Tuesday Volume 499 10 November 2009 No. 139

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Tuesday 10 November 2009

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2009 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/ Enquiries to the Office of Public Sector Information, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 141 10 NOVEMBER 2009 142

Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) (Lab): Will my hon. House of Commons Friend the Minister please confirm the Secretary of State’s response to me, as reported in the Hansard?He Tuesday 10 November 2009 said: “There will not be a prison in Scarisbrick” in my constituency.—[Official Report, 21 July 2009; The House met at half-past Two o’clock Vol. 496, c. 747.]

Maria Eagle rose— PRAYERS Mr. Speaker: Order. I called the hon. Member for West Lancashire (Rosie Cooper) because I thought her [MR.SPEAKER in the Chair] question would relate to the proposal for a new prison in north Wales and the identification of a site there, but BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS I am afraid that we cannot discuss locations beyond north Wales. TRANSPORT FOR LONDON (SUPPLEMENTAL TOLL PROVISIONS)BILL [LORDS] Hywel Williams (Caernarfon) (PC): One of the great opportunities in establishing a prison in north Wales is Resumption of adjourned debate on Question (3 November), to ensure that there are services for prisoners through That so much of the Lords Message [29 October] as relates to the medium of Welsh. Can the Minister confirm that, the Transport for London (Supplemental Toll Provisions) Bill with the greatly expanded numbers in the new prison, [Lords] be now considered. there will still be opportunities for specialist services such as psychology for prisoners through the medium Hon. Members: Object. of Welsh?

Maria Eagle: One of the reasons why north Wales is an area in which we are searching for a site for a new Oral Answers to Questions prison is that at present many prisoners from Wales have to serve their sentences outside their home area, for example in Merseyside. Clearly, if we are able to find JUSTICE a suitable site and build a prison there, that will present us with an opportunity to provide the specialist services The Secretary of State was asked— the hon. Gentleman’s constituents and others who are Welsh speakers require. Prison Site (North Wales) Supreme Court (Running Costs) 1. Mr. David Jones (Clwyd, West) (Con): What progress has been made on identifying a site for a new 2. Mr. Shailesh Vara (North-West Cambridgeshire) (Con): When he next expects to meet the chief prison in north Wales. [298564] executive of the new Supreme Court to discuss its The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Maria running costs. [298565] Eagle): I have just announced a new site search and identified north Wales as one of the site search areas. 4. Angela Watkinson (Upminster) (Con): When he Officials are working with the Wales Office, the North next expects to meet the chief executive of the new Wales criminal justice board, the Welsh Assembly Supreme Court to discuss its running costs. [298567] Government and local authorities to identify potential sites for a new prison. A shortlist of potential sites will 12. James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend, East) be published in the spring. (Con): When he next expects to meet the chief executive of the new Supreme Court to discuss its Mr. Jones: The owners of the site at Caernarfon that running costs. [298575] the Ministry rejected were willing to sell it, fully remediated and with a commercially acceptable warranty, for a sum The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Mr. Michael of £10 million. Given that the Ministry studiously Wills): My right hon. Friend the Justice Secretary will refused to enter into any negotiations for the site and meet the president and chief executive of the Supreme did not, so far as I can see, ever conduct any soil tests, Court on at least an annual basis to discuss both the how is the Minister able to say with such certainty—she resourcing and the work of the court. The next such has done so on several occasions—that it did not represent meeting is due in spring 2010. value for taxpayers’ money? Mr. Vara: I am grateful to the Minister for those Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice withdrew its comments. Given that it is widely reported that the interest in the site to which the hon. Gentleman refers decision to set up a Supreme Court was taken by Tony because the due diligence procedures it undertook Blair and Lord Falconer over a glass of whisky, and highlighted reasons why the site did not lend itself to that the annual cost of running the Supreme Court is prison development and did not represent value for some £14 million whereas the cost of the previous money. That is why the decision was made. We are arrangement was £3 million a year, does the Minister searching for suitable further sites, including in north agree that it has proved to be a very expensive glass of Wales. whisky? 143 Oral Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 144

Mr. Wills: No, I do not agree, and I counsel the hon. ensuring that no sensitive details are released. That has Gentleman—and I suspect his colleagues who will follow always been the case, there has always been a charge for on shortly—that they must be very careful to ensure it and that will continue to be the case. that they compare like with like. If I may, I will give the I stress that this is not a case that relates to documents hon. Gentleman a few figures. The figures he quotes are that might be accessed by a freedom of information roughly right, but they do not include all the costs request—it is nothing to do with that. The documents incurred in the running of the Appellate Committee of referred to in the newspaper report—the source of the the House of Lords, as they were not included when we hon. Gentleman’s question—are not documents about looked at the costs of the Supreme Court. Let me just the running of the Supreme Court. They are formal give an example. The costings he has quoted go back to court records that relate to individual cases before the 2002-03, I think. Inflation since then and the costs that court. cannot be separated out precisely from the running of Parliament, such as those for rent, security, IT, catering, library services, cleaning and non-cash items, amount David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire) (Lab/Co-op): to about £7 million. So when the hon. Gentleman looks In the six years since its announcement, the projected at these figures and genuinely tries to arrive at a like-for-like cost of the Supreme Court has risen from £32 million to comparison, he will find there is no significant difference. £56 million. Included in that are the costs of very lavish If I may, I will give him some comparative costs for carpets designed by Sir Peter Blake, who also designed elsewhere in the world. [Interruption.] Well, I will do the Sgt. Pepper’s album cover. Could the Minister say so, because he is worried about cost efficiency. The costs whether the then Prime Minister’s project, which was of running the Supreme Courts in Canada and the gained with a little help from his friends, still represents United States are £23 million and £53 million respectively. excellent value? Angela Watkinson: The Master of the Rolls, Lord Mr. Wills: Everyone can have a view about how Justice Neuberger, has said in relation to the Supreme effectively the money has been spent—we will all have Court that our views on that. Everyone who has seen the building “you muck around with a constitution…at your peril because you realises that it represents a masterpiece of renovation do not know what the consequences of any change will be”. and is a precious asset to the architectural environment Why are the Government still mucking about with the of these particular Houses of Parliament. Its costs, House of Lords and introducing measures to allow amortised over 30 years, are about £2 million to £3 million Lord Mandelson to return to this place? a year. My hon. Friend will realise that that is value for money in terms of rent for any other comparable building. Mr. Wills: With all due respect, I think the hon. Lady What is fundamental to this is the purpose of setting up is confusing the two functions of the House of Lords. the Supreme Court, which is to do with the separation Of course she is right to say that we muck around with of powers. That is a precious constitutional principle the constitution at our peril, but we are not mucking and I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman does not around with the constitution, as she so inelegantly puts welcome it more fully. it. What we are doing is pursuing a fundamental principle of our constitutional arrangements, which go back Mr. Henry Bellingham (North-West Norfolk) (Con): centuries. That principle is the separation of powers Does it not concern the Minister a little that a court that and that is what lies behind the setting up of the sat in a Committee Room upstairs, shared the Palace’s Supreme Court. I would have hoped that she would facilities at minimal cost and employed six people now welcome that, instead of criticising it. employs a staff of 40, including a chief executive on Mr. Speaker: Order. May I just say to the Minister more than £100,000? Will he examine its running costs that he must not be led astray by the hon. Member for of £14 million? In particular, will he consider replacing Upminster (Angela Watkinson) into a disquisition that the chief executive with a manager on half that salary? he would not otherwise have authored? Surely that would be a better way to save money than removing legal aid from vulnerable constituents and James Duddridge: I am hesitating because I am not closing magistrates courts. sure that I understood what you just said, Mr. Speaker. When the Minister meets the chief executive to discuss Mr. Wills: I will respect your strictures not to venture the running costs, will he consider whether it is good for down those paths along which the hon. Gentleman has democracy that an individual has to spend £350 just to just tempted me, Mr. Speaker. I say to him again—we see the documents at the Supreme Court? had an exchange about this last week on the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill—that he needs to compare Mr. Wills: Of course I accept your strictures, Mr. Speaker, the figures like for like. He still is not doing so. I refer and I will try very hard not to be led astray by any hon. him to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Member. In return, I ask the hon. Member for Rochford North-West Cambridgeshire (Mr. Vara) a few moments and Southend, East (James Duddridge) not to be led ago, and I ask them both to compare like for like. We astray by inaccurate press reports. If he would like to will constantly review this: as I said in my earlier take the trouble to ascertain the actual facts, he would answer, there will be regular meetings—on at least an be less worried than he appears to be. The actual facts annual basis—to review the running costs. Of course all are that there is no change in the current proceedings: public institutions must run in a cost-effective way, and there have always been charges for making these documents the function of the chief executive is precisely to ensure available in this way. The release of the court record is a that this precious new institution that we have established formal procedural process; it is not a simple matter of functions in an effective and efficient way. That is what just releasing the documents—it requires vetting and the chief executive is for. 145 Oral Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 146

Drug Misuse (Prisons) of prisons varies, including between similar categories of prison, and we are constantly searching for ways to 3. Mr. Andrew Robathan (Blaby) (Con): What recent improve performance, including searches of both staff steps his Department has taken to prevent drug misuse and visitors— in prisons. [298566] Richard Ottaway: Mandatory? 10. Richard Ottaway (Croydon, South) (Con): What Mr. Straw: Whether they are mandatory depends on recent steps his Department has taken to prevent drug the prison, the availability of staff and the categorisation misuse in prisons. [298573] of the prisons. I promise the hon. Gentleman that I do The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor not rule out mandatory searching in all circumstances. (Mr. Jack Straw): Most offenders have a drug problem Paul Flynn (Newport, West) (Lab): Two years ago, when they come into prison. Ensuring that drugs are illegal drugs were freely available in every prison in not available within prison is therefore a major priority Britain. How many are drug-free now? for all staff and the system as a whole. All prisoners are subject to mandatory drug testing in prison, and the Mr. Straw: Generalisation like that belies the fact that results indicate a 68 per cent. decrease in drug use in it is very difficult to get drugs into prison and that staff prison since 1996-97. We still have to take further do a huge amount of work to ensure that drugs are not action. Measures recommended in the Blakey review there. It is not possible to answer the point that my hon. are now being implemented, including body orifice Friend puts to me, which is essentially a negative, but security scanners, tougher controls on mobile telephones what I can say is that, as I have told the House, the in prison and a comprehensive strategy to deal with results of mandatory drug tests show that there has staff corruption. been a 68 per cent. decrease of the use of drugs in prison, which is something for which we should thank Mr. Robathan: In my naivety, I had imagined that the National Offender Management Service. prisons were disciplined and ordered places where prison staff and prison officers were able to enforce their Mr. Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley) (Lab): First, the problem authority and prevent drugs from getting in. I am is that people who are bringing in the drugs are visitors interested in what the Justice Secretary has to say, but and that we are not effective in punishing those who are what penalties is he instituting for those who smuggle carrying the drugs. In fact, if they refuse the search we drugs into prison—be they visitors, people outside prison let them go rather than dealing with the importation of throwing drugs over the walls or staff themselves? drugs into prisons. Secondly—this point is very important for my right hon. Friend—the reduction in prison officer Mr. Straw: There are substantial penalties. One measure numbers and the increase in prisoner numbers make it that I introduced at the beginning of 1999, when I was even harder to try to control prisons, such as Garth and Home Secretary, significantly tightened up the checking Wymott prisons in my constituency. and vetting of visitors to prisons, who are one of the major sources of the drugs that are smuggled in, and Mr. Straw: On the latter point, there has been absolutely the penalties for such visitors if they transgressed the no reduction in prison officer numbers. Staffing in rules, as well as imposing clear penalties on prisoners prisons has increased commensurately with the increase who receive drugs or who conspire with visitors in that in prison numbers, and spending has risen slightly above respect. This is a challenge—there is no question about the increase in prison numbers. it—not least because prisoners seek to conceal both As for the searching of visitors, the rules are very drugs and mobile telephones in an obscene way in their clear. I have made it absolutely clear to the prison body orifices. Detecting the smuggling of drugs and service that I expect those rules, and tough sanctions on mobile telephones into prison is difficult, and so we visitors, to be followed through. have tightened controls and introduced these body orifice scanners. Alan Duncan (Rutland and Melton) (Con): I know that the Government have done some work on this, but Richard Ottaway: Clearly, the Secretary of State will is there not a serious problem in that some offenders go have to agree that whatever initiatives he has introduced into prison clean of drugs, and then come out addicted? are not working. Any reasonable person would ask how What is the Government’s estimate of the number of these drugs are getting in in the first place. Will he now prisoners who have acquired or intensified their drug instigate a review of how drugs are getting into prisons, habit while in prison? and will he consider making searches of visitors and prison staff mandatory? Mr. Straw: I cannot rule that out as a possibility, but the truth is that the overwhelming number of people Mr. Straw: I established a review under Mr. David who seek drugs and abuse them in prison are addicted Blakey, the former chief inspector of constabulary and to drugs outside prison. An alarming proportion of former chief constable of West Mercia, which was offenders—apart from, interestingly, sex offenders and published at the beginning of last year. I commend that the high-end offenders who are drug dealers rather than review to the hon. Gentleman. As long as there are drug users—are people who abuse drugs. One of the some drugs in prison that should not be there, none of many reasons why we make every effort to control the us should be satisfied about the environment in prison. availability of drugs in prison and to increase the sanctions This is not an issue that I, the Minister of State, my hon. on their use is so that there can be drug-free environments. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria However, when I talk to prisoners, time and again they Eagle), the managers of the Prison Service or the staff tell me that they have got clean in prison. They say that take remotely lightly. It is very serious. The performance they have benefited from the medical treatment and the 147 Oral Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 148 fact that drugs are not available there. They have got Derek Twigg: My hon. Friend will know, because she clean in prison but their worry, which should be a worry was there, that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister for us all, is about the transition between prison and the came to my constituency last Thursday to see what community. That is why we are putting a great deal of support is in place for victims of antisocial behaviour effort into that transitional process. and crime. It is key that support is given to those victims, so what more are the Government going to do Violent Behaviour (Court Cases) to support them? Claire Ward: I was very pleased to visit my hon. 6. Tony Lloyd (Manchester, Central) (Lab): What Friend’s constituency last week with the Prime Minister, information his Department holds on the length of and to see what his council is doing in working with all time between a charge being brought and the start of a the local agencies and the local police to provide an trial in cases involving violent behaviour. [298569] effective service for victims and witnesses of antisocial behaviour. I was particularly interested in the work The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice done by Andrew, the council’s antisocial behaviour (Claire Ward): The Ministry collects and publishes a officer. The Home Secretary announced a range of new range of information on the timeliness of cases in the measures last month, including a national take-up campaign criminal courts, including the quarterly time interval for the public, providing more access to information, survey for timeliness in the magistrates courts and and better communication for those engaged in tackling information on the time from receipt to commencement antisocial behaviour. Under the new deal for victims of cases in the Crown court. The information on magistrates and witnesses of antisocial behaviour, 85 areas will courts is broken down into several offence categories, receive funding for victims champions. My hon. Friend’s including violence against the person, while the information constituency is one of those areas, and we will do more on Crown courts does not break down timeliness for to work together with the crime and disorder reduction cases involving violent behaviour. partnerships to improve local services in targeted areas. Mr. Speaker: Order. From now on, I really do want to Tony Lloyd: Does my hon. Friend agree that, even make sharper progress, which means short questions when things go well, the time between assault and trial and short answers. can be one of great anxiety for the victim? It could also be one of great danger if there are threats of further John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): May we please have violence. In that context, what can she do to impress on some lists from the Minister showing which police everyone—the prosecution services, the police, the courts authorities and which local authorities are using that and defence lawyers—that any delays are intolerable legislation, and which ones are refusing to? when violence is part of the case? Claire Ward: I shall be very happy to provide that Claire Ward: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to information to my hon. Friend and to the House. raise concerns about delays. In fact, we have been working very hard to reduce the amount of delay in David Howarth (Cambridge) (LD): One problem is cases. There has been a 20 per cent. improvement in the that a lot of what the authorities treat as antisocial average number of days from charge to completion in behaviour is in reality crime—such as assault, criminal magistrates courts, with the period decreasing from damage and public order offences. Should those offences 8.8 weeks in 2006-07 to 6.9 weeks in 2008-09. A minority not be treated as crime, rather than dealt with under a of lawyers might perhaps be abusing their position by civil procedure? stringing matters out and playing the legal aid system, Claire Ward: Before the introduction of antisocial but that is not something that we would support. If my behaviour orders and, indeed, other measures, such as hon. Friend has examples of unacceptable delays by acceptable behaviour contracts and parenting orders, lawyers, police or any authorities, he should make them many of those offences went either unreported or undealt clear to us and to others. with. As a result of the use of antisocial behaviour orders, many more are being dealt with effectively. Antisocial Behaviour (Sentencing) David Howarth: I thank the Minister for that answer, but is not the real point that the effectiveness of sentencing 7. Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab): What his most recent for those offences should be judged according to the assessment is of the effectiveness of sentencing policy type of offence, and not be treated as a rather less in reducing the level of antisocial behaviour. [298570] important matter, such as antisocial behaviour? Should not the Government look for sentences such as restorative The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice justice, which work against real crime and do not downplay (Claire Ward): This is the first Government ever to the seriousness of the offence? introduce comprehensive measures to tackle antisocial behaviour. There were none in 1997. The Crime and Claire Ward: On the contrary, we do not treat those Disorder Act 1998 imposed duties on local authorities issues as insignificant. In fact, it is precisely because the and police to tackle antisocial behaviour, and those Government have recognised the important role that duties have been steadily strengthened. The National antisocial behaviour plays in a community that we have Audit Office found that nine out of 10 perpetrators made sure that we tackle it. We introduced ASBOs, and ceased their antisocial behaviour after three interventions, when they are breached somebody may be convicted, in which a range of measures to tackle antisocial behaviour with a resultant prison sentence of five years. That can be used. shows that we do not take the issue lightly. 149 Oral Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 150

Mr. Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield) (Con): The Minister our attention was drawn by the grand lodge of freemasons. will agree that one driver of antisocial behaviour is The judgment suggested that continuation of a compulsory alcohol and, in some cases, hard drugs. However, the register, which kind of register does not apply elsewhere average fine for possessing crack cocaine has dropped within the criminal justice system, was likely to be from £300 to £38 in just three years. Does the Minister unlawful. After legal advice, I accepted that. It is open to any accept that that sends out the most extraordinary mixed judge to declare that they are a freemason. In 1996-97, messages about the importance that the Government the Home Affairs Committee, whose recommendations attach to the use of hard drugs and misbehaviour led to the freemasonry register across the criminal justice resulting from it? system, came to no conclusions about any unacceptable behaviour by freemason judges, and there has been no Claire Ward: Obviously, sentencing in those circumstances evidence since. is a matter for the courts, and we are sending out a strict and tough message about the impact on communities Debt Management not only of drugs but of all forms of antisocial behaviour. It is this Government who have been strong on that message, and it is the Opposition who have not shown 9. Jessica Morden (Newport, East) (Lab): What progress quite so much support. has been made in his Department’s consultation on debt management schemes; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Grieve: The Minister’s comments are pure bluster. [298572] The situation is actually much worse than that. The Director of Public Prosecutions is now reviewing the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice Government’s caution culture. Will the Minister explain (Bridget Prentice): Helping those in financial difficulties how we have a situation in which a 15-year-old boy can is an important part of our purpose. Of course, that has be cautioned for rape and a man can be cautioned for to be balanced against creditors’ right to recover their glassing a woman in a pub? Is that the hon. Lady’s idea debts. In September this year, we published the consultation of summary justice? paper “Debt Management Schemes—delivering effective and balanced solutions for debtors and creditors”, which Claire Ward: We have made it absolutely clear that seeks views on whether there is a need to intervene there is a place for out-of-court disposals and for cautions. further in this sector and, if so, what action should be They are not for serious, violent offences, and that is taken. why my right hon. Friend the Justice Secretary has announced a review of the circumstances in which Jessica Morden: The consultation is very welcome. those out-of-court disposals are used, and whether they Will the Minister listen to the National Association of are being used appropriately. If they are being used for Citizens Advice Bureaux and look long and hard at serious, violent offences, as has been stated over the how we can tackle the most unscrupulous debt management past few days, that is exactly why we need to review companies, which often prey on people when they are at them. their most financially vulnerable by not being clear about the cost of their services up front and by giving Judges (Breach of Standards) inappropriate advice?

8. Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle) (Lab): How many Bridget Prentice: My hon. Friend makes an important judges have stood down as a result of a breach of point. One of the strands of the review is to look at the standards of conduct in court in the last five years. behaviour of creditors who continue to add interest to [298571] debts where there is already a debt management plan. She is right to raise the concerns of NACAB and others, The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor and we will listen carefully to what they say. I hope that (Mr. Jack Straw): Between 2004 and 2009, 95 magistrates, she and anyone else in the House who has such examples 14 tribunal members and two judges were removed for will bring them forward to us before the review closes misconduct. It is not known how many of these cases on 18 December. involved breaches of conduct within a courtroom. In addition, last year five tribunal members, 12 magistrates Mr. Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Will and two judges resigned during course of conduct my hon. Friend also look at the rates that solicitors and proceedings. insolvency experts charge the unfortunate small businesses and people who get into debt, then charging exorbitant Mr. Prentice: I am going to write to my friend on the fees on the pretext of helping them? Front Bench about these statistics and what he has just said. In this age of transparency, is it not a disgrace that Bridget Prentice: Again, I endorse what my hon. he has decided to allow judges no longer to declare Friend says. All those issues will be part of the review, whether they are freemasons, as we know that one in and I hope that it will come up with some solutions and 20 of our judges is a freemason? Why on earth the cloak a way forward in the near future. of secrecy?

Mr. Straw: There was no secrecy about my Criminal Trial Acquittals (Costs) announcement. I made an announcement by way of written ministerial statement last week in the light of a 11. Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): What his policy is European Court of Human Rights judgment against on whether defendants who are acquitted in criminal the state of Italy that was made in 2006 and to which trials should receive costs. [298574] 151 Oral Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 152

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice understand the anger and frustration of the family and (Bridget Prentice): Defendants who are acquitted in friends who feel that justice is not being served by such criminal trials should normally receive their reasonable short sentences? costs from central funds unless the court decides that it is not appropriate to award those costs. Overall, central Mr. Straw: As the hon. Gentleman and all of us do, I funds expenditure was £62 million in 2007-08 and share the grief of the family. £77 million in 2008-09. On current indications, I have If the conviction was for murder, the sentence will no reason to believe that it will not increase during have been for life. A minimum tariff will have been set, 2009-10. although I do not know what it was. Home detention curfew and early release from custody under the 18-day Tony Baldry: Following that answer, can the Minister provision do not apply to any such serious offenders. assure me that in criminal cases the principle will remain Even once they have served their tariff—I would be very that costs will follow the event, and that if people are surprised if it were not in double figures—they will be found not guilty in criminal cases they will usually be released only once they have satisfied the Parole Board awarded their costs from central funds? that it is safe. I assure the hon. Gentleman that the victim’s bereaved family will have a right to appear Bridget Prentice: Yes, that is the case, but it is of before the Parole Board. course up to the court to decide whether the award of costs is appropriate. Mr. Humfrey Malins (Woking) (Con): Six years ago, Mrs. Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest) (Con): Perhaps in the Criminal Justice Act 2003, there were introduced the Minister is not aware of a statutory instrument that a whole new raft of sentencing provisions in magistrates is coming before the House this afternoon. I understand courts, such as custody plus, custody minus, the 51-week that the Government are proposing a change in this provision and so on. They went on to the statute book, area of the law to bring in what would effectively be a so can the Secretary of State tell us why, six years later, stealth tax on innocence. Does she appreciate that after they have not even been implemented? the Government’s proposals become law, someone who has been accused of a crime, has met their own costs in Mr. Straw: Yes—it is because of resources. We have defending themselves, and is then declared innocent will had to use a very large amount of resources to expand be required to pay their own costs? If she is now going the prison estate, among other things. We have done so to confirm that that the information that I have about dramatically, and it is now up to 84,300-odd places and this is mistaken, we would be delighted. will get to at least 96,000 in five years’ time. We have also spent money on probation, for which resources Bridget Prentice: Where the hon. Lady is mistaken is have increased as the number of offenders coming in her understanding of the system. First, it is essential through the system has. I regret that we have not been that we target our resources effectively. Secondly, what able to do everything, but we have done a huge amount. will be paid from central funds is costs at the same level The fact that we have greatly strengthened the correctional as legal aid costs. If people wish to pay more than that, system is one of many reasons why this Administration that is entirely up them and it is a choice that they make. are the first to see crime go down, not up. They will be paid from central funds costs equivalent to legal aid, had they been entitled to it. That is a fair way Young Reoffenders of distributing funds that are taxpayers’ money and that we have to spend effectively. 14. Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con): What steps Prisoner Release his Department is taking to reduce reoffending rates of young offenders. [298578] 13. Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): How many prisoners have been released early since 1997; and if he The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Maria Eagle): The level of juvenile reoffending is at its lowest will make a statement. [298577] since 2000, with the rate having come down by more The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor than a fifth between 2000 and 2007. The £100 million (Mr. Jack Straw): There are two schemes under which youth crime action plan is on track to cut youth offending prisoners may be released before they have served half further through a combination of tough enforcement their sentence. The latest published figures show that of against offenders, non-negotiable support to families of a total of about 800,000 prisoners who came through offenders and early intervention and prevention for the system between 1999 and the end of 2008, some young people at risk of offending. 159,000, or 20 per cent., were released under the home detention curfew scheme. Of about 200,000 prisoners Andrew Rosindell: With youth unemployment expected who came through the system from June 2007 until the to top 1 million later this week, what further measures is end of September this year, approximately 70,000 were the Department taking to ensure that young offenders released under the end of custody licence scheme. are given gainful employment so that they do not return to a life of crime? Michael Fabricant: A few months ago Michael Eccles, a young father in my constituency, was murdered. The Maria Eagle: The Government’s efforts to ensure that people who did it were found and sentenced to prison young people have employment and education or training but, under the terms of their sentence, they could be will go a long way towards tackling the hon. Gentleman’s released in just a few years. Can the Secretary of State concerns. 153 Oral Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 154

Rob Marris (Wolverhampton, South-West) (Lab): Several of the 10,924 sexual, violent and other dangerous offenders years ago, the amount per capita spent on education in managed at MAPPA levels 2 and 3, with multi-agency the secure estate for young offenders was considerably intervention and resources, 48 were charged with a below that spent on the average secondary school student, serious further offence. Not least in the light of the despite the high rates of illiteracy and the lack of job Sonnex case, we are constantly making efforts to strengthen skills among young offenders. Has that situation changed? the MAPPA system. If not, why not? Maria Eagle: The amount of money spent on education Philip Davies: The Secretary of State has met the in both our young offenders estate and the adult prison family of the 10-year-old boy who was abducted and estate has risen significantly in the intervening years. raped by Stephen Ayre in my constituency several years There is further to go, and more can be done to assist ago. Even though the right hon. Gentleman would not young and adult prisoners to ensure that they acquire release the internal report into the event and the failings the skills and training that will help them live a more of the Prison Service and the probation service, will he honest life when they come out at the end of their explain what measures the Department is taking to pay sentences. compensation to the families of people who suffer from such appalling mismanagement? Mr. David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): Does spending two thirds of the youth justice budget on Mr. Straw: Compensation is a matter for the courts. putting young offenders in custody when two thirds of There is no—and never has been—statutory responsibility young offenders come out and commit another offence directly on the Government in respect of victims. Very represent good value for money, or could local authorities occasionally victims in such circumstances can get with a devolved budget do better? compensation, but I am sorry to have to tell the hon. Gentleman, as successive Governments have said, that Maria Eagle: It is for the courts to decide how to it is a matter for the courts, and clearly within rather sentence those who come before them. The number of narrowly defined circumstances. young people first entering the criminal justice system is down by 10 per cent. in the past year; reoffending is down by 20 per cent. since 2000; the rate of reoffences Criminal Trial Acquittals (Costs) classified as serious is down by 20 per cent; the frequency of reoffending is down by a quarter, and the number of 19. Chloe Smith (Norwich, North) (Con): Whether he offenders who reoffend is down by more than 6.5 per plans to bring forward proposals to ensure that cent. That is a record that the House should applaud. defendants who are acquitted in criminal trials receive costs in all cases. [298583] 15. Mr. Rob Wilson (Reading, East) (Con): What steps his Department is taking to reduce reoffending rates of young offenders. [298579] The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Bridget Prentice): I congratulate the hon. Lady on her The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Maria rise to Parliament. I hope that she will attend Justice Eagle): To save time, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the questions regularly. I refer her to the answer that I gave answer I just gave the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew a short time ago: defendants who are acquitted in Rosindell). criminal trials should normally receive their reasonable costs, unless the court decides otherwise. Mr. Wilson: Reading young offenders institution runs some fantastic programmes, which help to lower reoffending rates. However, I was extremely concerned to learn from Chloe Smith: I listened to the Minister’s response to a recent parliamentary answer from the Minister that my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry), offenders in Reading prison spend less than one hour a prior to her complimentary remarks, for which I thank day on education and training. Does she agree that her very much. But surely the Criminal Cases (General) formal education and training should not be neglected (Amendment) Regulations 2009, do indeed prevent an as part of the overall package? acquitted defendant from recovering their costs?

Maria Eagle: I agree with the hon. Gentleman. Although Bridget Prentice: As I have said, it is essential that we we have made much progress—increasing the amount target our resources effectively. Costs are available to of spend on adult education by more than 15 times defendants in criminal cases in the Crown court where since the Government came to office—more can be they have been acquitted, but those costs are staged at done, and we intend to ensure that we do it. the level of legal aid costs. In other words, they should Multi-agency Protection get the same as they should get had they been legally aided. 18. Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of multi-agency public Mr. Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield) (Con): It is not protection arrangements in the management of serious legally aided. offenders. [298582] The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor Bridget Prentice: Of course they are not legally aided— (Mr. Jack Straw): Prison, police and probation services that is the point—but the level of costs that they will get are now required to work together rather than in isolation back from the taxpayer from central funds will be the to assess and manage the risk presented by known same as if they had been legally aided. That is fair both offenders in the so-called MAPPA system. In 2008-09, to them and to legally aided defendants. 155 Oral Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 156

Mr. Speaker: Order. I very gently say to the hon. and violence against Muslims who convert to other religions learned Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Grieve) that the or leave the Islamic faith—so-called apostates—from shadow Justice team, of all shadow teams, should behave receiving public money? in an orderly manner. Mr. Straw: Such arrangements ought to be in place currently, and there is very careful analysis by my right Prisoner Transfer Agreements hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, but if the hon. Gentleman has any 20. Mr. Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): If he will examples, I am very happy to follow them up on his make it his policy to negotiate prisoner transfer behalf. agreements with the three countries with the largest foreign prisoner populations in England and Wales. T4. [298593] Rob Marris (Wolverhampton, South-West) [298584] (Lab): What is the Government’s most recent assessment of the success in ensuring that justice is seen to be done The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Maria under the community payback and community cash-back Eagle): It is Government policy to negotiate prisoner schemes, particularly in Wolverhampton and the west transfer agreements, particularly with those countries midlands? with large numbers of nationals in our prisons. As of Mr. Straw: The community payback and community 30 June 2009, the three countries with the largest numbers cash-back schemes have, I am pleased to tell my hon. were Jamaica, Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland. We Friend, been very successful. Using the minimum wage have prisoner transfer agreements with the Republic of as the multiplier, I can tell him that in the west midlands, Ireland and Nigeria. A prisoner transfer agreement was about £2.5 million-worth of unpaid labour has been signed with Jamaica in June 2007 but has yet to be carried out, involving many schemes. One of the great implemented as the Jamaican Government need to things about community payback is that the public can introduce enabling legislation. literally see offenders carrying out this work on their behalf, and increasingly they can choose which schemes Mr. Hollobone: Given that we have a prisoner transfer the offenders should undertake. agreement with Nigeria, will the Minister tell the House how many Nigerians are serving time in jails in England T2. [298591] Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York) (Con): and Wales and why those people are not returned to Now that we know that shop theft costs a shocking their country of origin? £5 billion a year and is on the increase, especially among middle class women, will the Justice Secretary Maria Eagle: Currently, the arrangements require the please extend the review of out of court disposals, consent of prisoners to be transferred. Nigeria is a which he has just instigated at the request of the signatory, so we can now transfer prisoners voluntarily Director of Public Prosecutions and the Association of to serve their sentences at home. We are negotiating a Chief Police Officers, to include the use of penalty compulsory transfer agreement. Enabling legislation is notices, which should not be used in cases of persistent at the committee stage in the Nigerian National Assembly, shop theft? so I hope that in due course, in the not-too-distant Mr. Straw: The review will indeed include penalty future, we will be able to transfer prisoners whether or notices for disorder. As I have made clear to the hon. not they agree to the transfer. Lady—and I commend her campaign on proper compliance and a restriction on the use of PNDs, especially in Topical Questions respect of shop theft—I am as concerned as she is about any circumstances in which penalty notices for disorder T1. [298590] Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): If are used for repeat offenders. The number of convictions he will make a statement on his departmental over the last eight years has increased. The introduction responsibilities. of so-called out of court disposals is nothing to do with the prison population. Before we introduced the out of The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor court disposals, most of these offenders were not dealt (Mr. Jack Straw): In June, I announced a review of with at all by the police, and that was wholly ineffective. schedule 21 to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 in the light I accept that there is a problem, and we must consider it of considerable concern about the starting point for actively. determining the minimum term for murder using a T5. [298594] Tony Lloyd (Manchester, Central) (Lab): knife, which is currently 15 years. Following this review, On the same theme, will my right hon. Friend’s review which included the necessary consultation, I can now of police cautions establish the legitimacy of these tell the House that I propose to introduce a new adult cautions, because they are a useful part of the criminal starting point of 25 years for murder using a knife or justice armoury? Will he also make it clear that the other weapon carried to the scene with the intention of outrageous cases, such as the barmaid who was glassed use as a weapon. A statutory instrument introducing and raped, can never properly be subject to police this change will be laid before Parliament by Christmas caution? and will be subject to debate in both Houses soon after. Mr. Straw: I am as surprised and shocked as anybody Mark Pritchard: In order to protect freedom of speech else by the fact that cautions have been used in indictable- and safeguard community cohesion, will the Justice only offences such as rape. Such decisions can be made Secretary put in place measures that prevent Muslim only by the crown prosecutor—it is a matter for the groups and organisations who condone or encourage Director of Public Prosecutions. The review will indeed 157 Oral Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 158 include that issue. These cautions and other out of T8. [298597] John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): The graveyards court disposals were designed for lower level offences of Britain are still littered with inappropriate and unsafe that, in the past, were not the subject of any effective stakes. Will the Minister consider giving another significant police action. In the period in which we have introduced kick to the cemetery authorities that have failed in their them, the number of convictions has increased significantly. duty to remove the stakes?

T3. [298592] Greg Mulholland (Leeds, North-West) (LD): The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice A constituent’s son was tragically murdered. The (Bridget Prentice): I will take great pleasure in giving mother applied for compensation from the Criminal that kick to those authorities. My hon. Friend has Injuries Compensation Authority, but was refused— campaigned long and hard on that issue, and he is including help with funeral expenses—because he had absolutely right. We have sent out guidance on at least had convictions in the past that were nothing to do two occasions, and if necessary we will do so again and with his murder. Does the Secretary of State agree that hope that, this time, they pay some attention. it appears that we place a lower value on life when it T9. [298598] Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): Although comes to those who have made a mistake in the past the number of deaths on our roads is at its lowest since and paid for those crimes? records began, every life lost is one too many. The grief of families, however, is made worse when frequently Mr. Straw: I understand the concern of the hon. they do not know what has happened to the driver of Gentleman and the family he is representing, but it has the vehicle in which their loved-one died. Does the long been accepted, as part of the criminal injuries Secretary of State agree that it is necessary for compensation scheme, that people who are the victims sentencing in all court cases in which a life has been of crime but have themselves been offenders with relatively lost, irrespective of the charge or whether the person serious, unspent convictions cannot benefit from has pleaded guilty, to be done at the Crown court? compensation which is available, fundamentally, for innocent members of the public. Mr. Straw: I cannot say that, because it would raise bigger issues. However, I agree entirely with the hon. T6. [298595] Natascha Engel (North-East Derbyshire) Gentleman that bereaved victims in such circumstances (Lab): Now that my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, have every right to know the outcome of the case. There South (Ms Butler) has been made the Parliamentary should be a duty on the prosecutors and police, with Secretary, Cabinet Office, with responsibility for youth help from Victim Support, to see that they do. citizenship, what does that mean for the YouthCitizenship Commission? More importantly, I desperately need to Emily Thornberry (Islington, South and Finsbury) know who to lobby on the issue of reducing the voting (Lab): Since Ben’s death, Debbie and George Kinsella ageto16. have been campaigning for an increase in sentences for those guilty of knife crime. I know that my right hon. Mr. Straw: The appointment of my hon. Friend is Friend has had meetings with the family, and with their very good news. In any event, we are already pursuing priest, Father Jim Kennedy. On their behalf, and that of the recommendations of the Youth Citizenship the people of Islington, I thank my right hon. Friend Commission. As for votes at 16, opinions differ. This is for his statement today. a free country, and there are free opinions in the Government on this issue. I take a slightly different view Mr. Straw: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I know on this, and it was striking that in the opinion poll that how hard she has sought to represent the bereaved the YCC conducted only those aged 16 and 17 showed a Kinsella family and the community. As I explained to majority in favour of votes at 16—and it was only a the House in my statement, schedule 21 of the Criminal narrow majority—and the other groups favoured 18. Justice Act 2003 provides for a minimum starting-point This is a debate that will run and run. tariff of 15 years for adults. In the light of the Kinsella murder and the sentences, understandable concern was raised about the fact that the starting point was too low T7. [298596] Ann Winterton (Congleton) (Con): for knife murders involving people who have gone out Mr. Speaker, you will be horrified to learn that last year with a knife with the intention of committing a serious up to 40,000 assault cases were dealt with only by a crime. I am glad to say that, in the light of the review, I caution, in spite of official guidance stating that they propose to raise the tariff to 25 years. I am afraid that should be used only for low-level offending. Will the nothing can undo the loss suffered by the Kinsella Justice Secretary tell the Crown prosecutor that such family, but it does at least show—I hope—respect for abuse of the system should be ended forthwith, and that them and the community that it has been possible to cautions for assault cases are totally inappropriate? respond as we have. Mr. Straw: I have, indeed, just said that. I point out to Mike Penning (Hemel Hempstead) (Con): What prisoner the hon. Lady, however, that violence against the person exchange relationships do we have with Venezuela? I as a category includes, at the one end, grievous bodily have an 18-year-old constituent awaiting trial there. His harm, which is very serious, and, at the other end, mental age is below 18, and we are worried about common assault, which until 1998 was regarded by the whether he is going to get a fair trial. If he is convicted, party of the previous Administration as not important is there any mechanism to bring him back to the UK, so enough to be a recorded offence. In my view, we need that he can finish his sentence here? graded advice that clearly distinguishes on the one hand between common assault—it might literally be just a Mr. Straw: I apologise to the hon. Gentleman, because tap—and grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm I cannot answer his question directly without notice. on the other hand. However, I will follow it up, including with my right 159 Oral Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 160 hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. There are normally Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle) (Lab): Derry Irvine has arrangements with almost all countries for prisoner spoken out for the first time about the abolition of the transfer. Under long-standing arrangements that pre-date ancient office of Lord Chancellor and how it was done this Government, those arrangements require the consent without consultation or proper appreciation of the of the sentencing state, receiving state and, usually, the consequences. Would the latest Lord Chancellor challenge prisoner—although we are trying to change that. However, Lord Irvine’s account in any way? I shall write to him with advice on that. Mr. Straw: I am living proof that the office has not Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) (Lab): Will the Secretary been abolished. As for challenging Lord Irvine’s account, of State please reaffirm what he said in his answer to me I was abroad at the time. on 21 July, which is that there will be no prison—neither a Titan prison nor any other size of prison—in Scarisbrick? Will he also confirm that in writing for the benefit of Christopher Fraser (South-West Norfolk) (Con): The Tory councillors—colleagues of Opposition Members— Ministry of Justice is spending £4 million installing who seem not to be able to believe in the record according vending machines in prisons to allow prisoners access to Hansard? to methadone, through the iris or fingerprint system. Why are the Government spending more on prisoners’ Mr. Straw: There will not be a prison at Scarisbrick, drug habits than on abstinence-based rehabilitation? Titan or otherwise, and I will write to my hon. Friend about that. Mr. Straw: May I say to the hon. Gentleman— [Interruption.] Sorry, but he is obscured by the corporeal Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey) presence of his hon. Friend the Member for South (LD): I have a constituent who has been released on life Staffordshire (Sir Patrick Cormack), just in front of licence and has been homeless for six years. Can Ministers him. I invite the hon. Gentleman to come to prison and reassure me that there is proper co-ordination between see those dispensers, which are part of ensuring the their Department and the Department for Communities tight control of drugs in prison. There are some addicted and Local Government, so that housing previous offenders prisoners for whom medical practitioners have determined is seen as a social priority for everybody? that methadone—not heroin but methadone, which is a recognised and acceptable substitute—should be prescribed, The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Maria in order to control and cut down their addiction. The Eagle): I can give the hon. Gentleman that assurance. idea of the dispensing machines is to provide absolute Housing previous offenders is one of the pathways to certainty about who receives the methadone. As I have reducing reoffending that we are taking action to deal witnessed, the prisoner’s identity is checked at the with. That is not to say that every prisoner who comes point at which the drug is dispensed and he or she out will find settled and secured housing, as that case has to consume it in the presence of two prison officers illustrates, but 86 per cent. do. and a nurse. 161 10 NOVEMBER 2009 162

Speaker’s Statement Point of Order

3.33 pm 3.34 pm Mr. Speaker: I wish to make a statement about the Mr. Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield) (Con): On a point two minutes’ silence. As the House will know, tomorrow of order, Mr. Speaker. I noted that in answer to the hon. is Remembrance day and, exceptionally, the House will Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Emily sit at 2.30 pm. At 11 am, right hon. and hon. Members, Thornberry), the Justice Secretary seemed to make a their staff and officials in the House will be attending to statement about sentencing in knife crime. I was not their duties. I regard it as appropriate that we should aware of any written or oral statement having been join the nation in observing the two minutes’ silence at made, so I wondered whether that was a novel way of 11 o’clock, so that we might remember those who gave making such a statement. their lives for their country and to help preserve our democratic freedoms. I should be grateful if those The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor responsible for chairing Committees at that time would (Mr. Jack Straw) rose— make appropriate arrangements. Instructions will also be issued to heads of House Departments, so that those Mr. Speaker: I am very happy to take any rejoinder to members of staff who wish to observe the two minutes’ that point of order from the right hon. Gentleman first. silence will be enabled to do so. I will reserve my thunder until I have heard what the Secretary of State has to say.

Mr. Straw: With great respect to the hon. and learned Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Grieve), it is part of the arrangements for topical questions that a statement can be made on a matter of departmental business. After all, the question that is put to the Secretary of State at the beginning of topical questions asks whether he will make a statement about his departmental business. I wished to show respect to the House, to ensure that the House was the first to hear of this announcement and to assure hon. Members that there had been no briefing about it, and the House was indeed the first to hear of it. I therefore thought it appropriate to make this announcement to the House in a short oral statement of a kind that is for the convenience of the House as a whole.

Mr. Grieve rose—

Mr. Speaker: I am grateful to the Secretary of State. I will allow the hon. and learned Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Grieve), who was on the edge of his seat a moment ago, to raise a further point of order if he so wishes. I know that he will not seek to prolong the debate; he would not do that.

Mr. Grieve: Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am grateful for the Secretary of State’s explanation, but is not the purpose of making an oral statement to give hon. Members the opportunity to ask questions about it? The reality of these circumstances, however, makes that practice impossible, particularly as those on the Front Bench have asked their questions earlier. I would be grateful for your guidance on this, Mr. Speaker, for the future if not for today.

Mr. Straw rose—

Mr. Speaker: I do not think that we need to hear from the Secretary of State. It is always a pleasure to hear his mellifluous tones, but I do not think that we need to do so again at this point. The hon. and learned Member for Beaconsfield has raised an important point, upon which I am happy to reflect. He is a very fair-minded Member of the House, and he will know that I regard as being of the utmost importance proper conduct by Members on the Treasury Bench, and as pre-eminent the rights of 163 Point of Order 10 NOVEMBER 2009 164

[Mr. Speaker] Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Motion for leave to introduce a Bill (Standing Order Back-Bench Members. That has always been my approach, No. 23) and it will continue to be. In that spirit, I will reflect on what the hon. and learned Gentleman has said. 3.37 pm Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield) (Con) rose— Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con): I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for a Mr. Speaker: I call Sir Nicholas Winterton. I trust national public holiday marking the Queen’s diamond jubilee in that he will be very brief. 2012 and to establish a framework to ensure that the United Kingdom, its overseas territories and Crown dependencies Sir Nicholas Winterton: Further to that point of appropriately commemorate this occasion; and for connected order, Mr. Speaker. I will be very brief. Would it not purposes. have been appropriate and courteous for the Secretary On 6 February 1952, following the passing of His of State to have given the shadow spokesman notice Majesty King George VI, Princess Elizabeth became that he intended to raise this matter in his opening Queen Elizabeth II. That was nearly 58 years ago, so answer at the beginning of topical questions? today, our nation can begin to look ahead to 2012—the year in which, God willing, we will be able to celebrate Mr. Speaker: Unfortunately, I am afraid that that Her Majesty’s 60th year as Queen and the diamond point of order adds nothing. I have already given a jubilee of her reign. Of course, 2012 is already the year ruling; the position is clear. I have indicated to the hon. in which the eyes of every nation and billions of people and learned Member for Beaconsfield my intention to across the globe will be watching Britain, as we stage reflect on the matter, and additional points of order the Olympic games here in London. It will undoubtedly that add nothing are unhelpful. be a year in which to celebrate great sporting achievements, but we in these islands will have an ever greater achievement to celebrate as another page in the history of our nation BILL PRESENTED is reached. The 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne will be a momentous occasion, LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITIES (PROTECTION OF making Her Majesty the second longest reigning monarch, LOCAL SERVICES)BILL not only since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, but Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) ever to reign over any part of the British isles. Greg Mulholland, supported by Mr. Eric Illsley and Over the past decades, Her Majesty has witnessed Peter Bottomley, presented a Bill to make provision for many historic changes throughout her realms and across local planning authorities to require planning permission the world. Under her watchful eye, we have witnessed prior to the demolition or change of use of any or all the evolution of the British empire into the Commonwealth premises or land used or most recently used as a local of nations; the cold war, the collapse of communism service; and for connected purposes. and the fall of the Berlin wall; the liberation of the Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Falkland Islands and the handing over of Hong Kong Thursday 12 November, and to be printed (Bill 163). to China. Her Majesty has reigned during times of enormous social and economic change in Britain, with 12 Prime Ministers holding office and 14 general elections—with another one expected—taking place during her long, eventful and distinguished reign. Throughout all those years, the one reassuring constant has been the sovereign herself. Queen Elizabeth II has been a firm hand on the tiller of our nation; Her Majesty has been a shining beacon to nations around the world as to how a modern constitutional monarchy should conduct itself. No other monarch could have propelled this country to such great success, and the Queen is rightly beloved by all her people. The Queen’s diamond jubilee should be an opportunity for everyone to celebrate this great milestone in the history of our island people, whether they reside in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales, our Crown dependencies, overseas territories or expatriate communities scattered across the globe. Indeed, Her Majesty is not only our sovereign, but also reigns over many millions of people throughout her realms—of Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Grenada; Jamaica; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. The people of those nations, too, should be given the opportunity to celebrate this glorious and historic occasion, for it is as much their celebration as it is ours. 165 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee10 NOVEMBER 2009 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 166

I ask hon. Members to cast their minds back to the begin with a military procession encompassing every last occasion we had cause to celebrate our royal heritage, regiment and uniformed service, from the Coldstream when the Queen celebrated her golden jubilee in 2002. Guards, the Royal Highland Fusiliers, the Welsh Guards In the run-up to the celebrations, we were told that it and the Royal Irish Regiment to the Royal Canadian would be a low-key affair, with the public neither interested Mounted Police, the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, nor wanting a large celebration. How wrong they were! the Royal Australian Regiment and the Royal Gibraltar The events of that summer surpassed everyone’s Regiment, and many more besides. All would have their expectations. That spirit of pageantry that was so evocative part to play in this great and historic celebration of the of the silver jubilee of 25 years earlier was wonderfully Queen’s 60-year reign. recaptured with more than 1 million people lining the The parade should be followed by a carnival of Mall to cheer Her Majesty. people, animals, marching bands, vehicles and floats, During the weekend of 1 to 4 June 2002, the Queen featuring men and women of all ages, religions and hosted a concert in the gardens of Buckingham palace—the races from each of our historic counties and great cities, largest event ever organised on the premises, with the to reflect the rich and diverse nature of the Kingdom, BBC symphony orchestra and chorus leading a stirring together with each and every one of Her Majesty’s musical performance. The royal family attended services realms and dependencies from Jersey to Jamaica, Bermuda of thanksgiving across the country and church bells to Belize, the Cook Islands to the Cayman Islands, rang out across the land to mark the national celebrations. St. Helena to St. Lucia, Alderney to Akrotiri and the Street parties took place in roads up and down the land, Isle of Man to Norfolk Island. Let all the peoples who mirroring and surpassing the scale of those of the silver remain loyal to the Crown join these historic celebrations! jubilee in 1977. A further concert was held at Buckingham My aim today in bringing this Bill to Parliament is to palace featuring pop music over the previous 50 years. draw attention to a highly significant event. Although The Queen lit the national beacon at the Victoria memorial, 2012 is still over two years away, I believe that if the which was the last in a string of beacons to be lit diamond jubilee is to pass off spectacularly, we need to throughout the world, echoing Queen Victoria’s own begin fostering ideas and support today. It is only right golden jubilee in 1887. and proper that, in the year of the 60th anniversary of The double bank holiday weekend culminated with Her Majesty’s reign, we should celebrate that, and the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh riding in the demonstrate our heartfelt thanks and steadfast loyalty. golden state coach, accompanied by the entire royal Question put and agreed to. family attending a national service of thanksgiving at Ordered, St. Paul’s cathedral, together with a magnificent military procession and a jubilee festival featuring singers and That Andrew Rosindell, Mr. Simon Burns, Mr. Lindsay musicians performing alongside the numerous decorated Hoyle, Daniel Kawczynski, Mr. Angus MacNeil, Mr. Owen floats processing along the Mall, illustrating British life Paterson, Mrs. Iris Robinson, Bob Russell, Chloe Smith, throughout the years of her reign. Geraldine Smith, Dr. Richard Taylor and Angela Watkinson present the Bill. At the end of the festival, 5,000 adults and children from the Commonwealth nations marched along the Andrew Rosindell accordingly presented the Bill. Mall in national dress and presented a “rainbow of Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time wishes” to Her Majesty, after which the Queen and tomorrow and to be printed (Bill 164). Prince Philip greeted crowds from the palace balcony, before the magnificent spectacle of a fly-past by the Royal Air Force, the Red Arrows and Concorde. The events of WELFARE REFORM BILL (PROGRAMME) that glorious weekend served to highlight the huge (NO. 2) amount of support and affection that the Queen commands Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing throughout the nation. Order No. 83A(7)), The great success of the golden jubilee means that we That the following provisions shall apply to the Welfare Reform must strive to make the diamond jubilee an even greater Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 27 January 2009 celebration; and so, in 2012, let there be pomp and (Welfare Reform Bill (Programme)): pageantry, together with grass-roots initiatives throughout Consideration of Lords Amendments the length and breadth of these islands. Let there be 1. Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall opportunities for people to celebrate in the ways that (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion they think most appropriate to their families and three hours after their commencement at this day’s sitting. communities, whether it be through street parties, voluntary 2. The Lords Amendments shall be considered in the following groups, churches, schools, local authorities or businesses, order, namely Lords Amendment No. 2, remaining Lords or just gatherings of friends and loved ones in private Amendments. homes. There must also be a dedicated weekend put Subsequent stages aside for these events, with dedicated bank holidays, so 3. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered that everyone can take part and enjoy the festivities. forthwith without any Question being put. This, Mr. Speaker, could be crowned by a huge 4. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords international parade in which all Her Majesty’s realms shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion and territories would be invited to demonstrate their one hour after their commencement.—(Helen Jones.) pride through the streets of London. The parade should Question agreed to. 167 10 NOVEMBER 2009 168

Welfare Reform Bill Here we apply a definition of well-being found elsewhere in legislation that takes into account a child’s physical Consideration of Lords amendments and mental health and emotional well-being; protection from harm and neglect; education, training and recreation; Mr. Speaker: I draw the attention of the House to the contribution made by them to society; and their the fact that financial privilege is involved in Lords social and economic well-being. These are covered in amendments 11, 12, 19 to 21, 23, 25, 30, 31, 38, 44 and amendments 8, 27 and 54. 48. If the House agrees to any of those amendments, I shall ensure that the appropriate entry is made in the There has been much debate on good cause, and what Journal. is considered to be good cause for failing to undertake a work-related activity. As a result we have taken the opportunity to outline in primary legislation some of Clause 2 the most important things that should always be considered when deciding on good cause for failing to undertake WORK-RELATED ACTIVITY: INCOME SUPPORT CLAIMANTS work-related activity. Claimants of income replacement AND PARTNERS OF CLAIMANTS benefits will not be directed to undertake medical or 3.50 pm surgical treatment to meet their work-related activity requirements. However, the amendments permit such The Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform customers to undertake such activity on a voluntary (Jim Knight): I beg to move, That this House disagrees basis with informed consent. We feel that that is important, with Lords amendment 2. especially where an individual has a health condition Mr. Speaker: With this it will be convenient to discuss that is in itself a barrier to returning to work. As a the following: Government amendment (a) in lieu, and result, we believe that they should receive, on a voluntary consequential Government amendment (b). basis, the appropriate help and support to make a Lords amendments 3 to 12, 15, 25 to 27, 53 to 59, 78, return to work possible, such as counselling or physiotherapy 90, 91 and 94. if that is something they and their adviser agree on. To ensure that customers are not penalised if they Jim Knight: I thank my predecessor, my right hon. change their minds about the decision, we would allow Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty), them to fulfil their requirement to undertake work-related from whom I have inherited the Bill, my noble Friend activity by completing another activity on their action Lord McKenzie of Luton, for his excellent stewardship plan. This change is covered by Lords amendments 9, of the Bill through the other place, and Members of 15 and 58. both Houses for their scrutiny of the Bill, as I now seek to guide its journey to a safe conclusion this week. Also, after listening to the views of both Houses, we In disagreeing with the Lords amendment, I shall have decided to introduce amendments to make it clear also speak to our amendment (a) in lieu and the other that good cause considerations must take into account Lords amendments in this group with which we agree. It the availability of childcare. In practice this already will help the House if I give some brief background. happens, but we want to put that principle beyond The House will be aware that our policies for lone doubt and ensure that it is protected for the future. This parents are based on the idea of family-friendly working. is covered by Lords amendments 10, 26 and 78. We rely on two key principles—that work is the best route out of poverty, and that parents, especially lone Mrs. Anne McGuire (Stirling) (Lab): Will my right parents, must be allowed to fulfil their responsibilities hon. Friend clarify the situation in Scotland, where the to their children. Government do not have the administrative responsibility On the former point, we are mindful that the longer for the provision of childcare? Will there be full co-operation people are out of work, the more difficult it is to get a with the Scottish Government, who may or may not be job. It is therefore vital that support be provided early, able to replicate the child care coverage that exists in to help address the barriers to work. That is what we other parts of the UK, and will that be taken into mean by work-related activity. We do not mean work; consideration so that lone parents in Scotland will be lone parents will not be required to take up employment treated in an even-handed and equal way in comparison until their youngest child is seven. We mean training, with those in the rest of the UK? CV writing, help with literacy and numeracy and financial advice—overcoming a range of obstacles that often Jim Knight: I can certainly give my right hon. Friend hold people back from helping themselves. Indeed, we that reassurance. She and other colleagues from Scotland mean the range of support offered so successfully in the and Wales have been assiduous in raising these concerns new deal for lone parents, which has got 625,000 lone to ensure that the legislation does not disadvantage lone parents into work in the last 11 years. But it is equally parents in those parts of the country. Indeed, I have had important that this support must be convenient. It must conversations with Ministers in Wales, Scotland and come second to the welfare of the child, and depend on Northern Ireland about the concerns about child care locally available affordable childcare. It must also allow arrangements being different. That is one of the important time to drop off and pick up children from school and reasons for introducing those three amendments. I hope nursery. that reassures my right hon. Friend. Foremost in the amendments is the requirement that We have also introduced amendments to define the the well-being of a customer’s child is always taken into policy boundaries for lone parents and to build on account when a personal adviser and a parent agree the previous flexibilities that take into account their caring steps that they will take to prepare for, or move into, responsibilities for their children. The amendments would work when completing an action plan or, for lone set out clearly in the Bill that only lone parents on parents with older children, a jobseeker’s agreement. income-replacement benefits who have a youngest child 169 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 170 aged between three and six will be required to undertake Mr. Speaker: I think that no detail has been omitted work-related activity. They put in primary legislation from that intervention, and I hope that subsequent our intention that lone parents whose youngest child is interventions will be shorter, rather than longer. under three will not be required to undertake any work-related activity. Jim Knight: I am grateful that my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) has The amendments also place in primary legislation an written to me setting out those details at even greater assurance that lone parents whose youngest child is length than in her excellent intervention. I will need to under seven will not be required to meet the full job-seeking reflect on this. In preparing a White Paper that will be conditions for jobseeker’s allowance, but instead will be published in the next few weeks, we have been examining able to claim income support, or modified jobseeker’s the issue of flexibility, and the extent to which we can allowance, until their youngest child is seven. They flex the regime so that it can be more tailored to the remove the requirement for lone parents whose youngest personal circumstances of customers on jobseeker’s child is under one and who are in receipt of an income- allowance, employment and support allowance and other replacement benefit to attend work-focused interviews. benefits. In the change we have made for lone parents They also introduce flexibilities to allow lone parents whose youngest child is under one, we have made it with children between three and six who are required to clear that there is no merit in requiring such lone undertake work-related activity to restrict the hours in parents to come in for a work-focused interview if no which they do so. meaningful action follows from that. I am advised that It is intended that this flexibility will be used to allow if my hon. Friend’s constituent gets carer’s allowance, lone parents of children up to the age of 12 to restrict she is exempt from the conditionality. I clearly need to their hours of availability so that they fit around their look at the details of the case and get back to my hon. children’s schooling or formal child care, or around Friend with a proper response. hours in which locally provided, free, part-time nursery places are available. These measures are provided by 4pm Lords amendments 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 53, 55, 56, 57, 59, I was about to set out the new sanctions regime. Our 90, 91 and 94. new regime will allow for more up-front, in-depth We have also introduced an amendment that enables engagement with lone parents, and there are a number the job-seeking requirements for jobseeker’s allowance of stages before a financial sanction will even be considered. recipients who have been the victims of domestic violence We know that sometimes extenuating circumstances, to be temporarily suspended for 13 weeks. Under this such as a domestic emergency or a sick child, will mean amendment, they will not be required to enter into a that lone parents are unable to keep their usual jobseeker’s agreement if one is not already in place, and commitments. Therefore, all lone parents will be given a they will not be required to be available for work or further chance to comply before any action is taken. If a actively to seek work during this difficult time. That is lone parent fails to take part in a work-focused interview, covered in Lords amendment 25. I hope that the House or undertake or complete work-related activity, without will agree that the package of amendments we have good cause, there will not initially be a sanction. Instead introduced means that parents, especially lone parents, the adviser will discuss any issues that the lone parent will have the flexibility to balance the activities that they may have and give them another opportunity to engage. will be required to undertake with their unique family Only if the lone parent fails to engage again without circumstances. good cause will further action be considered. We are also introducing a new, more sensitive, sanctions If a lone parent misses two work-focused interviews regime. and attempts to make contact fail, a formal written warning will be sent. Similarly, lone parents who have failed to carry out the minimum agreed work-related Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Will my activity in their action plan over three months will be right hon. Friend give way? given an opportunity to explain any good cause, renegotiate the action plan or begin the work-related activity. If Jim Knight: I will happily give way before setting out, they fail or refuse to do so, a formal written warning at a little length, the new sanctions regime. will be sent. After three missed interviews or three failures to take Lynne Jones: I recently wrote to my right hon. Friend up agreed work-related activity, an individual case review about a constituent of mine who is a lone parent with will be done. That involves a senior adviser or manager five children, three of whom have conditions including undertaking an in-depth review of the lone parent’s autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Asperger’s circumstances and the reasons for failure to comply. and Tourette’s. She is a carer—and indeed, she has a That could include home visits for parents. Only after carer for herself, who is one of her children. As a carer, this stage, once a lone parent has failed to comply on she is not required to attend work preparation, but she the fourth occasion, will a financial sanction be considered, is required to attend six-monthly work-focused interviews. with initial sanctions at a significantly lower level than I have inquired of the Jobcentre Plus, and an action those currently applied. plan has never been produced for her because it is clear This model will provide lone parents with more that while she has responsibility for the children, she opportunities to comply with the requirements and will will never be able to work. The six-monthly visits to her ensure that they cannot face a financial penalty before a Jobcentre Plus are, however, extremely onerous for her. full review of their circumstances has been carried out. I have asked whether some flexibility might be given to As now, lone parents will, of course, have the opportunity the jobcentre so that it could have the discretion to to ask for the sanction decision to be reconsidered waive that requirement. and/or to appeal the decision. We believe that overall, 171 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 172 this approach will provide lone parents with every individual was wilfully ignoring the sanctions regime opportunity to engage with work-related activity, will and the opportunities available to them would any lead to fewer financial sanctions but will provide the financial sanction come into play. necessary backstops to ensure engagement and progression. If, after this process, someone still fails to comply John Mason (Glasgow, East) (SNP): The Minister without good cause, a sanction will be considered. mentioned child poverty immediately before he took However, as now, lone parents will have the opportunity that intervention. Does he accept that the fact that a to ask for the sanction decision to be reconsidered or to parent has gone into work does not automatically mean appeal. that the child is not in poverty any more? Steve Webb (Northavon) (LD): The Minister started by setting out all the positive things that the Government Jim Knight: In many ways, that misses the point. We are going to do to engage, and all the support that lone are talking about work-related activity, not work. There parents are going to get. However, these proposals are, is no requirement for parents whose youngest children in essence, about the stick; they are not about the are under the age of seven to take up employment. We carrot. They are about saying what punishment will be are talking about work-related activities and receiving meted out to a lone parent with a three or four-year-old support such as that which lone parents receive in the child if they do not do what the Government want them new deal for lone parents. I do not know what the hon. to do. Is it the Government’s view that lone parents with Gentleman’s party’s position is on that, although I children of that age are simply too stupid to see the know that the official Opposition want to get rid of it. good that this engagement will do for them, and so need to be threatened to persuade them to take it up? If it Lords amendment 2 amends the Bill so that financial was all so good and so positive for them, why would sanctions could not be imposed upon a “single” parent they not take it up anyway? Why do we need a threat to in receipt of income support with a child under five if make them do that? they failed to undertake work-related activity. The amendment would not achieve the purpose that I believe Jim Knight: The hon. Gentleman is right to say that I it was intended to achieve. “Single” is not defined in have set out a range of positive measures that we are social security legislation, so there is a risk that it could putting in the Bill. He talks in terms of “sticks” and be interpreted to mean a non-resident parent, rather “carrots”. As he knows, it is normal in social security than the lone parent who has caring responsibility for legislation to put the sticks in primary legislation and the child. We must therefore amend the Bill today or leave the carrots in secondary legislation and in other risk an absent parent using the measure as an excuse to action. What is unusual is that we are putting the avoid getting back to work. carrots—to use his language—in primary legislation, in Nevertheless, to set that drafting error to one side, in the Bill. both Houses there has been vigorous debate—we hear Let us consider the substance of what the hon. some echoes of it now—about when, based on the age Gentleman is asking about, and our disagreement with of the youngest child, we should start requiring lone the Lords, which I was about to discuss. I believe, as I parents to undertake work-related activity. Based on did when I took the legislation to raise the education those debates, and on the changes we have made to put participation age through Parliament, that there are the safeguards that I have described on the face of the circumstances in which one wants to make it more Bill, we still believe that starting the process when a lone uncomfortable for people to do the wrong thing and parent’s youngest child is aged three is right, not only more comfortable for them to do the right thing. As I because there is normally a strong foundation of child shall go on to say, I think that in the case of some care provision available for children in this age range, parents, it is in the interests of those individuals, of but because it will allow them gradually to build their their children—in terms of tackling child poverty—and confidence and skills at a pace that suits them over four of the country as a whole, if they are actively encouraged years, rather than being expected to cram in the work-related to receive the help and support that will come about as activity that they need to undertake when their youngest a result of the conditionality that we want to introduce. child is five to six. Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney, North and Stoke Some 76 per cent. of non-working lone parents use Newington) (Lab): My right hon. Friend talks about the free child care offered for three and four-year-olds making things uncomfortable for people who will not that was developed by this Government. Most schools do the right thing. Do not most Members find that the now have reception classes for four-year-olds. Surely it real problem is that it is the children of that mother who is reasonable to ask parents to use a fraction of that are made uncomfortable? However feckless or undeserving time to start to get ready for work? For example, 74 per the mother is in his terms, it is the children who will cent. of non-working lone parents do not hold any suffer when he imposes his financial sanctions. qualifications. Three quarters use the free child care; Jim Knight: Naturally, I listened carefully to my hon. three quarters have no qualifications. Why would not Friend and I hope that she also listened carefully to we ask them to take up the offer of free education to get what I set out. My starting point was the change that we a basic literacy and numeracy qualification in some of made to the legislation in the Lords that ensures that the time when their children are receiving an early years the well-being of the child comes first. Any notion that education? children will suffer is dealt with through that amendment, The Conservatives, according to what their leader which is now on the face of the Bill. In respect of said today, think that financial sanctions, as I have set out, we now have a “the first step is to redistribute power and control form the central much longer and deeper process to go through to consider state and its agencies to individuals and local communities. That the personal circumstances of the individual. Only if an way we can create the opportunity for people to take responsibility.” 173 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 174

If that is what they truly believe—if this is to be a new the House that passing the Bill will not have the effect of fresh start for the Tories on poverty—they have to shutting the door on further debate about work-related support the Government amendment today. Work-related activity for this customer group. Any regulations made activity for lone parents of children aged three to five within five years after royal assent will come back to the is precisely what the right hon. Member for Witney House and the other place, and Members of both (Mr. Cameron) is talking about; it is creating Houses will have every opportunity to consider whether “the opportunity for people to take responsibility.” work-related activity is working in practice. Mr. James Clappison (Hertsmere) (Con) rose— I believe that it is right for lone parents to begin the journey towards work in good time, so that they can Jim Knight: I challenge the hon. Member for Hertsmere take positive steps to prepare for rejoining the labour (Mr. Clappison), as he rises to intervene, to say that he market and help take themselves and their families out will agree with us and be consistent with the approach of poverty. To remove their responsibility to start to get of his party leader. ready for work early would also remove the responsibility Mr. Clappison: I think that we have been consistent of Jobcentre Plus to provide support from an early about this matter. The Minister seems somewhat stage. uncomfortable talking about sanctions affecting very That would be wrong. It would be a backward step, young children, but I do want to ask him a question. and could only come from the motivation to save money There is not much between us otherwise, but why is it so at the expense of those who need support the most. important to have financial sanctions that can be imposed That may be the Opposition’s agenda, but it is not ours. on parents with children as young as three and four? If We are proud of the new deal for lone parents that the the sanctions became available when children were five, Opposition want to abolish. We are proud that more that would still leave two years for the parents to be lone parents are getting into work, and that they see engaged in work-related activity with the threat of that these measures are necessary if we are to continue sanctions behind them. Why is it so necessary to have our good work on tackling child poverty through work. sanctions when children are so young? I look forward to hearing whether the Opposition are really serious about poverty, or whether with them it is Jim Knight: It is worth the House noting that the all talk and no action. Opposition believe that it is appropriate to have financial sanctions in respect of work-focused interviews for lone I urge the House to overturn Lords amendment 2, parents whose youngest children are from three to five and to support Government amendment (a) in lieu. years old. They agree that financial sanctions are appropriate in those circumstances, but in his question the hon. Mr. Clappison: May I begin by welcoming the Minister Gentleman wondered about work-related activity. If he to the proceedings on this Bill? He has obviously spent believes in the work-focused interview, which sets out some time studying the provisions, and he will know an action plan for parents, but has no means of enforcing from previous debates that we on this side of the House that plan, he is being inconsistent. have expressed broad support for the Bill and its objectives. I have said already that I believe that we need to have We support many of the measures in the Bill—as we the opportunity to configure the support for longer should, indeed, since we suggested many of them before than two years. Many lone parents face substantial the Government took them up. I admire the dexterity problems, and that means that we must be able to with which the Minister has approached the Lords configure the support on offer to enable them to overcome amendments, and the main issue that lies at the heart of the obstacles to getting into work. It would appear that them. not only are the Opposition inconsistent but they are The House could be forgiven for forgetting about not serious about tackling poverty. If they are serious Lords amendment 2 altogether, given how long it took about poverty, why are they voting against this proposed the Minister to come to it. From the outset, therefore, I action to cut child poverty? If they are serious about want to make it clear that this is the issue that lies responsibility, why are they voting to take away the between the parties as far as these Lords amendments responsibility for lone parents whose children are in are concerned. I shall take a little time to go through the education to take up the support that they need? issue, as I think that the Minister will have to accept, We know that the Opposition want to abolish the when he hears what we have to say about it, that we have new deal for lone parents, and now they want to oppose been completely consistent. We welcome many of the creating the opportunity for people to take responsibility. safeguards, but he has spent such a long time putting However, we appreciate the concerns raised by stakeholders, them in place and speaking about them that it makes and those raised by Labour Members. They are nervous one wonder what is the point of the sanction in the first that our good intentions may not work in practice place. We remain uncomfortable about that sanction for so—ever reasonable—I am seeking the House’s agreement reasons that I shall explain. to offer, in lieu of the Lords amendment, an amendment of our own that would provide yet one more safeguard. 4.15 pm The House will be aware that the Bill serves to set out In approaching the question of what is to be required the framework of the work-related activity proposals of lone parents, I agree with the generality of what the that we wish to test before national implementation, Minister said about getting them ready for work. We and that the detail of those proposals will be set out in certainly believe that it is important that lone parents be regulations. The amendment that I propose would require helped to prepare for work, and we have not opposed all work-related activity regulations, in so far as they general moves to take a more active approach in that relate to lone parents with children under seven, to be field—far from it. We were at the forefront in suggesting brought back to the House for further affirmative debate that the age at which income support would come to an before being introduced nationally. That should reassure end should be lowered, and that there should be a 175 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 176 transfer from income support to jobseeker’s allowance. We have been quite consistent about that throughout The Minister knows the thinking of my right hon. the Bill’s passage in this place, as I think she knows, and Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green in the other place; and the issue comes before the House (Mr. Duncan Smith) on the issue, and that seems to today because of that amendment. have played a part in shaping the Government’s thinking. I shall take the House through what is proposed. We note that until last year single parents were entitled Parents of pre-school age children could be required to to remain on income support until their youngest child undertake work-related activity. They could be directed reached 16 years old. Such parents were, therefore, under to undertake work-related activities by advisers. Presumably what has generally been described as a passive regime, that means that their advisers may direct them to undertake which neither made many requirements of them nor, specific work-related activities. After the process that certainly for parents of children up to 16 years old, the Minister has proposed, they could still face sanctions— contained the threat of sanctions that is now in the Bill. including financial sanctions—if they fail to comply, The effect of the Government’s proposals is to lower the as such sanctions remain part of the Government’s bar for those sanctions from the age of 16 to the age of arrangements. I wonder what is the purpose of these three. financial sanctions. The Minister did not give a sufficient The Government announced the reform of the income explanation of why sanctions are considered to be so support regime for lone parents only in the summer of necessary for parents of children as young as three and 2007, and began its phased implementation last year. four. We heard such a lot about safeguards, and that We have heard from the Minister about amendments in makes me think that something in the detail of the Bill another place introducing safeguards on the requirements is wrong. More and more safeguards have been added to be made of single parents when it comes to work-related to the Bill during its passage through this House and activity, and we broadly support those safeguards. They another place. were, in fact, announced as policy when the Bill was in Why are the Government so stuck on this provision, Committee in our place, so in a small way I suppose and why are they so obstinate in their refusal to consider that they mark progress. the issues at stake? Is the possible application of sanctions However, the important part of this debate is that, justified by what is at stake? After all, when the youngest after all that the Minister has told us about safeguards, child reaches the age of five, there will still be two years and the lengthy process of missed interviews, case reviews, in which the lone parent can be engaged in work-related written warnings, further warnings, home visits, fourth and progression-to-work activities before the child reaches warnings and so on, there remains the possibility that the age at which the parent will be migrated from lone parents with pre-school age children of three and income support to jobseeker’s allowance. We accept four years old could face financial sanctions as a result that that group may include many lone parents who of failing to comply with the proposed regime. face barriers to work and are not work ready, but two years will amount to a significant period in which they can be helped, backed throughout by the threat of Mrs. McGuire: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? sanctions, from which we do not demur. That will come on top of whatever other help they have received in the Mr. Clappison: Yes, I shall certainly give way. The preceding period from the ages of three to five years, right hon. Lady has experience of these matters. not backed by financial sanctions. Mrs. McGuire: Will the hon. Gentleman explain why We must consider whether the attainment of the the noble Lord Freud, who is no doubt watching these child’s school age is the appropriate point at which lone deliberations from on high somewhere, said that the parents can be fully engaged in the Government’s Conservative party was not against financial sanctions? progression-to-work regime in its full rigour, backed by Indeed, he said: sanctions. As the right hon. Member for Stirling (Mrs. McGuire) will know, we have been consistent in “Our amendment is drawn deliberately narrowly;” advocating the age of five and have argued for that and that his party was not against throughout. In Committee, I moved an amendment on “established financial sanctions for not complying with its— those lines, which was defeated. We moved an amendment the regime’s— on Report when the matter came back before the House, “rather light requirements.”—[Official Report, House of Lords, and it was voted on and defeated. Therefore, prior to 22 October 2009; Vol. 713, c. 835.] the passing of the Lords amendment, the age stood at three at which parents would come into the progression- There is an inherent contradiction in the Opposition’s to-work regime in its full rigour, with directions and case, which makes me think that it is more about mandatory work-related activities, and backed by sanctions. opportunism than about supporting lone parents. The Lords amendment has altered that so that the age now stands at five, which we think is more sensible. Mr. Clappison: The right hon. Lady has made her We must set this in the context of the progression-to-work point, but may I draw her attention to Lords amendment 2? model set out by the Government in their response to It says: the Gregg report, which, notwithstanding everything “Nothing in this section shall cause any financial sanction to that the Minister has said, remains the Government’s be imposed in the case of a single parent with a child under five policy. I look to him to demur from what I am saying if years of age.” that is not the case. We are told that lone parents with That amendment was moved by my noble Friend Lord Freud, children aged one to two years are: and it could not be more explicit. The right hon. Lady “Required to attend Work Focused Interviews and agree an knows that we have been consistent throughout and action plan. They are not mandated to undertake any activities argued that five years old should be the age at which recorded on the action plan or any other activities, although they work-related requirements are followed up with sanctions. will be encouraged to do so on a voluntary basis”. 177 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 178

Once the child has turned three, the lone parent is: between us. The amendments that the Government “Required to follow the progression to work regime based introduced in another place were put forward on the around Work Focused Interviews, action plans, work related basis of addressing the concerns that have been expressed activity and the backstop of adviser direction”. about the requirements made of lone parents with On any view, the full rigour of the regime kicks in at younger children. Many such concerns were widely three. The Lords amendment suggests that at least these expressed in another place. The Government brought parents should not face the liability for financial sanctions forward amendments described as a package of under the regime. concessions—I believe that the Minister himself has described them as such—so let us see how good the The Minister announced as a great concession concessions are on the point about protecting lone amendment (a) in lieu of the Lords amendment. I think parents of younger children from financial sanctions. that he possibly put it a little strongly when he suggested that it was a great safeguard. I am not saying that the Lords amendments 3 and 4 are Government amendment is unwelcome, but I invite the House to amendments designed to ensure that lone parents with consider it and set it against the issues at stake. The a child under three could not be required to undertake Minister did not deal with it in great detail, so it might work-related activity. However, that is not a change in assist Members if I provide a little more detail to enable policy, because the Government have always stated that them to assess how much value should be attached to it. that was their intention. They said that right from the It requires the affirmative resolution procedure to be start and throughout Committee stage in this place. followed in respect of regulations imposing work-related They stated that their intention was that lone parents activities on lone parents of children under seven. Although with children under three would not be subject to the that is welcome in itself, it does not address the questions full regime of work progression. The amendments put that arise from the motion on amendment 2. The that policy intention into law, but they do not in any amendment in lieu deals with work-related activities to way answer the question of what should happen to lone be imposed on the lone parents in question, not the parents of children aged between three and five, which sanctions that are to be imposed as a result of a breach is what Lords amendment 2 is about. of those requirements. Similarly, Lords amendment 5 would give lone parents entitled to income support a right to restrict the hours Ms Abbott: I do not want to sound cynical, but for which they will be required to undertake work-related affirmative resolution procedures are invariably not worth activity. We are told that it could be used to enable them the paper that they are written on. By the time the to restrict such activities to their child’s hours of schooling matters in question come back to the House, people or formal child care. Even then, if they had made that have forgotten the details of the original debate and the restriction and were found not to be in compliance votes are whipped, so they are worthless undertakings. with the requirements, they would face financial They should not be allowed to deflect Members from sanctions. That amendment therefore does not address the issue at stake today, which is women with children that question either. as young as three having financial sanctions imposed on Lords amendments 10, 26 and 78 provide that regulations them because of the Government’s proposal. prescribing just cause for failing to undertake mandatory activities must expressly state that availability of child Mr. Clappison: I think I was a little kinder than the care and the claimant’s physical or mental health or hon. Lady in what I said about the value of affirmative condition will always be considered. Again, however, resolutions. As a parliamentarian, I always welcome the we had already been told that the availability of child affirmative procedure and argue in favour of it when care was to be taken into account as a matter of policy. considering Bills, but one needs a tinge of realism when The Minister introduced that as a concession today, but discussing the subject. we were told that in Committee by his then ministerial colleague, the right hon. Member for Harrow, East I am always in favour of parliamentary debates, but (Mr. McNulty). He told the Committee, before the Bill following the hon. Lady’s point I would say that even went to the other place that when the regulations come before the House, they will “the absence of such provision will be taken fully into account not deal with the issue in question. The affirmative when discussing the details of an individual’s work-related activity resolution procedure will relate to the regulations, not at three.”––[Official Report, Welfare Reform Public Bill Committee, to the sanctions that will back them up. We will have no 24 February 2009; c. 120.] say on the sanctions. Also, the affirmative resolution That has been included in the Bill, but it would have procedure will be in respect of requirements for children been the Government’s policy in any case. I will leave under seven. The question is what will happen to people the House to judge the value of that concession as part with children under five, not under seven, so I respectfully of the package of concessions. argue that the amendment in lieu does not make a great deal of difference. The Minister put it a little too 4.30 pm strongly when he said that it was the necessary safeguard Taking the concessions in the round, they are either in lieu of the Lords amendment, because it does not on a different matter or they put into law what would be address the question at all. It is a bit of a misrepresentation Government policy in any case. They still leave open the to say that it is an amendment in lieu in the sense of possibility of lone parents of children as young as three forming a satisfactory replacement for the amendment or four facing the threat of financial sanctions. Although from the House of Lords. It is off the point altogether. we may welcome the amendments, we do not think Similarly, the Government have introduced other that they tackle the matter at stake. The Minister went amendments, which the Minister spoke about at great through them carefully, but as a package of concessions, length earlier. I broadly welcome many of them, but it misses the point, which, for us, has been an issue again I question whether they address the point at issue all along. 179 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 180

Let me deal with an amendment that we welcome. It Mr. John Grogan (Selby) (Lab): I rise briefly to support represents a new development and is about a different Lords amendment 2 and reluctantly to oppose those on subject. The Minister mentioned Lords amendment 25 the Treasury Bench. I shall make three points, the first and he was right about it. Under it, the Secretary of of which is on the politics of the amendment. State would be required to exercise existing regulation- When I first read the amendment, which effectively making powers to provide that victims of domestic raises from three to five the age that children must violence can, for 13 weeks, start or continue a claim for attain before their parents are subject to benefits sanction jobseeker’s allowance without being available for if they are not enthusiastic enough about work-related employment. That is a good idea, which we welcome. It activity, I had been following the debate in outline is in line with what we proposed in a strategy paper in rather than in detail, and I wondered who had made the December 2008, when we suggested a three-month period proposal in the other place: at first, I thought it might of grace, during which women who were housed in be a liberal bishop with a social conscience; then I refuges should be exempt from the requirement to seek thought it might be a former Labour MP rocking the work to qualify for jobseeker’s allowance. It is right that boat, perish the thought; finally I thought it might be an we recognise the stresses, strains and problems that such independent peer—perhaps someone with a long record women face at that unfortunate time in their lives. We in the voluntary sector—who felt strongly about the accept that women who are the victims of domestic issue. To my amazement, who should have proposed violence will have suffered considerable emotional distress this amendment in the other place but the noble Lord and find themselves dealing with several practical issues, Freud? I am not an expert in welfare reform and it took making it difficult for them to find work. me five or 10 seconds to think, “Who exactly is the We remain concerned about Lords amendment 2 and noble Lord Freud?” Of course, I remembered that he is the Government’s motion to disagree. I say to Labour very same welfare reform guru who advised my right Members that our position on lone parents with children hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde aged under five has been consistent throughout. If one (James Purnell) when he was a welfare reform Minister. examines the history, the Government have some questions to answer about their consistency on the matter. Originally, Ms Abbott: Where is he? in the Green Paper of July 2008, they chose five as the age at which the requirements should be imposed. Barely Mr. Grogan: Indeed. Lord Freud also produced a six months later, they unilaterally lowered the age to report for the previous Prime Minister, Tony Blair. three, without giving any justification, in response to Following the production of that report, I recall a the Gregg report on conditionality. report in The Daily Telegraph that said that our current Prime Minister had a “45-minute shouting match” with In March, because we supported the Government’s the noble Lord Freud before the latter was original proposal—that five was the appropriate age—the “aggressively cross-examined by a room full of Treasury advisers”. then Secretary of State accused us of opposing the What has politics become? Here we have a Labour whole Bill and of using our view on age to block welfare Government, whom I am proud to serve as a humble reform. On Third Reading, he said: Back Bencher, adopting a more hard-line position than “This Bill has gone through despite the opposition of Her the noble Lord Freud and the Conservatives. That Majesty’s Opposition and it has gone through as a Labour Bill. makes me question our position. They said that it would go through only with their support; it has Secondly, I acknowledge that although the Secretary gone through despite their opposition. That shows that they are not serious about welfare reform.”—[Official Report, 17 March of State—it is a pity that she is not here this afternoon—has 2009; Vol. 489, c. 865.] stuck to the position that it is possible for parents of three and four-year-old children to face benefit sanctions, I shall leave it to the House to judge, but there was no as has been spelled out today, she has hemmed it in with such talk from the Minister today. In March we were all sorts of qualifications. For example, the well-being portrayed as the determined opponents of welfare reform of the child has to be considered, and the basic policy in the Government’s eyes, whereas today, if one judges from outlined by my right hon. Friend the Minister is three what was said on “Today” earlier, we are the dangerous strikes and out. Then, of course, there is the question of proponents of welfare reform. The Government should the statutory instrument, which would require the approval make up their mind about their attitude to welfare of the House. When my hon. Friend the Member for reform. They are currently oscillating—saying one thing, Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) then another. They are all over the place. questioned the effectiveness of such a measure, my eyes were opened. I always believed that SIs were a safeguard, There is an important matter at stake—the single but apparently they are not. issue that lies between us. Although we broadly support the Bill, we are concerned about the financial sanctions. There are safeguards, but at the end of the day, it Given that we are considering children as young as might be that in a few months’ time, possibly in a little three and four, and lone parents, with the financial room in a jobcentre in South Dorset or in Pontefract pressures that they face and all the stresses in their lives, and Castleford, a vulnerable single parent will sit at one the Government must make a better case against the end of the table and an official will sit at the other, and amendment that was passed in the House of Lords if the former will have to justify their actions, justify why they propose imposing a regime of such sanctions on they are not taking up the appropriate child care so that lone parents. We have not heard that case today, and they can do work-related activity or justify their personal we remain concerned about the matter. We believe circumstances. that the House of Lords was right and nothing that I am a great believer in Fabianism, but there is a part we have heard so far from the Labour Benches has of the Webb tradition that borders on authoritarianism dissuaded us. and says, “We know best.” It is a bold claim, but I think 181 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 182 those who are doubtful about the Government’s position, four to take all the goodies, help and assistance that is including me, speak for middle England. Selby is a on offer? According to the Government, lone parents middle England constituency, similar in some ways to need to be forced to take that, because the Government South Dorset. The Opposition are right to say that know what is best for them. That is clearly the Government’s thinking has changed on the Government Benches. position, as the Minister hinted when he said that we Most people in middle England would say that there have to make it more uncomfortable for lone parents to should be sticks as well as carrots when children of do the wrong thing. The key question for Liberals is single parents attain a certain age, but most would be who decides what is the wrong thing for someone shocked to think that a Labour Government are proposing responsible for the well-being of a child aged three or to cut up to 40 per cent. of benefits in the worst cases, four. Even when a child is as young as three or four, the and that they are proposing to make those savage cuts Government say that they, rather than the parent, know to the benefits of parents whose children are under five. what is best for that child, and they will threaten the I do not think that we are carrying middle England with household’s well-being if the parent does not do what us on the issue. they want, which seems very presumptuous. I said that I would be brief, so I shall make my third point. It is a pity that the Secretary of State is not here Mr. David Drew (Stroud) (Lab/Co-op): Like me, my today, because I recognise, as do some of the pressure parliamentary neighbour has had the opportunity to groups, such as Gingerbread, that she has tried to make talk to new deal organisers, and it is refreshing to listen the Bill more family-friendly. We in Yorkshire know to their stories of lone parents who had no education, that she is a warm, generous-hearted and engaging but who have taken up the opportunities that the character, rather like my right hon. Friend the Minister. Government have offered. I do not understand why the She has enlivened Yorkshire politics since she joined us Government do not see that as a great success and in 2001 and has since brought up a family and a continue to invest in that programme, rather than looking husband—[Laughter.] They have all enlightened Yorkshire at the stick. politics. This proposal is mean-spirited. It is cold, austere and Steve Webb: I agree; nobody doubts the potential of technocratic, and it is unworthy of the Secretary of these schemes if they are taken up by willing volunteers. State and the Minister. I ask the Minister, even at this In many such cases, they are very successful, but there is stage and in the spirit of Christmas, which is soon to be a world of difference between a scheme that someone upon us, to drop his opposition to amendment 2. enters into willingly and enthusiastically, and one that people are coerced into entering. Indeed, the Government’s Steve Webb: Like the hon. Member for Selby approach could be counter-productive, because everybody (Mr. Grogan), I am a great fan of the Webbs. who took part would know that they were doing so under duress, whereas if we removed the requirement I find it odd that an amendment tabled by a former for parents of three and four-year-olds, everybody would Government adviser who now feels comfortable in the be a voluntary participant. We all know, from talking to Conservative party is being resisted as “too soft”. Sometimes advisers and others, that it is the willing and voluntary I cannot work out who is on which side. We have to be participants in such schemes who have the best results, on the side of the child and the family, so we have real not those doing so with a stick at their back. concerns about the motion to disagree with amendment 2. Various arguments have been advanced as to why we Jim Knight: Does the hon. Gentleman agree that should reject amendment 2. One is that the amendment work is the best route out of poverty? If he does, why is not clear, because it uses the phrase “single parent” can he not see that, given that the length of time spent rather than “lone parent”, but it is fairly obvious what it out of the labour market determines how easy it is to means. Indeed, Lord McKenzie, in opposing the get back into it, we should start to encourage people to amendment in the other place said that it would mean overcome the obstacles so that they can get back into that work? “lone parents with a youngest child aged three or four would be required to attend a work-focused interview”,—[Official Report, Steve Webb: It is interesting to note the weasel words. House of Lords, 22 October 2009; Vol. 713, c. 840.] The Government are not proposing to “encourage”: so he knew perfectly well what it meant. If the Government’s they are proposing to force, blackmail and threaten. We only objection is that this amendment is not tidy enough, have no problem with encouraging lone parents with they could have tabled an amendment to make the children of three or four to start the process of becoming provision work properly, but they do not want it to ready for work, but why did the Minister use the word work properly, which is not a credible argument. “encourage”, not “force”, “threaten” or “blackmail”, It has been argued that the amendment does not because that is what a sanction regime does? It does not apply to the full range of benefits, but only to certain solely encourage; it goes much further than that. ones, and that it could be tidied up. If it simply needs sorting out, but its spirit is accepted, the Government could deal with the matter. However, the Government 4.45 pm do not want to deal with the matter, because they do not Jim Knight: If the hon. Gentleman agrees that work agree with the principle, and it is the principle that must is the best route out of poverty, but does not like what concern us now. he describes as “blackmail”, does that mean that he I thought that the Minister was very candid when I does not agree with that approach for any jobseekers? asked him why we need the stick. Why do we need to Why does he agree with it for some customers of Jobcentre blackmail lone parents with a youngest child of three or Plus, but not for others? 183 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 184

Steve Webb: As the Minister says, there is a fundamental is the best route out of poverty, so even if the child has question about the role of sanctions; on the Liberal to live below the breadline for a while, it is for the Democrat Benches, we have a general scepticism about best.”? It is hard to know what that so-called safeguard the role of sanctions. However, the case before us is a means. strong one, because the state is presuming that it, rather than the parent, knows what is best for the welfare of a John Mason: The phrase, “the best route out of child. We are talking about not only, for example, an poverty is work”, concerns me a little, first because it is unemployed adult, but the parent of a young child. The not always a route out of poverty. There is a second state is saying, “We know what’s best for the welfare of reason however: according to the Government’s logic, your child. You don’t. And we’ll take money off you that route could take us right down to age zero. Surely until you do what we tell you to do.” [Interruption.] I for some families, where both kids and adults are affected do not know why the Minister is shaking his head, by lots of problems, the best thing is not to be working; because that is precisely what the legislation does. however, such families should not be in poverty either.

Jim Knight: We are not saying that we know what is Steve Webb: The hon. Gentleman rightly pointed out best for the child; we are saying that the well-being of in an earlier intervention that there are as many children the child comes first. This should be at the convenience in poverty in working households as in non-working of the parent—if adequate child care is available, and households, so work in itself is not a guarantee of being while the child is in whatever child care, nursery setting out of poverty. I also take his point that it should surely or school that the parent thinks is appropriate. All we be for the lone parent themselves to judge what is in the are saying is that work is the best route out of poverty. best interests of their family, particularly when their If we are committed to tackling child poverty, we have children are young, rather than for the state to impose to make it easier, and put the structures in place, for that on them. lone parents to be able to get back into work. The safeguards, although welcome if we have to lump what the Government propose, make the system even Steve Webb: There is a non sequitur in the Government’s more complicated for someone trying to navigate it. argument. They seem to argue that—the Minister in the Such a person might fail to comply, after which they get Lords, Lord McKenzie, argued this—without the threat, another go, but then they might fail to comply again. the support cannot be provided, which is nonsense. One of the earlier speakers in this debate said, “It’s Lord McKenzie said that, if we accept the amendment, it three strikes and you’re out,” and the Minister said from a sedentary position, “It’s four strikes and you’re out,” “would mean depriving lone parents with a youngest child aged but at what point is a decision appealable? If someone three or four of the help and support that they may need”.—[Official Report, House of Lords, 22 October 2009; Vol. 713, c. 839.] says, “I don’t think this is in the best interests of the child—it’s in breach of the Lords amendments,” can the Why? Why does the absence of bullying, a threat or a individual concerned go to appeal? Can they go to sanction prevent Governments and jobcentres from appeal because someone says that something conflicts contacting lone parents, encouraging them and telling with the child’s school hours or school holidays? Can them what is available? Why do we need to threaten someone go to appeal on the availability of child care? them? The Government say that there is enough good child care available, but what if someone says that there is Ms Abbott: I respect the hon. Gentleman and his not, because they would need to get a bus there and party’s position on no sanctions of any kind. However, they do not have the money for the bus fare? is not the case against sanctions for women with children Everything gets incredibly complicated. The hon. under five that such sanctions affect not only the adult, Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) who is arguably conscious of making their own decisions, mentioned in an intervention a family with five children. but children who are already living on the breadline? Often we are talking about families with not only one Those are the people whom my hon. Friends on the child under five, but several. Life can be incredibly Treasury Bench want to sanction. complex and messy, and then there are all the hoops to jump through and all the caveats—you might satisfy Steve Webb: That is absolutely right. There is a fiction this one, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but can you appeal in the Department for Work and Pensions that when against that one? Lone parents with young children do sanctions are applied, they are sanctions on the adult not need the grief, but that is what the additional threat bit of the benefit. However, the implications of the will give them. sanction are felt by the whole household. The Minister By all means let us contact lone parents and support has said, “Ah no, we have brought in a safeguard—the them. Let us make the options that we give them as well-being of the child.” I have looked at the three attractive as possible. Then I envisage that many will amendments in the group relating to the well-being of take those options up and see them as being to their the child, and they relate to action plans—amendments 8 long-term benefit. However, if a lone mother—or a and 54—and to jobseekers’ agreements. lone father—decides that something is in the best interests Will the Minister clarify something? Surely it is very of herself, her children and her family, she should have hard to argue that the sanction does not adversely affect the right to do so. the welfare of the child, so how does the safeguard work? The action plan is drawn up with the welfare of Ms Abbott: I rise to speak in support of Lords the child in mind, as, too, is the jobseekers’ agreement. amendment 2, but let me first nail the idea, which seems However, if the lone parent does not comply, will an to emanate from my right hon. and hon. Friends on the appeal tribunal or a DWP official argue, “Well, it is in Treasury Bench, that single mothers as a group do not mum’s best interest that she gets to work, because work want to work and that they have to be coerced and 185 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 186 threatened into doing so. The majority in my circle of Even if 100 per cent. nursery care were available, which friends are or were single mothers—some had children it is not, I believe that Ministers are peddling fantasy as early as 15—but they all went back to work. Indeed, figures. Only a mother can tell whether it is best for her some went back to work and got degrees—they did that child to be left while she goes out to do work-related of their own free will, 20 years ago, in circumstances activity or to work. The residual group of mothers that that were a lot harder. My experience from my constituency we are talking about needs support and education as is that single mothers with any type of skill are anxious mothers; they do not need to be shoehorned into jobs at to return to work and will do so given the right support. the bottom of the work pyramid. What we are talking about in this debate is the Ministers have tried to explain to me that those Government’s wish to coerce a residual group of young women will have to work only if it fits in with school or women, who probably do not have skills and almost nursery hours. Again, they are not talking about the certainly have very little education, back to work. Let us real world. Are they taking into account travel time to pause and think. I went back to work when my son was and from work and the time it takes to pick up children eight days old. I have nothing in principle against from nursery? When my son was five, I had to leave women with young children going back to work, but I Westminster an hour and a quarter before picking him was a well-paid woman doing a job that I loved. My up from nursery. Are Ministers adding on these women’s right hon. and hon. Friends on the Front Bench are travelling time? Are they taking into account the time talking about ill-educated girls going back to work to that it takes to travel to pick up another child from stack shelves or do a service job, often in split shifts. school after picking up a younger child from nursery? That is the work that they want to drive those girls back This is not real world stuff. to, not work that they would want to leave their three- year-old children to do. The first thing to say, therefore, Of course work is a route out of poverty, and of is that the vast majority of single mothers, given the course we should encourage and support single mothers right support and encouragement, will go back to work who want to go back to work. In the middle of a as the Government wish. recession that has by no means played itself out, however, it is unconscionable to talk about imposing financial Jim Knight: Will my hon. Friend give way? sanctions on women with children as young as three. We know that those women are on the breadline because Ms Abbott: No. they are on benefits. Given the right support and help with child care, the It is a fact that, nowadays, the proceedings of the majority of single mothers will go back to work. However, House of Commons are not properly reported, if they we are talking about a residual group of women who, in are reported at all. Colleagues on the Treasury Bench practice, go back at the very bottom of the work pyramid, will be grateful for that, because if ordinary Labour to do jobs that none of us would want to leave our members and supporters could hear Labour Ministers three-year-old children to do. talking about imposing financial sanctions on women The second point is that the Government’s proposal with three-year-old children to get them into notional is based on fantasy figures about the availability of jobs in the middle of a very real recession, they would nursery care and child care for children aged three. be shocked and unhappy. Ministers have not made their Ministers have said that nursery places are available for case, and I will be voting to support Lords amendment 2. three quarters of children, but that is not my experience in Hackney. My experience is that people regularly Lynne Jones: I should like to start by quoting from come to me with children aged five and above who the Department for Work and Pensions’ five-year strategy cannot get places for them in nursery. I would be that was published in 2005. It states: happier with the Government’s proposal if the Government came to me with solid research to show that nursery “we think it would be wrong simply to move lone parents from provision is available for 75, 80 or 90 per cent. of Income Support onto the Jobseeker’s Allowance regime: an unrestricted requirement to search for work is inappropriate, children, but that is not my experience in the east end of given the complex and difficult circumstances many lone parents London. face. We think such an approach would be expensive, unfair and We therefore have a proposal based on fantasy figures ineffectual.” about the availability of child care. However, even if I agree, but what has changed since 2005? Certainly, child care were available to 100 per cent. of such children, lone parents have continued to engage with work as speaking as a single mother—albeit a well-paid one—I their children have got older. They have been supported put it to my right hon. and hon. Friends on the Treasury and helped by programmes such as the new deal, which Bench that although some children skip off happily to I fully support. It seems, however, that we are constantly nursery at the age of three and never look back, some having to respond to the Daily Mail-type agenda, which do not like nursery, while others are sick every minute suggests that lone parents and other people on benefit— and have to stay at home for a week or two at a time. It perhaps incapacity benefit—are somehow feckless and is very hard for someone with a child who is poorly living the life of Riley while the state pays them luxurious every other week or who has something wrong with benefits. That is not the case. As the DWP knows full them to sustain permanent employment. Only the mother well, the reality is that only a small proportion of lone is best placed to judge whether she can leave her three- parents with children over 11 are actually not in work. year-old and go out to work. The figures that I have are probably not the most up to As I have said, some children are happy in nursery at date, but they suggest that 19 per cent. of lone parents the age of two or three, but some need more support whose youngest child is over 11 claim income support. because of health issues or whatever. The mother should Of those, 25 per cent. are caring for a disabled child, be able to judge that, not some official in a jobcentre. and 28 per cent. have a disability themselves. 187 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 188

[Lynne Jones] Lynne Jones: I think the answer is in what I said at the beginning of my contribution—that there is an agenda The reality is that lone parents do engage in work, out there that we have to be tough. I simply do not and as the child care becomes less onerous as their accept the idea of tough love. I think that we need children get older—or as the access to child care positive encouragement and incentives for people to live improves—more of them are returning to work. Research a more fulfilled life, which they often experience by has shown that access to good quality child care is the going out to work. I take my hon. Friend’s point that biggest factor in determining whether lone parents go some jobs that people engage in are low paid and not out to work. I commend the Government’s work over particularly interesting to do, but even those jobs provide the years on improving access to child care, but we still the advantage of enabling people to meet others and to have a long way to go. In that quote, the Government develop friendships and comradeships with their fellow seemed to acknowledge that lone parents have difficult workers. I believe that people value that experience; it is lives and that they have to juggle their work and home part of being part of society. lives. I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney, Mrs. McGuire: If the Government were proposing to North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) that it is not extract parents from their home, absolve them of for some bureaucrat to decide what is best for children. responsibility for their children and put them into jobs, Most parents take responsibility for their children and I would probably agree with my hon. Friend, but that is do a good job. We should value the work that parents not what is being proposed. Does she accept that it is do in bringing up their children. That in itself is a valid important that lone parents and women in particular contribution to our society. By all means, those who remain with some sort of attachment to the labour want to work and can work should be encouraged to do market so that when they make the decision to go back so, but we as a society should value the work that into employment, they still have live skills that they can parents do in bringing up children and value the decisions use to lift their children and their families out of poverty? they make about how best to do that. Yes, some people may be inadequate and need support, so we need Lynne Jones: I agree that opportunities should be programmes to offer it, but I do not agree with having provided for lone parents and other benefit recipients to sanctions to deprive people who are already poor of engage in the world of work, in the voluntary sector their benefits, as this may affect the children. and in other activities that include a social element. I do not think that people ought to be stuck at home with The biggest problem people face is coping with poverty. the children and without those opportunities. However, Yes, work will help people get out of poverty, but for it is up to individuals to decide how they wish to engage some people, it is not in the interests of their family for with those opportunities. I do not think that the them to work. The Government acknowledge that, as opportunities should be forced on them, along with the we have had all sorts of concessions made to the original threat of a loss of benefits which are already not over- proposals, which I welcome. I think that the new Secretary generous. of State has engaged positively, trying to reflect the realities of life for lone parents in trying to engage with Mrs. McGuire: We have almost reached an agreement. work, but what we have as a result is a very complex and We agree that it is important for young women, in bureaucratic system. We know that people do not particular, to remain in contact with the labour market. understand complex systems. We know that those on May I point out, however, that the subject of sanctions—on the receiving end of those bureaucratic complexities do which I understand that my hon. Friend holds a principled not understand them. We also know that the staff who position—arises very far down the line? There is administer those complex regulations are often not very encouragement, support and negotiation for months good at understanding them. As a result, we do not before sanctions are even mentioned. Does she not always get the right decisions. accept that that encouragement is built into the programmes I remain of the view that the Government are right to proposed by my right hon. Friend the Minister? support people on benefits, lone parents and other groups to engage in work so that they have a life of their Lynne Jones: I do not accept that sanctions are necessary. own away from their caring responsibilities. That is All that can be said for them is that they provide a good. I think that most lone parents who experience structure for the relationship, because staff cannot simply that kind of support value it and want to engage, so I give up the attempt to make contact; they must continue think it is unnecessary to have these complex regulations the encouragement. That is the only beneficial aspect of to invoke sanctions against already poor people. We a sanctions programme that I can see, and if it is to be know from DWP research that staff themselves feel used so rarely, why invoke it? very uncomfortable about introducing a mandatory I think I am right in saying that since sanctions were element into their work with lone parents. The Government introduced for work-focused interviews, about 4 per should listen to the views of those staff, which are well cent.—not an insignificant figure—of lone parents have documented in the DWP’s own research publications. had to endure them. My argument is that we need to ensure that the services on offer are excellent and effective, Ms Abbott: Given that the staff working at the sharp that we need to involve lone parents in the identification end do not want to be involved in mandatory sanctions of what services are effective and ensure that they are for women with children up to the age of three, why on offer, and that if for some reason a lone parent does does my hon. Friend think that Ministers are so wedded not engage with the process initially, we must not give to those mandatory sanctions? They have not explained up but must use other means of drawing their attention themselves and my hon. Friend might be able to shed to the availability of support, such as Sure Start centres some light on this issue. and after-school activities involving parents. The support 189 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 190 should be seen as a positive element, and that can be there was no problem with sanctions; it was only a achieved through members of these people’s peer group, question of financial sanctions. The hon. Gentleman rather than their being forced to jump through hoops talked, bizarrely, about what sounded like vouchers and because Ministers want to appear tough. about making it inconvenient by forcing people to travel In an earlier intervention, which was rather lengthy, I across cities. For the avoidance of doubt, I can tell the gave an example involving one of my constituents. Her hon. Gentleman that the regulations in amendment (a) children are older than the ones that we are discussing, would include the sanctions. but the case demonstrates that DWP staff know that it My hon. Friend the Member for Selby (Mr. Grogan) is a waste of time trying to develop an action plan for made a typically clear and, at times, amusing contribution, parents such as her to engage with the world of work, but I would obviously dispute that we are being mean- because they will never be in a position to do that. spirited. We are trying to help and support this group of I have visited my constituent at her home, and she has lone parents, to improve that help and support and to explained to me how she has to juggle her commitments build on the success of the new deal for lone parents. I in order to be there for her children. Some of them go to was pleased that my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud school, and she has to be there when they come home. (Mr. Drew) paid tribute to that programme. They have severe disabilities. I know that because my The hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) talked constituent is a carer she will not be required to engage about whether he would be characterised as too soft. in work-focused activity, but none the less she is being He worried that we thought we knew best. I dealt with subjected to regular mandatory work-focused interviews, most of his points in a series of interventions, but if he and she resents that very much. For her, it is a complete agrees in any way with conditionality, he must see merit waste of time—it is a waste of her time, and it is a waste in what we are arguing. of the staff’s time. I say to my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney, My constituent acknowledges that she would like to North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) that we do maintain a relationship with the person who interviews not want to sanction anybody. We want lone parents to her, because she is really nice and they have a nice chat. be supported and to get back into work, but in a way However, that is all that it amounts to: a nice chat. I that is sympathetic to their needs as parents. That is think that it is probably better to support people who what I said at the outset: the principle on family-friendly need nice chats in other areas of public services, such as working is that we believe that work is the best route out schools and health care settings, than to force them to of poverty but that, first and foremost, those parents participate in work-focused interviews. She says she have a responsibility to their children. Any requirement knows other parents of disabled children who feel that that we put on them, first and foremost, has to bear in these requirements are unnecessary and intrusive. mind the needs of the children and their needs as Today we only have the opportunity to vote on removing parents. I hope that it never comes to using any of these the benefits sanctions in relation to three to five-year-olds, sanctions, but having them in place helps to focus the but we are concerned in general with a group that has system. young children and for whom child care is the most I would also say to the hon. Member for Northavon difficult to organise. I, too, will be supporting the Lords that the work-related activity must flow from an action amendment. I just wish that we were not going down plan, so the safeguard does apply to work-related activity. this route and that we were sticking to the voluntary It was unfortunate that my hon. Friend the Member for approach. Hackney, North and Stoke Newington did not want to take any interventions, as that meant I was unable to Jim Knight: We have had an interesting debate, during clarify a few matters for her. She accused me of using which I was grateful to my right hon. Friend the Member fantasy figures, although they were taken from the for Stirling— Department for Children, Schools and Families child care and early years survey of parents of last year, but I Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst): Order. I think there was some fantasy attached to her argument. am sorry to interrupt the Minister but he needs the We are not talking about forcing people into work; we leave of the House to speak again on the Lords amendment. are talking about people agreeing with us an action plan through the work-focused interview, and then, at the Jim Knight: By leave of the House, Mr. Deputy end of a very long sanctions process, the possibility of Speaker, may I say that I was grateful to my right hon. financial sanctions. There is a guarantee of a child care Friend the Member for Stirling (Mrs. McGuire) for her place for 15 hours a week from 2010 and currently for sterling support? 12.5 hours, which is already in place in Hackney for all We started with an interesting speech from the hon. three and four-year-olds, but if that is not in place in Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison). My right hon. practice, that is certainly a good cause for a lone parent Friend described the speech as opportunism. I agree. not to take advantage of the work-related activity that The Opposition are simply playing politics rather than we would provide. being serious. I confirm that the amendment tabled by the noble Lord Freud in the other place was restricted 5.15 pm to work-related activity, so the position in the other My hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly place—there are countless examples of the noble Lord Oak (Lynne Jones) made an interesting contribution. Freud saying something slightly different from the She said we were merely competing with the other side Opposition spokesman—was clear: there is no problem as to which party was tougher. That is not our motivation with financial sanctions in respect of lone parents whose at all. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Stirling youngest child is aged between three and five. The made clear in some of her useful interventions, our measure was in respect of work-related activity. Indeed, motivation is to help people—to help these lone parents 191 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 192 be able to get into work—because there is a fundamental Dhanda, Mr. Parmjit Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald point here: we have to go back to the truth that the Dismore, Mr. Andrew Keeble, Ms Sally longer someone is out of the labour market, the more Dobbin, Jim Keeley, Barbara difficult it is for them to get back into work. Members Dobson, rh Frank Keen, Alan have to weigh up in their minds whether or not they are Donohoe, Mr. Brian H. Keen, Ann serious about trying to help these lone parents overcome Doran, Mr. Frank Kelly, rh Ruth Eagle, Angela Kemp, Mr. Fraser the obstacles to their getting back into work. Many of Eagle, Maria Khan, rh Mr. Sadiq them will have more than one child, and if they wait Efford, Clive Kidney, Mr. David until their youngest child is five, they will be waiting Ellman, Mrs. Louise Kilfoyle, Mr. Peter longer than five years to get back into the labour Engel, Natascha Knight, rh Jim market. We want them to be able to have a flying start if Ennis, Jeff Kumar, Dr. Ashok they want one, once their children start school— Etherington, Bill Ladyman, Dr. Stephen [Interruption.] Yes, if they want one. They would not Field, rh Mr. Frank Lammy, rh Mr. David be required to go into work until their children are Fisher, Mark Laxton, Mr. Bob seven, but we want them to be able to have a flying start, Fitzpatrick, Jim Lazarowicz, Mark and those of them who have literacy and numeracy Flello, Mr. Robert Lepper, David problems—as many lone parents do—will need the time Flint, rh Caroline Levitt, Tom to be able to acquire those skills by taking advantage of Follett, Barbara Lewis, Mr. Ivan the support on offer to them and to build their attachment Foster, Mr. Michael Linton, Martin (Worcester) Lloyd, Tony to the labour market. That is why they need more than Foster, Michael Jabez Love, Mr. Andrew two years. (Hastings and Rye) Lucas, Ian That is why this policy is right, and that is why the Francis, Dr. Hywel Mackinlay, Andrew Conservatives have, within hours, failed to adhere to Gapes, Mike MacShane, rh Mr. Denis the principles on tackling poverty that were set out Gardiner, Barry Mactaggart, Fiona in the speech their leader delivered earlier. They are George, rh Mr. Bruce Malik, Mr. Shahid failing the test of wanting to tackle child poverty. This is Gerrard, Mr. Neil Mallaber, Judy at the heart of why the Government urge the House to Gilroy, Linda Mann, John agree to our amendment, and to disagree to the Lords Godsiff, Mr. Roger Marris, Rob amendment. Goggins, rh Paul Marsden, Mr. Gordon Goodman, Helen Martlew, Mr. Eric Question put, That this House disagrees with Lords Griffith, Nia McAvoy, rh Mr. Thomas amendment 2. Gwynne, Andrew McCarthy, Kerry Hain, rh Mr. Peter McCarthy-Fry, Sarah The House divided: Ayes 286, Noes 236. Hall, Mr. Mike McDonagh, Siobhain Division No. 245] [5.18 pm Hall, Patrick McFadden, rh Mr. Pat Hamilton, Mr. David McFall, rh John AYES Hamilton, Mr. Fabian McGuire, rh Mrs. Anne Ainger, Nick Butler, Ms Dawn Hanson, rh Mr. David McIsaac, Shona Alexander, rh Mr. Douglas Byrne, rh Mr. Liam Harman, rh Ms Harriet McKechin, Ann Allen, Mr. Graham Caborn, rh Mr. Richard Havard, Mr. Dai McKenna, Rosemary Anderson, Mr. David Cairns, David Hendrick, Mr. Mark Meale, Mr. Alan Anderson, Janet Campbell, Mr. Alan Hepburn, Mr. Stephen Merron, Gillian Armstrong, rh Hilary Campbell, Mr. Ronnie Heppell, Mr. John Michael, rh Alun Atkins, Charlotte Cawsey, Mr. Ian Hesford, Stephen Milburn, rh Mr. Alan Baird, Vera Challen, Colin Hewitt, rh Ms Patricia Miliband, rh David Balls, rh Ed Chapman, Ben Heyes, David Miliband, rh Edward Banks, Gordon Chaytor, Mr. David Hill, rh Keith Miller, Andrew Barlow, Ms Celia Clapham, Mr. Michael Hillier, Meg Mitchell, Mr. Austin Barron, rh Mr. Kevin Clark, Paul Hodge, rh Margaret Moffatt, Laura Battle, rh John Clarke, rh Mr. Charles Hodgson, Mrs. Sharon Mole, Chris Bayley, Hugh Clarke,rhMr.Tom Hood, Mr. Jim Moon, Mrs. Madeleine Beckett, rh Margaret Clelland, Mr. David Hoon, rh Mr. Geoffrey Morden, Jessica Begg, Miss Anne Coaker, Mr. Vernon Hope, Phil Morgan, Julie Bell, Sir Stuart Coffey, Ann Howarth, rh Mr. George Mountford, Kali Benn, rh Hilary Cohen, Harry Howells, rh Dr. Kim Mudie, Mr. George Benton, Mr. Joe Connarty, Michael Hoyle, Mr. Lindsay Mullin, Mr. Chris Berry, Roger Cooper, Rosie Humble, Mrs. Joan Munn, Meg Betts, Mr. Clive Cooper, rh Yvette Hutton, rh Mr. John Murphy, Mr. Denis Blackman, Liz Crausby, Mr. David Iddon, Dr. Brian Murphy, rh Mr. Jim Blackman-Woods, Dr. Roberta Creagh, Mary Illsley, Mr. Eric Murphy, rh Mr. Paul Blizzard, Mr. Bob Cryer, Mrs. Ann Ingram, rh Mr. Adam Naysmith, Dr. Doug Borrow, Mr. David S. Cummings, John Irranca-Davies, Huw Norris, Dan Brennan, Kevin Cunningham, Mr. Jim Jackson, Glenda O’Brien, rh Mr. Mike Brown, rh Mr. Gordon Cunningham, Tony James, Mrs. Siân C. O’Hara, Mr. Edward Brown, Lyn Curtis-Thomas, Mrs. Claire Jenkins, Mr. Brian Olner, Mr. Bill Brown, rh Mr. Nicholas Darling, rh Mr. Alistair Johnson, rh Alan Osborne, Sandra Bryant, Chris David, Mr. Wayne Johnson, Ms Diana R. Owen, Albert Buck, Ms Karen Davies, Mr. Quentin Jones, Helen Palmer, Dr. Nick Burden, Richard Dean, Mrs. Janet Jones, Mr. Martyn Pearson, Ian Burnham, rh Andy Denham, rh Mr. John Joyce, Mr. Eric Plaskitt, Mr. James 193 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 194

Pope, Mr. Greg Stoate, Dr. Howard Davies, David T.C. Key, Robert Pound, Stephen Straw, rh Mr. Jack (Monmouth) Knight, rh Mr. Greg Prentice, Bridget Stringer, Graham Davies, Philip Kramer, Susan Prescott, rh Mr. John Stuart, Ms Gisela Djanogly, Mr. Jonathan Laing, Mrs. Eleanor Primarolo, rh Dawn Sutcliffe, Mr. Gerry Dorrell, rh Mr. Stephen Lait, Mrs. Jacqui Purchase, Mr. Ken Tami, Mark Dorries, Nadine Lansley, Mr. Andrew Purnell, rh James Taylor, Ms Dari Drew, Mr. David Laws, Mr. David Rammell, Bill Thomas, Mr. Gareth Duncan, Alan Leigh, Mr. Edward Raynsford, rh Mr. Nick Thornberry, Emily Dunne, Mr. Philip Letwin, rh Mr. Oliver Reed, Mr. Andy Timms, rh Mr. Stephen Evans, Mr. Nigel Liddell-Grainger, Mr. Ian Robertson, John Tipping, Paddy Evennett, Mr. David Lidington, Mr. David Robinson, Mr. Geoffrey Todd, Mr. Mark Fabricant, Michael Lilley, rh Mr. Peter Rooney, Mr. Terry Touhig, rh Mr. Don Fallon, Mr. Michael Llwyd, Mr. Elfyn Roy, Lindsay Trickett, Jon Farrelly, Paul Loughton, Tim Farron, Tim Mackay, rh Mr. Andrew Ruane, Chris Turner, Mr. Neil Ruddock, Joan Featherstone, Lynne Maclean, rh David Twigg, Derek Russell, Christine Field, Mr. Mark Main, Anne Ussher, Kitty Ryan, rh Joan Flynn, Paul Malins, Mr. Humfrey Vaz, rh Keith Salter, Martin Foster, Mr. Don Maples, Mr. John Vis, Dr. Rudi Seabeck, Alison Fox, Dr. Liam Marshall-Andrews, Mr. Robert Sharma, Mr. Virendra Walley, Joan Francois, Mr. Mark Mason, John Shaw, Jonathan Waltho, Lynda Fraser, Christopher Maude, rh Mr. Francis Sheerman, Mr. Barry Ward, Claire Gale, Mr. Roger May, rh Mrs. Theresa Sheridan, Jim Watson, Mr. Tom Garnier, Mr. Edward McDonnell, John Simon, Mr. Siôn Watts, Mr. Dave Gauke, Mr. David McLoughlin, rh Mr. Patrick Singh, Mr. Marsha Whitehead, Dr. Alan George, Andrew Mercer, Patrick Skinner, Mr. Dennis Wicks, rh Malcolm Gibb, Mr. Nick Miller, Mrs. Maria Slaughter, Mr. Andy Williams, rh Mr. Alan Gillan, Mrs. Cheryl Milton, Anne Smith, rh Mr. Andrew Williams, Mrs. Betty Goldsworthy, Julia Mitchell, Mr. Andrew Smith, Ms Angela C. Wills, rh Mr. Michael Goodman, Mr. Paul Moore, Mr. Michael (Sheffield, Hillsborough) Wilson, Phil Goodwill, Mr. Robert Moss, Mr. Malcolm Smith, rh Angela E. (Basildon) Winnick, Mr. David Grayling, Chris Mulholland, Greg Smith, Geraldine Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Green, Damian O’Brien, Mr. Stephen Smith, rh Jacqui Woodward, rh Mr. Shaun Greening, Justine Osborne, Mr. George Smith, John Woolas, Mr. Phil Grieve, Mr. Dominic Ottaway, Richard Grogan, Mr. John Paterson, Mr. Owen Snelgrove, Anne Wright, Mr. Iain Soulsby, Sir Peter Gummer, rh Mr. John Pelling, Mr. Andrew Wright, Dr. Tony Southworth, Helen Hague, rh Mr. William Penning, Mike Wyatt, Derek Spellar, rh Mr. John Hammond, Mr. Philip Penrose, John Spink, Bob Tellers for the Ayes: Hammond, Stephen Pickles, Mr. Eric Starkey, Dr. Phyllis Steve McCabe and Hancock, Mr. Mike Prentice, Mr. Gordon Stewart, Ian David Wright Hands, Mr. Greg Price, Adam Harper, Mr. Mark Prisk, Mr. Mark NOES Harris, Dr. Evan Pritchard, Mark Harvey, Nick Randall, Mr. John Abbott, Ms Diane Burrowes, Mr. David Hayes, Mr. John Redwood, rh Mr. John Afriyie, Adam Burstow, Mr. Paul Heald, Mr. Oliver Reid, Mr. Alan Ainsworth, Mr. Peter Burt, Alistair Heath, Mr. David Rennie, Willie Alexander, Danny Burt, Lorely Heathcoat-Amory, rh Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Amess, Mr. David Butterfill, Sir John Mr. David Riordan, Mrs. Linda Ancram, rh Mr. Michael Cable, Dr. Vincent Hemming, John Robathan, Mr. Andrew Arbuthnot, rh Mr. James Cameron, rh Mr. David Hendry, Charles Robertson, Angus Atkinson, Mr. Peter Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Hoban, Mr. Mark Robertson, Hugh Baker, Norman Carmichael, Mr. Alistair Hoey, Kate Robertson, Mr. Laurence Baldry, Tony Carswell, Mr. Douglas Hollobone, Mr. Philip Rogerson, Dan Baron, Mr. John Cash, Mr. William Holmes, Paul Rosindell, Andrew Barrett, John Caton, Mr. Martin Hopkins, Kelvin Ruffley, Mr. David Beith, rh Sir Alan Chope, Mr. Christopher Howard, rh Mr. Michael Russell, Bob Bellingham, Mr. Henry Clappison, Mr. James Howarth, David Sanders, Mr. Adrian Beresford, Sir Paul Clark, Ms Katy Howell, John Scott, Mr. Lee Bone, Mr. Peter Clarke, rh Mr. Kenneth Hughes, Simon Selous, Andrew Boswell, Mr. Tim Clifton-Brown, Mr. Geoffrey Huhne, Chris Shapps, Grant Bottomley, Peter Clwyd, rh Ann Hunt, Mr. Jeremy Shepherd, Mr. Richard Brady, Mr. Graham Corbyn, Jeremy Hunter, Mark Simpson, Mr. Keith Brazier, Mr. Julian Cormack, Sir Patrick Jack, rh Mr. Michael Smith, Chloe Breed, Mr. Colin Cousins, Jim Jackson, Mr. Stewart Soames, Mr. Nicholas Brokenshire, James Cox, Mr. Geoffrey Jenkin, Mr. Bernard Spelman, Mrs. Caroline Browne, Mr. Jeremy Crabb, Mr. Stephen Jones, Mr. David Spicer, Sir Michael Browning, Angela Cruddas, Jon Jones, Lynne Spring, Mr. Richard Bruce, rh Malcolm Curry, rh Mr. David Kawczynski, Daniel Stanley, rh Sir John Burgon, Colin Davey, Mr. Edward Keetch, Mr. Paul Steen, Mr. Anthony Burns, Mr. Simon Davies, Mr. Dai Kennedy, rh Mr. Charles Streeter, Mr. Gary 195 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 196

Stuart, Mr. Graham Watkinson, Angela there is no increase in the general level of prices. The Stunell, Andrew Webb, Steve retail prices index has been traditionally used to determine Swayne, Mr. Desmond Whittingdale, Mr. John an increase in the general level of prices. Swinson, Jo Widdecombe, rh Miss Ann Syms, Mr. Robert Wiggin, Bill Steve Webb: The amendments, as I read them, relate Tapsell, Sir Peter Willetts, Mr. David only to 2010. Will the Minister explain why he has not Taylor, David Williams, Mark given the Secretary of State a general power? In 12 months’ Taylor, Mr. Ian Williams, Mr. Roger time, the RPI could still be negative and we would need Taylor, Dr. Richard Williams, Stephen primary legislation again. Why not provide for a general Teather, Sarah Willis, Mr. Phil power? Thurso, John Willott, Jenny Timpson, Mr. Edward Wilshire, Mr. David Jim Knight: As hon. Members will be aware, next Truswell, Mr. Paul Wilson, Mr. Rob year’s benefit rates will be announced at the pre-Budget Turner, Mr. Andrew Winterton, Ann report and in the subsequent uprating statement, and I Tyrie, Mr. Andrew Wishart, Pete am therefore unable to pre-empt those announcements Vaizey, Mr. Edward Wood, Mike Vara, Mr. Shailesh this afternoon by legislating accordingly. Yeo, Mr. Tim Viggers, Sir Peter These measures are, of course, a further demonstration Young, rh Sir George Villiers, Mrs. Theresa of the Government’s commitment to tackling pensioner Walker, Mr. Charles Tellers for the Noes: poverty, which has resulted in almost 1 million fewer Walter, Mr. Robert Jeremy Wright and pensioners in poverty than when we came to office in Waterson, Mr. Nigel James Duddridge 1997. Poverty is clearly a topical issue. Amendments 29 and 51 are very important measures Question accordingly agreed to. that would rename council tax benefit. I should like to Lords amendment 2 disagreed to. start by paying tribute to the Royal British Legion not Government amendment (a) made in lieu of Lords just for the services that right hon. and hon. Members amendment 2. will have attended throughout the country last Sunday, Consequential amendment (b) made. including the excellent services that I attended at Portland and Swanage in my constituency, or for the importance Clause 1 of the act of remembrance that we will observe tomorrow morning, but for its campaign to rename council tax SOCIAL SECURITY benefit “council tax rebate”. It has led an impressive Jim Knight: I beg to move, That this House agrees campaign against pensioner poverty generally, and in with Lords amendment 1. particular it has clearly demonstrated how important a name change might be for many of the people whom it Mr. Deputy Speaker: With this, it will be convenient represents. It speaks for all pensioners, but particularly to consider Lords amendments 13, 14, 16 to 24, 29, 51, for ex-service personnel, who have given so much to this 52, 60, 92, 93 and 95 to 102. country. We want to ensure that they are afforded the Jim Knight: Many of the amendments in this group dignity that they deserve and are not put off from are technical and consequential, and I shall therefore receiving what they are most certainly entitled to. not linger on them. I anticipate that there will be most I should like also to thank my right hon. Friend the interest in the proposals on renaming council tax benefit Member for Enfield, North (Joan Ryan), whom I am as council tax rebate and on uprating, so I shall dwell on pleased to see in the Chamber. She has not just raised those at slightly more length. the issue with the Prime Minister in the House, but met There are six amendments that end provision for the Secretary of State and given sterling support to the pilot schemes that impose a benefit sanction on people campaign. The amendments will insert a new clause who breach a community order. They have been superseded that requires the Secretary of State, by order, to change by new measures and are no longer necessary. the name of council tax benefit to council tax rebate. There is then a group containing four amendments in They will allow for consequential changes to references respect of the recommendations of the Delegated Powers to council tax benefit in other legislation and documents. and Regulatory Reform Committee, following a very The first use of the power will require the approval of useful report that I am sure all parts of the House Parliament through the affirmative procedure. That will welcomed. The amendments will put them into effect. provide a further opportunity to debate the precise Amendment 16 will resolve a technical issue in respect details of how the measure will be implemented, following of disability living allowance and remove what is effectively proper consultation with interested parties, especially a duplicate clause. Amendments 19 to 22 will resolve a local government and pensioner groups. further technical issue in payments on account and The Government have introduced the amendments achieve better benefit alignment in respect of the use of to help address the low take-up of council tax benefit by the social fund. Our own internal scrutiny found that removing a barrier that many pensioners face in claiming there was no need to include housing benefit in the help with the payment of their council tax bill. We scope of that measure. believe that some people, particularly pensioners, are Amendments 23 and 52 deal with the uprating of deterred from claiming benefits but would be much benefits. That important change will enable us to meet more comfortable about claiming once they understood our promise to pensioners to increase basic state pension the true nature of the help to which they are entitled—in from April by 2.5 per cent., which will be worth about this case, a rebate on their council tax bill. £1 billion over the course of the year. The amendments When I spoke to the previous amendments, I referred will allow the Secretary of State to consider uprating to this Government’s excellent record on tackling pensioner certain social security benefits in April 2010, even if poverty. We continue to do all we can to encourage 197 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 198 pensioners to take up the benefits and help to which it would require us to withdraw funding from elsewhere in the they are entitled, but the take-up of some key benefits, benefit system.”––[Official Report, Welfare Reform Public Bill including council tax benefit, is still disappointing. We Committee, 3 March 2009; c. 270.] believe that the renaming is right, and it has received He said that he was not in a position to give a time scale unanimous support from all parties in the House. showing when he would be in a position to finance a In summary, the amendments contain important change to the rules. Two weeks later, when the then measures that will enable the Government to continue Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Stalybridge to act on our commitment to help pensioners to receive and Hyde (James Purnell), was asked the same question the help that we have put in place and to which they are at Work and Pensions questions, he was unable to give a entitled. commitment on being able to fund it. Mr. Mark Harper (Forest of Dean) (Con): As the The very next day, 17 March, when we debated the Minister said, this is a miscellaneous group of matter on Report, we had a lively debate in which a amendments—and I shall speak to a few of them. number of Members took part. The Under-Secretary Lords amendments 1 and 24 deal with pilots. I agree said right at the end of his remarks that he was with the Minister that the need for those pilots has “delighted to announce today that we are now in a position to been superseded by a change in legislation, but I want agree to fund this proposal”.—[Official Report, 17 March 2009; to press him in one area that may provide a lesson on Vol. 489, c. 855.] how Ministers conduct pilots in future. The pilots were He said that he took great pleasure in accepting what originally introduced in 2001. Given that they are no was then new clause 10, tabled by the hon. Member for longer needed, it is right to remove their legislative Glasgow, North-West (John Robertson), who was in his basis, but eight years seems like a fair wait. In the other place earlier but is not here now. place, there was a debate about how long the pilots had run for, how long the assessment had taken, and how 5.45 pm long the decision had taken to introduce something That was right at the end of the Minister’s remarks, else. We need to ensure that the pilots on new measures and he then sat down, not giving Members the opportunity in the Bill run for no longer than is necessary to to press him on when that measure would come in or establish whether there is sufficient evidence as to how it was to be funded. I took the opportunity afterwards whether they work—and that if they do work, we to press him with some written questions, and he confirmed should not necessarily run them for their full period, that it would not come into force until 2011-12, a year but should learn from them and then decide whether later than had been indicated in earlier written answers. they should be rolled out more widely. That would be a The Government had not committed to introducing it sensible lesson to draw from the amendments. in 2010-11, but they suggested that that would be the Lords amendments 13, 14, 17 and 18 improve the earliest available opportunity. extent to which this House and the other place have In a written answer about funding the measure, the control over some of the proposals in the Bill, by Minister said: inserting affirmative resolutions and replacing ministerial direction with a need for regulations. Those measures “We are confident that by the date of its introduction the Department will have re-prioritised annually managed expenditure are welcome, as they strengthen the powers of this to ensure that funding is available.”—[Official Report, 23 March House. 2009; Vol. 490, c. 83W.] Lords amendment 16 relates to disability living allowance Putting that together with his previous answer, he was and the extension of higher-rate mobility allowance to effectively saying that he would take the money away people with a visual impairment. Will the Minister from some other benefit to fund the change. He had not clarify where the funding for that will come from? When really found the money at all, he was just saying that by we discussed the relevant new clause on Report, the 2011 he would have worked out some way of paying for Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the it. I can see why he did not particularly want to be hon. Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Jonathan pressed on the matter, and it is important that we put Shaw), who is in his place, announced the Government’s that on the record. decision to support it right at the end of the debate, so there was insufficient opportunity to probe him on the In answer to the question that the hon. Member for date of the introduction of the change, and exactly Northavon (Steve Webb) asked, in thinking about the where the Government had found the funding for it. future I have had some conversations with my hon. Friend the shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury. I Steve Webb: I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s call for can confirm that if—subject to the voters—we were in clarity. For the avoidance of doubt, could he confirm government in 2011, we would indeed bring that measure whether this policy would be implemented if his party forward and fund it from within the departmental budget. were in power in 2011? It will therefore go forward whatever the result of the Mr. Harper: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for general election. that intervention. I will be able to state our position at the end of my remarks, and I think he will be pleased Steve Webb: That obviously invites the same question with the answer. that the hon. Gentleman has just put to the Minister. When we debated this matter in the Public Bill Would that be a net increase in overall spending, and if Committee—[Interruption.] I hear the right hon. Member not, does he already know what he would cut to pay for Stirling (Mrs. McGuire) chuckling away; I will refer for it? to our exchanges on Report as well. In Committee, the Under-Secretary said: Mr. Harper: I will not outline our excellent policies in “While the Government fully recognise the intentions behind great detail, because that would be straying away from the new clause, accepting it without having the funding to support the amendments, but the hon. Gentleman will know the 199 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 200

[Mr. Harper] Secretary of State to make the judgment on an ongoing basis. I cannot understand why the decision is for one impressive proposals that we have published in our year only. work programme, such as getting people back to work When the hon. Member for Northavon pressed the and investing the savings that result. I am therefore Minister, he gave a reply, but it did not answer the question. confident that within the budgets that we have available, He said that he could not pre-empt the Chancellor’s we will be able to fund that measure without having to announcements in the pre-Budget report, but the hon. cut any other programmes. I am pleased that people Gentleman had not asked him to do that. I might try to with a visual impairment can rest assured that this tempt him to do it—I know he will not go there—but welcome measure can be introduced regardless of the the hon. Gentleman was not asking about rates of result of the general election. increase; he simply asked why the change was not The Minister of State suggested that Lords permanent. As things stand, if by next September the amendment 23 might be of interest, and the hon. Member general level of prices has not increased and inflation for Northavon has already mentioned it. It is about the remains negative, and a Government nevertheless wish power to uprate benefits following a review in the tax to increase the basic state pension or other benefits, it year 2009-10. It is an interesting amendment that prompts would be necessary to change primary legislation again. a number of questions. When Lord McKenzie introduced I do not therefore understand why the Government it in the other place, he made it clear that it was have not made the change permanent, and it would be “intended to give the Government the flexibility to uprate the helpful if the Minister explained. basic state pension by the commitment of 2.5 per cent. and to I do not wish to tempt the Minister to go beyond his uprate other social security benefits as the Secretary of State brief and say what other benefits the Chancellor might thinks fit, even though the level of prices, as measured by the retail prices index, has not increased.”—[Official Report, House change in the pre-Budget report, but it might be useful of Lords, 22 October 2009; Vol. 713, c. 918.] if he gave the House some idea of what factors may be taken into account when setting those benefit rates. In That prompts a number of questions, because the former the outside world, people who work have experienced a Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Harrow, growth of only 1.6 per cent. in average earnings in the East (Mr. McNulty), said in the House of Commons on year to August—a reduction from 1.8 per cent. to July. 11 December 2008, when he was making the annual In the private sector, pay growth is just 1.2 per cent., benefits uprating statement: compared with 3.2 per cent. in the public sector. Those “We enshrined a 2.5 per cent. floor in the Pensions Act 2008, who have to go out and earn a living will expect that to so if inflation goes down to zero, as some anticipate, there will be taken into account when Ministers set benefit levels. always be at least that 2.5 per cent.”—[Official Report, 11 December 2008; Vol. 485, c. 700.] The Minister mentioned council tax benefit and the I was not aware of that change, so I consulted the change in the name, which we greatly welcome. I can do Library, which does not believe that either the Pensions no better than repeat the words of my noble Friend Act 2008 or the Pensions Act 2007 has been changed to Lord Freud, who said in the other place: give effect to that statement. It thinks that it was a “we welcome the government amendment.”—[Official Report, non-statutory Government commitment. What the right House of Lords, Vol. 713, c.1108.] hon. Member for Harrow, East said in the House does He rightly paid tribute to the campaign that the Royal not seem consistent with Lord McKenzie’s comments. British Legion highlighted to focus on the fact that the Will the Minister confirm whether his colleague, the benefit was really a rebate, and that if the language were former Minister, may have inadvertently misled the changed, it would make a significant difference to House about the basis for the 2.5 per cent. uprating in pensioners’ attitude to taking up what they are rightfully cases where the retail prices index has not risen? If the owed. He made the point that my right hon. Friend the provision is already in the Pensions Act, it is not needed Leader of the Opposition had pledged to support the to uprate the basic state pension, which is the main change, and supported the amendment on behalf of reason that Lord McKenzie gave for introducing it. I our party in the other place. As the Minister rightly think that that was the basis of the point that the hon. said, that amendment has cross-party support. Member for Northavon made. On Third Reading in the Lords, the Government The hon. Member for Northavon wondered why the accepted the amendment tabled by Baroness Turner of change was a one-off, which would take effect for only Camden to strengthen the change slightly by replacing the coming financial year. Lords amendment 23 is very “may” with “shall”, and that toughened up the provision. specific. It is a new clause, entitled, “Power to up-rate I recognise that there are some significant challenges of benefits following review in tax year 2009-10”—the detail to face, and I simply emphasise what I am sure is current tax year. It provides that if this House’s wish that the process should get under way “the general level of prices is no greater at the end of the as quickly as possible so that the change can be made as period…than it was at the beginning”, soon as possible. the Secretary of State will have the power, looking at the I conclude with an observation. In the debate on the national economic situation, to make changes to benefits previous group, I think that the Minister established a in the following year. Of course, that is the year of the new parliamentary convention, which we may wish to general election. That raises the question of whether we call the Knight convention, whereby he set out the are considering a pre-election ploy or gimmick. Now Government’s approach of putting sticks in primary that we have established that the general level of prices legislation and carrots in secondary legislation, with the could fall or be zero, I cannot understand why no special twist that carrots might now be introduced in permanent change is being made to the Social Security primary legislation. I have no idea whether that will Administration Act 1992, providing the power for the catch on and be put in “Erskine May” in due course, but 201 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 202 it may be something that the right hon. Gentleman will and may encourage some who do not currently claim it leave behind for us all to enjoy in this House in the to do so, and it is therefore a step in the right direction, future. but surely the better system would be to have a fair local tax system to begin with. If we did, we would not need Joan Ryan (Enfield, North) (Lab): I want to speak council tax benefit—or indeed council tax rebate. That about Lords amendments 29 and 51. I join my right must be a better way to go. hon. Friend the Minister in paying tribute to the Royal British Legion and its work on changing the name of council tax benefit to council tax rebate. I, too, praise 6pm the work of Baroness Turner in the other place. I In the debate on this group of amendments, we have welcome the Government’s clear commitment today to spoken about disability living allowance. One possible rename council tax benefit council tax rebate. amendment is, as it were, the dog that did not bark. Will I heard what was said about cross-party support—and the Minister say where the Government are at on DLA there has been such support—but without the Government’s reform? In another place, Ministers said that when a willingness to act and to accept the amendment, the child is on DLA, a lone parent will not be sanctioned Secretary of State’s willingness to meet Chris Simpkins, for not seeking work. There is some uncertainty whether director general of the Royal British Legion, and me, that applies to people on the care component or the and the work of former Ministers, we would not be in mobility component of DLA. We expected a Government this position today. I therefore thank the Government amendment to implement that pledge, but none has for their action today. been proposed. Will the Minister reiterate that when a In the past year, I have worked with the Royal British lone parent has a child on DLA, they will not be Legion to get more veterans help with their council tax sanctioned for not seeking work, and that that applies bills. We are considering dignity and respect in old age. to both categories of DLA, not only the care component? We found that pensioners, especially many of our veterans, Those who have lobbied on the issue would be grateful did not want to claim something called “benefit.” They for a clear statement of the Government’s position. fought for their country, they have worked all their lives We have spoken about the RPI amendment. I must and they have paid their taxes, but now many forgo admit that I, too, am rather baffled about this. I am sure money that is rightly theirs simply because of the word I can recall years in the recent past when Ministers have “benefit.” Words matter, and I am glad that the Minister increased the state pension by more than the RPI, so it acknowledges and understands that so well. It is not a cannot be that the law—primary legislation—prohibits subsidy, handout or benefit, but a rebate, and we needed increases greater than that in the RPI. Therefore, current to change the name. regulations cannot set a ceiling on increases. Why do we I am delighted that the Government have given a need statutory powers to go beyond a floor? As the hon. clear commitment to changing the name of council tax Member for Forest of Dean (Mr. Harper) said, it is “benefit” to council tax “rebate”. That may sound like a confusing why the amendment is in the Bill at all. small change, but it will make a big difference to tens of thousands of veterans and hundreds of thousands Mr. Harper: I do not want there to be any lack of of pensioners. In my constituency alone, as many as clarity. I understand why the Government needed an 3,000 pensioners could be up to £600 a year better amendment. The Social Security Administration Act off—£12 a week. That may not sound like a fortune, but 1992 gives the Minister the power to lay an order only if for someone living on £130 a week, another £12 makes there has been a general increase in prices. For the a big difference. We need to do all we can to ensure that Minister to lay an order in the first place, there has to our veterans and our pensioners get the extra help as have been an increase, so if inflation is negative he does soon as possible. not have the power. The hon. Member for Northavon I therefore hope that my right hon. Friend the Minister (Steve Webb) is right to say that if the Minister has the will say a few words at the end of the debate about when power, he makes the judgment on the level of increase, we can expect the change to come into force. The but he has to have the power in the first place. Government’s commitment is crucial and welcome, but I would like a clear indication of when they will implement Steve Webb: I have two concerns about that. Perhaps it. If we agree that changing a “benefit” to a “rebate” is I asked my first question too quickly and the Minister important, surely we also agree that it is important to did not understand. Why would we want to give the effect that as soon as possible. Having asked for that Minister the power only for the year starting 2010. Why information, I thank the Minister again for the commitment would it not be a general power? The same situation that he has given us today. might happen not next year but in a few years’ time, and Steve Webb: Like the right hon. Member for Enfield, there may not then be a social security Act passing North (Joan Ryan), I welcome that small step towards through the House onto which to tag the power. We are trying to improve take-up of council tax benefit. It is trying to give Ministers more powers and they are worth while, but it is very small step on a very long turning us down, which puzzles me. journey. My understanding is that council tax benefit is Secondly, an interesting comment was made about the social security benefit with the worst take-up rate of the rate of increase. The hon. Member for Forest of any in the entire system. As she said, many hundreds of Dean said, “Well, the Government have pledged 2.5 per thousands of pensioners, and indeed many veterans, are cent. but people who earn their living will want to see missing out on serious sums. benefits set taking account of the fact that average It has always struck me as absurd that we have a earnings increases are only 1 to 1.5 per cent. or so.” He grotesquely unfair local tax system, which we then seemed to be implying—I will certainly give way to him attempt to ameliorate with a hopelessly ineffective means- if he was not—that the Government are going ahead tested benefit. Calling it a “rebate” is entirely welcome with 2.5 per cent. because that is their promise, but that 203 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 204

[Steve Webb] Jim Knight: With the leave of the House, I shall quickly respond to the debate. people in work would want the Government to have The hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) has regard to 1.5 per cent. Was he saying that 2.5 per cent. is just shown that we have genuine all-party support for too big an increase? Otherwise, what was the relevance the renaming of council tax benefit to council tax of the 1.5 per cent? rebate, which I welcome. Mr. Harper: I was distinguishing between the pension The hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) asked increase, which, as the Government have lately set out, about DLA. We will exempt lone parents from will be 2.5 per cent., which we welcome, and other social conditionality when the child is on any rate of the care security benefits. They have been silent about how much component of DLA. That will be achieved in secondary social security benefits might be increased by if they use legislation. If there is a need for the Under-Secretary of the same power. I wanted the Minister to lay out the State for Work and Pensions, my hon. Friend the Member sorts of things that they would take into account. Of for Chatham and Aylesford (Jonathan Shaw), who is no course he will not be able to do that today—it will be a longer in the Chamber, to write to him with any more matter for the Chancellor—but it would be helpful if he detail, I am sure he will do so, but that is the advice I could give some indication of the Government’s thinking. have been given. In respect of uprating, the hon. Member for Forest of Steve Webb: I am grateful for that clarification. Dean (Mr. Harper) is right that there is currently no The other issue in this group of amendments is the power to make orders if the RPI is not positive, which is failed pilots. Actually, that description is rather uncharitable, why it is necessary to make this change. We do not feel and I do not like being uncharitable. A pilot that proves that it is necessary to give ourselves a continuing power, that a scheme is not a good idea is not a failed pilot, but because ultimately we believe that the current situation a pilot: a scheme was trialled and tried, and proved not of 0 per cent. RPI is exceptional, and the economic to be cost-effective. forecasts indicate that the RPI will return to positive growth next year, which would allow us the order-making I could not help musing that we have spent about an powers we would need. hour and a half this afternoon talking about a new sanctions regime, when we are repealing a sanction that did not work. It is great that the Government tried a Mr. Harper: For the avoidance of doubt, will the sanction for offenders and discovered that it was more Minister confirm that what his predecessor, the right trouble that it was worth, and cost more than it saved. I hon. Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty), told the cannot help wondering whether the Government might House when he made the benefits uprating statement in not learn from that experience in other areas. It is December 2008—that the power to uprate the basic always easy to apply the rhetoric of being tough, penalising state pension by at least 2.5 per cent., even if inflation people and forcing them to do what they should do, but was zero, was in the Pensions Act 2008—is not correct? some sanctions can be counterproductive, and we have a case before us this very afternoon. Jim Knight: It is difficult for me to speak with absolute In conclusion, broadly speaking, this is a very welcome confidence in respect of what my right hon. Friend said, group of amendments. Many outside the House would because I have not looked at the precise words, but he welcome clarification from Ministers on what they are may have been referring to the reintroduction of the doing about DLA, and whether the RPI power will be earnings link in the Pensions Act 2007. The 2.5 per cent. used in future—and if it will, why Ministers did not give commitment is a non-statutory commitment, but it is of themselves the power to do that in this legislation. course carried forward in the amendment. The hon. Member for Northavon raised some questions Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): I rise to support this about failed pilot schemes. He was probably alluding to group of amendments generally and the renaming of the debate on the previous group of amendments, in council tax benefit to council tax rebate in particular. It which we discussed the effective piloting of the lone is not a matter of gesture politics; it has real significance. parents sanctions regime. It is worth noting that the I hope it will send a strong message to pensioners in numbers of lone parents on lone parent benefit continue particular to take up what is theirs by right. Hundreds to fall, despite the recession, and that is with a more of veterans and thousands of pensioners in my constituency rigorous sanctions regime in place. So we have a degree could benefit from this refocusing, so I very much of confidence that the principle of sanctions will work welcome it. in this case. I join other hon. Members in pressing the Minister to I am grateful to my right hon. Friend the Member for state when it might come into force and urge the Enfield, North (Joan Ryan) for her speech, as I am Government to take further action to increase pensioner grateful for the work that she has done on campaigning take-up of income and support. For instance, take-up for this change. She not only reinforced the importance of pensioner tax credits is very poor, and I have run a of the campaign as a whole, but spoke up for the 3,000 campaign about it in my constituency twice in the past of her constituents who will benefit from the change two years, but that is another debate. and demonstrated her continuing personal commitment The Minister is absolutely right and gracious to praise to campaign for them. the Royal British Legion. Its campaigns have been My right hon. Friend asked the obvious question excellent and I hope that the Government will continue about timing. I cannot give her as exact a response as to listen carefully to it. It speaks a lot of sense on a wide she would like. We are committed to making the change range of issues. I am happy to welcome this group as soon as possible, but we are unable to commit to an of amendments. exact time frame without first completing the detailed 205 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 206 work needed to assess the practicality and costs involved, outline how they will engage with the help that is and that requires us to consult with the local authorities available to them to overcome their addiction. We are to ensure that the change is introduced properly and clear that doing nothing will no longer be an option. effectively. For example, changes are needed to the If claimants take up treatment voluntarily, they will 380 local authority IT systems and to DWP computer be offered a treatment allowance and a place on a new systems, including those that provide the essential link drug and employment support programme, which will with the pensioners at the point of claim. References provide integrated and personalised support for problem are also made to the name in a wide range of forms and drug users on jobseeker’s allowance or employment leaflets. We have already begun the process and I hope support allowance. That allowance will be paid to the that my right hon. Friend and others will understand claimant as long as they agree, via a voluntary rehabilitation and accept that, as yet, we cannot set out a timetable, plan, to maintain their treatment and take advantage of but the commitment is there and the work has started. the additional support available. It will remove some of The hon. Member for Forest of Dean asked a series the normal conditions of entitlement for benefit in of questions. He is right that when we pilot and we find order to allow drug users the time and space to focus on enough evidence that something works, we should get their recovery. For example, it will mean that they will on with it. On the other hand, if something is not no longer have to tell a member of our staff once a working well, we should stop and, when it is next fortnight that they are actively seeking work, when legislatively convenient, remove the powers. That is clearly they may not be doing so because of their drug what we have done in this case, and he will see examples problem. The allowance will be payable to the claimant in which we assess quickly and get on with rolling things for up to 12 months as long as they maintain their out more widely. treatment and take advantage of the additional support I was interested in the exchange around amendment 16 available. and can conclude only that we now have all-party agreement that we need to reprioritise annually managed expenditure into departmental expenditure limits in 6.15 pm order to fund that. If problem drug users are not already in treatment, I have responded to the main questions on uprating and are neither prepared nor ready to engage with that the hon. Gentleman asked in response to what the treatment services, they will be required to sign up to a hon. Member for Northavon said, and I will not be rehabilitation plan that will direct them to attend a drawn into commenting on carrot and sticks at this series of assessments and an educational programme, point. I urge the House to agree the amendments. with the aim of encouraging them into treatment. However, Lords amendment 1 agreed to. if they fail to engage in these activities without good cause, they will be subject to benefit sanctions. It should Lords amendments 3 to 27 agreed to, with Commons be noted that where there are reasonable grounds for privileges waived in respect of Lords amendments 11, 12, suspicion that problem drug use is an issue, claimants 19 to 21, 23 and 25. can also be mandated to attend these assessments. If the individual attends the educational and motivational Clause 25 sessions and decides against treatment but signs that drug use is a barrier to work remain, they will be CONTRACTING OUT FUNCTIONS UNDER JOBSEEKERS referred back to the assessment process. That ensures ACT 1995 continuity of contact with treatment providers until such time as a person feels ready to receive treatment. It Jim Knight: I beg to move, That this House agrees is important that those identified as problem drug users with Lords amendment 28. take the first steps on the journey to overcome their addiction. Madam Deputy Speaker (Sylvia Heal): With this it If advisers have reasonable grounds to suspect that will be convenient to discuss the following: Lords drug use is an issue, they can refer the claimant to an amendments 61 to 77, 79 and 80. assessment with a treatment adviser to establish whether that is indeed the case. Should the claimant fail to Jim Knight: We estimate that around 350,000 heroin attend the assessment on the grounds that they do not and crack cocaine users are on some form of benefit in use drugs, prior to any sanctions being applied they will this country. We need to help these people overcome be offered the opportunity to take a drugs test to show their dependence, take control of their lives and get that that is indeed the case—effectively, it would be an back into work. As the House knows, we are discussing opportunity to clear their name in respect of their the part of the Bill that is establishing pilots to ensure relationship with the adviser. If the test is negative, no that problem drug users engage with the rehabilitation further action will be taken. Should such individuals process where their drug use is a barrier to work, and do refuse a voluntary drugs test, and receive two consecutive so under threat of sanction. These amendments will sanctions for failure to attend the assessment, they will improve the pilot design to assist people on this journey, be mandated to a drugs test. and address concerns raised in both Houses. Proposed new paragraph 7A will tighten up the data- The Government will provide additional support and sharing powers considerably, in particular by preventing treatment. In return, and in order to receive benefit Jobcentre Plus from obtaining information about a payments—we will pilot this approach—claimants with person’s medical and social work history. Amendment 67 a drug dependency that is a barrier to employment and also provides that the information provided by the who are not already receiving drug treatment will be police and probation service can be used only with required to sign up to a rehabilitation plan that will those involved in administering the new programme. 207 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 208

Steve Webb: The Minister referred to places on treatment Returning to a comment that I made earlier about programmes, and we are talking not only about drugs in pilots, it is important quickly to understand whether the the traditional sense, but about alcohol abuse. Certainly approach laid out in the Lords amendments will be my local service providers say that it can be easy to find successful, and if it will, to move on at a significant money for drugs programmes, but hard to find it for pace. The hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) alcohol programmes. Can he say something about the talked about alcohol problems, which we debated in resourcing of places for treatment of people with alcohol Committee. There are powers in the Bill to deal with abuse problems? Is his Department funding the provision alcohol; the Government simply made the judgment of such places and can he give some idea about numbers? that drugs are a more significant priority and should be dealt with first. They indicated, however—and Ministers Jim Knight: As the hon. Gentleman will know from have confirmed this—that alcohol problems would be the way in which I have described the amendments, we looked at. We very much support that. I simply want the have principally designed the provision around people Minister to lay out how the Government envisage the with problem drug use. He is right that it could be used pilots being spread across the different constituent parts in respect of people with alcohol addiction problems. of the UK. I think that the pilots are supposed to be for We plan to look at the arrangements for people on three years, and so will tackle only a relatively small benefit who are dependent on alcohol. We have part of the problem. If they are successful, we will have commissioned new research and will carry out an internal to consider how they can be rolled out. However, we review with the Department of Health that will consider support the amendments. whether arrangements similar to those for problem Steve Webb: I regard this group of amendments as drug users should be introduced to require those who making the best of a bad job. The provisions relating to are alcohol-dependent to take up support to help them drug and alcohol addiction are offensive and authoritarian, get back to work, but it is only once that research has and it would have been better to take them out of the been carried out and the review held that we will be able Bill altogether. The amendments make things slightly to make a definite commitment. At that point, we less bad, but the pilots will prove that we have an would have to find the resources to do it. awfully long way to go before we get an effective response In summary, all these amendments are designed to to the issues of drug and alcohol abuse. help encourage problem drug users to engage with I agree with the Minister that doing nothing is not an treatment services, with the additional help and support option. However, there is an incredible paucity of services, on offer through the benefit system. They are all designed particularly for alcohol abuse, but in many cases for to ensure that doing nothing about a drug problem is drug abuse too, and a lack of support for substance not an option without consequent loss of benefit. I abusers and their families. There is a huge proactive, commend the amendments to the House. positive, supportive agenda that could have been implemented first. Then we could have returned to Mr. Harper: The Minister will know from reading the considering what threats and sanctions to apply to report of the debate in Committee that we were very those who do not comply. Returning to sticks and supportive of the Government’s proposals in this area carrots, there is an awful lot of carrot yet to be chewed and agreed that this is a significant problem. The Minister on—to mix my metaphors. outlined the numbers—350,000 people on out-of-work The Minister used an interesting phrase. Once again, benefits who are problem drug users for whom that is a we are guilty of weasel words: he said that those who barrier to moving into work. That is clearly a problem refuse to take a voluntary drug test will be mandated to that people expect us to deal with. We had some clear do so. That does not sound terribly voluntary. If Ministers discussions in Committee and both sides agreed that it just come clean and say, “We are going to force people needs to be dealt with, so we welcome the proposals. to take a test, and if they do not take it, we will take The pilots will involve only a relatively small number money off them”, that is fair enough. That is a legitimate of problem drug users—I think, from a debate in the position—it is not one that I share, but it is one that the other place, about 10,000. Will the Minister clarify how Government take. It is always striking, however, when the pilots will be allocated across the United Kingdom? the Government refuse to describe accurately what they We had some good debates in Committee on how they are doing, perhaps because they are embarrassed about it. will work in England, Wales and Scotland. There are If the Government are confident in the rightness of many references in the Lords amendments to the what they are doing, they ought to call a spade a spade. rehabilitation plans. Obviously, there is a key dependency They ought to be clear about what they are doing. Let on health services in the different parts of the UK, and us consider the idea that it would be helpful for drug health, of course, is a devolved matter. One issue that came addicts to have less money because they will not take a out in Committee concerned the different priorities in test or accept treatment. We all know the consequences England, Wales and Scotland in rehabilitation provision. of people with persistent drug addictions not having as I think that Ministers in Committee accepted that effectively much money as they used to. Far from being tough and the pilots will happen first in England, then Wales and effective, that will create new victims of crime and will then Scotland. Have further discussions taken place be an entirely negative and regressive step. between Ministers in the Department and Members We certainly welcome the amendments to the extent of the devolved Welsh Assembly Government and that they soften measures that ought never to have been Scottish Government about the pilots and how far the passed into legislation in the first place, but that is planning has got? For the pilots to be successful, and to about all we can say for them. give a good indication of success, they will need to be tried in the constituent parts of the UK. That would Jim Knight: With the leave of the House, I shall be helpful. respond as briefly as possible to the points made. 209 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 210

I welcome the welcome from the hon. Member for power with which the exclusion can be permanently Forest of Dean (Mr. Harper) for the amendments. He removed depending on the results of a trailblazer evaluation. asked about the pilots. The English pilots will run for In the White Paper, we made clear our commitment to two years from October 2010 in five Jobcentre Plus align adult community care services with the right to districts: Cumbria and Lancashire, west Yorkshire, control. We also made clear our intention that disabled Merseyside, Birmingham and Solihull, and central London. people will be at the centre of the right-to-control The selection of pilot areas has taken into account the provisions. We outlined in Committee that adult community number of problem drug users, the geographical, urban care services were originally excluded in the legislation and rural spread, and the availability and choice of to avoid duplicating existing community care and direct treatment. He is right to raise the point that there are payments legislation. different arrangements in Wales and Scotland. There We have also made it clear that we deliberately cast have been ministerial and official discussions with the the original wording of clause 33 broadly, to enable Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Parliament trailblazers to innovate and test the best ways to deliver about the possibility of running a pilot in Wales and the right to control. However, we recognise the importance Scotland, and we are continuing with those discussions. of clarity in the Bill. We want the legislation to be clear, The hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) accused so that disabled people and local authorities know what me of weasel words, which I found most extraordinary—it the right to control means and what services are included. is a mammal that I admire, but not one that I seek to That is why we developed the amendments over the imitate. Drug tests will be used in two scenarios. If a summer in co-production with Baroness Campbell of claimant refuses to attend a substance-related assessment Surbiton and the Royal Association for Disability Rights on the grounds that they are not a drug user, they will to ensure that the legislation meets the needs of disabled be offered a voluntary drug test to show that that is the people while retaining flexibility in delivering the right case. A person might be required to take one or more to control. tests, if they have been referred for a substance-related assessment with a drug treatment provider and have 6.30 pm failed to do so without good cause on two occasions. We have also worked across government to ensure We cannot make them take the test, but we can make that the amendments to include the alignment with them suffer a benefit sanction for refusing to do so. In adult community care services do not compromise the the end, it will be their choice to do it or suffer the existing community care legislation. We tabled the sanction if they refuse. That is reasonable, because in amendments in the other place, where they received the end they need to address their problem drug use if cross-party support, with Lord Freud and Baroness they are to get back into work. Thomas adding their names to them. Baroness Campbell On that basis, I hope that we can agree to the thanked the Government for the genuinely co-productive amendments. approach that we adopted in developing the amendments. Lords amendment 28 agreed to. I hope that support for the amendments is as universal Lords amendment 29 agreed to. in this House as it was in the other place. Amendments 39 to 43 are technical amendments that are necessary to ensure that where Welsh Ministers have Clause 31 Executive competence over funding streams, they can make secondary legislation to bring devolved funding RELEVANT SERVICES streams and services within the right to control. It was always our intention that Welsh Ministers would have The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work the ability to make regulations in relation to devolved and Pensions (Jonathan Shaw): I beg to move, That this funding streams and services. Amendments 39 to 43 are House agrees with Lords amendment 30. necessary to ensure that the legislation accurately reflects our intention. Madam Deputy Speaker: With this it will be convenient In summary, the amendments in the group are designed to take Lords amendments 31 to 49. to ensure that the provisions accurately reflect our policy intention that the right to control will deliver Jonathan Shaw: It will be useful if I address genuine choice and control to disabled people over amendments 34 to 37 first. These amendments restructure certain state funding that they receive. I commend the clause 33 and make subsequent changes to clauses 34 amendment to the House. and 35 to reflect the restructuring of clause 33. During the debates in this House and the other place, Mr. Harper: The Minister will not be surprised to we listened carefully to the broad consensus that the know that the amendments in the group have the support wording of the Bill should more clearly signal the of the Opposition. I am pleased that the Government original policy intention that we set out in the welfare accepted them in the other place and worked closely reform White Paper. The original wording of clause 33 with Baroness Campbell of Surbiton on co-producing was deliberately cast broadly to ensure that we could them. enable trailblazers to test innovative approaches to delivering The Government have effectively done what we urged the right to control. However, we recognise that the them to do when we debated the issue in the Commons. wording could set out more clearly that disabled people The Minister will know, because he was the one dealing are at the centre of the right-to-control provisions. with part 2 of the Bill, that we pressed in Committee for Amendments 30 to 33, amendment 38 and the exclusion of community and social care services amendments 44 to 49 remove the exclusion of adult from the Bill to be removed. He is right; we highlighted social care for the trailblazers and create an order-making the fact that the Bill included a broadly drawn power, 211 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 212

[Mr. Harper] Jonathan Shaw: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments. He is absolutely right that we are talking which sounded encouraging, that was narrowed about trailblazers, not pilots. That is the policy intention. substantially by the exclusion of community care services. We have had the pilots and we have learned from them When we pressed the Minister in Committee, the answer about what works and about those areas where we need that he gave was about avoiding duplication or causing to improve things. I appreciate, too, his words about our confusion. We pressed him on that, and I am pleased discussions with Baroness Campbell. I hope that the that the discussions that took place—presumably between House will accept the amendments. the Minister’s Department and the Department of Lords amendment 30 agreed to, with Commons privileges Health—have been successful. He has confirmed that waived. the pilots will be able to include community care services Lords amendments 31 to 49 agreed to, with Commons and that if those pilots are successful, as I very much privileges waived in respect of Lords amendments 31, 38, believe they will be— 44 and 48. Jonathan Shaw: Trailblazers. After Clause 43

Mr. Harper: Yes, I must call them trailblazers. That is REPORT ON OPERATION OF TRAVEL AUTHORISATION an important use of language, because it suggests to AMENDMENTS those running the schemes that that is how we want things to happen—it is important to recognise that The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work there is cross-party support for the initiative. The trailblazers and Pensions (Helen Goodman): I beg to move, That this are being introduced to work out how best to do that; House agrees with Lords amendment 50. they are not pilot schemes that may or may not be successful. For those local authorities and other bodies Madam Deputy Speaker: With this it will be convenient that are thinking of implementing such programmes, it to discuss Lords amendments 81 to 89. is worth knowing that there is a genuine commitment on both sides of the House to putting disabled people at Helen Goodman: Lords amendment 50 will help to the centre of the services provided to them and to ensure that Parliament can properly review the effectiveness having them being in control of the funding. That is an of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission’s important message, so I am grateful to the Minister for power to disqualify a non-resident parent from holding heckling me and putting me right about calling the a travel authorisation without application to the court, schemes “trailblazers”. where that non-resident parent has wilfully failed to pay child maintenance and other forms of enforcement The Minister also drew attention to the work done in have failed. Parliament’s ability to make that review the other House, which involved Baroness Campbell of before the legislation comes into permanent effect will Surbiton working closely with the Minister—Baroness be the same as that already provided for in relation to Campbell and I have also had many discussions about the driving licence provisions. the matter. With the Lords amendments in the current Lords amendment 50 will ensure that reports on the group, the Bill now looks in good shape. As I was saying operation of the driving licence and travel authorisation before we had that little diversion, if the trailblazers are powers must be put before Parliament within six months successful, Ministers will have the general power to get of the end of a two-year review period. Based on the rid of the community care exclusion, so that when the outcomes in that report, the Secretary of State will have schemes are rolled out across the country, we will see the option of making the administrative system permanent genuinely joined-up services. or reverting to the existing court-based powers for One of the powerful things in this debate is that by either or both of those administrative powers. Any taking money from different Departments, putting it decision to maintain an administrative system must be together and giving it to the individuals concerned, made by an order subject to the affirmative procedure. thereby putting them in control and allowing them to Hon. Members will thereby have an opportunity to spend it, we are likely to be more successful in joining debate the success of each measure before a permanent up services and delivering them seamlessly, rather than administrative system is introduced. having different Departments working alongside each The Government appreciate the movement that the other. I therefore welcome the amendments in the group Opposition have made on the issue and the support that deal with that point. given to the amendment in the other place. I agree with The first set of amendments that the Minister mentioned my noble Friend Lord McKenzie of Luton that the deal with, as it were, changing the order of precedence. I amendment represents a significant workable compromise. welcome the fact that the way in which the amendments I hope that hon. Members agree that the commission are worded now puts the disabled person at the centre needs robust enforcement mechanisms at its disposal, of things and makes it much clearer that the local or so that the small minority of non-resident parents who other authority with which they are working has to refuse to support their children financially are made to work with them in partnership, which was not adequately comply. The amendment gives the commission the means reflected in the original wording. That is a step forward. to help it to achieve that. With those two changes together, we have an improved Let me turn to the amendments concerning the joint Bill. In particular, the right to control has the potential birth registration provisions. Lords amendments 82 to to change the lives of many disabled people significantly 86 are technical amendments that are necessary to bring for the better and give them the opportunity to fulfil into effect new sections 2B, 2C and 2D of the Births and their potential. We therefore have no hesitation in welcoming Deaths Registration Act 1953. These sections cover the the amendment. processes to be followed in cases in which unmarried 213 Welfare Reform Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Welfare Reform Bill 214 parents are acting separately, because they cannot or to return with a Government amendment. This amendment will not register jointly. The amendments seek to ensure effectively delivers on that promise, and it was agreed that the processes to be followed by parents under our with cross-party support in the other place. new proposals are as streamlined as possible. This is a sensible amendment. I could never understand Under the joint birth registration provisions, most why the Government were treating the powers relating parents will register together as they do now. However, to driving licences and travel authorisations in different in the exceptional cases in which parents cannot or will ways, but two good things have now happened. First, not register the birth together, they may be required to we are now treating them consistently and, secondly, provide information separately to the registrar. In some because Ministers will have to report back to Parliament, of those cases, the mother will give the registrar her the affirmative resolution procedure will give this House required information in advance of the father providing and the other place the appropriate powers to decide his details. At that time, she will also give details of the whether this significant sanction should be carried forward father to the registrar, so that the registrar can contact on a permanent basis. I welcome this Lords amendment him and require him to co-operate with the registration and we give it our support. process. As the Bill is currently drafted, once the father has Steve Webb: The Minister is right to say that this been contacted and confirmed his details, the mother represents a concession on the part of the Opposition would be required to return to the register office to sign parties, which understandably had grave reservations the birth certificate. These amendments will ensure that about allowing officials to have the power to withdraw the mother will not be required to return to the register passports, rather than it being done through a judicial office once the father has been contacted. Instead, she process. I have to say that those reservations remain, but will discharge her duty to sign the register by signing a at least we now have the promise of a review after two declaration when she first attends. Therefore, when the years, at which point the matter will return to the birth is registered, once the father’s information has House. I hope that whichever Government are in power been obtained, the entry will be considered to have been at the time will take seriously the lessons learned from signed by the mother. that process and be willing to conclude that doing Lords amendments 81, 87, 88 and 89 address an issue this through officials rather than through the courts raised by the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform is not the way to proceed, if the evidence suggests Committee in its report published on 30 April. New that that is the case. I hope that the pilot will be section 2B(1) of our provisions will enable the information undertaken with an open mind, and a willingness to given by a mother under section 2A about her child’s accept the argument, to which we still hold, that judicial father to be prescribed in regulations. This information protection for these important civil liberties should is essentially contact information to enable the registrar remain enshrined in practice. to contact the man concerned in those exceptional cases in which a child’s parents are not co-operating with 6.45 pm each other. As currently drafted, the power to prescribe this On the changes in regard to birth registration, I know information lies with the Registrar General, rather than that my hon. Friend the Member for Rochdale (Paul with the Minister, and it is therefore subject to no Rowen), who is unable to be here this evening, has taken parliamentary scrutiny. However, the report made clear a close interest in that issue and sought to persuade the Committee’s view that the power is substantive in Ministers to re-examine it. I therefore welcome the fact nature. The provisions under which the Minister has the that their lordships have tabled amendments to reflect power to make regulations are included in the list of the fact that joint registration can raise concerns, albeit relevant provisions set out under section 39A of the in a small minority of cases, and that issues of domestic Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, as inserted by violence, among others, mean that the provisions need this Bill. These amendments would include in that list to be looked at again. I welcome the fact that the other of relevant provisions the regulation-making power place has sought to amend the Bill to take some of conferred by new section 2B(1). They address the concerns those concerns into account, and the amendments therefore of the Committee by seeking to ensure that the information have our support. given by a mother about her child’s father is prescribed Helen Goodman: With the leave of the House, I am by the Minister and subject to the negative resolution grateful for the agreement of the hon. Members for procedure. I commend the amendments to the House. Forest of Dean (Mr. Harper) and for Northavon (Steve Several hon. Members rose— Webb). With respect to the measure on travel documents, I hope that the evidence that we have obtained from Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. The Minister has experience abroad will be replicated, but, as the hon. also made reference to other amendments in the group. Member for Northavon has acknowledged, we will The Lords amendment under discussion at the moment make a full assessment of the pilots and bring the is Lords amendment 50, and the question is that this matter back to the House, so that all hon. Members can House agrees with Lords amendment 50. take a view. I also hope that he is satisfied that we are Mr. Harper: I will be brief, Madam Deputy Speaker. incorporating sufficient safeguards—notwithstanding his I want to discuss Lords amendment 50 in relation to the dislike of the word “safeguards”—in the administrative travel authorisation provisions. I welcome the amendment approach, so that people who are affected by the measures from the Government. It follows a similar amendment will feel that their civil liberties are protected. I commend that was tabled by my noble Friends, Lord Freud and the amendments to the House. Lord Taylor, on Report. There was a good debate on Lords amendment 50 agreed to. that occasion, in which Ministers made a commitment Lords amendments 51 to 102 agreed to. 215 10 NOVEMBER 2009 216

HEALTH BILL [LORDS] (PROGRAMME) (NO. 2) Health Bill Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Consideration of Lords message Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Health Bill [Lords] for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 8 June Clause 22 2009 (Health Bill [Lords] (Programme)): Consideration of Lords Message POWER TO PROHIBIT OR RESTRICT SALES FROM VENDING 1. Any Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith MACHINES without any Question being put. 2. Proceedings on any such Message shall (so far as not 6.48 pm previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours after The Minister of State, Department of Health (Gillian their commencement at today’s sitting. Merron): I beg to move, That this House agrees with Subsequent stages Lords amendment 11A. 3. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put. Madam Deputy Speaker (Sylvia Heal): With this it 4. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords will be convenient to discuss Lords amendments 11B to shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion 11G. one hour after their commencement.—(Mary Creagh.) Question agreed to. Gillian Merron: All the amendments were passed in the other place yesterday. They are consequential to the amendment tabled by my right hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney), which the House accepted on Report on 12 October. My right hon. Friend and the hon. Member for Colchester (Bob Russell) tabled a series of amendments on vending machines on Report. Of these, only the substantive amendment was considered and accepted by the House. Amendments 11A to 11G make the necessary consequential changes. As my right hon. Friend clearly explained to the House, the aim of the amendments was to remove the power to restrict sales of tobacco from vending machines. That meant that the national authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland would be able to make regulations only to ban tobacco sales from vending machines completely. As I have previously explained, vending machines are the usual source of cigarettes for 10 per cent. of 11 to 15-year-olds who say that they smoke—some 200,000 young people in 2007. These are the new recruits that the tobacco industry needs, to replace those who die. Throughout the passage of the Bill, we have heard many powerful arguments on the need to act, given that some two thirds of current and past smokers say that they started smoking regularly before the age of 18, and that smoking kills more than 80,000 people every year. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health made clear in his speech on Third Reading that the will of the House would be respected and that the Government would not seek to overturn the amendment in the other place. The amendment tabled by my right hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield and amendments 11A to 11G were considered in the other place and were accepted. The consequential amendments replicate the amendments tabled by my right hon. Friend on Report, but which were not reached. They ensure that the vending machine provisions are workable and achieve the full effect intended by the House. They also ensure that the provisions in clause 23 for Northern Ireland align with those in clause 22 for England and Wales. I can confirm that Ministers in both Wales and Northern Ireland are also committed to prohibiting the sale of tobacco from vending machines in accordance with the amendments. Mr. Gordon Marsden (Blackpool, South) (Lab): I want to probe my hon. Friend on the proposal made in the other place yesterday by our noble Friend Baroness 217 Health Bill10 NOVEMBER 2009 Health Bill 218

Thornton. My constituency has one of the manufacturers, The seven consequential amendments are understandable Duckworth Blackpool, that will be affected by the process. because of the mess the Bill was in when it went to the It employs 30 people. Our noble Friend was asked other place. We accept the amendments even if we are yesterday what proposals there might be for compensating unhappy about how they were handled. those going out of business and for the jobs lost as a result. She said that she did not know the answer, but Dr. John Pugh (Southport) (LD): We have no difficulty would let the House know. I wonder whether my hon. at all with these consequential amendments. Friend can provide any more information on that. Gillian Merron: With the leave of the House, Madam Gillian Merron: I understand why my hon. Friend Deputy Speaker, may I say that protecting young people raises such an important point. As is usual, compensation from the damage and death caused by tobacco is indeed will not be payable. I realise that that will be disappointing a very serious issue, which the Government are determined to his constituents, but I hope the fact that the measure to address? Tobacco vending machines, we believe, reflect will not come into effect until 2011 will be of some a time when shops closed early and people were not able assistance. It would also be a wise entrepreneur, I believe, to purchase cigarettes out of hours, which is no longer working in the tobacco industry who looks to broaden the case. We think it right and proper to give effect to their activities in the current climate in which fewer and the will of the House because those vending machines fewer people are smoking. exist for the convenience and temptation of those who I have explained that the Government are fully committed smoke and as a means of recruiting new young smokers. to protecting our children from the damage caused by As I have said, prohibiting the sale of tobacco from smoking and to supporting those who want to quit. The vending machines will be a major step forward in tackling prohibition of sales of tobacco from vending machines the very serious problem of children and young people represents a major step forward in achieving that aim. having access to tobacco and in supporting those who want to quit. I should also say that the measure brings the UK into line with many other countries, including Mike Penning (Hemel Hempstead) (Con) rose— 16 other EU states, that have banned the sale of tobacco from vending machines. Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. May I say that I allowed some laxity in the previous intervention, but I Mike Penning: Will the Minister give way? must point out that the scope of this debate is very narrow indeed. Gillian Merron: I think I am about to come on to the issue that the hon. Gentleman is likely to raise, but I will Mike Penning: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. give way. Let me say from the outset that I fully understand the Government introducing the amendments. They bring Mike Penning: The Minister is arguing for banning Northern Ireland and Wales into the legislation. However, vending machines in a way that suggests that that was what a mess the Bill was in when it left this House as a the Government’s proposal all along, so I repeat that at result of the speed of the Government’s U-turn on no stage—on Second Reading, in Committee or on vending machines during its passage, particularly on Report—did a Minister support what the she is saying Report! now. Why have the Government changed their mind so quickly? In Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O’Brien) and I tabled amendments that Gillian Merron rose— would have restricted access to vending machines, yet the Government opposed those on the basis that the Secretary Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. Before the Minister of State wanted to keep control the provisions on responds, let me remind the House again that this is not vending machines. The Government did not at any an opportunity to re-run the proceedings of an earlier stage of the Bill propose a total ban—until the last minute debate. I said just a few minutes ago that the scope for when the Whips clearly did a deal with the right hon. debate on these amendments is very narrow. Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney), resulting in the obvious mess in the Bill as it went to the other place. Gillian Merron: I will take your advice, Madam Deputy There, the noble Baroness Thornton said that this Speaker. House had voted on a free vote on the ban on vending Let me repeat a point made in an earlier discussion—that machines, but that was not the case. A free vote could the evidence for action is clear; the issue is about how have taken place only if there were a Division on that fast we go and how far. The hon. Member for Hemel basis. A free vote was allowed for the Opposition, but it Hempstead (Mike Penning) suggested that the will of was certainly not a free vote for Labour Members, yet the Commons was not clear. I take issue with that. As we had called for one for all the smoking debates. to the vote on vending machines on Report, it is clear With that in mind, when does the Minister expect to that the House determines its own rules and the Speaker introduce the regulations, which will be subject to an presides over the House to ensure that those rules are affirmative resolution? When that happens, will there be followed. The Speaker ruled on the day; the record of a free vote on both sides of the House, which is exactly the decision is in Hansard; the amendment was accepted—so what should happen? We can certainly confirm that if that acceptance reflects the will of the House. we come into power, we will allow a free vote on all the smoking regulations. There will have to be an affirmative David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire) (Lab/Co-op): resolution, and let us hope that there is a free vote for I think that the reaction on the Opposition Front Bench the whole House. is a little churlish. Speaking as the chair of the all-party 219 10 NOVEMBER 2009 220

[David Taylor] REGIONAL SELECT COMMITTEE (WEST MIDLANDS) group on smoking and health, I welcome the Government’s Resumption of adjourned debate on Question (2 November), living up to what they said they would do on Report. That Mr David Kidney be discharged from the West Midlands This is the right thing to do: it is the next natural step in Regional Select Committee and Mrs Janet Dean be added. a sensible tobacco control policy, and I congratulate the Question put and agreed to. Government on implementing it.

Gillian Merron: I accept with thanks my hon. Friend’s REGIONAL SELECT COMMITTEE (SOUTH comments and congratulations. WEST) On the regulations, it would seem wise to await the Resumption of adjourned debate on Question (29 October), decision of both Houses before publishing them. By That Linda Gilroy be discharged from the South West Regional their very nature, however, they will be brief and very Select Committee and Roger Berry be added. direct. They will indeed be subject to affirmative resolution. Question put and agreed to. Whether or not it is a free vote is entirely a matter for the Whips on both sides of the House. Petition The consequential amendments will ensure that the Equitable Life (North Dorset) vending machine provisions are workable and will achieve the full effect intended by the House. 7.1 pm Lords amendment 11A agreed to. Mr. Robert Walter (North Dorset) (Con): The petition Remaining Lords amendments agreed to. relates to the Government’s response to the parliamentary ombudsman’s report on Equitable Life. I must declare an interest as a policyholder in the Equitable Life Business without Debate Assurance Society. As such, I might enjoy a financial benefit if the petitioners were successful in their endeavours. DELEGATED LEGISLATION The petitioners, who are my constituents, are policyholders in the assurance society, their survivors Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing and their supporters. The petitioners state that, as Order No. 118 (6)), policyholders, they have suffered maladministration leading to injustice, as found by the parliamentary ombudsman POLICE in her report of July 2008. Furthermore, they and those That the draft Ministry of Defence Police Appeals Tribunals whom they represent have suffered regulatory failure on Regulations 2009, which were laid before this House on 12 October, the part of the public bodies responsible from 1992 be approved.—(Mary Creagh.) onwards, but have not received compensation for the Question agreed to. resulting losses and outrage. Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing I have been handed 10 signatures in support of the Order No. 118(6)), petition. You are probably aware, Madam Deputy Speaker, That the draft Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct) Regulations that more than 400 members and former members of 2009, which were laid before this House on 12 October, be Equitable Life attended a rally here in Parliament last approved.—(Mary Creagh.) Wednesday. Question agreed to. The petition states: Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing To the House of Commons, Order No. 118(6)), The Petition of residents of the constituency of North Dorset in the Dorset region of the U.K. regarding the Government’s response to the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report on Equitable DISABLED PERSONS Life, That the draft Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Networks) Exemption Declares that the petitioners either are or they represent or Order 2009, which was laid before this House on 12 October, be support members, former members or personal representatives of approved.—(Mary Creagh.) deceased members of the Equitable Life Assurance Society who Question agreed to. have suffered maladministration leading to injustice, as found by the Parliamentary Ombudsman in her report upon Equitable Life, ordered by the House of Commons to be printed on 16 July EUROPEAN UNION DOCUMENTS 2008 and bearing reference number HC 815; and further declares Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing that the petitioners or those whom they represent or support have suffered regulatory failure on the part of the public bodies Order No. 119(11)), responsible from the year 1992 onwards, but have not received compensation for the resulting losses and outrage. EU AID EFFECTIVENESS The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons That this House takes note of European Union Document urges the Government to uphold the constitutional standing of No. 13732/09, Commission/ Presidency Paper on an operational the Parliamentary Ombudsman by complying in full with the framework for the EU to promote aid effectiveness; and calls on findings and recommendations of her Report upon Equitable the Commission and Member States actively to implement its Life. recommendations.—(Mary Creagh.) And the Petitioners remain, etc. Question agreed to. [P000420] 221 10 NOVEMBER 2009 Free Fruit in Schools 222

Free Fruit in Schools anyway, but I was struck by something else: it is remarkable how popular this scheme is in schools, and how easily Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House and efficiently it works. do now adjourn.—(Lyn Brown.) Let me give an example. Last Friday I visited one of the smallest primary schools in my constituency, in the 7.4 pm village of Shardlow. I did not mention that I would be raising this topic in the House. In fact, as the Minister Mr. Mark Todd (South Derbyshire) (Lab): It is a knows, I did not know that I would be raising it, pleasure to have such a long time in which to debate this because the subject of my motion has changed. However— subject; I had not expected that. quite unprompted—the head mentioned the popularity Free fruit and vegetables, such as carrots, have been of the scheme in the school. She said that it was one of provided for all infant-age children in English schools the Government’s great successes in education. since the end of 2004. The introduction of the service I have visited schools in which the scheme has been followed pilots in 2000 and 2001 showing minimal worked into classroom activities and integrated in the delivery problems, strong support from children and work of catering staffs, where they exist. In some of the staff, and even stronger support for the scheme as part small primary schools in my constituency there is no of teaching children about healthy eating. I shall expand kitchen, but in many there is, and there is an opportunity on the nature of the scheme, and on how it relates to the to bring the work of the catering staff into the school educational process and goes beyond health. The social My constituency recently produced the school cook of process of distributing the fruit and eating it collectively the year. It has a strong track record in school catering, was thought valuable, and there was a reported which, as I have mentioned, is closely related to this improvement in the ethos and atmosphere in classes. area of policy of producing better nutritional standards Straddling the introduction of the national scheme, for schools. There are regular references by head teachers a major research project was undertaken, based on a and other staff to the scheme being a shared social large sample of schools in 2003, 2004 and 2005. It activity. Eating fruit is a popular activity that can be showed, predictably, that fruit consumption rose among linked to important subjects such as sharing and to those in the scheme, and fell back once children ceased getting across the nutritional content of fruit, while to qualify, effectively to the level of the control group relating that to other parts of the school curriculum. who had never been in the scheme. Sadly, it also showed Among many schemes that are seen by some to have that children from deprived areas consumed less fruit burdened schools and to have had relatively limited than those in more affluent areas even when it was effect, this is a shining star. available. However, a similar increase in consumption So when the European Union published a proposal occurred while they were in the scheme. to support a Europe-wide school fruit scheme stretching beyond our own and covering children up to the age of Research by the National Foundation for Educational 10, I was delighted. Surely that would provide an additional Research published in 2007 showed a material increase incentive to extend the UK scheme. The total costs of in the proportion of children consuming five portions extending the scheme to all primary-age children would of fruit and vegetables a day, but also showed that a be £84 million a year, according to a parliamentary pupil in year 3—the year immediately after the scheme answer given late last year. That would roughly double ends—was less than half as likely to consume five the cost of the scheme, which costs around £43 million portions a day as a younger child. Since, laudably, the now. The European Union has set aside an indicative Government have also been supporting improvements sum of just over ¤11 million for UK participation in the in school meals, it is hard to separate the benefits in scheme. As is normal, the EU insists that any funding it terms of overall consumption of fruit and vegetables of provides be matched; the money cannot be used to the fruit scheme from those of other activities that the replace existing Government funding. The marginal Government have supported, but the research suggested cost to the Department, depending on the use of the that those eating school meals, as opposed to packed funding by the other authorities within the UK—an lunches, were benefiting most. excellent Scottish scheme broadly parallels the English It was also clear that the full benefits of dietary version—would be a little over £30 million. For the change, in combating obesity, would occur only if fruit health impact that that would have on millions of and vegetable consumption was substituted for children, the associated educational benefits and—perhaps consumption of sweets and desserts. It was not clear this is one of the origins of the European interest in this that that was happening. In other words, children were issue—the impact on the horticulture sector in this often consuming the extra fruit and vegetables at school, country, it seems a startling bargain. but not necessarily cutting out the sweets and other We would have difficulty making an administrative items available to them. The full benefit of the additional mess; all the key structures and supply chains are already fruit and vegetables was therefore not being felt. there and working effectively. The reason why the head It should not need to be explained why we should be at Shardlow drew this to my attention was that the interested in this issue. Fruit and vegetables provide delivery man had just arrived with the fruit. It was critical vitamin and fibre intake for the body. Obesity in greeted with enthusiasm and he was asking for directions children both limits their ability to participate fully in to a nearby school. The quality of the fruit was excellent school and threatens their health in the longer term. and the scheme is popular with children. I have often The staff of my hon. Friend the Minister will have been asked the children which is the most popular fruit. able to trace a chain of questions that I have asked since Apparently, tomatoes are mentioned, although not 2007. She nods in assent. Why have I been interested? enthusiastically, carrots are not enthusiastically eaten Naturally the health policy arguments are persuasive by tiny children, and apples and bananas are very 223 Free Fruit in Schools10 NOVEMBER 2009 Free Fruit in Schools 224

[Mr. Mark Todd] My son is big enough to be beyond this now—in fact he is bigger than me—but he used to link a lot of his eating popular. It is all working, something that cannot often patterns to merchandising for food products. Clearly be said of Government initiatives. We can build on it that is very unhelpful to parents. and we know it works. Little can go wrong. In policy On the second element, I can remember having free terms, it is called low-hanging fruit—an easy target for school milk as a child. I thought it valuable and it was. policy development. It was focused on a particular requirement at the time—the It seemed so obvious to me that I assumed that the poor calcium content in diets, which may well have been Government were keen to press ahead too with extending remedied in a rather more affluent age. I support my the age range, but extracting answers about our intentions hon. Friend in giving some further thought to making once the EU decided to proceed 12 months ago has that a part of our strategy. been hard. In July this year, a parliamentary answer The research to date gives a strong indication of from my hon. Friend the Minister of State referred to where the scheme might help. Fruit and vegetable “a number of pilots and evaluation projects currently under way consumption falls sharply in school year 3, where the that are looking at the school fruit and vegetable scheme”.—[Official scheme ends. I will be utterly fair: the research suggests Report, 14 July 2009; Vol. 496, c. 233W.] that there is a more complicated pattern than simply the However, when I asked when those might be completed, termination of the school fruit scheme. It is not the case my hon. Friend replied that there were no current pilots. that because we stop giving out free fruit in year 3, all of Among the questions that I would like my hon. Friend a sudden the consumption of fruit and vegetables declines. to address is how this seeming confusion arose. It is not as simple as that, but that does appear to be I can speculate. The scheme is very popular in schools. part of the picture, and if we extend the scheme there is The Scottish Executive commissioned research that found a reasonable chance that we can defer at least some of that it was the change in the pattern of consumption among young people. “one of the most successful initiatives of its kind” Nutrition is an increasingly large part of the curriculum with the only reservation being mine—that it did not in junior years. The scheme would be a powerful practical cover more children. The scheme has strong support tool for reinforcing key nutritional messages, and for from horticultural interests, which could be a reason for ensuring that fruit and vegetables are seen not as a the EU’s enthusiasm, as agricultural interests are much supplement to a poor diet but as replacements for more closely aligned with the political process in the excessive consumption of less useful foods. As the school EU. Yet the English scheme lies within the budget of the curriculum rolls on to later years, the important elements Department of Health, which inherited it from the of this scheme could be utilised still more as an educational lottery. I sense a policy orphan—a policy not invented tool, and be linked in with the science curriculum in a here and not fitting precisely the strategies defined by school, so teachers could say, for instance, “By consuming the Department’s team. more apples, you’ll get more fibre. Why is fibre important?” I have found a similar attitude locally: “It is a nice That would carry through some of the key educational scheme which we are happy to see continue, but we are messages, many of which cannot be taught nearly so rather more enthusiastic about other strategies for dealing readily to very young children. Habits are more likely to with child nutrition and obesity.”Some of the examples stick in an older child. in Derbyshire are focused on the extremity of need in I hope that my hon. Friend the Minister will address children—on the very obese and those with severe problems some of the questions that I have raised. I have referred with the nutritional content of their food. Those are to the complexity of this subject; it engages a remit highly expensive and focused programmes that are needed wider than that of the Department of Health. Indeed, in many ways but cannot be seen as comparable to the to some extent, the Department is an uneasy parent of universal fruit and vegetable scheme. the scheme. I would therefore like, first, to know what I would not argue that the school fruit and vegetable consultations have taken place with other interested scheme is more than a part of a strategy for addressing Departments, such as the Department for Environment, the health of our primary-age children. Better school Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Children, meals, stronger advice and labelling—I support a more Schools and Families. Secondly, what were the pilots my aggressive approach to that for children’s food—the hon. Friend the Minister referred to in one of her promotion of physical activity, and support for parents parliamentary answers? Thirdly, what is happening to through initiatives such as Sure Start which help build the European Union money being offered to this country? solid foundations for feeding children appropriately, all I agree that just over ¤11 million is not going to solve play an important part. our Government’s problems at a stroke, but it is nevertheless a material sum when contributed towards a key objective David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire) (Lab/Co-op): of this kind. Will my hon. Friend add to his list two potentially very I am also interested in the age point, and the change worthwhile initiatives: much tighter controls over advertising in consumption that occurs then. What researched basis food, especially to children, and the reintroduction of is there for favouring a scheme provided only to infants? free school milk to certain areas and certain groups of I have talked about the year 3 impact—the drop in children? consumption of fruit and vegetables. We need to know more about this, and relate it to the scheme, which is a Mr. Todd: On the first, I agree entirely. There are still tool to address it. Is there any research that shows what examples of entirely inappropriate advertising, even changes happen at this point in a child’s life, and how with the tougher voluntary codes that have been adopted. we can blunt them or, more optimistically, stop them Some of the links to merchandising have been broken. happening, and thereby sustain the consumption of 225 Free Fruit in Schools10 NOVEMBER 2009 Free Fruit in Schools 226 fruit and vegetables over a much longer period? If there More importantly, this would encourage local suppliers. is some doubt about the application of this scheme to I am a great believer in farmers markets. Stroud farmers older children, would it not be sensible to trial an market is a great success because much of its produce extension to a broader age range to see what the effect is? comes from local suppliers of fruit and vegetables. This As I illustrated earlier in my speech, we have been scheme would be another way of encouraging the industry used to trials on this subject. We did valuable work in to grow by allowing it to meet, in different ways, an testing how things worked, how effectively we could important need. distribute the food, and what impact it really had on children and schools. We could readily trial this beyond David Taylor: This certainly would be a boost to the the current age group. I very much look forward to horticultural industry, and it would also enable it to hearing the response of my hon. Friend the Minister. save some species—species of apples and pears, for instance—that are in danger of dying out, as orchards are being grubbed up. The expansion of the scheme 7.24 pm would allow for a variety and range of products to be Mr. David Drew (Stroud) (Lab/Co-op): I shall be maintained, and would help local horticulture. brief. I am delighted to be able to support my hon. Friend the Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd) in Mr. Drew: I entirely agree. I have tried to keep local this very worthy debate, which has now been allocated Gloucestershire produce going, and I think it is only three hours. That is not quite what he expected, and my right and fair that we should consider carefully how contribution will certainly not fill those three hours—but such endeavours might fit in with this scheme. I am I want to make a couple of points that I believe are merely asking for thought to be given to how we can not pertinent. They follow on from the point made by my only expand the free food scheme into schools, but hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire supply the free fruit. This has to come from DEFRA as (David Taylor) about free school milk. well as the Department of Health. Although it is not Some of us remember the politics of free school milk, the Minister’s responsibility, it is the responsibility of and also recall who took it away. I shall pass on from the Government. As I have said, such an approach that, however, and instead say that one of the disappointing would do an enormous amount of good in encouraging consequences of the removal of that service from younger the horticultural industry. As my colleagues know from children was its irreparably damaging impact on the their work on the various incarnations of the Select milk industry. For a long time dairy farmers bore a Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, grudge, because it was through them that we used to that industry has been under an awful lot of pressure. guarantee the supply of free school milk to primary This would be the greatest fillip. Whether the money school children. As someone who benefited from that, I comes from the EU or directly from our Government can say with conviction that I think it was a sad day does not matter. What does matter is that we build on when that service was removed. this success and ensure that we can take it forward. Instead of discussing that, however, I want to look at the advantages of extending the current five-a-day fruit 7.30 pm scheme into schools, and especially the supply side The Minister of State, Department of Health (Gillian advantages of that. I say that as someone who has Merron): I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for initiated a number of debates about the advantages of South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd) on securing this debate local supply chains. Much though I want children to eat on the important matter of the Government’s provision fruit, I also want local farmers and landowners to have of free fruit and vegetables in schools. I share the the opportunity to supply that fruit, particularly where interest and passion that he showed for free fruit and there are county farm estates so that there is a natural vegetables in schools. He generously describes this circle to be joined, in that the children take the advantage Government scheme as a “shining star”, and I welcome of having that fruit, and it is supplied by county council his support for it. On his recent visit to a school in smallholdings. That would provide a real kick-start. Shardlow in his constituency, he saw exactly what I saw The only advantage of global warming is that we will on a recent visit to Mount Street school in my constituency; be able to grow some things naturally in this country we were both struck by the enthusiasm that the staff, that previously we could not grow naturally. Much as I children, parents and governors all shared for the school do not want global warming, we would be somewhat fruit and vegetables scheme. I am sure that it is why he silly if we turned down this opportunity. Therefore, I has been joined by my hon. Friends the Members for want to hear from the Minister that there is some work Stroud (Mr. Drew) and for North-West Leicestershire going on with the Department for Environment, Food (David Taylor), who have also shown enthusiasm and and Rural Affairs to see how we can secure such local support for the scheme. food chains. We all know that a healthy and balanced diet is If we can do that for schools, we can do it for all critical to health and well-being. Only last week, I was manner of other local facilities. I am not calling for all glad to see the figures suggesting that childhood obesity that produce to be made freely available; I am just is levelling off, and I am sure that my hon. Friends were, saying that this would be a wonderful way to kick-start too. That is an impressive new trend but, as always, the the British horticultural industry, because it has a lot of challenge remains for us to help people of all ages to potential, and at present too much of our fruit is make the right choices and to make further progress, imported from abroad when it does not need to be. If and that we will do. The five a day programme to raise we get children accustomed to eating fruit, the demand awareness and promote the consumption of at least five that was initially satisfied through free provision might 80 grams portions of fruit and vegetables was developed continue into later life, and other members of their based on a recommendation from the World Health family might also be tempted to go for five a day. Organisation. That followed evidence that consuming 227 Free Fruit in Schools10 NOVEMBER 2009 Free Fruit in Schools 228

[Gillian Merron] while the evaluation that he referred to relates to the school fruit and vegetable scheme. I am sure that he will at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables each day be pleased to learn that the popularity of the school could reduce the number of deaths from chronic diseases fruit and veg scheme has prompted some local education by up to a fifth—what a prize that is. It is also estimated authorities and PCTs in England to take a local decision that diet may contribute to the development of a third to fund its extension to seven to 10-year-olds. Those of all cancers, and that increasing fruit and vegetable areas include Hull, where the scheme is funded by the consumption is the second most important cancer city council; Liverpool, where it is funded by the PCT; prevention strategy that we have to hand, after cutting and North Tyneside, where it is funded by the council. out smoking—we have just discussed that issue in the In addition, Sheffield PCT is also funding three schools House. in its area in respect of pupils aged 11 to 13, and I Under the Government-funded school fruit and vegetable understand that it hopes to extend that to a further five scheme, children aged four to six at local authority schools in January 2010 and then to an additional five maintained infant, primary and special schools are schools in April 2010. given a free portion of fruit or vegetables on each Furthermore, one way in which we are planning to school day. As my hon. Friend the Member for South extend the scheme to more children and their families is Derbyshire rightly said, since April 2004 the scheme has by using the existing distribution network to promote been funded by the Department of Health. To use his child-friendly recipe cards, not only to four to six-year-olds, terminology, we regard ourselves as an easy parent to but to children up to the age of 10. We have already the scheme and are very committed to it, not least started doing this kind of work by using this scheme to because 2 million children throughout England receive distribute Change4Life information, which has secured a free portion of fruit or vegetables every day. an impressive response from families with young children. The school fruit and veg scheme, like other Government The scheme sits closely alongside a number of other programmes, provides a firm foundation, which can be actions that the Government are taking to improve built on by local authorities and local health services, children’s health, including the following: the five a day should they so wish. programme, which continues to raise awareness to improve the level of consumption of fruit and vegetables among I want to mention the comments made by my three people in England and, thus, promote health and well-being; hon. Friends. I heard their points, which were well and the Change4Life scheme, which aims to raise awareness made, about supporting British agriculture and the about diet and physical activity and to create what I farming community. I assure my hon. Friends and the would describe as a mass movement for change to help House that I have recently held discussions with the reduce obesity by helping to put across to people the relevant Minister at the Department for Environment, need to eat well, move more and live longer—fruit and Food and Rural Affairs about how we can do that still veg consumption is one of the key messages. There is further. also the free school meal pilot, which is a joint project—my Mr. Todd: My hon. Friend has referred to quite hon. Friend is obviously interested in the work that we large-scale extensions of the schemes in various parts of do across Departments—involving the Department for the country, and I am very interested in their results, as I Children, Schools and Families and the Department of am sure that she is. The test that I set was the extent to Health, who have jointly allocated £20 million over the which we can reverse the problem of the drop-off in the next two years, and participating local authorities and consumption of fruit and vegetables in year 3, but in my primary care trusts, who are contributing the same in constituency a number of schools have voluntarily extended matched funding the schemes to all their children. They have done so In addition, we have Healthy Start, which is a UK-wide partly to make the schemes more inclusive and less statutory scheme providing vouchers to low-income divisive—these are popular schemes that are denied to families to spend on milk, fresh fruit, fresh veg and older children—and partly because of the perceived infant formula milk, and access to vitamin supplements benefits of the scheme to all children within the school. via the NHS. There is also the national healthy schools programme, which is a joint initiative between the DCSF Gillian Merron: My hon. Friend makes my point well and the Department of Health that promotes a “whole for me. Of course, the scheme is a foundation on which school, whole child” approach to health. On nutritional others can build should they feel that it is appropriate, standards in schools, the Government recently introduced should they feel able to and should they wish to. very welcome standards for school food in all local My hon. Friend the Member for South Derbyshire authority maintained primary, secondary, special and rightly pointed out that decisions must be made on the boarding schools, and pupil referral units in England. basis of proper evaluation. As we have heard, the The new standards will cover all food sold or served in National Foundation for Educational Research, in schools. Each of those programmes—and other work conjunction with the university of Leeds, has recently that we do across government—supports children in undertaken an evaluation of the school fruit and vegetable increasing their fruit and vegetable consumption and in scheme, focusing on consumption levels and the dietary making the very necessary healthy choices. impact of the scheme. The next report is due to be I heard my hon. Friend’s request for clarification published soon, and I look forward to sharing it with about existing pilot schemes and about the extension of my hon. Friend and the House. Together with the the scheme beyond infants. I apologise, Madam Deputy Department for Children, Schools and Families, we are Speaker, for any confusion over answers to parliamentary evaluating the pilot of the free school meals programme. questions, and I am grateful to him for bringing this to Let me now turn to the European school fruit scheme, my attention. For complete clarity, the written answer which forms the substance of our discussions. The that he has mentioned referred to free school meals, school fruit and vegetable scheme for England is a 229 Free Fruit in Schools10 NOVEMBER 2009 Free Fruit in Schools 230 leader in Europe, and other member states seek to It is also important to note that any EU funding will emulate it. No other EU country does what we do so be time limited. We want to ensure that any proposal to extensively. I might say that we are at the top of the the EU to extend or complement our school fruit and class when it comes to providing free fruit and vegetables vegetable scheme is sustainable in the long term and to children every day of every school week. fully integrated into the Government’s policies to continue to support increased fruit and vegetable consumption I want to reassure my hon. Friend that the Government and the promotion of healthy eating. have not opted out of the scheme, which operates annually. This is just the first year of operation. Perhaps The school fruit and vegetables scheme is one of a it will be helpful if I give a small amount of detail. number of measures the Government take to improve Member states need to inform the Commission by the nation’s health. I appreciate the arguments in favour 31 May each year whether they intend to submit a bid of extending the scheme—my hon. Friend expressed to take part in the scheme for the following school year. them effectively and clearly—but I hope that my hon. It is the EU’s intention that the scheme can commence Friend appreciates that it is not possible for me to make as early as the start of the academic year in September, a commitment to any extended programme, whether although it recognises that that is a very tight timetable that involves match funding with the EU scheme or a in which to get the schemes in place. stand-alone scheme, at this time. As I stated in answer to a parliamentary question from my hon. Friend last The situation is challenging, as agreement has only month, we have “no plans to extend” the scheme. I just been reached on the Commission’s implementing realise that that is not be the response that my hon. rules, which were published on 7 April 2009. The Friend was hoping for, but I hope that I have reassured Commission’s accompanying guidance notes have only him that his speech has been well received, well made just been published in draft form. Furthermore, as this and well heard. would be a UK-wide decision, it is important to note Question put and agreed to. that the devolved Administrations have taken a similar view to England and have not submitted an expression 7.43 pm of interest for this year’s round. House adjourned.

1WH 10 NOVEMBER 2009 Financial Services Regulation 2WH

and the policyholders, and the directors would have to Westminster Hall resign, but it would pose no threat to the wider economy; there is no systemic risk. That firm and many others like it are nevertheless on the receiving end of a huge and Tuesday 10 November 2009 growing volume of regulatory requirements from the FSA. The cost is enormous, and all of it must ultimately [MR.BILL OLNER in the Chair] be borne by, in our case, policyholders, but in other sectors by borrowers or customers—in other words, the public. So, we are building up an enormous national Financial Services Regulation overhead here in a competitive global market. We must Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting earn our way out of this recession; we cannot spend our be now adjourned.—(Sarah McCarthy-Fry.) way out. The question of international competitiveness is very important. If we turn the country into a nation 9.30 am of regulators, we will remain a low-growth, high- unemployment part of the world economy. Mr. David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells) (Con): It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr. Olner. The financial Let me ask the Minister about the alternative investment services sector, which is the subject of my debate, is fund managers’directive—another catchy title. The directive extremely important to the British economy and is is aimed at the hedge fund and private equity market, about to experience big regulatory changes that have which is not responsible for the credit crunch. The EU not been adequately debated so far. We can all agree, I directive is only in draft, but we know from the present think, that the recent history of financial services regulation text that its terms are onerous, broad-brush and do not is not a happy one. When the Government took office in take account of the variety and diversity in the sector. It 1997, they gave interest rate decisions to the Bank of threatens to be disproportionate to the actual risk because, England but removed from it banking supervision, which again, this sector does not pose a systemic risk to the then fell into a black hole between the Bank, the Treasury British economy. It is also protectionist because in and what became the Financial Services Authority. effect, it will keep out non-EU financial agents, which will raise costs and reduce competition. When some of us raised the problem during the passage of the Bank of England Act 1998, we were told Mr. Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) not to worry because there was a memorandum of (Con): I entirely agree with my right hon. Friend’s understanding between the authorities. That was fine comments on the directive. Will he confirm in front of when everything was going well, but the test of a system the Minister that the financial crisis of the last two is in a crisis, and when the credit crunch hit, there was a years has never been a crisis of asset management, great deal of confusion about exactly who was responsible, which is what is being proposed here? Furthermore, on where accountability lay, who made the decisions and international competition and protectionism, the biggest who enforced them. We will make the same mistake worry is that some of the brightest and best in Europe again if we sign up uncritically to a system of European will go elsewhere, rather than staying, thus allowing financial supervision with exactly the same ambiguities Europe to take a larger slice of this increasingly fluid about accountability and control. The Government do global market. not like the impending European system of supervision, but they seem unable to block it and have been retreating Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: I agree with my hon. Friend. from a number of earlier positions on it. The EU has a habit of being obsessed with internal I want to make it clear that I am not defending the harmonisation. The real question, however, is whether status quo as regards regulation. The background is of Europe is competitive in the wider world. If such a much-needed regulatory change. I have no sympathy directive has the effect of driving assets and firms with the big banks that failed during the credit crunch. overseas to non-EU jurisdictions, it will be very damaging. Many of them behaved like bandits, and some are still That is a particular concern to Europe. I am informed behaving badly, lending at extortionate rates to small that about 80 per cent. of hedge funds are based in businesses and others to pay for their casino-lending London, and 60 per cent. of European venture capital practices of the past, all of which are underwritten by and private equity managers are based in the United the taxpayer. Mervyn King, the Governor of the Bank Kingdom. So, the directive is aimed at this country. Will of England, is absolutely right to raise the question of the Minister comment on that and tell us what she is moral hazard whereby if banks and others take risks doing to protect our interests? I have given her office the and are justified, they receive riches and honours, but if general lines of my debate so that she can prepare some the risks go against them they are left with the taxpayer. answers. We must tackle that. Again, the Governor is right to I am not calling for isolation here. We cannot regulate advocate breaking up big institutions to generate real simply on a national basis. We are global and must, of competition and to sort out those that are too big to course, talk to regulators in the United States, Europe, fail—they will be supported by the taxpayer in extremis— and the far east to try to align the rules, but supervision from those that can be regulated in a different way. If must remain national. Supervision is the application institutions are too big to fail, they must be tightly and enforcement of the rules, and that cannot be given regulated, but a different regime is appropriate for to an international jurisdiction. I understand that that others. is the Government’s position, but it seems to be under I must declare an interest. I am a director of a attack. Into this debate about how we improve our not-for-profit health insurer in the south-west, which is regulation and stop regulatory failures, there now intrudes extremely prudently run. If it failed, which is incredibly the EU’s ambition not only to regulate—to make the unlikely, it would of course be a disaster for the staff rules—but to supervise and enforce the regulations. 3WH Financial Services Regulation10 NOVEMBER 2009 Financial Services Regulation 4WH

[Mr. Heathcoat-Amory] information does not fall into the wrong hands, and there is a question mark about what will happen to the There is a proposal for three new European supervisory information that is given to these new European regulatory authorities, or ESAs: one for banking, one for insurance authorities. We need certain assurances about that, but and pensions, and one for securities. They would go I agree with the general thrust of his question. Nevertheless, very much further than the existing regulatory committees my point is that, because of majority voting, we do not that have been meeting in the EU for some years. They want other countries’ policy preferences imposed on would have wholly new powers and authority. They what is by far the largest financial market in Europe. would be rule-making, they would have enforcement There is a rather doleful precedent in the artists’ powers, they would have emergency powers over firms resale right directive, which the Government fought and national supervisors, and they would have the against and voted against. It imposed a levy on the power to mediate and to impose solutions. resale of art, supposedly for the benefit of artists and Unless the ESAs are stopped, they will go way beyond their descendents. However, because it does not apply in what the Government have said is acceptable. Lord the rest of the world, it is having the unfortunate effect Myners, the Treasury Minister responsible for this sector, of undermining the attractiveness of London, which is gave evidence to the European Union Committee of the the biggest art market, compared with New York, Zurich House of Lords, in which he could not have been and other non-EU art centres. It was eventually imposed clearer. He said: on us because of majority voting and the European “The Government support regulatory and not supervisory Commission’s determination to harmonise within Europe powers at EU level.” and to pay much less attention to Europe’s competitiveness in the wider world—a point made earlier by my hon. He also said: Friend the Member for Cities of London and Westminster “The Government do not see how we could have EU bodies (Mr. Field). overruling national authorities where national taxpayers can be asked to fund firms that have failed.” We also need to know who will sit on these ESAs and who will appoint them. Lord Myners was asked when He was also sceptical about what he called giving evidence about the question of appointment, and “binding mediation given the importance of aligning supervision he said: and crisis management”. “I think that that is still open for debate and discussion.” He said very much the same thing to me and others We now need to know who will appoint the members of when he gave evidence to the European Scrutiny Committee: the ESAs. Also, who will the ESAs report to? Who are “supervision must lie in the hands of national authorities.” they accountable to? Are they accountable to EU Ministers, So that is the Government’s position, and I hope the the European Commission, the European Parliament, Minister can confirm that it remains an unaltered or all three? There is the danger of creating exactly the requirement of theirs, because the very name given to same confusion I referred to earlier, whereby regulation these authorities indicates the opposite. They are to be fell between the Bank of England, the Treasury and the “supervisory” authorities and if they are called that FSA—except that the same confusion would now occur they will probably do that, which contradicts the assurances at a higher level in Europe. that Ministers have given to both Houses of Parliament. Furthermore, there are doubts about whether the There are other questions to be asked about ESAs. entire package of proposals is legal and whether the EU How will decisions be made in these new authorities? can establish these freestanding authorities. The European The answer is, by majority voting. However, as we have Commission is using articles under single market powers already heard, the United Kingdom is by far the largest to establish the ESAs, but these authorities’ primary EU financial market. By some reckoning, including the purpose is not to create a single market; surely, it is to Mayor of London’s, the UK is now the biggest financial stabilise and protect the financial system. Therefore, the market in the world, so we must protect this market Commission should not be using single market articles from unnecessary and burdensome regulation. The EU to establish the ESAs, but it is doing so because that has a regulatory itch; it lives by expanding its jurisdiction, brings in majority voting. Again, I would appreciate the legal authority and regulations. Minister’s commenting on that issue. There is perhaps an even more important problem, David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire) (Lab/Co-op): which is that it is an established principle that the EU A week ago, in Treasury questions, I raised with the cannot delegate or confer powers that it does not itself Minister’s colleague, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, possess. In this instance, however, the EU is conferring my right hon. Friend the Member for East Ham powers on three supervisory authorities and giving them (Mr. Timms), the fact that the Tax Justice Network had broad discretionary powers without clear or defined created a financial secrecy index, which found that the limits. That is an apparent abuse by the EU and it City of London was one of the most secretive, opaque should be challenged legally. Again, I would like to hear and impenetrable financial regimes in the world. Although the Minister’s view on that. it is important that we do not have burdensome and This matter is urgent because there is now a headlong unnecessary regulation, surely there is still more to be rush to establish these ESAs. The European Council, done to provide the clarity, transparency and openness which met very recently, has urged the Council of that markets often say they have but manifestly fail to Ministers deliver. “to reach agreement by December 2009 on a complete package setting up a new supervisory structure in the EU.” Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: I agree with the hon. Gentleman; These conclusions were agreed by unanimity, so the openness helps a well-ordered and properly regulated Prime Minister believes that, within a month, all this market. Of course, one must ensure that market-sensitive structure can be agreed. 5WH Financial Services Regulation10 NOVEMBER 2009 Financial Services Regulation 6WH

There is a great deal of concern about this. To take As my right hon. Friend said, these are troubling just one example among many, the Association of British times for the City of London and our hitherto booming Insurers says it is concerned about financial services sector. The second enormous cash “handing broad areas of decision-making to supervisory bodies injection into the Royal Bank of Scotland last week, acting collectively, without adequate provision for consultation or along with incendiary tales of the return of big banking democratic oversight.” bonuses, is making the general public question whether It also says: anything has changed apart from the size of the ballooning public deficit. “Multiple sources of regulatory authority will add unnecessarily to the complexity of regulation.” Whether we like it or not, bank lending is unlikely to return to anything approximating normality until probably There are many other examples I could give. the second half of 2011. A huge number of toxic assets It is baffling that the Treasury has allowed itself to be remain on all banks’ balance sheets and have yet to be bounced in this way, which breaks all the Government’s identified, and they will need to be removed. The times own rules about the quality of regulation. The Government’s will be troubled, and I think there will be a lot of own guidelines on better regulation say that it is much concern for a considerable time to come among the better to carry out regulation properly than to carry it public as well as in this place about the state of our out quickly. Also, regulation must respect subsidiarity banking industry. and proportionality, and there must be a careful assessment My constituency houses the City of London and has of the costs involved. Where is that cost assessment in hedge funds and alternative assets in Mayfair and this case? Where is the impact assessment for the ESA St. James’s. As my right hon. Friend pointed out, the proposals? crisis has focused largely on the big banks, but it should What we need in financial regulation is clarity, firmness, not be forgotten that other elements of financial services accountability and economy. So far, there is very little and their products have remained relatively unscathed. evidence of any of those qualities in the proposals. Asset management—hedge funds and private equity—is one such industry, so it is perverse, to put it mildly, that Mr. Bill Olner (in the Chair): I call David—[Interruption.] we are going headlong towards signing up to the directive I am sorry; Mr. Mark Field. through the European Council. I praise the relevant Minister, Lord Myners, who has put in a sterling effort in recent months, along with 9.49 am Conservative MEPs, to make the case for ensuring that the damaging aspects of such directives are kept to a Mr. Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) minimum. It is clear that there are two distinct schools (Con): Thank you, Mr. Olner. I am always aware that I of thought on the matter, even within the European am barely a householder in my own home, let alone Council. However, it is very much a work in progress. anywhere else. It is a great pleasure to follow my right My constituency also contains a residential population hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory), of fairly wealthy global business folk and a service and who made a sensible contribution to the debate. As he entertainment sector in the west end that has blossomed rightly said, the issue of financial services regulation is from the disposable incomes of a busy London work of great importance. force that has, to a large extent, received the benefits of One concern in the midst of many people’s continued the financial services boom, as has been particularly lack of trust and confidence in our financial services evident in the past two decades. world—a situation that I fear will continue for some The financial services industry also helps sustain a years to come—is that we look on regulation as we do huge range of support industries, such as law, accountancy some sort of religion that holds sway, without thinking and consulting. It should also be said that the great through all its implications. To be fair, that applies not global success of the City of London includes elements only to the world of financial services but to much of such as the insurance industry, many of whose difficulties the public sector. That is not to say that there is no place arose through the near-collapse of Lloyd’s two decades for regulation. Regulation is necessary, particularly in ago. There are some important templates in that for respect of financial products, in order to maintain learning how a service industry that looks as though it confidence. is on its knees can recover its global pre-eminence. To go back two decades and more, I think we are all As London is the engine of the national economy, concerned that respect for the pensions industry and getting financial services regulation right is vital not other categories of financial services products is so low just for my constituents but for the nation as a whole. in the public at large that all too often people do not We must accept that a crucial ingredient in regulation of save for their long-term future. People of my generation, the industry is a public perception of fairness, as my in their 40s, have tended to put too much money into right hon. Friend made clear in his comments. Without immediately stoking up the housing market, which that sense of fairness, there is little doubt that we risk obviously has negative effects. It is not just that the allowing the current crisis to discredit capitalism and market might not be sustainable; we need to try to herald a new era of corporatism and ever more restrictive inculcate into the public mind the idea that people, for regulation in the long term. their own good, should invest for the longer term in a That said, although irresponsible banking should range of savings products, as well as the confidence that and must be curbed, populist and rushed measures they can save in equities and other savings products. It is designed to rein in City excess should be avoided. After not an option, therefore, to suggest that there should be all, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, introduced in the United no regulation. Many of us have always promoted the States after the Enron and WorldCom scandals, taught idea of light-touch regulation, but I do not think the us that additional regulation to protect consumers, as it zeitgeist will favour that in the foreseeable future. was perceived in that country, may do little to stave off 7WH Financial Services Regulation10 NOVEMBER 2009 Financial Services Regulation 8WH

[Mr. Mark Field] the entire financial system in their failure. The public must be made aware of that or it will be harder to resist a crisis and that in a global economy, business will have what may seem superficially to be reasonable attempts no hesitation in relocating if regulation becomes too by the EU to curb reckless risk-taking, but are in reality cumbersome. dangerous moves that will undermine London’s Having learned from that, we must give the public competitiveness. greater credit and take them with us by explaining Thankfully, since I last spoke on this issue in Parliament clearly how the taxpayer stands to gain or suffer from the Swedish presidency has drafted a compromise text the regulatory choices that we make. One such way is to on some elements of the draft directive to reconcile defend the UK’s position as a global leader robustly British concerns. The important issues are scope, delegation, against EU attempts to curb the hedge fund industry valuation, leverage, capital requirements and transparency. via the draft alternative investment fund managers directive. The compromise proposal is an encouraging step forward. I spoke about that problem in this Chamber recently, I give credit to some Conservative voices in the European and the Minister was also there, so I shall not go over Parliament for that, as well as to the Government, who the ground again other than to summarise the issue are belatedly making progress. I hope that we will make briefly. significant progress in the coming months. The directive Most hedge funds are exempt from much of the might be revised further because several member states, regulation applying to investment banks and mutual notably France, are said to be unhappy with the funds. As pools of highly mobile capital, they have fast compromise. developed the reputation of being able to move mountains I support the broad objectives set out by the European in the financial market by anticipating future expectations. Commission in other regulatory areas, such as a more Hedge funds, which are largely limited liability companies, efficient framework for financial supervision, enhanced thrive on volatility, so the crux of the controversy financial stability and greater safeguards of the interests surrounding them is the degree to which they either of consumers and investors. As my right hon. Friend cause or affect fundamental shifts in financial markets. said, the crux of the matter is an increased competitiveness Alternative investment funds have accepted that in of EU financial markets and more integration within the new regulatory climate, they will be required to those markets. We must make it clear to the public and boost transparency and accept new curbs on disclosure the EU that British policy makers and financial experts and, most likely, on clearing, settlement and custody as are not against efforts to regulate, but equally will not well. The draft directive, however, goes a long way give all regulation the green light simply because public beyond that and may make it absolutely impracticable sentiment dictates it. In creating new regulatory structures, for funds owned by non-EU entities, which comprise a it is essential that policy makers across Europe remain significant proportion of those operating in London, to focused on the outcomes and keep on track with the key distribute their products within the European Union. objectives of open markets, increased competition and That, combined with other regulatory and fiscal burdens consistent arrangements globally, regionally and locally. here, may persuade hedge funds to relocate to other The City of London believes that there is a clear and financial centres such as Switzerland, or indeed to compelling case for the creation of a European systemic return to the United States or emerging centres in the risk board to ensure that dangers to the stability of the Gulf or the far east. As my right hon. Friend pointed financial system are caught early. The present crisis has out, such an outcome would be in the interests neither demonstrated that monitoring risks at EU level is not of the UK economy, which fundamentally concerns us, enough. That should not deter us from closer co-operation nor of the EU. Such protectionism in a global market and interaction with global organisations, such as the would be fatal. At a supranational level, it would diminish new systemic risk body in the United States. To have competition, restrict flows of liquidity into the single any credibility, such a risk board’s membership and market and be seen as protectionist at a time when voting structures should reflect the financial industry. barriers need to be brought down rather than erected. There is concern that the banking sector will be over- At a domestic level, it would also significantly diminish represented on the board and other sectors under- London’s critical mass as a financial centre and reduce represented. Given that the current crisis originated in individual and corporate tax revenue. At its most the banking sector, the next is likely to start elsewhere. detrimental, it risks undermining London’s competitive It is therefore imperative that national supervisors from advantage in the market for the professional services to all financial sectors, from securities to insurance, participate which I referred. in the meetings and in setting up the framework. The impetus for a European directive derives from panic in response to the economic crisis alongside a On the chairmanship of the board, I support the somewhat partisan vision of hedge funds and private European Council conclusions that require the post to equity as a wild west show of amoral speculators and be elected by the general council of the European asset strippers. However, I reiterate that there has been Central Bank to ensure that it is viewed, and acts, as an no crisis of asset management. Unlike the big banks independent body. Furthermore, the board should be that have been so troubled over the past two years, able to raise concerns about financial stability stemming hedge funds did not leverage themselves to the hilt, from across the EU financial system, including monetary having lacked the balance-sheet clout to do so even if policy, while respecting the independence of the central they had wanted to. Whatever regulation exists should banks and the supervisors involved. focus on the issue of leverage. Only in so far as it does so I support the principle of promoting convergence to can it be justified. ensure a consistency of rules. However, the European Nor did hedge funds run down adequate levels of system of financial supervisors should not overrule liquidity. Indeed, those that have failed—as of course supervisory decisions made by national regulators. The some have done in the past two years—have not threatened demarcation of powers between national and EU 9WH Financial Services Regulation10 NOVEMBER 2009 Financial Services Regulation 10WH authorities must be clearly defined and any binding the willingness to change and a tough prosecutorial powers should be exercised only as a last resort. There is threat. The deterrents provided by healthy competition concern over the timetable envisaged for the development and stiff punishment must form the backbone of the of all of the proposals, but the City recognises the brave new world of banking and business that lies pressure to deliver a workable solution for the future of ahead. Nothing less will restore the confidence of market the EU financial markets. professionals and the trust of the public. To return to British shores, in the aftermath of the We must accept that the spirit of the age favours banking bail-out I was deeply disturbed by the creation greater, more stifling regulations. Unless those come of financial institutions that became too big to fail. about on a global basis, London and Europe risk being That relates to the issue of moral hazard that my right the losers. The public and political instinct today—and hon. Friend raised. In forming such institutions, we for some years to come—is to punish the banks. Everybody recognised implicitly—and explicitly in various Government in the financial services industry risks being caught in statements of autumn 2008—that they were too big to the crossfire. Fund managers, insurers and other advisers regulate and beyond the scope of prudential sanction. risk losing out as Governments exert new control over That in-built lack of competition will continue to result the sector. It falls to those of us who recall London’s in a remuneration regime that means high rewards for historical role as a global trading city, including my investment banking employees. Nobody objects to people right hon. Friend who was a distinguished Minister in earning a lot of money when there is genuine flair and the last Conservative Administration, to make the case innovation, but it cannot be right to reward quasi- for extending the reach and influence of measures in monopolistic practices brought about by Government this sector to markets beyond Europe’s shores. policy and organisations working in cahoots with one another or as a cartel. 10.9 am I am not naive about these issues. Unravelling the recapitalisation arrangements of the past year will not Mr. Colin Breed (South-East Cornwall) (LD): I be a short-term affair. We should not rush to a solution congratulate the right hon. Member for Wells because we should strive to gain the maximum value (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on securing this important and from what is put in place. I am concerned about the idea timely debate. It is rather disappointing that so few hon. of stakes being sold off. That might be politically expedient Members are here. Perhaps the matter should be discussed in the run-up to a general election and would bring on the Floor of the House at some stage because, as the funds into the Exchequer, but we must ensure that right hon. Gentleman pointed out, the ramifications of assets on the Government balance sheet are sold at a what is being proposed will probably affect every man, time that maximises their value for the taxpayer. I woman and child in this country, not just for a few suspect that it will take many years—possibly as long as years, but for a few decades. What might be done in our a decade—to unravel the recapitalisation arrangements. name in literally a few weeks’ time will have enormous The deal was done without full political scrutiny and consequences for the future of us all, whether we are perhaps elements of it had to be done in that way. retiring or just going out to work. However, it is dawning on the public that there has During our debates and discussions over the past been, and continues to be, a more extensive nationalisation year or so since the commencement of what we now of banking assets than was envisaged. know as the global financial crisis, regulation has been With the UK taxpayer propping up banks that are the backdrop to much of the legislation that has been politically too big to fail and providing cover for many passed—indeed, it has also been mentioned in relation commercial enterprises that are part-owned by part- to what different regulatory bodies have been discussing nationalised banks, our economy has a worrying dearth between themselves. The Treasury Committee, of course, of competition. Given that the Serious Fraud Office has has been engaged in some of that and I hope that its neither commercial nor industry respect, we lack a report on European regulation will be published in the serious, tough and effective body to deter companies near future. from engaging in fraudulent or market-distorting activity. We have sometimes failed properly to identify what It is critical that we put the restoration and promotion we want regulation to do. Some people want regulation of competition and market fairness at the heart of to curb the size of financial institutions; some want it to future economic policy.Under any plan for sound banking, curb the size of bonuses; some want it to turn the whole the SFO requires teeth alongside an all-powerful Bank financial sector upside down; and some want it to split of England, merged with the FSA. large international financial organisations into bodies The public will loudly demand more rigorous that are smaller, more manageable and potentially more enforcement of regulation across business, particularly regulated. Those different opinions all have a part to in financial services. Politicians need to demonstrate play, but we have become more aware that, although the a seriousness of intent by outlining robust plans for a intentions behind regulation are often very laudable, tough, not-to-be-messed-with agency that values strong the unintended consequences of the imposition of competition and clean business dealings as essential regulation are given less attention. parts of an effective financial system. Such an agency Attempts to boil down what we want from regulation, should be linked to or merged with the Office of Fair to address the current situation and provide some sort Trading. Its work should be a top priority for the of sustainable framework for the future, are causing a Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, rather great deal of consideration, debate, discussion and than a minor one in a Treasury that has its hands and its argument. I agree entirely with the right hon. Gentleman: ministerial inboxes full. The United States provides a saying that everything involved can be put together in a blueprint for the new SFO regime with its whistleblowing few weeks and brought out in some sort of code that culture, the ability for deals to be cut if businesses show will be the panacea for all our past ills is to go down the 11WH Financial Services Regulation10 NOVEMBER 2009 Financial Services Regulation 12WH

[Mr. Colin Breed] area of cheap credit and deregulation and creating asset bubbles and false property markets is not the way in well worn route of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The which we should encourage regulation to go. unintended consequences of ill thought out regulation There is obviously a need for change in the areas of would probably have more impact than the problems domestic regulation and the supervision of the domestic that we are supposedly trying to regulate in the first banking and financial sectors. There are a great many place. ideas about how that might be done—for example, I agree that we need regulation, that it should be whether it should be through the Financial Services tuned to the current circumstances and that supervision Authority or the return of some supervisory powers needs to be changed and improved, but what do we and regulation to the Bank of England. However it was really want regulation to do for us in this country? At done, I suspect that the same people would simply the end of the day, the need for regulation really seems transfer from one building to another. It is the culture to stem from the problems surrounding debt, which is a of regulation, rather than the fact of regulation itself, fundamental aspect of all the problems that we are that we need to address. dealing with. The amount of debt that has been allowed On big banks being too big to fail, we have talked to build up within the banks, within Government and endlessly about whether we should split the banks up or within personal borrowing—in fact, the whole weight whether we should create more solid Chinese walls, of debt generally—needs to be addressed. perhaps with differential licences for different activities We are only too familiar with the problem of banks or with different capital ratios and requirements in being unable to lend to individuals and businesses to get respect of the regulation of different activities. We have the economy going; in other words, they are unable to swiftly introduced protection for depositors to try to support and allow funds to flow into what we know as protect the taxpayer from having to provide guarantees the real economy. We have allowed the real economy to for them, but that has not done very much. We may well be forgotten and the financial sector has been the have protected the depositor, but the taxpayer is still beneficiary. Long-term financial reform and regulation paying out, even though we have passed legislation this should be about directing lending away from expanding year to try to head that off. the ever-enormous financial sector towards funding the Can we ever get back to the idea of having basic real economy, rather than loading it down with debt. old-style banks and perhaps even going back to re-mutualisation? Somehow, I do not think it possible Over the past 10 or 12 years, the era of cheap credit to rein back and return to the position that we were in, and regulation has encouraged all the banks to move recreating what we knew as the old basic banking away from the real economy, where they thought there system or reintroducing some mutualisation. However was less profitability, towards lending against rising desirable doing so might appear, I wonder whether it is assets. That has created bubbles and false markets in actually possible. property and derivatives—a situation that continually feeds on itself. If we look at the banks’ balance sheets When we talk about bonuses and regulation, we must and profit and loss accounts, we see that they apparently realise that over the past 10 years—or perhaps a bit benefit enormously from their clever investments. We longer than that, because our regulations were probably know that the banks might have looked as if they were set up a couple of decades ago—globalisation, in all its just lending to the real economy, but the macro-economic fullness, has, to a certain extent, rendered the existing consequences of their actions are very different, and we system inadequate and out of date. The whole area of are suffering as a result. what might be called bonus and regulatory arbitrage now demands a more robust system of regulation and The credit flowing into those asset markets and the supervision. Gone are the days when individual nations creation of debt overheads has meant that the real and countries could regulate everything that happened economy’s capacity to pay that debt has declined. At within their borders in respect of their financial sector the end of the day, it is the real economy that will operations. We have an international banking financial service that debt, and we are beginning to see that sector with a huge scope, and where it decides to locate already. Unless we generate real profitability within the itself creates great benefits and great dangers for that economy, the assets themselves will not repay those location, as we have seen. involved because those assets have reduced in value. Perhaps a co-ordinated approach and co-operation The idea of backing into assets is that they can be sold in regulation and supervision are the obvious way forward, at a profit and that someone can repay themselves, but but international regulation and co-operation, although we have seen that the assets have declined. Derivative vital, are not easy to obtain. All this is unlikely to and property values have all declined and therefore the happen on a particular day, but it is likely to evolve. In debt will have to be paid by the real economy. Sadly, the evolution of that regulation and supervision, there that matter has been ignored. will be difficulties and arbitrage, which we will have to We need a regulatory and policy climate that discourages accept. the pursuit of money only in respect of capital gains As the right hon. Member for Wells has said, the and encourages growth in what we know as the real European Commission published details of its legislative economy. Some of us think that that is what it used to proposals only a month or two ago. They were based on be like. When I was in banking many years ago, banks agreements that were reached by ECOFIN and the were there to fund businesses, individuals, entrepreneurs European Council. Given the scope, range, complexity and others to generate the additional profit that not and difficulty that they are trying to encompass, it only repaid the bank, but created employment and seems almost incredible that anything could possibly everything else and increased the value of the country’s begin to be considered within a few months, but that is gross domestic product. Pushing all that money into the what is being suggested. Perhaps the establishment of a 13WH Financial Services Regulation10 NOVEMBER 2009 Financial Services Regulation 14WH

European systemic risk board and European supervisory vital issue, even at this stage. The whole idea of impinging authorities is the way forward. I am sure that there is on the responsibility of member states to look after huge merit in the idea, and people with great expertise their own sectors is fraught with danger. have come up with this particular framework, but the Finally, I think that the proposals go far beyond what regulation that we are trying to create needs to look at we understood to be the agreements at ECOFIN. The both sides of the coin. Regulation must be adequate, whole package seems not to be within the basic bounds but it must also be proportionate. That is not about of those agreements, but to go beyond them. The proposals being popular; it is about being appropriate. The regulations cannot be hurried through, without proper consideration, should seek not to stifle competition, but to promote it on the basis that if we do not do something, another between financial organisations and financial sector great disaster will happen immediately. companies, and also between markets. If we regulate out the competition completely, the consequences will In some ways, we are coping adequately with the be even more dire. Our approach needs to be sustainable current financial crisis. We are trying to ameliorate the and long-term, not short-sighted and subject to continual situation or to avoid similar circumstances arising in short-term amendment. future. Those circumstances would not arise next year or the year after, but would, I hope, be some time away. If we rush into the proposals without giving them the We have time to deal with this matter, and we need to considered thought that is needed, which might take consider the proposals before we meekly sign up to a some months, we will have all the disbenefits of such a whole framework of regulation that could have real regulatory regime. We will have a short-term, continual unintended ramifications, which we would have to address need, and there will be disruption in the market. The again in a short while. system will stifle competition between businesses and In the meantime, markets would be affected because different markets, it will be totally disproportionate and they would be insecure about what the new regulation we will have to battle significant unintended consequences would be, and people would be only too willing to because we will have failed to recognise and address exploit the weaknesses of the situation, and any unintended them at an earlier stage. aspects of it, for their own benefit. I urge the Government To echo the right hon. Gentleman, I should say that I to be very cautious about this matter. If we move too have several concerns about the European proposals. fast, it will be disastrous. We probably have shared intentions regarding the proposals, and the intentions behind them should be welcomed 10.26 am and accepted, but there is great unease and concern Mr. David Gauke (South-West Hertfordshire) (Con): about the potential unintended consequences, especially It is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship in respect of the speed with which ECOFIN wants to again, Mr. Olner. May I, too, congratulate my right adopt the proposals—in a few weeks’ time. That is far hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) too fast, and does not give time properly to consider the on securing the debate and on speaking so eloquently relevant issues. on this subject? The debate is well-timed for two reasons. For proper consideration to be given, time is needed First, we are clearly still living with the consequences of for debate and for the intellectual effort that is needed the turmoil of the past two years within the financial from a great number of people and some bodies that markets and financial services sector. It is easy to have been mentioned. They seem to be being almost underestimate the importance of financial services ignored in all this, but they are going to have to grapple regulation in this area and how the failure of such with the system and make it work for both their benefit regulation has contributed to the problems we have and the country’s. faced. Secondly, the debate is well-timed given the rush to create a new architecture of regulation for financial There is no doubt that the measures are controversial, services at the European level. All those who have but rushing them through and trying to limit debate spoken have raised concerns about that rush, and I shall because they are controversial does not mean that we make several comments on that. This is a good opportunity will do them justice. How will the measures relate to the to raise this issue, and I am sure the Minister will set out global initiatives for regulatory reform? It is great for us the Government’s position on a number of the concerns to consider them on a European basis—that is right—but that have been raised. how will they fit into what will be happening in the Several speakers have made the point that financial other international markets that are going to be so services are extremely important to our economy—perhaps important if we are to avoid regulatory arbitrage? too important. None the less, it is vital that we get the What will be the size and composition of the European regulation of those services right. There has been regulatory systemic risk boards and ESAs, and who will appoint failure. The tripartite system that the Prime Minister them? Their structure might be right, but the detail is established in 1997 failed to spot the debt boom and the absolutely vital. What will happen if we simply sign up fragility within our banking system. An age of to having a series of authorities without really understanding irresponsibility was allowed to occur in which UK who will be in them? We must bear in mind that, as the banks became more leveraged than their US competitors, right hon. Gentleman said, the UK interest is by far the a credit boom built up and the Bank of England—the largest within the European context. If we enter a monetary authority—recognised some of the difficulties situation in which we can be significantly outvoted on but had no powers to address them. Meanwhile, the things that will have a direct effect on our industry and Financial Services Authority, as the banking regulator, our country, we will need much better safeguards. What had no remit to monitor the entire picture. In addition, discretionary powers will the ESAs have? Will they the FSA took a narrow approach to its responsibilities, really have the power to override the decisions of our focusing on conduct of business rules rather than prudential national regulators? I am certainly not clear about that supervision. 15WH Financial Services Regulation10 NOVEMBER 2009 Financial Services Regulation 16WH

[Mr. David Gauke] There is a possible concern about the distinction between regulation and supervision. The ESAs have the The difficulties that we saw in 2007 and 2008 continue power to settle disagreements between national regulators, to live with us partly because nobody called time on the which leads to a point that is similar to the issue of explosion of debt. When the problems occurred we saw action being taken against national regulators that do a failure of co-ordination, and the question of who is in not currently apply relevant EU legislation: whether charge has never been adequately addressed. It is right ESAs will in effect make individual decisions on individual that political parties think seriously about how to rectify market participants. One can imagine a dispute on a that, and my party have set out detailed proposals on particular matter between two regulators or between an how to reform our financial services regulatory regime ESA and a national regulator. When decisions are made to ensure that there is no repeat of the problems of on an individual market participant, that looks an recent years, and we will do that by giving greater awful lot like supervision of an individual institution, powers to the Bank of England, which must be in rather than regulation. The Government’s position on charge. that is clear, and ECOFIN agreed that decisions that Several Members have referred to banks being too are specific to individual firms should remain the exclusive big to fail, and we have an ongoing debate on the divide preserve of national regulators. There is a degree of within banks between utility functions and investment uncertainty on the powers the ESAs will have, and banking functions. The Governor of the Bank of England uncertainty in that area is a real cause for concern. stated in Edinburgh on 20 October, only a few days ago, Perhaps the most important red line the Government that there had been little real reform on that and that have identified is that the ESAs should not be able to the system remains inadequate. take decisions that impinge upon the fiscal responsibilities I turn specifically to European regulation, which was of a nation state. The Governor of the Bank of England the essence of my right hon. Friend’s remarks. As we has said that banks are global when alive but national in have heard, on 23 September 2009 the European death, because it is the national taxpayer who has to Commission adopted legislative proposals aimed at step in to bail out those banks. There is a concern that addressing the regulatory weaknesses at the micro and there would be no democratic accountability if an ESA macro-prudential level through the creation of a European took a decision that effectively required national taxpayers system of financial supervisors and a European systemic to step in, and the Government have rightly said that risk board. The European system of financial supervisors that should be resisted. will comprise a college of national supervisors and three entities collectively referred to as the European However, article 10 of the Commission’s proposals supervisory authorities: the European Banking Authority, allows the ESAs to step in in an emergency, and article The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions 11 allows them to step in when there is a dispute Authority and the European Securities and Markets between regulators. The measures proposed by an ESA Authority. in such circumstances might have a fiscal impact for a nation state. Article 23 sets out an appeal mechanism, I debated many of those matters with the Minister in although it is not clear how that would work. That European Committee B on 29 June 2009. At the heart might take too much time, and we know from recent of the Government’s approach is an acceptance of a history how quickly we must step in when a bank is greater European role at a regulatory level, but not a failing. If we are to step in, we must do so quickly, as we supervisory level, and the Minister rather helpfully set saw during the events of 14 months ago. out the distinction between the two: “Regulation refers to the making of rules. Supervision relates Also, the appeal mechanism set out in article 23 does to the processes that implement the rules and how they are not apply to article 21, which follows up on a applied to individual firms and markets. While it is important recommendation made by the Economic and Social that we have a harmonisation of the rules across Europe, we stick Research Council. The Government have said that it to our point that the supervision and application of those rules, has been accepted all along that the fiscal position will and how they apply in different countries, is down to national be protected. If so, why has the Commission come up Governments. That is why we did not support EU supervision…The with proposals that seem simply to ignore what the main thrust of our argument in negotiation was that supervision Government claim has already been achieved in negotiation? should be at nation state level.”—[Official Report, European Committee B, 29 June 2009; c. 5-8] Regarding the Commission’s ability to declare an I will explore further the distinction between the emergency, thus giving the ESAs greater powers, on rule-maker and the supervisor. One concern that has what criteria may an emergency be declared and how been raised with us relates to the legal powers of the would the ESAs use that authority? With financial ESAs, a point my right hon. Friend touched on. Having services we are in a global situation, not just a European received advice from a leading lawyer in that area, I situation, so it could be important for the UK supervisors understand that the ESAs will not have the power to to co-ordinate not only within the EU, but with US take decisions or make rules because European law regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission requires that those powers are reserved to the Commission, or the Federal Reserve. Could the emergency powers, if but they can issue guidelines based on their interpretation declared, prevent the FSA or the Bank of England from of the rules. Competent authorities will be obliged to taking immediate steps to co-ordinate with other countries? make every effort to comply with those guidelines. The The restrictions on communications, for example, could ESAs can also take action against national regulators be significant. Could it prevent the FSA or the Bank of that do not currently apply relevant EU legislation England from taking immediate steps with regard to a correctly. I would be grateful for the Minister’s view on UK entity? Inevitably, European institutions are likely whether that interpretation of the ESAs’ powers is to move more slowly than national institutions, as is the broadly correct. nature of things, so if that happens the Commission’s 17WH Financial Services Regulation10 NOVEMBER 2009 Financial Services Regulation 18WH proposals might slow down the ability of UK institutions 10.44 am to react and of UK financial regulators to co-ordinate with other institutions. The hon. Member for South-East The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Sarah Cornwall (Mr. Breed) spoke about unintended McCarthy-Fry): It is a pleasure to serve under your consequences, and there is a concern that an unintended chairmanship, Mr. Olner. I congratulate the right hon. consequence may arise here: in an attempt to strengthen Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on securing prudential macro and micro-supervision, we may in this debate. There could hardly be a better moment to fact inhibit regulators from taking effective action. discuss financial services regulation. I listened with interest to his speech and to those of the other hon. My hon. Friend the Member for Cities of London Members who contributed to this short debate: the hon. and Westminster (Mr. Field), as ever, spoke eloquently Members for Cities of London and Westminster (Mr. Field), about the concerns of his constituents and of businesses for South-East Cornwall (Mr. Breed) and for South-West located in his constituency. I am pleased that he discussed Hertfordshire (Mr. Gauke). in some detail the alternative investment fund managers As the hon. Member for South-West Hertfordshire directive—again, I debated that point with the Minister said, this debate follows on from European Committee B in June. The proposals were poorly drafted and protectionist on 29 June. The Transport Committee took evidence in nature, and they demonstrated a lack of understanding last week from my noble Friend Lord Myners, and on of hedge funds and private equity funds, and their 10 November there will be a Lords evidence session and significance. My hon. Friend was absolutely right to debate on the matter. I believe that a debate is timetabled state that such funds were not the cause of the difficulties on the Floor of the Commons on the subject, so there earlier this year. I would be grateful if the Minister will be an opportunity for further scrutiny. discussed what progress has been made in addressing the concerns she outlined to the European Scrutiny I do not believe that anyone would suggest that more Committee in June. regulation of financial services is not needed. We need action to produce national and global solutions, and Finally, it is right that we explore the issue of the most of that will be delivered through the European wider cost to the economy of the banking system’s Union and international forums. We have begun to failure in the past few years and its fiscal consequences. raise the quality of financial supervision and regulation At the weekend, the Prime Minister set out four proposals globally, but we are not there yet. There is more work to to address that concern, one of which was a transactions do, and a need for more regulation. We support EU tax, or a Tobin tax, about which we have heard nothing regulation in new areas, more harmonised standards in Parliament. Over the years, the Prime Minister himself and a greater role for EU authorities in enforcing regulation and the Treasury have been extremely sceptical about and improving the effectiveness of supervision. such a tax, but the Financial Times reported yesterday However, the need for more regulation cannot be met that, of the four options that the Prime Minister set out by just any regulation—it must be right. If we have on Saturday, regulation for the sake of it, we will suffer twice: from “UK officials had initially suggested the transactions tax was the failing to remove systemic risk, and from increasing the prime minister’s preferred mechanism out of the four options he costs to those who use the services, from small businesses had raised”. to pensioners. We have to have high-quality decision making, and it is more important than ever to have an The proposals were widely condemned by the US, the excellent evidence base, meaningful consultation and Canadians and the International Monetary Fund—I high-quality assessments of the impact on stakeholders. believe that all but the French condemned them. Indeed, the Treasury has recently been briefing against the The crisis has also taught us that regulatory arbitrage proposal, and the Financial Times reported that, before can introduce its own risks, so we must ensure that, the end of the weekend, officials had stated: wherever possible, there is global convergence of standards. We encourage the EU to play a greater leadership role “We’re not that massively wedded to a transactions tax. We’re in setting global standards. Many of the speeches and not saying ‘it’s this or nothing’ – we’re saying we need a deal”. interventions by hon. Members have been concerned Never has a Government proposal been withdrawn with the search for the right regulation—that is, regulation so quickly. I would be grateful if the Minister took this that is necessary, sufficient and effective. That is why I opportunity to clarify the Government’s position. Was am glad that we are having this debate. A part of it has the Treasury even aware that the Prime Minister would focused on EU regulation, so I shall start with that and come up with the proposal? I ask that because the then move on to national regulation. I shall try to Financial Times stated that the Chancellor was understood answer as many points as I can in the time available. to be frustrated by the Prime Minister’s promotion of a The hon. Member for South-West Hertfordshire made proposal that he knew the US would have no choice but a point about transaction taxes. In fact, the Prime publicly to oppose. Minister had raised the issue earlier, so I beg to differ This is an important area. This is not the place for with the hon. Gentleman. It was not a short-term stunt. short-term stunts that will get headlines, as the Prime The Prime Minister had previously raised an interest in Minister attempted to do at the weekend, yet further such taxes and said that he was looking with interest at damaging his credibility. It is important that we have a the French working party. Government who take a long-term view as to what is The Treasury’s position has always been that imposing necessary for the financial services sector. It is also right such a tax cannot be done by one country alone—we all that they fight our corner and ensure that European accept that—and the US has said that it is willing to Union proposals are right for the UK. I hope the work with the International Monetary Fund as well. Minister can provide some reassurance that the Government Nobody is saying that there would be an immediate have at least some of those attributes. solution, or that we will be able to come up with 19WH Financial Services Regulation10 NOVEMBER 2009 Financial Services Regulation 20WH

[Sarah McCarthy-Fry] Sarah McCarthy-Fry: We do not support direct powers over individual firms. We expect the powers of mediation something straight away, but it is something that is to be used where there are cross-border situations, but worth looking at. The Treasury’s position is that this the overriding thing is that there are no powers where cannot be done by one country alone. It would have to there are any fiscal consequences for Governments. be global, and that is why a great deal more work must That is the overriding principle here. be done on it. We know that there are outstanding issues and questions. On European supervision, the Government strongly However, this is a positive agenda for reform. The new support moves to improve the quality and consistency framework will better protect consumers, help prevent of supervision, to ensure more effective rule-making financial crisis and improve efficiency for firms. and enforcement, and better to identify risks in the A question was asked about accountability. We believe financial system. We strongly support proposals to establish that the ESAs will be accountable to national Governments the new European supervisory authorities, and to give through the European Council, but it is likely that they them a strong rule-making role, a role in enforcing rules, will also be accountable to the European Parliament. a role in peer review to ensure high standards and an The Financial Services Authority will sit on the ESAs, ability to settle disagreements between supervisors. We so we will have a powerful UK voice there. believe that such moves would improve the quality and Members spoke about whether the EU response has consistency of supervision in the EU, and they are been too hasty. It is important that we respond swiftly supported by the City and, in particular, cross-border to the crisis, but I agree that such action should not be institutions operating from London. taken at the expense of high-quality regulation. That is However, I am happy to reiterate that day-to-day why we are encouraging the Commission to adhere to supervision and crisis management arrangements must best practice and conduct consultations and impact remain national, as it is only national Governments assessments on regulatory proposals for regulation of who can provide fiscal support to firms. That is why the markets and firms. At the June European Council, the Heads of Government agreed at the June European EC leaders gave a mandate for the proposals to be Council that the new framework should not impinge on adopted swiftly so that the new framework could member states’ fiscal responsibilities, and that day-to-day be fully in place in 2010, which is why the legislative supervision should remain national. As a result, it is proposals were produced at the end of September. As I clear that there can be no direct European powers over have said, we intend that our Parliament should have a firms. full opportunity to debate this matter. At times the Commission may have been too hasty in Mr. Gauke: I am grateful to the Minister for reiterating issuing a proposal. For example, it was too hasty in that point. Can she explain why the Commission came respect of the alternative investment fund manager up with proposals in September that do not appear to directive, which we debated earlier at the European respect the agreement made by ECOFIN earlier in the Scrutiny Committee. We agree that the Commission did year? not conduct a proper consultation or a robust impact assessment on that directive with stakeholders. We have Sarah McCarthy-Fry: I absolutely agree with the made it clear that this is not an acceptable approach to hon. Gentleman that in some areas the Commission’s drafting legislation, because it has resulted in a poorer- proposals do not respect the agreement that was made quality proposal that has led to more difficult Council in June, particularly where they propose European powers negotiations. The European Parliament has said that it over firms, and European crisis management powers. will carry out its own impact assessment on the proposal. We need to bring the proposals back in line with what I confirm once again that there is nothing to suggest was agreed by the European Council in June. that hedge funds or any other type of fund were a major There is interest in the legal issues in these proposals contributor to recent market events. and the Government are well aware of the complex Having a high-quality evidence base will also maximise legal matters here. I do not want to go into the detail, the influence of the EU on the international stage with but I will be clear: regardless of the technicalities, the our international partners and will better enable the EU Government’s overriding objective is that the new to attain international regulatory convergence. framework must be able to withstand legal challenge. We cannot have legal uncertainty and challenges before Mr. Mark Field: I am glad that the Minister has the courts; that could undermine financial stability. So confirmed what I said earlier: hedge funds and alternative we are working closely with other member states and assets played no fundamental part in the credit crunch the Council legal service to ensure that the bodies are and the financial problems. But the suggestion that the on a sound legal footing. In particular, we are looking EU will now have much more international influence at areas where the supervisory authorities can exercise surely is undermined by what has happened, because it discretion and where the Commission is seemingly playing is clear that it was not economic or financial issues at the role of the courts. Both those areas are problematic, stake, but the raw politics, particularly in respect of one but in both the issues can be resolved. or two of our continental partners who saw this as an opportunity to clip the wings of the City of London, Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: Clarity is essential here. Can rather than to focus on what would be good for consumers, the Minister assure us that the new supervisory authorities both in the EU and globally. will not have powers of binding mediation over national authorities and, separate to that, that they will not have Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Our position is that any regulation, powers, even in an emergency, to tell national regulators as well as managing systemic risk, has to be good for and authorities what to do? consumers. There are aspects of the proposal as drafted 21WH Financial Services Regulation10 NOVEMBER 2009 Financial Services Regulation 22WH that could impose large costs and restrictions on fund possibility of firm failure, which is the recovery element, managers, which is why we are engaging actively with and then reduce the impact of firm failure, if it occurs, stakeholders in the UK industry, with the Commission on the wider financial system, the economy and the and with other member states to develop and make the public finances, which is the resolution element. case for amendments to the directive. Questions were asked about the proportionality of Based on discussions so far in Council, we believe the FSA’s regulation of firms. The FSA supervises firms that many member states are keen to make the according to the risks they present to its statutory improvements. My noble Friend Lord Myners has objectives. As in any risk management, risks are assessed personally committed a substantial part of his time to in terms of their impact and their probability. The achieving a good outcome for the UK on the directive. nature and extent of the FSA’s supervisory relationship He has had useful discussions with many of the with a firm depends on how much of a risk it could pose stakeholders, including Members of the European to the FSA’s statutory objectives. Parliament, the Swedish presidency and his Spanish counterpart. Our overall impression is that most member The hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster states are approaching these negotiations with a positive asked about the regulation of savings and investment attitude and a desire to avoid unnecessary regulatory products and the worry about over-regulating small burdens. We expect the presidency to aim for a general firms. The FSA’s retail distribution review is addressing consensus in Council for a redraft of its directive by the structural problems in the distribution of savings and middle of December, so that negotiations with the investment products. We have welcomed the FSA’s European Parliament can start. comprehensive review and its positive engagement with stakeholders. The aim of that review is not to over-regulate On the UK and systemically significant firms, in our small firms that do not pose any systemic risk, but July 2009 paper, “Reforming financial markets”, we set rather to address structural problems in the distribution out a number of measures for dealing with systemically of savings and investment products. significant and often complex financial institutions whose failure could represent a significant threat to financial On the suggestions that some have made about a stability. These measures include strengthened market Glass-Steagall-type split between retail banking and discipline, better corporate governance, policies on investment banking activities, we do not believe that the remuneration to ensure that risk is better understood, case has been made for that. First, it is difficult to do. and enhanced prudential supervision by the FSA. Those Secondly, if it were feasible it probably would not be measures should go some way towards reducing the enough. Separating investment and commercial banks probability of firm failure. But we are not proposing to would not insulate pure deposit-taking institutions from pursue a zero-failure regime, which would be neither the failure of a large investment bank: Lehman Brothers realistic nor desirable. It is equally important that, showed that that was so. Thirdly, it implies that all the where firms reach the point of failure, the authorities risk lies in investment banking. However, we know that can intervene and, if necessary, resolve the situation it is not just investment banks that involve risk. The with a firm in a way that does not damage the wider recovery and resolution plans or the living wills are key financial system and put the public finances at risk. tools with which to mitigate the risk and promote First, we propose improvements to the overall framework, long-term financial stability. including enhancements to market infrastructure in key In my introduction I mentioned the importance of markets to reduce the likelihood of contagion effects. getting the balance right. We have already seen the This is crucial where a systemically important firm is dangers of too little regulation, but in these times there allowed to fail. Secondly, we propose stronger resolution is not enough confidence, and confidence can only arrangements. Improvements have already been made build if the regulatory framework is sound. Too much to the regulatory toolkit for winding down failed firms, regulation brings its own risks, not just of stifling the for example, through the Banking Act 2009. We will recovery, but of penalising some financial services that legislate, in the forthcoming financial services Bill, to allow firms to manage their own risk. Only if we get this ensure that firms themselves must make recovery and balance right will we succeed in our goal of making the resolution plans to manage their own failure. Those single market the most competitive, efficient and stable plans will reduce moral hazard. The aim is to reduce the financial market in the world. 23WH 10 NOVEMBER 2009 Cyprus 24WH

Cyprus The negotiations received a boost following PASOK’s election results in Greece and George Papandreou, in his Foreign Minister role, paying his first overseas visit 11 am to Turkey, closely followed by his visit to Cyprus as Prime Minister. Although Greece’s fundamental policy Mr. Andrew Dismore (Hendon) (Lab): A debate on of supporting the Republic of Cyprus’s negotiating Cyprus after a Friends of Cyprus visit to the island now position will not change, we will see a more active seems to be a part of the House’s annual calendar. I foreign policy approach from Greece, including improving draw attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ relations with Turkey, which is all to the good. Interests for the visit. During his visit to Turkey, Mr. Papandreou said to The fact that we are here, year after year, could imply Mr. Erdogan, the Turkish Prime Minister, that that there has been no progress, but that would be “we must free Cyprus of dependencies and its motherlands, wrong. However, such progress as there is is painfully occupation troops, divisions and walls which have no place in the slow, and the clock is ticking ever more quickly against European Union”. the prospect of a settlement. During our visit, we saw That view resonates with Nicosia, the last divided city, more than 50 people and held almost 40 meetings. during this week of the anniversary of the fall of the Those visits were to both sides of the green line, and we Berlin wall. saw elected politicians, officials and civil society. There is a clear lack of a pro-solution culture throughout Mr. Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op): Does my the island, perhaps reflecting the media coverage, and hon. Friend agree that the guarantor powers, particularly pessimism abounds. Neither side has a strategy to prepare Greece and Turkey, have a critical role, not just because their people for a solution or to support the talks, but of the history of the conflicts in Cyprus, but because there are many initiatives, contacts and co-operative both communities look to the guarantor powers for ventures, which are encouraging. We need more events succour? It is critical that they take a more active such as the recent bi-communal evening in Pyla. There engagement in the current negotiations. is a dangerous belief in the south that if the negotiations fail, another United Nations initiative will come along Mr. Dismore: I shall speak about the treaty of guarantee, in due course, albeit starting from a worse position, but it is correct that both sides look to what they rather than seeing this as the last sketo in the kafenio, consider to be their motherland. I also believe that which it certainly is, and may well be for many years if George Papandreou is right to say that Cyprus must be there is no success. We are already half a decade on freed from the influence of the motherland, which has from the failure of the Annan plan. not been entirely beneficial throughout Cyprus’s There are “nevers” on both sides with very loud independence. voices. Although they do not represent the majority Among Cypriots on the island, there is a generational view of either population, their influence is persuasive problem. Research a few years ago showed that two and in many instances malign. Although the talks do thirds of Cypriots who are alive today were not alive in not have a timetable, there are natural deadlines in the 1974, and know no bi-communal way of living. One of immediate future, including the European Union review our visits was to the English school, which now admits of Turkish accession and, more importantly, elections Turkish Cypriot pupils, who account for about 15 per in the north in April 2010 when Turkish Cypriot leader cent. of the total. It was rather depressing to talk to Mehmet Ali Talat will be up for re-election. Greek Cypriot teenagers, who generally seem to be satisfied with the status quo, and not particularly Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): The presidential election enthusiastic for a solution. Although Turkish Cypriot in the Turkish-occupied north in April clearly shows students at the school are learning Greek, there is no that an artificial deadline would probably not be helpful. take-up whatever of Turkish lessons by Greek Cypriot Does the hon. Gentleman accept, nevertheless, the students. Turkish Cypriot students seem to be isolated. imperative to get a fair settlement as soon as possible, The school is working very hard to break that down, because the massive movement of Turkish people from but there is a xenophobic undercurrent on both sides of Turkey to settle in Cyprus without the language or the green line. There are no school exchange programmes Cypriot affiliations will make a settlement increasingly across the green line because of recognition and passport more difficult as time goes on? In that event, the main issues. Heads could deal directly with schools across the losers will be the Turkish Cypriots. line, but there is a likelihood of a parents’ backlash. Friends of Turkey are wrongly perceived as Greek Mr. Dismore: The hon. Gentleman makes an important Cypriot enemies. Greek Cypriots must influence Turkey’s point, but the deadline is not artificial; it is a natural friends positively to influence Turkey in turn. The object deadline that comes with the normal electoral process. should be not to punish Turkey in the EU, but to press Both sides have been issuing unhelpful statements the EU to assist Turkey to help herself. that provoke each other, and rhetoric from the north can only magnify as the April elections approach. Positive David Lepper (Brighton, Pavilion) (Lab/Co-op): I statements from either side receive little coverage. There declare an interest, which is in the Register of Members’ is a general decline in optimism throughout. Of those Interests. Does my hon. Friend agree that the December involved in the negotiations, the most optimistic person assessment of Turkey’s progress towards EU accession was Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami, but that offers an excellent opportunity for the other guarantor was not saying a great deal. There is a general and power—the United Kingdom—to make it clearer exactly accurate view from every independent commentator what it expects of Turkey on, for example, Famagusta that if these two leaders cannot do it, no one can. and the ports? 25WH Cyprus10 NOVEMBER 2009 Cyprus 26WH

Mr. Dismore: My hon. Friend makes an important issues, with constructive proposals for a rotating presidency, point, and I hope to say a little about the EU accession but with disagreement as to the method of election, process. although there are prospects for further progress. There is a real need to create a pro-solution culture, Differences remain substantial. The Turkish Cypriots and to talk not of “the other side” but of “another side” say, for example, that the federation should not have a of the debate. America has a key role in persuading foreign policy function. They want a veto throughout Turkey of the need to pave the way for a Cyprus decision making, not just at the end. They also want settlement to fulfil her EU aspirations. President Obama’s separate institutions. There has been progress on matters Nobel prize for peace could be well earned on the relating to the economy and the EU, but on the most island. difficult issues—property and territory, which are clearly Regrettably, there is continuing lack of confidence- interlinked—there has been little progress. building measures. The two military exercises—Nikiforos President Christofias has attempted to move the settler and Tavros—were both cancelled this year, as they were issue on by restating that 50,000 Turkish settlers in the last year, and those decisions by both sides were extremely north should receive Cypriot citizenship in a settlement. important and welcome, but there is little else to show. That is not a new concession, having been proposed in The constructive work of the technical committees has previous negotiations, but it is not accepted by DIKO. not been taken forward through confidence-building Mr. Erdogan did not help by denying that there were measures by either side, and I commented on that any settlers, saying that during last year’s debate. “they are citizens of TRNC”— Many of the practical agreements that could ease the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. day-to-day life for all concerned could be implemented, An additional complication is the question of the but neither side is keen to do so for different reasons, treaty of guarantee. President Christofias has said that except on heritage, where good work is being done. it is anachronistic and should go as part of any solution. There has been slow progress on the new crossing For the Turkish Cypriots, however, the treaty of guarantee points, with contracts for joint work now being let to is a red line. There could be other ways of guaranteeing build the road and crossings for Limnitis, funded by the a solution and security for both Greek and Turkish United States and the EU. Cypriots, but that is a very difficult one to bridge. One option suggested to us is for the treaty of guarantee to Mrs. Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) (Con): Does be phased out with Turkish accession to the EU, and for the hon. Gentleman agree that there is an urgent need a treaty of implementation for the specific details of to press ahead with locating the remains of missing any settlement to be considered. people, to give their families the truth about what happened to their loved ones? I was pleased to read, in the answer to my parliamentary question on the point, that the UK will not be an obstacle on the issue of security and guarantees. It Mr. Dismore: The hon. Lady is correct, and I hope to seems to me that there are three issues requiring guarantee speak about that. in the event of a solution. I am referring to a political There has been little to show on the ground at Ledra guarantee for the indivisibility of the federation, which street towards the essential building restoration or the EU can provide, and a guarantee for the implementation withdrawal of the Turkish army, but we were told that of the agreement, which could be a UN Security Council the next phase to make safe the buildings and their resolution. The most difficult issue is the personal security facades at least will go ahead from about now. Although guarantee, including the removal of Turkish troops and not strictly a confidence-building measure, Stelios Haji- the future role of UNFICYP—the UN Peace-Keeping Ioannou of easyJet has offered ¤1 million in grants for Force in Cyprus. UNFICYP’s role could be a new joint bi-communal business ventures. The Association mandate to support implementation and federal policy. for Historical Dialogue and Research has developed To see what could be done and, equally, where UNFICYP material for schools on both sides of the green line to went wrong from the outset in 1964, I recommend discover old Nicosia. Martin Packard’s diary of 1964, “Getting It Wrong”. At the same time as moves are being made towards He was working on a tripartite basis to try to bridge the multicultural education and a new history syllabus in gap in the troubles of ’63 and ’64. the Greek-medium state schools in the south, steps are It is something of a paradox that Turkey has a seat on being taken in the north, such as replacing text books, the UN Security Council while continuing the occupation promoting the teaching of Islam in schools that were of northern Cyprus. It seems very much as though the secular, a change of terminology from “Turkish Cypriots” current effort is the last throw of the dice for the UN. It to “Turks of Cyprus”, and a ban on the Cypriot Turkish sees the natural timetable to which I referred: if progress dialect in the media in the north. The joint proposal of is not made by next April, the UN may well call it a day. the two mayors of Famagusta for restoration of the old The Turkish Cypriots would like the UN to act as city and the surveying of Varosha, which would be a arbitrators, although that is complete anathema for the welcome confidence-building measure, has fallen on Greek Cypriots post the Annan plan. Annan changed deaf Turkish ears. However, work on missing persons is 60 points to create the final and fifth plan, which led to going ahead, and I will speak about that later. its ultimate rejection. Progress on the negotiations has been slow until now, Mediation might be a more appropriate way of analysing and has pretty well avoided the difficult issues. President what the UN should do, but that role has been badly Christofias is circumscribed and is not supported in the compromised by a professional hacking job into the negotiation by EDEK and DIKO, his coalition partners. UN team’s computer and the downloading of all the There has been considerable development on governance internal UN memorandums and e-mails, which are 27WH Cyprus10 NOVEMBER 2009 Cyprus 28WH

[Mr. Dismore] The ¤259 million has not had the impact hoped for, as it has taken so long to disburse. Years on, by the end being gleefully published on the drip in the rejectionist of September 2009, ¤134 million—just 52 per cent. of Phileleftheros newspaper, with the clear intention of the programme—had been contracted. Although the undermining the process. Instead of condemning the expectation is that the rest will be by the end of the year, hacking, the Cypriot view was that UN Special that is still short of delivery of the projects involved, Representative Alexander Downer should be more careful. and those projects are not potentially visible either. That was a most outrageous attempt to derail the talks and interfere with an international body that is there to Mr. David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): I assist. The perpetrator of the crime—for that is what it thank the hon. Gentleman for securing this annual was—has not been identified and dealt with firmly, as debate, in which I welcome the opportunity to participate. should have been the case. In the north, people see a Does he share my concern that those euros should also degree of irony, as they remember the Turkish “deep be spent on restoring the cultural and religious heritage, state”leaking e-mails from pro-solution Turkish Cypriots. which has been ignored or decimated in many places? The UN team has been strengthened by the appointment Would he also like to pick up on, as he did last year, the of Leopold Maurer as Mr. Barroso’s special representative visit that he and I made in relation to the four Maronite to advise the UN team on EU acquis issues. There is a villages in the north? Particularly in terms of the villages further new appointment for a team member to engage of Agia Marina and Asomatos, there is a lack of access with Cypriot women’s organisations, recognising that, for the Maronites to worship, and it is important for proportionately, women voted no to a greater degree confidence building that access is given. than men did in the Annan referendum. UNFICYP continues to play a key role. It is still Mr. Dismore: The hon. Gentleman is right. It is needed because the green line is inherently unstable. important to remember when we talk about a bicommunal Minor incidents are stamped on very hard, and UNFICYP island that in fact there are more than two communities believes that without it, there would be a very rapid in Cyprus. The Maronites, the Armenians, the Latins escalation into hostilities. UNFICYP continues to estimate and even people from the UK form part of the community the strength of Turkish forces on the island at about of Cyprus. The hon. Gentleman is right to remind us of 25,000—many fewer than the 35,000 or more claimed the particular minority to which he referred. by both sides. One of Ms Kaminara’s initiatives is to take editors of The next UK troop rotation will bring a Territorial newspapers and broadcast media from both sides of the Army unit from Northern Ireland to Cyprus, which green line to Brussels and encourage them to be better should be interesting, considering the experience in informed about the EU. One issue that we came across Northern Ireland. concerned the bicommunal Nicosia master plan and, in particular, the need for work in the buffer zone. EU Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire, North) (Lab): grants for work for the north have to go through the Is my hon. Friend aware that part of any settlement enlargement directorate, and for the south through the could be that the people who were displaced from their regional development directorate. That means that it is homes have a legal right to go back and claim that virtually impossible to do anything useful in the buffer property? British people who have bought such property zone, because the two sources of funding do not seem may be unaware of that, so there is a responsibility on able to talk to each other. For example, surveying work those selling property in the northern part of Cyprus to is needed to work out what could happen after a solution. British people to let them know that it is a distinct That should be resolved within the Commission. possibility. The key question for the EU, though, is its role in supporting the negotiations and, in particular, the attitude Mr. Dismore: My hon. Friend makes an important that it takes towards the December Turkish accession point, and I will say a little about property shortly. review. Lord Hannay, writing for the Centre for European We should acknowledge the cost of Operation Tosca— Reform, commented that Turkish EU accession is the UK contribution to UNFICYP—to the UK taxpayer. inseparably linked to a Cyprus solution. I would put it That subsidy from the UK to the island is often overlooked. the other way round. Although a solution should not Last year the cost was £16 million, of which only depend on Turkish accession, a solution would undoubtedly £2.5 million was reimbursed by the UN. I was pleased help Turkey’s EU hopes, and Turkey will not accede to hear that the refurbishment of the Ledra Palace without a solution. hotel, used to accommodate our troops, is pretty well It seems inevitable that there will be the usual EU complete. That was long overdue—I raised the matter a fudge, which will seriously anger Greek Cypriots who couple of years ago—and it has been done at no cost to are expecting leverage on Turkey, which they believe the UK taxpayer. gets away with everything, including non-compliance We were very impressed by the new EU Commission with international agreements such as the 2005 declaration representative, Androulla Kaminara. She is very enthusiastic and the Ankara protocol, on which there has been no and energetic and is doing a great deal to try to improve progress at all. In that context, it is important to remember the knowledge of the EU, particularly in respect of the that the ports were open from 1974 to 1987, including north. The lack of knowledge and understanding of four years after the TRNC’s unilateral declaration of the EU in that regard has been a considerable barrier to independence. We are therefore talking about an economic the talks. As a consequence of that and other factors, sanction, not a recognition issue; it was not a recognition including a general lack of progress as perceived by issue during those four years. The offer from the Republic Turkish Cypriots, confidence in the EU has been waning to Turkish Cypriots was that Famagusta port could be in the north. reopened under EU management and that they could 29WH Cyprus10 NOVEMBER 2009 Cyprus 30WH use Larnaca under EU control too, but that was not The court cases proceed in the European Court of accepted. There has also been considerable harassment Human Rights, where Turkey has received a battering. by Turkey of oil exploration vessels not flagged by the The Court will consider the question whether the Turkish Republic but working under its licence. Cypriot property commission is a valid domestic remedy If the European Council decides to avoid standing up on 18 November, although the judgment is likely to be to Turkey, the least worst option would be for the EU to many months off. Over the past three years, Greek put the review on hold for six months, in the light of the Cypriots have lodged 422 cases with the commission. negotiations, to see whether any progress is made by Seventy-five cases have been resolved, including five April, because if there is no progress by then, there with restitution. Generally, compensation is paid at probably never will be. At that stage, Turkish accession between only 5 and 10 per cent. of the value of the aspirations would in effect be in an indefinite limbo, as property, with nothing for loss of use. So far, total there would be inevitable blocks on further progress on compensation is of the order of £35 million. The Orams acquis chapters. case has obviously had an impact, but it has been misplayed by the Turkish Cypriots, who could have Property issues are fundamental to the outcome of used it to illustrate that there was a real problem on the negotiations. According to the most recent press property, which necessitated a solution, rather than to statements from President Christofias, the sides are not attack the judges for their findings. ready to discuss the issue in depth, although some convergence has been achieved. The issue is inevitably There is also the question of the cost of compensation, linked to the territorial settlement, because the more should anything other than restitution or property exchange territory that goes back to the Greek Cypriots, the be the norm. The first question is where the billions fewer people would then have to consider living under necessary would come from; the second is what impact Turkish Cypriot administration. The two sides are starting the huge sums that would be put into circulation as a from diametrically opposed positions on property, but I result would have on the island’s economy. If all the suspect that in practice the net results of either proposal property in the north was subject to expropriation and would not be far apart. compensation, the bill would be unaffordable. The Turkish Cypriots expect a dirigiste system, with One issue that the UK should help to resolve is the maximum numbers laid down as to, for example, the Turkish Cypriot claim to 55 per cent. of Varosha, which number of Greek Cypriots who would be allowed to is based on the fact that the land belonged to EVKAF—the return to live under Turkish Cypriot administration and Board of Pious Foundations in Cyprus—before the amount of property that would be owned by Turkish independence. In 1960, however, the UK provided Cypriots as opposed to Greek Cypriots. The Turkish £1.5 million to pay off that claim as part of the Cypriots would seek derogations from the acquis to independence settlement. institutionalise these, but it seems to me that any such derogations would be bound to fail, either because they The Turkish Cypriot economy is nothing short of a were too rigid and would prevent inward investment or basket case and is heavily subsidised by Turkey. Over because they were too lax and would be easily avoided. the past six years, according to Prime Minister Erdogan, The Greek Cypriot position starts from the recognition it has been subsidised at an average of $523 million per of individual property rights and the fact that everybody year. In 2009, the figure was $815 million—a huge drain should be able to make their own decisions. The hierarchy on Turkey’s economy. There is still little trade across the is: first, restitution; secondly, choice of exchange; and green line. Most of the money going north is made up thirdly, compensation. It is for the state to provide for of remittances from Turkish Cypriot workers who are the current user. In theory, Mr. Talat accepts individual taking their wages back. property rights, too, but he wants superior rights to be given to the Turkish Cypriot occupier, rather than the There is unrecorded trade to evade tax, as well as Greek Cypriot owner of a property.He wants no restitution, illegal trade in prohibited items, such as animal products. although he would accept an Annan-based formula. There is Greek Cypriot consumer resistance to goods that many say are produced through the use of stolen George Lordos’s research and consequent proposals property. Business sources in the north tell us that are interesting and worthy of further consideration. His Turkish army base retail outlets undercut Turkish Cypriot view is that individuals should be allowed to make their businesses in the sale of consumer goods, including own minds up during a three-year hiatus, but they could foodstuffs, at prices well below those in legitimate Turkish be influenced, for example, by tax concessions and Cypriot shops. The Turkish Cypriot minimum wage is speeded-up planning permissions to encourage them to also undercut by businesses in Turkey’s immediate southern exchange property north and south. That is based on coastal area, where there is no minimum wage. The the principle that few Greek Cypriots would in practice construction boom, which was fuelled by post-Annan want to live under a Turkish Cypriot Administration. development on Greek Cypriot land, has ended, in Furthermore, most Turkish Cypriots who were previously large part because of the consequences of the Orams allocated Greek Cypriot properties in the north own case and the world economic downturn. homes and land in the south, although that would not, of course, apply to Turkish settlers. Some people would There remain huge human rights issues in the north. need to be rehoused, but bearing in mind the respective Turkish Cypriot secular culture is clashing with settler balance of property and the value of property in the culture. The CTP—the Republican Turkish party—did north and south, the cost could be manageable. Compulsory badly in the parliamentary elections last year as a denial of rights would be avoided or at worst minimised. consequence of its decision to try to implement the EU Residential ownership rights could be ranked, for example, acquis in the north, which brought hardship to Turkish by reference to whether the claimant originally lived in Cypriots, with no real benefits, as they saw it, from the property. the EU. 31WH Cyprus10 NOVEMBER 2009 Cyprus 32WH

[Mr. Dismore] budget to provide the initiatives that I mentioned with at least token support, if not more substantive support. There is unrest and industrial action against the There are strong rumours, which have been reported UBP—the National Unity party—Government of in Kathimerini and Afrika, that up to 1,000 Greek Mr. Eroglu. That is now worsening and could be compared Cypriots from the Kyrenia area could be buried at a to the unrest that took place before the opening of the major military site at Lapithos. Journalists are investigating green line, although this time without the participation that military zone, which is apparently mined. of the CTP. Hospitals, ports and even Parliament have been closed by strikes. That has partly been caused The European Court of Human Rights case of Varnava because Turkey’s economic subsidy is under pressure, has been decided in the grand chamber. It was ruled with the unjustifiably large number of public employees that Committee on Missing Persons work is inadequate in the north being questioned. It also has a lot to do for an investigation into compliance with article 5, with the increasing numbers of people migrating which requires a proper inquiry into deaths at the hands from Turkey. of the state, and Turkey will have to respond to that. However, the Court imposed a limitation block on any In the absence of a solution, things do not look good new cases, except those brought to it soon after remains for Mr. Talat’s re-election prospects. If Mr. Talat loses are partially identified to families. and Mr. Eroglu wins, it will be hard for President Christofias to negotiate with Mr. Eroglu, although Turkey Relatives are agitating for more information about will still have the final say. Even at a practical level, the circumstances of deaths. In addition to the missing, Mr. Eroglu does not speak English. On the policy level, there are 1,000 known Greek Cypriot dead, including he is much more hard-line than Mr. Talat on issues that 500 in the north, and 30 Turkish Cypriot known dead make no difference to Turkey, but which are vital to whose bodies have not been recovered. Nowadays, such achieve a workable solution. The general view is that if people would be classed as missing. The committee’s there is no settlement before the election and Mr. Talat total objective is therefore to deal with the cases of loses, the negotiations will be at an effective end. about 2,200 missing and known dead. The UN Committee on Missing Persons continues its Any discussion about Cyprus inevitably raises the work, although there is a significant backlog in its question whether Turkey is the key to a solution. The anthropological laboratory on the piecing together of Greek Cypriots complain of Turkey’s provocative the various remains. None the less, the committee told statements, such as Mr. Erdogan’s recent comments us that it was not really practical to expand the operation. about two republics, two states and two peoples. Mr. Talat Altogether the bicommunal teams have exhumed 570 sets probably has more room to manoeuvre than is generally of remains from both sides of the green line and returned accepted in the south, although in the end Turkey will the remains of 179 people to their families—135 Greek undoubtedly have to approve any agreements, particularly Cypriots and 44 Turkish Cypriots. They are perennially on security. in the hunt for money, requiring between ¤2.2 million There remains, of course, the issue of the military and ¤2.4 million a year to function. The EU has just occupation. Clearly, there have recently been rapid foreign given the teams ¤2 million for the next two years, but policy developments in Turkey under Prime Minister they are still ¤1 million short for next year. Since the Erdogan—for example, towards Armenia and Israel committee started its work many years ago, the UK has and on broadcasting in Kurdish. Given that Turkey is given it $159,000, but it is a long time since we last gave not as yet an entirely democratic country, it can switch it a grant, and it is time that we gave it another one. its positions fast. Last summer, the remains of several high-profile Some trade is taking place. In 2007, exports from victims were identified, including the five Cypriot national Turkey to the Republic were worth $1.4 million, while guardsmen who were depicted kneeling in fear in the exports from the Republic to Turkey were worth infamous picture taken by a Turkish photographer. $8.6 million. However, that is only a tiny fraction of There was an outcry from some politicians in the south, what would be possible if we had a solution that opened although the bereaved families maintained a dignified Turkish ports and markets to Cypriot trade. Turkey has silence. However, the political response led to a reaction said that it would like to see a solution by December, from the Turkish army, which has withdrawn from its and we will have to see whether it makes any concessions tentatively developing approach of permitting excavations by then, although it has now conceded that there will on military land and reverted to its original non-committal not be a settlement by the year end and it maintains that wait-and-see position of proceeding after all civilian the negotiations cannot be open-ended. sites have been exhausted. Previously, the army said that it would consider a case if it had been documented, One thing that I have not mentioned is the peace but there have been no excavations on military land dividend, which would be substantial in terms of the so far. island’s economy and the income of individual families. The International Peace Research Institute in Oslo found Mr. Love: Does my hon. Friend agree that confidence- that the benefit to the island of a solution would be building measures, such as providing funding for work ¤1.8 billion per year—equivalent to ¤5,500 for every on missing people and joint ventures between the Greek family every year. A solution would create 33,000 jobs Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, are hopeful and 3 per cent. GDP growth over seven years in real signs that people are coming together on Cyprus? Should terms. The benefits of success would result in not only not the British Government do more to foster and an economically thriving Cyprus, but wider regional sponsor such activities? stability. Mr. Dismore: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his To conclude, the choice, which is still not accepted in comments and I entirely agree. I hope that the Minister the south, is really between a settlement, if one can be will be able to find a little cash in the Foreign Office negotiated, and the drift to partition, under the status 33WH Cyprus10 NOVEMBER 2009 Cyprus 34WH quo. However, the situation is not a status quo. It is I do not suppose that Hansard is regular reading for changing in a negative direction, year by year, as more the world leaders in question, but I hope that they will development takes place in the north and there are listen to our pleas to use this week’s celebrations as an more settlers, and as more Turkish Cypriots emigrate opportunity to give a push to the search for a just, and the demography changes, with an increase in the lasting and balanced settlement, to reunite Cyprus. I number of young people who have no knowledge of the hope that they will recognise that although the international other side, compared with those who lived bicommunally community—the UN and the EU—can help by facilitating before 1964 and 1974. and encouraging the finding of a solution by Cypriots, The International Crisis Group has commented that willingness on the part of Cypriots to negotiate is not failure will lead to de facto partition. Martti Ahtisaari, enough. If Cypriots are to reach a settlement to reunite the 2008 Nobel prize winner, writing for the Independent Cyprus, Ankara needs to give them the freedom that Commission on Turkey, also believed this to be the last they need to make their own choices about their own chance. Failure will mean that Cyprus is likely to slide country. If we are to achieve the goal of a peaceful and into hostile partition, with further strain on the EU-Turkey united Cyprus, we need to demilitarise the island. A relationship, new frictions in the eastern Mediterranean, just, lasting and peaceful settlement is incompatible damage to EU-NATO co-operation, acceleration of with the location of thousands of Turkish troops in the Turkish Cypriot migration and continuing questions country. over the future of UNFICYP. Plan B for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus if the talks fail seems to Mr. Burrowes: My hon. Friend has made her point be to press the EU to reopen issues of trade, and to seek about the division clearly. That division is nowhere recognition, probably in the first instance, from Islamic clearer than in Nicosia itself—a divided capital. Is it not countries. unacceptable that there should be that division in a The 50th anniversary of Cyprus’s independence from European state? We have been commemorating the British colonial rule will be marked in 2010. Throughout reunification of European capitals; is not reunification its short history as an independent country Cyprus has something that should happen in this context? been subjected to outside pressures and division: Enosis and EOKA-B, Taksim and Turk Mukavemet Teskilati, Mr. Bill Olner (in the Chair): Order. That was a long bicommunal villages divided, the Greek junta-backed intervention, and the hon. Gentleman is hoping to be coup against President Makarios and the Turkish Cypriot called next. invasion and occupation, with the green line splitting the island. Time is running out and surely now is the Mrs. Villiers: I am grateful to you, Mr. Olner, and to time, after so long, for the lasting settlement that is the my hon. Friend for an intervention with which I birthright of all Cypriots, to enable them all to live in wholeheartedly agree. Those issues were one reason for peace, security and prosperity. my writing to the Prime Minister and Chancellor Merkel this week, to ask them to use this week’s celebrations as Mr. Bill Olner (in the Chair): Two hon. Members are an opportunity to push forward with progress towards waiting to speak in the debate. It is a very important a settlement, and to put pressure on Ankara. They need subject and I want the party spokesmen to have adequate to make clear to Ankara that it is vital for it to comply, time to sum up, so I intend to call the Liberal spokesman first, with its obligations under the Ankara protocol to at 11.55. open its ports and airspace to Cypriot aviation and shipping; secondly, with the UN’s repeated resolutions calling for freedom and justice for Cyprus; and thirdly, 11.31 am with the repeated resolutions of the European Court of Mrs. Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) (Con): I Human Rights on Cyprus. Only when the Turkish congratulate the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) Government do that will we see freedom and justice for on obtaining the debate, and draw the Chamber’s attention Cyprus. to my entry in the Register of Members’ Interests about I want to keep my remarks short as I know that many a recent visit to attend the Morfou rally in Cyprus. others are pressing to take part in the debate, but I During a week when across Europe we are celebrating reiterate that it is vital to get progress on locating the the incredible day in 1989 when the Berlin wall came remains of missing persons. That is one of the saddest down, it is right and timely to consider Europe’s last and most distressing aspects of the division of Cyprus—that divided capital, which is of course in Cyprus. It may after 35 years, the remains of only 10 per cent. of the now be possible for Cypriots to cross the green line, but missing persons have been located. it still divides Cyprus in a deeply painful way, not least During my recent visit to Cyprus for the Morfou because it still prevents the refugees who fled in the face rally, it was my great privilege to meet several relatives of the 1974 invasion from returning to their homes. of those who are missing. It was also a privilege to meet The fact that a European country, now a full member them in north London, a few days ago, at an event of the EU, was forcibly partitioned 35 years ago should organised by Conservative MEP Marina Yannakoudakis. be a matter of huge concern and regret for world The matter is one of real distress for those people. We leaders as they meet to celebrate the upsurge in freedom need the truth quickly; sadly, many of the relatives of that occurred when the Berlin wall was brought down those who are missing will not be with us for much by people power. The fact that Cyprus remains partitioned longer. They need the truth about what happened to after 35 years is nothing less than a tragedy. We should their loved ones 35 years ago; that is a key part of not forget, of course, that the wall divided Berlin between pressing forward with a solution in Cyprus. Such a 1961 and 1989—a mere 28 years, which is seven years solution could be of major benefit to all Cypriots, less than the green line has divided Cyprus. regardless of the community from which they come. 35WH Cyprus10 NOVEMBER 2009 Cyprus 36WH

11.36 am and that information is passed on. The many relatives who come to the House every July to campaign on Mr. David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): It is behalf of their loved ones need to see the truth. a pleasure to take part in the debate, and I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) for securing It is also important that there should be proper it. I welcome the new Minister for Europe to the debate. compliance with European Court of Human Rights We have had a change of envoy and several Europe rulings. Turkey should recognise the need for effective Ministers in a short period, which has not necessarily investigations, which goes beyond the work of the helped with our focus on the Cyprus issue, but I welcome Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus. It needs to the fact that the Minister, like previous Ministers, is carry out its own investigations and ensure that answers committed to making an early visit to Cyprus. It is are given. That is a key element to building confidence. important that, among all the competing priorities, the It is important that we reach a solution. It needs to concerns about the need to reach a solution should be happen for Cypriots, including my constituents, and for heard loud and clear. Cyprus itself. It is also important to secure regional stability. Turkey is interested in EU accession, but that I declare an interest, to the extent that I visited can happen only if the Cyprus problem is solved. Cyprus last year as part of the Friends of Cyprus delegation; there is also a primary interest in my Opinion surveys say that there is a great deal of constituency, where I represent a large number of Greek pessimism among Cypriots and that it is increasing. It is and Turkish Cypriots, to whom progress is a matter of increasing particularly among the younger generations, vital concern. who have little knowledge of an undivided island. However, Other hon. Members have mentioned the positive on the other side of the equation, opinion polls say that attitude of the leaders, and their engagement in talks. there is a wish and respect among people that the Their relationship is perhaps one of the best aspects of leaders should reach a settlement. The diaspora in my the situation as we look to make progress. Their personal community also want to see a settlement. It is evident commitment is no doubt sincere, and it is something that they work and socialise together, and that they have that we should all support. It is important that all the Cypriot identity and culture. That must be retained; noises off, outside the negotiations, should be sensible it is part of the solution. and positive, and be built around the UN framework. It is therefore also important that Turkey should play its Mr. Love: Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the air part. Noises off about confederation are not welcome of pessimism evident in Cyprus could be turned around in the context of pursing the bicommunal, bizonal if only we could engage in confidence-building measures federation solution. such as dealing with the missing people and opening a dialogue about the history of the conflict? If we were to The report from the UN Secretary-General is also do that, we could create the sort of atmosphere that welcome. He welcomed the constructive dialogue between would lead to more positive negotiations. the leaders and made the point, mentioned in this debate, that the status quo, which is leading further Mr. Burrowes: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman away from a solution, is unacceptable. A settlement for that intervention. On a cross-party basis, we very becomes harder with each day that passes without a much share the concern that a solution should be solution. An increase in the frequency of talks is welcome, reached for Cyprus. The amount of talking is increasing, and the fact that they now take place twice a week is a but it is important that we see real confidence building. sign of real progress, but it is also important to recognise We talk about it a lot, but we need a real result. the point made by the Secretary-General. He said that Confidence can come about only through dialogue and the need to rationalise the process to deliver results and access. bring negotiations to a successful conclusion is becoming more pressing. I mentioned in an intervention that one important Where can the results be seen? My hon. Friend the aspect of access is access to worship—for those from Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs. Villiers) mentioned Maronite villages, for example. It is extraordinary in the work of the Committee on Missing Persons in this day and age that individuals cannot go to their own Cyprus. That is one of the lights in the darkness of the church to worship, but have to go through military Cyprus problem. When I visited Cyprus last November, zones, which are often restricted. It is important that I saw the great progress that the scientists had made in measures are taken; if such matters are kept distinct that most welcome of bicommunal projects, and how from the other negotiations, real progress could be hard they are working to ensure that the remains are made. Over the next months, while the extra talks are in identified and that families receive the truth that they progress, we need to focus on aspects such as Maronite need to enable reconciliation to happen. access and the missing persons. However, the task is large. As the hon. Member for As my hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet Hendon said, 2,200 Cypriots—both Greek and Turkish— said, we are remembering the fall of the Berlin wall. are missing. The latest information is that 562 individuals However, we still have a divided city in Cyprus; Nicosia have been exhumed, and 172 have been identified. It is a is a city of great heritage, but it is impaired by the slow, difficult and painstaking task, but it is of absolute divisions that we see every day. Although the crossing importance to achieve reconciliation and unity on the has given us an opening, the city is at a great disadvantage island. In political terms, we also need to see truth and and is scarred by division. We must ensure that, in reconciliation for the families; it is therefore important 12 months, we return to celebrate a united city and a that information is passed on. Turkish authorities and united island. the authorities in the north must recognise people’s real When one considers the conflicts that are being dealt concern about the remains that are to be found on with by the United Nations, the Cyprus problem should military bases; we should ensure that access is provided not be seen as an irreconcilable conflict. It is important 37WH Cyprus10 NOVEMBER 2009 Cyprus 38WH that we recognise the need for sacrifice and compromise, line has been opened up and there is more interchange but we also need proper integrity for the process that is between the two communities—we must do even more. based on the UN framework. The United Nations has a big role to play in creating an Finally, the Economist Intelligence Unit says that the atmosphere in which negotiations can take place. chances of Turkish and Greek Cypriots reaching a Historically, the European Union has not had a settlement are about 40 per cent. The reality is that that central role in finding a solution in Cyprus, but Cyprus is a 40 per cent. greater chance of a settlement than is now a member of the EU. Given that the EU recognises there would be if talks were not taking place. We need the continued division of one of its member countries, to support those talks; it is the best option. The House it must take on an important role. Such an issue, however, should be 100 per cent. committed to seeking a solution is tied up with the negotiations for Turkey, and I will to the Cyprus problem. not go into the Ankara protocol now, except to say that the EU must find some movement. As my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon said, there was a period when 11.46 am its ports were open to Cyprus shipping, so it is not Mr. Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op): I had impossible for such a thing to happen again. The European not intended to speak today, Mr. Olner, but as we have a Union has a critical role to play in facilitating a solution. modicum of time before you call the Front-Bench It may be that, in the future, it plays a role as a spokesmen, I wish to raise one or two important issues. guarantor. It is a guarantor for democracy and for all I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon sorts of human rights and the rule of law. Perhaps it (Mr. Dismore) on his most comprehensive survey of the could play a more prominent role as a guarantor of the situation in Cyprus, based on his recent visit to the independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus. island. I join the hon. Members for Chipping Barnet That brings me to the guarantor powers themselves, (Mrs. Villiers) and for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Burrowes) namely Britain, Greece and Turkey. The guarantor powers in saying how appropriate it is that we should be debating have not played as central a role as they should. Although the subject during the week when the international I accept the comments made by George Papandreou community is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the that perhaps Cyprus should be moving away from its ending of the division of Berlin. However, we in the connection with Greece and Turkey, that can only happen European Union still have a divided capital in Nicosia. if both those guarantor powers facilitate the process. It The international community should focus more on is only with their help and assistance that that could what needs to be done to end the long-standing division take place. of the island of Cyprus. Finally—I hope that the Minister will take this on The Berlin wall was erected in 1963 after a long board—the United Kingdom continues to be a guarantor period of turbulence. That was when we saw the first power. Historically, we have a legacy of involvement in divisions in the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot Cyprus. There is a large Cypriot community—both community in Nicosia. Both problems date back a long Greek and Turkish—living in the United Kingdom. way. If we had the time, I suspect that we could debate The United Kingdom must play a more prominent role for a significant period the opportunities over the years in the current negotiations. I know that the European to find a resolution, many of them missed. I think of Union looks to the United Kingdom as the country the high-level agreements of 1977 and 1979, when there that has been critically involved over the years. We must was a real air of optimism that a solution could be exercise more influence and do so in a way that will help found; I think also of the 1980s and 1990s, and even the to build confidence between the two communities. present decade, and the opportunities that have been Finally— missed because of the failure of all concerned. I think particularly of the failure of the international community Mr. Bill Olner (in the Chair): Order. I think that that to give the problem the prominence and effort needed to is the third time that you have said “finally”. find a solution. That brings me to the role of the United Nations, Mr. Love: Mr. Olner, you said that I had until 11.55, which has been critical to all developments in Cyprus so I will exercise my right to say “finally”. There is a lot since 1974. It has conducted various negotiations which of talk about a settlement being further away than ever, reached various stages. Indeed, it was successful in and the general attitude is very pessimistic. As has been bringing together a plan that was put to both said earlier in this debate, the two leaders of both communities—the so-called Annan plan. I do not want communities are very much committed to a settlement. to rehearse everything, but simply to recognise that the Progress is being made, although it is slow. It is for the UN has done a great deal and that it understands the international community, and particularly the guarantor critical issues involved. However, I am here today because powers, to give fresh impetus to the negotiations. If that I would like to see it do more; confidence-building can be done, we can turn around the negotiations and measures are necessary if we are to create the atmosphere perhaps reach agreement on the final date—it will be in which negotiations could be successful. around May next year—when we can look towards a There are many ongoing joint initiatives. Work is settlement. However, without that impetus, progress under way to address the long-standing issue of missing will not be made at sufficient speed. people, which goes back to 1974 and before. I welcome all such initiatives, but more needs to be done. For years 11.55 am we have talked about taking an initiative on Famagusta and on various other issues related to airports. Although Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): It is a great I recognise that the situation on the island has changed pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr. Olner. I remarkably and that progress has been made—the green congratulate the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) 39WH Cyprus10 NOVEMBER 2009 Cyprus 40WH

[Jo Swinson] that is acceptable to Greek Cypriots if it feels that the EU is not sufficiently progressing its application. In on giving such a comprehensive introduction to this September, David Hannay wrote: debate. He outlined areas in which progress has been “So long as there is breath in the body of Turkey’s EU made, and managed to cover a whole range of issues in accession aspirations, there will be some hope for a Cyprus this complex case. It has been very helpful to hear the settlement.” experiences of hon. Members, many of whom have The EU has an important role to play here. As we have visited Cyprus. Some have spoken with constituents seen in other parts of Europe, such as the Balkans, the who have a link with that country and others have heard prospect of accession can be used as a very effective first hand from individuals—relatives of the missing incentive and negotiating tool. I am not saying that the and others—about the difficulties that they face. I always EU has necessarily always been right about the way in think that mention of such experiences brings something which it has used such a tool in the past, but it is to the debates that we have in this Chamber. something that can be used positively. The hon. Gentleman held an Adjournment debate on Turkey is often blamed for the lack of progress on the this issue on 15 January. Sadly, his cautious optimism Cyprus issue. People say that Ankara has not pushed then about the prospects for reunification now needs hard enough for peace, but that assertion is not entirely further qualification, and that is a great shame. However, true. The Turkish Government, under Prime Minister the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Burrowes) Erdogan, campaigned for a yes vote in response to the made the point rather well when he said that talks are Annan plan in 2004, whereas the Greek Cypriot happening and that there is political will on both sides. Government, under President Papadopoulos, campaigned Therefore, despite all the difficulties, we must welcome foranovote. such an attitude and hope that it will lead us to a peaceful solution with equality and rights for both [HYWEL WILLIAMS in the Chair] communities. Having said that, Turkey could do more to progress I echo the comments made by many hon. Members the negotiations on Cyprus, especially by implementing about the timing of this debate. We are discussing a the Ankara protocol and opening all its ports to EU divided island and a divided capital in the week of the trade. Furthermore, there is no reason for maintaining 20th anniversary celebrations of the fall of the Berlin such a huge number of Turkish troops in Cyprus and wall, which I hope will inspire a renewal of efforts in movement has to be made on reducing that number. this case. However, Turkish Cypriots obviously feel very Obviously, the clock is ticking. As many commentators disillusioned, having voted yes to the Annan plan. They have noted, the presidential elections in the north in continue to be very politically isolated and economically April are likely to see nationalists elected, and that will disadvantaged, their young people cannot take part in clearly seriously damage the ongoing negotiations. Progress, the national sporting or cultural events and they look so far, has been slow, but we have a window of opportunity across the green line to the Greek Cypriots who enjoy at the moment with both Governments being pro- the full benefits of EU membership and who are flourishing reunification. The fact that such a view is liable to end economically and socially. Obviously, that situation leads in a few months means that there must be a renewed to genuine grievances. On both sides, property issues sense of urgency. have also been raised. The consequences of no solution have been pointed We have heard in this debate some ideas about the out by the International Crisis Group, which says that types of confidence-building measures that could be failure to reach a settlement could result in slow economic put forward to make progress. It is not for us in the UK progress, greater defence spending and reduced international to resolve all the difficult individual issues that are at credibility for the Republic of Cyprus, the Turkish stake, but we should be an honest broker and take a Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkey. neutral position, supporting Cypriot solutions. David Hannay, the UK special representative for I want to raise another point of concern with the Cyprus from 1996 to 2003, has said that the prominent Minister, which has been raised with me by the Liberal role played by those outside Cyprus may have had a Democrat Friends of Turkey group. It has expressed a detrimental effect, allowing Greek and Turkish Cypriots concern among Turkish Cypriots in the UK about the to blame outsiders for the failure of the talks. The Prime Minister’s decision to meet President Christofias Cypriots on both sides must own the negotiations at tomorrow. Tomorrow is also the first day of a High every stage, or they are bound to fail. That does not Court hearing of the controversial Orams property case mean that outsiders have no role, but that their role and as the meeting between the Prime Minister and should be discreet, and aim to persuade, not coerce, President Christofias is on the same day, it could be Greek and Turkish Cypriots. interpreted as Britain possibly taking sides in that case. The hon. Member for Hendon mentioned the natural Obviously, it is not for us to become involved in international deadlines, which obviously include the December assessment law in this instance, but we should seek to appear of Turkey’s EU accession. I am very much in favour of neutral. I would welcome it if the Minister reassured Turkey joining the EU, not least for the symbolism of Turkish Cypriots in the UK that the British Government accepting a Muslim country into what is still perceived are not taking sides. as a Christian club. However, the possibility of Turkey’s I also encourage the Minister and the Government accession to the EU presents a very curious Catch-22 generally to meet representatives of both Cypriot situation. On the one hand, the EU is unlikely to agree communities in the UK, to help to build consensus and to admit Turkey until a settlement is reached on Cyprus, confidence. I understand from the Turkish Cypriots and on the other, Turkey is unlikely to support a settlement who have been in contact with me that the British 41WH Cyprus10 NOVEMBER 2009 Cyprus 42WH

Government have met a particular group of Labour- We then heard from the hon. Member for Edmonton supporting Turkish Cypriots but they have perhaps not (Mr. Love), who used the time available to him to met representatives from the whole mainstream of Turkish maximum effect. He also pressed the Minister on the Cypriots in the UK. So I would be interested to hear the point that there is still an opportunity to achieve a Minister’s comments on that issue. settlement, which all of us present today would agree I would also like to pick up on the point made by the with. We hope that that opportunity will not be missed. hon. Member for Hendon in the debate on Cyprus in We then heard from the hon. Member for East January about the ¤50,000 donation for demining to the Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson), who spoke for the Liberal UN Mine Action Centre in Cyprus. That demining Democrats. She gave a very balanced contribution in work is obviously an example of something that is very outlining the challenges that Cyprus faces. symbolic; not only does it help to demine the buffer I want to begin my contribution by pointing out that zone but it helps to build confidence. I wonder whether British-Cypriot relations go back many years. Indeed, it we could have an update on how that money has been could be argued that they began with Richard the spent. Furthermore, given the ¤5 million shortfall that Lionheart in 1191, when he visited Cyprus en route to was referred to, is there any possibility of convincing the Holy Land. He stopped off in Cyprus long enough other EU member states to give more money to that to marry his wife Berengaria in the Byzantine St. George important fund? chapel in Limassol. Coming forward to today, Cyprus is In conclusion, I concur with the conclusion of pretty now a fellow member of the Commonwealth, having much everyone who has spoken today that the longer it attained its independence in 1960. It is also now an takes to reach a settlement in Cyprus, the more likely it important trading partner and, of course, a member of is that the division of the island will become permanent. the European Union. Obviously, a permanent division would have huge negative Beyond that, we should not forget the thriving Cypriot consequences for regional stability and economic community in the UK. For the first time, I believe, it has development. now produced a British-Cypriot MEP in Marina As a guarantor power with strong relationships in Yannakoudakis. I am sure she will continue to raise the Cyprus, the UK ought to have a significant influence on Cyprus issue in the European Parliament with the same the situation there, although that influence should obviously persistence that her predecessor in that Parliament, my be exercised discreetly. We should also be using our hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet, voice in the EU and the UN to push for a redoubling of demonstrated before her. We are very pleased that she efforts to use this window of opportunity to create can now be a voice for Cyprus in the European Parliament. conditions whereby these talks about the future of As we have heard, the talks aimed at resolving the Cyprus can succeed, bearing in mind the imminent division of Cyprus are ongoing, the current series having natural deadlines that exist. resumed in September 2008. It is with that in mind that I visited the island in April on behalf of my party, to see for myself the state of the negotiations and to try to 12.4 pm familiarise myself with some of the issues at stake. Mr. Mark Francois (Rayleigh) (Con): It is a pleasure, On that visit to Cyprus, I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Williams, to serve under your chairmanship today. President Christofias and the UN’s Special Representative, I must begin by congratulating the hon. Member for Alexander Downer, who has worked so hard to get a Hendon (Mr. Dismore) on securing this important debate dialogue going between the two communities. I also had on Cyprus. It is right that we should devote time to this the chance to meet the Turkish community’s chief subject today, so that we can discuss it at Westminster in negotiator, Mr. Ozdil Nami. That visit taught me a lot some detail. The hon. Gentleman went into considerable about the issues involved—not least their complexity—and detail in framing the debate. which must be addressed in trying to find a settlement to the dispute. I also learned about the special role that We have also had a number of other contributions, Britain has played historically in Cyprus. beginning with that of my hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs. Villiers). She has a long-standing The current state of the talks is that some progress interest in the issue of Cyprus, first, Mr. Williams, as has undoubtedly been made. For example, Mr. Downer you may know, as a Member of the European Parliament is quoted in yesterday’s edition of the Financial Times before coming to this place. She has continued that as saying that he is still “cautiously optimistic” about a interest since becoming a Member of Parliament at settlement. He points out that President Christofias and Westminster. She knows a great deal about Cyprus and Mr. Talat, the two leaders of the Cypriot communities, has visited the island on a number of occasions. Today, are meeting regularly and have discussed key issues, she raised the issue of missing persons and I hope that, including power-sharing and property ownership in a when the Minister replies, he can speak in some detail future settlement. He is quoted as saying that, after about it. almost 50 sessions of talks, the leaders “have made significant progress—though not equal progress in all We also had a contribution from my hon. Friend the the chapters—but they have agreed on an enormous number of Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Burrowes). He has things”. significant Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities in his constituency, as he alluded to in his contribution. That is how Mr. Downer characterises the state of Unsurprisingly, therefore, he has also taken a close and progress to date. strong interest in this subject. He spoke in some detail The areas where the most progress has been made about the challenges facing Cyprus and the need for a include the economy and European Union responsibilities. settlement. I am sure that the Minister will want to They are generally seen as being the least contentious of respond to his contribution, too. the six negotiating chapters. However, the Cypriot leaders 43WH Cyprus10 NOVEMBER 2009 Cyprus 44WH

[Mr. Mark Francois] that one can still be achieved, perhaps even before the next British general election, whenever that might be. have also discussed the governance and power-sharing However, if a final agreement has not been reached by chapter that dominated their talks earlier this year. The then, a potential Conservative Government are ready talks have now entered into the detail of what is perhaps and willing to do what we can to help the people of their most contentious section, on property. A meeting Cyprus find a solution to that long-standing problem, took place on Monday between the two leaders, and subject of course to the realisation that the future of another is scheduled for Thursday. the island rests primarily in the hands of the two As we have seen, some progress has been made. There communities themselves. are signs of concern that both the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities are beginning to harden their 12.14 pm positions. In fact, a recent opinion poll demonstrates The Minister for Europe (Chris Bryant): It is a delight that about 60 per cent. of the Greek Cypriot population to serve under your chairmanship, Mr. Williams; still have some reservations about a potential solution. I think that it is the first time that I have done so. I A recent opinion poll published in the Turkish Cypriot congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon daily Kibris showed that about 78 per cent. of Turkish (Mr. Dismore) on securing what he referred to as his Cypriots would prefer two independent states, and annual debate. It is not annual, as it happens more than obviously, only a smaller proportion would say yes once a year; there was another Adjournment debate again to the Annan plan if it were put back on the table. earlier this year that lasted only half an hour. However, It is a worrying trend, as Mr. Talat, the Turkish Cypriot I congratulate him on securing this one. The issue is leader, will be facing elections within the Turkish important not only to the many Cypriots living in the community in April. It could lead to a new leadership United Kingdom, who, as many constituency Members that is less committed to bringing about the reunification have shown today, take a direct and specific interest in of the island. it, but in terms of securing justice and economic opportunity At present, therefore, there is still an opportunity to in a key area of the European Union. It is also important make progress in finding a solution that could lead to because of Britain’s historic links with Cyprus, to which the reunification of the island, but both sides should be the hon. Member for Rayleigh (Mr. Francois) alluded, aware that delay at this point will not create an environment although I sometimes think that talking too much for the talks to succeed, and could in fact have the about history in discussions about Cyprus is part of the opposite effect. Unless further signs of flexibility appear, problem, and that we need to talk less about history and a valuable opportunity to reach a lasting settlement more about the future. could be lost, a point made by hon. Members from all I also congratulate my hon. Friend on the enormous parties in this debate. number of parliamentary questions to me that he has I have said that Britain should do all that it can to tabled, and I congratulate myself on how many answers work for a peaceful settlement. That also applies to the we have provided him with. other guarantor powers. Turkey, for instance, has a role to play in achieving a solution, and it would be beneficial Mr. Dismore: I don’t. if it showed greater flexibility in its relations with Cyprus in order to facilitate that solution. In that context, it is Chris Bryant: I am sure that my hon. Friend does not, an interesting coincidence that the progress of Turkey’s and that he will table another set of parliamentary accession to the EU is due to be evaluated at the EU’s questions on any issue about which he is not fully December Council. It would undoubtedly be a good satisfied. sign of Turkey’s intent to pursue its European vision if, Several hon. Members have referred to the irony of as a candidate country, it could demonstrate good will our debating this issue during the week when Germany towards its potential future EU colleague, Cyprus, by is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the tearing down showing some flexibility aimed at bringing about a of the Berlin wall and the beginning of the process of solution. German reunification, which I think everybody here I would like to raise with the Minister an additional welcomes. Of course, at the time, there was anxiety in issue relating to British people living in Cyprus. There the UK and some parts of the then Government about have been numerous problems with British and other whether reunification was a good idea. I merely note people investing money in properties in Cyprus and that in 1948, the British Labour Foreign Secretary, discovering later that the title deeds are either faulty or Ernest Bevin, made it absolutely clear that the Labour retained by a developer who may then re-mortgage the Government were wholeheartedly in favour of a united property without their knowledge. The Foreign and Germany, just as we are entirely in favour of a united Commonwealth Office website acknowledges the problem, Cyprus. I think that those who argue for a two-state estimating that up to 100,000 properties owned by solution in Cyprus are going down the wrong route. Britons, Cypriots and others may be affected by faulty First I will refer to some of the specific issues raised title deeds. I believe that the Cypriot Government are and then I shall move on to more general issues. The trying to make progress on the problem, but given the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Burrowes) number of British people caught up in it, has it been referred to the Maronite community. Obviously, we raised with the Cypriot Government directly? If so, can take a particular interest in that community. It is not the British Government do anything further to facilitate large, but it is significant and its linguistic and cultural a quick solution? heritage is important. I do not want to refer too much This week, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of to history, but ever since the Maronites arrived 1,200 years the fall of the Berlin wall, as a number of hon. Members ago from Lebanon, they have played an important part have pointed out. It is a cause for dismay that there is in Cypriot life. We as a Government supported the still no solution to the division of Cyprus. We hope Council of Europe’s 2008 resolution calling for 45WH Cyprus10 NOVEMBER 2009 Cyprus 46WH

“additional measures to support the revitalisation and promotion physically seeing and experiencing the situation is more of the cultural, religious and linguistic heritage of the Maronites”. significant than reading any number of articles, even in It is crucial to bear in mind that we are not talking such illustrious a publication as the Financial Times. about just two communities. We are talking about a The hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs. Villiers) wide diversity, and the more we can embrace that in the referred to missing persons. I lived in Argentina briefly eventual solution, whatever it may be, the better. Obviously, in the 1980s. From speaking to the Mothers of the it is essential that any final settlement should include Plaza de Mayo, who are named after the big square the freedom to express and enjoy one’s religion and to where they used to demonstrate, I know of the profound worship, a right guaranteed within the EU. feelings of loss that are multiplied by not knowing what My hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) might have happened to the person concerned. That can mentioned the importance of bicommunal links. be enormously toxic not only for the individual, but for Notwithstanding the point that I just made about the the body politic. The hon. Lady is right that this issue is fact that there are more than two communities, he is one of the most important things to get right so that right that it is vital to provide support for any confidence- history can be closed before moving forward. We have building measures. We are keen to do so, and the British long supported the Committee on Missing Persons and high commission wants to take every possible opportunity I will meet with representatives of it when I visit Cyprus. to do so. We continue to support financially the Committee Of the 562 sets of remains that have been exhumed, the on Missing Persons, about which I will say more later, remains of 128 Greek Cypriots and 44 Turkish Cypriots through the European Union. We also support the UN have been identified and returned to their families. mine action centre, and I will also say more about that. The hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire referred It was encouraging to see Elsi Christofias and Oya to the Liberal Democrat Friends of Turkey. That is an Talat speaking together at an event in Pyla. It is good abstruse group. She seemed to develop a certain paranoia— that the chambers of commerce, and commerce and not uncommon among Liberal Democrats—about the industry, co-operate across Cyprus. As my hon. Friend Prime Minister meeting Mr. Christofias tomorrow. There the Member for Hendon said, we are encouraged by the is no connection between the dates. There is a legal fact that the founder of easyJet is producing a bicommunal process and a political process. We do not take a side in business initiative. In many ways, it is economic opportunity either, except that we are in favour of a settlement. I am that will take us forward into the future, rather than glad that the Prime Minister will see Mr. Christofias leaving us languishing with the problems of the past. tomorrow and I look forward to meeting him in a couple of weeks. Mr. Love: One of the greatest confidence-building The hon. Lady asked about the UN mine action measures that the Minister could undertake would be to centre. We were delighted to give ¤50,000 of bridging visit the island. Does he have any plans to do so? finance this year and are delighted that the EU has given a commitment on the issue. I am sure that all hon. Chris Bryant: I would not overestimate the value of Members would acknowledge the contribution that the my visiting anywhere, but I am grateful for my hon. action centre has made and the tragic loss of one of its Friend’s confidence. I intend to visit Cyprus at the end members of staff last week. By demilitarising and demining of the month. the island, it is playing a vital part in the process of The hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) reaching a settlement. asked whether I have met people who are on different The hon. Member for Rayleigh mentioned UK residents sides of the argument. I do not take any side in the in Cyprus and I hope to meet representatives when I argument; I am on the side of those who want to see a arrive there. He is right that there is a significant property settlement. I am happy to meet people from a wide issue, as there is in Spain. Many people raised such range of views when I visit Cyprus. The Foreign Secretary issues with me when I visited Spain earlier this year. would also like to visit Cyprus. We will play as significant Yesterday, I met with the Spanish Minister with a role as possible, but, to echo the hon. Member for responsibility for the matter and we are trying to find Rayleigh, there must be a Cypriot settlement. Although solutions. The issue is complicated in Spain because we can encourage people to talk, enforcing a solution different autonomous regions have different powers. would be counter-productive. The British high commissioner has raised the issue with the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Mr. Francois: Since the Turkish invasion in 1974, Cyprus and we have received assurances that the there have been a range of complex issues on the island. Government intend to introduce a Bill to address future One confidence-building measure that encouraged both cases. The issue affects a large number of people, as is sides was the opening of the Ledra street crossing in stated on the Foreign Office website to which the hon. Nicosia. Both sides acknowledged that as a positive Gentleman referred. When British people buy property development. Does the Minister agree that the opening in other countries, they may come up against property of other crossings, particularly in the near future, would and land laws completely different from those in the build confidence on both sides and encourage momentum? UK. It is an important element of the Foreign Office’s “Know before you go” campaign that we ensure that Chris Bryant: The more that the two communities are British citizens have as much information as possible able to commune, the better. For that to happen, people before undertaking such property transactions. must be able to travel between the two communities. I Several hon. Members asked whether we should be shall reserve my view on how many crossings there optimistic. I confess to being a natural optimist, so I am should be until I have visited the island; the hon. optimistic about the situation in Cyprus. There are Member for Rayleigh has the advantage over me on reasons to be cheerful: in Mr. Talat and Mr. Christofias, that point. As all hon. Members will acknowledge, we have two leaders who are committed to negotiation, 47WH Cyprus 10 NOVEMBER 2009 48WH

[Chris Bryant] Rape Crisis Centres and in Greece and Turkey, we have two Governments who are committed to a settlement. We can all point to 12.30 pm issues on which individuals from those four parties have Lynda Waltho (Stourbridge) (Lab): While preparing not implemented fully what we would have liked. However, to speak in this debate, I was approached by several we must take at face value that they are committed to a charities, lobbyists and politicians, who represent a settlement. Regular meetings are going on. wide range of opinion and interest in the subject. What Why is this issue so important? First, there is unites them is a desire to see the issue of funding for a natural interest for Britain as we approach the rape crisis centres given the greatest possible prominence— 50th anniversary of independence. Secondly, it will not both for the public and the Government—and although be possible for Cyprus to achieve its full economic they may differ in opinion on the means, the end of potential—in both communities—until a lasting settlement achieving sustainable funding for rape crisis is the same is accepted throughout the island. Not only tourism, for them all. but a range of industries, could move forward dramatically The way in which victims of rape and sexual assault if there was a lasting settlement. Thirdly, security in the are dealt with by the voluntary and statutory sector has eastern Mediterranean can be enhanced for the EU and a huge impact upon the victims themselves and upon the region only if there is a settlement in Cyprus. the services and volunteers who support them. Every Several hon. Members have referred to Turkey’s accession year, 3 million women across the UK experience incidents to the EU. I am a passionate supporter of Turkey’s of rape, domestic violence, forced marriage, human accession. I believe that it would be good for Turkey to trafficking or other forms of sexual violence. In financial enter the EU as a secular Islamic state, that it would terms, the cost of that is estimated to be around £40 billion. enhance our energy security and that it will be the Asian Quantifying that huge figure is extremely difficult, but it tiger of the European economy in the next 25 years. is near impossible to measure the long-term impact of However, it is inconceivable that it will accede until the horrific sexual crimes that many women, men and there is a full and lasting settlement in Cyprus. People children are subjected to each year. Out of an estimated argue against Turkey’s accession for many reasons, not 80,000 annual incidents of rape, Her Majesty’s inspectorate least on the basis of migration. However, I believe that of constabulary believes that up to 95 per cent. go we must pursue Turkey’s accession and, at the same unreported. Of those that do get reported, there is an time, a full and lasting settlement in Cyprus. 80 per cent. attrition rate of victims from the criminal We believe that Turkey must comply with its commitment justice system. We in this place must continue to ask to implement fully the customs union. Last week in ourselves why that remains the case. Ankara, the Foreign Secretary made it clear that we In common with many people around the UK, in my believe that the ports should be open. We believe that Stourbridge constituency, people who wish to report a the UN resolution calling on Turkey to give back Varosha rape or a sexual assault must go to the police in the first should be fulfilled. At the heart of the issue is the fact instance. People reporting a sexual crime that has just that political will is needed to make that happen. As in happened almost inevitably require examination by a “Othello”, which was largely set in Cyprus— forensic medical examiner. For people in Stourbridge, that can mean a wait for a police car to take them on the Hywel Williams (in the Chair): Order. We must move journey of up to 20 miles to the Sandwell sexual assault on to the next debate. referral centre—SARC—which is the closest one to Stourbridge. Alternatively, the person concerned has to remain in what is often a busy police station, where it is difficult to find the privacy that is particularly needed after a horrific crime such as rape. The victim is then treated as forensically hot, which often means they are unable to wash or drink, and sometimes they have to sit on blotting paper to preserve evidence of the assault. There is usually a protracted wait to see a doctor and, bearing in mind that 99 per cent. of sexual crimes are committed by men, it is possible that women victims of sexual assault may not be able to see a female doctor at all. That is particularly the case in the west midlands, where 85 per cent. of FMEs are male. The police officers who are involved in these cases are clearly managing the needs of victims of rape and sexual assault alongside their own immense work load. However, they are not necessarily mandated to have special training in how to deal sensitively with these victims. Through experience, many police officers are extremely adept at assisting people who find themselves the victim of rape, but it is not guaranteed that someone who is brave enough to come forward as a victim of a recent or historic sexual crime will have such a police officer dealing with their case. 49WH Rape Crisis Centres10 NOVEMBER 2009 Rape Crisis Centres 50WH

Police officers do not always know that a victim of What confidence can victims of sexual assault have in sexual crime can be told that they can have the assistance a system that offers them no guarantees about getting of one of the excellent, but all too rare independent their case in front of a court? That problem speaks to sexual violence advisers—ISVAs—who provide victims an inherent distrust in people who make an allegation and survivors with emotional support through counselling. of rape or sexual assault. Demolishing that tendency They also provide practical support, such as by finding requires institutional change, as does the process by safe accommodation if it is needed, or assisting on the which rape crisis centres, police, the health service and long route through the criminal justice system. prosecutors work together to provide positive outcomes Inevitably, a victim’s first encounter with the criminal for victims of sexual crime. Local and national Government justice system will be affected by the reception that they must take their place in limiting the bureaucracy imposed get. That in turn provides them with a perception of on rape and sexual violence support organisations. how the system will deal with their case and informs This is a Herculean task, but we should not shirk their decision and the further decisions they need to from it. What would certainly make it easier is putting make about seeking an all too rare prosecution. Without enough money into the process that victims go through specific training, it is possible that police might not have to see their attackers brought to justice and ensuring the skills, through no fault of their own, to recognise that they are given help in recovering from the trauma the particular sensitivity needed when assisting victims of horrific attacks. The Rape Crisis network is the of rape at the initial stage. That is the case for people umbrella organisation for 38 groups in England and who have just been assaulted, as well as for people who Wales that provide support to victims of rape and may have been assaulted a long time ago, which requires sexual assault. In doing so, they do an amazing job. The a particular form of bravery to come forward and even centres that are supported by the RCN have many more careful assistance as they enter the criminal justice things in common. They work tirelessly to support process. The Home Office says that each rape costs victims of sexual crimes, they rely on the good will of £76,000, but it is not uncommon for rape crisis centres volunteers and they are under constant financial pressure in the west midlands to get just £100 per victim in to make ends meet. funding. Rape crisis centres and similar organisations form the backbone of support for victims of sexual crime. They Mr. Andrew Pelling (Croydon, Central) (Ind): The support people who have had the bravery to come hon. Lady is returning to the issue of funding and costs, forward and ask for help after a traumatic experience. which she mentioned at the start of her speech. We are However, for the past two years they have been forced to fortunate in Croydon because we have a rape crisis apply for emergency funding because no sustainable centre, which has recently benefited from an additional funding exists to allow them to do their vital and grant of more than £250,000 from the London Mayor. admirable work. We all know of the pressures to reduce Croydon is unusual in that respect because there are public sector spending, but we should increase funding really only two such centres in London. Does that not for rape crisis centres, if possible. At the very least, we underline the need for additional resources, whether should sustain for a number of years the money that from Government, regional government or, indeed, some supports them. match funding from local government? When someone who has been sexually assaulted approaches the police, a doctor or a counsellor, they Lynda Waltho: It does indeed. The matter is not just fear, among other things, a lack of dignity. But rape about one-off amounts of money, which are obviously crisis centres that support them, such as Sandwell in my very useful; it is about sustainability. Often people who constituency and others like it, step in to help them should be counselling and supporting victims are filling through emotional trauma and through the criminal in forms, chasing money and effectively finding their justice system, which is improving but could always do wages for the next year. Sustainability is the key to more. It is crucial that police, health care providers, dealing with the issue. prosecutors and rape and sexual violence organisations In common with those around England and Wales, have enough confidence in each other’s place in the rape crisis centres in the west midlands face a constant system to give the assurance needed for victims of struggle to achieve funding, whether from Government sexual assault to keep coming forward. That will happen bodies or charities. Recently, in 2008-08, a rape crisis only when rape crisis centres are recognised for their centre in the west midlands was given £40,000 from the ability to support victims and survivors as well as for Home Office to provide services in that financial year. their skills in working, as part of the third sector, hand In 2009-10, as an emergency measure, similar to the in hand with the statutory sector. previous year it was awarded £50,000. However, to cope I am sure that many who work across local government, with an expanding work load, it had needed and had the police, charities and health services to support victims asked for nearly £90,000. That could not be provided of rape will welcome the Government’s moves to improve because funding had been capped. the way that we handle this issue. There has been a When someone is accused of a sexual crime, from 46 per cent. increase in convictions for rape since 1997, investigation to courtroom, funding is assured to see and the criminal justice system has been ever more that the case is dealt with fairly. In comparison, funding responsive. There has been extra funding of £1 million for the provision of services to victims and survivors of for rape crisis centres in the past 12 months, and there is sexual crime is not assured and varies by area. Of now a team of advisers to help areas that do not have course, securing investigation and, where appropriate, dedicated sexual assault referral centres to set one up. conviction is in the public interest, but surely, the welfare Those changes are all creditable and historic, because of the victims of these horrific crimes is equally so. no previous Government have sought to provide them. 51WH Rape Crisis Centres10 NOVEMBER 2009 Rape Crisis Centres 52WH

[Lynda Waltho] sexual violence advisers in 43 areas to provide advocacy and support for victims. My hon. Friend has talked I hope that the Government will demonstrate how those about the excellent work that they do. groundbreaking measures can be extended to provide This year, the Government conducted a wide-ranging long-term, sustainable support for rape crisis centres. consultation on violence against women, the responses Sexual violence and assault can, among other things, to which will be published soon. My hon. and learned strip victims of their dignity. The Government have Friend the Solicitor-General is working with the judiciary gone a considerable way towards helping to restore it, on cases in which defendants raise the issue of delayed but it is essential that they also dignify the organisations reporting to undermine the credibility of complainants. and professionals who support and care for rape victims They are working to ensure that juries are better advised with the sustainable funding that they need to continue and better able to understand the impact that the trauma their vital role, rather than commit them to a constant of rape can have on victims and on their behaviour after merry-go-round of short-term funding applications. the attack. As well as taking action specifically in relation to 12.42 pm victims of sexual violence and sexual crime, the Government The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Maria have taken general actions to put victims at the heart of Eagle): Let me begin by congratulating my hon. Friend the criminal justice system. Those actions have had a the Member for Stourbridge (Lynda Waltho) on obtaining positive impact on the support that victims of sexual the debate and thereby allowing us to consider the violence can obtain from the criminal justice system. I serious and important issue of sexual violence. I pay shall not argue that more could not be done or that we tribute to the work of the third sector on sexual violence. have turned the corner completely, because there is Such organisations do vital work across the country to more to do. However, special measures are available to support those who have been subjected to what is one of support vulnerable and intimidated witnesses, such as the most horrible crimes. Rape and sexual violence rape victims, in our courts so that they can give their involve violation of the most personal and intimate best evidence in court without having to be next to the kind, and the situation is often made worse by the fact attacker or looked at by them. The victim personal that the victim knows their attacker. The impact of statement can enable victims to have a voice in certain those crimes can be devastating to victims and very cases, such as where there has been a guilty plea. All difficult to deal with. Some people can and do recover, that helps to ensure that the point of view of the person but many need or want support. Sometimes the impact who has been attacked can be at the centre of the emerges later—in some cases, years later. As my hon. court’s consideration. Friend has said, voluntary rape crisis organisations play I think that my hon. Friend requested this debate a crucial role in providing a range of services such as mainly to talk about funding the third sector, so I shall counselling, therapeutic support and advocacy services. address her comments on that. The Government have They work closely with victims, the majority of whom done a lot on this issue. First, we have provided more are women. than £12 million of funding in the past five years, Far more rapes and incidents of sexual violence are through the victims fund, for voluntary organisations not reported than are. British crime survey figures have that support victims of sexual violence. For a few years indicated that only 15 per cent. of such crimes come to now, there has also been a special fund, as my hon. the attention of the police because so many victims do Friend noted, to top up the money that is available to not tell anyone about their experiences. As my hon. support the work of the third sector on sexual violence. Friend has acknowledged, however, there was a 50 per That is a £1.6 million fund for members of the Survivors cent. increase in the number of convictions for rape in Trust and Rape Crisis to keep open local services for 2007 compared with the number in 1997. Reporting of victims. As my hon. Friend rightly said, those charities rape has more than doubled since 1997. That increase is provide invaluable support and specialist services such partly due to the systemic improvements that the as counselling and advocacy to women and men who Government have tried to make in the criminal justice have been raped or who have experienced sexual violence. system to facilitate victims of sexual violence and rape Another £1.8 million has been invested in the current in feeling able to come forward to report to the police year for new and existing sexual assault referral centres, what has happened to them. In respect of sexual violence, and there is a £1.4 million fund for creating a national improvements include the appointment of specialist support team to bring together all the key agencies and officers and specialist rape prosecutors across the country, to provide support to ensure that victims of sexual supported by much improved guidance and training for violence get the support they need in local areas to police, the Crown Prosecution Service and barristers. report crime. That helps to ensure that prosecutions Other measures include supporting police forces in succeed in greater numbers, where they are undertaken, developing plans to improve the investigation of rapes, and that those who rape and engage in sexual violence and ensuring that all forces are supported by a specialist do not get away with it. Twelve million pounds of team in implementing the plans. spending was provided over the five years prior to this We are funding and extending the network of sexual year for specialist services for victims of sexual violence, assault referral centres that my hon. Friend mentioned and core funding was provided for Rape Crisis (England to ensure that victims receive medical care and counselling and Wales) and the Survivors Trust. and that they can assist the police investigation through We are looking at the issue of sustainability, which a forensic examination. The number of SARCs has my hon. Friend raised, and understand that we need to increased from just five in 2001 to the current 29, and support voluntary sector organisations more. Officials we aim and expect to have one in every police force area from across Government are working to consider what by 2011. We also fund the provision of independent more can be done to address the issue of sustainability 53WH Rape Crisis Centres10 NOVEMBER 2009 Rape Crisis Centres 54WH in the sexual violence sector. We recently commissioned working together across those natural boundaries, which research and shared it with the stakeholder advisory is always difficult but always a good thing to do, it group on sexual violence and abuse funding, a group on ought to be possible to ensure better and more sustainable which officials from my Department and others and funding for those organisations that provide such vital representatives of the sexual violence sector sit to look services in many local areas. Indeed, one need visit only at how we can best sustain the work that those organisations a few of those organisations to hear that referrals come do in the future. from many statutory services but not necessarily with One area we seek to address relates to cash. My hon. any money. The volunteers in those organisations are Friend said that many of the professionals and volunteers committed to their work, so they do not say, “Oi, in the third sector organisations dealing with sexual where’s the money for these referrals?” Instead, they get violence spend too much of their time making applications on with the job. We must find a way to ensure that for funding rather than continuing their work helping money is attached to referrals. victims, so we are looking at trying to ensure that there We need to ensure that local services, whether local is a more streamlined process. authorities or regional or local arms of central Government We are looking at commissioning to see how that services, do not take the work that is done in those should be compact and compliant with equality duties, organisations as a free good that they do not have to because one issue relating to the sustainability of funding pay for one way or another. I am convinced that the for third sector organisations is that many local work we are doing should enable us, with good will on commissioners of services with mainstream budgets, all sides and with a proper understanding across the some of which should clearly be used to support such statutory services of central and local government, to voluntary organisations, have taken the view that those ensure that those organisations doing such vital work are too low down the list of priorities and, as they are do not fall through the various gaps between the priorities women-only, do not comply with equality law. That is a of mainstream budget holders, because in many ways misconception and incorrect, and it is something we that is what has happened over the past few years. need to educate local commissioners about more fully. We are looking at what more can be done on commissioning I want to say a few words about the Stern review, by those with mainstream budgets, whether in local because several recent cases that have come to the authorities, health authorities or the criminal justice public’s attention illustrate that there is still a need to system, to ensure that it is properly understood that address head-on some of the myths, misperceptions that part of the third sector should not be funded only and wrong attitudes surrounding the crime of rape. The by central Government from some central pot. Government are pressing forward with the agenda of trying to ensure that more is done to support better the We are trying to ensure that the Government’s capacity- victims of sexual violence. There is now a review into building work for third sector organisations includes how rape complaints are handled, from when a rape is those from the violence against women sector and the first disclosed until the court reaches a verdict. My hon. rape crisis and sexual violence sector. Friend gave some examples of the experiences that victims of sexual violence have immediately after what Mr. Pelling: Does the Minister have a view on those has been an extremely traumatic experience and a crime women who have no recourse to public funds because of committed against them. One is not surprised that some their migration status, and on how rape centres should of those women feel unable to report properly to the be better provided for to deal with their needs? police what has happened to them. Maria Eagle: There is some central funding from the The review, led by Baroness Stern, will look in particular POPPY project, which comes largely through the Home at how public authorities, including the police, local Office, for those who have been trafficked into this authorities, health providers, the Crown Prosecution country and subjected to sexual violence, so there is Service and others, respond individually to rape complaints some specific funding aimed at helping those victims of and interact with each other, as well as the attitudes of sexual abuse who come to the attention of the authorities. professionals to rape and evidence from the victims. It One of the issues with the sexual violence third sector will take account of the emerging findings of the is that it does not tend to be commissioned to provide Department of Health task force on the health aspects services, as it would be perfectly possible for it to be, of violence against women and girls, led by Professor because those involved are specialists, such as those Sir George Alberti, which is due to report early next who deal with a particularly vulnerable part of society year, and of the work done by Sara Payne, the victims’ locally or local group. One of the strands of the work champion. we are trying to do on sustainability is saying to local Since September, Baroness Stern has held 21 meetings commissioners across public organisations that that with key stakeholders, including academics, public area should not be ignore because it is covered elsewhere. authorities, inspectorates, political leaders, local government, It is an essential part of providing support for victims of third sector support services and complainants, and has crime and those who find it difficult to recover from now embarked upon a programme of regional visits to their experiences. collate further evidence and perspectives from a range I hope that the work we are doing in conjunction with of authorities, service providers, prosecutors and members the sexual violence third sector organisations will produce of the judiciary. Regional visits will also provide her a better understanding across the public sector, centrally with the opportunity to speak to and visit a variety of and locally, of where those organisations fit into the specialist rape investigation teams, rape crisis centres, available services that can be commissioned by mainstream sexual assault referral centres, third sector groups and budget holders in local authorities, health services and local crime and disorder reduction partnerships. She the criminal justice system, and create awareness that by will visit the English regions, Wales and Scotland for 55WH Rape Crisis Centres 10 NOVEMBER 2009 56WH

[Maria Eagle] Public Transport (Disabled Access) some comparative discussions throughout the rest of the year. She is expecting to present a final report to 1pm Ministers at some time in the new year. Mr. John Randall (Uxbridge) (Con): It is a pleasure I hope that I have been able to indicate to my hon. to be here today. I believe this is the first time that I have Friend that the Government are committed to tackling spoken in this Chamber with you in the Chair, Mr. Williams. rape and sexual assault, bringing perpetrators to justice I take the opportunity to thank Mr. Speaker for granting and ensuring that victims get the help and support they me this Adjournment debate. need. I congratulate her on securing the debate and Part of the London borough of Hillingdon is in my highlighting in particularly the issues that concern those constituency.Every three months or so, the three Hillingdon in the voluntary and third sectors who do so much to Members of Parliament—my hon. Friend the Member help the victims of sexual violence. for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Hurd), the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) and I—have a joint meeting with Disablement Association Hillingdon, known locally as DASH. We meet various people who have disabilities and also those who have issues around it. A subject that has been common to various meetings is the problems that are still encountered by many disabled people in accessing public transport. First, I should acknowledge that there has been some advance in accessibility for disabled people on public transport—I believe we all recognise that—and certainly things have improved with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, but it is obvious that there are still significant problems. It is not particularly easy to bring accessibility to transport quickly, but the situation is frustrating for disabled people. Mr. Simon Harris, who is in charge of DASH, and one of the other people who often raises this point, Mr. Allen Bergson, are appropriately forthright in trying to champion the cause of improving accessibility for the disabled. I also acknowledge that in London, where my constituency is, we have Transport for London, and the Mayor and the Greater London authority have input. Although some of my comments will be about the UK generally, many of them will be directed by the experience in Hillingdon. However, they are relevant to many other areas. I shall not spend a great deal of time on the tube or the Overground, because it is evident to anyone who has any form of disability, particularly those who require a wheelchair, that the underground system is difficult to access.

Mr. Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab): I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on introducing an extremely important debate, and I am grateful to him for giving way. One of my constituents who has a disability and uses a wheelchair lives on a bus route served by four different drivers. She said that three of them are excellent, but that the other one has told her more than once that she is a pest. Would the hon. Gentleman agree that there is a strong case for making disability awareness known to as many people as possible? I would not for one second disregard the importance of so many people in public life who are committed to a fair deal for disabled people, but perhaps we have to be a bit more robust in presenting a policy of awareness.

Mr. Randall: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that. I shall dwell on that theme later. It is one thing to pass laws and to talk about disability in this place and elsewhere, but we have to get through to the general public on a wider scale than we are doing at present. 57WH Public Transport (Disabled Access)10 NOVEMBER 2009 Public Transport (Disabled Access) 58WH

In my own case, having a disabled mother and, before unsympathetic to the needs of disabled people. As he passed away, a disabled father, I suddenly became Members of this House, we are very much aware of much more aware of the problems. Without drifting too them because people come to us with their concerns. much, too often one goes to a place and asks, “Do you There are awareness campaigns and courses for bus have accessibility for wheelchairs?” and what we hear is, drivers, and most drivers are helpful, but unfortunately, “Yes, there are only three or four steps.” There is still a as with most things, there will be one or two who are mentality among many people, unless they have had to not. get a wheelchair in and out, that things are not as Something that never occurred to me until it was difficult as they actually are. I agree with the right hon. pointed out, when it became obvious, is the problem at Gentleman that access and fair treatment on any form request stops for those who are visually impaired. We of transport are important. He mentioned buses, which take things for granted—we see a bus coming along, we I shall discuss. see the number on it and we stick our hand out to stop I do not want to be entirely negative. One positive it—but that is a problem for someone who has problems thing that I have noticed over the years, going up and with their sight. I do not think that we appreciate quite down on the underground and buses—again, I am how difficult that is. quoting from experience in London—are the audiovisual The Government’s statutory advisory committee, the announcements, particularly on the buses. Previously, it disabled persons transport advisory committee, has found was sometimes difficult for a person to know where that although disabled people travel a third less often they were, even if they were fully sighted and able—the than non-disabled people, they have a greater reliance bus could be crowded, or the windows could be misted on the bus services. That committee produced figures up—so they are an improvement for all passengers. But showing that, within the disability community, blind for those who have problems, they are vital. and partially sighted people use buses significantly more I believe that the Transport Committee recently produced than other disabled people, with 50 per cent. taking the a report on transport for the Olympics, and that it bus at least once a month compared with 43 per cent. of recommended that all transport should have such other disabled people. That is why request stops and announcements. It is obvious that not just disabled announcements are so important. people would benefit from them: they would be of We forget that the black cabs are a form of public benefit to locals and certainly will be important to the transport. Disabled people can find them useful in huge number of tourists who will come in. I would like getting from A to B, but one obvious problem is the that system to be extended to all buses throughout the expense. Mr. Allen Bergson, whom I mentioned earlier, country. told me about the real problems and how, in many A problem with buses that I believe is probably cases, it is cheaper to fly to Spain and back than to get a common around the country is that many now have black cab. For example, Mr. Bergson lives in Hillingdon disabled space—in effect, space for a wheelchair—but it and it cost him £80.11 one way to go to the National is limited, and those wheelchair spaces are sometimes hospital in Holborn for some drug trials. Without being taken up by other passengers, most obviously those too intelligent I can work out what the return trip with children’s buggies or prams. I got a copy of a letter would cost. Booking fees and credit card charges lead from TfL, which says that it encourages its drivers to to a black cab costing more for disabled people than for ask people to move, but that they do not have powers to able-bodied people because one with wheelchair facilities insist that people move. It is a matter of asking and has to be booked. Although sometimes they can flag trying to make people aware. Sometimes, the great one down, the chances are that the first one that comes British public are not as understanding as we would like along may not be accessible. So the cost of what we them to be. Many people may have experienced this. might think is a relatively easy journey becomes hugely People may be under pressure themselves—it is not easy problematic. taking a buggy around with a lot of shopping, a kid In providing accessibility for people with disabilities, screaming away and all the rest—but we should try to we want to try to enable them to lead as normal a life as ensure that space is available. possible, getting out and enjoying things and getting on If the place on the bus is taken and a wheelchair with work. Work is another big problem, because transport cannot get in because there is no space—this assumes is not that easy for disabled people to use. that the ramp is working and so on—the person has to At our DASH meetings we have endless discussions wait for the next bus, and the next one if that one has no about Dial-a-ride, which provides a useful service but space. Interestingly, I noticed that a local person recently also leads to many complaints. It is a patchy service. had an out-of-court settlement from a bus operating People from Dial-a-ride come along to the meetings to company—I believe they got £1,000—because they could try to explain what is going on. There is so much not access four consecutive buses. frustration. For example, people can book an outward For most of us, that situation rarely occurs, although trip but are unable to book the return journey, which sometimes a bus is too full and it speeds past, but for a makes the whole thing pointless. disabled person sitting in a wheelchair and trying to get Having mentioned some of the obvious problems, I on a bus, it must be problematic. Again, I am speaking should like to mention that, having been granted this about London, where the bus services are quite regular. debate, I was approached by the British Lung Foundation, I would imagine that elsewhere this could be a real which wanted me to raise the problem of charges for problem if the next bus is not for half an hour or so. oxygen on airlines. Although I told them that this These are problems for disabled people. debate was about public transport, that is still a problem. As I said in response to the intervention by the right It may be something for another day, but I should just hon. Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill like to flag it for the Minister and say that that is just (Mr. Clarke), the public are sometimes surprisingly another problem that people face. There are other examples 59WH Public Transport (Disabled Access)10 NOVEMBER 2009 Public Transport (Disabled Access) 60WH

[Mr. Randall] people to access employment and services and to meet their friends and family; in other words, it helps them to in respect of airlines, including some not always being lead independent lives. Nowhere is this more important as sympathetic to wheelchair users as others. We should than in the lives of disabled people. be concentrating on such things to try to let our constituents We will of course continue to meet the requirements with disabilities enjoy as full a life as possible on as of existing and planned legislation. The Equality Bill, equal terms with ourselves as possible. which is currently passing through the House and will I should like to bring to right hon. Members’ attention shortly reach Report stage, will streamline and bring the report on the findings of Trailblazers, which I am together in one place much of our equality legislation. sure the Minister has seen, which involved 1,000 young Existing provisions in the 1995 legislation covering the people from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, who transport needs of disabled people will be included in became, as I would say from my retail experience, the Bill. Not only will the Bill include the existing mystery shoppers, trying to see how easy it was to do provisions; there is a plan for it to include new ones things on the transport systems. Those findings are all aimed at making taxis more accessible. I know that the pretty obvious, but perhaps we should highlight the fact House divided on the Bill on Second Reading, but I that disabled passengers often feel like second-class hope that colleagues will reflect and will support its citizens and that they cannot, as I have mentioned passage when it returns to our House. already, always access the first bus, train or taxi. The All new buses and trains have to be accessible, including assisted passenger registration service on the trains to wheelchair passengers, and we have set end dates by needs 24-hour advance booking, making the possibilities which all buses and trains have to meet our accessibility for more flexible travel—suddenly wanting to go somewhere standards. We have made good progress in recent years. on a train, for example—much more difficult. So far, 46 per cent. of rail vehicles and 62 per cent. of These are all problems that people face. As I said at the national bus fleet comply with the regulations. In the beginning, I acknowledge that things are and have fact, the hon. Gentleman will be aware that, as a been improving. Goodness knows that any of us could, consequence of the leadership shown since 2000, in and probably will, suddenly find ourselves with some London 100 per cent. of our buses are accessible. That disability. Although we can say that advances are being shows what leadership can do. made, there is a need for urgency in respect of provision for disabled people, because their quality of life could Mr. Randall: Of course, we acknowledge that that is a be improved by improving disability facilities on public wonderful achievement. However, as I said earlier, one transport, and that would make a huge difference to problem is that it is not just about vehicles being accessible; them. As we come up to the Olympics and, more it is about ensuring that they are truly accessible in the importantly, the Paralympics, we have a wonderful sense that people can get on them, and about awareness. opportunity, all round the country, to ensure that we Mr. Khan: The hon. Gentleman is right. Getting to have some of the best public transport accessible to the bus stop or the platform is often the biggest challenge, disabled people. and I recognise that there is still some way to go on this. 1.16 pm It is not just about making buses and trains accessible. There is no point in having a new, accessible bus if The Minister of State, Department for Transport people cannot get to the bus stop or board the bus. The (Mr. Sadiq Khan): It is a pleasure for me, too, to serve end-to-end journey is what matters, and if there is a under your chairmanship, Mr. Williams. It is also my weak link the individual will not make the journey by maiden voyage with you in the Chair and I hope that I public transport or, worse, will not make it at all. do as good a job as the hon. Member for Uxbridge I welcomed the intervention from my right hon. (Mr. Randall). I congratulate him on securing this Friend the Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill debate on an important matter: access to transport by (Mr. Clarke). He knows from his own experience of disabled people. moving private Member’s Bills and his long time in On a personal note, I say to the hon. Gentleman that Parliament the huge impact that small decisions by bus our previous interventions had been as one Whip to drivers or bus operating companies may have on the another, and I really enjoyed listening to his speech quality of life of people throughout the country. That is based on his personal experience working with DASH why we decided to invest in the access for all programme and others in the disabled community. in 2006, with £370 million ring-fenced until 2015 to The Department for Transport is committed to ensuring make stations accessible for those with reduced mobility that we have an increasingly accessible transport system or who are disabled. Work has been completed at 30 stations, that works for everyone. Indeed, one of the Department’s and a £6 million small schemes fund is available each five goals is to promote greater equality of opportunity year for innovative and locally focused solutions to deal for all citizens to achieve a fairer society. This morning I with access problems at stations. More than 1,000 stations addressed a disability conference at Sadler’s Wells, where have benefited from those innovations. we discussed many of the issues that the hon. Gentleman Although we understand that disabled people want touched on. The conference is going on as we speak. improvements immediately, we must strike a balance The hon. Gentleman was correct to draw attention to between their needs and the operating constraints of the fact that many of us may be disabled one day. He the transport industries. Our largely Victorian railway mentioned his mum and his father. There are more than system poses a challenge in providing 100 per cent. 10 million disabled people in the country and, with an accessibility, so we must identify where we can achieve increasingly ageing population, transport has a key role the most benefits from our investment, not just for to play in delivering on many of the Government’s disabled people but for all passengers, including older social policies. For example, transport helps enable people and parents with babies. 61WH Public Transport (Disabled Access)10 NOVEMBER 2009 Public Transport (Disabled Access) 62WH

The hon. Gentleman touched on an important point We recommend that both front-line and management about finite places, and tension between mums and staff are trained and that their skills are regularly updated. dads with buggies and people whose only form of Last year, the Department’s advisory body, DPTAC—the moving about is in a wheelchair. He will be aware that Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee— legislation is in place to ensure that bus drivers and published a training framework for use by those preparing others understand the priorities if, for example, those and running courses. The Olympics—this will please with buggies do not understand, appreciate, empathise the hon. Gentleman, as a London MP—will provide the with or give space to those in wheelchairs. opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of that training when many disabled people come to London for the In his excellent speech, the hon. Gentleman touched games. Crossrail will also ensure that all the facilities on the role of taxis, which are an important link in the that it provides will be accessible to disabled people. transport chain. We have recently consulted on accessible Security and fear of crime are also barriers for many taxis, driver duties to disabled people, and training. I people, including disabled people. We remain committed announced recently that the Department intends to to reducing crime, fear of crime and antisocial behaviour make regulations to impose a duty on drivers of accessible wherever it occurs on the transport system. The taxis, as well as private hire vehicles, to assist disabled Department’s secure stations programme is contributing passengers into and out of the vehicle, and to transport to that. them in safety and comfort. The Department will also invite bids from local Another point raised by the hon. Gentleman was the authorities to participate in demonstration schemes or need to know and to access information before making pilots to assess disabled people’s needs and how to a journey. Later this year, the Association of Train match the taxi fleet to those needs. He also touched on Operating Companies will launch a new station journey the Trailblazers report. I had the benefit of meeting the planning website, and my Department has contributed group recently and receiving its report, and as a result £500,000 towards that. The site will include access of the impression that it made on me, I have actioned a information for every station in the country. number of points. I will write to the hon. Gentleman to Transportdirect.info is the Department’s website and let him know exactly what I have done, because I know offers free information for door-to-door, multi-modal that he has a huge interest not only in DASH—Decent travel around Britain. We are considering how to include and Safe Homes—but in other such organisations. more information on accessibility, and how real-time information can be provided direct to disabled passengers. We must think not only about local journeys. Disabled In Reading, such information can be sent to a mobile people should be able to travel further afield just like the phone; that will improve the quality of life for many rest of us, and to enjoy holidays wherever they want. We people about whom the hon. Gentleman and I care continue to monitor compliance with the European passionately. regulation that came into force in July 2008 on the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced The hon. Gentleman referred to the cost of transport. mobility when travelling by air. We are also involved in Last year we extended the concessionary fares scheme negotiations on the European Commission’s proposals, to allow disabled people to travel free on off-peak buses which were published in December 2008, for new anywhere in England. In addition, half fare discounts regulations, including rights for disabled people and are available on coaches, and the disabled person’s passengers with reduced mobility using maritime transport railcard offers one third off many rail tickets. To illustrate and international bus and coach services. the scale, the £1 billion for the concessionary bus fares scheme enables 11 million people in England to have The issue is not just about physical access. We know access to free buses after 9.30 am and before 11 pm. from our research and as highlighted by Trailblazers and other groups for disabled people that other barriers For those who cannot use public transport or do not prevent people from taking advantage of the improvements have access to a car, community transport remains an that have been made to the transport system, not least important means of mobility, so we are encouraging the attitude of operating staff. Since 2002, we have had collaboration with third-sector organisations, particularly regulations in place that make it unlawful for transport in community transport solutions. Those organisations operating staff to disregard the needs of disabled passengers, and local authorities have a critical role in targeting including wheelchair users. For many operators, disability resources at local authorities’ needs. The Local Transport awareness training is now an integral part of staff Act 2008 removes some of the restrictions on vehicles training, but we must do more, and we are working with used for community transport, and allows drivers with GoSkills on how awareness training can be incorporated section 22 permits to be paid. into the certificate of professional competence for bus Delivering improved accessibility does not rest only drivers. with the Department for Transport. I accept that we The hon. Gentleman may be interested to know that must work in partnership with operators, manufacturers, not only does Trailblazers have a mystery customer delivery agents such as local authorities, and disabled remit, but Passenger Focus will extend its empire from people. Many accessibility barriers need local solutions, rail to bus. I have had a mystery tour around the which is why we have introduced accessibility planning country using buses, and he is right in saying that bus into the local transport planning process to allow a drivers can do simple things, such as parking the vehicle clearer and more systematic approach to ensuring that next to the pavement, using their mirrors to ensure that the needs of vulnerable groups in accessing jobs and older or disabled people have sat down before moving key services are considered. We must not forget, for off, braking gently, and other things to improve the example, how important the pedestrian environment is quality of life for disabled commuters when getting on for getting about. We are evaluating the accessibility and off buses. planning process to see how that is working in practice. 63WH Public Transport (Disabled Access) 10 NOVEMBER 2009 64WH

[Mr. Khan] Centre for Defence Medicine

I again congratulate the hon. Member for Uxbridge 1.29 pm on his speech, and on bringing this important matter to the Department’s attention. I re-emphasise that accessibility Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): I remains high on our agenda. We have achieved a great had better start with an apology, because it is actually deal, but there is still a long way to go if we are to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine. That error is achieve our 2025 goal in the Government’s strategy for entirely my fault. I am extremely grateful to have the improving the life chances of disabled people to ensure opportunity to speak about the work done by military that they live more independent lives. and NHS clinical staff at the centre at Selly Oak hospital. Over the years, the centre has been mentioned in Parliament—usually in response to ill informed comments, which have not always been confined to the press. I want to put on the record the centre’s achievement, in its entirety. The centre was formally opened by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal in 2001. A year later, in 2002, it was given approval by Her Majesty the Queen and could use the title “Royal”. It was fitting that the Princess Royal performed the opening ceremony, as her husband, now Vice-Admiral Timothy Laurence, wrote the original Ministry of Defence report advocating the creation of the centre for defence medicine. The first RCDM staff arrived at University Hospitals Birmingham in September 2000, when seven nurses joined the accident and emergency department. They have since been joined by almost 600 doctors, nurses, therapists and support staff, who work throughout the trust. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) for allowing me to trespass slightly on her territory. I hope that I can justify that on two grounds. Incidentally, I am glad to see that my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Richard Burden) is also present. The first ground is that the trust very much covers the south of Birmingham. The other excuse, which is probably much more important, is that I was in the Department of Health when the decision was made to restructure the way in which medical care was delivered to our armed forces. Setting up the centre was not uncontroversial. I remember participating in Adjournment debates that made me extremely unpopular in places such as Gosport. Military medicine has extra dimensions beyond the usual care for patients. Military commanders need advice on how to maintain the health of their troops and how to deal with injuries suffered on or away from the battlefield. They usually operate in extreme conditions—extreme in terms of climate, terrain and personal security. Just to complicate things, there are tropical diseases and wound contamination. There is now agreement that free-standing dedicated military hospitals cannot provide the best clinical care. Much of the criticism in the past was based on the mistaken assumption that unless there were dedicated hospitals and wards for servicemen, they would receive second-rate treatment. The opposite is true: what matters is the appropriate setting and clinically optimal care. The British Medical Association, in response to today’s debate, stated that “whilst the desire to build a separate, military hospital is understandable, the practicalities of providing up to date expert clinical care by well trained staff working in acute hospitals make this impractical as a solution”. The BMA wants to see the necessary improvements to provide the best health care overall for our military 65WH Centre for Defence Medicine10 NOVEMBER 2009 Centre for Defence Medicine 66WH patients, using the best that the NHS has available but back. While in Afghanistan, he was the medical director ensuring that the care is given in an environment with of the field hospital in Camp Bastion. I am also told the appropriate military ethos. that during that time, the Danish provided half the staff I should like to remind the press and the media that for the hospital, with a quarter being British and a they, too, have a responsibility, which goes beyond their quarter American; apparently, Tim learned Danish before daily circulation figures. Of course when things go he was deployed. I mention all that because when wrong, they need to be highlighted. I am glad to say talking about Afghanistan, we tend to think only in that most recently the press and the string of visiting terms of the British troops. However, the contributions politicians have acknowledged the excellent work done from other troops and how regularly we work with at Selly Oak, but some may wish to look back and them are often not mentioned enough or underestimated. reflect on some of the things that they have said and Colonel Peter Gilbert, the Officer Commanding of written in years gone by. Sad to say, we still get stories, the hospital squadron at Camp Bastion, in charge of such as that in The Sun on 24 September, that are the Territorial Army’s 256 City of London field hospital, simply factually inaccurate. They fail to understand heads a squadron of about 170 men and women. He that counting “military beds” tells us little. said that Misrepresentations of that type damage the morale of “on an average day we see more major trauma here than all the recovering injured soldiers and clinical staff, and morale UK hospitals put together” is a component of fighting power. Stories such as those and their wounds, like all war wounds throughout history, worry troops, staff and families alike. are likely to be heavily contaminated. The Defence Medical Services is the collective term for some 6,500 trained regular uniformed medical personnel A study soon to be published examines the period from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air force. The from 2006 to 2008 and estimates that there have been hospital treatment of armed forces personnel is carried more than 40 “unexpected survivors”, with the figure out through the use of NHS facilities under partnership expected to rise. Unexpected survival or extreme recovery arrangements. The Defence Medical Services staff are is largely due to three things. The first is rapid treatment grouped into five MOD hospital units across the country. on the ground in what is referred to as the “platinum” I am referring to Derriford, Frimley Park, Peterborough, 10 minutes; by applying tourniquets or staunching blood Portsmouth and Northallerton, plus the Royal Centre with clotting powder, catastrophic haemorrhaging is for Defence Medicine. On average, the total number of avoided. The second factor is the rapid evacuation of military in-patients in NHS hospitals across the UK, the injured by medical emergency response teams using for all illnesses and injuries, is about 60 to 75 personnel, Chinook helicopters manned by a consultant, nurse although the numbers fluctuate. and paramedic who are highly skilled in trauma care. The Healthcare Commission, which checks health Thirdly, those whose combat injuries require even services in England, reviewed Defence Medical Services more specialist treatment are brought into Selly Oak. earlier this year and found that rehabilitation services There are weekly case conferences between UK and were “excellent” and that the system of regular reviews Camp Bastion staff. Once in Birmingham, the injured of best practice in trauma and rehabilitation services have access to a hospital with more than 1,250 beds, 43 meant that care was “continuously improving and specialties, 30 operating theatres and 76 critical care innovating”. Patient diaries, kept for personnel recovering beds—that number will increase to 100 when the new from injury in hospital to help with short-term memory hospital opens next year. Only last week, some of the loss, were described as “innovative”. soldiers injured in the shooting involving the Afghan national police force were flown into Birmingham Most recently, the excellent work done by the RCDM, International airport for transfer. led by Brigadier Chris Parker, was recognised at the military and civilian health partnership awards in Edinburgh At every stage, our forces—and in the case of the in November 2009. Moira Kane, from 202 field hospital, Afghan theatre, Danish and Estonian soldiers who fight Birmingham, won the deployed health care award for with us—receive medical treatment that is second to her work as a senior nurse in the emergency department none and always in the most appropriate setting, with at Camp Bastion. Dr. Heidi Doughty, also from 202 the aim of getting the most skilled and most qualified field hospital, who is a colonel in the Territorial Army, medics to them as quickly as possible. won the reservist of the year award for her pioneering Incidentally, the skills and expertise acquired at Selly work on improving blood platelet donation by soldiers Oak when treating battle casualties and non-combat to injured colleagues. The ortho-plastic team at Selly injuries ultimately benefit all patients treated in the Oak, led by Professor Keith Porter, won the team of the NHS. Military care, medical care and support care, year award. Those who watched the BBC documentary with the services and their families, come together at “Wounded”, which followed the treatment of two seriously Selly Oak. When the injured arrive, their families are injured soldiers, will be familiar with the team’s work. informed and cared for by the Defence Medical Welfare Having been critical of the press, I can pay tribute to Service, with the support of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen the Birmingham newspapers; the Birmingham Mail and and Families Association. Families can be accommodated The Birmingham Post have always been fair to the in specially designed flats, which are literally across the centre, acknowledged its achievements and drawn it to road from the hospital. Too often, we deal with extremely the public’s attention. complex medical cases, but there are also very complex In last year’s new year’s honours list, Professor Colonel family situations. Tim Hodgetts was awarded the CBE for his services to emergency medicine. He has deployed frequently, recently Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): My in Afghanistan. In preparing for the debate, I asked hon. Friend is making excellent points and has grabbed where he is now and was told that he has just come all the ones that I might have made in intervening. 67WH Centre for Defence Medicine10 NOVEMBER 2009 Centre for Defence Medicine 68WH

[Lynne Jones] of Health. The bottom line is that we will achieve full recognition only when literally every GP in the country, However, I would like to point out that in Selly Wick on first encountering a patient, asks them whether they road, SSAFA has a home from home where family have ever been in the services. That will allow us to members can come so that they are close to their loved ensure that servicemen and women get the treatment ones. that they deserve and which we owe them. 1.43 pm Ms Stuart: I have seen the photographs of the accommodation provided there by the local SSAFA, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence which works really well with the military services. Despite (Mr. Kevan Jones): I congratulate my hon. Friend the the initial horror of the news that families receive, we do Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) on give them the best care and support once they are securing the debate. She has given me an opportunity to brought to Selly Oak. In that respect, families who are celebrate the success at Selly Oak and to say thank you in a difficult situation are not helped when certain to the military personnel and NHS staff who work sectors of the press exploit people’s vulnerability for there. She rightly mentioned service charities, and I their own purposes, rather than to get the best services would also like to put on record my thanks for the for our servicemen. dedication shown by the staff at SSAFA and other We could not do what we do without the support of organisations that have supported the families of patients charities. Governments have always worked with charities, at Selly Oak. but the co-operation is more profound on this issue As my hon. Friend said, Selly Oak came in for some than on any other. There are established charities, such unwarranted criticism a few years ago. I was privileged as the Army Benevolent Fund and the Royal British to be a member of the Select Committee on Defence Legion—today is, of course, the day before Armistice when it did a report on the Defence Medical Services. day, and we are all wearing poppies. However, there are When I first visited Selly Oak and spoke to the chief also more recent charities, such as Help for Heroes, executive, I asked her about some of the more salacious whose multicoloured wristbands have captured the comments in the papers. She had tried to rebut a lot of imagination of a whole new generation. them, but what disturbed and astounded me was that In last week’s edition of The House Magazine,of some of them were completely untrue, and it was sad which, I confess, I am the editor, the hon. Member for that they had had an effect on some of the hard-working Newbury (Mr. Benyon)—unfortunately, he cannot be staff. If people are going to report on our injured, we here today, although I told him that I would mention should tell them, “Please report the facts.” One thing him—recounts meeting Stephen Vause, who had been that we hear all the time is that people in Selly Oak are injured in Basra while serving with the 4th Battalion the not allowed to wear uniforms. When visitors walk around Rifles. That encounter in Selly Oak, and the awareness the Selly Oak military managed ward, however, all they that we need much more support for the rehabilitation will see is military uniforms, so such claims could not be of our servicemen, eventually led to the creation of further from the truth. It is important that we treat our Help for Heroes. The charity is now one of the most most severely wounded in that military context, because successful of modern times and has raised more than that is part of aiding them on the road to recovery. £32 million in just two years. My hon. Friend mentioned the wider work of the Defence Medical Services, and I want to put on record There is a covenant between the Government and our my thanks for the partnership working that takes place servicemen, which makes it clear that we should look between the military and the NHS. She rightly noted after our servicemen for as long as necessary. The that last year’s Healthcare Commission report said that defence medical rehabilitation centre at Headley Court the service was exemplary and that its work in areas in Surrey provides an excellent service. It has a staff of such as trauma care could be taken up in the NHS. That more than 300, including rehabilitation specialists from is the key point, and the Defence Medical Services and all sectors. Together with Help for Heroes, it will deliver the Surgeon General certainly see the partnership approach a new rehabilitation complex, including a state-of-the-art as the way forward. A couple of weeks ago, I was swimming pool and a new gym. pleased to be in Edinburgh for the second Defence That brings me to my real question to the Minister. Medical Services and NHS awards, where Chris Parker We have immensely improved the way in which we care and his team were rightly recognised; that was well for our injured servicemen—the survival rates would deserved. not have seemed possible five years ago—but that means Some people still argue that we should have stand-alone that cases require much more complex and much more military hospitals, but the Defence Committee came to long-term rehabilitation. I would therefore like the Minister’s the conclusion—most of the professionals I have spoken assurance that the effort that has gone into ensuring to have reiterated this—that what we have now is better that our medical treatment is the best will also go into at providing clinical care and ensuring that we provide rehabilitation. That is a question not just of years, but, the best. We simply do not have sufficient numbers in some cases, of the rest of someone’s life. going through our military units—last week, the figure In that context, we have decided that servicemen and was about 32 individuals, some of whom were in Selly ex-servicemen should have priority when receiving NHS Oak, while others were in other military managed units treatment. However, I am not convinced that our record- throughout the UK. People often mention the US, and keeping is sufficient to allow us to identify those who somebody did so again yesterday when I was speaking should be given priority. In addition to wanting to at a conference, but we have to recognise that the US know more about our plans for rehabilitation centres, has a very different system. It has larger numbers of therefore, I think that it would be helpful if the Minister servicemen and it does not have the health service that had discussions with his colleagues at the Department we do. 69WH Centre for Defence Medicine10 NOVEMBER 2009 Centre for Defence Medicine 70WH

We should take pride in the work done at Selly Oak. charities. I should like to nail once and for all the idea Not only is it leading to the discovery of new techniques, that Government should do everything. I do not believe but it is at the leading edge of research into dealing with that. Partnership working with the likes of Help for some very complex injuries and, as my hon. Friend said, Heroes and the Royal British Legion is the way forward. with infections that servicemen and women unfortunately The idea that I am pursuing is to put what I should pick up when they are in Afghanistan and Iraq. call a welfare bubble around the people concerned. My hon. Friend rightly pointed to the pathway from Once they leave the armed forces, if they do, and make the front line, and a key point is that embedding medics the transition to civilian life, some will be able to go into right on the front line is making a real difference to the work, and it is important that we should put in place use of tourniquets and so on. As a result, people have training for them, and support from employers. A number survived who would not have survived even a few years of employers are willing to work with us, and we shall ago. My hon. Friend is right to describe that pathway, be doing that. My hon. Friend is right to say that it is including the medical evacuation teams that take servicemen important for local authorities to recognise the uniqueness and women back to Camp Bastion. I have visited Camp of the individuals we are considering. That is why last Bastion a number of times and seen the tremendous week I was pleased to launch with Kent county council work that NHS and military personnel do there. They what I have called the welfare pathway. It is not rocket not only assist servicemen and women with their wounds, science: it is intended to make sure that when local but treat Afghan civilians, and I saw them treat some authorities develop policies they think about veterans—and children who had been injured—there is that role, too. although it is Kent in the present pilot, I remind hon. Members that I am looking for other councils to take I want to put on record my thanks to the aeromedical part. Kent, for example, has a one-stop-shop gateway, evacuation team at Lyneham. I visited members of the which will ask the simple question, “Have you ever team last year, and they are remarkable individuals. served in our armed forces?” Secondly, and importantly, They are on constant 24-hour call. They fly into Camp the council has a champion for veterans—someone who Bastion and bring back severely wounded patients. Dealing will be championing this approach. I hope to roll it out with somebody in a critical situation in hospital is with other councils and with my counterpart in Scotland difficult, but doing it at 30,000 feet, while flying back to later in the year. The idea is to join up services to ensure this country for 10 hours, is quite remarkable. On one that those responsible think about veterans. occasion earlier this year, the team brought back three patients whose conditions required intensive care. We The most severely wounded will have a separate therefore have to thank the team. pathway, and we need to make sure that we look after those people for life. My hon. Friend has made a key The partnership at Selly Oak works. Patients are general point. I was very proud that the service personnel received at Birmingham airport, and I should put on Command Paper, launched two years ago by the Secretary record my thanks to the local ambulance service and of State when he was Minister for the Armed Forces, the police, who make sure that the transition to Selly did it right. It was the first piece of work in which we Oak is as smooth as possible. We have come a long way looked across Departments to see how we could make and can be proud of what we have achieved. I thank my priorities for servicemen and women and veterans. hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston for giving me an opportunity to talk about what I see as One relevant issue, as my hon. Friend mentioned, is the next piece of the jigsaw, which is what happens priority access. Have we got that right? No; I do not next—an issue that she raised. think that we have. At a national level there is a very good buy-in, and I thank my colleagues at the Department There are now some young servicemen and women of Health, who are pressing the case very hard. However, who have had terrible wounds that a few years ago they we need to work on how we get the GP or service would not have survived. I was at Headley Court last provider, such as a mental health trust, to recognise week. On such occasions I am always humbled by the veterans. That is why I had a meeting a couple of weeks strength of the individuals and their families and their ago about our hope to be able to track veterans, once determination to ensure that those life-changing they leave, through the NHS system, so that it will experiences—and many have horrible wounds—will not become second nature for a GP or hospital to ask set them back. We are also pushing at new frontiers of someone whether they have been in Her Majesty’s rehabilitation at Headley Court, with respect to prosthetics armed forces. and technologies for new limbs. It is not an accident that the individuals concentrating on that work in the I do not want to take up time by making all my limb department are RAF technicians: they use the announcements in advance, but I want to mention latest computer technology to provide some of the most another announcement that I shall make in the new up-to-date prosthetic limbs. year, about local advocacy. It is important that veterans and servicemen and women should locally have someone, To return to my hon. Friend’s key point: what next? I or a group of individuals, who speak up on their behalf. think that we are doing the best for those servicemen and women now, but the question that concerns us is I think that we are in an exciting time, because if we what will happen to them in 10, 20 or 30 years’ time. can marry the best that we have in NHS medicine and That is the big test for Government and for society: how military medicine at Selly Oak with rehabilitation, and do we look after those people? I am passionate about achieve a joined-up approach at local level, we shall be getting that right, and that is why I am undertaking able to achieve what I want, which is that when people some work with the Surgeon General and others to see leave the armed forces after serving their country they how we can establish a care pathway for them. I shall will get all the support they want. As my hon. Friend announce that early in the new year, and it will involve knows, some of the people concerned have very complex working with not only our NHS colleagues but service health care needs that will require looking after for life. 71WH Centre for Defence Medicine10 NOVEMBER 2009 Centre for Defence Medicine 72WH

[Mr. Kevan Jones] university, among others, can help that to grow, so that our centre of excellence will be not just for complex It is no good to expect them to be passed from pillar to injuries but for everything from mental health to the post between different organisations. I am determined work of military anaesthetists. That is becoming to make sure that there is a pathway for them. internationally recognised, with co-operation between The public mood and the media are rightly concentrated us and the US. on those who are severely wounded, but many individuals Another important aspect of the matter is not to are injured every year through training accidents and allow past negative stories to continue to dog the great other illnesses. It is important that they should also be work being done at Selly Oak. On the many occasions I taken care of, because although they may not have been have been there, I have been impressed by individuals injured at the height of battle, they were serving their and by the dedicated, caring nature of the NHS staff. country. The Surgeon General and I are determined They do not get too many thanks, and I should like to that the approach should be joined up. put on record my thanks to them. I also want to thank Next year there will be an exciting milestone for Selly the management of the trust, who have been innovative Oak, which my hon. Friend mentioned: the opening of and forward-looking in their approach and in taking the new hospital, which will have a separate, military- some difficult decisions, which my hon. Friend alluded managed wing. That will bring in the most modern to. We have something that we can be proud of. facilities anywhere in this country or Europe, and will I want to finish where I began. We should celebrate also embed together the relevant culture and working and be proud of what has been achieved at Selly Oak. It practices. The other side of the issue—and it is something is very sad that it is needed for the young men and else that has been worked on at Selly Oak, and about women who are returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, which I am passionate—is the fact that as well as but we are providing the best medical services for them. dealing with the physical scars that we can see, we need We need to celebrate that and build on it. In closing, I to make sure that mental health services are in place to want to say thank you once again to all those who work support those who are severely wounded, and in some very hard. My final thought in this week of remembrance cases their families, who suffer from the trauma. If we is to remember those who have been injured—some in can get that right we can have a centre of excellence. life-changing ways—in the service of this country. I know that the Surgeon General is very proud of Question put and agreed to. another aspect of his vision: research. It is important that we press forward on that. Selly Oak is becoming not just a national but an international centre of excellence 1.59 pm for defence medicine. Work being done with Birmingham Sitting adjourned. 13WS Written Ministerial Statements10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 14WS Written Ministerial I have appointed to the forum: The Right Honourable and learned Sir Menzies Campbell MP Professor Malcolm Chalmers Statements Professor Colin S. Gray Professor Mary Kaldor Sir David Manning Tuesday 10 November 2009 Sir David Omand Sir John Parker The Right Honourable Lord Robertson of Port Ellen Paul Skinner General (Retired) Sir Rupert Smith The Honourable Nicholas Soames MP TREASURY Philip Stephens

Budget ECOFIN ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Ian Pearson): British Waterways Board I plan to attend the Budget ECOFIN to be held on 19 November in Brussels. Items on the provisional agenda include: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Preliminary Draft Amending Budget No. 10 for 2009: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Huw Irranca-Davies): Ministers will be invited to adopt this Preliminary Draft In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 8(2) of Amending Budget, which would amend the 2009 EC the first schedule to Transport Act 1962, the following Budget to reflect latest implementation capacity and to information is furnished by the Secretary of State for contribute to financing the second part of the European the Environment, Food and Rural affairs. economic recovery plan. In exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph 8(1) Letter of Amendment No. 2 to the Preliminary Draft of that schedule, and now vested in him, the Secretary Budget for 2010: Ministers will be invited to discuss this of State has determined, with the approval of the amending letter, which reflects latest information on Treasury, that, with effect from 1 July 2009, the salaries agricultural prices and other developments influencing of the members of the British Waterways board shall be future implementation capacity and expenditure. It also as follows: provides for appropriations for the second part of the Annual European economic recovery plan, and for continued Fees (£) Allowances (£) Remuneration (£) support to nuclear decommissioning in Bulgaria. Draft Budget for 2010: the Council will seek to agree Tony Hales (Chair) 51,359 51,359 its second reading position on the draft Budget in Richard Bowker 17,442 2,500 19,942 preparation for the subsequent conciliation with the (Vice-chair to European Parliament. Council will then conclude its September 2009) second reading and finalise figures for compulsory Margaret Carver 13,225 2,500 15,725 expenditure (mainly agriculture). The UK will seek a Eric Prescott 13,225 2,000 15,225 budget that respects the principles of budget discipline John Bridgeman 17,442 4,500 21,942 (Vice-chair from and sound financial management, and reflects realistic 1 October) forecasts for agriculture and structural funds spending. John Bywater 13,225 2,000 15,225 Proposal to amend the inter-institutional agreement Prodaman Sarwal 13,225 2,000 15,225 of 17 May 2006 as regards the multi-annual financial Rodney Green 13,225 1,000 14,225 framework: the Council will consider a Commission Nigel Hugill 13,225 3,500 16,725 proposal to revise the ceilings for expenditure set down Duncan Sutherland* 13,225 3,000 16,225 in the financial framework 2007-2013, in order to secure Jonathan 13,225 3,500 16,725 financing for the European economic recovery plan. Hargreaves* The UK will seek a financing solution that ensures the * Scottish Ministers’ Appointee required funding for projects, and avoids an increase to the overall financial framework ceiling. Agriculture and Fisheries Council

DEFENCE The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Hilary Benn): My hon. Friends the Minister Defence Advisory Forum for Marine and the Natural Environment (Huw Irranca- Davies), and the Minister for Food, Farming and The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Bob Ainsworth): Environment (Jim Fitzpatrick) represented the United In my written ministerial statement of 21 July 2009, Kingdom at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Official Report, column 121WS announcing the Luxembourg on 19 and 20 October. Richard Lochhead appointment of a Defence Advisory Forum I undertook MSP also attended. to inform the House of the membership of the forum On agriculture, France, spearheading a large group of once this was confirmed. member states, had deposited a paper with the presidency 15WS Written Ministerial Statements10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 16WS calling for an active policy of dairy market management, Commission, referring to a recently tabled presidency and specifically, a ¤300 million dairy fund. This latter compromise that resolved some concerns of member point complemented a call from the European Parliament states, highlighted a number of remaining issues. in its first reading on the 2010 budget for a fund of the The presidency and Commission then held trilateral same proportion. meetings with nearly all member states during the day Responding to the paper, the Commission observed to fashion a final compromise. The UK had the first that each of the measures called for had either been trilateral and in response to the president’s request for addressed, or were the subject of ongoing study, or member nations we focused on three significant priorities discussion. As for the dairy fund, the Commission said that had to be resolved, which comprised an offending they would make ¤280 million available for the dairy provision on recreational fishing; demands on weighing sector from the 2010 ceiling, subject to a few conditions. tolerance; and the removal of the provision on minimum First, as competence for budgetary matters rested with levels. The Commission also confirmed in the trilateral ECOFIN, it would be for finance Ministers to decide that pelagic weighting would be addressed. whether to take the proposal forward. Secondly, should When Council reconvened, the presidency tabled a the fund be adopted, there would be no further money final compromise which included all the points prioritised available as provision against other crises in 2010. Thirdly, by the UK. In a final table round, the compromise was the Commission asserted that it had done all it could to adopted by unanimity. respond to the crisis and no further action would be Council also reached political agreement on the regulation possible. governing fishing opportunities in the Baltic for 2010. Greece and Belgium called for the full ¤300 million Trilateral meetings were held with interested member fund to be made available. France acknowledged that states during the day and agreement was reached on a short-term measures were on track, but insisted that compromise, of which the main elements were reduced more needed to be done and that a new regulatory TAC cuts for western herring, main Baltic herring, framework was necessary for the dairy sector—a point Atlantic salmon and sprat; 10 per cent. fishing effort rejected by the UK who clarified that it did not support limitations in some zones, a “high grading” ban and the French paper or the dairy fund. Only the Netherlands, increased selectivity. Denmark and Malta agreed with the UK. Ministers then had an exchange of views on the The Commission also presented its quarterly report priorities for the forthcoming negotiations on the annual on the sector, confirming a boost in prices for most EU-Norway fisheries agreement which is of significant dairy commodities (only cheese was lagging and that importance to UK fisheries. The Commission emphasised was in the normal order of things); as well as its the difficult context for the negotiations, and the need proposal to assume new emergency powers to respond for member states support in the negotiations. The UK to dairy market disturbances, and to provide funds for stressed the need for a fair solution on Arctic cod, and dairy market restructuring by way of new rules on also the difficult situation on mackerel because of calculating the superlevy. autonomous quotas set by Norway and Faeroes. Turning to poultry meat, the presidency secured a Under other fisheries business, Lithuania tabled a qualified majority on the proposal to extend marketing paper seeking support for financial assistance for the standards to preparations. Voting against the proposal, renewal of outdated fishing vessels. The Commission the UK made a statement to the Council minutes, sought support for a firm EU position in the forthcoming noting the disproportionate cost impact on the UK meeting of ICCAT (International Commission on the market (some 66 per cent. of the community market), Conservation of Atlantic Tuna). Finally, the Commission as well as criticising the Commission’s failure to carry raised the EU-Guinea (Conakry) Fisheries Partnership out an impact assessment before adopting the draft Agreement signed late 2008. It referred in strong terms legislation. The presidency noted both the UK’s comments to the recent attack on protestors by public authorities and the fact that the proposal had been adopted. and noted international condemnation. Therefore, in With the Standing Committee failing to reach a these circumstances, the Commission said it was not qualified majority for or against approval for use in appropriate to proceed with the legal adoption of the food and feed (not planting) of three new GM maize agreement and they would now go through the necessary varieties, the dossiers came to Council for confirmation processes formally to withdraw the relevant proposals. of voting intentions. The presidency noted that, with no qualified majority for or against, the dossiers would now revert back to the Commission to complete the FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE decision making process. There were three AOB agriculture items. Poland tabled British Indian Ocean Territory: Marine Protection its paper urging Council to consider its request to continue financing agricultural land purchases through The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth to 2013. Portugal, supported by the UK, called on the Affairs (David Miliband): The Government are today Commission to suspend import duties on cane sugar. launching a public consultation into a proposal put Austria called for activation of export refunds for landlocked forward by the Chagos Environment Network to establish cereals producers, as well as help with transport costs a marine protected area in the British Indian Ocean and the opening of intervention for maize in response Territory. to falling cereals’ prices. The Chagos Environment Network’s proposal “The Turning to fisheries, Council reached political agreement Chagos Archipelago: its Nature and the Future”advocates on the text of the new regulation to update the monitoring the creation of one of the world’s greatest natural and enforcement framework for EU fisheries. The conservation areas and is a remarkable opportunity for 17WS Written Ministerial Statements10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 18WS

Britain to create one of the world’s largest marine take all reasonable steps to offer the patient a range of protected areas and double the global coverage of the alternative providers where they could begin treatment world’s oceans benefiting from protection. or be seen sooner. The purpose of the consultation is to seek views from This consultation also proposes that our commitment stakeholders and interested parties to help the Government to the NHS health check programme, which assesses assess whether a marine protected area is the right an individual’s risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes option for the future environmental protection of the and kidney disease becomes a right for all people territory and we are, therefore, strongly encouraging as aged 40 to 74. many people as possible to participate in the consultation. We are also arranging for a facilitator to travel to Port The consultation also welcomes views on areas where Louis and Victoria early next year to listen to the views we believe we will soon be able to offer rights, such as of the Chagossian communities and other stakeholders dentistry, evening and weekend access to GPs, personal in Mauritius and Seychelles. The consultation will run health budgets, the ability to choose to die at home and until 12 February 2010. rapid access to diagnostic tests. Copies of the consultation are available on: www. The consultation document has been placed in the fco.gov.uk, www.ukinmauritius.fco.gov.uk and www. Library and copies are available for hon. Members from ukinseychelles.fco.gov.uk, and are being disseminated the Vote Office. widely to interested groups. Draft Antarctic Bill TRANSPORT The Minister for Europe (Chris Bryant): I am pleased to inform the House that the Draft Antarctic Bill has been laid today, as Command Paper (Cm 7635). The London Midland Franchise draft Bill will now be open for public consultation until the 12 February 2010 and key stakeholders have been written to requesting their views. The Command Paper The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport is available from the Vote Office and on the FCO (Chris Mole): My right hon. and noble Friend the website at: www.fco.gov.uk/antarcticbill Secretary of State for the Department for Transport, Lord Adonis, has made the following ministerial statement: HEALTH The performance of London Midland on 6 September 2009 fell short of its customers’ expectations and was unacceptable to “The NHS Constitution: a consultation on new patients both passengers and Government. rights” I can now outline the measures I have taken, and the actions I have agreed with London Midland in respect of London Midland’s breach of its franchise agreement. The Secretary of State for Health (Andy Burnham): First, I have issued London Midland with a remedial plan The Department of Health has today published the notice for exceeding the franchise agreement threshold on cancellations. consultation document—“The NHS Constitution: a This requires London Midland to submit to me a remedial plan consultation on new patient rights”. for addressing the level of cancellations. Discussions are at an The NHS constitution brings together in one place advanced stage on a range of measures to be implemented within what the NHS does, what it stands for and the commitments the remedial plan. it should live up to. It describes the values and enduring The remedial plan will be contractualised as a remedial agreement. principles of the NHS. To guarantee that the NHS Secondly, a package of additional benefits for passengers has constitution is relevant and up to date it will need to been agreed, including: change over time to reflect public priorities and an additional franchise agreement obligation to invest in new, developments in medical technology, and evidence. and additional, high-quality information equipment, spending no less than £4.4 million over the life of the franchise in Today’s consultation sets out and seeks views on addition to the investment that has already committed in the proposals for new rights to be included in the constitution, franchise agreement; and including a right to start consultant-led treatment within a promotion for 50,000 day rover tickets for travel over the 18 weeks of referral by a general practitioner, or to be Christmas period and London Midland will also make available seen by a cancer specialist within two weeks of GP an additional 400,000 advance purchase tickets over the next referral. Where this is not possible the NHS will have to two years on some of the most popular routes.

1P Petitions10 NOVEMBER 2009 Petitions 2P

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Petitions Commons urges the Government to uphold the constitutional standing of the Parliamentary Ombudsman Tuesday 10 November 2009 by complying with the findings and recommendations of her Report upon Equitable Life. Petitions presented to the House on Monday 9 November And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Glenda but not read on the Floor Jackson.] [P000419]

PRESENTED PETITIONS OBSERVATIONS

Equitable Life (Gravesham) ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS The Petition of residents of the constituency of Gravesham, Flooding (Surrey) in the County of Kent region of the U.K. regarding the The Petition of residents of Green Lane, Pembury Government’s response to the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s Avenue, Worcester Park and others, reports on Equitable Life, Declares that the flooding of Green Lane and adjacent Declares that the petitioners either are or they represent roads on the 20 July 2007 by the Beverly Brook caused or support members, former members or personal damage to property, cost and disruption for the residents. representatives of deceased members of the Equitable The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Life Assurance Society who have suffered maladministration Commons calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to leading to injustice, as found by the Parliamentary implement the flood protection scheme recommended Ombudsman in her report upon Equitable Life, ordered by the Environment Agency in the coming year. by the House of Commons to be printed on 16 July 2008 and bearing reference number HC 815; and further And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Paul declares that the petitioners or those whom they represent Burstow, Official Report, 15 July 2009; Vol. 496, c. 413.] or support have suffered regulatory failure on the part [P000394] of the public bodies responsible from the year 1992 Observations from the Secretary of State for Environment, onwards, but have not received compensation for the Food and Rural Affairs: resulting losses and outrage. The Government are aware of the flooding problem in the area around Green Lane, Worcester Park and in The Petitioners therefore request that the House of particular the 2007 flood. We understand this was due Commons urges the Government to uphold the to a combination of fluvial flooding from the Beverley constitutional standing of the Parliamentary Ombudsman Brook and surface water runoff. by complying with the findings and recommendations of her Report upon Equitable Life. Since the floods of July 2007 the Environment Agency have carried out a pre-feasibility study looking at the And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by options of reducing flood risk in the area. This report Mr. Adam Holloway.] was completed in April 2008 and two copies were sent to the London Borough of Sutton. [P000418] The Environment Agency advise that three of the recommendations in the report have already been carried Equitable Life (Hampstead and Highgate) out; to clear all the drains along Green Lane, to keep The Petition of residents of the constituency of Hampstead the channel clear of debris, and to remove a redundant and Highgate in the Northwest London region of the UK, footbridge across the brook which was causing a potential restriction to flow. Declares that the petitioners either are or they represent The fourth recommendation was to carry out a feasibility or support members, former members or personal study on a preferred option for a flood alleviation representatives of deceased members of the Equitable scheme in the area. The Agency have almost completed Life Assurance Society who have suffered maladministration this study, which will then go to the Thames Region leading to injustice, as found by the Parliamentary Project Assessment Board for approval. The preferred Ombudsman in her report upon Equitable Life, ordered option is a combination of channel realignment, raised by the House of Commons to be printed on 16 July earth embankments, flood walls and flood storage areas. 2008 and bearing reference number HC 815; and further The scheme will also include a significant amount of declares that the petitioners or those whom they represent environmental enhancements for the area. The Environment or support have suffered regulatory failure on the part Agency’s Project Assessment Board will consider the of the public bodies responsible from the year 1992 project in December and, if approval is given, detailed onwards, but have not received compensation for the design will follow with a target start date for construction resulting losses and outrage. sometime during the 2010-11 financial year.

177W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 178W

Nick Harvey: All used cooking oil produced by the Written Answers to House of Commons is recycled as biofuels. We do not have reliable figures to show the amounts produced Questions since 2001.

Tuesday 10 November 2009 WALES Christmas OLYMPICS Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State Departmental Postal Services for Wales how much his Department has spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in David T.C. Davies: To ask the Minister for the the last 12 months. [299260] Olympics with which providers her Office held Mr. Hain: In the last 12 months my Department contracts to provide postal services (a) in 2007, (b) in spent £385 on Christmas cards and £1,054 on receptions. 2008, (c) between 1 January and 1 July 2009 and (d) We did not purchase any Christmas decorations. after 1 July 2009. [298768] Departmental Energy Tessa Jowell: My Office has been part of the Cabinet Office since July 2007. I therefore refer the hon. Member Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Wales what the (a) energy rating and (b) energy band Office on 27 October 2009, Official Report, column 252W. of each building occupied by his Department was in Olympic Games 2012: Essex each of the last five years. [299172] Mr. Hain: For the Wales Office’s main building in Mr. Amess: To ask the Minister for the Olympics London, the available information is given in the following what assessment the Government Olympic Executive table. (GOE) has made of the economic effects of the London 2012 Olympics on (a) Essex and (b) (a) energy Southend West constituency since May 2009; what performance rating (b) energy band recent discussions she has had with the GOE on this issue; and if she will make a statement. [296562] 2008 73 C 2009 67 C Tessa Jowell: Further to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 19 May 2009, Official Report, column My Department also leases serviced office space in a 1261W, there has been no further assessment of the modern building in Cardiff. Assessments of the building’s economic benefits of London 2012 on Essex and Southend, energy rating are not undertaken by the landlord. West. Departmental Freedom of Information I am however delighted that Hadleigh Farm has been chosen to host the Olympic mountain biking competition Mrs. Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in 2012. how many staff in his Department were employed on the management of freedom of information requests Mr. Amess: To ask the Minister for the Olympics submitted to his Department in each year since 2005; what discussions the Government Olympic Executive and how much his Department spent on the has had with Southend Borough Council since May management of such requests in each such year. 2009 on its (a) participation in and (b) legacy from the [299131] London 2012 Olympics; and if she will make a statement. [296564] Mr. Hain: The Wales Office has a correspondence unit whose primary function is to co-ordinate the Tessa Jowell: Further to the answer I gave the hon. correspondence the Department receives. A small part Member on 18 May 2009, Official Report, column of their role is also to manage Freedom of Information 1119W,I have had no discussion with Southend borough requests. From 2005 until 2008, the Unit consisted of council on participation in, and legacy resulting from, three members of staff. Since 2008, the unit has been London 2012. staffed by two members. I am however delighted that Hadleigh Farm has been As much of the work of the unit covers other chosen to host the Olympic mountain biking competition responsibilities, the information requested on the cost in 2012. of managing requests can be provided only at disproportionate cost. An assessment of the cost of freedom of information HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION within Government can be found in Frontier Economics 2006 report “Independent Review of the Freedom of Oils Information Act”. A copy of this report is available in the House of Commons Library. David Taylor: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Departmental Procurement Commission how much used cooking oil was produced by the Refreshment Department in each year since Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of 2001; and what percentage was recycled in each year. State for Wales whether there has been any [298369] nugatory cost to his Department on procurement 179W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 180W under tender because the tender process had been Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last representing the Church Commissioners pursuant to 12 months. [299359] the answer of 21 October 2009, Official Report, column 1441-42W, on Church Commissioners: land, Mr. Hain: No, my Department has not undertaken which sites are included in the Church Commissioners’ any tender processes. strategic land portfolio. [298428] Departmental Travel Sir Stuart Bell: The strategic land portfolio includes Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for land at various stages in the planning process. Some has Wales how many miles (a) Ministers and (b) officials scope for allocation in a development plan; some is in his Department and its predecessor travelled by (i) already allocated for development; some has planning car, (ii) rail and (iii) air on Government business in permission; and some is being developed. The location each year since 1997. [298549] of the various sites is set out in my previous answer Mr. Hain: The Wales Office does not have records in (question no. 298427). the detail requested going back to its inception in 1999. The records that we do have are in the following table. Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, All other records could be obtained only at disproportionate representing the Church Commissioners pursuant to cost. The Wales Office is co-located in Cardiff and the answer of 15 October 2009, Official Report, London, resulting in the majority of rail journeys column 997W, on departmental land, how many files undertaken being between Cardiff and London. the Church Commissioners store (a) on-site and (b) off- Mileage site; and which firm provides the off-site ordering services Officials Ministers to the Church Commissioners. [298429] Car 2008-09 20,739 28,006 Sir Stuart Bell: My estimate is that the Church Commissioners’ Property Investments Department holds Air approximately 2,400 files at the Commissioners’Westminster 2004-05 37,768 12,270 office and approximately 70,000 at the Church of England 2005-06 0 0 Record Centre in south London. They do not use a firm 2006-07 24,930 676 to transport files between these sites as this is carried 2007-08 3987 1611 out by the Church’s own staff. 2008-09 12,887 6,575

Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what legal advisers CHURCH COMMISSIONERS the Church Commissioners retain in respect of the sale and development of land. [298432] Church Commissioners: Land

Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, Sir Stuart Bell: The Commissioners are advised by representing the Church Commissioners pursuant to their own official solicitor as well as a number of the answer of 21 October 2009, Official Report, external legal firms including Lovells, Cripps Harries column 1442W, on Church Commissioners: land, what Hall, Bond Pearce, Ashurts and Farrers. criteria govern decisions by the Church Commissioners to transfer land from the rural let land portfolio to the rural strategic land portfolio. [298426] Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners how much the Sir Stuart Bell: Land with significant development Church Commissioners spent on legal services relating potential is transferred into the strategic land portfolio. to the sale of land in each of the last five years. [298433] Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners pursuant to Sir Stuart Bell: We do not record as a separate the answer of 21 October 2009, Official Report, sub-category expenditure on legal advice relating specifically column 1442W, on Church Commissioners: land, what to land sales although we are currently implementing a the location is of each parcel of land transferred from financial computing package that will enable this kind the rural let land portfolio in each of the last five years. of detailed cost analysis to be undertaken in future. [298427] We do publish in our annual report total external Sir Stuart Bell: The strategic land portfolio consists asset management costs which include the cost of various of sites throughout England in the counties of: Bedfordshire professional advisers, including legal advisers. (three sites), Cambridgeshire (eight sites), Cheshire (four sites), Cumbria (one site), Devon (one site), Durham (two sites), Hampshire (one site), Herefordshire one Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, site), Kent (five sites), Lincolnshire (three sites), Norfolk representing the Church Commissioners what the policy (one site), North Yorkshire (one site), Nottinghamshire of the Church Commissioners is on the consultation of one site), Tyne and Wear (seven sites), and West Sussex residents close to land developments proposed by the one site). Church Commissioners. [298507] 181W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 182W

Sir Stuart Bell: The Commissioners take public well as comprehensive social infrastructure such as schools, consultation very seriously and welcome feedback, which shops, recreation and so on. The scheme proposed at plays an important part in achieving high quality schemes. Bognor Regis goes one step further, by putting forward We undertake the appropriate level of public consultation a step change in urban design and sustainable living, commensurate with the proposals in question and local offering the town a very high quality new community circumstances. which will help Bognor grow and regenerate. At any one time the Commissioners have about Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, 40 strategic sites throughout England, all at various representing the Church Commissioners how much the stages in the planning process, many of them in the Church Commissioners have spent on legal services in Government’s designated growth areas. The Church relation to the proposed development of land to the Commissioners have considerable experience in the planning west of Chalcraft Lane in Bognor Regis. [298508] and development of land for affordable and private housing and other uses, and always seek to work with Sir Stuart Bell: Information regarding the cost of local councils to bring forward schemes that all parties taking an individual site through the planning process is can be proud of. commercially sensitive. In reference to my earlier answer (question no. 298433), it is intended that such information Church Commissioners: Meetings will be available for the portfolio as a whole in the future. Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will place representing the Church Commissioners what consultation in the Library a copy of (a) the agendas and (b) the the Church Commissioners carried out with residents minutes of each meeting of the (i) Church Commissioners of Bognor Regis prior to submitting a planning application and (ii) Church Commissioners’ Assets Committee in for the proposed development of land to the west of the last 12 months. [298476] Chalcraft Lane in Bognor Regis. [298509] Sir Stuart Bell: No. These papers are confidential to Sir Stuart Bell: Before the planning application was the Church Commissioners. submitted the Commissioners carried out two public exhibitions close to the site and in Bognor as well as two Church of England: Finance workshops at Jubilee Hall for community representatives. Thousands of local residents were personally invited to Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, the exhibitions, which were also advertised in the press. representing the Church Commissioners pursuant to The public has also been consulted on major development the answer of 15 October 2009, Official Report, column north of Chalcraft Lane as part of the local Council’s 996W, on Church of England: finance, for what reason work on its core strategy. whole-Church figures are not available for years after The public also had the opportunity to comment on 2006; and when he expects these figures to be available. the regional spatial strategy which includes an urban [298456] extension proposal at Bognor. Sir Stuart Bell: Collating financial information for Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, the whole Church requires data from parishes, cathedrals, representing the Church Commissioners what dioceses and the national Church institutions. Analysing representations the Church Commissioners have received regular annual data from thousands of legally independent on the proposed development of land to the west of entities is carried out through and in liaison with Church Chalcraft Lane in Bognor Regis; and if he will make a of England dioceses who use it for their own purposes. statement. [298425] This exercise consequently takes significant time but we endeavour to complete it within about 18 months of Sir Stuart Bell: The Commissioners have received a the annual parochial meetings that receive this information. number of representations from local groups and individuals I would hope that the whole-Church figures for 2007 in the form of letters, telephone calls and engagement at would be available by the end of this year and the public events. In addition we have answered a number equivalent figures for 2008 by the end of next. of Questions from, and had meetings with, the hon. Gentleman. Church of England: Investment By way of a statement, sites such as the proposed Eco Quarter at Bognor Regis are promoted through the Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, planning system, usually in response to a district planning representing the Church Commissioners what the policy authority needing to find land for housing or other uses on planning, development and the environment is of that would provide regeneration and new jobs. Therefore the Ethical Investment Advisory Group of the Church the Commissioners work very closely with local councils of England. [298431] to help them provide the development needed to sustain local communities. Sir Stuart Bell: The Ethical Investment Advisory By promoting strategic developments that involve Group has not formulated a policy specifically on planning housing, we try to help local authorities provide new and development, but its advice that the Church’s national homes as part of sustainable new communities in their investing bodies should have regard to sustainable area. All such proposals have to be carefully planned, environmental practice in the investments they make providing a mix of social and open market housing, as applies to all asset classes including land and property. 183W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 184W

Written Answers: Government Responses Parades Commission for Northern Ireland

Mr. Gibb: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for representing the Church Commissioners with reference Northern Ireland how many staff there are in the office to the answer of 17 November 2008, Official Report, of the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland; what column 5W, how many questions for written answer by information his Department holds on the religious the hon. Member representing the Church Commissioners background of its staff; and how much the office spent (a) were tabled in 2008 and (b) have been tabled in on (a) administration and (b) current public relations 2009 to date; and how many such questions were in the latest period for which figures are available. (i) answered substantively and (ii) not answered on [297413] grounds of disproportionate cost. [298430] Paul Goggins: The Parades Commission is supported by a Secretariat made up of 11 staff comprising Northern Sir Stuart Bell: As I said in my answer of 17 November Ireland Office (NIO) home civil servants and seconded 2008, Official Report, column 5W, the Church Northern Ireland civil servants. In order to comply with Commissioners’ record of questions does not distinguish their obligations under the Fair Employment and Treatment between those for written and oral answer. However, I (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, the NIO holds details believe the total number of questions tabled in 2008 and of the community background of the HCS staff while in 2009 to date to be as follows: the Northern Ireland civil service holds similar details 2008—54 questions of the NICS staff. 2009 (to date)—98 questions The cost of the Secretariat was £364,664 and the As far as I am aware, during this period I have only Commission spent £61,404.14 on public relations and been unable to answer one question on grounds of media in 2007-08. disproportionate cost. This was the question from the Police hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton on 20 April 2009, Official Report, column 40W. All other Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for questions during this period have received substantive Northern Ireland what the content was of (a) answers. correspondence sent by and (b) other communications made by him to the First and Deputy First Ministers of the Northern Ireland Executive since 1 October 2009 on issues related to policing and justice in Northern NORTHERN IRELAND Ireland; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each such communication. [297604] Northern Ireland Policing Board Mr. Woodward: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 9 November 2009, Official Report, Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for column 12W. Northern Ireland (1) how much the (a) Northern Ireland Policing Board and (b) district policing partnerships cost to run in the latest year for which CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT figures are available; [298178] (2) how many people attended public meetings of Big Lottery Fund: Internet (a) the Northern Ireland Policing Board and Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, (b) district policing partnerships in the latest period Media and Sport how many page hits the Big Lottery for which figures are available. [298179] Fund website has recorded in each year since its creation. [299213] Paul Goggins: These are operational matters for the Northern Ireland Policing Board, which is independent Mr. Simon: The information provided in the table has of Government. The hon. Member may wish to write to been supplied by the Big Lottery Fund. It provides the Chief Executive of the Policing Board. figures for the number of hits recorded for the Big Lottery Fund website in each financial year since the Offensive Weapons inception of the Big Lottery Fund on 1 June 2004.

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Financial year Hits Northern Ireland what his latest estimate is of the level June 2004-March 2005 679,886 of knife crime in Northern Ireland. [298893] April 2005-March 2006 2,130,308 April 2006-March 2007 2,709,095 Paul Goggins: Provisional police statistics report April 2007-March 2008 4,889,147 226 relevant violent or sexual offences involving knives April 2008-March 2009 4,615,184 or sharp instruments in the first quarter of 2009-10 and the same in the second quarter. Cultural Heritage: Internet The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is working closely with the criminal justice agencies in an effort to reduce Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, the carrying of knives. This includes a series of schools Media and Sport how many page hits have been events across Northern Ireland in mid-November, recorded by the (a) English Heritage, (b) Heritage highlighting through drama the message that ″knives Lottery Fund and (c) National Heritage Memorial ruin lives″. Fund website in each year since their creation. [298845] 185W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 186W

Mr. Simon [holding answer 9 November 2009]: English Figures Heritage advises that the figures in respect of (a) are as follows: 2007 26,825,559 2008 19,879,767 Months/years Page views 2009 214,303,468 1 Incomplete, no figures for February. April 2001 to March 2002 7,691,606 2 January-August April 2002 to March 2003 18,405,658 April 2003 to March 2004- 22,958,083 Departmental Postal Services April 2004 to March 2005 35,575,282 April 2005 to March 2006 29,771,290 Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for July 2006 to March 20071 12,167,643 Culture, Media and Sport with which providers (a) his April 2007 to March 2008 18,887,744 Department and (b) its agency had a contract to April 2008 to March 2009 21,331,385 provide postal services in (i) 2007, (ii) 2008, (iii) April 2009 to October 20091 16,260,538 between 1 January 2009 and 1 July 2009 and (iv) since 1 These are figures for incomplete years 1 July 2009. [299430] The Heritage Lottery Fun advises that the figures in respect of (b) and (c) are as follows: Mr. Simon: The information requested is as follows: (a) Since 2007 The Department has had a contract with Pitney Months/years Page views Bowes Management Services for the provision of postal services.

1 (b) The Royal Parks do not have a contract for the provision of April 2007 to March 2008 1,545,184 postal services. April 2008 to March 2009 21,707,313 April 2009 to date 3978,673 Departmental Rail Travel 1 Heritage Lottery Fund only 2,3 Heritage Lottery Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund combined Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Air Travel Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2009, Official Report, column 1033W, on departmental rail travel, how many (a) journeys were Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for paid for and (b) people travelled in each year; whether Culture, Media and Sport how many domestic flights any nugatory expenditure was incurred in each year; within Great Britain officials from the Department and if he will make a statement. [298174] made in 2008-09; and at what cost such flights were taken. [298237] Mr. Simon: The following information details the (a) number of journeys paid for and (b) number of people Margaret Hodge [holding answer 9 November 2009]: that travelled: During 2008-09 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport made a total of 65 domestic flight bookings 2008-09: (a) 470; (b) 227 at a cost of £12,077.00. 2007-08: (a) 319; (b) 181 2006-07: (a) 744; (b) 303 Departmental Data Protection The Department does not hold any information about official’s nugatory expenditure connected with travel. Mrs. Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital Switchover Help Scheme Culture, Media and Sport whether his Department’s information assurance procedures have been subject to an independent audit. [299371] Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to provide Mr. Simon: My Department carries out an independent money from the Digital Switchover Helpscheme Fund external audit of its information assurance procedures to pay for other services; and how much he expects to at least annually. provide initially. [298930] Mr. Simon: The Digital Switchover Help Scheme has Departmental Internet mailed more than 2.1 million eligible persons and completed over 180,000 installations and deliveries. It does look Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, highly likely that there will be an under spend in the Media and Sport how many page hits have been help scheme, though the switchover process has only recorded by his Department’s website in each year since just begun in earnest and the final outturn will depend its creation. [298849] on take up rates which could differ around the country and over time. Mr. Simon [holding answer 9 November 2009]: We The Government are discussing arrangements for the can provide statistics since 2003. The figures for total redeployment of under spend with the BBC Trust. page hits 2003-2009 are as follows: Local Press Figures

2003 7,949,240 Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for 2004 12,666,481 Culture, Media and Sport when he expects the pilots of 2005 115,900,698 the proposed independently funded news consortia to 2006 16,289,445 start; which English region will host a pilot scheme; 187W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 188W what plans he has to fund such pilot schemes; and what £ plans he has to make provisions in relation to the existing regional news employees in the pilot area. 2006-07 713 [298906] 2007-08 758 2008-09 751 Mr. Simon: The Government expect the independently funded news consortia pilots to commence in 2010; the English region will be determined by Christmas 2009; These costs are the direct processing costs and exclude the Government will be announcing its funding conclusions compliance activity and the investment in new systems shortly; and matters of employment have been discussed and improvement projects. with the Channel 3 public service broadcasters and are The NAO Value for Money Report quoted the following being looked at further as part of the tender process. figures for the processing cost per claimant calculated Sportsgrounds on the basis of including IT depreciation, amortisation, contractors, staff costs, accommodation, foreign exchange, Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for communication and other non-IT running costs. Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with (a) the Football Association and (b) Premier £ Rugby on primacy of tenure at shared stadia. [299091] 2005-06 1,432 2006-07 1,486 Mr. Sutcliffe: I have had no recent discussions with 2007-08 1,696 either the Football Association or Premier Rugby about 2008-09 1,743 the primacy of tenure at shared stadia. This is a matter for the national governing bodies and individual clubs to discuss and agree. The following table gives the number of SPS claims, as recorded in the NAO Value for Money Report, made in England for scheme years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE Single payment scheme year Number of claims

Political Parties: Finance 2005 116,474 Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the hon. Member for 2006 109,100 South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s 2007 106,700 Committee on the Electoral Commission when the 2008 106,500 Electoral Commission plans to publish its guidance on the new provisions on non-resident donors in the In an answer given to the hon. Member for Westmorland Political Parties and Elections Bills. [298643] and Lonsdale (Tim Farron) on 17 November 2008, Official Report, column 89W,the (a) mean, (b) median, Mr. Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me (c) minimum and (d) maximum claim value for the that it will develop guidance on the new provisions SPS 2007 was reported as: when the commencement date of the provisions is confirmed and the contents of any secondary legislation £ relating to the provisions are known. Lowest 0.01 I also refer the hon. Member to comments made by Highest 2,191,054.026 the Minister of State for Justice, the right hon. Member Median 4,593.99 for North Swindon (Mr. Wills), on 20 July 2009, Official Report, column 687, during consideration of Lords Mean 13,920.94 Amendments to the Bill that “given their complexity, we are practically unable to commence The lowest value is a result of a non-compliance provision before the summer of 2010”. penalty. The information in respect of the (a) mean, (b) median, (c) minimum and (d) maximum claim value in ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS the other scheme years is not readily accessible and I will write with the information, along with an update Agriculture: Subsidies on SPS 2007 when it is available, with a copy being placed in the House Library. Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average cost of processing a Single Farm Payment scheme Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for claim was in each of the last four years for which Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate figures are available; how many such claims were made his Department has made of the number of single farm in each such year; what the (a) mean, (b) median, (c) payments which have been (a) withheld and (b) minimum and (d) maximum claim was in each such cancelled by the Rural Payments Agency in each of the year; and if he will make a statement. [297666] last five years. [298978] Jim Fitzpatrick [holding answer 3 November 2009]: The estimated average administrative cost of processing Jim Fitzpatrick: The information is not readily accessible an individual Single Payment Scheme claim for each of and I will write with the information when it is available, the following years is as follows: with a copy being placed in the House Library. 189W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 190W

Bees issues surrounding the addition of biochar to soil. The research report will critically review the state of knowledge Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for regarding biochar, identify the uncertainties and the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether (a) risks associated with the addition of biochar to soil, bacillus thuringiensis and (b) agro bacterium have and identify gaps in the evidence base. We expect the been identified in cases of bee colony collapse. [299013] review will be completed by the end of December 2009. Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination Dan Norris: The Food and Environment Research Agency’s National Bee Unit has been investigating the Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for causes of colony losses in England and Wales over the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many past two years. The results have shown that the most landowners in each designated area (a) were requested important risk factor in the mortality or weakening of to take part in, (b) took part in and (c) refused to take colonies is deformed wing virus, a virus transmitted by part in the bovine TB vaccination programme for the parasitic varroa mite, clearly indicating failed or badgers; and what financial incentives are available to unsuccessful treatments of mite infestations. Samples land owners to encourage them to participate in the were not screened for bacillus thuringiensis or agro programme. [298903] bacterium as these have not been identified as possible risk factors. A final report with the results from the Jim Fitzpatrick: The Food and Environment Research investigations into abnormal colony losses will be published Agency (Fera) are currently in the process of signing up later this year. landowners in the project catchment areas. Fera are inviting all registered cattle owners in the six 75,000 acre Biochar catchment areas to register their interest with the aim of identifying potential participants on up to 25,000 acres Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State of land on which to vaccinate badgers. Therefore not all for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what farmers within the catchment areas will be able to assessment he has made of the potential use of biochar participate in the project. as a means of promoting agricultural production; and This is an ongoing process and Fera have not yet if he will make a statement. [298408] completed the process of writing to all cattle owners in the catchment areas. However, the response so far has Jim Fitzpatrick [holding answer 9 November 2009]: been encouraging with 255 landowners responding No formal assessment has been made of the potential positively. use of biochar as a means of promoting agricultural The following table sets out the responses we have production. However, a short research project has been received from the landowners we have approached so commissioned to assess the potential benefits, costs and far, and is correct as of 5 November 2009:

Number of Number of Information and positive negative Number of letters sent to registration meeting responses to responses to Catchment area farmers heldinarea date date

Staffordshire: Centred on Eccleshall 420 sent 16 October 2009 Meeting confirmed 89 0 Herefordshire/Worcestershire: East of Tenbury Wells 248 sent 23 October 2009 Meeting confirmed 27 0 Gloucestershire: Cotswold north east of Cheltenham 106 sent 28 September 2009 Yes 32 0 Gloucestershire: North west of Stroud 1259 sent 28 September 2009 Yes 106 9 Devon: West of Tiverton To be sent Meeting confirmed 1 0 Devon: South east of Tiverton To be sent Meeting confirmed 0 0 1 Letters and visits to landowners. Note: The table was provided by Fera.

There are no financial incentives available to farmers Jim Fitzpatrick: The welfare of cattle is provided for to encourage participation. The project is free for farmers by way of the general provisions of the Animal Welfare to participate and they do not have to take any action Act 2006 and the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) themselves other than grant access to their land. Regulations 2007, which has specific schedules relating Participating farmers will also potentially reduce the to cattle and calf welfare. DEFRA also has a welfare risk of transmission from badgers to their cattle. code for cattle which provides good husbandry advice, which producers have by law to be familiar with and have access to. Cattle: Animal Welfare Animal Health enforces on-farm welfare legislation and conducts regular programmed inspections of farmed Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for premises to check the welfare of livestock, as well as Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what steps he investigating all complaints and allegations about poor plans to take to improve the animal welfare standards welfare on-farm. of cattle; and if he will make a statement; [298900] DEFRA is currently considering the Farm Animal (2) what steps he has taken to improve training for Welfare Council’s Opinion and the European Commission’s those involved in maintaining the welfare of cattle. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reports on [298901] the welfare of dairy cows which have been recently 191W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 192W published. The findings of both will feed into the UK’s Huw Irranca-Davies: The UK is committed to reducing negotiating line for the Council of Europe’s Convention cetacean by-catch and has put over £2 million from on the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes 2000 to date into researching by-catch mitigation measures current discussions on revising its cattle recommendation. and monitoring by-catch in the UK fleet. The purpose DEFRA has a contract with ADAS to run an advisory of the research is to try to identify those fisheries programme for farmers in England to encourage good responsible for high levels of cetacean by-catch and test animal welfare. Each year ADAS run, on DEFRA’s mitigation measures that are effective at deterring cetaceans behalf, a series of awareness campaigns for producers over the long-term and are safe and cost-effective for to promote good standards of animal welfare and the industry. This research is undertaken by the Sea husbandry. This year’s cattle campaign will focus on Mammal Research Unit (SMRU). promoting best practice in managing the dairy cow My Department does not hold, nor has it been supplied around calving. In previous years, successful campaigns with, video or photographic material as part of the have included lameness and herd mobility scoring, avoiding cetacean by-catch mitigation research projects that it losses and improving welfare in cattle rearing systems has commissioned SMRU to undertake. and housing the modern dairy cow. No Minister, official or adviser presently in the DEFRA’s animal welfare research programme also Department has seen footage provided by SMRU, and funds research into welfare issues affecting dairy cattle. no data is held by the Department on any recipients of Recent projects include: alleviation of lameness in dairy video and photographic material. heifers; development of a lameness control plan; and Any video or photographic material collected is used investigating the management and welfare of the by SMRU as a monitoring tool to corroborate findings continuously housed cows. and to verify observations of the crew and observers on Cetaceans board boats. SMRU does not maintain a photographic database on this issue and all video tapes are re-used Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for once the information on them has been verified. This Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) with data are used to produce project reports (defined as reference to the answer to the hon. Member for project outcomes under the research projects) that are Leominster of 22 July 2008, Official Report, column published on the DEFRA website. The outcomes of the 1002W, on cetaceans, what information his research projects are therefore made publicly available. Department holds on the recipients of the video and The EU Habitats Directive places no obligation on photographic material collected by the Sea Mammal the Department to publish data or research carried out Research Unit; [298986] into the incidental capture and killings of cetaceans by (2) with reference to the answer to the hon. Member fishing activities. However, as outlined above, our research for Leominster of 22 July 2008, Official Report, and findings are published. In addition, annual estimates columns 1004-5W on cetaceans, for what reasons of cetacean by-catch in the UK fleet are published on evidence of cetaceans being caught in nets collected as the DEFRA website. part of Government-funded research is not made As SMRU does not maintain a photographic database publicly available; and what account he take of and has a policy of reusing video tapes, as in all other obligations under the EU Habitats Directive on years, no video or photographic material collected under decisions on whether to make available such evidence; the research contract is in existence for the period of [299066] July 2008 to date. (3) with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Leominster of 22 July 2008, Official Report, Dogs: Animal Welfare columns 1004-5W, on cetaceans, whether (a) Ministers, (b) advisers and (c) officials in his Department have seen the photographic and video Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for evidence of cetaceans being caught in nets collected by Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many the Sea Mammal Research Unit; [298995] meetings his Department has had with canine welfare (4) with reference to the answer to the hon. Member organisations on the matter of dangerous dogs in the for Leominster of 22 July 2008, Official Report, last 12 months. [297278] columns 1004-5W, on cetaceans, whether photographic and video evidence of cetaceans being caught in nets Jim Fitzpatrick: DEFRA meets regularly with canine collected by the Sea Mammal Research Unit as part of welfare groups at both ministerial and official level to Government-funded research has been destroyed; and discuss a number of issues, including dangerous dogs. what his policy is on the (a) retention and (b) In the last 12 months we have specifically discussed the publication of the outcomes of research funded by his issue of dangerous dogs with the RSPCA on at least five occasions, the Dogs Trust at least three times and Department; [299065] we have had two meetings that have included representatives (5) with reference to the answer to the hon. Member from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. for Leominster of 22 July 2008, Official Report, columns 1004-5W, on cetaceans, what photographic and video evidence of cetaceans being caught in nets Fish: Disease Control has been collected by the Sea Mammal Research Unit as part of Government-funded research since July Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008; and if he will (a) obtain and (b) make publicly Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his available the photographic and video evidence of Department’s latest assessment is of the effects of koi cetaceans being caught in nets collected by the Sea herpes virus disease on fish stocks; and if he will make Mammal Research Unit. [299067] a statement. [298987] 193W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 194W

Huw Irranca-Davies: The range of fish species susceptible Marine Management Organisation to Koi herpes virus is very limited. Only common carp and Koi carp are listed in EU legislation as being Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for susceptible. Therefore, the effect of Koi herpes virus on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the fish stocks generally is considered negligible. Marine and Fisheries Agency has spent on work by (a) Fisheries external consultants and (b) other staff from (i) his Department and (ii) other Government departments in connection with the establishment of the Marine Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Management Organisation on Tyneside. [298988] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many UK pair trawlers currently fish for bass beyond 12 nautical Huw Irranca-Davies: Since 1 April 2008, the Marine miles in the Western Channel. [298985] and Fisheries Agency has spent £631,000 on staff assigned Huw Irranca-Davies: Current information indicates or seconded to the agency from DEFRA or other that there is only one UK pair trawler (two vessels) Departments and £993,000 on external consultants and fishing for bass in the Western Channel at present. temporary staff in preparatory work for the establishment of the Marine Management Organisation. These figures Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for exclude staff costs for those involved in the relocation Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many of the Marine and Fisheries Agency headquarters from foreign-registered vessels have pair trawled within the London to Newcastle as this activity is not directly UK’s 12 mile limit in each month since the ban on related to the establishment of the Marine Management British pair trawlers inside the 12 mile limit was Organisation. implemented; and when he next plans to discuss with the European Commission the extension of the ban to Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for the vessels of other EU member states. [299005] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects the transfer of the Marine and Fisheries Agency and Huw Irranca-Davies: We do not hold information on other agencies to the Marine Management pair-trawlers from other member states operating within Organisation to be completed. [298990] the 12 mile limit. The Commission has indicated that it will review Huw Irranca-Davies: Subject to the Marine and Coastal Regulation 812/2004, concerning incidental catches of Access Bill receiving Royal Assent, we are planning to cetaceans in fisheries, in summer 2010. We will take the launch the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) opportunity to discuss this matter with other member in April 2010. Our intention is that existing marine states and the Commission then. functions (the bulk of which are currently discharged by the Marine and Fisheries Agency) will transfer at Food Supply that point to the MMO, along with associated staff and other assets. The MMO will continue to mature and Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for develop from launch, taking on new functions introduced Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his by the Marine and Coastal Access Bill over the first Department is taking to increase the proportion of years of its operation. food consumed in England which is domestically produced. [297496] Pollution Control

Jim Fitzpatrick: Research shows that consumers Mr. Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for increasingly want to know how the food they buy has Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what further been produced and its provenance. We have helped to steps the Government plan to take to improve the facilitate this choice by providing funding for a range of regulatory framework for fine particle PM2.5 emissions measures to help regional and local food producers in the UK; [298678] improve their access to market. Examples include, “meet (2) what steps the Government plan to take to the buyer” events; the encouragement of food hubs, implement the objectives under the EU air quality farm shops, farmers’ markets and shared distribution directive and the UK’s air quality strategy of facilities. monitoring and reducing exposure to industrial fine Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for particle PM2.5 emissions. [298679] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his most recent estimate is of the proportion of food consumed Jim Fitzpatrick: Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air that is produced domestically. [297523] quality and cleaner air for Europe introduces new requirements for assessment and regulation of fine Jim Fitzpatrick: The most recent provisional estimate particulate matter (PM2.5) in ambient air. These largely for the amount of food which was produced in the UK mirror those in the 2007 UK National Air Quality and consumed in the UK is 53 per cent. for 2008. 47 per Strategy. cent. of food consumed in the UK in 2008 was imported. The consultation published on 9 November sets out This should not be confused with the measure of UK the UK Government’s approach to transposing and self-sufficiency in all food, which in 2008 was 60 per implementing the requirements of the directive. This is cent. (provisional figure), since self sufficiency shows available on DEFRA’s website. the percentage of all UK food production, including The devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales UK exports, as a percentage of consumption. Both and Northern Ireland will be publishing similar measures are based on the value of unprocessed food. consultations. 195W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 196W

The required monitoring and assessment is in place Mr. Khan: On 4 November 2009, Official Report, across the UK and the consultation Impact Assessment 45-46WS, I made a written ministerial statement shows that, on the basis of current projections, the UK announcing the launch of a consultation on the distribution is on track to meet the new legal obligations for PM2.5, of concessionary travel special grant funding for local though this will be kept under review. authorities in 2010-11. The consultation proposes a revised distribution of special grant funding for 2010-11 Reservoirs: East of England which takes into account the change in spending on concessionary travel by each authority following the Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for introduction of the national concession. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many megalitres of water were supplied to water companies Mr. Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, serving the East of England from reservoirs in that Department for Transport what information his region in (a) 1997, (b) 2002, (c) 2007 and (d) the Department holds on the reimbursement rates offered most recent 12 months for which figures are available; by each local authority for journeys made under the and what the average cost of each megalitre was in each concessionary bus fare scheme. [297962] such period. [299188] Mr. Khan: Reimbursement of bus operators for Huw Irranca-Davies: Water is supplied from a number concessionary travel is a matter for local authorities. of sources; data is not collected separately for water The Department for Transport does not hold supplied from reservoirs or for the cost of that supply. comprehensive information on the reimbursement Each reservoir is different and the cost of supplying a arrangements entered into between local authorities megalitre of water from each of them is not collected by and bus operators. Ofwat. Differences may be due to operational methods, Where a bus operator believes that a local authority’s location and requirements to pump. reimbursement arrangements are unfair, they are able Figures for water delivered from all sources are available to appeal to the Secretary of State for Transport for an in the following Ofwat reports: impartial assessment of the case. The Department for 1997-98: Report on leakage and water efficiency—page 36; Transport holds information on the reimbursement rates 2002-03: Security of supply—page 52; offered by authorities that have been subject to such appeals. 2007-08: Service and delivery report. Supplementary information—page 43; 2008-09: Service and delivery report. Supplementary Bus Services: EC Action information—page 43. All of these reports are available on Ofwat’s website Joan Walley: To ask the Minister of State, at www.ofwat.gov.uk, apart from the 1997-98 report on Department for Transport what representations he has leakage and water efficiency, a copy of which will be received in respect of the removal of all but placed in the House Library. international and national coach services from the proposed EU regulation on passenger rights; and if he Water Charges: Voluntary Organisations will make a statement. [298461]

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Khan: The Department for Transport has received Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it a number of representations in respect of the removal his policy to provide to community organisations and of all but international and national coach services parish councils which own community buildings the from the proposed European Union Regulation on bus same concessionary water collection charges as church and coach passenger rights. The majority were received and scout organisations. [298631] in response to the Department’s consultation on the proposal carried out earlier this year. Huw Irranca-Davies: The Government are A report, summarising the responses and setting out committed to bringing forward legislation to allow water the Government’s position, has been published on the and sewerage companies to operate concessionary schemes Department’s website. Copies are available in the Libraries for community groups for surface water drainage charges. of the House. The legislation will enable DEFRA to issue guidance to companies on how to define community groups and Bus Services: Milton Keynes which community groups should be considered for inclusion in concessionary schemes. This guidance will be subject Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Minister of State, to consultation. Department for Transport how many violent incidents on buses were recorded in the Milton Keynes area in each of the last five years. [297812] TRANSPORT Mr. Khan: The Department for Transport does not Bus Services: Concessions hold statistics on the number of violent incidents on buses. Mr. Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will re-assess the Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Minister of State, funding formula for concessionary bus fares to reflect Department for Transport how many complaints about the actual cost incurred in each local authority area. bus services were recorded in the Milton Keynes area in [297961] each of the last five years. [297813] 197W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 198W

Mr. Khan: The information requested can be provided Cycling only at disproportionate cost. Mr. Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many cycling officers there are in Crossrail Line: Finance each local authority. [298951] Mr. Khan: This is a matter for individual local authorities Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, and no information is held centrally. Department for Transport if he will estimate the cost to Cycling: Finance the public purse of the Crossrail project were it to be abandoned in June 2010. [298410] Mr. Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what settlements have been designated as Mr. Khan [holding answer 9 November 2009]: This cycling communities; and how much funding his Government remain fully committed to delivering the Department has allocated to each since their Crossrail Project. Good progress has been made designation. [298953] since the launch of the main construction works in May 2009 and continues to accelerate at pace. Our best Mr. Khan: The Department for Transport funds current estimate of the costs to the public purse of the 18 “Cycle Cities and Towns” through Cycling England. delivery of the Crossrail project to June 2010 is as The first phase of the Cycling Demonstration Towns follows: programme, from 2005 to 2008, saw six towns across Project delivery costs—£950 million England receive European levels of funding to significantly increase their cycling levels. Aylesbury, Brighton and Land/Property acquisition—£700 million Hove, Darlington, Derby, Exeter and Lancaster with Total—£1,650 million Morecambe collectively received over £7 million from This estimate reflects the latest inflation forecast Cycling England across three years, plus local match- figures in use by Crossrail Limited. Project delivery funding, to deliver a range of measures designed to get costs include the costs of consultancy services procured more people cycling. by the Department for Transport to support the In June 2008, Cycling England announced Greater programme. Bristol as the England’s first official Cycling City, together It is not possible to produce precise estimates as to with a further 11 Cycling Towns across England. The overall expenditure if the project were to be cancelled. new city and towns, together with the original six, The costs associated with any cancellation would be benefit from a share of £55 million of Departmental substantial but would be contingent on a number of funding (match funded by the local authority) to pioneer different factors, including contractual commitments innovative ways to increase cycling in their areas. The and potential income from land no longer required. table includes £3 million additional funding for 2009-10 Naturally, the resolution of contractual arrangements announced on 9 November 2009. would be a matter of significant commercial sensitivity Local authorities will be match funding these grants and economic uncertainty. bringing the total funding to over £100 million.

Cycle city or towns - funding (£) by financial year: 2005-08 (1 Nov 2005 to City or Town Local authority 31 March 2008) 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Total 2008-11

Aylesbury Buckinghamshire 765,000 461,632 300,000 300,000 1,603,632 Blackpool Blackpool — 400,000 1,295,000 1,285,000 3,715,000 Brighton and Hove Brighton and Hove 1,389,500 416,477 655,000 535,000 1,876,477 Cambridge Cambridgeshire — 1,208,4 94 5,285,000 5,085,000 11,578,49 4 Chester Cheshire — 500,000 1,615,000 1,615,000 3,810,000 Colchester Colchester — 242,397 1,075,000 1,065,000 2,382,397 Darlington Darlington 1,148,710 349,999 975,000 965,000 2,289,999 Derby Derby 1,300,000 501,879 500,000 500,000 1,571,879 Exeter Devon 1,559,500 595,958 500,000 500,000 1,770,958 Greater Bristol Bristol City and South 751,040 760,500 760,500 2,470,040 Gloucestershire Lancaster with Lancashire 1,309,200 500,000 500,000 500,000 1,700,000 Morecambe Leighton-Linslade Central Bedfordshire — 567,138 366,000 355,100 1,645,738 Shrewsbury Shropshire — 600,000 665,000 665,000 2,065,000 Southend Southend — 399,760 1,495,000 1,485,000 3,479,760 Southport and Sefton Borough Council — 299,622 825,000 815,000 2,189,622 Ainsdale Stoke Stoke on Trent — 880,001 2,075,000 2,065,000 5,020,001 Woking Surrey — 366,417 823,000 813,000 2,126,417 York York City Council — 535,029 1,620,000 1,655,000 3,810,029 Total 7,471,910 9,575,8 44 21,329,50 0 20,963,60 0 55,105,44 4 199W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 200W

Links to schools Departmental Data Protection The Department provides funding to local authorities for the Links to Schools programme through Sustrans. Mrs. Laing: To ask the Minister of State, The purpose of the funding is to encourage children to Department for Transport whether his Department’s walk and cycle to school. Links to school is a nationwide information assurance procedures have been subject to programme not directly linked to the cycle town projects. an independent audit. [299383] Links to school funding (£) in cycle towns: Local Chris Mole: Three of the Department for Transport’s Authority 2005-6 2006-7 2007-8 Agencies—the Driving Standards Agency, the Vehicle Operator Services Agency and the Driver and the Vehicle Derby City 60,000 156,000 — Licensing Agency have been subject to independent Darlington 35,000 — — assessment by CESG (the national technical authority Lancaster — — 100,000 for information assurance), of their information assurance Brighton 70,000 — — procedures. The central Department will be subject to Exeter City 50,000 38,230 — Council an independent assessment as part of its annual reporting processes to Cabinet Office in 2009-10. Cycle Training Grants Departmental Energy For 2009-10 a specific grant was set up for cycle training in cycle city and towns. Before that year, cycle towns could not bid for cycle training funding. Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the (a) energy rating Cycle demonstration towns cycle training funding 2009-10 and (b) energy band of each building occupied by his Grant award (£) Number of training places Department and its agencies was in each of the last five Aylesbury 40,000.00 1,000 years. [299171] Blackpool 32,400.00 900 Brighton and 30,000.00 1,000 Chris Mole: The Department for Transport has Hove 43 buildings that are required to report the energy Cambridge 22,480.00 562 rating under the Display Energy Certificate scheme Chester 28,320.00 708 introduced by the Department for Communities and Council Local Government in October 2008. The performance Colchester 27,360.00 684 of the buildings covered under that scheme is shown in Darlington 16,920.00 423 the table: Derby 80,000.00 2,000 Exeter 21,440.00 536 2009 2008 Lancaster 15,000.00 375 Property Leighton 63,000.00 1,575 centre Town Band Rating Band Rating Linslade Southend on 31,104.00 972 DFT—British London Not Not E 114 Sea Transport due due Southport 25,600.00 640 Police Stoke 72,000.00 1,800 DFT—British London Not Not G 229 Transport due due York 16,320.00 480 Police DFT—British London Not Not G 271 Local Transport Plan funding Transport due due Police The Department also allocates integrated transport DFT—British Tadworth Not Not E 118 block and highways maintenance funding to local transport Transport due due authorities for general capital investment in transport. Police This funding is not ring-fenced and local authorities DFT—DFT Aldershot Not Not C59 Central due due have discretion to spend their allocations in line with DFT—DFT Aldershot Not Not D93 their priorities. Central due due DFT—DFT London Pending Pending G 191 Departmental Air Travel Central DFT—DFT London Pending Pending G 218 Mr. Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department Central for Transport how many first-class flights were taken DFT—DFT London Pending Pending n/a n/a by each Minister in his Department in 2008-09; and Central what the (a) origin, (b) destination and (c) cost was DFT—DVLA Bexley Pending Pending G 200 DFT—DVLA Borehamwood C 59 C 59 of each such flight. [298746] DFT—DVLA Bournemouth C 65 C 70 DFT—DVLA Chelmsford Pending Pending E 125 Chris Mole: No first class air travel was undertaken DFT—DVLA Exeter Pending Pending G 200 by Department for Transport Ministers in 2008-09. All DFT—DVLA London D 77 D 88 ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the DFT—DVLA Manchester C 51 G 200 Ministerial Code. The annual list of Ministers’ overseas DFT—DVLA Northampton Pending Pending G 200 travel costing more than £500 for 2008-09 can be accessed DFT—DVLA Nottingham D 79 G 200 at: DFT—DVLA Preston E 101 D 85 http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/226022/ DFT—DVLA Swansea Pending Pending E 125 travel_2008_2009.pdf 201W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 202W

Paul Clark: In the period from December 2008 to 2009 2008 November 2009 the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Property centre Town Band Rating Band Rating (DVLA) has conducted Privacy Impact Assessments on the following areas: DFT—DVLA Swansea Pending Pending E 125 Certificate of Professional Competence Release 2 DFT—DVLA Swansea Pending Pending E 125 WebLogic 7Up interface project DFT—DVLA Swansea Pending Pending G 177 EU 3rd Directive DFT—DVLA Swansea G 198 G 212 DFT—DVLA Theale E 111 E 118 DVLA Accuracy Surveys DFT—DSA Cardington Pending Pending F 132 Continuous Insurance Enforcement 2 DFT—DSA Newcastle Pending Pending G 207 C02 European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval. upon Tyne Currently in process: DFT—DSA Nottingham Pending Pending G 200 DFT—GCDA London Not Not G 241 Northern Ireland Vehicle Information System due due Payment Card Data Security DFT—HA Birmingham D 93 n/a n/a Transport for London: Change of supplier to Congestion DFT—HA Bristol D 92 n/a n/a Charge service. DFT—HA Godstone B 42 n/a n/a DFT—HA Leeds Pending Pending F 134 Driving Tests: Motorcycles DFT—HA Newton-Le- B 41 n/a n/a Willows DFT—HA Potters Bar D 78 n/a n/a Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Minister of State, DFT—HA Wakefield C 55 n/a n/a Department for Transport how many Driving DFT—MCA Cardiff Pending Pending E 109 Standards Agency occasional use test centres offer DFT—MCA Southampton D 84 F 149 module two of the new two-part motorcycle test; and DFT—VOSA Bristol Pending Pending F 127 how many such tests have been (a) requested and (b) DFT—VOSA Bristol Pending Pending F 127 conducted at each centre since the revised [298559] DFT—VOSA Bristol Pending Pending F 127 arrangements came into effect in April 2009. DFT—VOSA Leeds Pending Pending E 114 DFT—VCA Bristol Pending Pending n/a n/a Paul Clark: The Driving Standards Agency offers Module 2 motorcycle tests at 33 occasional use centres. The number of Module 2 motorcycle tests booked and Departmental Procurement conducted at those centres, for the period 27 April to 5 November 2009, is shown in the following table. Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether there has been any Module 2 tests nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies on Test centre Module 2 tests booked conducted procurement under tender because the tender process Alness 0 0 had been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in Ballachulish 0 0 the last 12 months. [299357] Ballater 0 0 Banff 0 0 Chris Mole: There have been a very small number of Benbecula Island 0 0 instances during the last 12 months where tendering Berwick-on-Tweed 71 17 exercises have been cancelled prior to the award of the Brodick (Isle of Arran) 0 0 contract and thereby costs have been incurred with no Buckie 0 0 contract awarded. For the Department for Transport, Campbeltown 0 0 this would normally amount to the effort expended on Fort William 0 0 the procurement exercise before its cancellation. The Gairloch 0 0 precise number and costs involved are not recorded. Golspie 0 0 The occasion where the Department has incurred Grantown-On-Spey 0 0 nugatory costs was for the procurement of a fleet of Huntly 0 0 new build diesel rolling stock which ceased in July, as it Inveraray (Argyll) 0 0 was superseded by the Government’s announcement on Inverurie (Grampian) 0 0 rail electrification. The costs incurred for the use of Island of Mull (Salen) 0 0 external advisors was £1.6 million. Islay Island 0 0 The Department has not reimbursed any supplier Isle of Skye (Portree) 0 0 during the last 12 months for costs that they have Isle of Tiree 0 0 incurred as a result of tendering for any contract advertised Kingussie 0 0 by the Department where the award process for that Kyle of Lochalsh 0 0 contract was subsequently cancelled. Lairg 0 0 Lerwick (Shetland) 3 3 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases Llandrindod Wells 104 18 Lochgilphead 0 0 Mallaig 0 0 Mr. Maude: To ask the Minister of State, Oban 0 0 Department for Transport whether the Driver and Orkney (Kirkwall) 26 10 Vehicle Licensing Agency has produced a privacy Stomoway (Lewis) 0 0 impact assessment in relation to any of its databases or Stranraer 0 0 data held within them. [299392] 203W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 204W

Marine Accident Investigation Branch Module 2 tests Test centre Module 2 tests booked conducted

Thurso 0 0 Mr. Benyon: To ask the Minister of State, Ullapool 0 0 Department for Transport how many incidents the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has investigated since 1997. [298992] Fisheries: Accidents Paul Clark: From 1 January 1997 to 6 November Mr. Benyon: To ask the Minister of State, 2009 the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has Department for Transport how many fishermen have completed 419 full investigations and a further 259 died on (a) under 10 and (b) over 10 metre fishing preliminary examinations. vessels in UK waters since 1997. [298994]

Paul Clark: Between 1 January 1997 to 6 November Official Cars 2009 the following numbers of fatalities to fishing vessel crew in UK 12 mile territorial waters have been reported Mr. Maude: To ask the Minister of State, to Marine Accident Investigation Branch: Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of (a) under 10 metres registered length: 51 11 December 2008, Official Report, column 212W, (b) 10 metres registered length or more: 69 which (a) Ministers and (b) senior civil servants are allocated use of a car with a driver at public expense, Government Departments: Official Cars according to records held by the Government Car and Despatch Agency. [299323] Mr. Goodwill: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent estimate he has Paul Clark: The Ministerial Code sets out who is made of the cost to the Government Car and Despatch entitled to use an official car provided by the Government Agency of the implementation of new working time Car and Despatch Agency. regulations. [298778]

Paul Clark [holding answer 9 November 2009]: The Palm Oil implementation costs to the Government Car Agency of introducing new working practices to meet its obligations Bill Wiggin: To ask the Minister of State, under the Working Time Regulations 1998 are estimated Department for Transport whether his Department to be £161,000. was represented at the most recent Roundtable on The new working practices will reduce the cost to the Sustainable Palm Oil meeting; and if he will make a taxpayer. Under the new system, drivers work a single statement. [298527] daily shift of 10 hours. Ministers continue to have one dedicated driver (apart from those in the high security Mr. Khan: The Department for Transport is not a category), but any ministerial driving outside of standard member of the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil hours is met, on demand, by the Government Car and (RSPO). The RSPO annual meeting (2 to 4 November) Despatch Agency’s low carbon taxi service. This is a was attended by a Government official from the Foreign better deal for tax payers than the previous arrangements. and Commonwealth Office (FCO) posted to the south east Asia region. FCO officials work closely with M42: Cameras counterparts in the UK to represent wider government interests and to keep policy makers informed of relevant Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Minister of State, developments abroad. The UK Government are also Department for Transport how many fixed cameras are working with other countries through the Global Bioenergy in use on the M42 motorway; for what purposes such Partnership and bilaterally to develop global voluntary cameras are used; and for what reason this number of sustainability criteria and indicators for all biofuels. cameras is deemed necessary. [298249] Bill Wiggin: To ask the Minister of State, Chris Mole [holding answer 9 November 2009]: There Department for Transport when he last discussed the are 303 permanent cameras installed on the M42. These use of sustainable palm oil with (a) Ministerial are broken down as follows: colleagues, (b) representatives of the Roundtable on 47 ‘pan and tilt’ cameras—these are used by the Highways Sustainable Palm Oil, (c) representatives of the palm Agency’s Regional Control Centre (RCC) for general monitoring oil industry, (d) representatives of environmental of the traffic flows and incidents on the motorway; non-governmental organisations and (e) officials of 192 fixed cameras installed on gantries throughout the ‘Managed other Government departments; and if he will make a Motorway’ section between Junctions 3a and 7. These are used statement. [298528] by the RCC for safety purposes to monitor traffic flows within the Managed Motorway section, which includes hard shoulder running and use of the Emergency Refuge Areas; and Mr. Khan: Sustainable biofuels were discussed at a 64 fixed safety cameras used by the police to monitor compliance ministerial level during the negotiations on the renewable with speed limits within the Managed Motorway section. energy directive (RED) and this engagement will continue The section of M42 between Junctions 3a and 7 was as the UK develops proposals to implement the directive. used as a pilot for the Managed Motorways programme Officials across Government also meet regularly to and the number of cameras installed reflects the need to discuss all biofuels, and the Department for Transport carefully monitor performance for the collation of data continues to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders to inform future similar schemes. from industry and NGOs to discuss sustainability issues. 205W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 206W

The Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) (a NDPB) who The Highways Agency currently has permanent average is the administrators of the renewable transport fuels speed cameras at 10 locations on the strategic road obligations have met with UK based suppliers of biofuel network. to encourage the sourcing of certified sustainable palm Temporary average speed cameras are used on roadwork and have attended palm oil events in Kuala Lumpur schemes on the strategic road network. The number this year. The RFA is preparing a short report on the utilised varies according to the complexity of the site use of palm oil as a biodiesel feedstock as part of their for example the number of lanes and junctions and annual report to Parliament in January. volume of traffic contained within it, and not all of the cameras may be operational at any one time. Railways: France Further information on the location of both permanent and temporary average speed camera sites can be obtained Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, from the safety camera partnerships websites which are Department for Transport if he will make listed within the Highways Agency website: representations to the European Commission on the http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/11512.aspx policy of the French government in offering an exclusive contract to operate the Paris Metro to a Taxis: Disabled state-owned monopoly; and if he will make a Mr. Scott: To ask the Minister of State, Department statement. [298558] for Transport what recent discussions his Department has had on the merits of setting outline design Mr. Khan [holding answer 9 November 2009]: My parameters for wheelchairs to allow for their access to hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and secure fixing in taxis. [298970] for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, included in his answer to the same question on 2 November Mr. Khan: The Department for Transport has recently 2009, Official Report, columns 793-4W,that representations carried out a consultation exercise about how best to on transport policy are the responsibility of the Department enhance the provision of taxis for people with disabilities, for Transport. The Department makes frequent including wheelchair users. The consultation asked about representations to the European Commission, and to the broad policy approach as well as technical specifications. our fellow EU member states, about the importance of As part of this exercise, officials engaged in discussions implementing truly liberalised and competitive transport with a range of organisations and arranged regional operations across all modes of transport. roadshows. The Department pursues with the European Commission I announced the way forward in a written ministerial specific representations about non-compliance with EU statement on 28 October 2009. competition law where we consider there are proper grounds for doing so. The Department has not to date Transport made representations specifically relating to the operation Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, of the Paris Metro. Department for Transport when he next intends to publish an update of his Department’s guidance, New Railways: Franchises Approach to Transport Appraisal. [298457]

Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Minister of State, Mr. Khan: The New Approach to Transport Appraisal Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of (NATA) is kept under constant review but the definitive 5 November 2009, Official Report, column 1103W on set of documents, for use in preparing business cases, is railways; franchises, which franchise operator received only updated each year in spring. a payment from his Department in October 2006; and We have recently published a set of new documents, how much that payment was. [299344] for which we are inviting comment from interested parties, and aim to finalise by spring 2010. Chris Mole: The Department for Transport does not publish details on compensation payments made to individual train operating companies for net losses arising INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT from industrial action on the grounds of commercial confidentiality. Departmental Energy

Speed Limits: Cameras Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the (a) energy rating and (b) energy band of each building occupied by his Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department and its agencies was in each year for which Department for Transport how many average speed figures are available. [299313] cameras are in operation on (a) Highways Agency roads and motorways and (b) other roads. [297836] Mr. Michael Foster: The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) publish central Government Paul Clark [holding answer 5 November 2009]: The Departments’ Display Energy Certificate (DEC) operational Department for Transport does not hold information ratings on a building by building level twice a year. The about the number of average speed cameras on local most recent data, published on 31 July 2009, contains roads. Since 1 April 2007, individual local road safety DEC data up to and including 28 February. Data partnerships have been entirely responsible for the relating to the month ending 30 September will be installation and operation of all cameras within their published on 18 December. This is available online at: area. www.ogc.gov.uk/sustainability_programme_progress 207W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 208W

Departmental Travel £ million UK funding to Estimated UNRWA Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for UNRWA general fund spend in Syria (per International Development how many miles (a) (calendar year) calendar year) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department travelled 2008 19 1.61 by (i) car, (ii) rail and (iii) air on Government business 2009 20 1.70 in each year since 1997. [298543] In addition to this funding, the Department for Mr. Douglas Alexander: The requested information International Development provided a total of £2.6 million could not be provided without incurring disproportionate between 2001 and 2006 to help develop UNRWA’s costs. education system by strengthening management from Travel by Ministers and officials is undertaken in headquarter to school level. This support helped improve accordance with the ministerial Code and Civil Service the education provided to all Palestinian refugee children Code respectively. across the region, including in Syria. Sri Lanka Zimbabwe

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many visits members International Development what his most recent of his Department have made to the camps for assessment is of the humanitarian situation in internally-displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka since May Zimbabwe. [298973] 2009; and how many requests to visit such camps have Mr. Thomas: The humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe been refused by the Sri Lankan authorities. [299218] remains challenging: Mr. Michael Foster: Since May 2009, our Humanitarian Cholera is always present in Zimbabwe and, with the start of Adviser, based at the High Commission in Colombo, the rainy season, a rise in numbers of new cases has already been reported. However, the international community has has visited the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps worked to strengthen health services and provide essential in Vavuniya at least once a month to assess the humanitarian repairs to water and sanitation systems. We are hopeful that situation and monitor the progress of Department for the outbreak will not be on the same scale as last year. International Development (DFID) funded projects. In The food situation is better than last year following an improved September she also visited the IDP camps in Jaffna. harvest but there will still be a need for extensive international Officials from London have accompanied her on various support. The UN estimates that 2.8 million people will require occasions. food assistance in early 2010 (compared to around seven No requests to visit the camps have been refused by million in early 2009). the Sri Lankan authorities. Farm invasions continue and the risk of displacement for remaining farm-worker families remains a concern. Syria: Overseas Aid There has been an isolated outbreak of measles despite successful vaccination and we are watching the situation carefully. Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for The Department for International Development (DFID) International Development what assistance his has provided £4.7 million to UNICEF to help prepare Department has provided to Syria (a) directly and (b) for any cholera outbreak and is in discussions with through multi-lateral agencies for assistance to other donors about the best way to assist in the coming Palestinian refugees in each year since 2002. [299219] months. However, humanitarian support is not the long- term solution to Zimbabwe’s problems, only a resolution Mr. Michael Foster: Department for International of outstanding political issues and progress on much Development (DFID) support to Palestinian refugees needed reform will ensure that Zimbabwe can feed and in Syria is through the UN Relief and Works Agency provide for the needs of its people. (UNRWA) who assist more than 450,000 refugees providing them with education, health care, social support and microfinance opportunities. Most of our assistance TREASURY is core funding to UNRWA’s budget of which approximately 8.5 per cent. is spent in Syria. An annual Business: Government Assistance breakdown is in the following table. In 2007 the UK committed £100 million over five years in core funding Mr. Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to UNRWA. what recent assessment he has made of the likely effects on small businesses of the downturn in the economy; £ million what assistance he plans to give during the next six UK funding to Estimated UNRWA UNRWA general fund spend in Syria (per months to small businesses; what representations he (calendar year) calendar year) has received on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [298226] 2002 13 1.10 2003 15.5 1.31 Ian Pearson: The Treasury actively monitor economic 2004 8.5 0.72 conditions and their impact on businesses of all sizes. 2005 13 1.10 The Chancellor has received a number of suggestions 2006 16.2 1.37 from small businesses for further policy action to respond 2007 15.6 1.33 to the downturn. We have also heard from representative 209W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 210W organisations that access to finance remains a challenge from the ONS. An electronic copy of the macroeconomic for small businesses, but that conditions are improving. model documentation for the March 2008 Treasury All suggestions for further policy action are given careful Public Model has been deposited in the House of Commons consideration in the light of the Government’s overall Library. policy objectives and public finances. We have introduced a range of temporary measures Economic Situation to respond to the changing economic conditions and Mr. Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer needs of small businesses, and will be reviewing these what assessment he has made of the findings contained going forward to ensure that they remain appropriate. in the latest Organisation for Economic Co-operation Council Tax: Valuation and Development report on the British economy; and if he will make a statement. [298227] Robert Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Government take account whether the Valuation Office Agency takes account of of a range of external views, including those of the reputational issues connected with a dwelling when OECD, when making its assessment of the UK economy valuing it for council tax valuation and revaluation and in policy formulation. The Government will set out purposes. [296749] its own updated assessment of the UK and world economies in the pre-Budget report later this autumn. Ian Pearson: The basis of valuation for council tax is set out in The Council Tax (Situation and Valuation of Excise Duties: Diesel Dwellings) Regulations 1992 (SI No. 550) as amended by the Council Tax (Situation and Valuation of Dwellings) Mr. Keetch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Amendment) Order 1994. how much tax revenue was foregone as a result of the reduced rate of duty paid on red diesel for the Reputational issues would only be taken into account agricultural industry in the latest period for which to the extent that they affect open market value at the figures are available. [298169] relevant valuation date and existed when a property is first entered into a council tax valuation list. Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Reliable information on the end use of fuel is not available, as fuel duty is paid by Departmental Rail Travel fuel producers and importers, rather than by end consumers. Information on revenue from Hydrocarbon Oils is Mr. Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the available from HM Revenue and Customs ‘Hydrocarbon Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2009, Oils Bulletin’, which can be found on HMRC’s UK Official Report, column 1285W, on departmental rail Trade Info website. Red diesel is classified as ‘gas oil’. travel, how many (a) journeys were paid for and (b) https://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bulloil people travelled in each year; whether any nugatory expenditure was incurred in each year; and if he will Housing Benefit: Travelling People make a statement. [298173] Robert Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Sarah McCarthy-Fry: This information is not normally, what the policy is of the Valuation Office Agency’s held, because the Treasury’s accounting system records Rent Service on whether Traveller pitches which do not the costs of travel but not the number or type of tickets have planning permission may be rated for local bought. However, the Treasury’s travel management housing allowance. [298444] company provided information on the number and type Ian Pearson: The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) of tickets purchased through them covering travel by all was introduced nationally on 7 April 2008 and is applicable members of the Department. to new applicants for housing benefit or for claimants In 2008 09 191 members of staff took first class rail moving property, however there are exemptions to the journeys. Information on the number of travellers in LHA and these include pitches or caravans. Therefore 2007-08 and 2006-07, the number of first class rail any application to the local authority for housing benefit journeys taken by departmental staff and whether any will be subject to a referral to the rent officer and for the nugatory expenditure was incurred in all three years is rent officer to make a determination of a reasonable not available within the disproportionate costs threshold. rent for housing benefit subsidy purposes. The amount of any award for housing benefit will rest with the local Economic Policy authority. The rent officer’s duty is to determine the reasonableness John Hemming: To ask the Chancellor of the of the rent being charged for the property in the referral. Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the It is the responsibility of the local authority to assess data on which the Treasury Economic Model is based. housing benefit for individual claimants. [297153] Housing Revenue Account Ian Pearson: The Treasury Public Model was last issued in April 2008. The Treasury macroeconomic Mr. Betts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer model is principally a model of the economic activity whether he plans to add the estimated surplus on the described and recorded in the National Accounts published housing revenue account (HRA) subsidy to the council by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The model house capital debt that is being considered for documentation identifies sources for all data on which distribution to local authorities for repayment as part the model is based, and the data are publicly available of the review of the HRA subsidy system. [299158] 211W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 212W

Mr. Ian Austin: I have been asked to reply. Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Central Government do not Our proposals for self-financing would put every hold the necessary information on local government to local authority in a position to sustain their homes from inform this answer. their own revenues in future, ending the need to redistribute income by means of a one-off reallocation of housing Mr. Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer debt. Our consultation paper notes that the total amount (1) what recent assessment he has made of the merits of of housing debt held by councils under self-financing introducing new mechanisms for settling tax liabilities; could be higher or lower than the current level of debt [299220] supported through the HRA subsidy system. The debt (2) what mechanisms HM Revenue and Customs has allocated to each council would be set at a level which it in place to assess the cost-effectiveness of different could support within a sustainable business plan which methods of debt collection; [299221] delivers the extra investment we have identified is needed (including an average 24 per cent. increase in funding (3) what recent progress HM Revenue and Customs for major repairs) while continuing to set social rents in has made on its risk-profiling work in relation to tax line with national policy. debt. [299222] The aggregate amount of housing debt allocated under self-financing will depend on a range of variables Mr. Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the Treasury in addition to assumptions on annual management, Minute response to the twenty sixth report of the maintenance and repairs. These include rent levels, interest Committee of Public Accounts (HM Revenue and rates, the pricing of risk and the funding of the backlog Customs—management of tax debt) laid before the of repairs. As work on assessing these issues has not yet House on 28 October 2009, available at: been completed, I am not in a position to estimate the http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm77/7717/ amount of debt under the new system and ministers 7717.pdf have not had discussions on this issue with the Chancellor Unfortunately the previous answer included an incorrect of the Exchequer. I am however clear that the additional figure for the amount spent in 2007-08. This figure was spending on management, maintenance and major repairs provided to HM Treasury by its travel management which we have committed to fund as part of our reforms company and should have been shown as £330.000. I will mean that all councils are better off under self-financing apologise for the error. than they would be if the current system continued unreformed. Mr. Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment HM Revenue and Customs has Taxation made of the performance of private debt collection agencies in collecting tax debt. [299223] Jenny Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of receipts Mr. Timms: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is to the Exchequer were received from those (a) of currently undertaking a small scale six month pilot working age and (b) over retirement age in payment of exercise involving the use of private sector debt collection. (i) income tax and (ii) inheritance tax in the latest The pilot is due to run until December 2009, and will period for which figures are available; and if he will inform decisions taken on the future use of debt collection make a statement. [298979] agencies.

Mr. Timms: Information on age of taxpayer based on Mr. Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer receipts is not readily available as employers’ PAYE what recent assessment he has made of the level of payments are made in aggregate. However, available compatibility of corporation tax regimes in the Crown information on tax liability for 2009-10 (a total of Dependencies with the EU code of conduct on £141 billion) suggests that around 9 per cent. is in taxation. [299224] respect of people of state pension age by the end of the year, with the remainder for people of working age. Mr. Timms: The EU Code of Conduct Group has to This estimate is based on the Survey of Personal Incomes date, not referred the current Corporate Tax Regimes of of which 2006-07 is the latest available, and projected in the Crown Dependencies for assessment under the criteria line with Budget 2009 assumptions. of the EU Code of Conduct. Age breakdowns of Inheritance Tax received from Recently, the UK has had discussions with its Crown estates (£2,769 million in 2008-09) can be provided only Dependencies about their long-term sustainability which in terms of the age at death of the deceased. The take account of the emerging global consensus among proportions arising from estates where the age at death G20 countries on a range of international financial was under and over state Pension Age are 5 per cent. issues. These discussions are continuing. and 95 per cent. respectively. No information is held on the ages of beneficiaries of estates. Inheritance Tax received from settlers and trustees of discretionary trusts Valuation Office: Training (£70 million in 2008-09) can not be broken down by age. Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Jenny Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Exchequer what courses representatives of the how much and what proportion of council tax is raised Valuation Office Agency have attended at the National from (a) those over retirement age and (b) people of School of Government in the last 36 months; and at working age; and if he will make a statement. [298980] what cost to the public purse in each case. [294441] 213W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 214W

Ian Pearson: The following table shows the courses Course Charge (£) representatives of the Valuation Office Agency have attended at the National School of Government in the The Challenge of Delivery 425.00 last 36 months and at what cost to the public purse in Creating an Innovative Culture 490.00 each case. Staff Inspection Techniques Training 1,950.00

Course Charge (£) Programme and Project Support 980.00 Office 2006 Prince 2 For Practitioners 1,975.00 Best Practice for Audit Committees 350.00 Prince 2 For Practitioners 1,975.00 Best Practice for Audit Committees 350.00 Managing Project Risk 875.00 Getting To Grips With Workforce 395.00 Planning Prince 2 For Practitioners 1,975.00 Strategic Communication Planning 1,200.00 Analysis and Use of Evidence for SCS 140.00 Senior Professional Administration 850.00 Training 2009 Senior Finance Programme Public 870.00 Expenditure Public Accountability Tailored Event 750.00 2007 Appearing Before the Select 1,550.00 Committee Changing Culture, Strengthening 245.00 Delivery Senior Professional Administration 850.00 Training Training for NDPB Board Members 16,761.90 Top Management Forum (Seminar 4) 85.00 Programme and Project Support 980.00 Office Introduction to Programme 410.00 Management Introduction to Public Accountability 665.00 Management of Risk 1,875.00 Baseline Personnel Security 355.00 Management of Risk 1,875.00 Unit 12 of Chartered Management 580.00 Institute Diploma Project Manager’s Foundation 1,130.00 Introduction to Purchasing 990.00 Top Management Forum (Seminar 6) 85.00 Leadership and Resilience 450.00 Project Manager’s Foundation (exam 150.00 resit) JUSTICE Programme and Project Support 900.00 Office Pleural Plaques: Compensation Programme and Project Support 900.00 Office Baseline Personnel Security 395.00 17. Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he plans to announce his decision on Baseline Personnel Security 395.00 compensation for those with pleural plaques. [298581] Programme and Project Support 90.00 Office (cancellation fee) Bridget Prentice: The House of Lords decision has Programme and Project Support 900.00 Office raised extremely complex and difficult issues which have required very careful consideration. We are actively Programme and Project Support 900.00 Office considering all of these in order to give a final response Prince 2 For Practitioners 1,975.00 as soon as possible. Recording Information on COINS 130.00 Legal Aid: Child Abuse Cases Recording Information on COINS 130.00 Senior Professional Administration 1,150.00 21. Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of Training State for Justice what his policy is on the future Financial Management at Grade 7 895.00 provision of legal aid in child abuse cases; and if he will make a statement. [298585]

2008 Getting To Grips With Workforce 375.00 Planning Bridget Prentice: The Government have no plans to Prince 2 For Practitioners 1,975.00 make any changes to the provision of legal aid to defendants in child abuse cases. Where child care Senior Professional Administration 1,150.00 Training proceedings are concerned, legal aid is provided to both Measuring Organisational 2,500.00 parents and children without regard to their means. Performance Strategic Communication Planning 1,175.00 Solicitors: Overpayments Unit 3 of Chartered Management 150.00 Institute Diploma 22. Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Unit 7 of Chartered Management 550.00 Justice when he next expects to meet the Legal Services Institute Diploma Commission to discuss its overpayments to solicitors in Unit 5 of Chartered Management 250.00 2008-09. [298586] Institute Diploma Government Finance and Accounting 890.00 Bridget Prentice: My right hon. Friend, the Lord Project Management Essentials 1,300.00 Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr. Straw) Prince 2 For Practitioners 2,250.00 and my noble Friend, Lord Bach, Legal Aid Minister met Commissioners from the Legal Services Commission 215W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 216W on 21 October and the matter concerning ‘overpayments Human Trafficking: Proceeds of Crime to solicitors’ was part of the discussions. Ministers have and will continue to hold regular meetings with the Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Legal Services Commission. how many confiscation orders against people convicted Prisoner Voting Rights of human trafficking offences have been made in each of the last three years; and how much money has been realised from them. [298927] 23. Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress he has made in the Claire Ward: The available information is shown in second stage of his consultation on voting rights for the following table. prisoners; and if he will make a statement. [298587]. Total confiscation orders made against offenders convicted of human trafficking, since 2005 Mr. Wills: The second consultation on the voting Total confiscation rights of convicted prisoners closed on 29 September orders Total amount (£) 2009. The Government are carefully studying the responses and will set out the next steps in due course 2005 0 0 2006 3 5,940 Housing: Released Prisoner 2007 6 9,120 Notes: 1. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. 24. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for 2. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail Justice what discussions he has had with the Secretary collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. of State for Communities and Local Government on Source: the provision of housing for offenders on their release OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice from prison. [298588] Data for 2008 will be available once ‘Sentencing Statistics 2008’ is published in early 2010. Maria Eagle: Ministers from the Ministry of Justice The figures shown here relate solely to cases recorded and Communities and Local Government regularly discuss on the Ministry of Justice courts proceedings database matters relating to socially excluded adults and offenders, where: an offence of Human trafficking was the principal including housing at the Life Chances Social Exclusion offence for which the offender was sentenced and where Cabinet Committee and the Reducing Re-offending the confiscation order was made at the point of sentence. Inter Ministerial Group. It is possible that a confiscation order can be made in a Female Imprisonment separate court appearance following sentence, these cases are not included in this answer and it is likely the Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice true number of confiscation orders may be higher than what assessment he has made of the effect of the is presented here. imprisonment of women on their children. [298568] The amount realised from these confiscation orders could only be obtained at disproportionate cost by Maria Eagle: We recognise there is an impact: only matching individual case files with records from the 5 per cent. of these children remain in the family home court proceedings database. when their mothers are imprisoned and 12 per cent. are Magistrates Courts: Haverfordwest taken into care or are adopted. There is an intergenerational effect. 65 per cent. of Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice boys with a convicted parent go on to offend. The what recent discussions he has had on the future of children of offenders are at much greater risk of poor Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. [297793] outcomes in life then other groups. That is why we seek to divert less serious female offenders from what are Bridget Prentice: All Pembrokeshire magistrates court often short prison sentences as Baroness Corston suggested business has been listed at the Law Courts, Hawthorn in her report. Rise, Haverfordwest, since 2001, at which stage extensive British Values Roadshow building work was undertaken to provide suitable accommodation at the site. The county court for Pembrokeshire also sits in separate courts within that Mrs. Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice building. The Law Courts are strategically placed to what estimate has been made of the cost of planned undertake all the magistrates and county court business British values roadshow and consultation events. within Pembrokeshire and it is planned to continue [299075] using the building for these purposes for the foreseeable future. Mr. Wills: The Government have held a series of five deliberative events on Identity, Values and a possible Prisoner Escapes Bill of Rights and Responsibilities during October. Two further events, both of which will cover a Bill of Rights Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice and Responsibilities and a written constitution, will pursuant to the answer of 26 October 2009, Official take place on 21 and 28 November. There will be a Report, column 90W, on prisoner escapes, what the National Deliberative Event in the new year. name is of the person convicted of murder who is It is not possible to finalise the actual costs until all of unlawfully at large; on what date his or her (a) offence the events have taken place, however, it is anticipated and (b) conviction took place; what the length of his that this will come to less than £1 million in total. or her sentence was; on what date he or she absconded, 217W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 218W and from which prison; whether he or she was on any Mr. Wills: On 16 July, the Government published the form of work or temporary release; what his or her response to its consultation on extending the Freedom security classification was at the time of absconding; of Information Act by means of a section 5 order. It and whether he or she had been subject to any noted that it was not minded to include private prisons punishments for breach of prison discipline while in in an initial order. However, the Government have made prison. [298460] it clear it intends to keep the extension of the Act under review. Mr. Straw: The prisoner serving a sentence of murder that remains unlawfully at large was sentenced to life Vetting: Local Government imprisonment on 31 October 1989 for a single offence of murder committed on 27 August 1988. He did not Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice have a history of violent offending before this offence. what guidance has been given to local authorities by He was re-categorised as category D and allocated to the Information Commissioner on the classifying of Ford open prison in February 2009. Prisoners located individuals on List 98. [298446] in open conditions have been risk assessed and categorised Mr. Wills: The Information Commissioner’s Office as being of low risk to the public and as such he is not (ICO) has not issued any guidance to local authorities considered to be dangerous. He absconded from HM on this matter. Prison Ford in August 2009. He was not on temporary release licence when he absconded. He was found guilty However, “The Employment Practices Code”produced of a total of 39 disciplinary offences during his 20 years by the ICO contains guidance for employers on a range of imprisonment, most of which were for disobeying of data protection issues including pre-employment lawful orders or for being abusive towards staff. All of checks. these would have been subject to disciplinary punishment. It is obviously in general much in the public interest that the names of those escaping and absconding should ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE be made public, but their can be operational or other reasons for not doing so in specific cases. I will write to Energy: Housing the hon. Member with the name of the offender when the police have confirmed that there is no difficulty in John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for placing this in the public domain. Energy and Climate Change what the average level of energy consumption was for a domestic property in the Over 96 per cent. of prisoners who abscond are last 12 months period for which figures are available. re-captured and returned to custody. On re-capture the [297156] prisoner will be returned to a closed prison and referred to the police for consideration for prosecution for having Mr. Kidney: The 2009 edition of the Digest of UK been unlawfully at large. Energy Statistics indicates that a total of 45.642 million tonnes of oil equivalent was consumed in the domestic Prisoners: Females sector during 2009. This equates to 530,816 GWh. It is estimated that the number of households in the Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for UK during 2008 was around 26.334 million. Justice what his policy is on reducing the number of This results in an average energy consumption per women in prison. [298576] domestic property of 20,157 kWh. Maria Eagle: The Government are committed to Natural Gas diverting vulnerable women, who are not serious or dangerous offenders, from custody. We have provided Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy £15.6 million of new funding over two years from and Climate Change if he will assess the merits of 2009-11 for the provision of additional services in the potential substitutes for natural gas supplies for (a) community for women offenders and women at risk of domestic and (b) industrial consumption in the UK. offending. [298605] Many female offenders have an acute combination of complex issues that lie behind their offending and prison Mr. Kidney: Potential substitutes for natural gas include does not provide an effective way to address these (i) using an alternative fossil fuel (ii) using a low carbon problems. The Government have already allocated source of energy and (iii) using less energy (for example, £3.1 million from this fund and last week allocated a through increasing energy efficiency). The Government’s further £6.8 million to third sector providers, to help recent “Low Carbon Transition Plan” set out how develop a network of provisions across the country to Government will stimulate the uptake of low-carbon tackle the cause of offending behaviour for women who sources of energy as well as adding impetus to energy are not a danger to the public, both pre and post efficiency. conviction. Renewable Energy

Prisons: Freedom of Information Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for made of the effects of the use of biomass boilers Justice whether he has plans to extend to private installed to meet Renewable Energy Strategy targets on prisons the provisions of the Freedom of Information (a) air quality, (b) levels of particulate emissions and Act 2000. [298646] (c) levels of (i) morbidity and (ii) mortality. [296732] 219W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 220W

Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply. following their end of tour. This is entirely consistent (a) The Government have, in support of the development with harmony guidelines. Details of the next Afghanistan of the Renewable Energy Strategy (RES), carried out roulement will be announced in Parliament at the modelling of the effect of an increase in the use of appropriate time. biomass for heat and power on the emissions, ambient air concentrations and public health impacts of fine Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations particles (PM2.5), coarser particles (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide. The key air quality results of this analysis are Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for given in the Renewable Energy Strategy on page 121. Defence what recent discussions he has had with his (b) As part of the analysis the increases in the emissions counterparts in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Pakistan on of particulates were estimated over a number of different Taliban activity in the border regions. [296942] scenarios. For PM2.5 these were between 0.75 and 9.1 ktonnes from a baseline in 2007 of 82 ktonnes. For Bill Rammell [holding answer 3 November 2009]: I PM10, emissions were estimated as being between 1.3 and held recent discussions on insurgent activity in Afghanistan 9.5 ktonnes from a 2007 baseline of 135 ktonnes. and Pakistan with Mr. Wardak, the Afghan Minister of (c) (i) The impacts on morbidity resulting from the Defence, at the NATO ministerial meeting in Bratislava uptake of biomass as a renewable energy source were on 29-30 October and with Mr. Mukhtar, the Pakistan not assessed. Defence Minister and General Kayani, the Chief of the (ii) The mortality health impacts of these scenarios Army Staff of Pakistan, on 6 October during my visit were estimated to be between 340,000 and 1,750,000 to Pakistan with the Home Secretary. measured as the number of life years lost in 2020 from the impact on air quality of increased biomass combustion. Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the The results presented above are for the whole of the adequacy of provision of (a) sleeping bags and (b) UK and are given in their raw output form. The other kit for troops on active operations in assumptions of each scenario are set out in the Renewable Afghanistan. [298959] Energy Strategy. Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Mr. Quentin Davies: The Defence Clothing Team for Energy and Climate Change what recent (DCT) provides a range of environmental clothing, discussions his Department has had with (a) energy including boots, to meet both summer and winter companies, (b) non-governmental organisations, (c) deployments. All armed forces personnel receive a local authorities and (d) others on the setting of levels deployment pack, commonly known as the ’black bag’ for feed-in tariffs. [299211] worth £3,000, which provides sufficient clothing and personal equipment to carry out combat operations. Mr. Kidney: DECC published proposed feed-in tariff The ’black bag’ includes a warm weather sleeping bag levels in the Consultation on Renewable Electricity for use in the summer conditions found in Afghanistan. Financial Incentives 2009 document on 15 July 2009. In addition, troops are issued a temperate sleeping bag The document is still available from the DECC website at: as part of their standard kit issue. Experience has http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/ shown the temperate sleeping bag to be capable in elec_financial/elec_financial.aspx temperatures down to around -30°C. Clothing and sleeping The consultation closed on 15 October 2009 and we are bags are designed to be used as layered systems in order currently analysing the responses that were received, to achieve the desired protection and will not work as which numbered in excess of 700. Many of these responses effectively if not worn as a system. provided detailed information and views on the tariff Additionally, those personnel who are in Afghanistan levels, which we are considering. during the colder months receive extra equipment in Through the consultation period DECC Ministers their deployment pack, such as ’softee’ thermal jackets and officials held a number of meetings with external and trousers, cold weather socks, gloves, headwear, organisations and spoke at a number of conferences windproof trousers and jackets and cold weather boots. with a wide range of attendees from each of the groups This is the equipment used by our commando forces in referenced. These conferences included a DECC hosted Arctic terrain. When worn with the CS95 ensemble, this FITs conference on 18 September, a Scottish Renewables equipment provides suitable environmental protection FITs and RO event on 23 September, and a RegenSW for the cold weather temperatures that occur in the FITs conference on 29 September. There was discussion winters in Afghanistan. at each of these events on the proposed tariff levels. The DCT and senior military staff regularly visit theatre to assess equipment and continue to seek further improvements. The DCT aims to visit every six months DEFENCE to cover summer and winter tours. The last winter visit took place in December 2008. Afghanistan: Armed Forces Air Force: Navy Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average tour interval will be for each unit deployed in the next Afghanistan roulement. [297899] Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future strength of Bill Rammell: Those units that are identified as likely (a) the RAF Auxiliary Reserve, (b) the Royal Naval to deploy in the next Afghanistan roulement are not Reserve, (c) the Air Cadets and (d) the Sea Cadets. scheduled to redeploy again for at least 24 months [296231] 221W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 222W

Bill Rammell: Plans for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice are that the manning level will increase from the current the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed level of 1,521 to 2,000 personnel by the end of 2012. forces. The strength of the Royal Naval Reserve is determined by the needs of the naval service for reserve personnel to Armed Forces: Housing support current and future operations. Force numbers are always under review but at this time there is no plan Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for to change its size. Defence what proportion of the proceeds of the sale of The Royal Air Force plans to increase the numbers of Defence Estates stock has been used to upgrade the Air Cadets from 40,000 to 42,000 by 2013, with an estate in each year since Defence Estates was eventual target of 50,000 Air Cadets by 2018. established; what proportion of the defence estate has been upgraded in each year over that period; when he The Sea Cadets are part of the Marine Society and expects the upgrading of the entire estate to Grade 1 Sea Cadets which is a registered charity. As such we standard to be completed; and if he will make a have no input to their present or future strength. statement. [295218]

Armed Forces: Equipment Mr. Kevan Jones: As part of the periodic spending review, the Department agrees disposal targets with Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence HM Treasury and a net departmental budget is set what the (a) required and (b) actual number is of (i) accordingly. There is no direct link between the amount pieces of night vision equipment, (ii) pieces of body spent on upgrading the estate to the disposal of surplus armour and (iii) small arms in the army. [297887] land and buildings. Exceptionally, the receipts from the disposal of Chelsea Barracks were ring-fenced for investment in service accommodation. Internal budgets Mr. Quentin Davies: In terms of night vision optics, are agreed on the basis of Defence priorities. the Army currently has 14,634 Common Weapon Sights, 1,777 Maxikite 1 and 4,388 Maxikite 2. Some of these From 1 April 1998 to 31 March 2009, the Department will be upgraded under the Future Infantry System achieved disposal receipts totalling £3.4 billion. In 2008-09, Technology (FIST) programme designed to further improve the Department spent some £3 billion on the estate the equipment available to the infantry soldier. The including investment to upgrade both the technical remainder will then be redistributed to those units and estate and accommodation. individuals employed in other roles where these capabilities The following tables illustrate what proportion of are either non-existent or in short supply. The FIST Service Family Accommodation (SFA) has been upgraded requirement for night vision optics is shown in the as well as how much new or improved Single Living following table. Deliveries of this new equipment are Accommodation (SLA) has been delivered since 2001. due to begin in September 2010. Figures prior to 2001 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Sight Future requirement Properties upgraded to highest standard for condition, SFA (GB) Common Weapon Sight II 2,471 Number Thermal Weapon Sight (VIPIR 3) 4,331 2001-02 2,700 Maxikite 2 Mk 2 1,705 2002-03 3,870 Helmet Mounted Night Vision 10,835 2003-04 1,440 System II 2004-05 2,610 Our body armour and small arms holdings and 2005-06 1,705 requirements are provided in the following tables. 2006-07 1,215 2007-08 637 2008-09 726 Current endorsed Body armour type Current fleet size requirement Total 14,903

Enhanced Combat 103,604 32,000 Body Armour New or improved bed-spaces delivered, SLA Osprey 32,000 11,362 Number 1 Osprey Assault 5,000 10,000 2001-02 n/a 1 The second tranche of 5,000 Osprey Assault is due to be delivered in the first 2002-03 988 quarter of next year. 2003-04 2,915 Weapon Current fleet size Requirement 2004-05 5,611 2005-06 5,539 SA80 A2 (L85A2) 176,000 138,570 (Defence Nos) 2006-07 5,822 LSW (L86A2) 11,000 5,000 2007-08 6,905 Pistol L9 Browning 24,964 25,000 2008-09 7,910 (Defence Nos) Total 35,690 SA80 Carbine (L22A2) 1,546 1,600 LMG 4,309 4,933 Most of the 14,000 SFA that we have brought up to Standard 1 for Condition since 2001 have been upgrades None of the figures above includes equipment procured of existing properties rather than the construction of for use in Afghanistan through the urgent operational new properties. 90 per cent. of SFA is now at the two requirement process. I am withholding the information highest standards for condition. Our aim is to ensure 223W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 224W that by March 2013 very little, if any, of the occupied Psychiatry 2009, 9:68). This concluded that the rate of SFA estate should be below Standard 2 for Condition. common mental disorders in the sample was 27.2 per Subject to changing demand for SFA in the future and cent.; this figure is in keeping with a substantial the availability of funding, we aspire that by 2020 all review of European adults, carried out in 2005, that occupied properties in the UK will be at Standard 1 for also found 27 per cent. suffered with a common mental Condition. disorder. This study confirmed previous findings which However, the majority of the 35,000 SLA delivered show that depression and alcohol abuse are the most since 2003 are newly constructed en-suite accommodation. common mental disorders in the UK military, not post A further 20,000 bed-spaces will be delivered by 2013. traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as previously assumed by some commentators. The paper’s results support Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for MOD’s provision of a compressive mental health service Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2009, rather than a service which is overly focussed on treating Official Report, column 831W, on armed forces: PTSD. housing, what the average monthly rent for properties Research commissioned from other academic in the Greater London area rented under the substitute institutions includes an investigation by Manchester single living accommodation scheme is. [298516] university into the levels of suicide amongst those leaving the UK armed forces over the period 1996-2005, Mr. Kevan Jones [holding answer 9 November 2009]: compared with matched personnel remaining in service As at 23 October 2009, the average monthly rent for and the general population. This work was published in substitute service single accommodation properties in the peer-reviewed journal Public Library of Science the Greater London area was £1,121.37. Utility bills (PloS) Medicine in March 2009. The results showed are paid by the Ministry of Defence. Service personnel that overall rates of suicide of those who left were little can claim the following allowances to assist with the different from the equivalent serving or civilian general cost of living in the Greater London Area: Food populations. We also commissioned research into Post and Incidental Allowance, Get You Home Travel, Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from Royal Holloway Home to Duty Travel and Recruitment and Retention and University College London, comparing immediate Allowance (London). Service personnel are reimbursed and delayed onset PTSD in military veterans. The study the cost of telephone line installations and monthly line looked at clinical course, symptoms, risk factors, stressors rentals. and disabling effects; we understand its findings will be published in peer reviewed literature shortly. Armed Forces: Mental Health Services Papers currently undergoing peer review or awaiting publication address further the mental health of service personnel and veterans, in both the National Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Service era and post-National Service. We shall continue (a) Defence what research his Department has to support well-founded research into these issues, to (b) (c) commissioned, funded and undertaken on the inform our policies to provide care for those whose mental health needs of service personnel and veterans mental health has been affected by serving in the armed since 2001; and what his most recent estimate is of the forces. number of service personnel and veterans with such needs. [295087] Armed Forces: North West Mr. Kevan Jones: MOD fully supports the need for high quality research which examines the mental health of service personnel and veterans. We have Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence funded the Kings College London Centre for Military how many people have joined the (a) army, (b) navy Health Research (KCMHR) to undertake major and (c) RAF from (i) the North West, (ii) Lancashire research into the health of those who have served on and (iii) Chorley in each year since 1997. [299097] recent operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of their findings have already been published in Mr. Kevan Jones: This information is not held in the the peer-reviewed medical literature, including major format requested, however the following table provides pieces of work published in 2006. Within KCMHR, the details of those recruited through the Armed Forces Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health (ACDMH) Careers Offices (AFCO) in Lancashire, to give an indication has been established as an in-house mental health research of armed forces recruitment in this area. resource which is looking into a variety of smaller scale aspects of dealing with the mental health of service This information will not provide a comprehensive personnel. picture of the recruitment of individuals who live in Lancashire as it does not include those Lancashire The KCMHR and ACDMH website can be found at residents who may have chosen to join through the following link: AFCOs elsewhere or through some other means, such www.kcl.ac.uk/kcmhr as the internet. In addition, RN/RM and Army officer This contains links to a wide range of individual figures are not provided as these officers tend to be research papers. The 2006 KCMHR 10-year report recruited through a wider variety of means and any provides a particularly useful summary of research information provided would not be meaningful in this during the first 10 years since its foundation in 1996. context. More recent research includes a paper on the prevalence Data for the RN and the RAF for financial years of common mental disorders and Post Traumatic Stress before 2003-04 are not available as new IT systems have Disorder in the UK Military (Iversen et al., BMC since been introduced. 225W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 226W

regular armed forces strengths for each service and rank Preston (Tri- Blackburn Blackpool Burnley Financial Service (Army (Army (Army are provided in the following tables. year AFCO) AFCO) AFCO) AFCO) Naval service trained UK regular strengths1 and requirements by 1997-98 NATO rank 2 Army 158 109 136 131 NATO rank Requirement Trained strength

OF-7 and above3 30 40 1998-99 OF-6 60 80 Army 145 96 159 135 OF-5 230 280

1999- OF-4 1,110 1,140 2000 OF-34 2,160 2,190 Army 152 101 139 154 OF-2 3,000 2,630

2000-01 OF-1 — 40 Army 117 93 126 94 Officers total 6,590 6,410

2001-02 OR-9 740 760 Army 100 95 99 88 OR-8 880 800

2002-03 OR-7 3,730 4.000 Army 128 114 114 107 OR-6 5,090 4,570 OR-4 6,900 6,210 2003-04 OR-3 — 540 RN/RM89———OR-2 11,690 11,050 Army 114 85 94 103 Other ranks total 29,020 27,930 RAF 112 — — —

2004-05 Army trained UK regular strengths and requirements1 by NATO rank RN/RM66———NATO rank Requirement5 Trained strength Army 83 72 86 88 OF-7 and above3 60 70 RAF70——— OF-6 170 180 OF-5 520 590 2005-06 OF-4 1,750 1,790 RN/RM76———OF-3 4,300 4,860 Army 132 122 103 108 OF-2 4,930 4,680 RAF36———OF-1 1,810 1,640 Officers total 13,560 13,800 2006-07

RN/RM86———OR-9 1,380 1,740 Army 119 115 107 108 OR-8 4,260 4,830 RAF59———OR-7 5,810 6,050 OR-6 10,320 9,730 2007-08 OR-4 16,640 14,870 RN/RM77———OR-3 17,720 15,760 Army 140 71 69 103 OR-2 29,470 29,130 RAF82———Other ranks total 85,600 82,120

2008-09 RAF trained UK regular strengths and requirements1 by NATO rank RN/RM 107 — — — NATO rank Requirement6 Trained strength Army 130 70 95 96 RAF 170 — — — OF-6 and above3 100 130 OF-5 290 330 OF-4 1,130 1,230 Armed Forces: Training OF-3 2,420 2,540 OF-2 and below 4,720 4,260 Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Officers total 8,670 8,480 what the (a) required and (b) actual trained strength is of each (i) service and (ii) rank in the armed forces. OR-9 1,080 1,210 [297890] OR-7 3,180 3,180 OR-6 6,610 6,210 Bill Rammell: The latest available figures for trained OR-4 8,640 8,370 UK regular armed forces requirements and trained UK OR-2 and below 12,690 11,930 227W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 228W

RAF trained UK regular strengths and requirements1 by NATO rank Strength of the Territorial Army by arm/service as at 1 March 2007 NATO rank Requirement6 Trained strength Arm/service Requirement Total TA

Other ranks total7 32,190 30,900 AGC (SPS) n/a 1,030 “—” = zero or rounded to zero. AGC (ETS) n/a 20 1 Naval service strength figures include UK regular forces and full-time AGC (ALS) n/a 10 reserve service personnel filling regular posts. Army strength figures RAVC n/a 10 include trained UK regular forces and exclude Gurkhas, full-time reserve service personnel and mobilised reservists. RAF strength SASC n/a 10 figures include UK regular forces and full-time reserve service personnel RADC n/a 50 filling regular posts. INT CORPS n/a 520 2 Naval service requirements by rank are the planning liabilities as APTC n/a 10 determined by the naval service. They do not match DASA’s published total requirements, which are based on the ceilings set in the DP09 General list n/a 300 planning round. QARANC n/a 960 3 No services have personnel at NATO rank OF-10. OTC n/a 5,070 4 The naval service has no personnel at substantive rank OR-3 and no Unallocated n/a * requirement at this rank. Marines with a substantive rank of OR-2 but acting as corporal are recorded as paid rank OR-3, which aligns n/a = Not available. with the recognised rank of lance corporal in the Army. * = Zero or rounded to zero. 5 Army soldier RAL split by rank has been provided by DM(A). Notes: 6 RAF requirements are as provided by RAF M&PC Mpr Reg. 1. Total TA include all personnel in Group A and B, Mobilised TA, September 2009 liability was calculated by straight-line interpolation OTC and NRPS, but excludes FTRS. between DP08 1 April 2009 liability and DP09 1 April 2010 liability. 2. Non-Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS) include both Group A and 7 The Royal Air Force has no personnel at NATO ranks OR-3 or B. OR-8. 3. TA Group B consists mainly of soldiers serving with UOTC units. Notes: 4. Figures include personnel capbadged OTC only and therefore 1. Totals may not equal the sum of parts due to rounding. All exclude personnel from other Arms/Services serving at UOTC units. numbers are rounded to the nearest 10 with numbers ending in 5 5. Figures have been rounded to 10; numbers ending in “5” have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20, to prevent systematic bias. rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. 2. Due to ongoing validation of data from the joint personnel administration system, all strength figures are provisional and subject The information by arm/service is available in the to review. most recent Army Monthly Manning Report and the latest total figures are in the most recent Army Personnel Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Statistics Report, both of which are available in the what the (a) required and (b) actual trained strength is Library of the House. of the Territorial Army (i) staff, (ii) Royal Armoured Corps, (iii) Royal Artillery, (iv) Royal Engineers, (v) Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Royal Signals, (vi) infantry, (vii) Army Air Corps, (viii) what planned reservist training exercises were cancelled Royal Army Chaplains Department, (ix) Royal in each year since 2003. [297903] Logistics Corps, (x) Royal Army Medical Corps, (xi) Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, (xii) Bill Rammell: In respect of the Royal Naval Reserves Adjutant General’s Corps, (xiii) Royal Army and the Royal Air Force Reserves, there have been no Veterinary Corps, (xiv) Small Arms School Corps, (xv) specific training exercises cancelled since 2003. Royal Army Dentistry Corps, (xvi) Intelligence Corps, The following list shows the cancelled training exercises (xvii) Army Physical Training Corps and (xviii) Queen for the Territorial Army since 2007. The Department Alexandra’s Royal Auxiliary Nursing Corps. [297894] do not have central records relating to this prior to 2007. Exercises may be cancelled for a variety of reasons Bill Rammell: The strength of the Territorial Army including effectiveness of delivery; value for money by Arm/Service as at 1 March 2007 is provided in the constraints; international policy dimensions and following table. A more recent breakdown by Arm/Service circumstances; operational constraints; and focus on is not available, but the current overall strength of the current operations. TA, as at 1 September 2009, is at 34,380 subject to 2007-08 review. The requirement is only available for the Territorial Bald Eagle 2007-08 Army as a whole. Cossack Steppe (CAC 5—2007-08) Strength of the Territorial Army by arm/service as at 1 March 2007 Lion Star 1—2007-08 Arm/service Requirement Total TA Romanian Express (CAC 7—2007-08) Total 42,000 36,790 Lion Star 2—2007-08 Staff n/a 90 Lion Star 3—2007-08 HCAV/RAC n/a 1,360 Lion Star 4—2007-08 RA n/a 2,290 RE n/a 2,530 Flying Rose 2—2007-08 R SIGNALS n/a 3,910 Flying Rose 2—2008-091 Infantry n/a 7,190 Mulberry Tree/Prickly Pear 2008-091 AAC n/a 120 150 Tpt Regt (V) OBUA Trg RAChD n/a 70 Trg weekend 150 Tpt Regt (V) RLC n/a 6,030 Outreach 4—Georgian Express RAMC n/a 2,510 1 REME n/a 2,400 Tricolour 3—2008-09 AGC (RMP) n/a 280 Trg Ex—75 Engr Regt (V) 229W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 230W

2008-09 Bill Rammell: There is always a balance to be struck Mulberry Tree in allocating equipment to meet both operational and Black Warrior training needs. When new equipment is introduced into Paperchase service, the Department’s priority is to ensure that 1 These exercises were cancelled during 2007-08, but were due to sufficient quantities are available for training to enable take place in 2008-09. operators to meet basic qualification standards prior to their deployment. This must be balanced with the Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence requirement to get equipment into theatre as quickly as how many and what proportion of training exercises possible so that troops can benefit from the additional have been cancelled in 2009 to date; and what exercises capability. those were. [297937] We recognise that achieving this balance can mean that it takes longer to establish a sufficient pool of Bill Rammell: To date, 9 per cent. of programmed equipment fully to meet the training requirement. In training exercises have been cancelled in 2009. Exercises such cases, the training pool is managed in a way that may be cancelled for a variety of reasons including ensures operators have as much experience of the equipment effectiveness of delivery; value for money; international as possible before they deploy. If necessary, this training policy dimensions and circumstances; operational will be supplemented after individuals arrive in theatre. constraints; and focus on current operations. Where troops already in theatre are provided with newly The following lists the cancelled training exercises: introduced equipment, specialist training teams will JTFEX 09 deploy to ensure the equipment operators get the training Crimson Eagle 09-1 they need. Snow Falcon 09 The quantities of equipment available for pre-deployment Lone Fin 09 training continue to improve. For example the numbers Torpedo Focus 09-2 of Jackal and Ridgback vehicles in the training pool Sheldrake Spear 09 increased by 50 per cent. between July and October this Green Flag West 09-1 year. The number of Mastiff vehicles in the training TLT NITEX 09-1 pool is expected to improve in the next few months. TLP 09-2 Spontex 09-1 UAEATLC12 Armoured Fighting Vehicles Egemen 2009 Lone Eagle 09-1 Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Baltops 09 how many armoured vehicles of each type in the armed TLP 09-3 forces are (a) fit to be deployed and (b) in service in Maxeval 09 Afghanistan. [297932] Harding Flame 09-1 LIVEX 09 Mr. Quentin Davies: I am withholding the information Roman Cohorts requested on the numbers of vehicles fit for deployment and in service on operations for operational security Batus Run 09-1 reasons. Blue Flag 09-1 Maple Flag 42-2 I can however provide figures for armoured vehicles which are fit for purpose. This is defined as vehicles that Maple Flag 42-3 are capable of being used in whatever capacity they are Batus Run 09-2 required for. Fit for purpose figures as at 4 November Crown Pinnacle 09-4 2009 are provided in the following table, along with Bold Avenger 09 total fleet numbers. Latin Bull 09 RAF DOT 09 Vehicle Total fleet number Number fit for purpose Batus Run 09-5 AS90 145 132 1 ACC WTI 09 Challenger 2 345 261 Lion Sun 11 CRAARV 81 70 Mulberry Tree CVR(T) 1,168 928 FV 430 (Mk2 and 1,400 658 Black Warrior Bulldog) Cobb Ring Fuchs 11 11 Roman Eagle Saxon 147 147 Paperchase Titan 33 24 Global Maple Trojan 33 25 Global Kukri. Warrior 793 552 Mastiff 271 134 Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State Panther 401 334 for Defence pursuant to the answer of 2 November Ridgback 118 73 2009, Official Report, columns 569-70, on pre- Snatch 2 (including 653 203 variants) deployment training, what his definition is of an Vector 192 87 unacceptable balance of risk. [299119] 231W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 232W

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence AWE Aldermaston what the (a) required and (b) actual level of spare part availability is for each (i) armoured vehicle type and (ii) Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for aircraft type in the armed forces (A) overall and (B) in Defence when construction work on Project Pegasus at Afghanistan. [297942] AWE Aldermaston is scheduled to commence. [298093] Mr. Quentin Davies: The information for armoured Mr. Quentin Davies: Subject to the necessary planning vehicles is not held centrally and could be provided only permission, construction work on Project Pegasus at at disproportionate cost. AWE Aldermaston is scheduled to commence in the Information on spares availability for rotary-wing third quarter of 2011. aircraft is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. AWE Burghfield The required level of spares for fixed-wing aircraft is included in contractual agreements with industry or is set by the Front Line Command. The achieved level of Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for available spares is measured as part of these agreements. Defence whether non-UK workers will be allowed to undertake construction work on Project Mensa at The following information for the required and achieved AWE Burghfield. [298096] level of spares for each fixed-wing aircraft fleet is provided as at September 2009 unless otherwise stated. The level of spares for operational deployments to Afghanistan is Mr. Quentin Davies: Nationality will not present an not recorded separately unless otherwise stated. automatic barrier to being allowed to undertake construction work on Project Mensa. All individuals employed on the project will, however, be required to Atomic Weapons Establishment achieve the necessary level of security clearance, on a case-by-case basis, as is the situation for all AWE workers. Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many outstanding cases of litigation the Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Atomic Weapons Establishment is involved in. [298200] Defence what emergency arrangements are in place to provide for the protection of contractors working on Mr. Quentin Davies: There is one outstanding litigated Project Mensa at AWE Burghfield in the event of an employer’s liability claim involving the Atomic Weapons accident leading to a release of radioactive material. Establishment (AWE). [298097] In addition there is an ongoing Group Action brought by 1,011 Nuclear Test Veterans against the Ministry of Mr. Quentin Davies: The Nuclear Site Licence conditions Defence in which AWE has been providing documentation require robust emergency arrangements to be in place at to assist the legal disclosure process. AWE Burghfield to deal with all reasonably foreseeable accidents. Specifically, and in line with other nuclear Atomic Weapons Establishment: Floods operators, emergency countermeasures include sheltering and, where appropriate, subsequent evacuation of personnel considered to be at risk from a potential release of Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for radioactive material. These onsite arrangements provide Defence with reference to the answer to the hon. for the protection of all persons present on the Member for Lewes of 4 November 2008, Official establishment, including contractors working within the Report, column 301W, what his most recent estimate is Project Mensa compound, in the unlikely event of a of the costs arising from the July 2007 flooding at each release of radioactive material. Atomic Weapons Establishment site. [298477] Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Bill Rammell: Final costs, to the extent that they are Defence whether he plans to hold an exercise to not covered by commercial insurance, are still the subject rehearse arrangements for dealing with a radiation of commercial discussions between the MOD and AWE plc. release at AWE Burghfield with the potential to affect contractors working in the Project Mensa compound. Atomic Weapons Establishment: Radioactive Waste [298098]

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Quentin Davies: Onsite emergency arrangements Defence what progress has been made in the at AWE Burghfield are regularly tested in exercises. preparation of an integrated waste strategy for the Where appropriate, these exercises test the arrangements Atomic Weapons Establishment. [298095] for the protection of all personnel present on the site, including contractors working within the Project Mensa Mr. Quentin Davies: An integrated waste strategy for compound. The last such exercise was held in October the Atomic Weapons Establishment was first approved 2009. The timetable for the next exercise has not yet by the board of AWE plc. in March 2007 and updated been agreed. in April 2008 and May 2009. The regulators (the Environment Agency and the nuclear installations Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for inspectorate) have assessed the strategy as appropriate Defence under what safety rules construction work on for use. It is being progressively implemented and is Project Mensa at AWE Burghfield will be conducted. subject to annual review. [298101] 233W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 234W

Mr. Quentin Davies: Construction work on Project Mr. Quentin Davies: The list of DSA’s current contractors Mensa will be subject to the same safety rules that that sell surplus MOD equipment is provided as follows. apply to all construction projects at the Atomic UK contracts Weapons Establishment. The overarching legislation is AgustaWestland the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which includes, for example, the Construction (Design and Azcom Business Solutions Ltd. Management) Regulations 2007. There is also a BAe Insyte comprehensive suite of AWE plc company processes Bonhams 1793 Ltd. and procedures in place to ensure the safety of operations, Babcock Support Services Ltd. including those associated with the construction of new Cronifer UK Ltd. (now expired, active during 2008-09) and/or replacement facilities. Donelan Trading Ltd. (now expired, active 2008-09) Field Textiles Ltd. Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for J. Graham Defence with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Lewes of 11 June 2008, Official Report, L. W. Vass Ltd. column 258W, on AWE Burghfield, how many of the Leafield Logistics and Technical Services Ltd. work packages remain uncompleted. [298618] Liquidity Services Ltd. MBDA Mr. Quentin Davies: All the work packages have been Metal and Waste Recycling Ltd. completed. Office Green Ltd. OSS Group Ltd. Departmental Postal Services Ramco (UK) Ltd. Silver Lining Industries Ltd. Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Sims Recycling Solutions (UK) Ltd. Defence with which providers (a) his Department and Thales Air Defence (b) its agencies had a contract to provide postal Thales (Navy) services in (i) 2007, (ii) 2008, (iii) between 1 January 2009 and 1 July 2009 and (iv) since 1 July 2009. Vector Aerospace [299429] Veolia Environmental Service (UK) plc Witham (Specialist Vehicles) Ltd. Bill Rammell: The MOD contracts solely with Royal Overseas contracts Mail Group for the provision of mail services through Field Textiles (generated overseas) the Forces Mail Settlement. L. Jackson and Company Ltd. (currently under review by DSA) Departmental Visits Abroad Vebeg GMBH Witham (generated overseas) David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for DSA’s sales range from large capital items such as Defence how much his Department has spent on ships to individual items such as computers. Details of overnight accommodation for (a) Ministers and (b) the disposal of all individual surplus items could be officials while overseas in each of the last three years. provided only at disproportionate cost. The DSA gross [294686] total receipts for FY 2008-09 were £89 million. Approval for each sale is given at the appropriate Bill Rammell: Information on accommodation costs level commensurate with the value of the asset, in is not held centrally. The overseas visits by all Ministers accordance with the MOD approvals process. list however provides aggregate information on overseas travel expenditure, including the cost of travel and Helicopters: Afghanistan accommodation. This also contains details on the number of officials accompanying them where non-scheduled Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence travel was used. The latest list for the period 1 April how many helicopters are (a) required and (b) 2008 to 31 March 2009 was published in July 2009. available (i) for training and (ii) to support operations Details for the 2009-10 financial year will be published in Afghanistan. [297933] as soon as possible after the end of the financial year. All travel is made in accordance with the ministerial Bill Rammell: I will not comment on the specific code. number of helicopters deployed to Afghanistan as our longstanding policy is that to do so would, or would be Disposal Services Agency likely to, provide information prejudicial to the capability, effectiveness and security of our armed forces. Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for I will say, however, that we are planning to further Defence (1) what contractors have been approved by increase helicopter capability in Afghanistan over the the Disposal Services Authority to sell surplus British next 12 months. By January next year, the number of defence equipment; [298192] flying hours will have increased by 130 per cent. compared (2) what items were sold by the Disposal Services to November 2006 levels. Authority in 2008-09; how much each item was sold The requirement for helicopter training is measured for; to whom each item was sold; and who approved in terms of flying hours rather than the number of each sale. [298193] airframes. All helicopters in the Forward Fleet which 235W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 236W are not deployed on operations are available for training, Military Aircraft including pre-deployment training. The actual numbers employed on training will therefore fluctuate continuously Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State according to need. There are sufficient helicopters available for Defence what his most recent estimate is of the level to ensure that our crews are fully prepared for front line of immediately available combat air power. [299146] operations. The Forward Fleet are those aircraft available to Front Line Commands and training units. Bill Rammell: I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the Iraq Committee of Inquiry capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Nuclear Submarines: Decommissioning how many (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have received requests to give evidence to Mr. Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for the Chilcot Inquiry; and if he will make a statement. Defence what sites his Department is considering for [293567] the submarine dismantling and radioactive waste storage elements of the Submarine Dismantling Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer Project. [297838] given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 19 October 2009, Official Report, column 1210W. Mr. Quentin Davies: There are currently four regions where there are MOD or defence-related commercial sites that are likely to be considered for Submarine Met Office Dismantling Project activities. These regions are Devon, Fife, Argyll and Bute and Berkshire. My hon. Friend Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Bill Rammell) Defence how many times the Met Office Review Group has written to certain elected representatives, including has met; and if he will make a statement. [298877] my hon. Friend, in those regions. The project is at an early stage in the process to Mr. Kevan Jones: The Operational Efficiency Programme develop an effective public consultation and associated (OEP) Met Office Review Group meets regularly in strategic environmental assessment. This work has included undertaking the review. identification of existing nuclear sites, both defence and I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on civil, that are technically capable of submarine dismantling 27 October 2009, Official Report, column 239W. or storing the resultant radioactive waste. At this stage, two sites have been identified that could be technically capable of carrying out dismantling activities and 12 sites Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for have been identified that could be technically capable of Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the carrying out waste storage. Technical capability is only (a) agenda and (b) minutes of the meetings of the Met one aspect and the wider suitability of sites has not yet Office Review Group; and if he will make a statement. been assessed. [298878] Further analysis work is still required and, until the public consultation is complete, no decisions will be Mr. Kevan Jones: The Secretary of State for Defence taken on sites for either submarine dismantling or waste has no plans to place in the Library the agenda and storage. I am withholding details of the individual sites minutes of the meetings of the Met Office Review identified at this time, as the MOD intend to publish Group. this information in the future as part of the planned An update on the Met Office review will be provided public consultation and strategic environmental assessment. around the next pre-Budget report. Nuclear Weapons Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who the members are of the Met Office Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Review Group; and if he will make a statement. Defence what the terms of reference are of the Nuclear [298879] Warhead Sustainment Steering Group; and whether US personnel will participate in the work of the group. Mr. Kevan Jones: The Operational Efficiency Programme [298099] (OEP) Met Office Review Group comprises officials from the Ministry of Defence, Shareholder Executive, Bill Rammell: The Nuclear Warhead Sustainment HM Treasury and the Met Office. Steering Group (NWSSG) is an internal MOD committee providing oversight and direction of the Nuclear Warhead Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Capability Sustainment Programme (NWCSP). It meets Defence whether any Ministers have attended meetings quarterly and its specific responsibilities are to: of the Met Office Review Group; and if he will make a Review progress in delivery of the programme. statement. [298880] Oversight of the management of the programme. Resolve strategic issues impacting the delivery of the programme. Mr. Kevan Jones: Ministers have not attended Met Agree changes to the NWCSP strategic outputs and associated Office Review Group meetings, attendance is at official funding. level with regular reports to Ministers. Agree options for strategic priorities and strategic risk management. 237W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 238W

The committee is attended by representatives of MOD’s Mr. Quentin Davies: The order for these vehicles was Strategic Technologies branch, Chemical, Biological, placed in the late 1980s. Officials have requested the Radiation, Nuclear (CBRN) policy branch, the Deterrent relevant files from archive and I will write to the hon. capability branch, and the Strategic Weapons project Member once the information has been retrieved. office. Reservists Independent members from the MOD’s scrutiny branch also attend and other representatives are called as necessary. Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence There are no plans for US personnel to participate in how many reservists are serving overseas. [297888] the work of this committee. Nuclear Weapons: Inspections Bill Rammell: There are over 1,500 volunteer or regular reservists serving on or in support of operations overseas. Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for There are also some 2,300 full-time reserve service Defence when the next inspection of the nuclear (FTRS) individuals serving in the regular forces, many weapons convoy and associated support establishments of whom will be serving on or have just returned from is planned to take place. [297801] operations. In both cases, once called up, these personnel are not tracked as separate groups in terms of whether Mr. Quentin Davies: Both the nuclear weapons convoy they are located overseas or in the UK. and associated support establishments are subject to regular inspection and assessment. I am withholding Royal Gibraltar Regiment the information on the next planned inspection as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice national Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for security. Defence what consideration has been given to allowing members of the Gibraltar Regiment to volunteer for Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for front-line duties with UK forces in Operation Herrick. Defence how many activities were assessed in the last [295245] inspection of the nuclear weapons convoy and associated support establishments; and how many such Bill Rammell: The primary role of the Royal Gibraltar activities received (a) satisfactory and (b) Regiment is to support the defence and security of unsatisfactory ratings. [297802] Gibraltar. Deployments in support of other tasks have been undertaken by individual volunteers; 15 personnel Bill Rammell: At the last nuclear weapons convoy from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment have deployed on inspection, 700 separate activities were inspected. Individual operations in Afghanistan between August 2004 and activities do not receive ratings. The overall assessment February 2009. Since then there has been a temporary of the inspection was a satisfactory rating and the suspension in volunteers being deployed while we inspection did not identify any concerns over safety of investigated a potential issue with compensation operations. arrangements covering such deployments. The Royal Radioactive Materials: Transport Gibraltar Regiment are entitled to compensation benefits under their own terms and conditions of service including Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for when deployed to Afghanistan. Work has commenced Defence with reference to the answer of 30 April 2008, to bring these compensation arrangements in line with Official Report, column 484W, on radioactive the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme through materials: transport, what the expected in-service date legislation. The temporary suspension has now been is for the refurbished truck cargo heavy duty trailers. lifted. [297786] SAR Chivenor Bill Rammell: The refurbished truck cargo heavy duty trailers, on current plans, are to be brought into Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for service by the end of 2010. Defence what the reasons are for the proposed reduction of service at SAR Chivenor from 24 hour to Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for 12 hours; and when the proposed changes will take Defence what recent estimate he has made of the place. [298102] average cost of a round trip made by a truck cargo heavy duty convoy. [297787] Bill Rammell: The improved capability of the new Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter will allow us to Bill Rammell: The costs of a convoy move are wide- continue to provide effective coverage for all night-time ranging and include, for example, the Atomic Weapons incidents using only nine of the 12 SAR bases. The aim Establishment operations, Ministry of Defence Police is to roll out the new service by taking over sites and Royal Marine support, the monitoring of the operation, incrementally, starting with those operated by the Maritime activities at the Royal Naval Armament Depot Coulport and Coastguard Agency in 2012. The day-time only and nuclear accident response assets held in readiness service at RMB Chivenor will start some time after during convoy operations. 2012. This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the implications are of the proposed Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for reductions to 12-hour service at SAR Chivenor and Defence what the cost was of an original truck cargo SAR Portland for the service provided by SAR heavy duty mark 2 vehicle at the time of initial Culdrose in terms of (a) area coverage and (b) purchase. [297797] response times. [298103] 239W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 240W

Bill Rammell: The decision to deliver the future helicopter Bill Rammell: The Territorial Army (TA) trains a search and rescue (SAR-H) service from nine full-time broad range of specialists. Many specialists, including and three part-time (12-hour, daytime only) bases continues medical specialists are recruited into the TA with relevant to ensure our ability to reach all “very high”, “high” civilian qualifications and are provided with the necessary and 75 per cent. of “medium” risk areas within one military training to be able to employ their skills in a hour of take off. This decision has no day-time impact military environment. Other specialists receive more on the expected SAR-H demands on RNAS Culdrose. comprehensive trade training. There is no single RNAS Culdrose is likely to be the first alternative classification of “mechanics” in the TA. The number of responder to night-time incidents for one “medium” vehicle mechanics trained in the last five complete years risk area that RMB Chivenor currently provides lead is as follows: cover for RAF Valley and the Maritime and Coastguard TA trained as vehicle mechanics Agency site at Lee on Solent will provide cover for other Number areas. Cover to this area will remain within the required one hour response time. 2004-05 64 2005-06 64 Somalia: Peacekeeping Operations 2006-07 64 2007-08 56 David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008-09 66 Defence how many members of the armed forces have USA: Nuclear Weapons been deployed in mainland Somalia in (a) 2008 and (b) [297359] 2009. Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sub-committee meetings (SUBWOG) of Bill Rammell [holding answer 2 November 2009]: No all Joint Working Groups (JOWOG) have been held members of the armed forces have operationally deployed under the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement between to Somalia over the past two years. However, the following the US and the UK in the last 12 months. [298201] numbers of Regular Armed Forces personnel have visited Somalia in the course of their duties: Mr. Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the In 2008 one individual visited the African Union Mission in answer I gave him on 27 February 2009, Official Report, Somalia (AMISOM) in Mogadishu, and five personnel visited column 1149W. I am withholding the information on Somaliland to consider ways to improve security for international community visiting that region. the nature or extent of work undertaken by sub-committees to the Joint Working Groups, as its release would, or In 2009 two individuals have visited Mogadishu. The first to visit AMISOM as before; the second has visited in the course would be likely to, prejudice national security. of his duties as secondee to the United Nations Political Office Volunteer Reserve Force for Somalia based in Nairobi. This year in total 11 personnel visited Somaliland on three Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence different occasions to scope possible assistance to Somaliland authorities. how much was spent on each volunteer reserve force in each year since 1997. [297946] Territorial Army: Deployment Bill Rammell: The Strategic Review of Reserves, published in April 2009, contains a cost analysis of the Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence reserve forces, a copy of which was placed in the Library how many (a) regular and (b) Territorial Army (i) of the House on the 29 April 2009. officers and (ii) personnel of other ranks have been mobilised for service overseas within six months of Cost estimates in this area are complicated by the fact completing their basic training in each of the last three that expenditure on Reserve Forces and Regular Forces overlap in the areas of training, equipment and estates. years. [297896] More work is under way to refine the Department’s Bill Rammell: This information is not held in the understanding of the fixed and variable costs of Reserves. format requested. Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) inflow and (b) outflow for each volunteer Territorial Army: Training reserve service was in each month of 2009. [297898]

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Bill Rammell: The following table shows the inflow how many (a) nurses, (b) paramedics, (c) mechanics and outflow number for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and (d) other skilled personnel have been trained and Royal Naval Reserve. The Royal Marines Reserve through the Territorial Army in each of the last five and the Army Reserve inflow and outflow figures are years. [295483] not held centrally.

Inflow Outflow

Month Royal Naval Reserve Royal Auxiliary Air Force Royal Naval Reserve Royal Auxiliary Air Force

January 24 37 31 25 February 15 83 51 30 March 15 25 25 24 241W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 242W

Inflow Outflow Month Royal Naval Reserve Royal Auxiliary Air Force Royal Naval Reserve Royal Auxiliary Air Force

April 30 39 25 30 May 13 62 16 30 June 27 66 21 28 July 36 24 25 26 August 19 39 16 39 September 20 20 21 25

HEALTH Barnet Primary Care Trust: Dental Services

Alcoholic Drinks: Health Education Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the unused Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for capacity for NHS dental services in Barnet Primary Health what plans his Department has for the Care Trust. [298697] promotion of safe and responsible drinking in the period to Christmas and the New Year. [297815] Ann Keen: This information is not held centrally. Cancer: Drugs Gillian Merron: The Department’s ‘Know YourLimits’ campaign, launched in May 2008, aims to improve public awareness of alcohol units, lower-risk alcohol Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for consumption guidelines and of the links between alcohol Health which cancer drugs the National Institute for (a) consumption and health. The Department is currently Health and Clinical Excellence has recommended (b) reassessing its communications strategy around alcohol, and not recommended for NHS use since with the aim of launching further activity early in 2010. 1 November 2008; how long the appraisal of each took; and whether the pharmaceutical company Throughout November, the Department is working supplying each such drug offered to make it available in partnership with gyms and leisure centres to encourage on a risk-sharing basis. [297715] gym members to monitor their alcohol consumption and to cut down. In the run up to Christmas and new Mr. Mike O’Brien: The information requested is shown year, there will also be information in newspapers and in the table. For each of the appraisals, the table shows magazines focussing on the relationship between units whether one or more Patient Access Schemes agreed and drinking at home over Christmas. between the Department and the manufacturer have A helpline and interactive web-based support and been considered by the National Institute for Health advice are also available nationally on an ongoing basis. and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Date of final NICE Patient access scheme Topic Start of NICE appraisal1 guidance Recommendation considered by NICE

Hycamtin (topotecan) for cervical cancer December 2008 October 2009 Partial recommendation No (recurrent) Sutent (sunitinib) for Gastrointestinal August 2008 September 2009 Partial recommendation Yes stromal tumours Alimta (pemetrexed) for the first-line October 2008 September 2009 Partial recommendation No treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer Erbitux (cetuximab) for Colo-rectal January 2008 August 2009 Partial recommendation Yes cancer (first line) Avastin (bevacizumab) (first-line), September 20072 August 2009 Not recommended Nexavar (sorafenib)—yes Nexavar (sorafenib) (first-line and second-line), Sutent (sunitinib) (second- line) and Torisel (temsirolimus) (first- line) for the treatment of advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma Avastin (bevacizumab)— yes Sutent (sunitinib)—yes

Mabthera (rituximab) for first-line September 2008 July 2009 Partial recommendation No treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Erbitux (cetuximab) for Head and Neck September 2008 June 2009 Not recommended No Cancer (squamous cell carcinoma)

Revlimid (lenalidomide) for Multiple April 2008 June 2009 Partial recommendation Yes Myeloma

Sutent (sunitinib) for the first-line September 20072 March 2009 Partial recommendation Yes treatment of advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma 243W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 244W

Date of final NICE Patient access scheme Topic Start of NICE appraisal1 guidance Recommendation considered by NICE

Tarceva (erlotinib) for the treatment of March 2006 November 2008 Partial recommendation Yes non-small-cell lung cancer 1 The date NICE commenced work on the appraisal. NICE will also have carried out scoping work for the appraisal before this date. 2 This is the date on which the Multiple Technology Appraisal (MTA) began for Avastin (bevacizumab) (first-line), Nexavar (sorafenib) (first-line and second-line), Sutent (sunitinib) (first and second-line) and Torisel (temsirolimus) (first-line) for the treatment of advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The MTA was subsequently split and Sutent (sunitinib) for the first-line treatment of renal cell carcinoma was considered in a separate Single Technology Appraisal.

Colorectal Cancer: Screening Information on cancers found by screening centre and regional hub as at 26 October Programme hub Screening centre Cancers found Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many invitations to participate in the Southern Bath, Swindon, Wiltshire 17 national bowel cancer screening programme have been Southern Berkshire 57 issued; how many persons have referred themselves to Southern Bristol and Weston 39 the programme; how many test kits have been (a) sent Southern Buckinghamshire 0 out and (b) returned; how many people have attended Southern Cornwall 0 for a colonoscopy; how many polyps have been Southern Dorset 76 removed; and how many cancers have been diagnosed Southern East Kent 24 in respect of (i) men and (ii) women (A) in each Southern Gloucestershire 91 primary care trust, (B) in each screening centre and (C) Southern Hampshire 20 at each regional programme hub. [298166] Southern Solent and West Sussex 163 Southern Somerset 70 Southern South Devon 127 Ann Keen: As at 26 October there were 4,806,090 Southern Surrey 66 invitations sent. 59,975 people aged over 69 referred Southern Sussex 8 themselves to the programme. 4,598,720 test kits were Southern West Kent and Medway 5 sent out and 2,665,954 were returned. 37,299 people 763 attended for a colonoscopy and 17,027 patients had polyps removed. Information on cancers found by screening centre and regional hub is provided in the following London North East London 85 table. London South East London 55 Information on number of cancers by gender and by London St. Georges 128 primary care trust is not routinely reported. We will London St. Marks 90 provide the data as soon as this becomes available, and London University College London 72 place a copy in the Library. London West London 46 476 Information on cancers found by screening centre and regional hub as at 26 October Programme hub Screening centre Cancers found North East Bradford and Airedale 38 North East Calderdale Kirklees and Wakefield 12 Midlands and Bolton 103 North West North East County Durham and Darlington 15 Midlands and Cheshire 102 North East Harrogate Leeds and York 3 North West North East Hull 122 Midlands and Cheshire and Merseyside 79 North East North of Tyne 76 North West North East South of Tyne 105 Midlands and Coventry and Warwickshire 100 North West North East South Yorkshire 138 Midlands and Cumbria and Westmorland 127 North East Tees 158 North West 668 Midlands and Heart of England 86 North West Midlands and Hereford and Worcestershire 0 Eastern Bedford 20 North West Eastern Cambridge 71 Midlands and Lancashire 57 Eastern Derbyshire 146 North West Eastern East and North Hertfordshire 46 Midlands and Merseyside/North Cheshire 187 North West Eastern Leicestershire, Northampton and 124 Rutland Midlands and North Staffordshire 31 North West Eastern North Essex 29 Midlands and Norwich 31 Eastern Norwich 234 North West Eastern Nottinghamshire 82 Midlands and Pennine 63 Eastern Peterborough and Huntingdon 1 North West Eastern South Essex 32 Midlands and Sandwell and West Birmingham 52 North West Eastern South Yorkshire 19 Midlands and Shropshire 0 Eastern West Hertfordshire 45 North West 849 Midlands and Wolverhampton 194 North West 1,212 Total 3,968 245W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 246W

Contraceptives Doctors: Working Hours Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 13 March 2007, Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Official Report, column 309W, on contraceptives, for for Health when he expects Sir Christopher Edwards’ what reasons the best practice guidance on review of the effect of the European working time reproductive healthcare has not been issued; what directive on junior doctor training to begin. [297974] plans he has to issue such guidance on reproductive healthcare; and if he will make a statement. [299058] Ann Keen: The Medical Education England (MEE) review will be led by Professor Sir John Temple who is Gillian Merron: Following consultation with stakeholders, due to begin work shortly. the best practice guidance on reproductive health care Sir Christopher Edwards and the MME programme has been integrated into a sexual health commissioning Board discussed at a board meeting on the 4 November framework which will be published later this year. This the process, protocols and exact timings of the review includes guidance to support commissioners in that are now subject to final confirmation. commissioning high quality services for contraception, including long acting reversible contraception methods, Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State and abortion, in line with the vision set out in the NHS for Health what percentage of doctors in training had Next Stage Review. worked for 48 hours or fewer in each week of the Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for 12 months prior to August 2009. [298298] Health what the estimated average annual spend on community contraceptive services was for women (a) Ann Keen: NHS Employers monitor the hours of aged under 20 and (b) aged 20 years and over in each junior doctors as part of the new deal pay monitoring primary care trust area in England in the latest period agreement. The last available data are for September for which figures are available. [299060] 2008 at which time two thirds of doctors in training (over 70 per cent.) were compliant with the European Gillian Merron: This information is not held centrally. working time directive. Dental Services: Wirral Drugs: Misuse Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent assessment he has made of the James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for availability of NHS dentistry services in Wirral; Health how many people aged (a) under 16 and (b) [297953] between 16 and 18 years were admitted to hospital with (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that there is a primary or secondary diagnosis of poisoning by sufficient NHS dentistry provision in Wirral. [297954] drugs in each of the last five years. [298489]

Ann Keen: Information on the number of patients Gillian Merron: The information requested is in the seen by a national health service dentist in the previous following table. The system of diagnostic codes used to 24 months in England, as at quarterly intervals, from classify admission to hospital does not distinguish between 31 March 2006 to 30 June 2009 is available in Table El recreational, illicit misuse or medical use of drugs. of Annex 3 of the “NHS Dental Statistics for England: 2008-09” report. Information is available at primary These data include admissions in English national care trust, strategic health authority and England levels. health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned This report, published on 19 August 2009, has already activity in the independent sector. been placed in the Library and is also available on the Age grouping website of the Information Centre for health and social care at: 15 years and under 16-18 years www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dentalstats0809 2008-09 11,166 10,054 The NHS has committed itself to ensuring that, by 2007-08 12,159 10,405 March 2011, all those who actively seek NHS dental 2006-07 12,121 9,404 care can access it. We have put in place the Dental 2005-06 12,567 9,138 Access Programme to support the NHS in achieving 2004-05 11,537 7,652 this commitment. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and Departmental Aviation social care The ICD-10 code categories for poisoning (either Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health self-inflicted or accidental), are as follows and include how many first-class flights were taken by each overdose of these substances: Minister in his Department in 2008-09; and what the T36—Poisoning by systemic antibiotics (a) origin, (b) destination and (c) cost was of each T37—Poisoning by other systemic anti-infectives and antiparasitics such flight. [298751] T38—Poisoning by hormones and their synthetic substitutes Phil Hope: None. According to our records, each and antagonists, not elsewhere classified Minister travelling by air was booked business or economy T39—Poisoning by nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics and class tickets. antirheumatics Travel by Ministers is undertaken in accordance with T40—Poisoning by narcotics and psychodysleptics (hallucinogens) the Ministerial Code. T41—Poisoning by anaesthetics and therapeutic gases 247W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 248W

T42—Poisoning by antiepileptic, sedative-hypnotic and Exercise antiparkinsonism drugs T43—Poisoning by psychotropic drugs, not elsewhere classified Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for T44—Poisoning by drugs primarily affecting the autonomic Health what the planned budget is for delivery of the nervous system new physical activity care pathway Let’s Get Moving. T45—Poisoning by primarily systemic and haematological [297800] agents, not elsewhere classified Gillian Merron: So far, the Department has spent T46—Poisoning by agents primarily affecting the cardiovascular approximately £500,000 in the development of the Let’s system Get Moving tools including the commissioning guidance T47—Poisoning by agents primarily affecting the gastrointestinal on physical activity care pathway - Let’s Get Moving. system We are planning delivery and roll out activities over the T48—Poisoning by agents primarily acting on smooth and coming months. skeletal muscles and the respiratory system T49Poisoning by topical agents primarily affecting skin and Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for mucous membrane and by ophthalmological, Health in what areas the second year of the pilot of the otorhinolaryngological and dental drugs Fit for the Future scheme will take place. [297822] T50—Poisoning by diuretics and other and unspecified drugs, medicaments and biological substances Gillian Merron: As set out in Be Active, Be Healthy - A plan for getting the nation moving the Fit for the Future pilot which commenced in April 2009 is running Drugs: Rehabilitation for 12 months in targeted areas in five local authorities (Suffolk, Manchester, Torbay, Bristol and Newcastle). A copy of the plan has already been placed in the James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Library. Health how many people entering treatment with the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse left Any future funding and delivery arrangements for Fit treatment free of their drug dependency (a) with no for the Future will be subject to the outcome of the drug use and (b) with occasional drug use in each year monitoring and evaluation that has been put in place. A since such information started to be counted within the final report on the programme is due in June 2010. National Drug Treatment Monitoring System. [298487] Food

Gillian Merron: The National Treatment Agency for Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Substance Misuse does not provide drug treatment but how many impact assessments conducted by the Food assures the delivery of local drug treatment services and Standards Agency as part of its written consultations collects data about treatment via the National Drug included rural-proofing analyses (a) before and (b) Treatment Monitoring System. after 19 May 2009. [297997] The information requested can be found in the following table. Gillian Merron: A rural proofing analysis has been included in six of the Food Standards Agency’s consultation Trends in treatment exit reasons (clients aged 18 or over) stage impact assessments for England published before 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 19 May 2009, and two after 19 May 2009. Completed free of 3,953 4,862 6,347 8,980 dependency (no drug Genetically Modified Organisms use) Completed free of 7,255 8,855 11,927 15,676 Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for dependency Health what the (a) objectives and (b) terms of Total completed free 11,208 13,717 18,274 24,656 reference are of the programme of consumer of dependency engagement on genetic modification which he has asked the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to undertake; Statistics for 2008-09 were collected using a new and what budget has been allocated for the project by methodology. The data for previous years presented (i) his Department and (ii) the FSA. [298195] above has been modified to fit the new methodology and excludes under 18-year olds to enable comparisons Gillian Merron: This work, which will explore public to be made. awareness, knowledge and attitudes about genetically “no drug use” means that in the opinion of the modified foods, is at the initial stages of development, treating clinician, the client is not only free of dependency and a budget has still to be finalised. It will be funded but is not using any other illicit drugs at all on exiting by the Food Standards Agency and other Departments treatment. Others successfully completing treatment may with an interest, with co-funding from Sciencewise. The acknowledge occasional use of other illicit drugs which programme will be overseen by an independent steering are judged by the clinician not to require treating. group that will agree terms of reference when it meets for the first time on 25 and 26 November 2009. For figures under the previous methodology, including under 18-year olds, for the years 2004-05 to 2007-08 I Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him Health which research projects have been funded by on 9 July 2009, Official Report, column 974W. (a) his Department and its predecessors and (b) the Separate figures for young people accessing substance Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research misuse services in 2008-09 will be published later in the Council on the safety of genetically modified food in year. the last 10 years. [298280] 249W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 250W

Gillian Merron: Since April 2000, the Food Standards regulated in accordance with the European Community Agency (FSA) has commissioned work under three code for medicinal products as defined in Directive research programmes relevant to the safety of genetically 2001/83/EC as amended. This means that the possibility modified (GM) foods. Prior to April 2000, food safety of virus transmission through blood products is likely research was the responsibility of the Ministry of now to be rare, but it is not possible to completely Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF). Details of eliminate infection risk. One case of variant Cretzfeldt-Jakob the individual projects commissioned by MAFF and disease infection in a haemophilia patient was reported the FSA are available on the research pages of the Food in February 2009. The origin of this non-viral infection Standards Agency’s website at: is uncertain, but it is likely to have been via blood www.food.gov.uk/science/research/researchinfo/ products during the 1990s. foodcomponentsresearch/novelfoodsresearch/ Health Education The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has not funded any research during the last Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for 10 years specifically on the safety of genetically modified Health what procedures his Department used to take food, but it has funded one project to analyse gene account of scientific evidence in taking decisions on transfer from food plants to human intestinal microflora which health promotion campaigns to undertake or and intestinal epithelium. commission in (a) 2005-06, (b) 2006-07, (c) 2007-08 Haemophilia and (d) 2008-09. [297864] Gillian Merron: The Department takes scientific evidence Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State into account when making policy decisions including for Health pursuant to the answer of 14 October 2009, undertaking or commissioning health promotion Official Report, column 900W, on haemophilia, to campaigns. For example, the National Institute for Health which viruses haemophiliacs have been exposed and Clinical Excellence have produced guidance that through infected blood products in the last 10 years; can be used as the basis for planning, delivering and how many cases of each (a) viral infection and (b) evaluating public health activities aimed at changing combination of viral infections have been reported to health-related behaviours. The guidance is for national his Department; and what estimate he has made of the health service and non-NHS professionals and others number of such cases unreported in the last 10 years. including national policy makers in health and related [296895] sectors. Gillian Merron: The Medicines and Healthcare products Health Education: Expenditure Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA’s) Yellow Card reporting system is used by health care professionals and patients Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for to voluntarily report suspected adverse reactions to Health how much his Department has spent on (a) medicines. Those reported reactions involving fractionated consultants, (b) advertising, (c) publishing, (d) public blood products, which may be related to quality issues relations, (e) professional training and (f) other are recorded on the MHRA’s Defects database. activities for each health promotion campaign (i) run by the Department and (ii) commissioned from other MHRA officials have searched this database for cases organisations, in (A) 2005-06, (B) 2006-07, (C) 2007-08 of viral infection resulting from contamination of and (D) 2008-09; and which organisation ran each fractionated blood products over the past 10 years. campaign which was not run by the Department. There are no confirmed reports of viral transmission [297861] through contaminated blood products on the database for this period. Phil Hope: The following table shows the Department’s Blood products manufactured from fractionated pools advertising expenditure over the last four completed of donated plasma, such as clotting factors, are highly financial years.

Department of Health advertising spend in 2005-06 to 2008-091 £ million Campaign 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Alcohol (from 2006-07 departmental contribution to campaign run jointly with Home Office) 0.00 0.56 0.61 4.77 Antibiotics 0.38 0.00 0.39 1.15 Change4Life 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.69 Drugs (departmental contribution to campaign run jointly with Home Office) 0.18 1.34 0.67 1.45 Flu (Immunisation) 1.83 1.11 0.98 1.42 Hepatitis C 0.00 0.52 1.34 1.30 HPV Vaccination 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.80 Immunisation 0.00 1.66 0.00 0.32 National health service including nurse recruitment 0.22 0.00 0.00 0.00 NHS Injury Benefits Scheme 0.00 0.00 0.40 0.00 NHS Choices 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.55 Patient Choice 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.53 Respiratory and Hand Hygiene 0.00 0.00 0.32 1.53 Sexual health/teenage pregnancy 0.00 2.88 3.11 2.83 Social care/worker recruitment 2.42 2.31 2.22 2.03 Smoking—Tobacco Control 20.80 13.17 10.79 23.38 251W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 252W

Department of Health advertising spend in 2005-06 to 2008-091 £ million Campaign 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Stroke 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.52 Tobacco Legislation 0.00 0.32 5.38 0.00 Winter (get the right treatment/ask about medicines day) 0.59 0.00 0.00 0.00 5aDay 0.05 0.05 0.00 0.00 E111/EHIC 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.16 DH outdoor campaign 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Total 27.47 23.92 26.24 56.43 1 Advertising spend is defined as covering only media spend (inclusive of agency commissions but excluding production costs, COI commission and VAT). All figures exclude advertising rebates and audit adjustments and therefore may differ from COI official turnover figures. All figures are rounded to the nearest £10,000. These figures do not include departmental recruitment/classified advertising costs and ad hoc spend under £10,000. These figures may include occasional minor spend through COI by NHS organisations, to supplement national campaigns in their area. While this expenditure has been excluded as far as possible so that this chart reflects central departmental spend, it would incur disproportionate cost to validate that every item of NHS expenditure has been removed.

The following table shows the Department’s expenditure Campaign £ on publishing over the last four completed financial years. 2005-06 British Heart Foundation 14,000,000 Terence Higgins Trust 1,200,000 £ African HIV Policy Network 440,000 2005-06 7,541,114.58 2006-07 6,844,186.98 2006-07 Cancer Research UK 13,000,000 2007-08 4,544,623.78 Terence Higgins Trust 1,700,000 2008-09 6,387,399.42 African HIV Policy Network 760,000 The Department commissions public relations companies through two routes: 2007-08 Terence Higgins Trust 1,700,000 The Department’s own public relations (PR) framework established African HIV Policy Network 600,000 in compliance with European Union procurement directives. The framework agreement does not guarantee any work to suppliers. 2008-09 To consortium of British Heart Foundation, 500,000 Some of the companies on the framework have not had any Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK contracts with the Department during the past five years; others may have had several contracts across different campaigns. Terence Higgins Trust 1,700,000 The Central Office of Information (COI) PR framework established African HIV Policy Network 600,000 in compliance with EU procurement directives. Netmums 55,000 The following table shows the Department’s expenditure ContinYou 25,000 over the last four completed financial years on public 1 Under section 64. relations consultancies. Records for consultants, professional training and Department expenditure on public relations consultancies 2005-09 other activities are not held centrally and would incur £ disproportionate cost to identify. 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Direct expenditure from the Health Services: Hertfordshire Department Excluding VAT 5,080,773 5,017,342 6,438,491 5,397,391 Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) health visitors, (b) nursery nurses, Expenditure through Central (c) support workers and (d) midwives there were Office of Information working in Hertfordshire in each year since 2006. Excluding VAT 71,756 65,580 25,582 4,200,876 [296816] Notes: 1. The above expenditure includes additional expenditure made directly by NHS Connecting for Health (part of the Department of Health), but excludes Ann Keen: The information requested is shown in the any expenditure by Arms Length Bodies and Non-Departmental Public following table. Bodies. 2. Expenditure through COI PR services includes work carried out by COI’s National health service hospital and community health services: Qualified regional PR team and PR agencies on the COI roster. nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and support to doctors and nursing 3. The above expenditure includes both fees and costs i.e. fees and expenses to staff in each specified organisation and each specified level as at 30 September cover time worked by agency staff and costs incurred during the work. Costs each year may include items such as: design, printing, venue hire, photography, travel Headcount and postage. However, it is not possible to extract a more detailed breakdown from Department of Health’s financial reporting system. 2006 2007 2008 The following table shows expenditure on health East and North Hertfordshire primary promotion campaigns commissioned from other care trust (PCT) organisations by the Department over the last four Qualified nursing, midwifery and 620 548 569 completed financial years. These figures represent health visiting staff communications activities but are not split into the of which: individual categories as per departmental expenditure, Registered midwife 0 0 0 as these records are not held centrally by the Department Health visitor 122 103 107 and to identify them would be to incur disproportionate Support to doctors and nursing staff 359 311 295 cost. of which: 253W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 254W

National health service hospital and community health services: Qualified Quality and Outcomes Framework, heart disease prevalent cases and percentage nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and support to doctors and nursing prevalence staff in each specified organisation and each specified level as at 30 September 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 each year Headcount Coronary heart disease 2006 2007 2008 Prevalent cases (all ages) Nursery nurse 37 43 44 England 1,893,184 1,900,640 1,898,565 1,892,432 1,886,406 Support worker 35 37 15 Yorkshire and Humber 227,425 228,219 226,976 225,862 224,326 SHA Percentage Prevalence (all East and North Hertfordshire NHS ages) Trust England 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.5 3.5 Qualified nursing, midwifery and 2,069 1,971 2,133 health visiting staff Yorkshire and Humber 4.3 4.3 4.2 4.2 4.1 SHA of which: Registered midwife 204 224 226 Heart Failure Health visitor 9 9 7 Prevalent cases (all ages) Support to doctors and nursing staff 1,090 988 1,013 of which: England — — 419,856 406,668 397,040 Yorkshire and Humber — — 44,909 43,382 42,404 Nursery nurse 1 1 0 SHA Support worker 84 83 84 Percentage Prevalence (all ages) West Hertfordshire PCT England — — 0.8 0.8 0.7 Qualified nursing, midwifery and 566 642 636 Yorkshire and Humber — — 0.8 0.8 0.8 health visiting staff SHA of which: Registered midwife 0 0 0 Atrial Fibrillation Health visitor 108 125 112 Prevalent cases (all ages) Support to doctors and nursing staff 428 510 582 England — — 692,054 701,157 732,508 of which: Yorkshire and Humber — — 71,749 73,006 76,067 Nursery nurse 3 10 14 SHA Support worker 3 104 44 Percentage Prevalence (all ages) England — — 1.3 1.3 1.3 West Hertfordshire NHS Trust Yorkshire and Humber — — 1.3 1.4 1.4 Qualified nursing, midwifery and 1,474 1,370 1,372 SHA health visiting staff of which: Left Ventricular Registered midwife 177 176 184 Dysfunction (heart failure due to LVD) Health visitor 0 0 0 Prevalent cases (all ages) Support to doctors and nursing staff 945 867 878 of which: England 230,321 232,524 — — 210,557 Yorkshire and Humber 26,973 27,290 — — 21,905 Nursery nurse 4 2 3 SHA Support worker 23 25 24 Percentage Prevalence (all Note: ages) Midwives are generally not employed by PCTs. In 2008 only 1.8 per cent. of England 0.4 0.4 — — 0.4 midwives in England were employed by PCTs. Yorkshire and Humber 0.5 0.5 — — 0.4 SHA Heart Disease Hospitals Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health people aged (a) 18 years and over, (b) 60 years and how many finished consultant episodes each NHS over and (c) 85 years and over who were diagnosed Trust in England undertook under hospital resource with a heart condition in (i) England and (ii) Yorkshire group (a) N12 antenatal admissions not related to and the Humber Strategic Health Authority in each delivery event, (b) N03 neonates with one minor year since 1997. [298142] diagnosis, (c) F06 diagnostic procedures oesophagus and stomach, (d) F35 larger intestine endoscopic or intermediate procedures, (e) N07 normal delivery Ann Keen: This information is not collected routinely. without complications, (f) C58 intermediate mouth or Data are collected on the prevalence of heart disease throat procedures, (g) B13 phakoemulsification through the Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) for cataract extraction and insertion of lens, (h) L21 all ages (but it is not broken down into 18 years and bladder minor endoscopic procedure without older, 60 years and older and 85 years old and over). complications and (i) J37 minor skin procedures- The number of cases (and percentage prevalence) is category 1 without complications in 2008-09. [298976] reported as follows through QOF for England and Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authority (SHA). Ann Keen: The information has been placed in the The data are only available from 2004. Library. 255W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 256W

Hospitals: Crimes of Violence Ann Keen: This information is not available. Data collected on prescriptions for children is insufficient to Mr. Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for produce meaningful estimates for particular types of Health what recent steps his Department has taken to prescribing such as anti-psychotic drugs. increase the protection of hospital staff from attack. Mesothelioma [298808] Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Ann Keen: Each national health service body has a Health how many people have required treatment for duty to address the risks to staff and ensure their safety. mesothelioma in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South The NHS Security Management Service (NHS SMS) Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) England in each can assist employers through guidance on assessing year since 1997. [298091] risks and acting to protect staff from attacks and, where incidents do occur, on taking action against offenders. Ann Keen: The information on number of people A new offence of causing nuisance or disturbance on who required treatment for mesothelioma is not held hospital premises and a power to remove someone centrally. Requested information on count of finished suspected of committing this offence were supported by consultant episodes, where the primary diagnosis was the Department in the Criminal Justice and Immigration mesothelioma is provided in the following table for Act 2008. The purpose of these measures is to remove England, South Tyneside Primary Care Trust (PCT) those whose actions may escalate into violence and and the relevant strategic health authorities (SHAs). It whose behaviour diverts staff from delivering care. should be noted that Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Consultation on guidance on the use of the powers SHA and County Durham and Tees Valley SHA combined took place between May and August and commencement to form the North East SHA in 2006-07. This information of these provisions is due later this year. The NHS SMS is not centrally held for the United Kingdom. will provide free training for NHS staff who will use the Count of finished consultant episodes where the primary diagnosis was power of removal. Mesothelioma1 for selected organisations national health service hospitals , England and activity performed in the Independent sector in England commissioned by English NHS 1997-98 to 2008-09 Mentally Ill: Children North East South Tyneside Strategic Health PCT as PCT of England Authority residence James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008-09 7,349 708 104 Health what the cost of anti-psychotic drug 2007-08 6,968 735 77 prescriptions for children under 16 years old was in 2006-07 6,677 735 69 each of the last three years. [298490]

Northumberland, Tyne County Durham and Tees and Wear SHA as SHA Valley SHA as SHA of South Tyneside PCT as England of residence residence PCT of residence

2005-06 6,436 316 303 40 2004-05 5,671 348 242 28 2003-04 5,697 443 230 56 2002-03 4,685 267 173 53 2001-02 4,663 321 129 59 2000-01 4,442 315 122 57 1999-2000 4,155 401 121 58 1998-99 3,773 373 98 39 1997-98 3,075 186 69 11 Notes: 1. Finished Consultant Episode (FCE)—An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. It should be noted that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year. 2. Diagnosis (Primary Diagnosis)—The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) dataset and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital. 1The ICD-10 codes used in this analysis were as follows: C45 Mesothelioma; D19 Benign neoplasm of mesothelial tissue 3. Assessing growth through time—HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. During the years that these records have been collected the NHS there have been ongoing improvements in quality and coverage. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example a number of procedures may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and may no longer be accounted in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time. 4. PCT and SHA Data Quality—PCT and SHA data were added to historic data-years in the HES database using 2002-03 boundaries, as a one-off exercise in 2004. The quality of the data on PCT of Treatment and SHA of Treatment is poor in 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99, with over a third of all finished episodes having missing values in these years. Data quality of PCT of general practitioner (GP) practice and SHA of GP practice in 1997-98 and 1998-99 is also poor, with a high proportion missing values where practices changed or ceased to exist. There is less change in completeness of the residence-based fields over time, where the majority of unknown values are due to missing postcodes on birth episodes. Users of time series analysis including these years need to be aware of these issues in their interpretation of the data. 5. Northumberland, Tyne and Wear SHA and County Durham and Tees Valley SHA combined to form the North East SHA in 2006-07. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for health and social care 257W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 258W

Methadone methadone overdose in each of the last five years; and how many of those died following admission. [298488] James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been admitted to Gillian Merron: The information requested can be hospital with a primary or secondary diagnosis of found in the following table.

These data include admissions in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector Year 6 Finished admission episodes1 Discharge episodes2 Died in hospital3

2008-09 933 877 12 2007-08 866 810 9 2006-07 715 665 7 2005-06 643 595 4 2004-05 561 526 7 1 Finished admission episodes: A finished admission episode is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Finished admission episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2 Discharges: A discharge episode is the last episode during a hospital stay (a spell), where the patient is discharged from the hospital (this includes transfer to another hospital). Discharge episodes have been included as it is here that ’died in hospital’ events are recorded. For a small proportion of hospital stays the diagnosis on admission may not be present on the discharge episode hence the difference in counts between admission and discharge episodes. 3 Deaths: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data cannot be used to determine the cause of death of a patient while in hospital. Deaths recorded on the HES database may be analysed by the main diagnosis for which the patient was being treated during their stay in hospital, which may not necessarily be the underlying cause of death. For example, a patient admitted for a hernia operation (with a primary diagnosis of hernia) may die from an unrelated heart attack. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects information on the cause of death, wherever it occurs, based on the death certificate and should be the source of data for analyses on cause of death. 4 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 HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. 5 Secondary Diagnosis: As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 19 (13 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and six prior to 2002-03) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care. 6 Assessing growth through time: HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. The quality and coverage of the data have improved over time. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time. Data quality: HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England. Data is also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care

NHS: Disciplinary Proceedings NHS: Repairs and Maintenance

Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for for Health what the (a) actual and (b) risk-adjusted Health what information his Department holds on (a) backlog maintenance was for each NHS trust in (i) the number of clinicians suspended from their posts 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09. [299212] and (b) the cost to trusts of such suspensions. [297860]

Ann Keen: The information requested has been placed in the Library. Ann Keen: There were 154 active suspensions and exclusions at the end of 2008-09. The end-of-year National health service organisations are responsible numbers fluctuate without a clear upward or for the provision and maintenance of facilities to support downward trend. It is not possible to estimate the the delivery of high quality clinical services. Therefore, current cost of such suspensions. In 2003, the National the NHS will locally prioritise investment to reduce Audit Office (NAO) estimated that hospital and backlog maintenance based on risk assessment, community doctor exclusions cost an average of reconfiguration planning and available resources. The £188,000, over an average period of 47 weeks. The majority of backlog maintenance relates to low priority NAO’s hospital and community weekly cost estimate work, which trusts will undertake through maintenance was therefore £4,000 at 2001-02 prices. This was a programmes. Where higher risks are present, work will one-off survey involving analysis of 206 doctor be undertaken as a priority. While levels of backlog exclusions in the hospital and community sector. maintenance vary across the NHS, it is estimated that 259W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 260W around 75 per cent. of the total costs to eradicate potential savings to the NHS (a) nationally and (b) in backlog maintenance is concentrated in 20 per cent. of each primary care trust of full implementation of the organisations. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s The Department collects data on backlog maintenance February 2006 guidance on nutrition support in adults. and risk adjusted backlog maintenance annually from [298373] NHS trusts through its Estates Returns Information Collection. The data provided is not amended centrally Gillian Merron: The information requested is not and the responsibility for its accuracy lies with the held centrally. contributing NHS organisations. Obesity: Children NHS: Working Hours Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Health how much funding has been allocated to the for Health how many NHS trusts have (a) applied for provision of child weight management programmes in and (b) been granted derogations from the provisions 2009-10. [297803] of the European Working Time Directive. [298297] Gillian Merron: In 2009-10, the Department allocated Ann Keen: The National Scrutiny Panel for England £69 million to primary care trusts (PCTs), as part of considered applications from 77 trusts and recommended their overall PCT allocations, to support our obesity 273 service rotas for derogation. strategy.This includes funding for child weight management services. Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent in each Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for category on ensuring that NHS trusts comply with the Health how many and what proportion of (a) provisions of the European Working Time Directive. overweight and (b) obese children are participating in [298299] child weight management programmes in each primary care trust area. [297804] Ann Keen: A total of £310 million has been made available to support compliance with the European Gillian Merron: The Department does not hold working time directive. information on the number of children who have been referred to a child weight management programme. It is Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State up to primary care trusts (PCTs) to commission these for Health how much his Department has given to each programmes according to their local needs. NHS trust for the purposes of assisting with PCTs are encouraged to evaluate their programmes compliance with the provisions of the European with the standard evaluation framework provided by Working Time Directive. [298300] the National Obesity Observatory, and we are in the process of developing systems to help PCTs to monitor Ann Keen: These data are not collected centrally. the number of children being referred to a weight A total of £310 million was made available to support management programme. the implementation of the working time directive for Orthopaedics junior doctors. In 2009-10, £200 million was made available in primary Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for care trust (PCT) revenue allocations to support working Health how many (a) full and (b) partial limb time directive implementation, in addition to the amputations were carried out in each of the last five £110 million that was made available in 2008-09. years. [297862] £150 million of the £200 million was made explicit in the 2009-10 tariff uplift. Ann Keen: The following table gives information on Strategic health authorities (SHAs) have been able to finished consultant episodes where a main or secondary target a further £50 million to support change and procedure of amputation of the limb was carried out in expansion in paediatrics, obstetrics and anaesthetics. the last five years. SHAs have made the criteria clear to PCTs and trust However, we are unable to divide the data into partial boards of the availability of funding. or full amputation as there is a risk of double counting. For instance, there are occasions when a person could Nutrition have more than one amputation during an episode of care, for example, initially it might be intended for the Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State patient to have a ’partial limb amputation’ which may for Health what estimate has been made of the proceed to a ‘full limb amputation.’

A count of finished consultant episodes1 where a main or secondary procedure2 of amputation of the limb3 was carried out, 2004-05 to 2008-09— Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector

Operation Operation description code 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Amputation of arm

Forequarter amputation X07.1 8 10 20 20 12 261W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 262W

A count of finished consultant episodes1 where a main or secondary procedure2 of amputation of the limb3 was carried out, 2004-05 to 2008-09— Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector

Operation Operation description code 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Disarticulation of shoulder X07.2 8 7 10 6 18

Amputation of arm above elbow X07.3 57 56 64 59 58

Amputation of arm through forearm X07.5 29 27 29 23 26

Other specified amputation of arm X07.8 23134

Unspecified amputation of arm X07.9 25564

Amputation of leg

Hindquarter amputation X09.1 24 21 29 27 30

Disarticulation of hip X09.2 49 39 51 49 37

Amputation of leg above knee X09.3 2,805 2,782 2,653 2,755 2,767

Amputation of leg through knee X09.4 145 156 167 184 199

Amputation of leg below knee X09.5 2,760 2,651 2,492 2,596 2,753

Other specified amputation of leg X09.8 11 8 8 6 4

Unspecified amputation of leg X09.9 88678

Amputation of hand, foot and toe

Amputation of hand at wrist X08.1 587813

Amputation of thumb X08.2 207 238 247 283 266

Amputation of phalanx of finger X08.3 1,699 1,601 1,703 1,710 1,745

Amputation of finger nec X08.4 1,546 1,611 1,720 1,803 1,713

Other specified amputation of hand X08.8 49 52 43 49 42

Unspecified amputation of hand X08.9 7 10 1 5 4

Amputation of foot through ankle X10.1 40 40 31 46 45

Disarticulation of tarsal bones X10.2 11 10 8 5 10

[disarticulation of metatarsal bones X10.3 49 55 52 49 56

Amputation through metatarsal bones X10.4 627 626 574 660 736

Other specified amputation of foot X10.8 94 93 86 71 79

Unspecified amputation of foot X10.9 43 50 31 46 51

Amputation of great toe X11.1 1,354 1,326 1,320 1,395 1,586

Amputation of phalanx of toe X11.2 1,467 1,432 1,560 1,544 1,638

Other specified amputation of toe X11.8 1,571 1,472 1,526 1,519 1,564

Unspecified amputation of toe X11.9 1,712 1,851 1,729 1,844 1,943 263W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 264W

A count of finished consultant episodes1 where a main or secondary procedure2 of amputation of the limb3 was carried out, 2004-05 to 2008-09— Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector Operation Operation description code 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Reamputation Reamputation at higher level X12.1 387 388 397 416 501 1 Finished Consultant Episode (FCE) A finished consultant episode (FCE) is defined as a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. It should be noted that the figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. 2 Number of episodes with a (named) main or secondary procedure These figures represent the number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and four prior to 2002-03) operative procedure fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one operative procedure field of the record. It should be noted that more procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients under going a ‘cataract operation’ would tend to have at least two procedures—removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one—counted in a single episode. 3 Ungrossed data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed). 4 Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data is also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. 5 Changes to coding classifications: OPCS-4 Operative procedure codes were revised for 2006-07 and 2007-08. The 2008-09 and 2007-08 data uses OPCS 4.4 codes, 2006-07 data uses OPCS 4.3 codes, data prior to 2006-07 uses OPCS 4.2 codes. All codes that were in OPCS 4.2 remain in later OPCS 4 versions, however the introduction of OPCS 4.3 codes enable the recording of interventions and procedures which were not possible in OPCS 4.2. In particular, OPCS 4.3 and OPCS 4.4 codes include high cost drugs and diagnostic imaging, testing and rehabilitation. Some activity may have been coded under different codes in OPCS 4.2. These changes need to be borne in mind when analysing time series and may explain some apparent variations over time. Please note that care needs to be taken in using the newer codes as some providers of data were unable to start using the new codes at the beginning of each data year. More information about OPCS 4 changes is on the Connecting for Health website: www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk 6 Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. The quality and coverage of the data have improved over time. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time. 7 The following codes were used for amputation of limb: Amputation of arm X07.1 Forequarter amputation X07.2 Disarticulation of shoulder X07.3 Amputation of arm above elbow X07.4 Amputation of arm through elbow X07.5 Amputation of arm through forearm X07.8 Other specified amputation of arm X07.9 Unspecified amputation of arm Amputation of leg X09.1 Hindquarter amputation X09.2 Disarticulation of hip X09.3 Amputation of leg above knee X09.4 Amputation of leg through knee X09.5 Amputation of leg below knee X09.8 Other specified amputation of leg X09.9 Unspecified amputation of leg Amputation of hand, foot and toe X08.1 Amputation of hand at wrist X08.2 Amputation of thumb X08.3 Amputation of phalanx of finger X08.4 Amputation of finger NEC X08.8 Other specified amputation of hand X08.9 Unspecified amputation of hand X10.1 Amputation of foot through ankle X10.2 Disarticulation of tarsal bones X10.3 Disarticulation of metatarsal bones X10.4 Amputation through metatarsal bones X10.8 Other specified amputation of foot X10.9 Unspecified amputation of foot X11.1 Amputation of great toe X11.2 Amputation of phalanx of toe X11.8 Other specified amputation of toe X11.9 Unspecified amputation of toe The following code may apply to any site, and is not restricted to arm, leg, hand, foot, finger, or toe: X12.1 Reamputation at higher level Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES); Outpatients, The NHS Information Centre for health and social care 265W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 266W

Smoking Swine Flu: Vaccination

Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for what assistance with smoking cessation his Health if he will place in the Library a copy of all Department makes available to prisoners. [298086] documents held by his Department relating to the decisions on priority access groups for the swine Gillian Merron: National health service primary care influenza vaccine. [298962] trusts have had responsibility for the provision of healthcare services in publicly run prisons from 2006. Nicotine Gillian Merron: Copies of relevant meeting minutes Replacement Therapy and professional NHS Stop Smoking from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Services support are now available to prisoners who Immunisation (JCVI) about their advice on the high want to give up smoking, on a basis broadly equivalent priority at risk groups for swine flu vaccination have to that in the outside community. been placed in the Library. JCVI is the statutory body Last year (2008-09), nearly 10,000 prisoners (9,907) with responsibility for providing Ministers with advice set a quit date with NHS Stop Smoking Services provided about vaccination programmes. to them in prison. These services follow the standard These minutes are also displayed on JCVI’s website effective service provision, including medication, which at: is guided by the annual “NHS Stop Smoking Services: www.dh.gov.uk/ab/jcvi/index.htm Service and Monitoring Guidance” produced by the Department. The most recent guidance has been placed in the Library. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Social Services: Elderly Coastal Areas: Housing Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of the adequacy of arrangements for the provision of social care for older Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many persons on their discharge from hospital. [297967] full-time equivalent employees had responsibility for (a) (b) Phil Hope: We have made no recent assessment of the the Seaside and Country Homes scheme and adequacy of arrangements for the provision of social housingmoves.org website in each of the last three care for older people on discharge from hospital. years. [296924] The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has a responsibility Mr. Ian Austin: Since July 2007 the Department has to assess how well adult social care departments at employed eight full-time equivalent (FTE) employees councils have commissioned services for the people in responsible for the delivery of (a) the Seaside and their areas. This will be done through periodic reviews Country Homes scheme and 0.05 FTE for (b) the of their performance. housingmoves.org website. In addition to the CQC’s own assessment regime, To enable these high value and high demand moves Comprehensive Area Assessments will provide an overview the staff provide: of how successfully local organisations are working A brokering service to match registered applicants with suitable individually and together to improve services in their homes as they become available area. a ‘drop-in’ service for older and often vulnerable applicants Furthermore, the Department recently published the where they can meet with an adviser face to face to assist with document ‘Use of Resources in Adult Social Care’ to enquiries, housing options and applications help local authorities to benchmark against other authorities a telephone helpline for applicants to advise on housing options; on a range of measures, including examining the outcomes the progress of applications; and the availability of alternative for the older people from the local arrangements between accommodation health and social care for hospital discharges. The guide marketing for the scheme to increase landlord and tenant promotes best practice. Finally, the Department is also participation including the identification and use of hard to let focusing its resources on the prevention and early social stock (such as sheltered housing) intervention to avoid older people entering hospital and Each move results in a net saving to Treasury of retaining a healthy and independent life. about £12,000 (or £2.4 million for 200 moves each year—based on a 2004 departmental economic study) Swine Flu: Greater London based on savings: in the cost of temporary accommodation; in the cost of managing empty properties; and the costs of housing benefit payments Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) the London Borough In addition the staff provides the housing brokerage of Bexley and (b) Greater London have been service for vulnerable British Nationals returning under diagnosed with swine influenza. [298110] the Zimbabwe Resettlement programme.

Gillian Merron: Estimates of the numbers of people Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for who have had swine flu are only available for the whole Communities and Local Government how much his population. Therefore the Department does not have Department spent on the Seaside and Country Homes estimates of the number of people who have been scheme under each budgetary heading in each of the diagnosed with swine flu in Bexley or Greater London. last three years. [296925] 267W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 268W

Mr. Ian Austin: The Department has spent the following To enable these high value and high demand moves, amount on the Seaside and Country Homes scheme: the staff provide: A brokering service to match registered applicants with suitable July 2007- April 2008- April- March 2008 March 2009 October homes as they become available. 2009 A ‘drop-in’ service for older and often vulnerable applicants Staff costs 260,200 317,169 162,685 where they can meet with an adviser face to face to assist with Grant to non-LA bodies 115,730 0 0 inquiries, housing options and applications. IT/Facilities management 289,027 550,345 352,082 A telephone helpline for applicants to advise on housing (incl. utilities and services) options; the progress of applications; and the availability of Travel and subsistence 733 7,592 3,445 alternative accommodation. Insurance 1,885 1,647 0 Marketing and publishing 14,265 44,483 29,027 Marketing for the scheme to increase landlord and tenant participation including the identification and use of hard to let Council tax 36,051 36,050 33,465 social stock (such as sheltered housing). Rent and service charge 240,136 167,867 90,502 Total expenditure on the 958,027 1,125,153 671,206 In addition, the staff provide the housing brokerage Seaside and Country Homes service for vulnerable British nationals returning under scheme the Zimbabwe Resettlement Programme. Notes: 1. The housingmoves website went on-line in July 2007. 2. Data for October 2009 is current up to and including 27 October 2009 Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for The resource investment supports the delivery of Communities and Local Government how many high demand social mobility schemes. The Department tenants moved from each local authority area under (Secretary of State) has nomination rights to specific the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme in each of the properties under the Seaside and Country Homes scheme. last three years. [296865] The service employs staff in discrete premises (until the lease expires in February 2011) providing: a front line delivery service; a telephone help line; an informative website with on-line registration and an accessible ‘drop Mr. Ian Austin: The number of tenants moved from in centre’ for older and often vulnerable applicants. The each local authority (London borough) under the Seaside service also provides the housing brokerage service for and Country Homes Scheme is detailed in the following vulnerable British Nationals returning under the Zimbabwe table. Resettlement programme. London borough 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 There are between 170-250 moves arranged per year Barking and 5617 that enable London based applicants to give up their Dagenham social letting in the capital and move to more appropriate Barnet 0 3 1 properties in preferred locations. Each move results in a Bexley 3 6 2 net saving to Treasury of about £12,000 (or £2.4 million Brent 0 0 0 for 200 moves each year—based on a 2004 departmental Bromley 2 8 3 economic study) based on savings: in the cost of temporary Camden 1 3 3 accommodation; in the cost of managing empty properties; City of London 0 0 1 and the costs of housing benefit payments. Croydon 5 6 4 Ealing 3 5 5 Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Enfield 2 3 3 Communities and Local Government how many Greenwich 14 23 12 tenants applied for alternative accommodation under Hackney 3 18 7 the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme in each of the Hammersmith 254 last three years. [296929] and Fulham Haringey 3 5 9 Harrow 2 3 1 Mr. Ian Austin: The number of tenants applying to Havering 0 5 1 move to alternative accommodation through the Seaside Hillingdon 0 2 7 and Country Homes Scheme is detailed in the following Hounslow 4 18 2 table. Islington 3 8 8 Kensington and 101 From To Number Chelsea Kingston 1 3 1 July 20071 March 2008 349 Lambeth 3 5 6 April 2008 March 2009 805 Lewisham 7 12 6 April 2009 October 20092 475 Merton 1 1 3 1 The housingmoves website went online in July 2007. Newham 10 16 12 2 Data for October 2009 is current up to and including 27 October 2009. Redbridge 2 5 3 Each move results in a net saving to Treasury of Richmond 1 4 3 about £12,000 (or £2.4 million for 200 moves each Southwark 10 10 23 year—based on a 2004 departmental economic study) Sutton 4 6 4 based on savings: in the cost of temporary accommodation; Tower Hamlets 5 10 7 in the cost of managing empty properties; and the costs Waltham Forest 2 13 10 of housing benefit payments. Wandsworth 5 4 7 269W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 270W

Marketing for the scheme to increase landlord and tenant London borough 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 participation including the identification and use of hard to let Westminster 1 3 3 social stock (such as sheltered housing). Total 105 219 179 In addition, the staff provide the housing brokerage Notes: service for vulnerable British nationals returning under 1. The housingmoves website went on-line in July 2007. the Zimbabwe Resettlement Programme. 2. Data for October 2009 is current up to and including 27 October 2009. Each move results in a net saving to Treasury of Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for about £12,000 (or £2.4 million for 200 moves each Communities and Local Government how many (a) year—based on a 2004 Departmental economic study) bungalows and (b) flats are managed by landlords based on savings: in the cost of temporary accommodation; taking part in the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme. in the cost of managing empty properties; and the costs [296928] of housing benefit payments. Mr. Ian Austin: There are 2,302 bungalows and 1,060 To enable these high value and high demand moves flats managed by landlords taking part in the Seaside the staff provide: and Country Homes Scheme. A brokering service to match registered applicants with suitable homes as they become available There are between 170 to 250 moves arranged per year that enable London-based applicants to give up a ‘drop-in’ service for older and often vulnerable applicants their social letting in the capital and move to more where they can meet with an adviser face to face to assist with enquiries, housing options and applications appropriate properties in preferred locations. Each move results in a net saving to Treasury of about £12,000 (or a telephone helpline for applicants to advise on housing options; £2.4 million for 200 moves each year—based on a 2004 the progress of applications; and the availability of alternative accommodation departmental economic study) based on savings: in the cost of temporary accommodation; in the cost of managing marketing for the scheme to increase landlord and tenant empty properties; and the costs of housing benefit participation including the identification and use of hard to let social stock (such as sheltered housing). payments. To enable these high value and high demand moves, In addition the staff provide the housing brokerage the staff provide: service for vulnerable British Nationals returning under the Zimbabwe Resettlement Programme. A brokering service to match registered applicants with suitable homes as they become available. A ‘drop-in’ service for older and often vulnerable applicants Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for where they can meet with an adviser face to face to assist with Communities and Local Government how many inquiries, housing options and applications. tenants moved to alternative accommodation through A telephone helpline for applicants to advise on housing the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme in each of the options; the progress of applications; and the availability of last three years. [296868] alternative accommodation. Marketing for the scheme to increase landlord and tenant participation including the identification and use of hard to let Mr. Ian Austin: The number of tenants moving to social stock (such as sheltered housing). alternative accommodation through the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme is detailed in the following In addition, the staff provide the housing brokerage table. service for vulnerable British nationals returning under the Zimbabwe Resettlement Programme. From To Number Community Development: Doncaster July 20071 March 2008 179 April 2008 March 2009 219 April 2009 October 20092 105 Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many 1 The housingmoves website went online in July 2007. 2 Data for October 2009 is current up to and including 27 October community wardens were in post in Doncaster (a) at 2009. the most recent date for which figures are available and (b) in each year since their introduction. [298640] Each move results in a net saving to Treasury of about £12,000 (or £2.4 million for 200 moves each Barbara Follett: The information requested is as follows. year—based on a 2004 departmental economic study) based on savings: in the cost of temporary accommodation; Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council—Community in the cost of managing empty properties; and the costs Wardens of housing benefit payments. The following table shows the number of community wardens that have been in post from April 2004 until To enable these high value and high demand moves, September 2009. Doncaster has had Neighbourhood the staff provide: Wardens since 2001-02 but was unable to supply figures A brokering service to match registered applicants with suitable until 2004. homes as they become available. A ‘drop-in’ service for older and often vulnerable applicants Community Community Neighbourhood where they can meet with an adviser face to face to assist with Safety Wardens First Officers Response Team inquiries, housing options and applications. 4 April 50 34 n/a A telephone helpline for applicants to advise on housing 7 February 48 33 10 options; the progress of applications; and the availability of 9 September 53 35 10 alternative accommodation. 271W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 272W

Community Development: Finance the council house capital debt considered for distribution to local authorities for repayment; [299155] Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) what estimate he has made of the total debt to be Communities and Local Government with reference to distributed among local authorities in order for local his announcement of the £12 million Connecting authority-owned housing to be self-financing; [299157] Communities Programme on 14 October 2009, how much money has been allocated to each of the 27 areas (3) what estimate he has made of the debt additional announced to date; which local groups will receive to historic council housing debt which is to be funding for which projects in each area; and how the distributed among local authorities in order for local effectiveness of funding in each case will be assessed. authority housing to be self-financing. [299210] [298514] Mr. Ian Austin: Our proposals for self-financing would Barbara Follett [holding answer 9 November 2009]: put every local authority in a position to sustain their No funding has yet been allocated. homes from their own revenues in future, ending the We are in the process of agreeing action plans with need to redistribute income by means of a one-off each of the 27 areas, and these are based on addressing reallocation of housing debt. Our consultation paper local challenges. The plans, and the amount of funding, notes that the total amount of housing debt held by will vary from area to area, as will the local partners councils under self-financing could be higher or lower and groups involved in delivering the solutions. Although than the current level of debt supported through the there is a modest amount of additional resources available, HRA subsidy system. The debt allocated to each council the main focus will be on working through and with would be set at a level which it could support within a existing Government and local programmes and resources sustainable business plan which delivers the extra investment operating in target areas. This is about intensive community we have identified is needed (including an average 24 engagement to influence mainstream investment, not a per cent. increase in funding for major repairs) while stand alone programme. continuing to set social rents in line with national policy. In line with the Government commitment to reduce ring-fencing each authority will have the flexibility to The aggregate amount of housing debt allocated manage this additional funding in the most effective under self-financing will depend on a range of variables way to deliver solutions that meet local needs. in addition to assumptions on annual management, maintenance and repairs. These include rent levels, interest We are also considering proposals for a national rates, the pricing of risk and the funding of the backlog evaluation of the programme. of repairs. As work on assessing these issues has not yet Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for been completed, I am not in a position to estimate the Communities and Local Government with reference to amount of debt under the new system and Ministers his announcement of the £12 million Connecting have not had discussions on this issue with the Chancellor Communities Programme on 14 October 2009, how of the Exchequer. I am however clear that the additional much of the £12 million represents additional funding; spending on management, maintenance and major repairs what proportion of this funding will be spent in (a) which we have committed to fund as part of our reforms 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; and if he will make a will mean that all councils are better off under self-financing statement. [298515] than they would be if the current system continued unreformed. Barbara Follett [holding answer 9 November 2009]: Departmental Consultants The £12 million is available this financial year to local authorities to support activities in the Connecting Communities’ areas. This money was announced in the Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Comprehensive Spending Review settlement but has Communities and Local Government how much the not been previously allocated. (a) Homes and Communities Agency, (b) Tenant Connecting Communities is an ambitious programme Services Authority and (c) Homes and Communities of work to reinvigorate and re-involve groups in areas Agency Academy have spent on public affairs that are feeling the pressure of the recession most consultancy in 2009-10; and what the budget of each acutely. Around 100 areas around the country have for such services is for 2009-10. [299229] been identified for a targeted programme of work that will focus on alleviating those pressures and making John Healey: The HCA and HCA Academy have sure that real help is available. Practical actions delivered spent no money on public affairs consultancy in the on estates and streets will focus on developing a real year to date. The TSA have spent £5,081.86 (including insight into what is happening in those communities VAT) to date. None of these bodies have plans for any and introduce changes that will address local people’s further expenditure on public affairs consultancy this concerns, reconnect them with jobs and tackle the real year. and perceived sense of unfairness some people are Departmental Data Protection feeling. Council Housing: Finance Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for page 29 of his Department’s Resource Accounts for Communities and Local Government (1) what 2008-09, HC 449, what the (a) nature and (b) subject discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the was of each sensitive official document on the Exchequer on the possible addition of future estimated computer stolen from the then Secretary of State. surpluses on the housing revenue account subsidy to [294657] 273W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 274W

Barbara Follett: The documents mainly consisted of (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department and the details of the times, venues and attendees at meetings its predecessors travelled by (i) car, (ii) rail and (iii) air which the Secretary of State was due to hold: in many on Government business in each year since 1997. cases, the information was historic. In addition, some [298544] internal policy documents classified as “Restricted” and some contact details for officials were held on the computer. A number of these policy documents were also historic and the information they contained was Barbara Follett: The travel undertaken by the Department out-of-date and consequently, no longer sensitive. The for Communities and Local Government’s Ministers computer also contained a presentation on the housing and officials is set out as follows (in miles): market which, in March 2008, had been regarded as “confidential” in the general sense but which was also Car Rail Air out-of-date. These documents were individually reviewed by officials 2005-06 1,010,302 n/k n/k in the Department immediately after the theft of the computer was reported. They concluded that none of 2006-07 861,883 n/k 628,388 the material included sensitive personal data about the public that would be of use to criminals. The computer 2007-08 698,705 2,181,945 591,505 was password protected and did not contain any material with the official classifications of Confidential, Secret 2008-09 604,352 2,016,063 736,723 or Top Secret.

Departmental ICT Notes: 1. Accurate data are not available prior to 2005-06. 2. These data cover central CLG only and do not include the Government Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for office network or Executive agencies Communities and Local Government with which organisations his Department has had exclusivity Travel undertaken by Ministers and officials is not agreements relating to information technology (a) routinely separated. However, of the data above, CLG hardware and (b) software in each of the last five recorded that its Ministers travelled 65,173 miles by car years. [298364] in 2007-08 and 76,638 miles in 2008-09. Barbara Follett [holding answer 9 November 2009]: The Department has had no exclusivity agreements relating to information technology (a) hardware and (b) software in the last five years. Domestic Violence: Refuges Departmental Non-Domestic Rates

Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for for Communities and Local Government what the Communities and Local Government whether people rateable value of each of his Department’s buildings accommodated in domestic violence refuges are was on the most recent date for which figures are assessed as statutorily homeless; and whether such available based on (a) the 2005 Rating List and (b) the people are included in his Department’s homelessness draft 2010 Rating List. [294881] statistics. [298264]

Barbara Follett: The rateable values for the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Headquarter Mr. Ian Austin: Under the homelessness legislation buildings are listed on the Valuation Office Agency’s (part 7 of the Housing Act 1996), local housing authorities website at: in England must consider all applications for www.voa.gov.uk accommodation or assistance in obtaining accommodation, including any applications made by people accommodated £ in refuges for people who have suffered domestic violence. 2005 2010 The local authority must consider whether there is Eland House, Victoria, London 6,850,000 11,380,000 reason to believe the applicant may be homeless or Ground, 1st and 2nd floor Hempstead 229,500 224,500 likely to become homeless within 28 days, and, if there House, Hemel Hempstead is such reason, must make inquiries to determine whether 2 Victoria St, Glossop 6,400 6,800 any duty is owed under the legislation. Earlier this year, 1st Floor 232-242 Vauxhall Bridge 69,000 130,000 the House of Lords ruled that, in most cases, a woman Rd London who has left her home because of domestic (or other) Fire Experimental Unit Moreton in 45,000 56,000 violence within it remains homeless even if she has Marsh found a temporary haven in a women’s refuge. 1st Floor Sheffield House Stevenage 37,250 45,250 Information about English local housing authorities’ Departmental Travel actions under the homelessness legislation is collected quarterly at local authority level. This includes the Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for number of applicants accepted by local housing authorities Communities and Local Government how many miles as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and 275W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 276W in priority need, and therefore owed a main homelessness (b) on substantially unfurnished and unoccupied dwellings duty (“homeless acceptances”) and, of these, the number at any point between 50 and zero per cent., following a accommodated temporarily in a women’s refuge, at the statutory period of exemption. end of each quarter. Fire Services: Industrial Health and Safety Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will Communities and Local Government (1) what recent introduce a national regime for the enforcement of safe guidance his Department has issued on the design of working procedures in the fire service. [295741] waste collection services and facilities in new housing; [292622] Jonathan Shaw: I have been asked to reply. (2) with reference to his Department’s publication, Code for Sustainable Homes: a step-change in There is already a regime for the enforcement of safe sustainable home building practice, what guidelines his working procedures in the fire services. Department has issued on the minimum volume of The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 requires space required for (a) residential waste storage and (b) fire and rescue services, as with all employers, to ensure recycling; and what assumptions are made in the so far as is reasonably practicable the health and safety guidelines on the size and number of household of their employees and others who may be affected by wheeled refuse containers that could fit into that space. their work activities. This Act is enforced by the Health [292870] and Safety Executive who inspect fire and rescue services proactively and investigate significant incidents. Their Mr. Ian Austin: The Government provide a requirement inspections include examination of health and safety and guidance for the design of waste collection services policies and procedures, provision of equipment and and facilities in new housing, such as waste bins, in training of firefighters. Part H6 of Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations 2000, and in Category 5—Waste, of the Code for Homes and Communities Agency: Consultants Sustainable Homes (the Code.) The requirement set out in Part H6 will be met if the Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for solid waste storage is: Communities and Local Government on which designed and sited so as not to be prejudicial to health; projects the Homes and Communities Agency has of sufficient area having regard to the requirements of the employed external consultants since its inception. waste collection authority for the number and size of receptacles [297818] under Sections 46 and 47 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; John Healey: The HCA are involved, both directly sited so as to be accessible for use by people in the building and and indirectly, in numerous projects. The use of consultants of ready access for removal to the collection point specified by by the HCA therefore on each individual project cannot the waste collection authority under Sections 4 and 47 of the be disaggregated except at disproportionate cost. Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Waste Category of the Code for Sustainable Housing Ombudsman Homes (the Code) provides a mandatory requirement and guidance for the provision of storage space for Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for residential waste and for recycling waste. Communities and Local Government how many The mandatory requirements within the Code Waste complaints the Housing Ombudsman received from Category, is based around British Standard 5906 2005 leaseholders in each of the last three years. [298263] (l00 litres for the first bedroom and then a further 70 1itres for each additional bedroom). The requirements Mr. Ian Austin: The number of complaints received in the Code will be met if: by the housing ombudsman from leaseholders in each space is provided for storage of containers for separated waste, of the last three years is set out in the following table: with a combined capacity of 0.25m3 or in agreement with the waste collection authority; Leaseholder Number adequate external space is provided to accommodate a local authority recycling scheme offering containers equal to or 2006-07 173 greater than the above volume; 2007-08 256 all the containers are accessible to disabled people. 2008-09 232 Empty Property: Council Tax The figures provided refer to the complaints received from leaseholders, they do not relate specifically to Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for leasehold issues. Communities and Local Government what level of council tax discount is applied to an empty dwelling Housing Revenue Accounts which is (a) furnished and (b) unfurnished. [298447] Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Barbara Follett: Local authorities have discretion to Communities and Local Government if he will set the council tax discount (a) on substantially furnished estimate the net balance of the housing revenue dwellings which are the not the taxpayer’s sole or main account subsidy system in each year to 2019-20. residence at any point between 50 and 10 per cent. and [299161] 277W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 278W

Mr. Ian Austin: The calculation of housing revenue Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State account (HRA) subsidy relies on a number of factors for Communities and Local Government what estimate which change from year to year, including stock disposals, he has made of the average cost incurred in addition to and the level at which we set the local authority average the cost of meeting the requirement of Building guideline rent increase. Communities and Local Regulations in meeting the requirements of each level Government has yet to go out to consultation on the of the Code of Sustainable Homes Code in respect of guideline rent increase for 2010-11. We have not made, (a) detached housing, (b) end-of-terrace housing, (c) and currently could not make, any reliable long term low-rise flats and (d) high-rise flats. [294877] estimates of HRA subsidy up to 2019-20. Following consultation, we are currently working on Mr. Ian Austin: Costs were published 21 July 2008 in proposals for radical reform of local authority housing Cost Analysis of The Code for Sustainable Homes: finance. Our intention is to dismantle the HRA subsidy Final Report. No differentiation between high rise and system and replace it with a devolved system of low rise flats is available. The costs are estimates and are responsibility and funding. not definitive. Housing: Prices Housingmoves: Internet

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he Communities and Local Government how many (a) has made of the mean (a) income and (b) house price unique visitors and (b) page impressions were received in each local authority area in each of the last three by the housingmoves.org website in each of the last 12 years. [299160] months. [296866]

Mr. Ian Austin: Data on mean income by local authority Mr. Ian Austin: The information is as follows: for each of the last three years can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Website Statistics: ‘housingmoves’ (a) Unique (b) Page Mean house prices by local authority area are available From To visitors impressions on the Communities and Local Government website at: July 20071 March 2008 3,523 4,101 http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/table- 585.xls April 2008 March 2009 14,309 21,866 April 2009 October 20092 11,453 23,100 Housing: Sustainable Development 1 The housingmoves website went on-line in July 2007. 2 Data for October 2009 is current up to and including 27 October 2009. Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Each move results in a net saving to Treasury of Communities and Local Government how many about £12,000 (or £2.4 million for 200 moves each housing units have been fully assessed by his year—based on a 2004 Departmental economic study) Department under the Code for Sustainable Homes. based on savings: in the cost of temporary accommodation; [292471] in the cost of managing empty properties; and the costs of housing benefit payments. Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for To enable these high value and high demand moves Communities and Local Government how many the staff provide: homes have been accredited to Level 6 under the Code A brokering service to match registered applicants with suitable for Sustainable Homes to date. [294133] homes as they become available Mr. Ian Austin: Code level 6 is a zero carbon home a ‘drop-in’ service for older and often vulnerable applicants where they can meet with an adviser face to face to assist with with very high sustainability standards and is an incredibly enquiries, housing options and applications high standard to build to. However, we now have a a telephone helpline for applicants to advise on housing options; growing number of homes been built to this higher level the progress of applications; and the availability of alternative of code. accommodation It takes between 18 months and two years to design marketing for the scheme to increase landlord and tenant and build a code home. The code came into operation participation including the identification and use of hard to let in April 2007, but we did not start seeing homes built to social stock (such as sheltered housing). the code standard until late 2008. The numbers of code In addition the staff provide the housing brokerage homes are increasing every month. There are a total of service for vulnerable British Nationals returning under 1,018 homes with code certificates spread across all the Zimbabwe Resettlement Programme. code levels at post-construction stage (i.e. completed code homes), 5,630 at design stage and over 300,000 Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for registered homes on over 3000 developments. Most of Communities and Local Government how much these homes are built to code level 3—which represents funding his Department has provided for the for energy a 25 per cent. improvement on the current housingmoves.org website in each of the last three Building Regulations and is a demanding building standard. years; what other sources of funding the service has; Homes are funded to this level by the Homes and and how much has been allocated by his Department Communities Agency. to the website for (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11. There are two stages in the assessment process for the [296867] Code for Sustainable Homes (the Code). At design stage there have been 12 homes accredited at code level Mr. Ian Austin: The Department has provided funding 6 and at post-construction stage there have been six for the housingmoves.org website as detailed as follows. homes accredited. There are no other sources of funding. 279W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 280W

Non-Domestic Rates £ From To Website development

1 Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State July 2007 March 2008 700 for Communities and Local Government how many April 2008 March 2009 35,500 2 hereditaments in London will be liable for April 2009 October 2009 16,000 supplementary business rate in London from April 1 The housingmoves website went on-line in July 2007. 2 Data for October 2009 is current up to and including 27 October 2009. 2010. [294912] The Department has also allocated funding for the website in 2009-10 of £5,000 and funding for 2010-11 Barbara Follett: The Business Rate Supplements Act 2009 has yet to be allocated. provides a discretionary power for upper tier authorities To enable these high value and high demand moves to levy a supplement on the business rate to promote the staff provided: additional local economic development projects. The levying authority has discretion to set the threshold for A brokering service to match registered applicants with suitable homes as they become available liability for the Business Rate Supplement anywhere above the minimum of £50,000 rateable value. a ‘drop-in’ service for older and often vulnerable applicants where they can meet with an adviser face to face to assist with The Mayor of London has just finished consulting enquiries, housing options and applications on his proposals to levy a Business Rate Supplement a telephone helpline for applicants to advise on housing options; from April 2010 as part of the funding package for the progress of applications; and the availability of alternative Crossrail. The minimum threshold provided in legislation accommodation means that no more than 50,000 business properties in marketing for the scheme to increase landlord and tenant London on the draft 2010 rating list (18 per cent. of all participation including the identification and use of hard to let London properties on that list) will be liable for BRS, social stock (such as sheltered housing). with discretion for the Mayor to set a higher threshold In addition the staff provide the housing brokerage exempting additional properties. The dataset used is service for vulnerable British Nationals returning under consistent with the consultation document titled: “The the Zimbabwe Resettlement Programme. transitional arrangements for the non-domestic rating Local Government: Pensions revaluation 2010 in England”, published on 8 July 2009. The number of hereditaments actually liable for the Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business Rate Supplement in London will depend on Communities and Local Government which local the level at which the Mayor chooses to set the threshold. authority pension funds in the East of England are (a) in surplus and (b) in deficit; and how much the surplus Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for or deficit is in each case. [296175] Communities and Local Government how many individual hereditament (a) betting shops and offices, Barbara Follett: I refer the hon. Member to the (b) bingo halls, (c) public houses, licensed restaurants answer given on 2 February 2009, Official Report, column and wine bars, (d) night clubs and discotheques and 964W, to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (e) casinos and gambling clubs were on the 1997 (Mr. Pickles). version, or nearest equivalent, of the Valuation Office Mortgages: Government Assistance Agency’s 1995 Rating List. [295702]

Mr. McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Barbara Follett: The following information relates to Communities and Local Government what estimate he Rating Lists within England as at 1 April 1997. has made of the number of people who will be eligible for assistance under the Homeowner Mortgage Description England Support Scheme in (a) West Derbyshire and (b) Britain in the next 12 months. [297975] Betting Offices (SCAT 988) 3,270 Bingo Halls (SCAT 021) 650 John Healey: Homeowners Mortgage Support is part Public Houses (Primary Description 49,520 of the range of assistance available at every stage to Code CL) households struggling with their mortgage. The scheme Restaurants (Primary Description 17,970 encourages lenders to allow households who have suffered Code CR) Wine Bars (Primary Description 850 a temporary income shock to defer some of their interest Code CL1) payment, if this is necessary to make their monthly Night Clubs and Discotheques 1,050 payment affordable. This form of support provides a (SCAT 938) safety net for those who cannot avoid repossession in Casinos and Gambling Clubs 110 other ways. (SCAT 042) Homeowners Mortgage Support is a lender led scheme Note: The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. and future take-up depends on a range of market factors, in particular the level of interest rates. The Non-Domestic Rates: Aerials Department plans to publish information in December on the number of households who have been helped through Homeowners Mortgage Support. Statistics from Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Financial Services Authority show that more than Communities and Local Government whether he has 135,000 borrowers were benefiting from forbearance provided guidance to the Valuation Office Agency on offered by their lender at the end of June 2009, an the application of business rates to wireless masts. increase of 17 per cent. on the previous quarter. [297369] 281W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 282W

Barbara Follett: The assessment of rateable value and (5) how many hereditaments were on the Valuation the maintenance of rating lists is the responsibility of Office Agency’s Rating List with SCAT code 429 in the Valuation Office Agency and not this Department. each year since 1997. [294623] We do not provide guidance to the Valuation Office Agency on professional valuation issues. The Valuation Office Agency is an independent agency of HM Revenue Barbara Follett: The available information requested and Customs and has sole responsibility for determining is given in the following tables and relates to information the rateable value of all non-domestic properties in contained in the: England. 1995 Rating Lists—effective 1 April 1995 to 31 March 2000 Non-Domestic Rates: Internet 2000 Rating Lists—effective 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2005 2005 Rating Lists—effective 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2010. Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Figures are not comparable across this period due to Communities and Local Government whether the changes in the use of special category (SCAT) codes. In Valuation Office Agency takes into account (a) particular: wireless internet connections and (b) wireless access points as a material consideration when rating a SCAT Code 429 is effective from 1 April 2000. hereditament for the 2010 revaluation. [297435] SCAT Codes 049, 123, 228 and 279 existed in the 1995 Rating Lists but for different classes of property than they represent in Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2000 and 2005 rating lists. Communities and Local Government whether he plans Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. to include access to wireless broadband networks in the assessment of business rates; and if he will make a Sports stadiums, England statement. [297878] As at 1 April each year Number 1997 SCAT Code 279 50 Barbara Follett [holding answer 5 November 2009]: 1998 50 Rating assessments will reflect all service connections to the rental value of a hereditament (a unit of assessment 1999 50 for rating purposes), not just wireless internet connections and wireless access points. It is unlikely that a wireless Theatres, England access point will materially affect the value of an individual As at 1 April each year Number property for the current 2005 lists or for the 2010 2000 SCAT Code 279 580 revaluation. 2001 600 Non-Domestic Rates: Parking 2002 600 2003 610 Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for 2004 650 Communities and Local Government how many car 2005 620 parking spaces listed as domestic properties were 2006 640 exempt from the non-domestic rate under the Local 2007 650 Government Finance Act 1988 in (a) East Devon constituency, (b) Devon and (c) England in each of 2008 670 the last five years. [298656] 2009 670

Barbara Follett: All parking spaces used for domestic Private hospitals/clinics, England parking within the curtilage of dwellings are classed as 1 April each year Number domestic property and therefore exempt from non-domestic 1997 SCAT Code 123 340 rates. Information on the numbers of such parking 1998 350 spaces is not available centrally. 1999 360

Non-Domestic Rates: Valuation Gypsy camp sites (short stay), England As at 1 April each Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for year Number Communities and Local Government (1) how many 2000 SCAT Code 123 1— hereditaments were on the Valuation Office Agency’s 2001 1— Rating List with SCAT Code 279 in each year since 2002 1— 1997; [294452] 2003 1— (2) how many hereditaments were on the Valuation Office Agency’s Rating List with SCAT Code 123 in 2004 1— each year since 1997; [294453] 2005 10 (3) how many hereditaments were on the Valuation 2006 10 Office Agency’s Rating List with SCAT code 049 in 2007 10 each year since 1997; [294598] 2008 1— (4) how many hereditaments were on the Valuation 2009 1— Office Agency’s Rating List with SCAT code 228 in 1 Less than 10. each year since 1997; [294602] 283W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 284W

Cold stores, England Barbara Follett: I have placed in the Library of the As at 1 April each year Number House a table showing the number of hereditaments for 1997 SCAT Code 049 380 England broken down by the full alphanumeric special 1998 370 category code on both the 2005 Ratings List and the draft 2010 Ratings List at 29 May 2009. These data are 1999 370 consistent with the consultation document titled: “The Casinos and gambling clubs, England transitional arrangements for the non-domestic rating As at 1 April each year Number revaluation 2010 in England”, published on 8 July 2009. A copy of the consultation document is available at the 2000 SCAT Code 049 110 following link: 2001 110 http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/ 2002 120 localgovernment/nndrrevaluation2010 2003 120 The number of hereditaments in each special category 2004 150 code has been rounded to the nearest 10. 2005 130 Planning Applications Review 2006 140 2007 150 Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008 160 Communities and Local Government with reference to 2009 160 Recommendation 1 of the Killian Pretty Review of the planning application process of November 2008, how many and what proportion of (a) minor non- Public conveniences, England residential and (b) householder developments have As at 1 April each year Number been removed from the need to apply for full planning 1997 SCAT Code 228 5,610 permission. [298380] 1998 5,530 Mr. Ian Austin: Recommendation 1 of the Killian 1999 5,430 Pretty review was that Government should substantially reduce the number of minor non-domestic developments Public telephone kiosks, England requiring planning permission. This recommendation As at 1 April each year Number made no reference to householder developments, which

2000 SCAT Code 228 1,040 had already been subject to reforms, introduced in 2001 1,190 October 2008. 2002 1,320 In response to Recommendation 1, proposals to remove approximately 25,000 minor non-domestic developments 2003 1,340 from the need to submit full planning applications 2004 1,330 annually in England (approximately 30 per cent. of all 2005 1,260 minor-non domestic applications) were the subject of 2006 1,200 public consultation between 30 July and 23 October 2007 1,160 2009. Subject to the outcome of our consideration of the consultation responses, secondary legislation enacting 2008 1,130 these proposals is expected in April 2010. 2009 1,100 Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Post offices,1 England Communities and Local Government with reference to As at 1 April each year Number Recommendation 15 of the Killian Pretty Review of the planning application process of November 2008, 2000 SCAT Code 429 1,410 when his Department plans to replace the time-target 2001 1,500 based National Indicator with a Satisfaction with the 2002 1,660 planning application service indicator. [298381] 2003 1,820 Mr. Ian Austin: A discussion document on a revised 2004 1,820 indicator of planning performance was included within 2005 3,530 the document “Taking Forward the Government’s response 2006 3,420 to the Killian Pretty Review: Progress Report”, published 2007 3,400 in July 2009. The closing date for comments on this 2008 3,370 document has recently passed. We are in the process of commissioning research to develop options based on 2009 3,240 the consultation responses and to test them through a 1 Prior to 1 April 2005 some post offices were included under other SCAT codes. series of pilot studies January-March 2010. We propose to have a new indicator in place in time Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for for the revision of the local authority performance Communities and Local Government how many framework, which will take effect from April 2011. hereditaments there are under each Valuation Office Agency (a) 2005 Rating List and (b) individual special Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for category code and associated alphanumeric description Communities and Local Government with reference to on the draft 2010 Rating List. [297437] Recommendation 5 of the Killian Pretty Review of the 285W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 286W planning application process of November 2008, how applications which have been approved in respect of many councils in England and Wales have participated sites previously contaminated with asbestos; and if he in the National Process Improvement project. [298382] will make a statement. [299015]

Mr. Ian Austin: Four local planning authorities took Mr. Ian Austin: The number of planning applications part in the NPFP ‘Transformational Planning’ pathfinder which have been approved in respect of sites previously pilot. The participating authorities were: contaminated with asbestos is not available centrally. East Riding of Yorkshire council Hambleton district council Right to Buy Scheme Leeds city council London borough of Lewisham Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for The collated findings of the pilot are summarised in Communities and Local Government how many the report ‘Transforming Local Planning Services: Using right-to-buy sales there were in (a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) Business Process Techniques’, which provides advice to 1990, (d) 1995, (e) 2000 and (f) each of the last five help other local authorities use business process years for which figures are available; and what total of improvement techniques in their planning services. There capital receipts was received by local authorities in each was an initial programme of dissemination in December such year. [299115] 2008. In line with the Government’s response to Mr. Ian Austin: Figures showing the number of local Recommendation 5 of Killian Pretty, the Planning Advisory authority right to buy sales are included in Live Table Service has commenced the next stage of dissemination 670 on the CLG website, broken down by region and by developing the ‘Managing Excellent Planning Services’ year, from 1980-81: package. This has been well received, but is at an early http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/ stage. 1319866.xls Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Figures on capital receipts from local authority right Communities and Local Government with reference to to buy sales are included in Live Table 643, from 1998-99. Recommendation 2 of the Killian Pretty Review of the Figures on capital receipts are not available for earlier planning application process of November 2008, what years: measures have been put in place to ensure that local http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/ planning authorities adopt a more proportionate 1319845.xls approach to information requirements for design and Figures showing the number of registered social landlord access statements. [298478] (RSL) right to buy sales are included in Live Table 675 on the CLG website, broken down by region and year, Mr. Ian Austin: In July 2009 we published a consultation from 1996-97. Figures on sales of RSL properties are paper ‘Streamlining Information Requirements for Planning not available for earlier years, and figures are not available Applications’ setting out proposals in response to showing total RSL capital receipts: Recommendation 2 of the Killian Pretty Review. http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/ The consultation document included two main changes 1319878.xls in relation to design and access statements: The local authority right to buy data are from quarterly to simplify the requirements for all design and access statements; P1B returns from local authorities to CLG. and The registered social landlord right to buy data are to reduce the range of applications that require a design and from Regulatory and Statistical Returns (RSR) from access statement RSLs to the Tenant Services Authority (TSA). The consultation period ended on 23 October and we are now in the process of analysing responses. Subject Social Rented Housing to the outcome of our consideration of consultation responses, secondary legislation enacting these proposals is expected in April 2010. Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he Planning Permission: Appeals has made of the turnover rate of tenancies held from (a) registered social landlords and (b) local Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for authorities in each of the last five years. [297691] Communities and Local Government on how many occasions he and his predecessors have personally Mr. Ian Austin: I refer the hon. Member to the answer intervened to set a date for an appeal to the Planning I gave him on 18 May 2009, Official Report, column Inspectorate in each of the last five years. [298977] 1198W. Local authority figures for 2008-09 are reported through Mr. Ian Austin: There is no known instance where the Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix, which will any Secretary of State has ever directly intervened in be published on 26 November, 2009. imposing a date for an appeal. Registered social landlord figures for 2008-09 are Planning Permission: Asbestos collected by the Tenant Services Authority, reported through the Regulatory Statistical Return. The following Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for table gives turnover rates by region for stock owned by Communities and Local Government what his most registered social landlords (RSLs) in 2008-09. This covers recent estimate is of the number of planning general needs households only. 287W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 288W

Number of general needs lettings as a percentage of general needs stock owned Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for by registered social landlords, 2008-09, by region Communities and Local Government with reference to Region Percentage the answer to the hon. Member for City of York of North East 9.4 4 November 2009, Official Report, column 1062W, on North West 9.0 homelessness, on what date he expects to publish data Yorkshire and the Humber 11.3 on new lets for 2008-09; and if he will make a East Midlands 11.1 statement. [299182] West Midlands 10.4 Mr. Ian Austin: Numbers of new lets are reported by East of England 9.7 local authorities annually, through the Housing Strategy London 9.1 Statistical Appendix (HSSA), covering the period 1 April South East 8.7 to 31 March. Figures for 2008-09 will be published on South West 9.6 26 November 2009. England 9.6 Notes: Social Rented Housing: Standards 1. Stock figures are reported as at 31 March. 2. Lettings are recorded over the period 1 April to 31 March. Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Source: Regulatory and Statistical Return, part O Communities and Local Government how much has been transferred from the ALMO decent homes programme budget in order to fund new build in (a) Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11. [299156] Communities and Local Government how many transfers from one local authority area to another there Mr. Ian Austin: I refer the hon. Member to the answer have been by (a) registered social landlord and (b) I gave him on 13 October 2009, Official Report, column local authority tenants in each year since 1997. [297823] 776W. Valuation Office: Buildings Mr. Ian Austin: Information on transfers across local authority boundaries are available from the Continuous Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Recording of Lettings system (CORE). Communities and Local Government what assessment the Valuation Office Agency made of the rateable value The number of lettings by registered social landlords of its offices on Shaftesbury Avenue, London in (a) the to tenants transferring from a social housing dwelling in 2005 Ratings List and (b) the latest provisional another local authority area are provided in Table 1. estimates for the draft 2010 Ratings List. [294461] Table 1: Lettings to registered social landlord tenants transferring from a social housing dwelling in another local authority area, 1997-98 to 2008-09, England Barbara Follett: The 2005 list rateable values and the Number of lettings 2010 draft list rateable values for all properties in England and Wales are shown on the VOA website: 1997-98 13,600 www.voa.gov.uk 1998-99 13,900 1999-2000 13,700 Wind Power: Market Harborough 2000-01 13,300 2001-02 13,300 Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for 2002-03 14,900 Communities and Local Government what assessment 2003-04 14,100 has been made of the scale of hazard presented by the 2004-05 14,400 erection of wind turbines in proximity to the high 2005-06 13,200 pressure gas distribution pipe line by HM Prison 2006-07 11,800 Gartree near Market Harborough. [298282] 2007-08 12,100 Mr. Ian Austin: Where a planning authority is considering 2008-09 13,000 a planning application for wind turbines an assessment Notes: would be made by the planning authority as part of 1. Only registered social landlords with less than 250 stock are required to complete CORE. their determination of the planning application. 2. Figures are reported from 1 April to 31 March.. 3. Mutual exchanges are not included. Wind Power: Planning Permission 4. Figures include lettings general needs and supported housing. Source: Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Continuous Recording of Lettings Communities and Local Government what guidance he The number of lettings by local authorities to tenants has provided to planning authorities considering transferring from a social housing dwelling in another applications to erect wind turbines on requirements not local authority area are provided in Table 2. Figures for to introduce unacceptable hazards to local previous years are not available for local authorities. communities. [298265] 2008-09 figures will be available in December/January. Mr. Ian Austin: We have set out a comprehensive Table 2: Lettings to local authority tenants transferring from a social housing framework of national planning policy and guidance dwelling in another local authority area, 2007-08, England on renewable energy which includes our Planning Policy Number of lettings Statements (PPS) on climate change and renewable 2007-08 2,800 energy. This is in addition to the body of guidance for 1. Figures are reported from 1 April to 31March. planning authorities on handling planning applications 2. Mutual exchanges are not included. that will also be relevant to proposals to erect wind 3. Figures include lettings general needs and supported housing. Source: turbines. The companion guide supporting the PPS on Continuous Recording of Lettings, Cambridge weighted method 2007/08 renewable energy provides detailed advice to planning 289W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 290W authorities on the issues that might arise in considering Service provides face to face contact in a customer’s applications for wind turbines including on matters home giving a holistic service which covers full benefit relating to safety. entitlement discussions and provides help with completion of benefit applications. SOLICITOR-GENERAL To raise older people’s awareness of what is available to them Local Service joins up a wide range of services Offences against Children: Internet by working in partnership with local authorities and voluntary organisations; increasingly through integrated Margaret Moran: To ask the Solicitor-General teams. Through this local partnership working, these whether guidance is provided to the Crown Prosecution teams also provide benefit entitlement take-up activity Service on the relationship between viewing online and benefit advice information sessions within care and child abuse images and child abuse. [298912] residential homes. The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service Crisis Loans (CPS) publishes legal guidance for prosecutors on the prosecution of offences involving child abuse, and indecent images of children. I can confirm that the child abuse Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work guidance makes reference to offences relating to indecent and Pensions (1) how many and what proportion of images of children. The guidance is available on the calls made to crisis loan application lines at each CPS’s website: benefit delivery centre were answered in each of the last six months; and if she will make a statement; [298851] www.cps.gov.uk (2) how many and what proportion of calls made to Margaret Moran: To ask the Solicitor-General how crisis loan application lines which were answered after much and what proportion of the budget of the Law a wait of (a) under one minute, (b) between one and Officers’ Departments for 2009-10 has been allocated two minutes, (c) between two and three minutes, to the prosecution of offences of viewing online images (d) between three and four minutes, (e) between four of child abuse; and if she will make a statement. and five minutes, (f) between five and six minutes and [298913] (g) over six minutes. [298852] The Solicitor-General: Although the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is able to identify the number of offences Helen Goodman: The administration of Jobcentre of possessing an indecent photograph of a child and of Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre making an indecent photograph of a child which proceeded Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked the acting chief executive to a first hearing, it is not possible to identify from CPS to provide the hon. Member with the information requested. sources how many of these offences related to online Letter from Mel Groves: images and how many to images in other media. The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions It is also not possible to assess how much the CPS asking how many and what proportion of calls made to crisis spends on prosecuting offences of viewing online child loan application lines at each benefit delivery centre were answered in each of the last six months and how many and what proportion abuse images generally. of calls made to crisis loan application lines were answered after a CPS areas are allocated budgets taking into account wait of (a) under one minute, (b) between one and two minutes, their overall caseload and other pressures. The budget (c) between two and three minutes, (d) between three and four allocation process does not seek to assess caseload at a minutes, (e) between four and five minutes, (f) between five and detailed level in terms of individual offences. six minutes and (g) over six minutes. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. WORK AND PENSIONS The following tables provide information on the total number and proportion of calls to Crisis loan application lines answered Benefit Rules: Care homes at each Jobcentre Plus Benefit Delivery Centre and Contact Centre Directorate in each of the last six months. David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will take steps to ensure that A breakdown of the total number and proportion of calls to Crisis Loan application lines answered within each time interval residents of care homes have regular access to benefits is not available. [297138] and pension advice from her Department. The average waiting time for Crisis Loan customers during the Jonathan Shaw [holding answer 2 November 2009]: first 6 months of the operational year (since April 2009) was 11 The Pension Disability and Carers Service operates minutes and 40 seconds. Average wait times have shown significant improvement in recent weeks, falling to under 6 minutes by the Local Service, a visiting arm, working in local communities start of October 2009. During October, Jobcentre Plus has consistently to support vulnerable customers who cannot access the answered over 80% of Crisis Loan calls offered and will continue Department’s services through the other routes. Local to strive towards further improvements.

Annex A: Jobcentre Plus crisis loans telephony performance, by site, April to June Calls answered April May June Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage

CCD Virtual Network 118,272 68.6 165,750 68.5 183,624 71.6

Basildon BDC 4,396 83.3 5,969 77.7 5,742 80.7 Bradford East BDC 2,621 75.2 3,894 77.2 3,912 77.3 291W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 292W

Annex A: Jobcentre Plus crisis loans telephony performance, by site, April to June Calls answered April May June Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage

Bristol BDC 5,784 41.4 11,525 56.7 12,333 74.7 Chesterfield Beetwell House JCP 2,956 82.7 4,237 82.9 3,106 77.5 Chorlton BDC 3,029 73.4 3,626 72.2 2,980 69.7 Glasgow Springburn BDC 8,865 77.5 10,360 71.8 8,957 73.9 Inverness 4,864 79.2 7,014 72.9 6,418 73.1 Liverpool Belle Vale 14,613 83.4 21,047 89.3 20,586 88.2 Llanelli 2,242 69.8 2,679 66.4 2,636 64.7 London SF (Ilford and Balham) 15,602 83.0 22,227 83.2 24,381 83.3 Milton Keynes BDC 7,041 77.6 9,380 75.5 9,806 76.4 Newcastle BDC 4,582 70.6 6,352 77.9 6,738 69.6 Newport BDC 5,234 78.5 6,993 78.3 6,672 76.2 Norwich BDC 4,016 79.6 5,684 81.7 5,507 80.8 Nottingham BDC 2,791 79.4 2,939 70.1 2,372 65.7 Perry Barr BDC 7,312 80.0 7,689 73.5 8,033 78.5 Sheffield BDC 5,622 69.2 8,120 71.3 9,142 74.4 Stockton BDC 2,720 70.5 3,728 67.3 3,657 66.7 Sunderland BDC 3,988 84.5 4,997 80.7 5,102 79.6

Jobcentre Plus total 226,550 71.6 314,210 71.8 331,704 74.2

Annex B: Jobcentre Plus crisis loans telephony performance, by site, July to September Calls answered July August September Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage

CCD Virtual Network 248,822 75.1 203,368 72.0 235,724 80.6

Basildon BDC 4,896 71.7 4,964 83.1 4,560 82.5 Bradford East BDC 4,429 78.6 3,042 79.0 2,822 79.9 Bristol BDC 16,743 76.2 13,957 78.7 16,072 81.5 Chesterfield Beetwell House JCP 4,188 81.9 2,588 80.1 2,531 85.4 Chorlton BDC 5,339 77.6 4,509 79.5 3,563 78.6 Glasgow Springburn BDC 14,219 82.1 13,502 85.5 14,514 82.5 Inverness 8,102 69.9 6,533 65.8 6,075 67.7 Liverpool Belle Vale 27,245 90.7 20,428 93.0 20,190 90.9 Llanelli 2,651 66.2 2,270 71.3 2,062 69.8 London SF (Ilford and Balham) 29,221 85.0 21,996 87.2 23,931 87.1 Milton Keynes BDC 12,686 79.3 10,111 76.5 8,564 78.4 Newcastle BDC 9,273 82.9 7,300 83.4 7,247 83.3 Newport BDC 7,903 79.5 5,906 79.6 5,693 78.5 Norwich BDC 6,344 78.8 4,724 77.0%5,174 81.5 Nottingham BDC 2,776 67.6 2,126 65.7 1,981 87.8 Perry Barr BDC 10,096 81.4 9,593 85.6 9,003 71.7 Sheffield BDC 10,694 75.1 8,006 78.2 8,765 75.1 Stockton BDC 4,742 67.8 5,037 81.6 5,711 82.8 Sunderland BDC 5,760 82.0 5,380 84.4 7,246 84.0

Jobcentre Plus total 436,129 77.2 355,340 76.0 391,425 81.0

Annex C: Jobcentre Plus crisis loans telephony performance, by site, total for Annex C: Jobcentre Plus crisis loans telephony performance, by site, total for April to September April to September Calls answered Calls answered Number Percentage Number Percentage

CCD Virtual Network 1,155,560 73.3 Glasgow Springburn 70,417 79.4 BDC Inverness 39,006 70.9 Basildon BDC 30,527 79.5 Liverpool Belle Vale 124,109 89.5 Bradford East BDC 20,720 77.9 Llanelli 14,540 67.8 Bristol BDC 76,414 69.3 London SF (Ilford and 137,358 84.9 Chesterfield Beetwell 19,606 81.7 Balham) House JCP Milton Keynes BDC 57,588 77.3 Chorlton BDC 23,046 75.5 Newcastle BDC 41,492 78.3 293W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 294W

Annex C: Jobcentre Plus crisis loans telephony performance, by site, total for 2005-06 and 2006-07: April to September http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/ Calls answered cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/ Number Percentage 70726m0004.htm#07072644000046 Newport BDC 38,401 78.4 2007-08: Norwich BDC 31,449 79.9 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/ Nottingham BDC 14,985 71.6 cmhansrd/cm080722/wmstext/ Perry Barr BDC 51,726 78.4 80722m0008.htm#08072253000045 Sheffield BDC 50,349 74.1 2008-09: Stockton BDC 25,595 73.2 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/ Sunderland BDC 32,473 82.5 cmhansrd/cm090716/wmstext/ 90716m0009.htm#09071651000059 Jobcentre Plus total 2,055,358 75.6 The figures provided should be read in the context of Note: All figures represent crisis loans telephony performance between 20 a Department of over 100,000 staff operating from over April 2009, the first date for which comprehensive MI was available and 2 October 2009. 1,000 locations across Great Britain. Departmental Air Travel It is also worth noting that the increase in car hire expenditure has been more than offset by a reduction in ‘grey fleet’ mileage and expenditure. The reduction in Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work such mileage from 2007-08 to 2008-09 was 8.8 million and Pensions how many first class flights were taken by miles, representing a £3.6 million reduction in expenditure. each Minister in her Department in 2008-09; and what Travel by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken the (a) origin, (b) destination and (c) cost was of in accordance with the “Ministerial Code” and the each such flight. [298915] “Civil Service Management Code”. Jim Knight: There were no official first-class flights taken by DWP Ministers during 2008-09. Departmental Sick Leave DWP policy is that regardless of grade and length/ duration of journey, first-class tickets should not be Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for purchased. Work and Pensions how many sick days have been taken by staff of her Department in each of the last Departmental Public Expenditure five years; and what the cost of such absences was in each such year. [290411] Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much her Department spent Jim Knight: The available information is in the following on (a) car hire, (b) train travel, (c) air travel, table. The figures reflect data currently recorded on the (d) hotels and (e) restaurant meals for (i) Ministers Department’s personnel computer system. and (ii) staff in her Department in each of the last five The Department has reduced the number of days years. [289973] sick leave taken by its staff to 8.5 days per staff year, resulting in a cut of sick pay as a proportion of total Jim Knight: The information is not available in the salary from 3 per cent. to 2 per cent. in three years. format requested. Separate information on restaurant Further reducing sickness absence and its associated meals is not available. Such information as is available is cost is a top priority for the Department. in the following tables. Total expenditure Sick days as a percentage of £ million Sick days taken working days Cost of absences Car hire Rail Air Hotel by staff available (£ million)

2004-05 n/a 14.0 4.7 12.0 2008-09 849,448 3.95 59.8 2005-06 n/a 15.6 4.7 12.3 2007-08 1,052,557 4.48 75.1 2006-07 1.5 15.6 3.1 11.5 2006-07 1,256,157 4.39 90.5 2007-08 1.5 17.6 3.8 11.6 2005-06 1,335,694 4.25 n/a 2008-09 2.3 19.8 3.5 12.3 2004-05 1,702,691 5.05 n/a n/a = Not available. Notes: 1. The cost of absences shown is the total amount of salary paid during Ministerial expenditure periods of sick leave. 2. Cost data for 2004-05 and 2005-06 were not available centrally and could be calculated only at disproportionate costs. £ Car hire Rail Air Hotel Departmental Visits Abroad 2007-08 0 17,530 30,115 1,631 2008-09 0 21,426 32,947 1,936 David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for n/a = Not available. Work and Pensions how much her Department spent Information is not available for Ministers prior to on overnight accommodation for (a) Ministers and 2007-08. (b) officials while overseas in each of the last three Expenditure relating to the use of the Government years. [294682] Car Service is not included in the figures quoted above. Information about the cost of ministerial cars is published Jim Knight: The Department for Work and Pensions each year in a written ministerial statement. The relevant spent the following amounts on overnight accommodation information can be found at the following links: for staff while overseas in each of the last three years: 295W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 296W

England Hotel (£) Number of fuel poor Percentage of all households (Million) households April 2006 to March 2007 83,263 April 2007 to March 2008 112,427 2006 2.4 11.5 April 2008 to March 2009 166,821 2007 2.8 13.2 1 Estimates of the total number of households for 1998 and 2002 are not The information for Ministers is not available in the available on a consistent basis with other years. format requested. Travel by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Housing Benefit Service Management Code respectively and the Cabinet Office provides the annual list of overseas travel over Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of £500 undertaken by Ministers. The 2008-09 list was State for Work and Pensions what steps her published on 16 July and can be viewed at: Department is taking to ensure that local housing http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ allowance claimants pass their local housing allowance ministers/travel_gifts.aspx on to their landlords; and if she will make a statement. [299092] Disadvantaged: Merkinch Helen Goodman: Safeguards are in place that enable Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for local authorities to make payments of the local housing Work and Pensions how much the Highland ward of allowance to landlords in circumstances where tenants Merkinch received from the deprived areas funding are likely to have difficulty in managing their rent 2008-09; and how much it is expected to receive in payments. In addition, payment is made direct to the 2009-10. [297820] landlord where the tenant is in arrears of eight weeks or more. Jim Knight: For the period 2008-09, the Highland We are satisfied that these safeguards will ensure that ward of Merkinch received £24,000 of deprived areas customers do not fall into unmanageable difficulties funding. For the period 2009-10, negotiations are ongoing and that their rental payments will be met. The Department with a provider and as yet no money has been allocated. is closely monitoring how the local housing allowance is working in practice and is undertaking a wide ranging Fuel Poverty review of the scheme over its first two years.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion Housing Benefit: Council Tax Benefit of households have been living in fuel poverty in (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and (b) England Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Work in each year since 1997. [297570] and Pensions how many single parent households were in receipt of (a) housing and (b) council tax benefit in Mr. Kidney: I have been asked to reply. each year since 1997. [297281] The most recently available fuel poverty statistics relate to 2007. Helen Goodman: The available information is shown Regional data are available from 2003 only.The following in the following table. table shows the figures for Yorkshire and the Humber Number of single parent households receiving housing benefit/council tax region: benefit: Great Britain, May 1997 to May 2003 Number of single parent Number of single parent Yorkshire and the Humber households receiving housing households receiving council Number of fuel poor Percentage of all benefit tax benefit households (Thousand) households May 1997 954,000 978,000 2003 180 8.6 May 1998 933,000 944,000 2004 163 7.7 May 1999 919,000 923,000 2005 169 8.0 May 2000 851,000 841,000 2006 273 12.7 May 2001 798,000 786,000 2007 333 15.5 May 2002 775,000 761,000 The following table shows fuel poverty estimates for May 2003 803,000 823,000 Notes: England from 1996 to 2007. Fuel poverty figures are 1. The figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a not available for 1997, 1999 and 2000. degree of sampling variation. 2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand. England 3. Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases. Number of fuel poor Percentage of all 4. Council tax benefit figures exclude second adult rebates. households (Million) households 5. These figures are published on the Department’s website at http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/hb_ctb/hbctb_arc.asp 1996 5.1 25.0 6. Figures for May 2004 are unavailable as they are currently being revised. 19981 3.4 — 7. From February 2007, DWP has been collecting more detailed HB/CTB data electronically from local authorities, and a range of tables has been published as 2001 1.7 8.1 national statistics since August 2009. However, until more of the new data have 20021 1.4 — been fully quality assured to national statistics standards, some detail is only 2003 1.2 5.9 available from the 1 per cent. sample data. Source: 2004 1.2 5.9 Housing benefit and council tax benefit management information system, 2005 1.5 7.2 annual 1 per cent. sample, taken in May 1997-2003. 297W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 298W

Incapacity Benefit Number of claimants of employment and support allowance in the Norwich North constituency at the end of February 2009 Number Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people resident in February 2009 270 (a) England, (b) the North East, (c) Tees Valley and Notes: i. The end of February 2009 is the latest date for which Employment and (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Support Allowance claimant figures are available. constituency have received incapacity benefit in each Source: year since 1997. [297198] Department for Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study. Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance expenditure for Great Britain Jonathan Shaw: The information requested is in the and the Norwich North constituency table. £ million, nominal terms £ million, 2009-10 prices Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance claimants at February in each Great Norwich Great Norwich year since 1997 Britain North Britain North Middlesbrough 1997-98 8,411.1 10.4 11,036.5 13.6 South and Tees Valley East 1998-99 8,234.8 10.6 10,580.2 13.6 As at Jobcentre Cleveland 1999-00 7,796.3 10.6 9,823.7 13.4 February England North East Plus District constituency 2000-01 7,780.4 10.7 9,676.7 13.3 1997 2,233,600 196,000 46,300 6,200 2001-02 7,788.7 11.1 9,475.8 13.5 1998 2,214,600 191,700 44,600 6,000 2002-03 7,715.6 11.0 9,093.7 13.0 1999 2,168,700 185,700 44,000 5,500 2003-04 7,660.2 10.9 8,778.2 12.5 2000 2,156,060 184,210 43,880 5,710 2004-05 7,580.4 11.2 8,456.7 12.5 2001 2,214,930 188,610 45,180 5,960 2005-06 7,550.1 11.3 8,253.9 12.4 2002 2,217,260 187,910 44,860 5,870 2006-07 7,469.7 11.2 7,948.4 11.9 2003 2,247,980 188,790 45,870 6,040 2007-08 7,556.5 11.5 7,822.9 11.9 2004 2,256,210 185,660 45,470 5,990 2008-09 7,403.6 11.5 7,477.6 11.6 2005 2,246,460 180,030 44,940 5,940 Notes: i. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred thousand. 2006 2,209,710 172,910 43,450 5,820 ii. Figures converted to 2009-10 prices using GDP deflators published by HM 2007 2,180,870 166,790 41,920 5,630 Treasury at Budget 2009 2008 2,151,910 159,850 45,550 5,410 iii. Nominal figures represent actual expenditure and 2009-10 prices represent what the expenditure is worth in today’s prices. 2009 2,002,400 144,530 37,010 4,950 Source: Notes: Department for Work and Pensions Statistical and Accounting Data 1. Tees Valley Jobcentre Plus district is comprised of the following local authorities: Darlington; Hartlepool; Middlesbrough; Redcar and Cleveland; Employment and support allowance expenditure for Great Britain and the Stockton. Norwich North constituency 2. Employment and support allowance replaced incapacity benefit and income £ million, nominal terms £ million, 2009-10 prices support paid on the grounds of incapacity for new claims from 27 October 2008. Great Norwich Great Norwich 3. These data do not include claimants of employment and support allowance. Britain North Britain North Source: Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate: Work and Pensions 2008-09 127.3 n/a 128.6 n/a Longitudinal Study 5 per cent. and 100 per cent. data. n/a = Not available Notes: Incapacity Benefit: Norwich i. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred thousand. ii. Figures converted to 2009-10 prices using GDP deflators published by HM Treasury at Budget 2009. Chloe Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work iii. Nominal figures represent actual expenditure and 2009-10 prices represent what the expenditure is worth in today’s prices. and Pensions how many claimants of incapacity Source: benefit (IB) there were in Norwich North constituency Department for Work and Pensions Statistical and Accounting Data in (a) 1997 and (b) 2007; how many claimants of employment and support allowance (ESA) in the Industrial Diseases: Compensation constituency there are now; and how much has been spent on (i) IB in each year between 1997 and 2008 and (ii) ESA since it was introduced. [296158] Mr. Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims for osteoarthritis of the Jonathan Shaw: The available information is in the knee have been received from coal miners and former tables. coal miners since osteoarthritis of the knee became a prescribed industrial disease; how many have resulted Number of claimants of incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance in the Norwich North constituency at the end of February 1997 and February 2007 in an award of industrial injury disablement benefit; Number and how many have resulted in an appeal to a medical appeal tribunal. [295708] February 1997 3,900 February 2007 3,980 Jonathan Shaw [holding answer 28 October 2009]: Notes: The most recent available information is that 25,247 i. The total number of incapacity benefit claimants is collected for each quarter. Some individuals are claimants for more than one quarter and would be claims have been received for osteoarthritis of the knee counted more than once if the figures for all four quarters were added together. since the condition was added to the list of prescribed Therefore the figures provided show the number of claimants there were at the industrial diseases on 13 July 2009. end of February for 1997 and 2007 ii. Figures from 1997 have been rounded to the nearest 100. At this early stage, 3,411 claims have been processed, iii. Figures from 2007 have been rounded to the nearest 10. of which 858 have received an award of industrial Source: Department for Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, 5 per cent. and 100 per injuries disablement benefit, or an increase of industrial cent. data. injuries disablement benefit. 299W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 300W

113 appeals have been received; it is not possible to Ratio of personal advisers to jobseeker’s allowance claimants by each region in specify how many of these are appeals on medical England, Wales and Scotland in May, June and July 2009 grounds. Ratio of jobseeker’s allowance claimants to staff Government We are currently looking into arrangements to publish office region May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 this information as official statistics. Scotland 126.5 116.6 114.6 Industrial Injuries: Mining South East 167.5 160.8 156.5 South West 156.3 141.0 130.4 Sir Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 148.9 141.1 127.7 Work and Pensions if she will bring forward legislative West Midlands 164.5 157.2 153.5 proposals to extend to (a) those who have been Yorkshire and the 162.3 141.2 134.1 Humber employed to maintain or repair boilers and (b) others Notes: in occupations which involve working in confined 1. Figures for Jobcentre Plus staff relate to Jobcentre Plus staff as a whole and spaces, the provisions which relate to industrial injuries not those deployed against jobseeker’s allowance customers/claims. 2. Ratio of jobseeker’s allowance claimants to staff are rounded to one decimal disablement benefit for those coal miners diagnosed place. with osteoarthritis of the knee. [297184] Sources: DWP WPLS 100 per cent. data and Jobcentre Plus Human Resources. Jonathan Shaw: The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council The table shows a level of variation across the country (IIAC) is the scientific body with the statutory role of between personal advisers and jobseeker’s allowance advising Ministers on the list of prescribed diseases customers. This is to be expected and is due to variations under the Industrial Injures Disablement Benefit scheme, in the Jobcentre Plus operating model. The level of use and in particular which diseases and occupations should of external providers is an example. Variations in other be prescribed for industrial injuries disablement benefit adviser work loads not directly linked to the jobseeker’s purposes. allowance claimant count will be another factor. IIAC, through its research working group and scientific adviser, continually reviews the current scientific literature Jobcentre Plus: Training to see if the necessary level of proof may have become available with regard to diseases and occupations not Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Work currently included or if further consideration is required and Pensions what training is provided to Jobcentre in respect of those already listed. Plus staff to make medical assessments on individuals’ IIAC will revisit any subject if new, sound and consistent fitness for work; and what criteria are used for such scientific evidence becomes available, and will be happy assessments. [293626] to receive any such evidence. The Government will give careful consideration to any advice the council may Jim Knight: Jobcentre Plus staff do not undertake provide, and consider legislative proposals in the light formal medical assessments on individuals’ fitness for of that advice. work. Jobcentre Plus: Manpower Medical services was outsourced to a private company in 1998. The current medical service contractor is Atos Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Healthcare Medical Services. and Pensions what the ratio of personal advisers to Atos Healthcare Medical Services carry out the work jobseeker’s allowance claimants in (a) the UK and capability assessment as part of the process of deciding (b) each region of England, (c) Wales, (d) Scotland entitlement to employment and support allowance. They and (e) Northern Ireland has been in each month since provide medical evidence which is used by Jobcentre May 2009; and if she will make a statement. [294033] Plus Decision Makers, in addition to any other medical evidence supplied by the customer, in order to determine Jim Knight: Jobcentre Plus manages its work force in entitlement to benefit. a way that makes direct comparison between headcount and work load difficult in each geographic region. For Jobseekers Allowance example, adviser functions will also include non-jobseeker’s allowance customers like those in receipt of incapacity Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for benefit, and employment and support allowance. Work and Pensions what the reasons are for the lower Available information, for Great Britain only, is shown levels of jobseeker’s allowance for people who are in the following table. (a) single and under the age of 24 and (b) lone parents Information regarding Northern Ireland is a matter under the age of 18. [293040] for the Northern Ireland Office. Ratio of personal advisers to jobseeker’s allowance claimants by each region in Jim Knight: Jobseeker’s Allowance is paid at a lower England, Wales and Scotland in May, June and July 2009 rate to single people under 25 as the majority of 16 to Ratio of jobseeker’s allowance claimants to staff 24 year-olds do not live independently and may legitimately Government be regarded as having lower living costs than those aged office region May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 25 and over. In addition, lower benefit rates for young East 177.2 156.9 146.5 people reflect the realities of the labour market where East Midlands 174.8 155.2 144.9 earnings tend to increase with age. It is vital that benefit London 139.0 132.4 128.7 rates do not erode work incentives for this age group. North East 130.2 121.6 115.9 Similar considerations also apply to lone parents North West 135.6 127.1 120.6 under the age of 18. 301W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 302W

Jobseeker’s Allowance: Employment Schemes Local Housing Allowance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 26 October and Pensions what estimate she has made of the 2009, Official Report, column 160W, on jobseeker’s number of local housing allowance recipients who are allowance: employment schemes, whether work trials in receipt of the local housing allowance rate for a five are undertaken with employers which are not offering bedroom property; and what the rate for a five full-time positions; and if she will make a statement. bedroom property is in each (a) local authority area [297381] and (b) broad market rental area. [298870]

Jim Knight: To be eligible for a work trial the vacancy Helen Goodman [holding answer 9 November 2009]: has to be for at least 16 hours per week and the hours Information on the number of local housing allowance worked during the trial period must reflect those of the recipients in receipt of the local housing allowance for a vacancy. We seek assurance from the employer on these five bedroom property is not available. points but we do not keep data on the actual number of Details of local housing allowance rates for broad weekly hours of each trial. rental market areas and local authorities, including the rate for a five bedroom property, is available publicly at https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk Jobseeker’s Allowance: North West This information is updated by the Valuation Office Agency each month. Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average duration of a Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Work jobseeker’s allowance claim was in each local authority and Pensions (1) how many people in receipt of area in the North West in each of the last (a) 12 housing allowance are in rent arrears; [299163] months and (b) five years. [296438] (2) what percentage of people in receipt of (a) rent allowance and (b) housing benefit are in rent arrears. Jim Knight: The available information has been placed [299164] in the Library. Helen Goodman: The information is not available. Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of Mesothelioma: Death jobseeker’s allowance claimants in (a) total and (b) each local authority area in the North West had previously applied unsuccessfully for employment Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work support allowance. [296440] and Pensions how many people have died from mesothelioma in (a) South Tyneside, (b) the North Jim Knight: The information is not available. East and (c) the UK in each year since 2006. [298398]

Jonathan Shaw: The following table shows the number Local Government Services of mesothelioma deaths for South Tyneside, the north-east and for the United Kingdom for 2006 and 2007 (the latest year for which data are available). Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what her Department’s policy is on Number participating in the Total Place initiative with local 20061 20071 councils. [298441] South Tyneside 10 8 Jonathan Shaw: DWP’s policy is to support the Total North East 118 136 Place initiative with local councils and to participate in United Kingdom 2,108 2,192 1 Provisional. the pilots, in particular those with a focus on DWP’s Sources: 1. Health and Safety Executive; British Mesothelioma Register. business areas. DWP has put in place appropriate systems 2. Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland; deaths recorded as to respond to Total Place and DWP Ministers and mesothelioma as primary or secondary cause of death. officials participate in cross-Whitehall governance arrangements. DWP commits to look at the proposals New Deal Schemes that emerge from the Total Place pilots. Brief background Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Area initiatives and strategy division co-ordinate the Total and Pensions how many people who have received Place work within DWP. assistance through New Deal schemes to undertake Mark Fisher is the Whitehall Champion for the Bradford Total voluntary work or training subsequently entered Place pilot. employment lasting five weeks or longer. [294060] Relevant DWP directors are meeting with Mark Fisher on the 11 November to consider the emerging proposals from the Jim Knight: The information is not held in the exact Total Place pilots. format requested. However the first table shows the The DWP working group on Total Place meets monthly and number of people (in thousands) who have left the new membership consists of officials from across the Department deal for young people, from periods of voluntary work and JCP. or training, up to the latest date for which figures are 303W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 304W available. The second table shows the number of people In 2008-09 a total of £1,734,314.07 was paid directly (in thousands) who have left the new deal 25 Plus, from to the 24 local authorities involved in the second phase periods of training, up to the latest date for which of pilots. This second phase of piloting is due to come figures are available. to an end in December 2009.

Full-time Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations Last activity under new deal for education/ young people Voluntary sector training Mr. Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work New deal leavers—destination was 29.39 41.34 and Pensions how many medical examinations for sustained work benefit claimants have taken place outside the 13 week New deal leavers—destination was 1.20 1.71 assessment phase in the last two years. [295574] employment and benefits New deal leavers—destination was 11.60 16.44 benefits Jonathan Shaw: The 13-week assessment phase is Other new deal leavers—(including 17.44 31.86 relevant only for employment and support allowance destination unknown) claims and work capability assessments. Therefore this response is based on data from 27 October 2008 when Last activity under new deal 25 plus Training employment and support allowance was introduced.

New deal leavers—destination was sustained 15.02 Between October 2008 and April 2009 the number of work work capability assessments where time from claim New deal leavers—destination was 0.57 start to ATOS advice given was greater than 13 weeks employment and benefits was 113,700. New deal leavers—destination was benefits 12.19 Customers are able to backdate claims to before they Other new deal leavers—(including 12.85 destination unknown) first contact Jobcentre Plus to initiate their claim and Notes: backdating was on average two weeks for incapacity 1. Figures are displayed in thousands, and rounded to the nearest 10. benefit and it is expected that this will be the same for 2. The destination from new deal is measured within two weeks of leaving new employment and support allowance. Therefore, the figures deal, using information from the Work and Pensions longitudinal study (WPLS). above show the technical time between when the claim 3. The latest available information is to February 2009. was made and the completed work capability assessment, 4. A sustained job is defined as a job from which a participant does not return but the true time that Jobcentre Plus and ATOS have to to jobseeker’s allowance within 13 weeks. 5. The total for new deal 25 plus training includes those people whose last work cases may be shorter. activity on new deal 25 plus was recorded as ‘Basic Employability Training/ A more accurate reflection of the time taken to pass Basic Skills’, ‘IAP Training’ or ‘Education and Training Opportunities’. The new deal for young people and new deal 25 plus are the only schemes which through the different parts of the process would be have the options stage. determined by taking into account additional factors, Source: such as the time taken to return paperwork, whether a Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate. The figures are available at http://research/dwp.gov.uk/asd/tabtool.asp claimant’s condition can be assessed on paper-based evidence alone, whether additional evidence is required and whether a claimant attends their initial appointment Social Security Benefits or it has to be re-scheduled. This information is not currently available but would provide a fuller answer. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when she plans to respond to Mr. Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Question 291499, on social security benefits, tabled on and Pensions what the average waiting time was for a 9 October 2009. [297540] medical examination for claimants of employment support allowance in the latest period for which Jim Knight: I replied to the hon. Member’s question information is available. [295575] number 291449 on social security benefits on 2 November 2009, Official Report, column 733W. Jonathan Shaw: The latest reliable cohort of employment and support allowance claims were for claims starting in April 2009. We use this cohort to estimate timings for Social Security Benefits: Fraud different parts of the assessment process. Of assessments completed for the April 2009 cohort Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for of employment and support allowance claims, the average Work and Pensions what the monetary cost to her time from claim start to the date ATOS advice was Department has been of implementing voice risk provided to Jobcentre Plus is 96 days. analysis technology for the detection of benefit fraud Customers are able to backdate claims to before they in each year since its introduction. [293866] first contact Jobcentre Plus to initiate their claim and backdating was on average two weeks for incapacity Jim Knight [holding answer 20 October 2009]: The benefit and it is expected that this will be the same for Department has not yet introduced voice risk analysis employment and support allowance. Therefore, the figures technology, but it has been running pilots to test the above show the technical time between when the claim effectiveness of the technology since 2007-08. was made and the completed work capability assessment, In 2007-08 a total of £460,000 was paid directly to but the true time that Jobcentre Plus and ATOS have to the seven local authorities piloting voice risk analysis, work cases may be shorter. and £240,333 was spent within the Department for A more accurate reflection of the time taken to pass Work and Pensions for a pilot conducted in Jobcentre through the different parts of the process would be Plus. determined by taking into account additional factors, 305W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 306W such as the time taken to return paperwork, whether a when they, or their partner, start remunerative work claimant’s condition can be assessed on paper-based expected to last at least five weeks. The customer must evidence alone, whether additional evidence is required have been in receipt of mortgage/home loan interest or and whether a claimant attends their initial appointment other eligible housing costs before starting work and or it has to be re-scheduled. This information is not remain liable to make such payments. currently available but would provide a fuller answer. At adviser discretion, eligible customers can be considered for an Advisor Discretion Fund award to State Retirement Pensions cover transitional costs associated with starting work, for example, travel costs, work clothes and tools, and Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work up-front childcare costs for lone parents for the first two and Pensions if she will estimate the cost to the weeks of employment. Exchequer of the payment of the basic state pension to In Work Credit is an incentive designed to help lone (a) all those reaching the state retirement age in parents, and both lone and couple parents in the New (b) (c) (d) 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15. Deal Plus for Lone Parent pilot areas, to make the [298854] transition from welfare in to full time work and is paid for a maximum of 52 weeks. This is tax-free and payable Angela Eagle: The requested information is not available. on top of any other in-work benefits and tax credits to Public expenditure plans only cover the period to which the lone parent may be entitled. 2010-11, and long-term expenditure projections beyond that period are currently being updated. It offers a payment of £40 per week, or £60 per week in the London Districts, and is payable to eligible lone Final spending plans for departmental expenditure parents (and both lone and couple parents in the New limit (DEL) will be set in relation to the final annually Deal plus for lone Parent pilot areas) who move into managed expenditure (AME) forecast at the time of the work of more than 16 hours per week, or 24 hours or next spending review, so that both DEL and AME are more for a partner of a Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income contained within the constraints set out for total public Support customer in the London districts. sector current expenditure and public sector net investment. That AME forecast will depend on both the latest Through the childcare subsidy, lone parents can claim economic assumptions, and also on the whole policy help with the costs for registered childcare whilst they framework, reflecting the government’s key choices over are working less than 16 hours a week up to a maximum spending priorities. It is therefore not sensible to release of £87.50 per week for one child or £150 per week for any partial views of AME components or any other two or more children for up to 52 weeks if the job: DEL or AME allocations until we have been through complies with employment legislation; is for up to 16 hours the spending review process. a week; is waged employment (not voluntary work or work experience); is expected to last for at least five Updated long-term expenditure projections are scheduled weeks and is undertaken on the recommendation of a to be published with the pre-Budget report 2009, at personal adviser, as part of an agreed action plan for which time the requested information should become return to the labour market. available. Childcare assist is available to all New Deal for Lone Unemployment Benefits Parents and New Deal for Partners participants. It allows for the payment of formal or approved childcare for up to five days in the week immediately before the Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work parent starts work. It also leaves them free to undertake and Pensions whether her Department plans to provide activities required in preparation for starting work, transitional payments to jobseekers who have found without the worry of arranging childcare. Childcare work; and if she will make a statement. [298191] Assist also helps, through financial support, with the transition from welfare to work. Jim Knight: The Government offer a comprehensive package of transitional payments, through Jobcentre The return to work credit is a work incentive to Plus, to support customers returning to work after encourage customers to move into work from incapacity claiming benefits. benefits or employment support allowance. The return to work credit offers eligible customers, who find work Job Grants are paid automatically to customers who of at least 16 hours a week, and where certain other are leaving benefit after a continuous period of 26 weeks eligibility conditions are satisfied, a weekly payment of and are starting a job that is expected to last at least five £40 for up to 52 weeks if their gross annual earnings are weeks and is for at least 16 hours per week, or 24 hours below £15,000. for partners. There are two rates of payment, £100 for single customers and couples without children and £250 for The Rapid Response Service helps employers lone parents and couples with children. support their employees faced with redundancy to Housing benefit and council tax benefit run on is swiftly find alternative work. The Rapid Response available for the first four weeks in work, to customers Service funding is available to plug gaps in existing who have been claiming a specified benefit continuously provision and overcome immediate barriers to finding for 26 weeks or more when they, or their partner, start work. remunerative work expected to last at least five weeks. On an ad hoc basis and according to the particular For homeowners, mortgage interest run on (MIRO) barriers faced by an individual, funding for such things is available for the first four weeks in work, to customers as travel and childcare costs can continue for a short in receipt of a qualifying benefit for 26 weeks or more period after someone finds work. 307W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 308W

Vacancies in the UK and is seasonally adjusted, whereas the Jobcentre Plus data is administrative data that is subject Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for to a high level of seasonality. In addition, there are Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of coverage issues, with the Vacancy Survey covering only vacancies were advertised in job centres in each of the civilian vacancies and excluding agriculture, forestry last six months for which figures are available. [290709] and fishing, whereas the Jobcentre Plus data includes non-civilian vacancies. Both measures are snap-shots of Jim Knight [holding answer 9 September 2009]: Available the number of opportunities available at a particular information is shown in the following tables. point in time and do not reflect the dynamism of the labour market that sees thousands of new job vacancies Number of job vacancies in Great Britain advertised by Jobcentre Plus in each of the last six months come up every day. 2009 Live unfilled vacancies Vetting: Young People February 238,554 March 231,908 Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for April 212,718 Work and Pensions what assessment she made of the May 217,700 effect on the employment prospects of young June 211,378 jobseekers of spent convictions for minor cautions July 205,457 being disclosed during enhanced Criminal Records Notes: Bureau checks. [297952] 1. Data are unrounded, and not seasonally adjusted. 2. The Jobcentre Plus data does not cover the whole UK economy. Coverage relates just to vacancies notified to Jobcentre Plus and as such represent a Jim Knight: The information requested is not available. market share of vacancies throughout the whole economy. This proportion varies over time, according to the occupation of the vacancy and industry of the Voluntary Work employer, and by local area. Comprehensive estimates of all job vacancies (not just those notified to Jobcentre Plus) are available from the monthly ONS Vacancy Survey since April 2001, based on a sample of some 6,000 enterprises. Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates and Pensions what estimate she has made of (a) the only. 3. The stocks of live unfilled vacancies reflect more accurately job opportunities average number of hours volunteered per week and (b) available via Jobcentre Plus. In the case of unfilled vacancies, use of the figures the total number of hours volunteered by participants on live vacancies is recommended (i.e. excluding suspended vacancies), and this is the default option. Live vacancies may still include some vacancies which have in the voluntary option of her Department’s Six already been filled or are otherwise no longer open to recruits, due to natural Month Offer. [297349] lags in procedures for following up vacancies with employers. 4. Jobcentre Plus figures are published at: www.nomisweb.co.uk Source: Jim Knight: The information requested is not available. Jobcentre Plus labour market system. Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Office for National Statistics: UK Vacancy Survey and Pensions what estimate she has made of the Level of vacancies average length of volunteering placements under her December 2008 to February 2009 445,000 Department’s six month offer. [297434] January to March 2009 444,700 February to April 2009 451,200 Jim Knight: The information requested is not available. March to May 2009 444,200 Welfare to Work April to June 2009 434,400 May to July 2009 437,700 Notes: Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work 1. Data are rounded to the nearest hundred, displayed in thousands and are and Pensions what criteria regarding participation on seasonally adjusted three-month averages. 2. Excludes agriculture, forestry and fishing. the part of those with (a) mental health disorders, (b) 3. April, May and June data on the ONS monthly vacancies estimate has been alcohol-related problems and (c) drug addiction there revised and July data are provisional. are in contracts between her Department and private 4. ONS monthly vacancies estimates published at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ [296824] downloads/theme_labour/LatestData.xls sector welfare-to-work providers. Source: Office for National Statistics Vacancy Survey. Jim Knight: Welfare to Work Employment Programme We do not have a recent estimate of the proportion of contracts contain terms and conditions which include a vacancies in the UK economy advertised at Jobcentre requirement for providers to conform to current equality Plus. There have been some one-off surveys that have and diversity legislation. Requirements in respect of estimated the Jobcentre Plus share of all vacancies. In particular customer groups are contained within individual 2002, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) used one programme specifications. such survey to estimate the proportion of total vacancies Some programmes are more closely linked to a particular advertised at jobcentres at 44 per cent. Allowing for customer group: Workstep, Work Preparation, and sampling variation, the ratio was likely to be in the Residential Training Colleges programmes support range of around a third to a half. However, this estimate customers with a wide range of disabilities. However, is likely to have changed over time. some providers do have particular expertise in respect Although we have estimates of the total number of to people with mental health conditions. vacancies in the UK economy from the ONS Vacancy Across the country there are work preparation contracts Survey, the data from Jobcentre Plus and the ONS specifically designed to deliver support to customers Vacancy Survey are not directly comparable, and so with mental health problems. Similarly, there are Workstep should not be used together to produce such an estimate. providers with a background in supporting individuals The Vacancy Survey is a sample-based survey of businesses with mental health conditions, but all Workstep providers 309W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 310W are expected to be able to help people with a wide range Written Questions: Government Responses of barriers arising from their disability. Although there are no residential training colleges who deal specifically Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work with customers with a mental health problem, all colleges and Pensions when she expects to answer question are able to offer such support. 288473, on Jobcentre Plus, tabled by the hon. Member Progress to Work is a voluntary programme, which for Northavon for answer on 20 July 2009. [296517] aims to help unemployed and inactive former drugs Jim Knight: I replied to the hon. Member’s question mis-users into work. It is delivered across all districts in on 2 November 2009, Official Report, column 729W. England, Scotland and Wales. Progress to Work provides support for customers who have made sufficient progress in their recovery to CABINET OFFICE be drug free or stabilised, but their history of drug mis-use is a significant factor in preventing them from Cancer gaining employment or staying in work. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Progress to Work-LinkUP aims to build on Progress Office what estimate she has made of the number of to Work, and help a broader range of disadvantaged people aged (a) 18 years and over, (b) 60 years and customers than just Progress to Work. The specific over and (c) 85 years and over who were diagnosed target group are those who have the following disadvantages: with cancer in (i) England and (ii) Yorkshire and the homelessness, ex-offending and alcohol abuse. Humber strategic health authority in each year since As with Progress to Work, Progress to Work-LinkUP 1997. [298144] aims to tackle the barriers to employment for these groups by helping customers to find work, or develop Angela E. Smith: The information requested falls them in preparation for work. within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Winter Fuel Payments: Pensioners Letter from Jil Matheson, dated November 2009: As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the number of people Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work aged (a) 18 years old and over, (b) 60 years old and over and (c) 85 and Pensions if she will estimate the saving to the years old and over who were diagnosed with cancer in (i) England Exchequer of increasing the age of entitlement to and (ii) Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority in winter fuel payments to 65 years in each of the next five each year since 1997. [298144] financial years. [297548] The latest available figures for newly diagnosed cases of cancer (incidence) are for the year 2007. Please note that these numbers Angela Eagle [holding answer 3 November 2009]: may not be the same as the number of people diagnosed with cancer, because one person may be diagnosed with more than one Increasing the age of entitlement of winter fuel payments cancer. to 65 in each of the next five financial years would The table attached provides the number of newly diagnosed result in the estimated savings outlined in the following cases of cancer in (i) England and (ii) Yorkshire and the Humber table. Strategic Health Authority, for each year since 1997 to 2007, for people aged (a) 18 to 59 years, (b) 60 to 84 years, and (c) 85 years Savings (£ million) and over.

2010-11 480 Table 1: Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of all cancers 19971-20072 3 2011-12 420 England 2012-13 340 Age 18-59 Age 60-84 Age 85 + 2013-14 270 1997 53,372 144,678 22,556 2014-15 220 1998 53,514 143,828 23,137 Notes: 1999 55,788 147,955 23,801 1. Savings are modelled on increasing age of entitlement to winter fuel 2000 56,073 147,700 24,112 payments to 65 by 2020, against a scenario where age entitlement to 2001 57,496 148,995 24,567 winter fuel payments increases to 65 in 2010-11. Modelling assumes anyone 60-64 currently receiving winter fuel payment would no longer 2002 56,765 148,282 23,537 receive it. 2003 58,259 151,504 23,152 2. Savings are based on winter fuel payments baseline rates of £200 2004 59,837 155,023 22,836 for households with those aged between 60 and 79. 2005 60,463 155,908 24,070 3. Savings are for each financial year and become smaller as the age of 2006 60,532 155,253 24,912 entitlement increases under current legislation. 4. Expenditure rounded to the nearest £10 million and are in 2009-10 2007 60,049 157,948 25,862 price term. Yorkshire and Humberside strategic health authority3 Work Experience Age 18-59 Age 60-84 Age 85 +

1997 5,407 15,268 2,154 Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work 1998 5,501 15,049 2,244 and Pensions how many work experience placements in 1999 5,624 14,941 2,209 each work sector were available in each of the last 24 2000 5,857 15,920 2,364 months. [293592] 2001 5,995 15,740 2,490 2002 5,891 15,993 2,322 Jim Knight: The information requested is not available. 2003 6,200 16,247 2,383 Existing schemes do not collect data centrally. 2004 6,240 16,447 2,294 311W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 312W

Housing Yorkshire and Humberside strategic health authority3 Age 18-59 Age 60-84 Age 85 + Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet 2005 6,582 16,356 2,378 Office what (a) the lowest quartile of house prices and 2006 6,268 16,145 2,456 (b) average earnings were in (i) England, (ii) each 2007 6,224 16,606 2,528 region of England and (iii) each housing authority in 1 All cancers coded to C00-C97 excluding C44 (non-melanoma skin cancer) in Yorkshire and the Humber in each of the last five the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) 2 Based on boundaries as of 2009-11-10 years. [295285] 3 Newly diagnosed cases registered in each calendar year. Mr. Ian Austin: I have been asked to reply. Departmental Telephone Services Lower quartile house prices for England, for regions and for local authorities is available on our website at: Mr. Oaten: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/table- 587.xls Office how many helplines her Department operates; and how much her Department has received from the A table showing median gross weekly earnings by operation of such helplines in each of the last three place of residence for England, for regions in England, years. [294973] and for local and unitary authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber in the last five years has been deposited in Angela E. Smith: The Office of the Third Sector, part the Library of the House. The source for the figures is of the Cabinet Office, runs an inquiry line. This has the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. been set up to support the variety of other information Knowledge Archive Database sources (publications, websites) available outlining Government’s support for the Third Sector. This is a ‘0207’ number from which the Government derive no Mr. Hurd: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office income. what the title is of each job within the Central Office of Information (COI) as recorded on the Knowledge Delivery Partners may run their own inquiry lines in Archive database of COI jobs. [290043] certain cases, for example the Community Development Foundation (CDF) in relation to Grassroots Grants Tessa Jowell: I have asked the chief executive of the and the Hardship Fund. However, neither the CDF nor Central Office of Information to reply to the hon. my Department receives any income from the operation Member. of these lines. Letter from Mark Lund, dated October 2009: As Chief Executive of the Central Office of Information Google Adword Online Advertising Keywords (COI), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on the COI Knowledge Archive database (290043). The Knowledge Archive is a way of filing and categorising the Mr. Hurd: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office job files in COI and does not in itself contain any information/ for which Google Adword on-line advertising keywords knowledge. This system is used to search by a numerical system her Department has paid in the last 12 months. and does not list the title of each job. [290154] Members: Allowances Tessa Jowell: The Department has paid under £200 for Google online advertising keywords in the last Alistair Burt: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet 12 months. This service was used as part of the initial Office if she will request the Committee on Standards launch of Building Britain’s Future website, and the in Public Life to place in the Library a copy of each keywords were based on “Building Britain’s Future”. paper relating to the legal advice (a) sought and (b) received in respect of its inquiry into MPs’ expenses and allowances. [298622] Green Ministers Committee Tessa Jowell: The disclosure of advice received by the Colin Challen: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Committee on Standards in Public Life is a matter for Office on how many occasions the Green Ministers the committee. Committee has met in 2009; and which Ministers attended each such meeting. [298325] Mesothelioma

Tessa Jowell: There is currently no ‘Green Ministers’ Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Cabinet Committee. Issues relating to energy and the Office how many people have been diagnosed with environment would generally be dealt with through ED mesothelioma in (a) Jarrow Constituency, (b) South (Environment and Energy) Committee, or its parent Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each Committee, ED. A full list of Cabinet Committees, year since 2005. [298399] their membership and terms of reference can be found in the Libraries of the House Ann Keen: I have been asked to reply. Information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet The information on the number of people who required Committees, including when and how often they meet, treatment for mesothelioma is not held centrally.Requested is generally not disclosed, as to do so could harm the information on count of finished consultant episodes, frankness and candour of internal discussion. where the primary diagnosis was mesothelioma is provided 313W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 314W in the following table for England, South Tyneside Angela E. Smith: This is a matter for the National Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the relevant strategic School of Government. I refer the hon. Member to the health authorities (SHAs). It should be noted that answer I gave to him on 9 November 2009, Official Northumberland, Tyne and Wear SHA and County Report, column 83W. Durham and Tees Valley SHA combined to form the Personal Income North East SHA in 2006-07. This information is not centrally held for the United Kingdom. Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Count of finished consultant episodes where the primary diagnosis was Mesothelioma1 for selected organisations national health service hospitals , Office what the (a) average earnings and (b) average England and activity performed in the Independent sector in England house price was in each region in each of the last 20 commissioned by English NHS 1997-98 to 2008-09 quarters for which figures are available. [298674] North East South Tyneside Strategic Health PCT as PCT of England Authority residence Mr. Ian Austin [holding answer 9 November 2009]: I have been asked to reply. 2008-09 7,349 708 104 A table showing median gross weekly earnings by 2007-08 6,968 735 77 place of residence by region in each of the last five years 2006-07 6,677 735 69 is presented in the Library of the House. The source for the figures is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. County Northumberland, Durham and South Quarterly earnings data by region is unavailable. Tyne and Tees Valley Tyneside Quarterly mean and median house prices by region Wear SHA SHA as PCT as as SHA of SHA of PCT of are available on the Communities and Local Government England residence residence residence website at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/table- 2005-06 6,436 316 303 40 581.xls 2004-05 5,671 348 242 28 http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/ 2003-04 5,697 443 230 56 141395.xls 2002-03 4,685 267 173 53 2001-02 4,663 321 129 59 Mr. Crausby: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet 2000-01 4,442 315 122 57 Office what recent estimate the UK Statistics Authority 1999-2000 4,155 401 121 58 has made of the ratio of female to male earnings in 1998-99 3,773 373 98 39 Great Britain. [298741] 1997-98 3,075 186 69 11 Notes: 1. Finished Consultant Episode (FCE)—An FCE is defined as a period of Angela E. Smith: The information requested falls admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. It within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. should be noted that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a I have asked the authority to reply. person may have more than one episode of care within the year. 2. Diagnosis (Primary Diagnosis)—The primary diagnosis is the first of up to Letter from Jil Matheson, dated November 2009: 14 (seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) dataset and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital. As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your 1The ICD-10 codes used in this analysis were as follows: recent Parliamentary Question asking what the latest estimate is C45 Mesothelioma; for the ratio of female to male earnings in Great Britain. (298741) D19 Benign neoplasm of mesothelial tissue 3. Assessing growth through time—HES figures are available from 1989-90 Average levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual onwards. During the years that these records have been collected the NHS there Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all have been ongoing improvements in quality and coverage. These improvements employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the was not affected by absence. earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For ONS recently conducted a review of gender pay statistics and example a number of procedures may now be undertaken in outpatient settings found that no single measure could adequately explain the difference and may no longer be accounted in the HES data. This may account for any in men’s and women’s pay. ONS’s preferred method is to show the reductions in activity over time. pay difference for three measures: all employees, full-time employees 4. PCT and SHA Data Quality—PCT and SHA data were added to historic and part-time employees. data-years in the HES database using 2002-03 boundaries, as a one-off exercise in 2004. The quality of the data on PCT of Treatment and SHA of Treatment is The figures provided below come from the 2008 Annual Survey poor in 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99, with over a third of all finished episodes of Hours and Earnings and show the median hourly earnings, having missing values in these years. Data quality of PCT of general practitioner excluding overtime, for female and male employees and the ratio (GP) practice and SHA of GP practice in 1997-98 and 1998-99 is also poor, of female to male hourly earnings. The figures provided are for with a high proportion missing values where practices changed or ceased to exist. There is less change in completeness of the residence-based fields over Great Britain. time, where the majority of unknown values are due to missing postcodes on birth episodes. Users of time series analysis including these years need to be Hourly rate (£) Ratio aware of these issues in their interpretation of the data. 5. Northumberland, Tyne and Wear SHA and County Durham and Tees Valley Female Male Female/male SHA combined to form the North East SHA in 2006-07. Source: Full-time 10.93 12.55 0.871 Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for health and Part-time 7.50 7.25 1.034 social care All employees 9.28 12.00 0.773

National School of Government: Finance BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Business: Government Assistance Office how much income the National School of Government received for consultancy services in Mr. Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department 2008-09. [287739] for Business, Innovation and Skills how much was 315W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 316W spent in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09 on the Enterprise Charlie Whelan Coaching Scheme; and how many businesses received assistance from the scheme in each of these years. Mr. Maude: To ask the Minister of State, [298130] Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2009, Official Ms Rosie Winterton: Enterprise coaching became Report, column 2072W, on Derek Draper and Charlie available as a service within the Solutions for Business Whelan, what the purpose was of the meeting with portfolio in March 2009. There are no data on spend for Mr. Charlie Whelan on 15 January 2009. [299328] earlier periods or for the month of March 2009. Annual spend data will become available in due course for Mr. McFadden: I refer the right hon. Member to the 2009-10 and subsequent years. The service is aimed at answers I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon individuals and so future information will refer to (Mr. Djanogly) on 15 October 2009, Official Report, individuals rather than businesses who have been assisted. column 1047W and 21 October 2009, Official Report, column 1522W. Mr. Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department Companies House: Standards for Business, Innovation and Skills for how long funding for the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, is estimated to last; and whether he plans to provide Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what further assistance to small and medium sized targets Companies House set for the time taken to enterprises after that date. [299084] process electronic incorporations in (a) July, (b) August, (c) September and (d) October 2009; how Ms Rosie Winterton: The Enterprise Finance Guarantee many such incorporations were not dealt with within is a temporary loan guarantee scheme available until the target time in each such month; and what steps the end of March 2010. We are considering the future of Companies House has taken to deal with such the scheme beyond March 2010 in the context of the incorporations not handled within target times. pre-Budget report. [297426] Business: Regulation Ian Lucas: The target Companies House has for the processing of electronic incorporations is 95 per cent. Mr. Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department within three working days. This was set out in my for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his statement to the House on 18 May 2009, Official Report, Department has made of the effect on the number of column 69WS. jobs in the economy as a result of regulations on The percentages of incorporations that did not meet business introduced since May 1997; and if he will these targets were: make a statement. [298271] Percentage Ian Lucas: There has been no assessment of the July 4 overall effect of regulations on employment. Many August 0.3 regulations have net benefits for the economy and may September 0.05 therefore lead to positive impacts on the labour market. October 19 Creating the right conditions for businesses to start up, grow and invest requires many elements including a The increase in numbers of incorporations failing to strong and responsive regulatory framework. With the meet the target in October was due to the implementation best business environment in Europe, and fifth best in of the Companies Act 2006 and a variety of factors the world, according to the World Bank, the UK already including: data processing issues; customer and staff has an effective regulatory system which helps strengthen lack of familiarity with new requirements; and initial our society and our economy. issues with system performance. The Government are committed to, and is delivering, Steps taken include: assigning resources; identifying an ambitious programme of improving the way they and fixing data validation issues; clarifying and regulate. We know the costs of regulation are a very real communicating policy issues. These steps resulted in concern to businesses, especially in a challenging economic incorporations targets being met from 9 October onwards. climate, so when we introduce new rules we need to make sure we maximise the benefits to businesses, the Departmental Air Travel economy and society, and ensure the costs are minimised or reduced where possible. Mr. Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many first- The recently published benefit/cost ratio: class flights were taken by each Minister in his http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file53280.pdf Department in 2008-09; and what the (a) origin, (b) is an important step in the better regulation agenda, destination and (c) cost was of each such flight. increasing transparency and inviting greater scrutiny [298760] that will help improve the credibility and understanding of our regulatory framework further. The fact that the Mr. McFadden: Travel by Ministers is undertaken in Benefit cost ratio is above 1 indicates that there has accordance with the Ministerial Code. been no economic loss which could have caused job The Department does not hold separate records of losses. This publication, showing that benefits are nearly the travel undertaken by Ministers as opposed to those double the costs of regulation, sets an important benchmark undertaken by civil servants, to provide this information for improving the way that Government regulates. would entail disproportionate costs. 317W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 318W

Cabinet Office provides an annual list of overseas Mr. McFadden: The number of press officers currently travel over £500 undertaken by Ministers. The 2008/2009 at BIS is 28. This combines the Press Offices from the list was published on 16 July 2009 and can be viewed at: former BERR and former DIUS. The Press Office http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ coordinates all the media handling for the Department’s ministers/travel_gifts.aspx current 10 Ministers. Departmental Internet Departmental Finance Mr. Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, for Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) page Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how hits and (b) visitors his Department’s website received much his Department (a) has spent since its inception in 2008-09. [297746] and (b) plans to spend in 2010-11 on market research to improve the usability of its website. [294780] Mr. McFadden: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills was created on 5 June 2009 by the merger of Mr. McFadden: Since its inception in June, the the former Departments BERR and DIUS. These figures Department has spent £30,474 (ex VAT) on market relate to the main websites of the former Departments. research to improve the usability of its website. There In 2008-09 the BERR website received 35,876,215 are no firm plans for such spending in 2010-11 beyond page views and 6,317,635 unique visitors. the annual quality and usage measurements mandated by the Central Office of Information. www.berr.gov.uk In 2008-09 the DIUS website received 3,182,772 page views and 1,538,348 visitors. The DIUS website proper John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, was not launched until March. Prior to that date DIUS Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how content was split between an interim DIUS website and much his Department (a) has spent since its inception the BERR website. and (b) plans to spend in 2010-11 on (i) the design of its website and (ii) other market research for www.dius.gov.uk promotional purposes. [294781] Other websites operated by the Department are not centrally managed. Information on visitor numbers for Mr. McFadden: Spend on website design since the these sites is not centrally held and could be obtained creation of BIS is £16,158. There is no anticipated only at disproportionate cost. spend on website design in 2010-11. Departmental Reorganisation The following has been spent since the creation of BIS through the Department’s strategic marketing team Jenny Willott: To ask the Minister of State, on market research: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2009, Official Report, £ columns 436-7W, on departmental reorganisation, Vulnerable workers campaign—Creative 32,030 what his most recent estimate is of the cost to the research public purse of merging the Department of Know Your Consumer Rights campaign— 6,500 Innovation, Universities and Skills and the research for public relations campaign Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to form his Department; and if he will make a Science: So what? So everything campaign: statement. [299090] Shape of Jobs to Come (research) 7,500 So Fashion poll (omnibus survey) 500 Mr. McFadden: I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 28 October 2009, Official Report, columns 423-4W. ICM Online omnibus survey of business 4,860 Departmental Standards leaders Questions Kids Ask campaign—omnibus 3,500 survey Mr. Todd: To ask the Minister of State, Department Total 54,890 for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to implement the efficiency Public relations campaigns are used for raising public recommendations of the Operational Efficiency awareness on specific issues. External contracts are programme relating to his Department. [296056] placed taking account of Cabinet Office propriety guidance. Mr. McFadden: BIS is fully committed to the Operational Details of any other spend on market research are Efficiency Programme (OEP) and to support this I have not held centrally and could be provided only at accepted the role of Value for Money Minister to ensure disproportionate cost. the recommendations are implemented. BIS is well placed to meet the implementation plan Departmental Information Officers milestones across the OEP areas which support strongly the work the Department already has in place. For Mr. Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department example, with collaborative procurement, of the for Business, Innovation and Skills how many full-time £450 million savings that the Research Councils’ Shared equivalent press officers (a) work for and (b) provide Service Centre predicts that it will generate over the first assistance to his Department. [297744] 10 years of its operation, £400 million will come from 319W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 320W procurement savings. The Shareholder Executive is leading Group which works with the sector to identify key the asset management strand across Government, and regulatory issues affecting electronics companies and to options for the sale of the student loans portfolio are help mitigate regulatory impacts. being developed. We are continuing to work with the In addition, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) helps further and higher education sectors to improve their electronics companies to internationalise their businesses procurement practices. by developing their international trade potential with We have recently undertaken an initial benchmarking advice, support and access to research. UKTI also helps back office costs exercise. BIS has a large network of them access international markets by providing support partner organisations included in this exercise and has to attend trade fairs, facilitating meetings with overseas worked hard to collect the relevant data. We will be buyers and organising visits to new markets. working with partner organisations and colleagues across More generally, a wide range of support measures Whitehall to develop the benefits from this work. are available to small and medium-sized manufacturers via the Solutions for Business Package and Business Derek Draper Link. These include recent measures under the Real Help for Business initiative, to address the cash flow, Mr. Maude: To ask the Minister of State, credit and investment needs of SMEs, as well as increased Department for Business, Innovation and Skills support for SMEs through products such as the pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2009, Official Manufacturing Advisory Service, which has undergone Report, column 2072W, on Derek Draper and Charlie an £8 million expansion, and plays a vital role in helping Whelan, on what date the Secretary of State most UK manufacturers to share knowledge, improve recently spoke to Mr. Derek Draper in the course of his productivity and achieve success in an increasingly official duties. [299329] competitive global economy. We have a wide range of skills programmes and Mr. McFadden: My right hon. and noble Friend the initiatives which are designed to boost the skill levels of Secretary of State has had no reason in the course of his the work force. Through its Train to Gain Sector Compact official duties to speak to Mr. Derek Draper. and wider UK work, SEMTA, the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering, Manufacturing and Technologies, has engaged with nearly 2,000 electronics based companies Electronic Equipment in the UK in the past 12 months to identify and develop the right investment in skills. Mr. Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, The development of skills in the industry is also Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) provided through our £1 billion (total for the whole what steps his Department is taking to support the economy) a year Apprenticeships programme. In 2007-08, electronics manufacturing industry; [298056] 6,500 people in England started an Advanced (level 3) (2) if he will increase the support available through Apprenticeship in electro-technical occupations—the his Department and its agencies to small and third most popular framework at Advanced level. medium-sized manufacturing businesses; [298057] We are also committed to increasing the number of (3) what steps his Department is taking to increase young people who choose to study STEM (Science, the skills level of the workforce in the electronics Engineering and Mathematics) subjects post-16. Increasing industry. [298058] the STEM qualified proportion of the workforce will contribute to our ability to meet the skills requirements Ian Lucas: The UK’s electronics sector, and ICT of the electronics industry. more widely, is increasingly the enabler most likely to give companies in many other sectors their competitive Future Jobs Fund edge, which is why the Government strongly supports it. Most recently, our package of measures to support Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Minister of State, Advanced Manufacturing announced in July, as part of Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how our “New Industry, New Jobs” initiative, included the much funding has been allocated from the Future Jobs expansion of the Printable Electronics Technology centre Fund to create apprenticeships in the creative in Sedgefield through an additional £12 million of industries. [288461] investment, seeking to create up to 1,500 jobs by 2014, and an investment of £0.5 million towards the development of a Centre of Excellence for Silicon Design in the Jim Knight: I have been asked to reply. South West. The Government are currently working closely with The Government provide extensive support for the cultural sectors in order to create exciting job opportunities sector via the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and the within the Future Jobs Fund and we welcome bids that Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council create apprenticeships. (EPSRC). This has included support for the ARTEMIS At this stage the DWP does not have a detailed and ENIAC European Joint Technology initiatives, the breakdown of the sectors that the bids seek to create Innovative Electronics Manufacturing Research Centre, jobs in. The list of successful bidders to the Future Jobs and the Electronics Knowledge Transfer Network. Fund is available on our website at: BIS officials also provide support to the sector through www.dwp.gov.uk/futurejobsfund their strong links to the Electronics Leadership Council, Many of these bids are from partnerships who plan the sector’s trade associations, and the UK Electronics to create jobs with a variety of organisations, in different Alliance, and by chairing the Electronics Regulatory sectors. 321W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 322W

Insolvency: Fees and Charges activity compares well with the cost of TV and radio advertising. This story is part of the successful ‘Get On’ Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Minister of State, literacy and numeracy marketing campaign which has Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what generated 380,000 calls from adults wanting to improve representations he has received from representatives of their skills, contributing towards the 2.8 million adults small businesses on fees charged to them by insolvency who have improved their literacy and numeracy skills consultants and lawyers. [298811] and gained a qualification since 2001. Low Carbon Zones Ian Lucas: I have not received any representations from representatives of small businesses about the fees charged by insolvency consultants and lawyers. I would Mr. Weir: To ask the Minister of State, Department suggest that anyone seeking professional advice should for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps the always seek to establish the possible costs involved. Government has taken to identify designated low carbon zones. [293429] Although the Court can review fees charged by insolvency practitioners, the proposed amendments to the Insolvency Mr. McFadden: Since the publication of the UK Low Rules, which are due to come into force in April next Carbon Industrial Strategy in July, we have announced year, include provisions that will enable creditors to two low carbon economic areas. The first located in the obtain further information and thereby make it easier south-west of England, focusing on the development of for greater scrutiny of office-holders’ remuneration and marine energy and the second in the north-east of expenses. The amendments also make it clearer how to England focusing on ultra-low carbon vehicles. We have challenge such expenses. been working with the regional development agencies Job Creation: Environment Protection and industrial partners and will be announcing further low carbon economic areas over the coming few months. Mr. Hands: To ask the Minister of State, Department Manufacturing Industries: Minerals for Business, Innovation and Skills how many green British jobs his Department expects to be created in Tom Levitt: To ask the Minister of State, each of the next five years. [298945] Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the contribution to the Ian Lucas: Based on bottom-up company data, Innovas economy of the UK lime manufacturing industry. estimated that in 2007-08 there were 880,000 jobs in the [298886] UK Low Carbon and Environmental Goods and Services Sector (LCEGS). Ian Lucas: The Department has not prepared an It is estimated that an additional 400,000 jobs could assessment of the lime manufacturing industry, and be created in this sector from the 2007/08 level to 2015 does not therefore have a view on the contribution to (an average annual growth of 4-5 per cent.). This would the economy of the lime manufacturing industry. represent an increase of 45 per cent. But we need to remember that essentially we need all Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries jobs to be green jobs. Ambitious carbon reduction targets will require a transition to low carbon for the Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Minister of State, whole economy. This will affect businesses and workers Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what across the entire British economy, not just the LCEGS proportion of new cars bought under the vehicle sector. There will be a range of opportunities at all skills scrappage scheme were (a) manufactured in the UK levels across the economy. and (b) manufactured overseas and imported; and Ultimately it is successful businesses that create jobs. how much money has been paid out under the scheme Our focus is to drive sustainable economic growth, in respect of imported vehicles. [298359] which in turn can foster the business success that will generate the jobs of the future. Ian Lucas: Full data will not be available until the end of the scheme. Details of new vehicles purchased are Learning and Skills Council: Consultants not available until transactions are completed and further analysis will also be required because certain models are Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, both imported and manufactured in the UK. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how In 2008, 86 per cent. of vehicles sold in the UK were much the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) paid (a) imported. However, the global automotive supply chain Fishburn Hedges, (b) John Barnes and (c) Ian is highly integrated and many imported cars will have a McMillan as part of the Get on competition on significant UK content in terms of components. For football chants, as referred to in the LSC’s press release example, we understand 90 per cent. of Ford vehicles of 13 August 2009. [291619] sold under the scrappage scheme have engines made in the UK. Kevin Brennan: The total cost of the activity including agency costs and materials was £21,000 (excluding VAT.) Non-Departmental Public Bodies This piece of activity generated a significant amount of national, regional and online media coverage, as well as Mr. Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, valuable opportunities within many broadcast programmes Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how on national radio and TV which are vital to reaching much funding his Department allocated to each of its the target audience. For this reason, the cost of this non-departmental public bodies in 2008-09. [297128] 323W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 324W

Mr. McFadden: The level of funding the Department BIS funding has allocated to its NDPBs in 2008-09 is set out in the Name of body Type of body 2008-09 (£000) following table: Waste Electrical and Electronic Advisory NDPB 0 Equipment Advisory Board BIS funding Name of body Type of body 2008-09 (£000)

Central Arbitration Committee Tribunal NDPB 680 Sanctions: Iran Copyright Tribunal Tribunal NDPB 61 Insolvency Practitioners’ Tribunal Tribunal NDPB 0 Mr. Hague: To ask the Minister of State, Competition Appeals Tribunal Tribunal NDPB 0 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on Learning and Skills Council Executive NDPB 11,894,866 how many occasions UK companies have informed his Higher Education Funding Council Executive NDPB 7,445,114 Department that they have notified the European for England Commission under Article 2 of the EU’s Council Engineering and Physical Sciences Executive NDPB 784,878 Regulation 2271/96 in relation to the extra-territorial Research Council application of US sanctions legislation on Iran in each Science and Technology Facilities Executive NDPB 602,699 of the last four financial years; and if he will make a Council statement. [293790] Medical Research Council Executive NDPB 643,000 Biotechnology and Biological Executive NDPB 412,155 Ian Lucas: None. Sciences Research Council North West RDA Executive NDPB 384,704 Strategic Investment Fund Advantage West Midlands (RDA) Executive NDPB 295,536 Yorkshire Forward (RDA) Executive NDPB 297,312 Peter Luff: To ask the Minister of State, Department Natural Environment Research Executive NDPB 395,760 for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress has Council been made with the competition for a national Technology Strategy Board Executive NDPB 222,000 composites centre as part of the Strategic Investment One North East (RDA) Executive NDPB 245,419 Fund programme; how invitations to compete for the South West of England RDA Executive NDPB 169,650 centre were issued; which organisations have submitted East Midlands RDA Executive NDPB 161,192 bids; how much of the Fund’s resources will be South East England RDA Executive NDPB 160,741 allocated to the centre; and if he will make a statement. Economic and Social Research Executive NDPB 178,000 [299012] Council East of England RDA Executive NDPB 131,660 Mr. McFadden: We received a number of bids under Arts and Humanities Research Executive NDPB 114,698 Council the general invitation for bids for funding under the UKCES Executive NDPB 66,635 Strategic Investment Fund programme announced in Student Loans Company Executive NDPB 78,584 the Budget 2009, including those for a national composite Advisory Conciliation and Executive NDPB 47,312 centre. Arbitration Service (ACAS) Any decision on the location and funding of the Consumer Focus Executive NDPB 23,017 centre will be announced as part of the launch of the Competition Commission Executive NDPB 20,500 UK Composites Strategy. UK Atomic Energy Authority Executive NDPB 8,337 Design Council Executive NDPB 6,435 Technology Strategy Board: Grants Investors in People UK (now part of Executive NDPB 4.700 UK CES) Philip Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Competition Service Executive NDPB 3876 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Local Better Regulation Office Executive NDPB 4,400 much the Technology Strategy Board allocated to (a) Capital for Enterprise Ltd Executive NDPB 2,010 all UK businesses and (b) UK video games businesses Office for Fair Access Executive NDPB 514 in 2008. [295764] British Hallmarking Council Executive NDPB 0 Construction Industry Training Executive NDPB 0 Mr. Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I Board gave on 5 November 2009, Official Report, column Engineering Construction Industry Executive NDPB 0 1244W. Training Board Film Industry Training Board for Executive NDPB 0 England and Wales Hearing Aid Council Executive NDPB 0 FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE National Endowment for Science, Executive NDPB 0 Technology and the Arts (NESTA) Anti-Semitism: Poland Simpler Trade Procedures Board Executive NDPB 780 (SITPRO) Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Council for Science and Technology Advisory NDPB 150 and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has Industrial Development Advisory Advisory NDPB 0 received on incidents of anti-Semitism in Poland since Board July 2009; what recent discussions he has had with the Low Pay Commission Advisory NDPB 811 government of Poland on the matter; and if he will Regional Industrial Development Advisory NDPB 0 make a statement. [298344] Boards Strategic Advisory Board for Advisory NDPB 0 Chris Bryant: We have not received any reports regarding Intellectual Property violent anti-Semitic incidents in Poland since July 2009 Union Modernisation Fund Advisory NDPB 0 Supervisory Board and we have not had any recent discussions with the Polish Government on this matter. 325W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 326W

Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange 30 October 2007, Official Report, column 29WS. The first former Iraqi locally employed staff who opted for Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign resettlement under the Gateway Refugee Resettlement and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Programme left Iraq at the end of April 2008 for a Department has provided to the Britain-Israel neighbouring third country. Research and Academic Exchange partnership in the Kosovo: Peacekeeping Operations last 12 months; what assistance he plans to provide to that organisation in the next six months; and if he will Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign make a statement. [R] [298348] and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department’s budget is for its activities in Kosovo in (a) 2009 and Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Britain-Israel Research and (b) 2010; and if he will make a statement. [297624] Academic Exchange was announced jointly by UK and Israeli Prime Ministers in July 2008. The Government Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have contributed £20,000 in the last 12 months. The (FCO)’s budget for its activities in Kosovo comprises funding given has already been put to good use, to pay (a) operational costs for our embassy in Pristina and (b) for start-up costs. Representatives from the British Council discretionary programme funding. In addition, the Conflict and our embassy in Tel Aviv are members of the scheme’s Prevention Pool and Peacekeeping Budget (separate administrative committee. We intend to continue our budgets owned jointly by the FCO, Ministry of Defence support and have earmarked £5,000 for the current and Department for International Development (DFID), financial year. with decisions on spending taken tri-departmentally, irrespective of the implementing Department) fund a Departmental Travel range of Kosovo related activity. Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Below is a breakdown for financial years (FY) 2008-09 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many miles and 2009-10: (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department travelled by (i) car, (ii) rail and (iii) air on Government £ business in each year since 1997. [298552] FY 2008-09 Chris Bryant: Information on miles travelled by Ministers Embassy Operational Costs 704,319 FCO Discretionary Programme 228,919 and officials is not held centrally and to provide it Funding would incur disproportionate cost. Tri-departmental Conflict Funding 26,600,000 Iraq: Armed Conflict FY 2009-10 Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Embassy Operational Costs 686,566 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his FCO Discretionary Programme 168,500 Department received reports that Iraqi civilians Funding employed as locally-engaged staff had been killed Tri-departmental Conflict Funding 9,000,000 because they worked for the UK. [298608] Activities funded by the tri-departmental conflict Mr. Ivan Lewis: We first received a report of the funding are: murder of an interpreter who was working for the UK (a) discretionary spending in support of military and civilian on 12 March 2005. Another interpreter had been killed peacekeeping missions. on 4 November 2004 by a vehicle-borne improvised (b) conflict related programme expenditure. explosive device. However, we cannot be certain that the The reduction in conflict funding between FY 2008-09 latter was specifically targeted because of his work for and FY 2009-10 relates principally to the decision in the UK. March 2009 by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Supreme Allied Commander for Europe that Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the capacity provided by British troops to the NATO Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his force in Kosovo (KFOR) could be reduced given the Department first received reports of threats to the lives steady improvement of the security environment in of Iraqi locally employed civilians. [298609] Kosovo. In addition to these figures, the FCO—on behalf of Mr. Ivan Lewis: The first reported threats to the lives the three departments—pays the UK’s assessed of Iraqi LE staff were received in early 2005. contributions for the Organisation for Security and Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission in Kosovo, the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long on EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and the average elapsed between the announcement of the (a) UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). We contribute 11.09 per asylum and (b) financial payment scheme for former cent. of the OSCE overall budget for field missions, Iraqi locally employed civilians and the first former equating to ¤3,333,687 in 2008 and ¤2,984,319 in 2009. Iraqi locally employed civilians leaving Iraq for a The UK pays approximately 17 per cent. of the common neighbouring country under the scheme. [298612] costs of all European Security and Defence Policy missions, including EULEX. For the period from August Mr.IvanLewis:The Locally Engaged Staff Assistance 2009 to June 2010, the approximate UK contribution to Scheme for former locally employed staff included the the common costs of EULEX is £22 million. The UK options of resettlement in the UK or a financial settlement. contribution to common costs for UNMIK in 2008-09 This was announced in a written ministerial statement were £7,508,472 and are projected to be £3,155,032 in by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 2009-10. 327W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 328W

Decisions have not yet been made on embassy Mr. Ivan Lewis: The US Administration, from the operational, FCO discretionary programme or Conflict President down, have made clear their commitment to Prevention Pool allocations for 2010-11 nor have all the restarting negotiations and continue to work towards relevant multilateral negotiations on mission budgets that goal. We are offering them our full support, as my taken place. right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear to This does not represent the total Government budget US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on 11 October in Kosovo. For example, DFID spent £3.1 million in and Senator George Mitchell on 28 October 2009. Kosovo in the financial year 2008-09 and funded the While significant obstacles undoubtedly remain, the UK’s share of assessed costs for UN agencies, the alternatives to credible negotiations towards a two-state World Bank and European Commission’s Instrument solution are far worse. We believe urgent progress is for Pre-Accession. essential to build confidence throughout the region.

Libya: EU External Relations NATO: Cybercrime

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration his been made on a European Union-Libya co-operation Department has given to extending the definition of agreement; what assessment he has made of the issues Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty to include cyber to be resolved before an agreement can be reached; and attacks; and if he will make a statement. [297678] when he expects the agreement to be concluded. [299153] Mr. Ivan Lewis: The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)’s Policy on Cyber Defence, agreed at the Bucharest Mr. Ivan Lewis: In July 2008 the Justice and Home summit in 2008, provides for a common and co-ordinated Affairs Council approved a mandate for the European approach to cyber defence and any response to cyber Commission to take forward negotiations on the EU-Libyan attacks, and guides individual member states on protecting framework agreement. Negotiations began in November their own national systems. 2008. Article 5 of the Washington treaty states that an The framework agreement will cover a range of political, armed attack against one member of NATO shall be social, economic, commercial and cultural relations considered an attack on all. Article 4 of the treaty between the EU and Libya. It will provide a platform makes clear that ″The Parties will consult together for dialogue and cooperation on areas including human whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial rights, enhancement of energy security, migration and integrity, political independence or security of any of combating terrorism. the Parties is threatened.″ The UK is fully committed to Negotiations are led by the Commission and are these obligations. How these provisions relate to new ongoing. To date there have been four rounds of threats, such as cyber attack, will be considered as part negotiations, with the next round scheduled to take of the process of updating NATO’s Strategic Concept. place later this year. No date has been set for signature. Zimbabwe: Politics and Government Middle East: Peace Negotiations Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most assessment he has made of the effects of the political recent assessment is of the state of relations between situation in Zimbabwe on the economy of southern Israel and the Palestinian Authority; and if he will Africa. [296739] make a statement. [298971] Mr. Ivan Lewis [holding answer 2 November 2009]: Mr. Ivan Lewis: Relations between Israel and the President Mugabe’s policies prior to the formation of Palestinian Authority are currently under strain because the power-sharing government in February 2009 had a of disagreements over how to relaunch the peace process disastrous impact on Zimbabwe. They also had, and and who is to blame for the lack of progress. continue to have, ramifications for the region more widely.Zimbabwe’s economic collapse has lowered investor The Government, from my right hon. Friend the confidence across the entire region, reduced regional Prime Minister down, work closely with them, and our growth, and triggered political and economic migration international partners, to find a way to launch a credible leading to increased pressure on services and inter- process with a credible prospect of achieving a two-state communal tensions in receiving countries. solution. Since the formation of the inclusive government in We have made it clear that we fully support US February, Finance Minister Biti has worked hard to President Barack Obama’s initiative to kick-start political stabilise the economy, increase revenue generation to negotiations. We believe urgent progress is essential to allow the payment of salaries to the civil service, and build confidence throughout the region. improve public finance management. Much remains to be done to restore investor confidence in Zimbabwe, Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for including by reforming the Central Bank. We commend Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent the progress so far, and urge Zimbabwe to implement discussions he has had with the US administration on fully the economic reform envisaged in the Global progress towards peace in the Middle East. [298972] Political Agreement. 329W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 330W

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for the “persistent selling” offence from three sales to an Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent under 18-year-old in three months to two sales in three discussions he has had with his Commonwealth months; removing the need for the police to show intent counterparts on the political situation in Zimbabwe. in existing confiscation of alcohol legislation; and amend [298974] the directions to leave powers so that a police officer can instruct any young person aged 10 and over (it is Mr. Ivan Lewis: We are in regular contact with members currently 16) to leave an area if they felt they would of the Southern African Development Community, many contribute to crime and disorder. of whom are members of the Commonwealth, as part of an ongoing dialogue, including on Zimbabwe. Most Antisocial Behaviour Orders recently, my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Baroness Kinnock, visited South Africa and Nigeria on 2-6 November 2009 and discussed Zimbabwe with South Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the African and Nigerian counterparts. Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders were (a) issued and (b) breached in (i) England International donors, including Commonwealth and (ii) Vale of York constituency in each of the last countries, met to discuss Zimbabwe in Berlin on 26 October three years for which figures are available. [297110] 2009. The Commonwealth’s Committee of the Whole met in London on 21-22 October 2009. Mr. Alan Campbell: The number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued at all courts in England in each year during the period 2005 to 2007 (latest available) is HOME DEPARTMENT shown in the following table. The number of ASBOs issued at all courts in England Alcoholic Drinks: Crimes of Violence subsequently proven in court to have been breached for the first time in each year during the period 2005 to Mr. Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2007 is also shown in the table. Home Department what recent steps he has taken to It should be noted that these breached ASBOs are reduce levels of alcohol-related violence. [297981] counted based on the year the first breach was proven in court. Many ASBOs which are breached in a particular Mr. Alan Campbell: The majority of people who year will have been issued in a previous year, and some drink enjoy alcohol sensibly. We are however determined will have been issued prior to 2005; it is therefore not to take action to reduce the levels of crime and disorder possible to compute breach rates from the figures presented caused by those who don’t. This includes commencing in this table. ASBOs may be breached more than once drink banning orders (DBO) on application on 31 August and in more than one year. In this table ASBOs are 2009 to allow the police and local authorities to crack counted once only within the period when they were down on those who commit criminal or disorderly first breached. behaviour while under the influence of alcohol; earlier this year we spent £3 million on targeted enforcement Data on ASBOs issued and breached collected centrally activities in over 190 areas, as well as a further £1.5 million by my Department are not available below criminal on enforcement campaigns in our top 50 priority areas. justice system (CJS) area level. This summer we launched a £1.5 million partnership The number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued at all support programme in our top 50 priority areas to courts1 in England and the number proven in court to have been specifically target public perceptions of drunk or rowdy breached, in each year2, 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2007 behaviour by ensuring that local people’s concerns are England 2005 2006 2007 being acted upon and the results are made known to the Issued 3,907 2,507 2,136 local communities. Breached3, 4 2,098 1,740 1,502 Last year we ran 13 regional workshops to train 1 This includes magistrates courts when acting both in their civil around 1,300 frontline practitioners, including the police capacity issuing ASBOs on application and their criminal capacity and licensing officers. We are now running a further when issuing ASBOs following conviction for a criminal offence. series of two-day alcohol-enforcement training seminars 2 ASBOs may be breached more than once and in more than one year. In this table ASBOs breached are counted based on the year the first in our 50 priority areas aimed at magistrates, courts breach was proven in court. Many ASBOs which are breached in a officials, elected members who sit on licensing committees particular year will have been issued in a previous year. and operational police officers. To support these seminars 3 ASBOs can be issued in one police force area and breached in we have recently published a comprehensive guide for another. In this table breaches are counted on area of issue. delivery partners on alcohol-enforcement tools and powers 4 Breach data from the magistrates court administrative systems in Kent and Northamptonshire are known to have been under-reported. and we have developed a digital resource pack, which Notes: has recently gone live. 1. Previously issued data have been revised. We are continuing to take forward the alcohol measures 2. ASBO breach data are compiled by matching records of ASBOs included in the Policing and Crime Bill which was issued with ASBOs breached. The nature of this matching process means that previously published ASBO breach data are subject to introduced in December 2008. These include: A new minor revision. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented mandatory code for the alcohol industry which will are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these stop irresponsible promotions and practices such as “all data have been extracted from large administrative data systems you can drink for £10” and “women drink free”; new generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care powers for local authorities allowing them to initiate should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. reviews against licensed premises in their area; creation Sources: of a new offence of persistent possession of alcohol in a (Issued): as reported to the Home Office by the Court Service Source. public place by a person aged under 18; strengthening (Breached): OCJR Court Proceedings Database. 331W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 332W

Antisocial Behaviour Orders: Berkshire Number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued to persons under 18-years of age at all courts1 in the Thames Valley Criminal Justice System (CJS) area and the number proven in court to have been breached, in each year2, Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for the 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2007 Thames Home Department (1) how many people under the age 3 of 18-years were given antisocial behaviour orders in Valley 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 (a) Reading East constituency and (b) Berkshire in Issued —3252110317 each year since the inception of such orders; [297555] (aged 10-17) (2) how many acceptable behaviour contracts have Breached n/a n/a n/a 6 26 32 31 22 been agreed in (a) Reading East constituency and (all (b) Berkshire in each year since the inception of such ages)4 contracts; [297556] n/a = not available. 1 This includes magistrates courts when acting both in their civil capacity (3) how many breaches of antisocial behaviour issuing ASBOs on application and their criminal capacity when issuing ASBOs orders have (a) been recorded and (b) resulted in a following conviction for a criminal offence. 2 ASBOs may be breached more than once and in more than one year. In this criminal conviction in (i) Reading East constituency table ASBOs breached are counted based on the year the first breach was and (ii) Berkshire in each year since the inception of proven in court. Many ASBOs which are breached in a particular year will have such orders. [297557] been issued in a previous year. 3 Age details of ASBO recipients available from 1 June 2000. Breach data are from 1 June 2000. Mr. Alan Campbell: Data on antisocial behaviour 4 ASBOs can be issued in one CJS area and breached in another. In this table breaches are counted on area of issue. contracts is collected under the survey completed by Breach data for 2000—02 are not available broken down by year. crime and disorder reduction partnerships. Data was Notes: first collected for the period October 2003 to September 1. Previously issued data have been revised. 2. ASBO breach data are compiled by matching records of ASBOs issued with 2004 and the most recent is for the period from October ASBOs breached. The nature of this matching process means that previously 2007 to September 2008. The data for Reading CDRP published ASBO breach data are subject to minor revision. Every effort is made are broken down as follows: to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care Number should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 2003-04 6 Source (issued): 2004-05 21 As reported to the Home Office by the Court Service. Source (breached): 2005-06 2 Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database. 2006-07 4 Prepared by Justice Statistics Analytical Services. [Ref: ASBO 57-09, PQs 297557 and 297555]. 2007-08 5 Total 38 Asylum Data broken down by constituency and county are Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the not available antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) became Home Department how many files relating to available from April 1999. Data collected centrally by applications for refugee status the UK Border Agency the Ministry of Justice on numbers of ASBOs issued has lost. [296409] showing a breakdown by age group is only available for ASBOs issued from 1 June 2000. The number of ASBOs Mr. Woolas: By definition, the exact number cannot issued in each year to persons under the age of 18 at all be known. However the total number of the Agency’s courts in the Thames Valley Criminal Justice System case files which are not currently recorded with a clear (CJS) area between 1 June 2000 and 31 December 2007 location is less than 0.2 per cent. of the overall file (latest available) is shown in the following table. holding. Data collected centrally by the Ministry of Justice on Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for ASBO breaches only counts those occasions where the the Home Department how many applications for breach was proven in court to have occurred and are Section 4 support were (a) considered and (b) refused available for ASBOs issued from 1 June 2000. The in each year since 2006. [295061] number of ASBOs issued at all courts in the Thames Mr. Woolas: Regularly published statistics on asylum Valley CJS area subsequently proven in court to have show that in 2006 there were 6,025 decisions to grant been breached for the first time in each year during the support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum period 1 June 200- 31 December 2007 is also shown in Act 1999. In 2007 there were 6,705 decisions and in the table. 2008 there were 9,110 decisions. It should be noted that these breached ASBOs are In 2006, 2,735 people were refused section 4 support. counted based on the year the first breach was proven in In 2007 the figure was 2,795 and in 2008 it was 1,290. court. They include breaches by persons of all ages. These figures are not provided under National Statistics Many ASBOs which are breached in a particular year protocols and have been derived from local management will have been issued in a previous year; it is therefore information. They are therefore provisional and subject not possible to compute breach rates from the figures to change. presented this table. ASBOs may be breached more Statistics on section 4 support are published on a than once and in more than one year. In this table quarterly and annual basis. Control of Immigration ASBOs are counted once only within the period when 2008, is available from the Library of the House and on they were first breached. the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Data on ASBOs issued and breached collected centrally website at: by the Ministry of Justice are not available below Criminal http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- Justice System (CJS) area level. stats.html 333W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 334W

Borders: Personal Records Mr. Woolas: Most of those applying for British citizenship do so through naturalisation under section Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the of 6 of the British Nationality Act 1981. This requires a Home Department what discussions (a) he and (b) his person to have been resident in the United Kingdom for officials have had with representatives of (i) airlines, a period of five years, or three years if he or she is the (ii) ferry companies, (iii) international rail operators, spouse or civil partner of a British citizen. Within that (iv) leisure craft representatives and (v) other transport time, there are restrictions on the number of days that operators on the e-borders scheme in 2009. [296763] the applicant should have been outside the United Kingdom. Alan Johnson: Throughout 2009, the Home Secretary In addition to having been here legally for the residential and the Minister for Borders and Immigration have met qualifying period, a person is also required: to be free of with representatives from Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, immigration time restrictions; to be of good character; FlyBe, the British Air Travel Association and the Passenger to have sufficient knowledge of life in the United Kingdom Shipping Association. and of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic; and (unless In 2009, Border Force officials have engaged with the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen) to intend representatives from the all modes of transport mentioned to have their principal home in the United Kingdom if (i)-(v). Officials continue to discuss the e-borders programme naturalised. with individual companies as well as via the monthly There is discretion to overlook certain of the residence Aviation Carriers Connectivity Working Group and the requirements, and in considering this UKBA would bi-monthly Maritime Carriers Connectivity Working take into account the length of time a person has been Group. In addition to this, they participate in carrier the United Kingdom. Long residence would not, however, forums and meet with trade bodies including the Royal make a difference to a person’s application if he or she Yachting Association and the British Board of General did not meet the other statutory requirements. Aviation and Light Aircraft Association. British Nationality: Assessments British Nationality Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average waiting time was Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the for a person to take a British citizenship test in the Home Department what account his Department takes most recent period for which figures are available. of length of residence in the UK when determining the [297617] merits of applications for citizenship, with particular reference to periods of residence of 20 years or more. Mr. Woolas: The following tables show the current [298322] average waiting times for the Life in the UK Test.

Waiting times for Life in the UK tests Percentage 2009 Percentage of candidates taking the test within: April May June July August September October November December

Four weeks of booking 94.02 94.77 91.16 94.74 95.41 98.45 — — — Eight weeks of booking 99.91 99.86 98.74 99.88 99.94 97.74 — — — Average waiting time (days) 14.66 14.25 14.71 14.14 14.65 13.90 — — —

Percentage Number of tests 2010 2009 delivered Passes Percentage of candidates March 22,236 16,248 taking the test within: January February March 2009-10 Target April 18,229 13,384 Four weeks of booking — — — 94.55 80 May 16,341 12,267 Eight weeks of booking — — — 99.29 98 June 15,167 11,370 Average waiting time — — — 14.41 n/a July 15,821 11,970 (days) August 15,539 11,786 September 16,305 12,202 Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Note: October figures are not yet available. Home Department how many people (a) took and (b) passed the life in the UK citizenship test in each Crime Prevention: Cars month of 2009. [297618]

Mr. Woolas: The following table breaks down the Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the number of tests taken this year. Home Department how many cars in (a) the Vale of Yo rk , (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) England Number of tests are fitted with a tracking device. [295744] 2009 delivered Passes

January 17,187 13,038 Mr. Alan Campbell: The information requested is not February 18,332 13,542 collected by central Government. 335W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 336W

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Detention Centres: Suicide Home Department what advice is provided to people who leave their cars parked in the driveway on Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for protecting their vehicle from theft. [295745] the Home Department how many (a) children and (b) adults are recorded as having attempted suicide Mr. Alan Campbell: The Home Office continues to while held in immigration removal centres in each of provide advice to people on how to protect their cars. the last five years. [297613] Advice on the Home Office website suggests fitting alarms or steering locks and, for older cars, immobilisers. Mr. Woolas: We do not have a central definition of It also advises against leaving items on display, and attempted suicide as it is not always clear whether an suggests ways of securing items attractive to thieves, individual who seeks to harm themselves intended to such as car stereos and wheels. kill themselves. The website also provides advice to householders on We take the safety of those in our care very seriously, protecting themselves from burglary, including advice and operate a system called Assessment Care in Detention on keeping car keys out of sight of doors and windows, and Teamwork (ACDT) to identify and help those who closing and locking doors and windows, and advising are at risk of suicide or self harm. Notices in various on appropriate security standards to take account of languages are displayed around Centres setting out when replacing windows or doors. that, where there is a concern about a fellow detainee, The website provides a number of published crime this should be brought to the attention of a member of prevention guides, including “Steer Clear of Car Crime”, staff. which provides advice for people on protecting their car Entry Clearances: Pakistan and its contents from theft, including specific advice on keeping car keys safe from thieves, and on how to take John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for the account of security when purchasing new or used cars. Home Department how many visa applications It also includes contact information for other organisations submitted to the British consulate in Islamabad are who may be able to provide more detailed or specific outstanding; and what steps he plans to take to advice and information. expedite the processing of such applications. [293610] A further publication, “Be safe be secure” provides advice on minimising the risks of becoming a victim of Mr. Woolas [holding answer 16 October 2009]: As of a number of different crime types, including car theft 23 October, there were approximately 1,000 visa applications and burglary. at the visa section in Islamabad which were awaiting The Home Office is also now preparing an updated initial assessment and processing before being passed to version of the publication “Keep it safe, keep it hidden, Entry Clearance Officers in the Abu Dhabi visa hub for keep it locked” which also provides advice to members a decision. of the public on protecting their possessions, including The UKBA has deployed additional temporary staff cars and their contents. to Islamabad and Abu Dhabi with the aim of clearing The Home Office keeps the advice it provides under the backlog by mid-November. review to ensure that what it provides is accurate, relevant Entry Clearances: Religious Persons and useful. It is currently considering how best to ensure that the advice is readily available to those who Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the are not already aware of it, or applying it. Home Department how many applicants from each Departmental Manpower country seeking to visit the UK for the purpose of speaking in mosques have been (a) granted and (b) refused the right to visit the UK in each of the last Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the five years. [295821] Home Department how many of his Department’s staff worked (a) part-time and (b) full-time on asylum Alan Johnson: The UK Border Agency is unable to removals in each of the last five years. [297612] identify from its records those visa applicants who wished to visit the UK for the specific purpose of Mr. Woolas: Over the last five years the internal speaking in mosques. There has been provision in the organisation of the United Kingdom Border Agency Immigration Rules since November 2008 for non-EEA and that of its predecessor organisations changed nationals who wish to undertake some preaching or considerably. It is not possible to distinguish the set of pastoral work in the UK to enter as business visitors. staff working on every aspect of ‘removals’ from their While the agency keeps a record of those applying for colleagues over the period requested except at entry in this category, the category is open to applicants disproportionate costs. of all faiths and the agency cannot therefore identify Moslem applicants from others. The agency is also Deportation unable to identify from its records of visit visa applications prior to November 2008 those that were made for Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the religious purposes. Home Department how many staff were working in the assisted voluntary return unit on 1 October 2009. Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the [297620] Home Department how many imams from each country have been (a) granted and (b) refused the Mr. Woolas: 27 full-time equivalent staff worked in right to work in the UK in each of the last five years. the assisted voluntary return unit on 1 October 2009. [295822] 337W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 338W

Alan Johnson: While the UKBA can provide information Mr. Woolas: The Case Information Database (CID) on the numbers of non-EEA nationals who have been used by the UK Border Agency records details of granted leave to enter or remain (1) prior to 27 November applications for asylum and leave to remain, including 2008, as a minister of religion, missionary or member whether or not the application has been refused or or religious order; and (2) since 27 November 2008, as a granted. It also records details of any intervention in minister of religion or temporary religious worker under the case by an hon. Member, but not in such a way as to the points based system, these immigration categories allow the automatic extraction of the data requested. are open to applicants from all religious faiths and it is To establish this information, therefore, would require not possible to separately identify those applicants who the manual examination of a large number of individual were imams or of any other particular faith. records at disproportionate cost. Fraud: Learning Disability The Home Office publishes statistics on decisions on applications for an extension of leave to remain on an Mr. Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for the annual basis, and on initial decisions on applications for Home Department what recent steps he has taken to asylum and on appeals on a quarterly and annual basis. reduce the incidence of fraud against people with National Statistics on immigration and asylum are placed learning disabilities. [297986] in the Library of the House and are available from the Home Office’s Research, Development and Statistics The Solicitor-General: I have been asked to reply. website at: The National Fraud Authority is committed in its http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- business plan to deliver, in partnership, an improved stats.html service to the victims of fraud. This service is to be piloted in the west midlands police area from January and will place a particular emphasis on providing a Immigration Controls tailored service to vulnerable people. The pilot is to be delivered in the community by Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the specialist agencies, mainly from the third sector, and if Home Department how many and what proportion of successful rolled out to the rest of England and Wales sponsor licence applications have taken longer than by the end of 2010. One aim of the pilot is to stop the four weeks to process in each of the last 36 months. multiple victimisation of some of our most vulnerable [294390] citizens. Illegal Immigrants Alan Johnson: The start date for applications was 29 February 2008. Applications for processing were Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for received from April 2008. The following table shows the the Home Department how many (a) individuals and number of sponsor licence applications that have taken (b) businesses have paid a civil penalty fine for longer than four weeks to process, expressed as a total and as a percentage of all sponsor licence applications employment of an illegal immigrant in 2009. [297610] processed. Mr. Woolas: The following table shows the numbers of civil penalties paid by individuals and businesses for Total of sponsor Percentage of sponsor licences >four weeks licences >four weeks offences related to illegal working under section 15 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, 2008 from 1 January to 30 September 2009. Where the individual May 10 67 or business in question can show that they are unable to June 40 83 pay their full penalty as a lump sum, arrangements for July 50 75 payment in instalments can be agreed with the UK August 85 76 Border Agency. September 120 77 October 500 49 1 January-30 September 2009 Individuals Businesses November 1,780 83 December 1,740 59 Paid in full 115 47 Paid in instalments 505 67 2009 These figures do not constitute part of National January 450 28 Statistics as they are based on internal management February 350 25 information. The information has not been quality March 575 33 assured under National Statistics protocols, should be April 385 44 treated as provisional and is subject to change. May 710 61 Immigration June 655 62 July 830 69 Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for August 715 67 the Home Department in how many cases an September 845 69 application for (a) asylum and (b) leave to remain was Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to nearest five. initially refused and subsequently granted following the 2. The figures quoted are not provided under National Statistics intervention of an hon. Member in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006, protocols and have been derived from local management information (iii) 2007, (iv) 2008 and (v) 2009. [298108] and are therefore provisional and subject to change. 339W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 340W

Local Government Services The police will always carefully balance these responsibilities with their duty to facilitate peaceful Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for the protest. Home Department what his Department’s policy is on Sexual Offences participating in the Total Place initiative with local councils. [298439] Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr. Woolas: The Home Office is committed to working Home Department what estimate his Department has with Total Place pilot areas and others to achieve the made of the number of sexual offences committed by project’s goal of improving public-sector efficiency. The drivers of unlicensed cabs in each of the last 12 years. Home Office is represented on the Total Place Ministerial [297672] Group and more broadly the Department sits on the Total Place High-Level Officials Group and the Total Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 3 November 2009]: Place Project Board. The Home Office is actively supporting The information requested is not available. the work being taken forward through these forums. Theft: Motor Vehicles Members: Correspondence Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases there have been of Mr. Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the thieves stealing car keys from a house then stealing the Home Department when he plans to reply to the letter vehicle parked outside that house in (a) the Vale of from the hon. Member for Walsall North of Yo rk , (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) England 29 September 2009, reference: P 1185 I27 (CTS in each of the last five years; and if he will make a reference B27551/9). [298154] statement. [295742]

Mr. Woolas [holding answer 9 November 2009]: In Mr. Alan Campbell: Supplementary data on the taking response to the letter of 29 September 2009, the Deputy of vehicles during burglaries, often referred to as ‘car Director for Family and Economic Migration in the key’ burglaries, has only been available centrally from London and South East Region wrote to the hon. 2007-08. 38 of the police forces in England were able to Member on 5 November 2009. provide figures for 2008-09. National Public Order Intelligence Unit The available figures for the Yorkshire and Humber region show there were 3,628 offences of burglary in a dwelling involving the taking of vehicle in 2008-09 Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the (including Humberside). Home Department where the National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU) is based; who its director The available figures for forces in England reveal that is; how many staff the NPOIU (a) employs and there were 19,190 offences of burglary in a dwelling (b) seconds from other organisations; what its budget involving the taking of vehicle in 2008-09. for 2009-10 is; to whom it is accountable; and what Figures for this supplementary dataset are not collected databases on prospective threats to public order the at local authority level and therefore statistics for the NPOIU (i) compiles and (ii) manages. [296886] Vale of York are not available centrally.

Mr. Hanson: The National Public Order Intelligence UK Border Agency: Correspondence Unit (NPOIU) is based in central London and is headed by a Detective Superintendent who reports to the Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Association of Chief Police Officers’ (ACPO) National Home Department when the UK Border Agency plans Coordinator for Domestic Extremism, Assistant Chief to respond to the letters of 29 April, 10 July and Constable Anton Setchell. In turn he is responsible to 9 September 2009 from the hon. Member for the ACPO Committee for Terrorism and Allied Matters Hammersmith and Fulham sent on behalf of his (TAM). For operational security reasons the identity of constituent, Mr. Yusef Gutale. [297106] the head of NPOIU and the unit’s precise location are not disclosed. Mr. Woolas: I am pleased to inform the hon. Gentleman NPOIU employs between 60 and 70 police officers that his letters of 29 April, 10 July and 9 September and staff all of whom are seconded from local police 2009 were replied to in a letter dated 3 November 2009. forces. Its budget for 2009-10 was £5 million. The NPOIU database is a small intelligence database that is used to coordinate on a national basis intelligence CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES that is collected by forces. The main purpose of the intelligence function is: CAFCASS: Finance to provide the police service with an ability to develop a national threat assessment and profile for domestic extremism; Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for to support forces to reduce crime and disorder from domestic Children, Schools and Families if he will estimate the extremism; percentage of time spent by Children and Family Court to support a proportionate police response to protest activity; Advisory and Support Service practitioners in direct and contact with children and families in the course of their to help forces manage concerns of communities and businesses official duties in the last 12 months for which in order to minimise conflict and disorder. information is available. [298687] 341W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 342W

Dawn Primarolo: CAFCASS has statutory duties to: Draft “Care Planning Placement and Case Review safeguard and promote the welfare of the child involved Regulations (England)” and related statutory guidance in family court proceedings; advise courts about family are due to go out to a formal 12 week consultation on proceedings applications; make provision for children 16 November 2009. It is planned that following that to be represented in such proceedings; and provide consultation the regulations will be made and the guidance information, advice and support for children and their issued to come into force in 2010 . The current intention families. is that the remaining provisions of section 8 will come CAFCASS practitioners act in a variety of ways to into force later in 2010. meet these duties depending on the kind of case and exactly what the court asks them to do. All of their roles Children: Databases involve some or all of: keeping a special look out for the best interests of the child; standing up for those interests; making relevant inquiries and writing a report for the Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for court. In doing this, practitioners will spend time in Children, Schools and Families what arrangements are direct contact with the child and their family. in place to (a) monitor the use of and (b) report on (i) accidents and (ii) security breaches in respect of CAFCASS does not routinely collect time usage ContactPoint. [297302] information and does not hold such an estimate. Care Homes: Children Dawn Primarolo: ContactPoint is designed, built, operated and managed to HM Government standards Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for for security and complies with the strict controls imposed Children, Schools and Families (1) whether he has by HM Government security policy. Data contained assessed levels of (a) antisocial behaviour and within the system is made available only to those authorised (b) other criminal activity by residents of privately run users and administrators who have been subject to children’s homes; [297162] vetting and have completed mandatory training. (2) what guidance his Department has issued to Every access to a child’s record is detailed in the audit privately run children’s homes on (a) reducing and trail and users need to state clear reasons in order to (b) preventing (i) antisocial behaviour and (ii) other gain access to a child’s record. This is regularly reviewed criminal activity. [297166] at local and national level to ensure that any misuse of the system is detected and investigated. If unusual Dawn Primarolo: Children’s homes are required to activity by users is detected, suspected or reported, the comply with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2001 local authority or national partner ContactPoint and are expected to meet the accompanying National Management Team must report the incident to the Minimum Standards. Children’s homes are required to DCSF immediately, suspend the user’s account, notify have in place a behaviour management policy, which the user’s manager and carry out an immediate investigation should set out how the home will promote acceptable using local policies and procedures. behaviour. Children’s homes should also promote positive The ContactPoint system, and access to it, is constantly links between children and the local community. Ofsted monitored. The security of ContactPoint is treated as inspect children’s homes against these standards. the highest priority, requiring immediate response and Before placing a child in a children’s home the local action by the Department, the user organisation and authority should consider how the home will address the system supplier. Suspicious network activity is checked any challenging behaviour the child may display, including and, if the system was believed to be under any form of antisocial or criminal activity, and should make sure threat, or if unauthorised access to ContactPoint was that the home can meet the needs of that child. No detected, the Operations Director would be notified. assessment has been made of the level of antisocial or Depending on the severity of the breach, the service criminal activity among residents in privately run children’s provider may be instructed to prevent access to homes. ContactPoint for all users until the incident is resolved. The appropriate persons in the Department, including Children and Young Persons Act 2008 the Senior Information Risk Owner, the Permanent Secretary, the Minister and the Information Commissioner Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for will be notified as appropriate. Access to the system Children, Schools and Families when section 8 of the would not be restored until my Department had been Children and Young Persons Act 2008 will be brought assured that the source of attack or unauthorised or fully into force. [297650] improper access had been located and all necessary mitigating actions had been taken. In the event of a Dawn Primarolo: Section 8 of the Children and Young security breach, a full review would take place and Persons Act 2008 amends the 1989 Children Act to prosecutions would be instigated where appropriate. substitute new provisions in relation to provision of accommodation and maintenance for children who are looked after by a local authority. Children: Day Care Some provisions inserted by section 8 have already been brought in to force. section 8(3) and schedule 2 Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for came in to force on 12 February 2009. Section 8(1), in Children, Schools and Families how many providers so far as it inserts section 22C(11) and 22 (F) into the of daycare and early years foundation stage on 1989 Act, and section 8(2) and schedule 1, in so far as it non-domestic premises registered with Ofsted are relates to paragraph 4 came in to force on 1 September (a) individuals, (b) a partnership, (c) a company, 2009. (d) a committee and (e) a statutory body. [295565] 343W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 344W

Dawn Primarolo: This is a matter for Ofsted. The Ms Diana R. Johnson: Government guidance, Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, will write to the hon. ‘Safeguarding children who may have been trafficked’, Member and copies of her reply will be placed in the issued in 2007, makes clear that LSCBs should ensure House Libraries. that local training programmes for practitioners and Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated October 2009: other professionals cover trafficking issues as required, Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as. either as part of safeguarding training or as additional Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for reply. training. The budget for each LSCB and the contribution The Government introduced new arrangements for the registration made by each member organisation is agreed locally. of childcare providers through the Childcare Act 2006, which DCSF is investing over £130 million in supporting the took effect on 1 September 2008. From that date, the term ’day children and families’ social work workforce between care’ was no longer used to describe registered childcare provision. 2008 and 2011. The closest equivalent is ’childcare on non-domestic premises’. These are providers who care for individual children up to the age Children: Social Services of eight in premises that are not someone’s home. These premises can range from converted houses to purpose built nurseries. Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Table A shows figures for the number of providers who offer Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer childcare on non-domestic premises, broken down by the type of of 20 October 2009, Official Report, columns 1504- organisation that you specify, as recorded on our database at 30 05W, on children: social services, in which local September 2009. authorities (a) the three children who were victims of Table A: Number of childcare providers on non-domestic premises active at 30 homicide and who were on the child protection register, September 2009 by organisation type (b) the two children who were victims of homicide and Number who were previously referred to social care services

Individual 5,774 prior to the incident but were not receiving services and Partnership 1,981 (c) the 10 children who were not known to children’s [295506] Company 8,366 services resided. Committee 8,175 Dawn Primarolo [holding answer 26 October 2009]: Statutory Body 2,853 This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine A copy of this reply has been sent to right hon. Dawn Primarolo Gilbert, has written to the hon. Member and a copy of MP, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, her reply has been placed in the House Libraries. and will be placed in the library of both Houses. Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 26 October 2009: Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Children, Schools and Families how many children Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for response. received free child care in (a) Birmingham, Northfield Your question refers to the recently published report Learning Lessons, taking action: Year 2, which covered the period April constituency and (b) Birmingham in the last 12 2008 to April 2009. Of the three children who were victims of months; and if he will make a statement. [296205] homicide and were on the child protection register, one of these resided in Bexley and two resided in North Somerset. Dawn Primarolo: The number of children receiving The two children who were victims of homicide and were free child care can broadly be quantified by the number previously referred to social care services prior to the incidents, in receipt of the free entitlement for three and four-year-olds, but were not receiving services at the time of the incident, both although a small number of children may also be receiving resided in Birmingham. free child care through other programmes such as the The ten children who were not known to Children’s Services new targeted two-year-old offer. This is shown in the resided in Doncaster, Dorset, East Sussex, Hampshire (two children), following table. Kirklees, Peterborough and Sutton (three children). A copy of this reply has been sent to right hon. Dawn Primarolo Table 1: Part-time equivalent number of free early education places1,2,3 filled by MP, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, three4 and four4-year-olds, position in January and will be placed in the. Library of both Houses. Birmingham, Northfield constituency Birmingham local authority Children’s Centres

2009 1,800 26,800 Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for 1A place is equal to five or more sessions and can be filled by more than one Children, Schools and Families what steps he plans to child. 2Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. take to ensure all parents and children are able to 3In addition to free places taken up through the three and four-year-old offer, a access their nearest Sure Start centre. [297047] number of children will have access to free provision through other initiatives. Most notably the two-year-olds pilot where Birmingham have been funded to Dawn Primarolo: The Government are allocating over provide 498 places in 2009/10. 4Age of all children taken at 31 December in the previous calendar year. £1 billion a year to local authorities to support services in Sure Start Children’s Centres. Our practice guidance Given footnotes 1 and 3, it is likely that the figures makes it clear that parents and families should have presented in the table are a slight underestimate of the access to the support they need irrespective of where true number of children receiving any child care, but the they live. Children’s centres are changing the way many table shows the most accurate number that can be parents’ access essential services during their children’s produced from existing data sources. early years by delivering them closer to homes and in Children: Protection ways that suit the needs of families. All Sure Start Children’s Centres are expected to Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, provide outreach services to help make a real difference Schools and Families what funding he has allocated to to families who cannot or choose not to access services, train those practitioners involved in safeguarding child providing important information and access to services victims of trafficking. [298925] such as childcare and family support. 345W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 346W

In addition, we are working to improve parents’ Ms Diana R. Johnson: The number of pilot schemes awareness of their local children’s centre, including the commissioned by the Department and its predecessors launch in September of a national communications in the last ten years cannot be established without campaign to raise awareness of Sure Start Children’s incurring disproportionate cost. Centres among parents, with a particular focus on those living in areas of high deprivation. Departmental Rail Travel We are on track to achieve our target of at least 3,500 Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Sure Start Children’s Centres (one for every community) Schools and Families how much his Department has by March 2010, offering access to services for all children spent on first class train tickets for (a) Ministers and under five and their families. (b) officials in the last 12 months; and if he will make Departmental Annual Reports a statement. [280174] Ms Diana R. Johnson: The spend figures for the Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for financial year 2008-9 for first class train travel are: Children, Schools and Families under which budgetary (a) For Ministers was £8,352 and heading in Table 8.4 of his Department’s Annual (b) for officials was £3,195,655. Report 2009, pages 175-76, his Department’s expenditure on (a) the Youth of Today programme Excluding Ministers, there were 17,209 first class rail and (b) the Travelling to School Initiative falls. tickets issued to officials for business travel. [297025] Staffs in grades SEO and above have a formal entitlement to fist class travel. It is departmental policy that, all staff Ms Diana R. Johnson: The Department’s funding regardless of grade, should consider in advance; allocation shown aggregated in DCSF’s Departmental if they need to work on the train then there may be occasions Annual Report 2009, table 8.4, for the year 2010-11 is when first class travel will be less busy and noisy than standard shown as follows: class. (a) Youth of Today programme falls under; if they intend to eat a full meal on the train and claim reimbursement they should consider whether they would get a Youth Programmes—£130,000 allocated to the national youth better deal by opting for a first class package which includes agency and national voluntary youth agency, and meal vouchers. (b) Travelling to Schools Initiative falls under; if they have a disability or a temporary condition such as a Area Based Grants—£6,874,000, and broken limb then first class travel is likely to be more comfortable. Schools Other Miscellaneous Programmes—£300,000. All Members of the Department have a responsibility to make appropriate decisions on how to travel and to Departmental ICT secure value for money in the use of travel budgets. Travel by Ministers and civil servants, is undertaken Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Children, Schools and Families with which Service Management Code respectively. organisations his Department has had exclusivity The data has been provided by the department’s agreements in relation to information technology (a) contractor for travel booking, Carlson Wagonlit Travel. hardware and (b) software in each of the last five years; and whether such agreements were breached in Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for each of those years. [298669] Children, Schools and Families how much his Department and its predecessors spent on first class Ms Diana R. Johnson: The Department for Children, rail travel for officials in each of the last three years; Schools and Families does not currently have any exclusivity and if he will make a statement. [293327] agreements relating to information technology for either hardware or software and has not had any such agreements Ms Diana R. Johnson: The data requested was for the in the last five years. Department for Children, School and Families (DCSF). DCSF was established under the machinery of Government Departmental Official Hospitality changes on 28 June 2007, therefore the response covers its predecessor the Department for Education and Skills Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for (DFES). Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the written First class spend for rail travel for each of the last ministerial statement of 13 October 2009, Official three years is as follows. Report, column 15WS, on official receptions, if he will place in the Library a copy of the list of the guests who £ attended each reception. [293877] 2006-07 3,805,862 2007-08 3,101,602 Ms Diana R. Johnson: These events were attended by 2008-09 3,195,655 media correspondents and key Stakeholders. Dogs: Young People Departmental Pilot Schemes Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Timpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much the Children, Schools and Families how many pilot Government have spent on educating young people in schemes his Department has commissioned in each responsible dog ownership in the last 12 months. year since 1997. [298636] [297275] 347W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 348W

Ms Diana R. Johnson: We do not hold information Every local authority has funding for at least one on how much the Government have spent specifically family intervention project and we plan to have 228 in on educating young people in responsible dog ownership place by the end of 2009. From April 2010 there is during the last 12 months. additional funding for further projects. The number of However, pupils in primary and secondary schools projects which will be established will depend on whether learn about animal welfare issues including understanding local authorities use this money to expand existing about the responsibility of humans to care for animals, projects or set up new ones. However on 30 September through Citizenship Education. 2009 the PM announced that 10,000 families would be supported by FIPs each year from 2011/12 onwards. Guidance from QCDA on teaching Citizenship includes the units, ‘How the law protects animals—a local-to global study’ and ‘Animals and Us’. Both of these Home Education: Inspections resources support learning about animal welfare. Education: Young Offenders Mr. Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which 15 local authorities will be contacted by Ofsted to discuss the Mr. Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for potential inspection regime for home education. Children, Schools and Families how much was spent (a) in total and (b) per inmate on education for [296963] inmates of young offender institutions in 2008-09. [296970] Mr. Coaker: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Mr. Coaker: The amount of funding allocated to the Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the LSC for the financial year 2008-09, for delivery of House Libraries. learning through the Offenders’ Learning and Skills Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 5 November 2009: Service (OLASS) to young people aged 15-17 in Prison Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Service Young Offender Institutions in England was Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for a response. £19,399,065. This does not include information about additional provision outside of the scope of LSC funded Ofsted is not contacting local authorities to discuss a potential inspection regime for home education. However, as part of Ofsted’s provision which is not collected centrally, neither does it annual programme of survey inspections, which was agreed in include funding for young adults aged 18-20 in YOIs, as 2008, we are undertaking a survey of education otherwise than at this information is not easily disaggregated. school. This survey will cover elective education at home, as well As at 31 March 2009, the YJB commissioned 2,543 as those children that go missing from school. It will provide beds across the young person’s prison service YOI independent inspection evidence about the quality of provision estate, therefore on average £7,628 was allocated per and outcomes for this group of children and young people. bed. We have identified a representative sample of 15 local authorities, based on the estimated size of the population of children educated Faith Schools: Islam otherwise than at school, and the location and type of the local authority, for example whether it is inner city, rural, urban, coastal or in a conurbation. Ofsted publishes the names of Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State providers and areas visited for survey work in the final report for Children, Schools and Families what recent rather than in advance of our visits, enabling us to carry out short representations he has received from the charity Islamic notice visits that give us a better picture of practice on the Help on the establishment of a girls’ boarding school ground. It would, therefore, be inappropriate to provide the and teacher training facility in Nelson. [298621] individual local authority names at this stage. A copy of this reply has been sent to Vernon Coaker MP, Ms Diana R. Johnson: The Department has not received Minister of State for Schools and Learners, and will be placed in any representations from the charity Islamic Help on the Library of both Houses. the establishment of a new school and teacher training facility in Nelson, Lancashire. Home Education: Special Educational Needs Family Intervention Projects Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding his Children, Schools and Families (1) what sanctions will Department has provided to each local authority in apply to families which do not comply with the England and Wales for children with special conditions of a family intervention project; [298948] educational needs who are educated at home in each of (2) how many family intervention projects his the last five years. [297850] Department plans to undertake in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012, (e) 2013, (f) 2014 and (g) 2015. Mr. Coaker [holding answer 5 November 2009]: The [298949] dedicated schools grant (DSG) includes funding for high cost pupils for whom the local authority is financially Dawn Primarolo: While a family’s involvement in a responsible. The DSG does not earmark funds for family intervention project is voluntary, the projects specific groups of pupils and it is for local authorities to draw on and drive home the implications of sanctions deploy their resources appropriately to meet local needs. that a family or family members may already be facing. Where local authorities fund pupils with special educational These include seeking possession of a family’s tenancy, needs who are home educated, they should include a parenting order, antisocial behaviour order, proceedings these pupils in their returns of alternative provision in to take children into care and juvenile specific orders. order to secure a DSG unit of funding for them. 349W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 350W

We are not in a position to comment on the practice National Curriculum Tests for Wales, as it is the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales to provide this information. Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what impact Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation assessment was made of proposals to change the date of standard assessment tests from May to June 2011. Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for [298170] Children, Schools and Families what steps his Mr. Coaker: The recommendation to change the date Department has taken to assess the suitability of the of the key stage 2 tests was made by the Expert Group Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation as (a) a school on Assessment, set up by the Secretary of State to provider and (b) an organisation receiving funds from advise on the future of testing and assessment across his Department. [297093] the key stages. The group took into account a range of stakeholder’s views including schools, local authorities, Ms Diana R. Johnson [holding answer 2 November academics, social partners and others. The Government 2009]: The Independent Schools Standards (England) accepted the group’s recommendations in full in May Regulations 2003, as amended, require that proprietors 2009. The Qualifications and Curriculum Development of independent schools must have a criminal background Agency (QCDA) is currently consulting schools, local check conducted to confirm their suitability. In common authorities (LAs) and other interested stakeholders on with all other independent schools the CRB check on the date of the 2011 tests. the proprietor of the two Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation schools in Haringey and Slough has been undertaken. Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Beyond this the proprietor must ensure that the school Children, Schools and Families what effect the change meets all the requirements of the regulations including of the date of standard assessment tests from May to the quality of the teaching, the spiritual moral, social June 2011 will have on opportunities for learning and cultural development of pupils and the welfare, outside the classroom in the summer term 2011; and if health and safety of pupils. Ofsted conducts regular he will make a statement. [298171] inspections against these standards and any failings are taken up with the school to ensure they are put right. Ms Diana R. Johnson: We do not expect the change DCSF asked Ofsted to inspect both schools in 2007. of timing for the National Curriculum tests to have any Both were found to be meeting the standard on the major effect on opportunities for learning outside the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of classroom in the summer term. Activities should not, pupils. and need not, be left to the summer months. For it to be There have been follow up inspections of both institutions truly effective, learning outside the classroom should since and they will continue to be subject to regular take place on a regular basis and be informed by what inspections. teachers want learners to achieve. We know schools recognise the importance of ensuring every child has Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation has received funding access to learning beyond the classroom as such experiences from Haringey and Slough local authority for early excite young people, deepen their understanding of years free entitlement in relation to their nursery provision. classroom subjects, and help develop their own mechanisms In terms of free entitlement funding the Department for identifying and managing risk. Learning outside the sets the framework for how this is distributed in the classroom is vital to make young people independent, statutory code of practice. All settings must meet Early confident and self-reliant. Years Foundation Stage requirements. It is for local authorities to decide whether providers meet the criteria, Ofsted: Disclosure of Information and are therefore suitable to receive funding for the free entitlement. Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many calls have Learning and Skills Improvement Service: Finance been received on Ofsted’s whistleblower hotline since the service was established. [295567] Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding his Dawn Primarolo: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Department provided to the Learning and Skills Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the Improvement Service in the latest period for which hon. Member and a copy of her reply has been placed figures are available; and what proportion this in the House Libraries. constituted of the total budget of the Service. [293408] Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated October 2009: Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Ms Diana R. Johnson: The Learning and Skills Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for a response. Improvement Service (LSIS) was established in October A total of 941 calls have been made to Ofsted’s safeguarding 2008 and, therefore, did not receive funding prior to children whistleblower hotline since its inception on 1 April 2009. that. However, LSIS became operational on 1 October Twenty two of these calls qualified under our whistleblower 2008 following the merger of the Quality Improvement procedures and have been handled accordingly. In addition to the Agency (QIA) and the Centre for Excellence in Leadership hotline, Ofsted has received 29 whistleblowing allegations by (CEL). email or letter. A significant number of calls to the hotline were not from In 2008-09 the Department for Business Innovation whistleblowers (360) but were general queries. A further 258 calls and Skills (then DIUS) received funding from DCSF were complaints about local and childcare services, but were not for both those organisations mentioned above totalling from ‘whistleblowers’. These were dealt with within our normal £44.8 million. procedures. 351W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 352W

A copy of this reply has been sent to Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for MP, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has and will be placed in the library of both Houses. made of progress towards his Department’s targets under its policy of extended secondary and primary Primary Education: Pupil Numbers schools. [298642] Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many surplus primary Dawn Primarolo: By 30 September 2009, over 19,000 school places there were in each local authority area in maintained schools were offering access to the core offer of extended services. This represents 90 per cent. each year since 2005. [298197] of primary schools and 90 per cent. of secondary Ms Diana R. Johnson: A table showing the number of schools. All schools should be providing access to extended surplus primary school places by local authority area services by 2010. between 2005 and 2009 has been placed in the House Libraries for viewing. Schools: Discipline

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Schools and Families which local authorities his Children, Schools and Families if he will initiate a Department has directed to reduce the number of survey of school discipline. [298663] surplus primary school places in each year since 2005; and if he will make a statement. [298198] Mr. Coaker [holding answer 9 November 2009]: We Ms Diana R. Johnson: The Department has not directed have recently received a considerable amount of information any local authority to reduce the number of surplus on School discipline, so do not consider a further study primary school places in any year since 2005. Local necessary at this time. This information includes the authorities are responsible for managing school places recent series of reports on school behaviour from Sir and deciding the most appropriate pattern of school Alan Steer, school inspection evidence from Ofsted and provision for their area. a range of surveys conducted by our partners, including teacher professional associations and the National Audit Schools Office. In 2007/08, Ofsted judged that behaviour in 93 per cent. of primary and 72 per cent. of secondary schools was good or outstanding. On 30 September Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009 the Government launched a new Behaviour Challenge Children, Schools and Families whether a school may to local authorities and schools, making clear our ambition receive funding from (a) his Department and (b) local that by 2012 all schools will either have a good or authorities without (i) a registration number and (ii) outstanding Ofsted rating on behaviour, or be on track having been inspected. [298316] to reach one at their next inspection. The Behaviour Challenge will ensure delivery of the guarantee we Mr. Coaker [holding answer 9 November 2009]: Local made in the White Paper on 21st Century Schools authorities provide funding for maintained schools, and earlier this year that all schools will have good behaviour, can also provide funding for three and four-year-olds in strong discipline, order and safety. independent schools. With regard to maintained schools, a local authority Schools: Finance should usually provide funding for a new school from 15 months before its opening, as set out in the School Finance Regulations 2008. A school is issued with a Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for registration number by the DCSF shortly after the Children, Schools and Families how much his DCSF has been notified by the decision maker that a Department plans to spend on schools in each of the decision to approve the statutory proposals for a new next five years. [298859] school has been made. Therefore a new school will have a registration number before it is funded. The focus of Mr. Coaker: In November 2007, the Government inspection is on outcomes for pupils and the school announced the indicative budgets for the dedicated needs to be operating before that can be assessed, schools grant from 2008 to 2011. The indicative dedicated therefore maintained schools do receive funding prior schools grant for 2010-11 for England is £30,959 million. to being inspected. The overall school revenue funding will be approximately With regard to independent schools, before any £42.1 billion in 2010-11. We cannot confirm what the independent school can be entered on to the independent education funding settlement will be from 2011-12 onwards schools register it must meet the standards set in advance of the next Spending Review. out in “The Education (Independent School Standards)(England)Regulations 2003 (as amended)”. Schools: Standards Prior to registration being granted the Department would commission an inspection by Ofsted who would provide a report to officials in order to ascertain how Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for far the school goes to meet the standards required. The Children, Schools and Families which maintained school would be required to rectify any regulatory (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special schools failings prior to registration. Only then would an Ofsted classified in each local authority as independent school be able to receive funding for three (i) outstanding and (ii) in special measures on the latest and four-year-olds. date for which figures are available. [294607] 353W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 354W

Mr. Coaker: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM chief Based Grants (ABG), which amount to £27.5 million as inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. a Department. This level of funding has been announced Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the to local authorities (LA’s) through the ABG mechanism. House Libraries. In addition to this we have a further teenage pregnancy budget within the Department totalling £5.85 million, Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for which funds the TPG media campaign and secondment Children, Schools and Families how many schools have costs of Regional Teenage Pregnancy Coordinators. been given notices to improve by Ofsted since 1 September 2009. [298738] Sure Start Programme

Mr. Coaker [holding answer 9 November 2009]: Ofsted Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for publish these data on a termly basis and this information Children, Schools and Families what recent assessment will not be available until January 2010. he has made of the effects of Sure Start children’s centres on low income families. [297948] Schools; Finance Dawn Primarolo: The National Evaluation of Sure Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Start report The Impact of Sure Start Local Programmes Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer on Three Year Olds and Their Families’, was published to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath of 9 September in March 2008. This report found a number of positive 2009, Official Report, columns 1938-9, on schools: impacts for children in Sure Start Local Programme finance, which individual programmes and (SSLP) areas. Parents of three-year-old children showed corresponding allocations are aggregated as (a) less negative parenting while providing their children children in care proposals and (b) teenage pregnancy with a better home learning environment. Three-year-old grant. [297334] children areas had better social development with higher levels of positive social behaviour and independence/self- Ms Diana R. Johnson: The information requested is regulation than children in similar areas not having a as follows: SSLP. Families living in SSLP areas used more child- and family-related services than those living elsewhere. (a) The individual Programmes included under the The effects associated with SSLPs appeared to apply to heading Children in Care Proposals in the DCSF’s all of the resident population sub groups assessed, Departmental Annual Report 2009, table 8.4, are provided including those on low incomes. in the following list: Fostering Change In February 2009, DCSF published the ’Sure Start Children’s Centres Survey of Parents’ research by TNS. Recruit foster carers from a diverse range of backgrounds This found very high levels of satisfaction with children’s Choice Protects Topslive - fosterline contract centres by users of centres. It also found that those In the child’s trust fund, £100 per year for every child who using centres closely matched the local community. spends the year in care. The report also commented that Independent visitors “there is no evidence that any sub-groups within the community Social work practices are monopolising the centres. Equally, the results suggest that no Multi Systemic Therapy sub-groups are being excluded from or failing to access the Family Drug and Alcohol Courts centres.” Virtual Head teacher and the Private Tutoring Pilots Further evaluation of the impact of children’s centres Social Pedagogy in residential care will be published in due course. MTFC - Multi dimension Treatment Foster Care Teachers: Training Right2B Cared4 Staying with foster carers until 21 Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Promote the use of Family Group Conferencing through a Children, Schools and Families how many teacher programme of national events and training training entrants did not gain qualified teacher status Develop a training resource for practitioners drawing on the within 12 months of beginning initial teacher training conclusions of research on the identification of neglect in each year since 1997. [297044] To update the guidance on Promoting the Health of looked after children, clarifying the functions and responsibilities of Mr. Coaker: The number and percentage of final year those involved in ensuring that children in care receive the initial teacher trainees who gained qualified teacher health services they need status (QTS) are given in the following tables. This National Centre for Excellence in Residential Children’s Care information is available from 1998/99 onwards for college- (NCERCC) (originally from CP Topslice) based courses and 2001/02 for employment-based routes IRO Training and support (EBR) and relates to initial teacher training (ITT) courses NMS-Non Maintained Specialist Schools of all lengths—not just one year. Children Act Guidance For academic year 2008/09, 92 per cent. of postgraduate Training for practitioners/governors entrants and 91 per cent. of employment based entrants Funding allocations are yet to be finalised for the were on courses intended to be for one year, but only programmes. 1 per cent. of entrants to undergraduate courses were (b) The £2.0 million that is shown on table 8.4 under on courses intended to last one year. the heading Teenage Pregnancy Grant forms part of a Information in the requested format could be provided larger amount of funding that is allocated through Area only at disproportionate costs. 355W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 356W

Initial teacher trainees: final year trainees gaining QTS via college based courses, years: 1998/99 to 2007/08, coverage: England ITT route Postgraduate Undergraduate Trainees gaining QTS Trainees gaining QTS Number of final Number of final year trainees Number Percentage year trainees Number Percentage

1998/99 17,430 15,160 87.0 9,770 8,910 91.2 1999/2000 17,170 14,850 86.5 7,490 6,850 91.5 2000/01 18,680 16,150 86.5 7,040 6,490 92.1 2001/02 19,480 16,940 87.0 6,870 6,340 92.2 2002/03 21,590 19,180 88.8 6,980 6,250 89.5 2003/04 24,590 21,460 87.3 6,380 5,880 92.1 2004/05 25,200 21,780 86.4 6,160 5,360 87.1 2005/06 25,100 21,600 86.0 6,120 5,410 88.4 2006/07 24,660 21,080 85.5 6,690 5,900 88.2 2007/08 23,420 20,260 86.5 7,040 6,210 88.2 Notes: 1. Includes trainees from universities and other higher education institutions, school centred initial teacher training and Open universities but excludes employment based routes (EBR). 2. Those who have gained QTS does not include final year trainees who are: ‘known not to have completed the course’; have ‘undefined outcome’; are yet to complete their course; those with withheld QTS (including those where their skills test were not met, their standards were not met and where both their standards and skills test were not met) and those where the skills test has not been taken (including those whose standards were met and those whose standards were not met). 3. Numbers are individually rounded to the nearest 10. Source: TDA’s Performance Profiles

Initial teacher trainees: final year trainees gaining QTS via employment based routes, years: 2001/02 to 2007/08, coverage: England ITT route: Employee based routes Trainees gaining QTS Number of final year trainees gain Number Percentage

2001/02 2,440 2,210 90.7 2002/03 4,030 3,670 91.1 2003/04 4,950 4,470 90.4 2004/05 7,220 6,600 91.5 2005/06 6,970 6,090 87.5 2006/07 7,840 7,120 90.8 2007/08 6,990 6,510 93.1 Notes: 1. Those who have gained QTS does not include final year trainees who are: ‘known not to have completed the course’; have ‘undefined outcome’; are yet to complete their course; those with withheld QTS (including those where their skills test were not met, their standards were not met and where both their standards and skills test were not met) and those where the skills test has not been taken (including those whose standards were met and those whose standards were not met). 2. Numbers are individually rounded to the nearest 10. Source: TDA ’s Performance Profiles

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for and allows new providers to enter the ITT market, Children, Schools and Families what steps (a) his without flooding it by working in partnership with an Department and (b) the Training and Development experienced ITT provider. Agency for Schools has taken to encourage applications from new high-quality teacher training Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for providers. [298471] Children, Schools and Families what steps (a) his Department and (b) the Training and Development Mr. Coaker: Neither the Department nor the Training Agency for Schools takes when Ofsted grades an initial and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) is actively teacher training provider at C or below. [298472] seeking to accredit any new providers of initial teacher training (ITT) as there is a sufficiently good quality regional spread of provision to meet the demand for Mr. Coaker: The Training and Development Agency training and to deliver the ITT recruitment targets for Schools (TDA) is given the power by statute to which are determined by my right hon. Friend the accredit initial teacher training (ITT) providers, and in Secretary of State. doing so it is required to have regard to the quality of If an organisation or consortia approaches the TDA providers’ courses when allocating training places and expressing interest in becoming an accredited ITT provider, funding. the TDA considers the organisation’s proposed training, Providers inspected up to July 2008 were graded location, and its experience in training or education. If according to Management and Quality Assurance, Training the proposed training demonstrates the potential to add and Standards. These grades are then translated into value to existing ITT provision, the TDA will work with TDA Quality Categories A, B and C using agreed the organisation to broker a partnership with an existing calculations on the permutations of grades. A Grade 3 ITT provider. This enables the Agency to ensure that automatically results in Quality Category C designation. new providers are not lost to the overall ITT market Ofsted grades Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers 357W Written Answers10 NOVEMBER 2009 Written Answers 358W on the following scale: Grade 1: Outstanding; Grade 2: (ix) Where, exceptionally, a provider has received a Grade 3 in Good; Grade 3: Satisfactory; and Grade 4: Inadequate. two inspections, senior representatives from the provider have met with the TDA’s Head of Quality and Inspection. The When initial teacher training providers are placed in provider is required to produce an Improvement Plan, and is quality category C, they are treated less favourably for still monitored. However, funding for support activity is curtailed. allocation purposes than training providers placed in These providers have also been informed that they have a quality categories A or B: they are not allowed to bid limited time to secure improvement, before the next inspection for additional training places and when cuts are required as further cuts will be initiated. Given the provider’s track in the total number of training places to be allocated to record, the TDA would review (taking regional and other all training providers, allocations to quality category C factors into account) whether to continue allocating places to any provider which fails to achieve improvement. providers are reduced first. There are currently 15 category C providers from a Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for total of 233 ITT providers. Children, Schools and Families how many teacher When a provider is categorised as a C provider the training providers have had their number of places Agency: reduced for (a) five or more successive years, (b) the (i) Requires the provider to submit an Improvement Plan last four years, (c) the last three years and (d) the last indicating actions to be taken to remedy any issues raised by two years. [298473] Ofsted, and to indicate how it proposes to improve quality. A written evaluation of the plan is sent to the provider. Mr. Coaker: The number of initial teacher training (ii) The provider is given documentation on how to construct (ITT) providers allocated fewer places by the Training effective Improvement Plans—this has been preceded by and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) for more consultancy support on Self-Evaluation and Improvement than one consecutive year in the period ending 2009/10 Planning, and a series of workshops on the topic. is given in the following table. (iii) The provider is visited by the Head of Quality and Inspection ITT providers: consecutive years’ decrease in allocated places to 2009/10, at the TDA and/or one of the consultants who work in the 2005/06 to 2009/10, coverage: England team. The Improvement Plan is reviewed, and recommendations Numbers of years of consecutive falls in Accredited ITT providers given for refinement and clarity, with an emphasis on securing places allocated (number) best outcomes and impact. 5 years 7 (iv) The provider submits an update on activity and achievements against the Improvement Plan each term. Last 4 years 34 Last 3 years 59 (v) The provider receives consultancy support to secure Last 2 years 77 improvements to provision, and is monitored through visits by the Quality and Inspection Team. Note: The figures are cumulative, so for example, the 77 providers with falls for the last (vi) The provider’s annual Self-Evaluation Document is reviewed two years, includes the 59 providers with falls for the last three years. in detail, and written feedback given to the provider, with Source: tailored support and/or intervention as appropriate. This may TDAs Trainee Numbers Census involve the provider receiving guidance from a high quality Vetting and Barring Scheme Review ITT provider, a consultant or a subject/phase specialist. (vii) The provider automatically receives a full tariff inspection at the start of the subsequent inspection cycle. Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he expects (viii) The TDA has a limited number of training places to Sir Roger Singleton to publish his review of the vetting allocate across the sector. As required, places are allocated on a quality basis. Therefore, where cuts are required, category C and barring scheme. [295511] providers are first in line for reduced numbers. Decisions taken on reducing places are related to the phase and/or subjects Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the offered. These places however, can be reinstated if the quality reply given on 28 October 2009, Official Report, of provision improves. column 395W.

ORAL ANSWERS

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Col. No. Col. No. JUSTICE...... 141 JUSTICE—continued Antisocial Behaviour (Sentencing) ...... 147 Prison Site (North Wales) ...... 141 Criminal Trial Acquittals (Costs) ...... 150 Prisoner Release...... 151 Criminal Trial Acquittals (Costs) ...... 154 Prisoner Transfer Agreements...... 155 Debt Management ...... 150 Supreme Court (Running Costs)...... 142 Drug Misuse (Prisons) ...... 145 Topical Questions ...... 155 Equitable Life (North Dorset)...... 220 Violent Behaviour (Court Cases)...... 147 Judges (Breach of Standards)...... 149 Young Reoffenders...... 152 Multi-agency Protection...... 153 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE...... 13WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE— Defence Advisory Forum...... 13WS continued Draft Antarctic Bill...... 17WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL HEALTH...... 17WS AFFAIRS...... 14WS “The NHS Constitution: a consultation on new Agriculture and Fisheries Council...... 14WS patients rights”...... 17WS British Waterways Board...... 14WS TRANSPORT ...... 18WS London Midland Franchise ...... 18WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 16WS British Indian Ocean Territory: Marine TREASURY ...... 13WS Protection ...... 16WS Budget ECOFIN...... 13WS PETITIONS

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Col. No. Col. No. Equitable Life (Gravesham)...... 1P ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Equitable Life (Hampstead and Highgate)...... 1P AFFAIRS...... 2P Flooding (Surrey) ...... 2P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 314W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Business: Government Assistance ...... 314W Non-Departmental Public Bodies ...... 322W Business: Regulation ...... 315W Sanctions: Iran...... 324W Charlie Whelan ...... 316W Strategic Investment Fund ...... 324W Companies House: Standards ...... 316W Technology Strategy Board: Grants ...... 324W Departmental Air Travel ...... 316W Departmental Finance ...... 317W CABINET OFFICE...... 310W Departmental Information Officers ...... 317W Cancer ...... 310W Departmental Internet ...... 318W Departmental Telephone Services ...... 311W Departmental Reorganisation...... 318W Google Adword Online Advertising Keywords ...... 311W Departmental Standards...... 318W Green Ministers Committee...... 311W Derek Draper...... 319W Housing ...... 312W Electronic Equipment ...... 319W Knowledge Archive Database ...... 312W Future Jobs Fund...... 320W Members: Allowances ...... 312W Insolvency: Fees and Charges ...... 321W Mesothelioma ...... 312W Job Creation: Environment Protection...... 321W National School of Government: Finance ...... 313W Learning and Skills Council: Consultants...... 321W Personal Income ...... 314W Low Carbon Zones ...... 322W Manufacturing Industries: Minerals...... 322W Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries...... 322W CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES ...... 340W CAFCASS: Finance...... 340W Col. No. Col. No. CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES—continued COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— Care Homes: Children ...... 341W continued Children and Young Persons Act 2008...... 341W Right to Buy Scheme ...... 286W Children: Databases...... 342W Social Rented Housing...... 286W Children: Day Care ...... 342W Social Rented Housing: Standards...... 288W Children: Protection...... 343W Valuation Office: Buildings ...... 288W Children: Social Services...... 344W Wind Power: Market Harborough ...... 288W Children’s Centres...... 344W Wind Power: Planning Permission ...... 288W Departmental Annual Reports...... 345W Departmental ICT ...... 345W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 184W Departmental Official Hospitality...... 345W Big Lottery Fund: Internet...... 184W Departmental Pilot Schemes ...... 345W Cultural Heritage: Internet ...... 184W Departmental Rail Travel...... 346W Departmental Air Travel ...... 185W Dogs: Young People...... 346W Departmental Data Protection...... 185W Education: Young Offenders ...... 347W Departmental Internet ...... 185W Faith Schools: Islam...... 347W Departmental Postal Services...... 186W Family Intervention Projects ...... 347W Departmental Rail Travel...... 186W Home Education: Inspections ...... 348W Digital Switchover Help Scheme...... 186W Home Education: Special Educational Needs ...... 348W Local Press...... 186W Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation ...... 349W Sportsgrounds...... 187W Learning and Skills Improvement Service: Finance...... 349W DEFENCE...... 219W National Curriculum Tests...... 350W Afghanistan: Armed Forces ...... 219W Ofsted: Disclosure of Information ...... 350W Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations ...... 220W Primary Education: Pupil Numbers...... 351W Air Force: Navy ...... 220W Schools ...... 351W Armed Forces: Equipment ...... 221W Schools: Discipline...... 352W Armed Forces: Housing ...... 222W Schools: Finance...... 352W Armed Forces: Mental Health Services...... 223W Schools; Finance...... 353W Armed Forces: North West ...... 224W Schools: Standards...... 352W Armed Forces: Training ...... 225W Sure Start Programme...... 354W Armoured Fighting Vehicles ...... 230W Teachers: Training...... 354W Atomic Weapons Establishment...... 231W Vetting and Barring Scheme Review ...... 358W Atomic Weapons Establishment: Floods...... 231W Atomic Weapons Establishment: Radioactive CHURCH COMMISSIONERS ...... 179W Waste ...... 231W Church Commissioners: Land...... 179W AWE Aldermaston...... 232W Church Commissioners: Meetings ...... 182W AWE Burghfield...... 232W Church of England: Finance...... 182W Departmental Postal Services...... 233W Church of England: Investment...... 182W Departmental Visits Abroad ...... 233W Written Answers: Government Responses...... 183W Disposal Services Agency...... 233W Helicopters: Afghanistan ...... 234W Iraq Committee of Inquiry ...... 235W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 266W Met Office...... 235W Coastal Areas: Housing...... 266W Military Aircraft ...... 236W Community Development: Doncaster...... 270W Nuclear Submarines: Decommissioning...... 236W Community Development: Finance ...... 271W Nuclear Weapons...... 236W Council Housing: Finance ...... 271W Nuclear Weapons: Inspections ...... 237W Departmental Consultants...... 272W Radioactive Materials: Transport...... 237W Departmental Data Protection...... 272W Reservists ...... 238W Departmental ICT ...... 273W Royal Gibraltar Regiment...... 238W Departmental Non-Domestic Rates...... 273W SAR Chivenor ...... 238W Departmental Travel ...... 273W Somalia: Peacekeeping Operations...... 239W Domestic Violence: Refuges...... 274W Territorial Army: Deployment ...... 239W Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal ...... 275W Territorial Army: Training ...... 239W Empty Property: Council Tax ...... 275W USA: Nuclear Weapons ...... 240W Fire Services: Industrial Health and Safety ...... 276W Volunteer Reserve Force...... 240W Homes and Communities Agency: Consultants ..... 276W Housing Ombudsman ...... 276W Housing: Prices ...... 277W ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 187W Housing Revenue Accounts ...... 276W Political Parties: Finance...... 187W Housing: Sustainable Development ...... 277W Housingmoves: Internet...... 278W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 218W Local Government: Pensions ...... 279W Energy: Housing ...... 218W Mortgages: Government Assistance...... 279W Natural Gas ...... 218W Non-Domestic Rates...... 280W Renewable Energy...... 218W Non-Domestic Rates: Aerials...... 280W Non-Domestic Rates: Internet ...... 281W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Non-Domestic Rates: Parking ...... 281W AFFAIRS...... 187W Non-Domestic Rates: Valuation ...... 281W Agriculture: Subsidies ...... 187W Planning Applications Review...... 284W Bees...... 189W Planning Permission: Appeals...... 285W Biochar ...... 189W Planning Permission: Asbestos...... 285W Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination...... 190W Col. No. Col. No. ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS— HOME DEPARTMENT—continued continued Entry Clearances: Pakistan ...... 336W Cattle: Animal Welfare...... 189W Entry Clearances: Religious Persons ...... 336W Cetaceans...... 191W Fraud: Learning Disability...... 337W Dogs: Animal Welfare...... 192W Illegal Immigrants...... 337W Fish: Disease Control...... 192W Immigration...... 337W Fisheries...... 193W Immigration Controls ...... 338W Food Supply...... 193W Local Government Services...... 339W Marine Management Organisation ...... 194W Members: Correspondence ...... 339W Pollution Control ...... 194W National Public Order Intelligence Unit...... 339W Reservoirs: East of England...... 195W Sexual Offences...... 340W Water Charges: Voluntary Organisations ...... 195W Theft: Motor Vehicles ...... 340W UK Border Agency: Correspondence...... 340W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 324W Anti-Semitism: Poland ...... 324W HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 177W Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange ... 325W Oils ...... 177W Departmental Travel ...... 325W Iraq: Armed Conflict ...... 325W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 206W Kosovo: Peacekeeping Operations...... 326W Departmental Energy...... 206W Libya: EU External Relations ...... 327W Departmental Travel ...... 207W Middle East: Peace Negotiations...... 327W Sri Lanka ...... 207W NATO: Cybercrime...... 328W Syria: Overseas Aid...... 207W Zimbabwe: Politics and Government ...... 328W Zimbabwe ...... 208W

HEALTH...... 241W JUSTICE...... 214W Alcoholic Drinks: Health Education...... 241W British Values Roadshow ...... 215W Barnet Primary Care Trust: Dental Services...... 242W Female Imprisonment...... 215W Cancer: Drugs...... 242W Housing: Released Prisoner ...... 215W Colorectal Cancer: Screening ...... 243W Human Trafficking: Proceeds of Crime ...... 216W Contraceptives ...... 245W Legal Aid: Child Abuse Cases...... 214W Dental Services: Wirral ...... 245W Magistrates Courts: Haverfordwest ...... 216W Departmental Aviation ...... 245W Pleural Plaques: Compensation ...... 214W Doctors: Working Hours ...... 246W Prisoner Escapes ...... 216W Drugs: Misuse...... 246W Prisoner Voting Rights...... 215W Drugs: Rehabilitation...... 247W Prisoners: Females ...... 217W Exercise...... 248W Prisons: Freedom of Information...... 217W Food ...... 248W Solicitors: Overpayments ...... 214W Genetically Modified Organisms...... 248W Vetting: Local Government...... 218W Haemophilia ...... 249W Health Education...... 250W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 183W Health Education: Expenditure...... 250W Northern Ireland Policing Board ...... 183W Health Services: Hertfordshire ...... 252W Offensive Weapons...... 183W Heart Disease...... 253W Parades Commission for Northern Ireland ...... 184W Hospitals...... 254W Police ...... 184W Hospitals: Crimes of Violence...... 255W Mentally Ill: Children ...... 255W OLYMPICS ...... 177W Mesothelioma ...... 256W Departmental Postal Services ...... 177W Methadone...... 257W Olympic Games 2012: Essex...... 177W NHS: Disciplinary Proceedings...... 257W NHS: Repairs and Maintenance ...... 258W SOLICITOR-GENERAL...... 289W NHS: Working Hours ...... 259W Offences against Children: Internet...... 289W Nutrition...... 259W Obesity: Children ...... 260W TRANSPORT ...... 195W Orthopaedics...... 260W Bus Services: Concessions ...... 195W Smoking...... 265W Bus Services: EC Action...... 196W Social Services: Elderly ...... 265W Bus Services: Milton Keynes ...... 196W Swine Flu: Greater London ...... 265W Crossrail Line: Finance ...... 197W Swine Flu: Vaccination ...... 266W Cycling...... 198W Cycling: Finance ...... 198W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 329W Departmental Air Travel ...... 199W Alcoholic Drinks: Crimes of Violence...... 329W Departmental Data Protection...... 200W Antisocial Behaviour Orders ...... 330W Departmental Energy...... 200W Antisocial Behaviour Orders: Berkshire ...... 331W Departmental Procurement...... 201W Asylum ...... 332W Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases... 201W Borders: Personal Records ...... 333W Driving Tests: Motorcycles ...... 202W British Nationality ...... 333W Fisheries: Accidents ...... 203W British Nationality: Assessments...... 334W Government Departments: Official Cars...... 203W Crime Prevention: Cars...... 334W M42: Cameras...... 203W Departmental Manpower...... 335W Marine Accident Investigation Branch...... 204W Deportation ...... 335W Official Cars...... 204W Detention Centres: Suicide...... 336W Palm Oil...... 204W Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT—continued WORK AND PENSIONS—continued Railways: France...... 205W Departmental Visits Abroad ...... 294W Railways: Franchises ...... 205W Disadvantaged: Merkinch...... 295W Speed Limits: Cameras...... 205W Fuel Poverty...... 295W Taxis: Disabled...... 206W Housing Benefit ...... 296W Transport ...... 206W Housing Benefit: Council Tax Benefit...... 296W Incapacity Benefit ...... 297W TREASURY ...... 208W Incapacity Benefit: Norwich ...... 297W Business: Government Assistance ...... 208W Industrial Diseases: Compensation ...... 298W Council Tax: Valuation ...... 209W Industrial Injuries: Mining...... 299W Departmental Rail Travel...... 209W Jobcentre Plus: Manpower ...... 299W Economic Policy ...... 209W Jobcentre Plus: Training...... 300W Economic Situation...... 210W Jobseekers Allowance...... 300W Excise Duties: Diesel...... 210W Jobseeker’s Allowance: Employment Schemes ...... 301W Housing Benefit: Travelling People ...... 210W Jobseeker’s Allowance: North West...... 301W Housing Revenue Account...... 210W Local Government Services...... 301W Taxation...... 211W Local Housing Allowance...... 302W Valuation Office: Training...... 212W Mesothelioma: Death...... 302W New Deal Schemes...... 302W WALES...... 178W Social Security Benefits...... 303W Christmas...... 178W Social Security Benefits: Fraud ...... 303W Departmental Energy...... 178W Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations..... 304W Departmental Freedom of Information ...... 178W State Retirement Pensions...... 305W Departmental Procurement...... 178W Unemployment Benefits...... 305W Departmental Travel ...... 179W Vacancies ...... 307W Vetting: Young People...... 308W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 289W Voluntary Work ...... 308W Benefit Rules: Care homes ...... 289W Welfare to Work...... 308W Crisis Loans ...... 290W Winter Fuel Payments: Pensioners ...... 309W Departmental Air Travel ...... 293W Work Experience...... 309W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 293W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 310W Departmental Sick Leave ...... 294W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. 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CONTENTS

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 141] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Justice

Local Planning Authorities (Protection of Local Services [Col. 163] Bill presented, and read the First time

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee [Col. 164] Motion for leave to introduce Bill—(Andrew Rosindell)—agreed to Bill presented, and read the First time

Welfare Reform Bill (Programme) (No. 2) [Col. 166] Motion—(Helen Jones)—agreed to

Welfare Reform Bill [Col. 167] Lords amendments considered

Health Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2) [Col. 215] Motion—(Mary Creagh)—agreed to

Health Bill [Lords] [Col. 216] Lords message considered

Petition [Col. 220]

Free Fruit in Schools [Col. 221] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Financial Services Regulation [Col. 1WH] Cyprus [Col. 23WH] Rape Crisis Centres [Col. 48WH] Public Transport (Disabled Access) [Col. 56WH] Centre for Defence Medicine [Col. 64WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 13WS]

Petitions [Col. 1P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 177W] [see index inside back page]