Tuesday Volume 551 23 October 2012 No. 54

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Tuesday 23 October 2012

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2012 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 813 23 OCTOBER 2012 814

Mr Bone: The Conservative-led coalition Government House of Commons are increasing spending on the NHS, unlike what Labour would do. In my constituency, we will get an urgent care Tuesday 23 October 2012 centre in a few months as a result of Tory health reforms. People in Corby already have an urgent care centre as a result of Tory reforms. Does the Secretary of The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock State agree that, while Labour talks about the NHS, Conservatives deliver on the NHS? PRAYERS Mr Hunt: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. Indeed, last week we announced that waiting times are [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] at near-record lows. The number of hospital-acquired infections continues to go down and mixed-sex wards have been virtually eliminated. I am very pleased that BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS my hon. Friend has an urgent care centre, and am sure that Mrs Bone will appreciate it even more than he does. NEW WRITs Ordered, Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): Does the That the Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Secretary of State recognise that the Office for National Crown to make out a new Writ for the electing of a Member to Statistics survey shows that the mortality rate in north-east serve in this present Parliament for the County Constituency of England is 12% higher than that in the rest of the UK? Corby in the room of Mrs Louise Daphne Mensch, who since her Does he recognise the need to invest in more advanced election for the said County Constituency has been appointed to the Office of Steward or Bailiff of Her Majesty’s Manor of radiotherapy equipment, bearing in mind that 70 of the Northstead in the County of York.—(Sir George Young.) 212 systems will need to be replaced by 2015? Ordered, Mr Hunt: I would not necessarily expect the hon. That the Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Gentleman to follow announcements that are made at Crown to make out a new Writ for the electing of a Member to the Conservative party conference, but we did make the serve in this present Parliament for the Borough Constituency of Cardiff South and Penarth in the room of Alun Edward Michael, big announcement that access to radiotherapy will be who since his election for the said Borough Constituency has been transformed, making it available to everyone for whom appointed to the Office of Steward or Bailiff of Her Majesty’s it is clinically necessary and cost-effective. Improving Three Chiltern Hundreds of Stoke, Desborough and Burnham in mortality rates is extremely important. As I have set the County of Buckingham.—(Ms Winterton.) out, one of my key priorities is to transform the NHS so Ordered, that we have the best mortality rates in Europe. I hope That the Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the that that is welcome news for his constituents. Crown to make out a new Writ for the electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough Constituency of Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): Does my right hon. Manchester Central in the room of Mr Anthony Joseph Lloyd, Friend agree that there will be less budget pressure on who since his election for the said Borough Constituency has been the NHS if we do better with long-term conditions, get appointed to the Office of Steward or Bailiff of Her Majesty’s better at integrated care and use data better to predict ill Manor of Northstead in the County of York.—(Ms Winterton.) health? To that end, will he come and see the work of the Kent Health Commission on those issues? CITY OF LONDON (VARIOUS POWERS)BILL [LORDS] (BY ORDER) Mr Hunt: I would be delighted to see the innovative Second Reading opposed and deferred until Tuesday things that are happening at the Kent Health Commission. 30 October (Standing Order No. 20). Looking at how we deal with people with long-term conditions—that is 30% of the population, and the proportion is growing with the ageing population—will Oral Answers to Questions be a vital priority for the NHS over the coming years. Andy Burnham (Leigh) (Lab): May I welcome the Secretary of State and his new team to their positions? HEALTH As the only other person to have made the jump from Culture to Health, I am sure that he will find me a constant source of useful advice. The Secretary of State was asked— The Secretary of State has not said much since his appointment, but he did set out his mission in The NHS Cost Spectator: “I would like to be the person who safeguards Andrew Lansley’s 1. Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): What his legacy”. latest estimate is of the likely cost of the NHS in Let us talk about that legacy. Just last week, the Secretary 2012-13. [124134] of State slipped out figures on the latest costs of NHS reorganisation. Would he care to update the House on The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt): the current estimates? The latest estimates of NHS spending are those published in the 2012 Budget. The planned NHS spending for Mr Hunt: Let me tell the right hon. Gentleman that 2012-13 is £108.8 billion. Andrew Lansley’s legacy is— 815 Oral Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Oral Answers 816

Mr Speaker: Order. The Secretary of State has been The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt): in the House for seven and a half years. I think he The Department’s records date back to 2010-11. The knows that we refer to Members by constituency, not by number of ambulance handovers delayed by longer than Christian name. It is not difficult. half an hour was 63,892 between 1 November 2010 and 24 February 2011 and 77,543 between 1 November 2011 Mr Hunt: First, may I say how delighted I am that the and l March 2012. right hon. Gentleman and I once again have the same brief? I look forward to having a constructive relationship Tom Blenkinsop: On 27 September, patients and with him, not with total optimism, but I will try my best. paramedics were left waiting outside James Cook university The right hon. Gentleman talked about my predecessor’s hospital in Middlesbrough for two and a half hours reforms and legacy. One of the finest things about my before being handed over. Dr Clifford of the college of predecessor’s legacy is that he safeguarded the NHS emergency medicine described such delays as being due budget—indeed, he increased it during this Parliament to an unacceptable mismatch in demand and supply. by £12 billion—when the right hon. Gentleman said Does the Secretary of State agree with Dr Clifford, and that it would be irresponsible to increase it. what steps will he take to ensure that those problems do not recur for my constituents? Andy Burnham: Look at the figures: the previous Secretary of State gave the budget a real-terms cut for Mr Hunt: I am extremely concerned about what two years running. Let me give the exact figures, which happened on 27 September. I can confirm to the hon. the Secretary of State did not give the House. The costs Gentleman that all the red 1 calls on that day were met of the reorganisation are up by 33% or £400 million, within the target time of eight minutes, but the delays making the total £1.6 billion and rising. And what is were completely unacceptable. I know that the trust is that money being spent on? A full £1 billion is being taking measures to ensure that the problems are not spent on redundancy packages for managers: 1,300 have repeated, particularly looking forward to the winter got six-figure pay-offs and there are 173 pay-offs of time when there is likely to be extra pressure on ambulance more than £200,000. Scandalously, that news comes as services. I will follow the matter very closely, and I we learn today that the number of nurse redundancies expect the trust to come up with measures to ensure has risen to more than 6,100. Six-figure pay-outs for that his constituents are properly safeguarded. managers, P45s for nurses and the NHS in chaos—is that the legacy that the Secretary of State is so proud of? Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): In the summer, I spent an interesting and thought-provoking Mr Hunt: Let us look at some of the facts. The day observing the work of a crew of the East Midlands number of clinical staff in the NHS has gone up since ambulance service. Can my right hon. Friend confirm the coalition came to power. The right hon. Gentleman that ambulance trusts across the country, including the talked about the cost of the reforms, which is about East Midlands ambulance service, are performing well £1.6 billion. Thanks to those reforms, we will save in meeting their response time targets? £1.5 billion every single year from 2014 and the total savings in this Parliament will be £5.5 billion. Let me Mr Hunt: I can absolutely confirm that. In fact, I was remind him that he left the NHS with £73 billion of extremely pleased to see last week that all the standards private finance initiative debt, which costs the NHS are being met for both eight-minute category A calls— £1.6 billion every single year. That money cannot be red 1 and red 2 calls—and 19-minute calls. That is as it spent on patient care. He should be ashamed of that. should be, but it is no grounds for complacency. Although that is a country-wide picture, there are parts of the Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Will the Secretary country where those standards are not being met in the of State confirm that NHS spending will increase in real way that we would like. We will continue to monitor terms during the lifetime of this Government, and that the situation closely. there are no plans from anyone to close the accident and emergency department and the maternity unit at Kettering Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): I will general hospital? Will he condemn those who say that be charitable to the Secretary of State, but he brushed the Government want to close the hospital, when nobody over the figures in his answer to my hon. Friend the is going to do that at all? Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop). I have got the actual figures through Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend is absolutely right: that is a a freedom of information request. They show that mendacious scare story that is being put out on the under this Government, 100,000 additional patients are ground. Real-terms spending on the NHS has increased being left waiting in ambulances outside accident and across the country, which has not been possible across emergency departments for more than half an hour all Government Departments. Because of that, we are when they need urgent treatment—a totally unacceptable able to invest more in patient care, cancer drugs, doctors situation. What more evidence does the Secretary of and facilities across the country, and indeed in Kettering. State need of the chaos engulfing the national health service under his Government? It shows that the focus Ambulance Waiting Times has slipped off patient care and that our accident and emergency units are struggling to cope. 2. Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland) (Lab): How many patients waited longer Mr Hunt: The hon. Gentleman speaks as though the than half an hour in an ambulance to be transferred to problem of ambulance waits never happened for 13 years accident and emergency in each year since 2009-10. under Labour, but he knows that we actually had some [124135] appalling problems, with ambulances circling hospitals 817 Oral Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Oral Answers 818 because hospitals did not want to breach their four-hour Regional pay does exist in the NHS. On the basis of A and E wait targets. We are tackling the problem, and what she has said, does the hon. Lady wish to remove as I mentioned, if he looks at the figures published last the London weighting for those workers who live in week he will see that we are meeting the standards for London? I am sure she would not want to do that ambulance waits that his party’s Government put in because we recognise that it is more expensive to live in place. However, we are not complacent, and we are certain parts of the country, and workers should be monitoring the figures closely. Particularly with the rewarded for that. winter coming up, we want to ensure that the ambulance service performs exactly as the British public would John Pugh (Southport) (LD): The Lib Dem conference want. rejected regional pay entirely, but not the London weighting, and 25 honourable colleagues endorsed a submission to Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): Many the pay review body. With that in mind, is it not odd ambulance trusts are indeed doing extremely well, as that the south-west consortium remains part of national the Secretary of State indicated. Does he agree that that pay bargaining? is at least partly due to localism in the ambulance service, which may be undermined if, for example, the Dr Poulter: My hon. Friend makes a good point and Great Western ambulance service becomes an amalgamated it is important that we support national pay bargaining regional service? Now it has been announced that the where we can. There is an agreement in principle, endorsed call centre in Devizes will be closed in favour of one in by NHS employers, that national pay bargaining is Bristol. Does he agree that there is at least a risk that the supported throughout the NHS. It was supported local service for people in Wiltshire will be reduced if throughout the NHS under the previous Government, such regionalisation is allowed? who set up the “Agenda for Change”, and during their tenure, that agenda remained fit for purpose. Twenty Mr Hunt: I agree with my hon. Friend that the changes during the previous Government’s tenure benefited purpose of the changes that the coalition Government employees in the NHS, and rightly so. The current have brought to the NHS is to tap into local innovation, Government believe that we must continue to ensure ideas and ambitions to transform services, and it is that the system is fit for purpose. important that no changes undermine that. He should take comfort from the fact that my predecessor introduced Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland) (Lab): It is most unusual clear tests for any major reconfigurations, including that to find the ghost of Christmas past sitting next to the they should be strongly supported by local doctors, that invisible man. The truth is that in May this year, the the public should be involved in any consultation, that the Deputy Prime Minister stated: changes should improve patient choice and that there should be clear evidence of benefits to patients. I hope “There is going to be no regional pay system. That is not going to happen.” that that gives him and his constituents some reassurance. Regional pay will strip millions from local NHS services; National Pay Arrangements it will hit the poorest areas of the country hardest, damage front-line NHS care, and there can be no justification for it. Will the Minister categorically rule 3. Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab): What out continuing with these ruinous proposals—yes or his policy is on upholding national pay arrangements no? in the NHS. [124136]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Dr Poulter: The arguments presented by the hon. (Dr Daniel Poulter): NHS trusts and foundation trusts Gentleman are fatuous, and the previous Government have the freedom to determine the terms and conditions endorsed regional bandings for London workers. If [Interruption.] of the staff they employ. As the hon. Lady will be today he is saying that he does not agree— aware, the “Agenda for Change” was negotiated and You might learn something if you listen. If he is saying brought in during 2004 by the then Secretary of State, that he does not agree with London weighting for John Reid, to agree a national framework for pay in the London workers, which is a form of regional pay— [Interruption.] NHS. In general, most trusts support the agreed pay framework and the “Agenda for Change”, and they are likely to continue to use national terms, provided they Mr Speaker: Order. The Minister is entitled to be remain affordable and fit for purpose. heard.

Mrs Glindon: In fairness, a truly national health Dr Poulter: If the hon. Gentleman listens, he may service demands a national pay scheme, and the British well learn something about what his Government did Medical Association has warned that the move to regional when they were in power. They endorsed the fact that in pay undermines the ethos of “national” in our national the NHS it is important to recognise that we need health service. How does the Minister intend to act on inducements in some parts of the country to encourage that warning? workers to work there. That is why we have central London and outer London weighting. If it was good Dr Poulter: I remind the hon. Lady that it was the enough under the previous Government, it should be previous Government who set up the current national good enough now. pay framework in 2004, and that framework has been amended 20 times to support employers over that period. Mr Speaker: Order. We are immensely grateful to the The previous Government gave foundation trusts the Minister, but we have a lot to get through and we really freedom to amend those pay terms and conditions. must press on with rather greater dispatch from now on. 819 Oral Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Oral Answers 820

Clinical Trials Christopher Pincher: Given that type 1 diabetes in under-fives is growing at 5% each year, what can my 4. Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): What his right hon. Friend do with the innovative Secretary of policy is on making available all information about State for Education to ensure that nursery and primary the results of clinical trials to patients, doctors and school staff have the right skills and knowledge to ensure that they can help young children to cope with medicine approval bodies. [124137] type 1? The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb): The Government support transparency in Mr Hunt: The answer is that we are doing quite a publishing results of clinical trials, and they recognise lot—a good booklet, “Managing Medicines in Schools that more can, and should, be done. In future, greater and Early Years Settings”, goes around schools, and transparency and the disclosure of trial results will be there are other resources for schools—but we need to achieved via the development of the European Union do more. We will be announcing a diabetes action plan, clinical trials register, which will make the summary a long-term conditions outcomes strategy and a results of trials conducted in the EU publicly available. cardiovascular disease outcomes strategy, which will go Greater transparency can only serve to further public further to address the issues that my hon. Friend raises. confidence in the safety of medicines, which is already robustly assured in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): I declare my interest products Regulatory Agency. By law, the outcomes of as someone who has type 2 diabetes and welcome what clinical trials undertaken by companies must be reported the Secretary of State says. However, according to the to that regulator, including negative results. latest report, another 700,000 people will contract the disease by 2020, and 80% of amputations are avoidable. Mr Speaker: Order. We are grateful to the Minister Could he ensure that this very important subject is on but some of these answers are simply too long. If they the agenda of local clinical commissioning groups? are drafted by officials, Ministers are responsible— [Interruption.] Order. I require no assistance at all from Mr Hunt: I certainly can. The number of diabetes the Under-Secretary of State for Health (Anna Soubry). sufferers overall will go up from about 3.7 million, She should stick to her own duties, which I am sure she which is already 5% of the population, to 4.4 million. will discharge with great effect. We need to do a lot better in how we look after people with long-term conditions if the NHS is to be sustainable. Dr Wollaston: I thank the Minister for his answer and We can also do a lot to transfer the individual care of for recognising that missing data from clinical trials people who have diabetes through things such as technology, distorts the evidence and prevents patients and their which I will look into carefully. doctors from making informed decisions about treatment. Will the Minister meet a delegation of leading academics Mr Stephen Dorrell (Charnwood) (Con): Does my and doctors who remain concerned that not enough is right hon. Friend agree that the effective delivery of being done to see how we can ensure that all historic care to people with long-term conditions relies on breaking and future data are released into the public domain? down the silos within the health service, and between the health service, social care and social housing? Will Norman Lamb: My hon. Friend raises absolutely he encourage the new health and wellbeing boards to legitimate concerns, which have been raised by others, follow through that agenda with a serious purpose? including Ben Goldacre. I am happy for my noble Friend Lord Howe or me to meet her and experts to Mr Hunt: My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. discuss this important issue further. By 2018, nearly 3 million people will have not one but three long-term conditions. All too often, the system Mr Speaker: I call Catherine McKinnell. treats them on a disease or condition basis, and not as a human being who needs an integrated care plan. That is Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) the route to lower costs, but it is also the route to (Lab): I did not have a question on this. transformed care.

Mr Speaker: The hon. Lady does not want to come Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ in. Fair enough. Co-op): The Public Accounts Committee has heard that, of 20 trusts that needed to improve their diabetes care, only three took the accepted help. How will the Diabetes and Asthma Secretary of State ensure that care through health providers meets the grand targets he has set for himself? 5. Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): What steps the Government are taking to help people cope Mr Hunt: The hon. Lady is absolutely right to point with conditions such as diabetes and asthma. [124138] out that the consistency of provision is not good, but we will be publishing a diabetes action plan that will try The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt): to ensure more consistent provision throughout the We are working on an outcomes strategy for long-term NHS. We also need to raise our sights as to what is conditions such as diabetes and asthma structured around possible, because as I have mentioned, a third of the six shared goals, early diagnosis, integrated care, promoting population have long-term conditions, and we can do independence, and steps to support those with long-term much better at helping people to live with those conditions conditions to live as well as possible. in a way that promotes their independence. 821 Oral Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Oral Answers 822

Community Hospitals for his local maternity services. The concern was that only 13 births take place at his local maternity unit 6. Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) every year, and whether staff can continue to deliver (Con): What assessment he has made of the role of high-quality care with such a low number of births. Of community hospitals in the range of local health care course, his local providers will want to consider the and hospital provision. [124139] rurality of the area and the potential, as outlined in the Birthplace study, of rotating staff in and out of the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health hospital to support his local unit. (Dr Daniel Poulter): My hon. Friend is right to highlight the importance of community hospitals in his constituency Domiciliary Care and elsewhere. They can provide high-quality care close to home, particularly for people with long-term conditions and the frail and elderly. 7. Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab): What steps he plans to take to ensure that providers of domiciliary care employ staff who are properly Mr Gibb: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that qualified and security checked. [124140] answer. If there is a conflict between local health officials and local people as to the desirability of a community hospital, as there is in Littlehampton in relation to the The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Littlehampton community hospital, which most people Lamb): Providers of services are responsible for the in the town want to see rebuilt, whose views should safety and quality of the care they provide. All staff prevail—the NHS employees or the local residents of must be properly qualified and vetted, and the Care Littlehampton? Quality Commission can and must take action against providers who fail in that regard. Action can range from Dr Poulter: I thank my hon. Friend for his question. a warning notice to, ultimately, cancelling a provider’s As he is well aware, it is down to local commissioners—local registration. The commission must be willing to take doctors—in Littlehampton to decide, in consultation that action if necessary. with local communities, what is good health care. Of course, we must not get fixated on buildings in the Barbara Keeley: But the Minister knows that a recent NHS. I know there is a local campaign to support the BBC programme showed that 217 providers of care at re-establishment of Littlehampton district hospital, and home use staff who are not properly qualified, and that although that may be a very desirable end, there may be dozens of people with criminal records have not been many other ways in which high-quality health care can vetted and are working unsupervised in people’s homes. be provided for his constituents closer to home. The Care Quality Commission has reached only just over one in four of its target inspections, with 40% of Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): From April, my care at home providers never having been inspected by local health centre will be transferred to a national it. What will the Minister do to ensure that we can have property company, a quango, in Whitehall. How can more confidence in care provided at home to vulnerable local people in Hyndburn regain some influence over people and that it is up to a better and safer standard? this health centre and its use after April? Norman Lamb: I absolutely share the hon. Lady’s Dr Poulter: Part of reorganising services and delivering concern about this. It is intolerable that people receiving good health care is about clinical leadership—I hope domiciliary care do not get high-quality care and that in that is supported across the House—and local doctors, some cases people are inappropriately employed. The nurses and health care professionals saying what is Care Quality Commission must take action where there important for their patients and what local health care is evidence of employers not taking sufficient action to priorities are. Obviously, local communities need to be guarantee the quality of their staff. It is essential that engaged in that process, but what really matters is what the people who run those services are held to account if is good for patients and delivers high-quality care for they fail in that regard. them. We need to deliver more care in the community, and in doing so we have to recognise that some of the ways we have delivered care in the past—picking up the Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): Will the Minister also pieces in hospitals when people are broken—need to consider the matter of the uniforms worn by staff in change. We have to do more to keep people well at home this sector? I understand that on occasions there has and in their own communities. been confusion in members of the general public between such staff and qualified nurses. Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): Given that the maternity unit at Berwick infirmary has been Norman Lamb: It is absolutely essential that users of suspended since the beginning of August for safety services know exactly who the staff are who are caring reasons, with births being referred to a hospital 50 miles for them, and the issue of uniform is something that I away, will the Minister take into account the urgent would be happy to discuss further with the hon. Gentleman. need to provide the necessary clinical support for community hospitals in remote areas so that they can provide local Health Allocation Formula essential services to the highest standards?

Dr Poulter: I thank my right hon. Friend for that 8. David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con): What question. We discussed this issue in the Adjournment plans he has to review the health allocation formula. debate before the autumn recess. He is a strong advocate [124141] 823 Oral Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Oral Answers 824

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health they will have a better chance of remaining at home, (AnnaSoubry):Wewillsoonpublishthefinalrecommendations which, in the vast majority of cases, is where they want of the independent advisory committee on resource to be. allocation. That committee reviews the approach and the formula under which money is allocated to clinical Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): Many commissioning groups and local authorities so that they elderly people with dementia remain trapped in hospital, can fulfil their public health duties. because there is not adequate provision in the community for them to be looked after at home. How does the David Mowat: There have been two problems with Secretary of State intend funds to be extracted from how the formula has worked over the past few years. hospitals to be spent in the community, particularly at a First, it has not placed enough emphasis on ageing as a time when local authority funding cuts mean that many criterion, and secondly the Department of Health has of the voluntary agencies providing that support are not implemented it properly, in so far as flat-rate increases actually losing posts in my borough? have been given to primary care trusts, meaning that there has been no impact from changes. Both these Mr Hunt: The hon. Lady is right to highlight this things have worked to the detriment of Warrington. growing issue. One million people will have dementia by Will the Minister resolve these issues? 2020, so we have to take it very seriously. It is not an either/or situation, though, because about 25% of patients Anna Soubry: I am glad to assist my hon. Friend and in hospitals have dementia, and hospitals would like assure him that fairness is imperative when it comes to them placed in the community or at home, where they distributing money and deciding where it goes. One can be better looked after. This is one of those examples reason the Government are keen to make the formula where, under the new reforms, we need much greater fair is our determination to reduce health inequalities, integration of services to ensure that those people are especially given the last Administration’s legacy of increased treated in the way they need to be. inequalities. Pancreatic Cancer Jenny Chapman (Darlington) (Lab): The former Secretary of State wanted to make age the only factor in the 10. Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): What recent formula, which would have totally ignored poverty and progress he has made on improving early diagnosis of the local cost of care—[Interruption.] He said it. It pancreatic cancer. [124143] would have taken £295 per head away from the north-east. Will the Minister confirm that the local cost of care and The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health poverty will be included in the formula allocation? (Anna Soubry): We are providing more than £450 million during this spending review period to help diagnose cancer earlier. In January, we are planning to pilot a Anna Soubry: That was not my understanding of the general symptom awareness campaign that will be relevant former Secretary of State’s comments, but I can say that to a range of cancers, including pancreatic cancer. we are absolutely determined to ensure that fairness is Unfortunately, however, pancreatic cancer is often very achieved, and all the factors she mentions are important difficult to detect in the early stages. in ensuring that fairness. Mark Durkan: Has the Minister considered the early Dementia diagnosis summit report from Pancreatic Cancer UK highlighting that currently half of diagnoses are emergency 9. Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con): diagnoses? It also makes strong cases for new referral What steps the Government are taking to improve care pathways, risk assessment tools, direct access for GPs to for people with dementia. [124142] investigative and diagnostic tools and the development of a National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence quality standard for pancreatic cancer. Can we expect The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt): progress on any of these before the 2013 cancer awareness Tackling dementia—particularly the shockingly low campaign? diagnosis rates—is a key priority for me and the Prime Minister. Anna Soubry: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his work. I am aware of the campaign that he has been Mary Macleod: I welcome the Government’s steps to running effectively in his constituency, based on the support carers and the work they have done, especially experiences of one of his constituents. As I say, however, on the £400 million to give carers’ breaks from their and as he will know, pancreatic cancer is, by its nature, a important responsibilities. Will my right hon. Friend particularly difficult cancer to diagnose early. We will explain what is being done to increase awareness and all, of course, remember the untimely death of Sir Stuart understanding of carers’ health care needs? Bell. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed only very shortly before his death. I wish that were not as common as it is, Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend is right to highlight this but we are doing everything we can to improve screening. point. In the draft Care and Support Bill, local authorities I thank the hon. Gentleman again for his campaign, will be required to meet the eligible needs of carers. and I would be happy to meet him to discuss it further. That is a particular concern with dementia, because, all too often, someone looking after a partner with dementia Liz Kendall (Leicester West) (Lab): Cancer networks gets to a tipping point where there is no alternative to have played a crucial role in improving patient care, residential care, but, if we can give them better support, including by earlier diagnosis. The former Health Secretary 825 Oral Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Oral Answers 826 promised this House that their funding would be guaranteed Norman Lamb: I repeat the point that we are actually in 2011, but the South East London Cancer Network investing more in a transformation of children’s and now says its budget was cut by 40% between 2009 and adolescents’ mental health services—and it is making a 2011. This year, it has been slashed by a further 55% real difference. People within the service can see the and its staff have been cut from 15 to eight. Will the benefits that it is bringing. Minister now admit that her Government have cut funding for vital front-line cancer experts and have Regional Pay broken their explicit promises on cancer care? 12. Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): Anna Soubry: My information is that any 40% reduction What recent representations he has received on is a result of cuts in administration—and that, if I may regional pay in the NHS. [124145] say so, seems the right way to go about things. This Government are determined to make sure that when we The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health make cuts of that nature, they are not actually cuts— (Dr Daniel Poulter): I refer the hon. Gentleman to an [Interruption.] It is about moving money around so answer I gave earlier today. that it goes to front-line services. This Government are determined to reduce bureaucracy in the NHS and to Mr Bain: Has the Minister had an opportunity to make sure that patients get the benefit of our spending— study the research done by the New Economics Foundation unlike under the last Administration, who had it round a few months ago, which reveals that fully regionalised the other way. public sector pay could strip up to £9.7 billion a year from local economies, put 110,000 jobs at risk and hit Mental Health Services women twice as hard as men? Given that, what possible justification could this Government have for such a 11. Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham) crazy policy? (Con): What steps he is taking to deliver better access to mental health services for school-age children. Dr Poulter: Let me bring the hon. Gentleman back to [124144] planet earth for a while—[Interruption.] He should have listened to the answer I gave a little earlier about The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman allowing for flexibility in pay frameworks. Some degree Lamb): The children and young people’s improving of regional pay was introduced by the previous Government access to psychological therapies project, which we in “Agenda for Change”. On principle, then, the previous introduced in 2011, is about transforming mental health Government, the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues, services for children and young people with mental including the former Secretary of State, were supportive health conditions. The Government’s mental health strategy of regional pay. However, on the current negotiations implementation framework, published in July, suggests and discussions, we would like to see a collaborative actions that schools, colleges and children’s services can relationship between employers, unions and employees take to provide better support. in the NHS at the NHS Staff Council to make sure that we maintain national pay frameworks as long as they Tim Loughton: The Government should be congratulated remain fit for purpose. on tackling the stigma of mental health by their “No health without mental health” policy, but the growing Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Why should there problem of mental illness among school-age children is be an assumption that local pay will lead to lower pay in a concern and with the demise of the early intervention the public sector? In a constituency such as mine, where grant, which included the targeted mental health in the unemployment rate is below 2%, local pay could schools funding, there is a worry that too many quite possibly lead to higher pay in the public sector so schoolchildren will be neglected. Will the Minister liaise that people are attracted to it. with the Department for Education and with school nurses to make sure that appropriate and timely access Dr Poulter: My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. to talking therapies and others are available for school It was the previous Government who, through the “Agenda age children rather than having to rely on the belated for Change”, gave flexibility to NHS trusts to allow chemical cosh of powerful drugs? some employers to pay a 30% premium in areas with workplace shortages. Norman Lamb: May I first pay tribute to my hon. Friend’s work in this area? He has been really impressive 17. [124152] Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) and dedicated in his work. I absolutely agree with him (Lab): At a time when NHS budgets are under exceptional about the importance of ensuring access to mental pressure, my constituents simply do not understand health services for children and adolescents. In fact, the why the Government are so intent on pushing trusts to Government are investing over £50 million over a four-year divert money away from patient care and into wasteful period through the children and young people’s improving local pay bargaining. Is there not a risk that Nottingham’s access to psychological therapies programme and, critically, excellent NHS hospitals and community services will be involving schools and colleges in that work. I would be unable to recruit and retain the best staff if regional pay very happy to work with my hon. Friend to improve results in cuts to their salary scales? access for children and young people. Dr Poulter: The Government are supportive of the Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab): Will the Minister idea, endorsed by the previous Government, that local confirm that funding for children’s mental health services pay flexibility allows additional rewards to be paid to has actually been cut? staff in areas with workplace shortages, as my hon. Friend 827 Oral Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Oral Answers 828 the Member for Banbury (Sir Tony Baldry) just made The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health clear. The Government are supporting the unions, employers (Dr Daniel Poulter): We are working with the Department and employees, as the NHS Staff Council, in coming for Education to introduce integrated commissioning of together to try to agree how we need to modify the education, health and social care for children and young “Agenda for Change” and other agreements to ensure people with special educational needs and disabilities. that they remain fit for their purpose of protecting This will ensure that children with profound multiple employees. learning difficulties can get the care they need while at school. Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy Chi Onwurah: I recently visited Hadrian school in my constituency, which caters for children with severe learning 13. Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): What difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties. assessment his Department has made of the extent to I saw fantastic teachers and carers doing fantastic work which the cancer radiotherapy innovation fund will with fantastic children, but I also saw in the reception increase access to intensity-modulated radiotherapy. classes that more children with more severe health [124146] needs were entering the school. What guarantees can the Minister offer that funding will be in place for those The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health children in five or 10 years so that Hadrian school can (Anna Soubry): The £15 million radiotherapy innovation plan now for their needs? fund is designed to ensure that from April 2013 radiotherapy centres will be ready to deliver intensity-modulated Dr Poulter: The hon. Lady makes a good point. We radiotherapy to all patients who need it. We are working know that the Government are putting more money with professional bodies and Cancer Research UK to into the NHS. However, this not just about putting in develop a programme, including support visits, training more money, but about how we deliver care in a more and criteria for allocating the fund. joined-up way. At the moment, education works too much in its own silo and the NHS works in another. The Government’s new commissioning arrangements Dr Huppert: I thank the Minister for that answer and will follow the more joined-up approach that we need to she will know that the UK’s first clinical trials of IMRT take properly to meet the needs of children with learning were carried out at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge, disabilities in the round. That must be a good way funded by the Breast Cancer Campaign, and showed forward in properly joining up education and health reduced side effects and improved cosmetic outcomes. care. How many breast cancer patients a year does she think could benefit from IMRT and how will she ensure that Topical Questions they all manage to do so? T1. [124159] Mr Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con): Anna Soubry: We know that 9% of all radical If he will make a statement on his departmental radiotherapy treatment should be delivered using forward- responsibilities. planned IMRT and that that should be used for and will benefit breast cancer patients. A survey of radiotherapy The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt): centres was carried out in preparation for the launch of It is my privilege to serve as Health Secretary responsible the new fund that showed that 26% of radical activity for the national health service. I have identified four was being delivered using forward-planned IMRT. The priority areas where I hope over the next two years to hon. Gentleman might say that that does not exactly make the most progress. They are improving mortality answer his question and I am more than happy to make rates for the major killer diseases so that we are among further inquiries and, if necessary, to write to him in full the best in Europe, which we are not at the moment; detail. improving the way we look after people with long-term conditions such as diabetes and asthma; improving the way we deal with dementia, both as a national health Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): service and as a society; and, perhaps most important What is the Minister doing to ensure that such investments of all, transforming the attitude to care throughout the are equally accessible to people across the UK? NHS and social care systems so that the quality of care is seen to be as important as the quality of treatment. Anna Soubry: That is important. I have recognised in the short time in which I have been in my post that there Mr Spencer: What assistance can the Secretary of is often disparity across the country and in certain State give to the newly appointed chairman of the areas, frankly, the service is not as good as that in Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust as he begins to wrestle others. One of our aims is to ensure that regardless of with the private finance initiative signed under the where someone lives they will get good treatment from previous Government and attempts to find repayments the NHS. in excess of £40 million a year?

Multiple Learning Difficulties (School Provision) Mr Hunt: The first thing I would say to my hon. Friend about Sherwood Forest is that I know everyone in the House will join me in saying that our hearts go 14. Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) out to the families of the women who were misdiagnosed (Lab): What steps he has taken to ensure that children for breast cancer. We expect the local NHS to come up with profound multiple learning difficulties have their with a serious package of measures to make sure that health care needs met while at school. [124148] that kind of thing cannot happen again. 829 Oral Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Oral Answers 830

My hon. Friend is right to talk about PFI. We inherited T7. [124166] Jack Dromey (Birmingham, Erdington) an appalling scandal. In order to tackle the PFI debts of (Lab): Last Wednesday, the Prime Minister told the just seven institutions, we are having to put aside £1.5 billion House that Kettering hospital was safe. The following over the next 25 years, but we are working with all day—Thursday—evidence in a document leaked to the institutions to deal with this appalling debt overhang. Corby Telegraph said that 515 of the 658 beds in the hospital could be lost. Will the Secretary of State ask Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington) the Prime Minister to come before the House to put (Lab): We know that the Secretary of State’s views on right the statement he made to the House, but will the abortion do not have a religious basis, so does he care to people of Corby not conclude that whatever the Prime share with the House the scientific evidence to support Minister says, the national health service will never be his view that abortion time limits should come all the safe in Tory hands? way down to 12 weeks? Mr Hunt: What a disgraceful comment. We do not Mr Hunt: Four years ago I voted with my conscience, need the Prime Minister to come before the House as I am sure she voted with hers, but I did so as a because I can tell the hon. Gentleman that Kettering Back-Bench Member of Parliament and we have made hospital is safe, and that it is totally irresponsible it clear that it is not the policy of the Government to scaremongering by the Labour party in the run-up to a change the abortion law. My job as Health Secretary is by-election to suggest anything else. to implement the elected will of the House, which voted in 2008 not to reduce the abortion time limits. T4. [124163] Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): Will the Secretary of State join me in welcoming T2. [124160] Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North the progress that has been made to reduce mixed-sex Poole) (LD): What steps is the Department taking to wards and improve patient privacy at Medway tackle the growing incidence of drug-resistant cases of Maritime hospital in my constituency? TB, which increased by more than a quarter in the past year? Dr Poulter: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health highlight the Government’s success in reducing mixed-sex (Anna Soubry): We are funding TB Alert to raise public wards not just in his hospital but throughout the NHS—we and professional awareness of TB. We also expect the inherited a very different situation from the previous NHS organisations and their partners to ensure early Government. Medway has been a pioneer in that area detection, treatment completion and co-ordinated action and my hon. Friend is right to commend the hospital to prevent and control TB. The Health Protection Agency and I put on record my thanks for all that it is doing. maintains diligent monitoring of all types of TB and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence T8. [124167] Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East) also includes specific guidance on treatment and rapid (Lab): Will the Secretary of State take a close personal contact tracing of people in contact with any type of interest in the proposed changes to the NHS in drug-resistant TB. Trafford? Given the uncertainty about alternative accident and emergency provision, and indeed the T5. [124164] Helen Jones (Warrington North) (Lab): delays in commissioning community services, will he Before the last election, the Prime Minister promised a ensure that any final decisions are deferred so that they “bare knuckle fight” to save district general hospitals can be considered as part of the wider review planned and promised that they would be enhanced. Now that for NHS services across Greater Manchester? we know that the board of St Helens and Knowsley hospitals is looking at a merger with Warrington and Mr Jeremy Hunt: I should like to reassure the right Halton to solve its problems, can the Minister give the hon. Gentleman that I take a close personal interest in House an unconditional assurance that no services at all reconfigurations because they tend to end up on my Warrington will be downgraded or removed, whether desk. In this case, I encourage him to take part in the that merger goes ahead or not? consultation for Trafford general, which will go on until the end of the month, but I remind him that the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Government have put in place four important tests for (Dr Daniel Poulter): There was an option to discuss this any major reconfiguration, and we must be satisfied issue at the board meeting on 29 August—not of her that those tests are passed before we approve any hospital trust but of the Halton hospital trust—because reconfiguration. the Halton trust is looking to achieve foundation status. So I can reassure her that the services at Warrington T6. [124165] Nick de Bois (Enfield North) (Con): As hospital are safe. breast cancer action month comes to an end, recent research by Breast Cancer Campaign has shown that T3. [124161] Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): 76% of women would like more information about What is the administration overhead cost to the NHS breast cancer signs and symptoms. What steps are the and the Department this year and how does it compare Government taking to encourage early diagnosis of with 2009-10? breast cancer?

Mr Jeremy Hunt: I will get back to my right hon. Anna Soubry: Achieving early diagnosis of symptomatic Friend with the exact details, but the impact of the cancer is key to our ambition to save an additional reforms that the Government have introduced will cut 5,000 lives a year by 2014-15. As I explained in an administration costs by a third across the whole NHS, earlier answer, we are providing more than £450 million leading to net savings of £4 billion during this Parliament. in funding over the spending review period to support 831 Oral Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Oral Answers 832 early diagnosis. From January to mid March 2013, we Mr Hunt: May I reassure my hon. Friend that we are will be running a regional pilot of our previously tested absolutely committed to the “no cherry-picking”provisions local campaign on breast cancer symptoms in women of the Act? We think that we have found the right way over 70. We are targeting those women because that is to achieve that in the NHS, and I will write to him to an area where, unfortunately, survival rates are particularly explain exactly how we will do that. poor. Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): Given the apparent John Healey (Wentworth and Dearne) (Lab): Since increase in spending in the NHS and the £4 billion his promotion, the Secretary of State has said little and, surplus, will the Secretary of State look at lifting the I assume, read a lot. Did his starter pack include details pay restraint for lower-paid workers, to increase morale of the Prime Minister’s promise: and boost productivity? “This year, and the year after, and the year after that, the money going into the NHS will actually increase in real terms.”? Mr Hunt: The £12 billion increase in spending on the Did it include Treasury figures that show there has been NHS under this Government, which the right hon. a real terms cut each year since the election? What is he Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) thought was saying to NHS staff and patients who see the cuts and irresponsible, means that we will be able to do a lot see the Prime Minister’s big NHS promise being broken? more for patients, but there is also rising demand. If we do not have that pay restraint, we will not be able to Mr Jeremy Hunt: May I just remind the right hon. meet the needs of an ageing population. Gentleman that there has been a real terms increase in NHS spending? That contrasts rather starkly with what Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con): What specific was said by the Health Secretary under the previous consideration is being given to matching the annual Government. He said it would be irresponsible to increase growth funding uplift to actual changes in population? health spending in this Parliament. We ignored that That is essential to my constituency, which has high advice and NHS patients are benefiting. population growth.

T9. [124168] John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con): The food Anna Soubry: It is my understanding that that is labelling consultation closed in August. Could the Minister already part of the formula, but my hon. Friend makes indicate when the Government response is likely to be a good point, and I am sure that he joins me in wanting issued and confirm that the Government will not bring to make sure that the formulas are fair, so that we in unnecessary burdens on the food industry over and reduce health inequalities. I am happy to discuss the above those set out in European regulation? issue with him further.

Anna Soubry: This is an area that is important to the Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): The Public Accounts Government’s work. At this stage it is important to Committee says that 11 of the 144 foundation trusts make sure that we do not over-regulate but that we across England are now in serious financial difficulty. work with industry and manufacturers. The four What contingency funding is in place for those trusts, to Governments across the United Kingdom will shortly protect patients? issue a statement about front-of-pack nutrition labelling, and we expect to publish the formal response to this Mr Jeremy Hunt: We have a clearly set out programme year’s consultation within the next few weeks. for all those trusts, to make sure that they get back to the proper financial controls and proper governance Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): The excellent structures that they need. We do not want to get into the children’s heart surgery unit at the Royal Brompton business of bailing them out; we want them to stand on hospital will be pleased that a full review has been their own two feet. That is the vision of the Health and announced. Why does it have to report within four Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003, months, including the Christmas period, and why were passed by the hon. Gentleman’s party when it was in previous referrals by both Brompton and Leeds refused? government. Will the review be full and impartial or not? David Tredinnick (Bosworth) (Con): Will my right Mr Jeremy Hunt: It will be a totally impartial and hon. Friend extend the scope of personal budgets? They very thorough review. This is an extremely important help not only patients, giving them wider choice, but decision, and that is why I asked the Independent carers, allowing them to leave their post. Reconfiguration Panel to take the time that it needs to do the review properly; that is the least that the hon. The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Gentleman’s constituents would want. Lamb): My hon. Friend makes an extremely good point. This is all about giving power to patients. Personal Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): In order to get the budgets have already been very successful in social care, Health and Social Care Act 2012 through this House, and there are pilots under way in health care; the the Government gave explicit assurances that private indications are that they are proving very successful. companies could not cherry-pick the easiest procedures and patients, yet a recent letter from David Flory, the Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): The NHS has a deputy chief executive of the NHS, back-pedals on the responsibility for all patients in ill health, especially those Government’s position, and shows that the Government who are elderly. Is the Minister aware of the information are dependent purely on guidance. What can the released last week that 3,000 general practitioners have Government do to put a bit of backbone back into that drawn up a list of 7,000 patients who have less than a important policy? year to live—in other words, whose level of care is in 833 Oral Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Oral Answers 834 question? Will the Minister condemn that list and take Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Further every possible step to ensure that every patient gets to the answer that the Minister of State gave to my hon. NHS care, irrespective of age? Friend the Member for Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara Keeley), why do the Government not makeit a criminal Norman Lamb: The whole purpose of that approach offence for those who recruit staff on the cheap not to is to ensure that patients get appropriate care at the end bother checking employees’ employment records, of their life. There is very strong consensus supporting qualifications or criminal records? Surely they are putting that approach, including on the part of Marie Curie people’s lives at risk. Cancer Care and Age UK. It is really important that all GPs and others involved in the care of people at the end Norman Lamb: I absolutely share the hon. Gentleman’s of their life engage fully with the patient and the patient’s concern. I am looking at the whole issue very closely. It loved ones. That is the right approach. seems to me that the fundamental point is to ensure that the people in charge at the corporate level are held to Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con): My right hon. account for failures of care. We are very serious about Friend will know that in this country, over 1,000 people ensuring that that happens. a year die as a consequence of asthma. We have one of the highest prevalences of asthma in the world. Will he Several hon. Members rose— outline to the House what action we will take to get those mortality rates down? Mr Speaker: I am sorry to disappoint colleagues, but we must move on. Mr Jeremy Hunt: We are doing a lot of work on the outcomes strategy that will directly impact on asthma David Tredinnick: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. sufferers. As part of that work—we are as concerned as my hon. Friend is about this—we are looking at every Mr Speaker: The hon. Gentleman has been in the single asthma death in a 12-month period, starting from House since 1987; he knows perfectly well that points of this February, to try to understand better the causes of order come after statements, not before them. I feel mortality, because we need to make very rapid progress. certain that he was just teasing the House and me. 835 23 OCTOBER 2012 Bovine TB and Badger Control 836

Bovine TB and Badger Control Evidence suggests that at least 70% of the badgers in the areas must be removed. This is based on the results of the randomised badger culling trial so that we can be Mr Speaker: I call Mr Secretary Paterson. confident that culling will reduce TB in cattle. Despite a greatly increased effort over the past few days and Hon. Members: Hear, hear. weeks, the farmers delivering this policy have concluded that they cannot be confident that it will be possible to remove enough badgers based on these higher numbers 12.35 pm and considering the lateness of the season. It would be wrong to go ahead if those on the ground cannot be The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and confident of removing at least 70% of the populations. Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): I am delighted that my presence has received such a welcome. Today I have received a letter from the president of the NFU, on behalf of the companies co-ordinating the Bovine TB is the most pressing animal health problem culls, explaining why they do not feel that the culls can in the UK. The importance of the epidemic for our go ahead this year and requesting that they be postponed cattle farmers, their families and their communities until next summer. In these circumstances, it is the right cannot be overemphasised. This was once a disease thing to do, and as they are the people who have to isolated to small pockets of the country; it has now deliver this policy on the ground and work within the spread extensively through the west of England and science, I respect their decision. I have placed a copy of Wales. The number of new cases has doubled every nine the letter in the Library of both Houses. years. Last year, TB led to the slaughter of 26,000 cattle in England at a cost of nearly £100 million. In the past By starting the pilots next summer, we can build on 10 years, bovine TB has cost the taxpayer £500 million. the work that has already been done and ensure that the It is estimated that this will rise to £1 billion over the cull will conform to the scientific criteria and evidence next decade if the disease is left unchecked. base. I know that this will be very disappointing for many, particularly those farmers in the two pilot areas, The task of managing bovine TB and bringing it but I fully support the decision of the NFU to delay the under control is difficult and complex. The Government start of culling operations. are committed to using all the tools at their disposal I must emphasise that there is no change to the and to continuing to develop new ones as a package of Government’s policy We remain absolutely committed measures to tackle the disease. In high-risk areas, herds are to it, but we must ensure that we work with the NFU to tested annually and any cattle that test positive are get the delivery right. We also remain committed to our slaughtered. Restrictions on cattle movements have been wider TB eradication programme and to continuing to further strengthened to reduce the chance of disease strengthen it, so that we can move towards our goal of a spreading from cattle to cattle. Only last week, we TB-free England. Vaccination is another tool and one announced plans for a new surveillance testing regime that we would all like to be able to deploy more widely. and stricter cattle movement controls. We also continue Unfortunately, we are not there yet in terms of its to look at ways to improve the testing of cattle for TB. development or practicality. If we had a viable and legal Research in this country over the past 15 years has cattle vaccine, we would be using it. It will, however, be demonstrated that cattle and badgers can transmit the some years before this is the case and neither we nor the disease to each other; culling badgers can lead to a industry can afford to wait that long. It is for this reason reduction of the disease in cattle if it is carried out over that we must look at all the options. a large enough area and for a sufficient length of time. The Government are determined to tackle bovine TB That is why we believe that, based on the best available by all the means available to us. Now, in the next few evidence, culling badgers to control TB can make a months, we will ensure that the pilot culls can be significant contribution. implemented effectively, in the best possible conditions, It is crucial that we get this right. The National with the right resources. Having looked at all the evidence Farmers Union has taken the lead on behalf of the over many years, I am utterly convinced that badger farming industry to plan and organise the pilot culls. It control is the right thing to do, and indeed the higher has been working tirelessly over the past few months, than expected badger numbers only serve to underline signing up farmers and landowners in the pilot areas the need for urgent action. I remain fully committed to and ensuring that contractors are property trained. I working with the farming industry to ensure that the have been immensely impressed by the effort, commitment pilot culls can be delivered effectively, safely and humanely and determination that have been demonstrated by next summer. I commend this statement to the House. farmers in the two pilot areas. I am also most grateful to the police in the two areas for their support. 12.43 pm The exceptionally bad weather this summer has put a number of pressures on our farmers and caused significant Mary Creagh (Wakefield) (Lab): I begin by welcoming problems. Protracted legal proceedings and the request the Secretary of State to his post and thank him for of the police to delay the start until after the Olympics advance sight of his statement. and Paralympics have meant that we have moved beyond Another day, another U-turn, announced first to the the optimal time for delivering an effective cull. We “Today” programme and now to Parliament. Labour should have begun in the summer. In addition to these has warned the Government for two years that the problems, the most recent fieldwork has revealed that badger cull was bad for farmers, bad for taxpayers and badger numbers in the two areas are significantly higher bad for wildlife. In addition, the Government’s handling than previously thought, which only highlights the scale of the cull has been incompetent and shambolic. It is of the problem we are dealing with. right that it has been delayed, but we were not alone. 837 Bovine TB and Badger Control23 OCTOBER 2012 Bovine TB and Badger Control 838

Lord Professor John Krebs, the eminent scientist who and then carried on regardless? Is this delay a proper first suggested that the culling of badgers be tried to U-turn or a pretend U-turn? I think that the country tackle bovine TB, described it as a “crazy scheme”. The deserves to be told. Government’s own chief scientist, Professor Sir John We welcome the tougher measures on biosecurity Beddington, declined to endorse the policy. The free that the Secretary of State announced last Friday. He shooting of badgers in some big society badger cull was says the cull will start again next summer. He has always a terrible idea. It had never been tried, never blamed the weather and the police, yet his own colleague measured.Professor John Bourne, who led Labour’s the Home Secretary said that the cull must not go ahead badger cull trials, called it an “untested and risky approach”. during the Olympics and Paralympics. What happens if The cull would cost farmers more than it saved them, the weather is bad next year? What estimate has he put huge strain on the police and spread bovine TB in made of the impact on the tourism industry of a cull the short term as badgers move out of cull areas. It next June? Does he expect MPs and the public to would cost half a million pounds a year to police per believe him when he says that the cull will happen next area, and all for a 16% reduction in bovine TB over nine summer? If it does not take place, is there not a risk that years. Bovine TB is a terrible disease for farmers, their his Department will be pursued for costs by farmers left families and their communities, which is why we, when out of pocket as a result of his incompetence? Is not the in government—[Interruption.] That is why we ran the truth that the Prime Minister yanked him back from his cull trials to see whether culling made a difference— festival of fromage and fizz in Paris last night and told him it was game over? Who exactly is in charge? Mr Speaker: Order. There is too much noise coming After months of agonising, with hundreds of thousands from both sides of the House. Mr Kawczynski, I have of pounds of taxpayers’ money having been spent on had reason to indicate this to you before, but you must consultations, counting badgers, training marksmen and calm down. I think that you need to go on an anger issuing licences, and after thousands have been spent by management course, man. [Interruption.] Order. Get a farmers setting up companies, we have had another grip. U-turn from this incompetent Government. They have spent two years puffing life into a policy that should Mary Creagh: Bovine TB is a terrible disease, but the never have left the ministerial red box. After just six Secretary of State’s cull was never going to be a silver weeks in his post, the Secretary of State has discovered bullet. Then, last Thursday, we saw the first signs that that DEFRA is filled with elephant traps for the unwary. the badger cull was shaping up to be another Government With forests, circus animals and now the badger cull, he disaster. As Ministers went to ground, the Secretary of has completed a hat trick unmatched by any other State’s own press office told “Channel 4 News” that the Department. policy was being scrapped, but an hour later they rang Labour has always said that the badger cull was bad back—it was unscrapped. To have to announce one for taxpayers, bad for farmers, and bad for wildlife. This U-turn may be regarded as misfortune, but two U-turns Government are out of touch with the nation. This cull in one afternoon looks like carelessness, even for a should have been stopped months ago. Today we have Government as weak and incompetent as this one. the right decision for all the wrong reasons. The cull has What was the reason for the wobble? I had asked been stopped because of the Government’s endemic some parliamentary questions, and Ministers’ answers incompetence. They should have listened to the scientists, revealed some awkward facts. My first basic question the charities and Labour Members, and made policy was how many badgers there were in each cull area. The based on the evidence instead of twisting the evidence answer was that the Government to fit their policy. Once again, Ministers present the “have yet to issue definitive target figures for the two areas”.—[Official House with a disaster entirely of their own making. Report, 17 October 2012; Vol. 551, c. 296W.] Once again, it is farmers and taxpayers who are left The cull is predicated on killing at least 70% of badgers counting the cost. in an area. How could it proceed when Ministers did not know how many animals there were? We had said Mr Paterson: I thank the hon. Lady for her kind all along that the cull was a shot in the dark, and here words in welcoming me to my place, but it was pretty was the proof. It was that admission, two days before thin stuff, wasn’t it, Mr Speaker? the cull was due to start, that meant DEFRA was wide Let us start with Professor Lord Krebs, whom the hon. open to a judicial review for being in breach of the law. Lady quoted. He confirmed the policy when he said in The Government’s own best estimate of badger numbers April last year at a meeting of independent scientific was far higher than previously estimated, making both experts: culls more expensive than forecast. That would mean more expense for farmers and increasing the contingency “The science base generated from the…Randomised Badger Culling Trial shows that proactive badger culling as conducted in fund, the bond that farmers are required to lodge with the trial resulted in an overall beneficial effect compared with Natural England. Why did Ministers not ask how many ‘survey only’ (no cull) areas on reducing new confirmed cattle badgers farmers needed to kill before this whole fiasco herd breakdowns which is still in evidence 5½ years after the final started? annual proactive cull.” What sort of announcement is the Minister making The hon. Lady then touched on the comments of the today? Is it like the forests U-turn, when they pulled the chief scientist, Sir John Beddington, but failed to say plug and then set up an independent panel to kick it that his recent quote in full is this: into the long grass forever, leaving just enough cover to “The proposed pilot culls differ from the RBCT in a number of save the Prime Minister face; or is it like the infamous ways. Additional biosecurity aimed at reducing perturbation effects, Health and Social Care Bill, when the Prime Minister any predictions as to the efficacy of the culls will be accompanied pressed the stop button, waited for things to calm down by uncertainties. However, if the results were similar to those of 839 Bovine TB and Badger Control23 OCTOBER 2012 Bovine TB and Badger Control 840

[Mr Paterson] have paid him great tribute for the sterling work that he did. I commend him for taking this policy on; it was not the RBCT we might expect a 12 to 16% reduction in bovine TB easy. over an area of 150 km sq after nine years relative to a similar unculled area. It will be important to monitor the results and to My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. The two subject them to rigorous statistical analysis to assess humaneness, pilots were the logical extension of the trials conducted safety and efficacy.” under the previous Government, which stopped dead That is exactly what the pilots were for: they were the once they had finished. The next logical step is to go on logical conclusion—[Interruption.] to a larger geographical area and use a more efficient method of culling. He is absolutely right to say that the Mr Speaker: Order. I told Mr Kawczynski that he real lesson from these very significantly higher numbers was making too much noise and he accepted his fate is that the disease will be prevalent among the badger with good grace. Members on the Opposition Front population and spreads more quickly in a dense population. Bench must not yell at the Secretary of State as he is This is a problem that we have to grip. It is no good answering questions. The right hon. Gentleman must be criticising from the outside without coming up with a heard. Let us hear it from Mr Secretary Paterson. policy.

Mr Paterson: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several hon. Members rose— The previous Government took forward the RBCT in a whole series of trials and then stopped and decided Mr Speaker: Order. A very large number of hon. and to do nothing. They presided over a horrendous increase right hon. Members are seeking to catch my eye. I am in this disgusting disease. We have taken the logic of the keen to accommodate them, as this is a hugely significant RBCT and extended it, which means conducting it over matter, but if I am to do so, economy from Back a larger area with hard boundaries and a more efficient Benchers and Front Benchers alike would greatly assist. system of culling. We are wholly conforming to the science and to the advice that we have taken. However, as I explained in my statement, at this late stage of the Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab/Co-op): In July season, because of the various delays and because of 2011, Natural England estimated that there would be the larger numbers than had previously been planned 3,300 badgers in each 350 sq km cull area, using data for, the NFU has come to me requesting a delay. I from the randomised badger cull trial, yet DEFRA used should like to reassure the hon. Lady that this policy is the figure of only 1,300 badgers for each 350 sq km absolutely intact. We will work with the NFU over the area. Why did DEFRA get the figures so badly wrong? coming months and from next summer we will deliver pilot culls that will show the efficacy of what we are Mr Paterson: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for that intending to do. question. It will be helpful if I explain the chronology. In September this year Natural England first determined Mr Speaker: I call Mr Jim Paice. [Interruption.] that there were deficiencies in the sett data. Shortly after Sir James Paice—I apologise profusely to the right hon. I took up my post, it set about a detailed sett survey and Gentleman. came up with these very significantly large numbers. We have to respect the science. It is most important that Sir James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire) (Con): everyone understands this. The simple facts are that Apology accepted, Mr Speaker, with good grace. with these increased numbers the NFU did not believe This is clearly very disappointing news for everybody, that in the later weeks of this year, as it gets more including the farmers, who had planned for and expected difficult to get out on the ground, it could deliver the our getting to grips with this disease as quickly as 70% figure. The responsible thing to do is to postpone; possible. May I endorse my right hon. Friend’s comments the easy thing to do would have been to thunder on and about these being pilots? We have always recognised not deliver. We have to respect the science; we are being that in some areas they differed from the original RBCT very clear about that. Over the past few days we have measures, and that was the reason for having the two discussed this in great depth with the NFU and it is pilots—to see whether those differentiations still produced quite clear that despite a big effort in recruiting and a the same results. The increase in numbers to which he big increase in resources it cannot deliver the 70% figure. refers is surprising—or the fact that it is a problem is It is therefore right not to go ahead for the time being, surprising—given that most people who live in these and we will go ahead next year. areas should have been well aware, as most country people are, of the massive increase in badgers. Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): Finally, does my right hon. Friend agree that science Will the Secretary of State give an assurance that farmers shows that if the population of any species significantly in the hotspots will be given all the available legal increases in density, disease spreads more quickly as it is protection over the coming months, given the uncertainty more likely to sustain itself? This increase in the badger before the cull can proceed? I welcome the fact that he population therefore increases the need to carry out the has confirmed that the science is that of the independent control. scientific group in 2008. Will he use this pause to make the strongest possible argument within the European Mr Paterson: I thank my right hon. Friend and Union that the produce of any vaccinated animal, commend him for the tremendous work that he did in whether vaccinated with the badger bovine TB vaccine his job as Minister of State. Wherever I have been in or the foot and mouth vaccine, will be legal trade with recent weeks, many, many people across the industry our European partners? 841 Bovine TB and Badger Control23 OCTOBER 2012 Bovine TB and Badger Control 842

Mr Paterson: I am grateful to the Chair of the We have animals out on grass, mixing freely with wild Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee for badgers, and that is where the disease is being picked her question, which touches on security. I want publicly up. to thank the chief constables and all their staff in the two main areas, who have co-operated a tremendous Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): I amount. This has been an extra burden on them in draw the attention of hon. Members to my entry in the recent weeks. We have worked with them closely and I Register of Members’ Financial Interests. The right thank them. They have reassured me at all times that hon. Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Sir James they will ensure that legal protest can go on, but law and Paice), who was until recently a Minister in the Department, order will prevail. is right. People living in the countryside are not surprised, On vaccination—I am glad that we are getting into because they report seeing more badgers more frequently. this so early in our discussion—the fact is that the Does the Secretary of State agree that work should be current vaccine is only about 50% to 60% effective, undertaken on the correlation between the increase in while that for smallpox, for example, is well over 95%, badgers and the increase of bovine TB in the cattle so we do not have a very effective vaccine. On my hon. herd? Friend’s point, we have developed a DIVA—differentiation Mr Paterson: I thank my hon. Friend for his question. of infected from vaccinated animals—test recently, which The evidence is extremely obvious. We can see from differentiates between a vaccinated and a diseased animal, 1972 onwards that when there is a big increase in the but it is still in the early stages. We would all agree—every badger population there is an increase in TB. It is very single person in this House and those outside—that we simple. I do not know of a single country in the western would like to press a vaccine button today but, sadly, we world that does not bear down on disease in wildlife do not have one. and in cattle. The European authorities are absolutely clear that if we went about a vaccination programme now, before we Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): The have an absolutely scientifically clear and evidence-based Secretary of State said that vaccination is only 60% or system of differentiating between diseased and vaccinated, 70% effective, but is that not an awful lot more than we would not be able to export any cattle products. We 16% effective for the cull? Secondly, he said that a cattle are talking about a trade of billions of pounds. That vaccination and the DIVA test are years off, but that is would be suicide. I am in total agreement with hon. not the case—that is not what scientists are telling us. Members who want to see vaccines but, sadly, we are Will he use the money that has so far been earmarked just not there. It is incredibly important that everyone for the cull to bring those vaccines to market as soon as understands that we do not have a button-pressed vaccine possible? Will he start negotiating now with his EU today. We are working extremely hard on it. I take on colleagues to make sure that the DIVA test will mean my hon. Friend’s encouragement. I will discuss the issue that we can distinguish between infected and vaccinated at the Commission, but at the moment I cannot go to cattle and that we can, therefore, continue to export the Commission with a clear, evidence-based programme beef? to use a vaccine. Mr Paterson: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her Several hon. Members rose— question. We are not yet there with a vaccination programme. If this vaccine is only 50% to 60% effective, Mr Speaker: Order. I always listen to the Secretary of a significant number of cattle will be either diseased or, State with the closest possible interest, but I am afraid perhaps, vaccinated. Until we can differentiate between that we do not have time on this occasion for a treatise them, we cannot go to the Commission and no in response to each question. We need pithy replies, if neighbouring country would want to buy stock from us. possible. This is a real, practical problem. I reassure the hon. Lady that I am as keen as her to get to the position of having a vaccine, and I promise that we will work on Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): The Secretary this over the next year. We are spending £15.5 million of State is right to say that we must address the problem over the next four years on top of the £40-odd million of bovine TB. Will he, therefore, this year, while this that we spent recently. This is a real priority, but we are delay is in place, use the funding that would have been not in that position yet. made available for the cull to improve biosecurity in the cowsheds and byres of farmers, and set minimum standards Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): When I for biosecurity, which the Krebs report said was a very was lucky enough to serve on the agriculture committee important element in controlling the disease? nearly 20 years ago, I remember the then Chairman saying that we had to have a badger cull in selected Mr Paterson: I am in agreement with the hon. Gentleman areas to deal with this disease. Since then, Governments that biosecurity can help, but the problem is that we are have been hopelessly indecisive and weak and, as a dealing with an animal that can get into sheds. When I result, our farming community has undergone untold was in opposition, I went to Michigan and they had misery. Will the Secretary of State assure us that he will clear evidence where they had separated white-tailed now get a grip and that he will be swayed only by deer from cattle herds and invested significantly in science and not by emotions, and save our farmers from fencing off the cattle herds indoors. It is not possible to this terrible disease? do that with badgers, because our cattle system has cattle out on the fields, and 1 ml of badger urine yields Mr Paterson: I am happy to reassure my hon. Friend 300,000 colony-forming units of disease and it takes emphatically that we will stand by this policy. As I have only 0.001% to infect an animal. That is the problem. said, there is no country in the western world where 843 Bovine TB and Badger Control23 OCTOBER 2012 Bovine TB and Badger Control 844

[Mr Paterson] Mr Paterson: Yes. We have made it clear that we will help the police forces that have had to put in extra such policies do not apply. We should consider the resources. I talked to all the chief constables of the situation in New Zealand with possums and that in forces this morning, thanked them personally for their Australia with buffalo, and look at what every other significant effort and the skilful and tactful manner in western European country is doing. A cull is taking which they have deployed their teams recently, and I place in Ireland as we speak. On Monday I talked to a have agreed that we will help them. farmer in Burgundy, where badgers are not protected. There is no other country where they are not bearing Simon Hart (Carmarthen Westand South Pembrokeshire) down on disease in wildlife and in cattle. We have to do (Con): The Secretary of State has made an entirely both. supportable and practical decision this morning in guaranteeing that this is not a change in policy, but Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): This is probably simply a delayed policy. Does he agree that the reaction not the auspicious start that the Secretary of State of Labour Members to his statement will have sent a wanted on the DEFRA Front Bench. No one takes the shiver down the spine of farmers who are watching and cull of badgers lightly, but what is the Department’s will have made them realise that for the Opposition, this plan B? The Secretary of State has said, in effect, that is a political issue, not a practical one? So much for one over the next 12 months, until next summer, 30,000 nation! cattle will be slaughtered and his Department will have to pick up the bill of £100 million. In Northern Ireland it will be £20 million and a vast amount of cattle will be Mr Paterson: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. I slaughtered as a result of bovine TB. I hope that we are did not want to get into a party political argument, but not witnessing the eradication of the Department’s the Labour party’s record in office is shameful. The courage to follow through with a policy that could disease has gone on and on, but after the trials, the change things. Labour Government stopped dead. We are following the logical conclusion of what they set in place. They Mr Paterson: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right stopped; we are going on. We are determined that this is to say that, until we get a grip on this, these horrendous the right thing to do. slaughter figures will continue at an horrendous cost and cause horrendous damage to famers’ livelihoods Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): How much and their families. That is clear, but we have to respect compensation will be paid to police forces, as the Secretary the science. The NFU told me this morning that it of State has just announced? cannot achieve the 70% and, if we agree with the science, which states that if we cull less than 70% we provoke perturbation, I have to respect that advice. The Mr Paterson: It will be the marginal costs. We will hon. Gentleman is from Northern Ireland, so he knows have to discuss that with the relevant forces and come perfectly well the value of a cull. The four counties trial up with a number. showed a 96% reduction in Donegal. There is no question but that bearing down on wildlife and cattle will eradicate Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall) (LD): The Secretary the disease eventually. of State has rightly said that the Government will continue to tackle all sources of the disease and to look Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): Farmers at biosecurity, as well as dealing with the cull. If there across North Wiltshire will be disappointed about the are further problems over the next few months with the delay—although they will understand it—but so will designated cull areas, will he look at other areas where true wildlife lovers. Will the Secretary of State confirm landowners and farmers might be keen to be part of the that even if a workable badger vaccine was available—there cull trial? probably is not—it would have no effect whatsoever on badgers that are ill? In other words the hundreds of Mr Paterson: That is an interesting question. Yes, I badgers that are ill, underground and dying in agony will look at that in detail. At the moment, the NFU is would not be affected even if a vaccine was available. probably thinking of carrying on in the two areas where it has put in such a lot of work and preparation, but I Mr Paterson: My hon. Friend’s constituents will be as am open to looking at other areas. We want to pull off disappointed as mine about this delay and postponement. two pilots that show that this system, in a bigger area There is actually an injectable badger vaccine, which and with a more efficient system of culling, does work was licensed in March last year, but everybody needs to and does reduce TB. consider the practicality.We have an enormously increased badger population. It is certainly 250,000 to 300,000. An injectable vaccine requires injecting every badger Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab): Ministers every year and, as I have said on cattle vaccine, it is not constantly lecture us about the need for their counter- possible to cure an animal that is already diseased so, productive austerity measures, so how can the Secretary with the deepest respect to the Welsh Government, I am of State justify earmarking £250,000 for post-mortems doubtful of the value of that process. on dead badgers following the cull? Is that not a colossal waste of money and an example of an omnivore-shambles? Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): Will police forces that have had to commit resources to Mr Paterson: What a ludicrous question. The attitude prepare for the pilots be compensated for the work that of some Opposition Members is absolutely tearful. We they have had to do? are heading towards a bill of £1 billion. 845 Bovine TB and Badger Control23 OCTOBER 2012 Bovine TB and Badger Control 846

Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon) (Con): I commend If he can confirm a number, that would be useful to the the Secretary of State for acting so decisively today, House. In his view, have such people been properly following the change of heart by the NFU. Although protected by the police? dairy farmers in south Devon will, of course, be disappointed, they will understand it, provided that he Mr Paterson: I am happy to reassure my hon. Friend continues to say, day after day, that this is just a delay, that the number is tiny. I strongly commend, once not a change of policy, and that the cull will take place again, the skill and tact of the police forces, which have in 2013. maintained law and order in a dignified manner, under difficult conditions. Mr Paterson: I am most grateful for my hon. Friend’s support. As he knows, when I was the shadow spokesman, Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): As the I went down to his part of the world and I asked Secretary of State knows, I represent a rural constituency 600 parliamentary questions. That made me determined in Northern Ireland. What discussions did he have with that this was the right thing to do. I wholly commend Ministers in the devolved Administrations yesterday in the last Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the the margins of the EU Council of Ministers on agriculture Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Sir James matters? Will he confirm what tools are at the Government’s Paice), who did great work on putting this policy into disposal to ensure that our farming industry is protected? practice. We are determined to push it through, because it is the only way in which we will save our cattle Mr Paterson: I am sorry to inform the hon. Lady that industry. I did not get to Luxembourg yesterday because my flight was cancelled. Shabana Mahmood (Birmingham, Ladywood) (Lab): Will the Secretary of State say how many firearms Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): By whom? licences have been issued by the police for the culls, and at what cost? Mr Paterson: By the fog. If Members want a technical update, the flight was delayed and then cancelled. There Mr Paterson: I can give the hon. Lady an accurate was only one, so sadly I did not get to the Agriculture reply after the statement. The team in each pilot area is Council and I did not have a chance to put the very made up of roughly 60 people and the firearms licences pertinent points that the hon. Lady mentioned. If she had to be amended. I am happy to get back to her with looks over the border, she will see that in the Republic the exact number. of Ireland there is a reactive cull. As I said, the four counties trial showed a 96% reduction in Donegal. Bill Wiggin (North Herefordshire) (Con): Cattle owners like me will respect the Secretary of State for taking the Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury and Atcham) (Con): advice of the NFU. However, will he take this opportunity As a neighbouring Shropshire MP, the Secretary of to look at the compensation tables, which are causing so State will know what devastation bovine TB has caused much misery to cattle owners who are receiving less in Shropshire, with more than 2,000 cattle slaughtered than it costs to replace their cattle? last year alone. Will he give an assurance that if the trials are successful next summer, other parts of the United Kingdom, such as Shropshire, will be able to Mr Paterson: My hon. Friend touches on a fraught move forward quickly to a cull? area. I have cattle breeders in my patch who are producing the most wonderful pedigree cattle of the highest standard Mr Paterson: I commend my neighbour from Shrewsbury and getting adequate compensation is a constant problem. and Atcham for his stalwart support on this matter and At the moment, we are paying the market rate, but I am for the very public stance that he has taken. The answer happy to discuss the matter with him. is emphatically yes. I want the two pilots to go ahead and to conform to the science. I am confident that they Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): Will the will prove to be safe and efficacious, and that we will see Secretary of State take the opportunity that this a reduction in TB. That is what we want to see rolled postponement allows to meet the 30 leading scientists, out across the country. including vets and animal disease scientists, who think that their science is correct and that the NFU’s science, Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): On 8 May, I on which the Secretary of State is relying, is not correct? wrote to the then farming Minister, the right hon. Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Sir James Mr Paterson: I am most grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s Paice), to highlight how complex it was to assess the question, but he is just wrong. This is not the NFU’s number of badgers in the pilot areas and received very science. The science that the policy is based on comes glib reassurances in response. Why is the Secretary of from the main trials that his Government put into State now telling us that it was only in late September practice. It is the logical conclusion of those trials. I that concerns about those numbers came to light? quoted Lord Krebs and I have a meeting with him this week or next week, so I am very happy to meet scientists. Mr Paterson: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for that We are following on from the logic of the science-based question, but I did answer it earlier. It appeared in evidence that has been produced. September that Natural England was not happy with the figures that had been provided locally. That is why it Richard Drax (South Dorset) (Con): Roughly how asked FERA to do a full survey, which took some time. many people have been threatened in the two areas, That shows how deadly serious we are in respecting the because there have been a variety of reports about that? science. It would not have been right to go ahead on the 847 Bovine TB and Badger Control23 OCTOBER 2012 Bovine TB and Badger Control 848

[Mr Paterson] and we could then go to the Commission. I am keen that we look at the new technological developments as basis of numbers that Natural England believed to be soon as we can. inaccurate, so it was right to take more time and to do a thorough survey, and that came up with dramatically Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): larger numbers. How many discussions has the Secretary of State already had with European colleagues and the Commission to Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): Dairy and lobby for the DIVA test and cattle vaccination to be beef farmers in my constituency are desperate because rolled out in the UK? of TB. They have been cleaning their cattle for years. There now needs to be clean wildlife to stop the disease Mr Paterson: We have been in regular discussions spreading. Can I have the absolute assurance of the with the European Commission, which is very supportive Secretary of State that the cull will go ahead next year? of our position. Only recently DG-SANCO—the directorate-general for health and consumers—stated: “There is no scientific evidence to demonstrate that badger Mr Paterson: I am entirely in agreement with my hon. vaccination will reduce the incidence of TB in cattle. However Friend. We want to see healthy wildlife—healthy badgers there is considerable evidence to support the removal of badgers in this case—living alongside healthy cattle. We will in order to improve the TB status of both badgers and cattle. achieve that only if we drive through the two pilots and UK politicians must accept their responsibility to their own extend them across the country, as I have just assured farmers and taxpayers as well as to the rest of the EU and commit my hon. Friend the Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham to a long-term strategy that is not dependent on elections.” (Daniel Kawczynski). Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): I am sure my right Mr David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): Will the Secretary hon. Friend would agree that it would be preferable if of State explain why there was a delay to avoid a clash the House could move forward on the basis of consensus with the Olympics and Paralympics, and what are the on this issue. During the pause, will he undertake to ideal weather conditions for killing badgers? meet the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mary Creagh) on Privy Council terms and see whether she has a single positive, substantive suggestion as to how we should Mr Paterson: My predecessor was very responsible, tackle bovine TB? The House did not hear a single because the Government had a request from the police suggestion from her today. and discussed it with the Home Secretary. There was obviously a huge amount of discussion about security Mr Paterson: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I am before the Olympics and Paralympics. The whole nation happy to talk to anyone on the subject. We need to wanted the games to be a success, and of course they resolve it. We cannot go on carting off 26,000 cattle a were the most outstanding success. It was quite right year at a cost of nearly £100 million. We have to work not to burden the police with an extra task, so I think together, and I am very happy to work with the hon. my colleagues were completely responsible. Member for Wakefield (Mary Creagh) if she is prepared The hon. Gentleman makes a good point about the to listen to me. weather. We have obviously had the most extraordinarily wet year, which has made it difficult to get out on the Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): I believe that the plan land and difficult to get vehicles out. There is also a was ill-conceived from the outset, but today’s announcement technical problem, which mainly applies to Gloucestershire. was not about the science, it was about incompetence. The maize is still standing, and part of what needs to be The Government have had plenty of time, and this is done is the cutting of maize, because otherwise badgers not an uncontroversial issue. It has been scrutinised to come and take the cobs. That is rather more a death from this side and that, yet they came up with the Gloucestershire problem than a Somerset one, but all in figures on how many badgers there are very late in the all, he must understand the practical difficulties of process. What we need a cull of is Ministers who waste getting on the land in a very wet year. public money—we have had the west coast main line, and now this. How much has been wasted this year, and Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): It is to the NFU’s how much more will the cull cost next year? credit that it has decided not to conduct a cull this year in circumstances in which it could not be confident that Mr Paterson: I will come back to the hon. Gentleman it would be effective in reducing the incidence of bovine with a full reply in writing on the costs. I can give him a TB. What are the next steps in developing the DIVA test breakdown of what we have spent on compensation, to the point where it is widely acknowledged to be the trials and the vaccine. He needs to understand, from conclusive? his urban perspective, the absolute devastation that bovine TB causes to our rural communities and those involved in the cattle industry. We have to resolve the Mr Paterson: I entirely endorse my hon. Friend’s problem, and we must face up to the fact that commendation of the NFU. It would have been quite —[Interruption.] Just listen to my answer. We have to wrong to go ahead when it was not confident of reaching bear down on disease in cattle and in wildlife. the 70% target and could have made the position worse. I was discussing the DIVAtest with my senior scientists Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) this morning, and we are determined to go full bore on (Con): I am very disappointed by the tone and attitude it. There is agreement throughout the House that in an that the Opposition have adopted on this important ideal world we would have a vaccine and a DIVA test, issue. I am sure that none of us wants badgers to be 849 Bovine TB and Badger Control23 OCTOBER 2012 Bovine TB and Badger Control 850 needlessly or unnecessarily culled, but we have a major there yet. That obviously has to be an absolute priority, problem with bovine TB. Will my right hon. Friend use because we have agreement about it not just right across this pause to build as wide a consensus as possible in the the House but right across the country. scientific community, which currently says that a cull is the only practical option? Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): I welcome my right hon. Friend’s decision not to proceed in the current Mr Paterson: I am happy to take up my hon. Friend’s circumstances. Above all, the Government should not suggestion. I will obviously talk to senior scientists, but take action that risks making the situation worse. Given I am also keen to drive forward new technologies. We that he emphasises the importance of science, will he have already discussed the DIVA test, and there is real take the opportunity provided by the pause until next merit in considering polymerase chain reaction, which I summer to review all the science, including that recently saw being used in Michigan when I was there in 2005. commissioned by the Department for Environment, We can also consider the possible use of gamma interferon, Food and Rural Affairs itself, which may point to which we have seen in other countries. I am definitely alternative ways of bearing down on this terrible disease? open to new ideas, because we have to bear down on Mr Paterson: I entirely endorse my hon. Friend’s this disgusting disease. comment, and during this time we will of course press on many fronts. We have a number of tools in the box, Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab): Three and we are using those that are currently available. As I times today the Minister has said that we are not yet have touched on, there are new ones coming down the there with a vaccine, so will he now focus on fast-tracking track—PCR, the DIVA test, gamma interferon and a vaccine programme and the DIVA test as the only others that I would like to investigate with real speed. long-term solution to tackling this devastating disease? We cannot just use the current tools, because we are not getting on top of the disease. It is getting worse. Mr Paterson: I have made it clear that the vaccine is like Sisyphus—it is always out there and we are always Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): The Secretary reaching for it, but it is always a few years out. Sadly, as of State’s Department seems to have a bit of a track of this afternoon, we are not in a position to introduce a record of backing off when the pressure gets high. We vaccination programme, because it is only 50% to 60% previously had the experience of the circus animals effective and we do not yet have a fully worked-out debate, which was going to be whipped, but suddenly DIVAtest to differentiate diseased and vaccinated animals. his Department backed off. Many of my constituents I sympathise entirely with her pained expression, and I will be pleased to see that there is now to be a pause, but would love to go ahead this afternoon and press a will he reassure us that he will look very seriously at the button saying “Vaccine”, but we sadly do not have it whole issue again, and that he is not just backing off yet. because he does not want the embarrassment of a debate and a vote? Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): Without certainty that the targeted pilot cull would go ahead as the Mr Paterson: The hon. Lady has rather missed the Government announced last year, my right hon. Friend tone of our discussion over the past hour. Having is surely right to postpone it. Will he emphasise to all received these higher figures, and after agonising, the those who will be involved in next summer’s cull, which National Farmers Union has—I think very responsibly must surely go ahead, that the terms of the targeted and despite huge pressure from its grass roots—made a pilot cull, based on science, will be strictly adhered to? decision. I was in Tewkesbury on Wednesday, and there is enormous pressure from those parts of the country Mr Paterson: I am grateful to my hon. Friend and where the cattle industry is being devastated by this neighbour for his supportive comments. Emphatically disease. Despite that pressure, I must respect the NFU yes—it is absolutely right that we go ahead next summer, which said clearly to me in a final decision that it could but we must do it within the constraints of the scientific not achieve the 70% required. We are all determined to criteria that are laid down. That is what we intend to do. work together within the science, and no one is backing off at all. The NFU has made a rational decision in the Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): I was not entirely clear light of the new figures and given its current resources about the answer that the Secretary of State gave to my and the time available. hon. Friend the Member for Penistone and Stocksbridge Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): Fifteen years ago (Angela Smith). We are certainly pleased to hear about there were hundreds of beef and dairy farmers in the progress made on the vaccination and the DIVA Northumberland, but they now number a few dozen. test, but can he explain exactly what recent talks he has They wholeheartedly support the proposed cull and the had with European colleagues? When does he think action that has been proposed today, albeit with regret. there might be some real progress, and what is he doing Will the Secretary of State confirm that such farmers to ensure that it is as fast as possible? will continue to receive the proper financial support that they need and deserve, until this disease is finally Mr Paterson: My right hon. Friend the Member for vanquished? South East Cambridgeshire (Sir James Paice) started talking about the matter two and a half years ago, as Mr Paterson: Emphatically, we want to see an expanding soon as we came into government, and he has been in cattle industry and more cattle exports. I should actually regular contact with European colleagues. I will work be in Paris at the world’s largest food exhibition promoting with them as closely as possible once we have a practical exports of British beef and dairy products. I assure my basis to work on. As I explained to the hon. Member hon. Friend that we want to see an expanding cattle for North Tyneside (Mrs Glindon), we are sadly just not industry, but we must get on top of this disease first. 851 Bovine TB and Badger Control23 OCTOBER 2012 Bovine TB and Badger Control 852

Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): are looking at a 25% increase in the disease in the My hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Clive Efford) outlying areas. My hon. Friend, and Opposition Members, asked how much public money has been spent so far on keep sniffing at the figure of 16% but, as one member of this misguided cull. Will the Minister confirm what the farming community said, they would not sniff at a proportion of this year’s expenditure will need to be wage increase of 16% and it is a significant number. The spent again next year? Government believe that we will arrest the dramatic increase in the disease, and start to bring it down. Mr Paterson: I cannot give the hon. Lady an exact answer because it obviously depends on how many cattle Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab): How much public sadly fall to this disease. All I can say is that we have money has been spent so far on this misguided cull? seen a steadily climbing trend in recent years, and unless we get on top of the disease, we will head towards a bill Mr Paterson: There are a number of figures, but I of £1 billion. think I had better write to the hon. Gentleman to give Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con): him a proper reply. There will be some figures for the My right hon. Friend referred to his visit to Michigan, policing, which was touched on, and for work on the and there are lessons from Ireland, Australia, New cull itself and compensation. I will return to the big Zealand and France. Will he ensure that the experiences figure: we spent nearly £100 million last year, and unless of other countries are taken into account when adopting we get a grip on the disease, that will look like a round a strategy to tackle this hideous disease and ensure that of drinks compared with the figure of £1 billion to we have healthy cattle and healthy badgers living alongside which we are heading. each other? Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove) (LD): I thank the Mr Paterson: Emphatically, yes. I found my trip to Secretary of State for his statement. May I remind him Michigan very inspiring, and I saw the real determination that bovine TB is gradually spreading north through of not only the state Government but the involvement Cheshire, and may I draw his attention to the initiative of the Federal Government. They are absolutely determined of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, which says that it will to bear down on disease, and at the time they were run a voluntary inoculation campaign? That has attracted withering in their criticism of the then Labour Government. the attention and support of local farmers. Can we use this pause to get behind that initiative and see whether it Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): provides a way forward? Does the Secretary of State believe in evidence-based policy, or policy-based evidence? If it is the former, does Mr Paterson: I thank my right hon. Friend. Similarly, he really think that he has more scientific credibility in my patch in Shropshire—I was there only 10 days ago than the former chief scientist, Lord May? May I add with my hon. Friends the Members for Shrewsbury that calling the vaccine Sisyphus has not helped the and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski) and for Ludlow Minister in that? (Mr Dunne)—a trial of injecting badgers is being conducted. Those trials are interesting; we will look Mr Paterson: Sorry, perhaps it was Tantalus. I meant with interest at the results, and I commend them. However, that the goal is always rolling away. The Government is it seriously a practical proposition to inject each of are completely clear. If the hon. Lady wishes to quote a the nation’s 250,000 to 300,000 badgers every year, respected and real expert in this field, let me refer her to knowing that we cannot mend a diseased badger? Once Professor Christl Donnelly who surveyed all the evidence a badger has the disease, we cannot get rid of that by in 2010. He said: injecting it. These are interesting trials; they may have “In the time period from one year after the last proactive cull some merit and I am not dismissive of them, but they to 28 August 2011, the incidence of confirmed breakdowns in the are not a long-term answer. proactive culling trial areas was 28 per cent lower than in ‘survey only’ areas and on lands up to 2km outside proactive trial areas”. The Government are going on the evidence and the Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab): May I pay analysis of respected experts in the field. tribute to Dr Brian May? He took a great deal of time to brief Members of this House and I thank him for Tracey Crouch (Chatham and Aylesford) (Con): As a that. Will the Secretary of State comment on what Conservative Member who is against the cull, I welcome contribution he thinks standards of animal husbandry the Secretary of State’s announcement today, and it was might make when dealing with this problem, and say upsetting to see Labour Members laughing throughout what assistance Members of this House can give to the statement when bovine TB has such devastating farmers in that regard? effect on our farmers. Will the Secretary of State accept that the proposed cull will reduce BTB by only 16%, Mr Paterson: I think I touched on that in my response and could, if anything, spread and increase the disease to an earlier question. There is no doubt that if we can across the UK? Will he reconsider his decision to start separate wildlife that have this extraordinary debilitating the cull next year, and instead focus all his efforts on disease—I mentioned 300,000 colony forming units in developing and approving a cattle vaccination as soon 1 ml of badger urine—and if we can keep them out of as possible? cattle sheds, that obviously helps. However, we have a grass-based system, and for many months in the year, Mr Paterson: I am glad I have a few months to try our cattle are out on grass. It is not realistic to live in the and swing my hon. Friend round to my point of view, countryside and expect to separate cattle from badgers and I am sorry that she does not support it at the that are going out and hunting for worms. Badgers’ moment. I would not dismiss a 16% reduction in bovine main food is worms, and they go on the ground where TB in the light of a horrendous annual increase—we cattle are feeding. The hon. Lady is right to say that 853 Bovine TB and Badger Control23 OCTOBER 2012 Bovine TB and Badger Control 854 measures can be taken on farm buildings and it is a nice disease was “compelling”. He is absolutely clear that idea, but that is for the birds when cattle are spending a there is a link. The debate is on how the cull should take long time out in the fields, which is where they pick up place, which is what he has criticised. What we are the disease. proposing is pilots, and we believe we have come up with a more efficient and effective method. In case the Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): The sniggers hon. Lady missed the statement, I repeat that we are and chuckles from Opposition Members at the start of going for a much larger area with hard boundaries, such this statement were clearly despicable, but there is no as major roads, motorways and rivers, and a more doubt that there is a lot of concern among the general effective system of culling. That is entirely consistent public about this issue. Can we ensure that over the next with the scientific advice from Krebs and the RBCT. year we nail down the science, and engage with the public as much as possible to make the case in favour of Mr Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con): Thank you, this cull, if that is the Government’s view next year? Mr Speaker, for assisting me in trying to lose weight. Farmers in Nottinghamshire find themselves in a Mr Paterson: I thank my hon. Friend for his supportive fortunate position. The county is TB-free, so badgers comments. He is right: we need to win the argument in are TB-free, but the disease is spreading towards us public and there is a clear argument to be made. I am from Derbyshire. My farmers will be glad that the repeating myself now, but if we look around the world, Secretary of State will use the whole toolbox to prevent we see that must bear down on disease in wildlife—as their cattle becoming infected, but farmers in two-year happens in every other western country that I know and four-year testing parishes will want to know whether of—including disease in cattle. That is the only way we the testing intervals will be reduced in clean areas? will eradicate this disease. Mr Paterson: I do apologise, Mr Speaker. I was Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): speaking to the Minister of State and missed my hon. May I therefore be helpful to the right hon. Gentleman Friend’s question at the end. Could he possibly pose it by asking him to publish all the scientific evidence on again? which he is relying to come to a decision? Will he agree to open his doors to scientists who take a contrary view, Mr Spencer: There is a conspiracy to make me bob including those who believe the cull is a costly distraction up and down. from the nationwide challenge of TB control? Farmers in Nottinghamshire find themselves in a Mr Paterson: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. I TB-free zone and currently undergo testing on a four-year gave the explanation in my statement but would be or two-year cycle. They will be concerned that there will happy to send him the numbers—[Interruption.] I cannot be an attempt to reduce the interval between tests in do any more to publish the information than say it in clean areas. Does the Secretary of State have any plans the House of Commons. Most of the information is to do so? already publicly available, but by all means, if he has not had time to find it on the internet, I shall send him a Mr Paterson: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to copy. raise that point. The annual testing that we glibly talk about poses an enormous burden on farmers and is a Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con): Does my right fraught event. Virtually the whole of the west of England hon. Friend agree that the blame for the vast incidence is on annual testing, and he is absolutely right to fear for of bovine TB in this country and the intense misery it his farmers in Nottingham that the interval might be causes to my farmers in Devon can be laid substantially reduced, because putting a herd through the skin test is at the door of the previous Government, who did an horrendous experience. That is another good reason nothing over 13 years to have the courage to get a grip to get on top of the disease quickly, before it spreads on this terrible disease? into his area.

Mr Paterson: My hon. Friend is right that the numbers Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Given are absolutely horrendous. In 1998, 4,102 reactors were the figures we have heard from the Secretary of State, slaughtered; last year, it was 26,000. Unless we get a why did his Department’s impact assessment say that grip, it will get worse. the cost of the cull outweighs the benefit to both farmers and taxpayers? Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): The Secretary of State talks about winning the public debate, Mr Paterson: We should be concerned about the cost but Lord Krebs, the leading scientist in this field, who of not doing the cull. The sums involved in our proposals oversaw the previous Government’s randomised badger are very modest compared with the cost of carting off cull trial, has described the current Government’s plan 26,000 healthy cattle, and the number will grow every as a “crazy scheme”. Why does the Secretary of State year. We would be heading to a bill of £1 billion—how not focus resources on vaccination and the biosecurity many times have I said that, Mr Speaker? The hon. route that Lord Krebs recommends? Gentleman shakes his head, but the problem is the result of the passive attitude of the Labour Government Mr Paterson: We have been round this course already. since 1997. I recommend the hon. Lady goes back to Lord Krebs report of 1997. The executive summary, written by Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): The Secretary Lord Krebs, is a brilliant synopsis of the problem. He of State says he intends to press on with the cull said that the evidence of a link between badgers and the regardless of strong scientific evidence and overwhelming 855 Bovine TB and Badger Control23 OCTOBER 2012 Bovine TB and Badger Control 856

[Mr Andy Slaughter] of the university of Cambridge and 30 other leading animal health scientists, who say his policy is a public opinion against. Instead, will he take the advantage “costly distraction from nationwide TB control”? of the delay to meet the groups and scientists who are Was not his predecessor guilty of an appalling error opposed? Without doing so, he looks arrogant as well when she decided to cut the budget for research into as incompetent. vaccination against bovine TB as a result of the comprehensive spending review? Mr Paterson: That was not a terribly accurate summary of what I have said. I have said that we will respect the Mr Paterson: That is wrong. We are spending science. Despite huge pressure from the NFU grass £15.5 million over the next four years on vaccines. The roots, which has been reflected by knowledgeable debate in which the scientists have got themselves involved Government Members, the NFU has reluctantly written is not on whether removing diseased wildlife works. to me to say that it wants a postponement, because it Going back to Lord Krebs’s report in 1997, everyone cannot deliver 70%—I am respecting the science. I am accepts that there are links from badgers to cattle, cattle more than happy to talk to anyone about the policy, to badgers, badgers to badgers and cattle to cattle. We including the hon. Gentleman and the shadow Secretary know that that is how this horrible disease transmits of State. If he knows scientists who want to talk to me, I itself. The debate is on how best to remove the wildlife. will talk to them, but we are absolutely clear that we are One of my most telling parliamentary questions showed following the scientific logic of the preceding trials in a that 57% of the traps were tampered with and 12% were methodical manner. We are respecting the science, which stolen. That and the RBCT showed that that was not is why, with a heavy heart, we are accepting the NFU the most efficient system for removing the wildlife. We proposal and its request to delay. are taking on the logic in the full glare of scientific scrutiny, and seeing whether shooting is a more efficient Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): The Secretary of method, and—I am saying this for about the sixth State likes to use figurative language, but he should be time—whether going for a larger 150 km area bounded careful about buying a round of drinks on the taxpayer. by rivers and motorways is more effective. The Department has had months. It knew months ago that the cull could not start until after the Olympics, as Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab): Many of he said in his statement. He also said that a cull should my constituents have been in touch with me in recent have started in the summer to be effective, so why has days. I am sure they will have followed the Secretary of the policy dragged on for month after month when State’s albeit temporary U-turn with great interest, but there was never any realistic possibility of an effective there is also interest in how much money has been spent cull this year? on preparations. The Secretary of State referred to the amount as a round of drinks within the wider context—I Mr Paterson: No, that is not an accurate statement. am not sure what clubs he drinks in. I know he is unable There was a sensible delay at the request of the police to give hon. Members the run of figures now, but could because of the huge pressures they were under to deliver he commit to putting them in the House of Commons the Olympics and Paralympics. There were also various Library this afternoon? judicial processes, which I have outlined. It is worth taking time to think about the impact of the weather, Mr Paterson: Rather than give just a few numbers which has made it difficult to organise things on the now, I am happy to put a comprehensive and clear ground. What really tipped the balance was the accurate statement in the Library outlining all the different costs— and scientifically based verification of the badger numbers, some costs will be on policing, some will be to do with which convinced the NFU. The NFU has reluctantly DEFRA and some will be in compensation. However, I requested that we postpone at this late stage—with the must pick on the hon. Gentleman’s use of the word nights drawing on and as we get into the winter with “U-turn”. The statement is not a U-turn. The Government cold weather predicted, when badgers stay underground— are absolutely determined, unlike the previous one, to and that is exactly what has happened. bear down on TB, and we will bear down on TB in cattle and in wildlife. We will end up with a prosperous, Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): The successful cattle industry because of decisive, robust Secretary of State has attempted to base his argument action by Conservative and Liberal Democrat Ministers on science, but what does he say to Sir Patrick Bateson in DEFRA. 857 23 OCTOBER 2012 858

Points of Order Careers Advice in Schools for 12-16 Year Olds 1.50 pm Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order David Tredinnick (Bosworth) (Con): On a point of No. 23) order, Mr Speaker. The Government Chief Whip came to the House to move the writ for the Corby by-election, with Louise Mensch applying to become the steward of 1.53 pm the Manor of Northstead in Yorkshire. The Opposition Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD): I beg to move, Chief Whip then came to the House to apply for the That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require schools, writs for Cardiff South and Penarth, and for Manchester together with local businesses and other sectors, to provide a Central, with Tony Lloyd also applying to become the comprehensive careers advice service to 12 to 16 year olds; and steward of the Manor of Northstead in Yorkshire. I put for connected purposes. it to you, Mr Speaker, that it is not possible, and I do Over the past few years, I have discussed with businesses not think that Her Majesty has necessarily agreed, to in Burnley future career paths for young people starting have two stewards of her Manor of Northstead. The work with them. We have a serious skills gap in this Opposition Chief Whip has therefore not moved the country. I have looked at four major industries—the writ for Manchester Central properly, in that there can aerospace industry, the automotive industry, the green be only one steward—the steward, not a steward. industries and the oil and gas industry, along with the chemical industry—which have advised me that they Mr Speaker: I am immensely grateful to the hon. and their supply chains face a serious skills gap, not Gentleman for his point of order. He clearly takes a only now, but in the future. I have looked into this issue very keen interest in this matter, either on his own with regard to the careers advice given in schools. behalf, that of his Bosworth constituents or conceivably even Her Majesty. I may tell him that it is possible for There is a serious lack of careers advice given to 12 to there to be serial appointments to the office in question. 16-year-olds in most secondary schools. Up to now, I do not say that the hon. Gentleman’s interest in this there has been no comprehensive package to ensure matter is in any way anorakish, but it is certainly every student is taught about the local employment and intense, and I hope that he will be satisfied when I tell training opportunities from an early age so that they him that the second appointment to the said office has can see how their school studies directly correspond to the effect of causing the lapse of the first appointment. the needs of local employers. Most careers advice is I hope that that has brought a little joy into his life. delivered by teachers with little or no experience outside teaching. They do it voluntarily and with some vigour, Helen Jones (Warrington North) (Lab): On a point of but they do not really understand the businesses in their order, Mr Speaker. During Health questions, the Under- local areas. Secretary of State for Health, the hon. Member for Careers advice is not given enough importance in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich (Dr Poulter), gave schools, and there are few if any links with local employers. me an answer in which he confused two trusts and Local professionals do not visit schools, and time is created another, which he called the Halton trust, that limited for visits by students to local businesses. Careers does not actually exist. I realise that he may never have advice is given too late to students, when they are about been north of Watford, but is there any way in which to leave school, but it should be given to young people you can get him to come to the House and correct the from the age of 12 onwards. They do not need to make record? My constituents cannot rely on assurances given a decision then, but they need to know what careers will by a Minister who does not even know which trust he is be available when they leave school. I am presently dealing with. doing an Industry and Parliament Trust course with Total Oil, which has told me that it has more than 1,000 Mr Speaker: The hon. Lady implies that she is seeking vacancies in the UK. I have been round lots of schools a correction of the record. The Minister, like all Ministers in Burnley and mentioned this to the young people, and and Members, is responsible for the veracity of his own not one has ever been advised about careers in the oil observations in this House. He will shortly hear—not industry and, in particular, with Total. least through the Deputy Leader of the House—about Employers are also unsure what skills the future work the point of order that she has raised. Meanwhile I force will have. They receive applications from students hope she will be satisfied with the knowledge that she who clearly do not understand the industry in which has made her point in her own way on the record. We they are applying to work. Students are unaware of the will leave it there for today. skills that they will need to carry out jobs in specific industries. They do not know what careers are available in other areas and have information given to them by teachers who have only the skills of the teaching profession. This has led to high youth unemployment, when there are many vacancies in industry. I accept that the Government are doing a vast amount of work on encouraging young people to go into apprenticeships, and I support that wholeheartedly. In time, that will probably help to resolve some of these problems. But at the moment the careers advice being given in schools is not pointing young people to the careers available when they leave school. 859 Careers Advice in Schools for 12-16 23 OCTOBER 2012 Careers Advice in Schools for 12-16 860 Year Olds Year Olds [Gordon Birtwistle] So we need to cut those imports, and we can do that if we have the people to do the jobs. I have a local company in my constituency called I would like Ofsted reports to take into account the Aircelle. It is the biggest local employer, with more than work that schools are doing on careers advice. A lady in 1,000 employees and a turnover of £100 million. It Burnley, Lesley Burrows, has started a company called makes high-tech thrust reversers for the Rolls-Royce jet Positive Footprints and set up a virtual and a visual engines. Over the next two years, it has to increase its jobcentre in a secondary school. The young people, turnover to £250 million, but it is being held back by a when entering the school, have to go through this lack of skilled people. It is suffering from a skills jobcentre. All over the walls of the entrance, she shows shortage, as is its supply chain. The company held an what jobs and careers are available. On the walls are Aircelle inspiration day and invited 600 young people shown actual jobs, and she stands there at her own from various schools in Burnley to go and see how a jet expense, because the local county council will not fund engine thrust reverser is manufactured. Before they her, which is absolutely ridiculous given what it would went, not one child understood where they were going, cost. She stands there, and if a particular student, but when they left every one of them was amazed by whether 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wishes to find out more what an engineering career involved. I hope that a lot of about careers, they can go to her and say, “I’ve seen a those young people will be inspired by that. job on that wall. What is this industry? Please tell me, I would like each school to have a dedicated member because I might like to do it. I might want to take of staff who is qualified and experienced in providing GCSEs that make that possible.” I recommend that the careers advice. I accept that not every school could fund Minister look into what this lady is doing. a full-time careers post, but there is no reason why four I am delighted to put the Bill before the House. I or five schools could not get together and employ a hope it has the House’s full support and that we can qualified careers adviser. I do not doubt that budgets create a school curriculum that includes a careers advice are tight, but schools now have extra budgets and the service—perhaps linking schools together and delivering pupil premium, which they can invest in this advice. it in partnership—that delivers the young people we That is extremely important for young people leaving need into the industries that we need. I do not want school and starting a career. young people leaving school thinking, “Goodness me. I wish I’d done that, but I never knew about it.” That is Vocational courses and apprenticeships should be the most important thing. Young people need to know pushed more. Careers advisers should be able to explain what is available, rather than being told what might be what apprenticeships are available. As I have said, there available the day they walk out the school gates to find a is the oil industry, the chemical industry, the aerospace job. industry, the automotive industry and so on. These are Question put and agreed to. the businesses of the future and the businesses that this country does well in, but they are also the businesses Ordered, that are being held back in this country by a lack of That Gordon Birtwistle, John Man, Jake Berry, Jason skills, not only in the capital companies, such as Rolls-Royce McCartney, Ian Swales, Stephen Lloyd and Ms Gisela and Total, but in the supply chains that work for these Stuart present the Bill companies and deliver the product. At the moment, we Gordon Birtwistle accordingly presented the Bill. import more products in order to keep these businesses Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on going than those businesses export in finished products. Friday 30 November 2012, and to be printed (Bill 79). 861 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 862 (Ways and Means) HGV Road User Levy Bill The Eurovignette directive covers this legislation. I (Ways and Means) must confess that I was tempted to look up the dictionary definition of “vignette”. I was pleased to see that it was “a small illustration…which fades into its background without a 2.4 pm definite border”. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport That is clearly not a definition of the United Kingdom (Norman Baker): I beg to move, and does not take us any further forward. That provision may be made for charging a duty of excise, to be known as HGV road user levy, in respect of heavy goods Both main parties have promised these measures for vehicles used or kept on public roads in the United Kingdom. more than 20 years, however, so I commend the coalition With permission, I would like to move that the House for bringing this one forward. We will be dealing with it supports the introduction of legislation concerning a over the next few months. I read recently, on the subject new levy for all heavy goods vehicles weighing 12 tonnes of the coalition, that the Lib Dems introduce the nice and over using the UK road network. We intend that legislation and the Conservatives introduce the nasty the new levy will apply to all categories of public road in legislation. I am not sure whether that is reflected in the the UK and to both UK and foreign-registered HGVs. surviving Lib Dem Transport Minister opening the The introduction of the charge forms the commitment debate and his Conservative colleague concluding it. in the coalition agreement stating: The Under-Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. “We will work towards the introduction of a new system of Member for Wimbledon (Stephen Hammond), might HGV road user charging to ensure a fairer arrangement for UK have something to say about who has been pushing this hauliers.” measure within the Department. None the less, it is HGVs play a crucial role in our economy by supplying good that it is here. businesses and servicing customers. There are approximately The unfairness felt by the UK road haulage industry 1.5 million trips by foreign-registered HGVs into the is well documented, and it has long pressed for this UK each year. Of course, that contributes to the well-being measure in order to defend British industry, protect UK of our economy, but there has been an inequality for roads and create a level playing field with European some time, in that UK hauliers are often charged when competitors. As colleagues will know, road haulage they travel abroad, through tolls and other charging covers 68% of all goods moved within the UK, is schemes, whereas foreign hauliers can use the UK road represented by 34,000 workplaces and employs more network for no charge. This is an inequality that the than 220,000 people. The Freight Transport Association coalition Government wishes to address through this and the Road Haulage Association both support the legislation. measures—the RHA strongly and the FTA broadly, as I believe that this levy, introduced alongside other its support is a little more qualified. measures, such as reductions in the HGV vehicle excise duty, which means that more than nine out of 10 I shall come shortly to the questions of hypothecation vehicles will pay no more than now, will help the and whether the money raised will be used for transport competitiveness of UK business, while ensuring that we spending, which I understood was the original intention continue to enjoy the benefits of free trade with Europe. of the directive; of the impact on the Government’s My Department undertook consultation on this subject policy of moving freight from road to rail; and of the earlier this year that indicated that stakeholders, especially implication for short sea shipping and using that to those in the logistics sector, support the planned changes. move freight around the country. I will want to make Subject to the legislation being passed, we plan to reference to the Road Safety Foundation reports, including introduce the levy from April 2014. the annual report launched in the other place last week I now wish to open the motion to the Floor, and at by the noble Lord Dubs, the organisation’s chairman. I the end of the debate the Under-Secretary of State for will also want to raise questions about how this role will Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon impact on The Times cycling safety campaign, of which (Stephen Hammond), will respond to the points made. I know the Government are very supportive, as well as about the Government’s policy for the introduction of longer and heavier lorries, and how that fits in with the 2.5 pm plan. I shall also deal with whether or not this measure Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): It is might act as a disincentive for road haulage firms to good to see a number of Members in the Chamber for employ green measures or procure green or greener this debate, especially the distinguished Chair of the vehicles. I shall come back to these issues later. Even in Transport Select Committee, my hon. Friend the Member the proposed measures facilitated by this Ways and for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs Ellman), who is in her Means motion and the Bill to follow, as read in the draft place, as ever. I am grateful for the Minister’s brief Bill, there are some anomalies, which I shall come to in introductory remarks. due course. We support the motion in principle. Given that it is Will the Minister clarify, if he can, some of the relatively unusual to debate the Ways and Means motion, proposals in the draft Bill and in the written ministerial which paves the way for the Second Reading debate, I statement? For example, clause 3(2) of the draft Bill hope that my comments will be in order. I will make says that the Secretary of State can delegate exemptions some brief introductory comments and then look at the for “specified roads”, but there is not much information measures in the draft Bill—I would be surprised if the without the actual Bill before us or in the Library. The Bill did not closely follow the draft Bill, but judging Minister might wish to explain which exemptions the from the written ministerial statement, that will become Secretary of State will make for which specific roads; if clear later today. not, we will certainly raise the issue in Committee. 863 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 864 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) [Jim Fitzpatrick] The question arises whether some of the money raised through this levy will go towards making cycling safer, Clause 4 of the draft Bill says that the levy is suspended particularly given that many more people are cycling “if a vehicle is stolen” today. until such time as it is recovered. It is not quite clear I would like to raise a question of principle about rail whether the recovery is by the police or the owner, or freight and short sea shipping. What are the Government’s whether, if a vehicle is damaged or unable to be used, it policies on promoting rail freight and taking lorries off means that the levy will be suspended or re-instigated our roads whenever possible? What are the Government when the vehicle is recovered—or whether that is entirely going to do to promote short sea shipping as an alternative fair. These are points of detail. to HGVs on our roads moving freight across the country In respect of the rebates that are covered in clause 7, as happens at the moment? three matters are worth mentioning. Subsection (5) states: Clause 10 provides a power to stop by the Vehicle and “The Secretary of State may specify conditions with which a Operator Services Agency. I went out with VOSA when person must comply before making an application for a rebate.” I was the Minister with responsibility for road safety, so The implication is that the Secretary of State is going to I know that it uses that power efficiently, effectively and preview all applications, which is obviously never going diligently. I particularly remember being on the A13 when to be the case, as it would not be possible for the the inspector I was travelling with in his VOSA vehicle Secretary of State to do that. The clause mentions that indicated that he was going to stop a particular vehicle an administrative fee will be levied, again saying that and asked me whether I knew why he intended to stop it the Secretary of State will determine each case—and and take it into the inspection centre. As a good West happily that is going to be the case—so will the Minister Ham United supporter with one of my West Ham ties outline the thinking behind the administrative fee and on, I said, “I think I know the reason. He’s got an how much it would be? Finally on clause 7, subsection (9) Arsenal flag in the back of his cab.” The inspector states: looked at me and said, “No, Jim, that is not why we are stopping him.” I thought that was a fairly reasonable “Matters specified under this section must be published in assumption; it certainly worked for me. VOSA is very whatever way the Secretary of State thinks appropriate.” effective at keeping our roads as safe as they are; the That is very wide, so I am sure the Minister will have power to stop is a very important one. It is good to see it some information about what that means. included in the draft Bill so that the levy that the Clause 9 provides that money Government intend to introduce can be enforced. “is to be paid into the Consolidated Fund.” Clause 11 deals with the offence of Originally, there was an expectation in the European “using or keeping heavy goods vehicle if levy not paid”. directive that the money raised would be hypothecated, Subsection (3) states: at least in some way, for transport purposes. The Minister “A fine imposed under this section that would not otherwise be will know that the Road Safety Foundation published paid into the Consolidated Fund is to be paid into the Consolidated its annual report last week. It clearly indicates that road Fund.” engineering can have “an extraordinary effect”—those That reinforces my point about how the money raised is are the words it uses, which I cited to the Secretary of likely to be spent. State at Transport questions last Thursday morning—in reducing deaths and serious injuries. Simple measures A written ministerial statement was published this such as road markings, traffic lights and barriers to morning by the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, prevent vehicles from careering down off different roads the hon. Member for Wimbledon, which says: are ways of saving lives. The hypothecation of the levy “A private company will be contracted by the Department for into road safety measures was very much anticipated, Transport to administer the payment scheme for foreign-registered but it is not quite clear whether that is going to be the HGVs. The contractor will be required to maintain an electronic case under the Bill or whether the provisions saying that database of foreign-registered HGVs for which a levy has been paid.” the money will go into the Consolidated Fund mean I wonder whether the Minister is in a position to clarify that it will go into the Treasury, so that the Department some of the details of the expected size of the organisation for Transport will have to bid for its share in due course. that he anticipates will be needed to do this task. How On other safety issues, the Government have clearly will the costs be calculated? Does he view the tendering indicated that they want to introduce longer and heavier arrangements as a bonus to the Treasury, or will it be lorries on Britain’s roads. There is a system through cost-neutral? Have companies already indicated interest which longer and heavier vehicles will pay a greater levy, such a contract or do they already exist? Importantly, so that poses the questions of whether some of this what technology might it be anticipated will be used for money will go to pay for the upkeep of Britain’s roads identifying foreign HGVs when they come into this and how this will impact on the safety campaign that country? the Government strongly support. I know that the Let me conclude with six key questions. The background Under-Secretary made a strong speech in support of papers indicate that 98% of UK hauliers will see no more road safety last week, and particularly cycle safety. His extra costs than around £50 a year, and that 94% will hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, see a zero increase in their costs. Does the Minister have the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), who is no any information on the likely cost for the 2% for whom longer in his place, spoke at the “Love London, Go there is no information? At £1,000 per vehicle per Dutch” cycling safety conference in Church House annum, some haulage firms might be expected to pay a immediately after Transport questions last week. The considerable amount of money. I hope the Minister can Times campaign to which all parties have signed up says tell us whether any assessment has been carried out of that we should spend more money on cycling safety. the impact on the UK’s road haulage industry. 865 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 866 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) Secondly, the introduction is being phased between announce how the money will be spent. I represent the UK and non-UK vehicles. Is any loss of revenue to the port of Goole and most of the arterial routes into the Treasury expected as a result of the staging of the ports of Hull, Immingham and Grimsby and our roads introduction of the levy, as and when it happens? are often well-used by HGVs, which cause considerable Thirdly, will the lower VED for UK vehicles act as a damage. We get a lot of complaints from residents disincentive for haulage companies to procure greener about HGVs, so let us hope that once the money has or green vehicles, or it is anticipated that the size of been raised it will be invested back into our road such vehicles will mean that they would not be covered networks, particularly in Brigg and Goole. I do not yet by the reduced VED? Has the Minister conducted an see the Minister nodding but I am sure he will confirm assessment for the industry in that regard? that later. Fourthly, will the Government’s decision last year to There is a question of fairness as British hauliers who opt out of the European directive on cross-border go to Europe have to pay tolls, which are not levied on enforcement of traffic offences impact on these new any great scale in this country. It is only right that measures? I do not think we opposed that, but we were foreign vehicles operating here should pay to use our certainly worried about it at the time. Will not sharing roads. that cross-border enforcement data make implementing, monitoring and enforcing the levy easier, harder or Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): I thank the neither? hon. Gentleman for giving way so soon. He is making a My fifth question is more general. Is the introduction very good speech and he is right to say that the initiative of the HGV levy charging scheme likely to lead to the has broad support on both sides of the House, including wider use of road charging schemes? Is this just a taster in my constituency, where hauliers serve Tata Steel, of Government policy for the future? Rockwool Ltd and others. The Minister is introducing a Finally, UK companies involved in haulage on European complex little device, so will the hon. Gentleman urge routes will be charged for a six-month or annual purchase him to think again? Some UK hauliers of certain types of VED, which will incorporate the levy. European and sizes might lose out, or might at least not gain all hauliers coming into the UK will be charged by the day, the benefits that the Minister has intended, so he might by the month or however else, so if UK companies have want to take some time to reconsider and tie up all the vehicles on the continent that are being charged to use little loopholes. European roads will they be able to apply for a rebate when those vehicles are not using UK roads? If the Andrew Percy: I feel that I have been a conduit for the principle that one should be charged for using the roads hon. Gentleman’s contribution to the debate, which is, I is adopted, which I am sure it will be, it seems unfair think, addressed specifically to the Minister. It is a joy that UK hauliers should be charged for using UK roads to have been that conduit. The hon. Gentleman has when they are using European roads and being charged made an important point and I have no doubt that my over there. hon. Friend the Minister will respond to it. In conclusion, we intend to support the motion and I was talking about the importance of the sector to certainly hope to be able to support the Bill on Second the Humber, and it is good to see my constituency Reading. We will want to examine some of the issues I neighbour, the hon. Member for Scunthorpe (Nic Dakin), have raised today in Committee. I do not expect the in his place. As we jointly represent the steel works, he Minister to be able to respond to every point I have will be able to confirm the importance of the sector to raised today, as this is obviously an unusual way of our area and the fact that it will see a great deal of doing business. I was advised by the appropriate authorities, growth over the next few months. I am never one to however, that I could raise issues that I would be likely miss an opportunity to promote a good local news to raise on Second Reading. Having done so, I do not story, and in my constituency a studio school is about to anticipate raising them again on Second Reading and, be established with a specific focus on the logistics given that you have not stopped me making any of my sector. Those involved will be delighted to know that remarks, Madam Deputy Speaker, I must assume that I our UK haulage industry will receive a shot in the arm have been totally in order. I look forward to the Minister’s from the proposal. response in due course. Of course, we had other good news locally on the Humber bridge tolls not so long ago. I will not miss the 2.23 pm opportunity to promote another good news story, and I am sure that the Minister, whose Department was so Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): I am delighted involved in that decision, will be delighted to know that to support this excellent initiative. Of course, the policy since the Government provided £150 million to halve was a commitment of ours at the last election and it is those tolls, the most recent figures on road use across always a joy to stand in the Chamber and deliver on a the Humber bridge have shown an 8% increase. That manifesto promise. I know that it is supported on both greatly exceeds expectations. Hauliers report that they sides of the House and was in other parties’ manifestos, can now use that bridge to get their goods to the other too. side of the Humber divide. We must do more to support the sector across the UK. In the area I represent, logistics and transport are important and employ many people. We have many Huw Irranca-Davies: Will the hon. Gentleman give hauliers locally and I know that they will welcome the way? Bill. The initiative is good news not only for hauliers and people who work in the industry, but, I hope, for Andrew Percy: I will, and I look forward to being a residents in my area. I hope that the Minister will conduit for the hon. Gentleman yet again. 867 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 868 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) Huw Irranca-Davies: I hope that the hon. Gentleman fairer deal for British hauliers. Both objectives are extremely will be not only a joyful conduit but a joyful supporter important. The Transport Committee has considered of my argument. He makes a valid point about tolls and the issue in a major way on several occasions. We I welcome his comments about the absence of tolls in conducted a study of freight transport in the last Parliament. his area. The Severn bridge toll, which is paid on the We produced a report on road taxes, fees and charges in way into Wales but not on the way out, is a significant July 2009, and the levy featured prominently in that. drain on the south Wales economy. Does he support The Committee returned to the issue in July this year, those of us who have been campaigning for years to get when we again considered freight, charges on freight rid of it? and foreign hauliers. The proposal deals with three inter-related issues: Andrew Percy: I am afraid I am not an expert on one of them is made explicit, but the other two are south Wales, having only visited once, but the hon. important and need to be considered in relation to the Gentleman has made his point. In the Humber region, provisions of the Bill when it is published. Essentially people pay to travel in both directions, so we do not the proposal is about road taxation and the problem of have any argument about whether people pay to get in differential tax regimes which put foreign-registered and out of Yorkshire, whereas a debate does take place vehicles at an advantage against British registered ones, between Wales and England. I shall avoid stepping into which has long been a concern and needs to be addressed. any debate about local issues in south Wales. I am sure Indeed, we have been too long in addressing it; it adds that the hon. Gentleman will understand. an additional cost to British hauliers. The Minister will know that although this provision When the Committee looked at this issue in 2009, we is welcome, the sector faces considerable challenges. I were told that foreign-registered hauliers should have meet representatives of the sector regularly, and only paid £300 million in taxes to cover the costs that they this summer I was chatting to a local haulage firm at the created in the impact on roads, pollution and congestion Ousefleet show. The continuing challenges faced by the and in environmental damage. I suspect that that figure sector, particularly in the light of rising fuel costs, were has not changed in any significant way since that time. explained to me. I know that the sector will support this Another background issue does not appear to be mentioned measure, however. in the proposal, but I am sure that the Minister will wish It is something of a sadness that we must take this to comment on it. It goes back to the broader issue of approach, however, and it demonstrates the all- unfairness in the regimes that deal with British-registered encompassing grasp of the European Union—I cannot and European-registered hauliers. It is the issue of miss the opportunity to have a bit of a bash at the cabotage and the ability of foreign-registered hauliers EU—that we must follow such a convoluted route, to conduct domestic haulage in this country when British- creating a scheme that applies to our hauliers and then registered hauliers have difficulty doing this in other providing them with a rebate through VED. That shows countries. how we have lost control of our destiny in this country. In July this year we heard once again from the Road We should be able to support our hauliers directly if we Haulage Association and other organisations about the want to, and we should be proud to say that. extension of cabotage and the destabilising impact of I do not want to say a great deal more on this, foreign-registered hauliers becoming involved in our although I think that I have spoken longer than the domestic haulage market, not necessarily in the long Minister did—not longer than the shadow Minister, I term but perhaps for a relatively short term. I understand have to say—but I look forward to contributing again that discussions about cabotage are taking place in on this subject in the future. I have just two questions Europe and they will have an impact on the haulage for the Minister, one of which I have already asked, but industry in respect of the issue that is at the heart of the I will pose it again. What will happen to the money that Bill that is to be published. I ask the Minister to is raised from this? Where will it be spent? Both comment on that, if not today then at a later stage. It is geographically and within Government Departments, part of the general picture. where can we expect that funding to be spent? Will the Minister also confirm that we seem to have an increasing Safety is another of the background issues. My right number of vehicles that are dual-registered. Has any hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Limehouse assessment been made of whether the measure will (Jim Fitzpatrick) mentioned it, but I want to refer to it result in more or less dual registration? With those few in a slightly different way. One of the concerns that the comments, I will end by saying that I welcome this Select Committee heard was that foreign-registered hauliers decision and look forward to the Government’s making might have lower costs because they had lower safety progress with the matter. standards, putting British hauliers at a competitive disadvantage. I and, I am sure, other hon. Members want to raise safety standards, not go to a lowest 2.30 pm common denominator, but safety is an issue. There is Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op): another question about increasing safety standards for I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important European hauliers. issue. It is one that the Transport Committee has considered There is also the question of enforcement of debts over a long period. We are nothing if not persistent, so I that arise in one country but perhaps need to be collected am glad that we are now not just discussing it but in another. The cross-border directive has not been talking about implementing something to change the signed by the Government and again there is a question situation. about how that is going to be realised. Then there is the The proposal does two things. It recognises the implementation of the proposed measures. The Vehicle importance of road haulage as an industry in its own and Operator Services Agency is to be responsible for right and its significance to our economy, and it seeks a implementation. Will it have the resources to do it? 869 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 870 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) The Committee will be looking at the broader issue of lucky enough to go on a Transport Committee trip to VOSA in the very near future, but that has to be one of Switzerland, where we saw the rail infrastructure and the issues. how it was financed. Rail infrastructure in that country In summary, I welcome the proposals. Some significant is determined by hypothecated funds raised from taxation. questions need to be asked once the Bill has been That seems a good principle for the funding of published in full and as it proceeds through the House. infrastructure, and gets rid of any need to borrow We must consider time-based charging and why it is money. The Swiss have a balanced budget at every stage thought the best way to address the issue. We should of their infrastructure development. I am not making a also look at whether the proposals are equitable in party political point, but given our recent experience we relation to UK hauliers. Will the means for collecting could learn considerably from that funding model, so I the fees be workable? We were told that one of the am pleased that we have set aside a fund. I urge the reasons why the previous Government did not proceed Minister to be scrupulous about using the money for with legislation on this issue was that they felt the cost roads. would be too high and it was not practical. Have those Everyone knows that haulage services are important concerns been considered? Is there a way of dealing to the smooth functioning of the economy. The with them? transportation of goods is exactly what we as an advanced So the questions are about resources, VOSA, cross-border economy should be fostering. I am pleased that members issues, cabotage rules and how this relates to European of the Road Haulage Association are keen on the legislation as a whole. I would like to have an assurance legislation and that we have managed to satisfy their that in dealing with European legislation we do not concerns. speak as if we were passive recipients of what someone Generally, the measure is a step in the right direction. else does. We are part of the framing of that legislation I hope the Minister will clarify some of the points and and we should play an active part in pursuing our queries raised by Members on both sides of the House; interests. it is rare that we come together to agree on something I welcome the proposals. There are some significant that will be helpful and useful to all our constituents issues that need to be considered in detail in Committee and to the wider interests of our country. and elsewhere in the House. I hope that the Transport Committee will feel that we are getting more success in 2.42 pm seeing some of our concerns not only listened to—they were listened to before—but acted on. I hope that it will Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): I am delighted happen in the near future. to speak on behalf of hauliers not only from my constituency and nearby Bridgend, but throughout south Wales. People often forget that the M4 corridor in south 2.37 pm Wales is still one of the greatest manufacturing hubs in Kwasi Kwarteng (Spelthorne) (Con): I am happy to the nation of Wales, and probably the United Kingdom. make my contribution to this somewhat technical though There is a wide variety, ranging from the very modern important debate. It is gratifying when matters contained heavy manufacturing—I was tempted to say the very in the manifesto or the coalition agreement have been old—of Tata Steel, whose investment sustains many acted on and we, as the governing party as part of a jobs for local hauliers, to Rockwool, the green insulation coalition, have delivered on our commitments. This is company in Heol-y-Cyw in my constituency. There are an instance in which we can be proud of ourselves for many other manufacturers—for example, in life sciences— having delivered. It is bizarre, as the shadow Minister and they all use various types of road haulage, sustaining said, that we have been talking about this for more than jobs in the south Wales economy. 20 years. It seems a rather long time to be discussing I echo the sentiments of the hon. Member for Spelthorne something as technical and clear cut as this. (Kwasi Kwarteng). The measure is broadly welcomed I fully support the levy. It will level the playing field. by all on the green Benches. Resolving the matter has My constituency is dependent on good transport not been unduly complex, given that we are dealing infrastructure. Spelthorne is very connected to Heathrow, with the interpretation of European legislation in the but it also has links with the M3 and the M4 and it is UK, and the Minister is to be commended for bringing within the M25. This legislation is exactly the kind of forward proposals. I hope to ask a number of constructive thing that haulage businesses in my constituency and questions, both as someone speaking up for hauliers in neighbouring constituencies want to see. It sends a my area and as a keen cyclist on the roads of London signal; they see a Government who are very keen on and in south Wales—the Minister will know where I am promoting business and enterprise and who are willing heading when I say that. to defend the interests of British business against I commend the work of members of the Transport competition, which is laudable. For too long, British Committee, in particular my hon. Friend the Member firms have been paying road tolls abroad while foreign for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs Ellman). She mentioned operators were largely exempt from such taxation in the the number of reports that the Committee has turned United Kingdom. It boils down to a simple proposition: out on issues pertinent to the measure, including most is it right that foreign operators do not contribute to the recently a report on foreign hauliers in the UK and how maintenance of the roads they use? Contribution to the we get the level playing field that everyone wants. The upkeep of the roads is not even a competition point; it is Committee has also examined road charging and freight simply a matter of equity. transport. With regard to hypothecation, I am keen that the In a genuinely constructive way, may I ask the Minister money that goes into the capital fund stays within the to turn in his response to those who may fall outside the Transport budget, particularly the roads budget. I was mechanism? I appreciate the complexity and difficulty 871 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 872 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) [Huw Irranca-Davies] Huw Irranca-Davies: I could not agree more; the hon. Gentleman and the hon. Member for Suffolk Coastal of trying to devise the right mechanism, but my (Dr Coffey) make very good points. understanding—the Minister can correct me if I am On the issue of a level playing field, can the Minister wrong—is that as many as 15,000 smaller, greener, give us clarity on when the start date will be? What is his lighter haulage vehicles may not benefit from the provisions; best guess at the moment as to when the scheme will be for example, in Pencoed in my patch, there is a light introduced for hauliers not based in the UK? I suspect haulier who may fall entirely outside the measure. If that this is a complex issue, but while I welcome the those 15,000 represent 5% or 6% of the whole UK fleet, provision, it would be great if we could have the same they are a significant minority, and I suspect they may date right across the board. If we cannot, why not, and look with envy at the large hauliers who deal with Tata can he give clarity on why not? There are worries that Steel in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member the date may be six months or a year afterwards, or—heaven for Aberavon (Dr Francis) or with Rockwool in Heol-y-Cyw help us—after the end of this Parliament; at least in this in my patch. Is there something more the Minister can Parliament we know when that will be. Can the Minister do to help the small hauliers? They face the same give us an assurance that the measure will at least be in problems and challenges. He may reply that the Government place before then? In fact, more accurately, could he tell have looked at every possible avenue and it cannot be us when it will be in place? All of us speak to haulage done, in which case perhaps he could explain why. associations in our area; it would be great to get that Hauliers in my area are specifically asking for clarity accuracy for them. about the new levels of vehicle excise duty. I think the I have a question for the Minister, for whom I am Minister is likely to respond by saying, “That’s beyond fearful. When I was a Minister, I was frequently told by my payroll. You’re going to have to wait for the Budget.” officials, “Don’t do that, Minister; you could well be open to European challenge.” Sometimes, I would get a The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport risk assessment put in front of me saying, “Actually, it is (Stephen Hammond) indicated assent. worth the risk—go ahead.” Has the Minister had those discussions with the Commission, and even if his officials Huw Irranca-Davies: The Minister is already nodding. are not happy, is he confident that the decision to have I am slightly disappointed, because hauliers want an different charging levels for UK and non-UK-based assurance that under the provisions VED will be cut heavy goods vehicles, because of the issues to do with proportionately to the levy and that they will actually daily, weekly and monthly rates being applied differently benefit. I have been in the same situation as the Minister, and being available differently, will not in any way be and it would be great if he could assure them that come challenged on the grounds that it is discriminatory? I what may, there will be proportionality and that people hope it will not, but I seek clarity and confidence from will gain, or at least not lose out. him on that point. The measure is all about creating a level playing field My hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Limehouse with our European counterparts, because we have been (Jim Fitzpatrick), in his splendid opening speech, touched disadvantaged. Can the Minister give us an assurance on issues relating to how the measure will be enforced. that UK hauliers will not lose out? If many will gain, If I may drive home that point, there are some concerns but some will unfortunately lose out compared with from hauliers in my area that it may be more difficult to others, can he tell us why that is and who they may be? I enforce the mechanism that the Minister is bringing suspect I may have difficult messages for some of the forward now that his Government have opted out of the hauliers in my patch who assume they will all be winners EU directive on cross-border enforcement. I would have under the mechanism. thought that that would have been a highly useful mechanism through which to ensure that the measure is Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): The hon. in place across the UK and elsewhere. In bringing Gentleman makes a fair point about the message we forward this mechanism, has he had a risk assessment need to deliver to our constituents. Does he recognise done that says that that does not increase the risk of though that it should not be about the UK being a non-enforcement? winner, but making sure that we get money from foreign I am genuinely not making a political point, but we users? That is the key point. know that some of the enforcement will be done by our police. I know that the Minister will say that the issue is Huw Irranca-Davies: The hon. Lady makes a good not police numbers, but how and where we deploy point. It is not a case of us being winners. I think the them, but we face a cut of thousands of officers—I hon. Member for Spelthorne slightly misspoke earlier think the current running total is a cut of about 15,000 when he talked about putting protection in place. As the police officers by 2015. Put that on top of the fact that hon. Lady says, it is not to do with protection for us, but we are opting out of the EU directive on cross-border with creating a level playing field. I am sure the hon. agreement and I worry a little, even if the Minister does Gentleman did not intend to suggest that we want not, about how we will enforce the measure properly, so fortress mechanisms; it is about getting a level playing that we see a level playing field in practice, as well as on field. parliamentary paper. Finally, I turn to an issue that I mentioned at the Kwasi Kwarteng: As an attentive observer of and beginning of my speech. I am a very keen cyclist, and a participant in our debates, the hon. Gentleman will member of Sustrans—I do not know whether I have to appreciate that in my speech I suggested that foreign declare that as an interest. My family and I cycle operators should contribute to their use of the roads. extensively, including in London, where hauliers hoot That is the best argument in favour of the legislation. their horns and yell at me, “What the hell are you doing 873 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 874 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) cycling on the roads in London?”. It amazes me; I have improvements through fleet modernisation would create every bit as much of a right to use the roads as they do. jobs in the UK relating to the manufacture and installation There are extremely responsible hauliers and drivers out of those technologies. It is a win-win. there, but we know how many injuries and fatalities there That is not my main point. My main point is that I are. The Labour party has believed for some time that welcome the Bill, but the Minister could do more, by some of the benefit from the mechanism that the Minister tweaking and refining it, to make sure that there are not is introducing—some of the levy—should be put towards people who lose out while others gain from a level working with the industry, rather than mandating them, playing field; in so doing, he could take the opportunity to try to roll out technologically advanced measures to think bike. that allow hauliers to see pedestrians and cyclists at the side of their vehicle. That would be a major step forward. 2.58 pm Too often, around the streets of London and elsewhere, we see sites where there have been inadvertent collisions Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): I between soft cyclists and hard vehicles, marked by draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register so-called ghost cycles—bicycles painted white and attached of Members’ Financial Interests, and point out that I to railings in memory of someone who has lost their have been a holder of a certificate of professional life. It would be very welcome if we looked at that. competence in road haulage operations for more than 20 years. Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): I I welcome this proposal, as other Members have want to support the very important points that my hon. done. My constituency of North West Leicestershire is Friend makes. I witnessed a cyclist being crushed by a in the middle of the country, and is home to East lorry, and am sitting in on the coroner’s investigation; Midlands airport, the second busiest cargo airport in the sort of practical suggestions that he makes would be the country, handling some 310,000 tonnes of flown welcomed by cyclists and their families. cargo every year. More than a third of the private sector jobs in my constituency are in distribution, or are Huw Irranca-Davies: My hon. Friend is absolutely distribution-related, and as we have no railway station, right. I think that I can understand the Government’s road haulage is an extremely significant part of our opposition; they do not want to put undue burdens on local economy. the haulage industry, which, now as always, is suffering The UK road haulage industry is of huge importance stress. I suggest that the Government should not have a to not just my constituency but the whole UK, with closed mind on the subject, but should be open to the 2.6 million people employed in the logistics industry. As idea that, working with the industry, we could roll the the shadow Minister mentioned, more than 65% of all technology out over time—and not a long period of freight is transported by road; last year, that amounted time, either. Hauliers frequently renew their fleets; as to some 1.5 billion tonnes. By comparison, just 11% is fleets are renewed, we can roll the technology out. What transported by rail. For those who are wondering where we are talking about is eliminating blind spots. In the other 24% went, that is transported by pipeline or London, one sees cyclists in the established blue cycle coastal and inland waterway shipping. Almost all goods lanes; someone driving a lorry cannot see the fact that involve some element of road transport. as they turn left, they veer right across that blue lane. Unfortunately, as my hon. Friend says, occasionally I have spoken to road hauliers regularly, both in my they injure a cyclist badly, or even cause a fatality. The previous business career and in my present role representing technology is there, and there are not massive costs. I them in Westminster. As has been said, the consensus think that we could roll it out as fleets renew. on the issue of foreign-registered heavy goods vehicles can be summed up very simply in one phrase: hauliers simply want a level playing field. Jim Fitzpatrick: My hon. Friend is making a powerful speech. To reinforce his point, some companies have As my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole done sterling work in advancing the technology that he (Andrew Percy), who is no longer in the Chamber, said, mentions. I know that the Minister is familiar with road hauliers in the UK are at a huge disadvantage Cemex; after one of its drivers was involved in a fatality, compared with our European neighbours when it comes it pioneered technology that it uses in the warning and to diesel prices. It is estimated that on average road alarm systems in its cement vehicles. It is doing everything hauliers pay 25p more for a litre of road fuel. When UK that it can to prevent a recurrence of such an incident. lorries go abroad, there are literally dozens of toll roads Some in the industry are working hard to achieve aims in countries such as France, Italy and Spain, whereas in that the whole House would support. this country, apart from bridge crossings, which we have heard about, there is only the London congestion charge Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank my right hon. Friend for and the M6 toll, which can be avoided. that. Clearly, charging foreign-registered hauliers would be a step in the right direction if we are to close the gap Jim Fitzpatrick: I should just correct my hon. Friend: and address the advantage that they enjoy over UK-based I am not right hon. The Transport Committee Chair hauliers. Because EU law dictates that the charge has to kindly promoted me. The Minister may want to put a be applied to UK hauliers too, I welcome the UK word in for me, but I am not right hon. Government’s proposal to reduce domestic vehicle excise duty to ensure that this is not just a stealth tax on Huw Irranca-Davies: As a full-time politician, I am haulage companies. more than happy to over-inflate anybody’s ego at any I welcome the proposal to make foreign-registered moment, but I will certainly put a word in for my vehicles contribute to the upkeep of UK roads. I remind hon. Friend, right as he was in his point. Rolling out the House of the costs generated by foreign hauliers as 875 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 876 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) [Andrew Bridgen] for UK operators by the DVLA. The Bill makes it clear that the levy will be paid in a single transaction and for a result of accidents, which have been mentioned. A the same time period as VED, with levy rates being report by the Accident Exchange estimates that accidents calculated automatically.The “single transaction”approach involving foreign lorries on UK motorways cost our means that there will be virtually no additional costs for economy approximately £57 million a year, which represents the domestic haulage industry. an increase of almost a third compared with the 2010 The FTA’s third condition is that there must be figures. meaningful and financially significant penalties for operators Foreign lorries are responsible for just over 3% of who evade the charge. The Bill sets out a detailed motorway accidents, which means that one in 31 motorway enforcement strategy for non-payment of the levy and accidents, according to the report, are the fault of a for mis-payment at the wrong rate. Because each payment foreign lorry driver. As the hon. Member for Poplar and will be vehicle-specific, the Bill commits the DVLA to Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick) said, side-swipe crashes using automatic number plate recognition technology are the most common accident: drivers disappear into a to target vehicles present in the country for which no left-hand-drive lorry’s blind spot, and are hit when it levy has been paid. There will be on-the-spot fines and a changes lanes. According to estimates, costs were not fine of up to £5,000 upon conviction in court. I should recovered from the at-fault foreign party in 28% of like to ask the Minister how non-UK-registered vehicles accidents last year because of factors such as invalid that have left the country and have not paid the levy will insurance policies, untraceable owners, drivers leaving be pursued. false details, or just failing to pull over at all. I hope that A few issues need to be resolved, so I shall put some the Minister will help us to address this issue. questions to the Minister. How will charging work in There is no doubt that left-hand drive foreign-registered Northern Ireland across the land border with the Republic vehicles are far more likely to be involved in accidents of Ireland? How will holders of reduced pollution on UK roads than their domestic competitors. The certificates be compensated through replacement grants? Vehicle and Operators Services Agency reports that Detailed arrangements have been announced for tow-bar foreign-registered vehicles are far more likely to be combinations and their inclusion in the scheme. As I found on inspection to be in breach of rules on drivers’ have said, we need to look at operators who are using hours and to have maintenance defects. the types of vehicle where there will be a higher net As has been said, the Freight Transport Association charge, particularly the operators of 28-tonne 2+2 artics. supports these measures, and welcomes the publication The FTA said: today of a parliamentary Bill to introduce a charge for “Overall, we are pleased with the Government’s plans to foreign-registered vehicles that use UK roads. It says: address this long-standing disparity between UK and foreign vehicle costs. Our main concerns seem to have been met and we “Under the HGV Road User Levy Bill all heavy goods vehicles will investigate further outstanding issues with members”. of 12 tonnes and over will be required to pay a levy before being able to travel on UK roads.” In conclusion, the Bill is good for the road haulage industry, which is hugely important to my constituency It also says: and to the whole country. It is essential that we have a “FTA has supported the idea of a charge on foreign vehicles profitable, vibrant and safe road haulage industry for for many years as a way of addressing at least partly the competitive the country now and for our long-term economy. differences between British registered operators and foreign-registered vehicles.” 3.7 pm However, it imposes three important conditions on its support and, if the House will indulge me, I should like Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) (SNP): I did not plan to to go through them. First, the cost of the levy must be make a speech, but I have a question for the Minister. fully recompensed for UK operators by an equivalent Because the introductory remarks by the Under-Secretary reduction in vehicle excise duty. The FTA says: of State for Transport, the hon. Member for Lewes “The Bill makes explicit that VED will be the means by which (Norman Baker) were so extraordinarily short—less rebates will be made to make the overall scheme virtually cost-neutral than a minute, I believe—I did not have an opportunity for UK operators. The precise reductions in VED to bring this to ask it earlier. about will not be known until the Budget Statement in 2014 I welcome the Bill. Anything that provides a level where they will be included as part of the Finance Bill.” playing field that offers certainty is good not just for the I hope that the Minister will give us more details on haulage sector—it will be welcomed by the many that. The FTA goes on to say: professional haulage companies in my constituency—but “An analysis published by the Department in February of this for manufacturing, which relies on those hauliers, and, I year showed that about 6,500 vehicles fell into bands where VED do not doubt, for goods coming in and out of port. It rates were already too low to fully offset the cost of the levy will be really important when boxed stuff is being before the applicable EU minimum rate was reached. Of these moved. I wonder, however, whether the measure contains about half were 28 tonne 2+2 articulated vehicles.” an inadvertent loophole. The provision dealing with the May I point out to the Minister that in nearly all cases time limit on recovery for underpayments says: the additional cost could be reduced to less than £10 if “No proceedings may be brought…by the Secretary of State vehicles are down-plated into the next VED rate band? I for the recovery of any underpayment” hope that he will bear that in mind and that we will have of the levy some answers on that issue. “after the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the end The FTA’s second condition is that the cost and of the period in respect of which the levy was paid.” administrative burden of paying the levy must be no I wonder what that means for the very small number of greater than those involved in acquiring a normal VED bad hauliers, whether based in the UK or overseas, who licence. I am pleased that the levy will be administered try not to pay and think that if they can get away with it 877 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 878 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) for 12 months, they will not have to pay at all. What is with this quickly. It is an issue that has been debated for the thinking on this sunset clause on the recovery of many years under Governments of both colours, and I underpayments? Has the Minister—I saw him nodding am delighted that the Government have finally found a and smiling sagely—thought about looking at that again? way to navigate their way round the labyrinthine I agree with the hon. Members for Ogmore (Huw complexities of EU law. I will not touch on some of the Irranca-Davies) and for North West Leicestershire (Andrew technical issues that might arise, but I hope those can be Bridgen) and although I welcome the measure in principle, ironed out quickly when the Bill reaches its later stages. it would be far, far better if the vehicle excise duty rates I want briefly to pick up a point made by the hon. that will apply when the Bill is introduced, were known. Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick)—I I hope—I shall simply reinforce what others have said—that was about to say for West Ham, but I think that is a the Minister will reiterate what has been said before, football matter, rather than a constituency one. He and say that the net impact will be an almost zero touched on the topic of rail freight. There is an important increase for home-based hauliers, which is precisely link between the measure, rail freight and strategic what we need to achieve the level playing field that the freight transportation. I have long been of the view that Bill is designed to deliver. road freight and rail freight need to operate in tandem. Rail freight is viable and makes sense when goods are transported over a long distance. It is in everyone’s 3.9 pm interest that the road part of haulage, when goods are Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con): I am distributed from rail freight terminals, is done as efficiently pleased to have the opportunity to make a short as possible. It goes without saying that it is good for the contribution to this useful debate. Road haulage is an environment and for solving congestion on roads if we issue of some interest to me, first as a proud member of can transport more long-distance goods by rail and free the Transport Committee. It is, as the Chairman of the up capacity for the shorter distances by road. Committee, the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside I have had some concern that because we have been at (Mrs Ellman), said, a subject that we have studied on a a competitive disadvantage in road haulage, that undermines number of occasions. I will not detain the House by the potential for international rail freight from the repeating the points that she made. Secondly, given the continent to this country and in reverse. I was on the location of Milton Keynes and its strategic position, we Transport Committee’s visit to Europe last week, looking are home to a large number of logistics and distribution at rail issues. There we learned that in the Netherlands companies. It is a hugely important sector of the local there is a new dedicated rail freight line across into economy. That is in addition to the usual range of small Germany. In Switzerland new tunnels have been built and medium-sized hauliers to be found in urban areas through the Alps to aid freight travel from the north to throughout the country. the south of Europe. The potential difficulty is that if Like many Members, I have long been aware of the all these goods are transported by rail through Europe competitive disadvantage that our hauliers have faced. I and they get to Rotterdam, say, and suddenly it is in the have received a considerable volume of representations interest of haulage to switch to road because it can from hauliers based in my constituency that there is a travel to the UK and pay a very low charge, that surely need to end this unfair situation. That covers a number undermines the whole concept of an integrated freight of points. First, as my hon. Friend the Member for system throughout Europe. Spelthorne (Kwasi Kwarteng) identified, it is a point of The measure before us will go some way to addressing principle that people who use our roads should make a that possible problem. We can look strategically at contribution to their maintenance and to expanding the freight across rail and road in the European context. road network. That is a basic common-sense view that There are ambitious plans to improve rail freight, and is shared across the House. plenty of spare capacity through the tunnel. There are Secondly, many haulage companies operate on very new types of freight trains where the lorries can drive tight margins. They make only a small profit on the on to the low-slung rail wagons, which is extremely goods that they transport, and when they are faced with efficient. That may not be the main point of the measure unfair competition, that can be a critical determinant of but I hope it will be an additional benefit from it. I am whether they prosper or go under. I had conversations delighted to support it today. I hope it makes speedy with a local firm that did go under, partly because of progress through the House. The subject that has been the unfair competition that it faced. kicked around for far too long. Our hauliers have been A large part of the problem arises because modern at a disadvantage for far too long and it is about time lorries have such huge fuel tanks that it is perfectly we put that right. possible for them to be filled up abroad and drive for considerable distances round our roads without ever having to fill up here. There is therefore no gain for the 3.16 pm British Exchequer from duty paid. The hon. Member Andrew Bingham (High Peak) (Con): I add my support for Liverpool, Riverside mentioned the cabotage problem. for the measure, echoing Members across the Chamber. Because of the fuel advantage, they can bid effectively Call me biased for saying so, but my constituency for UK domestic haulage as well as international transport. produces probably the finest limestone in the world. The strength of feeling that has been expressed to me The quarries try to move much of their product out by by local hauliers is borne out by the strength of the rail, but that is not possible, so the majority is moved responses to the Government’s consultation document. out by road using their own wagons and by owner-drivers. Well over two thirds of respondents agree that it is a More worryingly, there is an influx of foreign wagons. serious problem that must be addressed. I was struck by The measure is fantastic because it gives us the level one of the comments, which was that we need to get on playing field that our hauliers need. 879 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 880 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) [Andrew Bingham] to which colleagues have alluded, but I am sure that they will be ironed out bit by bit before the Bill reaches In a previous life I supplied engineering equipment, the statute book. The one thing I urge the Government much of which went into haulage companies, and I to do is get this done as quickly as possible to give our realised how tight their margins were. They move the wagon drivers and haulage contractors in High Peak product and have very little room for profit, so foreign and across the rest of the country the best chance of wagons can undermine their profitability and viability. survival. We have heard about the other things that our hauliers have to pay. When they go abroad, they face road tolls 3.21 pm and various other charges that must be paid. The diesel here is dearer, so the measure redresses the balance, Mr Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): Like everyone giving us the level playing field that our contractors need. else in the Chamber, I think that the HGV Road User Levy Bill is extremely welcome. Like the hon. Member We must remember that haulage contractors employ for Dundee East (Stewart Hosie), I had not intended to a significant number of people, not just the guys who speak, but then something rang in my brain, as I have drive the wagons. I was particularly taken with a remark many road hauliers in my constituency and I thought I from the Opposition Benches earlier. The phrase that would speak up for them. With regard to his comment was used was “our professional hauliers”. There is a about the brevity of the Minister’s introductory comments, misconception that is slowly but surely disappearing. I it is clear that the Bill is so compelling that he needed remember my days on High Peak borough council, when only a minute to introduce it. we had discussions about wagons. Somebody made a comment about wagon drivers, and “professional” is a There are two key arguments I have heard from many word that we should never forget to use when we talk independent operators as well as larger hauliers, such as about the wagon drivers and hauliers of this country. the Prince group, in my constituency: the equity argument, They are moving huge machines around the country which was raised by my hon. Friend the Member for with tonnes and tonnes of product on them, and they Spelthorne (Kwasi Kwarteng); and the economic argument, must be professional to do such a job. I was pleased to which was raised by my hon. Friends the Members for hear that point made earlier. Milton Keynes South (Iain Stewart), for High Peak (Andrew Bingham) and for North West Leicestershire I hope the Minister will address the question of (Andrew Bridgen). The equity argument is an important revenue. I am pleased to see the compensatory factor. one that all road hauliers make, which is that it is simply My hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole unfair that road hauliers can come here from overseas (Andrew Percy), who is no longer in his place, commented and use our country’s roads but contribute nothing on the fact that we have had to introduce the measure to whatsoever to maintaining them. The Bill goes at least get round the vagaries of the EU. I, like him, will not some way towards redressing that imbalance. miss the chance to bash the EU on this issue. I am glad we have found a way round, but it is a shame that we In these tough economic times there is also the economic had to do so. It would have been nice if it had been argument. It is unfair that our road hauliers face such simple and straightforward. Thank you, Brussels—for marginal costs, especially given the high price of fuel, so nothing. trying to equalise what foreign users pay for using our roads will create a little more equilibrium and will not I want the revenue to go to our roads, because that is give them the extra marginal cost advantage they have what it is all about. While the Minister is in his place, I in these tough economic times. Given the equity argument shall make the first bid and propose that the Mottram and the economic argument, I wholly endorse the Bill. and Tintwistle bypass is the first recipient of such extra revenue. He may wonder where that is, but I assure him Now that the Minister is in his place, I would like to that he will soon find out. His boss, the Secretary of thank him for the financial support he recently gave for State, well knows where it is, as his is the neighbouring the A120, which will help unclog the roads even if they constituency. are used by road hauliers. There is one other point that has not been mentioned—it is more anecdotal than anything else. There is a small 3.23 pm part of my constituency where we have difficulty with a Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): I, too, low bridge. The local authority has tried everything to have been tempted to contribute to the debate, as it divert wagons, because when they get to the bridge, relates to the port of Felixstowe in my constituency. The which is at a little place called Chapel Milton—I dare port is not known for its roll-off carriers and the immediate say this is the first time it has been mentioned in the access it provides for foreign vessels to the A14, but the Chamber—they find a dead end with no space to turn A14 is a key artery that starts in my constituency and around. They then try to go under the bridge but end up cuts across to the midlands, passing not far from the taking the corner off it. Local hauliers increasingly constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for North realise that, but foreign hauliers rely on sat-nav, which West Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen). does not pick up on the difficulty. The damage and As has already been referred to extensively, hauliers upheaval caused is often the result of foreign drivers not feel that it is right that foreign hauliers pay their fair understanding the danger. Perhaps that something that share. Some points have already been made today about could be looked at, once we have paid for the Mottram how we can ensure that a fair share is paid. I know that and Tintwistle bypass, of course. it is planned that the database will be given to a private The Bill will enable our hauliers to compete on a level contractor to follow this through, so I wonder whether playing field. We are going to have wagons on our at the same time it might be given a bonus for using the roads, so let us make them UK wagons and give them a database to recover fines for other traffic regulation fair chance. There are some wrinkles in the proposals, violations. 881 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 882 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) It is important to send to our haulage companies the Karl McCartney (Lincoln) (Con): Can the Minister message that this is not a tax on them, that the Government confirm whether it is true that the wear and tear caused are aware that they cannot keep imposing extra charges to a stretch of road by one journey by an HGV vehicle on British businesses and that there will be compensation equates to 100,000 car journeys? the other way through lower vehicle excise duty. My understanding is that, although there will be no winners Stephen Hammond: I would like to be able to confirm as a result of this scheme, there could be some losers, that statistic, which may or may not be true, but I which is concerning for some of our larger firms. We cannot do so at the moment. I will seek divine inspiration need to ensure that we are careful in how we deploy the at some stage and write to my hon. Friend. regulations that will be introduced. I can see that the Minister is a bit busy at the Huw Irranca-Davies: Will the Minister give way? moment, but I am meeting him tomorrow with a delegation of MPs from Suffolk, and he will certainly be hearing Stephen Hammond: I will, although I was going to from me that one of the proposals for the A14 might be address the hon. Gentleman’s remarks in a moment. to start tolling. I am a good Conservative and not necessarily against road tolling in all parts of the country, Huw Irranca-Davies: As the Minister seeks inspiration, but the Government need to think about that where could he also try to find some inspiration on what new capacity is brought in, and should not just pick key impact the introduction of longer HGVs has had on logistics routes. Therefore, if not all money raised through road maintenance? the levy is to go back to British hauliers through a reduction in VED—I know that the Minister has to be Stephen Hammond: I would prefer to write to the careful with the European Commission in how that hon. Gentleman about that, as I might invite Madam happens—I will be asking him tomorrow instead to Deputy Speaker’s strictures were I to deviate too far think about how some of it might be used to avoid from what we are supposed to be talking about. Having tolling on a trans-European network road. I am delighted listened to his experiences as a Minister, I know that he to support this ways and means motion. will be aware of how easy it can be to do so from this Dispatch Box. Tempting though it is, I shall resist it this 3.26 pm afternoon. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport The largest and heaviest vehicles will pay a time-based (Stephen Hammond): We have had an informed and levy of up to £10 per day or £1,000 per year. We consider educated debate with excellent contributions from both that fair, proportionate and compliant with the relevant sides of the House. I am delighted that Members on EU regulations. Foreign vehicles will be able to pay both sides of the House welcome the Bill, but I am also daily, weekly or monthly to enable them to maximise delighted that it is this Government who have finally flexibility. Linking the levy and the vehicle excise duty found a way to introduce it. As my colleague, the payment, and working with the Treasury and the Chancellor Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend to include reductions in VED payments in the 2014 the Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), said in his Finance Bill, will ensure that the vast majority of UK short—perhaps too short for some colleagues—introductory hauliers will pay no more than they do today. There will contribution, the Bill will go a long way towards putting be a zero administrative cost for most UK vehicles. in place a fairer deal for UK hauliers and correcting the Vehicles that currently pay VED usually do so annually. inequality that has existed for far too long. In future, UK hauliers’ VED will cover both the reduced level of VED and the new charge in one payment. As a number of Members who have spoken rightly recognised, freight bodies have long called for the Huw Irranca-Davies rose— introduction of charging, provided that the cost burden on UK hauliers remains roughly neutral. Introducing Stephen Hammond: I will give way, although I was this charge will clearly help to level the playing field by going to try to clarify many of the points raised by the ensuring that both UK and foreign hauliers pay equally hon. Gentleman and others in a moment. for using the UK’s road network. The Government believe that it is right that vehicles that cause wear to our roads should make a payment to take account of Huw Irranca-Davies: The Minister is being very generous. that. HGVs registered abroad are likely to carry more May I seek his explanation as to whether the technology weight on fewer axles than UK-registered vehicles, which that is being introduced by this ways and means measure means that they are more damaging to the roads. Therefore, is the same as that which could be used for further it is all the more unjust that they currently do not vehicle charging should the Government decide to embark contribute towards the maintenance of the roads they on a wider road charging exercise? use, leaving the burden to fall entirely on the British taxpayer. Stephen Hammond: Yet again, the hon. Gentleman tempts me down a line that is grounded in speculation Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): I have been listening rather than anything else. to the debate and assume that a foreign HGV will not be allowed to leave a port of entry without a sign on its Jim Fitzpatrick rose— windscreen showing that it has paid. Is that what the Bill means? Stephen Hammond: I hope in a moment to respond to the hon. Gentlemen’s detailed remarks, and to those of Stephen Hammond: I am delighted to confirm to my the hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim hon. Friend that that is what the Bill means, and I will Fitzpatrick), and I will invite them to intervene on me expand on that further in my remarks. again if I do not do so. 883 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 884 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) Andrew Bridgen rose— First, the hon. Gentleman asked about clause 3(2)(a). The clause allows us to consider the future exemption Stephen Hammond: I will give way one last time of roads. For example, Wales might want to introduce before I make some progress. charging or we might agree with Northern Ireland that certain roads that cross the border should be exempted. Andrew Bridgen: I have a question that I did not ask On the administrative fee, I hope that my earlier remarks during my brief speech. How often does the Minister gave him confidence. envisage the road user levy will be reviewed by the The hon. Gentleman asked about clause 9 and the Treasury? Will he consider calling it a Brit disc, which rebate. The Bill allows us to set the administrative would be a nice patriotic name? conditions that will pertain for rebates. For UK vehicles, charged rebates will be allowed on the same basis as Stephen Hammond: I think that my hon. Friend will those for vehicle and excise duty. An administrative fee, find that the levy will reflect some fluctuations in the if introduced at all, will only be set at a level to cover the exchange rate, but the level of VED is a matter for the administrative cost. Treasury and it is usually set annually. As to the change The answer to the hon. Gentleman’s question about of name, we would like to get the Bill on the statute hypothecation and the money being paid into the book with this name first before considering anything consolidated fund is twofold. First, normal taxation else. rules apply and, secondly, the directive states: We will ensure that hard-working hauliers do not face “Member States shall determine the use of revenues generated an additional administrative burden, so the levy will be by this Directive.” part of one payment when they renew their vehicle excise duty. To ensure that all the benefits of the levy are I also point out to the hon. Gentleman that this felt as soon as possible by carriers, the Government Government’s spending review committed £30 billion intend to bring forward the implementation date for for roads, rail and infrastructure. I should also like to foreign hauliers by almost a year to April 2014. Due to highlight the other transport settlements and, indeed, the time needed to change systems for UK hauliers’ the good news that we gave to local pinch-point schemes payments and to hold a robust procurement of the only10daysago. provision of the payment facility to foreign-registered hauliers, it is not possible to bring the overall levy Jim Fitzpatrick: I am sorry to interrupt the Minister introduction date any further forward than April 2014. again, but does that mean that the consolidated funds I should make it clear that this legislation is not will not be hypothecated for transport issues, as has designed as a precursor to increased charges on business. been requested by a number of his hon. Friends? Will The charge has a clear, focused objective. The introduction the Department have to make a bid to the Treasury to of the levy is entirely separate from any other reviews get some of that money back? that my Department might be undertaking. Whatever the outcome of those reviews, we will ensure that HGVs Stephen Hammond: I have said that the normal rules are not charged twice for using the UK road network. will apply and that the directive allows the UK Government to spend the money in the way that they consider Jim Fitzpatrick: I apologise for interrupting the Minister’s appropriate. The money will go into the consolidated remarks. He has referred to two of my questions, one of fund. The Department for Transport has enjoyed robust which concerned the impact on HGV hauliers who are discussions with the Treasury and got an excellent settlement not covered and who will be paying extra, and the point for the infrastructure of this country. I have no doubt that he has just made also reflects a question that I that we will continue to have robust discussions in the asked. I do not want to intervene on him repeatedly, so future and I am sure that we will continue to receive a will he confirm that, as he said, he will answer my good settlement for transport. questions later? The hon. Gentleman asked about the number of hauliers paying more per year. The analysis so far Stephen Hammond indicated assent. shows, as he has pointed out, that 98% of hauliers would pay no more than £50 a year and that 94% would Jim Fitzpatrick: I am very grateful to the Minister for pay nothing at all. My understanding—I am sure that that clarification. we will explore this and I may be able to inform the hon. Gentleman later of the latest numbers—is that the Stephen Hammond: We believe that the database maximum loss for conventional HGVs that are either developed as a result of collecting charges from foreign- articulated or rigid and do not have a trailer would be registered hauliers will help us to understand their £79 a year, based on current exchange rates. Unfortunately, patterns of road use better and will contribute to our however, our analysis of 7,000 rigid vehicles that tow a efforts to improve the safety and compliance of all trailer has found that 40 vehicles would probably suffer commercial vehicles travelling on the UK’s roads. a penalty of some £300, but that is only 40 out of 7,000, Finally, I should like to return to and, I hope, clarify which is a significantly small part of the overall haulage some of the questions asked by hon. Members. The fleet of the United Kingdom. hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse opened his The hon. Gentleman also asked about the rebate that remarks with a welcome for these measures, and I am might be applicable to UK hauliers using foreign roads. pleased that he did so. His speech was the sort of speech As is the case with vehicle and excise duty, it is not that we expect from him; it was intelligent and inquisitive. possible to get such a refund, so the charge would be He asked a whole range of questions about the draft cheaper than any daily charge. UK hauliers are unlikely Bill. to benefit from such a refund. 885 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 886 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) The hon. Gentleman then asked some general questions, and the primary responsibility for enforcing it will lie some of which I tackled earlier. On the staging of the not with the police but with VOSA, as I have made levy, he will have heard me say that we have brought the clear. date forward so that there will be a simultaneous introduction in April 2014. He will have also heard me The hon. Gentleman asked whether, if foreign hauliers set out the conditions for paying VED at the same time could pay the bill on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual as the levy, so they will net each other out. basis, there would be issues to do with the setting of the rate and the ability to do so. I would say two things to My Department does not believe that the opt-out him in response. First, we are allowing that flexibility to from the European directive on traffic law enforcement ensure that we capture everybody who intends to come will have any implications. We have a robust strategy of to the country. Secondly, at the same time the level of enforcement. Vehicles must pay before using a road in the payments will be set annually in the Finance Bill. the UK and we can stop any that do not and immobilise them until a fine is paid. Again, I am sure that we will The hon. Gentleman made some remarks about how explore that matter in Committee. we will offset the compensation for UK hauliers. I hope that my remarks to the hon. Member for Poplar and The hon. Gentleman made some closing remarks Limehouse will have clarified that matter for him. Equally, about the environment. There is no change to the incentives on the question of the charge level, as he knows, the for greener vehicles. We are committed to considering Eurovignette sets a maximum of ¤11 a day for time-based charging based on polluting carbon vehicles in the charges. The maximum that that is likely to increase to future, but for the moment the charging that will be put owing to inflation is ¤12. Unlike other EU countries, we in place is practical and enforceable. I believe that there are not going to have a lower daily rate, but will look at will be no disincentives for the green lobby. the daily rate that is permissible. I listened carefully to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Andrew Percy). I thank him for his The hon. Member for Ogmore rightly asked what welcome. He echoed the remark from my hon. Friend action I and my officials had taken to reassure ourselves the Member for High Peak (Andrew Bingham) about that the levy was not discriminatory. I took quite a lot the complex way in which we are doing this, because of of action because, as he might well guess, my first the EU rules. However, I am sure that he, like me, is concern was that if there had been a significant time delighted that we are doing it anyway and will raise a delay it would have discriminated against UK hauliers. I cheer for that. am delighted that my officials, working with EU officials, have now been able to secure the agreement that we can The Chair of the Transport Committee raised a introduce the duty for both groups in 2014. I confirm number of points. We will tackle cabotage and the that to ensure that was the case, officials spoke to the safety issues that she raised on Second Reading and in Commission before the consultation, and it indicated Committee. However, I say to her directly that we will that it was content with our emerging proposals. ensure that the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency has all the necessary resources to ensure that its enforcement The hon. Gentleman asked about the amounts that procedures are workable. We believe that the measures we intend to charge. We are clear that they are as set out will ensure that the collection procedures are completely in the directive and that our plans comply fully with it. workable. I will now answer a question that I thought the hon. Gentleman might ask, just to help him along—I am in Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): that kind of mood this afternoon. I thought he was Will the Minister clarify whether in his future discussions going to ask me why the Welsh Government might about safety he will raise improving the safety of cyclists, think it necessary to lay a legislative consent motion. He who are particularly at risk from HGVs? did not, but let me put it on record that in our view, that is not necessary. The HGV road user levy is a tax, and taxation is a reserved matter. I believe the Welsh Assembly Stephen Hammond: I thank the hon. Lady for those is concerned that there will be some problems because remarks. Her colleague the hon. Member for Ogmore EU law prevents double-charging for the same stretch (Huw Irranca-Davies) raised that issue and I am about of road except in certain circumstances. However, we to respond to his points, so I will address her remarks at have said that if a devolved Administration wanted to the same time. introduce a charge or toll, we would modify the HGV I welcome the recognition by my hon. Friend the road user levy as necessary so that could be done. I Member for Spelthorne (Kwasi Kwarteng) that this is a confirm that my officials and Welsh officials have spoken commitment being delivered upon. He is no longer in about the matter in the past week. The Scottish and his place, but I was delighted that he recognised that. He Northern Irish Governments have decided that no legislative asked the rhetorical question: is it right that foreign consent motion is necessary, but it is of course for the users contribute to our roads? Of course it is. That is Welsh Government to decide whether they wish to why this measure is being put in place and I am delighted pursue one. I thought I might take the opportunity to that we are doing it now. put that on record. The hon. Member for Ogmore opened his excellent I believe that I have covered all the hon. Gentleman’s contribution with his impassioned support for businesses queries, except about cycle safety campaigning. He will along the M4 corridor. I will try to answer some of his know that I was delighted to be able to be at the questions. He, too, asked about enforcement, with particular National Transport Awards the week before last, along reference to the police’s role in enforcement beyond with my fellow Under-Secretary of State for Transport VOSA. The police, of course, can enforce this legislation who was perhaps on more verbose form that night than and prosecute offenders. It will not be their main objective, in the House today, and to present an award to Philip Pank, 887 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 888 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) [Stephen Hammond] Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): The Minister referred to a previous matter in relation to the Irish Government. the journalist from The Times. The hon. Gentleman A new bridge is to be built across the narrows, near will also know that in my second week in the job, I was Warrenpoint, and the Irish Government are going to delighted to be able to launch the Think Cyclist campaign. pay for that. There will be no toll on that bridge. Is there an agreement with the Irish Government that they As I have indicated, road safety is a key road policy provide the bridge and there will be no toll? priority for the Government, and the hon. Gentleman will have noted that we have made significant extra money available to local councils in the past six months Stephen Hammond: Well—[Interruption.] Mr Deputy for local cycle safety solutions. I am happy to work with Speaker, you are right on all matters, and certainly on the industry throughout the Bill’s progress and thereafter that one. If I may, I will write to the hon. Member for to ensure that road hauliers are aware of the need for Strangford (Jim Shannon) as I am afraid I do not know cycle safety. I am aware, of course, that many of them the answer. Although I could stand here and talk about already recognise that imperative. something, it is better to say that I will write to him when I have the answer. My hon. Friend the Member for North West My hon. Friend the Member for Braintree Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen), spoke about his passion (Mr Newmark) congratulated a number of his road for road haulage. He raised a couple of matters on hauliers—rightly so—and he got to the essence of the which I may be able to give him some clarity this argument, which is about equity and economics. He was afternoon. Although he recognised that there would be right to point that out and place it on the record, and I a charge of £200 for roadside infringements and a am delighted that his constituency has benefited from maximum fine of £5,000 for cases that go to court, he the pinch points plan that the Government announced was concerned about how we would be able to enforce two weeks ago. that. We will be able to take deposits from road hauliers if they do not have a UK address and, as has been This has been a well-informed debate and we heard pointed out, we intend to pursue them so that the two contributions, including from my hon. Friend the charges are made payable before they enter the UK Member for Milton Keynes East (Iain Stewart), about road system. The necessary enforcement measures will modal shift. be in place if anyone attempts to enter for a second time without paying those charges. Iain Stewart: South. My hon. Friend also asked about Northern Ireland. I have already put it on record that we believe that this is Stephen Hammond: Sorry. My hon. Friend the Member a tax matter, and therefore a reserved matter that will for Milton Keynes South—an important distinction—made apply right across the UK. However, as I said when the an important point about modal shift and the Welsh Government raised the issue, the Government encouragement of rail freight, and I combine that with have no intention of reducing the ability of the devolved the contribution from my hon. Friend the Member for Administrations to introduce tolling or charging if they Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey), who is no longer in her so wish. place. She made a point about the A14 being a key artery, and I will be delighted to meet her over the next My hon. Friend asked specifically about the Irish couple of days to discuss that matter. She also made the Government, who have written to the Department asking point about a modal shift now that improvements have for the charge not to apply in Northern Ireland. That is been made to the rail system out of Felixstowe. That is partly because they make a financial contribution to absolutely right, and I am convinced that the Bill does some road improvements in Northern Ireland, which nothing to impair modal shift, but will enhance it. they do because Irish hauliers use those roads and benefit from them. Furthermore, Ireland already has Andrew Bridgen: One important question has not road charges in the form of tolls, and should the new been asked in this debate, and if the Minister knows the charge apply in Northern Ireland, it would be roughly answer, perhaps he will share it with the House. What is the same amount as those existing tolls—a round trip the estimate for the amount of money that will be raised between Belfast to Dublin would incur roughly the from foreign hauliers by the introduction of the road same amount. We have suggested that if the Irish user levy? Government were to propose a set of roads that criss-cross the border, we will look to exempt them from the charge. Stephen Hammond: That is an important question, The hon. Member for Dundee East (Stewart Hosie) and my hon. Friend is right to say that it has not been raised a point about the 12-month period, and I will raised so far. The Department estimates that somewhere explore that matter further and write to him if he will between £18.7 million and £23.1 million will be raised at accept that. My hon. Friend the Member for High Peak current prices, but I am sure that as the years go by, that spoke about the finest quality limestone and how it gets sum will increase. moved around the country. I hope that his local press I believe I have comprehensively reviewed my colleagues’ statement will say, “If it’s thank you Brussels for nothing, contributions— it’s thank you to this Government for something”—I am sure that is how he will phrase it. I have obviously rose— heard his strictures about the new bypass from Mottram Mr Newmark to Tintwistle, and the bridge at Chapel Milton. I have no doubt that an invitation to come and visit those Stephen Hammond: I was just about to finish. places is already winging its way from High Peak to Great Minster House, and I look forward to receiving it. Mr Newmark: The clock is still ticking, Minister. 889 HGV Road User Levy Bill 23 OCTOBER 2012 HGV Road User Levy Bill 890 (Ways and Means) (Ways and Means) Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Not for Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): In order to arrive long. in the Brigg and Goole constituency, the Minister will travel along the A180, which is heavily used by road Mr Newmark: We have at least another 20 minutes, hauliers in Stallingborough and Immingham dock in Mr Deputy Speaker. my constituency. One problem is that the A180 has a very old concrete surface that causes great disturbance Mr Deputy Speaker: The hon. Gentleman has used to local residents. The £18 million to £23 million that he his intervention up, but I will let him have another go. will raise from the measure will more than cover the [Laughter.] cost of improvement. I therefore invite the Minister to visit Cleethorpes and Brigg and Goole, and to journey Mr Newmark: Hon. Members have articulated the on that rough road. views of the road haulage industry in their respective constituencies. Will the Minister spend a couple of Stephen Hammond: I thank my hon. Friend for that minutes going into a little more detail on the consultation detailed explanation of the problems with the A180. I he had with the industry and on its input, and explain have no doubt that the chief executive of the Highways why the Bill is the silver bullet that will make the road Agency will be on to me in the morning to tell me what haulage industry in the UK happy? his plans may be at some stage in the near or distant future for that road. I am bound to reflect that when I Stephen Hammond: I would like to tell my hon. was in this role in opposition, I was spokesman for the Friend the dates, places and times of the meetings, but rail industry, and by the end of it I had a near-encyclopaedic unfortunately the excellent preparatory work on the Bill knowledge of almost every rail station and route in this was done prior to my time in this role—it was done by country. I am increasingly finding in government that the current Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office that opportunity is being extended to me on the road and officials when he was an Under-Secretary of State system. I am really looking forward to visiting the A180 for Transport. As I have said, an extensive consultation on the way to Brigg and Goole. I have no doubt that my took place and has been published. The measure received hon. Friend will invite me to stop in his constituency as widespread support, albeit with a number of questions well. on how the scheme might work and be implemented, We have had a long and interesting debate this afternoon which has been reflected in the debate—a number of the and we have fully explored the legislation that is the questions were similar to those raised by road hauliers. subject of this ways and means resolution. I was delighted However, I am delighted that we have reached the that my ministerial colleague was able to introduce the stage we have reached today. The Bill is widely recognised debate earlier and I am also delighted to commend it to in the House as a welcome measure for UK hauliers and the House. UK industry. All hon. Members have welcomed it. I Question put and agreed to. recognise that this is a slightly unusual way to introduce legislation, but it has enabled us to have an extensive Resolved, and inquisitive debate. That provision may be made for charging a duty of excise, to be known as HGV road user levy, in respect of heavy goods Andrew Percy: We look forward to welcoming the vehicles used or kept on public roads in the United Kingdom. Minister to Brigg and Goole shortly—he will be getting Ordered, That a Bill be brought in on the foregoing an invitation in the post. Will he respond to the question Resolution; I posed to him earlier on whether we could expect an That the Chairman of Ways and Means, the Prime increase in dual-registered vehicles as a result of the Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of measure? the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Hague, Mrs Secretary May, Mr Secretary Grayling, Mr Secretary Moore, Stephen Hammond: My hon. Friend is right and I Mr Secretary McLoughlin, Mrs Secretary Villiers, apologise for having failed to respond to that part of his Mr Secretary Jones and Stephen Hammond introduce excellent contribution. I am not sure I have at my the Bill. fingertips the exact number of dual-registered vehicles in the UK, or the number of those likely to enter the UK, or the likely growth in the number of dual-registered HGV ROAD USER LEVY BILL vehicles—[Interruption.] It is just as my hon. Friend the Member for North West Leicestershire points out. Stephen Hammond accordingly presented a Bill to However, as I have said to several hon. Members, I am make provision charging a levy in respect of the use or happy to write to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg keeping of heavy goods vehicles on public roads in the and Goole. I am sure my letter will include my response United Kingdom, and for connected purposes. to his kind invitation to visit Brigg and Goole, which I Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time look forward to doing. One of the great pleasures of tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 77) with explanatory this job is the chance to visit all parts of the UK. notes (Bill 77-EN). 891 23 OCTOBER 2012 Prevention of Social Housing Fraud 892 Bill (Money) Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Bill Members to demonise social housing and social tenants. (Money) That is wrong. The Bill seeks to tackle the behaviour of a small minority—albeit a small minority engaged in absolutely unacceptable behaviour—but the vast majority 4.1 pm of social tenants are decent men and women. In my The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for experience, they are the first to complain about the Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): I nature of their area being changed, including as a beg to move, consequence of the kind of behaviour that the Bill That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Prevention rightly seeks to criminalise. of Social Housing Fraud Bill, it is expedient to authorise the The Bill will now be considered in Committee, and payment out of money provided by Parliament of any increase we will be supporting this necessary measure. attributable to the Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided. The Government are keen to move forward with this 4.6 pm much needed Bill as quickly as possible. Social landlords Richard Harrington (Watford) (Con): I would like to are very much in favour of this Bill and while I fully thank the right hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne expect them to use the new powers the Bill provides, (John Healey) and the shadow Minister, the hon. Member there will be no obligation on them to do so. Local for Birmingham, Erdington (Jack Dromey), for their authorities will be able to choose whether or not to kind comments, because I have tried to build a consensus prosecute the new criminal offences in the Bill, and around the Bill. decide if and when to use any of the enhanced data There is a problem. Various estimates from such access powers that the amendments tabled last week erstwhile bodies as the National Audit Office show that would seek to confer on them by way of regulation. between 50,000 and 150,000 social houses are being Local authorities may incur some administrative costs illegally sub-let. The victims of this crime are the people if they choose to use the new data access powers. Any on the waiting list for social housing, many of whom costs are unlikely to be significant and, in practice, I deeply deserve it. When researching the subject at the would expect councils to build on the arrangements beginning of the private Member’s Bill process, I was already in place for housing benefit fraud. I remind the surprised to find that this was not already a criminal House that local authorities already have the power to offence. As the shadow Minister said, this is not an prosecute, seek civil remedies and, for housing benefit attack on social housing; it is actually quite the opposite. investigation purposes, compel certain bodies to provide The intention is to free up social housing for those who information on request. We are therefore not conferring genuinely need and deserve it, but who, at the moment, new functions on them. I firmly believe that any costs are in inadequate accommodation. incurred as a result of this Bill will be proportionate when set against the damage caused by those people Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): I who choose to abuse the social housing system. congratulate the hon. Gentleman on the way he has introduced his private Member’s Bill. The support of 4.3 pm the Labour party has been articulated by the shadow Minister. From my constituency experience, I agree Jack Dromey (Birmingham, Erdington) (Lab): This strongly that those on the housing waiting list resent is a necessary Bill that builds on what Labour did in greatly the idea that social housing is being let to people government. In 2009, the then Housing Minister, my other than social tenants. Does the hon. Gentleman right hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth and Dearne agree, however, that unfortunately this measure will not (John Healey), took action with the first ever national make a huge difference to people on housing waiting crackdown on tenancy cheats, and 150 councils signed lists, of whom there are 9,000 in Newcastle, or to the up. Before the 2010 election, Labour committed to length of those lists? make the subletting of social homes a criminal offence and we therefore support the Bill. Richard Harrington: I thank the hon. Lady for her With ever lengthening waiting lists, it is wrong to comments. I can back them up, because it would appear, deny those in need. It is wrong to sub-let unlawfully—where having spoken to many housing associations and local a tenant becomes a landlord—and it is particularly authorities, that most of their information on illegal wrong in London, where there is evidence of organised sub-letting comes from neighbours and fellow tenants gangs preying on estates, encouraging tenants to move in the building. So I agree totally with her. I must also out and then letting out the homes, frequently changing agree with her substantive point about the difference the nature of those estates and streets as a consequence, the Bill will make to the need for social housing, but one to the disadvantage of the vast majority of the social can only do what is in one’s power. This is a limited Bill, tenants still living there. but it will free up a lot of social housing. My constituency We are grateful to the hon. Member for Watford has 4,500 people on the list, and it seems to me that if it (Richard Harrington) for how he has gone about the makes some difference, that is better than no difference Bill, including for the all-party dialogue. In that dialogue, at all. I hope she will agree however, that the most we expressed but two concerns, both of which he has important thing is that it will deter new tenants from taken on board. The first is that although it is right to thinking that they can sub-let at will for personal profit, criminalise those who let these tenancies, we must avoid when their needs might be such that they are no longer criminalising those who might inadvertently take out a entitled to social housing, despite there being plenty of tenancy without knowing that it has been unlawfully people who are entitled to it. So the Bill creates new let. Our second reservation is that—dare I say it?—there offences of illegally sub-letting, and there are ample is sometimes a tendency on the part of some Government safeguards within it that take the shadow Minister’s 893 Prevention of Social Housing Fraud 23 OCTOBER 2012 894 Bill (Money) points into account. Members of all persuasions—indeed, down the family tree, which often made things even the full political spectrum of the House—have supported more complex. All we could do, of course, was to this Bill. With that in mind, I have said enough. Our Bill pursue the problem from a tenancy breach point of Committee is tomorrow, and I hope we make progress view. Frankly, it is staggering that we have got to this with it. stage with it never having been illegal to sub-let. When a property is sub-let, other issues arise about the quality 4.10 pm of the property, for example. There are strict rules on landlord liabilities, which obviously do not apply when John Healey (Wentworth and Dearne) (Lab): I rise to a property has been illegally sub-let. underline the support of Labour Back Benchers for the hon. Member for Watford (Richard Harrington) and to I like the shadow Minister a lot, but I do not agree congratulate him on bringing in this Bill. As my very with his phraseology when he talks about the “demonising” good friend, the shadow Housing Minister said, I was of social tenants. I thought it was a bit cheap to get that the Minister in 2009 who introduced the first ever into a debate like this when we are all on the same page. national campaign against fraud of this type. The number There is certainly no demonising of social tenants from of properties recovered as a result of that campaign me. I come from a family with lots of social tenants—my went up by 75%, but there is still quite a long way to dad and my grandparents—and I would not be a member go—and this Bill will help. of a party that demonised people living in council houses or other social properties. I thought that was a This is, of course, a money resolution and there little bit unfair. As others have said, this Bill supports should be a net financial gain to the state from this Bill, decent tenants and decent folk. That is why I think it despite the costs that the resolution will allow to be attracts the support it does across the House. incurred. The Audit Commission’s estimate of the number of properties in respect of which social landlords have I take the point of the hon. Member for Newcastle lost control of the allocation is about 50,000—a figure upon Tyne Central (Chi Onwurah)—the constituency from about three years ago. As a minimum, then, for with the middle bit of Newcastle—about waiting lists. the costs of temporary accommodation local authorities The Bill might not have a massive impact on those lists, will be out of pocket by about £900 million each year. but it deals with behaviour that we all agree is unacceptable. I thus entirely support it. The penalties in the Bill will help to deter people from cheating the system and cheating their neighbours. It will help the detection of those who are cheating taxpayers 4.14 pm and will help to take action against them. More than Brandon Lewis: I join everyone else in congratulating that, however, those who badly need the homes that are my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Richard available for them and that they should have are being Harrington) on bringing this Bill forward, and I thank cheated when these homes are sub-let illegally for the all Members who have spoken in this afternoon’s debate. private profit of those who cheat the system. I hope we It seems that the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington make progress in the Bill Committee tomorrow, and I (Jack Dromey) and I have been in agreement in two hope we pass the money resolution to aid that progress. successive debates, along the same lines mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole 4.11 pm (Andrew Percy). The shadow Minister might become Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): I, too, am my hon. Friend before long—who knows? I look forward delighted to support this measure. This must be a to taking the Bill through Committee tomorrow morning. record in that I have been able to support in quick Question put and agreed to. succession two items promoted by the Government. We seem to be making progress, Mr Deputy Speaker. I pay Business without Debate particular tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Richard Harrington), who has worked incredibly hard and pushed forward on this matter; he deserves DELEGATED LEGISLATION credit for so doing. Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing I spent 10 years as a local city councillor, during Order No. 118(6)), which time I represented a large council estate. On that estate, housing fraud was a problem—though not a PENSIONS massive problem—and it was difficult to get to grips That the draft Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes with it, as we were often unaware that it was going on. (Automatic Enrolment) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2012, We would sometimes find neighbours or other residents which were laid before this House on 2 July, be approved.— saying that they thought someone was letting a property (Mr Syms.) out. Sometimes it was to a family member, further Question agreed to. 895 23 OCTOBER 2012 Lead Shot 896

Lead Shot shot was banned and they had to turn to steel, but they did it successfully, honestly and truthfully. Steel shot is Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House now the preferred choice of many. Many bird watchers do now adjourn.—(Mr Syms.) are also bird shooters and understand that sustaining a good environment is essential for both sports. I have 4.14 pm been informed, however, that there is little evidence to Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I appreciate the suggest that lead, when used outside wetlands, causes opportunity to speak on this issue, Mr Deputy Speaker. any significant damage to bird populations. I did not expect to be called to speak so early, but the The unique way that certain water birds feed means Whips of both main parties ensured that I was here on that some species are susceptible to ingesting lead if it is time. deposited in their feeding area and that has been highlighted I am country sports enthusiast and proud of it, as as a source of poisoning for some wildfowl species, those who follow such issues will know. As we all know, including several migratory birds. It important to consider Members of Parliament work in a stressful environment all the factors that affect migratory birds, however, as and it is essential that we have a release valve for that the ingestion of lead might have happened not in this pressure. For me, that is country sports, and I take part country but in other countries. To address that problem, whenever the opportunity arises. It does not arise as the African-Eurasian water bird agreement, or AEWA, often as it did in the past, because I am in London. In aimed to reduce the amount of lead ammunition used my maiden speech, I said that the pheasants and ducks in wetland areas where such wildfowl feed. The feeding of my constituency would have two to three days a week habits of non-wetland birds are very different, as they when I would not be chasing them and they were are not affected by lead in the silt layers of wetlands. probably more than gratified to learn that. However, in order to comply with the AEWA, we It is good to be out in the fields, pursuing country have rightly prohibited the use of ammunition containing sports. That was how I grew up. I remember my cousin, lead for the killing of certain species in specific areas. In Kenneth Smyth from County Tyrone in the west of the England and Wales—we are here in the mother of Province, giving a new meaning to the phrase “pigeon Parliaments representing the four regions of the United post”. When I was a young boy, he would send wood Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland—the pigeons to me in the east of the Province in Ballywalter. use of lead shot is prohibited below the high water mark They took two or three days in the post—they came of ordinary spring tides, over specified sites of special first class—and although sometimes they were not palatable, scientific interest and for the shooting of the following they were okay when cooked. I survived. That is the species, regardless of where they occur. The species are truth, and “pigeon post” for me clearly meant a dead mallard, widgeon, gadwall, shoveler, teal, pochard, pintail, pigeon coming from the west of the Province to the tufted duck, and golden eye and the four species of east. goose—greylag, pink-footed, white-fronted and Canada— I have been eating shot pigeon for years, and pheasant but also golden plover and coots and moorhen. In and duck, too, and it has never done me any harm. Scotland and Northern Ireland the use of lead shot is However, I am prepared to accept the lead shot ban and prohibited over wetlands, which are defined there as any wait until all the information has come in and been areas of foreshore, marsh, fen, peatland with standing assessed by the lead shot working group. Members water, regularly or seasonally flooded fields and other might therefore be wondering why we are having this water sources whether they be natural or manmade, Adjournment debate, and I have secured it because we static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt. I am trying to need to present a balanced view given how the issue is make it clear that legislation exists to protect water portrayed by certain papers and magazines across the birds from this very threat. Action has been taken here country. There are those who have created a scare at Westminster and in the regions of Scotland, Wales without waiting for the full results to come out and I and Northern Ireland. wanted to ensure that the House heard both sides of the Reading through the report, however, there appear to argument. I have therefore been in touch with shooting be many inconsistencies and inferences are made from sports organisations as well as the Wildfowl and Wetlands the testing of a very small number of birds. Perhaps Trust and I am prepared to give a balanced review of work has not been done on the large number of birds the issue. I state again that there is no final result yet, that would amount to true evidence for the case. but we need balance in the debate and in the argument The Countryside Alliance would say that many of the and we must ensure that all points of view are heard. wildfowl tested in the study are migratory species—that The use of lead shot is being considered because of is its opinion; many of us would agree with that—and issues that have been raised about environmental and as such have travelled many miles from different locations. human health effects. As they are in question, I support Although the Wildlife and Wetland Trust provides any investigation. I would not want to be like those assurances that these birds ingested the lead in the UK, doctors who backed cigarettes in the past, saying that with respect, Mr Deputy Speaker, there is simply no they were good for people’s health when the reverse is way of proving that. Moreover, lead poisoning can patently true. However, neither would I like to be like come from many sources, as previous research has those who jump in with two feet, causing a needless fuss shown that birds from urban areas have higher levels of and a scare. A balance should be struck between those lead in their blood. Lead can be got from the water and two reactions and it is that balance that I seek to from other things. This is not acknowledged, and perhaps provide to the House today. it should have been. Regulations across most of Europe prevent lead from For those species that are non-migratory, it must be falling in wetlands and shooters support that. Some asked how the birds, which were tested only from wildlife shooters were perhaps not all that pleased when lead and wetland trust reserves, obtained the lead shot while 897 Lead Shot23 OCTOBER 2012 Lead Shot 898 resident on the reserves. As the reserves are not shot poisoning from ammunition sources in the wild breed over, the most probable explanation is that the lead was regularly in the United Kingdom, and are red or amber- dropped in those areas before any legislation was introduced. listed as BOCC. Clearly it is important to avoid or Sir Peter Scott was the founder of the Wildlife and reduce mortality in those species from all causes. Wetland Trust and a very keen wildfowler—indeed, one The negative human health impacts from lead are of the greatest wildfowlers that we have ever had. I have well established and have resulted in policies to reduce read some of his books, and they are most interesting. exposure, such as its removal from paint or petrol. The A bust of Sir Peter Scott is displayed at Castle Espie in potential risks associated with consuming game shot Comber in my constituency of Strangford. It was put with lead ammunition have received more attention there in recognition of his good work and his contribution. recently, following an international conference held in He would have used lead ammunition in his day, long the USA by the Peregrine Fund in 2008. As a small before the legislation was changed and lead shot was proportion of the lead from gunshot fragments is invisible banned. This is further evidenced by the fact that no to the human eye, consumers of game may inadvertently evidence of any other shot type was found in the birds’ eat small lead shards or particles. gizzards. After 10 years of use of steel shot, would there not be some steel shot in the gizzards of the birds? Simon Hart (Carmarthen Westand South Pembrokeshire) There does not seem to be, but given that alternatives (Con): Does the hon. Gentleman agree that even in the have been widely used for more than 10 years, this most pessimistic estimations a normal human being would be expected, and it further confirms that birds would have to eat a colossal amount of game even to obtained the shot from the reserves. However, the register in the danger zone? May I offer a crumb of Countryside Alliance has informed me that it is upholding comfort? I suspect I am one of the few Members of the ban and will read the final report in full before Parliament who actually carries 15 bits of lead in my left making any representations. knee. It was shot there when I was 15 and does not seem to have had any ill effects on my health. I have been contacted by the Wildlife and Wetland Trust regarding its fears about the effects of lead on the animal Jim Shannon: I read the hon. Gentleman’s excellent and human body and, for the sake of parity I, like others, article in the Shooting Times and Country Magazine last have carefully considered its point of view. It states: week. It shows his commitment to country sports over “Lead is toxic to all animals including humans. Even low levels the years. The lead in his leg has done him no harm, just of exposure affect animals and no threshold has been identified as the lead in the pigeons, ducks and pheasants that I below which the effects of lead cannot be seen. The vast majority have eaten has done me no harm. of shot fired from shotguns falls into the environment, and thus, in the case of lead, causes long term cumulative contamination. Research in the United Kingdom showed that a high Wildfowl, and other birds, ingest lead shot that has been deposited proportion of the game sold for human consumption in their feeding areas (such as wetlands and terrestrial habitats had lead concentrations exceeding the European Union including agricultural land), probably mistaken for grit or food.” maximum. We are well aware of the issue. The European It is really nothing new, to be fair. Lead poisoning from Food Safety Authority expert on contaminants published shot ingestion has been known to kill wildfowl for more a scientific opinion on lead in food and has stated that than a century. It has happened for more than 100 years other animals in the food chain—sheep, pigs and poultry— and long before that. In Europe it has been estimated carry lead too. The report details the potential health that approximately 1 million wildfowl from 17 species risks that may be associated with a diet rich in game, and just short of 9% of the wildfowl population could but people would need to eat a lot of pheasants or die every winter from eating the lead that is already in venison every year before they were affected, or in my the seashore and the sea. case, a lot of wood pigeons. They would have to eat a dozen a day. Although some of the information on which the estimate was based is old, and shot ingestion rates may Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): I thank my hon. now be higher or lower in some species, none the less Friend for getting this important subject on to the mortality is high. Not only does lead poisoning cause Order Paper. It is important that the House is aware of considerable avoidable wildfowl suffering and mortality, the issues he is raising. Does he agree, however, that concern has been expressed about its potential to contribute there could be a self-created crisis by elements in various to the decline of certain common wildfowl species; for agencies who want to justify their existence? They point example, the pochard and the pintail, both of which are to potential problems if we eat too much of something, amber-listed. They are BOCC—birds of conservation but by definition too much of anything is bad for us. concern—to use the correct terminology. Lead poisoning is known to be a serious threat to Jim Shannon: It is good to put things into perspective. certain globally threatened European wildfowl, in particular Too much wine is bad for us. Too much chocolate is bad the white-headed duck. It also causes sub-lethal effects for us. Too many chips are not always that good for us in many other birds and represents a significant welfare either. As someone who ate plenty of sweet stuff and is problem. We are not walking away from that; we are now a diabetic, I know that the sweet stuff I ate over the trying to address the issues and make a balanced argument. years was not good for me. Many in the land have to In recent times, a body of evidence has been accumulated look at those things too; my hon. Friend’s words put detailing lead poisoning in terrestrial birds, including things into perspective. upland game birds, which ingest spent lead shot when An article I read last week also helps to put the issue feeding in shot-over habitats, and the raptors that prey into perspective. It referred to the Food Standards on or scavenge game species, thereby ingesting lead Agency, and there was an important reply: fragments from ammunition. Eight of the non-wildfowl “There is lead in all foodstuffs and we should see the purported species documented as ingesting lead or suffering lead risk of lead in game meat in a sensible perspective…There is no 899 Lead Shot23 OCTOBER 2012 Lead Shot 900

[Jim Shannon] the NHS hospital episode statistics show that there is a very low number of lead poisoning cases, compared evidence of harm to those of us who eat game less than once with cases of poisoning caused by other toxic substances. every week. Compared with other meats wild game is low in fats To put this into perspective, between 1998 and 2011, and entirely natural, representing a healthy option to intensively 19.6 people a year on average were admitted for treatment reared products.” for the toxic effects of lead. By comparison, 125 people That certainly makes for interesting reading. There is a year on average are admitted for the toxic effect of no better stuff to eat than game. If Members have not soap and detergent, 982 for the toxic effect of ethanol, eaten a pheasant this year, they should try one. If they 69 for the toxic effect of ingested mushrooms, and have not had duck, now is the time. If they have not had 40 for the toxic effect of snake venom. That puts the wood pigeon, they should go down the shop and buy issue of lead poisoning and lead’s presence in game into one. They will enjoy it; it is excellent. If they are lucky perspective. In the vast majority of cases, those admitted enough to be able to afford venison, that is good, too; I to hospital for treatment for the toxic effect of lead were recommend it to everyone in the House. male and in their late 20s and early 30s, which perhaps The body set up to deal with the issue, the Lead suggests that occupational hazards involving lead are Ammunition Group, is taking the matter seriously. It is the greatest risk factor in UK poisonings. not ignoring people’s concerns, but it is putting things Investigations must take into account butchery and into perspective. I am sure that the report that will come cookery methods involved in processing any game meat out will address the subject. I was given a report by the shot with lead ammunition. It is usual for wound channels European Food Safety Authority that clearly shows to be removed when processing meat; I know many that although game has a higher lead content—we butchers who do that. Best practice may mitigate any accept that—it is not seen as a contributory factor to risk and ensure that levels are consistent with those in having too much lead in one’s diet. Bread, tea, tap water conventional meats. and potatoes provide a significant amount of lead in There are serious concerns that alternatives to lead the diet and they are all things that we sit down and ammunition, especially tungsten, could have serious consume on a Sunday, and eat and drink regularly; they implications for human health—and environmental health, have an impact on us, too. for that matter, because this is an environmental issue—that That is one reason why I believe that although there is have not been thoroughly explored or studied. It is no need for a knee-jerk reaction, there is cause for important that the Lead Ammunition Group is given investigation. The Food Standards Agency recently issued time to complete its study. Such studies must be completed advice to high-level consumers of game, and I have before any widespread move is made to any alternative already quoted what it said. Perhaps that will put the form of ammunition. danger into perspective. I stress that the advice is aimed There is a real threat that the most recent leak to the only at those who eat large amounts of small game—more media will subvert the work of the Lead Ammunition than 100 or 120 pheasants, partridges or ducks a year—and Group, which follows a clearly established process and large game, such as venison, is not included. Even the is assessing the issues surrounding lead ammunition. I most fervent game-eater would never consume that am hoping to prevent that from happening by showing much, and even if they did, the rest of their diet keeps both sides of the argument. We should rely on the things in balance. scientific data and research that the group has collated Now that the advice has been given, small game is as well as taking on board the views of the Wildfowl added to a list of many other foods, including oily fish and Wetlands Trust, the British Association of Shooting and tuna, that the FSA suggests should not be eaten and Conservation, the Countryside Alliance and many more than twice a week. It also joins the myriad foods other bodies. It is clear from correspondence from all that woman are advised to avoid while pregnant; there bodies that until the Lead Ammunition Group publishes is no one present in the Chamber to which that would its results and recommendations, the lead shot ban will apply. According to data from the European Food be actively upheld and even promoted by everyone Safety Authority, which provided the bulk of the evidence involved in shooting sports. It is essential that the LAG for the report that I am referring to, eating the suggested is given the respect and time that it needs to reach its daily minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables conclusions, free from pressure from any side, and from and drinking one litre of tap water provides enough media hype, which is extremely unhelpful. I, for one, dietary lead to exceed the threshold for young children look forward to receiving the report and until then, by a factor of two. If a person eats their five a day, and despite my own firm belief about the effects of lead drinks water, they will already be over the limit, before shot, I will withhold judgement. I urge everyone to give game is added. Other foods, including chocolate and the LAG the ability to carry out the job that it was mushrooms, have a very high level of lead; some chocolate created to do and to cease media hype and scares in the has more, weight for weight, than pheasant. The EFSA meantime. rates many everyday foods as being among those that Country sports are an essential part of our economy. contribute most to lead levels in the average diet, and Health and safety, too, are an essential consideration in game is not among the ones that Europe is looking at. any decision that is made. Game is enjoyed by many people across the country In conclusion, country sports contribute £45 million as a lean and flavoursome alternative to other meats, to the Northern Ireland economy. Some 70,000 primary and I recommend it. I have been consuming game for and secondary jobs across the United Kingdom of many years, and I am not aware of any person who Great Britain and Northern Ireland depend on sporting suffers health-related issues as a result of consuming shooting. Every year, £2 billion is created in goods and game shot with lead ammunition; neither is any shooting services across the United Kingdom by sporting shooting. body with which I have spoken. In addition, data from Some £6 billion is generated by shooting and country 901 Lead Shot23 OCTOBER 2012 Lead Shot 902 sports in the United Kingdom, including money from hon. Gentleman, to wait for John Swift and his team in people who pay for shooting. We cannot underestimate the Lead Ammunition Group to report in spring 2013. the incredible contribution that country sports make to They have been looking at the key risks to wildlife from the economy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain lead ammunition and the levels of those risks, and they and Northern Ireland. Shooting also provides £250 million intend to explore possible solutions if those risks prove a year for conservation: the sport is committed to to be significant. They will also report on the options shooting, but it is also committed to conservation. It is for managing the risk to human health from the increased my belief that we can and will find a way forward on the exposure to lead as a result of using lead ammunition, if issue, where safety is paramount and country sports can measures need to be taken. I am confident that the thrive and remain a way of life. group will take a balanced and measured view on the basis of evidence. That is why I am looking forward to 4.37 pm that report. I think the hon. Gentleman shares that view The Minister of State, Department for Environment, and is concerned that there may have been early Food and Rural Affairs (Mr David Heath): I congratulate misrepresentations of what is likely to emerge. the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) not The hon. Gentleman titled his debate “The EU directive only on securing this debate on an important subject on lead shot”. May I reassure him that the Government but on the admirably balanced way in which he presented are not aware of any proposals for an EU directive on information to the House. I am glad that he finished by lead shot? Should one be forthcoming, of course we will stressing the importance of country sports, particularly look carefully at any proposal to ban lead shot. We shooting, to the economy and the conservation of our will carefully assess whether there is clear evidence of a landscape. He said that he was a regular shooter, and he genuine risk and, if there is, whether any proposal to is not alone. He is one of 480,000 people who regularly control the risk is appropriate and proportionate. Again, shoot live quarry. I am just glad that I do not appear to I will look to the Lead Ammunition Group’s report to be his quarry today: I think his targets are elsewhere. inform our position. I repeat that there is no immediate The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to stress that prospect of an EU directive on lead shot. There are this is a complex issue—it is not a question of black and various activities within the European Union that are white. He is concerned to make sure that health and relevant to lead, but not in the form that the hon. safety and wildlife issues are paramount, just as he is Gentleman is concerned about. There may be some keen to make sure that the opportunities for sport and misunderstanding about that. relaxation persist both in his part of the country and across the country. There are lots of interrelated interests Jim Shannon: The concerns that we have are about that we have to balance. the EU’s attitude to lead in general. As parliamentarians concerned about the impact of Europe, we are worried I shall try to deal with some of the points made by that the EU may try to introduce regulations on that. the hon. Gentleman. He mentioned in particular the We are greatly encouraged to hear the Minister say that recent report by the Food Standards Agency. I am that will not happen. grateful to the hon. Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire (Simon Hart) for his intervention, Mr Heath: I believe that to be the case. There is a which highlighted the point that the hon. Gentleman European regulation for the registration, evaluation, was making. Let us be clear: lead is not a terribly good authorisation and restriction of chemicals. We know food additive. It is a dangerous substance; it is toxic. We that Sweden has indicated its intention to bring forward do not want people to eat it. I remember something by April next year a proposal to restrict the use of lead from my own history. As you will know, Mr Deputy and lead compounds in consumer products, but that Speaker, Somerset is known for drinking cider, and a does not include lead shot within its scope. There may study undertaken many decades ago discovered that the be an informal view that Sweden would wish to extend practice of making cider, which is acidic, in vats lined that, but that is not on the table at present. I hope I can with lead, was probably not the best way to secure the reassure the hon. Gentleman, but obviously we will public health of the county of Somerset. Eventually, we watch carefully and if proposals come forward, we will stopped using lead lining for the vats—historically, lead look at them on their merits in due course. had been used for that purpose—and our public health Let us deal with the real concerns that lead shot may improved as a consequence. harm our wildlife. We are clear that ingesting lead is It is important that the Food Standards Agency does probably not good for birds, animals or humans. It is its work and highlights any concerns that it may have. important that we ensure that the right steps are taken People who are very high consumers of game birds, if to conserve our wild birds, particularly our water bird such people exist, should be aware that they may be species. It is not yet entirely clear what risks the use of exposed to a risk. However, we should stress that people lead shot might pose for the conservation of our wild would have to eat an awful lot of pheasant or duck on a birds, but the existing restrictions on its use need to be daily basis to get near the dangerous level. It is important respected, as the hon. Gentleman pointed out. that we stress that it is not dangerous to consume lead The research that the Department for Environment, shot game occasionally, which is what most people Food and Rural Affairs commissioned from the would do, despite the hon. Gentleman’s exhortations to Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in 2010, to which the hon. eat wildfowl more frequently, especially wildfowl that he Gentleman drew attention, highlighted some concerns personally has shot. For most of us, wildfowl is a about compliance with the Environmental Protection limited part of our diet. (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations Reducing lead exposure remains a high priority for 1999. I entirely accept his point about the provenance of the Government. We, like successive Governments, want any lead appearing in the ducks, but the fact is that 70% to reduce exposure to lead wherever possible, for both of the ducks examined were found to have been shot humans and wildlife. That is why I am keen, as is the with lead, which is a cause for concern. Even advocates 903 Lead Shot23 OCTOBER 2012 Lead Shot 904

[Mr Heath] I can give an absolute assurance that we understand the importance of shooting, both in the rural economy of hunting game recognise that any clear evidence of and as a form of relaxation that the hon. Gentleman non-compliance is a matter for concern. We will be and many other people in the country enjoy—it is not looking at that carefully, but we will also take into simply an economic matter—so we will balance that account the points he has make, because it seems to me with the need to protect our wildlife and ensure that its that some of them are balanced and valid. health is preserved, as is the health of the wider population. I stress again what I think the hon. Gentleman was at We will consider the evidence and base our judgments pains to say throughout his contribution: what we need on what strikes us as the best balance between wildlife is balance. We must weigh up the arguments and the conservation, supporting traditional jobs and industries, evidence, and not in isolation. We must look at matters enhancing sustainable economic group and, of course, in the round. I think that at the heart of the debate there doing what is best for our health. is more that unites the various interests than divides I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for securing the them. We all want to see healthy wildlife, a well-managed debate and for the points he raised. We will certainly countryside, thriving communities and a sustainable take careful note of the points he raised on behalf of his rural economy. Therefore, we need to ensure that the constituents and of a much wider constituency across evidence is looked at carefully by the experts in the lead the country. This has been a most valuable debate and I ammunition group and that we understand the risks so am grateful to have had the opportunity to set out the that we can respond in a measured and sensible way. Government’s case. That is why the Government will not rush to any Question put and agreed to. premature conclusions. We will look at the evidence and will not move to any snap judgements. We will evaluate the results of John Swift’s report and consider the evidence it adduces and its recommendations in due 4.48 pm course. House adjourned. 189WH 23 OCTOBER 2012 Transport Infrastructure (Essex) 190WH

while money was ploughed into projects elsewhere. That Westminster Hall neglect has had serious consequences for a county that is growing and growing. Over time, our roads have become more congested and dangerous, and our rail Tuesday 23 October 2012 services have become far from ideal, despite the fact that our commuters contribute approximately £110 million [SIR ROGER GALE in the Chair] to the Treasury annually. In my constituency, vital plans to improve road safety Transport Infrastructure (Essex) on the A120, one of the 10 most dangerous roads in the country, have been dropped, and countless other infrastructure projects have been ignored. Although we 9.30 am appreciate that the nation’s finances are in a delicate Sir Roger Gale (in the Chair): A number of hon. and precarious position right now, that should be no Members have indicated a wish to speak. Even at this excuse to overlook Essex for investment in transport early stage, I urge a degree of self-restraint so that infrastructure. everyone can get in. Mr Lee Scott (Ilford North) (Con): Does my hon. Priti Patel (Witham) (Con): I am grateful to Mr Speaker Friend agree that if the infrastructure in Essex does not for granting this debate. It is a pleasure to serve under improve greatly, the burden of people driving to my your chairmanship, Sir Roger. I genuinely welcome the constituency, which although in Essex is also in the interest shown by my fellow Essex MPs in the debate, London borough of Redbridge, and leaving their vehicles which is timely. As constituency MPs, we all face many there so that they can travel on the underground, will serious challenges and have strong views about the just increase and become a bigger problem for my future of our infrastructure. constituents? The coalition Government are halfway through their five-year mission to restore economic growth to Britain Priti Patel: Absolutely. That highlights the fact that while dealing with the deficit, and I welcome the initiatives we are at breaking point where our roads are concerned. that Ministers have introduced to highlight infrastructure Congestion is extreme. Although we have not had the and investment—in particular the £50 billion provided infrastructure investment—money is tight—Essex is best through the Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill, placed to maximise the benefits of any public money and the Growth and Infrastructure Bill as well, partly that comes into our infrastructure. If the Minister chooses because their provisions are important to economic to come to Essex—that is an open invitation from us all, growth and job creation across the country. I think—he will understand and get to see at first hand The Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. that Essex is the engine of economic growth. Friend the Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), and his Even in these challenging economic circumstances, Department are in the process of changing how transport there are about 6,000 new enterprise start-ups every infrastructure is delivered, to ensure that it meets demand, year, the equivalent of one new business being supports growth and provides value for money, which I created for every 300 people in the county. In 2011, also welcome. In recent weeks, reforms to rail franchises there were 52,000 entrepreneurs in Essex, supporting a have been debated at length, and I wish the Minister county-wide economy with gross value added estimated and his Department well in the vital work being undertaken at over £28 billion. Few parts of Britain can boast that to resolve the problems with the west coast main line in kind of culture of entrepreneurship, and with so many particular, but also, from an Essex point of view, with entrepreneurs and business people across the county it the tendering process for the Greater Anglia franchise. is hardly surprising how diverse the businesses are. We are keen to ensure that that franchise is not delayed, but we feel that it can go ahead only when the specification I mentioned earlier that we had a function last night. is ready, and not before; I was in discussion with Abellio It was attended by many businesses as well as by last night about that very point. representatives from Stansted airport. In my constituency, we have a pioneering and world-leading firm, Crittall Air travel and airport capacity remain high on the Windows, which has won the Queen’s award for enterprise; political agenda, with the launch of the Davies commission the world famous Wilkin and Sons jam makers, the last month. New delivery models for investment in our finest jam makers in the world; and Simarco International, roads are being examined, through the introduction of a worldwide logistics company, to name but a few. route-based strategies, all of which I welcome. Yesterday evening, I hosted an event in Parliament with representatives There are thousands more such outward-looking of Stansted airport. It was attended by some of my businesses. They want easier access to global markets colleagues. From an Essex point of view, we feel that and trading opportunities but are let down by our poor this is an exciting time for those interested in infrastructure. infrastructure across the county. They are frustrated by Essex has been neglected for far too long. The purpose that, and also by the fact that the voice of the private of today’s debate is not just to make a plea to the sector has not been listened to enough—not just across Minister and his Department, but to make the case for Government but in other bodies as well, which is why investment. For far too long, we have not come together this discussion is vital. We must start to listen to that enough to make a collective case to Government about voice. why we need it. Our outdated infrastructure is a considerable barrier All my colleagues know that Essex has suffered from to economic growth, and that costs firms millions of a chronic lack of infrastructure investment over the pounds. This quote from Ian Thurgood, from Wilkin years, and during the good times Essex was overlooked and Sons, is telling: 191WH Transport Infrastructure (Essex)23 OCTOBER 2012 Transport Infrastructure (Essex) 192WH

[Priti Patel] attractive to others. Such investment is needed because, since the mid-1990s, there has been a 34% increase in “A well planned and maintained road network is critical for the passenger numbers on the Great Eastern route, which success of Essex businesses. Food producers such as Wilkin and places huge demand on current services. Sons have to meet strict delivery deadlines for most retailers and failure to deliver on time can mean products being out of stock The introduction of a passing loop on the Witham to and ultimately delisted from sale.” Braintree branch line would be a crucial investment. Such issues are vital for that industry, and Ian Thurgood’s The branch line is currently a single track, and the sentiments are echoed across the board. Essex has a Minister is familiar with our representations on that. 21st-century private sector but a creaking infrastructure The branch line restricts the number of journeys and that is simply out of date. That is the business perspective, the number of passengers who can be connected to but of course the problem has a knock-on effect on Witham and the wider rail network, both to London families across the county. and Norwich. A passing loop would be beneficial to Our population in Essex is approximately 1.7 million, constituents across the district and, of course, could and it is set to grow by 20% over the next 20 years. I unlock new capacity on the route. have three local planning authorities covering just my Braintree district council recently conducted a study constituency, and with Braintree district, Maldon district to demonstrate that, if the loop were constructed, it and Colchester borough they plan to build 60,000 new would deliver a cost-benefit ratio of 2.0 or more. From dwellings between 2011 and 2031. All those new dwellings his work in the Department, the Minister may know will put more pressure on our roads—more cars—and there that scores of that level and above are regarded as will be a greater demand for rail services and international delivering high value for money; a score between 1.5 and air travel. There will also, quite rightly, be more people 2.0 represents medium value for money. I hope he will setting up their own businesses, which we support. give a positive indication about the issue. Essex is an attractive county. It is very close to I thank all my colleagues for their contributions to London, and its potential is limitless. We have a world-class the rail prospectus. For many of us, the prospectus has airport at Stansted, which serves 18 million passengers been a labour of love that has brought us together. I pay and is the fourth most used airport in the country. Some tribute to Essex county council and the local enterprise £8 million of cargo goes out of the airport, and about partnership, because we have all come together for the 200,000 tonnes are flown out to 200 destinations. The first time to forge the prospectus and we intend to airport supports 10,000 jobs across the county and continue being strong advocates and strong voices for contributes £400 million to the local economy. But there rail investment. is not just the airport; we have seaports as well. We have I now turn to the problems of the Dartford crossing. Harwich, and Felixstowe is close by, while London Just as commuters have become thoroughly dejected by Gateway will come on stream soon. the quality of rail services, businesses are gobsmacked, Along with all my colleagues, I am passionate about astounded and appalled, to put it politely, by the state the potential for Essex as a county. I want to see our of the roads and the congestion near the Dartford businesses not just grow but do even more for UK plc. crossing. The crossing, of course, is important not only Frankly, Essex could get moving even more with greater to Essex but to the south-east, Greater London and infrastructure. Having given some background, I now Kent. want to highlight some of the key areas, particularly in As regular users of the crossing know—I declare an my constituency, in which we have major problems and interest as a DART-Tag holder—the toll booths cause bottlenecks. atrocious congestion. Journey time reliability figures, I would welcome the Minister’s thoughts on the the measure that the Highways Agency uses to monitor future of rail in the county. He will be aware that delays, show that performance in the year to May 2012 colleagues in Essex and across the region have come was just 57% for southbound journeys and 60% for together to develop a rail prospectus covering a range of northbound journeys, compared with a national average services for the Greater Anglia franchise. I believe his of 83.5% across the motorway and trunk road network. Department is now familiar with that document. We More than 50 million crossings are made each year, and recently went to present the document to the Secretary it is unacceptable that half of those journeys should of State—and, of course, my right hon. Friend the face such considerable delays. Member for Chelmsford (Mr Burns), a Transport Minister, is a signatory. Jackie Doyle-Price (Thurrock) (Con): As the Many of my constituents are paying upwards of representative of the constituency at the north end of £4,000 a year to commute to London, and they are the Dartford crossing, I should say that my constituents subject to the worst delays and a lack of seating, which probably suffer the burden of the congestion more than forces them to stand in horrible conditions. Even though anyone else. My hon. Friend refers to the congestion we are a business-oriented county, those people do not caused by the toll booths. We are advised that, once have access to wi-fi connections. As I have already they are removed, the crossing’s capacity will grow by highlighted, a significant proportion of their fares already 20%. Installing free-flow tolling will cost some £100 million. goes to the Treasury. We are a significant net contributor Do her constituents agree with mine that, instead of to the Treasury, and my constituents and all rail users spending that £100 million, we should just remove the across Essex are concerned that they are simply not tolls? getting value for money. It seems obvious that if a modest proportion of the Priti Patel: Given the delays caused by the tolls and fees paid to the Government by the train operators were how much those delays cost our economy, the answer is reinvested in track infrastructure and new rolling stock, yes. My constituents would welcome that—they really everyone would benefit and the service would be more would. 193WH Transport Infrastructure (Essex)23 OCTOBER 2012 Transport Infrastructure (Essex) 194WH

The Highways Agency has estimated that the economic John Devall, the managing director of Essex and cost of the delays is some £40 million, which is astronomical. Suffolk Water, has commented that the That money is being taken away from creating jobs and “A12 generally…is the subject of the travel news in the morning— growth in our economy. taking over from J28 to 27 on M25, since upgrades there.” His workers going to east London now regularly travel Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): I want to get this between 6 am and 7 am to avoid the worst traffic. Essex on the record. When the first tunnel was built by Essex chambers of commerce has highlighted that the road and Kent county councils, and subsequently when the needs to be widened and improved. second tunnel was built, it was announced that, once The 12-mile stretch of the A120 between Braintree the capital costs had been paid for by the toll, the and Marks Tey is one of the 10 most dangerous roads in tunnels would be free. Does my hon. Friend agree that the country and needs urgent attention. We have had perhaps it is time to honour that pledge? fatality after fatality. The A120 is a single-carriageway road that carries approximately 25,000 vehicles each Priti Patel: I absolutely do. There is a real issue here, day, projected to rise to 30,000 by 2027. As a single- because that is what the public were told. The public carriageway road carrying many freight vehicles and feel cheated not only because they have to continue heavy goods lorries, that section of road is simply no paying the current tolls, but because the tolls are going longer fit for purpose. up. The tolls went up this month, and they will go up I emphasise that the A120 is part of the trans-European again in two years’ time. The public are getting an road network between Dublin and Brussels, which means appalling service and, as I said, the cost to the economy it is used by freight vehicles and is congested. Although is significant. 6% of traffic on the county’s roads is attributable to We have another concern about the Dartford crossing. HGVs, they make up about 14% of traffic on that part The proceeds received by the Department for Transport of the A120 and parts of the A12. The dangers speak have effectively fallen over the past eight years. In volumes; I have highlighted the fact that there have been 2003-04, revenues from users totalled £68 million and fatalities. Local residents and parish councils have expenditure was £14 million, which left £54 million in campaigned tirelessly for improvements, but have been proceeds for the Department. By 2010-11, however, systematically let down by authorities, including regional although revenues had risen to £73 million, expenditure development agencies and previous Governments. A had increased by 250% to £36.3 million, leaving just £50 million plan to dual the road was abandoned. I £36.7 million in proceeds for the Department. Most of implore the Minister to consider the case for investment. the increased revenues—I hope the Minister and the Privately led schemes exist already. In an era of little Department will look into this—appear to have been Government money, we appreciate that investment must swallowed up by the managing agent contractor’s costs, be led by the private sector and business, but lots of which have more than doubled from £12.7 million to people are working locally. We must listen to businesses’ £27.5 million. All colleagues would think that that is voices. completely unrealistic and unreasonable. For those of I thank the Minister and the Department for Transport us who are paying the high tolls—and our constituents for the announcement two weeks ago committing £300,000 are—that is simply unacceptable. Although the money to Galleys Corner in Braintree, but I emphasise the raised from drivers using the crossing rose by 7% in dangerous nature of the road. I look to the Department eight years, the amount going back to the Department and the Minister for their support in working with the fell. county council, the chamber of commerce and the local I recognise that the Department is working on the enterprise partnerships to consider using regional growth free flow, as my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock fund money to deal with the problems on that road. I (Jackie Doyle-Price) highlighted, but drivers are paying press the Government to consider how we can access increased costs year on year. Given the compelling European funds. evidence demonstrating that the crossing is now failing I cannot emphasise enough that, for too long, Essex’s to deliver value for money, and given the economic innovative private sector has been held back by the costs of the delays, we must review the entire operation failures of our infrastructure, frustrating businesses and of the crossing. I hope the Minister can explain where preventing more jobs from being created. I hope that the extra tolls being paid by drivers, both this month the Minister will take on board the points that I have and in two years’ time, will be going. raised and the areas of the constituency that I have How will the Department spend the money and on mentioned. This is all about getting Essex moving and what projects? I urge the Minister to consider the contractor bringing greater prosperity and more jobs and growth costs, which I have highlighted. He may not be able to to the county and, ultimately, to the United Kingdom, give me a full response right now, but the tolls are a as well as bringing more Treasury receipts to the physical and metaphorical barrier to growth, and the Government. sooner traffic is able to flow freely, and the sooner costs are brought down, the better—not just for all our constituents, but for the economy of the south-east. 9.51 am My constituents, and road users throughout Essex, Sir Alan Haselhurst (Saffron Walden) (Con): I am are fed up with both the A120 and the A12. Those two grateful for this opportunity to contribute to the debate roads run through my constituency, and my postbag initiated by my hon. Friend the Member for Witham and inbox are inundated daily with all their failures. (Priti Patel). Infrastructure is probably too grand a The roads are vital economic links, but they have not word for the transport arrangements in our county. We been upgraded and are costing the economy huge sums enjoy relative prosperity, yet we have, varyingly, either of money. no transport infrastructure worthy of the name or 195WH Transport Infrastructure (Essex)23 OCTOBER 2012 Transport Infrastructure (Essex) 196WH

[Sir Alan Haselhurst] Ely and King’s Lynn. It has the shortest stretch of four-tracking of any London terminal, not measured in totally inadequate infrastructure. She said that we are inches but by a considerable degree. halfway through this Government, and it is to this Our commuters have had a rotten deal. Now, belatedly, Government that we direct our pleas, but the situation the owners of Stansted airport have woken up to the goes back many years. Sometimes, I think that the fact that the Stansted express is not as express as it was inadequacies of the transport system in our county can originally and are at last demanding a 30-minute journey be traced back to Roman times. We therefore have a time, equal to the time from Victoria to Gatwick airport. great deal of catching up to do. Things are London-centric: Indeed, that is how it should be. We have an airport—it everything goes away from London. Therefore, even is not approved with enthusiasm by all my constituents, counties near London have difficulty connecting places but we are realists—whose capacity can double, but our in the way required by modern business, as my hon. railway system serves neither the airport and the businesses Friend so eloquently said. related to it, nor the vast number of commuters who Our principal roads are the A11, the A12, the A13 come from the constituencies of many of my neighbours, and the A127, which all go outwards from London. including my hon. Friends the Members for Harlow Only one, the M11, has been upgraded to motorway (Robert Halfon), for Hertford and Stortford (Mr Prisk) status, although the A11 still runs separately. I understand and for Broxbourne (Mr Walker). that when this country’s motorway system was first Even stations further south are suffering from the mooted back in the 1930s, the original plan was that the inadequacy of the line. It might be argued, “Come on, M11 would be a London-Norwich motorway. If that you’ve got Crossrail coming along.” Crossrail might was so, the county of Norfolk has grounds for grieving make some contribution as far as passengers from that there is still no adequate connection from London Shenfield and other stations are concerned, but the idea to that important city in the east of England. The M11 that it will be the complete answer to Essex’s rail needs only happened because people saw it as a way to go is nonsense, and the idea that £3 billion might be spent faster to an airport at Stansted, if one was developed. on it or on an extension to an enlarged Stansted airport As for cross-county roads, I can add to my hon. is for the birds. Friend’s story about the A120. When I first became Cross-county, we have nothing. In the wake of the Member for Saffron Walden, the constituency included, decision to develop Stansted airport, people would like apart from the district of Uttlesford, the northern part a line reinstated from Braintree towards the airport and of the district of Braintree, through which ran the Bishop’s Stortford, but why would one think of spending A604, the Cambridge-Colchester road. The road was more money to restore a line when we cannot even find under heavy pressure, and when I tried to argue for the money to make existing principal lines work effectively? bypasses for villages and so on, I was told, “No, no, you To the extent that we have some cross-county rail operations must understand the strategy.” On this matter, Essex out of Stansted airport that could be developed, the county council, the highway authority and the Department single-bore tunnel restricts the number of trains and is for Transport were as one. The roads communicating currently working at capacity. How stupid is that? We with the east coast ports would be the A12 and then, need a second-bore tunnel, so that extra trains can serve when constructed, the Orwell bridge on to the A14. The from Stansted and through. Indeed, we could have other was the A120, connecting with the M11. That more trains going to the northern parts of the east of road has still not been completed, as my hon. Friend England. said. It is the most extraordinary situation. That was the great strategy for a cross-county route, from which On air, I am afraid the county is deeply divided, everything else was directed, yet it has still not been although we speak with unity on most other things. We completed. have two airports: London, Southend and London, Parts of the A130 have been improved, but in my Stansted. Those names tell their own story. Stansted has constituency, despite the downgrading of a section to never been Essex’s airport. Perhaps Southend has more the B1008, heavy transport still ploughs through the of a claim to be an Essex airport, but Stansted airport villages of Barnston and Ford End and the parish of was never treated by its owners, BAA, as an Essex Great Waltham. Satellite navigation tells lorry drivers airport; it was a London airport, part of its system. the route, rather than the signposts on the road. The Fortunately, that is about to change soon, but it is still road in that part of the county is totally inadequate. We seen—speculation has started—as part of the London do not have a complete approach to the A130, which airport solution. I do not believe that it can be, unless would help communications across the county. The one is prepared to say that the Essex countryside should trouble is that schemes get mooted, talked about, designed be devastated to the extent of having four runways. and left to fester, leaving only blight and a great deal of Even our most ambitious business people would not heartache. believe that an airport on that scale is necessary, yet we On rail services, I will not say anything about the are faced with the fact that, once again, we could be Fenchurch-Shoeburyness line, but it appears to be the only bearing the burden of solving London’s problems without one that has been significantly upgraded in the past any of the real benefits that might flow from it—an 20 or 30 years. The great eastern line is certainly below improved railway line and an improved road system. We its capacity needs, and the west Anglia line is the most are bad in this country in that when we have major extraordinary story of all. Successive Governments over developments that can be necessary in the wider national 20 or 30 years have designated Stansted as an airport to interest, we do not give people a commensurate benefit be developed in varying degrees and have also decided that flows from them, or even adequate compensation. that the M11 corridor is one for development. Despite I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Witham. that fact, one of the most inadequate railway lines of all We fail to obtain the amount of moneys required to still serves our county and beyond, running to Cambridge, deal with the backlog of problems that we have, so the 197WH Transport Infrastructure (Essex)23 OCTOBER 2012 Transport Infrastructure (Essex) 198WH quality of our transport system is inadequate. We do ludicrous. I hope that people in the Department and in not have anything that could remotely be called an Essex county highways, and wherever else these theorists integrated transport system. Overall, what has happened sit, will realise that in the real world it is impossible—science over the years is that there has been nothing much in it has proved it—to get a quart into a pint pot. To suggest for us. Frankly, there needs to be a lot more. that, somehow, vehicles can do the equivalent of getting a quart into a pint pot is not on. 10.2 am Something that I am sure will appeal to the Minister is the fact that we have had the case made for improvements Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): I congratulate my to road and rail infrastructure, but I am going to make a hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Priti Patel) on special plea for buses, whether they be local buses setting the scene, pan-Essex, and endorse the points serving a community or bus networks serving surrounding raised by my right hon. Friend the Member for Saffron villages and people across Essex. I should not forget the Walden (Sir Alan Haselhurst) regarding the west of the express coach services and the services for Britain’s first county. My hon. Friend the Member for Witham made city—our tourism industry. Of course, we were a city in a powerful case for the economic benefit of investment 49 AD, when Chelmsford was the Roman equivalent of in the transport infrastructure for Essex as a whole. the Little Chef on the way to London. We need to have Essex is indeed an economic power base for the British greater interest in and promotion of our bus services. A economy, and more could be done if we were given decent bus service and all that goes with it means a support in greater transport infrastructure. proper bus station. That is for local consumption. Before The rail manifesto for the east of England united Christmas, Colchester’s bus station will be shutting. every single MP in the east of England—no mean That is a retrograde move in a time when we should be achievement. As far as my constituents are concerned, promoting public transport. and as has been pointed out, they are paying way over Cycleway provision is important and relatively low the odds in rail fares for the service they receive. We cost. One only has to go to Denmark and Holland to need greater investment on the Anglia line—Norwich, see how investment in cycleway provision encourages Ipswich, Colchester and Chelmsford to London, Liverpool people out of their cars and on to cycles. The more we Street—but I seek the Minister’s confirmation that the can encourage people on to safe cycle routes, the more “Norwich in 90” campaign will not mean fewer inter-city we will ease congestion. trains stopping at the Essex stations of Manningtree I shall conclude with something that I failed to interest and Colchester. the previous Government in, and in which I suspect this On occasion, we in Essex feel that we have been Government and Department for Transport have an neglected and forgotten by the Department for Transport. equal lack of interest. The Victorians were successful, I endorse the case that has been made for improvements as can be seen in many of our European towns and to the A12 and the A120. The A120 is not in my cities and in a few parts of the United Kingdom, in constituency at either end, but a section of it runs along producing urban tram systems, or light railways. A tram the A12, as it were, and it certainly brings A120 traffic system or light railway would move us a long way in and out of Colchester. If my hon. Friend the Member forward, because far more people can be carried, in an for Harwich and North Essex (Mr Jenkin) were here, he urban environment, on trams or light railway than by would make a powerful case for improvements to the continually putting more and more cars on to the roads. A120 through the Tendring peninsular to the international I again congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for port of Harwich, in the same way as my hon. Friend the Witham on putting a powerful case for Essex. I hope Member for Witham, and, indeed, as my hon. Friend that some good will come from it. the Member for Braintree (Mr Newmark) would for the A120, so far as it goes through that part of Essex. We have to look at Essex as a whole. On the Thurrock 10.9 am crossing—I am going to say the Thurrock crossing, not Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): It is a pleasure to the Dartford crossing, because we need to promote serve under your chairmanship, Sir Roger. I congratulate Essex on these occasions—it was a great disappointment my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Priti Patel), that when the Queen Elizabeth II bridge was opened it who is a fantastic champion not only for transport, but was not called the Thurrock bridge. I do not see why for business, in Essex. Kent should get all the mentions. In Harlow, we face three major challenges: reputation, Bad planning means, I am afraid, that Essex, and my skills and infrastructure. We are dealing with the first constituency of Colchester in particular, is set to suffer two. We now have the highest business growth in the even more road congestion. I draw the Minister’s attention UK, as Experian has shown. An enterprise zone is to a proposed development on the fields of west Mile opening next year, a new university technical college is End, which the highways experts think will be okay, opening in 2014, and 600 more people are in work in the even though 1,600 houses will be served by the longest town, compared with January, but transport infrastructure cul-de-sac in Britain—a one-mile cul-de-sac serving this is holding us back in three ways. First, as my hon. massive estate on land of a quality that, if only John Friend the Member for Witham and my right hon. Constable had painted it, would be considered an area Friend the Member for Saffron Walden (Sir Alan of outstanding natural beauty. We need new housing, of Haselhurst) highlighted so well, we are not getting course we do. We need new sites for jobs, of course we enough investment in trains in the east of England. do. However, they have to be in the right place. Secondly, Harlow lacks proper motorway entrances. Those 1,600 houses will pile even more traffic on to Thirdly, a sense of unfairness has built up over decades, the road congestion around the Colchester mainline due to only a fifth of fuel duty receipts being spent on station and North Station road, which is absolutely our roads. I shall consider those points in turn. 199WH Transport Infrastructure (Essex)23 OCTOBER 2012 Transport Infrastructure (Essex) 200WH

[Robert Halfon] £15 million, would create jobs and growth, cut congestion and the cost of traffic, and would generally make Harlow I welcome what the Government have done to limit a much better place to live. Our local enterprise partnership train fare rises. Many people in Harlow are on below-average has secured a small amount of funding for road earnings and commute into London, and could not improvements, and I welcome some things that the afford some of the bigger rises that were initially mentioned. Government have announced, but this is a sticking Of course, expensive rail fares have not happened overnight. plaster. We will not solve our transport problems in Simon Carter, a Harlow resident who is also a councillor, Harlow until we get the extra junction. has the ticket stubs to prove that a season ticket from I want to talk briefly about how our infrastructure is Harlow to London went up by some 40% over the past funded. My hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Ben 13 to 15 years, but Harlow commuters still suffer from Gummer) has brilliantly highlighted how, unfortunately, the worst overcrowding in the country. money raised for the railways by commuters through I recognise and welcome what the Government have fares is not spent in the east of England; most of it goes done to invest in new rolling stock and to negotiate with to other parts of the country. We must move to a Abellio to run a short franchise when National Express situation where money raised in the region by commuters dropped out. I appreciate that Abellio has hired 100 extra paying high rail fares is spent in the region. The same security staff on the west coast main line, protected all thing has happened with fuel duty. Through the 1920s, Harlow services from cuts and smartened up our train the road fund was repeatedly raided to prop up the stations, but Essex is a major engine of the English Treasury, and from 1937 it was treated as a general tax. economy and our train fares are still too high, compared By 1966, just one third of the revenue was spent on with the inward investment in the network. That is why roads, and by 2008 the figure was just one fifth. The I, along with my hon. and right hon. Friends, urge the proportion of fuel duty being spent on roads has shrunk Minister to consider the East Anglian rail prospectus, hugely, but at the same time that duty has risen. Motorists with targeted schemes, such as a third line in the Lea regard that as unfair because they do not see any benefit valley, and line improvements along the Stansted Express from the huge sums in fuel duty tax that they pay. The route, so that trains can get up to speeds of 100 mph. same is true of train ticket price rises. How can we Improvements in infrastructure in the Roydon and justify those without proper investment in our local Sawbridgeworth stations would be welcome. road and rail networks? The cost of living is the No. 1 issue in my constituency. Sir Alan Haselhurst: On my hon. Friend’s point about People want cheaper travel and they want every penny increased rail capacity through the Lea valley, we do that the Government take from them to be recycled not want to be sold short on just a third rail. For that back into the community. I urge the Minister to refocus job to be done properly, we need four rails, ideally, as the Department on extra infrastructure investment in far as Broxbourne. That would separate the more localised the east of England, in our trains, motorways and road traffic from the traffic to more distant destinations, networks—a cause that is close to our hearts. We need such as his constituency and mine. more radical transparency, so that people can see whether fare increases are genuinely being ploughed back into Robert Halfon: Of course, my right hon. Friend is their area. correct. He is an incredible champion for commuters across Essex. I am glad that the Government have fulfilled their election pledge and stopped a second runway at Stansted Crossrail is estimated to have raised property prices airport. The answer to infrastructure spending is not to along its line of route by about £5.5 billion, meaning spend millions on an extra runway, but to spend that that one third of the scheme’s cost has already been money, if it is ever available, on our roads, rail and other recouped by local home owners. This is the value that transport infrastructure. Stansted is running at only major transport projects can unlock. 50% of full capacity, so there is no economic case for a I urge the Minister to expand the Oyster and other second runway. Some say that people in Harlow would smart card systems to include Harlow commuters, because benefit, but Stansted has some 10,000 employees, of most people who commute to London from there use whom only a few hundred come from Harlow. I am yet the London underground or London buses. to be convinced that Harlow people would benefit if The Minister is aware, from a previous debate, that I there were an extra runway. have long campaigned for an additional junction on the The Government should look seriously at the case for M11. A new junction is critical if Harlow is to continue a new airport, but my constituents ask me time and to grow and attract new businesses. Harlow town alone again for a new M11 junction and extra train capacity has a population of some 81,000 or 82,000, in addition to London. to that of the villages in my constituency, but we have only one entrance to the town, which is crazy for a huge employment hub close to London. The industry is 10.18 am located at the opposite end of the town, meaning that Jackie Doyle-Price (Thurrock) (Con): I associate myself lorries must trundle back and forth, almost through the with the comments made by all right hon. and hon. town centre. Almost every day, our town faces gridlock Members about the economic contribution that Essex because we do not have the extra junction. makes to our economy. I say to the Minister that we I welcome work done by the local council on a mention such things only because we are entrepreneurial £500,000 study into building a new M11 junction 7a, and people work hard in their businesses. It is incumbent which will report in November—in a few weeks. I urge on the Government to ensure that the conditions are the Minister to consider that report. The case for a new right for people to take those risks and invest, and M11 junction is simple: it would cost only around central to that is transport infrastructure. I am afraid to 201WH Transport Infrastructure (Essex)23 OCTOBER 2012 Transport Infrastructure (Essex) 202WH say that in recent years the wealth-creating capability of making a significant investment by putting in the free-flow Essex has been rather taken for granted by Governments. tolling, but motorists are finding the additional toll I hope that this debate will kick-start a more engaged punitive, and increases will happen again. I need to ask interest from Governments about what really needs to whether those tolls need to be kept at all—that case be done to help Essex be the best it can be. needs to be made—particularly bearing in mind that, as Hon. Members have said that Essex is a powerhouse the hon. Member for Colchester (Sir Bob Russell) said, of the economy. I hope that my right hon. and hon. the deal when the crossing was first created was that the Friends forgive me for saying that Thurrock is a major tolls would be removed once the crossing was paid for. powerhouse of the UK economy. My hon. Friend the My next point relates to level crossings. When London Member for Witham (Priti Patel) mentioned the upcoming Gateway comes on stream, the commitment is that new port at London Gateway, which has the potential much of the freight coming into that port will be moved to create upwards of 36,000 jobs. We should remember by rail. Obviously, there will be additional impacts on that Thurrock already has massive port infrastructure, the road infrastructure as well, but there is a double with the established port at Tilbury, a major roll-on/roll-off whammy because we still have a number of level crossings ferry operation at Purfleet and any number of in Thurrock, such as at Purfleet, on the London road manufacturing industries along the Thames, bringing in and at Stanford-le-Hope, where the town is bisected. their supplies by river, including companies such as Some of those freight trains will be long, so when the Unilever and Proctor and Gamble. As I have said barriers at the level crossings come down, they will slow before, Europe’s entire supply of Fairy liquid is down the traffic substantially, creating real potential for manufactured in and exported from my constituency. significant gridlock. Although supplies come in by ship and along the I have had a frustrating exchange of letters on level Thames, however, manufactured products have to get crossings with Network Rail, which seems to think that out by road, and that is the real challenge. We talked there will be no problem because the freight trains will about the Dartford crossing, but the wider road not move at peak hours. When we are talking about infrastructure in Thurrock is getting close to breaking road infrastructure that supports a logistics industry point. Every winter, mainly because a lot of people do and heavy goods vehicle traffic, avoiding rush hour, their Christmas shopping at the fantastic Lakeside shopping frankly, will make no difference, because lorries already centre, we often find our roads in a state of severe do that. We would be putting an additional significant gridlock. strain on the road network, so I ask the Minister to look The Minister will not be surprised that I have a little into the matter in considerable detail. Although, in wish list of projects, as my hon. Friends do. Top of the principle, we want to move more freight by rail, we must list has to be improvement of junction 30 and 31 of still ensure the continuing operation of our road network. the M25, which is a major source of gridlock. To set the Finally, we cannot have a debate on transport scene, that is where the A13 meets the M25 and it is infrastructure without straying into the area of aviation. the last junction before reaching the Dartford crossing I hear clearly what some of my hon. Friends said. We and so, necessarily, a pinch point. I highlight again the seem to have got ourselves into the position of talking frankly incompetent decision making by the previous only about an airport that is a major international hub Government, in the sense that they invested billions of with four runways or nothing, but there is a good pounds in widening the M25 only to send everyone to argument for the New York model of air capacity. I a bottleneck at the Dartford crossing—failing to fix have some sympathy for what my hon. Friend the that junction or the capacity issues. The Department Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon) said, but the one has plans to investigate and to develop proposals for an point to make about proposals for expansion at Gatwick, additional river crossing but, if we examine that expenditure, Stansted and Heathrow is that they would all be privately it was poor value for money and has made the existing funded, while the proposals for a four-runway airport in problems so much worse. the Thames estuary would not be. We cannot, however, Turning to the proposals for an additional crossing, divorce aviation capacity from the other issues that face with Dartford the bane of many motorists’ lives in our county: rail capacity and road capacity. My final Thurrock, the Department is looking at three proposals message to the Minister is about whether we can join all for a further crossing, all of which in some way, shape that up. or form go through Thurrock. Motorists in my constituency, although they recognise the problems caused by congestion, 10.26 am are not happy at the prospect of absorbing yet more road infrastructure. We already have severe problems James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con): with air quality, which is caused in great part by the fact I should say that it is a pleasure to follow my hon. that traffic is not moving enough, and road infrastructure Friend the Member for Thurrock (Jackie Doyle-Price), investment could deal with that, but we are particularly but it is frustrating that my parents, having met her, concerned that we will end up with more of Thurrock think that she is the best Member of Parliament in the being dug up to create new motorways, which would be place. I keep pointing out to them that they ought to be unacceptable to many of my constituents. We need to a little more loyal and say second best, but they still do be sure that any new crossing will genuinely alleviate not take the point. congestion at Dartford, so the location is important. The debate has been absolutely fantastic, and I commend The arguments for a new crossing have not been made my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Priti Patel), effectively at all for my constituents. who not only represents her constituency superbly but As I mentioned in my intervention on my hon. Friend the surrounding areas and the whole of Essex—greater the Member for Witham, by removing the toll barriers, Essex, with Thurrock, Southend and, it appears from we will increase capacity at Dartford by 20%. We are earlier interventions, Ilford. Unfortunately, having said 203WH Transport Infrastructure (Essex)23 OCTOBER 2012 Transport Infrastructure (Essex) 204WH

[James Duddridge] customs all the way through to New York via Ireland. They can nip across to Amsterdam, which is a hub that the debate has been good, focusing on the whole of airport, and go anywhere in the world. London Southend Essex, I would like not to follow her example; I shall be is a real alternative to other London airports. slightly more parochial, touching on rail, road and air It would be wrong not to mention the various proposals issues as they affect my constituents directly. for a larger airport in the estuary. There are many I have always seen the rail line from Fenchurch Street arguments against that, but if it happens, we must into Shoebury as something of a pipeline of money— ensure that we get the right infrastructure and benefits, coming from the City, bringing money backwards not only in Essex, but in Kent and the surrounding and forward, whether earned or spent in London, and areas. We must go in with our eyes wide open. There are encouraging businesses to come into the town. I am opportunities, but at the moment I cannot see a way somewhat concerned about the tender for the c2c line. through all the objections; if others can see a way through, My right hon. Friend the Member for Saffron Walden we must ensure that we have the right infrastructure (Sir Alan Haselhurst) says that it is one of the few for Essex and Kent. places where money has been spent, which is entirely correct, but I am rather concerned that some of the excellent 10.31 am rolling stock will be removed as part of the franchising process. That process is flawed, and the Department Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): I thank should look at it again; it focuses too much on the the hon. Member for Witham (Priti Patel) for securing numbers and not enough on service quality.Quite possibly, this debate, which comes at an important time when one and perhaps more of the four tenderers would difficult decisions are being made on transport spending, remove some or all of the stock with air conditioning both locally and nationally. She made a persuasive case on that line. That would be bad for my constituents, bad for investment in Essex’s transport system, and it is for all the constituents down the line and bad for Essex. important that all hon. Members make the call to We have had some good news to do with rail, with the support vital spending on infrastructure. new station of Southend Airport opening, but I gently In July, we debated “Once in a generation—A rail say to the Minister that to open a railway station seems prospectus for East Anglia”, and I, with several hon. to be the most difficult thing in the world to do—liaising Members here today, spoke in praise of that important with Network Rail and the various agencies—and it document. It made a serious, positive case for investment was far harder than it should have been to open that in rail services in East Anglia, and I am glad that some station and to help to generate growth. of those issues have been revisited today. There is no Turning to roads, industrial estates in the west of my doubt that Essex has complex transport needs, and a constituency can charge about 25% more than those in strong rail network is vital if they are to be met, not just the east. That is not only about the time it takes to get to improve the experience for passengers—many hon. from A to B, across Southend and out on to the various Members described why that is necessary—but to enable roads going into London, but about the predictability greater use of rail and to help relieve the pressure on of time it takes. We have seen benefits such as at Sadlers roads, as hon. Members have so powerfully described. Farm, where the work has taken far too long to deliver Essex is a vibrant county, and it makes a vital contribution but is almost complete now, shaving several minutes off to the national economy, but that contribution is dependent the time and, crucially, improving predictability. Also on a transport system that is already under enormous Southend council worked to improve Cuckoo Corner as pressure. Passengers face unsatisfactory services, with an alternative to dualling and that has proved to operate too much congestion on the roads, and trains at or incredibly well. Broadly speaking, we would like an above capacity during peak times. Passengers should outer relief road, from Shoebury, by-passing Southend; not have to stand day in, day out when they are paying but in all candour, all alternatives at the moment would £4,000 or more for a season ticket. The county’s population involve housing all along the side of the road, which is due to grow by 10% by 2018 and 20% by 2025, so would put congestion back into the system. investment is needed just to keep pace with that I want to mention the Dartford crossing. I accept the demographic change. However, still more investment is reprimand from the hon. Member for Colchester (Sir needed to enable regeneration and to help Essex to Bob Russell), and perhaps we should start calling it the realise its full potential. Thurrock crossing, branding it the Essex crossing only Some specific projects have been mentioned, and I when we have sorted it out. will return to future investment. We must make sure I turn to air transport. London Southend airport is in that we do not lose what we already have. Under the my constituency, which borders on two others. My right Government’s plans, capital infrastructure spending on hon. Friend the Member for Saffron Walden (Sir Alan transport will fall by 11% over the course of this Parliament, Haselhurst) asked whether they are Essex airports or and future infrastructure spending has been threatened London airports. I and the majority of my constituents by the uncertainty arising from the botched franchising were pleased when we were able to call it London of the west coast main line, throwing the future of the Southend airport. Essex people still get to use it, because Essex Thameside franchise into doubt. it is not just for Londoners, but someone travelling to In a county that contains pronounced contrasts between Canary Wharf can fly into London Southend airport, rural and urban communities, as well as affluence alongside get on a train within 15 minutes and be in Canary pockets of deprivation, bus services are particularly Wharf within 40 minutes, which is much quicker than important. In Basildon, which is part of the Thames going via London Gatwick or London Heathrow. People Gateway regeneration project, a quarter of households travelling into the City from international destinations do not own a car. Essex county council’s own transport should use London Southend airport. They can clear strategy acknowledges that bus services connecting Harlow 205WH Transport Infrastructure (Essex)23 OCTOBER 2012 Transport Infrastructure (Essex) 206WH and Basildon to other towns and cities are inadequate. improvement. To strengthen the transport network, we The 28% cut to local transport funding and the 20% must look at both funding levels and the mechanisms reduction to the bus service operators grant are putting through which that funding is delivered. the bus network under strain, with at least 18 services We want to devolve transport spending decisions but, being reduced or withdrawn in Essex since 2010. unlike the Government, we would devolve that spending Although this is a debate on infrastructure, as the to democratically accountable regional transport hon. Member for Colchester (Sir Bob Russell) recognised, partnerships based on elected local authorities. That we must not lose sight of the importance of bus subsidy, would allow Essex or East Anglia to decide their own which is vital for sustaining a true transport network. priorities, whether improvements to congested and Bus services are under pressure, but commuters are also dangerous roads or junctions, development of tram feeling the impact of fare rises. We have heard from the systems or better cycling infrastructure. Government that rail fares are set to rise by up to 4.2% The current review of the franchising process should in January, but that is not the whole story. The decision be allowed to consider alternative models for the rail to reintroduce flex could lead to fare increases of up industry, including the proposal to allow local transport to 9.2% at a time when household budgets are being authorities a greater say in how services are run. In squeezed on all sides. Essex, where overcrowding is the norm and passenger Passengers reasonably ask when they will see service satisfaction rates are low, that could allow the development improvements, but under the guise of the McNulty of services that are more responsive to passengers’ report, the Department is pushing ahead with ticket needs. Above all, it would give local transport authorities office closures, which could lead to the withdrawal of the oversight they need to lead the integration of different staff from Alresford, Colchester Town, Dovercourt, modes of transport. Frinton-on-Sea, Great Bentley and Harwich International, among other Essex stations. Those closures will hit Sir Bob Russell: Is the hon. Lady saying that all the women and those on the wrong side of the digital transport problems in Essex commenced in May 2010? divide, including many pensioners. Lilian Greenwood: Of course I am not saying that all A spokesperson from Ontrack, a passenger group in the problems commenced then. I am saying that many Tendring, said: hon. Members have spoken about what the priorities “We’ve already had letters from some women who travel on should be. I believe that the people of Essex should their own, so we know it’s a real concern not to have staff at the have a greater say in deciding what those priorities are stations” and how spending is directed to help to tackle them. and As the hon. Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon) “in a coastal area like this there” said, rail commuters in the region return substantial is amounts to the Treasury, but see little return on the “a high proportion of elderly people who prefer to go to a ticket investment, while millions are lost each year due to the office and talk to someone rather than use a complicated machine. fragmentation of the industry. If the Government were This will put people off using the trains.” serious about improving efficiency in the railways, they Those threats to public transport provision should not would look at alternative models for delivering services, be allowed to threaten the good progress that has been instead of closing ticket offices in Essex. made. The current uncertainty over the franchising model The hon. Member for Witham and other hon. Members has been compounded by needless distractions that have spoken about the vital role of Stansted airport, have beset the Department. It must be a source of and we should celebrate the fact that 49% of Stansted frustration for Members here today that Government passengers arrive by public transport—the highest time is being taken up by the franchise fiasco, wrangles proportion of any major UK airport. The East Anglia over High Speed 2 and fantasy islands in the middle of rail prospectus called for public transport links to Stansted the Thames, when the time could be used to drive to be strengthened, and I hope that that call is listened forward the improvements that their constituents require. to as we enter cross-party talks on aviation capacity. The need for improvements in Essex is acute, as Whatever the conclusion of those talks, I hope that the today’s debate is proving. The answer is investment in decline in passenger numbers at Stansted can be reversed, transport infrastructure, both for commuter travel and because both Stansted and the growing London Southend to meet local transport needs. This debate is important airport have an important role to play in alleviating and I am sure that the case for investment has been pressure in the capital. heard in the Department. I hope that a way forward can Improvements to infrastructure will play an important be found, so that Essex can develop the infrastructure it role. We need better integration between transport modes, needs for the 21st century. especially between aviation and rail. The 45 minutes that it takes to travel 35 miles from Liverpool street to 10.40 am Stansted is, as the hon. Member for South Basildon and The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport East Thurrock (Stephen Metcalfe) said, far from express. (Norman Baker): I welcome the opportunity that the I hope that the means and the funding can be found to debate offers to discuss in detail the issues that my hon. reduce that journey time. Friend the Member for Witham (Priti Patel), her colleagues In some respects, the problems encountered at Stansted and others have raised today on transport in Essex. are representative of those of the county as a whole. Those matters fall within my portfolio, as well as those Existing transport links have enabled Essex to emerge of my right hon. Friend the Minister of State and my as an important driver of national economic growth, hon. Friend the Under-Secretary. I will do my best to yet those same transport links are clearly in need of respond to all the points in as much detail as I can. 207WH Transport Infrastructure (Essex)23 OCTOBER 2012 Transport Infrastructure (Essex) 208WH

[Norman Baker] timing of investment in infrastructure on the network. The Highways Agency is currently working closely with As I am sure everybody will agree, transport is the local enterprise partnerships and local authorities along artery of any economy. It gets people to work, children the route to take forward the strategy, which will be to school and food to the shops. Everyone depends on completed in early 2013. it. The coalition Government is in no doubt about the It should also be noted that the Highways Agency is importance of transport infrastructure in supporting undertaking a series of small-scale improvements along the economy, and we have already announced increased the A120 this year, and that earlier this month the Government funding to deliver improvements targeted agency confirmed, as my hon. Friend said, £0.3 million at supporting economic growth projects. By the way, I of funding through round two of the pinch point fund say to Hansard that the coalition Government “is” for the A120 Galleys corner roundabout improvement. committed, because the Government is of one mind on That scheme should be completed in 2013 and will help this matter. It is a single-minded, cohesive unit on the to reduce congestion and improve safety by widening need to deliver substantial and significant economic the roundabout to encourage A120 traffic to use both growth. lanes. I will ensure that my hon. Friend’s other comments The Government believes that continuing to invest in are fed back to my colleague, the Under-Secretary, who the strategic road network in Essex through major has the lead responsibility for that matter. upgrades to the M25 is important. Back in May, the My right hon. Friend the Member for Saffron Walden £400 million widening between junctions 27 and 30 was (Sir Alan Haselhurst) referred to Norwich, and I put on completed ahead of schedule and in good time for the the record that an A11 major road scheme is included in summer Olympics. the programme. The massive improvement on the A11 My hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Jackie between Fiveways and Thetford will be delivered by Doyle-Price) referred to the M25, junction 30. As I December 2014, so Norwich will finally get the road hope she knows, we announced in May that the pre- that it has perhaps been after for some time. construction development work of six Highways Agency major road schemes has been selected for funding, to I noted that my right hon. Friend blamed the Romans maintain a future pipeline of major investment in the for the state of the road network—I suppose that that is strategic road network. The pipeline included proposals a bit different from blaming the previous Government—but for a M25 junction 30/A13 congestion relief scheme, he is right to say that we have had an historical problem and it means that that will be developed in this spending with cross-country connections, going back a long way, review period for potential delivery in the next spending whether on rail or road. I recall spending many an hour review period. on the A414, as it was then, travelling from east to west across the country, prior to the M25 being built. We Advancing the development work now does not, of have seen some improvements, but I agree with the course, guarantee that the delivery of those proposals general thrust of my right hon. Friend’s comments, will be funded. Decisions about which schemes are to be which was that cross-country connections are not as delivered in future periods will be taken at the next good as linear ones into London. The country needs to spending review by the Chancellor. In the meantime, look at that as a concept. however, some interim improvements to the junction are being funded by DP World as part of their planning The Thurrock and Dartford crossing was raised obligations for phase 1 of the London Gateway port by Members from a number of constituencies. The development off the A13 to the east at Corringham. Government recognises the importance of that crossing Those works will be undertaken in 2013. as a vital transport link for the both the national and south-east economies. The economic cost of delay is My hon. Friend the Member for Witham raised the estimated to be around £40 million per annum, as my issue of the A12 and the A120. Of course, given the hon. Friend the Member for Witham said. We have financial situation that we inherited from the previous been clear about the need to reduce the levels of congestion Government, funding has been limited, and we have and delays at the crossing, which in themselves are had to prioritise plans for future investment. As everybody barriers to economic growth. will be aware following the Government’s 2010 spending review, there are no proposals for major improvements The charge increases, introduced on 7 October, are to the A12 or A120 in the Highways Agency’s current part of a package of measures for the short, medium road programme. and long term to improve the performance of the crossing. The measures include: the suspension of charges However, in May this year we published our response at times of severe congestion, as introduced by my hon. to Alan Cook’s independent review of the strategic road Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) network. In that response, we fully accepted the when he was a transport Minister; the introduction of recommendation to take forward and develop a series free-flow charging technology; and reviewing options of route-based strategies for the network. I am pleased for additional crossing capacity in the long term. to say that the A12 in Essex has been selected as one of the first locations in which we are developing such a The charge increases provide benefits to businesses, strategy. It will cover the A12 between its junctions with commuters and other transport users in terms of the M25 and the A14 and include the A120 between improvements in travel time. The impact assessment Colchester and Harwich. showed that businesses are estimated to benefit by The route-based strategies will seek to set out what about £104 million, commuters by about £9.6 million may be needed in terms of the maintenance, operation and other transport users by about £34.4 million. and possible enhancement of routes to keep this country My hon. Friend the Member for Witham asked about moving and help support economic growth. That will contractors’ payments. I understand that the costs of help us make informed future decisions on the need and operating and maintaining the crossing from 2009 were 209WH Transport Infrastructure (Essex)23 OCTOBER 2012 Transport Infrastructure (Essex) 210WH part of the M25 design, build, finance and operate Government’s reintroducing flex is that some people contract. The costs are estimated and not separately could face increases in their rail fares of up to 9.2% in paid for, and the estimates are based on methodology January 2013? agreed by the National Audit Office, in which costs are evenly spread over 30-year contracts, so it is difficult to Norman Baker: As I mentioned, we have followed the compare with historical costs prior to that date. Additionally, intention of the last Government. It is also true that, from September 2009, transferring the traffic officer with flex, some people can face an increase of zero, service and meeting EU tunnel safety requirements because flex, by definition, has fares above RPI plus 1% have increased costs. and below RPI plus 1%. That is the purpose of flex. By A number of colleagues raised the major issue of the the way, I say to the Opposition spokesperson that tolls themselves. It is perfectly true that when a toll was trying to use scare tactics about the future of rail envisaged, it was for the lifetime of the structure, as my services and ticket offices does not help. We are trying hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Sir Bob Russell) to get more people on to the railways and to provide a said. That was then changed to a charge related to better service, not to frighten people off the railways, as congestion by the previous Government under the she seemed to be intending to do. Transport Act 2000, and it was therefore, at that point, I hope that my hon. Friend the Member for Witham no longer connected to paying for the bridge. will agree with me that there have been some service improvements in the region—for example, the cleaning Sir Bob Russell: Is it still the Government’s policy, as of trains and the programme of refreshing of stations it was with the previous Government, to sell the Thurrock that is under way. Greater Anglia is investing in crossings—both the bridge and the tunnels? If so, should improvements to ticket retailing, additional car parking not the financial benefit go to the council tax payers of and cycle storage facilities across the franchise. A closer Essex and Kent? working relationship with Network Rail is seeing improvements in how access for engineering works is approached. That is something within my portfolio and Norman Baker: As my hon. Friend will know, something I have been pushing very hard, because when consideration is being given to the general capacity of people want a train, they want a train, not a replacement the crossing. We face a strategic choice whether to bus service. It is expected to lead to better provision of enhance the strategic road network at the existing crossing services at weekends where large-scale closures have or to add a new link into the network, with a crossing been the norm for a number of years. Frankly, that has further downstream, and I noted the comments of my to end. hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock on that matter. That is why we are currently analysing the relative I recognise the valuable work done in putting together merits of the three potential locations for the new the rail prospectus to which my hon. Friend and other crossing, and the findings will inform public consultation colleagues refer. It makes the case very powerfully for in 2013. That is a way of saying that such issues will be investment in rail services in the Greater Anglia region. wrapped up in consideration of the crossing in total, I can confirm that due consideration will be given to and it would be wrong to isolate one instance without those aspirations when the Department is in a position looking at future plans for the crossing. to go to the market for a new franchise proposition. On rail and rail infrastructure, I am aware that my The point about access to Stansted airport by rail was hon. Friend the Member for Witham has campaigned well made. It has been raised by a number of stakeholders hard for improvements in rail services in the region and and hon. Members and is very much on the Department’s for increased investment to reflect the level of fares radar as well. paid, particularly by commuters. I am grateful for the The issue was raised of the link between Witham and recognition that the Government has taken steps to Braintree—the branch line there. We are working with ensure that the possible increase in rail fares of RPI local stakeholders, who are currently developing a business plus 3% has been averted. We have worked very hard on case for the work. Consistent with our approach in that in the Department for Transport and in the other areas, we are happy to consider including such Government generally, and therefore rail fares will increase proposals in future franchises if a positive financial case by RPI plus 1% for the rest of this Parliament. That was can be made. the formula put in place by the last Labour Government The good news, if my hon. Friend looks at what is in 2004. happening elsewhere in the country, is that the largest The issue of flex, which the hon. Member for Nottingham rail building and investment programme since Victorian South (Lilian Greenwood)referred to, was, I think, a times is now being undertaken in this country. That little disingenuous, because flex was abolished for one includes passing loops and redoubling of lines in some year by the last Labour Transport Secretary.The intention, cases, such as between Swindon and Kemble. It even as shown by the paperwork in the Department for includes lines being reopened, such as that from Oxford Transport, which I quoted in a previous debate, was to across to Bedford. There is heavy investment in rail, and reinstate flex after the election. We are following the it has a good economic return. I encourage my hon. policy of the last Government in terms of both RPI Friend to continue to argue in favour of investment in plus 1% and the ability of companies to use flex while her area for such upgrades. still maintaining the overall RPI plus 1% result. On aviation, it is pleasing to see Southend airport making great strides towards becoming a modern, 21st- Lilian Greenwood: To be clear and honest with the century transport hub, with a new railway station and Essex constituents of the hon. Members here today, terminal, and the successful launch of commercial flights will the Minister confirm that the implication of the to a number of European destinations earlier this year. 211WH Transport Infrastructure (Essex)23 OCTOBER 2012 Transport Infrastructure (Essex) 212WH

[Norman Baker] Many of those schemes involve cycleway provision. We are now seeing a commitment to cycling—a commitment Colleagues have referred to the future configuration right across England—that we did not see before. That of air capacity. Of course, that matter will be considered is very good news. The number of people cycling is by the commission. We look forward to receiving its going up in this country. interim report at the Department for Transport. It is My hon. Friend also mentioned light rail systems. I probably not sensible to spend very much time on can assure him that we are doing a great deal to promote aviation, speculating about the future. However, it is true, light rail. I refer him to the Department’s document as I think one hon. Member said, that there is unused “Green Light for Light Rail” and the fact that we have capacity at Stansted at the moment. That situation granted extensions to light rail systems in Manchester, might be improved if there were an improved train Birmingham and Nottingham, as well as authorising a service to the station, which I think was a case being tram-train project between Sheffield and Rotherham. made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Saffron The current Government is very supportive of light rail. Walden. Of course, these sorts of scheme, whether they involve Let me pick up some other points that hon. Members light rail, bus or cycle provision or, indeed, local roads, raised. My hon. Friend the Member for Colchester will be handled in future to a large degree by local referred to the “Norwich in 90” campaign and asked for people through the devolution proposals that the an assurance that that would not affect his constituency. Department is bringing forward and through the creation I can say that we all share the desire to improve services of local transport boards, which are accountable through north to Norwich and the intention would not be local authorities. Therefore, to a large degree, these adversely to affect existing services. In an ideal world, sorts of discussion in the future, I hope, will be held in we would look at improved rolling stock, improved line Essex, rather than necessarily in this House. capacity and so on. That is how we would ideally look at delivering a better service. It certainly seems to me Robert Halfon: Will my hon. Friend agree to meet me, that if we are robbing Peter to pay Paul, there is not the local council and the enterprise partnership, as well much of a gain to be had. as the other Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member My hon. Friend also raised, as did the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Stephen Hammond), once the study by for Nottingham South, the issue of bus services. I put it Essex council on the extra junction on the M11 has on the record that we regard bus services as very important. been completed, so that we can make the case to the The bus is a primary means of getting to work for most Department? people. There was a recent, very healthy publication called “Greener Journeys”, which I recommend to Norman Baker: I pay tribute to my hon. Friend’s colleagues. It identified the key link between employment tenacity on that matter. He has raised it before, when I and bus services—how they are two sides of the same responded to a debate that he introduced. I am very coin. The number of people on buses has marginally happy to make my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon increased recently, the latest figures show, and the (Stephen Hammond) aware of his continued interest in commercial sector is holding up very well. There is an the matter. I am sure that the Under-Secretary will be issue about subsidised services from local councils, but looking at the report on junction 7a, to which my hon. that is a matter for local authorities to deal with. Friend the Member for Harlow referred earlier, but I We are seeing a mixed picture across the country. will pass on his request for a meeting and ensure that Whereas some areas are making very few or no cuts, my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon replies to other areas are making swingeing cuts, but the consequence that accordingly. of localism is that there will be a different response My hon. Friend the Member for Harlow also raised from different local authorities. Therefore, bus services the issue of smartcard delivery and how that can be in Essex are really a matter to pursue with Essex county rolled out. The Department is very keen on that and I council, rather than with the Department for Transport. lead on it for the Department. We believe that the availability of smartcard technology can transform public Lilian Greenwood: Will the Minister give way? transport by making it far more attractive and easier to use, as has been proven to be the case in London. We Norman Baker: I will not, if the hon. Lady does not are now seeing pilot schemes across the country. mind, because points were raised by hon. Members that For example, in the Southern train area, we will I want to cover. shortly be seeing three-day season tickets being piloted My hon. Friend the Member for Colchester also with smartcard technology. We are very committed to raised the issue of cycleway provision, which was right. that. The local transport White Paper, which I launched He will know, I hope, that the current Government has last year, “Creating growth, cutting carbon: making produced a brand-new sum of money, £600 million—the sustainable local transport happen”, has an objective of local sustainable transport fund—which, by encouraging the majority of public transport journeys being undertaken match funding, has now produced more than £1 billion with smartcard technology by the end of 2014, and we of funding for schemes on the ground, which are now are on target for that. being delivered. I have that rare pleasure as a Transport I hope that I have dealt with most points. If there are Minister of both approving the funding and still being any outstanding points, one of my ministerial colleagues there to open the schemes when they finally arrive. or I will write to hon. Members about them. 213WH 23 OCTOBER 2012 Democratic Republic of the Congo 214WH

Democratic Republic of the Congo On Friday, the United Nations Security Council reiterated its condemnation of and demanded an end to all external 11 am support being provided to armed groups, particularly to the M23, which has been destabilising the DRC over Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): It is a pleasure recent months. to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Roger. I thank Several experts currently based on the ground—for the Speaker for selecting this important debate on the instance, the director for central Africa of the International situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I Crisis Group—recently confirmed to the all-party also thank the Minister for coming to reply to the parliamentary group on the African great lakes region debate. that many facts point to a likely resumption of attacks I will start by making three points that I want everyone from rebels and army in the coming weeks or even days. here to remember. First, a staggering 4 million lives are That has been confirmed by the M23, which declared in estimated as lost due to conflict and conflict-induced a statement released last Saturday to announce the new poverty in the DRC. Secondly, although it is a country name of its military wing, the Congolese Revolutionary rich in resources, which if used properly could transform Army—ARC—that it expected imminent attacks from the DLC, it is one of the poorest nations in the world, the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the ranking 187th out of 187 in the UN human development Congo, FARDC. index. Thirdly, the average life-expectancy for a man is The M23 mutiny has also contributed to a less only 47 and for a woman, 50. The infant mortality rate commented-upon consequence: the increase in activities is around one in 10. of other armed groups in other parts of the Congo, The DRC is the second largest country in Africa by especially the Ituri region of the Orientale province and area, and the 11th largest in the world. With its population the Masisi territory of the north Kivu province. Rebel of 66 million, it is the 19th most populous nation in the groups took advantage of the security vacuums created world and the fourth most populous in Africa. by redeployments of the army to M23-affected areas. The DRC is a vast country with immense economic Casualties since April are hard to assess precisely, but resources, although it has been at the centre of what the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights declared could be described as Africa’s world war, which has left that preliminary findings from missions of the UN joint it in the grip of an ongoing humanitarian crisis. The human rights office in the DRC, carried out in Masisi five-year conflict pitted Government forces, supported territory, suggested that civilian massacres perpetrated by Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe, against rebels backed by the FDLR—the Democratic Forces for the Liberation by Uganda and Rwanda. Despite a peace deal and the of Rwanda—and the group known as Raia Mutomboki formation of a transitional Government in 2003, people may constitute crimes against humanity. in the country still remain in terror of marauding In particular, the DRC’s eastern provinces of north militia and the army. It is estimated that the war claimed and south Kivu have witnessed increased fighting over in excess of 3 million to 4 million lives, either as a direct recent months between Government troops and the result of fighting or because of disease and malnutrition. M23. The ongoing violence has led to an alarming humanitarian situation, marked by rape, murder and Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): I congratulate the hon. pillaging. The fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands Lady on securing this important debate. She mentioned people, including many who have fled to neighbouring Rwanda. Does she not find it extraordinary that the Rwanda and Uganda, as well as within the DRC. UK Government reinstated aid to Rwanda when, on Peacekeepers from the UN organisation stabilisation the basis of UN information, the Rwandan Government mission in the DRC—MONUSCO—have been aiding has been aiding rebels in eastern Congo? the DRC Government’s troops in their efforts to deal with the M23. Last week, six UN peacekeepers and a Pauline Latham: I thank the hon. Gentleman for local interpreter were wounded in an overnight ambush, raising that point. The situation is difficult, because while returning from a patrol with 12 other peacekeepers, Rwanda has itself suffered terrible conflict. I understand near Buganza in north Kivu province, after finding the that the money that has been given to Rwanda was not bodies of four civilians. to support the Government but for humanitarian reasons. As well as expressing deep concern about the deteriorating The war has had economic as well as political security and humanitarian crisis in the eastern DRC, implications. Fighting was fuelled by the country’s vast caused by the M23 and other armed groups, the UN mineral wealth, with all sides taking advantage of the Security Council also condemned the M23’s attacks on anarchy to plunder natural resources. That vast mineral civilians, humanitarian actors and UN peacekeepers, wealth has also led to illegal exploitation. and its abuses of human rights, including summary In September last year, the DRC held its first democratic executions, sexual and gender-based violence and the elections. Observers hoped that for the first time the use of child soldiers. An M23 combatant, who recently Congo’s history of poor governance and rebellious spoke to Human Rights Watch, was candid about the factions could be put to rest. However, for those living recruitment of child soldiers in Rwanda. He said: in many parts of the country there has been no such “We recruit everywhere in Rwanda and street children are very relief. susceptible to recruitment.” In April of this year, a rebel military group, the Let me very clear about where I stand on the issue. As March 23 movement commonly reported as the M23, far as I am concerned, Rwandan military and civilian was formed. It is based in eastern areas of DRC and officials who recruit children under the age of 15 for the mainly operates in the province of north Kivu. The M23, or any other group, are responsible for war crimes. group is currently involved in a conflict in the DRC that Sexual violence is a common tragedy facing women and has led to the displacement of large numbers of people. children in the DRC and the charity Tearfund estimates 215WH Democratic Republic of the Congo23 OCTOBER 2012 Democratic Republic of the Congo 216WH

[Pauline Latham] to be spent on wealth creation, £130 million on humanitarian aid and £109 million on governance and that 48 women and children per hour are raped in the security. country, mostly by armed groups as well as civilians. If In 2010-11, the DRC was the UK’s seventh largest that happened in this country, there would be an outcry. recipient of bilateral aid and the third in terms of The correlation between rape and the spread of HIV bilateral humanitarian assistance. In the past five years, has been demonstrated in several cases. Some reports western countries alone have invested more than $14 billion estimate that 20% of raped women are HIV-positive. in the DRC. International aid is now equivalent to Diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and nematode infections nearly half the DRC’s annual budget. As such, donors resulting from poor water, sanitation and hygiene are have considerable leverage over the DRC. Yet despite all also commonplace in the area. The links between sanitation that aid, nothing substantial ever seems to happen to and sexual violence become apparent when, owing to stop the suffering of the people of the DRC. the lack of access to private latrines, women face no The DRC will continue to receive billions in aid, choice but to find private places to defecate, often at including in humanitarian assistance, to help to relieve night and a considerable distance away from their homes, the suffering of the hundreds of thousands of people further increasing their risk of sexual violence. The displaced by the numerous ongoing conflicts, while the organisation War Child states that this is the lack of efforts by the Congolese Government on good “most dangerous place in the world to be a woman”. governance, on structural reforms in the security sector, Those sentiments were echoed by Hillary Clinton, who the army and the justice and administration sectors and added: on decentralisation will thwart any positive developments “It truly is one of mankind’s greatest atrocities. This country in stabilisation. has witnessed humanity at its worst.” Despite all the ongoing work and the amount of aid Rape as a tool of war is, in my opinion, a war crime and being given by the UK and the international community, must be condemned in the strongest manner possible by the DRC will not meet any of its millennium development the whole international community. goals. However, if the UK Government continue with There are now more than 2 million internally displaced their current policy, which I sincerely hope they will, persons—IDPs—in the DRC, the highest number within then by 2015 we will without doubt fulfil the targets for the past three years, with 1.5 million IDPs in the Kivu the DRC, set by the Department for International provinces alone. There are now more than 320,000 new Development. Those targets include delivering more for IDPs from north Kivu since April, owing to the M23 poor people by promoting economic growth and wealth mutiny alone—as mentioned in the latest UN Security creation; helping to build peace, stability and democracy; Council presidential statement released on Friday, which and meeting various specific targets such as safer births, I referred to earlier—and more than 400,000 new IDPs clean water for 6 million people, and protection from across the provinces since the mutiny. malaria for 15 million adults and children. Aid workers in the region claim that they have exhausted their resources and capacities and that numerous IDPs Eric Joyce (Falkirk) (Ind): I simply want to refer to are unreachable either because they are in remote areas the destabilisation effect. Does the hon. Lady agree that or for security reasons, and dealing with that would one of the problems is that the lack of movement on the require humanitarian corridors to be set up. The global reformation of the armed services creates enormous UN-led DRC humanitarian action plan is still only 47% pressures on Rwanda and Uganda to act over their funded. The UN refugee agency has launched an appeal borders into eastern Congo? for almost $40 million to cover the needs of 400,000 internally displaced people in north Kivu, south Kivu Pauline Latham: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his and Orientale provinces and of 75,000 refugees—25,000 intervention. He has a huge experience of this subject. in Rwanda and 50,000 in Uganda—who have appeared Finally, at a time of such economic hardship at home, since the M23 rebellion started in April. there are those who question the purpose and the The UNHCR has warned that the situation remains amount of aid going overseas, but this is an investment. volatile and that it expects further displacement this I passionately believe that providing aid to people in year. It fears that the number of new IDPs may reach as such desperate conditions is morally right. It is also many as 760,000 in the coming months. The agency also in our national interest to have a safer and more secure said that it was particularly alarmed about the large world and less suffering in such destitute conditions. It number of human rights violations in north and south is time to move the world with us in embracing the Kivu, where more than 15,000 protection incidents, 21st century. including, murder, rape and forced recruitment, have been reported since April. Given the magnitude of the new displacements, the 11.15 am World Food Programme has launched a new emergency The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth operation from September 2012 to June 2013, which Office (Mr Hugo Swire): It is a pleasure to serve under will assist approximately 1.2 million people in five provinces. your chairmanship, Sir Roger. I congratulate my hon. Three weeks ago, it declared: Friend the Member for Mid Derbyshire (Pauline Latham) “We need additional funding to be able to continue to assist on securing the debate. She has shown a strong interest this very poor population. So far we have mobilised only 15% of in humanitarian issues in this part of Africa, both the total cost of this emergency operation.” before and since entering the House. She has raised UK aid to the DRC will increase from about £147 million some interesting points and I welcome the opportunity in 2011 to £258 million a year by 2015, which amounts to debate the topic, as I share her concerns about the to £790 million between 2011 and 2015, with £176 million situation in eastern DRC, as do a number of hon. 217WH Democratic Republic of the Congo23 OCTOBER 2012 Democratic Republic of the Congo 218WH

Members, two of whom also spoke this morning. The However, the crisis requires a sustainable political region has also been the subject of a number of recent solution—something that the ICGLR has not yet been parliamentary questions. The topic itself is the responsibility able to address in depth. The UN is working on the of the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and problem and it held a high-level meeting in New York Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member on 26 September, which my hon. Friend the Under- for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds), who is Secretary attended, during the UN General Assembly. unable to be here today. We were disappointed with the outcome, but it is crucial The deteriorating humanitarian situation in the DRC that we continue to work with the UN, with regional is extremely worrying. There are 2.3 million internally groups such as the ICGLR, the Southern African displaced people, up from 1.7 million at the end of last Development Community and the African Union, and year. The strengthening and proliferation of armed with our international partners to ensure there is support groups in 2012 as the national army has redeployed to for regional efforts to find common ground for a lasting tackle M23 has led to a sharp increase in the number of political solution. We should not pretend that this will attacks on civilians, including alarming levels of sexual be a quick and painless process, but it is vital that we see violence, forced recruitment and other human rights progress soon, given the terrible impact of the crisis on abuses. the ordinary people of the DRC, which my hon. Friend Access for humanitarian agencies to affected areas is the Member for Mid Derbyshire described. limited. The UN humanitarian action plan called for We want to explore what more the UN peacekeeping $791 million, but only $412 million has been raised to and stabilisation mission in the DRC—MONUSCO, or date. My hon. Friend asked about UK aid to the DRC. the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission As she notes, the UK is one of the largest contributors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo—can do to of development aid to the DRC, and over the next four support efforts to find a solution, as well as fulfilling its years the UK will deliver significant results to the vital and primary role of protecting civilians. In addition poorest and most vulnerable people. We are committed to working through the UN and supporting regional to providing a minimum of £27 million of assistance bodies such as the ICGLR, we will continue to maintain each year until 2016. We call on others to follow suit pressure on the Rwandan and DRC Governments about and give this crisis the attention and support it deserves. their roles. The DRC remains one of the most challenging For Rwanda, the message is that it must play a environments in which to deliver aid. Questions over constructive role in resolving the problems in eastern further UK aid support to the DRC are first and foremost DRC and stop all support for M23. That message has for my colleagues at the Department for International been given many times over the past six months. For Development, and I will ensure that the debate is brought example, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to their attention. I am also aware that my right hon. it during a meeting with the President of Rwanda, Paul Friend the Secretary of State for International Development Kagame, in July, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign will continue to review the programme to ensure that Secretary did the same during a telephone call with the the money is reaching the right places in the DRC while Rwandan Minister for Foreign Affairs on 29 September. also achieving value for money for the British taxpayer. Our high commissioner in Kigali has reinforced the Looking beyond the humanitarian crisis, we want a message on many occasions with a number of senior stable and prosperous DRC. The international community Rwandan figures. needs to respond to the drivers of the conflict. We I want to address the question put to my hon. Friend therefore welcome the presidential statement issued by the Member for Mid Derbyshire by the hon. Member the United Nations Security Council on Friday 19 October. for Wrexham (Ian Lucas) on the continuation of aid to The statement condemns M23 and all its attacks on the Rwanda. The decision to disburse £8 million of general civilian population and emphasises the need for countries budget support while reprogramming the remaining to respect the principles of non-interference, good £8 million to targeted programmes on education and neighbourliness and regional co-operation. We want a food security took account of the fact that withholding regional solution to what we believe is a regional problem. the money would impact on the very people we aim to We welcome the leadership that the International help. By reprogramming some of the general budget Conference on the Great Lakes Region has shown thus support, we signalled our continuing concern about far. The ICGLR has achieved a ceasefire, or, more Rwanda’s actions in eastern DRC. accurately, a lull in the fighting. I say that because I am sure that the hon. Gentleman was not trying to clashes have, alas, continued. Although they are not at make some kind of cheap political point about the earlier levels, they are enough to remain a concern. The issue. The point is that we are committed to helping the fact remains that a rebel group with external support is poorest people in the world and we believe that there in control of part of the DRC. That is clearly unacceptable. are people in Rwanda who are still deserving of our We also welcome the ICGLR’s proposals for a neutral support. The decision to continue that support was international force to tackle armed groups in eastern taken across Government. DRC, though details remain to be decided, and an extended joint verification mechanism to monitor the Ian Lucas: Will the Minister give way? border between the DRC and Rwanda. We urge its rapid deployment. Mr Swire: No, I will not. Ian Lucas: Will the Minister give way? The message for the DRC Government is that they have a major role to play if the cycle of violence in the Mr Swire: No, I will continue, if I may. In a moment, east of the country is to be broken for good. They need I will answer the question that the hon. Gentleman put to show leadership and to address, in practical ways, the earlier. underlying causes of instability in the region. A sustainable 219WH Democratic Republic of the Congo 23 OCTOBER 2012 220WH

[Mr Swire] Post-2015 Development Agenda peace can be found only if all external support for armed groups in the DRC stops and if the DRC [MR MIKE WEIR in the Chair] Government show leadership in finding long-term solutions. 2.30 pm My hon. Friend the Member for Mid Derbyshire Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ rightly focused on the issue of sexual violence in the Co-op): It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, DRC and the appalling stories—those which we hear Mr Weir. I am pleased to have secured this debate on of—emanating from that part of the world almost daily. post-2015 development goals at a very appropriate time. We utterly condemn the use of sexual violence in conflict, wherever and whenever it takes place. In the DRC in The issue for debate today is what should happen to particular, that horrific situation persists and will leave the set of international goals for development when lasting scars. 2015—the date by which the development goals adopted in 2000 were meant to have been implemented—is reached. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary recently Should the world community create entirely new ones? launched a new initiative on the prevention of sexual Should we incorporate the 2000 millennium development violence in conflict. We are setting up a UK team of goals, in so far as they have not been fulfilled? How do experts who will be deployed to conflict areas in support the goals after 2015 relate to the sustainable development of efforts to prevent and investigate sexual violence. goals adopted at Rio? Do we need goals at all? The initiative will provide crucial funding support to Those are important issues and this is an appropriate the UN, and we will also work to help other countries time to discuss them, for a number of reasons. First, to develop their capabilities to prevent and investigate the international community—states, non-governmental those terrible crimes. I hope that the initiative will also organisations, charities and the rest—in both richer and enjoy the support of all parties in the House. developing countries is now seriously beginning to address As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also those issues. In the UK, we have a particularly good announced, the UK will use our presidency of the G8 opportunity to influence the debate about the strategic to secure commitments from others to tackle sexual approach to be adopted after 2015, because the Prime violence in conflict. With the UK showing international Minister has a role as the co-chair of the UN Secretary- leadership in this area, that is an appropriate point at General’s high-level panel, which is looking at the global which to draw my remarks to a close. development agenda after 2015. The first full meeting of that panel takes place in London next week. Sir Roger Gale (in the Chair): To enable Members to The first question to be addressed is whether there attend Prayers and Question Time, the sitting is suspended should be a new set of international goals like the until 2.30 pm. millennium development goals. I strongly believe that there should, although not necessarily in the same 11.24 am format. The idea of an internationally recognised set of Sitting suspended. targets is, I believe, a good one. Targets such as the MDGs can focus attention, action and funding, and set achievable objectives. We can see how far progress is being made in particular areas. There is plenty of evidence that the existence of the millennium development goals of 2000 did encourage the world community to focus efforts. Without them some, maybe much, of the progress would not have been achieved. Indeed, some of the millennium development goals have been met ahead of the deadline set during the various negotiations leading up to their adoption. For example, the proportion of the world’s population living in extreme poverty—that is, on less than $1.25 a day—fell in 2010 to less than half the 1990 rate, according to the World Bank’s preliminary estimates. That fall in extreme poverty applies in every region of the developing world, including sub-Saharan Africa, where the situation is sometimes the least positive. The proportion of people without access to safe drinking water was also halved by 2010 and there were significant improvements in the lives of 200 million people living in slums around the world. That is more than double the millennium development goal of 100 million people having their lives improved in that way. Other targets are on track to be met, such as the target to halt and begin to reverse the spread of TB by 2015. As for universal primary education, the overall enrolment rates of children of primary school age in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 58% to 76% between 1999 and 2010. Mortality rates for children under the 221WH Post-2015 Development Agenda23 OCTOBER 2012 Post-2015 Development Agenda 222WH age of five have fallen markedly and 6.5 million people every natural disaster to climate change, the evidence is at the end of 2010 were receiving antiretroviral therapy building about the effect on countries such as the one for HIV or AIDS in developing regions. referred to by my hon. Friend. The number of children not attending school, which I would characterise the second theme that should was 108 million in 1999, had fallen to 61 million in feature in whatever development goals are adopted by 2010. There has been progress and it is important to the international community as equity and inclusiveness. emphasise that, to answer those who suggest that there That is to take account of the fact that general development is no point in doing anything in the field of international targets can frequently fail to address the particular development, that it is a waste of money and that we difficulties faced by particular sections of society. There cannot do anything about it. We can make progress; the is most obviously the need to ensure that targets take world community can do something if we act together. account of the biggest part of the population: women. There is no doubt that in many areas progress is The need for gender equality in the post-2015 framework slowing down, no doubt partly due to the economic has already been widely recognised. I would also point crisis. Development assistance at a global level has now out that there are other sections of society that can also fallen for the first time in 14 years. In 2011 it fell by lose out when their special issues are not taken into 2.7%, turning back an increase in the previous 14 years, account in the agenda that is developed—children, people during which the UK had, of course, been a leader. I am with disabilities and ethnic minorities, to name but certainly glad that the UK has remained committed to some of the groups. the 0.7% target, which we hope other countries will Clearly, the answer is not to add more and more follow. targets covering more and more sectors and groups to a We have reached the time to discuss what should list of development goals. What is needed is to ensure replace the existing millennium development goals. The that there is sophistication in how broad targets are issue is being debated by NGOs and Governments, and translated into specific programmes. As more countries our own Select Committee on International Development in the formerly developing world have experienced in the House of Commons is starting its own inquiry. It substantial economic development, we have seen how is inevitable when such debate takes place that all sorts poverty and deprivation can exist side by side with rapid of options will be put forward for inclusion in a new list economic development. That is why a sophisticated of development goals, and it is difficult to choose approach is important. between them. I am certainly not going to cherry-pick The third theme is tackling hunger and the causes of today and produce my preferred list of specific targets. hunger. Again, eradicating extreme poverty and hunger Indeed, part of the reason why I was keen to secure this is a target under the existing millennium development debate was to find out more about the Government’s goals and some good progress has been made. In recent thinking on these issues before the 1 November meeting, years, we have seen plenty of examples where hunger to which I have already referred. and malnutrition have worsened, with famine in a number However, I do want to suggest some main themes on of areas in the world. As food prices rise globally, there which a new list or programme—whatever form the new is considerable concern that the situation will become international development agenda takes—can be based, significantly worse, not better. There is now an increasing and the reasons why. My first theme is responding to consensus that tackling food insecurity and supporting climate change and environmental sustainability. There agricultural development needs should be a major focus are two reasons for that. The first is that the existing of common action by the world community, and that millennium development goal on environmental certainly needs to be reflected in whatever post-2015 sustainability is arguably one where, in some areas, agenda is agreed, however it is structured. some of the least progress has been made overall. The The most recent estimates of undernourishment from second is that the extent and urgency of the threat from the Food and Agriculture Organisation suggest that climate change is much clearer now than it was in 2000. 15% of the world’s population now live in severe hunger. It is frequently the poor in the poorest countries who There has also been only slow progress in cutting child are the biggest losers from the potential effects of climate undernutrition. About one third of children in southern change. I do not have time to go into the detail today, Asia were underweight in 2010. Of the 20 countries but issues such as flooding and desertification come to worst affected by food insecurity, the majority are in mind. Access to sustainable and affordable energy is a sub-Saharan Africa or south Asia, and we have seen big issue. There is still a big question mark about how some very recent examples of severe problems with climate mitigation and adaptation is to be financed; it is famine and hunger in those parts of the world. As well still far from settled following negotiations in Copenhagen as tackling the immediate outbreaks of famine and and Cancun. issues related to hunger, it is important to have a major emphasis on agricultural development and food security. Sir Tony Cunningham (Workington) (Lab): To emphasise We need to provide long-term answers to the problems the importance of climate change and flooding, I should that will be faced by increasing numbers of people in say that I was in the Philippines earlier this year. Floods the world unless action is taken by the international occurred in an area that had not been flooded for 50 or community. 60 years. The total number of deaths was between 25,000 and 30,000, among the poorest people of that Some of the themes I mention could be regarded as area. That demonstrates the importance of doing something part of the building blocks on which we develop new about climate change. goals. There is a need to break down the barriers to world trade, which is important if developing countries Mark Lazarowicz: Absolutely. We are seeing that are to make the best of their economic potential. Everyone kind of example in many other countries in the world. here will be aware of the almost imperceptible movement While we must always be careful of trying to ascribe following the Doha round negotiations. It is 11 years 223WH Post-2015 Development Agenda23 OCTOBER 2012 Post-2015 Development Agenda 224WH

[Mark Lazarowicz] a role in the Open Government Partnership in which the UK should be playing a positive role in increasing and there is still no sign of progress. We should not transparency, particularly with issues such as transparency forget that for many developing countries, being able to through the extractive industries and trying to increase get the benefits from trade is important and one of the accountability and transparency generally in development. top priorities that the international community must It will also coincide with the historic moment when the seek. coalition Government finally deliver on that 30-year Another theme that should be part of the overall pledge to devote just 0.7% of the UK’s national wealth picture is the need to recognise the importance of peace to international development, which gives us, at the and security, controlling the arms trade and preventing very least, a great moral authority in talking about conflict. The biggest single factor that undermines and development issues and demonstrates that the UK, sets back development is war, big and small, and it is a even in difficult times, has been willing to take a leadership stark fact that no low-income, conflict-affected or fragile position on development. state has yet to achieve a single millennium development One of the things that the hon. Member for Edinburgh goal. North and Leith has emphasised and that we should I have outlined a number of themes that should be talk about in this debate is that the millennium development part of the debate. Clearly, we also have to consider how goals were supposed to be global goals. They were not far some of the existing MDGs have been reached and just aid targets for poorer countries but targets that how far those that are furthest from being reached applied to all countries. We need to make it clear when should be incorporated in a new set of goals. I am not we consider possible successors, such as sustainable suggesting that the five themes that I have set out development goals or whatever we want to call them, should be reflected in five specific targets. Indeed, each that they, too, should be global goals, which apply to of the themes could in itself bring forward a number of rich and poor countries, developing nations, emerging specific goals, but those themes at least set out some of economies and established economies. That is one theme the key issues for development in the forthcoming years that I ask both the International Development Committee and should be the basis from which a post-2015 agenda, and Ministers to pay attention to. in whatever form it finally takes, should be developed. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to say that it is worth while having such high-level objectives. Certainly, I am interested to hear what others in the Chamber the objectives that we have set ourselves as a country on consider should be the key priorities for the post-2015 climate change have helped to trigger domestic action, development agenda and to hear from the Government and with this Government, we have the acceptance of how they are to take that agenda forward. the targets in the Climate Change Act 2008 and the I urge the Government, and the Prime Minister in carbon budgets recommended by the Energy and Climate particular, to play as active role as they can in setting Change Committee, which have helped to incentivise this agenda and helping to develop it. Previous Prime the Government to deliver on energy reform, the green Ministers achieved results on an international level deal, the green investment bank, smart meter roll-out because they gave the matter a high priority, and had and emissions performance standards for power generating the backing of the House and support from much of stations. They have also encouraged us to look at other the public. I hope that the current Prime Minister will issues that have been addressed in the sustainable rise to the challenge of helping to set the agenda, to development debate, such as the valuing of natural reflect both the concerns in this country and those that capital, which the Deputy Prime Minister, when he affect the international community as a whole. reported back from the Rio+20 summit, emphasised We are in difficult times, but that means that there is alongside the sustainable development goals. He said even more of a case for fulfilling our moral duty and that in valuing natural capital, we were setting an important showing our solidarity with those who, in many cases, goal for ourselves as a developed economy in our use of are the worst victims of the economic crisis that they resources and our approach to waste and growth and so had no part in causing. On many of the key issues of on, which is important. international development, the Prime Minister and the The Government set out an ambitious agenda on Deputy Prime Minister have been saying the right things. valuing natural capital in the natural environment White The Prime Minister in particular now has an opportunity, Paper in 2011. I am sometimes a little unsure of how we through his role in the high-level panel, to show leadership, have fulfilled the potential set out in that White Paper both at home and internationally, and I urge him to so far and whether or not the Government now need to do so. do a lot more in the valuing of natural capital and in ensuring that it is paid attention to. In an economic crisis, it is always easy to slip back into the idea that 2.44 pm growth is the be-all and end-all of Government policy Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): I apologise for and that only through economic growth can we improve arriving a few moments late for this debate, Mr Weir. I society. It is also easy to forget what we have been congratulate the hon. Member for Edinburgh North saying, which is that economic growth is not a perfect and Leith (Mark Lazarowicz) on securing this debate, indicator of the quality of a society or of its success. which is extraordinarily timely not just because of the The sustainable development argument is one that can International Development Committee’s inquiry into help us to focus again on some of the slightly deeper the issue and the Prime Minister’s appointment as a questions around growth and sustainability. co-chair of the high-level panel on future development I was always told in management training that objectives goals after 2015, but because of the coincidence of roles should be SMART—specific, measurable, attainable, that the Prime Minister is taking on at this time. He will relevant and time-bound—but at the very least they also be chairing the G8 meeting in 2013, and taking on should be SMT: specific, measureable and time-bound. 225WH Post-2015 Development Agenda23 OCTOBER 2012 Post-2015 Development Agenda 226WH

When such objectives are set at a high level, we should with, for example, biodiversity, water resource and other not fall into what has sometimes been the trap at United material and mineral resources, we have to work within Nations level of producing lots of slightly woolly, well- the planet’s available resources and that, as we start to meaning, well-crafted and well-negotiated words that move over certain thresholds in all these areas, we enter, are not very specific. The millennium development goals as she called them, “zones of stress” in which it is actually achieved those things: they were quite specific; possible to advance development but it becomes more they were time-bound and measurable; as the hon. stressful and more difficult, and there is more tension Gentleman said, they provided a marker on how different and more conflict. states are performing; and they led to some interesting That idea of working within the planet’s resources—of lessons—for instance, as he pointed out, on the impact observing planetary boundaries—is a very important of conflict and war on achieving development goals. So concept for what could be an overarching sustainable the high-level panel and the new targets should be development goal. However, it is very important that focused on delivering goals that are specific, measurable underneath that overarching goal we do not lose the and time-bound. detail and fail to address some of the issues that I have The Deputy Prime Minister suggested in reporting mentioned, such as food, energy, water, climate change, back from Rio that there should be three important disability, human rights and so on. focuses for the sustainable development goals—food, energy and water—and the hon. Gentleman has referred Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): to some of them. Many people also suggest other things In that list of the underlying tools and objectives, would that the goals should focus on. Climate change has my hon. Friend include financial inclusion? Well-regulated rightly been referred to. It is crucial; the environment in savings and insurance products, for example, are very which we all live and exist as a planet is the one that important in triggering developments to achieve other determines whether development is really possible. Other goals. people have mentioned, for example, disability. Sightsavers has made the specific point to me that disability and Martin Horwood: I might have to think about that poverty are interrelated, both in this country and in suggestion. I appreciate what my hon. Friend is saying developing countries, so disability needs to be considered. and she makes a very important point, but there is a Many NGOs have made the point that human rights slight risk involved in considering financial inclusion. and social justice need to be reflected in the successors For people who are living on less than a dollar a day, the to the millennium development goals, because it is the idea of savings products may be a little bit unrealistic. poor who are not only most vulnerable to climate In framing global goals, we want to ensure that they are change and problems such as rising food prices and the applicable to populations across the world. lack of availability of food but who are most vulnerable Professor Leach talked to me about the three D’s: to economic exploitation, injustice and oppression. direction, diversity and distribution. “Direction” was Noting what the hon. Gentleman said about conflict, the clear path that the sustainable development goals it is perhaps important that the reduction of conflict had to take. “Distribution” was looking at who gains, and the achievement of peace should be reflected in the who loses and the social justice element of the development new goals. However, that leads to a slight problem and a goals. “Diversity” was a really interesting one, in that it risk that we end up with a kind of Christmas-tree encompassed the idea that different countries might approach, where everybody has contributed dozens of approach the development goals in different ways. Perhaps focused objectives and we try to have 100 priorities. that is where my hon. Friend’s suggestion about financial Clearly, there must be some guarding against that. It inclusion might be brought into play. In looking at has been suggested to me that perhaps there should be sustainability in terms of rich and developed countries, one overarching sustainable development goal that frames what she is saying is very important, but for some other the debate and informs the other development goals. countries the idea of financial inclusion might be a later That overarching goal should focus on the poor; it step in the process. I recommend the three D’s to should address sustainability; and it should refer to Ministers. working within planetary boundaries. There are a few other points that I want to make “Planetary boundaries” is a really important concept about what form the new sustainable development goals that goes to the heart of what sustainability really should take. First, they certainly should be global; they means. Earlier today, I had a discussion with someone should quite clearly apply to richer countries and more who I recommend to Ministers as a source of very developed economies, as well as to the lowest-income sound and well-researched advice: Professor Melissa countries. Leach of the STEPS—Social, Technological and Secondly, the goals should be steering the world to Environmental Pathways to Sustainability—centre at look at development within “planetary boundaries”—we the Institute of Development Studies in the university might use that term. How can I put this idea in terms of Sussex. She told me that she did not like talking that might appeal to my right hon. and hon. Friends on about environmental limits, because “limits” implied the Conservative side of the coalition? If we look at it as something that we could not go beyond, and that she a business, we are talking about operating the world as a preferred the term “zones of ecological stress”. I suggested business within a safe operating environment that does that, for a politician, that phrase was not going to roll not take us into high-risk areas. So this is about observing off the tongue terribly easily, but we agreed on the the limits of climate change, biodiversity and resource concept of planetary boundaries. use. The idea of planetary boundaries is that in looking at Thirdly, the goals must be ambitious. The millennium development—this relates to economic growth as well—we development goals were ambitious. The fact that, as a have to be aware that not only with climate change but planet, we achieved some of them but failed to achieve 227WH Post-2015 Development Agenda23 OCTOBER 2012 Post-2015 Development Agenda 228WH

[Martin Horwood] I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh North and Leith (Mark Lazarowicz) for securing this many of them has been a useful tool in identifying important debate and commend his work in the previous where we had problems and in focusing on those countries Government as special envoy to the Prime Minister on that had the greatest problems. The sustainable development climate change issues. Both he and the hon. Member for goals must not be woolly; they must be as ambitious Cheltenham (Martin Horwood) have stated that, as we and specific as the millennium development goals. speak about the millennium development goals and Fourthly, the goals could follow a formula that has what comes next, climate change issues should feature been used in the climate change process of the United significantly. Nations framework convention on climate change: the As we debate these issues, we face one of the biggest idea of common but differentiated responsibilities, whereby ever economic challenges, both at home and internationally. because countries will respond in wildly different ways In that context, we must recognise that we are calling on to the challenge of new development goals, different the UK public to support international development at goals may apply with different degrees of rigour to a difficult time, but that is the right thing to do. We are different countries. For instance, for a country such as pleased that this Government are following in the Labour the UK, the goals may not be so much about involving Government’s footsteps and continuing the commitment women in education or achieving greater access for to increase aid to developing countries to 0.7% of gross disabled people, because we would fancy that we would national income—GNI. It is important to maintain meet such goals already, but they might be about addressing that commitment. waste, consumption, having too great a focus on relentless From some of the things that the British public have economic growth, inefficiency in using our resources done, we can see that they are hugely committed and and in overstepping planetary boundaries in the way generous where development and humanitarian disasters that we handle our economy. are concerned. During the Disasters Emergency Committee In that respect, I commend to Ministers a policy that appeal to help some 13 million people in need after the unfortunately did not make it into the coalition agreement east Africa drought last year, about £79 million was but that the Liberal Democrats adopted in opposition. raised. We must continue our defence against the relentless Alongside a climate change Act, we wanted to have a attacks that some sections of the press and a number of waste and resource efficiency Act that took the same parliamentarians have made on international development. kind of target-setting and framework approach to the We must continue to argue that development provides use of natural resources and natural capital. That would good value for what it achieves in developing countries. fit very neatly with the framework set out by the White My hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh North and Paper on the natural environment in 2011, and I still Leith and the hon. Member for Cheltenham pointed commend the policy to Ministers. I think we are talking that out and highlighted some of the achievements. about “coalition 2.0” or something, so perhaps it is a More importantly, with our current commitment of policy that we could still adopt in the remaining years 0.56% of our national income, we are making great of the coalition Government before the next election. strides, and have done so over the past decade, in reducing poverty in some of the world’s poorest places. The final point I will make about the future sustainable We have also reduced inequality, but much more needs development goals is that sustainability must be to be done. mainstreamed within them. One of the failings of the Tackling global poverty and inequality is the paramount original millennium development goals, which I think issue of our time, and I think that all of us, across the the hon. Member for Edinburgh North and Leith referred board, agree that we must continue to redouble our to, is that environmental issues were slightly pocketed in efforts, even in these challenging economic times at the last of the development goals and the inter-relationship home, to reduce poverty and inequality, whether in the between environmental sustainability, poverty, justice poorest or in middle-income countries. We must all and development was not really fully developed in the focus our attention on the challenges posed by poverty millennium development goals. We need to see that and inequality around the world, and by unemployment, corrected. That was the message not only of the Rio+20 especially among the young. In focusing on what happens summit but of the original earth summit in Rio 20 years post-2015, we need to give even greater priority to ago. As I say, it is very important that sustainability is ensuring that people have economic opportunities— mainstreamed within the agenda that we are discussing. opportunities to work and to develop their own countries This is a remarkable opportunity for the UK to by making that contribution themselves. provide leadership in this area and a remarkable personal In the developing world, more than 1.4 billion people opportunity for the Prime Minister, as co-chair of the live on less than $1.25 a day, yet developing countries’ high-level UN panel, alongside his responsibilities with economic potential is enormous. We are already seeing the G8 and the Open Government Partnership, while signs of that in many countries, including India and the Government are delivering on the historic pledge to China, but inequality is of great concern. We must devote 0.7% of our national wealth to international ensure that, as we discuss what happens after 2015, we development. I hope that the Government make the have a clear answer on how we will address the poverty most of this opportunity and provide real global leadership of middle-income countries, which is where the great on sustainable development. majority of the world’s poorest people are concentrated, and increasingly so. We must work with countries that 2.59 pm are doing better economically, and help them to start to solve their own problems with our support and partnership. Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab): Thank We have achieved a great deal that we can be proud of you, Mr Weir, for giving me the opportunity to close the over the past 10 to 15 years. I am really proud that when debate from this side of the House. Labour was in government we acted as a global leader 229WH Post-2015 Development Agenda23 OCTOBER 2012 Post-2015 Development Agenda 230WH in international development, and I am pleased that are going to school and getting the education that will this Government are pursuing the same agenda. The help them to create a better and more prosperous future commitment to the millennium development goals was for themselves and their families. Reminding ourselves a central part of that story. My right hon. Friend the of those achievements is important, particularly when Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown) some people would prefer to imply that development and Tony Blair, both former Prime Ministers, created assistance is not making a difference. Development the Department for International Development to ensure assistance clearly has made and is making a difference, that development was high on the agenda of the British and those of us who believe that we must continue that Government and of the international community; that effort need to continue to make those arguments. we decoupled the development agenda from economic, We have also made great strides in improving aid trade and defence interests, and focused on poverty effectiveness. We did so when we were in government, alleviation in particular; and that we maintained the and I know that this Government have spoken a great commitment to 0.7% of GNI. deal about the importance of aid effectiveness and Mr Tom Harris (Glasgow South) (Lab): Would my transparency. I encourage the vigorous pursuit of that hon. Friend care to comment on one particular policy? agenda. We need to be able to have public confidence in I think, and the Minister might confirm, that the the way public money is being used when, rightly, more Government have not taken up the baton handed over and more questions are being asked about how that by the previous Government regarding carbon reporting. money is used to achieve the goals that we all seek. Does she agree that limiting carbon reporting to the top There are economic pressures here at home and in 1,800 companies is not in the spirit of the commitment other donor countries, and as my hon. Friend said, we that the Labour Government gave when they talked see that budgetary pressure in the reduction in aid about fulfilling the millennium goals? money for particular countries. That is why it is crucial that the UK, which has been seen as an international Rushanara Ali: I could not agree more, and I hope leader on those issues, make the most of its position to that the Minister takes the opportunity, as the last man put the case for continued commitment to the millennium standing in his Department, to answer that question. development goals, learning from the things that have The hon. Member for Cheltenham, who highlighted his been successful and identifying the areas that we need interest in and commitment to tackling climate change, to prioritise. That means that we need to see the Prime will also want to hear the Minister’s answer. Minister carrying out a strong international leadership On my point about the previous Government and role through his position as chair of the UN committee about focusing on the future and building on the that is developing the post-2015 millennium development commitment to the millennium development goals, the framework. argument was about ensuring that the international community saw tackling poverty in developing countries As my hon. Friend and other hon. Members said, not just as in its economic interest, but as its moral duty. that is an important opportunity to build a genuine That argument must be maintained, and we must maintain, partnership between donor and recipient countries to too, the consensus on moving forward and continuing ensure that development is being done not to countries to make the case for tackling poverty and inequality in or to people, but with those countries. We must keep the the developing world. focus on sustainable development, not philanthropy and charity. There are great concerns that the emphasis Martin Horwood: The hon. Lady seems to be slipping on charity through Departments is not what developing slightly into the trap I described, talking about sustainable countries and the people of the developing world need development only in terms of what needs to be done in or want. They want development and self-sufficiency, the poorest countries. Does she accept that this is also and we need to play our part in ensuring that happens. about setting ourselves goals for resource use, carbon We call on the Government and the Prime Minister reduction and so on? to ensure that the focus on empowerment, human rights Rushanara Ali: I certainly did not intend to do so. I and labour standards is maintained. It is worrying that did mention middle-income countries, and I will come one of the first things the Government did in their on to our own work and what we should be doing. As reviews was withdraw funding from the International the hon. Gentleman pointed out, the Climate Change Labour Organisation, which does a great deal of work Act 2008, which Labour introduced, is a key part of the to improve labour conditions in developing countries. argument that we have a responsibility on those issues, We also hope that the Government will continue to as much as on what happens in developing countries, so prioritise the other rights agendas, particularly women’s I completely agree with his points. rights, which are integral to the post-2015 millennium Let us remind ourselves of what has been achieved development goals, and that there is a strong voice for over the past 10 to 15 years. Between 1990 and 2005, the women. In conflicts, we know that women face a great poverty rate fell from 46% to 27%—that is 400 million deal of violence and that rape is used as a weapon of people lifted out of extreme poverty. As my hon. Friend war. It is important that UN Women and other such the Member for Edinburgh North and Leith said, the agencies are supported so that they are strong advocates mortality rate for children under five has fallen dramatically, for speaking up about human rights violations against from 12 million in 1990 to 7.6 million in 2010, but we women, both in conflict zones and, more generally, in must continue the effort to keep reducing that number. developing countries. I ask the Minister to ensure that This year, we reached the millennium development target that is central to the Government’s response and to the of halving the number of people without access to clean Prime Minister’s work as chair of the UN committee, water, but further work remains to be done. Millions and that gender, equality, human rights and labour more children, particularly girls, in the developing world standards issues are not neglected or ignored. 231WH Post-2015 Development Agenda23 OCTOBER 2012 Post-2015 Development Agenda 232WH

Sir Tony Cunningham: Does my hon. Friend accept those interventions will create jobs and opportunities that there is an interconnection with, for example, education? and generate income for the poorest. Does the DFID If we are to get more and more children into school, we funding that is being channelled into countries such need to address gender and disability issues. as India through the private sector meet the same accountability standards that we expect of non- Rushanara Ali: I totally agree. As my hon. Friend the governmental organisations and other recipients? Are Member for Edinburgh North and Leith mentioned, we the same kinds of standard applied and is there clarity need to highlight that issue. We also need to recognise on the monitoring of those measures? I hope the Minister that disability rights are anathema in many countries. can address that point as well. We have a responsibility to share the learning on some If, in future, there is greater emphasis on channelling of the things that have been successful in our country. aid funding through the private sector—we are not The rights agenda goes beyond one group and includes averse to that in principle, but we need to know whether those with disabilities and other groups that are particularly such investment is going to be about development and marginalised. addressing poverty—that has to be looked at closely, Despite economic growth in middle-income countries, and the monitoring arrangements have to be as rigorous we know that in countries such as, say, India there are as they are, or should be, in other sectors. still some 400 million people living on less than $1.25 a day and more than 800 million people living on less I want to focus on questions about what happens than $2 a day. There are important questions to explore next. A key thing that needs to be looked at is how the on how we can enable countries such as India to do post-MDG goals are developed. They must be considered more for themselves while ensuring that we do not pull in co-operation and consultation with the developing out our aid efforts, which would leave large numbers of nations, and they need genuinely to be in the form of people in more challenging, difficult circumstances. partnerships. We need to ensure that we are ambitious about tackling inequality as well as poverty, and the We should continue to support efforts to lift those focus on economic development must be pro-poor. We people out of poverty and, over time, allow those countries have already seen that, even in countries where there has to take more responsibility. Although there are pressures been a great deal of growth, not enough effort has been on such middle-income countries, we need to ensure made to ensure that some of the poorest people are not that our efforts and focus remain on the poorest. Even if left behind. More attention must be paid to that by the Governments of those countries do not act and ensuring that those countries play a bigger role in respond to those challenges in the immediate future, we addressing the economic inequalities that have arisen, should work with them to enable them to do so. as well as by ensuring that we play our part to address those challenges. Martin Horwood: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for giving way a second time. Rather than whether Britain The Opposition believe it is vital that, as we look to should be giving aid to India and how many poor the post-2015 millennium development goals and what people we could help there, is not the important lesson replaces them, we should not only recognise what has from the Indian experience that, as Institute for Government been achieved, but identify where the big challenges studies emphasise, distribution is quite an important remain and ensure that we stay ambitious and aspirational part of the sustainable development goal process? about what can be achieved in the coming decades. We do seek to eradicate poverty over those coming decades, India has achieved remarkable economic growth, but and if the international community has the will and that has not benefited the whole population. As the there is international leadership—I hope the Prime hon. Lady points out, there are vast numbers of poor Minister will take that role seriously—there is no reason people still suffering in poverty in India. That is one why we cannot address and tackle poverty. It is important reason why we should not hook the new sustainable that we keep that momentum and maintain our efforts development goals in too narrow-minded a way to to tackle poverty and inequality. economic growth. Instead, we should consider issues such as social justice and distribution, too. I want to highlight a few key issues. First, I hope that the Government continue to keep to their commitment Rushanara Ali: I agree. We should consider things and start to deliver on increasing aid to 0.7% of GNI. I more broadly and do more to overcome some of the hope that that promise will be maintained. Media reports simplistic critiques that those countries are doing well of the new Secretary of State’s comments about her in some respects but are not addressing poverty and belief, or lack of belief, in development have been growing inequality. That is why we believe that the worrying for many people in the developing world, as post-2015 millennium development goals should place well as in the communities that work on those issues. I greater emphasis on inequality. As the United Nations hope the Minister can reassure us that the new Secretary Development Programme stated, the lack of focus on of State is still absolutely committed to this agenda and inequality should be of great concern, because that the promise will be kept— [Interruption.] If I can understanding the drivers of inequality can sometimes have the Minister’s attention, I hope that the promise indicate whether a situation might lead to conflict, so will be kept on that agenda. the focus on inequality should be as important as that Secondly, there has been a great deal of focus on on poverty. issues such as tax avoidance, which the Government In countries with greater economic growth, there is a have said a great deal about, but we need to see action, big question whether that growth is pro-poor. That is because billions of pounds of public money and potential where the Department for International Development tax revenue are lost to developing countries, so I would is making interventions through, for example, private-sector welcome a response from the Minister on what his funding. The Minister must answer the question whether Government are doing practically to address that issue. 233WH Post-2015 Development Agenda23 OCTOBER 2012 Post-2015 Development Agenda 234WH

My final point concerns climate change. The Government quality of education actually received by those who and the Prime Minister have said that they want to be attend the school. As we approach the 2015 deadline for the greenest Government ever. We need action, not just the targets set just over a decade ago, there is a big rhetoric. I hope that the Minister can shed more light question to be answered about what should happen on what will be done, both domestically —[Interruption.] next. Unsurprisingly, there are a number of different If he will stop heckling, I hope he can shed more light views. An updated framework for development needs to on what will be done both domestically and internationally build on success so far, while also addressing the weaknesses on the issue. of the current MDGs. The world has changed significantly We introduced the 2008 Act. We hope that the Minister since 2000, so it is vital that any new international will work with his coalition partners to step up the framework for development is able to reflect the new effort on climate change. If we do not do more to challenges and opportunities that we face both today support developing countries in the face of what is and in the future. likely to be catastrophic for many sections of the population Agreeing a development framework to replace the in some of the poorest countries, our efforts in development MDGs will be challenging. There are a number of will be undermined. I hope that he can take this issue intellectual challenges and debates around them that seriously and answer the questions seriously. are both technically and politically complex. First, there are clear questions around what should be included in a post-2015 framework for development and how each 3.25 pm issue should be measured. Given that some of the The Minister of State, Department for International MDGs under the current framework are unlikely to be Development (Mr Alan Duncan): I thank the hon. Member reached by 2015, some argue that the goals should for Edinburgh North and Leith (Mark Lazarowicz) for simply be rolled forward post-2015. However, that would securing a debate on such an important topic. collide with the fact that a number of important issues Securing global agreement on a framework that updates such as conflict, corruption, poor governance and climate the millennium development goals is a priority for the change were not included in the MDGs in the first coalition Government as we approach 2015. I welcome place. Simply rolling forward the current goals would the broader parliamentary engagement that is occurring. ignore the importance of quality as well as quantity in The Government are pleased that an independent inquiry the development process. into the post-2015 development agenda has been launched Secondly, although this is covered in part by MDG 7, by the International Development Committee. The there is a view that the MDGs should be replaced by a Department for International Development is keen to framework focusing much more on environmental work with the House on this topic. The inquiry provides sustainability and not just on poverty eradication. Our an opportunity for key players to contribute their views ability to manage environmental risks and use natural on the post-2015 agenda, and I look forward to reading resources sustainably is critical to increasing the living the final report. standards of the poorest people in the world, but would The eight MDGs launched in 2000 have generated an such a shift risk losing the sharp focus of the current set unprecedented degree of global consensus on development of goals? and have also worked well as a communication and Thirdly, there is an argument for adopting development advocacy tool, both with the UK public and internationally. goals that apply to emerging and rich countries as well The framework has helped to focus people’s minds and as the poorest countries. The actions of the rich—for efforts on tackling global poverty in terms of real, instance, on carbon emissions, which have been practical action. It has channelled actions logically and mentioned—should not perhaps be allowed to damage consistently and released the full effort of the world on the interests of the poor. the issues covered by the eight goals. As a focused set of Those debates are crucial for the poorest people in targets and indicators, the MDGs have encouraged the world and must be addressed in any new framework better availability and quality of data in developing for development. The UK is an intellectual leader on countries, making it easier to increase the focus on international development issues, and we have an important results. We now need to build on that success. role to play.The Department for International Development In terms of how the world has done against the has set up a new team dedicated to thinking about those MDGs, the picture is mixed, as we heard earlier. We issues and to engaging with international Governments, have seen unprecedented reductions in poverty rates, civil society, business and individuals. and achievement of the targets on increased access to More broadly, the process for debating many of the safe drinking water and primary education. Progress issues and deciding on an international development has been slower, however, for nutrition, basic sanitation framework post-2015 is well under way.The UN Secretary- and child mortality rates, and maternal mortality is General has launched a high-level panel on the post-2015 lagging a long way behind. The MDG framework itself development agenda; the panel will deliver a report by has its doubters. One criticism is that the MDGs’ focus May 2013, making on results at the global level has masked uneven progress both between and within countries. The degree to which “recommendations regarding the vision and shape of a post-2015 the set of goals has fitted closely with countries’ own development agenda”. development strategies has varied, and a number of I am pleased that the Prime Minister has been asked to critical issues were not covered, such as growth or co-chair the panel alongside the Presidents of Indonesia conflict. and Liberia. In some cases, the framework’s focus on quantitative The panel met in New York on 25 September. Subsequent results has skewed incentives—for example, the focus meetings will be in London imminently, on 1 November, on measuring school attendance rates rather than the and in Monrovia and Jakarta early next year. The 235WH Post-2015 Development Agenda23 OCTOBER 2012 Post-2015 Development Agenda 236WH

[Mr Alan Duncan] climate change. The Rio+20 meetings have established an open working group specifically to propose sustainable meetings will focus on development challenges at three development goals, as that is another strand of the levels. The London meeting will focus on poverty at the activity in play at the moment. On inequality, we must individual level, while the following meetings will tackle focus on the poorest and not just measure average national challenges and international issues—in other success, which can disguise a lot of facts beneath a words, people, then countries, then global. simple headline figure. The panel’s overall aim is to set out an ambitious new My hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Martin agenda for ending poverty in the years beyond 2015 Horwood) gave us a master class on how the MDGs while maintaining the simplicity contained in the current might be broadened after 2015 by the introduction of MDGs. The panel is clear that it does not want the new some more thoughtful concepts of sustainable development. framework to focus on aid only. A new framework He said that they might include planetary boundaries should focus on helping the poorest people get out of and zones of ecological stress. [Laughter.] Although poverty and stay out of it. It should apply to very poor some might laugh, I assure him and the House that the countries as well as to countries where aid plays a less team at DFID are very familiar with planetary boundaries, important role, but where large numbers of poor people and particularly with the idea of doughnut economics, still live. It is not simply about handouts from rich as it is described, which combines planetary boundaries countries. The panel wants its outcome to reflect a new with social minimums—in other words, the constraints global consensus on how development works and what of the environment with some of the basic needs of matters in practice for success. human life. I have to say that when it comes to doughnut Alongside the panel’s London meeting next week will economics, I prefer to keep it simple. be a series of discussions with civil society, business and The hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Bow mentioned young people. It is a critical part of the panel’s work our withdrawal from the International Labour Organisation. and is vital if its conclusions are to be taken seriously by I urge her to stop repeating her party’s mantra. Let me the international community when the panel reports at say it one more time so that she understands the decision the end of May next year. I reassure the hon. Member that we took after the multilateral aid review. Our for Glasgow South (Mr Harris) that the process to conclusion after considering the ILO was that its main support the Prime Minister in Whitehall involves a activity does not coincide sufficiently with DFID’s prime cross-ministerial team, with DFID, the Department of objectives, so it is true to say that we have terminated Energy and Climate Change and the Department for our core funding, but we work with the ILO on a Environment, Food and Rural Affairs all working together case-by-case basis in countries and on programmes to enable coherence with the Rio+20 follow-up and the where its work is useful for the elimination of poverty. climate change agenda. Rushanara Ali: On labour conditions, a number of Mr Harris: While the Minister is on that subject, can people were killed in an accident at a factory in Pakistan, he touch on the two-year delay so far in the Government’s to use a recent example. There is a role for organisations setting up of the network of marine conservation areas? such as the ILO or domestic organisations to campaign It has not received an awful lot of Government attention for basic human rights and working conditions to be and I am extremely concerned about it, as are other maintained in garment factories, for example, in Pakistan, Members. It offers a poor example to other developing Bangladesh and many other countries. Does the Minister nations when we lecture them on how to conserve agree that development funding should support such marine areas. organisations to ensure that people can go to work and expect to leave in safety without their lives being at risk? Mr Duncan: I do not think that that is immediately Surely he ought to agree that our efforts should support relevant to the topic on the Order Paper for this debate, organisations that campaign to ensure decent labour but it is an important issue, so I am happy to write to conditions and labour rights and challenge companies the hon. Gentleman with as much information as we to do the right thing and protect the lives of people at have on that question. work. The hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Rushanara Ali) discussed jobs and economic opportunities. Mr Duncan: No one questions the objectives that the I assure her that the issue will be addressed through a hon. Lady has just outlined, which is why they are dedicated session during the panel’s meeting here in contained in the programmes and actions of DFID, London next week. That panel will draw on this year’s and in all the bilateral programmes relative to such comprehensive world development report by the World issues. That is why we have a pioneering initiative called Bank, which deals specifically with jobs. RAGS, the responsible and accountable garment sector Although the high-level panel report is an important challenge fund, which covers employment conditions. input into the international debate on the post-2015 Where the ILO can contribute to helping us in the field, framework, it is not the only one. The UN Secretary- we will work with it. However, where we get better value General will produce his own report for the special for taxpayers’ money working with other people, we will session of the General Assembly next September. Numerous work with other people. It is on that case-by-case basis other forums are discussing the post-2015 development that we are happy to work with the ILO. Core funding framework, but the UK Government will work hard to given centrally does not represent value for taxpayers’ maintain coherence among the different processes. money. To reply to some of the comments made earlier, the Let me finish by saying a few words about what we hon. Members for Edinburgh North and Leith and for hope the panel will achieve on the main topic of the Workington (Sir Tony Cunningham) both mentioned debate. The three co-chairs of the panel believe that 237WH Post-2015 Development Agenda 23 OCTOBER 2012 238WH ending absolute poverty should still be the primary Fuel Poverty objective of any new framework for development. We hope that the panel can agree on that key message and rally support from Governments, citizens, civil society 4pm and business around the world. The UK also believes that there are five principles Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab): Some of our that a new framework needs to uphold. First, poverty poor souls may be waiting for tomorrow for the big eradication should remain at the centre of a new global debate on fuel poverty. I hope that we will prove that framework for development. Secondly, any new framework they have missed the boat and that the real debate took needs to speed up efforts to reach the targets in the place this afternoon, when the Minister announced current MDGs, and hold Governments to account for precisely what the Government will do. Indeed, the the promises that were made to achieve them. Thirdly, it Government need to announce what they are going to should tackle the root causes of poverty, not just the do after the difficulties into which the Prime Minister symptoms. Fourthly, it must be based on, and take threw himself the other week. All of us who listened to account of, the views of the poorest people in the world. or read what the Prime Minister said accepted that he Finally, simplicity is essential. The new framework should was on to not only an important issue but the worry be bold and ambitious, but must maintain the clarity of that most of us as consumers have that we have no idea the current MDGs. what we are buying, let alone whether it is the best buy. In my parliamentary experience, that is very similar to I conclude by once again thanking the hon. Member the position that people face when trying to buy a for Edinburgh North and Leith for securing the debate. pension. We could argue that buying a pension is somewhat It is interesting, stimulating and important, and I am different from heating our own homes, but there are sure we will come back to it in the months ahead. certainly similarities between the industries, which make it difficult to understand what is the best and safest buy. 3.42 pm Sitting suspended. Today’s debate could not be better timed as a dry run for the Government, and I hope that the country can hear how they will respond to the Prime Minister’s special initiative. The day after he announced what he thought should happen, Ofgem in its wisdom responded— always well behind the curve—suggesting that if only people had enough information they would be able to make the right decisions. We all know, however, that merely providing people with information does not necessarily mean that they are informed or that, when informed, that information helps them to make the right decisions. I want to sketch the size of the problem, what previous Governments have done to tackle the issue of people being cold in winter and what the Government could do today to make a break with the past, to extend a helping hand to some of our most vulnerable constituents and to get an issue behind them. The Government, among many other things, inherited a definition of people in fuel poverty—where the definition came from, which Mount Sinai it came down from, I do not know—which is those who spend more than 10% of their income on keeping warm. If we look at the detailed Government analysis of consumer expenditure, about 4.7 million people are technically in fuel poverty and, of those, 4 million are actually vulnerable. In this debate and in the slightly bigger debate tomorrow, we need to look at how we have protected that group from dying unnecessarily in winter or from being unnecessarily cold. There were two previous schemes, of which the first was the voluntary social agreement, which ran from 2008 to 2011. Not much was wrong with it, except for three main disadvantages: people could be covered by the agreement but not on the cheapest rate, so they could be confused consumers and think they were getting the best deal, while being far from actually getting the best deal possible; the companies were allowed to decide who could apply, so they were the gatekeepers to their own scheme; and there was no link to an idea such as a social tariff, whereby people who were on it got the best deal that the company was offering. I want to return to the concept of a social 239WH Fuel Poverty23 OCTOBER 2012 Fuel Poverty 240WH

[Mr Frank Field] The problems with the warm home discount scheme include getting a rebate but not necessarily qualifying tariff, because it is important if we are looking at how for the lowest rate or being trapped in how to buy our to move to the next stage of the debate and, moreover, energy and therefore paying through the nose. Although how to help people. the bulk of the funding for the rebate comes from us, The current scheme—to be charitable to the Government, many of those who are vulnerable are outside the core I think that they inherited it—was to run from 2011 to group, even though the core group gets 75% of the 2015 and is called the warm home discount scheme. money in the scheme. Under it, the companies again act as tax masters; they I have a plea for the Minister, and I will give him piles can put a levy on each of our bills and use the money to of time to reply, so that we can probe him further. It is a persuade people that they are helping them. Again, it is proposal that he could adopt, that would give the a brilliant scheme, except that we might expect a company Government credit and that would dig the Prime Minister paying a rebate to which the rest of us as consumers had out of the hole that he is in, thereby perhaps earning the contributed to give those people their lowest rate—far Minister promotion. The other day, we saw his skill in from it. Which? tells us that 75% of us—the figures are defending what the Prime Minister said on the Floor of not broken down for vulnerable and other consumers—are the House. How much easier life would be for the Prime not on the cheapest rate that we could be on, given the Minister if he had a proposal that the Minister thought companies from which we buy our power. It is reasonable was workable and might carry some weight in the to suggest that the vulnerable might constitute 75% of country? that total. Therefore, probably 75% of those households, My proposal is that the Government should insist families and individuals who are helped by the warm that companies do not have a licence to sell fuel unless home discount scheme are, on the one hand, getting a they offer their most vulnerable consumers their lowest rebate paid for by the rest of us consumers and, on the rate, not an artificially lowest rate, but the lowest rate at other, paying it out in fuel bills that are unnecessarily which they sell fuel. Unless they have a loss leader, one high. assumes that they will make a profit on that lowest rate, so they would not be asked to act in denial of Mr Scrooge. Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) (Con): Has the They would even make money, although perhaps not as right hon. Gentleman taken on board the issue of those much as they might make from other people. That who simply do not or cannot have a choice? I am would cover the group to which the hon. Member for thinking in particular of those on prepayment meters. Newton Abbot (Anne Marie Morris) referred and about Consumer Focus research has shown that, on average, whom she is rightly very concerned, in that those in the those on prepayment meters pay £1,306 a year, whereas vulnerable group—I will come to that in a moment—would those on direct debit pay £1,222 a year. Many of those have the right to be sold fuel at the lowest rate. Account individuals are undoubtedly poor and have no choice, would have to be taken of the fact that some people because they are rental tenants and do not have the have meters and receive their fuel in various ways, but opportunity to take up the Government schemes. Has such a scheme would be simple, and everyone would the right hon. Gentleman given some thought to how to understand it. help those vulnerable people? It is important that people understand whether they qualify. In another role, in another place, Mr Weir, you Mr Field: Indeed I have, but, sadly, what is important have often referred to cold weather payments and who is not whether I have but whether the Minister has, is eligible and who is not. We could spend a lot of time because he is in a position to do something about it. having great fun thinking about other people who should The proposals that I will outline shortly cover that be added to the groups that are defined as being eligible group as well, because they put the onus on the company, for cold weather payments. Most of us would admit not on the individual or the landlord, thereby shifting that they cover the most vulnerable in our society, if not the responsibility and, in that sense, the subsidy from us all the vulnerable. They cover 4 million of those who are as consumers paying energy companies that oversell or likely to suffer fuel poverty. overprice their products to companies having responsibility Switching back to the beginning of my speech, I said to offer everyone the cheapest rate if we fall within the that the Government’s own data show that 4.75 million vulnerable groups, which includes many of the people people are in fuel poverty but that some of them, like mentioned by the hon. Lady. The problems with the some people on higher incomes, spend more than 10% current scheme include the rebate on a bill that might of their income on fuel because they want to be ultra-warm, not be the lowest possible bill. The core group of people or do not think about it, but 4 million households in who qualify for such help—there is also an extended fuel poverty are vulnerable and would be covered by the group—is narrowly defined, and my guess is that many cold weather payment definition. of the core group would not include those whom the My suggestion is that the Government could win hon. Lady was thinking about, because many of them applause in the House tomorrow by being the first are in their own properties, whether owner-occupied or Administration to introduce proposals that effectively rented, and have control of their meters, so they would deal with our constituents who, particularly during not be subjected to the landlord practice of which she winter, are cold because they cannot afford to heat their spoke. homes properly—those who are most likely to die during Under the current scheme, we have a core group that the winter because they are cold and those who are qualifies and then an extended group that is still defined simply waiting for the Government to act. Ofgem, in its by the company—not by us or the Minister, and not brilliance, said yesterday or today that nothing in the approved by Parliament as one might expect, but by the regulations, the law or anywhere in this land could stop companies themselves. They are still in the driving seat. the Government announcing that scheme and compelling 241WH Fuel Poverty23 OCTOBER 2012 Fuel Poverty 242WH companies to operate it. With 17 minutes to go, I hand that the provision of information and the exercise of over to the Minister, who could put us all us out of our choice are not only virtues in themselves, but automatically misery within a minute or two. lead to virtuous outcomes. I have never believed that, never having been preoccupied with the concept of 4.13 pm choice in those terms. The right hon. Gentleman may want to read “The Paradox of Choice”, which argues The Minister of State, Department of Energy and that sometimes not only does it not lead to a virtuous Climate Change (Mr John Hayes): It is a delight to outcome, but it can positively inhibit virtue. speak in this debate under your chairmanship, Mr Weir, None the less, information matters to some degree. and a delight to respond to the right hon. Gentleman, For example, there is a strong case for being clear about whom I congratulate on securing it. He is right that it is what information people should receive, and for making a trailer for tomorrow’s debate on the Floor of the that information comprehensible so that instead of House, but it is more than that because it is an opportunity being presented with all kinds of different options and for us to rehearse some of the important arguments. I having to navigate a system that is ever more confusing, do so mindful of the fact that he is an authority on simplified information is provided to people about energy these matters, whereas I am new to energy. However, costs and bills. like him, elevation of the people is central to my political mission, and I go further than many of our colleagues A strong argument that has been put to me, and is because I believe in the redistribution of advantage in part of what the Government have and will continue to society, as he does. consider, is that there should be some obligation, and that is consistent with what we have already done in our Redistribution of advantage requires knowing when voluntary arrangements on energy suppliers. I wholly the Government should act and when they should not, agree with the right hon. Gentleman that provision of knowing when the Government need to step forward in information is not a sufficient end point, but it is part of some of the ways he described and knowing when the package, and we might agree that it is appropriate to stepping forward might obscure or limit opportunities address the issue. to achieve that goal. Chesterton, whom I hope the right hon. Gentleman admires as much as I do, said: By the way, none of my comments has been prepared “The honest poor can sometimes forget poverty. The honest for me by my officials. I would not want to be limited by rich can never forget it.” that. I hope to be rich—I am certainly not at the moment—but The other important point made by the right hon. I aspire to be honest, and I hope that I can deal honestly Gentleman was that the mechanisms we devise to identify with some of the issues he raised. those with the greatest need must be as sensitive as The right hon. Gentleman is right to divide his remarks. possible to circumstances. Of course, that is partly Similarly, half of my remarks will dwell on what we can because need is dynamic. People’s needs change—by do to support the most vulnerable in respect of the cost their nature, they are not static—and to that end, there of fuel, but it is also appropriate to talk about how we is a real opportunity to engage with some organisations can change the character of demand and consequently that are experts in particular areas. deal with the other part of the equation. The big debate As the right hon. Gentleman will know, Age UK about energy sometimes neglects how to attune people’s prepared a briefing for the debate and there are demand for energy more precisely to their circumstances. organisations that represent the interests of chronically That is the other part of what the Government can do. sick people, who have profoundly significant energy I will deal with some of the specific points that the needs, in terms of both heating and light. Disabled right hon. Gentleman raised. I often think that Ministers organisations and charities also need to be engaged in do not do so sufficiently, and I do not want to be the process, and we need to be open-minded enough to accused of falling into that camp. He spoke about when draw in a number of sources to identify need. That is the definition of fuel poverty emerged, and he will also true of Departments, and I shall cover that in more probably recall that it emerged in formal terms in 2001 detail in a moment or two. It is important that we learn as part of the UK fuel poverty strategy. from the policy levers used by other Departments to Before that, the definition came from a series of alleviate poverty and that we share good quality academic studies that began to look how being fuel-poor information. was defined in relation to the average or aggregate I turn to the warm home discount, which the right spend on fuel in households. That was deemed to be hon. Gentleman spoke about. We want to provide around a median energy spend of 5%, which meant that immediate assistance to those who need help with their if someone was spending 10%, the median would be energy bills and to help energy companies find vulnerable doubled and they would be deemed to be fuel poor. The people so that they can be offered longer-term support. average spend on energy may have changed over time, The four-year warm home discount scheme provides and perhaps that is why we need to update our that help. Launched in 2011, it requires energy companies understanding of fuel poverty. However, that is the to provide help with energy bills to about 2 million history. low-income households a year, and it is worth about I will say a bit more about the core group of poorest £1.1 billion over four years. pensioners who lie at the heart of the warm home The energy suppliers are required to provide the discount, which the right hon. Gentleman spoke about majority of that support to pensioners on the lowest at some length. He was right to say that the measures we income. As a group, such people are particularly vulnerable put in place must not be just about the provision of to the ill effects of a cold home over winter, as the right information, for provision of information alone is not hon. Gentleman highlighted. The characteristic of that enough. Some people with simpler minds than his believe group—I have also mentioned other groups to which 243WH Fuel Poverty23 OCTOBER 2012 Fuel Poverty 244WH

[Mr John Hayes] Member to advertise to their constituents. They should broadcast the availability of the schemes and work with this point relates, such as housebound disabled people local community organisations, voluntary groups and and the chronically sick—is that, by nature, they tend to charities in their areas to ensure that we get the best spend more time at home. They are often in poorly value from that work. insulated homes and may be using energy highly inefficiently, We could discuss fuel payments, cold weather payments as well as which, put simply, very old people, like the and so on, but we do not have time; the other part of very young, need to be kept warm, so a coincidence of what we are working on is the Warm Front scheme, factors make that group particularly vulnerable. which is about demand and dealing with the consumption To return to the point about information, it is also of energy in a way that reduces costs. The scheme true that the most vulnerable often have the greatest provides assistance, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, difficulty with complex forms and the provision of to low-income, vulnerable households through the information in an insensitive, over-complicated way. installation of a range of heating, insulation and energy They may find it hard to navigate the system and, as a efficiency improvements to private sector households. result, become relatively undiscerning consumers through We have recently made changes to the Warm Front no fault of their own. Therefore, rather than having to regulations to broaden the eligibility criteria and allow apply for the warm home discount, most receive it even more fuel-poor households to access the assistance automatically without needing to claim. The right hon. available under the scheme, which has assisted more Gentleman has spoken about that matter in the broader than 2.3 million households vulnerable to fuel poverty. context of welfare reform many times, and I am hesitant It is, however, the scheme’s final year, so we again urge even to address—I will not say “lecture about”—the people who are eligible for assistance to apply to Warm matter in his presence, because he knows so much about Front. it and I know my limits. The obligations on energy companies are an important However, further to my remark about sharing part of addressing the problems. I share the right hon. information, I would advertise that through innovative Gentleman’s view that is simply not enough to stay work we have developed good systems to match data where we are in respect of tariffs. That is precisely why between the Department for Work and Pensions customer the Prime Minister addressed that matter last week and records for those on pension credits and the information why I was able to say the next day that we would use the held by energy companies. Although it is true that energy Bill to facilitate change in that area. A strong energy companies play a key role in the process, we have case can be made around the kind of proposals set out engineered an appropriate level of co-operation between by the right hon. Gentleman and others, which essentially Departments and the energy companies to identify the are about creating greater obligation in the system. I target group. This winter alone, that means that 1 want energy companies, consumer groups and other million pensioners will receive an automatic £130 discount organisations that I have described to help shape that, by 31 December, providing them with the certainty that so that it is deliverable. The imposition of such an they need about heating their home over the coldest arrangement now, without a proper discussion, would months. be inappropriate, but the Bill will come before the House in weeks rather than months. As the right hon. Mr Field: One million is about a quarter of those who Gentleman knows, the Prime Minister has made it clear would get cold weather payments and are in what I that the Bill provides a great opportunity for us to would define as the vulnerable group. address this issue. Mr Hayes: Yes, the right hon. Gentleman is correct. Like one of my political heroes, Joseph Chamberlain, It is, of course, true that a number will not be found I am in favour of tariff reform. They may be different through such mechanisms so we have set up a dedicated tariffs and different reform, but if it was good enough line and a call centre will be established for people to for Joe, it is good enough for me. make a simple claim. All those who we believe may be eligible will also receive a letter telling them whether they receive an automatic discount or need to claim by Mr Field: Mr Chamberlain split his party on tariffs; the end of January. what I propose today would unite the Minister’s party. The warm home discount also provides help to other low-income and vulnerable households who may be Mr Hayes: I am a unifying figure. I bring together all struggling to heat their homes, including those on a low the elements of my party and the coalition around an income with children under five and those on a low absolute, undiluted, unabridged determination, as I have income who are disabled. I accept that the eligibility for described, to redistribute advantage, address poverty that broader group is determined by each energy supplier, and elevate the people; my party and I regarded Disraeli but it is against criteria that must be approved by as a hero before it became fashionable. To that end, we Ofgem. There is, therefore, an independent voice in that will address the issue of fuel poverty in a new way, process, and it is not entirely a matter for energy suppliers. mindful of the right hon. Gentleman’s comments. We A further 230,000 homes have benefited in that way are determined to make it work; the response will no from those discounts. The big six energy suppliers are longer be supine, but proactive, and it will assist those in all offering those schemes, which I encourage every hon. the greatest need. 245WH 23 OCTOBER 2012 School Funding (Worcestershire) 246WH

School Funding (Worcestershire) Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): I thank my hon. Friend for securing this very important debate. I want simply to strengthen her case by pointing out that 4.30 pm Gloucestershire has the same argument as her own Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): It is a county. We, too, are underfunded compared with, say, pleasure to speak under your chairmanship, Mr Weir. I Bristol. That is obviously unfair, and we need a national should start by placing on record my interest in this approach to the matter. matter as a governor and associate governor of Hallow primary school in my constituency for many years. Harriett Baldwin: I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting Worcestershire is one of the lowest-funded counties the examples in Stroud. in the country for education. It is 147th out of 151 for If, as the formula seems to do, we move closer to a per per pupil funding and a long-standing member of the pupil amount across the county of Worcestershire without f40 group. According to the National Governors making any correction to the national unfairness, we Association, the guaranteed unit of funding for pupils shall run into a crucial problem. Small, mainly rural in Birmingham is £5,689, yet in neighbouring Worcestershire primary schools form an integral part of the fabric of it is only £4,601—a difference of 20%. That has been county life in a dispersed constituency such as mine. going on for years. Mrs Susan Warner, head teacher of Where distances are large and sparsity is high, we find Lindridge primary school, said to me in one of the that the village school is the focus and beating heart of many letters that I have received on the subject: the village. Rural schools are likely to have fewer children “There is very little reasoning behind this unfair distribution on free school meals, for a couple of reasons. There is a and it appears to be purely historic, with no-one really understanding lower chance of meals being served and a much higher how the allocations were made in the first place.” chance of the possible social stigma being known, and Last year, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State there is therefore lower take-up. Those schools thus signalled his intention to deal with the national unfairness miss out on the pupil premium, as can be seen from the of the school funding formula with “Consultation on fact that Worcestershire has just over 1% of the pupils School Funding Reform: Proposals on a Fairer Funding on roll in England, but less than three quarters of 1% of System”. That was welcome, but in an environment in the pupil premium for 2012-13. which the overall school budget is only rising with inflation, it apparently will not be implemented this side Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): I congratulate of 2015. my hon. Friend on securing the debate. She has made the case admirably for the small rural schools in her In the meantime, the Department has decided to constituency, but she will be aware that some of the simplify the allocation formula for the direct schools smaller schools in my constituency, which are urban grant, replacing the outdated and unfair national formula schools and receive quite a lot of pupil premium, are with a clearer one by reducing the number of allowable also negatively affected by the changes. Does she agree factors from 40 to a maximum of 12. The principle of a that for the Government’s pupil premium policy to single flat amount per pupil in each stage of education work and for their funding reforms to work really well, from primary to sixth form makes sense. It is intuitive we need fairer funding on an underlying basis to make and, given that 80% to 85% of the cost of each school progress? place relates to the salaries of teachers whose rates are set nationally, it makes sense to have a per pupil amount of funding that is broadly the same nationally. Harriett Baldwin: I do agree. How lucky my hon. Friend’s constituents are to have such a tireless champion Mark Garnier (Wyre Forest) (Con): I congratulate and voice for fairer funding for Worcestershire. my hon. Friend on securing this important and useful Today, I ask the Minister to allow the county council debate for the county of Worcestershire. She talks about to have more sector-variable lump sums that can be set the ratio of staff costs being 80% to 85%, but in Wyre locally. Some flexibility at local level is essential. Small Forest we see that rising as high as 95% as more rural primary schools are a priority for Worcestershire experienced staff go up the internal pay scale. That puts county council and it has a democratic mandate to take even more pressure on schools locally to try to perform that approach. In addition, it is in its interest to do so, with these very limited budgets. as travel and building costs would rise sharply if there were a consolidation of the smaller local primary schools. Harriett Baldwin: I thank my honourable constituency Furthermore, parts of Worcestershire support a middle neighbour for that observation. Staff costs certainly school system, and the local authority should have form by far the largest part of a school budget. It makes some flexibility to reflect that. sense to have money follow the pupil, as that gives a I welcome the Minister’s letter of last week, confirming clear signal to schools that they will do better if they that there is a minimum funding guarantee extended can attract more pupils. The pupil premium, which has out to 2015—a per pupil guarantee of minus 1.5%—which been welcomed at £600 per pupil on free school meals, will help to moderate the impact of the changes up to will be even more welcome in Worcestershire when it is 2015. However, Worcestershire needs more flexibility—it increased from 2013 by 50% and set at £900 per pupil. needs more money. More flexibility over a lump sum As the pupil premium now links to the pupil level the from the local authority could insulate small rural concept of income deprivation, it stands to reason that schools from too much fluctuation. Even after that the main pupil funding allocation should be set more guarantee, a school such as Eldersfield primary in my equally at national level as well. If the pupil premium is constituency would have a 5.5% fall in its budget by a national amount, why should not the main per pupil 2015, despite educating each child to an excellent standard amount be more equal, too? for a frugal £3,523 per child. 247WH School Funding (Worcestershire)23 OCTOBER 2012 School Funding (Worcestershire) 248WH

[Harriett Baldwin] I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that perhaps the Government were wrong to attempt this welcome I have so far been contacted by primary schools in the reform—I entirely agree with the reform itself, because villages of Castlemorton, Martley, Broadwas, Grimley it is absolutely right in principle—before they had digested and Holt, Clifton-upon-Teme, Astley and Hallow, Great the underlying problem in relation to having a fairer Witley, Eldersfield, Lindridge, Kempsey and Pendock, funding formula at national level. Change in distribution many of which have asked whether the funding formula in a badly funded county is fraught with danger, and I is a deliberate attempt to close or merge village primaries fear that it will be difficult to find any arrangement that and move towards a system of larger urban primary prevents some significant loss for some schools unless schools. Will the Minister please assure the dedicated we first have the fairer funding that the county so teachers and governors and the parents of children at desperately needs. those rural primary schools that there is no such policy However, I am confident that a solution can be found and that the value of village primary schools to their that mitigates the effect. I am encouraged by the attitude communities is fully recognised by the Government? that the Government have taken so far, and I have I hope that the Minister can also resolve the funding reassured head teachers and governors in my constituency problem. Village schools should be considered unviable that I believe that the Government’s heart is in changing only if they do not attract pupils on a sustainable basis. this policy and ensuring that it does not have the Allowing local authorities, such as Worcestershire county devastating impact that it would have if it proceeded council, to have a larger amount to use as a flexible unamended. lump sum to support those valuable schools would I am grateful to the extent that there is a minimum allow them to continue to serve the large rural areas funding guarantee, for example, for a third year, but a that still make up such a large part of Worcestershire higher lump sum does no good in Worcestershire—we and, indeed, England. cannot afford it and do not have the money to fund a higher lump sum. However, a variable lump sum, certainly 4.38 pm between sectors, could lie at the heart of a solution that I believe would reduce the devastating impact of this Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire) (Con): I rise to take policy and give smaller schools some hope of survival in part in the debate with the consent of my hon. Friend the face of what would otherwise be a very arbitrary the Member for West Worcestershire (Harriett Baldwin), and unfair policy. and my first duty is to congratulate her on securing it and expressing her case so clearly and compellingly. I associate myself with everything she has said and that 4.41 pm my hon. Friends have said in interventions. Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con): Thank you for allowing I rise primarily because the schools in the Evesham me to speak, Mr Weir. It is a pleasure to serve under pyramid in my constituency would be most seriously your chairmanship. I thank my hon. Friend the Member affected were the policy to proceed unamended. The for West Worcestershire (Harriett Baldwin) for securing schools in the Evesham pyramid would lose about the debate. I must also declare an interest as a governor £1.3 million, and that, as my hon. Friend the Member and trustee at Vaynor First School academy. for West Worcestershire made so very clear, is against This year, although the number of students receiving the backdrop of a very unfair funding formula. They good GCSEs fell across the nation, in Redditch we had cannot afford to lose that amount of money. No school nothing short of an exams boom. Despite funding could, but certainly not schools that are in a badly challenges, three secondary schools in Redditch gained funded authority to begin with. I say in parenthesis that results that placed them in the top tier of the most even the minimum funding guarantee, with a maximum improved schools across the country. Two schools, Arrow reduction of 1.5% per pupil, threatens the viability of Vale and Trinity high, are recently converted academies, some smaller schools. A cumulative two or three years and that has had a hugely beneficial effect on the way at 1.5%, against a very low base, is threatening for many that they run and operate, and ultimately on the success schools. that they have had. There are a number of reasons why in Evesham the More importantly, from speaking to the head teachers situation is particularly serious. There are more smaller it is clear that those schools now have greater ambition schools perhaps, and also a middle school arrangement, and, crucially, believe that they can compete with the which is not always understood by officials at the best. However, while the structure, with the rolling out Department for Education. I understand why—middle of academies, is finally in place for our county to schools are not very prevalent these days—but they are achieve, funding is not. On funding, my hon. Friend the an important part of the education landscape in Member for West Worcestershire pointed out that the Worcestershire, and certainly in Evesham, and their county is ranked nationally 147th out of 151. Worcestershire particular needs must be taken account of in funding is more affected than other counties by this funding arrangements. arrangement because we are at the bottom of the schools We have talked about small village schools, but I must funding league. emphasise that it is smaller schools that are affected, The way out of that is a fairer national funding not just village schools. There are two high schools in formula, which this Government have promised following Evesham, which would both lose money under this 13 years of a Labour Government who completely arrangement. One—the smaller of the two—would lose failed to address the issue. It is absolutely vital for the £250,000. It cannot afford to lose £250,000. So, it is not children of Worcestershire that we receive a fair deal. only the small village schools that are affected, but, The crucial point is that the recent exam results from a surprisingly, some significantly larger schools. few schools in Redditch are on the back of unfair 249WH School Funding (Worcestershire)23 OCTOBER 2012 School Funding (Worcestershire) 250WH funding, so imagine what we could achieve if we had which they are entitled but that the extra funding we fairer funding. The truth is that in the age of an ever are making available gets through to the schools that more competitive national and global work force we need it. cannot continue unfairly to disadvantage the future of We also need a system to support the investment that our children, whose only fault is that they were born in we are putting in through the pupil premium and to Worcestershire. ensure that pupils are not disadvantaged as a result of a school funding system that, as my hon. Friends have 4.42 pm indicated, does not distribute funding fairly. Sadly, under The Minister for Schools (Mr David Laws): Thank the previous Government, when there was a much you very much, Mr Weir, for calling me to speak. bigger opportunity to increase education spending, the opportunity was missed to bring in a more rational I start by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member formula. The current system for funding schools is in for West Worcestershire (Harriett Baldwin) on securing need of reform. It is based on an assessment of need this debate on an issue that is extremely important for that dates back to at least 2005-06, and that has not her constituency and that is obviously also important kept pace with changing demographics and the needs of throughout the country. Once again, she is proving to pupils across the country. It is very complicated, meaning be a most effective champion of her constituency interests. that head teachers, governors and parents are often My hon. Friend warned me before the debate started unable to understand how their school budgets have that the MPs from Worcestershire have a tendency to been calculated and why. hunt in packs and her pack is behind her today, if I may That outdated funding system has meant that say so, in the form of my hon. Friends the Members for Worcestershire, as hon. Friends have already mentioned, Mid Worcestershire (Peter Luff), for Redditch (Karen is one of the relatively lowest funded authorities in Lumley), for Worcester (Mr Walker) and for Wyre England, ranking at 147 out of the 152 authorities. It is Forest (Mark Garnier), who have all backed up the not right that schools with very similar circumstances points that she made in a very effective way. We have can receive, without good cause, vastly different levels other Members from Gloucestershire and Devon, who of funding for no clearly identifiable reason. Data taken are clearly also taking an interest in this debate. from the 2010-11 section 251 returns, which set out As the Minister for Schools, I am very well aware of local authority budgets, show that funding between the strength of feeling in Worcestershire schools and in similar secondary schools can vary by up to £1,800 per schools in some other parts of the country. There is pupil, which is an enormous amount and clearly not concern about some of the changes that we are seeking fair. to make to the school funding system, and my hon. It is also not right that the system is so complex that Friend the Member for West Worcestershire has set out school leaders are often unable to understand how their some of those concerns very clearly today. I have received budgets have been calculated. My right hon. Friend the a number of representations from other hon. Friends, Secretary of State for Education made a statement on and from concerned local head teachers and governors 26 March 2012 announcing the Government’s clear throughout Worcestershire. intention to introduce a new national funding formula Therefore, I am grateful for this opportunity to address during the next spending review period. I appreciate some of those concerns and to offer a reassurance that, that hon. Friends would like that to be as soon as as we move to a fairer funding system, we will do so possible, but there are obviously a lot of constraints very carefully and at a pace that enables proper that I will discuss in a moment on the introduction. consideration, consultation and sensitivity about the However, the commitment is clear and is something I issues that are being rightly raised today by local MPs. feel strongly about, as does the Secretary of State. Our aim is for every child to succeed in school, A new national funding formula would distribute regardless of their background. That is why the money fairly across the country, targeting need properly Government, despite having to make difficult decisions and getting rid of some of the anomalies that make the elsewhere in public spending, have made school spending current system so opaque. However, dismantling a system a priority and protected school funding over the course that is so entrenched and complicated is far from easy. of the spending review period, as my hon. Friends will It is important that we introduce full-scale reform at a be aware. pace that schools can manage. The last thing that we We have also introduced, as my hon. Friend mentioned, want, as my hon. Friend the Member for West the pupil premium that, by the end of the Parliament, Worcestershire said, is to cause destabilising changes to will have targeted an additional £2.5 billion to disadvantaged school budgets that cause anxiety in schools and among pupils. My hon. Friend mentioned that sometimes the parents and distract schools from delivering high take-up of the pupil premium is a concern in rural educational standards for their pupils. areas. She might be interested to know that the Department That is why we are trying to move gradually towards will publish in a few weeks’ time some interesting national introducing a new funding system, at a pace that gives figures showing the take-up of the pupil premium and us sufficient time to agree the construction of a new free school meals in different parts of the country, formula and to allow schools enough time to adjust to and highlighting the challenge there is in some of the changes in their funding arrangements. Making the more rural areas to ensure that take-up is as high as it local system simpler and more transparent will mean should be. that, when we do come to address the national system, The Government need to work with local councils, there is far less complexity for us to untangle. schools and MPs to ensure that in some of the areas The first step we are taking is to ensure that where there is a low take-up we address that, to ensure within local areas pupils begin to attract similar levels not only that youngsters get the free school meals to of funding regardless of where they go to school. At present, 251WH School Funding (Worcestershire)23 OCTOBER 2012 School Funding (Worcestershire) 252WH

[Mr David Laws] are particular concerns about the impact the changes will have on small and middle schools in rural areas local authorities can use up to 37 factors and countless such as Evesham, Pershore and Upton. sub-factors when distributing money to schools. I Officials in the Department have been in contact with understand that in the past there has been a tradition of staff at Worcestershire county council to understand funding schools based on the facilities that they offer, why the concerns have arisen and to offer advice. I the pay scales of their teachers, the size of their buildings understand that Worcestershire county council has already and, even in some cases, the number of trees and ditches agreed to the new funding formula—it did so on 18 October on their estate. —but it has done so for one year only. I am informed Our view is that the majority of money that we spend that Worcestershire county council will review its local on education should be based on the pupil, not on the formula in light of the issues raised during its recent school characteristics. If a pupil chooses to go to a consultation, and in line with any changes made by the particular school then the funding is available to fulfil Department for 2014-15. that choice, and it is not locked in to the school down As I said, our main priority is stability and certainty the road because it happens to have more expensive for schools, which is why these reforms will be implemented teachers or a swimming pool to maintain. Rather than carefully and with great consideration, as my hon. giving money to schools based on their size or other Friends have requested. The Secretary of State already circumstances, local authorities will now have to distribute announced in June that schools will continue to have the majority of funds based on pupil numbers and planning certainty through the minimum funding guarantee, characteristics. That is very much in keeping with the which means that, in most cases, no school will lose aims of a funding system that is pupil led and that is fair more than 1.5% of its budget per pupil in 2013-14 and and transparent. 2014-15. The new arrangements will mean that funding will be In addition to that and in response to concerns raised distributed differently, and there will be some shifts by my hon. Friend, her colleagues and other hon. between school budgets as we move towards a more Friends, the Department has confirmed within the past consistent way of funding schools. Our aim is to start to few days that a minimum funding guarantee will continue iron out inconsistencies and unfairness, which pupils in to operate beyond 2014-15. We cannot confirm the schools are currently experiencing, to create a fairer exact value of that guarantee as it covers the next system. We remain committed to ensuring that good, spending review period; we need to know our budget small schools are able to thrive under the new arrangements. for that period and to have Treasury approval before giving any such guarantees. None the less, we are absolutely We know that small schools often play a vital role in committed to protecting school budgets from unmanageable communities, not least in rural areas, and it is not our falls, and I hope that that will also be an assurance for intention that any good school should be forced to close my hon. Friend. as a result of these reforms. That is a commitment that my hon. Friend asked for in her speech, and I hope that Peter Luff: Is that an extension for one year or for she will take that as a commitment from the Government. longer than one year? There is no secret agenda to close small, successful schools. I hope that she and her hon. Friends will take Mr Laws: At the moment, we have made it clear that that message back to their constituencies. we will continue it beyond the period of 2014-15. Although We are allowing local authorities to allocate a lump we are not in a position to make an announcement yet, sum of up to £200,000 in their formula. The intention given that we are seeking to move to a national funding of the lump sum is to cover the fixed cost of a small formula, it is highly likely that we will need some form school—for example, a head teacher, a caretaker and of protection for a considerable period. I will be happy some administrative support—and no more. It is not to update my hon. Friend when we are in a position to intended to protect the historic grants that were given to say more. some schools and not others to pay for things such as floor space, specialist teachers and so forth. Mr Robin Walker: The minimum funding guarantee is excellent, and I am sure we all welcome its extension, We have heard a number of concerns—we heard but is it not the obvious answer to the turbulence of them from my hon. Friend today—about the requirement moving towards a national formula? Therefore, is there to have a single lump sum for primary, middle and any reason for the Government not to move towards a secondary schools. Although I recognise that the curriculum national formula, using the minimum funding guarantee, costs are different in each phase, I reiterate the point before 2015? that the lump sum is not intended to pay for the curriculum costs. The lump sum should pay for fixed Mr Laws: Moving straight to a national funding costs, and the per-pupil funding should pay for the formula without the transitional arrangements would curriculum costs. We will, however, review those be even more challenging and would create an even arrangements, and I will explain more about that review larger departmental postbag. I understand my hon. shortly. Friend is doing his best to push Worcestershire’s case, The reforms will require local authorities and school but the Secretary of State is right to be going about this forums to break out of historic approaches and to think in a measured way as we are seeking to bring about a radically about the way in which money is distributed to complex change. schools in their areas. I realise that it is the implementation In any case, the extension of the minimum funding of the new simplified arrangements that is causing guarantee beyond 2015 should reassure the several anxiety among schools in Worcestershire, and that there Worcestershire schools—including the Hanley Castle 253WH School Funding (Worcestershire)23 OCTOBER 2012 School Funding (Worcestershire) 254WH pyramid, Prince Henry’s high school and Evesham high to over the period of the review, which we hope will school—that have contacted me to express concerns report back in the springtime—spring being a slightly about a potential cliff edge in funding from 2014-15 if flexible season. the minimum funding guarantee were to end. I have no I am enormously grateful to my hon. Friends for doubt that my hon. Friends will take that message back drawing attention to the concerns of Worcestershire to other schools concerned about a cliff edge. The last schools about our school funding reforms. I hope I have thing we want is for parents not to send their children to been able to provide some reassurance that our aim in those schools because of fears that are not well grounded. making the reforms is ultimately to ensure that England I also reassure my hon. Friends that we have decided has a fair and transparent funding system in which to carry out a thorough review in early 2013, starting funding follows pupils and there is consistency within now effectively, of the impact of simpler formula factors. and between different areas of the country. I know that We will work with local authorities to explore the effect Worcestershire shares that ultimate aim with the of the different factors that we have, including the lump Department. I also hope that my hon. Friends understand sum, which is a key element of Worcestershire’s formula, that we are listening carefully to their concerns and, as well as those that we have eliminated. where necessary, are responding to them. We have made it clear that we want to prevent the I commend my hon. Friends for making their changes from having unacceptable consequences for representations so effectively to the Department that good schools. That is why a review will be so important the Worcestershire file is probably the largest of any in evaluating the effects and will enable us to make any county. I look forward to maintaining contact with necessary adjustments in the following year, 2014-15. Worcestershire in the run-up to the decisions, which we As a consequence of the representations that have been will make and announce next year. made today by my hon. Friend the Member for West Question put and agreed to. Worcestershire and her colleagues, I will ask officials to add Worcestershire to the shortlist of authorities that have been particularly assiduous in making representations 4.59 pm to the Department and that I would like officials to talk Sitting adjourned.

45WS Written Ministerial Statements23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 46WS Written Ministerial FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Balance of Competences Review (Progress Report) Statements The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Tuesday 23 October 2012 Affairs (Mr William Hague): I wish to inform the House that, further to my oral statement at the launch of the balance of competences review on 12 July 2012, Official CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Report, column 468, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is today publishing the timetable for the review including departmental responsibility for the reports Government Olympic Executive (Quarterly Report) into each individual area of competence. The review will complete its work during 2014 and will look at the scope of the EU’s competences (the The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media power to act in particular areas conferred on it by the and Sport (Hugh Robertson): I am publishing today the EU Treaties) as they affect the UK, how they are used, Government Olympic Executive’s final quarterly report— and what that means for Britain and our national “London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Quarterly interests. Report October 2012”. Following the successful conclusion The review will be divided into four semesters, each of the games, this report explains the latest budget containing six to 10 reports. This will allow reports on position as at 30 September 2012, and outlines the related topics to be grouped together. The reports from investments which are being made from the public each semester will be published at the end of that sector funding package for the London 2012 Olympic semester. If necessary, changes to this timetable will be and Paralympic games. The overall cost of the games is made in order to take account of any events which forecast at £8.921 billion, a saving of £377 million on could impact upon the timing of a report. The semesters the £9.298 billion budget. Including contingency held are: for the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Semester one: autumn 2012—summer 2013 and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) risks there remains a Semester two: spring 2013—winter 2013 total of £480 million of uncommitted contingency within Semester three: autumn 2013—summer 2014 the £9.3 billion public sector funding package (PSFP). Semester four: spring 2014—autumn 2014 The anticipated final cost of the ODA’s construction and infrastructure programme is £6,714 million, a The first semester reviews will be: £47 million reduction since the previous report in June an overview on the single market; this year. With additional savings in the period to taxation; 30 September 2012, the amount saved by the ODA animal health and welfare and food safety; against the original budget has now reached £1,032 million. health; The published figures include additional funding made development; and available to LOCOG in the run up to the games, while foreign policy. the costs of policing and wider security, and venue The single market encompasses such a broad area of security, have reduced in the period. competence that it is being split, with further reports on the four freedoms—goods, persons, services and capital—in The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games semesters two and three. are viewed as a success by athletes, spectators, dignitaries and the media. Team GB and ParalympicsGB finished Departments will take a rigorous approach to the third in both the Olympic and Paralympic medal tables collection and analysis of evidence. The Government with 185 medals won across both games, 63 of which Department leading each review will, at the appropriate were gold. time, publish a call for evidence which will set out the scope of their report and include a series of broad The handover of the Olympic park from LOCOG to questions on which they would like contributors to the London Legacy Development Corporation, the mayoral focus. The calls for evidence for first semester reports body responsible for delivering the transformation works, will be published shortly and will be available through is under way and on track. the FCO website and through the website of the Any underspend in the PSFP will be retained by HM Department leading each review. The reports into the Treasury, though any moneys remaining at the conclusion first six competences will be published in the summer of of the programme in the Olympic Lottery Distribution 2013, along with the evidence received, subject to the Fund will be transferred to the National Lottery provisions of the Data Protection Act. Distribution Fund to benefit lottery good causes. Government Departments will consult widely, including I would like to commend this report to the Members Parliament and its committees, business, the devolved of both Houses and thank them for their interest in and Administrations, and civil society in order to obtain support for the London 2012 games over the past few evidence to contribute to their analysis of the issues. years. This is the final report on the games, but further Our EU partners and the EU institutions will also be public updates will be made as required until the completion invited to contribute evidence to the review. of the programme in 2014. The result will be a comprehensive, thorough and Copies of the quarterly report October 2012 are detailed analysis of where competence lies and what it available online at: www.culture.gov.uk and will be deposited means for the United Kingdom. It will aid our in the Libraries of both Houses. understanding of the nature of our EU membership; 47WS Written Ministerial Statements23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 48WS and it will provide a constructive and serious contribution Report Title Departmental Lead to the wider European debate about modernising, reforming and improving the EU. The review will not produce 22 Fisheries Department for specific policy recommendations. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs I am placing the timetable in the Library of the 23 Competition Department for House. It will also be published on the Foreign and Business, Commonwealth Office website: Innovation and Skills http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/global-issues/european-union/balance- 24 Energy Department of of-competences-review Energy and Climate Change Report Title Departmental Lead 25 Fundamental Rights Ministry of Justice Semester 1 (Autumn ’12—Summer ’13) Semester 4 (Spring ’14—Autumn ’14) 26 Economic and Monetary Union FCM Treasury 1 Internal Market: Synopsis Department for Business, 27 Health and safety and consumer Health and Safety Innovation and protection Executive Skills 28 Police and Criminal Justice Home Office 2 Taxation HM Treasury 29 Education Department for Education 3 Animal Health and Welfare and Department for Food safety Environment, Food 30 Enlargement Foreign and and Rural Affairs Commonwealth Office 4 Health Department of Health 31 Administrative co-operation, Cabinet Office, citizenship, information rights and Foreign and 5 Development Department for statistics. Commonwealth International Office, Ministry of Development Justice, UK 6 Foreign Policy Foreign and Statistics Authority Commonwealth 32 Subsidiarity, Proportionality and Foreign and Office Article 352 Commonwealth Semester 2 (Spring ’13—Autumn ’13) Office 7 Internal Market: Freedom of HM Revenue and Note: This order and sequencing may be movement of goods Customs subject to change as the review 8 Internal Market: Free movement of Home Office progresses. persons 9 Asylum and Immigration Home Office British Embassy (Madagascar) 10 Trade and Investment Department for Business, Innovation and The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Skills Affairs (Mr William Hague): I am pleased to announce 11 Environment Department for the reopening of Britain’s embassy in Madagascar after Environment, Food seven years. The ambassador, Mr Timothy Smart, will and Rural Affairs take up his appointment in Antananarivo this month, 12 Transport Department for and the embassy will be fully functional by March 2013. Transport This marks Britain’s full diplomatic re-engagement 13 Research and Development Department for with Madagascar after the decision by the last British Business, Government to close the embassy in 2005. The new Innovation and Skills embassy replaces the British interests section which was set up in the German embassy in November 2008, 14 Tourism, Culture and Sport Department for Culture, Media and which was run by a locally engaged member of staff Sport and reported to Britain’s high commissioner in Mauritius. 15 Civil Justice Ministry of Justice Having a fully accredited British ambassador and Semester 3 (Autumn ’13—Spring ’14) embassy in Antananarivo will enable us to provide 16 Internal Market: Services Department for more effective systematic support to British business, a Business, stronger trade and investment relationship with Madagascar, Innovation and and full consular assistance to British residents and visitors. Skills The resources of a full embassy will also allow us to 17 Internal Market: Capital HM Treasury work more effectively with the international community 18 EU Budget HM Treasury to support Madagascar’s return to a fully recognised 19 Cohesion Department for constitutional Government after free and fair elections, Business, as set out in the Southern African Development Innovation and Community’s road map. Skills This decision sends a strong signal of British interest 20 Social and Employment Department for in and engagement with Madagascar and the region. Business, Innovation and And it is part of the expansion of Britain’s diplomatic Skills network in key regions of the world. By 2015 the British 21 Agriculture Department for Government will have opened up 11 new British embassies Environment, Food and eight new consulates, and sent over 300 extra staff and Rural Affairs to over 22 countries in emerging economies. 49WS Written Ministerial Statements23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 50WS

As I said in Parliament on 11 May 2011, there will be JUSTICE no strategic shrinkage of Britain’s diplomatic influence overseas and we will work to extend the reach of British diplomacy. Reopening the embassy in Madagascar is Economic Crime Committed by Commercial part of that commitment. Organisations: Deferred Prosecution Agreement (Government Response)

The Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (Damian HOME DEPARTMENT Green): I am today publishing the Government response to the “Consultation on a new enforcement tool to deal with economic crime committed by commercial Schengen Evaluation Mechanism organisations: Deferred Prosecution Agreements1”. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Economic crime is far from victimless and has a Home Department (James Brokenshire): The Government pernicious and damaging effect on our economy and on have decided not to exercise their right, under protocol that of the wider world. Options for dealing with offending 19 to the treaty on the functioning of the European by commercial organisations are currently limited and Union (the Schengen protocol) and the treaty on the number of outcomes each year, through both criminal European Union, to opt out of the regulation of the and civil proceedings, is too low. The Government’s European Parliament and of the Council on the consultation paper set out their proposals for an additional establishment of an evaluation mechanism to verify tool for prosecutors to deal effectively with white collar the application of the Schengen acquis. crime committed by organisations, the deferred prosecution agreement (DPA). The Government have taken this decision in accordance with the commitment in the coalition agreement which Some 86% of responses to our consultation agreed states that we will approach legislation in the area of that DPAs can play a vital role in helping to overcome security and criminal justice on a case-by-case basis, the challenges of bringing organisations that commit with a view to maximising our country’s security, protecting wrongdoing to justice. There was widespread support Britain’s civil liberties and preserving the integrity of for an approach that ensures that redress is available, our criminal justice system. with wrongdoing seeing the light of day, victims properly compensated and offending organisations facing stringent The Government believe that our national interests sanctions. Respondents also endorsed our proposed are best served by participating in this regulation. Through operational model and processes. this mechanism we can ensure that member states implement and continue to apply the correct standards, Primary legislation is required to provide for deferred as required by the Schengen acquis, in order to maintain prosecution agreements and accordingly the Government an area of lowered border controls which is secure for are today tabling amendments to the Crime and Courts its citizens. Our participation will ensure our existing Bill which is currently being considered by the House of active role in the scrutiny of those policing and judicial Lords. co-operation elements of the Schengen acquis in which Copies of the document have been placed in the we participate. Libraries of both Houses, in the Vote Office and in the Printed Paper Office. The document is also available Specified Proceedings Processes online, at: www.justice.gov.uk/consultations. 1Command Paper 8348, 17 May 2012. The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May): Today I am announcing that we will grant the police new powers to prosecute a wider range of offences under specified proceedings provisions. Effective Community Sentences These include driving without due care and attention, (Consultation Response) and criminal damage when the damage is valued at £5,000 or less. The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice I informed Parliament in May that, as part of the (Chris Grayling): I am today publishing the Government’s wider reform of the criminal justice system, the Attorney- response to its consultation “Punishment and Reform: General and I intend to simplify and extend these Effective Community Sentences”, which began on 27 March processes, to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure and ended on 22 June 2012. swifter justice. The new offences will build on the changes While community sentences can be effective in tackling already made to enable police to continue to prosecute the causes of reoffending, they do not always inspire these cases when the defendant fails to appear in court public confidence. Some community orders do not contain or enter a plea by post, or where a driver pleads exceptional an element that the public would consider demanding hardship to avoid a driving disqualification. or punitive. The average length of a community order These changes will deliver more professional discretion has fallen in recent years, and the percentage of successfully for the police and allow the Crown Prosecution Service completed orders is also still too low. There is also scope (CPS) to focus on more complex cases, and offer the for community sentences to do more to repair the harm chance for better outcomes for victims and savings for that crimes cause to victims and communities. the taxpayer. They eliminate the need for the police to That is why the Government set out a package of hand over cases to the CPS where these are straightforward, proposals to increase public confidence that community uncontested and dealt with in the magistrates court. orders provide a proper sanction for criminal behaviour, 51WS Written Ministerial Statements23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 52WS while also reducing reoffending and ensuring a better The Government realise the importance of haulage deal for victims. The consultation received nearly 250 written services provided by both UK-registered and foreign- responses. The response I am publishing today summarises registered vehicles to our economy, ensuring that goods the responses we received and sets out the policies we are brought in and efficiently moved around the country. will now take forward. The Government will be tabling The key aim of this Bill is to ensure a fairer arrangement amendments to the Crime and Courts Bill to deliver a for UK-hauliers to help improve their competitiveness. number of the reforms. The legislation being introduced fulfils a commitment The reforms include: in the coalition agreement and is designed to remove an Requiring courts to include a punitive element in every inequality, whereby UK hauliers pay to use many roads community sentence, unless there are exceptional circumstances; abroad, but foreign-hauliers do not pay to use roads in Making use of new technology, subject to appropriate the UK. The levy is designed to be cost neutral for UK safeguards, to track offenders during their sentence to protect hauliers, through offsetting reductions in vehicle excise the public and help prevent criminals committing further duty (VED) payments. Changes to VED will be included offences; in the Finance Bill 2014. Working with the courts, judiciary and probation trusts to explore improvements in operational procedures for dealing The levy will be time based and will vary according to with breaches of community orders, so that offenders are the vehicle type, weight and number of axles. This seeks aware of the consequences of breach and face swift sanctions to ensure that the charging scale is linked to the amount if they do so. of damage a HGV causes to a road. The levy will be a Expanding courts’ powers to defer sentencing so that maximum of £1,000 per year or £10 per day for the restorative justice can take place pre-sentence between victims largest vehicles. UK-registered HGVs will pay the levy and offenders. This will form part of the Government’s for either a six-monthly or annual period. Foreign-registered wider strategy to develop a coherent vision of how restorative vehicles can pay the levy either daily, weekly, monthly justice should apply across all stages of the justice process: including how we build local capacity within available funding, or annually. Rebates will be available under certain and how we ensure a consistently high quality of delivery circumstances. Revenues will be paid into the consolidated through accreditation and training standards; fund. Making clear that courts can take into account criminals’ The Bill makes it an offence to fail to pay the levy assets as well as their income when setting financial penalties; and, on summary conviction, a fine of up to level 5 on Giving the courts access to benefits and tax information the standard scale (currently £5,000) will be payable. from the Department of Work and Pensions and Her Majesty’s The Bill also provides for the offence to be subject to a Revenue and Customs when setting and enforcing financial penalties; fixed penalty and it allows the Secretary of State to refuse to issue a vehicle licence if he is not satisfied that Removing the current £5,000 limit on compensation orders in the magistrates’ courts. the appropriate levy has been paid. Copies of the Government response document will The scheme will be administered by the Driver and be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. Both the Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or the Driver and Government response and associated documents will Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland. A private also be available online at: company will be contracted by the Department for https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/effective- Transport to administer the payment scheme for foreign- community-services. registered HGVs. The contractor will be required to maintain an electronic database of foreign-registered HGVs for which a levy has been paid. UK enforcement agencies will have access to the database. TRANSPORT The scheme will be enforced by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) in Great Britain and HGV Road User Levy the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland. These agencies currently enforce UK and foreign hauliers’ compliance with regulations on vehicle The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport roadworthiness, drivers’ hours and other road safety (Stephen Hammond): For the benefit of Members of the regulations. The police also have enforcement powers. House, I am today setting out some details of the HGV Road User Levy Bill, debated in the House of Commons The Department for Transport conducted a consultation on Tuesday 23 October. The Bill itself will be walked in exercise in early 2012, and the findings of this are also after the debate on the Ways and Means resolution. being published today, and will be available on the The HGV Road User Levy Bill with introduce charges Department for Transport’s website at the following for all HGVs that weigh 12 tonnes and over for using address: the UK road network. www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2012-03 753W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 754W

Mr Hayes: In the first instance it would be for Written Answers to Ofgem as the independent regulator of the gas and electricity markets to decide whether an investigation Questions into the pricing policies of large suppliers was necessary. Tuesday 23 October 2012 Under the Enterprise Act 2002, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), can make a Market Investigation Reference to the Competition ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Commission in two situations. The first is if he is unsatisfied with a decision by the regulator not to refer Electricity Generation the matter. The second is where, after providing the regulator with information, he is not satisfied that a Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for decision on whether or not to refer will be made within Energy and Climate Change on how many occasions a reasonable time. the level of fine imposed by Ofgem on an energy distribution company for its failure to deliver on During this period no Market Investigation References output efficiency has been reduced on appeal in (a) were made to the Competition Commission. 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, (d) 2011 and (e) 2012 to date. [123792] Nuclear Reactors Mr Hayes: Enforcement of compliance with the relevant legislations, which apply to energy distribution companies, is a matter for the independent regulator Ofgem. None Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for of their decisions to fine an energy distribution company Energy and Climate Change when he intends to for its failure to deliver or output efficiency have been publish his Department’s response to Kirk Sorensen’s reduced on appeal. comments in the National Nuclear Laboratory report on the use of molten salt and thorium reactors. Energy: Prices [124001] Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Mr Hayes: I understand that Kirk Sorensen provided and Climate Change what policies and initiatives his review comments to the National Nuclear Laboratory Department introduced to (a) reduce the cost of on reports covering advanced nuclear reactor systems. consumer energy bills, (b) limit the volatility of As his commentary was provided for the National consumer energy bills and (c) encourage new entrants Nuclear Laboratory’s consideration, and not for DECC’s, into the domestic retail energy market between 3 July the Department has not responded to them. 2008 and 11 May 2010. [123816] Gregory Barker: Between 3 July 2008 and 11 May 2010 my Department maintained and introduced a Warm Home Discount Scheme range of policies and initiatives to reduce the cost of energy bills, limit the volatility of consumer energy bills, John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for and encourage new entrants into the domestic retail Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate the energy market: These include: number of families with children under five years old A voluntary agreement with the six largest energy suppliers to who do not receive the warm home discount. [124480] provide support worth £375 million to vulnerable consumers between April 2008 and March 2011. This agreement was monitored by Ofgem and they produced a series of reports on suppliers’ Gregory Barker: Warm Home Discount Scheme spending to assist vulnerable consumers which are available via Broader Group schemes offered by participating suppliers the following link: include an offer for groups such as low income http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/ families and those with long-term illnesses and CSR/Pages/CSR.aspx disabilities. All six participating suppliers (British Provisions in the Energy Act 2010 to enable the Secretary of Gas, EDF, E.ON, npower, Scottish Power and SSE) State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), to make schemes for the have eligibility criteria in their Broader Schemes purposes of reducing fuel poverty by requiring energy suppliers targeted at low income families with children aged to provide households with support, including in the form of under five. energy bill reductions; Suppliers provided a total of 234,297 Broader Group Publishing an assessment of the energy market that set out a discounts worth £120 each, equating to £28.1 million of range of options for reforming the electricity market: support in 2011-12 and we expect at least 364,000 http://www.europeanenergyreview.eu/data/docs/Viewpoints/ households to benefit from the Broader Group in 2012-13, budget2010energymarket[1].pdf receiving discounts of £130. Exempted new entrants and small suppliers from participation in CERT and CESP. However, energy suppliers are not required to provide a breakdown of the eligibility criteria under which each Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy household successfully received the discount. As a result and Climate Change what investigations were (a) we cannot calculate how many households received the ordered and (b) begun by his Department into the discount as a result of being a low income family with pricing policies of the Big Six energy companies children aged under five and therefore those which between 3 July 2008 and 11 May 2010. [123821] did not. 755W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 756W

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission is running a public awareness campaign ahead of the elections on Confiscation Orders 15 November. The campaign will include an information booklet with details of the registration deadline and Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Attorney-General how how to register to vote, which will be sent to every many confiscation orders have been granted to the household in areas where the elections are taking place. Serious Fraud Office in the last five years; how much This will be supported by TV, radio, press and online such orders were intended to recover; and how much advertising. they have recovered. [123860] The campaign will be aimed at the general public but will also target specific audiences by, for example, using The Solicitor-General: From 1 April 2008 to 17 October Facebook to reach younger people and students. 2012, the Serious Fraud Office obtained 67 confiscation The Commission has also provided guidance and set orders with a combined value of £73,974,947. During standards for awareness to be raised locally by those the same period a combined sum of £13,371,993 has running the elections. An important element of this is been collected in satisfaction of confiscation orders. It raising awareness of the registration deadline and the is not possible to correlate directly the sums ordered Commission has provided a range of resources to electoral and collected as the orders may be subject to appeals or registration officers to help them do this, including can often provide time to pay, which results in payments template posters, press adverts and press releases. being made after a substantial delay or not yet falling due. Police and Crime Commissioners: Elections Corruption Steve Baker: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Attorney-General what Electoral Commission, what steps the Electoral assessment he has made of the Serious Fraud Office’s Commission is taking to ensure that the electorate is performance in recent years in prosecuting cases of better informed about the Police and Crime overseas corruption by British companies. [123861] Commissioner elections in November. [124373]

The Attorney-General: The SFO is committed to Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission is running a tackling the most complex and serious crimes involving public awareness campaign ahead of the elections on fraud, bribery and corruption. Offences committed prior 15 November. The campaign includes an information to the introduction of the Bribery Act 2010 require my booklet, which will be sent to every household in areas consent to prosecution and I am kept informed of where the elections are taking place. This booklet includes progress. The director provides regular briefing to me details on the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner, about his current cases. He has recently restated his the date of the election, how to fill in the ballot paper policy in relation to the Bribery Act and this can be and information on how to register to vote and apply found at: for a postal or proxy vote. This is being supported by http://www.sfo.gov.uk/bribery--corruption/self-reporting- TV, radio, press and online advertising. corruption.aspx The Commission has also provided guidance and set standards as to how awareness should be raised Fraud locally by those running the elections. It has also provided a range of resources to help raise awareness of the Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Attorney-General what elections, including template posters, press adverts and recent steps he has taken to ensure that the Serious press releases. Fraud Office’s investigations and prosecutions of The Commission has already begun collecting serious and complex fraud are adequately resourced. information on how public awareness activity is being [123859] delivered by police area returning officers (PAROs) and will continue to monitor the performance of The Attorney-General: The Prime Minister has previously PAROs against the standards in the run up to polling made clear that if the Serious Fraud Office needs more day. resources, it will be provided with them. We continue to keep this under review.

PRIME MINISTER ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE Jimmy Savile Electoral Register Frank Dobson: To ask the Prime Minister (1) who Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the hon. Member for South nominated Jimmy Savile for a knighthood; [123299] West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on (2) whether Jimmy Savile was vetted before being the Electoral Commission, what steps the Electoral nominated for a knighthood. [123300] Commission is taking to increase voter registration for the elections on 15 November 2012; and what steps the The Prime Minister: It has been the practice of successive Commission is taking to ensure that students are Governments not to comment on individual honours registered to vote. [123109] cases. 757W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 758W

HOME DEPARTMENT practices, CSEW data are not available at the focal authority level. Burglary figures for local authority areas are available based Asylum: Greece on the number of crimes recorded by the police. The latest period for which data on police recorded burglaries by local authority are available is 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012. Police recorded crime Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the data is supplied by the 43 territorial police forces of England and Home Department what her assessment is of the extent Wales, plus the British Transport Police. of progress by the Greek government in implementing In Tameside local authority there were 1,303 burglaries in a its National Action Plan for Managed Migration and dwelling and 1,023 burglaries in a building other than a dwelling, Asylum Reform; and when she expects to be able to making a total of 2,326 burglaries recorded during this time resume Dublin’s regulation returns of asylum seekers period. from the UK to Greece. [124533] In Stockport local authority there were 1,310 burglaries in a dwelling and 1,716 burglaries in a building other than a dwelling, Mr Harper: The Government continues to work with making a total of 3,026 burglaries recorded during this time European partners, including the European Asylum period. Support Office, to monitor and support the implementation of the Greek National Action Plan for Managed Migration Counter-terrorism and Asylum Reform. Some encouraging progress has been made, including establishing the legal framework Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the for a new Asylum Service, Appeals Authority and Initial Home Department how many (a) officers and (b) Reception Service. However, there is still much to be other staff in the Metropolitan police were working done and the UK continues to press the Greek Government directly on implementing the National Counter- to complete the reforms needed to meet its European Terrorism Strategy on 30 September (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and international obligations as quickly as possible. and (iii) 2012; and if she will make a statement. The return of asylum seekers under the Dublin [123255] Regulation (EC) No. 343/2003 will not resume until it can be demonstrated that the Greek asylum system James Brokenshire [holding answer 18 October 2012]: meets the requirements set by the European Court of The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime does not Human Rights in MSS v. Belgium and Greece (21 January publish the number of officers or staff working directly 2011) and the Court of Justice of the European Union on counter-terrorism for reasons of national security. in NS and others (21 December 2011). Crime Atos Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of Home Department pursuant to the answer of 19 June 11 September 2011, Official Report, column 126W, on 2012, Official Report, column 862W, on Atos, whether crime, if she will make an assessment of the implication she has made an estimate of the level of profit Atos will for her policies of research conducted by Professor make from each contract; and what the likely level of Nick Bayliss into fantasising in the criminal justice profit is for each. [123837] system; and if she will make a statement. [123777]

Mr Harper: The Home Office cannot disclose the Mr Jeremy Browne: The Home Office constantly estimated profit from its contract with Atos as the monitors a range of academic research on crime, criminal release of this information would prejudice commercial justice and wider social issues, to ensure that new Home interests. Office policy takes account of any significant developments in the evidence base. There are no current plans to look Burglary: Greater Manchester specifically at the work of Professor Bayliss.

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Crimes of Violence Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of burglaries in (a) Tameside and (b) Stockport local authority areas in the latest period for Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many incidents of actual which figures are available. [124556] bodily harm were reported in each of the last five years; [124086] Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office. (2) how many incidents of grievous bodily harm were reported in each of the last five years. [124090] The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the to reply. Cabinet Office. Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2012: The information requested falls within the responsibility As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for estimates on the number of burglaries in (a) Tameside and (b) to reply. Stockport local authority areas in the latest period for which Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2012: figures are available. (124556) As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I While the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) is the have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking preferred measure of burglary as it includes crimes not reported for levels of particular offences over the last five years. (124086 to the police, and is unaffected by changes in police recoding & 124090) 759W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 760W

The table shows the number of incidents recorded by the police The data provided in the table cover England and Wales only. in England and Wales for each of the offence types in question, Crime figures for Scotland are published at: from 2007/08 to 2011/12. These data are published each quarter, http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime- with the latest figures available from Table A4 within ’Crime Justice Statistics: Appendix tables - Crime in England and Wales, year ending June 2012’. The table includes the latest period for completeness, and data for Northern Ireland are published at: and gives the codes of the individual offences that make up each http://www.psni.police.uk/index/updates/updates_statistics/ group, as used in Table A4. update_crime_statistics.htm

Police recorded crime for selected offences, 2007-08 to 2011-12, England and Wales 12 months to June Offence 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012

GBH1 — 40,206 39,501 34,789 32,355 23,691 ABH2 — 378,176 359,483 331,448 303,909 223,867 Rape3,4 12,673 13,096 15,074 15,892 16,043 15,669 Robbery5 84,773 80,130 75,105 76,189 74,689 71,444 Theft from a Vehicle6 432,412 396,976 339,170 313,467 300,378 293,666 1 Current GBH classifications were introduced from 1 April 2008 and replaced an earlier classification. This group of offences includes offences 5A, 8F, 8H. It therefore includes endangering life and racially or religiously aggravated inflicting GBH as well as GBH with intent, though GBH with intent is the major part of this category. 2 This group covers offences 8G and 8J. Current ABH classifications were introduced from 1 April 2008 and replaced an earlier classification. This group of offences includes racially or religiously aggravated inflicting ABH. 3 This group covers offences 19A-19H, covering rapes of males and females of all ages. 4 Prior to 2009-10, a small number of offences continued to be recorded relating to offences repealed by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. While these may have been legitimately recorded for offences committed prior to May 2004 it is also possible that some may have been recorded in these old categories in error, so any changes based on small numbers should be interpreted with caution. 5 This group includes offences 34A and 34B, covering robberies of business and personal property. 6 This offence has a code of 45.

Deportation from the EEA who are subject to a deportation order is not routinely recorded on an annual basis. Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for This is internal management information and is subject the Home Department what average number of escorts to change. is needed per flight to return a foreign national criminal or failed asylum seeker; and what the maximum number needed is. [123169] Emergencies: Hazardous Substances

Mr Harper: The UK Border Agency assesses the Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for the need for escorts on a case by case basis. The majority of Home Department what recent discussions she has had individuals removed from the UK will not require escorts with ministerial colleagues on the total deployable due to their level of compliance with the removal process. mobile decontamination capacity available for Where escorts are required the number of escorts will homeland security in the event of a domestic chemical, be assessed according to the individual circumstances biological, radiological or nuclear incident from (a) of the case. the armed forces, (b) the police, (c) the NHS The data requested on the average number of escorts Hazardous Area Response teams and (d) any other is not available from published statistics and is not source or organisation; and what the total deployable recorded on the UK Border Agency’s Case Information capacity is of each. [123819] Database. Examination of individual records would be required at disproportionate cost. James Brokenshire: For reasons of national security we are unable to provide specific details of total deployable Deportation: Offenders decontamination capability across the UK. Department of Health is responsible for decontamination Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the processes in the event of a domestic Chemical, Biological, Home Department how many foreign national Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN) incident and are offenders from the EU have been subject to a supported by the Fire and Rescue Services who provide deportation order in each of the last five years. [123464] mass decontamination assets. The Police are not responsible for decontamination and therefore do not have a deployable Mr Harper: The number of foreign national offenders capability but facilitate crowd management and security (FNOs) from the European Economic Area (EEA) who at the scene. have been removed in each of the last five years is: Defence can provide a mobile CBRN decontamination In 2007: 504 capability to the civil powers under standing Military In 2008: 647 Aid to the Civil Authority (MACA) arrangements, however, the Emergency Services are the recognised primary In 2009: 774 responders in the event of a CBRN incident in the UK. In 2010: 908 My officials regularly review CBRN response capability In 2011: 1,148 with officials across Government to ensure that the The UK Border Agency is unable to provide the UK’s capability is in line with National Risk Assessment information requested because the number of FNOs Planning Assumptions. 761W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 762W

English Defence League: Rotherham The Home Office does not hold information on the number of British citizens deported. The figures for Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the these have been provided by the Foreign and Home Department what the cost was of policing the Commonwealth Office (FCO). The FCO advise that English Defence League march and rally in Rotherham they only hold limited information which goes back to on 13 October 2012. [124402] 2008 and only includes details of cases that have been reported to FCO consular services, and so may be lower Damian Green: We have not received an application than actual numbers. from South Yorkshire Police Authority for assistance with the cost of policing the recent English Defence Number of British citizens extradited to the UK from League march and rally in Rotherham. As such, we do the USA Australia Pakistan India Jamaica not have this information. 2007 22 n/k 0 n/k n/k (from Essex Police Authority April) 2008 4 n/k 0 0 0 Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2009 4 n/k 0 n/k n/k Home Department how much was repaid by the former 2010 2 n/k 0 0 0 Chairman of Essex Police Authority Councillor Robert 2011 322000 Chambers, in misclaimed expenses in 2012; and if she 20121 3 32000 will make a statement. [124180] Totals 417 440n/kn/k 1 Figures for 2012 are up to 30 September 2012 for both deportations and extraditions. Damian Green: That is a matter for Essex police 2 Known. authority. 3 Including one dual national. 4 Where known.

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Number of British citizens deported to the UK from Home Department (1) if she will place in the Library a copy of the Metropolitan police report on the expenses the USA Australia Pakistan India Jamaica claims of the former Chairman of Essex Police 2008 77 7 0 0 0 Authority; and if she will make a statement; [124181] 2009 152 0 0 0 0 (2) if she will place in the Library a copy of the 2010 204 6 0 3 1 recent Metropolitan Police report on expenses paid to 2011 187 5 0 0 4 some members of Essex Police Authority; and if she 20121 149 6 0 0 2 will make a statement. [124200] Totals 769 24 0 3 7 1 Figures for 2012 are up to 30 September 2012 for both deportations and Damian Green: My hon. Friend should contact the extraditions. Metropolitan police regarding this matter. Immigration: EU Nationals

Extradition Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home other EU countries have been banned, including on a Department how many British citizens were (a) temporary basis, from entering the UK after being told extradited from and (b) deported to the UK from (i) to leave, or being removed from, the UK on the the United States of America, (ii) Australia, (iii) grounds that they no longer fulfil the criteria for the Pakistan, (iv) India and (v) Jamaica in each year from right to residence under Chapter III of European 2004 to date. [122780] Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the EU and their family members to move and reside freely Mr Harper [holding answer 17 October 2012]: within the territory of EU member states in each year Information regarding the nationality of those extradited since 2007. [124250] to the UK has not in the past been routinely recorded. The nationality of those extradited from the United Mr Harper: The UK Border Agency does not hold States to the United Kingdom has been recorded since the information requested. EEA nationals who cease to April 2007. Routine records of the nationality of those have a right to reside under the terms of Directive extradited from all other countries have been kept since 2004/38/EC may be administratively removed from the 2011. UK or refused entry. An administrative removal made The following table provides the figures requested on this basis does not preclude re-entry at a later date. where these are known. Obtaining information from Licensing Act 2003 2004 would incur disproportionate costs. Please note that ‘n/k’ indicates there were extraditions Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for the from the specific country in that year, but the nationality Home Department whether she plans to review the of the person(s) is not known. Zero indicates that there requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 relating to were no extraditions from the specific country in that noise conditions and guidance to councils. [122583] year. For the purposes of the question, the extradition Mr Jeremy Browne: The Licensing Act 2003 enables data applies to England and Wales. Scotland deals with licensing authorities to attach conditions to a premises its own extradition cases—as did Northern Ireland licence or club premises certificate where appropriate until 1 April 2008. for the promotion of the licensing objectives. One of the 763W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 764W four licensing objectives is “the prevention of public than £350,000. As we have previously stated, we do not nuisance” which would include noise nuisance. Specific expect the election to cost more than £75 million and guidance on noise in the context of public nuisance is these additional costs can be met from within this contained in the guidance issued under section 182 of figure. the Licensing Act 2003. There are no plans to revise this section of the guidance. Police and Crime Commissioners: Wales Members: Correspondence Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the printing of Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for additional English-only ballot papers for the Police and the Home Department what plans she has to reply to Crime Commissioner elections in Wales will cost. the letter dated 5 September 2012 from the Right [122422] hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms J Smith. [123793] Damian Green: The Home Office has agreed to meet the costs of any reasonable contingency measures that Mr Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on returning officers take. We expect the cost of printing 18 October 2012. additional ballot papers or notices will cost no more than £350,000. As we have previously stated, we do not Offences Against Children expect the election to cost more than £75 million and these additional costs can be met from within this Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the figure. Home Department what funding she will make available to investigate the relationship between Police Community Support Officers viewing images of child abuse online and child abuse. [123899] David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision she has made for the Mr Jeremy Browne: Investigating reports of offenders funding of police community support officers in 2013; viewing indecent images online, linked to contact child and if she will make a statement. [124120] abuse, is one of the Child Exploitation and Online Damian Green [holding answer 22 October 2012]: Protection’s (CEOP’s) top priorities. In June this year The Neighbourhood Policing Fund (NPF), which currently CEOP published a thematic assessment on this issue, contributes to funding police community support officers titled “A Picture of Abuse”. (PCSOs), has been ring-fenced until March 2013. The CEOP’s operational work is complemented by operations Government is committed to greater local accountability in police forces. For example, a CEOP-led operation, and to decision-making based on local needs. For this Operation Tharsley, in June this year involved over reason, from April 2013, the funding will be consolidated 40 police forces and led to 104 arrests and 96 safeguarding into the police main grant. It will then be for democratically interventions in two days. elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), in The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre conjunction with their chief constables, to take decisions (CEOP), which will become a command of the National on the funding and resourcing of neighbourhood policing Crime Agency (NCA), currently has a dedicated budget and PCSOs. of £6.384 million per annum. Police Community Support Officers: Lancashire Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the arrested for under-age sex in the last five years. [124277] Home Department what funding her Department has allocated to Lancashire police for police community Mr Jeremy Browne [holding answer 22 October 2012]: support officers; and if she will make a statement. The information requested is not collected centrally. [124119] Data on arrests are reported to the Home Office on Damian Green [holding answer 22 October 2012]: the basis of aggregated offence groupings, for example Lancashire police was allocated £8,163,138 through the violence against the person and sexual offences. From Home Office Neighbourhood Policing Fund in 2012-13, these centrally reported groupings, it is not possible to to fund police community support officers (PCSOs). separately identify arrests for specific offences. Police: Early Retirement Police and Crime Commissioners Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers aged Home Department what estimate she has made of 60 years and under took early retirement in each of the additional costs incurred by returning officers in Wales last five years. [124214] due to the time taken to lay the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Welsh Forms) Order 2012 Damian Green: From the centrally available information before Parliament. [124461] it is not possible to determine the age of the police officer at the time of retirement. As well as normal Damian Green: The Home Office has agreed to meet retirement data, information is also collected on medical the costs of any reasonable contingency measures that retirement that occurs early or after 30 years service. returning officers take. We expect the cost of printing The number of police officers who have taken medical, additional ballot papers or notices will cost no more retirement (after less than 30 years service and after 765W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 766W

30 years service or more) and the number of normal Police: ICT retirements (full-time equivalent), for the past five years are given in the following table. Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Number of police officers who have taken medical retirements after less than 30 Home Department what progress she has made in years service and after 30 years service or more and the number of normal appointing 12 directors for the police IT company; and retirements, 2007-08 to 2011-121,2 which directors have been appointed. [124384] Medical Medical retirements—after retirements—after Damian Green: 12 Directors for the Police ICT Company less than 30 years 30 years service or service more Normal retirements Ltd have been appointed, and they are: Helen Kilpatrick (Acting Permanent Secretary, Home Office) 2007-08 288 19 3,689 Millie Banerjee (Chair of British Transport Police Authority) 2008-09 215 39 3,930 Simon Duckworth (Deputy Chair of City of London Police 2009-10 270 21 3,895 Authority) 2010-11 330 17 4,300 Cllr Paul Murphy (Chair of Greater Manchester Police Authority) 2011-12 494 18 4,696 Cllr Diana Holl-Allen (Chair of West Midlands Police Authority) 1 This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. David Riddle (Chair of Ministry of Defence Police Committee) 2 Figures are provisional and have not been verified by police forces. Stephen Greenhalgh (Deputy Mayor for Crime and Policing,) Police: Essex Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime Stephen Webb (Director of Finance and Strategy, Crime and Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Policing Group, Home Office) Home Department how much was spent by Essex Simon Parr (Chief Constable, Cambridgeshire Police and Chair police on expenses in each of the last five years for of Operational Requirements Board) which information is available; and if she will make a Ailsa Beaton (Director of Information, Metropolitan Police and Chair of ACPO Information Management Business Area) statement. [124179] Nick Gargan (on secondment to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate Damian Green: This information is not held centrally Constabulary from Home Office) and is a matter for Essex police authority. Malcolm Cornberg (Director, SOCA) Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent reports she has received Home Department when she expects the police IT on the morale of officers in Essex Police; and if she will company to transfer to Police and Crime Commissioner make a statement. [124199] ownership. [124385] Damian Green: Home Office Ministers regularly receive Damian Green: It is for Police and Crime Commissioners correspondence from Members of Parliament and members to determine the timing of the transfer of ownership of of the public in Essex, including police officers, which The Police ICT Company Ltd. express the concerns of police officers. Members of the Vetting Government at all levels have had, and continue to have, meetings with the police service as part of the Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for day-to-day business of Government. As a consequence, the Home Department what the (a) target and (b) the Government is very aware of and does not average time taken is to complete a Criminal Records underestimate the strength of feeling among police Bureau check from when the completed form is officers nationally and in Essex at the moment. The received. [122788] Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), James Brokenshire [holding answer 17 October 2012]: myself and officials regularly meet with representatives The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) aims to process of the Police Federation, Police Superintendents’ 90% of all enhanced checks within 28 days of receipt of Association and members of the Association of Chief a fully completed application form and 95% of standard Police Officers, which represent all police forces, including checks within 10 days. The CRB has exceeded its Essex Police, to discuss a wide range of issues. performance targets since December 2010. We will continue to engage with police officers and During the financial year 2011-12 the CRB averaged staff to ensure that their opinions help to shape future an end-to-end turnaround time of 12 days for enhanced policing policies at this time of significant change. We CRB checks and five days for standard CRB checks. are also looking at ways in which we can ensure greater input from officers of all ranks on policing matters. TRANSPORT Police: Finance Bus Services: Bristol

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Home Department whether she plans to review the Transport what his policy is on Greater Bristol floors and ceilings damping Police Service funding authorities using allocation funding meant for other mechanism. [124003] non-bus rapid transit schemes if one of its bus rapid transit schemes failed. [124071] Damian Green: The Home Office recently conducted an informal consultation on future damping arrangements. Norman Baker: Funding approval was provided for I will carefully consider all responses to the consultation three bus rapid transit schemes within the West of before taking a decision on damping levels over the last England Partnership Area as part of the development two years of this spending review period and beyond. pool process last year. These are: 767W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 768W

BRT Ashton Vale to Temple Meads; Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for BRT North Fringe to Hengrove; Transport if he will bring forward proposals to South Bristol Link. establish a minimum level of noise for plug-in electric The funding for these three schemes, which is subject and hybrid electric vehicles when operating in electric to satisfactory completion of any remaining statutory mode; and if he will make a statement. [124190] procedures, is to be provided to build these schemes only and cannot be vired without departmental agreement. Norman Baker: We have no plans at present to do so. This issue is being addressed by the United Nations As part of the Bristol City Deal we agreed that we Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the would allow the local authorities promoting these schemes European Commission have recently published a proposed programme and financial flexibility so that if one of the regulation on vehicle noise, and that proposal includes a three projects is delivered with a cost saving they can requirement that, if manufacturers choose to add noise reallocate the saving to one of the other two schemes to to electric or hybrid vehicles, then the noise added meet any cost increases. should meet certain harmonised standards. This proposal is currently the subject of discussion and negotiation at East Coast Railway Line a European level. A final text is likely to be published during 2013. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has received in High Speed 2 Railway Line premium payments from Directly Operated Rail from its operations on the East Coast Main Line since it Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for took over such operations. [122812] Transport what legislative options his Department is Norman Baker: The Department has received a total considering to expedite legislative proposals on HS2. of £484.5 million to date in premium payments from [123032] East Coast Main Line Company Limited. Mr Simon Burns: The Department for Transport is not currently considering any additional legislation to Electric Vehicles expedite the passage of the proposed HS2 Bill.

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has (a) undertaken and Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of (b) plans to undertake on the effects on deaf and blind High Speed 2 per mile; and what comparative persons of plug-in electric and hybrid electric vehicles assessment he has made of the cost per mile with high when operating in electric mode; and if he will make a speed rail projects abroad. [123868] statement. [124188] Mr Simon Burns: The cost per mile based on the Cost Norman Baker: This issue is being addressed by the and Risk Model published in January 2012 would fall United Nations Economic Commission for Europe into the range of £88 million to £102 million per mile; (UNECE). To support discussions at both UNECE and this is comparable with HS1. with the European Commission, the Department for Transport undertook research into the possible risks The estimated per mile rate for HS2 is currently posed by electric and hybrid electric vehicles to the higher than European comparators, and the potential safety of vulnerable road pedestrians and other road causes of the variation have been identified. HS2 Ltd is users. Although the research found no current evidence continuing to drive efficiencies into the Phase 1 scheme of a higher accident rate for these vehicles, a panel of through the current design development phase through visually impaired subjects did find that detecting the detailed value engineering and challenge process. HS2 approach of a hybrid vehicle operating in electric mode Ltd is working with IUK and through an Industry at speeds below 20 km/h (12 mph) was harder, on Efficiency Working Group looking at how to further average, than detecting the approach of conventional reduce costs including learning lessons from comparable vehicles with whose sounds they were familiar. The full projects elsewhere round the world. reports on that work may be found on the Department’s IUK is the Infrastructure UK Treasury Group. website. Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much he expects to be spent on Transport what recent discussions he has had with the preparatory work for High Speed 2; and whether there motor industry about establishing a minimum level of are any Barnett consequentials arising from that noise for plug-in electric and hybrid electric vehicles expenditure. [123908] when operating in electric mode; what responses he has received from the industry; and if he will make a Mr Simon Burns: For the period 2012-13 to 2014-15 statement. [124189] the Department has allocated a budget of £527 million to High Speed 2 Ltd. This budget includes work on the Norman Baker: I am aware of the concern this issue hybrid Bill for the London to Birmingham phase, as causes to some people. Like many of my ministerial well as preparatory work on the second section of the colleagues, I have meetings with the motor industry on high speed rail network. When detailed budgeting and a variety of issues. However, I have not yet had any funding arrangements in relation to the HS2 project are specific meetings to discuss this issue with regard to decided in future spending reviews, any Barnett plug-in electric and hybrid electric vehicles. consequentials will be allocated in the normal way. 769W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 770W

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the case for Transport how many staff of his Department were a twin-track link between High Speed 1 and High employed in the (a) rail division, (b) procurement Speed 2 (HS2), providing long-term capacity for HS2 division and (c) Finance Department of his and enabling high-speed domestic services between the Department in May (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012. regions; and if he will make a statement. [124430] [122306]

Mr Simon Burns: The options for linking HS2 with Mr Simon Burns: The numbers of full-time equivalent HS1 are discussed in HS2 Ltd’s report “High Speed permanent staff involved in Rail, Procurement or Finance Rail London to the West Midlands and Beyond”, published in the Department for Transport (Centre) are set out in in March 2010. Further work was carried out and is the following table. detailed in the documents “Review of HS1 to HS2 Connection Final Report”and “High Speed Rail London May 2010 May 2011 May 2012 to the West Midlands and Beyond Supplementary Report”, both published in December 2010. All three documents Rail 215.4 180.6 167.9 were placed in the Library of the House. Procurement 46.4 36.4 34.3 Finance 1119.9 1113.6 103.0 1 Figures at March 2010 and March 2011. Motor Vehicles: Insurance The figures for Procurement and Finance represent all the staff identified as working in those areas across Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Department for Transport (Centre). The Rail figures Transport what assessment he has made of the exclude Rail staff working on Procurement or Finance recommendations of the European Commission’s to avoid double counting. Staff in the General Counsel’s Project Veronica study on black boxes for cars. [124532] Office (Legal) working on rail related issues are not included. Stephen Hammond: The Veronica reports were wide ranging and highlighted a number of issues that need West Coast Railway Line: Fares careful consideration before formulating detailed policy. The Government has no plans to take forward the Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for recommendations at present though we will continue to Transport what the maximum increase in percentage monitor developments in this area and to liaise with the points above inflation is for regulated rail fares that the European Commission and member states as needed. new operator of the West Coast Main Line franchise will be able to charge in each year of the new franchise. Staff [122839]

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the Transport what the rate of staff turnover was in each Department for Transport’s announcement on 7 October, SCS grade in his Department in each of the last five which confirmed that from January 2013 onwards the years for which figures are available. [122304] regulated fares cap for all franchised train operators, including all West Coast Mainline franchised train Norman Baker: The rate of turnover in each SCS operators, will increase by RPI+1%. grade in the Department for Transport for the last 4 years is shown in the table below: West Coast Railway Line: Franchises

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the process of selection was by which SCSI 16.74% 6.78% 26.43% 16.24% his Department selected (a) Eversheds LLP, (b) WS SCS2 25.53% 4.44% 34.15% 11.76% Atkins and (c) PWC to carry out the work they SCS3 18.18% 36.36% 50.00% 25.00% undertook for his Department in respect of the intercity west coast franchise competition. [122309] The Department does not hold turnover information for 2007/08. Mr Simon Burns: Eversheds LLP and WS Atkins were selected by the Department to provide legal and Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for technical support for the intercity West Coast competition Transport how many SCS grade staff were employed in through a competition using separate competitively his Department in May (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) procured framework contracts PWC were brought in to 2012. [122305] support the detailed preparation for the judicial review of the Intercity West Coast franchise competition. They Norman Baker: The number of SCS grade staff employed were instructed by Eversheds, who were acting for the by the Department for Transport in May (a) 2010, (b) Department as legal advisers for the Judicial Review. 2011 and (c) 2012 is shown in the table below: PWC began fieldwork on 24 September and reported by 2 October. Year Number of Staff

2010 202 Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for 2011 169 Transport what the level of public subsidy was for each year of the West Coast Mainline franchise when 2012 165 operated by Virgin Trains; what the level was of fare 771W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 772W box revenue in each year of that franchise when Statistical releases on Statutory Homelessness are operated by Virgin Trains; and what the at-risk available both in the Library of the House and via the investment was from Virgin Trains for the duration of DCLG website: that franchise. [124097] http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/ housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/homelessnessstatistics/ Mr Simon Burns: All of this information will be publicationshomelessness/ contained in Virgin Rail Group’s statutory accounts, which can be obtained from Companies House at: Emergencies: Sportsgrounds http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on how many Transport what information his Department holds on occasions inspections of preparedness for an whether any of the consultants used by his Department emergency have taken place at football stadiums with a for the West Coast Mainline franchise competition capacity of 35,000 or more in each of the last three limit their maximum liability on professional years; how many such inspections he expects to take indemnity insurance. [124173] place in 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [123959] Mr Simon Burns: The Department holds the original of each contract for the provision of advice in connection Hugh Robertson: I have been asked to reply on behalf with the West Coast Mainline franchise competition. of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Each contains liability, indemnity and insurance provisions. We do not hold records relating to inspections of The contracts for technical and for legal advice were preparedness for an emergency taking place at sports both competed using pre-competed frameworks. Both grounds. While the Department for Culture, Media and used Government Procurement Service standard terms Sport is responsible for the Safety of Sports Grounds and conditions. legislation, responsibility for certifying and regulating The standard terms and conditions contain a range those sports grounds is primarily a matter for individual of provisions relating to liability, indemnity and insurance. local authorities. The Technical Adviser terms and conditions set the The Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds, written by annual aggregate liability of either party for defaults at the Sports Grounds Safety Authority and published by £10 million and require that the contractor maintain the Department, includes guidance on the importance professional indemnity insurance of not less than £5 million of regular and detailed inspections and tests, as a necessary for each individual claim. and important function of safety management. The Guide can be found at the following link: The Legal Adviser standard terms and conditions do http://safetyatsportsgrounds.org.uk/pdf/ not set a cap on the liability for defaults. The standard GuidetoSafetyatSportsGrounds.pdf terms and conditions contain provision requiring the contractor to maintain professional indemnity insurance Fire services with a minimum level of £100 million. Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what steps he COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT is taking to ensure that firefighters are provided with the most suitable fire protection equipment; [122913] Council Housing (2) what steps he is taking to monitor the suitability of fire protection equipment provided to firefighters. Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for [122914] Communities and Local Government if he will commission a survey of local authorities to ascertain Brandon Lewis: The suitability of local fire protection which councils have asked housing applicants to move equipment is a matter for the relevant locally accountable to another local authority; and how many households fire and rescue authority to decide, based on the were affected between January and August 2012. requirements of their integrated risk management plan. [122107] The Government retains strategic responsibility for national resilience and has already committed significant Mr Prisk: We collect and publish official statutory financial resources to help fire and rescue authorities homelessness statistics on a quarterly basis. A table has deliver specialist capability such as urban search and been placed in the Library of the House, showing the rescue equipment, high volume pumps and mass number of homeless households from each local authority decontamination equipment. in England placed in temporary accommodation in another local authority district as at (a) 31 March 2012, Housing Benefit (b) 30 June 2012 (the latest available figures). The law makes it clear that local authorities must Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for secure accommodation within their own borough so far Communities and Local Government whether his as reasonably practicable. The Government wants to go Department has received information that local further on this and has recently consulted on how best authorities have reduced rents for their housing stock to strengthen requirements in relation to location and as a means of avoiding the housing benefit cap; if his suitability when local authorities secure accommodation Department will commission research into this issue; for the use of households owed duties under the and if it will take steps to enforce adherence by local homelessness legislation. authorities to the housing benefit cap. [118725] 773W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 774W

Mr Prisk: The housing benefit cap was introduced to with the local authorities in Hastings, West Lancashire ensure that claimants were not able to live in properties and Richmondshire, and each authority has been allocated beyond the means of those not on benefit. The housing £100,000 grant funding. We are now working with these benefit cap only affects claimants living in the private local authorities to consider what further support they rented sector and therefore tenants of local authority need over the pilot period, to March 2014. owned housing stock are not affected. My Department, with the Department for Work and Planning Permission Pensions, is funding research into the impact of the local housing allowance changes on private rented sector Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of tenants, landlords and local authorities. The housing State for Communities and Local Government when he benefit cap is one of the changes to the local housing expects his Department to publish its consultation on allowance regime. An initial report was published on the temporary extension of permitted development 14 June and can be found on the DWP website. There rights. [123871] will be an interim early next year and the final report later in 2013. Nick Boles: My Department will be publishing a The most recent official statistics published by the consultation document setting out full details of our Valuation Office Agency in August 2012 show that proposals shortly. median private sector rents across England rose by 0.9% in the year to June 2012, compared to a rise in RPI Sportsgrounds: Safety inflation of 2.8% over the same period. Rents have thus fallen in real terms, although there are local variations. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which football Housing: Construction and other sporting stadia have been refused safety certificates temporarily at any time in the last five years. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for [122715] Communities and Local Government how many homes in England were self-built in each of the last five Hugh Robertson: I have been asked to reply on behalf years. [123904] of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. We do not hold records relating to the issue, Mr Prisk: The Department does not hold official amendment or cancellation of safety certificates. While statistics. the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is To assist the policy-making process and policy responsible for the Safety of Sports Ground legislation, development on encouraging self-builders, the Department any decision to issue a safety certificate or to limit the is currently examining how best to quantify and support capacity of a sports ground would be a matter for the the take-up of self-build. local authority. Housing: Floods

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for HEALTH Communities and Local Government pursuant to the written statement of 6 September 2012, Official Report, Warrington Hospital column 33WS, on housing and growth, whether the Environment Agency will be able to object on grounds of increased flood risk to domestic and commercial 15. Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for extensions allowed under his proposed changes to Health what his policy is on the future of Warrington permitted development rights. [123120] hospital; and if he will make a statement. [124149]

Nick Boles: A technical consultation paper on our Dr Poulter: I am assured by the local national health proposals will be published shortly. The Environment service that Warrington hospital will continue to deliver Agency will be very welcome to contribute views to the high quality care for patients. consultation. Health and Social Care Act Local Government 16. Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of Health what assessment he has made of whether the State for Communities and Local Government (1) what Health and Social Care Act 2012 is being implemented funding he has allocated to support local authorities as planned. [124150] participating in the land auction pilot up to March 2014; [123773] Mr Jeremy Hunt: The implementation of the Health (2) which local authorities are participating in his and Social Care Act 2012 is on track, with organisational land auction pilot. [123775] changes under way to ensure the new system is ready for April 2013. Mr Prisk: I refer the hon. Member to the answer The basis of the reform is to reshape the national given to her by my right hon. Friend the Member for health service so that it is more patient centred, led by Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Shapps), on 16 July 2012, health professionals and focused on delivering world Official Report, column 487W. We continue to work class health outcomes. 775W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 776W

Diabetes and Asthma National Pay Arrangements

18. Mel Stride: To ask the Secretary of State for Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to help Health what his policy is on upholding national pay people cope with conditions such as diabetes and arrangements in the NHS. [124158] asthma. [124153] Dr Poulter: National health service trusts and foundation trusts have the freedom to determine the terms and Mr Jeremy Hunt: We are working on an outcomes conditions of the staff they employ. strategy for long-term conditions, structured around six shared goals: early diagnosis, integrated care, promoting Agenda for Change was negotiated and brought in independence and taking steps to support those with during 2004 under the then Secretary of State for long-term conditions to live as well as possible. Health, the right hon. Dr John Reid, in order to agree a national framework for pay in the NHS. The Department has been working with a range of stakeholders and colleagues from across Whitehall to In general, most trusts support the agreed pay framework identify shared areas of interest that could have an in Agenda for Change and are likely to continue to use impact on the outcomes for people living with long-term national terms provided they remain affordable and fit conditions, including those with diabetes and asthma. for purpose. Abortion Bariatric Surgery James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for 19. Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS spent on carrying out Health what recent assessment he has made of the abortions in each of the last four years. [124009] economic and health benefits of the National Institute Anna Soubry: Information on how much national for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guidance 43 health service commissioners spend on abortion is not on bariatric surgery for obesity. [124154] collected centrally. However, it is possible to produce an estimate by using the activity figures provided to the Anna Soubry: We have not assessed the benefits of chief medical officer and a weighted average of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence national tariff for procedures that include abortion. guidance on the ‘prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults The following table shows the estimated spend by and children’, which contains guidance on the use of commissioners in England on abortions for each of the bariatric surgery. last four years for which data is available:

However, recent evidence continues to show that Estimated spend (£ million) bariatric surgery is both effective and cost-effective over the long term for those who are morbidly obese. 2008 101 2009 124 Regional Pay 2010 117 2011 119 20. Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of Estimates have been provided for calendar years because State for Health what assessment he has made of the activity data is supplied on this basis. The weighted likely effect of the introduction of regional pay in the average national tariff however relates to the respective NHS on recruitment between and within English financial year, so for example the 2008-09 tariff was regions. [124155] used to produce the estimate for 2008. It should be noted that this methodology is likely to Dr Poulter: I have been made aware of the concerns overestimate total spend, as we are aware that contracts of trade unions and constituents about a consortium of with independent sector providers are generally at a employers in the south-west of England. The consortium lower price than the national tariff. is considering how they might make better use of their local health budgets for the benefit of patients and staff. James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for They have not however made any formal proposals. Health whether local authorities will have Most employers, including the consortium, prefer to responsibility for the provision of abortion services use national pay frameworks provided they are fit for when they take on responsibility for public health purpose. provision. [124010]

Kent Health Commission Anna Soubry: Local authorities will not have responsibility for abortion services; these will be commissioned by Clinical Commissioning Groups. 21. Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has made an assessment of the Atos recent report of the Kent Health Commission; and if he will make a statement. [124157] Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2012, Official Anna Soubry: The Secretary of State for Health, my Report, columns 785-6W, on Atos, whether he has right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey made an estimate of the level of profit Atos will make (Mr Hunt), has not made an assessment of the recent from each contract; and what the likely level of profit is report that my hon. Friend sent to him recently. for each. [123836] 777W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 778W

Dr Poulter: An estimate of the level of profit has been We have also committed to reducing the prescribing made for the two contracts and the Department has of antipsychotic drugs to people with dementia. Real mechanisms in place in accordance with the agreed progress has been made to date, but there is more to be contractual terms to ensure that any profit made by done. Atos is at an appropriate level. We are unable to release 190 care homes and care home providers have already information on the estimated likely level of profit as this signed up to the Dementia Care and Support Compact, includes commercially confidential information. setting out their commitment to deliver high quality, relationship based care. This covers the providers of Blood Diseases dementia care for over 200,000 people.

Drugs: Misuse Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to tackle and prevent sepsis. [124151] David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many organisations representing drug users Ministers in his Department have met in the last Dr Poulter: I refer the hon. Member to the answer of year. [124275] 10 September 2012, Official Report, columns 109-10W. Dr Poulter: Details of ministerial meetings with external Care Homes stakeholders are published quarterly in arrears on the Department’s website at: Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for http://transparency.dh.gov.uk/category/transparency/ Health pursuant to the answer of 17 May 2012, Official ministerial-gifts-hospitality/ Report, column 346W, on care homes, how many of the East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust Care Quality Commission inspections were conducted (a) on site and (b) remotely. [123872] Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the planned Norman Lamb: Prior to 1 October 2010 adult social reorganisation of the East Midlands Ambulance care services were inspected under the Care Standards Service; and if he will make a statement. [124490] Act 2000. The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the 2008 Act) required providers of adult social care services Anna Soubry: The commissioning and provision of to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) by national health service ambulance services is a matter 1 October 2010. From this date, adult social care providers for the local NHS. The East Midlands Ambulance are inspected under the 2008 Act. Service published its ‘Being the Best’ change programme The CQC has provided the following information: on 17 July 2012, outlining plans designed to provide the right ambulance services for the long term. Number of inspections of Number of care homes that inspections of care Emergencies: Hazardous Substances included a site homes that did not Legislation Year visit include a site visit Total Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Care Standards 2010-11 3,017 0 3,017 what assessment he has made of the deployable mobile Act 2000 (to 30 decontamination capacity of the NHS available for September 2010) homeland security in the event of a domestic chemical, Health Social 2010-11 2,172 43 2,215 biological, radiological or nuclear incident from (a) Care Act 2008 the NHS Hazardous Area Response teams and (b) any (from 1 other NHS source or organisation. [123818] October 2010) Health and 2011-12 12,373 300 12,673 Social Care Anna Soubry: The deployable mobile decontamination Act 2008 capabilities throughout England have undergone a process Total 17,562 343 17,905 of assessment under project ARGON, sponsored by the Home Office, Office of Security and Counter Terrorism. This project assessed multi agency regional chemical, Dementia biological, radiological and nuclear plans, which included the health input. Under this process, a number of table Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for top and full-scale exercises were carried out at a number Health what steps he is taking to tackle dementia and of keys sites across the United Kingdom. Alzheimer’s disease. [124147] Epilepsy: Children Mr Jeremy Hunt: Improving health and care for those with dementia—and their carers—is a key priority Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for me and for the Prime Minister. I want to see us (1) what recent representations he has received on the among the best in Europe at ensuring timely diagnosis future of funding for children’s epilepsy surgery; and provision of the best possible treatment and support. [124248] I want to see better diagnosis rates, better care in (2) what recent representations he received on the hospitals, care homes and the community, and a doubling referral pathways for children’s epilepsy surgery. in funding for research. [124252] 779W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 780W

Norman Lamb: The Department is not aware of The initial phase of the review of charging overseas receiving any recent representations about either referral visitors for NHS care concluded earlier this year and is pathways or the future of funding for children’s epilepsy now being considered. The Department will respond in surgery. due course. Subject to regulations being made and laid, specialist neuroscience services for children and young people, Health Services: Rehabilitation which includes all paediatric neurosurgery services, will be the responsibility of the NHS Commissioning Board Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for from April 2013. Health how much each primary care trust allocated to local authorities to spend on (a) re-ablement, (b) Health Services: Homelessness bed-based intermediate services and (c) early supported hospital discharge schemes in the last year Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for for which figures are available. [123912] Health what steps the Government plans to take to improve NHS services for homeless people. [124011] Norman Lamb: The Department collected information on the use of the funding allocated to support social Anna Soubry: We are taking steps to address the poor care services in September 2011. Data at primary care health outcomes experienced by the homeless and the trust (PCT) level has been placed in the Library. difficulties that they, and other vulnerable groups, face The returns from PCTs showed that they planned to in accessing some health services. For the first time, we transfer £642 million of the £648 million made available have introduced legal duties on national health service in 2011-12. commissioners to reduce inequalities in access to and outcomes from health services. In addition, we have Following the survey, we followed up with the two developed an Inclusion Health programme, through PCTs which, at the time of the survey, had not yet which we are working with other Government Departments, agreed the majority of their transfer and sought assurances the NHS and the third sector to tackle the poor health that plans were in place to reach an agreed position. We of people in vulnerable groups and to ensure everyone can now confirm that agreements have been made for gets the care they need, regardless of their needs or the remaining £6 million to be transferred to local circumstances. As part of this broad programme, we are authorities. looking at how to improve access to primary care services, and hospital discharge arrangements for the Health Services: Weather homeless. Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Services: Overseas Visitors Health how much winter pressures funding was allocated to each primary care trust in 2010-11. Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health [123911] (1) how many NHS hospitals and NHS hospital trusts in England employ dedicated managers to ensure that Norman Lamb: A copy of the primary care trust level visitors from overseas, not eligible for free treatment, allocations for the £162 million winter pressures funding pay what is due; [124529] in 2010-11 has been placed in the Library. (2) what the total income received by NHS hospitals and NHS hospital trusts in England from the treatment Heart Diseases: Children of visitors from overseas was in the last year for which figures are available; [124530] Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for (3) what progress has been made in the Health how many surgical centres for children’s Government’s review of the rules and practices in congenital heart services he plans to retain following relation to charging overseas visitors for NHS services; the findings of the Safe and Sustainable Review of and when he intends to publish the conclusions and such services. [123948] recommendations of that review. [124531] Anna Soubry: The Safe and Sustainable Review of Anna Soubry: The Department does not hold information children’s congenital heart services is a national health on how many national health service hospital trusts in service review and independent of Government. England employ dedicated managers to make and recover charges to overseas visitors. However, the Department On 4 July 2012, the joint committee of primary care does strongly recommend that NHS bodies have such a trusts, the decision making body for the review, decided person to. oversee the implementation of the NHS that seven hospitals will continue to provide children’s (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011, as congenital heart surgery: amended. Freeman Hospital, Newcastle; NHS trusts’ accounts show that the total income Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool; received from overseas visitors liable for charges for Birmingham Children’s Hospital; 2011-12 was £19,515,000. The chairman of Monitor Bristol Royal Hospital for Children; informs us that the similar figure for NHS foundation trusts was £13,000,000. Income received means the total Southampton General Hospital; amount that those bodies invoiced overseas visitors, not Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London; and what they received from them in payment. Evelina Children’s Hospital, London. 781W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 782W

Lung Diseases Dr Poulter: In response to concerns about the application of the directive in the United Kingdom, the Government’s Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for independent advisory body on medical education—Medical Health what assessment he has made of the potential Education England—commissioned an independent review effect of the absence of a strategic clinical network on chaired by Professor Sir John Temple. the ability of the NHS Commissioning Board to deliver The review’s findings noted that requirements of the his Department’s outcomes strategy for chronic directive differed from those of the Junior Doctors’ obstructive pulmonary disorder and asthma. [123867] Contract, that this limited training opportunities and, in light of this, recommended the Junior Doctors’ Contract Anna Soubry: It will be for the NHS Commissioning be reappraised to ensure it supports training within the Board to decide on its priorities, and how it will deliver directive. on these, when it takes up its full statutory duties and In response to the Temple Report, the four UK responsibilities in April 2013. health departments commissioned the NHS Employers Reducing mortality from respiratory disease for under-75s organisation to work with all stakeholders and the is an indicator in the NHS Outcomes Framework on devolved Administrations to produce a report, which which the NHS Commissioning Board will be accountable summarises the views of all parties, and to make to the Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. recommendations for reappraising the contract. All four Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt). Administrations have now received the report and are It is for the NHS Commissioning Board and Clinical considering the recommendations very carefully including Commissioning Groups locally to determine how the any case for negotiating a new contract. national health service will make improvements in outcomes In Europe, social partners are currently negotiating against this indicator, which, may include providing the Working Time Directive. The EU social partner support for implementation of the outcomes strategy process is autonomous and operates independent of the for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Commission and Council. The Government has no formal role in any social partner negotiations. NHS: Vetting The Government would welcome proposals that would preserve the right for all workers, including those in the Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for NHS, to choose the hours that they work. For the NHS Health (1) what assessment he has made of the level of this means flexibility in the areas of on-call time and completion of Criminal Records Bureau checks during compensatory rest as well as the preservation of the the recruitment of NHS front-line staff; and if he will individual opt out. make a statement; [124017] (2) whether his Department monitors the completion Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for by NHS trusts and other NHS bodies of Criminal Health what recent estimate he has made of the level of Records Bureau checks during the recruitment of staff; hospital staff cover for (a) doctors and (b) nurses over [124018] weekend shifts. [124460] (3) what guidance his Department has issued to Dr Poulter: No estimates have been made by the NHS trusts about the completion of Criminal Records Department. Information about work force numbers in Bureau checks during the recruitment of staff. [124019] trusts is held locally. Dr Poulter: The Department does not monitor the Prosthetics completion of Criminal Records Bureau checks within David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for health and social care. However, national health service Health what progress his Department has made in care providers registered with the Care Quality Commission implementing the recommendations of the Murrison (CQC) are required to operate an effective recruitment report on military amputees; and what consideration it procedure. This includes, the option of taking up criminal has given to extending these arrangements to civilian records checks and what action to take as a result of amputees. [124100] such a check. During inspections the CQC monitors compliance Dr Poulter: Good progress has been made with with the registration requirements. If an NHS provider implementing the recommendations of ‘A better deal is deemed to be non-compliant, for example, because for military amputees’. The Veterans’ Prosthetics Panel appropriate checks have not been carried out, the CQC has to date handled 27 funding requests, totalling just will take enforcement action against an NHS care provider. under £300,000. In addition, the Department has commissioned NHS The provision of nationally commissioned specialised Employers to provide detailed advice to the NHS about prosthetics services for veterans is also moving forward. all aspects of safe recruitment, including criminal records The Department has recently agreed a service specification checking. for these services with representatives of the NHS Commissioning Board (NHSCB). The process of NHS: Working Hours commissioning these services will commence once this specification has been through the final approval process Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for of the NHSCB later this month. The Department and Health what recent assessment he has made of the NHSCB officials will continue to consult on implementation effect on the NHS of the EU Working Time Directive of ‘A better deal for military amputees’ with veterans, and the European Court of Justice’s ruling in Simap the relevant charities and clinicians during 2012. This and Jaeger; and what recent progress he has made on will include consultation on how best to ensure that reform of that directive. [124156] there is a wider dividend to civilian amputees. 783W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 784W

Sleep Apnoea However, a National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment study: “Kaambwa B, Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Bryan S, Gray 3, Milner P, Daniels J, Khan K, Roberts Health if he will make it his policy that screening T. Cost-effectiveness of rapid tests and other existing programmes for people at risk of Type 2 diabetes strategies for screening and management of early-onset should include screening for obstructive sleep apnoea. group B streptococcus during labour. BJOG. [123874] 2010;117:1616-1627” suggested that assessments of screening’s cost effectiveness in relation to current practice Anna Soubry: The Government currently has no plans were subject to a great deal of uncertainty and were to screen for obstructive sleep apnoea. dependent on changes to clinical practice. A copy has been placed in the Library. The national health service does not currently screen for type 2 diabetes, although risk factors are identified The Department has not held any consultations with as part of the NHS Health Check. any European Union member states on the prevention of GBS infection in newborn babies. Streptococcus Vulnerable Adults: Coastal Areas

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health (1) what steps he has taken to publicise the UK whether he has undertaken an assessment of the National Screening Committee’s public consultation movement of vulnerable people who are in the care of on screening all pregnant women for group B social services from inner cities to seaside towns. streptococcus; and if he will make a statement; [124333] [123840] (2) what steps he is taking to ensure consideration of all submissions made directly to the UK National Norman Lamb: Information about the movement of Screening Committee during public consultations on people in vulnerable situations who are in the care of screening for group B streptococcus; if he will ensure social services from inner cities to seaside towns, is not that the submissions and the response to them are collected centrally. made public; and if he will make a statement; [124334] It is a duty on local councils’ social services departments (3) what cost-benefit analyses his Department has to monitor, review and support the people they place conducted to compare the UK’s current risk-based out of area. strategy for preventing group B streptococcus infection in newborn babies with screening approaches with other countries; if he will publish the results of any INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT such analyses; and if he will make a statement; [124335] Atos (4) what recent consultation his Department has undertaken with other EU member states regarding the Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for prevention of group B streptococcus infection in International Development pursuant to the answer of newborn babies. [124336] 18 June 2012, Official Report, column 774W, on Atos, whether she has made an estimate of the level of profit Dr Poulter: The UK National Screening Committee Atos will make from each contract; and what the likely (UK NSC) advises Ministers and the national health level of profit is for each. [123833] service in all four countries about all aspects of screening policy and supports implementation. Using research Mr Duncan: In line with the Government’s Transparency evidence, pilot programmes and economic evaluation, it Agenda, DFID publishes details of contracts awarded assesses the evidence for programmes against a set of to suppliers at Contracts Finder, the Cabinet Office’s internationally recognised criteria. online central repository for this type of information. In response to representations made to the Department Information made available on Contracts Finder includes on group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in newborn the name of the successful supplier; total contract value babies, during the UK NSC’s consultation period, the and details of the services to be awarded under the Department has taken opportunities, for example through contract. correspondence, to publicise that the UK NSC’s review We do not award contracts on a cost-plus basis, but of screening for GBS carriage in pregnancy is currently on the basis of value for money as generated through a open in order to ensure the widest possible engagement competitive tender process. from stakeholder organisations and individuals during the consultation period. Bangladesh The UK NSC will consider all of the submissions Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for made during the consultation at its 13 November 2012 International Development if she will publish the full meeting. All consultation replies will be available on the list of operational projects being undertaken by her UK NSC’s website apart from those where stakeholder Department in Bangladesh; which organisations are organisations or individuals have requested that their responsible for each of the operational projects; and response is not made public. what funding has been provided for each such project. The Department has not undertaken a comparative [123947] assessment of the cost benefit of the UK’s risk-based strategy for preventing GBS infection in newborn babies Mr Duncan: The following table shows the full list of with screening approaches used in other western countries. DFID projects undertaken in Bangladesh: 785W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 786W

Partner Organisations (Co-financer/ Allocation Managing/Implementing Joint Prog. Purpose/Objective of Project Name Start Date End Date (£ million) Orgs. Partner) the Project

Human development Health Sector 1 July 2011 30 June 2016 120.00 World Bank USAID, CIDA, To create a Development EU, JICA, sustainable Programme SIDA, RNE, improvement of (HSDP) MOHFW and health, nutrition and KFW family welfare status in the population of Bangladesh, especially among those who are most vulnerable, e.g. the poor, women and children, and the elderly. International 1 December 2012 1 November 2016 7.50 ICDDR,B ICDDR,B To develop and Centre for deliver through Diarrhoeal research, cost Disease Research, effective solutions to Bangladesh major health, (ICDDR,B) Core population and Support nutrition problems of poor people, both in Bangladesh and internationally. Bangladesh 1 September 2010 30 June 2016 120.00 Government of Bangladesh ADB, WB, An inclusive system Education JICA, EU, of education that Development AusAid, CIDA, provides equitable Programme SIDA, UNICEF learning (BEDP) opportunities to all eligible children in Bangladesh. English In Action 1 May 2008 30 April 2017 50.00 BMB Mott MacDonald BMB Mott To improve English (EIA) MacDonald, language skills for UK Open 25 million people University, BBC through news, TV, WST, Friends in radio, and mobile Village device materials, Development- improved teacher Bangladesh, training, and adult UCEP learning. Underprivileged 1 April 2012 31 March 2016 20.00 UCEP NORAD, Save To ensure that Children’s the Children underprivileged Education and children are Skills Programme provided with (UCEP) quality general and technical education, skills development, employment support, and rights awareness. Sanitation, 1 January 2007 31 December 2012 48.50 UNICEF, Department of UNICEF and To support the Hygiene Public Health Engineering Government of provision of Education and Bangladesh improved access to Water Supply in water and sanitation Bangladesh and better hygiene (SHEWA-B) practices in rural and urban areas.

Governance

Public Service 1 May 2006 31 January 2013 15.21 Capita Helm A critical mass of Capacity (MATT competent and 2) reform-minded civil servants enabled to develop and deliver government policy World Bank 1 August 2005 30 June 2013 5.50 World Bank To provide an JOTAP evidence base for more effective DFID and World Bank country programmes and policies in Bangladesh and to engage Government of Bangladesh and Bangladeshi stakeholders in open policy debate. 787W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 788W

Partner Organisations (Co-financer/ Allocation Managing/Implementing Joint Prog. Purpose/Objective of Project Name Start Date End Date (£ million) Orgs. Partner) the Project

Rights and 1 July 2008 31 March 2013 38.03 Manusher Jonno Norway Poor and vulnerable Governance Foundation people, particularly Challenge Fund women and children, have access to measurably better quality services and enjoy improved security. TACTS (Tax 1 August 2010 31 July 2015 7.00 PWC India To improve the Administration Government’s weak Capacity and domestic revenue Taxpayer position, widen the Services) tax base and promote transparency and trust in the revenue administration system Strengthening 1 October 2009 31 September 2014 30.15 World Bank EU, DANIDA, A more efficient Public Financial CIDA, Public Expenditure Management Netherlands Management system (SPEMP) with increased transparency and accountability to citizens Safety and Justice 1 April 2010 30 April 2015 31.33 UNDP, Maxwell Stamp Increase access to high quality informal justice mechanisms and develop a more responsive formal justice system for the poor and vulnerable, particularly women, children, ethnic and religious minorities and marginalised communities Strengthening 1 April 2010 31 March 2015 19.70 UNDP, Democracy USAID A political system Political International, The Asia that is more capable, Participation Foundation, Transparency accountable and International Bangladesh, responsive, Westminster Foundation for especially to the Democracy, National needs of the poor Democratic Institute and marginalised

Private sector development Regulatory and 1 July 2007 1 June 2015 40.30 International Finance EU on To improved investment Corporation (IFC), World Bangladesh investment climate systems for Bank Investment making Bangladesh enterprise growth Climate Facility, a better place for in Bangladesh NORAD on business (RISE) South Asia Enterprise Development Facility, WB on Economic Zone Development Promoting 1 June 2007 1 December 2013 40.15 Bangladesh Bank, PKSF, To ensure Financial services Institute of Microfinance, sustainable Micro- for poverty Microcredit Regulatory Finance sector in reduction in Authority, Maxwell Stamp Bangladesh offers Bangladesh greater access to, (Prosper) and usage of diversified financial services for the poor, micro, small enterprises and farmers Katalyst Phase II 16 March 2008 15 March 2013 11.80 Swisscontact SDC, To increase the Netherlands, competitiveness of CIDA micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMSE) in key urban and rural sectors 789W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 790W

Partner Organisations (Co-financer/ Allocation Managing/Implementing Joint Prog. Purpose/Objective of Project Name Start Date End Date (£ million) Orgs. Partner) the Project

Extreme poverty

Economic 1 November 2005 31 December 2015 65.30 Harewelle International The purpose is to Empowerment of improve the the Poorest livelihoods of one million very poor people, particularly women and children, by increasing their economic well- being. Urban 1 April 2006 1 March 2014 60.10 UNDP UNDP The purpose is to Partnership for Improve the Poverty Livelihoods and Reduction living conditions of (UPPR) 3 Million urban poor and extremely poor people, especially women and girls. Chars 1 September 2009 30 April 2016 70.00 Maxwell Stamp AusAid To improve the food Livelihoods security, livelihoods Programme and incomes of up (CLP2) to one million extremely poor people living on the Riverine Char Islands of North- Western Bangladesh BRAC Strategic 1 April 2011 31 March 2016 226.00 BRAC AusAID Supporting BRAC’s Partnership development Agreement programme in providing basic health-case services, education, water and sanitation and improving the livelihoods of the poorest and most marginalised people in Bangladesh Accelerating 1 April 2012 31 March 2015 15.00 CLP2, EEP, UPPR Reducing under Improved nutrition in 3 Nutrition for extreme poverty Extreme Poor in programme areas. Bangladesh Improved nutrient intake and health status of adolescent girls, pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children.

Climate change

Climate Change 2 September 2008 1 December 2013 75.00 WB, UNDP,HTSPE, IIED, Bangladesh Climate change Programme IUCN Climate Change adaptation and risk Resilience Fund reduction measures - EU, DANIDA, protect and improve SIDA, Swiss, the lives and AusAid, livelihoods of 15 USAID. million poor and CDMP- EU, vulnerable people by Sweden, 2013. AusAid, Norway Humanitarian 27 June 2011 26 June 2016 20.00 Mission Aviation Fellowship To save lives, Preparedness and (MAF), World Food alleviate suffering, Response Programme (WFP) maintain dignity and reduce risk among people affected by disasters in Bangladesh through direct humanitarian assistance and a better prepared humanitarian system. 791W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 792W

Partner Organisations (Co-financer/ Allocation Managing/Implementing Joint Prog. Purpose/Objective of Project Name Start Date End Date (£ million) Orgs. Partner) the Project

Shelter, 1 February 2012 31 January 2013 10.02 ‘NARRI’Consortium (Lead Households and Sanitation agency Oxfam in partnership individuals affected Recovery and with Action Aid, CARE, by waterlogging in Resilience, Concern Worldwide, Islamic South West Bangladesh Relief, and Solidarités) Bangladesh able to protect themselves and their assets through access to and ownership of secure, disaster resilient shelter, sanitation and improved hygiene Total 1,146.59

Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for rural and urban areas. The programme has already International Development what the outcomes were of provided 1.4 million poor with safe drinking water and the Primary Education Development Programme 2; 5.8 million with improved sanitation facilities. By December and how the project was implemented in Bangladesh. 2012 an additional 0.7 million people will secure access [123949] to safe drinking water, and 1.12 million will have improved sanitation facilities. Mr Duncan: By the end of the programme (April The programme is implemented by the United Nations 2008-June 2011) 96% of all eligible children in the Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the country were enrolled in primary schools. The primary Government of Bangladesh. school completion rate increased from 52% to 60% of which 62% were girls. All the children in schools received textbooks. In addition 45,000 new teachers were recruited Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for and 38,000 new classrooms constructed. International Development what outcomes are The fund was channelled through the Asian Development expected from the English in Action programme; and Bank who provided oversight of the programme progress, how the project was implemented in Bangladesh. reporting and fiduciary management. All activities were [123982] implemented by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Government of Bangladesh and supported Mr Duncan: The English in Action (2006-2016) by the Department for International Development and programme is expected to improve English language 11 other development partners. teaching skills of 67,500 primary school teachers and 9,000 secondary school teachers. In turn these teachers Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for will help improve the English skills of more than 6.75 million International Development what outcomes she expects primary and 3.75 million secondary students. English from the Economic Empowerment for the Poorest Language learning materials will be assisted through Programme; and how the project is being implemented mobile phones, television, websites and newspapers so in Bangladesh. [123952] as to reach 25 million Bangladeshis. Mr Duncan: The programme (2008-15) aims to help The implementing partners are Mott MacDonald, lift 1 million people out of extreme poverty by 2015. BBC media action and the UK Open University. 550,000 people have already benefitted through skills training and income-generation activities. Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for The Department for International Development supports International Development what outcomes were this programme through two Challenge Funds—the achieved by the BRAC Education Programme II - Scale Fund and the Innovation Fund. The funds use Bridging Grant; and how the project was implemented proven as well as innovative approaches to benefit the in Bangladesh. [123984] poorest. The programme is implemented on the ground by Mr Duncan: By the end of the programme (July international and local non-governmental organisations, 2009—March 2011) over one million children (60% overseen by Harewelle International. girls) were supported to complete pre-primary education. Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Nearly all were enrolled in Grade 1 of Government International Development what outcomes are primary schools. Over 800,000 disadvantaged children expected from the Sanitation, Hygiene, Education and received primary education, of whom 47,000 were from Water Supply in Bangladesh programme; and how the ethnic minorities and 18,500 were children with special needs. project was implemented in Bangladesh. [123980] This programme was implemented by BRAC (previously Mr Duncan: The programme (January 2007-December known as Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee) 2012) supports the provision of improved access to and supported by the Department for International water and sanitation and better hygiene practices in Development, the Netherlands, Australian agency for 793W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 794W

International Development, Canadian International Developing Countries: Private Sector Development Agency, Oxfam Novib and the United Nations Children’s Fund. Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish any Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for guidance given to her Department’s country offices International Development what outcomes were specifying requirements to increase private sector achieved by the Enterprise Growth and Bank spending. [124424] Modernisation Programme; and how the project was implemented in Bangladesh. [123993] Justine Greening: No such guidance has been issued. Members: Correspondence Mr Duncan: The project helped to reduce Government of Bangladesh losses from non-financial state owned enterprises from 2002 to 2009. Losses of the state-owned Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for enterprises supported by the project in 2008-09 were International Development when her Department £30.2 million lower than the losses in 2002-03. By the plans to respond to the letter sent by the hon. Member end of the project, around 59% of the redundant workers for Bury South to her Department’s Permanent from state-owned enterprises had also received training, Secretary on 5 October 2012. [124425] advice and/or assistance to seek alternative employment. Justine Greening: The response has been sent. The project was implemented by the World Bank and BRAC. Overseas Aid

Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what outcomes she expects International Development what official development from the Climate Change Programme entitled assistance (ODA) each Government Department Jolobayoo-O-Jibon; and how the project is being contributes towards the target of 0.7 per cent of gross implemented in Bangladesh. [123995] national income being spent on ODA; and what estimate she has made of the forecasted non-delegated ODA expenditure limit which will contribute to the Mr Duncan: The Climate Change Programme is helping target. [124422] Bangladesh become more resilient to climate change, supporting the national Bangladesh Climate Change Justine Greening: In relation to DFID ODA spending Strategy and Action Plan. The plan prioritises adaptation plans (including conflict pool), these are currently assumed and disaster risk reduction, and also addresses low-carbon to be £10,426.8 million and £10,854.9 million for both development, technology transfer and research. By 2015, years, respectively. 15 million people will have access to early warning systems for floods and cyclones. Details of the 2011 ODA spending out-turn, including non-DFID ODA, were published by DFID in March of The programme is implemented in three components. this year and a link to the website is as follows: The Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund is managed by the Government of Bangladesh with the www.dfid.gov.uk/News/Press-releases/2012/Provisional-UK- Official-Development-Assistance-as-a-proportion-of-Gross- World Bank providing technical support and financial National-Income-2011/ safeguards. The Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme is led by UNDP to support government Rwanda and civil society to strengthen national systems and help communities reduce the risk of disasters. A smaller Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for strategic fund is managed directly by DFID, piloting International Development what (a) non- innovations and research in Bangladesh such as the best governmental and (b) private sector organisations designs for cyclone-resilient housing. receive funding from her Department to work in Rwanda; and what funds each such organisation Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for received in each of the last three years. [124423] International Development what outcomes are expected from the Bangladesh Education Development Justine Greening: The Department for International Programme; and how the project is being implemented Development has funded or plans to fund the following in Bangladesh. [123997] organisations over the period requested: 2012-13 Mr Duncan: The main outcome of this programme NGO or private sector (2011-17), by 2017 will be the improved quality of Organisation organisation Amount funded primary education in nearly 80,000 schools educating 16.8 million children. In addition, the completion rate Trade Mark East Africa Private sector £3.8 million forecast in primary schools is expected to increase from 60% to Rwanda 75%. Access to Finance Rwanda Private sector £5,346,678 forecast HTSPE (through Land Tenure Private sector Total programme This programme is implemented by the Government Regularisation Programme) spend £5,057,095 of Bangladesh and is supported by the Department for forecast International Development, as well as nine development HLSP Private sector £26,524 forecast partners with fiduciary oversight by the Asian Development Coffey International Private sector £99,999 forecast development Ltd Bank and the World Bank. 795W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 796W

2012-13 Mr Lidington: The Government continues to make NGO or private representations on the abolition of the death penalty to sector Organisation organisation Amount funded those countries that retain it including bilaterally, through the EU and in multilateral fora. In recent weeks, we DevCo Private sector $1 million, from 2010 have made formal representations to The Gambia and KivuWatt Ltd (through EIAF) Private sector $25 million from 2011 Iraq over the increase in executions in both countries. (25 years) On 9 October the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Seacom, Africa regional Private sector $35.4 million across Africa from 2007 held an event in Parliament with the All-Party O3b Private sector $25 million across Parliamentary Group on the Abolition of the Death region from 2010 Penalty. At this event, we lobbied the embassies of a Norwegian People’s Aid NGO £567,000 forecast number of countries which retain the death penalty. We Help the Hospices NGO £496,532 forecast over will be increasing our lobbying efforts further in the six countries, covering weeks ahead to help ensure that more countries than April 2009-March 2014 ever before vote in favour of the forthcoming UN ADRA UK NGO £500,000 forecast, resolution on a worldwide moratorium on the death covering July 2011 to penalty. June 2014 Survivors Fund (SURF) NGO £966,360 forecast, Indonesia covering April 2012 to March2015 Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Transparency International NGO £4,673,672 forecast Secretariat over 16 countries, and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions HM covering September ambassador to Indonesia had with local civil society 2008 to September 2013 organisations and security forces personnel concerning Mott Macdonald Ltd Private sector Total fund value for (a) the right to freedom of expression and (b) FY being managed by protection for human rights defenders during his recent MM: £2,543,850 visit to Papua. [123825] forecast CFBT, Cambridge education Private sector £529,426 forecast Ltd Mr Swire: We regularly discuss the situation in the Indonesian provinces of Papua with the Indonesian Government and civil society.In September the ambassador 2011-12 visited Papua and met senior military and police officials NGO or private sector and emphasised the need to respect human rights and Organisation organisation Amount funded ensure full and transparent investigations into any violent incidents. He and his colleagues met with a number of Malcolm Sainsbury Private sector £34,421 non-governmental organisations and discussed a range HS Private sector £78,424 of human rights issues including freedom of expression Access to Finance Rwanda Private sector £2,757,822 and the protection of human rights defenders. HTSPE (through Land Tenure Private sector Total programme spend Regularisation Programme) £5,166,005 We take seriously all reports of human rights violations Trade Mark East Africa Private sector £1,499,346 in the provinces and we will continue to raise our Rwanda concerns with the Government of Indonesia. Norwegian People’s Aid NGO £23,478 Betty’s and Taylor’s of Private sector £147,701.72 Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Harrogate and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) HM ambassador to Indonesia and (b) other Government 2010-11 officials have had with Indonesian ministers and NGO or private sector officials on access to Papua by international human Organisation organisation Amount funded rights, humanitarian and development organisations and foreign journalists. [123897] Rwanda civil society platform NGO £645,799 Access to Finance Rwanda Private sector £14,227,897 Mr Swire: We encourage the Indonesian Government Capita Helm Corporation Private sector £218,630 to allow greater openness and access to Indonesia’s HLSP Private sector £467,324 provinces for non-governmental organisations, foreign HTSPE (through Land Tenure Private sector Total programme spend Regularisation Programme) £3,812,929 journalists and diplomats to enable accurate reporting Betty’s and Taylor’s of Harrogate Private sector £81,318.38 of events. We are aware that some non-governmental Café Direct Private sector £11,108.01 organisations have reported difficulties about working in the region. We will continue to raise the issue of access with the Indonesian authorities. Most recently our ambassador discussed Papua with the Co-ordinating Minister for Political, Legal and FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Security Affairs on 26 September and stressed that the Government needed to be transparent and open about Capital Punishment their efforts on addressing issues in Papua.

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent and Commonwealth Affairs what UK-supplied representations he has made to overseas governments military equipment is currently deployed in Papua; on the abolition of the death penalty. [123764] what assurances he has received from the Indonesian 797W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 798W

Government concerning the use of such equipment in UK is providing leadership within the international Papua; and what steps he has taken to ensure that such community and civil society in urging responsible political equipment is used in compliance with assurances given campaigning that avoids ethnic incitement. by the Indonesian Government. [123898] Mali Mr Swire: We are not aware of any UK-supplied military equipment currently deployed in Papua. We Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for maintain a rigorous and transparent arms export control Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an system, whereby applications to all destinations, including assessment of whether the conflict in Northern Mali is Indonesia, are assessed on a case by case basis, against fuelled by drugs smuggling; what measures he (a) has the Consolidated European Union (EU) and National taken and (b) is considering taking to develop a Arms Export Licensing Criteria, depending on the end co-ordinated plan with EU partners to tackle drugs use and circumstances prevailing at the time of application. smuggling in the region; and if he will make a We continue to monitor the situation in West Papua statement. [124528] closely and this feeds into our assessment of export licence applications for Indonesia. Mark Simmonds: The UK and its EU partners continue to take a coordinated approach to tackling drugs smuggling. Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign In the Sahel, such work falls under the remit of the and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions on EU’s Strategy for Security and Development, which strategic exports the Prime Minister held with seeks, over the long-term, to address the multifaceted Indonesian ministers and officials during his visit to security challenges in the region, of which the risk of Indonesia in April 2012; what further discussions have drug smuggling is one element. been had by Ministers and officials with their Middle East Indonesian counterparts on that matter; and if he will make a statement. [123903] Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has Mr Swire: The Prime Minister and the Indonesian received on the firing of mortars and Qassam rockets President discussed a range of issues during the Prime into southern Israel from Gaza on 8 October 2012; and Minister’s visit to Jakarta in April 2012, including increasing if he will make a statement. [R] [124192] UK-Indonesia trade and investment opportunities. Both leaders committed to doubling trade in both directions Alistair Burt: Over 50 rockets and mortars were fired by 2015. There was no discussion on capabilities covered from Gaza between 7-9 October, following Israeli airstrikes by strategic export controls legislation during meetings that killed two suspected Palestinian militants and wounded between the Prime Minister and Indonesian Ministers 11 civilians. Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigade claimed in Jakarta earlier this year. Officials have been involved responsibility for rocket fire for the third time this year. subsequently in a range of discussions as part of the We have condemned indiscriminate rocket fire from normal course of business. Gaza into southern Israel and continue to urge all sides to exercise restraint and prevent civilian casualties and Kenya loss of life.

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many electoral and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has observers from the UK will be present during the received on the outcome of attempts to destroy tunnels presidential and parliamentary elections in Kenya in used to smuggle weapons into Gaza since March 2012; March 2013. [124012] and if he will make a statement. [R] [124193]

Mark Simmonds: We strongly support independent Alistair Burt: We are aware that there have been observation of Kenya’s forthcoming elections. We welcome attempts to destroy and close the tunnels in Gaza. the EU’s plans for an election observation mission and We welcome President Mursi’s commitment to addressing encourage other international organisations to organise security in the Sinai by asserting greater control over similar missions and to co-ordinate their respective the peninsula. It will be important that Egypt and Israel plans. We expect British observers to form part of these work together to find solutions to the threats that affect missions but it is too early to say how many will them both. participate. The UK recognises that Israel has legitimate security concerns that must continue to be safeguarded. However, Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign we believe that the current Israeli restrictions on Gaza and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps his do tremendous damage to the economy and living Department has taken to support the presidential and standards of ordinary people in Gaza and do not serve parliamentary elections in Kenya due to take place in Israel’s long-term security interests. March 2013. [124013] Sierra Leone Mark Simmonds: The British Government is providing extensive support for free, fair and peaceful elections in Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Kenya in March next year. This includes a £11.5 million and Commonwealth Affairs how many electoral programme supporting the Independent Electoral and observers from the UK will be present during the Boundaries Commission, voter education, independent presidential and parliamentary elections in Sierra election observation and security sector reform. The Leone in November 2012. [124014] 799W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 800W

Mark Simmonds: The British High Commission, levied on the owners of stray dogs. This acts as a Ministry of Defence and Department for International deterrent to future offending, so prosecutions are therefore Development offices in Freetown, in conjunction with few. There are no plans to review the penalties. other embassies, will field observers during the presidential and parliamentary elections in Sierra Leone with the Horseshoes aim of covering all 14 districts. This will involve around 15 UK staff. Additionally we are expecting Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for international observer teams from the EU, the African Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans Union, the Economic Community of West African to revise the definition of a horseshoe in the Farriers States, the Commonwealth and the Carter Centre. It is (Regulation) Act 1975. [124002] likely that some of the members of these teams will be from the UK. Mr Heath: DEFRA officials have been in discussions with the Farriers Registration Council, the regulatory Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign body for farriers in Great Britain, over possible minor and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps his changes to the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975. We are Department has taken to support the presidential and at the early stages of these discussions, which will parliamentary elections due to take place in Sierra include a consideration of whether the definition of a Leone in November 2012. [124015] horseshoe should be changed.

Mark Simmonds: In Sierra Leone the UK is providing Pets: Animal Welfare around £18 million through the Department for International Development in support of the democratic process over the electoral cycle 2010-14. The British Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for high commission in Freetown is actively engaged with Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his the political parties, electoral institutions and Government Department plans to bring forward new standards for (including the police) to encourage peaceful and transparent the advertising of the sale of companion animals in elections. On election day itself, the high commission conjunction with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group. will be fielding an observer team to monitor developments. [123520] Mr Heath: DEFRA has no plans to bring forward standards for the advertising for sale of pets over the ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS internet. We support the work of the Pet Advertising Advisory Group, a non-governmental organisation of Apprentices animal welfare organisations, in seeking to tackle irresponsible advertising of pet animals, working as Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for necessary with the advertising companies concerned. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many apprentices working in his Department are (a) paid Plastics: Recycling and (b) completing a qualification as part of the apprenticeship; [123081] Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) how many (a) paid apprentices and (b) paid Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment interns are employed in his Department. [123082] he has made of the effect of weight-based local recycling targets on investment in collection of plastic Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA does not currently and other lightweight materials; and what plans his employ any paid apprentices completing qualifications Department has to introduce resource-specific or or paid interns. carbon-based recycling targets. [122611] From time to time we do run apprenticeship schemes for staff which lead to a qualification. We also partake Richard Benyon: There are no targets on local authorities in Whitehall internship schemes both for paid and for the collection of plastic and other light-weight materials. unpaid interns in line with Government policy. Centrally-imposed recycling targets on local authorities were removed to enable them to focus on local priorities. Control of Dogs Order 1992 National waste packaging targets are intended to increase the collection and reprocessing of plastics and Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for other packaging materials. An impact assessment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what these targets suggests that investment of £221 million is assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and needed in local authority collection to meet the future (b) enforcement of the Control of Dogs Order 1992; recycling targets for all materials. There is also an and if he will make a statement; [123779] element of commercial waste collection, but most of (2) whether he has considered amending the the assumptions were based on the need to extract penalties under the Control of Dogs Order 1992. material from the household waste stream. [123780] DEFRA made a commitment in the Review of Waste Policy in England 2011 Action Plan to develop a carbon Mr Heath: The majority of dog owners comply with metric to report on waste management at national and this order which requires that when in a public place, local levels, alongside existing weight-based reporting. dogs must have a collar and tag identifying the owner. This will use existing information provided by local Non-compliance is usually successfully dealt with through authorities and is not designed to form part of any education and the imposition of kennelling charges target. 801W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 802W

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Air Passenger Duty: Northern Ireland Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it his policy to compensate UK plastic packaging Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the manufacturers if the cost of new recycling targets Exchequer how much air passenger duty was raised by exceeds the level calculated in his Department’s Impact passengers using airports in Northern Ireland in the Assessment. [122615] last financial year for which figures are available. Richard Benyon: We do not consider it appropriate to [124527] compensate producers obligated by the Producer Sajid Javid: HMRC does not collect information on Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations. the contribution to APD revenues made from flights to Our approach to meeting the packaging recycling targets or from specific airports. is through a system of ’producer responsibility’. This employs the ″polluter pays″ principle rather than expecting The published statistics on APD, including information taxpayers to bear the cost. on current revenues from the duty, are available at: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/Pages/ Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for TaxAndDutyBulletins.aspx Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how he plans to increase local collection of mixed rigid plastics to Child Trust Fund achieve his Department’s 2017 plastic packaging recycling target. [122924] Henry Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Richard Benyon: The UK Producer Responsibility Exchequer if he will permit the transfer of Child Trust Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations are based Funds into Individual Savings Accounts before a child on the principle of ’producer responsibility’. They place or young person’s 18th birthday. [124510] an obligation on producers to recover and recycle a proportion of the packaging, including plastics, they Sajid Javid: The Child Trust Fund is designed as a place on the market. ‘locked in’ account and provides identical tax advantages to those available on a Junior ISA. Funds can only be Through this market based system producers can removed from a CTF before the account holder turns choose to meet their obligations by buying packaging 18 in limited circumstances, such as when the account recovery notes (PRNs) or making suitable arrangements holder is terminally ill. for collection and recycling directly with local authorities and private waste collectors. The first CTFs will not mature until 2020, when the The demand for PRNs will be reflected in their price first accountholders turn 18. In good time before then, and will stimulate increased collection of packaging the Government will consider options to ensure that which will, in turn, help meet the recycling targets set in CTF account holders are not disadvantaged in comparison the regulations. with Junior ISA holders, and that suitable future savings options will be available after the maturation of a CTF Waste Management account. Mr Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he Green Investment Bank has to review the criteria for the award of waste credits due to changes in his Department’s waste hierarchy. Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer [123762] what his policy is on the Green Investment Bank assuming borrowing powers in 2015-16. [122288] Richard Benyon: The waste hierarchy is set out in the Waste Framework Directive, which has not changed Michael Fallon: I have been asked to reply on behalf since its revision in 2008. DEFRA published guidance of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. on the application of the hierarchy in June 2011 and the The Government is fully committed to providing the guidance contains a commitment to reviewing it after a UK Green Investment Bank with the funding it needs year. We are currently in the process of doing this, and to become a successful, enduring, green financial institution. more information is available on DEFRA’s website. We have made clear that the bank will be able to borrow This review does not include any plans to reconsider from April 2015, subject to public sector net debt falling DEFRA’s Waste Infrastructure Credits criteria. as a percentage of GDP.We have also given a commitment that we will seek state aid approval from the European Commission in respect of borrowing before the end of TREASURY this Parliament. Air Passenger Duty Members: Correspondence Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 26 June 2012, Official Report, columns 224-5W, on air passenger Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer duty, what progress he has made in building when he intends to provide a full response to the hon. international support for switching air passenger duty Member for Harrow West’s letter of 10 August 2012 to a per plane basis rather than per passenger; and if he regarding Mr Tandon of Harrow, further to the will make a statement. [124538] acknowledgement sent on 24 August. [124522] Sajid Javid: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I Mr Gauke: HMRC replied on 22 October 2012 and gave on 16 July 2012, Official Report, column 519W. apologise for the delay. 803W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 804W

National Loan Guarantee Scheme Steve Webb: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. Mr Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the how many businesses have participated in the National right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green Loan Guarantee scheme since the inception of the (Mr Duncan Smith), has yet to commence his review of scheme; and what the monetary value was of such benefit rates for 2013-14, following the publication of support for businesses. [124234] the relevant inflation indices in October. Decisions on these will be taken in due course. Greg Clark: Over 19,000 loans worth over £2.6 billion have been offered to businesses since the inception of The information requested is not available and could the National Loan Guarantee scheme. be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Non-domestic Rates Public Expenditure

Mr Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr MacNeil: To ask the Chancellor of the (1) how many challenges to business rates are currently Exchequer what assessment he has made of the fiscal being processed by the Valuation Office Agency; multiplier value used by the Office of Budget [124487] Responsibility. [123902] (2) how many outstanding appeals in relation to business rates are currently with the Valuation Office Sajid Javid: The Office for Budget Responsibility Agency; [124488] (OBR) was created in 2010 to provide independent and authoritative analysis of the UK’s public finances. It is (3) what the average length of time for a business rate for the OBR to produce forecasts for the economy and challenge to be processed and dealt with by the public finances. Valuation Office Agency is. [124489] Revenue and Customs: Northern Ireland Mr Gauke: The following table shows the latest available statistics on proposals (appeals) to alter the 2005 and 2010 rating lists. The numbers provided cover England Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the and Wales and are for the latest complete financial year. Exchequer how many (a) Protestant, (b) Roman Catholic and (c) non-determined appointees there Figures for the average time taken to clear challenges were to HM Revenue and Customs in Northern Ireland are not comparable across rating lists as each list is at a in each of the last three years. [124525] different stage in its lifecycle. Statistics for earlier time periods can be found in the Mr Gauke: In the last three years there has been very Local Rating Lists: Challenges section on the VOA little external recruitment within Northern Ireland to website, at the following link: HM Revenue and Customs with only two staff being http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/publications/ appointed in 2009-10 and two in 2011-12, No recruitment statisticsCentralLocalRating.html took place during 2010-11. Of the four staff recruited during this three year period only one has made a Rating List declaration that they are Protestant. The other three Challenges 2005 2010 staff have yet to make a declaration with regard to their Unresolved1 31 March 2011 113,000 220,650 community background. Received1 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 5,170 169,610 In the same period a total of 21 staff relocated to Cleared1 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 41,750 148,550 Northern Ireland from posts within the UK mainland. Unresolved1 31 March 2012 76,410 241,700 Of these 21 staff, one has declared that they are Protestant, Median time to clear (days) 31 March 2012 301 322 three have declared themselves to be Catholic, while 17 1 VOA Official Statistics, Local Rating Lists: Challenges, May 2012: have yet to make a community background declaration. http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/statisticalReleases/120503- localRatingListChallenges.html HMRC currently employs 1,942 staff in Northern Ireland, 92.17% of whom have made a community Poverty background declaration. Of those that have made a declaration, 54.97% are Catholic and 45.03% are Protestant. Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make an assessment of the effect on (a) child Terrorism poverty and (b) other household poverty in (i) Scotland and (ii) the United Kingdom of the freezing Mr Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer of (A) in work benefits and (B) out of work benefits in what work his Department is undertaking with other each of the next two financial years; [122285] (a) Government departments and agencies and (b) (2) if he will make an assessment of the effect on governments to evaluate and disrupt the financial rates of poverty among unemployed people in (a) infrastructure of terrorist and criminal networks. Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom of the freezing [123394] of jobseekers’ allowance in each of the next two financial years; [122286] Greg Clark: The Treasury works very closely with a (3) if he will make an assessment of the effect on number of other Government Departments and agencies rates of poverty among disabled people in (a) Scotland to detect, disrupt and deter terrorist financing and and (b) the United Kingdom of the freezing of financial and organised crime, and plays a key role in disability living allowance in each of the next two this work. The Commercial Secretary is joint chair of financial years. [122287] the Terrorist Financing Action Group with the Home 805W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 806W

Office’s Security Minister, which directs Government-wide Aircraft Carriers efforts to counter terrorist financing. The Treasury also works closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Office and others in negotiating and implementing United Defence what the dimensions of the deck lifts will be Nations assets freezes against those associated with on the Queen Elizabeth class carriers. [123237] al-Qaeda, and in use of UK asset freezing powers under the Terrorist Asset Freezing Act. Mr Dunne: The deck lifts on the Queen Elizabeth class carriers are sized so as to accommodate up to two The Treasury has strong bilateral relationships with Lightning II aircraft, or one Chinook helicopter with its key international partners on financial crime and counter- rotors spread, at any one time. terrorism, The Treasury plays a key role international fora and heads the UK delegation to the Financial Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Action Task Force, the global standard setting body Defence what the significance is of the split tower for anti-money laundering, counter terrorism financing design in the Queen Elizabeth class carriers. [123238] and counter proliferation financing, of which the UK is a founder member and former president. As part of Mr Dunne: Two main factors influenced design of the this work, the Treasury has played a leading role in towers for the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers: holding countries to account for their deficiencies in survivability and spatial demand. In order to maximise relation to counter terrorist financing, including by the survivability of the power generation system, and participating in high level visits on behalf of Financial make efficient use of the deck space, an innovative twin Action Task Force and providing bilateral technical island design was used. This has allowed the forward assistance. The UK is also a member of a number of island to be situated in the optimal position for ship Financial Action Task Force’s regional bodies, focusing control and navigation, and, similarly, the aft island is on high risk regions including the Middle East/North best placed to conduct flight deck operations. Africa and East Africa. Through these fora, the UK has played a critical role in supporting progress to counter Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the risks posed by terrorist financing networks: for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the example, in assisting Kenya in seeking to address its running cost of a second Queen Elizabeth class carrier. Financial Action Task Force deficiencies and more [123588] effectively address the risks posed by Al-Shabab. The Treasury will continue to support work across Government, Mr Dunne: The in-service support solution for the in conjunction with the Home Office, to evaluate and Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers is still in development, disrupt the financial infrastructure of terrorist and criminal with a decision expected around the middle of this networks. decade. The final decision on the use of the second carrier is expected as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2015. DEFENCE Apache Helicopters Afghanistan Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what date the Apache helicopter fleet will Defence how many explosions caused by improvised be upgraded to fire the Brimstone missile. [123579] explosive devices were recorded by the armed forces in Afghanistan in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012. Mr Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer [122401] given by the then Minister for Defence Equipment, Mr Robathan: This information is not held centrally Support and Technology, the hon. Member for Mid and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Worcestershire (Peter Luff), on 10 July 2012, Official Data are more readily available for the Task Force Report, column 195W. Helmand area of operations in Helmand province, which Armoured Fighting Vehicles includes the majority of UK forces deployed to Afghanistan. It should be noted that this area of operations Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for has not stayed constant during the period in question. Defence how many BsS10 Viking armoured vehicles he The following figures refer to IED explosions that plans to upgrade; what the total cost of the upgrade have been subsequently reported by International Security will be; and where the upgrade work will take place. Assistance Force units operating within the Task Force [123604] Helmand area of operations. This includes both ’laid’ IEDs and suicide (both vehicle and person borne) devices. Mr Dunne: On 28 September 2012, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) awarded a £37.5 million regeneration IED explosions contract to BAE Systems Hagglunds for the upgrade of 99 BsS10 Viking all-terrain vehicles. The upgrade work 2010 665 will be carried out at the company’s armoured vehicle 2011 554 production line at Örnsköldsvik in Sweden where the 2012 (up to 30 September) 547 vehicles were originally assembled. The data are based on information derived from a Additional work will also be undertaken to add Bowman number of sources and can only be an estimate, not communications to the vehicles, the contract for which least because of the challenges of collating statistics in a has yet to be competed. I am withholding the planned complex fast moving multinational operational contract costs, as their disclosure would prejudice environment. commercial interests. 807W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 808W

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for in 2012. They enabled the Ministry of Defence to Defence what plans he has for the Warthog armoured conduct research in collaboration with Defence Industry vehicles bought as an urgent operational requirement Primes, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and academia. in Afghanistan. [123683] There are no central records as to how many people were employed through these contracts. Mr Dunne: No decision has been taken as to whether Warthog will be retained at the end of the current European Fighter Aircraft operation. While I expect that many of the armoured and protected vehicles which have proven so effective in Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Afghanistan will remain in service beyond the end of Defence for how long the Typhoon aircraft is expected operations in Afghanistan, it is for the Army to determine to stay in service. [123578] the precise composition of future armoured vehicle fleets to support its commitments and future capability Mr Dunne: The planned out of service date of the requirements for Future Force 2020. Typhoon aircraft is 2030. Atos Fleet Air Arm

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2012, Defence how many Royal Naval pilots are badged to Official Report, column 650W, on Atos, whether he has the Fleet Air Arm for (a) rotary and (b) fixed-wing made an estimate of the level of profit Atos will make aircraft. [123530] from each contract; and what the likely level of profit is for each. [123834] Mr Robathan: As at 4 September 2012 the latest date for which information is available, there were 635 Royal Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has four Navy pilots in the Fleet Air Arm, of which 123 were contracts with Atos. No estimates have been made by under training; 597 are rotary wing pilots and 38 are the MOD as to the level of profit Atos will make from fixed wing pilots. each contract or of what the likely level of profit is for each. Gibraltar: Spain Challenger Tanks Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to ensure Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for that Guardia Civil vessels do not enter British Defence if he will estimate the total cost of the Life Gibraltar territory. [122276] Extension Programme of the Challenger 2 Tank. [124265] Mr Robathan: One of the Ministry of Defence’s roles in Gibraltar is to help maintain the United Kingdom’s Mr Dunne: The Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme sovereignty. In support of this, the Royal Navy challenges is currently in the Concept Phase with the Main Investment all unlawful maritime incursions, including those by the decision planned for 2017, when the cost of the programme Guardia Civil. These challenges are subsequently pursued will be confirmed. The Ministry of Defence does not by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office through publish the planned costs of programmes before this formal diplomatic protests to the Spanish Government. point, as their disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. Guided Weapons Defence Procurement Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is responsible for missile procurement for Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for each of the armed services. [123582] Defence how much his Department has spent on joint European equipment acquisition projects in each year Mr Dunne: The procurement of all missiles for the since 2007. [123601] UK armed forces is the responsibility of Director of Weapons in the Defence Equipment and Support Mr Dunne: The information requested is annually organisation, in response to the funding and other collated by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and requirements set by the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff publicly available on their website: (Military Capability). http://www.eda.europa.eu/defencedata HMS Ocean Defence Technology Centres Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the refit of Defence where each Defence Technology Centre is HMS Ocean; and when she will return to front-line located; and how many people each such centre service. [123589] employs. [123600] Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence is negotiating a Mr Dunne: The Defence Technology Centres were contract for the forthcoming third major upkeep and not physical centres but contractual constructs, the first support period of HMS Ocean. An announcement will of which launched in 2003 and the last of which ended be made in due course. 809W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 810W

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft I am withholding the information on the MOD’s estimated value of the site as its disclosure would prejudice Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for commercial interests. Defence how many F35 joint strike fighters will be purchased in the second tranche; and what variant they John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for will be. [123261] Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 12 July 2012, Official Report, columns 41-2WS, on Mr Dunne [holding answer 18 October 2012]: The Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre, if his Department final number of F35 aircraft will not be determined is considering the use of a private finance initiative before the next planned Strategic Defence and Security contract in the sale of this facility. [124269] Review in 2015. Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence is not actively Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for pursuing a private finance initiative contract. However, Defence what weapon systems will be used on the if market conditions were to change and it offered a F35-B. [123331] more appropriate method than sale and leaseback, then Mr Dunne [holding answer 18 October 2012]: The the MOD would consider its use. Joint Strike Fighter F35B aircraft will be equipped with a range of advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the exact mix of which will be optimised to reflect the Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement operational requirement. of 12 July 2012, Official Report, columns 41-2WS, on Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre, what discussions he Libya: Military Intervention has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the sale of Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre. [124270] Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effects on Mr Dunne: Defence Ministers routinely discuss potential air worthiness of the Apache helicopters flown from asset sales with their colleagues in other Government HMS Ocean during Operation Ellamy. [123917] Departments, including the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre. However, no meeting dedicated to this subject Mr Dunne: The Apache helicopters used on Operational has taken place with the Chancellor. Ellamy were modified and cleared to support maritime operations prior to their deployment on HMS Ocean. Military Aircraft The modifications made were to improve their resistance to corrosion and to include a solution to disperse sea Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for spray in the windscreen wiper system. They underwent Defence what recent assessment he has made of the pre-deployment maintenance and inspections and, on flightworthiness of the Tutor aircraft. [123685] return to the UK, usual post embarkation maintenance was conducted as well as an additional aircraft condition Mr Dunne: The Grob Tutor is a contractor-provided survey. Any corrosion experienced was within normal civil registered aircraft, operating in the elementary tolerance levels and the aircraft remained fully airworthy; flying tri-service training role. The airworthiness of all this corrosion has now been treated. Deployed aircraft aircraft fleets is kept under constant review. will continue to be monitored during routine maintenance There have been two recent periods where, as a activities. precautionary measure, Tutor flying was temporarily Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre suspended to enable the full investigation and safety assessment of unrelated and isolated issues with the John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for aircraft. Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement Tutor flying was temporarily suspended on 28 July of 12 July 2012, Official Report, columns 41-2WS, on 2012 and resumed on 7 August 2012 to enable the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre, what his most assessment of an issue with aircrew harnesses. Tutor recent estimate is for the commercial value of this flying was again temporarily suspended on 23 August facility; what the timetable is for its sale; and which 2012 and resumed on 4 October 2012 to enable the private companies have met (a) ministers and (b) assessment of an isolated incident with the propeller of officials in his Department to discuss the sale. [124268] one aircraft. The military chain of command in conjunction with Mr Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the Statement the contractor and the civil regulatory authorities conducted made by my predecessor, the hon. Member for Mid a full review of the safety evidence relating to the Grob Worcestershire (Peter Luff), on 12 July 2012, Official Tutor for both these issues. In both cases engineering Report, column 42W, in which he updated the House on instructions were issued and no safety concerns remain. the sale plan for Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre. We Routine flying with the Tutor fleet resumed on 4 October remain committed to a sale in the current spending 2012 without restriction. review period and advisors are due to be appointed shortly. Military Aircraft: Helicopters I have had no discussions with potential purchasers of the Marchwood site. My officials, during the market Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for testing and in assessing the market interest in the site, Defence what assessment he has made of the authority have met a range of companies. However, I am withholding of Joint Helicopter Command in co-ordinating the the names of companies as disclosure would prejudice training and deployment of rotary platforms across the commercial interests. three services; and if he will make a statement. [124056] 811W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 812W

Mr Dunne: The 1998 Strategic Defence Review Total established the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) as deployed the single authority for command, training and force Total on Op generation of all battlefield helicopters. It was decided Unit name personnel Herrick that Fleet Headquarters, the predecessor to Navy Major TA 6th Battalion, Royal Regiment of 270 50 Command, would perform an equivalent role for all units Scotland maritime helicopters. JHC was placed under command 7th Battalion, Royal Regiment of 350 80 of Headquarters Land because the primary output of Scotland battlefield helicopters is in the Land environment. 71 Engineer Regiment 300 30 In 2011, the Defence Rotary Wing Capability Study 105 Regiment Royal Artillery 180 20 re-examined command and control of all Rotary Wing 205 Field Hospital 140 50 forces across Defence and reaffirmed that the existing 225 Medical Regiment 140 20 roles of JHC and Navy Command should continue in 32 Signal Regiment 130 — this respect. The Scottish Transport Regiment 260 10 Military Exercises Aberdeen University Officer 130 — Training Corps Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Edinburgh University Officer 110 — Training Corps Defence what (a) assets and (b) number of service Glasgow University Officer Training 130 — personnel will take part in exercises (i) Corsican Lion Corps and (ii) Cougar 12; and if he will estimate the cost to Tayforth University Officer Training 130 — the public purse in each case. [123787] Corps Army Training Unit1 50 10 Mr Robathan: Cougar 12, a Response Force Task Group deployment, will involve valuable training and Geographically 153 Field Company 102 Battalion 60 — amphibious capability with two large scale and various independent Royal Electrical and Mechanical multilateral exercises with assets from other nations sub units2 Engineers throughout the Mediterranean, including with the French 125 Rations Squadron and Fitter 40 20 on Exercise Corsican Lion. The UK assets are as follows: Squadron 159 Supply Regiment Royal Logistics Corps (Volunteers) HMS Bulwark; HMS Illustrious; HMS Montrose; HMS 2 Signal Squadron and Light Aid 60 — Northumberland; RFA Mounts Bay; MV Hartland Point. Detachment 38 Signal Regiment Headquarters 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines; A (15) Company 4 Parachute 140 30 45 Commando Royal Marines; 539 Assault Squadron Royal Regiment Marines; and elements of: 30 Commando IX Group; Commando 52 Military Intelligence Company 5 30 10 Logistics Regiment; Assault Squadron Group Royal Marines; 24 Military Intelligence Battalion Commando Engineer Regiment; and 29 Commando Regiment 243 Provost Company 5 Royal 60 20 Royal Artillery. Military Police Aircraft from: 814 Naval Air Squadron (Merlin Helicopters); Queens Own Yeomanry A 50 10 815 Naval Air Squadron(Lynx Helicopters); 829 Naval Air Squadron Squadron (Merlin Helicopters); 845 Naval Air Squadron (Sea King Queens Own Yeomanry C Squadron 60 10 Helicopters—Commando carrying); 846 Naval Air Squadron Total 2,820 370 (Sea King Helicopters—Commando Carrying); 854 Naval Air 1 Squadron (Sea King Helicopters—airborne surveillance and control); Formerly known as Regional Training Centre. 2 Sub units in Scotland which belong to units headquartered elsewhere in the 656 Squadron Army Air Corps (Apache attack helicopters); 659 UK. Squadron Army Air Corps (Lynx helicopters); 18 Squadron Note: Royal Air Force(Chinook helicopters). All figures rounded to the nearest 10. 17 Port and Maritime Regiment Royal Logistic Corps. Unmanned Air Vehicles The total number of UK service personnel deployed on Cougar 12 is 2,700. The costs for the Cougar 12 deployment are assessed as core activity and are not Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for captured separately. Defence what drone technology is being procured for the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. Territorial Army [123581]

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence is currently Defence how many Territorial Army (TA) units there running a competition to meet an urgent operational are in Scotland; how many members there are in each requirement to provide intelligence, surveillance and such unit; and how many members of TA units based reconnaissance capability for the Royal Navy and Royal in Scotland have been deployed to Afghanistan. Fleet Auxiliary ships. [123608] The solution may be met using an unmanned air system. Mr Robathan: The number of Territorial Army (TA) units in Scotland and their current members is shown in the following table. The table also includes the number Voyager Aircraft of all TA personnel currently serving in these units who are recorded as having deployed. Those who have previously Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for deployed but since left the TA have not been included as Defence when the first RAF Voyager aircraft will be this information is not held centrally and could be certified by the UK Ministry of Defence Military provided only at disproportionate cost. Aviation Authority to dispense fuel. [123684] 813W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 814W

Mr Dunne: Voyager KC Mk2, a modified Airbus Correspondence A330-200 aircraft type, entered service with the RAF in the air transport and aeromedical roles earlier this year. Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Trials are continuing for the aircraft in its air-to-air Olympics, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to refuelling role. The Military Aviation Authority will improve her Department’s performance with regard to consider certification of the Voyager KC Mk2 in its replying to correspondence from (a) the public and air-to-air refuelling role when the project team has (b) hon. Members; and if she will make a statement. presented the relevant evidence. [122480] Wildcat Helicopters Hugh Robertson: Since June 2010, the Department has focused on improving responses to both letters Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for directly from the public and from hon. Members, Defence what weapons system will be deployable from monitoring performance to 48 hours. the version of the Wildcat helicopter operated by (a) In addition, from 1 January 2012, the Department the Army and (b) the Royal Navy. [123577] reduced the target time to respond to correspondence Mr Dunne: The Army Variant of the Lynx Wildcat from hon. Members, from 20 working days to 10 working helicopter will be equipped with the general purpose days. machine gun 7.62 mm and heavy machine gun 12.7 mm. Improvements have been achieved by introducing The Royal Navy Variant of the Wildcat helicopter systems for electronic processing and reducing the time will be equipped with the Sting Ray Torpedo; the Mk 11 spent on drafting and clearing. Depth charge; the general purpose machine gun; heavy In 2011-12, the Department responded to 80% of machine gun; and the future anti-surface guided weapon. letters from the public in 48 hours. The difference between the weapon systems to be The Department’s performance with regard to responses fitted to each Variant reflects the different operational to hon. Members in 2011 was published on 15 March roles the aircraft are being procured to meet. 2012, Official Report, columns 31-33WS. Creative Partnerships

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport who the beneficiaries were Atos of the Creative Partnership Programme in each parliamentary constituency in the last year for which Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for figures are available. [123060] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2012, Official Report, column 567W, Mr Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and on Atos, whether she has made an estimate of the level Sport did not directly administer the Creative Partnership of profit Atos will make from each contract; and what Programme, and therefore does not hold any such figures. the likely level of profit is in each case. [123831] However, Arts Council England administered the programme until the financial year 2008-09—the last Hugh Robertson: The Department for Culture, Media year in which details of beneficiaries were collected by and Sport has made no estimate of the level of profit the Arts Council. The Arts Council has provided a list Atos has made on any contractor, nor calculated the of beneficiaries by organisation and region (beneficiaries likely level of profits. This is not something that the were not recorded by parliamentary constituency) and Department routinely does, and estimating profits in copies of this will be placed in the Libraries of both this way would prove difficult due to commercial sensitivities. Houses. Commonwealth Institute Cultural Heritage

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding from Olympics, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to the public purse has been spent on the maintenance of prevent stolen antiquities being sold in the UK; and if the Commonwealth Institute building in each of the she will make a statement. [122477] last five years; and if she will make further funding available for this purpose. [122472] Mr Vaizey: The UK takes the issue of illicit trade in cultural goods very seriously and is continuously working Mr Vaizey: No funding has been provided by my to combat this type of trafficking. Although the art Department or its sponsored bodies during the period trade is not directly regulated, there is a regulatory in question. English Heritage has, however, worked framework, consisting of primary and secondary legislation closely with all the relevant parties, utilising its constructive introduced by successive Governments since 1979, which conservation principles, to find a new use for the building impacts upon art and antiques dealers. In particular, which will bring it off the ‘at risk’ register and retain it the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003 as a public institution. The new Design Museum, which makes it an offence for any person dishonestly to deal in will be the world’s leading museum of its kind, is a cultural object that is tainted, knowing or believing expected to open at the Commonwealth Institute in that the object is tainted. Any person found guilty of 2015. It has been designed by John Pawson and construction the offence is liable on conviction in the Crown court to work began in September 2012. imprisonment for up to seven years and/or an unlimited 815W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 816W fine, and on conviction in the magistrates court to a decision to gift the site to the Maritime Heritage Foundation maximum of six months imprisonment and/or a fine up in their capacity as Government Ministers. Following to £5,000. the public consultation in March 2010, the then Secretary The Metropolitan police’s arts and antiques unit of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my right hon. gathers intelligence on art crime and conducts proactive Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), operations using specialist knowledge for investigations met with Lord Ungfield, Chairman of the Maritime ranging from art faking and forgery to theft and money Heritage Foundation, in July 2010 in his constituency in laundering. his capacity as MP for South West Surrey. Government Art Collection Ministerial Policy Advisers

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many items from the Olympics, Media and Sport what the total budget cost Government Art Collection have been loaned to public was to her Department of special advisers in (a) galleries in each of the last 10 years; and how many 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and what estimate she has items from the collection are located in (a) made of likely costs in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) departmental offices, (b) Ministerial residences, (c) 2014-15. [123181] offices of non-departmental public bodies, (d) public galleries, (e) diplomatic missions overseas, (f) storage Hugh Robertson: In 2010-11, the total cost of special and (g) other locations. [122462] advisers was £132,600. In 2011-12, the total cost of special advisers was Mr Vaizey: The number of items from the Government £161,350. Estimated future costs for 2012-13 and 2014-15 Art Collection (GAC) that have been lent to public for special advisers remain at this level. galleries in each of the last 10 years can be found in the following table: Music: Pilot Schemes

Number Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, 2003-04 20 Olympics, Media and Sport what recent assessment she 2004-05 14 has made of her Department’s 14 pilot music rehearsal 2005-06 3 spaces in meeting their objectives of (a) addressing 2006-07 20 social issues, (b) developing grass-roots talent and (c) 2007-08 31 nurturing creativity in a broad range of music 2008-09 34 disciplines. [123849] 2009-10 29 2010-11 20 Mr Vaizey: UK Music, the umbrella organisation 2011-12 171 representing the collective interests of Britain’s commercial 2012-date 33 music industry, now has responsibility for the pilot music rehearsal spaces. A report into the spaces has Current long-term loans to public galleries are in (d) been commissioned by Sound Connections and will be as follows. published in November 2012. This report is a retrospective The current location of items from GAC is as follows: survey looking back over the project from 2009, it will (a) Departmental offices: 2644 cover, where data are available, aspects including usage, (b) Ministerial Residences: 205 reach and impact. Sound Connections is an independent organisation focused on helping the delivery of high (c) NDPBs: 133 quality music-making and is responsible for managing (d) Public galleries: 96 the rehearsal space contracts with local authorities. UK (e) Diplomatic missions overseas: 5160 Music is currently developing a strategy for the future (f) Storage: 4,836—this figure is the number of works of art of the spaces with the help of the UK Music Board, the currently on the GAC’s premises or at conservation/framing or All Party Parliamentary Group on Music and Rock the commercial storage. The figure includes 641 works of art currently House. on reserve for various locations, including almost 200 for the GAC’s forthcoming touring exhibition Revealed: Government Art Collection. There is also currently a high number of works of Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, art on the premises from various Whitehall departments pending Olympics, Media and Sport how many people (a) accommodation moves. under 12, (b) between 13 and 15, (c) between 16 and (g) Other locations; 731 25 and (d) over 25 years attended each of her Department’s 14 pilot music rehearsal spaces between HMS Victory 2009 and 2012 to date. [123850]

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Mr Vaizey: UK Music, the umbrella organisation Olympics, Media and Sport how many interested representing the collective interests of Britain’s commercial parties she met to discuss HMS Victory 1774 prior to a music industry, now has responsibility for the pilot decision being made to gift the historic site to the music rehearsal spaces. A report into the spaces has Maritime Heritage Foundation. [122440] been commissioned by Sound Connections and will be published in November 2012. This report is a retrospective Mr Vaizey: Ministers at the Department for Culture, survey looking back over the project from 2009, it will Media and Sport did not meet any interested parties to cover, where data are available, aspects including usage, discuss HMS Victory 1744 prior to the Government’s reach and impact. Sound Connections is an independent 817W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 818W organisation focused on helping the delivery of high Public Libraries quality music-making and is responsible for managing the rehearsal space contracts with local authorities. UK Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Music is currently developing a strategy for the future Olympics, Media and Sport what the total stock of of the spaces with the help of the UK Music Board, the books owned by each London borough’s library All Party Parliamentary Group on Music and Rock the service was in each year since 1997. [122466] House. Mr Vaizey: Information on total book stock in each Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, London borough since 1997 is available in the annual Olympics, Media and Sport how many people under public library statistics published by the Chartered Institute the age of 30 attended each of her Department’s 14 of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). I am pilot music rehearsal spaces in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) arranging for a copy of the specific information the 2011 and (d) 2012 to date. [123852] hon. Member has requested to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Mr Vaizey: UK Music, the umbrella organisation representing the collective interests of Britain’s commercial Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 music industry, now has responsibility for the pilot music rehearsal spaces. A report into the spaces has Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for been commissioned by Sound Connections and will be Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps her published in November 2012. This report is a retrospective Department has taken to prepare for the introduction survey looking back over the project from 2009, it will of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012. [122265] cover, where data are available, aspects including usage, reach and impact. Sound Connections is an independent Hugh Robertson: The Department for Culture, Media organisation focused on helping the delivery of high and Sport is working to ensure that the requirements of quality music-making and is responsible for managing the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 are embedded the rehearsal space contracts with local authorities. UK within our organisation, strategy and culture. We are Music is currently developing a strategy for the future reviewing our contracting procedures and policy with of the spaces with the help of the UK Music Board, the reference to this duty.We are considering the Department’s All Party Parliamentary Group on Music and Rock the outward facing guidance and will ensure that it contains House. reference to the Act. We will also ensure this guidance is published on our website, to assist tenderers interested Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, in bidding for departmental contracts. Olympics, Media and Sport what steps her Department Swimming Pools: Greater Manchester is taking to secure the long-term future of its 14 pilot music rehearsal spaces. [123854] Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if she will provide Mr Vaizey: UK Music, the umbrella organisation additional ring-fenced funding for (a) Denton and (b) representing the collective interests of Britain’s commercial Dukinfield swimming pools. [124595] music industry, now has responsibility for the pilot music rehearsal spaces. A report into the spaces has Hugh Robertson: The Department for Culture, Media been commissioned by Sound Connections and will be and Sport (DCMS) does not fund sports projects, clubs published in November 2012. This report is a retrospective or facilities directly. DCMS sets the policy framework survey looking back over the project from 2009, it will for sport funding decisions. Day to day decision-making cover, where data are available, aspects including usage, on the distribution of funding for sport and physical reach and impact, Sound Connections is an independent activity is the responsibility of our funding bodies—Sport organisation focused on helping the delivery of high England and UK Sport. Over the next five years, Sport quality music-making and is responsible for managing England will invest £45 million of national lottery the rehearsal space contracts with local authorities. UK funding into medium-sized projects—like swimming pool Music is currently developing a strategy for the future improvement—through the improvement fund to improve of the spaces with the help of the UK Music Board, the the quality and experience of sport. Successful applicants AH Party Parliamentary Group on Music and Rock the will need to demonstrate a strategic need for swimming House. pool provision in the local area. Details of how to apply are on the Sport England website: Nick King http://www.sportengland.org/

Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Television: Sports Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the previous employment was of her special adviser Nick King. Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for [123479] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment her Department has made of the financial implications Hugh Robertson [holding answer 19 October 2012]: of increased competition created by the digital Nick King has been appointed as a special adviser to switchover in the bidding process for television rights Ministers in the Department for Culture Media and for free-to-air listed sports events. [124505] Sport and will start on 22 October, 2012. Other than what is available in the public domain about his previous Mr Vaizey: The Department has made no such employment, the records held by the Department are assessment. The bidding process for television rights is considered to be personal data. a commercial matter between the broadcasters and the 819W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 820W owners of those rights (usually the sports’ Table: Average number of previous convictions held by offenders convicted of nationalgoverning bodies) and therefore the Secretary domestic burglary (burglary within a dwelling) in each year from 2000-11 Average number previous of State does not play a role in this process. As the Offence Year convictions2 final stage of digital switchover approaches, Ofcom is reviewing the channels that would qualify to show 2001 8.6 listed events, and expects to make a statement in due 2002 9.3 course. 2003 9.9 Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for 2004 10 Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when she plans to 2005 9.7 (a) start and (b) conclude the review of sport events 2006 9.5 which are listed as free-to-air. [124506] 2007 9.8 Mr Vaizey: There are no plans to review the list of 2008 10.8 free-to-air sports events at the current time. In 2010, the 2009 10.9 Government made the decision to defer the review of 2010 11.5 listed events, begun by the previous Government, until 2013 following the completion of digital switchover. 2011 12.5 The current list of events remains in force. 1 Domestic burglary offences defined as: (a) Theft Act 1968 Sec.9 Burglary in a dwelling with intent to commit or the Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for commission of an offence triable only on indictment (b) Theft Act 1968 Sec.9 Burglary in a dwelling with violence or the threat of Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which violence broadcasters (a) are qualified broadcasters for the (c) Theft Act 1968 Sec.9 Other burglary in a dwelling. purpose of free-to-air sporting events and (b) are 2 The figures presented here have been taken from the Police National Computer (PNC), they may differ from the figures taken from the Ministry of Justice expected to be considered as qualified broadcasters (MOJ) court proceedings database because the PNC is a live operational after the completion of digital switchover. [124508] database and the number of records is subject to update when more information becomes available to police. Mr Vaizey: The information is as follows: 3 Please note that the PNC only became operational in the year 2000 and we do not hold reliable or accurate information prior to this date. (a) Until digital switchover, the qualifying broadcasters Source: are BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and FIVE. Police National Computer, Ministry of Justice (b) This is an operational matter for the independent These figures are a further breakdown of Table A7.5 regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom). As in “Criminal Justice Statistics Quarterly Update to the final stage of digital switchover approaches, Ofcom December 2011” which was published on 24 May 2012. is reviewing the channels that would qualify to show The full report can be found at the link: listed events, and expects to make a statement in due http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/statistics/criminal- course. justice-stats/criminal-justice-stats-dec-2011.pdf These figures have been drawn from the police’s administrative IT system, the police national computer, JUSTICE which, as with any large scale recording system, is Burglary subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice The figures are provisional and subject to change as what the average number of previous convictions was more information is recorded by the police. for each offender found guilty of domestic burglary in each year since 1994. [123007] Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people found guilty of domestic burglary Jeremy Wright: The following table shows the average had (a) no, (b) between one and five, (c) between six number of previous convictions for all recordable offences and 10, (d) between 11 and 20 and (e) over 20 held by offenders convicted of domestic burglary (burglary previous convictions in each year since 1994. [123008] within a dwelling) in each year from 2000 to 2011. Table: Average number of previous convictions held by offenders convicted of Jeremy Wright: The following table shows the number domestic burglary (burglary within a dwelling) in each year from 2000-11 of previous convictions for all recordable offences held Average number previous by people convicted of domestic burglary (burglary Offence Year convictions2 within a dwelling) in each year from 2000 to 2011 and Domestic 20003 8.1 summarised into the categories of zero, one to five, six burglary1 to 10, 11 to 20 and over 20.

Number of previous convictions held by people convicted of domestic burglary Number of previous convictions1 Offence Year3 0 1 to 5 6 to 10 11 to 20 20 +

Domestic Burglary2 2000 2,332 5,924 3,866 3,702 1,466 2001 2,191 4,942 3,554 3,666 1,532 2002 1,998 5,062 3,496 4,273 1,836 2003 1,958 4,672 3,279 4,342 2,147 2004 2,026 4,574 2,825 3,903 2,159 2005 2,205 4,730 2,451 3,521 2,192 2006 2,301 4,957 2,496 3,421 2,163 821W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 822W

Number of previous convictions held by people convicted of domestic burglary Number of previous convictions1 Offence Year3 0 1 to 5 6 to 10 11 to 20 20 +

2007 2,098 5,090 2,536 3,445 2,344 2008 1,790 4,803 2,585 3,752 2,718 2009 1,756 4,843 2,485 3,576 2,755 2010 1,608 4,682 2,489 3,566 3,098 2011 1,576 4,301 2,372 3,623 3,437 1 The figures presented here have been taken from the Police National Computer (PNC), they may differ from the figures taken from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) court proceedings database because the PNC is a live operational database and the number of records is subject to update when more information becomes available to police. 2 Domestic burglary offences defined as: (a) Theft Act 1968 Sec.9 Burglary in a dwelling with intent to commit or the commission of an offence triable only on indictment. (b) Theft Act 1968 Sec.9 Burglary in a dwelling with violence or the threat of violence. (c) Theft Act 1968 Sec.9 Other burglary in a dwelling. 3 Please note that the PNC only became operational in the year 2000 and we do not hold reliable or accurate information prior to this date. Source: Police National Computer, Ministry of Justice

These figures are a further breakdown of Table A7.5 35, (e) between 36 and 50, (f) between 51 and 65 and in ’Criminal Justice Statistics Quarterly Update to December (g) 66 and over in each year since 1994; [123005] 2011’ which was published on 24 May 2012. The full (6) what the average age was of those found guilty of report can be found at the following link: committing domestic burglary in each year since 1994; http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/statistics/criminal- [123006] justice-stats/criminal-justice-stats-dec-2011.pdf (7) how many people received indeterminate These figures have been drawn from the police’s sentences of imprisonment for public protection for administrative IT system, the police national computer, each type of offence in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) which, as with any large scale recording system, is 2011; [123020] subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. (8) how many people were found guilty of The figures are provisional and subject to change as committing domestic burglary in each year since 1994; more information is recorded by the police. [123016] (9) how many homeowners have been convicted after Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice defending their property against burglars in each year (1) how many people found guilty of committing since 1994; and for what offences such convictions were domestic burglary received a custodial sentence of (a) made in each year. [123013] up to and including one month, (b) over one month and up to and including two months, (c) over two Jeremy Wright: The number of defendants found months and up to and including three months, (d) over guilty, sentenced, by result, and the average custodial three months and up to and including six months, (e) sentence length (months) and the sentence length over six months and up to and including a year, (f) breakdown given at all courts for burglary in a dwelling, over a year and up to and including two years, (g) over in England and Wales from 1994 to 2011, can be viewed two years and up to and including five years and (h) in Tables 1 and 1a. over five years in each year since 1994; [123009] The number of defendants found guilty at all courts (2) what the average length of sentence handed down for burglary in a dwelling offence, by age breakdown was of those found guilty of committing domestic and the average age, in England and Wales from 1994 to burglary and who received a custodial sentence in each 2011, can be viewed in Table 2. year since 1994; [123010] Persons sentenced to imprisonment for public protection (3) how many people found guilty of domestic at all courts by offence group in England and Wales burglary received each type of non-custodial sentence from 2009 to 2011 can be viewed in Table 3. in each year since 1994; [123011] Information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice on the Court Proceedings Database does not contain (4) how many people found guilty of committing information about the circumstances behind each case, domestic burglary received a (a) non-custodial or (b) beyond the description provided in the statute under custodial sentence in each year since 1994; [123012] which proceedings are brought. It is not possible to (5) how many people found guilty of committing identify from this centrally held information whether a domestic burglary were aged (a) up to 18, (b) between defendant proceeded against for an offence is a home 18 and 21, (c) between 22 and 25, (d) between 26 and owner.

Table 1: Defendants found guilty and sentenced, by result, at all courts for burglary in a dwelling offences1, England and Wales, 1994 to 20112, 3 Number 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Guilty 18,522 18,245 17,064 17,870 17,306 16,387 14,471 13,684 14,622 Sentenced4 18,573 18,392 17,364 17,938 17,797 16,833 15,222 13,866 14,728 Absolute discharge 34 29 24 22 22 19 12 19 25 Conditional discharge 1,278 1,128 951 854 818 652 471 286 226 823W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 824W

Table 1: Defendants found guilty and sentenced, by result, at all courts for burglary in a dwelling offences1, England and Wales, 1994 to 20112, 3 Number 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Fine 662 558 438 340 323 280 173 145 129 Community sentence 7,924 7,378 6,295 6,257 6,228 5,512 4,824 4,638 5,255 Fully suspended 122 106 113 110 120 114 90 74 77 Immediate custody 8,398 9,061 9,419 10,234 10,124 10,092 9,490 8,473 8,875 Otherwise dealt with 155 132 124 121 162 164 162 231 141

Average custodial sentence length (months)5 13 13.9 16.3 18.7 18.5 18.9 19.2 20.4 21.8

Number 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 20086 2009 2010 2011

Guilty 14,540 13,503 12,820 12,442 13,138 13,471 13,355 14,296 14,450 Sentenced4 14,568 13,772 12,857 12,483 13,143 13,473 13,297 14,172 14,362 Absolute discharge 35 36 39 33 27 24 10 8 9 Conditional discharge 243 238 234 205 224 205 111 133 103 Fine 118 100 89 85 117 82 34 47 36 Community sentence 6,118 6,128 5,807 4,844 4,961 4,671 4,469 4,467 4,128 Fully suspended 86 68 191 1,007 1,469 1,503 1,416 1,584 1,568 Immediate custody 7,831 7,066 6,357 6,116 6,172 6,696 7,120 7,574 8,261 Otherwise dealt with 137 136 140 193 173 292 137 359 257 Average custodial sentence length (months)5 21.7 22.1 21.8 21.1 20.8 21.9 22.3 22.6 23.1 1 Includes offences under sections 9 and 10 of the Theft Act 1968: Burglary in a dwelling with intent to commit an offence; Burglary in a dwelling with violence or the threat of violence; Other burglary in a dwelling; Aggravated burglary in a dwelling (including attempts). 2 The figures on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 4 The number of offenders sentenced can differ from those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty in a particular year, and committed for sentence at the Crown court, may be sentenced in the following year. 5 Excludes life and indeterminate sentences. 6 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Table 1a: Defendants given a custodial sentence and the sentence length breakdown at all courts for burglary in a dwelling offences1, England and Wales, 1994 to 20112, 3 Number 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Immediate custody 8,398 9,061 9,419 10,234 10,124 10,092 9,490 8,473 8,875

One month and under 91 120 97 98 89 73 61 71 50 Over one month and up to and 278 307 290 243 229 219 130 116 94 including two months Over two months and up to and 721 719 621 486 450 405 242 146 166 including three months Over three months and up to and 1,995 2,014 1,714 1,344 1,402 1,397 1,383 1,224 1,105 including six months Over six months and up to and 2,388 2,353 2,146 2,217 2,188 2,165 2,097 1,741 1,763 including one year Over one year up to and including 2,211 2,646 3,020 3,708 3,722 3,704 3,417 2,953 3,115 two years Over two years up to and including 663 854 1,462 2,029 1,958 2,023 2,077 2,123 2,426 five years Over five years 51 48 69 109 86 106 83 99 156

Number 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 20084 2009 2010 2011

Immediate custody 7,831 7,066 6,357 6,116 6,172 6,696 7,120 7,574 8,261 One month and under 47 58 63 55 78 69 36 39 47 Over one month and up to and 110 92 87 98 105 133 123 117 137 including two months Over two months and up to and 207 191 159 149 165 168 177 177 207 including three months Over three months and up to and 1,097 981 948 982 1,000 952 813 821 775 including six months 825W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 826W

Number 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 20084 2009 2010 2011

Over six months and up to and 1,424 1,338 1,179 1,112 1,201 1,301 1,498 1,587 1,754 including one year

Over one year up to and including 2,536 2,065 1,803 1,672 1,626 1,669 1,920 2,074 2,234 two years

Over two years up to and including 2,294 2,215 1,997 1,932 1,861 2,231 2,386 2,557 2,851 five years

Over five years 116 126 121 116 136 173 167 202 256

1 Includes offences under sections 9 and 10 of the Theft Act 1968: Burglary in a dwelling with intent to commit an offence; Burglary in a dwelling with violence or the threat of violence; Other burglary in a dwelling; Aggravated burglary in a dwelling (including attempts). 2 The figures on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 4 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Table 2: Defendants found guilty for offences relating to burglary in a dwelling, by age group, England and Wales, 1994 to 20111, 2 Number Age group 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Under 18 4,710 4,848 4,572 4,700 4,750 4,188 3,620 3,313 3,369 18 to 21 5,692 5,355 4,863 4,930 4,733 4,543 3,863 3,491 3,396 22 to 25 3,520 3,468 3,230 3,362 2,942 2,948 2,502 2,432 2,624 26 to 35 3,654 3,634 3,501 3,851 3,826 3,612 3,485 3,401 3,940 36 to 50 859 820 823 943 960 994 943 973 1,213 51 to 65 82 112 71 80 89 91 54 69 77 66andover5844611453 Total 18,522 18,245 17,064 17,870 17,306 16,387 14,471 13,684 14,622 Average age 22.3 22.3 22.4 22.6 22.6 22.8 23.1 23.3 23.9

Number Age group 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 20083 2009 2010 2011

Under 18 3,199 3,323 3,422 3,364 3,473 3,273 3,385 3,362 3,005 18 to 21 3,059 2,818 2,566 2,629 2,941 3,046 3,247 3,566 3,611 22 to 25 2,730 2,241 1,977 1,917 1,900 2,010 1,925 2,074 2,177 26 to 35 4,128 3,628 3,284 3,054 3,244 3,352 3,095 3,291 3,515 36 to 50 1,344 1,400 1,472 1,398 1,479 1,692 1,578 1,842 1,995 51 to 65 73 92 96 77 92 95 119 153 142 66andover713393685 Total 14,540 13,503 12,820 12,442 13,138 13,471 13,355 14,296 14,450 Average age 24.4 24.3 24.3 24.1 24.2 24.6 24.3 24.7 25.2 1 The figures relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Table 3: Persons sentenced to sentences of imprisonment for public protection at all courts by offence group1, 2, 2009 to 2011, England and Wales Number Offence group 2009 2010 2011

Violence against the person 357 394 281 Sexual offences 298 328 300 Burglary 25 30 25 Robbery 213 162 133 Theft and handling stolen goods — 3 2 Fraud and forgery — — — Criminal damage 54 44 48 Drug offences — 1 — Other (excluding motoring offences) 54 57 30 827W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 828W

Table 3: Persons sentenced to sentences of imprisonment for public protection at all courts by offence group1, 2, 2009 to 2011, England and Wales Number Offence group 2009 2010 2011

Indictable motoring offences — — —

All indictable offences 1,001 1,019 819 1 The figures relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Burglary: Crimes of Violence Jeremy Wright: Information held centrally on the Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database does Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for not include the circumstances behind each case beyond Justice (1) how many reported burglaries involved the description provided in the statute. It is not possible violence against a homeowner in the last five years; to separately identify from this centrally held information [124064] those specific offences related to tax credit fraud. (2) how many reported burglaries involved violence Homicide: Sentencing against the burglar in each of the last five years. [124065] Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average period of time served by Mr Jeremy Browne: I have been asked to reply on people released from prison having served a sentence behalf of the Home Department. for murder was in the last 12 months. [123863] This information is not collected centrally. Jeremy Wright: In 2011, 160 prisoners serving a Fraud: Social Security Benefits mandatory life sentence for murder were released from custody on life licence; they had served an average of 16 Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for years in custody. These figures are published annually in Justice how many people convicted of benefit fraud the Offender Management Statistics annual tables, most were given a custodial sentence in the last five years. recently for 2011. The 2012 figures will be published in [123999] April 2013. These figures have, been drawn from administrative Jeremy Wright: The number of defendants sentenced IT systems which, as with any large scale recording to immediate custody at all courts for offences relating system, are subject to possible errors with data entry to benefit fraud in England and Wales from 2007 to and processing. 2011 can be viewed in the following table: International Convention for the Protection of All Defendants sentenced to immediate custody at all courts for benefit fraud Persons From Enforced Disappearance offences under the Social Security Administration Act 19921, England and Wales, 2007-112, 3 Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Number (1) what his Department’s most recent assessment is of 2007 200 whether the UK would enter any reservations or 20084 264 declarations were it to sign and ratify the UN 2009 308 International Convention for the Protection of All 2010 209 Persons from Enforced Disappearances; [123501] 2011 284 (2) has updated its assessment of whether any new 1 Includes offences under Social Security Administration Act 1992 as added by criminal offences would need to be introduced were the the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997, sections 111A and 112. 2 The figures relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal UK to sign and ratify the UN International offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found Convention for the Protection of All Persons from guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is Enforced Disappearances; [123502] imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the (3) has updated its assessment of the extent to which most severe. common law provisions would need to be replicated in 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted statute law were the UK to sign and ratify the UN from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police International Convention for the Protection of All forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection Persons from Enforced Disappearances; [123503] processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (4) whether he plans to set a timetable for signing 4 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. and ratifying the UN International Convention for the Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances. [123504] Fraud: Welfare Tax Credits Damian Green: The Government supports the aims Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for of the International Convention for the Protection of Justice how many convictions for tax credit fraud there All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. However, it have been in each of the last five years. [124101] is the general practice of the UK not to sign a treaty 829W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 830W unless the Government is confident that domestic legislation, Volumes by age bands1 policies and practices comply with its requirements, Age range 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 thereby allowing the UK to complete ratification soon 18 to 25 657 2,716 4,619 5,390 6,308 after signature. 26 to 35 9,663 22,159 24,840 21,469 17,547 Following an initial assessment of the practical 36 to 45 11,200 24,862 26,793 22,484 18,257 implications of implementing the convention, we have 46 to 55 11,673 25,943 27,198 22,877 18,669 identified areas of domestic law and operational policy 56 to 65 7,227 15,530 15,424 12,906 10,350 that would need to change if the UK is to comply with 65+ 4,410 8,743 7,814 5,992 4,228 the convention requirements. This is likely to include Total 93,595 100,290 107,013 91,319 75,480 the creation of a separate criminal offence. 1 Please note age only started being recorded from October 2007 for the legal help scheme The UK Government has made it clear in its 1 formal response to the recommendations it received at Volumes by marriage status Marriage its recent UN Universal Periodic Review that it is status 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 committed to making further progress on ratification by the time of our mid-term progress report under this Cohabit 13 9 12 11 11 mechanism which is due in 2014. The ongoing analysis Divorced 58 65 70 43 41 work, therefore, will include an assessment of the extent Married 91 99 102 65 68 to which common law provisions would need to be Separate 44 44 40 39 21 replicated in statute law to enable the UK to ratify the Single 107 128 142 97 98 convention. Unknown 29 28 24 18 7 The UK is keen to move towards signature and Widowed2025172010 Total 362 398 407 293 256 ratification of the convention but the size of this 1 undertaking will require considerable resources and Please note marital status is only recorded for the civil representation scheme. parliamentary time. It would therefore not be appropriate Volumes by ethnicity to set a timetable for ratification at this stage. Ethnicity 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Asian or Asian 639 811 916 818 679 Legal Aid Scheme British Other Bangladeshi 1,015 1,212 1,244 983 825 John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Black (African) 2,285 2,857 3,066 2,895 2,829 Justice how many families will no longer qualify for Black 2,004 2,546 2,751 2,380 2,227 Legal Aid following implementation of the legal aid, (Caribbean) Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. Black (Other) 424 548 671 545 436 [124308] Chinese 125 104 108 98 88 Indian 1,010 1,080 1,106 870 696 Jeremy Wright: The Legal Services Commission’s Mixed Other 209 285 334 275 262 data does not allow an estimate of the number of Mixed White 130 175 175 126 146 and Asian families that will no longer qualify for legal aid following Mixed White 185 255 293 280 221 the implementation of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and and Black Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. African However, as set out in the Royal Assent impact Mixed White 457 546 619 593 521 and Black assessments, we estimate that ’Legal Help’ (initial advice Caribbean and assistance) case volumes will fall by 585,000 and, of Other 1,868 1,903 2,475 2,222 1,580 those who go on to receive legal representation, volumes Pakistani 1,282 1,523 1,462 1,189 1,096 will fall by approximately 38,000. Of these, we estimate Unknown 3,208 3,052 3,627 3,215 2,670 a reduction of 200,000 cases in family law Legal Help White British 76,616 80,804 85,008 72,245 58,724 and the number of cases who also qualify for legal White Irish 524 667 663 501 425 representation to reduce by around 32,500. White Other 1,614 1,922 2,495 2,084 2,055 Total 93,595 100,290 107,013 91,319 75,480 Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the (a) ages, (b) family status and (c) ethnicity of claimants of legal aid for matters related to Police Cautions personal financial difficulties was in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [124499] Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cautions have been administered to adults in Jeremy Wright: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) (a) Wrexham constituency, (b) Wales and (c) is responsible for the operational delivery of legal aid England in each of the last five years. [124084] and is able to provide the following information. The data provided show cases in the LSC’s ‘Debt’ Jeremy Wright: The numbers of cautions issued for category of law, which covers civil legal aid for matters all offences in England and Wales and the North Wales primarily related to personal financial difficulties. police force area, from 2007 to 2011 can be viewed in Volumes by age bands1 the following table. Age range 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Cautions data are not available at parliamentary Unknown 48,602 0 0 0 0 constituency level and data for the North Wales police Under 18 163 337 325 201 121 force area have been given in lieu. 831W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 832W

Number of cautions issued for all offences within England and Wales and the transition of prisons in PCP2 is £10.7 million. The final 1,2 North Wales police force area, 2007-11 cost will depend on the actual outcomes of the competition. Area 2007 20083 2009 2010 2011 The costs of running the competition process are England and 362,889 327,888 290,645 242,831 232,186 included in the financial analysis to establish the overall Wales Value for Money of the Contracts, in accordance with HM Treasury’s Green Book—Appraisal and Evaluation England 344,890 309,860 272,742 229,623 218,887 in Central Government. Wales 17,999 18,028 17,903 13,208 13,299 Of which: Prisons: Private Sector North Wales 2,239 3,604 3,303 2,623 2,605 police force Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice area if he will order an independent review of the 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and involvement of the private sector in the prison system. complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police [124496] forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those Jeremy Wright: No. I refer the hon. Member to our data are used. 2The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the statement of intent in the Competition Strategy for principal offences for which they were dealt with. When an offender has been Offender Services, which we published on 13 July 2011: cautioned for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is “20. Developing a diverse market of potential providers of the more serious offence. From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under Offender services is vital to improving our outcomes. The market 18 and replaced them with reprimands and warnings. These figures have been must be capable of attracting sustained investment and properly included in the totals. incentivising providers to drive efficiency and innovation. Government 3 Data have been revised post publication. has a key role in promoting a functioning market which recognises Source: the different strengths of different providers, whether they are Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. from the public, private or voluntary and community sector.” Prisons: Contracts for Services (page 11). Prosecutions Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) whether he plans to review the procurement of (a) Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the market testing of public sector prisons and (b) how many cases have been prosecuted in (a) Wrexham other departmental contracts given the issues with the Magistrates Court, (b) Wales and (c) England in each West Coast Train Franchise tendering process; [124492] of the last five years. [124016] (2) whether he plans to await the outcome of the Department of Transport’s review of the West Coast Jeremy Wright: The numbers of defendants proceeded Train Franchise tendering process before any further against at magistrates courts in the Wrexham Maelor market testing of prisons takes place. [124493] local justice area, in Wales, and in England from 2007 to 2011 can be viewed in the following table: Jeremy Wright: The Secretary of State has reviewed Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, for all offences, the evaluation process and recommendation for stage 1 within Wrexham Maelor local justice area, England and Wales, 2007-111, 2 of phase 2 of the prisons competition programme. He is Area 2007 20083 2009 2010 2011 content that the evaluation process was robust. He England and Wales 1,732,506 1,640,023 1,694,410 1,653,190 1,558,965 plans to make an announcement shortly.

In relation to other departmental contracts, he is also England 1,621,436 1,547,699 1,591,399 1,552,380 1,462,775 satisfied that the tendering processes are robust. Wales 111,070 92,324 103,011 100,810 96,190 Of which: Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Wrexham Maelor local 5,682 5,648 5,769 5,376 4,367 what steps he has put in place to enable proper justice area assessment and costing of risk under the public sector 1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom prisons procurement process. [124494] these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for Jeremy Wright: The prisons competition programme two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory employs robust risk management processes and techniques maximum penalty is the most severe. as part of its overall programme management disciplines. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted Risks are identified, quantified and plans put in place from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police to mitigate and manage risks. forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 3 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. how much has been spent on the public sector prisons Source: market testing process (PCP2) to date; what the Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. estimated total cost is by the end of the process; and Training whether that cost will be included in assessing the overall value for money of the PCP2 contracts. [124495] Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2012, Jeremy Wright: The PCP2 competition process since Official Report, column 127W, on training, what the July 2011 has incurred £3.5 million of expenditure as at cost was of the training; which company provided the the end of September 2012. The current estimate for the training; and which Ministers received the training. total cost for the tendering evaluation mobilisation and [124312] 833W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 834W

Mrs Grant: The total cost of the training was £3,000. Home detention curfew release for offenders, England and Wales 2011 It was provided by the Chartered Institute of Public Eligible for Release rate Relations on 19 July 2010. It was attended by Lord Age group release Released (%) McNally, Crispin Blunt and Jonathan Djanogly. The Other age groups 37,519 11,135 30 in-house training was provided to Crispin Blunt, Jeremy All ages 42,820 12,727 30 Wright and Helen Grant at no cost. Note: These statistics are based on information recorded on the central prison IT There is a high level of interest in the work of the system at 29 February 2012. Ministry of Justice and it is right that the public know Data sources and quality: and understand the work of the Department. The training These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry was designed to aid Ministers so they are able to clearly and processing. communicate to the public the work of the Ministry of Justice and the reforms that are being undertaken across our policy areas. WORK AND PENSIONS Young Offenders: Domestic Violence Defibrillators

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what support his Department provides to Work and Pensions in what proportion of workplaces juvenile offenders who have experienced domestic automated external defibrillators are available. [124331] violence. [122560] Mr Hoban: HSE does not hold any data on the Jeremy Wright: The Government has recently announced proportion of workplaces where AEDs are available. its intention to extend the definition of domestic violence from March next year to include 16 and 17-year-olds. Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for This aims to increase referrals to domestic violence Work and Pensions if he will take steps to encourage support services for young people identified as experiencing employers to increase the provision of automated domestic violence. Under existing procedures youth external defibrillators in the workplace. [124332] offending teams will refer juvenile offenders identified as having experienced domestic violence to social services Mr Hoban: Provision of automated external defibrillators under safeguarding provisions. (AED) is not legally required. The Health and Safety Executive’s website does however provide guidance on Young Offenders: Prisoners’ Release first aid need assessments and these can indicate circumstances where AEDs could be of benefit. Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Families (1) how many prisoners have not had their home detention curfew application reviewed by the Board Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for within two weeks of their eligibility date in each young Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the offenders’ institution in England and Wales in the number of families in the UK with four or more latest period for which figures are available; [124426] children in each parliamentary constituency. [123937] (2) how many prisoners were past their eligibility date by the time their home detention curfew Mr Gauke: I have been asked to reply on behalf of application was considered in each young offenders’ the Treasury. institution in England and Wales in the latest period Small sample sizes for families with four or more for which figures are available. [124427] children mean that data can not be provided for all parliamentary constituencies. Jeremy Wright: It is not possible to answer either of these questions directly because the Ministry of Justice New Enterprise Allowance does not collect data on the assessments conducted under the home detention curfew (HDC) scheme. Data Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for on the releases made under the scheme are collected and Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the published regularly in the Offender Management Caseload number of people who will benefit from the new Statistics on the Justice website: enterprise allowance scheme in the next 12 months. http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/prisons-and-probation [124132] The following table gives the rate of release for offenders aged 18 to 20 (the age of offenders in young offender Mr Hoban: We expect that approximately 45,000 institutions) and for all other age groups. It shows the NEA mentoring places will be filled across Great Britain same rate of release for each group. Where a prisoner is in the next 12 months. eligible and suitable for release on HDC, the aim is always to release on or as soon after the HDC eligibility Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for date as possible but no release may take place until the Work and Pensions how many people have received the risk and suitability assessment procedures has been new enterprise allowance, by parliamentary completed in full. constituency, in the last 12 months. [124133] Home detention curfew release for offenders, England and Wales 2011 Mr Hoban: We will be placing a copy of the number Eligible for Release rate of new enterprise allowance mentor and weekly allowance Age group release Released (%) starts in the Library for the last year up to and including Aged 18-20 5,301 1,592 30 May 2012. 835W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 836W

Occupational Pensions Steve Webb: It is important that providers of private pensions ensure their charges are transparent and value Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for for money. People need to see what is being charged and Work and Pensions what progress he is making with his why, and in a language they understand. I have consistently plans for the automated transfer of pensions from one made this clear in my interactions with the industry on employer to the next; and if he will make a statement. this subject. [123446] My officials have engaged with the efforts of an industry-wide working group led by the National Steve Webb: We have been working closely with interested Association of Pension Funds on the development of a parties to develop options on how a model of automatic charges Code of Conduct to enable employers to make transfers to a new employer’s scheme might work in informed choices about which pension scheme to use practice. This has included workshops with consumer, for automatic enrolment. The code will ensure that provider and employer representatives. charges are presented to employers in a consistent way, helping them to understand the impact charges may We have recently published further analysis—‘Automatic have on the pension pots of their employees and which pension transfers: estimated impacts under different charges employers will have to pay themselves. Our aim pot size limits’, available on the DWP website at: is to also work with the ABI on their proposals for the http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/ industry to provide clearer information on charges and index.php?page=adhoc_analysis costs to scheme members. We welcome both these initiatives which shows that for any given pot size limit, automatic as a positive step towards pension providers improving transfers to a new employer’s scheme are estimated to their service to members. achieve more consolidation and administrative efficiencies My Department has also published guidance on default than an aggregator scheme. funds for defined contribution automatic enrolment We are continuing to make good progress on bringing schemes, including disclosing a breakdown of the overall forward primary legislation to allow automatic transfers charges and making clear the effect the charges will to take place, and we aim to introduce this legislation as have on member outcomes: soon as practicable. http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/def-opt-guid.pdf

Pensioners: British Nationals Abroad Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the number of people in work not saving for a Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for pension in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 4 July Nottinghamshire, (c) the East Midlands and (d) 2012, Official Report, column 667W, on pensioners: England. [123541] British nationals abroad, what progress his Department has made in investigating the availability of data Steve Webb: The information is not available in the determining the cost of the number of pensioners format requested. returning to the UK over the last five years from countries where they are in receipt of frozen UK What is available can be found in the following table: pensions. [122678] Working age employees not contributing into a workplace pension scheme Steve Webb: It has been established that there are Region Employees (thousands) insufficient data to provide such an estimate. England 11,416 East Midlands 997 Pensions Note: Working age is defined as 16-70 year olds. Source: Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2011, Office for National Work and Pensions whether he has had discussions Statistics. with representatives of the pensions industry on proposals to allow parents and grandparents to use Personal Independence Payment their pension lump sum to guarantee a mortgage for their children and grandchildren; and if he will make a Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for statement. [123447] Work and Pensions if he will place a copy of the Atos Risk Management Plan for Lots 1 and 3 of the Steve Webb: Initial discussions have been held with personal independence payment contracts in the representatives of the pensions industry. Further work Library. [122523] will be required with both the pensions industry and mortgage lenders to work through the details of the Esther McVey: The Risk Management Plan (suitably proposals. redacted) will be placed in the DWP Library and on Contracts Finder by the end of October. Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has had discussions Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work with providers of private pensions and investments on and Pensions what progress his Department has made the implementation of a common format for expressing on ensuring that the assessments for personal the charges attached to consumer portfolios; and if he independence payment will be available in the Welsh will make a statement. [123448] language. [122643] 837W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 838W

Esther McVey: Assessments for personal independence Remploy: Barrow in Furness payment will comply with the Department of Work and Pensions’ obligations under the Welsh Language Act John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for (1993). All materials relating to the assessment process Work and Pensions what progress he has made towards will be available in Welsh and the assessment itself can achieving a long-term and sustainable future for the be carried out by a Welsh speaker, if requested. Barrow-in-Furness Remploy factory and its employees; and by what date a decision on the factory’s future will Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for be made. [124486] Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of disability living allowance middle rate Esther McVey: Remploy’s process for divesting factory claimants who will lose entitlement under the proposed operations aims to preserve jobs for disabled people eligibility criteria for personal independence payments; wherever this is commercially viable. and if he will make a statement; [122821] Following assessment of the Best and Final Offers it received for its Barrow factory, Remploy has now appointed Nationwide Filter Company Ltd as the preferred bidder John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for for this business, and has started due diligence and Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of further negotiation with the company. Remploy aim to motability vehicles that will be repossessed in (a) complete these negotiations and support the exit of this Glasgow North West constituency, (b) Glasgow, (c) business within the next few weeks. Scotland and (d) the UK as a result of the introduction of personal independence payments. Scotland [122965] John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Esther McVey: Personal independence payment: and Pensions how much his Department spends “AssessmentThresholds and Consultation”was published annually on (a) Jobcentre Plus functions, (b) the Work in January 2012. It included early estimates on the likely programme and (c) other skills and employability PIP benefit caseload in 2015/16, compared to the likely programmes in Scotland. [122921] working age DLA caseload if the new benefit is not introduced. These estimates, which were based on the Mr Hoban: In the year 2011-12 the Department spent second draft of the assessment criteria, have been broken the following amounts in Scotland. down by each of the rate combinations in the benefits. The assessment criteria for PIP are still being finalised. Functions 2011-12 annual spend (£ million) A Government response to the consultation and a final Jobcentre Plus 98.5 draft of the criteria will be published later this year. Other skills and employment 44 We are continuing to work closely with Motability to programmes understand what impact personal independence payment Note: might have on their customer numbers and to ensure The Work programme commenced in June 2011 with a budget they are well placed to manage the introduction of the across SR10 of around £2 billion. Actual expenditure on the Work programme is due to be published in late November 2012. new benefit. Source: Internal Management Accounts John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security Benefits Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to ensure that claimants of disability living Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for allowance (DLA) who will no longer be eligible under Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of how personal independence payments will be given many recipients of (a) employment and support adequate notice before their DLA is stopped. [124026] allowance, (b) carer’s allowance and (c) maternity allowance will have their benefit reduced as a result of Esther McVey: Once a decision has been reached on a the introduction of the benefit cap in April 2013. claim to personal independence payment it will be [124431] communicated to the claimant and the notification will clearly state when their DLA will end and the date from Mr Hoban: Of those who may see their benefits which personal independence payments will commence reduced when the benefit cap is introduced in April or the reason for disallowance. 2013, approximately 14,200 households may be in receipt of employment and support allowance (ESA), note that If entitlement has been established, payment of personal this figure relates to those in the work-related group as independence payment will begin shortly after the decision those on the support element of ESA are exempt from notice is sent. Payment of DLA will end the day before the benefit cap. Around 5,200 may be in receipt of payment of personal independence payment begins ensuring carer’s allowance. Less than a 100 households may be in there will be no break. Where entitlement to personal receipt of maternity allowance. independence payment has not been established the The figures presented above are consistent with the DLA will stop shortly after the decision notice has recent impact assessment published on the 16 July 2012. been sent. This assumes that the situation of these households will There is no right of appeal in respect of the ending of go unchanged, and they will not take any steps to either DLA. The claimant will however have dispute rights work enough hours to qualify for working tax credit, against the personal independence payment decision. renegotiate their rent in situ, or find alternative 839W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 840W accommodation. In all cases the Department is working Steve Webb: Statistics on state pensioners residing to support households through this transition, using abroad by weekly average amounts payable are available existing provision through Jobcentre Plus and the Work on the Department’s website at: programme to move as many into work as possible. http://83.244.183.180/100pc/sp/cccountry/ccsex/ Therefore, please note that these figures are subject to a_cawklyamt_r_cccountry_c_ccsex_feb12.html change prior to the policy being implemented in April Please note: 2013. Amounts quoted are for the total amount of state pension in payment which can comprise the following Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for components: basic pension; additional pension and Work and Pensions whether he plans to offer any graduated retirement benefit. assistance to Work programme participants whose benefit is reduced through application of the benefit Universal Credit cap in April 2013. [124432]

Mr Hoban: Jobcentre Plus is offering additional support Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for for all those likely to be affected by the benefit cap. Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of Although they are not offering specific support to those working families in Ashfield whose net benefit income participants already on the Work programme (WP), will decrease on the introduction of universal credit. whose benefit is reduced through application of the [123547] benefit cap in April 2013, early access to the WP will be offered where appropriate to those who might be capped. Mr Hoban: The information requested is not available Financially DWP are adding up to £75 million to the at this level. discretionary housing payment (DHP) budget next year Once fully implemented it is expected that overall and £45 million the following year, which WP participants individuals will benefit from universal credit by the could claim from like all other capped claimants. Child equivalent benefit expenditure rise of around £2 billion. care and other support could be provided if the participant The impact assessment states that in Great Britain found work. around 2.8 million households will have higher entitlements under universal credit. Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Around 2 million households will have lower entitlements and Pensions how many parents with three or more under universal credit. children claimed (a) jobseeker’s allowance, (b) income support and (c) employment and support allowance in However it is important to recognise that a package the latest period for which figures are available; and of transitional protection is being developed in order to how much he expects will be spent from the public ensure that there will be no cash losers as a direct result purse on these benefits in each of the next three years. of the move to universal credit where circumstances [124439] remain the same.

Mr Hoban: Information on the number of out of Universal Credit: Greater London work benefit claimant households in Great Britain, who also claim child benefit, by number of children and Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work benefit type for May 2011 has been released under the and Pensions how he will determine the level of Freedom of Information Act and can be found at: funding to be made available to each local authority in http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/PQ_FOI/index.php?page=foi London to cover the management costs of temporary Forecast expenditure data for job seeker’s allowance, accommodation that will not be included within income support and employment and support allowance universal credit. [124497] can be found at (Forecasts of benefit expenditure are not available by size of family): Steve Webb: As recently announced, the treatment of http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/ temporary accommodation claimants in housing benefit index.php?page=expenditure will remain as now until they migrate to universal credit. Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work When claimants migrate to universal credit, the rental and Pensions how many of the households estimated to element in all cases will be based on local housing be affected by the introduction of the household allowance rates, with a separate management payment benefit cap from 1 April 2013 are in temporary funded through additions to the discretionary housing accommodation after having been found to be payments budget of local authorities. We are currently homeless and in priority need. [124498] developing the arrangements for allocating these management payments. Mr Hoban: This information is not available. The reforms to temporary accommodation are designed to be cost neutral, with the level of funding broadly in State Retirement Pensions line with current levels. Allocating the management payments through Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for discretionary housing payments is an interim measure. Work and Pensions what the average level of basic We shall work with stakeholders to develop a more British state pension is received by people residing in permanent solution. (a) Australia, (b) Canada and (c) New Zealand. A further announcement will be made once this work [122258] has been completed. 841W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 842W

Welfare Assistance Scheme CABINET OFFICE Charities Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what advice and guidance his Department will supply to customers on changes to the Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Minister for the arrangements for introduction of the welfare assistance Cabinet Office how many faith-based organisations scheme; and what estimate he has made of the cost of have had their charitable status revoked by reason of providing such advice for each of the next three years. the removal of presumption of public benefit by the [123302] Charities Act 2006 in the last 12 months. [124524] Steve Webb: We are working very closely with English Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the local authorities and the devolved nations of Scotland responsibility of the Charity Commission. I have asked and Wales to support them in delivering their schemes the Commission’s chief executive to reply. and so that claimants can get timely access to the Letter from Sam Younger, dated 19 October 2012: support available from both the Department and the I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on new provision in their communities. This includes how many faith-based organisations have had their charitable communications to claimants. My Department will be status revoked by reason of the removal of presumption of public supplying no guidance. benefit by the Charities Act 2006 in the last 12 months (124524). There are some minimal costs associated with this in No faith-based organisations have had their charitable status 2013-14. From 2014 this activity will be part of business revoked in the past 12 months by reason of the removal of as usual. presumption of public benefit by the Charities Act 2006. The Charity Commission is the regulator and registrar of Work Capability Assessment: South West charities in England and Wales. Charities in Northern Ireland and Scotland are regulated by the Charity Commission for Northern Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Ireland and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator respectively. Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Cornwall and (b) the Isles of Scilly were deemed fit to work Crimes of Violence following a work capability assessment in the last (i) year, (ii) six months and (iii) month. [124420] Mr Hollobone: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the rate of violent crime is in (a) the police Mr Hoban: The following table shows the number of force with the worst figures in the country, (b) the people making a new claim to ESA who were found fit police force with the best figures in the country and (c) for work following an initial work capability assessment Northamptonshire. [123268] in (a) Cornwall and (b) Isles of Scilly. The information is provided for (i) March 2011 to February 2012, (ii) Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the September 2011 to February 2012 and (iii) February responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have 2012. This presents the latest available information. asked the authority to reply. Fit for work outcomes in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly for initial work capability Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2012: assessments that took place (i) between March 2011 and February 2012, (ii) between September 2011 and February 2012 and (iii) in February 2012 As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking Month of assessment Cornwall Isles of Scilly for statistics on violent crime in the police force with the worst figures in the country, the police force with the best figures in the March 2011- 930 — country and in Northamptonshire. (123268) February 2012 There are two main sources of statistics on violent crime: the September 2011- 320 — Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) and the police February 2012 recorded crime series. The CSEW is the best guide to trends in February 2012 90 — violent crime at a national level since it includes crimes that have “—” = Nil or negligible not been reported to the police. It has also been conducted using a Notes: consistent methodology over time and unaffected by changes in 1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. 2. The above figures are for initial ESA assessments only. reporting rates or police recording practices. However, the sample Work Programme is not large enough to provide estimates of violent crime at police force area level. Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for The police recorded crime series is the primary source for local-level crime statistics and the latest published data for 2011/12 Work and Pensions what changes he has made to the shows: attachment fees payable in each of the Work programme’s first three years since the inception of a) the Metropolitan police force area had the highest rate of violence against the person offences, at 19.7 per 1,000 people that programme; and if he will make a statement. b) Northumbria police force area had the lowest rate, at 9.0 per [124428] 1,000 people Mr Hoban: Attachment fees remain unchanged at c) Northamptonshire police force area had a rate of 15.1 per 100% rate in year one; 75% of the rate for year two; 50% 1,000 people. of the rate for year three and are nil rated for the rest of These figures can be compared with an average of 13.8 crimes the contract. DWP has aligned the attachment rate to per 1,000 people for England and Wales. Police force area rates will be affected by the size of the resident population relative to be paid to Work programme providers to the actual the transient or visiting populations and may therefore over state go-live date. For example, year one attachment rates the rate of crime in areas, such as London, with a high volume of have been paid from 1 June 2011 to 31 May 2012 to day-time visitors. As the tables are large, they will be included in align with contract dates. the House of Commons library. 843W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 844W

Table P3: Police recorded offences by offence group, by police force area, English regions and Wales, 2011-12 Rates per 1,000 population1, 2 Violence against Offences against Total the person Sexual offences Robbery Burglary vehicles3

Cleveland 77151096 Durham 58101086 Northumbria 53 9 1064 NorthEastRegion59101075 Cheshire 59 11 1085 Cumbria 53 13 1043 Greater Manchester 79 15 1 2 12 8 Lancashire 68 15 1086 Merseyside 71 10 1 1 10 6 NorthWestRegion71131197 Humberside 78 15 1 1 12 6 NorthYorkshire4891064 South Yorkshire 76 10 1 1 13 9 West Yorkshire 82 12 1 1 15 10 Yorkshire and the Humber Region 75 12 1 1 12 8 Derbyshire 61131186 Leicestershire 69141187 Lincolnshire 63 11 1095 Northamptonshire 72 15 1197 Nottinghamshire 71 14 1197 East Midlands Region 67 13 1196 Staffordshire 61141075 Warwickshire 63 10 1 1 10 8 WestMercia 58121076 West Midlands 73 13 1 3 11 9 West Midlands Region 66 13 1298 Bedfordshire 66 13 1198 Cambridgeshire 65 12 1186 Essex 60121187 Hertfordshire 56101166 Norfolk 49111054 Suffolk 63141076 East of England Region 60 12 1176 London, City of4 ++++++ Metropolitan Police 104 20 1 5 12 13 London Region 105 20 1 5 12 13 Hampshire 69 16 1176 Kent 60121176 Surrey 55111076 Sussex 61111066 Thames Valley 66 12 1187 South East Region 63 13 1176 Avon and Somerset 71 15 1186 DevonandCornwall55131064 Dorset 63121086 Gloucestershire 58 10 1 0 10 7 Wiltshire 54 10 1076 South West Region 61 13 1076 England 71 14 1198 Dyfed-Powys 42101032 Gwent 69131098 NorthWales 64161084 South Wales 69 13 1088 Wales 63131086

England and Wales5 72141198

Rates per 1,000 population1, 2 Other theft offences Fraud and forgery Criminal damage Drug offences Other offences

Cleveland 23 1 17 4 1 Durham 16 1 13 2 1 845W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 846W

Rates per 1,000 population1, 2 Other theft offences Fraud and forgery Criminal damage Drug offences Other offences

Northumbria 15 1 11 4 1 North East Region 17 1 12 3 1 Cheshire 17 2 11 3 1 Cumbria 13 1 13 4 1 Greater Manchester 19 3 14 4 1 Lancashire 19 2 13 3 1 Merseyside 17 2 13 9 1 North West Region 18 2 13 5 1 Humberside 22 2 14 3 1 NorthYorkshire151831 South Yorkshire 22 2 15 4 1 West Yorkshire 23 2 13 3 1 Yorkshire and the Humber Region 21 2 13 3 1 Derbyshire 16 2 11 3 1 Leicestershire 19 3 12 3 1 Lincolnshire 20 2 12 2 1 Northamptonshire 19 3 13 3 1 Nottinghamshire 20 2 13 3 1 East Midlands Region 19 2 12 3 1 Staffordshire 15 2 12 3 1 Warwickshire 18 2 10 2 1 West Mercia 16 2 10 3 1 West Midlands 16 3 12 3 1 West Midlands Region 16 3 11 3 1 Bedfordshire 17 2 11 3 1 Cambridgeshire 21 2 10 4 1 Essex 16 2 10 2 1 Hertfordshire153951 Norfolk 14 1 10 3 1 Suffolk 17 2 12 2 1 East of England Region 16 2 10 3 1 London, City of4 +++++ Metropolitan Police 29 5981 London Region 30 5981 Hampshire 20 3 12 3 1 Kent 17 2 12 2 1 Surrey 14 3 10 3 1 Sussex 19 2 11 3 1 Thames Valley 21 3 10 3 1 South East Region 19 3 11 3 1 Avon and Somerset 20 2 12 4 1 Devon and Cornwall 13 2 11 3 1 Dorset 20 2 11 2 1 Gloucestershire 16 2 10 3 1 Wiltshire 16 2 10 2 1 South West Region 17 2 11 3 1 England 20 3 11 4 1 Dyfed-Powys91871 Gwent 17 2 14 5 1 North Wales 16 2 13 3 1 South Wales 19 2 13 5 1 Wales 16 2 12 5 1

England and Wales5 20 3 11 4 1 1 The population figures used are the mid-2010 population estimates provided by the Office for National Statistics. See section 8.3 of the User Guide. 2 Numbers will be affected by the size of the resident population relative to the transient or visiting populations and may therefore over-represent the number of crimes relative to the real population of potential victims. 3 Includes theft of motor vehicle, theft from a vehicle, aggravated vehicle taking and interfering with a motor vehicle. 4 ’+’ data for London Region includes the City of London. 5 Total rate for England and Wales includes offences recorded by British Transport Police. However, no rates are given for British Transport Police as their data are not provided for specified geographical areas. Source: Police recorded crime, Home Office. 847W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 848W

Research Unemployment: Statistics Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Chris Kelly: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the Office for National Statistics defines Office (1) what external policy research his Department people in unpaid workfare-style programmes as being has commissioned in each of the last six years; which employed in its Labour Market Statistics. [124129] organisation was commissioned to provide each such piece of research; and what the cost of each such piece Mr Hurd [holding answer 22 October 2012]: The of research was; [122365] information requested falls within the responsibility of (2) what external policy research his Office has the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority commissioned in each of the last six years; which to reply. organisation was commissioned to provide each such Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2012: piece of research; and what the cost of each such piece As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I of research was. [122369] have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking whether the Office for National Statistics defines people in unpaid workfare-style programmes as being employed in its Labour Miss Chloe Smith: Costs incurred from external policy Market Statistics. (124129) research are not separately identified in the Cabinet The ONS collects information on people participating in Office accounting system. government-supported employment and training programmes via As part of the Government’s transparency programme, the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The information includes the details of any spend over £25,000 are published on the name of the programme and the type of activity being undertaken. Department’s website. Since January 2011, all contracts Those participants whose activity comprises any form of work, work experience or work-related training are classified as in over £10,000 in value are published on Contracts Finder: employment. This is regardless of whether the individual is paid http://www.contractsfinder.co.uk/ or not. This classification is in line with recommendations set down by Sportsgrounds: Safety the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which the ONS uses in the LFS to classify individuals into different labour market statuses. Those in employment on government-supported John Mann: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet employment and training programmes comprise one of the Office (1) how many stadia evacuation procedures have elements—alongside employees, the self-employed and unpaid been tested using people in sporting stadia in each of family workers—that make up the total number in employment. the last three years; [123400] (2) what methodology is used for determining the DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER safety of football and other sporting stadia under Research current UK disaster planning procedures. [123401] Chris Kelly: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what Hugh Robertson: I have been asked to reply on behalf external policy research his Office has commissioned in of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. each of the last six years; which organisation was We do not hold records relating to the number of commissioned to provide each such piece of research; tests of stadia evacuation procedures in each of the last and what the cost of each such piece of research was. three years. While the Department for Culture, Media [122368] and Sport is responsible for the Safety of Sports Ground Miss Chloe Smith: Costs incurred from external policy legislation, responsibility for the safety of spectators research are not separately identified in the Cabinet lies at all times with the ground’s management. Office accounting system. Responsibility for certifying and regulating those sports As part of the Government’s transparency programme, grounds is primarily a matter for individual local authorities. details of any spend over £25,000 are published on the The “Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds”, written by Department’s website. Since January 2011, all contracts the Sports Grounds Safety Authority and published by over £10,000 in value are published on Contracts Finder: the Department, includes guidance on the importance http://www.contractsfinder.co.uk/ of regular and detailed inspections and tests, as a necessary and important function of safety management. It recommends that ground management should prepare EDUCATION contingency plans, which include provision for the Children: Day Care evacuation of all people in the event of an emergency from all areas of the ground to a place of safety, and Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for that exercises to test contingency plans should be staged Education (1) what capital will be made available to at least once a year in consultation with the relevant private, voluntary and independent childcare providers authorities and emergency services. to build capacity sufficient to deliver the two year-old Although the Guide has no statutory force, many of offer; [121923] its recommendations may be legal requirements at individual (2) what assessment he has made of the capacity of grounds through their inclusion in safety certificates local authorities to provide sufficient childcare places issued by local authorities under the Safety of Sports to meet the demand for free early years entitlement for Grounds Act 1975 or the Fire Safety and Safety of children aged two years; [121925] Places of Sport Act 1987. The Guide can be found at (3) if he will provide support to help local authorities the following link: to increase local childcare capacity to the levels needed http://safetyatsportsgrounds.org.uk/pdf/ to deliver free early years entitlement for children aged GuidetoSafetyatSportsGrounds.pdf two years. [121926] 849W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 850W

Elizabeth Truss: Local authorities will be under a Elizabeth Truss: The Department holds information duty to secure, rather than to provide, free early education on GCSE entries and grades achieved. It does not hold places for two-year-olds. The Government is providing information on marks awarded. funding to local authorities, rising each year to £760 million in 2014-15, to enable them to secure places for around Pre-school Education 260,000 two-year-olds. The key to securing sufficient places will be to pay early years providers appropriate Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for rates for places, and the Government is taking a number Education whether he plans to implement the of steps to ensure that funding rates are set locally in a recommendation of the Nutbrown Review of early transparent way. The Government is also making available education and childcare qualifications in respect of £100 million in capital funding to local authorities. strengthening the qualifications required for teachers of children in the early years foundation stage. [123360] Education: Standards Elizabeth Truss: Professor Cathy Nutbrown published John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for her final report—“Foundations for Quality”—on 19 Education what assessment he has made of the June. In this, Professor Nutbrown detailed the findings potential effects of air pollution on educational from her review and made a number of recommendations. attainment. [122971] Ministers warmly welcomed Professor Nutbrown’s report at the time of publication and we have been considering Mr Laws: We have not been able to make an assessment in full what she recommended. of the effects of air pollution on educational attainment In terms of next steps, we plan to respond fully to as there are so may confounding variables; however, our Professor Nutbrown’s report later this year. guidance on the ventilation of schools reflect the assessments made by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Indoor Air pollutants1 on the effects on health and also the available research on the effect of ventilation on the BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS cognitive performance of pupils. Carbon dioxide Apprentices: North West concentration has been found to be a good proxy for the effects of other air pollutants and is the basis of current Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for standards for ventilation of schools most recently revised Business, Innovation and Skills how many employers in in July 20062. (a) Denton and Reddish constituency and (b) the 1 COMEAP “Guidance on the Effects on Health of Indoor Air north-west have received payments to take on their first Pollutants”, December 2004 young apprentice under the Government’s incentive 2 Building Bulletin 101, “Ventilation of School Buildings”, v1.4, scheme. [124411] 2006 English Baccalaureate: Special Educational Needs Matthew Hancock: The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE 16-24) provides a £1,500 grant to Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for smaller employers taking on a young apprentice aged 16 Education what consideration he has given to the to 24. Provisional data show that between 1 February potential effect of his proposed reforms on those and 11 June 2012, there were 2,300 apprenticeship starts children with special educational needs who were able for which a payment was made through the AGE 16-24 to undertake GCSE examinations but will not be able scheme. For the north-west region this figure was 440. to complete the proposed English Baccalaureate. We do not have precise figures for the Denton and [123655] Reddish constituency. Information on the number of Apprenticeship starts Elizabeth Truss [holding answer 18 October 2012]: is published in a quarterly Statistical First Release We expect that everyone who now sits a GCSE should (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 11 October be able to take these new qualifications. Ensuring that 2012: our reforms work for pupils with special educational http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ needs is of the upmost importance. Our consultation on statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current/ English Baccalaureate Certificates, which runs to 10 December, seeks views on the potential impact of British Antarctic Survey our proposals on any specific pupil groups. We will also be holding focused discussions with expert SEN groups. Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Consultation responses and feedback from our focused Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on discussions will inform an equalities analysis of our the future work of the British Antarctic Survey; and if proposals which we will publish after the consultation he will make a statement. [123884] closes. Copies of the consultation have been placed in the House Libraries. Mr Willetts [holding answer 19 October 2012]: There is at present no agreed plan to change the status of the GCSE British Antarctic Survey. On 7 June 2012, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) announced that Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for it is looking at merging the scientific and logistics Education how many pupils in (a) England, (b) management of the British Antarctic Survey and the Lancashire and (c) the Hyndburn local authority area National Oceanography Centre to form a single, integrated received lower grades in GCSE examinations in the marine and polar research centre. An open consultation summer of 2012 as a result of changes to the grades of stakeholders and staff was launched on the NERC boundary made prior to the examination. [123575] website and closed on 10 October with 370 responses. 851W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 852W

The NERC Council will reach a decision in due course, The Department does not collect further education informed by the results of the consultation and other information relating to the devolved Administrations. feedback. Table 1: Apprenticeship programme starts and achievements in the Any changes would have no effect on the UK’s ’Construction, Planning and Built Environment’ sector subject area by commitment to scientific excellence in Antarctica nor geography, 2011/12 (provisional) on the existing footprint of scientific bases and research Starts Achievements ships in the South Atlantic. NERC has stated that the Sunderland local 170 130 three NERC sites in Cambridge, Southampton and education authority Liverpool will remain. The British Antarctic Survey North-east region 1,790 1,220 name would be retained for activities and logistics relating England total 22,960 13,620 to the Antarctic and South Atlantic. Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Geographic breakdowns are based upon the home postcode of the learner. British Antarctic Survey: National Oceanography 3. Figures are based on the geographic boundaries as of May 2010. Centre Source: Individualised Learner Record Information on the number of apprenticeship starts Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for by geography is published in a supplementary table to a Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has quarterly Statistical First Release (SFR). The latest made of the likely effect on the international reputation SFR was published on 11 October 2012: of British polar research of the proposed merger of the British Antarctic Survey and the National http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current Oceanography Centre. [124125] http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_supplementary_tables/ Mr Willetts [holding answer 22 October 2012]: There Apprenticeship_sfr_supplementary_tables/ is at present no agreed plan to change the status of the British Antarctic Survey. On 7 June 2012, the Natural Data is not available on the number of companies Environment Research Council (NERC) announced that that have offered Apprenticeships in the Construction Industry in Sunderland. Data from the published 2009 it is looking at merging the scientific and logistics 1 management of the British Antarctic Survey and the National Employer Skills Survey (NESS) show that in National Oceanography Centre to form a single, integrated the north-east, 10% of establishments offered marine and polar research centre. An open consultation apprenticeships across all sectors. of stakeholders and staff was launched on the NERC 1 Figure 8.7, p. 215 in website and closed on 10 October with 370 responses. http://www.ukces.org.uk/assets/ukces/docs/publications/ The NERC Council will reach a decision in due course, evidence-report-23-ness-main-report-2009.pdf informed by the results of the consultation and other accessed on 17 October 2012. feedback. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 Any changes would have no effect on the UK’s commitment to scientific excellence in Antarctica nor Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for on the existing footprint of scientific bases and research Business, Innovation and Skills if he will assess ships in the South Atlantic. The vision for the new whether the impact assessment in respect of the repeal centre is to become by 2020 a world-leading centre for of section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents integrated marine and polar science—from coast to Act 1988 complies with the Government’s Impact deep ocean and from pole to pole. Assessment Guidance 2011. [123498] Construction: Apprentices Jo Swinson [holding answer 18 October 2012]: I confirm the impact assessment on ‘Copyright protection Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for for designs’ was written in accordance with the Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many Government’s impact assessment guidance. companies have participated in apprenticeship schemes in the construction industry in (a) Sunderland and (b) Employee Ownership Scheme the North East in each of the last five years; [123866] (2) how many apprenticeships in the construction Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for industry have been (a) started and (b) completed in (i) Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the Sunderland, (b) the North East and (iii) the UK in the employee ownership scheme he announced on 8 last 12 months for which figures are available. [123907] October 2012, whether he proposes that the plan will be restricted to UK company shares or whether foreign Matthew Hancock: Table 1 shows the provisional company shares and partnership interests will also number of Apprenticeship programme starts and apply. [123612] achievements in Sunderland local education authority, the north-east region and England in the 2011/12 academic Jo Swinson: As part of the consultation process we year (August 2011 to July 2012). are seeking views on what restrictions, if any, should be Provisional data for the 2011/12 academic year provide attached to the issue of shares or type of shares. an early view of performance and will change as further The consultation closes on 8 November 2012. data returns are received from further education colleges and providers. They should not be directly compared Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for with final year data from previous years. Figures for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the 2011/12 will be finalised in January 2013. employee ownership scheme he announced on 853W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 854W

8 October 2012, by what process a reasonable price in Manufacturing Industries: North East relation to the sale of shares back to an employer will be established. [123615] Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to his Jo Swinson: Depending on the design of the forfeiture Department’s Economic Paper, Industrial Strategy: and buy-back requirements, and any tax requirements, UK Sector Analysis, what steps he is taking to a valuation of the shares may be needed. encourage chemical or pharmaceutical industries in the We are currently consulting on how the scheme will north-east; and if he will make a statement. [123916] be implemented and how it will work in practice. The consultation closes on 8 November 2012. Michael Fallon: The Government recognises that chemical Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for and pharmaceutical companies make an important Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the contribution to the north-east region and to the UK employee ownership scheme he announced on economy as a whole. 8 October 2012, whether employees will have the The Government is creating the right environment to opportunity to opt-out of the employee ownership encourage investment in businesses in these sectors scheme. [123616] through the Strategy for UK Life Sciences and initiatives like the Regional Growth Fund, Advanced Manufacturing Jo Swinson: There is no opt-out of this employment Supply Chain Initiative and the Employer Ownership status as the offer of employee owner status is discretionary Pilot that will address barriers to growth, encourage and its acceptance entirely voluntary. innovation and technology commercialisation, exports, We are currently consulting on how the scheme will business investment, and improve skills. The two enterprise be implemented and how it will work in practice. The zones (EZ) in the north-east provide a supportive consultation closes on 8 November 2012. environment for new investments in this sector. In particular six of the 12 Tees Valley EZ sites have been identified as Flexible Working suitable for companies in the chemical sector. Furthermore, the Department is working closely with Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for the chemicals sector as it develops an industry-led strategy Business, Innovation and Skills if his Department will for maintaining and enhancing the competitiveness of encourage employers to introduce working practices the UK chemicals industry, which the Government will such as increased flexitime to ensure that parents are seek to support. The Department awaits the industry able to better support their children’s educational conclusions and recommendations. development. [124104] Regional Growth Fund Jo Swinson: I am convinced that flexible working practices have significant benefits for both employees and employers. Employees who are able to improve Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for their work-life balance are more productive, have less Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff in his sickness absence and are less likely to leave their jobs. Department work on delivering the Regional Growth This is true whether they are parents wanting to spend Fund. [124237] more time with their children, older workers who may wish to request changes to enable them to extend their Michael Fallon [holding answer 22 October 2012]: As working life and better manage their retirement, or of 19 October 2012, there are 52 full-time equivalent younger workers who just have higher expectations of staff working on the administration of the Regional the work-life balance they should expect. Growth Fund (RGF). There are no plans to introduce a specific right for This RGF Secretariat comprises accountants, economists, parents to be able to better support their children’s policy and communications specialists and administrative educational development. However, last year the staff. Government consulted on the extension to the right to The RGF Secretariat also works closely and effectively request flexible working to all employees in line with the with finance and policy staff in the Department for coalition agreement commitment. This extension would Communities and Local Government (DCLG): monitoring allow all employees who want to reconcile their work of RGF projects and programmes is led by DCLG staff responsibilities with other elements of their life to achieve across the regions. a better work-life balance. It would also support parents who are often put off from asking for flexible working Regional Growth Fund: East Midlands because they do not wish to be perceived as prioritising their caring responsibilities over work. I will announce Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for the results of this consultation shortly. Business, Innovation and Skills how much of the Alongside consulting on the legislative extension to Regional Growth Fund was made available to the east the right to request flexible working, the Department is midlands in (a) Round 1 and (b) Round 2. [124286] working with the Department for Work and Pensions to encourage employers to embrace flexible working more Michael Fallon [holding answer 22 October 2012]: widely, especially when they are recruiting new employees. Conditional allocations of £1.4 billion were made in An employer group led by Working Families is making Rounds 1 and 2 of the Regional Growth Fund. Of this, practical recommendations to business on how flexible £16 million and £72 million were allocated to east working can work and how employers can design jobs midlands in Round 1 and 2 respectively. Details of flexibly and build it into an employer’s recruitment Round 3 bidders selected to go forward for due diligence practices. and contracting were announced on 19 October. 855W Written Answers23 OCTOBER 2012 Written Answers 856W

Sunday Trading the Government has received a number of representations from those both in favour and opposed to further deregulation in this area. Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for The Government considered this issue as part of the Business, Innovation and Skills what recent Red Tape Challenge in July 2011. Around 3,000 responses representations he has received on the deregulation of were received relating specifically to Sunday trading. Sunday trading. [124103] Those responses confirmed the strength of feeling on the subject and that opinion remains very much divided Michael Fallon: Since the temporary suspension of for a variety of reasons on both sides. the restrictions on the hours that large shops can open The Government has no plans to change the law on on Sundays during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Sunday trading. ORAL ANSWERS

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Col. No. Col. No. HEALTH...... 813 HEALTH—continued Ambulance Waiting Times...... 815 Mental Health Services ...... 825 Clinical Trials...... 819 Multiple Learning Difficulties (School Provision).. 827 Community Hospitals...... 821 National Pay Arrangements...... 817 Dementia ...... 823 NHS Cost ...... 813 Diabetes and Asthma...... 819 Pancreatic Cancer ...... 824 Domiciliary Care ...... 822 Regional Pay ...... 826 Health Allocation Formula...... 822 Topical Questions ...... 828 Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy ...... 827 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Col. No. Col. No. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 45WS HOME DEPARTMENT—continued Government Olympic Executive (Quarterly Specified Proceedings Processes ...... 49WS Report) ...... 45WS JUSTICE...... 50WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 46WS Economic Crime Committed by Commercial Balance of Competences Review (Progress Organisations: Deferred Prosecution Report) ...... 46WS Agreement (Government Response) ...... 50WS British Embassy (Madagascar) ...... 48WS Effective Community Sentences (Consultation Response)...... 50WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 49WS TRANSPORT ...... 51WS Schengen Evaluation Mechanism...... 49WS HGV Road User Levy...... 51WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 755W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— Confiscation Orders ...... 755W continued Corruption...... 755W Housing: Construction...... 773W Fraud ...... 755W Housing: Floods ...... 773W Local Government ...... 773W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 850W Planning Permission ...... 774W Apprentices: North West...... 850W Sportsgrounds: Safety ...... 774W British Antarctic Survey...... 850W British Antarctic Survey: National Oceanography CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 813W Centre ...... 851W Atos ...... 813W Construction: Apprentices ...... 851W Commonwealth Institute ...... 813W Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 ...... 852W Correspondence ...... 814W Employee Ownership Scheme ...... 852W Creative Partnerships ...... 814W Flexible Working...... 853W Cultural Heritage ...... 814W Manufacturing Industries: North East...... 854W Government Art Collection ...... 815W Regional Growth Fund ...... 854W HMS Victory ...... 815W Regional Growth Fund: East Midlands ...... 854W Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 816W Sunday Trading...... 855W Music: Pilot Schemes ...... 816W Nick King ...... 817W CABINET OFFICE...... 842W Public Libraries...... 818W Charities ...... 842W Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012...... 818W Crimes of Violence...... 842W Swimming Pools: Greater Manchester ...... 818W Research ...... 847W Television: Sports...... 818W Sportsgrounds: Safety ...... 847W Unemployment: Statistics ...... 848W DEFENCE...... 805W Afghanistan ...... 805W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 771W Aircraft Carriers ...... 806W Council Housing...... 771W Apache Helicopters...... 806W Emergencies: Sportsgrounds ...... 772W Armoured Fighting Vehicles ...... 806W Fire services ...... 772W Atos ...... 807W Housing Benefit ...... 772W Challenger Tanks ...... 807W Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE—continued HEALTH—continued Defence Procurement...... 807W Health Services: Overseas Visitors ...... 779W Defence Technology Centres...... 807W Health Services: Rehabilitation ...... 780W European Fighter Aircraft ...... 808W Health Services: Weather...... 780W Fleet Air Arm ...... 808W Heart Diseases: Children...... 780W Gibraltar: Spain ...... 808W Kent Health Commission...... 775W Guided Weapons...... 808W Lung Diseases...... 781W HMS Ocean ...... 808W National Pay Arrangements...... 776W Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft...... 809W NHS: Vetting ...... 781W Libya: Military Intervention ...... 809W NHS: Working Hours ...... 781W Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre...... 809W Prosthetics...... 782W Military Aircraft ...... 810W Regional Pay ...... 775W Military Aircraft: Helicopters ...... 810W Sleep Apnoea ...... 783W Military Exercises ...... 811W Streptococcus...... 783W Territorial Army ...... 811W Vulnerable Adults: Coastal Areas ...... 784W Unmanned Air Vehicles ...... 812W Warrington Hospital...... 774W Voyager Aircraft...... 812W Wildcat Helicopters...... 813W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 757W Asylum: Greece...... 757W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 848W Atos ...... 757W Research ...... 848W Burglary: Greater Manchester...... 757W Counter-terrorism ...... 758W EDUCATION...... 848W Crime...... 758W Children: Day Care ...... 848W Crimes of Violence...... 758W Education: Standards...... 849W Deportation ...... 759W English Baccalaureate: Special Educational Deportation: Offenders...... 759W Needs...... 849W Emergencies: Hazardous Substances...... 760W GCSE ...... 849W English Defence League: Rotherham ...... 761W Pre-school Education...... 850W Essex Police Authority ...... 761W Extradition...... 761W ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 755W Immigration: EU Nationals ...... 762W Electoral Register...... 755W Licensing Act 2003...... 762W Police and Crime Commissioners: Elections ...... 756W Members: Correspondence ...... 763W Offences Against Children ...... 763W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE...... 753W Police and Crime Commissioners...... 763W Electricity Generation...... 753W Police and Crime Commissioners: Wales...... 764W Energy: Prices ...... 753W Police Community Support Officers...... 764W Nuclear Reactors ...... 754W Police Community Support Officers: Lancashire ... 764W Warm Home Discount Scheme ...... 754W Police: Early Retirement...... 764W Police: Essex...... 765W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Police: Finance...... 765W AFFAIRS...... 799W Police: ICT...... 766W Apprentices...... 799W Vetting ...... 766W Control of Dogs Order 1992 ...... 799W Horseshoes...... 800W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 784W Pets: Animal Welfare...... 800W Atos ...... 784W Plastics: Recycling...... 800W Bangladesh...... 784W Waste Management...... 801W Developing Countries: Private Sector...... 794W Members: Correspondence ...... 794W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 795W Overseas Aid...... 794W Capital Punishment...... 795W Rwanda...... 794W Indonesia ...... 796W Kenya...... 797W JUSTICE...... 819W Mali ...... 798W Burglary...... 819W Middle East ...... 798W Burglary: Crimes of Violence...... 827W Sierra Leone...... 798W Fraud: Social Security Benefits ...... 827W Fraud: Welfare Tax Credits ...... 827W HEALTH...... 774W Homicide: Sentencing ...... 828W Abortion ...... 776W International Convention for the Protection of All Atos ...... 776W Persons From Enforced Disappearance ...... 828W Bariatric Surgery...... 775W Legal Aid Scheme ...... 829W Blood Diseases...... 777W Police Cautions ...... 830W Care Homes ...... 777W Prisons: Contracts for Services...... 831W Dementia ...... 777W Prisons: Private Sector ...... 832W Diabetes and Asthma...... 775W Prosecutions...... 832W Drugs: Misuse...... 778W Training ...... 832W East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust...... 778W Young Offenders: Domestic Violence...... 833W Emergencies: Hazardous Substances...... 778W Young Offenders: Prisoners’ Release ...... 833W Epilepsy: Children...... 778W Health and Social Care Act...... 774W PRIME MINISTER ...... 756W Health Services: Homelessness...... 779W Jimmy Savile ...... 756W Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT ...... 766W TREASURY—continued Bus Services: Bristol...... 766W Revenue and Customs: Northern Ireland...... 804W East Coast Railway Line ...... 767W Terrorism ...... 804W Electric Vehicles ...... 767W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 834W High Speed 2 Railway Line ...... 768W Defibrillators ...... 834W Motor Vehicles: Insurance ...... 769W Families ...... 834W Staff ...... 769W New Enterprise Allowance...... 834W West Coast Railway Line: Fares ...... 770W Occupational Pensions...... 835W West Coast Railway Line: Franchises...... 770W Pensioners: British Nationals Abroad ...... 835W Pensions...... 835W TREASURY ...... 801W Personal Independence Payment...... 836W Air Passenger Duty ...... 801W Remploy: Barrow in Furness...... 838W Air Passenger Duty: Northern Ireland...... 802W Scotland...... 838W Child Trust Fund ...... 802W Social Security Benefits...... 838W Green Investment Bank ...... 802W State Retirement Pensions...... 839W Members: Correspondence ...... 802W Universal Credit...... 840W National Loan Guarantee Scheme...... 803W Universal Credit: Greater London ...... 840W Non-domestic Rates...... 803W Welfare Assistance Scheme ...... 841W Poverty...... 803W Work Capability Assessment: South West...... 841W Public Expenditure...... 804W Work Programme...... 841W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. 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not later than Tuesday 30 October 2012

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CONTENTS

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 813] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Health

Bovine TB and Badger Control [Col. 835] Statement—(Mr Paterson)

Careers Advice in Schools for 12-16 Year Olds [Col. 858] Motion for leave to bring in Bill—(Gordon Birtwistle)—agreed to Bill presented, and read the First time

HGV Road User Levy Bill (Ways and Means) [Col. 861] Motion—(Norman Baker)—agreed to

HGV Road User Levy Bill [Col. 890] Bill presented, and read the First time

Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Bill (Money) [Col. 891] Motion—(Brandon Lewis)—agreed to

Lead Shot [Col. 895] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Transport Infrastructure (Essex) [Col. 189WH] Democratic Republic of the Congo [Col. 213WH] Post-2015 Development Agenda [Col. 220WH] Fuel Poverty [Col. 238WH] School Funding (Worcestershire) [Col. 245WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 45WS]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 753W] [see index inside back page]