Thursday Volume 572 19 December 2013 No. 97

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 19 December 2013

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2013 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 869 19 DECEMBER 2013 870

Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): It House of Commons would be churlish not to wish you a merry Christmas, Mr Speaker. Thursday 19 December 2013 Will my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State join me in congratulating the management and the work force of East Coast Mainline on their achievements? The House met at half-past Nine o’clock Has he any information on journeys lost or delayed since the ratio of diesel to electric trains has changed? PRAYERS Mr McLoughlin: Off the top of my head, I am afraid I do not have that specific fact and figure, but I will [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] certainly write to my hon. Friend. I would like to thank everyone, not just on the east coast main line but on all the other train services, who are doing everything they can over the seasonal period to make sure people get to Oral Answers to Questions their destinations.

Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): Does the Secretary of State not realise that the staff and management of TRANSPORT East Coast rescued that service after a second private sector franchise collapsed? They are concerned that their job security at the headquarters at York is being The Secretary of State was asked— put at risk again, so will the Secretary of State come to East Coast Mainline Company Ltd York with me to meet the staff to explain his plans? Mr McLoughlin: I have used East Coast trains on a 1. Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): What number of occasions and have talked to the staff operating assessment he has made of the recent performance of the service. The hon. Gentleman should just wait and East Coast Mainline Company Ltd [901718] see which companies come forward, and he may find he gets a much enhanced service over the coming years—and The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Patrick I very much hope he will do so. McLoughlin): My officials meet with East Coast and Directly Operated Railways on a regular basis to discuss the performance of the franchise. DOR’s financial accounts Mary Creagh (Wakefield) (Lab): May I also wish you are published on its website on an annual basis. the compliments of the season, Mr Speaker, and thank all the staff of the House for keeping us safe throughout Grahame M. Morris: As this is the last Question the year? Time before Christmas, I would like to take this opportunity People struggling with the Government’s cost of living to wish you, Mr Speaker, and the Secretary of State and crisis are carefully planning their budgets for Christmas his team, a merry Christmas. and next year. They need and deserve to know how I declare an interest: I am a member of the RMT much their season tickets will cost from 2 January. Why parliamentary group—unremunerated. The Secretary is East Coast the only train company to have published of State will be aware that the East Coast service has its fare increases for next year? delivered record levels of passenger satisfaction, returned £800 million to the taxpayer and seen almost half of Mr McLoughlin: The hon. Lady might just have fares frozen, due in no small part to the staff, who have welcomed the fact that for the first time in 10 years we worked so hard. The best Christmas present for them have got rid of above-inflation rail ticket price increases. would be to cancel the privatisation. Will the Secretary I would have thought that she might have welcomed of State meet me and a small delegation to listen to that, because I am very proud that for the first time in their concerns about the application of TUPE regulations 10 years this coalition Government have held rail fare if the sell-off goes ahead? increases down in line with the retail prices index.

Mr McLoughlin: Either myself or the Under-Secretary, Mary Creagh: The right hon. Gentleman talks about my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Stephen the autumn statement but it is his decision not to Hammond), will be delighted to meet the hon. Gentleman remove the “flex” on fares, which means some commuter and some of his colleagues, but I just point out to him, tickets could still rise by 5.1% next year. In 13 days as I have done frequently, that the last Labour Secretary people will buy their annual season tickets, yet they of State for Transport said: have no idea how much they will cost. That is completely “I do not believe that it would be in the public interest for us to unacceptable. Is not the example set by East Coast have a nationalised train operating company indefinitely…because another reason that it should be kept as a public sector of our recent experience of rail franchising”.—[Official Report, comparator? House of Lords, 1 July 2009; Vol. 712, c. 232.] Those recent improvements in rail franchising have Mr McLoughlin: The simple fact is that the reduction resulted in passenger journey numbers in this country in rail fares announced by my right hon. Friend the going up from 750 million to 1.5 billion and people Chancellor in the autumn statement has been widely using our railways a lot more, with a huge amount of welcomed by various organisations including Transport investment guaranteed by this Government. 2000, and I am very proud that we have managed to do 871 Oral Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 872 something. The hon. Lady mentions the “flex”. We pressure on East Midlands Trains to reintroduce a have reduced the extent to which the “flex” can be half-hourly service going north from Kettering on that exercised, which the last Government never did. line?

Railway Branch Lines Stephen Hammond: I have listened carefully to what my hon. Friend has said. He will obviously want to 2. Charlotte Leslie (Bristol North West) (Con): What recognise the huge amount of investment that is going steps he is taking to invest in local railway branch lines. into the railway network, including £70 million around [901720] Kettering. I will look closely at his request in the context of the franchise renegotiations. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Stephen Hammond): It is for local authorities, working Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab): A lot of work has been with local enterprise partnerships, to determine whether done locally to assess the possibility of reopening the investment in a local branch line is the best way to meet Halton curve, which would improve the links between local transport needs. Local enterprise partnerships have Merseyside and Liverpool and all the way down to been invited to bid for the local growth fund, and we Shropshire, as well as across to north Wales. Will the encourage them to bid for funds to invest in transport Minister do all he can to expedite that project, which schemes. would benefit Merseyside, Cheshire and Wales?

Charlotte Leslie: The Minister knows that I have long Stephen Hammond: Again, I am sure that the hon. campaigned to reopen the Henbury loop line. There are Gentleman will recognise the huge amount of investment advanced plans for a large stadium development as well that is going into the railways under this Government. as significant housing in the area that the Henbury loop We recognise the benefit of that. It is for Network Rail would serve. Does the Minister not think that such large to prioritise these matters, along with the local train infrastructure projects could have a massively positive operators and the local authorities. Should he want to impact on the business case for such a line? write to me about this particular scheme, I would be happy to look into it in more detail. Stephen Hammond: I am well aware of my hon. Friend’s long-standing campaign. She would not expect High Speed 2 me to comment on a specific scheme, but stadium developments such as those are exactly the sort of thing 3. Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham) that local enterprise partnerships and local authorities (Con): What assessment he has made of the most will want to look at. I met representatives of the West of recent estimate of the costs to the public purse of High England LEP on 22 November, and I am aware of Speed 2. [901721] phase 2 of its MetroWest scheme. It has been allocated £44.9 million for improvements in the six-year period to The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Patrick 2021. McLoughlin): The most recent cost estimate for both phases of the project is £42.6 billion and £7.5 billion for Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): May I draw to the rolling stock. This includes a contingency of £14.4 billion Minister’s attention the bizarre situation that has arisen for construction costs and £1.7 billion for rolling stock. in respect of the Todmorden curve in east Lancashire? The project currently assumes that the cost of HS2 is to After years of campaigning, work on the curve has been be funded by the public purse. However, my Department completed at a cost of £8 million, and we all welcome is exploring the scope to draw in third-party funding to that. It will facilitate a service from Blackburn, Accrington lessen the cost exposure to the taxpayer. and Burnley through Rochdale to Manchester Victoria, which is excellent. The problem is that there are no Mrs Gillan: Mr Speaker, I wish you and the Secretary trains. Will the Minister agree to intervene on this of State a very happy Christmas. The Secretary of State matter, and to meet me and my hon. Friend the Member could of course give both our constituencies an early for Hyndburn (Graham Jones)? Christmas present by cancelling HS2, but I do not suppose that that is on the drawing board. If everything Stephen Hammond: The right hon. Gentleman will be in the garden is so rosy in regard to the finances, why pleased to hear that I have already been lobbied on this does he feel it necessary to continue to suppress the matter by a number of other Lancashire MPs. He will Major Projects Authority reports on the risks associated of course recognise the huge amount of investment that with the project? Suppressing those reports does not is going into the railway network. I recognise the issues send out a very good message to people about the involved in this case, and I have already intervened. I project, whether they are for it or against it. In the expect to have good news for him on rolling stock next absence of any response to my questions about this year, but I would nevertheless be delighted to meet him from the Cabinet Office Minister, will the Secretary of and other hon. Members. State tell the House what his intentions are in regard to the reports? Will he confirm or deny that he is continuing Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): The branch to try to prevent their publication? line from Kettering to Corby that was introduced a few years ago has been hugely welcome, but a negative Mr McLoughlin: The one thing that HS2 is not short knock-on effect is that the service on the main line of is reports from various committees, either of this going north from Kettering has been cut from a half-hourly House or across the wider spectrum. The simple fact is service to an hourly service. Now that line speeds on the that the report my right hon. Friend refers to is one midland main line have increased, will the Minister put direct to Ministers, and it is not usual to publish such 873 Oral Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 874 reports. That report is two years old and it gave an Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): Question 4, amber/red—I think that is in the public domain—but sir. the latest report has given an amber, which shows that even the Major Projects Authority recognises that we The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport have made major strides forward. (Stephen Hammond): The Government have committed funding to electrify more than 880— Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Mr Speaker, happy Christmas. Unfortunately, the Secretary Mr Speaker: I believe that the hon. Gentleman was of State seems to be in a “Bah, humbug!” sort of mood grouping this question. today. May I encourage him not only to lighten up a bit, but to lighten up all of us who want investment in Railway Electrification housing, hospitals, health and schools by scrapping this expensive extravagance and joining the Secretary of 4. Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): What State for Business, Innovation and Skills, who this plans he has to extend railway electrification. [901722] morning has said that London is “draining the life” out of the regions of this country and that HS2 will speed 8. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): up that process? What recent progress he has made on railway electrification. [901729] Mr McLoughlin: I do not know about needing to lighten up—I think the hon. Gentleman should look in The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport a mirror. The simple point is that we are not short at all (Stephen Hammond): My apologies, Mr Speaker. With of investment in the railways. In the next five years—its permission, I would like to group Questions 4 and 8. So next control period—Network Rail will invest £38 billion excited was I about electrification that I wanted to in the current railway system. It is vital that we get mention that the Government have committed funding connectivity between our major cities. I have to say that to electrify more than 880 miles of railway by 2019. some of the biggest supporters of HS2 are the northern Last week, we announced the Wigan-Bolton electrification, leaders. If they thought it was going to do damage to and a joint taskforce is being set up to explore where their areas, they would not be overwhelmingly supporting next we can look for rail electrification in the north of it in the way that they are. England.

Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): Can the Stephen Mosley: I thank the Minister for that reply. Minister compare the expenditure of public money on Last week, a taskforce was launched to examine HS2 with that on the ferries crossing the Solent to the electrification in the north. In those proposals, we are Isle of Wight? examining Chester-Crewe and Chester-Warrington. There is a huge amount of enthusiasm in Chester in support Mr McLoughlin: One gets ready for a lot of things in of these plans. How can members of the public put preparing for questions, but I am going to have to their views forward to the Minister and to the taskforce? disappoint my hon. Friend, because I do not have readily available details on that particular line of questioning Stephen Hammond: Local Members of Parliament will on HS2. I will most certainly look at the points he be invited to be members of that taskforce, so undoubtedly raises, but I point out to him that it is the wider my hon. Friend will be able to represent his constituents investment in the whole of the United Kingdom’s transport directly, but the taskforce will, I am sure, want to accept infrastructure that we can rightly be proud of. I was representations from local people as to the benefits of very pleased to be in his constituency when a new mode electrification for them. of financing road repairs was used for his constituents. Diana Johnson: In Hull, we need rail electrification Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): The Secretary not least because of the vast number of visitors that we of State did not say in the list of estimated costs what will want to come to the city while Hull is city of culture has been allocated for biodiversity offsetting, for the 2017. Given that, as I understand it, the taskforce set up replacement of ancient woodland and for addressing all to look at the proposal for Selby to Hull electrification the other environmental damage that HS2 will cause. will not report for 12 months, does that not rule out rail What element of the budget has been set aside for that? electrification for 2017? Will the Minister meet a delegation from Hull to discuss this matter? Mr McLoughlin: That has all been taken into account. Indeed, one reason for the increase in cost that I announced Stephen Hammond: I understand the hon. Lady’s to the House some time ago was some of the measures aspirations, given that Hull is the city of culture in 2017. that we have taken, after representations, on tunnelling. It sounded like her Christmas present list being reeled I take the environmental costs seriously, as I know does off. The previous Government played Scrooge and electrified the new chairman of HS2 Ltd, Sir David Higgins. I only 9 miles, whereas this Government are playing point out to the hon. Gentleman the amount of money Santa and electrifying almost 900 miles. I would be that was made available for environmental improvements delighted to meet the hon. Lady. She is right: that along the route of HS1, but I will write to him in more taskforce is looking at lines for electrification post-2019. detail. Stuart Andrew (Pudsey) (Con): I am delighted that Several hon. Members rose— the Leeds and Harrogate line through Horsforth is to be considered for electrification, and I pay tribute to my Mr Speaker: I call Stephen Mosley. hon. Friend the Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough 875 Oral Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 876

(Andrew Jones) for the work that he has done on that. but I will bear in mind what he says. We are out to In sounding a bit like Oliver, please, sir, can I have some consultation on the whole question of compensation in more? The Calder Vale line between Leeds and Bradford relation to phase 1, and I will bear his remarks in mind through New Pudsey is an important line between those for phase 2 as well. cities and desperately needs electrification. I would be grateful if the taskforce could look at that too. 13. [901734] Mr Simon Burns (Chelmsford) (Con): Does my right hon. Friend accept that he was a bit Stephen Hammond: At this time, I clearly would not reticent in his original answer, in that when referring to want to be the beadle Mr Bumble and put Oliver out in the KPMG report, he failed to tell the House that the the cold, so I will consult the taskforce to see whether benefits from 2036 to the community will be £15 billion there is a possibility of adding that to the list for its a year, and that 70% of the benefits of HS2 will be consideration. outside London? Does one not have to be a fairly Neanderthal individual not to bear in mind the benefits Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op): that that will bring to the nation, particularly the Can the Minister explain how accountability for extending midlands and the north of England? rail electrification could be affected by the basic change in the status of Network Rail announced by the Mr McLoughlin: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend Government earlier this week? for all his work in helping me with these projects. He is right about the benefits. The Jubilee line extension did Stephen Hammond: I am happy to confirm to the not have a very good benefit-cost ratio, but if it had not hon. Lady that there will be no change in accountability been built, neither would have all the developments at as a result of the status. Canary Wharf, so there is a lot to be said for the wider economic benefits we will get from this new railway line. High Speed 2 Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): If 5. Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con): What recent the proposals for HS2 are to survive, there needs to be assessment he has made of the potential wider that wider economic impact right across the UK. Is economic effects of High Speed 2. [901724] there anything in the Secretary of State’s diary indicating that he might have an opportunity to discuss that in the The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Patrick near future with either the Scottish Government or the McLoughlin): Investment in HS2 will deliver widespread two main local authorities, Edinburgh city council and connectivity improvements, grow markets and increase Glasgow city council? opportunities to trade. Our assessment of the benefits to businesses is £53.8 billion over a 60-year period. Mr McLoughlin: The leader of Glasgow city council Further analysis by KPMG suggests that the wider joined others in presenting a letter to the Prime Minister economic effects could be far greater. stating how important HS2 was, and I was delighted to meet him on that occasion. The Scottish Justice Minister Karen Lumley: In my county, Worcestershire, it is has written to me on another matter and requested that estimated that HS2 will generate up to £375 million I meet him, so I might be able to arrange to meet the every year for our local economy. Does the Secretary of leaders of both city councils at the same time. State agree that if HS2 did not go ahead, places such as Redditch would lose out? Station Infrastructure

Mr McLoughlin: I most certainly do agree with my 6. Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): What recent hon. Friend. One of the most important points about assessment he has made of Network Rail’s HS2 is that there is not just one single reason for it. performance in maintaining and upgrading station There are reasons of capacity, connectivity and, yes, infrastructure. [901725] investing in brand-new trains which will get us to our cities in the north faster than at present. The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Patrick McLoughlin): The Government are continuing to fund Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab): A station improvements and upgrades through four characteristic of HS2 is that there will be widespread programmes: the national stations improvement economic benefits to areas such as the city region in programme, the Access for All programme, the new Sheffield, with very specific high costs to certain individuals, stations fund and the station commercial project facility. such as my constituents on Greasbro road, who will In addition, we are funding improvements at several lose their homes. Will the Secretary of State look again major stations. Network Rail is funded by the Government at whether it is reasonable compensation in these through each control period to maintain and renew circumstances simply to offer market value plus 10%? station assets, and its performance on station conditions Should we not do a little more to help those people who is monitored by the Office of Rail Regulation. bear the cost for the wider economic benefit of everyone else? Richard Graham: I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that reply. For too long under the previous Mr McLoughlin: I would point out that, as I am sure Government very little was done to improve Gloucester the hon. Gentleman knows, we are in a consultation station. Under this Government’s scheme we have had process on the Birmingham to Leeds and Birmingham welcome improvements, including lifts for the elderly to Manchester schemes, so it might be inappropriate for and disabled, and yesterday Network Rail confirmed me to say now that those particular routes are confirmed, that for the first time ever a canopy will be installed over 877 Oral Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 878 our platform bridge. I am grateful for that Christmas Dispatch Box that I can secure the funding for Network good news. However, there is more to be done. Will the Rail, but I do not think that the hon. Lady can say that Secretary of State please confirm that the Government for her party. will continue to invest in our stations and will welcome well-argued cases for improvements in overall city centre Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres regeneration schemes? 7. Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): Mr McLoughlin: My hon. Friend is right that the What assessment he has made of the adequacy of Access for All programme provided a footbridge and staffing levels at maritime rescue co-ordination centres. two lifts at Gloucester station, costing £1.7 million. [901727] That is a small but important way in which we can help some of the older stations to be maintained and to be The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport available for all people to access. We are seeing a major (Stephen Hammond): I am sure that the whole House regeneration of our stations. Some of our major stations would want to join me in paying tribute to the are now destinations in their own right. St Pancras professionalism of the coastguards, who in a very busy station, for example, used to be a place where people summer dealt with 25% more incidents this year than did not want to spend more than five minutes, but it is last. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency certainly now a destination in its own right. recognises that it has more coastguard vacancies than it would like, but the hon. Lady should be aware that it Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): I am due to has managed to recruit 58 new coastguards. A further meet the Secretary of State’s colleagues in the new year recruitment campaign is under way, and every effort is to discuss Finsbury Park station. Can he assure me that being made to fill every vacancy. his Department is intervening to ensure that both Network Rail and Transport for London invest enough money in Katy Clark: I thank the Minister for his answer and that dangerously overcrowded station to ensure that it is associate myself with what he says about the work of fit for purpose and good for the future, rather than those in coastguard stations. He will be aware of the overcrowded and out of date, which it is at the moment? concerns that I have been raising about maritime safety off the west coast of Scotland following the closure of Mr McLoughlin: I will obviously ask for a report on Clyde coastguard station. In the summer, which, as he the points the hon. Gentleman has made. I am in pointed out, is the busiest time, staffing was at unsafe regular contact with Transport for London and the levels in 142 out of 184 shifts. Will he meet me and Mayor of London, who continually make the case for colleagues again to discuss what is being done, particularly greater investment in London. I have to try to balance in relation to the west coast of Scotland? that with the requests for station improvements from the rest of the country. The hon. Gentleman makes a Stephen Hammond: The hon. Lady will want to recognise, strong point about the station he has referred to. of course, that I met her and colleagues in July. I promised at that stage that I would meet her again later Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): In July I asked in the year, so I am happy to meet that obligation. I for Ministers’ support to hasten the installation of lifts point out, though, that 58 coastguards have been recruited at Chippenham station. Now that the coalition Government since that time. As we have now been able to secure a have provided funding for an additional 80 services a deal with the Treasury, we expect retention rates of week from that station and Wiltshire council has finally coastguards applying for new posts to go up in January. granted planning permission, when can we hope that She will be aware, as I have replied to her to this effect Network Rail will be able to make step-free access at several times, that specific arrangements are in place to Chippenham station a reality? ensure safety on the west coast of Scotland. However, I reiterate that I am happy to meet her and colleagues.

Mr McLoughlin: A lot of money has been given to Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) (Lab): Merry Network Rail for those improvements, but rather than Christmas to you, Mr Speaker, and thanks to the Minister trying to reply to my hon. Friend now, I think that it for praising the coastguard services; I entirely associate would be better if I wrote to him. myself with that. But, oh dear, cannot he see what a sorry tale of complacency and badly executed change Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): May I this coastguard saga is? Does he feel happy with vacancies take this opportunity to wish you, Mr Speaker, and the up by over 250% since 2010, poor morale, recruitment whole House a very merry Christmas? Following his and transfer rates, a critical Select Committee report, announcement this week, will the Secretary of State and coastguard centres at Liverpool, Humber and Belfast launch a full consultation on Network Rail’s future debt all over a third below safe staffing levels? With more and governance structures to ensure best value for the closures in the new year, will he get his Department taxpayer and full accountability to passengers? cracking with an urgent action plan to ensure proper staffing levels so that our coastguards and those who Mr McLoughlin: I am keen that Network Rail should live on our coastlines can feel safe and secure? continue to get the levels of investment that we have set aside for it and that nothing should put a question mark Stephen Hammond: There is no complacency at all on over that. I think that the hon. Lady needs to have a the part of the Government—and the hon. Gentleman’s conversation with the shadow Chancellor, who today question sounded like a Christmas cracker joke. He will announced that the Labour party will be having a know that since the announcement of the deal, which zero-based look at all that funding. I can say from this has been welcomed by the Public and Commercial 879 Oral Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 880

Services Union, there have been a number of expressions Mr Goodwill: I thank my hon. Friend, who—dare I of interest about coastguard vacancies. The retention suggest?—is never knowingly undersold. I agree that we rate is likely to go up in January. We have recruited 58 need expansion and growth in airports around the new coastguards. Specific arrangements are in place at country, including our regional airports, which I like to all co-ordination centres to ensure safety and doubling refer to as local international airports. of shifts. There is nothing to suggest that the timetable has been delayed, and the plan is going ahead as announced Thameslink in this House in November 2011.

Birmingham Airport 10. Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab): What his Department’s service specification priorities are for the new Thameslink franchise. [901731] 9. Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): What recent assessment he has made of the potential The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport benefits of Birmingham airport expanding to become a (Stephen Hammond): The Department’s priorities are, hub airport. [901730] of course, to ensure successful delivery of the £6 billion Thameslink programme, to maintain and enhance service The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport quality for passengers while the Thameslink works are (Mr Robert Goodwill): The Government have always going on, and to bear down on the overall costs of made it clear that airports such as Birmingham, which running the industry. are international airports in their own right, make a vital contribution to regional and local economic growth and connectivity.Forecasts indicate capacity for significant Heidi Alexander: I am grateful to the Minister for his further growth at the airport, including more point-to-point reply. Lewisham commuters are very keen to reap direct destinations. benefits from the new franchise and infrastructure programme through increased train frequency and capacity. Mr Cunningham: I thank the Minister for that answer, Many people share the aspiration of having four trains because I agree with him. Could he see his way clear to per hour on the Catford loop. Can the service specification supporting any expansion at Birmingham airport, for the new franchise be changed at this late stage, and particularly as a hub is, as he said, vital to the west could such a service be accommodated without detriment midlands economy? Perhaps he could meet a small to other Lewisham services? delegation to discuss how he can help. Stephen Hammond: The Thameslink programme will Mr Goodwill: Birmingham airport is forecast to carry be completed in 2018 and will, as the hon. Lady knows, 9 million passengers this year, and that could further provide a minimum of two trains per hour all day to increase given the proposal to extend the runway. It is stations on the Catford loop. That will be supplemented set to become a hub in its own right, not fed by feeder by additional standards and services under the Southeastern flights but by our wonderful new north-south railway, franchise, at least in peak periods. The detailed specification which will provide connections by high-speed rail to the for those additional services will be determined nearer major cities of our country. the time.

Sir Alan Haselhurst (Saffron Walden) (Con): Can my Topical Questions hon. Friend confirm that the construction of HS2 is likely to bring Birmingham airport within 36 minutes of T1. [901698] Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) central London, compared with an average time of (Con): If he will make a statement on his departmental 47 minutes from Stansted airport? Does not this cast an responsibilities. interesting light on the airport capacity debate? The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Patrick Mr Goodwill: HS2 will have a connection via Old McLoughlin): Millions of people will be travelling long Oak Common that provides quick Crossrail connections distances to see family and friends over the coming to Heathrow airport as well, with an 11-minute connection days. All key transport operators have contingency time and eight trains per hour. plans in place to deal with disruption if the weather deteriorates. As in previous winters, the Government Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): Does are monitoring road salt supplies on a regular basis. the Minister agree that in order to promote Birmingham The current stocks are robust, totalling 1.7 million airport it would be a good idea to rename the railway tonnes station right next to it Birmingham airport station? As we head into Christmas, I would also like to take Mr Goodwill: I suspect that people will start to call it this opportunity to highlight the anti-drink-drive campaign that anyway, so it seems an eminently sensible idea. that we launched earlier this month. It reminds drivers of the snowballing consequences that can await those Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): Does my hon. who get behind the wheel after drinking, including job Friend agree with Andy Street, chairman of the Greater loss, a criminal record and prison. Our message this Birmingham and Solihull local enterprise partnership, Christmas is simple: if you’re going to drink, don’t that the expansion of airports in the south-east will in drive. no way damage the expansion and financial prospects May I take this opportunity, Mr Speaker, on behalf of Birmingham airport and that the two can work of all my colleagues, to wish you and all the members of together? staff a merry Christmas and a contented new year? 881 Oral Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 882

Eric Ollerenshaw: Labour-run Lancashire county council T4. [901701] Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con): Happy is purporting to cut its subsidised bus routes by 50%, Christmas, Mr Speaker. which means that most of the villages and outlying May I support the earlier call for Birmingham council estates in Lancaster will have no buses in the International station to be renamed Birmingham Airport, evenings or on Sundays. Is it not about time for a but will the Secretary of State work with me to ensure serious review of the need to maintain vital bus services that that happens now, even before HS2 is built? for rural and difficult-to-reach areas? Mr Goodwill: I repeat that that is an eminently sensible Mr McLoughlin: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, suggestion. I certainly would not advocate naming the who makes a very important point. The truth is that, station after either a footballer or a politician, although while we have seen a huge amount of growth in the Lumley Junction has a certain ring about it, does it not? railways, more people are using buses every single day, particularly in rural areas and rural communities, which Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ rely on bus services. My hon. Friend raises important Co-op): Further to the response to the hon. Member for issues and his ideas certainly merit further consideration. Finchley and Golders Green (Mike Freer), many of my constituents killed by lorries have died at junctions, T2. [901699] Mr Nick Raynsford (Greenwich and including some at the notorious Bow roundabout. Will Woolwich) (Lab): As we are on the subject of the Minister look into the number of heavy goods Christmas largesse, could the Secretary of State explain vehicles that have exemptions from safety mechanisms, why the Airports Commission, as part of its costing for particularly for just-in-time deliveries, such as skip lorries, extra capacity at Heathrow, gave the airport an and will he pledge to tackle this scourge of London extraordinary present by excluding the cost both of the streets? rail link to HS2 and of motorway enhancement around Heathrow but included such surface access costs in its Mr Goodwill: The issue certainly focuses on skip, assessment of the alternative in the Thames Gateway? refuse collection and construction lorries. I have noticed that many of those I see on the streets of London as I cycle there have such mechanisms fitted. We also need Mr McLoughlin: I am not responsible for the Airports to look at other types of vehicle, including the batch Commission report—it is an independent report—but I concrete mixers that are currently outside the regulations. will certainly draw the right hon. Gentleman’s comments to the attention of Sir Howard Davies so that he can T5. [901702] Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) consider whether his report properly reflects all the (Con): Mr Speaker, may I wish you and the staff of the arguments. House a happy Christmas? Following the Secretary of State’s very kind meeting T3. [901700] Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con): The London Cycling Campaign’s safer lorries, with the two constituency Members of Parliament to safer cycling initiative has measures for improving discuss the missing link on the A417/A419 between the safety for cyclists. Will the Department commit to M4 to the M5, he asked us to establish local consensus, working across Government to ensure that all of our and we have started to do so. This week, Cotswold contractors and our supply chain sign up to this district council unanimously passed a motion supporting initiative? the brown route. The local enterprise partnerships are beginning to come on board, as are Members of Parliament from the wider area. Will the Minister say whether his The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Department is looking into the feasibility of the link? (Mr Robert Goodwill): We must certainly continue to improve the safety of cyclists, which, despite recent Mr McLoughlin: Following my meeting with my hon. negative publicity in London, has improved markedly Friend and my hon. Friends the Members for Stroud over the past decade. As I made clear in my recent (Neil Carmichael), for Gloucester (Richard Graham) evidence to the Transport Committee, we need to and for Tewkesbury (Mr Robertson), I am pleased that co-ordinate how lorries on the streets of London are he is moving in the right direction with that consensus, designed and used, but there is no single magic bullet. and I will certainly work with him to see whether we can The fact that we have doubled spending on cycling in get the long-term answer that he desires. this Parliament compared with the last one shows that we are committed not only to increasing the number of Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ people who cycle, but to improving the safety of cyclists. Co-op): Tragically, it is not just in London that cyclists have been killed in accidents involving HGVs; there T8. [901706] Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) were two cases not so long ago in Edinburgh. Will the (Lab): Will the Minister look into the situation in Minister ensure that his focus is not just concentrated the west midlands, particularly in Coventry, where on London, but looks at what can be done across the pensioners’ free rail passes seem to be under some country, particularly in Scotland, where although spending sort of threat, and will he discuss that with Ministers is devolved, such legislation is still a reserved matter? from the Department for Communities and Local Will he ensure that he works with the Scottish Government Government? to ensure a similar focus on preventing the deaths of cyclists caused by HGVs? Mr McLoughlin: I am sorry to say that I did not quite catch all of the hon. Gentleman’s question, but I will Mr Goodwill: Yes, certainly. We recently announced certainly look into the points he makes. Perhaps he and our six cycling cities, where imaginative ideas are being I could have a discussion after this question session. brought forward. I am sure that we will work with the 883 Oral Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 884 devolved Administration north of the border, as part of Mr McLoughlin: I would be delighted to meet the the United Kingdom, to make sure that we share best hon. Gentleman to discuss that point. I would point out practice where we can. that we are spending a huge amount of money on train services that link into the north. The northern hub will T6. [901704] Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) bring a substantial improvement. Huge improvements (Con): Bournemouth continues to delight in the town’s are also going on at Manchester Victoria station. football club’s promotion to the championship—a mere stepping stone on the way to the premiership, no T9. [901707] Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham) doubt. The slip road from the A38 to the stadium (Con): Sir David Higgins takes up his job as the head of functions well, but there is no access back on to the HS2 in January with instructions to bring the costs dual carriageway. Now that a school is to be built in of HS2 down. Will the Secretary of State promise that the same area, may I ask the Minister to look down the any reductions or savings will definitely not come from back of the sofa and see whether some pinchpoint the compensation for people whose lives are affected by funding could be found for this urgent infrastructure HS2 or from the costs of protecting and restoring our project? precious environment?

Mr Goodwill: I know that my hon. Friend was Mr McLoughlin: As I said earlier, one of the reasons disappointed that the scheme in Bournemouth was not the costs have increased, which my right hon. Friend included in the recent tranche of 25 pinchpoint jam-busting often attacks, is that we have gone to extra lengths to schemes. When Bournemouth is promoted to the protect the environment. There will be a huge amount premiership, it will be even more important that of tunnelling in her constituency, which will cost more disappointed away fans do not have to go into Bournemouth money. Sir David Higgins is a well respected engineer on their way home, as the Cherries continue to advance and has been a leader of great projects in our country, through the tables. including the Olympics, which were delivered on time and below budget. I am sure that when he takes up this Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): One of my post, he will bring that expertise to the job. biggest postbags in recent weeks has been from a campaign called “time to cross”, which is a campaign on behalf of Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): Will the Transport pedestrians—the vast majority of people travel on foot. team look at two places where we could link the north-west What are the Government doing to support that campaign of England with north Wales? The first is the Halton and to ensure safety for us all, but particularly for the curve, which my hon. Friend the Member for Halton young and the old? (Derek Twigg) mentioned, and the second is the Wrexham- Bidston line. Like Scrooge, I am not asking for those Mr Goodwill: Highways authorities use the speed of things for Christmas past or Christmas present, but 1.2 metres per second for people crossing the road, perhaps, in the spirit of Christmas, the Secretary of although we understand that many elderly or disabled State could look at those issues for Christmas future? people may need longer. It is possible for local authorities to extend the time. The use of puffin crossings, rather Stephen Hammond: The right hon. Gentleman will than pelican crossings, allows sensors to be fitted that have heard my reply to the hon. Member for Halton allow people more time. In parts of London, the use of (Derek Twigg) and the response that the Secretary of countdowns on lights has also helped. State gave to the hon. Member for Wrexham (Ian Lucas) about the Wrexham line. We are looking into T7. [901705] Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): those matters and I have said that I am happy to meet The Secretary of State made it clear yesterday that he the hon. Member for Halton. I am sure that the right hopes that Birmingham airport can expand. Currently, hon. Gentleman will want to join him. the 15-mile journey between Tamworth and the airport takes 45 minutes by rail. Does he therefore agree that Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): The infrastructure projects such as the Whitacre rail link, proposed public service obligation on the economically which would reduce the journey time to 18 minutes, vital Newquay to London Gatwick route will run for could be beneficial to my constituents and the airport? four years, but funding might be in place for only two The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport years. What assurance can the Minister give that funding (Stephen Hammond): My hon. Friend is right that good will be in place for the duration of the public service service access is essential for airports. He is right to obligation on that route? point out that the Secretary of State said on Tuesday that we regard Birmingham and Manchester not as Mr Goodwill: I suspect that the hon. Gentleman regional airports but as important national airports in should have directed that question to the Chief Secretary their own right. I am happy to look at the Whitacre link to the Treasury, who made an announcement on that proposals. I encourage my hon. Friend to continue to matter recently. As Newquay is more than three hours discuss the development of the business case with the from London and has a current operator, it is a potential local enterprise partnership and Centro, so that it can applicant that would almost certainly be seen in a be brought forward. positive light.

Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): Will the Secretary of Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): Electrification is State meet me to discuss the Wrexham-Liverpool line, very welcome, but it is creating mayhem in my constituency, where capacity constraints are inhibiting further with cuts to services and terrible overcrowding. The development of one of the strongest industrial areas in Prime Minister told The Bolton News: the UK? “I will go away and look into it.” 885 Oral Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 886

However, the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, give an exact figure because we cannot predict whether the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Stephen Hammond), there will be the opportunity or need to recall Parliament. has washed his hands of the issue and said: “It is for Network Rail and operators” Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): Instead of having to solve the problem. Who is right and who will provide a November recess, why not get rid of the ludicrous more rolling stock for my constituents? September recall, bring the party conferences forward to earlier in September, and have a straight run through Mr McLoughlin: If one is quoting between the Prime to Christmas? Would that not save a lot of money and Minister and the Secretary of State or any other Minister, make a lot more sense? it is usual to assume that the Prime Minister is right. I will look at the case. The hon. Lady is right that we Tom Brake: I am sure Members of the House would cannot make such major improvements without causing like to consider that proposal, but the introduction of inconvenience. However, at the end of the day we will the September sitting was to avoid the long gap between get a far, far better railway. I am pleased that we are the end of July and October when the House returns. investing in the electrification of the railways, which the Members, I hope, will agree it is useful to have that last Government singularly failed to do. opportunity for the House to meet, because there may be important matters that we want to discuss in September.

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con): May LEADER OF THE HOUSE I endorse what the hon. Member for Cardiff West (Kevin Brennan) has just said? Would it make sense to start planning now not for next year but for the year The Leader of the House was asked— after, so that if we considered a change in date parties would be able to change their conference arrangements? Parliamentary Calendar Tom Brake: That is perhaps a matter for the parties 1. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): and not within my remit. If they want to change the For what reasons he proposed a recess in November dates of their conferences, I suspect there would need 2014. [901708] to be all-party agreement, which might be difficult to achieve. The Deputy Leader of the House of Commons (Tom Brake): Merry Christmas, Mr Speaker. The recesses proposed for next year, including the one in November, reflect the need to balance the requirements of Government HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION and Back-Bench business with the reasonable expectations of Members regarding constituency business and spending time with their families. The hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, Diana Johnson: The rationale for having a few days in was asked— November was to prepare for the Queen’s Speech. Now Running Costs that that has been moved to earlier in the year, and given that there are no school holidays in November, will the Deputy Leader of the House think again? A lot 3. Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): What recent of people perceive that that time could be better used progress has been made on reducing the House’s for pre-legislative scrutiny for Bills that come before the running costs. [901710] House that are not well drafted, and to ensure that the Prime Minister is here on a Wednesday to answer Prime John Thurso (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) Minister’s questions. (LD): May I take this opportunity to wish you, Mr Speaker, and all the staff who serve us so well a very merry Tom Brake: I thank the hon. Lady for that question. I Christmas? am sure she is aware that the recess dates are proposed On Monday the Commission agreed to lay an by the Government after extensive discussion, and are administration estimate of £201.3 million for 2014-15. agreed by the House. I did not notice any opposition to The estimate originally agreed for 2010-11 was £231 million. the November recess when the House agreed the recesses, After adjustments for transfers and so forth, that is although I do not know whether she raised concerns at equivalent to a 17% reduction in real terms. Savings of the time with her own party managers. She will be £15.3 million are being delivered this year and next pleased to know that the Prime Minister is in the House through a number of initiatives. more frequently, particularly for oral statements, than was his predecessor. Jeremy Lefroy: Happy Christmas, Mr Speaker, and I thank the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): For how Easter Ross (John Thurso) for the work that the House many days will the House sit in 2014, and how does that of Commons Commission is doing in rightly reducing compare with other national Parliaments? costs. The other side of costs are benefits. Has the Commission analysed the benefits of the House of Tom Brake: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that Commons? There are not only tangible benefits that question. The House will sit for roughly 150 days, which additional visitors and tourism bring to the local and the Procedure Committee believes is appropriate. I cannot London-wide economy, but intangible benefits such as 887 Oral Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 888 education for our school children and showing the that a tough challenge is being met with professionalism values of a parliamentary democracy to the world. and resolve by the team. The Commission does, in my humble judgment, an outstanding job in overseeing it.

John Thurso: The hon. Gentleman makes an extremely Mr Speaker: We all attach almost as much weight to valid point about the contribution that the House’s the views of the hon. Gentleman as does the hon. activities make to the wider community in which we sit. Gentleman. We have not undertaken such work, but I will take his Factiva News Services suggestion away and look at it in the new year. 4. Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): What recent consideration he has given to making Factiva news Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): services available to hon. Members and their staff. Every year, the House of Commons spends tens of [901711] millions of pounds on making sure that the building literally does not fall down. Will the Commission set John Thurso (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) out the next steps for the long-term future of the (LD): The position has not changed since the answer building? given to the hon. Gentleman on 7 November. The current online news service will be reassessed in 2015, when a decision is required on whether to extend the John Thurso: As I am sure the hon. Gentleman will current contract for a further two years, or to retender have seen, the first ever written statement from the the service. representative of the Commission was made on Tuesday Michael Fabricant: May I wish you, Mr Speaker, and last, announcing the contract for an outside company the Clerks a happy Christmas? to consider options for the future of the building. It would be preferable to wait until those conclusions, I was really excited by the answer given to me on delivered professionally, allow us to make a proper 7 November, saying that I should judgment. “be aware that some members of the Library have individual subscriptions”—[Official Report, 7 November 2013; Vol. 570, c. 413.] to Factiva, which is a far better service than Nexis, and Sir Alan Haselhurst (Saffron Walden) (Con): Does that they would therefore be able to help me. Well, it so my hon. Friend agree that there will be a beneficial happened that I actually wanted to get something from impact on the costs of running the House if we could so The Times, so I phoned up the Library and they said, arrange our affairs that there was a greater intensive use “Oh no, we can’t forward you anything from it—it of the facilities by both Members and staff? breaks the contract.” I asked, “Well, could you scan it in?” “Oh no, we can’t do that—it’ll break the contract.” In the end I said, “Well, go to get the ruddy newspaper, John Thurso: I am very grateful to my right hon. photocopy it and send it through the internal post,” Friend, who chairs the Administration Committee so which they did. I am afraid that, for the first time in my ably. He makes a very valid point. life, I have to agree with the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman).

9. [901717] Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/ Mr Speaker: Was there any possibility that concealed Co-op): I regret to say to the hon. Gentleman that I therein was a question? have lost all confidence in the House of Commons Commission. I thought the Commission’s job was to John Thurso: I thank the hon. Gentleman for notice allow and facilitate Members in this House to do their of his likely supplementary, which he answers for me. job properly and serve their constituents efficiently. We The Library has a small number of individual subscriptions do not expect the House of Commons Commission to for The Times online so that it can assist Members in be incompetent bean counters. I find every day that my tracing articles. I appreciate the hon. Member’s sense of job of serving my constituents in this place gets harder frustration and I have asked a member of the Library and harder due to the incompetence of the House of staff to contact him to explore how the service might be Commons Commission. I would like them all to resign improved without infringing on the House’s legal and and for commissioners to be elected by this House, so contractual obligations. they can facilitate our doing a job for the people we represent. LEADER OF THE HOUSE

John Thurso: May I wish the hon. Gentleman a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new The Leader of the House was asked— year? I can speak only for myself, but I am a doctor of Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning business administration, a fellow of the Institute of and Trade Union Administration Bill Hospitality, a fellow of the Tourism Society and have been a fellow of the Institute of Directors. I therefore 5. Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab): What regard myself as having some qualifications that I can recent progress has been made on the Transparency of bring to the task in hand. My fellow commissioners Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union have a wide range of experience across many disciplines. Administration Bill; and if he will make a statement. I have to say, observing the management of this House, [901712] 889 Oral Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 890

7. Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): thresholds, which was of concern to smaller organisations What recent progress has been made on the and charities, and there might be other things, too, such Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning as a review of the Bill after implementation and measures and Trade Union Administration Bill; and if he will we could take to assist organisations worried about the make a statement. [901715] reporting requirements.

The Deputy Leader of the House of Commons (Tom Oral Statements Brake): The transparency Bill completed Committee stage in the House of Lords yesterday. In recent weeks, Ministers have met nearly 50 organisations to discuss 6. Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab): What how the non-party campaigning provisions might affect recent guidance he has given to his ministerial them, while exchanging correspondence with many more. colleagues on making oral statements in the House on We are grateful to all those groups who have made a changes to Government policy. [901713] valuable contribution to the Government’s consideration of this issue. The Bill will return to the House at some The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew point in the new year, following the Report stage and Lansley): The ministerial code is clear: when Parliament Third Reading in the Lords. is in Session, the most important announcements of Government policy should be made in the first instance to Parliament. I regularly remind my colleagues of this. Pat Glass: This is the latest pause brought about by huge public unrest over a controversial Bill. Does the Deputy Leader of the House accept that he made a Heidi Alexander: In the light of that, was it acceptable mistake in not providing for pre-legislative scrutiny for the Work and Pensions Secretary to announce delays before pushing this controversial Bill through the House? to universal credit via a written statement, especially considering that this information was released to the media before the House? Tom Brake: The Government reorganised the debate in the Lords to enable discussion of part 2, on non-party campaigning, to take place later, thereby providing an Mr Lansley: As the hon. Lady and the House will opportunity to engage fully with organisations. I hope know, informing the House by means of a written the hon. Lady agrees that the fact that the Government statement is perfectly in order. As the Speaker himself recently met 50 organisations to discuss the matter and said on 25 January last year, doing so is previously, when the Bill was in the House of Commons, “a legitimate vehicle for informing the House of ministerial engaged extensively with organisations shows that there decisions”.—[Official Report, 25 January 2012; Vol. 539, c. 302.] has been comprehensive consultation. Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Does the Leader of the House agree with the recommendation in Mr Bain: This Bill will impede dramatically the ability the first report of Session 2010-11 issued by the Procedure of charities and many other voluntary groups to comment Committee that rather than the Government regulating and campaign on issues relating to Government policy. themselves by means of the ministerial code, a protocol What further opportunities will the Government allow on ministerial statements should be put in place to be in the other place and in this House for further scrutiny enforced by this House? before flawed legislation causes great damage to our democracy? Mr Lansley: I think my hon. Friend will recall that the House subsequently considered that matter and did Tom Brake: I am disappointed that the hon. Gentleman not pursue and endorse the suggestion. perpetuates the myth that the Bill will affect the ability of charities to campaign on policy issues. Clearly, it will not. Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): As we approach the end of this year—I wish the Leader of the House good cheer—how does he think he has succeeded in Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): Will my right getting Ministers to make oral statements in this House? hon. Friend give further detail on any representations Is it an E minus, or what? he has received under part 3 of the Bill on trade unions? Mr Lansley: I wish my hon. Friend a merry Christmas, Tom Brake: I am afraid we have not received any too. He is an assiduous attendee at business questions. representations. Of course, the Government gave Labour Let us look at the numbers. In the last Session, we made that opportunity, and given that its leader expressed an about 94 oral statements, which was a ratio of 0.6 per interest in dealing with the issue of Labour and funding, sitting. In the course of this Session, from memory—I I am disappointed that he did not take up that opportunity. will correct it if I am wrong—we are running at 0.7 oral statements per sitting. Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): I would like to ask the Deputy Leader of the House a simple question, to which I would like a simple answer: Speaker’s Commission on Digital Democracy will he set out what changes the Government plan to make as a result of the pause and consultation? 8. Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): What discussions the Commission had prior to the Tom Brake: I do not know whether the hon. Lady has establishment of the Speaker’s Commission on Digital been following the debate in the House of Lords, but Democracy on how that body would engage with other having listened to organisations the Government clearly interested organisations and Committees of this House. indicated they would respond to the issue of registration [901716] 891 Oral Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 892

John Thurso (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross): Commission would look at exactly how best to maximise The announcement made on 27 November that you, the work of all the bodies the hon. Lady has mentioned. Mr Speaker, intended to set up the Speaker’s Commission We see it as being entirely complementary and not in on Digital Democracy is entirely in keeping with the competition. House of Commons Commission’s objective of encouraging public participation in the parliamentary process. The Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ Speaker’s Commission on Digital Democracy will Co-op): I was delighted to be asked by you, Mr Speaker, encourage involvement by all. to serve on the Speaker’s Commission on Digital Democracy, which will, we hope, meet for the first time Pauline Latham: What steps will be taken by the in January. I urge hon. Members to contact us with any House of Commons Commission to ensure that the of their thoughts. In the early days, we are planning to Speaker’s Commission does not overlap with the work do some crowd-sourcing of what we should consider of the outreach service and the remits of the Procedure and I ask the hon. Gentleman to let us know any Committee, the Select Committee on Political and thoughts he has. Will he be willing to meet us in the new Constitutional Reform and the Administration Committee? year? John Thurso: All those very important issues will indeed be covered by the Committees of the House and John Thurso: I am ready to be of service to the hon. I fully anticipate that at its inaugural meeting the Speaker’s Lady at any time. 893 19 DECEMBER 2013 Business of the House 894

Business of the House six-week panic pause, but despite an on-the-record promise that the Government would use the pause to complete 10.36 am wide consultation and try to address the concerns of charities and campaigners, the Bill remains unamended Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): I am still reeling and there is little evidence that the Government have at the implications of the offer made by the hon. listened to anyone at all. Will the Leader of the House Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross tell us what he has been up to for the last six weeks, and (John Thurso). why he is continuing to ignore the broad coalition of Will the Leader of the House give us the business for charities and campaigners who are telling him that this next year? bad Bill will have a chilling effect on our democratic debate? May I suggest that the right hon. Gentleman The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew spend his Christmas break pausing, listening, reflecting Lansley): The business for the week commencing 6 January and improving his approach to legislation? 2014 is as follows: Talking of legislation in a rush, the first thing we MONDAY 6JANUARY—Remaining stages of the Water discuss on our return in the new year will be the Water Bill. Bill. Will the Leader of the House clarify what has TUESDAY 7JANUARY—Remaining stages of the happened to the Government’s proposed plans to crack Mesothelioma Bill [Lords]. down on rising water bills, and will he explain why WEDNESDAY 8JANUARY— Opposition day [16th allotted nothing has been included in the legislation? Does he day]. There will be a debate on an Opposition motion. agree with the Opposition view that we should create a Subject to be announced. national affordability scheme, ensuring access to a social THURSDAY 9JANUARY—General debate on rural tariff for all? Given that, so far, only three of the communities, followed by general debate on inter-city 20 water companies have created a social tariff for those rail investment. The subjects for both debates were who struggle to pay, does he agree that a weakly worded determined by the Backbench Business Committee. letter to water companies from the Secretary of State is simply not good enough when people are struggling FRIDAY 10 JANUARY—The House will not be sitting. with a cost of living crisis this Christmas? The provisional business for the week commencing 13 January will include: At this time of year, there is nothing better than being sat in front of the fire with a good read. This year, MONDAY 13 JANUARY—Second Reading of the European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords]. my recommended stocking filler is the Conservative party’s 2014 “campaign toolkit”. Rather than 50 shades I should also like to inform the House that the of grey, there are apparently only three shades of grey business in Westminster Hall for 23 January 2014 will approved for use in Tory literature. Strangely, there are be: only three approved photos of the Prime Minister, too. THURSDAY 23 JANUARY—A debate on the fourth report I assume that that is to prevent anyone accidentally of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs on the using a photo of his second cousin nine generations FCO’s human rights work in 2012, followed by a debate removed—Catherine the Great, to whom he bears such on the second report of the Select Committee on an eerie resemblance! Catherine the Great was an International Development on violence against women enlightened despot who became less enlightened and and girls. more despotic the older she got, so perhaps the family I would also like to inform colleagues that my right traits do not just end with appearance. hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has On page 12, under the revealing title “Out of date announced that the date of the Budget statement will be visual identity”, we learn that blue sky has been banished Wednesday 19 March 2014. because sunshine no longer rules the day. It was not just May I take this opportunity, Mr Speaker, to wish you sunshine that the Tories confined to history in 2013—it and all right hon. and hon. Members a very merry was the Prime Minister’s hollow claim to be a moderniser. Christmas? On behalf of the whole House, I should He used to tell us that we were “all in it together”, but especially also like to thank all the staff of the House, this year we got a tax cut for millionaires while real who have kept the House and us running smoothly—the wages fell by more than £360. He used to tell us that he Doorkeepers, the Clerks, the cleaners, the officers and would fight for a new politics, but all we have had is all those working in the House Service. We wish a happy Lynton Crosby and his politics of fear and smear. The and peaceful Christmas to one and all. Prime Minister used to tell us he was a compassionate Conservative, but he gave us the bedroom tax, the Ms Eagle: I thank the Leader of the House for giving closure of hundreds of Sure Start centres and yesterday us the business for the first week back in the new year. his MPs laughed and jeered as we debated the record It has been reported that the Prime Minister told the numbers of people forced to turn to food banks to feed 1922 committee yesterday that he is ready to take the themselves and their families in Tory Britain. Does the extremely rare step of using the Parliament Acts to Leader of the House agree with me that no matter how ensure that a Back-Bench private Member’s Bill makes many PR makeovers they indulge in, the Tories will it on to the statute book. Does the Leader of the House never change? know whether the Liberal Democrat part of the Given that this is our last sitting day before the Government supports that plan and could it proceed Christmas recess, I want to take the opportunity to wish without the Liberal Democrats? all right hon. and hon. Members and their families, all The Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning of the House staff and their families, yourself and your and Trade Union Administration Bill returned to the family, Mr Speaker, a very merry Christmas and a other place this week after the Leader of the House’s happy new year. 895 Business of the House19 DECEMBER 2013 Business of the House 896

[Ms Angela Eagle] when the hon. Lady reached the point of comparing the Prime Minister to Catherine the Great, I felt that it was I have been considering what it would be like if the a case of “more desperate than despot”. Cabinet had Christmas dinner together. First of all, In this season of good will, I think that I should everyone would be late because they had spent their conclude with good news. Growth in the economy is journey arguing about the route and U-turning so often 1.5% higher than it was a year ago, and retail sales are that they were driving round in circles. The turkey up. We are net exporters of cars, and the automotive would be half-cooked, like their policies, and the Leader industry produced more cars in the first 11 months of of the House would have to call for a pause halfway this year than it did in the previous 12. Manufacturing through the meal. The Prime Minister’s lapdog, the and services are up. Moreover, 2.7 million people have Deputy Prime Minister, would be encouraged to learn been taken out of income tax altogether, and every that election promises are for life, not just for Christmas. basic rate taxpayer can look forward to a benefit of at Perhaps the joke in the Christmas crackers would simply least £700 after next April. Fuel duty has been frozen, read, “Vote Lib Dem”. unemployment is down, and employment in the private sector is up by more than 1.6 million. There are fewer workless households than at any time since records Mr Lansley: I am grateful to the shadow Leader of began. That, I think, is a source of good cheer for the House for her response to the business statement Christmas present and hope for Christmas future—and and, in particular, for her Christmas good wishes to I am afraid that, for the Opposition, it means no return Members and House staff. She only slightly raided the to their Christmas past. Christmas crackers in advance with her comments today. The hon. Lady asked about the private Member’s Bill Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): May we have a relating to the EU referendum, which is in the House of debate on what the Government can do to protect Lords. The issue would arise only if the Lords were not people—especially the elderly and disabled—who are to pass it, and my hope is that their Lordships will disadvantaged by having no access to, or ability to use, recognise the support that the Bill attracted from this the internet in order to obtain the best prices for financial, House. From memory, I think that there was a majority insurance and other services? of some 200 in favour of Third Reading in the House of Mr Lansley: Let me add another item to my hon. Commons. I think that that should serve as an indication Friend’s list. Access to NHS services for those who do to the House of Lords of the positive sentiment that not have internet access is also very important. It was was attached to the proposal for an EU referendum certainly very important to me when, as Secretary of when it left this House. State for Health, I was involved in the delivery of The hon. Lady asked about the transparency Bill. patient choice and information through NHS Choices. Clearly she has not taken on board how often the We will do all that we can to protect vulnerable House of Lords considers legislation. Their Lordships people by helping those who are offline to gain access to frequently deal with the Committee stages of Bills, but online services. We will increase access to the internet, in this case neither the Government nor others who had improve digital skills, and ensure that people are aware tabled amendments pressed those amendments to a of the benefits that going online can bring. A new vote, because they wanted to discuss some issues on cross-Government digital inclusion team has been Report in the context of Government amendments. My established in the Cabinet Office as part of the Government right hon. and noble Friend Lord Wallace of Tankerness Digital Service with the aim of driving forward the made it clear to the House of Lords that a wide-ranging digital inclusion agenda, and we plan to publish a consultation had indeed taken place, and emphasised digital inclusion strategy early in the spring. Given my the benefit that will, I know, be apparent when the hon. Friend’s interest in these matters, he may wish to Lords consider the Bill on Report. meet the Cabinet Office team to explain how he feels his constituents could benefit from the strategy. The hon. Lady also asked about the Water Bill, which, as she said, we will debate when we return in the Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab): May new year. I look forward to that debate, because I think I wish you, Mr Speaker, and all hon. and right hon. it will show that we can increase benefits to consumers Members a very merry Christmas? in two main ways: by giving them access to more When we return in the new year, the Backbench competition in the water industry, and by giving those Business Committee will be taking part in a pilot scheme who are at risk of flooding access to a continuing and allocating a 90-minute Westminster Hall slot—which is secure scheme for the delivery of flood insurance. As for currently allocated by you, Mr Speaker—every Tuesday the question of tariffs, the hon. Lady should bear in from 9.30 until 11 am. Will the Leader of the House mind the work that the regulator is doing with the water help me to advertise this to as many hon. and right hon. companies to try to ensure that, in the next period of Members as possible? regulation, they deliver the best possible benefits and value for money to consumers. I know that my right Mr Lansley: Yes, of course, I would be delighted to hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy and do that and I look forward to having opportunities to Climate Change supports that work. do so. If that can be anticipated, we might look to see whether it can be added to the advertisement of the I am sad to have to tell the hon. Lady that I am not debates to Members through the business statement. responsible at this Dispatch Box for what the Conservative party has put in its 2014 “campaign toolkit”. [Interruption.] Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): On I may not be sad, but if the hon. Lady is really going to behalf of my Select Committee, may I thank you, read that on Christmas Day, I fear that she is rather sad. Mr Speaker, and the whole House and the staff and I confess that I shall not be reading it. I should add that everybody else for all their work this year? 897 Business of the House19 DECEMBER 2013 Business of the House 898

I thank the Leader of the House for bringing forward Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to the Water Bill on the first day back. There is currently know that there will be questions to the Secretary of an omission in the Bill, however, concerning something State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the that many constituencies have suffered from: the surface Thursday after the House returns. He might wish to water run-off going into combined sewers. Will my raise that important and interesting matter at that time, right hon. Friend explain why we have not had a clear and I will ask the Secretary of State to respond to him. business week to allow us to table amendments in the usual way? You will be pleased to know, Mr Speaker, Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham) (Con): that the Select Committee has tabled amendments, but I have spoken to the Leader of the House on several we have not been able to do as thorough a job as we occasions about my concerns over the environmental might otherwise have done. statement on HS2 that has been issued by the Department for Transport. The fact that it is tens of thousands of Mr Lansley: If I may, I will have a discussion with my pages long is putting great strain on our environmental hon. Friend about how we can ensure that if she and organisations, because the Department has given them other Members have, during the passage of the Water only eight weeks over the Christmas period in which to Bill, a desire to table amendments, we can make sure respond to it. Furthermore, the memory sticks containing there is provision for them to do so. those tens of thousands of pages had to be recalled because of omissions and errors, and new ones had to be issued. Will the Leader of the House allow a debate Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): on the possibility of extending the consultation period May we have an urgent statement on EU membership immediately? and immigration, but this time can we have it from the person at the Dispatch Box who is actually pulling the Mr Lansley: I know how assiduously my right hon. strings of the Conservative party and setting the agenda, Friend is pursuing the interests of her constituents in which can only be Nigel Farage? relation to this matter. I am not in a position to extend the period as she requests, not least because the 56-day Mr Lansley: I think the hon. Gentleman is living in consultation period for the environmental statement some kind of fantasy world. I can assure him that Nigel that precedes the production of a report by the person Farage is not pulling the strings. If I may revert to being appointed by the House was determined not by the a constituency Member of Parliament for this purpose, Department for Transport but by the House, by means I take particular pleasure in the fact that before the last of orders made in June relating to changes in the county council elections there was one UKIP county Standing Orders covering hybrid Bills. councillor in South Cambridgeshire and after it there were none. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): May I draw the Leader of the House’s attention to the business in Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): During 13 Westminster Hall on 23 January? He has set down only years of Labour misrule, things got worse and worse. half the afternoon for a debate on the Foreign and Under this coalition, things have got better and better. Commonwealth Office report on human rights. That is Under Labour England lost 21 times to Australia and completely inadequate for a debate on human rights lost five series, despite what the shadow Leader said last around the whole world, the UK’s role in upholding week. Under this coalition Government, we have won them and the Foreign Office’s responsibility for them. It more than we have lost, and we have won two series. Is is simply not proper to try to debate all that in one and a not the truth that the only way we are going to regain half hours; we need at least a full afternoon or a debate the Ashes is by having a Tory Government? in this Chamber.

Mr Lansley: I have to admire my hon. Friend’s optimism Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman will know that the in trying to derive a good story out of the English time in Westminster Hall on that Thursday was allocated team’s performance in Australia, and I hope he will be on the initiative of the Liaison Committee. If that proved right in the fullness of time, in the same way as debate were to show that there was a demand among in the fullness of time we have always discovered that Members for additional debating time, it would be open unemployment is higher when a Labour Government to him and other Members collectively to go to the leave office than when they enter office. Under this Backbench Business Committee and to seek to secure a coalition Government employment has increased and further debate. unemployment has decreased. Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): May we have a debate about the increase in the number Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): Merry Christmas of apprenticeships and the fall in unemployment, to you, Mr Speaker. particularly youth unemployment, under this Government? Yesterday Commissioner Potocnik released the clean In my constituency, the number of apprenticeships has air programme for Europe. It announced tightening of increased from 420 in 2009-10 to more than 1,000 last the NOx and SOx—nitrous oxides and sulphur oxides— year. At the same time, the claimant count has fallen regulations for air quality, quite against what the from 3.2% to 2.4% and, for 18 to 24-year-olds, from Government had assumed, which was that they were 7.1% to 4.4%. going to be relaxed. May we have a debate on this matter in Government time, given that the Government Mr Lansley: None of us is remotely content with the are now facing serious infraction proceedings, to ensure level of youth unemployment, but, happily, the latest we have the air quality in this country that we need? figures have shown that the level has been reduced by 899 Business of the House19 DECEMBER 2013 Business of the House 900

[Mr Lansley] trusts, and that they are refusing to release the Shrewsbury documents, citing “national security”? What happened 19,000 on the quarter. The youth claimant count has to transparency? gone down 106,000 since the election, and the number of young people not in employment, education or training Mr Lansley: This is the most open and transparent is at its lowest for a decade. My hon. Friend is right to Government ever. We are publishing more data about say that apprenticeships are terribly important from more of the activities of government than has ever been this point of view, with 1.5 million starts since the the case. We are not only publishing what is available, election. It is our objective that they, together with work but, increasingly, we are making sure that we genuinely experience and the new traineeships, will ensure that all audit the outcomes of what we are doing and publish young people acquire qualifications and experience through those results. education, work, apprenticeships or traineeships. Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) (Con): May I wish you and your family a very merry Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): Rail overcrowding Christmas, Mr Speaker? This weekend, I attended the is so acute in my constituency that Northern Rail is deployed service families Christmas party in Plymouth, laying on buses to take passengers by road when they and may I take the opportunity to wish them all a very cannot get on the trains, and I know of at least one merry Christmas, too? I was reminded that stepchildren constituent who has been hospitalised after being overcome of service families are not treated in the same way as in the crush. Please may we have an urgent statement blood relatives or adopted children, and they often have and debate on the Government’s plans for diesel and to deal with some of the emotional issues that many of electric rolling stock in the north of England? their stepbrothers and stepsisters also have to deal with, especially at this time. May we have a debate on the Mr Lansley: The hon. Lady has just missed Transport involvement of stepfamilies in the armed forces? questions—[HON.MEMBERS: “She was here.”] I beg her pardon. I did not mean that she was not here. I meant Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend will be interested to that she did not get her question in—[HON.MEMBERS: know that the definition of a child of service personnel “She did.”] Oh, I apologise. If she has asked that is question, she has, from a business point of view, already “a legitimate or legitimated child or step-child” had a chance to raise it. [HON.MEMBERS: “She wants a of a service family who is below the age of 18. Under better answer.”] My answer would be to draw her attention departmental regulations both are treated equally. If he to the unprecedented £38 billion of investment that is has a specific example of unfair treatment that he being provided through Network Rail, which is increasing wishes to raise, the best thing would be to raise it capacity on the railway system across the country. directly with the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry), Mr Speaker: I am sure that the Leader of the House who is responsible for defence personnel, welfare and would agree that repetition of points in the Chamber is veterans. I know that she will be happy to look into any not an entirely novel phenomenon. matter that he raises. Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): May I not only Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater and West Somerset) extend the season’s greetings to you, Mr Speaker, the (Con): We have already had a question about broadband, Leader of the House, hon. Members and House staff, but I wonder whether I may ask the Leader of the but pay tribute to our emergency services for the work House about it too. We had an announcement last week they do over this period and the work they have done all about broadband throughout the UK and the extra year? On those services, the Leader of the House will money that is being made available. This issue affects have heard my hon. Friend the Member for North every constituency, throughout the UK. Because we Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark) ask in Transport still have anomalies in cities, towns and rural areas, may questions about the under-resourcing of coastguards we have time in this Chamber to allow Members to and marine safety. Is it not time that we debated the discuss the problems in their constituencies relating to issue in this House, following the debacle in 2010-11, so the roll-out of broadband throughout the UK? that we can deal with that under-resourcing? Marine safety is far too important to be left to the Chancellor Mr Lansley: I suggest to my hon. Friend that, given of the Exchequer and the Treasury. the widespread interest among Members in the roll-out Mr Lansley: I did indeed hear that question, and I of broadband across the country, this may be a subject heard the reply from the Under-Secretary of State for that he and other Members collectively wish to approach Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon the Backbench Business Committee about? I thought (Stephen Hammond), and his explanation of how this last week’s announcements were very positive. With programme was being rolled out in the way that was Connecting Cambridgeshire, in my constituency, we are anticipated from 2011. I know how carefully the hon. looking forward to having 98% superfast broadband Gentleman looks after the interests of his constituents, coverage by the end of 2015, and that is very encouraging. and I will take the opportunity to speak to my hon. Friend to see whether he can provide any further Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North) (Lab): May we information. have an urgent statement on Government secrecy, given that they are still refusing to release the document they Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): May we have a debate commissioned on food banks, that they will not give on the oversight and support given to free schools? I any information on the financial position of the NHS very much regret that on Friday last week an Education 901 Business of the House19 DECEMBER 2013 Business of the House 902

Minister in the other place announced a withdrawal of conflict, and we are doing everything we can as a funding from the Discovery New school in my constituency, Government to support efforts, including by the US despite the fact that a new management team had just Government, to achieve a lasting two-state solution. been put in place and there was a new head teacher. May we also have a statement from my right hon. Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): May I Friend the Education Secretary? wish you, Mr Speaker, a merry Christmas? May we have a debate on the impact of VAT on Mr Lansley: I am sure my hon. Friend knows, as do tourism products and the local economy? In Northern other hon. Members, that the vast majority of free Ireland, VAT on tourism is 20%. We have a land border schools are performing well, with three quarters of with the Republic of Ireland, where VAT on tourism them rated good or outstanding. But he also knows that has continued to be 9%. That has placed us at an unfair where there is failure, we will not hesitate to intervene competitive disadvantage. and take action. Children must be given the education they need and deserve, no matter what type of school Mr Lansley: The hon. Lady will know that my right they attend. Since Discovery New school was placed in hon. Friends the Chancellor and the Secretary of State special measures by Ofsted in May, the Department for Northern Ireland are very aware of the importance monitored progress closely. The trust had not provided of the tax relationship between Northern Ireland and evidence that it was making the changes required to the Republic of Ireland. I will of course raise these secure the long-term future of the school. As my hon. issues with them. She will understand how difficult it is Friend said, my noble Friend Lord Nash did notify the in the EU context ever to reduce VAT rates, but that trust that the Department would terminate its funding does not mean that that is the only potential source of agreement. If I may, I will speak to my noble Friend tax competition. and make sure that he has an opportunity to speak directly to my hon. Friend about the circumstances for Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): The Leader the children. The children will be looked after as a of the House said he wanted to end the year on a happy consequence of this, but in relation to the business of note; I would like to start next year on a happy note. the House, if my hon. Friend has any continuing concerns, May we have a debate on the success in getting the my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be unemployment figures down? In my constituency, the responding to questions on Monday 6 January. figure is 385 lower than it was a year ago and 35 lower than it was in October this year. Mr Frank Roy (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): This Christmas children from the Central African Republic Mr Lansley: I would be delighted if we had such an right through to the middle east will die in refugee opportunity early in the new year. I cannot promise it camps. Will the Leader of the House allow us Government immediately, but I hope that it will arise. My hon. time to discuss their response to this humanitarian Friend is quite right. The most recently published data crisis? show that in the east midlands, for example, the number of people unemployed has fallen by some 6,000. In many regions there have been similar substantial decreases Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman will know that my in unemployment, which is very encouraging, and at the right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and ministerial same time vacancies continue at a record level. colleagues have been at the Dispatch Box rightly updating the House on humanitarian support. I think we can Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab): A constituent take pride in the fact that this country is the most of mine contacted me this week to tell me that his generous and active donor of humanitarian aid to those daughter, an agency worker at the passport office in in need as a consequence of the conflict in Syria, but I Durham, will be made redundant in the new year when will continue to keep in close contact with my hon. her job and others will be transferred to India. It is a Friends at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office so tragedy not only for her, but for the region, as every job that the House is updated. in the north-east is precious. May we have a debate on the scandal of Government and Government agency Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): May jobs being transferred overseas? we have an urgent debate on relations between the Israelis and Palestinians in the west bank? Although we Mr Lansley: I will of course, because of the personal all wish the talks in America every success, there are circumstances of the hon. Lady’s constituent, raise that serious issues about Palestinian olive groves being cut with Home Office Ministers and ask them to respond to down and very badly polluted by sewage and industrial her directly. If she has any additional information, I waste. would be happy to include it in the query. On the general point, it is encouraging that the most recent Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend knows that the Government data show a reduction in unemployment in the north-east. share his concerns about the difficulties facing Palestinian olive growers. This is a particularly sensitive issue, given Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): Merry Christmas, that olive trees are a national symbol and the sole Mr Speaker, and happy Gita Jayanti. Yesterday we source of income for many Palestinian farmers. We launched the all-party parliamentary group for British continue to express our concerns to the Israeli Government Hindus in a packed Committee Room 14—there was about this and about the destruction and damage to literally standing room only—as hundred of Hindus Palestinian property, including olive trees, whether it is from across the country came together for what was by the authorities or by extremist settlers. The context possibly the biggest ever launch of an all-party group. is, of course, the enduring tragedy of the Israeli-Palestinian May we have a debate in Government time on the 903 Business of the House19 DECEMBER 2013 Business of the House 904

[Bob Blackman] Mr Lansley: In the spirit in which the hon. Gentleman raises this, I think we often do have that debate, and we enormous contribution made by the 1.6 million British need to do so. In what were undeniably tough times—we Hindus to the economy, the stability of our society and will not debate why they occurred; they occurred for a the fabric of Great Britain? number of reasons—we were very clear as a coalition Government that those with the broadest shoulders Mr Lansley: I am glad my hon. Friend has had an should bear the biggest burden. That is why the top 1% opportunity to raise that. I am sure that many Members in terms of income pay 30% of the tax going to the across the House share his evident pleasure at the Exchequer and why the proportionate increase in tax establishment of the all-party group and the fact that so paid is highest among those who earn the most. many Hindus from across the country came here to celebrate it. I cannot promise a debate at the moment—he Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con): May we will understand the pressure on legislative time. As a have a debate on the procedures that are in place to vet member of the Backbench Business Committee, he will in advance the credentials of organisations that set up understand how precious its time is, too, but it might be Christmas fairs and festivals? My right hon. Friend may able to give the matter the necessary priority in due have seen reports of the problems with Winter Wonderland course. in Milton Keynes last weekend. Although trading standards Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): May we have a is now looking into it and people have been promised a debate on the House’s recesses? We talked earlier about refund, it left many families bitterly disappointed, and September sittings. Is it not ludicrous that we come local charities that would have benefited from the fair back for two weeks and then have the party conferences have lost out. for three weeks before coming back again? May we have a debate on moving the party conferences to the early Mr Lansley: Yes, my hon. Friend is right; I did indeed part of September so that the House can have a clear see the reports, because my constituency is not far from run through? And merry Christmas! his. One of the beneficiaries would have been Papworth Trust, which is based in my constituency, so I felt Mr Lansley: And a merry Christmas to the hon. precisely the sense of distress that many families felt Gentleman. about this. It is difficult; hard cases make bad law. The I do not think that the arrangement is ludicrous; it is last thing we could contemplate is having some kind of conventional. We will take that suggestion away, as we regulatory process before people are able to set up such regularly look at these matters, but I do not hold out an event. However, trading standards can certainly look any immediate promise to him. at the consequences and the lessons to be learned from something of the kind he describes. Mr Speaker: I have always thought that the party conferences could perfectly well take place at weekends. Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) (Lab): Happy I cannot for the life of me see why we have to go away Christmas, Mr Speaker. from our main place of work for that rather self-indulgent Will the Leader of the House ask his right hon. exercise. But I would not want to express any views that Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and could be considered to be controversial. Local Government proactively to come to the House to make a proper oral statement on the provisional local Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con): May we have a government finance settlement, which would see debate on what constitutes “high risk” when it comes to Birmingham lose spending power at about twice the referrals for breast cancer screening? A constituent of national average? The Leader of the House will know mine whose mother and two sisters have sadly been that yesterday there was lot of criticism of the fact that diagnosed with breast cancer has bizarrely not been Ministers had to be called to the House. I found out assessed as high risk and, as a consequence, has been that the local authority in Birmingham was not even denied access to screening, which is causing her and her told about the details of the announcement until 12.33 pm family great distress, as I am sure hon. Members would —after the urgent question had started. If this House is understand. going to debate the concerns of our constituents and Mr Lansley: I am sure that my hon. Friend is right local authorities, this really is not good enough. May we about the distress it must cause. If he can provide me have a proper statement straight after Christmas? with further details, I will ask Health Ministers to advise on the circumstances he has brought to the Mr Lansley: The Under-Secretary of State for House’s attention. Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for Great Yarmouth (Brandon Lewis), Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): responded to an urgent question yesterday and did so I have been a bit of a curmudgeon this morning, but I very well. As he said to the House, the information on have always thought the Leader of the House a thoroughly the local government finance settlement was distributed good man. I wish for my constituents, as he will for his, in a way that is consistent with previous years. In fact, the warm glow one gets from reading “A Christmas laying it by means of a written ministerial statement is Carol”, but does he agree that a lot of people up and exactly the same process as was adopted by the previous down this country are suffering “Hard Times”? Will he Government in the last year before the election. look at Angela Merkel’s remarks this week that when the income band for the rich and super-rich gets so far Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Given the away from not only the poor, but average people, democracy ongoing need to raise funds for the public purse, may is threatened and put in peril? May we have a serious we have a statement setting out the reasons why the debate on income distribution in our country? Government think it is still necessary to own Channel 4? 905 Business of the House19 DECEMBER 2013 Business of the House 906

Mr Lansley: I will, if I may, ask my right hon. Friend service to carers, could we have a genuine debate on the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to how we can provide proper support and income for respond to my hon. Friend in relation to that. them so that they can feel valued by this House?

Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): Police Mr Lansley: I will ask my colleagues at the Department in Devon and Cornwall get less per head than those in for Work and Pensions to respond to the hon. Lady on leafy Surrey. Our transport infrastructure investment is the circumstances she describes with regard to the carer’s less than that in any other part of the country, despite allowance. On the more general issue, carers should the problems we have with flooding on the main line. understand that individual Members, the House and Plymouth’s public health statistics are worse than those the Government support them. I think that is evident in almost any other part of the country on a whole from our allocation of some £400 million to ensure that range of levels, yet we get only £47 per head in Plymouth carers have access to more respite breaks; from the compared with £77 in Portsmouth and £66 in Bristol, Children and Families Bill, which delivers additional and Windsor and Maidenhead do infinitely better. May support to children who are carers; from our commitment we have an urgent debate on the funding distribution to deliver health checks and support to carers; and from and formula basis of all these decisions, because regionally all the additional carer rights in the Care Bill—the hon. and in Plymouth we lose out? Lady will no doubt take part in the debate on that—which sets out for the first time a comprehensive structure of Mr Lansley: I will not go through all those things, but rights for carers. the hon. Lady will know of the focus being given by the Department for Transport to improving routes, including Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con): the A30 across Bodmin. My hon. Friend the Member The cost of motoring is a significant part of household for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Oliver Colvile) expenditure and it also has a broader economic impact, has asked questions about that and I and other Ministers because most goods are moved by road. I recognise that have responded to them. there has been cross-Government action on the issue— I held discussions with Plymouth city council two or including the cut in fuel duty, stopping the escalator more years ago about how actively it was considering and work on insurance fraud—but please could we have bringing people together to promote public health in a debate to consider the progress made and ask what the city. As such, all local authorities have seen an more can be done to help? increase in their allocation of public health resources. Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend is right. I think that Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): This evening I motorists in general can take heart from the way in will attend a public meeting to discuss the recent floods which the Government have ensured that additional in my constituency, particularly those that have affected costs are not loaded on to them. Had the previous residents in Barrow Haven who, understandably, will Government still been in office, fuel duty would have want some answers. Although we have had an opportunity been an extra 20p per litre by the end of this Parliament to meet the Secretary of State for Environment, Food as a consequence of their fuel escalator, which my right and Rural Affairs and there has been a written statement, hon. Friend the Chancellor has taken away. I also think as yet there has not been an oral statement or time for a that the work of the Office of Fair Trading on motor debate in the House. Could the Leader of the House insurance claims offers the prospect of relief to motorists provide Government time for such a debate early in the in terms of their insurance premiums, as does the new year? Ministry of Justice’s work on the response to whiplash.

Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend rightly raises important Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Further points on behalf of his constituents. Given that he has to questions on local government spending, I see that had a meeting with the Secretary of State, I will consult the Secretary of State for Communities and Local the Secretary of State on how my hon. Friend and other Government is to be given a new role as the head of Members whose constituencies have been particularly Minitrue, to guard against the risks of doublethinking affected by the recent flooding might be given further in our local authorities. Given the discrepancies in the information. Given the current pressure on time, I answer to yesterday’s urgent question on local government regret that I cannot promise a debate in the House on spending, might it not be an idea to start with a debate these matters, but we will make sure that all Members on the accuracy of answers given to Members of the are properly informed. House?

Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): One group of people who will not be having a restful Christmas are Mr Lansley: I assure the hon. Gentleman that I know carers. The Leader of the House has given a list of ways my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities in which life is improving under this Government, but and Local Government sets out to speak in plain English life for carers has not improved. Their income limit has and in terms that are entirely accurate. not increased and one of the carers in my constituency, Mrs James, has her income assessed on a weekly basis, Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): Like many councils, because she works on a zero-hours contract. If, in one Stroud district council is busy formulating and agreeing week out of four, she earns £1 over the £100 allowance, our local plan, but in the meantime we are effectively she loses her carer’s allowance for the entire month, circled by developers who are picking off field after even though her income for the rest of the month might field. Their plans are often rejected by the planning be £25 one week and £35 the next. Instead of paying lip committee, but we are obviously open to the risk of an 907 Business of the House19 DECEMBER 2013 Business of the House 908

[Neil Carmichael] prudent use of public money. Will the Leader of the House arrange a debate on that issue and ensure that it inspection. May we have a debate about that and about is led by the plain-speaking Secretary of State who, as how we can assist local areas to defend themselves from an Essex MP since 1992, could explain what he has unscrupulous developers? done to stop the abuse by his party colleagues in his own county? Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend makes an important point. It is very important to have a local plan in place, Mr Lansley: My noble Friend the Leader of the which is why it is encouraging that three quarters of House of Lords made a statement in the House of authorities have now published one. In fact, just over Lords the day before yesterday, in which he said that he half of them now have an adopted local plan. It is was “completely dismayed” to read reports in the press important to achieve that, so the intention of Stroud about the behaviour of a Member of that House. The district council to submit its local plan for examination Member in question is not a Conservative peer, but he will give more weight to that plan in decision making, was formerly the Conservative leader of Essex county and help to guard against developments that are not council. I share that dismay, but those matters are for determined locally. the House of Lords, rather than for this House.

Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ Stuart Andrew (Pudsey) (Con): May we have a statement Co-op): Tech City UK has a budget, funded by the on what the UK response has been to the situation in taxpayer, of just over £2 million, but it has recently been South Sudan? very coy about revealing exactly how it spends that money, despite being probed by Tech City News. Does Mr Lansley: We are following developments in South the Leader of the House not agree that transparency Sudan with great concern. The British ambassador has about how taxpayers’ money is spent is vital? Will he spoken to the President of South Sudan. The Minister remind Ministers to ensure that any body funded by for Africa, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign their Department is required to be as transparent as and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member possible about its spending? for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds), is speaking with regional Foreign Ministers. We have called for restraint and for differences to be resolved through Mr Lansley: The hon. Lady is of course right that the dialogue, and we have underlined the importance of principle of transparency applies and is one that we protecting civilians. seek to pursue. If I may, I will raise that issue with Ministers in the Department for Business, Innovation The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised and Skills. against all travel to Juba and has been helping British nationals to leave. A UK military aircraft is en route to Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): On Tuesday Juba to evacuate British nationals today. The Foreign night, the press were briefed about a welcome introduction and Commonwealth Office has been contacting British of restrictions on certain benefits for immigrants from nationals in the country and offering consular assistance. Bulgaria and Romania. Will the Leader of the House Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): explain how this House has been informed of those When the Leader of the House went home last night, restrictions, what the legislative mechanism is for their did he not feel a certain amount of shame at being part introduction, whether they include restrictions on tax of a Government who have presided over 500,000 people credits and whether they will also apply to other EU presenting to food banks? If so, can we have another member states? debate on food banks so that he can express that shame? Mr Lansley: The House was made aware by the fact Mr Lansley: I am proud to be a member of a that regulations to that effect were laid on Wednesday Government who have seen the number of workless morning; they are subject to the negative procedure, so households in this country fall to its lowest ever level. they can be brought into force. In that sense, they are Work is the best route out of poverty. available for the House to see, and if any hon. Member wishes to pray against them, they can be prayed against Andrew Miller: Answer the question. under the normal arrangements. Mr Lansley: It is undeniably the case that in the On my hon. Friend’s other points, I do not know that tough times that we faced and with the largest deficit in the regulations extend elsewhere or in any sense beyond the OECD, it was necessary to reduce debt in this this country, but the measures we have taken are informed country. It is impossible simply to ignore the fact that by a great deal of work done by the Government to living standards in this country have taken a hit as a examine the benefit arrangements available to those consequence of what happened under the last Government. who exercise their free movement rights inside the European I am proud that this Government are leading the kind Union. That work gives us confidence that we can of economic recovery that holds the greatest prospect of introduce the proposed measures. giving the greatest number of people access to rising living standards in the future. Mr John Spellar (Warley) (Lab): I am sure that the Leader of the House was shocked by the revelations in Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): May we have a debate the Daily Mirror about the abuse of expenses at Essex on the future provision of paediatric services nationally? county council under its Tory leader Lord Hanningfield. Yesterday, the trust special administrator for the Mid It will clearly be of concern to the Secretary of State for Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust recommended the Communities and Local Government, who regularly removal of many paediatric services, including in-patient lectures local government about the importance of the and overnight paediatrics, from Stafford hospital. The 909 Business of the House19 DECEMBER 2013 Business of the House 910 main basis for that recommendation is that there that Mr Farage failed to get elected to the seat of are too few consultants to maintain a full rota of eight Buckingham at the last general election. May I draw the to 10 consultants. However, there are five or six consultants attention of the Leader of the House to the amendment at the hospital and many services across the country run that stands in the name of the whole Procedure Committee, with far fewer than that. If that logic is pursued, there is the chair of the 1922 committee, the chair of the a great threat that dozens of paediatric services across parliamentary Labour party, and other hon. Members, the country will face closure. to order No. 9 about the calling of amendments at the end of the Gracious Speech? Can the Procedure Committee Mr Lansley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who therefore invite the Leader of the House to bring it on continues to be a tireless advocate, on behalf of his early in the new year? constituents, for the services that are being provided at Stafford hospital in very difficult circumstances. I appreciate Mr Lansley: I am, of course, familiar with the amendment that. The points that he raises can be made to Monitor, to which the hon. Gentleman refers, and it has been on which will consider the report of the trust special the remaining orders for some time. I confess that time administrator. After Monitor has done that, a report is pressing but the issue is not pressing in that sense. If I will go to the Secretary of State for Health for a final may, I will advise the House in due course about when it decision in the new year. None the less, I think that my would be suitable to debate that matter. hon. Friend’s constituents will be comforted to know that the paediatric assessment unit, which has paediatric Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): Further doctors, will continue to be available at Stafford hospital to the earlier question from the hon. Member for Pudsey under the proposals. (Stuart Andrew), will the Leader of the House offer the prospect of a full statement, before the House rises, Wayne David (Caerphilly) (Lab): In the spirit of the from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about festive season, may we have a debate on whether Ministers what the UN Secretary-General has described as a should be obliged to make new year’s resolutions? I deeply concerning situation in South Sudan, with more encourage Ministers to resolve always to make statements than 500 people dead since the weekend, 20,000 people to the House before doing so to the press, to introduce seeking refuge with the United Nations, and violence well-thought-out and coherent legislation, and to smile spreading out from the capital, Juba? Will the Leader of a little more often than the Deputy Leader of the the House give a full guarantee to concerned families House. about the safety of UK nationals who are still present in that country? Mr Lansley: That was a bit of a “Bah, humbug!” moment at the end, unfortunately. In all those respects Mr Lansley: I deliberately gave a fuller answer to my we do not need to make new year’s resolutions, since hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) they are part of our common practice and custom. than I might otherwise have done, because I am aware it is the final day before the House rises and there might Mr Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): As you are not be another opportunity for Foreign and Commonwealth aware, Mr Speaker, I have been calling for several weeks Office Ministers to update it. If the hon. Gentleman is for a debate in Westminster Hall or on the Adjournment in his place, and were he to catch the eye of the Speaker, on the planning regulations for solar PV panels in rural it is open to him to raise the issue again during the locations. As the Leader of the House will know, in pre-recess Adjournment debate that follows statements rural north Essex—the northern part of my constituency— to the House. I took care this morning to ensure that more than 300 acres of solar PV panels are being what I said was up to date and full regarding the planned, which will affect the villages of Liston, Belchamps, Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s response to the Foxearth and Twinstead. The matter is a continued situation. aggravation to my constituents and they would very much appreciate a debate on this important issue. Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab): Ministers have now admitted that there are delays in processing personal Mr Speaker: Frankly, I cannot say that I was much independence payments, which are impacting on people aware of the hon. Gentleman’s current preoccupation, with long-term debilitating illnesses such as cancer. Will but I assure him that I am now. the Leader of the House arrange an urgent debate in Government time so that we can examine why those Mr Lansley: Happily, Mr Speaker, so am I. My hon. delays are occurring and what the Government are Friend may wish to raise the issue with Ministers from doing to remedy them? the Department for Communities and Local Government when they answer questions early in the new year. In Mr Lansley: I am aware that the hon. Gentleman has addition, since there will no doubt be Members elsewhere previously raised this issue with Ministers. To be practical, in the House who have similar concerns, my hon. Friend during the recess I will ask Ministers to respond to him might try to use the good offices of the Backbench directly so that we can see the position early in the new Business Committee to seek time for a debate on the year. issue. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): The behaviour on the Government Benches yesterday I am sure that during his earlier exchange with the hon. during the food bank debate, with Members laughing at Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) the plight of individuals having to go to food banks, about the merits of Nigel Farage, the Leader of the was truly shocking to my constituents and many other House simply forgot to say how delighted we all were people up and down this land. May we have a debate 911 Business of the House19 DECEMBER 2013 Business of the House 912

[Diana Johnson] Mr Lansley: I heard the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member about the huge increase in the numbers of homeless for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey) set out plans people and people sleeping rough, and see whether that that are giving people increasing confidence in the also causes amusement on the Government Benches? prospects for renewables investment in this country. I will of course look at the situation the hon. Gentleman Mr Lansley: I am sorry but I do not accept at all the raises, which must be of concern to his constituents in hon. Lady’s premise about the debate yesterday. I think Wrexham in particular, and ask my hon. Friends at the it best for Members not to assume that because they can Department for their response. The general context, as see what is happening on the other side of the House, the hon. Gentleman will understand, is that we are they can also hear what is happening. Frankly, that making tremendous progress on private sector jobs, brings the House into disrepute unnecessarily, which is with more than 1.6 million more private sector jobs not something I would encourage. On rough sleeping since the election. and homeless people, the Government continuously try to ensure that as few people as possible are sleeping Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) (Lab): Happy rough, and that support, including hostel places, is Christmas, Mr Speaker. available for all those who are sleeping rough. May we have a debate on the proliferation of low-paid Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): The bogus self-employment arrangements, especially in the Leader of the House will know that the Department for hospitality industry, which are responsible for so many Transport has been promising all year to publish a personal cost of living crises? Green Paper on graduated licensing for newly qualified drivers, to try to reduce the number of young people Mr Lansley: Happily, the hon. Gentleman may recall killed on our roads. This morning, in answer to a that during the autumn statement the Chancellor set written question from my hon. Friend the Member for out some of the ways Her Majesty’s Revenue and Birmingham, Northfield (Richard Burden), the Under- Customs is continuing to bear down on schemes that Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. Member for are clearly designed to avoid tax. If I recall correctly, Wimbledon (Stephen Hammond), essentially said that they included issues relating to the question of employment the matter is being postponed indefinitely. May we have and self-employment, and they will be pursued in that a debate on that or a statement from the Department context. for Transport, so that the House can be informed about what is going on? Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): Merry Christmas Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman knows that we have to you, Mr Speaker, and to everyone in the House. discussed this matter before in business questions, so I May we have a statement, as early as possible next am interested in the point he makes. I confess that I year, from a Treasury Minister to tell us why millionaires have not seen that answer to that question. I will look at are paying less tax this Christmas than they were last, it and talk to my hon. Friends at the Department for before the Chancellor makes a decision in the Budget to Transport to see whether we can advise him further on ensure that millionaires pay less tax next Christmas their plans. than they are this? Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): On Monday of this week, 615 of my constituents lost their jobs at Sharp’s Mr Lansley: I have to tell the hon. Gentleman that I solar plant in Wrexham when investment, which was do not think we need a statement. First, as I said earlier, hard won in 2004 under the previous Government, the 1% with the highest incomes are paying 30% of tax. ended. May we have a debate on this Government’s Secondly, the highest rate of income tax is now higher chaotic investment policy on renewables, which is deterring than it was in every month of the previous Labour international investors from bringing jobs to the UK Government, except for the last month. Thirdly, 2.7 million for constituents such as mine, who will have no jobs this of the lowest earners have been taken out of income tax Christmas? altogether. 913 19 DECEMBER 2013 Detainee Inquiry 914

Detainee Inquiry properly by the police, but it raised the prospect of a still further indeterminate delay before Sir Peter could begin to call witnesses and hear evidence. Mr Speaker: Before I call the Minister without Portfolio to make his statement, I should say to the House that With the panel’s agreement, therefore, I announced in the subject matter concerns certain right hon. Members a statement to the House that the detainee inquiry personally. I know that the right hon. Member for would produce its report based solely on its preparatory Blackburn (Mr Straw) wishes to catch my eye. I have analysis. This report was to highlight any particular said to him that in these exceptional circumstances I am themes or issues that should be the subject of further prepared to allow him latitude in phrasing his remarks examination. A classified version of the report was to and rather more time to make them than would be be presented to the Prime Minister, and an open version usual. Even so, I know he appreciates that brevity will was to be made public. Nevertheless, the report is a assist, as this is not a debate. substantial piece of work and the product of extensive independent analysis of some 20,000 written documents, some of which have not been examined by any previous 11.43 am review. It finds no evidence in the documents to support any allegation that UK intelligence officers were directly The Minister without Portfolio (Mr Kenneth Clarke): responsible for the mistreatment of detainees held by With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a other countries overseas, and no material has been statement on a report being published today by the referred to the police for further consideration, but it former Court of Appeal judge, the right hon. Sir Peter identifies 27 issues that require further examination, Gibson, into the treatment of detainees. It may first be grouped under four broad themes: interrogation and helpful to remind the House of the circumstances in treatment; rendition; guidance and training; and matters which Sir Peter’s inquiry was set up. relating to policy and communications. In the statement he gave to the House in July 2010, The period concerned was one in which we and our the Prime Minister explained that questions had been international partners were suddenly adapting to a raised about the degree to which, in the years immediately completely new scale and type of threat from fundamentalist after the horrific events of 11 September 2001, British religious extremists, and many UK intelligence officers officers had worked with those from foreign security had to operate in extraordinarily challenging environments, services who were treating detainees in ways they should subject to real personal danger. Everyone in the Government not have done. The Prime Minister made clear that it and the agencies accepts, however, that this bravery has has never been suggested that United Kingdom intelligence to be combined with clear rules of proportionality and officers were themselves directly responsible for the accountability to ensure that we uphold the values we mistreatment of detainees. Nevertheless, the allegations are working hard to defend. So, while we accept that of involvement had done harm to our reputation as a intelligence operations must be conducted in the strictest country which believes in human rights, justice and the secrecy, we also expect there to be strict oversight of rule of law and had put into question the robustness of those operations to ensure that at all times they respect the rules under which our services operate. the human rights that are a cornerstone of this country’s The Prime Minister then set out his determination values. and the determination of the whole coalition Government The questions raised by Sir Peter’s report, combined to get to grips with these allegations so that the security with the other reviews that have been conducted into services could get on and do their vital job of keeping the period, paint a picture of Government and agencies us safe. First, he announced that we would seek to settle struggling to come to terms with the new level of threat the civil compensation cases brought against the faced by this country. It is now clear that our agencies Government by the former Guantanamo detainees. In and their staff were, in some respects, not prepared for due course, a significant settlement was agreed with the extreme demands suddenly placed on them. The them in November of that year. Secondly, he introduced guidance regulating how intelligence officers should act vital reforms to improve the operational, parliamentary was inadequate. The practices of some of our international and judicial regulation of the agencies. Thirdly, he partners should have been understood much sooner. invited Sir Peter Gibson to hold an inquiry that would Oversight was not robust enough, and there was no deal properly with the historical allegations. Sir Peter mechanism in the civil courts for allegations against the was asked to begin immediately with his preparatory security and intelligence services to be examined properly. work, and his inquiry was due to start formally when Most of those problems related to a relatively short the police investigations into these matters had concluded. period of time in the early 2000s, but they risked some The Prime Minister made it clear that he expected the damage to our reputation as a nation that prides itself inquiry to take no longer than a year. on being a beacon of justice, human rights and the rule Sir Peter and his panel and the Government have of law. I believe I speak for the whole House when I say been frustrated in their hopes of progress by how long that if failures and mistakes were made in that period, it the police investigations have taken. It was not until is a matter of sincere regret. January 2012 that the Crown Prosecution Service and From its very first days in office, this Government the Metropolitan police issued a joint statement announcing have been determined to enact reforms that ensure that that there was insufficient evidence to bring prosecutions the problems of the past cannot be repeated. Those in the two criminal investigations that had been preventing reforms, and changes made under the previous Government, the start of the inquiry’s public work, but at the same mean that the framework within which our agencies time they also announced that new investigations would now operate is very different from that during the begin into alleged renditions to Libya in 2004. Of period which Sir Peter’s report describes. We have finalised course, it is important that these matters be investigated and published consolidated guidance, setting out very 915 Detainee Inquiry19 DECEMBER 2013 Detainee Inquiry 916

[Mr Kenneth Clarke] be possible for the Government to take a final view as to whether a further judicial inquiry still remains necessary clearly how intelligence that could lead to a detention to add any further information of value to future policy should be handled, and how detainee interviews overseas making and the national interest. should be conducted. Compliance with this guidance is monitored by the independent Intelligence Services 11.55 am Commissioner who reports annually to the Prime Minister. Sadiq Khan (Tooting) (Lab): I thank the Minister for We have made it clear that Ministers must be consulted his statement and Sir Peter Gibson for his work and the whenever an intelligence officer involved in a planned interim report. operation believes a detainee is at serious risk of As I respond to the right hon. and learned Gentleman’s mistreatment by a foreign state, even if that raises the statement, I should make it clear that I have not had risk of a terrorist action going ahead. We have dramatically sight of the redacted version of Sir Peter Gibson’s improved Parliament’s ability to oversee the actions of interim report, which is published today. the agencies—we did that through the Justice and Security Bill, which I took through the House on behalf of the I am confident that I speak for the whole House when Government last year. The Intelligence and Security I say that MPs from all parties condemn all forms of Committee is now a Committee of Parliament, fully inhumane, cruel and degrading forms of treatment. independent of Government, and the Prime Minister Our freedoms and the high standards we promote in can no longer appoint its Chairman. It can require protecting human rights distinguish us as a nation and information of the intelligence agencies, not just request our influence across the globe is strengthened as a it. It has a new statutory right to review past intelligence result. Those freedoms are fundamental to our society operations and, for the first time, the Committee and its and our security and intelligence services work on an staff will have direct access to agency papers. ongoing daily basis to protect us and the freedoms we hold dear. Finally, the Justice and Security Bill, which is now an We owe those services a debt of gratitude for keeping Act of Parliament, introduced new court procedures to this country safe from threats—work that is dependent ensure that if allegations are made that things have on men and women taking grave personal risks on a gone wrong, even the most secret intelligence activities daily basis. Again, I know I speak on behalf of Members can be examined by an independent judge in a civil from all parties and the public in thanking them for court of law. The combination of these reforms means their crucial role. Notwithstanding the crucial work that a line has begun to be drawn under a difficult that the agencies do to keep us safe, any allegations of period of the past. Despite that, it remains important involvement by members of our security and intelligence that we deal properly with the 27 issues that Sir Peter’s services in serious breaches of the law need proper and report raises. It would be wrong to leave those issues, full investigation. many of which relate to matters of policy, unexamined Any acts that might contravene the law in the ways for the unknown amount of time it will take for the alleged would run counter to everything our nation police to complete their related investigations. Equally, stands for and believes in. For that reason, it is important it would be wrong to ask a judge to examine material there is a full and proper investigation, exposing any which in any way could compromise a live criminal wrongdoing and bringing those responsible to account. investigation. It is the combination of those police We also need to ensure that the appropriate lessons are investigations and the fact that they thwart a judge’s learned and that there is no repeat in the future. We inquiry that have led to the frustrating delay in this case, need to do that in as independent, open and transparent which is felt by everyone involved. a manner as possible, in a way that maintains the Therefore, the Prime Minister has discussed and agreed confidence of the public. with the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament It is now almost two years since the Minister stood at that it will inquire into the themes and issues that Sir the Dispatch Box and announced that his Government’s Peter has raised, take further evidence, and report to the inquiry, led by Sir Peter Gibson, was to be abandoned Government and to Parliament on the outcome of its because of ongoing criminal investigations. I have some inquiry. Additional resources will be provided to the questions for the Minister that I hope he will be able to Committee to undertake that work, so that it does not answer this afternoon. Why has there been such a long affect the work it is currently doing on the killing of delay in the publication of Sir Peter Gibson’s report? Of drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich earlier this year, and course, we understand why sensitive parts of the report its work on the following inquiry it has announced it need to be redacted, but who decided which sections will be undertaking on the necessary balance between were redacted? privacy and security as regards communication interception. The Minister was categorical in January 2012 that a To assist the Committee with its work, the Prime future judge-led inquiry would be restarted at an appropriate Minister has already asked the agency heads to provide time in the future. That is particularly important in light him with full and detailed responses to the questions of the commitments made by the Prime Minister, the raised in the panel’s report for which they are responsible. Foreign Secretary and the Deputy Prime Minister that He has also asked the Intelligence Services Commissioner it had to be an independent judge-led inquiry. Bearing to provide his views on current compliance with those in mind that the interim inquiry by Sir Peter Gibson has aspects of the consolidated guidance that he monitors. identified 27 issues that require further examination, Both of those reports will be made available to the why have the Government changed their mind about Committee in full by the end of February next year. the importance of the restarted inquiry also being judge-led? I hope and expect that by the end of next year the There are recent examples of a judge successfully ISC will have finished its report. I also hope that the examining material in an inquiry without compromising police will have finished their investigations. It will then criminal investigations. Will the Minister therefore explain 917 Detainee Inquiry19 DECEMBER 2013 Detainee Inquiry 918 why he has handed the inquiry into the issues that Sir against anybody, and nor can it clear anybody conclusively, Peter has raised over to the ISC rather than a judge? I because it relied on documents that were frustrated have great respect for the Committee’s work and recognise when it came to calling witnesses. that it has increased powers and increased resources, Only one passage in the report is redacted. We did but does the right hon. and learned Gentleman believe our best to reach agreement with the panel on the that his original aspirations—and those of the Prime redactions and we were anxious to publish as much as Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary— possible, as was the panel. The redactions relate to a for the inquiry to be as independent, open and public as matter that is already subject to a public interest immunity possible can be met by such an investigation? certificate in the courts. In my and the Government’s Bearing in mind that much of the litigation in this opinion, there was no going back on that. Sir Peter and area will inevitably be conducted under closed material the panel acknowledge in the text that the redaction is proceedings, the scope and coverage of which the of no significance to the general narrative and the issues Government extended last year to include such cases, set out in the report. does the Minister agree that there is even more reason The Prime Minister was quite clear about preferring to ensure that any investigation is as independent and a judge-led inquiry. When he said that almost two years transparent as possible, and has the confidence of the ago, I said we would set up the judicial inquiry once the public? Does the Minister believe that the public will police investigations were over and we could get the have greater confidence in an ISC investigation than in inquiry under way. That has not proved possible, however. a judge-led one? If so, will he explain his thinking? Nobody contemplated at that time that in December Organisations representing detainees and their families 2013 we would still be trying to work out when we had concerns that Sir Peter Gibson’s original inquiry would be capable of proceeding. was not compliant with articles 3 and 6 of the European A judge-led inquiry normally involves the publication convention on human rights. They chose to disengage of evidence as the inquiry proceeds, although in cases from the process. I asked the Minister back in January such as this the evidence is sometimes redacted. The 2012 what he intended to do to ensure that the inquiry’s whole process of a judicial inquiry could conceivably legitimacy was bolstered by working to re-engage those compromise a criminal investigation. It is true that groups and organisations. The interim findings, published some recent inquiries, such as that conducted by Lord by Sir Peter Gibson today, could have been used as an Justice Leveson into a totally different matter, proceeded opportunity to show the non-governmental organisations although criminal investigations were taking place, but and the public that the judge-led inquiry was working Lord Justice Leveson avoided, very scrupulously, any under its terms of reference to win back the confidence areas that might compromise the criminal investigation. of the public. Does the Minister think that that is an The trouble with Sir Peter Gibson’s scope is that the opportunity missed? only matters that he is considering are the subject of My final question for the Minister is what additional criminal investigations, so the same situation could not steps he and the ISC will take to address the perception— arise. The Prime Minister has therefore come up with fair or unfair—that today’s announcement of the ISC the solution of referring the issue to the Intelligence and taking over the inquiry is a whitewash? Ultimately, the Security Committee in the House of Commons. key aims are to get to the bottom of what happened and I hope that the right hon. Gentleman can be persuaded to ensure that lessons are learnt and justice is done, as that that is a very good way of proceeding. The ISC’s well as maintaining public confidence. We will work inquiry can start now, whereas a judge-led inquiry constructively in any way we can to satisfy those aims. could not. Moreover, the House of Commons has greatly strengthened the ISC. When we debated these matters last year, Members in all parts of the House agreed that Mr Clarke: First, I certainly share the right hon. we should make the ISC independent, more powerful, Gentleman’s frustration with the delay, which was not and capable of calling for, rather than merely requesting, contemplated by the Prime Minister or anyone in the information that it wanted. I think that we now have government when we embarked on this process. Indeed, an opportunity to demonstrate that its work is a valuable we are extremely anxious to inquire as necessary as addition to all the other requirements in our constitution quickly as possible so that we can draw a line under this to ensure that the activities of our intelligence services matter, learn lessons and ensure that the House can be are properly accountable, and that, as far as is feasible, totally confident that there would be no similar problems there is some democratic oversight of what can be done. in future. The delay has been caused by the length of Finally, the right hon. Gentleman reminded me that, time taken for the police to investigate these matters. two or three years ago, non-governmental organisations No politician has control over the police and it is right and perfectly reasonable lobbies had criticised Sir Peter for them to inquire into issues where they believe it is Gibson and refused to co-operate with him because, in justifiable to do so, but the result has been a timeless their view, his inquiry did not comply with article 3 of delay. Nobody has been able to proceed, in Sir Peter the European convention on human rights. I remember Gibson’s case, to the calling of witnesses and the taking that exchange, which disappointed me at the time. The of evidence, because that could compromise any criminal organisations concerned appeared to be arguing for a procedures and investigations that needed to take place full-blooded public inquiry in which everyone would be in due course. represented—detainees present, press sitting in the gallery I join the right hon. Gentleman in praising the work at the back—and in which a great deal of evidence of Sir Peter and his panel in producing this report, would be produced that would be of enormous value to which, in the circumstances, is extremely valuable, but this country’s enemies. No country in the world would as the panel makes clear, it can come to no conclusions sensibly deal with matters in that way. I think that the and make no findings of fact or conclusive allegations process we are adopting, with the use of the ISC, is the 919 Detainee Inquiry19 DECEMBER 2013 Detainee Inquiry 920

[Mr Kenneth Clarke] Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware, as Sir Peter brings out in his interim report and has long been best way of ensuring that our intelligence services remain known more widely, that in early January 2002 I agreed as strong and effective as we all want them to be, that that the UK should not stand in the way of UK their bravery is respected, and that they are protected nationals who were detained in Afghanistan by the when they carry out work on behalf of all of us, while United States being transferred to Guantanamo Bay, also ensuring that there is proper scrutiny and a proper and that I did so after careful legal advice and because, inquiry so that we can be reassured that the highest at the time, it was the only practical alternative to their ethical guidelines are being followed. remaining in custody in Afghanistan? But will the right hon. and learned Gentleman also accept that we never Sir Malcolm Rifkind (Kensington) (Con): May I, agreed in any way to the mistreatment of those detainees through the Minister, give the House an assurance or to the denial of their rights, that we made repeated about the work that the Intelligence and Security Committee objections to the United States Government about these has agreed to undertake? matters, and that I was able to secure the release of all As Members will know, in 2005 and 2007 the Committee British detainees by January 2005? published reports on the treatment of detainees and on Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree rendition. Those reports turned out to be unsatisfactory that we should never forget the context: that the period and incomplete, because the intelligence agencies had covered by this report was the aftermath of the world’s not provided the Committee with all the relevant most appalling terrorist atrocity ever, on 11 September information, which, at the time, they were under no 2001, and that in this period there was a continuing and statutory obligation to do. As the Minister has said, profound anxiety of further terrorist outrages to come— that has now changed: the agencies are required to anxieties that were all too well placed, as we all discovered provide all the information, and the Committee’s own on 7 July 2005? staff can go directly to them and inspect their files. It is on that basis, and on the basis of the extra resources Finally, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman that we will be given to prevent our other work from agree that throughout this difficult period it was the being interfered with or delayed, that the Committee exemplary professionalism and bravery of our armed believes that it can fulfil this duty, and is very willing to forces and of the staff of our intelligence and security do so. agencies which ensured that, in so far as was humanly possible, our nation and its people were kept safe? Mr Clarke: I am grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend for explaining why we gave the ISC more powers, Mr Clarke: I have the greatest respect for the right and why that very powerful Committee, with its very hon. Gentleman and I have considerable sympathy with strong membership, is capable of exercising its him for the frustrating personal position in which he responsibilities and—we hope—producing the information finds himself. There has been briefing around this matter that we require. The Gibson report did indeed indicate and allegations have been made, and he has had no that when it had previously tried to conduct inquiries opportunity of appearing before Sir Peter and giving into detention and rendition, the Committee had not evidence, which he was anxious to do, and helping Sir been given access to much fuller information involving Peter and the panel establish what actually happened all the incidents of detainee mistreatment that had been during the period in question. He will now have the complained about, and the full internal investigations opportunity to do so when the ISC looks into these of rendition that had taken place. I have no doubt that matters. Obviously, I cannot give any opinion on the my right hon. and learned Friend’s Committee will issues the right hon. Gentleman raises because they rectify that when it returns to the subject. relate precisely to what we are trying to get someone to Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): Thank you very investigate and reach a conclusion on, but it is certainly much, Mr Speaker, for allowing me a response at greater the case, as Sir Peter’s report makes clear, that one of length than is usual. May I thank the right hon. and the issues that will have to be looked at is whether learned Gentleman for his statement and the care he Ministers were properly informed in full about what has taken in handling this matter, which I personally was going on and what necessary ministerial authorisation appreciate, and may I say that I share many of the there was. sentiments he has expressed? I also share the right hon. Gentleman’s final sentiment. I greatly welcome today’s announcement that the I hope that all Members agree that we want the toughest Intelligence and Security Committee will now inquire and most effective intelligence services we can get and into the questions raised by Sir Peter Gibson’s interim that we want our intelligence services to be at least as report, and that all relevant witnesses will be able to effective as those of any other nation. But we are a give testimony in person? Such a further inquiry is, democracy and we also want to know that what they do surely, imperative given that the 27 sets of issues Sir is proportionate, complies with essential ethical standards Peter identifies have been based entirely on the available and is authorised by a Minister, and that all the activities documents, and not on any statements, or oral examinations are carried out by people who are accountable to the of witnesses? Ministers responsible and to Parliament as well, when possible. That is the conclusion I hope we will eventually May I tell the House that, as Foreign Secretary, I reach. acted at all times in a manner that was fully consistent with my legal duties and with national and international law, and that I was never in any way complicit in the Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester) (Con): The security unlawful rendition or detention of individuals by the services do a great job and they deserve our support, United States or any other state? but I do not think this statement will help them. It is 921 Detainee Inquiry19 DECEMBER 2013 Detainee Inquiry 922 truly shocking that Britain has facilitated kidnap and people are drawing the conclusions that we would anticipate torture, and the decision to abandon this judge-led them drawing if they already happened to be on one inquiry will, I think, come to be seen as a mistake. Does side of the argument or another before we started, and the Minister agree that it is as essential for the standing that, I am afraid, will continue. The right hon. Lady of the intelligence services, on whom we depend, as it is makes an extremely important point, and Sir Peter for the wider public that we get to the truth about the makes it clear at least twice in the report he is publishing extent of Britain’s involvement, as only that way can we today that it is quite wrong, and indeed impossible, to restore trust? The Minister has said that the ISC will make findings of fact, and certainly any findings concerning complete this work, but what confidence can the public any individuals involved, before he has called evidence, have in its conclusions when that same body wrongly called them before him if necessary, given them an concluded that Britain was not involved in 2007, only to opportunity to explain and completed these investigations. be flatly contradicted by a High Court ruling the following That is why this inquiry identifies issues, which the ISC year? Is it not the case that the ISC’s new powers about will now consider and decide whether and how to which we have just heard are in any case heavily qualified— pursue. It has not made any findings of fact. In this papers may be withheld on grounds of sensitivity and country it would be quite wrong to make findings of the ISC’s remit on operational matters is only permitted fact of any kind, or to draw adverse inferences against in certain circumstances? anybody, when nobody has given any evidence, nobody has been challenged, and nobody has been given a Mr Clarke: First, I share my hon. Friend’s determination chance to give their own explanation of events. that we get to the truth of these matters and that they are investigated. Indeed, I share his concern that anybody Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): May I from the United Kingdom should be involved in unlawful reassure my hon. Friend the Member for Chichester rendition, and I used to support his campaigns when we (Mr Tyrie) that the agencies do not have the power to were both in opposition. I disagree with him about the withhold sensitive material from the ISC, of which I am way we are progressing now. The judge-led inquiry a member? If they wish to do so, they have to appeal cannot proceed with taking evidence from people and directly to the Prime Minister. In every other respect, publishing evidence alongside continuing police they have to give us what we want to see. May I also investigations which may or may not lead to some remind the House that the ISC has been keen to get to further criminal proceedings if anyone is eventually grips with this matter, and that it actually started its prosecuted. The question is do we, frustratingly, just own investigation, which had to be stayed when the continue to wait—I think it is more than three years Gibson inquiry was set up? Finally, may I give the since the Prime Minister made his statement—or do we House a personal assurance that, notwithstanding seek to demonstrate that we really have now got a the context of trying to bring Libya back within the parliamentary Committee with the powers and authority comity of nations, there are members of the ISC—one required to do the job and report back to this third of whom are senior Labour Members—who, far House and the Prime Minister on its findings and from endorsing any whitewash, would take a great deal recommendations? of convincing that it was ever reasonable, proportionate I am sorry that my hon. Friend is dismissive of the or justifiable to supply people to Colonel Gaddafi’s Committee’s powers. He took part in the debates last regime? year. We have considered them and the Committee has far more powers than it previously had. One of the Mr Clarke: I endorse what my hon. Friend says about things it will be looking at is how, when the previous the determination of the ISC to help the House to bring Committee investigated treatment of detainees and these matters to a proper conclusion and to form its rendition, it did not appear to have been supplied with judgments on them in due course. information that was in fact being shared with others inside the Government and which had been assembled Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): Is not the by the agencies for their own use. I think it is highly heart of the issue the lack of effective accountability of unlikely that that will be repeated and I think the the security services, and the fact that the ISC is not an present Committee can be relied upon to use the powers ordinary parliamentary Committee? It is appointed by to demand papers and to go to the offices and look the Prime Minister and reports to him. Are not the through the records of the agencies in order to revisit its Minister’s proposals just a way of sidestepping the need conclusions on those matters. for a serious examination of the accountability issue and for holding an independent judge-led inquiry rather Margaret Beckett (Derby South) (Lab): May I ask than the process that has been set out? the Minister to confirm my understanding of what he has said, which is that Sir Peter and his team have Mr Clarke: I have addressed that point already, and I identified a large number of questions, many of them would have hoped that my earlier answer would have fairly familiar, to which they have been unable to find satisfied the hon. Gentleman. My starting point is the answers in the documents they have studied, and that in same as his. We need the intelligence services, and I consequence they have not drawn conclusions? I ask share the gratitude that many have expressed for the him to reaffirm that that is the case, because my strong bravery and determination that they demonstrate in suspicion is that there will be those who will try to draw protecting the citizens of this country from the undoubted conclusions nevertheless. threats to their lives and safety. I want intelligence services that work properly. Indeed, I hope that they Mr Clarke: Given that somebody has been briefing in will steal the secrets of our serious enemies. I also hope advance, which I give the assurance is certainly not me that they will alert us to what those enemies are proposing or anybody with my authority, it is already clear that to do, and help us to frustrate them. It is the experience 923 Detainee Inquiry19 DECEMBER 2013 Detainee Inquiry 924

[Mr Kenneth Clarke] Mr Clarke: I very much hope so. Like me, the hon. Gentleman obviously regrets that it has taken three of quite a number of people in this House that that is years to get to this point. I hope that the ISC will be able exactly what the intelligence services do, and that they to report back by—who knows?—the end of next year. do it very effectively. Rory Stewart (Penrith and The Border) (Con): It It is also important, as the hon. Gentleman says, that seems curious that, if a judge-led inquiry cannot proceed what the intelligence services do is proportionate to the while a police investigation is going on, an ISC inquiry scale of the risk posed, that they are accountable and should be able to proceed. Another, more interesting, that, when they start going in for subterfuge, it is issue is the question of democratic accountability. My authorised by a Minister who is democratically accountable right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Kensington to this House. That is what marks out our intelligence (Sir Malcolm Rifkind) is a man of deep experience, and services from those of totalitarian regimes, and that we are lucky to have him in the House. If the time must always be the case. Those standards must apply to should come when he decides to step down, however, we all the activities involved, including collecting data, will need procedures of democratic accountability. Will surveillance and the activity of the agencies in the field. my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister look into I am afraid that, in the modern world, such activities implementing the proposal in the Wright report that will always be necessary to protect the safety of our there should be an elected Chair of the ISC, subject to citizens, so long as we are not damaging our values and prime ministerial veto, who is ideally a member of the so long as we can be confident that everything is accountable Opposition? and authorised by the proper people. Mr Clarke: As I said in my statement, the problem Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): The Foreign with a judge-led inquiry is that it is normal, having Affairs Committee published its human rights report in taken evidence from witnesses, for it to produce evidence October. In it, we expressed our concern that no progress as the inquiry goes along. The ISC can proceed in had been made in agreeing with human rights groups whatever way it wishes, however, and it is not likely to how a successor to the detainee inquiry might proceed do that. So we can start to proceed with the ISC inquiry, on a more transparent basis. I have heard what the whereas to proceed with a judge-led inquiry could be Minister has just said about human rights groups, but more difficult and would certainly give rise to some given that we owe a lot to their efforts—there would controversy. I do not think that one route is necessarily have been no Belhaj investigation without them, for preferable to the other, so long as both are strong, example—will he initiate discussions to see whether any independent and effective in coming to their conclusions. common ground can be established? Whether we have done enough to strengthen the ISC will no doubt be easier to decide when it has completed the three important reports that it is working on. It is Mr Clarke: It is also possible that there would have now looking into the background agency information been no Belhaj investigation if someone in Colonel on the murder of Lee Rigby, as well as examining the Gaddafi’s entourage had not carelessly left their papers whole question of collecting material, surveillance and lying about when fleeing Tripoli. That is no doubt one the balance between security and privacy. And it is now of the matters that will be inquired into in due course. I going to look into the considerable matters of detention have the greatest sympathy with the human rights and rendition, although I presume that it will not organisations; they are on the side of the angels, and undertake all those inquiries contemporaneously. We they expound principles with which I wholeheartedly wish the members of the ISC well in their labours; they agree. However, I continue to believe—as I stated when have taken on a considerable amount of responsibility. we were arguing about closed sessions in civil proceedings If, at the end, we decide that the Committee needs to be last year—that they are being wholly unrealistic if they strengthened further, that will be the time to look into think that the intelligence services can be effective while that. It will not be a matter for me anyway; it will be for the details of all their operations are being discussed in the House to decide on the procedures for appointing open court. We are not here to feed the media, or to the Committee. help people who are gathering evidence for whatever civil litigation they might wish to bring. We are here to Mr Speaker: It is clear that the members of the ensure that we have truly effective, working intelligence Committee are not only immensely distinguished agencies that protect the citizens of this country. We colleagues—it would be impossible to overstate the make them accountable, but we also need to exercise extent of their distinction—but destined to be very busy common sense and have regard to their safety as we go bees in the period ahead. about inquiring into their activities. Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): My right hon. and learned Friend has already mentioned this point, as has Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw), but I welcome the report, and I believe that the whole may I reiterate how grateful we should be to the men House will also welcome the statement from my right and women of the security services? They often work in hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw). We dangerous and lonely conditions, and they have to act would expect nothing less from such a distinguished with great gallantry, for which they get scant recognition. parliamentarian who has served the House and this The House must recognise that fully. country extremely well. May I reiterate the point that he made about the importance and desirability of oral Mr Clarke: I agree entirely with my hon. and gallant evidence being taken? Much has been written about Friend. He understands how much the forces in the that, but perhaps we will now have the opportunity to field, as well as the public in this country, depend on the set out the facts. accuracy of the intelligence available to them and on 925 Detainee Inquiry19 DECEMBER 2013 Detainee Inquiry 926 the ability of the people who work on our behalf to about the extent to which privilege would apply to this infiltrate the organisations with which we unfortunately particular parliamentary Committee, which is of course sometimes find ourselves faced. I endorse all his sentiments set up by statute, which is not usual for most of the in full. others. I assume that the ISC can afford the full protection of privilege to the witnesses who are called before it, Mr Andrew Mitchell (Sutton Coldfield) (Con): My and that, again, ensures that they cannot suddenly find right hon. and learned Friend is to be commended for that this is all being held against them if they find the candour and openness of his statement to the themselves later, by any chance, in the unfortunate House today. Is it not clear that the right hon. Member position of having to give evidence about the same facts for Blackburn (Mr Straw) was dealing with unprecedented again. and extraordinary circumstances in the aftermath of 9/11, and many people, of all different political persuasions, Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): I understand looking objectively at the decisions he took, will conclude that there were junior operatives on the front line who that he discharged his duties then with complete were raising these issues quite early on and whose responsibility and acted with total integrity? concerns were ignored by the management of many of the agencies. Can my right hon. and learned Friend Mr Clarke: I would expect that, certainly, and absolutely reassure the House that procedures are now in place for nothing in this report casts doubt on that integrity at those who have information to be able to blow the all. The right hon. Member for Blackburn has the whistle and for their concerns to be taken seriously? misfortune of being named in it because he had that Mr Clarke: I will not try to paraphrase the report, but most responsible office at the time, but he has already that is one of the things it raises; there were about 40 given his statement, as it were, to this House and it is occasions when our officers were raising queries about quite obvious that the problems he was dealing with the treatment of detainees they were involved with and were immense and unprecedented, and that a great deal sometimes joining in the interrogation of. The question was done while he was Foreign Secretary to protect this is: how were the queries handled? Not all of them country from further harm. appear to have been referred to Ministers, but these are the issues that are raised. This does underline that the Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): agents involved were perfectly alert, and had the usual Following on from the questions from my hon. Friends sensitivities, to the fact that the foreign officers with the Members for Chichester (Mr Tyrie) and for New whom they were liaising were not necessarily following Forest East (Dr Lewis), will my right hon. and learned the same standards that we would wish. The thing I Friend be able to give an undertaking on behalf of the should emphasise, and should have emphasised more as Prime Minister that the reserve power to refuse sensitive I have gone through, is that this is what the consolidated information to the ISC will not be used? guidance put out by the Prime Minister underlined when he put it out; it provided absolute clarity, for the Mr Clarke: As there is that reserve power, I cannot first time, about how such concerns should be handled, give an absolute guarantee that it will be a dead letter and gave much better and clearer guidance to the officers when we start. The Prime Minister is as anxious to get themselves about what they should do if they are becoming these matters resolved—to draw a line under them—as concerned about the conditions in which detainees are everybody in this House is. So it is inconceivable to me being held. that the Prime Minister will be persuaded to start using reserve powers just to cover up embarrassment or to Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): These matters avoid the thing going too far, and I certainly hope that are clearly difficult for the police to investigate. My my hon. Friend the Member for North East Somerset right hon. and learned Friend, like everybody else, is (Jacob Rees-Mogg) is reassured by that; it is not what clearly frustrated at the amount of time this is taking. the reserve power is for. Unfortunately, there are occasions In his discussions with the Home Office, has he come to when there are just disagreements about how dangerous the conclusion that this is due to a lack of resources, of it is, or otherwise, for particular information to be leadership or of co-operation with other Governments? disclosed widely at all. The Prime Minister has the What can be done to speed up the police investigation? invidious task of making the final decision on that if a real conflict arises, but there is no reason to anticipate Mr Clarke: I wish I could find some way of speeding at this stage that the ISC and the agencies are going to up the police investigation—I have wished that several be in any conflict that would give rise to that. times in the course of the past two or three years. But it is a fundamental principle that police investigations in Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): Does this country are not subject to political control, and it is my right hon. and learned Friend agree that perhaps the just not possible for a Government Minister to start answer to the question posed by my hon. Friend the intervening and questioning or second-guessing what Member for Penrith and The Border (Rory Stewart) is the police are doing. I am assured that the police are that the ISC’s proceedings will be covered by parliamentary carrying out thorough investigations and I only have privilege. Has an assessment been made of the effect of estimates of when they might finish. That is why we privilege on the course of the ongoing police investigation, have come to the situation, which has dissatisfied some as I suspect it would be helpful in making sure that the of my colleagues, where we really have to get on and two inquires are kept separate? inquire into this, and the best way of proceeding is to put our new ISC to the test. Mr Clarke: It is certainly important that the two are kept separate. I seem to recall that when the ISC was Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the Minister and to given its new status there was quite a bit of discussion colleagues. 927 19 DECEMBER 2013 High-speed Rail 928

High-speed Rail UK firms and workers must have the opportunity to secure employment from this major investment, starting Mr Speaker: Before I call the Chair of the Transport with its construction. This requires specific initiatives to Committee to make the Select Committee statement, it make businesses across the country aware of the possibilities. might be helpful to the House if I explain, again, briefly Action must be taken to enable all regions to benefit the new procedure, to which it agreed recently and first from improved services and a more successful economy. used last week. In essence, the pattern is the same as for KPMG’s assessment of the regional economic impacts a ministerial statement. Mrs Louise Ellman will speak has generated considerable controversy. This is useful to her subject for up to 10 minutes—there is no obligation work, but there are limitations to its findings and the to take all that time —during which no interventions research should be developed further. may be taken. At the conclusion of her statement, I will The report highlights the varying effects HS2 can call Members who rise to put questions to Mrs Ellman have on different areas. This research reinforces the on the subject of her statement and call Mrs Ellman to importance of taking steps to ensure that the benefits respond to those in turn. Members can expect to be are spread as widely as possible. Work should now be called only once. These interventions should be questions prioritised to widen access to the high-speed network, and should be brief. Front Benchers may take part in improving journey times on the classic railway and the questioning, although it would be seemly for them promoting additional local and regional services on to hold their horses, as I am keen first to hear the capacity freed up by the new line. This means that the contributions of Back-Bench Members. Department, HS2 Ltd and Network Rail must work together. 12.37 pm Control of costs is essential. The estimated cost of Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op) HS2 over a 20-year period is £28 billion, plus £14 billion (Select Committee Statement): I am pleased to have contingency and £7.5 billion for rolling stock. These are this opportunity to make a statement about the Transport major amounts of money— Committee’s recent report on high-speed rail. The crowded west coast main line currently combines long-distance Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Will inter-city, inter-regional and commuter passenger services, my hon. Friend give way? [Interruption.] I am sorry for together with freight. Network Rail predicts that by the trying to intervene. middle of the next decade the line will be unable to meet demand for new train paths and there will be increasing Mrs Ellman: It is vital that the costs are actively levels of overcrowding. In 2011, we looked in detail at managed. the Government’s proposals for a new high-speed rail line from London to Birmingham and onwards to Consideration should be given to speeding up delivery, Manchester and Leeds. Phase 1 is due to be completed including looking at options from building north to by 2025, and phase 2 by 2032-33. This proposed new south, as well as northwards from London. Sir David line is a major piece of national rail infrastructure and Higgins, the incoming chairman of HS2 Ltd, should must be seen as part of the wider rail network. We address this. Indeed, Sir David has already told the commissioned our own research into HS2, and considered Committee that he will be looking at these issues, and the capacity the alternatives could provide. We concluded we will be pursuing this further with him. that only HS2 could deliver the step change in capacity Concerns have been expressed that funding for the needed to accommodate forecast long-term demand on new line will squeeze other transport budgets. This is a the line. serious issue. There is, however, no evidence that this is Our new report looked again at HS2, in the light of happening, looking at projected funding allocations, the revised strategic case published by the Department and we would not accept this situation if it arose. for Transport in October and the research by KPMG Vigilance is required. on the line’s regional economic impact. The Department’s Any major investment of this nature taking place case rests on a prediction of 2.2% per annum growth to over many years inevitably involves risks, but the risks 2036. Demand is assumed to stop growing after that, of not going ahead with HS2 outweigh the risks of only three years after completion of the line. Capacity doing so. Without this investment, the west coast main remains the key issue and no new information has line will become increasingly overloaded. Commuters emerged to challenge the conclusion we reached on this will suffer from overcrowding and delayed journeys. It question two years ago. Alternatives to HS2, based on would not be possible to provide new services, and the upgrading the existing line and changes to train growth of rail freight will be stifled. Governments will configurations, would not provide a long-term answer be tempted to raise fares to control demand. The to the capacity challenge. These alternatives would opportunity to reshape the economy and boost growth themselves be costly and cause considerable disruption in the north and the midlands will have been lost. As over a long period. our continuing debates about airport capacity show, In addition to addressing capacity issues, the line will once the opportunity to make a bold investment decision increase connectivity between our major cities. It can for the future has been missed, it may have gone for help to promote growth in the UK’s city regions and decades. contribute to a rebalancing of the economy. This, however, is not automatic. Local authorities and local enterprise Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham) (Con): partnerships must develop economic development strategies I congratulate the hon. Lady on taking part in this to ensure that this takes place, and the Government procedure, which is new and must be a little daunting. must back these. The Department must become more Perhaps she will forgive me for thinking that I was proactive in ensuring that HS2, as part of the nation’s listening to another Government Minister presenting a infrastructure, brings maximum benefit. report. I find it surprising, after two years, that the 929 High-speed Rail19 DECEMBER 2013 High-speed Rail 930

Transport Committee, whose role it is to scrutinise the together with the very detailed work that will take place Department for Transport, has produced a 27-page on the hybrid Bill, should approval be given for that to report—eight pages of which list contents, so it is go forward. probably a 19-page report—on what is, in effect, the largest infrastructure project in the western world. I Frank Dobson (Holborn and St Pancras) (Lab): It hope her Committee will be returning to the subject would be idle of me to pretend that I am in favour of again and again and asking the right questions. this project. In view of the fact that the report pays very Why did the Committee take oral evidence only from little attention to compensation and mitigation measures, the supporters of HS2 or paid Government consultants, will my hon. Friend agree to the Committee looking when there were 29 others who responded, including into the proposition that the measures for compensation many of those who expressed criticisms of HS2? If the and mitigation that apply in my constituency are not hon. Lady is so concerned about the control of costs, even half as good as those measures outside London? why is she advising the Government on how to spin For example, it would cost an extra £170 million to put their lines on cost by suggesting that they refer to a the HS2/HS1 link in a tunnel that goes under Camden £28 billion sum, rather than the £50 billion that has Town—that, apparently, has been ruled out on grounds been budgeted? If she is aware of the risks, as she said in of cost—when £2.759 billion is being spent on tunnelling her statement, can she tell me whether she has read all elsewhere, with £812 million being spent in the Chilterns the Major Projects Authority reports on this project, alone? and if so, can she tell us more about what she plans to do to identify those risks that are still being concealed Mrs Ellman: My right hon. Friend is right to draw by the Government? attention to the serious issues relating to compensation, which might well affect his constituents, and I take Lastly, if Sir David Higgins has been asked to find seriously the points he raises. The Committee concentrated ways of reducing the cost of HS2, and if the hon. its inquiry on the project’s strategic impact. However, I Lady’s Committee has asked him to consider building accept that the points he raises are extremely serious. phase 1 and phase 2 concurrently, and incorporating Our remit is to consider the strategic impact of the the Heathrow link in phase 1, what examination has she proposed investment. There are other avenues by which made of the effect of that on the bottom line of this the issue he raises can be addressed, but I will report his project which—forgive me if I say so—may be pushing comments to the Committee for its consideration. the price tag up even further? Sir John Randall (Uxbridge and South Ruislip) (Con): Mr Speaker: I gently remind the House that the I congratulate the hon. Lady on introducing the report. latitude that I thought it appropriate to extend to In another life I served very happily alongside her on the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) in the the Transport Committee. She stated that the Committee’s previous set of exchanges was exceptional and should support for HS2 is not unqualified, particularly with not now be mimicked by other right hon. or hon. regard to the Heathrow connection. Has the Committee Members. considered what impact the expansion of aviation in the south-east, whether through further capacity at Heathrow Mrs Ellman: The right hon. Lady raises a large number or elsewhere, would have on the project? Does she think of questions. I will attempt to answer some of them, but that it would have been better to wait until we have the I am mindful that other hon. Members wish to make a Davies report? contribution and ask their questions in the limited time available to us. Mrs Ellman: I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman’s comments. He draws attention to the importance of I am aware that the right hon. Lady has a long-standing having an integrated transport policy so that rail, road, opposition to the project and that she is assiduously aviation and maritime issues can be considered together, putting forward the concerns of her constituents. However, and the Committee made remarks of that nature in our this is a national issue and I remind her that this report initial report two years ago. However, decisions have to is a follow-up of a major inquiry conducted two years be made. The Committee repeats its concern that no ago, where independent consultants were appointed to decision has yet been taken on the serious question of a conduct new research into the specific alternatives put direct link to Heathrow. However, we do not have the forward as possible replacements for the HS2 proposals. remit to look at aviation policy at the moment. Indeed, The recent inquiry considered 33 pieces of written our recommendation is that we think there should be a evidence, in addition to the evidence we heard, and the third runway at Heathrow, but we do not have the issues raised in those written pieces of evidence were authority to take a decision on that. Currently the used as a basis for questions to the witnesses we had in timetable set out by the Government means that the front of us. We also questioned Sir David Higgins Davies commission will not report until the summer of before his appointment to HS2 Ltd and we will continue 2015. No guarantee has been given on when a decision to so. on airport capacity will be made after that, although I Costs are important, and it is important that those hope that it is soon. Given the timetable for High costs are broken down, so that people can see the Speed 2, it seems impractical to say that no decision individual components. Yes, I have read the reports, and could be taken on that until well after 2015. However, ultimately those reports must be analysed against the the point he makes is important and well taken. need to provide continued capacity for the increasing demand on the line from passengers and for freight. Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): I welcome This is a continuing process and the Committee will the report and place on the record my support for the consider what further work it intends to do on this, High Speed 2 programme. I particularly endorse what 931 High-speed Rail19 DECEMBER 2013 High-speed Rail 932

[Kate Green] to link with the conventional track at York, with high-speed trains running as far as Church Fenton, which is five my hon. Friend has said about the importance of connecting miles from York. Would it be possible to upgrade that the strategy for HS2 with local and regional economic last five miles so that people in York, which is a major strategies. She will be aware of the fear that HS2 might rail hub, could use high-speed services directly—an serve to draw investment and business activity from example of the sort of improvement in connectivity north to south, rather than in the opposite direction, so that the Committee is considering? it is important that proper economic planning takes place to address that. Does the Committee have plans Mrs Ellman: My hon. Friend draws attention to the to consider local transport strategies, which are important importance of connectivity and ensuring that all parts in ensuring a match between strategic plans for HS2 of the country benefit. He indicates a specific proposal and the development of local economies, and for investment that would improve connectivity to his constituency not only in local rail networks but in local bus networks, and the areas around it. I hope that he will put that light rail and other forms of local transport? proposal forward, perhaps developed by the local authority and the local transport authority, during the consultation Mrs Ellman: My hon. Friend draws attention to the so that it can be considered as part of the wider benefits great importance of local, and indeed regional, work of HS2. It is exactly the kind of thing that the Transport being conducted to ensure that the potential benefits of Committee advocates should be taken forward. High Speed 2 are enjoyed in all parts of the country. Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): It would be great if Initially, the responsibility for doing that is being taken all the jobs were British, but does the hon. Lady agree up in some local areas—I know that a lot of work is that, under EU rules, it is highly unlikely that we will be being done in the west midlands and in the Manchester able to keep all the work within the United Kingdom, area—but it is not good enough to leave that entirely to and that we will have to have companies coming in from those local and regional authorities. In the Committee’s outside to build the track? future questioning of Ministers and High Speed 2 itself, and specifically Sir David Higgins, I intend to pursue Mrs Ellman: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his that issue so that, as well as individual authorities question. The issue of jobs is extremely important. It is taking their own initiatives, there is some kind of national absolutely essential that opportunities are given to UK oversight of what is being done. After all, this is one of companies and workers to take advantage of the the biggest national investment decisions to be taken for employment opportunities that will be provided by this a very long time. There has to be some responsibility major scheme. The Committee has already raised this from the Government as well as from localities to issue and been told that there will be a road show ensure that its benefits are felt and that the work to conducted by HS2 Ltd that will go across the country ensure that that happens is carried out. promoting job opportunities—similar to the way in which action was taken in relation to Crossrail. Following Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): On a day the road show, it is absolutely essential that Ministers when the newspapers are full of reports of the Chief of become involved and ensure that the promotion of job the Defence Staff’s concern that the armed forces are opportunities is a major part of the scheme. being hollowed out, does the hon. Lady understand why some of us feel that such a costly project betrays a Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): I welcome warped sense of priorities? In particular, has her Committee the Committee’s continued support for HS2, as I welcome devoted any attention to the fact that even in the short the investment in my constituency in the interchange at time that the project has been in the public domain the Old Oak Common. Wouldthat support not be consolidated estimated cost has increased from about £30 billion to if we had certainty on matters, particular the Heathrow about £50 billion? What concept does she have of us link, which the right hon. Member for Uxbridge and being able to stick even to that higher figure? South Ruislip (Sir John Randall) mentioned? The Government seem as intent on delaying that decision as Mrs Ellman: The report emphasises that costs must they are on pushing the project forward. At the very be controlled and that the whole programme must be least, will my hon. Friend endeavour to ensure that the actively managed to ensure that there is good value for moribund proposal for an estuary airport is withdrawn? money. In looking at value for money, we must consider We might not agree on the number of runways we want the impact that the investment can have and the at Heathrow, but if we had certainty that Heathrow consequences of not making it. The consequences for would continue to thrive, we could resolve that issue, the nation would be that our national network would which would mean certainty on the route of HS2. not be able to deliver the results that are required for a Mrs Ellman: My hon. Friend raises an important prosperous economy that can benefit all parts of the point. I agree about the importance of securing the country. Heathrow link. I repeat what I have said previously in relation to the possibilities of an estuary airport: the Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): I warmly welcome problems in relation to cost, environmental impacts and the Committee’s unanimous conclusion that there is a the need to close Heathrow airport and London City political, economic and transport case for building airport are likely to be insuperable barriers to its being southwards, from Leeds and Manchester, at the same pursued further. time as building northwards from London. I want to ask a specific question about the Committee’s support Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): My constituents for building additional links between the conventional are understandably worried, as I am, that the KPMG and the high-speed networks. It is already proposed that report indicated that there could be a net economic there should be a spur from the Yorkshire arm of HS2 disbenefit to Kettering of £50 million. Will the Transport 933 High-speed Rail19 DECEMBER 2013 High-speed Rail 934

Committee encourage the Government and HS2 Ltd to My hon. Friend also knows that I started off as a commission further research from KPMG or another passionate supporter of HS2 until I started reading the independent body to try to assuage some of the genuine international research that suggests that rather than concerns in constituencies such as mine? If High Speed empowering regional cities and making them more 2 does come, surely all of us would want it not to have a affluent and wealthy, such projects have the opposite negative impact on large parts of our country. effect and would drain even more power and influence away from the regions towards London and the south. Mrs Ellman: The hon. Gentleman raises very important The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and issues. The KPMG report is a very useful piece of Skills came out with a very similar view this morning. research that identifies areas that are due to benefit Did she take evidence about that research, and did she from High Speed 2 but also areas that would not take evidence from the former Chancellor of the Exchequer? benefit. When the Committee questioned KPMG about Why did she put so much emphasis on KPMG? Those its findings, it became clear that some considerations of us who live in Yorkshire and saw what it did—or had not been taken into account, including the latest failed to do—in the banking sector do not trust KPMG information on rail improvements being planned for the further than we can throw it. areas concerned, the possibilities of rents being increased, and the impact of freight developments. Those are just Mrs Ellman: I thank my hon. Friend for his question some examples of aspects that had been missed out. and thank the Speaker for permitting these important Our report says that further reports should be issues to be raised. The Committee questioned KPMG commissioned, and I am sure that the Committee will because it had conducted the most recent research on take a continued interest in that. More research in this this very specific area. However, the Committee’s reports very important area should be pursued. It is vital not are based on contributors additional to KPMG. just that areas that are seen to benefit are made aware of When we conducted our original major inquiry two that, but that areas that are worried that they would not years ago, we visited France and Germany to see for benefit are enabled to get maximum support so that ourselves the impact of high-speed rail. It became clear they could share in the positive aspects of HS2. that there are major potential benefits to high-speed rail provided that the local and, in the case of France and Mr Sheerman rose— Germany, regional authorities take advantage of them and provide the necessary economic development support to make them a reality. That is what I would like to Mr Speaker: Order. The fact that the hon. Gentleman happen here in the UK, and that is what the Select sought to intervene on the Chair of the Transport Committee report advocates. Committee when I had indicated at the outset that the procedure was analogous to that of a ministerial statement, Mrs Gillan rose— in which hon. Members should not intervene but rather wait their turn, suggests to me that he was not present at Mr Speaker: Order. In respect of this new procedure, the outset to hear my wise words. Moreover, I have since I said to the House that an hon. Member may expect to been advised that he did indeed beetle into the Chamber be called only once. However, as the House will know, a couple of minutes into the hon. Lady’s statement. The just occasionally hope can trump expectation. I call concepts of the hon. Gentleman, on the one hand, and Mrs Cheryl Gillan. brass neck, on the other, are by no means unrelated. In a spirit of Christmas generosity, on this one occasion I Mrs Gillan: A very happy Christmas to you, shall allow him to put his question, which I think he Mr Speaker, and to the hon. Member for Liverpool, wants to hear and which he imagines that perhaps the Riverside (Mrs Ellman), who has dealt with the questions House might also wish to hear. with charm and a great deal of skill. This is merely a point of clarification. In response to my earlier series of questions, the hon. Lady said that she had read the Mr Sheerman: My office is a long way from here, MPA reports on HS2. Can she confirm that that is the Mr Speaker, and I ran as fast as I could. I apologise to case? you and to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs Ellman). She knows that I am a great Mrs Ellman: I have read the reports put forward on admirer of hers and of the work of her Select Committee, HS2. I have not read reports that have not been disclosed and of Select Committees in general. in public. 935 19 DECEMBER 2013 936 Point of Order: Rectification Procedure Backbench Business Mr Speaker: On a point of order in connection with Christmas Adjournment the code of conduct to rectify a failure fully to declare an interest, I call Mr Ian Murray. 1.7 pm Mr David Amess (Southend West) (Con): I beg to Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): On a point of move, order, Mr Speaker—thank you very much. On That this House has considered matters to be raised before the 11 September this year, I spoke in a debate on part 3 of forthcoming adjournment. the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning I wish to raise a number of issues before the House and Trade Union Administration Bill, when I said: adjourns for the Christmas recess, and I promise the “I also refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ House that I will get through them as quickly as I Financial Interests.”—[Official Report, 11 September 2013; possibly can. There is a danger that I will appear Vol. 567, c. 1002.] grumpy throughout my speech, because I have a long I am grateful to the Parliamentary Commissioner for list of complaints about all manner of things, but I Standards for the robust but fair way in which she has assure the House that I intend to be cheerful right at the dealt with the complaint and the conclusion that she end. reached. Following her advice, I now recognise that I You and I, Mr Speaker, care about this place, and should have gone further than just drawing the House’s anything I am going to say about it is in no way a attention to the register and should have referred to the criticism of your good self. Under your stewardship, specific entry in the register that was relevant, and also you have introduced a number of changes to our should have done so earlier in the debate. I therefore proceedings. We get through the Order Paper and we apologise to the House. have the Speaker’s lectures; there are all manner of things that I absolutely welcome. However, there are a Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, as number of developments in the House that I am not a the House will be. fan of. I think it was a big mistake to change our Tuesday sittings to the hours that we have now. I very BILL PRESENTED much regret that we have Prime Minister’s questions only on a Wednesday; I would like to return to 15 minutes ENERGY DEMAND REDUCTION BILL on a Tuesday and a Thursday. The Press Gallery is Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) constantly empty, and we need to look at what its purpose is these days. Since we changed our sitting Sir Andrew Stunell, supported by Zac Goldsmith, hours, the wonderful staff of the House of Commons, Dr Alan Whitehead, Joan Walley, Mr John Leech, who work so hard, have been affected. The catering Mark Durkan, Kelvin Hopkins, Katy Clark, Natascha facilities have been devastated, and that has had all Engel, John McDonnell, Dr Julian Huppert and Mike sorts of repercussions for a number of our staff—I Gapes, presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State greatly regret that. to draw up and implement a strategy for energy demand I am also worried about little things, such as access to reduction; and for connected purposes. the Crypt. When I first came here, I could press the bell Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on to draw the attention of someone in the Members’ Friday 28 February, and to be printed (Bill 150). Cloakroom and gain admittance immediately, but now a song and dance seems to be made if Members want to take their constituents to see the Crypt. The point of this place, as I have always understood it, is that there were 646 democratically elected Members of Parliament and everyone worked here to support us in our work, but it is increasingly as if we are the strangers in our own place. I think we should have a dedicated police and security force. I do not understand why that is not the case. It used to be a job for police officers as they approached retirement, but we are increasingly seeing new police officers every day and two or three officers carrying guns around. I do not understand what is going on. Sir John Randall (Uxbridge and South Ruislip) (Con): As a previous Chair of the Joint Committee on Security, I have to say that the security threats to this place have increased over the years and that the idea of having only eminent but elderly police officers who are approaching retirement does not necessarily fit in with today’s policing needs. Mr Amess: I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend. I have been here so long that one of the officers who carries a gun came up to me and asked, “Do you remember taking me around the House of Commons 937 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 938 when I was a schoolboy?”, so I understand that things party political point about fuel duty, which is neither have changed dramatically in the time I have been here. here nor there. As a fellow east Londoner—the hon. I am not complaining about that; what I am saying is Gentleman is originally from east London—I say to that there seems to be constant change in personnel. I him that east London is in desperate need of river think it would be better to have an established group crossings. Opponents say that they would encourage who understand how the place works. I certainly do not traffic and create more emissions, but the emissions in approve of the constant, huge change. east London are caused mostly by static traffic that I worry about this place. The damage started in 1997, cannot move because it is sitting on either side of the when huge powers went to quangos. If the place were Blackwall tunnel. There are more bridges in west London shut for a few weeks, would anyone notice? That is what and less pollution. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that I worry about. Where has the power gone from this pollution can be dealt with by moving traffic, as opposed place? I fully accept that I am no longer fashionable: I to static traffic? do not send e-mail Christmas cards, I am not on Twitter, I do not blog and I am not on Facebook. Mr Amess: The hon. Gentleman and I celebrated West Ham beating Tottenham 2-1 last night and I Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): My hon. absolutely agree with him. I hope that a number of us Friend’s very life is a statement of fashion. On his point will persuade the Government to support a new crossing. about where power has gone, this year’s Session must be The nice thing about cars running on gases is that the first time that Parliament has stopped a war on they offer the motorist a cheaper and cleaner alternative. which the Executive were hellbent. The autumn statement contained a 10-year pledge to keep stable the advantage of certain road fuel gases over Mr Amess: I am so glad my hon. Friend has reminded conventional fuels. That is all to the good, but the road me of that. I tell everyone that it has been a long time fuel gases that are being given that boost are used not in since my being here has made a huge difference, but I ordinary vehicles, but only in heavier or commercial and other colleagues certainly made a difference over vehicles. The only fuel to receive a knock in the statement Syria. If only I had had the good sense to do that earlier was autogas—or liquefied petroleum gas—which is another on Iraq, things might be different. road fuel gas used by 160,000 British motorists, so they My second moan is about the Chilcot inquiry, on have been put on the trajectory of a gradually reducing which £7.4 million has been spent. I want the results, benefit from running cleaner cars. It seems an oversight just as I did on Leveson. I have asked lots of questions to discriminate in favour of some fuel gases, so I hope and I am told that the reason for the delay is the huge the Treasury will look at that issue. number of recorded conversations involving the two The hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim previous Prime Ministers and President George W.Bush, Fitzpatrick) is the secretary of the all-party group on but I am certainly not going to shut up on this matter. I fire safety and rescue and I am its chairman. He and I want the Chilcot report and I want to know exactly know that it is becoming increasingly apparent that we what went on behind the scenes. are not learning many lessons from serious fire incidents. The Freedom of Information Act has led to all sorts If we look at the causes of major incidents over the past of consequences for all of us. It is crazy that people can few decades, we will see that there are many common make requests without us knowing who they are or features and similarities. One example is the 2009 Lakanal their addresses. Why do the media host abusive remarks House tower block fire, in which six people were killed that are very offensive to constituents and, occasionally, and 20 injured. Many of the causes of that fire, as well politicians, although, of course, we have extremely broad as other, more recent fires, were the same as the Summerland backs? It is absolutely gutless that we do not know who fire 40 years ago. The Summerland inquiry recommended the people are or their addresses. There is no reason for that architectural training should include a much-extended the media to host such very offensive remarks, which study of fire protection and precautions. Yet 40 years are often about constituents. later, what on earth has happened? I believe that many On air pollution, there is a hidden killer among us, in lives are being lost unnecessarily because we are not the very air we breathe: small particles—particulates— implementing that advice. I hope the Government will created largely by processes of combustion. Once breathed do something about it. in, they attack the cardiovascular system and cause I am also worried about the Disclosure and Barring excess mortality. The proportion of mortality caused by Service, previously known as the Criminal Records particulates in England is 5.4%, but in my constituency Bureau. A number of my constituents have had issues the figure is 5.7%. with it and one constituent in particular—a young man Some of the environmental damage arises out of with Asperger’s—is finding it very hard to find employment burning coal or biomass, but a lot also comes from the because of it. A DBS certificate is now needed before tailpipes of cars. In fact, particulate emissions from people can apply for many jobs, including in schools diesel have been increasing. and even cleaning positions, but my constituent is not Road fuel gases offer impressive reductions in particulate able to obtain such a certificate, because it has to go loads. In fact, particulate emissions from cars running through a recognised organisation. Given that the certificate on road fuel gases are negligible. Thanks to a concession is required before people can start jobs, my constituent from a previous Conservative Government, fuel duty is is in a very difficult position. lower on road fuel gases than on petrol and diesel. Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): Does the new system Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): The forbid me from taking my children and other children hon. Gentleman was making a very good point about to a cricket match when it is a school event, or has that emissions from cars, but then he spoiled it by making a silliness been sorted? 939 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 940

Mr Amess: I am not sure it has been sorted, but I will For anyone who wants to know, mental health services write to my hon. Friend on that particular point. It is in my area were headed until last month by Dr Patrick crazy that individuals are not able to make stand-alone Geoghegan. When I was the MP for Basildon, he was a applications but have to go through an organisation. hospital porter. I am not sure how someone goes from That needs to be changed. being a hospital porter to being the chief executive—I Last month, head teachers in Southend West had a think that he was paid £230,000—but I could go on and meeting with the Secretary of State for Education. It on about it. He took retirement last month, but the was a first-class meeting in which the one issue they culture continues: he has been replaced by his long-serving raised was their concern about school governors. Head deputy. That situation is simply not good enough. I teachers require advice and guidance on a vast array of have complained to Monitor, the Care Quality Commission issues in order to ensure that their school is well governed. and the health service ombudsman, but I seem to be Although parents may have the will and dedication to getting absolutely nowhere, so I ask the Deputy Leader be school governors, they do not always have the specialised of the House—I think that he smiles occasionally—to knowledge. Head teachers in Southend feel very strongly have a word with the Minister of State, Department of that they need more professionals from the financial Health to see whether he can more robust on the issue. sector. They would be an important asset to many At this time of year, we think about animal welfare. I school boards and would provide important and necessary spoke in a debate on live animal exports last year, including advice. Not enough financial professionals are currently about how the long-distance transport of live animals volunteering for such posts, so I hope that the Secretary causes them huge distress. The exotic pet trade, in particular, of State will send out a message about getting more of is a huge cause of animal suffering. It is also a conservation them to be school governors. issue for some species, a concern to human health and Lots of my constituents have issues about the changes safety, and a possible source of invasion by non-native in how blue badges for disabled people work. I simply species, which costs the United Kingdom about £1.7 billion think that the new system is crazy. One constituent who every year in management and control. has difficulty with mobility was previously eligible for a In 2002, I co-sponsored a ten-minute rule bill, the blue badge and had one for six years. I thought that as Endangered Species (Illegal Trade) Bill, which called someone aged, they encountered more difficulties, but for increased penalties under the Endangered Species under the new system it seems that as they age, they (Import and Export) Act 1976, including in relation to suddenly become more able, which is crazy. Since the exotic pet trading. If only that Bill had become law policy changed in April, my constituent has been told 11 years ago, we would not be in the mess we are in now. that he is no longer eligible and his appeal has subsequently It would be good to have a wider debate about the been rejected. Only this morning, I was told that a Belgian and Dutch models, in which a positive list limits young lady with one arm, for whom we managed to get the type of animals that people are allowed to keep. a blue badge for the past three or four years, has That is supported by the Federation of Veterinarians in suddenly had it stopped. That is absolute madness: Europe. something needs to be done and someone needs to take I will end on a cheerful note. I have a constituent responsibility. On this occasion, I ask the coalition called Ray Woodcock, a great granddad, who recently Government to fix the problem. broke the Guinness world record for the highest bungee I am the chair of the all-party group on hepatology, jump into water. He jumped 383 feet from a crane into a and hepatitis is a public health issue of great concern flooded quarry to raise money for the Southend Taxi to me. Public Health England estimates that some Drivers Charity Fund for Children. I think that is 215,000 people are living with hepatitis C in the UK, absolutely marvellous. and it is shocking that many of them remain undiagnosed. I want to link that to my final point, which is about Hep C is an infection that causes significant liver damage, the city of culture. Hon. Members will be aware that I potentially resulting in cancer, and it can go undiagnosed was somewhat disappointed that Southend was not for many years due to the lack of symptoms or their chosen as the city of culture for 2017, but I am delighted generic nature. Despite the high figures, further data to tell the House that Southend was selected last month from Public Health England suggest that if treatment as the alternative city of culture. The launch took place was increased to just 10% of those with moderate at Genting casino, with Patti Boulaye announcing who hepatitis C and 20% of those with more advanced had won as the alternative city of culture. We also had hepatitis C, the number of people experiencing liver James Bourne, Jo Wood and an array of celebrities—Bruce failure or liver cancer would fall by more than 2,000 in Forsyth and Lee Mead are supporting us—of which the the next 10 years. In my constituency, Southend University list goes on and on. I have to tell the House that, as of a Hospital NHS Foundation Trust ranks 31st among month ago, Southend-on-Sea is at cultural war with hospitals in England for the use of hepatitis B and C Hull city: the Thames versus the Humber; Leigh-on-Sea treatment, according to the National Institute for Health fish versus faggots; Southend United versus Hull City. and Care Excellence’s innovation scorecard, and that Between now and 2017, the United Kingdom and the could certainly be improved. world will realise how rich the culture is in Southend. I have received constant criticism from my constituents about SEPT—South Essex Partnership University NHS Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish you and everyone Foundation Trust—mental health services. All hon. who works here a very happy Christmas and a wonderful Members know that mental health services are Cinderella new year. services, but when we meet constituents who have a loved one with a mental health problem and we try to 1.27 pm get assistance for them, we find that services are often Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): I join lacking. I hope in the new year to have a dedicated the hon. Member for Southend West (Mr Amess) in Adjournment debate on that subject. wishing you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and all the House 941 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 942 staff a happy Christmas and a great 2014. It is always a on the matter. We have tried to meet the French ambassador. pleasure to follow the hon. Gentleman, a fellow West I have had a meeting in the past two years with the UAE Ham supporter, especially on the day after one of our ambassador. Sadly, given that child custody is involved rare wins this season, which has struck a cheerful note. I and given the nature of the case, it is very difficult to will not speak on as many subjects as he did. I want to penetrate the legal procedures in the Emirates and in cover only two—the Deputy Leader of the House is Dubai. nodding in approval—which are the individual case of I want to place on the record my appreciation for the my constituent Mrs Afsana Lachaux, and the firefighters efforts that have been made. I hope that we can redouble pension dispute, about which I shall speak briefly. them to help Afsana escape and to challenge the custody Afsana Lachaux is a friend of mine, who has been a decision of the courts in Dubai. Afsana’s sister, Rosina constituent. She moved to Dubai, but is now stranded Aman, who is my constituent, and her son, Rabbhi there. She is a UK citizen and a Muslim in a Muslim Yahiya, will appreciate everything and anything that country, but being a woman, she is at a great disadvantage can be done to help their relative. because she is in dispute with her husband over the The second issue that I want to raise is the firefighters custody of their child following the breakdown of their pension dispute. There is pretty much consensus among relationship. those on both Front Benches that the retirement age for For nearly three years, I have tried to help the family firefighters had to be changed. That was certainly the to resolve this case. I had very good support from the case when I was fire Minister. The terms of the pension former Foreign Office Minister, the right hon. Member scheme were that firefighters had to take compulsory for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), and I have retirement after 30 years’ service or on reaching the age engaged with the Minister of State, Foreign and of 55. It was felt that a number of firefighters could Commonwealth Office, the right hon. Member for work and wanted to work past that. The changes to the Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson), while our rules were supported by the Labour Government and staff in Dubai have also tried to do what they can to they have been amended recently by the coalition. help, so I am not making any criticism about that. There has been a big change in the situation that has There has been criticism from the family, who do not led to the fire disputes that have raged across our think that enough is being done by me, the Foreign country for months. When we put forward our proposals, Office or our consular staff in the Emirates, but if I was my understanding was that firefighters would not be in the family’s position, I would probably feel exactly penalised if they had to retire early on the basis of the same. Their relative—their mother, their sister—has fitness or health and that their pensions would not be been completely stranded. She has been accused by her unfairly reduced if they could not stay on until 60. That estranged husband, who has a record of domestic violence, has changed partly because of the cuts, partly because of all manner of criminal activities. She has been arrested of austerity and partly because of the success of the fire by the Dubai police. She has been jailed. She has been service in reducing the number of calls, fires, deaths and beaten up. She has had the most horrendous experiences injuries. That is partly the result of better building at the hands of the Emirati authorities in Dubai. regulations and procedures being introduced over the Sadly, although Afsana is a Muslim, because she is a past 50 years, notwithstanding the point that the hon. woman in a Muslim country and because she is being Member for Southend West made about fires, which reported by a man, even though he is French and, I was entirely valid. Overall, because we mostly live in believe, is not a Muslim, she has to explain and defend double-glazed and insulated homes with central heating herself to each set of police officers who come to arrest and because fewer people smoke, there are fewer fires. her and, when she goes to report at police stations and The fire service’s education and prevention teams have is detained, she has to go through the elaborate process been extremely successful in reducing the number of of explaining her circumstances all over again. She is fires, and therefore the number of injuries and fatalities. not able to work and is surviving on what her family can The authorities therefore think that we need fewer send to her from London. firefighters and fire stations. To compound Afsana’s misery, she found out last month that her husband had divorced her and had Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): Does the hon. successfully sued for custody of their child in a sharia Gentleman agree that we discard far too early the court in Dubai more than 12 months ago. The rule in experience of firefighters who have given most of their the UAE and under sharia law is that if 12 months have lives to saving lives? If firefighters are not fit to do the lapsed and the decision of the court has not been really physical work, there are key jobs that they can do challenged, it is no longer appealable and is upheld. She in fire prevention, fitting smoke alarms and giving was divorced and lost custody, but was not even aware general advice to all sorts of public authorities. Their of the fact. experience should be used for the betterment of society, As Members can imagine, this woman, who has been not thrown away. brutalised, feels totally isolated, completely let down by everybody in authority and persecuted by the authorities Jim Fitzpatrick: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman in Dubai. She has now found out that she has lost those because that is exactly the point that I was trying to legal cases. That is a dreadful situation to be in. establish. When we anticipated the extension of the I am taking the opportunity to raise the matter this retirement age to 60, we did not think that every operational afternoon to demonstrate to the family that people here firefighter would be fit and healthy enough to work care about Afsana and that the Foreign Office and the until 60. We thought that opportunities would be found consular officials are working on the case. The Minister for them in back-room jobs in fire prevention, school of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has agreed education and all manner of support roles to ensure to meet me and I have had meetings with his predecessor that we took advantage of, and did not waste, the 943 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 944

[Jim Fitzpatrick] here wants to see any more fire strikes. Another series of strikes has been announced but I am convinced that experience that they had accumulated over many years nobody in the fire service wants to see more strikes. The on the front line. However, because of austerity and the last thing that the general public want to see is the cuts and reductions that have been made in the service withdrawal of any emergency service, with the cost and because we do not need as many fire stations and disruption that it causes to the authorities who have to firefighters, there are many fewer such positions for provide the best possible cover. firefighters who are not fit to fulfil other duties. In conclusion, I am grateful to the Foreign Office for Under the new rules that the Government are trying what it is doing. I am grateful to my hon. Friend the to push through, firefighters are faced with a massive Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) reduction in their pension if they go before 60. We never for indicating that the fire Minister has extended an anticipated that there would be such a punitive element offer of talks. I hope that those talks take place. Like in the pension arrangements because, as part of the new the hon. Member for Southend West, I conclude by deal, firefighters are being asked to contribute another wishing you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and all the staff 2.6%, which takes their deductions up to 12.6%. Many a very happy Christmas. of us know the fire Minister, the Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth (Brandon Lewis), 1.40 pm and we have a lot of time for a number of the things Sir John Randall (Uxbridge and South Ruislip) (Con): that he does. Everyone on the Government Front Bench To me, this is a bit like groundhog day; this debate keeps describing the firefighters pension scheme as generous. seems to have come full circle. The only difference is It is a good scheme, but they are expected to pay 12.6% that I used to be on the Opposition Benches when I for it and the reason for that is deaths and injuries. The took part in it. I am delighted to see that some of the scheme is valid and valued, as it ought to be, because of familiar faces from recess Adjournment debates are still the nature of the job. around. It is one of the best opportunities we have to Colleagues regularly stand up in this House to applaud raise issues that we cannot always raise over the course the role that has been played by the emergency services of the Parliament. in dealing with some tragedy, disaster, flood or storm. As I said, I possibly come a little bit like the ghost of These people risk their lives for us on a daily basis. In recess Adjournments past, and Members who are listening their view, they are being forced to take industrial keenly may be able to hear the jangling of chains from action because nobody is listening. They might have to my previous jailors, which I have not quite thrown off. take a hit of up to a 50% cut in their pension because Keeping to the Dickensian theme, I come here, as they cannot last until 60. I am 61 and am relatively fit. I always, with “Great Expectations”, but I am rather of know what that job is about because I did it for 23 years. the Micawber school and think that something will turn I know what it is like to be on strike. No emergency up. There was a lot to be said for Mr Micawber, and his service worker wants to go on strike. They risk their view of economics is one we would all share in with lives for 365 days a year and then they have to walk out regard to annual income and expenditure. Hon. Members the door and deny the community that they want to across the House ought to remember that. protect the ability, discipline and professionalism that they have built up. While on the subject of Mr Micawber, when my hon. Friend the Member for Southend West (Mr Amess) This is a monstrous situation. My appeal to the spoke about culture and Southend—the two words are Deputy Leader of the House is that he takes the strong closely linked—I was reminded of an excellent production message back to the fire Minister, the Secretary of State of “David Copperfield”. Mr Micawber, and various for Communities and Local Government and the Prime other roles, were played by a gentleman called Adrian Minister that we need serious negotiations. As the hon. Preater from Hotbuckle Productions, which is touring Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman) said, if there around the country. If any hon. Members wish to see are places for firefighters to work away from the front that production in one of their local theatres, I can line, they will fill those places. probably supply them with upcoming tour dates in the spring, and would be happy to do so. At the moment—I John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): I will am reticent to say this, Madam Deputy Speaker—the raise this matter, among others, when I speak. My hon. company is appearing in a pantomime in Walton-on- Friend should be aware that the general secretary of the Thames and doing MacLaddin. I am afraid that is Fire Brigades Union has received a letter from the fire somewhat Scottish in nature, and possibly takes a rather Minister that is dated 18 December, which suggests that comical view of that, which I am sure would be disapproved he is willing to meet again. The union is responding of, although I hope to go and see the production at immediately because it is willing to meet the Minister some stage. I am plugging the company so much because any time, any place. However, there must be serious I am hoping for a role in its pantomime next year, and negotiations to settle the dispute. There is the potential that at least one colleague from across the House will to avoid strike action if the Minister is serious. join me as one of the other ugly sisters, or something. We will have to see. Jim Fitzpatrick: I am grateful to my hon. Friend I have a few areas bottled up that I wish to discuss, because it is excellent news that the fire Minister has and I will try not to detain the House for too long. My held out an olive branch to the Fire Brigades Union by remarks will be more a trailer of things to come in the saying that he is prepared to sit down with it, and that coming year; I will not really touch on some of the big the union is contacting the Department for Communities feature films such as High Speed 2 and the third runway, and Local Government to set up the meeting. Nobody because those will probably run and run. While we all 945 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 946 enjoy Christmas, however, there are many people affected Where we do have competence is in our own country, by those major transport infrastructure plans who have and in the forthcoming months I shall raise the issue of yet another year of great uncertainty ahead. the protection of our upland habitats. England’s habitats In my borough—not in my constituency but that of are vital stores of beauty, biodiversity and sequestered my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood carbon, but they seem to be mismanaged. They sustain and Pinner (Mr Hurd)—are the wonderful, superb facilities populations of endangered or critically listed species offered by Hillingdon outdoor activities centre. That is such as black grouse, curlews, hen harriers and freshwater very much under threat because a certain railway is pearl mussels. Despite the protection that has been planned to go straight through its middle and it will not afforded in many ways, a lot of bird species have declined be able to function. We are all trying to find a site for its in numbers. relocation because it is a fantastic facility. It is not just While not wishing to seem too ambitious with my for young people; it has lots of facilities for disabled Christmas list, I have asked for something else—in fact, people and serves a wide area. It is almost unique and I have actually purchased it to ensure I get it because by must be found a new home if HS2 goes ahead. and large in this world it is better to make sure we get We are discussing those who will have an uncertain what we want. It is an excellent piece of work—a bird Christmas and future, and I know the hon. Member for atlas—compiled recently by the British Trust for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) will almost Ornithology. It is a follow up to a previous work, and certainly mention what will happen to many of his before any of us had heard of the big society, this was constituents who face losing their homes, places of an example of the big society in action. Volunteers go worship and, as we know, the places where the dead are throughout the British isles, map the bird species they buried. Those serious issues concern us greatly and I have seen over a period of several years, and then put understand the passion they engender. them into a huge compilation. The important thing this time around is that we can compare it with the previous We are lucky to have in the Colne valley a lot of one, which I think was published 10 years ago, and see gravel pits that are used for various things such as exactly what has improved and what species have declined. sailing and wildlife habitats. I shall visit the Broadwater Some populations have declined dramatically—the whinchat site in January to see whether anything can be done to population is down by 57%; curlews are down by 44%; relocate the Hillingdon outdoor activities centre there. and lapwings by 32%—and we have to take note of I must declare my interest as a member of four that. There have been huge reductions in some species. wildlife trusts. It is always difficult to balance different Not all of those problems are man-made. Some are due interests with different habitats. Apart from looking at to climate change. However, there are things we can do. the impact of HS2 on my constituency, I will look One of the things that I am most upset about is the seriously at its impact on ecology all along the line. Not striking loss of a species called the hen harrier. The male too far from my constituency, a little further up the line, hen harrier is a magnificent grey creature. The female is are colonies of Bechstein’s bats. That may not seem the also magnificent, but not quite so grey—more brown, most pressing issue, but they are an endangered species really. It is estimated that its habitat in England could in Europe and we must take serious note of that, as well sustain more than 300 pairs. Last year was the first time as many other things. Although it is unlikely that Mrs ever that no hen harriers bred in England—a direct Randall is listening to this debate, I am hoping she result, I think, of man’s intervention. Unfortunately, knows that on my Christmas list is a bat detector. I now one habitat that hen harriers like is the grouse moor—grouse have a bit more time and I am going to try to find where are one of their favoured prey. You can probably sense, all the bats are. They can be detected by their different Madam Deputy Speaker, where the conflict lies. Grouse frequencies. In the new year, if anyone sees me walking moors are managed commercial interests. However, they around holding something in my hand outside the do not have to be managed quite in the way they are and House of Commons or in the environs of the Palace, I some offences that are committed will be criminal. will be trying to find out “who’s bats” and where they A recent report by the Law Commission set out are. recommendations following consultation on potential Reading the report earlier, I noticed that HS2 will changes to wildlife law. Much in the report was very also impact on the barn owl population, although there good. I was a little disappointed to see that it did not go are some measures to address that. I hope that when down the line of suggesting that the Government should HS2 Ltd looks at such matters, it will take the advice of introduce a provision for vicarious liability, where employers wildlife trusts, and others, on how to mitigate the impact are legally responsible for wildlife crimes committed by of the project. their employees. I know that is a contentious subject, The country can set an example, but on an international and if I was still in the Whips Office I would be scale there is one pressing area in which I know the tut-tutting because it falls into the “rather difficult” Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been active and category. However, we cannot afford to lose species where we must keep up the pressure. The Virunga such as the hen harrier just because commercial interests national park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have taken the view that wildlife is in their way. We must is threatened because 80% of the land has been allocated do something about it. for oil concessions. It was, I think, the first wildlife The first wildlife laws were introduced in 1954. I am park, and it was set up a long time ago at the beginning pleased to say that it was 10 years later, in 1964, when I of the 20th century. It contains important biodiversity, was a very small boy, that I first became a member of including mountain gorillas and okapis. We must keep the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. I have up that pressure, and although it is not strictly within been a member for 50 years. It is an interest that was our competence, this country is in a position to lead on with me a long time before I gained all the other those issues. interests that I mention in this House or elsewhere. 947 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 948

[Sir John Randall] to the “Today” programme earlier and the Metropolitan police have not had the best of years. That always On the subject of crime, legal aid charges for the happens when one or two things have gone wrong, or criminal Bar have not previously been within my when there has been a bad apple. That can happen, as competence or even interest, but I have suddenly become we know, in every walk of life and in every profession. aware of them. Raising this matter will, unfortunately, We should not lose our faith in the Metropolitan police put me slightly at odds with some of my colleagues, but and we should thank them for what they do. While we I think these things have to be said from time to time, are back at home on Christmas day, or whatever we are and at Christmas they may just forgive me for doing so. doing over Christmas, police will be guarding the Palace I am lucky, because I am not a lawyer—the legal profession of Westminster. They will be outside Downing street, is probably very lucky that I am not one too, but that whatever the weather, and potentially subject to real goes without saying. I have discovered that the criminal threats. I remember going out with the police a few Bar and criminal barristers are receiving a real-terms years ago. They had just had a call through to go to a reduction of 30% in very high cost cases, and there are pub where a big fight was going on. They did not know other reductions as well. In real terms, they are losing what to expect—there could have been knives or firearms— income. It is very easy for us in this House to think of but they went out of the van unarmed. We owe them all all barristers as being extremely well paid and that they a huge debt of gratitude. I still think, as I am sure many can afford it and so on. That perception is rather like other Members do, that we have the finest police service the one of Members of Parliament: we are portrayed as in the world. always being extremely well paid, and that we can do I would also like to thank publicly—because they are without this and that. not seen publicly—the civil servants who helped me Sometimes the truth is not always the popular perception. when I was in the Whips Office, both in opposition and, In fact, only a few—a significant few—earn very high more especially, in government. They were wonderful. fees. The level of competence in defence cases will be They had to put up with all sorts of things going on. Do reduced, because chambers will use their most junior not think for one minute, Mr Deputy Speaker, that members. I apologise to the legal profession for not government is anything but a smooth and efficient quite understanding exactly what goes on, because I try operation without crises and so on, but occasionally to keep well away from the law—I find, by and large, such things might happen, and at those times two that that is a useful thing to do. I can see, however, after people in particular, Mr Roy Stone and Mr Mark Kelly, talking to people, that the reductions could lead almost have been on hand. Normally they work under the title to the extinction of the self-employed criminal Bar as a of “the usual channels”, but they are more than that; specialist referral profession of excellence. There will be they are absolutely unusual in their devotion to duty an increase in cost to the taxpayer eventually, even and their abilities. I would like to put on the record my though the reason for the reductions is to make savings; thanks to them. I will come back to the issue of savings in a moment. There might also be an impact on the quality of the Jim Fitzpatrick: I was not deputy Chief Whip, but I judiciary, because the judiciary are promoted from was Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, and I saw at the criminal Bar and people will have been taken out of first hand the excellent work of “the usual channels”, the system. What worries me most is that what we value which must be one of the most modest generics ever most highly in this country is, I think, our legal system: dreamt up for two of the most professional civil servants the jury system and the fact that people can get a that one could possibly come across. I fully endorse high-quality defence when they need it. everything the right hon. Gentleman says about the I understand why we have to make savings— usual channels. Mr Micawber was right. I also understand, however, that there are costs involved with prisoners not turning Sir John Randall: I am extremely grateful to the hon. up on time. I am sure that if I was sitting on the Gentleman for that. We know exactly how hard those Opposition Benches I might mention some of the people work. organisations, which are more private than public, that In conclusion, Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to are responsible for bringing prisoners to court. The wish everybody in the House, regardless of what side interpreter system is costly and sometimes interpreters they sit on or what their views are—even, just about, are not always there at the right time. Any delays in the those who want to build a runway in my borough—a court system—aside from the potential misery caused happy Christmas. We are going to have an exciting new to defendants, the prosecution and witnesses—bring year. That is my promise to hon. Members. with them a large element of cost. That all has to be looked at, and I will return to that. I may have to do a bit more work on understanding how it all works—I 2.1 pm always think that when people talk about the Bar, they Eric Joyce (Falkirk) (Ind): I want briefly to talk about are talking about something else, but I shall have to eating disorders, a subject that I have become aware of move away from old habits. in detail recently and which deserves a lot more time. I Moving effortlessly on to my final remarks, as I have done a wee bit of research, and although it might mentioned earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for have been discussed at length in this place, I do not Southend West, one of my previous roles was Chair of know that it has, so I think it deserves more time. I will the Joint Committee on Security. In that role, I found a briefly mention it now, and then perhaps go away, do a greater understanding of how this place is secured and bit more research and come back to speak about it in looked after. I would like to thank publicly the work of the new year. It would not do for a Member to speak the police and the security people in this place. I would about something they did not know much about, would also like to thank the Metropolitan police. I was listening it? That would never happen. 949 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 950

Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): It happens jumping the queue or opting for minor elective surgery; every day. it is about life and death—some 20% of sufferers actually die—and the well-being of young men and women over Eric Joyce: No way. I cannot believe that level of many years. If a parent can beg, borrow or steal the cynicism, to be perfectly honest. We all research our cash, my advice, unquestionably, would be to use private subjects well before speaking. provision. I recently became aware of several such cases in the We should all be sitting up and paying attention to UK, including in the English health system—I am not that, because it is clear that the relevant services in the simply talking about my own constituency, in Scotland, NHS are overwhelmed. Hon. Members might have a where this is a devolved issue. The number of young few cases, but my instinct is that we will all have more of people suffering from eating disorders, particularly anorexia, them in the relatively near future, because it is a growth has grown considerably. They tend to be in their early area. People are still not terribly sure what eating disorders teens and they tend to be girls, although not always. It are, but I can assure hon. Members, from the cases I becomes obvious to parents when their child loses a have looked at, that they are devastating for those substantial amount of weight, which can happen quickly, involved, and it is clear—this is what worries me most—that and there are various patterns that are easily observed. private provision is people’s best chance. The NHS In the first few stages, it will sometimes seem that the should look carefully at how it resources its relevant child is trying to lose weight, perhaps to fit into a dress, mental health services for eating disorders. because of fashion imperatives or whatever. Some weight I will stop there, Mr Deputy Speaker, except to wish is lost quite quickly, and the parents will be watching, you and every Member of the House a wild and crazy, but not necessarily thinking it a medical issue. or quiet and pleasant, Christmas. Then it continues. Over a brief period of perhaps three or four months, I child can lose 25% of their body 2.7 pm weight. A child who is, say, 8 stone or 8 stone 2 lbs can drop below 6 stone very quickly before the parents have Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): It is a great honour grasped what is going on. Then, they will alert their to follow the hon. Member for Falkirk (Eric Joyce). If local GP, who might, or might not, be completely he wishes, I invite him to my constituency, because switched on to the subject, and in due course, they South Staffordshire and Shropshire mental health care might, or might not, get a referral to local services trust has an excellent unit dealing precisely with eating dealing with that kind of thing. The hon. Member for disorders. I had the pleasure of visiting it a few months Southend West (Mr Amess) briefly referred to mental ago, at the invitation of Sarah Robertson, a constituent health services in his area. The configuration of those of mine. He is most welcome to come and see the services is pretty much the same in most areas, as far as excellent work it does and find out more about it. I can see, although they operate slightly differently in I wish to remember the men and women of 3 Mercian Scotland. who are currently serving in Afghanistan. It is one of By the time it gets to the NHS, the problem will the regiments due to be disbanded, but I am glad that usually be quite advanced. Often, if the child continues the name of the Staffords will be remembered. As my to refuse to eat, they will be admitted to accident and hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham (Bob Stewart) emergency in a period of weeks because their vital will know, it will be combined—we hope—with the organs will be starting to fail, and they will be going names of the Cheshires and the Sherwood Foresters. slightly mad—that is my non-clinical term. The essence of it is that once a child gets to that stage, it is very hard Bob Stewart: It is definite that the Staffordshire regiment and takes a long time for them to recover, because will live on in the Mercian regiment. It must do. It is a people have to persuade them of the common sense of great regiment. It will combine with the Cheshires and eating—that it is good for them, that they should treat the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters. From my food like they would medicine. It will take years and point of view, as an ex-Cheshire officer, we will get a years to get that child back on track, if ever they do get huge number of Victoria Crosses when the Staffords back on track, so it is essential that the disorder is join us; my regiment only has two. identified earlier. It is clear from reading papers by excellent organisations Jeremy Lefroy: I am most grateful to my hon. Friend. such as Beat that there is a gap in provision. Beat is an We all share his sentiments, and our thoughts and organisation that works on this issue, and I urge Members prayers are with 3 Mercian and the other regiments and to google it and look at its website. The gap in provision units serving in Afghanistan, including the tactical supply is no one’s fault, as such; it is simply that the NHS, wing of the RAF, which is also based in my constituency. despite a considerable increase in funding over the past I want to dwell for a moment on the report of the 10 or 12 years, is hard pressed. It works its budget hard, trust special administrators into the Mid-Staffordshire but by the time people approach the local services for NHS Foundation Trust, which came out yesterday. those with eating disorders, they do not have the resources. There are a number of good things in the report. Within This is a subject that should concern everyone in this the remit they were given—I think that that will need to place. Having spoken to a lot of people about this, I be considered by this House because it needs quite a lot have noticed that if someone has a child heading towards of change—they have done some good things. Those being admitted to A and E, their best chance is to put include recommending a merger of the University Hospital them in a private hospital using private resources. There of North Staffordshire with the Stafford element of the is a clear pattern. The NHS will do what it can, but if Mid-Staffordshire Foundation Trust. They have also someone can afford private health care, the child will recommended that Cannock hospital goes to the Royal stand a much better chance. This is not just about Wolverhampton Hospitals Trust. For Stafford, that is a 951 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 952

[Jeremy Lefroy] have listened to the people and have recommended that we should have a midwife-led maternity unit. However, good thing. We will become part of a large university that is still not enough, because we need a consultant-led hospital trust and be able to share services across a unit. With our growing town, the Army coming in and wider area. In addition to the excellent staff that we the number of houses being built, we will get up to the already have, we will be able to attract high-quality staff 2,500 to 3,000 births a year in the coming year, and that from across the country. will justify such provision, networked together with the We are also retaining our accident and emergency University Hospital of North Staffordshire. I will continue department. At the moment, it is open for only 14 hours to make that case to Monitor and to the Secretary of a day, but that is better than the nothing that was State. proposed earlier this year. However, I still believe that The question of the critical care unit was also raised. we need a 24/7 A and E department. Perhaps our use of I am glad to say that the administrators accepted the the current department will reveal the need for an need for a level 3 critical care unit at Stafford, but we increase in hours, but at least we have retained the need to look at the details in the report, because I want department and we can build on it in the future. to ensure that the unit is robust and will be maintained We have also retained acute services. At the start of and sustained. There are question marks over that, but the year, it was thought that Stafford would become a as I am not an expert on the matter, I will have to wait community hospital—not an acute hospital. I am glad for the consultants and clinicians in my constituency to to say that those fears have not been realised. The get back to me with the details. recommendations also include, for the first time, provision I pay tribute to the community in Stafford, Cannock for a frail elderly unit, which is incredibly important as and the surrounding areas who have shown such resilience. it builds on the work of the Cure the NHS group, When downgrading of the hospital to a community founded by Julie Bailey, and the Francis report that hospital was first proposed, they showed tremendous came out as a result of that. I hope it will be a beacon support for its work. As is well known, the hospital has for the care of elderly people across the country. It will been greatly troubled over years, but it has come on show that, in Stafford, we can do such things to the tremendously in the past two or three years. Only two highest standards. We will also have a large range of weeks ago Stafford had the best hospital standardised other services. The trust special administrators have mortality ratio in the whole of the west midlands. That said that 90% or more of current attendees at Stafford is a far cry from where it was four or five years ago. I and Cannock will be able to continue to use those pay great tribute to the community for coming together services. Cannock hospital has also been retained. In in marches of up to 50,000 people. fact, more work will go on at Cannock, 60% of which has been unused for many years. I welcome that, as does my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Mr Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab): Many of the Burley). things that the hon. Gentleman describes are of course A lot of good things are going on in Stafford, and I familiar to me, given that Lewisham also experienced welcome that. However—and this is a big however—there the first ever use of the trust special administration are things that I oppose and will continue to oppose, the process. Earlier in his remarks, he referred to the remit most important of which revolves around paediatric that the TSA had been given in Staffordshire. He said services. Yes, there will be a paediatric assessment unit, that that remit may have to be looked at in future. What but it will be linked with A and E and, therefore, open are his thoughts on clause 118 of the Care Bill, which for only 14 hours a day. That means that children who looks to extend and augment the powers of trust special get sick overnight will have to travel 20 or more miles to administrators in the future? the nearest unit. That is not acceptable for my constituents or indeed for the constituents of surrounding constituencies. Jeremy Lefroy: I am pretty sceptical about it. When In addition, it will not be a consultant-led paediatric that Bill comes back to the House, I will make some unit, and it will have no in-patient beds for children. remarks on it if I am given the opportunity to do so. In That is a problem for children who turn up at night with fact, I would take my remarks much wider than that. I serious illnesses, or perhaps a very high temperature. have written a paper to Monitor on all the faults of the Their parents will be extremely worried and will want TSA process that I have experienced at first hand. One their child to be taken in and observed for perhaps a day in particular is that when an administrator is installed, or two before they return home. If the child’s condition the trust loses its board. The chief executives and the is more serious, they will want them sent to a major unit executives lose their support. I am not saying that the such as in Stoke or Birmingham. TSAs do not try to do some work, but their focus is on Provision for those who need in-patient child and the financial side and the future. Inevitably, they are not adolescent mental health services in Staffordshire—indeed, so focused on running the hospital now, and that is a throughout the country—is not nearly sufficient. Our serious omission. There are many other serious points general hospital in Stafford takes in a number of such that I want to make, and I would welcome a debate on young people, some of whom are suicidal. It should not the whole matter. have to do that, but it takes them in because there is We have had two experiences of TSAs. One was nowhere else for them to go. I do not believe that the under the National Health Service Act 2006, which administrators’ proposals take that into account, although affected Lewisham, and the other was under the Health the issue was raised in the consultation. and Social Care Act 2012, which affected Stafford. We The original proposals said that no women could should look at the matter carefully, because there will be give birth in Stafford, unless they were having a home others in the future. Indeed, we need to assess whether delivery, but I am glad to say that the administrators the whole process of a company-like administration is 953 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 954 the best way to cope with a failure in the hospital in some way to alleviate the congestion and make context, and I am pretty sceptical about that. Perhaps Stafford an even more attractive place for people to we can use our mutual experience to consider that. come to. I want to return to the enormous support of the Many good things have happened this year in Stafford. community. It was exemplified in two marches in April The unemployment rate for jobseekers has fallen to and then again in September. There were also rallies, at 2.2% from about 3.6% three years ago. The number of which I had the honour to speak. Indeed, at a children’s apprentices has more than doubled in the past two disco in Stafford, which was organised by the support years. Two new business parks are being built. I apologise Stafford hospital group, more than 200 children and to my constituents for the problems with traffic congestion their families came together to show their support for that those roadworks are causing, but the parks will the paediatric services offered by the hospital. We have result in many hundreds if not thousands of highly come a long way since the beginning of the year with skilled jobs being created for the area. We had the great our support for the hospital and, more importantly, for news earlier this year that two more signal regiments the services for my constituents, but we have much more will come to Stafford from 2015, with 1,000 servicemen to do. and women and their families. Stafford is a very loyal I want to touch on a number of other areas that town that is tremendously supportive of the armed affect my constituents. We have already heard today at forces and we will welcome them with open arms. some length about High Speed 2. I will not go into too We also have a town centre development that will, I many details other than to say that the railway line runs hope, start fairly soon. A brand new Marks and Spencer, straight through four villages in my constituency. I a brand new Debenhams and many other shops will be understand the national need for increased capacity, but coming to the town centre. We are also seeing housing I do not think that this is the right solution. I wish that development. I am not someone who believes that we the approach to HS2 and rail capacity had been similar should not build many more houses—we need more to that of aviation. Instead, what we seem to do with houses for our young people and families. However, railway capacity is to come up with a solution and then they need to be the right kind of houses. We need to look around for problems for it to address. With aviation, ensure that they are fit for older people, who might we are doing it the other way around, although I know want smaller properties, less of a garden or a bungalow that the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John so that it is all on one level. We need to build houses that McDonnell) and others might not necessarily agree enable families to have a side room or side apartment to with some of the solutions. On rail, we need to look care for relatives. We need to be imaginative. again at whether this line drawn on a map is the right line. Sir John Randall: My hon. Friend is making a very We also need to consider mitigation measures and good speech about his constituency. As he is talking compensation. It comes back to what I have said time about house building, may I make a plea as someone and time again to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of who might well have to go out in delivery vans with State for Transport: we need to be reasonable and fair in furniture in the next few days? They make the doors our compensation, as the French are with such schemes, smaller now and it is impossible to get a three-piece not miserly. I am afraid that I have seen instances of my suite through them. constituents who were dealt with in a less than generous manner when their whole life was affected. We are Jeremy Lefroy: My right hon. Friend is absolutely talking about a railway the construction of which is not right. I have been out with the Staffordshire furniture due to start in my constituency until 2026. That means exchange twice in the past two years and I have the 30 years of blight and waiting for this thing to happen, same problem getting furniture through the doors. if it ever does. I also welcome the new care village being built in the I also want to mention Staffordshire university. It has north of Stafford, with different levels of residential an important campus in my town, but it is considering care. That is being pioneered by Staffordshire county moving away from it, perhaps partially and perhaps council and I would welcome any hon. Member who fully. That would be a major error. The university is wants to come along and see what is being done there. I very good for Stafford and Stafford is very good for the believe that it is a template for the future. university. When it was a polytechnic in the 1960s, it That brings me to the subject of our local councils: was one of the first in the country to introduce a course South Staffordshire district council, Stafford borough in computing, through English Electric. It has produced council and Staffordshire county council, led by Brian many fine graduates over the years. I will continue to Edwards, Mike Heenan and Philip Atkins respectively. support tertiary education in Stafford with all my might They have all taken some difficult but far-reaching and I hope that it will continue to be provided by decisions over the past few years in difficult times and Staffordshire university. have been able to balance the books and to maintain Let me also raise the question of a western access and improve services. road in Stafford. I was talking to somebody from a While we are on the subject of housing, I want to neighbouring village last night who said that they never bring up one matter that has proved contentious in come to Stafford because of the congestion and traffic. politics in the past few months—that is, the question of That is partly because of the popularity of the town, the spare room rent, the spare room subsidy, the bedroom but it also shows that the road network—the town has tax or whatever one wants to call it. There has been a lot two rivers, a canal and two main line railways, the one of understandable debate in the House and I believe from Birmingham and the west coast main line, that that we will need to consider the issue quite carefully. merge—has an infrastructure problem. The western The principle of it is based on what the previous access road, for which we need £25 million, would help Government introduced in the private sector, and I 955 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 956

[Jeremy Lefroy] day in, day out, to be viewed in the same way as Biafra, Vietnam and all the other seemingly endless crises were believe that that principle is probably right. However, when I was a boy. We almost became immune to them, the percentage of rent that has been introduced at the but let us never become immune to this horror. beginning results in genuine difficulty in many parts of Unfortunately, we are seeing it in the Central African the country. Eventually, a decision will have to be taken Republic and the killing has started again in South on whether it will result in a no-eviction policy or in Sudan. Whatever else this House does, it is vital for it to evictions. bring these matters to public and international attention I urge the Government to consider how, without time and time again. If we do not do it, often nobody getting rid of a policy that has real merit in helping else will, including other Parliaments around the world. people to move into other accommodation, they can I truly believe this is vital. deal with the fact that the cost of 14% or 25% of rent is I thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, your colleagues far too high for most people at the beginning, particularly and all House staff for the work they do; I wish all a when there are no other properties for them to move in very happy Christmas, and thank you for your indulgence. to. I will leave that one in the air as it is slightly off my subject of Stafford, although it affects my constituency 2.31 pm and those of other colleagues. Let me conclude—I can see that you are impatient for Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab): It is an honour to me to do so, Mr Deputy Speaker—by talking a little follow the hon. Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy), about the international scene. As a member of the who has entertained us with a very thoughtful speech Select Committee on International Development—I am this afternoon. I am going to follow up the health honoured by that membership and I pay tribute to my theme, but my discussion of it is going to be a little right hon. Friend the Member for Gordon (Sir Malcolm more graphic. If any hon. Ladies or hon. Gentlemen Bruce) for his excellent leadership of the Committee—I wish to leave, I shall not take it as a personal affront. have been privileged enough to see some of the excellent They might find it more comfortable to go off and get a work that the Department for International Development cup of tea. has been doing around the world. I pay particular I want to talk about hysteroscopy, particularly when tribute to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State undertaken without anaesthetic. This topic was brought for International Development for her work. to my attention by my constituent, Debbie, who lives in I was glad to see that yesterday the UK announced Plaistow. She was diagnosed with womb cancer or strong support for the International Development uterine cancer last year. She contacted me because the Association, the World Bank fund for the poorest countries process of diagnosis, rather than the cancer itself, caused in the world. Under the previous Government, the UK her was, rightly, the largest and second largest donor at “the most distressing and painful experience” various times and we have maintained leadership in that of her life. Debbie underwent a procedure called regard. It is an extremely important multilateral fund hysteroscopy, which looks inside a patient’s uterus and that was given a great deal of praise in the multilateral is used to investigate symptoms such as pelvic pain, aid review produced by the Government in 2010. It is abnormal bleeding and infertility. Biopsies are often vital for tens of millions of people around the world, taken and tissue is often removed. The patient’s vagina whether it is helping them to access better health care, is opened with a speculum, as during a cervical smear better education or better sanitation—all those matters test, and a hysteroscope is inserted. A hysteroscope is a on which this House rightly places such importance. thin tube with a light and camera on the end, as well as In my role as chairman of the all-party group on any other instruments that might be needed. As I am malaria and neglected tropical diseases, I commend the sure I need hardly point out, this procedure is highly Government on the tremendous work they have done, uncomfortable and clearly has the potential to be very following on from that of the previous Government, to painful indeed. support work in malaria research and intervention around At present, the NHS Choices website explains, the world. Indeed, they have increased the amount “a hysteroscopy should not hurt, but women may want to take a provided for the neglected tropical diseases that blight pain killer such as ibuprofen beforehand”. the lives of some 1.4 billion people around the world, As well as having a hysteroscopy as an out-patient which can often be tackled for a limited amount of procedure, the NHS website says that money—sometimes less than $1 per person per year. “the procedure can also be carried out under general anaesthetic, Recently in the House we have had some excellent which may be recommended if your surgeon expects to do extensive debates on religious persecution. I commend all those treatment at the same time or if you request it.” who have spoken on the subject and brought it to the So far, this sounds fairly reasonable: it will not necessarily attention of the House. I believe that it is something be pleasant, but there are options and the procedure that the House needs constantly to consider. Indeed, can be carried out with or without pain relief and with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has spoken or without local or general anaesthetic. eloquently about it in recent days. I believe that this Let me tell Debbie’s story in more detail. Through House has a leadership role to play not just in this Debbie, I have also heard stories from other women country but internationally. across the country. Debbie told me: At this time, we should not forgot those who are “I was in absolute agony. The consultant who performed my suffering—irrespective of their faith or indeed if they procedure knew I was in pain but carried on regardless. A nurse be of no faith—particularly in Syria. It is vital that we had to push me back down on the bed as I stiffened like a board. do not accept the situation in Syria as if it were somehow She had to hold me there and had hold of my hands too as I was normal. We must not allow this killing, which goes on trying to reach down and stop the procedure. All I could think 957 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 958 was that if I made the consultant stop, I would have to come back day-care surgery as opposed to more expensive NHS inpatient and endure the whole thing again. This procedure, without anaesthesia, surgery. During the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy the psychologist is barbaric. It is absolute torture. It needs to be stopped. At the told me to go straight to the gynae-oncology surgeon at the very least, the patient should be informed that it could be extremely hospital and have my persistent inter-menstrual bleeding properly painful and have options explained and open for her. That way, investigated. My GP was furious at this suggestion but eventually she can make an informed decision as to whether to go ahead gave in. The gynae-oncology surgeon told me that ‘you’ve had it without anaesthesia.” for so long it won’t be anything sinister’. He eventually agreed to an inpatient hysteroscopy under General anaesthetic. I waited Bob Stewart: That sounds absolutely horrific. The months for the operation. It showed late stage womb cancer hon. Lady did not explain whether Debbie was asked which had spread to the lymph nodes. I had a radical hysterectomy whether she would like a general anaesthetic. I presume and a long course of external radiotherapy”. that she was not asked and that the procedure went Jenny from Barnsley said: ahead without it. “I went into the clinic and was given an ultrasound and very quickly was approached by a senior registrar who said I had a Lyn Brown: Her very next sentence explains that: very thick womb but they could do a biopsy there and then. “I was given no options. I have complained to the PALS My GP had mentioned that this procedure can be difficult but department and to be quite honest I am not happy with their they would give me a local anaesthetic. reply. At one point it mentions that the hospital gets more money To be honest I was in such shock. I was led into a room where for the procedure to be done as an outpatient! Is this what it boils there was a very nice sister and nurse. I sat in a chair and the down to? Money? Disgusting!” senior registrar began by filling my womb with water. Jan from Cheshire said: Then the hell began when they inserted whatever and did the “I had a hysteroscopy in Cheshire. This hospital is a private biopsy. I have not experienced such pain even in childbirth and I hospital but I was there as an NHS patient, as it was the hospital told her so. I also said my GP had said they would give me some that my doctor could get me into the quickest, for investigations local anaesthetic and then she asked if I wanted some. Rather like into abnormal bleeding. I saw the consultant in September of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. It was too late 2011, and was given an evening appointment to attend for a then as they were in there. hysteroscopy, and was told that the procedure would be done The sister told me she nearly stopped the doctor. They were under local anaesthetic. At the evening appointment, I was given very caring then but only offered me one paracetamol. They said a local anaesthetic, but after several attempts at performing the to me don’t let the woman who is waiting outside see you or it hysteroscopy, the consultant apologised and said that she was might put her off.” unable to perform the procedure and did not want to attempt it again under a local anaesthetic as, in her words, ‘it would be The 21-year-old sister of Michelle, from Scotland, inhumane to continue under a local’. I was sent home and told to went for a hysteroscopy after noticing some bleeding take co-codamol for pain relief, and that I was to return the next after intercourse. The gynaecologist asked a nurse to day for the procedure to be done under a general anaesthetic. I assist while he proceeded to perform a rather forceful have got to say that even though I had a local anaesthetic— examination, and then carried out the hysteroscopy if Members have been paying attention, they will know with no warning or pain relief. Michelle received a that my constituent Debbie was not offered that— phone call from her distraught sister, who had gone into “the procedure was still very uncomfortable and painful. I have to shock in the car park, had passed out next to her car, say that I think offering a hysteroscopy without any form of and was bleeding. anaesthetic is barbaric.” Gillian in Leeds said: Jo from Chesterfield said: “Before the procedure, I received a leaflet with my appointment “I had already had biopsies done in clinic with no anaesthetic, letter—no mention of any general or local anaesthetic, but after done like a smear with swabs but going through the cervix. I had what the doctor had told me I wasn’t expecting it to be too bad”. found this painful but nothing prepared me for what was to come. I had been given a leaflet to outline the procedure but it mentioned She said that the nurse nothing about pain or discomfort. I was asked to go behind a “managed to get the hysteroscope through my cervical opening…when make-shift cubicle in the corner, take everything off and put on a she took each sample—6 in total—my pain level shot through the gown. I was then asked to sit in a contraption that looked like roof. some Victorian birthing chair, it was very uncomfortable and awkward to sit in. I felt so undignified…I have never felt such “What...infuriates me most is the fact that SOME people are pain. I felt like my whole abdomen had been blown up, the given pain relief as a matter of course at their hospitals…why the pressure was so intense, then sharp prodding pains, I had tears in hell should I, and others, have to suffer just because of which my eyes, the nurse did come and hold my hand. I just looked at hospital we went to?” the ceiling and held my breath, praying for it to be over. Patricia from Fife said: When he’d done, the doctor asked ‘did you find that a bit “I was offered no pain relief and the Dr. who did it didn’t get painful?’. I replied ‘no it was excruciating’, he just remarked that enough in the end so I had to go under general anaesthetic to get most women are fine with it but perhaps I had a low pain it done again.” threshold and that if I were to need further treatment I would need a General Anaesthetic as I was sensitive. I was quite gob The procedure that she experienced, while conscious, smacked and in so much pain I didn’t really reply. I struggled to “was very traumatic and painful…I felt them cutting away the my car and drove home, I was in agony for days. I felt almost like biopsy inside…afterwards the nurse who had held me down said I’d been violated, like a piece of meat, but thought perhaps it was to me ‘I wouldn’t have let them do that to me without a general just me, perhaps I was being a wuss. It wasn’t till I spoke to other anaesthetic’ so why did she let me go through it?’” ladies that I discovered it needn’t have been this way. My treatment on a whole I feel was done very wrongly, cutting corners and Maureen from Norwich said: saving money, at my expense. The hysteroscopy should not have “The letter…advised I took either ibuprofen, or paracetamol been done this way, it’s almost inhumane.” about two hours before the appointment. The scan showed something Katharine from Bath said: abnormal, so I waited and then saw a very nice lady doctor. I then went on to endure the procedure, it took about fifteen minutes “My GP referred me for day-case hysteroscopy under local and it was certainly a lot more than uncomfortable.” anaesthetic…He told me to pay for a course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to lower my Blood Pressure to qualify me for NHS She felt very sick, and was in pain, but 959 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 960

[Lyn Brown] women who have had babies—which, sadly, I have failed to do—that they have found the examinations “the nurse who was there kept saying how well I was doing. I was less painful after their pregnancies. However, some have at the limit of my endurance, only the thought of having to go told me that they become more painful with the menopause. back again stopped me from asking the procedure to be stopped.” Indeed, when my mother had a similar examination, I have received so much correspondence about this she told me that it had been excruciating, and that was issue, via my friend Debbie, that I could speak at length when she was quite old. and give many more examples, because what I wanted I am not sure that there are any research findings to do today was give those women a voice. However, I out there that would answer the hon. Gentleman’s very think that the House will understand the direction in sympathetic question—certainly I have not found any—and which I am going. I think that this is something that we need to know Some women have received no pain treatment at more about. However, a study published by the British all—no anaesthetic to dull the pain. Some have received Medical Journal in 2009 concluded that a local anaesthetic a local anaesthetic, but, given the severity of their injection was the best method of pain control for women conditions, a number of them have found that that is undergoing hysteroscopies as out-patients. not enough. Others have received a general anaesthetic, I have struggled to decide what I need to ask the either on request or because their doctors were aware Government to do in order to ensure that women that the procedure involved might be more extensive receive the best possible care and treatment while undergoing than had been expected. A study of a group of women this procedure. It is difficult for me to know that, conducted over five years in Melbourne established that because I am not a medic. However, I do think it is over 10% of the group would not accept a local anaesthetic reasonable to ask the Government to use all the influence again, because of the pain and the need for the procedure they have over policy in this area to require the National to be repeated owing to a failure to secure a biopsy Institute for Health and Care Excellence to work with sample. the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists I have found it difficult to obtain information about to issue authoritative guidelines. I also think the Care this issue, but I think that certain facts are clear. Some Quality Commission may well have a role to play in women are being given no pain relief options at all. ensuring that best practice is delivered locally at each That aspect is not being explained to them by the hospital. doctor when they get to the hospital. Some feel that they are not being treated with compassion and respect, and that very little or no consideration is given to their Bob Blackman: I have listened with horror to these dignity or their well-being. Some are experiencing a terrible experiences suffered by women. Is the hon. procedure that fails and needs to be repeated. One has Lady aware of any other such treatments to either men to ask how often that happens, and what the cost is to or women where anaesthetics are not provided yet the NHS. people are in such pain on such a general basis? That would clearly be a matter of the whole health service Some women are clearly receiving treatment that is not doing a proper job, compared with a narrow field not in line with the guidelines issued by the Royal that we can possibly deal with very quickly. College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, which acknowledges that Lyn Brown: I have not heard from others but my “outpatient hysteroscopy can be associated with significant pain, guess is that, should this debate be heard outside these anxiety and embarrassment”. walls, we collectively in this Chamber may well hear While the RCOG’s guidelines emphasise throughout from our constituents who have endured similar experiences. that it is possible for women to have an acceptable out-patient experience, and some women do, there is clearly a serious problem, in that the current standard John McDonnell: A fair amount of survey work was practice is failing a significant group of women very done in respect of the all-party group on endometriosis, badly. It is appalling that, in some cases, no pain relief is which produced very similar findings of inconsistent even offered. I have read a range of the information practices and practices that were incompatible with the leaflets that various hospitals offer to support their well-being of the individuals. hysteroscopy out-patient clinics, and I am glad to note that local anaesthetic is mentioned in almost all of Lyn Brown: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that them, but they are not open enough about the pain that intervention and I will look at that research if he women may experience during and after the procedure, signposts me towards it. and there is inadequate reference to the option of I promised Debbie that I would make her voice and undergoing the procedure with a general anaesthetic. the voice of other women who have had similar experiences heard today, and I hope I have done that, but merely Bob Stewart: May I ask what percentage of women hearing the voices is not enough. This Government feel no pain whatsoever? Is there such a percentage, or have the mantra of no decisions about me, without me, does everyone experience pain—in which case, we must and that policy needs to be adopted in gynaecological sort the matter out? procedures so that I and other hon. Members do not have more Debbies coming to our surgeries to tell us Lyn Brown: I honestly cannot answer that question, about their horrific experiences. I am hoping that the although I can say that at the different times in my life Deputy Leader of the House will take this to the when I have had internal examinations the pain has Department of Health on Debbie’s behalf and on behalf varied, and that as I have got older, the examinations of the other women, and I would hope that I will receive have become more painful. I have been told by some some communication from it in the new year telling 961 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 962 me that Debbie, Jan, Jo, Katharine, Jenny, Michelle, who have the least choice about where to live. They and Gillian, Patricia, Maureen and the many other women I their families therefore have to live in unacceptable have heard from will be well and truly heard. conditions. Landlords often evict tenants without reasonable May I thank hon. Members for staying in the Chamber cause, and the tenants have no right of redress, even for my contribution this afternoon and may I also wish when they have not caused a problem. Tenants do not everyone, including the staff of this House, a happy have the rights that they probably should have. Christmas and a very happy and prosperous new year? Jeremy Corbyn: I am listening to the hon. Gentleman’s speech with interest. I intend to follow much the same 2.51 pm theme when I speak later. Does he agree that one of the Bob Blackman: It is an honour to follow the hon. many problems associated with the private rented sector Member for West Ham (Lyn Brown). Last night I is the six-month assured shorthold tenancy? It gives the endured the great pain of West Ham inflicting a second landlord no incentive to respond to a tenant’s demands home defeat on Tottenham in a season, which has not and, because the tenant has no security of tenure after been known since I have been alive. At the beginning of the six months, they are unlikely to complain. Also, the her speech, I wondered whether the pain that the ladies tenant has no incentive to do anything in the community she mentioned were going through was anything like because their prospects of remaining in the area are so the emotional pain I felt last night, but my pain pales limited. into insignificance compared with what women are being put through at the hands of the NHS, and I thank Bob Blackman: When we were gathering evidence for her for bringing that matter to the House’s attention. our report, the Communities and Local Government Committee went to Berlin, where people have much It is the great benefit of these debates that we can longer tenancies and where a partnership approach is bring matters that otherwise would not be aired to the taken between the tenant and the landlord. That is a Chamber. At this time of year, when we often think of much more appropriate way of dealing with these matters. ourselves, our parties and our families, we should also Unfortunately, the use of six-month assured shorthold think of those underprivileged people who are less tenancies has grown in this country, more often than fortunate than ourselves. I shall concentrate on the not to protect landlords by giving them the right to evict private rented sector, the overuse of beds in sheds and a tenant and recover the property if they so choose. the massive overcrowding in many parts of the country, These concerns clearly need to be addressed. We need which is a growing menace to the whole of our society. longer tenancies that give greater assurance to tenants It is a fact of life that 9 million people now rent their and place greater responsibility on landlords. It would homes right across England. That is fine and people also be helpful if landlords became members of the make that choice—or alternatively, they have no choice. housing ombudsman service. In that way, they would be In my own borough of Harrow there are now twice as more likely to carry out the necessary work and the many privately rented homes as there are homes in the tenant would have a means of complaining if that did entire socially rented sector, whether it be council or not happen. housing association properties. I am sure that all hon. Members have houses in I am a member of the Communities and Local multiple occupation in their constituencies. When five Government Committee. When we looked at the private or more persons form two or more households in a rented sector, one of the problems highlighted in the building, it is a requirement for the landlord to register evidence we received was that the poorer quality of the that property as an HMO. Unfortunately, there can be private rented sector housing damages the health and all sorts of issues involved, including whether fire safety well-being of the people who live in those homes. The standards are being met. It is a fact of life that, under English housing survey conducted earlier this year shows the terms of the Housing Act 1985, the maximum that properties in the private rented sector have the penalty for operating an unlicensed HMO is currently lowest proportion of the three standard insulation £20,000. In my borough, there are 89 registered HMOs. measures—cavity wall insulation, good loft insulation I encountered a case three weeks ago in which a three- and full double-glazing—and they are most likely to fall bedroom semi-detached property was found to be housing into the lowest energy efficiency bands. Over a third of no fewer than 11 adults, none of whom was connected private rented homes are not classified as meeting the in a family sense. They were sharing bedrooms and all decent homes standard. We would not expect people to the other facilities, and they were each paying £160 a live in socially rented accommodation of that standard, week in rent. That was a nice little earner for the and the number of private rented homes is almost landlord. The property was not registered as an HMO. double that of socially rented homes. At the same time, There are now 100 such cases under investigation in almost one in five fail the housing health and safety Harrow, and I believe that they represent the tip of a tests, compared with just 9% of social sector dwellings. very large iceberg. Also, damp is more likely to be found in private rented sector accommodation than in any other type of housing, Lyn Brown: I recognise much of what the hon. Gentleman and it is less likely to be dealt with by landlords. That is is saying. Those problems are certainly replicated in a scandal that must be addressed. Newham. During the last Parliament, I tried to get There are currently few requirements on landlords, HMOs reclassified according to the actual occupancy, and few ways in which tenants can complain about a rather than to the size of the house. Does he agree that property and get things put right. Tenants often refuse such a reclassification would be very helpful? to complain about the quality of a property because the landlord could evict them rather than fixing the problem. Bob Blackman: I agree completely that that is one These problems often befall those on the lowest incomes, remedy we have to take on board. 963 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 964

[Bob Blackman] negotiations with landlords, but it seems as if these rogue landlords, who give other private landlords a bad I cannot speak about what is happening outside name, need to have stringent action taken against them. London, but in London the charges for HMO applications We must also consider the fire risk. The London fire vary: Harrow council charges £1,200 for an application, brigade has estimated that over the past four years there which lasts for five years, and then there is an £850 have been 341 fires in buildings that appear to have had renewal fee; Brent, our near neighbour, charges between people living in them when they should not have been. £800 and £1,200, depending on the licence length; Ealing Those blazes have caused nine deaths and 58 serious charges £970 plus £30 per habitable room; and Lewisham injuries. charges £180 per unit of accommodation, up to £1,800. Non-London authorities seem to charge much less. The I have mentioned the fact that illegal immigrants are fee seems to be discretionary and a council could drop it often in such properties. We might reason why that to encourage registrations, thus enabling properties to would be. Migrants who are not here legally are often be examined and tenants to be protected. given low-paid jobs, are paid in cash and have insufficient income to pay the normal rents for accommodation, so As we have seen, we also face a challenge on beds in they take accommodation from the employer or gangmaster sheds. The Prime Minister was taken this week to a in order to maintain their presence here. They also want property in Southall that would have disgraced a third to be able to send money home to their families. They world country, yet a number of individuals were being are kept in poor conditions, under threat of being forced to live in incredible conditions there. The Government reported to the authorities and sent home. There is a lot have taken some action to try to close down beds in of anecdotal evidence of people traffickers accommodating sheds, but often we are talking about illegal immigrants their victims in illegal structures, particularly in the in accommodation tied to a job they are undertaking, London borough of Ealing. Furthermore, if the trafficked which is provided through gangmasters and the equivalent. victims escape and get work as undocumented migrants, In addition, service providers such as local authorities they may resort to living in illegal structures anyway and the health service are being forced to provide services because the rents are often lower and more affordable without any income coming in; these properties will from their low earnings. attract a certain amount of council tax, but not the sort of sum they should, given the number of people living Lyn Brown: I thank the hon. Gentleman his kind in them. words about Newham. The action that the council has Last May, £1.8 million was given to nine councils to taken over the past couple of years has been important tackle the problem of beds in sheds; Brent, Ealing, and effective in probably saving lives. We had a death in Hillingdon, Hounslow, Newham, Peterborough, Redbridge, a shed from a fire way back before 2010. Local schools Slough and Southwark were all given money. The trouble tell me anecdotally that people who are here legally and is that that addresses only the tip of the iceberg; it does who have status are not necessarily aware of their rights. not address all the other boroughs where the problem is People who have come from abroad and are living here occurring. Ealing subsequently stated that it had carried on very low incomes are exploited by the unscrupulous out 4,500 site inspections in a year, in addition to landlords he has been talking about. unannounced fortnightly raids, but unfortunately the landlords were running rings around the officers. Bob Blackman: Clearly, as the hon. Lady says, people In February, a BBC “Inside Out” investigation found who are here legally and have the proper status are often two high street estate agents renting out beds in sheds not aware of their complete rights and therefore are without residential planning permission, including one exploited by unscrupulous individuals acting as landlords. in Willesden Green, in Brent. Rent payments of £1,000 One of the consequences of the changes in housing per month were being taken. It was noted that the benefit has been to encourage young people under the owners often claim that these converted buildings are age of 35 to go into shared accommodation because more than four years old and so cannot have planning that is the only rate of housing benefit they will qualify enforcement taken against them by the local authority. for. I welcome that as a move towards ensuring that accommodation is used properly, but as more and more Some actions have been taken across England on this people share housing in the private rented sector, there issue. Slough borough council spent £24,000 on conducting is the unfortunate consequence of overuse and overcrowding a heat map across the borough during the early hours of of such properties. the morning. That identified 6,139 properties where it was believed that beds in sheds were operating—that is Under the right circumstances a local authority may just in one borough, which shows the extent of the be able to force a landlord to repay rent or housing scandal. The hon. Member for West Ham referred to benefits if an HMO is unlicensed. Unfortunately, it Newham, and the Communities and Local Government appears that this is not well known among the public or Committee has taken evidence about the action that its even among London authorities or councils outside mayor and council are taking to identify and take London. If it were know about, it would immediately enforcement action against the outhouses that are being dissuade landlords from taking in vulnerable people on put up without planning approval. I believe that that benefits and exploiting them. work has been extended to tackle other illegal activities What do we do about the problem? It is up to local by landlords. I understand that over the past year the authorities to enforce the rules. If a landlord is operating council has taken 80 enforcement actions on beds in an HMO—I have written to my council about a huge sheds, but a further 230 are still pending against properties number of properties that I suspect are HMOs but are in multiple occupation, which shows the extent of the unlicensed—appropriate and stringent enforcement action problem in one London borough. We might have extended needs to be taken to fine the landlord and to make sure 965 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 966 that the properties are brought up to a decent standard. been built as garden huts to shelter lawnmowers and A clear attitude should be adopted towards rogue landlords other items of garden equipment, but uniquely they who give good landlords a terrible name. have kitchens, bathrooms, beds, windows, curtains, central Proper advice needs to be given to people who rent heating and double glazing. That is clearly an affront to properties so that they understand their rights, what the planning rules. It means that the council is losing they can demand and what they can take on. There council tax income and that people are frequently being should be accreditation and licensing for private landlords, forced to live in substandard properties. particularly those that choose to operate HMOs. It It is clear that this is the tip of an iceberg. It needs should be for Government and the Department to Government action now. I welcome the fact that they ensure that tenants and landlords are educated about have undertaken to fund a few local authorities that their rights and responsibilities. have a problem, but we need to encourage every authority There is hope on the horizon. There was a case in that realises it has a problem to take enforcement action which a landlord, who happens to live in my constituency, to end it and to bring the people causing it to justice. was operating a property empire in the neighbouring I conclude by wishing you, Madam Deputy Speaker, borough of Brent, where he put 28 flats into four the staff and all hon. Members a merry Christmas and houses. He was prosecuted and ordered to pay £303,112 a happy, peaceful, prosperous and above all, particularly under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. This demonstrates from my perspective, healthy new year. I trust that we that local authorities can use their power to stop rogue will all have an enjoyable time over the recess. landlords in their tracks and take appropriate action. Rogue landlords will listen to only one thing: losing 3.13 pm their income and assets. We must ensure that the people living in those properties are given decent facilities to John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): That live in. was an extremely helpful speech from the hon. Member for Harrow West— Jeremy Corbyn: The hon. Gentleman is making an important contribution. Does he agree that it would be Bob Blackman: Harrow East. a good idea to have much better co-ordination between London boroughs, perhaps through the Mayor’s office, John McDonnell: I am sorry—how could I? on chasing down rogue landlords and, as the Select I hope to re-launch our housing campaign in Hayes Committee recommended, to have a much simpler form and Harlington in the new year, and many of the of harmonisation for all the regulations so that landlords themes the hon. Gentleman set out are echoed in many and tenants know their rights within the existing law, constituencies across London. Some of the solutions he never mind those that might be introduced in future? set out—particularly the engagement of local authorities— are critically important. I welcome the Government’s Bob Blackman: I completely concur with the hon. additional money for Hillingdon, but it did not go far Gentleman. We must rationalise the regulations to make enough. A much more serious approach is needed. them simpler and easier to understand and to ensure My hon. Friend the Member for West Ham (Lyn that the responsibilities are clearly understood. We must Brown) made a terrific speech, which needed to be co-ordinate action across the London boroughs in made, although it was excruciating to hear about the particular, but the whole of England—and beyond, I pain that women have gone through. If she needs support suspect—is affected by those activities. Whether that in campaigning on any of the issues she raised, I am co-ordination is done through London Councils or the sure that she secured it across the House today. Mayor’s office, for example, should be determined outside I wish to raise a number of issues as briefly as this Chamber. possible. It would be remiss of me not to mention the However, it is equally clear that one of the problems threat to my constituency from the proposed third and is the level of bureaucracy. The mayor of the London fourth runways at Heathrow. For many of my constituents, borough of Newham pointed out that a landlord has to particularly in Harmondsworth and Longford, they will fill out a form for each property when registering, which be sitting down this Christmas faced with the threat of seems to make no sense for the landlords who operate a their homes being bulldozed. We saw what happened good service, compared with the rogue landlords, who with the original third runway proposal for Sipson, ignore the rules anyway. We need to identify those where a compensation scheme was introduced and BAA landlords and the properties that are not properly registered bought up virtually all the properties. People are living and ensure that the rules, which should operate for in those properties, but the life of the village—some everyone’s benefit, are implemented thoroughly and have described it as a shell; I do not think it is that appropriately. I think that there is a potential for doing bad—is somewhat different from what it was. We are what the London borough of Brent did last year when it engaging the new residents in community life as best we enforced the rules on a particular rogue landlord to can, but the blight caused by the threat of a runway ensure that all the others understand their responsibility being built over their homes has resulted in the loss of a and know that they will not get away with it. large number of residents who had lived there for In my borough I have called on the council to operate generations. a similar heat map so that we can identify, in the early The threat now extends across to Harmondsworth hours of the morning, all the properties that do not and Longford, and beyond into West Drayton, which have planning permission and are not registered as was represented by the right hon. Member for Uxbridge HMOs but appear to have people living in them. and South Ruislip (Sir John Randall) in former years. A Anecdotally, I know that in many parts of my constituency population of 10,000 to 15,000 people now face an homes have been built in gardens. Of course, they have overall threat to their accommodation and from noise 967 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 968

[John McDonnell] the Government. There will also be support from green campaigners who are concerned about the impact of and pollution. Parents are sitting down at Christmas the expansion of Heathrow airport on climate change. thinking that their home is going to be demolished There will be direct action campaigns by environmentalists. some time in the future. They are planning their children’s Last time this happened, a climate camp appeared in education knowing that two of the best schools in our my constituency: 1,000 people turned up overnight, area—Heathrow and Harmondsworth primary schools— built a village and launched a direct action campaign, would be bulldozed as well. It looks as though other which contributed to influencing the Conservative party schools, particularly along the M4, perhaps Pinkwell to change its policy. I warn the Government that people and Harmondsworth primary schools, would be rendered will not lie down and let their homes be bulldozed and unusable as a result of noise and air pollution. their schools demolished, and they will not be threatened The right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South with having to dig up their dead from the cemetery. Ruislip talked about Cherry Lane cemetery becoming People will fight back, and as part of that fightback I an issue again. The last time we had this misfortune, the will convene a meeting at Heathrow primary school on BAA documents that were leaked to us demonstrated 16 January. I encourage Members to come along, because that the road network that would service the new runway it will be the first discussion among local residents on and the expanded airport ran through Cherry Lane the implications of the Davies announcement. cemetery. In particular, it ran through the children’s On the HS2 link, which the right hon. Member for area of the cemetery, and that of course caused immense Uxbridge and South Ruislip has mentioned, ours is the distress within my community. That threat will return only area in the whole country that does not yet know with the road structure that would be proposed for the where HS2 will go. We have been denied the opportunity new third and fourth runways. to engage in a consultation on the route, because the I am also worried that Harmondsworth village will be Government will not reveal the route into the airport. obliterated, and that includes St Mary’s church and the That has resulted in uncertainty in the community. It mediaeval barn. Linked to St Mary’s church is the will be a blight on the area and, to be frank, the graveyard, which is still being used. Ironically, Keith community is angry, because it no longer trusts politicians Dobson, one of the prime campaigners with me over or Governments on any issue of infrastructure in our the past 40 years against a fourth terminal, a fifth area. I do not mean this as a party political point, but terminal and a third runway, is buried in St Mary’s for the Prime Minister to explicitly say, churchyard. It would be a tragedy if we had to disinter “no ifs, no buts, there will be no third runway”, the bodies of our relatives and friends as a result of this. only for us now to face not only a third, but a fourth Sir John Randall: There are also a number of war runway, does not inspire confidence in the Government’s graves in St Mary’s churchyard, and that is something attitude to any infrastructure development in our area, else we have to consider. including HS2. I urge all parties in the House to agree that the John McDonnell: The right hon. Gentleman will decisions on the options for runway and aviation expansion remember that in our previous campaign, John Wilkinson, and for the HS2 route into Heathrow airport should not who was the Member for Ruislip-Northwood and served be delayed beyond the next election. The Davies commission on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, raised was politically and strategically timed to report after that very point. It was one of the key issues that was the next general election, to get every political party off raised at the time of our very broad-based campaign the hook. The electorate will not find that acceptable. against the expansion of Heathrow airport. They will see it as another politician’s ploy not to be honest with the people who will be affected by both I want Members to go away and think how devastating schemes. the announcement from the Davies commission is for these families. However, I am optimistic, as I think the It behoves all political parties to come to an agreement right hon. Gentleman is, that we can defeat this. Any that the final report of the Davies commission should Government who sought to expand Heathrow airport, be published before the general election, and individual which would impact on perhaps 2 million people in political parties should go into that election explaining terms of noise and air pollution, would face opprobrium. honestly to the electorate their position on aviation The political impact would be significant; I think it expansion. They also need to explain to my community would determine a shift in a number of seats. On that their position on the link between HS2 and Heathrow. basis, I cannot see any Government politically sustaining It will be seen as fundamentally dishonest of all the the policy of expanding Heathrow airport. political parties if they do not state their case and Just in case anyone tries, let me give this warning: we demonstrate to the electorate their position on aviation will campaign on a scale that this Government and expansion. If they do not make their position clear, previous Governments have never seen before. It will be people will see through them and they will get angry, a campaign in which we mobilise local residents, but and when people get angry with politicians and feel that because of the impact across London, it will unite the democratic and parliamentary process is not working communities across London. There are already plans for them, they will take to the streets. It will encourage for a march all the way from Harmondsworth through even more direct action and more disillusionment with every constituency affected—all the way through west politics in this country. London and into central London—which will garner I also want to address the Fire Brigades Union dispute, support as we go along. It will be a crusade that will which my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and march right the way through west London and pick up Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick) has mentioned. We face hundreds, if not thousands of people in opposition to potential strikes by firefighters on Christmas eve, new 969 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 970 year’s eve and beyond. None of them want to take Lord Justice Rix has clearly demonstrated that the action and go on strike; they want a resolution. The framework is guidance that employers can ignore. It is dispute stems from the previous Government’s proposals as simple as that. One problem with Ministers coming to increase the retirement age of firefighters under the and going, is that when Ministers give guidance, some pension scheme. The Williams review submitted evidence employers perhaps abide by it for a period, but Ministers to the Government of concerns about the physical come and go and Governments come and go, and capacity of firefighters undertaking duties beyond a employers eventually interpret the guidance as they see certain age. That was ignored by the Government, and fit. they went ahead. The FBU put forward a draft proposal that instead of My hon. Friend mentioned the argument made with guidance, the fire Minister should adopt regulations regard to other jobs, as did the hon. Member for linked to the pension scheme. If he had accepted that, Harrow West— one of the main points of the dispute would have been resolved, but that was refused. The FBU has warned of Bob Blackman: East! further strike action. It has balloted its members and received overwhelming support for strike action. As a John McDonnell: I am so sorry. I have a directional result of the legal process that unions have to go through, problem: I am lost once I get north of the A40, I am it has now had to call the dates for the strikes. The afraid. Minister wrote yesterday to say that he was willing to It was proposed that those firefighters who were meet it again, but as I said in an intervention on my incapable of completing all of their duties could be hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Limehouse, the moved to other roles, but then, unfortunately, the cuts FBU is willing to meet any time, any place—wherever took place and we identified that, in one year, there the Minister wants—but the talks have to be meaningful, were only 15 vacancies to which front-line firefighters not just another round of public relation stunts or spin. could be transferred in way that would enable them to I have a lot of time for the fire Minister, but given the continue in work and to pay into their pension and earn seriousness of the dispute, I would say at this point that a wage. The reason for the disputes was that employers the issue has reached Secretary of State level. As happened and the Government refused to recognise that there was in the last fire dispute, the Secretary of State has to an issue about the capability and fitness problem faced come to the table to start negotiations. In the last fire by firefighters. A strike took place, which at least led to dispute under the previous Government, I remember a breakthrough in that employers recognised that there the Prime Minister getting involved at one point to try was an issue that had to be addressed. Negotiations to hammer out the issue so that people were not put at took place on eight points, but they basically foundered risk. We are within days of another dispute leading to on two main ones. another strike, and the Secretary of State needs at least The first, which was mentioned by my hon. Friend to get involved in starting off negotiations. His coming the Member for Poplar and Limehouse, was the risk of to the table would demonstrate a seriousness of intent. having no job and no pension. Firefighters find that The other issue, which I will not go into in depth, is they physically cannot do the job, which all the evidence that of contributions. That was mentioned by my hon. points towards. To be frank, I do not want a geriatric Friend, who gave the figures in percentage terms. Under firefighter coming up a ladder to rescue me, and all the the new pension scheme, there will be an increase in evidence demonstrates that as firefighters reach 55 or contributions each year for four years: for members of 60, their capability goes down. In addition, there is the 2006 scheme, contributions will go up from 8.5% in further evidence about the—short—longevity of firefighters 2011 to 12.6% in 2015. A firefighter on a salary of after they retire. £29,766 will pay more than £4,000 a year for their pension alone if those increases are imposed. That is a Jim Fitzpatrick: My hon. Friend referred to the Williams significant increase for people who are on a relatively inquiry. Williams said that estimates were that from modest wage for professionals in this field. 20% up to 90% of firefighters would not be able to work I urge all Members, because the onus is on all of us, until 60, so there is a big demand for alternative employment to ensure that we lay the path for negotiations to head for them or for their pensions to be honoured. off the current dispute. I think that the Secretary of State needs to come to the table for meaningful discussions John McDonnell: I thought that the FBU was fairly to resolve the matter. I am happy to assist in the reasonable in simply asking for some guarantee to take discussions at any time and to try to get people together. back to its members about their having either a job or a The FBU has made it very clear over the past 24 hours pension. It is as simple as that: the problem is that that it is willing to talk, but that the talks must be people cannot be in the situation of having no job and serious. no pension. As I have said, the employers and the Another staffing issue that I want to raise relates to Government accepted that there was an issue to address, staff in this House. The dispute of the Commons Tea but how were firefighters to gain such a guarantee? Room staff has still not been resolved a year on. To That is the problem of the dispute at the moment. make Members aware of what happened, let me say that In the negotiations, the fire Minister eventually offered elements of the new management decided to reinterpret a change to the national framework so that there is the contract that some of the Members’ Tea Room staff guidance to employers that some form of security should had been working on for more than 20 years. They be given to firefighters in the form either of a job or of a decided that the old contract had been misinterpreted guaranteed pension. The problem about the national by the previous management and introduced what was framework is that it is guidance; it is not legally enforceable. effectively a reduction in pay and conditions. The dispute The FBU has brought cases, so there is case law, and has gone on and negotiations have taken place, but it 971 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 972

[John McDonnell] policing we receive is superb. The police work extremely hard under extremely difficult circumstances and with has not been resolved. I am told that the next stage is reducing resources. that the individual members of staff are getting together Finally, I will refer to one happy piece of news. The as a group to meet management again. Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is a small We are well served by those staff. They work incredibly trade union that has been running a campaign to secure hard, sometimes with demanding Members coming in the living wage for cleaners, particularly in central London at all hours and wanting all sorts of foodstuffs. They and the City. One employer that has been a difficult nut always serve us with a smile. I think that they deserve a to crack is a company called MITIE. The union organised bit more respect than they are getting. Trying to tear up its workers and there have been disputes and their conditions of service when some of them have demonstrations. MITIE issued a letter to all its staff, been working there for two decades is just not acceptable. basically saying that any appearance on a demonstration related to the living wage would be interpreted as gross Last week, I met the security staff here who are misconduct and they would be dismissed. After a short members of the Public and Commercial Services Union. campaign by the cleaners and an early-day motion in I am chair of the PCS parliamentary group. New rosters this House, and thanks to the hard work of the union were imposed on the security staff earlier this year. organiser, Chris Ford, negotiations have taken place There was a strike, but it did not resolve the issue and over the past couple of days. MITIE is now in negotiations the rosters were still imposed. The new rosters reduce with the union about the living wage in relation to the the flexibility of the work and impact on carers. Those contract. It has withdrawn its threatening letter to the people are largely women, because they tend to be the staff and even sent out a letter apologising to them. I carers in society, but it affects parents generally and congratulate the IWGB—in particular the organiser, other types of carers. The staff have demonstrated to Chris Ford—on that success, and also the employer for management that the new rosters are costing more than seeing sense and coming back to the negotiating table. I the old ones because of the high levels of overtime that hope that will send a message to other employers. have to be paid and the lack of flexibility. We all sort of glamorise John Lewis as a wonderful mutual—apart, that is, for the fact that it has outsourced The security staff are employed by the Metropolitan its cleaners who are not part of the mutual system and police on a contract. That contract is up for renegotiation not paid the London living wage. Again, the IWGB has in 2015. The staff are worried that they are being set up been running a campaign on that, and I have been on for privatisation. They want to enter into negotiations the picket lines, trying to urge that company to recognise with management so that staff are able to continue with that its cleaners should be part of its mutual structure that contract or, if the Metropolitan police do not want and paid properly. The other group of workers who I the contract, the staff can be brought in-house. If think will be mobilised over the coming period are Members have the time, they should speak to the security fast-food workers. They are largely not unionised and staff, because they are unhappy and disgruntled. They many are on the minimum wage with poor employment are worried not only about their terms of service, but conditions. We have convened a meeting in the House that their service is not good enough because they do of Commons next year to bring together all those not have the flexibility that they used to have, that it is unions, and others who want to campaign for the rights costing more and that their position will be undermined of fast-food workers in the new year. in the longer term. In the spirit of Christmas, I wish hon. Members a I want to make two last points. The right hon. Member happy Christmas and a determined and campaigning for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Sir John Randall) new year. spoke about the Metropolitan police. I am anxious about what is happening in the Met. A range of cuts are feeding through. Safer neighbourhood teams were one 3.37 pm of the best policing reforms that were undertaken by Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): It is good the last Government. It is good to have a local sergeant, to follow the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington two police constables and a couple of police community (John McDonnell). He made a powerful case about support officers located within the ward and to have the ensuring proper consultation on HS2 and the new runways guarantee that they will not be pulled out of the ward at Heathrow, and I understand his concerns. Perhaps for other extraneous duties. The cuts that are coming the issue does not cause me quite so much concern through now are undermining safer neighbourhood when representing Tiverton and Honiton down in Devon, policing in our areas. There are not sufficient PCs, the but I can see his concern and that of his constituents. recruitment of PCSOs is not happening and safer I want to raise a particularly difficult case that concerns neighbourhood teams are being combined. That is breaking the struggle of one of my constituents to obtain down the local connection. compensation for serious trauma caused to him back in The retirement of a large number of officers who had the ‘80s. I will give a brief background to the case. My long service means that we have lost a lot of experienced constituent was living on an Army base in Cyprus in the police officers. When we lose that experience we also late ‘80s with his father, a GCHQ employee. My constituent lose the supervision, and I am anxious about that. In experienced serious sexual abuse at the base from the my constituency, as in many across London, we are age of 12 to 17 from a paedophile gang of military losing police officers and their visibility on the streets is personnel from both the UK and the United Nations. being reduced. At the same time—I agree about this My constituent is seeking compensation for the serious with the right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South damage caused to him while living on that Army camp Ruislip and we share the same borough—the quality of in Cyprus, but I understand that he is not eligible for 973 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 974 compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation are hugely affected by the speed of travel. If the M5 is (Overseas) Scheme because his father was not military blocked, there is just carnage because traffic cannot get personnel, even though he was attached to the Cyprus through. base. There is a UK national Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, but my constituent is excluded Mr Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): I was not from that because the offences took place outside the expecting to intervene, but as my mother-in-law lives United Kingdom. There is also a Europe-wide scheme, along the A303—not that I necessarily want to rush to but again my constituent is excluded by reason of the get to my mother-in-law’s—I know the road has congestion offences taking place prior to the implementation of points that create huge tailbacks, particularly leading that scheme. My constituent is excluded from other back from Stonehenge towards London. I sympathise possible avenues for compensation. He is at present with my hon. Friend, and I am, of course, very much without a remedy for the grievous harm he has suffered. looking forward to seeing my mother-in-law on Boxing I understand that GCHQ comes under the jurisdiction day. of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, so it might be thought reasonable for it to implement a matching Neil Parish: I thank my hon. Friend for his comment. scheme to provide compensation for those in my On this occasion, it being Christmas, I am sure he will constituent’s position, or, alternatively, to offer a one-off be delighted to see his mother-in-law. To be serious, he compensation award under the same principles as the is absolutely right. Travelling the A30 down into Cornwall, overseas scheme. one finds large tailbacks on every long stretch of non- I have met Ministers and military police. I think and dualled road, but on short non-dualled roads, there is hope that in 2013 his case has been dealt with much always much less of a tailback. I hope we will get a dual more sympathetically and in a much better manner. The carriageway, tunnel or something past Stonehenge, but military police dealt with my constituent’s case in a very if not, at least a lot more dualling on the road would high-handed and ineffective way, and I want very much speed up the process. The other day, the Chief Secretary for him to have closure in this matter. We need to find to the Treasury announced a pipeline of funding, so I some form of compensation, whatever it is, just to say asked him to turn on the tap. I am looking forward to that somebody has owned up to the fact that it was not the tap being turned on and that road being built. dealt with properly, and that the abuse he sustained all On a third constituency matter, Feniton is a village those years ago still affects him now. I have met him on the outskirts of Honiton that was flooded many several times. I do not know whether the Deputy Leader times last year and which has been under threat this of the House can help in any way, but I seek help from year, yet several planning applications have been made him because this is a very serious matter. for 200 homes in the village. These proposed homes Moving on to other constituency matters, I would have been refused by the district and parish councils, like to talk about the A30/A303. I hear in this House and the local population oppose them hugely because huge problems for the Government in trying to get HS2 the infrastructure is not there. These homes will create going and the trouble with Heathrow airport. I assure more surface run-off and cause more flooding. I want the Government that they would have much less trouble the Planning Inspectorate to consider that point. I dualling the A30/A303. understand that the planning Minister is issuing guidance to planning inspectors to ensure that the infrastructure John McDonnell: I don’t suppose the hon. Gentleman of a village or town is taken into consideration when would like a runway, would he? appeal decisions are being looked at. It is imperative that this matter be treated in that way, because Feniton Neil Parish: I thank the hon. Gentleman for the idea could be swamped by these homes and the infrastructure— that we could have a runway for Heathrow, but I think the roads, the sewerage system and the schools—would we are about 180 miles away. That is a long way away, be overloaded. but I understand his sentiments. On a general point about flooding throughout my Returning to the A30/A303, from Exeter to Honiton constituency, we are on an alert even as we speak. We the A30 is all dualled. It then goes from Honiton to the must learn the lessons of flooding. No, we cannot stop Somerset border, where it is not dualled. As it gets it raining, and no we cannot stop flooding, but we can towards the Somerset border it splits off, with one part ensure that our rivers and tributaries are dredged and going on to Yeovil and the A30 carries on and goes into enable more local management of waterways so that the the A303. I want to see this part dualled in particular, people who know exactly when the rivers are too high, and not just because it is in my constituency. Believe it when sluices need to be opened and when drainage or not, I am not just making a plea for my constituency, points are blocked can do that work. The result would because it then travels up through Somerset and into be a lot less flooding. It is good that the Government Wiltshire. Of course, it passes by some rather interesting are negotiating Flood Re with the insurance companies. stones—I think they are called Stonehenge. How to That means that my constituents should be able to get pass them—whether we should build a tunnel and so insurance at a reasonable cost. I also want to emphasise on—has always been a thorny problem. the fact that sometimes the Environment Agency’s flood- I think that, in all, nine sections of the A30/A303 prevention schemes can be very expensive, but local need to be dualled. As a Government, we need to start people could help bring that about and do a lot of picking up and running with these individual schemes. self-help. The greater the amount of dual carriageway on the On a final issue, we are about to agree yet another road, the more we will have a second arterial route into reform of the common agricultural policy. Under the the west country. Devon and Cornwall in particular, new settlement, money will be taken for so-called capping and Somerset too, rely a lot on tourism. Our businesses or modulation, although we do not know whether it 975 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 976

[Neil Parish] None the less, in the same spirit as everyone else, I wish all the staff here a good Christmas and new year and will be 9%, 12% or 15%; we are waiting for the Government thank them for the work that they do. to say exactly how much. I make this plea: we must Like the hon. Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman), make good use of the money we take from farmers and whom I compliment on his contribution, I want to raise put in place good environmental schemes that will help the issue of housing in London. I represent an inner-city not only agriculture, but the environment, grasslands constituency, which has somewhat different characteristics and hills, such as those in Devon. from those of Harrow. Nevertheless housing is a huge issue. Roughly speaking, my borough divides 40:30:30— Mr Newmark: I thank my hon. Friend for allowing council and housing association houses and social rented me another bite at the cherry. accommodation make up about 40% of the borough’s Last Friday, I met my local farmers, and they raised housing; private rented houses about 30% and owner- with me a good question about the modulation that my occupied houses 30%. The owner-occupation rate is hon. Friend could put to the Secretary of State or well below the national average, and falling very fast. Ministers. According to many farmers, 15% is an The private rented sector is well above the national extraordinarily high figure, and some justification for average and rising very fast. The social ownership section why it is not 9% or 9.5%, as in other EU countries, is increasing a bit through the work of the housing would be useful. associations and the council’s commendable building programme to try to provide homes for people who Neil Parish: I had better be quick because, Madam desperately need them. Deputy Speaker, you are looking me very sternly. The problem we have is an enormous housing list of Yes, 15% is very high. We must use this modulated people in often desperate housing need. The chances of money to put in place environmental schemes that are them being housed in a council-owned house or a necessary. We must not take money from farmers unless housing association place are very limited, so the council we know exactly what we are going to do with it. In the fulfils its obligations to them in the only way it can, end, the family farms in Devon and across the country which is by placing them in the private rented sector. are important, not only to farming, but to the countryside Many of those private flats are not in the borough; they itself. are some distance away. That in itself creates a problem. I wish you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and Mr Deputy The applicants accept the accommodation because they Speaker a happy Christmas. I also thank all the staff have no choice. They aspire to return to the borough, so throughout this building for their good work this year the large numbers of families who are placed outside and wish them a happy Christmas. the borough make very long journeys to ensure that their children maintain a place at the same school, which is important from the point of view of the 3.49 pm continuity of education for primary school-aged children. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): I am pleased The other issue is that the benefit level cap on housing to be able to contribute to this debate. Sadly, I start with expenditure, the housing allowance, is way below the a complaint. Although I welcome the opportunity of a average rent in the private sector. The transitional money Christmas Adjournment debate and the fact that a the Government approved on the introduction of the Member can raise any issue they want, the system that cap is drying up and disappearing. Frankly, what we are we have had in other times when there have been going through is nothing more than a process of social themed debates with a Minister replying is a far more cleansing from inner London, as families on benefit— satisfactory way of dealing with parliamentary business. sometimes in work, and sometimes not in work, as it I do not doubt that the Deputy Leader of the House affects people almost equally—can no longer remain in will report in great detail to each Minister concerned the borough and must therefore be accommodated and ensure that we get an answer, but the whole point of elsewhere. That exacerbates the whole problem. the House of Commons is to hold the Government and We have a high degree of housing stress among those Ministers to account rather than using it as a sounding- families. I meet families all the time and I am very board Chamber where anyone can raise anything they worried about the impact of such a degree of housing like and it then disappears into the ether. insecurity on a whole generation of children as they I strongly compliment the staff here—as I am sure grow up. Members of this House all earn a good salary, does everyone else—for their work, loyalty, and sympathy have reasonable accommodation to live in and do not to both Members and the public. They often do a feel a sense of housing insecurity. We should try and put difficult job, and I admire them enormously and want ourselves in the mindset of young parents trying to to put on record my thanks to them. As a Parliament, bring up children in the private rented sector knowing we should value them a lot more. As my hon. Friend the that they have no security of tenure and could lose their Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) flat within six months. If they complain, they are likely said, the treatment of the staff in the Tea Room, their to find that their tenancy is terminated. The effect on change of contracts and deteriorating working conditions the parents is extreme stress, but the effect on the are simply not good enough. We should be much better children is great uncertainty about their place in life and employers and we should value the service and the the ability of their parents to provide for them. We are loyalty that those staff give us. We need to remember damaging a whole generation of people through the that we should provide a good example of employment housing policies that are being adopted in this country. practices and not work on the basis of gross exploitation I am not making a partisan point, because my party, of people. Indeed, we should not be losing our very when in government, certainly did not do enough to good and experienced staff. We should reflect on that. build the necessary new housing. It certainly did not do 977 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 978 enough to bring in much tougher regulation of the met an interesting gentleman from the Electrical Safety private rented sector any more than this Government Council, who told me his concerns—they were held by have. I applaud what my council is trying to do by the fire service and many others, too—about the lack of developing new council properties of a good and high regular electrical checks in the private rented sector. It standard and what it has achieved through the decent can often be an extremely dangerous place to be. There homes standard. The estates are in a much better condition are supposed to be gas checks and all kinds of checks, than they ever used to be. Nevertheless, we live in an but they are often never carried out. area where property prices are rising fast. I think I am I have had experience of tenants in the private rented right to say that more than 80% of the borough does sector making wholly legitimate complaints about the not earn enough money to be able to buy a property condition of their flat—the lack of insulation, the poor within Islington, so the only option for those people is quality windows, the high energy bills they incur because the private rented sector. of all that and infestation by vermin. They usually find There are areas in which the sector must be reformed, that nothing is done about that, and if they contact the and quickly. I have with me a copy of the report by the environmental health service, they might find their tenancy Communities and Local Government Committee on terminated at the first possible opportunity by the landlord. the regulation of the private rented sector, which is an It is scandalous that if tenants try to exercise their interesting, well-written document that calls for the rights, they lose their property. Although that might simplification of the regulation of the private rented mean that environmental health can enforce better sector and better education of both landlords and conditions for the next tenant, it is not much help for tenants. I agree with all that. Sometimes, the report’s the tenant who has been evicted for having the temerity proposals are a bit too timid but I agree with the general to try to exercise their rights. thrust of what it is trying to say. The third area is probably the most controversial—the We must be a little bolder. I introduced a ten-minute question of the rent levels charged. If I look across the rule Bill on the subject, and I want to see fundamental whole country, I realise that the rent levels charged in change in three areas of the private rented sector. The the private rented sector vary enormously, often over first is the role of the letting agents. At the moment, quite short distances. The rent levels in central London there is almost no regulation of letting agents. Anyone are massive; if we move a short distance towards the can set up a letting agency, there are no checks on them outer London boroughs, the rent levels are a bit less; if whatsoever and anybody can claim to be a letting agent we move a bit further out of London, they become and start renting out properties. I think they should all much less; if we move to other regions in the country, be regulated so we know who is working where, so that the rent levels might not be the main problem, but there they have to provide proper information to all prospective could be other areas of regulation. tenants, and so that they are not allowed to introduce My private Member’s Bill—I have no notion of whether arbitrary and often totally unfair charges such as search it will ever become law; certainly not in this Parliament, fees, which are always non-returnable and often expensive. although I hope the idea will become law at some There should also be much clearer explanation for point—is not only about empowering local authorities prospective tenants of what they are getting into. to set up letting offices and agencies, but about requiring Agents are also often deeply discriminatory. A sign in simplified advice to be given to landlords and tenants a window that reads, “No DSS” shows first of all that about how the properties will be operated. Authorities they are deeply out of date with the structure of the will also have the power to impose a level of regulation social security system in this country—it is now the on the rent levels charged in the private sector. Department of Work and Pensions and it is a housing In that respect, a number of formulae could be adopted. allowance, not DSS as it was about 20 years ago—and One would be simply to take a figure and declare it to also fundamentally discriminates against somebody who be a reasonable rent for the area. Rent levels could be is perfectly legally claiming what they are entitled to based on the capital value of the property and the cost from the DWP. Why should they not be allowed to rent of maintaining its value if money has been borrowed to because they are claiming? The investigation by “Panorama” purchase it. Alternatively, because the structure of the showed the race discrimination and racial profiling by private rented sector is changing fast, we could require the agencies, which are a scar on our society that deeply large private sector landlords—there are some of them disfigures people’s lives and life chances. Discrimination around nowadays—to provide at least 50% of their is wrong in any aspect, whether it be financial in respect properties for rent at an affordable level, as we would of benefit claimants or racial discrimination as operated require for any new large housing development. by some agents. We must have proper regulation of these agencies. If we do not regulate the private rented sector, we are A number of London boroughs are actively considering condemning, in the case of my borough, a third of the setting up their own letting agency to manage the population to a life of insecurity—and the numbers of number of people they place within in the private private rented properties are likely to rise considerably rented sector and offering the service to landlords and over the next few years. All the predictions are that tenants alike. I think that would be a wholly good while it is around 17% nationally now, it will probably thing—it would be properly run, properly managed and be 25%, if not more, by the end of this decade. Other probably a lot cheaper for everyone concerned than the countries manage to have a pretty fully regulated private present system. rented sector. The hon. Member for Harrow East referred to the Select Committee visit to Germany, which has a The second area relates to points raised by the hon. very regulated private rented sector—often, interestingly, Member for Harrow East about the condition and with much larger landlords, who often manage the maintenance of private sector properties. Yesterday, I properties a lot better. 979 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 980

[Jeremy Corbyn] after the homeless, not just in Braintree but, I believe, in all our constituencies, and Braintree Foyer looks after One of the problems in my constituency is that it young people so well when they have nowhere to go. contains a large number of very small landlords who Then there are the church groups, which serve our food only ever think of the headline return in the form of the banks incredibly well. As we know from our recent rent. They never think of the cost of maintenance, the debate on the subject, the use of food banks has cost of repairs, or the cost of simply managing a property. increased—there is no denying that—and many of the We need to devise a much better system. The Select church groups in our communities are playing a leading Committee report was a good start, but the Government’s role in that regard. response was more than disappointing. No doubt we Let me now issue a plea to everyone in my constituency, shall return to the issue in the future. and to all who are listening here. Many elderly people Let me end with this thought. We all want to enjoy a will be alone this Christmas, and if someone can spend nice Christmas—who doesn’t?—but we also want to just one or two hours with an elderly person, it will enjoy a degree of security in our lives, and I think that make a very big difference to that person at this very we should consider for a moment the very large number important time of the year. of people who live in the private rented sector. Not all I promised that I would be brief, Mr Deputy Speaker, landlords are bad; some are good, decent, generous and I will be, but I want to raise one constituency issue. people who look after their tenants in the way in which I want to talk about two aspects of infrastructure, the we would all want to be looked after ourselves; but, first being trains. Unfortunately, we in Braintree are not unfortunately, not all of them are like that. There are well served by trains. There is a main line to Witham some terrible rogue landlords, and some terrible practices. and then onwards, and there is a branch line from We used to say awful things about Rachman and what Witham to Braintree. As a branch line, we only get one he did in winkling secure tenants out of north Kensington train an hour. That causes enormous problems, and all those decades ago, but there are very few secure ever since I became a candidate in 1999—long before I tenancies now. Landlords no longer need to winkle was an MP—I was calling for a loop to be put in people out. They can end assured shorthold tenancies between Braintree and Witham because that will allow after six months, move another tenant in, and charge more people to travel along that line rather than waiting the new tenant a higher rent—and so the whole situation the one hour, as they have to, or getting in their cars. continues. If we are to maintain the social and cultural diversity The big problem is that Braintree has grown enormously of London, and indeed other cities, we must maintain even in the past 15 years that I have lived in the area. As the diversity of housing, and of housing options and a result, when people get on the train at Braintree they opportunities. Like all Members, I visit hospitals, Royal find that it is already at capacity, so by the time it Mail sorting offices, police stations and fire stations. I reaches Cressing or White Notley, let us say, on the way always ask people where they live, and I find that fewer to Witham it is often totally full. That creates huge and fewer of them can afford to live in central London. problems, and one way to alleviate that pressure is to They are commuting for longer and longer distances, at build a loop between Braintree and Witham. greater and greater cost to themselves. I ask Greater Anglia and Abellio, who are the controllers We must address the housing issue. Yes, we can do of the train line, to think about these three Cs: capacity, that by building more houses and providing greater cancellations and communication. With capacity, the security and better conditions, but what is crucially and issue is that the trains are often full at peak times, as I urgently needed is proper regulation of the private have mentioned, so it would be very useful for them to rented sector, so that we can provide the sense of think about investing in that loop which I and others security that we would all want for ourselves. have been asking for. That will take people off the roads and on to the trains, and as they will be using the train services more, it will make the loop more economically Bob Blackman: On a point of order, Mr Deputy viable. Speaker. At the beginning of my speech, I inadvertently failed to draw Members’ attention to my entry in the The second C is cancellations. In the past month or Register of Members’ Financial Interests. May I correct so there have been three cancellations of the 6.45 am that through your good offices, and apologise to the train. If someone is planning to catch a train at Cressing House? and they have a meeting in London that morning, and the 6.45 am train is cancelled and they do not know Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): I think that about it in advance, they have a big problem. The bigger the clarification is already on the record. problem is that, unfortunately, Greater Anglia has not put on any other services, such as a bus service, to take them to Witham, and it might not even inform passengers 4.7 pm that there is a problem. Mr Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): I want to That brings me to my third C: communication. It is begin, rather than end, my speech by wishing all the very important that Greater Anglia communicates with staff of the House, and the police, a happy Christmas. passengers, explaining that there is a problem, rather They serve all of us here in Parliament extremely well, than passengers simply standing on the platform and and I hope that they will have a relaxing Christmas seeing the train whizz past them. That can be extremely holiday and a happy new year. frustrating if they have a morning meeting in London I also want to thank certain groups in my constituency or elsewhere. which I know will be working very hard over Christmas. I therefore ask Abellio and Greater Anglia to think The Salvation Army does a tremendous job in looking about those three issues of capacity, dealing with 981 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 982 cancellations with care and efficiency, and communicating importantly, it would make my constituents who are with passengers. That is extremely important. They trying to use the roads and public transport very happy. should think seriously about building a loop between I shall also take this opportunity to wish everyone, Braintree and Cressing, because I think that will deal including you, Mr Deputy Speaker, a happy Christmas with a lot of the problems they face. I know from having and new year. talked to Braintree district council and Essex county council that they would be willing to put in some money to try to get this loop between Braintree and Cressing, 4.17 pm as would local businesses. So again I make my plea to The Deputy Leader of the House of Commons (Tom Abellio and Greater Anglia to think about building this Brake): There is quite a lot to respond to, and I hope to loop, and perhaps the Secretary of State for Transport—the be able to touch on most of the points that have been ex-Chief Whip and my ex-boss—will also consider that raised. I shall certainly respond to those Members who plea of mine. are still in their place. I was perhaps hoping that my My second infrastructure point is to do with the hon. Friend the Member for Southend West (Mr Amess) A120, and it relates very much to something my hon. would not reappear, because the duration of my speech Friend the Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Neil would have been halved if I had not needed to respond Parish) was saying. Drivers come up the M11, let us say, to all the points that he raised. He has returned to his and then get on to the A120 at Stansted and have a place, however, so I shall respond to him for starters. beautiful two and three-lane highway all the way to My hon. Friend raised concerns about certain House Braintree, but when they get to Braintree they hit Galleys matters, including Tuesday sittings, Prime Minister’s corner, which is known as cholesterol corner for two questions and the fact that the Press Gallery was always reasons: first, because of the KFC, the McDonald’s and empty. Those are things that the House can discuss, and the other fast food outlets that are located there, and Members will be able to tell us whether they are happy secondly, because a major traffic blockage forms there. with the Tuesday sittings and whether they are content While I appreciate that when the new Secretary of to keep Prime Minister’s questions as a half-hour slot State took up his post he generously gave us a little over on a Wednesday, rather than reverting to the two 15-minute £300,000 to deal with the little pinch-point at Galleys slots on Tuesdays and Thursdays. corner, unfortunately that only dealt with a tiny piece of My hon. Friend also expressed concern that there the problem. What we really need to do is dual the road were too many quangos, but I hope he welcomes the the eight or nine miles between Braintree and Marks fact that the coalition Government have got rid of a Tey in order to alleviate the blockage. I want Members substantial number of them. He asked about the Chilcot to imagine a fast road that goes all the way from inquiry. If he is familiar with its website, he will be able London through to Stansted and then on to Braintree, to look at the latest exchange of correspondence on that and then suddenly it stops. For eight or nine miles, there matter and to see where we are at. Obviously, we want is a single-lane carriageway, the A12, to Marks Tey, at the inquiry to publish its findings, and we should not which point the road becomes the A120, and a dual try to pre-empt their content. carriageway, again, and continues all the way to Harwich. My hon. Friend also expressed concern about some Alleviating the pinch-points along this transnational, aspects of freedom of information. He then went on to perhaps trans-European, network is important. Many talk about air pollution, describing it as a hidden killer. groups in Braintree have campaigned for this to happen, I agree with him on that. The fact that people do not including the Braintree business council, the Braintree visibly drop dead from air pollution means that it is not business forum, Councillor Siddall, who is in charge of treated with the same seriousness as heart attacks and businesses on Braintree district council, and my friend strokes. He was right to say that its principal source, Malcolm Hobbs. They have all have campaigned for the apart from industry, is the tailpipes of the cars and dualling of the road. other vehicles that we all drive around in. The Government I do not deny that this would be an expensive project. take the issue seriously and we are working towards the It could cost up to £300 million, which is an enormous legally binding pollution limits set out in European amount. However, time is money, and if people are Union legislation. My hon. Friend also rightly highlighted stuck in their cars, that can be expensive for them. the importance of alternative fuels, such as liquefied There are local groups in Braintree that are willing to petroleum gas, and the fact that they can make a big invest in the project, and we could form a public-private difference to air quality. He went on to touch on the partnership to achieve this. Essex county council, Braintree issue of fire safety. district council and various local businesses have all said that they would put in some money to alleviate the Jim Fitzpatrick rose— problem. I make a direct plea to the Secretary of State for Tom Brake: I will give way when I have finished this Transport and even to the Chancellor himself, who has point. Again, I agree with my hon. Friend that it is been extremely generous in giving money to other important that we all learn lessons from fire incidents infrastructure projects around the country, to alleviate and that best practice is spread effectively. On that this minor road block by putting some money into this point, I give way to someone who knows an awful lot project. It would create jobs locally and alleviate pressure about these matters. and blight in several areas. I shall leave the House with those two thoughts: a rail Jim Fitzpatrick: I was going to pick up the point on loop between Braintree and Witham, and the dualling pollution. European regulations require air quality to of the road between Braintree and Marks Tey. Achieving be up to a certain mark, but London is failing on so those two goals would make me very happy and, more many counts that we have a five-year derogation. If 983 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 984

[Jim Fitzpatrick] Finally, my hon. Friend talked about Southend’s city of culture. It brought a smile to my face when he identified fines are levelled against the UK, will they have to be Southend as the alternative city of culture. That is paid for by the UK Government or the Mayor of something we can all smile about and welcome. I am London? sure we will follow developments carefully. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Southend West for opening Tom Brake: I wish I had not given way, because I do the debate. That leaves me a little bit of time to respond not know the answer to that question. However, I am to the other contributions. sure that we can secure a written response for the hon. The first point that the hon. Member for Poplar and Gentleman, who has highlighted the fact that we have Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick) raised was about Afsana, significant air quality issues to address in London. The a constituent of his who is stranded in Dubai. I am Mayor does need to tackle them firmly. I know that he pleased that the hon. Gentleman has had the support has launched certain initiatives, but the impact of vehicles that he needed from the Foreign and Commonwealth is significant and we need to examine wider measures to Office and the consular staff, although I understand try to tackle the problem. perfectly why the family will feel that that is not sufficient, My hon. Friend then discussed the Disclosure and given the very serious predicament that their family Barring Service, which was previously the Criminal member is in. I am pleased to hear that a meeting with Records Bureau. I suspect that many hon. Members the Minister has already been agreed, and I am sure the will have encountered issues with the CRB and the DBS hon. Gentleman will pursue the matter as assiduously relating to turnaround times. Often it is not clear where in that meeting as he has done previously. I am sure that the delays are occurring, because sometimes they are in the FCO and consular staff will do everything in their securing a response from the police. He touched on the power to help resolve the problem, although all of us issue of school governors, and I think we can all agree who have had experiences of constituents abroad dealing that they play an essential role and make a substantial with other legal systems know that that is one of the contribution. I suspect that many hon. Members will biggest challenges any Member of Parliament can face have been, or may still be, a school governor. As he in taking up issues on behalf of constituents. stated, they need specific skills, and he identified finance The hon. Gentleman touched on the issue of firefighters’ as an area where we perhaps need more people coming pensions. He obviously has extensive knowledge of in. I encourage them to do so. that, which he brings in a very positive way to the My hon. Friend touched on the issue of blue badges. Chamber this afternoon. He highlighted some aspects He, like me, and I am sure other hon. Members, has and recognised that it is a good scheme for firefighters. experienced some issues relating to the changes that He will know, and I know as a result of a chance have taken place with that service. I am sure he represents meeting with a firefighter while I was out canvassing at very effectively his constituents who are experiencing the weekend, that the contribution that firefighters make difficulties because they were in receipt of a badge but to their pensions is quite significant. The figure that I now are finding that it is not available to them. was quoted was £900 a month as a pension contribution. My hon. Friend mentioned hepatitis. The Department I am aware that the Under-Secretary of State for of Health recognises the public health importance of Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend tackling viral hepatitis in England; it imposes a significant the Member for Great Yarmouth (Brandon Lewis), has burden on the NHS, so he was right to highlight the stated his willingness to engage with the Fire Brigades importance of tackling it. He referred to the South Union, and I hope that will be pursued, as it is not in Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, the interest of the FBU, the Government or the wider which provides mental health services, expressing some public for strike action to go ahead. If there is a concerns about that. Clearly I am not going to refer to possibility of the talks finding a resolution, let us pursue any individual cases, but I hope that one thing he would that option. take as a positive step forward is the fact that the My right hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and Government and the Minister who leads on these issues South Ruislip (Sir John Randall) is in his place. I wish have been strong in pushing for parity of esteem; in him every success in seeking out that plum role in other words, people with mental health issues should panto. That was everyone’s cue for “Oh no, you don’t”, treated in exactly the same way as we would expect but they were too slow. My right hon. Friend referred to people who need to go through the acute health service HS2 and the third runway. It is clear that, particularly to be treated. They should get identical quality of care in relation to HS2, there will be many opportunities to and should see pathways that operate just as effectively. discuss that further in the months and years to come. My hon. Friend also touched on the exotic pet trade, My right hon. Friend dwelt at some length on his which is a serious contributory factor to the threat of interests. From the trip that we both undertook to extinction faced by many endangered species. The UK Venezuela and Brazil some year ago, I know about his Border Force is responsible for dealing with that, and interest in environmental matters, wildlife and especially we need to ensure that anyone dealing in that particular bird life. I recommend that he does not walk around trade follows the rules and completes the right paperwork Clapham common in the dark with his bat detection to ensure that everything is above board. material. He may want to choose another location. He My hon. Friend mentioned Ray Woodcock, a great spoke about the Democratic Republic of the Congo granddad who has just broken a Guinness world record, and concerns there about its wildlife park. I agree that jumping 384 feet down into a flooded quarry. I will that is a significant issue, but the DRC has a much make sure that the Chief Whips hear of that, because it wider range of issues that we need to contribute towards may have other potential uses for MPs who misspeak in resolving, as well as that concern. My right hon. Friend this place. raised the issue of upland habitats here. He may have 985 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 986 the opportunity at DEFRA questions on 9 January to would respond positively to a cross-party request to raise that and other environment-related matters that discuss those issues, because clearly it is unacceptable he referred to. that people are living in sheds. It was noted that in There are a couple of issues that I will draw to the Slough there were just over 6,100 houses where people attention of the Ministry of Justice—vicarious liability were potentially living in sheds, although I suspect that and the changes to legal aid, which my right hon. some of them were cannabis farms, because of the heat Friend flagged up. He finished by thanking both the generated. He also highlighted the number of fires that Metropolitan police and the staff of the House, and I had happened over a three-year period—just under 350, join him in that. We all know as Members of Parliament with nine associated deaths. This not only has a very that unfortunately the activities of a very small number negative impact on the people who are having to live in of people tend to rub off on the activities of others who those conditions; sometimes the consequences are have no involvement in inappropriate activities. significantly more serious. The hon. Member for Falkirk (Eric Joyce) raised the I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman has yet serious issue of eating disorders. It is something the responded to the housing Minister, the Under-Secretary Government take very seriously, particularly among of State for Communities and Local Government, the young people. We know that those most affected are hon. Member for Keighley (Kris Hopkins), who has young people between the ages of 14 and 25, and there written to him to say that he would be happy to meet might be as many as 1.1 million people—a substantial him to discuss his concerns. He set out in his speech number—in the UK directly affected. Since April the some possible solutions that I am sure the Minister relevant services have been commissioned by NHS England, would want to hear. Other Members made some important so Members who represent English constituencies should points that I am sure the Department for Communities raise concerns on the matter with it. and Local Government would appreciate hearing about. The hon. Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy), who The hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John is no longer in his place, raised a large number of issues. McDonnell) raised the issue of the third runway. He has He wanted us to remember 3 Mercian, which we will do. been an articulate and consistent advocate against that He referred to the role of the trust special administrator runway on behalf of his local community, under the at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. I think coalition Government and under the previous Government. that he was pleased with some of the outcomes of the He also discussed HS2, the Fire Brigades Union dispute, process but had concerns about others. I echo those and staffing in the House of Commons. He then talked concerns in relation to my local hospital, St Helier. It is about safer neighbourhood teams. As a London Member a category 6 hospital, so one of the safest in the country, of Parliament, I think that unfortunately the changes and the best in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that have happened mean that there is less visibility on for dealing with hip fractures, yet it is proposed, as a the streets, and people are raising that in terms of the result of a clinician review, that its A and E and maternity profile of the police. That is an area that we need to departments should close, which I will fight very hard. monitor. On the living wage, he highlighted the more The hon. Gentleman raised a number of other health- positive developments in relation to MITIE and flagged related issues, which he might want to raise in health up the actions that John Lewis might like to take in this questions on 14 January. He also touched on HS2. respect. The Government are very supportive of employers Given that today we had Transport questions, in which who want to take that route, although one could take HS2 featured prominently, followed by a statement the view that some employers might find it difficult to from the Chair of the Transport Committee, I do not provide the living wage. think that there is anything further that I could add. The hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Neil Finally, I was pleased to hear him speaking up for the Parish) referred to a very difficult case of abuse involving Government’s position on international development. UK and UN personnel that occurred many years ago Following the actions of the previous Government, we and did not comply with or satisfy any of the compensation are ensuring that we deliver 0.7% of GNI for international schemes that were available. I can understand why his development. That gives us credibility around the world constituent and he would want closure on the issue. I when we are talking about the subject. We are recognised will certainly draw it to the attention of the Foreign and internationally for that. Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence in Like other Members, I winced and shuffled in my seat terms of possible solutions. when the hon. Member for West Ham (Lyn Brown) The hon. Gentleman mentioned an infrastructure described the painful process of hysteroscopy. I hope proposal regarding the A30 and the A303 and a bid for that she, on behalf of us all, will thank her constituent dualling, although he did not offer it up as an extremely and the other women for providing that information. I long runway for Heathrow. He then talked about the think that we need a considered response from the village of Feniton and his concerns about flooding and Department of Health. Perhaps more guidance could the impact of housing development. There may be an be issued, whether for patients or doctors, because opportunity for him to raise those issues as soon as we clearly she has identified a pattern with that procedure get back, because the Department for Environment, and I think that it needs a detailed response. Food and Rural Affairs will respond to questions on The hon. Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman) 9 January and the Department for Communities and talked about beds in sheds. Members will know that the Local Government will respond to questions on 13 January. Prime Minister has visited Southall to look at that issue. The hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn) We heard other contributions this afternoon on the complained that we were not having a themed debate private rented sector. It was clear from the cross-party today. He may or may not be aware that the Backbench consensus that emerged that something needs to be Business Committee discussed the matter and felt that done. I am sure that the Backbench Business Committee today’s debate should be in this format. Perhaps next 987 Christmas Adjournment19 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas Adjournment 988

[Tom Brake] My hon. Friend also referred to a couple of transport infrastructure projects and I will make sure that the time it will feel that it should be in the previous format, Department for Transport is made aware of those two with themes. Perhaps housing could have been a theme bids. I do not intend to visit cholesterol corner—it does for today’s debate, or fire brigade disputes—who knows not sound like a nice place to go—where people can get what would have been appropriate? We have a Member their arteries blocked in more ways than one: from KFC here who will feed back the hon. Gentleman’s concerns, and McDonald’s to the traffic congestion at the junction. and we will see what decision the Committee makes for I believe that I have touched on most or even all of future pre-recess Adjournment debates. the points that have been raised. In conclusion, I thank I echo the hon. Gentleman’s praise for the contribution you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and the Clerks, the Door that the staff in this place make to the way in which we Keepers, the shadow Deputy Leader of the House the work. He then dwelled on housing in London, picking hon. Member for Penistone and Stocksbridge (Angela up the points raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Smith), every Member who has contributed to the Harrow East. He described the particular challenges debate, and the civil servants who have provided support faced in a borough like Islington—which I know about to ensure that I and others were well briefed, as well as reasonably well having lived there some years ago—as our constituency and Westminster staff. As Members of regards the cost of housing and the need to build more Parliament we are uniquely privileged in the positions affordable homes. I am not sure whether the Government we hold in this House and none of our work would be would want to follow the hon. Member for Islington possible without the contribution that a whole range of North down the route of regulating letting agencies, but people make to our lives. he has identified an issue with private landlords that requires a solution. I will make sure that the proposal in I will finish with a big smile on my face, just to dispel his private Member’s Bill is drawn to the attention of the notion that I might be auditioning for “Grinch 3”. I the Department for Communities and Local Government wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year. to see whether it can provide a solution. Given that we have had substantial contributions on the issue of housing Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Before I put and the private rented sector in particular, the Backbench the question, may I thank all the Members who took Business Committee may look favourably on a request part in the debate and wish everybody who stayed for a debate early in the new year. behind all the best for Christmas and the new year? I My hon. Friend the Member for Braintree also thank all the staff of this House, wherever they (Mr Newmark), who has just left his place, thanked work in it, for their efficiency and for making the lives organisations in his constituency, including the Salvation of all Members so much easier. I also thank the public Army and church groups. I am sure we would all want who visit this rare House of ours. Right, let’s put the to echo those remarks. I will visit my local Salvation question! Army tomorrow to pick up some gifts for me to give to Question put and agreed to. a family who cannot afford presents this Christmas. The Salvation Army is making a positive contribution at Resolved, this festive time of year, as are church groups by organising That this House has considered matters to be raised before the lunches for people who might otherwise be alone. forthcoming adjournment. 989 19 DECEMBER 2013 Criminal Justice (North Wales) 990

Criminal Justice (North Wales) The effect in Wrexham might be even more profound, as North Wales police currently intend to move custody facilities from the town centre to Llay, which is situated Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House between Wrexham and Mold. The current custody facilities do now adjourn.—(John Penrose.) are immediately adjacent to Wrexham magistrates court, 4.43 pm but I am concerned that if they move to Llay and the Ministry of Justice succeeds in its bid to merge magistrates Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): It is a pleasure to see benches, the combination of both factors will form part you in the Chair this evening, Mr Deputy Speaker. I of a future case for moving magistrates’ business away echo your festive greetings and wish you, your family from Wrexham completely. We might be seeing the start and everyone in the House a merry Christmas. I also of a process that ultimately leads to the closure of the thank all the staff who have worked so hard for us over magistrates court in the largest town in north Wales. the past year. I would also like to extend Christmas greetings to the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, I know from speaking to north Wales parliamentary the hon. Member for North West Cambridgeshire colleagues from all parties that there is real concern (Mr Vara), to whom I apologise for detaining him this across north Wales about the Ministry of Justice’s courts evening. He has only recently been installed—or should agenda. In response to the consultation earlier this year, I say reinstalled?—in Government and it is a pleasure to I lodged a detailed submission on 21 April 2013, five have him back, but I am afraid that some of my days before the closure date. I made various points remarks will be critical of his Department. I am sure about the usage of the courts, and I raised issues that things will start to look up because of his appointment. relating to travel, impacts on local businesses—they I should first declare an interest as a non-practising have expressed their concerns to me about the proposal— solicitor. I have not worked in private practice since I and the additional cost to the public purse from increased was elected in 2001, but I bring previous experience of travel costs. I concluded: working in the criminal justice system in north Wales, as “I would also welcome the opportunity to discuss these matters well as in Merseyside and Cheshire. I have many with Wrexham Magistrates.” connections, which I maintain, with people working in I heard nothing for some time. the criminal justice system in north Wales, including It is striking how remote the criminal justice system is solicitors, barristers, magistrates, magistrates’ clerks, from Members of Parliament in north Wales. There probation officers and police officers. appears to be no willingness to engage with us on the I have never known such a state of flux in the criminal part of the Ministry of Justice or Her Majesty’s Courts justice system in north Wales and, even more worryingly, and Tribunals Service. That contrasts with our relations such a lack of information for the community as a with the police force, the chief constable and even the whole about the Government’s justice policy and how it new police and crime commissioner. The Ministry of will operate in future. It is creating enormous uncertainty Justice seems to be pursuing various agendas, thick and for court staff, businesses connected to the courts and fast, without any consultation with the local community. magistrates who commit time and substantial energy to What is the policy on courts and probation, and where the service, as well as for court users generally. is it leading? Even on the issue of Wrexham prison, Magistrates courts and criminal justice are important where more information has been given, we still do not to their communities. Summary justice is hundreds of know whether it will be run by the public or private years old, and it depends upon local input for effectiveness. sector. It is indeed ironic that a Government who purport to promote localism appear determined to raze local justice The roaring silence in response to my submission on from the map. What is this Government’s agenda for court mergers continued. I wrote chasing e-mails. Eventually, north Wales? on 22 May, I was informed that the consultation had been withdrawn Magistrates and solicitors approached me early this year, when Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service “as there was insufficient support from amongst the magistrates in Wales issued a consultation document on the review for a merger to proceed at this time”. of local justice areas in North Wales, the gist of which I was then astonished to be informed by local solicitors was to merge six magistrates court benches into three. that the court service had cancelled the sittings in When I read it, I was struck by the fact that none of the Wrexham on Mondays and that they were to be heard reasons given for that proposal referred to court users, at Mold. It appeared that the proposals that had been but instead focused on issues such as envisaged in the consultation document were being “a more cost effective and viable financial base”, taken forward despite the consultation and despite the and “reduced administrative burdens”, as well as reasoning that had been given by the local justices’ clerk “improvedflexibilityinthelistingof caseswithinlargerjusticeareas”. for the withdrawal of the consultation. The proposals In my town of Wrexham, there is real concern about were proceeding without anyone bothering to have a the proposed merger of the local bench, which has been consultation and expressly against the wishes of the established for hundreds of years, with Flintshire. That local magistrates, who had not supported them. would enable Wrexham cases to be listed in Mold, The court is crucial to Wrexham. It is the biggest which would have a substantial impact on defendants, town in north Wales and a population centre. It is witnesses, lawyers, probation officers, magistrates and served by bus routes in a way that Mold is not and it clerks. It would be the latest in a long line of changes to supports small and larger solicitors practices that employ court work in north Wales that have centralised fine my constituents. Moving the magistrates court is of enforcement, road traffic cases and TV licensing work, such importance to various groups in the town that they taking local work away from courts in an effort to contacted me—something that they do not do often. centralise. They have asked me to look after their interests and the 991 Criminal Justice (North Wales)19 DECEMBER 2013 Criminal Justice (North Wales) 992

[Ian Lucas] the MOJ have any intention to consult the people of Wrexham and, more broadly, of north Wales, on its interests of the town. However, the court service has proposals for courts in north Wales? still not met me, despite my request, to tell me what is The way this issue has been handled to date is, quite going on. I am willing to meet it, but I feel excluded. simply, the worst I have encountered in 12 years as an Not everyone is excluded from the consultation. A lot MP. It has been conducted evasively, incompetently of private discussion has been going on, from which the and, quite bluntly, with secrecy. I hope that the Minister public and other interested parties have been cut out will now open up the process so that MPs and the since the withdrawal of the public consultation document. people of north Wales can be consulted about the On 2 July this year, the Secretary of State for Justice criminal justice system in our area, and so that we know attended a political meeting of Wrexham Conservatives. what is going on and can make appropriate representations. In a report to Wrexham magistrates in August 2013, Sally Kenyon, the chair of the Wrexham bench said: 4.57 pm “I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Grayling…in Wrexham The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice in July. I raised our concern that Wrexham is to lose the police (Mr Shailesh Vara): I thank the hon. Member for Wrexham cells adjacent to the court building”. (Ian Lucas) for the kind comments he made at the There is then a substantial passage setting out the views outset of his remarks about my appointment. I assure of the Secretary of State on his plans relating to the him that it is no inconvenience for me to be here today, Ministry of Justice estate in north Wales. It quotes notwithstanding the fact that it is the last debate before extensively, but selectively, from correspondence with the Christmas recess. I congratulate him on securing the chair of the Wrexham bench. The Secretary of State this debate. It is an important issue—all the more concluded his correspondence by saying that reason why I am pleased to be here—not only for the hon. Gentleman but for his constituents. That is evident “there are no firm plans in relation to the relocation of criminal work to Mold.” from the number of parliamentary questions he has submitted, the correspondence in which he has engaged, When I wrote to the Secretary of State subsequently and the fact he has secured this debate. for information on his discussions concerning Wrexham The hon. Gentleman raised a number of issues, and I courts, he said: hope that during my speech I will address some of his “The purpose of my visit to Wrexham was for a private concerns. I apologise that the letter he wrote to me luncheon, rather than Departmental business”. received a reply that was sent by e-mail only yesterday. It is very clear, however, that departmental business was As a colleague, I appreciate how many e-mails we all discussed at that private luncheon. In his letter to me of get, but it is somewhere in the system and I apologise 10 October, on Ministry of Justice notepaper, the Secretary for the delay, which should not have happened. I appreciate of State concludes with the same phrase that he used in that the hon. Gentleman has had difficulty trying to his letter to the chair of the Wrexham bench: arrange meetings with local judicial staff and, as far as I “there are no firm plans in relation to the relocation of criminal am able, I will try to assist to facilitate that meeting for work to Mold”. him and his colleagues. In a letter to the Minister, I asked to meet him to find It is important to recognise two issues. We are talking out about the agenda of the Ministry of Justice for the about the potential merger of two benches, which is a courts in north Wales. I am still waiting for a reply. A matter for the judiciary. The hon. Gentleman will be series of written parliamentary questions on the issue aware that constitutionally, the judiciary is independent were answered with obfuscation and avoidance. I have, of the Executive. A potential merger of benches is a therefore, secured this debate. matter for the magistrates to come to a conclusion on, working with the justice clerk. The management of Her Will the Minister please confirm that the Secretary of Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service falls within the State conducted departmental business at what he described Ministry of Justice, so there is departmental responsibility as a “private luncheon”? In particular, will he confirm at our end. As I proceed with my remarks, I hope I will that the Secretary of State discussed Wrexham magistrates address some of the issues raised by the hon. Gentleman. court and Wrexham police cells with the chair of Wrexham bench? Will he release the full text of the Secretary of Let me be clear at the outset: the delivery of criminal State’s letter to the chair of Wrexham magistrates bench justice is a crucial priority for the Government. That is so that the public can have confidence in the process, why, among other measures, we are investing in the and so that all magistrates can see the full text of the digital courtroom, as part of the strategy and action correspondence? Does the Minister think it appropriate plan for reform of the criminal justice system. The hon. that the people of north Wales should be excluded from Gentleman will appreciate that effective magistrates discussions on the future of criminal justice in north courts are the cornerstone of our justice system. They Wales? Does he think it appropriate for privileged access deal with 95% of the criminal cases that go through the to the Secretary of State to be given to individuals courts in England and Wales. because of political connections? 5pm Will the Minister please arrange a briefing session for Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 9(3)). north Wales MPs to tell us, openly and honestly—as I Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House am sure he will—what HM Courts Service intends to do now adjourn.—(John Penrose.) propose for north Wales? We had a consultation that was withdrawn as long ago as April, and actions have Mr Vara: The work that magistrates do in north been taken by HM Courts Service to bring together Wales and across the court service is absolutely vital. services since then without any consultation or anyone The partnership between the magistracy and officials having the opportunity to make representations. Does who manage the courts is an essential prerequisite for 993 Criminal Justice (North Wales)19 DECEMBER 2013 Criminal Justice (North Wales) 994 the successful operation of our magistrates courts. In deployment of magistrates and their need for support, the case of magistrates courts, this partnership is built and the workload and deployment of Her Majesty’s up through regular meetings between bench chairs and Courts and Tribunals Service staff. officials, providing the opportunity to discuss the conduct I emphasise that changes to local justice areas take of court business, including listing arrangements. It is place periodically and are driven by the need to create therefore to be expected that the chairs of Wrexham listing efficiencies and deploy magistrates as efficiently and Mold benches would discuss the potential arrangement as possible. If a new consultation on changes to local of local justice areas in north Wales during meetings justice areas in north Wales takes place, it should not be with officials. viewed as an automatic precursor to the closure of a As the hon. Gentleman is aware, the local justices courthouse. As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, North issues group concluded in late 2012 that the reorganisation Wales police has announced plans, following public of local justice areas, including the merger of the Wrexham consultation, to improve service provision in north Wales, and Flintshire local justice areas, would provide the but these will not automatically lead to the closure of most efficient framework for the administration of justice magistrates courts. We are aware that the police will in north Wales. vacate their existing premises in Wrexham in 2016-17, I am aware that the hon. Gentleman took the time which will have implications for the court and how it and trouble to respond in detail to the consultation. deals with custody cases, but when circumstances change However, as he will be aware, the consultation was in this way, the Courts and Tribunals Service will need suspended when it became clear that the wider proposals to assess the most appropriate way for criminal cases to for north Wales no longer had the support of all the be effectively delivered in the area. bench chairs, as had been previously understood. Following The hon. Gentleman might feel that the lack of cells further consideration, the proposals were withdrawn. I will automatically lead to the closure of the court, but hope the hon. Gentleman will take away from that the that is not the case. He did not dwell on this in his fact that the voice of the people who took the trouble to speech, but he will be aware of it and the consultation take part in the consultation was heard. This is a by the local police. I can reassure him that an open and decision based on views taken in by outsiders, and not transparent consultation process is used when deciding on decisions taken at the top. whether to close a court. Crucially, any proposals on the future of a court are considered with emphasis on Ian Lucas: On that point, the difficulty is that steps the local area and how justice is best served there. were taken subsequently, in terms of the transfer of Several factors will be taken into consideration before business between the two courts, that seem to pursue starting a consultation, including an assessment of the the agenda suggested in the withdrawn consultation. work load and utilisation of the court. The Courts and Tribunals Service also takes into account whether a Mr Vara: I appreciate where the hon. Gentleman is suitable alternative location for the work is available coming from, but the listing of cases is a matter for the and whether it could be accommodated elsewhere without judiciary to decide as it sees best so that it can get the a detrimental impact on service levels. If a consultation business done and hear as many cases as possible. It is is published, it is important that local stakeholders and important to recognise that distinction. As far as the partners and elected officials be properly engaged to consultation is concerned, it was pulled. I understand ensure that all relevant views are taken into account. that there is talk among the magistrates—not at the There is then a full analysis of all responses received Ministry of Justice end, but among the magistrates—that before any decision is made. The response to the there may be another consultation, but that is a matter I consultation is always accompanied by an impact hope he will be able to address in direct communications assessment. I hope that this reassures the hon. Gentleman with them. As I said at the outset, I will try to facilitate that when there are proposals to change the deployment a meeting for him. of magistrates or the court estate, proper and distinct It is important to appreciate that any new proposals processes are followed, ensuring that decisions are made to merge local justice areas in north Wales would be only once the views of relevant parties have been considered subject to a consultation. I am aware that the bench through the open and transparent consultation processes. chairmen for Flintshire and Wrexham are keen to consult I stress that the Government are committed to providing on mergers, because they believe they will result in a court users in north Wales with proper and effective more efficient and effective structure for the magistracy access to justice. In so doing, hard-working taxpayers in north-east Wales. rightly expect us to reduce the cost of operating courts and tribunals while maintaining an effective service for If a consultation does go ahead, all local magistrates, court users. local authorities, members of the local criminal justice board and other interested parties—including, of course, In this country, we have one of the best justice all local MPs and other locally elected officials—will be systems in the world. Whatever decisions are taken, it is able to comment. It would be for the justices clerk and always central to our thought process that we ensure the local justices issues group to consider the responses this world-class justice system continues. On that note, I to the consultation and, should there be a case for conclude by wishing you, Mr Deputy Speaker, the court merger, they will then formulate their final recommendation officials and the hon. Gentleman a merry Christmas. in respect of the new structure. Also, I extend a special greeting to the security staff, who look after us while we do our work and ensure we In considering changes to local justice areas, account can do it safely. will of course be taken of access to justice and how to Question put and agreed to. deal effectively with the business of magistrates courts. This will include the needs of local communities and 5.8 pm the wider criminal justice system infrastructure, the House adjourned.

293WH 19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 294WH

Government’s many welcome measures over the course Westminster Hall of this Parliament, net migration rose in the last year, which causes concern to those of us who are committed Thursday 19 December 2013 to our manifesto promise to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands. Can that be achieved, especially if large numbers of Romanians and Bulgarians take advantage [NADINE DORRIES in the Chair] of the lack of restrictions? The Government have made a series of welcome announcements of policies to tackle immigration. Welfare measures were introduced to BACKBENCH BUSINESS Parliament yesterday.

Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con): I Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate, be now adjourned.—(Anne Milton.) but I put it to him that perhaps those measures, particularly the changes in benefits, risk being too little too late. 1.30 pm They also risk feeding a minority’s views and prejudices about immigrants. My experience is that the vast majority Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con): It is a pleasure to come here to work, and they work hard. They come not start this debate on an important topic of great national because of the benefits, but because the average salary interest. I am grateful to the Backbench Business Committee here is so much higher than in their home country. for providing us with the time to debate this topic before Would it not be a better option to extend the transitional the Christmas recess. I think that most of us here find it controls and stop people coming in, to give us time to a pity that we cannot debate the matter on a substantive assimilate those already here? Given that whichever motion in the main Chamber, where we could have route the Government take, they will be challenged, tested the will of the House with a vote. they might as well go for the better option. Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): Can my hon. Friend explain why that is? It was completely in the Nigel Mills: I agree with everything that my hon. power of the Backbench Business Committee to put Friend says. If he has read the speech I made in Committee, this debate in the Chamber, rather than the Rag, Tag he will have seen that I focused on the argument about and Bobtail Adjournment debate happening there at the impact on our labour market, which is already and the moment. still disrupted by the recession. If he has not read that speech, luckily I can give most of it again, seeing that Nigel Mills: I think I am grateful for that intervention. we are debating much the same topic. I fear that I may It is not for me to answer for the Backbench Business have to give the same speech in a few weeks’ time, when Committee; my hon. Friend has more experience of we debate the Immigration Bill. that Committee, so perhaps he can explain later. My hon. Friend is right that it is important to get the tone of any debate about immigration right. We are not Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): The hon. Gentleman looking to insult people or make untrue claims; we are tabled an amendment to the Immigration Bill, which looking at what is in our national interest and the public was last debated on 19 November. Although the Bill has interest. We are still experiencing higher unemployment completed Committee stage, there is no date, even in than we would like; it is higher than before the recession, today’s business statement, for when the Bill will be and even though it has decreased significantly in recent brought back to the House of Commons. Does he months, it is still the main problem. regret that his party’s business managers did not give That is not to say that the Government are wrong to him that opportunity? try to ensure that our welfare system is no more generous than those of other western European nations, and to Nigel Mills: That is the point that I was alluding to. It tackle some of the potential weaknesses, such as the would have been better to have had this debate during fact that we still have a system based on entitlement, not consideration of the amendment to the Immigration contribution. A fundamental reform of the system may Bill on Report, so that we could have dealt with the well be required. I wholeheartedly support the measures issue on the Floor of the House before the restrictions announced; perhaps we could have gone further. were lifted, which, sadly, is likely to happen in less than two weeks’ time. However, I am afraid that House I have an interesting question that I hope the Minister business management is even further above my pay will answer later: how many people do the Government grade than the machinations of the Backbench Business think their new measures will catch? How many fewer Committee, so it is probably not wise for me to be people do they estimate will come over the next five drawn on that subject. years than would have come without the measures? The right hon. Gentleman takes me to my first theme. I suspect that the number is not very large, but the The Minister and I—alone, sadly—have debated this information would be welcome. topic before, at Committee stage. A month has passed, Why are we concerned about the potential level of and a few things have changed. I was the lone signatory immigration from Romania and Bulgaria once the to the amendment at that point, but more than 74 MPs restrictions are lifted? We have talked about people have now signed it for Report. A few of the facts have coming here to abuse our welfare system, to the extent probably changed since then as well; obviously, there that that is actually the case, but there are real concerns was already a petition with more than 150,000 signatories, about the impact on our health service. The fact that we but since that point, we have learned that despite the have free health care, which is, of course, very welcome, 295WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 296WH

[Nigel Mills] Andrew Bingham (High Peak) (Con): I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate, which is hugely makes us a little more attractive a destination than important to our constituents, on what is probably one many other western European nations where the situation of the prevailing issues that they face. On his point is not quite as simple. about previous accessions, does he agree that the last Government’s lamentable failure to control immigration Mr Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (Con): I congratulate has left a long and large shadow of memory across our my hon. Friend on raising this important issue. The constituents’ minds? They are fearful that it will all United Kingdom is one of only five European Union happen again. Some of those fears may be unjust, but member states with a system in which non-contributory the concerns are occupying our constituents’ minds unemployment benefits are paid to people looking for greatly. work. Surely we cannot have totally unrestricted movement of people within the EU and retain our system of Nigel Mills: Yes, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. It non-contributory unemployment benefits. At the same can be no surprise that the public have great concern time, the European Commission is pushing to ensure about what might happen when new nations have unfettered that all EU nationals have the same rights as British access to free movement, given that our experience with nationals to claim non-contributory payments in this other eastern European nations gaining such freedom is country. Does my hon. Friend agree that that is what is that so many of their nationals chose to come to this at stake? We must make a choice between the welfare country. I accept that most of them chose to come here system that the Labour party put in place after the to work, but that leaves us with the fundamental question second world war, and the grand project of the European of how to deal with that when unemployment in this grandees. We cannot have both. country is still far higher than we would like.

Nigel Mills: I agree with what my hon. Friend says. Mr Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): I realise that He leads us to a fundamental tension. Can we allow my hon. Friend is trying to make progress, but he makes freedom of movement when there are such disparities an important point about the contradiction between of wealth between the new nations joining the EU and people coming from Europe, eastern Europe in particular, others, and when the attractiveness of our benefit system because they believe jobs are here, and the perception of means that it is very different from what people experience people locally that they are taking jobs. The reality is in their country? There is a tension between the welfare that many local people simply will not take those jobs; system that we would like and the impact that it has that is why they are being filled by eastern Europeans. when there is free movement of people, and we must That is the skills gap at the low end. It is not that there resolve that, one way or another. are no jobs; many people locally will simply not take the jobs, because they do not want to work for such pay or It would be far better for the European Court not to in those particular roles. That is the issue. produce such ludicrous decisions. Those of us on the Eurosceptic side of the debate probably welcome perverse decisions that further lower the reputation of the EU Nigel Mills: My hon. Friend raises an important and the UK, but if I were in the Court’s shoes, I am not point. One of the drivers of the Government’s welfare sure that I would be quite so creative. reforms is to encourage people to take work if they are offered it; if they choose not to take work that is The NHS is attractive to people coming here, and available, they do not get the benefits that they would there are also concerns about whether we have enough presumably like to keep. For the welfare reforms to housing to accommodate large influxes of migrants work, however, we need jobs to be available, so that over the next five years. Those of us who are experiencing people can be gently encouraged to take them, even if great discomfort due to local plans to comply with they are perhaps not their first choice. If the jobs that existing housing targets probably do not fancy adding a exist are taken by those who have just arrived in this few more hundred thousand people throughout the country, those necessary and important welfare reforms country, and seeing how many more houses we will have become much harder to achieve. We must remember to find on our green belt. There are also impacts on that a first job can be the start of the career ladder; it is other public services, notably schools, in areas where not necessarily the end of it. Encouraging people to there is high pressure from immigration. take jobs even if they do not think that they are suited to them, or if the jobs are not quite what they are after, Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): Does my is perfectly appropriate policy. hon. Friend not agree that 2 million new people in this I shall try to get back to the thread of my argument. country over the past 10 years is far too many? We must Let me set out why I tabled an amendment in Committee find out what the Government foresee in future. to keep in place transitional restrictions—and I am grateful that 73 other MPs have chosen to sign that Nigel Mills: I think there is general agreement that amendment for Report. Looking at the criteria in the the level of migration over the past decade was clearly accession treaties that allowed us and other western higher than the country could cope with. Members of European nations to keep restrictions until the last the previous Government are now recognising that they possible minute, we were allowed the restrictions, and made mistakes, especially relating to the accession of chose to keep them, because there was still serious the A8 countries a decade ago. It is worth reminding disruption in our employment market. ourselves that 5,000 to 13,000 people a year were predicted Two years ago, the Government commissioned an to come from those countries, and more than 1 million independent assessment from the Migration Advisory actually came. That was a spectacularly bad prediction. Committee of whether the test was still being met. The 297WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 298WH main criteria looked at were levels of employment and To return to my contention, if the treaty had allowed unemployment, the claimant count, and vacancies, both the restrictions to continue for a further period, I am in in 2011 and pre-recession. The pre-recession level of little doubt that we would have wanted to extend them, employment was 72.7%; two years ago, that was down if we could, and that brings us to my next point. We at 70.6%. Unemployment before the recession was 5.1%; signed that treaty a decade ago, but we had not at that two years ago, it was 7.8%. The claimant count was 3% point predicted a catastrophic recession, which would pre-recession and 4.6% two years ago; vacancies had take many years to recover from—we are still trying to been 621,000, but were down to 469,000. Those figures recover from it—and we had not appreciated just what were the justification for saying, “We need to keep these the level of immigration from the previous accession restrictions for another two years. Our labour market wave would be, which was far in excess of our estimates. can’t cope with the potential disruption of a large I suspect that had we known those two things when we number of people arriving.” were signing the treaty, we would never have agreed to restrictions on those two countries being lifted so soon Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): I, or at this point in the economic cycle. too, congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important The question becomes, does Parliament say, “We debate. He has the problem in a nutshell. In my constituency, have to accept that we approved the treaty”—it was unemployment is down to 2.4%, but many of those who passed by this House—or actually do we have the right remain unemployed are harder to place, and we need to to say, “With hindsight, that was a mistake and it is now do more work with them. The last thing that they need not in our national interest to continue with what we is competition from another wave of immigrants. We agreed”? We need to change that. Let us simply keep the also need to look at the argument about what the level restrictions already in place for a further defined period— of immigration could do to the Romanian and Bulgarian that is a proportionate response to a clear problem—at economies. What effect will the departure of their brightest, least until our economy is fully recovered from the young and best—the keen people willing to travel across shock experienced in the recession. That is not an the continent to find work—have on the Romanian and unreasonable or disproportionate thing to do. Bulgarian economies? That needs to be taken into account. It is worth noting that I was only trying to keep the restrictions that have been in place since Romania and Nigel Mills: My hon. Friend is right. The idea behind Bulgaria joined the EU. That would not stop completely those nations wanting to join the European Union was people from those two countries finding work here. If to grow their economies and to provide better living able to find work in this country and get a work permit, standards for their people. That must be harder to do if they have been permitted to work here since they joined what looks like the best option for their brightest people the EU—that would not change. So my suggestion of is to leave for a better wage elsewhere. not lifting restrictions that are already in place is I return to the test that was run two years ago. If we proportionate at this point. If the Government are not were to apply it now, with the excellent unemployment minded to accept that relatively gentle and proportionate data from the end of November announced this week—we measure, I sincerely hope that they think again in the all accept and welcome those figures, which are a great two weeks left before the new year and try to find some improvement on where we were at the start of this other way of keeping the restrictions. Parliament, or even on the position two years ago, or at Some interesting policy ideas have been announced the start of the year—employment would be at about as different ways to tackle the problem. I was quite 72%, which is still down on where it was before the attracted by the idea that accession countries whose recession. Unemployment is still 7.4%, which is well up gross domestic product per capita is well below the EU on the 5.1% before the recession; the claimant count is average should not get full access to freedom of movement still at 4%, compared with 3%; and vacancies are up to until their GDP was nearer the EU average—perhaps 545,000, which is still down on 621,000. My contention three quarters of the average. That would tackle the is that if the treaty had allowed us to extend the restrictions issue raised by my hon. Friend the Member for North for a further period, I can see no reason why we would West Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen), because it would not have sought to retain them, in the light of that mean that the brightest people in those countries could analysis. not leave; they would have to stay there and find ways to grow their own economy. Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): I thank my hon. The gross national income per capita in both Bulgaria Friend for letting me intervene, and I congratulate him and Romania is about $16,000, compared with our on securing the debate. The real dilemma is that as our GNI of $37,000, so those two countries would fail the economy picks up, so will the attractiveness of coming test, were we to apply it now. That test is attractive, but to this country. That is almost a problem: as we get its prospective introduction would not fix the problem better, more people will want to come here. Does he that might well hit us from 1 January. Surely it would agree? therefore be better to keep the restrictions we have in place while we are trying to achieve those reforms. Nigel Mills: That is one of those welcome problems, The second idea, which was leaked this week, was to in that we all want our economy to be growing so have a cap on EU migration. Again, that is an attractive strongly that we become a much more attractive place—but idea and one that, I suspect, would contribute greatly to there are clearly down sides in dealing with the legacies enabling us to meet our target of net migration in the of recession, with unemployment and especially youth tens of thousands, although there would be some practical unemployment still far higher than we might like. We issues with enforcing a cap, and I suspect that other EU need to get our own people who are struggling into the member states might not be as keen on the idea. But I jobs that growth generates. find it intriguing that although it is seemingly impossible 299WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 300WH

[Nigel Mills] agreement that they made but have subsequently decided not to stick with, or an agreement that they made with to try, in response to a clear issue in our employment the rest of Europe in which we were not involved? market, to keep in place for a bit longer restrictions that have been allowed until now by the accession treaty, it is Nigel Mills: As I understand it, Schengen is an agreement thought that a complete and utter unravelling of freedom between nations rather than a treaty, and, fortunately, of movement—even between the main western European one that we are outside as we were thankfully not nations—might be possible. I am afraid that I am not so required to join. Having had a pleasant meeting with optimistic that we could achieve that aim in a renegotiation; the Bulgarian ambassador in a TV studio not that long but even if it could, it is a measure for a long time in the ago, I know that there is some annoyance among those future, not one that can help us out in the coming years nations because they feel that they have met the criteria if large amounts of people decide to come here. for Schengen but are not being permitted to join it. Finally, I have some questions for the Minister. I There were some strong quotes from Mr Barroso on understand that Governments have had their fingers why that was not to be the case; he used language that I burnt making estimates in the past, but will he set out would not want to use in a debate in immigration, but whether the Government believe that a large number of there we go. people from Romanian and Bulgaria will try to come to I am a little over the time that I promised I would the UK when the restrictions are lifted? Independent take with my remarks, so I will conclude. I do not think estimates suggest figures of between 30,000 and 70,000 that any other measure has been trailed or announced people a year for the next five years, which would put that can tackle this matter in the right time frame. There the total at something like 350,000. I do not expect an is widespread concern, as anyone who reads almost any accurate assessment, but do the Government think that of the newspapers can see. I have already mentioned the number is way over the top, is an underestimate or is Daily Express petition with 150,000 signatures; yesterday about right? The people of this country want to know we saw a campaign in The Sun and today there is an whether their fears are unrealistic or entirely realistic. editorial on the issue in The Daily Telegraph. It is an Given that nearly all western European nations have issue of great concern. The Government need either to kept the restrictions in place until the last minute, I give us convincing reassurance that the problem will not would presume that those countries fear that there arise or to take some action to protect our employment might be an issue. It is also worth noting that Romania market and protect those people in our constituencies and Bulgaria will not be joining Schengen on 1 January, who are struggling to find work. The only realistic as they were meant to, again because of concerns across answer is to keep proportionate restrictions on Romanians Europe about what that might entail. and Bulgarians in place for a further period. I urge the Government to act before those restrictions are lifted Mr Carswell: My hon. Friend is looking at public on 1 January. policy responses to this problem and has outlined some important ideas, but surely there is one blindingly obvious Several hon. Members rose— policy solution that we need to consider seriously, which is to withdraw this country from the EU completely. Is Nadine Dorries (in the Chair): Order. Gentlemen, we it not absurd that people need a visa to come to this have permission to impose time limits on speeches in country from Singapore, a country with an incredibly this debate, but if everybody keeps their remarks to high number of talented and able people—we would about 15 minutes in length I hope that we will not need benefit from greater labour mobility for such people—but to do so. The wind-up speeches will begin at 4 o’clock, we have unrestricted movement of people from Bulgaria? so if Members keep to that 15-minute guideline we will If we were outside the EU, like Switzerland, where one not need to impose any limits, but if speeches take longer in five members of the labour force is a non-Swiss we will have to impose a limit of eight to 10 minutes. national, we could benefit from all the advantages of labour mobility and have all the necessary requirements 1.56 pm to control it. Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): It is a pleasure to Nigel Mills: My hon. Friend is clearly right. However, serve under your chairmanship for the first time today, sadly, I do not think that we can convince the Government Ms Dorries. I welcome the measured way in which the to pull us out of the EU in the next fortnight, and so we hon. Member for Amber Valley (Nigel Mills) put his probably need to take some different measures in the case. I congratulate him and the hon. Members for meantime. He may have noticed that the five-year period Wellingborough (Mr Bone), for Kettering (Mr Hollobone), I am proposing for keeping the restrictions will take us for Bury St Edmunds (Mr Ruffley) and for East Antrim well past the referendum that we hope will take place on (Sammy Wilson) on applying to the Backbench Business our EU membership. At that point, the people will have Committee for this debate. It is good to see so many been able to choose whether they want to stay in and people here in Westminster Hall on the day that the have unrestricted migration or to leave and reintroduce House rises, but what a pity it is that the debate is not our border controls. I hope he would agree that a being held in the Chamber itself, where we could have five-year time frame for keeping the restrictions would had an even longer and more detailed debate. be one way of helping to meet his aspirations in that situation. Mr Newmark: I respect the fact that the right hon. Gentleman is here, but I find it strange that an enormous Mr Andrew Turner: My hon. Friend said that the amount of Conservative Members are here to discuss Bulgarians and Romanians have not joined the Schengen this important issue. I cannot believe that the issue is of agreement, although that had been expected. Is that an concern only to those Members of Parliament who 301WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 302WH happen to be Conservatives or to their constituents. countries to join the European Union, but then we leave Surely there are Labour MPs with the same concerns, so them on their own. Our Ministers should have engaged why have they not joined him here today? more—under the previous Government and under this Government—to ensure that there was proper access to Keith Vaz: The remit of the Chair of the Home those funds. Affairs Committee does not extend to controlling the The big question that remains unanswered is why we diaries of members of the parliamentary Labour party, still do not have estimates of how many people will but it is their loss: I think it is important that we should come here next year. On 21 October 2008, the then be here participating in this debate. shadow Immigration Minister, the right hon. Member We should start by acknowledging the strong and for Ashford (Damian Green), said that one of the important relations that we have with Bulgaria and greatest failures of the last Government was the failure Romania. I visited both countries while I was Minister to predict the consequences of enlargement in 2004. for Europe, when we started the enlargement process. Given that, research should have been conducted so The ambassadors representing the two countries here that we would be aware—at least have estimates—of the are excellent, as are our ambassadors in Sofia and numbers that would be coming into this country. For Bucharest; in particular, I want to acknowledge the way the reasons outlined by the hon. Member for Amber in which Martin Harris, our ambassador in Bucharest, Valley—the pressure on housing, on schools and on the is ensuring that good relations between our two countries health service—if we had even estimates it would be are fostered even at this challenging time. helpful. When we went to Bucharest, we came across a The Home Affairs Committee has been looking at university that had conducted research and had produced the issue of the transitional restrictions for a number of estimates. It is very remiss of this Government not to years and has made a number of recommendations. have done the same. Earlier this year, with the hon. Member for Rochester and Strood (Mark Reckless), who is currently sitting Andrew Bridgen: Does the right hon. Gentleman agree on my right, and the hon. Member for Hertsmere that the people most vulnerable to the next wave of (Mr Clappison), I went to Bucharest to meet members mass immigration are not the people in this room? They of the Romanian Government and to talk with members are previous immigrants, particularly the last wave of of the Romanian community. If there are regrets—I immigrants. Competition for jobs, housing and public have a few regrets in my speech—my primary regret is services will be intense, particularly in inner city areas that the Immigration Minister and the Home Secretary such as his constituency. have not taken the opportunity over the past year to go to Romania and Bulgaria and engage with those Keith Vaz: They are intense, but I think we can deal Governments. We talk about push and pull factors—why with such issues. It is right that in the first wave of it is people decide to travel all the way from Bucharest enlargement, a million people came, but a lot of those or Sofia to live in Leicester, London or Manchester—and people have returned. We will come on to benefits later, we should have worked with other Governments to find but what upsets people more than anything else is the out the problems and look at the issues. issue of those who, for example, claim benefits in the For example, in response to the hon. Member for United Kingdom—38,000 from the EU—yet their children North West Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen), the hon. live in other EU countries. There are simple changes Member for Amber Valley referred to the number of that we could make to satisfy our constituents, because talented people leaving Romania and Bulgaria. When I do not believe that the Romanians and Bulgarians we were in Bucharest, we spoke with the president of who will come to this country are coming to go on the Romanian equivalent of the British Medical benefits. They are coming to work. The migration process Association. He lamented the fact that so many talented is for that purpose. Last week, the Select Committee young Romanian doctors had decided to leave Romania had before it the chairman of the Migration Advisory to work in the United Kingdom and in other countries—on Committee. We specifically asked Sir David Metcalf average they trebled or even quadrupled their salaries whether the Government asked him and his committee when they came to our countries—which was having a to conduct research into the number of people coming detrimental effect on Romania and Bulgaria. That is into this country after 31 December. He specifically why I wish that the Home Secretary and the Immigration said no. He said that they are set their homework by the Minister had visited, because they would have been able Government, and the Government did not ask them to to establish a dialogue and try to see what we could have do that. I think that that is big mistake. We have done to help those countries. estimates of annual migration that vary from 10,000, One way in which we could have helped was in according to the Bulgarian ambassador; 20,000, according respect of the huge amount of money that was allocated to the Romanian ambassador; and 50,000, according to to Romania when it joined the European Union. It may Migration Watch. We have such problems because the surprise Members to note that 87% of the £20 billion Government were not prepared to ask the very body that was given to Romania in pre-accession funds have they established. still not been accessed, because sufficient assistance is not being given to the Romanian Government to ensure Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): On the that they get the funds. If those funds were accessed, the issue of changing the benefits system, does the right jobs that people seek to find here might have been made hon. Gentleman agree that it is difficult to contemplate available in those countries. Across the House, we all the Government making changes when, at the moment, support the enlargement of the European Union; I they do not even have data on the nationality of individual cannot remember an occasion in the past 26 years when claimants? Back in January this year, I was told in any party has voted against enlargement. We allow answer to a parliamentary question that the UK’s benefit 303WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 304WH

[Mr Christopher Chope] our airports from 1 January onwards. As far as I am concerned, that is pretty tough stuff. There is obviously payment systems do not record details of claimants’ an expectation that a lot of people will turn up on nationality. The most basic information is not being 1 January. sought by the Government. In her evidence to us on Monday this week, the Home Secretary said that it was business as usual. So Keith Vaz: I agree with the hon. Gentleman; he is we have the permanent secretary thinking that there will absolutely right. That is why we wanted the Migration be Olympic-style security and the Home Secretary thinking Advisory Committee to assist. that it will be business as usual. Just to be sure, the hon. Member for Rochester and Strood and I will be at The Minister for Immigration (Mr Mark Harper): On Luton airport on 1 January. Mrs Dorries, that is not far that specific point, we asked the Migration Advisory from your constituency of Mid Bedfordshire. If you Committee in 2011 the question about the labour market, would like to join us, you are more than welcome. The to which my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley first flight from Romania gets in at 7.40 am. The hon. (Nigel Mills) referred. In its response, the committee Gentleman has said that he will be up at that time. The stated: second flight comes in at 9 pm, but we will be there for “It would not be sensible, or helpful to policy makers, for us to the first flight to see what arrangements have been put attempt to put a precise numerical range around this likely in place and how many people turn up. If the only way impact.” to do it is with our own eyes, and nobody else wants to That was the advice it gave us, and that was the advice have estimates, I am afraid we will have to do that. we followed. Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): I am Keith Vaz: I say to the Minister, for whom I have listening carefully to the right hon. Gentleman, who is enormous respect—he is a hard-working and fair going to make an excursion to an airport to see what is Immigration Minister, and I have seen quite a few in my going on. I think he is doing that more for the media time—he has obviously not had the time to read the than for anybody else. I hope he recognises that there is evidence of Sir David Metcalf. I specifically asked him already a right for visa-free travel for Romanians and that question after it was also raised by others, and he Bulgarians to the UK right now. It has been in existence said: since 2007, so what will he achieve by going to an “we have never been tasked to make estimates of the numbers airport? He can see people coming through already, coming from Romania and Bulgaria.” even today, let alone waiting until the new arrangements He said that last week. The Minister has quoted something are in place in January. from 2011, but, frankly. the chairman himself has not been asked yet. Keith Vaz: The only thing that I can say to the hon. Gentleman is that he should come and join us. If he Mr Harper: David Metcalf was right in what he said, thinks for one moment that the media will turn up at and I have read the transcript. The point is that he and 7.40 am after the biggest party of the year—31 December his Committee said that asking them to do that work —he will be very surprised. I do not expect that any of would not be sensible or helpful because of the uncertainty, them will be there, but the hon. Member for Rochester so it seemed pointless to ask them, because they had and Strood and I, who are not big partygoers and who replied to the point when we commissioned them both abstain from the usual parties on new year’s eve, in 2011. will be there. Keith Vaz: That may be so, but that is not what he However, the hon. Member for Bournemouth East said to us last week. Perhaps the Government, because (Mr Ellwood) makes a more valid point, in that people of the importance of the issue, should have kept in are already here. Of course they are, and therefore, if regular touch with Sir David Metcalf. If they had done they are already here, we should also be considering so, perhaps he would have updated what he said in what is happening to those people. At the end of the 2011. day, 1 January is the critical time. That is when the restrictions are to be removed. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Surely the point is that the British public do not really care who Mr Newmark: I have been listening carefully to what said what to whom. They are disgusted that Her Majesty’s the right hon. Gentleman is saying, and I am still not Government have failed in their basic duty to provide sure of his direction of travel, if I may say that. I am not the British public with a realistic estimate of how many sure whether he is saying that Romanians and Bulgarians immigrants we might expect from 1 January. will suddenly buy tickets to get on a plane to come here and live off our exceedingly generous benefits system, Keith Vaz: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. and if so, we have heard what the Government are The public would have liked figures. Now that we have doing, which is to put far greater restrictions on the the former Foreign Secretary’s mea culpas on the issue ability of those to come here, before they can claim of estimates, it is important that we have them, even benefits or even housing or anything like that—the though there are only 12 days to go. So the first issue is Government are trying to deal with that issue; the estimates. The second is the confusion about what will longest period of time that somebody can claim will be happen on 1 January. According to the permanent six months, and they have to wait three months—or is secretary Mark Sedwill in evidence to us last week, he saying that they are coming here because there are Olympic-style arrangements are being put in place at lots of jobs? 305WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 306WH

Nadine Dorries (in the Chair): Order. Mr Newmark, that there will be any further opportunities to discuss interventions should be brief. this issue—of course, because Parliament is rising shortly—we should revisit some of the issues that have Keith Vaz: Let us be clear: I do not think that they are not been resolved and try to resolve them as quickly as going to come here to go on benefits; I think that people possible. who come to this country from those countries are I shall end where I began. We are in the EU and we coming to get jobs. I do not think they are coming here have good relations with the two countries. We welcome to be part of the benefits system. people who come to this country from Romania and Bulgaria as equal EU citizens, but we want them to play Mr Ellwood: Will the right hon. Gentleman give way their part fully in the life of our country. If they are to very quickly on that point? be treated as equal EU citizens, and if there are problems with the way in which the system operates, we need to Keith Vaz: I shall make some progress and if there is sort those out for the next time. time, I shall certainly give way again. There is a more fundamental issue here—that of 2.15 pm freedom of movement. One cannot have freedom of Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): It is a great movement without movement, which is why I think the pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Dorries, fundamental issue is our presence in the European and to follow the right hon. Member for Leicester East Union and what we are prepared to take, as far as the (Keith Vaz), who, as usual, is speaking good sense. I negotiations are concerned, should the Government was delighted to hear a shift in his position on the EU; win the next election and should the Prime Minister up to now, he has been entirely against us coming out of start on his discussions with EU colleagues. At the end the EU, and he has moved to being probably against us of the day, we need to have a fundamental discussion coming out. That is really good news. about that, and if it means changing treaties, so be it. That is why I favour a referendum on our membership of the EU, because this issue is a sideline. I will probably— Keith Vaz: I will definitely be on the other side from most likely—be on the other side to the vast majority of the hon. Gentleman on the issue. those in here, but I am saying that I want the right to make that case. I think that this is a village story at the Mr Bone: I am surprised that the right hon. Gentleman moment for Westminster. Why can the people not have has prejudged my position on the referendum; I want a say on the whole issue of freedom of movement? We entirely to hear what our Prime Minister achieves. can discuss Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and what will I am delighted that the excellent Minister for Immigration happen when Turkey becomes a member of the EU, but is here. The only thing I have to say about that is that we at the end of the day, that is one of the fundamental know that the Government have decided to give that issues that we need to address. Member of Parliament the most difficult area to deal with—the one that they are in trouble on. It is good to Andrew Bridgen: Will the right hon. Gentleman give see him here, but it is a worry that the Government are way? relying not on getting the problem sorted out, but on having a very able Minister defend an absolutely impossible Keith Vaz: I will for the last time, yes. position. One of the cornerstones and key strengths of the Andrew Bridgen: I totally agree that the people want coalition is its tough stance on cutting immigration, an EU referendum. From what he said, I take it that the which Labour allowed to soar to eye-watering levels. In right hon. Gentleman will be voting Conservative at the 2010, we pledged to next election. “take steps to take net migration back to the levels of the 1990s—tens of thousands a year, not hundreds of thousands.” Keith Vaz: No. I will not be voting Conservative. I That is a common-sense policy, with overwhelming shall be voting for myself and hopefully, I will still be support. After a decade of Labour incompetence on the the Labour candidate at the next election. However, I issue, it is long overdue. hope to be able to persuade the leader of the Labour The progress that we have made on cutting immigration party and others of the necessity to hold a referendum to date is testament to the efforts of the Home Secretary, on the day of the next general election and not afterwards, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead because frankly, by then it will be too late. We should (Mrs May). I strongly believe that lifting the restrictions put something of that importance to the British people. on Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants would jeopardise Finally, there are so many issues that need to be all the good work we have done, not only on getting resolved before 31 December. Only yesterday, in one of immigration down, but on building new homes, improving the courts in Lincoln, Judge Sean Morris talked about public services and lowering unemployment. the fact that it is now taking up to seven months for Bulgaria’s new ambassador to the UK has claimed criminal records to be provided for those who come that hardly any Bulgarians want to move to the UK from Romania, who are subject to prosecution in our once restrictions are lifted, and that, more than anything, courts. Before the cut-off date of 31 December, so many the change will hurt their economy. If that is the case, he issues need to be resolved that have not been resolved. should welcome continued restrictions. Government figures We should have resolved those earlier, rather than leaving show that although overall immigration is down, eastern it to the very last minute. The Government should think European immigration is bucking the trend, and is carefully about how they will proceed after 31 December increasing. The number of people from Romania and and see whether, because I do not believe for a moment Bulgaria settling in the UK has risen sharply, up from 307WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 308WH

[Mr Bone] Mr Bone: I am grateful for that intervention; my hon. Friend makes a very good point. He is right to say that 37 in 2011 to 2,177 in 2012. Clearly, if the restrictions Bulgarians and Romanians can come here if they satisfy are lifted, those figures will increase dramatically, making the current requirements. I am absolutely in favour of them completely incompatible with the Government’s continuing with that. The problem—it is a good point aim to reduce immigration. that he brings up, and it is one that I was moving on to—is that in Bulgaria the minimum wage is 73p an hour, and in Romania it is 79p, but in the UK the Mr Andrew Turner: I am grateful to my hon. Friend minimum wage is £6.31 for over-21s—nearly 10 times for allowing me to interrupt him. The number that we more than in Romania and Bulgaria. Bulgaria and wish to control is the number of people from outside Romania are two of the poorest members of the EU Europe. It is true, of course, that until now, we have got and do experience, I am afraid, levels of corruption. In the figures for migration from within Europe down as 2010, gross domestic product per capita was £3,929 in well, but there is no promise from the Government that Bulgaria and £4,682 in Romania, compared with Britain’s that will continue. £22,426. Furthermore, there are 1.5 million people seeking work in Bulgaria and Romania. Mr Bone: I completely agree with my hon. Friend. It undoubtedly makes economic sense for individuals There is no guarantee at all. I am arguing that because from these countries to migrate to the UK, regardless of of the removal of the restrictions, we will break that whether they have the skills that we require. By lifting important promise. current restrictions, we leave ourselves wide open to a It is common sense for us as a country to continue the new wave of economic refugees, hoping to reap the rewards restrictions, and the only obstacle to that is the European that this country has to offer. Those are pull factors that Union. That, however, is not an arrangement that the clearly cannot be addressed by reforming what benefits British people signed up to. The last time the people are available to immigrants. The UK is a fantastic place had a vote on the European Economic Community was to live, and that is something to be proud of. Reforming in 1975. Needless to say, we now have an EU. When the the benefits system can only do so much; it cannot go EEC was in existence, it was a small group of prosperous far enough on its own when the fundamental issue is the western European countries. Now, the EU takes in lack of control that we appear to have over our borders. poorer countries in central Europe that were formerly The EU states that it has the power to control such in the communist bloc. Old EU regulations and laws reforms—common-sense reforms that are so badly needed that applied to the European Economic Community to stop the abuse of public services by immigrants have become seriously out of date; as a result, the EU is whom the EU is apparently forcing on this Government. forcing on us a wave of immigration that the British There are still questions about how far the Immigration public do not want and did not vote for, and that will Bill can go before it is incompatible with EU law and have negative repercussions for our economy and our the free movement of people. We are therefore left in a people. preposterous scenario in which the EU is trying to control not only who can come into this country, but This is the time when we need to stand up to the what they can claim when they get here. It is an outrageous European Union and say, “Enough is enough.”Parliament state of affairs, and we, the Parliament of the United is answerable to the British people, and therefore has Kingdom, need to say that we are ultimately sovereign sovereignty over the UK’s borders. We do not need to over our own borders and the laws relating to domestic be told by a post-democratic body what our immigration affairs. policy is. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister stated that our country should welcome only those who came The truth of the matter is that we do not know the here to work hard. Relaxing the current arrangements extent of the upheaval that the removal of the restrictions and deregulating immigration from these two countries will mean for our country, because we do not know how would do exactly the opposite. many people will come over. That is exactly the point that the right hon. Member for Leicester East made so I thoroughly welcome the Government’s Immigration powerfully. We learned that lesson from the 2004 influx Bill, and the proposals to restrict the access that immigrants of Polish immigrants. The Labour Government got it have to the wealth of benefits that we offer. One such completely wrong and estimated that only 13,000 Poles proposal is for an initial three-month period before would arrive; the figure turned out to be more than benefits can be claimed. Migration Watch UK concludes 100,000 a year at its peak. that there are “very strong financial incentives” for Bulgarians and Romanians to move to the UK, partly Migration Watch UK has estimated that 50,000 due to the much higher wages and living standards in immigrants will arrive from Romania and Bulgaria per the United Kingdom. year over the next five years. People might say, “Well, that’s Migration Watch,” but an independent think-tank, the Democracy Institute, has found to its surprise that Mr Ellwood: I agree with my hon. Friend that EU “the most alarming of the forecasts…is actually insufficiently laws are out of date, and that the income per capita is alarmist.” different in other countries, and that that is why people might want to move, but does he agree that rules are The institute projects that at least 70,000 immigrants already in place allowing any Bulgarian or Romanian from Romania and Bulgaria will arrive in the UK annually to come and gain work here? Doctors, nurses and so on for the next five years, if the restrictions are lifted. can come already under the current arrangements, so A poll by the BBC—not an organisation favourable my question is: who will be in the tranche of people to Eurosceptics—found that 1% of Romanians and arriving in January and February? 4% of Bulgarians said that they were looking for work 309WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 310WH in the UK. That would translate into 350,000 potential Mr Bone: My hon. Friend proves the point that the jobseekers in the UK. That is wholly contrary to our basic requirement is to regain control of our borders. policy aims of cutting immigration and protecting the We do not have to worry about all the different UK’s interests. At a time when we are making real arrangements, but we should be able to say to people inroads into cutting unemployment, the impact that an from the EU, “No, you cannot come in unless we say influx of immigrants would have on the job market so.” As the right hon. Member for Leicester East said, would be detrimental to those looking for work and this goes back to the fundamental issue of whether we those on low wages. can get that control and still remain in the European Union. If we do not take decisive action now to control Keith Vaz: In a very helpful intervention, the hon. who settles in the UK, the figure will only rise. If we do Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) pointed not continue the restrictions, more unemployed migrants out that of course Romanians and Bulgarians can at the without the skills that we need will arrive in this country. moment work in this country as self-employed people, Not only is unrestricted migration from Romania and the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone) and Bulgaria detrimental to many of the coalition’s key said that he was happy with that. Does he agree that if values and policy, but public opposition to lifting the we were able to speed up the length of time that it took restrictions is overwhelming. Two of the country’s leading them to get national insurance numbers, that would be newspapers, The Sun and the Daily Express, which one way of ensuring that the system works without many Members in the Chamber will agree speak for the having to change it? British people, regard it as essential that the restrictions remain in place. The Sun found that “42% of Brits believe slamming the door on EU migrants is of Mr Bone: I am grateful for that intervention. The utmost importance and another 20% say it should be a major simple answer is no. I think that we need to control our aim”. own borders. I do not think that we should be tinkering The newspaper went on to say that if the Prime Minister with the mechanisms; we should have complete control could not achieve that, we should come out of the of what we do, as I think the right hon. Gentleman said European Union. in his concluding remarks. The Daily Express has consistently opposed our A recent report on the economic effects of immigration membership of the EU. Its petition demanding the found that those on the lowest wages feel the biggest continuation of restrictions attracted more than 150,000 impact of immigration, as immigration holds back the people, all of whom went to the trouble of cutting out a wages of the least well paid. We should be supporting little slip from the paper and posting it. Many hon. those hard-working people, not eroding their wages by Members in the Chamber had the great pleasure of allowing uncontrolled immigration from countries with taking those slips to Downing street and delivering such vast economic differences. Moreover, although them to the Prime Minister. On an e-petition on the unemployment is down, youth unemployment is proving Downing street website, another 150,000 people are stubbornly high. With nearly 1 million under-25s still demanding that the restrictions be kept in place. On the unemployed, the focus should be on helping them into last day of term, 22 Members of Parliament have come jobs, not allowing into the job market an inpouring of to a Westminster Hall debate, in which we cannot even immigrants who are looking for work. divide on the matter. Even the Chief Whip is here to listen to the debate. We know that the Chief Whip and Mr Newmark: Will my hon. Friend at least acknowledge the Government really want to tackle the problem, but that the Government’s policy, in the autumn statement, the issue that they are wrestling with is whether to put of abolishing the jobs tax for under-21s will encourage the EU first and stay part of the club. Do they want to many small businesses, especially retailers, to hire young avoid offending the political elite and the leader of the people? I go back to the question that I asked my hon. Liberal Democrat party, or do they want to put the Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Nigel Mills): British people first? there is a skills gap at the lower end, so who will fill that I hope that later in the debate the Chief Whip will skills gap if we do not have people coming in from catch your eye, Ms Dorries, and stand up and say that eastern Europe to plug that hole? he has a message from the Prime Minister that the restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian immigration Mr Bone: I am grateful for that intervention. No one will continue. in this Chamber is prouder than me of what this Government are doing to lower unemployment, and of 2.33 pm the great efforts that the Prime Minister is making, but Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): The pleasure my hon. Friend is completely wrong on the second bit of serving under your chairmanship, Ms Dorries, is of the argument. We should not be paying jobseeker’s matched only by my joy at listening to the remarks of allowance to people who have the opportunity to work, my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Nigel but do not want to work. That is how those jobs will be Mills) when he opened the debate. I was also heartened filled—not by bringing people in from central Europe. by the contributions from the right hon. Member for Gosh, I got quite cross about that. Leicester East (Keith Vaz) and my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone). Andrew Bridgen: Does my hon. Friend agree that this It says a lot that no Liberal Democrat MPs are Government’s policy of raising personal allowances in present to debate this important issue. Not one of them order to incentivise our indigenous population to take could be bothered to turn up to the debate. They have lower-paid jobs and to find work provides a further gone on holiday a day earlier rather than talk about the incentive for immigrants to come to our country? most important issue on our constituents’ minds. At 311WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 312WH

[Mr Philip Hollobone] name that nobody understands the meaning of—and are coming up with a list of items on which we will least the Labour party has one right hon. Member apparently renegotiate the terms of our membership. present on the Back Benches, and of course a presence As far as I can tell, no chief negotiator has been on the Front Bench. There are 16 Conservative Members appointed and renegotiation is not a Government policy of Parliament here, because we listen to the concerns of but a Conservative party ambition. our constituents and we know that this is an important The Liberal Democrats and the Labour party are issue. doing their best to frustrate the private Member’s Bill introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton Mr Chope: Does my hon. Friend agree that perhaps South (James Wharton), which promotes an EU the Liberal Democrats are not here because they know referendum. I am not entirely convinced, because no that in the quad—the extraordinary way in which the member of the Government has yet clarified this, whether coalition is run—they have an effective veto? There is if that Bill were to succeed in the other place and become no need for them to come, because they know that they an Act, it would form part of Government policy. We have a stranglehold over Government policy. wait to hear from the Liberal Democrats on that.

Mr Hollobone: That may well be right. I am sure my Mark Reckless: Can my hon. Friend help me in a hon. Friend agrees that in a debate on a subject of such related area? Is the target of cutting immigration from importance, some Liberal Democrat Members should the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands have been present, not only to tell us their views but to Government policy, or is it merely an aspiration of our listen to those of other Members of Parliament. Parliament party because the Lib Dems do not agree? is here to debate such issues, whether we agree with each other or not. By not turning up at all, Liberal Democrats Mr Hollobone: I would welcome clarification from are effectively refusing to engage with this important the Minister on that point, as would my hon. Friend. I question. welcome the Conservative party approach to cutting Let me put my cards firmly on the table. I am not a immigration, but I do not think it goes far enough. If I supporter of our membership of the European Union. I get to that part of my speech, I want to demonstrate believe that we should leave, and I support the Conservative why I do not think that aim can be achieved, not least party’s call for a referendum to give my constituents because of our lifting of the restrictions on Romanian and others across the land their say about whether we and Bulgarian immigration. I am as sceptical as my should remain members. It represented a catastrophic hon. Friend about the way in which Conservative members loss of confidence in the nation’s future in the 1960s and of the Government, or the Government as a whole, may 1970s that we decided to join the then Common Market, or may not start to renegotiate the terms of our membership which mutated into the European Economic Community, of the European Union. I welcome the opportunity the European Community and finally the European that I hope my constituents will have in 2017, under a Union. majority Conservative Government, to have a say in An individual would have to be in at least their a referendum. mid-50s to have been able to take part in the referendum The previous Labour Government’s lifting of the in 1975 on whether we should remain members, so a restrictions on immigration from the A8 eastern European whole generation of the British public have never had countries was a catastrophic mistake. I would welcome their say on the matter. I am four-square behind the a clear and frank apology from the shadow Minister, Conservative party manifesto promise to give the British the right hon. Member for Delyn (Mr Hanson), for that people a say in 2017 on whether we should stay in or get huge “spectacular mistake”—the words of the right out. I will vote to leave. I do not believe that renegotiation hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw). Under the will work. I am not entirely convinced that Her Majesty’s leadership of the Labour party, the Home Office estimated Government will take the renegotiation as seriously as a maximum net inflow from the A8 nations of 13,000 a they should, but more or less nothing that could be year through to 2010. In the end, the total is one million achieved in the renegotiation would convince me that and rising. Her Majesty’s Government under the coalition Britain was better off in the European Union. One have declined to estimate the numbers at all, lest they reason for that is the cost; our annual membership fee is make a similar error. That is not good enough. They £10 billion and rising. Over the course of the coalition should have at least tried to commission some research Government’s term, our total membership subscription to have some feel of the number who might come to our will be almost twice what it was under the final term of shores, not least because local authorities, schools, hospitals the previous Labour Government. Our membership fee and police services need to know the potential impact is simply too expensive. The other big reason why I will of immigration on their communities. vote to leave is the reason we are here today. The only helpful estimate we have is provided by Migration Watch, which I think everyone agrees has a Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (Con): Before tremendous reputation on immigration matters. my hon. Friend moves on to that point, he expressed a certain scepticism about the renegotiation. Is it his Mr Ellwood: My apologies, Ms Dorries, I did not understanding that that renegotiation is happening now, intend to make another intervention—I feel I have had or will it not even start until 2015? my share already—but there is an important matter about my hon. Friend’s point. I looked carefully at the Mr Hollobone: My understanding is that the comparison with Poland and the Migration Watch numbers. renegotiation has not started. The Government are It made a direct comparison with Poland, which I am undertaking a balance of competences review—a ridiculous afraid is disingenuous. When many Polish people decided 313WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 314WH in 2004 to come to the UK, other possible countries Crime is a big concern. To put the issue into a pithy were closed to them, because they had used their rights sentence, I would say that we are importing a wave of and closed their borders. The Migration Watch numbers crime from Romania and Bulgaria. I put it as strongly are slightly misleading because they compare the Polish as that deliberately. There are no powers to deport EU numbers then with Romanian and Bulgarian numbers citizens, unless they have been convicted of an offence now. that attracts a two-year prison sentence or a sentence of 12 months or more for an offence involving drugs, Mr Hollobone: I am sorry to have provoked my hon. violence or sexual crime. We should be able to deport Friend into yet another intervention, welcome though it any foreign national, whether from an EU or non-EU is. I am afraid he needs to read Migration Watch’s state, to their country of origin if they are convicted of report more closely. any crime in this country. That is one thing on which I agree with the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown), who said that on the Floor Mr Ellwood: I was given a presentation by Migration of the House when he was Prime Minister, but sadly his Watch. Government did nothing. The right hon. Member for Leicester East, who is currently conversing with you, Mr Hollobone: My hon. Friend needed to pay more Ms Dorries, mentioned Judge Sean Morris, who said in attention to the presentation. The estimate is 30,000 to court the other day to Romanians and Bulgarians, 70,000 a year, with a central estimate of an increase of “don’t come here and commit crime.” 50,000 a year in the population for five years, as the right hon. Member for Leicester East said. The estimate He has delayed sentencing one such criminal, because is based in part on the precedent set by the A8, but also of his frustration with delays of six months and more in on the growth rate of the current Romanian and Bulgarian obtaining criminal records from the Romanian authorities, population in the UK and the number of national and he has called on Ministers to do something about insurance numbers issued, as well as the disparity in it. In Westminster Hall some months ago, I raised incomes and living standards between the UK and directly with the Minister the issue of the number of Romania and Bulgaria. My hon. Friend the Member criminals from Romania and Bulgaria coming to our for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) will appreciate shores. There is a crime wave, particularly in London that the disparity between us and Romania and Bulgaria and particularly on the London underground, to do is rather bigger than the one between us and Poland. A with Romanians. Romanian or Bulgarian moving to the UK to work at the minimum wage could increase his take-home pay by Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) (Lab): I am sorry to arrive in four and a half to five times, after accounting for the the middle of the hon. Gentleman’s speech. He raises an cost of living. Families could increase their income by issue that resonates closely. Just across the river from between eight and nine times. To put it another way, the House of Commons, there is an increasingly difficult workers on the minimum wage in the UK could earn problem with many people doing exactly what he describes in one hour roughly what could be earned in a day in in the Waterloo area. Everyone gets involved—the police Romania or Bulgaria. and the community safety teams—but at the end of the day, they can do nothing to get those people, some of There are other factors to consider. Spain and Italy, whom do not even have the right to be here as EU where unemployment is now very high, especially among citizens, out of the country. People are getting angry. I the young, have nearly one million Romanian and Bulgarian hope the Minister will respond to that. workers each. A worker from Romania or Bulgaria could increase his take home pay in Spain or Italy by at Mr Hollobone: I welcome the intervention from the least 50% if he or she were to move to the UK. Another hon. Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey), not least because, serious issue, to which I have not had a satisfactory as always, she knows what she is talking about. She is a response from the Minister despite raising it on the proud champion of the concerns of her constituents, Floor of the House, is that Romania is known to have who will be rightly concerned about that issue. issued some 600,000 passports to ethnic Romanians from Moldova. Moldova is not a member of the European Mr Harper: Given that two hon. Members have raised Union and yet a significant proportion of its population the question, and given that my hon. Friend the Member has the right to move to, live in and work in the UK. I for Kettering (Mr Hollobone) takes part in crime fighting am sure that that was never the intention of the accession directly, I think it would be helpful to give an answer. treaties. The number of ethnic Roma from Romania The order I signed and laid before the House on and Bulgaria who might migrate is another factor to 6 December, which I will set out in more detail later, consider, but the numbers are extremely uncertain. enables us to remove from the UK people who are not Substantial numbers of Roma people live in poor conditions here to exercise treaty rights—those committing low-level, in a number of EU countries. An estimated 2.5 million but damaging crimes, begging and sleeping rough—and Roma live in Romania and Bulgaria. importantly stop them from coming straight back again, There have been welcome changes, such as the unless they are coming to exercise those rights. That is Government’s announcement about out-of-work benefits an important power and change that goes some way for people coming from Romania and Bulgaria. The to addressing the concerns of my hon. Friend and the announcement was good, but do the measures also hon. Lady. apply to tax credits? I would like a specific response from the Minister. Does the new three-month rule for Mr Hollobone: It does indeed go some way, and I am entitlement to out-of-work benefits extend to people grateful for it, but sadly the changes do not go far from other EU member states or only to those from the enough. Those people can be sent back under the order new entrants, Romania and Bulgaria? he mentions to their country of origin, but in a certain 315WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 316WH

[Mr Hollobone] in semi-rural areas, such as my constituency of Kettering, where the number of houses is set to increase by a third amount of time, they can come back to our shores. I within the next 25 years. have a private Member’s Bill on the Order Paper that would ban foreign nationals who commit an offence in 2.53 pm this country from ever returning to our shores. I think Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): It is that measure would enjoy popular support. a pleasure to work under your chairmanship today, The scale of this crime wave is really quite startling. Ms Dorries. Romanians are seven times more likely to be arrested in I am delighted to participate in this important debate. London than British nationals; Romanians account for It has been very interesting so far and I very much look more than 11% of all foreign offenders in the UK, forward to hearing what the Minister has to say in despite currently making up just a tiny proportion of response to many of the points that have been made. foreign residents here; and last year Romanians accounted However, a myth can be halfway round the world before for almost half of all arrests for begging and a third of the truth has got its boots on, so I welcome the opportunity arrests for pick-pocketing in the capital. I declare in my this debate gives to add some facts and figures, and interests that I am a special constable with the British indeed corrections, to some of the quite barmy assumptions Transport police on the London underground, and I that have been made in the wider debate—not necessarily can say that eight out of 10 pick-pockets are from here today—that then get repeated and seem to gain Romania. So the whole thing is completely out of credence. control and the Romanian authorities need to provide I wish to challenge a couple of the points that have the British police with information about the Romanian been made already today. My hon. Friend the Member criminals that they know are in this country far more for Clacton (Mr Carswell), who is no longer in his place, quickly than they are currently providing it. suggested that we should adopt Switzerland’s immigration The background to all this is that we are a crowded policy, or that our relationship with the EU should be island. What the British people object to is not the that of Switzerland. Well, read any of the Swiss newspapers nationality of someone coming to our shores, the colour or visit Switzerland, and guess what the key issue is for of their skin or the language that they speak. What my the Swiss? It is immigration, and the numbers of immigrants constituents object to—what the British people object into that country are proportionally much higher than to—is the numbers coming to our shores, with which they are for the UK. our crowded isle cannot cope. The right hon. Member for Leicester East (Keith We are now told that, according to official Government Vaz) is also no longer in his place; I do not know why statistics, some 43% of new housing requirements are people decided to depart just as I got to my feet. He because of immigration. Immigration is driving up our made some interesting points about jobs. That issue population to unsustainable levels, and we have a population needs to be clarified, because it is very much the case boom that is fuelled by EU migration. Indeed, Polish that Romanians and Bulgarians can work here. First, immigration has contributed almost half of the UK’s they have the right to travel here visa-free and, secondly, recent population growth. Half of all foreign-born residents they can indeed work here, whether they are self-employed, currently in the UK have come here since 2001. From have particular expertise—as doctors, nurses and so 2001, the number of foreign-born residents rose by forth—or participate in agricultural work. There are almost 3 million, and yet in the 50 years beforehand restrictions in place, of course, for temporary work only 2.7 million people arrived in the UK from abroad. permits, and there are quota schemes, to allow low-skilled There has been more immigration to our shores since workers to come here too. I understand that the biggest 1950 than there was in all the time between 1066 and group of foreign nationals who helped to build the 1950. We are one of the most densely crowded countries Olympic stadium actually came from Romania. Apparently, in the European Union. there were more Romanians working on that stadium The vast majority of people who have come here in than people of any other nationality. recent times have come from Poland. Poles are now the second largest group of foreign-born nationals in the [MR JOE BENTON in the Chair] UK, with only Indians having a larger presence. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in 2011 I am not arguing that more or fewer Romanians and there were 7.5 million non-UK-born residents in the Bulgarians should come here. I am simply saying that country—13% of the population—and it is migration this important aspect of the debate on immigration that has contributed to just less than half of that needs to be considered in a sensible and measured way. population change in the last 60 years. The non-UK-born We need to have a policy that is not determined by fear. population has almost quadrupled since 1951, from I genuinely worry that the debate around immigration—to 4.3% of the population to 13.4%. My contention is that mention this is to slip slightly into a bigger debate on our crowded island cannot cope with this level of population whether we should be in or out of the EU—has become increase, because our population is set to rise, according very binary. It is the little Englanders, if you like, versus to official statistics from the ONS, by 9.6 million people the multicultural open-door approach, but I would by 2037, reaching a total of 73.3 million people, a level argue that in many cases that does not apply, by any of population that our country has never had to cope stretch of the imagination. with before. Mark Reckless: First, little Englanders versus the Unless we close the door to immigration from EU multilateral open-door people—I do not know if the states, my contention—on behalf of my constituents—is hon. Gentleman puts himself in the second category, that our country will struggle to cope, and not just in but if he does I wonder if it more a sign of his own our capital city or our other big metropolitan areas but narcissism than anything else. 317WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 318WH

Mr Ellwood: The hon. Gentleman makes my point I worry that, unless our debate on immigration is for me, because in trying to make his point, he brackets measured, rational and, of course, resolute, the unintended me. I am trying to say that we should not have these consequence of leaping to solutions, such as those calls brackets, but unfortunately the way that the arguments we heard today to leave the EU, will damage or possibly often go is that people get shunted, one way or another, kill off genuine international interest in inward-investment into these brackets. I am saying that they are wrong and opportunities, as well as export prospects and British it does not help the debate about what we are focusing influence abroad. The perception will prevail—indeed, on today, which is immigration and dealing with the it will be promoted by other countries that are competing prospect of what will happen on 1 January with Bulgaria against us—that Britain is not open for business. and Romania. I would like to have a more cognitive We should not forget our heritage and who we are. debate, a more measured debate, and less one that is We are a nation with a rich history of immigration, as based either on fear or emotion. Consequently I apologise my hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (Mr Newmark), to my hon. Friend if in any way he felt offended by what who is sadly no longer in his place, articulated in a I said. previous immigration debate. This island has been invaded, Managed migration certainly has enormous benefits: or settled in other forms, by Angles, Jutes and Norsemen for education; for business; and for filling the gaps in in the dark ages, Normans, Jews and Huguenots in the the labour market, which have been mentioned already. middle ages, Italians and Irishmen in the 1800s and, more recently, people from the Caribbean and the Asian Mr Chope: Will my hon. Friend give way? sector, as well. Our monarchy was, on more than one occasion, short of an obvious candidate for the top job, Mr Ellwood: I will just finish this point. However, the and we invited outsiders to fill that post, such as William key word is “managed”. I am looking around the Chamber and Mary of Orange, for example, or George I, Queen and—Ms Dorries, you seem to have changed. [Laughter.] Anne having no surviving children. We need to be I am looking around the Chamber and I think that we honest about our past. would all agree, bar possibly the Front-Bench spokesmen, We have also taken more than a shine to emigrating that migration has not been managed well, particularly to all corners of the globe in the past 600 years. Britain during the last decade. has prospered, since the war, thanks to expanding trade I give way to my hon. Friend from a neighbouring links with Europe, and British and European security constituency. has improved, thanks to Britain championing the case for bringing nations that languished behind the iron Mr Chope: I was going to take up the same point curtain into NATO and the EU. We have been one of about the issue of “managed” migration. Is not the the strongest supporters of the single market. Naturally, issue that we face, in dealing with our constituents’ our concerns about Bulgaria and Romania will be repeated concerns about immigration, that at the moment we as when, in due course, Turkey, Ukraine and Bosnia hopefully a country are not in a position where we can manage enter the wider market. It is in our interests that the our own borders and decide who can come to our European market should grow, for all our citizens and country, and who can stay and receive benefits. Surely businesses to have the opportunity to work in other we should be emphasising that, as a sovereign country, European countries. we should be able to determine these issues ourselves It is no coincidence that our attitude to being international and not have solutions to them imposed on us by the now means that 80% of the cars that we produce are European Union? exported, 50% of them into the EU. That would not happen if we did not have the approach to internationalism Mr Ellwood: My hon. Friend makes an important that we have today. point. I listened to his contribution earlier too. I was making the point that, during the past decade, huge Mr Bone: It is blatantly obvious that, when there is a mistakes have been made—I will discuss them shortly—but £50 billion current account deficit with the EU, it will now there are measures in place to rectify that situation. continue to trade with us and export. It is absurd to I am honoured to represent Bournemouth East, a make any other argument. wonderful part of Great Britain that very much reflects the national approach to running a liberal, open, free market economy. As a seaside town, we are reliant on Mr Ellwood: Again, I am invited to wander away both domestic and overseas visitors. We are served by from the debate about immigration, into the wider, an international airport and we have a university that is albeit important, debate about the virtues of the EU. internationally recognised as one of the best in the What would happen if we went down my hon. Friend’s world for digital and creative arts. We attract international route and left the EU? If he thinks for a second that the businesses. JP Morgan, a US bank, and one of the countries remaining in Europe would leave tariffs as biggest banks, is the largest employer in Bournemouth; they are or allow us to have similar tariffs to Switzerland, our water company is run by a Malaysian company; our and so on, he is wrong. We would then be seen as the Yellow Buses transport company is French-owned; and, competition and France would be first to say, “Let’s yes, the football club is owned by a Russian. Our make it tougher for Britain to participate or trade with tourism sector is huge. We are heavily reliant on overseas us.” That is exactly what would happen. workers to do the jobs many British people refuse to do, There is a notion that we can somehow say no to because the dog’s breakfast of our benefits system has the EU or park the matter to one side and look to the perverse incentives, resulting in people being worse off emerging markets. Let us take one huge example. We if they gain part-time employment. That left gaps in the tried to sell the Eurofighter to India, a close Commonwealth employment market that needed to be filled. country, but it went with the French Rafale aircraft 319WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 320WH

[Mr Ellwood] challenged the very Britishness of some communities—what defines us: our values; our culture; who we are. Of instead. It is not so simple to say, “Let’s ignore the EU” course, that is an evolving thing and measured migration and suddenly embrace the Commonwealth, which we can be absorbed into it, but when overloaded—when anticipate would have closer relationships with us. diasporas move here on such a large scale—there is such an impact that it can be unmanaged, in that sense, and Mark Reckless: Of course, my hon. Friend’s example have a negative impact on those who are already here. may reflect the wisdom or otherwise of naming products Let us not slip away from what Labour did in the last we are trying to export with the “Euro” prefix. More decade that was so wrong. It introduced eight Acts of worryingly, it is preposterous to say that tariffs would Parliament, but it had no control over immigration go up, when Germany sells more to us than it does to despite those and illegal immigrants were free to abuse any other country in the world, including France. The our state services. Migration from non-EU member EU is treaty bound to negotiate a free trade agreement states also increased during that time. Indeed, twice as with any state that needs it. many came from non-EU countries as EU countries. I hope that the Minister will confirm that that is so. Mr Ellwood: I do not think the name of the aircraft In the five years leading up to the economic downturn— was the precursor of the deal falling through or the this is the real message—more than 90% of the increase reason why it did so. I could have said “Typhoon”, as in employment was accounted for by foreign nationals. my hon. Friend is aware. We were creating jobs in this country and giving them The majority would agree with the approach that I to people from overseas. That cannot be right. To put have spelled out, but fundamental flaws, out-of-date that another way, one in 10 new jobs was given to a practices and British schoolboy errors have allowed a British person. I am pleased to say that that is not the scale of migration into the UK over one decade that is case today with the 1.1 million new private sector jobs incomparable with the spikes in migration on this island that have been created. To compound matters, employers in all its history, as I mentioned earlier. That is what targeted eastern European countries, to pay less than concerns my constituents and those of other hon. Members. the minimum wage. In 2009, for example, 2,000 firms Let us look at some of those mistakes. Like other were fined for doing this. Thanks to stricter rules, that hon. Members, I am sorry that there are now no Labour figure has now fallen. Back Benchers—[Interruption.] I am sorry; apart from Another area of abuse was student visas, and we felt the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey), who was the impact in Bournemouth too. Bogus students were not here at the beginning, there are none here to put the attending bogus colleges, but, thankfully, that has also case. And there is not a single Lib Dem here, either. now stopped. International education is clearly important, Under Labour, in 2004, there was a deliberate policy with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills of uncontrolled migration, resulting in more than 1 estimating that it is worth £8 billion. It is important to million people coming from central and eastern Europe, get our approach right, and given the importance of who now live here. Why? Because the UK completely language schools to Bournemouth, people there expect opted out of the transitional controls on new EU us to. member states. Britain was the only country to do so, Arguably, Labour’s biggest failure was failing to inspire ignoring the right to impose a seven-year ban before a younger generation to work. Thanks to the something- new citizens could come and work here. We were almost for-nothing culture, a skills gap developed. If it does all alone in Europe. not pay to work, or if British people lack the necessary skills, that creates a huge space in our labour market for Kate Hoey: On that point, many members of the people from overseas to fill. We cannot blame people Labour party were against that at that time. Indeed, my for wanting to come here and work hard, but the real hon. Friends on the Front Bench at the moment have answer lies in training our own people to fill these jobs. said that that was the wrong decision and have apologised If we add to that the way in which the benefits system for it. was abused, we can see why we ended up with the mess we inherited in 2010. Mr Ellwood: I am not sure that the apology will be I am pleased to see the changes the Government have accepted by a nation that is now having to live with the introduced. When passed into law, the Immigration Bill consequences. As we have seen, the right hon. Member will upgrade the previously dysfunctional UK Border for Blackburn (Mr Straw) is now embarrassed to admit Agency, making it easier to send offenders back overseas. that that was a huge mistake. I am sorry that the hon. It will also cut the abuse of the appeals process, which Lady was not more vocal at the time or that her voice originally had, I think, 17 different stages that could be was not listened to, because that decision has had a put to appeal. In addition, it will oblige temporary profound effect, not only in respect of migration, but immigrants seeking to stay longer than six months to on the balance in the UK, as has already been mentioned. pay a surcharge on their visa to cover NHS costs, should they use the health service. Finally, it will tackle Andrew Bingham: Does my hon. Friend agree that that sham marriages, to which more than 10,000 visa applications has also had a profound effect on the British population’s were linked every year. approach to migration, as we face 31 December? As the Prime Minister announced last week, we are building a welfare system that encourages work and Mr Ellwood: My hon. Friend raises an important that is not so accessible to migrants, so no one can come point. Aside from the administrative errors, pressures to this country and expect to get out-of-work benefits on housing, benefits and health services, and so on, as immediately. We will not pay those benefits for the first he implies, the scale of migration in the last decade has three months. If, after those three months, an EU 321WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 322WH national needs benefits, we will no longer pay them ever reduction in the EU budget, and there is an EU indefinitely. Migrants will also be able to claim for only patent agreement—something that extends right across a maximum of six months unless they can prove they Europe. have a genuine prospect of employment. In addition, Those things came about not just because of agreement there will be a minimum earnings threshold, and if in Europe, but because they were British-led initiatives. migrants do not pass the test, access to benefits such as When we decide to step forward and we understand income support will be cut. Finally, newly arrived EU what is going on, other nations around Europe follow jobseekers will not be able to claim housing benefit. us. I am not sure Labour particularly understood that, Those are welcome changes. If people are not here and nor, if we are fair, did this Government. We can to work, or if they are begging or sleeping rough, they influence the direction of travel in Europe; we do not will be removed. They will be barred from re-entry for have to leave that to France and Germany, and we 12 months, unless they can prove there is a proper should not have an attitude that says we should. If we reason for them to be here, such as a job. Such steps do leave things to them, and we do not affect the have already been taken by other countries, such as decisions that are made upstream before legislation is Holland and Germany. created, we have no right to complain about the outcome. As we have seen, the Government’s policies are having In conclusion, migration is a sensitive subject at any an impact, with a drop in net migration of more than time, but thanks to the disastrous decisions taken by the one third. Immigration from outside the EU is now at previous Government, it has become very emotive indeed. its lowest level for 14 years. With the new measures We are overdue tougher migration rules, and I am I have described, however, that drop will continue. pleased this Government are now producing them. However, the challenge posed by new EU immigrants could have been avoided had tougher decisions been taken further Mark Reckless: My hon. Friend refers to a drop in down the line. net immigration of more than a third. Is he sure his figures are up to date? Several hon. Members rose—

Mr Ellwood: The best person to clarify that will be Mr Joe Benton (in the Chair): Order. Before I call the the Minister, but those are the figures that I have been next speaker, may I remind hon. Members that I propose presented with. Indeed, they were put forward by the to start the winding-up speeches at 4 o’clock? Home Secretary when the Immigration Bill was read for the Third time a couple of weeks ago. 3.16 pm To return to a point on which I think there will be more common ground, given what my hon. Friends Mr David Ruffley (Bury St Edmunds) (Con): It is have already said, the EU needs to change. It needs to always a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, recognise that its rules are out of date. There is a Mr Benton. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member disparity between the income per head of joining members for Amber Valley (Nigel Mills) on initiating the debate. and that of other member states. It is so large that it is I also congratulate my 73 parliamentary colleagues not surprising that some people will choose to abandon who, like me, signed his amendment to the Immigration their own country and move to a richer one. Bill, although, regrettably, it will not be considered this side of 1 January 2014. However, it is an important amendment that would extend the transitional controls Andrew Bridgen: My hon. Friend mentioned rough for an extra five years, and we will debate it next year. sleeping. What does he think the impact on the number Let us be clear about what the debate is not about: it of rough sleepers in London and our major cities will is not about a zero-immigration policy, and it is not be of relaxing the transitional arrangements with Bulgaria about closing this country’s borders to every other and Romania after 31 December? country in the world. It is, however, an expression of concern about the fact that, while my hon. Friend the Mr Ellwood: In a way, that point has already been Minister and his predecessor, my right hon. Friend the answered. There are those who get through the system Member for Ashford (Damian Green), have done sterling and who are here already, which is why it was rather and impressive work in restricting influxes of unskilled bizarre that the right hon. Member for Leicester East labour from non-EU countries, we have not been able to (Keith Vaz) was going to go to Luton airport to watch effect the same restraint in respect of EU countries. people coming through. If people are determined to get That is the heart of the matter. through the system, they can already get here visa-free. Just to be crystal clear, I want to put on record my However, the Prime Minister has made it clear that that gratitude to our splendid Home Secretary and the two will no longer be tolerated under the new rules. Immigration Ministers we have had in this Parliament, It is important we take the lead in the EU. Some of who have moved this country much more towards the my hon. Friends have no faith in what can be achieved, Australian model. We now have a rigorous points system but I believe that, for the first time in many years, for those who wish to come into this country from outside Britain is taking the lead in the EU, and British influence the EU; those people must have skills and something is increasing. Labour gave away our opt-out and our positive to contribute. However, when it comes to the fishing rights, and it opened our borders when Germany, EU, because of its quite pernicious freedom of movement France and others decided to keep theirs closed. In rules, we are having to have this debate. contrast, this Government have managed to secure a All of us in the room who speak to our constituents trade deal with South Korea, and there is a trade deal know that this is the No. 1 concern for the public after with America in the offing. We have also had the first the economy.Only a few days ago, in a national newspaper, 323WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 324WH

[Mr David Ruffley] that is correct, but we can certainly expect a considerable number over and above the number of Poles who came the opinion pollsters Harris found, in a very large poll, between 2004 and 2010, as the right hon. Member for that 82% of adults in this country did not want the Blackburn so powerfully reminded us. Ministers generally transitional controls that currently exist for Romania have my respect, but it is not good enough to say, on the and Bulgaria to be lifted, while 85% thought that migration basis of virtually no evidence, “Well, Romanians and was putting huge pressure on our schools, hospitals and Bulgarians will probably prefer Germany as a destination.” housing stock. I have seen no evidence for that, but hope I have cited Although the 74 signatories to the amendment tabled evidence that there are many reasons to suspect that by my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley are they will want to come to the United Kingdom. predominantly Conservative Members, this debate is not a purely Conservative party concern. It is a fatal Mr Hollobone: I am enjoying my hon. Friend’s impressive misreading of British public opinion to assume that it is speech. Is not London one of the big United Kingdom something to do with Conservative Members being pull factors? It is the biggest city in Europe apart from worried about the UK Independence party. It is much Moscow, and the most cosmopolitan city in the world more important, for reasons I shall develop, but we where everyone speaks or learns English. It is a city know one thing about this issue: two rather good Labour such as no other country in Europe has. former Home Secretaries do not have a problem with the proposal. In recent days, we have heard from the Mr Ruffley: Indeed. I am reminded of Cecil Rhodes’s right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside and comment that to be born a free-born Englishman was Hillsborough (Mr Blunkett) on his concerns about what to have won first prize in the lottery of life. English as may happen on the streets of Sheffield when transitional the world language is obviously the reason why so many controls are lifted; and from the right hon. Member for migrants want to come from within and outside the EU, Blackburn (Mr Straw). and attend language schools in this country. My hon. Friend is correct in suspecting that London will be a It is worth repeating why the right hon. Member for huge magnet for Romanians and Bulgarians. There are Blackburn thought the influx from a new EU accession perfectly understandable reasons for them to want to country had deleterious consequences for civil society come to this country, and many will no doubt want to and the economy. He said, a matter of days ago, about work hard. Perhaps some will take jobs illegally under the events of 2004: the minimum wage level of £6 an hour. We do not “Thorough research by the Home Office suggested that the criticise those individuals who want a better life; we impact…would in any event be ‘relatively small, at between 5,000 merely suggest that what I have outlined is a luxury that and 13,000 immigrants per year up to 2010.’ the country cannot afford, now or in the future. Events proved these forecasts worthless.” There is, then, some cross-party agreement on the potential Mr Harper: On the argument about where people influx of Romanians and Bulgarians from 1 January. might go, my hon. Friend considered the facts regarding We are talking about an indeterminate number. I shall the number of Romanians and Bulgarians who are disagree in only one respect with my hon. Friends the already here, but let us look at the other countries Members for Kettering (Mr Hollobone) and for mentioned. Italy did not have transitional controls, and Wellingborough (Mr Bone): I understand why Home there are 1 million Romanians and Bulgarians there. Office Ministers will not enter the territory of forecasting Spain and Germany did, and 500,000 Romanians and numbers; they would almost certainly be proved wrong. Bulgarians went to Germany and 1 million to Spain. I do not say that that is conclusive, but it may be one Let us explore how many Bulgarians and Romanians aspect of what was meant when it was suggested that might be attracted to living, settling and working in our there is a range of options for Romanians and Bulgarians country. It is estimated that 23,000 workers from Romania besides coming to the United Kingdom. and Bulgaria have come to this country in the past 12 months, under the existing rules; they have been Mr Ruffley: One could argue that in Germany and able to come if they are self-employed or work in the other countries my hon. Friend mentioned, job agriculture, or, equally, if they can get a work permit to vacancies for Romanians and Bulgarians are perhaps do a job that the UK Border Agency thinks cannot pretty much full up now, and they may want to try their otherwise be done by an indigenous British worker. luck in the United Kingdom, where, if they do their They certainly like coming to Britain; 23,000 did in the research, they will understand there are many job vacancies last 12 months. that remain unfilled, despite the economic recovery, and We also know from the statistics that there are now that there could be rich job pickings. However, I do not 135,000 Romanians and Bulgarians working in the UK, think that the argument can be made conclusively either which compares with a 1997 figure of 2,000. A leap way. from 2,000 in 1997 to 135,000 this year is pretty persuasive I am getting rather tired with the argument that all evidence that people in that part of south-east Europe immigration to this country is by definition good, in rather like what is on offer in the United Kingdom. economic terms. First, I pray in aid a 2008 report of the Also, in the past 12 months, one in six applications for House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee, which vocational courses in British colleges was made by made the point that total output can be driven up by people from Romania or Bulgaria. increasing the number of people in the country. The As we have already heard, Migration Watch UK greater the population, the greater the economic growth. estimates that the number of Romanians and Bulgarians That is an economic truism that no one disputes. However, coming here to work or seek work could be anything the Committee also said that that was beside the point. over 50,000 a year for five years. I do not know whether What matters is not GDP, but GDP per capita. A much 325WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 326WH larger population, generating a higher total output, means the average wage in Poland was just 42% of the average there is a bigger cake; but there are also more people wage in the UK. If a Polish plumber could more than who want a slice of it. double his salary by coming over to fit bathrooms in The key point, which the Home Secretary and her Wellingborough rather than Warsaw, who could blame Ministers have identified, is that this is not just about him for jumping on the next easyJet flight? Good luck getting bodies into the country to generate more economic to him. growth; it is about getting the right people in, with the Although some think that lifting restrictions on skills and specialisms that we need. That, almost by Bulgarians and Romanians will somehow produce a definition, means small numbers of immigrants, who different outcome, we should bear in mind the following will meet a high-skill, high-value-added specification—not facts, which have been alluded to in earlier contributions. tens or even hundreds of thousands, as there were in the Average wages in Bulgaria and Romania are currently case of Poland and other accession countries in 2004. I 31% and 34% of average wages in the UK respectively. fear that what happened then will also happen with That is even lower, relative to the UK, than Polish wages Romania and Bulgaria. were in 2004. If anyone is thinking of references for the debate, Wage levels in the UK have been fairly flat recently, many arguments have recently been made about work but since 2004, wages paid to workers in so-called by University college London that argues that immigrants elementary occupations, such as manual labourers and contribute more in tax than they ever take in benefit. I cleaners, have declined by 8%. Wages have not been flat. do not have time to say why that work is grossly At the very lowest end, we have seen a very large fall in inadequate. Another grossly inadequate body, in my wages. Cleaning jobs and labouring jobs are hard, difficult view, is the Office for Budget Responsibility, which in and often monotonous work, but they are the sorts of the past six months has blithely said that, unless this jobs that many immigrants drift towards, at least when country has 7 million more immigrants between now they first arrive in a country and need a job fast. Many and 2050, we will not cut our deficit and our national immigrants have a strong work ethic. It is not surprising debt. Those figures are “Through the Looking Glass” that several academic studies in many countries have stuff. I repeat again that the current Home Office Ministers found a close link, over time, between the scale of understand that truth, but they are not able to say that migration to a developed country such as ours and the they have made it tougher for EU migrants to come wages of less-skilled workers. Those wages go down or here, as they have with non-EU migrants. As a result of stay flat. the EU treaties, Ministers have not been able to impose such welcome discipline on the number of EU migrants If the restrictions are lifted—and it looks as if they coming into this country. will be—and there is an influx into this country of an My hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East indeterminate number of Bulgarians and Romanians, (Mr Ellwood) talked about the polarity—which he helped jobs in the elementary occupations might be paid at to set up, if he will allow me to say so—between little below the legal minimum wage. Why might that be? Englanders and free traders. I like to think that I am a Paying below the minimum wage is, of course, illegal, free trader, and I want to run the Prime Minister’s but it is certainly anecdotally true that many immigrants global race, as I am sure we all do. I can hardly wait to do not have a tendency to inform the authorities that run that race. As a free-market, right-of-centre—nay, they are receiving £3 or £4 an hour, rather than the right-wing—Conservative, I believe in free trade and £6-plus that is the legal minimum in this country. Britain facing outwards to the world, but we should still The problem of British workers being undercut by understand that the best way to earn our way in the EU workers—in this case Bulgarians and Romanians—who world is not to open our doors willy-nilly to an are willing to accept extremely low wages, sometimes undifferentiated mass of workers from other countries, perhaps illegally low wages, may get worse in the coming when we have no way of sifting to see what skills they year. This statistic has been mentioned before, but it have and how highly specialised those skills are. We can bears repeating: the legal minimum wage in both Romania do that for workers from the rest of the world, but we and Bulgaria is under 80p an hour; in the UK it is well cannot do it for workers from the EU. over £6 an hour, as my hon. Friend the Member for Over the past year, as we all know, the British economy Wellingborough recited. One factor that we all know, has begun to recover, thanks to my right hon. Friend and which has also been referred to, is that British the Chancellor of the Exchequer and his tenacity in workers do not want low-paid jobs. We hear all the time sticking to his economic project. Private sector employment that young people do not want to take jobs in domiciliary is now at an all-time high. In the past, as the number of care, nursing homes and so on. Suffice it to say that my job vacancies increased, the response from employers in right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and this country would have been to increase wages to Pensions is doing excellent work in reforming the benefit attract the best workers. When the economy grew, wages system, but there is more to do. grew. That is a fairly uncontroversial proposition, but We cannot say yet that the welfare reforms have been that link seems to have been broken in the current a success. As Andrew Green, the chairman of Migration recovery. The number of people in employment has Watch UK, reminds us, it is inexcusable for British increased, but real wage growth has been flat. employers not to give British workers a level playing With gross migration to this country running at some field on recruitment. The key point is that, with 1 million 500,000 a year, and with many of those migrants coming young people not in employment or training, it is imperative from low-income countries, there is not much incentive that they are given a chance to get on the work ladder. for employers to increase wages. In 2004, when the The route to proper employment has to start somewhere, Labour Government lifted the restriction on Polish and and 1 million young people in our country are not other eastern European workers coming into this country, doing anything at all. It is fairly inevitable that the 327WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 328WH

[Mr Ruffley] country do not have it, and they must go through an expensive safety course in order to get one. In Romania, influx of Bulgarians and Romanians will crowd out the however, almost all of them have the card. The article opportunities for young people to move off benefits quotes a taxi driver who says: and into productive work. “You only have to drive for 10 minutes to pass the test.” I will close my remarks by saying that we may have Such people will come to this country with this EU lost the argument on lifting the controls, but I hope that qualification, which will enable them to access work this debate, and the further debates that I trust we will that our own people will not unless they undergo expensive have in 2014, will move on to new territory. That training. territory must include the views attributed to my right That is another adverse consequence of our membership hon. Friend the Home Secretary, who I understand has of the European Union. The challenge for the Minister floated a cap on EU migrants to this country of 75,000. is how to solve the problems, which are of such concern EU migrants to this country should be blocked from to our constituents, if we do not leave the European claiming benefits not just for three months, but for three Union. What is being said at the moment is, “Don’t years or more. Finally, freedom of movement from worry; we’re going to change the rules.” My hon. Friend poorer countries should be restricted, and we should the Member for Bury St Edmunds (Mr Ruffley) was just insist that such movement may happen only when the saying that the Prime Minister had floated a cap on the GDP of those countries has reached 75% of the UK’s number of immigrants. That is the point. He has floated GDP. I hope that those of us here today, and those who the idea, but he knows that he cannot possibly deliver. support my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley, If there was any doubt about that, why is it that the will press the Prime Minister to put such radical reform European Court of Justice is now considering our habitual of freedom of movement at the very top of his list of residence test, which is a modest control over access to renegotiation items when he comes to renegotiate this benefits? We might hope that the European Union was country’s future as it relates to the European Union. moderating its view and becoming more reasonable 3.39 pm about our country’s rights to decide who should be able to access taxpayer-funded benefits, but there is no evidence Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): I on the ground that that is what is happening. In fact, it congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Amber is quite the reverse. Valley (Nigel Mills) on securing this important debate. I share his frustration at not being able to have a debate Meanwhile, as I heard in this room yesterday when on the splendid new clause he has tabled on the Immigration I was in the Chair, our constituents are complaining Bill prior to the day of reckoning: 1 January 2014. The about numbers of rough sleepers and homeless people, Government’s failure to organise such a debate is shortages of housing and of school places, particularly symptomatic of the causes of much cynicism among in primary schools, and pressure on hospitals. We have the public, because there is a big credibility gap between heard today about the pressure on the criminal detection the politicians—the elected representatives—and our and enforcement agencies, because of the propensity of electors, who are absolutely of one mind that we must certain groups of Romanians to engage in low-level do something to address the problem. The Government, crime. We have problems with building on green-belt instead of addressing it and facing up to my hon. land and so on. So many of these problems are associated Friend’s new clause, have decided to defer consideration with the fact that we are allowing this country’s population until the new year. to rise far faster and to a greater extent than the people Those of us who argue that we should continue with want. We are a small island. We are the most densely transitional arrangements are finding common cause populated part of the European Union. Enough is with Romania’s jobs Minister, Mariana Câmpeanu, who enough. We are now facing large numbers of additional was reported in The Sun on Sunday on 15 December as people coming to our country and we can do nothing being concerned that Romania has lost 3 million people about it. since joining the European Union, many of whom are Most of the figures are fiddled. When one prepares its most able and mobile workers. She said that she for a debate such as this, one is normally surprised at could do nothing to stop such people leaving for what the information that comes from the brilliant researchers she described as a “better life”, but she despaired that in our House of Commons Library. I will close by this country has a benefits system that discourages our drawing attention to the disparity that they have identified people from working. between the number of people estimated to have come The same article, which was drawn to my attention in from Bulgaria and Romania on one criterion—the one particular because one of the companies mentioned is that the Government use—which says that net migration based in my constituency, describes British companies averages at fewer than 10,000 since 2007, and on another, going to Bucharest to recruit Romanian workers. The which shows that the increase has been 25,000 a year or example from my constituency is of a company that 148,000 in total over that period. The helpful Library goes out to recruit heavy goods vehicle or van drivers, note also refers to a report from July 2012 by the Office because the HGV and van drivers available in this for National Statistics and states that country are not prepared to do the extraordinary out- “there is evidence to suggest that estimates of migration flows of-hours work or the one-off. They are prepared only to between 2001 and 2011 may have underestimated the full extent work the regular 40-hour week, and Romanian workers of international migration.” are much more flexible. If the Minister is not already When the Government say that they are going to reduce aware of it, it is worth drawing his attention to a further net migration from hundreds of thousands to tens of complication caused by the driver qualification card, thousands, they are using figures that probably which the European Union now demands that professional underestimate by half the actual extent of that migration. drivers possess. Many van and HGV drivers in this Even those figures are not correct. 329WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 330WH

In responding to the debate, I hope that the excellent policy. The Government go on as though everyone else Minister will be able to say how he thinks we can sort does it, but they do not. I studied in America, and it is out these problems quickly, in line with the wishes of the difficult to stay on there afterwards. I think only Australia British people and without leaving the European Union. has a more obviously generous system than we do. Our universities should compete on the basis of their academic 3.47 pm excellence, not on the basis of “If you come and study Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (Con): It is a with us rather than with some other competitor, you’ll pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for be able to stay on and work in the British labour Christchurch (Mr Chope) and I also congratulate my market, and potentially stay on for ever thereafter.” The hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Nigel Mills) fact that we have allowed that loophole makes net on securing the debate. migration higher than it otherwise would be, and we are I was elected to this Parliament on the basis of a further from hitting our target. promise to cut immigration from hundreds of thousands My hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East a year to no more than tens of thousands a year. Many (Mr Ellwood) said that we have cut net migration by of my constituents voted for me on that basis. They had more than a third. I am afraid that his figures are had enough of a Labour Government that oversaw significantly out of date, if indeed they had a solid basis uncontrolled immigration for year after year after year, when produced. He referred to a couple of weeks ago, and they wanted to see immigration cut. As a Member “on Third Reading of the Immigration Bill”, which he of this place and of the Select Committee on Home may be aware has not actually happened yet. Affairs—I am delighted to have its Chair, the right hon. Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz), next to me—I Mr Ellwood: I said Second Reading. have found that whenever we hold an inquiry into immigration all manner of people want to come in to Mark Reckless: I believe you said Third Reading. We tell us why there should be more immigrants for their shall see what the record says. particular vested interest, but hardly anyone, except Migration Watch UK, which is a superb, independent However, Third Reading has been delayed. It will not and thoroughly respected think tank, will put the counter- happen till the new year, although we do not know argument— when. Perhaps the Minister can tell us that as well. Many of us think that it would be sensible to have a debate, or Mr Harper: And the Minister. indeed a vote, on the amendment tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley before the restrictions Mark Reckless: And of course the Minister, and his are lifted on 1 January rather than afterwards. predecessor from Kent, my right hon. Friend the Member for Ashford (Damian Green), who also put forward At the moment, the latest figures, up to June 2013, that case. give 182,000 as the net migration figure, compared with the figure for 2009-10, the year before the election in Although the Government have taken a lot of action which the coalition Government came to power, when it on immigration, much of which is in the detail of what was 214,000. So net migration has been cut by just has been done—I credit both Ministers for their work in under 15%, which is barely one seventh, not more than that area—I am concerned that in several key areas we one third, but I promised my constituents that if they have relaxed what we should have done and perhaps elected me—if they had a Conservative or perhaps at originally intended to do. One such area was the number least a Conservative-led Government—we would deliver of people whom we allow in on inter-company transfers. on our promise to cut immigration from hundreds of When the Prime Minister went to India, he came under thousands to tens of thousands. pressure, from Liberal Democrats and the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, to put in place I was extremely concerned to read an interview apparently this loophole whereby people with incomes of down to given by the Prime Minister to The Daily Telegraph in the £24,000 or £30,000 level are allowed to come in for a which he seems—perhaps I am wrong—to set aside that certain period but then leave, and other people come in target. He seems to accept, or at least suggest, that the and also earn below the proper cap for inter-company immigration target might not be hit, because we are transfers. That has put people in the IT industry in taking in more people from the European Union. If we particular under intense pressure in terms of holding are not going to hit the target, as we promised our down wages in that sector and, I fear, has also increased electors we would, we should change policy to ensure the number of people in the country. that we do hit it, either by getting rid of loopholes for Indian IT workers, post-study work or numerous others Another area is post-study work, which expanded I could mention, or by taking some action on EU under the Labour Government. As far as I can see, immigration. anyone can come here and do any course, and then stay on and work afterwards, or indeed while they are doing I am pleased to say that at least some action is taking the course, with few if any questions asked. I was place. The change on benefits to three months is sensible, delighted when the Home Office said that it would get and I am pleased that it will be introduced before rid of that, but unfortunately it was then watered down 1 January. It shows that Government can work on such under pressure from universities and, as ever, the Liberal things quickly when they want to. It is a shame that the Democrats. I would love to hear from the Minister same has not happened with regard to the Immigration whether they signed up to that policy, and whether it is Bill. We need the amendment tabled by my hon. Friend a Government policy. the Member for Amber Valley. We then said that anyone who comes here and gets a We have talked about estimates. To quote the Minister degree from a university can stay on and work. We are in The House magazine—I hope that this is accurate; subsidising our university sector through our immigration Iamsureitis— 331WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 332WH

[Mark Reckless] illegal. I found that comment extraordinary. It is an amendment to primary legislation. For a Minister to “We consulted the Migration Advisory Committee on that come to the House and say that an amendment to question, and it advised us that making an estimate was not primary legislation is unlawful comes close to contempt practical because of the number of variables, so we have not done of the House, although I do not accuse him of that. It is so.” this House that sets the law, and the Government who The Chair of the Home Affairs Committee mentioned are bound by the law as determined by this Parliament, that point and asked Professor Sir David Metcalf: yet he seems to think that some other law might be “If Ministers had said to you, ‘Sir David, could you please give higher and bind him in a way that the law of this us some estimates about the number of people coming in after Parliament does not. 31 December?’, you would have happily obliged?” The Minister has a reason for thinking that. The He answered: ministerial code says: “Yes, that is the role of the Migration Advisory Committee…if “The Ministerial Code should be read alongside the coalition we were tasked by the Government to make such an estimate, agreement and the background of the overarching duty on Ministers it would be absolutely our job to do that, yes”. to comply with the law including international law and treaty But that estimate did not come. obligations”, I do not know what the numbers will be. I look but in this country, our constitution has always been forward to my trip to Luton on 1 January. Perhaps the dualist in its approach to international law. International Victoria coach station will also be another big point of law binds, and binds Ministers, only to the extent that it entry. We can talk to some of those people and ask is also the law of the land as passed by Parliament. If them whether they will be employed, or whether they the amendment tabled by my hon. Friend the Member purport to be self-employed, as they have had to do in for Amber Valley succeeds, that will be the law that most cases before. That will give us some interesting binds Ministers, not any previous agreement they may answers. have happened to enter into with their counterparts overseas, except to the extent that that is part of our The big difference is that respectable, proper employment domestic law. agencies can now go out and recruit proactively in On that issue, the Thoburn case of the metric martyrs, Romania and Bulgaria. They can go to employers and involving Lord Justice Laws, is often quoted, but in my offer them the service of bringing in people, often view, my hon. Friend’s amendment is consistent with highly skilled people prepared to work hard, sometimes that principle. It suggests that there are some bits of for much lower wages than people here, although we legislation that we have passed that are not to be repealed have a minimum wage in the formal sector. We do not by accident; we must be express and clear that we intend know how large that sum will be; the Government have to do so. However, my hon. Friend’s amendment refers not given us an estimate. to the European Union accession treaties. It would My hon. Friend the Member for Kettering make no sense for him to add “notwithstanding the (Mr Hollobone) made many strong points. I do not European Communities Act 1972”, because those European share his confidence or certainty that the numbers will Union treaties flow from that Act. be very large, but it is certainly possible, and we should If my hon. Friend, as the promoter of that amendment, have had a strategy to deal with that and prevent large says clearly that it is intended to have that effect, and if numbers from coming here. It is good that we now have those Members who vote for it succeed, as I hope, in policemen from Scotland Yard out in particular villages amending the legislation to include it and put it into in Romania to spread the message, but when the Select law, that will be the law. The Minister, like anyone else, Committee went to Bucharest, I did not see any evidence will be bound to apply that law, as will our judges. If of such a strategy. Romanians and Bulgarians come to this country and Indeed, I said to Martin Harris, the excellent ambassador take employment contrary to that law, we will look to there, “What are you doing to reduce the numbers likely the courts to enforce it. We made a promise to our to come after 1 January?” He looked at me as though he constituents to cut immigration from hundreds of had misheard or misunderstood what I had said and thousands to tens of thousands per year. We must keep answered, “That’s not our job.” I said, “How do you that promise. mean? You work for the Government.” He said, “There’s free movement. Under EU law, they’re allowed to come. 3.59 pm It’s not my role to reduce the numbers. I haven’t had any instructions to that effect.” He was managing the process Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): I thank you, and explaining things to both sides, but he did not see it Mr Benton, and your co-Chair, Ms Dorries, for sharing as his role in any way, or think that it was Government today’s proceedings. The debate has been interesting policy, to try to hold down the numbers of people coming. and has generated some important issues that we need to reflect on, and I welcome the opportunity to do so. In There has been more evidence over the last weeks, particular, I welcome the fact that today I have learned and possibly months, that that is the policy, and I hope about, if nothing else, the new year’s eve and new year’s it succeeds. If it does not succeed, and if the Migration day arrangements of my right hon. Friend the Member Watch numbers are coming from Romania and Bulgaria, for Leicester East (Keith Vaz) and the hon. Member for it is difficult to see how we will hit the net migration Rochester and Strood (Mark Reckless). In itself, that target, as I promised my constituents we would. I hope has been illuminating—that was said before you were in that we will hit it, and that we will see action to do so. the Chair, Mr Benton, but they are spending new year’s My hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley tabled day morning at Luton airport to check on the immigration his amendment, and then the Minister came to the status of arriving individuals and their destinations Select Committee and told us that the amendment was accordingly. 333WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 334WH

I also welcome the fact that the hon. Member for the time I was dealing with other matters in Government, Amber Valley (Nigel Mills) brought the debate to the and we have to accept that difficult, challenging and House. We had a similar debate on his new clause in the mistaken decisions were made at that time. Immigration Bill in Committee on 19 November. We completed consideration in Committee on that day, but Mr Hollobone: Will the right hon. Gentleman give the Bill has still not returned to the House—according way? to today’s business statement, its return is not planned even for the first week of January. The hon. Gentleman Mr Hanson: I will, although I am anxious to make has, however, tabled another amendment to the Immigration my points, because I only have 15 minutes. Bill for consideration on Report. Many hon. Members have mentioned the new clause Mr Hollobone: Is that an apology? I have not heard tabled by the hon. Gentleman. The debate on it will be the word “sorry”. an interesting one to have—in essence, it will be the same as today’s. I must say to the hon. Gentleman, the Mr Hanson: The hon. Gentleman should accept that, hon. Member for Rochester and Strood and others who as the Front-Bench spokesman for my party in this have referred to the new clause, however, that that is still Chamber today, what I am saying on behalf of my primary legislation. For the measure to take effect, party is in support of what my right hon. Friend the the Bill would have to complete its passage through the Leader of the Opposition has said, that we made some Commons and another place and, even then, as the mistakes in 2004. Those mistakes had consequences; we Minister said in Committee on 19 November: should have interrogated the numbers further and we “The only way of doing so would be to negotiate a change to should have looked at the possible impact both culturally those treaties. Given that this would require the unanimous and economically over that time. I know that the agreement of all member states, including Bulgaria and Romania, combination of immigration and inadequate labour the Government’s judgment—which I think is the right one—is standards in many cases meant that there was a pressure that there is no prospect of achieving it.” on wages and employment; some of the jobs that came into the country through economic growth were taken Mr Bone: Is it right for the House to interpret therefore by people from outside the United Kingdom. I know that Her Majesty’s official Opposition will not be supporting from my own constituency in north Wales that there are the new clause? pressures even now on the labour market and on cultural issues, because of that immigration. Mr Hanson: That is perfectly correct. The new clause is trying to unpick treaties that are the responsibility of Mr Ellwood: As the right hon. Gentleman is in Government to negotiate. Primary legislation would confessional mode, perhaps I can encourage him to not impact on that. Even the hon. Member for Amber recognise as well that, even once the gates were open, Valley said in Committee a little later that the reason why so many chose to come to the UK was “trying to get this country to breach various treaties it has signed simply the benefits system—people could come here is probably not a very sensible way of pursuing our diplomatic straight away, not even bother to work and gain benefits mission, so I beg to ask leave to withdraw the clause.”––[Official immediately. Does he agree that that was also a mistake Report, Immigration Public Bill Committee, 19 November 2013; back in 2004? c. 401-02.] I say that simply because the issue is important, and Mr Hanson: That was, which is why in March of this we need to address it, but I am not clear that the new year my right hon. Friend the Member for Normanton, clause or having the debate before or after Christmas Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper), on behalf would change the fundamental position. of the official Opposition, suggested the measures that the Prime Minister introduced only yesterday—some Nigel Mills: For clarification, does he accept that I 14 days before 31 December, when transitional controls was saying that trying to do that in a Committee of a for Romania and Bulgaria expire. dozen or so MPs was not the right way forward; it was Lest we think that the problem is now solely an better for the whole House to consider it. Opposition one, let me quote what the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale West (Mr Brady) said in 2005, on Mr Hanson: My contention still stands. Having said 24 November, in the debate on the accession for Bulgaria that, we have had a calm and rational debate, which is and Romania: the best way in which to approach the issue—in a calm “There is broad cross-party agreement on the objective of and measured way. I agree with the approach taken by bringing Bulgaria and Romania into the European Union…The the hon. Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), Conservative party has always been an enthusiastic supporter of at least in the first half of his speech, on some of the enlargement, whether that has involved the 10 states that joined benefits that wider immigration can bring to the United last year, or Bulgaria and Romania, or Turkey and Croatia.” Kingdom. There are no Liberal Democrats present in the Chamber In response to the hon. Member for Kettering today, but in the same debate the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Hollobone)—I say this on the record for the said: House—my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition “I should also like to join in this festival of cross-party consensus, and my right hon. Friends the Members for Blackburn which I trust will be a rare, if valuable occasion.”—[Official (Mr Straw) and for Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough Report, 24 November 2005; Vol. 1641, c. 1716-18.] (Mr Blunkett) have said clearly that mistakes were made in 2004 when transitional requests and controls were Keith Vaz: My right hon. Friend is taking absolutely not put in place. It is a reasonable presumption to say the right approach. Another feature of the previous that now. It is something that I am aware of, although at Government, however, was that Ministers constantly 335WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 336WH

[Keith Vaz] put controls in and extend gangmaster legislation to sectors to which it does not apply at the moment, such went to visit their EU counterparts and engaged in a as catering and tourism. dialogue about what was happening concerning There is action that we can take, but—and this is not enlargement. Does he agree that what we should have intended to provoke a political fight—I genuinely do seen in the run-up to the restrictions being lifted is not think that the approach that some hon. Members British Ministers going to see their Romanian and are taking, of arguing that the transitional controls Bulgarian counterparts to look at the push and pull should be extended beyond 31 December, is the right factors and to work out what could be done to assist? one: we know, as do they, that that is a matter for treaty negotiation. Nor do I think, speaking with genuine Mr Hanson: That would be valuable. We have to have humility, that the approach of withdrawal from the some positive dialogue. Statements have been made in European Union is one that I can support. The European the Chamber today that paint a picture of people from Union provides significant investments to constituencies Bulgaria and Romania in one particular category—not such as mine. It also provides significant employment all individuals are in the categories referred to today by and a proper standard of working conditions across the some hon. Members. We need to look at what measures board. we can put in place before 31 December, including those Furthermore, although this might not be a common the Opposition have suggested in response to the issue. thought at the moment, just under 100 years ago my Members have mentioned a number of issues. There grandfather was fighting Germans, Romanians and is potentially downward pressure on wages, because of Bulgarians in the trenches and Turks in the middle east. people being undercut. There are recruitment agencies But now, we have not had a world war for a generation recruiting solely from eastern Europe, which was mentioned and there is a stability that would surprise my grandfather again by the hon. Members for Rochester and Strood if he were alive today. People from Germany, Romania, and for Christchurch (Mr Chope). There are pressures Bulgaria and Britain now sit in the same chamber to on certain economic markets run by gangmasters with discuss issues of common economic and social interest minimum wage, as mentioned by the hon. Member for whereas in his generation Europe was at war. That view Bury St Edmunds (Mr Ruffley); people are coming to of the European Union and the potential of a strong this country because they believe that a £4 or £5 an hour future Europe might not be a common one, but it is one wage packet is better than a £2 an hour equivalent wage that I hold passionately. packet in their home country. Whatever happens on 31 December and whatever numbers of individuals come Mark Reckless: I am sorry to hear that the right hon. to the United Kingdom, I therefore want to see a real Gentleman’s grandfather was fighting the Romanians focus by the Government on enforcement of the minimum during the first world war, because I understand that wage as a starting point. We need to put some effort in, Romania was on the allied side in that conflict. not only through Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, but by looking at the possibility of giving local authorities the power to enforce the minimum wage, so that we can Mr Hanson: My grandfather was fighting Germans have greater enforcement, potentially stopping the and Bulgarians, but let us put that aside. He was in the undercutting of wages that the hon. Gentleman and trenches at Neuve Chappelle in 1915 and at the Somme others have referred to. in 1916, and in Sinai in 1917. He was fighting people who now sit in the same Parliament here and elsewhere We need to look at enforcement of the Equality Act in Europe. That is good for the stability of Europe. 2010. The hon. Member for Christchurch mentioned Perhaps I made a slip, but the point I am making is that recruitment from eastern Europe. It is illegal to recruit the stability we have gained, through a wider economic individuals based on their race or nationality under that union and through shared social conditions, is a good Act, but it is not widely enforced. I have discussed that thing. Hon. Members have stated we should withdraw, with the Minister and he has agreed to look at it and but in my view that would be a bad thing. refer it to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. We need to look at how we can put labour market Mr Harper: I have done so. conditions in place after 1 January to strengthen our position. I would also, if I may, stretch out a hand of friendship to the hon. Member for Bournemouth East, Mr Hanson: I am glad the Minister has done that, who made a strong case for looking at other areas of because I recently gave chapter and verse in the Immigration immigration, including student immigration, tourism Bill Committee on a number of recruitment agencies and business investment. There may not actually be that that are recruiting to fill positions in the United Kingdom many people coming from Bulgaria and Romania in solely with people from abroad. January at all—whether to claim benefits or to work—but We need to take greater action on the enforcement of the danger is that today’s debate could send a signal that housing regulations. Only yesterday, I was pleased to Britain is closed for business, when there is a positive see the Prime Minister—again, I give credit when it is case to be made for some aspects of immigration and due—visiting a raid on a beds-in-sheds encampment in for managed migration. However, we need to have Southall. One aspect of immigration that greatly upsets controlled migration, to remove people who are here my constituents in north Wales is when individuals illegally and to ensure that we have strong borders. We share properties in squalid conditions and so are able to also need to ensure that we deport foreign criminals, as undercut wages locally, because the low standard of the hon. Member for Kettering said; I have to tell him their accommodation means they do not have the outgoings that since my time as Prisons Minister, the rate of that other people have. We also wish to look at extending removal of foreign national offenders has fallen by legislation on gangmasters. It is perfectly reasonable to 13.5%. 337WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 338WH

There are things that we can and should do, but we Mr Bone: Go on! should approach the matter in a calm and measured way on 1 January. I also look forward to a calm and Mr Harper: Tempting though I find the invitation measured debate on the remaining stages of the from my hon. Friend to say more, I will just observe Immigration Bill. this: we were not, as we have discovered, blessed by the presence of any Liberal Democrats in this debate, but I 4.15 pm note that there were only two Labour Back Benchers The Minister for Immigration (Mr Mark Harper): It is here—sadly, neither is here now. Interestingly, both a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, support a referendum on our membership of the EU, Mr Benton. I agree with the right hon. Member for and both attended the House on a Friday to support the Delyn (Mr Hanson) that the blend of you and Ms Dorries excellent European Union (Referendum) Bill promoted could not have been bettered. I congratulate my hon. by my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton South Friends the Members for Amber Valley (Nigel Mills), (James Wharton). The right hon. Member for Delyn is for Wellingborough (Mr Bone), for Kettering a little isolated: the only Labour Members who were (Mr Hollobone), and for Bury St Edmunds (Mr Ruffley), here today, aside from him, are in favour of a referendum who collectively made a bid to the Backbench Business on our EU membership, want us to renegotiate that Committee for the debate. membership, and were willing to vote for that excellent Bill. Perhaps he should reflect on that and think about I will not spend a great deal of time being partisan—that whether it might be more sensible for the Labour party is not my natural way—but I want to make a couple of to change its official position to support the Prime points. Part of the reason for the concern that our Minister when he leads that renegotiation after we win constituents have—a number of hon. Members touched the general election with a Conservative majority on this—is the record of the previous Government, and Government, and then support us when we put that the fact that they did not put transitional controls in new position to the people. place for the previous accession of new EU member states. Of course, the important thing was not just that I will say a few words on our record. We have reduced we did not have them, but that we were the only significant net migration. I will act as referee between my hon. country that did not have them. That was the reason for Friends the Members for Bournemouth East, and for the very significant influx then, and that is a different Rochester and Strood (Mark Reckless): net migration is position from the one that we face now. down by nearly a third since its peak. My hon. Friend My hon. Friend the Member for Kettering tried to the Member for Rochester and Strood was right about get the right hon. Member for Delyn to say sorry, but it the latest figures, but what my hon. Friend the Member is, of course, the hardest word, and he could not quite for Bournemouth East said was correct before those bring himself to say it. Interestingly, the Opposition came out. The reduction is now nearly a third, rather have never said that they accept that they made any than over a third. Non-European economic area migration mistake on non-EU immigration. As my hon. Friend is at its lowest level for 14 years, and is back to the level the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) said, that it was at when we were last in power by ourselves. that was twice as large—twice as many people came That is significant progress. from outside the EU—and it was completely controllable, as there were no issues about free movement. The Labour Mark Reckless: I was talking about the last year Government also messed that up, but not only have we under the previous Government, rather than the peak. heard no apology for that, we have not even heard an Is the Minister concerned by the increase in visa acknowledgement that it was a mistake. Perhaps in due applications? They had gone down to 500,000 a quarter course that statement will arrive; we wait with bated in the first half of the year, but are now up to about breath. 530,00 for the third quarter. The other thing that we have been criticised for is not taking action previously. The shadow Home Secretary, Mr Harper: It depends on the sort of visa applications. the right hon. Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Some people coming to Britain do not count as immigrants, Castleford (Yvette Cooper), has criticised us for not because they are not here for a long enough period of having made changes to the benefits system. It slipped time. I will have to check the information, but my my mind during our debate on this topic last week, but understanding is that our visa numbers suggest that the she was the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in downward trend on non-EU migration will continue, the previous Administration. I am sure that the right based on our reforms. It is right to say—this goes to the hon. Member for Delyn will leap up and correct me if I heart of the debate—that the reason for the increase in am wrong, but I do not recall either of them acknowledging the last set of figures was an increase in migration from at any point, while he was at the Home Office or she was the European Union, but not from eastern Europe. the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, that there Interestingly, it was from the more traditional countries—the was a problem with benefits for immigrants; nor, frankly, western European countries, with which there is not a do I recall them doing anything about it. We are being massive disparity in GDP, although our economy has criticised by the Opposition for not having taken any been rather more successful than theirs in creating jobs. steps when our Immigration Bill is before the House My hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley made and we have laid out steps in secondary legislation to a key point about employment. We might disagree deal with people’s concerns; that is a little bit on the rich about the solution, but his concern is well placed. My side, but we will not be spending too much time on that. hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East made I am sure that you will be pleased to hear, Mr Benton, this point strongly, too. Between 2003 and 2008, when that I will not spend too much time on the bigger issue the economy was growing under the previous Government, of our membership of the European Union. more than 90% of employment growth was accounted 339WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 340WH

[Mr Harper] Turning to the specific points made by my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley, and to his new for by foreign nationals. Yes, the economy was growing clause to the Immigration Bill, it is worth remembering—I under the Opposition, but the benefit was largely going agree with the right hon. Member for Delyn on this to people who were not UK citizens—not the people for point—that for that Bill to take effect, it has to go whom we all work. We have made a difference. Since the through our House and the other place. Whether we Government came to power, our immigration and welfare had debated the new clause this side of Christmas or reforms have made it more worth while for British the other side of Christmas, it would have made no citizens to be in work. difference, because the measure cannot become law Our skills agenda, more rigorous education and more until the Bill progresses through Parliament, and that is apprenticeships are helping to make a difference. Since not likely to happen until towards the end of this the second quarter of 2010, there has been a 1.1 million Session. As the Leader of the House has said, the net increase in employment, and more than three quarters legislative agenda is quite packed. Only yesterday, five of that rise in employment has been accounted for by or six Acts of Parliament got Royal Assent, and—this is UK nationals, so the employment growth that we have rather above my pay grade, so I have to be very careful, seen since we came to power has largely benefited UK because the usual channels are in the room—the business citizens, which is a significant turnaround. It is exactly will be scheduled in due course, but it will not make a what we wanted to achieve, and it is being achieved not difference to when the measure becomes law. only by the Home Office, but by our policies on I fear that the right hon. Member for Delyn is right: immigration, on welfare, and on apprenticeships, training the previous Government signed the accession treaties and education, which are all aligned and delivering the and we supported them. Of course I am not pretending same outcome. That is significant, and it means that that we did not support them. The treaty came into hundreds of thousands of families in Britain today have effect in 2007, and the seven-year transitional controls somebody in employment; they would not have had expire at the end of the year. It is worth being careful somebody in employment if the policies followed by the about language. We are not lifting them; they expire. Opposition had continued. That is welcome, and it is They cease to have any legal effect, because of the terms something of which we can be proud. of the accession treaties. I am not doing anything to lift We are still committed to bringing down net migration. them; they simply become legally ineffective at the end My hon. Friend the Member for Rochester and Strood of the year, because of the provisions. referred to the Prime Minister’s remarks. Just to be clear, he was drawing attention to the difficulty of the Mr Bone: Will the Minister give way on that point? task, particularly given the problems in some of our western and southern European neighbours’ economies. Mr Harper: If my hon. Friend will forgive me, I am In the interview, he reasserted the importance of delivering trying to cover the points made in the debate. I have on our policy; he was simply drawing attention to the listened to the debate, and I only have three and a half fact that it is a little more difficult than we had first minutes to try to cover the other points that people have thought, because of the difficulty in the European raised. economies, but we are absolutely still committed to the policy. Unlike the previous Government, who chose not to apply controls, we have extended them to the maximum It is worth putting the numbers in context. It is still length possible, so I feel that the strategy of my hon. the case with our reforms that, even having driven down Friend the Member for Amber Valley is not going to migration from outside the European Union, 48% of work. Although it is perfectly reasonable for colleagues immigration to Britain is from outside the EU, compared to have concerns, I hope that they will have seen—of to 36% from the EU; the remainder are British citizens course, I knew these things were in the pipeline when we who have been overseas for more than a year and are debated them in Committee, which, obviously, my hon. returning to the United Kingdom. We should remember Friend did not—the order that I signed a couple of that many British citizens go to other European countries. weeks ago, which puts in place tough rules about limiting According to the 2010 figures, there were 2.2 million jobseeker’s allowance to six months. It puts in place the EU nationals in the UK and 1.4 million Brits in EU controls that I talked about in response to points made countries. Interestingly, only five European Union countries by my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering and the have more than 100,000 citizens in the United Kingdom, hon. Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey). and it is not the ones people might think: France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Poland. In the case of We will be able to remove, and stop returning to Ireland, there are historical reasons not connected to Britain, people who are here not exercising their treaty the EU. Poland is the only non-traditional country that rights—who are here begging, rough sleeping and engaged has a significant number, which is 500,000. in criminality. If Members look at some of those tough If we balance the figures with the countries in which changes, they will see that they address things that our our citizens live, there are only two European Union constituents are concerned about, so I urge Members countries where the net number of EU citizens in the who have signed the new clause tabled by my hon. United Kingdom is more than 100,000. There are 145,000 Friend the Member for Amber Valley, and those who more Germans living in Britain than vice versa, and have not done so, to look at the changes that we have Poland has a significant number—519,000 more. Of brought forward. I think that they will see that they course, Spain is the opposite way round: there are address many of their concerns. 750,000 more Brits living in Spain. It is worth putting My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the that in context, so that we can have the rational, sensible Home Secretary have laid out their thinking about the debate that the right hon. Member for Delyn talked discussions we need to have on the new accession countries about. and free movement generally. We can have that negotiation 341WH Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania)19 DECEMBER 2013 Immigration (Bulgaria and Romania) 342WH only when there is a new Government. We are constrained but they can stay only if they are exercising treaty by the coalition with our Liberal Democrat colleagues. rights. We have given ourselves the power to remove The renegotiation strategy is not the current Government’s people if they are here not exercising treaty rights—not policy, but it is the Conservative party’s policy, which working, studying or being self-sufficient—and we can we will put before the people at the election. stop them coming back to the UK to cause damage. The final point is that we should remember that the We want people who come here to work, contribute transitional controls are about employment. A significant and pay taxes. The legislative changes that we will make number of people—102,000 Romanians and 53,000 with the Immigration Bill, and that we have made in Bulgarians—are already here, according to the Office secondary legislation, address the concerns. I urge hon. for National Statistics. They are working, or are self- Members to study the changes. If they do so, they will employed, self-sufficient or studying. They are already be reassured that the Government are taking the tough in Britain. As one or two hon. Members suggested, action that our constituents want. We have a good story some people already here might not entirely be doing to tell our constituents. what they purport to be doing. They might be working. Question put and agreed to. We might find that they regularise their status in the new year. The point is that the controls are about whether people can work, not whether they can come to 4.30 pm Britain. People can come to Britain for three months, Sitting adjourned.

121WS Written Statements19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 122WS

mix of the very best suppliers—a hybrid economy of Written Statements diverse partners. But the key to ensuring taxpayer value and high-quality services is in improved supplier Thursday 19 December 2013 management. On 11 July, the Justice Secretary made a statement to the House about significant anomalies in the billing BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS practices under the Ministry of Justice’s electronic monitoring contracts with Serco and G4S. Since then Zero-hours Contracts the Government’s response have been rigorous. The Justice Secretary has led extensive work within the Ministry of Justice. At the same time I initiated a The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and cross-Government review with PricewaterhouseCoopers Skills (Vince Cable): Today I am publishing a Government (PwC), Moore Stephens and a highly experienced oversight consultation on zero-hours contracts. The Government group. This reviewed 28 of the largest contracts held by are part way through an ambitious programme of Serco and G4S worth £5.9 billion in total. employment law reform designed to make the UK labour market flexible and fair. As a part of this work, Today we publish those two reports. They provide the Government are seeking views on a range of options clear evidence that contract management in Government for ensuring zero-hours contracts are both flexible and requires improvement. There were examples of good fair. practice and skilled work by officials across Whitehall. Zero-hours contracts have a role in a flexible labour But in the majority of contracts reviewed across market. They can help businesses respond to changes in Government there are weaknesses in the way contracts demand, and support individuals who want the freedom are managed, some of which are significant. and flexibility to fit their work around their other The cross-Government review found no evidence of commitments. They can also offer a pathway to further deliberate acts or omissions by either firm leading to employment for young people. The Government wish errors or irregularities in the charging and billing to maximise these opportunities while minimising and arrangements on the 28 contracts investigated. preventing any abuse or exploitation of individuals on The review found that there were deficiencies in key zero-hours contracts. controls being applied to the invoice and payment processes This consultation builds upon an information-gathering and there is therefore a risk that over-charging may have exercise the Government undertook this summer. This occurred. The review’s assessment of the deficiencies found a number of benefits associated with zero-hours has determined that, in all but three cases, the impact is contracts but also identified issues around exclusivity considered unlikely to be material (where ongoing work clauses, where individuals on zero-hours contracts are will establish with more confidence the significance and being prevented from working for another employer; a impact of the risks identified). Nevertheless, the issues lack of clarity in the information and transparency in found across Government are sufficiently important contracts provided to individuals; and issues over levels that senior management attention is recommended. The of uncertainty individuals on zero-hours contracts reported failings could, if left unchecked, lead to future erroneous they experienced. charging for services delivered or opportunities missed The consultation seeks views on a range of options to intervene at the right point in order to make necessary the Government have to address in order to take action. corrections. It runs until 13 March 2014. These weaknesses fall into seven themes and the Copies of the consultation will be placed in the report makes eight specific recommendations to address Libraries of both Houses. them. Work is already under way to address problems with commercial capability and contract management as part of the civil service reform programme. Indeed CABINET OFFICE for the past three years, the Government have been frank about our challenges in these areas. Public Bodies 2013 The new recommendations from this review build on our ongoing work through the efficiency and reform group, including to establish a Crown commercial service The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster and professionalise procurement under the leadership General (Mr Francis Maude): The Cabinet Office is of the newly-created chief procurement officer in the today publishing the “Public Bodies 2013” data directory Cabinet Office. The review underscores the urgent need on gov.uk. This provides a single source of top-level to address these long-standing weaknesses and we will data including on all UK Government-sponsored non- redouble our efforts to do so. I accept the report and its departmental public bodies (NDPBs), now published recommendations in full and I have placed a copy of the wholly online in an improved data format. report in the Library of the House. Today marks the conclusion of the reviews that the Cross-Government Contract Management Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Justice have been conducting into Serco contracts. No further evidence of The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster impropriety has been found beyond those on the electronic General (Mr Francis Maude): Outside providers deliver monitoring and prisoner escorting contracts. high-quality public services every day. Public services Over the past few months Serco has engaged are too important to too many people to be allowed to constructively with Government, setting out a corporate be the monopoly of the public sector. We need a vibrant renewal plan that is now well advanced. We expect to 123WS Written Statements19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 124WS provide a final opinion on the adequacy of the plan in Skills and diversity in insurance January, following advice from the oversight group and The Government’s aim is to see an insurance work independent advisers, who will also continue to monitor force in the UK representative of the customers it serves implementation. As set out by my right hon. Friend the and well equipped to meet their needs. To this end, the Secretary of State for Justice, we have agreed a settlement Government welcome industry’s proposals to: establish with Serco to recompense the taxpayer £68.5 million a gateway project to help people find apprenticeships excluding VAT for the overcharging found in an audit and graduate training places within insurance; double of Ministry of Justice contracts. the number of technical apprentices over the next five This is a positive step forward for both parties and years; and strengthen the pipeline of senior female one that Government welcome. executives in the insurance industry. Alongside the discussions with Serco, we have continued Copies of the UK insurance growth action plan will to engage G4S, and anticipate a further update in due be available on the gov.uk website and have been deposited course. in the Libraries of both Houses.

TREASURY DEFENCE

Insurance Growth Action Plan Future Reserves 2020

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Sajid Javid): The insurance industry is a vital asset for the UK. It The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): employs over 300,000 people across the country, attracts I have today placed in the Library of the House a paper global capital, serves the needs of consumers, and is a setting out the planned growth of the trained strength major British exporter. This Government are therefore of the reserve forces, together with the enlistment targets committed to making the UK one of the most competitive for the next five years that will support that growth. places in the world for insurance. The Government are today launching a UK insurance growth action plan, which sets out five areas where ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE action will be taken by Government and industry, working with other partners, to strengthen the sector’s contribution Contingencies Fund Advance to economic growth and work together to enhance the UK’s position as a global leader in a truly global industry. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and The UK industry in overseas markets Climate Change (Michael Fallon): The Department of Energy and Climate Change requires a cash advance of The Government will develop a co-ordinated, targeted £1,500,000 from the Contingencies Fund in 2013-14 to approach to promotional and other activity, focusing fund the costs of assuming the concessionary fuel on five key markets—Brazil, China, India, Indonesia allowances of former miners who lost their entitlement and Turkey—including establishing a programme of as a result of the restructuring of UK Coal in July 2013. senior Government and private sector visits, as well as prioritising financial services and insurance within upcoming On 15 November, the Chancellor of the Exchequer free trade negotiations. announced that the Government would guarantee the concessionary fuel allowance and, where appropriate, The UK as a location for insurers the alternative cash in lieu entitlements of the 1,500 former The Government will develop a programme to target miners who lost their entitlement as a result of the overseas insurers to move their domicile to the UK, restructuring of UK Coal with all entitlements to be including developing a marketing campaign setting out backdated to July 2013 subject to any change in personal the business case for locating in the UK, and the regulatory circumstances. authorities have committed to streamlining authorisations The Department intends to rely on the Supply and processes for prospective insurance applicants. Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act for Insurers as long-term investors in the UK this spend. The advance is urgent to avoid hardship and Building on the successful outcome the Government potential ill-health effects in the winter months. Accordingly, negotiated on the solvency II directive, the following parliamentary approval for additional resources of insurers—Aviva, Friends Life, Legal and General, £1,500,000 for this new service will be sought in a Prudential, Scottish Widows, and Standard Life will supplementary estimate for the Department of Energy work alongside partners with the aim of delivering at and Climate Change. Pending that approval, urgent least £25 billion of investment in UK infrastructure in expenditure estimated at £1,500,000 will be met by the next five years. repayable cash advances from the Contingencies Fund. Serving UK insurance customers The Government want to see an insurance sector that Electricity Market Reform helps customers manage risk, puts its customers first—by harnessing the power of new technology and creating products that meet their needs—and has their trust and The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change confidence. The Government ask that the industry commits (Mr Edward Davey): I wish to inform the House that to ensuring consumers are able to access the insurance today the Government are publishing the electricity products they need with information that enables them market reform (EMR) delivery plan. As laid out in my to make informed choices. 18 July statement, Official Report, column 112WS, it 125WS Written Statements19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 126WS was our intention to publish the final EMR delivery development schemes, of which over £3 billion will be plan before the end of the year, subject to Royal Assent spent on improving the environment. of the Energy Bill. The decisions I am announcing are: EMR is a central component of the Energy Act 2013 12% will be transferred from farmers’ pillar 1 direct payments which received Royal Assent yesterday, and will address to pillar 2 rural development. This money will improve the the need to attract unprecedented levels of investment environment, grow the rural economy and create jobs. in the UK electricity sector over the coming decades as A review will be held in 2016 into the demand for agri- we replace our ageing energy infrastructure with a environment schemes and the competitiveness of English diverse mix of low-carbon generation, and meet the agriculture. This is with the intention of moving to a 15% transfer rate from pillar 1 direct payments to support the final two expected increases in electricity demand as sectors such years of the pillar 2 rural development programme. as transport and heat are electrified. 5% of the new rural development programme funding will Following the consultation on the draft delivery be allocated to the local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) plan for EMR in July 2013, and the Government’s through the growth programme. In total 13% of rural announcement of contract for difference (CfDs) strike development funds will be spent on growth-focused schemes, prices for renewable technologies on 4 December 2013, including LEADER and farming competitiveness. I will the delivery plan sets out further detail on the supporting ensure that there is a meaningful role for LEPs to help methodology and analysis which underpin the final deliver growth through all of these elements of the programme. CfD strike prices. The new CAP greening requirements will be implemented through the basic measures set out in the EU regulation. We It also confirms Government policy on the capacity will work with interested groups on how we apply the market reliability standard of three hours loss of load ecological focus area options to deliver real benefits for expectation (LOLE). Government are introducing a pollinators without adding complexity. capacity market to drive investment and have today We will help upland farmers by equalising the upland and confirmed the level of system security that will be lowland direct payment rates. We will take a decision about required under mechanism. the moorland rate in spring 2014. This will allow us to carry The delivery plan also confirms the Government’s out further modelling of the impact on upland farms. intention to introduce competition immediately for more We will keep the implementation of direct payments as simple as possible by applying the minimum reduction on established technologies. basic payments over ¤150,000 and keeping rules on the new Alongside the final delivery plan, I have published active farmer test to a minimum. the summary of responses and the Government’s full Having considered carefully the wide range of views response to the consultation on the draft delivery plan. expressed through the consultation, I believe that this I have also published the latest report from the system package delivers better value for taxpayers, is fair to operator—National Grid—which lays out the underpinning English farmers and supports this Government’s analysis conducted to support the decisions contained commitment to improve our natural environment. in the delivery plan, and a report on that analysis from Environmental schemes will get a higher proportion of the independent panel of technical experts. the rural development budget than now. Accompanying the delivery plan is a revised draft In addition to making ecological focus areas deliver version of the CfD with improvements made to contract benefits for pollinators, my Department will work closely terms since the summer to support developers to bring with farming and environmental organisations on how forward investment at lower costs to consumers. Together the Campaign for the Farmed Environment will deliver with strike prices, this package will make the UK one of targets at local level for protecting watercourses, providing the most attractive for clean energy developers. habitat for farmland birds, wildlife and pollinators. We will review the success of this at the end of 2015. The Government have today sent out draft investment contracts for consideration to the 16 renewable electricity Rural business schemes have already successfully projects which met the minimum threshold evaluation transformed the prospects of thousands of businesses criteria of the final investment decision (FID) enabling and farms, created 8,500 rural jobs across the country, for renewables process. safeguarding another 9,700. We want to build on this track record of success. I will deposit copies of the delivery plan in the Libraries Within a smaller overall CAP budget these decisions of both Houses, and associated documents are available will help to grow the rural economy and improve the at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity environment. -market-reform-delivery-plan. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Geneva II Negotiations on Syria (Women’s Participation) Common Agricultural Policy in England The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague): On 11 November I informed The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural the House that the Government were determined to Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): Today I am publishing the ensure that the Geneva peace talks include a direct role Government’s response to the recent public consultation for women’s groups in accordance with UN Security on the implementation of the common agricultural Council resolutions 1325, 2016 and 2122 on women, policy (CAP) in England. This will determine how we peace and security. I said we believe it is vital that distribute £15 billion of funds over the next CAP period. women participate fully in decisions about the future of It will see us investing at least £3.5 billion in rural Syria, as they have an indispensable role to play in 127WS Written Statements19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 128WS rebuilding and reconciling Syrian society. I announced The International Development Association (IDA) is that we would work with UN/Arab League Special the part of the World Bank which delivers development Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, his team, international non- assistance to the world’s poorest countries. The IDA governmental organisations and other countries to make negotiations that took place in Moscow this week reached this a reality. And I said that we would work with the agreement on the 17th replenishment of IDA that will UN and its agencies to ensure that we give the women’s cover the period July 2014 to June 2017. groups the support they need to participate effectively— Following successful engagement from the UK and [Official Report, 11 November 2013; Vol. 570, c. 643]. others, the IDA has agreed to: I would like to update the House on the steps we have Greater emphasis on improving value for money, including taken to support this commitment. better tracking of cost-effectiveness. IDA will also improve I have written to Mr Brahimi who has responsibility its monitoring of private sector finance it attracts; for deciding the format of the talks. I have also written Increased focus on fragile states and conflict countries, providing to Foreign Ministers of members of the UN Security investment linked to programmes’ results and performance; Council and the core group of the Friends of Syria, to A stronger focus on improving lives and prospects of girls and women and better tracking of the impact of relevant like-minded EU Foreign Ministers and to EU High initiatives; and Representative Cathy Ashton. I have asked them all to New guarantee instruments to enable IDA to raise more work with the United Kingdom in three areas: finance from the private sector. First, both sides should be encouraged to appoint These reforms build on good progress made over the women to their delegations. The United Kingdom is past three years. IDA was one of the strongest performers focusing its efforts on working with President Al-Jarba in the Department for International Development’s recent and the Syrian National Coalition. We are working review of all its multilateral funding. The refreshed with them to ensure strong female representation in the multilateral aid review, published earlier this month, opposition delegation and to develop their capacity on rated IDA as very good value for money. gender issues. IDA17 funding will have a substantial impact on the Secondly, the UN should ensure that gender advisers lives of millions of poor people. Thanks to this investment and expertise are made available to all parties at Geneva, 200 million children will receive life-saving vaccines, in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1 million women will be offered loans to help start 2122. We have also called for the appointment of an businesses and up to 20 million people will get access to empowered, senior-level, full-time gender expert to electricity for the first time. IDA17 will also provide Mr Brahimi’s team. health services for 65 million people and access to clean Thirdly, we have called upon the UN to facilitate a water for 32 million people. clear role for women’s groups and civil society in the This week’s negotiations secured a total of over £34 billion Geneva II process itself. We have provided Mr Brahimi in total resources for IDA17. In light of strong results with a proposed format for a civil society consultative and the reforms made since the last IDA replenishment body at Geneva, comprised of women’s groups and civil as well as a commitment to further reforms, the UK has society organisations and appointed through a mechanism agreed to contribute an average of £938 million per year determined by the UN. We would expect women to for the next three years to this total. Britain will also make up 50% of the membership and leadership. The provide concessional loans, to be paid back to the UK, consultative body would have regular access to the UN worth £500 million over the three-year period. mediation team and the official delegations, could take part in specific negotiations if requested, and would support Geneva II by providing advice, position papers JUSTICE and recommendations. Its representatives would speak at the opening ceremony of the talks, along with UN Contracts Update Women. It should be seen as an independent, non-aligned voice, which plays particular attention to the interests The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice and views of women and under-represented groups. (Chris Grayling): On 11 July, Official Report, column 573, Under our proposals, the consultative body would be I made a statement to the House about significant based in Geneva, operating in the same venue as the anomalies that my Department had identified in the official talks, and would be part of the institutional billing practices under MOJ’s electronic monitoring structure for Geneva II. contracts with G4S and Serco. An initial audit of the The UK stands ready to provide technical and financial contracts had found that the MOJ had been charged by assistance to support this direct role for women at the the two companies in ways not justified by the contracts Geneva conference and during the transitional process. and for people who were not in fact being monitored. Their conduct under these contracts is now subject to a criminal investigation by the Serious Fraud Office. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT G4S and Serco withdrew from the ongoing competition for the next generation of electronic monitoring contracts. International Development Association of the World The new contracts will deliver state-of-the-art GPS Bank tracking technology, better value for money and robust contract management arrangements. From the outset I made clear that I intended to take The Secretary of State for International Development robust action to deal with evidence of unacceptable (Justine Greening): The UK has secured important reforms conduct by suppliers under my Department’s contracts, to the way the World Bank delivers aid at international and to recover any monies overpaid as a result of these negotiations that were completed on Tuesday. practices. 129WS Written Statements19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 130WS

I requested an audit of every contract my Department However, the Government have left open the possibility holds with G4S and Serco. I also asked for an independent of either supplier, as part of their corporate renewal, review into the health and robustness of all aspects of playing a supporting role, working with smaller businesses contract management across the MOJ. Today marks the or voluntary sector providers in order to support our conclusion of these reviews. This statement deals with objective of achieving a diverse market. Any proposals matters relating to my Department’s contracts. The will be considered as part of a rigorous evaluation Minister for the Cabinet Office will be making a separate process, and will take account of the Government’s statement on the cross-Government review of contracts wider assessment of the companies’ progress in achieving held by the two companies and on their progress in corporate renewal. achieving corporate renewal. MOJ contract management review Serco While it is evident that both suppliers’ conduct under Sercoagreedtoaforensicauditof theelectronicmonitoring these contracts has been wholly unacceptable, I made contract, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, including clear in my statement in July that my Department had examination of email traffic relating to the contract. On been found wanting in its management of the electronic the basis of this analysis Serco has now agreed to repay monitoring contracts. Officials took immediate steps to £68.5 million excluding VAT. This figure reimburses the address the emerging issues. A new contract management Government for money owed on the electronic monitoring team was put in place to manage the electronic monitoring contract and for other costs incurred, including the cost contracts and members of MOJ staff were placed of investigating these matters. It also includes £4.2 million permanently at each contractor’s site to monitor which will be set against future costs incurred as we performance on the ground. The PECS contract was transition to new electronic monitoring arrangements. I immediately placed under close supervision. am satisfied on the basis of PricewaterhouseCoopers’s I also asked Tim Breedon, the MOJ’s lead non-executive forensic audit, and having taken appropriate advice, that director, to conduct an independent review of all aspects this represents a good deal for the taxpayer. As with all of contract management across the Department. This full and final settlements, in the event of criminality review was informed by a detailed assessment by being established with material impact, we would look PricewaterhouseCoopers of the 15 largest and highest again at our contractual position. risk contracts from across the MOJ. Each was assessed against the NAO framework of best practice in contract On 28 August I announced that Serco’s contract for management. escorting prisoners to courts (the PECS contract) had The review found evidence of good practice but also been referred to the City of London police. This followed significant and long-standing weaknesses in the MOJ’s the discovery that members of Serco staff had been management of contracts. The report makes proposals recording prisoners as having been delivered ready for for action to achieve best practice across seven distinct court when in fact they were not. Serco agreed at that areas. These proposals are consistent with those emerging point to repay past profits and forgo future profits from the cross-Government review. I am very grateful earned on the PECS contract, and the company has to Tim Breedon for overseeing this comprehensive review. now confirmed that it will repay past profits amounting I have commissioned a programme to implement the to £2 million excluding VAT. The contract remains report’s findings in full across the MOJ and will have subject to MOJ supervision and is being robustly managed. processes in place to do this by the end of March 2014. The PricewaterhouseCoopers audit did not find any A copy of the report is being placed in the Libraries of further evidence of material issues on Serco contracts both Houses. beyond electronic monitoring and PECS. G4S PRIME MINISTER MOJ’s audit of G4S contracts has uncovered problems with two further contracts held by G4S for facilities management in the courts. Specifically, the audit revealed National Security Strategy/Strategic Defence and serious issues relating to invoicing, delivery and performance Security Review reporting against both contracts. While at this stage my Department does not have evidence to confirm that The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): On behalf dishonesty has taken place, we have today, following of the Deputy Prime Minister and other members of legal advice, referred both matters to the Serious Fraud the National Security Council (NSC), I am pleased to Office in order to establish whether this is the case. present the third annual report of progress in implementing The PricewaterhouseCoopers audit did not find any the 2010 National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence further evidence of material issues on any other MOJ and Security Review. Copies are today being placed in contracts held by G4S. the Library of the House. Unlike Serco, G4S has not yet agreed a position on Over the last year the Government have continued to repayment. However, discussions are ongoing and I focus their efforts to build the United Kingdom’s prosperity, remain determined to pursue all legal options to recover extend our influence in the world and further strengthen the taxpayers’ money. our security as set out in 2010. It remains clear that our national security depends on our economic security and Rehabilitation Reforms vice versa. In creating the National Security Council, In the light of these developments, both G4S and the Government have established an effective way to Serco have decided to withdraw from the MOJ competition ensure prompt, coherent, co-ordinated and well-informed for rehabilitation services. This means that neither company decision-making on defence and security in the round, will play a role as a lead provider of probation services directing the Government’s long-term strategy and in England and Wales in this competition. responding to the issues of the day. 131WS Written Statements19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 132WS

The global economic slowdown and the parlous state The National Security Council has set a clear strategic of Government finances in 2010 had a serious economic direction on Afghanistan. Although challenges remain, impact. Over the last 12 months, the Government have the Afghan National Security Forces continue to grow continued to focus effort overseas to increase exports in capability, confidence, and capacity; and we will and encourage inward investment in the UK, helping continue to support them. UK forces will cease combat UK business to ensure success in the global race for operations, and security transition remains on track to economic success. To support the UK in this race we are be achieved, by the end of 2014. We continue to work deploying more diplomats to the fastest growing parts closely with the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan, of the world, upgrading existing posts and opening new and other international partners, in an effort to help ones. We are also striking new relationships beyond our find a long-term political settlement to the conflict. The traditional alliances—Britain’s influence in the world is UK will maintain current development assistance of expanding, not shrinking. The UK’s economy is growing, £178 million per annum until 2017 to help Afghans new jobs are being created and we continue to cut the tackle extreme poverty, create jobs and achieve sustainable deficit. We used our 2013 G8 presidency to make economic growth. commitments to boost jobs and growth by: advancing In the middle east and Africa, we have played a trade; ensuring everyone pays their fair share of taxes; leading role in the efforts to seek a negotiated settlement and promoting greater transparency. For the first time, over Iran’s nuclear programme; to end the conflict in G8 leaders agreed unequivocally to reject ransom payments Syria; to restore order in Mali and to support Libya’s to terrorists. A statement on the outcomes of the 2013 democratic transition. In Syria, the UK has been at the G8 presidency is being laid before Parliament today. forefront of alleviating the crisis, committing £500 million In defence, a balanced budget means that MOD can in aid. In May 2013, the second London Somalia conference now afford its future equipment programme, investing galvanised international support behind the Somali in the critical capabilities we need for today and in the Government’s plans for security, political process, public future, including in areas such as cyber. Tough negotiations financial management and justice. with industry led to a renegotiation of the last Government’s Instability and conflict continue to threaten our national flawed contract for the aircraft carriers, agreeing a cost security. This year we improved our cross-Government of £6.2 billion and moving to a model which properly early warning capabilities, and last year introduced the incentivises industry efficiency. We expect to launch £20 million early action facility (EAF) within the conflict HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2014, with flying trials from pool to allow us rapidly to respond to early warnings the carrier beginning in 2018. We will also be ordering and opportunities to prevent conflict. The EAF has this three new offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Navy. In year committed £12 million to support Government July, the Government published an unclassified version policy in Syria and neighbouring countries on top of of the Trident alternatives review, a Cabinet Office-led existing multi-year conflict pool funding and humanitarian study into alternative deterrent systems and postures. assistance. The UK’s response to Typhoon Haiyan in The review demonstrated that no alternative system is the Philippines has clearly demonstrated the difference as capable, or as cost-effective, as a Trident-based deterrent. that humanitarian aid and support from the armed Government policy remain to maintain a continuous at forces can make in disaster situations. sea deterrent and proceed with the programme to build In the spending review, we announced that in April a new fleet of ballistic missile submarines. 2015 a new £1 billion conflict, stability and security On the armed forces covenant, the whole of Government fund will be introduced bringing together defence, are working to ensure that no serving or former armed diplomatic, development, security and intelligence forces personnel, or their families, are disadvantaged capabilities, replacing the conflict pool. The strategy for for the enormous sacrifices they make for their country. this fund will be set by the NSC taking a long-term view This ensures that they are recognised as valuable members of British interests. of society, and are able to go from strength to strength The autumn statement confirmed that the Government in the vital and often dangerous role they undertake on will meet their commitment to spend 0.7% of the UK’s behalf of the country. We should be proud that 397 local gross national income (GNI) on official development authorities (98% of those in Great Britain) have signed assistance (ODA) for the first time in 2013, and meet the community covenant and are working to bring our promise to the world’s poorest. We will be the first service and local communities closer together. Funding G8 country to reach the 0.7% target. for the covenant will endure, with a further £10 million This year, I co-chaired the high-level panel on what per year to be made available from 2015-16. In addition, should replace the millennium development goals when £100 million of LIBOR fines is being used to support a they expire in 2015. The panel’s report was published in range of good causes, including further funding for the May 2013, recommending goals for ending extreme armed forces community and service charities; and we poverty by 2030 and putting in place institutions like have made around £200 million available to help members the rule of law and good governance, which are key to of the armed forces get on the property ladder. tackling conflict. The report also highlighted the importance The UK will host the 2014 NATO summit in Wales of peace and security for development. The Government on 4 and 5 September. The summit will be an historic will now work intensely to ensure that the UN negotiations opportunity to look to the future—to ensure that the on the final set of post-2015 goals end up with inspiring Alliance, which is the bedrock of our defence, is well and crunchy goals which take forward this vision. equipped for future challenges and reinforces our critical The threat of weapons proliferation and arms control transatlantic security relationships. It will also mark remains serious. This is why we worked hard, alongside transition of our effort in Afghanistan. By hosting the civil society and like-minded partners, to secure the UN summit, we will underline both our own and our allies’ General Assembly’s adoption of a strong arms trade shared-commitment to our collective security. treaty in April 2013. As part of our G8 presidency, the 133WS Written Statements19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 134WS

UK has also been chairing the global partnership against Tax the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction, The OECD plans to present a single standard on which has 27 members and co-ordinates international automatic tax information exchange by February 2014. funding of around $2 billion a year towards counter- The OECD is also implementing an action plan to proliferation programmes. address tax-avoidance and to ensure multinationals report The events in Woolwich, and the attack against the what tax they pay where. Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, are a reminder that Transparency the threat that the UK faces remains both serious and G8 countries have published national action plans sustained and that the nature of the threat is evolving setting out how they will ensure companies know who and diversifying. In response to Woolwich, the extremism owns and controls them. I announced on 31 October taskforce was established to agree practical steps to that the UK will make its central registry of beneficial fight against all forms of extremism. The police and ownership publicly accessible. In the extractives sector, security services have continued to contain the threat US and EU law will require companies to report their from Northern Ireland related terrorism. Against this payments to all Governments. The US, UK and France, backdrop, the Government continue to ring-fence funding Germany and Italy have announced that they will sign (£563 million for 2013-14) for counter-terrorism policing up to the extractive industry transparency initiative. capabilities. Finally, on open data, G8 members have produced or In October 2013, we launched the new National are preparing open data action plans setting out how Crime Agency (NCA) to better identify, disrupt and cut Government data will be “open by default”where possible. serious and organised crime. Within the NCA, the new On kidnap for ransom, the G8 unequivocally rejected national cyber-crime unit has the specialist capabilities the payment of ransoms to terrorists and called on and necessary skills to identify, mitigate and tackle others to follow this lead. The G8 undertook to work online crimes and criminals’ use of new technologies. together to prevent kidnaps and to help resolve hostage The Government have also reformed border roles incidents by sharing best practice and expertise. Since and responsibilities, meeting targets for seizures of some Lough Erne, G8 members have focused on improving of the most harmful materials which criminals try to co-ordination in travel advice to high-risk areas, import; making high-quality decisions about who comes strengthening collaboration on kidnap response, and to the UK; and enabling better co-ordination of intelligence building an international consensus. and operational activity at borders. The G8 also agreed to continue support for Libya’s We are also investing in the future. The transformative democratic transition, and in the margins of the Lough national cyber-security programme (NCSP), supported Erne summit there was agreement to train up to 7,000 by £860 million of investment through to 2016, is now Libyan troops. On 16 December, the United Nations delivering real change in UK cyber-security capabilities Security Council issued a presidential statement reaffirming including through partnership with industry to improve support for Libya’s ongoing democratic transition. businesses’ security. We will continue to develop this The UK looks forward to maintaining momentum collaborative approach to boost UK cyber-security, and on these issues during 2014, working with the Russian G8 a report on progress and forward plans for the NCSP presidency, Australian G20 presidency and other partners. was laid before Parliament on 12 December with an Benefits for the UK announcement of a number of new initiatives and the The successful 2013 G8 summit in Northern Ireland focus for future efforts to make the UK one of the safest demonstrated to the global community that it is a places to do business in cyberspace. first-class destination for business and tourism. It showcased this part of the UK by maximising the opportunities for G8 (UK 2013 Presidency) inward investment and highlighting internationally what Northern Ireland, its people and businesses have to offer. The summit prompted a subsequent international The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): I would investment conference in Belfast on 10 and 11 October like to update Parliament on the outcomes of the UK which brought together 150 potential and existing inward presidency of the G8 and the costs of the 2013 G8 investors. summit in Lough Erne. Summit costs Progress The total estimated cost of putting on a safe and Since the G8 summit on 17 and 18 June, we have secure G8 summit was £82 million, split between the made very good progress on trade, tax and transparency, costs of the event itself (accommodation, food, logistics) benefiting countries across the world including the poorest and the costs of policing and security in Northern nations. The UK has today published an end-of-year Ireland. This cost less in real terms than when the UK G8 2013 UK presidency report that summarises hosted the G8 summit at Gleneagles in 2005. The commitments made at Lough Erne, progress made since Foreign and Commonwealth Office managed the logistical June, and next steps. Copies of the report have been arrangements for summit in Enniskillen, the most westerly placed in the Libraries of both Houses. town in the United Kingdom, at a net cost of just over Trade £10 million. Twelve Government Departments will The EU and Canada reached agreement on key elements contribute towards these costs, consistent with the funding of a comprehensive free trade deal in October, while of similar cross-Whitehall events such as the Papal visit progress continues on the EU-US and EU-Japan trade in 2010. deals. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) struck a The Lough Erne summit was also the safest G8 landmark deal at Bali earlier this month, including summit in memory, with only two arrests and a broad measures to cut border bureaucracy. This deal will range of peaceful protests and campaigns in Belfast and boost the global economy by £70 billion per year. Enniskillen. The Northern Ireland Office co-ordinated 135WS Written Statements19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Statements 136WS policing and security for the G8 with the Police Service create a new offence of driving with a specified controlled of Northern Ireland (PSNI), other security partners drug in the body above the specified limit for that drug. and across Whitehall. The total costs of the police and The Crime and Courts Act 2013 sets out the framework security operation were approximately £72 million. for the new offence. The PSNI was responsible for the operational delivery Regulations now need to be made to specify the of a secure summit, involving almost 5,000 PSNI officers drugs to be included in the legislation and the limits to supplemented by 3,600 mutual aid police officers from be specified. I have today published a consultation police forces in England and Wales, and Scotland. This seeking views on the Government’s proposed limit for was the first time that police officers from Great Britain amphetamine to be included in these regulations. The had been deployed to Northern Ireland for public order proposals follow an earlier consultation conducted over duties under “mutual aid”. the summer on the proposed 17 drugs and limits for 16 The PSNI operation cost approximately £40 million, of them. We did not propose a limit for amphetamine as of which £26 million was funded by HM Treasury from we sought views in that consultation on what a suitable the reserve and the rest met by the Northern Ireland limit might be. We have analysed the responses and Executive. The deployment of 3,600 mutual aid police concluded that the limit should be 50 microgrammes/L. officers cost just under £29 million; central Government In the earlier consultation we proposed a zero-tolerance Departments are meeting these costs. Additional national approach to deal with those who drive under the influence security measures and specialist military support cost of illegal drugs as this sends the strongest possible approximately £3 million; these costs will be met by the message that you cannot take drugs and drive. Northern Ireland Office and MOD. HM Treasury has supported the process of apportioning G8 policing costs We also put forward our approach for dealing with throughout. drivers who use drugs which have recognised and widespread medical uses but which can also affect a The estimated costs of the summit are set out in patient’s ability to drive and are sometimes misused. We tables 1 and 2 below. know that the vast majority of people who use these Table 1: Estimated Summit Event Costs drugs are doing so responsibly and safely and that is Item £000 why our approach does not unduly penalise drivers who Venue Hire 1,070 have taken properly prescribed medicines. The limits we Security (internal) 2,680 proposed follow the recommendations of the expert Transport 1,535 panel, which in the vast majority of cases, will avoid the Production and Media 2,600 new offence catching out drivers who have taken properly Other Summit Costs 1,390 prescribed or supplied drugs in accordance with the Accommodation 775 directions of a health care professional or the drug Total 10,050 manufacturer. This will avoid inconveniencing the public and taking up police time. Note: figures have been rounded, and are net of income received for Production and Media (£230,000) and Accommodation (£145,000). We considered that amphetamine needed to be treated differently because it had significant medical use but Table 2: Estimated Police and Security Costs was also commonly used illicitly. The full explanation of Item £000 the analysis for the rationale and consideration of the PSNI Direct Costs 40,180 responses for the proposed amphetamine limit is set out Mutual Aid 28,655 in the consultation document. Specialist Military Support 2,535 We believe the proposed limit of 50 Migrogrammes/L National Security 640 is above the therapeutic range for most who are taking Total 72,010 amphetamine legitimately but would also be effective in Note: figures have been rounded. catching those who are abusing amphetamine. The consultation starts today and closes on 30 January TRANSPORT 2014 and copies will be laid in the Libraries of both Houses. Drug Driving We will then publish our consideration of both consultations in 2014 soon after the close of this The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport consultation and finalise the regulations in readiness for (Mr Robert Goodwill): In May 2012 the Government Parliament who will need to approve them before they introduced primary legislation to Parliament that would become law. 11P Petitions19 DECEMBER 2013 Petitions 12P Petitions JUSTICE Certain Care Proceedings in Birmingham Thursday 19 December 2013 The Petition of a mother living in Birmingham, Yardley, Declares that the mother was betrayed by her barrister Andrew Neaves in care proceedings in Birmingham. OBSERVATIONS He allowed the judge to conclude that she accepted the need for a care order when she clearly did not. Also, in cross examining his own client he asked and she responded: COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Q. I think in these proceedings you have already made a number of statements, which we see in the bundle and Housing Development off Hillside Close also on your behalf a response to the threshold has (Bozeat, Northamptonshire) been made, which resulted in an agreed threshold document. The Humble Petition of the residents of Bozeat, Is that right? Northamptonshire and the surrounding areas, A. Yes. Sheweth, Q. And is what you have said in the course of your statements to this Court true and accurate? That the proposed housing development, application number WP/2013/0332 on the land off Hillside Close, A. Yes. Bozeat, is unacceptable because the scale and location Q. I am not going to take you in detail to your statement. of the development is out of character with the village What I am going to ask you about are matters in and would extend the village boundary. particular of more recent moment, but before I do I want to ask you first of all about the threshold document Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable that has been agreed in this case. Do you accept that the House urges the Department for Communities and threshold document contains agreed information before Local Government, and the Borough Council of the Court, which illustrates that in the past your parenting Wellingborough to work together to ensure that this has not been good enough? development does not occur. A. Yes. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.—[Presented by Mr Peter Bone, Official Report, Following this District Judge Asokan concluded in 11 November 2013; Vol. 570, c. 774.] her judgment of 26th September 2012 paragraph 21: “All the parties agreed that the threshold criteria pursuant to [P001289] s.31 of the Children Act 1989 has been met. I am therefore, Observations from the Secretary of State for Communities empowered to make an order in this instance.” and Local Government: The mother, however, did not agree that the threshold The Borough Council of Wellingborough is responsible criteria had been met merely that the facts in the threshold for the day-to-day planning of their area. The Government’s criteria were true. The mother takes the view that the policy is not to interfere with the jurisdiction of a local threshold criteria do not meet the threshold of “significant planning authority unless it is necessary to do so. This is harm” as referred to in the Children Act 1989. The because local authority Councillors are elected to represent threshold criteria referred to accidents that happened to the views of local people and, in the main, it is these the children, an attempt by a child to open the door of a Councillors who are in the best position to decide clothes dryer, an attempt by the young children to leave whether a development should go ahead. In determining the house when a visiting Social Worker left the front a planning application the local planning authority are door open, having a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog that required to have regard to all material considerations sat on a child’s torso and having inadequate stair gates. including the development plan, national policies and The mother appealed the decision and HHJ Hindley views expressed by third parties. It is, of course, for refused permission to appeal. This had the effect of local planning authorities to provide whatever justification preventing the case and the malpractice of Mr Neaves that may be appropriate to give for their decisions and from being considered by the court of appeal and was procedures. refused on the basis of jurisdiction by the court of Officials have been in contact with planning officers appeal on 26th September 2013 reference [2013] EQCA at the Borough of Wellingborough Council. If the Civ 1158. Furthermore the appeal was considered to be Council are minded to approve the planning application out of time because of a delay in obtaining a judgement. the Secretary of State will carefully consider this case HHJ Hindley argued that because the mother had a against call-in policy, as set out in the Written Statement barrister at the hearing in court of first instance that it by the Under-Secretary of State for Communities and was possible to appeal without the judgement. However, Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for given that the mother’s argument is that her barrister Grantham and Stamford (Nick Boles), Official Report, undermined her case it would be quite surprising if the 26 October 2012, column 71WS. The policy makes it barrister had assisted her in putting that argument to an clear that the power to call in a planning application appellate court. will only be used very selectively. The Government are The Petitioner therefore requests that the House of committed to giving more power to councils and Commons establishes an inquiry into her case and the communities to make their own decisions on planning general difficulty faced by parents getting their cases issues, and believes planning decisions should be made considered by the appellate system particularly when at the local-level wherever possible. victims of malpractice by legal advisors and whether 13P Petitions19 DECEMBER 2013 Petitions 14P the Access to Justice Act 1999 should be changed to Circumstances remain where the Court of Appeal ensure that all cases can be considered at least on paper hears the appeal. Section 57 of the Access to Justice by the Court of Appeal. Act 1999 enables appeals to courts other than the Court And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by John of Appeal or the Supreme Court to be re assigned to the Hemming, Official Report, 8 October 2013; Vol. 568, Court of Appeal. Where a judge of a county court or of c. 1P.] the High Court makes a decision on hearing an appeal, [P001224] a second appeal to the Court of Appeal is possible Observations from the Secretary of State for Justice: where the Court of Appeal considers that the appeal would raise an important point of principle or practice First I should say that we make no comment on the or there is some other compelling reason for the Court allegations made in the petition against the barrister of Appeal to hear it. acting for the mother in this case. The legal profession is independent and self-regulating and there are independent Looking at the appeals procedure more generally a regulatory authorities in place to address any allegations party who is dissatisfied with the decision of a district of conduct matters. judge has a right of appeal to a judge of the county As to the Petitioner’s request to review this particular court subject to obtaining permission to appeal. No case the President of the Family Division, Sir James permission is required against a committal order or a Munby, was very clear in his judgment and summarised secure accommodation order under section 25 of the his findings as follows: Children Act 1989. “As will be appreciated, this is not, as the mother asserts, a second appeal. It is an attempt to appeal not against a decision on An application for permission to appeal may be made appeal but from a decision of an appellate court—here Judge Hindley to the court at the hearing at which the decision to be — to refuse permission to appeal to that court. Accordingly, appealed was made or to the appeal court (which would section 54(4) of the Access to Justice Act 1999 applies (see also consist of a judge of a county court where the decision FPR PD30A, para 4.5): being appealed was made by a district judge). Where the “No appeal may be made against a decision of a court under court refuses an application for permission at the hearing this section to give or refuse permission”. at which the decision to be appealed was made, a The President therefore considered that the application further application for permission may be made to the was fundamentally misconceived. The full judgement in appeal court. Rule 30.3 of the Family Procedure Rules this case can be found at: 2010 is the relevant court rule relating to applying for http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2013/1158.html. permission. And this is supported by paragraphs 4.1 to With regards to the proposal that all cases should be 4.24 of the Appeals Practice Direction 30A. As the President considered by the Court of Appeal, the rationale for stated in his judgment on this case section 54(4) of the re-routing appeals away from the Court of Appeal has Access to Justice Act 1999 provides that there is no been established in history.Principles specifically applicable appeal against a decision to grant or refuse permission to the appeals process in family cases, which were set to appeal. out in “Review of the Court of Appeal (Civil Division): Report to the Lord Chancellor” by Sir Jeffrey Bowman The time limits for appealing are set out in rule 30.4 of in 1997, included that: the Family Procedure Rules 2010. The general rule is “Certain appeals which [formerly reached] the Court of Appeal that the person who brings or seeks to bring the appeal should normally be heard at a lower level provided that they are must file the appellant’s notice at the appeal court heard by a court or judge with a superior jurisdiction to the court within such period as may be directed by the court or judge who made the first instance decision” 1. which made the decision to be appealed or where that The Bowman Review recommended the establishment court does not make a direction, the appellant’s notice of a specialist committee to rationalise the routes of must be filed 21 days after the date of the decision appeals in family cases and to bring them in line with which the person wishes to appeal. The period for filing the underlying principles outlined for civil appeals. The the notice by the court which made the decision to be Lord Chancellor consulted on specific proposals for appealed may be longer or shorter than 21 days. Rule 30.7 implementing reforms to the family appeals system. provides that an application to vary the time limit for The relevant recommendations were enacted in the filing the notice must be made to the appeal court. The Access to Justice Act 1999. case management powers in Part 4 of the Family Procedure There are statutory rights of appeal to the Court of rules give the court power to extend or shorten the time appeal from the determination of a judge of a county for compliance with a rule, practice direction or court court (section 77 of the County Courts Act 1984) and order (even if an application for extension of time is from a judgment or order of the High Court (section 16 made after the time for compliance has expired). of the Senior Courts Act 1981). In line with the policy The Family Procedure Rule Committee consulted on of the Bowman Report outlined above, the general certain amendments to the appeals rules in a targeted position in family proceedings is that appeals from consultation of interested parties between 27 July and decisions made at district judge level and below in a 20 September 2013. They are now considering amendments county court and High Court are taken away from the to the rules and supporting practice directions in Court of Appeal and routed to a county court or the consequence of the setting up of the new family court. High Court as the case may be. The power in section 56 Consideration is also being given to the routes of appeal of the Access to Justice Act 1999 has been used to from decisions of judges as part of the work related to achieve this rerouting (see the Access to Justice Act 1999 the setting up of the new family court. (Destination of Appeals) (Family Proceedings) Order 2011 (S. I.2011 /1044). An order under section 56 is made 1Recommendation 10. “Review of the Court of Appeal (Civil by the Lord Chancellor after consulting the Heads of Division): Report to the Lord Chancellor”. September 1997. Division and follows the affirmative resolution procedure. Department for Constitutional Affairs. p.141. 15P Petitions19 DECEMBER 2013 Petitions 16P

WORK AND PENSIONS DWP has strict guidelines and procedures in place around the publishing of statistics. All statistical releases Use of Statistics by the Department for Work and must comply with the Code of Practice as governed by Pensions the UK Statistics Authority. The Petition of residents of the UK, A Work and Pensions Select Committee took place Declares that the Petitioners believe that Mr Iain on 9 December 2013 during which the Secretary of State Duncan Smith, the Secretary of State for Work and answered questions specifically relating to DWP statistics Pensions, has used incorrect facts and statistics relating and his own use of those statistics. This followed a to the Disability Living Allowance; and further declares Work and Pensions Select Committee Hearing on 10 July that an online petition demanding that the Work and 2013 at which DWP’s Director of Communications and Pensions Select Committee holds Mr Duncan Smith to the Head of Profession for Statistics gave evidence, account for his use of statistics has gathered more than both regarding the release of statistics and the measures 105,000 signatures. in place to ensure these are accurate and complete. Both The Petitioners therefore request that the House of hearings were part of routine Parliamentary procedures Commons urges the Work and Pensions Select Committee by which the Department and its Ministers are held to to question Mr Duncan Smith at their earliest convenience account. The minutes are published by Parliament: http:// to hold him to account for his use of statistics and www. parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/ further requests that the House requires Mr Duncan commons-select/work-and-pensions-committee/ Smith to retract any incorrect statistics that may have publications/. been circulated in the public domain by his Department. DWP has made around 500 statistical releases available And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Liz since 2010. In that time, DWP Ministers have received Kendall, Official Report, 19 November 2013; Vol. 570, just two letters from the UK Statistics Authority, raising c. 20P.] concerns from them about the Department’s use of a [P001296] particular statistic—although neither of these related to Disability Living Allowance. Observations from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Almost all of DWP’s main statistical series have been The comments in the Petition from Residents of the accredited by the UKSA Statistics Authority as complying UK dated 19/11/13 have been noted. The Department with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. The few for Work and Pensions (DWP) takes great care to that remain are currently awaiting assessment. This shows ensure that the statistics it releases into the public that the controls in place for the release of statistics are domain are accurate and this is underpinned by robust effective in ensuring statistics released are accurate and procedures for assurance. comply with the Code of Practice.

697W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 698W

and then again for world war two, to consider what Written Answers to memorials should be installed in Parliament. If the hon. Member has a specific proposal, I suggest that he Questions approaches the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Arts in the first instance.

Thursday 19 December 2013 EDUCATION Children: Day Care HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for War Memorial: New Palace Yard Education how many registered child care places in the London borough of Southwark there were in (a) 2009, Mark Pritchard: To ask the hon. Member for (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and (e) 2013. [180461] Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education’s will undertake a feasibility study for a permanent war Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey collects memorial in New Palace Yard. [901709] data on all registered child care places at a national and regional level. However, information is not provided at John Thurso: There are no existing proposals for a a lower geographical level. The following table provides permanent war memorial to be situated in New Palace data for 2009, 2010 and 2011. Data is not available for Yard. A Joint (Commons and Lords) War Memorial 2012. Data from the 2013 survey will be published in Committee was set up before the end of world war one, September 2014.

Number of registered places 2009 20101 2011 England London England London England London

Full day care 647,800 102,200 716,700 99,200 721,500 100,900 Sessional 227,900 25,100 251,000 35,600 251,000 38,400 After school clubs 272,500 47,400 368,100 58,800 357,400 54,100 Holiday clubs 260,400 38,800 349,400 61,000 339,300 49,400 Childminders 262,900 37,700 245,100 38,300 236,900 37,200 Total child care 1,671,500 251,100 1,930,300 292,800 1,906,100 280,100 Nursery schools 29,600 4,700 25,300 5,100 25,900 5,600 Primary schools with nursery and 468,300 107,400 491,800 125,800 489,100 121,000 reception classes Primary schools with reception but 272,700 17,300 308,400 16,600 286,900 15,200 no nursery classes Total early years 770,600 129,500 825,500 147,500 802,000 141,800 Total overall 2,442,100 380,600 2,755,800 440,300 2,708,100 421,900 1 A new sampling approach was adopted in the 2010 survey due to changes in the way Ofsted classified child care providers that may have impacted on trends between 2010 and previous years.

Discovery New School We reached our final decision on 13 December when, in accordance with clause 90 of the Funding Agreement, Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education we gave written notice that the Funding Agreement if he will review the decision to withdraw funding from with DNS Academy Trust shall terminate on 4 April 2014. Discovery New School in Crawley constituency following The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. the appointment of a new headteacher and management Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), team. [180863] is satisfied that the decision to terminate the funding agreement that he holds with the Academy Trust of Mr Timpson: On 22 November the Under-Secretary DNS was the correct decision in these circumstances. of State for Schools, Lord Nash, requested a Further Action Statement from the Academy Trust of Discovery Education: Finance New School (DNS). The Further Action Statement received on 6 December failed to satisfy the Department Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for that the action the Academy Trust proposes to take is Education whether all local authorities provide funding sufficient in all the circumstances. The actions to improve to students aged 16 to 25 with high needs who are in the staff and the school, set out in the Further Action the second year or later of their course. [180809] Statement are almost wholly dependent upon the head teacher and external consultants. We were not satisfied Matthew Hancock: Local authorities are obliged to that the Academy Trust has the capacity to make adequate preserve continuity of provision for young people who progress or that it has robust plans to enable it to recruit have already started a course and who will continue into and retain the high-quality permanent staff and senior a new academic year. To this end, the Secretary of State leadership that it needs in order to improve at a rapid for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for pace. Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), has imposed a funding 699W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 700W condition on all local authorities, through the Dedicated The funding definition of full-time that applied in Schools Grant. This states that if a student requires these years, that is study of 450 guided learning hours per top-up funding and was already placed in an institution year or more, is used to differentiate full-time and part-time when the new funding system for high needs pupils was learning. Figures represent full-year learner numbers. introduced, the local authority must enter into an agreement 18-year-olds in EFA funded provision, full-time/part-time 2011/12 to 2012/13 with the institution to make top-up payments until the 2011/12 2011/12 2012/13 2012/13 pupil leaves the institution, or the contract is replaced FT PT FT PT by another. Schools 16,400 3,900 17,700 5,400 Sixth form colleges 10,600 1,600 11,500 1,600 Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education General further 99,400 36,200 97,800 37,900 what assessment he has made of the comparative funding education colleges rates for (a) pre-school provision, (b) primary schools, Other 9,700 8,900 10,100 10,100 (c) secondary schools and (d) education and training Total1 136,100 50,600 137,100 55,000 for 16 to 18-year-olds in the most recent period for 1 These figures exclude pupils in special schools because reliable data are not which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. available in a format consistent with other data in the table. Special schools’ [180897] allocations are not calculated based on the same data as other institutions; therefore it is not appropriate to present their data alongside that shown in the table. Mr Laws: On 18 December 2013, the Department for Source: School Census & ILR 2011/12, 2012/13. Figures rounded to nearest 100. Education published the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocations for 2014-15. The table setting out allocations Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for for each local authority has been placed in the House Education with reference to the announcement by his Library. At a national level, we do not allocate funding Department of 10 December 2013, whether an equality at different rates for primary and secondary school impact assessment has been conducted on the changes pupils. to funding for academic year 2014-15 for students aged From September 2014, the Government will extend 16 to 19; and if he will make a statement. [180899] the entitlement to 570 hours per year of funded early education to the 40% most disadvantaged two-year-olds. Mr Laws: An equality impact assessment was completed. The following table shows the 2014-15 per pupil Following his appearance at the Education Select funding levels for the two-year-old entitlement, Early Committee (ESC), the Secretary of State for Education, Years Block of DSG (for three and four-year-olds) and the right hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), Schools Block of DSG. These rates are unchanged from will write to you and the ESC on this topic in the near 2013-14. future.

England average per-pupil unit of Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education funding (FTE) (£) (2014-15) for what reason some 18-year-olds are required to take 2-year-old entitlement 4,835.00 a third year of post-16 education funded by his Department. Early Years Block (for three and four- 4,282.41 [180900] year-olds) Schools Block (five to 16-year-olds) 4,550.54 Matthew Hancock: 18-year-olds are not required to take a third year of post-16 education. From September Schools will also receive the pupil premium for their 2013, all young people in England are required to pupils who are eligible for free school meals or who continue in education or training for a further year after have been eligible for FSM in the past six years. In the compulsory school leaving age; from summer 2015, 2014-15, schools will receive £1,300 per eligible primary this period will be extended until their 18th birthday. pupil, £935 per eligible secondary pupil and £1,900 for all looked-after children, adopted children and children Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for with guardians. Education with reference to the announcement by his The average funding per full-time student between Department of 10 December 2013, whether the effects the ages of 16 and 18 in the 2012/13 academic year for of changes to funding for academic year 2014-15 for schools and colleges in England was £5,130. This is the students aged 16 to 19 were modelled on specific latest year for which data are available. further education and sixth-form colleges. [180901]

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Matthew Hancock: Before making the announcement Education how many 18-year-olds were in (a) full-time of 10 December 2013, about changes to funding for 16 and (b) part-time education funded by his Department to 19-year-olds for the academic year 2014/15, the in academic years (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13 and (iii) Department modelled the impact of the changes on 2013-14; and how many of those were studying in (A) every provider of 16 to 19 education. As is normal, the school sixth forms, (B) sixth form colleges and (C) modelling will be revised in future, when we get updated further education colleges. [180898] data about the volume and characteristics of learners recruited by each provider. Matthew Hancock: The following table shows how many 18-year-olds (based on academic age) were in Education: Young People full-time or part-time provision funded by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) in academic years 2011/12 and Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 2012/13, by institution type. Data for 2013/14 is not yet pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2013, Official available. Report, column 226W, on education: young people, 701W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 702W what progress his Department has made on examining As this process runs at one year’s remove, we do not how data collection would be improved to provide an yet have the information for academies that were funded estimate of that group. [180800] on the basis of their estimates in 2013/14. The largest single repayment in 2009/10 was to the Matthew Hancock: Local authorities have now started value of £966,725 by Crest Boys’ Academy. collecting data aligned to the Raising the Participation Age legislation, set out in the Education and Skills Act Ministers: Members’ Interests 2008. The Department for Education plans to publish the first local authority data in spring 2014. The published Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for data will relate to December 2013, and show participation Education when Ministers in his Department each last in education and training of young people who were updated their declaration of interests relating to (a) aged 16 at 31 August 2013, ie those to whom the duty to free schools, (b) academies, (c) initial teacher training participate applies in 2013/14 and who will turn 17 provision and (d) other education services. [180813] during this academic year. Elizabeth Truss: The Cabinet Office publishes the list Free Schools of Ministers’ declaration of interests, which is available online1. Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for All Ministers in the Department for Education published Education what provision has been made to claw back their declaration of interests in October 2013. funding when free schools fail to recruit projected pupil 1https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ numbers. [180764] attachment_data/file/254671/ministers-interests-october- 2013.pdf Mr Timpson: Where an academy has been funded in Teachers: Training an academic year on the basis of its estimated pupil numbers, we will make an adjustment in line with its Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education funding agreement in the following year. This process what steps the Government is taking to encourage applies equally to free schools. graduates to go into teaching. [180682]

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Laws: The Government is committed to ensuring Education in the case of each free school which has that there are sufficient high quality teachers in the been required to return funding owing to low pupil classroom. numbers, what the amount of that funding was. [180776] For initial teacher training (ITT) courses starting in 2014/15, we have announced increased bursaries of up Mr Timpson: Where an academy has been funded in to £20,000, focussed on subjects which generally struggle the current academic year on the basis of its estimated to attract enough applicants. We have also announced pupil numbers, we will make an adjustment in line with increases to ITT scholarships, run by prestigious subject its funding agreement in the following year. This applies bodies in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computing, equally to free schools. It is natural that some new now worth £25,000; and we have increased the number schools will take time to reach full capacity, depending available. on their planned expansion rate and recruitment For subjects which are a priority in terms of recruitment, performance. The recent report by the National Audit graduates interested in teaching receive support from Office showed that free schools get more popular the our Premier Plus service, including a personal recruitment longer they are open. adviser and access to the School Experience Programme. A total value of £239,175 will be returned to the We have expanded Teach First, allowing up to 1,500 Department from new free schools which did not recruit graduates to achieve a teaching qualification and develop the predicted pupil numbers in 2012/13. No repayment lifelong leadership skills in some of our more challenging was due for 2011/12. For comparison, the amount school environments and we have developed new marketing returned to the Department by academy schools in messages which place teaching alongside other high 2009/10 was £11,034,319. flying careers. The schools and amounts in question are set out in We want teaching to be seen as a profession in which the following table: those who are outstanding are rewarded accordingly, so we have also given schools the freedom to pay the best £ teachers the most. Al Madinah School 88.70 Southwark Free School 49,356.00 CET Primary School (Westminster) 36,607.00 INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Gateway Academy - Free 30,466.00 School Afghanistan Avanti House School 15,154.00 King’s Leadership Academy 5,888.00 Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for (Warrington) International Development pursuant to the answer of School 21 5,173.00 25 November 2013, Official Report, columns 70-71W, CET Primary School (Tower 4,344.00 Hamlets) on Afghanistan, how many Afghan nationals were trained Sandymoor School Total 3,480.00 in the Bost Airfield and Agricultural Park programme; 239,175.00 how many of them were trained outside Afghanistan; and in what other countries they were trained. [180522] 703W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 704W

Justine Greening: Five Afghan nationals were trained (a) in jurisdictions where there is persecution of Christians as part of the Bost Airfield and Agricultural Park and (b) in all other jurisdictions where such abuse is programme and attended training workshops in the UAE. taking place. [180883] The Bost industrial business park proposal was originally approved by officials in 2009 at a time when Ministers Lynne Featherstone: UK aid is used to promote the did not approve spend under £40 million. In 2012 it human rights of all citizens, regardless of faith or belief. became clear that the project could no longer be completed DFID promotes respect for human rights, including within the original time frame and in good order. To religious freedoms, through its partnerships with avoid wasting taxpayers’ money, I decided that UK governments and, where necessary, raises issues of concern funding for the project should be cancelled. The completed with governments in collaboration with the Foreign and park designs have been handed over to the Afghan Commonwealth Office. In addition, DFID programmes authorities to enable them to pursue the project over a address the underlying causes of religious conflict and revised time frame. hostility, and support marginalised groups, including faith groups, to hold their own governments to account. Central African Republic DFID is not currently planning to review this approach.

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Palestinians International Development what specialist training or experience representatives of her Department working Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) on the ground in or near the Central African International Development what recent assessment she Republic and (b) in the UK to help tackle the current has made of the humanitarian situation in Gaza; and if problems in that country have in conflict resolution in she will make a statement. [180765] respect of sectarian and religious differences. [180881] Mr Duncan: We are deeply concerned by the chronic Lynne Featherstone: DFID employs staff with a range humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has been exacerbated of relevant skills and experience to work on the response by recent severe weather, leading to significant flooding to humanitarian crises. This includes staff drawn from and property damage. Our partner agencies have assessed the DFID conflict adviser cadre, who have specific that existing emergency response mechanisms are currently qualifications and significant experience in conflict working adequately. We continue to monitor the situation situations. closely and remain in close contact with our partners on the ground. Developing Countries: Forests Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will take steps to International Development what assessment she has ensure that assistance is given to the people of Gaza made of the role of forest governance and national who have been evacuated from their homes owing to legislation in the preparation and implementation of flooding. [R] [180766] REDD+ strategies in developing countries. [180871] Mr Duncan: Widespread flooding has necessitated Lynne Featherstone: Good governance is essential to the evacuation of hundreds of families in Gaza. DFID forest management. officials have been in close contact with UN and other agencies to ensure that existing emergency response DFID’s Forest Governance, Markets and Climate mechanisms are working adequately. We will continue (FGMC) Programme is supporting reforms to improve to monitor the situation closely. Our substantial existing forest governance in a number of countries, including support to the people of Gaza, including providing Liberia, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo food vouchers to poor families and basic services such and Indonesia. as health care, will continue to support the most vulnerable at this critical time. Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department has taken to support capacity building in national parliaments and the development of national legislation ATTORNEY-GENERAL as part of the preparation and implementation of REDD+ strategies in developing countries in each of the last five Conditions of Employment years. [180874] John McDonnell: To ask the Attorney-General how Lynne Featherstone: In 2010-11, DFID provided £91,000 many direct employees and contracted workers of the to support the Global Legislators Organisation (GLOBE) Law Officers’ Departments and its arms lengths bodies to work with legislators in forest nations and increase are paid less than the rate defined by the Living Wage their involvement in preparing and implementing national Foundation as a living wage; and how many direct REDD+ strategies. employees are on zero hours contracts. [174970]

Human Rights The Solicitor-General: The CPS directly employs four staff whose salary is below the rate defined by the Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Living Wage Foundation. As a result of planned changes International Development if her Department will review to rates of pay, all four employees will be paid salaries in the effectiveness of its strategy on tackling abuse of the excess of the living wage by .31 March 2014. The CPS right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion does not employ people on zero-hours contracts. 705W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 706W

No direct employees or temporary workers employed Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General if he will by the remaining Law Officers’ Departments are paid amend his measurement of performance by the Crown less than the Living Wage or are on zero hour contracts. Prosecution Service (CPS) from percentage of cases taken up by the CPS achieving a successful conviction to the percentage of crimes solved; and if he will make Crown Prosecution Service a statement. [180916] The Solicitor-General: While recording successful Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General pursuant convictions as a percentage of crimes solved may give to the answer of 9 December 2013, Official Report, some indication as to the performance of the Criminal column 8W, on the Crown Prosecution Service, what Justice System, it would not represent an appropriate type of offences were concerned in each of the 15 performance measure for the Crown Prosecution Service instances where a Crown Prosecution Service review (CPS). overturned the prosecutor’s original decision; and whether Not all crimes solved are prosecuted by the CPS, for it was possible for the suspect in those cases to be instance many specified proceedings are prosecuted by re-charged. [180894] the police or result in an out of court disposal. Furthermore, CPS performance measures are based on defendants The Solicitor-General: The category of offences concerned prosecuted rather than individual offences committed. in each of the 15 instances in which a Crown Prosecution Service review overturned the prosecutor’s original decision is as follows, together with confirmation as to whether it DEFENCE was possible for the suspect in those cases to be re-charged: Afghanistan No Yes Total Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Burglary 0 1 1 what estimate he has made of the total cost of UK Criminal 011intervention in Afghanistan since 2001 to the latest damage date for which figures are available; and what estimate Fraud and 224he has made of likely costs of UK intervention in forgery Afghanistan until 2015. [177964] Motoring 134 offences Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does Offences 123not normally record the total costs of military operations. against the person The net additional costs of military operations in Afghanistan for the financial years 2001-02 to 2012-13 Theft and 112 handling are recorded in the MOD’s annual report and accounts Total51015for those years, which are available in the Library of the House. Net additional costs are those which the Department would not have incurred had the operation not taken Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General place. The Department’s estimate of the net additional pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2013, Official cost of military operations in Afghanistan this year was Report, column 8W, on the Crown Prosecution Service published in the MOD’s 2013-14 main estimates. The (CPS), what type of offences were concerned in each of estimate for costs in 2014-15 will be published in that the 57 instances where a CPS review overturned the year’s main estimates. In both cases the final spend will prosecutor’s original decision; and in how many of be published in the relevant year’s annual report and those instances the suspect was charged. [180895] accounts. Conflict Resolution: Females The Solicitor-General: The category of offences concerned in each of the 57 instances in which a Crown Prosecution Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Service review overturned the prosecutor’s original decision Defence what assessment his Department has made of is as follows: the implications of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security for the armed forces; and Offence Category Number how that resolution will be incorporated into the education Burglary 4 and training of UK armed forces. [181769] Criminal damage 3 Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence is doing a Fraud and forgery 7 considerable amount to support implementation of Motoring 1 UNSCR 1325, as the main focus of our efforts on Offences against the person 28 gender issues in the international context. We work Sexual offences 11 closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Theft and handling 2 the Department for International Development in the All other offences (excluding 1 production of the UK National Action Plan on Women, motoring) Peace and Security. The National Action Plan outlines Total 57 the activity across Government and focuses bilateral and multilateral engagement. The implementation of Charges have been recommended in each of the 57 the principles of UNSCR 1325, and the associated instances. As at 18 December 2013, proceedings have resolutions, is covered by many extant aspects of mandatory commenced in 47 of those instances. military training such as instruction on the Law of 707W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 708W

Armed Conflict and Equality and Diversity. The new RAF’s remotely piloted aircraft system, all contributed National Action Plan, which is to be released in the to NATO’s ISAF intelligence, target acquisition and spring, will look to articulate where and how UNSCR surveillance operations in Afghanistan during 2013. 1325, the associated resolutions, work under the Prevention of Sexual Violence Initiative and the other Women, Unmanned Air and Marine Vehicles Peace and Security strands fit into operational planning and training. Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft Defence pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2013, Official Report, column 849W, on unmanned aerial and Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for marine vehicles, what assessment he has made of the Defence how many civilians have completed the condensed potential use of unmanned vehicles for maritime Initial Officer Training course to fly and work on the reconnaissance by the Air ISTAR Optimisation Study. Voyager aircraft fleet. [177250] [178925]

Mr Francois: Since commencement of the Voyager Mr Francois: The initial findings of the Air ISTAR PF1 contract, a total of two civilians employed by Optimisation Study (AIOS) indicate that, in the short AirTanker Services have completed the condensed initial to medium timescale (now to 2025), unmanned air officer training course to fly and work on the Voyager systems (UAS) could provide a capability covering unit aircraft fleet. Of the other current Voyager sponsored and force protection—but not wide area surveillance— reservists, three did a bespoke training course out of above water. Unmanned wide area surveillance for anti- sync with the course schedule. Six were granted a waiver submarine warfare (ASW) would be more challenging from having to undertake the initial officer training before 2035. Further work is needed to understand: the course due to previous RAF experience and the remaining specific capabilities that could be delivered and how three are yet to do the course. they could be integrated, air worthiness certification and the affordability of such systems. The next phase of RAF Machrihanish the AIOS will consider the role of UAS in order to inform decisions leading up to and part of the Strategic Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence and Security Review planned in 2015. Defence (1) when it was agreed to allow the stationing of nuclear weapons from the US at RAF Machrihanish; Unmanned Air Vehicles who approved the deployment; and how many weapons and what type were involved; [180878] Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (2) for how long nuclear weapons from the US were pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2013, Official stationed at RAF Machrihanish; what the methods of Report, column 198W,on unmanned air vehicles, whether transportation were to and from the base; what he will place in the Library copies of the factual reports, arrangements were in place for storage; and whether studies and trials on which the legal review is based. [R] RAF aircraft were authorised to deliver the weapons in [180532] a nuclear strike. [180879] Mr Francois: Reaper is a system procured from the Mr Francois: Since the early 1950s the US has had the US which is currently being used on operations in ability to base their nuclear weapons in the UK. However Afghanistan. The reports requested contain operationally we do not comment on deployment policy. This policy sensitive information on current capabilities, disclosure is applied across NATO. RAF Machrihanish was returned of which would prejudice the capability, effectiveness to the Ministry of Defence in June 1995. and security of the armed forces. Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what US air force aircraft used RAF Machrihanish Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2013, Official in the last five years before the base closed. [180880] Report, columns 197-8W, on unmanned air vehicles, if Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence no longer he will disclose details of the funding provided by the holds information on the type of US Air Force aircraft United States Visiting Forces (USVF) to meet their that used RAF Machrihanish in the period 1990-95. day-to-day activities at RAF Croughton and RAF Moleworth identified by reference to each (a) unit RAF Waddington present, (b) activity carried out and (c) facility used by USVF. [R] [180546] Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department has taken to promote the Mr Francois: The United States Air Force 422nd Air interoperability of capabilities and systems at RAF Base Group at RAF Croughton has an annual budget Waddington with the UK’s NATO allies in 2013. [R] in the region of £10.5 million to support its operations [180550] at the base. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold a breakdown of this figure. Mr Francois: RAF systems based at RAF Waddington Units at RAF Molesworth are supported by budgets make a major national contribution to interoperability from multiple commands including NATO, US European with NATO Allies. The RAF’s E-3D Sentry is the UK’s Command, US Africa Command and the US Air Forces contribution to the NATO Airborne Early Warning in Europe. The MOD does not hold a breakdown of and Control Force. Sentinel, Shadow and Reaper, the these budgets. 709W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 710W

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence JUSTICE pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2013, Official Report, column 197W, on unmanned air vehicles, if his Electronic Tagging Department will implement the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism in Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for paragraph 78 of his September 2013 report. [R] [180547] Justice how many and what proportion of people given (a) prohibited activity and (b) exclusion requirements in each probation trust area were electronically Mr Francois: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I monitored, in the most recent year for which figures are gave on 18 November 2013, Official Report, column 706W. available. [179786]

Jeremy Wright: Legislation allows the courts to impose Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence electronic monitoring of compliance with a prohibited pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2013, Official activity requirement of a community order or a suspended Report, column 198W, on unmanned air vehicles, what sentence order. Legislation also requires the imposition local force protection is currently provided for or planned of such monitoring of an exclusion requirement unless by Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels. [R] prevented from doing so because monitoring arrangements [180548] are not available in the local area or because necessary consents from third parties cannot be obtained, or where the particular circumstances of the case would Mr Francois: Decisions on the level of local force make it inappropriate. In practice, neither exclusion nor protection measures for deployed Royal Navy and Royal prohibited activity requirements are monitored electronically Fleet Auxiliary vessels are based on an assessment of because the location monitoring technology to enable the threat, which will reflect a vessel’s specific mission this is not yet widely available. and deployment. The threat to naval service and units is constantly evolving and is kept under review to ensure The MOJ therefore does not collect data to show the appropriate force protection measures are in place. whether or not compliance with these requirements is electronically monitored. Nevertheless, compliance with Several different types of measure may be used to curfew requirements is almost always monitored counter any threat, providing a layered approach to electronically.The number of offenders starting community protection. Such measures can include physical protection; orders or suspended sentence orders in 2012 with (a) adapting tactics, techniques and procedures; effective both a prohibited activity requirement and a curfew use of intelligence; and electronic countermeasures. requirement and (b) both an exclusion requirement I cannot describe specific force protections measures and a curfew requirement are as follows. publicly. I am withholding the information as its disclosure 1. 106 offenders subject to a community order and 123 subject would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, to a suspended sentence order, and effectiveness or security of the armed forces. 2. 175 offenders subject to a community order and 104 subject to a suspended sentence order. Location monitoring functionality is part of the current Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence competition for electronic monitoring, The Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Moray, is currently at preferred bidder stage in the competition. of 15 October 2013, Official Report, column 640W, on Discussions with preferred bidders are continuing, with unmanned air vehicles, whether his Department has contracts to be awarded in the new year and GPS overseen the development of any technologies used in tagging expected to be introduced later in 2014. While the five new Reaper aircraft to enhance interoperability the competition progresses, an interim agreement with of those assets between the UK and NATO allied Capita will see them take on responsibility for delivery forces. [R] [180549] of the current electronic monitoring service. National Offender Management Service Mr Dunne: No. Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost to the National Offender Management Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Service has been of monitoring the use of social media with reference to the answer of 9 December 2013, by its employees. [179913] Official Report, column 70W,on unmanned aerial vehicles, what the (a) unit, (b) service and (c) rank is of each of Jeremy Wright: NOMS does not routinely monitor the United States Visiting Forces personnel based at (i) social networks, but it will investigate their use by staff RAF Croughton and (ii) RAF Marham. [180625] where there is cause to do so.

Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Mr Francois: There are 651 United States Air Force how many staff within the National Offender Management personnel at RAF Croughton under the command of Service (NOMS) monitor NOMS employees’ use of the 422nd Air Base Group. Personnel range in rank social media. [179914] from Colonel, the group commander, to Airman, the second most junior enlisted rank. The Ministry of Defence Jeremy Wright: NOMS does not routinely monitor does not hold a list of personnel by unit and rank. social networks, but it will investigate their use by staff There are no United States Visiting Forces personnel where there is cause to do so. No staff are specifically at RAF Marham. employed to monitor employees’ use of social media. 711W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 712W

Oakwood Prison Jeremy Wright: We will always have enough prison places for those sent to us by the courts but at much lower cost and in the right places to deliver our ambitions Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for reducing reoffending rates. We are doing this through how many prisoners Oakwood prison is contracted to a significant programme of replacing accommodation hold; and whether its operator receives any payment which is old, inefficient or has limited long-term strategic for holding prisoners above its certified normal value and bringing down the cost of operating prisons. accommodation. [179783] We propose to make significant cost reductions over the Jeremy Wright: The contractor must hold as many next few years through the application of an efficient prisoners as my Department requires up to a maximum benchmark for all public sector prisons, and through of 2,106. Payment is based on the number of available further competition of services. This replaces the previous prisoner places, and my Department can receive a discount approach of competing whole prisons and will deliver on unused places under certain circumstances. The term savings more quickly. ’certified normal accommodation’ is not applicable to The following table identifies the number of (a) the contract. publicly managed and (b) privately operated prisons and young offender institutions on the last working Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Friday in March in each year from 2010 to 2013. how many times the targets for the evening lock-up Publicly managed Immigration Removal Centres are time have been achieved in each month since HM not included in the following table Prison Oakwood opened. [180840] March 2010 March 2011 March 2012 March 2013 Jeremy Wright: There is no target for evening lock-up at HMP Oakwood. As with other prisons, HMP Oakwood Total 139 135 132 130 works to an established ’core-day’ which indicates general Public 128 124 119 116 timings to be followed, but allows the prison a measure Private 11 11 13 14 of flexibility. Prisons: Crimes of Violence Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many times prison officer equivalent staff have Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice worked shifts of (a) more than 12 hours, (b) more than how many assaults on (a) prisoners and (b) prison 15 hours, (c) more than 18 hours and (d) more than 24 staff there were (i) in HM Prison Oakwood and (ii) on hours in each month since HM Prison Oakwood opened. average in all adult prisons in each of the last three [180841] years. [179776]

Jeremy Wright: The information requested is not Jeremy Wright: The National Offender Management collected centrally and could not be obtained without Service (NOMS) and the Prison Officers Association incurring disproportionate cost. (POA) are jointly committed to a zero tolerance approach to assaults on staff, visitors and prisoners. Prison Service NOMS takes the issue of assaults in prisons very seriously. It currently has systems in place to deal with Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice perpetrators quickly and robustly, with serious incidents (1) how much has been paid in severance pay to prison referred to the police for prosecution. officers in each month since May 2010; [180842] NOMS is committed to exploring options to continue (2) how many prison officers have received severance to improve how violence is tackled in prisons to keep pay and been re-employed by the National Offender both staff and prisoners safe. It is currently looking at Management Service in each month since May 2010; the policy and practice of the management of violence. [180839] There are a number of factors that affect the number (3) how much severance pay has been paid to prison of assault incidents at any individual establishment. officers who have been re-employed by the National These include, but are not restricted to, the size of the Offender Management Service in each month since population held at the prison, the type and role of the May 2010. [180836] prison and the gender of the prisoners accommodated. For example, younger, male prisoners are more likely to Jeremy Wright: Information on severance pay to be involved in an assault than other prisoners. Differences prison officers in each month since May 2010 is held for in population size of establishments mean it would not some of this period by a contractor. The Department is necessarily be correct to conclude that a prison with a waiting to receive this information and we will write to higher number of incidents than the average is a less you with a detailed answer to this question when we safe prison; nor that a prison with a lower number of have received this information. incidents than the average is a safer prison. In addition to these factors, comparisons for the Prisons number of incidents at HMP Oakwood with the national average cannot be made. HMP Oakwood opened in Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for April 2012 and was increasing the number of prisoners Justice how many prisons in England and Wales were it held throughout 2012. Therefore, comparisons for (a) publicly-managed and (b) privately-run or contracted HMP Oakwood, which was operational for only part of out to be run by the private sector in (i) 2009-10, (ii) the year, with the national average for 2012 would not 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2012-13. [180451] be statistically robust. 713W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 714W

Statistics on the number of assaults on staff for each However, I have placed in the Library of the House, prison establishment are published on an annual basis figures for the number of households placed in temporary in the Safety in Custody statistics bulletin, published at: accommodation by London boroughs in another local https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody- authority district. To assist the hon. Member and facilitate statistics public scrutiny, I have included yearly figures from 1997 They can be found in Table 3.15 of the annual tables to 2013. accompanying each quarterly release. The hon. Member may wish to create arbitrary Figures for the rate of assaults and assaults on staff percentage changes, yet there is no clear pattern by are provided in table 3.1 of the same bulletin. London borough and the figures fluctuate from year to year; the datasets are also incomplete. Within the confines Young Offender Institutions of the information available, I would observe that the number of people being placed in other districts was Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice higher in many years in both London and England what assessment he has made of the relationship between under the last administration, based on grossed estimates the size of youth offenders institutions and ability to when taking account of non-responding local authorities. ensure the security and safety of staff and children resident there. [180512] No council should be sending tenants en masse to a different part of the country. The law is clear that such a Jeremy Wright: The safety of young people in custody blanket policy would be unlawful. Councils must take is our highest priority.The range of policies and procedures into account the impact a change in location would in place to ensure the security and safety of young have on each individual household they place, including people and staff in under-18 young offender institutions possible disruption to things like employment and schooling. (YOIs) apply across the entire estate regardless of the size of the establishment. But clearly everyone needs to live within their means, and homeless households that are solely reliant on taxpayer-funded benefits should not expect to live in properties that working families feel they cannot afford, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT especially in the more expensive parts of central London. Homelessness: Greater London Indeed, I would note that the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham has recently published an analysis rebutting suggestions of large increases in out- Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities of-borough replacements due to the benefit cap. They and Local Government (1) what the actual and percentage observed: change in the number of homeless households placed (a) out of borough and (b) out of London by each “Out of 546 households in temporary accommodation affected London local authority under prevention and relief of by the caps, just 10 have had to relocate into areas outside homelessness powers was in each of the last three years; Hammersmith and Fulham. In 344 cases, or well over half of the [172397] cases in Hammersmith and Fulham, the council successfully negotiate a lower price, within the new subsidy, with private (2) how many households have been placed in other landlords. Another 180 people have been successfully rehoused in boroughs by each London local authority under properties that are affordable under the Government’s tougher homelessness duties in 2013-14 to date; [172398] new rules—with 152 cases remaining in Hammersmith and Fulham (3) what the actual and percentage change in the and just 18 cases resettled in neighbouring boroughs. Another concern was that the changes to benefits might have altered the number of households placed in borough by each London number of private landlords offering their property to people on local authority under all homelessness duties was in the benefits, although this has not happened.” (Council press release, last three years; [172399] 15 November 2013). (4) how many households were placed as homeless in temporary accommodation (a) out of borough and Permanent social lettings (b) out of London in each London local authority In the last two years (2011-13), there were 773,000 area in 2012-13; [172422] permanent social lettings made in England. A mere 483 (5) what the actual and percentage change in the (0.06%) involved general needs social lettings relocating number of homeless households placed in temporary a London-based tenant to an outside-London location. accommodation was (a) out of borough and (b) out A table breaking down these 483 locations by month of London in each London local authority area in each has also been placed in the Library of the House. of the last three years; [172423] (6) how many households were placed (a) out of Such figures would include relocations under the borough and (b) out of London under prevention and Greater London Authority’s mobility scheme, Seaside relief of homelessness powers by each London local and Country Homes; this scheme offers people who are authority in 2012-13. [172424] aged 60 and over and live in social housing in London the opportunity to move voluntarily to housing association Kris Hopkins [holding answer 25 October 2013]: properties across the south coast, in East Anglia, Kent and Shropshire. Temporary accommodation The Department does not collect information on the In that context, I note that the top 10 areas of lettings local authority area or location of households placed in (most popular first) are Basildon, Broxbourne, Hertsmere, temporary accommodation in another local authority Medway, Reigate and Banstead, Canterbury, Swale, district under homelessness legislation. Thurrock, Maldon and Dover. 715W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 716W

Housing: Greater London Railways: Radlett

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what the top Communities and Local Government whether any Minister 10 destination towns were for families relocated by in his Department has received verbal or written London local authorities in the last two years; [174342] representations from the right hon. Member for Chipping (2) how many families previously housed by London Barnet regarding the Radlett Rail Freight Terminal. local authorities have been moved out of London in [179818] each of the last 24 months. [174343] Nick Boles [holding answer 16 December 2013]: All Kris Hopkins: I refer the hon. Member to the answer representatives of the Department act in accordance I gave today, PQs 172397, 172398, 172399, 172422, with ″Guidance on Planning Propriety Issues″ which 172423 and 172424. can be found on my Department’s website. A list of representations made to the Secretary of Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for State in connection with the current planning appeal for Communities and Local Government what grants have a rail freight terminal at Radlett will be published when been issued to (a) Enfield borough council and (b) all the final decision on that appeal is issued. London councils under the New Homes Bonus scheme I would observe that the Cabinet Secretary has recently since its introduction. [178902] written to another hon. Member on this matter. He noted that [holding answer 11 December 2013]: Kris Hopkins “there is no evidence that Ms Villiers sought to intervene The total amount allocated to the London borough of improperly in the planning appeal process”; Enfield under the New Homes Bonus since its introduction “there has been no breach of the Ministerial Code” and in 2011-12 including the 2014-15 provisional figure, is £8.2 million. This recognises the delivery of 2,010 new “both Departments (DCLG and DFT) acted properly in respect of the planning appeal”. homes (including affordable homes) and the bringing back into use of 47 long-term empty properties. Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for The corresponding amount allocated to all London Communities and Local Government whether any Minister councils, including Enfield, is £473.6 million. This recognises in his Department has received verbal or written the delivery of 110,432 new homes (including affordable representations from any hon. Members who are or homes) and bringing back into use of 14,497 long-term have been Ministers in the Treasury since May 2010 empty properties. regarding the Radlett Rail Freight Terminal. [179981]

Housing: Hampshire Nick Boles [holding answer 16 December 2013]: All representatives of the Department act in accordance Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for with ″Guidance on Planning Propriety Issues″. Communities and Local Government what grants have A list of representations made to the Secretary of been issued in (a) Portsmouth South constituency and State in connection with the current planning appeal for (b) Hampshire under the New Homes Bonus scheme a Strategic Rail Freight Terminal at Radlett will be since that scheme’s introduction. [179763] published when the final decision on that appeal is issued. Kris Hopkins: New Homes Bonus payments are made to local authorities. Repossession Orders The total amount allocated to the City of Portsmouth Unitary Authority under the New Homes Bonus since Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for its introduction in 2011-12 including the 2014-15 provisional Communities and Local Government how many homes figure, is £5.5 million. This recognises the delivery of have been repossessed in each of the last three years. 1,428 new homes (including affordable homes) and 280 [180036] long-term empty properties brought back into use. The corresponding amount allocated to all councils Kris Hopkins: According to information published in Hampshire, including the Cities of Portsmouth and by the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the following Southampton, is £73.5 million. This recognises the delivery numbers of homes have been repossessed in the United of 18,942 new homes (including affordable homes) and Kingdom in the last three years: bringing back into use of 1,527 long-term empty properties. Mortgages taken into possession, UK Number Local Government Finance 2010 38,500 Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for 2011 37,300 Communities and Local Government when he expects 2012 33,900 to make an announcement on the local government Source: finance settlement. [180890] Council of Mortgage Lenders, Table APS Council of Mortgage Lenders arrears and possessions Brandon Lewis: The provisional local government figures are for the United Kingdom as a whole. No finance settlement for 2014-15 was announced for breakdown of data is available for individual countries consultation yesterday. within the United Kingdom. 717W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 718W

The Ministry of Justice’s mortgage and landlord Stephen Williams: I refer the hon. Member to the possession statistics can be found at answer I gave him on 21 October 2013, Official Report, https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mortgage-and- column 5-6. Ministers are keen to promote innovative landlord-possession-statistics ways of raising funds for civic and community projects This includes quarterly National Statistics on possession and there have been several examples of where this claim actions in county courts by mortgage lenders for approach has been utilised. England and Wales. The Northern Ireland Court Service collects similar statistics. LEADER OF THE HOUSE According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the number of repossessions is at its lowest annual figure Written Questions since 2007. Moreover, Bank of England statistics published on Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Leader of the House 10 December state that the number of new mortgage what recent assessment he has made of Government arrears cases is at its lowest quarterly level since the Departments’ performance in answering written statistical series began in 2007. parliamentary questions. [901714] The action that this Government has taken to tackle Mr Lansley: My office collates departmental performance the deficit left by the last Administration has kept information for ordinary and named day parliamentary interest rates down and helped reduce the number of questions, which I submit in relation to each Session to repossessions. the Procedure Committee. I provided data relating to Right to Buy Scheme the last Session to that Committee in July which is available on the parliamentary website. Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance he has issued under the Right to Buy scheme to tenants who are considering purchasing leasehold properties HEALTH on determining the extent of service charges and other Brain Cancer leaseholder responsibilities for which they would assume responsibility. [180944] Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Kris Hopkins: The Government has been clear that Health how many people have died of brain cancer in Right to Buy applicants must be provided with information each of the last three years. [180979] on both the benefits and responsibilities that homeownership brings. Our Right to Buy booklets: Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Want to make your home your own? and Thinking of Cabinet Office. buying a council flat? provide tenants with advice and The information requested falls within the responsibility tools to help them work out the costs of homeownership. of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority The booklets are available for free from social landlords to reply. or they can be downloaded here: Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated December 2013: http://righttobuy.communities.gov.uk/howtoapply/ On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thinking-of- Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question buying-your-council-flat--2 asking the Secretary of State for Health how many people have The Housing Act 1985 also contains a number of died of brain cancer in each of the last three years. [180979]. duties on social housing landlords in respect to supporting Table 1 attached provides the number of deaths where brain cancer potential Right to Buy leaseholders. Social housing was the underlying cause of death, by country, in England and Wales, landlords must provide all tenants with a document for deaths registered between 2010 and 2012 (the latest year available). containing information to assist the tenant in making The number of deaths registered in England and Wales each their decision, including on leaseholder responsibilities. year by sex, age and underlying cause (including cancer), are As part of the offer notice to a Right to Buy applicant, published annually on the ONS website at: landlords must also provide an estimate of service www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all- charges for the first five-years of ownership. releases.html?definition=tcm%3A77-27475 Table 1: Number of deaths where the underlying cause was brain cancer, by The right hon. Member may also be interested to 1, 2, 3 note that the Department is currently considering the country, in England and Wales, for deaths registered between 2010 and 2012 responses to our recent consultation on proposals to 2010 2011 2012 cap leaseholder charges at £10,000 outside London, and England and Wales (including non-residents) 3,385 3,443 3,628 £15,000 in London, where the works to tenanted homes England 3,200 3,235 3,432 receive future Government funding. I would expect Wales 179 203 184 social landlords to ensure that leaseholder charges are 1 Brain cancer was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, always proportionate and rational, and deliver good Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code C71 (Malignant neoplasm of brain). 2 Figures for England and Wales separately exclude deaths of non-residents value for money. and are based on boundaries as of August 2013. The number of deaths for Social Enterprises: Finance England and Wales separately will not sum to the combined England and Wales total, as non-residents are included in this total. 3 Figures are based on deaths registered, rather than deaths occurring in the Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for years 2010 to 2012. In 2011 the median registration delay for brain cancer was Communities and Local Government what steps he is two days. Further information on registration delays for a range of causes can be found on the ONS website: taking to encourage local communities to fund social www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/health-and-life-events/ enterprises through crowdfunding. [180120] impact-of-registration-delays-on-mortality-statistics/index.html 719W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 720W

Cancer number of patients allowed under the terms of their contract to provide such surgery in 2013-14. [180552] Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2013, Official Jane Ellison: Information regarding the number of Report, column 82W, on radiotherapy, who sat on the patients who were treated with gamma knife stereotactic panel reviewing stereotactic radiosurgery; and when he radiosurgery (SRS) at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS expects NHS England to publish the results of that Trust, Nova Healthcare in Leeds, the Thornberry study; [180551] Radiosurgery Centre, Sheffield, Bart’s Health, London (2) pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2013, and BUPA-Cromwell, London in each of the last five Official Report, column 703W, on health services, how years cannot be provided in the format requested. many patients have agreed to be transferred from University In 2013-14, all patients meeting the national clinical College London Hospital to (a) BUPA-Cromwell, London policy for SRS will have access to that treatment. and (b) HCA Bart’s hospital for gamma knife radiosurgery The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) treatment. [180553] has said it is unable to provide data for the Thornbury Radiosurgery Centre, Sheffield, as this centre submits Jane Ellison: There is no designated panel for the data to the Secondary User Service (SUS) of Hospital demand and capacity review project for stereotactic Episode Statistics (HES) through Sheffield Teaching radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic radiotherapy, which Hospitals NHS Trust, as an aggregated return. is currently under way. Once completed, the findings of the review will be assessed by the specialised commissioning The HSCIC is also unable to provide data for Nova oversight group. Healthcare in Leeds as they do not currently submit Information concerning the number of patients that data to SUS and cannot provide data from BUPA- have agreed to be transferred from University College Cromwell, London, as there is no activity in this area London Hospital to BUPA-Cromwell, London and submitted to the HES SUS by this provider. HCA Bart’s hospital for gamma knife SRS treatment is In the following table, we have provided finished not held centrally. consultant episodes (FCEs) with a main or secondary operative procedure of SRS on the tissue of the brain Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by the three relevant hospital providers for each of the pursuant to the answer of 3 September 2013, Official last five years. FCEs should not be viewed as a count of Report, columns 349-50W,on cancer, how many patients patients, as a person may have more than one episode of were treated with gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays at (a) Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) in the same year. It should also be noted that the Nova Healthcare in Leeds, (c) the Thornberry Radiosurgery majority of radiotherapy procedures, including SRS, Centre, Sheffield, (d) Bart’s Health, London and (e) are carried out in an out-patient setting, where the BUPA-Cromwell, London in each of the last five years; collection of this operative procedure data is not currently and how many such centres have reached the maximum mandatory.

2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Barts Health NHS Trust — — — — 64 Barts and the London NHS Trust 52 33 77 131 — Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust * 998 967 928 1,079 Notes: 1. Due to reasons of confidentiality, figures between one and five have been suppressed and replaced with ‘*’ (an asterisk). 2. Data includes activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector. 3. In 2012-13 the Barts and the London NHS Trust became the Barts Health NHS Trust.

Chlamydia Jane Ellison: The following table contains the number of diagnoses of Chlamydia in England for four years Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for (2009 to 2012) broken down by Public Health England Health how many cases of Chlamydia were treated by (PHE) Centre. Regional-level data by patient area of the NHS in each of the last five years, by region. residence are unavailable prior to 2009. [180908]

Number of Chlamydia diagnoses among England residents, by region, 2009 to 2012 PHE Region and Centre of residence 2009 2010 2011 20121

London PHE Region

London 33,227 35,006 36,184 42,020

Midlands and East of England PHE Region

Anglia and Essex 11,786 11,130 10,915 10,805 East Midlands 11,736 12,970 12,660 14,233 South Midlands and Hertfordshire 7,636 7,719 8,015 8,336 West Midlands 14,738 18,181 18,609 19,430 721W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 722W

Number of Chlamydia diagnoses among England residents, by region, 2009 to 2012 PHE Region and Centre of residence 2009 2010 2011 20121

North of England PHE Region Cheshire and Merseyside 9,601 9,170 8,392 9,823 Cumbria and Lancashire 7,567 7,672 6,713 7,471 Greater Manchester 12,254 12,163 11,765 11,770 North East 10,019 10,962 10,549 12,056 Yorkshire and the Humber 20,730 21,402 19,748 19,723

South of England PHE Region Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 7,253 7,822 7,695 8,229 Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset 6,474 5,964 6,470 7,579 Kent, Surrey and Sussex 10,023 10,022 11,100- 12,593 Thames Valley 4,447 4,748 4,861 5,016 Wessex 7,627 8,077 8,309 8,238

England total 175,118 183,008 181,985 197,322 1 2012 data for Chlamydia diagnoses are not comparable to data from previous years (see further details in the following notes). Notes: Data are sourced from genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics and from community services. GUM clinic data are sourced from GUMCAD returns for all years shown (2009 to 2012). Community services data are sourced from the National Chlamydia Screening Program (NCSP) and from ’Non-NCSP/Non-GUM’ services for 2009 to 2011. From 2012, however, community services data are sourced from the Chlamydia Testing Activity Dataset (CTAD). Furthermore, 2009 to 2011 community services data include only patients aged 15 to 24 years while those for 2012 include patients of all ages. As a result, Chlamydia data from 2012 are not comparable to data from previous years. 4. Data presented follow calendar years (January to December), not financial years (April to March). 5. Data represent the number of diagnoses reported and not the number of people diagnosed. 6. Data represent Chlamydia diagnoses among England residents only (i.e., data from residents of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and others who accessed services in England are excluded). 7. Chlamydia diagnoses by patients’ area of residence are not available prior to 2009.

Dementia affect health and well-being. The PHOF uses data from existing collections only and for domestic violence that Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for comprises police recorded crime data on the number of Health what steps he will take to support dementia domestic violence incidents. However, PHE is aware research following the G8 Dementia Summit. [180771] this represents only a proportion of the total number of cases as many cases never reach the attention of the Dr Poulter: The G8 countries agreed to work together police services. to tackle and defeat dementia. The declaration announced Directly and through its work with the national health the G8’s ambition to identify a cure or a disease-modifying service and local authorities, PHE is promoting awareness therapy by 2025 and to increase collectively and significantly of domestic violence, supporting capacity development the amount of funding for dementia research. The G8 for addressing the causes and the impacts of domestic also welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to appoint violence and promoting identification of individuals a dementia innovation envoy who will work to attract during routine health care consultations. new sources of finance, including examining the potential In February 2011, we published the mental health for a private and philanthropic fund. strategy “No Health Without Mental Health”. The Investment in dementia research by the Department’s strategy acknowledges the links between mental health National Institute for Health Research has increased and domestic violence and the importance of having a from £12.6 million in 2009-10 to £24.4 million in 2012-13. whole-family approach. Published guidance by the National Institute for Health Domestic Violence and Care Excellence (NICE) on recognition and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, self-harm, anxiety, Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health psychosis and common mental health reflects the part (1) what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of that the experience of violence can play as triggers. dealing with domestic violence; what assessment he has NICE is expected to publish dedicated guidelines on made of the effect of domestic violence on physical and domestic violence early next year, which will cover mental health; and if he will make a statement; [180780] identification and prevention, including tackling the (2) how many NHS trusts have an independent domestic factors that affect health and well-being. violence advocacy service based in their accident and Information on the number of independent domestic emergency or maternity unit. [180783] advocacy services in accident and emergency or maternity units in NHS trusts is not collected centrally. 1 Jane Ellison: Domestic violence was estimated to 1 Research evidence by S. Walby, Lancaster university. cost the economy £15.7 billion in 2008, including £1.7 billion in health care costs. Hospitals: Waiting Lists Public Health England (PHE) collates and monitors indicators on domestic violence through the Public Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF) as part of tackling pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2013, Official the wider determinants of ill health and the factors that Report, column 703W, on health services, what the 723W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 724W procedure is for patients to exercise their legal right to NHS England advises that it welcomes the report choose where they are treated after they have waited “Kidney Health: Delivering Excellence”. The report longer than 18 weeks for treatment. [180554] has been presented to NHS England’s Renal Advisory Group and priorities within the report’s ambitions agreed, Jane Ellison: As set out in the National Health Service including designing a suite of patient centred quality Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups markers for renal care. (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations 2012 NHS England has also established a programme and subsequently amended by the National Health board to improve the management of acute kidney Service and Public Health (Functions and Miscellaneous injury across England. The report’s key ambitions around Provisions) Regulations 2013, the delivery of the NHS patient involvement and shared decision making are to Constitution maximum waiting time right is a matter be addressed with joint work between NHS England for NHS England and clinical commissioning groups as and stakeholders, including the British Kidney Patient’s commissioners. Association. Specialised commissioning specifications Where a person has been referred to a consultant and continue to be developed to support quality improvement. has not or will not start treatment within 18 weeks, they Many aspects of chronic kidney disease care are can request an appointment to start treatment earlier at covered in the National Institute for Health and Care another provider. Excellence’s (NICE) 2008 guidance on the early It is then the responsibility of the commissioner to identification and management of chronic kidney disease take all reasonable steps to ensure that a person who in adults in primary and secondary care. Health and makes such a request is offered an earlier appointment care professionals are expected to take NICE guidance to start treatment with a range of suitable alternative on the treatment of relevant conditions fully into account providers. when deciding how to treat a patient. The NICE chronic kidney disease Quality Standard Influenza: Vaccination covers identification, assessment and clinical management of chronic kidney disease in adults including the management of established renal failure and is driving Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for measurable quality improvements within this area. NHS Health how many influenza inoculations were given by England is statutorily required to have regard to NICE the NHS to people aged over (a) 65, (b) 75 and (c) 85 quality standards. in each of the last 10 years. [180909] Kidneys: Transplant Surgery Jane Ellison: The available information is set out in the table: Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent assessment he has made of Seasonal flu vaccinations administered to people aged 65 and over in England under the NHS flu immunisation programme provision of kidney transplant services to minority ethnic groups; and if he will make a statement; [180589] Number (2) what steps he is taking to promote transplant 2006-07 5,779,145 organ donation in black, Asian and minority ethnic 2007-08 5,934,370 communities. [180704] 2008-09 6,130,532 2009-10 5,938,128 Jane Ellison: Building on the 60% increase in organ 2010-11 6,287,011 donation achieved over the last five years, “Taking 2011-12 6,764,364 Organ Transplantation to 2020”, the new United 2012-13 6,881,636 Kingdom-wide strategy to increase organ donation rates Source: in all communities, was published by NHS Blood and Influenza Immunisation Vaccine Uptake Monitoring Programme, Transplant (NHSBT) in July 2013. The aim includes Public Health England. Information is not available on the number of raising awareness and increase donation rates within vaccinations given to people aged over 75 or over 85, nor for years prior to 2006-07. the black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. People from black, Asian and minority ethnic Kidneys: Diseases communities are up to three times more likely to need a transplant than the wider population. They also wait longer for their transplant. Those waiting for a kidney Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for transplant are more likely to die before the right organ Health (1) what steps he is taking to reduce the match can be found for them. NHSBT will continue to inequalities in the provision of renal disease prevention engage with those communities to promote the importance and management; [180590] and benefits of donation. NHSBT produced religious (2) what assessment he has made of the report by the perspectives information leaflets in 2011, tailored to British Kidney Patient Association entitled Kidney communicate to followers of a range of different religions. health: delivering excellence. [180591] Further training and support will be provided for those who approach black, Asian and minority ethnic families. Jane Ellison: NHS England has responsibility for The Department established the National Black, Asian determining the overall national approach to improve and Minority Ethnic Transplant Alliance in 2012 to clinical outcomes from healthcare services for people support campaigning organisations to tackle the problem with renal disease. It is committed to promoting high of low organ and stem cell donor and transplantation quality care for all and ensuring no group or community rates among the black, Asian and minority ethnic is left behind in the provision of healthcare services. communities. 725W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 726W

In addition, Gurch Randhawa, Professor of Diversity Liver Diseases in Public Health at the University of Bedfordshire, published in December 2013 “The Faith Engagement Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for and Organ Donation Action Plan”, which was developed Health how many cases of alcohol-related liver disease by religious leaders in partnership with NHSBT. This were treated by the NHS in each of the last five years, sets out a range of suggested initiatives to address by region. [180911] faith-related barriers to organ donation and urges followers to actively support donation. These will be considered Jane Ellison: The Department holds data only for as part of the implementation of the UK organ donation hospital activity of people with alcohol-related liver and transplantation strategy. disease. We have provided a count of finished consultant NHS England commissions kidney transplant services episodes (FCEs) with a primary diagnosis code of alcoholic and has responsibility to utilise organs provided effectively liver disease for the years 2008-09 to 2012-13 broken and efficiently. NHS England is currently reviewing all down by strategic health authority (SHA) of treatment. providers of specialised services against the published It should be noted that these data should not be service specifications, with a view to ensuring that all described as a count of people as the same person may services are being provided to a uniformly high standard. have had more than one episode of care in any given The results of this will be published in early 2014. year.

Sum of finished FCEs1 with a primary diagnosis2 of alcoholic liver disease3 for the years 2008-09 to 2012-134 SHA of Treatment 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

North East 1,820 2,102 2,293 2,384 2,485 North West 5,440 6,013 6,518 7,075 7,575 Yorkshire and the Humber 2,667 3,183 3,329 3,732 3,853 East Midlands 2,180 2,473 2,564 2,474 2,292 West Midlands 2,903 3,093 3,312 3,506 3,569 East of England 2,481 2,797 3,049 3,276 3,009 London 3,876 4,026 4,167 4,392 4,240 South Coast 1,493 1,482 1,864 2,128 1,942 South Central 1,811 1,679 1,535 1,789 1,603 South West 2,948 3,044 3,284 3,334 2,952 1 Finished Consultant Episode (FCE). A finished consultant episode (FCE) is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. 2 Primary diagnosis The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. 3 ICD-10 codes for alcoholic liver disease K70.0 Alcoholic fatty liver K70.1 Alcoholic hepatitis K70.2 Alcoholic fibrosis and sclerosis of liver K70.3 Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver K70.4 Alcoholic hepatic failure K70.9 Alcoholic liver disease, unspecified 4 Assessing growth through time (in-patients) HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. Note: Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector. Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. Health and Social Care Information Centre liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).

Medical Services: Harlow Net operating costs for West Essex £000

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for 2006-07 365,451 Health how much the NHS spent in what is now 2008-09 377,245 Harlow constituency in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2010-11 429,419 2010-11 and (d) 2012-13. [180444] 2012-13 466,867 Notes: 1. Data is not collected at constituency level. The lowest level that Dr Poulter: Information is not collected at constituency data is collected is by PCT. level. The following table represents the net operating 2. West Essex PCT was formed in October 2006 from three previous costs for West Essex primary care trust (PCT), which PCTs—Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford. covered Harlow constituency. The net operating cost of 3. Following the reorganisation of the NHS, West Essex PCT was abolished on 31 March 2013. a PCT was the most accurate reflection available of the Source: total cost of commissioning health care for the PCTs Audited PCT summarisation schedules from which the NHS (England) resident population. summarised accounts are prepared. 727W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 728W

National Skills Academy for Social Care pre and post campaign tracking research surveys with the target audience to measure awareness and attitude and behaviour changes; and Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the analysis of other response data such as web traffic, orders of National Skills Academy for Social Care graduate the Smokefree Kit, and online responses to the advertising and social media (e.g. Facebook) activity. scheme; and what plans he has to continue that scheme. [180762] Details of the results from the evaluation can be found at: Norman Lamb: The Department has made a significant http://resources.smokefree.nhs.uk/news/campaigns/smokefree- investment in the graduate scheme that is managed by homes-cars-2013/ the National Skills Academy for Social Care. The last iteration of the scheme, which consisted of 20 trainees, The television advertising was developed by Dare. has been independently evaluated and found to have The production cost for the television, radio, online and been very effective in achieving its aims. The Department press advertising when the campaign was developed in will continue to support the graduates’ scheme in the 2012 was £450,000. future and we will work with partners in the social care No decision has yet been taken about whether to sector to ensure the future of the scheme is secured and repeat the campaign. to make it the best scheme possible within the resources available. Vaccination: Immigrants NHS: Standards

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health if he will place in the Library a copy of Best pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2013, Official and Safest Care by Liam Donaldson, published by his Report, columns 107-08W, on vaccination: immigrants, Department in 2007. [180896] which group is responsible for the commissioning of the specific vaccination programmes recommended by the Dr Poulter: The report entitled ’Best and Safest Care’ World Health Organisation and National Institute for was an internal policy advice document written by the Health and Care Excellence for newly-arrived migrants previous chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson for from areas with high prevalence of a particular disease; the quality and patient safety national work stream of and who is responsible for commissioning hepatitis B the NHS next stage review in 2008. vaccinations for newly arrived migrants from areas of The Department recognises the general public interest high prevalence of this disease. [180568] in making this information available for the sake of greater transparency and openness. However, the Dr Poulter: NHS England’s area teams commission Department believes that the public interest lies in vaccination programmes recommended by the Joint protecting the policy-making process and preserving Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). the ability of officials in the Department to engage in JCVI’s advice takes into consideration recommendations free and candid discussion of policy options without from the World Health Organisation and guidance from apprehension that suggested courses of action may be the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. held up to scrutiny before they have been fully developed or evaluated. Specialist public health staff employed by Public Health England are embedded in these teams to provide Smoking: Health Education accountability and leadership for the commissioning of the programmes and to provide system leadership. Clinical Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for commissioning groups are responsible for assessing the Health with reference to the House of Lords debate of local need for provision of outreach immunisation services 4 December 2013, Official Report, column 279, on which includes commissioning of hepatitis B vaccination Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill - for newly arrived migrants from areas of high prevalence Committee, 6th Day, how much was spent on the who are not registered with a general practitioner (GP). television-led marketing campaign; what assessment he Migrants who have registered with a GP are offered has made of the effectiveness of the campaign; whether vaccines in line with national guidance on immunisation he has any plans to repeat the campaign; which agency against infectious diseases. was engaged to make the advertisements; and at what cost those advertisements were made. [180886] Work Programme Jane Ellison: Public Health England (PHE) spent £1.2 million on advertising for the Smokefree Homes and Cars campaign in summer 2013. Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for This is PHE advertising spend only. Advertising spend Health how many people his Department employed (a) (b) is defined as covering only media spend (inclusive of directly from the Work Programme in 2011, (c) [180852] agency commissions but excluding production costs 2012 and 2013 to date. and VAT). All figures are rounded to the nearest £10,000. Figures provided are provisional. Dr Poulter: The Department has not directly employed PHE have evaluated the 2013 Smokefree Homes and any civil servants from the Work programme in 2011, Cars campaign through: 2012, or to date in 2013. 729W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 730W

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will publish Bovine Tuberculosis immediately and in full (a) transcripts of all meetings of the Independent Expert Group on the badger cull pilot, (b) evidence presented to that group and (c) that Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State group’s report. [180584] for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if he will review the methodology used by the Government for full base-line badger population analysis to ensure that George Eustice: Minutes of meetings of the Independent inaccuracies caused by (a) weather, (b) disease and Expert Panel can be found on the gov.uk website at: (c) any other factors are addressed; [180578] https://www.gov.uk/government/policy-advisory-groups/badger- culling-pilots-independent-expert-panel (2) if he will bring forward proposals for more accurate badger population counts. [180579] The Panel’s report will be published in the new year after it has been submitted to Ministers, along with supporting evidence. The report will be made available George Eustice: I would like to refer the hon. Member to Parliament and the general public. to the answer on 22 October 2013, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA148. Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State When looking at lessons learned in the pilots, we will for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if he will look at how the efficacy of culling could be best assessed ensure that Parliament has an opportunity to debate in the future. the Independent Expert Panel’s report on the pilot badger culls before his Department makes any decision Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for to proceed with further culls; [180585] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will publish the full costs of the extended pilot badger culls (a) in (2) if he will make it his policy that decisions on any total and (b) for each badger culled to (i) the public further badger culls will only be taken following a purse and (ii) landowners. [180581] debate in the House on a substantive motion relating to such culls. [180586] George Eustice: As planned, costs will be reviewed now the pilots have concluded when all the information George Eustice: It will be for Parliament to decide is available. through the usual channels whether or not to debate the report of the Independent Expert Panel. Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will review Bovine Tuberculosis: South West the membership of the Independent Expert Panel on the badger cull pilots to introduce additional scientific Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for expertise; and if he will invite suggestions from independent Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will support organisations on the composition of that panel. [180582] a badger vaccination trial in the South West of England in order to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness George Eustice: There are no plans to review the of a vaccination programme with (a) the badger cull membership of the Independent Expert Panel. The pilots and (b) gassing as a means of culling. [180580] members of the Independent Expert Panel were appointed for their expertise in animal welfare, veterinary pathology, badger ecology, wildlife population biology, statistics, George Eustice: We are already providing financial marksmanship and the management of wild animal support to a number of badger vaccination initiatives in populations. Members of the panel are independent as the South West. We have no plans for a comparative they are appointed to fulfil the role of the panel, not as trial of this kind. representatives of their particular profession, employer or interest group, and have a duty to act in the public Flood Control interest. Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the capital for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take budget for flood defences was in each year since steps to ensure that the remit of the Independent 2010-11; and what the projected budget for each of the Expert Group on the badger cull pilot includes specific next three years is. [180934] reference to monitoring humaneness, safety and effectiveness during (a) the original cull period and Dan Rogerson: The capital budget allocated by DEFRA (b) the extended cull period. [180583] for flood and coastal risk management work in each year since 2010-11 was: George Eustice: The Independent Expert Panel will not be making specific recommendations about the £ million controlled shooting. The Panel will be providing a robust scientific peer review of the analysis of the data 2010-11 354 gathered during the initial six-weeks of the pilot culls to 2011-12 259 support an assessment of the humaneness and efficacy 2012-13 259 of controlled shooting. This approach was agreed by 2013-14 294 the panel. 731W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 732W

The projected capital budget for flood and coastal of live farm animals intended for further fattening or risk management work in each of the next three years slaughter have been inspected by the Animal Health is: and Veterinary Laboratories Agency at (a) the point of loading, (b) the Port of Dover and (c) at both loading £ million and at the Port of Dover in each month since 1 May 2013; and if he will make a statement. [180438] 2014-15 344 2015-16 370 2016-17 1380 1 Indicative-exact figures have yet to be confirmed. George Eustice: All inspections must be undertaken Food: Waste in compliance with Council Regulation 882/2004 which, among others, requires that inspections/checks are Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for proportionate. Currently, all vehicles used to export Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is animals for further fattening or for slaughter are subject to inspection by Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories taking to discourage food waste. [181061] Agency (AHVLA) inspectors at the premises of departure, Dan Rogerson: We are working with food manufacturers with the exception of one vehicle that had to be inspected and retailers to reduce food waste under the Courtauld at the port in September (see following table). To re-inspect Commitment, which is targeting a further reduction of vehicles which have already been subject to inspection 1.1 million tonnes of food and packaging waste by would not be proportionate. However, a proportion of 2015. We have also launched an agreement with the these vehicles are selected for a check by AHVLA hospitality sector, which includes restaurants, pubs and inspectors on arrival at Dover port to ensure that there canteens. We are helping households waste less and save are no overt signs of welfare problems or technical money through the Waste and Resources Action faults with the vehicle that may have occurred during Programme’s Love Food Hate Waste campaign. the journey to the port. Up to 15 December 39 vehicles have been subject to checks at Dover port. Livestock: Transport The following table provides the data requested and Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for broken down by month up to 15 December 2013: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many lorries

(a) Inspections at point of loading (b) Inspections at port (c) Inspections at both loading and port

May 2 0 0 June 7 0 0 July 10 0 0 August 24 0 0 September 20 1 0 October 23 0 0 November 15 0 0 December 0 0 0

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many lorries Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many statutory of live farm animals intended for further fattening or notices for breaches of welfare during transport legislation slaughter have left at the Port of Dover in each month have been issued at the port of Dover against lorries of since 1 May 2013; and if he will make a statement. live farm animals intended for further fattening or [180439] slaughter in each month since 1 May 2013; and if he will make a statement. [180440]

George Eustice: The following table provides the data requested and is broken down by month up to 15 George Eustice: The following table provides the data December 2013: requested and is broken down by month up to 15 December 2013. Number of lorries Statutory notices issued May 2 June 7 May 0 June 0 July 10 July 2 August 24 August 0 September 19 September 1 October 23 October 0 November 15 November 0 December 0 December 0 733W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 734W

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Climate Change Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many statutory notices for breaches of welfare during transport legislation Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for have been issued at the point of loading for lorries of Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department live farm animals intended for further fattening or is taking to promote education about energy and climate slaughter in each month since 1 May 2013; and if he change among adults and children in the UK. [180567] will make a statement. [180446]

George Eustice: The following table provides the data Gregory Barker [holding answer 18 December 2013]: requested and is broken down by month up to 15 DECC’s 2050 pathways calculator helps to engage a December 2013. range of audiences with energy and climate issues. This is a simple, user-friendly model of the UK’s energy Statutory notices issued system, launched in 2010, which allows a wide variety of people to explore the full range of options to meet May 0 the UK’s 2050 carbon reduction target and is based on June 3 rigorous scientific evidence. People can use this open-source July 1 tool to see the impact of a range of changes in the August 0 energy sector, and expert users can explore the full September 2 detail of the calculations. October 1 In order to make it easier for children and young November 1 people to use, DECC launched the My2050 educational December 0 online game in March 2011. This is a visual internet simulation that helps people imagine how the energy system may evolve and the secondary impact this may have. The tool is interactive, and encourages users to ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE submit their preferred ’2050 pathway’. Over 17,000 Biofuels pathways have been submitted to date. Building on this, the My2050 schools toolkit Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for was produced in the same year, supported by Involve, Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to take Think Global and Sciencewise-ERC. The toolkit is to implement sustainability criteria for solid biomass. aimed at teachers, particularly those teaching geography, [180678] science, maths and citizenship for students aged between 11 and 16, and it is available at the following link: Gregory Barker: We are bringing in sustainability criteria for solid biomass (with the exception of wastes) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/my2050- to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and the Renewables schools-toolkit Obligation (RO). These criteria include greenhouse gas In addition to this the Department is building on The (GHG) lifecycle emissions savings targets compared to British Energy Challenge ’town hall’ events it hosted fossil fuel use and land use criteria designed to protect across eight major cities, including Manchester, Bristol land of high carbon or biodiversity value, and to ensure and Newcastle, and at the Hay Festival from April to that woody biomass has been obtained from sustainability October 2012. The aim is to build a broad coalition of managed forests. These criteria will be introduced through business, organisations and civil society in early 2014 to secondary legislation, and will be subject to parliamentary up the public’s understanding of energy issues. This will approval. include proactive youth engagement. The British Energy With regards to the RHI, we intend to introduce the Challenge was delivered with support from over 70 mandatory GHG lifecycle emissions savings criteria from organisations, local authorities and businesses including autumn 2014. Subject to the availability of parliamentary the National Grid, Siemens and the Met Office. time, we intend to implement the land use sustainability criteria from April 2015. Coal With regards to the RO, we intend to implement changes to the RO’s current biomass sustainability criteria, Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for which would apply from April 2014 initially on a reporting Energy and Climate Change how many meetings (a) he basis. and (b) officials in his Department have had with The European Commission aims to publish an updated representatives of the coal industry in the last 12 months. report on the requirements for sustainability criteria for [180812] solid biomass and biogas used for electricity, heat and cooling early next year. Michael Fallon: In the five months between the fire at Following the publication of the EC report, the UK UK Coal’s Daw Mill colliery in February 2013 and the intends to notify its RO sustainability criteria to the EU administration of the company in July 2013, Ministers under the Technical Standards Directive (TSD) with met its representatives on a number of occasions. Ministers the intention that the sustainability criteria under the and officials also met with representatives of the TUC Renewables Obligation will become mandatory from and coal mining unions several times to discuss the April 2015. This would mean that electricity generators impact of the Daw Mill events and other issues affecting of one megawatt and above generating capacity will be the coal industry. Regular meetings were held between required to demonstrate meeting the sustainability criteria officials and the company and its advisers throughout in order to receive RO support on the electricity generated the period to identify ways forward to facilitate the using solid biomass from this date. ongoing viability of the core business. 735W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 736W

Representatives from the Department’s Coal Liabilities House the outcome of his talks with E.ON, SSE and Unit and Office of Carbon Capture Storage, who are Scottish Power, Good Energy, Ovo and Co-operative responsible for coal liabilities/regulation and coal Energy on expediting consumers’ switching of energy production/generation respectively, had a number of supplier. [180907] more general catch-up meetings with coal producers and their representatives throughout the year. Additional Gregory Barker: The Secretary of State for Energy meetings were held by Ministers and a range of officials and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston across the Department with a broad spectrum of industry and Surbiton (Mr Davey), held an initial meeting with representatives on the diverse issues impacting on the suppliers and Energy UK on 11 November to explore industry in the course of the year. This has included what steps the industry can take to speed up switching. regular attendance at meetings of the Scottish Coal The Government is now working with industry, consumer Industry Task Force established following the failure of groups and Ofgem to develop options for moving to Scottish opencast operators. faster switching. Once this work is complete, the Secretary Providing a full breakdown of all meetings would of State will report to the House. involve disproportionate cost. Eggborough Power Station Energy: Billing

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what forecast his Department Energy and Climate Change (1) what recent estimate he has made of the capacity of Eggborough Power Station has made of the total value of surplus funds held by in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16, (c) 2016-17, (d) 2017-18 energy providers in respect of bills overpaid by consumers and (e) 2018-19. [180257] who have switched to an alternative energy provider; [180905] Michael Fallon: DECC’s projections for the electricity (2) what progress he has made on expediting sector, such as those in the Updated Energy and Emissions repayments of funds in respect of overpaid bills held by Projections, published in September 2013, contain a energy companies on the accounts of consumers breakdown of installed capacity by generation technology who have switched to an alternative energy provider. type but avoid identifying individual power stations due [180906] to commercial sensitivities: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/updated-energy- Michael Fallon: The Department has collected and-emissions-projections-2013 information, on a commercially confidential basis, from the major energy suppliers and some independent suppliers Energy regarding the amount of credit held in both live accounts and closed accounts (those where the account holder Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for has switched supplier, or has moved abroad or is deceased) Energy and Climate Change with reference to section 3 and the processes in place to attempt the timely return of his Department’s response to the Energy and of any surplus resulting from overpaid bills. Officials Climate Change Select Committee’s Report on Energy are in the process of analysing the information received. prices, profits and poverty, published on 10 October 2013, HC 717, what assessment his Department has Energy: Competition made of the effectiveness of segmental statements provided by the vertically integrated energy companies. [180240] Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to his statement Michael Fallon: The requirement for vertically integrated of 2 December 2013, Official Report, column 627, on energy companies to publish segmental statements outlining energy bills, what the evidential basis is for the statement the revenues, costs and profits from their generation that the Government is increasing competition in the and supply businesses provides helpful information on energy market. [180198] their businesses in Great Britain. It provides a profit figure for each company’s retail business which helps Michael Fallon: Since 2010 eight new suppliers have inform our understanding of the market and provide entered the domestic gas and electricity supply markets. further information on the link between companies’ While in 2011 there were no independent suppliers with generation and supply businesses. a customer base greater than 50,000, there now are As there are, though, some limitations to their use we three independent suppliers with over 100,000 customers. support the decision that Ofgem has taken to consult on Last month Telecom Plus, with a customer base of further measures that should be required from the energy around 770,000 customers, announced plans to operate suppliers, beyond what is currently provided through as a licensed supplier from early next year. the consolidated segmental statements. We have also The Government has provided legislative backing to asked Ofgem to deliver a full report on the transparency Ofgem’s reforms to the domestic retail gas and electricity of financial accounts and ways this could be improved markets and the wholesale electricity market, which will and will be working closely with them on this. enhance competition further. Ofgem’s retail market reforms are introducing a simpler tariff framework and clearer Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for information to help domestic consumers identify the Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the statement best deal for them. In addition, Ofgem’s proposed of 31 October 2013, Official Report, column 1095, on reforms to the wholesale electricity market will increase annual energy statement, when he will report to the liquidity which will in turn improve competition in the 737W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 738W retail electricity market. The Government is also working 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 390, on with the industry to speed up the change of supplier energy efficiency, how many insulation measures were process. installed in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013. The annual competition test announced in the Annual [180147] Energy Statement will ensure that the market is kept under review and where barriers to competition are found the independent regulators are able to act decisively. Gregory Barker: The following table shows the number Energy: Conservation of retro-fit installations of cavity wall, loft and solid wall insulation through Government schemes in 2010, Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for 2011, 2012 and the first six months of 2013. Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of

Table 1: Installations of cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and solid wall insulation through Government schemes in Great Britain between 1 January 2010 and 30 June 2013 Cavity wall insulation Loft insulation Solid wall insulation

2010 420,000 1,210,000 13,000 2011 520,000 1,110,000 22,000 2012 640,000 1,610,000 82,000 2013 (January to June) 50,000 60,000 5,000 Note: Figures for 2013 cover 1 January 2013 to 30 June 2013 only and do not include mitigation action delivered following the end of CERT and CESP.

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Gregory Barker: The following table shows the number Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of of retro-fit installations of cavity wall, loft and solid 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 390, on wall insulation through the following Government scheme: energy efficiency, how many insulation measures were the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), the installed through (a) Warm Front, (b) CERT, (c) Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP), Warm CESP and (d) ECO. [180148] Front and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).

Table 1: Installations of cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and solid wall insulation in Great Britain between 1 April 2008 and 30 June 2013 by Government scheme CERT CESP Warm Front ECO Total

Cavity wall insulation 2,570,000 — 30,000 50,000 2,650,000 Loft insulation 5,340,000 20,000 90,000 60,000 5,510,000 Solid wall insulation 59,000 80,000 1— 2— 144,000 1 Count less than 10,000. 2 Not applicable.

CERT ran from April 2008 to December 2012. CESP Department of Health, to develop a model demonstrating ran from October 2009 to December 2012. Figures for the health benefits of energy efficiency measures. CERT and CESP do not include mitigation action delivered following the end of CERT and CESP. The Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Warm Front scheme began in 2000 and ended in January and Climate Change what recent discussions he has 2013, figures in this PQ cover delivery during the period had with the Secretary of State for Education about the April 2008 to January 2013. ECO covers the period effect of living in cold homes on the educational January 2013 to end of June 2013, this scheme is due to attainment of young people. [180736] run until March 2015. Gregory Barker: In our work on fuel poverty, DECC Ministers and officials have held discussions with a Energy: Housing wide range of counterparts in other Departments, including, for example, the Child Poverty Unit. Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy DECC commissioned an independent review of fuel and Climate Change what recent discussions he has poverty from Professor Sir John Hills at the London had with the Secretary of State for Health about the School of Economics. His interim review set out evidence effects of cold homes on (a) individual health and (b) that living in a cold home can have a negative impact on the NHS. [180735] educational attainment. Action on fuel poverty helps to ensure more families are able to keep their homes warm Gregory Barker: The evidence is clear that living in affordably and thereby improves life chances for young cold homes can have a range negative health impacts. people. We have been discussing these links with colleagues in the Department of Health, and Public Health England, Energy: Prices at all levels (including ministerial) as we work towards the publication in 2014 of a fuel poverty target and strategy. Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for In July 2013, DECC published a Framework for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department Future Action on fuel poverty. This set out the work we has made of the average annual expenditure on energy have undertaken, working with colleagues in the for off-grid gas households. [180142] 739W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 740W

Michael Fallon: Analysis from the Living Costs and Since the end of August 2013, all suppliers have had Foods Survey shows that in 2011, the latest year for to meet new standards of conduct set by Ofgem as part which data are available, the average weekly spend on of the package of measures being introduced by the fuel was £24.60 for households with no gas central Retail Market Review. These require suppliers to treat heating. This equates to an annual average spend of all consumers fairly and in an honest, transparent and around £1,279.20. professional manner. They must also make sure that any information given to consumers is clear and easy to Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for understand. Energy and Climate Change pursuant to his statement Ofgem’s rules for fixed term tariffs were introduced of 2 December 2013, Official Report, column 627, on in October. These rules ban suppliers from increasing energy bills, what the evidential basis is for the statement prices on fixed-term tariffs. Suppliers are also banned that (a) rising wholesale energy costs and (b) investment from automatically rolling householders on to another in energy infrastructure are the main driver of energy fixed-term offer when their current one ends. price rises. [180197] From 31 December 2013, Ofgem is banning suppliers from offering complex multi-tier tariffs, and limiting the Michael Fallon: Wholesales energy costs (excluding number of tariffs suppliers may offer. Suppliers have carbon costs) and network costs are the two largest taken steps to be compliant with these rules in advance components of energy bills, estimated to be 47% and of them coming into force. 20% respectively in DECC’s March 2013 report ″Estimated The full package of measures being introduced by impacts of energy and climate change policies on energy Ofgem will be in place by July 2014. prices and bills″: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for attachment_data/file/172923/130326_- Energy and Climate Change pursuant to his statement _Price_and_Bill_Impacts_Report_Final.pdf of 2 December 2013, Official Report, column 627, on energy bills, what the evidential basis is for the statement Over the 12 months before delivery, the gas Winter that Ofgem’s reforms for competition in the retail market 2013 contract was 4% higher on average than the gas are making it easier for consumers to (a) understand Winter 2012 contract, and the electricity Winter 2013 their bills, (b) work out where they can get the best deal contract was 7% higher than the Winter 2012 contract. and (c) switch providers. [180201] However, it should be noted that energy suppliers buy energy over a number of different contracts gradually Michael Fallon: Since the end of August 2013, all over time and each company’s strategy for doing this is suppliers have had to meet new standards of conduct different. Suppliers’ hedging strategies are commercially set by Ofgem as part of the package of measures being sensitive. introduced by Retail Market Review. These require Investment in GB’s electricity networks is needed to suppliers to treat all consumers fairly and in an honest, replace ageing assets and to accommodate the changing transparent and professional manner. They must also nature of generation. This vital investment to “keep the make sure that any information given to consumers is lights on” forms the majority of the network charge clear and easy to understand. element on electricity bills. Evidence for this comes Ofgem’s rules for fixed term tariffs were introduced from the regulatory price controls set by Ofgem, which in October, These rules ban suppliers from increasing provide funding for electricity network company activities. prices on fixed-term tariffs. Suppliers are also banned from automatically rolling householders on to another Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for fixed-term offer when their current one ends. Energy and Climate Change pursuant to his statement From 31 December 2013, Ofgem is banning suppliers of 2 December 2013, Official Report, column 627, on from offering complex multi-tier tariffs, and limiting the energy bills, what measures he has taken to force the number of tariffs suppliers may offer. Suppliers have energy companies to (a) open up their books and (b) taken steps to be compliant with these rules in advance justify price rises to customers. [180199] of them coming into force. Taken together these changes will help consumers to Michael Fallon: We have asked the independent regulator understand their bills, work out where they can get the to deliver a full report on the transparency of financial best deal and then switch accordingly. accounts of the largest energy companies and for ways to improve how the information is communicated to Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for build trust in the industry. The justification of price Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the statement rises is a matter for the energy companies themselves. of 2 December 2013, Official Report, column 629, on energy bills, what discussions he has had with (a) British Gas, (b) RWE Npower, (c) Scottish Power and Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for (d) SSE on the effect of the changes to green levies on Energy and Climate Change pursuant to his statement household energy bills. [180501] of 2 December 2013, Official Report, column 627, on energy bills, what assessment his Department has made Michael Fallon: Government officials have held of the effect of Ofgem’s retail market review on consumer discussions, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy engagement in the energy market. [180200] and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), with all energy companies Michael Fallon: Ofgem’s reforms under the Retail obligated under the Energy Company Obligation regarding Market Review are creating a simpler, clearer and fairer the effect the changes to ECO would have on the energy market for consumers. administrative costs of delivering that obligation. 741W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 742W

Energy: Profits Gregory Barker: DECC does not make projections for the number of solid wall insulation (SWI) measures Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for installed by the insulation industry. However, we recently Energy and Climate Change with reference to section 3 announced that in the first quarter of 2014 we will of his Department’s response to the Energy and consult on a requirement for energy suppliers to deliver Climate Change Select Committee’s Report on Energy a minimum of 100,000 SWI measures (or a specific prices, profits and poverty, published on 10 October volume of CO2 equivalent to that number of SWI 2013, HC 717, if he will make it his policy to require installations) under the Energy Company Obligation energy companies to disclose their trading profits in between January 2013 and March 2017. Energy suppliers their segmental statements. [180239] would have flexibility about how they deliver this target— there would not be annual sub targets. Michael Fallon: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), has asked Ofgem to deliver, Natural Gas: Prices by spring 2014, a full report on the transparency of financial accounts of the energy companies and ways Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for this could be improved. As part of its consultation Energy and Climate Change pursuant to his answer of process Ofgem is looking at appropriate ways for companies 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 394, on to report their trading activities. energy costs, what the evidential basis for the statement is that there has been a huge increase in wholesale gas Green Deal Scheme prices. [180181]

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Michael Fallon: DECC’s March 2013 report “Estimated Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of impacts of energy and climate change policies on energy 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 392, on prices and bills”1, shows that wholesale gas prices increased energy efficiency, what the evidential basis is for the by over 35% in real terms between 2010 and 2012. This statement that over 100,000 Green Deal measures are to is a substantial rise, especially when the impact on be installed in people’s homes. [180195] household energy bills is considered. The report finds that average household energy (gas Gregory Barker: My comments related to the number and electricity) bills are estimated to have increased by of people we know have decided to take action and have around 13% in real terms between 2010 and 2012, with a Green Deal assessment—over 100,000 by the end of around 60% of this increase due to increases in wholesale October, with nearly 17,000 happening in October alone. energy costs. The Department’s research shows that over 80% of 1https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ those who had assessments then went on to either attachment_data/file/172923/130326_-_Price_and_Bill_Impacts_ install energy efficiency measures, were in the process of Report_Final.pdf, p.20 having them installed or intended to install in the future. But the actual number of measures installed under the Energy Company Obligation, Green Deal and other Renewable Energy financing options is much higher than these figures suggest—over 310,000 measures by the end of September. Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing: Insulation Energy and Climate Change (1) with reference to paragraph 38 of update 3: contract award process, final Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for investment decision enabling for renewables, for what Energy and Climate Change whether the minimum reason he has introduced technology-based rules to the number of solid wall installations to be delivered under selection process when allocating investment contracts; the Carbon Emissions Reduction Obligation element of [180343] the Energy Companies Obligation refers to a minimum (2) with reference to paragraph 38 of update 3: number of solid wall insulations to be installed or a contract award process, final investment decision enabling hypothetical carbon reduction equivalent. [180825] for renewables, published by his Department on 4 December 2013, what representations he has received on the Gregory Barker: We propose to consult in early 2014 introduction of technology based rules to the selection on setting the target for the delivery of a minimum level process when allocating investment contracts. [180344] of solid wall installation, across all elements of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), as either a carbon Michael Fallon: Investment contracts represent a financial target or as a minimum number of properties to be commitment under the Levy Control Framework. As treated. This will form part of a wider consultation on part of its management of the Levy Control Framework the future of the scheme. settlement, DECC has set a limit on the amount of funding in each year of the Levy Control Framework Insulation settlement period from 2015-16 to 2020-21 that can be committed to FID Enabling for renewables projects Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for under the current FID Enabling for renewables process. Energy and Climate Change how many solid wall Given these affordability constraints, a technology based installations he expects to be completed in financial approach ensures a broad coverage of technologies that years (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15, (c) 2015-16 and (d) will contribute to delivery of the 2020 renewables target 2016-17. [180244] and security of supply objectives. 743W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 744W

This is consistent with statements made in Update 1: Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Invitation to Participate (paragraph 47, page 11) and Energy and Climate Change with reference to Final Update 2: Investment Contract Allocation (paragraphs investment decision enabling for renewables, update 3: 18-page 8 and 51-page 15)). contract award process, published by his Department Link to Update 1: on 4 December 2013, how many of the applications for https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ final investment decision enabling contracts for renewables attachment_data/file/141873/FIDeR_update_doc_Invitation_ phase 2 have received planning consent. [180415] to_Participate_2013_-_03_-_14_FINAL.pdf Link to Update 2: Michael Fallon: The planning and consents requirements https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ for qualification under Phase 2 of the FID Enabling for attachment_data/file/209367/2013_-_06_- Renewables process varied between technologies as set _27_FIDe_Update_2_ Master_Draft__2_.pdf out in Level 3 Criterion 1.1.3 in Update 2, published in June 2013. Not all projects were required to have achieved Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for planning or development consent. Assessed against Level Energy and Climate Change with reference to update 3: 3 Criterion 1.1.3, 23 projects met the minimum threshold contract award process, final investment decision enabling standard for land availability, planning consents, grid for renewables, published by his Department on 4 December connection and radar/aviation arrangements (as applicable). 2013, how many of the applications for final investment Link to Update 2: decision enabling contracts for renewables phase 2 have https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ engineering and construction contracts in place. attachment_data/file/209367/2013_-_06_-_27_FIDe_Update_ [180345] 2_Master_Draft__2_.pdf

Michael Fallon: As stated in Update 1 (paragraph 8, page 4) ″The principal objective of FID Enabling for Renewable Energy: Heating Renewables is to enable developers of renewable energy projects to take final investment decisions, or other Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for critical investment decisions directly impacting on the Energy and Climate Change with reference to the Fourth time to commissioning the project, which would otherwise Carbon Budget Review by the Committee on Climate be delayed by the uncertainty caused by the transition Change, published in December 2013, if he will reduce to the enduring CFD regime.″ These decisions will the renewable heat incentive scheme payments for air include decisions to enter into key contracts relevant to source heat pumps in the light of evidence presented on developers’ projects. the performance and durability of heat pumps on page Accordingly, one of the relevant criteria against which 43 of that report. [180672] applicants for Phase 2 were assessed related to ″procurement plans″ (see Update 2 (Annex C, pages 36-37), Level 3 Gregory Barker: One of the primary purposes of the Criterion 1.1.4) rather than having such engineering Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is to address our ambition and construction contracts in place. to meet our 2020 renewable energy targets. Support Link to Update 1: under the RHI is, therefore, designed to incentivise the https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ level of air-source heat pump (ASHP) deployment that attachment_data/file/141873/FIDeR_update_doc_Invitation_ we believe is necessary to contribute to that target. It to_Participate_2013_-_03_-_14_FINAL.pdf will not be reduced unless deployment exceeds certain Link to Update 2: pre-set limits, when our budget management system will https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ automatically and transparently reset those tariffs. The attachment_data/file/209367/2013_-_06_- approach we are taking to budget management was set _27_FIDe_Update_2_ Master_Draft__2_.pdf out in the supplementary policy document that was published on 4 December: Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/renewable- Energy and Climate Change with reference to update 3: heat-incentive-proposals-for-a-domestic-scheme contract award process, final investment decision enabling We are, of course, conscious of the performance and for renewables, published by his Department on 4 December durability of the products we incentivise; and we have 2013, how many of the applications for final investment designed the RHI to reward those systems which have decision enabling contracts for renewables phase 2 are higher design efficiencies. We are offering a limited expected to come online in (a) 2015, (b) 2016, (c) amount of metering and monitoring service packages 2017, (d) 2018, (e) 2019 and (f) 2020 or later. [180346] within the domestic RHI to support consumers with these new technologies. We are also working with industry Michael Fallon: The number of projects that have to ensure that consumer protection is at the centre of applied through the Final Investment Decision (FID) the offers they make to consumers. Enabling for Renewables process that come on line in any given year will depend on which of them are awarded investment contracts. This will in turn depend Wind Power: Bournemouth on which of them make binding applications (expected in March 2014 at the earliest), DECC’s assessment of those applications against the FID Enabling for Renewables Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Levy Control Framework affordability envelope, and and Climate Change what discussions he has had with down-selection through the application of a technology UNESCO on the effect of a new offshore windfarm based approach (if required). near Bournemouth. [180808] 745W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 746W

Gregory Barker: I have held no discussions with Cycle Safety UNESCO on the effect of a proposed offshore wind farm near Bournemouth. Any potential impacts will be 12. Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for assessed through the planning process once an application Transport what steps he is taking to improve cycle for consent is received. safety. [901733] Wind Power: Planning Permission Mr Goodwill: We must continue to improve the safety of cyclists which—despite recent negative publicity—has Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy improved markedly over the last decade. and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Spending on cycling has doubled in comparison to Government about delays to planning permission for when her party was in power which will allow further onshore and offshore wind farms. [180734] progress to be made.

Gregory Barker: I have not had any discussions with 16. Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State the Secretary of State for Communities and Local for Transport what steps he is taking to improve cycle Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for safety. [901737] Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), on this issue. Mr Goodwill: We must continue to improve the safety Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy of cyclists which—despite recent negative publicity—has and Climate Change what the average length of time improved markedly over the last decade. from the original application for onshore and offshore Spending on cycling has doubled in comparison to wind farms to those wind farms coming online was in when his party was in power which will allow further (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011 and (d) 2012. [180739] progress to be made.

Gregory Barker: As of 17 December 2013, the Renewable Pedestrian Safety Energy Planning Database (REPD) https://restats.decc.gov.uk/app/reporting/decc/monthlyextract 14. Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for showed that for wind farms that became fully operational Transport what plans he has to improve safety for in the years 2009 to 2012, the average period of time (in pedestrians. [901735] weeks) from their planning application being submitted was: Mr Goodwill: The Government has already taken a range of steps to improve pedestrian safety, including 2009 2010 2011 2012 making it easier for local authorities to implement 20 mile per hour zones and launching a new THINK! Onshore 144 130 179 182 resource centre to help teachers educate children and wind teens on road safety. Offshore 318 332 270 338 wind We will continue to work with delivery partners, including local authorities, to identify further opportunities This includes the time for the project to receive planning for improving pedestrian safety. consent, prepare for construction and be constructed. It should be noted that larger wind farms take longer to Railway Infrastructure construct. 15. Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of Network TRANSPORT Rail’s performance in maintaining and upgrading railway infrastructure. [901736] Public Service Obligation Funding Stephen Hammond: Network Rail has achieved a 11. Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for great deal in recent years. But the Office of Rail Regulation’s Transport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness latest report on Network Rail’s performance shows a of current public service obligation funding arrangements. clear link between under-performance on maintaining [901732] infrastructure and the recent level of delays and cancellations experienced by passengers. I am pleased that, from Mr Goodwill: Public service obligations (PSOs) allow April 2014, ORR has set new regulatory targets for for the protection of scheduled air service on routes Network Rail. These focus on how Network Rail manages, which are vital for the economic development of the maintains and renews the network. This will not change region they serve and are governed by European legislation. following the ONS’s recent decision. PSOs are governed by European legislation. To support their use the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced A628 as part of the June 2013 spending round funding of £20 million to support PSOs to London where there is a risk Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for that connectivity may be lost. Transport on how many occasions in (a) 2010-11, (b) I am today publishing guidance to clarify how the 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13 the A628 between Flouch and Government will interpret this legislation to allow devolved Mottram was closed to traffic because of (i) road and regional bodies to access this fund. accidents and (ii) weather conditions. [180521] 747W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 748W

Mr Goodwill: In 2011, there were eight closures on First Great Western the A628 between Flouch and Mottram; four were due to Road Traffic Collisions (RTC’s), four due to weather. Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Of the four RTC’s, two resulted in full carriageway Transport what assessment he has made of First Great closures, two were one direction only. Western’s recent performance and their capacity to In 2012, there were 14 closures, eight due to RTC’s, manage passenger demand to Plymouth and the South six due to weather. Of the eight RTC’s, five were full West over the Christmas and new year period. [180270] closures, three were one direction only. In 2013, there were 12 closures, eight due to RTC’s, Stephen Hammond: First Great Western’s performance, four due to weather. Of the eight RTC’s, six were full measured against the benchmarks of delay minutes and closures, two were in one direction only. cancellations contracted in the Franchise Agreement, is within stipulated targets. Overall performance, including Bus Services: North East Network Rail and other operators, is measured periodically (every four weeks) against Public Performance Measures Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for (PPM) and Joint Performance Improvement Plan (JPIP) Transport what recent discussions he has had with targets and is available on the Office of Rail Regulation Arriva about bus services on Teesside and in East website. Cleveland. [901719] First Great Western (FGW) are responsible for ensuring they optimise the use of their rolling stock fleet and Stephen Hammond: There have been no recent discussions capacity, especially at busy holiday periods. The Department with Arriva about bus services on Teesside or East for Transport does not involve itself in these decisions, Cleveland. However, Ministers and officials are in regular save to ensure that FGW remains compliant with its contact with bus sector stakeholders, such as local franchise obligations. authorities and the Confederation of Passenger Transport, the bus industry trade body, about developments in the Fuels bus market. My noble Friend, the Minister of State for Transport, Baroness Kramer, will also chair the next Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for meeting of the Bus Partnership Forum in January— Transport what his policy is on mandatory fuel charging. bringing together all those with an interest in the provision [180790] of bus services. Jo Swinson: I have been asked to reply on behalf of Driving Under Influence: Drugs the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. I understand this question refers to vehicle rental. Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Charges for fuel by vehicle rental firms and the conditions Transport when he plans to publish the outcome of his under which they charge are commercial matters for the Department’s consultation on Regulations about the new vehicle rental industry. In advertising and presenting its offence of driving with a controlled drug in the body services a vehicle rental firm must be clear about the above a specified limit; and when he plans to consult on total price for the consumer, including any non-optional the proposed such limit for amphetamines. [180535] charges covered by the contract. Failure to provide adequate and accurate information about price is likely Mr Goodwill: The Department published the consultation to be an offence under the Consumer Protection from on a proposed limit for amphetamine on 19 December Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. The Regulations outlaw 2013, which will close on 30 January 2014. We will then misleading commercial practices, including practices consider the responses to our proposed limit and include which are misleading by omitting important information. them in our consideration of the earlier consultation and publish a joint summary and conclusion shortly afterwards. Highways Agency

Electric Vehicles Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why policy option two, institutional reform Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for without legislation, set out in the roads reform impact Transport with reference to the commitment on page 10 assessment was not considered in the consultation on of the National Infrastructure Plan to invest £5 million transforming the Highways Agency. [180350] during 2014-15 in a large-scale electric vehicle readiness programme for public sector fleets, what that programme Mr Goodwill: The impact assessment prepared and will include; how many public sector contracts will be published alongside the Government’s roads reform awarded under this investment; and when the procurement consultation clearly demonstrated that the policy option procedure for this process will start. [180136] of institutional reform with legislation would deliver significantly higher benefits than without legislation, Mr Goodwill: We are working up the details of the and includes discussion of the matters which we considered initiative with the relevant Government Departments in reaching that assessment. and have a launch date of April 2014. We anticipate Legislation is critical to securing reforms, with genuine that we will make a package available to fleets which long-term funding certainty for strategic roads, allowing will include a review, vehicle leases and infrastructure. the new company to plan ahead and deliver efficiency The scheme will be for central Government Departments savings of at least £2.6 billion over 10 years. This degree in the first instance before being rolled out to the wider of certainty is also needed to give the supply chain public sector. sufficient confidence to invest in equipment and skills 749W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 750W and begin building up for a much larger roads programme Pedestrian Crossings that will boost jobs and provide a stronger future for the construction industry in the UK. Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will estimate the number of pelican Large Goods Vehicles crossings, puffin crossings and countdown crossings in operation on national and on local authority roads; Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for [180051] Transport what steps he is taking to tackle delays by (2) what assessment he has made of the circumstances the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to process in which a pelican crossing can have a superior safety type approval testing for HGV trailers. [180359] record to that of a puffin crossing; [180052] (3) with reference to the puffin pedestrian crossing Mr Goodwill: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency accident study published by TRL in March 2011, for (DVSA) (formally VOSA) has been working with its what reasons his Department permits local authorities customers to introduce a number of improvements to to install new pelican crossings; [180053] allow quicker times for applications and tests, including (4) whether his Department needs to commission standardised and simplified processes, redesigned user- further research before mandating that local highway friendly applications forms, quicker payment options authorities discontinue installation or renewal of pelican with payment confirmation via email. crossings; [180054] Additional DVSA individual vehicle approval (IVA) (5) if he will issue guidance to local highway authorities testing sites are now available, with extra IVA examiners on the dangers of pelican crossings on roads with being trained to meet local demand. The number of multi-lane approaches. [180055] privately owned test facilities has increased and out of hours testing is now available where required to meet Mr Goodwill: The Department for Transport does customer demand. We are working with stakeholders to not hold information on number of pelican, puffin and better understand future capacity with further DVSA countdown crossings installed by local authorities. IVA sites being considered where appropriate. The Highways Agency is responsible for maintaining the strategic road network in association with its service M62 providers. There are approximately 400 pelican crossings and 200 crossings of other types on that network. Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Decisions on what type of crossing to provide are for Transport on how many occasions the M62 between local traffic authorities, taking into account local factors Leeds and Manchester was closed to traffic due to (a) such as road layout, traffic speed and volume, and road accidents and (b) inclement weather conditions in pedestrian flow. Many factors contribute to the safety each of the last three years. [180518] record of a crossing and for this reason it is not possible to provide a definitive assessment of crossing types in Mr Goodwill: In 2011, there were 35 closures on the terms of safety. M62 motorway between Leeds and Manchester. All 35 However, research commissioned by the DFT showed were due to Road Traffic Collisions (RTC’s). Of these, that pelican crossings converted to puffin crossings three were full closures, 32 were in one direction only. showed an average reduction in accidents of 17%. The In 2012, there were 40 closures, 39 due to RTC’s and report is available to download at: one due to the weather. Of the 39 RTC’s, five of these www.trl.co.uk/online_store/reports_publications/trl_reports/ required full closures, 34 were one direction only. cat_traffic_engineering/report_puffin_pedestrian_ In 2013, there have been 16 closures to date, all due to crossing_accident_study.htm RTC’s. Two have required full closures, the other 14 The Department has no plans to commission further were one direction only. research on pedestrian crossings. The Department gives advice on assessing and designing Network Rail pedestrian crossings in two local transport notes (LTNs), LTN 1/95: The Assessment of Pedestrian Crossings and LTN 2/95: The Design of Pedestrian Crossings, available Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for at: Transport what recent assessment he has made of Network Rail’s performance in maintaining and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-transport- upgrading railway infrastructure. [901726] notes In 2004, the Department also published the Puffin Stephen Hammond: Network Rail has achieved a Good Practice Guide, giving detailed advice on the great deal in recent years. But the Office of Rail Regulation’s design and installation of puffin crossings. This is available latest report on Network Rail’s performance shows a to download at: clear link between underperformance on maintaining https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/managing- infrastructure and the recent level of delays and cancellations improving-and-investing-in-the-road-network/supporting- experienced by passengers. I am pleased that, from pages/traffic-signs April 2014, ORR has set new regulatory targets for Many authorities already choose to install puffin Network Rail. These focus on how Network Rail manages, crossings as their default crossing type both at junctions maintains and renews the network. This will not change and stand-alone. The Department expects this trend to following the ONS’s recent decision. continue. 751W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 752W

Railway Signals: Wales by bi-lateral agreements between Network Rail and the operating companies. The Department for Transport is Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for not party to this agreement. Transport with reference to the recent announcement Further information can be found on Office of Rail by the Office of Rail Regulation of investment in the Regulation (ORR) website in the annual National Rail North Wales coast mainline, what the timetable is for Trends Magazine, Link as follows: the signalling improvements to the line. [180502] http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1528 Stephen Hammond: The Office of Rail Regulation published their final determination of Network Rail’s Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport output and funding for control period 5 (2014 to 2019) what (a) Network Grant and (b) revenue support in October 2013. In their final determination they increased payments received by each train operating company in the assumed expenditure in three key areas compared to each year between 2001-02 and 2012-13 were. [180731] the draft determination, with rises of £104 million for track renewals, £21 million for signalling renewals and Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport £66 million for information and asset management. does not pay network grant to each Train Operating The Welsh Government is leading on the determination Company. Network Grant is paid to Network Rail. on outputs for Wales in control period 6. Further information can be found on Office of Rail Railways: Finance Regulation (ORR) website in the annual National Rail Trends Magazine, Link as follows: Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1528 Transport what total track access charges paid to Train Operating Companies (TOCs) let from 2006 Network Rail by each train operating company in each under a Template Franchise Agreement (TfA) were let year between 2001-02 and 2012-13 were. [180730] with entitlement to claim Revenue Support after an initial period from commencement. Table following show Stephen Hammond: Track Access Charges paid by all TOCs in Revenue Support or that have claimed Train Operating companies to Network Rail is governed Revenue Support in the past.

£ million Revenue Support paid (2008-09 to 2012-13) Train operating company 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09

Cross Country Trains Limited (AXC) 81.9 18.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 East Midlands Trains Limited (EMT) 124.7 25.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 First Capital Connect Limited (FCC) 39.5 32.1 26.3 43.8 0.0 First Greater Western Limited (FGW) 266.3 209.4 139.2 131.9 47.0 London and Birmingham Railway Limited (London Midland) 0.0 0.0 0.0 (2.0) 0.0 Abellio Greater Anglia (AGA) (previously National Express East Anglia) 16.5 38.1 34.1 34.5 18.2 Stagecoach South Western Trains Limited (SSWT) 127.0 85.4 69.0 0.0 (1.5) London and South Eastern Railway Limited (LSER) 60.2 48.9 16.8 0.0 0.0 New Southern Railway Limited (Southern) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 West Coast Trains Limited (VWC) 28.6 44.0 31.9 75.0 0.0 Note: Positive numbers are Revenue Support payments to TOCs while negative numbers are Receipts to DFT.

Railways: Franchises Coast, (ii) Great Western, (iii) Southern, (iv) Thameslink, (v) South Eastern, (vi) South West, (vii) Northern, (viii) Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport East Coast, (ix) Transpennine, (x) Greater Anglia, (xi) what the total premium payments from the current East Midlands, (xii) London Midland, (xiii) Cross Country, operators of the (a) West Coast, (b) Great Western, (xiv) Essex Thameside and (xv) Chiltern rail passenger (c) Southern, (d) Thameslink, (e) South Eastern, (f) franchise are to date. [180732] South West, (g) Northern, (h) East Coast, (i) Transpennine, (j) Greater Anglia, (k) East Midlands, Stephen Hammond: Network Grant is paid to Network (l) London Midland, (m) Cross Country, (n) Essex Rail rather than Train Operating Companies. Thameside and (o) Chiltern rail passenger franchise Revenue support figures are published by the Office aretodate. [180719] of Rail Regulation and can be seen at: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.3016 Stephen Hammond: Premium payment figures are published by the Office of Rail Regulation and can be seen at Railways: Greater London http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.3016 Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to devolve further rail services to what the total (a) Network Grant and (b) revenue Transport for London; and if he will make a statement. support received by the current operator of the (i) West [180712] 753W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 754W

Stephen Hammond: In June 2013, the Government agreed in principle to devolve Greater Anglia (West 2010 2011 2012 2013 (ytd) Anglia) services from Chingford to Liverpool Street, Investigations 5,358 2,564 2,799 2,515 Enfield Town to Liverpool Street and Cheshunt to Unsatisfactory 58.1 70.7 76.6 79.8 Liverpool Street (via Southbury) to Transport for London (percentage) (TfL). This change is currently scheduled to take place in summer 2015. There are no firm plans at the present PSV time to devolve further rail services to the Mayor and Investigations 995 578 456 538 TfL, but we are reviewing with TfL the future operation Unsatisfactory 56.9 58.7 62.5 72.3 of Ealing to Greenford and Romford to Upminster (percentage) services and how these can be best managed. Vehicle and Operator Services Agency Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many convictions were referred to the Traffic Commissioners by the Vehicle and Operator Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Services Agency in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and Transport how many vehicles were weighed by the (d) 2013 to date. [180838] Vehicle and Operator Services Agency in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013 to date. [180830] Stephen Hammond: The information is not held in the form requested and can only be obtained at Stephen Hammond: The numbers of vehicles weighed disproportionate cost. by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency in (a) Work Programme 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013 to date, are given in the following table. Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people his Department employed Weighed directly from the Work programme in (a) 2011, (b) 2010 9,037 2012 and (c) 2013 to date. [180853] 2011 8,734 Stephen Hammond: The Department and its agencies 2012 8,100 employed the following number from the Work programme: 2013 (ytd) 7,493 Number Weightings by calendar year 2010-13 (for 2013 January to November). 2011 0 2012 6 Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for 2013 <5 Transport how many vehicle maintenance investigations the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency carried out in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013 to date; and WORK AND PENSIONS what proportion were unsatisfactory in each year. Employment and Support Allowance [180831] Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Stephen Hammond: The numbers of vehicle maintenance and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 18 November investigations carried out by the Vehicle and Operator 2013, Official Report, column 669W, on employment Services Agency in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and and support allowance, with what medical conditions (d) 2013 to date, and the proportion that were those people transferred from incapacity benefit to an unsatisfactory in each year are given in the following employment and support allowance work-related table. activity group without being seen by an assessor have been diagnosed; and how many such people have been 2010 2011 2012 2013 (ytd) diagnosed with each such condition. [180442]

HGV Mike Penning: The information requested is shown in the following table.

Incapacity benefits reassessments—Outcomes for paper-based assessments, Great Britain (IB claimants referred for reassessment between September 2011 and November 2012) by main diagnosis group WRAG outcomes by month of referral for reassessment 2011 2012 Diagnosis group September October November December January February March April

All 9,700 10,000 10,400 10,200 9,100 8,400 8,800 9,100 Diseases of the 1,300 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,400 1.300 1,300 1,500 musculoskeletal system and connective tissue Diseases of the 700 700 700 600 600 600 600 600 nervous system Diseases of the 500 500 500 500 500 400 400 500 respiratory and circulatory system 755W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 756W

Incapacity benefits reassessments—Outcomes for paper-based assessments, Great Britain (IB claimants referred for reassessment between September 2011 and November 2012) by main diagnosis group WRAG outcomes by month of referral for reassessment 2011 2012 Diagnosis group September October November December January February March April

Injury, poisoning 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 and certain other consequences of external causes Mental and 5,200 5,300 5,600 5,500 4,800 4,400 4,600 4,600 behavioural disorders Other 1,900 1,900 1,900 1,900 1,700 1,600 1,700 1,900

WRAG outcomes by month of referral for reassessment 2012 Diagnosis group May June July August September October November

All 9,900 9,100 10,600 10,100 9,200 10,500 10,300 Diseases of the 1,800 1,700 2,200 1,800 1,700 2,000 2,000 musculoskeletal system and connective tissue Diseases of the 700 600 800 700 700 900 800 nervous system Diseases of the 500 500 600 600 500 700 600 respiratory and circulatory system Injury, poisoning and 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 certain other consequences of external causes Mental and 4,800 4,300 4,600 4,800 4,200 4,600 4,500 behavioural disorders Other 2,000 1,800 2,300 2,100 1,900 2,200 2,200 Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Hence totals may not sum exactly. 2. A small number of cases where the data is inconsistent with the policy have been excluded from this table. 3. When someone claiming incapacity benefits is reassessed for ESA, they will only have to undergo a face-to-face work capability assessment (WCA) if there is insufficient evidence for a paper-based WCA to be carried out. 4. IB ICD (disease) code ICD (disease) code causes of incapacity are based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, published by the World Health Organisation. Medical condition is based on evidence provided at the start of the claim; this in itself does not confer entitlement to ESA and may not represent a claimant’s most recent medical condition. Source: The figures are derived from administrative data held by the Department for Work and Pensions and assessment data provided by Atos Healthcare.

Employment and Support Allowance: Yorkshire and the Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Humber Work and Pensions how it is possible to transfer between Work Choice and the Work programme. [181045] Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people on employment and Esther McVey: Work Choice participants are not support allowance in (a) York Central constituency, eligible for the Work programme on either a mandatory (b) York local authority and (c) Yorkshire and the or voluntary basis. Humber were (i) moved from the support group to the work-related group, (ii) appealed this decision and (iii) were subsequently moved back to the support group in Employment: Swindon October 2012 and each month since then. [180920] Esther McVey: The information requested is not readily Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for available and to provide it would incur disproportionate Work and Pensions how many people have exited the cost. benefits system and entered employment in Swindon in each of the last five years. [181771] Employment Schemes: Disability Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Esther McVey: The information requested is not readily Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to reduce available, and to provide it would incur disproportionate the paperwork requirements for verifying job outcomes cost. in Work Choice. [181043] Food Banks Esther McVey: We are confident that the validation of Work Choice is set at an appropriate level and there are no plans to change the process which is designed to John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work protect the taxpayer. The Department does of course and Pensions if he will publish the guidance given to always keep such processes under review and it is possible Jobcentre Plus staff on the provision of information on it will develop in the future. local food banks to claimants of benefits. [180924] 757W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 758W

Esther McVey: Since 2011, Jobcentre Plus has signposted Jobseeker’s Allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber claimants in crisis to local food banks when there was no other support available. This is only when we have Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work checked there was no other support available and we and Pensions how many people in (a) York Central continue to signpost in these circumstances. The decision constituency, (b) York local authority and (c) Yorkshire on providing assistance lies with the food bank and not and the Humber (i) had their jobseeker’s allowance with Jobcentre Plus. (JSA) withdrawn as a result of their alleged failure to comply with conditions laid down by his Department, (ii) appealed against that decision and (iii) had their Jobcentre Plus JSA reinstated in October 2012 and each month since then. [180919] Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 2 December Esther McVey: The information requested is not readily 2013, Official Report, column 517W, on Jobcentre Plus, available and to provide it would incur disproportionate what estimate he has made of the number of separate cost. claims that did not relate to new claims processed by Jobcentre Plus centres using the 0845 number in the Members: Correspondence year to September 2013 by Service Line. [180740] Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Esther McVey: The Department uses 0845 telephone Work and Pensions when he expects to reply to the numbers to handle benefit enquiry calls from claimants letter to him from the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland for reasons other than to make a new claim to benefit. of 20 November 2013 relating to employment and The Figures in the following table represent total support allowance. [181740] calls made to the Department’s 0845 working age benefit enquiry lines between 1 October 2012 and 30 September Esther McVey: I replied to the to the hon. Member on 2013. 18 December 2013.

1 Service line Total calls Occupational Pensions Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) 7,729,326 Enquiries Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Income Support (IS) Enquiries 4,043,262 and Pensions what steps he is taking to ensure that Incapacity Benefit (IB) 950,872 companies who have fewer than 50 workers in the UK Enquiries but a larger workforce abroad are not classed as a small Welsh Language JSA, IS and IB 1,940 business for the purposes of the automatic pension Enquiries enrolment programme. [180741] Employment and Support 7,946,419 Allowance (ESA) Enquiries IB/IS Reassessment 440,563 Steve Webb: The process for fixing staging dates for Welsh language ESA Enquiries 1,551 automatic enrolment is set out in legislation. Staging and IB/IS Reassessment dates are determined by the number of workers in the Enquire2 9,450,835 PAYE scheme on 1 April 2012. Each employer’s staging 1 Figures exclude calls terminated during automated welcome date was set using the latest information available to the messaging; internal transfers and calls from Jobcentre ‘Customer regulator as at 1 April 2012. Access’ phones. There may be discrepancies between some employers’ 2 Calls to the Enquire service line ceased in September 2013. Calls were redirected to benefit specific service lines. international size and the size of their UK PAYE scheme at 1 April 2012. The Pensions Regulator’s must apply the law on staging dates consistently to all employers Jobseeker’s Allowance irrespective of size. Ministers and the regulator have no discretion to change staging dates. John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish the latest available Pensions statistics and update the figures published to June 2013 on the proportion of jobseeker’s allowance claimants Mr Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Work who have been sanctioned (a) in total and (b) for each and Pensions what steps (a) the Pensions Advisory of the welfare to work programmes that his Department Service and (b) his Department have taken to promote is currently operating; and if he will publish the figures awareness of the alternatives to pension annuities. on a (i) regional, (ii) local authority and (iii) constituency [180904] basis. [180925] Steve Webb: The information is as follows: Esther McVey: There is no intention to publish the (a) TPAS has promoted awareness of alternatives to data as requested. pension annuities via: However the next release of official statistics on JSA Information provided in response to queries from individuals. and ESA sanctions will be on 19 February 2014 and as TPAS advisers discuss all the options available and the implications well as Jobcentre Plus geography breakdown, this will of these decisions. include regional, local authority and parliamentary Speaking to the adviser and provider community about open constituency breakdowns. market options (which will include discussion of alternatives). 759W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 760W

The TPAS website—which contains information about choices Some variations of relative and absolute low income—where when drawing down pension income and individuals are encouraged someone lives in a household that receives less than 50% or 70% to contact the organisation to discuss the issue in more detail; and of the average household income. These measures are supplementary Contributing to cross-organisational work codes of practice to the 60% measure. regarding retirement choice. Relative low income, absolute low income, persistent (b) DWP has promoted awareness of alternative to poverty, and variations of relative and absolute low annuities via: income are measured both before housing costs and Regulations that require all money purchase schemes to write after housing costs. Housing costs include; rent (gross to their members as they approach retirement age and provide of housing benefit); water rates, community water charges them with information about their retirement choices. This information and council water charges; mortgage interest payments; is known as a ‘wake up pack’ and must include a leaflet that sets structural insurance premiums (for owner occupiers); out all options; providers can use the Money Advice Service ground rent and service charges. (MAS) leaflet ″Pensions: Your Time to Choose″ or an equivalent wording. The Child Poverty Act 2010 sets four income-based UK-wide targets to be met by 2020. The targets are Promoting a clear ’three step customer journey’ within the above literature—step 2 is about considering what type of income based on the proportion of children living in households best suits the particular circumstances of the individual—annuity with relative low income, combined low income and or other option, and if an annuity, what shape of annuity; and material deprivation, absolute low income and persistent Ensuring outputs from the Open Market Option Review Group, poverty (all before housing costs have been taken into which DWP chairs, reflect the three step journey. Examples are: account) as outlined above. the ABI Code of Conduct on Retirement Choices; the MAS We want to develop better measures of child poverty leaflet; and the Pension Regulator’s Guidance to Trustees. which include, but go beyond, income to provide a more accurate picture of the reality of child poverty and drive Post Office Card Account the right action. The Government has consulted on how best to measure child poverty. The complexity of the Mr Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and issue means that we need to take time to ensure we have Pensions (1) on what basis the contract for the Post the best measure of child poverty. We will publish our Office card account will be tendered if a new contract is response as soon as we can. continued into 2015; and if he will make a statement; [180411] Social Security Benefits (2) what steps he is taking to ensure the continuation of the Post Office card account once the contract for Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work the provision of that account expires in March 2015. and Pensions (1) what steps his Department takes to [180629] ensure that people who are entitled to claim advances of benefits are made aware that they may do so; [180726] Mike Penning: DWP is in discussion with Post Office Ltd, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (2) who is eligible to claim advances in benefits; and and the Treasury, about the future for the Post Office under what circumstances such advances may be card account. The details of these discussions remain claimed. [180727] confidential for commercial reasons. The contract does include the option to extend for up to two years from Esther McVey: Short-term benefit advances and universal March 2015. credit advances are available to support claimants to meet day to day expenses, normally whilst the claimant Poverty is waiting for their first benefit payment. To be offered an advance there must be a likelihood that benefit will Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work be paid and the claimant must be in financial need and Pensions what definition his Department uses for (defined as a serious risk of damage to the health or (a) poverty and (b) relative low income. [180802] safety of the claimant or a member of his family). These advances are not a specific benefit or a separate Esther McVey: The Government uses a range of scheme like the Social Fund and the process reflects measures to quantify poverty. Relative low income is this. Where the claimant tells us they are in financial one measure, and is used in the Households Below need then DWP staff will consider an advance where Average Income National Statistics publication. Someone appropriate. This will most commonly happen at the is in relative low income if they are in a household that new claims stage when DWP staff are discussing with receives less than 60% of the median equivalised net the claimant what will happen next. In universal credit household income (‘average income’). Other main measures this discussion can include budgeting advice. of poverty presented in the Households Below Average A budgeting advance is an advance of benefit that Income National Statistics publication include: may be available to universal credit claimants on low Absolute low income—where someone lives in a household income who have been claiming universal credit, or a that receives less than 60% of the average household income in qualifying legacy benefit, continuously for six months 2010-11 adjusted for inflation; or more in order to meet an intermittent need or expense. Combined low income and material deprivation for children— This could include buying essential items like furniture. where a child is in material deprivation and lives in a household Where the expense is linked to obtaining or retaining where income is less than 70% of the average household income; employment, such as paying up-front childcare costs, Persistent poverty—where someone lives in a household where the six month qualifying period may be waived. Information income is less than 60% of average household income for at least about claiming Budgeting Advances is available with three out of the last four years; other budgeting advice on the DWP universal credit Material deprivation for pensioners; and website and the GOV.UK website and from DWP staff. 761W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 762W

Claimants on the Work programme who require help allowances will improve financial work incentives for starting work are told about the availability of budgeting many people. For example, in 2018-19, the work allowance advances to support their entry into work as part of the for a single person over 25, without children, is projected work service provision. to be £25.60 per week as compared to the current JSA disregard of £5 per week (2013-14 prices). John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work The work allowance rates will be fixed for the first and Pensions if he will commission research on the three years, to uprate them by 1% for those three years number of benefits claimants sanctioned and the use of would lead to an additional cost in the region of £300 food banks; and what assessment he has made of million in 2018-19 (2013-14 prices). trends in the number of benefits claimants sanctioned over the last three years. [180927] Work Programme Esther McVey: Trends in the number of benefit claimants Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for sanctioned over the last three years are publicly available Work and Pensions how many people his Department and set out at employed directly from the Work programme in (a) JSA sanctions prior to October 2012 (Old Regime 2011, (b) 2012 and (c) 2013 to date. [180855] decisions) are available at: http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/sanction/sanction/LIVE/ Mike Penning: The Department follows civil service tabtool.html recruitment policy, recruiting individuals into equivalent JSA New Regime and all ESA sanctions decisions are grades. Although the Department keeps information on available at: all recruits, statistics on the numbers of people recruited https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ directly from the Work programme are not collected. attachment_data/file/255568/sanctions-nov2013-update-2.xls Income Support lone parent regime sanctions are Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for available at: Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the proportion of people on the Work Programme who https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/income-support- lone-parent-regime-figures-on-sanctions-and-work-focused- possess the basic computer literacy skills necessary to interviews--2 use Jobmatch; what support is available for those on the The Department is not currently undertaking any Work Programme who are required to use Universal research on the use of food banks. We have a rigorous Jobmatch but do not possess the computer skills to do process for identifying what research to undertake, and so, and how such information is used by providers or projects and the research methodology to be used are Jobcentres to ensure skills gaps are addressed. [181708] agreed following detailed consideration of our information needs, to ensure resources are appropriately focussed, Esther McVey: The Department does not assess the and we achieve value for money. Future research will be computer literacy skills of people referred to the Work considered alongside all other departmental priorities. Programme. The Work Programme offers tailored support to all participants and providers look at individuals’ specific skill needs when helping them gain employment. Universal Credit

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his written statement WOMEN AND EQUALITIES of 5 December 2013, Official Report, columns 65-6WS, on universal credit, what budget he has allocated to the Ministers new digital service for universal credit. [180772]

Esther McVey: Costs for the future development of Ian Lucas: To ask the Minister for Women and the digital service remain subject to on-going commercial Equalities how much was spent on ministerial salaries discussions. in the last year for which figures are available. [180100] Mrs Grant: The total spend on ministerial salaries for Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for the financial year 2012-13, is included in the DCMS Work and Pensions how much has been spent on the Annual Report and Accounts which can be found at: existing universal credit pathfinder sites. [180773] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-annual- Esther McVey: The most recent estimate of the cost report-and-accounts-2012-13 of existing universal credit pathfinder sites is set out in the NAO report Universal Credit: Early progress, HC 621, published on 5 September 2013. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the freezing of universal Arts Council England credit work allowances will save. [180774] Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Esther McVey: Disregards in existing income based Culture, Media and Sport what capital grants were benefits are generally not uprated year on year. The £5 made by Arts Council England for culture-based projects earnings disregard in Income Support has been at this in each region in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) level for at least 25 years. In universal credit, new work 2013 to date. [180430] 763W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 764W

Mr Vaizey: The Department does not hold the Mrs Grant: Details for national lottery grants awarded information requested. Arts Council England (ACE) by the Big Lottery Fund and the other lottery distributing makes its funding decisions independently of Government. bodies can be found on the Department’s lottery grants ACE publish information on capital grants awarded for database. The database is searchable by constituency at culture based projects at: http://www.lottery.culture.gov.uk/AdvancedSearch.aspx http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/apply-for-funding/ and uses information on lottery grants supplied by the capital/ lottery distributors. http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/apply-for-funding/ capital/small-capital-grants/successful-applicants/ http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/apply-for-funding/ Public Footpaths: Coastal Areas capital/large-capital-grants/successful-applicants/

Film: Advertising Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what assessment her Department Mr Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for has made of the time frame for full completion of the Culture, Media and Sport when she will end the statutory national coastal footpath around England; [179053] requirement for the British Board of Film Classification (2) how much her Department has budgeted for the to clear cinema advertisements. [180926] introduction of a national coastal footpath around England. [179054] Mr Vaizey: The Government has announced previously that it will end the requirement for the British Board of Dan Rogerson: I have been asked to reply on behalf Film Classification (BBFC) to clear cinema advertising. of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural We are considering the most efficient way to implement Affairs. the change and will announce next steps shortly. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on Football 7 November 2013, Official Report, column 277W.

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make an Tennis: Young People assessment of the value of bringing forward legislative proposals to allow the reintroduction of standing areas Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for for English football club stadia. [180467] Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to promote tennis participation to people between the Mrs Grant: The Government currently believes that ages of 16 and 25; and if she will make a statement. the requirement for football clubs in the Premier League [180587] and Championship to have all-seater stadia is the best way to ensure the safety, security and comfort of spectators at football grounds in England and Wales. The football Mrs Grant: Sport England has committed £17.4 million authorities, police and those responsible for safety support over the next four years to get more people playing this policy. While the Government do not therefore tennis regularly, with a specific focus on encouraging 16 consider that a compelling case has been made to to 25-year-olds to play more. This includes £1.5 million change the policy, it recognises the importance of continuing to the Lawn Tennis Association for 2013-14 to raise to engage in an informed and constructive debate about participation levels for this age group, through new the issue. programmes designed specifically to appeal to young people. In addition, Sport England is investing in tennis Ministers through colleges and universities and offering more informal opportunities in community settings such as park courts to make it easier for 16 to 25-year-olds to Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, take up tennis. Media and Sport how much was spent on ministerial salaries in the last year for which figures are available. [180094] William Hill Mrs Grant: The total spend on ministerial salaries for the financial year 2012-13, is included in the DCMS Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Annual Report and Accounts which can be found at: Media and Sport if she will publish a list of all paper https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-annual- and electronic correspondence between (a) Ministers, report-and-accounts-2012-13 (b) officials and (c) special advisers in her Department and Andrew Lyman, head of Public Affairs at William National Lottery: Grants Hill plc in the last three years. [180850]

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Mrs Grant: Subject to determining what information Media and Sport if she will estimate the total level of is held by the Department within the timetable allowed national lottery grants awarded through the Big Lottery by the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and whether Fund and other disbursement streams in each parliamentary that information is eligible for disclosure, the Department constituency to local groups in the year to 1 October will look to publish a list of any eligible correspondence 2013. [180869] in the Libraries of both Houses. 765W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 766W

TREASURY Financial Services

Aviation: Passengers Mr Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of households who were involved in buying mortgage- Steve Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer backed securities in the UK between 2001 and 2008; what recent assessment he has made of the effects of the and how much compensation those households have Commissioners’ Directions on passenger information received for being sold bad loans to date. [180918] on the UK’s general aviation sector. [180571] Sajid Javid: The Government has not made any estimates Nicky Morgan: The Commissioners’ Directions, which of households involved in buying mortgage backed were made under the Customs and Excise Management securities between 2001 and 2008. Act (CEMA) 1979, s35 and 64(1) on 21 May 2013, set out the requirement for reporting passenger information Interest Rate Swap Transactions in advance. The Directions replaced the previous Directions, which had been in place since 2001. Ian Swales: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Since then a review of the 2013 Directions has taken what assessment he has made of progress of redress place and this has identified some operational difficulties arrangements for businesses subject to interest rate with the advance notification time scales. Border Force swap mis-selling. [180424] and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are working closely with the General Aviation Sector to develop Sajid Javid: The Government is continuing to monitor revised time scales as soon as possible. Once there is an closely the progress of redress arrangements for businesses agreed proposal HMRC and Border Force will consult subject to interest rate swap mis-selling. widely and will welcome any views at that time. The Financial Conduct Authority has now published While these discussions are under way the time limits each bank’s projections for when they expect to finish specified in these Directions will not be rigorously enforced the review process. Banks expect to finish the review by and existing arrangements for scheduled airlines and June 2014, with a number of banks likely to finish shipping traffic remain as before these Commissioners’ before this date. The Government will continue to track Directions were published. progress against these projections closely.

Christmas Cards Loans: Republic of Ireland

Michael Dugher: To ask the Chancellor of the Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his private ministerial office Exchequer when the UK’s loan to the Irish Republic spent on sending Christmas cards in 2012. [168689] will be repaid in full. [180785] Nicky Morgan: The UK agreed in 2010 to provide a Nicky Morgan: The private ministerial office of the bilateral loan to Ireland of £3.2 billion as part of an Chancellor of the Exchequer spent £456.00 on Christmas international financial assistance package of ¤67.5 billion. cards in 2012, an average cost of 18p a card. The loan was disbursed in eight tranches of £403.37 This compares to a spend of 92p per card under the million each. previous Administration. Each tranche has a maturity of 7.5 years from the date of disbursement. The final tranche was disbursed Excise Duties: Fuels on 26 September 2013 and the final principal repayment of the loan is due on 26 March 2021. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer In accordance with the Loans to Ireland Act 2010, if he will extend the Excise Payment Security to independent HM Treasury reports to Parliament every six months petrol stations; what assessment he has made of the including information on principal and interest payments. effect on such petrol stations of failing to apply the scheme to them; and if he will make a statement. Northern Rock Asset Management [180517] Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Nicky Morgan: The Excise Payment Security System Exchequer what recent representations he has received (EPSS) allows compliant taxpayers approved for deferment about the Northern Rock Asset Management Group; of excise duties to do so without the need to provide and if he will make a statement. [180770] security, such as a bank guarantee. Sajid Javid: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has not EPSS does not apply to or exclude particular sectors. received any recent representations on Northern Rock Approval is granted based on compliance history and Asset Management Group. financial viability. The criteria against which applications are assessed are explained in Frequently Asked Questions published on the HMRC website: Pensions http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channels PortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageExcise_ Mr Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD1_026818&propertyType what assessment he has made of alternatives to pension =document annuities. [180902] 767W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 768W

Mr Gauke: When people have saved hard for a pension, Nicky Morgan: As set out in the autumn statement it is right that they should get the best out of their 2013, the welfare cap will apply to all benefits, with the savings at retirement. exception of the state pension and jobseeker’s allowance In addition to ongoing work on the annuities market, (JSA) and its passported housing benefit (HB). the Government has increased opportunities to save The welfare cap is not a line-by-line cap. The Government and has given people more freedom with their retirement will be held to account for total welfare spending. plans by removing both the default retirement age and Changes in individual spending lines will not automatically the effective requirement to purchase an annuity by age require policy action in those policy areas. 75. Individuals are permitted to take 25% of their accumulated pension saving as a tax-free lump sum Dr Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the before securing an income with the remaining savings. Exchequer which benefits (a) will and (b) will not be The Government has also reformed the capped drawdown included in the welfare cap. [180218] rules and raised the annual limit from 100% to 120% of the value of an equivalent annuity. This will help raise Nicky Morgan: Autumn statement 2013 confirmed the retirement incomes of individuals in drawdown that the welfare cap will apply to all social security and arrangements who may have recently experienced reductions personal tax credits expenditure for the UK, with exclusions in drawdown income due to current conditions. for the basic and additional state pension and the most cyclical elements of welfare spending: jobseeker’s allowance Mr Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (JSA) and JSA-passported housing benefit expenditure. what assessment he has made of the take-up of (a) flexible drawdown pensions and (b) capped drawdown Taxation: Metals pensions. [180903] Chris Kelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Gauke: In financial, year 2011-12 1,593 payments what estimate his Department has made of the likely were made from pension funds under flexible drawdown change in tax receipts in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and arrangements. HMRC does not hold information for (c) 2015-16, due to the (i) ban on cash payment for the financial year 2012-13, and does not collect data on non-precious metal contained in the Legal Aid, Sentencing take up of capped drawdown arrangements. and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 and (ii) reform of the scrap metal industry through the Scrap Metal Smuggling: Fuels Dealers Act 2013 compared to tax receipts in 2012-13. [178717] Dr McCrea: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Nicky Morgan: The legislative changes contained in what estimate HM Revenue and Customs has made of the Legal Aid, Sentencing, and Punishment of Offenders loss of revenue as a result of fuel laundering in Act 2012 and the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 were Northern Ireland in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012. prompted by escalating thefts of scrap metal. As some [179840] of the changes have only just come into effect it is too early to say what impact they are having on tax receipts. Nicky Morgan: No assessment has been made of the loss of revenue purely as a result of fuel laundering Chris Kelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer activities in Northern Ireland. However, tax gap figures what estimate he has made of the value of cash transactions published in the document at the following link give within the scrap metal industry that avoided direct and estimates of revenue lost to illicit fuel on the GB mainland, indirect taxes due to evasive record keeping in the latest and the non-UK duty paid market share in Northern year for which figures are available. [178744] Ireland, which includes both legitimate cross border shopping and illicit fuel. Nicky Morgan: There are no estimates of the value or Additionally, as highlighted in this report HM Revenue the tax lost specifically due to cash transactions within & Customs (HMRC) analysts have, for the first time, the scrap metal industry. developed a methodology that, tentatively, splits out the HMRC published its latest available estimates of tax legitimate cross border shopping element and estimates losses in “Measuring Tax Gaps 2013” the market share for all illicit diesel in Northern Ireland at 12% to 13% in 2011-12. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-gaps/mtg-2013.pdf http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-gaps/mtg-2013.pdf The publication includes an overall estimate of evasion for 2011-12. HMRC fights fraud on a wide range of fronts, from special units performing thousands of roadside checks Tonnage Tax to raiding laundering plants. HMRC have also recently concluded the evaluation of a possible new marker for rebated fuel, which will make it harder to launder Karl Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer marked fuel and sell it at a profit. if he will publish the (a) strategic and (b) commercial links to the UK that (i) owners and (ii) managers of vessels applying for inclusion in the tonnage tax scheme Social Security Benefits are required to demonstrate in order to qualify for that scheme. [180594] Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether maternity and paternity pay will be Nicky Morgan: Strategic management and commercial included in the cap on welfare spending announced in management of vessels within tonnage tax are assessed the Autumn Statement 2013. [180088] by reference to a range of factors which are described in 769W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 770W detail in HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) published Central Africa Tonnage Tax Manual, specifically at paragraphs 03800 to 03840. Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has Karl Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer made of the stage of peace talks in the Great Lakes if he will publish the (a) strategic and (b) commercial region of Africa. [180875] links to the UK that (i) owners and (ii) managers of vessels that have qualified for the tonnage tax scheme have demonstrated in each year that the scheme has Mark Simmonds: We welcome the conclusion of the been in operation. [180595] peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23. The Kampala Peace Talks were concluded on 12 December with declarations signed by Nicky Morgan: The UK Tonnage Tax regime is applied both the DRC and M23. only to operators of qualifying vessels. I commend the engagement of the Ugandan mediators Whether the strategic and commercial management in facilitating the conclusion as well as the sustained test is met in relation to vessels operated is one of the efforts of the Government of the DRC and the Group aspects covered by the pre-Tonnage Tax election clearance of Special Envoys for the Great Lakes who all helped to procedure described in full in HM Revenue and Customs shepherd this process to a successful conclusion. (HMRC) published Tonnage Tax Manual, specifically at paragraphs 02010 to 02070. Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Company Tonnage Tax returns are subject to annual and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been risk assessment, one of whose aspects is whether the made in the Great Lakes region peace talks in the last strategic and commercial management test continues to six months. [180876] be met. Mark Simmonds: Intensive diplomatic efforts, including by myself and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), with regional leaders, Foreign Ministers and the UN over the past six months, Afghanistan have resulted both in the M23’s announcement on 5 November 2013 that it would cease its military action and the conclusion of the Kampala Talks on 12 December Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign 2013 by the singing of declarations by the Democratic and Commonwealth Affairs if he will create a country- Republic of the Congo and M23. specific plan for supporting human rights defenders in Afghanistan including a gender analysis and with particular reference to the challenges faced by women human Central African Republic rights defenders. [180750]

Hugh Robertson: International support to human Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, and Commonwealth Affairs what specialist training or is most effective when coordinated through multilateral experience representatives of his Department working institutions such as the EU and in particular the UN. (a) on the ground in or near the Central African These bodies have the expertise and resources to fulfil Republic and (b) in the UK to help tackle the current this important role in country. The UK’s approach is to problems in that country have in conflict resolution in work with and through these institutions to support respect of sectarian and religious differences. [180882] national efforts. We therefore believe that a UK action plan in isolation would risk duplicating established Mark Simmonds: The Foreign and Commonwealth mechanisms and strategies, and would add little additional Office (FCO) officials working on Central African Republic value to our existing work to support human rights (CAR) policy have a range of conflict resolution experience defenders in Afghanistan. including the impact of sectarian and religious differences. This existing work recognises the particular challenges The FCO has the support of specialist conflict advisers faced by women and those working on women’s issues, from various UK departments both in the region and in line with the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders. through the tri-departmental Stabilisation Unit which has access to experts in a range of areas, including Bangladesh conflict resolution in respect of sectarian and religious differences. The FCO does not have an embassy in CAR, but covers the country from Yaounde, Cameroon. George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for his Department made to the Bangladesh authorities Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information about the death sentence passed on Abdul Quader his Department holds on the extent to which UN Mollah (a) before and (b) after his execution. [180742] representatives dealing with the conflict in the Central Africa Republic have (a) specialist training and (b) Hugh Robertson: I refer the hon. Member to my experience in conflict resolution in respect of sectarian answer of 17 December 2013, Official Report, column 563W. and religious differences. [180885] 771W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 772W

Mark Simmonds: The Foreign and Commonwealth Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Office does not have detailed information on UN officials Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations working on the Central African Republic (CAR). However, he has made to the Guatemalan Government in support we understand the UN Office in CAR—BINUCA—is of a free, fair and transparent process for the upcoming staffed with political, human rights, and protection elections for the senior judiciary in that country; and advisers. In addition, the UN Department of Political what discussions he has had on international observers Affairs (DPA) has taken on a strong role on CAR in for those elections. [180778] 2013 due to the insecure environment in which BINUCA has had to operate, and is able to draw on mediation Mr Swire: There have been no ministerial representations and conflict-resolution experts. The UK is providing made to the Government of Guatemala on the judicial US$ 11 million support to DPA from 2011 to 2014. elections scheduled for 2014.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Democratic Republic of Congo Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Guatemalan Government on the Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign trial of General Rios Montt and international standards and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations on amnesties; and what discussions he has had with his the Government has made to the government of the counterparts in the EU regarding due process in that Democratic Republic of Congo on that country signing trial. [180779] the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement. [180877] Mr Swire: There have been no ministerial representations to the Government of Guatemala on the trial of Efrain Mark Simmonds: On 12 December I spoke to DRC Rios Montt. However, the UK recognises the historical President Kabila, and I have spoken regularly to the significance of this case and has worked closely with DRC Foreign Minister and also to the Chair of the EU member states in Brussels and in Guatemala City to Elections Commission to remind them of their obligations monitor its progress. UK representatives also joined under the Peace Security and Cooperation Framework EU colleagues in observing trial proceedings and have (PSCF). Senior Foreign and Commonwealth officials in engaged in discussions with prosecution lawyers. In Kinshasa have regular dialogues the DRC Government, April, prior to the initial conviction, the spokesperson in all relevant departments, about the need to make of the EU High Representative issued a statement on progress under the PSCF.In my statement on the conclusion behalf of member states reiterating our willingness to of the Kampala Talks, I highlighted that the focus assist Guatemalan national efforts to combat impunity should now move swiftly to implementation of the and emphasising the need for trials to be independent, PSCF.This remains the best hope for building sustainable impartial and fair. Following the announcement that peace and prosperity in eastern DRC. the trial will resume in 2015, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will continue to monitor the case and will consider a joint EU response to any future Guatemala developments.

Occupied Territories Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the Government of Guatemala and Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign (b) his EU counterparts on the provisions on human and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he rights and the rule of law in the EU trade deal with has made of damage caused to Palestinian olive trees Guatemala; and what his strategy is for supporting caused by Israeli settlers in the Occupied Palestinian human rights and the rule of law in Guatemala. [180763] Territories. [180685]

Mr Swire: I have discussed the EU-Central America Hugh Robertson: We have not made any recent assessment Association Agreement (EU-CA AA) with the Government of the damage caused to Palestinian olive trees by of Guatemala on several occasions over the past year. Israeli settlers. However, according to information from We are committed to supporting the rule of law and the the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian protection of human rights, which are crucial for Affairs (OCHA), as of 9 December 2013 OCHA has Guatemala’s democratic, social and economic development. recorded the damage or destruction of over 10,510 olive trees or saplings in the context of settler-related incidents. The British embassy in Guatemala City works closely with UN and EU officials to monitor the overall human rights situation in Guatemala. Embassy officials contributed Palestinians to a joint EU human rights strategy in which enhancing protection mechanisms for human rights defenders, Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign contributing to the reduction of social conflicts, and and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is towards strengthening the justice system feature as priority actions. Palestinian membership of the International Olive In addition, the British embassy in Guatemala City Council. [180687] regularly engages with the government, private sector International Labour Organisation representatives, and Hugh Robertson: I refer the hon. Member to the trade unionists to discuss ILO 87, a core convention for answer I gave on 16 December 2013, Official Report, the EU-CA AA. column 420W. 773W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 774W

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Michael Fallon: There is no manufacturing of Bisphenol Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent A in the UK. representations he has made to the Israeli Government regarding the blockade of Gaza; and if he will make a Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, statement. [R] [180769] Innovation and Skills what volume of the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) the UK has produced over the last Hugh Robertson: Officials from our embassy in Tel six years; what proportion of global production this Aviv raised the issue of easing of restrictions on 15 constitutes; and what proportion of the total UK December with the Head of the Civil Coordination production of BPA is used in the food and drinks Department of the Israeli Coordination of Government packaging industry (a) globally and (b) within the Activities in the Territories Office (COGAT), and on 3 UK. [180692] December with Head of COGAT’s International Division. Michael Fallon: There is no production of Bisphenol Religious Freedom A in the UK.

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Business: Regulation and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department will review the effectiveness of its strategy on tackling abuse Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is religion (a) in jurisdictions where there is persecution taking to reduce the pressure of regulation on small of Christians and (b) in all other jurisdictions where businesses. [180478] such abuse is taking place. [180884] Michael Fallon: The Department for Business, Innovation Mr Lidington: The promotion and protection of freedom and Skills has already started to reduce the pressure of of religion or belief is a human rights priority for this regulation on small businesses by giving them the flexibility Government and we keep our strategy for tackling it to determine the most appropriate set of accounting under constant review. We will continue to do so including rules for them, along with flexibility in how they submit through our new expert advisory group on freedom of their company reports through regulatory changes to religion or belief, which we will establish under the audit rules; extending the qualifying period of unfair Senior Minister of State, my right hon. and noble dismissal to two years; introducing a new employment Friend Baroness Warsi in the new year. status of employee shareholder; withdrawing the extension of the right to request time to train to businesses with We believe that there is a need for a stronger international fewer than 250 employees, saving businesses around response to the persecution of Christians and other £390 per year and by launching an on-line tool called religious minorities around the world. For this reason ’Employing Staff for the first time’. Baroness Warsi will be convening a major conference on this issue in early 2014. More generally, this Government has taken specific and concrete steps to reduce the regulatory burdens Sri Lanka placed on business by exempting micro businesses and start-ups from new regulations introduced across Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Government. From 1 April 2014 this will be extended to Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to include small businesses (with up to 50 employees), the Prime Minister’s statement at CHOGM in Colombo through the introduction of the Small and Micro Business in November 2013 that, if the Government of Sri Assessment (SaMBA). We have also introduced the Lanka does not complete investigations into alleged One-In, One-Out rule, so that if a Department wants to war crimes in that country by March 2014, he plans to introduce a new regulation which generates costs for call for an independent international inquiry, what estimate business, they must first identify a corresponding cut in he has made of how quickly after March such an regulation elsewhere with the same value. In January inquiry would (a) commence and (b) conclude. 2013 this was increased to a more demanding One-In, [180810] Two-Out rule. Departments now need to find £2 of savings for every £1 cost they introduce. To date, as set Mr Swire: During his meeting with President Rajapaksa, out in the 7th Statement of New Regulation published the Prime Minister called for the Sri Lankan Government on 17 December 2013, we have cut the costs of domestic to hold a credible, independent, and transparent regulation by £1.19 billion. investigation into allegations of war crimes. If such a The Government has committed to scrap or improve process has not begun properly by March 2014, we will at least 3,000 regulations that affect business through use our place on the UN Human Rights Council to call the Red Tape Challenge—the cross-Whitehall programme for an international investigation. It remains too early to review the existing stock of regulation. to make a judgment on the precise details and timings Almost 2,000 regulations have already been identified of any international investigation. for reform, and over 800 changes have been implemented to date, saving businesses over £300 million per year, with further savings not yet quantified. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Since the Red Tape Challenge was launched in April Bisphenol A 2011 BIS has been involved in more themes than any other Government Department, leading on seven and Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, contributing to a further two. BIS has reviewed over Innovation and Skills how many manufacturers of the 1,000 regulations and will be improving or scrapping chemical Bisphenol A are based in the UK. [180691] over 60% of them. 775W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 776W

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, now eligible to form primary authority partnerships. Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has This opens up the benefits of the scheme to the 48% of had with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on the red small businesses which rely on advice from trade associations tape challenge. [180479] to help them comply with regulation, and almost 37,000 franchise outlets1. We also intend to lay a statutory Michael Fallon: The Secretary of State for Business, instrument in the new year to extend the primary authority Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for scheme even further so that it covers fire safety regulations. Twickenham (Vince Cable), regularly discusses the red 1 Business Perception Survey 2012 tape challenge with the Minister for the Cabinet Office http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/better-regulation/docs/b/12- and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member p145-business-perceptions-survey-2012-report.pdf for Horsham (Mr Maude), at the Reducing Regulation Cabinet Sub-Committee (RRC), which he chairs. Companies: Registration The Government is making good progress with the red tape challenge target to identify, by end 2013, 3,000 Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for regulations to scrap or reform. Almost 800 changes Business, Innovation and Skills what information companies have already been implemented and are already saving will have to submit to the new registry of beneficial businesses around £300 million per year, plus other company ownership. [180706] further savings not yet quantified. Day to day responsibility for the red tape challenge is Jo Swinson: The Department for Business, Innovation shared between me as the Minister of State for Business and Skills published the Transparency and Trust discussion and Energy, and the Minister for Government Policy, paper in July 2013. In it, we sought views on a range of my right hon. Friend the Member for West Dorset (Mr questions relating to implementation of the central Letwin), whom I meet regularly to receive updates from registry of company beneficial ownership information, officials and discuss progress on implementation. including the information that companies would be The full list of red tape challenge reforms and their required to submit. We are carefully considering the associated cost saving for business will be published in responses received to the discussion paper and will early 2014 to Parliament and the general public. respond fully in early 2014.

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Copyright: Design Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to ensure small businesses can receive assured Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for advice on regulation. [180530] Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make an estimate of the cost to the design sector of each month Michael Fallon: This Government is committed to before the commencement of section 74 of the ensuring regulatory enforcement supports small businesses Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013. [180801] to comply and grow. One way regulators can do this is by providing assured advice which is given on the basis that, where it is followed, the regulator will treat the Mr Willetts: The evidence received during the recent business as compliant. This safeguards against inconsistency Call for Evidence will help to shape the consultation on and provides businesses with confidence to invest in the date of the repeal and any necessary transitional compliance. provisions, which will be launched in due course. This will include consideration of the costs and benefits of To encourage those undertaking regulatory functions the transitional options. to provide assured advice wherever possible this Department has strengthened the statutory Regulators’ Code to The Call for Evidence on the timing of the repeal of make clear that regulators should provide advice and section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act guidance that is focused on assisting those they regulate 1988, which would be implemented by virtue of section to understand and meet their responsibilities. The revised 74 of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013, Code also provides that, in responding to requests for closed on 27 November 2013. advice, a regulator’s primary concern should be to provide the advice necessary to support compliance, Energy: Industry and to ensure that the advice can be relied on. The revised Code was published in draft in July 2013 and it Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for will be laid in Parliament in the new year with a view to Business, Innovation and Skills (1) whether he expects the provisions coming into force in April 2014. compensation for UK energy-intensive industries affected In addition, eligible businesses can join the statutory by the carbon floor price to be considered by the primary authority scheme pursuant to Part 2 of the European Commission under the current state aid guidelines Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008. Under or the forthcoming revised state aid guidelines; and this scheme primary authorities have a statutory function what assessment he has made of how the new guidelines of giving advice and guidance to business about a wide would affect the prospect of state aid approval being range of regulatory functions exercised by local authorities. granted; [180707] A local authority cannot then take enforcement action (2) what obstacles remain to securing state aid approval which is inconsistent with that advice and guidance. from the European Commission for compensation for The primary authority scheme was recently extended UK energy-intensive industries affected by the carbon by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 so floor price; and what assessment he has made of the that members of trade associations and franchisees are probability of state aid approval being refused; [180709] 777W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 778W

(3) what contingency plans he has to protect UK New Businesses: Wiltshire energy-intensive industries in the event of the European Commission refusing to grant state aid approval for Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for compensation for the carbon floor price. [180710] Business, Innovation and Skills how many start-up loans have been granted to businesses in (a) Swindon Michael Fallon: The European Commission are using and (b) Wiltshire in the last five years. [181765] the existing energy and environmental state aid guidelines to consider the UK Government’s state aid case for Matthew Hancock: Since the launch of the start-up compensating Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) for the loan scheme in September 2012, eight loans with a cost of the carbon price floor. value of £50,900 have been made in Swindon and 23 loans with a value of £128,350 have been made in The revision to these state aid guidelines were formally Wiltshire. released by the European Commission for consultation on 18 December 2013. The UK Government will respond to the Commission in due course. Retail Trade We have had extensive engagement with the European Commission on the state aid case and are awaiting a Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, response from the Commission on our recent submission. Innovation and Skills (1) what assessment he has made Dependent on their response we expect to submit our of how his Department’s retail strategy will benefit formal notification early in the new year. retailers in Hendon constituency; [180480] (2) what steps his Department is taking to support the retail industry. [180481] Exports: Government Assistance Michael Fallon: Actions included in the BIS Retail Strategy, published in October 2013, address barriers to Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, growth for all retailers, including those in Hendon, and Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the help them prepare for the future. number of small businesses in (a) England, (b) Government recognises that retailers are experiencing London and (c) Hendon constituency UKTI has difficult times, which is why the recent autumn statement helped to start exporting. [180569] of 5 December 2013, Official Report, columns 1101-13, announced the biggest business rates support package Michael Fallon: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) for 20 years including: supported 31,880 individual businesses in the 2012-13 for all businesses the RPI increase in business rates capped at financial year, 70% of which had less than 50 employees. 2% in 2014-15; Breakdowns of the data at either the regional or extending the doubling of the small business rate relief for a constituency level are not available and could be provided further year to 31 March 2015. 540,000 small businesses benefit; only at a disproportionate cost. a business rates discount of £1,000 for smaller retail premises for two years, benefiting around 300,000 shops, pubs and For further detail on UKTI’s Performance and Impact restaurants; Monitoring Survey (PIMS) please see the UKTI website: a 50% discount for 18 months, for new occupants of vacant http://www.ukti.gov.uk/uktihome/aboutukti/ourperformance/ shops; performanceimpactandmonitoringsurvey/quarterlysurveys.html relaxing the small business rate relief criteria to remove the disincentive for the smallest businesses to take on second properties to support small business growth; Exports: Medway allowing ratepayers to insist that their billing authority lets them to pay their bills over 12 instalments, in time for payment of 2014-15 bills; and Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for consultation on increasing the transparency of the valuation Business, Innovation and Skills how many small and system, and providing more information to businesses to improve medium-sized enterprises in Medway local authority confidence in the system—BIS helped to support the design of area started exporting to a new market for the first time this measure. as a direct result of the work of UK Trade and Investment We have also been working with the Department for South East in the last (a) 12 months and (b) two years. Communities and Local Government on the town centre [180820] support package which was launched on 6 December 2013. As well as the announcement on business rates, Michael Fallon: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) the package is a mixture of support on parking and supported 31,880 individual firms in the 2012-13 financial planning: year, 5,530 of which were new to exporting. banning CCTV for parking; allowing residents/firms to review parking policies; UKTI does not track the number of supported firms that started exporting to a new market for the first time. a freeze on parking penalty charges; Instead, our performance and impact monitoring surveys a review of business improvement districts; measure additional sales and the business benefits derived consultations on new permitted development rights; as a result of the support provided. The UKTI Annual making it easier to implement local development orders; Report and Accounts (Annex C) provides a short overview guidance on retail land reviews; to PIMS: consultation to tackle aggressive parking policies, which harm http://www.ukti.gov.uk/uktihome/item/534440.html high streets; 779W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 780W

a call for evidence on red tape; and Students: Fees and Charges a competition for digital technology on high streets in January. This work builds on a range of other measures this Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Government has taken to help high streets: Innovation and Skills how many first year undergraduates have paid annual tuition fees of (a) less than £2,000, £2.3 million to support the 27 portas pilots; (b) between £2,000 and £3,000, (c) between £3,000 and £10 million from the High Street Innovation Fund to support £4,000, (d) between £4,000 and £5,000, (e) between 100 towns with high vacancy rates and those affected by the £5,000 and £6,000, (f) between £6,000 and £7,000, (g) riot; between £7,000 and £8,000 and (h) between £8,000 and £500,000 loan fund for new business improvement districts; £9,000 in (i) 2012-13 and (ii) 2013-14. [180892] and Funded 350 town teams across the country. Mr Willetts: The information is not yet available. In addition, retailers including those in Hendon are From the academic year 2012/13, the Higher Education entitled to the full range of business support services Statistics Agency (HESA) started to capture information that BIS provide. “Small business: GREAT ambition”, on the tuition fees charged to new students. This includes published on 7 December 2014, is our commitment to the “gross fee” charged before any financial support making it easier for ambitious small businesses to grow. from the institution such as waivers are taken into It responds to feedback from small businesses about account, and the “net fee” charged after adjustments how Government can help at different points in their have been made for financial support provided by their growth journey. institution. This is the first year this information has The publication coincided with Small Business Saturday, been collected and analysts at HESA are assessing this which Government was pleased to support. Small Business data for quality and completeness. Saturday was an opportunity for everyone to celebrate Students: Loans small local firms. On the day, I visited a number of independent shops in my constituency and I am aware Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, that many of my ministerial colleagues did the same. Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s latest forecast of average earnings of growth on his Royal Bank of Scotland Department’s estimate of the Resource Accounting and Budgeting charge. [180893] Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings and discussions Mr Willetts: We continue to review our estimate of took place between (a) Ministers and (b) officials of the Resource Accounting and Budgeting (RAB) charge his Department and (i) the Financial Conduct Authority, in light of new earnings data and other factors. Our (ii) the Prudential Regulation Authority and (iii) the current estimate of the RAB charge for post-2012 loans Serious Fraud Office on Mr Lawrence Tomlinson’s is around 40%. report on RBS ahead of its publication. [180531] Timesharing: Fees and Charges

Matthew Hancock: Departmental officials forwarded Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Lawrence Tomlinson’s full and unredacted report to the Business, Innovation and Skills what progress is being Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on 23 October made on persuading timeshare companies to remove 2013, and to the Prudential Regulation Authority on 30 the in perpetuity clause on management fees from October 2013. The Department also authorised the current contracts with ageing people. [181706] FCA to pass the report to the Serious Fraud Office after receiving Mr Tomlinson’s permission to do so on Jo Swinson: The Department has asked the Office of 30 October 2013. Officials in the Department discussed Fair Trading to take a look at these long-term agreements the report with the FCA to ensure that the context and it hopes to report back to us early next year. In the within which it had been prepared was understood. Government’s view, an “in perpetuity” clause cannot be enforced on a beneficiary of a deceased person’s estate if they do not accept a bequeathed contract. Science: Finance The Timeshare Association (TATOC) reports that timeshare companies in the UK are willing to engage Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State for with them and with timeshare owners, with a view to Business, Innovation and Skills whether the science setting conditions under which timeshare owners might budget will continue to be ring-fenced after 2015. exit from their contracts, for example for reasons of age [180797] or ill health. The representative body for the timeshare industry, the Resort Development Organisation (RDO), has assured the Department that the trend in the industry Mr Willetts: The Government has continued to state is away from very long-term contracts, with consumers its support for science despite the tough financial situation preferring only to commit to timeshare products for with the science ringfence and the commitment to an shorter periods. It too has been working with its members increased long term capital budget to 2021. to establish rules and practices whereby timeshare owners Current budgets for post 2015 are not yet set. They who meet certain conditions can leave their contracts or will be decided in the next Spending Review after the convert them into other products which do not carry general election. ongoing liabilities. 781W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 782W

Trading Standards To also supply the number of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer for each parliamentary constituency for each year from 2000 to 2011 could only be done at disproportionate cost. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Acopyoftables2&3will be placed in the Library of the Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has House. made of the total number of trading standards officers The latest published figures on cancer incidence in England are in each year since 2010. [180910] available on the National Statistics website at: Jo Swinson: Neither the Department for Business, http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference- Innovation and Skills nor the Department for Communities tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-302299 and Local Government produces data on the total Table 1: Number of newly diagnosed cases and age-standardised incidence rates number of trading standards officers. Local authorities for female breast cancer, England, 2000-111, 2, 3, 4 are responsible for determining local trading standards Number of newly Age standardised diagnosed cases incidence rate activity, including the number of officers in post. 2000 35,050 117.5 William Hill 2001 35,802 118.8 2002 35,679 118.2 Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, 2003 37,857 124.2 Innovation and Skills what meetings he has had with 2004 38,180 124.8 Andrew Lyman, head of Public Affairs at William Hill 2005 39,068 125.8 plc, in the last three years; on what date any such 2006 39,113 124.7 meetings were held; and what the purpose of those 2007 38,972 123.0 meetings was in each instance. [180849] 2008 40,552 126.5 2009 40,569 125.0 Jo Swinson: Ministers’ meetings with external 2010 41,604 126.6 organisations are published quarterly on the gov.uk 2011 41,523 124.8 internet site and details are available via the following 1 Breast cancer is coded as C50 in the International Classification of Diseases, link: Tenth Revision (ICD-10). https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department- 2 Around 99% of breast cancer cases are in women. 3 for-business-innovation-skills/series/bis-quarterly- Newly diagnosed cases registered in each calendar year. 4 Excludes non-residents. publications-april-to-june-2012

Cybercrime: Crime Prevention CABINET OFFICE Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) when the extra £210 million announced by Breast Cancer his Department on 12 December 2013 was assigned to the cyber security budget; and from where it has been Mr Leech: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office allocated; [180931] what the age-standardised incidence rate for breast cancer is; how many diagnoses of breast cancer there (2) what the budget for cyber security is for each were in (a) England, (b) each of the 15 Public Health Department in each year of the current spending England regional centres, (c) each primary care trust round; [180932] area and (d) each parliamentary constituency in each (3) what recent assessment he has made of future year since 2000. [180689] funding need of the cyber security programme; and if he will publish that assessment. [180933] Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Mr Maude: The additional £210 million funding to asked the authority to reply. the National Cyber Security Programme was announced Letter from Carol Walker, dated December 2013: in the spending review 2013 in June. The budget for the On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National remaining years of the programme is £210 million in Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question. both 2014-15 and 2015-16. This money has yet to be What the age-standardised incidence rate for breast cancer is; allocated to Departments, who are required to submit how many diagnoses of breast cancer there were in (a) England, business cases to support their proposals each year. It is (b) each of the 15 Public Health England regional centres, (c) important to retain flexibility, to keep decisions on each primary care trust area and (d) each parliamentary constituency funding agile in response to a fast moving technological in each year since 2000. [180689] and threat landscape. Table 1 provides number of newly diagnosed cases and the age-standardised incidence rate for female breast cancer in England Funding for cyber beyond 2015-16 will be decided in for each year from 2000 to 2011 (the latest year available). subsequent spending reviews. Table 2 provides the number of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer (incidence) by Public Health England centres for each year from 2000 to 2011 (the latest year available). A copy of Employment: Swindon Table 2 has been placed in the House of Commons Library. Table 3 provides the number of newly diagnosed cases of Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet breast cancer (incidence) by primary care organisations for each year from 2000 to 2011 (the latest year available). Primary care Office how many people are employed in (a) Swindon organisations were abolished on the 1st April 2013 and replaced North constituency and (b) Swindon in (i) commerce, by clinical commissioning groups. A copy of Table 3 has been (ii) manufacturing, (iii) the service sector and (iv) the placed in the House of Commons Library. financial sector. [181107] 783W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 784W

Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the The table includes totals of the number employed in the service responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have sector and those employed in businesses considered to be part of asked the authority to reply. industries involved in commerce. Although there is no standard definition of commerce used by the Office for National Statistics, Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated December 2013: in this table commerce is taken to be the service sector with public On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National administration, education, health and arts, entertainment and Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary recreation removed. This is intended to reflect businesses that are Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many involved in the activity of buying and selling, The table also people are employed in (a) Swindon North constituency and (b) shows the number employed in the manufacturing and the financial Swindon in (i) commerce, (ii) manufacturing, (iii) the service & insurance sectors. sector and (iv) the financial sector. [181107] National and local area estimates for many labour market Annual employment statistics are available from the Business statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant Register and Employment Survey (BRES). Table 1 below contains count are available on the NOMIS website at: estimates of the number employed by broad industry group for Swindon North constituency and Swindon Local Authority District http://www.nomisweb.co.uk in 2012, the most recent year that figures are available.

Table 1: Employment in Swindon North Constituency and Swindon Local Authority District in 2012 by industry Employment Industry Swindon North Constituency Swindon Local Authority District

1 Agriculture, forestry and fishing —— 2 Mining, quarrying and utilities 1,300 2,200

3 Manufacturing 8,700 12,400

4 Construction 2,000 3,400 5 Motor trades 1,400 2,900 6 Wholesale 1,800 4,500 7 Retail 5,300 11,700 8 Transport and storage (inc postal) 4,100 7,300 9 Accommodation and food services 2,300 6,100 10 Information and communication 1,400 3,500

11 Financial and insurance 400 8,000

12 Property 100 1,000 13 Professional, scientific and technical 4,100 8,300 14 Business administration and support services 3,900 9,800 15 Public administration and defence 900 3,000 16 Education 3,700 8,000 17 Health 2,800 10,400 18 Arts, entertainment, recreation and other services 2,900 5,300

Commerce (5 to 14) 24,700 63,200 Service Sector (5 to 18) 35,000 89,800

Pay: Swindon adult rates of pay, whose earnings for the survey pay period were not affected by absence. Figures relate to employee jobs, which are defined as those held by employees and not the self-employed. Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what change there has been in median gross pay The following table shows estimates of median gross weekly in Swindon since 2007. [181108] earnings for employees in Swindon Unitary Authority from 2007 to 2013, the latest period for which results are available. These figures show that there was an increase of 1.6 per cent for all Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the employees and an increase of 8.7 per cent for full-time employees responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have in median gross weekly earnings between April 2007 and April asked the authority to reply. 2013. Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated December 2013: Median gross weekly earnings (£) for employees1 in Swindon UA, 2007 to 2013 All employees Full time employees On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary 2007 425.4 487.6 Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what change 2008 *409.9 487.3 there has been in median gross pay in Swindon since 2007. 2009 409.1 492.5 (181108) 2010 399.8 511.9 The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), carried 20112 420.7 521.4 out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. Weekly levels of 20113 414.0 518.2 earnings, estimated from ASHE, are provided for employees on 2012 *411.2 520.9 785W Written Answers19 DECEMBER 2013 Written Answers 786W

Median gross weekly earnings (£) for employees1 in Swindon UA, 2007 to 2013 Public Sector: Fraud

All employees Full time employees Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the Counter Fraud Checking Service will come into operation. [180930] 2013 432.4 529.9 Mr Maude: The CFCS was transferred from the Percentage change 1.6 8.7 National Fraud Authority to the Cabinet Office in line with the written ministerial statement laid by the Home 1 Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected Secretary on 2 December 2013, Official Report, by absence. ASHE is based on a 1 per cent sample of jobs taken from HM Revenue and Customs’ Pay As You Earn (PAYE) records. Consequently, column 36WS. We are running a set of pilots, between individuals with more than one job may appear in the sample more than once. Government and the private sector, to identify the full ASHE does not cover the self-employed. benefits of an operational service. 2 2011 results based on Standard Occupational Classification 2000. 3 2011 results based on Standard Occupational Classification 2010. Work Programme Guide to quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV-for example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect the Office how many people his Department employed population average to be within the range 180 to 220. directly from the Work programme in (a) 2011, (b) Key: 2012 and (c) 2013 to date. [180851] * CV > 5% and <=10% x = unreliable Mr Maude: Since 1 April 2011, the Cabinet Office has CV= Coefficient of Variation Source: provided 29 work experience placements under the Work Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics programme.

7MC Ministerial Corrections19 DECEMBER 2013 Ministerial Corrections 8MC

Sajid Javid: I agree with the gist of the hon. Lady’s Ministerial Correction comments, but I am not sure what she means by foot dragging. The report was published on 22 October. On Thursday 19 December 2013 23 October, it was given to the FCA, and, within days, the FCA announced that it would investigate, so it would be wrong to accuse the FCA or anyone else of foot dragging, but she is right to suggest that we must TREASURY stay on top of this and make sure it is handled in a timely way. Tomlinson Report [Official Report, 17 December 2013, Vol. 572, c. 166WH.] Letter of correction from Sajid Javid: The following is an extract from the response given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the hon. Member An error has been identified in the response provided for Bromsgrove (Sajid Javid) to the hon. Member for during the Westminster Hall debate on the Tomlinson NorthEastDerbyshire(NataschaEngel)duringtheWestminster report. Hall debate on the Tomlinson report on 17 December 2013. The correct response should have been:

Natascha Engel: I am sorry to press this, but one of Sajid Javid: I agree with the gist of the hon. Lady’s the very serious issues is the foot dragging, and the comments, but I am not sure what she means by foot more time that is taken, even if it is under the guise of dragging. The report was submitted to BIS on making sure that every i is dotted and every t is crossed, 22 October. On 23 October, it was given to the FCA, means more small and medium-sized businesses are and, within days, the FCA announced that it would unnecessarily going under, so the time pressure is really investigate, so it would be wrong to accuse the FCA or serious. I want to re-emphasise that the FCA must be anyone else of foot dragging, but she is right to suggest put under pressure by the Treasury to ensure that the that we must stay on top of this and make sure it is review is done as quickly as possible. handled in a timely way.

ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 19 December 2013

Col. No. Col. No. HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 886 TRANSPORT ...... 869 Factiva News Services ...... 888 Birmingham Airport...... 879 Running Costs ...... 886 East Coast Mainline Company Ltd...... 869 High Speed 2...... 872 LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 885 High Speed 2...... 875 Parliamentary Calendar...... 885 Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres...... 878 Oral Statements ...... 890 Railway Branch Lines ...... 871 Speaker’s Commission on Digital Democracy...... 890 Railway Electrification...... 874 Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Station Infrastructure...... 876 Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Thameslink ...... 880 Bill ...... 888 Topical Questions ...... 880 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Thursday 19 December 2013

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 121WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 126WS Zero-hours Contracts ...... 121WS Geneva II Negotiations on Syria (Women’s Participation) ...... 126WS CABINET OFFICE...... 121WS INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 127WS Cross-Government Contract Management ...... 121WS International Development Association of the Public Bodies 2013 ...... 121WS World Bank...... 127WS JUSTICE...... 128WS DEFENCE...... 124WS Contracts Update...... 128WS Future Reserves 2020 ...... 124WS PRIME MINISTER ...... 130WS G8 (UK 2013 Presidency) ...... 133WS ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 124WS National Security Strategy/Strategic Defence and Contingencies Fund Advance ...... 124WS Security Review...... 130WS Electricity Market Reform ...... 124WS TRANSPORT ...... 135WS Drug Driving ...... 135WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS...... 125WS TREASURY ...... 123WS Common Agricultural Policy in England ...... 125WS Insurance Growth Action Plan ...... 123WS PETITIONS

Thursday 19 December 2013

Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 11P WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 15P Housing Development off Hillside Close Use of Statistics by the Department for Work and (Bozeat, Northamptonshire) ...... 11P Pensions...... 15P JUSTICE...... 12P Certain Care Proceedings in Birmingham ...... 12P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Thursday 19 December 2013

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 704W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Conditions of Employment...... 704W Copyright: Design...... 776W Crown Prosecution Service...... 705W Energy: Industry ...... 776W Exports: Government Assistance ...... 777W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 773W Exports: Medway ...... 777W Bisphenol A ...... 773W New Businesses: Wiltshire...... 778W Business: Regulation ...... 774W Retail Trade ...... 778W Companies: Registration...... 776W Royal Bank of Scotland ...... 779W Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE—continued Science: Finance...... 779W Renewable Energy: Heating ...... 744W Students: Fees and Charges...... 780W Wind Power: Bournemouth...... 744W Students: Loans ...... 780W Wind Power: Planning Permission ...... 745W Timesharing: Fees and Charges...... 780W Trading Standards...... 781W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL William Hill ...... 781W AFFAIRS...... 729W Bovine Tuberculosis ...... 729W CABINET OFFICE...... 781W Bovine Tuberculosis: South West ...... 730W Breast Cancer...... 781W Flood Control...... 730W Cybercrime: Crime Prevention...... 782W Food: Waste...... 731W Employment: Swindon...... 782W Livestock: Transport ...... 731W Pay: Swindon ...... 783W Public Sector: Fraud ...... 786W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 769W Work Programme...... 786W Afghanistan ...... 769W Bangladesh...... 769W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 713W Central Africa ...... 770W Homelessness: Greater London ...... 713W Central African Republic ...... 770W Housing: Greater London...... 715W Democratic Republic of Congo ...... 771W Housing: Hampshire...... 715W Guatemala ...... 771W Local Government Finance ...... 715W Occupied Territories...... 772W Railways: Radlett ...... 716W Palestinians ...... 772W Repossession Orders ...... 716W Religious Freedom ...... 773W Right to Buy Scheme ...... 717W Sri Lanka ...... 773W Social Enterprises: Finance...... 717W HEALTH...... 718W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 762W Brain Cancer...... 718W Arts Council England ...... 762W Cancer ...... 719W Film: Advertising ...... 763W Chlamydia...... 719W Football ...... 763W Dementia ...... 721W Ministers...... 763W Domestic Violence ...... 721W National Lottery: Grants ...... 763W Hospitals: Waiting Lists...... 722W Public Footpaths: Coastal Areas...... 764W Influenza: Vaccination ...... 723W Tennis: Young People...... 764W Kidneys: Diseases ...... 723W William Hill ...... 764W Kidneys: Transplant Surgery...... 724W Liver Diseases ...... 726W DEFENCE...... 706W Medical Services: Harlow...... 725W Afghanistan ...... 706W National Skills Academy for Social Care ...... 727W Conflict Resolution: Females ...... 706W NHS: Standards...... 727W Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft...... 707W Smoking: Health Education...... 727W RAF Machrihanish...... 707W Vaccination: Immigrants...... 728W RAF Waddington ...... 707W Work Programme...... 728W Unmanned Air and Marine Vehicles...... 708W Unmanned Air Vehicles ...... 708W HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION ...... 697W War Memorial: New Palace Yard...... 697W EDUCATION...... 698W Children: Day Care ...... 698W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 702W Discovery New School ...... 697W Afghanistan ...... 702W Education: Finance...... 698W Central African Republic ...... 703W Education: Young People...... 700W Developing Countries: Forests ...... 703W Free Schools...... 701W Human Rights ...... 703W Ministers: Members’ Interests...... 702W Palestinians ...... 704W Teachers: Training...... 702W JUSTICE...... 710W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE...... 733W Electronic Tagging ...... 710W Biofuels...... 733W National Offender Management Service ...... 710W Climate Change ...... 734W Oakwood Prison ...... 711W Coal ...... 734W Prison Service ...... 711W Eggborough Power Station ...... 735W Prisons ...... 711W Energy...... 735W Prisons: Crimes of Violence ...... 712W Energy: Billing ...... 736W Young Offender Institutions...... 713W Energy: Competition...... 736W Energy: Conservation...... 737W LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 718W Energy: Housing ...... 737W Written Questions ...... 718W Energy: Prices ...... 738W Energy: Profits ...... 741W TRANSPORT ...... 745W Green Deal Scheme...... 741W A628 ...... 746W Housing: Insulation ...... 741W Bus Services: North East...... 747W Insulation...... 741W Cycle Safety ...... 746W Natural Gas: Prices...... 742W Driving Under Influence: Drugs ...... 747W Renewable Energy...... 742W Electric Vehicles ...... 747W Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT—continued TREASURY—continued First Great Western...... 748W Smuggling: Fuels...... 767W Fuels ...... 748W Social Security Benefits...... 767W Highways Agency ...... 748W Taxation: Metals ...... 768W Large Goods Vehicles ...... 749W Tonnage Tax ...... 768W M62 ...... 749W Network Rail ...... 749W WOMEN AND EQUALITIES...... 762W Pedestrian Crossings ...... 750W Ministers...... 762W Pedestrian Safety...... 746W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 754W Public Service Obligation Funding...... 745W Employment and Support Allowance ...... 754W Railway Infrastructure ...... 746W Employment and Support Allowance: Yorkshire Railway Signals: Wales...... 751W and the Humber...... 755W Railways: Finance ...... 751W Employment Schemes: Disability...... 755W Railways: Franchises ...... 751W Employment: Swindon...... 756W Railways: Greater London ...... 752W Food Banks...... 756W Vehicle and Operator Services Agency ...... 753W Jobcentre Plus ...... 757W Work Programme...... 754W Jobseeker’s Allowance...... 757W Jobseeker’s Allowance: Yorkshire and the TREASURY ...... 765W Humber ...... 758W Aviation: Passengers...... 765W Members: Correspondence ...... 758W Christmas Cards ...... 765W Occupational Pensions...... 758W Excise Duties: Fuels ...... 765W Pensions...... 758W Financial Services ...... 766W Post Office Card Account ...... 759W Interest Rate Swap Transactions ...... 766W Poverty...... 759W Loans: Republic of Ireland ...... 766W Social Security Benefits...... 760W Northern Rock Asset Management...... 766W Universal Credit...... 761W Pensions...... 766W Work Programme...... 762W MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Thursday 19 December 2013

Col. No. TREASURY ...... 7MC Tomlinson Report...... 7MC Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. The Bound Volumes will also be sent to Members who similarly express their desire to have them. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied. Corrections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy containing the Corrections must be received at the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

not later than Thursday 26 December 2013

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PRICES AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES DAILY PARTS Single copies: Commons, £5; Lords, £4. Annual subscriptions: Commons, £865; Lords, £600. LORDS VOLUME INDEX obtainable on standing order only. Details available on request. BOUND VOLUMES OF DEBATES are issued periodically during the session. Single copies: Commons, £105; Lords, £60 (£100 for a two-volume edition). Standing orders will be accepted. THE INDEX to each Bound Volumeof House of Commons Debates is published separately at £9·00 and can be supplied to standing order. All prices are inclusive of postage Volume 572 Thursday No. 97 19 December 2013

CONTENTS

Thursday 19 December 2013

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 869] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Transport House of Commons Commission Leader of the House

Business of the House [Col. 893] Statement—(Mr Lansley)

Detainee Inquiry [Col. 913] Statement—(Mr Kenneth Clarke)

High-speed Rail [Col. 927] Select Committee Statement—(Mrs Ellman)

Energy Demand Reduction [Col. 935] Bill presented, and read the First time

Backbench Business Christmas Adjournment [Col. 936] Motion—(Mr Amess)—agreed to

Criminal Justice (North Wales) [Col. 989] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Immigration (Romania and Bulgaria) [Col. WH293] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Statements [Col. 121WS]

Petitions [Col. 11P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 697W] [see index inside back page]

Ministerial Correction [Col. 7MC]