Thursday Volume 545 17 May 2012 No. 6

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 17 May 2012

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2012 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through The National Archives website at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/our-services/parliamentary-licence-information.htm Enquiries to The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 671 17 MAY 2012 672

message goes out that the solar industry is back in House of Commons business and on a sound footing. There will be many more solar installations compared with what happened Thursday 17 May 2012 under the solar installation regime we inherited from the Labour party.

The House met at half-past Ten o’clock Caroline Flint (Don Valley) (Lab): Last week, just 900 installations took place and two thirds of businesses had empty order books, but my question is about the PRAYERS Government’s next round of cuts to solar, which is due on 1 July. Last night, the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, the hon. Member for [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Bexhill and Battle (Gregory Barker), tweeted: “Having listened carefully to industry, we are looking at scope for pushing back a little the next proposed reduction in the #solar Oral Answers to Questions tariffs”. The truth is that the Government have missed the deadline legally required to provide notice to Parliament for the next round of cuts to come into force. Is not the ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Government’s incompetence the real reason why they are backtracking?

The Secretary of State was asked— Mr Davey: The right hon. Lady seems to think that Feed-in Tariffs we should not listen to the industry, but I do. We are considering tweaking the start date for the next tariff 1. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): reduction—if we change it, it will be a tweak, not a What assessment he has made of the effect of changes massive change. She needs to understand that the changes to the feed-in tariff on the number of solar PV that we have consulted on and are introducing will bring stability and mean that we have solar power for installations in the last 12 months. [107609] the many, not the few. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Mr Edward Davey): In the last 12 months, there have Caroline Flint: There will be laughs echoing outside been approximately 270,000 photovoltaic installations the Chamber at the Secretary of State’s suggestion that registered on the microgeneration certification scheme the Government have been listening to the industry, database, against a forecast of just 35,000 installations but my question was about parliamentary procedure. when the scheme was launched in 2010. Moreover, Parliamentary procedure requires that due notice must having substantially reduced the cost of each installation be given in advance of the cuts being brought into force to electricity bill payers, the coalition is now in a position on 1 July. My understanding is that the Department has to significantly expand the ambition of the feed-in missed—legally—the deadline required. Will the Secretary tariffs scheme. of State therefore confirm whether the Department has missed the deadline required to give notice to Parliament? Diana Johnson: Following the chaotic cut to the feed-in If it has, it is absolutely the truth that the Government tariff, there has been a 90% fall in solar panel installations, cannot legally impose the cuts on 1 July. Why does the and 6,000 jobs have gone in the industry, including Secretary of State not just own up, end the uncertainty more than 100 in my constituency of Kingston upon and commit to scrapping the next round of cuts on Hull North. Does not the Government’s mismanagement 1 July? and this debacle mean that the industry could be strangled at birth? It also puts at risk investment in the renewables Mr Davey: The right hon. Lady started by saying that industry, which is so important to areas such as Hull. the industry will be laughing, but Paul Barwell, the chief executive of the Solar Trade Association, said in Mr Davey: I am surprised the hon. Lady reaches that The Independent on 9 May 2012: conclusion. Since the 21p tariff came in 10 weeks ago, “The current 21p subsidy can actually give a return up to there have been more than 26,000 installations with 10 per cent, tax-free, index-linked, for 25 years, making it one of 86 MW of capacity, which is equivalent to the installation the most attractive investments around.” rate achieved in August 2011, when the tariff was at That is what the industry is saying. The Government 43p. The installation rate in the period is 1.7 times what will abide by all the procedures required by the House it was in the same period last year. and lay the regulations when required. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Feed-in tariffs Green Deal are not the only way to encourage solar PV installations. Can more be done with building regulations, especially to encourage solar to be built in to new-build properties 2. David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): What progress at the start? his Department has made on the introduction of the green deal. [107611] Mr Davey: I am sure local authorities will look at that proposal, but the key thing is to ensure that our new, 3. Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): more stable and predictable regime supports the solar What progress his Department has made on preparatory industry, as we believe it will. We need to ensure that the work on the green deal. [107612] 673 Oral Answers17 MAY 2012 Oral Answers 674

6. Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con): What Amber Rudd: My hon. Friend has been kind enough progress his Department has made on the introduction to visit Hastings on several occasions, as he is a neighbouring of the green deal. [107615] MP, and will be aware that many of my constituents live in housing association property. How will the green deal 18. Amber Rudd (Hastings and Rye) (Con): What benefit residents in housing associations? progress his Department has made on the introduction of the green deal. [107627] Gregory Barker: Absolutely. I know that my hon. Friend is a terrific advocate for Hastings, and I can The Minister of State, Department of Energy and assure her that social housing will be among the first to Climate Change (Gregory Barker): The green deal is a benefit from the green deal revolution. Dedicated funding flagship policy for the coalition. We are making good within the £1.3 billion of energy company obligation progress towards the introduction of the green deal this subsidy will be focused on the most deprived areas of autumn. We are determined to have a solid framework the country, so I would expect areas such as Hastings to in place for this transformational scheme, which will be among the first to see the benefits. With her as its enable the green deal market to grow right through to MP, I am sure it will. the next decade and beyond. Dame Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab): David Rutley: Macc2020, an active and energetic Will the Minister explain what happened to the community group in Macclesfield, has effectively used a 30,000 people who applied for help through Warm local energy assessment fund to stimulate take-up of Front last year? Despite an underspend, they did not the green deal among home owners and to promote get anything. Will he apologise to them for having to local small and medium-sized enterprises associated wait for this much heralded green deal and will it with energy efficiency. Does my hon. Friend agree that actually be delivered to the very poorest? I doubt it. that is the right approach given that economic development potential? Gregory Barker: I am pleased to say that since I became Minister in the right hon. Lady’s place, the Gregory Barker: Absolutely. Macclesfield is a terrific number of complaints about Warm Front has reduced example of community activity. That is exactly the kind substantially. She will know that there was a massive of approach we want to see followed across the whole complaint bag about Warm Front while she was in country. It will help get the green deal off to a strong office. We have not seen that since I entered office. Of start. It is great that my hon. Friend’s constituency is course we will continue to run Warm Front though next blazing a trail, and I congratulate everyone involved— year. It remains part of a suite of measures to tackle perhaps he will do so in person on my behalf—on fuel poverty, and we remain committed to doing much taking advantage of the DECC LEAF scheme to such more. good effect. Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): In the interests of transparency, will the Minister share with the House Tom Brake: I have had a very positive meeting on the the benchmarks he has set for the uptake of the green green deal with Sutton Seniors Forum, Ofgem and deal scheme in the first to third years and what emissions the Minister of State, Department of Health, my hon. reductions he has set as the benchmarks for the success Friend the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Paul Burstow). of the scheme? One issue that arose was the importance of providing clear information to people, particularly senior citizens. Gregory Barker: We have to get away from this target What do the Government intend doing on that front? mania that existed under Labour and understand that this is not some sort of Stalinist five-year plan. We are Gregory Barker: We already have a lot of information unleashing the power of the private sector, and as a on our website, but obviously the scheme has not been result we will be far, far more successful than any of launched yet and we still have some way to go. The level these top-down Whitehall programmes initiated under of consumer information will be stepped up in the the previous Government. autumn to coincide with the launch, when there will be a call to action on the green deal. We are keen to ensure Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): There is that pensioners and every other part of society are fully real concern that under green deal plans there is not briefed on the opportunities presented by the green enough money for fuel poverty. Will Ministers reconsider deal. the possibility of recycling revenue from the carbon floor price and EU emissions trading scheme revenue Damian Hinds: Like Macc2020, Energy Alton in my into the ECO pot to top it up and to prevent the poorest constituency has done a great job in blazing a trail for customers from cross-subsidising rich customers? the green deal. What can be done now to ensure that local small businesses in East Hampshire benefit fully Gregory Barker: The hon. Lady raises a serious point. from the business opportunities? I listened to what she said in the Energy Public Bill Committee, to which she made a constructive contribution, Gregory Barker: My hon. Friend is right to raise the about how we should design the ECO and use it to issues of small and medium-sized enterprises, which tackle fuel poverty more effectively. More than half the will be critical to delivering the green deal at a variety of £1.3 billion of ECO subsidy will be targeted at the fuel levels in the economy. We have taken measures to reduce poor through various streams, which should go a long the barriers to SMEs, after working closely with them in way to meeting her concerns about the need to ensure preparing the green deal legislation, and we continue to that the fabric of our housing and the improvements to engage closely with the small business sector. it have the fuel poor at their heart. 675 Oral Answers17 MAY 2012 Oral Answers 676

Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): Mr Davey: My hon. Friend is right to pay tribute to I have listened carefully to what the Minister has said. the work of the Energy Saving Trust. It does a huge The launch of the green deal is just five months away, amount of work on providing information, advice and yet we are still waiting for the secondary legislation to support to a whole range of people, particularly the be published. Energy companies do not know whether most vulnerable, and I am sure that it will have heard they are going to be ready for the launch, no green deal her welcome comments. assessors have been trained, no detail is available on the interest rate, and the Government’s wildly optimistic Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): If the Secretary predictions on jobs and take-up are constantly being of State is serious about the green deal, why will he not downgraded. The Minister said a moment ago that he ensure that the energy companies have to put the 9,914 did not believe in targets, yet only about 12 months ago pensioners over the age of 75 in my constituency, and he was saying that 14 million homes would be covered others around the country, on to the lowest tariff? by the green deal by 2020. We now know that No. 10 is also worried about it, and is calling on the Cabinet Mr Davey: I think the hon. Gentleman is mixing up Office to try to prevent this impending car crash. How the green deal with the action that we are taking to help will the Minister ensure that the interest rate is low people with their consumer bills. The warm home discount, enough to make sure that the green deal is a good deal which targets the 600,000 poorest pensioners, is one of for consumers? the most effective ways of providing that help. Under the scheme proposed by Labour, some of the wealthiest Gregory Barker: I thank the hon. Lady for that pensioners would get the discounts, and I am afraid that speech. The fact is that the green deal is on track, and that shows that it is no longer the party of the many. we will be publishing the secondary legislation very shortly; it will be done and dusted before the summer Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) recess. We had an excellent meeting yesterday with the (LD): I very much welcome the move to ensure that the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister in which market works as efficiently as possible, so that consumers we reviewed the whole green deal programme, and I am pay no more than is necessary. Should we not make glad to report that we are all on track. it clear to consumers, however, given the amount of Energy Bills investment that needs to be made in our energy infrastructure, that future generations will have to pay a 4. Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) higher price to ensure that we can keep the lights on in a (Lab): What steps he is taking to help households with low-carbon way? their energy bills. [107613] Mr Davey: My hon. Friend is right to say that we face The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change a big investment challenge in this country. That is why, (Mr Edward Davey): The Deputy Prime Minister recently in the Gracious Speech, Her Majesty announced that announced an agreement with energy suppliers to ensure we would be legislating for electricity market reforms to that all consumers have good information on their bring forward that investment, but at the lowest possible supplier’s best tariff. This builds on previous actions by cost. the Government to help people to control their bills, and complements Ofgem’s proposals in the retail market Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): People have real review to protect consumers. We are also encouraging concerns about energy prices. They also have real concerns consumers to harness their collective purchasing powers. about the amalgamation of energy companies—be they electricity, gas or oil companies—and the control of Debbie Abrahams: I thank the Secretary of State for prices that results from that. What assurances can the his reply. In my constituency, 6,563 over 75-year-olds Minister give us that the Government will always be the would benefit by £200 a year from being put on the protector of prices for the consumer? lowest tariff. I appreciate what the Government are doing, but many of those people are unable to access Mr Davey: The hon. Gentleman is right. Energy bills online facilities easily. What else can the Government are a real concern for many households around the do to ensure that they benefit from these measures? country. That is why we are taking the action we are. He refers to consolidation in the sector. That certainly Mr Davey: Thanks to the deal that we have negotiated happened under the last Government. What we are and that the Deputy Prime Minister has announced, doing is trying to make sure we can get more competition those pensioners in the hon. Lady’s constituency will be into the sector. We have seen Ofgem’s proposals for written to every year by their energy supplier and advised dealing with liquidity in the wholesale markets, while of the best tariff for them. Furthermore, because of the the work I am leading on collective switching is intended warm home discount for which this Government have to enable consumers to generate more competition. legislated, 600,000 of the poorest pensioners in the Competition is what we want to see. country are getting a direct discount of £120 off their energy bills. That is real action. New Nuclear Power Stations Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): Will the Secretary of State commend the work of the 5. Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): What discussions he Energy Saving Trust on reducing household bills? Will has had with the Secretary of State for Communities he also point it in the direction of reducing the cost of and Local Government on the potential long-term heating water, as a means of reducing overall energy community benefits of the Hinkley Point C nuclear costs, by heating only the water that a household needs power station and other major infrastructure projects. to use each day? [107614] 677 Oral Answers17 MAY 2012 Oral Answers 678

The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Given the report from Moody’s suggesting that if EDF Climate Change (Charles Hendry): I have regular discussions were to continue with Hinkley and, indeed, Sizewell, it with other Government Departments, including the would be at risk of having its credit rating downgraded, Department for Communities and Local Government, how concerned is the Minister about the prospects for on how to ensure that local communities hosting new nuclear new build in the UK? nuclear power stations benefit in the long term from these large and nationally important projects. The Charles Hendry: The hon. Gentleman provides a Government will announce our conclusions shortly. partial quote, in that Volker Beckers also said that this was a result of German Government policy and of the Mr Speaker: I call Tessa Munt. constrained balance sheets that resulted from the nuclear levy in Germany, and that RWE is selling off £7 billion- Tessa Munt rose—[Laughter.] worth of assets worldwide, making a further ¤2 billion-worth of cost reductions elsewhere. Essentially, this is part of Mr Speaker: Was it something I said? I hope not. We a global restructuring of the company. We continue to look forward to hearing the hon. Lady. believe that the measures we are putting in place through market reform—more detail will be published very Tessa Munt: Thank you very much, indeed, Sir. shortly—will create the right environment for investment The Minister will know of my concerns about the in our low-carbon infrastructure for the future, which is long-term impacts of both the Hinkley Point project so critical for our energy security. and the National Grid’s proposals to put pylons across the Somerset Levels, when we would naturally prefer Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk) (Con): Does my hon. that it was done underground. Has the Minister had Friend agree, however, that there is no prospect of a distinct discussions about the crucial importance of new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point or anywhere business rate retention for the benefit of the local else in the UK until we have absolute clarity about the communities? Will he meet me and representatives from contracts for difference regime? That clarity must extend local authorities in my area to discuss this further? to the credit status of the counter-party, compliance with EU state aid regime and the setting of the strike Charles Hendry: The humour arose because I price. Will the Minister tell us when we will have that inadvertently sat on the Secretary of State, which shows clarity? our commitment to work seamlessly together in this coalition! My hon. Friend makes an important point. Charles Hendry: I can give my hon. Friend the assurance We recognise that EDF has already committed about that the clarity he seeks will be published very shortly, £90 million for a section 106 agreement, but we recognise, within the next few days. When we publish the Bill, we too, the need for greater signals for the long-term benefit will publish a further technical update, which will provide of the community from those who deliver nationally much of the information for which he asks. We have important projects. been very keen that the Bill goes through the process of pre-legislative scrutiny, so that his Committee, the Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ Opposition Front-Bench team and others can contribute Co-op): I will endeavour not to sit accidentally on either actively to it. of my Front-Bench colleagues this morning. One of the Climate Change claimed community benefits of Hinkley Point is the ability to create and maintain highly skilled jobs. Will the Minister give his reaction to the comments of Citigroup 7. Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): What in response to the reports of construction costs at steps he is taking to listen to a diversity of views on the Hinkley increasing by 40%, suggesting that an already causes of change in the Earth’s climate. [107616] very challenging programme might be reaching the point of impossibility? The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Mr Edward Davey): My Department considers many Charles Hendry: The hon. Gentleman nearly did sit views on the causes of climate change, and I encourage on his right hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley my officials to take all available scientific evidence into (Caroline Flint). He makes an important point. We are account when developing policy. However, the fact that in close conversations with EDF and other potential we are open to a range of views does not mean we developers of nuclear plants and we recognise that they ascribe equal value to each. have to be delivered in a cost-efficient way. We do not As with all scientific endeavour, climate science involves recognise the figures in the Citibank report, but we will uncertainties, but it is considered very likely that human continue to work with the company to ensure that this activities are the major cause of current climate change, low-cost, large-scale, low-carbon source of generation and compelling evidence shows that climate change can be part of the future energy mix. brings major risks for us all. It would be deeply irresponsible not to act decisively and urgently to deal with climate Tom Greatrex: I am grateful to the Minister for that change in the United Kingdom and globally. response. I am sure he will also be aware of the evidence that Volker Beckers, the chief executive of RWE npower, Mr Leigh: I am no scientist, and I do not know the gave to the Energy and Climate Change Committee truth about the controversies that are raging around earlier this week. He explained that the company was global warming, although I note that Dr James Lovelock pulling out of the Horizon joint venture because continuing wrote recently that, in his view, temperatures had remained “would have meant a downgrading and we could not afford to do broadly constant over the last 12 years. I do not know that”. whether that is right or wrong; what I do know is that 679 Oral Answers17 MAY 2012 Oral Answers 680 before we spend trillions of pounds on reining in our at a cost of just £500 million by 2015—that is, to deliver competitive economy and desecrating our country with nearly three times as many installations as were delivered wind farms, we should actually listen to a range of under the old scheme, at a third of the price. views. Energy Policy Mr Davey: I know that, as a former distinguished 9. John Robertson (Glasgow North West) (Lab): Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, the hon. What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Gentleman wants to take evidence and science into Government on the effect of potential Scottish account, and that he understands risk and probability. independence on energy policy. [107618] The case for action is overwhelming, whether it is made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change the Stern review. (Mr Edward Davey): I have had no recent discussions with the Scottish Government on the effect of potential Feed-in Tariffs Scottish independence on energy policy. The UK Government’s position on the independence debate is 8. Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): What assessment clear: Scotland is stronger in the UK, and the UK is he has made of the change in the number of solar panel stronger with Scotland in it. installations since he announced changes to the feed-in John Robertson: I think that a few people will have tariff. [107617] been slightly disappointed by the Secretary of State’s answer. According to evidence given to the Select Committee The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on Energy and Climate Change by Peter Atherton of (Mr Edward Davey): When we announced proposals to Citigroup Global Markets, investment in Scottish reform the feed-in tariffs scheme for solar PV at the end renewables in an independent Scotland would be “highly of October 2011, approximately 126,000 solar PV questionable”. Given that other companies are also installations were registered on the microgeneration saying that they are withholding investment, should not certification scheme database. Since then, an additional a referendum on Scottish independence be held now 190,000 installations have been registered. In the 10 weeks rather than later, for the good of energy in this country? since the introduction of new tariffs for small-scale installations on 3 March, more than 26,000 solar PV Mr Davey: The hon. Gentleman knows the position installations have been registered. That is equivalent to of Her Majesty’s Government. He knows that we would the installation rate in August last year. like a referendum to be held sooner rather than later. We are very committed to ensuring that there is investment Mr Hanson: I hear what the Secretary of State says, in the UK’s energy infrastructure, whether it takes place and I heard what he said in response to my hon. Friend in Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland. However, the Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Diana some people are saying that uncertainty about an Johnson) and my right hon. Friend the Member for independent state is putting off some investors, and that Don Valley (Caroline Flint), but I can tell him that in is one reason for thinking that the independence referendum my constituency there has been a catastrophic collapse should be held sooner rather than later. in the demand for feed-in tariffs. It has been particularly Domestic Energy Bills catastrophic for small businesses which have invested many thousands of pounds of their own money in what 10. Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): would have been a very positive regime. Will the Secretary What steps he is taking to reduce domestic energy bills. of State clarify, very soon, what will happen after July, [107619] so that my constituents who have invested money in this scheme can ensure that they will still have their businesses 13. Karl McCartney (Lincoln) (Con): What steps he in October and at the end of the year? is taking to reduce domestic energy bills. [107622]

Mr Davey: We will respond to the consultation very 17. Graham Stringer (Blackley and Broughton) (Lab): shortly, but I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that What steps he is taking to reduce domestic energy bills. installation rates are already increasing, although there [107626] was a downturn after the introduction of the new tariff. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change I think there is a sunny future for the solar industry. (Mr Edward Davey): The Government are committed to reducing domestic energy bills, and have put energy Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab): We are soon to efficiency at the heart of their energy policy. The green see a new generation of highly efficient solar panels, deal will drive the take-up of energy efficiency measures and we are also soon to see efficient domestic battery in homes, helping to reduce energy bills. In addition, the storage technologies. Combining that with a mass roll-out of smart meters will further reduce energy use. programme of insulation and a Severn barrage would Vulnerable customers will also benefit from the warm remove the need for nuclear generation. Will the home discount, which is worth £1.1 billion over four Government think again about the need for it? years. Mr Davey: The uncertainty surrounding climate change, Alec Shelbrooke: My right hon. Friend will be aware and surrounding all technologies, is such that it would from his constituency, as I am aware from mine, of the be irresponsible not to pursue every possible low-carbon pressure that people are coming under with their fuel technology. The hon. Gentleman is right to suggest that bills. Will he outline for my constituents, as well as renewables have a positive future, as does solar power. everybody else’s, what the electricity reform Bill will do We propose to deliver an additional 620,000 installations to help keep costs down? 681 Oral Answers17 MAY 2012 Oral Answers 682

Mr Davey: My hon. Friend is quite right to point to Carbon Capture and Storage the fact that one of the reasons for bringing forward electricity market reform and the energy Bill is to ensure 11. Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) that we meet this country’s energy infrastructure needs, (Lab): When he expects to conclude the assessment of which are huge, as we see 20% of power plants coming bids for funding of carbon capture and storage offline over the next decade and the need to make the projects. [107620] transition to low-carbon energy. That is a huge challenge, which could be very expensive for consumers. One of the reasons we need to reform the electricity market is The Minister of State, Department of Energy and therefore to ensure that that infrastructure investment Climate Change (Charles Hendry): Bidders were required can be made at the lowest cost imaginable. to register their interest in the carbon capture and storage commercialisation programme with the Department by 13 April, and must submit bids by 3 July. Once bids Karl McCartney: Can my right hon. colleague update are submitted, a full and thorough assessment will be the House on his Department’s progress in cutting red carried out, and decisions on which projects to support tape for small energy suppliers to help increase competition will be taken in the autumn. in the market and thereby keep prices down for my constituents in the city of Lincoln? Thomas Docherty: I am grateful for that answer. Obviously the Minister will know that we in the UK Mr Davey: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that have vast reserves of untapped coal, including much in question. There are two things I would point him to. We Fife. Will he try to ensure that the opportunity for are helping small suppliers to compete by increasing the clean-coal technology is not lost in the current process, customer threshold for participation in schemes such as and will he find the time to come to Fife and see our CERT and CESP—the carbon emissions reduction target technologies first hand? and the community energy saving programme—and the warm home discount scheme. Ofgem is currently consulting Charles Hendry: I would always be delighted to find a on proposals for a mandatory auction in the wholesale chance to go to the hon. Gentleman’s constituency. As electricity market to improve liquidity, and has recently he knows, I fought Clackmannan in the 1983 election. completed a consultation on tariff simplification. All They did not see the need for my presence there at that these measures will, we believe, help small suppliers in time, but finding other reasons to go back would be a my hon. Friend’s constituency and elsewhere. great pleasure. We see this issue as an important part of coal policy, and we want it to provide a long-term future for coal in the energy mix. There are tremendous Graham Stringer: Will not the biggest impact on resources around the United Kingdom, and the work reducing domestic energy bills be achieved by bringing being done in his constituency and elsewhere is important shale gas online as quickly as possible? to that process.

Mr Davey: I do not think so. We had a seminar at 22. [107633] Mr Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con): The No. 10 recently, which the Prime Minister participated Minister also fought a seat in Mansfield, very close in, along with myself and the Business Secretary. We to Thoresby colliery. If he wants to come half way up heard from experts in the shale gas industry who had the country, he might come to see the good work been working in America and looking at the major going on at Thoresby colliery. I hope that he can assure opportunities in places such as Ukraine and China. the House that when the clean coal technology is They were clear that it would take some time for shale developed, it will give this country a great future of gas to be exploited in the UK. They were also clear that energy reserves. we needed strong regulation to proceed and that the shale gas reserves in this country are not quite as large as some people have been speculating. Charles Hendry: I did eventually work out that fighting mining seats was not the best way to get elected to this House; it is more accurate to say that they fought me, Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): Given that so few rather than I fought them. Many areas around this large companies took part in last week’s big switch, country have tremendous resources that can benefit does my right hon. Friend agree that we should be from this technology and, in addition, great technological concerned about the responsiveness of large companies skills that we can bring forward in this process. This is a to customers’ concerns? What can the Government do world-class, world-leading competition, and it is a very to ensure that all companies engage with any such exciting time for this industry. initiative in future? Mr Speaker: The Minister of State is a self-effacing Mr Davey: At least three of the big six were involved. fellow. If memory serves me correctly, although he was I thought that the way in which the reverse auction was unsuccessful in Mansfield he did lose in 1987 by only conducted by the consumer association Which? was a 56 votes, and I think the House ought to know that. real success, and I am delighted that my hon. Friend noticed it. It brought a saving of £25 million to consumers Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): I who were part of that collective switch, with an average welcome the progress on carbon capture and storage, a saving of £120. It was therefore a success, and I want to technology with great potential. Will the Minister also see more energy companies getting involved in such update us on another clean coal technology being pioneered schemes. in Newcastle, underground coal gasification? 683 Oral Answers17 MAY 2012 Oral Answers 684

Charles Hendry: I have yet to be tempted to fight a The Minister of State, Department of Energy and seat in Newcastle, but these opportunities may still Climate Change (Charles Hendry): I very much welcome happen. I was grateful for the chance to meet the hon. the comments made by the chair of the Environment Lady and some of the team from Newcastle university— Agency. I believe he is correct in assessing that, subject they and others are doing very important work in this to rigorous regulation and monitoring, hydraulic fracturing area. We are still looking at some of the work, and I can safely be used in the UK for shale gas exploration. I have a meeting coming up with one of the major global also agree on the need to proceed with caution. Fracking companies, Linc Energy, to try to understand more should be carried out only under close regulatory control, fully and effectively the work that it is doing in this to ensure that risks are minimised and the environment sector. We think that it can be a player, but it is not in is fully protected. the forefront for the first stage of carbon capture and storage projects, because of the current stage of the Mr Sheerman: It is a relief to know that mentioning technology. the abbreviation “fracking” is within the House rules. Many of us believe that fracking has real potential for Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): It is estimated that energy security, and although we should proceed with it carbon capture and storage technology could support carefully, it could be of huge benefit to this country. an amazing 100,000 jobs by the end of the next decade, Please, do ignore some of the siren voices in the so does my hon. Friend agree that speed is very much of environmental lobby and get on with doing it in a the essence if we are to maximise the huge opportunities cautious but determined way. that this technology offers? Charles Hendry: I agree strongly with my hon. Friend, Charles Hendry: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely and the reason why we have brought forward this correct, because we cannot ignore what is happening competition with the speed that we have—three months elsewhere around the world. The gas price in the United for submissions to be made and another three months States is now one quarter of that in Europe and one or so before the final outcome is known—is the importance seventh of that in Asia, so this is a game-changing of speed. Work is going on around the world to try to technology. However, our commitment is absolutely deal with this. We think that with £1 billion up front clear: for this to go ahead, we have to have the tightest and £125 million for research and development, and regulatory controls and the greatest focus on environmental through our new market reform structure—a long-term protection. This is a densely populated island, we have mechanism for supporting that industry—we can move to have public support for this technology going forward this from being a few pilot projects to an industry. and we intend to go about this in a very constructive way, involving all the expert opinion we can. Energy Efficiency

12. Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): What Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): Is there not support he plans to provide for Cambridge retrofit and another side to all this? Does not the process use a vast other schemes to improve the energy efficiency of amount of water and involve chemicals as well? It runs existing buildings. [107621] counter to all this green deal talk that we hear so often. Will the Minister ensure that all those reservations are The Minister of State, Department of Energy and taken fully into account? Climate Change (Gregory Barker): I am very glad to report that my Department is already working closely Charles Hendry: Let me give the hon. Gentleman an with the Cambridge retrofit project, which is just the absolute assurance that all those issues will be completely sort of ambitious city-wide retrofit programme the taken into account. The fluid used is 99% water and green deal is designed to support. there are already very strict controls on how it is used and on what happens after it has been through the Dr Huppert: I thank the Minister for that comment. process. There are very strong regulations, too, on how The Cambridge retrofit is an excellent programme that the fracking activity is separated from the water table will make a huge difference. How will the Government and they are often several thousand feet apart. All those ensure stability of energy and climate policies in the issues will be considered with the greatest care before we long term, so that investors are willing to put finance go forward. We believe that this technology has real into major schemes such as the Cambridge retrofit? potential, but it must be used in the safest possible way. Gregory Barker: My hon. Friend raises a good point. We know what investors want. They want TLC— Biomass Gasification Plants transparency, longevity and certainty. Unlike previous short-term or stop-go policies, such as the carbon emissions 15. Simon Wright (Norwich South) (LD): What steps reduction target and the community energy saving he is taking to support combined heat and power programme, the green deal is designed to run well into biomass gasification plants. [107624] the 2020s, giving investors exactly the sort of longevity and certainty they need. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Induced Hydraulic Fracturing Climate Change (Gregory Barker): We see a big role in the future for combined heat and power gasification 14. Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): plants. The coalition has introduced the renewable heat What discussions he has had with the chair of the incentive to support exactly that type of technology and Environment Agency on induced hydraulic fracturing. will shortly publish details of future subsidies for renewable [107623] electricity under the renewables obligation. Furthermore, 685 Oral Answers17 MAY 2012 Oral Answers 686

DECC’s UK renewable energy road map clearly sets out Charles Hendry: Your knowledge, Mr Speaker, is the actions we are already taking to remove non-financial sometimes not so much awesome as scary and I find barriers to deployment. that you know more about my electoral history than I do. Simon Wright: The university of East Anglia campus I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. We believe in my constituency is able to receive considerable heat that the initial role of new plants will be to replace the and power from its unique biomass gasification plant, old plants that are coming out of commission. We do which is the first of its kind in the UK. When sustainable not have a set Government target for delivery, but the syngas cannot be produced due to the maintenance industry thinks that it can deliver 16 GW of new cleaning cycle, the boiler switches to natural gas. However, nuclear power by 2025. We have identified the eight sites dual fuel plants are ineligible to receive renewable heat where that will go forward and, taking forward the incentive payments. Will the Minister consider whether work of the previous Administration, we have created the RHI guidance could be made more flexible further the most attractive regime anywhere in Europe for new to encourage investment in innovative low-carbon nuclear investment. technologies? 20. [107629] Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) Gregory Barker: My hon. Friend raises a good point (Lab): The Minister has mentioned the target of and we are keen to be as flexible, pragmatic and ambitious 16 GW by 2025 that the industry states it can provide, as possible. I can confirm that the Government will but the industry clearly is not in a position to provide explore the inclusion of dual fuel biogas and fossil fuel that given recent developments. What work has he installations within the RHI and I thank him for his undertaken to revise his estimate, particularly in idea. relation to the national planning statements, of the number of gigawatts that will be provided over the coming period through nuclear power? Nuclear Power Charles Hendry: I would take the hon. Gentleman to task on this. The two consortia that continue to go 16. Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab): What forward as planned—the EDF-led one and the one in his policy is on investment in new nuclear power. Cumbria—are looking at 9.7 GW. The Horizon one—I [107625] have strong hopes that new investors will come in and take forward that programme—will deliver an additional The Minister of State, Department of Energy and few gigawatts as well. I firmly believe that, following on Climate Change (Charles Hendry): New nuclear power from the work of the previous Administration, we have will have a vital role to play in our energy mix alongside created a very attractive regime for people from around other low-carbon forms of generation provided it can the world to look to be part of the nuclear renaissance be delivered in a way that provides value for money for in the United Kingdom. We cannot do this without consumers and that is consistent with the coalition international investment and we recognise that we need Government’s commitment to no public subsidy. to create the right framework for that to come forward.

Energy Efficiency Joan Walley: I thank the Minister for that reply. Given the uncertainties about future investment, will he give us again an absolute assurance that if it is to be 21. Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): What delivered, there will, as the coalition agreement requires, steps he is taking to help households improve their be no subsidy and no hidden subsidy, either? energy efficiency. [107630]

Charles Hendry: I refer the hon. Lady to the statement The Minister of State, Department of Energy and we made in October 2010 about exactly how we define Climate Change (Gregory Barker): The launch of the subsidy and what would be meant by that commitment. green deal this autumn will put in place the biggest and We are absolutely clear that this technology must stand most ambitious energy efficiency programme Britain on its own feet. The process for taking it forward is has ever seen. Furthermore, we anticipate that our designed to ensure that that is the case and it will be electricity market reforms will create further opportunities very transparent. We recognise that higher costs are for large-scale investment in energy efficiency projects. associated with low-carbon technologies than with high- carbon technologies, but we remain firmly committed Alex Cunningham: Last year, nearly 30,000 households to that statement. that applied for help through Warm Front were turned down even though the budget had an underspend of more than £50 million. Will the Minister take this 19. [107628] Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) opportunity to apologise to all the families who were (Con): May I put on record, Mr Speaker, our admiration left in the cold last winter because of his Department’s of your awesome knowledge of electoral history? incompetence? Nuclear power is an important source of stable energy in this country and press reports about the ability to Gregory Barker: We need to send a very clear message continue to have 20% of our power coming from nuclear from this House that Warm Front remains open. Certainly, energy have been worrying. Will the Minister repeat his the scaremongering from the Opposition last winter reassurances that 20% of our energy will continue to that Warm Front had closed and was no longer available come from nuclear power? was extremely unhelpful. That was coupled with a very 687 Oral Answers17 MAY 2012 Oral Answers 688 mild winter, but one message that I want to get over is down the green economy, but for him to be joined by that Warm Front remains open and that those who the right hon. Gentleman absolutely beggars belief. Is think they can benefit from it should definitely apply. not the Foreign Secretary right that unless Britain shows strong leadership on the green economy, there is no Topical Questions hope of securing international agreement on climate change? T1. [107634] Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): If he will make a Mr Davey: Unlike the right hon. Lady, I have read the statement on his departmental responsibilities. letter from the Foreign Secretary and I wrote the letter to the Prime Minister. They are very positive about The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what we want to do on low carbon technologies and (Mr Edward Davey): As the hon. Gentleman will know, climate change in this country and abroad. We are my Department’s key objectives are to have secure, leading the way. clean and affordable energy and we have been working hard on those objectives. The energy Bill measures to T4. [107637] Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and reform the electricity market are very important for Sheppey) (Con): Despite assurances from my hon. that. We hosted the clean energy ministerial very recently, Friend the Minister, small double-glazing companies in which was attended by Ministers from 23 leading economies, my constituency still feel that they are being elbowed and we worked together on clean energy technologies. I out of green deal work by larger national companies. was particularly pleased to see that Professor John What more can my hon. Friend say to reassure small Hills’ report—the independent review of fuel poverty—was and medium-sized enterprises in Sittingbourne and published. Sheppey that they will be able to access green deal work? Gregg McClymont: I thank the Minister for that answer. Last week it was Centrica and this week it was The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Scottish and Southern Energy announcing record profits Climate Change (Gregory Barker): Of course, the green at a time when household bills continue to rise. In those deal has not actually started yet; it will not be launched circumstances, why will not the Government insist that until the autumn and we have yet to see the full framework, the big six must write to customers telling them what is but I can assure my hon. Friend that we have already the cheapest tariff rather than directing them to the taken several steps to make it easier for SMEs to engage phone or the internet, where there is no guarantee that in the green deal across the board. We shall continue to they will get the right information? work with SME working groups to ensure that there is maximum availability of the green deal and the ECO—the Mr Davey: I do not think the hon. Gentleman has energy company obligation—for SMEs, who will be been listening. The Deputy Prime Minister announced vital for their delivery. the deal we have struck with the six big energy providers. They are now committed to writing every year to their T5. [107638] Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and customers telling them what is the best tariff for them. Leith) (Lab/Co-op): The Minister will be aware that although the ECO will be delivered in Scotland by the T2. [107635] Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) Scottish Government, the underlying legislation applies (Con): Under the previous Labour Government the to England, Wales and Scotland. Given concerns about number of households living in fuel poverty rose to how the green deal will be implemented, what steps are almost 6 million. What are this Government doing to the Government taking to ensure that my constituents help the poorest households in my constituency? and those of other Scottish MPs get full benefit from the ECO when it is finally brought into effect? Mr Davey: We are doing a huge amount, from the warm home discount to the push on collective switching. Gregory Barker: The hon. Gentleman will know that My hon. Friend will know that today’s figures on fuel we are still finalising the details of the ECO, but I poverty show a fall of 0.75 million, but we should not should be happy to meet him to reassure him that the celebrate that because those figures are based on the scheme really will benefit the whole country. current measure of fuel poverty. If they were recalculated using the methodology proposed by John Hills, the fuel T6. [107639] Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con): As high poverty figures would stand still. There can be no room energy bills continue to affect local households in for complacency; we have to redouble our efforts to my constituency, can the Minister outline what the tackle fuel poverty. Government are doing to improve the UK’s long-term energy security problems? If energy security is not Caroline Flint (Don Valley) (Lab): This week, we addressed—I stress that it is a long-term issue—energy learned that the Foreign Secretary—for whom I understand bills will continue to soar. the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, the hon. Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry) Mr Davey: My hon. Friend is exactly right. Later this was once the chief of staff between elections, just to month when we publish the energy Bill, he will see that add to his biography which we are learning about we have very ambitious electricity market reforms to today—does not think the Government are doing enough deliver, among other things, energy security in the future. to support the low-carbon economy. I absolutely agree We need investment of £110 billion in our energy with him. We also learned that the Energy Secretary infrastructure over the next decade. That is a real task, and the Business Secretary wrote back urging caution. and we need to make sure that there are incentives to It was bad enough when the Chancellor was talking bring forward that low carbon investment. 689 Oral Answers17 MAY 2012 Oral Answers 690

T8. [107641] Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) sensitive to the burdens that we place on manufacturing (Lab): Speaking in the House on 9 February, the industry. We are starting with a package of compensation Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate worth £250 million for energy-intensive industries, but Change, the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle that is only the beginning of a much more nuanced and (Gregory Barker) said he expected to see ambitious policy. “steady growth in the number of people who will be employed”— in the solar industry— Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): Will the “until 2015 and beyond.”—[Official Report, 9 February 2012; Secretary of State join me in congratulating Brighton Vol. 545, c. 479.] energy co-op on its launch last night of the first community Why then have 6,000 people in the solar industry lost generation scheme in Brighton? What is he doing to their jobs since last summer? ensure that the electricity market reform proposals will properly support community energy schemes, particularly Gregory Barker: We have now put the whole solar those by co-ops, housing associations and local authorities? industry on a much more stable foundation. We shall shortly be publishing our plans for a feed-in tariff Mr Davey: I can congratulate the scheme in the hon. system that really can go forward into the next decade Lady’s constituency. It shows that under the new regime and beyond, with a real sense of ambition. It is affordable; of solar feed-in tariffs that we have introduced, there it is ambitious and it will bring real clarity to the are still many communities that are going forward and industry. making those investments. That belies much of the criticism we have heard in the House today. I can assure T9. [107642] Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): the hon. Lady that we want to continue to encourage Earlier, the Secretary of State mentioned the excellent such community schemes in our future policies. Quite a Which? big switch scheme to save people money. What lot of those schemes will still get the more standard and I particularly like about it is the fact that it is based on common renewable obligation approach support. Some co-operative action—individuals choosing voluntarily of those community schemes will not have to go to the to work together rather than a statist top-down larger-scale contracts because of the difference in the approach. Does my right hon. Friend share that view electricity market reform. and what support was he able to give? Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) (LD): Mr Davey: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his Will Ministers redouble their consistent and very welcome question. He will know that when I was at the Department efforts of the past couple of years in support of the for Business, Innovation and Skills, I stimulated a huge onshore manufacturing sites for offshore wind turbine amount of research and work on collective purchase production—not least sites like Kishorn in my area, and co-operative principles so that together we can which I raised with the Minister’s predecessor—which purchase not just energy but other things more cheaply. have lost out in enterprise zone status, and therefore I asked if the Department had any detailed research, find themselves at a bit of a competitive disadvantage because I thought the previous Government, who were over the next five years? I am sure that a summer recess supposed to be in favour of collective and co-operative ministerial visit to Kishorn and the west highlands principles, might have done some—they had not. would be most welcome and would boost morale.

Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): In his preparation The Minister of State, Department of Energy and for COP 18, what analysis has the Secretary of State Climate Change (Charles Hendry): My right hon. Friend made of Professor Sir David King’s proposals for common will, I am sure, be delighted to know that I am already but differentiated cap and trade schemes, using the planning that. We are looking at a visit to Nigg before human development index as an appropriate measure? going on to Shetland and doing other parts of Scotland at the same time. I am delighted to have the chance to Mr Davey: We are taking forward a lot of analysis, take part in that process. We should absolutely celebrate not just on that scheme, but on a number of other the way that some of our great, historic industrial things. COP 18 in Doha at the end of the year will be facilities, built for the oil and gas industry, have been really important; I met the Deputy Prime Minister of given new opportunities and a new lease of life, as they Qatar recently, to discuss how we can make sure that it start to build the infrastructure that will be necessary is a successful set of discussions. for our renewable future.

T10. [107643] Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): What discussions is my hon. Friend having with energy- Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) intensive industries such as ceramics and steel, which (PC): Have Welsh Government Ministers requested at are key employers and exporters, to ensure that their any point that they should have the final say in whether prices are competitive with countries such as Germany fracking developments take place on Welsh soil? and France? Charles Hendry: As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, Gregory Barker: We are very much engaged with all decisions on energy infrastructure matters for Wales are the energy-intensive industries, because we are absolutely made on a nationwide basis. We know that that is what determined in DECC to ensure that decarbonisation the industry looks for. But of course, in that process does not lead to de-industrialisation. On the contrary, if there has to be local authority planning consent for we are smart the low-carbon transition should enhance the specific project. There has to be approval by the our competitive position. But that does mean being Environment Agency and its equivalents in Wales and 691 Oral Answers17 MAY 2012 Oral Answers 692

Scotland, if the project is taking place there, and by the CCS technologies offers the best possible future for coal Health and Safety Executive. All the appropriate bodies to have a long-term role in the energy mix going forward. are involved in that process. Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): Further to the question Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): I welcome the current asked by the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey carbon capture and storage competition. As the Tees (Gordon Henderson), Warm Front was, in my view, Valley has 18 of the top 30 UK carbon emitters, I am undermined by the extortionate charges of a small sure the Minister will agree that its bid has a lot to cartel of suppliers. Given that only 22 companies are so commend it. Will he ensure that the needs of heavy far among the providers for the green deal, can the industry are given due weight alongside the needs of Minister assure us that local fitters and local suppliers energy generators? can be part of the programme, so that costs are competitive? Gregory Barker: My hon. Friend has hit the nail on Mr Davey: I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s question. the head. Previous programmes were monopolistic, did I know he does a huge amount to support industry in not offer real choice and were not open to real competition. his constituency. I can tell him that in the competition The green deal will change all that. We are going to have that we announced at the beginning of last month, we genuine competition, real choice and real ability for were very clear that we wanted to encourage clustering, local players to come into this exciting market. so after listening to the industry we were encouraging change. Bigger pipes are needed, so that more than one Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): The power plant can take part in those schemes with other Secretary of State knows that if we are to get energy industries that emit a lot of carbon. security and diversity, we have to invest now in big infrastructure projects, but he knows also that nimbyism, Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab): Coal will continue to often so rampant in the questions put in this Chamber, provide between 27% and 50% of electricity in the UK is a great barrier to planning permission. What is he for the foreseeable future. Can the Minister explain going to do about planning for decent infrastructure to what Government support will be given to the British achieve those objectives? deep-mined coal industry to prevent it from extinction Mr Davey: The hon. Gentleman knows that this in the next few years? House passed a relevant national planning statement and that the Department for Communities and Local Charles Hendry: The most important thing that we Government produced the national planning policy can do for the coal mine industry is to show that there is framework. The hon. Gentleman must recognise that a continuing role for coal in the generating mix. We are there is a balance to be struck between the need to make all clear that we cannot have unabated coal in the mix in sure that the local democratic voice is heard and the the future, and new plants will need to be equipped with need for the types of investment that both he and I carbon capture and storage technology. That is why the support. There is a balance, but we are determined to competition that we are launching here to put the ensure that, with electricity market reform, we get the United Kingdom at the forefront of the development of investment needed in this country. 693 17 MAY 2012 Business of the House 694

Business of the House manoeuvring to blame Europe for his failed economic policy, the Prime Minister should be pushing for a solution to the eurozone crisis. 11.31 am At the election, Government Members promised not to cut front-line services, but that is exactly what the Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): Will the Leader of Home Secretary has done. More than 5,000 police the House give us the business for next week? officer jobs have been cut. When she spoke to the Police Federation conference yesterday, the right hon. Lady The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir George Young): insisted the podium be shifted, because she did not The business for next week will be: want to be filmed in front of a conference slogan MONDAY 21 MAY—Remaining stages of the Local opposing police cuts. She can shift the podium and the Government Finance Bill. camera angle, but she cannot shift the responsibility. Will the Leader of the House arrange for the Home TUESDAY 22 MAY—Remaining stages of the Financial Services Bill, followed by Third Reading of the Civil Secretary to make a statement on police numbers so Aviation Bill. that she can explain what happened to their manifesto promise not to cut front-line staff? WEDNESDAY 23 MAY—Second Reading of the Electoral While the Home Secretary is at it, she could also Registration and Administration Bill, followed by a explain the ongoing immigration shambles at Heathrow. European document relating to the proceeds of crime. Every week we hear reports of thousands of people THURSDAY 24 MAY—Motion on the Whitsun recess stuck at immigration and passengers queuing for hours Adjournment. while immigration desks are closed. It takes something when even Joan Collins feels the need to tweet from the Ms Eagle: I thank the Leader of the House for his queue that the Home Secretary should get a grip. And it announcement of next week’s business, and I congratulate is not just the Home Secretary; the Immigration Minister’s my hon. Friend the Member for North East Derbyshire justification for the shambles at Heathrow’s border (Natascha Engel) on her re-election unopposed to the control was that it was the result of the wrong type of Chair of the Backbench Business Committee. wind. What is it about this Government and the weather? First they blamed the economy’s performance on the Analysis of last week’s Queen’s Speech has demonstrated snow, then the excuse was the wrong type of rain, and that this Government have already run out of ideas. Of now we have the wrong type of wind. May we have a the 19 announced Bills, three are carry-overs from the statement on the ministerial code? Does the Leader of previous Session, and now we learn that the passage of the House intend to amend the code to say that Ministers as many as five of the new Bills might be delayed until are responsible unless they can blame the weather or, the next Session, making this by far the slimmest Queen’s perhaps, their special advisers? Speech in living memory. Will the Leader of the House tell us why? At Justice questions this week neither the Secretary of State nor his deputy were present. The ministerial Today is the international day against homophobia code states that Ministers are accountable to this House, and transphobia, and it is right that we mark it in this so they should at least turn up for departmental questions House. There are five countries where people can be rather than leaving it to junior Ministers and Whips to sentenced to death for being lesbian or gay, and 76 where do their work for them. Will the Leader of the House it is still illegal. We should pay tribute to all those who undertake to make sure that senior Ministers are present are bravely campaigning for equality around the world. for oral questions in future? Will the Leader of the House arrange for the equalities Justice Ministers dodge their responsibilities to the Minister to make a statement on the Government’s House, the Home Secretary refuses to take responsibility proposals for equal marriage? This weekend, the Defence for her police cuts, the Immigration Minister refuses to Secretary said that it was “not a priority”, and the take responsibility for the shambles at Heathrow and Under-Secretary of State for Education, the hon. Member the Chancellor refuses to take responsibility for a double-dip for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton), said recession made in Downing street. What a way to start thatheis″totally opposed″, but across the country the new parliamentary Session. there are couples who want to know whether to have a civil partnership, or to wait until the law is changed. Sir George Young: May I begin in a conciliatory way What they do not want is to be in limbo while Conservative by congratulating the hon. Lady on her promotion to MPs fight among themselves and the Government the chair of her party’s national policy forum? We hope prevaricate. The Prime Minister has said it is an important that she can do that without becoming a part-time matter of equality. I agree. Will the Government now shadow Leader of the House. I know that she will bear commit quickly to introducing legislation on equal in mind what her leader said on 10 January: marriage? “in these times, with less money, spending more on one thing The whole House will be concerned about the eurozone means finding the money from somewhere else.” crisis. On Monday, the Chancellor said That is something her colleagues seem to have forgotten. “the open speculation from some members in the eurozone about Her previous job was shadow Chief Secretary to the the future of some countries in the eurozone…is doing real Treasury, so she will want to bring some financial damage across the whole European economy”— discipline to her party’s policies if they are to have any only for the Prime Minister to indulge in precisely that credibility with the electorate. speculation two days later. The Government’s plan A The hon. Lady asserted that there were not enough has pushed us back into recession. It has failed in Bills in the Queen’s Speech. If she looks at earlier Britain and it is now failing across Europe. Instead of Queen’s Speeches, she will find that the number of Bills 695 Business of the House17 MAY 2012 Business of the House 696 introduced in this Session is not dissimilar to the number Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con): A new introduced in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Sessions. She will report by a former president of the British Veterinary also find that three Bills are being carried over from the Association states that more than 25% of meat sold previous Session. We are not going to do what the in our shops comes from animals that have not been previous Government did, which was to bring so much stunned before slaughter. That figure exceeds easily legislation to the House that they were unable to process the needs of our communities with special religious it properly. As I have said before, the House is not requirements, and it suggests that some abattoirs are simply a legislation factory. We are not going to make cutting corners and costs. May we please have a statement their mistake of imposing too many ill-considered and from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural ill-drafted Bills on the House. Affairs on the measures in place to protect our animal The hon. Lady mentioned that today is a day to welfare laws, and on whether any new measures are celebrate equality. Had Mr Speaker been in the Chair, I needed to ensure that we enforce them properly? would have commended the article he wrote for today’s copy of The Independent. Today is international day Sir George Young: My hon. Friend raises an important against homophobia and transphobia. The Government and sensitive issue. Obviously, ideally, all animals should are strongly committed to advancing equality and want be stunned before slaughter, but she will recognise that to ensure that public services are accessible to all and there are religious issues here and that people have a free from discrimination. She will know that we have preference to have their meat presented differently. We lifted the ban on civil partnerships taking place on will, however, consult on measures to improve the welfare religious premises and are currently consulting on how of animals slaughtered in accordance with religious to implement equal civil marriage. We are continuing to rites when we consult on measures to implement regulation remove barriers and tackle prejudice. 1099/2009, which comes into effect on 1 January next On the economy, the hon. Lady will know that we are year. The regulation deals specifically with the protection about to debate economic matters on an amendment of animals at the time of killing, so there will be an tabled by the Opposition, but I have to say that her opportunity for my hon. Friend to influence the decision- policies would increase this country’s debt and provide making process later this year. no solution to its problems whatsoever. On policing, I remind the hon. Lady that before the Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab) rose— election the then Home Secretary was asked whether he Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): We’re all on your could guarantee police numbers, and he said “No.” I side. remind her also that the Labour party has now endorsed cuts of £2.1 billion to the police budget, and the official Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): Come and join this Association of Chief Police Officers response, from side, then. Chief Constable Peter Fahy, stated that “the effectiveness of policing cannot be measured by the number Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. of officers alone but by reductions in crime and increases in public confidence.” Mr Bryant, please, can we just calm down a little? Both It is an inconvenient truth for the hon. Lady that, sides get irritated and no one wants to see anyone although she might suggest that crime is going up, irritated. Can we offer the hon. Lady our congratulations official figures show that police-recorded crime has as well? fallen by 3%. Natascha Engel: Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Turning to immigration, I note that we inherited a Speaker. shambles at the UK Border Agency, which we are putting right. The hon. Lady will welcome the Immigration I thank the Leader of the House for the announcement Minister’s announcement before the Home Affairs of the pre-recess Adjournment debate next Thursday. Committee of an additional mobile unit at Heathrow to Had the Backbench Business Committee been in existence cope with the delays to which she refers. at that point, I am sure we would have looked at I am astonished that the hon. Lady mentions the scheduling a pre-recess Adjournment debate on that absence of the Lord Chancellor from oral questions. day, given that the previous pre-recess Adjournment She was a Minister herself, and she will know that debate was on assisted suicide. I am therefore grateful to occasionally Ministers have responsibilities other than the Leader of the House for doing that. in the House. The Lord Chancellor, in line with precedent, I pay tribute to the outgoing members of the Backbench wrote to Mr Speaker and to the shadow Lord Chancellor Business Committee: the hon. Members for Kettering to explain that he would not be at oral questions but at (Mr Hollobone), for Shipley (Philip Davies) and, especially, an international legal forum in Russia. I am sure that he for Wellingborough (Mr Bone). Without them, the would have preferred to have been here, because he Committee would not be what it is today, and I am sad enjoys his time at the Dispatch Box, but I commend the to see them leave, but I welcome the hon. Members for performance of my hon. Friend the Member for North Nuneaton (Mr Jones) and for Harrow East (Bob West Cambridgeshire (Mr Vara), who was an understudy Blackman)—and indeed the hon. Member for Southend for the Lord Chancellor and not only kept the balls West (Mr Amess), who is the greatest champion in the away from the wicket but swept many of them to the House of the pre-recess Adjournment debate, so next boundary. week’s will be a fitting start for him. Given that the Finally, I say to the hon. Lady that it is a fortnight Committee is still entirely English in composition, I since the Labour party candidate was defeated in the hope that by the end of the Session we can look at election for Mayor of London, and less than two months having membership from the minority parties in order since the hon. Lady’s party lost Bradford West, so any that we can become a UK Backbench Business Committee triumphalism on her part is very premature. instead of being solely English. 697 Business of the House17 MAY 2012 Business of the House 698

Sir George Young: May I repeat what I said last night announcement will be made shortly, and the first schools in congratulating the hon. Lady on her re-election? I am that are rebuilt through this programme will open as grateful to her for endorsing our decision to have a scheduled in 2014. conventional pre-recess Adjournment debate next Thursday, to which my hon. Friend the Deputy Leader of the Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con): Is the House will respond. She paid tribute to the outgoing Leader of the House aware that the 44th meeting of the members of the Backbench Business Committee. I am British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly took place in Dublin not sure whether it would enhance her reputation if I on two days this week, attended by many right hon. and endorsed that, because the whole point of the Committee hon. Members from this House and another place, and is to choose subjects that the Government would not from the Irish Parliament, including the Taoiseach? normally have chosen, and it certainly did that under Today the Dáil is debating that meeting and hearing the previous regime. I look forward to working with her reports of our discussions on trade, transport, Northern and newly elected colleagues during this Session, and to Ireland, and environmental policies. Would it be helpful taking forward some of the ideas that we have shared to this House, and perhaps to another place, if time about how we get some certainty into some of our were made available for us to report on the proceedings conventional debates. I think she will understand that of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly? her party is slightly better placed than mine in being able to put Scottish Members on to the Committee. Sir George Young: I applaud the work that my hon. However, we have changed the Standing Orders to Friend does as Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee enable other Members to attend, and I hope that that is and his involvement in the group he mentions. If the a move in the right direction. Committee did a report on these issues it could provide a route for their finding their way into a debate through Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): In a written the liaison committee. Alternatively, he could apply to parliamentary answer dated 8 March, I was told by the the newly established Backbench Business Committee Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority: for a debate on the subject, or he might find it possible “Under our publication scheme, we proactively publish the to speak about it at next Thursday’s pre-recess Adjournment minutes of meetings of IPSA’s Board.”—[Official Report, 8 March debate and get a response from my hon. Friend the 2012; Vol. 541, c. 839W.] Deputy Leader of the House. Thirty minutes ago, under the heading “Transparency— Minutes of board meetings”, the IPSA website revealed Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab): I am sure that the that the last recorded publicly accessible minutes were Leader of the House will agree that good communications for its meeting on 30 January. Knowing how keen IPSA between Members and their constituents are important. is on every i being dotted and every t being crossed, For the past three days, the telephone in my constituency either it has not met for three months or it is not office has been out of action. I do not know whether honouring what it should. Bearing in mind that a public anybody else has faced the exasperation of trying to consultation is going on as to what the public feel is the contact BT recently. I spent three quarters of an hour role of an MP, should we, as MPs, not have a debate on on the telephone yesterday, trying to get hold of somebody this? to talk to about the problem. My office has spent three days trying to get hold of a person to correct the fault. Sir George Young: My hon. Friend is a member of BT was privatised by the Conservative Government in the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary 1984. It made a profit last year of £2.4 billion. Surely Standards Authority, and he will know that on Tuesday somebody can look at this problem, given the difficulties morning there is a meeting between SCIPSA and IPSA—I it is causing Members and their constituents. am sorry about all these initials—where he will have an opportunity to put to the chairman of IPSA the question Sir George Young: I am sorry to hear of the problems he has put to me. The chairman of IPSA will now have that the right hon. Lady faces in her constituency office. notice of what is coming and will have in his breast I have always found Clova Fyfe, who works for BT, pocket the answer to the question, with specific details enormously helpful in solving constituency problems. I of when his board last met. will bring to her attention the difficulties that the right hon. Lady faces in her constituency office and see Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): Whatever happened whether they can quickly be put right. to the Tory announcement of the school building programme? Several months ago, the Secretary of State Several hon. Members rose— for Education, in an answer to me about Tibshelf school in my constituency, said that the statement would be Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): A lot of made and that Tibshelf would almost certainly be one Members want to catch my eye and I want to call them of the schools selected. Several months have passed and all, so speedy questions and shorter answers are required. nothing has happened. Is this programme in the long grass with the equality programme, care of the elderly, Karen Bradley (Staffordshire Moorlands) (Con): I am building houses, the green deal, and all the rest of it? sure that I am not alone in having a significant amount of constituency casework concerning the family courts Sir George Young: We intend to announce this month system and the failings that my constituents find in which schools will be rebuilt through the priority school dealing with that service. Will the Leader of the House building programme. It has been necessary to make find time for an urgent debate to reassure my constituents specific checks, with site visits, on the condition of all that all that can be done is being done to reform that the schools that applied, and we want to get it right. An system? 699 Business of the House17 MAY 2012 Business of the House 700

Sir George Young: My hon. Friend will know that we was coming. On 16 May, there was still no response. My will introduce a children and families Bill that will constituent is still having money withdrawn from his address some of the issues about which she is rightly account. Will the Leader of the House please ask a concerned. It will, we hope, create a time limit of six Treasury Minister to come to the House to explain months for the completion of care cases, and will focus whether his Department is incompetent or just does not on issues that are essential in deciding whether a court care about my constituent? order is made. There will be other issues in the Bill, but I would be testing your patience, Mr Deputy Speaker, if Sir George Young: Of course Treasury Ministers care I read them out. This matter is a priority for the about the hon. Lady’s constituents. The Chancellor of Government and it was in the Queen’s Speech. the Exchequer will be at this Dispatch Box in a few moments’ time. Rather than waiting for a debate, if she Lindsay Roy (Glenrothes) (Lab): May we have a lets me have her constituent’s details I will see that the debate in Government time about military procurement, appropriate Treasury Minister gets on to the case. If and in particular about how robust the tendering process there is an injustice and money is being wrongly withdrawn is and how due diligence is progressed? In part, this from an account, we will see that it is stopped straight request was prompted by the experience of a company away. in my constituency that makes military garments. It tendered a significantly lower contract price than a Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): The Government Spanish company called Iturri. Iturri won the contract are investing heavily in rail infrastructure across the and then offered to subcontract the entire business to north, with the electrification of the trans-Pennine route. the company in my constituency at the significantly The big decision is coming up on the funding of the lower price. northern hub rail investment programme, which would stimulate 20,000 to 30,000 jobs across the north. May Sir George Young: I take it that it was a contract in we have yet another debate on the fully funded northern which the Ministry of Defence was the prime purchaser. hub project, focusing in particular on the support that the scheme is getting from local enterprise partnerships Lindsay Roy indicated assent. and the private sector?

Sir George Young: I will raise the issue with the Sir George Young: That is an important project. My Secretary of State for Defence to see whether there has right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport been any irregularity, and ask him to write to the hon. spoke in the debate yesterday on transport-related issues. Gentleman. I cannot promise another debate in the near future. My hon. Friend will know that we have agreed to fund Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): May we Network Rail up to a maximum of £130 million to have a debate on trade? For 13 years under the previous implement the package to which he refers. The investments Government, the automotive sector was in a trade to increase capacity and speeds on the Sheffield to deficit. In just two years, that has become a trade Manchester line, and to increase speeds on the Manchester surplus. Given the good news today of Vauxhall Motors’ to Bradford via Rochdale and Halifax line and the further investment in UK manufacturing, it is important Manchester to Preston via Bolton line are subject to that the House holds such a debate so that it understands value for money being confirmed, but they are a how we are rebalancing the economy. demonstration of our commitment to infrastructure, particularly in my hon. Friend’s part of the country. Sir George Young: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I notice that the hon. Member for Wallasey (Ms Eagle) Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): On 15 March, the did not mention the good news at Ellesmere Port, which Government tabled a series of changes to the immigration has secured 2,100 jobs and paves the way for another rules. Some of them are perfectly sensible, but some of 700 as the plant moves from two shifts to three. My us fear that others of them will lead to a new generation hon. Friend makes a good point that emphasises our of domestic workers living in virtual servitude. They success in rebalancing the economy away from an over- will come into force if, after 40 days, no motion has reliance on financial services, back to manufacturing. been tabled in this House to oppose them. We have He makes the point that a number of major motor prayed against them. I know that the Government have manufacturers are investing in this country. Crucially, difficulty working out when 40 days will lapse, but they some of the components suppliers are also moving back will lapse tomorrow. The Government have therefore to the UK, so we are getting the benefit of the whole failed to provide an opportunity for us to debate the supply chain. matter. Will the Minister for Immigration delay the implementation of the changes until we have had a Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): I am proper debate? sure that the Leader of the House will want to listen to the catalogue of disasters that has affected my constituent, Sir George Young: The procedure that we have adopted Mr Garnett Smith. He has a problem with HMRC, is exactly the same as that which the hon. Gentleman which keeps taking money from two separate employer adopted when he was Deputy Leader of the House. relationships that he has. On 31 January, I wrote to HMRC and the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD): The By 18 April, there was no reply so I chased it up. I was decision of the right hon. Member for Neath (Mr Hain) told that I would have a reply on 20 April, but there was to reorder his priorities may or may not be a welcome no such reply. I contacted the Exchequer Secretary development for the Leader of the Opposition, but it is again on 8 May and was told that an electronic copy a welcome development for those of us who are concerned 701 Business of the House17 MAY 2012 Business of the House 702

[Tim Farron] know would meet demand. Homelessness is also on the increase—it is up 27%—and more than 600,000 are about making the best use of tidal and hydro energy affected by overcrowding. Home building, therefore, is schemes. Will the Government make time for a debate a win-win situation: it will increase growth, which the in the House on the need for investment, both private Prime Minister will talk about today. Will the Leader of and public, in tidal and hydro barrage schemes, not just the House provide Government time for a debate on in the Severn estuary, but at Morecambe bay, so that we housing and how we achieve better economic growth? can create clean, green energy on a massive scale, as well as thousands of jobs? Sir George Young: As a former Housing Minister, I take a close interest in this matter and have seen the Sir George Young: Those are important issues and report to which the hon. Gentleman refers. We inherited are part of our agenda to diversify the supply of electricity a not very positive record from the previous Government: generation. We had a debate yesterday on Department the lowest peacetime house building since the 1920s. I of Energy and Climate Change-related issues and we am sure he will welcome our affordable homes programme, have just had questions to the Secretary of State for which is set to exceed expectations and deliver up to Energy and Climate Change and his team of Ministers, 170,000 affordable homes and a £1.3 billion investment so I cannot promise another immediate opportunity to to get Britain building. I hope he will also welcome address these issues. Later in the Session, there will be a what we have done to enable planning decisions to be Bill on electricity market reform, which may be an made more quickly, to make public land available to opportunity for my hon. Friend to develop his theme. house builders, and to help first-time buyers. I hope, too, that he will welcome our fiscal decisions, which, Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): The Leader crucially, enable interest rates to remain low, helping of the House and the shadow Leader of the House have first-time home buyers. noted that today is the international day against Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): Earlier this homophobia and transphobia. Will the Leader of the week, the Minister of State, Department for Education, House arrange for a debate on tackling homophobic the hon. Member for Brent Central (Sarah Teather), bullying in schools, because my constituents report that who has responsibility for children and families, responded it remains a significant problem? to the Green Paper on special educational needs, which is an area of policy that has been ignored for far too Sir George Young: That is an important issue. I long. Parents must battle for their children’s rights to wonder whether it would be appropriate for the hon. receive the education they need. May we have a debate Lady to make an early application to the Backbench on this important area of policy so that we can push Business Committee to see whether we could have a progress much more quickly? debate on bullying in schools and the particular type of bullying to which she has referred. We can be proud that Sir George Young: I would welcome such a debate. the UK has been recognised as the No. 1 country in The Government are committed to a draft Bill on that Europe for LGBT rights by the International Lesbian matter, so there will be an opportunity to take things and Gay Association. forward. We want to ensure that services for disabled children and young people, and those with special Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): educational needs, are planned and commissioned jointly May we have a statement on how this Government are by local authorities and clinical commissioning groups. helping hard-pressed households by freezing council We want to give children who have challenges a much tax? That is something that the last Labour Government squarer deal than they have at the moment. When the completely failed to do. Indeed, council tax more than Bill is introduced, there will be an opportunity to outline doubled during their time in office. I am pleased that it Government policy. is not only the Government who are delivering on council tax pledges, but my district council of North Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): I am sure all West Leicestershire, which is freezing council tax for the hon. Members would like to join me in congratulating third successive year. the Glasgow Labour party on its success in the Glasgow city council elections last week, which helped to crash Sir George Young: I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Scottish National party separatist juggernaut into for reminding the House that the compounded saving the ditch. One reason for that success was the innovative of two years’ freeze is worth up to £147. I pay tribute to policies that Glasgow Labour introduced, including a those local authorities that have been able to make £25 million jobs guarantee scheme. Given the ongoing sometimes difficult decisions to pass those benefits through. crisis of youth unemployment, may we have an urgent He also contrasts the record of the coalition Government debate in the House on that issue? in our first two years with the record of the previous Sir George Young: If the hon. Gentleman looks at the Labour Government, under whom, as he said, council amendment to the Queen’s Speech that has been tabled, tax doubled. which we are about to debate, he will see that unemployment is specifically mentioned. The answer—this is probably Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op): Has the the first time I have been able to say this—is that yes, I right hon. Gentleman seen the report by three independent can grant a debate on the subject to which he just housing organisations on the emerging housing crisis? referred, and it will start in about 20 minutes’ time. The report confirms that, last year, only 109,000 homes were completed, which is much less than the 140,000 homes Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) completed on average under the previous Government, (Con): Please may we have a debate on encouraging and less than half the number that the Government entrepreneurialism in young people in schools and colleges? 703 Business of the House17 MAY 2012 Business of the House 704

Last week, I was a dragon at a “Dragon’s Den” event at Lord Digby Jones’s remarks that UK Trade & Investment, Harrogate college and was impressed by the ability, which is an arm of the Foreign Office, has been devastated? pitches and enthusiasm of the young people I met. What help can we give small and medium-sized businesses Across our country, young people just need the opportunity in constituencies such as mine to help them to export to in our education system to understand the excitement BRIC countries? and rewards of a career in business. Sir George Young: UKTI has not been “devastated”. Sir George Young: I commend what my hon. Friend I was in touch with it recently when it held a seminar has done, but I cannot think of anyone less like a specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises that dragon than him. It is important that schools do more wanted to export. The seminar was well attended and to prepare children for the financial challenges in life. found to be of great value by those who came along. I Some schools have started schemes whereby pupils are could not praise more highly the input of UKTI to that given a relatively small sum of money and challenged to initiative. I would encourage hon. Members who have grow it—there have been real successes from that, and not already done so to contact UKTI and have a similar there is an encouraging increase in self-employment seminar in their constituencies. among young people. I applaud my hon. Friend’s initiative Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): Another in encouraging young people in his constituency to hidden and scandalous form of discrimination in this become attuned to financial matters, and I hope that country is the reluctance of businesses—often small many of them turn out to be budding entrepreneurs. businesses—to hire women of child-bearing age because they fear that they will take maternity leave. May we Mr John Spellar (Warley) (Lab): On Tuesday, my therefore have a debate on shared parental leave and the right hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann importance it will have in ensuring that that form of Clwyd) raised the issue of how the principles of the hidden discrimination ends? Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 are being undermined by Criminal Records Bureau checks, because people’s Sir George Young: I applaud what my hon. Friend lives are being blighted for ever by offences or even says. It is indeed the Government’s policy to move cautions that took place years and sometimes decades towards more flexible parental leave so that parents can earlier, often in people’s unruly youth. In view of the share caring responsibilities. We are working with businesses utterly complacent reply my right hon. Friend received to create a more flexible system of parental leave. Under from the hon. Member for North West Cambridgeshire our proposals, parents will be given the choice to determine (Mr Vara), who was answering as a Minister, may we how they take leave for child care. They will be able to have a debate to expose and hopefully remedy this divide the majority of the leave into blocks to suit their ongoing injustice? work needs, and to split leave between them. I hope that will remove some of the barriers to which my hon. Sir George Young: The rehabilitation of offenders Friend refers. legislation has, I believe, recently been reviewed, but I will take on board the point the right hon. Gentleman Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) makes and see whether further tweaks are needed to (Lab): Last year, I raised with the Leader of the House ensure that people are not unjustly penalised, when they the tragic case of Joe Arthur, my constituent who was seek employment, for relatively trivial offences that killed while on holiday in Greece in 2006, and the happened some time ago. I will raise the matter with the family’s fight for justice. This week, the family have Home Secretary. again been out to Greece, and yet again the trial has stalled. Will the Leader of the House arrange for me to Mr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): Given that meet urgently a Foreign Office Minister to discuss what elected politicians in the Democratic Republic of the further assistance can be offered to the family, because Congo have rejected £790 million of UK aid, claiming that situation simply cannot be allowed to continue? that it is a guilt payment so that British companies can Sir George Young: I am very sorry to hear of the secure access to offshore mining interests, may we have problems that confront the hon. Lady’s constituents. It a debate on the commitment to spend 0.7% of gross so happens that a constituent of mine was killed in domestic product on overseas aid? Greece last year, and their family is having exactly the same problems of finding out when the trial is to be Sir George Young: The commitment to international held and what status and role they will have in the aid spending was discussed at some length by hon. proceedings. I will raise the matter with a Foreign and Members on both sides of the House on Tuesday, in a Commonwealth Office Minister and ask him to contact debate to which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of her and see what assistance we can give to the family in State for International Development responded. On the the tragic circumstances she has just mentioned. specific issue my hon. Friend mentions, I am not sure it would be right to withhold support to the DRC—the Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): I very much support aid we give reaches very poor people, who would be the Government in putting public sector pensions on an deprived of the assistance they need—but I will draw affordable and sustainable footing. In that spirit, may his concern to the attention of my right hon. Friend. we have a debate on the pension contributions of judges? Judges are being asked to make a contribution of just Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): The 2% towards their pension, which is neither affordable Leader of the House will be aware that small and nor sustainable. Surely my right hon. Friend agrees that medium-sized businesses in my constituency are eager it is wrong that judges pay less in total towards their to respond to the Government challenge to export more pensions than other public sector workers, who are to Brazil, Russia, India and China, but has he also seen being asked to pay increased contributions? 705 Business of the House17 MAY 2012 Business of the House 706

Sir George Young: There will be an opportunity to patients cannot always get them. May we have a debate, debate this matter. We are committed to introducing or at least a ministerial statement, to find out what the legislation on public service pensions, which will certainly Government propose to do about this awful situation? embrace judges, and my hon. Friend will have an opportunity to propose the necessary amendments to Sir George Young: I applaud my hon. Friend’s work the legislation, if he finds we have not responded. We as vice-chairman of the all-party group, which I understand are aware of this issue, however, and there will be a Bill was founded by the Deputy Leader of the House. designed to address it. About 900 million prescriptions are issued each year for about 16,000 medicines, some of which, as my hon. Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): Yesterday, the Friend said, are in short supply. The Government will Prime Minister was asked about the cut in the number want to respond to the report. Contingency arrangements of front-line police officers but answered by talking are in place whereby if a pharmacy cannot get a medicine about the proportion. Will the Leader of the House from the wholesaler, it can go direct to the supplier. We impress on his colleagues the importance of answering do all that we can to prevent shortages, but as I said, we the question asked, not the one they would rather have will want to respond to the suggestions in his report. been asked? Next time, therefore, the Prime Minister might give the right answer, which, to clarify, is more Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab): Please may we than 5,000. have a chance to debate the Government’s thoughts on Sir George Young: With respect, that is a game that regional pay? Last week, the Welsh Government produced we can play as well, having listened to previous Prime an excellent response to the Government’s consultation, Ministers for 13 years. One of my colleagues actually and it would be fantastic to have an early opportunity wrote a book compiling not only the failures to answer to articulate just how unfair, divisive and damaging questions but the inaccurate answers that a previous these proposals will be for areas such as Newport in my Prime Minister gave. The Prime Minister always answers constituency. questions as accurately, honestly and openly as he can, and I would rebut any criticism of his performance at Sir George Young: It might be in order for the hon. the Dispatch Box. Lady to raise that issue on the amendment that her party has tabled to today’s debate. The Government are Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): Despite consulting on the matter, and I welcome the contribution having the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh and Northern to that process to which she referred. I think that the Ireland Assemblies, we continue to have Scottish, Welsh consultation ends later this year, at which point it might and Northern Ireland questions in the House, which are be sensible to have a debate to indicate where the often dominated by English MPs asking questions provided Government are going, having initiated the consultation by the Whips Office. If we are to continue with this, is it process, and to see whether there is a case for differential not time to have English questions, too, so that English rates of pay in the public sector to reflect regional cost MPs can raise questions important to the English people? variances.

Sir George Young: The principle of oral questions is Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): There is an that the House should have the opportunity to hold encouraging increase in the number of organs being Secretaries of State and Ministers to account. That is made available for transplant, particularly organs such why there are separate Northern Ireland, Scotland and as kidneys, from live donors. Today, an 83-year-old man Welsh questions. English Ministers, of course, have to made a successful kidney donation. Will the Leader of answer for English-related matters when at the Dispatch the House ensure an early opportunity for us to discuss Box. If the House wants to hold the Government to this matter and build on the willingness of these wonderful account, the best way to do it is by a series of departmental people to donate during their lifetimes? questions, which is what we have now. Sir George Young: It so happens that Nicholas Crace, Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): the man to whom my hon. Friend refers, is a constituent Following the publication of the BBC Trust’s latest of mine living in Overton, and I applaud what he has savings plans, will the House have an opportunity to done. I hope that all hon. Members carry a donor card debate the plans, particularly the plans for local radio? I so that if any accident did befall them, they might be of ask because there are many excellent local services, some help to others. I cannot promise an early debate including Radio Humberside in my constituency, and on this important issue, but again it might be a subject this week, the radio show, “Beryl and Betty”, with Beryl for a Backbench Business Committee or Adjournment Renwick, aged 86, and Betty Smith, aged 90, won the debate. Sony gold award for excellence. Sir George Young: The BBC is an independent Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab): organisation and is responsible for allocating its funds May we have a debate on consumer protection? The and finding savings. If the hon. Lady wants to apply to Leader of the House will be aware that many of our the Backbench Business Committee for a debate on constituents the length and breadth of the country how the BBC is organised, I am sure she will get a warm would like to come to the capital to celebrate the reception from its newly elected members. Queen’s jubilee, but the costs are prohibitive—nowhere more so than on Dolphin square, where many hon. Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) Members reside, where people are now charging £275 (Con): Earlier this week, the all-party group on pharmacy for one night’s accommodation. That is double what published a report after a six-month inquiry into they normally charge. It is exploitation and should be prescription medicine shortages. The difficulty is that condemned from the highest level of Government. 707 Business of the House17 MAY 2012 Business of the House 708

Sir George Young: I understand the concern of the will be greater support for child care when we remove hon. Gentleman’s constituents, who find they might be the so-called 16-hour rule and enable those working less priced out of coming to London for some of the jubilee than 16 hours a week to access child care. celebrations or Olympics. There will be an opportunity next Thursday to cross-question Ministers in the Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): In a few weeks’ Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, who time, London will play host to the Olympics and have responsibility for consumer protection, on this Paralympics, which we will all celebrate. During the issue. I will, however, raise the matter with my right games, it will be the 40th anniversary of the Olympics’ hon. Friend the Business Secretary to see what action darkest hour when, in 1972, 11 members of the Israeli we can take to help. team were brutally murdered. So far, the Olympic movement has failed to honour their memory or provide closure Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): Grahame for their families. Will my right hon. Friend allow a Maxwell, chief constable of North Yorkshire police, statement to be made to the House on this matter? was only the second chief constable in British policing There is widespread support across the House for a history to be found guilty of gross misconduct. This one-minute silence to be held during the games to week, he walked away with a payout of £250,000. As commemorate those who were murdered. part of the Government’s excellent policing reforms, may we have a new rule—if a police chief is found guilty Sir George Young: My hon. Friend raises an important of gross misconduct, he should be kicked out and matter in reminding us of the tragedy that took place receive no money? 40 years ago. I would like to raise his suggestion with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Sir George Young: I shall raise that with the Home Olympics, Media and Sport and, possibly, with Lord Secretary. Whether people should lose, in some cases, Coe, who is in charge of the arrangements. Any pension entitlement for committing a crime is an issue commemoration involving a period of silence in the across the public sector. I will raise this specific issue House would be a matter for Mr Speaker, who I am sure with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, however, will read the record of what my hon. Friend has just and see whether we have any plans to change the said. regime. Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (Con): Will my Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): On Monday, the right hon. Friend find time for a debate on saving our Defence Secretary confirmed that the number of British historic lidos and on involving our communities in that troops would fall from 102,000 to 82,000 by 2020. A process? I should very much like to see such activity decision on where the axe will fall is expected soon. The taking place in relation to the Saltdean lido in my people of Wales are rightly alarmed at the prospect of constituency. losing 1st the Queen’s Dragoon Guards—the Welsh cavalry—which is the UK’s most senior front-line force. May we have an urgent debate so that all Members can Sir George Young: I commend my hon. Friend’s feed into this review? initiative in saving the lido in Brighton. I cannot promise a debate on the matter, but I will ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether Sir George Young: The Secretary of State indicated, I there is a role for him to play in this movement. My think, that the total Army numbers would be about hon. Friend might also like to contact the Backbench 120,000, of which about 80,000 would be regulars and Business Committee about holding a debate, as I am 40,000 reserves. The exercise of configuring individual sure that there are other hon. Members who share his units and regiments is under way, and I know that my concern. right hon. Friend will want to keep the House informed. There are regular debates on defence, and a set-piece debate is sometimes provided by the Backbench Business Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): May we have a debate Committee, so there might be an opportunity to discuss on the importance of collaboration between universities the matter on one of those occasions. and business in supporting growth? Staffordshire university has just been specially commended by the Higher Education Funding Council for England for its work led by Sandra James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con): Booth and her team. There are 25,000 more people in work in the west midlands than there were a year ago, but one of the key problems for people getting into employment is affordable Sir George Young: I commend what is happening in and accessible child care. May we have a debate on what my hon. Friend’s constituency.It is important for universities the Government are doing to improve accessibility to to be in touch with business so that they can focus their child care so that people in families can get back into courses on the skills that industry needs, and I am work? delighted to hear of the collaboration taking place in Staffordshire. Sir George Young: This is an important issue. My hon. Friend will know that we have increased the entitlement Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): May we please to free education and care for three and four-year-olds have a statement on the UK system of measurement, to to 15 hours a week and extended it to disadvantaged enable the Government to confirm—I hope—that this two-year-olds. He will also know that under universal country will continue to have the freedom to use the credit—I am delighted to see my right hon. Friend the traditional imperial system of weights and measures, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions here—there and not be forced any further down the road of compulsory 709 Business of the House17 MAY 2012 Business of the House 710

[Mr David Nuttall] unopposed to the chairmanship of the Backbench Business Committee? May I also ask the Leader of the House for use of the metric system, which has been recently suggested an early debate in Government time on guidance on how by a former Leader of the House of Commons, the the national planning policy framework is to be applied noble Lord Howe? by local councils? There seems to be a lot of confusion among planning authorities over the circumstances in Sir George Young: In this case, there is no solidarity which a planning application may be called in, and I do between the Leaders of the House, and I can assure my not think that the questions of regional and national hon. Friend that the Government are committed to importance are fully understood. An early debate on retaining imperial units in all the areas in which they are this matter would be most helpful. currently legal units for trade. This includes retaining imperial units for use in dual labelling for as long as people find them useful. Sir George Young: We had a debate on the national planning policy framework in the last days of the Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): Having owned previous Session, so I cannot promise another in the several Vauxhall Astras in the past, I am delighted to near future, but my hon. Friend raises an important hear of the commitment by General Motors to retaining issue which I will share with Ministers at the Department and creating jobs in Ellesmere Port. However, with car for Communities and Local Government. I will also ask manufacturing now firmly in the ascendancy, I fear that the Secretary of State to write to her to try to address we might have the potential for a skills gap. May we the particular concern that she has raised. therefore have a statement from the Education Secretary to tell us what more the Government can do to promote Mike Crockart (Edinburgh West) (LD): May I ask manufacturing in schools so that we can enthuse more the Leader of the House to arrange for a statement young people to take up such careers? from a Minister in the Department for Work and Pensions on any ongoing improvements to the work capability Sir George Young: I applaud my hon. Friend’s suggestion assessment and its related appeals process? With official that we reawaken in young people an interest in a career figures showing that only a third of appeals are successful, in manufacturing. I know that the Minister for Further rising to 70% for those helped by citizens advice bureaux, Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, my hon. Friend and with six to 12 months’ delays in receiving the results the Member for South Holland and The Deepings of appeals, far too many of my constituents are still (Mr Hayes) will be interested in taking this dialogue being left without support, for entirely dubious reasons. forward. I commend the number of Vauxhalls that my hon. Friend the Member for Nuneaton (Mr Jones) has had, although I am not sure why he needed so many. Sir George Young: I understand my hon. Friend’s Today’s announcement by General Motors of the move concern. He will be aware that my right hon. Friend the from two shifts to three is indeed good news for Merseyside, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is in his place, as is the confirmation that the new Astra will be built in and that he will respond to the debate later today. the UK. Perhaps he will refer, in his wind-up speech, to the Harrington reviews that are now under way, and that Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): have been set up specifically to address the issues to May I add my congratulations to the hon. Member for which my hon. Friend refers. I know that my right hon. North East Derbyshire (Natascha Engel) on being returned Friend will do what he can to allay those concerns. 711 17 MAY 2012 712

Point of Order Debate on the Address

12.25 pm [6TH DAY] Caroline Flint (Don Valley) (Lab): On a point of Debate resumed (Order, 16 May). order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Yesterday, in response to a Question again proposed, question from my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as Môn (Albert Owen), the Energy Secretary said: follows: “Let me give the hon. Gentleman one exact policy, for which Most Gracious Sovereign, Labour never legislated: the warm home discount”.—[Official We, YourMajesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons Report, 16 May 2012; Vol. 545, c. 561.] of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to He repeated the same point earlier this morning in Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has Energy and Climate Change questions. The truth is that addressed to both Houses of Parliament. it was the Energy Act 2010, which was passed by the last Labour Government, that enabled the warm home discount Jobs and Growth scheme to be set up. Will you advise me on how the House can get such matters corrected on the record, to Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): I inform the ensure that nobody is left ignorant of the true state of House that the Speaker has selected the amendment in affairs? the name of the Leader of the Opposition. Standing Order No. 33 provides that, on the last day of the Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): I can say debate on the motion for the Address to Her Majesty, that that is not a point of order for the Chair, but the the House may also vote on the second amendment right hon. Lady has corrected the record in the statement selected by the Speaker. The Speaker has selected the that she has just made. amendment in the name of Angus Robertson for that purpose. The vote on that amendment will take place at the end of the debate, after the amendment in the name of the Leader of the Opposition has been disposed of.

12.27 pm Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood) (Lab/Co-op): I beg to move an amendment, at the end of the Question to add: ‘but regrets that whilst the UK economy is in recession, long-term unemployment is at its highest level since 1996 and one million young people are out of work the Gracious Speech contains no measures to address this crisis; notes that Britain will pay a long-term price for a prolonged period of slow growth and high unemployment; further notes that France, Germany and the Eurozone as a whole are not in recession while in the USA, where the Government has to date taken a more balanced approach to support economic recovery, the economy is now one per cent bigger than before the global financial crisis, while the UK economy is now 4.3 per cent smaller; recognises the criticism expressed by business leaders that your Government has not come forward with an adequate plan to boost economic growth; believes that cutting spending and raising taxes too far and too fast is self-defeating as slow growth and higher unemployment means that your Government is now set to borrow £150 billion more than planned; and calls on your Government to introduce a fair and balanced deficit plan, with measures to stimulate economic growth and job creation which are essential to get the deficit down, including a tax on bank bonuses to fund a guaranteed job for every young person out of work for more than a year, a temporary cut in VAT, a national insurance holiday for small firms taking on extra workers, and bringing forward infrastructure investment to strengthen the economy for the long-term.’. It is a great honour to open the final day of this Queen’s Speech debate, and to do so in this very special diamond jubilee year. But I have to say how disappointing it is, with our economy now pushed into recession, the eurozone crisis deepening, and businesses and families up and down the country crying out for a plan for jobs and growth, that we are today debating what is widely regarded to be a disappointing and directionless Queen’s Speech programme from a Tory-led coalition that has, frankly, lost its way. What a change this is from two years ago. When the Chancellor of the Exchequer spoke in the debate on the Government’s first Queen’s Speech, four weeks after 713 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 714

[Ed Balls] Ed Balls: The hon. Gentleman might need to go back to the drawing board because the Institute for Fiscal the general election and two weeks before his first Studies has shown that last month’s measures will, as a Budget, he was bursting with hubris. He was so sure of result of cuts to tax credits, mean tax rises for the himself that, when the then shadow Chancellor, my average family with children in his constituency—and right hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh South that is even before taking the rise in VAT into account West (Mr Darling), and many other hon. Members on and it does take the personal allowance rises into account. this side of the House asked whether the Chancellor’s The fact is that taxes have gone up for low-income planned to bring forward immediate and deep tax rises families, they are going up for the middle classes, and and said that spending cuts might choke off the recovery, it is only the highest earners in the hon. Gentleman’s the Chancellor dismissed those concerns out of hand. constituency that are getting the tax cuts. He was confident that his plan would “deal with our debts, set our country on a brighter economic Mr Brian Binley (Northampton South) (Con): Is it course and show that we are all in this together.”—[Official not true—the shadow Chancellor is a straightforward Report, 8 June 2010; Vol. 511, c. 206.] man—that the previous Government set out a trap for What a difference two years makes. this Government, not really wishing for a rise to 50%, but carrying it out just before the last election in a crude “We are all in this together”: we do not hear that line attempt to catch this Government out? any more—not from a Chancellor whose Budget decisions have hit middle and lower-income families harder than Ed Balls: I am always a close student of the hon. those on the highest incomes. His Budget decisions have Gentleman, and I noted that he did not advocate the hit women harder than men and families with children reversal of the 50p rate as the right thing to do, so I am harder still. The Institute for Fiscal Studies confirms not sure what his constituents thought about that. I that his Budgets have been regressive and will see child recently read some of his other remarks. In March, for poverty rise. Last month’s omnishambles of a Budget example, the hon. Gentleman said: included decisions to raise taxes on caravans, charity “The Chancellor has been consistently advised of the importance donations, church repairs, pensioners, pasties and petrol, of macro-measures to stimulate growth in the private sector. So but to have a top-rate tax cut only for the richest—a why are these not being implemented?” £3 billion tax cut, which will give 14,000 of the richest Why, indeed? He continued by saying that the Prime people in our society earning over £1 million an average Minister tax cut of £40,000 a year. Millions are paying more in tax to pay for a tax cut for millionaires. No wonder the “needs to wake up and smell the coffee. This is a major setback Chancellor and the Prime Minister can no longer bring for the Conservative party.” themselves to say that “We are all in this together”. That is quite right. Let me remind the Chancellor of what the chair of Mr Binley rose— the Conservative Association in Harlow said last week: “The voters are disillusioned with Cameron himself. They Ed Balls: If the hon. Gentleman wants to intervene don’t like the fact that he did not keep the 50p tax. People feel he again, I have plenty more! is not working for them.” Apparently, the Chancellor was advised precisely not Mr Binley: I know he has. Now will he answer my to cut the top rate by his own Downing street pollster, question? Mr Andrew Cooper. Let me say to the Chancellor that, in my experience, disregarding the wise advice of someone Ed Balls: The right thing to do after the financial called Cooper can be a very dangerous course to take. crisis, was to do things in a fair way. That is why the 50p tax rate was right at the time. The reason why the Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): Given the right Budget has gone down so badly is that lowering the 50p hon. Gentleman’s closeness to the new French President rate was seen as so unfair. The hon. Gentleman was Mr Hollande and given that the shadow Chancellor right in what he said just a few days ago. In his blog a mentioned the top rate of tax, does he think that the few days ago he said that the Government have a dash for growth will be enhanced or hindered by the communication problem and are over-confident. He introduction of a 75p top rate? said: “The manner in which Downing Street fires out policies and Ed Balls: I do not think that introducing a 75p tax expects us to agree and applaud without question certainly smacks rate in Britain would be the right thing to do at all. That of a sense of superiority.” is not our policy, but I do not think that cutting the top Quite right again—a very interesting remark. rate from 50p to 45p will be good for jobs, growth or fairness either. Several hon. Members rose—

Richard Harrington (Watford) (Con): I am listening Ed Balls: Let me make some more progress; I will with some perplexity to how the shadow Chancellor allow more interventions in a few moments. referred to the Budget as one for rich people, because I As for the Chancellor’s promise of “a brighter economic have calculated that in my Watford constituency, nearly future”, it is not just that his economic plan has been so 4,000 people have been taken completely out of tax by unfair, but that it has failed completely. On the recovery the increase in the personal allowance. I am sure that being secured, our economy has not only flatlined for the right hon. Gentleman will join me in congratulating 18 months, but has contracted. As to a private sector-led the Chancellor on such an excellent measure. recovery, confidence is down, business investment has 715 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 716 been revised down and since June last year, we have lost Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): more than 100,000 public sector jobs, but the private The shadow Chancellor has used many quotes in his sector has created only half that number of private opening speech, so let us see whether he agrees with this sector jobs. As for the Chancellor’s absurd claim that one from Mervyn King, the Governor of the Bank of Britain is a safe haven, we are in recession. What kind of England, who Labour appointed. He said that this safe haven is that? Government demonstrated a The Chancellor will try to claim today that it is the “textbook response to the situation”— eurozone crisis that has blown him so badly off course. the economic mess we inherited from the previous I will return to the eurozone crisis in a moment, but Government. trying to blame that crisis for the UK recession flies in the face of the facts. This is what the Chancellor said in Ed Balls: The Governor of the Bank of England was his autumn statement: confident two years ago that the Chancellor was making “if the rest of Europe heads into recession, it may prove hard to the right calls on the pace of deficit reduction. avoid one here in the UK.”—[Official Report, 29 November 2011; Unfortunately, it has turned out that the Governor of Vol. 536, c. 799.] the Bank of England and the Chancellor of the Exchequer But it is the eurozone that has avoided recession and the have both got that wrong. We had gone back into UK that has plunged back into it. [Interruption.] Even recession even before the eurozone crisis. Let us consider The Sun—not known as a big supporter of Labour, but recent entries from the website of the hon. Member for a big supporter of the Chancellor over the last few North West Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen). They show years—wrote only yesterday—[Interruption.] him “criticising cuts” to “local health centres”, and reveal his wish to “Save Moira Fire Station” and for the “replacement” of local bus services. I am not sure that Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. all that is entirely on message. Yet the Chancellor and Government Front- Bench Members can do a little the Prime Minister are still clinging to the view that they better by listening to what is being said. I am sure that are right and everyone else is wrong. In his speech they will want to listen to the shadow Chancellor in the today, the Prime Minister seemed to be trying to claim same way that they will want Members to listen to the that the choice between austerity and growth was a Chancellor later. myth. [Interruption.] I think that the Chancellor should listen to this, because I am about to explain why he has Ed Balls: They should listen to The Sun, Mr Deputy got it so badly wrong. He should listen and learn, Speaker. It said yesterday: Mr Deputy Speaker, listen and learn. “George Osborne can no longer blame Eurozone woes for our If the Prime Minister meant that we should not double-dip recession.” choose between policies for growth and policies for deficit reduction, he was right. I agree. In fact, that is It is a recession made in Downing street—even The Sun exactly what Lord Mandelson and I argued in our joint agrees with that. article in Monday’s Guardian. We argued for action now to boost jobs and growth, alongside tough medium-term Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth) (Con): While the deficit reduction plans. But that is not what the Prime shadow Chancellor is busy doing down the British Minister was saying today. He and his Chancellor are economy, will he not equally recognise the fact that in still clinging to the mistaken and, now, increasingly areas like Great Yarmouth, which Labour left as one of discredited view that cutting spending and raising taxes the most deprived in the country, we are seeing hundreds faster to cut the deficit is the route to economic growth, of millions of pounds of investment from and in local when all the evidence is to the contrary. Trying to cut companies, put in by organisations and countries like the deficit faster has not boosted growth in recession; it Japan, so that the jobs are growing in the enterprise has choked off confidence, unemployment is up, and we zones? are borrowing more than he planned, not less. If the Prime Minister is really claiming that he is on the right Ed Balls: In the hon. Gentleman’s constituency, course, he is even more complacent and out of touch youth long-term unemployment is rising, long-term than I thought. unemployment generally is rising, families’ taxes are rising and only the top-rate taxpayers are seeing a tax James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con): cut. Investment was revised down last year and the year Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that economic before that, and our economy is in recession because of policy is about credibility? Would he not have more the policies that the hon. Gentleman continues to support. credibility if he told us how he would cost his so-called I think he owes his constituents an apology. plan for jobs and growth? What should we make of setting our economy on a Ed Balls: Credibility is about getting things right, not brighter economic course and the observation that “We about getting them wrong. We were told that we were are all in this together.” Even on his claim that he would out of the danger zone and that the recovery had been “deal with our debts”, the Chancellor is failing that test, secured, but what has happened? Plan A failed in Britain too. No growth since the spending review and rising and in the eurozone too, and it is the very plan that the long-term unemployment mean that he is now borrowing Chancellor has been urging on us. What did he say to £150 billion more than he planned. This is more borrowing The Daily Telegraph in August last year? He said: than in the plans he inherited, and his pledge to balance the books by 2015 is in tatters. At the end of this “Britain is leading the way out of this crisis”, Parliament, our national debt will not be lower than the and level he inherited, but higher than the level he inherited. “The eurozone must follow our lead and act decisively”. 717 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 718

[Ed Balls] The Prime Minister and the Chancellor must wake up to the fact that our economy has not grown on their The Prime Minister is off to the G8 summit this weekend. watch for a year and a half. Instead of trying to divert The only countries in recession that will be represented the blame for their failure and using the eurozone as an there are Italy and Britain. How are we leading the way? excuse for Britain’s problems, they must admit that they The fact is that the austerity policies that are failing in got it wrong—that they gave the eurozone the wrong Europe are the very same policies that have failed in advice—and start pushing for the right solution to the Britain, and which the British Government have been eurozone crisis. I agree that there should be a proper urging the German Government to urge the eurozone role for the European Central Bank and a greater to stick with. That is the reality. emphasis on fiscal burden-sharing, but there should Opposition Members have consistently argued that it also be a change of course on austerity, because only a will not work for all countries to try to reduce their balanced plan that puts jobs and growth first will succeed deficits at the same time, that tough medium-term plans in getting the deficit down. When the International to cut the deficit will work only if Governments also put Monetary Fund, the OECD, the European Commission, in place a plan for jobs and growth, and that a time the European Central Bank and even the United States when a global hurricane is brewing is precisely not the are urging policies for jobs and growth, this Chancellor time at which to rip out the foundations of the house and this Prime Minister are looking increasingly isolated here in Britain. and out on a limb.

Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con) rose— Penny Mordaunt: Since April 2010, in my constituency the number of job vacancies has risen by 316%, the number of apprenticeships has doubled, the number of Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con) rose— jobseeker’s allowance claimants has fallen by 12%, and the number of claimants aged between 18 and 24 has Ed Balls: I will give way first to the hon. Member for fallen by 15%. Those are the facts. I understand why the Bedford (Richard Fuller). We have nothing in the file right hon. Gentleman does not want to give Ministers for him, because unfortunately we were unable to find any credit for that, but will he stop talking down the anything interesting that he had said during the last two businesses and entrepreneurs in Portsmouth who have years. made it possible?

Richard Fuller: I appreciate the compliment from the Ed Balls: I am sure that the hon. Lady and I can agree right hon. Gentleman, who has often demonstrated on one thing. There has been a 130% rise in long-term that he does not have a sound grip on economics. He is youth unemployment—unemployment lasting more than continuing to say something that I do not think is six months—in her constituency over the last year. correct: he is continuing to compare austerity policies [Interruption.] It is up by 129% in her constituency, and with growth policies. Does he not accept that growth is that is really worrying. Constituencies of Members on an outcome, which all policies are intended to achieve, both sides of the House saw the damage done by and will he have the honesty to answer the question put long-term youth unemployment in the 1980s, and we to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Halesowen should act to prevent a repeat of that rather than being and Rowley Regis (James Morris) and cost his plans? complacent.

Ed Balls: The right course is to take a balanced Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con): Twice so far approach that combines medium-term deficit reduction in his speech, the right hon. Gentleman has said that the with getting jobs and growth moving. The problem with problems in the UK are nothing to do with the eurozone. austerity is that it chokes off jobs and growth and ends Will he therefore disown the remarks of the shadow up costing more in spending, more in unemployment Chief Secretary, the hon. Member for Leeds West (Rachel and more in borrowing. We have set out a clear alternative. Reeves), who said last week that the eurozone was We have said “Repeat the bank bonus tax, and use the having a major impact on British businesses and British money to create jobs.” We have said “Rip up the failed families? [HON.MEMBERS: “Yes? Yes?”] national insurance cut introduced by the Chancellor, and use the money for a tax cut for small businesses.” Ed Balls: Calm down. Calm down, or we will start a We have said “Yes, cut VAT by £12 billion for a year to debate about Remploy. get the economy moving.” We have not said how many Of course the eurozone crisis is very serious and very shovel-ready infrastructure projects can be launched, dangerous for our economy and for all economies. That because we do not have the details. is why our Prime Minister and Chancellor should be at The Prime Minister says that you cannot borrow our the table leading debates about the solution rather than way out of a debt crisis, but unless you grow, your debts carping on the sidelines, sitting like a teenager in the get bigger and your deficits get worse. That is what the front of the car with headphones on while the crisis Chancellor has proved over the last two years. It is not happens around them. only the Labour party that is advancing that argument. These are the facts. Last year, eurozone growth was Only last week, the managing director of the International faster than British growth and was revised up. Our Monetary Fund said: growth was slower and was revised down. Last year, it “We know that fiscal austerity holds back growth and the was only the eurozone that prevented the British economy effects are worse in downturns... so the right pace is essential”. from going into recession earlier. Our domestic economy, Even the head of the European Central Bank is now excluding exports, was actually in recession for pretty pressing for a jobs and growth plan. much all of last year. The eurozone economy was 719 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 720 growing when the British economy went into recession. Mr Jones rose— Even today, the eurozone is not in recession and the British economy is. [Interruption.] The Welfare Secretary Ed Balls: I think hon. Members will find that businesses has made a career of blaming Europe for everything in the west midlands will all agree that the abolition of that goes wrong in Britain, but I am afraid that this is a Advantage West Midlands was one of the most stupid recession made in Downing street. and short-sighted decisions made by this Government The Chancellor will also try to claim today— so far. [Interruption.] Calm down. The Chancellor will also try to claim today that all this pain will be worth it in Mr Jones rose— the end. However, we are paying a long-term price for the failures that we now see around us—the national Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. You debt higher; living standards down; long-term youth have done very well so far, Mr Jones. Don’t overstep it. unemployment becoming entrenched; more than 24,000 companies out of business since he became Chancellor; Ed Balls: The economy is in recession and they hate investment plans cancelled or diverted overseas; our it, and so do business organisations up and down the economy weaker; and capacity lost. I very much fear country. Is it any wonder that businesses have been so that when the economy finally recovers, as it eventually disappointed and upset by the Queen’s Speech of just will, it will be more prone to inflationary pressures than two weeks ago? Let me quote the director general of the otherwise, because of the failures of this Chancellor. British Chambers of Commerce: “There is a big black hole when it comes to aiding business to Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): The right hon. create enterprise, generate wealth and grow.” Gentleman has mentioned exports. Does he not welcome Quite right, Mr Deputy Speaker. the growth in exports and the new jobs being created at Jaguar Land Rover, Vauxhall, Nissan and Toyota, to There will be some parts of the Queen’s Speech mention but a few? Is he not sorry, and should he not dealing with Treasury matters which we will support. say sorry to the British public, that 1.7 million manufacturing On banking reform, we will look forward to supporting jobs were lost in this country on his party’s watch? legislation to strengthen capital ratios and promote Companies such as LDV, Peugeot and Rover closed competition; although it is now nine months since the down manufacturing while he was in government. final report of the Vickers commission, and we are still waiting for a response from the Chancellor of the Ed Balls: Of course I welcome the improvements that Exchequer. However, after 18 months of flatlining, with we have seen in manufacturing, and I think we could our economy now in recession and business investment have a cross-party consensus that the previous Government’s depressed, the question I ask—it is the question British decision to set up the Automotive Council and provide business is asking too—is this. Where is the plan in the long-term strategic leadership has made a huge difference Queen’s Speech to restore confidence and promote business to the prospects for car investment in our country. investment and jobs in Britain? Nissan; Rover—we made great progress. That progress With net lending falling month on month—according is being continued, and we should all welcome that. to the Bank of England it has been down every month However, I have to say, for all the complacency that we for over two years now—where is the action in the just heard in that intervention, is it any wonder that Queen’s Speech to promote small business lending? business organisations—[Interruption.] Government With youth unemployment now at a record high, and Members should listen. with yesterday’s figures confirming that long-term unemployment among young people is still rising, where Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): Would my right is the legislation in the Queen’s Speech to get our young hon. Friend include the car scrappage scheme as well? people back to work? Where is the legislation to repeat the bank bonus tax to fund a jobs guarantee for young Ed Balls: The car scrappage scheme, the cut in VAT people—or, for that matter, to cut taxes for small businesses and the action to support Northern Rock and RBS hiring new workers, or to help the construction sector were important decisions that stopped our economy with a temporary cut in VAT? Our economy has ground going into depression. They were all opposed by the to a halt and our construction sector is in great distress. Conservatives. That is the reality. Where is the plan to support jobs and growth by bringing forward new infrastructure projects? Where is the legislation Mr Marcus Jones: Will the right hon. Gentleman give to make our economy stronger and fairer for the future? way? Stronger corporate governance; a business investment bank; progress on high-speed rail; reforms in our universities Ed Balls: No. [Laughter.] Go on then. to promote innovation—all are completely absent from this Queen’s Speech. Mr Jones: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. He seems to be enthused about the car scrappage scheme Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): Does my right and what a roaring success it was. Will he therefore hon. Friend agree that young people in Scotland are explain why Jaguar Land Rover sold about 12 additional facing the double whammy of a coalition Government cars as a result of that fantastic policy? who are complacent and a Scottish National party Government who are cutting further education funding? Ed Balls: We were very proud of the investment that Jaguar Land Rover put into the west midlands as a Ed Balls: I understand my hon. Friend’s concerns at result of the progress made and the support from Advantage the lack of a youth jobs plan in Scotland. We can West Midlands. understand that from the Conservatives, because they 721 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 722

[Ed Balls] plan would bring unprecedented growth and finally deliver a Tory majority in 2015, and that a grateful abolished the future jobs fund, but people will find it Prime Minister would then stand aside, as he was finally hard to understand why the Scottish National party cheered into 10 Downing street. How far away those Administration in Scotland have failed so woefully to dreams seem now! do anything to tackle the challenge of youth unemployment. Andrew Bridgen: Will the right hon. Gentleman give Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): The right hon. way? Gentleman referred to investment in this country in manufacturing. Does he agree with General Motors, Ed Balls: I will not. which has specifically thanked the Government for Last month YouGov asked 1,800 people whether making the UK a great place to invest in manufacturing they thought the Chancellor was very well suited to the and business? Indeed, General Motors has announced job of Prime Minister. How many said yes? Just 1% today that it will be manufacturing the new Vauxhall did—18 people only. The question we must ask is this: Astra at Ellesmere Port, very close to my constituency, who on earth were those 18 people? After that Budget, providing 700 new jobs and securing thousands of jobs they must be vegan, health freak, cyclist millionaires in the supply line. Does he welcome that? who passionately hate cars, pasties and caravan holidays, and think that pensioners get a cushy deal. So, other Ed Balls: Of course I welcome that. It is good to have than Steve Hilton, who are the other 17? Is this not the more jobs in Britain. The thing that worries me is the truth: that the Chancellor’s plan has failed, and he has 164% rise in long-term youth unemployment in the been exposed not simply as unfair and out of touch, but hon. Gentleman’s constituency.That is a very great concern. as incompetent? This part-time Chancellor needs a new economic plan for jobs and growth. This part-time Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con) rose— political strategist urgently needs a relaunch for him and for the Prime Minister. This Queen’s Speech delivers Ed Balls: I will make some progress. neither a new economic plan, nor an urgent relaunch. Is it not the reality that we have an economy in He and the Prime Minister should go back to the recession and a Queen’s Speech that entirely failed to drawing board and think again. deliver on growth, jobs and investment? The Chancellor’s economic strategy is now in tatters, but have we had any 1pm admission in recent weeks that he got it wrong? We have had none. The Foreign Secretary says that British business The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne): needs to work harder, but it is this Chancellor who I rise to support this Queen’s Speech, and I will say needs to work harder to get things right. something about the Treasury Bills on banking and pensions that feature in it. But first I had better address, Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con) rose— head on, the complete nonsense we have heard for the past 30 minutes. Given the claim by the right hon. Ed Balls: I will not give way. Member for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls) that the Let me say this to the Chancellor. We all know why he eurozone has had no impact on the economic difficulties has wanted to be a part-time Chancellor: in order to in Britain, and his claim that his 13 years in government make room for his other role as the Conservative party’s did nothing to lead to the debt and the deficit that this part-time political strategist. But with the Budget botched, Government are trying to clear up, it is no wonder that the Queen’s Speech a flop, the local elections a disaster there were some rather long faces on the Opposition for his party, and the economy back in recession, it is Benches—[HON.MEMBERS: “Where?”] Over there. now dawning on all of us—I think it is dawning on My hon. Friend the Government’s Treasury Whip has many Conservative Members too—that he is not a very just received a text from a Labour Whip saying, “Please, good Chancellor and not a very good political strategist please come to the Chamber for the start of the final either. Although should we really be surprised? This is day of the Queen’s Speech debate. Ed Balls is opening the Chancellor who claimed to his colleagues that hiring for us and really needs his support.” Andy Coulson would be a triumph; that taking away child benefit from middle-incomes families would be a Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab) rose— masterstroke; that saying that the economy was “out of the danger zone” was smart forecasting; and that cutting Mr Osborne: I give way to the lady who sent the text. the top rate of tax in this Budget would wrong-foot Labour, and outfox his leadership rival Boris Johnson Lyn Brown: May I explain to the hon. Member for too. With judgment like that, perhaps the Conservative Chelsea and Fulham (Greg Hands), who is sitting over party does not need just a new political strategist; there, that we have a very different and more effective perhaps it needs a new Chancellor too. way of whipping those on our Benches than he clearly has on his? Finally, as with everything to do with the Andrew Selous: Will the right hon. Gentleman give economy, the Chancellor needs to pay more attention to way? detail, because that was not the right reading of the text. Indeed, it was not accurate, like much else he does. Ed Balls: No, I will not. What an eight weeks it has been! The transformation Mr Osborne: The Labour party certainly does have a has been startling, with the Chancellor’s long-held dreams different whipping operation: it sends all its information turning to dust. He dreamed that his brilliant economic to the other political parties. 723 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 724

Let us get back to discussing the economy. The “We have been through…the biggest downturn in world output central argument that the shadow Chancellor was trying since the 1930s, the biggest banking crisis in this country’s history, to make, and the argument he makes in the amendment, the biggest fiscal deficit in our peacetime history, and our biggest is that the British economy is not as strong as the trading partner, the euro area, is tearing itself apart”. German economy—that is what we are all being asked My message to the House today is that addressing those to vote on tonight. He is absolutely right about that. problems is not easy, but nor is it impossible. I will come The British economy is not as strong as the German on to talk about the eurozone, but first we must put our economy, and I will tell hon. Members why. It is because own house in order, and we are making progress on for the past decade, in the good years, Germany fixed doing so. the roof when the sun was shining and he did not when he was in government. John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): Tony I will tell hon. Members what happened when the Blair says in his memoirs that from 2005 onwards right hon. Gentleman was in government. Over the Labour decade before the crash, Germany maintained its share “was insufficiently vigorous in limiting or eliminating the potential of world exports while Britain’s share almost halved; structural deficit”. Germany was selling more than £10 billion of goods a Does the Chancellor agree? year to China while Britain was exporting one fifth of that—indeed we were exporting more to Ireland than to Mr Osborne: I agree with Tony Blair on that and, Brazil, India, China and Russia put together; and Germany’s indeed, on his views on the shadow Chancellor. manufacturing sector grew by 34%, whereas our manufacturing sector not only did not grow but halved Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): One of the difficulties as a share of our total output, while our over-leveraged is that some of the cuts that the Government have made banking sector grew by 100%. Germany, after years of are counter-productive in terms of trying to deliver sustainable economic growth, entered the financial crisis economic growth. The Chancellor referred to this country’s with a budget surplus. Britain, in the years that he was relationship with India. I think that everybody in this in charge, led a debt-fuelled consumption that drove an House agrees that we need to do more business with expansion in deficit and in debt. Under Labour we Brazil, India, Russia and China. However, if their entered the financial crisis with the largest budget deficit businessmen find it impossible to get a visa to get into in the G7 and left it with the largest in the G20. this country or they encounter massive queues when Instead of making us more like Germany, the right they arrive at Heathrow because of the enormous cuts hon. Gentleman made us more like Greece when he was to the UK Border Force, they are not going to want to in the Treasury. Britain’s economy became over-borrowed, do business with this country. Stop cutting off our nose unbalanced and unsustainable. The person more responsible to spite our face. for that than anyone else active in politics today, the person who encouraged the borrowing, dismantled the Mr Osborne: There have been queues at Heathrow banking regulation and gambled the futures of 60 million for far too many years, and of course those queues need people on the City of London, is sitting right over to be addressed—[Interruption.] There have been queues there—the shadow Chancellor. It is the people on this for years. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that we need side of the House who are clearing up the mess he left a visa regime that offers support to enterprising behind. individuals—entrepreneurs, people who can bring real skills and value to this country—to come here, and that is precisely what the visa changes we have made will Andrew Selous: Does the Chancellor agree that one of allow. But I have to say that we can have a visa regime the infrastructure failures left by the previous Government that allows in the brightest and the best only if we can was the lack of direct flights from this country to the command public confidence that we are in control of big, growing cities of China—there are many more our borders and that we have a cap on immigration flights from German cities to China—and that the numbers. Remarkably, not only has the Labour party Government will put that right in due course? set itself against a cap on benefits, which it will come to regret, but it has opposed the cap on immigration, and Mr Osborne: I certainly think that a lack of airport that is a huge mistake. capacity is a challenge for this country, but one of the Let me discuss the progress we are making. As the good things that may emerge from the bmi merger is Governor of the Bank of England reminded us, we that more slots may become available at Heathrow to inherited the largest budget deficit in peacetime but two open up routes to those cities in China. My hon. Friend years into this Government, we have cut the deficit by makes the very good observation that we have to do more than a quarter. In 2010, the state consumed 48% much more to expand our exports and our links with of national income in this country. Today, it consumes the Chinas and Indias of this world. One of the good 43%. We took office when Britain’s market interest rates things that has happened in the past few years is that were the same as Spain’s. Two years later, our market our exports to China and India are up by a third, and rates are the lowest in our history and Spain’s are more we need to see more of that. than 6%. That is the practical benefit our fiscal credibility In his speech, the shadow Chancellor dismissed the has brought. Governor of the Bank of England as plain wrong. Who When we came to office, manufacturing had been appointed the Governor? Did the recommendation ever withering for years, but after two years this country is come across the desk of the shadow Chancellor when exporting more cars than it imports for the first time he was the political adviser in the Treasury? [Interruption.] since 1976—the last time a Labour Government bankrupted We will find out. Yesterday the Governor said: this country and went begging to the IMF. Today—as 725 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 726

[Mr George Osborne] with no real plan to deal with that debt or deficit—not that we have heard a plan today, either—is absolute Government Members have mentioned, but, strikingly, nonsense. Opposition Members have not—we hear that when We have also had the good news this week, which was faced with the choice of which plant to invest in General of course not mentioned by the shadow Chancellor, Motors has chosen Ellesmere Port, in the county that I that for the second month in a row unemployment has represent, Cheshire, as the site of their future. That is a fallen and employment is up. We have 400,000 more successful industrial strategy at work, with Ministers, people employed than two years ago, and 190,000 fewer management, employees and employers working together people on welfare rolls. Yes, it is an exceptionally difficult to secure investment. economic time and the legacy of debt and disinvestment The chairman of Vauxhall has just said that the is a heavy one, but the tough decisions we are making Government have put a strategy in place to attract are moving Britain in the right direction. inward investment and support manufacturing, which all helps to make the UK a great place to build cars. Mr Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con): I too welcome the improvements in the manufacturing sector of the Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) (Lab): We automotive industry. Does my right hon. Friend recognise all applaud the deal at Vauxhall Ellesmere Port and I that in the food and drinks sector, which is also in am glad that the Chancellor managed to get out—almost manufacturing, there have been enormous increases in through gritted teeth—some acknowledgement of the the number of jobs and of exports? contribution of the work force and the trade unions in achieving that. Does he speak to motor manufacturers? Mr Osborne: I certainly do. Part of the work we Does he know that what he has said about the great published last autumn specifically supported what we work they are doing being export-led is linked to the can do in that sector. We are not ashamed to identify problems? Does he know what is happening to commercial sectors where Britain has a competitive advantage and vehicles and the problems the motor industry has in to see what we can do to enhance it. that regard? Finally, is he going to do anything about Lola, one of the most successful performance engineering Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab): Does the companies in this country, which went into administration Chancellor not recognise that although everyone welcomes this week? an increase in employment, wherever it comes from, this country has a crisis of underemployment and of people Mr Osborne: British car companies and their supply seeking full-time hours that they cannot get? It would chain are doing incredibly well exporting their cars have major implications for, among other things, the around the world as well as selling them at home. welfare bill, which his right hon. Friend the Secretary of Instead of talking down an industry that is so important State for Work and Pensions has quite rightly committed to the west midlands and to the rest of the country, the to trying to bring down, if we could help people work hon. Gentleman should be celebrating not just the the hours they wish to work. decision about Ellesmere Port but the expansion of Nissan in Sunderland and the great news we have had Mr Osborne: Of course we want to help people who about Jaguar Land Rover in Wolverhampton. Those are working part time to work full time, if that is what are real success stories and those companies—Nissan, they wish, but four fifths of the people who have taken Jaguar Land Rover and Tata—have choices about where part-time jobs wanted to work part time. We absolutely to invest all over the world. They could put that money must help the fifth who want to turn them into full-time anywhere but they are choosing to invest in the United jobs, but I would hope that the hon. Lady, too, welcomes Kingdom. We should be celebrating that fact today. the good news that unemployment has fallen.

Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): The company Ed Balls: On that point, will the Chancellor confirm that the Chancellor has missed off the list is, of course, that the total number of hours worked in our economy Ford in Bridgend, which has just had new investment. I is now lower than it was two years ago? must point out, however, that that investment was also there under the Labour Government over successive Mr Osborne: As I was explaining, four fifths of those years. On Spain, will the Chancellor explain why in who work part-time are getting the part-time work they quarter 3 in 2009 to quarter 3 in 2010 growth in the UK want. The right hon. Gentleman should celebrate the was 3.2% and flatlining in Spain, whereas now it is fact that 400,000 more people are employed than was 0.2% in Spain, which is much-maligned for obvious the case two years ago. Why not get up and welcome reasons, and we are in recession? What has happened in that? the first two years of his chancellorship to put us back If the Opposition’s argument is that we need to do behind Spain? even more, I agree. In the past six weeks alone, we have opened 24 enterprise zones around the country, cut Mr Osborne: For a start, as of today Spain is in businesses tax to one of the lowest rates in the world, recession, so I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman’s increased support for small business research and point has a huge amount of force. This claim, which I development, reformed employment law in the teeth of guess is made only by Opposition Members whom I am Labour opposition to double the period before unfair looking at now, that the Labour party somehow bequeathed dismissal claims can be made, reinvigorated the right to the new Government some enormous golden economic buy, launched NewBuy mortgage schemes, awarded legacy and that we were incredibly fortunate to inherit ultra-fast broadband grants to 10 of our largest cities, this massive budget deficit and totally unbalanced economy frozen council tax across England, launched a £20 billion 727 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 728 national loan guarantee scheme that is already delivering Richard Fuller: On that point, will my right hon. cheaper loans to hundreds and thousands of businesses, Friend note that last month we had the largest number and increased the personal allowance to cut tax for of new company formations in my constituency of 20 million working people and lift 1 million of the Bedford? One reason for that is that they want stable, lowest paid out of tax altogether, with another 1 million low, long-term interest rates, which this coalition’s policies to come. That is just in the past six weeks. are delivering. Yes, the Government must work harder and do more. The world does not owe this country a living. We will do Mr Osborne: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. that, but we have done a great deal already. That is precisely what businesses need—a stable economic environment in which we are not exposed to some of the financial problems that some eurozone countries Fiona O’Donnell: What does the Chancellor say—apart face at the moment. The low interest rates and the from “Work harder”—to SMEs in my constituency that credibility that our policy bring help every business, not tell me that the single greatest contribution his Government only in Bedford but around the country. could make to economic growth and the creation of jobs is to cut VAT? Andrew Bridgen: Does my right hon. Friend agree that just as we need to rebalance our economy away Mr Osborne: This is what we have done for small from over-reliance on the public sector, we also need to businesses: we have cut the small companies tax rate, rebalance our exports away from over-reliance on the which was going to go up under the plans that we eurozone at the moment? The latest figures suggest that inherited and which the Labour party voted for in the this is already happening, with UK exports to non-EU previous Parliament; we have got rid of Labour’s jobs countries up by 12% while those to the EU remain flat. tax; and we have frozen the business rates. We will check the record carefully, of course, but I think that in his Mr Osborne: I agree with my hon. Friend that we speech the shadow Chancellor was advocating an increase need to diversify where our exports go, not just because in national insurance. of the problems in the eurozone but because this country should be taking greater advantage of the extraordinary Ed Balls indicated dissent. growth in the Asian economies. It remains a staggering fact that we were exporting more to Ireland than we Mr Osborne: When my hon. Friends pressed him to were to Brazil, Russia, India and China put together. explain how he would pay for his package, he said, “We wanted to see national insurance go up.” If he wants to Several hon. Members rose— correct the record, he can tell us whether he wants national insurance to go up to pay for his package. Mr Osborne: Let me make some progress and then I will take some more interventions. I want to say something about some of the Bills in the Queen’s Speech, as we are Ed Balls: The Chancellor allocated £500 million for a debating the Queen’s Speech. I want to talk particularly national insurance tax cut for new firms that were about the banking reforms—something else that the taking on new workers. It has totally flopped and failed, shadow Chancellor mentioned in only half a sentence, with very little take-up. I said that we should use that so we have no idea whether he supports the reforms or £500 million to help existing small firms to take on new not. [Interruption.] Perhaps he can intervene and tell employees—a plan that would work, rather than a plan me when I have made these points. from this Chancellor that is failing. That says it all. First, we have the Financial Services Bill, which was carried over from the previous Session. It already seeks Mr Osborne: So the short answer is yes, he wants to rectify one of the greatest errors of policy making—the higher national insurance for businesses. How on earth decision that the Labour party took in 1997 to remove will that help companies in the current economic banking supervision from the Bank of England. The environment? As I have said, we need to do more. We Governor of the Bank commented on that in his lecture need to help to get more credit to businesses and to on the “Today” programme the other day. That Bill, housing and infrastructure. We are going to use Britain’s which is crucial, brings prudential supervision back low interest rates to work for us all and we are going to under the control of the Bank of England, giving it new do more to reform our banking system—the epicentre powers to monitor the build-up of dangerous levels of of what went wrong when he was the City Minister. debt and asset bubbles and to deal with them rather than, as last time, letting disaster strike. Ed Balls: Why does the Chancellor not bring some In this Queen’s Speech, we prepare to go further and clarity to the debate by telling us how many businesses address the structure of banking itself. We will introduce have actually been helped by his national insurance the Bill that implements the reforms proposed by Sir John rebate scheme for small businesses? Was it the hundreds Vickers and his Independent Commission on Banking of thousands he promised? Will he give us the actual that ring-fences retail banks from the riskier investment number? banking arms and provides more loss-absorbing capacity so that private investors will bear losses, not the taxpayer. Mr Osborne: I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that Taken together, those Bills seek to give Britain a safer, 15,000 businesses have been helped by that scheme. The more competitive banking system and will allow our economic policies that he has drawn up would hurt country to have successful banks with a global reach millions of businesses. What the Labour party wanted while better protecting the taxpayer at home should one and what he campaigned for was an increase in national of those banks fail. I hope the Bills will command insurance for all firms and we stopped that. broad support across this House. 729 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 730

[Mr George Osborne] Well, that is clear then. Perhaps when the Opposition find out “What is England” they will let us all have the I hope that the Bill to reform public service pensions answer. The striking thing is that there is no policy from also commands broad support across the House. After the Opposition at a time when tough decisions need to all, those reforms are based on the proposals of the be taken about our country’s future and when far-reaching Labour former Pensions Secretary, John Hutton. They reforms need to be made to secure its prosperity. provide for generous pensions and security in retirement for hard-working public servants that are quite frankly Mr Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West) (Lab): beyond the reach of almost all in the private sector. The Chancellor is back on politics, where he is happiest. He got through some parts of the Queen’s Speech in Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (Lab): about three paragraphs or sentences, I think. On policy, Can the Chancellor really justify asking fire brigade why will he not listen for once and do what we are workers, who undertake some of the most high-risk saying? Why will he not extend to all small companies tasks in our society, to pay 13% of their income towards taking on new workers the national insurance discount, their pension? which is nowhere near being taken up yet, instead of dismissing that suggestion? It is a good idea, so why does he not take it on? Why does he not extend his Mr Osborne: We have to have public sector pensions initial idea and make it effective for once? that are affordable. The truth is that people are living longer in retirement, which is a good thing, and that if Mr Osborne: First, as I have said, we have used the we want to maintain generous pension provision for money available to us in the balanced Budget to cut the firefighters and others we have to make reforms that small companies tax rate, which the hon. Gentleman mean the country can afford that. So, the answer to the wanted to go up. [Interruption.] He says, “Additional hon. Gentleman’s question is yes, and we have been in a to that”; Labour’s policy was to increase the small long and good negotiation with the Fire Brigades Union companies tax rate. We have not done that. We have cut and others on those reforms. As I have said, we seek to national insurance across the board for low and middle-paid make public sector pensions affordable and it is pretty employees by getting rid of Labour’s jobs tax—that striking if the tone of interventions from the Opposition applies whether they are employed in small or larger is going to be that we do not have support for this companies—and we have frozen business rates for smaller far-reaching reform that will put public service pensions companies. So, we have done all those things, but I on a sustainable footing. Opposition Members are going completely agree that we need to do more to help to have to ask themselves whether they speak in this smaller companies by reducing the red tape burden on House for their tax-paying constituents or for the unions them and by helping to get credit to them. That is what that sponsor them. the national loan guarantee scheme that was launched We look forward to hearing, in the wind-ups, from at the end of March is doing right now. the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr Byrne), whom we welcome to his place. Perhaps he Graham Evans: I am a proud Manchester United will tell us what Labour’s attitude to these Bills will be. supporter. The players proudly wear “Aon”—the name We are sorry that he has been removed from his role as of one of the world’s biggest insurers—on their shirts. Labour’s policy chief. He is yet another Labour politician Can my right hon. Friend tell us why that fantastic who has found that their career takes a knock when international company is closing its headquarters in the they try to tell their party some hard truths. He did USA and moving it to the UK? extremely well in his new job of handing notes to the shadow Chancellor as he spoke today, but there was a Mr Osborne: I am reminded that the players used to time when he wrote his own notes rather than just wear “AIG” on their shirts. Perhaps it is a sign of how handing them. There was the time when he wrote that things are improving that they now wear the name of a note saying, “I’m sorry, there’s no money left”, but his major Chicago-based insurer that has chosen to move party’s only message is to spend and borrow more. To its headquarters to London. We remember all the stories be fair to him, he is the politician who tried to tell of companies that moved their international headquarters Labour to get serious about welfare reform and about from Britain a few years ago; now they are coming dealing with the deficit. He was famous in my Department back. for the very precise memo he sent to civil servants on I want briefly to say something about the eurozone how to prepare his morning cappuccino and his afternoon crisis. espresso. How ironic that what did for him was his attempt to get Labour to wake up and smell the coffee. John Hemming: Will the Chancellor give way? [Laughter.] I have to say that it was quite late last night when I thought of that one. Mr Osborne: Of course I give way to my Liberal Who replaces the right hon. Gentleman as policy Democrat colleague. chief? The new policy chief for the Labour party is the hon. Member for Dagenham and Rainham (Jon Cruddas). John Hemming: In 2006, Lord Turnbull, who was at We did some research on how he might approach the one stage Tony Blair’s Cabinet Secretary, said that borrowing job and we found these illuminating remarks from a few “crept up on us in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and we were still weeks ago: expanding public spending…You might have thought that we should be giving priority to getting borrowing under better control, “What interests me is not policy as such; rather the search for putting money aside in the good years—and it didn’t happen.” political sentiment, voice and language; of general definition within a national story. Less ‘The Spirit Level’, more ‘What is Does the Chancellor think the Opposition have learned England’.” anything since? 731 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 732

Mr Osborne: I suspect that the shadow Chancellor Mr Osborne: As the right hon. Gentleman well knows, did not listen to Lord Turnbull when he was at the there is already VAT on caravans towed by cars, but Treasury, and he certainly does not listen to him now. there is a consultation on the change. It finishes tomorrow. It is partly due to the good work of my hon. Friends the Members for Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart) and Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): May I take this for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds), who urged opportunity to ask my right hon. Friend to pick up on longer consultation, that the period was extended. I something from the Budget? The Chancellor said that propose to allow it to finish and then we will set out our he hoped that the VAT on alterations to listed buildings response. would not have an impact on listed places of worship. The churches estimate that the tax will cost them £20 million Ed Balls rose— a year. Would my right hon. Friend be kind enough to update the House on what he is proposing to do to Mr Osborne: I will give way once more, but then I assist listed places of worship? want to say something about the eurozone.

Mr Osborne: First, I pay tribute to my hon. Friend Ed Balls: In this moment of honesty, perhaps the for his work as Second Church Estates Commissioner. Chancellor will explain how he is going to dig himself He has been in discussions with me and the Treasury out of the hole on the charities tax, the pasty tax and about how to make sure that we live up to the commitment the top rate of tax? We should get it all out on the table. I gave in the Budget that Churches and other places of worship would not be impacted by the introduction of Mr Osborne: I have spent the last 35 minutes explaining VAT on alterations to listed buildings. Of course, it is how I am digging the country out of the hole that the already charged on repairs to listed buildings. I have right hon. Gentleman put us into. been in discussions with my hon. Friend and with the Let me say something about the eurozone crisis. Bishop of London, whom the Churches asked to lead When eurozone central bank governors and Finance on that work, and I confirm that we have reached Ministers openly speculate on the possibility of Greek agreement. The Government will provide £30 million of exit, the genie is out of the bottle. That and the Greek grant to the listed places of worship scheme. That will elections make this a perilous time. We are clear about be 100% compensation, exactly as we promised in the the three steps the eurozone needs to take if its currency Budget, for the additional cost borne by churches for is to function properly. alterations. It should also go a long way towards helping First, countries in the periphery with high deficits the situation on repairs and maintenance, where in recent and uncompetitive economies need to confront their years they have not been able to get 100% compensation. problems head-on, as Governments in Ireland, Spain We think it will deliver 100% coverage for repairs and and Italy are. We are doing it in Britain too, but the maintenance. I thank my hon. Friend and the churches adjustment our country must go through is made easier for working with us on delivering what we promised in by loose monetary policy and a flexible exchange rate. the Budget. The countries of the eurozone do not have that to help them, so the core of the eurozone, and the European Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab): I am grateful to Central Bank, need to do more to support demand and the Chancellor for giving way, and even more grateful share the burden of adjustment. to him for his statement. I congratulate him on the way Of course, ideas such as the project bonds put forward he dug himself out of the hole into which he placed by the new French Government are worthy of serious himself. May I use this opportunity not only to draw consideration, but, fundamentally, the German Finance attention to those outside the House who campaigned Minister is right when he says that rising wages in his on the change, but to the Second Estates Commissioner, country and increased domestic demand there can play who played his role in the negotiations superbly? a substantial role. Secondly, the eurozone needs to follow what I described Mr Osborne: I certainly pay tribute to the Second a year ago as “the remorseless logic” of monetary union Estates Commissioner. We were clear in the Budget that that leads to greater fiscal union. As I said in the same we wanted fully to compensate churches for the impact interview, forms of collective support and responsibility of the change and I am glad that we have done so. must be developed. I echoed the view in many eurozone countries when I spoke of the possibility of eurobonds. Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): Now that the Thirdly, all of us in Europe, including the United Chancellor has dug himself out of that hole, will he Kingdom, need to address our continent’s lack of turn his attention to another one—the caravan tax? In competitiveness. That involves structural reform to welfare, my area of north Wales, the North Wales Tourist Board pensions and labour laws, and completing single markets estimates that a 30% drop in sales, on the Chancellor’s in services and digital. It means all Europeans, including figures, will lead to job losses and a reduction in the Britons, rediscovering the ambition and the ethic that tourism industry. In the constituencies of my right hon. made our continent the dynamo of the world economy Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull West and for so many centuries. It is not that dynamo today. As Hessle (Alan Johnson), and my hon. Friends the Members the Prime Minister says in his speech today: for Kingston upon Hull North (Diana Johnson) and for “The eurozone is at a cross-roads. It either has to make up or it Kingston upon Hull East (Karl Turner), caravan is looking at potential break up.” manufacturing will go because of the tax. How will that No one should underestimate the huge risks of the help the growth economy the Chancellor seeks, and will latter, but Britain will be prepared for whatever comes. he review the tax urgently? We are making the necessary contingency plans. We will 733 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 734

[Mr George Osborne] their public finances under control, but we have to ask ourselves this question: if you are running a high budget take the steps needed to secure our economic stability deficit in a single currency zone, and you do not have and protect our financial system. Above all, we will go the support of loose monetary policy, you do need on with the progress we have made in the last two years support from the core of the eurozone but to abandon a on reducing the structural deficit, keeping our credibility commitment to austerity will expose you to even greater in the bond markets and keeping our interest rates low. pressure on the international money markets than those countries are already exposed to. Mr Alistair Darling (Edinburgh South West) (Lab): The Chancellor seems to be setting out quite a significant Jessica Lee (Erewash) (Con): Is not another facet to shift in the Government’s policy on what should be this recovery very much the investment in apprenticeships happening in Europe, in particular urging the German that this Government have made, with 177,000 new Government to do things in relation to promoting apprenticeship places taken up in the last year, including growth that many of us have argued for several months. ones in my constituency of Erewash? Interestingly, they are not to apply to this country. Will he confirm that this is a significant shift, and will he add Mr Osborne: First, my hon. Friend is absolutely right to his list that it is now desperately important that the that one of the successes that we have had is the eurozone looks at the health of some of the banks in apprenticeship scheme, which is now working across all Europe? The Spanish started last week. I do not know constituencies and supporting many hundreds of thousands whether they have the strength to do what is necessary, of people. We will see what the facts are after the debate, but unless the banking system is significantly shored up, but the information that we have just had says that what if the problems spreading from Greece continue—contagion the shadow Chancellor was alleging in his intervention and so on—we could have another major banking crisis on me a few minutes ago is not true. The number of on our hands. That would be an utter disaster. hours worked in this country has actually gone up over the last two years—up by 20 million hours. So on that Mr Osborne: I very much agree with the sentiment note, there is a difference— that the former Chancellor expresses. In the autumn of last year, and indeed before that, the Prime Minister, Several hon. Members rose— myself and others in the Government did consistently say, in public as well as in private, that surplus countries Mr Osborne: Let me say this. Over the last years— in the core of the eurozone needed to do more; that the European Central Bank needed to do more—I said it in Ed Balls: Two years. the House and we said it in the ECOFINs and European Councils that we attended. Mr Osborne: It is over the last two years. But this What has changed this week is that, first, the Greek points to a greater truth: the right hon. Gentleman had elections have brought back the fear of contagion that 13 years to prove to the country that he had the right had never really quite abated, despite the action of the policies to run the British economy, and he delivered the European Central Bank over Christmas. Secondly, over greatest economic disaster in this country’s modern history. the weekend and at the beginning of this week, central bank governors and Finance Ministers in the eurozone Several hon. Members rose— itself were openly speculating on Greek exit, and that has, as I said, let the genie out of the bottle. Some of the Mr Osborne: I will finish now by saying this. We are things that we were happy to say in private we are now reducing the structural deficit, keeping our credibility in also willing to say in public, because the issue is out the bond markets and our interest rates low. We are there—on the agenda. We have not put the issue out reforming our banks, helping our unemployed, supporting there in the public domain, but now it is out there, put our businesses, and giving back to our country the there by other people. We have very clear ideas of what prosperous future that the Labour party so cruelly the eurozone needs to do to make their currency work. snatched from them.

Mr Darling: The Chancellor is actually confirming Several hon. Members rose— what I thought. It is good that they are saying these things in public, but it does suggest that perhaps there is Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I an opportunity to change direction in Europe. I know remind all Members that there is now a six-minute time we will not agree about what is necessary in this country, limit on all contributions to the debate. A great number but does the Chancellor agree with me that we need to of Members wish to participate, so the limit does not be explicit now that austerity on its own will not work—we have to be used in its entirety; that might ensure that need policies of growth to go with it? more Members get in.

Mr Osborne: I completely agree that austerity alone 1.44 pm is not enough, and that is why I have just been explaining how we have cut business taxes, set up enterprise zones, Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab): I shall start set up the national loan guarantee scheme and reformed my remarks by talking about the announcement by the labour market. We have done all these things so that General Motors about Vauxhall at Ellesmere Port. I car companies expand their production and investment represent many, many people who work there and I pay in Britain and choose Britain as a place to do business. tribute to that excellent work force and the community Of course those countries in Europe need to undertake around them who support them. Whilst I recognise the structural reforms to go alongside their efforts to get commitment of all politicians who have helped back 735 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 736

Ellesmere Port, in Wirral all of us know somebody—a Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): In light of family member or a friend—who has worked incredibly the earlier intervention, I thought my hon. Friend might hard for this, and it is those people I am thinking of be interested to hear figures, provided to the Work and most and congratulating today. Pensions Committee yesterday by the Department for I would like to make a few remarks about unemployment. Work and Pensions, on the issue of people who had Our commentary on employment, I am afraid, often apparently been off benefit. In March 2010, there were shows the limits of the way we do our politics. The 18,000 young people who could have been put in that news, and we ourselves, often obsesses about the figures— category, and there are now 4,000 in terms of training the monthly movement up and down—and whilst those allowances. That is a difference of 14,000. As I think my are important indicators, of course, it is the trend that hon. Friend would agree, that hardly explains the rise in really matters. We often worry about the weather when youth unemployment. we should be thinking about the climate that we are in, Alison McGovern: I thank my hon. Friend for that and sadly, the unemployment figures are worse than helpful and informative intervention. those for this time last year. According to the Library, the number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance is When the Chancellor talked about a growing economy, now 106,000 higher than in April 2011. That is incredibly one of my hon. Friends shouted, from a sedentary position, worrying. The Chancellor mentioned the figures for “Not in the north-east.” We need to recognise that two years ago. Unemployment plateaued in 2010. It is worklessness does not impact equally on all communities. growing again now and we need to worry about why. That is why when we think about the growth we need, policy needs to be tailored properly to the economy in To add to the problem that we have, our understanding each and every part of the country, so that the GDP of the impact of unemployment and the lack of the growth we all hope for represents the whole of the UK. necessary jobs in our economy is limited. I recently I suppose it is entirely possible that the UK will recover, tabled a parliamentary question, asking the Treasury but leave behind heavily blighted areas of our country. what assessment the Department had made of the A study of unemployment reveals a key flaw in the medium and long-term cost to the Exchequer of the Government’s thinking. They have talked about current level of unemployment. That matters because “expansionary fiscal contraction”—in other words, to unemployment has a wide range of impacts. The Treasury achieve growth, the Government need to slash their did not give me as full an answer as I would have liked. I budgets and investment will flow in from foreign shores. would have liked to know how unemployment impacts I do not believe that that is consistent with the Government’s on the health budget in the form of increased costs; how other stated aim: to rebalance the economy. Finance for much funding is being made available for the regeneration those parts of our economy that have strengths in that is needed; and the impact of unemployment on manufacturing but need regeneration is necessarily long crime levels. term. Government industrial strategy should shelter our industry from global headwinds, not leave us vulnerable. Andrew Bridgen: In the shadow Chancellor’s speech, he made much of the apparent increase in long-term Fiscal contraction at the pace we have seen has harmed youth unemployment. Is the hon. Lady aware of the blighted areas that had only recently started to recover cynical way in which the last Labour Government from the impact of previous Conservative Governments’ manipulated the figures for long-term youth unemployment attitude to industry. In my area, I see the impact of the by cynically bringing people in for a one-week training withdrawal of central Government from regeneration course and then restarting the clock immediately after, and the stopping of regional growth via regional to keep the figures down? That was a cynical measure, development agencies. The responses built into local which this Government have stopped. government that were designed to target deprivation, which clusters in particular parts of our country, were Alison McGovern: I thank the hon. Gentleman for stripped away in the financial settlement. his intervention. I have thought a lot about youth In the Budget, the Chancellor introduced measures unemployment over the past years. The former Government that took money out of the pockets of people on low oversaw radical improvements, such as our intervention and middle incomes in those parts of the country where in the labour market with things like the new deal. I find we want to rebalance to. That will not help. Someone in it hard to characterise any of that work, which has been the Treasury has to take responsibility for looking at the recognised around the globe, as cynical. I find that very macro impact of all the measures that are affecting difficult to believe. those places that stand to be the worst affected by this Government. We have had a botched Budget and then a Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): I wanted to next-to-nothing Queen’s Speech, I am sorry to say. The agree with my hon. Friend about the important and Government will be judged by the people in Wirral and welcome news about Ellesmere Port, because like her, I Merseyside not merely on the GDP figures, but on the have constituents who rely on the work that comes from actual development we see in our city. We must take Ellesmere Port. In her excellent speech, might she comment account of the differential impacts of Government on the tax cut for millionaires that is paid for by measures on different parts of the country with different pensioners? Does she agree that if that tax cut were economies; we must not focus only on the national reversed, the money would be better invested in jobs picture. and growth of exactly the kind that she is calling for? My question for the Government is: will they meet the test of real economic development? Only that will Alison McGovern: I thank my hon. Friend and Merseyside promote the widespread employment that people want. neighbour for his question. Like my constituents, I People will judge this Government on the basis of cannot understand this Government’s decision to give whether or not they see their friends and family in tax breaks to millionaires. employment. 737 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 738

1.53 pm Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): We are all Will the hon. Gentleman give way? aware, of course, that the Government are having to make some very tough and difficult decisions. Some of David T. C. Davies: No, I have no more time to give them may question some of those individual decisions, way. but let us be in no doubt about why we are in the present I want to know why Labour Members still maintain situation. In 1997, we handed over an economy with no that the banks are to blame, when, in all, just £120 billion deficit and a national debt of £350 billion that was was given to the banks out of a total debt of £1 trillion, being paid off. By 2007, before any banking crisis had almost 10 times more. They are following the policy of taken effect, the debt had risen to £650 billion, because fools, knaves and despots throughout history started supporters of the previous Government were spending, by Edward I, who blamed everything on bankers. The at a rate of £30 billion to £40 billion a year, money that reality is that, every year, we are borrowing more from they simply did not have. We all know what happened banks than we have given them. We get 10% of our then: after the banking crisis, they went on the biggest revenue—£50 billion a year—from the banking industry. spending spree in financial history, which left us with a If Labour Members are allowed to destroy it, they will debt of £1 trillion on the books—probably twice that have to find cuts 10 times greater than the ones that we, when private finance initiative commitments are included— unfortunately, have already had to make. and a deficit of £160 billion a year. This Government are taking proper and concrete steps and I think that most Members present support Several hon. Members rose— almost all those measures. I totally agree with the decision to reform welfare spending, so that people have David T.C. Davies: I am happy to give way to a Labour to go out to work, and at the same time to cap immigration, Memberwhowantstoanswersomeof thosepoints. which has held down wages for the lowest paid, as even Opposition Members have been the first to accept. As Paul Murphy (Torfaen) (Lab): The hon. Gentleman has one who has experience of trying to run a small business, said that the people of his constituency are pleased with I am delighted that the Government will do something the performance of his Government and his Chancellor. to reduce the red tape of employment legislation, which Is that why they actively rejected the Conservative party makes many businesses reluctant to take people on. It and the Liberal Democrats, so that they lost control of is, of course, a pleasure to read about cuts in corporation Monmouthshire county council? tax and, yes, even the cut in tax for top rate taxpayers. We know that that is politically difficult to defend, but David T. C. Davies: Monmouthshire county council there is a strong economic argument for the measure, will have a Conservative-led administration, with help which is why Labour Members were not prepared to from our great friends in the Liberal Democrat party, vote against it and will not now say what they will do. with whom it is always a pleasure to work. They were not responsible for causing the mess left by Labour. In Wales the public sector is very large, and the Army forms a large part of that sector. I am worried to learn I want some answers from Labour Members. I want of proposals to amalgamate the Queen’s Dragoon Guards to know why they left us with a debt of £1 trillion and with another regiment. Many Welsh people are employed what exactly they intend to do about it. It seems to me in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, which is an excellent that the basis of their economic theory is Enid Blyton’s regiment. Since the battle of Agincourt, Wales has “The Faraway Tree”, which children climb to find a supplied men and women who have fought loyally for land where everything is free and nothing has to be paid Britain, as I would have been happy to do in the for. To me, that is a fairytale; to them, it is an economic Territorial Army—I saw no active service. I hope that theory. They think they can just carry on borrowing the Chancellor will bear that in mind when the decisions and borrowing, and put off until tomorrow what needs are made. to be done today. I hope that the Chancellor will forgive me for expressing Huw Irranca-Davies: Can the hon. Gentleman explain the hope that he will also look carefully at the carbon why he felt it necessary to write in to his local paper tax. I am one of a growing number of people who apologising for the incompetence of his Cabinet colleagues? worry about the fact that there has been no increase in I thought for a moment that he was describing them, temperature for the past 12 years. It took me a while to not turning his guns on us. Surely it is they who are get the figures from the relevant Government Department, incompetent—that is what he stated, in black and white. but Members should have a look at the Met Office website. I worry about imposing on the manufacturing David T. C. Davies: I would never apologise for doing industry a tax that is not being imposed elsewhere in the my job as a Back Bencher, which is to scrutinise and to world. I am not absolutely certain whether global warming point out that, on occasions, some Cabinet members is taking place or not, but I am certain that if we start have done things or prioritised certain policies with imposing measures that are not imposed elsewhere, all which I disagree. What Opposition Members should do that will happen is that manufacturers will go elsewhere is start to apologise, and not only for the £1 trillion and there will be no overall decrease in carbon dioxide debt. What about selling gold at $200 an ounce—400 emissions. tonnes of it? What about the £5 billion raid on private I am coming to the end of my little piece. I want to sector pensions, which has plunged people who worked assure the Chancellor that we are his most loyal supporters, in the private sector into poverty? Only one of them has even if we occasionally quibble on certain issues. We are apologised—the right hon. Member for Birmingham, determined to face down the forces of financial chaos Hodge Hill (Mr Byrne), who left a note saying, “Sorry, on the Opposition Benches. We know that every Labour we’ve spent all the money.” That is not good enough. Government have ended in utter financial catastrophe, 739 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 740 whether because of Attlee using war loans to build the success” of Government policy. The wage subsidy that NHS on the back of American credit, Harold Wilson was introduced in April is at best unproven. The majority devaluing the pound and telling us it would stay the of jobs under the apprenticeship drive are the result same, Jim Callaghan having to go cap in hand to the of jobs for the over-25s being rebadged, not new International Monetary Fund, as the Greeks are now apprenticeships for the under-25s. The expertise in the doing, or the previous Prime Minister, himself a former voluntary sector is being squeezed out by the Work Chancellor, who told us that he had ended boom and programme. Some 20% of voluntary sector providers bust and then created one of the biggest booms in have stopped providing under the Work programme. history, on the back of lax lending regulations and lax There is a gaping hole in Government policy on transport immigration controls, and then the biggest bust in history, costs for people to get to interviews, never mind getting which we now have to sort out. to work. We know, as do most people in this country, that, I make no apology for repeating this very basic fact: whether one is a nation, a company or an individual, it the Work programme, which is the Government’s flagship is impossible to go on spending more money than one programme, helps one in 10 of the youth unemployed. earns. That is why Government Members will be loyally Its success rate is 20%, according to the Government’s supporting the Government on the Queen’s Speech and own figures. That means that one in 50 of the young making sure that we can build a better Britain, built on unemployed are getting a job as a result of Government real growth, not debts that our children will have to pay interventions. I say to the Chancellor—I am grateful off at some point in the future. that he has stayed for the debate—that there are three steps that he could take now. First, he could require all 2.1 pm public contracts over £1 million to offer apprenticeships David Miliband (South Shields) (Lab): I want to to young people. In his autumn statement last year he make two points in this debate. The first is about youth announced infrastructure expenditure, which is a good unemployment. I will present some figures showing the thing, but where are the apprenticeships to go with it? rising cost of the Government’s economic failure. The Secondly, he could bring forward from 2014 money to second is that the neglect in respect of youth unemployment raise the size of the wage subsidy or the number of is mirrored by a misguided response to the storms in the young people helped. In 1995, when his predecessor, the eurozone. right hon. and learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), I do not think that we need to debate whether youth tried a wage subsidy, it helped only 6,000 young people. unemployment is a big problem; it is a massive problem. He will have to boost the effort to get take-up. Thirdly, As the Chancellor and others have said in previous he should bite the bullet and recognise that every study debates, long-term youth unemployment is the greatest anywhere in the world has shown that for the long-term danger to not only our economic future, but our social unemployed only a part-time job guarantee can ensure future. Today, according to the Government’s own figures, that one year’s unemployment does not become three, 260,000 young people have been unemployed for more four or five years’ unemployment. than a year, which means long-term unemployment. Another 200,000 have been unemployed for more than Mr Spencer: The right hon. Gentleman is making a six months. The interesting, depressing and worrying compelling case, and I know that he has worked very thing is that the situation is getting worse. As recently as hard on this matter in the past, but surely he recognises 2008, 6,000 18 to 24-year-olds had been claiming jobseeker’s that the best way to solve this is to increase the number allowance for a year. By April last year that figure had of apprenticeships, which the Government are doing, tripled. Over the past year—just 12 months—it has and that his Government encouraged young people to tripled again, to 55,000. In my constituency, this time try to aspire to university and many of them, when they last year there were 15 people who had been claiming did not meet that aspiration, find that deflating. jobseeker’s allowance for over a year, but now the number is 250, which is a 1,500% increase. The total David Miliband: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, figure for youth unemployment is 1.3 million or 1.4 million, who makes a perfectly intelligent point. It seems to me which comes from the labour force survey, but these are to be a good thing to raise university participation levels JSA claimants, because that is a claimant count figure. up to international standards, which is between 45% and 50%, but it is crucial for those who do not go to university As for the costs, in February this year I chaired the that we have high-quality options for them. High-quality Association of Chief Executives of VoluntaryOrganisations apprenticeships are an important part of that. commission on youth unemployment. We costed the levels of youth unemployment on the basis of the Dr Phillip Lee (Bracknell) (Con): Will the right hon. figures for the first quarter of 2011, which showed a net Gentleman clarify what he means by international present value cost of some £28 billion. I asked the standards? university of Bristol to rerun the figures for the last quarter of 2011, which it has done, and the calculation David Miliband: The leading countries of the world now stands at £30 billion. In the space of 2011, the net for higher education are, first, the United States, which present value cost has gone up by £2 billion. That seems has a 55% participation rate, and, secondly, France, which to me to be 2 billion reasons for a greater degree of most people would recognise has having an outstanding urgency and effectiveness in Government policy. higher education system. It has 48% participation. Korea, The Minister responsible for employment says that one of the new countries growing up in the world, has we should be pleased with stability, but stability in this 80% participation in higher education. By the way, policy field means that the problem is festering and Scotland already has over 50% participation in higher getting worse. The deputy leader of the Lib Dems, the education, so I do not believe that somehow English or right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark UK young people are unable to benefit from higher (Simon Hughes), said we should celebrate the “huge education in the way that people in other countries can. 741 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 742

[David Miliband] which we did not see for a very long time under the watch of the previous Government. I must say that, yes, The Robbins report of 1963 said that higher education I do my best to be honest with the people I represent— should be open to anyone with the ability to benefit, and that seems to me to be the right test. For the 50% Mr Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Hodge Hill) (Lab): who do not go on to higher education, we of course Yes. need high-quality apprenticeships, but I say to the hon. Member for Sherwood (Mr Spencer) that he should Mr Binley: I do—they will tell you that, Sir—as you work with us to raise the quality of apprenticeships, did when you said that there was no money left. We are because too many apprenticeships are at too low a level both honest men. and are not leading to the kinds of life chances that we want to see. I wish that the shadow Chancellor would welcome some of the achievements that the people of this country It is true that our levels of youth unemployment are welcome; it is foolish of him not to do so when there are not the levels of Spain and Greece—thank God for that considerable signs of recovery. It simply lowers the —but in 600 wards in this country one in three young esteem in which all politicians are held, and I urge him, people are not in education, employment or training. It and the Opposition Front Bencher who responds to this is not the 50% or 55% of the Greeks or the Spanish, but debate, to take that into account. one in three. I do not believe that Europe should be the benchmark for levels of youth unemployment. There are welcome signs of recovery. The private I also say to the Chancellor that Europe cannot be sector has created more than 500,000 jobs since the the alibi for the collapse of our economy at home over general election; the International Monetary Fund forecasts the past 18 months. If we look at the growth measures that the UK will grow at twice the speed of Germany since his first spending review in the autumn of 2010, and three times that of France; borrowing costs have we will see that we are actually doing worse than fallen, investment has been increasing and only yesterday comparator countries, and I do not just mean Germany. we saw a drop of 45,000 in the number of unemployed In the 18 months since the 2010 spending review, we people in the first quarter of this year. All those things have had worse growth than France, Poland, Sweden, are welcome, but it would be refreshing to hear Opposition Austria and Slovakia. I will compute the Spanish figures Front Benchers greet them with some enthusiasm— announced today, but until those figures were announced although I doubt that they will. we even had lower growth than Spain. Our growth was The truth of the matter is that consumers and businesses worse than the EU 27 average, the eurozone average are saying, “To hell with it; we’ve got to get on with and the G7 average. life,” and that is one reason why we are seeing some of The Chancellor’s claim about the problem that the the green shoots of recovery. Now we need to nurture eurozone mess is causing for our economy is actually them and ensure that they continue to grow and bear undermining his own promise to rotate our economy fruit. from domestic demand to external demand. The question The situation is fragile, and no one would say otherwise. is: what should we do about that? He says that the Consequently, I urge the Government and the Chancellor lesson is to stay the course. I say that when the external to do more. We will not achieve growth with new laws. environment changes, we should change course. The The previous Government tried that for 13 years, and storm in Europe is not a reason for us to stick to plan A; we saw what happened. This place does not create the it is a reason to shift to plan B. There is a warning in the growth; it simply sets the atmosphere and ambience for travails of the eurozone, but not the one that the it. So I appeal to the Chancellor to recognise that we Government claim there is. Debts are rising today in need to change the culture regarding entrepreneurialism Spain, Portugal, Italy and Ireland because fiscal policy and the attitude to small businesses, and indeed serious is exacerbating the downturn in the economic cycle. The and important recommendations on doing so are coming Prime Minister said in his speech today that we are “on forward from various parts of the House. track”, but Conservative austerity is not working at We must also understand the needs of small businesses, home and collective austerity is not working in Europe. because therein lies our best chance of growing jobs and I believe that our absolute requirement in the light of the well-being of this nation. the real and serious risks we face is to pitch policy—fiscal policy, monetary policy, industrial policy and banking Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): Does my hon. Friend policy—against the tide of the economic cycle. We need agree that there is nothing that a small businessman to argue to for that abroad and at home. We heard a would like to do more than to employ a young, new shift today from the Chancellor about what should worker? What would my hon. Friend suggest to the happen abroad. We should be embracing President Chancellor can be done with employment regulations, Hollande, not snubbing him. We should be anti-austerity so that we get our businesses employing people more and pro-reform. That is the right position for Europe easily? and the right position for Britain, because there are no islands in the modern economy. It is not ideology; it is maths. And judging by the Gracious Address, it is time Mr Binley: I welcome that important point, because for the Government to go back to the classroom. I was about to turn to that very area. More can be done, and we do indeed need to reduce the regulatory burden 2.10 pm and to strengthen the business environment. Mr Brian Binley (Northampton South) (Con): I welcome I welcome in the Queen’s Speech the proposed measures the overall thrust of this Queen’s Speech and, in particular, to deal with executive pay and employment tribunals, the fact that it concentrates on the need for growth, but I still do not understand why the Government are more jobs and private-sector, wealth-producing buoyancy, obsessing about maternity and paternity leave, especially 743 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 744 for very small businesses. I simply point out that many that every six months of this major project, which lasts people meet in the workplace and set up a family life for 15 years, they get the opportunity to provide their together, and, if a small business employing 10 people input and to take ownership of their town, the new loses 20% of its work force for six months, temporary developments affecting it and the new job opportunities labour cannot be used as a replacement. That simply that will ensue. does not happen. Finally, local measures matter. We can do more locally, and I encourage the Chancellor to urge local authorities Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): One trend and local people to take up that challenge. in the employment figures over recent months has been that female unemployment has risen faster than male 2.18 pm unemployment, and that it is decreasing less quickly. Mr George Mudie (Leeds East) (Lab): Before I begin Detaching women from the labour market, as the hon. my remarks on the Queen’s Speech, I should like to Gentleman seems to suggest we do by weakening maternity compliment my right hon. Friend the Member for South rights, will surely make the situation worse. Shields (David Miliband) on his very good speech. We all have opinions, but to put the facts in such a clear Mr Binley: I do not suggest that at all. What I suggest fashion that cannot be argued with proves why he is a is that we understand the real needs of small businesses. loss sitting on the Back Benches. I am not a natural If we want them to grow and create jobs for both men supporter of his, as he knows, but the Front Bench is his and women, we need to ensure that they are released place, not the Back Benches—[Interruption.] It is a from much of the burden that they face at the moment. shame; that is absolutely right. I ask the hon. Lady to consider that burden, because it This Queen’s Speech is almost a re-run of the Budget is a considerable one for small businesses—I have worked speech. There are three financial Bills: the pensions Bill, in the sector pretty much all my life and founded two the banking reform Bill, and the enterprise and regulatory such businesses. We need to release small businesses reform Bill. This last has parts that may be acceptable, from that burden, so I would particularly welcome their although they will have to be teased out and looked at, being excluded from the sort of burdens that paternity but other parts are worrying. Of the remaining Bills, leave suggests. The Opposition need to get real in that some are good or desirable in their own fashion. In the respect. context of the dangers and difficult problems facing I turn to the attitude of the banks and financial services. the British economy and the need to get growth and a rebalancing of the economy, the Queen’s Speech offers Jim McGovern (Dundee West) (Lab): Will the hon. very little. That is very disappointing, and it will make Gentleman give way? the public, who are worrying about their families, their homes, their futures and their children’s futures, wonder Mr Binley: No, I am not going to give way. I have about how out of touch the House of Commons is with given way twice, so the hon. Gentleman will respect the their worries. fact that time is of the essence. The Queen’s Speech projects our spending the majority Small businesses have not had the support and of our time on a Bill to reform the House of Lords. understanding of the financial services sector. Again How sensible will that seem to the families out there and again the banks tell us that 85% of applications for who are treading water financially? We must remember money are met, and of course that is true. that 80% of the public sector cuts are still to come, so we are not at the worst stage; we have almost not even Jim McGovern: Will the hon. Gentleman give way on started. Yet this Bill, on which there is no consensus in that point? the House and which is fiercely opposed by Members from all parties, will take up a lot of time here and in the Mr Binley: My time is running out; I know the hon. House of Lords. One wonders why we are doing it. The Gentleman understands. public will ask, “Have they nothing better to do?” As a result, we will not have a social care Bill in this Session—that Yes, 85% of those applications that are finally made is a disgrace—and nor will we have a higher education are met, but many people go along to the bank and are Bill, which would be crucial to the growth strategy. No told before they reach the application stage that they are one can say that the Government have got their priorities not going to get the money, so they never apply. The right. figures are twisted, and we need to understand that. My right hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh On regulation, I welcome the Government’s attitude South West (Mr Darling) got something that Labour to one-in, one-out, but they could do much more for Members have long wanted—an acceptance from the small businesses by recognising that they would be the Chancellor that growth is necessary to run alongside great engine of growth if they were only released. They the cuts. That was quite an achievement and quite good could be excluded from many of the regulations that news. The sad news, however, is that when the Chancellor apply to business generally, and I urge the Chancellor to read out all the measures that he felt would deal with press that point in Cabinet. growth, they were all on the supply side, not the demand Members will not be surprised that I now turn to my side. It is clear that the big corporates are flush with constituency. We are trying to create a new approach to money and could invest today and tomorrow, but they jobs and development by establishing Northampton are not doing so because they have no confidence in the Alive, a project involving 15 major developments, part economy and there is no demand in the economy. The of which is the enterprise zone that, thank God, this sooner that confidence is brought back, and the sooner Government allowed us to create in Northampton—the the Chancellor understands that he has to put demand largest in the country. We have also introduced, however, into the economy to get people into jobs with money a forum for the leading 60 to 80 people in the town, so and the confidence to spend, the better. 745 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 746

Jim McGovern: I thank my hon. Friend—a fellow magic number of 40%. That suggests that those results former Lawside RC academy pupil and Dundonian—for were more about sending a message to the Government giving way. From 2005 to 2010, I never had any business of the day than voting for an alternative. Of course people coming to my surgery.Since 2010, an ever-increasing people are worried about jobs, the cost of living, rising number of have been coming to tell me that they are not fuel prices and generally making ends meet, and we getting a fair deal from the banks. Does my hon. Friend must not lose sight of that. The results therefore reflect share that experience? a backlash against the establishment which is having to implement these very difficult decisions. Mr Mudie: As a member of the Treasury Committee, Three observations can be drawn from the results. I can tell my hon. Friend that we argue every month First, such backlashes are often witnessed. Back in the with the Governor of the Bank of England and appeal days of Margaret Thatcher, she went down to 24% in to him to do something about the banks, which are not the polls but then continued to win general elections. lending to small businesses at the level that they promised Likewise, in 2000 the Tories managed to get 40% only to and have been allowed to get away with it without any lose the general election in 2001. Secondly, the electorate complaint from the Government. should be cautious about listening to Labour’s alternative If Government Members think that it is partisan to economic strategy of spending more, because it is that say that there is no plan for growth and no understanding sort of irresponsible stewardship that got us into the of growth, let me read out what the Secretary of State financial crisis in the first place. Thirdly, the Government for Business, Innovation and Skills said in a letter to the need to listen and must not be distracted by less important Prime Minister regarding industrial policy. He wrote: issues. They must focus on the priorities of the economy, “I sense however that there is still something…missing—a education, welfare, reducing crime, and the NHS. compelling vision of where the country is heading beyond sorting out the fiscal mess; and a clear and confident message about how Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): My hon. we will earn our living in future.” Friend is making a compelling case. I know that he has He clearly and comprehensively set out five areas where a great interest in tourism and leisure. Does he agree there should be investment, the final one being investment that it is imperative that the Government make a decision in the construction of houses, which he said would get soon on airport capacity in the United Kingdom, in people into work and have an effect on the supply particular in the south-east, to drive economic growth, chain. None of those issues appears in the Queen’s jobs and the renaissance of our economy over the Speech or was addressed in the Budget. If the Government coming years? cannot trust and listen to their own Business Secretary about how to get an industrial policy for growth, what Mr Ellwood: My hon. Friend makes an important chance do the people of this country have? point. This is a busy year for tourism in Britain and we must get those aspects right. This is not the first time 2.25 pm that those points have been mentioned in this debate, Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): It is a and I think that the Chancellor has taken them on pleasure to participate in the final day of the Queen’s board. Speech debate, where we focus on the economy. Occurring The other thing I would like to point out about the as it is just after the May elections, there is a tendency local elections—this will be the same in future elections—is not only to look at the new policies that have come the deluge of news that has been thrown at us by the forward but to take stock of the Government’s performance 24-hour news industry. We must think about how the to date. message is managed, not just about the message itself. An important match took place at the weekend—the The Budget is remembered more for Labour’s sensationalist Chancellor may have taken an interest as his constituency catchphrases, which have been heard again today, than is not far away—which determined the outcome of the for its game-changing announcements, such as the increase premier league. If we had taken the half time score to be in the personal allowance, which will affect 24 million the final outcome, we would have drawn very much the people; the largest single rise in pensions ever; and the wrong conclusions. The same can be said of the economy. cuts in corporation tax, which make us the most competitive We must work towards a full programme across the country in the G8. Parliament, and at the moment we are halfway through The latest phrase that Labour is peddling, which has that political cycle. Let us be fair: the 3 May local leaked into the media, is “double-dip recession”. If I elections represented a tough result for the Government. took my son, Alex, to the fairground and we went on a I am sure that whole House will unite in delight at the rollercoaster called “The Double Dip”, he would be re-election of Boris Johnson. [Interruption.] I am glad pretty disappointed—even at the age of 3—if the second that everyone concurs. We look forward to his waving dip was eight times smaller than the first. Labour is the Olympic flag once again, having seen him do that being disingenuous with the figures and undermines in Beijing. our economy by constantly peddling that phrase. [Interruption.] I hear Labour Members grumbling, so Paul Uppal (Wolverhampton South West) (Con): Does perhaps we should look at the figures. The Q1 results my hon. Friend agree that it is important that the for 2012 were better than the GDP growth results for Government are taking long-term decisions and looking 2011, which suggests that the graph is going in the right at the long-term interests of UK plc? direction.

Mr Ellwood: I am grateful for that intervention. Mr Byrne: The hon. Gentleman is certainly making a Labour Members may be rejoicing in their election case. Will he tell us the cash value of the decline in GDP results, but before they start measuring the curtains for in the last quarter? How much did it cost our country in No. 10 it is worth noting that they fell well below the lost production? 747 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 748

Mr Ellwood: I remind the right hon. Gentleman that their complacency on the economic situation and how the recession that lasted for five quarters, for which he out of touch they are with many of their constituents, was directly responsible, gave us a GDP growth figure who they well know are struggling. of minus 2.3%. The figures that we are dealing with now I am disappointed by the Queen’s Speech. Like many, are minus 0.3% and minus 0.2%. That means that we I was underwhelmed when I listened to the announcements are heading in the right direction. It might technically by the lack of proposals for legislative measures to try be a recession of two quarters, but Labour is talking to address the serious problems that our country faces. down the economy, which is not what the British electorate Many of the speeches have repeated the speeches on the want to hear. Budget we heard not so long ago. The Government had It is thanks to the measures that this Government are an opportunity to offer a grand vision of how they will implementing that our economy is growing faster than move us forward, but they have failed yet again to make that of the eurozone, twice as fast as Germany’s and any significant proposals that will help to get us out of three times as fast as that of France. Our borrowing this dire economic situation. My hon. Friend the Member costs have fallen to record lows, and thanks to the for Leeds East (Mr Mudie) has already quoted the management of the deficit, we are able to retain our Business, Innovation and Skills Secretary, but I agree with triple A rating. And yet, Labour are keen to peddle the the latter that something important is missing, namely a idea that there is no plan for a recovery. That argument “compelling vision” of where the country is heading. has just been put forward by the hon. Member for I shall not necessarily talk about specific proposals in Leeds East (Mr Mudie). the Bills included in the Queen’s Speech, because the I will give some examples of what the plan is. I have point I am making is on the lack of necessary measures. mentioned how we are managing the deficit so that The hon. Member for Northampton South (Mr Binley), borrowing costs are low. We are also creating one of the with whom I sit on the Business, Innovation and Skills most competitive business tax systems in the developed Committee, spoke about the concerns of businesses and world; cutting red tape by scrapping unnecessary and the banks’ failure to lend to small businesses. Yet again, out-of-date regulations, which are costing UK businesses there are no significant measures in the Queen’s Speech more than £350 million; and creating one of the most to force banks to lend to small businesses. Small businesses educated and flexible work forces in Europe by creating come to MPs’ surgeries because they are having difficulty apprenticeship schemes and energising our schools system getting loans from banks, but some no longer see the through the academy programme. Of course, we are point of contacting politicians because they have done also boosting investment and exports to rebalance the so many times, and the Government’s attempts to get economy by setting up enterprise zones across the country, banks to lend, such as Operation Merlin, have completely developing regional growth funds and replacing the failed. regional development agencies with the more effective There was a lengthy debate yesterday on the decrease local enterprise partnerships. I certainly welcome the in living standards up and down the country, the collapse one that has just been launched in Dorset, which is in wages and the Government’s failure to address the already starting to release faster broadband and upgrade problems that our constituents face. In almost every the county’s infrastructure. area of Government policy, there is a failure to focus policy to help businesses to survive and develop. Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab): What does the hon. Gentleman think the imposition of VAT On green jobs, the Proven wind turbine factory, which on static caravans will do for jobs, growth and exports? operated until last autumn, was a success story for Ayrshire. There were technical problems with one of the Mr Ellwood: Again, the hon. Gentleman is repeating wind turbines that the company operated, but the company a point that has been made by Labour and that the was one of the first in that field and very much a success Chancellor has already heard. story for Scotland. However, its future is uncertain. It To be fair to other Members who want to get in, I will had to fold—an Irish company has taken it over, but it conclude by saying that we need to remain firm on our will not continue as substantially as before. Those who plan. We need to focus on where we want to be in 2015. set up and ran Proven say that the problem that led to It was courageous of the Government to set out a plan its demise was the failure to get funding from the banks, for growth and I commend it to the House. because the banks failed to accept that there was a long-term future for the business because of the Government’s feed-in tariff policy and their approach 2.33 pm to solar power. Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): It is a The Government need to do better. They need to great pleasure to speak in this debate, which is definitely come forward in every area of policy with a plan that the most important debate on the Queen’s Speech as will get this country on its feet again. far as my constituents—and, I suspect, all of our constituents—are concerned. 2.39 pm The constituency where I live is considered to be in the top 10 unemployment blackspots in the country. In Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): The key to jobs and growth north Ayrshire, there are currently 5,555 claimants chasing is wealth creation. We create wealth by digging it up, 313 jobs. The position that my constituents face is growing it or making things. Everything else is just similar to that faced by the constituents of many hon. moving it around. That is why I welcome the Government’s Members, irrespective of which part of the country focus on real wealth creation, especially manufacturing. they live in, but if we listened to Government Members Labour has been highly critical of almost everything we might think we are living in a very different economic done by the Government, but it is hard to discern what situation. Yet again, they have used the occasion to show its programme or vision would be. I suppose we can tell 749 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 750

[Ian Swales] already up 80%. The National Citizen Service is giving young people confidence in those all-important softer a lot about its vision from what it did when it had its skills. We have made huge investments in apprenticeships, hands on the levers for 13 years. It had 13 long years in the number of which has more than doubled in my which to create the society it wanted, so what did it look constituency. like in the end? It loosened bank regulation, and further We are dealing with Labour’s neglect of manufacturing. to help its friends in the City it scrapped the public We have heard the good news today about Vauxhall and interest test on takeovers in 2002, meaning that many of the Business Secretary’s involvement in it. He has also our cash-generative businesses are now foreign owned, intervened recently in the bioethanol industry, and we especially in utilities and infrastructure. will shortly see the restart of a plant in my constituency Labour decimated manufacturing, taking it from on which 2,000 jobs depend. We are also pushing green 22% to 11% of the economy, which had knock-on technology. I can look out my office window in Redcar effects for many other sectors, such as logistics. It left and see 27 giant offshore wind turbines being constructed. Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland Construction is about to start on a £500 million biomass in the weakest 10 of the 324 local economic areas. It power station at Teesport. The other day I met widened the gap between the north and the south and representatives of the Forewind company, which is starting the rich and the poor, and widened health inequalities. a massive project on the Dogger bank and wishes to It created a benefits culture in which work did not pay bring power ashore through my constituency. I thoroughly for many people and having children became almost a welcome the announcement in the Queen’s Speech of career option in towns such as Redcar. the green investment bank, which will bring more jobs What about the tax system? Today, we again heard and growth to this vital sector. from the Opposition the mantra, “Tax cuts for millionaires”. The Government are investing in technology and I do not think that friends or even enemies of the right innovation centres, including a centre for process innovation hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr Redwood) would in my constituency. They are investing to improve rail describe him as left-wing, yet in his alternative Queen’s freight infrastructure from Teesport and have created Speech the other day he called for a return to the former enterprise zones, including three in my constituency at Prime Minister’s favoured tax levels—a top rate of Wilton, Kirkleatham and South Bank. The regional income tax of 40% and capital gains tax at 18%. So how growth fund has already given more help to manufacturing did millionaires fare under Labour? They had a 40% in the Tees valley than we ever saw under the north-east’s top tax rate until the last month of its 13 years. After regional development agency, and I welcome the extra the recent cut, it stands at 45%. It levied an 18% rate on £1 billion that has been allocated. The work is being capital gains—a lower rate than their cleaners and co-ordinated by the excellent new local enterprise drivers would pay on their income. This Government partnership for the Tees valley. have lifted that to 28%. The Government are beating the bushes to generate Under Labour, millionaires could put £250,000 a international trade, and we are beginning to see the fruits year into a pension scheme and get tax relief. The cut to of that activity. Exports to non-EU countries are at £50,000 by this Government has raised £4 billion from record levels, and we now have the first net trade surplus the rich. They received child benefit and paid 2.5% on cars since 1976. The north-east region is already in less tax on their spending. They could get unlimited trade surplus, and the figures will soon include the taxpayer support for gifts to charities, including family- £20 million-worth of steel a week that is being exported controlled trusts, public schools such as Eton and, as in to Thailand from the newly reopened Redcar steel the case of Andrew Lloyd Webber, a huge art collection, works. The first ship left yesterday. some of which he rents back cheaply to his own house. Private sector jobs are being created—there have Add to that numerous loopholes, and millionaires been about 500,000 since the general election—but must want Labour back as fast as possible. Meanwhile, unemployment is still way too high, especially in the north- people on the minimum wage were paying £700 a year east and especially among the young and the long-term in tax. unemployed. My constituency still has the second highest unemployment level among those of Government Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) Members, and that remains a high priority for me. I was (Lab): Will the hon. Gentleman remind me who introduced therefore delighted to see a drop of another 85 in the the minimum wage? figures yesterday. As we watch the Olympics, the carbon fibre bikes, the Ian Swales: It was one of Labour’s great achievements Kevlar canoes, the space-age swimsuits, the polyurethane and one I totally support, but I do not support a tax footballs and the Paralympian equipment will be a level of £700 a year on the minimum wage, which was in reminder of the vital role that chemistry and the process place when the previous Government left office. industries play, and will play in the recovery. There is What do all these failures in Labour’s vision have in optimism in the north-east’s process industries, and the common? Apart from the takeover test, they are all position could be made even stronger by a Teesside being tackled by the Government. Of course we are carbon capture and storage network. I look forward to doing a lot more than that to stimulate jobs and growth. the result of the call for bids for that project. Large UK We are dealing with Labour’s shocking education legacy, companies are ready to invest billions in it. as a result of which employers, even in high unemployment Times are tough for the economy as a whole, not least areas such as mine, say they cannot find the people they because of the debt burden. The eurozone is in chaos need. We are starting from the bottom. The pupil and there is still a lot more to do, but this Queen’s premium is proving such a help to children in deprived Speech contains more steps in the right direction and areas. We are encouraging science study in school—it is I commend it to the House. 751 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 752

2.46 pm welfare-to-work budget. If we end up spending less, we will do so by achieving less. A detailed look at the Margaret Hodge (Barking) (Lab): Today’s debate on programme shows that one in four of those referred jobs and growth is of huge importance not only to the will get a job anyway, with public money being spent constituents of Redcar but to those in Barking and both on the attachment fee and on the placement. Dagenham in my constituency. All too often, particularly Unemployment is much higher, so referrals are greater in this Chamber, people believe that London’s streets and more money is going to private providers, but with are paved with gold, and that there is little poverty or fewer people placed in a job. joblessness in the capital. All too often, again in this Chamber, people believe that the challenges facing Londoners are concentrated in the inner boroughs. Stephen Lloyd (Eastbourne) (LD): The right hon. Sadly, and with a strong sense of anger and frustration, Lady talks about value for money, but does she not I must tell the House that the reality for families in agree that the prime providers of the Work programme Barking and Dagenham demonstrates that those beliefs will be paid only if, first, they get people into jobs and, are not only misguided but just plain wrong. secondly, they sustain those people in jobs for two years, which will provide the bulk of the money. That Any set of statistics will demonstrate a high level of sounds like good value to me. Does she disagree? joblessness in my constituency and, under this Government’s legislative programme, there is little hope for the future. A datablog published by The Guardian shows that Barking Margaret Hodge: I have two points on that. First, it is and Dagenham is ranked eighth out of 326 local authorities not good value if people do not get into work, which is for long-term unemployment, and 11th for child poverty. the whole purpose of the programme, and, secondly, If we look at the latest unemployment figures, we see one in four of those who get into work would have done that the unemployment rate in my constituency, across so anyway without any intervention at all. Given the all people of working age, is almost double the national black box nature of the programme, we will not know average, and that the number of people on jobseeker’s whether people have actually been given support. All allowance for 12 months or more has doubled in the the indications I have seen suggest that that is highly past year. unlikely. We are beginning to get evidence to show that the more difficult cases are being parked, simply because Growth and jobs are vital for my constituents, yet all the money is focused on those most likely to get into they have become the victims of the Government’s work. stubbornly blinkered and highly ideological approach to the economy. This involves putting tax cuts for the rich before job creation for the poor, putting deficit Kate Green: Does my right hon. Friend share my reduction before poverty reduction and putting the concern that Work programme providers are reporting interests of the few before the well-being of the many. that when they do succeed in getting people into work, Without active Government intervention, my constituents it is usually short-term and temporary? If people are will find it harder than most to find the jobs that they cycling round and round the programme, that is certainly need to pull themselves out of poverty. Almost 60% of not good value for money. 19-year-olds do not have a level 3 qualification, nearly half the people of working age who are out of work Margaret Hodge: We have been looking into the issue have no qualifications at all, and one in four of my of whether short-term or part-time work is being provided. constituents work in the public sector. Faced with cuts When I tried to meet prime providers locally, they in public sector jobs, cuts in training and employment would not tell me how many people had been referred opportunities, a failed growth strategy, little business to them, how many people they had got into work or investment and miserable levels of bank lending, the how long those people had been in work. The Government future for them is bleak. claim to be committed to transparency, but any decent As Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, I also assessment of the Work programme is greatly inhibited know that when the Government talk about private by such lack of transparency. sector job creation, the reality is something else. Many Finally, I shall speak about Barking and Dagenham of the new private sector jobs are simply public sector as an excellent example of where opportunities exist for jobs that have been transferred to the private sector as a the Government to stimulate jobs and growth. We result of the Government’s privatisation programme. might have lost many Ford jobs over time, but we have We have only to look at the Audit Commission, at the massive potential for expansion, with Barking Riverside, privatisation of the Work programme and of prisons, Dagenham dock and Barking town centre. The lack of and at private contractors providing health care to public sector investment in infrastructure and services, NHS patients to see that many of the so-called new however, is the major barrier to achieving growth and private sector jobs are jobs funded by the public purse. jobs. There is potential in Barking Riverside, with planning That is scarcely a surge in private sector growth. permission granted by the local council for 11,000 new The Government claim that they are running the homes, but at the current rate of building it will take 50 biggest-ever welfare-to-work programme with the Work to 60 years before the scheme is completed. If those programme. Let us inject a bit of reality into that claim. homes were built, it would stimulate jobs and help to I shall look at the Work programme both as a constituency tackle housing need. MP and as Chair of the Public Accounts Committee. I We cannot get the school that we need in order to have always been an optimist, but I have grave concerns assure families who move into the area that their children about whether this will be an effective value-for-money will have a school place; we cannot get the transport programme. Ministers claim that it is value for money infrastructure we need through the docklands light because it is paid by results, but surely the programme’s railway extension, because there is no money there; and purpose is to get people into work, not to cut the we cannot get the Mayor to do anything to stimulate 753 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 754

[Margaret Hodge] nearly half our GDP, and that investing just £20 billion of that in the UK could deliver a 1% increase in growth. private sector house building. What we need is action, We need to ask the difficult question “Why are these not words. Not a penny of the regional growth fund cash-rich institutions not investing domestically?” moneys has come to an area like ours, which needs a The answer begins with the boom that preceded the huge amount of resources. recession. Unlike booms preceding earlier recessions, I am conscious that many Members want to speak, so that boom was financed by public and private debt, let me briefly say in conclusion that although the hon. which has continued to depress household borrowing Member for Redcar (Ian Swales), who spoke previously, and spending. The IMF’s analysis of advanced economies devoted about half his speech to the previous Government, over the past 30 years concluded that recessions preceded we are now two years into this Government—and things by an unsustainable increase in household debt tended have got only worse. During the two years on their to be more severe and protracted. That is because as watch, living standards for hard-working families in long as households pay down debts and increase savings, Barking and Dagenham have declined. Since they came demand will remain weak. into office, people’s hopes for a better future—with jobs One explanation for the weakness of private investment for their children, homes for their families, and economic is concern among companies about the future availability growth for their children and grandchildren—have been of bank finance. They are becoming more reticent in smashed. their investment strategies, and are using cash as an The Queen’s Speech has nothing to say to the people insurance against a crisis. The situation is not helped by of Barking and Dagenham. It does nothing for a fears of contagion, or by the lack of liquidity in the community where needs are great. It fails the hard-working banking sector. A solution to the problem would be the families of my constituents, it fails the businesses in my creation of a banking system that improved lending and borough, and it fails to meet the aspirations and needs the supply of credit. The introduction of a ring fence of future generations who will make Barking and around retail banking separating retail banking services— Dagenham their home. such as deposit holdings and lending—from investment would pave the way for a more competitive banking system. 2.55 pm Tellingly, the removal in 1999 of the Glass-Steagall Paul Uppal (Wolverhampton South West) (Con): The Act, which separated deposit holdings and lending from right hon. Member for Barking (Margaret Hodge) used investment, changed the landscape of banking in America. the term “victim”, and also spoke of a lack of hope. It allowed larger investment institutions to enter the That is a theme to which I shall return later. I think that deposit and loan markets, creating a grab for small we should be very careful in our choice of words, given banks. In 1999, there were 19 significant large banks in how corrosive they may be in the world out there—the America; today there are four. The picture in the UK is real world, not the Westminster bubble. similarly worrying. Although there are smaller banks in In difficult economic times, we should not be seeking the UK and the US, large banks have consolidated their quick fixes. It is important that we continue to build the position, creating market dominance. The consolidation foundations that are necessary for economic recovery. of banking on such a scale is bad for businesses and bad The solution to a debt crisis should never be more debt. for lending. With only a handful of lenders, concern arises about the availability of credit. We often talk John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con): Does my hon. Friend about how banks are too big to fail, but rarely do we agree that part of the Government’s problem is the fact talk about banks being too big to be effective. Banks that the last Government borrowed in good years, and can only be described as quasi-public institutions, and had borrowed some £40 billion before we even entered will be accountable to the public long after they are the recession? sold. They are the engine of any economy, as they provide credit, investment and savings. We need a banking Paul Uppal: That is an excellent point, and it is not sector that not only serves shareholders, but benefits the made only by Members of Parliament. Hamish McRae, wider economy. the acclaimed journalist, made it in The Independent I would also like to discuss how investing in the UK during 2003 and 2004. He regularly asked readers what should involve our work force today and the work force had happened to those golden economic rules—but of tomorrow. On a personal note, I recently held a jobs that is by the by, and we cannot change it. fair in Wolverhampton. We had more than 1,500 young I want to raise an issue about which I spoke during people attending and more than 30 employers. One the Budget debate. We are right not to allow protectionist conversation I had on that day still sticks in my mind. It rhetoric to creep into our political system, and continually was with a young person from Wolverhampton who to challenge protectionism abroad. That is crucial to the said, “I want to thank you, Mr Uppal, for organising rebalancing of our economy to change it from an this. You’ve given me hope.” When the Leader of the economy that spends on imports to one that earns Opposition stands up and says that there is no hope in through exports. I am encouraged to note that British the Budget or the Queen’s Speech, the effect is deeply exports rose by £50 billion last year, and that unemployment corrosive. I know that the situation in places such as has fallen by over 45,000 in the first quarter. Wolverhampton is challenging, but to dismiss people I believe that there are two areas in which the Gracious and just wipe away their dreams so quickly and flippantly Speech can make a real difference: the creation of the is very damaging. Sometimes politicians in this House right conditions for private sector investment, and need to think carefully about the terminology they use. investment in our work force and the work force of We all appreciate that the Opposition have a job to do tomorrow. Analysts have estimated that UK businesses in holding us to account. However, it is important that have cash assets of more than £750 billion, equating to we do not respond with knee-jerk reactions, but instead 755 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 756 always look at the broader picture of what we are doing We warned that the Government’s policy was wrong, for the economy and not look to make political capital but I do not think any of us predicted just how wrong, out of the situation. Investing in the work force of just how disastrous its impact would be and just how tomorrow means preparing young people for work today. much more difficult things would become in regions Careers events in schools, inviting local companies to such as the north-east of England. The impacts on the speak at schools, and lessons on interview and presentation young, as so clearly outlined by my right hon. Friend skills could all help, and not just in year 11, but early the Member for South Shields (David Miliband), are on, when children are starting to think about options much greater in regions such as the north-east, yet and subjects. It is not about getting young people to Government Members seem completely oblivious to pick a career early on; it is about them knowing that what is happening in these regions. their options will help them to make the right choices The UK economy has returned to recession, after and give them goals for the future. If young people shrinking by 0.2% in the first three months of 2012. A know that maths and science are essential for accessing sharp fall in construction output is said to be behind the the type of job they are considering, such subjects will contraction, but it is not the only factor. BBC economics seem more beneficial. editor Stephanie Flanders says that the situation Ensuring a skills base for the future to drive Britain’s “adds to the picture that the economy is bumping along the industry and manufacturing is evidently important, and bottom”. recent reports point to a skills gap. It is disappointing to At Prime Minister’s questions, the Prime Minister has hear companies say that they cannot find the skilled said the figures were “very, very disappointing”—that is people they need, especially when that is coupled with perhaps the understatement of this Parliament. He high unemployment. The west midlands is a great base went on to say: for manufacturing, and, with the introduction of the “I do not seek to excuse them, I do not seek to try to explain i54 site, we can only improve on this. Taking the long-term them away…there is no complacency at all in this Government in view on jobs and growth—helping young people to get dealing with what is a very tough situation that, frankly, has just the best possible start early on—can only be beneficial got tougher.”—[Official Report, 25 April 2012; Vol. 543, c. 944.] in preventing them from ending up not in work, training He said it was “painstaking, difficult work”, but the or education. Let me finish by saying, for the second Government would stick with their plans and do time in this Chamber, that when it comes to the difficult “everything” that they “can” to generate growth. decisions, at least those of us on the Government Benches I am surprised that the Prime Minister was disappointed are walking the walk, whereas Opposition Members are —what did he expect? The economic outcome of his just talking the talk. policies was completely expected by many commentators. The outcome was highly predictable. The Prime Minister 3.2 pm needs to recognise that it is his Government who have caused this recession in Britain and that it is his policy Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab): If I had been standing that has taken us back into recession. He needs to in this House a month or even a fortnight ago to speak accept responsibility, and to accept that cutting deeper about the prospects for jobs and growth, I might have and deeper is the problem, not the solution and that to expressed the opinion that the entire credibility of the continue blindly will only damage our economic prospects Government now stood at a crossroads. A month on, yet further. however, I believe that we are well beyond that point. The Leader of the Opposition hit the nail on the head The Budget, followed by the local government elections when he said the economic figures were “catastrophic” and the collection of sideshows that make up the Queen’s He said that Speech, have made it clear that the Government have “this is a recession made by”— abdicated any responsibility for trying to generate any real growth in our economy. the Prime Minister— “and the Chancellor in Downing street.” As Labour Members warned when the coalition came to power, the policies adopted by the Government were He went on to say that it is their effectively an enormous gamble with the future of our “catastrophic economic policy…that has landed us back in nation’s economy. We also warned that whereas the recession”.—[Official Report, 25 April 2012; Vol. 543, c. 944.] richest and most privileged in our society would be The Office for National Statistics has said that the output spared the costs of that gamble, the poorest and most of production industries decreased by 0.4%; construction vulnerable would be expected to pay the costs. We decreased by a full 3%; and output of the services sector, predicted that the experiment—the gamble—was doomed which includes retail, increased by only 0.1%, after to failure. However, heedless of the warnings, and driven falling a month earlier. Those figures are slightly worse by an ideological desire to shrink the state, the Government than many expected, but the fact that the UK is now pressed ahead, determined to use the excuse of the technically back in recession should not detract from budget deficit to drive through their political agenda, the underlying reality, which is very much as predicted. oblivious to the damage to our economy. The UK economy has been bumping along the bottom for more than a year and is struggling to gain any David T. C. Davies: Is the hon. Gentleman simply momentum. The preliminary figures from the ONS are following the mantra that we should have borrowed consistent with the messages coming from official and even further, on top of the £160 billion that we were private data, which say that the UK was once again already borrowing when his colleagues left office? relying heavily on services and consumption by households. That suggests that the recovery will continue to be Ian Mearns: I can tell the hon. Gentleman what weak. Demand is very weak. UK business is sitting on a I would do: invest to save to grow, and then reap the cash mountain but will not invest because there is no benefits of that growth through the taxation system. demand in the domestic market. So we very much welcome 757 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 758

[Ian Mearns] situation merely as a short-term problem that needs short-term solutions, whether that involves stimulating the growth of exports in the car sector, but the fact that demand or supporting the supply side. such exports are outstripping the domestic market is Manufacturing is best placed to support the objective not really that great news, because the depression of the of increased employment for a number of reasons. domestic market is the real problem. We do not have First, manufacturing is strongest in those areas where demand. private sector employment has been weakest. In the The ONS figures also demonstrate clearly that the midlands, the north, Scotland and Wales, manufacturing fall in Government spending has contributed to the occupies a bigger part of the economy than in London particularly large fall in the construction sector. Some and the south-east. If we can increase manufacturing Government Members have tried to question the ONS growth, it is likely that employment gains will be better figures and argue that the position is not so bleak, but spread across the country and we will tackle those they are burying their heads in the sand. Joe Grice, chief parts that have traditionally suffered from structural economic adviser to the ONS, has vigorously defended unemployment. the figures. He said the construction data were based on Secondly, the nature of manufacturing is changing. It a survey of 8,000 companies and had been carefully requires greater skills and higher levels of education. checked and double-checked. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills estimates We are in a very difficult situation. All across Britain that by 2017 the percentage of manufacturing jobs in and Europe people are rallying to challenge the consensus high-end occupations—mostly degree-level employment— on austerity, because it is nonsense. The election of the will rise from 27% today to 37%. That means there will new President in France, who is committed to a policy be about as many people in high-end occupations in focused on growth, challenges the failed orthodoxy of manufacturing as there will be in low-end occupations. austerity; the election and protests in Greece, the protests Thirdly, work within manufacturing is often higher in Spain and the state elections in North-Rhine Westphalia paid than that in services. Average weekly earnings, in Germany last Sunday are shouting to us that a including bonuses, in the manufacturing sector were change of direction is absolutely necessary. £532 compared with £449 in the services sector. Finally, The Government could, if they so chose, focus on manufacturing jobs have a significant spillover effect growth, but they do not do so. The fact that they choose into other parts of the economy. They enable the creation austerity—that they choose destruction rather than of services and other sectors around those jobs and help investment—is wilful, and it is clearly a political choice. to provide pillars on which other parts of the economy But there is an alternative and I beg them, on behalf of can build. That increase in manufacturing employment regions such as the north-east and on behalf of my presupposes manufacturing growth, and while I do not constituents, to change tack—we need growth. have the time to consider that in this speech, it is something to which I hope to return in the near future. 3.9 pm If we want to prepare our work force, and particularly our young people, for work in manufacturing, we need Chris White (Warwick and Leamington) (Con): I am to ensure that we take steps now to support that aim. grateful for the opportunity to speak in this important One of the best ways that we can do that is to support debate. All too often, when we talk about the economy apprenticeships. However, we must ensure that they are we speak in terms of GDP figures, confidence indices the advanced and higher levels of apprenticeships so and the like, and they are very important, but we should that we meet the increase in the number of higher level always remember that this is about people’s lives and positions. According to the latest data, there were 200,300 aspirations. apprenticeship achievements in 2010-11. However, only Employment in Warwick and Leamington has held 1,000 were higher level apprenticeships. The number of up well over the past few years. In May 2010, 2,002 advanced level apprenticeships completed was around people were claiming jobseeker’s allowance. In March 33% of the total and we need to ensure that, as we 2012, that had fallen to 1,646. Warwick and Leamington increase the total number of apprenticeships, that that has climbed nearly 100 places and has gone from having figure is not diluted. the 414th highest level of unemployment among The best way to support jobs and growth, however, is constituencies in the UK to having the 507th. I believe to give more support to our small and medium-sized that that is a tribute to the inventiveness of our local manufacturers so that they can take on new employees. businesses, the hard work of our local jobcentres and More grants should be given to small and medium-sized the determination of local residents to find work. However, enterprises and manufacturers to train the new staff while there is reason for optimism. we must also be they hire, particularly those who have been long-term aware of the challenges. unemployed or who are aged between 18 and 25. Unlike The number of those claiming JSA over the past larger businesses, SMEs often are not able to rely on the 12 months has risen from 265 to 310 and although that economies of scale that can reduce training costs. This figure has fluctuated, it makes it clear that we need to presents a significant barrier not only to increasing continue to build an economy that can create long-term employment but also to growth. I hope that the Government and sustainable jobs, particularly for our young people. will look at ways of increasing the support we can give It will not be surprising to Members to learn that, as the to SMEs in this regard with greater financial incentives co-chair of the associate parliamentary manufacturing for those higher-end qualifications that will become group, I believe that manufacturing is the key to creating more important in the years ahead. that sustainable labour market. I believe that any long-term improvement in our Although we all agree that we there needs to be economy has to be built on manufacturing if it is to be economic growth, we do not wish to achieve that through sustainable and create the kind of jobs we need to just any type of growth. We should not think of our diversify our labour market. Increasing our manufacturing 759 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 760 sector and reskilling our labour force will not be quick middle of May and it still has not appeared, so providers or cheap but that does not make it any less necessary. in the Work programme have no way of comparing Although we face times of public stringency, we should their performance with that of others. My right hon. not defer investment. That will only mean that we have Friend said that she could not find out what was happening to wait longer for the rebalancing to happen. I am in her constituency and every other MP is in the same confident that if both sides of the House can work boat. Jobcentre managers have no idea what is happening together, support the manufacturing agenda and provide in the Work programme in their area, and the effectiveness the long-term political buy-in that the industry wants in of the Work programme is being weakened as a result. order to make long-term investment decisions, we can This week, a very good charity working with homeless achieve the outcomes that we all want. people, St Mungo’s, has resigned from the Work programme. 3.15 pm It had three separate contracts with three Work programme prime providers, but in the 11 months since the Work Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): One reason why programme started the charity has not had a single there has been such a negative reaction to the Queen’s individual referred to it by any of those three prime Speech, particularly from business, now that we are providers. again in the midst of recession is the absence of measures to boost growth. There was a particularly exasperated Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) (Lab): I am reaction from the director general of the British Chambers listening with great interest to my right hon. Friend, not of Commerce, which my right hon. Friend the Member least because I have heard similar things in my constituency, for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls) quoted at the not just about the voluntary sector but about experienced beginning of the debate, straightforwardly accusing the private providers. Does he think it is time that the Government of playing short-term politics instead of Government started doing a proper job for the third boosting the economy. A lot of people thought there sector? They want to involve it in the big society, but would be a boost to the economy in this Queen’s Speech, they are cutting its legs off. but it simply was not there. The problem is that the Government’s policy has not delivered. We were told after the election that the policy being introduced would Stephen Timms: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. deliver a steady and sustained economic recovery with Step one would be to allow the data to be published. low inflation and falling unemployment. Unfortunately, Instead of banning everybody from saying what is that simply has not happened. The shadow Chancellor happening, the Government should let us have some and the former Chancellor, my right hon. Friend the numbers so that we can see what is going on. That Member for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling), warned would offer the chance for clarification. that the policy put the recovery at risk. They have been proved right and Ministers have been proved wrong. Michael Connarty: I am grateful to my right hon. There are other reasons for the Government’s dramatic Friend for making those points about St Mungo’s. I loss of popularity, one of which is a sort of policy took the trouble to visit the project in Hackney, and incoherence across government, with different Departments I was very impressed by what was being done for people going in contradictory directions. Let me give an example: with long-term dissociation from society to give them people receive tax credits only if they work more than a skills and jobs. It is a tragedy if the charity has decided certain number of hours. The previous Government set that the Government have nothing to offer them. The the threshold at 16 hours per week, but the Minister project is wonderful and the Government, given all who is winding up the debate has announced that when their rhetoric, should be supporting it wholeheartedly. universal credit is introduced in October next year there will be no hours thresholds. Support will be available Stephen Timms: My hon. Friend is right. Not one only for people working very few hours, and the Secretary person has been referred to St Mungo’s since the Work of State for Work and Pensions has perfectly fairly programme started. If the homeless are not being referred presented that as one of the virtues of his new system. to St Mungo’s, we can be very confident that they are However, the Chancellor, who opened the debate, has not being helped by anybody, and that is at the heart of gone in the opposite direction. He has raised the threshold what is going wrong. We certainly need guidance so that from 16 hours to 24 hours a week and more than people can start telling us what is going on in the Work 200,000 households have lost out. They cannot both be programme. right, although one of them might be. The announcement The hon. Member for Wolverhampton South West from the Department for Work and Pensions goes in the (Paul Uppal) is rightly concerned about the challenges opposite direction to the Treasury’s. No. 10 ought to of securing investment. I am disappointed that no have spotted that and sorted it out. People see that communications Bill was announced in the Queen’s incoherence across government. Speech. A year ago yesterday, the Department for Culture, My right hon. Friend the Member for Barking (Margaret Media and Sport announced the first stage of what it Hodge), who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, described as a made some telling observations about the Work programme. “comprehensive period of consultation that will inform a We know remarkably little about what is happening in Parliamentary Bill.” that programme because the Government have banned Work programme providers from publishing any data. Unfortunately, no such Bill has been announced. When under pressure in January, the Minister with The Communications Act 2003, which I was responsible responsibility for employment promised guidance to for, is excellent, but technology has moved on and the allow them to publish, which they want to do. When he regulation needs updating. The problem is clearly was pressed again he said that the guidance would highlighted by the failure on 4G mobile services. Capital appear by the end of April, but we are now in the Economics estimates that a go-ahead for 4G in the UK 761 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 762

[Stephen Timms] A dictionary definition of austerity, in its economic context, is: would trigger private sector investment of more than “An economic policy by which a Government reduces the £5 billion and raise gross domestic product by the end amount of money it spends by a large amount.” of the decade by half a percentage point. It says: In popular discourse that is a description of the coalition “The UK is off the international pace. The technology has Government’s economic policies. The trouble is that it is already been deployed commercially by more than 50 operators in not a correct description of the coalition’s policies. Over over 30 countries.” the period of this Government, total public spending In the UK, we still do not know when the spectrum auction, will increase, not decrease, from £670 billion to £734 billion. and liberalisation of restrictions on existing spectrum, If we choose to measure it in terms of public borrowing will go ahead. We cannot afford further delay. The as a percentage of GDP, the reduction in the UK will destructive promotion, which we have unfortunately be significantly less than that of Greece, Portugal and seen, of the narrow interests of individual operators Ireland. “Austerity” is therefore a good catch-phrase, must now give way to the speediest possible implementation, but it is not an accurate way to describe coalition allowing investment to be made. One of the benefits will policies. That is compounded by a false choice that is be viable access to superfast broadband for a significant presented to the public: austerity versus growth. I think part of the country where landline services will not be that is a false and misleading set of alternatives to available in any reasonable time scale. present, because growth is an objective that all policies We shall need new legislation and I hope that Ofcom seek to achieve, and a better description of the policy and the DCMS will press ahead to make sure that the alternatives that are being put forward is, on the one changes that are needed—the auction and liberalisation hand, growth based on living within our means, and on of the existing spectrum—proceed without further delay. the other, growth based on borrowing. We have waited long enough already. The BBC, if I may say so, is particularly noteworthy I welcome the inclusion in the legislative programme in its use of these false comparisons. On 12 May Gavin of the draft Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill, following Hewitt, who is the BBC’s European editor, had a column the initiative of the previous Government. entitled “Growth versus austerity”. On 4 May, Stephanie Flanders, the BBC’s economics editor, commented: Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): As the right hon. “It’s not only Labour politicians that say this. In the debate Gentleman is aware, small firms have suffered at the about the trade-off between austerity and growth”. hands of the giant supermarkets for far too long. The Yesterday evening, a debate on BBC’s “Newsnight” Bill lacks the teeth to allow the ombudsman to fine featured a huge animated set of scales with “austerity” large supermarkets. Does he agree that the ombudsman on one side trying to be balanced with “growth” on the needs those enforcement powers? other. That is not the BBC bias of which the Mayor of London has recently spoken, but it is misleading Stephen Timms: The hon. Gentleman makes a telling propaganda being put to the British public. point. The legislation will have to be scrutinised closely I now turn to a practical idea that all Members of and we will need to make sure that it delivers on the Parliament should consider in their constituencies. I am purpose for which it is being introduced. drawing on some of my experience in Bedford, and on I have to express my regret at the lack of a Bill that Monday at 3 o’clock I shall be holding a workshop to would put into law the commitment to raise the describe that in more detail to hon. Members. I looked international development budget to 0.7% of GDP. The at the comparative advantages that Bedford had in Secretary of State for International Development has terms of economics. We do not have much. We do not made that promise and I hope it will come forward. have a university science park, we do not have a lot of inward investment, and we do not have a big employer, 3.24 pm but people have a willingness to invest in and grow local businesses. We are in the process of creating a Bedford Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): Mr Speaker, I draw business enterprise investment scheme fund—a policy your attention and that of other Members to the fact introduced by the Labour Government and enhanced that I am an adviser to a venture capital fund and also by this Government. That is an excellent scheme, to to my other entries in the Register of Members’ Financial encourage people to invest in local businesses. The idea Interests. of the fund is to get people to put money into their local I support everything in the Queen’s Speech that will business because they want to see them grow. There is a deal with improving jobs and achieving growth in our sense of civic duty that motivates people, and the fact country. I hope that is the only partisan point that I that they have idle balances sitting in the banks, earning shall make in my speech, because I would like to talk a very low interest rates, is a very good economic incentive little bit about the use of language, and then advise hon. for people to do that. Members about a very practical way that Members of A Member of Parliament can act as a great initiator, Parliament can play a role in achieving the goals that we champion and cheerleader for this initiative, drawing all seek in terms of enhancing jobs and creating growth. together a local advisory board of business people to Let me start, if I may, with language. It is always run the fund, seeking out partners for the fund to help important, in trying to solve a problem, to use words in to popularise it in the community, and finding new the correct way and in ways that make sense, because if businesses that the fund can invest in. In Bedford, we we do not do that, of course we will not solve the have set a target of raising £500,000, and we are well on problem. Sadly, we have a major problem with the our way to achieving that. language when it comes to jobs and growth, starting I believe that if other hon. Members engage in that with the word “austerity”, which has been much used sort of action, it will mean that MPs, who are often today in a number of speeches. criticised for lacking real world experience and being 763 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 764 out of touch, will be seen in their local communities I have done extensive research and can pronounce, doing something practical to help people. If we put a with real authority, that the economy now needs three network of projects together, we could seek support for things: first, demand; secondly, demand; and thirdly, this excellent initiative from the regional growth fund so demand. Without the prospect of demand, business will that we have a constellation of local groups across the not invest; the banks will not lend; closures on the high country where local people come together to support— street and in the productive economy will continue; and commercially—the growth of local businesses in their firms will not spend their resources. No one will create community. If people would like to learn more, I shall jobs without demand to ensure the prospect of profit. be happy to explain on Monday at 3 o’clock in the Lack of demand clouds every prospect in this nation Thatcher room. today. 3.30 pm How can we best achieve demand? My right hon. Friend the Member for Morley and Outwood has set Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby) (Lab): To say that out a five-point plan, which I heartily agree with. I the Queen’s Speech was disappointing is not quite to would go further by borrowing more and spending plumb the depths of the inadequacy it demonstrated. more. I would give a two-year national insurance holiday Without being able to speak for Her Majesty, I am solidly for the employment of young people and for areas of assured that she would not have made the long and the country in recession. I would boost the regional arduous journey from Buckingham palace had it not growth fund, whose achievements are pathetic, particularly been for the certainty that I would be taking her photograph in Yorkshire and Humberside, which got only 6,300 jobs, as she arrived here. Really, it was not worth her while to or about the same as the south-west and less than the come down here for such a rag-bag of petty measures. north-west, both of which have lower unemployment The Queen’s Speech was pathetic. It was pathetic rates than we do. because it is now about all the coalition can agree on. I would also borrow to build houses. We need a big The glad confident morning of 2010 has given way to housing programme of the kind that took us out of the bleary bickering, downward slope and near break-up recession in the 1930s. The housing report published of 2012. It was pathetic because it contained nothing this week showed the problems and how they are about growth, the major problem in our economy, accumulating. We cannot solve them unless we build except for the ability to fire people, adding to the houses for people who cannot afford to buy, who now unemployment rolls. It was pathetic because it ignored make up the great majority of the population. To do the damage that two years of this Government’s disastrous that we can raise money through housing loans for economic policies have already done. My right hon. councils, or we could take some of the money that is put Friend the Member for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls) into the banks through quantitative easing and give it to set that out admirably. housing contracts instead, which will then be paid off Two years in, here we are in a double-dip recession, over a period of time. The message to the Government with youth unemployment reaching one in four—the that I wish the Queen had given is simply, as Bob Dylan rate is higher in Grimsby. The Office for Budget put it: “Turn, turn, turn.” Responsibility is having to spend all its time revising its predictions downwards because they are no longer adequate for this Government’s failures. “I’m walking backwards 3.36 pm for Christmas” should be the OBR’s theme song, were it Stephen Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire) (Con): not for the fact that it mentions Christmas—there is no It is a pleasure to follow my colleague on the Public Christmas at the end of this process. The economy has Accounts Committee, who I always feel puts the “Great” shrunk by 4%, and that is cumulative over the period, so in Great Grimsby. the total shrinkage must be about 10% or more. A much smaller economy is bearing the same burden of debt, so A number of Members raised the issue of credit for our ability to pay it has shrunk and the standard of small businesses. The hon. Member for North Ayrshire living of everyone in this country has shrunk. Hard-working and Arran (Katy Clark) focused on that, without wanting families—non-working families, as well—are facing a to give a specific solution, as did her colleague, the burden of cuts and high inflation. hon. Member for Leeds East (Mr Mudie), and, on the For me, sitting here today is a re-run of 1980-81, Government Benches, my hon. Friend the Member for watching Conservative Members clutching at any pathetic Northampton South (Mr Binley). But the debate so far straw, any pathetic glimmer of hope in the encircling has not focused on one of the chief impediments to darkness, to cheer themselves up. Margaret Thatcher credit for small businesses: the high capital requirements had the Falklands to rescue her from that dilemma, but imposed on banks, which makes it expensive for banks I doubt that this Government will have a Falklands to to give credit to small businesses, particularly those save them, because what they are producing is a decline—a deemed to be high risk. To put that in context, at the shrinking—of the British economy and of everybody’s moment around one quarter of Royal Bank of Scotland’s standard of living, all in the name of a neo-liberal corporate book is designated as high risk. ideology of rolling back the state. That ideology is It is not just a small sector of the small business and plainly inadequate, wrong, prejudiced and damaging, corporate market that is having difficulty accessing because the only way out of our current situation is credit. The reason for that really goes back to the growth—economic growth, which increases our ability financial crisis. I think that the right hon. Member for to pay off debt, as our Government paid off debt Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling) was correct, following between 1997 and 2000. It is growth that revives the the collapses of 2008, to take a more risk-averse approach economy, growth that generates jobs, and growth that to capital requirements, and that led to the requirements the people now want, but we will not get it if we follow we see today. The point I want the House to focus its this Government’s agenda. attention on is whether we can bring greater urgency to 765 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 766

[Stephen Barclay] Speech contains no measures to deal with those problems and, therefore, utterly fails to address the crisis that the resolution mechanisms that apply to banks, including millions face. looking at living wills so that purchasers are in place if a I wish to focus my remarks on unemployment and, in bank gets into trouble, enabling others to step in and particular, on youth unemployment and the Government’s take the liability on and away from the taxpayer. If we failure to understand that there is an unemployment take the liability from the taxpayer and give banks emergency in our country. We have had a Budget and a greater security by pooling assets through insurance Queen’s Speech that have failed to deliver on jobs and mechanisms, we can take a less risk-averse approach to desperately needed economic growth. Not only is that capital requirements. That, in turn, means that banks complacent; the Government do not seem to understand will be under less pressure to call in loans. that every day they waste in failing to take comprehensive One of the consequences of banks calling in loans is action to get our economy moving again, and our people the forced sale of assets, with businesses selling at a time into work, represents a tragic waste of talent, aspiration not of their choosing and when the price is not right. and confidence for more and more of our citizens. Currently, when businesses seek credit to expand, often My constituency has the highest rate of unemployment only short-term credit is available. Banks do not want to in the country, at 21.6%, and youth unemployment is at lend for the long term in case there is a deterioration—the 11.2%—that is, 2,200 young people looking for work. eurozone is the most visible risk—and by lending short From March last year to March this year, there was an term they can churn loans and impose brutal charges. 84% increase in the number of young jobseeker’s allowance The impediment to businesses that want to expand and claimants out of work for more than six months, and a take on additional staff—a business’s biggest overhead shocking 91% increase in the number of unemployed is usually employing staff—is the lack of capital. Seeking young people out of work for one year or longer. Youth that capital is therefore difficult. Banks do not want to unemployment alone is set to cost Birmingham as a city lend because of the costs that they incur, and if they do £400 million in the coming decade. lend they pass the costs on to small businesses through Behind each statistic is a young person, bruised and brutal charges and wide spreads in interest. battered by their experiences of job hunting under this If our Front-Bench team can accelerate some of the Government and terrified that they will be part of the special mechanisms that are available through the pooling lost generation. They tell me that they have worked of risk, through living wills and through identifying hard, overcoming difficult social and family circumstances purchasers, we will avoid some of the risk that we saw to get qualifications, only to find that none of it matters. with the Royal Bank of Scotland. Scandalously, for It is depressingly normal for young people in my example, after the Treasury undertook 10 months of constituency to tell me that they might as well not have intensive work, Sir Nicholas Macpherson could not rely bothered, that their effort has been wasted and that they on what the balance sheet said the assets were valued at. do not know where to turn. The scale of the regulatory collapse that we faced and A climate of fear is already brewing among young the continued uncertainty of the risks means we now people still at school, who despair that their chances of need to put in place those resolution mechanisms if we getting on have been kicked away by the cuts to education are to get credit flowing into the small-business sector. maintenance allowance and the trebling of tuition fees. Let me give an example from my own constituency to They watch their older siblings getting into debt and bring this issue to life. Just this week, a business got in sending off CV after CV with no luck and no hope, and touch, telling me that its site was cramped and that it fear that they will end up in the same boat. had borrowed just under £2 million to expand. Its Yet the Government do nothing but create more turnover is up, and its profits are up, to £500,000 a year, damage. They cut the future jobs fund, which was but it can get only short-term loans on that £2 million. making a real difference in my constituency, as soon as It cannot therefore expand its staff, despite the opportunities they came into office, saying that, at £6,500 per job its new site offers, because of the spread of interest and created, it was simply too expensive. Last week, the the brutal charges attached to that £2 million loan. So I National Audit Office told us that the Government’s say to our Front-Bench team, let us speed up the flagship regional growth fund will create 41,000 jobs, resolution mechanisms, reduce the charges from banks not the 500,000 that the Government originally claimed. lending to high-risk businesses and, as a result, let the The NAO also said that most of these jobs would have credit flow to those businesses so that they can expand been created in any event and that each of them will and deliver the jobs and growth that Members on both cost us £33,000, with a cost, in some cases, of as much sides of the House seek to achieve. as £106,000 per net additional job. So the Government got rid of something that was making a real difference, Several hon. Members rose— saying that it was too expensive, and brought in something that is even more expensive but is not making the Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): To accommodate difference they said it would. That proves that they are more Members, the time limit is being reduced immediately, not only out of touch and complacent but incompetent. by one minute to five minutes. Unlike Labour’s proposal for a real jobs guarantee, 3.42 pm the Government’s youth contract does not guarantee a job; it is merely a subsidy to an employer who is hiring a Shabana Mahmood (Birmingham, Ladywood) (Lab): young person that covers only half their wages and does Given that the economy is in recession, with the first not create a new job. Labour’s plan for a real jobs double dip for 37 years, that long-term unemployment guarantee would go much further, guaranteeing a job is at its highest since 1996 and that 1 million young after 12 months of unemployment and covering the full people are out of work, it is shocking that the Queen’s wages for the employer. 767 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 768

In failing to deal with youth unemployment, the renew its overdraft facility monthly. It would be a Government are storing up problems for the future, challenge for anybody running a business that employs because if we allow the young unemployed of today to 40 people to plan for the future if they had to deal with become a lost generation, they will be the long-term their bank on the basis of a monthly renewal of their workless of tomorrow. As I have seen in my own overdraft facility. The bank in that example is 94% owned constituency, which already suffers from long-term by the state. I find that situation unacceptable. worklessness, getting back into work people who have When we consider the reform of the banking system, been out of work for significant periods, or who have it is therefore imperative that we ensure that support is never been in work, is a significant challenge that costs available for the small business community. In my huge sums. Problems that have been a generation in the constituency, growth will come from the small business making will take at least that long to fix, so it is far community or it will not come at all. better, on every measure, to stop us getting to that point Secondly, I will talk about the need to reduce regulation. in the first place. I take exception to the comments of the hon. Member The young unemployed in my constituency and across for Great Grimsby (Austin Mitchell), who complained our country were looking for a change of course and that there was not enough in the Queen’s Speech. In my a sense of hope, but I am afraid that in this Queen’s view, the important thing for a Government is not to Speech there is neither change nor hope—just a legislate all the time. I assure him that nobody comes confirmation that this Government do not listen, do into my constituency office saying, “Please, please, we not care, and do not have a clue. want more legislation.” What they want is for us to 3.47 pm enact the promises that we made in the first Queen’s Speech and to deliver on behalf of the country. One Guto Bebb (Aberconwy) (Con): I had intended to thing that we said we would do for the small business speak about a number of issues in relation to the community was to deliver on the burden of regulation. Queen’s Speech, but I will concentrate on three specific points because the time limit has been curtailed. In the Budget, the Chancellor made an effort to deal Before I do so, I should like to respond to a comment with some of the VAT anomalies. On the back of the by the hon. Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk two months that he has enjoyed as a result of some of (Michael Connarty), who said that the changes to public the proposed changes, he might not want to visit VAT sector pensions would demand of some workers a 13% again. However, I say to him that there are anomalies in contribution towards their pensions. I entirely accept the VAT system that need to be dealt with, some of that a 13% contribution would be a significant sum of which affect the ability of small businesses to grow. The money. It is important to say, however, that our proposed anomaly that I want him to deal with, which would changes to public sector pensions will protect those boost growth in constituencies such as mine, is the way pensions. Labour Members should contrast the 13% in which the VAT threshold damages businesses that requested in relation to public sector pensions with the aspire to grow. A small business that hits the £76,000 equivalent contribution of about 38% that would be threshold has to get its turnover up to £100,000, otherwise required of a private sector worker. I honestly believe it will be worse off as a result of being successful. If a that our proposed changes to public sector pensions small business turning over £76,000 decides not to grow will be the saviour of the system rather than its enemy, because the implications for its bottom line would be because people working in the private sector—taxpayers bad, it will not employ more people and it will not working extremely hard to try to pay their way—will contribute to economic growth. We need to deal with feel increasing resentment unless there is an increased VAT anomalies, but let us start with one that is a barrier level of fairness between those in the public sector and to growth. those in the private sector. On jobs and growth, I want to talk about two issues. 3.52 pm First, there is a serious problem in relation to bank Paul Murphy (Torfaen) (Lab): The hon. Member for lending for small businesses. My constituency in north Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) hinted that the local Wales is extremely dependent on small businesses—more elections results in May were not bad for the Conservative so than on the public sector. There are not many party. It strikes me that the loss of 1,000 council seats is constituencies in Wales where one can say that private not a ringing endorsement of the Government’s economic sector employment is greater than public sector policy. What people were talking about in those polls employment. People from those small businesses come was, of course, the economy. to me time and again complaining that they are not getting support from the banking system. We have a Bill Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) in the Queen’s Speech to deal with banking reform, but (Con): Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? it is absolutely crucial that any changes do not make it even more difficult for small businesses to attract finance. Following on from the comments by my hon. Friend the Paul Murphy: I will not, because there is not enough Member for North East Cambridgeshire (Stephen Barclay), time. in my experience the problem has been not only a lack People were also talking about unemployment in those of long-term support from the banking system but an polls. Unemployment in my constituency is at 8.2%. unwillingness even to offer short-term support. That compares with 3% when the Labour Government I heard the bizarre example recently of a business in were in power. the tourism sector that employs more than 40 members I will address my short remarks to the alternative. of staff and that, despite the recession, has increased its The Government have taunted the Opposition, saying turnover and its profitability by taking important steps that we do not have an alternative. Opposition Members to deal with its cost base, and yet its bank expects it to have been arguing the case for an alternative. The 769 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 770

[Paul Murphy] Government have done a lot on apprenticeships, which is to be welcomed. I congratulate the Government Labour Government in Wales are giving us an alternative. overall on trying to rebalance the economy. We should For the past year, they have been doing the sort of have more people in our economy creating wealth rather things that are necessary to stimulate the economy and than spending it, so we need to get the balance right provide jobs. between private sector and public sector employment. The hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington It is questionable whether the current tax regime for (Chris White) talked about small businesses. If he came business will be sufficient to grow the economy in the to Wales, he would see that there is a small and medium- way that all hon. Members would like. I welcome the sized enterprises investment fund of £40 million. We Government’s announcement on corporation tax, but have talked about the two-year-old regional growth my view is that it might not be enough to create the fund in England, which has spent £200,000 to create growth the country needs. Perhaps they need to look just one job. In Wales, there is the £15 million Wales again at the corporation tax rate and the timetable for economic growth fund, which has already received introducing it. I would like to see a 20p corporation tax 500 applications, including from my constituency, where rate introduced from April next year, and the higher a leading precision engineering company has invested rate—not the alternative rate—to be reduced from 40p nearly £800,000 in machinery, of which £250,000 came to 36p from April next year. from the Wales economic growth fund. There is a That would affect revenue in the short term—some £40 million stimulus package for young recruits and the might say that that will add to the deficit—but in the skills growth Wales programme. There is capital investment medium term, and quite quickly, as people are rewarded for schools, social housing and energy efficiency. In for their risk, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, England, the future jobs fund has been scrapped. In and as the economy grows on the back of that, revenues Wales, it continues as the jobs growth Wales fund, for the Exchequer would increase. We need more courage which will benefit 4,000 young people a year. Wales has and less timidity in the Government’s tax plans and its first ever national infrastructure plan, under which strategy. £90 million will be spent on capital projects. I would like the business rate freeze extended for Wales is also encouraging the third sector. In my small businesses and our struggling high streets. I welcome constituency, the First Minister opened the Marie Curie the fact that the Government have extended it again for Cancer Care national support call centre, which has this year, but we must look again and probably extend it created 140 jobs. This very morning, all Welsh Members to the following year. of Parliament were invited to a meeting with Welsh The Chancellor rightly mentioned the eurozone—I university vice-chancellors. The universities in Wales are am moving away from my notes, which is quite dangerous. working with the Welsh Government, the UK Government I have spoken out before on the International Monetary and local government to create jobs. The contrast is Fund. Whatever has been said, there is absolutely no between what the UK Government are not doing and doubt that some IMF contributions have been used as what the Welsh Labour Government are doing. Why on a back-door bail-out for the euro. Why do I say that? earth cannot the Government here in England have the What is the evidence? Three eurozone countries have same sort of schemes we have in Wales to stimulate the received bilateral loans from the IMF because their economy and growth and ensure more jobs? economies are failing, and they are failing in part because The mood is shifting. It shifted in the local government of their membership of the euro. A one-size-fits-all election results in England, Wales and Scotland. It has monetary policy for the whole of Europe was always a shifted in the United States, and in Europe with the political project. It cannot be right to apply an interest election of François Hollande. The message that comes rate in Germany reflecting the unique circumstances of loud and clear from those countries and our own people the German economy to the unique and particular is that we must change. The winds of change, as a circumstances of, for example, the Portuguese economy Conservative Prime Minister once said, must now be or—perhaps more on our minds today—the Greek heeded. Unless the Government understand the need economy. That is the fundamental point. The euro is a for that change, it is simply not credible that any sort of political project that has gone horribly wrong, as many growth will occur in the next few years. people warned that it would. We have heard a lot about The alternative is there, but the Government are new, bigger firewalls, but those will not deal with the reluctant, stubborn and foolish enough not to accept it. underlying structural problems of a lack of competitiveness Unless they do, we will go deeper and deeper into in Europe and the failed political dream—or, some recession. might say, nightmare—that is the euro. 3.56 pm Finally, the European Investment Bank, although an Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): I welcome the important institution, should not be used as a new, measures set out in the Queen’s Speech to address jobs indirect bail-out mechanism for a failing euro or eurozone. and growth, particularly the banking reform Bill and We are one of the four largest contributors to the EIB. the enterprise and regulatory reform Bill. I also welcome Yes, it is important, but it should not be used as a the rise in employment announced yesterday, and I back-door mechanism to save a failing euro. We want hope we will see a rise in full-time as well as part-time the euro to succeed. At the moment, we need to address employment next month. the underlying problem. The Government are doing a lot to address long-term unemployment among the young—a problem that 4.1 pm beleaguered and bedevilled the previous Government—but Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West and Royton) I agree with the right hon. Member for South Shields (Lab): The Government now appear to have two central (David Miliband) that far more needs to be done. The objectives only. The first, as stated at the start of the 771 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 772

Queen’s Speech, is to achieve economic stability, and prejudice against any role for the public sector in driving the other, of course, is their own survival. It is all the the economy. This is a Government who believe—if more astonishing, therefore, that they seem fixated on they believe in anything at all—in the privatisation of pursuing a path that is wholly opposed to both those anything that moves. That is a deeply reactionary idea, objectives. Virtually no one among UK economic however, because when the private sector is flat on its commentators or in the EU, IMF or US Administration back, as it is at present, there is no other way to provide believes that the Chancellor’s oxymoronic expansionary an effective stimulus to the economy than through fiscal contraction will work or that prolonged austerity public investment. will lead to growth. Exactly these policies have been tried twice in the past 100 years in this country—with 4.6 pm the Geddes axe in the 1920s and the May committee of businessmen in the 1930s. And what happened? Exactly Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): It is an absolute what is happening today: a decade of anaemic growth pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Oldham and a rather little cut to the overall level of national West and Royton (Mr Meacher). I must admit that I did debt. not really agree with much of what he said, but I did The Chancellor has only three defences of his policy. agree with his comment about low interest rates. It has The first is that, even at this stage, he can still use fiscal not been acknowledged enough that, without low interest manipulation. Of course, that is what he said in last rates over the past four or five years, the economy year’s growth Budget, and it led straight to this double-dip would be in a far poorer state than it is today. In the recession. In this Budget, the only growth provision was light of that, we need to be careful. At the moment his cutting of workers’ protection against unfair those low interest rates are a foundation on which we dismissal—as though making it easier for employers to can build. I acknowledge that we are going through sack their workers will somehow stimulate growth. Now difficult times, but I am convinced that the Government we see, from the press, that he is surrounded by the Tory must stick to their guns, use some gumption and keep think-tanks, all of which are telling him to cut taxes as a making the tough decisions to reduce the deficit. It is way to growth. Well, the fact is, as I have said already, good news that we have already reduced it by 25%, but that the big corporations are sitting on a mountain of we must keep showing the world that we are serious cash. They already have the cash; they do not need cuts about getting on top of our debts, reducing the deficit in taxation to produce more funding. The problem is and dealing with the mountain of debt left by Labour. I the lack of aggregate demand. have listened to some Labour Members’ speeches today, and they still seem to think that we can borrow and The Chancellor’s second defence is quantitative easing, spend our way out of recession. If it were that easy, we which he seems still to think will keep the funds going to would be doing that—[Interruption.] We are not taking business and produce the pick-up that the country the easy route, and that is not for ideological reasons. It needs. It has not. We have already put £325 billion into is because we want to protect those people with mortgages QE, but industry is still not stimulated. Indeed, the M4 and business loans, and keep as many jobs as possible. money supply to business is still obdurately negative, because the banks have overwhelmingly used it to Mr David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab) rose— consolidate their own balance sheets, rather than to lend and get the economy going. The primary purpose Austin Mitchell rose— of QE is to assist Governments with low long-term interest rates—that is very sensible—and debt repayment Mr Jones: I am not going to give way, because I do pressures, but it has no direct stimulus on the level of not have much time. demand. That is why it will not work. It is tempting to change course, but the low interest The Chancellor’s third and rather plaintive defence of rates vindicate the Government’s strategy to date. The his policy in the House has always been that were he to problem is that, while we are laying that foundation, the borrow to invest, he would be punished in the bond next area that we need to build on is being greatly markets. I think that if he came to the House with a restricted, owing to extremely low levels of confidence serious, plausible growth plan, the markets would be among the business community and consumers. Most deeply relieved and very supportive. people in this country are caught in the headlights of Even if we leave that aside, as I would, there is one the oncoming eurozone crisis. We can all see it coming, other source of funding that has not been tapped and and at the moment we are holding back. We desperately that does not involve any increase in public borrowing. need a resolution to that crisis. It is going to be difficult That is the taxation of the seriously rich. According to but, one way or another, we need the certainty of the latest edition of The Sunday Times rich list, which knowing what is going to happen when we go into it was published three weeks ago, the gains of the wealthiest and come out the other side. Only when we get over the 1,000 persons—who represent 0.003% of the population; problems that are undoubtedly coming down the track an absolutely tiny proportion—amounted to no less will confidence levels really start to shift. than £155 billion over the past three years. That is In the meantime, the Government are working hard actually rather bigger than the entire UK budget deficit. to create growth domestically, but that cannot afford to If that were taxed at the capital gains tax rate of 28%—I be based on short-termism. It must be based on long-term am not suggesting that it should be done just like sustainability, and we need to rebalance the economy. that—it would raise more than £40 billion. That would We cannot simply rely on the service and retail sectors. be enough to create 1.5 million jobs through public They are massively important to the UK, but they have investment in house building and national infrastructure. been completely sustained by private debt and Government So why will the Government not do that? It is because spending. I know that the Opposition still think that the Chancellor and his Government have a deep ideological that is a sustainable option, but we certainly do not. 773 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 774

[Mr Marcus Jones] In the short time available, I would like to challenge a particular Tory-Lib Dem myth—the one suggesting We need to concentrate on sectors that can create real that the only economic factor that relates to improvement wealth within the economy so that it can be distributed in the living standards of lower-paid workers is raising and we can create jobs from it. We need to concentrate the income tax threshold. Let me make it absolutely on sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing. I clear that that is not a bad ideal in itself, but here are the welcome the inclusion in the Queen’s Speech of the facts. I will paint an upbeat picture based on average proposal for the Groceries Code Adjudicators Bill, which earnings of £30,000, to which many of my constituents I hope will make the farming industry more sustainable could only ever aspire. For the current financial year, as we go forward. 2012-13, the personal allowance is £8,105. That means We need to build on what the Government have done that that anyone earning up to £30,000 will be £186 for industry by reducing corporation tax and introducing better off this year, making people better off by the an extension of above-the-line research and development grand total of an extra £15.50 in their pockets each tax credits. The regional growth fund and enterprise month. In the next financial year, the personal allowance zones are starting to build on the resurgence of British will rise to £9,205. That means people will be £346 a manufacturing, and we are starting to see a real build in year better off, working out at a whopping £28.83 a R and D investment in our manufacturing companies, month in people’s pockets. which was previously lacking. We now have that factor That sounds great, and nobody is arguing that putting working in our favour. We also have far better management more money in pockets of the lower-paid is not a good than we have ever had in our motor manufacturing thing. But—and there is a big “but”—there is a snag. companies, while we also have far more moderate unions The Liberal Democrats allowed the Tories to raise VAT than we had in the past. to 20%, despite their manifesto pledge and the “VAT Those three factors help to explain why we are seeing bombshell”posters that all Opposition Members probably this resurgence and are now in a positive surplus with remember. That 2.5% rise is estimated to cost each our car manufacturing exports, which has not been household with children an average of £450 a year. achieved since 1976. Back in 1976, as many Members The Institute for Fiscal Studies has estimated that by will know, we were absolutely blighted: we were blighted 2015—even if the tax income threshold has been lifted by difficult industrial relations; we were blighted by to £10,000—the Government’s tax and benefit reforms, poor management; and we were blighted by a real lack as a package, will result in an average 4.2% reduction in of investment in R and D. In the short time available, I the incomes of families with children during the current urge the Government to try to maintain this resurgence Parliament, which means that a couple with children in British car manufacturing industry, so that we can see will be £1,250 a year worse off by 2015. That is simply the west midlands go from strength to strength, while not acceptable, and it is not the full story. An extra £28 a supporting jobs in the retail and wider service sector as month is clearly no recompense for such a disproportionate we go forward. hit on families and their living standards. The sober eye of history will view this Queen’s Speech 4.11 pm more for what was not in it than for what was in it. Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab): I was There was nothing for the young unemployed, nothing supposed to attend an event hosted by Her Majesty this for families struggling to get by, and nothing for the afternoon on her visit to Liverpool to celebrate her record number of women who are waiting and wanting diamond jubilee, but I thought this debate was too to work. There was not even a single mention of the important to miss—even for the Queen. I suspect that word “jobs”. she was as unimpressed as were Labour Members on having to deliver a speech last week that was more to do 4.16 pm with renewing coalition vows than it was about restoring Jackie Doyle-Price (Thurrock) (Con): Let me begin the economic future of her country, which she serves so by emphasising that the priority that the Government dutifully. are making of dealing with the deficit remains definitely Liverpool Walton has seen a 165% rise in youth the right one. Some of my hon. Friends have drawn unemployment in the last 12 months, while total attention to the emerging view that there is a choice unemployment in the constituency has risen to more between pursuing growth on one hand and pursuing than 5,000, making the unemployment count the fifth austerity and dealing with the deficit on the other. The highest in the country. I know that thousands of people simple fact is that deficit reduction and the pursuit of in Walton, and millions around the country, are having growth are not mutually exclusive; indeed, we lay the conversations about their own lives. What are they thinking? foundations for lasting growth when we go back to They are thinking: “Do we have enough money for the living within our means. weekly shop?”; “Do we have enough money to put petrol Jobs and growth rely on investment by individuals in the tank?”; “Who is going to tell the kids that they and businesses, not on Government spending. We must can’t do extra-curricular activities any more because not be complacent about the economic challenges that we can’t afford the weekly subs?”. Some are even having face the country, which, as many Members have recognised, to explain why their gas and electricity have been cut are being exacerbated by the uncertainty and lack of off. confidence prompted by the eurozone crisis, but the The Government are simply wrong when what they need to hold our nerve and pursue measures that will do results in tearing families apart, providing tax breaks strengthen our competitiveness is more important than for the very rich and hitting the poorest families hardest. ever at this time of economic turbulence. That is the human cost of Tory-Lib Dem policies. In Let us look at the realities of what is happening in the Parliament, however, the Lib Dems still blindly walk economy. Of course unemployment remains a great through the voting Lobby with their Tory masters. challenge. It is currently too high, and we need to do 775 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 776 much more to ensure that everyone who wishes to work 4.21 pm can find a job. However, it is also true that employment Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): I want to is on the rise and new jobs are being created. Many make a few remarks about unemployment. Despite the thousands of jobs are appearing on the horizon in my modest fall in unemployment yesterday, we still have the constituency. The Lakeside shopping centre is to be highest rate of long-term unemployment since 1996, expanded, which will create new retail jobs. The new with 650,000 people in part-time work because they London Gateway port will create many thousands of cannot get full-time work and 2.625 million people new jobs, and is beginning to recruit for them. It is one unemployed. of the largest inward investments in the country. The existing port of Tilbury, which has just celebrated its I want to highlight two groups of losers in the labour 125th anniversary, is also being expanded, with the market for whom there were absolutely no policies in promise of a further 10,000 jobs. Despite the global the Queen’s Speech. The first group are women. Whereas challenges, there is good news in our economy. male joblessness increased by 5.4% over the past year, I was struck by the comments of the right hon. the increase in female joblessness was nearly double Member for Barking (Margaret Hodge), whose constituency that, at 9%. The second group are people from ethnic is next door but one to mine. We are linked by the A13 minorities. White British women and men are more and the c2c rail link. A 15-minute journey for her likely to be employed than those from any ethnic minority. constituents will give them access to the new jobs that A report by Elevation Networks in March revealed that are being created on my patch. Let me say to all more than half of young black men are unemployed Members that when times are difficult, it is our role as and that the youth unemployment rate for black people leaders to inspire and encourage, not to tell our constituents has increased at nearly twice the rate among white 16 to that there is no hope. 24-year-olds. There was nothing in the Queen’s Speech to deal with those inequalities. In order to maximise the opportunities afforded by investment, the Government must remain vigilant in When I asked the Minister of State, Department for playing their part in building a competitive economy. Work and Pensions, the right hon. Member for Epsom Ministers must not be complacent about the growth and Ewell (Chris Grayling) in February what steps were that we are experiencing; additional measures are still being taken to address black youth unemployment, he needed to enable us to maximise the potential of that answered that “Get Britain Working measures” operated growth. That applies in two specific areas: we need to “irrespective of ethnicity”. There was nothing in the continue to invest in skills to ensure that our work force Queen’s Speech to address the structural drivers of has the skills that employers need and want, and we black youth unemployment; no attention paid to, for need to ensure that our infrastructure is fit for purpose. example, guaranteed jobs for long-term unemployed young people, as recommended by the Riots Communities I have talked about the massive growth in the port and Victims Panel; no ethnic monitoring of the Work facilities in my constituency. Within this decade, more programme or apprenticeships; no targets for black cargo will be landed in Thurrock than anywhere else in unemployment; and no mentoring of young black people. the country. However, in order for that cargo to go Indeed, despite the Prime Minister promising before the where it needs to be—and, equally, to move the new general election that there would be a massive programme manufacturing products that we will be exporting—we of mentoring, nothing has materialised. will need sufficient capacity in the road network to enable those items to be moved around the country. As for women, the Government have, I am pleased to With that in mind, I welcome the recent announcement say, recognised the importance of affordable and reliable by the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. child care, although I am alarmed by reports in the Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) Daily Mail this week that Ministers think that the way that we are finally looking at designing and working up to boost child care supply is to strip back regulation. proposals to improve junction 30 of the M25. That Reducing bureaucracy is all very well, but deregulation single project alone will unlock so much economic that dilutes quality and compromises children’s well-being capacity in south Essex and will be a big tool in sustaining is simply unacceptable. The Netherlands saw a steady future growth. However, having made the announcement, deterioration in the quality of child care as a result of my hon. Friend must do absolutely everything he can to introducing measures similar to those that we understand ensure that the solution is fit for purpose. We cannot the Government might be contemplating. Indeed, the afford a sticking plaster; it has to deliver additional Dutch Government have now decided to reverse their capacity. To be frank, the measure is a long time coming. deregulation policy. It should have been done by the last Government when Finally, let me talk about something that actually was they widened the M25, but as usual when it came to mentioned in the Queen’s Speech, albeit only cursorily: infrastructure, they were very short-sighted. the Government’s proposal to introduce measures to The second issue I would like to address is that of promote flexible parental leave. We have yet to see the skills, particularly for the younger unemployed, who details of exactly what will be on offer, but I warn remain a significant challenge for us. I welcome the Ministers to be cautious. An alliance of organisations, expansion of apprenticeships that we have witnessed—they including Maternity Action, the Royal College of Midwives, have doubled in Thurrock, from 400 to 830 this year—but the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, we also need to consider self-employed apprenticeships. the National Childbirth Trust, Bliss, the Child Poverty Action Group and Citizens Advice, have warned of the Several hon. Members rose— need to protect adequate protected leave for women to secure the health and well-being of new mothers and Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. To their babies, and to select measures that actually ensure enable more Members to contribute to this debate, the that a share of parental leave is taken up by fathers. time limit is now four minutes. Policies that have been shown to be effective in doing 777 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 778

[Kate Green] particularly supports start-up businesses and helps with training and mentoring. Let me provide other examples. that include the meaningful replacement of a father’s Prostart, in my constituency, also helps young people lost income, and protecting leave for fathers, rather than with training and with the encouragement and support eating into mothers’ leave. We need to ensure that the they need to move on in the world. Women entrepreneurs modern workplaces consultation proposals, which seem are also doing well in my constituency: I was delighted not to address those kinds of concerns, are carefully to be there when Kirith Richards recently opened her re-thought. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute photography suite and I wish her well for the future. to this debate. There is much more that I would like to Time is against me so I will leave it there. say, but I will pass on to colleagues. 4.29 pm 4.25 pm Mr David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): We are two Jessica Lee (Erewash) (Con): I thank the hon. Member years in: two years since the rose garden, two years of for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green) for her failure, two years of intransigence and two years of contribution. Although we do not perhaps agree on incompetence. Over those two years, the public have policy points, I always find her contributions in this seen that the coalition parties are, quite simply, not up Chamber thoughtful and well-researched. to the job that the nation has given them. The last eight Having a broader view about how we tackle the issue weeks have seen them exposed: the reverse Robin Hood of jobs and growth in this country for the longer term budget, the devastation at the polls and the dampest of is crucial in getting this country back on its feet and damp squibs disguised as a Queen’s Speech. Surely continuing to do well. We need to weave together a somebody should apologise to Her Majesty for wasting number of different policy areas, and have a long-term her time. vision and a commitment by the Government to achieve This country is going backwards, for three reasons: that. Various themes are involved: infrastructure, the joint incompetence of the coalition, the simpering apprenticeships and training, and help at a very local connivance of the Liberal Democrats and the ignorance level for small and medium-sized enterprises. All that and arrogance of the leadership of the parties on the has to be achieved against a backdrop of a strong Government Benches. They were going to sort out the deficit reduction programme, which the Government mess that they blame us for and, yes, there is no doubt must stick to . that the country was in a bad state, as were many others, I see infrastructure as an important theme in allowing but that was because of the failure of the global capitalist and helping people to be mobile, to reach new job system. It needed repairing, but, sadly, the Government’s opportunities and to reach their goals, be it through remedy is worse than the disease. The real sadness is training or work. In my constituency we have a long-term that it was so predictable because the Tory boys use project, which is now being considered by the Secretary exactly the same methods as their predecessors in the of State for Transport, to reopen the train station in 1930s, 1980s and 1990s. They, like those who went Ilkeston. We are pleased that the Government are before them, decided to make the workers, the poor, the considering the project in great depth, because Ilkeston old, the young, the sick, the disabled and the vulnerable used to have three stations until the 1960s, and it now pay for the failures of the rich, the wealthy, the billionaires, has none. We are trying to get one reopened, which will the bankers, the tax evaders and avoiders, the market give many young people many more job opportunities, traders and the money movers who believe that they are as they will be able to get to Derby, Nottingham and entitled to live in a different universe from the rest of us. further afield. In many ways, my constituency is well How else can we explain why workers are being made placed. It is right in the heart of the country, with the redundant, having their pay frozen and their pensions M1 running through it and the East Midlands airport cut, and being made to work longer and harder for less, nearby. However, it is the smaller projects that add to while the chief executives of the FTSE 100 companies and feed into the wider infrastructure of the country have seen an average 11% rise in the past year alone? that will really help. While ordinary folk struggle to make ends meet, the I was able to participate in national apprenticeship masters of the universe receive an average of £3.65 million week, as I am sure many hon. Members did. The a year—an annual increase in the past year of more personal experience of meeting young apprentices, such than £1,000 a day. That is not pay at £1,000 a day, but a as Martin at Derwent Analytics, means that we see how rise of £1,000 a day. All in this together? If only. young people are progressing and benefiting from such That all comes only weeks after we were told that the schemes, but I am not being complacent. Nobody in richest 1,000 people in this country own £414 billion, this House is being complacent about the challenges but of course the leaders of the coalition believe that involved in tackling long-term youth unemployment. the fairest way to get our country back into balance is We must support those young people who are making to give those rich folk even more money by giving them progress. I applaud what the Government are doing on a tax handout while freezing pensioners’ tax allowances. apprenticeships: 177,000 new places in the past year is The facts are there to be seen. Under the previous no mean feat. My area has a proud, long history of Government, we saw a genuine mixed economy in which apprenticeships, and as the local MP I will continue to the public and private sectors worked together in partnership champion their worth. to the benefit of all concerned. Nowhere was that more I also wish to discuss—briefly, given the time—local marked than in the north-east of England, where we help for small and medium-sized enterprises. Although had a decade of growth led by our regional development I welcome the changes in the local planning regulations, agency. What do we have now? The regional growth this is also about local enterprise partnerships. Erewash fund. My hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, is lucky because its partnership is extremely strong. It Ladywood (Shabana Mahmood) referred earlier to the 779 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 780 damning report on that subject and she said exactly bilateral trade has gone up, but not fast enough. Given what a mess the RGF has been. We should remember our shared democratic values, history, language and that the RGF is supposed to make up for the 710,000 public cultural and family ties, there is much to suggest that we servants whom the Government have decided to get rid should have been doing a lot better on bilateral trade. I of to pay for their policy. What a farce. What a mess am very pleased that the UK aims to double bilateral they are in. trade with India by 2015, but given the slow-down For their next trick? Let us make it easier to sack elsewhere we might need to be even more ambitious. We people, make it harder for people without money to are making progress and the Indian companies that I seek justice in the workplace and cut so-called red tape speak to see the UK as being open for business with a around health and safety. Where does that leave us? Government who welcome inward investment. British It leaves us as a nation with mass unemployment, with jobs are being created by inward investment from Indian 1 million or more kids on the dole, with a work force companies, whether household names such as Tata or facing insecurity, pay cuts, worse pensions and unsafe Infosys or less well-known but no less important companies conditions, with an economy that has gone from stagnation such as Mastek, which has its UK headquarters in to recession and a Government who have no strategy. Reading and supplies IT solutions to the public and They have been in government for too long and they private sectors. Time is short, but I want to mention have been flushed out. It is time for them to go, and to education, which is a huge growth area in India. British go now. universities are highly respected, which again presents a great export opportunity. 4.33 pm Finally, I note that UK Trade & Investment has been doing an absolutely fantastic job and has really Alok Sharma (Reading West) (Con): In the lead up to upped its game. Its contribution is appreciated by British the general election, I spent a lot of time talking to exporters and companies in my constituency. We often business owners and managers in my constituency and talk about special relationships with other countries but their verdict, after 13 years of Labour government, was in future we also need to talk about essential trade that they felt that business was over-taxed, overburdened relations with certain nations. I hope that our bilateral by regulation and overstretched by ever-growing tax trade will grow. legislation. Many businesses felt that the previous Government were on their backs, not on their side, stifling their growth, not encouraging it and limiting 4.37 pm their job creation, not expanding it. In contrast, we have Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): This Queen’s seen from the coalition a raft of policies that are laying Speech, like previous Budgets, was an opportunity for firm foundations for sustainable future growth, cutting the coalition to promote growth, but the scale of the corporation tax to the lowest level in the G7, cutting red jobs and growth challenge facing the UK is matched— tape and simplifying our tax system. New Bills, such as thanks to this Chancellor directly and to this the enterprise and regulatory reform Bill, will go further Government—only by the scale of paralysis and inaction. in reducing burdens on business by repealing unnecessary Over the previous six quarters, four of which, including legislation. the past two, have been negative, the UK economy has I want to focus on exports and inward investment. contracted by 0.2%. This is a double-dip of the Chancellor’s Economic uncertainty in the eurozone will undoubtedly own making. He has told us that he was acting in our impact on our exports, but as many hon. Members have best interests and that, “We’re all in this together; pointed out, our exports outside Europe have recently honest Guv’nor, I share your pain.” He told us he that been growing. That is where our export opportunities he was pursuing his austerity policies to prevent us from lie in the short, medium and long term: exports to new becoming like Greece, which was sheer baloney. Instead, growth markets such as India and China. he has made our growth more like that of Spain, which A few weeks ago in departmental questions, I asked has just followed us into recession. Just to illustrate this the Business Secretary about our bilateral trade with point further and to show that there was and remains India. He informed the House that he would shortly be an alternative I point out that under the Labour leaving to take a delegation of small and medium-sized chancellorship of my right hon. Friend the Member for enterprises to India, pointing out that this was his third Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling), the UK economy trip to India since May 2010. That caused some amusement grew by 3.2% between quarter 3 of 2009 and quarter 3 among Opposition Members, suggesting, I assume, that of 2010. Under the current Chancellor, the Bank of they thought the Secretary of State was off on some England’s forecast for growth has again been slashed to sort of jaunt. That is exactly the sort of attitude that 0.8% from 1.25% in 2012 and reduced further for the demonstrates why the Labour party does not get business following year, and many economists are saying that and does not understand what is needed to grow our even that is wildly over-optimistic. exports. Business is not won by sitting and whingeing The recession is now stretching out to historic from the Opposition Benches. In a global marketplace, proportions, trying to match the extent of the great if one is fighting for global contracts against global depression, which lasted for more than 12 quarters. The competitors one needs to sell and market across the facts are stark: output is now 4.3% below the level at the world. I am rather pleased that we have Ministers across beginning of the recession in 2008 and the UK’s position many Departments getting on planes and batting for on the world stage has contributed to that, because it British business abroad. has been pitiful. In the UK, it was made clear that According to statistics from the Library, in 2000 the everything must be sacrificed to the god of deficit UK was the third-largest source of imports for India. reduction—jobs, growth, and creating confidence in the By 2010, after 10 years of Labour government, that economy. The process continues, somewhat inevitably ranking had dropped to 22nd. The absolute level of now, as the Prime Minister and the Chancellor daily 781 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 782

[Huw Irranca-Davies] is the energy used to cook the cake. It is possible to compare different countries’ national cakes and the talk up the chances of meltdown in Greece and across amount of energy required to bake them. Using as the the EU in order to show how helpless little old UK can denominator the total energy supply in million tonnes do nothing in the face of those events. of oil equivalent—not a ton as in a ton of bricks—we The crisis in Greece and the eurozone has become the see that from 2006 to 2010, the UK’s energy intensity of stock excuse for this Government to do nothing. “Sorry GDP in 2005 dollars was 1.58, 1.64, 1.62, 1.66 and 1.74. Miss, the big black dog ran off with my homework” is That was a gradual improvement in energy efficiency in now “Sorry Miss, the big black Greek storm clouds ran terms of bucks for bangs. The OECD average is 1.06, off with my jobs and my growth strategy. It wasn’t my Switzerland has an amazing 4.74 and South Korea a fault.” That is not good enough. The Prime Minister low 0.45, while the US runs at 0.89. and the Chancellor have to listen. They have to take Although the stock market is unreliable at predicting lessons. They must do better. a recession, a spike in oil prices does cause a recession. It is true that the solutions lie at international level, A recession causes a drop in energy usage: total OECD but that is a reason for taking action, not for hiding energy usage dropped from 5,553 through 5,481 to from the storm. For the last two years, instead of sitting 5,238 between 2007 and 2009, and then went up again on the sidelines like Johnny no mates, we should have to 5,413 in 2010. According to the International Energy been leading by example, encouraging policies of growth Agency oil market report, OECD demand for crude oil as well as policies of deficit reduction. What is tragic is peaked in 2007 at 49.09 million barrels of oil a day, then that the UK, which has previously been in so many went through 47.5, 45.84, 46.17 to 45.63 in 2011. Brent ways a progressive force in the EU and globally, has bottomed out at just over $40 in December 2008 and now become a showcase for austerity and zero growth. has increased since. More recently, it peaked at just over Let us be clear: if Labour had won the election, we $126 and today has come below $110. In the Budget, it would have had to deal with the deficit, but we would was forecast at $110, so it has risen above Budget have done it in a more measured way, promoting growth, figures. To that extent, therefore, one would expect to not just pain. We could not have escaped the pain, but it have a constraint on growth in 2011 and early 2012, as would have been distributed more fairly, not dumped oil prices have increased. Lo and behold, we have it: 10 on the backs of children, the disabled, women, the poor of the 17 eurozone countries contracted in the last and hard-pressed middle-income families. Because our quarter of 2011. The lack of certainty does not help, approach would have prioritised growth, we would even but energy costs are part of this. The USA has the have got the deficit down, rather than increasing it as advantage that West Texas Intermediate has been cheaper the coalition Government have done. than Brent. The Government do not get it. They are way out of Politicians are not all-powerful. We are affected by touch. They never really believed we were all in it the global energy picture as well as the eurozone crisis. together—certainly not bankers and Cabinet Ministers. When the business climate is good, it is easier for bad In areas where jobs could have been created, deficit managers to produce a good return—hence the US reduction has blinded them to all sense. The Queen’s saying, “In a hurricane, even turkeys fly.” However, in Speech has done nothing to change that. This is government difficult circumstances, such as those that we face today, for the privileged and the very wealthy few, not for the the outcome can still be disappointing even though the hard-pressed and the wealth-creating many. policy choices are the right ones. The time we could have changed policy without paying was between 2005 4.41 pm and 2008, when Government spending was accelerated at exactly the wrong time, as was noted by Tony Blair John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): In a and Lord Turnbull. It remains the case, however, that if hurricane, even turkeys can fly, and I will come to that we are to find ways forward we need to increase our later. energy-intensity of GDP and find more ways of having Rather than talking about growth, I like to talk about economic activity that uses less resources. A lot of all the national cake. The country bakes the national cake. this is already being done, but there is a greater need for Some shares of the cake are taken by the Government the future, as the old certainties of continual growth in tax and given to those without any cake. Other and resource consumption no longer apply. people work on baking their own parts of the cake. Then we have the deficit. That is where we make a time 4.45 pm machine and snaffle a few slices of the cake baked by our children in years to come to eat today. Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) When 40% of GDP is being spent on public services, (PC): Diolch, Mr Deputy Speaker. it is about two fifths of the national cake. That, which is I shall focus my comments on some very technical the objective at the end of this Parliament, is higher points, due to the lack of time. In relation to jobs and than under the first two Blair Governments. Anyone growth, Wales suffers from having no control over the who wishes to argue that the coalition Government are major economic levers, as well as from a lack of information an extreme right-wing anti-public services Government about our economy. There is no Welsh equivalent of has to explain why the Blair Government were more GERS—the annual Government Expenditure and Revenue anti-public services than the current Government on Scotland report. The Welsh Government, therefore, are that measure. fighting blindfolded and with one hand tied behind The growth we search for is the first differential with their back. respect to time of the size of the national cake. The As the Chief Secretary to the Treasury informed me question to look at is the one about what the ingredients in a written response prior to Prorogation, Wales only are. One ingredient that does not get sufficient attention has an annual update on the gross value added for each 783 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 784 of the nine English regions and the other nations. The Labour Government created unsustainable public sector most recent update was made in December 2011 and employment, which crowded out the private sector. It is covered the 2010 calendar year. Those results for the difficult for a private sector business to compete for NUTS 1 regions were published at the same time as the workers with good skills, because it cannot match the more detailed breakdown for the NUTS 3 regions for funds and wages available in the public sector. That is a 2009—figures which showed that the GVA per head in very big problem. Unfortunately, from as early as 2001, west central London is 10 times that in the Gwent the Labour Government were creating a structural budget valleys of south Wales. The gap between the richest and deficit, which became increasingly apparent. everybody else is growing, both regionally and individually, I am delighted that we in Plymouth have the third no matter the colour of the ruling clan here in Westminster. largest university in the country. It has established a That time lag means, of course, that information on really good reputation for marine science engineering. which to base our economic decisions in Wales is Earlier this week, upstairs, people might have seen the retrospective. We are not getting the up-to-date information public exhibition run by Plymouth Marine Laboratory that is needed for accurate Government economic demonstrating exactly how our reputation for marine intervention. Equally, that can be seen in the index of science engineering will be able to create jobs, as we production and construction and the Welsh index of need to do. As a country and as communities, we need market services, which the Office for National Statistics to develop a clusterisation approach—that is, work to provides to the Welsh Government. Whereas the UK-wide our strengths—but we must also develop our skills base. GDP first-quarter figures were released midway through I pay tribute to two organisations: Plymouth university April, the Welsh figures for the same time frame will not of course, but also Plymouth City college, which is be provided to the Welsh Government until the end of doing an enormous amount of work in apprenticeships. July 2012, when the Assembly will be in recess and the A business that wants to set up and go into new areas third quarter of 2012 will be well under way. needs the right skills base to sell its products. If the Welsh Government are responsible for economic We must stop looking only at Europe and the continent development, as claimed by the Treasury, they need the and start to look at the wider world—India, Brazil and, up-to-date information on which they can make economic of course, China, but also the Commonwealth, with decisions, as well as key economic levers and tools in the which we have great historical ties and where there are form of fiscal powers. For good economic governance enormous opportunities. We need to concentrate on we need that data for Wales in good time, so that the trade. We need to be like Muhammad Ali, who, as the Welsh Government can make proper, accountable decisions House will remember, floated like a butterfly and stung with the best available information. I would like to ask like a bee. the UK Government to request that the ONS make that data available within the same time frame as applies for 4.52 pm the UK-wide GDP figures, so that Welsh Government decisions are not made at a disadvantage. Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): Last week, I During the opening years of this economic crisis, the travelled with the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee Oxford Economic Forecasting think-tank estimated that to Brazil, as part of our new inquiry into our export London and the south-east would return to its pre-slump trade with that developing nation. I wish to put on the situation by around 2012, but that Wales would not do record our appreciation of the work of the UK Trade & so until 2025 at the earliest. Given the continuing stagnation Investment team in Brazil and the efforts they are of the UK economy, those timetables might have slipped. making to meet the Government’s ambitious targets. The Welsh economy needs an end to the proposed cuts What struck me time and again, however, was that we of public sector jobs and regional pay, a stimulus through were visiting a country that had a clear and unambiguous a series of infrastructure investments and support for industrial strategy. That is not to say it is perfect—in the private sector to develop and nurture our own small fact, in terms of ease of doing business, our countries businesses. We need control over job creation levers are poles apart: the UK is fourth and Brazil 121st on the such as income tax and corporation tax and we need list—but everyone I spoke with appreciated the ability accurate data, allowing us to see the effect of Government to work within a political environment that is firmly policy and broader economic shifts upon the Welsh focused on job creation and growth. I noticed a sense of economy immediately, so that we can change course purpose and momentum that is totally absent here at when required. Diolch yn fawr. home. The previous Labour Government recognised—later 4.48 pm than they should, but with unequivocal passion from our last Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson—the need Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) to form a convincing industrial strategy, with a relentless (Con): Thank you for allowing me to speak, Mr Deputy focus and wholehearted support from Government at Speaker. This is an important debate in relation to my all levels. The result was developments such as High constituency, which has a low-skills, low-wage economy. Speed 2, carbon capture and offshore wind, with science Before I go any further, I declare an interest. I still retain and innovation at their heart and a recognition that we interests, although I no longer have an executive role, in must take risks if we want to be leaders in new industries. a public relations communications company that I set Two years on from the election, we are still waiting for up some 10 to 15 years ago. That company deals with the coalition’s strategy. HS2 has been kicked into the community consultation and encouraging inward sidings of potential oblivion; there is yet more equivocation investment into inner cities and job creation. about airport capacity, as planes stack up waiting to get As I said, Plymouth is a low-skills, low-wage economy, into our major airports; carbon capture has been put and 38% of the people who work in the city do so in the back several years at least; and offshore wind receives public sector. In my opinion, in their 13 years, the only cursory support. 785 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 786

[Ann McKechin] This Government are committed to: an M6 link road around Lancaster, which has been on the stocks since Where are the big ideas? Where is the narrative that 1948 but nothing was done about it in 13 years of the allows industry and finance to make the necessary Labour Government; the northern hub investment, which commitments? Where is the financial support to allow will improve connectively between the northern cities us to enter those new industries? The establishment of and enable them to compete; and investment in broadband the Green investment bank is welcome, but as one through Broadband Delivery UK. People talk about leading figure in the renewable energy sector told me superfast broadband, but a third of my constituents do this week, it must not be the bank of last resort. It needs not have access to normal broadband, and that is the to lead the way, not take the cast-offs that no one else failure of real investment over the past 13 years. I wants to touch. It needs to be big enough to meet the believe that the Government are now doing something challenges and opportunities we face. Instead, we have about that and that things are happening to build that had a painfully slow start. The original concept has environment and infrastructure so that the north can been watered down and now the bank will not have full compete like any other region of the country. Labour borrowing powers until 2016. It is not fast enough or Members talk about a lack of vision, but the vision deep enough to do the job. came from the coalition in the very first months. The Our international competitors will not be sitting idly commitment from my right hon. Friend the Chancellor by. We need to learn the lessons of why we lost out on was that we deal with the deficit but, at the same time, onshore wind production and ensure that that is not attempt to restructure and rebalance the country not repeated. Since 2010 the UK has dropped from third to only between sectors, but between regions. That is the seventh in the world ranking for green growth investment. vision of the coalition. Our competitors know that investors need a stable environment, not the farce we witnessed over feed-in Karl Turner: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? tariffs earlier this year. We also need to address the lack of capital grants, which are vital in forming the new Eric Ollerenshaw: I have no time to give way. supply chains of the future. Cuts in corporation tax are Members have talked about the regional growth fund, the wrong priority at this time. which is now committed to making the majority of its As the Business Secretary correctly pointed out in his spend in the north. That will add to the balancing out leaked letter to No. 10, we need to address the lack of through real jobs for real factories. At the same time, confidence in the business sector. UK companies have while the Government are listening, I suggest that too some of the largest cash reserve ratios of any advanced much of the regional growth fund is still concentrated economy, but there was nothing in the Budget to encourage on metropolitan areas. There is a lot more to the north-west the release of those funds. At the same time, we have than Greater Manchester and Merseyside, and many many companies that are not cash rich, particularly in businesses need to access the fund, so I hope that it will the SME sector, which cannot find affordable finance. increase as it develops. The case for a business investment bank has never been I also look forward to the Local Government Finance stronger, yet there is more silence. Bill returning to the House, because I believe that the freedoms that that will give local authorities through business rate retention will be a truly local way of 4.56 pm improving investment and contributing to businesses. I Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con): I welcome the commitment that the Local Government am grateful to follow the hon. Member for Glasgow Association and my county council have made to looking North (Ann McKechin). She mentioned an industrial at local government bonds as a way of raising investment policy, which we are of course looking at, but the for local businesses. The key is to unleash the regions problem she must face is that Lord Mandelson’s industrial and give them the infrastructure to compete not only on policy came far too late. The north-west experienced the national stage, but on the international stage, and 13 years in which her Government allowed the gap that means superfast broadband and the ability to use between north and south to increase, and it increased our own money to invest in our own business. I congratulate according to any survey chosen. Ultimately, the only the Government on what they have done about this investment that came into the north-west was rapid so far. public sector investment in either construction—the so-called affordable housing that turned out to be one 4.59 pm or two-bedroom flats, not real houses for families—or Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): This is less a an ever-expanding regional development agency that speech, more a postcard from East Lothian, but I am could do nothing about the expansion of London and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the debate, the south-east, when compared against the contribution because I want to send Government Members a message of the north-west or any other region. I am pleased that from East Lothian about how we create jobs and growth. this Government, through part of the Queen’s Speech, We rely heavily on the small and medium-sized enterprise is consolidating the missing links and dealing with the sector, and the message from such businesses is clear: failure to invest in infrastructure over 13 years. they are lukewarm about a lot of last month’s Budget, but they say that what would make a difference is a cut Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Finsbury) in VAT. I hope, therefore, that Ministers will listen. (Lab): Will the hon. Gentleman give way? I also want to talk about jobs. Many aspects of job creation in Scotland, including in my constituency, are Eric Ollerenshaw: I would love to, but I have less than devolved to the Scottish Parliament, and this House three minutes. I am sorry. and the Government here need to work more closely 787 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 788 with the Scottish Government. I have written to the led to low interest rates; and we should remember that Secretary of State for Work and Pensions—[Interruption] every 1% increase in interest rates puts £1,000 on an —whose attention I do not appear to have right now—about average family mortgage. a constituent of mine. He is a 19-year-old man who Business taxes are coming down to 22%, which will be finally had the chance of a job in a community bakery one of the lowest rates in the G20. With the patent box, in Dunbar, but he was not allowed to apply for it we have, in effect, 10% corporation tax rates on patents because he was on the Government’s Work programme that are exploited here in the UK. I am glad to see the and the job was funded by the Scottish communities job Minister of State, Department for Education, my hon. fund. When a young man has the opportunity of the Friend the Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton perfect job in his own community, it is simply inadequate (Mr Gibb), on the Front Bench. I pay tribute to the work to give him the response, “You cannot have it because of that he is doing to improve school standards. What with the double funding.” It surely cannot be beyond the wit his work, the 457,200 extra apprenticeships—an increase of this Government and the Government in Holyrood of 63%—and the new university technical colleges that to work together to address the issue. I understand that are being rolled out, we are well on the way to building that is not a problem in England or Wales. up the educated, flexible work force that this country I went to see the providers of the Work programme in will need for it to be an economic success in future. East Lothian, and they told me that they would be People need hope and confidence in tough times, and perfectly happy to consider transferring funding from I, for one, am fed up with the diet of gloom coming their stream into the Scottish communities job fund in from the media about the eurozone. Yes, 48% of our order to prevent a similar situation happening again, so trade is with the European Union, and therefore it I hope that Ministers will open discussions with the matters, but the EU comprises only 19% of the world Scottish Government to address the problem. There is economy, and we need to remember that the other already enough pressure on young people trying to find 81%—Asia, the Americas and Africa—is growing strongly, work in my constituency. Figures last month showed an in some cases by 10%. The world economy is due to increase of 467% in youth unemployment, and that triple over the next 30 years, and that provides fantastic simply is not good enough. opportunities. I pay tribute to the work of UK Trade & Tourism is very important to the East Lothian economy, Investment and the role of the Foreign Office in helping but unfortunately it is suffering and will suffer further, exporters. Last week, I spoke to people from local as I will find tomorrow when I visit the owner of a businesses in my constituency, and they confirmed that caravan park in North Berwick. So if the Government that help is real, practical and available on the ground. want to promote tourism and growth in my constituency, I am well aware of the difficulties that businesses have I ask them to look again at the introduction of VAT on trying to raise credit to expand. That is why the £20 billion static caravans. loan guarantee scheme is helpful. I heard only yesterday I was also disappointed that in the Queen’s Speech that Santander will be putting 650 managers back into we did not see any proposals on offshore gambling. local branches to take local decisions. That link between Musselburgh race course recently won its third award the local manager and local business is very important. this year, as the finest race course in the UK, and it is a It has been broken by many banks in the past, and I am driver of growth and innovation in a community that is glad that that is being dealt with. New methods of struggling in so many ways. I am sorry that we did not raising finance for business, including crowd-financing see the issue addressed, but once I have heard the result and websites such as Kickstarter.com, can help as well. of the private Members’ Bill ballot, I might find that The UK is one of the most entrepreneurial countries I am able to do something about it myself, for my own in the EU. We have 4.5 million small businesses; in 1989, constituents. there were only 2 million. However, if we were as None of the barriers to business, growth and job entrepreneurial as the United States of America, there creation was addressed in the Queen’s Speech and, as would be another 900,000 small businesses in the UK, many others have said, it has been a missed opportunity. and many of the Government’s problems would be Telling people to work harder is not good enough, when over. We need to make the UK an enterprise hub for the inflation for the poorest 10% is at 41%, and for the whole of Europe. There is evidence that many of the richest 10% is at only 3.3%. This is a Government who small businesses that are being created naturally end up choose to help that richest 10%, and that says it all. exporting, which they can do very easily through the 5.3 pm power of the internet. Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): Up Finally, I pay credit to the Government for focusing until 2007, the Government were running unsustainable on infrastructure funding. As I look at my constituency, deficits and had an escalating level of debt, and that I see roads being built for which we have waited years, a was before the financial crisis hit. Governments have a new busway coming, a business innovation centre, and choice: they can either run their finances sustainably or a new university technical college. give up the right to economic self-government, and there are lots of examples of that in Europe at the moment. 5.7 pm In tough times, this Government have created 600,000 Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) new private sector jobs. There are 370,000 more people (Lab): Last week’s Queen’s Speech was my first as an in work now than there were at the general election and MP. Although nobody does pomp and pageantry better 70,000 fewer people on out-of-work benefits than when than we do, I was deeply disappointed with its content: we were elected. As from last month, we have the youth lots of style but no substance. contract coming into play, which will also make a When this Government came into office two years difference. Furthermore, we have made progress on the ago, we were in economic recovery. Since then, we have deficit, which we have already cut by a quarter. That has been bumbling along the bottom with very little growth, 789 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 790

[Debbie Abrahams] 5.12 pm and now we are back in recession again. This is not due Mr Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con): I am delighted to the worst global financial crisis since the 1930s; it is to be called to speak in this debate. The number of due to the mismanagement of the economy by the Members who want to speak is an indication of how current Downing street incumbents. Yesterday, the Bank important it is that the economy runs smoothly and of England yet again had to downgrade forecasts for allows the Government to do the exciting and generous economic growth, from 1.2% to 0.8%, and the outlook things that they want to do in their programme. The for inflation is well above the 2% target. economy is fundamental to that process. The same is true in our communities. In Sherwood, the fundamental Yet this not the experience of every other country. issue is jobs and how we can create them. The US, which was at the centre of the global crash in The last Labour Administration created many jobs in 2008, started to recover, like us, in 2009-10, and it is the public sector, expanding it to such an enormous continuing to recover. Similarly, the rest of the G7 is degree that we reached the point at the last general performing better than we are. Our economic performance election—[Interruption.] The shadow Secretary of State is one of the worst in the G7, with Italy coming up just for Work and Pensions says that they created jobs in the behind us. Brazil has now overtaken us as the sixth NHS. That is true—they were people walking around largest economy. The austerity measures that this with clipboards who restricted our doctors and nurses. Government have introduced are clearly not working. The last Government created jobs within quangos that The impact on unemployment in the public and restricted the private sector. Those jobs became private sectors is already being felt. Last year, the public unsustainable, to the extent that when the previous sector lost 276,000 jobs. Some have estimated that the Administration left office, £1 in every £4 that was spent figure will be as high as 700,000 by 2015. In Oldham, was being borrowed. £24 million has been cut from next year’s council budget, This is the fundamental argument. We need growth meaning 400 jobs losses. That is not the end of it. My in our economy, but it must be sustainable for the long local hospital trust, Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, term. The Government have grasped that the only way recently announced a statutory consultation on a further to create sustainable jobs is to have an even-keel economy. 160 redundancies. It has to find savings of £45 million That involves having low interest rates. Anybody running this year. That comes on top of 600 posts that have a small business in one of our constituencies who has already been lost. In spite of the Government’s reassurances an overdraft or a long-term loan with a variable interest that jobs will be created in the private sector, large and rate understands how important low interest rates are. small businesses alike are closing, including BAE Systems Once interest rates start to climb, the pressure on one’s in Chadderton, Warburtons Bakery in Shaw, Long’s cash flow and the pressure to reduce one’s wage bill Plumbing and, of course, Remploy. become unsustainable. Although I welcome yesterday’s unemployment figures So what have the Government done to create jobs? that show a reduction in the previous quarter, I am Our record is pretty good. One of the first things that afraid that the trend in long-term unemployment is the Government did was to reduce corporation tax to upwards, as we have heard. In Oldham, more than attract investment from overseas. That is just starting to 8,000 people are out of work across the borough, with show fruit, with companies relocating to the UK. We 11 people chasing every job. The number of women out are using the planning system to try to make it easier for of work is the highest since 1995. There has been a 25% companies to establish themselves, and trying to ensure increase in long-term unemployment among the over-50s. that the system works to create new businesses. For In my constituency, the number of jobseeker’s allowance small businesses, we have looked at reducing business claimants has increased by 20% since June and doubled rates, which have a crippling effect. Anyone who runs a since 2006. Young people in my constituency have been small shop and pays enormous local business rates will particularly badly hit, with a 288% increase in long-term understand how important rate relief is in allowing unemployment since last year. Worryingly, young black their business to flourish. Reducing the burden of and Asian men are disproportionately affected, with employment law on such businesses is also very important. 56% and 23% respectively being unemployed. Those Small businesses fear taking on new staff. If we can figures have doubled since 2008, so we should be very remove some of that fear, those businesses will be more worried about that problem. likely to take on more staff. What was there in the Queen’s Speech for those What is happening in Sherwood? The good news is people? Absolutely nothing. At the Select Committee that unemployment is slowly coming down, which I on Work and Pensions yesterday, I was profoundly welcome. There is still a long way to go, but the good disappointed by the apathy and complacency about news is we finally have a Government who understand what is going on and about how it can be addressed. business and how to run the economy. We are on the The youth contract is not geared towards focusing on right course. We need to hold our ground and ensure we these problems and only quick fixes have been introduced. keep interest rates at their current level. There are inequalities not only between different population groups, but on a geographical basis. The urban heartlands of Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow, 5.15 pm Cardiff and parts of London are most affected. The Government’s talk about fairness is just that— Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) (Lab): The Government have done little to promote jobs and growth for towns such as Blackpool. They scrapped the regional Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I development agency, which helped us to renew our call Mr Mark Spencer. tramway and our key visitor attractions, including the 791 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 792 tower and the Winter Gardens. They also scrapped the We need proper activity on VAT, but we are not area-based grants that targeted our pockets of severe getting it, not on tourism and regeneration, or on deprivation. repairs and renewals. The Government believe not in The Government seem incapable of understanding active and intelligent government but in scapegoat Britain. the challenges faced by Blackpool and other second-tier They scapegoat everybody except themselves, but their towns, particularly in seaside and coastal areas. They growth and jobs policies have failed. have done no strategic targeting of the regional growth fund by industrial sector, which was highlighted by 5.19 pm David Marlow, who has said: Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): Today’s criticisms “Blackpool has not yet had a distinctive RGF success despite benefit and public sector ratios 80% and 60% above national seem to be based on a familiar litany of three core averages, and private sector ratios at about 65% and 25% below ingredients: first, that the Queen’s Speech should have average.” been the length of a speech by Fidel Castro at his peak; Any narrow focus on city regions risks ignoring surrounding secondly, that it should have launched lots of new areas. We suffer from imbalances not only between initiatives; and thirdly, that the Labour years represented regions, but within them. We need growth in second-tier a paradise lost. We have heard many of those points towns and cities, seaside and coastal towns, and suburban made today, and I commend to the Opposition the areas. damning obituary given by the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough (Mr Blunkett) Just what are the Government delivering on the ground in one of his earlier books. He wrote that a day without for young people in terms of jobs and growth? I have a new initiative was a day wasted for new Labour. We seen first hand the positive impact the education do not need lots of new initiatives day after day; we maintenance allowance had in encouraging young people need a series of cool, strategic policies that are well in Blackpool to go to colleges, where we have struggled implemented. to improve our skills levels. Given our pockets of extreme deprivation, that assistance was vital, but it is now gone, All of us and our constituents have to win our jobs. along with opportunities for thousands of young people Last year, I encouraged EDF energy, whose operational from my sixth-form college and Blackpool and the headquarters are in my constituency, to create 10 new Fylde college, which were jeopardised at one stroke of a apprenticeships there. One of them was won by an pen in the Department for Education, the same Department 18-year-old who came from Sheffield to Gloucester. He that cut off the dedicated money—£200 million—available was interviewed, he moved down, he left his comfort to schools for careers advice. zone and went for it, and now he is thriving in one of the most successful companies in our country. What he Yesterday’s unemployment figures also illustrate that did is a great example to all our young people, not only that problem is not budging. In my constituency, one in in Gloucester but elsewhere in the country. We should 10 of the active population is out of work, including learn from his determination to go and win a job. more than one in five young people, which is 8% higher In our city there are many new apprenticeship than this time last year. Those figures disguise the work opportunities. In 2010-11, businesses in our city created shortfall for young people and key groups such as 1,050 new apprenticeships. For the first half of 2011-12, women, a point strongly made by my hon. Friend the we are up 20% and on target to create 2,200 new Member for Houghton and Sunderland South (Bridget apprenticeship starts over the whole year. I visit two Phillipson) earlier in the week. Thirty-four thousand companies a week to see what the opportunities are, to women nationally gave up work altogether in the last encourage them to create new apprenticeships and to quarter. see whether those who have never done so are taking The previous Government had imaginative schemes advantage of the Government scheme incentivising small such as the future jobs fund, through which Blackpool companies with £1,500. I do a jobs fair every three football club, which will battle for premier league status months, on average, and I try to link our youth groups again at Wembley this Saturday, gave young people real to trainers and the opportunities they can access with opportunities. The Deputy Prime Minister’s belated companies. youth contract promised to create half a million new All of us can do our bit in our constituencies to help job opportunities for young people, but we have seen no the policies along. I want to discuss the core policies on indication of it in Blackpool yet. If his figures are as which we should be focusing. How many businesses reliable as the ones so recently demolished by the National have had loans from the national loan guarantee scheme, Audit Office, I will not hold my breath. which is 80% guaranteed by the Government? Have This story is not just about statistics, but about they applied for this source of capital, which could help individuals’ blocked hopes and frustrations. Wherever them to expand? How many of them have signed up to I talked to young people—not just in Blackpool, but in the youth contract and are offering Work programme places such as Crawley, Reading and Milton Keynes, work experience to our young people coming out of which I visited during the local election campaigns—I schools and colleges? How many of our manufacturers have found that they are in “it” together: they are in the have applied to the regional growth fund manufacturing mire, north and south, thanks to our Chancellor. fund, which is available to them? Under the previous What about our small businesses, which are critical to Government, manufacturing’s share of GDP was our economic recovery and prevalent in my constituency? halved while benefits doubled, but in my constituency The Government have talked a good game, but my case manufacturing is still 20% of our output. We have lots work shows that many small businesses are being let of good, thriving, small and medium-sized engineering down by the banks. When will the Government tell the companies, but they need help to access capital, and banks to give support rather than telling people to stop I need to help them to access the opportunities the whingeing? Government have made available. 793 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 794

[Richard Graham] I urge the Prime Minister to look for inspiration to my home city of Glasgow, where the Labour council Today’s youth have the skills—or lack of them—that that was re-elected last week with a commanding majority they gained predominantly under the previous Government. —a feat that is almost impossible under a proportional One secondary school in my constituency had the second- representation voting system—has managed to lower worst GCSE results in the country. Today, under the unemployment in the past year in the face of this Government’s new Gloucester academy, those results have improved economic failures and the Scottish Government’s swingeing from 11% to 33% and, this year, to 40% of pupils cuts. In Glasgow, people voted for a manifesto that put achieving target grades. This type of long-term planning investment in jobs, growth and education first. They for improved opportunities will provide the young in voted for the £25 million investment in the Glasgow my constituency with better opportunities and jobs in guarantee, a programme that will use the Commonwealth the future. jobs fund, the Commonwealth apprenticeship scheme and the Commonwealth graduate fund to create a lasting 5.23 pm legacy of employment from Glasgow’s proud hosting of the Commonwealth games in 2014. Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): Like thousands of my constituents, I am deeply disappointed that after The people of Glasgow rejected the scorched earth taking us back into recession this Government have policy of mass austerity and the imagined magic wand failed to come forward with a substantive plan in the of separation in favour of investment to create jobs— Queen’s Speech to get the economy back on track. In investment such as that proposed by my right hon. the fourth quarter of 2011, growth dropped to minus Friend the shadow Chancellor in our five-point plan. 0.3%, and to minus 0.2% in the first quarter of this year. We want to see the establishment of a state-owned Long-term youth unemployment has risen by a shocking British investment bank, similar to the bank for small 264% in the last year alone. What might be described as and medium-sized enterprises that John Longworth, an embarrassment by the Chancellor is a tragedy for the director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, families up and down the country. Nothing announced has been calling for, to help businesses to create the jobs by the Government in the Chancellor’s Budget and that our country needs. We also want to see a jobs Bill certainly nothing in the Queen’s Speech will address the that would ensure that money raised from a tax on bank problems that hard-working families face across the bonuses was used to provide real jobs, with real wages country. and responsibilities, for more than 100,000 young people We all know that business lending is a vital part of aged 18 to 24. any healthy economy. That is why the Opposition wanted We have an out-of-touch Government at Westminster the Government to tackle what the Business Secretary who are repeating the mistakes of the 1980s and a himself described as a “yawning mismatch” between the distracted Government at Holyrood who are concerned demands of small business for finance and the banks’ more about a separation referendum than about the reluctance to lend. Instead, we got a small sticking real issues affecting the lives of ordinary Scots, and plaster to cover a massive business funding gap that is people up and down the country can see right through estimated to reach £150 billion by 2016. them. That is why we saw the elections results that we We have a coalition Government who have completely did last week. the wrong priorities. They are more interested in papering over coalition cracks than getting Britain back into 5.27 pm work. Instead of helping hard-pressed families and Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Finsbury) small business owners, the Government decided in the (Lab): When I speak as a representative of Islington Budget to give a tax cut to those earning more than five South and Finsbury, I feel that I always have to begin by times the average salary. dispelling myths. People know about our cappuccino I was disappointed not to see any mention in the bars and our Georgian squares, but they do not necessarily Budget or the Queen’s Speech of families struggling know that 44% of my constituents live in social housing, with the rising cost of child care, which is higher in or that my constituency has the second worst child Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. It is no surprise poverty rate in the country. The very rich and the very that 10% more women are in employment in countries poor live in Islington. We live cheek by jowl, and we like such as Norway and Denmark, where parents have it that way. The recession has affected all of us, but access to affordable child care, than in the UK. some much more than others. I was even more disappointed to see nothing in the One thing unites people, however, no matter what Budget about supporting disabled people into work, their background. I have spoken to women, including following the Government’s shocking decision to close aspirant Somali mothers, a middle-class mother whose the majority of Remploy factories. According to the child has just left Oxbridge, and a woman whose child Government’s own figures, about 500,000 disabled people has just left school, and we are all really scared for the will lose their benefit entitlement when the disability next generation. Although we have brought up our living allowance is replaced by the new personal children as best we can and put everything into equipping independence payment. Case studies conducted under them for the world as perfectly as we can, we are really the Government’s consultation on the PIP suggest that scared that, when we push them out into the world, the blind and visually impaired people who are judged to world will say, “No, sorry. We don’t need you. We might have adapted to their disability will not qualify for the be interested in your little brother or sister one day, but higher rate. That ignores the reality that the difficulties, you have entered the world of work at the wrong time. the barriers and, most importantly, the costs continue Come back in four or five years’ time.” What will regardless of the length of time a person has lived with happen to those kids in the meantime if we do nothing sight loss. about unemployment among young people? 795 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 796

In Islington, we have had a massive increase in long-term a flexible trade union environment and our being near unemployment among 18 to 24-year-olds, and I know the EU market has nothing to do with the Government, that that has been replicated across the country. In and it follows the investment of Japanese and other Islington, it has gone up by 88% in the past year. I hear international companies that invested under the Labour Government Members say, “Well, of course it is because Government. they haven’t got the right qualifications”, or “It’s because I am an economics graduate, so I know that economic the Labour Government didn’t educate them well enough”, growth is based on confidence in business and in consumers. but it does not matter what qualifications a young The Chancellor is a one-trick pony, with low interest person has now; they simply cannot get a job. There is a rates. His stated aim is that interest rates are being held generation now who are finding it exceedingly difficult. low for the sake of the Government’s bond sales, but The hon. Member for Gloucester (Richard Graham) this has the effect, for example, of attacking the disposable shakes his head, but if he were to advertise for an income of pension funds and investment funds, thus unpaid internship in his office, I suspect he would get at hitting the mainly frugal elderly. Quantitative easing least 300 applicants from youngsters desperate to get has also hit their income and made them poorer. This employment. The problem is nothing to do with young signals to UK businesses that the Government believe people not being sufficiently educated; it is because the that the economy has to be held in check, as it is recession, which hits all of us, hits our children, teenagers fundamentally too fragile to grow without creating and those in their early 20s the hardest. The older threatening levels of inflation. This is caused by a failure generation and Members here who represent our to expand the resource base of the economy so that communities have a duty to do something about it. growth can be inflation-proofed for the future. Frankly, the complacency of Government Members, to I looked at the “Prospects for inflation” chapter of which I have had to listen over the past five and a half the inflation report of May 2012, which states: hours, is quite astounding. “Output has barely grown since the middle of 2010, and is I see in his place the Secretary of State for Work and estimated to have contracted slightly in each of the past two Pensions, and I hope he will listen to what I have to say quarters.” about other groups of people. I know the Conservatives That is what this Government have delivered through say they are on the side of those who work hard and do their policies. Human resource expansion is required to the right thing. I know they want to change this country deal, for example, with training and skills shortages. so that once again it rewards people who work hard, The ageing population needs to be replaced in industries want to get on and play by the rules. The Conservatives with which I am involved. There is OPITO—the Offshore want to represent the strivers, the builders, the family raisers, Petroleum Industry Training Organisation, which deals the community builders. Good, so would Conservative with offshore oil, and the subsea employers association— Members please consider the working poor in my talk about 44% of its vacancies being in non-graduate constituency, who are being adversely affected by cuts technical jobs, with an additional 20% in technical to working tax credits, the housing benefit cap and graduate jobs. The Chemical Industries Association universal credit? I hope the Secretary of State understands says that it fishes in the same pond for staff, and it that they are badly affected by the price of housing and demands science education in schools to provide a base the extraordinary price they have to pay for rent. We of people who can be skilled up for growth. Mike must do something about that. Unless and until that is Mack, the world president of Syngenta, says that he done, it will be impossible to have a mixed community fears he cannot sustain his investment in this country in which people will be able to work at all levels. because of the shortage of skilled labour. He steals 5.31 pm from other companies, and they steal from him. We need technical apprenticeships. Forget the boasts about Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (Lab): the number of apprenticeships that have been started; This Queen’s Speech can be summed up by the Prime how many have been concluded? How many newly Minister wandering around the country saying that he qualified technicians have we got? The SNP Government is not for turning. I remind him and his party that the falsify the statistics. They say that there are 25,000, and last person who said that—Lady Thatcher—was tossed write to companies asking them to include people who out by the country when people found out that they were are doing part-time work as apprentices in order to getting uncaring Conservatism once again. [Interruption.] supplement the figure. Yes, she was, of course, tossed out by her own party. Business investment is 6% lower than the target set by This is a Government who continue to attack, with the Chancellor. There is £950 billion in company accounts ingrained unfairness, the personal income of all apart that is not being invested. Companies are holding on to from those in the super-rich bracket. They boast of it: they are afraid to invest, because the signals are all attacking citizens’ and workers’ rights. With 100,000 public wrong. The Chancellor has gone for corporation tax sector job cuts, it is good to see the Secretary of State reductions, but they are a blunt instrument. VAT increases for Work and Pensions in his place. How many of the hit the supply chain for customers, for business and for present employees of Remploy will, to his shame, end personal consumption, whereas VAT reductions—a targeted up on the unemployment list? Only 50% of the jobs programme such as the one that the French use, reducing have been replaced by the private sector, and many of VAT — them are part-time and temporary jobs. Of 16 to 24-year- olds, 21% are in part-time jobs, while analysis suggests Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. that 40% are on temporary contracts. The hon. Gentleman’s time is up. The national debt is higher, not lower, and the UK is in a double-dip recession for the first time in 30 years. 5.35 pm Of course I welcome investment in car manufacturing Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab): I shall from US companies. Their choosing a UK work force in make only a few brief points. 797 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 798

[Jonathan Ashworth] I think that we need more support for export finance in Leicester. I think that it would be greatly to the I thought that the Queen’s Speech was extraordinarily advantage of the Business Secretary, when he and the flimsy, given that it emanated from a party that is in its Prime Minister go on trade missions to India, to take second year in government and has been out of power with him not the great and the good, but some of the for 13 years. When we compare it with the greatest small business people from Leicester who understand Queen’s Speeches of the Labour Government in their how to enter challenging markets in India, Pakistan and second year and, indeed, those of the Thatcher Government Bangladesh. in their second year, it is apparent to us that the present Let me finish by simply saying that we have a Government Government are running out of steam after only two who promised us growth and jobs; what they are delivering years. is recession and unemployment. There was nothing about jobs in the Queen’s Speech. As my right hon. Friend the Member for South Shields 5.39 pm (David Miliband) demonstrated so eloquently in his Mr Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Hodge Hill) (Lab): It speech, the Work programme is entirely unsatisfactory. is a privilege to wind up a week of debate and speeches It cannot possibly deal with the youth unemployment on the Gracious Speech. However, let me start by saying crisis. The Queen’s Speech should have been seen as an what a disappointment it was to hear not a word of opportunity to put right the mistakes that the Chancellor recognition, humility or apology from the Chancellor had made in his Budget. I am glad that he has dug for a litany of Budgets that have put this country back himself out of the hole of the churches tax, but I wish in recession and given us a Queen’s Speech with nothing he would dig himself out of the hole of the pasty tax to dig us out. and the caravan tax, and, indeed, his £40,000 giveaway. I believe that the Prime Minister’s former speechwriter We have, however, had something very significant Ian Birrell described it as this afternoon. We have had an admission—a confession, in fact—from the Chancellor. He finally forced himself “a missile into six years of Tory modernisation.” to say it, in response to the intervention from my right I could not have put it better myself. hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh South West Unemployment in Leicester South has increased over (Mr Darling), although he had to choke it out. He said the past 12 months. Although I welcome the drops in that austerity is not enough. The Chancellor finally said unemployment announced yesterday, I must tell Ministers it. However, confession is not enough; redemption will that in Leicester South it fell not by 1%, but by one. If demand a change of course. He has U-turned this the Government do not produce measures to deal with afternoon on his policy for Europe; he should now the youth unemployment crisis soon, I fear for the U-turn on his policy here in the UK. Instead, what we future of many of the communities we represent. got was a lot of jokes. Most people in this country now feel that if he focused more on economics and less on The Chancellor expected growth of 2.5% this year, jokes, perhaps the country would not be in quite the but we are now in a double-dip recession. Some of the mess that it is. The customary advice is: “Don’t give up contributions from Government Members were rather your day job”, although most of us probably feel that complacent on that front. Many people warned the the sooner he gives up his day job, the faster Britain will Chancellor that a fiscal consolidation of this scale and be back on its feet. pace, along with a collapse in demand and consumption, would lead to a recession. Indeed, the Business Secretary, This is the Chancellor who told us a year ago that he when he was in opposition, gave him that very warning was putting fuel in the tank of the British economy. before the general election. What has happened? Where has the fuel gone? It has somehow been siphoned off into the jerry cans in the What are we given in the Queen’s Speech? We are Cabinet Office. Instead, what we have got is £150 billion given what appear to be proposals for the further erosion of extra borrowing, 1 million young people out of of workers’ rights. I must tell the Chancellor that downward work, fewer hours worked this year than last, and a fall pressure on workers’ rights will not lead to the growth in our national output in the last quarter of £700 million in the economy that he wants. What a turnaround this is —a development that the hon. Member for Bournemouth for the Business Secretary.He started his career co-authoring East (Mr Ellwood) said was a step in the right direction. “The Red Paper on Scotland” with my right hon. Friend This is the first double-dip recession since 1975, the year the Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown), of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, the story of a but it appears that in the twilight of his career he will bunch of incompetent chancers, supposedly running become the Twickenham strangler of rights at work. the country, chasing after something that they had Government Members have talked about trade and somehow misplaced. What an allegory of this Government’s exports. I agree that the patterns of international trade pursuit of growth! are changing. As many Members will know, the city of All week we have seen an unedifying witch hunt for Leicester, which I represent, has deep and extensive the culprits—the people who have somehow misplaced links with India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and I want Britain’s growth. This week the Government found us to build on those links and to trade further. The hon. someone else. The fault, it now seems, lies with those in Member for Sherwood (Mr Spencer) referred to food the British business community, who just need to be manufacturing, in which we in Leicester have expertise. working harder. My advice to them is that they should We export British Asian food to Europe, to the middle not take the attack personally. Indeed, they join illustrious east and, indeed, to India. However, I must tell Government company: we have had “the weather”; we have had “the Members that although the reports that I hear of UK wrong type of snow”; and we have also had the royal Trade & Investment have improved, they are patchy at wedding. When it comes to their failure, this Government times. will blame only others. 799 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 800

David T. C. Davies: Will the right hon. Gentleman Andrew Selous: When the right hon. Gentleman wrote give way? his famous note saying that there was “no money” left, what did he think the implications of that were? Mr Byrne: I will not give way, because there are so many points to respond to. Mr Byrne: The hon. Gentleman speaks for a party that We know that this recession was not made by British has now put up borrowing by £150 billion more than business. It is not down to the weather, the snow or the projected. Does he know why? It is in large part because royal wedding; it is down to the failed policy of this the benefits bill is not being capped by this Government— Government. Despite the good news we had on the benefits bill is going through the roof. It is set to be unemployment this week—there was a glimmer of hope— £25 billion higher than was projected by the end of this Britain’s jobs crisis has now gone on for too long. We Parliament, with the cost of unemployment benefit set now have more people working part time or becoming to be up by £5 billion and the cost of housing benefit set self-employed, because they will do anything to make to be up by £6 billion by the end of this Parliament. I ends meet. Long-term unemployment is surging towards really do not know how he has the temerity to say what the 1 million mark, the number of people out of work he has just said, given that it is his Government who are for two years is up to 500,000, 100,000 more people are putting up debt. signing on than last year, redundancies are up by 50,000, The problem is that this Government have not learned and vacancies are down by more than 10,000. Families the lesson that the way to bring the benefits bill down is all over Britain are facing a disaster, because of the by getting people into jobs—that is where this Government failed policies of this Government. are failing. It is no wonder the people all across Britain This afternoon we heard those stories from all over are saying that this Prime Minister and this Chancellor Britain. The point was made forcefully by my hon. have no idea how ordinary people live. The Prime Friend the Member for Liverpool, Walton (Steve Minister is riding on horses with editors of newspapers Rotheram), and it was a story repeated by my hon. who are charged with perverting the course of justice Friends the Members for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies), while our young people cannot even afford a bus fare to for East Lothian (Fiona O’Donnell), for Blackpool college. We heard this afternoon just how much that bill South (Mr Marsden) and for Leicester South (Jonathan has now become in a powerful speech from my right Ashworth). We heard in the debate this afternoon that hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (David we need growth and demand—a point made by my hon. Miliband). We heard that youth unemployment will Friends the Members for Oldham East and Saddleworth cost our country £30 billion over the years to come. (Debbie Abrahams), for Gateshead (Ian Mearns), for When are this Government going to heed that lesson? Great Grimsby (Austin Mitchell) and for East Lothian. When will they look at the hit now being taken by We heard how higher unemployment is hitting some working parents, who are struggling with child care? communities and some regions harder than ever—that These parents are now losing £500 this year. No wonder was the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for 32,000 women have already had to give up work this Wirral South (Alison McGovern). It is hitting ethnic year because they cannot afford the child care. We minorities harder than ever—that was the point made should look at what this Budget means for working by my hon. Friends the Members for Stretford and parents—a point made with some eloquence by my Urmston (Kate Green) and for Oldham East and hon. Friend the Member for Islington South and Finsbury Saddleworth (Debbie Abrahams). It is now hitting young and by my right hon. Friend the Member for East Ham people harder—that was the message we heard from (Stephen Timms). Such is the incompetence and such is hon. Members from all parts of the House, and it was a the incoherence that families in this country are now point made with particular force by my hon. Friends better off on benefits than they are in a job—what a the Members for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily catastrophic failure of policy and what a catastrophic Thornberry) and for Birmingham, Ladywood (Shabana failure by this Chancellor. Mahmood). Look at what these proposals mean for savers—people That is why what we needed in the last Budget and doing the right thing. Alongside the granny tax, the in the Queen’s Speech was not excuses, but action. We Government tried to sneak out in the Budget small needed action on bank lending—that was the point print another £900 cut for pensioners by getting rid of made by my hon. Friends the Members for Leeds East the savings credit. Look at what the proposals mean for (Mr Mudie) and for North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy workers with disabilities. Some 11 million people in this Clark), and by the hon. Members for North East country have disabilities. Disability Rights UK says that Cambridgeshire (Stephen Barclay), for Northampton 25,000 people with disabilities have had to give up work South (Mr Binley) and for Aberconwy (Guto Bebb). We this year because their support and help are being cut needed action on infrastructure spending, too—that away from them. This Secretary of State for Work and point was made with great force by my right hon. Pensions is now administering reform of the incapacity Friend the Member for Barking (Margaret Hodge), the benefit system with all the finesse of border control at hon. Member for Erewash (Jessica Lee), and my hon. Heathrow airport. It is now taking people up to 11 months Friends the Members for Glasgow North (Ann McKechin) to get a hearing and then, when they reach that tribunal, and for Glasgow Central (Anas Sarwar). This absence half the decisions are being overturned. That is not a of action is now costing this country a fortune. result that he can be proud of. Andrew Selous rose— Worst of all is the treatment being handed out to workers at Remploy.These are workers indirectly employed Mr Byrne: Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will tell us by the Secretary of State himself. Worst of all—worse just how much the benefits bill is increasing as a result than anything I have heard over the past few months—are of that failure. the reported comments that he made to Remploy workers. 801 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 802

[Mr Byrne] the register until they fell out of that programme— [Interruption.] Members might want to hear this. If we Apparently he told them that they, “are not doing any add together the figures, we see that the total number of work at all. Just making cups of coffee.” That is not claimants aged 18 to 24 on jobseeker’s allowance or compassionate conservatism; it is the conservatism of other forms of temporary support is lower this month contempt. The Secretary of State should apologise to than it was in May 2010. Under the previous Government, those workers this afternoon. When he should have during a period of growth, youth unemployment rose been launching a war on poverty, he has launched a war every year from 2006. on decency. This Government have no idea how these young Sheila Gilmore: I am grateful to the Secretary of State people, these parents, these working mothers and these for giving way. He appears to be unaware of a briefing workers with disabilities are now living. They are failing that his own Department gave to the Select Committee on jobs, they are failing on growth, they are out of on Work and Pensions yesterday, which exposed the touch, out of their depth and out of steam. We need a lack of rigidity in the figures. Apparently, the correct change of direction and Labour’s motion today offers figure shows that in March 2010 the number of people that. I commend it to the House. who were taken off benefit on a training allowance was 18,000. It has come down to 4,000, but will he accept 5.50 pm that that does not explain the rise in youth unemployment?

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain Mr Duncan Smith: Labour gerrymandered the figures, Duncan Smith): I welcome the right hon. Member for and that was a long suicide note about what they tried Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr Byrne) back from a potential to do to change those figures. The hon. Lady can try as sojourn in Birmingham as mayor—his announcement much as she likes but the truth is that the previous that he wanted to stand was so powerful that Birmingham, Government set in place every single mechanism to on the spot, rejected the whole idea of having a mayor. I ensure that they did not count young unemployed people. have got to know him well over the past couple of years and he has been heavily involved in designing the policy framework for the Opposition. He talked about part-time David Miliband: The figures that the right hon. work and, as a result of his leader’s decision, he will Gentleman’s Department have put out show that in the experience it himself. I am sorry about that, because past year—under his Government—long-term jobseeker’s I am sure that he would have done a very good job had allowance claimant figures have gone up threefold to he been allowed to continue—I certainly suspect that he 55,000. How does he explain that? would have done better than some of his colleagues. Today is about the Queen’s Speech, and I want to Mr Duncan Smith: As I said to the right hon. welcome a number of Bills: the Crime and Courts Bill, Gentleman—his point was about youth unemployment— the children and families Bill, the draft care and support the reality is that the figures I have given today are Bill to modernise the care system, and, importantly, a correct. His Government created a major crisis by putting pensions Bill to provide once and for all a decent us into a great big slump. That is what they did. Whatever single-tier state pension to reward those who save. Let else he wants to say in an attempt to defend the Labour me say a few words about that matter and in tribute to Government, we are having to dig them out of a hole the Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, and we are the ones producing better youth programmes my hon. Friend the Member for Thornbury and Yate such as the youth contract. Those unemployment figures (Steve Webb). He and I have worked very hard together are very simple. When you add all the details together, and I hope that when we publish the White Paper both you find that unemployment among young people was the House and the country will see that we are proposing higher when we took office than it is now. a genuine and serious reform that should improve the I want to move on to what other hon. Members said. quality of retirement for everybody in the future. We The hon. Member for Leeds East (Mr Mudie) said that will reform the state pension system, creating a fair, he wanted to see the right hon. Member for South simple and sustainable foundation for private saving. Shields on the Front Bench. I wonder what role he The main benefits of the Bill will be that it will enable would see the right hon. Gentleman in if he got him individuals to take responsibility for meeting their retirement there. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for aspirations in the context of increasing longevity and Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) on his speech. He create an affordable and sustainable pension system for reminded us that we had some great news the other day future generations. because Boris won again in London. That is very good Let me respond to a few of the comments made by news for all of us. [Interruption.] I wonder what Opposition my hon. Members on both sides of the House. The Members are saying. The reality is that their candidate, right hon. Member for South Shields (David Miliband), Ken Livingstone, failed, and I note that a lot of them who I see in his place, made an elegant speech, as ever, did not even bother to turn up to support him. in which he referred to a number of different issues. In The hon. Member for Redcar (Ian Swales) attacked particular, he mentioned youth unemployment, and I Labour very effectively. I should like to pick up a point want to ensure that we establish the baseline on that made by the right hon. Member for Barking (Margaret point. The trouble was that the previous Government Hodge), the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, gerrymandered the figures on youth unemployment. who said that the welfare-to-work programme is unlikely When somebody had been unemployed for six months, to be good value for money. I differ from her on that. they put them on one of their programmes—the future The big difference with the welfare-to-work programme jobs fund or whatever—and took them off the is that we will not pay the providers unless they get unemployment register. They were not put back on to someone into work. Under the future jobs fund and 803 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 804 everything else that was going on under the previous Dugher, Michael McCabe, Steve Government they threw money at providers ahead of Eagle, Ms Angela McCann, Mr Michael any kind of outcome, caring only to tick the boxes to Eagle, Maria McCarthy, Kerry say that they had done something rather than that they Edwards, Jonathan McClymont, Gregg had done something reasonable. Efford, Clive McFadden, rh Mr Pat Elliott, Julie McGovern, Alison A large number of people spoke in the debate, including Ellman, Mrs Louise McGovern, Jim my hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington Engel, Natascha McGuire, rh Mrs Anne (Chris White), the right hon. Member for East Ham Esterson, Bill McKechin, Ann (Stephen Timms) and my hon. Friends the Members Evans, Chris McKenzie, Mr Iain for Bedford (Richard Fuller) and for North East Farrelly, Paul McKinnell, Catherine Cambridgeshire (Stephen Barclay). The hon. Member Field, rh Mr Frank Meacher, rh Mr Michael for Liverpool, Walton (Steve Rotheram) made an interesting Fitzpatrick, Jim Mearns, Ian speech. I notice that he wants to put his name forward Flello, Robert Michael, rh Alun to be manager of Liverpool. I wish him the best of luck Flint, rh Caroline Miliband, rh David in that endeavour. As a Tottenham supporter, I am Flynn, Paul Miliband, rh Edward looking forward to him running Liverpool next season. Fovargue, Yvonne Mitchell, Austin Gardiner, Barry Moon, Mrs Madeleine The Opposition approached this debate believing Gilmore, Sheila Morden, Jessica that they had the right to criticise our Government for Glass, Pat Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) what they call our failures, yet not once have they ever Glindon, Mrs Mary Morris, Grahame M. apologised for putting the economy in the worst possible Godsiff, Mr Roger (Easington) state—the biggest bust. They try to compare themselves Goggins, rh Paul Mudie, Mr George to other countries. It is worth noticing that the US Goodman, Helen Murphy, rh Paul economy is set to fall faster— Greatrex, Tom Murray, Ian Green, Kate Nandy, Lisa Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central) (Lab) claimed Griffith, Nia O’Donnell, Fiona Gwynne, Andrew Osborne, Sandra to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36). Hamilton, Mr David Owen, Albert Question put forthwith, That the Question be now Hamilton, Fabian Pearce, Teresa put. Hanson, rh Mr David Phillipson, Bridget Question agreed to. Harman, rh Ms Harriet Qureshi, Yasmin Harris, Mr Tom Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Question put accordingly (Standing Order No. 31(2)), Havard, Mr Dai Reed, Mr Jamie That the amendment be made. Healey, rh John Reeves, Rachel The House divided: Ayes 213, Noes 312. Hepburn, Mr Stephen Reynolds, Emma Heyes, David Riordan, Mrs Linda Division No. 2] [5.59 pm Hillier, Meg Robertson, Angus Hilling, Julie Robertson, John AYES Hodge, rh Margaret Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Abbott, Ms Diane Clark, Katy Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Rotheram, Steve Abrahams, Debbie Clarke, rh Mr Tom Hoey, Kate Roy, Mr Frank Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Coaker, Vernon Hopkins, Kelvin Roy, Lindsay Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Coffey, Ann Hosie, Stewart Ruane, Chris Alexander, Heidi Connarty, Michael Hunt, Tristram Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Ali, Rushanara Cooper, Rosie Irranca-Davies, Huw Sarwar, Anas Allen, Mr Graham Cooper, rh Yvette Jackson, Glenda Sharma, Mr Virendra Anderson, Mr David Corbyn, Jeremy Jamieson, Cathy Sheerman, Mr Barry Ashworth, Jonathan Crausby, Mr David Jarvis, Dan Sheridan, Jim Austin, Ian Creagh, Mary Johnson, rh Alan Shuker, Gavin Bain, Mr William Creasy, Stella Johnson, Diana Skinner, Mr Dennis Balls, rh Ed Cruddas, Jon Jones, Graham Slaughter, Mr Andy Barron, rh Mr Kevin Cryer, John Jones, Mr Kevan Smith, rh Mr Andrew Bayley, Hugh Cunningham, Alex Jones, Susan Elan Smith, Nick Beckett, rh Margaret Cunningham, Mr Jim Jowell, rh Tessa Spellar, rh Mr John Benn, rh Hilary Cunningham, Tony Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Straw, rh Mr Jack Benton, Mr Joe Curran, Margaret Kendall, Liz Stuart, Ms Gisela Berger, Luciana Danczuk, Simon Khan, rh Sadiq Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Blears, rh Hazel Darling, rh Mr Alistair Lavery, Ian Tami, Mark Blenkinsop, Tom David, Mr Wayne Lazarowicz, Mark Thomas, Mr Gareth Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Davidson, Mr Ian Leslie, Chris Thornberry, Emily Brennan, Kevin Davies, Geraint Lewis, Mr Ivan Timms, rh Stephen Brown, Lyn De Piero, Gloria Lloyd, Tony Trickett, Jon Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Denham, rh Mr John Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Turner, Karl Brown, Mr Russell Dobbin, Jim Love, Mr Andrew Twigg, Stephen Bryant, Chris Dobson, rh Frank Lucas, Ian Walley, Joan Buck, Ms Karen Docherty, Thomas MacNeil, Mr Angus Brendan Weir, Mr Mike Burden, Richard Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Mactaggart, Fiona Whiteford, Dr Eilidh Byrne, rh Mr Liam Doran, Mr Frank Mahmood, Shabana Whitehead, Dr Alan Campbell, Mr Alan Dowd, Jim Malhotra, Seema Wicks, rh Malcolm Campbell, Mr Ronnie Doyle, Gemma Mann, John Williams, Hywel Caton, Martin Dromey, Jack Marsden, Mr Gordon Williamson, Chris 805 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 806

Wilson, Phil Wright, David Hart, Simon Morgan, Nicky Winnick, Mr David Harvey, Nick Morris, Anne Marie Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Tellers for the Ayes: Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Morris, David Wood, Mike Nic Dakin and Hayes, Mr John Morris, James Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Mark Hendrick Heald, Oliver Mosley, Stephen Heath, Mr David Mowat, David NOES Heaton-Harris, Chris Mulholland, Greg Hemming, John Munt, Tessa Adams, Nigel Davies, Glyn Henderson, Gordon Murray, Sheryll Afriyie, Adam Davies, Philip Hendry, Charles Murrison, Dr Andrew Alexander, rh Danny Davis, rh Mr David Herbert, rh Nick Neill, Robert Amess, Mr David de Bois, Nick Hinds, Damian Nokes, Caroline Andrew, Stuart Dinenage, Caroline Hoban, Mr Mark Norman, Jesse Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Hollingbery, George Nuttall, Mr David Bacon, Mr Richard Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Hollobone, Mr Philip Offord, Mr Matthew Baker, Norman Dorries, Nadine Hopkins, Kris Ollerenshaw, Eric Baker, Steve Doyle-Price, Jackie Horwood, Martin Opperman, Guy Baldry, Tony Duddridge, James Howell, John Osborne, rh Mr George Baldwin, Harriett Duncan, rh Mr Alan Hughes, rh Simon Ottaway, Richard Barclay, Stephen Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Huhne, rh Chris Patel, Priti Barker, Gregory Dunne, Mr Philip Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Pawsey, Mark Baron, Mr John Ellis, Michael Hunter, Mark Penning, Mike Barwell, Gavin Ellison, Jane Huppert, Dr Julian Penrose, John Bebb, Guto Ellwood, Mr Tobias Jackson, Mr Stewart Percy, Andrew Beith, rh Sir Alan Elphicke, Charlie James, Margot Perry, Claire Benyon, Richard Eustice, George Javid, Sajid Phillips, Stephen Beresford, Sir Paul Evans, Graham Jenkin, Mr Bernard Pickles, rh Mr Eric Berry, Jake Evans, Jonathan Johnson, Joseph Pincher, Christopher Bingham, Andrew Evennett, Mr David Jones, Andrew Poulter, Dr Daniel Binley, Mr Brian Fabricant, Michael Jones, Mr David Prisk, Mr Mark Blackman, Bob Fallon, Michael Jones, Mr Marcus Pritchard, Mark Blunt, Mr Crispin Farron, Tim Kawczynski, Daniel Raab, Mr Dominic Boles, Nick Featherstone, Lynne Kelly, Chris Randall, rh Mr John Bone, Mr Peter Field, Mark Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Reckless, Mark Bottomley, Sir Peter Foster, rh Mr Don Kirby, Simon Redwood, rh Mr John Bradley, Karen Fox,rhDrLiam Knight, rh Mr Greg Rees-Mogg, Jacob Brady, Mr Graham Francois, rh Mr Mark Kwarteng, Kwasi Reevell, Simon Brake, rh Tom Freeman, George Laing, Mrs Eleanor Reid, Mr Alan Bray, Angie Freer, Mike Lamb, Norman Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Brazier, Mr Julian Fullbrook, Lorraine Lancaster, Mark Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Bridgen, Andrew Fuller, Richard Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Robertson, Mr Laurence Brine, Steve Gale, Sir Roger Latham, Pauline Rogerson, Dan Brokenshire, James Garnier, Mr Edward Laws, rh Mr David Rudd, Amber Bruce, Fiona Garnier, Mark Leadsom, Andrea Ruffley, Mr David Bruce, rh Malcolm Gauke, Mr David Lee, Jessica Russell, Sir Bob Buckland, Mr Robert George, Andrew Lee, Dr Phillip Rutley, David Burley, Mr Aidan Gibb, Mr Nick Lefroy, Jeremy Sandys, Laura Burns, rh Mr Simon Glen, John Leigh, Mr Edward Scott, Mr Lee Burrowes, Mr David Goldsmith, Zac Leslie, Charlotte Selous, Andrew Burstow, Paul Goodwill, Mr Robert Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Shapps, rh Grant Burt, Lorely Gove, rh Michael Lewis, Brandon Sharma, Alok Byles, Dan Graham, Richard Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Shelbrooke, Alec Cable, rh Vince Grant, Mrs Helen Lidington, rh Mr David Shepherd, Mr Richard Cairns, Alun Gray, Mr James Lilley, rh Mr Peter Simmonds, Mark Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Grayling, rh Chris Lopresti, Jack Simpson, Mr Keith Carmichael, Neil Green, Damian Lord, Jonathan Skidmore, Chris Cash, Mr William Greening, rh Justine Loughton, Tim Smith, Miss Chloe Chishti, Rehman Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Luff, Peter Smith, Henry Clappison, Mr James Griffiths, Andrew Lumley, Karen Smith, Julian Clark, rh Greg Gummer, Ben Macleod, Mary Smith, Sir Robert Clegg, rh Mr Nick Gyimah, Mr Sam Main, Mrs Anne Soames, rh Nicholas Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hague, rh Mr William Maude, rh Mr Francis Soubry, Anna Coffey, Dr Thérèse Halfon, Robert Maynard, Paul Spencer, Mr Mark Collins, Damian Hames, Duncan McCartney, Jason Stanley, rh Sir John Colvile, Oliver Hammond, rh Mr Philip McCartney, Karl Stephenson, Andrew Cox, Mr Geoffrey Hammond, Stephen McIntosh, Miss Anne Stevenson, John Crabb, Stephen Hancock, Matthew McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Stewart, Bob Crockart, Mike Hancock, Mr Mike McPartland, Stephen Stewart, Iain Crouch, Tracey Hands, Greg McVey, Esther Streeter, Mr Gary Davey, rh Mr Edward Harper, Mr Mark Menzies, Mark Stride, Mel Davies, David T. C. Harrington, Richard Mills, Nigel Stuart, Mr Graham (Monmouth) Harris, Rebecca Milton, Anne Stunell, Andrew 807 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 808

Sturdy, Julian Watkinson, Angela Docherty, Thomas MacNeil, Mr Angus Brendan Swales, Ian Webb, Steve Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Mactaggart, Fiona Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Wharton, James Doran, Mr Frank Mahmood, Shabana Swinson, Jo Wheeler, Heather Doyle, Gemma Malhotra, Seema Swire, rh Mr Hugo White, Chris Dromey, Jack Mann, John Syms, Mr Robert Whittaker, Craig Dugher, Michael Marsden, Mr Gordon Tapsell, rh Sir Peter Whittingdale, Mr John Eagle, Ms Angela McCabe, Steve Teather, Sarah Willetts, rh Mr David Eagle, Maria McCann, Mr Michael Timpson, Mr Edward Williams, Mr Mark Efford, Clive McCarthy, Kerry Tomlinson, Justin Williams, Stephen Elliott, Julie McClymont, Gregg Tredinnick, David Williamson, Gavin Ellman, Mrs Louise McFadden, rh Mr Pat Truss, Elizabeth Willott, Jenny Engel, Natascha McGovern, Alison Turner, Mr Andrew Wilson, Mr Rob Esterson, Bill McGovern, Jim Tyrie, Mr Andrew Wollaston, Dr Sarah Evans, Chris McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Uppal, Paul Wright, Jeremy Farrelly, Paul McKechin, Ann Vaizey, Mr Edward Wright, Simon Field, rh Mr Frank McKenzie, Mr Iain Vara, Mr Shailesh Yeo, Mr Tim Fitzpatrick, Jim McKinnell, Catherine Vickers, Martin Young, rh Sir George Flello, Robert Meacher, rh Mr Michael Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Zahawi, Nadhim Flint, rh Caroline Mearns, Ian Walker, Mr Charles Tellers for the Noes: Flynn, Paul Michael, rh Alun Walker, Mr Robin Mr Brooks Newmark and Fovargue, Yvonne Miliband, rh David Walter, Mr Robert Bill Wiggin Gardiner, Barry Miliband, rh Edward Gilmore, Sheila Mitchell, Austin Glass, Pat Moon, Mrs Madeleine Question accordingly negatived. Glindon, Mrs Mary Morden, Jessica Amendment proposed: at the end of the Question to Godsiff, Mr Roger Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) add: Goggins, rh Paul Morris, Grahame M. Goodman, Helen (Easington) “but respectfully request that your Government recognise that its Greatrex, Tom Mudie, Mr George programme fails to include any meaningful measures to deliver Green, Kate Murphy, rh Paul growth in the economy, which is the most pressing issue facing the Griffith, Nia Murray, Ian UK; and therefore call on your Government to bring forward a Gwynne, Andrew Nandy, Lisa plan for growth to include measures designed to increase bank Hamilton, Mr David O’Donnell, Fiona lending to small and medium-sized enterprises, to build confidence Hamilton, Fabian Osborne, Sandra in economic recovery, to bring forward a programme of direct capital investment and to tackle unemployment.”—(Stewart Hosie.) Hanson, rh Mr David Owen, Albert Harman, rh Ms Harriet Pearce, Teresa Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 33), That Harris, Mr Tom Phillipson, Bridget the amendment be made. Havard, Mr Dai Qureshi, Yasmin The House divided: Ayes 213, Noes 311. Healey, rh John Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Hendrick, Mark Reed, Mr Jamie Division No. 3] [6.12 pm Hepburn, Mr Stephen Reeves, Rachel Heyes, David Reynolds, Emma AYES Hillier, Meg Riordan, Mrs Linda Abbott, Ms Diane Campbell, Mr Ronnie Hilling, Julie Robertson, Angus Abrahams, Debbie Caton, Martin Hodge, rh Margaret Robertson, John Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Clark, Katy Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Clarke, rh Mr Tom Hoey, Kate Rotheram, Steve Alexander, Heidi Coaker, Vernon Hopkins, Kelvin Roy, Mr Frank Ali, Rushanara Coffey, Ann Hosie, Stewart Roy, Lindsay Allen, Mr Graham Connarty, Michael Hunt, Tristram Ruane, Chris Anderson, Mr David Cooper, Rosie Irranca-Davies, Huw Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Ashworth, Jonathan Cooper, rh Yvette Jackson, Glenda Sarwar, Anas Austin, Ian Corbyn, Jeremy Jamieson, Cathy Sharma, Mr Virendra Bain, Mr William Crausby, Mr David Jarvis, Dan Sheerman, Mr Barry Balls, rh Ed Creagh, Mary Johnson, rh Alan Sheridan, Jim Barron, rh Mr Kevin Creasy, Stella Johnson, Diana Shuker, Gavin Bayley, Hugh Cruddas, Jon Jones, Graham Skinner, Mr Dennis Beckett, rh Margaret Cryer, John Jones, Mr Kevan Slaughter, Mr Andy Benn, rh Hilary Cunningham, Alex Jones, Susan Elan Smith, rh Mr Andrew Benton, Mr Joe Cunningham, Mr Jim Jowell, rh Tessa Smith, Nick Berger, Luciana Cunningham, Tony Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Spellar, rh Mr John Blears, rh Hazel Curran, Margaret Kendall, Liz Straw, rh Mr Jack Blenkinsop, Tom Dakin, Nic Khan, rh Sadiq Stuart, Ms Gisela Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Danczuk, Simon Lammy, rh Mr David Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Brennan, Kevin Darling, rh Mr Alistair Lavery, Ian Tami, Mark Brown, Lyn David, Mr Wayne Lazarowicz, Mark Thomas, Mr Gareth Brown, Mr Russell Davidson, Mr Ian Leslie, Chris Thornberry, Emily Bryant, Chris Davies, Geraint Lewis, Mr Ivan Timms, rh Stephen Buck, Ms Karen De Piero, Gloria Lloyd, Tony Trickett, Jon Burden, Richard Denham, rh Mr John Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Turner, Karl Byrne, rh Mr Liam Dobbin, Jim Love, Mr Andrew Twigg, Stephen Campbell, Mr Alan Dobson, rh Frank Lucas, Ian Walley, Joan 809 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 810

Watson, Mr Tom Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Hammond, Stephen McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Whiteford, Dr Eilidh Wood, Mike Hancock, Matthew McPartland, Stephen Whitehead, Dr Alan Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Hancock, Mr Mike McVey, Esther Wicks, rh Malcolm Wright, David Hands, Greg Menzies, Mark Williams, Hywel Harper, Mr Mark Mills, Nigel Williamson, Chris Tellers for the Ayes: Harrington, Richard Milton, Anne Wilson, Phil Jonathan Edwards and Harris, Rebecca Morgan, Nicky Winnick, Mr David Mr Mike Weir Hart, Simon Morris, Anne Marie Harvey, Nick Morris, David NOES Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Morris, James Hayes, Mr John Mosley, Stephen Adams, Nigel Crouch, Tracey Heald, Oliver Mowat, David Afriyie, Adam Davey, rh Mr Edward Heath, Mr David Mulholland, Greg Alexander, rh Danny Davies, David T. C. Heaton-Harris, Chris Munt, Tessa Amess, Mr David (Monmouth) Hemming, John Murray, Sheryll Andrew, Stuart Davies, Glyn Henderson, Gordon Murrison, Dr Andrew Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Davies, Philip Hendry, Charles Neill, Robert Bacon, Mr Richard Davis, rh Mr David Herbert, rh Nick Newmark, Mr Brooks Baker, Norman de Bois, Nick Hinds, Damian Nokes, Caroline Baker, Steve Dinenage, Caroline Hoban, Mr Mark Norman, Jesse Baldry, Tony Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Hollingbery, George Nuttall, Mr David Baldwin, Harriett Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Hollobone, Mr Philip Offord, Mr Matthew Barclay, Stephen Dorries, Nadine Hopkins, Kris Ollerenshaw, Eric Barker, Gregory Doyle-Price, Jackie Horwood, Martin Opperman, Guy Baron, Mr John Duddridge, James Howell, John Osborne, rh Mr George Barwell, Gavin Duncan, rh Mr Alan Hughes, rh Simon Ottaway, Richard Bebb, Guto Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Huhne, rh Chris Patel, Priti Beith, rh Sir Alan Dunne, Mr Philip Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Pawsey, Mark Bellingham, Mr Henry Ellis, Michael Hunter, Mark Penning, Mike Benyon, Richard Ellison, Jane Huppert, Dr Julian Penrose, John Beresford, Sir Paul Ellwood, Mr Tobias Jackson, Mr Stewart Percy, Andrew Berry, Jake Elphicke, Charlie James, Margot Perry, Claire Bingham, Andrew Eustice, George Javid, Sajid Phillips, Stephen Binley, Mr Brian Evans, Graham Jenkin, Mr Bernard Pickles, rh Mr Eric Blackman, Bob Evans, Jonathan Johnson, Joseph Pincher, Christopher Blunt, Mr Crispin Evennett, Mr David Jones, Andrew Poulter, Dr Daniel Boles, Nick Fabricant, Michael Jones, Mr David Prisk, Mr Mark Bone, Mr Peter Fallon, Michael Jones, Mr Marcus Pritchard, Mark Bottomley, Sir Peter Farron, Tim Kawczynski, Daniel Raab, Mr Dominic Bradley, Karen Featherstone, Lynne Kelly, Chris Randall, rh Mr John Brady, Mr Graham Field, Mark Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Reckless, Mark Brake, rh Tom Foster, rh Mr Don Kirby, Simon Redwood, rh Mr John Bray, Angie Fox,rhDrLiam Knight, rh Mr Greg Rees-Mogg, Jacob Brazier, Mr Julian Francois, rh Mr Mark Kwarteng, Kwasi Reevell, Simon Bridgen, Andrew Freeman, George Laing, Mrs Eleanor Reid, Mr Alan Brine, Steve Freer, Mike Lamb, Norman Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Brokenshire, James Fullbrook, Lorraine Lancaster, Mark Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Bruce, Fiona Fuller, Richard Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Robertson, Mr Laurence Bruce, rh Malcolm Gale, Sir Roger Latham, Pauline Rogerson, Dan Buckland, Mr Robert Garnier, Mr Edward Laws, rh Mr David Rudd, Amber Burley, Mr Aidan Garnier, Mark Leadsom, Andrea Ruffley, Mr David Burns, rh Mr Simon Gauke, Mr David Lee, Jessica Russell, Sir Bob Burrowes, Mr David George, Andrew Lee, Dr Phillip Rutley, David Burstow, Paul Gibb, Mr Nick Lefroy, Jeremy Sandys, Laura Burt, Lorely Glen, John Leigh, Mr Edward Scott, Mr Lee Byles, Dan Goldsmith, Zac Leslie, Charlotte Selous, Andrew Cable, rh Vince Goodwill, Mr Robert Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Shapps, rh Grant Cairns, Alun Gove, rh Michael Lewis, Brandon Sharma, Alok Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Graham, Richard Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Shelbrooke, Alec Carmichael, Neil Grant, Mrs Helen Lidington, rh Mr David Shepherd, Mr Richard Cash, Mr William Gray, Mr James Lilley, rh Mr Peter Simmonds, Mark Chishti, Rehman Grayling, rh Chris Lopresti, Jack Simpson, Mr Keith Clappison, Mr James Green, Damian Lord, Jonathan Skidmore, Chris Clark, rh Greg Greening, rh Justine Loughton, Tim Smith, Miss Chloe Clegg, rh Mr Nick Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Luff, Peter Smith, Henry Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Griffiths, Andrew Lumley, Karen Smith, Julian Coffey, Dr Thérèse Gummer, Ben Macleod, Mary Smith, Sir Robert Collins, Damian Gyimah, Mr Sam Main, Mrs Anne Soames, rh Nicholas Colvile, Oliver Hague, rh Mr William Maynard, Paul Soubry, Anna Cox, Mr Geoffrey Halfon, Robert McCartney, Jason Spencer, Mr Mark Crabb, Stephen Hames, Duncan McCartney, Karl Stanley, rh Sir John Crockart, Mike Hammond, rh Mr Philip McIntosh, Miss Anne Stephenson, Andrew 811 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 812

Stevenson, John Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Stewart, Bob Walker, Mr Charles Dunne, Mr Philip Hunter, Mark Stewart, Iain Walker, Mr Robin Ellis, Michael Huppert, Dr Julian Streeter, Mr Gary Walter, Mr Robert Ellison, Jane Jackson, Mr Stewart Stride, Mel Watkinson, Angela Ellwood, Mr Tobias James, Margot Stuart, Mr Graham Webb, Steve Elphicke, Charlie Javid, Sajid Stunell, Andrew Wharton, James Eustice, George Jenkin, Mr Bernard Sturdy, Julian White, Chris Evans, Graham Johnson, Joseph Swales, Ian Whittaker, Craig Evans, Jonathan Jones, Andrew Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Whittingdale, Mr John Evennett, Mr David Jones, Mr David Swinson, Jo Willetts, rh Mr David Fabricant, Michael Jones, Mr Marcus Swire, rh Mr Hugo Williams, Mr Mark Fallon, Michael Kawczynski, Daniel Syms, Mr Robert Williams, Stephen Farron, Tim Kelly, Chris Tapsell, rh Sir Peter Williamson, Gavin Featherstone, Lynne Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Teather, Sarah Wilson, Mr Rob Field, Mark Kirby, Simon Timpson, Mr Edward Wollaston, Dr Sarah Foster, rh Mr Don Knight, rh Mr Greg Tomlinson, Justin Wright, Jeremy Fox,rhDrLiam Kwarteng, Kwasi Tredinnick, David Wright, Simon Francois, rh Mr Mark Laing, Mrs Eleanor Freeman, George Lamb, Norman Truss, Elizabeth Yeo, Mr Tim Turner, Mr Andrew Freer, Mike Lancaster, Mark Young, rh Sir George Tyrie, Mr Andrew Fullbrook, Lorraine Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Zahawi, Nadhim Uppal, Paul Fuller, Richard Latham, Pauline Vaizey, Mr Edward Tellers for the Noes: Gale, Sir Roger Leadsom, Andrea Vara, Mr Shailesh Bill Wiggin and Garnier, Mr Edward Lee, Jessica Vickers, Martin Jenny Willott Garnier, Mark Lee, Dr Phillip Gauke, Mr David Lefroy, Jeremy Question accordingly negatived. Gibb, Mr Nick Leigh, Mr Edward Glen, John Leslie, Charlotte Main Question put. Goldsmith, Zac Letwin, rh Mr Oliver The House divided: Ayes 310, Noes 212. Goodwill, Mr Robert Lewis, Brandon Gove, rh Michael Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Division No. 4] [6.25 pm Graham, Richard Lidington, rh Mr David Grant, Mrs Helen Lilley, rh Mr Peter AYES Gray, Mr James Lopresti, Jack Adams, Nigel Buckland, Mr Robert Grayling, rh Chris Lord, Jonathan Afriyie, Adam Burley, Mr Aidan Green, Damian Loughton, Tim Alexander, rh Danny Burns, rh Mr Simon Greening, rh Justine Luff, Peter Amess, Mr David Burrowes, Mr David Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Lumley, Karen Andrew, Stuart Burstow, Paul Griffiths, Andrew Macleod, Mary Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Burt, Lorely Gummer, Ben Main, Mrs Anne Bacon, Mr Richard Byles, Dan Gyimah, Mr Sam Maynard, Paul Baker, Norman Cable, rh Vince Hague, rh Mr William McCartney, Jason Baker, Steve Cairns, Alun Halfon, Robert McCartney, Karl Baldry, Tony Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Hames, Duncan McIntosh, Miss Anne Baldwin, Harriett Carmichael, Neil Hammond, rh Mr Philip McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Barclay, Stephen Cash, Mr William Hammond, Stephen McPartland, Stephen Barker, Gregory Chishti, Rehman Hancock, Matthew McVey, Esther Baron, Mr John Clappison, Mr James Hancock, Mr Mike Menzies, Mark Barwell, Gavin Clark, rh Greg Hands, Greg Mills, Nigel Bebb, Guto Clegg, rh Mr Nick Harper, Mr Mark Milton, Anne Beith, rh Sir Alan Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Harrington, Richard Mordaunt, Penny Bellingham, Mr Henry Coffey, Dr Thérèse Harris, Rebecca Morgan, Nicky Benyon, Richard Collins, Damian Hart, Simon Morris, Anne Marie Beresford, Sir Paul Colvile, Oliver Harvey, Nick Morris, David Berry, Jake Cox, Mr Geoffrey Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Morris, James Bingham, Andrew Crabb, Stephen Hayes, Mr John Mosley, Stephen Binley, Mr Brian Crockart, Mike Heald, Oliver Mowat, David Blackman, Bob Crouch, Tracey Heath, Mr David Mulholland, Greg Blunt, Mr Crispin Davey, rh Mr Edward Heaton-Harris, Chris Munt, Tessa Boles, Nick Davies, David T. C. Hemming, John Murray, Sheryll Bone, Mr Peter (Monmouth) Henderson, Gordon Murrison, Dr Andrew Bottomley, Sir Peter Davies, Glyn Hendry, Charles Neill, Robert Bradley, Karen Davies, Philip Herbert, rh Nick Nokes, Caroline Brady, Mr Graham Davis, rh Mr David Hinds, Damian Norman, Jesse Brake, rh Tom de Bois, Nick Hoban, Mr Mark Nuttall, Mr David Bray, Angie Dinenage, Caroline Hollingbery, George Offord, Mr Matthew Brazier, Mr Julian Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Hollobone, Mr Philip Ollerenshaw, Eric Bridgen, Andrew Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Hopkins, Kris Opperman, Guy Brine, Steve Dorries, Nadine Horwood, Martin Osborne, rh Mr George Brokenshire, James Doyle-Price, Jackie Howell, John Ottaway, Richard Bruce, Fiona Duddridge, James Hughes, rh Simon Patel, Priti Bruce, rh Malcolm Duncan, rh Mr Alan Huhne, rh Chris Pawsey, Mark 813 Debate on the Address17 MAY 2012 Debate on the Address 814

Penning, Mike Stride, Mel Cruddas, Jon Jones, Mr Kevan Penrose, John Stuart, Mr Graham Cryer, John Jones, Susan Elan Percy, Andrew Stunell, Andrew Cunningham, Alex Jowell, rh Tessa Perry, Claire Sturdy, Julian Cunningham, Mr Jim Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Phillips, Stephen Swales, Ian Cunningham, Tony Kendall, Liz Pickles, rh Mr Eric Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Curran, Margaret Khan, rh Sadiq Pincher, Christopher Swinson, Jo Darling, rh Mr Alistair Lammy, rh Mr David Poulter, Dr Daniel Swire, rh Mr Hugo David, Mr Wayne Lavery, Ian Prisk, Mr Mark Syms, Mr Robert Davidson, Mr Ian Lazarowicz, Mark Pritchard, Mark Tapsell, rh Sir Peter Davies, Geraint Leslie, Chris Raab, Mr Dominic Teather, Sarah De Piero, Gloria Lewis, Mr Ivan Randall, rh Mr John Timpson, Mr Edward Denham, rh Mr John Lloyd, Tony Reckless, Mark Tomlinson, Justin Dobbin, Jim Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Redwood, rh Mr John Tredinnick, David Dobson, rh Frank Love, Mr Andrew Rees-Mogg, Jacob Truss, Elizabeth Docherty, Thomas Lucas, Ian Reevell, Simon Turner, Mr Andrew Donohoe, Mr Brian H. MacNeil, Mr Angus Brendan Reid, Mr Alan Tyrie, Mr Andrew Doran, Mr Frank Mactaggart, Fiona Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Uppal, Paul Dowd, Jim Mahmood, Shabana Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Vaizey, Mr Edward Doyle, Gemma Malhotra, Seema Robertson, Mr Laurence Vara, Mr Shailesh Dromey, Jack Mann, John Dugher, Michael Marsden, Mr Gordon Rogerson, Dan Vickers, Martin Rudd, Amber Eagle, Ms Angela McCabe, Steve Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Ruffley, Mr David Eagle, Maria McCann, Mr Michael Walker, Mr Charles Russell, Sir Bob Edwards, Jonathan McClymont, Gregg Walker, Mr Robin Rutley, David Efford, Clive McFadden, rh Mr Pat Walter, Mr Robert Sandys, Laura Elliott, Julie McGovern, Alison Scott, Mr Lee Watkinson, Angela Ellman, Mrs Louise McGovern, Jim Selous, Andrew Webb, Steve Engel, Natascha McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Shapps, rh Grant Wharton, James Esterson, Bill McKechin, Ann Sharma, Alok White, Chris Evans, Chris McKenzie, Mr Iain Shelbrooke, Alec Whittaker, Craig Farrelly, Paul McKinnell, Catherine Shepherd, Mr Richard Whittingdale, Mr John Field, rh Mr Frank Meacher, rh Mr Michael Simmonds, Mark Wiggin, Bill Fitzpatrick, Jim Mearns, Ian Simpson, Mr Keith Willetts, rh Mr David Flello, Robert Michael, rh Alun Skidmore, Chris Williams, Mr Mark Flint, rh Caroline Miliband, rh David Smith, Miss Chloe Williams, Stephen Flynn, Paul Miliband, rh Edward Smith, Henry Williamson, Gavin Fovargue, Yvonne Mitchell, Austin Smith, Julian Wilson, Mr Rob Gardiner, Barry Moon, Mrs Madeleine Smith, Sir Robert Wollaston, Dr Sarah Gilmore, Sheila Morden, Jessica Soames, rh Nicholas Wright, Jeremy Glass, Pat Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Soubry, Anna Wright, Simon Glindon, Mrs Mary Morris, Grahame M. Godsiff, Mr Roger (Easington) Spencer, Mr Mark Yeo, Mr Tim Stanley, rh Sir John Goggins, rh Paul Mudie, Mr George Young, rh Sir George Stephenson, Andrew Goodman, Helen Murphy, rh Paul Zahawi, Nadhim Stevenson, John Greatrex, Tom Murray, Ian Stewart, Bob Tellers for the Ayes: Green, Kate Nandy, Lisa Stewart, Iain Jenny Willott and Griffith, Nia O’Donnell, Fiona Streeter, Mr Gary Mr Brooks Newmark Gwynne, Andrew Osborne, Sandra Hamilton, Mr David Owen, Albert NOES Hamilton, Fabian Pearce, Teresa Hanson, rh Mr David Phillipson, Bridget Abbott, Ms Diane Brown, Lyn Harman, rh Ms Harriet Qureshi, Yasmin Abrahams, Debbie Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Harris, Mr Tom Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Brown, Mr Russell Havard, Mr Dai Reed, Mr Jamie Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Bryant, Chris Healey, rh John Reeves, Rachel Alexander, Heidi Buck, Ms Karen Hepburn, Mr Stephen Reynolds, Emma Ali, Rushanara Burden, Richard Heyes, David Riordan, Mrs Linda Allen, Mr Graham Byrne, rh Mr Liam Hillier, Meg Robertson, Angus Anderson, Mr David Campbell, Mr Alan Hilling, Julie Robertson, John Ashworth, Jonathan Campbell, Mr Ronnie Hodge, rh Margaret Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Austin, Ian Caton, Martin Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Rotheram, Steve Bain, Mr William Clark, Katy Hoey, Kate Roy, Mr Frank Balls, rh Ed Clarke, rh Mr Tom Hopkins, Kelvin Roy, Lindsay Barron, rh Mr Kevin Coaker, Vernon Hosie, Stewart Ruane, Chris Bayley, Hugh Coffey, Ann Hunt, Tristram Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Beckett, rh Margaret Connarty, Michael Irranca-Davies, Huw Sarwar, Anas Benn, rh Hilary Cooper, Rosie Jackson, Glenda Sharma, Mr Virendra Berger, Luciana Cooper, rh Yvette Jamieson, Cathy Sheerman, Mr Barry Blears, rh Hazel Corbyn, Jeremy Jarvis, Dan Sheridan, Jim Blenkinsop, Tom Crausby, Mr David Johnson, rh Alan Shuker, Gavin Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Creagh, Mary Johnson, Diana Skinner, Mr Dennis Brennan, Kevin Creasy, Stella Jones, Graham Slaughter, Mr Andy 815 Debate on the Address 17 MAY 2012 816

Smith, rh Mr Andrew Weir, Mr Mike John Lawton Smith, Nick Whiteford, Dr Eilidh Spellar, rh Mr John Whitehead, Dr Alan Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House Straw, rh Mr Jack Wicks, rh Malcolm do now adjourn.—(Greg Hands.) Stuart, Ms Gisela Williams, Hywel Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Williamson, Chris 6.36 pm Tami, Mark Wilson, Phil Thomas, Mr Gareth Winnick, Mr David Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): I am extremely grateful Thornberry, Emily Winterton, rh Ms Rosie personally to Mr Speaker for affording me the opportunity Timms, rh Stephen Wood, Mike to secure this debate and to raise the case of the Trickett, Jon Woodward, rh Mr Shaun disappearance of my constituent, Mr John Lawton. Turner, Karl Wright, David John’s wife Lynda, his son Steve and daughter-in-law Twigg, Stephen Tellers for the Noes: Rachel are in the Gallery this evening, at what is a Walley, Joan Nic Dakin and deeply worrying time for them. I pay tribute to the Watson, Mr Tom Mark Hendrick dignity and commitment they have shown throughout the period of some five to six weeks since Mr Lawton Question accordingly agreed to. disappeared in Greece. They have spent much of the Resolved, past five to six weeks in Greece and are back in the UK while the search for John continues. That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows: John Lawton went missing on 8 April—Easter Sunday— Most Gracious Sovereign, while participating in the Taygetos marathon in Greece. We, YourMajesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons The race started at 8.30 am. The organisers have confirmed of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in that John passed through checkpoint 4 at 1.17 pm, Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to which was about halfway round the course, 21 km from Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has the start of the race at the start of the Viros gorge, but addressed to both Houses of Parliament. he never reached checkpoint 5, at 26 km—or at least he Address to be presented to Her Majesty by Members was never checked in there. Some new information in of the House who are Privy Counsellors or Members of that connection has just come to light, and I will refer to Her Majesty’s Household. it later in my speech. Since being made aware of John’s disappearance, I Business without Debate have been assisting the family and trying to maintain awareness. I heard about the matter within three days and made immediate contact with the Foreign Office DELEGATED LEGISLATION to call for assistance. I know that the Under-Secretary Ordered, of State for Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for That the Motion in the name of Mr Peter Lilley relating to the Huntingdon (Mr Djanogly), also made immediate House of Commons Members’ Fund shall be treated as if it representations to the Foreign Office in his capacity as related to an instrument subject to the provisions of Standing the constituency MP of Mr Lawton’s son, Steven. My Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees) in respect of hon. Friend spoke with the Foreign Office no fewer which notice of a motion has been given that the instrument be than three times on Easter Monday, and his intervention approved.—(Mr Heath.) contributed to the provision of a helicopter search for about an hour on the following day. The family are appreciative of my hon. Friend’s active interest in the case. I first raised the matter in the House at my earliest opportunity, at Foreign Office questions on 17 April, when the Minister for Europe kindly confirmed in response that he had spoken with our ambassador in Athens, called for further representations to be made at the highest level of the Greek Government, and made arrangements for a member of the consular team in Greece to visit the Lawton family to discuss their concerns and what support they required. At that time, one key thing that the family wanted—they still want it on an ongoing basis—was a well-resourced, professionally co-ordinated search directed at the highest possible level by the Greek authorities. I wish to put on the record my thanks to the Minister and the staff in his office for their ongoing assistance. I thank him specifically for taking the time to speak directly with Steven Lawton a few weeks ago and for his continuing agreement to meet representatives of the Lawton family at any stage. It is also important to thank British officials in Greece who have continued to press the Greek authorities on behalf of the family. Dialogue with the police and the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains crucial. It is particularly important 817 John Lawton17 MAY 2012 John Lawton 818

[Fiona Bruce] the Cheshire search and rescue group returned just a day or so ago, and the family are now particularly keen because at present, as the family told me a few minutes that I emphasise that there is now no ongoing, active, ago, the search in the area is no longer continuing, other professional search, and have asked that the Minister than through the occasional tourist who might see the ask the Greek authorities that the search be reconvened, posters placed in the area advertising John’s disappearance. not least because information has come to light that Over the past five or six weeks, I have received dozens leads us to believe that not all the relevant areas have of e-mails not only from constituents but from people been searched. across the country who know John, Lynda, Steve and The family have engaged privately commissioned UK other family members, and I have been struck by the investigators to review the evidence that has been amassed affection and respect in which they are held. One typical in respect of John’s disappearance. A detailed timeline e-mail read: John chart has been prepared and was sent to the Minister “is a man who worked with people with learning, physical difficulties earlier this week. The chart is an analysis based on and challenging behaviour” interviews conducted by UK investigators directly with whom Greek and British witnesses. The police investigation into John’s disappearance has confirmed that there “he never gave up on. His wife, Lynda, is the nicest person you could meet and they are totally devoted to each other”. were eight athletes behind John at the fourth checkpoint, but there has been no formal indication that they were John and Lynda married when they were 18-years-old all interviewed and asked whether they saw him between and have been happily married for 42 years. The family the fourth and fifth checkpoints. tell me that there is no reason John would have voluntarily disappeared. They have lived in the local area, in my An English witness who lives near the fifth checkpoint constituency, for almost all their married live, and their on the course apparently approached Gaia to say that two children, Steve and Sara, attended school in Sandbach. she recalled seeing John running past her home close to The local community has rallied to support the family, the fifth checkpoint at about 2 pm. A gel packet, of the and yellow ribbons have been worn by many people English brand that John used and certainly had with to show their concern following John’s disappearance. him at the time, was found on the course just before the The local media, too, have been extremely supportive. I fifth checkpoint. It was found some four weeks ago, but spoke on BBC Radio Stoke most recently this morning it has not yet been established whether it belonged to about the matter, and the Crewe Chronicle and the him. The family is awaiting the results of DNA tests Sandbach Chronicle have made this a headline issue for from the Greek authorities. Any help the Minister can several weeks, which has been crucial, not least in provide to help to secure those results promptly would helping to raise funds to support the search for John. be appreciated. Two other such gel packets have been found recently by the Cheshire search and rescue team. John Lawton is a popular and active member Sandbach Striders running group, three of whose members have All this information suggests that John might have been out to Greece to help in the search. I have been progressed beyond the main area covered by the initial particularly impressed by the lengths to which members search, and the family is therefore requesting the Greek of the group have gone to support the family. Six authorities to recommence their search efforts and to members—husband and wife duo, Jason and Jo Bulley, focus on the area highlighted by the new evidence. The Perry Wyatt, Terry Coppenhall, Robert Kettle and Steve initial search might have been conducted in the wrong Treweeks—participated in the London marathon to area, and it is for that reason that the voluntary groups raise funds for volunteers to go out to Greece as part out in Greece have been searching the area between of the search team. A JustGiving page, in the name of checkpoints 4 and 5 far more extensively. However, John Lawton, has also been set up by Missing Abroad. additional professional help would be greatly appreciated. The last time I visited the site, 300 people had generously John Lawton is not the first Congleton constituent to donated more than £13,500. That money, however, has disappear in Greece. The Minister might be aware of all but been spent on the cost of the 15 Cheshire search the case of Steven Cook, a Liverpool university student and rescue team volunteers who also went out to Greece and former Sandbach school pupil who disappeared in to help with the search, and on other expenses. I hope the resort of Malia in Crete on 1 September 2005. I that the recently revised target of £25,000 for these costs know that Steven’s parents have campaigned tirelessly can be surpassed as soon as possible and that publicity for more information following their son’s disappearance, generated, not least as a result of this debate, will help and the advice and support that they have offered to the in that process. Lawton family over the past few weeks have been greatly In the immediate aftermath of his disappearance appreciated, especially as John’s disappearance must being reported, the Greek authorities initiated a search bring back memories of the extremely worrying time conducted and led mainly by the local Gaia volunteer during the aftermath of Steven’s disappearance. rescue group. People from the local villages were extremely I have highlighted a very sad case tonight. It is a case helpful, closing their businesses and searching throughout that continues to cause the Lawton family an immense their Easter holidays. The search was joined at various amount of worry and distress. I know that the Foreign points by the police, fire service, search dogs, local Office has been as active as possible, here in London mountain rescue teams and the Greek Red Cross. The and out in Greece, but I would be grateful if the official search, however, was called off by the Greek Minister could confirm what further action can be authorities about two and a half weeks ago. The family taken at this time to continue and extend the search for have asked me to express their gratitude that it lasted John. Will he also tell me how the discussions with the 20 days, but since then only local volunteers, family Greek authorities are progressing, and will progress in members and volunteers from Cheshire have been on the future, and what further steps will be taken to the ground looking for John. The 15-man team from ensure that John’s family receive the ongoing support 819 John Lawton17 MAY 2012 John Lawton 820 that they require from all the relevant authorities, here and get the information they need in order to make properly and abroad, and in particular, to ensure the re-engagement informed decisions as things progress. The primary role of the official search? of consular staff is one of welfare: it is to assist, where I would also be grateful if the Minister could use this they can; to obtain information from relevant authorities opportunity to clarify what assistance the Government where possible; and, where appropriate, sometimes to can give through the Foreign Office to families who find raise more detailed issues with those authorities. What themselves in a similar predicament. Could he, for our consular staff cannot do themselves is to investigate example, review the literature that is provided by our missing persons overseas, and, as I know my hon. embassies to families who find themselves with a missing Friend understands, they cannot instruct the local relative abroad to ensure that it is clear? The disappearance authorities how they should handle a search or investigation of a loved one at any time is a tremendously distressing in their own country, just as we would not expect other situation to have to contend with, but it is made much countries to attempt to instruct us how to carry out a worse when it happens overseas. I am sure that it would missing person search in the UK. be of considerable help to receive some guidance from Consular staff in Greece and London have been very the Minister in this respect. This would be of benefit active in this case since Mr Lawton’s disappearance was not only to the families who find themselves in this first reported. On the same day as the report was made, predicament but to Members of Parliament who want consular staff in Athens were in contact with the local to advise their constituents as well and as expeditiously chief of police who was supervising the search, to as possible in such circumstances. register our concern and see whether there was any I want to close as I began, by paying tribute to the assistance we could offer. The chief of police asked if immensely dignified and committed way in which the we could intercede with the central authorities in Athens whole Lawton family—not only Lynda and Steven, but to try to secure the use of a helicopter with thermal Lynda and John’s daughter Sara, who has also been imaging equipment. As a result of the direct intervention supporting them—have behaved, and to the commitment of the British embassy in Athens with officials at the that the whole community in my constituency has shown Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, such a helicopter in this situation. was dispatched to the search site during Tuesday 10 April —just over 24 hours after Mr Lawton was officially 6.49 pm reported missing. The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): I In the early days of the search, consular staff were congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton able to support some other strands of the search operation, (Fiona Bruce) on securing this debate, and I pay tribute including attempts to locate John Lawton through his to the consistency and tenacity with which she has mobile phone or through the Garmin watch with GPS represented the interests of the Lawton family to me facility that he was wearing at the time. Unfortunately, and my officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth the mobile phone was later found to have been left Office. I also want to acknowledge the presence in his switched off at his hotel, and the watch could only place this evening of my hon. Friend the Member for receive a signal—regrettably, it could not transmit details Huntingdon (Mr Djanogly) who, as Mr Steve Lawton’s of Mr Lawton’s location. MP, has been extremely active in making representations Our consul in Athens was also in direct telephone to the Government on behalf of the family. contact with Mr Steve Lawton, John Lawton’s son, on I want to take the opportunity to respond to my hon. the evening of Easter Monday, and has remained in Friend the Member for Congleton by outlining the contact ever since, with a face-to-face meeting when she consular assistance we have provided to the family and visited the area on 19 April. the contacts we have had with the Greek authorities Our embassy staff in Athens maintained regular contact since Mr John Lawton was reported missing, and by with the Greek authorities at both senior and local trying to provide at least an initial response to some of operational level in both the Foreign Ministry and the the newer questions that she posed this evening. Ministry of Citizen Protection, which has responsibility As my hon. Friend said, Mr John Lawton had been for the police and related emergency services, to support taking part in the Taygetos mountain marathon challenge the efforts of Steve Lawton himself at the search site. in the Kardamyli area of Greece on the morning of Normal practice in Greece is for such a search to last for 8 April, Easter Sunday. He started the race, but did not 72 hours, as was the case in March this year when a show up at checkpoint 5 en route. Local search efforts Greek national went missing in the same area. As my began immediately it became clear that he had missed a hon. Friend acknowledged, in this case—in large part, I checkpoint, and he was formally reported missing on believe, as a result of the that high level of contact from Monday 9 April, Easter Monday. Following this, a our staff—the Greek authorities maintained the search more intensive search and rescue operation started on for nearer to three weeks. During that time they deployed 9 April and lasted for 18 days before being officially a variety of resources, including specially trained search called off on 26 April. To date, Mr Lawton remains and rescue teams, other manpower—both official and missing. I am sure that the entire House will appreciate volunteer—and trained dogs and a thermal imaging and sympathise with the anguish and sense of frustration helicopter. and anxiety that Mr Lawton’s family and friends will In the most recent high-level intervention, our have felt ever since the day he disappeared. ambassador in Athens has spoken to both the Minister In these circumstances, expectations of consular staff and the Deputy Minister for Citizen Protection, are extremely high. In the overwhelming majority of acknowledging the efforts of the authorities so far and cases, consular staff throughout the world perform encouraging them to continue to consider whether there their duties with care and compassion, doing all they was anything more that they ought to be doing. The can to help families to keep up to date with developments Minister confirmed that the investigation should continue, 821 John Lawton17 MAY 2012 John Lawton 822

[Mr David Lidington] it had been invited to continue the search by the Lawton family and the Greek volunteer search teams. Although and obviously I will ask our embassy to follow up that our assistance was not required in this case, we stand conversation in the light of what my hon. Friend has ready to help, should that be required in any similar said this evening. deployments in future. As my hon. Friend has said, the My hon. Friend mentioned some of the findings of funding for the Cheshire team has come from the JustGiving the privately commissioned investigation. Having received page set up by Missing Abroad, a charitable organisation the report earlier this week, we have passed it on to our set up by the Lucie Blackman Trust in 2008 to provide ministerial contacts in Greece, together with the family’s practical and in some cases financial support to families request that the search should recommence on the basis and friends of people who have gone missing overseas. of the timeline analysis and the findings of the investigation. Missing Abroad can supplement consular support by I note what my hon. Friend said about the time that it offering additional services, including supporting or has taken to obtain the results of the DNA test that was co-ordinating searches for missing people in other countries. promised for the gel samples. As she will understand, I It also provides valuable emotional support to families. cannot speak with any detailed knowledge of how the FCO consular staff, both in this country and abroad, system of pathology tests operates in Greece, but I will regularly encourage people to contact Missing Abroad. ask our consular team in Athens to look into the matter My Department also provides some funding to Missing as well. Abroad, as its services clearly complement the support I hope that my hon. Friend and the Lawton family that our consular teams offer. Details for Missing Abroad will be reassured that we maintain, and will continue to are available via the Foreign Office’s public website and maintain, a high level of contact with the Greek authorities. in the FCO publication “Missing persons abroad”. Inevitably, given the current economic and political Let me respond to the point my hon. Friend made situation in Greece, Ministers and the officials who about the provision of information. Although there is are political appointees will be preoccupied with the inevitably an inherent tension between the wish to provide forthcoming general election, but we will continue to do a concise and clear account and the need to provide all that we can to maintain the profile of this case with answers to the detailed questions that families facing them and with the operational authorities at a more many different circumstances might have, we are always local level. keen to learn from the experience of people who I am grateful for the fact that my hon. Friend was unfortunately have to make use of such literature. I able to arrange for me to speak directly to Mr Steve would be very happy for my officials to talk directly to Lawton by telephone when he returned to the United my hon. Friend and to members of the Lawton family Kingdom for a few days to accompany his mother to see whether improvements could be made in the light home. That enabled me to explain our role in a little of the experience in this case. more detail, and to assure him that we would continue The main help that the FCO can give in such cases is to maintain our close contact with the Greek authorities to assist families in understanding how systems work in as the case progressed. other countries—although we cannot provide professional I completely understand why the Lawton family and legal advice—to liaise with local authorities where necessary John Lawton’s friends felt frustrated that the Government and, if appropriate, to act as a bridge between those could not intervene and send UK search specialists to authorities and families. That is the kind of support bolster the Greek effort, as we sometimes do in the case that our staff in Crete have provided to the family of of natural disasters overseas. As I said to Mr Lawton Mr Steven Cook, in the other case that my hon. Friend when we spoke, it is the Greek authorities that have the mentioned. Steven’s family have been in close contact local expertise and the legal responsibility and powers with consular staff in Crete since he first went missing in their own country and locality, and they were in 2005. co-ordinating the search on the ground. Official offers I freely acknowledge that our efforts and those of the of support from the UK would normally be made only Greek authorities will never be enough for as long as if the local authorities in the country concerned lacked Mr John Lawton remains missing. I believe that our the equipment, resource or experience to conduct a search, consular staff have worked hard to provide the family and requested such help from us. Those circumstances with consular assistance during every stage of the case. did not apply in this case. However, in the event that the More important, we stand ready to continue to offer family, friends or UK search teams wanted to be actively support to the family and to maintain our contact with involved in the search on a volunteer basis—either the Greek authorities for as long as necessary. independently or in support of an official search—we Question put and agreed to. would help to facilitate contact with the relevant authorities in Greece if that were asked of us. We have recently been in contact with the Cheshire 7.3 pm search and rescue team in that regard. I understand that House adjourned. 39WS Written Ministerial Statements17 MAY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 40WS

In addition councils will get to keep 100% of the Written Ministerial business rates from new renewable energy projects. These will not count against the local-central shares. A centrally Statements run safety net will provide support should a council’s income drop below a set baseline, protecting areas which suffer a downturn. Thursday 17 May 2012 The technical documents being published today cover: Business rates retention—to strengthen the incentive for councils to support local firms and local jobs. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Statements of intent covering renewable energy; the central and local shares of retained business rates; and the safety net Government Chemist Review and levy. A technical paper setting out proposals on pooling arrangements for local authorities. The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David An analytical paper: “The economic benefits of local business Willetts): The 15th annual review of the Government rates retention”. Chemist has been received. The review will be placed in Localising support for council tax—to strengthen the the Libraries of the House plus those of the devolved incentive for councils to help their residents get back Administrations in Wales and Northern Ireland. The into employment. review will also be laid before the Scottish Parliament. Statements of intent setting out the detail of policy to be covered in forthcoming regulations on the prescribed requirements for schemes—including those for pensioners and the default scheme; transitional arrangements; council COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT tax base adjustments and risk sharing of financial pressures; and the procedure for making local schemes. A consultation on the funding of localised support for Local Government Finance council tax These will provide the details local authorities need The Secretary of State for Communities and Local to bring forward their own proposals for local schemes. Government (Mr Eric Pickles): Today, I am publishing a I will also shortly be publishing guidance to help local series of documents which underpin the policy behind authorities take account of work incentives and the the Local Government Finance Bill. needs of vulnerable people. The current flawed system of Government handouts to local authorities encourages a begging bowl mentality, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE with each council vying to be more deprived than its neighbour. Our reforms will allow councils to stand tall, Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and reward them for supporting local jobs and local (Irish Protocol) firms. All councils, including the least prosperous areas, will have the opportunity to gain under this system. The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): An Economic analysis by my Department, which I am intergovernmental conference was convened yesterday, placing in the Library of the House today, shows that 16 May 2012, in the margins of Coreper, to sign the these new laws and reforms deliver an opportunity for a protocol put forward by the Irish Government during £10 billion boost to the wider economy, generating negotiations on the treaty of Lisbon. The protocol will more business rate revenues for councils. need also to be ratified by all 27 member states before it The Local Government Finance Bill will enable local can be attached to the treaty on the functioning of the authorities across England to keep a share of the business European Union and the treaty on European Union. rates they collect, giving them a strong financial incentive In the UK, under the European Union Act 2011, the to promote local economic growth and directly linking Minister must lay a statement before Parliament under a council’s financial revenue to the decisions they take section 5 of the Act as to whether, in the Minister’s to back local firms and local jobs. The bigger pot will opinion, the protocol falls within section 4 of the Act—cases mean there is more money to support frontline services, which attract a referendum. The 2011 Act also requires help pay off the deficit and still protect vulnerable primary legislation to approve the protocol before the communities. UK can ratify it. The statement will be laid within the In addition, the Bill gives local authorities autonomy two-month period specified in the Act and primary in helping provide for the most vulnerable in their areas legislation will be introduced in due course. through designing local schemes of support for council tax. Business rate growth will be shared evenly between HOME DEPARTMENT central and local government. The “local share” will be retained in full by councils and will be set at 50% for the Animals in Scientific Procedures seven year period. The full “central share” will always be returned in grants to local government. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the The Bill will support the success of the 24 confirmed Home Department (Lynne Featherstone): I am pleased enterprise zones across the country by enabling the to inform the House that I have today placed in the uplift in business rates on those sites to be retained Library and published the Government’s response to locally and invested back into growth projects across the public consultation on the options for transposition the local enterprise partnership area. of European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of 41WS Written Ministerial Statements17 MAY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 42WS animals used for scientific purposes. Directive 2010/63/EU JUSTICE will replace Directive 86/609/EEC on which current United Kingdom legislation—the Animals (Scientific Economic Crime Committed by Commercial Procedures) Act 1986—is based. In common with other Organisations (Enforcement Tool) member states, the UK must transpose the provisions of the new directive into legislation by 10 November 2012 The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice and implement them from 1 January 2013. (Mr Crispin Blunt): Today the Solicitor-General and I The Government welcome the new directive which are launching the “Consultation on a new enforcement strengthens the protection of animals used in scientific tool to deal with economic crime committed by commercial procedures and promotes the development, validation, organisations: Deferred prosecution agreements” (Cm acceptance and implementation of methods and strategies 8348), which has been developed jointly by the Ministry that replace, reduce and refine the scientific use of of Justice and the Law Officers’ Departments. animals (the 3Rs). It also sets down detailed rules to Treating economic crime more seriously and taking ensure harmonisation and the proper functioning of steps to combat it more effectively are key commitments the internal market. These are intended to rectify variations in the coalition agreement. We need to develop new in the implementation of Directive 86/609/EEC which tools for prosecutors to use alongside existing methods, have tended to create barriers to trade in products and to give them the flexibility to secure appropriate penalties substances developed using animals in research and for wrongdoing, at the same time as achieving better testing. outcomes for victims. We believe that these proposals The public consultation was launched on 13 June will enable prosecutors to take more effective action 2011 and closed on 5 September 2011. The consultation against commercial organisations which commit economic paper invited views on the options for transposing the crimes. new directive and on the accompanying impact assessment. The Government are clear that more needs to be Responses were received from over 13,000 individuals done and that white collar crime should be treated as and 98 organisations. seriously as any other kind of offending. That is why we The Government’s response summarises the responses are consulting on a new enforcement tool: deferred to all of the questions included in the public consultation prosecution agreements (DPAs). and explains how we propose to transpose each of the Under a DPA, a prosecutor would lay but would not articles and annexes of the new directive. The response immediately proceed with criminal charges against a also includes an estimate of the impact of our preferred commercial organisation pending successful compliance approach to transposition of each of the provisions of with tough requirements such as financial penalties, the new directive. restitution for victims, confiscation of the profits of In line with Government policy on the implementation wrongdoing and measures to prevent future offending. of European legislation, we propose to “copy out” most DPAs would contribute to a just outcome, securing of the provisions of the directive. There are, however, a appropriate penalties for and the surrendering of the number of areas in which we intend to retain current proceeds of wrongdoing, and benefits for victims in a stricter United Kingdom standards. For example, we way that is sanctioned by a judge, without the uncertainty, propose to retain special protection for dogs, cats and expense, complexity or time of a full criminal trial. horses as well as non-human primates and to retain all They would enable commercial organisations to be held current United Kingdom care and accommodation to account—but without unfairly affecting employees, standards that are stricter than those set out in annex III customers, pensioners, suppliers and investors who were to the directive. All are justified on animal welfare not involved in the behaviour that is to be penalised. grounds or to maintain public confidence that animals And the process will be transparent: as DPAs will be used in experiments and testing will continue to receive public, the public will always know what wrongdoing a very high-level of protection. has taken place, and the penalty that has been paid. We also propose to retain the current requirement Copies of the document have been placed in the that individuals carrying out regulated procedures on Libraries of both Houses, in the Vote Office and in the animals must hold a personal licence authorising them Printed Paper Office. The document is also available to do so. We will, however, explore the opportunities to online, at: simplify the detail of personal licence authorities and to www.justice.gov.uk/consultations. remove current requirements which increase regulation The consultation will run until 9 August 2012. A without adding to the effectiveness of the licensing response paper is scheduled to be published in October process. We will ensure any changes avoid detrimental 2012. impacts on levels of compliance or animal welfare and protection. PRIME MINISTER The directive introduces inspection for all member Parliamentary and Political Service Honours states but with a minimum frequency much lower than Committee we currently practise in the United Kingdom. We propose to retain our current risk-based approach to inspection and are committed to maintaining a strong and properly The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): The previous resourced inspectorate and a full programme of inspections. Government had a policy of not recommending honours for political service, although some individuals were We estimate that these proposals will have no significant honoured for services to Parliament. The Government impact on costs or competitiveness. believe that there are many people in politics who The Government’s response can be found at: http://www. demonstrate selfless commitment for the good of the homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/animal-research/ nation and that it is right to recognise the best of them. 43WS Written Ministerial Statements17 MAY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 44WS

A new honours committee—the Parliamentary and Yorkshire. I have asked south Yorkshire passenger transport Political Service Honours Committee—is therefore being executive to lead the delivery of the vehicles and to established. It will consider candidates for honours sponsor the pilot in collaboration with Network Rail, from the Westminster Parliament and the devolved Northern Rail and Stagecoach Supertram. legislatures; the staffs of those bodies and the bodies which report directly to them (for example, the National The pilot I am announcing today will allow us to Audit Office and the ombudsmen); and, voluntary workers determine the practical and operational issues of extending and staff of the political parties. tram trains from the national network to on-street Lord Spicer is the chairman of the new committee. running and running trams and heavy rail vehicles The official members are the three Commons Chief safely over existing heavy rail infrastructure. It will also Whips of the major parties. There are also to be at least allow us to gauge passenger perception and acceptability four independent members: currently these are Baroness of tram train. Hayman, Lord Butler of Brockwell, Dame Mary Keegan and Peter Riddell. The knowledge that we obtain from the pilot will The membership has been chosen to include a balance enable us to understand the technical and operational of party members and those who do not have known challenges involved in this project so that the concept party allegiances but have a good awareness of Parliament can potentially be rolled out elsewhere in the UK. and the bodies which report to it. Because of time constraints, it has not been possible to select these The pilot will see the introduction from 2015 of new independent members by the normal process of open tram train vehicles capable of using both light and advertising and written application in line with Nolan heavy rail infrastructure, so providing continuous travel procedures. The intention is that when further appointments from Sheffield’s Supertram network onto Network Rail’s are to be made, they will be carried out using the national rail network, as well as providing more capacity normal processes for selecting honours committee members. on the Supertram system itself The new committee has been established for the birthday 2012 honours round and has the support of The new vehicles will provide three services an hour the three main parties. As with all the specialist honours operating from Parkgate retail park in Rotherham, committees, its recommendations are subject to the travelling through Rotherham central station and joining agreement of the main honours committee, chaired by up to the existing Supertram network at Meadowhall the head of the civil service. where the services will then continue onwards to Sheffield city centre. The project is also expected to create 25 new TRANSPORT driver jobs locally, plus around 10 additional jobs in maintenance and revenue protection. Tram Train Pilot The pilot will run for two years and alongside the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport additional capacity being provided for the Supertram (Norman Baker): I have today given final approval to system, is expected to cost £58 million, including the proceed with a pilot of tram train technology in south cost of the vehicles and infrastructure changes.

229W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 230W

Mr David Jones: To collect any such information Written Answers to would involve disproportionate costs. Questions Consultants Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales Thursday 17 May 2012 how much her Department spent on external consultants, including management consultants, in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement. [107503] WALES Mr David Jones: The Wales Office spent £6,870.85 on Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats consultants in 2010-11, in respect of work that was commissioned in the previous financial year. No payments Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales have been made to consultants in 2011-12. (1) what (a) grants and (b) contracts her Department Risk Assessment has awarded to companies or organisations run by individuals who were previously employed in any capacity by (i) the Conservative party or its elected representatives Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales and (ii) the Liberal Democrat party or its elected what strategic or transitional risk registers in each area representatives since May 2010; what the (A) value and of policy are held by her Department; and if she will (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they make a statement. [107468] were publicly advertised; [107128] (2) what (a) grants and (b) contracts her Department Mr David Jones: The Wales Office does not hold risk has awarded to companies or organisations run by registers for specific areas of policy. individuals who previously held an elected position as a Trade Unions member of the (i) Conservative party and (ii) Liberal Democrat party since May 2010; what the (A) value and Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they how many trade union representatives in her Department were publicly advertised; [107129] had (a) part-time and (b) full-time paid facility time (3) which individuals have been paid by her Department arrangements in 2011-12; [107285] for consultancy or other services who were previously (2) how many days were utilised for paid facility time employed in any capacity by the (a) Conservative party by each trade union representative in her Department or its elected representatives and (b) Liberal Democrat in 2011-12; and at what cost to the public purse; party or its elected representatives since May 2010; what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services [107286] provided; and whether they were publicly advertised; (3) how many days were utilised for paid facility time [107130] by each trade union representatives in her Department for trade union (a) duties and (b) activities in 2011-12. (4) which individuals have been paid by her Department for consultancy or other services who previously held [107287] an elected position as a member of the (a) Conservative party and (b) Liberal Democrat party since May 2010; Mr David Jones: The Wales Office had no trade what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services provided; union representatives working within the department in 2011-12. However, Wales Office staff have access to and whether they were publicly advertised. [107131] trade union representatives via the Ministry of Justice. Mr David Jones: The Wales Office does not generally Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if undertake direct procurement or tendering projects. It she will place in the Library copies of the facility time utilises framework contracts between suppliers and other agreements between trade unions and her Department. Government bodies. [107288] As part of this Government’s Transparency agenda, since 2010 all contracts over the value of £10,000 are Mr David Jones: The Wales Office does not directly published on Contracts Finder. employ staff. The Wales Office adheres to the Ministry of Justice facility time agreements. Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what the (a) job title and (b) pay band is of Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales each official, excluding special advisers, recruited by how many trade union representatives in her Department her Department since May 2010 who was previously have faced disciplinary action for abusing paid facility employed in any capacity by the (i) Conservative party time or public resources in each of the last five years. or its elected representatives and (ii) Liberal Democrat [107289] party or its elected representatives; and whether their position was advertised publicly; [107277] Mr David Jones: None. (2) what the (a) job title and (b) pay band is of each official, excluding special advisers, recruited by her Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales Department since May 2010 who previously held an elected how many meetings have taken place between her position as a member of the (i) Conservative party and Department and trade union representatives utilising (ii) Liberal Democrat party; and whether their position paid facility time in each of the last five years to discuss was advertised publicly. [107278] (a) collective bargaining, (b) redundancies, (c) negotiations 231W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 232W relating to employment, pay and conditions and (d) previously held an elected position as a member of the other trade union and industrial relations duties; and (a) Conservative Party and (b) Liberal Democrat what the dates and times were of each meeting. [107290] Party since May 2010; what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services provided; and whether they were Mr David Jones: None. The Wales Office does not publicly advertised. [107164] directly employ staff. Mr Paterson: Information regarding the political Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales affiliations of contractors or consultants is not held by on how many occasions trade union representatives my Department. from her Department have utilised paid facility time to represent an employee at a meeting or other industrial Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for relations matter in each of the last five years. [107291] Northern Ireland what the (a) job title and (b) pay band is of each official, excluding special advisers, Mr David Jones: None. recruited by his Department since May 2010 who was previously employed in any capacity by the (i) Conservative Party or its elected representatives and (ii) Liberal Democrat Party or its elected representatives; and whether their NORTHERN IRELAND position was advertised publicly. [107260]

Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats Mr Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office follows the Ministry of Justice recruitment procedures and the Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for principle of fair and open competition. We are not Northern Ireland what (a) grants and (b) contracts his aware of any member of staff working for the Department, Department has awarded to companies or organisations other than the Special Adviser, who was previously run by individuals who were previously employed in employed by either the Conservative or Liberal Democrat any capacity by (i) the Conservative Party or its elected parties. representatives and (ii) the Liberal Democrat Party or its elected representatives since May 2010; what the (A) Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for value and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether Northern Ireland what the (a) job title and (b) pay they were publicly advertised. [107161] band is of each official, excluding special advisers, recruited by his Department since May 2010 who previously Mr Paterson: Information regarding the political held an elected position as a member of the (i) Conservative affiliations of contractors or consultants is not held by Party and (ii) Liberal Democrat Party; and whether my Department, nor is such information held in relation their position was advertised publicly. [107261] to grant applications. Mr Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office follows Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Justice recruitment procedures and the Northern Ireland what (a) grants and (b) contracts his principle of fair and open competition. We are not Department has awarded to companies or organisations aware of any member of staff working for the Department, run by individuals who previously held an elected position other than the Special Adviser, who was previously as a member of the (i) Conservative Party and (ii) employed by either the Conservative or Liberal Democrat Liberal Democrat Party since May 2010; what the (A) parties. value and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether Consultants they were publicly advertised. [107162]

Mr Paterson: Information regarding the political Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern affiliations of contractors or consultants is not held by Ireland how much his Department spent on external my Department, nor is such information held in relation consultants, including management consultants, in (a) to grant applications. 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [107500] Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which individuals have been paid by Mr Paterson: During 2010-11 and 2011-12, the total his Department for consultancy or other services who amounts spent by my Department on external consultants, were previously employed in any capacity by the (a) including management consultants, was £347,000 and Conservative Party or its elected representatives and £75,000 respectively. (b) Liberal Democrat Party or its elected representatives since May 2010; what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of Dealing with the Past the services provided; and whether they were publicly advertised. [107163] Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent progress he has made on Mr Paterson: Information regarding the political talks regarding the decade of commemoration in affiliations of contractors or consultants is not held by Northern Ireland. [106573] my Department. Mr Swire: Both the Secretary of State for Northern Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Ireland, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Northern Ireland which individuals have been paid by Shropshire (Mr Paterson), and I continue to have regular his Department for consultancy or other services who discussions with colleagues in the Northern Ireland 233W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 234W

Executive and the Irish Government. Most recently on Mr Paterson: Trade union representatives employed 27 April the Secretary of State and the Tánaiste further by the Northern Ireland Office used approximately four discussed plans for the decade of Commemorations. I days of facility time during 2011-12 to cover all their have also attended a number of commemoration events trade union duties. with my Irish counterparts. NIO officials are also in My Department has two non-departmental public regular contact with Irish and NI Executive officials bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission about forthcoming events. All these discussions underpin and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. My the need to promote tolerance and mutual understanding hon. Friend may wish to write to the Commissions to ensure that these anniversaries are commemorated directly on these matters. with tolerance, dignity and respect for all.

Risk Assessment Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library copies of the facility time agreements between trade unions Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern and (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental Ireland what strategic or transitional risk registers in public body. [107302] each area of policy are held by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [107472] Mr Paterson: Facility time agreements with trade Mr Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office has robust union representatives in my Department are agreed on risk management policies at strategic, policy and operation an individual basis and are monitored by line managers. levels that comply with best practice and HM Treasury It would not, therefore, be appropriate to place such guidance. At a strategic level, my Department maintains agreements in the Library of the House. a risk register that includes key risks from each area of My Department has two non-departmental public policy. bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. My Trade Unions hon. Friend may wish to write to the Commissions directly on these matters. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many trade union representatives in (a) his Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Department and (b) its non-departmental public body Ireland how many trade union representatives in (a) his had (i) part-time and (ii) full-time paid facility time Department and (b) its non-departmental public body arrangements in 2011-12. [107299] have faced disciplinary action for abusing paid facility time or public resources in each of the last five years. Mr Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office has three [107303] members of staff who are part-time trade union representatives and who had facility time arrangements in 2011-12. Mr Paterson: No trade union representatives in the Northern Ireland Office have faced disciplinary action My Department has two non-departmental public for abusing paid facility time or public resources in the bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission last five years. and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. My hon. Friend may wish to write to the Commissions My Department has two non-departmental public directly on these matters. bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. My Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for hon. Friend may wish to write to the Commissions Northern Ireland how many days were utilised for paid directly on these matters. facility time by each trade union representative in (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern body in 2011-12; and at what cost to the public purse. Ireland how many meetings have taken place between [107300] (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public body and trade union representatives utilising paid Mr Paterson: Trade union representatives employed facility time in each of the last five years to discuss (i) by the Northern Ireland Office used approximately four collective bargaining, (ii) redundancies, (iii) negotiations days of facility time during 2011-12. This represented a relating to employment, pay and conditions and (iv) cost of approximately £282. other trade union and industrial relations duties; and My Department has two non-departmental public what the dates and times were of each meeting. [107304] bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. My hon. Friend may wish to write to the Commissions Mr Paterson: Information is only available for the directly on these matters. last 12 months during which period no such meetings have taken place with trade union representatives from Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern the Northern Ireland Office. Ireland how many days were utilised for paid facility My Department has two non-departmental public time by each trade union representative in (a) his bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Department and (b) its non-departmental public body and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. My for trade union (i) duties and (ii) activities in 2011-12. hon. Friend may wish to write to these Commissions [107301] directly on these matters. 235W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 236W

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Ireland on how many occasions trade union representatives Scotland (1) what the (a) job title and (b) pay band is from (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental of each official, excluding special advisers, recruited by public body have utilised paid facility time to represent his Department since May 2010 who was previously an employee at a meeting or other industrial relations employed in any capacity by the (i) Conservative party matter in each of the last five years. [107305] or its elected representatives and (ii) Liberal Democrat party or its elected representatives; and whether their Mr Paterson: Information is only available for the position was advertised publicly; [107258] last 12 months during which period four members of staff were represented by trade union representatives (2) what the (a) job title and (b) pay band was of from the Northern Ireland Office. each official, excluding special advisers, recruited by his Department since May 2010 who previously held an My Department has two non-departmental public elected position as a member of the (i) Conservative bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission party and (ii) Liberal Democrat party; and whether and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. My their position was advertised publicly. [107259] hon. Friend may wish to write to the Commissions directly on these matters. David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not employ and recruit staff directly. SCOTLAND Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats ATTORNEY-GENERAL Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what (a) grants and (b) contracts his Consultants Department has awarded to companies or organisations run by individuals who were previously employed in any capacity by (i) the Conservative party or its elected Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General how much representatives and (ii) the Liberal Democrat party or the Law Officers’ Departments spent on external its elected representatives since May 2010; what the (A) consultants, including management consultants, in (a) value and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a they were publicly advertised; [107165] statement. [107486] (2) what (a) grants and (b) contracts his Department has awarded to companies or organisations run by The Solicitor-General: : The information requested is individuals who previously held an elected position as a contained in the following table. member of the (i) Conservative party and (ii) Liberal Democrat party since May 2010; what the (A) value and Expenditure on external consultants by the Law Officers Departments (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they £ 2010-11 2011-121 were publicly advertised. [107166] Treasury Solicitor’s Department 9,000 43,000 David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not award (TSol)2 grants. It does not generally undertake direct procurement Serious Fraud Office 31,583,000 856,000 or tendering projects. It utilises framework contracts Crown Prosecution Service4 684,314 12,000 between suppliers and other Government bodies. All 1 The data provided for 2010-11 may be subject to minor adjustment expenditure is incurred in accordance with the principles following the audit of departmental resource accounts for 2011-12. of Managing Public Money. 2 The TSol data also covers the Attorney-General’s Office and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate. Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for 3 The SFO figure for 2010-11 includes £23,000 of consultancy costs Scotland (1) which individuals have been paid by his for the National Fraud Authority (NFA). Ministerial responsibility Department for consultancy or other services who were for the NFA was transferred to the Home Office On April 2011. 4 The CPS data relates to expenditure on pure consultancy services previously employed in any capacity by the (a) Conservative as defined by the Office of Government Commerce’s Consultancy party or its elected representatives and (b) Liberal Value Programme. Democrat party or its elected representatives since May 2010; what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services Risk Assessment provided; and whether they were publicly advertised; [107167] Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General what strategic (2) which individuals have been paid by his Department or transitional risk registers in each area of policy are for consultancy or other services who previously held held by the Law Officers’ Departments; and if he will an elected position as a member of the (a) Conservative make a statement. [107466] party and (b) Liberal Democrat party since May 2010; what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services provided; and whether they were publicly advertised. [107168] The Solicitor-General: The Law Officers’ Departments do not hold strategic risk registers in areas of policy. David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not generally Each of the Law Officers’ Departments does, however, undertake direct procurement or tendering projects. It hold a strategic or corporate risk register related to its utilises framework contracts between suppliers and other business, including operational and, where appropriate, Government bodies. All expenditure is incurred in policy delivery. The Crown Prosecution Service also accordance with the principles of Managing Public currently holds a transitional risk register for the policy Money. relating to Transforming Through Technology (T3). 237W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 238W

Trade Unions The Solicitor-General: Copies of the facilities agreements arranged with trade unions by the Crown Prosecution Priti Patel: To ask the Attorney-General (1) how Service, the Serious Fraud office and The Treasury many trade union representatives in the Law Officers’ Solicitor’s Department (TSol) have been placed in the Departments had (a) part-time and (b) full-time paid Library of the House. HMCPSI do not have any agreements facility time arrangements in 2011-12; [107425] with trade unions regarding facility time arrangements. (2) how many days were utilised for paid facility time The Attorney-General’s Office follows the arrangements by each trade union representative in the Law Officers’ agreed by Tsol. Departments in 2011-12; and at what cost to the public purse; [107426] Priti Patel: To ask the Attorney-General how many (3) how many days were utilised for paid facility time trade union representatives in the Law Officers’ by each trade union representative in the Law Officers’ Departments have faced disciplinary action for abusing Departments for trade union (a) duties and (b) paid facility time or public resources in each of the last activities in 2011-12. [107427] five years. [107429]

The Solicitor-General: The numbers of trade union The Solicitor-General: None. representatives on paid facility time arrangements in the Law Officers’ Departments during 2011-12 are detailed Priti Patel: To ask the Attorney-General how many in the following table: meetings have taken place between the Law Officers’ Departments and trade union representatives utilising Department Part-time Full-time paid facility time in each of the last five years to discuss Serious Fraud Office (SFO) 7 0 (a) collective bargaining, (b) redundancies, (c) negotiations Attorney General’s Office 0 0 relating to employment, pay and conditions and (d) Treasury Solicitor’s Department (TSol) 8 0 other trade union and industrial relations duties; and HM Crown Prosecution Service 30what the dates and times were of each meeting. [107430] Inspectorate (HMCPSI) The SFO records indicate that 54 facility days were The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service recorded by trade union representatives for 2011-12 at a (CPS) holds a number of meetings each year with trade cost of £8,100. union representatives to discuss a wide variety of issues. These meetings take place at departmental and local HMCPSI does not maintain any central records about level, and as such the CPS does not retain a central days utilised by trade union representatives or the associated record of all meetings held. costs but estimate that each representative, would spend no more than five days on union related activities in The Serious Fraud Office does not record the exact each year. number of meetings between officials and union representatives held during this period or the topics In 2011-12 TSol allocated 292 days to the union discussed, but can confirm that SFO officials have been representatives from the PCS union at a cost of £49,747 meeting with trade union representatives on a monthly and 150 days to union representatives from the FDA basis since 2009. union at a cost of £53,810. In both cases no central record is held of the number of days actually utilised. In HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) addition, one hour’s facility time was allowed for each has a Whitley Council which meets quarterly and is member to attend the respective unions Annual General attended by union representatives. Other HMCPSI Meeting; no central record is held of the numbers who negotiations with unions are normally undertaken by attended these meetings. the Treasury Solicitors Department (TSol) with input from HMCPSI. Data relating to staff numbers, facility time and costs for trade union representatives in the Crown Prosecution TSol has a partnership agreement with the FDA and Service (CPS) for the year 2011-12 are currently being Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), formally collected and are expected to be available by the end of signed in 2003 and reviewed in 2007. This agreement is June. I will provide this information to my hon. Friend facilitated by formal partnership meetings between the as soon as possible. unions and senior business managers when issues, including the partnership agreement, are discussed and resolved. No central record is kept by the Law Officers’ These meetings cover collective bargaining, redundancies Departments on the breakdown between trade union and other trade union and industrial relations duties. In duties and activities, and such information could be addition, since 2009, TSol has held an informal partnership provided only at a disproportionate cost. meeting each month to discuss items for the agenda for Priti Patel: To ask the Attorney-General if he will the formal meeting and to decide if a formal meeting is place in the Library copies of the facility time agreements required. Separate meetings are held to negotiate pay between trade unions and the Law Officers’ Departments. and conditions. [107428] The dates and times of meetings held are as follows:

Formal partnership meetings Informal partnership meetings Pay meetings

2007 11 January: 11:00 24 May: 10:00

13 February: 11:00 7 June: 10:00 239W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 240W

Formal partnership meetings Informal partnership meetings Pay meetings

13 March: 11:00 12 June: 14:00 16 April: 11:00 28 June: 14:00 21 May: 11:00 19 July: 14:00 14 June: 11:00 24 July: 14:00 23 July: 11:00 22 October: 11:00 9 August: 11:00 12 November: 15:00 6 September: 11:00 10 December: 10:00 11 October: 13:00 112 November: 11:00 20 December: 9:00

2008 13 March: 11:00 8 January: 14:00 1 May: 11:00 21 January: 10:30 12 June: 13:00 15 February: 11:00 3 July: 11:00 18 March: 14:00 7 August: 11:00 27 June: 11:00 9 October: 11:00 10 July: 14:00 11 November: 10:30 16 July: 10:00 25 July: 10:00 29 July: 10:00 5 August: 10:00 21 August: 9:30

2009 12 February: 11:00 2 April: 13:30 22 April: 14:00 12 March: 11:00 1 May: 10:30 8 May: 10:30 16 April: 11:00 2 June: 11:00 17 June: 11:00 15 May: 15:00 3 July: 11:00 29 June: 11:00 11 June: 13:30 3 August: 11:00 14 August: 10:00 17 July: 10:30 3 September: 11:00 9 September: 14:00 17 September: 11:00 30 October: 11:00 15 October: 11:00 27 November: 11:00 13 November: 11:00 11 December: 11:00

2010 20 January: 10:30 13 January: 11:00 1 March: 14.00 19 February: 14:15 4 March: 13:00 26 April: 11:00 18 March: 15:00 13 April: 10:30 4 May: 11:00 19 April: 15:00 14 May: 15:00 13 May: 15:00 8 June:10:00 16 August: 15:00 25 May: 14:00 21 July: 14:00 20 September: 15:00 30 June: 11:30 29 September: 12:00 18 October: 16:00 22 July: 11:00 27 October: 14:00 15 November: 15:00 24 November: 14:00 14 December: 10:30

2011 19 January: 14:00 6 January: 15:00 6 May: 10:00 16 February: 14:00 2 February: 14:00 24 June: 10:00 16 March: 14:00 2 March: 14:00 19 April: 14:00 6 April: 14:00 17 May: 14:00 4 May: 14:00 15 June:14:00 7 June:15:30 18 October: 14:00 6 July: 14:00 3 August: 14:00 7 September: 14:00 5 October: 14:00 241W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 242W

Formal partnership meetings Informal partnership meetings Pay meetings

2 November: 14:00 5 December: 12:00

In addition other meetings are held ad hoc as required Mesothelioma: Compensation to cover particular issues which arise (e.g. flexible working, TSol strategy etc). No central record is held of the dates Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice and times of these meetings. (1) what the format will be of the review of the effect that sectors 43 and 45 of the Legal Aid Sentencing and Priti Patel: To ask the Attorney-General on how Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 would have on many occasions trade union representatives from the mesothelioma cases; [107646] Law Officers’ Departments have utilised paid facility time to represent an employee at a meeting or other (2) what factors will be taken into account in the industrial relations matter in each of the last five years. review of the likely effect of sections 43 and 45 of the [107431] Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 on mesothelioma cases; [108200] The Solicitor-General: None of the Law Officers (3) when he expects to (a) commence and (b) publish Departments keep a central record of the number of the report on the review of the effect of sections 43 and occasions where trade union representatives have 45 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of represented employees at meetings or in other industrial Offenders Act 2012 on mesothelioma cases. [108201] relations matters as part of their paid facility time. Such information could be obtained only at a disproportionate Mr Djanogly: The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment cost. of Offenders Act 2012 received Royal Assent on 1 May 2012. The Government has already announced that the provisions in part 2 relating to civil litigation funding and costs will come into force in April 2013. However, JUSTICE the provisions in relation to sections 44 and 46 (recoverable success fees and insurance premiums) will not come Criminal Cases Review Commission into effect in relation to mesothelioma claims until a review has been undertaken and published in accordance with section 48. The review is not due to begin for some Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice time, and the Government will consider in due course if he will initiate a review of the role of the Criminal how best to conduct it. Cases Review Commission; and whether its remit has recently been changed. [107999] Pay Mr Blunt: All non-departmental public bodies are now subject to Triennial review. The Commission will Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for be the subject of a Triennial review in the autumn. Its Justice how many of his Department’s officials located remit has not recently changed. in Wales are (a) paid according to local market rates and (b) not paid according to local market rates but Crown Prosecution Service would be affected by proposals for local-facing pay. [107528] Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) with reference to the First Special Report Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice is currently in from the Justice Committee, Joint Enterprise: Government’s the second year of the public sector pay freeze having Response to the Committee’s Eleventh Report of Session entered the freeze in 2011. Plans to move to more 2010-12, HC 1663, whether the Crown Prosecution market facing pay structures, which are being considered Service has completed its consultation with his Department as part of wider reaching proposals for pay reform on the best way forward for collating statistics around within the Ministry and its executive agencies, are therefore still a work in progress with the first stages of cases involving joint enterprise; [108023] implementation scheduled for summer 2013 once the (2) with reference to the written evidence of the Department exits the pay freeze. The full impact for Director of Public Prosecutions to the Justice Select existing staff will be assessed in due course as a key Committee on Joint Enterprise, when he expects the stage of finalising pay structures for 2013 and beyond. Crown Prosecution Service to publish new guidelines for prosecutors handling joint enterprise cases. [108024] Powers of Attorney Mr Djanogly: Officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney-General’s Office are in discussion Mr Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on the many applications for local powers of attorney were practicalities of collating data on joint enterprise cases. dealt with by the Office of the Public Guardian within Work on guidance for prosecutors on handling these (a) 30 days, (b) 60 days, (c) 90 days and (d) more than cases is also ongoing. We will provide Parliament with a 90 days in the latest period for which figures are available. further update in due course. [106899] 243W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 244W

Mr Djanogly: The answer given is based on registration In total during this period the OPG dealt with 148,059 times for lasting powers of attorney (LPA). The latest LPA’s of which 196 were cleared within 35 working period for which full figures are available is the last days, 79,250 were cleared within 60 working days and financial year from April 2011 to January 2012. 65,405 were cleared in over 61 working days. A further The OPG’s IT systems do not specifically report on 3,685 LPA’s remain to be despatched of which 1,840 the periods requested, the closest to the requested timescales remain pending due to issues that still require resolution for which the system generates information is for by the registering party. registrations within 35 working days, within 60 working These data have also been provided split by quarterly days and over 61 working days. periods and is provided in the following table:

Latest LPA processing times available April 2011 to January 2012 Total Percentage

Quarter1: 1 April 2011 to 30 June 2011 Total being dealt with 44,167 — Imperfect, Fee Issue 810 — Net Received 43,366 —

Cleared in 35 days and below 35 0.16 Cleared in 60 days and below 21,540 49.67 61 working days and over 21,755 50.16 Not yet dispatched 858 —

Quarter 2: 1 July 2011 to 30 September 2011 Total being dealt with 49,463 — Imperfect, Fee Issue 1,047 — Net Received 48,416 —

Cleared in 35 days and below 73 0.15 Cleared in 60 days and below 14,578 30.10 61 working days and over 33,356 68.89 Not yet dispatched 1,504 —

Quarter 3: 1 October 2011 to 31 December 2011 Total being dealt with 43,963 — Imperfect, Fee Issue 2,484 — Net Received 41,479 —

Cleared in 35 days and below 61 0.14 Cleared in 60 days and below 31,767 76.58 61 working days and over 8,710 20.99 Not yet dispatched 3,384 —

Quarter 4: 1 January 2012 to 31 January 2012 Total being dealt with 16,638 — Imperfect, Fee Issue 1,840 — Net Received 14,798 —

Cleared in 35 days and below 27 0.18 Cleared in 60 days and below 11,365 76.80 61 working days and over 1,584 10.70 Not yet dispatched 3,685 — Notes: 1. Total being dealt with: shows the total amount of LPA’s received in quarter plus those carried over from previous quarter. 2. Imperfect, Fee issue: shows the number of LPA’s carried over from previous quarter that are not yet registered to being imperfect or a fee issue. Note that this is a rolling figure. Therefore Q4 shows the latest figure. 3. Net Received: shows the total LPA’s received in quarter. 4. Not yet dispatched: is a rolling figure, therefore Q4 shows the latest figure. 245W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 246W

Prisoners: Pay PRIME MINISTER Rebekah Brooks Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to pages five and six of the report Mr Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister whether he of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on HMP Standford was aware at the time that on 13 December 2010 Hill on the Isle of Sheppey, what steps he plans to take Rebekah Brooks had discussed with the Chancellor of in respect of concerns raised about levies deducted the Exchequer News Corporation’s bid for BSkyB. under the Prisoners’ Earnings Act 1996 and their effect [107880] on prisoners travelling to work. [108025] The Prime Minister: I had no role in the BSkyB Mr Blunt: The Prisoners’ Earnings Act (PEA) 1996 takeover nor did I seek to influence the decision. was brought into force on 26 September 2011. It enables prison governors to impose a levy of up to and including 40% on the wages of low-risk prisoners who work COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT outside of prison on temporary licence, in order to prepare for their eventual release. In accordance with Housing: Construction the statutory provisions the money goes to Victim Support to enable them to provide direct, practical, paid for Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for services for victims. Communities and Local Government if he will provide The Chief Inspector of Prisons recommended (in his a breakdown of the average £150,000 cost of a self-build report of his inspection of Standford Hill in December home by (a) land and (b) building cost. [107893] last year) that governors should have greater discretion to authorise the deduction of legitimate travel expenses Grant Shapps: According to the National Self Build from the net weekly earnings figure used for calculating Association the majority of self-builders spend between the levy due under the PEA. £100,000 and £150,000 building their own home. For Under the PEA governors have always had discretion example, Fairgrove Homes are currently selling plots in to take into account individual prisoners circumstances Nottinghamshire to self builders for £40,000 and will when setting the levy in individual cases and a revised build a good sized three bed home for a further £90,000. Prison Service Instruction was issued at the end of At Ashley Vale in Bristol the community built their December 2011 (after the inspection of Standford Hill) homes for less than £150,000 each, including land and which provides farther clarification on the implementation all building costs. of the Act. This recommends that governors consider It is not however possible to provide a breakdown of applications for exemptions or reductions reflecting the average cost of a self-build home, including land, travel costs where these are substantial in proportion to given the wide variation in cost across the country and earnings. Decisions in individual cases will remain a the range of build routes which a self builder can follow matter for Governors. to build their home. Further details of indicative building costs across the country, with and without land costs, are set out on the Telephone Services self build portal www.selfbuildportal.org.uk Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which is run by the self-build industry and offers a how many call centres provide services for his range of advice to aspiring self-builders. Department and the bodies for which he is responsible; Planning Permission and how many such call centres are based abroad. [107011] Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the Mr Djanogly: Nine call centres provide services for annexes and companion guides to planning policies the Ministry of Justice; none of these are based abroad. revoked by the National Planning Policy Framework are also revoked. [106629]

Victims Greg Clark: The National Planning Policy Framework includes a list of the 44 policy documents which it replaces, and which have now been revoked. Annexes to Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the policy documents listed have also been revoked. what estimate he has made of the cost impact for victims of each type of offence committed. [106535] This Government inherited in addition some 6,000 pages of underpinning planning guidance, and is now embarking on a new exercise to consider what underpinning Nick Herbert: I have been asked to reply on behalf of guidance continues to be needed, involving practitioners the Home Department. and other interested parties. The Home Office’s Online Report 30/05 contains As recommended by the Communities and Local estimates of victim costs associated with a range of Government Select Committee, current underpinning offence types for 2003. These can be found in Table 2.1 guidance remains in place pending the outcome of this placed in the House Library. exercise, and where relevant can still be used. This http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk includes companion guides, and also Annex E to the 247W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 248W previously revoked Planning Policy Guidance note 7 rights. We are also proposing statutory guidance to which was retained as a freestanding guidance document councils which sets out how their allocation schemes (on permitted development rights for agriculture and can give priority to current or ex-service personnel, forestry) when Planning Policy Statement 7 was introduced including through the use of local preference criteria in 2004. and local lettings policies. Recording of social housing allocations Social Rented Housing The Continuous Recording of Lettings and Sales (CORE) collects data on new social lettings and tenants Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for rather than applicants, including information on the Communities and Local Government (1) if he will nationality of the household reference person. The estimate the proportion of social housing in London Department is continuing to work with social housing that is occupied by foreign nationals; [106693] providers to improve the quality of the CORE data, (2) if he will make compulsory the inclusion of a especially local authorities. question on nationality for all applications for social In particular, London lettings data is less complete, housing; [106707] with 75% of London local authority general needs (3) what steps he is taking to ensure the official lettings containing nationality information in 2010-11 records of new lets of social housing record accurately (around 19% were marked ’refused’ and 6% were missing). the nationality of new tenants. [106708] As an initial step, I am writing to a number of local authorities on this issue. While mindful of the need to Grant Shapps [holding answer 14 May 2012]: The reduce unnecessary data reporting burdens on local information is as follows: authorities, I recognise there is a strong public interest Allocation of social housing in this particular information. Foreign nationals are eligible for an allocation of Trade Unions social housing if: in the case of European economic area nationals, they have a relevant right to reside, for example, if they are working, self-sufficient, Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities or have a permanent right of residence in the UK (after five years and Local Government how many meetings have taken lawful residence in the UK), place between (a) his Department and (b) each of its in the case of other foreign nationals, they have been granted non-departmental public bodies and trade union leave to enter or remain in the UK with recourse to public funds representatives utilising paid facility time in each of the (for example, people granted refugee status or humanitarian last five years to discuss (i) collective bargaining, (ii) protection). redundancies, (iii) negotiations relating to employment, Where foreign nationals are eligible, they would have pay and conditions and (iv) other trade union and their housing needs considered on the same basis as industrial relations duties; and what the dates and times other applicants in accordance with the local authority’s were of each meeting. [107339] allocation scheme. Estimates of allocations to foreign nationals Robert Neill: Apart from the Valuation Tribunal Service and the Homes and Communities Agency, the Department Based on data from the English Housing Survey data for Communities and Local Government and its other for 2009-10, it is estimated that around 20% of ‘household non-departmental bodies do not hold this information reference persons’ (the modern definition for ‘head’ of centrally.The following tables show details for the Valuation household) in the social rented sector in London did Tribunal Service and the Homes and Communities not identify themselves as British or Irish in the survey; Agency. The staff costs involved to obtain this information there is uncertainty around the precise figure due to would be disproportionate to the information required. sampling effects. Figures for 2008-09 present a similar picture. Valuation Tribunal Service Coalition Government reforms Number Date Such estimates provide a strong argument for the Collective bargaining 19 22 February 2007 coalition Government’s reforms to give councils greater 9 May 2007 powers and flexibilities over the allocation of social 11 July 2007 housing, so greater weight can be given both to those 24 April 2008 with local connections and to current and former members 3 July 2008 of the armed forces. 16 September 2008 Through the Localism Act we have given back to councils the freedom to manage their own waiting lists. 24 April 2009 They will be able to decide who should qualify for social 9 June 2009 housing in their area, and to develop solutions which 9 October 2009 make best use of limited social housing stock. 1 December 2009 Current and former members of our armed forces are 4 February 2010 one group who have previously lost out in the social 24 June 2010 housing system, because moving from base to base and living abroad leaves them without strong local connections. 20 July 2010 We are proposing to amend the law such that former 9 September 2010, personnel with urgent housing needs are always given 1 December 2010 high priority on waiting lists, and that personnel who 28 January 2011 move from base to base do not lose their qualification 249W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 250W

Valuation Tribunal Service Date Time Number Date 19 January 2009 12.00-14.00 11 March 2011 20 February 2009 12.30-14.30 16 June 2011 20 March 2009 11.00-13.00 6 December 2011 1 April 2009 14.00-15.00 9 April 2009 11.00-13.00 Redundancies 9 22 February 2007 21 April 2009 11.00-13.00 9 May 2007 27 April 2009 11.00-13.00 22 May 2009 11.45-13.45 11 July 2007 1 July 2009 11.00-13.00 24 April 2008 21 July 2009 14.00-17.00 3 July 2008 27 August 2009 11.30-13.30 24 April 2009 21 September 2009 11.00-13.00 20 July 2010 20 October 2009 14.00-17.00 17 December 2009 14.00-16.00 28 January 2011 11 March 2011 Date Time

18 January 2010 14.00-16.00 Negotiations relating to 19 22 February 2007 employment, pay and 23 February 2010 12.30-14.00 conditions 23 March 2010 12.00-14.00 9 May 2007 20 May 2010 12.00-14.00 11 July 2007 8 June 2010 10.00-11.00 2 July 2010 12.30-14.30 24 April 2008 22 July 2010 12.15-14.15 3 July 2008 8 September 2010 15.00-17.00 16 September 2008 22 September 2010 14.00-16.00 24 April 2009 25 October 2010 15.00-17.00 9 June 2009 18 November 2010 14.00-16.00 9 October 2009 Date Time 1 December 2009, 4 February 2010 19 January 2011 11.00-13.00 16 February 2011 11.00-14.00 24 June 2010 10 March 2011 10.30-13.30 20 July 2010 21 March 2011 12.30-14.30 9 September 2010 30 March 2011 13.30-14.30 1 December 2010 5 April 2011 11.00-14.00 28 January 2011 13 April 2011 12.00-13.30 19 April 2011 11.30-14.30 11 March 2011 11 May 2011 11.00-14.00 16 June 2011 24 May 2011 13.30-17.00 6 December 2011 22 June 2011 13.00-18.00 4 July 2011 12.30-14.30

Other trade union and 1 9 August 2011 5 September 2011 12.30-14.30 industrial relations 28 September 2011 15.30-17.00 matters/duties 3 November 2011 12.30-14.30 15 December 2011 13.00-14.15

Date Time The Homes and Communities Agency 23 January 2012 12.00-14.00 The Homes and Communities Agency was established 31 January 2012 17.00-18.30 in December 2008. In 2009 there were 14 Joint Negotiation 1 February 2012 12.00-13.15 and Consultation Committee meetings that took place. 21 February 2012 13.00-14.30 In 2010 there were 11 Joint Negotiation and Consultation 1 March 2012 16.00-17.30 Committee meetings took place. In 2011 there were 22 March 2012 15.00-17.00 16 Joint Negotiation and Consultation Committee meetings. So far in 2012 there have been six Joint Negotiation and Consultation Committee meetings that have taken place. These figures are based on calendar years. Dates and HOME DEPARTMENT times of these are as follows. The number of Joint Negotiation and Consultation Committees since the Alcoholic Drinks: Education establishment of the Homes and Communities Agency reflects the change programmes that the agency has had Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the to undertake and a large number of these have been to Home Department how much her Department spent discuss restructuring exercises and to consult in relation on alcohol awareness and education in each of the last to Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment). five years. [106687] 251W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 252W

Damian Green: The following table shows Home Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Office advertising spend on alcohol awareness campaigns Home Department what guidance her Department has in each of the last five financial years. issued to the Association of Chief Police Officers on the recruitment of external consultants and their Spend (£) remuneration. [106892]

2007-08 2,900,411 2008-09 3,185,032 Nick Herbert: The Home Office has not issued any 2009-10 1,934,891 guidance to the Association of Chief Police Officers 2010-11 0 (ACPO) on the recruitment of external consultants and 2011-12 0 their remuneration. ACPO is not owned or controlled Total 8,020,334 by the Home Office.

Arrests: Children Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what processes her Department has Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the put in place to monitor the activities of distinct but Home Department with reference to the answer of 26 affiliated companies to the Association of Chief Police April 2012, Official Report, column 965W, on arrests: Officers. [106893] children, how many girls aged 10 to 17 were arrested by each division of South Wales police in each of the last Nick Herbert: The Association of Chief Police Officers five years; and if she will make a statement. [106859] (ACPO) is not owned or controlled by the Home Office. As such, the Home Office does not monitor the activities Nick Herbert: Available information relates to females of ACPO’s affiliated companies. You may wish to seek aged 10 to 17 arrested by South Wales police between any further information directly from ACPO, which 2007-08 and 2010-11, and is shown in the following came under the Freedom of Information Act on 1 table: November 2011. Females aged 10 to 17 arrested for notifiable offences: South Wales police force area, 2007-08 to 2010-11 Asylum Number 2007-08 1,225 David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2008-09 1,020 Home Department how much her Department spent 2009-10 1,256 on asylum seekers awaiting an immigration decision in 2010-11 896 (a) 1996-97, (b) 2009-10, (c) 2010-11 and (d) 2011-12. [106848] Information for police divisions cannot be provided as arrests data submitted to the Home Office are at police force area level only. Damian Green: Due to the passing of time and changes in financial recording systems, it is not possible to Association of Chief Police Officers identify the expenditure on supporting asylum seekers in 1996-97 without incurring disproportionate costs. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the The UK Border Agency has spent the following Home Department what auditing procedures her amounts on providing accommodation, transport and Department has put in place for funding it has allocated subsistence for all asylum-seekers: to the Association of Chief Police Officers. [106890] £ million Nick Herbert: The Home Office provides an annual grant in aid payment to the Association of Chief Police 2009-10 372.9 Officers (ACPO). Further funding for a number of 2010-11 304.5 specific projects and key initiatives is strictly allocated. 2011-12 1240.2 As a registered company, ACPO’s accounts are subject 1 This figure is provisional and unaudited. to audit, which also covers whether funds have been Because of the way the information is recorded, it is used for the purposes intended. not possible to identify separately the expenditure on asylum seekers awaiting immigration decisions without Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the incurring disproportionate costs. Home Department what recent discussions she has had with the Association of Chief Police Officers on the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats future of the Association. [106891]

Nick Herbert: The Association of Chief Police Officers Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for the (ACPO) is not owned or controlled by the Home Office. Home Department what (a) grants and (b) contracts It is therefore a matter for ACPO itself to determine its her Department has awarded to companies or organisations future. However, I continue to work constructively with run by individuals who were previously employed in ACPO officers on the important changes that the any capacity by (i) the Conservative party or its elected Government is making to deliver reforms in policing. representatives and (ii) the Liberal Democrat party or This includes the creation of a new police professional its elected representatives since May 2010; what the (A) body, which will be established by December 2012 to value and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether further develop professionalism and leadership in policing. they were publicly advertised. [107132] 253W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 254W

Damian Green: The Home Office does not record the Crime Prevention previous employment history of individuals who run companies or organisations which are awarded grants Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for and contracts. To provide information regarding grants the Home Department what steps she has taken since and contracts awarded to companies or organisations the ending of the community crime fighters programme run by individuals who were previously employed in to enhance community crime fighting. [106428] any capacity by either the Conservative party or the Liberal Democrat party or their elected representatives James Brokenshire: The Government is keen to support since May 2010, would incur disproportionate cost. and stimulate community-led approaches to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour; enabling them to take the lead and drive innovative solutions to locally identified Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for the priorities. Home Department what (a) grants and (b) contracts her Department has awarded to companies or organisations As part of the localism agenda the Home Office has run by individuals who previously held an elected position moved away from direct involvement, and has sought to as a member of the (i) Conservative party and (ii) encourage a range of activities to enhance community Liberal Democrat party since May 2010; what the (A) crime fighting at a local level. We continue to work with value and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether a variety of voluntary sector organisations, supporting they were publicly advertised. [107133] their work within communities to identify concerns and reduce crime. The Community Action Against Crime Innovation Damian Green: The Home Office does not record the Fund, worth £10 million over two years, was launched previous employment history of individuals who run in September 2011. The fund is available to voluntary companies or organisations which are awarded grants and community groups to find creative and locally and contracts. To provide information regarding grants designed solutions that help make their neighbourhoods and contracts awarded to companies or organisations safe. All 268 projects have now received funding and are run by individuals who previously held an elected position working towards cutting crime in their areas. as a member of either the Conservative party or the The introduction of police and crime commissioners Liberal Democrat party or their elected representatives in November 2012 will also provide the public with the since May 2010, would incur disproportionate cost. opportunity to hold the police to account and raise local concerns. Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Databases: Telecommunications Home Department which individuals have been paid by her Department for consultancy or other services Mr Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the who previously held an elected position as a member of Home Department whether she has made an assessment the (a) Conservative party and (b) Liberal Democrat of the possible effect on competition in the internet party since May 2010; what the (i) cost and (ii) nature service provider market of the Communications Capabilities was of the services provided; and whether they were Development Programme. [107073] publicly advertised. [107135] James Brokenshire: The draft Communications Bill Damian Green: The Home Department does not and related documents, including an impact assessment, record the previous employment history of individuals will be presented to Parliament in due course. who have been paid by the Department for consultancy Drugs: Misuse or other services. To provide information about individuals who have Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home been paid by the Department and who previously held Department on how many occasions in each of the last an elected position as a member of either the Conservative five years the Europol National Unit or its representative party or the Liberal Democrat party since May 2010, in the Reitox network has provided information on the would incur disproportionate cost. manufacture, trafficking and use of new psychoactive substances to Europol and the European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction pursuant to Consultants Article 4 of EU Council Decision 2005/387/JHA. [107705] James Brokenshire: The information requested is not Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the collated centrally by the Europol National Unit (which Home Department how much her Department spent on is based in the Serious Organised Crime Agency). external consultants, including management consultants, in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a Between 2007 and 2011, the Reitox network’s Focal statement. [107498] Point for the United Kingdom, which is based in the Department of Health, formally notified 37 New Psychoactive Substances to the European Monitoring Damian Green: Consultancy expenditure incurred by Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). the Home Department and its agencies for (a) 2010-11 The EMCDDA’s annual implementation report lists was £60.8 million and (b) 2011-12 was £33.3 million. the New Psychoactive Substances notified that year, Expenditure on consultancy is incurred in accordance and the countries identifying them at: with the principles of Managing Public Money and the http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/searchresults? Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety. action=list&type=PUBLICATIONS&SERIES_PUB=a104 255W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 256W

Entry Clearances Sponsor licences granted Total

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012 the Home Department what comprises the fit and January 303 proper test for the granting of an investment visa. February 295 [106760] March 152 April 50 Damian Green [holding answer 14 May 2012]: The Total 4,139 Tier 1 (Investor) category is for high-net-worth individuals who want to make a substantial financial investment in Essex Police Authority the UK. To be granted a visa an applicant must score 75 points for attributes as set out in the Immigration Rules. Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent by Essex Police There is no ″fit and proper″ test specific to Tier 1 Authority on (a) office accommodation, (b) staff costs, applications. However applicants should not be subject (c) travel and subsistence and (d) staff bonuses in each for refusal under paragraph 320 of the Immigration of the last five years. [107583] Rules. Under paragraph 320(19) of the Immigration Rules, leave to enter will normally be refused where, from information available to the immigration officer, it Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold this seems right to refuse leave to enter on the ground that information; however, Essex police authority publishes exclusion from the United Kingdom is conducive to the its annual statement of accounts on its website. public good; if, for example, in the light of the character, European Convention On Human Rights conduct or associations of the person seeking leave to enter it is undesirable to give him leave to enter. David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the When considering this provision, an entry clearance Home Department when she plans to bring forward officer will assess an application on its merits and make proposals to amend the Immigration Rules to prevent a decision based on the evidence submitted. abuse of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. [106776] Entry Clearances: Overseas Students Damian Green: The Government is considering responses to the public consultation on changes to the Family Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the migration rules carried out last year, and expects to Home Department how many and what proportion of announce the results shortly. This will include changes visa applications have been delayed as a result of the relating to Article 8. UK Border Agency’s prioritisation of student visa expirations. [107573] Human Trafficking

Damian Green: I can confirm that from 27 February Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012, 59 staff have been deployed to clear notifications the Home Department when officials in her Department we had received from both students and sponsors under last discussed with (a) their Finnish counterparts and Tier 4 of the points based system. These staff would (b) the Finnish Ombudsman for Minorities the effects otherwise have been working on a range of activities, of the Independent National Rapporteur on Trafficking including casework. It is not possible to quantify the in Human Beings on the Finnish government’s human impact on application processing times of completing trafficking policies. [106567] this work. Damian Green [holding answer 14 May 2012]: Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Discussions take place regularly at official level on a Home Department how many sponsor licences were regular basis between the United Kingdom and other granted by the UK Border Agency in each of the last EU member states to exchange national experiences, 12 months. [107576] develop best practice and co-ordinate efforts across Europe. Damian Green: The number of sponsor licence Human Trafficking: Children applications granted in each of the last 12 months is provided in the following table: Gordon Birtwistle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to Sponsor licences granted Total prevent further incidences of child trafficking. [107663] 2011 May 401 Damian Green: The Government published its Human June 380 Trafficking Strategy in July 2011, which sets out a July 410 targeted and more comprehensive approach to trafficking by improving identification and care of victims and August 474 combating those responsible for this terrible crime. September 453 October 419 The Home Office has enhanced its ability to act early November 447 upstream and is working with partners to raise awareness December 355 abroad of the risks of child trafficking. A key theme of the strategy is smarter multi-agency working at the 257W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 258W border and the Department will look to work with These figures do not include the number of inadequately partners to build on the success of child safeguarding documented passengers denied boarding by commercial multi-agency teams such as Operation Paladin and carriers’ overseas, who work in conjunction with UK Newbridge. Border Agency immigration liaison officers and managers. Since 2004, the number of immigration liaison officer Identity and Passport Service deployments to key travel hubs has more than doubled resulting in significant numbers of passengers being Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for the stopped with false documents before they travel to the Home Department how many posts have been (a) UK. advertised and (b) filled in each of the Identity and Passport Service’s main application centres since May Immigration Controls: Ports 2011. [107776]

Damian Green: Since May 2011, the Identity and Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Passport Service has placed adverts for 482 vacancies in the Home Department what recent discussions she has total; to date 144 of these posts have been filled. These had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the vacancies are in the main, due to attrition and not the application of immigration law to non-European Economic creation of new posts. Area seafarers working on one-port voyages in (a) UK territorial waters and (b) the UK Continental Shelf. It is not possible to provide information on specific [108336] application centres without incurring disproportionate costs. Damian Green: Home Office Ministers have had no Immigration recent discussions of this issue with the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening). Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to Human rights and democracy: the 2011 Foreign and Commonwealth report, Police CM. 8339, what plans she has to change the immigration rules. [106528] Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recent estimate she has Damian Green [holding answer 14 May 2012]: There made of the average life expectancy of (a) male and are no plans to amend the Immigration Rules following (b) female police officers; [107824] the publication of the Foreign and Commonwealth (2) what recent estimate she has made of the average Office report on Human rights and democracy. The length of time between drawing a pension and death of power to refuse entry to those who have committed (a) male and (b) female police officers. [107825] human rights abuses is already contained in the Immigration Rules. Where there is credible, independent and reliable Nick Herbert: No such estimates have been made. evidence against such an individual, then they will not However, a valuation by the Government Actuary’s normally be permitted to enter the United Kingdom. Department and quoted in the Winsor Review assessed that the mortality experience for police officers is not Immigration Controls greatly different to other public servants.

Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the passports Home Department what discussions she has had with presented to UK Border Agency staff at desks the Association of Chief Police Officers on the future of designated for UK and EU passport holders were from the (a) Police National Information and Co-ordination UK passport holders in the latest period for which Centre, (b) National Community Tension Team and figures are available. [107683] (c) Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service. [107986]

Damian Green: There are no published national statistics Nick Herbert: I continue to work constructively with relating to UK passports presented at the Primary the Association of Chief Police Officers on the important Control point. changes that the Government is making to deliver reforms in policing, including discussions about the bodies necessary Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the to support and reinforce those reforms. Home Department how many forged EU passports were detected by the UK Border Agency in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of Police: Conditions of Employment these were passports issued by the Identity and Passport Service. [107685] David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of Damian Green: In 2011, 1,533 forged European travel Part 2 of the Independent Review of Police Officers’ documents, including national passports and identity and Staff Remuneration and Conditions. [106780] cards, were identified at the border by the UK Border Agency. Of those, 701 were passports of which 163 were Nick Herbert: I have referred the report’s issued by UK agencies. 144 of these documents were recommendations to the Police Negotiating Board, the UK passports, with the balance being Home Office Police Advisory Board for England and Wales and the travel documents. Police Staff Council as appropriate for consideration. It 259W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 260W will be for these bodies to consider them in full and to Nick Herbert: Data on fixed penalty notices issued report back to me with their recommendations, which I for cycling on a pavement are not collected centrally. will consider very carefully. Sick Leave Police: Southwark

Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers, (b) Home Department how many days of sick leave were police community support officers and (c) civilian staff taken by staff in her Department in each of the last were assigned to duties in the London Borough of three years. [106446] Southwark in the last year to March 2012. [107713] Damian Green: Table 1 includes the average working Nick Herbert: Police work force strength figures below days lost to sickness absence in the Home Department force area level are not collected centrally. in the financial years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. Figures include Home Office Headquarters as well as Police: Wind Power the Department’s Executive agencies—United Kingdom Border Agency, Identity and Passport Service and Criminal Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Records Bureau. 2010-11 onwards includes former HMRC Home Department (1) how many police officers were Detection staff. 2011-12 also includes National Fraud deployed to escort vehicle movements associated with Authority and Government Equalities Office. onshore wind turbine repairs and trial runs during the Table 1: Average working days lost 2010-12 first two weeks of May 2012; [106904] RYAWDL

(2) what the cost to the public purse was of providing 20101 8.80 police escorts for vehicle movements associated with 20112 7.83 onshore wind turbine repairs and trial runs during the 20123 7.88 first two weeks of May 2012. [106905] 1, 2 Figures given are based on paid civil servants only and include current employees and those who left the Home Office during the Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not collect this period, in line with Cabinet Office reporting guidelines. Figures information. include Home Office Headquarters, the United Kingdom Border Agency, Identity and Passport Service and Criminal Records Bureau. Pregnant Women: Discrimination 3 Figures given are based on paid civil servants only and include current employees and those who left the Home Office during the period, in line with Cabinet Office reporting guidelines. Figures Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the include Home Office Headquarters, the United Kingdom Border Home Department what data have been collected on Agency, Identity and Passport Service, Criminal Records Bureau, the incidence of discrimination against pregnant National Fraud Authority and Government Equalities Office. Extract date: women at work; and what assessment she has made of 1 April of each year (Figures based on period from 1 April to the effects of the economic downturn on the incidence 31 March in each year). of such discrimination. [106438] Source: 1 Permanent Secretaries Management Group Cabinet Office return, Lynne Featherstone: Claims of workplace discrimination Quarter 1 2010. 2 Permanent Secretaries Management Group Cabinet Office return, against pregnant women are included in the statistics of Quarter 1 2011. sex discrimination claims in the Ministry of Justice’s 3 Home Department Dataview Extract as at 31 March 2012, to be quarterly and annual reports about the work of all included in Permanent Secretaries Management Group Cabinet Office tribunals run by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. It is return, Quarter 1 2012. not possible to disaggregate this information to determine how many of those claims specifically concern Trade Unions discrimination against pregnant women. The Equality Act 2010, which came into effect in Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the October 2010, makes it unlawful for an employer to Home Department how many days were utilised for discriminate against a woman because she is pregnant. paid facility time by each trade union representative in The government is committed to a full post-implementation (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental review of the impact of this Act by 2015. public bodies in 2011-12; and at what cost to the public In October 2010, the Department for Business, purse. [107391] Innovation and Skills published a booklet “Pregnancy and work: What you need to know as an employer” Damian Green: The number of days used by trade which summarises the rights of pregnant employees union representatives for paid facility time within the and their employers, and also their responsibilities towards Department and its non-departmental public bodies is each other. not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Road Traffic Offences: Cycling Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many days were utilised for Home Department how many fixed penalty notices paid facility time by each trade union representative in were issued for the offence of cycling on the pavement (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental in each year since the introduction of the offence, by public bodies for trade union (i) duties and (ii) activities location. [107679] in 2011-12 [107392] 261W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 262W

Damian Green: The amount of days utilised for paid consult or negotiate. Central records of the number, facility time by each trade union representative is not date, time and subject matter of these meetings are not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at kept. The information requested could be gathered only disproportionate cost. at disproportionate cost.

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many trade union representatives Home Department on how many occasions trade in (a) her Department and (b) each of its non- union representatives from (a) her Department and departmental public bodies have faced disciplinary action (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies have for abusing paid facility time or public resources in each utilised paid facility time to represent an employee at a of the last five years. [107394] meeting or other industrial relations matter in each of the last five years. [107396] Damian Green: The Department and its non- departmental public bodies have no record of any trade Damian Green: The information requested is not union representatives having faced disciplinary action recorded centrally and could be collected only at for abusing paid facility time or public resources during disproportionate cost. Under the Employment Relations the past five years. Act 1999 staff have a legal right to be accompanied to disciplinary or grievance hearings. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings have taken UK Border Agency place between (a) her Department and (b) its non- departmental public bodies and trade union representatives Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the utilising paid facility time in each of the last five years Home Department how many staff of the UK Border to discuss (i) collective bargaining, (ii) redundancies, Agency worked on (a) international operations, (b) (iii) negotiations relating to employment, pay and conditions immigration operations, (c) intelligence operations and and (iv) other trade union and industrial relations duties; (d) enforcement and crime operations in (i) 2010-11 and what the dates and times were of each meeting. and (ii) 2011-12; how many she expects to be working in [107395] each area in 2012-13; and if she will make a statement. [107203] Damian Green: A significant number of meetings take place each year between the Department and its Damian Green: The information requested is provided non-departmental public bodies and representatives of in the following table. Posts have moved between these trade unions at national and local level on a wide range groups as a result of organisational changes over the of topics on which the Department is legally required to period, which are explained in the footnotes.

Area 31 March 2010 Average 2010-11 31 March 2011 Average 2011-12 31 .March 2012 Average 2012-13

Immigration Group1 10,287 9,577 8,867 8,061 7,255 7,372 International Group 2,331 2,234 2,137 2,056 1,974 2,011 Enforcement and 1,163 1,507 1,850 2,022 2,194 2,268 Criminality Group1 Intelligence2 240 234 228 — — — Strategy and 261 227 (200) 193 (139) 113 113 109 Intelligence Directorate3 1 The 2010 Enforcement and Criminality Group figure is made up of work force in the former Criminality and Detection Group (CDG). From 2011-12 Enforcement and Criminality Group also includes the majority of the former Intelligence Directorate2 as well as work force transferred from Immigration Group. From 1 April 2011 onwards it also includes 160 inwardly seconded police officers. 2 The 2010 figure for Intelligence is made up of the old Intelligence Directorate. This was amalgamated with CDG from 2011 to form Enforcement and Criminality Group, with the exception of the Strategic Intelligence Team which became part of Strategy and Intelligence Directorate. 3 The 2010 Strategy and Intelligence Directorate figure is for Policy and Strategy Group. Part of this function moved to Home Office core, the smaller figure in brackets in 31 March 2011 and the 2010-11 average represents the staff remaining as part of UKBA.

In addition to the staff in Strategy and Intelligence Damian Green: Following the Prime Minister’s meeting above undertaking intelligence operations there are a with President Obama in March, UK officials have held further 680 (2010-11) and 660 (2011-12) staff undertaking constructive discussions with the US State and Justice intelligence operations in the field who cannot be Departments on drawing up guidance for prosecutors disaggregated throughout from the individual areas. when there are jurisdictional issues in extradition requests The total intelligence operational figures for 2010-11 made between our two countries. and 2011-12 are therefore 819 and 778 respectively, including the old Intelligence Directorate line. The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), is giving careful consideration to the independent review USA of extradition, published in October 2011 and will announce what action the Government will take, including Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for on the issue of prosecutors’ guidance, shortly. the Home Department what recent progress she has made on discussions with her US counterpart on the UK’s extradition treaty with that country. [106427] 263W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 264W

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT John Penrose: We have no plans to ratify the convention, although we support many of its aims and spirit. We are Arts: Charitable Donations keen that the rich intangible cultural heritage of the United Kingdom is properly valued and, when necessary, Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for preserved. However, we are wary of legislating on such Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his a sensitive matter as culture, especially in an area such Department has taken to increase philanthropy in the as intangible heritage which, by its very nature, changes arts. [107871] rapidly and is difficult to define.

Mr Vaizey: The Department has made excellent progress Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, on boosting philanthropy in the arts. A reduced rate of Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has inheritance tax, to help boost legacy giving, came into made of the effectiveness of the 2003 UNESCO convention effect in April this year for those who leave more than for the protection of intangible cultural heritage. 10% of their estate to a cultural body or charity. [107268] Together with Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund, we are investing £100 million in match John Penrose: The Department has made no formal funding to incentivise philanthropy through the Catalyst assessment of the effectiveness of the 2003 convention. programme. This programme will help cultural organisations diversify their income streams and access Manpower more funding from private sources, including through the development of endowments. Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for We are also establishing the new Cultural Gifts Scheme, Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many jobs which will enhance acquisitions by museums across the formerly in his Department and its agencies and non- country through the first scheme to use tax incentives to departmental bodies were transferred to the private promote lifetime giving to public collections. sector in 2011-12. [107845] British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation John Penrose: No jobs were transferred to the private sector directly from this Department in 2011-12. Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, We do not collate this information for our arm’s Olympics, Media and Sport whether he was aware at the length bodies (ALBs) and so I have asked their chief time that on 13 December 2010 Rebekah Brooks had executives to write to the hon. Member. Copies of the discussed with the Chancellor of the Exchequer News responses will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Corporation’s bid for BSkyB; and if he will make a For ALBs which were declassified during 2011-12, statement. [107881] but are still in existence, I can confirm that the Advisory Committee on National Historic Ships and the Museum Mr Jeremy Hunt: I was not aware of any such discussion. of Science and Industry in Manchester transferred no Broadband jobs to the private sector, and that all jobs at the Horserace Totalisator Board (the Tote) moved to the private sector following its sale in July 2011. Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent progress Mobile Phones he has made on the delivery of superfast broadband. [107872] Anna Soubry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what support he plans for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent to provide to assist households with the installation of progress has been made on the roll-out of universal filtering equipment to protect their television services broadband in rural areas of England. [107981] from interference from the use of spectrum by 4G mobile services; [107212] Mr Vaizey: I have now approved 37 Local Broadband (2) what provision is being made to assist public Plans in support of the Government’s rural broadband organisations in meeting the cost of protecting digital objectives and nine of those projects are in procurement, terrestrial television equipment from interference from with most of these due to commence delivery shortly. new 4G mobile services; [107213] The Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) Broadband Delivery (3) what his estimate is of the cost to consumers of Framework is due to be signed this month and the first the installation of equipment to protect digital four projects will enter procurement immediately following terrestrial television services against interference from signature. The first 10 super-connected cities have been 4G mobile signals. [107214] announced and a further 27 cities eligible for phase two of the Urban Broadband Fund have also now been Mr Vaizey: The Government has taken a number of announced. policy decisions relating to coexistence between the new mobile services to be introduced in 800 MHz and the Cultural Heritage existing digital terrestrial television service. These are as follows: Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, A single implementation body (referred to as ‘MitCo’) will be Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to ratify set up to manage the delivery of DTT interference mitigation and the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Protection of provide support to DTT consumers. This will be led by the new Intangible Cultural Heritage. [107101] 800 MHz licensees. 265W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 266W

MitCo will be provided with funding of £180 million. This John Penrose: The information requested could be money is expected to come from the new 800 MHz licensees. provided only at disproportionate cost, as we do not Government will bear the risk of any overspend and there will be hold this data centrally. a 50:50 gain share of any underspend between new licensees and Government when MitCo is closed down. MitCo will provide support to DTT consumers. This will include information and providing DTT receiver filters to households DEFENCE proactively and reactively. Platform changes will also be offered to households where filters do not solve the issue of interference. Depleted Uranium A Supervisory Board will be established to monitor MitCo’s performance, and to advise Ofcom accordingly. Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Additional support will be provided to vulnerable consumers, when the Article 36 legal review of CHARM3 will be including installation support; approximately £20 million of the £180 million fund is intended to cover the cost of this support. completed. [106781] On 23 February 2012, Ofcom published a consultation Nick Harvey: The Article 36 legal review of CHARM3 on the implementation of these policy decisions. They is expected to now be completed by 1 June 2012. are currently considering all responses received and expect to make a statement in the summer. Trade Unions The consultation documents remain available on the Ofcom website. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Press if he will place in the Library copies of the facility time agreements between trade unions and (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies. Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for [107379] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions (a) (b) he has held with Welsh Ministers and other Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence makes certain groups, organisations or individuals on the printed news facilities available to civilian employees who are accredited media in Wales. [108188] representatives or members but not paid officials of trade unions recognised by the Department. The amount Mr Vaizey: Neither the Secretary of State for Culture, of time off and the purposes for which it is allowed is in Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the accordance with the ACAS code of practice on time off Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), nor I have for trade union duties and activities. held any meetings with Welsh Ministers regarding the business model for the printed news media in Wales. The Facility Time Agreement with the MOD recognised However, I have organised a Q&A session with local trade unions and staff associations is contained in the newspaper groups for all Westminster MPs, which is to Department’s HR policy and processes. The document be held on 23 May. I look forward to a very high will be placed in the Library of the House. attendance from hon. and right hon. Members to discuss this important issue. Trade Unions ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many trade unions representatives in (a) his Department and (b) its Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for non-departmental public bodies have faced disciplinary Energy and Climate Change (1) what (a) grants and action for abusing paid facility time or public resources (b) contracts his Department has awarded to companies in each of the last five years. [107310] or organisations run by individuals who were previously employed in any capacity by (i) the Conservative Party John Penrose: No trade union representatives in the or its elected representatives and (ii) the Liberal Democrat Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Party or its elected representatives since May 2010; have faced disciplinary action for abusing paid facility what the (A) value and (B) nature was of these contracts; time or public resources in the last five years. and whether they were publicly advertised; [107136] DCMS does not hold this information for its arm’s (2) what (a) grants and (b) contracts his Department length bodies (ALBs). Accordingly, I have asked the has awarded to companies or organisations run by chief executive of our ALBs to write directly to my hon. individuals who previously held an elected position as a Friend with this information. member of the (i) Conservative Party and (ii) Liberal Democrat Party since May 2010; what the (A) value Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they Olympics, Media and Sport how many meetings have were publicly advertised; [107137] taken place between (a) his Department and (b) its (3) which individuals have been paid by his Department non-departmental public bodies and trade union for consultancy or other services who were previously representatives utilising paid facility time in each of the employed in any capacity by the (a) Conservative Party last five years to discuss (i) collective bargaining, (ii) or its elected representatives and (b) Liberal Democrat redundancies, (iii) negotiations relating to employment, Party or its elected representatives since May 2010; pay and conditions and (iv) other trade union and what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services industrial relations duties; and what the dates and times provided; and whether they were publicly advertised; were of each meeting. [107311] [107138] 267W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 268W

(4) which individuals have been paid by his Department Procurement for consultancy or other services who previously held an elected position as a member of the (a) Conservative Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Party and (b) Liberal Democrat Party since May 2010; Energy and Climate Change when his Department next what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services expects to undertake a spend recovery audit to identify provided; and whether they were publicly advertised. overpayments to suppliers caused by fraud or error. [107139] [107918]

Gregory Barker: As part of this Government’s Gregory Barker: The Department is currently Transparency agenda, since 2010 all contracts over the investigating options for how best to undertake spend value of £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder. on this work and expects to complete a spend recovery audit in the current financial year. Disclosure of Information Risk Assessment

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Energy and Climate Change if he will publish all letters, and Climate Change what strategic or transitional risk emails and text messages between Ministers, special registers in each area of policy are held by his Department; advisors and officials in his Department and energy and if he will make a statement. [107477] companies in the last 12 months. [108019] Gregory Barker: Each significant policy area, function, Charles Hendry: This information is not held centrally project and programme within DECC is expected to and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. maintain a risk register. Those registers provide the information that is used to maintain a departmental Energy: Billing risk register which is reviewed by the departmental board. The registers form part of the risk management and assurance framework described in the Department’s Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for annual report and accounts 2010-11: Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/about/our_goals/ help households with their energy bills. [107631] annual_reports/annualreports.aspx

Mr Davey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I Telephone Services gave the hon. Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth (Debbie Abrahams) today. Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many call centres provide Energy: Prices services for his Department and the bodies for which he is responsible; and how many such call centres are based abroad. [107015] Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he Gregory Barker: Seven call centres provide services has had with the six largest energy companies on their for the Department and, of these, none are based planned residential prices for 2012. [107984] abroad.

Charles Hendry: DECC Ministers and officials meet Trade Unions with energy suppliers on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues. Electricity and gas pricing for household Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy consumers is a commercial matter for the companies and Climate Change how many days were utilised for concerned and is regulated by Ofgem. paid facility time by each trade union representative The Deputy Prime Minister announced in April that in (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental all major suppliers have committed to a number of public bodies in 2011-12; and at what cost to the public actions to ensure household energy consumers secure purse. [107356] the best deal for them. Gregory Barker: The Recognition Agreement between DECC and the recognised trades unions (the Public Private Sector and Commercial Services Union, the FDA and Prospect) follows the ACAS Code of Practice ‘Time off for Trades Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Union Duties and Activities’ and sets out the details of Energy and Climate Change how many jobs formerly in facility time agreed between parties. his Department and its agencies and non-departmental In 2011-12 DECC employed two full-time equivalent bodies were transferred to the private sector in 2011-12. officers who utilised 252 working days. In addition, the [107844] department had 11 part-time representatives who utilised approximately 10 working days. The total salary costs Gregory Barker: No jobs in the Department of Energy were £87,491.98. and Climate Change, its agencies or non-departmental The Department has responsibility for four non- bodies, have been transferred to the private sector in departmental bodies: 2011-12. The Civil Nuclear Police Authority 269W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 270W

The Coal Authority Gregory Barker: DECC was created in October 2008 The Committee on Climate Change so we only have data from this date. The Recognition The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Agreement between DECC and the recognised trades Of these, the Civil Nuclear Police Authority employed unions (the Public and Commercial Services Union, the two full-time equivalent officers who utilised 252 working FDA and Prospect) follows the ACAS Code of Practice days. No figures were held for four part-time representatives. “Time off for Trades Union Duties and Activities”. The total salary costs were approximately £100,000. The Departmental Consultative Council (DCC) meetings The other bodies confirm no days were utilised for take place twice a year, February for the main annual paid facility time and so zero cost. ‘forward planning’ meeting, October for a ‘mid-year progress’ review. There are two sub-committees: HR Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Policy meets twice a year (January and September) and and Climate Change if he will place in the Library Working Environment, Wellbeing and Diversity (January, copies of the facility time agreements between trade April, July and October). Other meetings are held on an unions and (a) his Department and (b) each of its ad hoc basis and detailed information is not held and would involve disproportionate cost to collect. non-departmental public bodies. [107358] The Department has responsibility for four non- Gregory Barker: The Recognition Agreement between departmental bodies: DECC and the recognised trades unions (the Public The Civil Nuclear Police Authority and Commercial Services Union, the FDA and Prospect) The Coal Authority follows the ACAS Code of Practice “Time off for The Committee on Climate Change Trades Union Duties and Activities” and sets out the The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. details of facility time agreed between parties. For the Civil Nuclear Police Authority, from April A copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House. 2007 until March 2011 monthly Joint Consultative meetings The Department has responsibility for four non- were held with all three representative bodies, which, departmental bodies: became a Joint Negotiation meeting at quarterly intervals. The Civil Nuclear Police Authority For Police Staff Pay Structure design and implementation The Coal Authority a fortnightly consultation and negotiation meeting with The Committee on Climate Change Prospect from November 2010 until September 2011. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Detailed information is not held and would involve None of bodies have a facility time agreement. disproportionate cost to collect. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has only Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy had a recognition agreement in place since January and Climate Change how many trade union representatives 2012. Since then there have been two meetings to discuss in (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental this year’s pay remit; 1 meeting to discuss collective bodies have faced disciplinary action for abusing paid bargaining as the body has just agreed this for pay, facility time or public resources in each of the last five holidays and hours; no meetings on redundancies and years. [107359] no meetings on trade union and other industrial relations reasons. Gregory Barker: DECC was created in October 2008 With the national officers there has been two meetings so we only have data from this date. on other industrial relations duties but no meetings in No trade unions representatives faced disciplinary the other three categories. action for abusing paid facility time or public resources in any of the years from October 2008. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy The Department has responsibility for four non- and Climate Change on how many occasions trade departmental bodies: union representatives from (a) his Department and The Civil Nuclear Police Authority (b) each of the non-departmental public bodies have utilised paid facility time to represent an employee at a The Coal Authority meeting or other industrial relations matter in each of The Committee on Climate Change the last five years. [107361] The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Of these, the Civil Nuclear Police Authority reports Gregory Barker: DECC and its non-departmental no trade unions representatives faced disciplinary action bodies does not hold the information you have requested for abusing paid facility time or public resources in any centrally and answering the question would incur of the years from October 2008. disproportionate costs.

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many meetings have taken FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE place between (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental bodies and trade union representatives Foreign Relations utilising paid facility time in each of the last five years to discuss (i) collective bargaining, (ii) redundancies, Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign (iii) negotiations relating to employment, pay and conditions and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings (a) and (iv) other trade union and industrial relations duties; Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had and what the dates and times were of each meeting. with officials in the government of (i) India, (ii) China [107360] and (iii) Brazil in the last 12 months. [106682] 271W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 272W

Mr Jeremy Browne: Ministers and officials from the Sierra Leone Foreign and Commonwealth Office meet their counterparts from India, China and Brazil on a regular basis, through our diplomatic posts, with the relevant high commissions Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and embassies in London, and during inward and outward and Commonwealth Affairs what support his visits. These interactions occur in a wide variety of Department plans to provide for the election process in circumstances, and it is therefore not possible to assess the November 2012 elections in Sierra Leone. [107218] accurately the total number of meetings that have taken place in the last 12 months. Mr Bellingham: The British Government, along with its international partners, supports the democratic process in Sierra Leone and is committed to peace, security and Iran stability across the region. Our high commissioner in Freetown and his staff have regularly made our support clear to the Government of Sierra Leone. We hope that Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the EU will send an observation mission to cover the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations elections. his Department has made to the government of Iran following recent reports of executions in that country. The Department for International Development in [106709] Sierra Leone is the largest donor to the electoral process and November elections, providing approximately 50% of election funding to a wide range of government and Alistair Burt: Iran’s excessive use of the death penalty civil society stakeholders. This includes: is a major cause for concern. Last year over 650 people were executed, more people per capita than any other building capacity in electoral management bodies, including the National Electoral Commission and Political Parties Registration country in the world. Iran also shows little regard for Commission, to enable them to conduct an open and transparent minimum international standards in the application of electoral process, which is key to free, fair and credible elections; the death penalty, including a lack of fair trial for those and convicted and abhorrent methods of execution such as providing support to a range of institutions responsible for suspension strangulation. The UK has repeatedly called upholding the rule of law—key to ensuring the right security on Iran to address its appalling use of the death penalty, environment on election day—including the Office of National and appealed for sentences, such as that handed to Security and Sierra Leone police. Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, to be overturned. We will continue to do so, and to lead international Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign efforts to hold Iran to account for its human rights and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has record. received on steps being taken to reduce registration fraud in Sierra Leone. [107221] Israel Mr Bellingham: The Department for International Development (DFID) has taken the following steps to Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign support the electoral process and help reduce registration and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the fraud in Sierra Leone: answer of 8 December 2011, Official Report, column The Government of Sierra Leone, through the National Electoral 458W, on Israel, what recent representations he has Commission, has introduced the requirement for a biometric received on the situation in the village of Al-Araqib in system to minimise the opportunities for duplicate voter registration the Negev; and what reports he has received on the and/or voting. DFID has supported the procurement and set-up conditions for villagers in Al-Araqib. [107533] of this new system; Support to the National Elections Watch, a civil society umbrella Alistair Burt: I have not received specific representations group to train and field long-term national observers at all stages or reports on the village or villagers of Al-Araqib in the of the process including registration and the vote itself; and, Negev. But I have received regular reports on the general jointly working with the EU to field a team of international situation of the Bedouin communities in Israel. observers. The British embassy in Tel Aviv is in regular contact with Bedouin leaders and activists and our ambassador Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign in Israel has discussed the Israeli Government’s plans and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department has for relocation of thousands of Bedouin in the Negev spent in Sierra Leone by (a) region and (b) category with the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Knesset of spending in each of the last 10 years. [107222] and Minister Begin. The Israeli Government’s plans were a major focus of Mr Bellingham: As details are not held centrally, this my visit to Israel on 8-11 January 2012. I travelled to the information can be obtained only at a disproportionate region and met Minister Begin during my visit to raise cost. our concerns and encourage further dialogue between the Israeli Government and Bedouin representatives. Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Extensive consultations with the Bedouin community and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made an are under way and it is clear that decisions are not yet assessment of the Sierra Leonean government’s relations imminent. We hope that this process will result in an with (a) the Sierra Leonean police force and (b) other agreed and satisfactory solution to the long-standing national institutions that are independent of government. issues of unrecognised Bedouin villages. [107223] 273W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 274W

Mr Bellingham: The Sierra Leone Police Force (SLP) Mr Bellingham: The British Government fully recognises is responsible to the Sierra Leone Ministry of Internal Sierra Leone’s right to self defence. There have been Affairs. The SLP are required to operate under the rule reports that heavy weaponry had recently been purchased of law and are subject to parliamentary oversight. The by the Government of Sierra Leone. Initial confusion UK encourages the Government of Sierra Leone to over the identity of the intended recipients of the heavy ensure their relationship with the SLP and other national weaponry have now been clarified by the Government institutions remain neutral, balanced and within the of Sierra Leone. Acting on international advice, the framework of the Sierra Leone Constitution. weaponry has been transferred to the Republic of Sierra Leone armed forces for use in their external peacekeeping Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign operations in Somalia. and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the ability of the Sierra Leonean judiciary Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign to operate independently of the executive. [107224] and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the recent UN delegation to Sierra Leone. [107228] Mr Bellingham: The UK works closely with the Government of Sierra Leone and the judiciary to promote Mr Bellingham: The most recent UN visit to Sierra an environment in which the rule of law in Sierra Leone Leone was from Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, is impartial and independent of the executive. Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission Country The Department for International Development is a Configuration for Sierra Leone, in January 2012. long-term supporter of the justice sector. Its new Access Ambassador Rishchynski reported his findings to the to Security and Justice Programme builds on its six year UN Security Council. Justice Sector Development Programme, which supported We also understand that representatives from the UN rebuilding and reshaping of the formal justice sector. Security Council plan to visit Sierra Leone in the near This new programme will also focus on increasing future. access to justice to a greater number of citizens. It aims State Visits: Olympic Games 2012 to do so affordably and sustainably by broadening access through community mediation and the use of Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for paralegals as well as maintaining the more formal elements Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which heads of of the system. government and ministers have been invited to the London 2012 Olympic games. [107861] Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which international Mr Bellingham: Heads of State and Government are organisations are offering support for a safe and fair invited to attend the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic election process to provide for a stable government in games by their National Olympic and Paralympic Sierra Leone. [107225] Committees. It is not yet clear which Heads of State and Government will attend and we do not expect to Mr Bellingham: The UK Country Team in Sierra have this information until closer to the games. Leone is involved in preparations for the election process Sudan as well as in monitoring the implementation of the elections in November 2012. Other international Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign organisations offering support include the UN Development and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has Programme and the UN Integrated Peacekeeping Mission received on the treatment of the Nuba people in South in Sierra Leone. We understand that the Economic Kordofan, Sudan. [106947] Community Of West African States, the Commonwealth and the EU are considering sending observer missions Mr Bellingham: The lack of access to Southern Kordofan to the elections. has so far prevented any proper assessment of the situation. We are in regular touch with the UN Office Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs on this and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has issue, as well as with non government organisations in made of the greatest threat to economic and political Khartoum and Juba. We are deeply concerned at the stability in Sierra Leone. [107226] humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict. We continue to press both parties to agree a ceasefire in order for Mr Bellingham: As with any post-conflict country, humanitarian agencies to be permitted access to those there are a range of threats to political and economic most in need. stability in Sierra Leone. The UK Country Team regularly Tibet reviews four main areas of potential threat. These include political violence, specifically in the context of the Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for upcoming elections; corruption; narcotics and organised Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has crime; and external economic shocks, such as the knock-on any plans to visit Tibet up to 2015. [106883] effects of regional instability. Mr Jeremy Browne: The Secretary of State for Foreign Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I have received regarding the importation of weapons and no plans to visit the Tibetan Autonomous Region in the military equipment into Sierra Leone. [107227] People’s Republic of China. 275W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 276W

Uganda HM consul in Harare last met with the Director of Pensions of the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Welfare on this issue in April 2012. The Director Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange confirmed that trial payments were made to some for officials in his Department to discuss with the Wake pensioners in South Africa in March 2012: South Africa Up Ministries charity reports of the rape of a child so chosen because of the proximity of the countries, whose education it sponsors in eastern Uganda; and if similarities in the banking systems and the fact that he will make representations to the Government of most of the pensioners reside there. However, the Uganda on this issue. [106965] Department of Pensions encountered technical and procedural difficulties with some of the banks and have Mr Bellingham: We cannot comment on this specific had to stop all payments to review the process. case but encourage anyone with information about We will continue to press the Zimbabwean authorities child abuse in Uganda to report it to the Ugandan to ensure that this process is taken to its conclusion. police force. We are deeply concerned by the high number of reported incidents of child abuse in Uganda. The most TRANSPORT recent police report notes in 2010 they investigated 4,781 cases of child related offences. A report released A31 by the Child and Family Protection Unit of the police force indicates that 320 minors were defiled in 2010. Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will take steps to reinstate the brown We are working closely with our EU partners in tourism sign on the A31 Canford Bottom junction for pressing the Government of Uganda to protect child Wimborne Minster; and if she will make a statement. rights as enshrined in the constitution, including through adopting and implementing a national action plan to [107687] combat child abuse. The Department for International Norman Baker: I am pleased to confirm that the Development is providing almost £500,000 for child brown tourism sign for Wimborne Minster will be protection work in Uganda through the African Network reinstated as part of the A31 Canford Bottom junction for Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and improvement scheme. Neglect. Accountancy Visits Abroad Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many members of staff working for her Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Department had a recognised accountancy qualification Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visits in each of the last three years; and how many such staff have been made to (a) India, (b) China and (c) Brazil (a) have the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) by Ministers in his Department in each of the last 10 qualification and (b) are working towards a recognised years. [106797] accountancy qualification. [107989]

Mr Jeremy Browne: Full records of ministerial travel Norman Baker: The Department (including its seven over the last 10 years are not available within the time executive agencies) has 183 staff with recognised available without incurring disproportionate cost. However, accountancy qualifications, of whom 36 have ACA Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers status. In addition, 25 staff are currently working towards have visited India on three occasions in 2011 and once a recognised accountancy qualification. in 2012, Brazil on four occasions in 2011 and once this year, and China on five occasions in 2011. In addition, I Bus Services am currently travelling in Asia and will visit China. A full list of ministerial visits overseas is published quarterly Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on the FCO’s website at: what progress she is making with plans for the http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/publications-and-documents/ implementation of Regulation 181/2011/EU in relation transparency-and-data1/hospitality to coach travel for disabled people; and if she will make a statement. [108190] Zimbabwe Norman Baker: EU Regulation 181/2011 on the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport will apply Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for from 1 March 2013. As a Regulation, it will be directly Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has applicable. However, each Member State is responsible taken to ensure that the Zimbabwean government for putting in place enforcement measures and deciding honours its obligations to UK citizens entitled to a whether to use the time-limited exemptions available to Zimbabwean pension. [107898] delay the application of certain aspects of the EU Regulation. We will be consulting on these issues shortly. Mr Bellingham: We have for many years and will continue to make representations, through our embassy Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in Harare, to the Government of Zimbabwe on the what consideration she has given to reducing the period importance of fulfilling their legal responsibilities to of notice required under Regulation 181/2011/EU from former public servants who are entitled to a Zimbabwe the proposed 36 hours for UK coach operators; and if government pension. she will make a statement. [108191] 277W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 278W

Norman Baker: The Government is not minded at (5) what the (a) job title and (b) pay band is of each present to go beyond the requirements of the EU official, excluding special advisers, recruited by her Regulation, which was agreed after 2 years of detailed Department since May 2010 who was previously negotiations. employed in any capacity by the (i) Conservative party or its elected representatives and (ii) Liberal Democrat Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport party or its elected representatives; and whether their whether journeys within the UK which are in excess of position was advertised publicly; [107183] 155 miles in total but which are made up of separate (6) what the (a) job title and (b) pay band is of each individual legs of less than 155 miles on different coaches official, excluding special advisers, recruited by her will be treated as a single journey for which assistance is Department since May 2010 who previously held an available under Regulation 181/2011/EU on the rights elected position as a member of the (i) Conservative of passengers in bus and coach transport. [108326] party and (ii) Liberal Democrat party; and whether their position was advertised publicly. [107184] Norman Baker: The Government is currently considering whether guidance on the application of EU Regulation 181/2011 on the rights of passengers in bus and coach Norman Baker: The Department for Transport and transport is required. However, we cannot give a definitive its seven Executive Agencies does not capture such interpretation of the law, as that is a matter for the data. courts. High Speed 2 Railway Line Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions she has had with disability organisations Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State on the implementation of Regulation 181/2011/EU on for Transport how much her Department plans to the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport. spend on the High Speed 2 Rail project in (a) 2013-14 [108327] and (b) 2014-15; and how much of this expenditure Norman Baker: Ministers have had no specific meetings will be allocated to consultancy fees in each of those with disability organisations to discuss the application years. [106541] of EU Regulation 181/2011 on the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport. We will shortly be undertaking Justine Greening: The planned spend in developing a public consultation exercise on how the EU regulation High Speed 2 in 2013-14 is £150.1 million and in 2014-15 should be applied, allowing stakeholders to express is £211.5 million. As part of undertaking the environmental their views. impact assessment for phase 1 of the route, HS2 Ltd will be procuring services from specialist firms (e.g. Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats engineering and environmental design). The planned spend in these activities, which are classified as technical Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for consultancy, will be approximately £138.7 million in Transport (1) what (a) grants and (b) contracts her 2013-14 and £174.7 million in 2014-15. Department has awarded to companies or organisations run by individuals who were previously employed in Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State any capacity by (i) the Conservative party or its elected for Transport what assessment she has made of representatives and (ii) the Liberal Democrat party or whether the business case ratio for High Speed Rail 2 its elected representatives since May 2010; what the (A) may fall below 1.2:1. [107217] value and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they were publicly advertised; [107173] Justine Greening: As with any major project of this (2) what (a) grants and (b) contracts her Department kind, the Government continues to review and update has awarded to companies or organisations run by its economic assessment as the project develops, key individuals who previously held an elected position as a milestones are reached and to reflect the latest research member of the (i) Conservative party and (ii) Liberal and evidence. I intend to publish updated economic Democrat party since May 2010; what the (A) value and analysis later in the summer. However, the narrow economic (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they case is only one part of the decision-making process for were publicly advertised; [107174] this strategically important project. (3) which individuals have been paid by her Department for consultancy or other services who were previously Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for employed in any capacity by the (a) Conservative party Transport with reference to the answer to the hon. or its elected representatives and (b) Liberal Democrat Member for Birmingham Yardley of 8 November 2010, party or its elected representatives since May 2010; Official Report, columns 110-11W, on railways: West what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services Midlands and to the answer to the hon. Member for provided; and whether they were publicly advertised; South Northamptonshire of 1 May 2012, Official Report, [107175] columns 1374-75W, on the High Speed 2 Railway Line, (4) which individuals have been paid by her Department for what reasons the estimated and actual expenditure for consultancy or other services who previously held for her Department’s high speed rail proposals were an elected position as a member of the (a) Conservative different for the financial year 2011-12. [107991] party and (b) Liberal Democrat party since May 2010; what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services Justine Greening: The difference between the provided; and whether they were publicly advertised; comprehensive spending review allocation for high speed [107176] rail and actual spend in 2011-12 reflects changes to the 279W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 280W project including my decision moving from December (2) what assessment she has made of the evidence to January, which affected the timing of expenditure on cited by the European Commission on the scale of some contracts. tampering and illegal modification of powered two wheelers as a proportion of the EU and UK fleet for Highways Agency (a) mopeds, (b) 125cc machines and (c) machines greater than 125cc; [107813] Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (3) what assessment she has made of the evidence how many full-time equivalent staff worked for the cited by the European Commission on the proportion Highways Agency in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and of accidents involving death or serious injury of motorcycle how many she expects to work there in 2012-13. [107759] riders for which tampering and illegal modification has been identified as a primary cause of the accident in the Mike Penning: The number of full-time equivalent (a) EU and (b) UK; [107814] staff employed by the Highways Agency (HA) in 2010-11 was 3,545 and in 2011 -12 was 3,385. (4) what assessment she has made of the figures The number of full-time equivalent staff expected to provided by the European Commission to demonstrate work in the Highways Agency in 2012-13 is 3,380. This that anti-tampering measures are effective at enforcing figure is based on the number of HA staff employed on type approval regulations. [107815] 1 April 2012. Norman Baker: The Commission has not published Level Crossings: Accidents any indicators to support the extension of anti-tampering measures to unrestricted motorcycles as part of their Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport current proposal. A Commission sponsored study is how many incidents reported at level crossings involved under way which may provide evidence on the scale of collisions between trains and (a) pedestrians and (b) tampering, its influence on accidents in the EU, and the road vehicles in each of the last 10 years; how many effectiveness of new regulations. The Department will such incidents resulted in a fatality; and where such consider the results of this study when they are published. incidents occurred. [108014] The Department’s impact assessment could not find evidence to support anti-tampering measures on unrestricted Mrs Villiers: This information is not held by the motorcycles and on this basis the Government has Department for Transport. The Office of Rail Regulation opposed proposals to extend anti-tampering measures (ORR) and the RSSB collate figures of incidents and to unrestricted motorcycles. accidents on the railway that are reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. Pay Safety statistics for railways are available on the RSSB website at: www.rssb.co.uk Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of her Department’s officials In addition, the ORR reports annually on safety located in Wales would be affected by proposals for performance, including at level crossings. local-facing pay. [107526] Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at which level crossings safety works have been undertaken Norman Baker: The Department is still considering following an incident involving a collision between a its plans on reform of pay arrangements in light of the train and (a) pedestrians and (b) road vehicles in each recently issued civil service pay guidance for 2012/13. of the last 10 years. [108015] This process takes place every year and departmental officials will begin consultation with the TUS in each of Mrs Villiers: This information is not held by the the Agencies and DfT(c) in the coming months. Department for Transport. Safety at level crossings is a matter for the relevant railway safety duty holder. These duty holders, such as Network Rail, have a legal obligation Railways: Carbon Emissions to reduce risks at level crossings so far as is reasonably practicable. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for It is the responsibility of the Office of Rail Regulation Transport what projections her Department has made (ORR) to monitor that railway duty holders meet those of carbon emissions from the UK rail sector in each obligations, and to take enforcement action to secure year to 2050. [107702] improvements as necessary. Motorcycles Mrs Villiers: The Department has made the following projections of rail passenger and freight traction carbon Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport emissions in Great Britain. (1) what assessment she has made of the quantitative The projections show an initial rise in carbon emissions indicators provided by the European Commission to resulting from running more and longer trains to support the extension of anti-tampering measures to accommodate passenger and freight growth. Over time unrestricted motorcycles under Articles 17, 18 and 52 of this growth is then offset by energy efficiency improvements, its proposed measures concerning the approval and further electrification and, in particular, by the gradual market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and decarbonisation of the electricity generating sector resulting quadricycles; [107812] in a net reduction in carbon emissions. 281W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 282W

We will be considering the remaining Northern Hub MtCO 2 schemes in the High Level Output Specification which 2011-12 3.25 will be published in July 2012. 2012-13 3.20 2013-14 3.22 Rescue Services 2014-15 3.21 2015-16 3.24 Mr Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 2016-17 3.21 how often the helicopters based at Portland and 2017-18 3.14 Lee-on-Solent have been airborne on operational 2018-19 3.12 missions at the same time in the latest period for which 2019-20 3.12 figures are available. [106900] 2020-21 3.08 2021-22 3.01 Norman Baker: The Search and Rescue helicopters 2022-23 2.99 based at Portland and Lee-on-Solent were airborne on 2023-24 2.96 operational missions on 27 occasions at the same time 2024-25 2.98 in the period between April 2011 and March 2012. 2025-26 3.00 2026-27 2.96 Mr Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 2027-28 2.93 how often the search and rescue aircraft based at Portland 2028-29 2.90 has been called out on operational missions in the latest 2029-30 2.87 period for which figures are available. [106901] 2030-31 2.83 2031-32 2.79 Norman Baker: The Search and Rescue helicopter 2032-33 2.73 based at Portland was called out on 195 operational 2033-34 2.67 missions in the period April 2011 to March 2012. 2034-35 2.59 2035-36 2.52 Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for 2036-37 2.46 Transport when the short-listed bidders for Long Term 2037-38 2.39 Search and Rescue helicopter services will be 2038-39 2.31 published. [107654] 2039-40 2.24 2040-41 2.15 Norman Baker: The shortlisted bidders were first 2041-42 2.13 published on the UK SAR page of the DfT website in 2042-43 2.13 February. 2043-44 2.12 2044-45 2.11 Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for 2045-46 2.10 Transport what account she plans to take of UK 2046-47 2.09 growth and employment when procuring Long Term 2047-48 2.08 Search and Rescue helicopter services. [107739] 2048-49 2.08 2049-50 2.08 Norman Baker: In the Invitation to Participate in Dialogue, bidders have been asked how they will engage with the supply chain, UK industry and small and Railways: North West medium sized enterprises.

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Transport what consideration she plans to give to supporting how much she expects to be spent on the Northern Hub (a) major UK manufacturers, (b) the UK aerospace project in each year of the current spending review supply chain and (c) UK small and medium-sized period; and how much she expects to be spent in subsequent enterprises when awarding the contract for Long Term spending review periods. [107688] Search and Rescue helicopter services. [107740]

Norman Baker: In the Invitation to Participate in Mrs Villiers: We have announced two Northern Hub Dialogue, bidders have been asked how they will engage schemes comprising £85 million for the Ordsall Chord with the supply chain, UK industry and small and and associated works, and £130 million for Sheffield- medium sized enterprises. Manchester capacity improvements and line speed improvements between Manchester and Preston, Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Manchester and Bradford and Manchester and Sheffield. Transport how she plans to (a) determine, (b) monitor We have also announced, subject to confirmation of the and (c) enforce (i) environmental, (ii) economic and business case, £290 million funding for a related scheme; (iii) social standards in the procurement of Long Term namely the electrification of the railway between Search and Rescue helicopter services. [107741] Manchester, Leeds and the East Coast Main Line. The phasing of the work, and therefore the timing of Norman Baker: Bidders must demonstrate how they the expenditure, is a matter for Network Rail, but we will comply with all the standards set out in the Invitation expect all the funding allocated to date will be spent by to Participate in Dialogue documents. The resulting 2018-19. information will be taken into account in the evaluation 283W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 284W of their management plans. How the standards are Abbot constituency; and what steps she is taking to monitored and enforced will be considered by both improve such access. [107698] parties during the competitive dialogue process. Norman Baker: The Secretary of State has made no Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for recent assessment of the adequacy of provision for Transport what relative weighting will be given to (a) disabled access to transport in Newton Abbot. Newton economic, environmental and sustainability elements Abbot, like other towns, will benefit from the increase and (b) other aspects of the bids for Long Term in the number of accessible buses and trains that are Search and Rescue helicopter contracts. [107742] required by regulation. I would invite my hon. Friend to contact me if she has a specific issue in mind. Norman Baker: I refer the hon. Member to the following web page, which explains all relative weightings for the evaluation of bids: http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/uk-sar-helicopters- WORK AND PENSIONS services/part-3-evaluation-strategy-and-process.pdf The economic, environmental and sustainability elements Crisis Loans of bids will be component parts of bidders’ management plans. Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many crisis loans were Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for provided to people living in Ashfield constituency in Transport what steps will be taken against or penalties each of the last three years for which figures are applied to the operator of search and rescue helicopter available. [107997] services should it not meet the environmental and sustainability commitments set out in its bid for the Steve Webb: The Ashfield parliamentary constituency contract. [107743] is covered by the East Midlands North Social Fund Budget Area. The following table provides the figures Norman Baker: Steps to be taken in the event of a on the total number of Social Fund crisis loan applications future search and rescue operator failing to meet any of and awards for the last three years. the terms and conditions of the contract will be the Total number of crisis loan applications and awards for the East subject of negotiations during the dialogue phase of the Midlands North Social Fund Budget Area, 2009-10 to 2011-12 procurement process. Accounting Success rate year Applications Awards (%) Rolling Stock: Procurement 2009-10 76,010 56,220 74.0 2010-11 85,970 66,360 77.2 Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the reasons are for the time taken to 2011-12 71,060 56,480 79.5 Notes: finalise the Thameslink rolling stock contract; and 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference when she expects the contract to be finalised. [107765] is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is Mrs Villiers: The Department expects to conclude not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics the core project agreements with Siemens and Cross and there are some issues with the data, for example, these amounts do not include expenditure on applications which were processed London Trains shortly, following which Cross London clerically and have not yet been entered on to the Social Fund Trains and their lending banks then need to conclude Computer System. the financing documentation required to secure the 2. Data on Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans is not held by parliamentary necessary equity and debt funding for the project. constituency but by Jobcentre Plus Social Fund Budget Area. The Social Fund Budget Area information provided will also cover other Telephone Services parliamentary constituencies. 3. All of the figures relate to applications and awards, not people. Individuals can apply for and receive more than one Social Fund loan Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in any given year. how many call centres provide services for her Department 4. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. and the bodies for which she is responsible; and how Source: Budget and Management Information System (PBMIS, Applications many such call centres are based abroad. [107017] Received and Initial Awards for East Midlands North Social Fund Budget Area). Norman Baker: The Department for Transport and its seven Executive Agencies directly operate four public Disability Living Allowance facing contact centres for motoring and highway services, and contracts out two contact centres—one for the Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Driving Theory Test and another for the National Work and Pensions how many families with disabled Vehicle Recovery Centre. It also operates an internal children in receipt of disability living allowance have facing contact centre for its Shared Service functions. been sent a letter warning them they may be affected by All are based in the UK. the benefit cap; and if he will make a statement. [107884]

Transport: Disability Chris Grayling: The first direct mail letters were issued on 4 May 2012 and will continue to be issued to Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for potentially affected claimants up to 22 May 2012. During Transport what recent assessment she has made of the this period around 2,600 claimants with children in adequacy of disabled access to transport in Newton receipt of DLA will be sent a letter. 285W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 286W

Disability Living Allowance: Appeals were disposed of nationally. Of these, 6.9% were disposed of within four weeks and 7.9% were aged 52 weeks or Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for more when disposed of. Those appeals that take longer Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the than 52 weeks to be disposed of are likely to be complex maximum length of time from the date of appeal cases which may have more than one hearing, for example against the removal of disability living allowance to the a first hearing may have been adjourned for further date of the hearing. [107706] evidence to be gathered. The average time from receipt at Her Majesty’s Courts Maria Miller: Department for Work and Pensions and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to hearing for DLA (DWP) are responsible for the preparation of appeal appeals in the period 1 April 2011 to 31 December 2011 submissions with Her Majesty’s Court and Tribunal was 25.5 weeks. Service (HMCTS) being responsible for the scheduling and hearing of appeals. Employment Schemes: Young People DWP Management Information statistics do not record the level of detail requested. The maximum number of Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for days would depend on the individual case and the level Work and Pensions whether an unemployed young of additional evidence that may be required. In certain person can change their Work Programme prime provider instances it may be necessary to request a medical to be if offered a Youth Contract position with an employer undertaken which can delay submission of the case. that has a partnership with a different prime provider. The SSCS Tribunal does not hold information on the [107888] shortest and longest waiting times for an appeal hearing. The information could be provided only at disproportionate Chris Grayling: Individuals cannot change their Work cost by manually checking each individual case file. Programme prime provider. However, in the example It is possible to provide, from management information, cited, the young person’s prime provider would be free the percentages of appeals disposed of within four to engage with the employer concerned to discuss payment weeks and longer than 52 weeks. During the period 1 of a wage incentive under the Youth Contract. April to 31 December 2011 (the most recent period for which statistics have been published), 65,200 DLA appeals European Social Fund were disposed of nationally. Of these, 6.9% were disposed of within four weeks and 7.9% were aged 52 weeks or Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for more when disposed of. Those appeals that take longer Work and Pensions how much of the funding available than 52 weeks to be disposed of are likely to be complex to his Department from the European Social Fund was cases which may have more than one hearing, for example unspent in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012. [108016] a first hearing may have been adjourned for further evidence to be gathered. Chris Grayling: The 2007-13 England European Social The average time from receipt at Her Majesty’s Courts Fund programme achieved its expenditure targets in and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to hearing for DLA 2010, 2011 and 2012 and no funding was decommitted appeals in the period 1 April 2011 to 31 December 2011 by the European Commission. was 25.5 weeks. Housing Benefit Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has for the David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work average length of time from the date of appeal against and Pensions what financial assistance is available the removal of disability living allowance to the date of other than the discretionary hardship funds, to assist the appeal hearing in the most recent period for which claimants aged under 35 whose housing benefit is figures are available. [107883] restricted to the shared accommodation rate. [106853]

Maria Miller: Department for Work and Pensions Steve Webb: The extension to the age threshold for (DWP) are responsible for the preparation of appeal the shared accommodation rate, from 25 to under 35s submissions with Her Majesty’s Court and Tribunal has been introduced from January 2012 for new claims. Service (HMCTS) being responsible for the scheduling For existing claimants, the change will apply at the end and hearing of appeals. of their transitional protection period or, where no The average actual clearance time (AACT) within transitional protection is in place, on the anniversary of DWP for submitting disability living allowance (DLA) their claim or on a change of circumstances after that appeal submissions to HMCTS during the period from date. April 2011 to March 2012 was 30 days. Various groups of tenants in vulnerable situations are The SSCS Tribunal does not hold information on the exempt from the shared accommodation rate and these shortest and longest waiting times for an appeal hearing. will be carried forward to the age increase. The information could be provided only at disproportionate Discretionary housing payments can be paid to those cost by manually checking each individual case file. in receipt of housing benefit or council tax benefit, who It is possible to provide, from management information, face a shortfall in meeting their contractual rent and the percentages of appeals disposed of within four where the local authority considers that further financial weeks and longer than 52 weeks. During the period 1 assistance with housing costs is required. There is no April to 31 December 2011 (the most recent period for other financial assistance available from the housing which statistics have been published), 65,200 DLA appeals benefit budget for claimants affected. 287W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 288W

Shared Accommodation Rate Exemptions: Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Local Authority and Housing Association tenants—Social Cabinet Office. sector tenants normally have their rent met in full (less deductions The information requested falls within the responsibility for non-dependants and earnings) as rents are generally below of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority market rates. to reply. Tenants in certain supported accommodation—Tenants who are in accommodation where the landlord is a county council, Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2012: voluntary organisation or charity and provides care, support or As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I supervision. These cases are assessed under pre 1996 rules which have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking recognise that their housing costs may be more expensive. how many (a) 18-24 and (b) 18-21 year olds claimed Jobseekers Claimants entitled to the severe disability premium—customers Allowance in England in the latest period for which figures are in receipt of middle or higher rate care component of disability available; what proportion ceased claiming after (i) three, (it) six, living allowance provided no one gets a carer’s allowance for them. (iii) nine and (iv) 12 months; and how many of those who ceased claiming after each such period (A) found a full-time job, (B) Claimants under the age of 22 who were formerly in social found a part-time job, (C) entered full-time higher education, (D) services care—Allows care leavers some leeway to become settled entered full-time further education, (E) transferred to other benefits and establish links whereby they could share accommodation and (F) left for another destination. (106467) with others. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles the number The Government has added two further exemptions of claimants of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) from the Jobcentre for those aged over 25: Plus administrative system. A small group of ex-offenders subject to active multi-agency Table 1 shows the number of people aged 18-24 and 18-21 who management under the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements were claiming JSA in England in April 2012. (MAPPA). Offenders subject to MAPPA are in the main 25 years Table 2 shows the number of people aged 18-24 and 18-21 who or over. This is considered appropriate in order to safeguard the flowed off Jobseeker’s Allowance in England by age group, length public rather than relying on discretionary housing payments. of claim and destination between the March and April 2012 People who have spent three months or more in a homeless counts. We have provided the length of claim in weeks as follows: hostel specialising in rehabilitating and resettling this group within 0-13 weeks, 14-26 weeks, 27-39 weeks, 40-52 weeks and 52 and the community. The three month qualifying condition is designed over weeks. The requested categories for the destination of these to target people receiving sustained rehabilitation rather than off-flows are not available. As an alternative we have categorized those who have sporadic, short term stays. Targeted at people these off-flows as Found job/increased hours; Full-time education; aged 25 years and over as there is increasing prevalence among Transfer to other benefits; and Other/Unknown. this age group of rough sleeping. Table 3 shows the number of off-flows of people aged 18-24 and 18-21 as a percentage of all off-flows between the March and Jobseeker’s Allowance: Young People April 2012 counts for each age group for the same breakdowns as table 2. National and local area estimates for many labour-market Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant Pensions how many (a) 18 to 24 and (b) 18 to 21 count are available on the NOMIS website at: year-olds claimed jobseeker’s allowance in England in http://www.nomisweb.co.uk the latest period for which figures are available; what Table 1: Number1 of people claiming jobseekers allowance in England—April proportion ceased claiming after (i) three, (ii) six, (iii) 2012 nine and (iv) 12 months; and how many of those who Age Number ceased claiming after each such period (A) found a full-time job, (B) found a part-time job, (C) entered 18 to 24 381,895 full-time higher education, (D) entered full-time further 18 to 21 234,270 1 Data rounded to nearest five. education, (E) transferred to other benefits and (F) left Source: for another destination. [106467] Jobcentreplus Administrative System

Table 2: Number1 of people who flowed off jobseeker’s allowance in England by age group, length of claim and destination—April 2012 Aged 18-24 Length of claim (weeks): All durations 0-13 14-26 27-39 40-52 Over 52

Destination

Total 107,605 63,720 21,260 11,190 4,310 7,125 Of which: Found job/ increased hours2 37,225 19,030 9,070 4,990 1,905 2,225 Full-time education 940 810 70 40 15 5 Transfer to other benefits3 3,195 1,200 870 520 260 345 Other/unknown 66,245 42,680 11,250 5,635 2,135 4,550

Aged 18-21 Length of claim (weeks) All durations 0-13 14-26 27-39 40-52 Over 52

Destination Total 63,370 38,725 12,810 7,045 2,410 2,385 Of which: Found job/ increased hours2 20,470 10,105 5,140 3,080 1,025 1,120 Full-time education 810 710 55 35 10 5 Transfer to other benefits3 2,100 795 570 360 160 215 289W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 290W

Aged 18-21 Length of claim (weeks) All durations 0-13 14-26 27-39 40-52 Over 52

Other/unknown 39,990 27,115 7,045 3,570 1,215 1,050 1 Data rounded to nearest five. 2 Increased hours covers those who have increased their work to more than 16 hours a week 3 Transfer to other benefits covers the categories incapacity benefit, income support and other benefits. 4. Other/unknown covers the categories ceased claiming; gone abroad; deceased; failed to sign; retirement age; claim review; automatic credits; defective claim; gone to prison; training; and not known. Note: Totals may not add up to their independently rounded components. Source: Jobcentreplus Administrative System Table 3: Percentage of people who flowed off jobseeker’s allowance in England by age band, length of claim and destination—April 2012 Percentage Aged 18-24 Length of claim (weeks): All durations 0-13 14-26 27-39 40-52 Over 52

Destination Total 100 59 20 10 4 7 Of which: Found job/ increased hours1 35188522 Full-time education 110000 Transfer to other benefits2 311000 Other/unknown3 62 40 10 5 2 4

Percentage Aged 18-21 Length of claim (weeks): All durations 0-13 14-26 27-39 40-52 Over 52

Destination Total 100 61 20 11 4 4 Of which: Found job/ increased hours1 32168522 Full-time education 110000 Transfer to other benefits2 311100 Other/unknown3 63 43 11 6 2 2 1 Increased hours covers those who have increased their work to more than 16 hours a week 2 Transfer to other benefits covers the categories incapacity benefit, income support and other benefits. 3 Other/unknown covers the categories ceased claiming; gone abroad; deceased; failed to sign; retirement age; claim review; automatic credits; defective claim; gone to prison; training; and not known. Note: Totals may not add up to their independently rounded components. Source: Jobcentreplus Administrative System

Occupational Pensions Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 30 April Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work 2012, Official Report, column 1323W, on occupational and Pensions what assessment his Department has pensions, what mechanisms his Department has put in made of the effect on the competitiveness of the agency place to monitor the effect of the automatic enrolment worker industry of the staged implementation scheme regulations on the competitiveness and flexibility of the agency worker industry; and what arrangements are in for the automatic enrolment regulations. [106530] place to review the provisions of the regulations once their effect has been evaluated. [106532] Steve Webb: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave on 30 April 2012, Official Report, column 1323W. Steve Webb: We are committed to a full evaluation of the impact of the workplace pension reforms. A copy of the workplace pension reform evaluation strategy, published Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work in summer 2011, can be found at: and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the potential (a) cost and (b) administrative burden http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2011-2012/ of a voluntary anytime opt-out from the automatic rrep764.pdf enrolment regulations for temporary workers; and what The first evaluation report will be published in summer steps his Department has taken to minimise the 2012. This will describe the landscape before implementation administrative obligations for (i) agency workers and of the reforms. Subsequent reports will measure the (ii) agencies. [106531] effects of the reforms. Information will also be made available through publications linked to each of the Steve Webb: I refer the hon. Member to the written data sources used in the evaluation. These reports will answer I gave on 30 April 2012, Official Report, be available from the DWP Research & Statistics website: column 1323W. http://www.dwp.gov.uk/research-and-statistics/ 291W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 292W

The Department will undertake a review of the period and consider how ability is affected on the regulations at the appropriate time, should the evaluation majority of the days in that period. This process should show that to be necessary. allow us to take the fluctuations into account. Personal Independence Payment However, the criteria have not yet been finalised. Our formal consultation on the second draft of the assessment criteria closed on 30 April and we are now in the process Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for of carefully considering all of the responses we have Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to develop a received, along with feedback from stakeholder meetings set of assessment criteria for personal independence held during the consultation period. payments that recognises fluctuating conditions such as myalgic encephalopathy and chronic fatigue syndrome. I can assure you that we are considering all of these [107767] comments very carefully as we evaluate what changes need to be made to the assessment criteria. Maria Miller: We recognise the importance of ensuring We intend to publish a response to the consultation that the assessment for personal independence payment alongside a revised draft of the assessment criteria later deals effectively with the impact of variable and fluctuating in the year, once our considerations are complete. The conditions. This is something we have been considering final draft regulations will be subject to parliamentary throughout the development process. scrutiny through the affirmative procedure. Our proposals for the assessment criteria have been developed in collaboration with a group of independent Social Fund experts in health and disability and with considerable input from disabled people and disability organisations. Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Throughout the development process we have met with Work and Pensions how many people in Kilmarnock a range of organisations representing people with fluctuating and Loudoun constituency took out loans using the conditions, including Action for ME and other Social Fund in each of the last five years. [107707] organisations representing people suffering from CFS/ME. Our proposal is that the assessment will consider an Steve Webb: The Kilmarnock and Loudoun individual’s ability to carry out activities over a period Parliamentary Constituency is covered by the Inverness of time, enabling us to capture a reliable picture of how Social Fund Budget Area. Table 1 following provides they are affected by their condition. Our current thinking the figures on the total number of Social Fund Crisis is to look at the impact of impairments over a 12-month Loan applications and awards for the last five years.

Table 1: Total number of crisis loan applications and awards for the Inverness social fund budget area, 2007-08 to 2011-12 Accounting year Applications Awards Success rate (percentage)

2007-08 137,400 95,780 69.7 2008-09 138,940 90,300 65.0 2009-10 175,400 137,110 78.2 2010-11 136,270 106,320 78.0 2011-12 103,610 84,800 81.8

Table 2 following provides the figures on the total number of Social Fund Budgeting Loan applications and awards for the last five years.

Table 2: Total number of budgeting loan applications and awards for the Inverness social fund budget area, 2007-08 to 2011-12 Accounting year Applications Awards Success rate (percentage)

2007-08 54,150 40,730 75.2 2008-09 53,770 37,780 70.3 2009-10 54,750 41,090 75.1 2010-11 51,820 36,770 71.0 2011-12 51,840 36,730 70.9 Notes: 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics and there are some issues with the data, for example, these amounts do not include expenditure on applications which were processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the Social Fund Computer System. 2. Data on Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans is not held by parliamentary constituency but by Jobcentre Plus Social Fund Budget Area. The Social Fund Budget Area information provided will also cover other parliamentary constituencies. 3. All of the figures relate to applications and awards, not people. Individuals can apply for and receive more than one Social Fund Loan in any given year. 4. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Budget and Management Information System (PBMIS, Applications Received and Initial Awards for the Inverness Social Fund Budget Area) 293W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 294W

Social Fund: Birmingham Steve Webb: The Birmingham Ladywood parliamentary constituency is covered by the West Midlands Social Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Fund Budget Area. Table 1 following provides the Work and Pensions how many people in Birmingham, figures on the total number of Social Fund Budgeting Ladywood constituency took out loans using the Loan applications and awards for the last five years. Social Fund in each of the last five years. [107566]

Table 1: Total number of budgeting loan applications and awards for the West Midlands social fund budget area, 2007-08 to 2011-12 Accounting year Applications Awards Success rate (percentage)

2007-08 141,030 107,920 76.5 2008-09 158,960 116,470 73.3 2009-10 181,230 132,010 72.8 2010-11 169,190 121,380 71.7 2011-12 168,280 120,090 71.4

Table 2 following provides the figures on the total number of Social Fund Crisis Loan applications and awards for the last five years.

Table 2: Total number of crisis loan applications and awards for the West Midlands social fund budget area, 2007-08 to 2011-12 Accounting year Applications Awards Success rate (percentage)

2007-08 134,060 72,310 53.9 2008-09 261,520 178,270 68.2 2009-10 355,170 253,190 71.3 2010-11 298,670 219,360 73.4 2011-12 244,040 192,550 78.9 Notes: 1, The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics and there are some issues with the data, for example, these amounts do not include expenditure on applications which were processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the Social Fund Computer System. 2. Data on Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans is not held by local authority or parliamentary constituency but by Jobcentre Plus Social Fund Budget Area. 3. All of the figures relate to applications and awards, not people. Individuals can apply for and receive more than one Social Fund Loan in any given year. 4. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Budget and Management Information System (PBMIS, Applications Received and Initial Awards for West Midlands Social Fund Budget Area)

Social Security Benefits Chris Grayling: Any future letters that we send to claimants who may be affected by the benefit cap in Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for April 2013, if their circumstances remain unchanged, Work and Pensions how many households his Department will provide details of the support available to them. estimates will be affected by the benefit cap when it is DWP will continue to signpost claimants to their local introduced; and how many such households have been authority to obtain support with their housing needs. sent a letter warning them that they may be affected by Part of this support will be the consideration by the the cap. [107885] local authority of whether a discretionary housing payment may be appropriate to support claimants in the short-term Chris Grayling: The impact assessment published on while they seek employment opportunities or make the 23 January stated that 67,000 households would be alternative housing arrangements. Although DWP provides affected by the household benefit cap in 2013-14. Following guidance on how LAs should administer the scheme, it the concessions won in the House of Commons on 1 is wholly discretionary and we cannot tell LAs how to February, we estimate that the grace period of 39 weeks distribute this money. for claimants who have been in employment for 52 The precise wording of any future letters has yet to be weeks or more before leaving work will reduce the decided. number of households affected to around 57,000. Between 4 May 2012 and 22 May 2012, around State Retirement Pensions 63,000 households will have received letters which inform them about the benefit cap and state that it may affect them. These figures include those households we forecast Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work may reach the cap amounts in the coming year, due to and Pensions with reference to the answer of 24 April annual uprating of benefits. 2012, Official Report, column 793W, on state retirement pensions, if he will estimate the cost of increasing the Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for 25 pence increase to the state pension for over 80 year Work and Pensions if he will consider including olds to £10 a week if the payment was (a) tax-free and information about discretionary housing payments in not taken into account for income-related benefits, (b) letters warning claimants that they may be affected by taxable but not taken into account for income-related the benefit cap when the second tranche of letters is benefits and (c) taxable and counted as income for the sent out; and if he will make a statement. [107886] purposes of income-related benefits. [107985] 295W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 296W

Steve Webb: The cost of increasing the 25 pence age charities, including the Forward ME, to make addition to the state pension for people aged 80 and recommendations to refine the physical descriptors used over to £10 a week is estimated to be: in the WCA. 2012-13 These recommendations are being considered as part £ billion of the Department’s evidence-based review of the WCA, as well as a review of the ESA 50 form. (a) tax free and not taken into account 1.5 for income-related benefits Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for (b) taxable but not taken into account 1.4 for income-related benefits Work and Pensions what feedback his Department has (c) taxable and counted as income for 1.0 received from applicants for employment and support the purposes of income-related benefits allowance diagnosed with myalgic encephalopathy following Notes: the implementation of the Harrington Review of the 1. Estimates given show the additional spend due to increasing the 25 pence age work capability assessment. [107890] addition in 2012-13. Part (b) includes savings from taxing the increase, resulting in lower net spend. Part (c) includes savings from taxing the increase and savings from reduced income related benefit payments (including pension credit, housing Chris Grayling: We welcome feedback about the WCA benefit, council tax benefit, working tax credits and child tax credits), further from claimants, irrespective of their health condition or reducing net spend. disability, and we monitor this feedback and react 2. The 25 pence age addition is normally taxable and taken into account for income related benefit payments. accordingly. 3. Part (a) has been calculated using projected expenditure on the 25 pence age The Department is currently considering the addition in 2012-13 under the current system. Parts (b) and (c) were calculated by multiplying part (a) by proportions of expenditure that would be saved if the recommendations made by Professor Harrington in his increase were taxable / counted as income for the purposes of income-related second independent review, and is working closely with benefits. These proportions were estimated using the Department’s Policy disability representative groups, including Forward ME Simulation Model. Parts (b) and (c) were not estimated directly using the Policy Simulation Model due to reliability issues associated with smaller sample sizes. and others, to ensure the needs of specific groups of 4. Net costs for 2012-13 have been presented, however increasing the 25 pence claimants—particularly people with fluctuating age addition in 2012-13 will have substantial knock-on effects for spending in conditions—are taken into account. future years. 5. Figures shown are against a baseline of current policy spend based on April In addition, Professor Harrington will publish another 2012 benefit rates. call for evidence this summer, which will give individuals, 6. Estimates are in 2012-13 prices, have been rounded to the nearest £100 million and are for Great Britain. Source: DWP estimates charities and disability representative groups another opportunity to express their views on the WCA.

Work Capability Assessment TREASURY Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats Work and Pensions how many work capability assessments have been completed for existing incapacity benefit Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer claimants in each month since February 2011. [107887] (1) what (a) grants and (b) contracts his Department has awarded to companies or organisations run by Chris Grayling: The Department recently published individuals who were previously employed in any capacity official statistics on work capability assessment outcomes by (i) the Conservative Party or its elected representatives for claimants going through the incapacity benefits and (ii) the Liberal Democrat Party or its elected reassessment programme. This covers all claims referred representatives since May 2010; what the (A) value and for reassessment by July 2011. (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they The publication can be found on the departmental were publicly advertised; [107116] website here: (2) what (a) grants and (b) contracts his Department http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/ has awarded to companies or organisations run by index.php?page=esa_ibr individuals who previously held an elected position as a member of the (i) Conservative Party and (ii) Liberal Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Democrat Party since May 2010; what the (A) value Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they the suitability of the work capability assessment for were publicly advertised whether they were publicly applicants with fluctuating conditions such as myalgic advertised; [107117] encephalopathy. [107889] (3) which individuals have been paid by his Department for consultancy or other services who were previously employed in any capacity by the (a) Conservative Party Chris Grayling: The WCA gives people with fluctuating or its elected representatives and (b) Liberal Democrat conditions the opportunity to explain how their condition Party or its elected representatives since May 2010; varies over time, and how this affects them. what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services The health care professionals who carry out the WCA provided; and whether they were publicly advertised; are trained to ask about and take account of fluctuation. [107118] The assessment is not a snap-shot—if a person can’t (4) which individuals have been paid by his Department carry out a function repeatedly and reliably, they will be for consultancy or other services who previously held treated as unable to carry out that function at all. an elected position as a member of the (a) Conservative However, we recognise that particular concerns have Party and (b) Liberal Democrat Party since May 2010; been raised about the way the WCA works for people what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services with fluctuating conditions. As part of his second provided; and whether they were publicly advertised. independent review, Professor Harrington asked leading [107119] 297W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 298W

Miss Chloe Smith: HM Treasury complies with public received payment by 31 March 2012; and how much has procurement regulations and aims to secure best value been paid to each such category of policyholder is to for money for the taxpayer when entering into commercial date; [108314] agreements for goods and services supplied by third (2) how many Equitable Life with-profits annuity parties. (WPA) policyholders entitled to compensation under HM Treasury does not hold nor does it request the Equitable Life Payment Scheme had received payment information on whether the companies or organisations by 31 March 2012; whether all eligible WPA policyholders it contracts with are run by individuals who were previously will receive a first payment by 30 June 2012; and how employed by a political party or its elected representatives much has been paid to such policyholders is to date; or, in the case of consultants, were themselves an elected [108315] representative of a political party. Tenderers are expected (3) how many eligible Equitable Life policyholders to declare actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest. entitled to compensation under the Equitable Life Payment In line with the Government’s transparency agenda, Scheme with accumulating with-profits and conventional from January 2011 HM Treasury has published all with-profits policies who are not due to receive payment tenders and new contracts valued £10,000 or more before July 2012 were notified of the (a) value and (b) (excluding VAT). These can be found on the “Contracts date of future payments by 31 March 2012; [108316] Finder” website at: (4) how many estates of deceased Equitable Life http://www.contractsfinder.co.uk policyholders entitled to compensation under the Equitable Life Payment Scheme had received payment Consultants up to 31 March 2012; and what proportion of the total payments due to estates this represents; [108317] Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (5) when his Department last received information how much his Department spent on external consultants, on the (a) number and (b) total value of payments including management consultants, in (a) 2010-11 and made by the Equitable Life Payment Scheme. [108318] (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [107504] Mr Hoban: The scheme intends to publish a progress Miss Chloe Smith: HM Treasury (the core Department report in summer 2012 on the volumes and values of and Group Shared Services) spent £28.5 million (excluding payments made. VAT) on external consultants, including management consultants, in the financial year 2010-11. Horses The figure is published annually in the Department’s annual report and accounts, which can be found online Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer at: what the value to the economy was of the (a) equine http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/annual_report_accounts and (b) horse racing industry in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 140711.pdf 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12. [107891] Information for the financial year 2011-12 will be Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the available in due course. This will also be published on Cabinet Office. the Department’s website. The information requested falls within the responsibility Equitable Life Payment Scheme of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2012: he will bring forward the publication of the next progress As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I report on the Equitable Life Compensation Scheme to have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question spring 2012; and if he will make a statement. [108254] concerning, what the value to the economy was of the (a) equine and (b) horse racing industry in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) Mr Hoban: The scheme intends to publish a progress 2011-12. [107891] report in summer 2012 on the volumes and values of Estimates for the equine and horse racing industries are not payments made. available from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). However, the ONS Annual Business Survey provides estimates for Activities of racehorse owners, UK Standard Industrial Classification of Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Economic Activities (SIC2007) 93.19/1. The estimates for total (1) how many Equitable Life policyholders entitled to turnover, approximate gross value added at basic prices and total compensation under the Equitable Life Payment Scheme purchases and are available, 2008 to 2010. The latest data was with (a) accumulating with-profits, (b) conventional released 17th November 2011. with-profits and (c) eligible group pension policies had The data for this industry is shown in the following table.

Annual Business Survey

SIC 93.19/1—Activities of racehorse owners. Release date 17 November 2011

Standard Industrial Approximate gross value Classification (Revised Number of Total turnover1 (£ added at basic prices2 (£ Total purchases3 2007) Subclass Description Year enterprises million) million) (£ million)

93.19/1 Activities of racehorse 2008 3,053 48 -44 92 owners

2009 2,814 193 49 177 299W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 300W

Annual Business Survey SIC 93.19/1—Activities of racehorse owners. Release date 17 November 2011 Standard Industrial Approximate gross value Classification (Revised Number of Total turnover1 (£ added at basic prices2 (£ Total purchases3 2007) Subclass Description Year enterprises million) million) (£ million)

2010 2,701 267 131 142 1 Total Turnover—Turnover is defined as total sales and work done 2 Approximate GVA at basic prices—Gross value added (GVA) represents the amount that individual businesses, industries or sectors contribute to the economy. Broadly, this is measured by the income generated by the business, industry or sector less their intermediate consumption of goods and services used upinorderto produce their output. 3 Total purchases—This represents the value of all goods and services purchased during the year.

Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (2) under what heading in supply estimates what the gross tax revenue was from the (a) equine and government commitments under the Pool Re insurance (b) horse racing industry in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 scheme are represented in the Government’s accounts; and (iii) 2011-12. [107892] [107896] (3) what his policy is on underwriting Pool Re in the Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available. event of a terrorist incident which depletes Pool Re’s Corporation tax records, VAT and excise duty returns reserves. [107897] are not broken down to the level of detail required to identify gross tax revenue from the equine and horse Mr Hoban: The Government established the ’Pool racing industries. Re’ scheme in 1993 after a series of attacks on the UK mainland resulted in reinsurers, and consequently insurers, Loans: Republic of Ireland withdrawing cover for damage to commercial property caused by an act of terrorism. The scheme exists to Mr Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer ensure such cover remains available in the absence of an when he expects to make a decision on the rate of adequate independently functioning market in this area. interest payable on the Government’s loans to Ireland; Pool Reinsurance Ltd (Pool Re) provides reinsurance and how much interest has been received so far from cover for all insurers that wish to become a member of the Irish government on the loans which have been the scheme and which insure commercial property in drawn down. [107686] Great Britain. In order to participate in the scheme insurers must cede all terrorism risk that they cover to Mr Hoban: The rate of interest applicable to each Pool Re and they must also guarantee to provide a tranche of the bilateral loan to Ireland and the interest quote for commercial terrorism cover in response to any payment arrangements are set out in the Loan Agreement request. that I deposited in the Library of the House on 10 The premiums paid by insurers for reinsurance cover January 2011. As my hon. Friend will be aware, last are accrued by Pool Re over time and are only used to year, the Chancellor of the Exchequer committed to pay for claims once insurers themselves have paid out in reduce the interest rate on the bilateral loan while still excess of pre-agreed limits. Under the terms of the covering the UK’s cost of funding. Work to revise the scheme, as set out in the Reinsurance (Acts of Terrorism) loan agreement is ongoing. The new interest rate will Act 1993, the Government acts as reinsurer of last apply retrospectively to those tranches of the loan that resort by reinsuring Pool Re in respect of its liabilities to have already been disbursed. direct insurers. Government would only be called to In accordance with the existing terms of the loan exercise this function in the event that the Pool Re agreement, the first interest payment was received on 15 reserves had been exhausted. December 2011. Thereafter, interest on each disbursed The Retrocession Agreement also provides for an tranche of the loan is payable every six months until the annual premium to be paid to the Government for the maturity date of each tranche. Once in force, the new provision of this guarantee to Pool Re. In the event that interest rate will apply retrospectively and interest payments the Government guarantee is called on the Treasury is will be adjusted accordingly. entitled to recoup amounts paid out through increased Under the terms of the Loans to Ireland Act the premiums from Pool Re in subsequent years. Treasury is required to report periodically on the bilateral Government’s liabilities in relation to the Pool Re loan, including on loan payments made, interest received scheme fail under Part III, Note K of HM Government’s and amounts outstanding. As I set out in my written supply estimates. The specific disclosure relating to Pool statement to the House on 17 April 2012, Official Re is within the sub section headed ’Statutory’. The Report, column 17WS, to ensure that Parliament has Government’s liability in this area is classified as the most useful and up-to-date information, subject to ’unquantifiable’ owing to the uncertainty and it being feasible to do so, I will lay this report alongside unpredictability surrounding the likelihood, timing and the finalised details of the new interest rate in the scale of a terrorist incident. coming weeks. Since 1993, Pool Re has processed claims relating to 11 separate terrorist incidents with payments to claimants Pool Re in the region of £610 million. These payments have been met entirely within Pool Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Chancellor of the Re’s own reserves. To date, the Government has never Exchequer (1) how much the Government has made a payment to Pool Re in respect of a terrorism committed to pay under the Pool Re insurance scheme incident. Pool Re’s reserves currently stand at around in the next year; [107895] £4.5 billion. 301W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 302W

Revenue and Customs age-related allowance and (ii) the restriction in eligibility in each of the next five years. [107254] Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to limit the costs Mr Gauke: My previous written answers referenced incurred by people calling the HM Revenue and by the hon. Member provide the available information Customs helpline. [107708] by country and region. Numbers affected specifically by changes to eligibility for personal allowances for those Mr Gauke: HMRC has responded to the born before 6 April 1948 in 2014-15 and later years will recommendation contained in the Treasury Select depend on the level of the personal allowance for those Committee report published on 26 October 2011 by born after 5 April 1948. introducing a non 0845 number for the tax credits Taxation helpline. HMRC is continuing to look hard at what else they can do as an alternative to 0845 numbers in other areas of their business. Anas Sarwar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate his Department has Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the made of the amount of overdue (a) corporation tax, Exchequer what steps he is taking to reduce waiting (b) national insurance payments, (c) PAYE and (d) times for answers to calls to the HM Revenue and VAT in Scotland. [107996] Customs helpline. [107709] Mr Gauke: The information is not available, and Mr Gauke: HMRC have produced a three year business could be researched only at disproportionate cost. plan for 2012-15 which includes as a priority improving Trade Unions accessibility, accuracy and timeliness. To help improve the accessibility of its contact centres, Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer HMRC is developing a more flexible resourcing model (1) how many trade union representatives in (a) his which allows them to manage busy periods better by Department and (b) each of its non-departmental deploying extra resource to deal with short-term increases public bodies had (i) part-time and (ii) full-time paid in demand. facility time arrangements in 2011-12; [107397] HMRC will also continue to reduce the need for (2) how many days were utilised for paid facility time customers to contact them unnecessarily resulting in a by each trade union representative in (a) his better service if they do need to call. For example, by Department and (b) each of its non-departmental making processes simpler or by adding to and improving public bodies in 2011-12; and at what cost to the public their automated solutions many customers will obtain purse; [107398] the information they need without having to wait to speak to an adviser. (3) how many days were utilised for paid facility time by each trade union representative in (a) his In 2011-12, HMRC has significantly improved the Department and (b) each of its non-departmental number of call attempts handled to 74% (compared to public bodies for trade union (i) duties and (ii) 48% in the previous year) and aim to achieve 90% of activities in 2011-12; [107399] call attempts handled by 2014-15. (4) if he will place in the Library copies of the Risk Assessment facility time agreements between trade unions and (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies; [107400] Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what strategic or transitional risk registers in each area (5) how many trade unions representatives in (a) his of policy are held by his Department; and if he will Department and (b) each of its non-departmental make a statement. [107469] public bodies have faced disciplinary action for abusing paid facility time or public resources in each of the last Miss Chloe Smith: The Treasury has in place across five years; [107401] all policy areas robust processes for monitoring, managing (6) how many meetings have taken place between (a) and mitigating against internal and external risks. The his Department and (b) its non-departmental public Treasury board and its sub-committees take regular bodies and trade union representatives utilising paid evidence from the Economic, Fiscal and Operational facility time in each of the last five years to discuss (i) Risk Groups which are chaired by members of the collective bargaining, (ii) redundancies, (iii) executive management group who are held to account negotiations relating to employment, pay and for the Department’s performance. conditions and (iv) other trade union and industrial relations duties; and what the dates and times were of Tax Allowances: Pensioners each meeting; [107402] (7) on how many occasions trade union Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the representatives from (a) his Department and (b) each Exchequer with reference to the answer to the hon. of its non-departmental public bodies have utilised Member for Leeds West of 30 April 2012, Official paid facility time to represent an employee at a meeting Report, column 1205W, on tax allowances: pensioners, or other industrial relations matter in each of the last and the answer to the hon. Member for Clwyd South of five years. [107403] 30 April 2012, Official Report, columns 1200-2W on tax allowances, how many people in (a) the UK and Miss Chloe Smith: Since 1 December 2011, no one in (b) each region will be affected by (i) the freeze in the HM Treasury or its non-departmental public bodies 303W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 304W has been paid in support of trade union activities and Mr Gauke: The main VAT exemption that is used by the current facility time agreement is under negotiation universities is the exemption of supplies of education at the present time. Between 1 April and 30 November and vocational training. Universities may also benefit 2011, HM Treasury had one member of staff at Grade from any VAT exemptions provided they meet the 7 who spent 0.6 (FTE) of their time working as a trade conditions for those exemptions. More details of the union representative. The cost to the Department was exemption for education are in HM Revenue and Customs around £30,000 (based on the average employment cost Notice 701/30. for the grade). No estimate is available of the cost of exemptions for HM Treasury follow the ACAS code of practice universities. The estimated cost of the VAT exemption ″Time off for Trades Union Duties and Activities″ for all education is £2,400 million for 2011-12 and can when allowing other staff time off for trade union be found in table 1.5 of the published tax expenditure activities. This is available at: and ready-reckoner statistics: http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2391 http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_expenditures/table1-5.pdf No trade union representatives have faced disciplinary action for abusing paid facility time or public resources in the last five years. Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many responses have been received to Information on the number of occasions trade union the consultation on addressing borderline anomalies in representatives have utilised paid facility time to meet VAT; and of these how many related to (a) hot food, Treasury officials or to represent an employee at a (b) sports drinks, (c) hairdressers chairs, (d) caravans meeting or other industrial relations matter is not held and (e) listed buildings and churches. [107710] centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Mr Gauke: The consultation closes on 18 May 2012. VAT The Government will publish a Summary of Responses document after the consultation has closed and the responses have been analysed. Karen Lumley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of businesses in the West Midlands that will be affected by planned Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the changes to the imposition of VAT on caravans. [106885] Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to an average household of the combined VAT increases Mr Gauke: Annex B—Tables of Impact for Individual announced in Budget 2012 over the next 12 months. Measures in HM Revenue and Customs consultation [107994] document ″VAT: Addressing Borderline Anomalies″, published at Budget 2012, sets out estimates for VAT Mr Gauke: The cost to consumers of the combined which will be raised from holiday caravans and a summary VAT increases announced at Budget 2012, coming into of impacts upon which comments are invited. effect on 1 October 2012, will depend on their individual http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/vat-con-4801.pdf expenditure patterns and the extent to which retailers pass on the cost. HMRC have published more detailed Guto Bebb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer assessments of the impact of each individual measure with reference to the answer of 25 April 2012, Official in their consultation document ’VAT: Addressing Borderline Report, column 899W, on VAT, how many of the 750 Anomalies’, published at Budget 2012. businesses are based in (a) Wales, (b) England, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland. [107236] Working Tax Credit Mr Gauke: No further breakdown of this figure is available. HM Revenue and Customs invites comments on the consultation document. Mike Weatherley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/vat-con-4801.pdf families in Hove constituency who will no longer receive working tax credit following changes made in Simon Hart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Budget 2012. [107714] how many submissions have been received to his Department’s consultation on VAT: addressing borderline anomalies; and how many such submissions Mr Gauke: The only change to tax credits made in relate to holiday caravans. [107586] Budget 2012 was to lower the working hours requirement for working tax credit, including the childcare element, Mr Gauke: The consultation closes on 18 May 2012. for couples with children where at least one partner is The Government will publish a Summary of Responses entitled to carers allowance. This is likely to slightly document after the consultation has closed and the increase the number of families that will be eligible for responses have been analysed. working tax credit. Constituency level breakdowns are not available. Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer For those losing entitlement due to the changes in tax to which exemptions from VAT universities are credits being introduced in April 2012, I refer to the entitled; and what estimate he has made of the value of answer I gave 20 February 2012, Official Report, column such exemptions. [107695] 644W. 305W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 306W

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DFID staff are also made aware of their responsibilities in respect of political activities and impartiality through Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats the Civil Service Code and the DFID intranet guidance. Consultants Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what (a) grants and (b) contracts his Department has awarded to companies or Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for organisations run by individuals who were previously International Development how much his Department employed in any capacity by (i) the Conservative party spent on external consultants, including management or its elected representatives and (ii) the Liberal Democrat consultants, in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he party or its elected representatives since May 2010; will make a statement. [107487] what the (A) value and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they were publicly advertised; [107149] Mr Duncan: DFID expenditure on consultancy (as defined by central Government) in the financial years (2) what (a) grants and (b) contracts his Department 2010-11 and 2011-12 are provided in the following has awarded to companies or organisations run by table: individuals who previously held an elected position as a member of the (i) Conservative party and (ii) Liberal Spend (£) Democrat party since May 2010; what the (A) value and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they 2010-11 1,406,000 were publicly advertised; [107150] 2011-12 675,000 (3) which individuals have been paid by his Department for consultancy or other services who were previously Consultancy spend continues to reduce following the employed in any capacity by the (a) Conservative party introduction of tight controls on the use of consultancy or its elected representatives and (b) Liberal Democrat in May 2010. party or its elected representatives since May 2010; South Sudan what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services provided; and whether they were publicly advertised; Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for [107151] International Development (1) what steps his Department (4) which individuals have been paid by his Department is taking to assist women subjected to rape and sexual for consultancy or other services who previously held assault in South Sudan in accessing justice and health an elected position as a member of the (a) Conservative services; [107599] party and (b) Liberal Democrat party since May 2010; (2) what proportion of his Department’s planned what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services expenditure in South Sudan will be allocated to provided; and whether they were publicly advertised. programmes to prevent or respond to violence against [107152] women and girls; [107600] Mr Duncan: As part of this Government’s Transparency (3) what steps his Department plans to take to Agenda, since January 2011, all centrally issued DFID address violence against women and girls in South contracts over the value of £10,000 are published on Sudan; [107601] Contracts Finder. (4) what assessment he has made of the effects of violence on the life chances of women and girls in Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for South Sudan; [107602] International Development (1) what the (a) job title (5) what recent assessment his Department has made and (b) pay band is of each official, excluding special of the main obstacles preventing women and girls from advisers, recruited by his Department since May 2010 leading free and full lives in South Sudan. [107603] who was previously employed in any capacity by the (i) Conservative party or its elected representatives and (ii) Mr Duncan: The South Sudan Operational Plan includes Liberal Democrat party or its elected representatives; an assessment of the situation of women and girls in and whether their position was advertised publicly; South Sudan. This analysis confirmed the importance [107264] of the four pillars of DFID’s strategic vision—economic (2) what the (a) job title and (b) pay band is of each empowerment, health, education, and tackling violence official, excluding special advisers, recruited by his against women and girls—in the South Sudanese context. Department since May 2010 who previously held an Women and girls frequently face domestic violence, and elected position as a member of the (i) Conservative violence related to conflict and insecurity. South Sudan party and (ii) Liberal Democrat party; and whether has the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world, their position was advertised publicly. [107265] and was recently categorised as one of the 10 worst places in the world to be a mother. There is also a Mr Duncan: DFID does not maintain a central record significant gender gap in education, with less than 20% of previous employers of DFID staff, nor would DFID of South Sudanese women being literate. Together these consider it appropriate to record or seek information barriers seriously restrict the life chances of women and about any position they might have hold in any political girls. party. We are working to expand women’s opportunities, All DFID appointments comply with the Civil Service and over time, transform attitudes so that women’s Commissioners Recruitment Principles (on merit on status is higher and they face less violence; as well as the basis of fair and open competition) or by ‘exception’ tackling violence directly. It is therefore difficult to as permitted by the principles. quantify precisely the proportion of expenditure which 307W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 308W is helping to tackle violence against women and girls. negotiations relating to employment, pay and Key programmes in this area include a £50 million plan conditions and (iv) other trade union and industrial focused on girls’ education, which will support 200,000 relations duties; and what the dates and times were of girls in school and a £56 million pound Health Pooled each meeting; [107318] Fund that has a particular focus on maternal mortality. (7) on how many occasions trade union We are also exploring the potential to put in place a representatives from (a) his Department and (b) each major programme to deliver access to justice for South of its non-departmental public bodies have utilised Sudanese women. Our humanitarian programming also paid facility time to represent an employee at a meeting has a major focus on gender. The Common Humanitarian or other industrial relations matter in each of the last Fund, to which DFID provided £15 million this year, is five years. [107319] developing plans to assist victims of gender based violence, including rape and sexual assault, and training humanitarian Mr Duncan: DFID had one part-time member of actors to respond. staff allocated to trade union duties under paid facility time arrangements in 2011-12. This member of staff is Southern Sudan the chair of the departmental trade union and represents members of both the First Division Association (FDA) Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). International Development what discussions his There are no elected trade union representatives in Department has had with the government of South DFID’s two non-departmental public bodies, Sudan on improving the economic independence of The trade union chair allocates all of her time to women and girls in South Sudan. [107690] trade union work. This equated to 138 days in 2011-12. The costs to the Department would be in the range of Mr Duncan: My Department has engaged the £15,000-£20,000. Government repeatedly on the issues that are critical to women’s economic independence, including the oil crisis The trade union chair spent approximately 110 days and its impact on vulnerable groups such as women and on trade union duties and 28 days on trade union girls. Through our work we are seeking to address the activities; this equates to an 80/20 split. significant barriers to women achieving their economic DFID will not be putting information regarding the potential, including cultural attitudes, high levels of facility time arrangements in the Library as this contains maternal mortality and low levels of female literacy. personal information. This includes ensuring more than 20,000 women have at No DFID trade union representative has faced any least four antenatal visits, and supporting an additional disciplinary action for abusing paid facility time or 200,000 girls through school. public resources in each of the last five years. Trade Unions DFID does not hold a central record of the number of meetings that have taken place in each of the last five years to discuss collective bargaining, redundancies, Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for negotiations relating to employment, pay and conditions International Development (1) how many trade union and other trade union and industrial relations duties. representatives in (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies had (i) part-time; DFID does not hold a central record of the number and (ii) full-time paid facility time arrangements in of occasions that the trade union has used facility time to represent an employee at a meeting or other industrial 2011-12; [107313] relations matters in the last five years. (2) how many days were utilised for paid facility time by each trade union representative in (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies in 2011-12; and at what cost to the public ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS purse; [107314] Birds of Prey: Conservation (3) how many days were utilised for paid facility time by each trade union representative in (a) his Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Department and (b) each of its non-departmental Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her public bodies for trade union (i) duties and (ii) Department is taking to conserve the hen harrier as a activities in 2011-12; [107315] species of principal importance for biodiversity in (4) if he will place in the Library copies of the England. [106417] facility time agreements between trade unions and (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental Richard Benyon: DEFRA officials are members of public bodies; [107316] the Environment Council-facilitated Hen Harrier Dialogue (5) how many trade union representatives in (a) his Working Group, which is looking at how we can improve Department and (b) each of its non-department public the population of hen harriers on grouse moors. The bodies have faced disciplinary action for abusing paid Environment Council has commissioned a study on facility time or public resources in each of the last five using rearing facilities as a way of maintaining hen years; [107317] harriers alongside grouse and DEFRA has allocated (6) how many meetings have taken place between (a) £10,000 to this work in the 2011-12 financial year. his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental In addition, the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project public bodies and trade union representatives utilising is trialling methods, such as diversionary feeding, that paid facility time in each of the last five years to discuss might enable an economically viable grouse moor and (i) collective bargaining, (ii) redundancies, (iii) healthy hen harrier population to co-exist. 309W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 310W

Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Local Authorities Bill 2007-08 to 2010-12 to make Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many hen littering from vehicles a civil offence; and what plans harriers fitted with radio or satellite tags by Natural she has to pilot this power in rural areas. [107506] England between 2002 and 2012 ceased to transmit data while in the vicinity of land managed for driven Richard Benyon: Borough councils in London will grouse shooting. [107774] shortly be able to use new powers acquired through the tenth London Local Authorities Act to issue a civil Richard Benyon: It is not always possible for fieldworkers penalty for the offence of littering from vehicles. DEFRA to determine the precise location of an individual hen is working closely with the authorities in London to harrier when its radio or satellite tag ceases to transmit learn the lessons of this approach before considering data. This is particularly true for birds with radio tags further legislation. Following an adequate bedding down because detection of the signal from a radio tag relies of the powers in London, the Government will consider on the presence of fieldworkers on the ground, usually all options pragmatically, including the possibility of within about 10 km of the bird. Signals are also often rolling out these powers elsewhere in the country. lost when the battery of the tag is exhausted. These factors make it impossible to determine the final location and associated land use for many of the tagged birds. Private Sector Droughts: Desalination Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many jobs Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for formerly in her Department and its agencies and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has non-departmental bodies were transferred to the considered use of sea water desalination plants in order private sector in 2011-12. [107846] to alleviate the drought affecting parts of the UK. [107775] Richard Benyon: During 2011-12 there were no job transfers to the private sector from core DEFRA, its Richard Benyon: All water companies have drought executive agencies and main non-departmental public plans that set out the actions they will take to manage bodies. drought and are following these. They are also planning ahead to consider actions that may be needed to manage a prolonged drought. Rural Areas Water companies plan through their water resources plans to balance supply and demand over the long term Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for and consider all options through an appraisal process Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the to identify a preferred programme. Large scale infrastructure Government is taking to help growth and competitiveness projects such as sea water desalination plants can have a in rural farms and businesses. [107870] long lead in time and desalination is expensive in energy and green house gas emissions compared to other options. Richard Benyon: DEFRA works across Government One company, Thames Water, has an operational ensuring measures designed to support economic growth desalination plant, which treats brackish water drawn are having proportionate and positive impacts in rural from the Thames, and has the capacity to produce areas. sufficient potable water for one million people. No other companies have identified desalination plants as a On 29 November 2011, the Government announced preferred option for balancing supply and demand. a strong package of new measures, designed to stimulate sustainable growth in the rural economy and help businesses Fossil Fuels reach their full potential. The results of this include the establishment of five Rural Growth Networks in 2012-13, and the targeting of £100 million of Rural Development Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Programme for England funding at meeting Rural Economy Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will Growth Review priorities. discuss fossil fuel subsidy reform with her international counterparts at the UN conference on Sustainable Broadband connectivity is also vital for economic Development Rio+20. [107736] prosperity and the Government has invested £530 million to support the roll out of broadband across all rural Richard Benyon: Fossil fuel subsidy reform is a priority areas. Through the £20 million Rural Community for the UK, and the Secretary of State for Environment, Broadband Fund, the Government is also providing Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the grant support to enable communities (including businesses) Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), will be discussing to access superfast broadband in hard to reach locations. this with her international counterparts at Rio+20. £150 million is also being invested in the UK to improve mobile phone coverage. Litter: Motor Vehicles

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for UN Conference on Sustainable Development Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the oral answer of 19 January 2012, Official Report, Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for column 895, on littering and fly-tipping, over what time Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with which of period her Department plans to monitor the efficacy of her ministerial colleagues she is preparing the UK’s the power granted to local authorities in the London position for the Rio+20 conference. [107078] 311W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 312W

Richard Benyon [holding answer 15 May 2012]: The Tim Loughton: We have regular communications with UK’s preparations for Rio+20 have been led by the local authorities in relation to the SSDA903 return on Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural children looked after by local authorities. These Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden communications include bulletins, newsletters and focus (Mrs Spelman), working closely with Cabinet colleagues, group meetings. We also produce a set of guidance in particular the Deputy Prime Minister, who will lead notes giving clear descriptions for all data items within the UK delegation. This is a matter of the highest the return. importance across Government and has therefore been It is recognised that there is a need to improve data of interest to many Ministers, including the Prime Minister. collection by local authorities on numbers of children who go missing from care. The Department is considering how this can best be achieved. EDUCATION Full details of the data collected on looked after children from local authorities via the SSDA903 return Academies: Press Releases can be found in the data collection guidance notes which can be found on the Department’s website via Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education the following link: if he will instruct officials in his Department not to require supportive quotes from academies for use in http://www.education.gov.uk/researchandstatistics/stats/ press releases. [106404] childrenlar/b00200554/children-looked-after-general- guidance-2011-12 Tim Loughton: There is no policy to require supportive quotes from academies for use in press releases. Computers Accountancy Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for how many (a) desktop and (b) laptop computers are Education how many staff in his Department had (a) a available for use by him and his staff in his private recognised accountancy qualification and (b) the Associate office. [108003] Chartered Accountant qualification in each of the last three years; and how many staff in his Department were Tim Loughton: The Secretary of State for Education, working towards a recognised accountancy qualification my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath in each such year. [106910] (Michael Gove), and his Private Office have been provided with (a) 11 desktop computers and (b) four laptops. Tim Loughton: The Department for Education does not currently record information on our qualified accountants and accountancy students in the format Curriculum: Mathematics requested. We can provide information on how many staff we are aware of in the Department that held a Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for recognised accountancy qualification as at 31 March Education what proportion of state schools offered 2012 and, of those how many held the Associate Chartered further mathematics A level in the last academic year Accountant Qualification. We can also provide information for which figures are available. [106861] on how many staff in the Department are currently working towards a recognised accountancy qualification under our Finance Bursary Scheme, but we are unable Mr Gibb: Information on subjects offered by schools to provide any of this information for previous years. is not held by the Department. However there were 1,209 maintained schools or colleges with entries in (a) Staff in the Department holding a recognised accountancy qualification as at 31 March 2012—36 further mathematics A-level in 2010/11. This represents 58.2% of the 2,077 maintained schools and colleges (b) Those holding the Associate Chartered Accountant qualification—7 who had entries for A-levels in 2010/11. (c) Staff currently working towards a recognised accountancy qualification—21 Curriculum: Outdoor Education The number of staff holding a recognised accountancy qualification, and those holding the ACA Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for qualification includes those working within the finance Education what assessment he has made of the merits function in the Department, and also those qualified of introducing elements of outdoor education into the accountants who may be working elsewhere across the national curriculum. [106631] Department, but who have recorded their qualification with the Head of the Finance Profession in order that they may be included in CPD opportunities. There may Mr Gibb: The Government recognises the important be other qualified and ACA qualified accountants contribution that outdoor education can make to engaging within the Department that we are unaware of. and supporting pupils in their education. However, we believe that schools are in the best position to decide Children in Care: Missing Persons how best to include outdoor education in fulfilling their responsibilities to provide a broad and balanced curriculum. Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Our current review will refocus the National Curriculum Education what discussions his Department has had on core knowledge in key subjects, while allowing schools with local authorities on collecting data on the number of greater freedom to design and teach a wider school children who go missing from care each year. [106481] curriculum that best meets the needs of their pupils. 313W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 314W

Education Maintenance Allowance: Private Education (2) what proportion of eligible (a) primary and (b) school pupils take free school meals in (i) England, (ii) Lancashire and (iii) Hyndburn constituency. [106913] John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils who were enrolled in Mr Gibb: Information on the number and percentage independent schools in the academic year 2010-11 were of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free in receipt of the top rate of education maintenance school meals has been placed in the House Libraries. allowance. [106630] Information on how many pupils meet the eligibility criteria but do not make a claim is not available. Mr Gibb: In the academic year 2010/11, 8,715 recipients Information on the number of pupils known to be of the top rate of education maintenance allowance eligible for and claiming free school meals as at January were enrolled in independent schools. This includes 2011 is published in the Statistical First Release “Schools, students in independent special schools funded by local Pupils and their Characteristics, January 2011” available authorities. at: http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001012/ Free School Meals index.shtml Free School Meals: Gateshead Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for Education what representations he has received on how many children in Gateshead are registered for free the effects on children of free school meals. [106479] school meals. [107930] Mr Gibb: Information on the number and percentage Mr Gibb: The Department has not recently received of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free any representations on the effects on children of free school meals is shown in the table. school meals. Information on the number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals as at January Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for 2011 is published in the Statistical First Release ‘Schools, Education (1) what proportion of (a) primary and (b) Pupils and their Characteristics, January 2011’ available school pupils are eligible for free school meals in (i) at: England, (ii) Lancashire and (iii) Hyndburn constituency; http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001012/ [106912] index.shtml

Maintained nursery, state-funded primary, state-funded secondary, special schools and pupil referral units1,2,3,4 January 2011

Number and percentage of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals

Maintained nursery and state-funded primary1,2

No. of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school % known to be eligible for and No.onroll5,6 meals5,6 claiming free school meals

England 3,873,175 743,255 19.2

Gateshead 13,561 3,112 22.9

Number and percentage of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals State-funded secondary1,3 Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free % known to be eligible for and No.onroll5,6 school meals5,6 claiming free school meals

England 2,837,825 450,275 15.9 Gateshead 10.611 1,830 17.2

Number and percentage of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals Special4 No. of pupils known to be eligible % known to be eligible for and No. on roll5,6 for and claiming free school meals5,6 claiming free school meals

England 79,030 28,830 36.5 Gateshead 366 157 42.9

Number and percentage of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals Pupil referral units No. of pupils known to be eligible for % known to be eligible for and No.onroll5,6 and claiming free school meals5,6 claiming free school meals

England 13,725 4,745 34.6 Gateshead 88 11 12.5 315W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 316W

Number and percentage of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals Total No. of pupils known to be eligible for % known to be eligible for and No.onroll5,6 and claiming free school meals5,6 claiming free school meals

England 6,803,755 1,227,110 18.0 Gateshead 24,626 5,110 20.8 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Includes primary academies. 3 Includes city technology colleges and secondary academies. 4 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. 5 Includes full time and part time pupils who are sole or dual main registrations. Includes boarding pupils. In pupil referral units, also includes pupils registered with other providers and further education colleges. 6 Pupils who have full time attendance and are aged 15 or under, or pupils who have part time attendance and are aged between five and 15. Note: National totals have been rounded to the nearest 5. Source: School Census

Free School Meals: Primary Education London area have extended entitlement to free school meals to all primary school children. Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State Free School Meals: West Midlands for Education which local authorities have extended free school meals beyond the entitlement criteria to all Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State nursery and primary school children. [106476] for Education what proportion of children attending schools in (a) Coventry and (b) the west midlands are eligible for free school meals. [106732] Mr Gibb: Local authorities are able to extend eligibility to free school meals to children beyond the entitlement Mr Gibb: [holding answer 16 May 2012]: criteria set nationally by the Government. While the Information on the number and proportion of pupils Department does not hold a record of the local authorities known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals which choose to do this, we understand that some in the is shown in the following table:

Maintained nursery, state-funded primary, state-funded secondary, special schools and pupil referral units1,2,3,4 number and percentage of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals. January 2011. Coventry local authority, west midlands and England Number of pupils known to be eligible Percentage known to be eligible for Number on roll5,6 for and claiming free school meals5,6 and claiming free school meals

England 6,803,755 1,227,110 18.0 West Midlands 755,985 160,275 20.9 Coventry 43,514 10,155 23.3 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Includes primary academies. 3 Includes city technology colleges and secondary academies. 4 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. 5 Includes full-time and part-time pupils who are sole or dual main registrations. Includes boarding pupils. In pupil referral units, also includes pupils registered with other providers and further education colleges. 6 Includes pupils who have full-time attendance and are aged 15 or under, or pupils who have part-time attendance and are aged between five and 15. Note: National and regional totals have been rounded to the nearest five. Source: School Census

Information on the number of pupils known to be The Priority School Building Programme is targeted eligible for and claiming free school meals as at January at those schools with the most urgent building condition 2011 is published in the Statistical First Release ‘Schools, issues. There has been significant interest in the programme Pupils and their Characteristics, January 2011’ available and to ensure that investment is targeted where it is at: most needed, we are carefully assessing and reviewing http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001012/ each application, including making site visits to check index.shtml the building condition of all schools that applied.

Grove School, Nottinghamshire Home Education: Reading

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to announce whether the Education how many children registered to be schooled Grove School in Nottinghamshire will be awarded funding at home are residents of Reading West constituency. under the Priority School Building Programme. [107045] [106668]

Mr Gibb: We intend to announce the outcome of Mr Gibb: The Department for Education does not applications for the Priority School Building Programme hold information on the number of children registered later this month. to be schooled at home in the Reading West constituency. 317W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 318W

Mathematics: Curriculum State-funded primary, secondary and special schools, and pupil referral units1,2,3,4: number of pupils eligible for the pupil premium in 2011/125,6: Reading West

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Allocation for the Education what steps he is taking to improve the deprivation pupil premium 2011/127,8 quality of mathematics teaching in schools. [107866] URN School name (£)

Mr Gibb: Good quality mathematics teaching in schools 109844 Birch Copse Primary School 8,296 is fundamental to improving attainment. We are increasing 109845 Westwood Farm Junior School 5,856 the number and quality of mathematics teachers with bursaries of up to £20,000 to attract the best mathematics 109853 Long Lane Primary School 9,272 graduates into teaching and we are expanding participation 109864 Westwood Farm Infant School 2,928 in the Teach First scheme. We will be prioritising places on primary Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses in 109866 Springfield Primary School 6,344 2012/13 that offer specialisms in mathematics. For 2013/14, 109896 Downsway Primary School 7,320 we expect to adjust financial incentives for trainees to 109898 Kennet Valley Primary School 13,176 reward trainees on specialist primary courses with a good A-level in mathematics. We are also continuing to 109931 Calcot Infant School and Nursery 15,616 support the Maths Specialist Teacher (MaST) programme 109932 Calcot Junior School 11,712 to improve primary mathematics teachers’ mathematical subject knowledge and expertise. We are providing £6 109940 Pangbourne Primary School 7,808 million over three years to fund the National Centre for 109971 Purley C.E. Infant School 9— Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) 109980 Theale C.E. Primary School 9,760 to coordinate and quality assure continuing professional development (CPD) activities for mathematics teachers 110006 St Paul’s Catholic Primary School 3,904 at both primary and secondary phases. We are currently 110063 Little Heath School 42,944 undertaking a review of the National Curriculum at primary and secondary level in order to provide children 110065 Theale Green Community School 39,040 with the essential mathematical knowledge they need. 110100 Denefield School 53,192

110186 Brookfields Special School 10—

Pupils: Disadvantaged 134984 Cranbury College 10—

109777 Battle Primary School 66,856

Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for 109779 Coley Primary School 14,640 Education how much each school in Reading West constituency received in funding from the pupil 109781 Geoffrey Field Junior School 43,432 premium in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and how 109782 Geoffrey Field Infant School 30,256 much each is expected to receive in 2012-13. [106741] 109786 Oxford Road Community School 30,256 Sarah Teather: The Pupil Premium was introduced in 109790 Park Lane Primary School 18,056 April 2011 and allocations have so far been confirmed 109791 Whitley Park Junior School 64,416 for the 2011-12 financial year only. Final allocations for 2012-13 will be confirmed shortly. 109792 Whitley Park Infant and Nursery School 59,048 For 2011-12, the Pupil Premium funding is: £488 per 109793 Wilson Primary School 21,960 pupil in respect of pupils known to be eligible for Free 109795 Southcote Primary School 31,232 School Meals (FSM), and for children in care who have been continuously looked after for at least six months; 109796 St Michael’s Primary School 31,232 and £200 per pupil for those whose parents are serving 109797 Churchend Primary School 15,128 in the armed forces. 109799 Moorlands Primary School 50,264 In 2012-13, the Pupil Premium rises to £600 per pupil in respect of pupils known to have been eligible for 109801 Upcroft Primary School 55,632 FSM at any point within the last six years, and for 109939 Ranikhet Primary School 38,064 children in care who have been continuously looked after for at least six months. The Pupil Premium for 109944 Manor Primary School 34,160 children whose parents are in the armed services will 109945 All Saints Church of England Aided Infant 9— rise to £250 per pupil. School Allocations for each school in the Reading West 110002 St Mary and All Saints Church of England 55,144 constituency for 2011-12 are shown in the following Voluntary Aided Primary School table. It is not possible to present at school level eligible 110004 English Martyrs’ Catholic Primary School 23,424 Looked after Children, service children and FSM pupils recorded on the Alternative Provision census. This is 110005 Christ The King Catholic Primary School 38,064 because of the way data are collected for these pupils 110106 Prospect School 115,656 and for data protection reasons. The total Pupil Premium for schools in Reading West in 2011-12 is £1.375 million 110107 Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School 53,192 and the estimated allocation for 2012-13 is £2.294 million. 130247 John Madejski Academy 171,288 319W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 320W

State-funded primary, secondary and special schools, and pupil referral Supply Teachers units1,2,3,4: number of pupils eligible for the pupil premium in 2011/125,6: Reading West Allocation for the Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State deprivation pupil premium 2011/127,8 for Education if he will estimate the number of supply URN School name (£) teachers that have been in posts replacing one full-time teacher for over one academic year. [107442] 110179 The Avenue School 10— 110193 The Holy Brook School 10— 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. Mr Gibb: The information requested is not collected 2 Includes primary academies. centrally. 3 Includes city technology colleges and secondary academies. 4 Includes maintained special schools, excludes general hospital schools and non-maintained special schools. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State 5 The number of eligible Looked After Children and FSM pupils recorded on for Education (1) what recent discussions his Department the Alternative Provision census are not included in school level tables (although are eligible for the pupil premium) as they are taken from local authority has had on supply teacher agencies; [107443] returns. (2) how many complaints his Department received in 6 The number of service children are not provided at school level due to data protection issues. respect of supply teacher agencies in the latest period 7 Full time equivalent (FTE) number of pupils known to be eligible for and for which figures are available. [107444] claiming free school meals in year groups R-11, (where National Curriculum year groups do not apply pupils aged four to 15). For all those aged five and over includes sole or dual main registrations only. In Pupil Referral Units, FTE Mr Gibb: The Department for Education has a Quality pupils aged four (all registration types) and headcount of pupils aged five to 15 (sole or dual main registrations as well as pupils who are registered with other Mark scheme for supply teacher agencies which is providers and further education colleges) known to be eligible for and claiming administered by the Recruitment and Employment free school meals. Confederation (REC). The Quality Mark sets minimum 8 Each FSM eligible pupil will attract £488 through the pupil premium. For pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools funding will be passed to standards for agencies and LAs which apply to the way schools via the local authorities. Academies will receive funding from the they recruit and interview supply teachers and monitor YPLA. For pupils in maintained special schools and PRU’s funding will be and manage their performance. The Department meets allocated to local authorities to decide whether to pass on funding to the education setting or to hold back funding to manage centrally for the benefit of regularly with the REC to discuss the operation of the those pupils it has responsibility for. scheme and to consider issues arising. 9 Less than five pupils or a percentage based on less than five pupils or an allocation amount based on less than five pupils. The responsibility for investigating complaints made 10 Allocations for these schools are not included as they are either a maintained against teacher supply agencies is a matter for the special school or PRU. The premium for these establishments is held with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) local authority (please see the conditions of grant). where there is a breach of the Department’s Quality Schools: Hygiene Mark standards or the Department for Business Innovation and Skills’ Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EASI) where there is a possible breach of the law. Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for In the calendar year 2011, the REC received 21 Education what assessment has been made of the effect complaints about supply teacher agencies. In 2010/11, of removing the requirement for schools to provide a the EASI handled 62 complaints and targeted inspections certain number of washing facilities for a given number relating to teachers and tutors. of pupils. [106551]

Mr Gibb: While not specifying a specific ratio of Teachers: Training wash basins to numbers of pupils, the proposed school premises regulations stress that suitable toilet and washing facilities must be provided for pupils, having regard to, Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for among other factors, their number. To assess the impact Education what funding he plans to make available for of this simplification, in the public consultation on the the Graduate Teaching Programme for (a) students regulations we asked whether or not respondents agreed undertaking placements and (b) schools offering that the wording of the proposed standard adequately placements in the academic year (i) 2012-13, (ii) covered requirements. Responses to this question are 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15. [106937] being taken into account in finalising details of the regulation. Mr Gibb: The funding for the Graduate Teacher Programme consists of two parts: funding for the training Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for provider to deliver the training programme (the training Education whether schools will be obliged to provide grant, which includes the salary grant administration soap and drying facilities in school toilets when the fee) and funding to support the school’s costs in employing school premises regulations are revised. [106552] the trainee (the salary grant). For academic year 2012/13 we will make £60.1 million available for salary grant Mr Gibb: The proposed school premises regulations and £23.7 million for training grant. Funding for the do not include specific requirements for soap and drying Graduate Teacher Programme beyond the 2012/13 facilities in school toilets, but they do require that the academic year is yet to be decided. toilet and washing facilities provided should be suitable for pupils to use. They also contain a regulation covering Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the health, safety and welfare of pupils. It is difficult to Education how much funding was available through see how a school could meet these standards without the Graduate Teaching Programme for (a) students providing suitable means for pupils to wash and dry undertaking placements and (b) schools offering their hands. placements in each of the last five years. [106938] 321W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 322W

Mr Gibb: The funding for the Graduate Teacher BIS has 11 staff currently working towards a recognised Programme consists of two parts: funding for the training accountancy qualification which we are funding. provider to deliver the training programme (the training grant, which includes the salary grant administration Apprentices fee) and funding to support the school’s costs in employing the trainee (the salary grant). Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for The units of funding (at national rates) for both of Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the these areas are as follows: proportion of work contracts offered to apprentices at the end of their training that have been full-time in the Academic year Salary grant (£) Training grant (£) last two years. [107766] 2007-08 14,000 4,920 Mr Hayes: A survey of apprentices (published 15 May 2008-09 14,200 5,220 2012) shows that 85% of apprentices who completed 2009-10 14,500 5,330 their apprenticeship in the last 12 months were employed 2010-11 13,500 5,330 by an employer at the time of the survey, with a further 2011-12 13,500 5,330 4% being self-employed. 64% were with the same employer and 21% were with The total funding allocated for the programme is as a different employer. We do not know if those who follows: changed employer were offered permanent full-time contracts or not. They may have moved by choice. Salary grant Training grant Academic year (£ million) (£ million) Of the 85% who were employed by an employer 13% were part time (working under 30 hours a week) and 2007-08 63.5 24.9 72% were full time. 2008-09 63.8 24.6 2009-10 63.3 24.1 Apprentices: South West 2010-11 56 22.8 2011-12 65.9 25.8 Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprentice starts there were for 16 to 18-year-olds in (a) Newton Telephone Services Abbot constituency and (b) the south-west in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011. [107699] Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many call centres provide services for his Department Mr Hayes: Table 1 shows the number of apprenticeship and the bodies for which he is responsible; and how programme starts aged under 19 in Newton Abbot many such call centres are based abroad. [107019] parliamentary constituency, the south-west region and England for academic years 2009/10 to 2010/11, the Tim Loughton: The Department provides a contact latest full year for which final data are available. centre which operates as the Department’s national Table 1: Apprenticeship programme starts by learners aged under 19 inquiry line and switchboard service, which is not based by geography, 2009/10 to 2010/11 (full years) abroad. The Department, including its executive agencies, 2009/10 2010/11 has responsibility for a number of other helplines, none Newton Abbot 200 230 of which are based abroad. constituency South West region 12,620 12,850 England total 116,800 131,700 Notes: BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 except for England totals which are rounded to the nearest 100. Accountancy 2. Age is based on age at the start of the programme. These figures include a small number of under 16-year-olds. 3. Geography is based upon the home postcode of the learner. The Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for England totals include some postcodes which are not known. Business, Innovation and Skills how many members of Geographic information is based on boundaries of regions as of May 2010. staff working for his Department had a recognised Source: accountancy qualification in each of the last three Individualised Learner Record years; and how many such staff (a) have the Associate Information on the number of apprenticeship starts Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification and (b) are by age is published in a quarterly Statistical First Release working towards a recognised accountancy qualification. (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 29 March [107988] 2012: http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statistical firstrelease/ Norman Lamb: For financial year (FY) 2010/11 the sfr_current Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) had 55 staff with a recognised accountancy qualification, Business: North West six of which held the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) (ACA) qualification. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for In FY 2011/12 BIS had 69 staff with a recognised Business, Innovation and Skills how many UK-owned accountancy qualification, 11 of which held the ICAEW low carbon businesses are based in (a) Liverpool city (ACA) qualification. region, (b) the north-west and (c) nationally. [108017] 323W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 324W

Mr Prisk: The Department for Business, Innovation Consumer Focus and Skills (BIS) has made no estimates for the number of UK-owned low carbon businesses that are based in Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Liverpool, the north-west or nationally. However, an Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with independent study by K-Matrix, commissioned by BIS interested parties on the new arrangements for the has estimated that there were around 2,700 companies responsibilities of Consumer Focus. [107932] operating in the low carbon sector in the north-west in 2009/10. Estimates for the number of companies operating Norman Lamb: In both the lead up to our announcement in the low carbon sector for the UK as a whole were in April 2012 and while considering the way forward almost 26,000 for the same period. These estimates last year, I and my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the include companies operating across the wider low carbon Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, have sector supply chain. It is not possible to determine from met jointly and separately with those stakeholders with these data how many of these firms are UK owned. a key interest in our proposals to change and streamline the consumer landscape, including Citizens Advice, Community Interest Companies: Greater London Consumer Focus and Which?

Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Consumer Focus and Office of Fair Trading Business, Innovation and Skills how many community interest companies were registered in (a) the London Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, borough of Bexley and (b) London in the latest period Innovation and Skills what funding his Department for which figures are available. [107647] provided to (a) Consumer Focus and (b) the Office of Fair Trading in the latest period for which figures are Norman Lamb: In the latest period for which figures available. [107931] are available there is one Community Interest Company shown as registered in the London borough of Bexley Norman Lamb: In the financial year 2011-12, BIS and there are 1,013 Community Interest Companies provided £11,229,000 funding to Consumer Focus. In registered in London. This information will be placed in the same financial year BIS has so far provided the the Libraries of the House. Office of Fair Trading (OFT) with funding of £555,769.58 to end-December 2011. BIS funding to OFT pays for However, these figures are not definitive as Companies the cost of energy and postal calls and contacts received House’s data is extracted primarily from post code by Consumer Direct. A final quarter payment to OFT areas, which can cross county boundaries. covering the period January to March 2012 is expected to be in the region of £200,000 once final out-turn call Community Interest Companies: Sussex figures for that quarter are confirmed.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Credit Business, Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Library a list of the community interest companies Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for registered in (a) Mid Sussex and (b) West Sussex. Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department [107762] is taking to ensure that oversight of consumer credit is maintained during the proposed transition to the Financial Norman Lamb: A list of the 50 Community Interest Conduct Authority; and what steps he is taking to Companies (CICS) registered in West Sussex will be ensure that unscrupulous lenders or debt management placed in the Libraries of the House. Companies House’s providers cannot profit from the changes. [106887] records do not show any CICS being registered in Mid Sussex. However, these figures are not definitive as Norman Lamb: The Government is committed to Companies House’s data is extracted primarily from ensuring the continued effectiveness of consumer credit post code areas, which can cross county boundaries. regulation during the transition to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The Office of Fair Trading remains responsible for regulating consumer credit during the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats transition and it will continue its important work to tackle those practices that cause harm to consumers Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for and to drive up standards in the market. This work Business, Innovation and Skills what (a) grants and includes the recently published revised guidance on the (b) contracts his Department has awarded to companies standards it expects from firms offering debt advice or or organisations run by individuals who were previously credit repair services to debtors and the review of payday employed in any capacity by (i) the Conservative Party lenders’ compliance with its Irresponsible Lending or its elected representatives and (ii) the Liberal Democrat Guidance. Party or its elected representatives since May 2010; what the (A) value and (B) nature was of these contracts; Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill and whether they were publicly advertised. [107104] Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Norman Lamb: We do not request this type of Business, Innovation and Skills whether his proposed information as part of our (a) grant award and (b) Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill will include provisions contract award processes and as a consequence the for the submission of (a) third party evidence and (b) Department does not hold this information. evidence given anonymously. [107970] 325W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 326W

Norman Lamb: The Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill private sector organisations, including the British Chambers allows for the adjudicator to consider third party evidence, of Commerce, to reach out to many more businesses in both when deciding whether to initiate an investigation the UK. and as part of an ongoing investigation. The Bill also Details of what more UKTI is planning to do are set requires the adjudicator to protect the confidentiality of out in its strategy “Britain Open for Business”, which complainants. was launched in May 2011. The UKTI website gives further information on UKTI services and its strategy: Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State www.ukti.gov.uk for Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) officials in his Department have had to discuss the proposed Groceries Code Railways: Radlett Adjudicator. [107972] Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Norman Lamb: I have met with representatives of Innovation and Skills with reference to the answers of both suppliers and retailers to discuss the proposed 1 May 2012, Official Report, columns 1401-2, on Groceries Code Adjudicator, as well as discussing it railways: freight and railways: Radlett, which private with hon. Members and Peers, most recently at a company contacted the Department regarding the parliamentary briefing session on 14 May 2012. BIS Radlett strategic railfreight interchange; who attended officials have similarly met with representatives of suppliers the roundtable with representatives with the logistics and retailers and with officials elsewhere in Government sector; and whether the Radlett railfreight interchange with an interest in the proposed adjudicator. was discussed at the roundtable with representatives from the logistics sector. [106941] Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [Lords] 2012-13 Mr Prisk: In November 2011, the Secretary of State Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member Business, Innovation and Skills whether his proposed for Twickenham (Vince Cable) received correspondence Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill will include provisions about the St Albans Strategic Railfreight Interchange for retailers to be fined if they do not comply with the from Community Connect Ltd, on behalf of their client Groceries Supply Code of Practice. [107971] Helioslough. Aside from officials, representatives from the following Norman Lamb: The Bill includes a provision allowing companies attended the roundtable in August 2011: the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Ford Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), to make an Order giving the adjudicator Bibby Distribution the power to fine. This will allow financial penalties to Kimberley Clarke Corporation be introduced if the Secretary of State does not consider Skills for Logistics the adjudicator’s other powers to have been sufficient to Goodman uphold the Groceries Supply Code of Practice. Wincanton Nisa-Todays Overseas Trade Wilson James Nissan. Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the The Radlett Railfreight Interchange was not discussed. survey by the British Chambers of Commerce entitled Exporting is Good for Britain: Social Connections, Supermarkets: Competition what steps his Department plans to take to encourage collaboration and networking of UK businesses with Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for international partners. [106533] Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received on potential improvements to the Groceries Mr Prisk: UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Supply Code of Practice. [107946] Government Department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy and assists overseas companies to bring their high quality investment to the Norman Lamb: The Office of Fair Trading oversees UK. the Groceries Supply Code of Practice and representations regarding changes to it should be made to them. Issues The economic rationale for UKTI services includes relating to the Groceries Supply Code of Practice have acting as an intermediary in identifying international been raised as part of my discussions on the Groceries partners for UK businesses. Therefore, its activities, Code Adjudicator with suppliers, retailers, hon. Members services, help and advice, both in the UK and overseas, and peers. are geared towards helping UK companies to collaborate and network with international partners. Technology: Greater London UKTI has a major role to play in helping to deliver the Government’s ambition to get 100,000 more UK businesses exporting, and to increase to £1 trillion the Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for value of UK exports by 2020. But UKTI cannot deliver Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has its contribution to this objective alone, and therefore is made of the progress made by the East London Tech working with a range of delivery partners and other City. [107042] 327W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 328W

Mr Prisk: A full assessment of the objectives and Caterpillar UK Ltd results of UKTI’s Tech City Investment Organisation is Cementation Skanska given in its impact report dated May 2012: Chinook Sciences Ltd https://www.techcityuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ Cleveland Potash Ltd TCIO_Impact_Report.pdf Clyde Union Holdings I will place a copy of the report in the Libraries of the Contained Air Solutions Ltd House. Corus UK Ltd Telephone Services Cri Catalyst Company UK Ltd Crown Agents Services Ltd Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Dennis Specialist Vehicles Ltd Business, Innovation and Skills how many call centres Diamond Offshore Drilling UK Ltd provide services for his Department and the bodies for Doncasters Middle East Ltd which he is responsible; and how many such call Dunlop Oil & Marine Ltd centres are based abroad. [107022] ES Group Ltd Norman Lamb: The Department for Business, Innovation Europa Crown Ltd and Skills (BIS) has one call centre, situated in London, European Marine Contractors Ltd which answers all calls for the Department and for UK Fairbak Brearley Ltd Trade and Investment and the UK Space Agency. Faun Municipal Vehicles Ltd All other BIS partner organisations, of which there Fernau Avionics Ltd are 56, have their own local facilities for receiving calls, Findel Education Ltd all based in the UK. FIRA International Ltd Fitzpatrick Contractors Ltd UK Export Finance Flakt Woods Ltd Fluor Ltd Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the names are of Foster Wheeler (GB) Ltd all existing and past clients of UK Export Finance for Gall Thomson Environmental plc which records are available. [106917] Gateway (Textile) Ltd GEA Process Engineering Ltd Norman Lamb: Clients are companies for which UK Gentec Energy plc Export Finance has supported an export contract through Graham & Brown Ltd the provision of credit insurance or guarantees to banks Greys Exports Ltd who provide loans to finance export contracts by UK exporters. Guralp Systems Ltd Hawker Beechcraft Inc. The following information lists clients since 2000-01 financial year to date. For reasons of commercial Hydroflow Europe Ltd confidentiality, some clients have been withheld. Invsat Ltd Exporter John Gordon Ltd Johnson Matthey plc Aedas Architects Ltd Joy Mining Machinery Ltd Aeromatic Fielder Ltd Kellogg Brown & Root Ltd Air Products plc Kelton Engineering Ltd Airbus Financial Services Kier International Ltd Alderley Systems Ltd Koch Chemical Technology Group Ltd Alexander Dennis Ltd Lagan International Ltd Alstom Power Ltd Leafield Logistics And Technical Services Ltd Alvis plc M W Kellogg Ltd Angloco Ltd Mabey & Johnson Ltd Apollo Sheeters Ltd MAN B&W Diesel Ltd Asmag UK Ltd MAN Ltd Astrium Ltd Marlborough Communications Ltd BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Ltd Balcke Marley UK Ltd Balfour Beatty Construction International Ltd MBDA UK Ltd Battenfeld Gloucester Europe Ltd Mivan Ltd Bombardier Incorporated Motherwell Bridge Engineering Ltd BP Exploration (Caspian Sea) Ltd Motorola Ltd Brackett Green Ltd MRB Schumag Ltd Brecknell, Willis & Co. Ltd Northey Technologies Ltd Caley Ocean Systems Ltd NSG Exports Ltd Capital Valves Ltd Odebrecht Oil and Gas Services Ltd Carillion Construction Ltd Omega Foundry Machinery Ltd 329W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 330W

Perry Slingsby Systems Ltd £ million Pipeline Tube And Casing Ltd Account 2 (Business Account 1 (Business PW Ltd Financial year supported since 1991) supported prior to 1991)

Reviss Services UK Ltd 2000/01 254 44 Rolls Wood Group (Repair and Overhaul) Ltd 2001/02 223 27 Rolls-Royce plc 2002/03 226 36 Salzgitter Mannesmann UK Ltd 2003/04 205 12 Saywell International Ltd 2004/05 89 0 Securon (Amersham) Ltd 2005/06 79 5 2006/07 61 0 Sedgewall Communications Group Ltd 2007/08 59 0 Sembcorp Simon-Carves Ltd 2008/09 44 0 Shell Research Ltd 2009/10 48 0 Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd 2010/11 30 0 Sir William Halcrow & Partners Ltd 2011/12 6 0 SLP Engineering Ltd SMS Mevac UK Ltd Total since -1,689 -3,510 1 April 1991 Snamprogetti Ltd Stage Technologies Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Telspec Europe Ltd Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the economic benefit to the UK of applications for UK TES (NI) Ltd Export Finance support. [106919] Tetronics Ltd Thales ATM Ltd Norman Lamb: No recent assessment has been made The Football Association Premier League Ltd of the economic benefit of the Export Credits Guarantee Traffic Safety Systems Ltd Department’s (ECGD), support to the UK. ECGD’s UTM Ltd statutory function is to support exports and overseas VAI Industries Ltd investment and in doing so it enables companies to fulfil export contracts which help secure employment and Vikoma International Ltd create wealth, including companies in the supply chains Voith Paper Ltd of those exporters who directly receive support. In the Volvo Bus Exports (U.K.) Ltd last 10 years, ECGD has met financial objectives set for VT Shipbuilding International Ltd it by HM Treasury. VWS Westgarth Ltd Weir Westgarth Ltd CABINET OFFICE Wellstream Ltd Welltrade Services Ltd Cancer WRG Creative Communications Ltd Mr Arbuthnot: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet York International Ltd Office what the (a) incidence, (b) mortality and (c) survival rates are for (i) primary, (ii) secondary and (iii) Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for low-grade cancers of the brain and central nervous Business, Innovation and Skills how much UK Export system. [107750] Finance has paid out as liability in each year for which figures are available. [106918] Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Norman Lamb: Liability is sums paid out to exporters asked the authority to reply. and banks by the Export Credits Guarantee Department Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2012: in respect of claims made under credit insurance policies As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I and bank guarantees. The following table lists claims have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the paid by financial year since 1991/92 to date. (a) incidence, (b) mortality and (c) survival rates are for (i) primary, (ii) secondary and (iii) low-grade cancers of the brain and central nervous system. [107750] £ million Account 2 (Business Account 1 (Business Detailed information about secondary and low-grade cancers Financial year supported since 1991) supported prior to 1991) are not routinely recorded on individual cancer registrations sent to ONS for processing and publishing as National Statistics. For 1991/92 0 954 this reason it is not possible to: 1992/93 0 734 1) Provide (a) incidence, (b) mortality and (c) survival rates for 1993/94 3 509 (ii) secondary cancers of the brain and central nervous system. 1994/95 29 393 2) Provide (a) incidence, (b) mortality and (c) survival rates for 1995/96 25 270 (iii) low grade cancers of the brain and central nervous system. 1996/97 32 205 ONS publish one and five-year cancer relative survival (percentage) 1997/98 17 142 for England, for the 21 common cancers. Cancer of the central 1998/99 45 98 nervous system is not one of the 21 common cancers, therefore 1999/2000 214 81 survival figures for the central nervous system are not routinely available. 331W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 332W

Tables 1 and 2 provide the latest (a) age standardised incidence The latest published figures on cancer mortality in England rates and (b) age standardised mortality rates for (i) primary and Wales are available on the National Statistics website: cancers of the brain and central nervous system, for persons resident in England. Table 3 provides the latest one- and five-year http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/mortality-statistics-- survival figures for brain cancer, also for persons resident in deaths-registered-in-england-and-wales--series-dr-/index.html England. The latest published figures on cancer survival in England are The latest published figures on incidence of cancer in England available on the National Statistics website: are available on the National Statistics website: ixhttp://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all-releases.html? http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all-releases.html? definition=tcm%3A77-27451 definition=tcm%3A77-21521

Table 1: Number of newly diagnosed cases and incidence rates (with 95% confidence intervals) for malignant neoplasm of the brain and central nervous system, England, 20101,2,3,4,5

Rate Lower confidence interval Upper confidence interval Cases

Malignant neoplasm of brain 6.44 6.24 6.64 3,935

Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, 0.19 0.15 0.23 98 cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system

1Figures are for cases registered in the calendar year and exclude non-residents. 2 Cancer of the brain and the central nervous system was defined using the International Classification of Diseases: Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes C71 and C72 respectively. 3 Age-standardised rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. 4 Confidence intervals are a measure of the statistical precision of an estimate and show the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. Calculations based on small numbers of events are often subject to random fluctuations. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. 5 Figures are based on boundaries as of February 2012. Source: Office for National Statistics Table 2: Number of deaths and mortality rates (with 95% confidence intervals) for malignant neoplasm of the brain and central nervous system, England, 20101,2,3,4,5 Rate Lower confidence interval Upper confidence interval Deaths

Malignant neoplasm of brain 5.01 4.83 5.18 3,200 Malignant neoplasm of spinal 0.03 0.01 0.04 16 cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system 1 Figures are for deaths registered in the calendar year and exclude non-residents. 2 Underlying cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases. Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes C7I and C72. 3Age-standardised rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. 4 Confidence intervals are a measure of the statistical precision of an estimate and show the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. Calculations based on small numbers of events are often subject to random fluctuations. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. 5 Figures are based on boundaries as of February 2012. Source: Office for National Statistics

One-year survival Five-year survival Number of Cancer Sex Age group patients % 95%C1 % 95%CI

Brain Persons Age-standardised 17,060 41.5 40.8 42.2 1— 1— 1— Un-standardised 35.7 34.9 36.4 15.2 14.5 15.9 15-39 2,159 84.8 83.2 86.2 56.7 53.9 59.4 40-49 1,826 65.2 63.0 67.4 33.1 30.4 35.9 50-59 3,087 44.6 42.8 46.3 10.7 9.2 12.2 60-69 4,323 27.3 26.0 28.7 5.3 4.4 6.4 70-79 3,741 9.0 8.1 10.0 2.0 1.4 2.7 80-99 1,924 3.3 2.6 4.2 1— 1— 1— 1 Not possible to estimate. Notes: 1. Relative survival is the probability of survival (shown here as a percentage) after correction for other causes of death. 2. Because cancer survival varies with age at diagnosis, the summary survival estimates for all ages combined (15-99 years) have been age-standardised to control for changes in the age profile of cancer patients over time. 3. Brain cancer was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes C7I. 4. Confidence intervals are a measure of the statistical precision of an estimate and show the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. Calculations based on small numbers of events are often subject to random fluctuations. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. 5. It is not possible to give an age-standardised figure if there are too few patients in a given age group to provide a reliable survival estimate or if very few patients actually died in one of the intervals of time since diagnosis in which survival was estimated. That may happen because survival is very high (there are very few deaths) or because it is very low (most of the patients died). These figures refer to the unstandardised survival. Source: Office for National Statistics and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. 333W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 334W

Government Departments Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2012: As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I Ian Austin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office have been asked to reply to your recent question asking Her which Government offices, locations and facilities based Majesty’s Government how much expenditure of an average household is made up of expenditure on self-storage facilities, hot in the UK have over 1,000 registered members of staff. and cold food consumed on the supplier’s premises, sports drinks [107572] and holiday caravans. (108013) The categorisation used by the Living Costs and Food Survey Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the does not allow expenditure to be presented exactly as asked. The responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have closest available category to spending on storage facilities is: asked the authority to reply. moving and storage of furniture, which is defined as one of the Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2012: expenses associated with moving house. Average household weekly expenditure in this category was estimated at £0.30 in 2010. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I Average household expenditure on restaurant and cafe meals have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question (including soft drinks) was £14.00 per week. Expenditure on asking which Government offices, locations and facilities have canteens, including school meals and meals bought and eaten in over 1,000 registered members of staff and are based in the UK. the workplace, including soft drinks, was £1.80 per week. Combining Civil Service Statistics are published annually by the Office for these categories gives a total of £15.80 spent. National Statistics on the National Statistics website. Statistics Sports drinks are not separately categorised, and the closest relating to the Civil Service are available, with complete coverage available category is expenditure on soft drinks. Average weekly of the Civil Service, from 2007 through to 2011 inclusive. household expenditure on soft drinks bought from take away Two Excel spreadsheets have been provided, copies of which venues was £0.80, and from shops and other outlets for consumption have been placed in the libraries of the House, containing information off premises was £1.80, giving a total of £2.60. It should be noted about Government departments with a headcount of over 1,000 that these figures exclude expenditure on soft drinks bought in employees and geographical locations where Government departments restaurants and cafes. have a headcount of over 1,000 employees. The closest available category to expenditure on holiday caravans is expenditure on: purchase of caravans and mobile homes (including Government Departments: Databases decoration). Expenditure on this category averaged £1.80 in 2010. These estimates are based on data from the Living Costs and Food Survey, an annual survey of approximately 5,000 private Michael Dugher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet households in the UK. As the survey covers only private households, Office whether the G-Cloud service will be comparable people living in hostels, hotels, boarding houses or institutions are in terms of (a) security and (b) availability to the excluded. services it will replace. [107834] The estimate, as with any involving sample surveys, is subject to a margin of uncertainty. Mr Maude: The G-Cloud programme will not be replacing any services as it is not a single, government Life Expectancy owned, entity. Mr Frank Field: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Michael Dugher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what projections have been made of life expectancy Office with reference to the answer of 30 April 2012, for (a) males at birth, (b) males at current pensionable Official Report, column 1175W, on Government age, (c) females at birth and (d) females at current Departments: databases, what the time frame is for the pensionable age for each of the next five decades. delivery of savings of £340 million by the G-Cloud [108306] programme. [107835] Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Mr Maude: The savings of £340 million will be delivered responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have over the spending review period. asked the authority to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 16 May 2012: Government Departments: ICT As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 1 have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question to the Minister for the Cabinet Office, asking what projections Michael Dugher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet have been made of life expectancy for (a) males at birth, (b) males Office on what date he expects to publish his Green at current pensionable age, (c) females at birth and (d) females at ICT Strategy Report. [107818] current pensionable age for each of the next five decades. (108306). Every two years, ONS produces projected period and cohort Mr Maude: Shortly. life expectancy figures for the UK and its constituent countries, based on assumptions for future mortality from the national Households: Expenditure population projections. A period life expectancy figure is the average number of additional years a person would live if he or she experienced the Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet age-specific mortality rates of the given area and time period for Office how much of the expenditure of an average the rest of their life. So a period life expectancy does not assume household was made up of expenditure on self-storage improvements in mortality rates after the reference year, whereas facilities, hot and cold food consumed on the supplier’s a cohort life expectancy takes such improvements into account. premises, sports drinks and holiday caravans in the last For example, period life expectancy at age 60 in 2020 is worked out using the projected mortality rate for age 60 in 2020, for age period for which figures are available. [108013] 61 in 2020, for age 62 in 2020, and so on. Cohort life expectancy is worked out using the projected mortality rate for age 60 in 2020, Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the for age 61 in 2021, for age 62 in 2022, and so on. As with any responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have projection into the future, the further from the projection base asked the authority to reply. year the more uncertain the figures become. 335W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 336W

As well as the principal (central) projection ONS also produces Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the two mortality variant projections, “high life expectancy” and responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have “low life expectancy”, with different assumptions about future asked the authority to reply. improvements in mortality. These variant assumptions are intended as plausible alternatives to the principal assumptions and are not Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2012: upper or lower limits for future life expectancy. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I The table below gives the projected period life expectancy at have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many birth and at State Pension age (SPA) in 2010 for males and patients died of malnutrition in NHS hospitals in each of the last females in the United Kingdom, each decade 2010 to 2060. These 10 years. (107692) life expectancy figures are from the 2010-based principal and variant projections, published in October 2011, available on the The following tables provide the numbers of deaths in-NHS ONS website at: hospitals where (a) malnutrition was the underlying cause of www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html? death (Table 1), and (b) malnutrition or ‘effects of hunger’ was edition=tcm%3A77-227587 mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, either as the underlying cause or as a contributory factor (Table 2), in England and Wales 2010-based projected period life expectancy, selected years, United between 2001 and 2010 (the latest available year). Kingdom Years Malnutrition may be recorded as the underlying cause of At birth Age 65 (SPA1) death, but this is a rare occurrence. The ‘effects of hunger’ is never Low Principal High Low Principal High recorded as the underlying cause of death, because it is defined by the International Classification of Diseases as a ‘secondary cause’ Males only. Consequently, deaths with any mention of either of these causes on the death certificate have been provided. 2010 78.5 78.5 78.5 18.1 18.1 18.1 2020 80.2 80.8 81.5 19.7 20.2 20.6 The number of deaths registered in England and Wales each 2030 81.0 82.7 84.3 20.3 21.6 22.9 year by sex, age, cause, marital status and place of death are 2040 81.0 84.1 87.1 20.4 22.7 25.0 published annually and are available here: 2050 81.0 85.4 89.8 20.4 23.7 27.3 www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all-releases.html? 2060 81.1 86.8 92.5 20.4 24.8 29.5 definition=tcm%3A77-27475 Table 1: Number of deaths that occurred in NHS hospitals where the At birth Age 60 (SPA1) underlying cause was malnutrition, England and Wales 2001-20101,2,3,4 Low Principal High Low Principal High Deaths

Females 2001 45 2010 82.4 82.4 82.4 24.9 24.9 24.9 2002 56 2020 84.1 84.5 84.9 26.5 26.8 27.1 2003 51 2030 85.3 86.3 87.3 27.5 28.4 29.2 2004 45 2040 85.5 87.6 89.8 27.7 29.5 31.3 2005 45 2050 85.5 88.8 92.2 27.7 30.5 33.5 2006 59 2060 85.5 90.1 94.6 27.7 31.6 35.7 2007 53 1 SPA = state pension age at March 2010. 2008 42 2009 57 2010 48 Local Government: Procurement 1 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes E40-E46 ’Malnutrition’. 2 NHS hospitals include acute or community hospitals but not Michael Dugher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet psychiatric hospitals. Office whether his Department is taking steps to 3 Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non residents. 4 require local authorities to publish procurement Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. Table 2: Number of deaths that occurred in NHS hospitals where contracts on the Contracts Finder website. [107841] malnutrition or effects of hunger were mentioned on the death certificate, England and Wales 2001-20101,2,3,4 Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office has been working Mentions closely with the Department for Communities and Local 2001 195 Government to assist with embedding the use of Contracts 2002 253 Finder within local authorities, and to raise awareness 2003 225 of it. 2004 222 Since January 2011, central Government Departments 2005 220 have been required to publish on Contracts Finder 2006 265 information on the contracts they award. 2007 267 Local authorities are not required, but are encouraged, 2008 289 to use Contracts Finder. 2009 284 2010 301 1 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Malnutrition Diseases. Tenth Revision where (ICD-10) codes E40-E46 ’Malnutrition’ or T73.0 ’Effects of hunger’ were mentioned anywhere on the death certificate either as an underlying cause or contributor factor. 2 NHS hospitals include acute or community hospitals but not Andy Burnham: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet psychiatric hospitals. Office how many patients died of malnutrition in NHS 3 Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. hospitals in each of the last 10 years. [107692] 4 Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. 337W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 338W

Manpower VAT

Frank Dobson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) how many jobs formerly in his Department Office what assessment he has made of the likely effect and its agencies and non-departmental bodies were on (a) CPI and (b) RPI inflation of the measures in transferred to the private sector in 2011-12; [107843] Budget 2012 relating to the imposition of VAT. (2) how many jobs formerly in the Prime Minister’s [107990] Office were transferred to the private sector in 2011-12. Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the [107842] responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Mr Maude: The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office. Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 18 May 2012: As Director General of the Office for National Statistics, I No jobs were transferred from the Cabinet Office, its have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question agencies or non-departmental bodies to the private asking for the likely effect on CPI and RPI inflation of the sector during 2011-12. measures in Budget 2012 relating to the imposition of VAT [107990]. The March 2012 budget announced that the Government Non-departmental Public Bodies would address anomalous VAT borderlines. These include the application of VAT to self-storage facilities and also, to the extent that it does not already do so, to the sale of hot food, cold food Stephen Barclay: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet consumed on the suppliers’ premises, sports drinks, holiday caravans Office what his policy is on the (a) public funding and and to the rental of hairdressers’ chairs. These changes impact on (b) accountability of a non-departmental body which the rotisserie chicken and self storage items that are included in is reconstituted as a committee of experts under his the goods and services measured by the CPI and RPI. The Department’s reforms. [107987] estimated effects on the CPI and RPI are to add 0.03 and 0.02 percentage points to the 12-month rates in October 2012. ONS published this information as part of a wider release on Mr Maude: Reforms which reconstitute NDPBs as the estimated impact on CPI and RPI of measures announced in committees of experts, are not primarily motivated by a the March 2012 budget, previous budgets and pre-budget reports. need to make savings but by a desire to make ministers This is available at more accountable for decision making. http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/cpi/estimated-effect-of-the- Committees of experts typically do not employ staff budget-on-consumer-prices-index-and-retail-prices-index/ and do not have independent budgets. spring-2012/estimated-effect-of-the-2012-budget-on- consumer-prices.pdf

Storage Voluntary Organisations

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Minister for the Office what proportion of the expenditure of an average Cabinet Office what information his Department holds household was accounted for by spending on storage on the number of voluntary groups there were operating facilities in the latest period for which figures are available. in Newton Abbot constituency in each of the last three [107701] [107682] years. Mr Hurd: The Cabinet Office does not hold such Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the information. responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply, Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2012: As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I HEALTH have been asked to reply to your recent question asking Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of the expenditure of an average household was accounted for by spending on storage Accident and Emergency Departments facilities in the latest period for which figures are available. (107682) Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The categorisation used by the Living Costs and Food. Survey how many people waited more than (a) two hours and does not allow expenditure on storage facilities to be presented (b) four hours to be seen by accident and emergency separately. The closest available category is: moving and storage staff at (i) Northwick Park Hospital, (ii) Hillingdon of furniture, which is defined as one of the expenses associated with moving house, Average household weekly expenditure in this Hospital, (iii) St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington and (iv) category was £0.30 in 2010. Total average weekly household Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in the last year for expenditure was £473.60, so expenditure on moving and storage which figures are available; and if he will make a of furniture represents less than 0.1 per cent of total expenditure. statement. [106970] This estimate is based on data from the Living Costs and Food Survey, an annual survey of approximately 5,000 private households Mr Simon Burns: The total numbers of accident and in the UK. As the survey covers only private households, people emergency (A&E) attendances during 2010-11 for the living in hostels, hotels, boarding houses or institutions are excluded. trusts covering the specified hospitals are shown in the The estimate, as with any involving sample surveys, is subject following table, together with figures showing duration to a margin of uncertainty. to departure. 339W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 340W

Total A&E 0-120 minutes to 121-240 minutes to Over 240 Trust name attendances departure departure minutes Unknown

The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS 105,925 51,287 52,482 2,156 0 Foundation Trust Chelsea and Westminster Hospital 83,624 33,137 48,245 2,150 92 NHS Foundation Trust North West London Hospitals NHS 172,000 64,112 98,536 9,652 0 Trust Imperial College Healthcare NHS 181,770 72,377 89,066 20,137 190 Trust Source: Hospital Episode Statistics collated by the NHS Information Centre

The total amount of time spent in the A&E department Mr Simon Burns: The information is not available in is calculated as the difference in time from arrival at the format requested. Data for accident and emergency A&E to the time when the patient is discharged from (A&E) attendances for individual London trusts, for A&E care. This includes being admitted to hospital, overall attendances in the London strategic health authority died in the department, discharged with no follow up or area, and for overall attendances in England during discharged—referred to another specialist department. 2010-11 are shown in the following table. All figures are for where duration to departure from A&E was greater Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health than four hours rather than when patients were seen by how many people (a) in total and (b) in each hospital a doctor. in London who were admitted to accident and emergency were not seen by a doctor within four hours in the latest period for which figures are available. [107241]

Trust name Number of attendances

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust 17,090 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 4,005 Bart’s and the London NHS Trust 12,951 Brent Urgent Care Centre—Central Middlesex Hospital 95 Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust 11,487 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 2,150 Croydon Health Services NHS Trust 2,433 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 13,969 East London NHS Foundation Trust 24 Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust 4,077 Greenwich Teaching PCT 22 Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust 10,235 Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 6,392 Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 20,137 King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 6,259 Kingston Hospital NHS Trust 2,430 Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust 2,016 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 620 Newham University Hospital NHS Trust 4,190 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 4,193 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 9,652 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 5,472 South London Healthcare NHS Trust 20,477 St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust 4,994 Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2,156 The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 2,520 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 1,577 Wandsworth Primary Care Trust 53 West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 2,370 Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust 5,409 London total 179,155 England total 912,829 Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, Health and Social Care Information Centre 341W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 342W

Accident and Emergency Departments: Greater London (CRN). Spend on these topics cannot be disaggregated from total CRN expenditure. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Expenditure in 2012-13 on research on HIV and how many patients admitted to A&E at (a) Northwick AIDS depends on the volume and quality of scientific Park hospital and (b) other hospitals in London spent activity. The usual practice of the NIHR is not to time on a trolley while waiting for a bed in the last ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics: period for which figures are available; and if he will research proposals in all areas compete for the funding make a statement. [107696] available. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including Mr Simon Burns: The information is not collected HIV and AIDS. These applications are subject to peer centrally. review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the scientific quality of the Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health proposals made. how many attendances there were at the accident and Alcoholic Drinks: Young People emergency departments run by the North West London Hospitals NHS Trust in the last year for which Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State figures are available; and if he will make a statement. for Health how many people of each age under the age [107758] of sixteen have been treated for alcohol related health problems in each of the last five years. [107712] Mr Simon Burns: During 2011-12, North West London Hospitals NHS Trust recorded a total of 210,525 Anne Milton: The information is not available in the attendances at accident and emergency. format requested. Source: The information on numbers of admissions to hospital Unify2 data collection WSitA&E for alcohol-related illnesses for young people under 16 AIDS is in the following table. (See conditions included in the notes.) Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health This does not include treatments in the community how much his Department spent on AIDS research in for such illnesses, for which information is not collected (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and how much he centrally. expects to spend in 2012-13. [107237] This also does not include numbers In specialist treatment for alcohol misuse or other substance misuse. Mr Simon Burns: Expenditure by the Department Table 4.2 of the National Treatment Agency annual through research programmes, research centres and units, report “Statistics from the National Drug Treatment and research training awards on research, on HIV and Monitoring System (NDTMS), Statistics relating to AIDS is shown in the following table. young people” December 2011, provides national figures (2005-06 to 2010-11) for under 18s treated primarily for HIV and AIDS (£ million) an alcohol problem, but this information is not available broken down by age. 2010-11 4.8 2011-12 4.3 A copy of the “Statistics from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS), Statistics relating In addition, the Department supports research on to young people” December 2011 has been placed in the HIV and AIDS through the National Institute for Library and is available at: Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network www.nta.nhs.uk/uploads/ypannualreport-statistical reportfinal.pdf

Count of finished admission episodes (FAEs)1 with a primary diagnosis of an alcohol related illness2 or a cause code of alcohol3 for people aged 16 and under for the years 2006-07 to 2010-114 Activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector Age 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

0 73646 1 2624292515 2 2521213018 315181157 4 43655 5 126253 6 771—1 7 58613 8 39754 915121372 10 20 22 14 18 13 11 68 41 51 31 32 12 239 239 145 161 114 13 679 628 480 481 378 14 1,255 1,112 914 928 704 343W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 344W

Count of finished admission episodes (FAEs)1 with a primary diagnosis of an alcohol related illness2 or a cause code of alcohol3 for people aged 16 and under for the years 2006-07 to 2010-114 Activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector Age 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

15 1,342 1,190 977 973 773 1 Finished admissions episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2 Primary diagnosis The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. ICD-10 Codes used: E24.4—Alcohol-induced pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome F10—Mental and behavioural disorders due to the use of alcohol G31.2—Degradation of nervous system due to alcohol G62.1—Alcoholic polyneuropathy G72.1—Alcoholic myopathy I42.6—Alcoholic cardiomyopathy K29.2—Alcoholic gastritis K70—Alcoholic liver disease K86.0—Alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis T51—Toxic effect of alcohol 3 Cause code A supplementary code that indicates the nature of any external cause of injury, poisoning or other adverse effects. Only the first external cause code which is coded within the episode is counted in HES. ICD-10 Codes used: X45—Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol X65—Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to alcohol 4 Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data, quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Z50.2—Alcohol rehabilitation Z72.1—Problems related to lifestyle, Alcohol use Data quality: HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. 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. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre

Ambulance Services: Greater London resources are available to all patients in their area. The Department considers this is an operational matter for Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health ambulance services. how many operational ambulances were owned by the London Ambulance Service in (a) 2010-11 and (b) Information on the number of ambulances operated 2011-12; how many are expected to be owned in 2012-13; by each national health service ambulance trust is not and how many (i) managerial and (ii) (A) paramedics held centrally. and (B) other non-managerial staff (1) worked for and The following table sets out the staff numbers at the (2) are expected to work for the Service. [107697] London Ambulance Service NHS Trust. It is for individual Mr Simon Burns: It is the responsibility of individual trusts to plan their work force numbers. ambulance trusts to ensure that adequate ambulance

NHS hospital and community health services: Non-medical staff in the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust by main staff group and by level as at 30 September each specified year Headcount 2010 2011

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust 4,939 4,821

Qualified ambulance service staff: 3,223 3,123 Manager 243 255 Emergency Care Practitioner 63 2 Ambulance Paramedic 1,812 1,947 Ambulance Technician 1,105 919

Support to ambulance staff: 1,113 1,088 Ambulance Personnel 525 519 345W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 346W

NHS hospital and community health services: Non-medical staff in the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust by main staff group and by level as at 30 September each specified year Headcount 2010 2011

Trainee Ambulance Technician 57 75 Clerical and administrative 531 494

NHS infrastructure support: 604 611 Central functions 374 382 Clerical and administrative 374 382 Hotel, property and estates 91 91 Clerical and administrative 8 6 Estates (maintenance and works) 83 85 Managers and senior managers 139 138 Senior manager 48 48 Manager 91 90 Notes: 1. The drop in Emergency Care Practitioners numbers and rise in Ambulance Paramedic figures may be due to data cleansing and subsequent staff recoding. 2. Headcount totals are unlikely to equal the sum of components. 3. The new headcount methodology from 2010 onwards is not fully comparable with previous years’ data due to improvements that make it a more stringent count of absolute staff numbers. Further information, on the headcount methodology is available in the Census publication at: www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/010_Workforce/nhsstaff0010/Census_Bulletin_March_2011_Final.pdf Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce census

Cancer decisions. The NHS CB will have a duty to publish commissioning guidance, some of which may be statutory, and to which CCGs must have regard. In addition, Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health CCGs will work with local authorities to develop a (1) what guidance his Department intends to issue to comprehensive analysis of health and social care needs clinical commissioning groups to ensure that they draw in each local area, and to translate these into action upon existing expertise held within cancer networks through the joint health and wellbeing strategy and when developing their commissioning plans; [106876] their own commissioning plans. CCGs will have a range (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that expertise of resources from which to seek advice, of which clinical currently held within cancer networks will not be lost networks will be one. following the introduction of the proposed new clinical networks structure; [106906] Cancer: Drugs (3) what steps he is taking to ensure that the restructuring of cancer networks to cover larger population areas will Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for not result in a loss of the local engagement work Health how much funding was (a) allocated to and (b) previously undertaken by such networks; [106907] spent by the Cancer Drugs Fund in 2011-12. [107691] (4) what steps he is taking to safeguard the future of clinical networks; and what future governance structures Mr Simon Burns: £200 million was available for the he proposes for such networks. [106908] Cancer Drugs Fund in 2011-12. This comprised £140 million allocated to the national health service and a Paul Burstow: We have made it clear that there is a further £60 million made available for strategic health role for clinical networks, such as cancer networks, in authorities to draw down as needed. the reformed national health service. The networks are Expenditure figures for 2011-12, based on the final a place where clinicians from different sectors come accounts, are expected to be available in mid-late June. together to improve the quality of care across integrated pathways and are a clear example of how this way of Care Homes working delivers better quality care. The review of clinical networks, including cancer Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for networks, that is currently under way is considering the Health on what dates each care home was inspected by functions, structures and governance that will most the Care Quality Commission in each of the last two effectively support commissioners to improve outcomes years. [107193] for patients. The NHS Commissioning Board Authority will publish its recommendations for clinical networks Paul Burstow: The information requested has been in the new commissioning system shortly. supplied by the Care Quality Commission and has been In May 2011, we announced that cancer networks placed in the Library. would continue to be funded in 2012-13 and that the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB) will support Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Health strengthened cancer networks. Clinical commissioning (1) how many people were in receipt of free residential groups (CCGs) will be required to obtain appropriate, care on the most recent date for which figures are multi-professional advice to support their commissioning available; [107208] 347W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 348W

(2) if he will estimate the level of the means test (2) what (a) grants and (b) contracts his Department capital limit for those requiring residential care if it had has awarded to companies or organisations run by been increased in line with inflation since 2010; individuals who previously held an elected position as a [107209] member of the (i) Conservative party and (ii) Liberal (3) whether his Department has undertaken an Democrat party since May 2010; what the (A) value and impact assessment in respect of its decision not to (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they increase the means test capital limit for those requiring were publicly advertised; [107158] residential care since 2010; [107210] (3) which individuals have been paid by his Department (4) how many people were paying for all of their for consultancy or other services who were previously residential care on the most recent date for which employed in any capacity by the (a) Conservative party figures are available. [107211] or its elected representatives and (b) Liberal Democrat party or its elected representatives since May 2010; Paul Burstow: Unless they are in receipt of NHS what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services Continuing Healthcare, which is fully funded by the provided; and whether they were publicly advertised; national health service, all care home residents contribute [107159] towards the cost of their care. (4) which individuals have been paid by his Department People with more than £23,250 in capital pay the full for consultancy or other services who previously held cost of personal care. People with less than £23,250 in an elected position as a member of the (a) Conservative capital can ask their local authority for assistance with Party and (b) Liberal Democrat Party since May 2010; the cost of personal care. In both cases, if individuals what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services are assessed as eligible for NHS funded nursing care, provided; and whether they were publicly advertised. primary care trusts have a responsibility to pay a flat [107160] rate contribution towards registered nursing care costs. We are informed by the NHS Information Centre for health and social care that, at the end of the third Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not hold quarter of 2011-12, the latest published data, the number central records about which individuals run companies of people eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare was or organisations when contract or grant funding is 54,833. Continuing Healthcare can be provided in a awarded and is unable to provide information about variety of settings, including care or nursing homes and which, if any, contracts or grants have been awarded to in the community. Information on the care setting of companies or organisations run by individuals who individuals in receipt of NHS Continuing Healthcare is were previously employed by, or held an elected position not collected. as a member of, the Conservative party or the Liberal Had the capital limits been uprated in line with Democrat party. general inflation, we estimate that, assuming the normal The Department’s procurement policy sets out that rounding process: when the Department awards contract funding, it seeks the lower limit would be £15,000 now, rather than £14,250, as information about the organisation’s capacity and capability set in 2010; and to successfully deliver the activities being procured and the upper limit would be £24,500 now, rather than £23,250, as about the delivery proposals. Information about the set in 2010. identities of individuals who run organisations tendering The decision in the Spending Review 2010 not to for the Department’s contacts is not routinely sought. increase capital limits was taken in order to help local The Department awards contracts for consultancy authorities, at a time of financial stringency, to maintain services and does not hold central records about the the level of services they provide. The Spending Review individual consultants used by a consultancy to deliver 2010 covers government spending up to April 2015. consultancy engagements or about individual workers However, the capital limits are being kept under review used by suppliers of other services and is unable to in order to monitor the impact of not increasing them. provide information about individual consultants who The Department undertook an equality impact were previously employed by, or held an elected position assessment in respect of the decision not to increase the as a member of, the Conservative party or the Liberal capital limits for those requiring residential care in Democrat party. 2011. A copy of the equality impact assessment has been placed in the Library. Information on the numbers of people funding their Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for own residential care costs is not collected centrally. Health (1) what the (a) job title and (b) pay band was of each official, excluding special advisers, recruited by Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats his Department since May 2010 who was previously employed in any capacity by the (i) Conservative party or its elected representatives and (ii) Liberal Democrat Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for party or its elected representatives; and whether their Health (1) what (a) grants and (b) contracts his position was advertised publicly; [107271] Department has awarded to companies or organisations run by individuals who were previously employed in (2) what the (a) job title and (b) pay band was of any capacity by (i) the Conservative party or its elected each official, excluding special advisers, recruited by his representatives and (ii) the Liberal Democrat party or Department since May 2010 who previously held an its elected representatives since May 2010; what the (A) elected position as a member of the (i) Conservative value and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether party and (ii) Liberal Democrat party; and whether they were publicly advertised; [107157] their position was advertised publicly. [107272] 349W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 350W

Mr Simon Burns: As part of the pre-employment Paul Burstow: Expenditure by the Department through checks process, the Department requires new entrants research programmes, research centres and units, and to complete and return a character inquiry form that research training awards on research on type 1 diabetes includes a section asking if the individual (or a close and on beta cell research in relation to diabetes is shown relative) has any interest that might be in conflict with in the following table. the post for which they have applied, including involvement 2011-12 in other organisations. £ million Any individuals who declare any interest on the character inquiry form are then asked to report it fully and Type 1 diabetes 1.8 promptly using the Department’s Declarations of Interest Beta cell research 0.2 and Hospitality Database, in line with the requirements set out in the Department’s Code of Business Conduct. The Department’s total spend on research on type 1 diabetes and on beta cell research in relation to diabetes Since May 2010, the Department has recruited 11 is higher than the figures shown because expenditure by people from outside the civil service. None identified a the National Institute for Health Research Clinical potential conflict of interest in the character inquiry Research Network (CRN) on these topics cannot be form that they completed. disaggregated from total CRN expenditure.

Consultants Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on research into diabetes in the latest period for which figures are Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health available; and what information his Department holds how much his Department spent on external consultants, on comparable spending in other European countries. including management consultants, in (a) 2010-11 and [107255] (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [107497] Mr Simon Burns: Expenditure by the Department in Mr Simon Burns: The total expenditure on all consultancy 2011-12 on diabetes research was £28.1 million. services by the Department, including Connecting for Health, for the financial year 2010-11 is set out in the The Department does not hold information on following table; validated full-year expenditure on comparable spending in other European countries. consultancy services for 2011-12 is not yet available. The figures are based on the definition of consultancy Diseases services provided by the Government Procurement Service (formerly the Office of Government Commerce). Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010-11 Health when he plans to respond to the consultation on £ million the UK plan for rare diseases. [107463] Core Department 9.8 Connecting For Health 5.0 Mr Simon Burns: The consultation on the UK Plan for Rare Diseases will end on 25 May 2012. The consultation Total expenditure on all consultancy services by the document and the responses received through the core Department and Connecting for Health for financial consultation will be used to inform the final UK Plan year 2009-10 was £115 million. for Rare Diseases. A summary of consultation responses will be published in due course, and the final UK Plan for Rare Diseases will be published by the end of 2013 Cystic Fibrosis: Drugs as required by the EC Recommendation on Rare Diseases (2009/C 151/02). Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he has made for the appraisal Drinks of ivacaftor for the treatment of cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement. [107459] Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his private ministerial office has spent on (a) Mr Simon Burns: We have no plans to ask the National tea and coffee, (b) wine, (c) alcoholic refreshments Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to develop other than wine and (d) bottled water in the last 12 guidance on the use of ivacaftor for the treatment of months for which figures are available. [107035] cystic fibrosis. Mr Simon Burns: The data requested is not collected at the level of detail requested. Figures taken from the Diabetes Department’s Business Management System categorised as spend on catering or hospitality show that £889.16 Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for was spent in the 12 months between 1 April 2011 and 31 Health (1) how much funding his Department allocated March 2012 by the Secretary of State’s private office. to beta cell research in relation to diabetes in the latest This compares with £1,187.63 in 2010-11 and £2,393.62 period for which figures are available; [106642] in 2009-10. The figures for 2010-11 and 2011-12 do not (2) how much funding he allocated to research into include money spent on alcohol, as ministerial private type 1 diabetes in the latest period for which figures are offices are forbidden from spending departmental money available. [106710] on this. 351W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 352W

Eyesight Health Services

Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health whether he has any plans to provide NHS funding when he expects the Mid-Essex Primary Care Trust and for the diagnosis and prescription of special lens glasses (b) North East Essex Primary Care Trust to be for people with Meares Irlen syndrome. [107023] abolished. [106957]

Mr Simon Burns: Where a child experiences symptoms Mr Simon Burns: The Government has stated its associated with descriptions of Meares Irlen syndrome intention that primary care trusts (PCTs), including the child’s parents or carer should discuss the problem Mid-Essex PCT and North East Essex PCT, will be with their school and consult an ophthalmic practitioner abolished in April 2013. to ensure that they do not overlook the possibility of refractive error or eye disease underlying the difficulties. Health Services: Overseas Visitors If, after a sight test (and supply of glasses if necessary), a child is still experiencing difficulties then we believe a Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for wider assessment is called for. Health what steps his Department has taken to prevent The best interests of children are likely to be served foreign tourists from obtaining access to NHS primary by a scheme of assessment and treatment, provided in care services. [107761] agreement between local health and education services, which takes into account the full range of possible ways Mr Simon Burns: The Department is currently of helping children with the symptoms associated with undertaking a review about the continuing entitlement descriptions of Meares Irlen syndrome. of foreign nationals to access free national health service It is not for the Department to prescribe specific services. Once completed any proposals to change existing interventions and we look to the national health service entitlements and access by foreign nationals to NHS locally, in light of their assessment of evidence, and on primary care services will be the subject of a public this occasion in partnership with education authorities, consultation on the options available. to determine how best to meet identified needs of children in their areas. Hospital Beds

Gifts and Endowments Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds run or owned by North West Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health London NHS Hospital Trust there were at (a) Central with reference to the answer of 26 March 2012, Official Middlesex Hospital, (b) Northwick Park Hospital and Report, column 988W, on gifts and endowments, for (c) other hospitals in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and what reasons his Department received a Japanese if he will make a statement. [107757] kimono as a gift; and who gave the gift. [107103] Mr Simon Burns: The information is not available in Mr Simon Burns: A Japanese delegation visited Guy’s the format requested. and St. Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Bed availability is collected from NHS providers at September 2010. The delegation comprised 12 Japanese organisation level. The following table provides data for pharmacists or individuals from the pharmaceutical North West London Hospitals NHS Trust. industry, plus an interpreter. The purpose of the visit Average daily number of available beds, North West London Hospitals was to view the three areas where Global Standards NHS Trust One (GS1) processes were in use in the hospital’s pharmacy Quarter ended Overnight Day only department. The gift was given by way of appreciation of the time December 2011 732 93 spent with the delegation, with the gift being offered to September 2011 719 95 the recipient, an NHS staff member, as she had had a June 2011 720 90 lead role in explaining how GS1 barcodes were used. March 2011 738 96 December 2010 725 95 Health and Social Care Act 2012 September 2010 708 97 June 2010 714 92 Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Note: Health what assessment he has made of the effect of NHS providers submit the KH03 return at organisation level and not site level. the implementation of the provisions of the Health and Source: Social Care Act 2012 on specialist cystic fibrosis Department of Health KH03. services. [107457] Hospitals: Greater London Mr Simon Burns: As part of the implementation of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, responsibility for Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health commissioning services for people with rare conditions how many complaints about (a) poor food, (b) lack of will transfer to the NHS Commissioning Board. Decisions nurses and (c) long waits for surgery from GPs and on which services will be commissioned nationally, taking patients there were at (i) Northwick Park Hospital, (ii) account of the four factors listed in section 15 of the Hillingdon Hospital and (iii) St Mary’s Paddington in Act and of the current Specialised Services National (A) 2010-11 and (B) 2011-12; and if he will make a Definitions Set, will be announced in due course. statement. [107878] 353W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 354W

Mr Simon Burns: This information is not centrally http://transparency.dh.gov.uk/category/transparency/ held. The hon. Member may wish to contact the individual ministerial-gifts-hospitality/ national health service trusts responsible for the specified hospitals for this information. Malnutrition Lobbying Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health how many patients in each age group were with which five lobbying companies he has had the admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of malnutrition highest number of meetings since May 2010; and how in each of the last five years. [107693] many meetings he had with representatives of each company. [107039] Anne Milton: The following table shows a count of Mr Simon Burns: Details of all ministerial meetings finished admission episodes1 where a patient had a with external stakeholders are published quarterly in primary diagnosis2 of malnutrition in each age band, in arrears on the Department’s website at: each year between 2006-07 and 2010-11.

Activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector Age groups 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07

0 to 9 20 25 18 25 19 10 to 19 32 20 12 10 14 20 to 29 25 20 18 16 14 30 to 39 31 31 21 28 25 40 to 49 64 70 36 56 39 50 to 59 92 66 53 66 61 60 to 69 99 77 76 54 58 70 to 79 74 70 60 63 51 80 to 89 73 67 61 57 59 90andover2014201621 Unknown age 1 5 3 — 1 Total 531 465 378 391 362 Notes: 1. Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2. Primary diagnosis The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. Malnutrition is classified between the ICD-10 codes E40 and E46, and O25 E40 Kwashiorkor E41 Nutritional marasmus E42 Marasmic kwashiorkor E43 Unspecified severe protein-energy malnutrition E44 Protein-energy malnutrition of moderate and mild degree E45 Retarded development following protein-energy malnutrition E46 Unspecified protein-energy malnutrition Also: O25 Malnutrition in pregnancy 3. Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. 4. Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. 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; While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and (b) plans to consult during its revision of the MHRA Guidance Note 8, A guide to what is a medicinal Simon Reevell: To ask the Secretary of State for product; [106949] Health (1) how many discussions the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has had with (3) what discussions Ministers in his Department legal professionals from the European Court of Justice have had with the Medicines and Healthcare Products on the Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicines in Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on revisions to MHRA each of the last six months; and when each such discussion Guidance Note 8, A guide to what is a medicinal took place; [106948] product; and when he expects such revisions to be completed. [106950] (2) which stakeholders the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has (a) consulted 355W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 356W

Mr Simon Burns: The Medicines and Healthcare Mr Simon Burns: Ministers will determine what services products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has not had any should be directly commissioned by the NHS discussion with legal professionals from the European Commissioning Board on the basis of advice and will Court of Justice on the directive on traditional herbal consult the board on those services before making medicinal products. The MHRA is consulting the following regulations. It will be a matter for the board to determine industry trade associations over revisions to Guidance how best to commission specialised services for people Note 8(GN8) ‘A guide to what is a medicinal product’ with rare or very rare conditions when responsibility for (GN8): the Advertising Standards Authority Ltd, the directly commissioning them transfers to the board Aromatherapy Trades Council, the British Herbal from 1 April 2013. Medicines Association, the British Specialist Nutrition Since 2010 the Advisory Group for National Specialised Association, Clearcast Ltd, the Cosmetics, Toiletry and Services (AGNSS) has undertaken a significant role in Perfumery Association Ltd, the Council for Responsible providing Ministers with advice on those specialised Nutrition, the Health Food Manufacturers’ Association services which should be commissioned nationally. We and the Proprietary Association of Great Britain. are currently considering its future role in the light of No ministerial discussions have taken place about the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Until its role is GN8. determined the moratorium on new service applications MHRA hopes to publish the revised document in suggested by AGNSS will remain in place. summer 2012 but this is dependent on the comments it receives. NHS Walk-in Centres Mental Illness: Veterans Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people visited an NHS walk-in Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health centre in each year since 2004-05. [107877] what the estimated number is of former soldiers in the community with (a) post-traumatic stress disorder, (b) complex post-traumatic stress disorder and (c) acute Mr Simon Burns: Since 2004-05, data on the numbers stress. [107704] of visits to NHS walk-in centres have been collected on a quarterly basis. Annual figures are set out in the Mr Simon Burns: Data provided by the Academic following table: Centre for Defence Mental Health, King’s College London Accident and Emergency (A&E) attendances suggests that 4% of armed forces not deployed report Type 4 Departments—NHS symptoms of probable post traumatic stress disorder Walk-in Centres (PTSD) and 4% of those deployed report symptoms of 2004-05 2,031,430 probable PTSD (being deployed itself is not associated with PTSD among regulars). This reflects the level of 2005-06 2,509,957 PTSD within the wider population as a whole. Based on 2006-07 2,372,992 current evidence, 7% of those who deploy in a combat 2007-08 2,392,365 role are likely to report symptoms of PTSD at some 2008-09 2,514,690 point post-deployment. Information is not currently 2009-10 2,699,798 available on the number of former armed forces personnel 2010-11 2,486,793 suffering from complex PTSD and/or acute stress. Note: Includes figures from NHS run walk-in centres. Excludes independent Multiple Sclerosis sector run centres and other type 3 units such as minor injuries units Source: Department of Health—Quarterly Monitoring of A&E Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 16 April 2012, Official Orphan Drugs Report, column 127W,on multiple sclerosis, what method his Department uses to collect data on prevalence of Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for and mortality from multiple sclerosis. [107659] Health what national decision-making process is in operation for the appraisal of orphan and ultra-orphan Paul Burstow: The Department does not collect data medicines; and whether commissioning arrangements on the prevalence of multiple sclerosis, or the number of for these medicines require ministerial approval. deaths associated with it. [107458] NHS Commissioning Board Mr Simon Burns: The great majority of new drugs and significant licence extensions are considered through Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the topic selection process for the National Institute for Health (1) whether he plans to consult on the arrangements Health and Clinical Excellence’s (NICE’S) technology for specialised commissioning within the NHS appraisal programme. NICE has appraised a number of Commissioning Board; [107460] drugs which have an orphan designation, either in Europe (2) what role he expects the Advisory Group for or the United States of America. NICE develops its National Specialised Services to have in the NHS appraisal guidance independently and it is not subject Commissioning Board; [107461] to ministerial approval. National health service organisations (3) when he expects the Advisory Group for National are required to make funding available for drugs Specialised Services to accept new applications for national recommended in NICE technology appraisals within commissioning. [107462] three months of the publication of final NICE guidance. 357W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 358W

If NICE considers that by undertaking an appraisal Risk Assessment it would not be able to add value, then for high cost, low volume drugs for very rare conditions NICE can send the technology to the Advisory Group for National Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Specialised Services (AGNSS) for assessment for possible what strategic or transitional risk registers in each area inclusion in the arrangements for national specialised of policy are held by his Department; and if he will commissioning. AGNSS will provide advice to Ministers make a statement. [107476] on whether a particular drug therapy should be included in these national arrangements and Ministers will then Mr Simon Burns: The Department maintains a make a decision. department-wide risk register, which sets out the most The requirements for entry into the AGNSS serious risks and is used to ensure that they are being arrangements are set out in the statement of scope and identified and that actions are under way to mitigate the decision-making framework which are available on them. This strategic register is compiled from information the specialised services website at: supplied by individual project teams who maintain their own risk registers as part of their programme management www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk/info/new-technologies arrangements. The transition risk register is compiled in Publications: Stationery a similar way. Information on risk is published in line with the Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Department’s publication scheme. Detailed information how much his private office spent on (a) newspapers, on the risks associated with specific policy areas is periodicals and trade profession publications and (b) routinely published as part of the consultation process, stationery in the last 12 months. [107041] usually within the impact assessment.

Mr Simon Burns: Newspapers, periodicals and trade journals are an important source of information to Ministers and their teams. According to our records, Sick Leave the cost of providing these items to all five Ministers was £5,712.42 in 2011-12. This compares with £6,315.33 Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for in 2010-11. Health how many NHS staff took more than (a) five, Records show that spend on stationery by all five (b) 10 and (c) 30 days of sick leave in the latest year ministerial offices was £4,491.00 in 2011-12, compared for which figures are available. [106711] with £7,561.00 in 2010-11. The Department is under instructions to keep such Mr Simon Burns: This information is not publicly expenditure to a minimum and costs are reducing available in the format requested at a national level. accordingly. The resource required to establish, test and run the Redundancy necessary code to interrogate the data warehouse to obtain these figures would put incur disproportionate Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for cost. Health how much each non-departmental body for For further information, the latest quarterly data on which he is responsible spent on redundancies in (a) sickness absence was published on 19 April and is 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12. [107694] available at the following link: http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/ Mr Simon Burns: The following table shows those workforce/sickness-absence non-departmental public bodies that have made redundancy payments in 2010-11 and 2011-12. Total spent on redundancies Telephone Services £ 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Appointments 0 417,095 25,814 Commission how many call centres provide services for his Care Quality Commission 6,829,000 9,181,000 11,430,013 Department and the bodies for which he is responsible; General Social Care 190,568 36,325 0 and how many such call centres are based abroad. Council [107014] Health Protection Agency 323,000 749,000 1839,000 Human Fertilisation and 0 0 216,000 Embryology Authority Mr Simon Burns: The following table shows the principal 12011-12 annual accounts are currently being audited so have not yet been direct contact centres for the Department, its arm’s publicly released nor confirmed. length bodies and Department bodies.

Public body Number of call centres The number of call centres based abroad

Care Quality Commission 10 General Social Care Council 10 Health and Social Care Information Centre 1 0 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 8 0 359W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 360W

Public body Number of call centres The number of call centres based abroad

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 1 0 NHS Blood and Transplant 30 NHS Business Services Authority 10 NHS Direct 30 0 NHS 111 12 0 NHS Shared Business Services 32 NHS Professionals 10 Total 62 2 Note: NHS Direct call centres provide services for both 111 and 0845 calls.

In addition the Department funds, or contributes are elected by the Public and Commercial Service Union towards costs, for a number of specific services which and the remainder by Prospect. All are ‘full-time’ (ie may include telephone contact centres. To identify them 100% of their time is dedicated to union duties). A would involve a substantial and widespread trawl of further 1.8 whole-time equivalent staff, also elected by these services which would incur disproportionate cost. union members, work as the departmental Trade Union Side office. Thalidomide Trust Other union officials are covered by the Department’s facility time agreement and are not full-time. As the Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for time spent on industrial relations is minimal (less than Health (1) what discussions he has had with Ministers 5% of their time), their salary costs are met by local in the devolved administrations on the payment of directorates. It is not, therefore, possible to make an grants to the Thalidomide Trust; [108321] estimate of the cost of these activities and to collect this (2) when he expects to announce his plans for information would incur disproportionate cost. funding to the Thalidomide Trust after April 2013; The response for the Department’s non-departmental [108322] public bodies is summarised in the following table: (3) what assessment his Department has made of the cost-effectiveness of funding it has provided to the How many trade union How many trade union representatives had (ii) Thalidomide Trust since January 2010. [108323] representatives had (i) part- full-time paid facility time paid facility time time arrangements in Paul Burstow: Departmental officials have been in Organisation arrangements in 2011-12? 2011-12? regular contact with officials from the Devolved Care Quality 27 1 Administrations and will continue to work closely with Commission them on this issue. General Social 50 The Thalidomide Grant is a three-year pilot, running Care Council from April 2010 until March 2013, to explore how the The Government is soon to start consulting civil health needs of Thalidomide survivors can best be met service trades unions about current facility time practices. in the longer term and how such a scheme might be applied to other small groups of geographically dispersed patients with specialised needs. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many days were utilised for paid facility time by Officials met with members of the National Advisory each trade union representative in (a) his Department Council to the Thalidomide Trust in June 2010, to and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies in discuss their evaluation of the first year. The Government 2011-12; and at what cost to the public purse. [107349] expects to receive the evaluation of the second year of the pilot study shortly, and will look to meet with the National Advisory Council to discuss that report. We Mr Simon Burns: The Department and the Medicines will consider the future of the grant further into the and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) pilot. grant facility time to a small number of their staff, elected by trade union members, whose work time is Trade Unions fully allocated to trade union duties. Information about the number of days used is not held. A total of 5.2 whole time equivalent staff worked as trade union Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health officials in 2011-12. The total cost to the public purse of how many trade union representatives in (a) his paid facility time for these staff in the Department and Department and (b) each of its non-departmental MHRA was £283,120 in 2011-12. public bodies had (i) part-time and (ii) full-time paid facility time arrangements in 2011-12. [107348] Other union officials are covered by the Department’s facility time agreement and are not full-time. As the Mr Simon Burns: The Department and the Medicines time spent on industrial relations is minimal (less than and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency grant facility 5% of their work time), their salary costs are met by time to a small number of their staff, elected by the local directorates. It is not, therefore, possible to make union members, who are dedicated ‘full-time’ to trade an estimate of the cost of these activities and to collect union duties. These amount to 3.4 whole-time equivalent this information would incur disproportionate cost. staff employed as trade union officials in 2011-12. Of The response for the Department’s non-departmental these 3.4 whole-time equivalents, 2.8 whole-time equivalents public bodies is summarised in the following table: 361W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 362W

Mr Simon Burns: The Department’s facility time Total number of days utilised for paid facility agreement has now been placed in the Library. This time by each trade agreement, between the management and the trade union representative in Cost to the public purse union side of the Department, sets out the principles Organisation 2011-12 (£) which govern the facilities the Department makes available Care Quality 773.5 112,364 to employees who are accredited representatives or members Commission of the three recognised unions (PCS, Prospect and General Social Care 13 20 FDA). The Department’s Partnership Agreement has Council also been placed in the Library. This sets out how 1 Six half-day bi-monthly partnership meetings 2 No additional cost to salary. unions and management commit themselves to work The Government is soon to start consulting civil together to ensure that the Department, its employees service trades unions about current facility time practices. and clients receive the best support and service possible. Three of the Department’s non-departmental public Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health bodies also have such agreements (Care Quality how many days were utilised for paid facility time by Commission, General Social Care Council and Health each trade union representative in (a) his Department Protection Agency) and these have been placed in the and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies for Library. trade union (i) duties and (ii) activities in 2011-12. The remaining six non-departmental public bodies [107350] are non-unionised and therefore do not have such documents. Mr Simon Burns: The Department and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency grant facility The Care Quality Commission are in the process of time to a small number of elected individuals who are revising their recognition and facilities time agreement. dedicated ‘full-time’ to trade union duties. These are However, it does not increase the amount of facilities Department of Health staff. 3.4 whole time equivalent time provided or the circumstances under which it will staff were employed to work as trade union officials in be provided. 2011-12. All other trade union representatives are covered by Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health the Department’s facility time agreement and are not how many trade unions representatives in (a) his full-time. Information about the actual number of days Department and (b) each of its non-departmental used is not held and to collect that information would bodies have faced disciplinary action for abusing paid incur disproportionate cost. facility time or public resources in each of the last five years. [107352] The facility time agreement provides for up to 15 days paid time for accredited representatives and up to a further 10 days for those elected to or accredited by Mr Simon Burns: No trade unions representatives of national union bodies such as Group and National the Department, its agencies, or its non-departmental Executive Committees. bodies have faced disciplinary action for abusing paid facility time or public resources in each of the last five The Government is soon to start consulting civil years. service trades unions about current facility time practices. The responses from the Department’s non-departmental Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health public bodies are summarised in the following table: on how many occasions trade union representatives from (a) his Department and (b) each of the non- How many days were How many days were utilised for paid facility utilised for paid facility departmental public bodies have utilised paid facility time by each trade time by each trade time to represent an employee at a meeting or other union representative for union representative for industrial relations matter in each of the last five years. trade union duties in trade union activities in Organisation 2011-12? 2011-12? [107354]

Care Quality 1773.5 Commission Mr Simon Burns: For the Department and the Medicines General Social Care 233and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency the Council information requested about the representation of 1 Our records do not differentiate between facility time days for TU duties and employees by trade union representatives is not held. To TU activities. This includes one full-time individual. 2 establish that information would incur disproportionate Six half-day bi-monthly partnership meetings. cost. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if Only two of the Department’s non-departmental public he will place in the Library copies of the facility time bodies have had trade union representatives utilise paid agreements between trade unions and (a) his Department facility time to represent an employee at a meeting or and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies. other industrial relations matter in each of the last five [107351] years. These are shown in the following tables:

Care Quality Commission (CQC) How many occasions have trade union representatives utilised paid facility time to represent an employee at a meeting or other industrial relations Year matters for each of the following years?

2007-08 CQC started 1 April 2009—no data available for predecessor organisations 2008-09 CQC started 1 April 2009—no data available for predecessor organisations 363W Written Answers17 MAY 2012 Written Answers 364W

Care Quality Commission (CQC) How many occasions have trade union representatives utilised paid facility time to represent an employee at a meeting or other industrial relations Year matters for each of the following years?

2009-10 This information was not captured centrally 2010-11 This information was not captured centrally 2011-12 11 Note: The figure supplied for 2011-12 refers specifically to formal meetings with trade union representation. General Social Care Council How many occasions have trade union representatives utilised paid facility time to represent an employee at a meeting or other industrial relations matters for Year each of the following years?

2007-08 0 2008-09 0 2009-10 0 2010-11 1 2011-12 0

The Government is soon to start consulting Civil Service trades unions about current facility time practices. 11MC Ministerial Corrections17 MAY 2012 Ministerial Corrections 12MC

Mr Paterson: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for Ministerial Correction his question and I also thank him, on the record, for his great support in our teamwork with the devolved Ministers Thursday 17 May 2012 in bearing down on criminals in Northern Ireland. Let me reassure him that support for the ATOs—ammunition technical officers—is very much a feature of the £200 million programme that we put together two years ago. NORTHERN IRELAND [Official Report, 16 May 2012, Vol. 545, c. 534.] Security The following is the answer given by the Secretary of State Letter of correction from Owen Paterson: for Northern Ireland, the right hon. Member for North An error has been identified in the oral answer given Shropshire (Mr Paterson), to a question from the hon. on 16 May 2012. The response should have reflected the Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) during Northern fact that the work of ammunition technical officers in Ireland Question Time on 16 May 2012. Northern Ireland is funded directly through the Ministry of Defence. Vernon Coaker (Gedling) (Lab): We know how much the security situation in Northern Ireland has improved—we The correct response should have been: are all thankful for that—but, as we have seen with the recent escalation in the number of attempted bombings and hoaxes, there remains a severe threat from those Mr Paterson: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for who wish to take us back to the past. Does the Secretary his question and I also thank him, on the record, for his of State agree that the Army bomb disposal teams do great support in our teamwork with the devolved Ministers tremendously courageous and vital work, and will he in bearing down on criminals in Northern Ireland. Let assure the House and the people of Northern Ireland me reassure him that support for the ATOs—ammunition that they will receive whatever resources they need to do technical officers—is very much a feature of our approach their important job? to tackling the threat in Northern Ireland.

ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 17 May 2012

Col. No. Col. No. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 671 ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE—continued Biomass Gasification Plants...... 684 Feed-in Tariffs...... 671 Carbon Capture and Storage ...... 682 Feed-in Tariffs...... 679 Climate Change ...... 678 Green Deal...... 672 Domestic Energy Bills...... 680 Induced Hydraulic Fracturing...... 683 Energy Bills...... 675 New Nuclear Power Stations...... 676 Energy Efficiency ...... 683 Nuclear Power...... 685 Energy Efficiency ...... 686 Topical Questions ...... 687 Energy Policy ...... 680 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Thursday 17 May 2012

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 39WS JUSTICE...... 42WS Government Chemist Review...... 39WS Economic Crime Committed by Commercial Organisations (Enforcement Tool) ...... 42WS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 39WS Local Government Finance ...... 39WS PRIME MINISTER ...... 42WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 40WS Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Committee ...... 42WS (Irish Protocol) ...... 40WS

HOME DEPARTMENT...... 40WS TRANSPORT ...... 43WS Animals in Scientific Procedures ...... 40WS Tram Train Pilot ...... 43WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Thursday 17 May 2012

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 236W CABINET OFFICE—continued Consultants...... 236W Life Expectancy ...... 334W Risk Assessment ...... 236W Local Government: Procurement ...... 335W Trade Unions ...... 237W Malnutrition ...... 335W Manpower...... 337W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 321W Non-departmental Public Bodies ...... 337W Accountancy...... 321W Storage...... 337W Apprentices...... 322W VAT ...... 338W Apprentices: South West ...... 322W Voluntary Organisations ...... 338W Business: North West...... 322W Community Interest Companies: Greater London. 323W Community Interest Companies: Sussex ...... 323W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 246W Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats...... 323W Housing: Construction...... 246W Consumer Focus ...... 324W Planning Permission ...... 246W Consumer Focus and Office of Fair Trading...... 324W Social Rented Housing...... 247W Credit...... 324W Trade Unions ...... 248W Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill ...... 324W Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [Lords] 2012-13... 325W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT...... 263W Overseas Trade...... 325W Arts: Charitable Donations...... 263W Railways: Radlett ...... 326W British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation...... 263W Supermarkets: Competition ...... 326W Broadband ...... 263W Technology: Greater London...... 326W Cultural Heritage ...... 263W Telephone Services...... 327W Manpower...... 264W UK Export Finance ...... 327W Mobile Phones ...... 264W Press...... 265W CABINET OFFICE...... 330W Trade Unions ...... 265W Cancer ...... 330W Government Departments ...... 333W Government Departments: Databases...... 333W DEFENCE...... 266W Government Departments: ICT ...... 333W Depleted Uranium ...... 266W Households: Expenditure...... 333W Trade Unions ...... 266W Col. No. Col. No. EDUCATION...... 311W HEALTH—continued Academies: Press Releases ...... 311W Eyesight ...... 351W Accountancy...... 311W Gifts and Endowments...... 351W Children in Care: Missing Persons ...... 311W Health and Social Care Act 2012 ...... 351W Computers ...... 312W Health Services ...... 352W Curriculum: Mathematics...... 312W Health Services: Overseas Visitors ...... 352W Curriculum: Outdoor Education ...... 312W Hospital Beds...... 352W Education Maintenance Allowance: Private Hospitals: Greater London ...... 352W Education ...... 313W Lobbying...... 353W Free School Meals ...... 313W Malnutrition ...... 354W Free School Meals: Gateshead...... 314W Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Free School Meals: Primary Education ...... 315W Agency...... 353W Free School Meals: West Midlands ...... 316W Mental Illness: Veterans ...... 355W Grove School, Nottinghamshire ...... 315W Multiple Sclerosis...... 355W Home Education: Reading ...... 316W NHS Commissioning Board ...... 355W Mathematics: Curriculum...... 317W NHS Walk-in Centres ...... 356W Pupils: Disadvantaged...... 317W Orphan Drugs...... 356W Schools: Hygiene...... 319W Publications: Stationery ...... 357W Supply Teachers ...... 320W Redundancy...... 357W Teachers: Training...... 320W Risk Assessment ...... 358W Telephone Services...... 321W Sick Leave ...... 358W Telephone Services...... 358W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 266W Thalidomide Trust ...... 359W Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats...... 266W Trade Unions ...... 359W Disclosure of Information ...... 267W Energy: Billing ...... 267W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 250W Energy: Prices ...... 267W Alcoholic Drinks: Education ...... 250W Private Sector...... 267W Arrests: Children...... 251W Procurement...... 268W Association of Chief Police Officers ...... 251W Risk Assessment ...... 268W Asylum ...... 252W Telephone Services...... 268W Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats...... 252W Trade Unions ...... 268W Consultants...... 253W Crime Prevention ...... 254W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Databases: Telecommunications ...... 254W AFFAIRS...... 308W Drugs: Misuse...... 254W Birds of Prey: Conservation...... 308W Entry Clearances...... 255W Droughts: Desalination...... 309W Entry Clearances: Overseas Students ...... 255W Fossil Fuels ...... 309W Essex Police Authority ...... 256W Litter: Motor Vehicles...... 309W European Convention On Human Rights ...... 256W Private Sector...... 310W Human Trafficking ...... 256W Rural Areas...... 310W Human Trafficking: Children...... 256W UN Conference on Sustainable Development ...... 310W Identity and Passport Service...... 257W Immigration...... 257W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 270W Immigration Controls ...... 257W Foreign Relations...... 270W Immigration Controls: Ports ...... 258W Iran...... 271W Police ...... 258W Israel...... 271W Police: Conditions of Employment ...... 258W Sierra Leone...... 272W Police: Southwark ...... 259W State Visits: Olympic Games 2012...... 274W Police: Wind Power ...... 259W Sudan...... 274W Pregnant Women: Discrimination ...... 259W Tibet ...... 274W Road Traffic Offences: Cycling...... 259W Uganda ...... 275W Sick Leave ...... 260W Visits Abroad ...... 275W Trade Unions ...... 260W Zimbabwe ...... 275W UK Border Agency ...... 262W USA...... 261W HEALTH...... 338W Accident and Emergency Departments ...... 338W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 305W Accident and Emergency Departments: Greater Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats...... 305W London...... 341W Consultants...... 306W AIDS ...... 341W South Sudan ...... 306W Alcoholic Drinks: Young People ...... 342W Southern Sudan ...... 307W Ambulance Services: Greater London...... 343W Trade Unions ...... 307W Cancer ...... 345W Cancer: Drugs...... 346W JUSTICE...... 241W Care Homes ...... 346W Criminal Cases Review Commission...... 241W Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats...... 347W Crown Prosecution Service...... 241W Consultants...... 349W Mesothelioma: Compensation ...... 242W Cystic Fibrosis: Drugs...... 349W Pay...... 242W Diabetes ...... 349W Powers of Attorney...... 242W Diseases ...... 350W Prisoners: Pay ...... 245W Drinks...... 350W Telephone Services...... 245W Col. No. Col. No. JUSTICE—continued TREASURY—continued Victims...... 245W Consultants...... 297W Equitable Life Payment Scheme...... 297W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 231W Horses...... 298W Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats...... 231W Loans: Republic of Ireland ...... 299W Consultants...... 232W Pool Re ...... 299W Dealing with the Past ...... 232W Revenue and Customs...... 301W Risk Assessment ...... 233W Risk Assessment ...... 301W Trade Unions ...... 233W Tax Allowances: Pensioners ...... 301W Taxation...... 302W PRIME MINISTER ...... 246W Trade Unions ...... 302W Rebekah Brooks...... 246W VAT ...... 303W Working Tax Credit ...... 304W SCOTLAND...... 235W Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats...... 235W WALES...... 229W Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats ...... 229W TRANSPORT ...... 276W Consultants...... 230W A31 ...... 276W Risk Assessment ...... 230W Accountancy...... 276W Trade Unions ...... 230W Bus Services ...... 276W Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats...... 277W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 284W High Speed 2 Railway Line ...... 278W Crisis Loans ...... 284W Highways Agency ...... 279W Disability Living Allowance...... 284W Level Crossings: Accidents...... 279W Disability Living Allowance: Appeals ...... 285W Motorcycles ...... 279W Employment Schemes: Young People...... 286W Pay...... 280W European Social Fund ...... 286W Railways: Carbon Emissions...... 280W Housing Benefit ...... 286W Railways: North West ...... 281W Jobseeker’s Allowance: Young People ...... 287W Rescue Services ...... 282W Occupational Pensions...... 289W Rolling Stock: Procurement ...... 283W Personal Independence Payment...... 291W Telephone Services...... 283W Social Fund...... 292W Transport: Disability...... 283W Social Fund: Birmingham...... 293W Social Security Benefits...... 293W TREASURY ...... 296W State Retirement Pensions...... 294W Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats...... 296W Work Capability Assessment...... 295W MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Thursday 17 May 2012

Col. No. NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 11MC Security...... 11MC Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. The Bound Volumes will also be sent to Members who similarly express their desire to have them. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied, nor can corrections be made in the Weekly Edition. Corrections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy containing the Corrections must be received at the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

not later than Thursday 24 May 2012

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Members may obtain excerpts of their Speeches from the Official Report (within one month from the date of publication), on application to the Stationery Office, c/o the Editor of the Official Report, House of Commons, from whom the terms and conditions of reprinting may be ascertained. Application forms are available at the Vote Office.

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CONTENTS

Thursday 17 May 2012

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 671] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change

Business of the House [Col. 693] Statement—(Sir George Young)

Debate on the Address (Sixth Day) [Col. 712] Amendment—(Ed Balls)—on a Division, negatived Amendment—(Stewart Hosie)—on a Division, negatived

John Lawton [Col. 816] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 39WS]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 229W]

Ministerial Correction [Col. 11MC]