That is “If the coalition wants five years in which to govern, it has the something we shall look to the new health care White legal right to do so, for as long as it can command the confidence Paper to put right. of the House. But we are not persuaded that current circumstances are a sensible basis on which to commit future governments to Other challenges that face Central Suffolk and North five-year terms.” Ipswich include the need to improve broadband services Hear, hear. and access. Other Members may take access to broadband and high-speed broadband for granted—particularly if It is not just the Select Committee that has expressed they represent more urban areas—but even if under concern. Indirectly, in business questions last Thursday, current plans high-speed broadband is delivered to the Leader of the House did so, when he said, in answer 90% of the UK, two-thirds of my constituents will still to a question from me: not have access to it. All Suffolk MPs will be working “However, I hope that the right hon. Gentleman understands together to help deliver those services. that with a new Government, it is not possible, if one is to make progress, to put everything in draft, particularly when commitments Many of my fellow East Anglia MPs believe that have been made to do certain things by a certain time. Those more attention needs to be paid to infrastructure in our political imperatives sometimes”— area, particularly roads and rail, which have been badly neglected over the last few years. Indeed, for many years The House should note the words, “political imperatives”— Central Suffolk and North Ipswich received only “override the ambition that both he and I have to subject all Bills 80% of the average national spend per head of population. to draft scrutiny.”—[Official Report, 9 September 2010; Vol. 515, That has taken its toll on a road and rail infrastructure c. 466.] that badly needs investment. There we have it. The reason why the Committee chaired My constituents, like many people throughout the by my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham North country, will welcome the Bill. It will help us to give the was not given longer and why there was not a wider country a clear legislative programme, with certainty consultation is that the coalition Government have about what the Government can do over a five-year decided—it would appear, by the way, without a great period. There is so much to do in terms of welfare and deal of support from some parts of the Government—that educational reform and delivering a new White Paper they need to deliver the measure for political reasons. on health care, and in particular dealing with the profligate economic record of the Labour Government. We must Mr Allen: It is possible, as my right hon. Friend the make sure that we have a clear five-year programme in Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) suggested, to devise which to do that. A fixed-term Parliament can only be a a means by which pre-legislative scrutiny could take good thing. place. Even with Second Reading being completed today, it would be possible to commit the Bill either to the Select Committee or to a Special Standing Committee, 6.19 pm so that the 12 week-period that the Government regard Mr George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab): May I tell the as appropriate is fulfilled. I leave that in the air, in the hon. Member for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich forlorn hope that even at this point the Minister may (Dr Poulter) that I have witnessed many maiden speeches, take it as a suggestion. but his was up there among the best? I am sure that the House will hear much more from him in the coming Mr Howarth: My hon. Friend makes a useful suggestion, years, and I look forward to his contributions. His and doubtless he will expand on it if he succeeds in maiden speech was certainly gracious and well constructed, catching your eye, Madam Deputy Speaker. Issues of and he made it with very little reference to notes. It was principle are involved, as well as of detail, and that is very good, and we all look forward to hearing more what I intend to try to deal with. from him. Before dealing with the Bill’s provisions, I want to say Characteristically, the Deputy Prime Minister stayed a word about the trust that was placed in our hands by for the opening speeches, then cleared off. He described our constituents at the general election. I hope that that the measure as modest in size. Well, at five clauses, it is does not sound too pious, but it is important that we indeed modest. He managed to demonstrate that, even discuss these principles when we deal with measures of though it is only five clauses long, he is not totally this kind. Regardless of our party labels, we have been familiar with the content of his own Bill. In fact, it is entrusted by our constituents with the ability to exercise not just modest in size but squalid in intent. judgment as representatives of our constituencies. That Constitutional reform often has the effect of inducing may appear trite, but it is important that we do not lose an outbreak of navel gazing in the House, so I am sight of it. Let me qualify the point, however, as I am usually reluctant to take part in these debates. That not so naive as to assume that the 31,000 people who 651 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 652

[Mr George Howarth] will get hundreds of them now—on fixed-term Parliaments. No constituent has ever discussed fixed-term Parliaments voted for me in Knowsley in the general election did so with me. Any belief that we have a moral obligation to wholly or even mainly on the basis that I was the best support the Bill has passed me by. person for the job. There are other important things that we should take into account. I come back to the point that I made at Mr Straw: My right hon. Friend should not do the beginning. We are sent here to exercise a judgment himself a disservice. Would he give a wider audience to about many things, one of which is the performance of the fact that, as I recall, his 31,000 vote was either the any Government at any given time. One of the devices largest or second-largest Labour share of the vote in that we have at our disposal in such circumstances is a England? vote of no confidence. Normally, a vote of no confidence can trigger an election process, subject to the monarch Mr Howarth: I have to tell my right hon. Friend that I and all the procedures that have to take place in those am far too modest to consider looking at such statistics. circumstances. I do not believe that our constituents Most of the people who voted, however, mainly voted want us to be in a position where we retain the right to for a particular political party. I am not trying to be pass a vote of no confidence if the effect of that vote is unduly modest—that applies to every Member of the dependent on the proportion of Members who voted House, with very few exceptions. for it. It is important to remember why people voted for If a Government have lost the confidence of the House particular parties. It is partly because they agreed with of Commons and that is manifested by a majority of the policies, but partly because they agreed with the one or two in a vote of no confidence, why is that values. As the House of Commons Library has made wrong? Whether the Government have lost the confidence clear in its helpful note, my party manifesto included a of two thirds of the House, a dozen or two or three commitment to fixed-term Parliaments, as my right Members, why does that make a difference? In the end, hon. Friend said, but that was in the context of a written a Government who have run out of steam, run out of constitution. I have already cited the wording that was ideas or run out of confidence here or in the country used. My right hon. Friend said that the use of “and” to should go. link fixed-term Parliaments with wider constitutional I was sent here to make sure that whatever the political reform and a constitutional convention was a question composition of the Government of the day, I had the of my muddling up subjunctive and conjunctive clauses, ability on behalf of my constituents to say, “Enough is but I doubt very much whether he had that in mind enough. Go!” That ability, which I have had for the when he drafted that section of our manifesto. Knowing 20-odd years that I have been a Member of the House, him, it is possible that he deliberately left the wording is circumscribed by the terms of the Bill. ambiguous so that on a future occasion he could make the claim that he made today. Not for nothing did the Mr (Gravesham) (Con): There has late suggest that he could occasionally been much talk about hypothetical situations that may be devious—I do not think that she actually used the occur if the Bill is passed. A vote of no confidence does word, “devious” but that was the import of what she not necessarily mean that there would be a general said—and had a great deal of low cunning. Our earlier election. I am thinking back to the time when the House exchange perhaps demonstrated that even though he is voted on the Iraq war. If the Government had lost that not standing for the shadow Cabinet, he still has a great vote, and if the Prime Minister of the day had made it a deal of low cunning. matter of confidence in him and had lost, does the right hon. Gentleman envisage that there would have been a The manifesto commitment was ambiguous, but a general election, or would the then Government have further point needs to be made. How far does an changed the Executive and therefore, in effect, the Opposition party go towards deciding that it must stick Government? to every measure in a previous manifesto when, as we did, it loses the election? Mr Howarth: It is always difficult to speculate about I understand that Governments and parties that what would have happened at a given time if the vote contribute towards Governments are rightly judged by had gone in a different direction. I know for a fact that the extent to which they do what they say will do at a the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, had taken the general election and in their manifesto, but it seems to view—it is now a matter of record—that he would have me—and I hope to my right hon. Friend—that although had to stand down as Prime Minister. That would have the principles that we stand by as a party and our values changed the leadership of the Executive and the political as a party endure defeat and victory in a general election, leadership of the country. How that would have affected specific policies and certainly policies on such an issue the imminence or otherwise of a general election is do not necessarily survive a defeat. impossible to judge, because the arithmetic of Parliament would have stayed the same. I am not sure whether the I was out and about in my constituency over the hon. Gentleman meant that to be a helpful intervention weekend and had many conversations about matters for the Government, but I do not think it serves that political, not just with Labour party members, but with purpose at all. voters. Surprise, surprise, not one of them said to me, “George, I want you to go down there on Monday for Mr Shepherd: It is inconceivable and against our the Second Reading of the Fixed-term Parliaments Bill traditions that a Prime Minister who proposes a war and vote for it.” They did not say, “Vote for it.” They with the support of his Cabinet is defeated and does not did not say, “Don’t vote for it.” They have never discussed depart the scene. There would have to be a general it with me at all. I have never had a letter on fixed-term election. That is our tradition, that is the convention, Parliaments. I have never had an e-mail—no doubt I and that was our constitution. 653 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 654

Mr Howarth: I suspect that the hon. Gentleman is to consider the longer-term question? I apply the same right, and that he is right about what would have been principle to some of the other constitutional changes the outcome in those circumstances, but I am not sure it that are being introduced by the Government. To my would have been quite so direct. There may have had to way of thinking, it is really quite likely that our constitution be another vote before that became clear. We are speculating needs fundamental amendment. I have spoken in the about a particular circumstance at a particular time. House on several occasions, referring to the fact that I I have made the points that I want to make, but I have believe that the time may have arrived when we need to one more thing to say in conclusion. I do not believe consider wholesale the constitutional arrangements of that the people who voted for me sent me here to vote this country. But if we do that, we should do so in a way for a measure linked to other measures which, above all, that dignifies with respect the history of our constitution; is designed to entrench the position of the coalition that treats it with sufficient seriousness and depth; that Government. Because I was not sent here to do that, produces a constitutional convention, for example, or regardless of what my right hon. Friend the Member brings together men and women of good will across all for Blackburn (Mr Straw) says from the Front Bench, the parties to decide upon the constitutional arrangements and regardless of what was in our manifesto—I am not that may last 100 or more years and determine the sure that many of my constituents are remotely aware democratic shape of our nation’s affairs. That is the way that it was in our manifesto—there are no circumstances to introduce constitutional change, not in a piecemeal in which I could support the Second Reading of the Bill and fragmentary way, not incoherently, not because of or even just sit on my hands. So if anybody else in the immediate expediency, but because we have thought it House is up for it, I shall be marching through the No through and because we know that what we seek to Lobby to ensure that there is some opposition to the replace the former arrangements with will be better Bill tonight. than what has gone before. One of the things that troubles me most about the 6.37 pm provision is that it removes the pivotal involvement of the monarch in decisions about the formation of a Mr Geoffrey Cox (Torridge and West Devon) (Con): Government. It is not a light thing, however graciously Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for giving me the Her Majesty may have placed her prerogatives at the opportunity to speak on this extremely important Bill. disposal of the House, to remove some of the fundamental In the evidence that the Select Committee received, one and inherent prerogatives that Her Majesty retains. In of the distinguished experts who gave their opinion on 1910, when Asquith approached George V and asked the Bill described it as so fundamental that in other whether the King would be willing to make 300 new countries it would have required a constitutional peers in an attempt to steamroller through a fundamental amendment and possibly an entrenched majority of the change to the constitution, the sovereign answered Asquith, House to pass. “No. I will not allow you to push through so fundamental It is a symptom of the lack of seriousness with which a change to our constitution in such a way unless you constitutional questions are sometimes treated in the consult the people in a general election.” The right of House that the Bill is being rushed through with undignified the monarch to insist upon a Dissolution when some haste, as appears to be the case, and I regret it. In the fundamentally antidemocratic change is proposed by last Parliament I spent five years criticising the previous a Prime Minister, is a fundamental safeguard in our Administration and sometimes being a little harsh on constitution. It is something that the monarch, strong the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) for in the affections and respect of the British people, is the way in which he introduced constitutional Bills, uniquely able to do. but although he sometimes ignored the substance of As Conservatives, I say to my right hon. and hon. consultation, he always preserved its appearance, and Friends, we should think long and hard before we remove he did so with the charm and vanity that is characteristic the cornerstone of our constitution—the discretion and of him. In this case, we have had neither the substance prerogative of the monarch to safeguard our democracy. nor the appearance. Every single constitutional expert What is constitutional in this country is the Queen in who has given their opinion on the Bill has deplored the Parliament, the Crown in Parliament. The mere fact absence of consultation in which the House and those that the Crown in Parliament is often silent and invisible in the wider community have had an opportunity to and inactive does not mean that it is not an important participate. cornerstone in our constitutional arrangements. The I am troubled by the Bill. I do not understand why we right of the monarch, either to decline a Dissolution or should rush through the House so fundamental a to insist upon a Dissolution, seems to me a fundamental constitutional alteration to arrangements that have stood safeguard. I am not saying that there may not be a case us in reasonably good stead for generations. In this for change. What I am saying, and what I say to my country our constitution has broadly served us well. We right hon. and hon. Friends, is that it is not something have had political stability for generations. It behoves for us as Conservatives simply to brush lightly aside, the House to contemplate very carefully the wisdom of either for reasons of expediency or for reasons that are what it is doing, and to be sure that it is replacing the unnecessary. I say again: why would it not be possible to system that has served us well for so many generations have a Bill that determines the length of this Parliament, with something better than what we had before. I do not if we needed such a Bill and if the good faith of the believe that we have had the proper opportunity to Prime Minister was not enough, and to consider the longer- consult widely and to consider carefully the Bill and the term ramifications of the measure in a proper way? proposal that it puts forward. The ability of the Prime Minister to seek a Dissolution Why would it not be possible, if the measure is is not simply the unfair, unprincipled, unattractive important to the existence of the coalition, to propose a proposition that the Deputy Prime Minister proposed Bill that applied to this Parliament only, and thereafter to the House an hour or so ago. The ability of the Prime 655 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 656

[Mr Geoffrey Cox] are entitled to be consulted in greater depth than we have done hitherto, through the processes that this Minister to go to the Queen to ask for a Dissolution can House has for the taking of evidence and through the sometimes be done in circumstances very much in the ordinary channels of political communication. interests of the nation. I am not saying that it is not I am troubled about the imprecision in what is intended sometimes abused. Of course I accept that it can be in clause 2 as regards a motion of no confidence. abused. But in other circumstances it may be vital. The Perhaps this can be tackled in Committee. The provisions Prime Minister may believe, for example, that it is seem to give rise to the realistic prospect that the courts required in the public interest that he should propose to may be tempted to invade on these matters. Let me say a Parliament a measure that was not in the governing few words about privilege. I agree with the right hon. party’s manifesto, but which, for reasons of principle, Member for Blackburn that it is probably unlikely that he believes he should put to the country. What does he the courts would wish to intrude on a matter so pivotal do then? Let us suppose, for example, that a future to the workings as the Speaker certifying that there was Government proposed to join a united states of Europe. a requisite majority under clause 2, but we cannot rule Let us suppose that a future Government, in the middle it out. As the Clerk of the Parliament has said, once we of its term, felt that it was necessary to put to Parliament inscribe in statute, the courts are automatically engaged. a substantial surrender of power, so much so that it It is their constitutional function to interpret a statute, possibly placed the independent self-governance of this and I cannot think of a single instance where the courts nation in question. Would not the Prime Minister be have declined to entertain an arguable interpretation in justified in those circumstances—I simply take that an arguable case. issue at random; there are many others—in asking the It is true that the courts may say, after deliberation, Queen for a Dissolution of Parliament? He has no manifesto and after appeal upon appeal, eventually in the Supreme commitment; this is a fundamental issue of principle. Court, that they have declined to consider whether the He is not seeking party advantage, but he believes in all certificate issued by the Speaker is indeed a valid certificate. conscience that he needs the approval of the British However, this House has tried, on many occasions, to people. This Bill would prevent him from doing that devise so-called ouster clauses seeking to foreclose the unless he could gain the assent of 66% of the Members jurisdiction of the court on a judicial review, and I of the House. But he may believe, as a matter of cannot think of a single case in which those clauses conviction and conscience that it is vital that he should have prevented the court from saying, “Okay, we will go to the people with so fundamental a proposal. get involved only in certain limited circumstances, but Jacob Rees-Mogg: Will my hon. and learned Friend where it is, for example, a question of the precondition give way? for the exercise of the discretion, we will get involved.” The Clerk gave a very good example when he pointed Mr Cox: I will in a moment, if I may. out that although clause 2 says that a certificate shall be “conclusive for all purposes”, that does not, in theory, So again I say to the House, it is not simply a done prevent the court from inquiring into whether it is a deal. It is not an open-and-shut argument that fixed-term certificate at all. Parliaments are a good thing. The flexibility of our constitution, the ability of the Prime Minister to seek a The courts have adopted precisely that analysis in the Dissolution, is not always a bad thing; it can be a good case of two or three statutes where the House has thing. True it is that in recent times Prime Ministers sought to exclude the jurisdiction of the courts and they have tended to abuse it. True it is that in recent experience have said, “No, it is our duty to scrutinise and to interpret they have perhaps lessened the dignity of their office by the meaning of a statute, and where it is question of declaring elections in schools and by dithering over the whether the essential, fundamental preconditions are timing of a general election. But that does not mean met for the exercise of a discretion, we will see whether that we ought not to consider carefully a fundamental they have been met.” It would be an act of voluntary change to a fixed-term parliament. My plea today is self-restraint by the courts to deny themselves the jurisdiction that we do not regard this as simply a subordinate to examine the statute to see whether the Speaker had consideration. The way in which this has been introduced complied. It is likely that they would exercise that and the lightness with which the House is being expected voluntary self-restraint, but one cannot exclude the to deal with this critical question troubles me. possibility that as time goes on— In my submission, the existence of the Queen’s right to dissolve is in some circumstances very important. Mr Cash: I am following my hon. and learned Friend’s That may be why in Canada the prerogative of the arguments with great interest. In the Parliament Acts, Queen was preserved. Although they introduced a fixed- the expression about whether the provision is conclusive term parliament, the Canadians decided to retain the for all purposes is reinforced by the words, prerogative of the Queen to dissolve Parliament. We “and shall not be questioned in any court of law”. should think long and hard before we make a change of It is curious that those words are omitted from this Bill this kind. The role of the monarch is an important one given that would provide an additional amount of safeguard and it is not one that we should simply discard. and put the courts even more on notice that Parliament I have a number of other observations about the Bill. had instructed them not to question any provision in I am troubled about the length—five years. That means any court of law. that it postpones for five years, in perpetuity hereafter, the ability of the people of this country to pass their Mr Cox: I take my hon. Friend’s point. However, in opinion upon the performance of a Government. That my experience of judicial review proceedings, no form is potentially too long. The people of this country, who of language has been completely successful in ousting have had no opportunity to be consulted on this issue, the court’s examination of a statute. This is a well-known 657 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 658 phenomenon in administrative law. The House has, on campaigning and knocking on doors at the weekend several occasions, tried its very best, through expressions would have a chance at least to look at it and inform of the character that he mentions, to oust the jurisdiction themselves ahead of the debate. We did the best we of the courts, but the courts have said no. In this case, could, but it is still not good enough in respect of the the Bill says that a certificate shall be “conclusive for all procedures of the House. We should expect our Select purposes”, but the courts would be likely to say, “That Committees to have a careful, long, detailed look at the means ‘a valid certificate will be conclusive for all legislation that is proposed by the Government and that purposes’, and we are entitled to consider whether this the House is expected to pass. We can do that by having is a valid certificate.” It would be an act of purely proper pre-legislative scrutiny. voluntary self-restraint if the court said, “In these The Bill flies in the face of effective pre-legislative circumstances we will treat this statute as non-justiciable.” scrutiny.We will do our best for the two days of Committee I can think of no examples of where the courts have yet on the Floor of the House, but I hope very much that in done that. Certainly, they have held certain things to be future the Government will ensure that we all get adequate non-justiciable, but usually because the duty is vague time to do what we are here for—to make better law. and the expression of the statute is more aspirational The Government-drafted law, good as it is, will always than definitive. In this case, it is clear what conditions benefit from a careful, steady appraisal and from the are set out for the Speaker to pass a valid certificate for answering of questions. That is what the parliamentary the purposes of an early election. process is designed for. In my judgment, it is not possible to rule out the courts’ involvement. If that is right, we should pause. I Mrs McGuire: Pre-legislative scrutiny is a valuable say this to the Minister: please let us think long and tool for the House across a range of legislation, and hard about further consideration of this Bill, because it constitutional change has significant ramifications for a smacks of undue and undignified haste. I have spoken whole other range of legislation that the House has about the duration of the Parliament, and the monarch’s passed over many hundreds of years. Does my hon. integral and pivotal role in deciding on either declining Friend agree that pre-legislative scrutiny should almost a Dissolution, agreeing to a Dissolution or insisting on have been a pre-requisite before the Bill came to the a Dissolution is vital. The Bill’s imprecision on the House? nature of a no-confidence motion is vitally important. Why should we not pause in relation to fixed-term Mr Allen: As I would expect, my right hon. Friend Parliaments? Why do we have to make law for the has hit the nail on the head. As we have heard today, purposes of the long-term future? It is regrettable, and I many people support the principle of what the Government have great trouble with this Bill, as I did with last week’s are saying. Why lose friends by rushing the process? Bill about the alternative vote referendum. Why not get better law by going steadily? I am sure that As an Opposition, the Liberal Democrats and the colleagues know that democratic change has been dear Conservatives frequently criticised the then Administration to my heart for many years. Above all, why not build a for piecemeal, incoherent and fragmentary reform in consensus in the House for the change once it has been constitutional affairs. Why are we repeating that error? gone through carefully and after everyone in the House We should be taking a long-term, coherent view of our feels that they have been able to be involved—rather constitution. How can it be right that we decide the than everyone in the House feeling that they have been electoral cycle of this House not in conjunction with a cheated and that the process has been abusive to them consideration of what a reformed Second Chamber as Members of Parliament? I shall return to that issue a would look like? How can it be right that we decide the little later. electoral system of this House not in conjunction with This is a Second Reading debate, so we are talking the electoral system that we shall use for the Second about the big principles. The big principle is whether we Chamber? That would be joined-up, mature and wise should have a fixed-term Parliament. I speak personally constitutional law-making; this looks like something and strongly in saying that such a Parliament is certainly very different. I say to my hon. Friend the Minister that needed; many of us have campaigned for one for many it is embarrassing to be on these Benches having to years. I think that it will become a steady, fixed aspect of listen to a Bill of this kind being put forward in such a what we do in this country. To quote the report, way. I had hoped for better from this Government. “our expectation is that future Parliaments would run for their full fixed term, and that this will become an unremarkable aspect 6.58 pm of our modern democracy.” Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North) (Lab): First, I That is how most western democracies operate, and congratulate the members of the Political and Constitutional they take it in their stride. That is just how things are. Reform Committee, many of whom are here tonight, on They have a set, fixed system and do not get terribly performing a brilliant job of which I hope the House is excited for two or three years about whether there will very proud. They had a mere two or three days in which be a general election. They know perfectly well when to produce for the House a first-class report; I hope that their legislature and Executive are going to be elected. colleagues will take the chance to look at it. If it does The process is not all covered in mysticism, judicial not cover all the answers, it none the less raises most of archaeology and obscure Standing Orders; it is there for the key questions, which can be resolved through the people to see, with every elector owning their democracy. passage of this Bill. I thank all those Members who It was said that nobody writes to hon. Members worked so hard on pulling the document together. I about fixed-term Parliaments. People do not; but they took the liberty of e-mailing it to every Member of the do speak to all of us on the doorsteps about how they House within one minute of its publication on Friday feel about politics. They feel that politics is not working morning, in the hope that those who were not out and does not deliver for them. Our role is to take that 659 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 660

[Mr Allen] seize this moment, we could use it to help to strengthen this institution rather than, as the hon. Member for general sentiment—albeit not expressed in favour of Stone mentioned, just following the Whips. We could this or that clause in a particular Bill—that we must use this precedent to make sure that we can build up restore politics to people. That is one of the key principles and strengthen our Parliament. underlying the idea of a fixed-term Parliament. I have got form on this issue. My right hon. Friend Jacob Rees-Mogg: The hon. Gentleman says that the the Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) talked about the Bill could strengthen the standing of Parliament. However, 1992 Labour party decision. I was fortunate enough to as I understand it, the Bill does not prevent the have drafted that document. That was nearly 20 years Government’s putting down a motion of no confidence ago and there has been a lot of discussion since, but the in themselves and therefore, if they had a majority, House is finally getting the chance to decide on whether getting an election whenever they wanted one. That is the people of our country should know when the next the ineffectiveness of the drafting of the Bill. general election is going to be. That is a really important step forward. Mr Allen: There are so many flaws in the Bill’s drafting. The Committee, on the hon. Gentleman’s Mr Cash rose— behalf, has done as good a job as it can in pointing them Mr Allen: I gladly give way to the hon. Gentleman. out. I hope that all of them will be put right during the Committee stage, as they could be put right if we were Mr Cash: The hon. Gentleman is doing a great job to have a special Public Bill Committee or a proper with his Committee and I congratulate it on producing pre-legislative process. However, that is currently not such a speedy report. the case. The hon. Gentleman makes a valid point, and Does the hon. Gentleman not accept that the will of one that should be addressed by the Government as the Parliament can easily be subjected to the will of the Bill proceeds. Whips? On a matter of great constitutional importance, The other thing about a fixed-term Parliament is it is perfectly clear that one of the main objectives predictability and continuity.Instead of permanent politics- would be to use the Whip system to get whatever result as-entertainment, in which there is speculation about the respective members of the coalition Government impending general elections and people feed tittle-tattle wanted—at the expense of the people of this country, and gossip to raise or lower the political temperature, who vote for us? we will know that we can get on with serious business while knowing the date of the next general election and Mr Allen: Indeed. One of the small matters of dispute putting such considerations aside. That is something of that I have had with the hon. Gentleman over the years great importance, and would lead to we as parliamentarians has been that somehow he feels that we can recreate being able to seize greater control of what we do in this some golden parliamentary age. This place is owned by place on a number of issues, rather than being engaged, the Executive and the alternative Executive; the hon. even at arm’s length, in speculation about when an Gentleman, more than anybody, should know that. If election will take place. he does not understand that, he falls into the same trap as the Clerk, who talked about the Mr Shepherd: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman “House’s mastery of its own proceedings”. and his Committee, and for the evidence that it has That is a myth and a self-deception. We must confront taken. However, what concerns me—one of the witnesses that issue. We imagine that somehow there are makes this point in a written statement—is that we are 650 individuals here creating our own rules, but the talking about piecemeal constitutional change. The Labour rules are created by the Executive. and Conservative parties are dedicated to an elected The Bill seeks to put into law provisions for a fixed-term House of Lords, for instance. How does a five or Parliament, rather than putting them only in Standing four-year term—or whatever it is—fit into the broader Orders, which can be changed at a moment’s notice. picture for us? That is what bothers me, so to talk about The 10 o’clock rule is suspended on a daily basis and a piece of piecemeal legislation—and to ask the question Standing Orders are cast aside and suspended on a regular “Cui bono?”—is not good enough. basis. To pretend that there is an atomised Parliament with 650 Members all exercising their consciences is a Mr Allen: Perfection may be the enemy of the good in self-deception out of which, I hope, hon. Members this case. As parliamentarians, we are feeding on the throughout the House will educate themselves. In that crumbs from the table, and I guess that this is as good as way, we can take back some control for the House we can do. The choice is not between the Bill and a and strengthen Parliament, and people can elect us big-bang written constitution that solves all the problems understanding that the House of Commons—the legislature in one go; the Bill is what is on offer, and as supplicants —is different from the Executive, and should have its in the process, we can only try to make it a better part of own independence and powers. this piecemeal change. Unfortunately, we do not have The hon. Member for Stone (Mr Cash) led me down the option of something much more fundamental; and the road of the rebalancing of powers between the indeed, I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman legislature and the Executive, and I agree with the would really want that. However, perhaps he does, so I Deputy Prime Minister that this, for once, is the Executive will follow his speech with interest. actually giving away a power, for whatever reason. We The other thing about predictability and continuity is can make our own judgments about the reason, but I that they give Governments the chance to decide their welcome the change, because it helps to rebalance the programme and work through their Bills much more power between the Executive and the legislature. If we effectively. This helter-skelter “throw it into the mix” 661 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 662 way of passing legislation debilitates Governments of Committee stage on the Floor of the House for democratic all parties. Let there be proper evidence-based policy Bills. However, we as a House are robbing ourselves of making—probably for the first time in our lifetimes—so the opportunity to do that work by asking our Select that the Government can put things to the House of Committee to come up with a report, good as it is, in Commons that are almost fully formed, rather than two or three days. throwing them in and saying, “We’ll hope to amend them as they goes through this House and the second Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): I join others Chamber.” Instead of saying, “Let’s botch a few things in congratulating the hon. Gentleman and his Committee and get hundreds of amendments down to try and get on the work that they have done in the short time the Bill into shape,” how about having proper, considered, available. Can he share with the House what discussions evidence-based policy making from the Government, he has had, and what explanation he has been given, which would then be immensely strengthened by proper about the failure to go down the route of pre-legislative scrutiny by the House? Who loses in that process? scrutiny for this important piece of constitutional legislation? Some might say, “It’s going to delay things,” but we did this. Indeed, a classic example from when Labour Mr Allen: I will have to let the Minister answer that was in power was criminal justice Bills. We popped question in the wind-up. With the first Bill—on AV and them out virtually once a year because we had not got it boundaries—there was a desire for a referendum in right the first time, but we also had to get something May and a great rush to secure one. With this Bill on before the House and show that we were fighting crime. fixed-term Parliaments, which would benefit immensely I think we can all do better than that. If we used the from study—not delay, but getting it right—I have not process that is readily available to us to consider legislation really had a sensible explanation as to why it is being carefully, the Government would amaze themselves at pushed through in the brief period when the House is the Bills they could produce for the House and the back in September. House would amaze itself at the contribution it could The Bill as a concept—and so without a Second make by having proper scrutiny of how legislation Reading—could have been discussed on the Floor of develops. the House in June or July. Without any knowledge of We have proposed, on an all-party basis, that there the Bill, we could have discussed the key principles, but should be 12 weeks of pre-legislative scrutiny. To his it was not put before us in a way that enabled the great credit, the Leader of the House has written to the Committee to bring sensible and serious evidence before Liaison Committee saying that Bills should normally the House. If doing things that way could become part have a 12-week evidence-taking pre-legislative scrutiny of the process, I would be very happy, but that would period. If we can get the so-called new politics to deliver really mean putting it in Standing Orders. It is no good on that, so that every Bill goes through that process, we waiting for smoke signals from Ministers or the Leader will produce much better law. However, if we just ram of the House; it should be the right of this House to things through the House of Commons, it will be look at legislation. That should be what we expect, not business as usual and legislation will be flawed. Those something that may be handed down with a nod and who throw in the bogey of the courts coming and a wink. lurking in the corridors of the House of Commons will find their wish fulfilled, because there may indeed be Pete Wishart: We all very much enjoy the hon. flaws in the legislation. I hope we will iron out all those Gentleman’s evangelical speeches on behalf of empowering wrinkles this week and in the days on the Floor of the the House, but there are three representatives of minority House, but if we are not careful and if we do not have parties in the Chamber, and he will know that we do not the right level of scrutiny, we may get what we wish for. have the same access as hon. Members in the three big parties. What is he actively doing to ensure that we are Mrs McGuire: Given the adversarial nature of our represented in all those important Committees of the legislative process, does my hon. Friend agree that some House? We are not on his Committee, for example, or of the issues to which he has alluded will be difficult to on the Liaison Committee, and there are so many iron out in the passage of this legislation and that others. Surely he could help us a bit more to get there. pre-legislative scrutiny would have led not only to a far better conclusion, but one that would have gathered a Mr Allen: I do not want to go over old ground—you consensus across the House? might pull me up, Madam Deputy Speaker—but the hon. Gentleman will know that there are a number of Mr Allen: It is not always possible to achieve a us, not least among the Select Committee Chairs, working consensus, but technical issues—whether the courts might away on that issue to try to find a happy resolution. be involved; whether the proposal might be implemented Unfortunately, what was agreed at that moment was a better through Standing Orders or in statute; the number satisfactory compromise, but not exactly what we might of days needed after a Government have lost the confidence all have wanted in those negotiations. None the less, of the House—are the sorts of things that can be that is something that the House must continue to decided to everybody’s satisfaction. That does not mean pursue. that everyone will be satisfied for or against a fixed-term Another advantage of the predictability and continuity Parliament, but that is the purpose of a Second Reading, of a fixed-term Parliament would be that it would give the final reading in this House: to say yes or no to the Members of Parliament and their staff, and the staff of key principles. What we in this House are failing to the House, some clarity about the House’s timetable deliver is technically competent, thoroughly analysed and calendar. That would bring some stability to the and examined pieces of legislation. That is why we have way in which staff are employed, for example, and to Select Committees, Public Bill Committees and the their holidays and their terms and conditions. Such 663 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 664

[Mr Allen] otherwise be their friends and make a consensus work, and who would make the new democracy work and give provisions in the Bill would also give election registration Parliament the rights that it deserves, will not be with officers in every locality a greater length of time to them. It is a great mistake to push through legislation, prepare than they have when a snap election is called. particularly legislation of this nature, without trying to We have heard, in a different context, lots of stuff about bring people with them, and the most important people people failing to register. It would be well within the to bring with them in that regard are Members of this compass of election registration officers to build up a House of all parties. registration campaign ahead of key events such as general elections, and to plan ahead for such campaigns. Several hon. Members rose— We have also heard—I think it was from the Deputy Prime Minister, or perhaps from an intervener on him— Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. about the Electoral Commission’s report, which was There are 15 Members in the Chamber who wish to published today. It talks about the importance of overseas participate in the debate. As there is no time limit on and forces voters being registered properly, and a fixed-term speeches, we will not be able to fit all 15 Members in Parliament could broaden our democracy by making unless we see a little more progress being made. This is that work. At heart, however, the Bill is about restoring in hon. Members’ hands, but a quick calculation shows policy questions to our politics, and about not being so that if each takes about 10 minutes, we might have a distracted by the media blood sports relating to whether racing chance of fitting everyone in. I want to make that we are going to have an election, in whose favour it will clear to everyone who wishes to speak. Otherwise, we be and when the Prime Minister is going to go to the might have to reflect on whether we need a time limit. palace. 7.25 pm Finally, I want to deal with the failure to get effective scrutiny for the Bill. That failure has meant that we have Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion) (LD): It is a pleasure not been able to look at a large number of issues that to be able to speak in this debate, and a particular attach to a fixed-term Parliament, including the use of pleasure to be called to speak after the Chairman of the royal prerogative powers and the strength of the Executive Political and Constitutional Reform Committee, the over Parliament. We have not been able to study the hon. Member for Nottingham North (Mr Allen). I shall links between what we are proposing now and fixed-term come to some of the concerns that he has raised, many Parliaments in other areas. We have not been able to of which I share. However, that does not take away my examine prerogative powers in relation to proroguing genuine pleasure at being able to speak to a Bill that, as Parliament. That has been mentioned tangentially, but my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister said why do we still have these obscure, ancient rights? No earlier, takes away the Prime Minister’s power to choose one, except those who work inside the Executive, seems the date of the election to suit his or her party. There are to know quite where they come from or how the can be understandable concerns—perhaps more than I had exercised. These things are not in our power; they are envisaged when I came into the Chamber today—but not part of Parliament’s mastery of its own destiny. my party and I see the Bill as a huge step forward. The power to set the date for the meeting of Parliament We have heard about somersaults in manifesto after a general election is not in the gift of the Members commitments, but I support the principle behind the Bill, who have just been elected; it is in the gift of the and the need for fixed-term Parliaments has been enshrined Government. We are not masters of our own destiny in in my party’s policies and manifestos for many decades. that regard. The power also exists for the Prime Minister I do not know when the four years became five during to go to the Palace without any authority from Parliament. the negotiations between the Conservative and Liberal We talk about things being announced on the “Today” Democrat negotiating teams, but the principle is still programme, but the Prime Minister does not even need there. Of course there are still details to be worked out to come to the House to announce that there is to be an in Committee and, yes, many questions should have election. He does not even have to come here, as the been asked during pre-legislative scrutiny. In an ideal leader of the main party, to claim the right to be sent by world, we would also have had more than two days to Parliament to the palace. We see smoke and mirrors on consider the Bill in Committee. Those are legitimate general election night; colleagues are a passing butterfly concerns, but I do not want to lose sight of the principle of an electoral college that night, and they are expected behind the Bill. simply to toe the line thereafter. That is what royal I also believe that the Government are in listening prerogative powers are about; what the term really mode. Concern was expressed—and shared by some on means is Executive power. All those powers remain the Liberal Democrat Benches—when the 55% threshold untouched and unlooked-at, because we were not allowed was announced, and a vigorous campaign was set up to to scrutinise the Bill effectively. oppose it. The Government have listened to those concerns I will vote for the Bill tonight. In principle, we need a and revised their position, and I hope that some of the fixed term for our Parliaments. We should debate on the sensible comments that have been made today will Floor of the House whether it is four years or five. We attract the ear of the Minister and the Deputy Prime should, however, have had proper scrutiny. That would Minister. have made this a better Bill. I say with some empathy I have served on the Welsh Affairs Select Committee for the coalition Government that, above all, if they for the past five years. Anyone who has served on a want to change the way in which we are governed, and Select Committee will know that, when such Committees the way in which our democracy works, they cannot do work properly, the depth of their inquiries and their it by the old methods. They have to reach out, explain capacity to call witnesses over long periods of time are and educate. If they do not, those people who would not taken lightly. I share the concerns expressed by the 665 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 666

Political and Constitutional Reform Committee in its would be completely unacceptable. We would have two report. It had the capacity to hold deep and meaningful months of perpetual campaigning and the drowning discussions over a couple of sessions. I am grateful to out of Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish issues would the Chairman for the fact that I received my copy of the still very much apply. report very speedily; reading it over the weekend certainly informed my understanding of the matter. However, Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): In this is not a satisfactory way to proceed. future elections to the Welsh Assembly, the constituencies We have also heard about the concerns of the Clerk for Westminster might not be the same as those for the of the House. They were articulated strongly by the Assembly, which could lead to the confusion experienced hon. and learned Member for Torridge and West Devon in Scotland for the same reason. (Mr Cox). I shall not attempt, given my humble background, to denigrate the views of the Clerk of the Mr Mark Williams: My hon. Friend makes a telling House, but he has strongly held views, and a counter-view point. It is one thing to have a general election and a was put forward by the Chairman of the Select Committee. one-issue referendum. I do not mind saying that I have All those views need to be fully examined, and we need chosen my line on that issue; my right hon. Friend the to see a balance between different witnesses putting Deputy Prime Minister has convinced me that the Welsh forward their cases. I do not, however, share the view people are perfectly equipped to differentiate between that the Bill should not proceed as a consequence of one issue on one ballot paper and voting in a Welsh those concerns, and I welcome the principles behind it, general election. However, having two general elections and the common ground that is to be found across the on the same day is quite another thing, not least because Chamber. of the different boundaries that are likely to apply, as my hon. Friend suggests. That will lead to a huge One specific matter still concerns me, however, although amount of confusion. We need to take a few minutes to I was reassured by my right hon. Friend the Deputy reflect on it; I know it is hard for Members representing Prime Minister’s comments on it earlier. It is the position English constituencies to understand. It would be immensely in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Prime confusing to voters if two general elections were held on Minister has talked about pursuing these matters further, the same day. We already have difficulty in explaining and there are legitimate concerns about the prospect of the devolution settlement and how it works, and indeed National Assembly elections in Wales on the same day explaining the distinction between powers for the devolved as the next general election for this Parliament. The nations and powers exercised by this Parliament. It is a consequence might be an increased turnout, but there is very big issue. a genuine fear, articulated by many parties in Wales, Scotland and, no doubt, Northern Ireland as well that I did not necessarily expect my right hon. Friend the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish issues—the issues of Deputy Prime Minister to address this issue, but I am the Celtic nations—will be drowned out in a national very pleased that he has. We do not know what it picture. involves—[Interruption.]—yet. He has acknowledged the problem, however, and I pay tribute to him for that, but we have to go further. Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con): Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the same principle applies to Maria Eagle: Did the hon. Gentleman not get the having council elections on the same day—and that same impression from the Deputy Prime Minister as I long-serving councillors with a good record might well did—that the solution brought forward will be that the be washed up in national swings? National Assembly and the Parliaments will have to change their election dates? Mr Williams: I understand the hon. Gentleman’s point, but I hesitate to agree because we are talking Mr Williams: That might well be the consequence. I about national elections for countries—about two general would personally much welcome the Welsh First Minister, elections happening simultaneously in the same country. rather than a Minister in this place, having the capacity That is the difference. We are talking about the relationship to alter the election date, because that is what devolution between the media and the campaigns and the ability of is all about. the Welsh and other Celtic nations to get their message across in the national media. Mrs McGuire: May I say gently to the hon. Gentleman that that stands in contradiction to the reply he gave to Pete Wishart: The hon. Gentleman is on to a good the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete point. I heard the Deputy Prime Minister say that a Wishart), when he said that he did not want us to be in solution would be found, but does the hon. Gentleman perpetual electoral mode. Frankly, from what the Deputy agree that it would not be acceptable to have those Prime Minister said today, we are talking only about a elections only a few months apart? We cannot be in few weeks’ difference—not months or even years—between continual election mode in Scotland, Wales and Northern one election and the other. Ireland for, say, six months a year. There has to be clear blue water between the elections. Mr Williams: The right hon. Lady makes a fair point. That is why I differ slightly from the hon. Member for Mr Williams: That is the debate that needs to be had. Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) when it I took the Deputy Prime Minister’s statement as the comes to whether it should be months or years. At the opening gambit in that discussion. I think that the hon. moment, there is a capacity to alter the dates for a Gentleman is right. For the First Minister in the Welsh month either side of the current arrangements, whereas context simply to tamper with the date and have a I would welcome an arrangement whereby the Welsh general election in Wales a month after a general election First Minister could effect a difference of months. 667 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 668

Lorely Burt: I enter this nationalist debate with some the damage has already been done when it comes to trepidation because, as an English MP, I have not been transferring powers to Brussels, yet nothing is to be involved in this type of situation. Does my hon. Friend done about that—but that is a different debate. not think that the electorates in Wales, Northern Ireland I list those legislative proposals simply to show the and Scotland have the ability and intelligence to differentiate difference between what is happening now and the between two different elections and to make their minds September sittings of previous Parliaments, which, frankly, up appropriately on the day? amounted to nothing more than a bit of window-dressing to impress the media that Parliament and MPs were Mr Williams: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for busy about their work. We cannot accuse the Government making that point. I am drawing a distinction between of that in this September sitting as some of the most a general election and a referendum. Fighting two general meaty legislation has been introduced in a short space elections on different boundaries will potentially create of time. I say that not to compliment the Government huge problems. I have never doubted the intelligence of but to condemn them, as they have rushed through this the electorate of Ceredigion to make judgments on all massively important, incredibly significant constitutional sorts of things, but some of the concern is legitimate. legislative change, with at least five significant proposals, Nobody has written to me—unlike the right hon. Member three of which are contained in the primary legislation. for Knowsley (Mr Howarth), I believe—about fixed-term As the Chairman of the Political and Constitutional Parliaments, but I guarantee that people outside polling Reform Committee said, the Minister and the Deputy stations will be very concerned if we have these two Prime Minister have not shared with the House why elections on the same day. There will be a lot of concern they felt that the normal pre-legislative scrutiny period and anxiety about it. It might not have manifested could not be afforded for the Bill. Given that the Bill itself yet, but it will if the two elections go ahead on the has no deadline, and we are to have a two-year same day. Parliamentary Session, there is no reason why we could not have had proper pre-legislative scrutiny. When the Roger Williams: My hon. Friend is very generous in Minister winds up the debate, I hope that he will tell the giving way. Before he concludes, I would like to put on House why it has been denied that. record the view I share with him that, if the date of the I listened carefully to the criticism made by the hon. election is to be altered, the Assembly and the other and learned Member for Torridge and West Devon devolved Administrations, rather than Westminster, should (Mr Cox) of the piecemeal approach to constitutional be given the power to determine it. change. Given the items of legislation and various constitutional proposals already brought forward within Mr Mark Williams: I agree absolutely. As ever, I am a very short space of time, it is obvious that there is no grateful to my hon. Friend, who is a committed overall, co-ordinated, strategic approach. I favour pre- devolutionist, as am I, my party and other parties in the legislative scrutiny of Bills as they come forward, but House. It is only right that that decision should be made the case has been made powerfully—the plethora of in the devolved national bodies. legislation makes the case—for a much wider consultation That is a debate to be had, as the past five minutes and consensus-building exercise when it comes to changes have illustrated perfectly. That reinforces the point made to our constitution, changes to how Parliament operates by the Select Committee Chairman, the hon. Member and changes to how our parliamentary democracy for Nottingham North, about the extent of the scrutiny functions. It cannot be right that such major changes he is able to undertake. The case for pre-legislative are introduced in a piecemeal fashion, to suit the whims scrutiny now seems lamentably to have passed this Bill of the coalition Government. by. These are immense constitutional issues, but I believe Surely we should proceed on the basis of not just that there is a large—albeit not unanimous—consensus pre-legislative scrutiny, but a constitutional convention about them. I only wish we had the opportunity to involving all parties, the wider community and the illustrate it through the scrutiny work of the Select public, so that people sit down and discuss properly the Committee and other bodies of the House. way forward for the constitution of the United Kingdom. Now that we have devolved legislatures, Executives and Governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, 7.38 pm that is all the more important. In all the debate, where Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): Thank you, have those Governments and legislatures been properly Madam Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity considered? That lack of consideration is only one to take part in this important debate. In the space of illustration of how the Government have thus far not just seven days, we have faced a barrage of constitutional adhered to the respect for the devolved legislatures and legislation and various announcements. Since last Monday, Administrations about which the Prime Minister spoke we have had legislative proposals on changing the voting when he first took office. That respect agenda has not system, reducing the number of MPs and new boundaries been evident in how the Government have operated so for constituencies right across the country within an far, certainly in relation to major constitutional issues. I unprecedentedly short space of time. Today we have appeal to the Government to build a consensus on the legislation before us for fixed-term Parliaments. This issues and to consult. These constitutional issues are far morning a decision was announced about doing away too important to be treated as matters of party politics, with the Queen’s Speech next year and moving towards or issues to be pushed through the House as other five-yearly fixed Queen’s Speeches in spring rather than legislation and policy issues can be at times, and should the autumn. As I understand it, an announcement has be given much wider consideration. also been made today about legislation to bring into Last week, I put forward criticisms of the Parliamentary effect the provision of a referendum whenever further Voting System and Constituencies Bill, but in principle powers are to be transferred to Brussels. In fact, most of I support fixed-term Parliaments. Many hon. Members 669 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 670 will take different views on the different Bills. Some are bodies corporate of the devolved institutions of the in favour of the alternative vote and the boundary Parliament and the Assembly, rather than just the changes, but are against fixed-term Parliaments. Some Executives, to be consulted? favour fixed-term Parliaments, but are against other aspects. That shows that we need a co-ordinated approach, Mr Dodds: I am happy to give that assurance. That is with a much wider, in-depth consideration of how the exactly what I mean. I think that this matter is far too different pieces of legislation fit together. important for all those institutions and bodies not to be On this Bill, I agree that a fixed-term Parliament is involved, and that there must be a consensus. I end important, and I am delighted that the 55% threshold where I began: with the need for consensus on these has been removed. I agree with the right hon. Member important matters, between the Government here at for Blackburn (Mr Straw) that it was removed purely Westminster and the devolved Administrations and their because it would never have got through the House. I various organs, and within those bodies. The issue is too am also pleased that the Government have dealt with important for people to play party politics with it. the lame-duck Parliament issue, by building in provisions for a 14-day period to allow an alternative Government Several hon. Members rose— to be formed. A fixed-term Parliament has the advantage of removing from the Prime Minister of the day the ability to go to the country on the basis of the best interests of Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I his or her party, not those of the country at large. It takes must notify Members that, under Standing Order No. 47, away the period of intense election speculation that can I intend to impose a time limit of eight minutes on arise—even in the middle of a Parliament, as we saw in Back-Bench speeches between now and the beginning 2007—and to which everything else is made subject. of the winding-up speeches at 9.30 pm. That will give me some chance of allowing everyone to speak. Although I welcome the principle of the Bill, there are issues that need to be addressed in Committee. For instance, some of the issues that have arisen in the debate 7.50 pm illustrate that the Bill does not provide the certainty that people thought. Under the Bill as it stands, the Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): I will Government of the day could engineer a vote of no endeavour to complete my speech within eight minutes, confidence so that they can go to the country at the time Madam Deputy Speaker. I am glad that you called me of their choosing. If the Prime Minister has given up at this point, because interventions on the matters that I the power to go to the palace to seek a Dissolution of wish to discuss were beginning to creep in, and it would Parliament, what is the position in relation to a constructive have been a shame if I could not have made my speech vote of no confidence brought about by the Government because my points had already been made. of the day? As we know, Parliament cannot bind its A major advantage of fixed-term Parliaments is that successors, so any subsequent Act of Parliament can, they bring stability to the country and the markets by on a simple majority, overturn a previous Act of Parliament. informing them of what a Government’s legislation will Despite the Bill containing a 66% threshold, any future be, and of whether they can steer it through without the Act of Parliament introduced by the Government of threat of a general election that might change both the the day, were they so minded, would pass by a simple governing body and its legislation. The issue goes further majority. Therefore, the Bill does not provide, as some than the House. I hope that the Ministers will note my have claimed, certainty for ever. comments, and will bear them in mind during the Bill’s The hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mr Williams) subsequent stages. There have been encouraging signs addressed the issue of the dates of the electoral cycle. I today that the Deputy Prime Minister is paying attention join those Members who have raised concerns about the to the debate and is willing to make some changes. coincidence in 2015 of the general election and elections A relevant consideration is the way in which we to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Welsh Assembly approach council elections. The Government are keen and the Scottish Parliament. I listened carefully to what to put more power into the hands of local government. the Deputy Prime Minister had to say, and it struck me I believe that local government suffers as a result of that his comments were perhaps on the hoof—I do not elections that are too regular, and that therefore provide get the impression that a lot of consideration had been for short-term governance. Currently, there are votes at given to the point prior to the debate. He said that he least twice every four years for 76 two-tier councils and will address the matter, think about it and discuss it. 20 unitary authorities, and there are 36 metropolitan Will the Minister reassure the House that consultation authorities with four-year terms elected by thirds. I with the devolved Administrations will be genuine, and plead with the Minister to take on board my plea that that when the Deputy Prime Minister speaks to the folk councils should be told, “Although you have the option in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, he will not to move to all-out elections every four years, we want to simply go away and then come back and impose a legislate for you to do that.” solution? The proposal must be agreed with the respective devolved Administrations. It will be totally unacceptable I hope that elections for police commissioners could if the assurance given by the Deputy Prime Minister be held at the same time. As has often been said, a local amounts to nothing more than the usual consultation. election tends to be seen as a referendum on the The consultation must be genuine and must respect the Government of the day. Holding both elections on the views of the devolved Administrations. same day might save money for the public; moreover, any referendum on government would take place locally Mark Durkan: When the hon. Gentleman uses the and the arguments for the police commissioner would term “devolved Administrations”, is he using a generic take place independently. People may have different term? Is he saying that he wants the commissions or opinions, but we are in this place to debate issues. 671 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 672

Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): My hon. that I will vote with the Government this evening. I am Friend may be suggesting something similar to mid-term trying to explain how I think we should be governing. I elections, but one of the problems with the Bill is that hope that my points will be taken beyond Westminster it proposes a five-year cycle. If we are to opt for the and considered at local level, because I believe that if system suggested by my hon. Friend, we really need a Government are to govern for the long term—and I am four-year Parliament with the council elections two in favour of fixed-term Parliaments because they will years in, and unfortunately the Bill will not give us that. remove instability—local government will benefit from the powers that we want to pass down to it, by enabling Alec Shelbrooke: I was going to raise that point later authorities to govern for the long term as well rather in my speech and say that it was a matter for further than having their eye on annual elections.. Otherwise, debate, but I take my hon. Friend’s point very seriously. by the time a deal has been hatched they will not have One of the problems of annual council elections is even one year of governance. They will probably have a they lead to short-termism. One councillor has said: maximum of three months before starting the next “We have try to engage our electorate throughout the year. electoral process. Every month we get out on the streets to remind them of the work Thank you for indulging me, Madam Deputy Speaker. we are doing. We want them to remember our work when they go to vote in May.” I hope that the Minister will deal with my comments when he winds up the debate. The first couple of sentences are laudable—indeed, I hope that everyone will do as the councillor suggests—but surely people should behave in that way as a matter of 7.58 pm course, not just because they face elections in May. In my city of Leeds, councillors are elected annually Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): for four-year terms by thirds. Each election costs council “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”is what Aretha Franklin sang so heartily tax payers £600,000. The introduction of a system of back in the 1960s. [Interruption.] From a sedentary all-out four-year elections would save them at least position I am hearing pleas to sing, but I shall try to £1.2 million. Leeds is one of five unitary authorities avoid doing that. that make up West Yorkshire. According to a recent The same mantra has been adopted by the coalition figure issued by the West Yorkshire electoral offices, the Government in the context of their relationship with cost of an election for police commissioners could be as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Although no high as £1.5 million. That sum could be almost recouped one would for a minute accuse Aretha of being anything if just one of those authorities was included in the less than passionate and committed to the respect agenda, election. I do not think that the same could be said of the Ms Louise Bagshawe () (Con): My hon. Friend coalition Government. They are not so much about is making some interesting and valid points. Does he “RESPECT” as “CONTEMPT”. What we have seen agree that the Government’s stated aim of cutting the from them is not so much a respect agenda as an almost cost of politics would be greatly served if we simplified total contempt agenda. They do not consult our council elections in the way that he suggests? Would not Governments about any legislation that they seek to the savings be considerable? introduce, although it introduces huge constitutional reforms. They do not take any of our objections or any Alec Shelbrooke: I entirely agree. Let me add that the of our realistic difficulties seriously. We are dismissed turnout figures for the local elections in Leeds since and almost belittled when we try to make complaints, 2003—30%, 42%— and that is not good enough. This Conservative and Liberal Government will have to learn to engage properly Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. We are not discussing with the devolved institutions of Scotland, Wales and local elections; we are discussing fixed-term Parliaments. Northern Ireland. If they do not know the words of I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is returning to that “Respect”, perhaps they should go and listen to Aretha subject. once again. This issue follows on from last week’s constitutional Alec Shelbrooke: I am grateful to you, Madam Deputy Bill, on which there was not a peep of consultation with Speaker. We are discussing the advantages of a system any of the Governments of Scotland, Wales or Northern of fixed-term Parliaments. I am arguing that it would Ireland, even though what is proposed in the Bills last not only save money and increase turnouts, but allow week and today will have dramatic effects and a huge local councils to govern for the long term in conjunction impact on the democratic processes in the Scottish with the Government. The problem now is that councils Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland govern for the short term because there is an election Assembly. every 12 months, and are always seeking the political advantage rather than thinking about what needs to be I do not have a problem with fixed-term Parliaments; done over the long term. we have them in Scotland and they work perfectly well. Everybody understands that we will have an election Maria Eagle: I am striving to understand whether or every four years. They get rid of the whole idea of prime not the hon. Gentleman is in favour of fixed-term ministerial or first ministerial advantage. They get rid of Parliaments. I hear what he says about councils, but the silly and ridiculous situation we had last year when what does he think about the Bill? a lame duck Prime Minister hung on to the last possible minute, seeing if there were any advantage in calling an Alec Shelbrooke: I was about to end my speech, but early election, and then eventually went the full term. perhaps I can put the hon. Lady’s mind at rest by telling Fixed-term Parliaments get rid of all that nonsense and her that I am in favour of fixed-term Parliaments, and are, in effect, a good thing. I support them. 673 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 674

But why five years? I struggle to understand why we It is not just about elections; it is about democracy need to have five years for fixed-term Parliaments. Why and ensuring that people can make an informed choice not get in line with the rest of the UK? It is four years in when they come to put their cross on the ballot paper, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Were we to whether for this House, the Scottish Parliament, the adopt a four-year fixed-term Parliament, we would not Welsh Assembly, Northern Ireland Assembly or local have the difficulties of clashing with the Welsh, Northern elections. Irish or Scottish elections. Surely that should be the real I listened with real interest and care to what the intention. Let us not create constitutional confusion in Deputy Prime Minister said about trying to address the this country. Let us try to make sure that people can problem. I accept that he is sincere and I look forward understand what is going on. to hearing further plans as to how that will be done, but we cannot do it now. The returning officers in the other Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East) (Lab): Does the Parliaments and Assemblies have the power to alter the hon. Gentleman agree that most modern comparable timing and dates of an election by one month. One democracies, including elsewhere in the UK, have four-year month would make no difference whatever. Can we fixed terms? imagine how ridiculous it would be? We would just have gone through an election and would be celebrating victories—we hope—and then we would be off to the Pete Wishart: The hon. Lady is absolutely right. The next one without having time to draw breath. That is report from the Political and Constitutional Reform nonsense and must be looked at properly. Committee analysed legislatures throughout the world and found that the norm was four years and that five The Government will have to devolve powers to the years was very unusual. Surely the Government should Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament and the Northern be looking at what is the norm throughout the world. Ireland Assembly.That would mean reopening the relevant legislation, as that would be the only way to do it. These powers should be transferred to the Scottish Parliament Andrew Percy: As interesting as it is to hear about so that it can determine its election date. what is happening in other countries, I am more interested in what happens here. The hon. Gentleman will of I heard the Secretary of State for Scotland talk about course be aware that the average length of a Parliament a six-month gap between the Scottish and Westminster in this country since 1945 has been 3.7 years. Actually, parliamentary elections. I do not know whether the four years would be a very British thing to do. coalition Government are starting to put that together as a solution, but six months is not good enough either. That would mean almost a whole year of elections. We Pete Wishart: I am grateful for that intervention. The would just conclude one campaign and then we would shadow Justice Secretary made that point earlier. We start another. have learned some fascinating pieces of electoral history today. The point is well made; when it comes to talking Mrs McGuire: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? about the history of this nation—never mind international examples—four years seems to be just about the right length of time for a Parliament to get its legislative Pete Wishart: I am sorry, I cannot. I have only three programme through. minutes left and I have a few more things to say. If we move to five years, the next general election will We need a clear space, and six months is not sufficient be on the same date as the elections in Scotland, Wales to ensure properly contested election campaigns. Why and Northern Ireland. What on earth were the people must the devolved Assemblies and Parliaments move who came up with the Bill thinking about? Surely they their dates? We have had our election dates set in stone looked at the date of May 2015 and thought, “Wait a since 1999. The next election will be the fourth we will minute. Something happens that day.”Surely they should . The Government knew that these elections have thought that the thing that will happen that day is would take place in May 2015. Surely it is this House the elections throughout the rest of the UK. Either they that should move its date; it could go six months earlier did not know or they did not care. Which was it? Did or later. It just is not fair or right. I look forward to the they not care that having those elections on the same Government’s proposals but they must be substantial day would result in absolute and total confusion? Does because what has been proposed so far is not good the Minister know that there are different constituencies enough. for the Scottish and Westminster Parliaments? Two I am pleased that the Government got rid of the silly different sets of returning officers and polling staff notion of a 55% threshold for the Dissolution of Parliament. would be required. God knows what the counts would I heard some utter nonsense about the programme for be like, but it would be an absolute recipe for total dissolving the Scottish Parliament in defence of the disaster. 55% proposal. I am pleased that the Government did, Any Scottish election campaign inevitably would be more or less, adopt the Scottish system for Dissolution drowned out by the London metrocentric media. There almost in full, and that is right. would be leaders’ debates without any representatives I want to conclude with a few words from Ron of the Scottish Government involved. The campaign Gould, the man who was drafted in by the Electoral would be skewed towards the big parties. We would Commission and the Scotland Office to look at the have no chance whatever of getting our point across. All disaster that was the last Scottish parliamentary elections. domestic issues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland We remember it not only because of the fantastic SNP would be totally and utterly overlooked. It is not right, victory, but because of the 140,000 spoilt ballot papers it is not fair and it is not the way to proceed with our that resulted from the previous Government’s combining democracy in the UK. of local authority elections with Scottish parliamentary 675 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 676

[Pete Wishart] Whips have certain powers, authority and wise influence that they bring to bear and they could say to me and to elections, using three different electoral systems. We other hon. Members that it might be best if we were cannot allow that to happen again. The paramount absent when another hon. Member had tabled a motion concern of the House must be the electorate; they must of no confidence—they might suggest that we went on have free and fair elections and must not be confused as a nice trip, to the Seychelles or some such place. That to how they make their choice. motion would then pass, the Speaker would have no Aretha sang about respect. I hope that the Minister is choice but to issue his certificate and, hey presto, we listening, that he can start to get the respect agenda would have a general election at the time of the Prime back on the rails and that he will listen to the people of Minister’s choosing. That is a rather foolish approach Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland so that we do to legislation. not have three elections on the same day. I doubt whether the 65% hurdle would ever come into effect, but it would be objectionable if it did get into law because it would set a requirement for more 8.8 pm than a simple majority, for the first time in the history Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): May of this Parliament. That would be a procedural mistake; I begin by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member one vote ought always to be enough. It would also for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich (Dr Poulter) on require a percentage of 66 and two thirds of those who his excellent maiden speech? I agreed with every bit of it are available to vote—not of those who actually vote. other than, I am afraid to say, his conclusion. Interestingly, a Government who are introducing that There are three things that I would like to look at into legislation are reluctant, so I hear, to have a turnout briefly: first, the broad constitutional issues; then some threshold in a referendum on the alternative vote. One of the detail of the debate; finally, the process. I hope may see some implicit contradiction in those two that I can do that in the time allowed. suggestions. So, the Bill is rather a hollow shell. On the broad constitutional issue, I think that fixed-term Alec Shelbrooke: Will my hon. Friend give way? Parliaments are a mistake. It is unfortunate to undermine a constitutional monarchy. A constitutional monarchy needs to preserve some role for the sovereign within Jacob Rees-Mogg: It would be an honour. it—some purpose in having that final arbiter of the system that is above and beyond politics. I am very Alec Shelbrooke: I want to pick up on that point nervous about giving that role to the Speaker, as this about the alternative vote and what the hon. Member Bill proposes, because, first, it is a bad idea to have a for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) said Head of State and a quasi-Head of State—one is quite about spoiled ballots in Scotland. Does this not further enough for me, and a hereditary Head of State whom the case that a first-past-the-post election is by far the we have had for the best part of 1,000 years seems a most effective? pretty good one to have. Such an approach would also bring the Speaker, who will not be advised by the Prime Jacob Rees-Mogg: I am in entire agreement with my Minister in this area, into the murky part of party hon. Friend, and I am glad that he did not take us back politics. There is a risk that the Speaker could give his to the local elections in Leeds—I thought that we were certificate for a general election—the most important at risk of that. part of our democratic process—as a matter of political I come to the process of the Bill and how we have controversy, and that cannot be wise. Let us consider reached this point. How did we come to consider a the recent discussion on whether or not something is a fixed-term Parliament? I am not aware that many of my money Bill, because that is already putting the Speaker hon. Friends put this proposal in their election addresses— in the political spotlight. A money Bill is an obscure they may have done if they were Liberal Democrats, but procedural measure, whereas a general election is at the not if they were Conservative. It is not a Conservative heart of everything that we do. So bringing the Speaker, proposal in any sense. It got into the coalition agreement you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and your colleagues into this late at night, in what would have been a smoke-filled murky business will be a mistake. room had not the previous Government banned smoking That leads to the issue of where the courts come in office spaces. This therefore took place in a smoke-free in—a matter that has been discussed in this debate. I am environment—a healthy and politically correct room—and not a lawyer, but I can say that the thing to bear in mind late at night it was decided that it would be a good idea about Bradlaugh’s case is that the House of Lords ruled to shore up the coalition for five years. that it should not intervene in the procedure of the The political arguments for this Bill are first class, but House of Commons, because at that point the highest it changes the constitution—a constitution that has court in the land was, of course, one of the Houses of evolved. Pitt the Elder, a Whig Prime Minister—it is Parliament. That is no longer the case, and with the always nice in the spirit of coalition to quote the Whigs— Supreme Court outside Parliament, the constraint does talked of the “genius of the constitution”. Let us invoke not apply, so the courts may be willing to be more that genius, which has let our constitutional processes enthusiastic in their interpretation of statute than they evolve and develop. This has not been done because the were when the House of Lords was our supreme court. coalition needed some quick fix to make sure that the Those are the broad constitutional issues that give rise next election would clash with elections in Scotland and to concern. Wales—that is, of course, an inadvertent result of what We must then consider the Bill itself and what it has happened. The coalition did not come to this agreement contains. The problem with the Bill is that perhaps the with the possibility of extending the life of a Parliament best reason for voting for it is that it is pointless. The beyond five years. I am sure that all hon. Members have 677 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 678 read the note from the Library pointing out that this suffrage legislation in the 19th century, the introduction legislation will not be subject to the Parliament Act if of votes for women in the 20th century, the reforms the other place disagrees, because it extends the life of a removing the financial powers from the House of Lords, Parliament by another two months should the Prime or indeed the establishment of the Scottish Parliament Minister, by order, so wish to do. This is an accidental and the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies by the Bill, thought up in the late hours of the night. It takes last Labour Government. This was to be his Great away that wonderful flexibility that our constitution has Reform Bill. Yet what we have before us is a Bill that is had to meet the needs of circumstances and to evolve. being rushed through with no opportunity to consider One way in which the constitution was beginning to it properly or to deal with its implications. evolve, which the electorate seemed to want, was that a Professor Robert Hazell of University College London’s Prime Minister’s resignation part way through a Parliament constitution unit said about that approach in his written should lead to a general election. When I knocked on evidence to the Political and Constitutional Reform doors in my constituency, people did not tell me that Committee that the Bill had been they wanted fixed-term Parliaments, the alternative vote “prepared on an extraordinarily rushed timetable. It was introduced or any of that. However, they did ask who had voted for with no prior consultation, no Green or White Paper. Nor has the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath time been allowed for pre-legislative scrutiny of a draft Bill.” (Mr Brown). People in North East Somerset of course According to both the Clerk of the House and the knew his constituency, because they are a knowledgeable Chairman of the Select Committee this Bill was ripe for lot. They asked who had elected him to be Prime pre-legislative scrutiny, and such scrutiny could have Minister. Although the constitution is clear that we can sorted out some of the issues raised today. change Prime Minister as often as Her Majesty sees fit, We must ask ourselves why the Bill has been rushed the mood of the country is for that constitutional through, as there is ample time for pre-legislative scrutiny. evolution. That is how our constitution works and how The coalition has already said that it intends to stay it has done for hundreds of years—at least since the with us for five years. Unless its confidence is disguising Glorious Revolution. Let us hope that it continues to an uncertainty as to whether it will survive for that long, work like that and that this Bill is amended on the Floor the Prime Minister has laid out the ground rules for this of the House out of all recognition. Parliament: we are here for the duration. Why was there no Green or White Paper? Why are 8.16 pm some Liberal Democrats, who wanted to subject everything Mrs Anne McGuire (Stirling) (Lab): It is a pleasure to to pre-legislative scrutiny when in opposition, not pushing follow the hon. Member for North East Somerset (Jacob harder for this Bill to receive such scrutiny? Surely a Rees-Mogg). The style, tone and content of his speeches minimum of 12 weeks would not scupper the Bill, are always worth listening to, even though we may not undermine the principles or erode support. Surely the always agree with his analysis. Like many Labour Members, Government have more confidence in their proposals I have not always been in favour of fixed-term Parliaments, than that. but over a long period in politics I have come to The establishment of a Scottish Parliament was linked understand the reason for them. I always found the to a debate in this House, a White Paper and a referendum, excitement of the prime ministerial prerogative enticing and a consensus on the proposals was built up. We and, over the years, we have always been able to persuade heard last week that we will have a referendum on the ourselves that the argument for it was the overwhelming alternative vote. Why are we to have a referendum on one. I also remember going to the AV but not one on fixed Parliaments? Surely the two TUC and singing his famous ditty, “Waiting at the votes could have been linked. Also, why is reform of the church”. At the time, I recognised that his political House of Lords being taken slowly yet this reform is party was on a state of alert, but the rug was pulled being rushed through? from beneath us in October 1978. As other Members have said, constitutional Bills are The argument against fixed-term Parliaments has not straightforward. I was astonished to hear the Deputy always been about political advantage but, as we have Prime Minister saying that this is a short Bill. It may be heard, there has never been a political disadvantage in a short Bill, but, as others have pointed out, it is long on having fixed terms for local authorities. As the hon. implications. We do not know whether this will be the Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) case, but we could find ourselves with a conflict between said, the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly Government the courts and the House of Commons. We needed to and the Northern Ireland Executive also operate within have a discussion about that. a fixed-term context. Given that experience, some of We heard from the Deputy Prime Minister today that the arguments against the political prerogative of the there might be options to delay, but the only example he Prime Minister can be overwhelming. It is not whether gave was the delay of the local government elections in or not there is a prerogative to call an election that gets 2001 because of foot and mouth disease. What will the a Government re-elected; it is about the performance criteria be for assessing whether the Prime Minister and credibility of the political parties during any election, should exercise the right to delay? Also, although it has be it at the end of a fixed term or not. been said that we will have ample opportunity to discuss So having undergone this Pauline conversion on the the Bill and change it over two days of debate in this principle, I cannot begin to describe my disappointment House, that is no substitute for a proper discussion of, at this Bill. The Deputy Prime Minister told us, in one and investigation into, the ramifications of this of those extravagant flourishes of which he is so fond, constitutional Bill. that the electoral reforms that he was presenting to As the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire us—over the past two weeks, as it turns out—would be said—he will be astonished that I have now mentioned the greatest reforms since 1832, never mind the other him twice in my contribution—the issue of the clash 679 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 680

[Mrs Anne McGuire] controversial issue has now been brought to a satisfactory conclusion through the provisions in clause 2. Ultimately, with the elections for the devolved Parliament and the House will be able to force an early election by Assemblies should not be underestimated. That is nothing either a vote of no confidence in the Government or a to do with the intelligence of the electorate; it is to do vote of at least two-thirds of all Members in favour of with the democratic integrity of those Assemblies and such an early election. that Parliament. They have their own democratic remit This Chamber’s power will be protected, and I support and integrity, and we should not undermine that by the fact that the Bill deliberately seeks to weaken the overlaying our elections on top of theirs. hand of the Executive while injecting an element of Frankly, this is a dog’s dinner of a Bill. I have seen reassurance and transparency into our often turbulent some dog’s dinners in government, but this one takes political world. It is not just the political village here in the biscuit. [Laughter.] The dog biscuit. It would have Westminster that will benefit from the stability of fixed-term been a far better Bill if the Deputy Prime Minister had Parliaments; the wider world of business will benefit, listened to the advice of wiser heads than his own. too. For too long, Prime Ministers have been able to call Frankly, the Deputy Prime Minister is no Lord Grey; an election that suits their own political ends, yet such he is no Whig reformer. He needs to go back to the uncertainty and speculation often cause instability in drawing board, and he needs to ensure that the Bill that our economic markets, which are constantly wary of comes before this House on Third Reading is far better potential political upheaval. than the one in front of us today. The most obvious example, which has been mentioned by hon. Members already, is the negativity that can flow 8.24 pm from such an occurrence. Such negativity flowed from Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con): I am delighted to the threat of an election back in September 2007, when have the opportunity to contribute to today’s debate, as many of us in this Chamber were still candidates. The political and constitutional reform remains a key objective previous Prime Minister used the threat of an election for this new Parliament. I shall, however, try to be brief as a political weapon in my view—a tactic that eventually as I am conscious of the fact that time is limited. backfired spectacularly, creating uncertainty in the country It is of the utmost importance that Members on both and in our economic markets while disrupting important sides of the House consider the current state of our parliamentary business. politics when addressing this Bill. It is fair to suggest Fixed-term Parliaments are perfectly normal in countless that now, following the general election, it is time for other democracies. this Parliament to move on from the recent depressing chapter in our political history. I believe that we cannot Mr George Howarth: Let me be absolutely clear in my reflect on the current state of our politics and deny that mind: is the hon. Gentleman suggesting that the electoral some form of constitutional reform is required. All of cycle needs to be aligned with the economic cycle? us in this House are now charged with the responsibility of restoring the public’s trust in our democracy and I Julian Sturdy: No, my point is that political uncertainty welcome this Bill. in the process that we have had—and that we had in Some powerful arguments and good points have been 2007—can cause economic uncertainty. That is obviously made by Members on both sides of the House, and bad news for our economy. Putting the election on a I must confess to my hon. Friend the Member for firm footing through fixed term Parliaments benefits North East Somerset (Jacob Rees-Mogg) that I did not our business colleagues and our economy as well as have anything to say about fixed-term Parliaments in Parliament. my election address. However, I have been an enthusiastic supporter of fixed-term Parliaments since long before I Gavin Shuker: Is the hon. Gentleman suggesting that was elected to the House, and I have always supported for this coalition to keep on going positively for the this Bill. I consider the current process for the Dissolution economy it needs to be held together by such legislation? of Parliament to be outdated. Under current legislation, the Government of the day retain the ability to call an Julian Sturdy: I do not believe that at all. This is part election as and when they choose within a parliamentary of a constitutional reform that must bring back trust to term, subject to the Monarch’s approval. I fear that that our politics. That is why I am supporting it: we need to provides any Government with an unfair advantage, bring the public back in line with this House. This is not and often encourages a crude, tactical political game to the full picture, but it is part of that process. That is why take place. As such, I strongly support the Prime Minister I will support the Bill this evening. for taking the principled decision to give up his privileged Parliament will be strengthened by the Bill. It will ability to call an election. His absolute commitment to produce a stable Government, which is important to political reform cannot be doubted—but I do not think our country. that was shared by his predecessor. As set out under the Bill, the date of the next general 8.31 pm election is to be 7 May 2015. Such a simple piece of Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby) (Lab): Here we are reform immediately provides voters with greater clarity in the second week of the great Liberal Democrat and understanding about their political system. To my benefit sitting with a measure that is even sillier than the mind, voters deserve to know when they can expect to ones we brought in during the first week, with another re-elect or ditch their Government. fix from the gerrymander unit at Cowley street—I do However, it is also essential for Parliament to retain not know why they do not just call it Tammany hall and the ability to hold the Government to account and, if have done with it—to try to fix the constitution to keep necessary, force an early election, and I believe that that the coalition in power. 681 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 682

We have all been dreadfully mealy-mouthed about have to sit things out for five years? Is it because they this measure, saying that it is a constitutional measure will not be able to face the people before then? That is and that we should consider it seriously and make the only reason I can think of for extending it to five changes, but we are kidding ourselves. It is not a years. constitutional measure at all. It is a post-nuptial contract. I would like parliamentary terms to be reduced not to Here we have two parties in a loveless shotgun marriage four years, which seems to be the opinion of the wiseacres, that do not really trust each other, so they are bringing but to three. We should contract the terms and have in a Bill to make divorce more difficult. That is what it is triennial Parliaments as was the case at the end of the all about. 17th century before they were extended to seven years. The hon. Member for York Outer (Julian Sturdy) spoke about building trust, but the whole point of this Mr George Howarth: Does my hon. Friend recall that Bill is that they do not trust each other. The Liberal in the mid-19th century, one of the Chartist demands Democrats do not trust the Conservatives—they fear was for annual Parliaments? that they will be dumped when they have made themselves sufficiently unpopular by betraying all their principles, Austin Mitchell: As a Member who came in on the all their friends and all their supporters—whereas the wave of opinion produced by the Chartists—it seems so Conservatives are afraid that the Liberal Democrats long ago—I will not go to the extreme of saying that we will get cold feet and pull the plug on the coalition should have annual Parliaments, but the American House because they cannot stand the heat of the cuts, because of Representatives is elected every two years; there is a the alternative vote is defeated leaving them with nothing radical proposal. I am being very moderate. Let us have left to show for the thing or because they want to stop three-yearly elections as we used to have in the 17th century redistribution. Because of that lack of trust, we get this and as they have in Australia and New Zealand. I have rather silly and unnecessary Bill, and I certainly hope to spent a long time in New Zealand lecturing in political vote against it tonight. science and praising the three-year term, which works The leader of the Liberal Democrats said that we very well. The virtue of a three-year term is that it keeps could be absolutely confident that the courts would not Parliament in close touch with the people. be able to interfere, in the same way as he told us that we We all remember the explosion of misunderstanding could be absolutely confident that the cuts would not that hit us recently—the alienation, apathy and demands damage the poor and would not hurt the north. He said that we should get in touch with the people. We had that we could have absolute confidence in all that but I inured ourselves in the Westminster bubble or glasshouse am ceasing to have any confidence in the Deputy Prime and people had to throw stones at the glass to break Minister and his declarations of absolute confidence. into us. We were out of touch with the people. That was The simple point about the courts intervening is that we the massive cry that we heard last year and in the do not have in the Bill a definition of a vote of confidence. election this year. In Grimsby, when I go down to the What is a vote of confidence? The courts could well rule docks or around the houses, people say, “It’s lovely to on that. As it has to be certified by the Speaker, the see you; you come so often—you shouldn’t trouble courts could rule on the question of whether the certificate yourself to come as much as you do,” but other Members is valid. Most importantly, I am against the Bill because have told me that when they go canvassing, people say, it extends the life of a Parliament. That is the exact “Oh, you only come when there’s an election. There opposite of what we need to do. must be an election, because we never see you between The average Parliament lasts about four years and elections.” That was part of the explosion of mistrust has done so since the war. It has lasted for three years between the people and Parliament that occurred last and eight months if we date it from 1832. Four years year. was the period envisaged by Asquith when the Septennial How do we get around that problem? The Power Act 1715 was repealed by the Parliament Act 1911. report, three years back, indicated the massive degree of Four years was the period in the Liberal Democrat alienation, the massive misunderstanding and ignorance agenda. The policy paper for the 2007 conference, “For about politics and the massive mistrust of politicians. the People, By the People”, argued: People think that politicians are in politics only to “Liberal Democrats have long argued that parliaments should further their own ends and to enrich themselves. How last for a fixed term of four years.” do we get around that? We can get do so by bringing There we are—that is a clear statement. I ask the ourselves into closer touch with the people through Liberal Democrats if there is any principle they are not triennial elections, as works well in New Zealand. There prepared to betray. They have already betrayed their is no more effective way of keeping a Government preference for proportional representation in favour of under control, seeing that the Government serve the the alternative vote and now they are betraying their causes of the people and seeing that MPs work for the preference for four-year Parliaments. people—that we do our duty in our constituencies—than Four years was also the term that the Labour party having three-year Parliaments. That is what we need. envisaged when it was in our manifesto, although I I will not go on; I have only a couple more points to must admit that I did not read it; I did not even make. The measure has been described as binding but remember that it was in our manifesto. I do not read of course it is not. An extension of the parliamentary much of the manifestos but as it was in one, we should term could easily be repealed by the next Parliament have some deference for that, I suppose. Why should we because Parliament cannot bind itself. Indeed, it could extend the term to five years? Is it because the Government be amended in this Parliament—if the Liberal Democrats are so afraid that the vandalism that they are doing to do want to break away at some stage they could bear the benefit system, with the cuts to welfare, and to the that in mind. The measure does not abolish the Prime economy will make them so unpopular that they will Minister’s power. There is the example of what Schröder 683 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 684

[Austin Mitchell] the concerns expressed by the House today and by the Select Committee and that we will return to these did in Germany in 2005. He arranged a vote of confidence, matters in Committee. told his Ministers not to support the Government and The evidence put before the House today is not was defeated so that he could have an election. That conclusive. It is one legal opinion against another legal case went to the constitutional court to decide whether opinion, and the integrity of the House and what it was legal. There could be a similar situation here, happens here should not be left in the balance between with, as the hon. Member for North East Somerset one legal opinion and another. I sincerely hope that the (Jacob Rees-Mogg) has said, MPs from the Back Benches Minister will consider that point in Committee. being sent on lovely trips to the Seychelles, so those safeguards do not apply. Mr Cash: Does my hon. Friend accept that it is The main point is that we have an opportunity to possible that the very fact that the Clerk of the House of bring ourselves closer to the people. We should ratify Commons has taken one view and that other lawyers and accept the power that they wanted. There was have taken another view—albeit in a strange sequence—could alienation in 2009 and 2010. Let us get close to the be a reason why a court would be more than concerned people; let us have triennial Parliaments. to issue a judgment in its jurisdiction? Mrs Laing: Yes. As ever, my hon. Friend makes an 8.39 pm important legal point and we must not lose sight of it. Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest) (Con): We last We must remember that at one level we can have party debated this matter in the House on 16 May 2008. political banter and House of Commons arguments, Contrary to what the right hon. Member for Blackburn but at another level we must respect the stability of our (Mr Straw) said earlier this evening, on that occasion constitution. It is not just a matter of legal opinion but the Conservative Opposition did not oppose the Bill. I of consulting the law properly. I am sure that what my know that because I was speaking for the Opposition hon. Friend has just said will be taken into consideration on that day. We said the matter was worthy of exploration by Ministers. and discussion and that we did not oppose the principle We have to put the Bill in its true context. It is rare for of fixed-term Parliaments. me to find myself in agreement with the hon. Member I am sorry to have to quote myself, but I have checked for Great Grimsby (Austin Mitchell). exactly what I said: Austin Mitchell: It’s a nice experience. “A cross-party organisation called Fixed Term was set up in October 2007…and has published the results of a poll conducted Mrs Laing: It is a great pleasure. in October 2007. It found that 25 per cent. of Conservative MPs, 41 per cent. of Labour MPs and 88 per cent. of Liberal Democrat There is no harm in being honest about matters in the MPs support fixed-term Parliaments. If anything was to convince Chamber. The measure is entitled “Fixed-term Parliaments me to be against any Bill it would be the fact that 88 per cent. of Bill”, but no Parliament can bind its successors. The Liberal Democrats…are in favour of it.”—[Official Report, measure is really “The date of the next election (cementing 16 May 2008; Vol. 475, c. 1714.] the coalition) Bill”. That is what it is for, and I support Well, times change—[Interruption.] Don’t they just. I it for that purpose, but we should not pretend that it is do not know what the percentages are today, but there for any other purpose. It has many practical advantages, are good reasons for the Bill and I am happy to support which are obvious and have been debated well this it. However, that does not mean I shall not criticise it. evening. The stability of the coalition and of the When the Deputy Prime Minister introduced the Government to get this country out of the dreadful proposals some months ago, he said that the Bill was economic mess in which the Labour Government left us intended to strengthen the power of the House. I do not requires such a Bill if we are to make progress. believe that it does so. At the moment, the House can Mark Durkan: The hon. Lady suggests that the Bill bring about Dissolution by a simple majority, but the relates strongly to the coalition, but it is foreseeable that Bill will require in most cases a two-thirds majority. I do the coalition could dissolve, but not Parliament, so we not believe that the Bill takes power away from the would be in a twilight zone. Executive and gives it to the House. That does not mean the Bill is fatally flawed; it just means that we ought to Mrs Laing: That is exactly the point that I am about look at what it really does and not pretend that it gives to make. We are discussing the transfer of power, and more power to Parliament. the Bill brings about the transfer of immense power to I draw the attention of the Parliamentary Secretary, the person of the Deputy Prime Minister. As the hon. Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Forest Gentleman has just said, the arithmetic shows that the of Dean (Mr Harper), to the concern we debated earlier 14-day process could be instigated under the Bill. It is and which was raised by the Clerk of the House before perfectly possible that as early as next spring the Liberal the Select Committee. I am honoured to be a member of Democrat party could decide not to support the the Committee and I endorse what its Chairman said Conservative party in coalition. We could go into the 14-day earlier in the debate. Despite what the Deputy Prime period, and a coalition could be formed by the Labour Minister said earlier, it is possible that the Bill could party, all the other Opposition parties, and the Liberal bring about judicial review of events that occur and Democrat party. There could be a completely new decisions that are taken in the House. I do not want to Government without our consulting the electorate. That see that happen, not just as a matter of principle but could happen in the foreseeable future, although I sincerely because it disturbs the stability of the constitution and hope that it does not. I do not think that it is likely, but of the House. I sincerely hope that the Deputy Prime the arithmetic means that it is possible, and we must be Minister and my hon. Friend have taken into consideration aware of that as we introduce the Bill. 685 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 686

Lorely Burt: Will the hon. Lady give way? The previous Government took the view that constitutional change reflects the fact that we are custodians Mrs Laing: I would like to do so, but I cannot, of that consensus, not masters of it. In other words, because other Members are waiting to speak. they sought to proceed by consultation, even at the cost The Opposition have been self-righteous in their criticism of measures such as House of Lords reform failing to of the way in which the Government are introducing go forward. The present Government are content constitutional change. Let us not forget the piecemeal fundamentally to redesign major aspects of our constitution way in which the Labour Government brought about with limited consultation and scrutiny, at a time when constitutional change. Indeed, the Constitutional Reform our constitution is evolving by convention as a result of and Governance Bill that they introduced received about events, and largely for their own short-term gain. That 18 months of pre-legislative scrutiny. It was introduced cannot be right. in the House, and completed all its stages in plenty of I cannot support the Bill in its current form. Even if time. Half an hour before Third Reading, the Labour the case can be made for fixed-term Parliaments, safeguards Government introduced about 100 pages of amendments. in the Bill serve to take power from Parliament, rather The Bill went to the House of Lords, and just before its than give it back to this body. Without a Green Paper, a final consideration, they added an entire new Bill on a White Paper, a draft Bill or pre-legislative scrutiny, we referendum on the alternative vote. The Opposition are being asked to agree a big practical change to the should therefore be careful in their self-righteousness way that our Government and Parliament act. That about the way in which we conduct pre-legislative scrutiny. cannot be right, either. Having said that, I agree with the hon. Member for Nottingham North (Mr Allen), the Chairman of the Mr Cash: Is the hon. Gentleman going to vote against Select Committee—he had no responsibility for the the Bill, although those on his Front Bench said earlier previous Government, or very little, I think. that they would vote for it? It is wrong to introduce constitutional change in a piecemeal fashion. We should look at the overall effect Gavin Shuker: I am happy to clarify that. If there is a of the legislation before us, not just the particular issue Division on Second Reading, I will vote with my conscience. that is under consideration. It is wrong, at any time, to I do not believe that this is the right Bill and I shall do constitutional change in one place, then in another. explain why in more detail. We ought to look at the whole constitution to see how it is balanced. It is, however, our duty in the House to do The Bill is the wrong prescription for a problem of not what is in the short-term expedient but what is in the Government’s own making. If they were truly the long-term right. I am willing to put aside that committed to giving power back to Parliament, they important principle this evening for the greater good of would give us a free vote on the length of the term. the stability of the coalition and the stability that that They would consult prior to the publication of the Bill. brings to our country. I therefore urge my hon. Friends They would seek to bring the Opposition parties with to support the Bill. them, but they have not done so. As we heard earlier, when a five-year parliamentary 8.49 pm term was introduced by the then Prime Minister, Herbert Asquith, he believed that that would Gavin Shuker (Luton South) (Lab/Co-op): Thank “probably amount in practice to an actual legislative working you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for calling me in this important term of four years”—[Official Report, 21 February 1911; Vol. 21, debate about the future of this place and our place in c. 1749.] society. It is a pleasure to listen to so many speeches about various aspects of the Bill and to follow the hon. One hundred years on, I find no fault in his analysis and Member for Epping Forest (Mrs Laing), who spoke for no credit in the Deputy Prime Minister’s interpretation eight minutes about aspects of the Bill, but by the end I of his words earlier today. I was tempted to intervene could not understand many of the things that were and point out that I had known H. H. Asquith, and that praiseworthy about it. he was no H. H. Asquith. The Bill, which is one of a series of major constitutional If the Bill is passed in its current form, we will see measures to be introduced by the Tory-Lib Dem four-year Parliaments, followed by one-year election Government, represents a short-term compromise to campaigns. The mood of the British people is not for hold together two coalition partners, but with a long-term that. Most European countries have four-year cycles, hangover, or a series of hangovers, as the Deputy Prime and I believe that the disinterested consensus in the Minister acknowledged today.Our constitutional settlement House would be for four years. Four years is surely has emerged and endured. Over the generations, the better than five. Even so, I accept that under the amendment wash of constitutional change has flowed over the rock to be moved tonight, which would introduce a four-year that is Parliament, sometimes gently eroding and reshaping. term, the risk of a lame duck Parliament looms large. It At other times in violent squalls our settlement has is an inevitable cost of having a fixed term for our been remodelled. The Bill, alongside the Bill that we Parliament, and it deserves far greater discussion than it discussed previously, the Parliamentary Voting System will receive today. and Constituencies Bill, places high explosives under that rock, and the Tory Government, propped up by Michael Ellis ( North) (Con): The hon. Liberals, are perfectly happy to light the fuse. Perhaps Gentleman says that most European countries have there are legitimate arguments for doing so. Perhaps the four-year Parliaments. Is he aware that France and Conservatives are true revolutionaries. I would like Italy, as well as South Africa, have five-year Parliaments, everyone’s voices to be heard first and to proceed by and that two of the last three Parliaments in this country consensus. have been five years? 687 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 688

Gavin Shuker: The hon. Gentleman makes a very and he sought to give some reassurance to the House. In good point, which the Deputy Prime Minister made response to an intervention from my hon. Friend the earlier. Perhaps we should not take that as the primary Member for Chichester (Mr Tyrie), he went on to say: decider for how we set that term. We could look at how “May I remove any view that the hon. Gentleman might have good or bad those five-year Parliaments were, a matter formed that I am reluctant to entertain the possibility of pre-legislative which I am sure many Conservative Members will wish scrutiny? We have simply not determined the treatment of the Bill to raise. yet…but I hear what he says. There is a strong case for pre-legislative scrutiny, but I do not want to extend the consideration of this Let us be clear as to what drives the Damascene legislation into the following Session, because that would not be conversion of the Liberal Democrats from a four-year appropriate.”—[Official Report, 25 May 2010; Vol. 510, c. 147-152.] fixed term to five, and of the Conservatives who had no In the light of what has been announced today, that measure in their manifesto to bring this about. It is to gives us, on my understanding, about 18 months in prevent the Government Members from breaking out in which we can consider this Bill in detail. I am sure that a “West Side Story” style gang fight before the next the Deputy Leader of the House did not have that in election. The British people should not have to pay such mind at that stage, because this Government seem to a high price for their lack of self-discipline. The constitution think things up as they go along, but now he realises should not be forced to endure such breakneck change. that there will possibly be a two-year first Session of By seeking to serve themselves, the Government have this Parliament, would he like to intervene to assure done a disservice to the people whom they claim to me that as a result there will be more time to discuss serve. this Bill? 8.56 pm I am particularly keen that there should be more time to discuss the interaction between the Bill and the Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): It is a proposed changes to the other place. If we were to have pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Luton South an elected Second Chamber, on what basis would we (Gavin Shuker). I agree with much of what he had to have those elections? When would they be held? How tell the House. I also very much agree with the two would they interact with the fixed-term Parliament brilliant speeches that we heard earlier from my hon. arrangements that we are discussing? It seems as though, Friend the Member for North East Somerset (Jacob almost by design, the Government are legislating in a Rees-Mogg) and my hon. and learned Friend the Member piecemeal fashion so that this Bill will be out of the way for Torridge and West Devon (Mr Cox). before we are able to ask any questions about the I became involved in this debate quite early on in this interaction between it and the proposals they are going Parliament when I was lucky enough to be called to to bring forward in the form of a draft Bill at the turn of move the first Adjournment debate of this Parliament the year. This is an extremely serious matter. I despair at on 25 May on the subject of the Dissolution of Parliament. the fact that the Government seem to think they can On that occasion there was a lot of ridicule of the pull the wool over the eyes of hon. Members on both Government in relation to the proposal for a 55% threshold sides of the House. and a binding motion relating to that. The Deputy This Bill is unnecessary. Why is the Prime Minister’s Leader of the House, who is on the Front Bench now, word that he will not go to the country until 7 May 2015 responded to that debate and asserted that it was absolutely not good enough? It is certainly good enough for me; important to stick to the 55% commitment because it why is it not good enough for other people? As we heard was in the manifesto, and so on. in the evidence from the Clerk of the House, if there is a I am delighted that the coalition had second thoughts, desire to give some sort of quasi-statutory backing to and I hope that it will have second thoughts about a lot these proposals, that could easily be achieved by changing of this Bill as well. But I am very concerned that a the Standing Orders of the House. The Bill challenges couple of things that the hon. Gentleman said on that and undermines the historic right of this House to vote occasion have not been borne out by tonight’s proceedings. a Government out of office with a bare majority. In the He said that there would be a second opportunity, after Select Committee we heard evidence from Professor the debate on the original motion, to consider the Blackburn, who was in favour of a simple majority in constitutional legislation. He said: order to bring a Parliament to an end if that were the “Unlike what happened under the previous Administration, it wish of the people. Why do we not trust Members of will not be guillotined.” this House? Why do we not trust the people? I can We will see what happens at the end of two days of remember when Ted Heath thought he was acting in his debate, but if at the end of those two days not all the own self-interest and went to the people, and the people amendments have been reached, the only consequence had a different view. That is exactly what happens if one will be that it will be guillotined, and the only consequence trusts the people—why tinker with the constitution in that will flow from that is that what the hon. Gentleman this way? said on that occasion will not be capable of delivery. I I am very concerned about this Bill, and I am sorry am happy to allow him to intervene on me now to put that, for the second occasion in as many weeks, I will the record straight and say that if at the end of two not be supporting the Government in the Lobby tonight. days’ debate we have not covered all the ground, we will However, that is not a consequence of my failure to get extra time from the Government. follow our manifesto—it is a consequence of the The next thing the hon. Gentleman said was that he Government introducing legislation that was never in believed that the manifesto. Indeed, in the middle of the election “there is merit in listening to what people have to say about the campaign the Prime Minister made a comment that was legislation after it is published, rather than being too precipitate totally at odds with the current proposals. I could not in moving from the motion, which will be debated…to the legislation follow what the Deputy Prime Minister said about how in due course”, the Bill effectively builds on what the Prime Minister 689 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 690 said on that occasion about having a general election as politicians would cause that to happen; the media, within six months of a change of Prime Minister. That however, would certainly concentrate on what they would would be more popular and more understandable; perhaps see, rightly or wrongly, as the big election. we could make that amendment to the Bill. Instead, the Let us not underestimate the differences between Government seem to want to ensure that this Parliament boundaries. When the Scottish Parliament elections continues not only for a five-year period but perhaps take place next year, my Westminster constituency will even for a couple of weeks beyond that. It is not have four different MSPs in it; that is how different the justified, and it is completely over the top. In the end, boundaries are. These are no minor differences. this sort of behaviour by the Government—the high-handed procedural way in which they are trying to force this Mrs Laing: The hon. Lady has just verified the criticisms legislation through, and its content—will be their own that many of us made in respect of the importance of undoing. coterminosity between one legislature and another. I hope she will agree that that ought to be borne in mind 9.3 pm by future Governments. Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to Sheila Gilmore: We appear to have lost coterminosity speak in this debate. I will be brief. entirely in Scotland, and that is an issue because the I want to address in particular the length of the situation there is making it extremely difficult for people proposed fixed terms and how, by choosing the dates to have more engagement in politics and a better relationship that have been chosen, we are running into totally with their elected representatives. When I tell people, “I unnecessary conflict with the devolved Parliaments. In am your Westminster MP, but this person will be the opening the debate, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested candidate for that part of the constituency, although that he had now realised there was an issue with this. not in your sister’s area, which is not that far away,” it is When he came to the Political and Constitutional Reform difficult to make them understand. We also have local Committee before the recess, that issue was pointed out government boundaries, which are completely different to him very clearly, but until today he appeared to have again. chosen to ignore it or to brush it off as irrelevant. I am not necessarily saying that we have to change the There may have been confusion in some people’s situation in Scotland immediately; we are learning to minds between the potential coincidence of next year’s live with our different boundaries. However, there is Scottish Parliament elections and the AV vote and the absolutely no need to walk into the situation that I have potential clash in 2015. There are some problems with described. A simple change, backed up by the evidence, both things, but I concede that next year’s clash is not in to a four-year fixed term, would cure the problem. I any way as serious as the potential clash in 2015 and the hope that the Government will at least consider the issue one that would come along some years further into the again—and quickly, so we can get it out of the way. future, although most of us would probably not be around Obviously, there are other issues. I am not qualified to deal with it—not as elected Members, at least. to comment on the detail of some of them, but they are The coincidence of the two general elections is a important and we need to spend time on them during serious issue. I do not know whether everybody is aware the passage of the Bill. I hope that at last the Government that in Scotland a decision has been taken to move the have heard the question. local elections, which should have been due next year, to another year, to avoid the clash that happened in 2007; Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): I fear that was between local elections and the Scottish Parliament that the hon. Lady is perhaps underestimating the election. We have already made that move, only to discover sophistication and intelligence of her constituents and that in some ways it has been completely undone by those in the rest of Scotland. The evidence seems to what might be allowed to happen here in Westminster. suggest that when elections have coincided—for instance, The matter has been raised not only by the Select the local elections on 6 May this year and the county Committee but by many other commentators and it council elections previously that coincided with general should have been addressed before now. There is no elections—people have been discerning and have made reason not to address it. Given that the bulk of the separate decisions. I would vouchsafe that that was the information and evidence that has come to the Select case in Scotland. Committee also supports four-year terms, the easiest way out of the difficulty is for the Bill to be amended to Sheila Gilmore: I am not suggesting that people cannot allow for such terms. All the complications about whether make separate decisions, but there are practical difficulties. to have the elections a month apart, which, as the hon. However, over and above those difficulties—which we Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) saw clearly in 2007 and because of which we have taken said, would be absolutely ludicrous, or six months apart, a step to move elections apart—the overwhelming objection which would be equally unacceptable, would disappear is that we would be in danger of drowning or swamping if we set four-year terms in train. the important issues of the different legislatures. That is The change would be simple to make and it would be important for what we have built up under devolution. I nice to think that we could carry it out without getting may now be an elected representative in this place, but into complicated cross-jurisdictional issues about election those of us who fought hard for devolution did not do dates. The elections are different and the issues are very so to see everything disappearing in the way that it different. It is undoubtedly true that the issues that the would in such elections. That is why we should simply devolved Parliaments would want people to pay attention amend the Bill to have four-year terms. Then I would be to will simply be swamped if there is a Westminster much more supportive of it than I am in its present general election at the same time. I do not mean that we form. 691 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 692

Mark Durkan: Did my hon. Friend not previously Nick Boles: I have always found it easy to disagree give an answer to the hon. Member for Peterborough with academics on almost any subject, and I disagree (Mr Jackson), when she said that the issue was not with Professor Blackburn on that. whether voters could cope with the different issues, but My hon. Friend’s question leads me neatly to my next whether the media could handle the spread of coverage point. With much more trepidation, I have to say that I and, in particular, whether the broadcast media could respectfully disagree with what the Clerk of the House handle the detailed legal requirements for balanced said in his contribution to our evidence about the risks coverage, which would be almost impossible to achieve posed by the Bill. I recognise that I am probably the least if those elections were melodeoned together? qualified person here to comment on orders of this House, and on the risks of judicial review that the proposed statute Sheila Gilmore: I absolutely agree. might create, because I am not a lawyer, a long-standing MP or a constitutional historian. However, it seemed 9.12 pm inadequate for the Clerk of the House to suggest putting Nick Boles (Grantham and Stamford) (Con): It has this fundamental provision into the statutes of the been a fascinating five hours in this debate, and I have House—the orders of the House, as I believe they are learned a great deal. I have been vastly entertained, not called—because surely the House can do away with least by my hon. Friend the Member for North East those orders on a relative whim. Somerset (Jacob Rees-Mogg), but I have to admit to The one advantage of the statute that the Government being somewhat puzzled. I thought that I would hear are proposing is that it will have to make its way the great champions of parliamentary privilege and through the other House. Any further changes will also parliamentary sovereignty. therefore have to make their way through the other House, and we have a commitment from the Deputy Mr Cash: I have not been called. Prime Minister that we will see full-scale reform of that other House before the next election, to which the Bill Nick Boles: One of the great champions has not been would apply. called, but he has certainly intervened many times, and we have heard from other great champions, not least my Mr George Howarth: The hon. Gentleman is making hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch (Mr Chope). a witty and amusing speech, but does he really believe I thought that I would hear them make an argument for that the courts inevitably act in a totally rational way in giving Parliament even more control over matters as all circumstances? My experience of them, certainly in vital to our democracy as the timing of elections, but matters of this kind, is that they can be very capricious. no. We have been given an object lesson in that great phrase “looking a gift horse in the mouth”. Nick Boles: I certainly agree with the right hon. I just wonder what would have happened to the Gentleman on that point—I should like to call him my Government if they had come to the House with a right hon. Friend; I am very keen on people joining the proposal to abolish elections altogether or to abolish coalition, as Members might know—but I am not sure the role of the Speaker in deciding whether the Chancellor whether the courts are any more capricious than Members of the Exchequer should be dragged here to answer an of this House. Is that a terrible thing to say? urgent question. Imagine what our reaction would have I am troubled by the proposal of the Clerk of the been then. I listen to the criticism that has been made—that House, and I fear that those on my own side who the proposal is somehow fragmentary and piecemeal—and advance it are doing so not because they really think I ask myself whether those critics have any education that he has a better way to secure fixed-term Parliaments in the history of our constitution at all. I am the least but because they do not believe in fixed terms, and they historically educated person I know, but I know that want to undermine the Bill. If it is going to be brought this country has only ever made change fragmentarily, in, they want it to be introduced in as weak a form as in a piecemeal fashion and for naked partisan political possible. So let us not be deluded by that argument. interests. We even invented an entire new Church—the leader of the Church from which we separated ourselves I want to turn briefly to the argument about election is about to come to this country, and we welcome him dates. I shall approach the subject with great deference very much—just to enable our sovereign to marry somebody to those who represent parts of the other nations of whom he fancied rather more than his wife at the time. the United Kingdom, because they of course must be the ones who speak for their constituents. However, in That was just the starting point for a whole generation the United States—a place where individual states have of constitutional change, so let us not deny the value of much more power and at least as much sense of their fragmentary and piecemeal constitutional change. Let own independence and individual character—all the us instead take advances when we get them, and if they elections always happen on the same day. In that fine are in the interest of the Government proposing them, democracy, they happen on the first Thursday in November, let us be grateful for the fact that that interest is so well either every four years or every two years. In the United aligned with the interest of this House. States, people would consider it a constitutional outrage if elections were to happen on any other day. Mr Chope: Does my hon. Friend recall the evidence that Professor Blackburn, the constitutional lawyer, If elections were held on different days, minor elections—I gave to our Committee on the Bill? In question 75, I do not venture to suggest that elections to the devolved asked him: Assemblies are minor; I am talking about any that people thought were minor—might be used to express “Does it enhance the power of the House of Commons at all?” an opinion about a major subject, such as the economic He replied: policy of the UK Government. It is only by having “I am not sure that it does.” elections on the same day that people can be guaranteed 693 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 694 an ability to express their opinion on every issue that speeches, which I contrast. The first is that of my hon. matters to them, be it local, regional or pertaining to Friend the Member for North East Somerset (Jacob their state, their governor, their mayor or the Government Rees-Mogg), which took me back to the schoolroom. I of the day. The same applies to referendums, which is listened carefully; this was the constitution I learned as why I also support the idea of their being held on the I was growing up. The speech also reminded me of my same day. I venture to suggest that hon. Members undergraduate years and when I came here and saw all should really question whether they are assisting the those things cast aside by a simple vote. independence of their local elections, and the autonomy has articulated more clearly than anyone of the decision making on the issues in those elections, else that it is no longer the monarch that is crucial; the by proposing separate election dates. I fear that they Crown resides in Downing street. That is what this Bill might achieve the reverse. is about and, in a sense, has always been about. We changed our Administrations by slaughter on battlefields Mark Durkan: The hon. Gentleman referred to the and then we evolved a constitution. I will follow that United States of America, where there are no rules on constitution to the end. media balance and supposedly no statutory protections I have no problem with fixed-term Parliaments, but for parties in the broadcast media or anywhere else, and how does the Bill relate to the constitutional programme where massive amounts of money are spent. The electoral put forward by an inept Deputy Prime Minister who climate in the United States is entirely different from cannot bring coherent constitutional measures to the ours. If he is suggesting that elections to our devolved Floor of the House? How does this Bill integrate with Parliament and Assemblies and to this Parliament should the supposed reform of the House of Lords, which is be conducted in the way they are in America, what does going to be elected? All these issues need to be thought he think the turnout would be? through, but that is not happening. That is why it is legislation on the back of an envelope. There is a Nick Boles: If people have to go to the polls only once cheerful cynicism about it, as my hon. Friend the Member and have to take seven decisions that will affect every for Grantham and Stamford (Nick Boles) suggested, single part of government, I suggest that that will make and he is talking the truth. them more likely to vote in the “lower” elections than This has always been a place that has had its they would if those elections took place on their own, machinations and purposes, with Governments striving particularly when people might be busy, have to take to last for longer. Everything said by the hon. Member the kids to school and get to work. I suspect that the for Nottingham North (Mr Allen), the Select Committee turnout would advance, but let me make it clear that the Chairman, was in a sense trying to identify what was Deputy Prime Minister has said that he will want to the ideal. I have reverence for the constitution that was, understand the concerns and that the final decision will but that went. We had 13 years of the Labour party be made in consultation with the devolved Assemblies. bringing forth constitutional measures on the back of In the remaining time available, let me deal with one an envelope time and again. I saw the corruption of this suggestion—for an amendment to the Bill—made by Chamber. I saw the spirit of this House, which the the Select Committee, of which I am lucky to be a Select Committee Chairman wants to revive. This House member. I hope that the Government will consider it in still holds all the power and sovereignty of this country further stages. The suggestion was that, after an should it wish to exercise it. That is all it has ever been extraordinary or exceptional Dissolution, to avoid any about. If we conspire and work together, we can overthrow jiggery-pokery or any attempt to engineer a Dissolution Governments, or Governments can come to the end of to the benefit of one party, the term of whatever their time. Government came in after that Dissolution would be As I said last week, I support this coalition because it just for the balance of the normal term. If the extraordinary is the agent by which I hope to see sensible economic, Dissolution came after three years, then, there would be budgetary responses to the dire situation we are in. only two years left for the succeeding Government. I However, we are confronted with the cheerful cynicism think that might go some way to reinforce the Bill’s of the Front Bench: “How do we protect ourselves in intention to ensure a Dissolution is not done in a office?” That is what I feel that this is about. I do not frivolous, arbitrary or partisan way. want the people of Aldridge-Brownhills, who sent me In conclusion, let me say that that is the only amendment here, to be forced to live under a Government extended that I would propose and that I propose it in the spirit by an artificial device when that Government’s time has of improvement rather than criticism. I very much hope gone. The Government have the Parliament Act 1911, that Members will see fit to support this fine Bill. which gives them five years if they can make the course and hold the attention of each of us as individual Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): We have Members from constituencies across the country—and about eight minutes left, with two speakers to go. I call I hope they can. However, they can do it without this Richard Shepherd. half-baked legislation.

9.21 pm 9.25 pm Mr Richard Shepherd (Aldridge-Brownhills) (Con): Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): The Bill was not in Four minutes to go. Thank you, Sir. the manifesto, and the Prime Minister effectively conceded Bills of this nature rankle. If I think about it seriously, the case against it some time ago. In addition, there has this looks like an attempt to entrench a Government. been no consultation whatever. As I have said, far from On that basis alone, I would vote against it, as it is not giving more power to Parliament, which I regard as a my intention to prolong beyond its natural life, the life wholly disingenuous argument, it gives more power to of any Government. I have listened to two interesting the Whips. I love the Whips, but they do use their power 695 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 696

[Mr William Cash] been thrown together on the Deputy Prime Minister’s whim and then repeatedly altered as each new problem to ensure the passage of legislation. I do not hold that has emerged, all without the slightest effort to consult against them—they have their job to do, and we have anyone else. As many Members have said today, that is ours. not a recipe for good legislation. This issue is not just a matter for the coalition: there We shall be looking closely at the details of the Bill is a connection to many other legislative programmes, and suggesting amendments. Indeed, it might be better including the alternative vote Bill. In my judgment, if the Government took the whole thing away and despite the Liberal Democrats having reached a very started again from scratch, given the confused and low point in the polls, the Bill is largely for their benefit. shifting mishmash that appears to be before us and that On the constitutional questions that arise periodically so casually sets about riding roughshod over one of who governs the United Kingdom and how—whether constitutional convention after another. Little thought it is on this issue, AV, or matters European—the Liberal seems to have been invested in the devising of a scheme Democrats are wagging the tail. that works before the appearance of legislation to implement I endorse the concerns of the Clerk of the House, and one that probably will not. Given that the Leader of the I do not need to repeat my points on that. There should House—who is present now—suggested this morning be pre-legislative scrutiny on Bills of this kind. The Bill that the present parliamentary Session would continue is being brought in with precipitate haste and is for two years, why should the Government not take the fundamentally flawed. I also believe that Standing Orders opportunity to take the Bill away, consult on it properly, would be able to deal with the issue. The idea that, on a and return with something that is in rather fitter shape? whim, the House would reverse the Standing Orders is It is almost as if the Deputy Prime Minister does not faintly ridiculous. really care whether the Bill works or not, as long as he Lastly, it is fundamental that we govern ourselves in can send a reassuring signal to his parliamentary party the House, because we are here on behalf of the people; and his Tory ministerial collaborators that this Parliament it is their Parliament, not ours. If we want to subscribe will last for five years, whatever the strains—which are to that principle, there is one simple solution: give us already showing—may be in the interim. The rapidly free votes and put it in the Standing Orders and/or in changing provisions, the substantial but unthought-through the Bill, that any legislation that contradicts the principles shifts that we have already witnessed, the thoughtless of the Bill should be endorsed by a free vote of the interference with long-standing constitutional conventions House. Will the Minister guarantee that there will be a which have been mentioned by many Members on both free vote if there is any attempt to upset the arrangements sides of the House, the indecent haste with which a of the Bill? major constitutional Bill has been introduced when there was no need for it to be rushed through the House, 9.28 pm the total lack of consultation or pre-legislative scrutiny referred to not least by my hon. Friend the Member for Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood) (Lab): We Nottingham North (Mr Allen), the Chair of the Select have had an excellent debate, kicked off by my right Committee—all those things make us suspicious about hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) for what the true motivations might be. the Opposition. I cannot let this debate pass without remarking on the fact that he intends that to be his final So what is really going on behind the overblown speech from the Front Bench. He has said that he will rhetoric of the Prime Minister and, in particular, the retire from the Front Bench: he has done 30 years of Deputy Prime Minister, who specialises in it, about the hard labour on the Opposition and Government Front purpose of their constitutional innovations? The Prime Benches and has given distinguished service. He has Minister says that he wants to give power away, while been called many things: my right hon. Friend the the Deputy Prime Minister says that he is embarking on Member for Knowsley (Mr Howarth) referred to Barbara a programme of constitutional reform more extensive Castle’s remarks about how he had a degree of low than any since the great Reform Act. Of course, he cunning about him. I must say that I have found him forgets just how minimal the reforms of 1832 actually wily as I have worked for him over the past few years, were in substance. In reality, little or no justification has and wise. I thank him for the time that he has given to been offered beyond the rhetoric. junior Ministers and spokespeople. He has always been We have heard from Members in all parts of the illuminating to work with, and we will all miss his House—from the hon. Members for Aldridge-Brownhills speeches from the Front Bench, although I am sure that (Mr Shepherd) and for Harwich and North Essex we can look forward to many more from him from the (Mr Jenkin) in interventions, from the hon. Member for Back Benches in future. North East Somerset (Jacob Rees-Mogg) and my hon. As my right hon. Friend explained, we agree with the Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Austin Mitchell) principle of a fixed-term Parliament, although we believe in very witty speeches, from the hon. and learned Member that it should be for a shorter period than the proposed for Torridge and West Devon (Mr Cox) in a rather more five years. We had a manifesto commitment to a fixed portentous but very serious speech, and from the hon. term favouring four years, and for that reason we will Member for Christchurch (Mr Chope), who has form in not be voting against Second Reading. However, the this regard—some alternative theories about what might House should not misinterpret that as anything more be going on. The truth is that the Deputy Prime Minister than our agreeing with the principle behind the Bill. We is using vastly overblown claims to hide a tawdry piece have grave concerns about many of the measures proposed of fixing that took place over a few days in a testosterone- in it, about its timing, and about the way in which the filled room packed with erstwhile political enemies who proposals have been developed—although “developed” were intent on one thing: producing a political stitch-up may be too grand a word for a Bill that seems to have that could deliver government to both parties, while 697 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 698 preventing each from double-crossing the other for the to decide what we meant to do in parliamentary proceedings duration of a Parliament. The fact that they decided to that have hitherto been unavailable to judicial interpretation, do that by using novel constitutional props is absolutely thus potentially politicising the judiciary; a most undesirable clear from the proposals that emerged. outcome. The possibility of this is the danger, not the Far from being born out of some kind of reforming probability, as the hon. and learned Member made zeal, and far from being derived from a carefully thought clear. I agree with him. out analysis of what is wrong with our current constitutional The Bill refers to confidence motions without defining arrangement, the Bill was born out of a suddenly them, thus potentially requiring judges to define them discovered political imperative to save the necks and in court proceedings. It draws the monarch and the promote the ministerial careers of those who negotiated Speaker into the most party-political aspects of it. That is what it looks like to us, because that is what it parliamentary proceedings with the obvious risk that is. Let us have done with the overblown deputy prime their deliberations and actions will be tarnished with ministerial rhetoric and just call a spade a spade. The party-political controversy of a kind wholly alien to our long title of this Bill should be “A Bill to ensure that the constitutional arrangements. As we have heard from inherent contradictions in the coalition Government many hon. Members, the Bill has a serious impact on are suppressed for a full five years; to make sure that the devolved institutions of Northern Ireland, Scotland neither party can double cross the other; and for connected and Wales because of the planned date of the election. purposes.” That would be a bit nearer the mark. If the Deputy Prime Minister had bothered to consult Those Government Members who are slavishly following in advance, that particular difficulty might have been the Government—many are not—may protest that I am pointed out to him so that he could have avoided it. being too cynical. If I am wrong, how come such an It is reasonable for any Government to propose important piece of constitutional reform was not in constitutional changes, but there is a proper and improper both parties’ manifestos? It was in the Liberal Democrat way of doing it. This is not the best way of handling manifesto; they were in favour of a four-year fixed term constitutional issues. Why the rush? This is the big in their policy, but we appear to have a five-year term in question that many of us have been asking during the the Bill. How come the Bill has not been afforded the course of the debate. There is no need for such an opportunity of pre-legislative scrutiny, or preceded by a ill-thought-through Bill to be before us. The coalition Green Paper, White Paper or draft Bill? How come it agreement on 12 May said that there would be a “binding did not involve all-party consultations and discussions motion” placed before the House, whatever that is. I with a view to reaching cross-party agreement, which thought that most of our motions were binding. That there may have been some possibility of reaching? How was to be followed by legislation for a five-year fixed come the Bill has changed in substance more than once term during which a vote of 55% of Members would be as the repeated announcement of ill-thought-through needed to bring the Government down. It just so happened expedients has hit the reality of their not actually being that the combined strength of Tory and Lib Dem workable or acceptable in the cold light of day? Members in this Parliament is 56%, so this represented How come the Bill is in such a poor state that the a clear effort to strengthen the Executive at the expense Clerk of the House has indicated that it has the potential of the legislature, not to mention preventing the parties to allow the courts, and even the European Court, to be to the coalition agreement from ratting on each other. second-guessing the Speaker, the monarch and this The furore that ensued has led the Deputy Prime House on such fundamentally political issues as the Minister to think again, and that is a good thing, but by date of the general election, or whether or not a confidence the time of the publication of the coalition’s programme motion has been passed? It is not just me asking these for government on 20 May this remained the policy. By questions. The hon. and learned Member for Torridge the Queen’s Speech on 25 May, the legislation had been and West Devon, my hon. Friend the Member for brought forward to be a major priority in the first Nottingham North, the right hon. Member for Belfast Session, although we were still promised the binding North (Mr Dodds) and the hon. Member for North motion. The Deputy Leader of the House promised it East Somerset all asked this precise question. to us before the summer recess, but in the event it did The Bill contains too many novel and contentious not appear. Perhaps the Deputy Prime Minister ought constitutional principles to be dealt with in the arrogant occasionally to inform his ministerial colleagues about and high-handed way that is becoming a hallmark of the back-flips that he plans to execute before they the Deputy Prime Minister’s dealings with this House. assure the House that the Government are going to do The subjects that the Bill addresses are constitutionally something that he has already decided not to do. fundamental; there is no doubt about that. It ends prerogative powers to dissolve but not to prorogue Mr Tom Harris (Glasgow South) (Lab): My hon. Parliament—something Charles I would probably have Friend has given the House a superb explanation of why been able to work with—but with the potential to drag this is a rotten Bill; anyone who came into the Chamber the monarch into party political controversy, which just after she began her comments might mistakenly would be highly undesirable in this day and age. It believe that the Labour party is opposing this Bill. She introduces the novel, ill-thought-though and potentially has given many good reasons why we should oppose dangerous concept of super-majorities into parliamentary it, but can she try to explain to me why on earth we proceedings. are going to be sitting on our backsides during the As our Clerk has warned, and as the hon. and learned Division? Member for Torridge and West Devon set out, the Bill puts elements of parliamentary procedure into statute, Maria Eagle: My hon. Friend will do what he wants thus fundamentally changing the nature of the legislature’s with his backside when the Division gets called; I am relationship with the judiciary by potentially forcing it sure that he is capable of making his own mind up. We 699 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 700

[Maria Eagle] be getting. This is a dangerous combination for our constitutional settlement. We cannot and should not have made it clear that although we are not voting accept that constitutional arrangements that have worked against the Bill on Second Reading, whether we support well for centuries should be thrown away hubristically it on Third Reading will depend on how well it is put and without thought by a Deputy Prime Minister who right in the interim. cares only for his own neck and the short-term expedient The Deputy Prime Minister told the Political and of remaining in his post for a full Parliament. Constitutional Reform Committee: We have a Deputy Prime Minister who flits from the “We felt that”— whim of introducing super-majorities to allowing judges to tell us whether or not we can have an election, and the resolution— who does not seem to understand that the sovereignty “was necessary on the assumption that the legislation would then of Parliament and the independence of the Speaker are come much further down the track.” important principles that we should defend. We have a Why not put the legislation further down the track, in Deputy Prime Minister who appears more interested order to enable proper consultation and pre-legislative in lofty rhetoric about how radical his constitutional scrutiny to take place and to allow there to be properly innovations are than the detailed work needed to make considered measures, with cross-party agreement, that them both desirable and workable in practice. Members might actually work? of this House will have to do the work for him. Her By that time, the measures that the Deputy Prime Minister Majesty’s Opposition will play our part; we will seek to had announced were already unravelling, because those subject the Bill to the scrutiny it needs, and I also in the testosterone-filled room of self-interest of the reiterate the fact that we intend to review whether to coalition builders, who came up with the 55% super-majority, continue to support the Bill on Third Reading. were so focused on protecting themselves against mutual duplicity that they failed to consider little issues such as 9.45 pm the sovereignty of Parliament and other constitutional conventions relating to Dissolution. The proposals in The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Mark the programme for government were running into the Harper): The hon. Member for Garston and Halewood sand; all it took was the light of day and the unravelling (Maria Eagle) seemed to spend rather more time talking began. about my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister than the Bill during her rather lengthy winding-up By 5 July, the Deputy Prime Minister had changed speech, and Members—certainly colleagues on the his mind again, but alas the new proposals are not Government Benches—will have noticed that she had better; they are just different. The 55% super-majority trouble keeping a straight face while making her speech. has been abandoned in favour of a 66% one, which From that, we can detect just how much she really appears unlikely to be used. I say in all seriousness to believed what she was saying while going through the the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, the hon. motions of delivering her remarks. Member for Forest of Dean (Mr Harper), for whom I have a lot of time, because he has great difficulties in his We have had a good debate on this important Bill. Department: what is the rush? We are at the beginning There were 19 Back-Bench speakers and I will try to of this Parliament, so why not consult? Why not seek refer to their contributions as I go through the arguments. cross-party agreement? What on earth is the argument I should just say at the outset that today I sent a copy of against doing so? Why not have pre-legislative scrutiny the Government’s response to the memorandum from on such an important constitutional Bill? Why not the Clerk of the House of Commons to the Political allow the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee and Constitutional Reform Committee and placed another to do its job, instead of making it rush? Why not allow copy in the Library of the House, and I should also the time for concerns expressed by the Clerk about the have sent a copy to the right hon. Member for Blackburn risk to the privileges of the legislature to be properly (Mr Straw) on behalf of the Opposition. I have apologised addressed? Just asserting in the newspapers that he is to him privately, and I would like to do so on the Floor wrong does not amount to a refutation of his arguments. of the House too. It was an inadvertent omission, not a Why was his informed advice not heeded a little more in deliberate discourtesy. the drafting of this Bill? Is it right that a Bill that The issue of the time available for debating the Bill provides for such massive constitutional innovation should arose in a number of speeches from both sides of the be introduced five days before the House rises for the House. As is clear from the programme motion, we have summer recess and debated one week after its return, allowed two days of debate in Committee of the whole given that the Leader of the House has just announced House, so every Member will get the opportunity to that this Session of Parliament will go on for two years? debate these important constitutional measures, and a The truth is that the Bill is a reflection of the Minister further day on Report and Third Reading for a Bill that in charge of it and the political imperatives that led to contains five clauses and one schedule, albeit they address its being devised. Our over-confident yet vacillating very important principles. Deputy Prime Minister, who keeps changing his mind My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House is every few weeks about what should be in this legislation, present. In answering an urgent question earlier today, appears armed only with his grandiose delusions of he made the point that in the first Session of a new constitutional good sense and that characteristic overblown Parliament it is simply not possible to do as much Lib Dem sense of self-importance, which all those who pre-legislative scrutiny as one would hope to be able to fight the Lib Dems at a local level will recognise very do later in a Parliament. However, we are not racing off well. One wonders how much he is listening to, or at pace, and I encourage the Committee, chaired by the absorbing and considering properly, the advice he must hon. Member for Nottingham North (Mr Allen), to 701 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 702 continue its deliberations as I feel that there will be time point of principle, given that every single Conservative for the Government and the House to learn from its Member of Parliament was elected on the promise that deliberations before we move into Committee. in this Parliament the replacement of the Prime Minister would result in a general election within six months? Mr George Howarth: The Minister should be aware That surely says more about the Prime Minister’s confidence that the Leader of the House said exactly that at business in the support of his Back Benchers than it does about questions last week, but that he then added that it was his confidence in the principle of constitutional reform. for political reasons. Mr Harper: As my hon. Friend the Member for Mr Harper: Yes, the Leader of the House made the Epping Forest (Mrs Laing) said, in the last Parliament, point and I do not think it is different from what I have when Conservative Members had the opportunity to just said. These are important measures and the discuss this matter, we did not vote against it. It is a very Government want to get on with political and constitutional clear principle in the coalition agreement to have a reform. That is why we are moving ahead with these fixed-term Parliament. All Members on the Opposition measures, but they will be debated on the Floor of the Benches—or at least in the main Opposition party—were House and all colleagues will have the opportunity to elected on that principle. I am sure that they will support debate them. the Bill if there is a Division this evening. The proposals this morning from my right hon. Friend Mr Allen: Is not one of the advantages of having a the Leader of the House on the way we want to change five-year or four-year fixed-term Parliament the ability the Sessions of this place to fit in with this Bill can, I am to plan the legislative timetable, and will the Minister confident, be debated in Committee. We debated them a therefore reassure Members of all parties that in future little earlier today and I think that the fact that the all Bills will be subject to a 12-week pre-legislative Chair allowed that debate to take place shows that they scrutiny process? [Interruption.] are in order and that we will be able to debate them in Committee. Mr Harper: Well, I think I hear my right hon. Friend Mr Cash: Will my hon. Friend give way on the subject the Leader of the House saying that in principle that is of his memorandum? what we intend to do. Mr Harper: If my hon. Friend will forgive me, I want The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir George to make some progress. Young) indicated assent. On the subject of the date and combination of the elections, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister Mr Harper: And I know my right hon. Friend always made it clear that the Government draw a distinction means what he says. between the coincidence of the referendum next year The Bill’s key principle is that my right hon. Friend and parliamentary or Assembly elections—a combination the Prime Minister is giving up the power to seek the that we think is perfectly justifiable when there is a Dissolution of the House. Previous Prime Ministers simple yes-no decision—and the coincidence of elections have exercised that power for their own party advantage. to different Parliaments or Assemblies. He accepted That principle of having fixed-term Parliaments was that such elections were more complex and made it very welcomed by the Chairman of the Select Committee clear that the Government will engage and continue to and by the right hon. Member for Blackburn, who engage with devolved Administrations. speaks for the Opposition; indeed it was in his party’s manifesto. Pete Wishart rose— At this point, I should just add to the comments of Mr Harper: Let me just make the point about Scotland the Deputy Prime Minister last week and the hon. and then I will give way. My right hon. Friend the Member for Garston and Halewood today. I will miss Secretary of State for Scotland, for example, has written the contributions from the Front Bench of the right to the leaders of each of the groups in the Scottish hon. Member for Blackburn. He and I have sparred in Parliament, the Presiding Officer, Opposition spokesmen this Chamber a number of times, and I have always in this House and the Chairman of the Select Committee listened carefully to the guidance he has given me on and intends to continue that dialogue. Indeed, I will how to deal with the House. I hope Members feel I have meet him to discuss this matter further. We take these learned something from him. I leave it up to others to issues seriously and are not just paying lip service to decide whether what I have learned is, as the right hon. them. Member for Knowsley (Mr Howarth) said, low cunning or whether I have some way to go in that regard. I Pete Wishart: I am very grateful to the Minister for should say that I thought the right hon. Gentleman giving way. He will have heard the strong representations dealt very well with the point raised by my hon. Friend in today’s debate about the combination of both elections. the Member for Louth and Horncastle (Sir Peter Tapsell) We must hear a little more from the Minister about the about what happened in 1950 and how that could specific proposals to ensure that there is no clash in the perfectly well have been dealt with by our Bill. The election dates. What is in his mind about how we can expert way in which the right hon. Gentleman did that untie and unlock the two elections? showed that he is secretly quite supportive of the Bill. Mr Harper: I do not think that the hon. Gentleman Mr Tom Harris: Does the Minister understand that it can have it both ways. If I were to come out with is rather difficult for the House to accept that from the specific proposals before we have discussed them in detail Conservative party’s point of view this Bill represents a with representatives from the devolved Administrations 703 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 704

[Mr Harper] almost noteless, maiden speech in which he brought the House welcome news about the former Deputy Speaker, and from those Assemblies and Parliaments, he would Sir Michael Lord, and his improving health. I am sure rightly criticise me for being high-handed. The Deputy that all Members will join me in welcoming that excellent Prime Minister has made it very clear that we want to news. My hon. Friend gave us a tour of his constituency solve this problem. and focused on the national health service, his professional On the issue of not having consulted people in advance, experience and his campaigning work. He raised an however, I think it is right that, unlike under the previous issue that is close to my heart, which I have to deal Government, proposals brought forward by the with—improving broadband in rural constituencies. Government should be announced to this House first I shall pick up only one of the points raised by my before they are discussed with others. That explains why hon. and learned Friend the Member for Torridge and we did not hold those discussions with others first. West Devon (Mr Cox)—that of a euro treaty and a On the issue of confidence and the mechanism for Prime Minister who might wish to dissolve Parliament motions of confidence, a number of colleagues on both to put it before the people. We had such a circumstance sides of the House seem to be a little confused about the in the last Parliament, but that Government not only present position. This Bill does not change the position did not consult the people through a referendum, but in any way. The right hon. Member for Knowsley and rammed the measure through the House. That is not an my hon. Friends the Members for Epping Forest and example that this Government plan to follow. for Christchurch (Mr Chope) all appeared to confuse We have had a very good debate with excellent speakers. to some extent our proposals on confidence and on The central principle is that my right hon. Friend the Dissolution. It is very clear that, on confidence, we are Prime Minister has become the first Prime Minister in not changing the position at all. The Government must British history to relinquish his power to seek an election have a simple majority in this House. at a time of his own choice. A quote about this issue Myhon.FriendtheMemberforTewkesbury(MrRobertson) that I particularly liked compared the advantage that an worried about a change of Government without an incumbent Government have in calling the election election. That can happen now, so that is not a change. when they choose with that of an athlete arriving at the My hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhills track in their running shoes and being allowed to fire (Mr Shepherd) said that there was an automatic right the starting pistol. The Prime Minister is taking off his for an election following the loss of a confidence vote. running shoes and putting away his starting pistol, and There is no such automatic right—that is a matter of I have detected a general sense of welcome in the House judgment for Her Majesty the Queen. for that principle—from the Select Committee Chairman, the right hon. Member for Blackburn and many other Mr Cash: In the memorandum that my hon. Friend Members. issued this afternoon, he effectively attacks the Clerk of I recognise that many important issues have been the House when he says: raised—some of detail and some of more significance—and “Turning to the specific points raised by the memorandum: it I look forward to further scrutiny from the Select contains a fundamental misunderstanding about the effect of the Committee. Indeed, I have an appointment this Thursday Bill on the rules and principles”, to be grilled by its members on both of our constitutional and so on. Will he clarify something for me? On the Bills. I look forward to that, as I am sure do they, and I jurisdiction of the courts, will he be good enough to also look forward to the Bill’s Committee stage in the spell out, as do the Parliament Acts, that none of the House when we can deal in more detail with the concerns documents or procedures under the Bill should or could that have been raised today. Any Member will then be be questioned in any court of law? Will he bring forward able to raise their concerns on the Floor of the House an amendment to make sure that we get absolute symmetry so that we can have an excellent debate and deal with between this Bill and article 9 of the Bill of Rights? them so that the House can gain powers being given away by the Executive. That example was not set by the Mr Harper: My hon. Friend makes some very good previous Government and I am proud to be introducing points, but I do not think I will be able to do them it. On that basis, I commend the Bill to the House. justice in the four and a bit minutes remaining to me. I Question put, That the Bill be now read a Second have placed in the Library a memorandum responding time. to the Clerk’s points, which Members can look at. We will deal with these issues—I am confident that my hon. The House divided: Ayes 311, Noes 23. Friend will raise them—in Committee. Division No. 61] [9.59 pm

Mr George Howarth: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman AYES for giving way. I think he will find, if he checks the Afriyie, Adam Barclay, Stephen record, that it was the Deputy Prime Minister and not I Aldous, Peter Barker, Gregory who got confused about Dissolution arrangements and Alexander, rh Danny Baron, Mr John votes of no confidence. Allen, Mr Graham Barwell, Gavin Amess, Mr David Bebb, Guto Mr Harper: That was not my recollection at all. I have Andrew, Stuart Beith, rh Sir Alan dealt with the issue of privilege that my hon. Friend the Bacon, Mr Richard Bellingham, Mr Henry Member for Stone (Mr Cash) raised. Bagshawe, Ms Louise Benyon, Richard Baker, Norman Bingham, Andrew There are a few speeches that I particularly want to Baker, Steve Birtwistle, Gordon mention. My hon. Friend the Member for Central Baldry, Tony Blackman, Bob Suffolk and North Ipswich (Dr Poulter) made an excellent, Baldwin, Harriett Blackwood, Nicola 705 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 706

Blunt, Mr Crispin Fullbrook, Lorraine Lee, Dr Phillip Randall, rh Mr John Boles, Nick Fuller, Richard Leech, Mr John Reckless, Mark Bone, Mr Peter Gale, Mr Roger Lefroy, Jeremy Redwood, rh Mr John Bottomley, Peter Garnier, Mark Leslie, Charlotte Reevell, Simon Bradley, Karen Gauke, Mr David Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Reid, Mr Alan Brady, Mr Graham George, Andrew Lewis, Brandon Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Brake, Tom Gibb, Mr Nick Lewis, Dr Julian Robathan, Mr Andrew Bray, Angie Gilbert, Stephen Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Robertson, Hugh Brazier, Mr Julian Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Lidington, Mr David Rogerson, Dan Bridgen, Andrew Glen, John Lilley, rh Mr Peter Rosindell, Andrew Brine, Mr Steve Goldsmith, Zac Lord, Jonathan Rudd, Amber Brokenshire, James Goodwill, Mr Robert Loughton, Tim Russell, Bob Brooke, Annette Gove, rh Michael Lucas, Caroline Rutley, David Bruce, Fiona Graham, Richard Luff, Peter Sanders, Mr Adrian Bruce, rh Malcolm Grant, Mrs Helen Lumley, Karen Sandys, Laura Buckland, Mr Robert Gray, Mr James Main, Mrs Anne Scott, Mr Lee Burns, Conor Grayling, rh Chris Maude, rh Mr Francis Selous, Andrew Burns, Mr Simon Greening, Justine May, rh Mrs Theresa Shapps, rh Grant Burrowes, Mr David Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Maynard, Paul Sharma, Alok Burstow, Mr Paul Griffiths, Andrew McCartney, Jason Shelbrooke, Alec Burt, Alistair Gummer, Ben McCartney, Karl Simmonds, Mark Burt, Lorely Gyimah, Mr Sam McCrea, Dr William Simpson, David Byles, Dan Hague, rh Mr William McIntosh, Miss Anne Skidmore, Chris Cable, rh Vince Halfon, Robert McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Smith, Miss Chloe Cairns, Alun Hames, Duncan McPartland, Stephen Smith, Henry Smith, Julian Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Hammond, rh Mr Philip McVey, Esther Carmichael, Mr Alistair Hammond, Stephen Smith, Sir Robert Menzies, Mark Carmichael, Neil Hancock, Matthew Soames, Nicholas Mercer, Patrick Chishti, Rehman Hancock, Mr Mike Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Metcalfe, Stephen Clappison, Mr James Hands, Greg Spencer, Mr Mark Miller, Maria Clark, rh Greg Harper, Mr Mark Stanley, rh Sir John Clarke, rh Mr Kenneth Harrington, Richard Mills, Nigel Stephenson, Andrew Clegg, rh Mr Nick Harris, Rebecca Milton, Anne Stevenson, John Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hart, Simon Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Stewart, Bob Collins, Damian Harvey, Nick Moore, rh Michael Stewart, Iain Colvile, Oliver Hayes, Mr John Mordaunt, Penny Stewart, Rory Crabb, Stephen Heald, Mr Oliver Morgan, Nicky Stride, Mel Crockart, Mike Heath, Mr David Morris, Anne Marie Stuart, Mr Graham Crouch, Tracey Heaton-Harris, Chris Morris, David Stunell, Andrew Davey, Mr Edward Hemming, John Morris, James Sturdy, Julian Davies, David T. C. Henderson, Gordon Mowat, David Swales, Ian (Monmouth) Hendry, Charles Mulholland, Greg Swayne, Mr Desmond Davies, Glyn Herbert, rh Nick Mundell, rh David Swinson, Jo de Bois, Nick Hinds, Damian Munt, Tessa Swire, Mr Hugo Dinenage, Caroline Hoban, Mr Mark Murray, Sheryll Syms, Mr Robert Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Hollingbery, George Murrison, Dr Andrew Teather, Sarah Hopkins, Kris Timpson, Mr Edward Dodds, rh Mr Nigel Neill, Robert Horwood, Martin Tomlinson, Justin Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Newmark, Mr Brooks Howell, John Truss, Elizabeth Doyle-Price, Jackie Newton, Sarah Hughes, Simon Turner, Mr Andrew Drax, Richard Nokes, Caroline Huhne, rh Chris Tyrie, Mr Andrew Offord, Mr Matthew Duddridge, James Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Uppal, Paul Duncan, rh Mr Alan Hunter, Mark Ollerenshaw, Eric Vaizey, Mr Edward Dunne, Mr Philip Hurd, Mr Nick Opperman, Guy Vara, Mr Shailesh Ellis, Michael Jackson, Mr Stewart Osborne, rh Mr George Vickers, Martin Ellison, Jane James, Margot Ottaway, Richard Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Ellwood, Mr Tobias Javid, Sajid Paice, Mr James Walker, Mr Robin Elphicke, Charlie Johnson, Gareth Paisley, Ian Wallace, Mr Ben Eustice, George Johnson, Joseph Parish, Neil Ward, Mr David Evans, Graham Jones, Andrew Patel, Priti Watkinson, Angela Evans, Jonathan Jones, Mr David Paterson, rh Mr Owen Webb, Steve Evennett, Mr David Jones, Mr Marcus Pawsey, Mark Wharton, James Fabricant, Michael Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Penning, Mike Wheeler, Heather Fallon, Michael Knight, rh Mr Greg Penrose, John White, Chris Farron, Tim Kwarteng, Kwasi Perry, Claire Whittingdale, Mr John Featherstone, Lynne Laing, Mrs Eleanor Phillips, Stephen Willetts, rh Mr David Field, Mr Mark Lancaster, Mark Pickles, rh Mr Eric Williams, Mr Mark Foster, Mr Don Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Pincher, Christopher Williams, Roger Fox,rhDrLiam Latham, Pauline Poulter, Dr Daniel Williamson, Gavin Francois, rh Mr Mark Laws, rh Mr David Pritchard, Mark Wilson, Mr Rob Freeman, George Leadsom, Andrea Pugh, Dr John Wollaston, Dr Sarah Freer, Mike Lee, Jessica Raab, Mr Dominic Wright, Jeremy 707 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 708

Yeo, Mr Tim Tellers for the Ayes: Baker, Steve Fabricant, Michael Young, rh Sir George and Baldry, Tony Fallon, Michael Zahawi, Nadhim Norman Lamb Baldwin, Harriett Farron, Tim Barclay, Stephen Featherstone, Lynne Barker, Gregory Field, Mr Mark NOES Baron, Mr John Foster, Mr Don Carswell, Mr Douglas Nuttall, Mr David Barwell, Gavin Fox,rhDrLiam Cash, Mr William Percy, Andrew Bebb, Guto Francois, rh Mr Mark Connarty, Michael Pound, Stephen Beith, rh Sir Alan Freeman, George Cryer, John Robertson, Mr Laurence Bellingham, Mr Henry Freer, Mike Davidson, Mr Ian Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Benyon, Richard Fullbrook, Lorraine Davies, Geraint Shepherd, Mr Richard Bingham, Andrew Fuller, Richard Davies, Philip Shuker, Gavin Birtwistle, Gordon Gale, Mr Roger Harris, Mr Tom Skinner, Mr Dennis Blackman, Bob Garnier, Mark Havard, Mr Dai Smith, Owen Blackwood, Nicola Gauke, Mr David Hollobone, Mr Philip Walker, Mr Charles Blunt, Mr Crispin George, Andrew Jenkin, Mr Bernard Tellers for the Noes: Boles, Nick Gibb, Mr Nick Leslie, Chris Mr George Howarth and Bottomley, Peter Gilbert, Stephen Mitchell, Austin Mr Christopher Chope Bradley, Karen Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Brake, Tom Glen, John Bray, Angie Goldsmith, Zac Question accordingly agreed to. Brazier, Mr Julian Goodwill, Mr Robert Bill read a Second time. Bridgen, Andrew Gove, rh Michael Brine, Mr Steve Graham, Richard Brokenshire, James Grant, Mrs Helen FIXED-TERM PARLIAMENTS BILL Brooke, Annette Gray, Mr James (PROGRAMME) Bruce, Fiona Grayling, rh Chris Motion made, and Question put forthwith, (Standing Bruce, rh Malcolm Greening, Justine Order No. 83A(7)), Buckland, Mr Robert Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Burns, Conor Griffiths, Andrew That the following provisions shall apply to the Fixed-term Parliaments Bill: Burns, Mr Simon Gummer, Ben Burrowes, Mr David Gyimah, Mr Sam Committal Burstow, Mr Paul Hague, rh Mr William 1. The Bill shall be committed to a Committee of the whole Burt, Alistair Halfon, Robert House. Burt, Lorely Hames, Duncan Proceedings in Committee Byles, Dan Hammond, rh Mr Philip 2. Proceedings in Committee of the whole House shall be Cable, rh Vince Hammond, Stephen completed in two days. Cairns, Alun Hancock, Matthew 3. The proceedings shall be taken in the following order: Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Hancock, Mr Mike Clauses 1 to 4; the Schedule; Clause 5; new Clauses; new Schedules; Carmichael, Mr Alistair Hands, Greg remaining proceedings on the Bill. Carmichael, Neil Harper, Mr Mark Chishti, Rehman Harrington, Richard 4. The proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) Clappison, Mr James Harris, Rebecca be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on the Clark, rh Greg Hart, Simon second day. Clarke, rh Mr Kenneth Harvey, Nick 5. Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall Clegg, rh Mr Nick Hayes, Mr John not apply to the proceedings on the Bill in Committee of the Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Heald, Mr Oliver whole House. Collins, Damian Heath, Mr David Consideration and Third Reading Colvile, Oliver Heaton-Harris, Chris 6. Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously Crabb, Stephen Hemming, John concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the Crockart, Mike Henderson, Gordon moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings Crouch, Tracey Hendry, Charles are commenced. Davey, Mr Edward Herbert, rh Nick 7. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously Davies, David T. C. Hinds, Damian concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption (Monmouth) Hoban, Mr Mark on that day. Davies, Glyn Hollingbery, George 8. Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall de Bois, Nick Hopkins, Kris not apply to proceedings on consideration and Third Reading. Dinenage, Caroline Horwood, Martin Other proceedings Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Howell, John Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Hughes, Simon 9. Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings Doyle-Price, Jackie Huhne, rh Chris on consideration of Lords Amendments or on any further messages from the Lords) may be programmed.—(Angela Watkinson.) Drax, Richard Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Duddridge, James Hunter, Mark The House divided: Ayes 304, Noes 27. Duncan, rh Mr Alan Hurd, Mr Nick Division No. 62] [10.14 pm Ellis, Michael Jackson, Mr Stewart Ellison, Jane James, Margot AYES Ellwood, Mr Tobias Javid, Sajid Elphicke, Charlie Johnson, Gareth Afriyie, Adam Andrew, Stuart Eustice, George Johnson, Joseph Aldous, Peter Bacon, Mr Richard Evans, Graham Jones, Andrew Alexander, rh Danny Bagshawe, Ms Louise Evans, Jonathan Jones, Mr , Mr David Baker, Norman Evennett, Mr David Jones, Mr Marcus 709 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 13 SEPTEMBER 2010 710

Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Phillips, Stephen Willetts, rh Mr David Yeo, Mr Tim Knight, rh Mr Greg Pickles, rh Mr Eric Williams, Mr Mark Young, rh Sir George Kwarteng, Kwasi Pincher, Christopher Williamson, Gavin Zahawi, Nadhim Laing, Mrs Eleanor Poulter, Dr Daniel Wilson, Mr Rob Tellers for the Ayes: Lancaster, Mark Pritchard, Mark Wollaston, Dr Sarah Mr Philip Dunne and Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Pugh, Dr John Wright, Jeremy Norman Lamb Latham, Pauline Raab, Mr Dominic Laws, rh Mr David Randall, rh Mr John Leadsom, Andrea Reckless, Mark NOES Lee, Jessica Redwood, rh Mr John Allen, Mr Graham Llwyd, Mr Elfyn Lee, Dr Phillip Reevell, Simon Bone, Mr Peter Lucas, Caroline Leech, Mr John Reid, Mr Alan Cash, Mr William McCrea, Dr William Lefroy, Jeremy Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Chope, Mr Christopher Rees-Mogg, Jacob Leslie, Charlotte Robathan, Mr Andrew Connarty, Michael Shepherd, Mr Richard Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Robertson, Hugh Cryer, John Shuker, Gavin Lewis, Brandon Robertson, Mr Laurence Davidson, Mr Ian Simpson, David Lewis, Dr Julian Rogerson, Dan Davies, Philip Skinner, Mr Dennis Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Rosindell, Andrew Dodds, rh Mr Nigel Walker, Mr Charles Lidington, Mr David Rudd, Amber Durkan, Mark Weir, Mr Mike Lilley, rh Mr Peter Russell, Bob Edwards, Jonathan Williams, Hywel Lord, Jonathan Rutley, David Harris, Mr Tom Wishart, Pete Loughton, Tim Sanders, Mr Adrian Hollobone, Mr Philip Tellers for the Noes: Luff, Peter Sandys, Laura Hosie, Stewart Ian Paisley and Lumley, Karen Scott, Mr Lee Jenkin, Mr Bernard Dr Eilidh Whiteford Main, Mrs Anne Selous, Andrew Maude, rh Mr Francis Shapps, rh Grant May, rh Mrs Theresa Sharma, Alok Question accordingly agreed to. Maynard, Paul Shelbrooke, Alec McCartney, Jason Simmonds, Mark Business without Debate McCartney, Karl Skidmore, Chris McIntosh, Miss Anne Smith, Miss Chloe BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Smith, Julian Ordered, McPartland, Stephen Smith, Sir Robert That, at the sitting on Wednesday 13 October, notwithstanding McVey, Esther Soames, Nicholas Standing Order No. 20 (Time for taking private business) the Menzies, Mark Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Private Business set down by the Chairman of Ways and Means Mercer, Patrick Spencer, Mr Mark may be entered upon at any hour, and may then be proceeded Metcalfe, Stephen Stanley, rh Sir John with, though opposed, for three hours, after which the Speaker Miller, Maria Stephenson, Andrew shall interrupt the business.—(Angela Watkinson.) Mills, Nigel Stevenson, John Milton, Anne Stewart, Bob INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Stewart, Iain Resolved, Moore, rh Michael Stewart, Rory Mordaunt, Penny Stride, Mel That , Sir Menzies Campbell, Mr Mark Field, Morgan, Nicky Stuart, Mr Graham Paul Goggins, Mr George Howarth, Dr Julian Lewis and Sir Malcolm Morris, Anne Marie Stunell, Andrew Rifkind be recommended to the Prime Minister for appointment to the Intelligence and Security Committee under section 10 of Morris, David Sturdy, Julian the Intelligence Services Act 1994.—(Angela Watkinson, on behalf Morris, James Swales, Ian of the Committee of Selection.) Mowat, David Swayne, Mr Desmond Mulholland, Greg Swinson, Jo PETITIONS Mundell, rh David Swire, Mr Hugo Munt, Tessa Syms, Mr Robert Murray, Sheryll Teather, Sarah Bromsgrove Railway Station Murrison, Dr Andrew Timpson, Mr Edward Neill, Robert Tomlinson, Justin 10.29 pm Newmark, Mr Brooks Truss, Elizabeth Sajid Javid (Bromsgrove) (Con): Thank you, Mr Speaker, Newton, Sarah Turner, Mr Andrew for this opportunity to present to the House of Commons Nokes, Caroline Tyrie, Mr Andrew this petition from the people of Bromsgrove, signed by Nuttall, Mr David Uppal, Paul more than 1,600 of my constituents. [Interruption.] Offord, Mr Matthew Vaizey, Mr Edward Ollerenshaw, Eric Vara, Mr Shailesh Mr Speaker: Order. I am sorry to interrupt the hon. Opperman, Guy Vickers, Martin Gentleman. I want to hear about the petition on behalf Osborne, rh Mr George Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa of the people of Bromsgrove, and I am sure that the Ottaway, Richard Walker, Mr Robin hon. Gentleman wants the House to listen courteously. Paice, Mr James Wallace, Mr Ben Members leaving should please do so quickly and quietly. Parish, Neil Ward, Mr David Patel, Priti Watkinson, Angela Sajid Javid: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Paterson, rh Mr Owen Webb, Steve The petition states: Pawsey, Mark Wharton, James The Petition of the people of Bromsgrove, Penning, Mike Wheeler, Heather Declares that the petitioners, whilst recognising the current Penrose, John White, Chris pressure on public finances, believe that the cost to the public Percy, Andrew Whittingdale, Mr John purse of a new railway station in Bromsgrove would be more than Perry, Claire Wiggin, Bill offset by the resulting economic and environmental benefits for 711 Business without Debate 13 SEPTEMBER 2010 712

[Sajid Javid] Urban Supermarkets (Planning) both Bromsgrove and the wider region; and notes that there is Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House uncertainty about the availability of government funding for this do now adjourn.—(Angela Watkinson.) project. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons 10.31 pm urges the Secretary of State for Transport to confirm that government (Chelsea and ) (Con): I am grateful funding for this vital infrastructural upgrade will go ahead. for the opportunity to raise in the short time available And the Petitioners remain, etc. this evening the issue of planning regulations for urban [P000858] supermarkets and convenience stores. There has been Dartford Crossing quite a lot of interest in these issues, both in this House and outside, so let me start by saying what I hope this debate will not be about. First, it is not about making a Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con): This petition is general attack on the growth of supermarkets and their one that I and many other hon. Members support, power in this country, which I am sure is a matter of including my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham fascination but would probably take us beyond the time and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch), who is in her place. The available. Nor is this debate about saying that we have Dartford crossing has been a scar on the face of Dartford too many supermarkets, although my constituency might for too long. have more than any other. According to The Daily The petition states: Telegraph, in January 2007 Bicester was called “Tesco The Petition of residents of North Kent, Town” because it had six outlets, yet one street alone Declares that the petitioners believe that the Dartford Crossing in my constituency—Fulham road—has more than should not be sold or privatised. 10 branches of Tesco. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons Nor is this debate about the important role that small urges the Government to ensure that the Dartford Crossing shops and a diversified retail base can have. I support, remains in public ownership. for example, the campaign on that And the Petitioners remain, etc. [P000859] issue, although it should also be recognised that there are parts of the world, such as Fulham, that suffer from not having a high street with the chain stores that one might expect. I am also careful not to prescribe too much Government interference in this area. I take the view that, after all, there would not be 10 Tescos on Fulham road in my constituency if there was no customer demand for them. Tesco and the other supermarkets are, after all, successful private sector enterprises that study and understand their customers effectively. This debate is about empowering local authorities to defend residents who face the immediate consequences of an urban supermarket or convenience store setting up nearby, next door or, at worst, below them. There is currently no planning classification for supermarkets or similar outlets: they are classified as A1, like any other retail shop. Many urban local supermarkets—if not the great majority—have been set up on the premises of other retail outlets, for which they do not require planning permission. Furthermore, planning permission is not generally required for converting many other premises into urban supermarkets. I shall illustrate that phenomenon in due course, but it can include conversion from pubs, cafés, banks or building societies, estate agents’ offices, and so on. Pretty much any customer-focused premises can be converted into a supermarket. Such changes are generally viewed as permitted development in the planning system. The problem is one that I have been aware of for the past 12 years, since being elected for the first time as a councillor in the urban area of Hammersmith and Fulham. As it happens, 1998 was the same year that the very first Sainsbury’s Local supermarket was established, on Fulham Palace road, in what was part of my constituency before this year’s boundary changes. It was a first, and that model of urban supermarket has now been rolled out by Sainsbury’s, Tesco and others, with huge success. It has met customer demand in urban areas—not least from the likes of me, as I do not have a car. Before this debate, Sainsbury’s provided me with figures which show that, since that first Sainsbury’s 713 Urban Supermarkets (Planning)13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Urban Supermarkets (Planning) 714

Local opened on Fulham Palace road, a further 334 protection for the benefit of the residents above. That Sainsbury’s Local convenience stores have opened in was possible only because it was a new build and the the UK. No one doubts that it has been a huge success. local authority was able, because it had to grant full A number of voices have been raised to try to change planning permission, to impose such a restriction, with or tighten the planning rules. For example, as recently which the supermarket had to comply. as July 2010, the London Assembly published its report, That was a rare success, however, and I am afraid to “Cornered shops: London’s small shops and the planning say that other residents have had much less happy system”, which recommended dividing the A1 class into experiences in recent years. Let me first detail the case supermarkets on the one hand, and—broadly speaking—all of the Salisbury Tavern on Sherbrooke road in Fulham. other retail units on the other. The Assembly felt that To my certain knowledge, it had been a public house for that would allow local authorities to control the proliferation decades. It became a rather successful gastro-pub in of supermarkets. about 2001, but in recent years the population of Fulham My objective is rather different. It is not arbitrarily to has changed. It has aged a little and become more restrict the number of such outlets, but to allow local family-oriented, and many of the gastro-pubs have authorities to ensure that the new store either has no been closing. So, after many decades, the Salisbury negative impact on nearby residents or at least reduces Tavern closed down. Tesco appeared from nowhere, and it. In other words, the planning system, through local before anyone really had time to react, it was approved authorities, would nudge the supermarket companies in April 2010 to convert the premises. into changing their behaviour, becoming better neighbours, Permitted development rules allowed a change of use and reducing noise and other environmental impacts. from class A4 to class A1. Some small planning permissions To put it more simply, they would be able to get their were needed, for illuminated signage, the installation of change of use if they installed noise abatement measures, an ATM and an air-conditioning unit. However, we especially in relation to refrigeration units, if they restricted should note that, as far as I could tell, they were not delivery times to after 7 am or 8 am, if they ensured that needed for the inevitable refrigeration units that were no alcohol was served after 10 pm, and so on. going to be installed or for the restrictions on opening hours, delivery times and so forth. When it comes to Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) (Lab): I thank the things that really impact on neighbours, the council had hon. Gentleman for giving way. When he gives that few, if any, powers in this case. The local community gentle nudge to the supermarkets, will he bear in mind around Dawes road hope that Tesco will be a good the fact that, in the run-up to Christmas, they often neighbour, but there does not appear to be anything install floodlit marquees containing refrigerated units? pushing it in that direction. They do not worry about local authority planning The third example takes us back to Fulham road. It is regulations because the marquees are removed after not the opening of the 11th Tesco there; permission has 28 days, when Christmas has passed, and that is how been sought to convert in order to create another Sainsbury’s long it would take to do anything about them. Supermarkets Local. The three existing retail units—an A3, A2 and do this regularly, and it causes great annoyance and an A1 class—are to be converted to create one single A1 disturbance to local residents. premises, a Sainsbury’s Local. The council tells me that that constitutes permitted development and does not Greg Hands: I thank the hon. Lady for that intervention, require planning permission. There are some smaller and I am sure that the Minister will wish to respond to ancillary applications related to the installation of an her point. It sounds as though such temporary structures ATM, some illuminated signage and some machine would require planning permission, but I am not intimately plant, for example. I shall probably object to them, but I familiar with that. We do not have a lot of space to erect am not hopeful of any real success because the grounds temporary marquees in Chelsea and Fulham, but they on which I would like to object are unlikely to be taken sound as though they should be covered by existing into account. If the new Sainsbury’s at the North End regulations. road is anything to go by, it will have a dramatic impact My objective is to ensure that the planning system on its neighbours above, alongside and in the immediate works for local people, particularly those finding themselves vicinity. living near, next to or above a supermarket. I do not Finally, I want to illustrate this phenomenon with want local authorities to micro-manage retail frontages, reference to the misery that the Heap family has faced flying in the face of customer demand, but I do want on North End road over the past five or six years. The supermarkets to try to become better neighbours. Let Heaps are tenants of the Notting Hill housing trust, me illustrate that with four examples from my constituency. and I know them to be quiet, clean-living, working The first involves a success story. In 1998, I worked people who take great pride in their home. They are not closely with residents on Parsons Green lane who had wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. Until 2004 or bought flats in a new development called The Square, 2005, the retail premises below them had for a considerable which was above proposed retail premises. I was told period been used as a bed shop. We all know that such later that the residents had been informed, during the retail outlets have been going out of fashion, as people process of buying their flats, that there was to be an tend to buy at Ikea or purchase on the internet. Almost antiques store below them. As one might expect, however, inevitably, the bed shop in the centre of Fulham closed given that the development was opposite Parsons Green down and Sainsbury came along and opened a Sainsbury’s tube station—some would say that it was almost Local. I could be wrong, but I do not believe that any inevitable—it turned out not to be an antiques store but planning permission was needed, except for the ancillary a branch of Budgens. Working closely with the council, features such as the ATM and some signage. No planning however, we managed to get restrictions put in place, application was necessary for the considerable refrigeration and Budgens effectively floated the ceiling—I believe units put in or for the new goods lift, which makes a lot that that is the terminology—by putting in new acoustic of noise at rather inconvenient hours of the day. 715 Urban Supermarkets (Planning)13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Urban Supermarkets (Planning) 716

[Greg Hands] and Fulham (Greg Hands) on securing this debate about planning regulations on urban supermarkets and This should begin to illustrate why I believe supermarkets convenience stores, which is a concerning area of policy are different from other retail or A1 uses. Refrigeration for many of his constituents. The debate seems quite units can and do have huge impacts in terms of noise, well attended compared with some I have seen in the especially in Victorian buildings. The same goes for past. industrial lifts, delivery palettes, daily early morning The debate has raised important issues around balancing deliveries, again with refrigeration—in this case, the sustainable development with community needs, so I units in the lorries. The impact on the Heaps’ quality of am pleased to be able to respond. My hon. Friend is life has been devastating. Unlike in the Budgens example particularly concerned about problems that might arise I cited earlier, Sainsbury was not obliged to do anything in the planning process, where planning permission is to design in noise abatement at the converted premises. not required to change the use of a building. First, Throughout, Sainsbury has treated the Heaps, the however, it would be helpful if I set those issues in Notting Hill housing trust and me with a mixture of context. foot dragging and obfuscation. In my eight years as the To achieve the aim of balanced and sustainable Heaps’ local councillor and then my five and a half communities, we need homes, jobs, leisure facilities and years as their MP, I have had perhaps half a dozen site places to shop in locations where they can be accessed meetings with Sainsbury—quite a lot for an individual by all. That is why we focus new development and item of MP casework. Every time, small, incremental activities in the cities, towns and villages in which we improvements are promised by Sainsbury, but only live. However, we understand the tensions that occasionally some are delivered and they are often reversed, as with arise from locating different types of development and the installation of acoustical flooring. Staff are told to land uses next to one another. That is why it is important be more respectful, but it rarely lasts. Senior management to have a planning system that balances the need to occasionally respond to e-mails from me, but almost allow businesses to grow with protections for the community never to those from the Heaps. I have called the office of from the negative impacts of some development. The Justin King himself on a number of occasions, chasing planning process seeks to ensure that our communities up responses, as has Notting Hill—but it has similarly get the right type of development, located in the right had no real response. To be fair, Sainsbury is now locations, to maximise benefits for all, and to prevent, promising what appear to be better improvements, but as far as possible, negative impacts. only as a result of my securing this debate tonight. Miraculously, it appears to have sprung into action and Where proposed developments are likely to cause answered many of my requests over the summer. problems for neighbours, local planning authorities already To conclude, the Minister will know better than me have powers to attach planning conditions to permissions. what overall approach our new coalition Government Those conditions are aimed at preventing the problems are taking towards supermarkets, in respect of planning from ever occurring. For example, a local planning and of competition matters, which I have not dwelled authority may impose a condition that can specify time on tonight. Certainly, the below-cost selling of alcohol limits within which deliveries to a shop may take place, is attracting attention. I think that the time has come to to avoid traffic congestion or noise sensitivity issues in try to effect a new classification in the planning rules for the vicinity of the development. supermarkets or to allow tighter local authority controls Of course, local planning authorities can also use over changes in classification so that additional resident- planning conditions to restrict certain uses to particular friendly conditions might be able to be applied. In that sites. Where a local planning authority thinks that sense, I might agree with the London Assembly, although problems may occur, it can restrict planning permission I think we are approaching the problem from rather for a shop to non-food A1 use class only. That could be different angles. used, for example, to prevent a hairdresser’s becoming a I appreciate that this throws up some issues of convenience store. By using those powers properly, local definition—for example, what actually constitutes a planning authorities can prevent the types of conflict supermarket or a convenience store, which is obviously that my hon. Friend has mentioned, particularly in vital when planning regulations are being designed. The residential and more sensitive areas. Similarly, planning key definition for me might include the use of large-scale permission is still required if a change of use of a refrigeration. By requiring supermarkets to get planning building needed significant structural alterations: for permission, we empower local authorities—and thereby example, if the change of use required changing the local communities—to secure improvements and street frontage of a shop. Those are all important environmental changes that will improve lives in the safeguards of the interests of local residents. immediate vicinity. Having set that context, let me move on to the specific I start as someone who is not naturally hostile to subject of this evening’s debate—the problems that can expanding private enterprises, such as supermarkets, arise when planning permission is not needed, because which are seeking to meet customer demand. However, the use class order allows one type of shop to be urban convenience stores, and Sainsbury’s in particular, converted into another type without planning permission. need to do much better in their communities. I urge the Let me explain the background to the use classes order, Minister to take another look at the matter, and I look because its purpose is often misunderstood. The order forward to his response. was introduced to remove unnecessary planning applications from the planning system, and, therefore, to speed up 10.45 pm the system. The use classes order groups together uses The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for that have similar land-use impacts and characteristics Communities and Local Government (Robert Neill): I into classes. Changes of use within a class are not congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Chelsea considered to be development and therefore do not 717 Urban Supermarkets (Planning)13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Urban Supermarkets (Planning) 718 require planning permission. Relevant to this discussion particularly those with a strong community presence, is the A1 use class, which includes a range of different such as supermarket chains—to take them seriously shopping types including corner shops, supermarkets, and respond positively. retail warehouses and post offices. Of course, I accept Local authorities also have wider responsibilities and that two developments, even if categorised in the same powers to investigate complaints about problems such use class, may not have exactly the same operating as noise. Authorities must take “all reasonable steps″ to characteristics. Shops, for example, can have different investigate any complaint in relation to noise. I have no opening or delivery times. doubt that the local authority cited by my hon. Friend As my hon. Friend pointed out, the planning system is diligent and well aware of those powers. Authorities grants further flexibility by allowing some changes of are expected to raise the issue with the person or use between classes without the need for planning organisation causing the nuisance, giving the details of applications. That applies when the impact of the proposed the complaint and asking for steps to be taken to reduce use is considered to be less than that of the existing use. the noise. If the local authority believes a statutory Obviously it did not happen in this instance, but it is an nuisance is occurring, or is likely to occur or recur, it important aspect of the system. Hot food takeaways, must take action. pubs, restaurants and financial services such as banks That is where we are at the moment and we do not can all convert to shops without requiring planning want to dismiss my hon. Friend’s concerns. There may applications if the impact on neighbours is regarded as always be individual cases where the balance between being less than that of the existing use. The key difference avoiding bureaucratic overload by requiring permission in this instance is that local authorities have the power for a simple change of use and guarding against to remove that freedom of movement and require planning unacceptable impacts gives rise to unintended consequences. permission if there is local concern about such a With more and different types of retail activity and development. means of dealing with storage, for example, one must be I take the concerns of my hon. Friend’s constituents alert to changing circumstances that may not have been seriously, and I recognise that at times there will be anticipated when the regulations were drafted. I have a tensions between businesses and their neighbours. However, lot of sympathy for this situation and, as I have indicated, we must not forget that the planning system cannot deal I would hope that the local authorities use powers with all community tensions. The system is often criticised against nuisance if that is the appropriate route. for being slow and bureaucratic. It can create a significant The point raised by the hon. Member for West Lancashire amount of work for local planning authorities; it can (Rosie Cooper) relates rather more to the case of the also act as a disincentive to development, thus stifling operation of the rules in relation to temporary permission economic and physical regeneration. That can frustrate rather than use classes, but it is a legitimate area of the legitimate development that we all need. Planning concern. I do not doubt that. controls should be introduced only when there is a strong case for doing so. Rosie Cooper: The Local Government Association and local authorities know that supermarkets will breach Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): In a case in my their planning consent for six or seven weeks each year constituency, the fact that there was no need for a coming up to Christmas. By the time authorities act, the change-of-use permission removed the trigger mechanism supermarkets have taken things down and it does not that sometimes acts as an early warning in the planning matter. They are flouting the rules and getting away system. A shop that has invested several hundred thousand with it. The LGA is looking to us to try to do something pounds is three doors from what is about to become a about it. local branch of a chain of supermarkets. Will the Minister comment, or at least reflect, on the fact that Robert Neill: I understand that, which is why I am the ease with which change of use was allowed, enabling about to set out the way in which we will address these a pub to become a Sainsbury’s Local, removed the concerns. We are keeping the use classes order under trigger mechanism that might have informed other local review, but at present we feel that the balance that it shops, as well as residential neighbours, of what was in strikes is about right. However, there are specific issues the pipeline? that need to be examined. We are determined to do more to help local planning authorities and communities Robert Neill: I will reflect on that, and explain the shape the places in which people live. ways in which we propose to deal with such issues in a Much of the coalition’s work since May has therefore moment. The example given by my hon. Friend highlights focused on overseeing a fundamental shift of power the balance that must be struck between competition away from Westminster to councils and communities. and trading opportunities between different operators We believe that, generally, planning should be a local in the same area on the one hand, and legitimate matter, with planning decisions being made at local planning considerations on the other. Sometimes there level wherever possible. We will ensure that national appears to be an overlap between the two in the minds planning policies support local decision making. In the of the general public, which is not so easy to translate past, national planning objectives have been set out into planning law. through a series of planning policy guidance notes, and Let me return to the issue of the impacts of changes more recently planning policy statements. These cover a of activity that do not require permission. In general, broad range of policy themes and are piecemeal in we would expect businesses to operate responsibly, and nature. This is why we said in the coalition agreement to be sensitive to the communities within which they that we will publish and present to Parliament a simple operate. When neighbours raise legitimate concerns and consolidated national planning framework covering about development, it is in the interests of businesses— all forms of development. This simple and consolidated 719 Urban Supermarkets (Planning)13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Urban Supermarkets (Planning) 720

[Robert Neill] response to the legitimate needs of development on the one hand and the equally legitimate concerns of the framework will set out not only what the Government’s neighbours of those who carry out economic activity economic and environmental priorities are, but how on the other. The coalition’s proposals for that framework they relate to each other. Such a framework would also provide a good opportunity for us to address sensibly set out in general terms but in sufficient detail to precisely the issues raised in this debate. provide clarity what was expected, both of the planning Question put and agreed to. system and in terms of delivering national priorities. We will make an announcement—in short order, I hope—as to how we propose to take forward the national 10.59 pm planning framework and the implications for specific House adjourned. areas of policy. That is an appropriate vehicle to look at the operation of the PPSs and PPGs. In pulling together a more holistic approach with the national framework, I suggest that that is the appropriate vehicle by which the Government can address what may have been anomalies CORRECTION or circumstances that have arisen since the previous use classes orders were drawn up and to see if what we have now remains appropriate for the future. There may be Official Report, 9 September 2010: In column 566, in ways in which we can better achieve a fair and proportionate Division No. 59, add “Newmark, Brooks”, in the Noes. 29WS Written Ministerial Statements13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 30WS

Reported against measures agreed with the corporate customer, Written Ministerial and baselined against the 2009-10 customer satisfaction survey, to achieve for Government customers, all in the “very” or “fairly satisfied” categories. Statements Reported against measures agreed with the corporate customer, to establish a baseline for non-Government customers against Monday 13 September 2010 the 2009-10 customer satisfaction surveys. Both measures will be underpinned by a continuous improvement process driven by project feedback gained through the year DEFENCE and reported to the Strategic Advisory Board. Operations/Policy Delivery Regulation, Policy and Risk HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Deployment (Afghanistan) To support a strong and sustainable economy through the delivery of effective policy outcomes and reduce the regulatory burden on industry. The Minister for the Armed Forces (Nick Harvey): Delivering of contracted work with DEFRA and other The Secretary of State for Defence has endorsed the Government Departments (OGD) within agreed deadlines deployment of elements of NATO’s Headquarters Allied and budgets. Rapid Reaction Corps (HQ ARRC) to Afghanistan Achieving delivery within the monthly RAG report of 100% in from January 2011 to January 2012. any one quarter of green/amber or better for all policy-related annexes of the DEFRA/FERA service level agreement (SLA). HQ ARRC is one of NATO’s nine Graduated Readiness Measurable improvements in achievement of inspection targets Forces (Land) (GRF(L)), standing headquarters which such that infraction is avoided. provide augmentation, on a rotational basis, to the Implementation of key recommended actions arising from ISAF Joint Command in Kabul. HQ ARRC’s personnel Hampton implementation review. will take on the augmentation role from elements of the Research and Development French-led GRF(L) that are currently deployed and To deliver outputs from strategic and applied research, will be replaced in turn by staff from the Eurocorps scientific services, and environmental monitoring and GRF(L) and the Spanish GRF(L). surveillance work to agreed deadlines, quality standards HQ ARRC is a UK-led multinational headquarters and formats. staffed by personnel from 15 allied nations. In the order Meet all project milestones, deliver within agreed budgets of 250 headquarters’ staff will deploy at any one time, of and publish reports in accordance with agreed dates and which up to 189 will be UK. As a NATO deployment of formats. NATO-assigned personnel, the UK contribution will Within the monthly RAG report, deliver all within each not be considered as part of the UK’s established and quarter of projects to green/amber standard or above for all enduring force level, which remains at 9,500. evidence/research based annexes within the DEFRA/FERA The deployment of elements of HQ ARRC will ensure SLA agreement. the operational effectiveness of the ISAF Joint Command To maintain (appropriate) scientific quality standards as throughout 2011 and demonstrates the UK’s continued demonstrated by independent audits for example ISO 9001 etc. commitment both to NATO and to the international Published research reports to meet or exceed the expectations mission in Afghanistan. of DEFRA/OGD customer needs as supported by feedback from them Capacity and Capability ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS To develop DEFRA’Sand the ’s incident response capability and to demonstrate the robustness Food and Environment Research Agency of FERA business continuity and contingency plans. Chemical Biological Radioactive Nuclear (CBRN) services to deliver projects to time, cost and agreed outcomes as The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and specified in the DEFRA/FERA SLA annex number 5. Rural Affairs (Mrs ): I have set the Developing FERA business continuity and contingency plans Food and Environment Research Agency—FERA—the and moving to alignment with BS25999. following performance targets for 2010-11: Develop and maintain a culture of ownership and Value for Money, Financial Performance and Efficiency accountability that is appropriately led, and that values To demonstrate that the year on year planned savings everyone for their contribution. from the establishment of FERA continue to be achieved. Achieve a 3% increase in the staff engagement measure as Achievement of the financial savings as defined in the agency compared to the baseline from the 2009-2010 Government-wide merger cost-benefit statement. staff survey To meet agreed efficiency targets for 2010-11 and achieve Provide appropriate and targeted coaching and staff development full economic cost recovery for regulatory services from programmes to maximise staff potential in the support of April 2011. agency objectives To achieve a balanced budget and to meet the financial and Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate efficiency targets set for the agency consistently demonstrating Drive value through synergies across the FERA estate value for money. that maximise the exploitation of assets. Customers (Internal and External) Meet the delivery targets of the FERA sustainable development To support sustainable food production through the action plan. provision of internationally respected, trusted, independent To maximise the value of the Sand Hutton site with the aim and impartial advice to both Government and external of attracting other organisations to occupy a minimum area customers. of 200 square metres. 31WS Written Ministerial Statements13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 32WS

To meet the Departments’ sustainability targets as applied to policy.But treaty changes which do not transfer competence science/laboratory based agencies. or power from the UK to the EU would not be subject To produce a water usage reduction five-year action plan. to a referendum. For example, accession treaties that Further details are given in the FERA business plan transfer competences and power from the acceding for 2010-11 a copy of which has been placed on the country to the EU, and which only amend treaty provisions FERA website. to the extent necessary to facilitate the accession, do not transfer competence or power from the UK to the EU, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE and so consequently would not be subject to a referendum. The transitional protocol on the composition of the (Forthcoming First Session European Parliament, which would temporarily amend Legislation) the number of MEPs, does not transfer any competence or power from the UK to the EU and so consequently would not be subject to a referendum. The Minister for Europe (Mr ): There has been a profound disconnection between the will of The coalition programme says that the Government the British people and the decisions taken in their name will ensure that there will be no transfer of competence by the British Government in respect of the European or power from the UK to the EU during this Parliament; Union. This Government are determined to reconnect and so there will be no such referendum during this with the British people by making themselves more Parliament. A referendum would be required only if the accountable for the decisions they take in relation to Government supported a proposed change and if that how the EU develops. We plan to decentralise the power change transferred power or competence from the UK from the Government to the British people, so the to the EU, and would be held before the Government people can make the big decisions on the direction of ratify such a change, or in the case of major ratchet the EU. This Government are committed to allowing clauses, agree formally to the use of the clause in the the British people to have their say on any future Council. As any EU treaty needs the unanimous agreement proposals to transfer powers from Britain to Brussels. of all EU member states including the UK, where the Government oppose any proposed treaty change, a Her Majesty’s Gracious Speech set out that the referendum would not be required. Government will bring forward a Bill later in this session which would ensure that in future this Parliament and The coalition agreement contains a clear commitment the British people have their say on any proposed transfer that this Government will not join, or prepare to join, of powers to the European Union. I want to update the the Euro in this Parliament; nor will this Government House at this stage on the progress made so far in agree to the UK’s participation in the establishment of preparing this legislation. any European Public Prosecutor. Furthermore, this The Government will introduce a Bill which would Government will ensure that any future proposal to do require that: either of these will require a referendum of the British (a) any proposed future EU treaty, agreed by all EU member people. In addition, any proposal which would mean states’ Governments, including the UK Government, which the UK giving up its border controls, or any proposal to sought to transfer areas of power or competence from the adopt a common EU defence policy, would also require United Kingdom to the European Union would be subject a referendum of the British people before the Government to a referendum of the British people; and, could agree. (b) the use of ratchet clauses or passerelles, provisions in the existing EU Treaties, which allow the rules of the EU to be The Government will propose in this legislation that modified or expand without the need for a formal treaty an Act of Parliament is required before ratchet clauses change, would require an Act of Parliament before the are put into effect. This will give Parliament more Government could agree to its use. power over the decisions being taken by the Government. In addition, I set out in my statement to the House of Germany has a very similar policy already in place: to 6July,Official Report, column 6-7WS, that the forthcoming give the German Parliament more of a say over EU Bill would also make provision to enable the ratification decision-making, Germany has identified some areas by the UK of the EU transitional protocol concerning that require legislation or parliamentary approval either the composition of the European Parliament, in accordance before or following adoption by the EU of these ratchet with section 5 of the European Union (Amendment) clauses. Act 2008. There is no one agreed definition of a ratchet clause; Other EU member states, such as Ireland, France and some provide for a modification of the EU treaties Denmark already require referendums on changes to without recourse to formal treaty change, others are the EU treaties in certain circumstances. Our legislation one-way options already in the treaties which EU member will set out in detail the circumstances in which a states can decide together to exercise and which allow referendum would be required, and how Ministers would existing EU competence or powers to expand. Examples inform Parliament and the public of their decision as to include clauses which would add to what can be done whether a referendum should be held and the clear within existing areas of EU competence, such as the reasons for their decision. These formal ministerial ability to add to the existing rights of EU citizens; and decisions would be subject to judicial review. clauses on the composition or procedures of EU institutions The referendum requirement, or lock, would not and bodies, such as a change to the number of European catch all amendments or treaty changes. The lock would Commissioners. Where a ratchet clause would amount cover any proposed transfers of competence—the EU’s to the transfer of an area of competence or power from ability to act in a given area—between the UK and the the UK to the EU, such as the clause which would allow EU; and transfers of power, such as the giving up of certain decisions in common foreign and security policy UK national vetoes and moving to majority voting in to be taken by majority voting rather than by unanimity, significant areas, such as in common foreign and security 33WS Written Ministerial Statements13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 34WS we will also propose subjecting that ratchet clause to a of the benefits of this proposal is the greater certainty it referendum of the British people before the UK can brings to the parliamentary timetable. As a consequence, agree to its use. the Government believe that it would be appropriate to This Bill would allow the UK to continue to play a move towards five 12-month sessions over a Parliament, strong and positive role in the EU (just as their arrangements beginning and ending in the spring. This has the advantage allow other member states to do so) while increasing the of avoiding a final fifth session of only a few months, accountability and democratic legitimacy of the EU. which restricts the ability of Parliament to consider a This Bill would ensure that the British people are able full legislative programme. properly to have their say on any future transfers of Under this proposal, and subject to the passage of competence or power from the UK to the European the Bill, Her Majesty’s Gracious Speech on the occasion Union. of the state opening of Parliament will, in future, ordinarily take place in the spring, rather than in the autumn. In order to ensure a smooth transition, the Government LEADER OF THE HOUSE have decided that the current session of Parliament will run until around Easter 2012. The next state opening of Parliamentary Sessions Parliament will therefore take place shortly afterwards. In line with proceedings on the Fixed-term Parliaments Bill, the Government will then review the options for moving onto spring to spring annual sessions. The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir George Young): The Fixed-term Parliaments Bill proposes that I intend to give the House as much notice as possible parliamentary general elections will, ordinarily, take of future proposed recess dates and will issue a calendar place on the first Thursday in May, every five years. One of the future sitting days as soon as is practicable.

691W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 692W

April 2008, nor about how many of the passes issued Written Answers to are replacements or have subsequently been surrendered or withdrawn. Questions Dee Harbour

Monday 13 September 2010 Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to finalise the Dee Harbour Revision Order for publication. [13662]

TRANSPORT Mike Penning [holding answer 8 September 2010]: I Aviation: Volcanoes expect my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to determine this application from the Environment Agency and a related application from the Mostyn Docks Ltd. Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State as soon as possible. Consideration of this case has for Transport what recent discussions he has had with taken some time partly in order that parties to the representatives of the airline industry on compensation public inquiry should also be allowed the opportunity to those affected by the volcanic ash explosion; and if to comment on the report into the investigation of the he will make a statement. [15037] grounding of the cargo vessel Thunder at the approaches to the Dee estuary. Mrs Villiers: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State discussed the issue of financial assistance to cover Departmental ICT their losses arising from the disruption due to the volcanic ash cloud with UK airlines at a meeting on 1 Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for June. Since then, he has written to UK airlines and Transport which IT contracts awarded by his other air transport representative bodies informing them Department in each of the last five years have been of the Government’s decision not to provide financial abandoned; and what the monetary value of each such assistance in these circumstances. It must be for businesses contract was. [12723] to meet their own operating risks and the costs of their legal liabilities. The severe pressure on public finances Norman Baker: No such cases have been recorded also makes assistance unaffordable. centrally. However, a full review of all IT contracts, in The Government expects air carriers to honour their order to provide a complete answer, would incur obligations under the EU Denied Boarding and disproportionate cost. Cancellation Regulation 261 to provide assistance to passengers stranded abroad and to those wishing to Driving: Safety claim a refund for cancelled flights. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Bus Services: Concessions Transport if he will make it his policy to implement the recommendation of the North Committee report on Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for road safety and the drink-driving limit and bring Transport (1) what information his Department holds forward legislative proposals for a reduction on the on the number of people aged between 60 and 64 in the level of alcohol permitted for people to drive; and if he Tyne and Wear concessionary travel scheme who will make a statement. [14688] received free bus travel in the latest period for which figures are available; [14747] Mike Penning: Sir Peter North’s report covers a wide (2) what information his Department holds on the range of issues and makes 51 detailed recommendations, number of people (a) of eligible age and (b) otherwise which we need to consider carefully with other Government eligible in (i) England and (ii) the Tyne and Wear Departments. In doing so it is important that we fully concessionary travel scheme who received free bus travel investigate the economic impact of any suggested changes in the latest period for which figures are available. to the law, taking account of the current financial and [14748] economic situation. We aim to respond to the report by the end of the year. Norman Baker: According to Office for National Statistics figures, taken at the mid-point of 2009, there Highways Agency: Motor Vehicles are 11.5 million people aged 60 and over in England and 247,000 people aged 60 and over in Tyne and Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wear—of which 64,000 people are aged 60 to 64. The Transport how much the Highways Agency has spent Department for Transport does not have any figures for on purchasing vehicles in the last 12 months. [12141] the number of people eligible for concessionary travel by virtue of their disability. Mike Penning: In 2009-10, the Highways Agency The last information held by the Department was spent a total of £23 million on the purchase of new that as of 6 April this year, almost 10 million smartcard winter service vehicles (gritters). concessionary passes had been issued since the introduction The Highways Agency’s previous winter service vehicles of the England-wide concession in April 2008, of which comprised ‘Foden-Telstar’ spreaders, which were between Nexus had issued 302,827 passes. This includes passes 12 to 17-years-old, thus requiring increasing amounts issued to both eligible older and disabled people. The of maintenance to keep them operational. The equipment Department holds no data about passes issued prior to was falling behind with modern alternatives, which 693W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 694W allow flexibility to adapt to different treatment techniques are built or renovated. Transport operators also have a and materials, providing a more effective and efficient legal duty to consider the needs of disabled people winter service with less environmental impact. when publishing service information and providing booking The replacement of these winter service vehicles was and other facilities. commissioned using a four-year framework contract. We are also seeking to ensure that those who travel Total actual and forecast costs are as follows: have the confidence and basic skills to do so; that transport staff have the appropriate training to help £ million people; and that passengers can travel in a safe environment. For example, just over 1,000 stations are currently accredited 2008-09 (actual) 18.9 under the Secure Stations Scheme, and there are increasing 2009-10 (actual) 23 numbers of help points and CCTV cameras on our 2010-11 (actual and forecast) 112.5 public transport systems. 1 Of which £6 million has been spent between April 2010 to August 2010. Roads: Accidents The budget available for the final year of the framework contract cannot be confirmed until after the forthcoming Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for comprehensive spending review. Transport what his most recent estimate is of the cost The Highways Agency also spent £330,000 on a new to the public purse of a (a) fatality, (b) serious injury SCRIM vehicle (Sideway force Coefficient Routine and (c) slight injury caused by a road accident. [14825] Investigation Machine) for measuring the road surface skid resistance. Mike Penning: The information requested can be found in Table 2a in article 2 in Reported Road Casualties Traffic officer vehicles are provided on a lease basis Great Britain: 2008 Annual Report, copies of which are and the Highways Agency is charged a combined monthly available in the Libraries of the House. Estimates using fee that includes lease and maintenance. The total lease/ 2009 data will be published on 23 September 2010 in maintenance cost of the vehicles in financial year 2009-10 Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: 2009 Annual was £3,757,000. Report. Public Transport: Disability Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has commissioned recent Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of research into the likely effects on the number of people State for Transport what steps he is taking to improve (a) killed, (b) seriously injured and (c) slightly injured (a) access to and (b) safety on public transport for in road accidents of changes in the level of expenditure people with disabilities; and if he will make a on road safety measures. [14827] statement. [14428] Mike Penning: The Department for Transport has Norman Baker: The Department for Transport seeks not commissioned specific recent research. However the to improve access to and safety on public transport, STATS19 collision and casualty data received by the including for disabled people. For example, free off-peak Department are routinely monitored to identify any local bus travel throughout England has given the emerging trends, which in turn is used to inform policy opportunity for greater freedom and independence to decision making. around 11 million older and disabled people. By law, all newly built or refurbished public transport Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for vehicles must be accessible to disabled people. Over a Transport how many (a) children and (b) adults were third of all trains are already accessible, as is half the (i) killed, (ii) seriously injured and (iii) slightly injured bus fleet. Deadlines have been set for when all trains, in road accidents in each of the last five years. [14828] buses and coaches must be accessible. Disability legislation also covers infrastructure, such as bus and railway Mike Penning: The information requested is shown in stations. These are becoming more accessible as buildings the following table.

Reported child and adult road casualties by severity: GB 2005-09 Number of casualties Casualty severity Age 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Killed Child (0-15 years) 141 169 121 124 81 Adult (16+years) 3,051 2,994 2,817 2,413 2,141 All ages1 3,201 3,172 2,946 2,538 2,222 Seriously injured Child (0-15 years) 3,331 3,125 2,969 2,683 2,590 Adult (16+years) 25,031 25,057 24,285 22,898 21,758 All ages1 28,954 28,673 27,774 26,034 24,690 Slightly injured Child (0-15 years) 24,654 22,229 20,717 19,189 17,984 Adult (16+years) 207,339 198,442 190,872 178,271 173,685 All ages1 238,862 226,559 217,060 202,333 195,234 All casualties Child (0-15 years) 28,126 25,523 23,807 21,996 20,655 695W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 696W

Reported child and adult road casualties by severity: GB 2005-09 Number of casualties Casualty severity Age 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Adult (16+years) 235,421 226,493 217,974 203,582 197,584 All ages1 271,017 258,404 247,780 230,905 222,146 1 Includes cases where age is not recorded

Travel: Concessions Dog allowance The agricultural wages order makes specific provision Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for for: Transport what the cost to his Department was of the Apprentice under the age of 19, or in the first year of their Metro Gold Card scheme in the last five financial apprenticeship years. [14565] Workers of compulsory school age Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has Students on a work placement of less than one year. not provided any funding for the Nexus Gold Card scheme in the last five years. Specific provision for these categories of workers is not made under the national minimum wage legislation. The Metro Gold Card is a discretionary concession However, such persons are entitled to employment rights administered by Nexus, Tyne and Wear’s Passenger and protections under the working time regulations, Transport Executive. Therefore it is funded from Tyne and the legislation dealing specifically with the employment and Wear’s own resources. of children and young people. Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for It is also important to note that the terms of a Transport what discussions his Department has had worker’s employment contract which exist at the time with Nexus on plans for future funding of the Metro the AWB is abolished will continue to apply until such Gold Card. [14566] time as the contract is varied by agreement between the employer and the worker, or until the contract comes to Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has an end. This is the case whether the terms are written, not had any discussions with Nexus on its plans for verbally agreed or implied by custom and practice. If an future funding of the Metro Gold Card. employer makes changes to the terms of employment without the worker’s agreement, this constitutes a breach Concessionary travel in Tyne and Wear is administered of contract. The worker may have a claim for breach of by Nexus, Tyne and Wear’s Passenger Transport Executive. contract, unfair dismissal or unlawful deduction of The Department regularly meets the Passenger Transport wages if the change relates to pay. Executive Group to discuss transport issues, including concessionary travel. : To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS she has had with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on the future of the Agricultural Wages Agricultural Wages Board Board. [14327]

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Paice: DEFRA Ministers have been in contact Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what terms and with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers over a conditions of employment stipulated by the Agricultural range of issues, including the future of the Agricultural (a) Wages Board are not covered by minimum wage Wages Board. Officials from DEFRA and the Welsh (b) legislation and legislation relating to paid holidays. Assembly Government are working together to ensure [14275] that the necessary transitional arrangements are managed effectively. Mr Paice: The majority of the terms and conditions currently set by the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB), such as a minimum rate of pay, holiday entitlement, sick pay and rest breaks will in future be covered by the minimum entitlements for such matters specified under Agriculture: Pay the National Minimum Wage Act, or specified by other relevant employment legislation such as the working time regulations or the statutory sick pay rules. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for The National Minimum Wage Act and the working Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average time regulations do not make provision for the following change in agricultural wages has been in each year entitlements which are currently covered by the agricultural since 1990. [14328] wages order: Specific rates of pay for overtime Mr Paice: A time series of the average pay rates (and Stand-by duty and night allowance changes between years) for agricultural and horticultural Entitlement to bereavement leave workers from 1990 to 2009 is shown as follows. Results Birth or adoption grant (currently of £60 per child) cover England and Wales. 697W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 698W

Full-time male regular workers Full-time female regular workers Part time male regular workers Average Change from the Average Change from the Average Change from the earnings previous year earnings previous year earnings previous year per hour per hour per hour Date1, 2, 3 £/hour £/hour % £/hour £/hour % £/hour £/hour %

September 1990 3.90 — — n/a — — n/a — — September 1991 4.30 0.40 10.1 3.66 — — n/a — — September 1992 4.57 0.27 6.3 4.02 0.36 9.8 n/a — — September 1993 4.71 0.13 2.9 4.24 0.27 6.8 n/a — — September 1994 4.83 0.13 2.7 4.33 0.10 2.3 n/a — — September 1995 5.03 0.20 4.1 4.37 0.04 0.8 n/a — — September 1996 5.21 0.18 3.5 4.72 0.35 8.1 n/a — — September 1997 5.49 0.28 5.4 4.77 0.05 1.0 n/a — — September 1998 5.94 0.45 8.2 4.97 0.20 4.3 4.65 — — September 1999 5.92 -0.02 -0.3 5.31 0.34 6.8 5.15 0.50 10.8 September 2000 6.09 0.17 2.8 5.57 0.26 4.9 5.27 0.12 2.3 September 2001 6.42 0.33 5.4 5.48 -0.09 -1.6 5.59 0.32 6.1 September 2002 6.78 0.36 5.6 6.05 0.57 10.4 5.62 0.03 0.5 September 2003 6.66 -0.12 -1.7 6.09 0.04 0.7 5.91 0.29 5.2 September 2004 7.16 0.50 7.5 6.41 0.32 5.2 6.13 0.22 3.6 September 2005 7.40 0.23 3.3 6.42 0.01 0.2 6.99 0.87 14.2 September 2006 7.39 -0.00 -0.1 6.34 -0.08 -1.2 6.64 -0.35 -5.0 September 2007 7.50 0.11 1.5 6.84 0.50 7.8 6.46 -0.18 -2.7 September 2008 7.64 0.14 1.9 6.95 0.11 1.7 7.12 0.66 10.2 September 2009 8.19 0.54 7.1 7.25 0.30 4.3 7.61 0.48 6.8

Part time female regular workers Casual male workers Casual female workers Average Change from the Average Change from the Average Change from the earnings previous year earnings previous year earnings previous year per hour per hour per hour Date1, 2, 3 £/hour £/hour % £/hour £/hour % £/hour £/hour %

September 1998 4.74 — — 4.69 — — 4.06 — — September 1999 4.63 -0.11 -2.3 4.89 0.20 4.3 4.29 0.23 5.7 September 2000 4.80 0.17 3.7 5.10 0.21 4.3 4.45 0.16 3.7 September 2001 5.27 0.47 9.8 5.51 0.41 8.0 4.75 0.30 6.7 September 2002 5.20 -0.07 -1.3 5.55 0.04 0.7 5.30 0.55 11.6 September 2003 5.43 0.23 4.4 5.92 0.37 6.7 5.12 -0.18 -3.4 September 2004 5.63 0.20 3.7 6.10 0.18 3.0 5.36 0.25 4.8 September 2005 6.00 0.37 6.6 6.29 0.19 3.1 5.73 0.36 6.8 September 2006 6.17 0.17 2.8 6.39 0.10 1.6 5.87 0.15 2.5 September 2007 6.56 0.40 6.4 6.78 0.39 6.1 5.78 -0.10 -1.7 September 2008 6.81 0.24 3.7 6.77 -0.02 -0.2 6.20 0.43 7.4 September 2009 6.82 0.02 0.3 6.88 0.11 1.6 6.46 0.26 4.2 1 On 31 December 1990, the interview based Wages and Employment Inquiry was terminated and replaced on 1 January 1991 with the postal Earnings and Hours Survey of Agricultural and Horticultural Workers. Therefore, figures for 1990 and 1991 may not be directly comparable. 2 For the period 1991 to 1997, figures for males relate to average earning for the 12 month period ending in September. For females the figures relate to the average over the three month period from June to September for the period 1991 to 1994 and for the 12 month period ending in September for 1995 to 1997. Between 1991 and 1997 information was only collected for full-time workers. 3 From 1998 to 2002, the Earnings and Hours survey was changed from a quarterly to an annual survey so results for these years are only based on pay rates for the month of September each year. In all other years (except those specified in 1, pay rates have been averaged across the four quarters to give overall annual averages. Note: Results are based on a small sample survey so are subject to a degree of sampling variation. An indication of the sampling variation can be found from the latest statistical notice: http://www.defra.gov.uk/evidence/statistics/foodfarm/farmmanage/earningshours/documents/earnings-hours.pdf. Source: Defra Earnings and Hours Survey of Agricultural and Horticultural Workers—England and Wales.

Animal Products: Clones food production. The European Food Safety Authority has noted that, whilst relatively limited data are available, Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, the available evidence indicates that food from healthy Food and Rural Affairs what her Department’s policy is cloned cattle and pigs and their offspring does not on the use of cloned animals in food production; and if present any risks to consumers. Food derived from she will make a statement. [14377] cloned animals is nevertheless subject to the European Mr Paice: The Government are mindful of the interest regulation on novel foods and cannot be marketed surrounding this emerging technology and its use in without an authorisation under that regulation. The 699W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 700W

Food Standards Agency has advised that this is also the The fact remains that incidence of bovine TB in parts case for food from the descendants of cloned animals. of England is still far too high and we continue to take To date no applications for authorisation have been the fight against the disease very seriously, not least made and no authorisations have been issued. because of the serious impact it has on farmers. Looking forward, European Union Agriculture Ministers Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control have collectively asked the European Commission to produce a detailed report on cloning by the end of 2010 and this will provide further basis for evidence-based Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of decision making at EU level. We will be looking carefully State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what at the Commission’s report as we consider this subject steps she is taking to reduce the incidence of bovine further. tuberculosis in badgers; and if she will make a statement. [14426] Birds: Conservation Mr Paice: The coalition has committed, as part of a package of measures, to develop affordable options for Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of a carefully-managed and science-led policy of badger State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what control in areas with high and persistent levels of bovine steps she is taking to protect the (a) corncrake, (b) TB. bittern, (c) black grouse, (d) black-tailed godwit, (e) cirl bunting and (f) turtle dove population; and if she We are currently developing proposals which we plan to publish for public consultation later this month. will make a statement. [14606] Business: Waste Disposal Richard Benyon: All six species (including their nests, eggs and young) are fully protected by domestic legislation in England: the corncrake, bittern, black-tailed godwit, : To ask the Secretary of State for cirl bunting and turtle dove through the Wildlife and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and the black plans to take to introduce responsibility deals for grouse (which is a quarry species) through the Game business waste. [13713] Acts. The corncrake, bittern, black-tailed godwit and cirl bunting are listed on Schedule 1 of the Act, so Richard Benyon: The potential for using responsibility special penalties apply to those who disturb these species deals for all types of waste is being explored as part of whilst at, on or near their nests. The corncrake and the ongoing Review of Waste Policy, the initial findings bittern are on Annex 1 of EU Directive 79/409 on the of which will be available in spring 2011. Conservation of Wild Birds. Where present in appropriate Carbon Emissions: Business numbers, these species are recognised as interest features of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and part of the qualifying interest of special protection areas. Many : To ask the Secretary of State for also occur on reserves managed by Natural England Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the and/or its non-governmental organisation partners. answer to the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnorshire (Roger Williams) of 14 June 2010, Official As a result of recent or historic population declines, Report, column 252W, on carbon emissions: business, all six species appear on the UK ’Red’ list of ’Birds of whether preliminary information is yet available on the Conservation Concern’ meaning they are of high number and proportion of UK-listed companies which conservation concern, and all are recognised as priority have reported on their greenhouse gas emissions species by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Effective pursuant to her Department’s guidance in 2009-10. conservation action for these species is a thus seen as a [13655] high priority, both for Government through its agencies (notably Natural England) and for non-governmental Mr Paice: No further information is available on the organisations such as the RSPB, with which we work in number and proportion of UK-listed companies which close partnership. have reported on their greenhouse gas emissions using the guidance published by DEFRA and the Department Bovine Tuberculosis of Energy and Climate Change. It is expected that some information will become available from reports on the Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for findings of surveys of businesses, which are due to be Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment published in October 2010. she has made of the reasons for recent changes in the number of bovine tuberculosis herd incidents. [14323] Carbon Emissions

Mr Paice: There has been a welcome recent fall in the Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for number of herds disclosing with reactors and a resulting Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets she reduction in the number of cattle being compulsorily has set for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions slaughtered. This is part of a downward trend that has from peatland and wetland; and if she will make a been observed for some time but we have seen similar statement. [14780] declines over the last nine years only to then see disease levels rise again. It is not possible (and will not be for Richard Benyon: The Climate Change Act 2008 some time) to know with any certainty what may be introduced a system of national carbon budgets, which causing these changes and whether they are therefore place caps on the total quantity of greenhouse gas temporary or permanent. emissions emitted in the UK over a specified time. Each 701W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 702W carbon budget covers a five year period, with the first Executive agencies budget running from 2008-2012. DEFRA policy areas Rural Payments Agency aims to comply with current are currently responsible for an estimated 15% of UK Government guidance in terms of prompt supplier invoice emissions, and DEFRA is committed to sustainably payment where the target is to pay 80% of correctly reducing these emissions in order to help the UK meet rendered invoices within five working days. its carbon budgets. It is against this target that RPA measures its supplier There are no specific targets set for emissions from invoice payment performance. RPA does not measure peatland and wetland, but we are continuing to examine payment performance for other time periods and does options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Any reductions not have this information readily available. would count towards the overall UK carbon budget. 97.4% of correctly rendered invoices were paid within five working days for the most recent period of April to Common Fisheries Policy August 2010. Non-departmental public bodies Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for The Environment Agency paid the following number Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent of payments to suppliers in August 2010: representations she has received on the consideration of regionalisation in the review of the common fisheries (i) 7,090 within 30 days; policy; and if she will make a statement. [13822] (ii) 711 over 30 days; (iii) 270 over 60 days; Richard Benyon: One of the UK’s key priorities for (iv) 343 over 90 days from the invoice date. common fisheries policy (CFP) reform is to move away During the year 2008-09 EA paid over 98% of invoices from the current centralised system that attempts to from suppliers within 30 days. Creditor days, calculated micro-manage fishermen’s daily activities. Genuinely on an average basis for the year, according to the strategic decisions should continue to be taken at EU formula in the Companies Act 2006 (Directors Report) level, but more responsibility for implementation can, were 9.8 days for 2008-09. and should, be devolved to member states, and those closest to the fisheries. Data are not included for the following executive NDPBs: In order to pursue this agenda, the UK is engaging Agricultural Wages Board for England And Wales with other member states, the European Commission, European Parliament, industry, and major non- Agricultural Wages Committee. governmental organisations in order to establish a way The Department’s advisory NDPB’s are not included. forward that delegates the maximum responsibility to those closest to the issues, whilst complying with the Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal relevant treaty obligations. Mr Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Billing Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities had a two-weekly refuse collection service Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for in 2009-10; and whether her Department provided Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many financial incentives to those authorities to establish payments to suppliers were made by (a) her such services. [14068] Department, (b) its agency and (c) its non- departmental public bodies (i) within 30 days of, (ii) Richard Benyon: A list of English local authorities over 30 days after, (iii) over 60 days after and (iv) over that provided alternate weekly collection (AWC) services 90 days after the date of invoice in the latest period for in 2009-10 will be placed in the Library of the House. which figures are available. [13922] Data for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not currently available for 2009-10. Richard Benyon: The following table shows the number Neither DEFRA nor the Department for Communities of payments to suppliers made by (a) the core Department, and Local Government have provided any financial (b) all but one of the executive agencies and (c) the incentives for AWCs. main non-departmental bodies, for the financial year 2009-10. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Fiscal year 2009-10 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate Number of payments she has made of the cost to local authorities which <30 operate alternate weekly waste collections of Days 30 to 60 60 to 90 >90 Total introducing weekly waste collections. [14276] Core 30,105 943 227 294 31,569 DEFRA Richard Benyon: The Government believe in localism Executive 86,528 1,471 332 362 88,693 and it is for local authorities to determine what waste agencies collection system works best for their local areas in NDPBs 38,227 3,685 743 395 43,050 consultation with their residents. As part of the 154,860 6,099 1,302 1,051 — Government’s review of waste policies, we want to help councils to deliver the quality and frequency of services Data for the following are not included in the above their customers want while delivering our commitment and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. to move towards a zero waste economy. 703W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 704W

Current estimates suggest that the cost of change Fly-tipping: Coventry would be in the region of £140 million in the first year, and £530 million over the period of the Spending Review. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to prevent fly-tipping in Coventry. [14155] Environment Protection: Gibraltar

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Richard Benyon: DEFRA is working closely with Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her representatives of local authorities across England, the Department provides assistance to (a) the government Environment Agency, Keep Britain Tidy, landowners of Gibraltar and (b) the Gibraltar Ornithological and and other members of the National Fly-tipping Prevention Natural History Society to protect the (i) UK-Gibraltar Group to better understand the causes of fly-tipping, and (ii) Southern Waters Site of Community Importance and the best approach to reducing incidences of fly-tipping under the EU Habitats Directive; and if she will make a at a local level. statement. [14463] DEFRA works with organisations such as Keep Britain Tidy to support local authorities with training, guidance Richard Benyon: The UK is ultimately responsible for and advice on their fly-tipping prevention strategies. the implementation of the birds and habitats directives DEFRA also funds the Flycapture system which records in Gibraltar. However, domestic implementation, in the information on fly-tipping incidents dealt with by local first instance, rests with the Government of Gibraltar. authorities as well as enforcement action taken, allowing DEFRA provides administrative support for DEFRA and local authorities to assess the scale of the correspondence between the European Commission and problem and prioritise action. the Government of Gibraltar in regard to obligations We will be considering how best to target our future under the birds and habitats directives. DEFRA also activity on fly-tipping as part of the current review of facilitates the provision of technical assistance from the waste policies. Local authorities, including those in the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) at the Coventry area, and other interested parties have been request of the Government of Gibraltar. invited to submit views on this, and waste policy and delivery in England more generally, as part of a Call for Environmental Stewardship Scheme Evidence. I would encourage all those with an interest to submit comments via the DEFRA website at: Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waste-review/ Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial index.htm penalty her Department incurs if it withdraws from an (a) Entry Level Stewardship and (b) Higher Level Stewardship Scheme agreement. [14272] Food Production

Mr Paice: Withdrawal from an agreement before the end of the agreement period without legitimate excuse Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for would be a breach of contract. The agreement-holder Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what further may be entitled to breach of contract remedies (including steps she plans to take to encourage local food damages). Furthermore, under EU law, payments made production and consumption. [14421] under an agreement must be reimbursed in full where one party withdraws early. DEFRA would bear these Mr Paice: To meet the growing demand for more costs if it withdrew from the agreement before the end food with a local and regional provenance, our food of the agreement period. and drink producers’ access to market must be improved. Agreements that run beyond 2015 are subject to We are providing funding under the Rural Development review in 2012 because under the current EU legal Programme for England for a range of measures aimed framework, the EU Commission (which part funds the at supporting delivery organisations in the region, individual payments) does not have legal authority to make payments food producers and retail outlets, food hubs and farmers’ beyond that point. If the current EU legal framework markets. was not replaced by a new framework for payments I welcome the fact that retailers have put in place beyond 2015, DEFRA would be entitled to withdraw policies aimed at increasing the availability of regional from agreements extending beyond that period with no and local food on their shelves. This provides opportunities liability for breach of contract or reimbursement costs. for UK farmers to capture a greater market share by becoming more competitive. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment Research shows consumers are increasingly concerned has been made of the cost to her Department of about the origins of their food, and the Government are terminating (a) Entry Level Stewardship and (b) committed to clearer origin labelling to provide consumers Higher Level Stewardship Scheme agreements before with the information they need to make informed choices they end. [14273] about the food they buy. We are also committed to ensuring that food procured Mr Paice: No assessment has been made of the cost by Government Departments, and eventually the whole to the Department of terminating Entry Level Stewardship public sector, meets British or equivalent standards of or Higher Level Stewardship agreements before they production wherever this can be achieved without increasing end. overall costs. 705W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 706W

Food Supply Food: Waste Disposal

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Food and Rural Affairs what contribution her Department Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her has made to the Strategic Defence and Security Review Department has to bring forward proposals to require in respect of UK food security. [14351] the separation of food waste in municipal waste collection. [14388] Mr Paice: I can confirm that DEFRA has contributed to work on the Strategic Defence and Security Review Richard Benyon: The Government believe that local with regard to food supply, and other areas of departmental authorities, working with local communities, are best responsibility. placed to decide on the most appropriate options for waste management, including collection. For example, Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for there are differences in what suits urban areas compared Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what to suburban or rural areas in terms of the most appropriate estimate she has made of the minimum number of days waste collection types and frequencies. supply of food required for the UK to maintain an The Review of Waste Policy announced in June will acceptable level of food security; [14353] look at policies surrounding food waste, to see what can (2) how many days supply of food are routinely be done to further reduce the amount that ends up in stored within the UK. [14354] landfill.

Mr Paice: We do not hold information on the total Genetically Modified Organisms: Crops food held in the country.However in the 2008-09 marketing year (the latest actual figures available), the UK cereal Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, closing stocks at 30 June 2009 were 4.169 million tonnes Food and Rural Affairs what her Department’s policy is of cereals, representing around 73 days of consumption on the use of genetically-modified crops; and if she will for that year. For the year ending 30 June 2010, forecast make a statement. [14378] estimates equate to around 67 days. The average of cereal stocks held between 2003-04 and 2007-08 were Mr Paice: The details of the Government’s policy on typically equivalent to 50 to 55 days worth of consumption. GM crops are currently under consideration, but all We work closely with the food industries on food policies will be based on robust scientific evidence. supply chain resilience, and in 2009 DEFRA published a comprehensive assessment of UK Food Security (updated in January 2010) which shows that the UK enjoys a high Greenhouse Gas Emissions level of food security. The assessment analyses a wide range of indicators (including on cereal stocks as mentioned Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for above) and evidence for assessing UK food security Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) which (a) structured around six themes: individuals and (b) organisations she (i) consulted and global availability; (ii) plans to consult before making a recommendation on the introduction of mandatory greenhouse gas global resource sustainability; emissions reporting under section 85 of the Climate UK availability and access; Change Act 2008; [13578] UK food chain resilience; (2) what account her Department plans to take of the food security at household level; and outcome of the Department for Business, Innovation safety and confidence in our food supply. and Skills consultation on the future of narrative reporting It remains one of DEFRA’s priorities to ensure a in making its recommendation on the introduction of secure, environmentally sustainable and healthy supply mandatory greenhouse gas emissions reporting under of food in the face of future challenges. section 85 of the Climate Change Act 2008. [13579]

Food: Labelling Mr Paice: DEFRA received 132 responses to the 2009 consultation on the draft guidance to businesses on how to measure and report greenhouse gas (GHG) Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of emissions, gathering a wide range of views. State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress she has made in introducing an accurate The Secretary of State will take a decision on mandating country-of-origin labelling scheme for food products; GHG emissions-reporting on the basis of the evidence and if she will make a statement. [14589] being gathered for the report to be laid before Parliament by 1 December 2010, on the contribution that reporting Mr Paice: As set out in our Structural Reform Plan, makes to the UK meeting its climate change objectives. we want to ensure that consumers have confidence in In taking the decision, the Secretary of State will take origin claims that are being made. We know that consumers into account the outcome of the Department for Business are particularly concerned about dairy and meat products. Innovation and Skills’ (BIS) current consultation on the We are working with the food industry, retailers and future of narrative reporting. DEFRA continues to others to encourage better labelling, greater compliance work closely with BIS and the Department of Energy with Government best practice guidance and developing and Climate Change in coming to a decision. clear principles that can be followed. I have written to If a decision is taken to introduce mandatory reporting key organisations in the food industry and retailers, in principle, the draft regulations will be subject to a seeking collaboration to taking this forward. public consultation. 707W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 708W

Hazardous Substances: Waste Disposal Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts of selected offences related to wild mammals and the Hunting Act 2004, England and Wales, 20081, 2, 3 Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Proceeded Found Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Statute Offence description against guilty answer of 8 June 2010, Official Report, column 90W, Badgers Act 1973 Offences of cruelty to 22 11 on hazardous substances: waste disposal; for what as amended by badgers and special reasons she has no plans for a public inquiry; and if she Criminal Justice protection for badgers Act 1991 S.26 and and their setts will hold a public inquiry following the Dutch court Badgers Act 1991 judgement on 23 July 2010 on Trafigura. [13481] S.1 Badgers (further Failing to give up a dog 14 11 protection) for destruction or Richard Benyon: The UK was not involved in this Act 1991 S.1 having custody of a dog incident in Cote d’lvoire. The vessel involved was a not while disqualified a UK vessel, the waste did not come from the UK and Deer Act 1991 Killing or injuring deer 41 the cargo was not loaded in the UK. It does not appear by shooting, trap, snares to be appropriate, therefore, for a public inquiry to be etc. Wild Mammals Offences under this Act 6 5 held in the UK. (Protection) Act 1996 Hunting Offences under this Act 44 33 Japanese Knotweed: Greater Manchester Act 2004 Total 90 61 1 Excludes convictions for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is 2 The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal taking to eliminate Japanese knotweed, with particularly offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which reference to Manchester, Gorton constituency. [14653] the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. Richard Benyon: We have no plans to attempt eradication 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and of Japanese knotweed. The cost of a national eradication complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted programme using current techniques would be prohibitively from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection expensive (estimated to be at least £1.5 billion) and is processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those likely to be unsuccessful given the widespread distribution data are used. of this invasive species. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. DEFRA has been one of the main funding partners in a long-running project researching the possibility of identifying a biological control agent for Japanese knotweed. Rainforests A controlled release of the highly specialist psyllid Aphalara itadori is now under way to help control this Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for plant. If successful, this insect should restrict its growth, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her slow its capacity to spread vigorously and enhance the Department is taking to increase public awareness of effectiveness of management effort, although it would the effects of illegal logging on the climate and rainforest. not eradicate it altogether. [13425] As with other species, management of Japanese knotweed is primarily the responsibility of the landowner. Strategic, Mr Paice: Awareness of the effects of illegal logging widespread control is currently not the sole responsibility is important as UK consumers have every right to know of any statutory organisation. how their purchases impact on other parts of the world, and that responsible UK companies are able to trade on a level playing field with others in the timber trade. Agreement was recently reached on the EU Timber Nature Conservation: Crime Due Diligence Regulation, which aims to eradicate illegal timber from the EU market, attracting media Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for interest, notably from the BBC and The Sunday Times. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many We will seek to take advantage of future opportunities people were (a) proceeded against and (b) convicted to publicise the work we are doing in this area, and to of an offence under the provisions of the (i) Badgers reiterate the Government’s commitment to tackling illegal Act 1991, (ii) Deer Act 1991, (iii) Wild Mammals logging. We work closely with non-governmental Protection Act 1996 and (iv) Hunting Act 2004 in (A) organisations and the timber industry, and will use 2008 and (B) 2009; and if she will make a statement. these relationships to further increase public awareness [14211] of the effects of illegal logging.

Richard Benyon: The number of persons proceeded Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she courts for offences under the provisions of the Badgers plans to take to improve cross-departmental Act 1991, Deer Act 1991, Wild Mammals Protection co-operation to tackle tropical deforestation. [13897] Act 1996 and Hunting Act 2004 in 2008 can be viewed in the table. Mr Paice: Tropical deforestation has negative Data for 2009 are planned for publication on 21 October repercussions for actions to combat climate change, 2010. halt biodiversity loss and foster development in some of 709W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 710W the world’s poorest communities. Therefore it is vital Mr Paice: A consultation on the legislation relating that UK efforts to combat deforestation are co-ordinated. to dog control and encouraging responsible dog ownership As well as cross-departmental co-operation at official recently closed, and we will need to review the responses level, regular trilateral meetings between the Secretary to this before considering any future action. In addition, of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the action can be taken under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and against those who fail to look after their animals. the Secretary of State for International Development This year the Government issued a code of practice ensure that action to tackle deforestation is co-ordinated to promote the welfare of dogs, and encourages all across Government. responsible pet owners to have their pets microchipped.

Rights of Way Tides: Medway Towns Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she next Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for plans to publish guidance on design standards and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment legal requirements for gates and stiles on public rights she has made of the risk of flooding in the Medway of way. [14782] towns from a surge tide coinciding with a spring tide; and what assessment she has made of likely changes to Richard Benyon: We are currently considering whether that level of risk over the next fifty years. [13861] we should publish guidance to local authorities and, if so, what form it should take. Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency assessment Rural Payments Agency of flood risk is the likelihood of flooding occurring in any given year expressed as a percentage. The Environment Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for Agency has assessed the tidal flood risk to the Medway Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total Towns, considering a 5% (1 in 20 year event), 0.5% (1 in cost to the public purse was of fines issued by the 200 year event) and 0.1% (1 in 1000 year event) chance European Union to the Rural Payments Agency and its of flooding, now and in 50 years time. predecessors for failures related to weaknesses in This assessment has been made taking into account mapping and insufficient checks on claimants in each defences in place and the chance of peak surge coinciding year since 1993. [14401] with a spring tide. Mr Paice [holding answer 9 September 2010]: The Rural Payments Agency, and formerly MAFF, have Event type Number of properties at risk been disallowed the following amounts under area based 2010 2060 aid schemes. 5% (1 in 20 years) 70 240 Value of 0.5% (1 in 200 years) 255 770 Scheme disallowance Summary of reason 0.1% (1 in 1,000 years) 700 1,155 Scheme years (£ million) for disallowance

Single 2005 and 88.3 Perceived weaknesses Payment 2006 in Rural Land Wheat: Prices Scheme Register, (SPS) administrative procedures for Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for controls and cross Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment checks, elaboration of she has made of the effect of changes in global wheat risk analysis, prices on food prices in the UK. [14270] performance of on-the-spot checks and calculation of Mr Paice: Despite international wheat prices rising sanctions by some 50% since the start of July, a global wheat Arable Area 2003 and 54.9 Perceived weaknesses shortage is unlikely due to high levels of stocks being Payments 2004 in on-the-spot checks carried globally from previous record crops. In the UK, Scheme using remote sensing wheat accounts for less than 10% of the cost of a typical (AAPS) loaf of bread, and cereal feed costs account for up to AAPS 2001 11.5 Perceived weaknesses 15% of the retail value of pork and chicken. In the in quality of remote sensing absence of a sustained surge in grain prices, or sharp rises in energy prices, the overall effect on consumers There is no disallowance associated with this issue should be limited. The Department will continue to prior to 2001. To date no disallowance has been proposed monitor the situation. against the Single Payment Scheme after the 2006 scheme year. Wood: China Stray Dogs Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she progress has been made in her Department’s joint study plans to take to reduce the number of stray dogs. to assess options for a Chinese timber legality [14210] verification scheme. [14489] 711W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 712W

Mr Paice: Studies on markets and comparisons of : To ask the Secretary of State for timber legality verification systems have been completed. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has We are currently working in collaboration with the taken in relation to the arrests of the Burmese ethnic Chinese Government on the preliminary recommendations Karenni political activists Khun Bedu, Khan Kawrio for options to develop a system to verify the legality of and Khun Dee De. [14223] China’s timber imports and exports. Mr Hague: The arrest in May 2008, of Khun Bedu, Khun Kawrio and Khun Dee De by the military regime of Burma and their long prison sentences are part of a FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE concerted effort to suppress the legitimate demands of Algeria Karenni and other ethnic communities. My right hon. Friend, the Minister responsible for our relations with : To ask the Secretary of State for South East Asia, Jeremy Browne, raised Burma at the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has EU-ASEAN meeting on 26 May 2010, at which the to visit Algeria. [14221] Burmese Foreign Minister was present. He made clear that the continued detention of all political prisoners is Alistair Burt: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of unacceptable and that a process of inclusive dialogue State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no and reconciliation with the ethnic groups is essential for immediate plans to visit Algeria. the future stability of Burma. G8 leaders released a statement urging the regime to Arms Trade: Treaties release without delay all political prisoners, with strong UK support. Our ambassador in Rangoon also repeatedly David Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for raises the need for the release of all political prisoners Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions with ministers in the Burmese military government, and he has had with the UN Secretary-General on will continue to do so. negotiations towards an international arms trade treaty; and if he will make a statement. [14225] Departmental Billing

Mr Hague: Whilst I have not yet discussed the arms Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign trade treaty negotiations with the UN Secretary-General, and Commonwealth Affairs how many payments to I look forward to doing so at the General Assembly. suppliers were made by (a) his Department, (b) its This Government have made clear their continued support agency and (c) its non-departmental public bodies (i) for the UN process towards an international arms trade within 30 days of, (ii) over 30 days after, (iii) over 60 treaty. The UK played a full and active role in the first days after and (iv) over 90 days after the date of invoice phase of the UN negotiations which took place in New in the latest period for which figures are available. York in July 2010. [13923] Burma: Political Prisoners Alistair Burt: The following table shows the breakdown of payments to suppliers in August 2010. David Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has Number Paid taken in relation to the treatment of the Generation 88 of within Burmese activists Htay Kywe, Mie Mie and Zaw Htet invoices 30 days Ko Ko. [14222] processed (from Paid Paid in the date between between Paid Mr Hague: The arrest in 2007, of Htay Kywe, Mie August of the 31-60 61-90 over 90 2010 invoice) days days days Mie and Zaw Htet Ko Ko and their subsequent long term imprisonment, were actions by the military FCO 2,181 1,913 268 129 83 Government of Burma designed to keep the leaders of (UK) the 1988 Generation Students movement out of politics. FCO 999 990 7 2 0 We are aware of reports that Zaw Htete Ko Ko is Services suffering from medical problems and that many detainees Wilton 297 12454615 suffer ill treatment and are held in harsh conditions far Park from their families. The Coalition Government have British 6,342 6,205 71 21 45 Council sustained international attention on the plight of all 1 political prisoners in Burma and my hon. Friend the Of which 61 were paid within 10 days. Minister of State, Jeremy Browne, publicly endorsed These payment times are measured from the “date of ’s campaign for the release of the the invoice” however the Foreign and Commonwealth three leaders. In my meetings with ASEAN and other Office (FCO), its agencies and non-governmental public regional Ministers, I have specifically raised the UK’s bodies all support the Government’s Prompt Payment continuing concern over political prisoners. Our embassy Initiative which measures performance from date of the in Rangoon is monitoring these specific cases closely receipt of a valid supplier invoice. and our ambassador in Rangoon repeatedly raises the In accordance with the prompt payment guidelines need for the release of all political prisoners with ministers for Government Departments the FCO paid 1,712 supplier in the Burmese military government and will continue invoices in August under this initiative of which 97.4% to do so. We will raise the issue of Burma’s political were paid within 10 days of receipt, FCO Services paid prisoners in the forthcoming session of the UN Human 96% of their invoices and British Council paid 90% of Rights Council and other multilateral meetings. their invoices within the 10 day threshold. 713W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 714W

Departmental Pensions Wales, (C) region of England and (D) Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years; and what the Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign planned expenditure is for 2010-11. [12480] and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of pension contributions incurred by (a) his Department and (b) Alistair Burt: The cost of pension contributions incurred each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and agency for which he is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) its non-departmental bodies and agencies is as follows:

£ million 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-111

FCO (inc. Wilton 64.92 58.62 58.11 56.70 Park) British Council 11.01 14.58 15.06 13.60 BBC World Service 9.50 9.20 10.70 10.60 Westminster 0.09 0.10 0.11 0.13 Foundation for Democracy 1 Forecast.

The above figures include the pension contributions Department in rent for properties in (a) total and (b) of UK-based staff and those who are locally engaged. each (i) region and (ii) nation of the UK in each of the Provisions made for staff leaving the FCO as a result last five years. [12345] of early retirement exercises are not included in the above figures. Further information on such costs is available in the FCO Resource Accounts published Alistair Burt: The information requested is set out in each year by the FCO and the annual reports published the following table. by the British Council, the Westminster Fund for Democracy and the BBC World Service. Departmental Rents Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was paid by his

£ 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Total spent by 1,722,750 1,725,250 1,618,312 1,756,000 1,194,487 FCO on rental of properties in UK Total spent in 82,500 85,000 150,000 150,000 331,487 South East Total spent in 1,640,250 1,640,250 1,468,312 1,606,000 863,000 London Total spent in 1,722,750 1,725,250 1,618,312 1,756,000 1,194,487 England

Expenditure has increased in the south east region the first three months of 2010. The Minister reiterated due to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) the French Government’s condemnation of any act of successfully relocating a number of roles from our anti-Semitism. We do not have more recent statistics. London offices to the Milton Keynes area in line with The Government condemn anti-Semitism and all forms the recommendations of the Lyons Review. As of of racism. March 2010, 442 roles had been moved from central London. France: Anti-Semitism Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the establishment of facilities in Syria for Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign the production of missiles to be supplied to Hezbollah; and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has what reports he has received on the source of funding received on incidents of anti-Semitism in France since for the facility; and if he will make a statement. [13521] July 2010; and if he will make a statement. [14258] Alistair Burt: We are aware of reports of Syrian Mr Lidington: On 6 September 2010 French Interior facilitation of missiles to Hizballah. I raised my concern Minister Brice Hortefeux stated that there had been 47 with Syrian Foreign Minister Muallem during my visit actions and 190 threats of anti-Semitism recorded for to the region in July. 715W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 716W

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign The UK supported recent press comments by the and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received Security Council condemning the July attacks on UNIFIL reports on the transfer of weapons from Syria to peacekeepers, and calling for UNIFIL’s security to be Hezbollah in Lebanon, with particular reference to respected so that it can fulfil its mandate. Scud missile transfers. [13523] I also discussed these points with the Lebanese Government, during my visit to the region on 13-14 July. Alistair Burt: We are concerned by recent reports of We continue to support UNIFIL, and to press for the weapons transfers to Hezbollah, including Israel’s concerns full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution that Scud missiles have been transferred. 1701. During my recent visit to Lebanon I raised the issue I should note that UNIFIL does not have a mandate with Prime Minister Hariri and underlined the importance for action north of the Litani river. of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign which calls for the disarmament of all armed groups. and Commonwealth Affairs whether the comments of HM Ambassador to Lebanon on the death of the late Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Sheikh Fadlallah represent a change in British policy and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) reports of and towards Hezbollah; and if he will make a statement. (b) representations on the recent blog post by HM [13799] Ambassador to Lebanon on the death of the late Sheikh Fadlallah he has received; whether he has taken Alistair Burt: No, the ambassador’s comments expressed any steps in consequence; whether he has discussed the a personal view and do not represent a change in our matter with his counterparts in (i) Israel, (ii) Lebanon, policy on Hezbollah. (iii) Egypt and (iv) the United States; and if he will Human Rights make a statement. [13525] David Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Alistair Burt: The ambassador expressed a personal Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings view on Sayyed Fadlallah, describing the man as she on human rights policy he has had with non-governmental knew him. The blog did not fully reflect Government organisations since his appointment. [14228] policy and has since been removed. Mr Hague: Overseas visits have precluded my holding The blog received widespread commentary, getting such meetings so far but I am looking forward to seeing coverage in both the UK and the region, with a range of some of them this autumn. Foreign and Commonwealth reactions. Office (FCO) Ministers have met a wide range of human The Lebanese Foreign Minister raised the matter rights non-governmental organisations (NGOs) since with me during my recent visit to Lebanon in July. the new Government took office, including Amnesty International UK, Human Rights Watch, UNICEF, Global Witness, Saferworld, Article 19, Womankind Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Minority Rights Group to discuss the government’s and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has human rights priorities. FCO Ministers have also met received on the present locations of Hezbollah military NGOs to discuss the specific situation in certain countries capability in Lebanon, with particular reference to prior to their visits. infrastructure located alongside civilian installations. [13526] Human Rights Annual Report 2010

Alistair Burt: We are concerned by Hezbollah’s own David Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for claims that it possesses significant military capabilities. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his We assess that since the end of the 2006 Lebanon Department’s staff worked on the Annual Report on conflict Hezbollah has replenished its holdings of both Human Rights during April 2010. [14603] short and long range rockets and missiles. Mr Hague: The 2009 Annual Report on Human Rights was launched in March 2010. Over 50 staff in Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign London were involved in writing the 2009 report, drawing and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he on contributions from our overseas missions. During has made of the capacity of the UNIFIL mission to April 2010, Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials fulfil its mandate in respect of asserting the return of distributed the report, responded to questions about it the effective authority of the government of Lebanon and sought feedback on its use. Staff in our missions (a) south and (b) north of the Litani River, with around the world continue to monitor and report on particular reference to monitoring Hezbollah military human rights and this will contribute to the reporting I activity. [13527] will lay before Parliament next year. India: Nuclear Power Alistair Burt: UN Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) plays a vital and positive role in maintaining peace and Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign security in southern Lebanon. However it faces a number and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Prime Minister of challenges in working to achieve this. These have received assurances from the Indian Government on recently been underlined by the attacks on UNIFIL the separation of India’s military and civil nuclear peacekeepers south of the Litani river in early July and programmes before his announcement of civil nuclear increased tensions on the Israel/Lebanon border. co-operation. [13504] 717W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 718W

Alistair Burt: In negotiating its exception from the The international community has expressed serious Nuclear Suppliers Group Guidelines, India reaffirmed concern about Iran’s nuclear programme through six a number of voluntary non-proliferation commitments, successive UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR). including the phased separation of its civilian nuclear UNSCR 1929 specifically prohibits Iran from undertaking facilities. Since 2008, India has made significant progress activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering in this area, and a number of India’s civilian nuclear nuclear weapons. facilities are now under International Atomic Energy Iran: Uranium Agency (IAEA) safeguards. The UK Government urge India to continue this process of separation. UK export control arrangements will only permit trade in cases Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign where the transfer of nuclear equipment, materials or and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he technology is for civilian use only, and export licences has made of the quality of all (a) enriched uranium will continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. and (b) 20 per cent. enriched uranium held by Iran. [13522] Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government Alistair Burt: The director general of the International have received representations from any other government Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued a number of party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty on the reports on Iran, all making clear that Iran had shown UK’s proposed civil nuclear co-operation with India. no sign of suspending its enrichment-related activities [13505] and continued to stockpile uranium, as required by six UN Security Council resolutions and numerous IAEA Alistair Burt: The UK Government have not held resolutions. The estimates in his May report showed detailed discussions with other states regarding our civil Iran had produced 2,427 kg of low enriched uranium nuclear co-operation with India. Together with other since the start of operations in February 2007, and that nuclear supplier states, the UK continues to monitor Iran had also produced a total of 5.7 kg of uranium the international transfer of sensitive nuclear goods and enriched to nearly 20%, a significant step towards weapons technology through the Nuclear Suppliers Group regime. grade enrichment. Iran: Baha’i Faith Libya: Abdelbaset al-Megrahi

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what documents discussions he has had with the Government of Iran on the Government have made available to the United the imprisonment of members of the Baha’i community States in relation to Abdelbaset al-Megrahi since 20 in that country; and if he will make a statement. [14381] July 2010; if he will place in the Library a copy of each such document; and if he will make a statement. Alistair Burt: I met with the Iranian ambassador on [14882] 18 August to discuss this and a range of other human rights concerns. I made it clear that the UK remains Alistair Burt: On 29 July the Foreign and Commonwealth extremely concerned by the sentencing of the seven Office (FCO) provided to the Senate all related documents Baha’i leaders to 20 years imprisonment. My right hon. that had been previously released under the Freedom of Friend the Foreign Secretary had already made it clear, Information Act in 2009. The FCO, Ministry of Justice in his statement of 11 August 2010, that we find these and Scotland Office all released documents under the sentences entirely unacceptable, and that the UK and Act. Copies of these documents will be placed in the international community see it as unacceptable victimisation House Library. of the Baha’i faith by the Iranian state. The FCO also drew the US Senate’s attention to We will continue to remind Iran of the international FCO, Ministry of Justice, and Scottish Executive commitments it has freely signed up to, and urge the correspondence that was released into the public domain Iranian Government to cease its harassment of the on 1 September 2009. The web links to these documents Baha’i minority, and to respect the rights of the many are: members of minority groups. These groups continue to Ministry of Justice face arrest and lengthy prison sentences, often on vaguely worded charges of acting against national security. http://search.justice.gov.uk/kbroker/justice/justice/search/ search.lsim?qt=megrahi&sr=0&nh=10&cs=iso-8859- Iran: Missiles l&sc=justice&sm=0&sf=&mt=0&ha=1178 Scottish Executive Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/legal/lockerbie/ and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has correspondence received on the range of any ballistic missiles held by Foreign and Commonwealth Office Iran. [13524] http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/news/11646391/20779431/ al-megrahi-miliband-010909 Alistair Burt: The Iranian ballistic missile programme continues to be of serious proliferation concern, primarily Malaysia because of the missiles’ potential utility as weapons of mass destruction delivery systems. Recent Iranian technical Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for advances, including the launch of the Qiam missile in Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most August, have increased the range of the missiles and recent assessment is of UK relations with Malaysia; reduced launch preparation time. and if he will make a statement. [14255] 719W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 720W

Alistair Burt: Our close relations with Malaysia are Alistair Burt: We have full diplomatic relations with founded on strong cultural and historical connections. Syria and a wide ranging relationship covering areas of We have significant trade, defence and education links, mutual interest—such as the Middle East Peace Process—as share membership of the Commonwealth and regularly well as other issues of concern to the UK including cooperate on a range of shared priorities. We are committed Human Rights and Counter Proliferation. to strengthening our relations further as part of our In July I visited Damascus and had a number of enhanced engagement with the world’s emerging powers. useful meetings with Ministers of State, Syrian business This is already under way: leaders and the British Council in Damascus, where we my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Foreign Minister discussed areas of mutual cooperation. Anifah on 2 August; and We will continue to work to build our relationship my noble Friend right hon. Lord Howell of Guildford visited and to take forward discussions on these issues. Malaysia on 11 August.

Middle East: Armed Conflict WALES Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Departmental Official Hospitality and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the shooting of four residents in the Beit Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales Hagai settlement near Hebron on 31 August 2010; and how much her Department spent on hospitality for if he will make a statement. [14257] events hosted by each Minister in her Department in July 2010. [14932] Alistair Burt: Four Israelis were killed in an attack on 31 August 2010. The military wing of Hamas has Mr David Jones: Nil. claimed responsibility. Departmental Rents We condemn such despicable acts of terrorism which must not be allowed to derail the talks. We call on all Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how parties to refrain from any activity that could undermine much was paid by her Department in rent for the search for a just and lasting settlement. properties in (a) total and (b) each (i) region and (ii) nation of the UK in each of the last five years. [12359] Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has Mr David Jones: My Department rents part of a received on the shooting of two civilians at Rimonim building in Cardiff. The following costs for the past five Junction, east of Ramallah, in September 2010; and if years include service and utility charges as well as rent he will make a statement. [14259] as they could be disaggregated only at a disproportionate cost: Alistair Burt: Two Israelis were wounded on the West Bank in an attack on their car on 1 September. The £ military wing of Hamas has claimed responsibility. This followed an attack on 31 August in which four Israelis 2005-06 146,273 were killed. 2006-07 163,078 We condemn such despicable acts of terrorism which 2007-08 178,602 must not be allowed to derail the talks. We call on all 2008-09 184,438 parties to refrain from any activity that could undermine 2009-10 177,693 the search for a just and lasting settlement. In 2005-06 the Wales Office also rented a property in London to provide office space for a team working on Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign the Government of Wales Act at a cost of £36,326. and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has No other properties have been rented by my Department. received of raids by Egyptian police on weapons depots in Sinai on 28 and 29 August 2010; and if he will make Prisons a statement. [R] [14261] Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales Alistair Burt: The UK remains in close touch with the what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary Egyptian authorities on a range of security issues, and of State for Justice on prison capacity in Wales. [13135] are aware of recent press reports about the discovery of an estimated 300 anti-aircraft missiles and over 100 kg Mr David Jones: My right hon. Friend met my hon. of explosives in Sinai allegedly destined for Gaza. Friend the Prisons Minister in July, to discuss prison Together with the international community, the UK capacity in Wales. is working hard to help prevent the smuggling of weapons Referendums into Gaza as well as easing access restrictions for humanitarian and reconstruction relief. Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what recent discussions she has had with the (a) First Syria Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government and (b) Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for on the wording of the question in a referendum on Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is law-making powers of the National Assembly for taking to improve UK relations with Syria. [14254] Wales; [14757] 721W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 722W

(2) if she will hold a consultation on the wording of Nick Harvey: We continue to work across Whitehall, any referendum question proposed under the provisions and with our international partners, to monitor of the Government of Wales Act 2006. [14758] developments on the Korean peninsula. The situation has remained tense since the sinking of the Republic of Mrs Gillan: I have discussed the referendum wording Korea Naval vessel, the Cheonan, in March of this year on a number of occasions with the First Minister and as a result of a North Korean attack. We also remain Presiding Officer. Both have welcomed the Electoral concerned about North Korea’s nuclear programme Commission’s recent report and both have confirmed and its ongoing role in the proliferation of military that they support my decision to accept the Commission’s material. Long-term stability on the Korean peninsula revised preamble and question. will only be achieved through the complete and verifiable I wrote to the Electoral Commission on 23 June 2010 denuclearisation of North Korea. We believe the Six seeking its views, and on the same day informed the Party Talks offer the best prospect for achieving this. It House that I had done so. I allowed the Commission is essential that North Korea abandon its current course the 10 weeks it had requested for its consultation and and create the conditions for the resumption of talks. assessment, which included carrying out public opinion research, gathering views from interested parties including Army Personnel Figures potential campaign organisations and political parties as well as key accessibility groups and the Welsh Language Board. This also included seeking advice from experts 18. Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for on plain language and accessibility in English and Welsh. Defence how many personnel were serving in the Army Anyone could have made their views known to the on the latest date for which figures are available. Commission during that period. There is no statutory [14536] requirement to conduct further consultations on the question. Mr Robathan: As at 1 July 2010, the full-time trained strength of the Army stood at 102,500. I refer the hon. Member to the latest Quarterly Manning report which WOMEN AND EQUALITIES is available on the Ministry of Defence website. Sexuality US and UK Military Co-operation Meg Hillier: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what meetings (a) she and (b) the Parliamentary 19. Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Under-Secretary of State in the Government Equalities Defence what recent assessment he has made of the Office have had with international counterparts to discuss effectiveness of co-operation between the US and the international standards for the treatment of lesbian, UK on military matters. [14537] gay, bisexual and transgender people. [11634] Dr Fox: The US remains our most important strategic Lynne Featherstone: In July, we published Working and military ally.Both countries continue to gain significant for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGB & T) benefit from co-operation across the spectrum of military Equality, which included a commitment to use our capability. international influence to encourage other countries to advance LGB and T equality. Royal Gurkha Rifles We are committed to using meetings with our international counterparts and any other levers available to us to tear down the barriers that still exist for LGB 20. Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for and T people throughout Europe and around the world. Defence what plans he has for the role of the Royal Gurkha Rifles in the Army. [14538]

DEFENCE Nick Harvey: The Strategic Defence and Security Review is looking at the size and shape of the armed Armed Forces Pay forces and the functions they perform. No decisions have yet been taken. 12. Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for armed forces pay; and if he will make a statement. [14530] Improvised Explosive Devices: Helmand

Mr Robathan: We are determined that members of 23. Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the armed forces should receive a remuneration package Defence what steps he plans to take to counter the commensurate with the vital role they play, often in the threat from improvised explosive devices in Helmand most difficult circumstances, in the service of this country. province. [14541] SDSR decisions later this year will shape the future employment of service personnel and will also influence Nick Harvey: We take the protection of our armed our plans for armed forces pay. forces extremely seriously and strive continuously to Korean Peninsula reduce the risk they face and improve their protection. The combined effect of our continuous improvements 17. Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for to use the right training and tactics together with Defence what recent assessment he has made of the enhancements that have already been made to our security situation in the Korean Peninsula; and if he counter-improvised explosive device capability are making will make a statement. [14535] a difference. 723W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 724W

On 30 June 2010, my right hon. Friend the Prime Dr Fox: The Department does not contract with Minister announced an additional £67 million for counter- British-based private military security companies in IED capabilities to protect our troops in Afghanistan. Afghanistan. This includes over £40 million for more protected vehicles for use by our counter-IED teams as well as some £5 Armed Forces Day million for more remote control vehicles. The remaining funds will be used to enhance other critical capabilities Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for in the counter-IED campaign, including enhancements Defence what plans he has to mark Armed Forces day to our military working dog capability. 2011; and if he will make a statement. [14704]

Military Forces: EU Integration Mr Robathan: The national event for Armed Forces day 2011 will be held on 25 June 2011 in Edinburgh. Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Plans are currently being formulated that will once Defence whether he has any plans to integrate UK again give the whole country the opportunity to “honour military forces with those of other EU member states. Britain’s armed forces’ past, present and future.” [14539] Armed Forces: Drugs

Dr Fox: No. The Strategic Defence and Security Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Review is considering options for closer bilateral Defence how many members of each regiment of the co-operation with key nations, including partners in Army were dismissed for using illegal substances in Europe. NATO will remain the cornerstone of our each of the last five years. [14767] defence. Mr Robathan: The information is not held in the Defence Industry: Lancashire format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely Armed Forces: Empty Housing effects on employment in the defence industry in Lancashire of reductions in levels of defence spending. Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for [14540] Defence how many and what proportion of service family accommodation units had been continuously Peter Luff: We recognise the major contribution made empty for (a) six, (b) six to 12, (c) 12 to 24, (d) 24 to to UK defence and the wider economy, by industry 36, (e) 36 to 48, (f) 48 to 60 and (g) more than 60 throughout the North West of England, and particularly months on 30 June 2010. [14339] in Lancashire. The Strategic Defence and Security Review is still under way and therefore it would be premature to Mr Robathan [holding answer 9 September 2010]: speculate about the impact of future levels of defence Against an overall total of 49,505 service family expenditure. accommodation (SFA) properties in the UK, the following table shows the length of time they have been unoccupied Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations as at 7 September 2010.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Number of SFA Proportion of total Time scale properties SFA (Percentage) Defence pursuant to the answer of 26 July 2010, Official Report, column 615, on Afghanistan: peacekeeping Less than 6 months 4,184 8.5 operations, what information his Department holds on 6 to 12 months 1,010 2.0 the number of civilian deaths which may have been 12 to 24 months 831 1.7 caused by the use of air-to-ground weapons by Reaper 24 to 36 months 403 0.8 air-to-ground weapons since May 2008. [13484] 36 to 48 months 211 0.4 48 to 60 months 164 0.3 Dr Fox: The UK Government do not collate or Over 60 months 263 0.5 publish figures for civilian casualties in Afghanistan because of the immense difficulty and risks of collecting There are a number of reasons why properties may be robust data. held void for extended periods of time, this includes the Every effort is made to avoid civilian casualties and location where they are held, pending future basing any that are the result of action by UK armed forces are decisions or awaiting disposal action. always a matter of profound regret. Should we become Like for like information for overseas SFA is not aware of incidents in which we may have caused civilian available. casualties, we undertake a full investigation in accordance with international security assistance force and UK Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for processes. Defence what percentage of his Department’s housing stock is (a) void and (b) uninhabited. [14736] Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with how many British-based private security Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for companies his Department has a contract for the Defence how many and what proportion of service provision of services in Afghanistan; and if he will accommodation units were empty on 30 June 2010. make a statement. [14743] [14338] 725W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 726W

Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) records The MOD is on target to reduce the percentage of those service family accommodation (SFA) properties void properties in the UK to 10% by 2012. or single living accommodation (SLA) bed-spaces which As at 6 July 2010, the closest date for which figures are void rather than uninhabited or empty. are available, 52,375 SLA bed-spaces worldwide were Accommodation is usually only void for short periods void. This represents 35.6% of the total stock. While to allow for routine moves of service personnel, this appears high, it will include accommodation for improvement or modernisation work, demolition or those temporarily away on training or operations. disposal. The Department will always need to maintain a management margin of void accommodation for these Armed Forces: Ethnic Groups purposes. As at 1 July 2010, the closest date for which figures Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for are available, the following numbers of UK and overseas Defence how many minority ethnic service personnel SFA properties were void: were recruited to each service (a) nationally and (b) in Gloucester in each of the last five years. [13400] Number of void As a percentage of Location of SFA properties total stock Mr Robathan: The number of ethnic minority personnel UK 7,338 14.8 recruited nationally and through the armed forces careers office in Gloucester over the last five years is given in Overseas 2,968 19.2 the following table.

Royal Navy Army RAF Financial year UK Gloucester UK Gloucester UK Gloucester

2005-06 94 0 911 6 29 1 2006-07 93 0 1,079 6 37 0 2007-08 87 0 1,402 8 64 0 2008-09 89 1 1,626 6 124 2 2009-10 92 1 1,054 10 98 0

Armed Forces: Housing Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently undertaking a Strategic Defence and Security Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Review. The rationalisation and development of future Defence what steps his Department takes to consult estates and the management of defence infrastructure is service personnel and their families on their preferred included within it. The outcome will be announced in due course. priorities for accommodation upgrades. [14343] Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Mr Robathan: The UK Service Family Accommodation what the (a) longest, (b) shortest and (c) average time (SFA) upgrade programme endeavours to provide the taken was to make repairs to forces accommodation best value for money options to provide the maximum from the point of a call out in each of the last 12 benefit to the greatest number of families, and decisions months. [14667] will take into account future strategic requirements, together with potential disposal plans. Mr Robathan: The repair and maintenance of service Accommodation upgrades are prioritised on a greatest accommodation worldwide is carried out under many need first basis, and are set in agreement with the three different arrangements, managed by different areas of single services. the Department. Given this fact, the requested information for each of the last 12 months is not held centrally and A follow-up survey identical in content to the one can be provided only at disproportionate cost. undertaken by the National Audit Office (NAO) during 2008 was carried out on SFA occupants in the UK Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence during December 2009. Subject to future funding, the how much was charged to occupants of Modern Housing results of this survey will feed into future SFA improvement Solutions accommodation for repair of damage caused strategies. by them in each of the last 12 months. [14670]

Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Mr Robathan: Charges are raised to cover the cost of what progress his Department has made on implementing remedial work to service family accommodation where recommendation (a) 2, on strategic review, (b) 3, on occupants vacate a property leaving it below the required management of void properties, (c) 4, on contractor move-out standard. Charges are not raised for normal management, (d) 5, on preparation of properties for wear and tear and any charges for the replacement of new occupants, (e) 6, on improving the processes of lifed items such as carpets will take into account the allocations and move-in and move-out and (f) (i) 7 and remaining life of the item. (ii) 8, on involving families of the National Audit Office It is not possible to identify charges raised against report of Session 2008-09 on Service Families occupants of properties maintained by modern housing Accommodation, HC 13; and what account his Department solutions from other UK properties maintained by other has taken of modern living requirements in implementing contractors. The total charges raised for UK properties each recommendation. [14454] in each of the last 12 months are as follows: 727W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 728W

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Amount charged (£) Defence how many houses owned by his Department September 2009 111,748 were rated as grade (a) one, (b) two, (c) three and (d) October 2009 102,023 four in each of the last five years. [14738] November 2009 85,139 December 2009 54,006 Mr Robathan: The majority of the 65,000 service January 2010 76,102 family accommodation (SFA) properties worldwide are February 2010 104,057 leased rather than owned by the Ministry of Defence. March 2010 62,199 SFA is graded for charge and by standard for condition April 2010 97,122 (SfC), a detailed measure of the physical condition of a May 2010 72,190 property with Standard 1 being the highest and Standard June 2010 87,546 4 the lowest. While families are no longer allocated SfC SFA, a small number have chosen to remain in these July 2010 73,958 properties for personal reasons. August 2010 74,525 For the years 2005 to 2008, the following number of properties in the UK were at each SfC: Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints Modern Housing Solutions received S1fC S2fC S3fC S4fC regarding animal infestations in service accommodation in each of the last five years. [14733] 2005 26,426 20,774 2,792 195 2006 28,796 18,950 2,309 159 Mr Robathan: The requested information is not recorded 2007 29,691 17,910 2,165 145 separately and could be provided only at disproportionate 2008 28,354 17,414 2,098 109 cost. In 2008, a new condition survey of SFA properties in Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence England and Wales was undertaken, with similar surveys how many calls were made to his Department’s special now also under way in Scotland and Northern Ireland. forces housing helpline in 2009. [14734] Those UK properties so far surveyed as at December 2009 were at the following SfC: Mr Robathan: There are several dedicated housing help lines. Repairs to service family accommodation Number (SFA) properties in the UK are carried out under the SlfC 12,718 Housing Prime Contract (HPC) in England and Wales, the Regional Prime Contract (RPC) in Scotland and S2fC 19,689 separate arrangements exist in Northern Ireland (NI). S3fC 1,034 In all cases occupants can report faults and request S4fC 204 repairs via a freephone helpdesk. Like for like figures are not available for overseas The HPC is being delivered by Modern Housing SFA. However, as at October 2009 overseas properties Solutions (MHS) who is responsible for maintaining were at the following SfC: some 45,000 properties. The MHS helpdesk received some 393,656 calls in 2009, of which some 226,889 Number resulted in work orders being raised. Although the total number of calls regarding SFA in Scotland and NI is SlfC 4,390 not available, the RPC raised 15,424 work orders for S2fC 3,930 Scottish SFA in 2009 and 11,148 were raised for NI S3fC 4,152 SFA. S4fC 2,848 Given the number of different maintenance regimes, Not yet assessed 99 the requested information for overseas SFA is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate Armed Forces: Housing cost.

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Kris Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Defence how many (a) single living and (b) service on how many occasions his Department has been proceeded family accommodation units his Department has in (i) against for non-payment of (a) council tax and (b) the UK and (ii) overseas. [14735] utility bills owed on properties in the defence housing estate in each of the last five years. [13996] Mr Robathan: The current number of service family accommodation (SFA) properties and single living Dr Fox: Under the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) accommodation (SLA) bed-spaces in the UK and overseas Order 1992, all domestic accommodation for UK service are: personnel is exempt from council tax but the Ministry of Defence (MOD) pays contributions in lieu of council Number tax (CILOCT) to billing authorities. Almost all MOD SFA properties SLA bed-spaces housing is therefore subject to CILOCT payments.

UK 49,505 128,701 Prior to 1 April 2008, records of payments are not Overseas 15,489 18,112 centrally held and could be only provided at disproportionate cost. 729W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 730W

In the period from 1 April 2008 to date, the MOD has 2006 2007 2008 2009 12010 received a total of four summonses from local magistrates courts for non payment of CILOCT. In three instances Total Tasks 2— 246 334 505 329 these resulted from errors by the local authority and attended were withdrawn. The other instance resulted from a Incidents 2—26384463 property being inadvertently excluded from a return by involving an the MOD. Payment was therefore made and the summons explosive device rescinded. 1 To date 2 Not known There have been no occasions of the Department being proceeded against for the non-payment of utility Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence bills in UK in the last five years. Occupants of service how much it cost to run the Army Technical Operation families accommodation are directly responsible for the (Bomb Disposal) in Northern Ireland in the latest payment of utility bills. period for which figures are available. [13798]

Kris Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Nick Harvey: Ministry of Defence accounting systems Defence how many empty properties on the defence do not hold financial data in the format requested. housing estate his Department has (a) made ready for Armed Forces: Pensions occupation and (b) moved service families into in each of the last five years. [13997] Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pension payments have been Mr Robathan: All properties offered to occupants are processed by the Service Personnel and Veterans ready to occupy, although in some cases additional Agency in each year since 2007. [14001] work may require completion after move-in, where it was not possible to do this beforehand. Mr Robathan: The Armed Forces Pension Scheme The number of moved service families in each of the (AFPS) is the occupational pension scheme for the last five years is shown in the following table: three services including the reserves. The War Pension Scheme (WPS) is a benefit programme that provides no Number of move-ins1 fault compensation to former service personnel and their dependants for injuries and death as a result of 2006 19,639 service before 6 April 2005, with the Armed Forces 2007 18,186 Compensation Scheme (AFCS) providing this 2008 19,444 compensation since that date. 2009 18,518 As at 31 March 2010 there were: 2010 (to 6 September) 12,512 323,714 AFPS pensions and 75,126 dependants (spouses, partners 1 Figures are for Great Britain only up to 31 March 2008 and for UK and children) pensions in payment, most of which are paid monthly. thereafter. 148,377 war pensioners and 30,690 dependants (spouses and civil partners) receiving monthly or weekly benefit payments Armed Forces: Injuries for injury, illness or death under the WPS. 169 injured former service personnel and 232 dependants Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for (spouses, partners and children) receiving ongoing guaranteed Defence what his policy is on (a) offering employment income payments (GIPs) under the AFCS. Additionally, there in the military for those members of the armed forces are a number of injured personnel still in service who will be who are injured while on active service and (b) entitled to a GIP on leaving the services. guaranteeing continued employment for such people Information on the number of AFPS pension, war for the period for which they would have served; and if pension payments and AFCSC GIPs processed is not he will make a statement. [14826] held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence I gave on 27 July 2010, Official Report, columns 1053-54W, what the estimated total annual pension cost is to the hon. Member for Loughborough (). expected to be in 2020 of payments to (a) uniformed armed forces, (b) uniformed regular armed forces and Armed Forces: Northern Ireland (c) uniformed reserve armed forces personnel who will then be in receipt of a pension. [14358] Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times Army technical officers have been Mr Robathan: The forecast pension spend for the called out to deal with (a) suspected and (b) actual armed forces pension scheme is not available beyond explosive devices in Northern Ireland in (i) 2010, (ii) 2014-15 and is not broken down between the regular 2009, (iii) 2008, (iv) 2007 and (v) 2006. [13797] and reserve armed forces. The forecast spend in 2014-15 is £4.7 billion.

Nick Harvey: The following table details the number Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence of Explosive Ordinance Disposal tasks attended in what the total annual pension cost was in the last full Northern Ireland and the number of these that involved year for which figures are available of payments to all an explosive device. A complete and reliable set of data (a) uniformed reserve armed forces, (b) uniformed for 2006 is not held. regular armed forces and (c) uniformed armed forces The data for 2010 is for tasks up to 31 August 2010. personnel who are in receipt of a pension. [14359] 731W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 732W

Mr Robathan: The total annual pension cost of pensions disposal officers), (EOD divers) and Royal paid to former service personnel or their dependants Air Force (EOD armourers) rather than from solely the under the armed forces pension scheme (AFPS) is not Army’s Royal Logistic Corps. In time, this is expected broken down between the regular and reserve armed to give a further significant boost to the number of forces. In 2009-10 £3.47 billion was paid under the trained experts available. AFPS.

Army: Expenditure Chelsea Barracks: Sales

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average annual percentage change in Defence with reference to the document entitled spending on the Army was between (a) 1980 and 1997 Meeting the aspirations of the British people: 2007 and (b) 1997 and 2010. [14124] pre-budget report and comprehensive spending review, Cm 7227, whether the full proceeds of the sale of the Nick Harvey: This information is not held in the Chelsea barracks site were allocated for expenditure on format requested. armed forces accommodation. [14340] The budgetary structure of the Ministry of Defence does not show separately the costs of the three individual Mr Robathan: There is no specific link between disposal Armed Services (Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air receipts and individual elements of defence expenditure. Force). This is because large parts of the Armed Services Exceptionally, however, the disposal of Chelsea barracks, operate as fully integrated joint organisations in which which was sold for £959 million, was included in the elements from the Navy, Army and Air Force work plans of the Department and underpinned investment closely together and share land, buildings and facilities, in-service accommodation of £250 million in 2007-08. and sometimes equipment. The MOD’s Permanent Joint In addition it was agreed as part of the 2007 Headquarters, which commands most of our military comprehensive spending review that a further £550 operations, is one example. Another is the defence million should be invested in accommodation over the equipment and support organisation which provides following three years with plans for the balance of the front line commands with equipment and logistic support. proceeds of £159 million, to be agreed with HM Treasury as part of the current 2010 Spending Review due to be Army: Manpower concluded later in the autumn. The disposal of Chelsea has, therefore, secured the John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for major investment in-service accommodation through Defence what the average annual percentage change in Project SLAM (Single Living Accommodation the size of the Army was between (a) 1980 and 1997 Modernisation), the service housing upgrade programme and (b) 1997 and 2010. [14125] and many other significant accommodation projects in the UK and overseas to improve the living conditions Nick Harvey: The full time trained strength of the for our service personnel. Army declined by an average annual rate of 2.18% between 1980 and 1997 and increased by an annual average rate of 0.06% between 1997 and 2010. Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay The Territorial Army declined by an average annual rate of 0.70% between 1980 and 1997 and declined by an annual average rate of 3.98% between 1997 and Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010. Defence how many of his Department’s staff who have worked in Iraq or Afghanistan are covered by the Civil Due to the implementation of the Joint Personnel Service Compensation Scheme. [13803] Administration System on 1 April 2007, percentage changes between 1997 and 2010 are provisional and Mr Robathan: All Ministry of Defence (MOD) civil subject to review. servants are covered by the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS). Army: Recruitment Since 2003, MOD has deployed some 1,700 civil servants to operational theatres, including Iraq and Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Afghanistan. Defence what measures he has put in place to recruit more high explosives and ordnance experts to the The MOD has also employed some locally engaged Army. [14364] civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan, some of whom may be eligible for some coverage under the CSCS. Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has more than doubled the number of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams operating in Afghanistan in the Cyprus: Armed Forces past 12 months. EOD operators are not recruited directly from civilian Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for life. Those recruited must already have attained at least Defence how many (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force and the rank of Sergeant (or equivalent) and be able to (c) Royal Navy personnel there are in Cyprus. [14242] demonstrate tactical technical experience in a related field. In April this year the MOD began recruiting EOD Nick Harvey: The strength of UK regular service operators from the wider Army (Royal Engineers, bomb personnel, as at 1 July 2010, stationed in Cyprus are: 733W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 734W

Service Number £ million

Army 1,640 Land 185 RAF 900 Buildings 445 RN 30 British forces Cyprus total 2,570 The land in Cyprus is held under some freehold and various leasehold arrangements with the Republic of These figures may vary as personnel change location Cyprus. or are deployed on operations. Defence: Exports In addition, there are 300 personnel deployed to the UNFICYP mission in Cyprus. Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for A copy of the Defence Analytical Services and Advice Defence what steps he is taking to increase levels of publication TSP 10 (UK Regular Forces Stationed UK defence exports. [14521] Location) has been placed in the Library of the House. Mr Gerald Howarth: We have publicly stated that we intend to re-energise Government support to defence Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for exports. Defence exports make an important contribution Defence how many people employed by his to sustaining our defence industry, including tens of Department in Cyprus are (a) UK citizens and (b) thousands of highly skilled jobs. They also help to build non-UK citizens. [14243] relationships with key strategic partners, and provide economies of scale for our own procurement. Nick Harvey: The information is not held in the We will achieve this in part through an active and format requested. innovative programme for defence diplomacy. We also The numbers of civilian staff employed by British recognize the need to commission equipment which is Forces Cyprus on 3 September 2010 was as follows: exportable, and we are embedding this in our future acquisition planning. We are working with industry to Civilian staff type Number bring a clearer understanding of the export marketplace. UK based civilians 330 Defence: International Cooperation UK dependants 310 Locally engaged civilians 1,210 Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his There are also a number of civilians employed by French counterpart on Anglo-French defence Defence contractors in Cyprus, the numbers and co-operation. [13183] nationalities of whom are not held centrally. Dr Fox: I have regular discussions with my French counterpart, the most recent on 3 September 2010 in Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Paris when we discussed a range of issues, including Defence how many children (a) under 10 years old and bilateral defence co-operation, NATO transformation (b) between 10 and 18 years old of UK military and Afghanistan. personnel are being educated in Cyprus. [14244] Departmental Allowances Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently educating 953 children under 10 years old and Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for 489 children between the ages of 10 and 18 in its schools Defence how much his Department spent on (a) in Cyprus. It is not possible to split these numbers reimbursement of staff expenses and (b) the 10 largest between children of military personnel and those of staff expense reimbursement claims in each year since UK based civilians. Not all parents choose to educate 1997. [13045] their children within the MOD school system. The Cyprus schools educate the children of MOD Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence reimbursed contractors and some local community children on a service and civilian staff £145.6 million for business fee paying basis. In addition to the numbers above there expense claims incurred on official duty in 2009-10. are currently 17 children under 10 years old and 43 This includes a wide range of expenses and allowances children aged between 10 and 18 being educated on this including: subsistence, motor mileage and incidental basis. expenses. Comparable information is not held centrally before 2009-10 and could be provided only at disproportionate Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for cost. All figures exclude the cost of business expenses Defence what the estimated value is of (a) land and paid direct by the Department and not reimbursed to (b) buildings owned by his Department in Cyprus. staff. [14308] The ability of staff to claim for legitimate business expenses is essential to enable the proper conduct of Mr Robathan: As at November 2009, the net book MOD business. We have sites in many parts of the value of the land and buildings owned by the Ministry country, and internationally, and staff need to travel of Defence in Cyprus was as follows: between them, and work while they do so. 735W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 736W

All MOD staff incurring business expenses are required Gibraltar: Military Bases to demonstrate the highest standards of financial propriety and a level of restraint commensurate with being Crown Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for servants. We are further constraining how much is spent Defence what the book value is of the (a) sites and (b) on expenses in the present economic conditions. A key buildings owned by his Department in Gibraltar. principle is that travel should be avoided where the [14676] business need can be met by alternatives to travel, such as e-mail and video or audio conferencing. Mr Robathan: As at November 2009, the net book Information regarding the 10 largest service and civilian value of the sites (land) and buildings owned by the staff reimbursements for business expenditure claims in Ministry of Defence (MOD) in Gibraltar was as follows: each year since 1997 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. £ million

Ex-servicemen Sites (land) 18 Buildings 125 Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for The majority of the land used by the MOD is owned Defence how many referrals from the Department of by the Crown. Work and Pensions the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency has received in each year since 2007. [14000] Gibraltar: Weapons

Mr Robathan: There are no data collected on the Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for source of any referrals to the Service Personnel and Defence whether he has had discussions with the Veterans Agency (SPVA). However, the SPVA Veterans government of Gibraltar on methods of disposing of Welfare Service works very closely with the Department old ordnance other than exploding it off the coast of for Work and Pensions (on shared IT platforms) and Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [14414] has agreements in place which allow the SPVAto provide assistance on claims for statutory DWP benefits. The Nick Harvey: Over the last two weeks, Ministry of SPVA does record action taken to support customers Defence officials have had two meetings with the Gibraltar including onward referrals. Department of the Environment to explore options for the demolition of munitions with minimal possible risk Germany to the environment. Further demolitions of munitions under water in Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Gibraltar have been suspended until a better solution Defence how many (a) one-bedroom, (b) two- has been found. bedroom, (c) three-bedroom and (d) four-bedroom properties are owned by his Department in Germany. Glasgow [14629] Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence does not own Defence how many of his Department’s staff at any one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom or four- Kentigern House in Glasgow work on duties relating to bedroom properties in Germany. (a) military staff based in Scotland and (b) (i) military The housing in Germany consists of German Federal and (ii) civilian staff based (A) in England, Wales or stock, which are those built and maintained by the Northern Ireland and (B) overseas. [14684] Ministry of Defence on land provided by the German Federal authorities, and hirings which are leased from Mr Robathan: There are approximately 1,400 people landlords. working at Kentigern House in Glasgow, roughly 60% of which work for the Army Personnel Centre. The remainder are attached to various other Ministry of Germany: Military Bases Defence organisations, principally the Service Pensions and Veterans Agency. Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for All MOD organisations within the building work Defence what the book value is of sites and buildings either directly or indirectly towards the common outputs owned by his Department in Germany. [14781] of pay, manning and career management of all the members of the armed forces, regardless of where they Mr Robathan: As at November 2009, the net book are serving. value of the sites (land) and buildings owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in Germany was as follows: Gurkhas

£ million Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Sites (land) 0 Defence what plans he has for the future of the Brigade Buildings 380 of Gurkhas; and if he will make a statement. [14810] The land in Germany and the majority of the buildings Nick Harvey: The Strategic Defence and Security are not owned by the MOD but there have been made Review is looking at the size and shape of the armed available to the Department under a host nation agreement forces and the functions they perform. No decisions with the federal authorities. have yet been reached. 737W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 738W

Gurkhas: Anniversaries HMS Chiddingfold HMS Grimsby Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for HMS Pembroke Defence what proposals he has to mark the 200th HMS Middleton anniversary of Gurkha soldiers serving in the British HMS Enterprise Army. [14417] RFA Cardigan Bay RFA Lyme Bay Mr Robathan: The 200th anniversary of Gurkha service to the British Crown will fall in 2015. Plans to RFA Bayleaf mark this notable anniversary in an appropriate way are RFA Diligence still at an early stage. Horn of Africa: HMS Northumberland Russia: Military Aircraft HMS Montrose Mediterranean: Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times Royal Air Force aircraft have HMS Sabre been deployed from each base to intercept Russian HMS Scimitar aircraft in each of the last five years. [14599] RFA Fort Victoria Baltic: Nick Harvey: The number of days on which Royal HMS Penzance Air Force Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) aircraft have North Atlantic: been launched in response to Russian military aviation in the each of the last five years is contained in the HMS Manchester following table. RFA Wave Ruler South Atlantic: Number of days QRA launched in response to Russian HMS Gloucester military aviation HMS Portland 2006 1 HMS Clyde 2007 19 RFA Black Rover 2008 10 HMS Ocean 2009 11 Home Waters: 20101 6 1 To date. HMS Tyne QRA aircraft are held at ground readiness at RAF HMS Severn Coningsby and RAF Leuchars. I am withholding HMS Mersey information about from which base QRA aircraft were HMS Gleaner launched for each incident as its disclosure would, or HMS Echo would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness In addition two frigates, two mine counter measure or security of the armed forces. vessels, two patrol vessels and one RFA ship are at Trident notice for contingent operations in home waters. Wind Power Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Statement of 17 June 2010, Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Official Report, columns 1040-41, on public spending, Defence if he will publish the terms of the memorandum in which country the company contracted to provide of understanding signed on 11 June 2008 between his the Successor Deterrent Extension and Concept Long Department, the wind energy industry and the then Lead Items to be reviewed under the Trident value for Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory money review has its headquarters. [13658] Reform. [14596]

Dr Fox [holding answer 8 September 2010]: No company, Mr Robathan: The terms of the Memorandum of headquarters or country has been selected as no contracts Understanding can be found on the Department for have been let for Long Lead Items for the Trident Energy and Climate Change website using the following Successor programme. link: http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/what%20we%20do/ Warships: Deployment uk%20energy%20supply/energy%20mix/renewable%20energy/ planning/on_off_wind/aero_military/file46583.pdf Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which ships of the Royal Navy are deployed on operations at sea; and where each is deployed. [14952] PRIME MINISTER Departmental Work Experience Dr Fox: As at 9 September 2010 the following Royal Navy ships are deployed on operations at sea: Luciana Berger: To ask the Prime Minister how Middle East: many unpaid interns have been employed in No. 10 HMS Somerset Downing Street since April 2010. [13807] 739W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 740W

The Prime Minister: There have been no unpaid (2) what discussions he had had with the (a) interns employed in No. since April Secretary of State for Health and (b) Parliamentary 2010. Under Secretary of State for Health about proposals to end the nursery milk scheme. [13596] India The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the Angus Robertson: To ask the Prime Minister which press briefing given by my official spokesman on 9 Ministers and officials accompanied him on his visit to August 2010. A copy of the transcript is available on the No. 10 website at: India in July 2010. [13364] http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/press-briefings/2010/08/ The Prime Minister: As set out in the Ministerial morning-press-briefmg-from-9-august-2010-54404 Code, Departments will publish, at least quarterly, details of all travel overseas by their Ministers. Information for the period 13 May to 31 July 2010 will be published shortly. INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE Mr Weir: To ask the Prime Minister whether any representatives of the nuclear industry accompanied Departmental Public Relations him on his visit to India in July. [13506] Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the hon. Member for The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for press notice issued by my office on Tuesday 27 July the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, 2010. A copy has been placed in the Library of the how many staff are employed by the Independent House. Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) to work on public relations; what the total cost to the public purse Industrial Health and Safety: Departmental of employing staff for public relations work has been Responsibilities since it began operation; and which (a) agencies and (b) Government departments have provided staff to undertake such work for IPSA in that period. [14624] Lisa Nandy: To ask the Prime Minister which Minister has lead responsibility for the review of health Mr Charles Walker: IPSA currently employs two and safety law; and what role he is playing in the members of staff in its communications team. One review. [14962] person has responsibility for external communications, including the media, and one person has responsibility The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the for internal communications and website management. article on the No. 10 website at A director of communications will soon be joining http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/latest-news/2010/06/pm- IPSA to provide strategic oversight and direction to its announces-review-of-health-and-safety-laws-51726 communications activities. Petitions Since IPSA began operations on 7 May 2010, the total spend on employing staff for all aspects of communications activities has been £37,840. This includes Luciana Berger: To ask the Prime Minister (1) how the associated expenditure of national insurance and many e-petitions there were on the Downing Street employer pension contributions and VAT on contracted website with (a) fewer than and (b) more than 500 staff supplied by GovGap. signatures on 6 April 2010; [13815] No Government Departments have provided staff to (2) for what reasons responses will not be issued to IPSA’s communication team in this period. IPSA received e-petitions to No. 10 Downing Street which had fewer communications advice and support from Apex than 500 signatures on 6 April 2010; and if he will Communications during the initial phase of operation contact signatories of such petitions to inform them no as it was recruiting and establishing its in-house response will be made; [13816] communication team, but does not any more. (3) for what reasons a response will be made to e-petitions to No. 10 Downing Street which had more ICT than 500 signatures submitted before 6 April 2010. [13817] Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, statement on the Number 10 website which can be what the (a) value and (b) length of contract is for the found at: computer system used by the Independent Parliamentary http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ Standards Authority; and with which organisation the contract is made. [14307] School Milk Mr Charles Walker: The Contract is with Calyx (UK) Dr Whiteford: To ask the Prime Minister (1) (a) on Ltd. The length of the contract is five years from what date and (b) by what means he was first informed February 2010. of Department of Health proposals to end the nursery The scope of the contract covers infrastructure and milk scheme; [13595] enterprise software support as follows: 741W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 742W

Infrastructure support covers: in “The MPs’ Expenses Scheme: Second Edition”, which Server hardware, desktops and laptops, network hardware, has been made available to all MPs and is available on: office infrastructure, firewalls, anti-virus, web proxy and hosting www.parliamentarystandards.org.uk services, WAN link, security solutions, email, telephony. In addition since 7 May 2010, IPSA has introduced a Enterprise software support covers: number of changes to procedures to help MPs, including: Software support for financial accounting, online expense the introduction of a £4,000 advance for MPs and advance system, payroll, HR, customer management system. payments on production of invoices for a number of high cost The annual value of the contract including both items; infrastructure and enterprise support is £194,000 in the a facility for proxies to process expenses for MPs who are not first year and £252,000 per year in subsequent years. their employer; the extension of the 90 day deadline for claims until 1 October Manpower 2010; the introduction of the “grace period” until early September, Glenda Jackson: To ask the hon. Member for under which claims submitted over the summer which are Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for outside the rules will not be published. the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, These and other changes have been documented in how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time staff work the IPSA MPs’ Bulletin, which is sent to all MPs each for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority; week and available on: and if the Authority will publish its standard employment www.parliamentarystandards.org.uk contract for staff. [10204] Ann McKechin: To ask the hon. Member for Mr Charles Walker: As of 19 July 2010, IPSA has 83 Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for staff of whom: the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, (a) 82 are full-time; and how many refusals of claims had been communicated (b) one part-time. to hon. Members by means of (a) the Independent IPSA will send the standard employment contract Parliamentary Standards Authority website and (b) by template to the hon. Member. email for the period to 7 September 2010. [15032]

Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the hon. Member for Mr Charles Walker: Where a claim is refused in full Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for or in part, MPs are provided with summary details of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, the refusal via the online system under heading ‘Refusals’. how many full-time staff each department of the By close of business on 9 September, 25,872 claim lines Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority employs; had been approved and 1,574 claim lines had been and what the staff turnover has been in each week since refused. 1 May 2010. [11824] Currently refusals are not communicated via e-mail.

Mr Charles Walker: As of 27 July 2010, there are 78 Ann McKechin: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, full-time members of staff working at IPSA, broken representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent down as follows. Parliamentary Standards Authority, what proportion of claim refusal decisions communicated to hon. Members Permanent Temporary by 7 September 2010 were accompanied by accurate written accounts of the reasons for which claims had Chief Executive’s Unit 1 1 been refused. [15033] Operations 16 35 Finance and Corporate 411Mr Charles Walker: IPSA does not currently Services communicate refusal decisions by e-mail. MPs are provided Policy, Communications 64 and Secretariat with summary details of the refusal via the online system under heading ‘Refusals’. IPSA is developing a There has been no turnover in our permanent staff process to provide MPs with an automated e-mail alert since 1 May 2010. Due to the nature of temporary informing them of the status of claims and to enable employment, there are no figures available for turnover Members to view detailed refusal reasons. in temporary staff. Ann McKechin: To ask the hon. Member for Members: Allowances Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the hon. Member for how many Independent Parliamentary Standards Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for Authority staff are authorised to make claim refusal the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, if decisions on claims; and what procedures are followed he will list each of the changes made to the rules and in circumstances in which such staff make an error in procedures implemented by the Independent Parliamentary communicating such a refusal decision to an hon. Standards Authority since its inception. [14306] Member. [15034]

Mr Charles Walker: A small number of changes to Mr Charles Walker: Currently seven senior members the MPs’ Expenses Scheme were introduced in July of IPSA staff are able to make final decisions on MPs 2010, following the consultation required by the expense claims. Where a claim is refused, MPs are able Parliamentary Standards Act. The changes are detailed to request a review within 14 days on the grounds that 743W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 744W the rules have been applied inconsistently or that IPSA Sir George Young: For 2010-11, the formula used to has made an administrative error. If the review finds calculate each opposition party’s Short money funding that the claim should have been paid, the claim is is: £14,351 multiplied by the number of seats won by a revisited and processed. Individual members of staff party’s candidates at the general election; plus £27.99 are informed of the review and further training is multiplied by one two hundredth of the number of provided where required. votes cast at the election. The formula was set by a resolution of the House of 26 May 1999 and has been Ann McKechin: To ask the hon. Member for uprated by increases in the retail prices index since then. Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for Each Opposition party that receives Short money is the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, required to submit a report from an independent how many documents submitted to the Independent professional auditor, after the end of each financial Parliamentary Standards Authority by hon. Members year, that all the expenses for which the party received in support of their claims had been lost in the period to financial assistance under the terms of the resolution 30 August 2010. [15035] were incurred exclusively in connection with the party’s parliamentary business. The relevant criteria are set out Mr Charles Walker: IPSA does not record numbers in notes provided to the auditors. of documents which are thought to have been lost.

Ann McKechin: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Arts Council East: Finance what procedures are followed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to record the Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for receipt of supporting documents submitted in relation Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much was to claims made by hon. Members; and whether the allocated in grants to Arts Council East in (a) each of Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority plans the last five financial years and (b) 2010-11; and how to review those procedures. [15036] much he plans to provide in grant funding to Arts Council East in 2011-12. [14484] Mr Charles Walker: Post deposited in the drop box in Portcullis House is collected by hand and, together with Hugh Robertson: The value of grants allocated by the mail posted directly to IPSA, is sorted every morning. Arts Council England to Arts Council East in each of MPs’ expense claims and accompanying receipts are the last five years can be seen in the following table: placed in individual, transparent pockets with all staples and paperclips removed. Each claim is then logged Financial year Grant allocated (£) using documentation tracking software and scanned directly to the online expenses system for validation. 2005-06 21,939,675 The documents are then filed immediately to Members’ 2006-07 16,794,153 records. Currently all post received is sorted, logged, 2007-08 17,924,637 scanned and filed within one day. All IPSA processes 2008-09 30,745,018 during this initial phase of operations are kept under 2009-10 33,182,886 review. 2010-11 111,894,520 1 Please note this figure applies to an incomplete financial year Mr Meacher: To ask the hon. Member for Arts Council England has not received its grant in Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for aid settlement for 2011-12 yet, so future budget allocations the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, have not been decided. how many and what proportion of telephone calls to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Arts: Finance from hon. Members were not answered within 15 minutes in the latest period for which figures are Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for available; and if he will make a statement. [15241] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Mr Charles Walker: It is not possible to provide the Exchequer on (a) reductions in the expenditure of arts requested statistics at this time. IPSA intends to provide organisations funded by his Department and (b) the MPs with information on its performance against its future levels of arts funding. [14891] call handling and other service targets shortly. Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State has met colleagues at the Treasury regularly, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to discuss the Spending Review amongst LEADER OF THE HOUSE other matters. BBC: Finance Short Money Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Rehman Chishti: To ask the Leader of the House Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent what formula is used for calculating Short money; discussions he has had with the BBC Trust on the when that formula was set; and what mechanism is BBC’s use of licence fee revenue; and if he will make a used to monitor the usage of allocated funds. [14126] statement. [14912] 745W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 746W

Mr Vaizey: I have made it clear in discussions with Number the BBC that it must demonstrate it is operating efficiently June to and must set the highest standards in providing value August Within Over Over Over for money to licence fee payers. 2010 30 days 30 days 60 days 90 days We expect discussions on the future level of the licence fee to begin next year. DCMS 1,247 6 0 0 The Royal 1,292 60 23 5 Parks Camelot The Department does not collate this information for Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for its arm’s length bodies. Accordingly, I have asked their Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent chief executives to write to the hon. Member for Shipley. representations he has received on the grounds for the Copies of their replies will be placed in the Libraries of National Lottery Commission’s interim decision to both Houses. refuse Camelot’s application for a licence to provide Departmental Work Experience commercial services; and if he will make a statement. [14590] Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many Hugh Robertson: We have received four representations unpaid, expenses-only internships there have been in on the National Lottery Commission’s (NLC) ’minded (a) his Department and (b) public bodies which fall to’ decision to refuse Camelot’s application for a licence within his Department’s area of responsibility in the to provide commercial services. last 12 months. [13811] Whether to allow Camelot to provide commercial services rests properly within the NLC’s remit as regulator. John Penrose: There has been one unpaid internship The NLC are rightly independent from political intervention in DCMS in the last 12 months. or control on these matters NLC’s closing date for The Department does not hold this information for representations to their ’minded to’ decision is Friday its public bodies. Accordingly, I have asked their chief 17 September. executives to write to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree. Copies of the replies will be placed in the Churches: Repairs and Maintenance Libraries of both Houses. Digital Broadcasting: Pensioners Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent representations he has received on the continuation of George Freeman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme; and if he Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will estimate will make a statement. [14085] the average cost per pensioner household of upgrading radio equipment in vehicles and properties in John Penrose: This Department has received a wide preparation for the proposed switchover from analogue range of representations from individuals, congregations to digital radio in (a) England and Wales and (b) Mid and faith groups about the Listed Places of Worship Norfolk constituency. [15085] Grant Scheme. I appreciate that the scheme is well liked and has played a significant role in supporting repairs Mr Vaizey: The Government have made no such to places of worship, and I can fully understand their estimate. desire for certainty over the scheme’s future to be given However, on 8 July the Government published the at the earliest opportunity. This decision can only be Digital Radio Action Plan, which outlines information taken, however, as part of the wider discussions about the Government will need in order to make a well-informed Government spending priorities in the next spending decision on whether to proceed with a radio switchover. round. We will ensure that we publicise any decisions as This will include a detailed cost benefit analysis of the soon as possible. radio switchover; such as the cost to consumers of household and vehicle conversion. Departmental Billing Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, George Freeman: To ask the Secretary of State for Olympics, Media and Sport how many payments to Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what percentage suppliers were made by (a) his Department, (b) its of radio listeners in (a) England and Wales and (b) agency and (c) its non-departmental public bodies (i) Mid Norfolk use digital radio; what percentage of within 30 days of, (ii) over 30 days after, (iii) over 60 people in (i) England and Wales and (ii) Mid Norfolk days after and (iv) over 90 days after the date of invoice are not able to receive digital radio signals; and when in the latest period for which figures are available. full digital radio coverage will be available in Mid [13935] Norfolk. [15086]

John Penrose: The number of payments in the latest Mr Vaizey: The weekly reach1 of digital radio in the period this Department and its Executive agency, The UK is 38.7% of the population, while digital radio Royal Parks, made to suppliers within and over 30, over listening equates to 24.6% of all radio listening. The 60 and over 90 working days of date of receipt are in the Government do not hold separate listening figures for table. the nations or regions. 747W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 748W

The table sets out national and Nations coverage as John Penrose: I have met with representatives of both calculated in 2008. We hold no such data at a regional racing and bookmaking to discuss the levy and seek level. suggestions about how it might be improved or, if Current DAB coverage (percentage of population) possible, suitably replaced. I am currently considering UK England Wales what potential changes I may make to the levy structure and will discuss these ideas further with the Levy Board Mobile 92.2 94.1 73.6 later this month. I have also received representations DAB from the British Horseracing Authority, on behalf of Indoor 82.2 83.7 63.3 racing, on the future of the Horserace Totalisator Board. DAB Museums and Galleries: Fees and Charges We are working with broadcasters and operators to agree a plan for increasing DAB coverage, although ho Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, decision has yet been made in respect of Mid Norfolk. Olympics, Media and Sport if he will encourage the 1 The number of people aged 15+ who tune to a radio station Arts Council to relax its free entry conditions on grants within at least one quarter-hour period over the course of a week. to allow recipients to charge admission to art galleries Respondents are instructed to fill in a quarter-hour only if they have listened to the station for at least five minutes within that and other arts venues; and if he will make a statement. quarter-hour. Between 24.00-06.00, listening is recorded in half-hour [14483] periods. Hugh Robertson: Arts Council England (ACE) operates George Freeman: To ask the Secretary of State for at arm’s length from Government and it is for them to Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions set the conditions associated with the grants they make. he has had with broadcasters to ensure that public Although it is not ACE’s standard policy to stipulate service radio broadcasting continues to provide free entry conditions to grants, there may be individual universal coverage in (a) England and Wales and (b) grants which carry this condition in relation to local Mid Norfolk after the digital switchover. [15087] circumstances, or a proposal in the grant application.

Mr Vaizey: The Government have been clear that Museums, Libraries and Archives Council digital radio switchover can only occur once DAB coverage is comparable to current FM coverage. To this end we Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, are working closely with the BBC, , and the Olympics, Media and Sport what impact assessment he multiplex operators to both define current FM coverage has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the abolition levels and make recommendations for future DAB roll-out. of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. [14102] Employment: East Lothian Hugh Robertson: No formal impact assessment was Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for commissioned. The basis for the decision has been the Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will meet need to find savings in all areas of the Department’s representatives of the Big Lottery to discuss the effects spending, and to ensure that every pound of public of the withdrawal of funding from the Pathways money we allocate to supporting libraries, archives and programme in East Lothian constituency on its work front-line museum services gives the maximum benefit. helping people with a history of substance abuse return Ofcom: Performance Measurement to further education, training or employment. [13543]

John Penrose: I am afraid I have no plans to meet Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for representatives of the Big Lottery Fund to discuss this Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has issue. The Big Lottery Fund, as with all lottery distributors, made an assessment of Ofcom’s performance in meeting rightly makes its funding decisions independently of its objectives for the draft Initial Obligations Code. Government, and decides on its own funding priorities [14490] and programmes. In any case, I understand that the Big Lottery Fund is not withdrawing funding from the Mr Vaizey: We have made no assessment of the draft Pathways to Education, Training and Employment project initial obligations code yet. My officials are engaged in East Lothian. with Ofcom as they develop the code in the light of the responses that they received to their consultation, and Horse Racing: Betting when the code is ready, then we will look at it carefully. It should also be noted that before the code can be Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for finally consented to by the Secretary of State and put to Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) if he will Parliament for approval, it will need to be notified to review the operation of the horserace betting levy to the European Commission and member states under the terms of the technical standards directive, who will ensure that payments are collected effectively; [13537] have a minimum of three months in which to consider it. (2) what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the horseracing industry on Olympic Games 2012: Finance Government support for that industry; [13538] (3) if he will bring forward proposals to apply the Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for horserace betting levy to (a) bookmakers who move Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much has their business offshore and (b) betting exchanges. been drawn down from the Olympic Contingency Fund [13539] in the last 12 months. [13203] 749W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 750W

Hugh Robertson: As reported in the latest London Hugh Robertson: The future of regional arts councils 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Quarterly Report, is the responsibility of Arts Council England, since they published in July 2010, we started with £2.0 billion, of were subsumed in to the national structure in 2003. We which, £790 million has been allocated, including £110 understand there are no plans to review the role of million this year, leaving £1.2 billion. Any further allocations regional arts councils at present. of contingency will be reported in subsequent 2012 quarterly reports, the next of which is expected to be S4C: Finance published in early November 2010. Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Press Complaints Commission Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will meet members of the Welsh Language Society to discuss Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for future funding arrangements for S4C. [15390] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will bring Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, forward proposals to improve the independence of the Media and Sport met with members of the Welsh Press Complaints Commission. [14950] Language Society when they demonstrated outside the Mr Vaizey: The Press Complaints Commission is Department on 9 September. independent from Government. It has over recent years Sports sought to improve its independence from the industry by increasing the number of lay members that serve on James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Commission. These now form a clear two thirds Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many athletes majority. We have no plans to suggest any changes. identified during a UK Sport Talent Identification and Development campaign are in receipt of an Athlete Press: Regulation Personal Award as part of that body’s World Class Performance Programme. [14324] Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment Hugh Robertson: There are currently 16 athletes in he has made of the effectiveness of the provisions of the receipt of UK Sport Athlete Personal Awards (APAs) Code of the Press Complaints Commission on harassment as well as World Class Performance Programme support. and privacy; and if he will seek a strengthening of the Sports can also provide APAs to support athletes with provisions of the Code in those respects. [14949] their sporting and living costs and a further 12 athletes are in receipt of governing body APAs. Mr Vaizey: The Editors Code of Practice, overseen Although not all athletes identified through UK Talent by the Press Complaints Commission, sets out how the campaigns have access to APAs, a total of 121 athletes press regulates itself. It is a self-regulatory mechanism, have progressed to their sports’ World Class Performance and while the Government might suggest a particular Programmes (WCPP). The WCPP provides coaching, change if they considered one necessary, they could training and competition support, medical and scientific certainly not impose one. We have no plans for suggesting services and access to the best facilities that the UK any changes. (and often the world) has to offer. Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will assess the adequacy of arrangements for regulation of the COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT press. [14951] Audit Commission Mr Vaizey: The Government strongly support self- regulation of the press. We monitor informally how the Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for arrangements are working, and give careful consideration Communities and Local Government to which to the results of regular parliamentary scrutiny from, organisations he expects the Audit Commission’s (a) for example, the Culture, Media and Sport Select audit, (b) assessment, (c) research and (d) data- Committee, but have no plans to carry out a formal matching functions to be transferred. [14563] review. Robert Neill: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for of State for Communities and Local Government told Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what guidance his the House in response to an urgent question from the Department has given to the Press Complaints Commission hon. Member for Sheffield South East (Mr Betts) on on the definition of the public interest. [14953] 7 September 2010, Official Report, columns 179-86, we are seeking to put the Commission’s in-house audit Mr Vaizey: The Press Complaints Commission is practice into the private sector. Its research activities independent from Government. We have given no guidance will end and, with the ending of comprehensive area on how it should define the public interest. assessments, many of the Commission’s functions have disappeared. As my right hon. Friend made clear, we Regional Arts Councils are now working closely with local government, the health sector, the Commission, the accounting sector Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for and other partners to complete the detailed design of Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has the new arrangements, including an appropriate future for the future of regional arts councils; and if he will for the Commission’s important anti-fraud data-matching make a statement. [14485] functions. 751W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 752W

Audit Commission: Tyne and Wear Robert Neill: In July 2010 Communities and Local Government paid 93.14% of invoices within 10 days Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for and in August 2010 91.66% of invoices were paid within Communities and Local Government how many residents 10 days. of Washington and Sunderland West constituency were employed by the Audit Commission on 12 August 2010. Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for [14567] Communities and Local Government how many payments to suppliers were made by (a) his Department, (b) its Robert Neill: I have been informed by the Audit agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies (i) Commission that it employed two residents of Washington within 30 days of, (ii) over 30 days after, (iii) over 60 and Sunderland West constituency on 12 August 2010. days after and (iv) over 90 days after the date of invoice Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 in the latest period for which figures are available. [13934] Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will review Robert Neill: The following table details invoices paid the effectiveness of the operation of the Community in August 2010: Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010; and if he will Invoices paid in August 2010 make a statement. [14791] Days Within : The Government are carefully considering 30 Over 30 Over 60 Over 90 Total the future of the Community Infrastructure Levy. A Communities and 1,608 39 7 8 1,662 public announcement is likely to be made soon. Local Government Council Housing: Finance Government 578 7 2 1 588 Office Network Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Fire Service 269 3 0 0 272 Communities and Local Government what recent estimate College Planning 253 0 0 0 253 he has made of the level of outstanding capital investment Inspectorate requirements for arm’s length management organisations. Queen Elizabeth 147 0 0 0 147 [13837] II Conference Centre Andrew Stunell: ALMOs have estimated that around £2 billion is required to complete their Decent Homes Details of invoice payments made by the Department’s investment programmes. Future funding for the Decent non-departmental public bodies could be supplied only Homes programme will be decided in the context of the at disproportionate cost. spending review. Departmental Consultants Departmental Art Works : To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) average Communities and Local Government what the (a) and (b) highest daily rate paid to consultants by his artist, (b) estimated value and (c) description is of Department was in each of the last five years. [12663] each piece of artwork commissioned for display in his Department since 12 May 2010. [14593] Robert Neill: As consultancy contracts are often paid at a fixed price and are output based we cannot quote Robert Neill: Communities and Local Government an average daily rate. The highest rate paid on a cost have not commissioned any works of art for display in volume contract (with a total contract value exceeding the Department since the 12 May 2010. £20,000) in 2009-10 was £2,143 per day. This was a All artwork on display in Ministers’ Offices and in director rate for ad hoc work, this relates to the contract some communal areas of the Department is on loan with PQ consulting for FireControl. from the Government art collection. Figures for earlier years could be supplied only at The Department has recently procured a printed disproportionate cost. portrait of Her Majesty the Queen for display in the reception of Eland House at a cost of £256.74 including Departmental Public Relations VAT. This was funded from savings made by consolidating seven sets of papers and periodicals for Ministers and Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for special advisers, delivering over £15,000 a year in ongoing Communities and Local Government how much his revenue savings. Previously the Department did not Department spent on external public relations in possess a portrait of Her Majesty, despite it being the 2009-10. [15031] legal title holder of the Government’s civil estate on behalf of the crown. Robert Neill: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire Departmental Billing (Pete Wishart) on 9 September 2010, Official Report, column 603W.A breakdown of the Department’s spend Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for on communications and marketing can be found at: Communities and Local Government what proportion http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/about/howwework/ of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within corporatereports/reportsaccounts/communications 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010. [13274] marketingreports/ 753W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 754W

Departmental Training : The Government are committed to tackling and preventing homelessness. We have established Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for a new cross-Government working group on homelessness Communities and Local Government how many bringing together Ministers from eight Government external training courses were attended by staff of his Departments to address the complex causes of homelessness Department in the last 12 months; and what the cost to and rough sleeping. A new approach to evaluating the public purse was of each such course. [13275] rough sleeping levels is being introduced so that there is clear information in all areas, to inform service provision Robert Neill: The Department does not hold a central and action to address the problem. £74 million in record of all external training courses attended by staff homelessness grant to local authorities and the voluntary in the last 12 months and this information could be sector has been allocated in 2010-11 to support work to provided only at a disproportionate cost. A central prevent homelessness, including £2.7 million for local people development team is responsible for providing authorities in the west midlands. or coordinating training where a strategic or priority Homelessness: West Midlands need is identified across the Department as a whole. Where training needs are identified which fall outside of Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State the centrally-managed programme, arrangements are for Communities and Local Government what estimate made by individuals or teams in accordance with he has made of the number of people in (a) Coventry departmental procedures and guidance and with costs and (b) the West Midlands who were homeless in each met from within agreed budgets for general administrative year since 2000. [15243] expenditure. While departmental systems can identify expenditure on learning and development activities, it is Grant Shapps: Summary tables giving the number of not currently possible to differentiate between expenditure households accepted as owed a main homelessness duty, on courses and expenditure on other forms of learning the number of households in temporary accommodation and development activity.Notwithstanding my Department arranged by each local authority and rough sleeper has published all its expenditure over £500 online in counts and estimates for the past 10 years have been 2009-10 as part of our ongoing transparency initiative. placed in the Library of the House. Information about local authorities’ discharge of their Gloucestershire Tri-Service Emergency Centre duties under homelessness legislation is collected on quarterly P1E returns. Summary information about Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for English local housing authorities’ actions under the Communities and Local Government how much of the homelessness legislation (part 7 of the Housing Act office space of the Gloucestershire Tri-Service 1996) is collected at local authority level, and published Emergency Centre at Waterwells is not in use. [13394] by the Department in the quarterly Statistical Release on Statutory Homelessness, available both in the Library Robert Neill: The information requested is held locally and via the CLG website: and not by my Department. http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/ housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/homelessnessstatistics/ publicationshomelessness/ Government Offices for the Regions: Redundancy Data collected include the number of households accepted by local housing authorities as eligible for Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, Communities and Local Government if he will take and therefore owed a main homelessness duty (to secure steps to avoid redundancies from the Government that suitable accommodation is available). If a settled Office Network in regions where there are vacancies in home is not immediately available, the authority must other parts of the civil service. [15240] secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available and this information is also collected. Greg Clark: The Secretary of State’s announcement Information is also collected on rough sleeping. Since on 22 July made clear that final decisions regarding the 1998, only councils in areas future of the Government offices will be made at the with a known, or suspected, rough sleeping problem end of the Spending Review following consideration of were required to conduct an official rough sleeper count— consequential issues. Any decisions on the redeployment which meant that only 70 councils submitted information or release of staff will therefore be made once the to central Government. Figures published in July 2010 Spending Review is complete. We are, however, already showed that under this previous method, on any given working with sponsor Departments with the aim of night there were 440 rough sleepers in England. However, agreeing arrangements which will maximise the when the remaining 256 councils provided estimates of opportunities for redeployment and which in turn will the scale of the problem in their areas, this added a minimise the possibility of compulsory exits in the further estimated 807 rough sleepers—taking the national event of the closure of the network. total to 1,247 rough sleepers on any given night. Under new guidance all councils across England will Homelessness now provide information on rough sleeping. This move follows consultation with homelessness charities and Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State councils and is aimed at getting a clearer picture of the for Communities and Local Government what steps the scale of the problem in each area so more targeted Government is taking to reduce levels of homelessness support can be provided to some of the most vulnerable (a) nationally and (b) in the West Midlands. [15244] in society. 755W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 756W

Rough sleeping figures are published by the Department These data are as reported to Communities and Local on the CLG website: Government by all 326 billing authorities in England http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/ on the annual Council Tax Base (CTB) forms. statistics/roughsleepingcount2010 Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing Improvements: Finance Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to assist property owners to bring empty Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for properties back into use. [R] [13859] Communities and Local Government what recent representations he has received on the level of Andrew Stunell: We are looking closely at the cause assistance available for adaptations to dwellings and and nature of empty homes and the full range of aids to enable elderly people to continue to live in their potential measures to bring empty homes back into use, homes; if he will meet representatives of Age UK to as part of a well functioning housing market discuss that matter; and if he will make a statement. [14464] Local Government Finance

Andrew Stunell: CLG has received representations Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State from the Home Adaptations Consortium in respect of for Communities and Local Government what estimate the Disabled Facilities Grant programme that provides he has made of the total interest paid by local funding to local authorities for adaptations. Any further authorities in 2009-10. [14025] statements in respect of the Disabled Facilities Grant programme will be made following the spending review Robert Neill: In 2009-10 interest charges for all local settlement. authorities in England were provisionally estimated at Housing: Empty Property £2.73 billion. The data on provisional revenue outturn for the Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for financial year 2009-10 are published at an all England Communities and Local Government what assessment level as part of a Statistical Release. The provisional he has made of the effect of council tax discounts on release for August 2010 was published on the CLG second properties on the number of empty properties. website at: [13365] http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/ statistics/revenue200910provoutturn Robert Neill: No assessment has been made of the effect of council tax discounts on second properties on Local Government Ombudsman the number of empty properties. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 23 February 2010, Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Official Report, column 477W. Communities and Local Government if he will review the management and functions of the Local Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Government Ombudsman. [14365] Communities and Local Government how many empty dwellings there are in each local authority area. [13729] Robert Neill: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State told the House on 7 September, we intend that Robert Neill: I have today placed in the Library of the to increase citizens rights of redress the Local Government House, a table giving details of the number of empty Ombudsman’s powers are increased and made legally dwellings in each local authority in England in October binding. 2009. The figures given include both short-term and The management of the Local Government Ombudsman long-term empty dwellings. service is a matter for the independent Commission for The data are as reported to Communities and Local Local Administration in England. Government by all 326 billing authorities in England on the annual Council Tax Base (CTB) and CTB Local Government: Pay (Supplementary) forms.

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local Communities and Local Government (1) pursuant to authorities had exercised their option to rescind the 50 paragraph 2.18 of Budget 2010, HC 61, what progress per cent. council tax discount on empty properties after has been made on ensuring that local government six months on the most recent date for which figures public sector workers earning less than £21,000 per year will receive a pay increase of at least £250 in are available. [13738] 2011-12 and 2012-13; [15203] Robert Neill: In October 2009, 167 local authorities (2) if he will discuss with Local Government reported that they had stopped granting the 50% council Employers the merits of a guaranteed annual pay rise tax discount on empty dwellings after six months. A of at least £250 for local government staff with salaries further 98 indicated that they granted either the 50% of £21,000 or less in 2011-12 and 2012-13; [15204] discount or a lower discount for empty properties depending (3) if he will discuss with Local Government on the circumstance. The remaining 61 local authorities Employers the merits of agreement to binding reported they continued to grant the 50% council tax arbitration with local government unions in respect of discount on empty dwellings after six months. the 2010-11 local government pay claim. [15205] 757W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 758W

Robert Neill: The pay of local Government employees Robert Neill: Between 30 August 1999 and 19 April is determined by the relevant National Joint Council 2009, 8,663 planning applications were referred under (NJC) or Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) governing the above departure direction. that workforce. In each instance, the governing NJC or JNC is made up of the employers’ side and the trade Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for union side. Central Government have no role in respect Communities and Local Government how many times of any of the NJC’s or JNC’s that operate in local he has used his powers to revoke Article 4 directions government. issued by local planning authorities under the General Permitted Development Order in each year since 1995. Non-domestic Rates: Empty Property [15239]

Mr Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Robert Neill: Information on how many times since Communities and Local Government what plans he 1995 the Secretary of State has used his powers to has for the future system of empty property rates. cancel article 4 directions could be provided only at [13790] disproportionate cost. However, my Department is not aware of any instances where the Secretary of State has Robert Neill: For 2010-11, all empty properties with used his powers to cancel an article 4 direction. rateable values up to £18,000 are exempt from business rates. 70% of properties have a rateable value below that Planning Permission: Essex threshold so, if empty, will pay no rates this year. The temporary threshold is intended to provide owners with Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities help to manage short-term pressures in a difficult property and Local Government if he will use his powers under market. We recognize the impact of the last Government; section 5 of the Town and Country Planning (General increases in rates by curtailing empty property relief in Permitted Development) Order 1995 to revoke the Article a recession. The new Government face a great challenge 4 direction issued by Maldon District Council on the handling the massive budget deficit we have inherited. Maypole Road Plots, north west of Furzelands Farms, We have however already taken steps to provide additional Great Totham, Essex; and if he will make a statement. support on business rates by increasing SBRR over the [15194] next year. Robert Neill: The Secretary of State will consider Planning formal requests to cancel article 4 directions. The Government’s policy is that the cancellation of an article Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for 4 direction by the Secretary of State would only be Communities and Local Government whether his proposed justified if there are very clear reasons why intervention new planning legislation will include provisions for at this level would be necessary. The Government believe restrictions on the level of parish precepts. [13227] that planning decisions on local matters are best taken at the local level. Robert Neill: The consultation paper “Local Referendums To Veto Excessive Council Tax Increases”, which was Planning: Internet published on 30 July, includes proposals to allow local residents to veto excessive precept increases set by town Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for and parish councils, subject to applying a ‘de minimis’ Communities and Local Government how much the threshold which would exclude smaller councils. Final Planning Portal has spent on its Second Life website decisions in relation to council tax referendums, including presence; and when the Second Life site was started. whether and how to include parish councils, will be [15044] taken following consideration of the consultation responses. The deadline for those responses is 10 September 2010. Robert Neill: The Planning Portal commissioned a version of its successful Interactive House (which provides Planning Permission public information on permitted development rights) on Second Life in 2008, believing this would engage a Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for younger audience in planning matters. Although customer Communities and Local Government how many planning feedback was positive take-up was insufficient to warrant applications were notified to his Department under the its continuation and the project was cancelled in earlier provisions of the Town and Country Planning this year. The total cost to the Planning Portal was (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009 between 20 £14,000. April 2009 and 19 April 2010. [14041] Repossession Orders: West Midlands Robert Neill: Between 20 April 2009 and 19 April 2010, 166 planning applications were referred under the Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State above direction. for Communities and Local Government how many homes were repossessed in (a) the West Midlands and Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for (b) Coventry in each year since 2000. [15245] Communities and Local Government how many planning applications which departed from the development plan Grant Shapps: There are two independent sources of were notified to his Department under the provisions of data on actual numbers of mortgage possessions: The the Town and Country Planning (Development Plans Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) and the Financial and Consultation) (Departures) Directions 1999 between Services Authority (FSA). However both are only available 30 August 1999 and 19 April 2009. [14042] for the United Kingdom as a whole. 759W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 760W

The Council of Mortgage Lenders latest press release This information is not available as the data are not on repossessions is on their website at: required from local authorities. http://www.cml.org.uk/cml/media/press/2680. The Financial Services Authority data are available Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for on their website at: Communities and Local Government what (a) regional and (b) national targets there are for local http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Library/Other_publications/ statistics/index.shtml. authorities in respect of the provision of Traveller sites. [14477] Schools: Ventilation Andrew Stunell: The revocation of regional strategies has removed the system of top-down regional numbers Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for and plans. Local authorities are now responsible for Communities and Local Government with reference to determining the right level of site provision in their Building Bulletin 101 on ventilation of school area, reflecting local need and historic demand, in buildings, if he will review Part F of the Building consultation with local communities. Regulations for educational buildings for the purposes of ensuring that it makes clear that a controllable Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for system must have a level of automation or notification Communities and Local Government what recent so that the desired air flow rate is achieved. [14761] discussions he has had with local authorities on emerging Government policy on the duty of local authorities to Andrew Stunell: Part F of the building regulations make provision for Traveller and Gypsy sites. [14478] provides guidance on ventilation provision for dwellings and offices but not for different types of buildings. The Andrew Stunell: The Government intend to revoke part F Approved Document (statutory guidance) states Planning Circular 01/06, subject to necessary impact that the requirements for other building types will be assessments. It will be replaced with a short policy satisfied by following the appropriate design guidance. statement and light-touch guidance and we will be Building bulletin 101 deals with the design of school formally consulting with local government. buildings to meet the ventilation requirements of both the school premises regulations and part F of the building Wind Power: Yelvertoft regulations. This would be the place to consider any changes to the requirements. Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State South West Regional Assembly for Communities and Local Government if he will call in for examination the recent decision of the Planning Inspectorate on the proposed development of a Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for windfarm at Yelvertoft; if he will take into account in Communities and Local Government (1) what estimate that examination (a) the views expressed by residents he has made of the cost to the public purse of the of Yelvertoft and the surrounding area and (b) the participation of local authority members in meetings decision on the application made by Daventry Borough of the South West Regional Assembly since 2004; Council; and if he will make a statement. [13533] [13404] (2) what the cost to the public purse of the South Robert Neill: The appeal against the decision of Daventry West Regional Spatial Strategy has been. [13405] district council to refuse to grant planning permission for a wind farm on land near Glebe Farm, Yelvertoft, Robert Neill: The South West Regional Assembly and was allowed on 20 July 2010 by an Inspector appointed the subsequent South West Leaders’ Board received a by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local total of £16,411,019 in annual departmental grants Government. An appeal decision once issued, with the from 2004 until 2010 when this grant stream ended. No exception of very minor slips, cannot be amended or detailed estimate or breakdown exists of either the costs changed. Decisions are therefore final unless successfully of the expenses incurred by elected members participating challenged, on legal points only, in the High Court. In a in regional assembly meetings or the revision of the planning appeal, as with all planning applications, decisions South West Regional Spatial Strategy. We have ended are made in accordance with the statutory development central funding to the South West Leaders Board as plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. part of our plans to abolish regional government. In reaching a decision an Inspector will take into account as material considerations other relevant planning issues, Travellers: Caravan Sites including those raised by local residents and the local planning authority concerned. Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse attributable to activities in connection with fresh Traveller encampments INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT on public land in the last 12 months. [13406] Africa: Tobacco Andrew Stunell: The former Commission for Racial Equality in its report “Common Ground” (published in : To ask the Secretary of State for 2006) estimated that local authorities spend £18 million International Development if his Department will take per year on enforcement against unauthorised Traveller steps to assist African countries in implementing the sites. Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. [12900] 761W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 762W

Mr O’Brien: The Department for International non-departmental public bodies (i) within 30 days of, Development (DFID) recognises the important contribution (ii) over 30 days after, (iii) over 60 days after and (iv) of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control over 90 days after the date of invoice in the latest (FCTC) towards reducing future deaths and disease period for which figures are available. [13927] from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The UK, as a world leader on tobacco control, is one Mr O’Brien: The Department for International of 168 parties to the FCTC and makes an annual Development’s performance with regards to payments financial contribution through the Department of Health. to all UK suppliers in August 2010 is as follows: It is a very active participant in the development of sets of guidelines (through DH) and a protocol (through Number HM Revenue and Customs) to implement the framework. Total payments 1,874 DFID does not currently support any country to Payments paid within 30 days 1,873 specifically implement the FCTC. However we do provide Payments paid over 30 days 1 considerable bilateral health support to a number of Payments paid over 60 days 0 African countries. This facilitates and supports countries Payments made over 90 days 0 to determine their own priorities and health plans. This budget support could extend to tobacco control activities The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, our as and when such support is requested from our partner non-departmental public body, does not make payments. countries. Departmental Offices Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will take steps to reduce Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the level of tobacco-related disease in developing countries; International Development what percentage of his and if he will make a statement. [12901] Department’s office accommodation he has offered to Mr O’Brien: Tobacco is a growing risk factor for a the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and number of non-communicable diseases. Unchecked, Sport as office accommodation for staff of that tobacco-related deaths will increase to more than eight Department; and when he expects such office million per year by 2030. More than 80% of those accommodation to become available. [14690] deaths will be in low and middle-income countries. Mr O’Brien: Discussions with the Department for The Department for International Development (DFID) Culture, Media and Sport regarding office accommodation provides technical and financial support to partner are at an early stage. Following the redeployment of a countries to help them tackle their pressing health number of posts to our office in East Kilbride, my priorities and strengthen health systems. DFID’s support Department is currently investigating a further benefits the capacity of the services to diagnose and reorganisation of our office at 1 Palace Street. No treat all diseases, including those which are related to precise amount of space has been agreed, but reorganisation tobacco. could free up part of the office from summer 2011. The UK Government are also co-sponsoring a CARICOM resolution on non-communicable diseases Departmental Sick Leave (NCDs) for the UN General Assembly, Importantly this calls for a high-level UN event in 2011 to raise the : To ask the Secretary of State for profile of NCDs on the global arena. This will naturally International Development on how many days on highlight the need to do more globally to reduce tobacco- average employees of his Department were absent from related morbidity and mortality. work as a result of ill-health in 2009-10. [14760] Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in what programmes his Mr O’Brien: During 2009-10, the average working Department plans to participate to reduce the incidence days lost to sickness absence per employee in the of green tobacco sickness and poisoning from pesticides Department for International Development was 4.9. and fertilisers among child labourers in the African Developing Countries: Family Planning tobacco sector. [12903]

Mr O’Brien: The Department for International Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Development (DFID) does not support tobacco International Development what files his Department production. holds on (a) the United Nations Population Fund, (b) DFID provides technical and financial support to the International Planned Parenthood Federation and partner countries to help them tackle their pressing (c) Marie Stopes International. [14318] health priorities and strengthen health systems. DFlD’s support benefits the capacity of the services to diagnose Mr O’Brien: The Department for International and treat all diseases, including those which are related Development (DFID) uses an Electronic Data Records to tobacco. Management (EDRM) system. Since the EDRM system was introduced in 2005, records relating to the United Departmental Billing Nations Population Fund, the International Planned Parenthood Federation and Marie Stopes International Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for have been stored within the EDRM system. To provide International Development how many payments to information on all the files held on the EDRM system suppliers were made by (a) his Department and (b) its would incur a disproportionate cost. 763W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 764W

Multi-donor Climate Investment Funds ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Carbon Emissions: Finance International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the World Bank-administered Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for multi-donor climate investment funds. [13445] Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had on legislative proposals for local carbon budget Mr O’Brien: The Department for international legislation to limit emissions in each local authority Development (DFID) carries out annual reviews of the area. [14908] Climate Investment Funds (CIFs), in line with its standard procedures for monitoring and evaluation. The first Gregory Barker: Local authorities need to show strong annual review was completed in May 2010, using evidence leadership and accountability in cutting emissions from from the design phase of the CIFs and the early plans their own estates and operations and those arising for CIFs investments. The Department judged that the within their areas, and have an important role in CIFs will largely achieve their objectives. contributing to the UK’s statutory carbon reduction The CIFs are also currently being assessed under targets. DFID’s Multilateral Aid Review (MAR), which aims We are currently exploring all options for local carbon to ensure maximum effectiveness and value for money reduction and have an ongoing dialogue at all levels from DFID’s contributions to multilateral agencies. with the local authorities, the Local Government Group, An independent evaluation of the CIFs and the impacts Friends of the Earth and other interested parties to of their activities will begin in 2011. This will be carried determine how to optimise the local authority contribution. out jointly by the independent evaluation departments We expect and will encourage local authorities to develop- of the multilateral development banks. stretching ambitions on carbon emissions. Overseas Territories Environment Programme Civil Nuclear Police Authority: Operating Costs

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for for International Development what plans he has for Energy and Climate Change how much the running the future funding of the Overseas Territories costs of the Civil Nuclear Police Authority were in the Environment Programme. [14143] latest period for which figures are available, broken down by budgetary heading. [14156] Mr O’Brien: Department for International Development (DFID) Ministers are reviewing the DFID aid programme Charles Hendry: Details of the operating costs of the to the UK overseas territories to determine how we can Civil Nuclear Police Authority (CNPA) are contained achieve better value for money for the taxpayer, and within the CNPA Annual Report and Accounts. Copies fulfil our obligations to the citizens of the territories. of the report can be obtained from the Vote Office in Future funding for the joint Foreign and Commonwealth the House of Commons, and is also available from the and DFID Overseas Territories Environment Programme CNPA website: will be determined as part of this review. www.cnpa.police.uk UN Development Fund for Women The following table provides audited operating cost information for the 2009-10 financial year and unaudited David Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for information for the five months from 1 April to 31 August International Development how much funding his 2010. Department plans to provide to the United Nations Civil Nuclear Police Authority Development Fund for Women in the period to 2015. £000 [14226] 12 months to 5 months to 31 March 2010 31 August 2010 Mr : The Department for International Description Audited Unaudited Development (DFID) has provided the United Nations Staff costs 44,945 19,946 Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) with core support of £3 million in each year since 2004. 2010 is the last year we will provide this support. External Charges In January 2011 UN Women, the new United Nations Subsistence 698 337 Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Car hire 305 114 Women, will begin operations. This new body will Mileage allowance 230 107 consolidate the work of UNIFEM and the other UN Other travel and 197 109 subsistence costs bodies working specifically on gender equality. Decisions Rentals under 332 8 on UK funding for UN Women will be informed by the operating leases ongoing Multilateral Aid Review, which will, conclude Rental of the 360 — in 2011 Constabulary’s training facilities A pre-existing funding commitment of £3.25 million Other rent charges 63 334 over four years to 2012 for UNIFEM’s Women’s Telecommunications 612 313 Peacebuilding and Prevention of Sexual Violence IT support charges 1,057 562 programme and support for UNIFEM projects and Training costs 843 327 programmes at country level will be transferred to UN Professional services 518 177 Women. 765W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 766W

Civil Nuclear Police Authority new coal capacity across Great Britain, including the £000 role of an Emissions Performance Standard in driving 12 months to 5 months to emissions reductions and incentivising new investment 31 March 2010 31 August 2010 in carbon capture and storage. Description Audited Unaudited Course fees 446 118 Energy and Climate Change: International Cooperation Insurance 278 111 Repairs and 470 197 maintenance Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Relocation 237 86 Energy and Climate Change what agreements were Recruitment 296 46 made at the recent Joint International Monetary Fund Payments under service 72 34 World Bank Spring Meetings on energy and climate level agreements change-related matters. [13898] Site support charges 106 60 Legal fees 77 36 Mr O’Brien: I have been asked to reply. Regulatory charges 46 28 Security vetting 184 57 At the Joint International Monetary Fund-World Range fees 87 54 Bank Spring Meetings, the Development Committee Other external charges 732 515 endorsed a general capital increase alongside a new Total external charges 8,246 3,731 post-crisis strategy, and suite of reforms, to strengthen the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of the World Bank Group, and shareholding reform to increase Operating materials the voting power of developing and transition countries. Motor fuel 285 137 The post-crisis strategy includes climate change and Weapons 209 50 energy issues. Beyond that, no specific agreements on IT equipment 172 44 energy and climate-change related matters were made at Inventory withdrawals 835 343 the spring meetings. The Department for International Stationery 104 29 Development continues to work closely with the World Non-capital equipment 92 100 Bank, and other multilateral development banks, on Firearms spares and 226 258 energy and climate-change related issues. supplies Dog related 55 15 expenditure. Government Departments: Carbon Emissions Electricity-charges 27 13 Inventory items written 79 — off due to obsolescence Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Other operating 234 123 Energy and Climate Change what progress has been materials made in achieving a 10% year on-year reduction in Total operating 2,318 1,111 carbon dioxide emissions from the Government estate; materials and if he will make a statement. [13964]

Other operating 97 (9) Charles Hendry: On 14 May my right hon. Friend the charges Prime Minister announced that he wanted this to be the greenest government ever, and set a challenging target Non-cash items of reducing government’s emissions by 10% in 12 months. Amortisation of 71 32 Since then, all departments have submitted their plans intangible assets for action, detailing how they will contribute towards Depreciation 824 281 the target. All ministerial headquarter buildings have Capital grants (105) (24) also published real time energy use data, on line. Provision provided in 123 — the year Departments are currently submitting data on emissions Provisions not required (40) — from the first quarter of the year, and, with the Efficiency written back Reform Group, we are establishing the baseline against Total non-cash items 873 289 which progress will be monitored. I expect to be able to make an announcement shortly on progress against the Coal Fired Power Stations: Hunterston target.

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Offshore Industry: Employment Energy and Climate Change if he will make approval of the application for consent for a coal-fired power station at Hunterston conditional on the carbon Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for emissions rate at the station being no higher than those Energy and Climate Change what plans he has to generated in a modern gas plant. [14841] increase the number of jobs associated with the offshore energy industry. [14044] Charles Hendry: Applications to build and operate power stations over 50MW in Scotland are made to the Charles Hendry: Successfully exploiting the UK’s Scottish Ministers. This is a -devolved matter, and the renewable energy resources will make a key contribution UK Government cannot intervene in individual to meeting our renewables targets, and will also provide applications. We will be working, closely with Scottish opportunities for investment in job creation in new Ministers to ensure a complementary approach towards industries and technologies. 767W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 768W

This includes offshore wind, where we are already the The assessment of an application to develop a wind world’s number one market, as well as the emerging farm already includes, amongst other things, an analysis wave and tidal energy sector, where a key element is the of visual and landscape impacts to ascertain whether development of marine energy parks around the UK the location of the wind farm is acceptable. The coast. Government consider that these impacts are best assessed We are also committed to the full development of the on a case by case basis so that local factors can be taken UK’s oil and gas reserves, which will bring economic fully into account. and employment benefits. HEALTH Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs Brighton

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for State for Energy and Climate Change if he will Health if he will set out with statistical evidence consider introducing a pre-accreditation scheme for relating as closely as possible to Brighton Pavilion feed-in tariffs; and if he will make a statement. [14437] constituency the effects of his Department’s policies on that constituency from (a) May 1997 to April 2010 and Charles Hendry: All aspects of the FITs scheme, (b) since May 2010. [13457] including accreditation and certification issues, will be subject to periodic reviews. Mr Simon Burns: The record of the previous Government As the scheme was launched in April and is at an are widely available in the public domain. early stage, we are continually collecting data which, as At this early point, it is not possible to provide we learn more, will be fed into the review process. statistical information as to how Brighton Pavilion constituency has been affected by this Government’s health policy since May 2010. However, this Government Wind Power: Planning have introduced a series of national policies which Brighton Pavilion will benefit from them as they are Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State implemented, such as: for Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward £50 million of funding to support access to cancer medicines; an energy planning strategy which provides for a a new, free, three-digit urgent and out of hours care number— determination of (a) the number of wind farms 111—to be a single point of access for those with non-emergency required nationally and (b) the location of such care needs; and installations in a manner which (i) maximises efficient mandatory reporting of when patients are placed in mixed-sex energy production and (ii) minimises disturbance to the accommodation, and strengthening the penalties for when countryside and to village communities. [13532] hospitals do so without clinical justification. This Government have also set out their plans for Charles Hendry: The Coalition Programme for reforms to the way the national health service is managed Government makes clear our commitment to giving a and delivered. These include: greater say to people, communities and local councils to cutting bureaucracy by requiring the NHS to cut the cost of shape their surroundings through a faster and more management by over 45% and rationalising and streamlining democratically accountable planning system. We intend the Department of Health’s arm’s length bodies, delivering total recurrent savings of over £1 billion to reinvest in front-line to publish and present to Parliament a simple and services for patients; consolidated national planning framework covering all giving general practitioners the ability to commission services forms of development. which meet the needs of their patients and extending the right My right. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for of patients to choose treatments and services; Communities and Local Government will make an putting the operational, day-to-day management of the NHS announcement .on how we propose to take forward the into the hands of an independent NHS commissioning board; framework and the implications for specific areas of and planning policy. measuring clinically-based outcomes, rather than targets, which will deliver results for patients over the long term. We are committed to being the greenest Government ever and to the development of wind energy in the UK, Cancer: Drugs both onshore and offshore. The UK has outstanding wind resources and onshore wind is one of the most Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for established, widespread and cost effective renewable Health what his Department’s estimate is of the electricity technologies in the UK. Wind energy will average length of time which will be taken to decide on therefore be vital to meeting our renewable energy, a patient application for funding for a treatment climate change and low carbon economic growth goals. through the interim Cancer Drugs Fund arrangements. [14716] We are keen to ensure that both our commitment to localism and to tackling climate change are mutually Mr Burstow: We expect local arrangements for the supportive. We want communities and individuals to additional in-year funding to support improved access benefit from the increase in renewable energy, including to cancer drugs, announced on 27 July 2010, to take wind power, and to own a stake in our collective low into account the guidance in the national health service carbon future. This is why we committed to encouraging medical director’s letter to strategic health authorities more community owned renewable energy and allowing which states: communities that host renewable energy projects to “Arrangements should support timely decision-making, bearing keep the additional business rates they generate. in mind the 31 day cancer treatment standard”. 769W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 770W

A copy of this letter is available at: Departmental Allowances www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/ Lettersandcirculars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_117996 Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for and a copy has been placed in the Library. Health how much his Department spent on (a) reimbursement of staff expenses and (b) the 10 largest staff expense reimbursement claims in each year since Cancer: Health Services 1997. [13048] Mr Simon Burns: The Department’s staff reimbursable Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health expenses from July 2008 to March 2009, for the 2009-10 what the average waiting time was for (a) an financial year, and for the first quarter of 2010-11, were appointment with a cancer specialist and (b) hospital as follows: treatment from the time of referral by a GP in (i) May 2010 and (ii) 1997. [14881] Staff reimbursable expenses (£)

Mr Burstow: Any patient urgently referred for suspected July 2008 to March 2009 971,657.85 cancer by their general practitioner (GP) should be seen April 2009 to March 2010 1,179, 246.87 by a specialist and begin the diagnostic process within April 2010 to June 2010 212,669.19 two weeks, unless they choose to wait longer. The Department’s Business Management System (BMS) Information on average waiting times between GP was introduced in July 2008. BMS readily allows for referral and first outpatient attendance or first treatment reimbursable expenses to be extracted from the accounting for cancer patients are not collected centrally and have system and totalled. The previous accounting system not been estimated. (VISTA) does not allow such interrogation without In the latest period for which statistics are available disproportionate cost. (Quarter 1 2010-11) 95.5% of people were seen by a The 10 largest staff expense reimbursement claims1 specialist within two weeks of an urgent GP referral for since 2004 were as follows: suspected cancer and 87.5% of people began treatment 2004-05 within 62 days of an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer. Official and national statistics covering cancer £7,156.96 waiting times were not published by the Department £6,765.33 before 2001, and due to a change in the manner in £5,235.20 which statistics are collected within the national health £4,033.70 service, current data are not comparable to periods £3,853.00 prior to 1 January 2009. £3,544.60 £2,554.72 Community Hospitals £2,546.51 £1,952.50 £1,940.28 Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2005-06 what organisations will have responsibility for community hospitals following the introduction of GP £13,688.30 commissioning. [14715] £6,337.81 £5,365.80 Mr Simon Burns: The Department published “Liberating £4,679.60 the NHS: Commissioning for patients” on 22 July 2010 £4,416.70 which set out the intended arrangements for general £4,334.50 practitioner (GP) Commissioning and the NHS £4,278.65 Commissioning Board. A copy has already been placed £4,245.15 in the Library. We are engaging on these proposals and consulting on specific questions highlighted in the £4,047.91 document. £4,000.00 2006-07 Under our proposals GP consortia will commission the great majority of national health service services for £18,505.00 their patients, including, where appropriate, community £15,383.53 hospital services. There will, however, be some exceptions, £6,011.90 where it makes sense for the NHS Commissioning £5,397.88 Board to have responsibility for commissioning services. £4,517.10 The proposed exceptions include primary medical care. £4,511.65 This may also include community hospital services, where these provide primary care services. £4,355.00 £4,250.00 Organisations providing community services will be £3,941.80 responsible for responding to the commissioning intentions of the GP commissioning consortia and the NHS £3,587.37 Commissioning Board, and the day-to-day management 2007-08 of community hospitals. £17,695.53 771W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 772W

£8,500.00 30 days after the date of the invoice is shown in the £8,402.58 following table. It is not a requirement to record payments £6,479.61 made after 60 and 90 days and to collect this information £5,486.84 retrospectively would be at disproportionate cost. £5,000.00 Payments made Payments made £4,683.65 to suppliers within to suppliers over £4,411.09 30 days (April- 30 days (April- June 2010) June 2010) £3,868.10 £3,843.77 Department of Health 49,990 455 2008-09 Medicines and Healthcare 2,643 8 products Regulatory £19,740.00 Agency (Agency) £18,589.59 Appointments 370 26 £11,486.19 Commission £10,328.67 Council for Healthcare 154 0 Regulatory Excellence £9,165.32 General Social Care 1,942 109 £8,280.06 Council £7,781.80 Human Fertilisation and 324 12 £6,934.51 Embryology Authority £6,766.40 Health Protection Agency 19,715 300 £6,448.09 Health and Social Care 1,436 52 Information Centre 2009-10 Human Tissue Authority 454 1 £9,033.56 NHS Business Service 5,107 527 £8,926.80 Authority £8,870.20 NHS Institute for 2,456 943 Innovation and £8,141.56 Improvement £6,623.08 NHS Blood and 26,832 4,014 £6,528.84 Transplant £5,695.90 NHS Litigation Authority 156 35 £5,425.50 National Institute for 1,836 19 Health and Clinical £5,217.92 Excellence £4,114.55 National Patient Safety 2,068 293 The above data have been sourced from the Department’s Agency accounting systems (BMS and VISTA) going back to National Treatment 462 52 2004. This is consistent with the Department’s Retention Agency for Substance Schedule, which is informed by the National Archives Misuse “Records Management Retention Scheduling—Employee Care Quality Commission 2,556 335 Personnel Records”(page 6, Travel and Subsistence—claims and authorisation’—retention period of six years). Departmental Fines 1 The amounts shown are for a single claim, but cover arbitrary periods, which in some cases stretch over many months. Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Billing Health how many transport-related fines his Department has settled on behalf of its staff in each Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for year since 2005; and what the cost to the public purse Health what proportion of invoices from suppliers his was in each year. [13312] Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010. [13310] Mr Simon Burns: The Department has not settled any transport related fines for staff since 2005. The Mr Simon Burns: The proportion of invoices paid Department’s policy is not to reimburse staff for any within 10 days of receipt in July and August was 97.76% penalty imposed under the Road Traffic Acts or any and 97.96% respectively. associated expense arising from a traffic accident or offence. This includes parking fines. Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many payments to suppliers were made by Departmental NDPBs (a) his Department, (b) its agency and (c) its non-departmental public bodies (i) within 30 days of, (ii) over 30 days after, (iii) over 60 days after and (iv) Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Health over 90 days after the date of invoice in the latest how many NHS-related non-departmental public period for which figures are available. [13925] bodies (a) have been abolished since May 2010 and (b) will be abolished in the next five years; and what Mr Simon Burns: The number of payments made to effect the abolition of each is estimated to have on his suppliers by the Department, its agency and non- Department’s public expenditure in each of the next departmental public bodies within 30 days and over four years. [13230] 773W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 774W

Mr Simon Burns: The White Paper “Equity and Mr Burstow: The National Service Framework for Excellence Liberating the NHS”, published on 12 July Long-term Conditions is the key tool for delivering the 2010 and available at: Government’s strategy to support and improve services www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/LiberatingtheNHS/index.htm for those living with long-term neurological conditions, and the Department’s review of its arm’s-length bodies including epilepsy. “Liberating the NHS: Report of the arm’s-length bodies It is the responsibility of local health commissioners review”, published on 26 July 2010 and available at: to ensure that they commission local services to meet www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/ the needs of their population. This includes ensuring PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_117691 that all relevant guidelines, including those issued by set out proposals for fundamental changes to the ways the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, that the national health service is structured, including are able to be implemented where deemed appropriate. the structure of the Department’s non-departmental In the future, outcomes, which the national health public bodies (NDPBs). service will be expected to achieve, will be set via the NHS Outcomes Framework. We will not tell the NHS No NHS related NDPB has been abolished since how to achieve these outcomes but will hold the NHS May 2010. The report on the review of arm’s length Commissioning Board to account for delivery through bodies sets out the Government’s intentions for each of the framework. This framework, which is currently out the Department’s 18 arm’s length bodies which will be for consultation, contains domains specifically relevant implemented by 2013. to epilepsy: The costs of the transition to the new structure, and Patient reported outcome measures for specific long-term of running the reformed organisations, will not be conditions. A pilot covering epilepsy has already been developed; known until the precise details and process of the A proposed indicator on the percentage of patients aged 18 structural changes have been determined. An impact years and over on drug treatment for epilepsy who have been assessment of the proposals made in the arm’s-length seizure free for the last 12 months; and bodies review report will be published alongside the Proposed indicators for emergency hospital admissions for Health Bill, in due course. both acute and chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions (epilepsy is included within the definition of both). Diabetes Eyesight: Testing Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS has spent on treating Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for type 1 diabetes and its complications in each of the last Health if he will take further steps to encourage people 10 years; and what sources and assumptions were used to have frequent eye tests. [14108] to derive these figures. [14941] Mr Simon Burns: Free sight tests are available under Mr Burstow: The Department does not collect data the national health service to many people, including on the cost of treating type 1 diabetes and its complications. people aged 60 and over, children under 16, those aged 16 to 18 in full-time education, people on benefits, those Diabetes is a complex condition that affects all parts people at particular risk of developing eye disease, and of the body making it difficult to calculate an exact people who are registered blind or partially sighted or cost. who have a complex spectacle prescription. Sight tests allow the opportunity to review all aspects of eye health, Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State including investigations for signs of disease. for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people in England with type 1 diabetes; and what The Department has worked, and continues to work sources and assumptions were used to derive these with NHS Choices on the development of articles and figures. [14942] videos to raise the profile of visual health and promote the importance of regular sight tests. Mr Burstow: The Department does not have an estimate We also recently worked with the organisers of National of the total number of people with Type 1 diabetes. Eye Health Week to develop a new patient information According to the Quality and Outcomes Framework leaflet, which raises awareness of eye health. The leaflet data there are currently 2.3 million people diagnosed was launched to coincide with National Eye Health with diabetes in England. We cannot however separate week, which ran from 14-20 June. this into Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that The uptake of NHS sight tests is increasing. In approximately 10% of people with diabetes have Type 1 2009-10, there were 11.8 million NHS sight tests, an diabetes. increase of 4.7% on 2008-09. In March 2009, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Information about the extensive arrangements for Child Health published Growing up with Diabetes: providing help with NHS optical services and other children and young people with diabetes in England. health costs is published in leaflet HC11 ‘Are you entitled The report concluded that 22,947 children and young to help with health costs?’ people have diabetes, with the majority of these having Type 1 diabetes. General Practitioners Epilepsy: Health Services Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the accounts of GP consortia will be audited; Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for and what mechanism will be used to assess whether they Health what steps he is taking to improve services for are achieving value for money when purchasing skills people with epilepsy. [14040] and services from the private sector. [13461] 775W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 776W

Mr Simon Burns: The Department published ‘Liberating to future years to invest in services and whether any the NHS: Commissioning for patients’ on 22 July 2010 actual overspends will be deducted from the following which set out the intended arrangements for general year’s allocation, will be agreed between the NHS practitioner (GP) commissioning and the NHS Commissioning Board, the Department of Health and Commissioning Board. We are engaging on these proposals HM Treasury. and consulting on specific questions highlighted in the The NHS Commissioning Board will intervene in the document. event that a consortium is unable to fulfil its duties The NHS Commissioning Board will be responsible effectively or where there is a significant risk of failure. for allocating and accounting for national health service Ultimately, the NHS Commissioning Board will be resources. This will include calculating practice-level responsible for ensuring and maintaining an effective budgets and allocating these resources directly to and fully comprehensive system of GP consortiums. consortiums. Consortiums will be responsible for managing these budgets, and deciding how best to use the resources Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for to meet the health care needs of their patients. Health what mechanisms will be used to prevent The commissioning budgets will include a maximum conflicts of interest where private providers join GP allowance to cover management costs. Consortiums consortia in respect of commissioning decisions using will be free to decide how best to use this allowance to NHS funds. [13464] carry out commissioning activities. Commissioning for patients asks for views on what support GP consortiums Mr Simon Burns: We propose to set out in legislation will need to access and evaluate external providers of the duties of the NHS Board and commissioners to commissioning support. promote choice, to act transparently and non- A Government response to the consultation will be discriminatorily in all commissioning activities, and to published alongside the Health Bill, which will be introduced prohibit agreements or other actions to restrict competition into Parliament later this year. This legislation will set against patients and taxpayers’ interests. out a consortium’s duties in relation to financial Monitor will have powers to investigate and remedy management, including requirements in relation to complaints regarding commissioners’ procurement reporting, audit and accounts. decisions, or other conduct which may be anticompetitive, acting as arbiter. Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms GP consortia will use to : To ask the Secretary of State for manage demand within the budget allocated to them; Health what estimate he has made of the average likely what assessment has been made of the risk of GP (a) annual administrative cost and (b) headcount of consortia incurring deficits; and what failure regime each GP commissioning group to be established under will be established. [13463] his proposals. [13528] Mr Simon Burns: The Department of Health published ‘Liberating the NHS: Commissioning for patients’ on Mr Simon Burns: The White Paper “Equity and 22 July 2010 which set out the intended arrangements Excellence: Liberating the NHS” published, on 12 July for general practitioner (GP) commissioning and the 2010, sets out our intention to devolve power and NHS Commissioning Board. We are engaging on these responsibility for commissioning services to local consortia proposals and consulting on specific questions highlighted of general practitioner (GP) practices. To support GP in the document. consortia in their commissioning decisions, we will also create an independent NHS Commissioning Board. The NHS Commissioning Board will be responsible for allocating and accounting for national health service It is envisaged that within commissioning budgets, resources. This will include calculating practice-level GP consortia will receive a maximum management budgets and allocating these resources directly to allowance to reflect the management costs associated consortiums. Consortiums will be responsible for managing with commissioning. Consortia will be free to decide these budgets, and deciding how best to use the resources how to use this management allowance to carry out to meet the health care needs of their patients. commissioning activities, however, it has not yet been decided what the level of allowance will be. The NHS Commissioning Board will be responsible for holding consortiums to account for stewardship of “Commissioning for Patients”, published on 22 July, NHS resources and developing an assurance process set out these proposals in more detail, providing the which will hold GP consortiums to account for the basis for fuller consultation and engagement with primary outcomes they achieve. In turn, each consortium will care professionals, patients and the public. A copy has hold its constituent practices to account against these already been placed in the Library. objectives. It is therefore too early to say at this stage what this The NHS Commissioning Board will have a significant means for the annual administrative cost and head role in managing financial risk, for example through count of each GP commissioning group. oversight of risk pooling within and between consortiums. Consortiums should have a level of flexibility in deciding Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how best to manage financial risk within the overall what protection he plans to put in place for the terms regime set by the NHS Commissioning Board to encourage and conditions of employment of staff transferred good financial management. The principles for managing from primary care trusts to GP commissioning bodies underspends and overspends, including whether any under his proposals for the reorganisation of NHS planned and managed underspends may be carried over commissioning; and if he will make a statement. [13826] 777W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 778W

Mr Simon Burns: Staff transferring from primary Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust: Clinical care trusts directly to general practitioner commissioning Trials bodies will transfer under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE), Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with their terms and conditions protected and will be how many clinical trials are taking place at Guy’s and able to retain membership of the NHS pension scheme. St Thomas’ Hospital; how many of them are part- funded by pharmaceutical companies; and how many Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health of them are taking place in the Rheumatology whether GPs will have the power to decide the Department. [14076] membership of GP consortia. [14645] Mr Simon Burns: This information is not held centrally Mr Simon Burns: We intend that every general by the Department. The Department suggests that the practitioner (GP) practice will be a member of a consortium. hon. Member may wish to contact Guy’s and St Thomas’ Practices will have flexibility to form consortia in ways NHS Foundation Trust directly. that they think will secure the best healthcare and health outcomes for their patients and locality. The Health Centres: Greater Manchester NHS Commissioning Board will have a duty to ensure comprehensive coverage of GP consortia, and will assign Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for practices to consortia where this is necessary. Health if he will make an estimate of the proportion of It is also intended that consortia, once established, clients at the new health centre in Fallowfield, will be statutory public bodies, with powers and Manchester who are resident in the M19 postal district. responsibilities set out through primary and secondary [14652] legislation. By that time, each consortium would need to have chosen its own accountable officer and chief Mr Simon Burns: The information requested is not financial officer. collected centrally. However, it can be obtained directly We believe that consortia should be held to account from Manchester Primary Care Trust. for the outcomes they achieve and for the fulfilment of appropriate duties, rather than for the way in which Health Services they constitute themselves. We do not intend to set out detailed or prescriptive requirements in relation to the Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for internal governance of a consortium, beyond essential Health what steps will be taken to ensure that any lack requirements for example in relation to financial probity of financial viability of private suppliers of patient and accountability and audit. services will not adversely effect such services under the proposals in the Health White Paper. [13460] Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers the NHS Commissioning Board will have Mr Simon Burns: As in the current system, commissioners regarding membership of GP consortia. [14646] will retain primary responsibility for ensuring the continuity of service provision. Under the proposals in the White Mr Simon Burns: We would wish general practitioner Paper, Monitor would have powers through its licensing (GP) practices to make their own decisions, as far as regime to protect access to essential services where a possible, on membership of consortia. The NHS community was highly dependent upon a particular Commissioning Board will have a duty to ensure provider. We are currently consulting on these proposals comprehensive coverage of GP consortia across the and further details are set out in the consultation document country. To meet this duty, our proposals indicate that, “Liberating the NHS: Regulating healthcare providers”, in the last resort, the NHS Commissioning Board would a copy of which has already been placed in the Library. need to be able to assign a practice to a consortium, but we hope that this power would rarely need to be used. Health Services: Disability General Practitioners: ICT Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health what representations he has received from what steps he plans to take to ensure that IT systems disability organisations on future levels of spending by provided to support GP commissioning are (a) cost his Department for people with disabilities; and if he effective and (b) reliable. [14643] will make a statement. [13888]

Mr Simon Burns: Procurement of information systems Mr Burstow: Ministers have not received any to support general practitioner (GP) commissioning representations from disability organisations on future would be a matter for individual GP consortia, and it levels of spending by this Department. would be the responsibility of systems suppliers to meet the requirements of their GP consortia customers. GP Health Services: Isle of Man commissioners will have to use agreed technical and data standards set by the NHS Commissioning Board Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to promote compatibility between different systems. what progress has been made in his discussion with his The NHS Commissioning Board will provide a framework Isle of Man counterpart in respect of a new reciprocal to support GP consortia in commissioning services to health agreement with the UK; whether he expects any ensure there is consistency in the information that such agreement to be in place before the end of commissioners and providers are using, and compatibility September 2010; and if he will make a statement. between information systems. [12610] 779W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 780W

Anne Milton: I refer to my written statement of Midwives: Manpower 9 September 2010, Official Report, column 22WS. Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Services: Learning Disability Health how many births per full-time equivalent NHS midwife there were in each region in (a) 2008 and (b) Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009. [13955] Health what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that the views of people with a learning Anne Milton: The following table shows the number disability are taken into account through HealthWatch. of births per midwife (full-time equivalent) in 2008 and [13856] 2009 by strategic health authority.

Mr Simon Burns: “Liberating the NHS: Local democratic 2008 2009 legitimacy in health”, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library, sets out the consultation proposals England 34.3 33.2 for establishing HealthWatch. It proposes that local North East 28.4 28.0 involvement networks (LINks) evolve to become local North West 29.1 28.7 HealthWatch organisations. It further proposes that Yorkshire & the Humber 34.1 32.2 HealthWatch England will be established to provide East Midlands 40.1 38.1 national leadership and strengthen the public and patient West Midlands 32.9 31.8 voice. East of England 39.8 39.0 HealthWatch will strengthen the collective voice of London 34 34.2 patients and the public, including those with learning South East Coast 36.5 34.0 difficulties. The Department is also exploring how Learning South Central 40.3 39.0 Disability Partnership Boards could link with HealthWatch. South West 32.6 30 Source: Office for National Statistics HealthWatch Groups: Finance

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Monitor: Finance Health what funding will be provided to local authorities to fund HealthWatch groups in their areas Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for when they are established. [13449] Health what resources will be provided to Monitor to enable it to carry out the functions of economic Mr Simon Burns: “Liberating the NHS: Local democratic regulator of providers of NHS care; and if he will legitimacy in health”, a copy of which has already been make a statement. [13462] placed in the Library, sets out the consultation proposals for establishing HealthWatch. It proposes that local Mr Simon Burns: We will be able to confirm any involvement networks (LINks) evolve to become local allocation of resources for Monitor to carry out its new HealthWatch organisations. It further proposes that functions in due course. We have published proposals HealthWatch England will be established to provide for consultation1. However, it will be for Parliament to national leadership and strengthen the public and patient determine Monitor’s new functions, as economic regulator, voice. through the legislative process. All funding decisions are subject to the spending 1 “Liberating the NHS: regulating healthcare providers”(Department review, which will conclude on 20 October. of Health; July 2010)

Hospitals: Parking Multiple Sclerosis Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps his Department is taking to Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State ensure that patients are adequately informed about for Health what estimate he has made of the number of hospital car parking charges; [13572] people in England with multiple sclerosis; how much (2) what steps his Department is taking to ensure the NHS has spent on treating this condition in each of hospitals observe its guidance on car park charges. the last 10 years; and what sources and assumptions were used to derive these figures. [14943] [13573]

Mr Simon Burns: National health service organisations Mr Burstow: In 2005 the Department estimated that have the autonomy to make decisions that best suit their 52,000-62,000 people in England and Wales were living local circumstances. It would therefore be inconsistent with multiple sclerosis. This estimate was taken from with this autonomy to issue mandatory guidance to this the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence NHS on this matter. However, should charges discourage (NICE) multiple sclerosis guideline published in 2003. patients from accessing their services or friends and In March 2009, the Royal College of Paediatrics and families from visiting patients, or prevent staff doing Child Health published Growing up with Diabetes: their jobs properly those NHS organisations have a children and young people with diabetes in England. responsibility to look at that further. This includes The report concluded that 22,947 children and young ensuring that patients and visitors should be informed people with diabetes have diabetes, with the majority of of car parking arrangements, charges and concessions. these having Type 1 diabetes. 781W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 782W

NHS: Internet Palliative Care: Finance

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health what recent discussions he has had with (a) (1) which (a) individuals and (b) organisations he Ministers and officials in his Department and (b) plans to consult as part of his Department’s review of representatives of the private and voluntary sectors on palliative care funding; [13580] the NHS Choices website. [13417] (2) whether his Department’s review of palliative Mr Simon Burns: There have been no specific recent care funding will consider access to round-the-clock discussions regarding the NHS Choices website with community nursing for terminally ill patients. [13581] either Ministers or officials in the Department or with representatives of the private and voluntary sector. Mr Burstow: The coalition’s programme for Government Online and digital health information and service includes a commitment to introduce provision, including NHS Choices, has been discussed “a new per-patient funding system for all hospices and providers in the context of the White Paper: “Equity and Excellence: of palliative care”. Liberating the NHS” and related policy consultations. The independent Palliative Care Funding review will look at how this can be taken forward. It will cover both Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for adults’ and children’s services and will report back by Health what discussions he has had with the (a) summer 2011. private and (b) voluntary sector on the future of the The review will look at how Government can make NHS Choices website. [14774] sure that the money intended to help look after people Mr Simon Burns: There have been no specific recent who are approaching the end of life, and children who discussions regarding the future of NHS Choices website need palliative care, is spent in the right way. This will with the private or voluntary sector. better enable people—children, adults and families—to choose how and from whom they receive the care they Online and digital health information and service need. provision, including NHS Choices, has been discussed in the context of the White Paper: “Equity and Excellence: The review is of funding for dedicated palliative care Liberating the NHS” and related policy consultations. services and will make recommendations for a funding system that will cover care provided by the NHS, a NHS: Manpower hospice or any appropriate provider: which encourages more community-based care, so people can Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for remain in their own homes; and Health how many (a) individuals and (b) full-time will be fair and transparent to all organisations involved in equivalents were employed in the NHS in each year palliative care. since 2006. [13957] The Palliative Care Funding Review is independent of Government. Tom Hughes-Hallett, chief executive Mr Simon Burns: The annual national health service of Marie Curie Cancer Care, is chairing the review in a work force census shows the number of staff working in personal capacity. the NHS as at 30 September each year. The following The review is considering the funding mechanisms table shows the number of headcount and full-time for dedicated palliative care for adults and children. The equivalent staff employed in the NHS for 2006-09. first phase of the review will determine which services NHS staff 2006-09, England, as at 30 September each year should fall within that definition. Mr Hughes-Hallett 2006 2007 2008 2009 has invited all interested organisations and parties to contribute to the review through a dedicated website, Headcount 1,338,779 1,331,109 1,368,693 1,431,996 total http://palliativecarefunding.org.uk Full-time 1,095,427 1,089,436 1,125,131 1,177,056 equivalent Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health total whether he plans to review his Department’s end of life Source: care strategy. [13583] The NHS Information Centre. NHS: Private Finance Initiative Mr Burstow: The Department’s End of Life Care Strategy was published in July 2008. There are no plans Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to review the strategy. We are committed to implementing whether he plans to review the use of private finance the strategy, which sets out an important programme of initiative projects in the NHS; and if he will make a action. statement. [14470] The second annual report on the strategy was published on 25 August. Mr Simon Burns: There are currently no plans to review the use of the private finance initiative (PFI) as a Patient Choice Schemes procurement vehicle in the national health service. The Department will continue to encourage the NHS to consider a PFI option alongside a publicly funded Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health option in business cases for new build hospital schemes what plans he has for the future of the choose and and proceed with the option that offers best value for book system following the introduction of GP money. commissioning. [14644] 783W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 784W

Mr Simon Burns: The White Paper “Equity and Mr Simon Burns: The National Sentinel Stroke audit Excellence: Liberating the NHS” states that 2010 shows that patients in 88% of the hospitals which “we will look at ways of ensuring that Choose and Book usage directly admit stroke patients are now able to access this is maximised” treatment but only 50% of centres provide access 24 as part of introducing choice of named consultant led hours a day, seven days a week. As the national health team. We are currently consulting on general practitioner service continues to implement the national stroke strategy commissioning and will be publishing a consultation and develops pathways that improve out of hours access document shortly on patient choice. We cannot pre-empt to brain imaging for all eligible patients and, where the outcome of these consultations. appropriate, telemedicine, we expect to see a continued increase in rates of delivery of this therapy. Prescriptions: Fees and Charges Access to timely brain scans has been identified as a key area for improvement in the Accelerating Stroke Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Improvement work which we are supporting. This work Health if he will bring forward proposals to provide aims to deliver further progress in improving the whole free prescriptions for people (1) with lifelong illnesses; pathway of stroke care across the country, including the [14020] West Midlands, in the current financial year. (2) aged below 60 years who have Parkinson’s disease. [14021] Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to improve access Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for to post-acute services for thrombolysis patients; [13423] Health if he will bring forward proposals to phase out (2) what steps he is taking to improve access to prescription charges for all patients with long-term long-term rehabilitation services for thrombolysis conditions. [13825] patients. [13424]

Mr Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Members to the Mr Simon Burns: Stroke remains a priority for the written answer I gave the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Government and has a Tier 1 Vital Sign in the revision Brightside and Hillsborough (Mr Blunkett) on 26 July to the Operating Framework for the NHS in England 2010, Official Report, columns 847-48W. 2010-11. We agree with the National Audit Office and the Committee of Public Account’s (PAC) conclusions Rare Diseases that there is still room for improvement in stroke care, especially in post acute care and rehabilitation for stroke Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for survivors where progress has been slower than with Health whether there are plans to appoint a national acute services. The Government’s response to the PAC clinical director for rare diseases. [14163] report sets out the work that is being done to achieve further progress. Mr Simon Burns: We are not yet in a position to say The recently published National Institute for Health how the recommendation of the former Chief Medical and Clinical Excellence Quality Standard for Stroke, Officer to appoint a new National Clinical Director for which provides the definitive definition of high quality Rare Diseases might fit with new arrangements for care, recognises the importance of specialist rehabilitation specialised commissioning following the White Paper for stroke survivors. “Equity and Excellence—Liberating the NHS”. The accelerating stroke improvement programme which The issue of such an appointment will be considered we are supporting aims to deliver further progress in in the context of the responses we receive to the improving stroke care across the whole pathway during consultations currently in train on implementing the this financial year. It identifies key areas for improvement White Paper strategy. in the post acute part of the pathway. These include the development of joint care plans, systematic reviews of Thames Valley Primary Care Agency stroke survivors post discharge to ensure that their needs are identified, carers assessments and provision Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health of psychological support. what plans he has for the future of the Thames Valley Primary Care Agency following the introduction of GP Vitamin D commissioning. [14642] Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Simon Burns: The proposed NHS Commissioning Health (1) what recent assessment he has made of the Board, once established in shadow form, would work adequacy of availability of treatments for vitamin D with primary care trusts (PCTs) to ensure a smooth deficiency; [13584] transition for any functions associated with commissioning of primary care that needed to move from PCTs to the (2) what steps he plans to take to increase the supply board. of high dose vitamin D injections. [13585] Thrombolysis: Health Services Mr Simon Burns: There are various forms of vitamin D. Ergocalciferol and colecalciferol are used in the Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State prevention of simple vitamin D deficiency. for Health what steps he plans to take to expedite Ergocalciferol tablets have been discontinued due to provision of thrombolysis treatment for stroke victims lack of availability of active ingredient of a suitable in (a) the West Midlands and (b) England. [13422] quality. There are no United Kingdom Marketing 785W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 786W

Authorisations for oral colecalciferol. Licensing of medicines Gregory Barker: I have been asked to reply. is a matter for individual companies, however departmental The Government are committed to empowering local officials have had discussions with several companies authorities, communities and institutions to lead on about the possibility of them supplying oral vitamin D. innovation at the local level. The Government want all There is one supplier of ergocalciferol injection to the interested communities and organisations, including, UK market. There have been manufacturing difficulties, credit unions, to be able to access the support made but the supplier has been making every effort to resolve available through the Feed In Tariffs (FITs) programme these. The supplier is aware of UK demand and will be or the Renewables Obligation (RO) as appropriate to building up stocks accordingly. the scale of the project. Further information on the FITs and the RO is available at: TREASURY http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/ uk_supply/energymix/renewable/feedin_tariff/ Banks: Finance feedin_tariff.aspx http://decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uksupply/ Mr Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the energy_mix/renewable/policy/renew_obs/renew_obs.aspx Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the To support this, my officials are working on developing Governor of the Bank of England on breaking up a ’Community Energy Online’ toolkit. This will provide banks which have received funding from the public signposts and guidance on taking forward transformational purse. [13604] projects and will provide advice on issues including funding, legal issues, location and technology choices. Mr Hoban: The Chancellor has regular discussions We are planning to launch this toolkit in the autumn. with the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss such issues as are relevant at the time. Debts In June 2010, the Government asked Sir John Vickers to lead the Independent Commission on Banking, to Anas Sarwar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer look at the structuring of the UK banking sector and to what assessment he has made of the effects on the make recommendations to the Government. The average level of household debt of the Government’s Commission will deliver its report to the Cabinet Committee programme of spending reductions and the proposed on Banking Reform by the end of September 2011. change to the standard rate of value added tax. [14140] Car Allowances Mr Gauke: The information requested falls within Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer the responsibility of Geoffrey Dicks, a member of the whether he plans to adjust approved mileage allowance Budget Responsibility Committee of the Office of Budget rates in line with changes made since 2002 to HM Responsibility. I have asked Geoffrey to reply. Revenue and Customs Advisory Fuel Rates for (a) Letter from Geoffrey Dicks, dated 9 September 2010: 1,400 cc, (b) 1,401-2,100 cc and (c) 2,101 cc and above As a member of the Budget Responsibility Committee of the vehicles. [14071] Office for Budget Responsibility I have been asked to reply to your recent question 14140. : The Government keep the rates The pre-Budget OBR forecast published on 14 June has total under regular review as part of the Budget process. household debt at £1,561 billion by the end of 2011, compared to £1,519 billion at the end of 2009 (based on ONS figures), an Climate Change: Finance increase of 2.8%. Net borrowing, defined as the change in the stock of debt, is therefore £42 billion over the two years. Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer The Budget OBR forecast published on 22 June has total what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness household debt at £1,564 billion by the end of 2011. Net borrowing, defined as the change in the stock of debt, is therefore £45 billion of the use of International Monetary Fund special over the two years. Debt is forecast to be higher by around 0.1% drawing rights as a source of climate finance. [13902] compared to the pre-Budget forecast. However, as explained in both the pre-Budget forecast document Justine Greening: The Government are committed to and Annex C of the Budget (see paragraphs C.11, C53 and Box delivering necessary climate finance to help developing C.1), a comparison of the two forecasts does not provide a firm counties, particularly the poorest, adapt to and mitigate basis for an estimate of the economic effects of measures in the climate change, including exploring innovative financing Budget. options. The Government will consider all options in the round, including through their participation in the Departmental Billing High Level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing established under the Copenhagen Accord. Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Credit Unions: Renewable Energy Exchequer what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the and August 2010. [13322] Exchequer what his policy is on the provision of financial support for community-owned renewable Justine Greening: The proportion of invoices from energy schemes from community-based credit unions; suppliers paid within 10 days of receipt in July 2010 and if he will make a statement. [13432] was 98.2%. 787W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 788W

Information on the payment performance for August Departmental Training is not currently available. Details of the five-day payment performance for the Treasury Group are available at: Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the www.hm-treasury.gov.uk Exchequer how many external training courses were around 15 days after the month end. attended by staff of his Department in the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public purse was of Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the each such course. [13323] Exchequer how many payments to suppliers were made by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its Justine Greening: No central records are held relating non-departmental public bodies (i) within 30 days of, to this and information could be obtained only at a (ii) over 30 days after, (iii) over 60 days after and (iv) disproportionate cost. Directorates have delegated training over 90 days after the date of invoice in the latest budgets that are used for the provision of external period for which figures are available. [13931] training and all training requests are subject to line manager approval. Justine Greening: The payment performance for 2009-10 is shown in the following table. Financial Services Authority: Fees and Charges

Days Simon Kirby: To ask the Chancellor of the 0-30 31-60 61-90 90+ Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Chief HM Treasury 2,730 10 4 1 Executive of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) Debt Management 1,502 42 6 1 on the effects on small businesses of the FSA’s fee Office increases; and if he will make a statement. [13371] Asset Protection 247 0 0 0 Agency Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials meet Royal Mint Advisory 0000 Committee senior members of the FSA on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of economic and financial issues. As was Departmental Internet the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of such meetings. Graham Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much (a) the Debt Management Housing Benefit Office and (b) his Department spent on website design in each cost category between 2003-04 and 2006-07. Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer [13350] with reference to Table 2.1 of the Budget Red Book, HC 61, what methodology was used to calculate the Mr Hoban: in September 2006, the DMO completed figures for expenditure reductions by (a) limiting working a three year project to completely re-engineer its website age entitlements to reflect the size of family and (b) www.dmo.gov.uk switching to Consumer Price Index indexation for local at a total cost of £540,000. The DMO consolidated housing allowance for 2013-14 and 2014-15. [13453] three websites into one, which is relied upon by markets for a range of key gilt and money market data and Mr Gauke: The methodology used to derive policy operational announcements. costings for housing benefit reforms announced in the This cost includes resources utilised on the development, June Budget is set out in the “Budget 2010 policy design and construction phases of this project; however, costings” document at pages 39 to 41. The document is the design costs themselves cannot be disaggregated. available on the Treasury website at the following address: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/junebudget_costings.pdf. The departmental website www.hm.-treasury.gov.uk Local Government Finance was relaunched in 2004 to improve navigation and meet accessibility standards at a design cost of £22,000 excluding VAT. Nicky Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department plans to publish a Departmental Public Relations summary of the suggestions it has received from members of the public on reductions in expenditure by Pete Wishart: To ask the Chancellor of the local authorities. [13363] Exchequer what the monetary value was of (a) public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts : The Government received over awarded by his Department in (i) each (A) nation and 44,000 suggestions from members of the public through (B) region of the UK in each of the last five years. the spending challenge website a number of which [12452] related to local authority spend. Members of the public were invited to review and rate the ideas received in Justine Greening: The Treasury does not record public order to help identify the most promising ones. relations expenditure as a separate category but a search The Government have committed to reviewing the of supplier records for the years in question revealed no ideas with the most potential and will seek to highlight payments to suppliers that are known to be public where ideas submitted by the public have been taken relations companies. A more comprehensive answer into account when the results of the spending review are could be provided only at disproportionate cost. announced on 20 October. 789W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 790W

Members: Correspondence Justine Greening: The Budget announced the Government’s forward-looking fiscal mandate to achieve Mr Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer cyclically-adjusted current balance by the end of the when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. rolling, five-year forecast period. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 19 July on a At this time of rapidly rising debt, the Budget also constituent, Mr N. Kelleway. [13853] announced that the fiscal mandate will be supplemented by a target for public sector net debt as a percentage of Justine Greening: A reply was sent to the hon. Member GDP to be falling in 2015-16. on 2 September 2010 by Phil Pavitt, Director General, HMRC. Public Sector: Pay Mr Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects his Department to respond to the letter of 7 July 2010 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Mr George Howarth: To ask the Chancellor of the Billericay on a constituent, Mr T. Sheppard. [14719] Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of the public sector pay freeze on the progression of Justine Greening: A reply has been sent to the hon. public sector staff against incremental pay scales; and Member. if he will make a statement. [7259] Minimum Wage: Enforcement Danny Alexander: The Budget announced that pay in public sector work forces would be frozen for two years Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Chancellor of the from 2011-12, with exceptions for those earning £21,000 Exchequer how much HM Revenue and Customs spent or less, who will see an increase of at least £250 in each on enforcement of legislation governing the national of these years. minimum wage in each of the last five years. [13702]

Mr Davey: I have been asked to reply. Mr Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the public sector pay freeze for those earning HM Revenue and Customs enforce the national over £21,000 per year will include local government minimum wage (NMW) on behalf of the Department craft workers whose rates of pay are governed by agreements for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The amount of the Joint Negotiating Committee for Local Authority spent by HMRC on this in the financial years 2005-06 Craft and Associated Employees; and whether the £250 to 2009-10 were as follows: annual payment for public sector workers earning under £21,000 per year will be paid to such workers. [13989] £

2005-06 5,679,928 Robert Neill: I have been asked to reply. 2006-07 5,566,013 The pay of local government craft workers is determined 2007-08 6,501,981 by the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for Local 2008-09 7,495,445 1 Authority Craft and Associated Employees, made up of 2009-10 7,725,000 the Employers’ Side and the Trade Union Side. Central 1 Plus additional funding of £180,000 from CLG’s Migration Impact Government have no role in respect of the JNC. fund. Personal Savings: Children Mr Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Exchequer whether the £21,000 annual threshold his what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Department has set for the public sector pay freeze will work undertaken by the Financial Services Authority to be calculated on basic pay only. [13990] encourage young people to save. [13331] Danny Alexander: The Budget announced a two year Mr Hoban: The financial capability work of the pay freeze from 2011-12 for public sector work forces, Financial Services Authority was transferred to a new except for those earning £21,000 or less, who will receive Consumer Financial Education Body (CFEB) in April an increase of at least £250 per year. It is for employers 2010. Under the 2010 Financial Services Act, the CFEB to define annual salary as appropriate to their work has statutory objectives to improve understanding of forces. financial matters among the general public and to enhance the ability of members of the public to manage their Natascha Engel: To ask the Chancellor of the financial affairs. It does not currently have programmes Exchequer whether the £21,000 annual salary threshold specifically targeted at encouraging young people to his Department has set for the public sector pay freeze save. The CFEB is an independent body which is responsible will be calculated on basic pay only. [13993] for measuring the effectiveness of its work. Public Finance Danny Alexander: The Budget announced a two year pay freeze from 2011-12 for public sector work forces, Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer except for those earning £21,000 or less, who will receive whether he plans to place a limit on non-cyclical an increase of at least £250 per year. It is for employers structural borrowing (a) between 2010 and 2015 and to define annual salary as appropriate to their work (b) after 2015. [14130] forces. 791W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 792W

Public Sector: Procurement Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what mechanism HM Revenue and Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Chancellor of the Customs has put in place to monitor the conduct of its Exchequer what steps are being taken to promote the debt collection agency contractors; [13339] use of community benefit clauses in Government (2) what safeguards HM Revenue and Customs has procurement contracts; whether there are targets for put in place to protect the personal information of the use of such clauses; and if he will make a statement. taxpayers which has been shared with debt collection [13435] agency contractors. [13340]

Mr Maude: I have been asked to reply. Mr Gauke: HMRC successfully piloted using private sector debt collection agencies (DCAs) in 2009-10. It The primary purpose of public procurement is the was subsequently announced in the June 2010 budget acquisition of those goods, services and works necessary that HMRC would make further use of DCAs in 2010-11. for public sector organisations to carry out their policy The pilot demonstrated that DCAs can be used cost responsibilities, to appropriate standards of quality and effectively and securely to collect debt on HMRC’s value for money. behalf and without compromise to HMRC’s high standards. Public sector organisations are free to use community A copy of the evaluation report is available on the benefit clauses in their contracts, providing these represent HMRC website at: value for money, are relevant to the overall requirement http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/cap-cap-pilot.pdf and are consistent with Government procurement rules HMRC require DCAs working on its behalf to comply and EU treaty principles of openness, non-discrimination with strict codes of conduct and the contracts require and proportionality. that they maintain HMRC standards in relation to As decisions on when to use community benefit clauses customer service, data security and professionalism. A have to be taken on a case-by-case basis, it would not be robust audit and assurance process is in place, which appropriate to set targets for such clauses. builds on the experience gained during the 2009-10 pilot. Research and Development Tax Credit Tax Havens Mr Wallace: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the future of research and Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the development tax credits; and if he will make a Exchequer what recent discussions HM Revenue and statement. [14591] Customs has had with offshore account holders on the process of depositing funds outside the UK. [13341] Mr Gauke: The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Budget statement that the Government will consult Mr Gauke: To improve its understanding of how and with business in autumn 2010 to review the taxation of why UK resident individuals open offshore bank accounts, intellectual property, the support R&D tax credits provide in August HMRC wrote to 568 offshore account holders for innovation and the proposals of the Dyson Review. asking them to voluntarily complete a telephone questionnaire on the operation of their accounts. To date, 19 have been completed. Revenue and Customs: Debt Collection Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what details of offshore account holders Exchequer how much was spent by HM Revenue and HM Revenue and Customs has sought from UK banks Customs on outsourcing to debt collection agencies to in the last 12 months. [13342] pursue tax debts in each of the last five years; and how much was recouped by such agencies in each of those Mr Gauke: In August 2009, HM Revenue and Customs years. [13338] sought consent from the first-tier tribunal to issue 307 notices under schedule 36 FA 2008 requiring banks to Mr Gauke: HMRC undertook a small scale pilot provide information about their customers who have exercise on the use of private sector debt collection offshore accounts. Consent to issue the notices was agencies (DCAs) in 2009-10. It had not previously used given by the first-tier tribunal. such agencies. As announced in the Budget HMRC will, this year, be using debt collection agencies to collect Taxation: Business £140 million of additional revenue from existing tax debts. Laura Sandys: To ask the Chancellor of the DCAs working on behalf of HMRC are paid on a Exchequer what assessment his Department has made “commission only” basis where payment is made as a on the effects of business taxes on larger empty percentage of recovered debt. Commission rates (and/or commercial properties on levels of investment in new figures that would allow their calculation) are commercially commercial facilities. [13224] sensitive and disclosure would be likely to compromise future procurement. Robert Neill: I have been asked to reply. A copy of the pilot evaluation report is available on The Department has not made any assessment of the HMRC website at: how business rates on larger empty properties have http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/cap-cap-pilot.pdf affected investment in new commercial facilities. 793W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 794W

The current empty property rate regime was introduced EDUCATION in 2008 by the previous Government. Financial Services: Education For 2010-11, all empty properties with rateable values up to £18,000 are exempt from business rates. 70% of Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for properties have a rateable value below that threshold so, Education (1) what recent assessment he has made of if empty, will pay no rates this year. the level of financial literacy among school leavers; and if he will make a statement; [12077] : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much HM Revenue and Customs spent (2) if he will discuss with (a) the financial services on the production and distribution of Tax Guides CDs sector and (b) other businesses their potential support for the provision of financial literacy teaching in (i) to UK businesses in each year since 2005. [14024] secondary and (ii) primary schools; and if he will make a statement. [12075] Mr Gauke: The costs are shown in the following table and include development, replication, packaging, and Mr Gibb: The economic wellbeing and financial capability distribution. strand of personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) was introduced in secondary schools in September £ 2008. In their inspection report on PSHE published in 2005-06 2,284,083 July, Ofsted found that students in schools that were 2006-07 2,159,929 successfully developing personal finance education showed 2007-08 2,182,472 a good understanding of personal finance, used financial 2008-09 2,311,151 terms correctly and were able to apply their knowledge 2009-10 1,465,928 in making financial decisions. This was based on evidence from inspections of economic understanding and financial capability in 53 secondary schools visited in 2008 and 2009. Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments The report can be found at: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and- : To ask the Chancellor of the research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/ Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to his Personal-social-health-and-economic-education-in-schools Department of processing subject access requests in connection with overpaid tax credits to date; and how GCE A-level many such requests there have been in each year since tax credits were introduced. [14833] Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of A levels in (a) Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available. chemistry, (b) physics, (c) mathematics and (d) modern foreign languages were awarded to candidates The level of work involved in fulfilling a Subject from (i) grammar schools, (ii) comprehensive schools, Access Request (SAR) can vary considerably therefore (iii) sixth form colleges and (iv) independent schools in it is not possible for HM Revenue and Customs to academic year 2008-09. [12635] calculate an average unit cost. Requestors do not need to give a reason for making a Mr Gibb: In the academic year 2008-09, the percentages SAR so the information on the number of requests of A-levels awarded to candidates are shown in the relating to tax. Credits overpayments is not recorded. following table:

Percentage of A-levels awarded to candidates Institution type Chemistry Physics Mathematics Modern Foreign Languages

Grammar schools 14.6 14.0 13.1 11.0 Comprehensive schools 39.4 41.5 40.3 34.3 Sixth form colleges 16.9 14.3 16.8 13.6 Independent schools 21.8 23.0 21.6 34.1 Source: Achievement and Attainment Tables.

Mathematics: GCE AS-level Private Education

Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of those pupils taking Education how many and what proportion of children further mathematics at AS level were studying at (a) of compulsory school age in each local education comprehensive, (b) independent and (c) grammar authority area attended independent schools in the schools in 2009. [12634] most recent year for which figures are available. [12638] Mr Gibb: In 2009, of those pupils taking further Mr Gibb: The following table shows the local authority mathematics at AS-level 44.5% were in comprehensive area of the school attended. Some pupils will live in one schools, 13.4% in Independent schools and 11.9% in local authority area and attend an independent school grammar schools. elsewhere. 795W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 796W

Children of compulsory school age1,2 attending independent schools by local Children of compulsory school age1,2 attending independent schools by local authority area of the school attended, January 2010 (final)—Government office authority area of the school attended, January 2010 (final)—Government office region and local authority area in England region and local authority area in England Independent Independent schools All schools3 Percentage schools All schools3 Percentage

England 3 426,510 6,595,070 6.5 North 4,612 73,608 6.3 Yorkshire Rotherham 211 35,490 0.6 North East3 9,390 315,630 3.0 Sheffield 2,282 62,690 3.6 Darlington 385 13,153 2.9 Wakefield 3,179 43,546 7.3 Durham 1,648 59,867 2.8 York 1,729 20,994 8.2 Gateshead 765 23,373 3.3 Hartlepool 9 12,282 0.1 3 Middlesbrough 58 17,911 0.3 East Midlands 24,130 562,630 4.3 Newcastle 3,344 31,803 10.5 Derby 892 32,580 2.7 upon Tyne Derbyshire 3,438 93,166 3.7 North 631 23,764 2.7 Leicester 1,676 40,826 4.1 Tyneside Leicestershire 5,064 83,297 6.1 Northumberland 385 37,970 1.0 Lincolnshire 3,275 88,249 3.7 Redcar and 0 18,254 0.0 Northamptonshire 4,291 90,927 4.7 Cleveland Nottingham 2,402 33,138 7.2 South 0 17,880 0.0 Tyneside Nottinghamshire 1,789 94,677 1.9 Stockton-on- 1,372 24,927 5.5 Rutland 1,299 5,767 22.5 Tees Sunderland 795 34,442 2.3 West 31,600 724,370 4.4 Midlands3 North West3 38,390 896,860 4.3 Birmingham 6,016 149,932 4.0 Blackburn 2,297 23,174 9.9 Coventry 2,211 41,458 5.3 with Darwen Dudley 223 40,889 0.5 Blackpool 602 17,934 3.4 Herefordshire 1,367 21,362 6.4 Bolton 2,312 39,385 5.9 Sandwell 25 40,767 0.1 Bury 1,563 25,289 6.2 Shropshire 3,680 36,482 10.1 Cheshire East 3,463 44,898 7.7 Solihull 1,466 31,902 4.6 Cheshire West 3,267 43,030 7.6 Staffordshire 3,489 103,228 3.4 and Chester Stoke-on-Trent 118 28,645 0.4 Cumbria 2,205 60,754 3.6 Telford and 611 23,036 2.7 Halton 33 15,689 0.2 Wrekin Knowsley 0 17,878 0.0 Walsall 1,075 38,214 2.8 Lancashire 4,486 145,117 3.1 Warwickshire 4,457 67,719 6.6 Liverpool 1,280 54,389 2.4 Wolverhampton 1,183 30,886 3.8 Manchester 4,404 57,601 7.6 Worcestershire 5,680 69,850 8.1 Oldham 1,003 34,425 2.9 336 28,002 1.2 East of 49,160 741,660 6.6 England3 Salford 2,198 27,592 8.0 Bedford 3,516 23,585 14.9 Sefton 2,034 36,263 5.6 Central 264 31,643 0.8 St Helens 509 21,945 2.3 Bedfordshire Stockport 3,617 36,355 9.9 Cambridgeshire 6,313 73,038 8.6 Tameside 130 29,360 0.4 Essex 9,285 176,505 5.3 Trafford 1,512 31,190 4.8 Hertfordshire 16,866 155,367 10.9 Warrington 23 26,203 0.1 Luton 782 28,864 2.7 Wigan 0 39,226 0.0 Norfolk 4,825 97,690 4.9 Wirral 1,113 41,165 2.7 Peterborough 301 24,995 1.2 Southend-on- 945 22,952 4.1 Yorkshire and 25,120 659,830 3.8 Sea the Humber3 Suffolk 6,066 86,894 7.0 Barnsley 153 27,442 0.6 Thurrock 0 20,127 0.0 Bradford 3,327 72,914 4.6

Calderdale 1,015 29,200 3.5 London 3 98,470 978,720 10.1 Doncaster 470 37,782 1.2

East Riding of 1,461 41,185 3.5 3 Yorkshire Inner London 48,890 349,260 14.0 Kingston upon 875 30,404 2.9 Camden 5.424 21,919 24.7 Hull, City of City of 1,531 1,706 89.7 Kirklees 1,690 54,065 3.1 London Leeds 3,733 89,907 4.2 Hackney 5,280 26,874 19.6 North East 251 20,005 1.3 Hammersmith 4,571 17,954 25.5 Lincolnshire and Fulham North 132 20,596 0.6 Haringey 1,872 29,744 6.3 Lincolnshire Islington 451 18,933 2.4 797W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 798W

Children of compulsory school age1,2 attending independent schools by local Children of compulsory school age1,2 attending independent schools by local authority area of the school attended, January 2010 (final)—Government office authority area of the school attended, January 2010 (final)—Government office region and local authority area in England region and local authority area in England Independent Independent schools All schools3 Percentage schools All schools3 Percentage

Kensington 8,485 17,058 49.7 , City of 4,623 43,687 10.6 and Chelsea Cornwall 1,913 61,920 3.1 Lambeth 1,173 26,443 4.4 Devon 5,736 86,940 6.6 Lewisham 1,480 30,272 4.9 Dorset 4,202 49,728 8.4 Newham 885 41,988 2.1 Gloucestershire 5,889 75,814 7.8 Southwark 3,789 33,015 11.5 Isles of Scilly 0 232 0.0 Tower Hamlets 1,302 31,866 4.1 North 773 24,893 3.1 Wandsworth 7,237 30,143 24.0 Somerset Westminster 5,411 21,343 25.4 Plymouth 690 30,791 2.2 Poole 534 16,113 3.3 Outer London3 49,580 629,460 7.9 Somerset 6,788 65,999 10.3 Barking and 10 26,065 0.0 South 297 33,687 0.9 Dagenham Gloucestershire Barnet 4,682 42,579 11.0 Swindon 52 25,628 0.2 Bexley 444 33,556 1.3 Torbay 419 15,433 2.7 Brent 1,723 35,095 4.9 Wiltshire 4,756 59,542 8.0 1 Bromley 3,339 40,840 8.2 Excludes dual registrations. Pupils of compulsory school age only (aged 5 to 15 at the start of the school year). In PRUs also includes pupils registered with Croydon 5,164 47,185 10.9 other providers and further education colleges. Ealing 3,986 39,666 10.0 2 National and regional totals have been rounded to the nearest 10. There may Enfield 1,256 42,550 3.0 be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown. 3 Includes local authority maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools, Greenwich 2,174 29,578 7.4 city technology colleges, academies, maintained and non-maintained special Harrow 3,388 28,622 11.8 schools, general hospital schools, PRUs and independent schools. Havering 636 31,961 2.0 Source: School Census. Hillingdon 2,913 37,171 7.8 Hounslow 928 29,149 3.2 Schools: Standards Kingston upon 2,903 19,881 14.6 Thames Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Merton 2,910 22,236 13.1 Education what proportion of (a) primary and (b) Redbridge 3,108 39,839 7.8 secondary schools rated (i) good and (ii) satisfactory at Richmond 7,324 25,068 29.2 their most recent Ofsted inspection were rated upon Thames outstanding at the preceding inspection. [9399] Sutton 1,297 26,412 4.9 Waltham 1,391 32,008 4.3 Mr Gibb [holding answer 19 July 2010]: This is a Forest matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply South East3 109,140 1,082,600 10.1 has been placed in the Libraries. Bracknell 2,153 14,809 14.5 Letter from Lorraine Langham, dated 9 August 2010: Forest Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to Her Brighton and 2,904 28,738 10.1 Hove Majesty’s Chief Inspector for response. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector is currently on leave and I am deputising for her in her Buckinghamshire 6,669 67,834 9.8 absence. East Sussex 4,914 61,053 8.0 The latest period for which published figures about maintained Hampshire 13,089 163,413 8.0 school section 5 inspection outcomes are available is the spring Isle of Wight 685 15,957 4.3 term of 2009/10. This answer, therefore, takes into account those Kent 13,716 188,557 7.3 primary and secondary schools (including academies and city Medway 1,046 35,553 2.9 technology colleges) which were open on 21 April 2010 and had Milton Keynes 659 32,695 2.0 received an inspection on or before 31 March 2010. Oxfordshire 11,605 81,576 14.2 Under the school inspection frameworks used between January 2000 and August 2005 (commonly known as section 10), the Portsmouth 2,587 23,198 11.2 school’s overall effectiveness judgement was made using a seven Reading 2,146 15,880 13.5 point scale: ‘excellent’, ‘very good’, ‘good’, ‘satisfactory’, Slough 437 18,577 2.4 ‘unsatisfactory’, ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’. Since September 2005, Southampton 1,386 25,203 5.5 the overall effectiveness judgement has been made under the Surrey 27,705 147,336 18.8 current school inspection framework (commonly known as section 5) West Berkshire 2,357 22,692 10.4 using a four point scale: ‘outstanding’, ‘good’, ‘satisfactory’ and ‘inadequate’. West Sussex 8,848 98,134 9.0 Given the differences in the measurement of overall effectiveness Windsor and 4,082 19,913 20.5 Maidenhead between the frameworks, it is not possible to operate a simple, read-across approach between section 10 and section 5 inspection Wokingham 2,156 21,477 10.0 frameworks. As the question refers to those schools which were found to be South West3 41,110 632,780 6.5 outstanding, this answer only looks at those inspections that took Bath and 3,298 23,976 13.8 place under section 5 (from September 2005). It does not include North East those schools currently ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ under section 5, Somerset with previous inspection judgements under the previous section Bournemouth 1,140 18,399 6.2 10 framework. 799W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 800W

Information on which schools were open on 21 April 2010 has Of the 7,545 primary schools inspected more than once under been taken from the Department for Education’s Edubase system. section 5, there were 36 primary schools rated ‘satisfactory’ where Information regarding section 5 inspections was taken from archived their previous section 5 inspection was also rated ‘outstanding’. information on Ofsted’s systems. Of the 1,611 secondary schools inspected more than once Of the 7,545 primary schools inspected more than once under under section 5, there were two secondary schools rated ‘satisfactory’ section 5, there were 162 primary schools rated ‘good’ where their where their previous section 5 inspection was also rated ‘outstanding’. previous section 5 inspection was also rated ‘outstanding’. Tables 1 and 2 below contain the information requested. Of the 1,611 secondary schools inspected more than once A copy of this reply has been sent to Nick Gibb MP, Minister under section 5, there were 25 secondary schools rated ‘good’ of State for Schools, and will be placed in the library of both where their previous section 5 inspection was also rated ‘outstanding’. Houses.

Table 1: Secondary schools and primary schools rated “good” in their most recent Ofsted inspection and rated “outstanding” in their previous inspection and the proportion of the total numbers they represent Totalasa proportion of all Currently graded schools currently Totalasa Open schools at good for With a previous graded good and proportion of all 21 April 2010 Schools inspections consecutive inspected more schools inspected and inspected on inspected more 31 March 2010 section 5 than once under more than once or before than once under and inspected inspection graded section 5 under section 5 31 March 2010 section 5 more than once outstanding (percentage) (percentage)

Secondary1 3,189 1,611 611 25 4 2 Primary 16,905 7,545 3,637 162 4 2 Total 20,094 9,156 4,248 187 4 2

Table 2: Secondary schools and primary schools rated “satisfactory” in their most recent Ofsted inspection and rated “outstanding” in their previous inspection and the proportion of the total numbers they represent Total as a proportion of all schools currently Currently graded graded Totalasa Open schools at satisfactory for With a previous satisfactory and proportion of all 21 April 2010 Schools inspections consecutive inspected more schools inspected and inspected on inspected more 31 March 2010 section 5 than once under more than once or before than once under and inspected inspection graded section 5 under section 5 31 March 2010 section 5 more than once outstanding (percentage) (percentage)

Secondary1 3,189 1,611 613 2 0 0 Primary 16,905 7,545 2,558 36 1 0 Total 20,094 9,156 3,171 38 1 0 1 Secondary schools include secondary, academy and city technology colleges

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER provide for the creation of fewer and more equally sized constituencies”. Ultimately it is a matter of judgment as Alternative Vote: Referendums to the most suitable size of the House, and Ministers decided that a modest reduction to 600 seats would be Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Deputy Prime appropriate, mindful that hon. Members must be able Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of each to serve their constituents and that the House must be written representation he has received from the of sufficient size to be able to carry out its functions devolved administrations on the proposed alternative effectively. Under the Government’s proposals, the 1 vote referendum. [13709] December 2009 register suggests the electoral quota for the UK would be around 76,000. 218 of the existing Mr Harper: I refer the hon. Member to the answer constituencies are already within 5% either side of 76,000, provided to the hon. Members for Caerphilly (Mr David) so the impact of our proposals will see constituencies of and Wyre and Preston North (Mr Wallace) on 9 September a size well within existing norms. 2010, Official Report, column 647W.

Distribution of Seats Domestic Visits

Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what options for the number of seats in the Stewart Hosie: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister House of Commons he considered before deciding to what estimate he has made of the cost to the public propose 600 seats as the size of the House. [14831] purse of (a) transport, (b) venue and accommodation, (c) printed materials, including backdrops, (d) Mr Harper: The Conservative and Liberal Democrat security, (e) staffing, (f) filming and photography and manifestos both proposed a reduction in size of the (g) other costs of each public meeting he has held House of Commons, to 585 and 500 seats respectively since his appointment; [13266] (the latter in the context of the introduction of the (2) what vetting his Office undertakes of people single transferable vote). The coalition agreement attending public meetings with the Deputy Prime announced that legislation would be introduced “to Minister. [13267] 801W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 802W

The Deputy Prime Minister: Since my appointment as Mr Harper: If a UK electoral quota for 598 seats is Deputy Prime Minister I have held open public meetings calculated using the 1 December 2009 electorate, for in Abingdon (24 July 2010), Newcastle (19 August illustrative purposes, a quota of 75,862 is reached once 2010), Bristol (21 August 2010) and Croydon (27 August the electorates of the preserved constituencies of Orkney 2010) to provide members of the public with an opportunity and Shetland and Na h-Eileanan an lar are removed. If, to raise local, regional or national issues with me directly. in addition, the electorate of the Isle of Wight were to Costs have been minimised as far as possible. Transport be removed from the UK calculation, the quota (for 597 and accommodation have been arranged in accordance seats) would be 75,805. with ministerial and civil service guidelines. Venues have been sourced at minimal cost: £52 for Abingdon and Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill free of charge in Newcastle, Bristol and Croydon. Staffing, and filming and photography for Government use are Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime all part of the Cabinet Office communications support Minister what representations he took into account in function and do not incur additional costs. Branding formulating the proposed rule 4 in clause 9 of the for the events is generic and reused at each event, with Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill. an initial cost of £680 for printing. It is Government [14829] policy not to comment on security arrangements. Mr Harper: In drafting the Bill, Ministers considered Stewart Hosie: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister advice from officials and parliamentary counsel, and how many (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers officials discussed the technical impact of the clauses accompanied him on each public meeting since his with the Secretariats of the four Boundary Commissions. appointment. [13268] Voting Systems: Referendums The Deputy Prime Minister: My public meetings are organised and supported by Cabinet Office civil servants. Pete Wishart: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how Support will vary according to the individual visit. much the Government will spend promoting their Numbers for the meetings held are as follows: planned referendum on the alternative vote system. [12194] Number Special Mr Harper: There are clear restrictions on Government Date Civil servants advisors activity around referendums, and the Government do Abingdon 24 July 2010 5 0 not plan to spend any money specifically on promoting the referendum on the alternative vote. The Electoral Newcastle 19 August 61 2010 Commission, under the Political Parties, Elections and Bristol 21 August 30Referendums Act, will give positive consideration to 2010 taking forward public awareness activity. Croydon 27 August 50 2010 Voting Systems: Reform

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what Electoral Systems estimate he has made of the likely effect on the number of spoilt ballot papers of a move to (a) an alternative Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime vote, (b) a single transferable vote and (c) other Minister whether he has made an assessment of the electoral systems. [12071] opinions of residents of (a) Argyll and Bute and (b) other constituencies on exemptions from his proposed Mr Harper: The Government have made no such requirement for electoral equality. [14832] estimate. Mr Harper: No such assessment has been made. The principle of greater fairness and equality in the size of CABINET OFFICE constituencies was set out in the coalition programme for government and is a cornerstone of the Bill. The Big Society Bank Government consider it right to allow only two named exceptions to what is intended to be a clear principle. James Morris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet There will be debate in the House, and consultation by Office (1) whether funds from the Big Society Bank will the Boundary Commissions once they have published be available to social enterprises offering job placement their recommendations. The Bill increases the time period and training schemes; [12629] during which representations may be made from four to (2) at what stage funds from the Big Society Bank 12 weeks. will be available to local communities in addition to the four recently announced, with particular reference to Electoral Systems: Isle of Wight Halesowen and Rowley Region. [12630] Mr Hurd: The Big Society Bank will be a wholesale Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime institution, and so its funds will be used to assist or Minister if he will make an estimate of the likely effect enable other organisations give financial or other support on the UK quota of the exemption of the Isle of Wight to social enterprises, charities and voluntary and community from his proposed requirement for electoral equality. organisations. This means it may invest in social enterprises [14830] and community groups, including those offering job 803W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 804W placements and training schemes in Halesowen and Count of VAT and/or PAYE-based enterprises with less than 50 Rowley, but through social investment intermediaries employment for the constituency of North Swindon in 2009 rather than directly. Turnover size Our aim is to establish the Big Society Bank by April £100,000+ 1,330 2011. It will be accessible to relevant intermediary Note: organisations across the country, not just in the four A small business is defined as an enterprise with less than 50 employment. Vanguard Communities. Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Business Office how many businesses (a) started up and (b) ceased to exist in North Swindon constituency in each Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet year since 1997. [13335] Office what the five year survival rate of small businesses was in (a) North Swindon constituency and Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the (b) England in the latest period for which figures are responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have available. [13333] asked the Authority to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2010: Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I asked the authority to reply. have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many businesses (a) started up and (b) ceased to Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2010: exist in North Swindon constituency in each year since 1997. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I [13335]. have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question Annual statistics on business births, deaths and actives are concerning what the five year survival rate of small businesses available for 2002 onwards from the ONS release on Business was in (a) North Swindon constituency and (b) England in the Demography at: latest period for which figures are available. (13333) www.statistics.gov.uk Annual statistics on business births, deaths and survival are The table below contains the latest statistics available, on enterprise available from the ONS release on Business Demography at: births and deaths in North Swindon for the years 2002 to 2008. www.statistics.gov.uk Enterprise births and deaths for the constituency of North Swindon, The table below contains the latest statistics available on small 2002-08 enterprise five year survival in North Swindon parliamentary Number constituency and England. Births Deaths The count of births in 2003 and the count and percentage of five year survival for enterprises with less than 50 employment 2002 310 1— 5 year 2003 335 1— Geography 2003 births 5 year survival percentage 2004 355 1— England 235,800 110,360 46.8 2005 315 240 North Swindon 335 165 49.3 2006 325 285 Note: 2007 345 230 A small business is defined as an enterprise with less than 50 employment. 2008 395 230 1 Business: North Swindon Not available. Civil Servants: Conditions of Employment Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many small businesses in North Swindon constituency had a turnover of (a) under £100,000 and Mr Wallace: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet (b) over £100,000 in the latest year for which figures Office if he will take steps to ensure that terms and are available. [13334] conditions of employment of low-paid civil servants are not affected by changes to civil service employment Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the contracts. [13184] responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Mr Maude: Whenever changes to terms and conditions Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2010: are being considered we consider very carefully how As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I these might impact on all civil servants, including the have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question low paid. Management structures and working practices, concerning how many small businesses in North Swindon constituency including well established processes of consultation and had a turnover of (a) under £100,000 and (b) over £100,000 in the negotiation, are in place to represent the interests of all latest year for which figures are available. [13334] civil servants in that regard. Annual statistics on business counts are available from the ONS release UK Business: Activity, Size and location at: Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay www.statistics.gov.uk Data are for enterprises in the constituency of North Swindon with less than 50 employment and for the year 2009. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what legal advice his Department obtained Count of VAT and/or PAYE-based enterprises with less than 50 before the introduction of the Superannuation Bill; and employment for the constituency of North Swindon in 2009 what discussions he and his officials had with civil Turnover size service unions on the future of the Civil Service £0-£99,000 1,165 Compensation Scheme. [14086] 805W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 806W

Mr Maude: The issues of whether legal advice has Departmental Consultants been taken, and what that legal advice is, are privileged. The Government do not disclose the legal advice that Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet they have taken. Office how much was spent on external consultants My officials and I have undertaken several discussions and advisers by (a) his Department and (b) each (i) with the civil service unions on reform of the Civil non-departmental public body and (ii) executive Service Compensation Scheme. I met with Paul Noon, agency for which his Department is responsible in each chair of the Council of Civil Service Unions on 13 July year since 2005. [12454] and I met with him and the members of the CCSU again on 9 September. Between those dates my officials Mr Maude: The amount spent on external consultancy have conducted a large number of meetings with and advice by the Cabinet Office in each financial year representatives from the unions in order to develop a since 2005-06 is as follows: framework for a new compensation scheme. It remains my desire to reach an agreement with the £ million unions on a new scheme before the Superannuation Bill is passed. 2005-06 50.5 2006-07 21.4 2007-08 19.1 Departmental Allowances 2008-09 19.3 2009-10 18.0 Matthew Hancock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department spent on (a) Departmental Disclosure of Information reimbursement of staff expenses and (b) the 10 largest staff expense reimbursement claims in each year since 1997. [13031] Mr MacNeil: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many investigations following the unauthorised Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office’s annual resource disclosure of information from his Department there accounts from 1999-2000 to 2009-10 years, available in have been in the last 12 months. [12869] the House of Commons Library, provide combined total amounts for expenditure on travel, subsistence Mr Maude: In the last 12 months my Department has and hospitality. Further information could be obtained been involved with investigating one suspected unauthorised only at disproportionate cost. disclosure of information. In line with exemptions 1(a) and 7(b) set out in Part Departmental Billing II of the “Code of Practice on Access to Government Information”, it has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on the outcome of such Stewart Hosie: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet inquiries in order to safeguard security and investigative Office what proportion of invoices from suppliers his arrangements. Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010. [13271] Departmental ICT Mr Maude: The percentage of compliant invoices from all suppliers which were paid within 10 days of Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet receipt is as follows: Office which IT contracts awarded by his Department in each of the last five years have been abandoned; and Percentage within 10 days what the monetary value of each such contract was. [12715] July 2010 95.4 August 2010 95.5 Mr Maude: No IT contracts awarded by the Cabinet Office have so far been abandoned since the formation This response excludes the Constitution Group function of the new Government. which was recently transferred to Cabinet Office from the Ministry of Justice. Departmental Motor Vehicles Departmental Buildings Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the expenditure on vehicles of (a) his Matthew Hancock: To ask the Minister for the Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public Cabinet Office how much office space per employee his body and (ii) executive agency for which his Department Department occupied in each year since 1997. [12993] is responsible in each region of England was in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned Mr Maude: Information on space usage is published expenditure is in each case for 2010-11. [12455] in the annual ‘State of the Estate’ report. This is available at: Mr Maude: The information is as follows: http://www.ogc.gov.uk/high_performing_property_the_state_ (a) The Department’s annual expenditure on vehicles of_the_estate.asp purchased via the Department’s travel contracts for the A copy has been placed in the Libraries of the House. last three financial years is detailed as follows: 807W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 808W

Departmental Rents Financial year Expenditure (£) 2007-08 47,274 Mr Weir: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 2008-09 27,626 how much was paid by his Department in rent for 2009-10 17,834 properties in (a) total and (b) each (i) region and (ii) nation of the UK in each of the last five years. [12353] Figures for any vehicle expenditure that may have been purchased by officials using the Government Mr Maude: Rent paid by the Cabinet Office in the Procurement Card or claimed back on expenses are not last five years is as follows: readily available and may not be obtained without Expenditure incurring disproportionate costs. £ (b) (i) There has been no annual expenditure on vehicles in Warrington Basingstoke each of the last three financial years by the Cabinet Office’s London- (Cheshire (Hampshire non-departmental public bodies. Total rent England Region) Region) expenditure (Region) England England (b) (ii) There has been no annual expenditure on vehicles in each of the last three financial years by the Cabinet Office’s 2005-06 5,880,794 5,704,544 0 176,250 Executive agency. 2006-07 7,295,818 6,894,488 225,081 176,250 It is not possible to provide figures on planned 2007-08 6,470,265 5,984,751 309,264 176,250 expenditure for financial year 2010-11 as our vehicle 2008-09 4,481,863 4,305,613 0 176,250 expenditure is demand driven. It is Cabinet Office policy 2009-10 4,319,836 3,983,816 25,283 310,738 to reduce the amount of travel by questioning the need Over the last five years in question, the Cabinet to travel and make use of alternative provisions such as Office has paid rent only in London, Warrington and video conferencing. Basingstoke. Lone Parents: Employment Departmental Pensions : To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many lone parents with children aged between Office what the cost was of pension contributions incurred (a) five to 10 and (b) 11 to 16 years have entered by (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental employment in (i) Don Valley constituency, (ii) Doncaster public body and (ii) executive agency for which he is and (iii) England in each of the last five years. [12699] responsible in each region of England in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the is for 2010-11. [12453] responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Mr Maude: The cost of pension contributions incurred Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated August 2010: by the Cabinet Office in each of the last three financial As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I years is published in the Cabinet Office resource accounts have been asked to reply to your question asking how many lone which are available on the Cabinet Office website at the parents with children aged between (a) five to 10 and (b) 11 to 16 following address years have entered employment in (i) Don Valley constituency, (ii) Doncaster and (iii) England in each of the last five years. 12699. www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk Information about the number of parents entering employment and detailed in the following table: is not available. However, the attached table shows the number of parents in employment for January to December 2004 to 2008, Financial year Cost of pension contribution (£000) using the Annual Population Survey (APS) household datasets. The sample of the APS is not large enough to provide estimates 2007-08 11,803 for Doncaster local authority or Don Valley parliamentary 2008-09 11,675 constituency because of insufficient sample sizes. 2009-10 11,993 As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty as different samples give different The cost of planned expenditure for 2010-11 is not results. These estimates are such that there is 95 per cent certainty held centrally and would be available only at that from all samples possible they will lie within the lower and disproportionate cost. upper bounds.

Table 1: Lone parents1 in employment with children2 aged (a) 5-10 years arid (b) 11-16 years, England Thousand Children aged 5-10 Children aged 11-16 Estimate Lower bound3 Upper bound3 Estimate Lower bound3 Upper bound3

January to December 2004 286 271 300 304 289 319 January to December 2005 292 278 306 322 306 337 January to December 2006 285 271 300 329 312 345 January to December 2007 267 253 281 337 320 353 January to December 2008 280 266 295 337 321 353 1 Men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59. 2 Dependent children are under 16 and those aged 16 to 18 who are never-married and in full-time education. 3 95% confidence interval which means that from all samples possible there would be 95% certainty that the true estimate would lie within the lower and upper bounds. Source: APS household dataset 809W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 810W

NDPBs The requested information is not available. It is not possible to provide estimates for Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency because of insufficient sample sizes. Tristram Hunt: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many public bodies there were in England Voluntary Organisations: Vetting (a) in 1979, (b) in 1997 and (c) on the latest date for which information is available. [12510] David Mowat: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will take steps to ensure that adult Mr Maude: Figures for the number of non-departmental volunteers are not deterred from working with children public bodies have been published annually by Cabinet by criminal record checking procedures; and if he will Office in “Public Bodies” since 1980. Copies are available make a statement. [12498] from the Libraries of the House. Recent editions are also available at: Mr Hurd: The Government have committed to reviewing http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/ndpb the criminal records regime to scale it back to common sense levels. The terms of reference of this review will be Teenage Pregnancy: Rhondda Cynon Taff published in due course. The Office for Civil Society will be working closely with the Home Office on this review to ensure that the impact on volunteering is Chris Bryant: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet taken into account. Office how many live births per thousand teenage girls there were in Rhondda constituency in the most recent Wines year for which figures are available. [12589] Matthew Hancock: To ask the Minister for the Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Cabinet Office how much his Department spent on responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have wine in each year since 1997. [12811] asked the authority to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck: Mr Maude: The information requested is not held As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I centrally and therefore is available only at disproportionate have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question cost. Any expenditure on wine is made in accordance asking how many live births per thousand teenage girls there were with published departmental guidance on financial in Rhondda constituency in the most recent year for which figures procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in arc available. (012589) “Managing Public Money” and the Treasury handbook There were 44.1 live births to women aged under 20 per on “Regularity and Propriety”. thousand women aged 15-19 in Rhondda parliamentary constituency in 2O081 (the most recent year available). 1 Based on usual residence of the mother and date of occurrence WORK AND PENSIONS of the birth. Benefits: Kent Unemployed People: Bexley Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) Mr Evennett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Work and Pensions (1) how many people in (b) Office how many children were living in workless Chatham and Aylesford constituency and Medway households in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency have received employment and support allowance in each of the last five years; [15094] in (a) 2005, (b) 2007 and (c) 2010. [12541] (2) how many people in (a) Chatham and Aylesford Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the constituency and (b) Medway have received incapacity responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. . benefit in each of the last five years; [15095] Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated August 2010: (3) how many people in (a) Chatham and Aylesford As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, 1 constituency and (b) Medway have received disability have been asked to reply to your question asking how many living allowance in each of the last five years. [15096] children were living in workless households in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency in (a) 2005, (b) 2007 and (c) 2010. : The information can be found in the (12541) following tables.

Chatham and Aylesford constituency: February 2006-09 (May 2005 boundaries) and February 2010 (May 2010 boundaries1) February 2006 February 2007 February 2008 February 2009 February 2010

Employment and support n/a n/a n/a 300 790 allowance Incapacity benefit/severe 3,160 3,150 3,290 3,220 2,910 disablement allowance Disability living allowance 3,640 3,760 3,980 4,350 4,600

Medway local authority: February 2006-10 February 2006 February 2007 February 2008 February 2009 February 2010

Employment and n/a n/a n/a 730 2,020 Support Allowance 811W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 812W

Medway local authority: February 2006-10 February 2006 February 2007 February 2008 February 2009 February 2010

Incapacity Benefit/ 8,900 8,830 9,190 8,770 7,680 Severe Disablement Allowance Disability Living 9,840 10,290 10,870 11,730 12,560 Allowance n/a = Not available. 1 Constituencies used for February 2010 are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. Prior to this, the constituencies used are for May 2005. Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment and support allowance from October 2008. 3. Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance volumes include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contribution conditions but receive a national insurance credit. 4. Volumes for disability living allowance show the number of people in receipt of an allowance and exclude people where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. Source: DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100% data.

Child Support Agency and accounts for 2009-10. These cover the period from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work The average and total costs to Jobcentre Plus of and Pensions in how many cases the Child Support processing new claims for ESA in 2009-10 are shown in Agency recorded intercession by an hon. Member in the following table: 2009-10. [14913] ESA new claims, 2009-10

Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Total cost (£ million) 28 Commission is responsible for the child maintenance Average cost (£) 41 system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner Source: to write to the hon. Member with the information Jobcentre Plus Activity Based Management system. requested and I have seen the response. Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Letter from Stephen Geraghty: and Pensions what the (a) average and (b) total cost In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the was to his Department of work reconsidering claims Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive for employment and support allowance that were reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child initially rejected by it in the latest period for which Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance figures are available; and if he will make a statement. and Enforcement Commission. [13893] You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many cases the Child Support Agency recorded intercession by an hon. Member in 2009-10. [14913] Maria Miller: It is not possible to provide the costs specifically for reconsideration of the decisions made We tried to contact your office to clarify your request but we were advised that you were unavailable for most of the day so we on these claims as this level of information is not have interpreted the question as being the volume of correspondence captured. received by the Commission from MPs in 2009-10. Published information and statistics for ESA claims In the year to March 2010 the Commission received 16,500 and work capability assessments is available on the pieces of correspondence from MPs. This includes both case-specific Department’s website: and general correspondence received in writing and through the http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/ MP hotline. Multiple correspondence may be received for a single complaint. I hope you find this answer helpful. Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) average and (b) total cost to his Department of cases involving appeals against its Employment and Support Allowance decisions to refuse claims for employment and support allowance was in the latest period for which figures are Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work available. [13894] and Pensions what the (a) average and (b) total cost was to his Department of processing new claims for Maria Miller: Published information and statistics employment and support allowance in the latest period for ESA claims and work capability assessments is for which figures are available; and if he will make a available on the Department’s website: statement. [13892] http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/ Jobcentre Plus, an agency of the Department for Maria Miller: Published information and statistics Work and Pensions, is responsible for an element of the for ESA claims and work capability assessments is ESA appeal process. The rest is handled by the Tribunal available on the Department’s website: Service. http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/ The latest audited and publicly available financial The latest audited and publicly available financial information for Jobcentre Plus is in the annual report information for Jobcentre Plus is in the annual report and accounts for 2009-10. These cover the period from 813W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 814W

1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. Jobcentre Plus does not Steve Webb: The Department published a document hold information on the costs incurred by the Tribunal on ’Impacts of Housing Benefit Proposals: Changes to Service therefore we cannot provide the total cost of an the Local Housing Allowance to be Introduced in 2011-12’ appeal. However, the average and total costs to Jobcentre on 23 July 2010. A copy of the document has been Plus of processing an ESA appeal in 2009-10 are shown placed in the Library. in the following table. Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the letter to the 2009-10 ESA appeals hon. Member for Hampstead and Kilburn from the Total cost (£ million) 6 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of 16 August Average cost (£) 50 2010, paragraph 5, on proposed changes to housing Source: benefit, when he expects to publish the economic Jobcentre Plus Activity Based Management system. impact assessment; and if he will make a statement. [13565]

Employment and Support Allowance: Appeals Steve Webb: The Department will publish a full impact assessment for the 2011-12 changes to the local housing Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for allowance arrangements when it lays the relevant legislation Work and Pensions what the time taken was from in November 2010. submission of an appeal against a failed employment support allowance claim to its decision in the latest Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work period for which figures are available. [13840] and Pensions if he will conduct an impact assessment on the proposed changes to housing benefit and local Maria Miller: Departmental data sources allow us to housing allowance on the basis of socio-economic measure the time from the date the original decision class. [14975] was made by Jobcentre Plus to the date of the appeal hearing. Our latest estimates are that the average time Steve Webb: The Department published a document from the original decision to the appeal hearing with on ‘Impacts of Housing Benefit proposals: Changes to the Tribunals Service is six months. the Local Housing Allowance to be introduced in 2011-12’ Customers have up to one month to appeal a decision. and a separate equality impact assessment on 23 July. A This period is included in the six month figure. copy of the documents has been placed in the Library. Average times are subject to change due to the volume The Department will publish a full impact assessment of appeals awaiting a hearing. for the 2011-12 changes to the local housing allowance arrangements when it lays the relevant legislation in November 2010. Flexible Working There are no plans to assess the impacts of the proposed changes to housing benefit on the basis of Mrs Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work socio-economic class. and Pensions what steps his Department plans to take to extend parental rights in the workplace in the form Housing Benefit: Glasgow of flexible hour agreements for those parents with children under the age of 16 years. [14721] Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had Mr Davey: I have been asked to reply. with (a) housing associations in Glasgow and (b) The Government are committed to extending the tenants in social sector housing in Glasgow on the right to request flexible working to all employees, consulting Government’s proposals on housing benefit. [14139] with business on how best to do so. Parents of children under 17, or under 18 if the child is disabled, as well as Steve Webb: We have had preliminary discussions carers of certain adults, already have the right to request with the Scottish Government and key stakeholders on flexible working, to help them balance their work and the changes to housing benefit affecting the social rented caring responsibilities. Extending this right to all employees, sector and will publish our proposals and associated will encourage more employees and employers to benefit impact assessments in due course. from the flexible working, and make making a request more commonplace, removing the stigma attached to Housing Benefit: Impact Assessments making a request. I will launch a consultation on the extension to the Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work right to request flexible working later in the year. and Pensions when his Department plans to publish an impact assessment on proposed reductions in housing benefit; and what impacts will be assessed. [13864] Housing Benefit Steve Webb: The Department published a document Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for on ’Impacts of Housing Benefit Proposals: Changes to Work and Pensions how many households receive the Local Housing Allowance to be Introduced in 2011-12’ housing benefit of more than £400 a week at the and a separate Equality Impact Assessment on 23 July. five-bedroom rate. [13455] A copy of the documents has been placed in the Library. 815W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 816W

The Department will publish a full impact assessment bedroom property, (c) £340 per week for a for the 2011-12 changes to the local housing allowance three bedroom property and (d) £400 per week for a arrangements when it lays the relevant legislation in four bedroom property in (i) Scotland, (ii) Glasgow November 2010. and (iii) Glasgow East constituency. [14302]

Housing Benefit: Jobseeker’s Allowance Steve Webb: This information is not available at constituency level. Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for The Department published a document on ’Impacts Work and Pensions how many people in Sunderland in of Housing Benefit proposals: Changes to the Local receipt of housing benefit have also been receiving Housing Allowance to be introduced in 2011-12’ on 23 jobseeker’s allowance for more than 12 months at the July 2010, which includes analysis at the local authority latest date for which figures are available. [14026] and regional level. A copy of the document has been placed in the Library. Steve Webb: The information requested is not available. From February 2007, DWP has been collecting more John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for detailed housing benefit and council tax benefit data Work and Pensions how many households receive electronically from local authorities. Over time this will housing benefit of more than (a) £250 per week for a improve the accuracy, timeliness and level of detail one bedroom property, (b) £290 per week for a two available in the published statistics, as the information bedroom property, (c) £340 per week for a three supplied is quality assured. bedroom property and (d) £400 per week for a four At present, the management information needed to bedroom property in (i) Scotland, (ii) Glasgow and (iii) estimate durations on housing benefit has not been Glasgow North West constituency. [15112] sufficiently quality assured; and, while information is collected on the number of claimants in receipt of a Steve Webb: This information is not available at passported benefit, which includes income-based jobseeker’s constituency level. allowance, the total number of jobseeker’s allowance The Department published a document on “Impacts claimants receiving housing benefit is not available. of Housing Benefit proposals: Changes to the Local Housing benefit case load and average weekly amounts Housing Allowance to be introduced in 2011-12” on the are available at local authority area level and these are 23 July 2010, which includes analysis at the local authority published on the Department’s website at: and regional level. A copy of the document has been http://www.dwp.gov.uk placed in the Library. Housing Benefit: Local Housing Allowance Housing Benefit: Warwickshire

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Work and Pensions (1) how many households in the and Pensions how many people in (a) Warwickshire London Borough of (a) Camden and (b) Brent he county, (b) North Warwickshire borough and (c) estimates will move home as a result of the proposed (i) Nuneaton and Bedworth borough were in receipt of housing benefit caps and (ii) reductions in the level of housing benefit of more than £400 a month in the local housing allowance; [13563] latest period for which figures are available. [14357] (2) with reference to the letter to the hon. Member Steve Webb: At May 2010, for housing benefit claims for Hampstead and Kilburn from the Parliamentary assessed under the local housing allowance arrangements, Under-Secretary of State of 16 August 2010, which our records show that: outer London boroughs may have an increased number of new housing benefit customers as a result of the (a) In Warwickshire County there were 3,560 households receiving over £400 per month; proposed changes in housing benefit and local housing allowance; and what estimate he has made of the likely (b) In North Warwickshire borough council there were 370 households receiving over £400 per month; increase in numbers of claimants in those boroughs. [13564] (c) In Nuneaton and Bedworth borough council there were 970 households receiving over £400 per month. Steve Webb: The Department has published estimates The Coalition Government emergency Budget of the number of households that will be affected by the announced a cap on the local housing allowance rates changes we are making to local housing allowance rates of £400 per week (around £1,733 per month). There are in 2011-12. However, it is not possible to estimate the no households in Warwickshire County in receipt of number of households that will move as a consequence housing benefit of over £400 per week. of the changes. Note: A copy of the document “Impacts of Housing Benefit All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 recipients. proposals: Changes to the Local Housing Allowance to Source: be introduced in 2011-12” has been placed in the Library. Single Housing Benefit Extract for May 2010. Housing Benefit: Scotland Housing Benefit: Wolverhampton

Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for : To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households receive Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the housing benefit of more than (a) £250 per week for a number of people in (a) Wolverhampton North East one bedroom property, (b) £290 per week for a two constituency and (b) Wolverhampton who would be 817W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 818W affected by implementation of proposed changes to Table 1: Number of households in the eastern Government office housing benefit; and whether he has made an estimate region that had incomes below the median income from 2005 of the average change in housing benefit payments to Number (million) such people under his Department’s proposals. [13369] Before housing Period costs After housing costs

Steve Webb: The information is not available at the 2005-06 to 2007-08 1.1 1.1 constituency level. 2006-07 to 2008-09 1.1 1.1 The Department published a document on ’Impacts Notes: of Housing Benefit Proposals: Changes to the Local 1. These statistics are based on households below average income data Housing Allowance to be Introduced in 2011-12’ on 23 which are sourced from the Family Resources Survey. Both of these are available in the Library. July, which includes analysis at the local authority level. 2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to A copy of the document has been placed in the Library. uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 3. The reference period for household below average income figures is Local Housing Allowance single financial years. Three survey years have been combined as regional single year estimates are subject to volatility. Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for 4. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the publication “Households Below Average Income” (HBAI) series, percentage of households affected by the reductions to which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or ‘equivalised’) local housing allowance that will receive additional for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy discretionary housing payments from 2011-12. [13454] for standard of living. 5. For the HBAI series, incomes have been equivalised using organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD) modified Steve Webb: The Department published a document equivalisation factors. on ‘Impacts of Housing Benefit proposals: Changes to 6. Figures have been presented on both a before housing cost and the Local Housing Allowance to be introduced in 2011-12’ after housing cost basis. For before housing cost, housing costs (such on 23 July, which includes analysis at the local authority as rent, water rates, mortgage interest payments, structural insurance payments and ground rent and service charges) are not deducted from and regional level. A copy of the document has been income, while for after housing cost they are. This means that after placed in the Library. housing cost incomes will generally be lower than before housing While the Department makes a contribution to local cost. authorities’ discretionary housing payment budgets, the 7. Numbers of households have been rounded to the nearest 100,000 households. decision on whether to award a payment in an individual Source: case is a matter for the local authority. Households Below Average Income, DWP.

Local Housing Allowance: Hyndburn Maternity Benefits: Wolverhampton Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Sure Start maternity Work and Pensions how many households in grants were made to mothers for their second or subsequent Hyndburn will be affected by the changes in calculating child in Wolverhampton North East constituency in local housing allowance using the 30th percentile rent 2009-10. [13379] instead of the median. [13736] Steve Webb: A total of 274,000 sure start maternity Steve Webb: The Department published a document grants were awarded in Great Britain in 2009-10. The on ’Impacts of Housing Benefit Proposals: Changes to exact number of awards for a second or subsequent the Local Housing Allowance to be Introduced in 2011-12’ maternity is not available, but is estimated to be 52% of on 23 July 2010, which includes analysis at the local all awards, around 143,000. authority level. A copy of the document has been placed in the Library. The number of awards made in 2009-10 is available by Government office region or Jobcentre Plus Social Fund budget area only, not by constituency. Low Incomes: Peterborough Note: Both numbers have been rounded to the nearest 1,000. Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State Source for total number of awards: for Work and Pensions how many households with Department for Work and Pensions Social Fund Policy, Budget below average income there were in Peterborough and Management Information System. constituency in each year since 2005. [11375] Parental Leave Steve Webb: Analysis of the UK income distribution is published in the households below average income Mrs Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work (HBAI) series. HBAI uses household income adjusted and Pensions whether his Department plans to make (or ‘equivalised’) for household size and composition, maternity and paternity leave more flexible. [14822] to provide a proxy for standard of living. As they are based on survey data, estimates published Mr Davey: I have been asked to reply. in HBAI only allow breakdowns to Government office The Government are committed to encouraging shared region and analysis by parliamentary constituency is parenting from the earliest stage of pregnancy—including not possible. However, figures for east of England are the promotion of a system of flexible parental leave. set out in the following table. The current maternity and paternity leave system favours 819W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 820W mothers, who receive 52 weeks leave and 39 weeks pay. Pensions: Uprating Fathers have only two weeks paid leave reserved for them. Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for I will launch a consultation on shared parental leave Work and Pensions what effect the inclusion of later in the year—including how to give more flexibility housing costs in the consumer prices index will have on to parents. the methodology used by his Department to up-rate pensions payments. [15041] Pensioners: Cost of Living Steve Webb: In his letter to the Governor of the Bank Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for of England of 18 May 2010, the Chancellor of the Work and Pensions what advice his Department has Exchequer expressed interest in the inclusion of housing received from the Office of National Statistics on use of costs in the CPI measure used by the Bank of England the (a) consumer prices index and (b) retail price as their inflation target. Whether and how housing index to measure changes to the cost of living of costs will be included in CPI is still under consideration. pensioners. [15042] We will consider what effect any such measure would have, if any, once further information is available. Steve Webb: The Department made use of a range of information provided by the Office of National Statistics Poverty: Children regarding price inflation indices, including the Consumer Prices Index Technical Manual 2010 and other related documents. Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children were living in poverty Pensioners: Wolverhampton (a) before housing costs and (b) after housing costs in Gateshead constituency in each year since 2000. [13383] Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Maria Miller: Estimates of the number and proportion Wolverhampton North East constituency are over state of children living in poverty are published in the Households retirement pension age; and how many receive (a) Below Average Income (HBAI) series. HBAI uses basic state pension and (b) pension credit. [13366] household income adjusted (or ‘equivalised’) for household size and composition, to provide a proxy for standard Steve Webb: The information requested for those in of living. Wolverhampton North East constituency who are over As they are based on survey data, child poverty state pension age is not available. However, the document estimates published in HBAI only allow breakdowns to “Caseloads for selected benefits by 2010 Parliamentary Government Office Region and analysis by parliamentary Constituencies, February 2010” is available in the Library constituency is not possible. However, figures for the and includes figures for pension credit and state pension. North East of England are set out in Table 1.

Table 1: Number and percentage of children living in households with less than 60% of contemporary median household income for the North East of England, before housing costs and after housing costs Before housing costs After housing costs Period Number (million) Percentage Number (million) Percentage

2000-01 to 2002-03 0.2 32 0.2 36 2001-02 to 2003-04 0.2 30 0.2 33 2002-03 to 2004-05 0.2 31 0.2 34 2003-04 to 2005-06 0.2 28 0.2 32 2004-05 to 2006-07 0.2 28 0.2 33 2005-06 to 2007-08 0.1 28 0.2 33 2006-07 to 2008-09 0.1 28 0.2 34 Notes: 1. These statistics are based on the Households Below Average Income series, sourced from the Family Resources Survey. 2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 3. The reference period for Households Below Average Income figures are single financial years. Three survey years have been combined as regional single year estimates are subject to volatility. 4. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication ‘Households Below Average Income’ (HBAI) series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or ‘equivalised’) for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 5. For the Households Below Average Income series, incomes have been equivalised using Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) modified equivalisation factors. 6. Numbers of adults and children in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest 100,000, while proportions have been rounded to the nearest percentage point. Source: Households Below Average Income, DWP

Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Miller: Section 14 of the coalition document Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to meet the confirms the Government’s commitment to ending child targets for reducing child poverty included in the Child poverty in the UK. We believe that the best way to Poverty Act 2010. [13541] tackle this issue is to address the root causes of poverty, 821W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 822W because it is only by doing this that we can improve With regard to all appeals against a decision not to outcomes for children in the most effective way. By award DLA, 21,000 appeals were granted in the customer’s spring next year we will consult on and publish a favour in 2009-10. robust, sustainable strategy to end child poverty by 2020 as required by the Child Poverty Act. Social Security Benefits: Disability

Social Security Benefits Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what target timescale his Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Department has set for processing decisions on benefit Work and Pensions what advice he has received on the entitlements for those claiming (a) disability living legality of using the consumer prices index as the allowance and (b) attendance allowance. [13699] measure of the general level of prices under section 150 (2) of the Social Security Act 1992. [15040] Maria Miller: The Department’s targets for disability living allowance (DLA) and attendance allowance (AA) Steve Webb: Advice was taken on the legality of using new claims are called average actual clearance times the Consumer Prices Index as the measure of the general (AACT). They measure the average number of working level of prices, in the context of the Secretary of State’s days taken to process new claims within the reporting statutory duty under section 150 of the Social Security year and are set each financial year. Administration Act 1992. As with all legal advice to the Government, this is confidential and covered by legal The target timescales for processing decisions are professional privilege, and so will not be divulged. shown in the following tables: (a) The AACT target and performance achieved for DLA new claims Social Security Benefits: Appeals from 2007-08 to August 2010 Days Target Annual performance Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of first-tier appeal 2007-08 year end 38 36.0 hearings on benefit decisions between April 2009 and 2008-09 year end 38 29.8 March 2010. [13501] 2009-10 year end 38 33.8 2010-10 August 37.7 133.3 Mr Djanogly: I have been asked to reply. (b) The AACT target and performance achieved for AA new claims The total cost for running the first-tier tribunal—social from 2007-08 to August 2010 security and child support in 2009-10, including overheads, Days was £78,216,000. Target Annual performance Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Work 2007-08 year end 18 15.2 and Pensions how many and what proportion of claimants 2008-09 year end 16 12.3 of (a) employment and support allowance, (b) incapacity 2009-10 year end 16 14.3 benefit and (c) disability living allowance who were 2010-10 August 16 114.6 found to be capable of work appealed against that 1 Year to date. decision in the latest period for which figures are available; Source: and how many in each case had their appeal granted. Department for Work and Pensions: RDA/RAA80123 reports—DLA/AA Management Information Statistics. [13712] Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Miller: Of people who made a claim for ESA Work and Pensions what target timescale his Department between October 2008 and June 2009 and who were has set for processing decisions on claims for (a) disability found fit for work at assessment, 52,800 (32%) have had living allowance, (b) attendance allowance and (c) an appeal heard by Tribunals Service to date. The other benefit entitlements for patients diagnosed with appeal was granted for 31,600 (40%) of these cases. (i) terminal and (ii) non-terminal cancer. [13700] The Department does not have figures for the number of cases appealed but not yet heard by the Tribunal Maria Miller: Customers who have been diagnosed Service. Due to the time it takes for appeals to be with terminal cancer can make a claim for Disability submitted to the Tribunals Service and heard, it is likely Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance that there are more appeals that have not yet been (AA) under Special Rules (SR). A claim can be considered heard, particularly for the most recent cohorts of ESA under the SR if it is made expressly on the grounds that claims. These figures should continue to be treated as the person named on the claim form is a terminally ill emerging findings and not final at this stage. person. For the purpose of SR, a person is terminally ill The Department publishes tables showing the number if they have a progressive disease and their death in of appeals and decisions relating to ESA claims on our consequence of that disease can reasonably be expected website at: within six months. http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/esa_wca/ SR new claims are dealt with quickly and sensitively esa_wca_27072010.pdf and with a minimum of delay. Consequently the internal The equivalent information for incapacity benefit target timescales for clearing SR new claims are not the appeals is not available. same as a new claim. The Departments targets for DLA Disability living allowance is not a work-related benefit and AA SR new claims are called Average Actual and is not awarded on the basis of work-related capability. Clearance Times (AACT). They measure the average 823W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 824W number of working days taken to process SR new the benefit claim immediate advice is sought from Atos claims within the reporting year. Healthcare to confirm that SR applies. In August 2010 The target timescales for processing decisions are in replies were received in 0.8 days within the two day the following tables: AACT. (a) the AACT target and performance achieved for The target timescales for processing ESA decisions DLA SR new claims from 2007-08 to August 2010. are in the following table:

Annual performance In month DLA SR new claims Target (days) (days) ESA claims Target (days) performance (days)

2007-08 8 6.0 2010-10 April 14 10.8 2008-09 8 5.9 2010-10 May 14 10.8 2009-10 8 6.7 2010-10 June 14 10.7 2010-101 8 26.0 days 2010-10 July 14 10.6 1 August Sources: 2 Year to date Department for Work and Pensions- Management Information System Programme (MISP) and ESA Medical Services Contract Management (b) the AACT target and performance achieved for AA Team Management Information Statistics SR new claims from 200708 to August 2010. Processing timescales for non-terminal cancer patients claiming other benefits are the same as for other applicants Annual performance to those benefits. AA SR new claims Target (days) (days)

2007-08 8 4.5 Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008-09 8 4.6 Work and Pensions whether his Department plans to 2009-10 8 4.9 increase the speed at which claims for disability living 2010-101 8 24.4 allowance and attendance allowance for those 1 August diagnosed with non-terminal cancer are processed. 2 Year to date [14939] Source: Department for Work and Pensions - RDA/RAA80123 reports - DLA/AA Maria Miller: Customers who have been diagnosed Management Information Statistics with non-terminal cancer would have their claims processed Processing timescales for non-terminal cancer patients under normal rules for new claims. This is because claiming DLA and AA are the same as for other applicants customers with non-terminal cancer would be treated to those benefits. The target timescales for processing the same as for other applicants to disability living new claim decisions are in the following tables: allowance and attendance allowance (they would not be treated under the special rules). Annual performance The Department’s targets for disability living allowance DLA new claims Target (days) (days) (DLA) and attendance allowance (AA) new claims are 2007-08 38 36.0 called average actual clearance times (AACT). They 2008-09 38 29.8 measure the average number of working days taken to 2009-10 38 33.8 process new claims within the reporting year and are set each financial year. 2010-101 37.7 233.3 1 August The target time scales for processing decisions are in 2 Year to date the following tables:

Annual performance AACT target and performance achieved for DLA new claims from AA new claims Target (days) (days) 2007-08 to August 2010 2007-08 18 15.2 Days 2008-09 16 12.3 Annual 2009-10 16 14.3 DLA new claims Target performance 1 2 2010-10 16 14.6 days 2007-08 year end 38 36.0 1 August 2008-09 year end 38 29.8 2 Year to date 2009-10 year end 38 33.8 Source: Department for Work and Pensions-RDA/RAA80123 reports-DLA/AA 2010-10 August 37.7 133.3 Management Information Statistics 1 Year to date Customers diagnosed with terminal or non-terminal AACT target and performance achieved for AA new claims from cancer are entitled to the full range of benefits depending 2007-08 to August 2010 on their circumstances. In particular if a customer has Days terminal cancer they can claim Employment Support Annual Allowance (ESA) under the Special Rules (SR). A customer AA new claims Target performance who claims under the SR is terminally ill and not expected to live for more than six months. Awards of 2007-08 year end 18 15.2 Employment and Support Allowance are made on the 2008-09 year end 16 12.3 basis of medical certificates from a GP. Customers with 2009-10 year end 16 14.3 a terminal illness are not required to have a full medical 2010-10 August 16 114.6 examination for a work capability assessment. Following 1 Year to date 825W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 826W

PDCS is currently pursuing a LEAN programme and Steve Webb: Winter fuel payments are paid to former is seeking opportunities to exploit further efficiencies in UK residents living in the European Economic area our processing capability, however, there are no current only if they qualified for a payment before leaving the plans to review these targets. UK. Source: European Union law means that some benefits acquired Department for Work and Pensions—RDA/RAA80123 reports— in one member state must be paid to people when they DLA/AA Management Information Statistics. move to another country within the European Economic area. Social Security Benefits: Gateshead JUSTICE Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Asylum: Appeals and Pensions how many people resident in Gateshead constituency are in receipt of (a) disability living Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice allowance, (b) incapacity benefit and (c) employment what estimate has been made of the effect on the and support allowance. [13385] number of appeals in (a) asylum cases and (b) immigration cases of changes to the tendering process for immigration Maria Miller: The information is as follows: legal aid. [13980] Gateshead parliamentary constituency Mr Djanogly: The means and merits test for legal aid Number of recipients has not altered as a result of the tendering process and ESA 1,410 there is not therefore expected to be any impact on IB/SDA 5,530 appeals in either asylum or immigration cases as the DLA 7,080 LSC considers that sufficient access to services remains Notes: in place. 1. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance Community Orders (ESA) from October 2008. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied. Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 3. Caseload for DLA show the number of people in receipt of an what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment the powers of review of community orders under section has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 178 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 in increasing the 4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May accountability of offenders. [13441] 2010. Source: Mr Blunt: There has been no assessment of the DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100% data. effectiveness of the powers of review of community orders under section 178 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, separate to wider evaluations of community justice State Retirement Pensions and Pension Credit: pilots at North Liverpool and Salford. There are four Gloucester published reports evaluating the Community Justice Initiatives in Salford and North Liverpool. They are: Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Process Evaluation of Salford Community Justice Initiative Work and Pensions how many pensioners in (2007) at: Gloucester (a) receive the basic state pension, (b) http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/1111.htm receive pension credit and (c) are eligible for pension Evaluation of North Liverpool Community Justice Centre credit but do not claim it. [15131] (2007) at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/research291007c.htm Steve Webb: The document ″Caseloads for selected North Liverpool Community Justice Centre—Surveys of benefits by 2010 Parliamentary Constituencies February local residents (2007) at: 2010″ is available in the Library and includes figures for http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/research291007b.htm pension credit and state pension. Initial evaluation of reconviction rates in community Estimates of eligibility and therefore those who are justice initiatives (2009) at: entitled to pension credit but have not claimed it are not http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/reconviction- available below the level of Great Britain. community-justice.htm The latest estimates of the take-up rates and the Convictions: Tyres number of those entitled but not receiving Pension Credit are published in the report ″Income Related Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Benefits Estimates of Take-up in 2008-09″. Justice how many convictions relating to motor vehicle tyre condition there have been in each of the last Winter Fuel Payments: British Nationals Abroad 10 years. [13560] Mr Blunt: The number of defendants found guilty at Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of all courts for the offence defective tyres, England and State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the Wales 1999 to 2008 (latest available) can be found in the future of the payment of winter fuel allowance to table as follows. people residing abroad; and if he will make a Data for 2009 are planned for publication on 21 October statement. [14370] 2010. 827W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 828W

The number of defendants found guilty1,2 at all courts for the offence defective do so and encourages courts to look to increase its use 3,4 tyres, England and Wales 1999 to 2008 wherever possible. Revised guidance was issued to the Found guilty courts in August 2010 with a primary focus to increase 1999 8,432 utilisation of video link equipment across the courts 2000 6,227 estate by highlighting best practice and inviting courts 2001 4,823 and local prisons to set up ‘Partnership Agreements’ to 2002 4,249 enable greater use. In addition I have asked my officials 2003 3,893 to look more generally at how wider use of video and 2004 4,250 telephone links, where appropriate, might improve the 2005 3,940 public’s experience and the operation of the justice 2006 3,595 system. 2007 3,774 Much has been done in recent years to reduce 20083 4,317 unnecessary court hearings particularly in the magistrates 1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom courts where the number of hearings has fallen from these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it Is the offence for estimated average number of 3.02 hearings per defendant which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for (March 2007) to 2.19 hearings in June 2010 (Time two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory Interval Survey, June 2010). However where a hearing is maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and necessary we support the use of video links in appropriate complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted cases wherever possible. 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 Dead Bodies data are used. 3 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. 4 Includes the following statute and corresponding offence description: Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 RR.25-27 Road Traffic Act 1988 S.41A as added by Road Traffic Act 1991 S.8 Justice how many 104 removal of body notice forms Source: have been issued in the London borough of Waltham Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice. Forest since 2000; and how many of those were issued Courts: Manpower within four days of request. [14501]

Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Djanogly: This information is not held centrally. I Justice what assessment has been made of the have, however, made inquiries with the East London effectiveness of the use of court co-ordinators in the Coroner’s office, who have advised that 2,045 removal criminal justice system. [13440] of body notice forms have been issued since 2000. They have not been able to say how many of those were Mr Blunt: Community Justice was piloted in 12 issued within four days of request. I will write to the magistrates courts across England and Wales. The court hon. Member when I have any further information, and co-ordinator was one aspect only piloted at the Salford place copies in the Libraries of the House. Community Justice Initiative, which ceased sitting in 2008. Since then, learning from Salford and the other 12 Departmental Billing courts has been used to introduce sustainable mechanisms to achieve similar objectives in other courts, without Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for incurring the costs of appointing dedicated co-ordinators. Justice how many payments to suppliers were made by Courts: Video Conferencing (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies (i) within 30 days of, Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for (ii) over 30 days after, (iii) over 60 days after and (iv) Justice if he will (a) make greater use of existing over 90 days after the date of invoice in the latest video-conferencing facilities in courts and (b) reduce period for which figures are available. [13928] the number of times that defendants attend preliminary hearings. [14137] Mr Djanogly: The information is as follows. The timeliness of the Ministry of Justice’s payments Mr Djanogly: The Government strongly support the to suppliers for the latest available period (August 2010) use of video links technology where it is appropriate to is set out in the following table.

Within 30 days Within 60 days Within 90 days Over 90 days Total

Core 3,338 128 46 14 3,526 Department Agencies 64,473 2,889 591 647 68,600 NDPBs 2,321 137 9 9 13,490 Totals 70,132 3,154 646 670 73,475

This represents 94% of all payments made within The Ministry measures its payment to suppliers against 30 days. the five-day target applied to all Government Departments and performance against this target is published on the Ministry’s website. 829W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 830W

Departmental Consultants the costs of relevant staff time are not calculated and recorded as a consultation cost. John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for However, some costs are recorded separately, including Justice how much his Department and its predecessor the printing of paper copies of consultation papers, the spent on public consultations in each of the last five translation of consultation papers into Welsh and public years. [12907] engagement activities as part of the consultation process. These costs are provided in the following table for both Mr Djanogly: My Department does not record the my Department and its predecessor where they are total costs of individual public consultations, for example, available.

Department for Constitutional Affairs Costs of consultation Consultation Consultation period where known1 (£)

Consultations published in 2006 Openness in the Family Courts - Confidence and Confidentiality: 11 July to 30 October 28,000 http://www.dca.gov.uk/consult/courttransparencey1106/cp1106.htm Legal Aid: A sustainable future (a joint consultation with the Legal Services 13 July to 12 October 223,500 Commission): http://www.dca.gov.uk/consult/legal-aidsf/sustainable-future.htm 1 The costs shown represent the non-staff costs such as consultation events, Welsh translations of documents and printing etc. 2 Matched by the Legal Services Commission.

Ministry of Justice Costs of consultation where Consultation Consultation period known

Consultations published in 2007 Confidence and confidentiality: openness in family courts—a new 26 June to 1 October £14,000 approach: http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/cp1007.htm OCJR—Improving the criminal justice process for young witnesses 22 June to 19 October £2,000 Governance of Britain: Judicial Appointments: http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/cp2507.htm 25 October to 17 January 2008 £15,000 Governance of Britain—War Powers and Treaties: Limiting Executive 25 October to 17 January 2008 £14,000 Powers: http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/cp2607.htm Strategic plan for reducing reoffending 2008-11; Working in partnership 27 November 2007 to 22 February 2008 £75,000 to reduce reoffending and make communities safer: http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/rr1107.htm Believing we can (faith-based organisations and reducing reoffending): 27 November 2007 to 22 February 2008 £10,000 http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/bwc1107.htm NOMS third sector action plan: 27 November 2007 to 22 February 2008 £20,000 plus http://www.justice.gov.uk/news-publications-events/publications/ £18,000 for joint consultations/BWC_third_sector_08/?view=Standard&pubID=510239 consultation events for NOMS Believing we can and Third Sector Strategy MoJ Third Sector Strategy: 20 December 2007 to 20 March 2008 £35,500 http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/cp3307.htm

Consultations published in 2008 Local Authority Charges for Property Search Services: 18 January to 18 April £12,000 http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/lacpss180108.htm Best value in probation: 9 April to 2 July £9,500 http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/cp0608.htm Titan Prisons: 5 June to 28 August £1,210 http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/cp1008.htm Election Day-Weekend Voting: 24 June to 26 September £6,153.95 http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/cp1308.htm Murder, Manslaughter and Infanticide: Proposals for Reform of the Law: 28 July to 20 October £10,254 http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/cp1908.htm Rules for Mandatory Polygraph Tests for Sex Offenders: 19 September to 21 November £300 http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/mandatory-polygraphy- consultation.htm Reducing Re-Offending in London: 8 October 2008 to 30 January 2009 £13,995.26 http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-reducing- reoffending-london.htm 831W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 832W

Ministry of Justice Costs of consultation where Consultation Consultation period known

Reviewing the Mental Capacity Act 2005: Forms Supervision and Fees: 23 October 2008 to 15 January 2009 £6,300 http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/reviewing-mental-capacity- act.htm Proposed Closure of Telford Hearing Centre: 10 November 2008 to 8 February 2009 £643.69 http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/proposed-closure- telford- hearing-centre.htm

Consultations published in 2009

Proposal for three Local Justice Areas instead of nine in Lincolnshire: 1 September to 30 November Postage costs of http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/three-local-iustice-areas- £27,072. lincolnshire.htm Plus the Cost of Statutory Instrument (TSO) was £340.

Defamation and the internet: the multiple publication rule: 16 September to 16 December Estimated printing http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/defamation-internet-consultation- costs £377.40 paper.htm (£443.46 including VAT ) . Welsh language scheme/Cynllun laith Gymraeg: 9 November 2009 to 18 January 2010 Translation of http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/welsh-language-scheme.htm Welsh Language Scheme and consultation— Translate amendments only— Cost £950 +VAT. Email re consultation £45.00 +VAT

Electoral registers: proposed changes to the Edited Register: 24 November to 23 February 2010 Welsh Language http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/electoral-registers- Translation consultation.htm £2,024.00. Review of fees for Lands Tribunal: 2 December 2009 to 28 February 2010 Hard copies of the http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/lands-tribunal-fees.htm Consultation Document £1,221.13. Postage costs for sending out hard copies of documents—£150. (Total £1,371.13).

Civil Law Reform Bill: 15 December 2009 to 9 February 2010 Welsh Language http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/civil-law-reform-bill.htm translation of main body of the paper— £800 (£920 including VAT). Estimated printing costs £754.80 (£886.89 including VAT ) .

Mortgages: power of sale and residential property: 29 December 2009 to 28 March 2010 Welsh Language http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/mortgages-power-sale.htm translation—£1,160 (£1,334 including VAT ) . Estimated printing costs £377.40 (£443.46 including VAT ) . 833W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 834W

Ministry of Justice Costs of consultation where Consultation Consultation period known

Consultations published in 2010 ’s Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace: 23 February to 18 May 2010 Costs—Translation http://www.justice.gov.uk/latest-updates/lord-chancellor-advisorv-ips.htm (Welsh ) for consultation document £564; for Response (£564) total—£1,128.

Trusts (Capital and Income) Bill: 22 March to 14 June Welsh Translation: http://www.justice.gov.uk/latest-updates/lord-chancellor-advisory-jps.htm Summary— Translate whole document—Cost £94.00 including VAT. Consultation paper—Capital and Income Bill— Translate whole document—Cost £480 + VAT.

Her Majesty’s Court Service published 16 consultations on changes to the 16 consultations in 2010—please refer to We are unable to HMCS estate 2010 the MoJ website at: break down the http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/ costs for each consultations.htm individual consultation but the total cost of printing hard copies of the consultation papers came to £4,793.64.

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice much was spent in each such year; and what the five what the (a) average and (b) highest daily rate paid to most expensive chairs purchased in each such year consultants by his Department was in each of the last were. [12795] five years. [13061] Mr Blunt: Expenditure on chairs is not recorded Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) came separately from expenditure on the wider cost category into existence in May 2007, encompassing the former of “furniture and fittings”. Department for Constitutional Affairs and part of the Prior to late 2009, the Ministry of Justice and its Home Office. This means comprehensive figures are executive agencies (Her Majesty’s Courts Service, Tribunals only available for the last three financial years. Service, the Office of the Public Guardian and the National Offenders Management Service (NOMS) held Consultants and contractors are only used when contracts for the provision of furniture with several there is a compelling business need to do so. They are suppliers for which complete data is no longer available. used to provide specialist skills and expertise for a limited period of time where in-house skills are not Since late 2009 it has been departmental policy to available. The average and highest daily rate paid to purchase furniture in-house from Prison Industries wherever consultants in the last three financial years are detailed possible. in the table as follows: It would incur disproportionate costs to examine invoices held locally to identify expenditure incurred Average day rate (£) Highest day rate (£) specifically on chairs, including expenditure on the five most expensive chairs. 1 2007-08 665 — Departmental ICT 2008-09 659 2— 2009-10 590 3— Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 £1,500 per day to three individual consultants for 632 days in total Justice which IT contracts awarded by his Department 2 £2,000 per day to two individual consultants for 11 days in total 3 in each year since its inception have been abandoned; £1,700 per day to one consultant for 13 days in total and what the monetary value of each such contract was. [12713] Departmental Furniture Mr Djanogly: In the context of this answer, IT contracts are interpreted as contracts relating to ICT-related projects Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for or programmes, business change projects or to projects Justice how many chairs his Department and its where ICT is a key element in delivering a service or predecessors purchased in each year since 1997; how outcome. 835W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 836W

As part of the coalition Government programme and and Document Management programme, which included the ICT moratorium, the Department has reviewed all plans for future investment in ICT, was cancelled. The existing ICT projects to assess whether they should be costs incurred by the programme from commencement closed, continued or re-scoped, and we are awaiting the of the programme in August 2005 to its closure in results of this review. November 2008 were £5.922 million. Outside of this review, no ICT contracts have been In neither case were ICT contracts cancelled. cancelled (or abandoned) by the Ministry of Justice since its formation in May 2007. However, two ICT Departmental Pay projects have been cancelled, as identified in the response to a question from the hon. Member for Cardiff Central (Jenny Willott) on 23 February 2009, Official Report, Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for column 346W. Justice what average hourly rate his Department has August 2007—The National Enforcement Tracker paid to each employment agency for agency staff in System (NETS) project was cancelled following a detailed each year since its inception. [12714] review which highlighted that the cost and scope of the project no longer provided value for money or met Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice utilises the current business requirements. Expenditure to closure following contractual arrangements, at the stated average1 of the project was £4.328 million; this sum was reported hourly day rate. in accordance with HMT accounting rules. 1 The average hourly day rate has been calculated based on the November 2008—following a review by Her Majesty’s ’mean’ of all of the roles included in each supplier contracted rate Courts Service (HMCS) Board, the Electronic Filing card.

Average hourly day rate (£) Contract/agency 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Temporary clerical and admin framework, contract with Brook Street (UK) Ltd 10.94 11.08 10.91 Temporary clerical and admin framework, contract with Hays Specialist Recruitment Ltd 9.42 9.40 10.06 Temporary clerical and admin framework, contract with Employment Plus Ltd 9.99 10.13 10.89 Temporary clerical and admin framework, contract with Office Angels 10.38 10.53 10.39 Supply of labour only contract with Hays Construction and Property 16.87 15.42 13.06

EU Law tender outcome in particular geographic areas. These issues are being actively explored by the LSC. Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for The tender process will not be completed until all Justice how many officials in his Department work (a) appeals have been concluded and pre-contract verification full-time and (b) for most of their time on the has finished which the LSC estimate will be by the end negotiation, implementation or administration of EU of September 2010. legislation and consequent policies. [13779] Family Courts: Social Work

Mr Djanogly: The number of officials working within Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the Ministry of Justice on the negotiation, implementation how many reports were provided by independent social or administration of legislation or policies originating workers to (a) family courts, (b) magistrates courts, from the EU will vary at any one time. (c) county courts and (d) the High Court in each year As a rough estimate there are currently around 18 from 2002 to 2010; and if he will make a statement. officials who currently work full-time and a further 21 [13191] who spend approximately 50% or more of their time on current EU business. Mr Djanogly: Independent social workers provide the court with advice and assessments reports in a range of Family Courts: Legal Aid proceedings. These reports are commissioned and organised locally. Information on the number of reports provided is not recorded by the courts. Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what representations he has received on the First Offenders reduction in the number of contracts issued by his Department for family legal aid work; and if he will Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for make a statement. [14759] Justice how many people who (a) were given a non- custodial sentence and (b) were given their first custodial Mr Djanogly: Representations to the Secretary of sentence in each year from 2002 to 2010 had previously State have been received by a number of sources and had (i) no criminal convictions, (ii) one criminal conviction, have focused on two aspects of the tender process. The (iii) two criminal convictions, (iv) three criminal convictions, majority related to the outcome of a specific bid, and (v) four criminal convictions, (vi) five to 10 criminal are being dealt with under the Legal Service Commission’s convictions, (vii) 11 to 20 criminal convictions, (viii) 21 (LSC) appeal process. A smaller number of the to 30 criminal convictions, (ix) 31 to 40 criminal convictions, representations express concern about the impact of the (x) 41 to 50 criminal convictions, (xi) 51 to 75 criminal 837W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 838W convictions, (xii) 76 to 100 criminal convictions and “Sentencing Statistics, England and Wales 2008” which (xiii) more than 100 criminal convictions. [13794] was published on 28 January 2010 and can be found at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/sentencingannual.htm Mr Blunt: The figures requested are in tables 1 and 2 as follows. The figures are further breakdowns of the “Sentencing Statistics, England and Wales 2009” with criminal history statistics presented in chapter 6 of 2009 data will be published on 21 October 2010.

Table 1: Number of offenders who were sentenced to non-custodial sentences for indictable offences1, 2 by the number of previous convictions, 2002- 08, England and Wales Number of persons Number of previous convictions 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

0 56,711 55,885 53,899 53,004 52,313 52,985 52,490 1 30,685 29,779 27,762 26,731 26,780 27,630 27,349 2 22,115 21,349 19,344 18,642 18,337 18,872 18,825 3 17,401 16,820 15,307 14,275 13,966 14,657 14,053 4 14,361 13,892 12,272 11,446 11,351 11,857 11,574 5-10 52,780 52,612 46,734 43,139 41,979 43,493 44,546 11-20 36,785 38,945 36,179 33,796 32,371 33,642 35,584 21-30 12,844 14,341 14,616 14,088 14,143 15,232 17,122 31-40 3,967 4,731 4,954 5,378 5,614 6,416 7,526 41-50 1,259 1,539 1,690 1,818 1,994 2,446 3,141 51-75 756 918 1,018 1,132 1,135 1,483 1,923 76-100 187 229 202 182 240 329 432 More than 100 257 251 213 181 179 232 315 Total 250,108 251,291 234,190 223,812 220,402 229,274 236,888

Table 2: Number of offenders who were sentenced for the first time to immediate custody for indictable offences1, 2 by number of previous convictions, 2002-08, England and Wales Number of persons Number of previous convictions 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

0 9,843 9,643 10,483 10,581 10,505 11,559 12,389 1 3,912 3,704 3,835 3,764 3,737 3,931 3,979 2 3,080 2,761 2,883 2,773 2,751 2,754 2,731 3 2,478 2,349 2,337 2,203 2,212 2,180 2,218 4 2,084 1,931 1,861 1,814 1,717 1,714 1,740 5-10 5,640 5,420 5,277 4,943 4,844 4,969 5,240 11-20 1,015 1,052 1,121 1,103 1,114 1,150 1,284 21-30 39 57 53 59 70 75 63 Morethan30 1420161115811 Total 28,105 26,937 27,866 27,251 26,965 28,340 29,655 1 Including indictable and trial either ways offences. 2 Counts of offenders sentenced during the year, an offender may be counted more than once if an offender had been sentenced more than once.

The figures have been drawn from the police’s Immigration administrative IT system, the police national computer, which, as with any large scale recording system, is Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. to which organisations matter starts previously The figures are provisional and subject to change as allocated to Refugee and Migrant Justice have been more information is recorded by the police. allocated. [13982]

Fraud Mr Djanogly: When RMJ went into administration, they reported that 12,500 open client matters existed. All these cases have now either (a) been closed because Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for in the professional opinion of the ex-RMJ caseworker Justice how many people have been convicted under the no further action was required or (b) transferred to an House to House Collections Act 1939 for fraudulent alternative provider who had capacity to handle the collection in each of the last 10 years; and what matter. Some alternative providers needed additional sentence was given in each case. [14798] matter starts and these have been agreed while others were able to handle some or all of the requests within Mr Blunt: Persons proceeded against for offences their existing allocation of matter starts. Requests for under the House to House Collections Act 1939 cannot additional matter starts are considered during the life of be separately identified on the Ministry of Justice Court the contract with a legal aid provider. We cannot confirm Proceedings Database as they form part of a miscellaneous whether requests from providers were as a result of the group which cannot be analysed. transfer of work from RMJ or that demand had increased 839W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 840W from clients. We can however confirm that RMJ had Migrants Resource Centre 7,800 unused matter starts at the point of insolvency Newcastle Law Centre and that no provider has had a request for an increase Palis Solicitors to handle transferred cases refused. Paragon Law The following legal aid providers have received bulk Parker Rhodes Hickmotts transfers of former RMJ clients from BDO the Ratna and Co. Administrators. There may be other providers who have Sheffield Law Centre received individual former RMJ clients. Sheikh and Co. Solicitors Barry Clark Solicitors Sriharans Solicitors Bindmans Sutovic and Hartigan Brighton Housing Trust Switalski’s Solicitors Camden Community Law Centre Talbots Charles Annon and Co. Limited Thompson and Co. Chinyoka Solicitors Tower Hamlets Law Centre Cleveland and Co. Trott and Gentry Corbin and Hassan Waran and Company Dare Emmanuel Solicitors Wick and Co. Solicitors David Gray Solicitors Wilson Solicitors LLP. Derbyshire Access 2 Law Duncan Lewis Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Fadiga and Co. how many new matter starts were allocated to the Elder Rahimi Immigration Advisory Service in (a) Greater Manchester Fountain Solicitors and (b) the UK in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009 and (iii) 2010. Freeman’s Solicitors [13983] French and Co. Mr Djanogly: The IAS allocation of matter starts in Halliday Reeves 2008-09 was based on an “estimate of likely usage”. Harbans Singh and Co. Solicitors Their actual 2008-09 running rate informed their 2009-10 Harehills and Chapeltown Law Centre award in line with awards to other providers. The 2010-11 Haringey Citizens Advice Bureau award was for 6.5 months only and not a full year as the Havilland Solicitors current contract was due to end part way through the Immigration Advisory Service year. Irving and Co. The three IAS offices in the north-west (Manchester, Island Advice Centre Liverpool and Blackburn) operate under a single contract and there is therefore no separate contractual matter Islington Law Centre starts allocation for Manchester. The matter start allocations J D Spicer and Co. for the ‘north-west’ and other areas are shown in the Jackson Centre table along with the England and Wales total. Kirklees Law Centre The Legal Services Commission only provides legal Lawrence and Co. aid for England and Wales.

2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 (est) LSC office Immigration Asylum Immigration Asylum Immigration Asylum

Midlands1 1,760 867 3,955 1,504 2,142 815 Wales/South West2 491 327 1,065 442 480 126 East3 414 204 910 296 493 160 Leeds4 1,268 1,037 3,750 2,558 2,031 1,386 London5 2,650 991 5,176 1,516 2,804 821 North West6 1,223 1,495 3,120 2,231 1,690 1,208 Oakington Immigration Removal — — 75 2,424 41 1,313 Centre England and Wales 7,806 4,921 18,051 10,971 9,681 5,829 1 Includes Birmingham, Leicester and Derby offices 2 Includes Cardiff and Bristol offices 3 Covers Peterborough and Norwich offices 4 Covers Leeds, Newcastle, Bradford, Sheffield and Middlesbrough offices 5 Covers Southwark, Hounslow and Bedford offices 6 Covers Manchester, Liverpool and Blackburn offices

Julian Harrington conduct the security category review which took place in April 2010 for Julian Harrington; and when Mr Harrington will be transferred to HMP Hollesley Bay. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reasons the governing governor did not [15025] 841W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 842W

Mr Blunt: Governing Governors are not routinely recommendations for reducing costs in the civil justice required to conduct categorisation reviews. It is not the system. Some recommendations are for the Government policy of the National Offender Management Service to take forward and as I announced to the House on 26 to comment publicly on the cases of individual prisoners. July 2010, Official Report, column 68WS, we will be My Noble Friend Lord McNally wrote to the hon. consulting in the autumn on implementing Lord Justice Member on 22 August explaining the latest position, Jackson’s recommendations on the reform of funding and I will contact her very shortly to update this. arrangements. Work on other recommendations is more appropriately Legal Aid: Immigration led by others. So for example in addition to the consultation on a voluntary code of conduct for third party funders Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice that I announced on 26 July 2010, the CJC are currently what assessment has been made of the compatibility undertaking a review of pre-action protocols which with the UK’s international humanitarian obligations includes consideration of Sir Rupert’s recommendations of changes in the tendering process for immigration in this area. They are also setting up a working group to legal aid. [13979] look at the recommendation for uniform calibration of software systems used in assessment of damages. Mr Djanogly: The European Community Council Directive 2003/9/EC (Council Directive 2003/9/EC of I have agreed with the senior judiciary that they are 27 January 2003: Laying down minimum standards for uniquely placed to lead on the recommendations relating the reception of asylum seekers) places certain obligations to case and costs management. The Civil Justice Council on member states with regard to the reception conditions will assist them as appropriate in taking forward this for asylum applicants. Provisions include minimum work. standards on information, documentation, education, My officials will continue to work with the Civil health care, accommodation, withdrawal of reception Justice Council in identifying areas where their collective conditions as well as extra provisions for children and experience can best be directed in considering and taking vulnerable individuals. The directive contains no obligation forward the many recommendations contained in Sir on member states to provide “free legal advice” and Rupert’s report. assistance to asylum seekers at the initial stage of their case. After a negative decision, the directive stipulates Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice that access to legal assistance for appeals shall be laid what changes he plans to make to the provisions of down in national law (Article 21 (2)). As this is a conditional fee arrangements as a result of the minimum standards directive, member states are free to recommendations of the review by Lord Justice provide “more favourable conditions”than those contained Jackson; and if he will make a statement. [13832] in the directive. Unlike most member states, the UK continues to provide free legal “advice”and “representation at the Tribunal” out of public funds to eligible asylum Mr Djanogly: As I announced to the House on 26 applicants at both the initial stage and appeals. The July 2010, Official Report, column 68WS, we will be current tendering process has in no way restricted the consulting in the autumn on implementing Lord Justice scope of legal aid. Jackson’s recommendations on the reform of funding arrangements, as set out in his report ‘Review of Civil Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Litigation Costs: Final Report’ (published 14 January what mechanisms there are to monitor the effect on 2010). This will include in particular his proposals for service provision of the tendering process for significant reform to conditional fee agreements (CFAs). immigration legal aid. [13981] The Government will determine the way forward subject to the results of that consultation. Mr Djanogly: In apportioning immigration cases across England and Wales the LSC identified areas of high demand within procurement areas (access points) and Legal Representation: Immigration assigned matter starts (cases) to these to ensure provision where there is the greatest demand. Once the tender process is completed and the LSC has carried out Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for validation checks to ensure that successful applicants Justice how many immigration cases have been are in a position to deliver services from the start of the adjourned due to a lack of legal representation for contract, the LSC will undertake an evaluation of the former clients of Refugee and Migrant Justice since results. that organisation entered into administration. [13765]

Legal Profession: Fees and Charges Mr Djanogly: The First-tier Tribunal—Immigration and Asylum Chamber is responsible for considering Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State appeals against decisions made by the Secretary of for Justice with reference to the recommendations of State for the Home Department. The tribunal is not Lord Justice Jackson’s review of civil litigation costs, able to provide the information which the hon. Member what plans he has for the future role of the Civil Justice has requested as it is not able to identify cases which Council in addition to consulting on a voluntary code have been adjourned solely on the basis of Refugee and of conduct for third party funders. [13819] Migrant Justice entering administration. It could do so only at disproportionate cost by checking each appeal Mr Djanogly: Lord Justice Jackson’s Review of Civil file for the reasons for adjournment for the period in Litigation Costs makes a broad range of significant question. 843W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 844W

Legal Services Commission: Manpower Mr Djanogly: Statistics are not kept centrally on the population or geographical spread of people in each Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice local justice area. It is proposed that only work currently how many staff at each grade have been engaged in heard at Woking from Runnymede will transfer to processing tender applications at the Legal Services Staines, which is around 20 minutes by bus. The remaining Commission in 2010, with particular reference to the two-thirds of work will be transferred to Guildford, notification of results in July 2010. [12856] which is 6.4 miles from Woking (20 minutes by car; eight minutes by train). Further analysis of travel times will be undertaken during the consultation period. Mr Djanogly: The Legal Services Commission used an e-tendering system which minimised the manual assessment needed. Magistrates Courts: Population A team of 55 staff, ranging from band A3 (lowest level line management, senior processing or administration Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for roles) to band C (middle/senior managers, technical Justice what the average population of a local justice experts), were trained in the use of the e-tender system area in England is. [12764] and assessment. This team’s work was moderated by a team of 10 moderators from within the Commissioning Mr Djanogly: There are currently 235 local justice and Operational Policy department who also received areas in England and Wales. The Office of National training and were graded at band B1 (lower management, Statistics’ mid-2009 estimate of the population of England technical specialists), B2 (middle management, senior and Wales is 54,809,000. This indicates an average technical specialists) or band C. Moderators could escalate population of approximately 233,230 per local justice any matters they could not resolve to a core team, area. The Secretary of State is consulting on plans to consisting of a band B2, a band C and two band Ds reduce the number of local justice areas. A decision will (senior managers). be made after the consultation period has ended. Final decisions on the failure of tenders at the Pre Population data can be viewed on Table 2 on the UK Qualification and Essential Stages and the agreement of National Statistics website: the approach for assessing exceptional circumstances http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/pop0610.pdf were agreed by either a band D or a director. Assessors, moderators and the core team have all participated in Magistrates Courts: Surrey the notification process. Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for Magistrates Courts Justice (1) what the population was in (a) North West Surrey, (b) North Surrey and (c) South West Surrey Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for local justice area in the latest period for which figures Justice (1) what the utilisation rate was at (a) are available; [12760] Guildford, (b) Redhill, (c) Staines and (d) Woking (2) what estimate he has made of the population to Magistrates Court in 2009-10; [12770] be served by (a) North Surrey and (b) South West (2) what the average utilisation rate was of a Surrey local justice area after the proposed merger with magistrates court in England in 2009-10; [12915] North West Surrey local justice area. [12765] (3) what the utilisation rate was at Woking Mr Djanogly: Statistics are not kept on the population Magistrates Court in each of the last 10 years. [12916] in each local justice area.

Mr Djanogly: In 2009-10 nationally, magistrates courts Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for sat an average of 64% of the possible time available Justice how many magistrates courts there were in based on a five hour day five days a week. Surrey in each of the last 20 years. [12919] The utilisation rates in 2009-10 in Surrey are as follows: Mr Djanogly: Central Government became responsible Guildford—62.3% for the magistrates courts in 2005 upon the formation of Redhill—80.1% HM Courts Service. Limited information is available for the period before that. 20 years ago there were Staines—74.6% magistrates courts in: Camberley, Chertsey, Dorking, Woking—75% Epsom, Farnham, Guildford, Godstone, Redhill, Staines, Her Majesty’s Courts Service only retains utilisation Walton, and Woking. figures for the past three years. At Woking magistrates Magistrates courts continue to sit at Guildford, Redhill, court these were: Staines and Woking. 2009-10—75.1% 2008-09—78.4% Magistrates Courts: Woking 2007-08—69.8% Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the likely Justice what estimate he has made of the proportion of effects of the closure of Woking Magistrates Court on the population in (a) Woking and (b) the North West those people living in areas surrounding Woking and Surrey local justice area able to travel to Staines Magistrates’ dependent upon public transport to attend courts. Court by public transport in 60 minutes. [12891] [12771] 845W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 846W

Mr Djanogly: A preliminary impact assessment for Mr : I work closely with all the Ministers all of the court estate proposals is available on the in my Department on the range of issues for which I am Department’s website. Detailed impact assessments, responsible. The speech to which you refer, given by the including the impact on people who live in the areas Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Crispin Blunt) surrounding Woking and who are dependent on public on 22 July, drew attention to PSI 50/2008 which expired transport are currently being produced and will be on 5 January 2010. informed by responses to the consultation paper. Prior to this, decisions on activities in prison were taken locally by Prison Governors. The expiry of that Mediation PSI provided an opportunity to reassess whether local discretion could be returned to Prison Governors, or Mr Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether activities in the 140 prisons were better managed what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of via central prescription. A new instruction was subsequently issued which drew attention to the need to ensure public mediations; and if he will make a statement. [13448] confidence and modest costs were maintained, but which returned decision-making to the local level. Mr Djanogly: People often find themselves involved in court actions when their disagreements might be National Offender Management Service: Location better resolved between themselves at a much earlier stage and with a more satisfactory outcome, through processes such as mediation, rather than the ‘winner Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for takes all’ approach offered by litigation. The intervention Justice how many National Offender Management of the court should only be sought when a genuine Service headquarters functions have been moved point of law exists or when people or businesses are at outside London in each of the last six years; and if he risk. As a Government, we are keen for people to take a will make a statement. [12704] less adversarial and a more collaborative approach to solving their problems and encourage greater use of Mr Blunt: During 2006 NOMS relocated the financial mediation in both civil and family issues. transactions functions in HQ from London to Newport. In 2007 NOMS relocated the Human Resources transactions function from London to Newport. In Members: Correspondence total 285 posts were moved out of London and the south east during these relocations. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects to reply to the letter dated 9 August Functions moving 2010 from the hon. Member for Witham on Jeremy 2004 — Bamber; and if he will make a statement. [15030] 2005 — Mr Blunt: I replied to the hon. Member on 8 September 2006 Financial transactions and I apologise for the delay in doing so. 2007 Human Resources transactions 2008 — Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 2009 — when he expects to reply to the letter dated 12 August National Offender Management Service: Manpower 2010 from the hon. Member for Witham on Michael Binnington and Luke Atkinson; if he will meet their relations to discuss their case; if he will assess the Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for merits of using his powers to commute their sentences; Justice how many operational managers were employed and if he will make a statement. [15238] by the National Offender Management Service in each of the last six years. [12878] Mr Blunt: A reply to my hon. Friend’s letter of the 12 August was sent on 10 September. That letter sets out Mr Blunt: Information on the number of operational the circumstances under which powers to commute a managers employed across both public sector and sentence may be used. In addition, my letter to my hon. contracted Prison Service establishments and the National Friend the Member for Witham dated 5 August set out Offender Management Service headquarters is contained the reasons why it would not be appropriate for Ministers in the following table. to meet the families of Mr Binnington and Mr Atkinson. Operational managers in post1 Operational managers2

National Association for the Care and Resettlement of 31 March: Offenders 2004 1,474 2005 1,596 Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 2006 1,841 with reference to the speech by the Parliamentary 2007 1,886 Under-Secretary of State to the National Association 2008 1,975 for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders on 22 July 2009 2,088 2010, whether the Secretary of State (a) saw and (b) 2010 2,018 approved the speech prior to delivery, with particular 1 Basis: headcount, i.e. part-timers count as one. Data source: Personnel reference to the announcement of the rescission of Corporate Database and Oracle HRMS). Prison Service Instruction 50/2008 on acceptable 2All managers are allocated as operational at certain contracted activities in prisons. [12497] establishments. 847W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 848W

Non-Molestation Orders Number of places1

Mrs Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice February 92 (1) how many convictions there were for contempt of March 82 court where the offence related to a breach of the terms April 29 of a non-molestation injunction order in each year May 212 since 2000; [14728] June 29 (2) how many convictions there were for offences July 34 related to breaches of non-molestation injunction August 41 orders in each year since 2005. [14731] September 400 October 0 Mr Blunt: Contempt of court statistics cannot be November 523 separately identified on the Ministry of Justice court December 77 proceedings database as they form part of a miscellaneous group which cannot be analysed. 2010 Information on offenders who breach the terms of January 720 their injunction is not currently collated by the Ministry February 274 of Justice. March 566 Prison Accommodation April 332 May 533 Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for June 70 Justice how many new prison places have been created July 857 in each of the last 24 months for which figures are August 41 available; and what the estimated capital construction 1 Includes places delivered through new build accommodation, conversion cost was per prison place per year of lifespan of the of existing buildings and more effective use of the estate. prison concerned, excluding operation, maintenance The average construction cost for new prison places, and other costs. [12701] including costs of providing ancillary facilities, and excluding running costs, is approximately £170,000 per Mr Blunt: The following table shows how many new place across the lifetime of the accommodation. prison places have been created in England and Wales in each of the last 24 months for which figures are Prison Service: Ethnic Groups available. Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Number of places1 what proportion of HM Prison Service officers and 2008 staff at each HM Prison Service facility in the London July 0 region are from black and minority ethnic [14165] August 102 backgrounds. September 449 Mr Blunt: Information on what proportion of HM October 132 Prison Service officers and staff are from black and November 269 minority ethnic backgrounds based on headcount at December 106 each establishment within the London region as at 31 March 2010 is contained in the following table. Data 2009 provided are on headcount basis (part timers count as January 190 one).

BME staff proportions within London establishments Percentage Officers Other staff Establishments BME White BME White

Belmarsh 10.0 90.0 13.8 86.2 Brixton 32.0 68.0 37.5 62.5 Feltham 18.8 81.2 19.9 80.1 Holloway 39.2 60.8 55.3 44.7 Isis 10.0 90.0 3.8 96.2 Latchmere House 8.6 91.4 29.5 70.5 Pentonville 27.8 72.2 52.1 47.9 Wandsworth 21.1 78.9 33.5 66.5 Wormwood Scrubs 24.7 75.3 38.0 62.0 London total 22.2 77.8 32.1 67.9 Note: Includes prison, senior and principal officers. 849W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 850W

Prison Service: Greater London Mr Blunt: Information on how many officers and other staff employed at each establishment within the Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice London region as at 31 March 2010 is contained in the how many HM Prison Service (a) officers and (b) following table. Data provided is on headcount basis other staff are employed at each HM Prison Service (part timers count as one). facility in the London region. [14164]

Staff in post within London establishments Establishment (Est) Officers1 (all officer grades) Other staff Grand total

Belmarsh 521 395 916 Brixton 213 125 338 Feltham 403 326 729 Holloway 239 251 490 Isis 22 34 56 Latchmere House 36 45 81 Pentonville 385 212 597 Wandsworth 430 273 703 Wormwood Scrubs 312 240 552

Total (London Est) 2,561 1,901 4,462 1 Includes prison, senior and principal officers

Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Mr Blunt: Figures for the number of offenders released what plans he has for the future of HM Prison Brixton; from Gloucester prison, who had no fixed address, are and if he will make a statement. [14167] presented in the following. Data prior to 2007 is not held centrally. Mr Blunt: The role and function of prisons is kept under regular review, taking into account a number of % releases with factors affecting the requirements of a fit for purpose Total releases No fixed abode no fixed abode custodial estate. Decisions on the long-term future of 2009 468 31 7 the estate will be made in light of the review of rehabilitation 2008 504 30 6 and sentencing and the spending review. 2007 473 36 8 Note: Prison Service: Manpower Figures exclude any prisoners deported on release These figures have been drawn from administrative Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for IT systems which, as with any large scale recording Justice (1) how many operational managers were system, are subject to possible errors with data entry employed at each prison establishment on 31 March in and processing. each of the last 13 years; [12697] Prisoners: Streatham (2) how many non-operational managers were employed at each prison establishment on 31 March in Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice each of the last 13 years; [12698] how many prisoners at each prison in the London region normally reside in Streatham constituency. [14170] (3) how many prison officers were employed at each prison establishment on 31 March in each of the last 13 Mr Blunt: Information on a prisoner’s residence is years; [12880] provided by prisoners on reception into prison and (4) how many administration grade staff were recorded on the central IT system. However this information employed at each prison establishment on 31 March in is stored in such a way that the retrieval and processing each of the last 13 years. [12882] required to answer this question would be at disproportionate cost. Mr Blunt: Information on staffing levels in the grades Work is currently under way to improve prisoner data specified within each Prison Service establishment is systems and once this work is complete data will be contained in the tables that have been placed in the easily obtainable and will readily be able to provide a House Library. Certain staff groups, for example population breakdown down to the Streatham constituency operational support grades, are not included in the level. questions. A table of overall staff numbers at each It is anticipated that this work will be completed in establishment has also been included. approximately three months time and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the data are available. Prisoners’ Release Prisons: Manpower

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of prisoners released from Justice (1) how many (a) directors, (b) senior managers Gloucester Prison had no fixed address in each of the and (c) executive support and administration staff there last five years. [13409] were in each prison in each of the last five years; [12702] 851W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 852W

(2) how many (a) directors, (b) senior managers and Prisons: Population (c) executive support and administration staff were employed by the National Offender Management Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Service (NOMS) in (i) headquarters, (ii) area offices Justice what the prison population was at each prison and (iii) other NOMS non-prison offices in each of the establishment on 31 March in each of the last 13 years. last five years; and if he will make a statement. [12703] [12881]

Mr Blunt: Information on staffing levels in the grades Mr Blunt: The prison population on the last day of specified within each Prison Service establishment is March of each year from 1998 to 2010 is provided in the contained in tables which have been placed in the Library. following table. The data provided cover the public sector and the These figures have been drawn from administrative contracted estate. Grading systems vary between the IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording public and private sectors, and between individual system, are subject to possible errors with data entry contractors. and processing.

Prison population, England and Wales, as at 31 March, by establishment and year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Acklington 656 630 726 725 765 792 869 875 820 851 875 937 931 Albany1 432 427 436 438 439 444 521 516 522 523 555 554 * Aldington2 139141*********** Altcourse 634 684 842 788 902 1,007 988 892 980 1,103 1,315 1,281 1,303 Ashfield3 * * 281 354 373 218 270 269 343 398 391 337 235 Ashwell 453 491 477 380 471 527 533 544 543 540 543 618 213 Askham 124 122 115 112 136 131 134 88 122 109 97 114 112 Grange Aylesbury 298 364 339 353 347 354 363 384 433 443 441 440 438 Bedford 367 373 346 368 437 462 481 486 471 483 483 405 487 Belmarsh 884 725 768 832 850 862 921 902 919 927 912 883 862 Birmingham 1,050 1,071 1,082 828 876 949 1,406 1,400 1,445 1,450 1,434 1,413 1,461 Blakenhurst4 842 826 819 820 838 879 870 979 1,058 1,061 1,059 * * Blantyre 118 116 120 109 119 117 117 117 119 120 118 117 121 House Blundeston 337 351 405 408 418 459 462 454 452 460 465 517 520 Brinsford 527 499 500 464 467 449 463 443 467 423 425 548 451 Bristol 582 579 542 535 608 602 581 600 600 601 610 605 611 Brixton 576 752 810 749 752 791 818 786 811 805 808 754 774 Brockhill5 125 146 150 151 159 152 138 112 124 169 167 * * Bronzefield6 *******445444427429420484 Buckley 382 380 390 358 * 368 322 351 376 381 377 378 383 Hall7 Bullingdon 675 866 866 856 894 947 943 972 951 967 947 1,041 1,121 Bullwood 138 134 138 160 178 146 152 148 156 159 205 226 223 Hall Bure8 ************249 Camp Hill1 477 465 468 524 530 544 574 591 591 595 588 580 * Canterbury 257 280 274 291 310 281 315 294 282 273 271 292 303 Cardiff 714 659 650 615 669 656 675 759 751 756 747 806 823 Castington 322 398 210 274 332 300 336 349 370 390 380 350 283 Channings 593 577 576 582 603 620 664 656 651 662 719 719 724 Wood Chelmsford 483 385 375 468 521 564 593 580 593 715 697 688 688 Coldingley 297 282 310 351 376 385 387 390 390 393 391 503 509 Cookham 149 150 149 143 141 139 137 165 178 168 0 106 92 Wood Dartmoor 652 641 659 637 618 613 618 617 610 605 638 643 590 Deerbolt 415 406 457 386 478 395 481 441 387 368 436 436 504 Doncaster 1,102 1,024 1,072 1,085 1,081 1,128 1,118 1,057 1,051 1,134 1,114 1,141 1,120 Dorchester 213 216 220 229 248 256 223 239 252 244 234 225 232 Dovegate9 ****6998538397918328448398491,137 Dover 309 239 300 289 138 261 296 256 253 305 310 314 311 Downview 337 340 338 327 255 217 217 247 338 349 348 354 338 Drake Hall 285 218 192 193 266 232 297 283 230 257 302 265 285 Durham 934 893 883 693 720 679 725 651 844 972 931 938 974 East Sutton 93 81 79 92 96 93 97 94 90 95 94 85 81 Park Eastwood 258 265 306 297 322 261 334 323 294 342 307 329 310 Park 853W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 854W

Prison population, England and Wales, as at 31 March, by establishment and year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Edmunds ******299150355357361369380 Hill10 Elmley11 914 889 905 909 938 957 973 982 975 985 992 945 * Erlestoke 308 297 313 317 330 380 421 420 425 400 461 464 468 Everthorpe 457 462 464 468 385 375 455 461 651 677 679 683 670 Exeter 440 435 466 464 489 526 516 534 514 506 476 521 548 Featherstone 595 593 589 591 598 610 611 601 610 613 684 679 649

Feltham 908 835 746 643 702 629 688 578 629 636 597 635 657 Ford 455 352 416 311 490 515 527 512 522 438 529 525 549 Forest * * 517 723 980 1,031 994 1,012 1,020 1,060 1,134 1,094 1,422 Bank12 Foston Hall 141 147 171 152 213 223 227 202 241 222 252 223 236 Frankland 446 516 516 597 649 663 662 712 700 716 726 729 816 Full Sutton 581 525 577 578 605 597 599 599 570 570 597 569 590 Garth 645 638 640 620 647 632 659 640 602 614 811 805 843 Gartree 361 366 352 278 275 283 406 414 471 572 576 675 677 Glen Parva 861 845 833 759 802 784 778 754 776 808 797 785 809 Gloucester 326 294 289 240 327 317 302 271 280 301 312 303 309 Grendon 439 448 438 448 446 498 557 511 522 553 530 515 541 (Spring Hill) Guys Marsh 437 510 515 505 515 562 558 556 569 570 565 571 555 Haslar 156 143 157 135 134 111 118 136 149 124 142 150 118 Hatfield13 169145115160160******** Haverigg 545 357 389 494 561 560 563 535 568 568 627 607 563 Hewell4 192 162 186 158 180 173 165 167 148 182 184 1,368 1,418 High Down 681 790 632 686 697 715 732 736 738 759 940 1,066 1,104 Highpoint 699 648 777 787 872 910 807 808 808 801 798 917 944 Hindley 522 459 376 472 397 502 505 409 416 456 498 193 349 Hollesley 392 327 293 325 409 455 303 277 241 292 332 340 340 Bay (Warren Hill)14 Holme 956 945 963 927 966 1,013 996 969 973 1,000 993 937 1,084 House Holloway 520 508 483 469 472 486 460 428 406 427 453 432 457 Hull 534 523 487 533 589 1,026 1,086 1,039 948 1,045 1,034 998 1,025 Huntercombe 256 299 223 337 337 320 364 352 339 361 344 291 162 Isle of ************1,667 Wight1 Kennet15 **********333336338 Kingston 118 175 182 184 186 186 136 139 193 198 198 173 195 (Portsmouth)

Kirkham 671 424 501 469 503 505 542 478 439 513 577 572 582 Kirklevington 179 176 166 165 180 182 217 220 223 222 223 270 266 Grange Lancaster 218 215 144 187 236 241 235 240 236 233 209 230 238 Castle Lancaster 473 473 488 499 512 460 519 486 519 504 490 503 524 Farms Latchmere 190 173 174 182 184 190 197 205 168 205 205 199 203 House Leeds 1,199 1,224 1,236 1,244 1,226 1,242 1,243 1,193 1,122 1,015 990 1,151 1,158 Leicester 352 331 339 333 313 363 374 341 337 353 329 339 347 Lewes 461 456 435 445 489 498 513 518 535 521 581 664 479 Leyhill 378 344 377 321 430 497 498 502 341 399 480 498 499 Lincoln 610 430 491 487 534 424 461 444 458 497 708 672 665 Lindholme 686 653 513 575 738 700 663 770 823 1,029 1,093 1,122 1,091 Littlehey 640 639 628 631 644 659 698 703 689 698 701 717 876 Liverpool 1,427 1,419 1,375 1,282 1,433 1,447 1,449 1,375 1,300 1,339 1,360 1,230 1,344 Long Lartin 363 342 446 446 429 435 436 430 438 421 414 437 623 Lowdham 250 498 518 492 522 520 520 489 515 559 675 695 741 Grange Low 317 98 211 242 285 295 320 238 230 249 307 295 255 Newton Maidstone 557 541 572 368 429 535 548 545 553 583 471 408 595 Manchester 1,092 1,137 1,128 1,136 1,244 1,271 1,252 1,230 1,230 1,246 1,203 1,199 1,262 Moorland 758 757 777 758 782 980 1,008 1,000 1,002 1,012 1,015 1,014 1,009 855W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 856W

Prison population, England and Wales, as at 31 March, by establishment and year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Morton 204 158 186 116 196 331 365 321 291 319 367 359 304 Hall New Hall 372 385 365 361 369 341 376 350 329 362 419 365 358 North Sea 213 177 191 190 209 272 303 305 239 274 296 303 303 Camp Northallerton 256 295 262 217 220 223 221 154 238 247 232 208 234 Norwich 718 682 661 652 738 762 726 785 764 618 532 501 757 Nottingham 417 431 435 495 496 544 509 493 490 551 551 550 616 Onley 630 608 524 593 531 541 404 492 565 634 642 624 617 Parc 691 774 769 873 947 1,026 1,016 973 1,007 1,126 1,173 1,180 1,190 Parkhurst1 393 438 450 432 507 508 496 499 508 525 491 484 * Pentonville 1,109 1,093 1,070 1,088 1,132 1,241 1,199 1,195 1,139 1,131 1,142 1,087 1,216 Peterborough16 *******18761902977933974 Portland 571 550 549 503 413 446 468 388 438 552 564 601 473 Preston 675 657 600 571 562 666 675 606 574 726 734 677 780 Ranby 577 729 752 747 740 766 858 965 1,005 1,048 1,067 1,057 1,087 Reading 233 221 226 203 262 265 273 268 286 268 241 227 263 Risley 876 866 791 801 818 1,064 1,060 1,065 1,065 1,079 1,078 1,086 1,084 Rochester 410 376 366 354 45 165 280 366 384 388 389 629 716 Rye Hill17 * * * 339 653 663 660 590 590 644 622 647 643 Send 229 77 206 214 219 218 209 210 203 214 232 277 277 Sheppey ************967 Cluster (Elmley)11 Sheppey ************448 Cluster (Standford Hill)11 Sheppey ************990 Cluster (Swaleside)11 Shepton 208 211 211 129 188 176 187 179 182 187 185 189 189 Mallet Shrewsbury 335 308 343 320 340 346 350 275 327 339 319 292 306 Stafford 621 626 609 625 624 631 638 671 675 669 680 736 737 Standford 327 204 316 321 368 424 423 438 456 395 444 451 * Hill11 Stocken 456 576 579 570 578 577 621 601 616 619 742 812 815 Stoke Heath 610 622 521 531 558 626 670 639 654 667 642 562 568 Styal 285 277 438 436 436 431 442 349 428 426 452 432 436 Sudbury 491 508 495 492 510 515 556 557 560 497 569 566 573 Swaleside11 634 616 726 727 781 761 774 779 775 776 767 814 * Swansea 323 342 307 179 346 367 347 405 416 428 421 416 396 Swinfen 198 285 317 308 319 314 310 457 608 620 619 612 628 Hall The Mount 618 617 717 717 745 756 757 696 720 719 761 761 759 The Verne 571 569 556 564 575 582 579 584 577 591 590 583 583 The Weare18 356311380367394392371381***** The Wolds 402 404 401 397 405 348 358 321 295 377 375 381 379 Thorn Cross 220 203 218 188 246 176 261 268 236 224 223 289 283 Usk 282 290 304 322 324 392 413 414 404 408 410 404 427 (Prescoed) Wakefield 605 547 558 571 568 569 562 553 701 746 743 729 736 Wandsworth 925 1,272 1,274 1,317 1,408 1,478 1,432 1,424 1,484 1,475 1,480 1,664 1,631 Warren ******218197207218208207149 Hill14 Wayland 642 632 632 616 644 696 699 694 698 702 780 1,007 997 Wealstun 620 614 614 620 623 576 568 750 767 799 527 515 509 Wellingborough 330 327 506 489 519 520 523 515 576 645 637 642 640

Werrington 167 102 103 98 124 129 146 124 154 158 131 129 127 Wetherby 313 345 264 316 331 333 297 332 339 323 322 396 307 Whatton 236 272 273 272 276 343 358 354 450 760 817 836 813 Whitemoor 531 475 390 386 417 411 423 436 450 449 392 448 449 Winchester 598 589 610 572 570 625 591 644 710 541 554 696 685 Woodhill 708 691 657 652 724 771 792 767 774 784 814 812 804 Wormwood 1,346 904 753 966 1,101 1,223 1,244 1,218 1,243 1,257 1,289 1,260 1,298 scrubs Wymott 799 797 789 781 789 808 849 1,040 1,040 1,062 1,065 1,133 1,140 857W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 858W

Prison population, England and Wales, as at 31 March, by establishment and year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Total 65,435 64,212 65,463 65,394 69,784 72,954 75,295 74,962 77,058 79,745 81,695 82,893 85,184 Policecells*********19164** Establishment 65,435 64,212 65,463 65,394 69,784 72,954 75,295 74,962 77,058 79,936 81,759 82,893 85,184 and police cell total ‘*’ = Not applicable. 1 HMP Albany is now part of the organisational amalgamation of the former HMPs Camp Hill and Parkhurst. They now form HMP The Isle of Wight from 1 April 2009. 2 HMP Aldington closed in 1999. 3 Ashfield was opened in 1999. 4 HMP Blakenhurst and two former prisons HMP Brockhill and HMP Hewell Grange amalgamated on 25 June 2008 to form HMP Hewell. 5 HMP Brockhill now forms part of HMP Hewell from 25 June 2008. 6 HMP Bronzefield opened in June 2004. 7 HMP Buckley Hall was re-roled to a female closed training prison in 2002. The establishment was re-roled back to a male category C prison in 2005. 8 HMP Bure opened in November 2009. 9 HMP Dovegate opened in 2001. 10 In October 2003, Highpoint North (female) was formally re-named HMP Edmunds Hill. The establishment was re-roled as a category C male prison in 2005. 11 HMP Elmley forms part of The Sheppey Cluster, an amalgamation of HMP Standford Hill and HMP Swaleside. 12 HMP Forest Bank opened in 2000. 13 In 2002 Hatfield was taken over by HMP Moorland and re-named Moorland Open. 14 In 2002 Hollesley Bay and Warren Hill became separate establishments, the Open complex retaining the name Hollesley Bay. 15 HMP Kennet was opened in 2007. 16 HMP Peterborough, a dual purpose-built prison for men and women opened in March 2005. 17 HMP Rye Hill opened in 2001. 18 HMP The Weare ‘prison ship’ closed 2005.

Probation: Gloucestershire estate management services provided by the National Offender Management Service in each of the last five years. [13410] Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of the annual costs of the Mr Blunt: The following figures have been provided Gloucestershire Probation Service was attributable to by Gloucestershire Probation Trust:

£000 2009-10 2008-9 2007-8 2006-7 2005-6

Estate charge per audited accounts accommodation, 689 684 671 706 708 maintenance and utilities Funding 8,346 7,600 7,795 7,028 6,502 % of funding 8 9 9 10 11

Prosecutions And Convictions: Landlords (5) how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there were of landlords in each local authority area for Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for failure to comply with an enforcement notice under Justice (1) how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004 in each year since its there were of landlords for failing to maintain their introduction; [13745] property under the Housing Health and Safety Rating (6) how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions System in respect of (i) excess cold and dampness, (ii) of landlords there were in each local authority area for leaking roofs, (iii) dangerous or unstable structures, (iv) failing to obtain a house in multiple occupation licence of dangerous electrical installations, (v) general disrepair under the 2004 Housing Act 2004 in each year since its issues, (vi) overcrowding and (vi) fire hazards in the introduction; [13746] latest period for which figures are available; [13731] (7) how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions (2) how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there were of landlords in each local authority area for of landlords in each local authority area for an offence an offence of failing to protect tenants’ deposits in an of (i) tenant harassment and (ii) illegal eviction under approved scheme under the 2004 Housing Act in each the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 there were in year since its introduction. [13747] each year since 2004; [13733] (3) how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions Mr Blunt: The number of defendants proceeded against of landlords in each local authority area for failing to at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for arrange an annual gas safety check or issuing a copy the unlawful eviction of an occupier and the unlawful certificate under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) harassment of an occupier under the Protection from Regulations 1998 there were in each year since 2004; Eviction Act 1977 in England and Wales from 2004 to [13734] 2008 (latest available) is given in the following tables. (4) how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions Figures are provided by police force area as the Ministry of landlords in each local authority area for failing to of Justice court proceedings database does not hold keep in repair and proper working order the installations details of offences by authority area. Data for 2009 are in the dwelling house for the supply of water, gas and planned for publication on 21 October 2010. electricity have taken place under the Landlord and Court proceedings data held centrally in an aggregated Tenant Act 1985 in each year since 2004; [13735] format do not separately identify individual offences 859W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 860W under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Similarly it is Information under the Gas Safety (Installation and not possible to separately identify specified offences Use) Regulations 1998 is not collated centrally by the under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, Ministry of Justice. and the Housing Act 2004.

Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for selected offences under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, England and Wales, by force1, 2004 to 20082,3,4 Unlawful eviction of occupier Proceeded against Found guilty Force 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Avon and Somerset 11412 1121— Bedfordshire 4———— 1 3——— Cheshire — — 1 — 1 — — 1 — — Cleveland ———— 1 ————1 Derbyshire — — — 1 — — — — 1 — Essex ———— 2 ————— Hampshire 1———— 1———— Hertfordshire — 4 2 — — — 4 — 2 — Humberside 2 — — 2 — 2 — — 1 — Kent ——31———1—— Leicestershire 3 1 1 — — 1———— Lincolnshire — 1——— ————— Metropolitan Police 85981 43422 Northamptonshire — — 1 — 1 — — 1 — 1 Nottinghamshire — — 1 — — ————— South Yorkshire —2321 ——42— Staffordshire 1— 1—— ————— Suffolk ————— ——— 1— Surrey 1 2— 1— 1 1— 1— Sussex 1— 1— 1 ————— Thames Valley 1 — 3 1 — — — 1 — — Warwickshire —— 1—— ————— WestMercia 1——— 1 ————— West Midlands 53861 21411 WestYorkshire 1131— 1131— Wiltshire — — — 1 — — — — 1 — Dyfed-Powys — 1 — 1 — ————— Gwent 2 1——— 2 1——— North Wales 4 3 1 — 2 1———1 South Wales — — 1 — — ————— England and Wales 36 25 44 26 14 17 15 21 14 6

Unlawful harassment of occupier Proceeded against Found guilty Force 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Avon and Somerset 2 1 4 — 6 — — 2 — 3 Cambridgeshire — — — 1———— 1— Cleveland — — 3———— 1 2— Devon and Cornwall 1 — — 1 — 1 — — — — Essex — 1———————— Greater Manchester — — 1———— 1—— Hampshire — 1———————— Humberside ———— 1———— 1 Lancashire ———— 2————— Metropolitan Police 3871212—11 Northumbria — — 1——————— Nottinghamshire ————————— 2 South Yorkshire 2 1 — 1 — — 1 — — — Suffolk 1———— 1———— Thames Valley 3 — 1 — — 2 — — 1 — West Midlands — — 1 1 2———— 1 West Yorkshire — 3 — 2 — 1 1 — 1 — 861W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 862W

Unlawful harassment of occupier Proceeded against Found guilty Force 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

South Wales — 1 — 1 — — 1 — 1 — England and Wales 12 16 18 8 13 6 5 4 7 8 ‘—’ = nil 1 Where a police force area is not listed in the above table, assume nil data. 2 Excludes convictions for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. 3 The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 4 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. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Remand In Custody: Young People prior to trial in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [13574] Mr Blunt: The estimated number and proportion of Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice juveniles remanded in custody who were subsequently (1) (a) how many and (b) what proportion of juveniles acquitted or given a non-custodial sentence in England remanded in custody were subsequently (i) acquitted and Wales in 2008 (latest available) is shown in the table. and (ii) given a non-custodial sentence in (A) Court data for 2009 are due to be published on 21 October magistrates and (B) Crown courts in each year since 2010. 2008; and if he will make a statement; [13586] It is not possible to derive the remand status of (2) (a) how many and (b) what proportion of defendants at the stages of proceedings specified in the children (i) subject to court-ordered secure remand and question from information held by the Ministry of (ii) otherwise remanded in custody were freed on bail Justice on its court proceedings database.

Estimated number and proportion of juveniles1 remanded in custody2 who were subsequently acquitted, received a non-custodial sentence3 or a custodial sentence at magistrates courts and the Crown court, England and Wales, 20084, 5 Number of juveniles Percentage of juveniles6

Magistrates courts Acquitted 660 21 Non-custodial 1,511 49 Immediate custody 931 30

Crown court Acquitted 167 11 Non-custodial 264 18 Immediate custody 1,052 71 1 Defined as being aged 10-17 at the date of appearance in court. 2 Includes those remanded in custody at any stage of proceedings at magistrates and Crown courts who may also have been given bail at some stage of those proceedings. 3 Magistrates courts figures exclude those committed for trial or sentence at the Crown court. Non-custodial sentences include discharges, fines, community sentences and a number of other sentences that do not involve incarceration. Acquitted includes proceedings discontinued, discharged, withdrawn and dismissed. 4 Excludes remands/bail data relating to Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. 5 Indicates that the data are provisional and subject to change. 6 Percentages here represent the proportions of all juveniles who were remanded in custody, excluding those where the outcome resulted in committal for trial or sentence by magistrates courts to the Crown court. Notes: 1. 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. It is known that in some police force areas, information on remand decisions is not always readily available to those coding court proceedings returns. In certain cases, the return may be mistakenly coded as if no remand had taken place. For magistrates court proceedings, the number of remands and more importantly, the number which are in custody, are believed to be under-recorded in total. As the breakdown of remands into bail and custody cases for a number of forces is not accurate for a number of forces, estimates have to be made to provide national figures. 2. Some percentages may not sum to 100 due to rounding. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services.

Reoffenders and (b) long-term prisoners released from Gloucester Prison were in each of the last three years. [13408] Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice is undertaking a Justice what the reoffending rates for (a) short-term programme of work to investigate whether meaningful 863W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 864W data on the reoffending of former prisoners from individual as well as the full range of penalties available in the institutions can be produced. It is our intention to criminal justice system. We will consult on our proposals publish some findings from this work on 4 November as part of a Green Paper on rehabilitation, to be published 2010 in a new publication which will include a range of in November. data and analysis on reoffending which is not covered by the existing published statistics. Sentencing: Community Orders Reparation By Offenders Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent discussions he and his officials have Justice what assessment has been made of the effect of had on short-term sentencing policy and the use of (a) community pay-back schemes and (b) other community penalties. [13487] restorative justice programming on re-offending rates. [13439] Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice is conducting a full assessment of sentencing to ensure that it is effective in Mr Blunt: The information requested is set out as deterring crime, protecting the public, punishing offenders follows. and reducing re-offending. We are looking in detail at the sentencing frameworks for adult and young offenders, Community payback schemes as well as the full range of penalties available in the The high-visibility community payback scheme did criminal justice system. My officials and I have regular not commence until December 2008, therefore reoffending discussions as part of this work. We will consult on our rates for the period covered by the scheme will not be proposals as part of a Green Paper on rehabilitation, to available until data for the 2009 cohort are published in be published in November 2010. March 2011. Reoffending rates are available for those who commenced Sexual Offences: Witham both community and suspended sentence orders with a requirement for unpaid work only. The reoffending rate Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for those who commenced a community order with an what his estimate is of the number of people who have unpaid work requirement between 1 January and 31 served custodial sentences for (a) sexual offences and March 2008 was 25.3%, while the reoffending rate for (b) sexual offences with children living in Witham those who commenced a suspended sentence order with constituency; what steps have been taken to prevent an unpaid work requirement over the same period was such people re-offending; and if he will make a 17.5%. These are the latest available data. statement. [15029] These figures do not make an assessment of the effectiveness of unpaid work schemes; differences between Mr Blunt: It is not possible to give figures for the the rates may be due to differences in offender characteristics numbers of prisoners who have been discharged from rather than simply the effectiveness of unpaid work in prisons in England and Wales after serving custodial reducing the likelihood of reoffending. sentences for sexual offences and whose domicile addresses Further information on adult reoffending is available are in the Witham constituency. at: The available information on the number of releases http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/ from prison establishments is published within Chapter reoffendingofadults.htm 9 of the Ministry of Justice Statistics bulletin ″Offender Restorative Justice Management Caseload Statistics 2009″ available from There is mixed evidence from published sources on the Library of the House and also available free at the the effectiveness of restorative justice in reducing following website address: reoffending. A Home Office/Ministry of Justice evaluation http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/ found a fall in the likelihood of reconviction over a two prisonandprobation.htm year period but, because of the small sample size, this All offenders, including sexual offenders, who are was not statistically significant. There was no impact on sentenced to 12 months or more in prison, will be the severity of reconvictions. The study did find a subject to a post custodial licence which is supervised statistically significant reduction in the frequency of by the probation service. subsequent reoffending (when using a meta-analysis A licence contains standard conditions and, depending technique). on the risk posed by the offender, may include additional Sentencing conditions. An offender manager (probation officer) will supervise the offender to ensure that he/she complies with his or her licence conditions and, where there is Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for evidence of increased risk to the public, will recall the Justice when he plans to publish his Department’s offender to custody. consultation on the sentencing frameworks for adult and young offenders and the range of penalties available in the criminal justice system. [13486] Tribunals: Employment

Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice is conducting a full Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice assessment of sentencing to ensure that it is effective in how many employment tribunal cases have been deterring crime, protecting the public, punishing offenders brought in each year since 1990, broken down by the and reducing reoffending. We are looking in detail at reason for the claim; and if he will make a statement. the sentencing frameworks for adult and young offenders, [13913] 865W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 866W

Mr Djanogly: The following table lists the number of Mr Djanogly: The number of employment and support cases brought (i.e. lodged, accepted and issued) by allowance (ESA) and incapacity benefit appeals heard employment tribunals throughout Great Britain for the by the first-tier tribunal—social security and child support period 1990-2010. in each year from 2006 were as follows: The Tribunals Service has published annual reports that break down the main heads of jurisdiction included Number in the cases brought since 1999-2000. The most recent ESA Incapacity benefit annual report (for 2009-10) can be found online at: 2006-07 1n/a 59,115 http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/employment-eat- 1 annual-stats.htm 2007-08 n/a 57,808 2008-09 27 63,419 Previous annual reports from 1999-2000 are available 2009-10 50,791 47,202 at: 2010-112 46,230 13,682 http://www.employmenttribunals.gov.uk/Publications/ 1 ESA was introduced on 27 October 2008. annualReports.htm 2 Year to date from 1 April 2010 to 31 July 2010 Further breakdown could be carried out only at The Tribunals Service does not apportion costs at a disproportionate cost. level which would allow the precise cost of the individual The following table also lists the total number of case types to be reported. However, using a broad brush jurisdictional claims brought in each relevant year. An hearing clearance unit cost (including the Tribunals employment tribunal case brought can contain a number Service overheads) for all social security and child support of grounds, known as jurisdictional claims. In any cases, the estimated cost of the incapacity benefit and individual proceedings, the tribunal has to decide upon ESA hearings for each year are: the merits of the case made under each jurisdiction, for example, unfair dismissal or sex discrimination. The total number of jurisdictions covered by each case gives Cost (£ million) a truer measure of work load than the global number of 2006-07 15.3 cases. The full breakdown of the annual jurisdictional 2007-08 15.0 mixes is shown under table 1 in each of the annual 2008-09 17.3 reports published. 2009-10 27.5

Total receipts and jurisdictional claims accepted by ET since 1990 Total jurisdictional Total receipts claims Wines 1990-91 43,200 n/a 1991-92 67,700 n/a 1992-93 72,400 n/a Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for 1993-94 72,300 n/a Justice how much his Department and its predecessors 1994-95 75,200 n/a spent on wine in each year since 1997. [12814] 1995-96 108,800 n/a 1996-97 88,900 n/a Mr Blunt: All expenditure on food and drink is in line 1997-98 80,435 n/a with the Ministry’s internal Finance Policy Manual and 1998-99 91,900 148,800 Gifts and Hospitality Policy, which set out mandatory 1999-2000 103,900 176,700 guidance for all staff regarding the use of public funds. 2000-01 130,400 218,100 Both are consistent with the Treasury guidance on 2001-02 112,200 194,100 “Managing Public Money” at: 2002-03 98,600 172,300 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/psr_mpm_index.htm 2003-04 115,000 197,400 and the Treasury handbook on “Propriety and Regularity” 2004-05 86,200 156,100 at: 2005-06 115,000 201,500 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/psr_governance_ 2006-07 132,600 238,500 valueformoney.htm 2007-08 189,300 297,000 2008-09 151,000 266,500 The Ministry’s policy on in-house hospitality prohibits 2009-10 236,100 392,800 the supply of any alcohol to Ministry of Justice personnel who are paid from departmental funds. When providing hospitality to external parties, discretion can be exercised, for example, wine may be provided with a meal provided Tribunals: Social Security Benefits that expenditure is modest and appropriate to the circumstances. Expenditure on alcohol is not specifically identified Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for within the Ministry’s accounting systems as it forms Justice how many appeals against failed incapacity part of a wider ‘entertainment and hospitality’classification. benefit and employment support allowance claims were To identify specific amounts relating to alcohol of any heard by the Tribunals Service in each year since 2006; form would involve examining every individual transaction and what the total cost to the public purse of such within this wider category, which would incur appeals was in each of those years. [14003] disproportionate cost. 867W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 868W

HOME DEPARTMENT If someone is arrested in their home a minimum of 30 minutes will be allowed for an individual or a family Asylum to pack their belongings dependant on a dynamic risk assessment. If someone is arrested outside their home Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the the local immigration team will liaise with the departure Home Department what guidance is provided to UK port regarding arrangements for baggage delivery. Border Agency staff on responding to constituency Individuals are advised of the need to make contact cases raised by regional list members of the (a) with someone to take responsibility for their belongings Scottish Parliament, (b) National Assembly for Wales and will be provided access to telephones at the removal and (c) Northern Ireland Assembly. [13223] centre to make these arrangements. Further guidance can be found on the UK Border Agency website in the : The UK Border Agency’s policy is Detention Services Order 09-2008 at: not to provide information on individual cases to Members of devolved legislatures, as immigration is a matter www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/ reserved for the Westminster Parliament. This policy is policyandlaw/detention-services-orders/management-of- now under review. However, until a decision is taken on detainees’.pdf?view=Binary whether to change it, the previous policy remains in force. Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the The UK Border Agency will provide full responses to Home Department how many public order offences Members of devolved legislatures where they write on were reported in relation to the removal of (a) failed matters of policy or on non-case specific subjects. asylum seekers and (b) illegal immigrants during deportations in each of the last 12 months. [13211] Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum made before 5 March 2007 by residents of (a) Birmingham, Ladywood constituency, (b) Birmingham City Council Damian Green: Public order offences, including those area and (c) England have yet to be determined; and committed during a removal operation, fall under the what proportion of these she expects to have been jurisdiction of the police force within the area the offence was committed. Such data would be recorded at resolved by 31 August 2011. [14314] a local level by the police and is therefore not routinely Damian Green: The UK Border Agency is unable to available to the UK Border Agency. accurately report on the outstanding asylum cases being dealt with by the case resolution directorate (CRD) in the areas specified. As reported in July 2010 to the Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Affairs Select Committee, 50% of the concluded Home Department how many no-notice removals of cases were data errors and required no further action. failed asylum seekers and illegal immigrants have been In addition, due to the age of some cases, addresses on undertaken by the UK Border Agency in each of the file are subsequently found to have changed. Therefore, last 12 months. [13219] any such report would be unable to accurately represent CRD cases with outstanding applications. The agency will be reporting on its current performance Damian Green: The UK Border Agency policy is to in clearing the backlog in the autumn. I am confident give at least 72 hours notice of removal. However, in CRD are on track to clear the backlog of older asylum exceptional circumstances where the removal could not cases by summer 2011 or earlier. be managed in any other way, we have invoked a policy of giving a reduced period of notice. Although the Asylum: Deportation notice period may have been less than 72 hours, some notice was always given. This policy of giving less than 72 hours notice was quashed by the High Court on 16 Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the July 2010, and has not been in use since the granting of Home Department what arrangements her Department an interim injunction on 21 May 2010. The policy is has put in place for the transfer or disposal of assets now the subject of an appeal to the Court of Appeal. belonging to (a) failed asylum seekers and (b) illegal Over the last 12 months, reduced notice of removal immigrants on deportation. [13207] applied as follows:

Damian Green: UK Border Agency officials have the Number of times reduced Number of times removal same arrangements in place for failed asylum seekers notice applied proceeded and illegal immigrants to secure or dispose of their possessions. September 2009 1 1 October 2009 4 4 Where people have their removal enforced there is November 2009 2 1 guidance in the public domain on the handling of December 2009 2 1 belongings which can be found on the UK Border January 2010 3 13 Agency website in chapter 45 of the Enforcement February 2010 5 3 Instructions and Guidance at: March 2010 5 4 www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/guidance/ April 2010 311 8 enforcement/ May 2010 313 24 Although this specific guidance relates to families, June 2010 0 0 individuals are treated in line with this guidance. July 2010 0 0 869W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 870W

for items of expenditure for which the card is not Number of times reduced Number of times removal notice applied proceeded suitable, with particular reference to bus tickets and other small purchases. [14326] August 2010 0 0 1 One removal had the reduced notice period applied in December 2009 and was Damian Green: Subsistence payments via the Azure removed in January 2010. 2 No planned removals proceeded with less than the standard notification prepayment card are to be used to buy food and essential period following the granting of an injunction at 14.00 on 21 May 2010. toiletries. There is no minimum limit on the cost of 3 The rise in numbers for April and May is due to the coming into effect of new exceptions categories. The majority of these (nine in April 2010 and 12 in May items that can be purchased with the Azure prepayment 2010) were exceptions under the consent provision where the person being card as long as the supported person has sufficient removed provided their written consent to a reduced notice period. funds on the card to pay for their intended purchase. Asylum: Finance The UK Border Agency endeavours to ensure with accommodation providers contracted to provide asylum James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for the support accommodation, that the distance to shops Home Department for what reason her Department that accept the Azure prepayment card is not more than introduced the Azure card system for payments to three miles from the supported person’s accommodation. those awaiting asylum application determinations. If the distance is further, or if a supported person is [14252] unable to walk a distance of up to three miles by reason of a physical impediment or for some other medical Damian Green: Failed asylum seekers who are destitute reason, the accommodation provider may make alternative and unable to leave the UK immediately due to transport arrangements, deliveries, or arrange for the circumstances beyond their control, can request the supported person to be moved closer to the local provision of support under section 4 of the 1999 Act. supermarket. Those in receipt of section 4 support are provided A supported person in receipt of support under with accommodation and subsistence payments to the section 4 support may also be eligible for additional value of £35.39 per week. Until November 2009, the services and facilities under the Immigration and Asylum section 4 subsistence payment (then £35 per week) was (Provision of Services or Facilities) Regulations 2007. provided by means of supermarket vouchers administered The additional services and facilities available include by UK Border Agency accommodation providers. the power to arrange for the supply of facilities for The voucher system was open to abuse and fraud and travel to receive health care treatment and to register a there was evidence that vouchers were often traded for birth. If a supported person has an exceptional specific cash at reduced levels. The vouchers also presented need for facilities to travel for purposes that do not fall poor value for money to the user with restricted retail within the aforementioned qualifying journeys, this can outlets. The Azure pre-paid payment card was introduced be arranged if the supported person demonstrates that in a phased roll out between November 2009 and February his/her need is sufficiently exceptional to warrant a 2010 to tackle this. grant. Application forms for additional services and facilities are available on the UK Border Agency website. James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated annual Asylum: Iran administrative cost is of the Azure card system used for payments to those awaiting asylum application Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for determinations. [14253] the Home Department how many Iranian asylum seekers have had their claims (a) granted and (b) Damian Green: The Azure payment card is administered refused since 2000. [14362] for UK Border Agency by Sodexo Ltd. The payment card was introduced in November 2009 and has therefore Damian Green: The accompanying table shows the been in operation for only 10 months. The payment number of initial decisions broken down by grants of card scheme has been designed to be self-financing. asylum, grants of Exceptional Leave to Remain (ELR), The current forecasted annual running cost for the Humanitarian Protection (HP) and Discretionary Leave Azure payment card scheme is £353,000. However, fees (DL) and refusals between 2000 and June 2010. Figures generated by the commercial contracts Sodexo has only include initial decisions on asylum applications negotiated with the various retailers, together with efficiency and exclude all subsequent decisions. savings from UK Border Agency, will recoup the annual Information on asylum is published annually and running costs. quarterly in the Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom bulletin which is available from the Library of James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for the the House and from the Home Office Research, Home Department whether provision is made to Development and Statistics Directorate website at: ensure that persons receiving payments via the Azure http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- card system are able to access small amounts of cash stats.html

Initial decisions1,2 on asylum applications, excluding dependants, nationals of Iran, January 2000 to June 2010 Principal applicants January to Period 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20093 June 20103

Recognised as 390 575 395 110 70 70 90 210 230 235 220 refugees and granted asylum 871W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 872W

Initial decisions1,2 on asylum applications, excluding dependants, nationals of Iran, January 2000 to June 2010 Principal applicants January to Period 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20093 June 20103

Granted 255 305 145 115 230 385 270 215 220 165 70 exceptional leave, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave Refusals of 2,815 5,120 2,420 2,930 3,590 2,850 1,850 1,665 1,355 1,700 875 asylum, exceptional leave, humanitarian protection and discretionary leave Total initial 3,455 6,000 2,965 3,155 3,890 3,305 2,205 2,090 1,800 2,100 1,160 decisions 1 Figures rounded to the nearest five and may not sum to the totals shown because of independent rounding. 2 Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions. 3 Provisional figures.

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Damian Green: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of the Home Department how many failed Iranian State for the Home Department was provided with asylum seekers have been returned to Iran since 2000. extensive briefings on the Programme, including the [14363] performance of Raytheon, as well as the outcome of an independent review by the Office of Government Damian Green: The table shows the number of removals Commerce. and voluntary departures to Iran of asylum cases for I would like to refer my hon. Friend to the written Iranian nationals from January 2004 to June 2010. ministerial statement made on 22 July 2010, Official Destination data have only been collated since 2004; Report, columns 44-45WS, regarding the termination of data for earlier years are not available. the e-Borders contract. This explained that the way the The Home Office publishes statistics on the number existing programme was developing gave rise to serious of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the concern. Progress had been extremely disappointing. UK on a quarterly and annual basis, which are available While some elements had been delivered, there was a from the Library of the House and from the Home succession of missed milestones coupled with issues of Office’s Research, Development and Statistics website quality.Delivery of the next critical parts of the programme at: was already running at least 12 months late and on top of this there remained risks of further delays. Since July http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- stats.html 2009 the supplier had been in breach of contract and, despite extensive negotiations, no agreement had been Removals and voluntary departures1,2,3 to Iran of asylum cases, for Iranian reached about a remedial plan. nationals, January 2004 to June 2010 Number of departures4,5 The supplier’s performance had not been compliant 20106 with their contractual obligations and there was no (January confidence in their ability to address this situation. to 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20096 June) The took into account the importance of the Programme for National Security and therefore Asylum 245 375 470 475 490 340 50 gave very careful consideration, in consultation with cases, number of other senior ministerial colleagues, before taking the departures decision to terminate the contract. 1 Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. 2 Includes enforced removals, persons departing voluntarily after notifying the David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for UK Border Agency of their intention to leave prior to their departure, persons the Home Department how many consultants were leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the international Organization for Migration and since January 2005 persons who it has been employed on her Department’s eBorders programme in established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities. (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) 2008-09; what costs 3 Figures include dependants. were incurred in employing such consultants in each 4 Removals and voluntary departures recorded on the system as at the dates on which the data extracts were taken. year; and what the equivalent expenditure has been in 5 Destination as recorded on source database. 2010-11 to date. [12772] 6 Provisional figures. Figures will under record due to data cleansing and data matching exercises that take place after the extracts are taken. Damian Green: The following table provides the numbers and costs of consultants and independent contractors Borders: Personal Records employed by the e-Borders Programme since 2006:

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Consultancy Headcount Costs (£) Home Department what assessment she made of the 2006-07 103 10,046,869 performance of Raytheon prior to the termination of 2007-08 81 9,601,330 its contract to deliver the e-Borders programme. 2008-09 53 10,651,890 [12514] 873W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 874W

The consultancy expenditure during 2010-11 for the Nick Herbert: The Home Office’s performance first three months (April to June) has been £2,984,450. information for paying suppliers within 10 day of receipt The periods covered saw the programme move from of a compliant invoice in July and August 2010 is: procurement of the strategic solution and provision of Home Office—invoices paid within 10 days the Semaphore pilot system to the more complex activity July August to assure the design and delivery of the strategic solution. The fall in consultant and contractor headcount during Number of compliant invoices paid 2,007 1,667 this time did not deliver an equivalent reduction in cost Number of compliant invoices paid 1,891 1,592 since there was an associated change in the mix and within terms type of consultancy support provided, along with a Percentage of compliant invoices paid 94 96 within terms need to use more hours from individual consultants because of the pressures on the programme and the Departmental Buildings requirement for their specialist knowledge.

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Home Department what assessment was made of the the Home Department how much office space per UK Border Agency’s e-Borders senior management employee her Department occupied in each year since team’s experience of managing large and complex IT 1997. [12997] programmes. [12874] Nick Herbert: My Department’s office space per Damian Green: Senior managers brought on to the employee data for the last thee years excluding executive e-Borders Programme underwent an application process agencies and non-departmental public bodies, is as follows: that assessed a range of their skills and competencies, including project and programme management skills Square metres and experience of managing large and complex IT 2007-08 12.8 programmes. The senior management team has also 2008-09 12.1 had the benefit of professional advice and assistance 2009-10 112.5 throughout the programme from specialist consultants 1 Provisional subject to validation. including Partnerships UK, KPMG and Deloitte Consulting. In April 2008 annual benchmarking of the Government estate started with the results published in the State of Cannabis: Sales the Estate reports on the OGC website. This information was not recorded prior to April 2008. The provisional Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the data for 2009-10 compiled in July is provided. Home Department whether she plans to bring forward Departmental Empty Property proposals to prohibit the sale of cannabis seeds. [13347]

James Brokenshire: The unauthorised cultivation of Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for cannabis seeds and any subsequent supply and possession the Home Department how much her Department of cannabis is unlawful. There are no current plans to spent on vacant properties in each year since 1997. prohibit the sale of cannabis seeds. [13016] The National Policing Improvement Agency and the Nick Herbert: From available records expenditure on Association for Chief Police Officers in England and vacant property held by the Department, exclusive of Wales and Northern Ireland “Practice Advice on Tackling agencies and non-departmental public bodies, for the Commercial Cultivation and Headshops” guidance last five full financial years was: document gives advice in relation to action to tackle the sale and promotion of cannabis cultivation equipment, £000 including cannabis seeds. The guidance can be found at: www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/Cannabis_Cultivation_R.pdf 2005-06 0.5 2006-07 41 Cheshire Policy Authority: Publicity 2007-08 65 2008-09 6.5 Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2009-10 47 Home Department how much the Cheshire Police Authority spent on each area-based edition of the Your Records are not available before 2005-06 and would Policing 2010 newspaper. [13349] incur disproportionate cost to obtain. Vacant property is space capable of disposal by sale or re-letting. Nick Herbert: This is a matter for Cheshire police authority. The Home Office does not hold data on these Departmental Public Expenditure figures, and therefore is unable to provide this information. Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Departmental Billing Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2010, Official Report, columns 25-28W,on departmental Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for the public expenditure, if she will break down by cost Home Department what proportion of invoices from category the proposed savings from her Department’s suppliers her Department paid within 10 days of proposed expenditure on security and counter-terrorism. receipt in July and August 2010. [13295] [11652] 875W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 876W

Nick Herbert: The Home Office contributed £367 million Nationals Integration Project, (ii) An Evaluation of the Gateway in 2010-11 as part of the £6 billion in year cross government Protection Programme, (iii) Evaluation of the Transnational savings, of which £24 million were savings from the Project between Ireland and the UK on the Resettlement of Department’s security and counter terrorism budgets. Refugees I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to British Crime Survey Methodology Review 2009 him on the 19 July 2010, Official Report, columns Crime costs of a quality-adjusted life year (two projects) 25-28W in which it was noted that, £10 million came Development of DNA Interpretation Standards from reductions to policing counter terrorism grants, Early Leavers from the Police Force and a further £14 million were savings from the security Engaged Communities research and counter terrorism budgets. The following details Evaluation of Serious Organised Crime Task Force Programme are the breakdown of the £14 million savings into cost categories. Exploring public perceptions of confidence in the police and their local partners The planned savings breakdown is as follows: Feasibility study on surveying victims of sexual offences about £8 million savings from reduced spend on contractors and satisfaction with the CJS contingent labour which includes consultancy costs; £3 million from austerity measures and procurement savings. Investigating the impact of demographic change on the Home Office These savings come directly from the overhead costs of the organisation and include savings from travel, Identifying police force surveys to measure public confidence conferences, and refreshments; and in the police and local agencies £3 million programme savings, involving a mix of efficiency Khat: social harms and legislation—a literature review savings and further prioritisation. Perceptions of social harms associated with khat use Departmental Research Links between homicide and organised crime: an exploratory study Kris Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Neighbourhood Policing—Exemplar Sites Home Department what research projects Offending and drug use interventions—creating a drug data commissioned by her Department in (a) 2009 and (b) warehouse 2010 have not had their results published. [10580] Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) on partnership working and its impact on reducing crime and anti social behaviour Nick Herbert: The following list shows the social Resource to Quality Assure the Analysis of a Criminal Network research commissioned externally in 2009 and 2010 that (ERGM) has not yet been published. These projects were all commissioned prior to May 2010. Many projects are Review of the delivery of the YCAP in intensive areas still in progress; others are being quality assured and A review of the research evidence on organised crime peer reviewed prior to being published in the Home Survey of Entry Clearance Officers & Managers Office Research Series. Teaching methods that help build resilience to violent extremism The Department is reviewing its research programme The cost of terrorism in Northern Ireland to ensure it matches the priorities of the coalition The factors involved in the movement away from violent Government, including what new research is required. extremism and promising practices from youth gangs and We plan to publish this research when it is complete religious cults in line with the Government’s commitments to transparency The migrant survey: a feasibility study in regard to making available information collected by Understanding vulnerability and resilience in individuals to Government except in the case where the Home Office the influence of violent extremism Chief Scientific Advisor decides not to publish in a Home Office series on the grounds of Visa Decision Research, including Survey of Entry Clearance Officers and Managers and case-file analysis “1. inadequate scientific quality following external peer review or (b) Social research projects commissioned in 2010 by the 2. on public interest grounds for example security concerns, Home Office where an unclassified summary document may be published with An update of a Systematic Review on the effects of alcohol a classified version available where it is appropriate to do so, or price on alcohol-related crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour 3. for operational reasons where, in some cases, the Department Partnership Peer Support Program (PPSS) Evaluation may decide to publish only a summary of research and allow the more detailed research to be made available separately by, for Al-Qaeda influenced radicalisation—an approach using Situational instance allowing the contractors to publish.1″. Action Theory Some research commissioned in 2009 and 2010 will not Crimes future work be published on security grounds and is not included in REA on rehab & re-integration of drug-using offenders the list. A Rapid Evidence Assessment: What works in reducing alcohol 1 This was included in the Home Office response to the Government related crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour in the night-time Office for Science: Science review of the Home Office and Ministry economy and in public spaced of Justice issued on 12 June 2008. Marriage and associated chain migration to the UK Social research commissioned by the Home Office in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010 that has not yet been published: Economic impacts of alcohol pricing policy options in the UK (a) Social research projects commissioned in 2009 by the Airside Workers Identity Card Evaluation Home Office Evaluation of Neighbourhood Agreements An Evaluation of phase two Alcohol Arrest Referral Schemes Valuing the security/privacy/inconvenience trade off Annual evaluation of projects under three European Commission Rapid Evidence Assessment on third sector organisations and funds for 2008-09, (i) An Evaluation of the Deaf Third Country their contribution to tackling crime 877W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 878W

Departmental Training Removals and voluntary departures1, 2, 3 for nationals of the European Union4, 2005-09 Number of departures5 Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2005 2006 2007 2008 20096 Home Department how many external training courses were attended by staff of her Department in the last 12 Liechtenstein ————— months; and what the cost to the public purse was of Norway 5 5 5 10 5 each such course. [13296] Switzerland 5 5 5 10 * Total Europe 3,465 2,885 1,145 1,140 1,235 Nick Herbert: The information requested is not held 1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5 (with—=0,*=1or2). 2 Includes enforced removals, persons departing voluntarily after notifying the centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate UK Border Agency of their intention to leave prior to their departure, persons cost. leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organization for Migration and persons who it has been established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities. Deportation: EU Nationals 3 Figures include dependants. 4 Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU on 1 January 2007. 5 Removals and voluntary departures recorded on the system as at the dates on Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for the which the data extracts were taken. Home Department how many European Union 6 Provisional figures. Figures will under record due to data cleansing and data matching exercises that take place after the extracts are taken. citizens of each nationality were deported from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years. [14711] Detainees: Children

Damian Green: The following table shows the number Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the of removals and voluntary departures for European Home Department what pilot schemes the UK Border Union nationals from 2005 to 2009. Agency has introduced as part of the review of The Home Office publishes statistics on the number alternatives to child detention. [13208] of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the UK on a quarterly and annual basis, which are available Damian Green: Following the Home Secretary’s from the Library of the House and from the Home commitment to end the detention of children for Office’s Research, Development and Statistics website immigration purposes the UK Border Agency is working at: to establish more effective ways of managing family returns without the need for detention in immigration http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- stats.html removal centres. Through a new approach to families, the UK Border Agency is seeking to encourage greater Removals and voluntary departures1, 2, 3 for nationals of the European Union4, 2005-09 compliance and increase the number of families who Number of departures5 choose to return voluntarily. The new process is designed 2005 2006 2007 2008 20096 to give families every opportunity to comply with return and empower them to make their own preparations for Austria 5 5 10 5 5 departure. Belgium 45 20 40 40 30 Two pilots are currently being conducted to develop Bulgaria 285 280 25 20 35 and refine the new family returns process, one in the Cyprus 5 5 10 5 * North West of England and one in London. Additionally, Czech 15 20 15 40 45 Republic UK Border Agency enforcement teams across the country Denmark 5 10 5 5 10 are changing the way they work in every family case to Estonia55555ensure that every effort is made to secure the departure Finland * * — 5 5 of illegal migrant families without detention. France 130 100 110 100 90 Germany 65 60 85 90 80 Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Greece 10 10 10 10 5 Home Department (1) how many children with primary Hungary 15 10 10 15 20 carers in immigration detention were (a) in the care of Ireland 45 50 35 10 10 (i) a parent and (ii) local authority children’s services Italy4550705540and (b) in private fostering arrangements in the last 12 Latvia 15 25 35 20 40 months; how many such parents or primary carers have Lithuania 140 80 80 100 125 been (A) released from detention and (B) removed from Luxembourg — — — * — the UK; how many are still detained; in how many such Malta—****cases of fostering or care by a parent have children’s Netherlands 120 75 165 130 100 services departments (1) reported to the UK Border Poland 55 50 80 135 180 Agency and (2) acted upon child protection concerns Portugal 70 60 65 70 95 over the care arrangements for the child; [13770] Romania 2,325 1,920 200 185 245 (2) what steps (a) her Department and (b) the UK Slovakia 5 15 25 25 25 Border Agency takes to gather information on child Slovenia**5*5protection issues from (i) children’s services departments Spain 30 15 30 20 20 and (ii) the Children and Family Court Advisory and Sweden 10 15 15 20 20 Support Service in cases where children of persons in Total EU 3,455 2,875 1,135 1,120 1,230 immigration detention are in the care of another parent or are in private fostering arrangements and child protection Selected other concerns are raised; what other monitoring is undertaken Europe of the welfare of such children; what steps are taken to Iceland — * — * — gather information on child protection issues (A) before 879W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 880W detention of that parent or primary carer and (B) at The Government have made clear their commitment each detention review; and what mechanisms the UK to end the detention of children and continues to work Border Agency has to record and follow up on actions with their corporate partners to find an alternative that of relevant case owners in such cases. [13771] protects the welfare of children, without undermining UK immigration laws. Damian Green: The information requested in the question is not recorded centrally by the UK Border Entry Clearances Agency and can be obtained only through examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost. Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) in-country and Detention Centres: Restraint Techniques (b) out-of-country permits were granted in respect of (i) dependants and (ii) principal migrants under each (A) tier and (B) route under her Department’s Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the immigration rules in each relevant year between 2006 Home Department what training on the control and and 2009. [14451] restraint of adults over the age of 18 (a) each of the immigration detention centres and (b) each company Damian Green: Statistics on entry clearance visas contracted to provide UK Border Agency escorts has (out-of-country) issued by applicant type in 2007 to purchased in each of the last five years; and from what 2009 and extensions of stay (in-country) granted by sources such training was purchased. [14329] category and applicant type for 2006 to 2009 were published in the Home Office bulletin ‘Control of Damian Green: Detention custody officers employed Immigration Statistics United Kingdom, 2009’on 26 August in all immigration removal centres or as escorts are 2010 in tables 1.1 and 4.1 respectively. trained in the use of force by control and restraint instructors. Statistics on entry clearance visas (out-of-country) by summary category granted in 2006 to Q2 2010 are The control and restraint instructors are trained and published in the ‘Control of Immigration Quarterly annually accredited by instructors from the National Statistical Summary Q2 2010’ in supplementary table Offenders Management Service (NOMS). 1b. The UK Border Agency purchases the training from The publications also cover admissions to the United NOMS; individual contract values are commercially Kingdom, asylum grants and grants of settlement. Copies confidential and releasing these figures may prejudice are available in the Library of the House and on the the commercial interest of the agency and its suppliers. Home Office’s Research, Development and Statistics The use of restraint is only ever used as a last resort website at: to prevent a person from harming themselves, others or http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- property or to ensure he or she complies with a reasonable stats.html requirement, including one to leave the UK. Its use must be justified and proportionate, and reported to the Entry Clearances: Overseas Students relevant UK Border Agency contract monitor. Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many student visas for Home Department whether (a) staff in immigration postgraduate study in England and Wales in the 2009-10 detention centres and (b) UK Border Agency escort academic year were granted for citizens of Pakistan. providers are authorised to use the holds and [14651] techniques set out in the Physical Control in Care Manual on children under the age of 18. [14330] Damian Green: Information about student visas issued specifically for postgraduate study in the UK is not held Damian Green: The welfare of children in the care of centrally by the UK Border Agency and could be the UK Border Agency is taken very seriously and in obtained only by inspecting individual records at a accordance with section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship disproportionate cost. This applies to all student visa and Immigration Act, which requires all UK Border applicants regardless of their nationality. Agency staff and contractors to carry out their functions with regard to safeguarding and promoting the welfare Foreign Workers: Domestic Service of children. Staff in immigration removal centres (IRCs) and UK Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Border Agency escort providers are authorised and Home Department what mechanism is in place at UK trained to use the holds and techniques set out in the entry control points to ensure that those entering the Physical Control in Care (PCC) manual on children UK are not destined to work in domestic service which under the age of 18. is (a) unpaid and (b) paid less than the national minimum wage; and if she will make a statement. Only those staff employed to work in IRCs where [14686] persons under 18 years of age may be detained and escort providers used to escort children under the age of Damian Green: All arriving passengers are subject to 18 are trained and accredited to use PCC. examination by a Border Force officer, and all categories The use of restraint on children is very rare in the of the Immigration Rules which permit employment immigration detention estate and during escort, and is (including domestic service and voluntary work) require normally restricted to prevent self-harm, injury to others a non-EEA national to obtain prior entry clearance or damage to property. before travelling to the United Kingdom. Even then, 881W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 882W admission is not simply a formality once such entry Damian Green: We do not hold data on the salary clearance has been obtained; a Border Force officer arrangements of non-EEA nationals who have been may cancel that entry clearance and refuse leave to enter admitted to the UK as domestic workers. However, if there is evidence that deception has been used to prior entry clearance is mandatory for domestic workers obtain the clearance or a change of circumstances has and, as part of the entry clearance process, employers removed the basis of it. Individuals arriving for non- are asked to confirm that they will comply with the employment purposes may, similarly, be refused entry if UK’s national minimum wage legislation once they are it is discovered that employment is their true intention. in the UK. In the case of EEA nationals, the EEA regulations do Non-EEA nationals may apply for leave to enter as a not allow border officers to refuse admission solely on domestic worker in a private household or as a domestic the basis of employment arrangements. worker in a diplomatic household. Since 27 November However all border officers are trained in identifying 2008, those seeking entry to work in diplomatic households the signs of trafficking, of which domestic servitude is a must apply for entry as a temporary worker under tier 5 part. If a border officer has concerns about the employment of the points based system (International Agreement arrangements of any passenger, steps will be taken to category). intervene to safeguard the potential victim and prosecute Domestic workers in diplomatic households entering anyone concerned with the exploitation; the case will under tier 5 may be given leave to enter for up to 24 also be referred to other responsible authorities and months. Domestic workers in private households will be partner agencies such as the police and social services. given leave to enter for 12 months, unless their employer is visiting the UK in which case leave to enter is restricted Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the to six months in line with the employer. All domestic Home Department what estimate she has made of the workers may apply to extend their stay. number of foreign nationals working in domestic service who are (a) unpaid and (b) paid less than the The numbers of visas issued to domestic workers national minimum wage; and if she will make a since 2004 are detailed in the following table. Reliable statement. [14687] data for previous years are not held.

Domestic worker visas issued 2004-10 Visa category 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20101

Domestic worker in private 15,663 15,550 16,302 15,013 14,749 13,152 10,777 household (employer visiting) Domestic worker in private 1,086 1,399 1,626 1,651 1,720 1,740 1,334 household Domestic worker in diplomatic 227 236 329 253 191 — — household Tier 5 temporary worker —————447334 (International Agreement)2 Total 16,976 17,185 18,257 16,917 16,660 15,339 12,445 1 January to August 2 Replaced the domestic worker in diplomatic household category from 27 November 2008 Note: The data are based on management information. It is provisional and subject to change.

Fraud Damian Green: Statistics held by the UK Human Trafficking Centre show that at 31 July there have been two convictions for trafficking for forced labour in 2009 Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for the and three convictions for conspiracy to traffic for forced Home Department what the timetable is for the labour in 2010. establishment of a single economic crime agency. [13720] There are 41 cases still pending that arise from arrests of in 2009 and 2010. Danny Alexander: I have been asked to reply. Human Trafficking: Yorkshire and the Humber In accordance with the coalition programme for government, the Government are examining options for the creation of an economic crime agency and will Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for announce decisions in due course. As yet, no decisions the Home Department what recent estimate she has have been taken on the agency’s structure. made of the number of illegal immigrants trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation who are resident in (a) Yorkshire and (b) Leeds. [13640] Human Trafficking: Convictions Damian Green [holding answer 8 September 2010]: The latest national estimate of the number of victims of Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation is Department how many convictions there have been for provided by the Acumen Report, produced by the offences of human trafficking and forced labour under Association of Chief Police Officers. This is a wide the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants ranging study which estimated there are 2,600 victims in etc.) Act 2004 in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010. [13434] the UK. 883W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 884W

This report did not investigate victim’s immigration Non-asylum passengers initially refused entry, for nationals of the status. Our best understanding is that victims will be a European Union1,2, 2005-09 mixture of those who are in the UK legally, those who 2005 2006 2007 2008 20093 have entered legitimately and stayed on to work in Italy 50 45 75 30 25 prostitution and those who have entered the country Latvia 10 10 20 5 10 through clandestine means. Lithuania 130 55 35 45 35 Identity and Passport Service: Travel Luxembourg — — — * — Malta ———— * Netherlands 75 40 80 60 40 Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Poland5040354035 Home Department what the reasons are for the Portugal 40 45 30 25 35 amount spent on travel for employees at the Identity Romania 805 715 130 90 75 and Passport Service in (a) 1997-98 and (b) 2008-09. Slovakia 5 15 25 15 10 [13351] Slovenia****5 Damian Green: The Identity and Passport Service Spain 15 10 10 5 5 (IPS) expanded considerably over the past 10 years: the Sweden 5 10 10 10 5 Durham regional passport office opened in 2000; the Total EU 1,600 1,390 720 550 465 Identity Card Programme joined (the then UK Passport Service) in 2006 to form IPS; a network of 67 passport Selected interview offices was opened in 2007-08; the General other Register Office joined IPS in 2008 and; significant Europe programme development work for the former ID cards Iceland — * — — — programme was undertaken from 2008. Liechtenstein ————— Norway5**55 As a result, the number of people employed by IPS over the period and the number of IPS locations increased Switzerland 55555 considerably leading to an increase in travel expenditure. Total 1,610 1,395 730 560 475 1 Figures rounded to the nearest five (with ‘—’ = 0, * = one or two). A further breakdown of travel expenditure for specific 2 Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU on 1 January 2007. years could be achieved only at disproportionate cost. 3 Provisional figures. Note: Immigration Controls: EU Nationals Includes cases dealt with at juxtaposed controls. Members: Correspondence Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many EU citizens of each Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the nationality have been refused entry to the UK in each Home Department for what reasons she did not reply of the last five years. [14712] personally to the letter from the right hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton to her of 23 July 2010 on the Damian Green: The following table shows the number ePassport contract award. [13654] of non-asylum passengers initially refused entry to the UK for European Union nationals from 2005 to 2009. Damian Green [holding answer 8 September 2010]: The Home Office publishes statistics on the number On specific matters, in this case related to a sensitive non-asylum passengers initially refused entry at border commercial and procurement issue, it is appropriate control points on a quarterly and annual basis, which and common practice that the most senior and qualified are available from the Library of the House and from civil servant would respond on behalf of the Minister. the Home Office’s Research, Development and Statistics John Collington, in his capacity as Group Commercial website at: Director for the Home Office and on my behalf responded http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- direct to Mr George Buckley’s letter to me of 14 July stats.html 2010. As you requested in your letter of 23 July 2010, a Non-asylum passengers initially refused entry, for nationals of the copy of the response to Mr George Buckley was copied European Union1,2, 2005-09 to you. 2005 2006 2007 2008 20093 Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Austria 555*5Home Department when she expects her Department Belgium 35 20 30 30 20 to respond to the letter of 13 July 2010 from the hon. Bulgaria 160 165 25 15 10 Member for Basildon and Billericay on a constituent, Cyprus*****Mrs Morrision. [14718] Czech 15 20 10 35 25 Republic Nick Herbert: A reply was sent on 9 September 2010. Denmark5555* Estonia5****Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Finland — * — 5 5 Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter France 115 115 130 75 60 of 7 July 2010 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Germany4050454545Billericay on Councillor Frank Tomlin. [14756] Greece 10 5 10 10 5 Hungary 15 10 5 5 5 : A reply was sent on 9 September Ireland 10 5 5 * 5 2010. 885W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 886W

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for of such information could compromise the integrity of the Home Department when she plans to reply to the these arrangements and affect the security of the individuals letter of 29 July 2010 from the right hon. Member for concerned. Manchester, Gorton with regard to Saddia Hamid. [15182] UK Border Agency: Correspondence

Damian Green: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 7 Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the September 2010. Home Department if she will arrange for the UK Border Agency to respond to the letter of 26 August Police: Bureaucracy 2010 from the hon. Member for Walsall North, reference R1117671. [14400] Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has Damian Green [holding answer 9 September 2010]: received on the proportion of police officers’ time spent The UK Border Agency wrote to the hon. Member on on administrative tasks. [13634] 27 August 2010.

Nick Herbert [holding answer 8 September 2010]: I UK Border Agency: Training refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Nadhim Zahawi) on 6 September 2010, Official Report, columns 6-7. Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether security staff at UK Police: Ports Border Agency offices receive training in diversity and equality awareness; and what plans she has for future Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for such training. [14361] the Home Department what discussions her Department had with (a) Dumfries and Galloway Damian Green: Yes. All security staff employed at constabulary and (b) local agencies in Dumfries and UK Border Agency offices receive training in diversity Galloway prior to the decision to reduce UK Border and equality awareness. Agency funding for ports police in Stranraer. [14316] We are currently reviewing the training given to security personnel to ensure that customer care standards are Damian Green [holding answer 9 September 2010]: being met. The UK Border Agency (UKBA) officials have had ongoing discussions with the Scottish Justice Minister, Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre the Chief Constable of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, the Counter Terrorist Lead for Scotland Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the and Scottish Government officials to inform them about Home Department how many children have been UKBA support at West of Scotland ports. detained at Yarl’s Wood Detention Centre since it was rebuilt following fire damage; and how many children Security: Expenditure were in the family unit at Yarl’s Wood on the latest date for which figures are available. [14030] Mr Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much was spent on security Damian Green: Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal for all individuals and groups entitled to protection Centre (IRC) re-opened in September 2003 and has paid from the public purse in the last five financial provided accommodation for children who are part of a years; [10726] family group since January 2005. Information on the (2) how much her Department has spent on security number of children detained at that centre from 2005 for Tony Blair in each year since June 2007. [10856] can be provided only by examination of individual records at disproportionate cost. Nick Herbert: The Dedicated Security Post (DSP) In August 2009 the Control of Immigration Quarterly grant provided by the Home Office is a contribution to Statistical publication was expanded to include management fund specialist police roles which relate exclusively to information on persons entering detention, total number the protection of members of the Royal Family and of persons leaving detention and the number of families their residences; and the protection of public figures, with children held in detention. This information is and their official and private residences. In 2009-10, available by age (to separately identify children), and £132 million was spent under the DSP grant. For 2010-11, will be published quarterly in the future; however data the DSP grant is £128 million. for years earlier than 2009 will remain unavailable. Before 2009-10, the DSP grant also included a Between January 2009 and June 2010, 935 children contribution to Special Branch policing at ports, counter- entered Yarl’s Wood IRC and were held solely under terrorism security advisers and policing of critical national Immigration Act powers. infrastructure sites which are now funded by the counter- Published data, using rounding conventions to ensure terrorism specific grant. An audited, disaggregated that the identity of the individuals is safeguarded, show breakdown for the DSP spends is not available. that as at 30 June 2010 there were less than three people We do not provide detailed information regarding the detained solely under Immigration Act powers at Yarl’s allocation of the DSP grant to individual police forces, Wood removal centre who were recorded as being less or the amount of contribution for each individual, or than 18 years of age. This figure includes any cases otherwise provide a further cost breakdown, as disclosure where the age is disputed at the time. 887W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 888W

Information on children detained solely under Business: East of England Immigration Act powers relating to the second quarter 2010 are available in the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary, United Kingdom, April to June Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010 in the Library of the House and the Home Office’s Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has received Research, Development and Statistics website at: representations from the East of England Space for Ideas Business Group on its Blueprint for Growth http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- [14682] stats.html Action Plan. The Government have made clear their commitment to end the detention of children and continue to work Mr Davey: The Department has received two with their corporate partners to find an alternative that representations from the Chair of the East of England protects the welfare of children, without undermining Space for Ideas Business Forum on its Blueprint for UK immigration laws. Growth Action Plan.

Business: Tyne and Wear NORTHERN IRELAND Departmental Billing Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for operating in Washington and Sunderland West Northern Ireland how many payments to suppliers constituency contacted Business Link during 2009-10. were made by (a) his Department and (b) its [14568] non-departmental public body (i) within 30 days of, (ii) over 30 days after, (iii) over 60 days after and (iv) over Mr Prisk: The following table shows the total number 90 days after the date of invoice in the latest period for of unique customers within the Washington and Sunderland which figures are available. [13929] West area that had meaningful interaction with the Business Link service during 2009/2010. This is then Mr Paterson: Following the completion of devolution broken down into pre-starts, start-up and established on 12 April 2010, the period from 12 April to31 July businesses. 2010 is the latest period for which figures are available. The information requested is shown in the following Number of unique customers table for my Department and its Executive NDPB, the within Washington and Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Customer Type Sunderland West Payments to suppliers Total 845 Number Pre-start 323 NIO NDPB Start-Up 93 Established 429 Within 30 days of date 3,623 194 of invoice Between 30 and 60 days 70Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for of date of invoice Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses Between 61 and 90 days 00operating in Washington and Sunderland West of date of invoice constituency received funding from one of his Over 90 days after date 10 of invoice Department’s schemes in 2009-10. [14569]

Mr Prisk: The following table shows the number of businesses supported in 2009/10 through the Government BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS schemes Grant for Business Investment (GBI), and Business Grants for Research and Development (GRD) in Washington and Sunderland West constituencies. Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his timetable is for GBI GRD Total implementing the local enterprise partnerships Number of 21 5 26 strategy; and if he will make a statement. [14640] companies Mr Prisk: We received 58 outline proposals for local supported Number of grant 23 10 33 enterprise partnerships in response to the joint letter payments made from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Value of grant 62,041 75,049 937,090 Business, Innovation and Skills and my right hon. Friend payments made (£) the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, dated 29 June. The following table shows the number of contracts Over the coming weeks Ministers will consider the issued to entrepreneurs and businesses by the North proposals in detail, looking at how they will support East Business Link service’s North East England Investment economic growth, before providing feedback to partnerships Centre (NEEIC) and defrayed within the Washington ahead of the publication of the White Paper on sub-national and Sunderland West area during 2009/2010. This is economic growth and the introduction of the Localism then broken down into pre-start, start-ups and established Bill. businesses. 889W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 890W

Number investment contracts issued and defrayed within Value of defrayed contracts within Washington and Customer Type Washington and Sunderland West during 2009/10 Sunderland West during 2009/10 (£)

Total 80 289,683 Pre-start 33 91,262 Start-Up 17 39,556 Established 30 158,865

These schemes are delivered locally by the Regional Calendar year Amount (£) Development Agency, One North East and Business and Enterprise North East. 2003 1,618,124 Departmental Allowances 2004 1,979,416 2005 1,981,998 2006 1,681,870 Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department 2007 1,564,972 and its predecessors spent on (a) reimbursement of 2008 1,695,507 staff expenses and (b) the 10 largest staff expense 2009 1,694,782 1 874,211 reimbursement claims in each year since 1997. [13043] 2010 1 To end August. Mr Davey: Since 2003, the Department and its predecessors spent the following amounts on reimbursement Since 2003, the ten largest claims in year are as of staff expenses: follows:

£ 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

1st 9,736.00 7,053.16 3,490.65 3,873.10 5,035.70 9,612.00 5,865.00 2,584.27 2nd 3,314.00 4,412.65 3,271.75 3,286.20 3,944.38 4,140.92 2,549.30 2,268.90 3rd 2,870.00 2,341.50 3,013.50 3,221.60 3,441.85 3,143.20 2,285.66 2,030.79 4th 2,573.00 2,325.60 2,832.61 3,112.46 3,144.70 2,937.86 2,272.58 1,901.46 5th 2,226.36 1,970.08 2,166.66 2,269.60 2,562.00 2,501.70 2,215.33 1,837.92 6th 1,998.70 1,728.00 2,087.90 2,166.66 2,500.70 2,440.25 2,115.75 1,627.72 7th 1,859.20 1,708.70 1,963.10 1,927.25 2,168.95 2,422.30 2,051.90 1,486.30 8th 1,808.99 1,704.70 1,922.00 1,927.25 2,010.45 2,395.59 2,000.35 1,453.40 9th 1,709.92 1,533.38 1,875.24 1,673.00 1,844.35 2,367.42 1,855.00 1,427.70 10th 1,696.70 1,508.74 1,696.95 1,658.30 1,694.70 2,034.00 1,805.05 1,364.89

Figures prior to 2003 can be provided only at other deductions. Therefore it is not possible to produce a report disproportionate cost. to distinguish deductions in relation to strike action, from other deductions. (b) No one has been dismissed in BIS or any predecessor Departmental Industrial Disputes Departments for taking strike action. Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 7 September 2010: Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Innovation and Skills what sums were deducted from Question tabled 3 September 2010, UIN 13915 to the Secretary of employee wages in (a) his Department and its predecessors, State for Business, Innovation and Skills. (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies within its Companies House’s financial records do not go back as far as area of responsibility as a result of strike action in each 1997. For each year for which we have figures, the sums deducted year since 1990; and how many such employees were from employee’s wages as a result of strike action were as follows: dismissed as a result of such action in each such year. [13915] £

2006-07 32,572 Mr Davey: You may wish to note that the Department 2008-09 1— for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) was created on 2009-10 78,300 Friday 5 June 2009 from the merger of the Department 1 for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) Not applicable. Companies House has never dismissed any employees as a and the Department of Innovation, Universities and result of strike action. Skills (DIUS) which ceased to exist from that date. Therefore, we have responded to your request as from Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 7 September 2010: that date. The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation The information is as follows: and Skills has asked me to reply to your question what sums were (a) The BIS payroll system and those of its predecessors, does deducted from employee wages in (a) his Department and its not record deductions for strike action as a separate code from predecessors, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies within its 891W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 892W area of responsibility as a result of strike action in each year since In July we launched the Young Apprenticeship Ambassadors 1990; and how many such employees were dismissed as a result of Network—a group of current and former apprentices, aged between such action in each such year. 16-28—who feed their views and knowledge of Apprenticeships With regard to the question relating to what sums were deducted into the National Apprenticeship Service. from employees’ wages in The Insolvency Service as a result of The National Union of Students (NUS) is involved in policy strike action in each year since 1990, this information is not held thinking on skills and the Higher Education Funding Council for centrally by the Insolvency Service and could only be obtained at England (HEFCE) has recently appointed the NUS President as disproportionate cost. a formal Observer to their Board. The Insolvency Service has not dismissed any employees as a We are co-funding the YoungPeople’s Learning Agency Online result of strike action in each such year. Learner Panel during 2010-11. This is a new platform for learner Letter from Peter Mason, dated 7 September 2010: engagement which allows policymakers quickly and effectively to access regionally and nationally representative views on policies I am responding in respect of the National Measurement and services. Ministers have endorsed official use of the panel and Office (formerly National Weights and Measures Laboratory) to are currently considering its use for their own engagement with your Parliamentary Question tabled on 03/09/2010 [reference learners. The panel is available to all Government Departments 2010/1237] to the Minister of State, Department for Business, and public bodies who wish to engage with learners. Innovation and Skills, asking what sums were deducted from employee wages in as a result of strike action in each year since We continue to look for opportunities to involve 1990; and how many employees were dismissed as a result of such young people more in relevant areas of policy making— action in each such year. particularly those of higher education, further education Our finance records show that there have been no stoppages and skills. for the last 7 financial years. Any records prior to April 2003 would have been destroyed in accordance with records management Employment policy. However it is our understanding, based on the recollections of the Senior Management team here, that no employee of the Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for NMO or its predecessor has been involved in strike action since at Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to least 1992. take to ensure that the UK retains a flexible labour Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 9 September 2010: market; and if he will make a statement. [14720] I am replying on behalf of the Skills Funding Agency to your Parliamentary question tabled on 3 September 2010 (UIN 13915). Mr Davey: The Government are committed to building To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation on the UK’s flexible labour market model. We will and Skills, what sums were deducted from employee wages in (a) his Department and its predecessors, (b) its agencies and (c) other ensure that employment law plays its part in the public bodies within its area of responsibility as a result of strike Government’s strategy for sustainable growth. action in each year since 1990; and how many such employees were dismissed as a result of such action in each such year. EU Law The Skills Funding Agency was set up as an agency of BIS on 1 April 2010 and has not in the last 5 months had any strike Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for action. Business, Innovation and Skills how many officials in Letter from John Alty, dated 10 September 2010: his Department work (a) full-time and (b) for most of House of Commons Parliamentary Question: 2010/1237 their time on the negotiation, implementation or administration of EU legislation and consequent I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 03/09/2010, to the Minister policies. [13781] of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The IPO has only been able to retrieve data from 2004. The Mr Davey: The EU is relevant to a wide range of breakdown shown below is based on days lost. policy areas and to the work of many Government officials across HM Government Departments. £ deducted Within BIS, officials working specifically on EU business total around 135. In addition, there are also BIS seconded 2004 13,455 national experts working on priority policy areas in the 2007 14,552 European institutions in Brussels and on occasion other 2010 14,003 EU member states, currently around half a dozen. No employees have been dismissed as a result of taking part in strike action. Export Credit Guarantees

Departmental Public Consultation Mr Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for value was of export credits and other guarantees Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking extended to businesses in the last 12 months for which to increase the involvement of young members of the figures are available; and what proportion supported public in the making of decisions that affect them trade in (a) defence manufactured goods and services taken by (a) Ministers in his Department, (b) officials and (b) other goods and services. [15176] in his Department and (c) public bodies which fall within his Department’s area of responsibility. [12270] Mr Davey: A list of the UK exporters supported by ECGD in 2009-10 is set out in the Department’s annual Mr Davey: Young people are involved in policy review, copies of which have been deposited in the development in a variety of ways across BIS, both Libraries of the House. The review is also available on through formal and regular meetings, and via more ECGD’s website. informal and ad hoc channels. Examples include the In 2009-10 ECGD supported £2.21 billion of new following: business. Around 1% of this related to defence business. 893W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 894W

Foreign Investment in UK: Yorkshire and the Humber Higher Education: Admissions

Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has Innovation and Skills which 20 universities admitted made of the amount of inward investment in Yorkshire the highest (a) absolute number and (b) proportion of and the Humber attributable to the work of (a) UK students from socio-economic classes four to seven in Trade and Investment and its predecessor bodies and the latest period for which figures are available. [12130] (b) Yorkshire Forward since 1999. [13767] Mr Willetts: The 20 English higher education institutions Mr Prisk: From the financial year 1999/2000 to the which admitted the highest number and proportion of financial year 2009/2010 inclusive a total of 717 foreign UK-domiciled full-time first degree entrants from socio- direct investment projects was recorded by UKTI (or its economic classes four to seven are shown in the tables. predecessor bodies) in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Figures are provided for the 2008/09 academic year and A total of 436 were assisted by some combination of are taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency’s Yorkshire Forward and UKTI (or predecessor), which performance indicators in higher education. Further breaks down as follows: (i) UKTI and Yorkshire Forward information is available at the following link: jointly: 91; (ii) UKTI alone: 58; (iii) Yorkshire Forward alone: 287. http://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php/content/category/2/32/141/ HM Government funds the work of the Regional Performance indicators for the 2009/10 academic year Development Agencies (RDAs) through the RDAs’ should become available from the Higher Education Single Budget, which is administered by the Department Statistics Agency in April 2011. of Business, Innovation and Skills. UKTI is one of the Table 1: English higher education institutions with the highest number Government Departments which contributes to the RDAs’ of young1 UK-domiciled full-time first degree entrants from age- Single Budget. UKTI’s contribution is specifically intended adjusted NS-SEC classes four to seven, academic year 2008/09 to fund the foreign direct investment work of the RDAs, Institution Number including Yorkshire Forward, as part of the UKTI-led Sheffield Hallam University 1,875 national effort. UKTI’s estimated contribution to Yorkshire Forward in the financial years 1999/2000 to 2009/10 The Manchester Metropolitan University 1,730 inclusive was £22.8 million, 14.7% of the total of £155.1 The Nottingham Trent University 1,600 million paid by UKTI into the RDA’s Single Budget Leeds Metropolitan University 1,590 during this period. Liverpool John Moores University 1,330 The University of Manchester 1,330 De Montfort University 1,275 Free School Meals: Students The University of Northumbria at Newcastle 1,270 The University of Plymouth 1,270 : To ask the Secretary of State for Business, University of Hertfordshire 1,225 Innovation and Skills how many pupils eligible for free University of the West of England, Bristol 1,180 school meals took up a place at each university in each Kingston University 1,175 year from 1995-96 to 2004-05. [14945] The University of Leeds 1,130 The University of Greenwich 1,085 Mr Willetts: The information requested is not available The University of Portsmouth 1,070 for the academic years specified. The University of Central Lancashire 1,055 Birmingham City University 985 Higher Education Funding Council for England: The University of Huddersfield 925 Operating Costs The University of Birmingham 910 The University of Wolverhampton 895 Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 Refers to entrants aged under 21. Business, Innovation and Skills what the (a) Notes: administration and (b) running costs of the Higher 1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest five. 2. NS-SEC: National Statistics Socio-economic Classification. Education Funding Council for England were in the Source: most recent financial year for which figures are Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) performance indicators available. [14107] in higher education in the UK, 2008/09. Table 2: English higher education institutions with the highest Mr Willetts: As published in the Higher Education percentage of young1 UK-domiciled full-time first degree entrants from Funding Council for England’s (HEFCE) Annual Report age-adjusted NS-SEC classes four to seven, academic year 2008/09 and Accounts for 2009-10, its total budget for Institution Percentage administration was £18,560,000, of which £11,992,000 Harper Adams University College 58.4 was for staffing costs. HEFCE spends 0.2% of its total London Metropolitan University 57.5 budget on administration. The University of Greenwich 56.2 HEFCE’s admin budget is stated each year in its The University of Wolverhampton 53.8 published accounts. As a proportion of its overall budget The University of Bradford 52.9 its admin spend is much lower than other comparable Writtle College 52.9 bodies. As part of the Chancellor’s statement on 24 The University of Bolton 52.3 March, HEFCE along with other BIS NDPBs has been University College Plymouth St Mark and 51.2 asked to reduce its admin budget for 2010-11 by at least St John 11%. University College Birmingham 50.5 895W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 896W

Table 2: English higher education institutions with the highest Young full-time first degree entrants1 from low participation percentage of young1 UK-domiciled full-time first degree entrants from neighbourhoods. English higher education institutions. Academic years age-adjusted NS-SEC classes four to seven, academic year 2008/09 1997/98, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09 Institution Percentage Academic year Number Percentage

The University of Teesside 50.4 1997/982 19,485 11.4 London South Bank University 49.0 2005/062 26,560 13.5 Thames Valley University 48.6 2006/073 19,735 9.6 Middlesex University 48.1 2007/083 21,025 9.9 Newman University College 47.6 2008/093 23,255 10.2 University of Bedfordshire 47.5 1 Covers UK-domiciled entrants under the age of 21. University Campus Suffolk 47.5 2 Low participation neighbourhood (LPN) classified as an area which had a young higher education (HE) participation level which was less The University of East London 46.9 than two thirds of the national average young participation rate. Liverpool Hope University 45.8 3 LPN classification based on the bottom fifth of census area statistics Birmingham City University 45.2 wards when ranked by young HE participation rate. University of Cumbria 44.9 Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest five and percentages are provided The University of Sunderland 44.9 to one decimal place. 1 Refers to entrants aged under 21. Source: Notes: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) performance indicators 1. Percentages are given to one decimal place. in higher education 2. NS-SEC: National Statistics Socio-economic Classification. Source: This is the latest available information from the Higher Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) performance indicators Education Statistics Agency (HESA) performance in higher education in the UK, 2008/09. indicators in higher education. Figures for the 2009/10 academic year should become available from HESA in Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for April 2011. More information about the HESA Business, Innovation and Skills what account he plans performance indicators can be found at the following to take of the Aim Higher document entitled Research link: with Young People into Attitudes Towards the http://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php/content/category/2/32/141/ Possibility of Increases in HE Tuition Fees; and if he Constituency-level information on the numbers of young will make a statement. [13749] people from the most deprived communities who enter higher education is not available in existing HESA Mr Willetts: Aimhigher Partnerships will, from time publications. to time, research the views of young people on a range of issues to help inform the delivery of support and Higher Education: Anti-Semitism advice to young people. This report is a helpful contribution to the wider body of research in highlighting the importance of access to high quality information, which young Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, people need to make well informed decisions about Innovation and Skills what progress has been made by their futures. his Department on the continuance of the higher education The need to attract more students from disadvantaged sub-group of the cross-Government working group on backgrounds into higher education is written into the anti-Semitism; what discussions he has had since July coalition programme for government. Lord Browne, with members of the Jewish community about this who will present proposals to Government this autumn group; and if he will make a statement. [R] [14350] following his independent review of higher education funding and student finance, has already stated that a Mr Willetts: I have had no discussions since July on guiding principle is to ensure that talent, rather than the this issue but I am due to meet with representatives of ability to pay, determines participation in higher education. the Jewish community and the HE sector to discuss the We will await Lord Browne’s report and judge its proposals work of the BIS Anti-Semitism and HE Group. against the criteria set out in the coalition agreement. There is no place for racism of any form, including anti-Semitism, in higher education, whether on campus Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for or in student unions. Universities have access to a Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has strong legislative framework and guidance to help them made of the number of young people from the most deal effectively with instances of intolerance, racism deprived communities entering higher education in (a) and harassment in their institutions. Government would Liverpool Wavertree constituency and (b) England in expect them to vigorously tackle these issues when they (i) 1997 and (ii) 2010. [13751] arise and has supported institutions with key guidance on promoting good campus relations in the sector. Mr Willetts: The numbers and proportions of young Higher Education: Finance first degree entrants from low participation neighbourhoods to higher education institutions in England are provided in the table. Figures are provided for the 1997/98, 2005/06, Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09 academic years. The Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer methodology used for calculating the numbers of entrants of 7 July 2010, Official Report, column 320W, on from low participation neighbourhoods changed in 2006/07 higher education: finance, which budgetary headings and, therefore, figures from 2006/07 onwards are not will be affected by the £118 million reduction in the directly comparable with those for earlier years. University Modernisation Fund in 2010-11. [12070] 897W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 898W

Mr Willetts: The details of changes to the Higher Icelandic-Water Trawlermen Compensation Scheme Education Funding Council for England’s (HEFCE) budget for 2010-11 were set out in our letter of 26 June : To ask the Secretary of State for 2010. It is available on the HEFCE website at: Business, Innovation and Skills how many claims that http://www.hefce.ac.uk/news/HEFCE/2010/grant1011/ were rejected under the re-opened Icelandic-Water revised.htm Trawlermen Compensation Scheme were not successful It represents an increase in HEFCE teaching grant because they did not meet revised qualification criteria. compared with the budget for 2010-11 set out in the [14077] previous HEFCE grant letter of December 2009. Mr Davey: To date 631 claims have been successful under the new Icelandic water trawlermen compensation Higher Education: Student Numbers scheme and 2,650 have been unsuccessful, of which 1,510 were rejected because they did not meet the qualification criteria under the new scheme—in 568 Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for cases the trawlerman did not have any service on Icelandic Business, Innovation and Skills how many young vessels on or after 1 January 1974 and in 942 cases the people were registered for study at a university (a) in trawlerman did not have two years aggregate service on 1997 and (b) in May 2010. [13961] Icelandic vessels during the four years of the Cod Wars (1 January 1973 to 31 December 1976). We are still Mr Willetts: The latest information from the Higher processing claims where probate is an issue and claims Education Statistics Agency (HESA) shows in the 1997/98 where limited or no evidence has been provided. academic year, there were 583,540 young (under 21) undergraduate students enrolled in UK higher education Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for institutions. This compares to 788,745 in the 2008/09 Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department academic year. Data for the 2010/11 academic year will allocated for the re-opened Icelandic-Water Trawlermen be available in January 2012. Compensation Scheme; how much of this allocation has been spent; and whether the surplus is still available pending (a) the outcome of appeals against determinations Higher Education: West Midlands and (b) further investigation by the Parliamentary Ombudsman. [14078]

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Davey: The Department will continue to provide for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students for and make whatever payments are necessary to meet from (a) Coventry and (b) the West Midlands claims under the 2009 compensation scheme. Payments commenced study at a Russell Group University in made to end-August 2010 total £3.8 million. each year since 1997. [14153] Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Willetts: The latest available information from Business, Innovation and Skills whether the applicants the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is shown for compensation under the Icelandic-Water Trawlermen in the table. Figures for the 2009/10 academic year will Compensation Scheme listed in Annex C of the be available in January 2011. Parliamentary Ombudsman’s Second Report, Session 2006-07, HC 313, have been awarded additional Entrants1 to Russell Group Institutions from Coventry local authority2 [14113] and West Midlands Government Office Region UK Higher Education compensation under the revised scheme. Institutions: Academic Years 1997/98 to 2008/09 Academic Mr Davey: Yes. All five of the claimants covered by Year Coventry West Midlands the ombudsman’s 2007 report have been awarded additional payments under the new scheme. 1997/98 515 8,645 1998/99 530 8,645 Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for 1999/ 520 9,150 Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he had 2000 with former trawlermen prior to introducing the revised 2000/01 570 7,680 qualification criteria for the re-opened Icelandic-Water 2001/02 660 11,100 Trawlermen Compensation Scheme. [14114] 2002/03 700 11,635 2003/04 740 9,565 Mr Davey: The Department consulted widely on the 2004/05 740 10,750 scheme last year. The consultation exercise ran for 12 2005/06 810 10,415 weeks and nearly 500 responses were received. The 2006/07 785 10,395 Government published a statement on the consultation 2007/08 1,215 11,160 exercise in June 2010 and a copy of this can be found at: 2008/09 1,430 12,380 http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/employment-matters/strategies/ 1 Covers entrants to all levels and modes of study. trawlermen 2 Local authority data is derived from postcode and therefore excludes students Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for whose postcode information is either missing or invalid. Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has Notes: made of the effect on the number of rejected applications Figures are based on 1 December snapshot and have been rounded to the nearest five. of the revisions to the qualifying criteria under the Source: re-opened Icelandic-Water Trawlermen Compensation Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [14115] 899W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 900W

Mr Davey: The Government believe that the new Enrolments1 in modern foreign languages2 at higher education scheme delivers the Government’s objective of compensating institutions in England3, the university of Sussex and the university of former trawlermen for the loss of their livelihoods Brighton, academic year 2002/03 to 2008/09 following the Cod War Treaties of the 1970s, and that University of University of Academic year England Sussex4 Brighton4 we have met in full the recommendations made by the parliamentary ombudsman in the 2007 report. 2002/03 47,420 355 940 Details of the new scheme were set out clearly in our 2003/04 45,625 370 845 consultation paper last spring. 2004/05 43,830 395 715 2005/06 46,170 385 740 2006/07 45,390 370 825 Industrial Disputes 2007/08 41,715 410 465 2008/09 40,455 405 450 Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 Covers postgraduate and undergraduate students of all domiciles enrolled on full-time and part-time courses. Business, Innovation and Skills what categories of 2 Covers: French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and worker are prohibited from participating in industrial European, and European studies. Chinese, Japanese, South Asian, action; and if he will make a statement. [13916] Other Asian, African, Modern Middle Eastern, American and Australasian studies. 3 Excludes the Open university due to inconsistencies in their coding Mr Davey: Police officers, prison officers, members of of subjects across the time series. the armed forces and merchant seamen (while at sea) 4 Includes foreign language enrolments in French, German, Italian are prohibited by statute or disciplinary regulations and Spanish studies. from participating in industrial action. Other workers’ Note: ability to strike may be limited by their contracts of Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and employment and/or the terms of any collective agreement are rounded to the nearest five. Source: that is in place with respect to their employment. Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record. The Government have no plans to change industrial action law. Local Enterprise Partnerships: Further Education

Insolvency Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which of the proposals Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, for local enterprise partnerships received by his Innovation and Skills what the average time taken to Department to date include further education colleges; settle a liquidation case was in the latest period for and if he will make a statement. [15166] which figures are available; and whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals for a time limit on Mr Davey: We received 58 outline proposals for local the settlement of such cases. [13601] enterprise partnerships in response to the joint letter from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Mr Davey: Notifications of the conclusion of a Business, Innovation and Skills and my right hon. Friend liquidation are sent by liquidators to Companies House, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local and are publicly available. Companies House does not Government, dated 29 June. however collate statistics on the length of proceedings. The proposals received identify the variety of challenges Research conducted by the Insolvency Service and published facing individual local economies and put forward in 2008 suggests that the average length of a liquidation innovative ways of tackling them—reflecting the importance is around 2 to 2.5 years. of allowing local areas to determine their own economic I have no plans to bring forward legislative proposals development and drive private sector job growth. Proposed for a time limit on the settlement of liquidation cases. partnerships include a range of bodies, including colleges and universities as well as other organisations. Partnerships are being encouraged to publish their Languages: Higher Education proposals on their respective websites.

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Public Sector: Collective Bargaining Business, Innovation and Skills how many students enrolled in foreign language courses at universities in (a) England, (b) Sussex and (c) Brighton and Hove in Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for each year from 2002 to 2009. [13719] Business, Innovation and Skills what collective bargaining agreements are in operation in the public Mr Willetts: The number of students enrolled on sector; and if he will make a statement. [12954] modern foreign language courses at higher education institutions in England, the university of Sussex and the Mr Maude: I have been asked to reply. university of Brighton are shown in the table. The In central Government, for grades below the senior figures in the answer are taken from the Higher Education civil service, each Department determines the pay Statistics Agency (HESA) student record and are provided arrangements that suit their business needs (within Treasury for the academic year 2002/03 to 2008/09. Figures for and Cabinet Office guidance on public sector pay policy) the 2009/10 academic year will become available from and separately negotiates the details of these proposals HESA in January 2011. with unions representing their employees. 901W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 902W

In local government, the National Joint Council for The Postal Services Bill, to enable the introduction of Local Government Services, made up of employer and private capital, was subsequently included in the Queen’s trade union representatives, determines the pay and Speech. No decisions have yet been taken on the method terms of conditions of employment for most local of selling shares in Royal Mail. government services’ workers. Negotiations are based on an agreed national framework with potential for Sheffield Forgemasters: Finance local modification to suit local service requirements. A number of councils have opted out of the national Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for framework and pursue their own local collective bargaining Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he made agreements. of the cost to the Exchequer of insuring a loan of £80 million to Sheffield Forgemasters. [15219] Regional Development Agencies: Redundancy Mr Davey: A robust estimate of the cost to the Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Exchequer of insuring a loan of £80 million to Sheffield Business, Innovation and Skills in what monetary Forgemasters would have been part of the commercial range he expects severance payments made to staff in and financial due-diligence that would have been carried regional development agencies to fall. [15038] out had the Government been in a position to progress the loan. Mr Prisk: Any severance payments will be made in Small Businesses: Government Assistance accordance with the Civil Service Compensation Scheme that is in place at the time staff are made redundant through the transition phase across the regional Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, development agencies until closure. Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of Government assistance Changes to the Compensation Scheme, which will to small and medium-sized enterprises in the form of determine the terms of any severance package to staff, (a) grants, (b) tax reliefs, (c) investment allowances are currently being debated in the House and will be and (d) other financial assistance. [14888] introduced if it obtains Royal Assent. The monetary value is difficult to determine at this Mr Davey: The Department makes regular assessments point in time; severance payments are dependent on of the effectiveness of non-tax related programmes individual lengths of service and the terms appropriate which provide financial assistance to small and medium- to exits when they take place. sized businesses. Regulation: Public Opinion Recent evaluations have included: Economic evaluation of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee (SFLG) scheme (2010) Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the public will http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file54112.doc be able to challenge the worst regulations applicable to Early stage assessment of the impact of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) on Recipient Firms (2010) organisations other than businesses. [14966] http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file54076.doc Mr Davey: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Early assessment of the impact of BIS equity fund initiatives Minister launched the Your Freedom website in July (2010) this year. This website provided the public with the http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/enterprise/docs/e/10- opportunity to challenge regulations on civil liberties, 1037-early-assessment-bis-equity-fund-initiatives unnecessary laws and those impacting business and civil Solutions for Business: cross-product monitoring survey (2010) society organisations. http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/enterprise/docs/s/10- The Your Freedom website received over 14,000 1075-solutions-for-business-survey-june-2010 suggestions concerning a wide range of organisations. Grant for business investment (in England, tables 1 and 2): 1 These ideas are now being considered by officials across October to 31 December 2009 the Government and relate to a wide range of issues, http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/regional/docss/g/09- organisations and sectors. p76d-grant-business-investment-oct-dec-2009 This Department’s particular focus is to encourage Early assessment of Business Link Health Checks (2009) growth, innovation and in business. http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file53743.doc We are running a programme of regional dialogue RVCF and EGF interim evaluation: recipient business and meetings to directly engage SMEs about potential solutions stakeholder surveys (2009) to particular regulations that impact on them. http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file53943.doc and Royal Mail: Privatisation Qualitative Research Paper http://www.bis.gov.uk/files/file53944.doc Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for UK Strategic Investment Fund: interim report (2009) Business, Innovation and Skills whether it is his policy http://www.bis.gov.uk/files/file53157.pdf to pursue a stock market flotation for Royal Mail. [14970] Further details of these and other relevant studies are available on the Publications page of the BIS website at: Mr Davey: The coalition agreement committed the http://www.bis.gov.uk/publications Government to seek to inject private capital into Royal HMRC has responsibility for evaluating tax related Mail, including opportunities for employee ownership. reliefs which benefit small businesses. 903W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 904W

Recent evaluations include: 3,550 to 6,340 additional jobs in the two years following receipt of Study of the Impact of Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) the loan, created between £75 million and £150 million additional and Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) on company performance sales over two years; and were responsible for £33 million exports (2008) per annum. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/report44.pdf Just within two years of receiving the loan the benefits of the scheme are outweighing the costs. Further details of these and other relevant studies are SFLG appears to be a particularly cost effective way of creating available on the Research Page of the HMRC website additional employment. at: The full report is available via the BIS website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/index.htm http://www.bis.gov.uk/files/file54112.doc Finally, as tax is a matter for HM Treasury, the Chancellor has also asked the Office of Tax Simplification The Small Firms Loan Guarantee was replaced by to carry out two initial reviews, which cover tax reliefs the Enterprise Finance Guarantee in January 2009. and small business tax simplification. This Department South East England Development Agency: Advertising has offered assistance to the Office to help them carry out this important work. Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme South East England Development Agency provided for the Mapping British Business South East advertorial Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for supplement published in newspaper on 25 Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment August 2010. [15045] he has made of the effectiveness of the small firms loan Mr Davey: None. guarantee scheme. [15304] Taxis Mr Davey: In January, the Department published the Economic Evaluation of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for undertaken by the Institute of Employment Studies. Business, Innovation and Skills how much his This study rigorously tested the effectiveness and Department and its predecessors spent on taxi fares in value for money of SFLG and concludes that the basic each year since 1997. [12986] rationale for SFLG is supported and that it appears to Mr Davey: Since 2003 the Department and its be a cost-effective way of supporting additional economic predecessors have spent the following amounts on taxis: activity in the small business sector. More specifically: Calendar year Amount (£) The majority (81%) of SFLG recipients receive SFLG on their first loan application. 2003 52,623 2004 195,039 For a majority (76%) of SFLG recipients, there were no alternative sources of finance available to them. 2005 185,531 This is confirmed by 79% of SFLG recipients reporting the 2006 162,367 bank would probably, or definitely not, have given them a loan 2007 200,434 without SFLG. 2008 272,317 Just under half (49%) of businesses would definitely, or probably 2009 275,614 not, have proceeded with their project without SFLG. 20101 110,349 A growth in sales, jobs and exports is attributable to SFLG 1 To end August. supported lending within the first two years of the loan. The Figures prior to 2003 can be provided only at 3,100 SFLG supported businesses in 2006 have created between disproportionate cost.

ORAL ANSWERS

Monday 13 September 2010

Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE...... 577 DEFENCE—continued Army Recovery Capability...... 579 Kabul International Conference...... 585 British Troops Under US Command (Helmand).... 586 Mental Health Care ...... 589 Combat Stress (Retired Service Personnel)...... 582 NATO Reform...... 578 Cyber-Security ...... 590 NATO Responsibilities ...... 577 Defence Export Sales (Taiwan) ...... 591 Sharing Military Equipment ...... 583 Defence Industrial Strategy (SMEs)...... 584 Strategic Defence and Security Review ...... 587 Equipment Funding...... 588 Topical Questions ...... 592 Gulf Region Security ...... 581 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Monday 13 September 2010

Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE...... 29WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 31WS HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Deployment European Union (Forthcoming First Session (Afghanistan)...... 29WS Legislation)...... 31WS

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS...... 29WS LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 33WS Food and Environment Research Agency ...... 29WS Parliamentary Sessions ...... 33WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 13 September 2010

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 887W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Business ...... 887W Taxis ...... 904W Business: East of England...... 888W Business: Tyne and Wear...... 888W CABINET OFFICE...... 802W Departmental Allowances...... 889W Big Society Bank ...... 802W Departmental Industrial Disputes...... 889W Business ...... 803W Departmental Public Consultation...... 891W Business: North Swindon...... 803W Employment ...... 892W Civil Servants: Conditions of Employment...... 804W EU Law...... 892W Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay...... 804W Export Credit Guarantees...... 892W Departmental Allowances...... 805W Foreign Investment in UK: Yorkshire and the Departmental Billing ...... 805W Humber ...... 893W Departmental Buildings...... 805W Free School Meals: Students ...... 893W Departmental Consultants...... 806W Higher Education: Admissions ...... 894W Departmental Disclosure of Information...... 806W Higher Education: Anti-Semitism...... 896W Departmental ICT ...... 806W Higher Education: Finance ...... 896W Departmental Motor Vehicles...... 806W Higher Education Funding Council for England: Departmental Pensions ...... 807W Operating Costs ...... 893W Departmental Rents...... 808W Higher Education: Student Numbers...... 897W Lone Parents: Employment...... 808W Higher Education: West Midlands ...... 897W NDPBs ...... 809W Icelandic-Water Trawlermen Compensation Teenage Pregnancy: Rhondda Cynon Taff ...... 809W Scheme...... 898W Unemployed People: Bexley...... 809W Industrial Disputes ...... 899W Voluntary Organisations: Vetting...... 810W Insolvency...... 899W Wines ...... 810W Languages: Higher Education...... 899W Local Enterprise Partnerships: Further Education. 900W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 750W Public Sector: Collective Bargaining ...... 900W Audit Commission...... 750W Regional Development Agencies: Redundancy ...... 901W Audit Commission: Tyne and Wear...... 751W Regulation: Public Opinion...... 901W Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010. 751W Royal Mail: Privatisation ...... 901W Council Housing: Finance ...... 751W Sheffield Forgemasters: Finance...... 902W Departmental Art Works ...... 751W Small Businesses: Government Assistance ...... 902W Departmental Billing ...... 751W Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme...... 903W Departmental Consultants...... 752W South East England Development Agency: Departmental Public Relations ...... 752W Advertising ...... 904W Departmental Training ...... 753W Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— DEFENCE—continued continued Gibraltar: Weapons...... 736W Gloucestershire Tri-Service Emergency Centre...... 753W Glasgow...... 736W Government Offices for the Regions: Redundancy. 753W Gurkhas...... 736W Homelessness...... 753W Gurkhas: Anniversaries...... 737W Homelessness: West Midlands...... 754W Improvised Explosive Devices: Helmand ...... 722W Housing: Empty Property ...... 755W Korean Peninsula...... 721W Housing Improvements: Finance ...... 755W Military Forces: EU Integration...... 723W Local Government Finance ...... 756W Royal Gurkha Rifles ...... 722W Local Government Ombudsman...... 756W Russia: Military Aircraft ...... 737W Local Government: Pay ...... 756W Trident ...... 737W Non-domestic Rates: Empty Property...... 757W US and UK Military Co-operation...... 722W Planning...... 757W Warships: Deployment...... 737W Planning: Internet ...... 758W Wind Power ...... 738W Planning Permission ...... 757W Planning Permission: Essex...... 758W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 799W Repossession Orders: West Midlands...... 758W Alternative Vote: Referendums ...... 799W Schools: Ventilation ...... 759W Distribution of Seats...... 799W South West Regional Assembly...... 759W Domestic Visits ...... 800W Travellers: Caravan Sites ...... 759W Electoral Systems...... 801W Wind Power: Yelvertoft ...... 760W Electoral Systems: Isle of Wight ...... 801W Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT...... 744W Bill ...... 802W Arts Council East: Finance ...... 744W Voting Systems: Referendums ...... 802W Arts: Finance ...... 744W Voting Systems: Reform...... 802W BBC: Finance...... 744W Camelot ...... 745W EDUCATION...... 794W Churches: Repairs and Maintenance...... 745W Financial Services: Education ...... 794W Departmental Billing ...... 745W GCE A-level...... 794W Departmental Work Experience...... 746W Mathematics: GCE AS-level ...... 793W Digital Broadcasting: Pensioners ...... 746W Private Education...... 794W Digital Broadcasting: Radio...... 746W Schools: Standards...... 798W Employment: East Lothian ...... 747W Horse Racing: Betting...... 747W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE...... 764W Museums and Galleries: Fees and Charges ...... 748W Carbon Emissions: Finance...... 764W Museums, Libraries and Archives Council...... 748W Civil Nuclear Police Authority: Operating Costs.... 764W Ofcom: Performance Measurement...... 748W Coal Fired Power Stations: Hunterston ...... 765W Olympic Games 2012: Finance...... 748W Energy and Climate Change: International Press Complaints Commission...... 749W Cooperation...... 766W Press: Regulation ...... 749W Government Departments: Carbon Emissions...... 766W Regional Arts Councils ...... 749W Offshore Industry: Employment ...... 766W S4C: Finance...... 750W Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs...... 767W Sports ...... 750W Wind Power: Planning...... 767W

DEFENCE...... 721W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations ...... 723W AFFAIRS...... 695W Armed Forces Day...... 724W Agricultural Wages Board ...... 695W Armed Forces: Drugs...... 724W Agriculture: Pay ...... 696W Armed Forces: Empty Housing...... 724W Animal Products: Clones ...... 697W Armed Forces: Ethnic Groups ...... 726W Birds: Conservation ...... 699W Armed Forces: Housing ...... 725W Bovine Tuberculosis ...... 699W Armed Forces: Housing ...... 728W Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control...... 700W Armed Forces: Injuries...... 729W Business: Waste Disposal ...... 700W Armed Forces: Northern Ireland ...... 729W Carbon Emissions...... 700W Armed Forces Pay ...... 721W Carbon Emissions: Business...... 700W Armed Forces: Pensions...... 730W Common Fisheries Policy ...... 701W Army: Expenditure ...... 731W Departmental Billing ...... 701W Army: Manpower ...... 731W Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal ...... 702W Army Personnel Figures...... 722W Environment Protection: Gibraltar ...... 703W Army: Recruitment ...... 731W Environmental Stewardship Scheme ...... 703W Chelsea Barracks: Sales...... 732W Fly-tipping: Coventry...... 704W Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay...... 732W Food: Labelling...... 705W Cyprus: Armed Forces ...... 732W Food Production...... 704W Defence: Exports...... 734W Food Supply...... 705W Defence Industry: Lancashire ...... 723W Food: Waste Disposal ...... 706W Defence: International Cooperation...... 734W Genetically Modified Organisms: Crops ...... 706W Departmental Allowances...... 734W Greenhouse Gas Emissions...... 706W Ex-servicemen...... 735W Hazardous Substances: Waste Disposal ...... 707W Germany...... 735W Japanese Knotweed: Greater Manchester ...... 707W Germany: Military Bases ...... 735W Nature Conservation: Crime ...... 707W Gibraltar: Military Bases ...... 736W Rainforests...... 708W Col. No. Col. No. ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS— HOME DEPARTMENT—continued continued Borders: Personal Records ...... 871W Rights of Way...... 709W Cannabis: Sales ...... 873W Rural Payments Agency ...... 709W Cheshire Policy Authority: Publicity ...... 873W Stray Dogs ...... 709W Departmental Billing ...... 873W Tides: Medway Towns...... 710W Departmental Buildings...... 874W Wheat: Prices ...... 710W Departmental Empty Property...... 874W Wood: China...... 710W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 874W Departmental Research...... 875W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE .... 711W Departmental Training ...... 877W Algeria ...... 711W Deportation: EU Nationals...... 877W Arms Trade: Treaties...... 711W Detainees: Children...... 878W Burma: Political Prisoners...... 711W Detention Centres: Restraint Techniques ...... 879W Departmental Billing ...... 712W Entry Clearances...... 880W Departmental Pensions ...... 713W Entry Clearances: Overseas Students ...... 880W Departmental Rents...... 713W Foreign Workers: Domestic Service...... 880W France: Anti-Semitism ...... 713W Fraud ...... 881W Hezbollah ...... 714W Human Trafficking: Convictions...... 881W Human Rights ...... 716W Human Trafficking: Yorkshire and the Humber..... 882W Human Rights Annual Report 2010...... 716W Identity and Passport Service: Travel ...... 883W India: Nuclear Power ...... 716W Immigration Controls: EU Nationals...... 883W Iran: Baha’i Faith...... 717W Members: Correspondence ...... 884W Iran: Missiles...... 717W Police: Bureaucracy...... 885W Iran: Uranium...... 718W Police: Ports ...... 885W Libya: Abdelbaset al-Megrahi...... 718W Security: Expenditure...... 885W Malaysia ...... 718W UK Border Agency: Correspondence...... 886W Middle East: Armed Conflict...... 719W UK Border Agency: Training...... 886W Syria...... 719W Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre ...... 886W

HEALTH...... 768W INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY Brighton...... 768W STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE...... 740W Cancer: Drugs...... 768W Departmental Public Relations...... 740W Cancer: Health Services ...... 769W ICT ...... 740W Community Hospitals...... 769W Manpower...... 741W Departmental Allowances...... 770W Members: Allowances ...... 741W Departmental Billing ...... 771W Departmental Fines ...... 772W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 760W Departmental NDPBs...... 772W Africa: Tobacco ...... 760W Diabetes ...... 773W Departmental Billing ...... 761W Epilepsy: Health Services ...... 773W Departmental Offices...... 762W Eyesight: Testing...... 774W Departmental Sick Leave ...... 762W General Practitioners ...... 774W Developing Countries: Family Planning...... 762W General Practitioners: ICT...... 777W Multi-donor Climate Investment Funds...... 763W Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust: Overseas Territories Environment Programme...... 763W Clinical Trials...... 778W UN Development Fund for Women...... 763W Health Centres: Greater Manchester...... 778W Health Services ...... 778W JUSTICE...... 826W Health Services: Disability ...... 778W Asylum: Appeals...... 826W Health Services: Isle of Man ...... 778W Community Orders ...... 826W Health Services: Learning Disability ...... 779W Convictions: Tyres...... 826W HealthWatch Groups: Finance...... 779W Courts: Manpower...... 827W Hospitals: Parking ...... 779W Courts: Video Conferencing...... 827W Midwives: Manpower...... 780W Dead Bodies...... 828W Monitor: Finance...... 780W Departmental Billing ...... 828W Multiple Sclerosis...... 780W Departmental Consultants...... 829W NHS: Internet ...... 781W Departmental Furniture...... 833W NHS: Manpower ...... 781W Departmental ICT ...... 834W NHS: Private Finance Initiative ...... 781W Departmental Pay ...... 836W Palliative Care: Finance ...... 782W EU Law...... 835W Patient Choice Schemes ...... 782W Family Courts: Legal Aid...... 835W Prescriptions: Fees and Charges...... 783W Family Courts: Social Work...... 836W Rare Diseases...... 783W First Offenders...... 836W Thames Valley Primary Care Agency...... 783W Fraud ...... 837W Thrombolysis: Health Services...... 783W Immigration...... 838W Vitamin D ...... 784W Julian Harrington ...... 839W Legal Aid: Immigration ...... 841W HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 867W Legal Profession: Fees and Charges ...... 841W Asylum ...... 867W Legal Representation: Immigration...... 842W Asylum: Deportation ...... 867W Legal Services Commission: Manpower...... 843W Asylum: Finance...... 869W Magistrates Courts...... 843W Asylum: Iran...... 870W Magistrates Courts: Population ...... 844W Col. No. Col. No. JUSTICE—continued TREASURY—continued Magistrates Courts: Surrey ...... 844W Credit Unions: Renewable Energy...... 785W Magistrates Courts: Woking ...... 844W Debts ...... 786W Mediation ...... 845W Departmental Billing ...... 786W Members: Correspondence ...... 845W Departmental Internet ...... 787W National Association for the Care and Departmental Public Relations ...... 787W Resettlement of Offenders ...... 845W Departmental Training ...... 788W National Offender Management Service: Financial Services Authority: Fees and Charges..... 788W Location ...... 846W Housing Benefit ...... 788W National Offender Management Service: Local Government Finance ...... 788W Manpower ...... 846W Members: Correspondence ...... 789W Non-Molestation Orders...... 847W Minimum Wage: Enforcement ...... 789W Prison Accommodation ...... 847W Personal Savings: Children...... 789W Prison Service: Ethnic Groups ...... 848W Public Finance ...... 789W Prison Service: Greater London...... 849W Public Sector: Pay ...... 790W Prison Service: Manpower ...... 849W Public Sector: Procurement...... 791W Prisoners’ Release ...... 849W Research and Development Tax Credit ...... 791W Prisoners: Streatham ...... 850W Revenue and Customs: Debt Collection...... 791W Prisons: Manpower ...... 850W Tax Havens ...... 792W Prisons: Population...... 852W Taxation: Business ...... 792W Probation: Gloucestershire...... 857W Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments ...... 793W Prosecutions And Convictions: Landlords...... 857W Remand In Custody: Young People ...... 861W WALES...... 720W Reoffenders...... 861W Departmental Official Hospitality...... 720W Reparation By Offenders...... 863W Departmental Rents...... 720W Sentencing...... 863W Prisons ...... 720W Sentencing: Community Orders ...... 864W Referendums ...... 720W Sexual Offences: Witham ...... 864W Tribunals: Employment...... 864W WOMEN AND EQUALITIES...... 721W Tribunals: Social Security Benefits ...... 865W Sexuality ...... 721W Wines ...... 866W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 810W LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 743W Benefits: Kent ...... 810W Short Money...... 743W Child Support Agency ...... 811W Employment and Support Allowance ...... 811W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 887W Employment and Support Allowance: Appeals...... 813W Departmental Billing ...... 887W Flexible Working...... 813W Housing Benefit ...... 813W PRIME MINISTER...... 738W Housing Benefit: Glasgow ...... 814W Departmental Work Experience...... 738W Housing Benefit: Impact Assessments...... 814W India ...... 739W Housing Benefit: Jobseeker’s Allowance ...... 815W Industrial Health and Safety: Departmental Housing Benefit: Local Housing Allowance ...... 815W Responsibilities ...... 739W Housing Benefit: Scotland ...... 815W Petitions...... 739W Housing Benefit: Warwickshire...... 816W School Milk ...... 739W Housing Benefit: Wolverhampton...... 816W Local Housing Allowance...... 817W TRANSPORT ...... 691W Local Housing Allowance: Hyndburn...... 817W Aviation: Volcanoes ...... 691W Low Incomes: Peterborough ...... 817W Bus Services: Concessions ...... 691W Maternity Benefits: Wolverhampton ...... 818W Dee Harbour...... 692W Parental Leave...... 818W Departmental ICT ...... 692W Pensioners: Cost of Living ...... 819W Driving: Safety...... 692W Pensioners: Wolverhampton...... 819W Highways Agency: Motor Vehicles...... 692W Pensions: Uprating...... 820W Public Transport: Disability ...... 693W Poverty: Children ...... 820W Roads: Accidents ...... 694W Social Security Benefits...... 821W Travel: Concessions...... 695W Social Security Benefits: Appeals ...... 821W Social Security Benefits: Disability...... 822W TREASURY ...... 785W Social Security Benefits: Gateshead ...... 825W Banks: Finance ...... 785W State Retirement Pensions and Pension Credit: Car Allowances...... 785W Gloucester...... 825W Climate Change: Finance...... 785W Winter Fuel Payments: British Nationals Abroad.. 825W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. 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CONTENTS

Monday 13 September 2010

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 577] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Defence

Proposed Public Expenditure Cuts [Col. 599] Answer to urgent question—(Mr George Osborne)

Queen’s Speech (Date) [Col. 614] Answer to urgent question—(Sir George Young)

Fixed-term Parliaments Bill [Col. 621] Motion for Second Reading—(Mr Clegg)—on a Division, agreed to Programme motion—(Angela Watkinson)—on a Division, agreed to

Petitions [Col. 710]

Urban Supermarkets (Planning) [Col. 712] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 29WS]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 691W] [see index inside back page]