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Home , Anne Snelgrove, Boris Johnson, Fraser Kemp, Iain Duncan Smith, Lorely Burt, Nigel Waterson

Monday Volume 511 7 June 2010 No. 10

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES ()

Monday 7 June 2010

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

MEMBERS OF THE CABINET

(FORMED BY THE RT HON.,MP,MAY 2010)

PRIME MINISTER,FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE—The Rt Hon. David Cameron, MP DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL—The Rt Hon. , MP AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS—The Rt Hon. , MP CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt Hon. , MP AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE—The Rt Hon. , QC, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITIES—The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE—The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS,INNOVATION AND SKILLS—The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WORK AND PENSIONS—The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENERGY AND —The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH—The Rt Hon. , CBE, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION—The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT—The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT—The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT,FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS—The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT—The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR —The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR —Michael Moore, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR —The Rt Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CULTURE,OLYMPICS,MEDIA AND SPORT—The Rt Hon. , MP CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY—The Rt Hon. , MP LEADER OF THE AND CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER—The Rt Hon. Lord Strathclyde MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO—The Rt Hon. Baroness Warsi

DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND MINISTERS Business, Innovation and Skills— SECRETARY OF STATE AND PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE—The Rt Hon. Vince Cable, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Minister for Universities and Science—, MP John Hayes, MP Mark Prisk, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Edward Davey, MP Edward Vaizey, MP § Baroness Wilcox — MINISTER FOR THE CABINET OFFICE AND —The Rt Hon. , MP MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt Hon. , MP PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES— , MP , MP Communities and Local Government— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Eric Pickles, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— , MP , MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— , OBE, MP Robert Neill, MP Baroness Hanham, CBE ii HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont.

Culture, Media and Sport— SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CULTURE,OLYMPICS,MEDIA AND SPORT—The Rt Hon. Jeremy Hunt, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— , MP Hugh Robertson, MP Edward Vaizey, MP § Defence— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Liam Fox, MP MINISTER OF STATE—Nick Harvey, MP (Minister for the Armed Forces) PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Gerald Howarth, MP Andrew Robathan, MP Peter Luff, MP Lord Astor of Hever, DL § Duchy of Lancaster— LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER—The Rt Hon. Lord Strathclyde Education— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Michael Gove, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Sarah Teather, MP , MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Tim Loughton, MP Lord Hill of Oareford Energy and Climate Change— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Chris Huhne, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— , MP Gregory Barker, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Lord Marland Environment, Food and Rural Affairs— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Caroline Spelman, MP MINISTER OF STATE—James Paice, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— , MP Lord Henley Foreign and Commonwealth Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. William Hague, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Jeremy Browne, MP Minister for Europe—, MP The Rt Hon. Lord Howell of Guildford PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Henry Bellingham, MP , MP Government Equalities Office— MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITIES—The Rt Hon. Theresa May, MP § MINISTER FOR EQUALITIES—, MP § Health— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Andrew Lansley, CBE, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Paul Burstow, MP Simon Burns, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— , MP Earl Howe — SECRETARY OF STATE AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITIES—The Rt Hon. Theresa May, MP § MINISTERS OF STATE— Minister for Immigration—, MP Minister for Police—Nick Herbert, MP § —Baroness Neville-Jones PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Lynne Featherstone, MP (Minister for Equalities) § , MP HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont. iii

International Development— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Andrew Mitchell, MP MINISTER OF STATE—, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Stephen O’Brien, MP Justice— LORD CHANCELLOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Kenneth Clarke, QC, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. Lord McNally Nick Herbert, MP § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— , MP Jonathan Djanogly, MP Law Officers— ATTORNEY-GENERAL—, QC, MP SOLICITOR-GENERAL—, QC, MP ADVOCATE-GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND—The Rt Hon. Lord Wallace of Tankerness, QC Leader of the House of Commons— LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND —The Rt Hon. Sir George Young, MP PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—David Heath, CBE, MP Northern Ireland— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Owen Paterson, MP MINISTER OF STATE—Hugo Swire, MP Privy Council Office— DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL—The Rt Hon. Nick Clegg, MP Scotland Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—Michael Moore, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—, MP Transport— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Philip Hammond, MP MINISTER OF STATE—, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Norman Baker, MP , MP Treasury— PRIME MINISTER,FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE—The Rt Hon. David Cameron, MP CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt Hon. George Osborne, MP CHIEF SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Danny Alexander, MP FINANCIAL SECRETARY—, MP EXCHEQUER SECRETARY—, MP ECONOMIC SECRETARY—, MP COMMERCIAL SECRETARY—Lord Sassoon PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Patrick McLoughlin, MP — Michael Fabricant, MP , MP , MP Brooks Newmark, MP , MP ASSISTANT WHIPS— Philip Dunne, MP , MP , MP Shailesh Vara, MP Bill Wiggin, MP , MP Norman Lamb, MP Mark Hunter, MP iv HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont.

Wales Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Cheryl Gillan, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—David Jones, MP Work and Pensions— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Iain Duncan Smith, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— , MP Steve Webb, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— , MP Lord Freud Her Majesty’s Household— LORD CHAMBERLAIN—The Rt Hon. Earl Peel, GCVO, DL LORD STEWARD—The Earl of Dalhousie MASTER OF THE HORSE—Lord Vestey, KCVO TREASURER—John Randall, MP COMPTROLLER—, MP VICE-CHAMBERLAIN—, MP CAPTAIN OF THE HONOURABLE CORPS OF GENTLEMEN-AT-ARMS—The Rt Hon. Baroness Anelay of St Johns, DBE CAPTAIN OF THE QUEEN’S BODYGUARD OF THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD—The Rt Hon. Lord Shutt of Greetland, OBE BARONESSES IN WAITING—Baroness Northover, Baroness Rawlings, Baroness Verma LORDS IN WAITING—Earl Attlee, Lord Astor of Hever §, DL, Lord De Mauley, TD, Lord Taylor of Holbeach, CBE, Lord Wallace of Saltaire

§ Members of the Government with responsibilities in more than one area

SECOND CHURCH ESTATES COMMISSIONER, REPRESENTING —Sir Stuart Bell, MP HOUSE OF COMMONS

THE SPEAKER—The Rt Hon. , MP

DEPUTY SPEAKERS (TEMPORARY)—The Rt Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP, Hugh Bayley, MP

CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS— FIRST DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS— SECOND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—

PANEL OF CHAIRS— Mr David Amess, MP, Hugh Bayley, MP, Miss Anne Begg, MP, Mr Joe Benton, MP, Mr Clive Betts, MP, Mr Graham Brady, MP, Martin Caton, MP, Mr Christopher Chope, MP, Mr , MP, Mr , MP, Mr Mike Hancock, MP, Mr Jim Hood, MP, The Rt Hon. George Howarth, MP, Dr William McCrea, MP, Jim Sheridan, MP, Mr , MP, Joan Walley, MP, Mr Mike Weir, MP, Hywel Williams, MP

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION The Rt Hon. The Speaker (Chairman), Sir Stuart Bell, MP, Nick Harvey, MP, The Rt Hon. Rosie Winterton, MP, The Rt Hon. Sir George Young,MP SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION—Dorian Gerhold ASSISTANT SECRETARY—Robert Cope

ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATE AUDIT COMMITTEE Clive Betts, MP, Nick Harvey, MP, Mark Clarke, Alex Jablonowski, David Taylor SECRETARY OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE—Hannah White, PhD

MANAGEMENT BOARD Malcolm Jack, PhD (Chief Executive), Robert Rogers (Director General, Chamber and Committee Services), John Pullinger (Director General, Information Services), Andrew Walker (Director General, Resources), John Borley, CB (Director General, Facilities), Joan Miller (Director of Parliamentary ICT) (External Member), Alex Jablonowski (External Member) SECRETARY OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD—Philippa Helme

SPEAKER’S SECRETARY—Angus Sinclair SPEAKER’S COUNSEL—Michael Carpenter SPEAKER’S CHAPLAIN—Rev. Canon Robert Wright MEDICAL ADVISER TO THE SPEAKER—Dr Ron Zeegen, OBE, FRCP, MRCS, DObst, RCOG

PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER FOR STANDARDS—John Lyon, CB

PARLIAMENTARY SECURITY CO-ORDINATOR—Peter Mason

7 June 2010

THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES OFFICIAL REPORT

IN THE FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FIFTH OF THE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND [WHICH OPENED 18 MAY 2010]

FIFTY-NINTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

SIXTH SERIES VOLUME 511 SECOND VOLUME OF SESSION 2010-2011

Tony Baldry: It is very good to see my hon. Friend at House of Commons the Government Dispatch Box. Will he ensure that schools have sufficient powers and funds to offer generous Monday 7 June 2010 retention bonuses to teachers of shortage subjects, and that schools with retention problems are fully aware of The House met at half-past Two o’clock such powers?

PRAYERS Tim Loughton: am very grateful to my hon. Friend for those comments; it has been a long time coming. We are certainly considering how schools can be further [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] encouraged to use the existing recruitment and retention pay flexibilities which are available to address local Member Sworn teacher shortages in maths and other priority subjects. The following Member took and subscribed the Oath Head teachers already have some scope to do that, but required by law: we plan to reform the existing, rigid national pay and Right honourable Stephen Creswell Timms, for East conditions so that schools have greater freedoms to Ham attract top science and maths graduates, along with others as they see fit, to be teachers. Such academy-style freedoms are being debated in other place as part of the Oral Answers to Questions Academies Bill. Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab): On behalf of the whole House, let me welcome my right hon. Friend the EDUCATION Member for East Ham (Mr Timms) back to his rightful place. The Secretary of State was asked— May I warmly welcome the hon. Gentleman to his Science and Maths Graduates (Teaching) position as Under-Secretary of State? If he keeps his nose clean and pulls his socks up, he might become a 1. Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): What plans his Minister of State, although I think he will have to Department has to attract more top science and become a Liberal Democrat for that to happen. May I mathematics graduates to be teachers. [000801] also welcome the rest of the ministerial team to their posts and wish them all the very best with their The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education responsibilities? (Tim Loughton): There is clearly a problem with a shortage of specialist teachers, as only 47% of mathematics We agree with motivating and encouraging more teachers and 58% of combined science teachers have graduates of science and maths into teaching. On the first degrees in the subjects that they teach. We need to basis of that encouraging and motivational language, do more to encourage pupils to study sciences and will the hon. Gentleman comment on the remarks maths, and encourage graduates to enter teaching in made by the Minister for Schools, who is reported to those subjects. Therefore, we are actively reviewing the have said: routes into teaching and bursaries, along with other “I would rather have a physics graduate from without incentives offered to well qualified people who want to a PGCE teaching in a school than a physics graduate from one of teach science and maths. the rubbish universities with a PGCE”? 3 Oral Answers7 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 4

Would the Under-Secretary like to apologise on behalf in terms of funding and admissions? In particular, what of his hon. Friend, or at least provide the House with a role does he see for local authorities under the new list of “rubbish universities”, so that graduates from regime? those institutions need not apply for teaching posts under this new Government? Michael Gove: The hon. Gentleman was a distinguished Minister for School Standards in the last Government. Tim Loughton: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman He will know that academies will have to abide by the for his opening comments. I will certainly keep my nose admissions code, and that admissions will therefore be clean and pull my socks up, if that is what he thinks is fair. He will also know that academies will not enjoy required. I know the job of opposition too well: the job preferential funding, and that we are absolutely committed of opposition is to scrabble around to make trivia to ensuring that local authorities continue to play a newsworthy, and I congratulate him, on his debut on strong strategic role. I was delighted to be able to write the Opposition Benches, on doing that. I am not going to the Local Government Association to affirm my to comment on that trivia, but let me be clear when I say commitment to working with it in order to achieve that. that we have many very talented teachers in schools today. We intend to build on that and ensure that Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con): I am organisations outside the reach of government, such as sure the Secretary of State will know that there are Teach First, are given the opportunity to expand and some excellent schools in my constituency, but there is that we support them in doing so. I am sure we can all also a fast-growing need for more school places at both agree that we have great universities in this country. primary and secondary level. Does he agree that Toby This Government are committed to supporting those Young’s excellent and well documented campaign for a universities, as we recognise the importance of all new free academy school in Acton deserves the fullest universities, courses and degrees, which, through their support at all levels? rigour, increase the intellectual capability of the nation and its skills base. Michael Gove: Thanks to my hon. Friend’s impassioned advocacy, I have been able to visit some of the superb schools in Ealing, and I know that they are currently led Autonomy for Schools by a wonderful team of head teachers. I also know, however, that throughout west and south there 2. Dr John Pugh (Southport) (LD): If he will publish are increasing pressures on pupil numbers, and I therefore each representation his Department has received from welcome expressions of interest from everyone who is (a) head teachers and (b) associations representing dedicated to improving state education and creating head teachers in favour of greater autonomy for new comprehensive school provision. schools. [000802] The gentleman whom my hon. Friend mentioned, Mr , is one of the most fluent advocates of The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): opening up the supply of state education. I note that the My Department has received more than 1,100 expressions right hon. Member for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls) of interest from schools in relation to my offer to open said that he welcomed Mr Young’s proposal, and that up the academies programme to all primary, secondary he hoped to be present to open the school in due course. and special schools. I hope to join him then. Building Schools for the Future Dr Pugh: I am grateful for that brief answer, but perhaps the Secretary of State will acknowledge, in these days of evidence-led policy, that there is limited 3. Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): What plans he evidence of schools demanding freedom from local has for the Building Schools for the Future programme. authorities, as opposed to freedom from central [000803] Government tinkering. Also, the majority of schools targeted to become the new academies became 5. Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): What “outstanding” schools within the local authority family. recent discussions he has had with local authorities on Finally, it is rather hard to become better than outstanding. plans for the Building Schools for the Future programme. [000805]

Michael Gove: Evidence shows that academy freedoms The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): have a key role to play in driving up standards, and that My Department is currently reviewing the Building academy schools have improved their academic results Schools for the Future programme to ensure that we at twice the rate of other schools as a result of using can build schools more effectively and more cost-efficiently those freedoms. Moreover, the specific freedoms that an in the future. overwhelming number of head teachers wish to acquire will be used not only to improve the education of Bill Esterson: Cancelling Building Schools for the children in those schools, but to help other schools Future would hit two schools in my constituency, Crosby which desperately need freedom from local and central and Chesterfield high schools. Does the Secretary of bureaucracy in order to drive up standards for all. State agree that it would also damage the recovery by taking much-needed work away from construction workers Stephen Twigg (, West Derby) (Lab/Co-op): and small businesses? I believe that the principle of autonomy will be supported in schools throughout the country, but how would the Michael Gove: I welcome the hon. Gentleman to the Secretary of State balance it with the need for fairness House. 5 Oral Answers7 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 6

I intend to ensure that we prioritise capital spending House details of the £670 million of departmental cuts to ensure that in areas of real need, the taxpayer and and the £1.2 billion of local government cuts he has teachers are given better value for money. The hon. announced. Twenty minutes before questions, I received Gentleman will be aware that under the last Government an answer. That answer gives no reassurance at all to a significant amount of the cash that was devoted to the hundreds of schools whose new building plans Building Schools for the Future was spent on consultancy appear to be in limbo—and I must say that this is no and other costs, which did not contribute directly to way to make announcements to the House of Commons. raising standards or to employing a single builder or In that letter, the right hon. Gentleman does confirm plasterer, or anyone else whom he would no doubt wish that he is cutting free school meals in primary schools, to continue to see employed. I therefore hope that he one-to-one tuition and the gifted and talented programme, will work with me to ensure that, in Sefton and elsewhere, but there are no details at all of how cuts to local we do everything possible to ensure that we obtain government budgets will affect children’s services, including better value for money from this programme. services for looked-after children and disabled children, youth clubs and action to reduce teenage pregnancy. Alex Cunningham: The Secretary of State must be Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm whether he was aware of the considerable anxiety in communities about advised that by agreeing to smaller central Government the fact that their new secondary school programme savings than his Department’s equal share, he has knowingly remains very much in doubt. Some £5 million has been shifted the burden to bigger and more damaging cuts invested by Stockton borough council and partners, for essential children’s services financed by local and they are hurtling towards appointing a preferred governments: yes or no? bidder. Will the Secretary of State please assure the people of my constituency, who have not had a new Michael Gove: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for secondary school for 40 years, that children in our area avoiding the Labour leadership hustings in Southport can still look forward to their new and redeveloped and instead making his presence felt here today. I am schools? afraid, however, that the points he made were, perhaps unintentionally, at variance with the facts. We are not Michael Gove: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his stopping anyone who currently receives free school question, and welcome him to his place. meals receiving free school meals. We are ensuring that I know that in Stockton there are real areas of need funding is in place to cover the areas he mentioned. and deprivation, and I know that the hon. Gentleman What we are specifically doing is cutting £359 million will raise his voice on their behalf. I also know that from a variety of budget areas that, in our judgment, Stockton has reached the outline business case stage of are not priority and front-line areas. Details are in the the Building Schools for the Future programme, and letter I sent to the right hon. Gentleman, a copy of that a significant amount has been invested—more, which will be available in the Library. As the right hon. perhaps, than needed to be invested, because of the Gentleman knows, we are not cutting front-line spending additional bureaucracy. I intend to ensure in future that on schools, but before the general election he promised the costs faced either by Stockton or by any other local to cut 3,000 head teachers or deputy head teachers. Not authority are reduced to the absolute minimum, so that a single front-line job is lost as a result of the economies we can prioritise front-line funding. the current Government have made. That is the difference between us. Sir (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): Is the Secretary of State aware that Building Schools for the Ed Balls: I showed the House the courtesy of coming Future did not provide properly for schools that perform to questions rather than going to a GMB conference, well but have buildings in a disgraceful state, such as the and I think the right hon. Gentleman should have Duchess’s community high school in Alnwick, and can shown the House the courtesy of making his cuts he offer any hope to schools in that position, whose announcement in a written ministerial statement or oral record of good results impairs their ability to get buildings statement to this House, in which he made it clear that they desperately need? children across the country in the pilot areas will be losing the free school meals that we announced some Michael Gove: My right hon. Friend makes a very weeks ago. good point. The aim of Building Schools for the Future was to ensure that funding is prioritised for areas of Let me ask the right hon. Gentleman a second question, need, and understandably so, but it is also the case that however, as we got no answer to the first. Last Wednesday, Building Schools for the Future amounts to less than the Prime Minister told the House that the pupil premium half the total available schools capital, and there are will be additional to the education budget. In the formal funds available to repair schools such as the Duchess’s post-election coalition talks, the right hon. Member for high school in Alnwick, which I and the Minister of Yeovil (Mr Laws) and Chief Secretary told me that the State, my hon. Friend the Member for Bognor Regis Conservative party had promised the Liberal Democrats and Littlehampton (Mr Gibb), have visited, and which, that the pupil premium would be on top of our announced having visited, I know are in need of repair. I will look spending plans not for one year but for three years, yet sympathetically on the case my right hon. Friend makes, the Secretary of State told the House last week that his and I hope that I or one of my ministerial colleagues budget was protected for only one year. Who is telling will have a chance to visit Alnwick soon to see for the truth on education spending: the Secretary of State ourselves how the school is coping. or the Chief Secretary to the Treasury?

Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood) (Lab/Co-op): I wrote Michael Gove: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman to the Secretary of State last night to request that, two for revealing what went on in those coalition talks weeks on from the Treasury announcement, he give this between himself and the Liberal Democrats. Those 7 Oral Answers7 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 8 talks were clearly a roaring success, and I am surprised case—[HON.MEMBERS: “When?”] I hope to have the that his recollection is so perfect in that area when it is opportunity very soon to explain to the hon. Gentleman hazy in so many others. Let me reassure him that and others exactly when the review I am conducting is funding for the pupil premium—so effectively championed being concluded. by the right hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr Laws), and so effectively carried forward by the Minister of State, the Academies hon. Member for Brent Central (Sarah Teather)—will come from outside existing education spending. As the Prime Minister pointed out at Prime Minister’s questions 6. (Harrow East) (Con): What progress last week, we have not cut front-line spending, but the has been made on the academies programme in the last right hon. Gentleman would have. That is the difference 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [000806] between the Government and the Opposition. The Minister of State, Building Schools for the Future (Nottinghamshire) (Mr Nick Gibb): There are currently 203 academies open in 83 local authorities. More academies will open in September, with numbers continuing to grow each 4. Mr Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con): What plans year now that the programme has been opened up to all he has for the Building Schools for the Future schools. For the academies with results in 2008 and programme in Nottinghamshire; and if he will make a 2009, the increase in the proportion of pupils achieving statement. [000804] at least five A* to C GCSEs including English and maths is 5 percentage points, an increase on last year’s The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): academy improvement rate of 4.3 percentage points, This Department is reviewing the Building Schools for which is double the national average. the Future programme to ensure that when we build schools for the future, we do so in a more cost-effective and efficient fashion. Bob Blackman: Progress in opening academies under the last Government was extremely slow.Some 1,100 schools Mr Spencer: Will the Secretary of State take the have applied for freedom from local authority interference, opportunity at some point to visit Sherwood? There are and freedom to set their own standards to ensure they two schools specifically affected by this programme: demonstrate the highest possible quality. What comfort Dukeries college in Ollerton, and Joseph Whitaker college can the Minister give to ensure that those applications in Rainworth. Is the Secretary of State aware that will all be honoured, and that those schools will not be Nottinghamshire county council has spent £5 million dissatisfied? on this scheme without a single brick being laid? What we really want is an indication of the time scale, so Mr Gibb: I hope I can give my hon. Friend the those schools can make plans for their future. comfort he seeks. Of the 1,100 schools that have applied, 626 are outstanding and we have said that we will Michael Gove: I thank my hon. Friend for his question; provide them with a fast-tracking process. That should if he continues asking great questions like that, he will give him the comfort he seeks. very shortly be my right hon. Friend. I do sympathise with him—both Dukeries college and Joseph Whitaker (Gedling) (Lab): May I welcome the college do a fantastic job for the young people in their hon. Gentleman to his post and wish him well in it? He care, and they are very fortunate to have him as an shadowed me on a number of occasions, and now I am impassioned champion on their behalf. I am actively shadowing him. However, is not the excellent progress reviewing how we can ensure that the maximum amount made by academies in the past 12 months the result of of money goes to schools, and as he rightly points out, the involvement in their development of parents and it is quite wrong that local authorities should have to teachers and, as the hon. Member for Southport (Dr Pugh) spend so much money on bureaucracy before a single said, of local authorities? Is placing such power in the brick is laid or a single contractor is engaged. It is quite hands of the Secretary of State not therefore a huge wrong that a bureaucratic system put in place under the step backwards and a hugely centralising measure? Why previous Government should prevent money from going are local decision making on the development of academies, where it deserves to go—to the front line, so that all our parent power and devolution being replaced by children can be better educated. centralisation and the exclusion of parents, local authorities and teachers from that process? Christopher Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): There is a lot of concern in Nottingham about the right Mr Gibb: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his hon. Gentleman’s “review” of Building Schools for the kind words; it is nice to be on the Government side of Future. Can he get rid of some of that uncertainty by the House, instead of on the other side. However, this is saying specifically by what date that review will be over, not a centralising but a decentralising measure, beyond particularly of wave 5? Will it be in the next week, in the local authority and down to the school level. This is two weeks, in three weeks—can he give us a date? about trusting professionals and having faith in the autonomy of schools. Our advice to schools is that it is Michael Gove: The hon. Gentleman is of course a important for them to discuss with parents and pupils former Minister, and talking of dates, I would love their intention to convert. Existing legislation for setting to have a date with him so that we can discuss up academies does not require such consultation with exactly how poorly Nottinghamshire was being parents, so even when the hon. Gentleman was the treated by the last Government, and the fact that Minister for Schools, there was no requirement for Nottinghamshire has just reached its outline business academies to consult parents. 9 Oral Answers7 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 10

Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) Sarah Teather: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his (LD): I warmly welcome all the Ministers to their posts. kind remarks about the pride of place in which the May I ask a question both as a Member of Parliament coalition document is held, but I suggest that he should and as the chair of governors of a get better material to read before he goes to bed. [HON. primary school? Could the follow-up to the Secretary of MEMBERS: “Ooh!”] It is a very good read, but it is not State’s letter to outstanding schools such as ours include necessarily the most riveting. A number of important a letter to the chair of governors setting out the advantages reviews have taken place in this area, for example, the and disadvantages of academy status to schools, and Lamb and Balchin reviews. Ofsted is also about to the advantages and disadvantages, if any, to local authorities produce a review of special educational needs, and I and to diocesan boards of education? shall take great note of all those as we consider the way forward. Mr Gibb: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. Of course the advantages of academy status Diana R. Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): are very clear: this is about trusting professionals to run I welcome the hon. Lady to her new position, wish her their schools without interference from politicians and well and compliment her on wearing her new team’s bureaucrats, either locally or nationally. I am sure that colours today. all the people he refers to will be aware of that. In the Mr Speaker, you will recall that earlier this year, at last set that we have seen—that of 2009—the results of Clarence house and in the presence of His Royal Highness a third of all academies showed an increase of more the Prince of Wales, the Labour Government announced than 15 percentage points compared with those of the the provision of £500,000 towards the establishment of schools they replaced, so the advantages of academy a stammering centre in the north of England to complement status are very clear. the excellent work of the Michael Palin centre in London. Will the hon. Lady reassure the House that the money Special Educational Needs for this important work for children with speech and language difficulties in the north of England will still be provided—yes or no? 7. Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op): What steps he plans to take to support children with special Sarah Teather: I thank the hon. Lady for her remarks; educational needs. [000807] I must tell her that my dress is just in fashion. I will have to look into the detail of her question and write to her, The Minister of State, Department for Education if that is okay. (Sarah Teather): We will reform the schools system so that children with special educational needs and disabilities Academies get the best possible support. We will improve diagnostic assessment for schoolchildren, prevent the unnecessary closure of special schools and remove the bias towards 8. (Hastings and Rye) (Con): What inclusion to give parents more choice. assessment he has made of the prospects for progress on the academies programme; and if he will make a statement. [000808] Stella Creasy: Given that one in five children in this country has identified special educational needs, what 11. (Henley) (Con): What recent assessment measures will the new Government take to ensure that he has made of progress on the academies programme; they are able to access the same level of funding and and if he will make a statement. [000811] services for the provision of their teaching that they enjoyed under the previous Administration? How will The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): any such measure fit into the new free school model that There are currently 203 academies open in 83 local the Government propose, given the role currently played authorities. Academies with results in 2008 and 2009 by local authorities in providing those services? showed an increase in the proportion of pupils achieving at least five A to C GCSEs, including English and Sarah Teather: Nothing has actually changed in the maths, at 5 percentage points—an increase on last year’s relationship between local authorities, academies and academy improvement rate of 4.3 percentage points. free schools with regard to special educational needs. That was, of course, double the national increase. Interest Schools will continue to get the funding that they need, from schools in joining the academies programme has and local authorities will continue to have a very important been excellent: as I mentioned earlier, more than 1,100 co-ordinating role. We will work very closely with the schools have already registered interest with my Department. Local Government Association to ensure that these proposals are implemented in a way that ensures that Amber Rudd: I know that the Secretary of State is schools get the funding they need. aware that in Hastings we have two new academies scheduled for next year. We are very pleased to have two Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): The copy very important sponsors—Brighton university and BT. of the coalition agreement, which enjoys pride of place May I ask what plans he has, and what steps can be on my bedside table, does indeed say exactly what the taken, to encourage a high quality of sponsors to Minister said in her reply about ending the bias towards participate in the academies? inclusion and preventing the unnecessary closure of special schools. Will she explain to the House in a little Michael Gove: I thank my hon. Friend for her more detail how the Government propose to fulfil those impassioned advocacy for improving educational praiseworthy pledges? opportunities for children in her constituency. I had a 11 Oral Answers7 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 12 chance to see just how dedicated she is to supporting Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): Under the Academies them when I visited her constituency during the general Bill, the sole arbiter of applications for academies is the election campaign. governing body. Will the Secretary of State ensure that Those who wish to sponsor academies have repeatedly the wider community has an interest in this matter? Not said to me, in opposition and in government, that the only the governing body should be included, but parents, bureaucratic burdens laid on them by the previous local authorities and the wider community so that it Government acted as an impediment to their doing the understands the needs of the many and not just the few. work they wanted to do to help children in disadvantaged areas. Academies Association, under Michael Gove: It is because I am committed to the Mike Butler, wrote to a Minister of State in the previous needs of the many and not just the few that I want to see Government and pointed out that the work he was this programme, which has done so much to raise trying to do to help disadvantaged children was directly attainment for disadvantaged children, move forward. I impeded by the bureaucratic burden imposed on him by would like to see governors and head teachers working the then Secretary of State. I am confident that an with other schools and other groups within the community increasing number of sponsors, philanthropists, charities to drive up attainment. That is why those who currently and others who want to help our poorest children will lead our schools will, I know, have those conversations. find that the changes we are bringing about enable them I prefer to give them the freedom to do so rather than to to do a fantastic job, not just in Hastings but across the patronise and to busybody by insisting that they do so. country. Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): John Howell: I congratulate the Secretary of State on May I ask the Secretary of State whether the academies his plans to revitalise the academies scheme. A great programme will continue to provide an alternative route number of schools are looking forward to embracing to accessing funds for new school buildings? I am the academies freedoms that will come with it, including thinking in particular of Withernsea high school in my the in Culham in my constituency, constituency. I wonder whether he or the Minister with which is seeking to use its specialist multi-language responsibility for schools might be able to visit Withernsea, curriculum for the benefit of the state sector. What see the school and see how it might benefit from joining plans does he have to make sure that more children have the academies programme in future. such excellent language education? Michael Gove: It is always a pleasure to visit my hon. Michael Gove: I am very grateful to my hon. Friend Friend’s constituency and my ministerial colleague or for those words. I am also much in accord with him in I will look forward to doing so in due course. believing that this Government should have a place at the heart of Europe. That is why I was so disappointed to read in yesterday that the right hon. Primary School Places Member for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls) wanted to rewrite the treaty of Lisbon and the treaty of Rome. 9. (Slough) (Lab): How much funding he plans to allocate to (a) Slough borough Mr Speaker: Order. Let me just say to the Secretary council and (b) other local authorities where there are of State that I know he is enjoying himself, and I am insufficient primary school places in order to increase delighted to see him enjoying himself, but he must not the number of such places available in the current enjoy himself at the expense of people lower down the financial year; and if he will make a statement. [000809] Order Paper who want to get in and whom I want to accommodate. The Minister of State, Department for Education (Mr Nick Gibb): School capital allocations announced Michael Gove: I will do everything possible to ensure in 2007 for the current spending period include £1.5 billion that other schools, like the European school, that are for new pupil places. Additionally, around £1.9 billion is committed to increasing our understanding of the rest allocated for primary school modernisation, some of of the world, prosper. which will fund new places. The capital support for Slough and its schools this year is some £25 million, (Salford and Eccles) (Lab): I know that including nearly £9 million specifically for new primary the Secretary of State will want to be known as a school places. Minister who keeps his word and who is consistent in his policy. Will he therefore confirm that the brand new Fiona Mactaggart: I am glad to hear that that £9 million academy linked to MediaCity in Salford, which is included is confirmed. It was given by the previous Government in the £135 million Building Schools for the Future to increase the number of our primary places. We still programme, will go ahead? Those programmes have got have 60 reception and year 1 children who do not have to financial close, and if he were not to proceed with places for next year and those funds are essential to that world-class academy it would give the lie to his provide them, but a note from the Library advised me party’s commitment to progress on the whole of the that £32 million of Slough’s external finance, which academies programme across the country. includes a number of grants in relation to education, is at risk. As we have not had a detailed breakdown of Michael Gove: It is a pleasure to see the right hon. what funds to local authorities have been protected by Lady in her place. If that programme has reached the Government, can the Minister assure me that £1 in financial close, then I look forward to being able to visit £6 going from the Government to Slough borough it in due course with her. council will not be cut by the coalition Government? 13 Oral Answers7 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 14

Mr Gibb: Despite the fact that the Government inherited either Manchester’s council tax payers or Manchester’s a public finance deficit of £156 billion, we have been teachers might be saddled to ensure that we get the able to say that there will be no cuts in front-line maximum amount of spending to the front line. funding for schools, Sure Start or 16 to 19 funding. Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): May I thank my Academies right hon. Friend for his commitment in general to driving up education standards across the country and 10. Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): What in particular for his commitment, I hope, to the new recent assessment he has made of the level of participation academy to be formed by the merger of Central Technology by primary schools in the academies programme; and if college and Bishops’ college in my constituency of he will make a statement. [000810] Gloucester? As he knows the timing insisted on by his predecessor on the other side of the House was incredibly The Minister of State, Department for Education tight and caused the academy to be formed in late July (Mr Nick Gibb): There are currently 23 all-age academies and to open next term. Parents, staff and pupils are all open that include primary provision. The Academies desperate for further information on progress that I Bill will also open up the academies programme allowing understand depends on my right hon. Friend’s Department’s all primary schools to apply to become academies in confirming absolutely that the academy is going ahead. their own right. There has been a very high level of Could he confirm that his Department will help with interest from schools with more than 250 outstanding announcements— primary schools already registering with the Department. We expect the first of those schools with an “outstanding” Mr Speaker: Order. I am very grateful to the hon. rating from Ofsted to open as academies from September Gentleman. 2010. Michael Gove: I know how keen my hon. Friend is to Mr Turner: The Minister may recall that in the early make progress, as am I, so I shall be giving him an years of grant-maintained status, secondary schools answer very shortly. were able to opt out, but primary schools had to wait, although subsequently they found that the operation Mr Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West) (Lab): was relatively easy. Will he ensure that, this time, primary Will the Minister confirm as soon as possible that two schools have the opportunity as quickly as other schools? schools in my constituency—President Kennedy and Woodlands, where the buildings go right back to the Mr Gibb: My hon. Friend will be pleased to see in the late 1960s and early 1970s and one of whose buildings is Academies Bill, which is receiving its Second Reading being held up on all four sides by scaffolding—will in another place, that primaries will be able to apply for figure in the programme, and when can he confirm that academy status. Indeed, the 250 outstanding primaries to them? that have registered an interest with the Department will be fast-tracked to that status by, I hope, this September. Michael Gove: The hon. Gentleman will be aware that funding under the Building Schools for the Future School Building programme had been allocated on the basis of deprivation, not of the state or dilapidation of the building. I will 12. Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab): What his consider the two schools that he mentions and write Department’s priorities will be in allocating funding for to him. new school building. [000812] Pupil Premium The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): I am currently reviewing the methods by which capital has been allocated to schools, to ensure that we can 14. Mr (Reading East) (Con): What plans build schools more effectively and cost-efficiently in he has for the operation of the pupil premium. [000814] the future. The Minister of State, Department for Education Tony Lloyd: I thank the Secretary of State for his (Sarah Teather): The introduction of a pupil premium answer. During the period of the last Labour Government, will target extra funding specifically at deprived pupils many roofs were repaired—when was shining. to enable them to receive the support that they need to Can he give an absolute guarantee that schools in a reach their potential. By targeting the funding via a constituency such as mine, which were not part of that pupil premium, extra funds to support disadvantaged programme but still need some catching up, will be children will be clearly identifiable. We will publish our rebuilt or properly maintained? proposals, with details on how we plan to distribute the pupil premium, in due course. Michael Gove: I know that the hon. Gentleman has a number of great schools in his constituency that have Mr Wilson: I thank the hon. Lady for that answer benefited from investment, not least Manchester academy, and wish her well in her new role. My constituency, which is achieving outstanding results. Manchester is Reading East, like those of many hon. Members, has approaching the conclusion of its final business case for deep pockets of deprivation. Will she therefore confirm specific funding in the Building Schools for the Future today that all disadvantaged children will receive a fair programme. I want to make sure that before we go any share of funding from the pupil premium, wherever further we strip out any bureaucratic costs with which they happen to go to school? 15 Oral Answers7 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 16

Sarah Teather: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his Lewisham’s local education partnership, I should be question. I am aware that he has taken an interest in the grateful to him if he confirmed whether the funding pupil premium over a long period. It is an issue that commitments that underpin the strategic partnering I championed from the Opposition Benches, so I feel agreements between local authorities and their private passionately about this policy and the opportunity to sector partners will be honoured? Lewisham council change young people’s lives. It seems a sad indictment would be grateful for any reassurance that he could of the society in which we live that parental income provide. remains the best predictor of educational attainment. The hon. Gentleman’s point about pockets of deprivation Michael Gove: I congratulate the hon. Lady on her is precisely the reason why the pupil premium represents election, and she is fortunate to have many excellent an opportunity to change young people’s lives. At the schools in her constituency, including Haberdashers’ moment, the system for distributing deprivation funding Aske’s Hatcham, which I have had the great pleasure of often does not get to the front line, particularly where visiting. Lewisham was one of the first local authorities pockets of deprivation are surrounded by an otherwise to enter Building Schools for the Future. A number of relatively wealthy area. schools have been built already under BSF, and because Lewisham is so far advanced, I cannot conceive of any Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood) (Lab/Co-op): The changes to the BSF programme that would be likely to hon. Lady and her Liberal Democrat colleagues are impact on the many projects that she will have shepherded clear that the pupil premium must mean rising education towards a close. spending for the next three years. I confirm to the Secretary of State and the House that the old Chief Secretary and the new Chief Secretary made a commitment Children’s and Youth Services to me, Lord Mandelson and Lord Adonis in the coalition talks that there would be additional money, on top of 16. Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): Which grants rising spending this year, next year and the year after—a to local authorities for children’s services and youth commitment that the Secretary of State could not make services will continue to be ring-fenced. [000816] today. Does the hon. Lady agree—I will not quote her this time; I will quote the Deputy Prime Minister—that The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education “without money, that commitment will continue to be meaningless— (Tim Loughton): The Department for Communities and more spin without substance which will yet again leave thousands Local Government will be writing to local authorities of children short-changed.”? with their revised grant allocations and details of the Are the Liberal Democrats being short-changed by removal of ring-fences very shortly, including those their Conservative colleagues? affecting grants from the Department for Education. Sarah Teather: The Prime Minister made it clear The removal of those ring-fences will give local authorities from the Dispatch Box last week that the pupil premium greater flexibility to reshape their budgets and find the would involve substantial extra money from outside the necessary savings that we expect them to make, while education budget. Perhaps I should remind the right maintaining the quality of services to children and hon. Gentleman that one of the sticking points during young people, which remain a priority of this Department. the coalition talks with the Labour party was that it would not agree to the pupil premium. Julie Hilling: Does the Minister agree that involving young people in determining youth service projects and (Devizes) (Con): Could the Secretary of the detail of spending on those projects is a good thing? State please confirm that the pupil premium will still Will he confirm that local authorities are to receive their include an upward adjustment for the children of military full funding for this year’s youth opportunity fund and families—a matter of utmost importance for thousands youth capital fund? of schoolchildren in my constituency, Devizes? Tim Loughton: On the first point, I absolutely agree Sarah Teather: I thank the hon. Lady for her question. with the hon. Lady that young people’s involvement in, She makes a very good point, which we are considering engagement with and ownership of youth services is at the moment. We will announce further details of our vital, which is why, whenever I visit youth projects, I policy on the pupil premium in due course. make a point of speaking to young people and asking them how they are involved in the project, and of Building Schools for the Future promoting such things as youth mayors. In a neighbouring constituency to hers, the Bolton lads and girls club—a 15. Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab): What most fantastic facility that I have visited twice, and recent discussions he has had with local authorities on which the Prime Minister has visited as well—serves her the Building Schools for the Future programme. constituents and does a fantastic job of engaging young [000815] people. I fully support that. It is just the sort of youth facility that we want to see more of. The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): As I mentioned earlier, we are currently reviewing the School Discipline methods by which capital has been allocated.

Heidi Alexander: I thank the Secretary of State for 17. Mr (Basildon and Billericay) (Con): his answers on the BSF programme, but I am afraid that What steps he is taking to improve standards of discipline I am still not clear on the detail. As a former director of in schools; and if he will make a statement. [000817] 17 Oral Answers7 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 18

The Minister of State, Department for Education Michael Gove: I know how committed my hon. Friend (Mr Nick Gibb): We will improve standards of discipline is to raising standards in schools. The right hon. Member in schools by giving heads and teachers the powers they for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls) will be aware that need to deal with violent incidents and remove disruptive Ofqual recently pointed out that some of the changes to pupils or items from the classroom. We will introduce the science curriculum had downgraded the importance no-notice detentions so that poor behaviour can be of rigour, and the right hon. Gentleman and my hon. dealt with immediately, give teachers wider powers of Friend will be aware that the Royal Society of Chemistry search and clarify their powers to use force. We will stop said that recent changes to the science curriculum had heads being overruled on exclusions and will reinforce been a catastrophe. We will make sure that the finest schools’ powers to maintain good standards of behaviour minds in the country of all parties are invited to join us through stronger home-school behaviour contracts. in reshaping the curriculum.

Mr Baron: I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. T4. [000829] Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) About 70% of all allegations of physical assault and (Lab/Co-op): The ContactPoint database that was sexual assault are never proven, yet the figures released championed by the National Society for the Prevention clearly show that, despite those accused being exonerated, of Cruelty to Children and Barnardo’s is to be scrapped. the records are kept on file and they come up on What assessment has been made of the impact that the Criminal Records Bureau checks. What are the Government removal will have on safeguarding children? going to do about that? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education Mr Gibb: My hon. Friend raises a good point. False (Tim Loughton): I congratulate the hon. Lady on her accusations against teachers can have a devastating election. Very soon she will hear further details of the effect on the careers of those teachers. We intend to demise of ContactPoint, which was not championed by introduce anonymity for such teachers and will announce a great many professionals at the front end, who knew more details of that in due course. that the bureaucracy added to safeguarding over recent years has contributed to some of the dangers to our children, so we would like to replace it with a much Topical Questions better system. She will hear more details shortly.

T1.[000826] ElizabethTruss(SouthWestNorfolk)(Con): T2. [000827] Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) If he will make a statement on his departmental (LD): Does the Secretary of State agree that whether or responsibilities. not Building Schools for the Future continues in its present form, schools such as Carshalton Girls, Carshalton The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): Boys and Wandle Valley will still need substantial I thank my hon. Friend for her question. I have today investment—about £70 million—to help them improve placed a letter in the House of Commons Library buildings and deal with demographic pressures? detailing how the £670 million of spending reductions in my Department will be implemented. There will be Michael Gove: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I reductions of £359 million in a variety of programmes, know that in parts of south London, including those including the ending of “Who Do We Think We Are?” that he represents, demographic pressures are a real week, which started under my predecessor. Given his concern. One of the reasons that we are reviewing the article in The Observer yesterday, in which he sought to allocation of school capital is to ensure that every pupil win his party’s leadership by outflanking the leader of who needs it gets a school place. That was not true the Conservative party on both immigration and under the previous Government. —something not done since was a Member of the House—I hope that those cuts T8. [000833] Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab): I am sure the will be of interest to the House. Secretary of State will know of the considerable success that we have had in my constituency, Wigan, in creating I am also today lifting restrictions that have stopped apprenticeships, jobs and university places for young state schools offering the international general certificate people. Can he tell us what measures he will introduce of secondary education qualification in key subjects. to help young people who are not in education, employment That means that, from September, state-funded schools or training? will be free to teach a wide range of those respected and valued qualifications, putting them, at last, on a level Michael Gove: We will increase the number of playing field with independent schools. apprenticeships. I am pleased to see that the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Mr Speaker: I am sorry to tell the Secretary of State my hon. Friend the Member for South Holland and that his answer was too long, but I know that he will not The Deepings (Mr Hayes), who has responsibility for repeat it at Question Time next month. apprenticeships, is in his place. We will increase the number of apprenticeships by reallocating funding that Elizabeth Truss: I congratulate the Secretary of State is currently going on the Train to Gain programme, and on starting his spending cuts with abolishing the we are increasing spending for further education colleges, Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency, which—given what happened to the Learning and Skills which I believe is partly responsible for undermining Council under the previous Government, when building academic standards in science and maths A-levels and projects were cancelled halfway through and young GCSEs. What does he plan to put in its place to ensure people who deserved to be in education and training that pupils are properly prepared for university and were denied training places—will at last ensure that we for work? give young people the chance that they deserve. 19 Oral Answers7 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 20

T3. [000828] Amber Rudd (Hastings and Rye) (Con): I Tim Loughton: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman have received a number of inquiries, as I am sure other for raising that very important subject, on which we in Members have, from teachers who would like to get opposition did a lot of work. Despite all the well-intentioned involved in starting up free schools but are concerned reforms and the dedication of front-line professionals, about confidentiality issues. Can my right hon. Friend the safeguarding of children in this country is still not advise where they should go to find out more about working properly. That is why I should like to inform how to go about setting up free schools without the House that, as we first announced in opposition in revealing too much about their personal details? February, we have decided to commission Professor Eileen Munro of the London School of Economics Michael Gove: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for to carry out an independent review leading to asking that question. She will be aware, as I am sure are recommendations that support good-quality, child-focused Members on the Opposition Benches, that some of the front-line safeguarding practice in children’s social care; finest schools in the world, such as the Knowledge Is and, we will strip away the bureaucracy that has grown Power Program schools in America, were set up by up too much around safeguarding in recent years. teachers, and those teachers would not have been able to set up schools anything like as good under the regime T6. [000831] Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) that prevailed under the previous Government. I (Con): The Children, Schools and Families Committee recommend that anyone my hon. Friend knows who report on the national curriculum called for a five-year wants to get involved in improving state education cycle of review and reform of the curriculum. Will the contact the , a not-for-profit Secretary of State put in place such a cycle and ensure charity organisation dedicated to improving state schools. that the early years foundation stage, the national curriculum and the arrangements for 14 to 19-year-olds T9. [000834] Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): are viewed as a continuum? Will he also tell us whether What provisions will the Secretary of State make in the he plans to implement the Rose review in the Academies Bill to safeguard the interests of parents of meantime? children with special educational needs or hard to place and other children with specific and complex needs, The Minister of State, Department for Education such as the children currently supported by EDPIP, (Mr Nick Gibb): I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the East Durham positive inclusion partnership in that question. Teachers do not welcome perpetual revolution Easington in my constituency? in the curriculum; schools need some stability, and we will shortly make some announcements about the review Michael Gove: The interests of all children with special of the curriculum. Thereafter, it will not be our intention educational needs, particularly those who have the most to have five-yearly-cycle reviews. acute disabilities, are at the heart of my thoughts and Regarding the Rose review and the decision by the those of my ministerial colleagues. That is why we are previous Government to implement a new primary reviewing the whole provision of special needs education, curriculum from September 2011, as both parties in the so that we can ensure that whether children are in coalition made clear in opposition, we do not intend to academies, voluntary aided schools or other local authority proceed with the proposed new curriculum. We believe schools, they have the highest possible level of support that the Rose review’s proposed approach was too and nurture so that they can achieve everything possible. prescriptive in terms of how schools should teach and diluted the focus of what they should teach— T5. [000830] Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): The Secretary of State will know that there are some excellent schools in Stroud. He has visited one of them, Mr Speaker: Order. I am sorry but the answer is Amberley school. What provision, guidance or support simply too long. will there be for schools that want to become academies which are not so good, are struggling, but see a future Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Does for themselves as academies? the Secretary of State agree that the CPD—continuing professional development—of teachers is absolutely Michael Gove: My hon. Friend has been a fantastic essential, particularly in science and maths? Is he aware champion of both schools and further education. We that the fine centre at the university of York, where will make sure that schools that are in real difficulty are teachers can go for CPD, and the nine other centres teamed with an education sponsor with a track record are being starved of visiting teachers because of the of excellence in order to improve circumstances. We will interpretation of the “Rarely Cover”work force agreement? ensure that schools that aspire to become academies but The unions interpret it so strictly that we will not be are not yet in a strong enough position are teamed with able to maintain those centres. people who can help them achieve their ambitions for all their children. Michael Gove: As ever, the former Select Committee Chairman makes a brilliant point. He is quite right: T10. [000835] Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): John Holman’s work in York is outstanding and we The safeguarding of our children and young people, should do everything that we can to support it. I note which is of paramount importance, has received an the split between the enlightened voice of Opposition unprecedented profile in recent times—but for the Back Benchers, challenging what the unions say, and wrong reasons. What are the Secretary of State’s plans the position of Opposition Front Benchers, who will for supporting local authorities and social workers in do everything possible to ingratiate themselves with that crucial work, and for ensuring that all our children organisations such as Unite, including indulging in and young people are protected? anti-immigration rhetoric. 21 Oral Answers7 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 22

T7. [000832] Mr (Hendon) (Con): number of times that I have raised this issue. We were Many schools in my constituency find it necessary to within a hair’s breadth of securing the BSF programme— implement personal security measures, paid for by there was just the issue of the 20:20 academy to be parental contributions and budget delegations. How do resolved. May I urge the Secretary of State to look the coalition Government intend to address the future carefully at the situation in Stoke-on-Trent and to try cost of the capital and revenue for security funding in to give us some certainty about ensuring that we get such schools? the much-needed and much-deserved BSF programme through? Michael Gove: I am very grateful to my hon. Friend and congratulate him on his election. Both he and his Michael Gove: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. predecessor have been impassioned champions for the His colleague, the newly elected hon. Member for Stoke- interests of the Jewish community and other faith on-Trent Central (Tristram Hunt), recently said on Radio communities in the London borough of Barnet, and I 4 that he wanted money available for school buildings am deeply concerned that parents of Jewish children to go to Stoke rather than to vanity projects for yummy have to pay out of their own pocket to ensure that their in west London. I defer to the hon. Member children are safe in school. It seems to me quite wrong for Stoke-on-Trent Central when it comes to knowledge that, simply because of the faith or community from about yummy mummies in west London; however, we which a child comes, their parents should have to pay have been, and are, looking very sympathetically at the extra to ensure that they are safe. That is why I have case for specific additional spending in Stoke. asked for talks with the Community Security Trust and the Board of Deputies of British Jews—to ensure that we can do everything possible to safeguard those children. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Will any attempt be made to revisit the proposed changes to the (Dudley North) (Lab): I think that I have nursery grant provision system introduced by the previous discovered why the Secretary of State was so disparaging Government and due to come in this September, which about the recipe book that the previous Government could have a very bad impact on private nursery provision? produced, which as you will recall, Mr Speaker, included recipes for proper English food, such as Lancashire The Minister of State, Department for Education hotpot and cottage pie. The right hon. Gentleman (Sarah Teather): We will be going ahead with extending might not have heard of those, because I understand the free child care entitlement for three and four-year-olds from this morning that his favourite meal is for 15 hours a week. However, I am aware of the something called “scaloppine with parmentier potatoes”. concerns that the hon. Gentleman mentions, and I am I am afraid that we cannot get that in Dudley, so I asked listening to the views of the private voluntary sector. If somebody more familiar than myself with the fancy he has specific concerns arising from his constituency, foreign food available in expensive London restaurants, I would be grateful if he would write to me with the and apparently it is veal. Is that what the pupils of details, as that will help to inform our thinking. Britain can look forward to eating now that the elite are running the Government? Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab/Co-op): The Minister of State, Department for Education, the hon. Member Michael Gove: I am enormously grateful to the hon. for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr Gibb), has Gentleman for paying such close attention to my wife’s today announced the introduction of no-notice detention. column in The Times. I should point out that the issue is How is that compatible with good child safeguarding not about fancy London restaurants; I do not have time procedures, and how will he ensure that children who to eat in them. The dish is cooked by my wife, and, if he have caring responsibilities, and who often do not let and his wife would like to come round for dinner, their schools know that they have them, are not adversely scaloppine will be on the menu. I shall make sure that I impacted by this retrograde proposal? have some Banks’s Mild, as I know that it is his favourite tipple, and we will have an opportunity to discuss together how I can help the black country. Mr Gibb: This is a deregulation matter. It is not a prescriptive matter requiring schools not to give 24 hours’ Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): notice for detentions: it merely enables them to do that What plans does the Secretary of State have for the if they wish. Trusting head teachers and teachers means process of revising the funding formula for local authorities? that they will make these arrangements themselves if I represent two local authorities, both of which are in schools feel that they are necessary. We are trying to the lowest 40 authorities for educational revenue funding. take out of the statute book impediments to maintaining good order and good behaviour in our schools. Michael Gove: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising her concerns on behalf of the F40 local authorities. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con): I It is our intention to try to ensure, consistent with welcome my hon. Friend to his post, but may I return to making provision for the very poorest children, that all the subject of special educational needs? He will be local authorities, including those that have been most aware that in a low-spending authority such as disadvantaged, have fairer funding. Gloucestershire, parents, particularly disadvantaged parents, often struggle to get their children the special educational Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): Stoke-on- needs treatment that they need. Can he assure me that Trent was in phase 1 of the Building Schools for the there is no place in this country for a postcode lottery Future programme, and my right hon. and hon. Friends for special educational needs and that every child in this on the Labour Front Bench will know full well the country should get equal treatment for their needs? 23 Oral Answers7 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 24

Sarah Teather: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his Mr (Chorley) (Lab): I am sure that the question. This is precisely why we need to consider and Secretary of State would like to agree that Sure Start carefully review the whole provision of special educational has been a huge success. Can he guarantee not only that needs to ensure that parents have a real choice about the funding will be there for Sure Start but, more where they send their child—be it to a maintained importantly, that he will continue to expand the programme school, to a specialist unit within a maintained school, on the number of Sure Starts in constituencies? or to a special school—and that the support is available to them and to parents. Michael Gove: Yes. 25 7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 26

Debate on the Address though, it describes something of profound importance to the effective running of any society and its political [5TH DAY] system, namely the architecture of power—the rules Debate resumed (Order, 2 June). that set down who can make decisions and who can hold in check those who exercise power. In most systems, Question again proposed, those rules are enshrined in what the Germans call That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as “black letter law” and are normally subject to special follows: procedures of entrenchment to make it more difficult Most Gracious Sovereign, for those with the power of government to misuse it to We, YourMajesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons change the fundamental rules of the constitution for of the United and Northern Ireland in narrow partisan ends. Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has We in the United Kingdom do not have a single text, addressed to both Houses of Parliament. a written constitution or any protective entrenched procedures. Although I believe that over time we should Constitution and Home Affairs develop a single text, I do not propose or support entrenchment or special procedures for constitutional Mr Speaker: I inform the House that I have selected change. However, the absence of entrenchment places the amendment in the name of Ms . a special responsibility on those in government not Once moved, that amendment will limit the scope of to misuse their power, and wherever possible actively to debate to the issues mentioned in it. Older hands can seek and achieve consensus across the House, or to expect to be called to order by the occupant of the ensure that the final decision is made directly by the Chair if they go beyond the scope of the amendment. people in a referendum. New Members making maiden speeches can expect Of course, the Government must have the power of some customary latitude. initiative. When we took office in 1997, there had been no successful proposals for constitutional change for 3.34 pm decades. In contrast, the new Labour Administration Mr (Blackburn) (Lab): I beg to move an had a very large agenda: devolution to Scotland, Wales amendment, at the end of the Question to add: and Northern Ireland; an elected Mayor and assembly “but, whilst welcoming the progress made by the previous for London; data protection; freedom of information; administration to reform and improve the constitutional arrangements the Human Rights Bill; phased reform of the Lords; of the United Kingdom, respectfully believe that such changes independence for national statistics; reform of party should be made wherever possible on the basis of a strong funding; and a new system for elections to the European cross-party consensus; therefore call for active discussions by Parliament. All but one of those measures, however your Government on proposals for an elected House of Lords, a controversial they may have been at the beginning of referendum on the alternative vote, recall of hon. Members, the period of any fixed-term Parliament, party funding, changes to their legislative journeys, were in the end either approved the number of hon. Members, the drawing of electoral boundaries, by consensus across the House or endorsed by the and individual voter registration; consider as wholly unacceptable people in a referendum, and they are all the better and undemocratic proposals to require any special majority to for that. remove a Government and require an early general election, or to alter the number of hon. Members or the boundary rules in an arbitrary and partisan way; strongly endorse the measures which Keith Vaz ( East) (Lab): My right hon. Friend led to an overall reduction in crime of over a third, and of violent is right that a great deal of constitutional change has crime of 41 per cent., since 1997; oppose any measures to cut the occurred over the past 13 years, but I am not clear why number of police officers and police community support officers, he does not want to go an extra step now and have a to restrict the use of the DNA database in accordance with the written constitution—a Bill of Rights. Surely that would Crime and Security Act 2010, to extend anonymity in rape cases be an important way of entrenching and making absolutely to defendants, or to politicise constabularies through the introduction clear the rights of our citizens. of elected commissioners; and urge your Government to reconsider the introduction of a pre-determined cap on skilled immigrants and to maintain the flexibility and effectiveness of the current Mr Straw: As I said a moment ago, I believe that points-based system.” there is a case for bringing together our constitutional I begin by welcoming the Deputy Prime Minister to arrangements in a single text, and we were working on the Treasury Bench and to the Government Dispatch achieving exactly that. However, the process will take a Box on what I believe is his speaking debut in that role long time. Entrenchment—in other words, the sovereignty in the House. He takes over from me wide responsibilities of this House being modified by some super-legislative for the Government’s constitutional agenda. As my procedure and by a constitutional court overseeing colleagues and I were, he and his ministerial colleagues that—is a bridge too far for me and I do not support it. will be responsible for what is put before the House However, I do not believe that the two have to go hand and the country, but in making his decisions and in hand, and the case for a single text is strong. recommendations he will be blessed, as I was, by having However controversial the proposals that we introduced officials of the highest quality, diligence and—certainly may have been at the beginning—I think particularly of with myself—patience. I should like to place on record the Human Rights Bill and the Freedom of Information my thanks to them and to all the officials with whom I Bill—in the end, we were able to achieve consensus worked, and to wish the right hon. Gentleman well in across the House. That may have been a subject of his endeavours. regret later for the Conservative Opposition, but consensus “Constitutional agenda” is an abstract term that can was achieved. There was one exception, which I regret have the effect of emptying a room quickly, and not just and, in a sense, it makes the point that I am putting to when I am the one making a speech. However abstract, the House—the closed list system for European elections. 27 7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 28

Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): Mr Straw: Let me consider the key elements of the Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? new Government’s proposals in turn, and then, of course, I will give way to the hon. Gentleman. Mr Straw: I welcome the hon. Lady to the Chamber—I First, let us consider the House of Lords. Next year am glad to see her return to the House, albeit, through will be the centenary of the first Parliament Act. The no fault of hers, a little late. I shall give way in a second. preamble of the 1911 Act spells out that it was introduced The European elections system was very controversial. as a temporary measure, stating that It was subject, unusually, to the Parliament Acts. In my “it is intended to substitute for the House of Lords as it at present view, it is not a good system and will almost certainly exists a Second Chamber constituted on a popular instead of have to be changed in due course. However, no one hereditary basis, but such substitution cannot be immediately could have said—no one did say—that it was introduced brought into operation” for partisan advantage. Such advantage has palpably and therefore the Parliament Act was introduced as a not happened. poor substitute. It is 99 years since that historic Act and it is probably now time to complete the original proposals Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): The amendment of that great Lib-Lab Government in 1911. tabled by the Leader of the Opposition mentions the Two reforms followed the 1911 Act: the Parliament special majority that is required to dissolve Parliament Act 1949 and the Life Peerages Act 1958, but there was and hold a general election. Having failed to get any no further change until 1999, when all but 92 hereditary sort of answer out of the Government, does my right peers were removed and clear conventions about party hon. Friend have any theory about why they arrived at balance were established. The consequence has been to the figure of 55%? make the other place a less supine and more assertive Chamber. That is sometimes inconvenient to government, Mr Straw: I do, but I invite my hon. Friend to stay in as I witnessed in taking through very many items of the Chamber a little longer— legislation, but it was rare indeed for legislation to be amended in the other place but not improved, as I have Sir (North East Fife) (LD): It is often put on the record. one way of keeping him. I therefore hope that the Deputy Prime Minister will resist the temptation of some on the Government side, Mr Straw: Indeed—perhaps it is the only way of as we have read in some newspapers, to pack the other keeping him. However, I invite my hon. Friend to stay place with up to 200 Conservative and Liberal Democrat and I will deal with the point later. Lords to ensure that the previous convention of no one party having a majority, which has worked well, is retained—[Interruption.] I am not clear why there is Miss McIntosh: I am delighted to be returned to such objection to that. When Labour was in government, represent the new constituency of Thirsk and Malton, it was absolutely fine for one third of its legislation to be and I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his subject to amendments in the House of Lords. If the comments. He referred to the new electoral system for proposition is that when the Conservative party is in the European Parliament. Does he accept that, in each power, with support from the Liberal Democrats, it is European election since the new election procedures fine for them to have an absolute majority in the House were introduced, turnout has dramatically reduced. What of Lords, let that be put on the record. would he have proposed had he remained in government to increase the turnout for those elections? Mr () (Con) rose— Mr Straw: One suggestion—I might even have made it—was that the new system might increase turnout. Mr Ellwood rose— Even Homer nodded, and that has not been the case, although I think that turnout has gone up a little Mr Straw: I promised to give way to the hon. Member recently. I am in favour of either an open list, or what is for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood). called the semi-open list, which is one of the proposals for the new, reformed House of Lords. I am happy to Mr Ellwood: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. discuss that further with the hon. Lady in or outside To take him back to his phrase, “ramming through the House. change for political advantage,” may I remind the House I have set out the importance of constitutional change that Labour rammed through changes to the Lisbon being made, whenever possible, by consensus. I therefore treaty, denying this country an opportunity to vote on greatly hope that the Deputy Prime Minister will resist it? That is taking political advantage. I hope he now calls from his side to use the Government’s majority to regrets that decision. ram through change for party advantage. That would be wrong—[Laughter.] I say to those who are obviously Mr Straw: I think the hon. Gentleman protests a little tempted by that that, with one exception, which was too much on that. He needs to explain, as does the never to my party’s advantage, we worked hard to Conservative element of the Government, why the achieve cross-party consensus because the constitution Conservative party abandoned its pledge to withdraw should not be a partisan weapon in the hands of any from the Lisbon treaty. Perhaps he would like to have a party. discussion on that with the Liberal Democrats who support the Government. Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? Mr Tyrie rose— 29 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 30

Mr Straw: I will make a little more progress before Many of the other aspects set out in the coalition giving way to the hon. Gentleman. agreement are non-controversial. I am glad to see the For seven years after the 1999 change, the absence of Administration support the proposals of the Wright any clear consensus blocked further reform. It will be Committee, and I hope that we will see good progress recalled that in early 2003, this House voted against made on them. I say parenthetically, on a subject that every single one of seven alternative propositions put concerned me greatly when I was in government, that I before it, ranging from an all-appointed to an all-elected continue to be concerned about how we conduct our House of Lords. I took over responsibility for Lords Report and Committee stages on the Floor of the reform, in that time-honoured passage from Foreign House. Secretary to Leader of the House, and duly established There is another unsatisfactory matter, and I hope a cross-party group. Its key conclusions, which worked that the Leader of the House will consider it. Since very well, were set out in a February 2007 Green Paper. there is likely to be some element of timetabling, or even Thankfully, in March 2007 this House voted emphatically if there is not, we need better order when the House is in favour of two consistent propositions—an 80% or considering legislation clause by clause, not least by 100% elected House of Lords—and against all other allowing the Chair a discretion to set time limits on choices. That proposition for a wholly or mainly elected speeches. One of the most important functions discharged House has been the foundation for progress since. The by this House on the Floor of the House is the consideration cross-party group re-met for 15 months and did a great of legislation. The old system before 1997 led to great deal of detailed work on how an elected Lords might frustration, as did the system post-1997. What we have operate, and its conclusions were contained in the July not yet got right is adequate provision to ensure that 2008 White Paper. Back Benchers especially can take part constructively in debates without those debates being undermined either At the most recent general election—for the first by too hasty Government timetables or, frankly, by time—all three parties were clearly committed to action some Back Benchers hogging the whole of the time to secure an elected House of Lords. Further work to by filibustering. ensure that should be straightforward: a great deal has already been done, including, as the Deputy Prime (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) Minister knows, the drafting of many of the key clauses (LD): On the questions of Lords reform and the legislation to form the central part of any Bill. I pledge that my for a referendum on voting reform, may we have a party will work constructively on that with him and his clarification from Labour that both will be the subject Administration, and with luck, we may be able to mark on the Labour Benches of three-line Whips here and in the centenary of the first Parliament Act with legislation the House of Lords? finally to meet its long-term goal. The proposal for a referendum on voting reform is Mr Straw: The hon. Gentleman will have to allow me another long-running issue in British politics. It took to say that I consult my colleagues about the whipping the expenses scandal for broad agreement to emerge arrangements that would apply. [Interruption.] My right that at the very least the British people should be given hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull West the opportunity to decide whether they wish to continue and Hessle () is speculating about whether with the existing first-past-the-post system or to move the hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark to the alternative vote system. Legislation for an AV (Simon Hughes) is worried about something. My advice referendum was agreed earlier this year by the House by is for him to worry about how he and his party are a very substantial majority of 365 to 187. That would going to vote and we will worry about how we vote. have become law by the general election but for the refusal of the Conservative party to allow it to go Mr Stewart Jackson () (Con) rose— through in the so-called wash-up. I am glad that the rather spurious objections that the Conservatives raised Mr Straw: I will give way to the hon. Gentleman, but then have now dissolved. We shall, of course, support then I want to make some progress. clauses on AV if they are put before the House in a similar form as last time. Mr Jackson: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for giving way, and I am glad that the sinner is repenting. Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): Will the Does he regret the use of the guillotine on so many right hon. Gentleman confirm that in the course of the important Bills during the last Parliament? In the Housing competitive negotiations with the Liberal Democrats as and Regeneration Bill, for instance, which I was involved to which side was going to form a Government, his in, more than 200 Government clauses were tabled party offered the Liberal Democrats a deal whereby AV between Second Reading and Report, so Members were would be rammed through this House without a not allowed proper analysis and oversight of that important referendum? legislation. [Interruption.]

Mr Straw: The answer is no. I would also say to the Mr Straw: My hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover hon. Gentleman that a very significant proportion of (Mr Skinner) says that there were no guillotines, as they Labour Members, including myself, would never have were programme motions—but they come to the same accepted such a proposition had it been put forward—let thing. us be absolutely clear about that. Let me say to the hon. Member for Peterborough We support proposals for recall, which we proposed (Mr Jackson) that I regret the use of guillotines full before the election, although the detail will have to be stop, but sometimes they are necessary. However, I sat carefully thought through. in the House in opposition for 18 years, and the first 31 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 32

[Mr Straw] Government, in 1927, who gave full equality to women and the right for them to vote, and that they did so after Bill I sat on—the Housing Bill, in early 1980, 30 years a Labour Government, under Ramsay MacDonald, ago—was the subject of the most ruthless guillotining, had failed in their promise to do so? and that on a major measure. There are plenty of other measures of profound importance that were also the Mr Straw: First, that was quite a long time after subject of guillotining. 1832. Secondly, as the hon. Gentleman might recall, the My view, both in government and in opposition, has vote was originally given to women over 30 in 1918, and been that the House—certainly over the 30 years in then extended to those over 21 in 1928. which I have been in it—has not got right the way in Let me come to the partisan heart of the Government’s which it should deal effectively with legislation on the constitutional proposals: the plans to cut parliamentary Floor of the House, and I think that there is a better seats, redraw boundaries and speed up individual way. We need to provide for more time, but if we do registration. If those proposals were implemented, they that, the quid pro quo needs to be limits on speeches, so would disfranchise hundreds of thousands, if not millions, that people can constructively take part. We also need of our citizens, predominantly the young and members to look at something that I facilitated on at least one of lower-income groups. Seats would be cut and boundaries occasion, which is ensuring that when the business is fundamentally altered by rigid mathematical formulae subject to programming or guillotining, some Opposition devised on the basis of the current electoral register. and Back-Bench amendments can also be the subject of According to the Electoral Commission, however, votes. I put those proposals before the House for some 3.5 million eligible voters are missing from the consideration. register, and that is just in England and Wales. Earlier I have set out our view on many of the proposals that this year, the commission reported are, and will be, the subject of a broad consensus. As I “under-registration is concentrated among specific social groups, have said, on every proposal that the Deputy Prime with the registration rates being especially low among young Minister brings forward, we shall seek constructively to people, private renters and those who have recently moved home. work with the Government to achieve consensus. However, The highest concentrations of under-registration are most likely it seems that consensus was the last thing on the mind to be found in metropolitan areas, smaller towns and cities with of the governing parties, when one turns to some of the large student populations, and coastal areas with significant elements of the coalition agreement. In his first speech population turnover and high levels of social deprivation.” as Deputy Prime Minister, outside the House, the right The commission’s study established that in Glasgow hon. Gentleman told the nation that he proposed to 100,000 eligible voters might be missing from the register, secure the biggest shake-up of our democracy since the quite sufficient to raise all Glasgow seats to the electoral Reform Act of 1832. He described the Reform Act of average for Great Britain and to provide for one additional 1832 as a “landmark”, from constituency. “politicians who refused to sit back and do nothing while huge Cutting seats and redrawing boundaries in that way, swathes of the population remained helpless against vested interests. without taking account of the missing voters, will produced Who stood up for the freedom of the many”— a profoundly distorted electoral map of Britain. The we have heard that phrase before— map will be even further distorted if this boundary “not the privilege of the few.” review is undertaken, as the Government have proposed, Well, not quite, Mr Speaker, for the truth is that even in tandem with the premature roll-out of individual after the passage of the Great Reform Act of 1832, voter registration, because that process will knock many huge swathes of the population—92% of the population— more eligible people off the register—hundreds of remained without a vote, helpless in the face of vested thousands of them. interests. The Reform Act of 1832 gave the vote, a We are in favour of individual registration. Indeed, it limited franchise, to the property-owning class, of whom was I who, last year, presented proposals for a new law, there were remarkably few, and deliberately ensured which received all-party agreement. But as all the parties that nobody else had the vote—no women, no working agreed just nine months ago, to be fair, the process will men; just 16% of men, and no women whatever. take both time and money. Let me also say to the right hon. Gentleman that had the Great Reform Act been the landmark in democracy Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest) (Con) rose— that he suggested—I do not know where he got that from; certainly not even from Wikipedia—none of the Mr Straw: I am glad to see the hon. Member for agitation of the Chartist movement that followed would Epping Forest (Mrs Laing) in the Chamber, because she have been necessary. Those of us who know a little bit played an important and constructive part in securing of history will remember that it was the wholly dashed individual registration. She also went on record as expectations of 1832 that fired up the great Chartist saying, from the Conservative Front Bench, that any movement. However, the comparison with 1832, if not future Conservative Government would never take risks appropriate, is certainly heavy with unintended irony, with the democratic process. She agreed that we must for, however limited the effect, the first Reform Act at wait for the 2012 census. It is unclear whether the least extended the franchise. The programme to which Deputy Prime Minister is proposing to do that. She also the right hon. Gentleman has signed up will reduce the agreed that there must be ways of testing the accuracy franchise, as I will explain. Some reform! of the system, as our legislation does with the requirement for a report from the Electoral Commission in 2014, David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): The former and she said in terms that we must ensure that the Minister is making an interesting speech about equality, system was utterly watertight. I hope that she still takes but will he confirm that it was actually a Conservative that view. 33 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 34

Mrs Laing: I certainly do still take that view 100%, Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): On the question but the right hon. Gentleman will recall that, when we of city seats, is my right hon. Friend aware that the first debated individual voter registration, it was established casualty could be the Deputy Prime Minister in his that the system was intended to increase, not decrease. Hallam seat in the city of Sheffield—unless, of course, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. they try to manoeuvre the boundaries so as to try to Lessons have been learnt from what happened in Northern save his neck, which would test the coalition? Ireland. Under the new system, the register will be more accurate and more comprehensive, and it will be fair to Mr Straw: There is no doubt that the biggest net have constituencies that are of equal size, so that every losers under the current proposals in the so-called coalition vote has equal value. agreement would be the Liberal Democrats, for reasons that I shall spell out. Mr Straw: That is the aspiration, and I do not for a On election night, when the Deputy Prime Minister second doubt the good faith of the hon. Lady. I am glad heard that people had been locked out of the polling to hear her endorse those proposals—now, sadly, from stations and prevented from casting their ballots, he the Back Benches. As she knows, however, because we said: had detailed and collaborative discussions on the issue, “I share the bitter dismay of many of my constituents who if the process for individual registration is rushed—and were not able to exercise their democratic right to vote in this the phrase used in the coalition agreement is “speed this election…That should never, ever happen again in our democracy.” up”—the consequence will be not what she and we seek, Yet he now proposes a programme that could have the but what happened in Northern Ireland. As the Electoral effect of disfranchising not only some hundreds in his Commission spelt out, what happened in Northern own constituency, but some hundreds of thousands Ireland in 2002 was that a sudden change in the system across the United Kingdom. I urge him to think very of electoral registration, although there was a centralised carefully about what is being proposed. system, led to the immediate loss of nearly 120,000 names—nearly 10%—from the register. The commission As for the proposal to cut the number of seats, we said need not speculate about the Conservative party’s intentions because they are on the record. Just months before the “The new registration process disproportionately impacted on general election, the Conservative Front-Bench team young people and students, people with learning disabilities, moved the most detailed amendments to cut the number people with disabilities generally and those living in areas of high social deprivation.” of seats by 10% and to force the redrawing of the boundaries by rules requiring that arithmetical quotas trump all other considerations. I have a copy of one Mr (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con): such amendment before me. It says that the electorate I am listening to the right hon. Gentleman’s speech with “shall be as near the electoral quota as is practicable”— great interest, but a lot of what he is saying is pure speculation. Does he think that the current system, with only a 3% margin would be allowed— its vast discrepancies in constituency size, is fair? The “and all other special geographical considerations, including in Government in which he served did nothing to address particular the size, shape and accessibility of a constituency, shall that, yet it needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. be subordinate to achieving this aim”. The scheme, therefore, is that arithmetic will trump all, Mr Straw: Nobody argues that it is not important to so that history, geography, mountains, rivers, and even secure electoral equality in England, Scotland and Wales— communities and the sea, are to be subordinated to where different rules have applied, which is a separate arithmetical rules. issue—but that must also be subject to other rules The effects would be extraordinary, especially in Scotland. involving geography and history, as I shall explain. If The Orkney and Shetland electorate is 33,000. Under the hon. Gentleman looks at the data, he will see that these proposals—official Conservative proposals—Orkney nowadays Labour seats in Scotland and Wales are larger and Shetland would have to be jammed in with Caithness, than the few Conservative and Liberal Democrat seats Sutherland and Easter Ross, which has an electorate of in those two nations. In England, our seats are 3% 47,000 in order to make a single seat exactly within the smaller than the electoral average, and those of the electoral average. The Western Isles, with an electorate Conservatives are 3% larger. There are also some very of 22,000, is the smallest constituency in the United large Labour seats these days, however, as well as large Kingdom. It would have to be jammed in with a vast Conservative seats. We pursued the same rules as previous swathe of the western highlands—of western Scotland, Administrations, and the reasons for the recent trends is indeed. In England and Wales, too, long-established that there has been more rapid depopulation in areas patterns of democracy would be destroyed in pursuit of that are typically Labour, mainly inner cities, although the new Conservative formulae. How such changes, that is now changing. defying history and geography and people’s own sense of place, could possibly be said to strengthen our democracy What is crucial is that these changes are done in a fair I do not know. Perhaps the right hon. Member for way, by agreement between the parties, not in a partisan Sheffield, Hallam will be able to tell us whether he is way.Professor Iain McLean, a lecturer at university comfortable with this scheme. and an elections expert, warned last month that “to move straight to individual registration risks moving straight to mass disenfranchisement of the young, the urban, the mobile Mrs Anne McGuire (Stirling) (Lab): Sometimes when and ethnic minority voters” we talk about geography, we do not appreciate the full extent of the situation. My constituency is about the and that it size of Luxembourg and will not meet the 75,000 threshold. “could make Britain in 2011 like Florida in 2000”. The constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter 35 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 36

[Mrs Anne McGuire] That brings me to the issue that my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff West (Kevin Brennan) raised: the Ross, whose Member is here today, is the size of Cyprus; proposal for a 55% threshold to secure the dissolution and the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency of the of Parliament. That 55% threshold appeared in no former leader of the Liberal Democrats is the size of party manifesto. It is a partisan measure stitched up by the Bahamas. It is not just a matter of numbers but of the coalition partners to protect themselves from each geographical extent, which makes the proposal for a other—nobody else—while retaining their ability to go 75,000 threshold ludicrous. for an early election if they believe it would be advantageous. Where does the figure of 55% come from? That is an Mr Straw: My right hon. Friend makes a very important interesting question. [Interruption.] Well, I am going to point, but the truth is that under the amendment to give the answer. It comes from the fact that the Liberals which I referred—there is no need to speculate because and the Conservatives together have—guess what—57% this is what is proposed—all the considerations that she of the seats in the current Parliament. They would, and the whole House are concerned about, along, I dare thus, have the power to dissolve this Parliament if the say, with voters across the highlands and islands of polls and the signs looked encouraging. The Conservatives, Scotland and in many other places as well, would be on their own, hold 47% of the seats and the rest of the swept aside, “subordinate”, as the amendment says, to a parties hold 53%, so in the event of a Conservative simple arithmetical rule. minority Government it would be impossible to reach I have said to the House that we favour a referendum the 55% threshold required to force an election. If that on the alternative vote, but I make it clear that we will is not a political fix, I do not know what is. not allow that to be used as a Trojan horse for an The Labour party agrees with fixed-term , omnibus Bill that will profoundly harm our democracy. in principle, and our manifesto included a commitment The Liberal Democrats would do well to consider the to legislate. However, given that most Parliaments since damage to democracy that will arise from these proposals. the war have lasted four years or less, we favour a If appealing to their sense of democracy is not enough, four-year term. then I appeal to their sense of self-interest. [Interruption.] That is always best with Liberal Democrats. Why do Mr (Wyre and Preston North) (Con): they and the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam Before entering this House, I was a Member of the think that the Conservatives are now pursuing this idea? . Can the right hon. Gentleman tell It is not out of any principled concern about the size of me why a 66% threshold was chosen in the Scotland Act the House of Commons. The Prime Minister argued 1998 when it went through this House? For what reason passionately against a reduction in the number of Members was that appropriate then, but not now? of Parliament when he was defending the size of his own constituency before the 2003 inquiry into the Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): Will the right hon. boundaries in . The Liberal Democrats have Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) allow me to deal now apparently been pulled along in the wake of this with that point? undemocratic proposal to cut seats, yet the Liberal Democrats in Oxfordshire were not then arguing for the Mr Straw indicated assent. status quo of six seats in Oxfordshire––which, at least the Prime Minister was arguing for––but for seven seats, Angus Robertson: On that point, can we— which would have led to a House of Commons of 700. We need to understand that a 10% reduction in the Mr Speaker: Order. We cannot have an intervention number of seats and rigid mathematical formulae will upon an intervention; a few words from Mr Straw change every single boundary in the United Kingdom. before we hear from the hon. Gentleman would be As my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr Skinner) helpful. mentioned, that is where the Liberal Democrats are uniquely vulnerable. Their seats are isolated—tiny dots Mr Straw: I can give the hon. Member for Wyre and of orange in seas of red or —and they have Preston North (Mr Wallace) an answer, and it is not a proportionately twice as many marginal seats as either bad one. He ought to read carefully both limbs of of the other parties. I hope the right hon. Member for section 3 of the 1998 Act. If he had bothered to read it Sheffield, Hallam will accept that this proposal is and if those negotiating this coalition agreement had dangerous—dangerous to his own party, for sure, but to done so—I have the Act before me for the sake of the of our democracy, as well. There is to be greater accuracy—they would know what it states. Under an argument about reducing the number of seats and section 3(1)(a), the presiding officer has to require an the way we conduct boundary reviews, but the better “extraordinary general election”—an early general way through, since so many reviews have already been election—for the Scottish Parliament if two thirds of set up, is to have an independent examination of how the Parliament vote for that. However, the provision we conduct boundary reviews. That would be far better contains an “or”, not an “and”, because section 3(1)(b) than the crude and undemocratic system that is being states that if there is proposed. “any period during which the Parliament is required under section 46 Let me make this last point to the right hon. Gentleman. to nominate one of its members for appointment as First Minister In the United States—this idea came from there—they ends without such a nomination being made”, have simple, rigid arithmetical rules. As the Electoral after 28 days there has to be a general election. That Reform Society—no great friend of mine and hard-wired election is triggered by a simple majority, not by a two into the Liberal Democrat party––has pointed out, the thirds one. Therefore, we should hear no more rubbish United States also has the worst gerrymandering in about there being a two thirds lock in the Scottish the world. Parliament, because it is not true. 37 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 38

Angus Robertson: Please can we never again hear this Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis), in which he says comparison with the situation in the Scottish Parliament that the 55%-majority plan will “taint”the “New Politics” on this point, because it is totally spurious? The 66% and that to threshold is required for the immediate dissolution of “introduce such a measure in this way is simply wrong.” the Scottish Parliament, but 50% remains the threshold He goes on to say: for a confidence vote, as it should remain in this House. “The requirement for a 55 per cent majority to dissolve parliament, and thereby dismiss a government, dramatically reduces the ability Mr Straw: I should also tell hon. Members that if of Parliament to hold the executive to account. It is a major they were to read section 3 of the 1998 Act, they would constitutional change, possibly one of the greatest since 1911.” find that if, for example, the First Minister is voted out He also draws attention to what would have happened by a simple majority and after 28 days no new First in 1979, which some of us will recall, when the Government Minister has been voted in, an election has to take of the day lost their majority by one vote. The then place. That is done by a simple majority, so the only Leader of the Labour party and the Government said effect of this provision is to delay matters by requirements that there would have to be an election—it followed like relating to a simple majority and 28 days. There is no night follows day. People talk about having a period of parallel, whatsoever, in these arrangements, and the looking at a coalition in such a situation, but what do hon. Member for Wyre and Preston North knows it. they think was being done in the days leading up to that vote but searching for a coalition? It was precisely Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): Will the because one was not available that the Government ran right hon. Gentleman give way? out of numbers and the vote was lost. In that situation, when there had been a vote of no confidence in the Mr Straw: Of course I will give way to a Liberal Government, the Labour Government could have carried Democrat—why not? on—they might no doubt have wished to—until the following October, because the 55% threshold would not have been achieved. If that had happened, they Sir Alan Beith: Is the right hon. Gentleman’s real would have been in the ludicrous and wholly undemocratic view that the Prime Minister’s unfettered power to call position— a general election at a time of his choosing should be retained and that we should not have fixed-term Parliaments, or is he proposing an alternative mechanism, The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Mark be it the Scottish Parliament’s combination of a Harper): You’re wrong. 66% threshold and a one-month rule or some other mechanism? Mr Straw: We are not wrong. It is interesting that whenever Ministers have sought to explain this, they Mr Straw: I do not understand. Either this has been have tied themselves in knots. In the very first Adjournment debate of this Parliament, on the day of the Queen’s done for partisan reasons—[HON.MEMBERS: “Answer the question!”] Of course, I am going to answer the Speech, the poor benighted Deputy Leader of the House question—I always do—but I am allowed to answer the got tied in knots not only by Labour Members but by question in my own way. The right hon. Member for most of the Conservative Members. I ask the Deputy Berwick-upon-Tweed (Sir Alan Beith) and I have been Prime Minister to spell out how this is going to work debating this for long enough. I say to him that either and, above all, to withdraw this ludicrous and undemocratic this has been done for the most crude of partisan proposal. I say to him, in the full hearing of a packed reasons, or the Government have simply misunderstood Front Bench, that the Deputy Leader of the House also how they can establish fixed-term Parliaments and take put on record that the Bill would not be guillotined, so away the right of the Prime Minister to recommend that we could forget about programme motions, and Dissolution before then. It is very straightforward. We that it would be dealt with on the Floor of the House, can legislate for fixed-term Parliaments—our view is but it might never come out of the House, such is the that we ought to go for four-year, not five-year, controversy behind it. Parliaments—and we can also legislate to take away the Constitutional reform is fundamental for any democracy power of the Prime Minister to recommend Dissolution that wants to renew itself and make itself responsive to before then, but what we should not do is legislate to the needs of an ever-evolving electorate. The Opposition take away the power of the House of Commons to are in favour of reform that will strengthen Parliament remove a Government. I am afraid that they are doing and the democratic process, and we will work constructively that on some curious and spurious arithmetic. to achieve measures with that objective in mind. As it In the same speech in which he talked about the 1832 stands, this package of proposals contains far too many reform Act, about which I have had to correct him, the partisan political fixes, and is not so much new politics Deputy Prime Minister also said: as an old-fashioned stitch-up between the two oldest parties in the House. We oppose those changes and “We are not taking away Parliament’s right to throw out I commend my amendment to the House. Government; we’re taking away Government’s right to throw out Parliament.” That is utter nonsense. It is casuistry in the extreme. We 4.25 pm are talking about the Government’s right to throw out The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Nick Clegg): I thank Parliament and we are talking about Parliament’s right the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) for to throw out the Government. opening today’s debate, which he did at considerable I remind the House of an excellent article in The length—so much so that I am increasingly attracted to Daily Telegraph, inserted by the right hon. Member for the idea of time limits on speeches. 39 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 40

[The Deputy Prime Minister] right hon. Gentleman tell us with a straight face exactly how he alighted on the figure of 55% rather than 54%, The right hon. Gentleman spoke with great knowledge 56% or even 66% in his proposals? What was the logic and at times some generosity about our proposed of 55%—straight-faced? programme. That generosity is no wonder given what we are proposing: a referendum on the alternative vote—a The Deputy Prime Minister: I shall come to that in Labour manifesto pledge; the power of recall—a Labour greater detail in a minute. Quite simply, the logic is to manifesto pledge; moves to reform party funding, fixed-term stop any single party doing what happens at the moment, Parliaments and an elected Second Chamber—all Labour which is timing the occasion of a general election for manifesto pledges. In fact, never before will a Government pure party self-interest. That is what needs to be removed have delivered quite so many of Labour’s election promises. if we are to have proper fixed-term Parliaments. The Who would have thought it would be a Liberal Democrat- hon. Gentleman, if he agrees with his Front-Bench Conservative coalition that finally got around to doing colleagues, supports fixed-term Parliaments, yet he has that? absolutely no proposals on how to implement them in I recognise of course that the right hon. Gentleman practice. has great authority on those matters. His Government, in their early days, had a clear reformist streak—devolution, Several hon. Members rose— freedom of information and progress on Lords reform. Unfortunately, that was lost, but after the The Deputy Prime Minister: I should like to make right hon. Gentleman’s speech today perhaps that zeal progress and then I will give way again. for political reform, which Labour lost in government, will now be rediscovered in opposition. First, we need to relinquish Executive control. The Government are determined that no Government should I have heard the right hon. Gentleman’s concerns, be able to play politics with the dates of a general particularly his lengthy concerns about the boundary election. [Interruption.] I am addressing the point that review, which seem a little coloured by the almost was made. Parliamentary terms should be fixed for unsettling suspicion that there is a political plot at every five years. turn. I shall seek to address some of his concerns, although I shall leave debate about the merits or otherwise of the 1832 Act to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent (Rhondda) (Lab): Will the right hon. Central (Tristram Hunt) and other historians. I shall Gentleman give way? focus primarily on the constitutional reforms being pursued by the Government, for which I have direct The Deputy Prime Minister: Let me make some progress, responsibility, although I shall say a few words about and then I will give way to the hon. Gentleman. Let him some of the issues raised by the Opposition that will be hear me out first. taken forward by my right hon. Friend the . We need a new right for Parliament to request a She will pick up those issues later. Dissolution, taking away the Prime Minister’s exclusive On the constitutional side, yes, of course we will need and traditional right to call an election when he or she to work out the precise detail of the reforms we are wishes. The majority required for early Dissolution—set proposing, but I sincerely hope that their underlying at 55% in the coalition agreement—has clearly sparked principles will bring both sides of the House together. a lot of anguish among the Opposition. It should; it is Despite any differences, we all share a single ambition: an important decision that will, of course, be properly to restore people’s faith in their politics and their politicians. considered by the whole House, as the legislation progresses. The Government’s plans will do just that, because our But the Opposition in their amendment today are wilfully programme turns a page on Governments who hoard misrepresenting how that safeguard will function. Their power, on Parliaments that look inwards rather than amendment deliberately confuses that new right with outwards, and on widespread disengagement among traditional powers of no confidence, which will remain people who feel locked out of decisions that affect their in place intact. everyday lives. This is a moment when together we have Let me assure the House that we are already conducting a real opportunity to change our politics for good. detailed work on the steps that are necessary to remove any theoretical possibility of a limbo in which a Government Christopher Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): who could not command the confidence of the House Stepping off his moral high horse for just a moment, would refuse to dissolve Parliament and give people could the right hon. Gentleman take the time to define their say. That would clearly be intolerable. Any new the word “gerrymander”? arrangements will need to build on existing conventions, so that a distinction is maintained between no confidence The Deputy Prime Minister: I do not think anyone in and early Dissolution. the House, and particularly outside it, would question the value of trying to reduce the cost of Parliament, by Chris Bryant: The right hon. Gentleman referred making a modest cut in the total numbers. I do not earlier to hoarding power. Will he explain the length of judge the quality of our democracy—nor should the time that he is talking about—the five-year term—bearing hon. Gentleman—by the simple number of politicians in mind that, since 1832, the average peacetime Parliament in the House. has lasted for considerably less than four years, at three years and eight months. Australia and New Zealand Kevin Brennan: Perhaps the Deputy Prime Minister have three-year Parliaments. The countries with five-year could clarify the question I put to my right hon. Friend Parliaments are Ethiopia, and France. Which the Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) earlier. Can the is he measuring on? 41 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 42

The Deputy Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman constituents, and I know that my right hon. Friend the normally talks with some knowledge, but he appears to Leader of the House is already talking to IPSA about have forgotten that the Parliament Act 1911 instituted how we can move away from the generous final salary five-year parliamentary terms and that the Labour party pension scheme enjoyed by Members of the House. has just had a five-year parliamentary term. It is difficult Expenses were only ever the tip of the iceberg. The for him to see the coalition Government introduce all influence of big money runs much deeper. It is time to the changes that he used to talk about and failed to finish what was started three years ago in the cross-party deliver. You had 13 years finally to do something and talks on party funding. Every party has had its own introduce political reform. We are finally going to go on problems, but we all now have an opportunity to draw a and do it. line under them, so we will seize that opportunity. We will pursue a detailed agreement on limiting donations Kevin Brennan: On a point of order, Mr Deputy and reforming party funding to remove big money from Speaker. I apologise for interrupting the Deputy Prime politics for good. Minister, but could you remind him not to ape the Prime Equally, we all remember the outrage felt in all parts Minister in every respect by referring to the Opposition of the House at the lobbying scandals that unfolded as “you” in the House? just a few months ago, before the general election. Much lobbying activity is perfectly legitimate. Much of Mr Deputy Speaker (Hugh Bayley): I think that the it serves an important function, allowing different Deputy Prime Minister knows the form of address for organisations and charities to make representations to the House. Parliament, but it is a process—I am sure everyone agrees on this—that must be made completely transparent. The Deputy Prime Minister: Yes; I am grateful to the We are committed to ensuring that transparency and we hon. Gentleman for, once again, really picking out the will introduce a statutory register of lobbyists. important things in the debate today. Finally, if, once all those reforms are in place, there We are also committed to strengthening Parliament are individual parliamentarians who still break the rules, by introducing the Wright Committee’s proposals, starting we will also guarantee that the House of Commons is with the proposed committee for the management of not a safe house. We will introduce legislation to ensure Back-Bench business before the subsequent introduction that, where it has been proven that a Member has been of a House business committee to consider Government engaged in serious wrongdoing, their constituents will business. have the right to organise a petition to force a by-election. ( South and Finsbury) When people have been let down by their MP in that (Lab): Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? way, they must not be made to wait until the next election to cast their judgment, but I also want to be clear: recall will not collapse into some tit-for-tat game The Deputy Prime Minister: I should like to make a between party political rivals, with parties seeking to bit of progress if I may. oust each other through those petitions. When MPs are We also plan to strengthen the Scottish Parliament accused of doing something seriously wrong, they are and the Welsh Assembly, too, by implementing entitled—everyone is entitled in the House—to expect a recommendations from the Calman commission’s final fair and due process to determine their innocence or report. Equally, Wales will get a referendum on further guilt. That is why I certainly would not be content for a devolution—a decision that will be taken by the Welsh body composed only of MPs, as the Select Committee people. on Standards and Privileges was, to be the sole route by which we decide an MP’s culpability. That is why we are Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): The right hon. Gentleman looking into exactly what would be the fairest, most says that there will be a referendum in Wales on the All appropriate and most robust trigger. I shall outline Wales Convention’s proposals. Does he support a yes those plans very soon. vote in that referendum, and do the Government support a yes vote in that referendum? Richard Burden (, Northfield) (Lab): May I take the Deputy Prime Minister back from recall of The Deputy Prime Minister: Yes, the Government do MPs to the issue of recall of Governments? I am still support a yes vote in that referendum. As for the not entirely sure that he answered the question asked by referendum’s timing, as the hon. Gentleman may know, my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff West (Kevin the Secretary of State for Wales and the First Minister Brennan). I understand the point that the Deputy Prime are meeting today, with a view to identifying a date—most Minister is making about there needing to be a 50 per likely, in the first few months of next year—to hold that cent. majority vote of no confidence. The issue under referendum. debate is how that would trigger a general election. Will Here in London, as we strengthen Parliament, we he explain why the Government appear to have hit on a must of course ensure that we have cleaned it up, too. figure that bears a dramatic resemblance to their own Radical steps have already been taken to put in place a figures and their own strength, rather than the general new expenses regime. Although the way that the party balance in Parliament? Why that figure? Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority is working in its early days may be controversial to some hon. The Deputy Prime Minister: I have already explained, Members on both sides of the House, I am sure that and the hon. Gentleman must accept, that, clearly, there everyone agrees that public confidence in how MPs are needs to be a different figure for the motion of no paid is absolutely crucial. Our personal arrangements confidence, which stands, and the figure for dissolution—a should never be so grossly out of step with those of our new right for Parliament. 43 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 44

[The Deputy Prime Minister] Several hon. Members rose—

I have also explained that, when we table the legislation, The Deputy Prime Minister: I shall give way one more we will of course ensure that no Government can fall time, then I shall make progress. between those two things—a and a vote of dissolution. We will, as is the case in many Mr Tom Harris (Glasgow South) (Lab): I am grateful other parliamentary systems, set out how we can avoid to the Deputy Prime Minister, who is being very generous. a limbo in which a Government do not enjoy the I do not expect that he will be able to represent the confidence of the House yet a vote has not taken place, whole of the Conservative party in terms of policy, but or cannot take place, to dissolve Government. That is if the Conservative party is committed to fixed-term what we will do. Instead of constantly seeking to see Parliaments, can he explain why, during the general plots around every single corner, driven by a touch of election, the Prime Minister committed his party to party paranoia, I ask the hon. Gentleman to relax and holding a general election within six months if the wait until he has seen the legislation. Then we can have Prime Minister was removed? That is hardly compatible the debate. with a commitment to a fixed term. Mr Straw: Frankly, if these proposals are formed The Deputy Prime Minister: The coalition agreement, already, the Deputy Prime Minister needs, if I may say which binds the Government as a whole, is very clear so, better to spell out how they would operate. Will he that we want to see fixed-term Parliaments. We will please, for the benefit of the House, explain what would table legislation for a fixed-term Parliament. We will happen following a vote of no confidence? Let us take table a motion before the legislation is introduced to as an example what happened in ’79—the vote of no make sure that the political commitment to a fixed-term confidence. Everybody knew that that would trigger a Parliament is made completely clear. There is consensus general election. If there had been a 55% threshold, across the whole House on the virtues of fixed-term there could not have been a general election; there Parliaments. This is another issue on which the hon. would have been limbo. What is his proposal for filling Gentleman and so many others on the Opposition that gap? Benches, having failed to introduce this change for the The Deputy Prime Minister: The Government are past 13 years, are coming up with a series of synthetic three weeks old. The right hon. Gentleman has rightly reasons why they should oppose something that they pointed out that these are very important matters. We themselves used to propose. want to get them right. I have indicated today, quite We also want—[Interruption.] I shall make progress. clearly, that this is not just a matter of the vote of no We want people to be able to initiate debates here in the confidence and a threshold for a vote for dissolution, Commons through public petitions, we want a new and that we need to fill in the details of the legislation to public reading stage for Bills, we want people to be able prevent what I think he is rightly concerned about, to instigate local referendums on issues that matter to which is a Government not enjoying the confidence of their neighbourhoods, and we want people to decide the House, yet a vote of dissolution— directly if they want to change the system by which they elect their MPs, which is why there will be a referendum Several hon. Members rose— on the alternative vote. I will announce the date of that referendum in due course. The Deputy Prime Minister: I should like to make progress. I have said as much as I can and wish to say at Electoral reform should, the Government believe, this stage on that issue. also include— The power of recall is just one of a range of reforms Dr Julian Lewis: I thank the Deputy Prime Minister intended to shift power directly to the British people. for giving way. He will have heard the answer that the Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden) (Con): right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) gave The Deputy Prime Minister knows that I approve of when I asked him whether it had been the case that the and support the power of recall, but I have talked to outgoing Labour Prime Minister had offered, during him about the scope for individual injustice in a scheme the coalition negotiations, to ram through the alternative that is triggered by something that is not judicial. In his vote without a referendum. I am not giving away any remarks about the power of recall, is he telling us that trade secrets when I say that Conservative MPs were the triggering procedure, which would currently be the told that that was the case. The Deputy Prime Minister Privileges Committee, would become more quasi-judicial is in a position to know. Were the Liberal Democrats than it is now? offered by the Labour party the alternative vote without a referendum? Can he set the matter to rest? The Deputy Prime Minister: I can confirm that I believe it would be wrong for a Committee that, as The Deputy Prime Minister: The answer is no. The constituted previously, is composed only of other politicians, right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) was right. to act as judge and jury for something as important That was not offered by the Labour party in those as the trigger that would lead to a by-election and a discussions. The hon. Member for New Forest East Member losing their seat. Exactly how we could provide (Dr Lewis) is right—I should know whether it was a fairer form of due process so that MPs are not offered or not. unfairly ensnared in the mechanism of recall is the subject of reflection now. If the right hon. Gentleman Emily Thornberry: Does the right hon. Gentleman or any other Member has any ideas about how we intend to address the issue of low voter registration? He should do this, I should be grateful to hear from them. may well know that on 23 February 2006 in Islington 45 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 46 town hall there was an attempt to increase voter registration wrong to aspire to such a House of Commons, which, by the Labour group, which was voted down by the in terms of the total number of MPs, is already far, far Liberals. After the proposal was voted down, the leader larger than was originally envisaged. of the Liberal council shouted across the chamber, “That’s how we win elections.” Mr Straw rose—

The Deputy Prime Minister: We believe, as did the Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op) previous Government, that we need to introduce individual rose— voter registration. I agree with the right hon. Member for Blackburn that that should be pursued, particularly The Deputy Prime Minister: I give way first to the if it is accelerated, with great care. It is a resource-intensive right hon. Member for Blackburn. thing to do. We need to get it right. The current legislation, which the right hon. Gentleman Mr Straw: First, on the size of the House, the right and others introduced, allows for voluntary individual hon. Gentleman will know that the number of MPs has voter registration to start now, with a view to moving gone down a little since 2005, and that, although the towards a compulsory system by 2015, if I am correct. size of the House has increased by 3% in the past There is now an issue about whether we want to accelerate 50 years, the electorate for which we are responsible has that process, but we can all agree that if we do so it must increased by 25% and our work load has shot up be properly resourced and organised. dramatically. I regard as completely spurious his argument I should now like to address the issue that the right that there would be some net saving by reducing the hon. Gentleman raised at quite some length: the redrawing total number of MPs, unless our constituents are to of Britain’s unfair electoral boundaries. I completely receive a far less good service than they receive at the agree with the right hon. Gentleman that that must be moment. done with care, but he must agree with me that the need Secondly, of course we will examine proposals for for care is not a reason not to act at all. The most recent ensuring that the system can be speeded up, but does boundary review in England began in 2000 and took six the right hon. Gentleman accept that, if future reviews years to report. By the time the new constituencies were are to be sensible and fair—[Interruption.] If future used in the general election last month, the population reviews are to be sensible and fair, they must take of one in five constituencies in England was more than account of not only registered electors, but the 3.5 million 10% above or below that review’s target figure of 69,900. people who, the Electoral Commission says, are eligible In the most extreme case, we have one constituency that to vote but not on the register. is five times the size of another. That is simply not right. It is the ultimate postcode lottery, whereby the weight of one’s vote depends on where one lives, so I ask the The Deputy Prime Minister: That is a problem, and right hon. Gentleman and his colleagues to engage fully that is exactly why the acceleration of the individual with the process as, over the coming months, Parliament voter registration system must be done in a way that has its say on an overall but modest reduction in the successfully addresses that problem, rather than number of House of Commons seats. exacerbates it. The right hon. Gentleman and all his colleagues Mr Straw: The right hon. Gentleman refers to the basically have a choice about the issue of a referendum contrast between the Western Isles, with 22,000 people, on the alternative vote and the linked issue of a boundary and the Isle of Wight, with more than 100,000. I do not review. Either he tries to see the issue—slightly argue that the Isle of Wight be represented by only one neurotically—through the prism of pure party interest, Member, but does he suggest that the separate whereby all he wants to do is to adopt a defensive considerations that have been made for island communities, position to protect his own party’s arithmetical standing including separate seats for the Western Isles, for Orkney in this House, or he and his colleagues should in my and for Shetland, be abandoned in favour of a strict view be prepared to engage with the serious issue at electoral quota, as the Conservatives proposed before hand, which is that constituencies are unequal, the the election? weight of people’s votes is unequal and that that is simply not an acceptable position at a time when we have this great opportunity to renew our democracy The Deputy Prime Minister: I am not saying that from top to toe. That is a choice that he should make. there will be a rigid, arithmetical formula which— [Interruption.] No, there will be—[Interruption.] Let On everything from this matter to the 55% threshold, me finish. There will be a consistent approach towards I would say two things. First, it is a political choice for the equalisation of constituencies throughout the nation, Labour Members as to whether they want to leap but of course that approach will need to accommodate straight from government, having failed to move on all some of the specific characteristics and features of the these things, to outright oppositionism driven by the nations and regions of this country. We are now working slightly paranoid sense that everything is targeted at on how we do that, and of course we will come forward them and no one else, or can engage seriously in what with proposals. I believe is a promising moment in our political history to reform things, and to reform things for good. However, I again ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he seriously thinks it acceptable that one fifth of constituencies in England are now 10% above or below Alun Michael rose— the target population figure that was set when those boundaries were last reviewed? Surely he must accept The Deputy Prime Minister: I will take one more that that issue requires another look, and that it is not intervention, and then make some progress. 47 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 48

Alun Michael: Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that are more than 100 years overdue. Subject to the that the basic democratic right is the right to vote and legitimate scrutiny that the Bill will deserve, this Government that nobody can exercise that right without being registered are determined to push through the necessary reforms to vote? Therefore, dealing with the 3.5 million or so to the other place. People have been talking about individuals who are not registered to vote is not just Lords reform for more than a century. The time for talk something that comes after the sort of changes that he is over. People must be allowed to elect those who make is seeking—it needs to be dealt with as a matter of the laws of the land. Change must begin now. urgency. Mr Straw rose— The Deputy Prime Minister: Urgency? The right hon. Gentleman and his colleagues have had 13 years to do The Deputy Prime Minister: Let me just confirm that this. How often are they going constantly to ask us to the committee will hold its first meeting as early as next do things urgently when we have had only three weeks week, and that its members will be the Parliamentary and they had 13 years? Of course we need to find the Secretary, Cabinet Office, the hon. Member for Forest 3.5 million people who are not on the register, alongside of Dean (Mr Harper), who is the Minister with the progress towards individual voter registration, but I responsibility for political and constitutional reform; say this to him: please do not sit there all high and the Leader of the House of Lords; the Deputy Leader mighty and pretend that we are somehow responsible of the Lords; the shadow Leader of the Lords, the for a problem that he and his colleagues in government Leader of the House of Commons; the Deputy Leader created over the past decade. of the Commons; the shadow Leader of the Commons; and, of course, the shadow Justice Secretary, to whom (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) I give way. (LD) rose— Mr Straw: I am very grateful to the right hon. Gentleman The Deputy Prime Minister: I will take one more for what he has said, and we will work constructively intervention, and then I am genuinely going to try to with him and his colleagues. make some progress. The Deputy Prime Minister: I am grateful to the right John Thurso: I am delighted to hear that my right hon. Gentleman. hon. Friend is not bound by any strict and rigid arithmetical formula, and I applaud his commitment to more equality. Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): Will the Within that, does he accept that the quality of service right hon. Gentleman give way? that one can give with a constituency of 3,400 square miles is dependent on the time available, which is greater The Deputy Prime Minister: No, I should like to in metropolitan constituencies where travel is not such make progress now. an issue? Will he ensure that that aspect of rurality is I am grateful to the right hon. Member for Blackburn taken into account in any plans that the Government for his support, and there is something else that he can have? help me with. He may have heard that as part of our plans to rebalance the relationship between citizen and The Deputy Prime Minister: Clearly the job of being state, we are inviting people to tell us which unnecessary an MP in sparsely populated and very large rural laws they believe should be repealed. The right hon. constituencies is a great challenge, which my hon. Friend Gentleman is well placed to advise us on where to start, knows more about than most. That is exactly the kind given that he held so many high offices of state in of thing that we will need to take into consideration as various Departments over many years at a time when we progress with this measure. the statute book groaned with the addition of countless I should like to turn to reform of the other place, new laws, regulations and offences. The process of which we all agree must now happen. It should be up to identifying unnecessary laws is part of a broader programme the British people to elect their second Chamber—a to end the unjustified intrusion of the state into ordinary second Chamber that must be much more representative people’s lives. Legislation has already been introduced of them, their communities and their neighbourhoods. to scrap ID cards and cancel the national identity To that end, I should like to announce the following register. measures. First, I have set up a committee, which I will chair, to take forward this reform, composed of Members Dr McCrea: Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? from all three major political parties, as well as from both Houses. Secondly, the committee will be explicitly The Deputy Prime Minister: I will not, because many charged with producing a draft Bill by no later than the other Members wish to speak in the debate and I have end of this year—the first time that legislation for an been very generous in giving way. I now want to allow elected second Chamber will ever have been published. others to have their say. Thirdly, the draft Bill will then be subject to pre-legislative Action will follow on proper regulation of CCTV, on scrutiny by a Joint Committee of both Houses during preventing schools from taking children’s fingerprints which there will of course be ample opportunity for all without their parents’ consent and on restoring rights voices to be heard. to non-violent protest. Make no mistake: we are not starting this process from scratch. There is already significant shared ground Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): between the parties that will be taken as our starting On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. The Deputy point. I am not going to hide my impatience for reforms Prime Minister has just announced a major new committee 49 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 50 to look into the second Chamber of this Parliament, that of extending anonymity to defendants in rape without any consultation with most of the parties in the cases? Will he make a few remarks on how he sees the House. He has announced that it will involve the three Government being able to incorporate the views of all main London parties without any participation by or Members in taking the matter forward? consultation with the smaller parties in the House. Is it in order for him to so brightly exclude the minority The Deputy Prime Minister: The Deputy Leader of parties in the House in such a despicable way? the House tells me that there is an Adjournment debate about the matter tonight. It is a difficult and sensitive Mr Deputy Speaker (Hugh Bayley): Ihavetosayto issue, which my hon. Friend is right to raise. It has been the hon. Gentleman that his views have been heard by raised many times and I read some articles in the press the House, but that is a matter for debate, not a matter about it again this morning. Everybody is united in of order for the Chair. wanting the conviction rates for rape to increase. Everybody wants more support to be provided to victims of rape so Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): Further to that point that they come forward in the first place, while also of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. It has been customary in wanting to minimise the stigma attached to those who the House for the appointment of Committees to be might be falsely accused. However, I want to make it subject to votes in the House, so it is not for the Deputy clear that, although the Government have proposed the Prime Minister to announce the creation of a Committee idea, we want to listen to everybody who has a stake or of this House or of another place. expertise in or insight into the matter. If our idea does not withstand sincere scrutiny, we will of course be Mr Deputy Speaker: It is for the Government to prepared to change it. decide what the membership of a Government committee Today is only the start of many hours of lively debate should be, so that is a matter for debate. on the issues that I have mentioned, and I welcome that. We have a hugely ambitious programme to transform Dr McCrea: Further to that point of order, Mr Deputy our constitutional and political landscape so that we Speaker. I have listened carefully to your ruling that achieve a better balance between Parliament and the that is a point for debate, but the problem is that the Executive, clean, transparent politics and power handed Deputy Prime Minister will seemingly not be willing to back to people. Given the scope of that package, we will debate it with those Members who are not from the inevitably disagree about some of the detail. However, three major parties. let us not lose sight of the things about which we agree. Mr Deputy Speaker: I noted that the hon. Gentleman Let us not forget the scale of the damage that this was seeking to intervene. Perhaps he will be able to Parliament needs to repair, and not take for granted the catch Mr Speaker’s eye at some later point during chance that our constituents have given us finally to get today’s debate. it right.

The Deputy Prime Minister: May I first remind Several hon. Members rose— Opposition Members that what was customary over the past 13 years was that an announcement such as this Mr Deputy Speaker: Order. An exceptionally large would have been made in the press before it was made in number of Members is trying to catch the Speaker’s eye the House? At least I have come to the House. Secondly, in the debate. I remind hon. Members that Mr Speaker it is totally legitimate for us to create a committee has imposed a seven-minute limit on Back-Bench speeches. composed of the three UK-wide parties, all of which were united in having manifesto commitments at the 5.1 pm general election to reforming the other place. As I have Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op): announced today, the draft Bill that we will publish Given the limited time, I will concentrate on crime before the end of the year—the first one on the subject reduction, the work of the police and community cohesion. in the past century or so—will be followed by proper pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of both The slaughter in Cumbria last week showed how Houses. difficult it is to anticipate and prevent every event, but so far politicians of every hue have wisely resisted the Dr McCrea: Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? temptation to produce instant solutions or demand legislation. The only instant comment that I have seen The Deputy Prime Minister: No, I wish to conclude was a suggestion about merging police forces. I hope my remarks so that others can have their say. that Ministers in the new Government will treat that favourite Whitehall recipe with deep suspicion. The Dr McCrea rose— previous Conservative police Minister, whom I shadowed in the mid-1990s, was and he resisted an Lorely Burt () (LD) rose— over-centralised approach. I commend his approach to the new Ministers present. The larger the force, the The Deputy Prime Minister: I feel that I have answered more remote its leaders from the community that they the hon. Member for South Antrim (Dr McCrea), so I police. Although there is tension between dealing with give way to my hon. Friend the Member for Solihull terrorism and major incidents and policing local (Lorely Burt). communities, good management and co-operation are the answer rather than structural change. Lorely Burt: I am grateful. Before my right hon. We had a good example of that in Cardiff on Saturday. Friend concludes, may I raise a matter that has been of The bigots of the English Defence League came to our concern to Members in all parts of the House, which is city to spread hatred and division. The police had to 51 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 52

[Alun Michael] legislation that works. As Gibbon warns in “The History of the Decline and Fall of the ”, laws handle them and those of us who marched to oppose rarely prevent what they forbid. them. They had to do that on a day when the South I urge Ministers to heed that warning in relation to Africans were playing Wales at rugby, the West Indians the growing issue of internet-related crime. There is a were in town for a cricket match and the Stereophonics consensus that teamwork is the answer, with the were performing in concert. Hundreds of police were Government working with industry, MPs of all parties ready for problems and I commend all the forces who and civil society to design out internet-related crime. sent officers to help South Wales police maintain order. The United Kingdom has led the world on internet I also commend the good sense and good humour with governance. If that term puts people off, may I point which South Wales police managed the day. In the end, out that the governance of banks seemed boring and a couple of dozen English Defence League members esoteric before everything went pear-shaped? Governance came and went, while 1,000 people of all colours and matters. A partnership approach is vital, because the religions marched under the banner of Unite Against internet is so fast-changing, chameleon-like and universal Fascism in a quiet, peaceful demonstration that had that traditional legislative approaches will not work. real authority and truly reflected Cardiff’s nature as a There is not the time. multiracial city that is determined to maintain harmony. Let us promote a co-operative approach to internet We want to celebrate difference and value each other’s safety as well as to the more mundane aspects of criminal strengths instead of looking for division. The police activity in our local communities. What counts is what lead showed that they get that point. works—what counts is what reduces crime and the My second home truth from Cardiff is the success of number of people who are made victims. The partnership our violence reduction project. It is not led by police or approach works, and I commend it to Ministers and the politicians, but by a medic, Professor Jonathan Shepherd, House as the right approach. an A and E specialist, who brought his skills as a scientist to an analysis of violence. Basically, he asked why the number and seriousness of injuries in car 5.8 pm accidents were decreasing while injuries from violence Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden) (Con): were increasing. Over more than a decade, painstaking With only seven minutes, I must be brief on the issues analysis has revealed a lot about violence in our city—things I want to raise. about which we thought we knew, but did not. Joint The Deputy Prime Minister will not be surprised that work by the NHS, the police and other agencies through I am a strong supporter of much of his great repeal Bill the local crime reduction partnership has worked— which, after all, is the natural conclusion of the great measured not by police statistics or arrests, but by a battle over freedom that has taken place in the past five drop of more than 40% in the number of victims years. I hope that that Bill represents a step change not coming to A and E for treatment. That is a real drop. only in the law, but in attitudes in the Government, so We need such a scientific approach to crime and that they will not think that in order to catch the guilty, policing, and I commend to Ministers the report on we must punish the innocent, or that to prevent terrorism justice reinvestment that was published by the Select and crime, we must treat the whole country as suspects. Committee on Justice a few months ago. Good work is If that step change happens, it will augur well for the being done by the police, Crown prosecutors and prison future. officers, but our report showed the need for better It is a paradox that the new politics is ushering in a co-ordination and greater co-operation across agencies, return to some ancient rights. The reform of the libel both inside and outside the criminal justice system. laws re-establishes freedom of speech; the reform of Too much focus on agency priorities and targets blurs freedom of information re-establishes open government; the clarity of purpose to which all parts of the criminal and reform of the DNA database re-establishes the justice system ought to contribute. In particular, the presumption of innocence. In addition, the prevention Sentencing Guidelines Council needs clearly to focus on of unnecessary intercepts, along with measures against the extent and gravity of reoffending. I hope that Ministers the retention of data and the proposals on CCTV, in the new Government will require great clarity of re-establish privacy. All those are worth while, and by purpose from that body, which is dominated by judges. themselves would justify the existence of the coalition if I am not sure that that is a good thing, because as nothing else did. Victim Support told the Committee very clearly in its Of the three pillars of our national traditions—liberty, evidence, other than not to have been victims in the first justice and democracy—those proposals support the place, victims want confidence that they will not become first two, so I offer two cheers for the great repeal Bill, victims again in future. That must be our purpose in not three. The reason for two rather than three cheers is this House. that some things are missing from it. There is nothing I am proud to have played a part in drawing up the on those great blots on our judicial landscape, by which Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004. That measure made I mean, first, the use of secret trials in which suspects— life hard for the bad guys and avoided burdening the usually, but not always, terrorist suspects—are tried good guys with bureaucracy, and it has worked, so I without knowing the allegations or the evidence against commend to Ministers the idea of extending its remit them, which is completely inimical to British law. That beyond agriculture and food packaging to industries was introduced by the previous Government and I hope such as construction and catering. The temptation for that this Government will remove it. Ministers—and indeed for Members of Parliament—is There is nothing yet on control orders—another measure to legislate when we see a problem, but that is not inimical to British traditions, using house arrest and always the right answer. The challenge is to design effective internal exile for suspects rather than for the 53 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 54 convicted. There is still nothing yet—I hope we will see acquiescence of the Opposition and a referendum. That it and I hope that the Home Secretary will respond to is the sort of pattern that should precede a major the point when she concludes the debate—on reduction change in the constitution. of the 28-day period for which prisoners can be held Let us think about what the proposal entails and without charge. We fought over 42 and 90 days, but 28 is whether we can give it the sort of scrutiny and reform still too many, and I hope that the Government will take that it needs. For a start, it has not been very clearly that on board. I trust that these are deferrals, not explained and it may have changed to some extent in the oversights, by the Government. course of negotiations, but it is basically in two component Another issue for the Government to think about in parts. One part—and I do not think that the shadow connection with the great repeal Bill is the need to Lord Chancellor understood this—is that a vote of revisit the Digital Economy Act 2010. It was passed in confidence will still exist at 50% plus one. What usually the final stages of the previous Parliament, and it was happens now under such circumstances is that the royal an error for us to allow it through, as we did in the prerogative is exercised to judge whether to have a wash-up. Dissolution thereafter or to allow a reforming of some other Government. That is the current situation. What Mark Lazarowicz ( North and Leith) (Lab/ is being proposed, I think, is replacing that system with Co-op): Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? a Scottish-type situation under which if, 28 days after a vote of confidence, no Government can be formed, Mr Davis: I think I have only a minute left, so I ask Dissolution will then automatically occur. That is my the hon. Gentleman please to be quick. understanding of the proposal as it now stands, and it is based on what happens in the Scottish Parliament. Mark Lazarowicz: Like the right hon. Gentleman, I However, I have to say—and the Scottish nats will have voted against the Digital Economy Bill on Third Reading, to forgive me—that the Scottish Parliament does not before Dissolution. Given that the Liberal Democrats represent an independent state. For the Scottish First also voted against that Bill being given a Third Reading Minister not to exist, or to be a lame duck or retired and and given that the Secretary of State now responsible not replaced for 28 days, would be a problem for Scotland, for that measure is indeed a Liberal Democrat—the but it would not be a disaster internationally. right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable)—would The nature of confidence votes is that they happen it not be particularly appropriate for the Liberal Democrats only four times a century. That is the first point. Secondly, now to act on this issue in the way that both the right confidence votes almost always happen under circumstances hon. Gentleman and I would like? of crisis—wars, depressions, breakdowns in society. Under such circumstances, for us not to have an effective Mr Davis: The hon. Gentleman restates my wish for Prime Minister for 28 days seems untenable. Let me say the Government to take that issue on board. I hope that to the Deputy Prime Minister that I hope that those on they do, and that they do so in the great repeal Bill as the Front Bench will take that point on board, because part of a process that the Deputy Prime Minister quite as it stands, what is proposed is not a zombie Government, rightly laid out—a process in which the Government but at least a zombified country for 28 days, and possibly were listening for proposals on things to be repealed. at a difficult time. The trouble with the Queen’s Speech from my point What is the other part—the 55%—for? It is for dissolving of view rather coincides, I am afraid, with some of the the House without the embarrassment of a vote of comments made by the shadow Lord Chancellor, confidence and for the Executive, effectively, to use their particularly when he quoted from an article that I wrote power—their whipping capability—to dissolve the House. for the newspapers about the 55% proposal. Indeed, I That does not seem to be a proper thing for us to do as a have problems with three elements of the proposed Bill. Government. It is not the sort of approach that I would One element is the alternative vote, which is no surprise; expect from the new politics, frankly. That is why I have one is the issue of recall, which I believe the Deputy some sympathy for the suspicious view that says, “Why Prime Minister has gone some way to meeting. However, 55% and not 66%?”, when the Government have 56 or the 55% requirement is undoubtedly a significant 57% of the vote. That approach diminishes the proposals constitutional change. We cannot sidestep that fact. It and it diminishes the Bills that the Government are was not in a manifesto, so the proposal is, by definition, bringing before the House. In truth, I would like to see likely to be ill thought through and to require greater my Government—because that is how I see them: as consideration by the House. very much representing my views—putting that aside The issue has been represented as one that is a and recognising that it is something that the House will necessity for fixed-term Parliaments. I am in favour of not take. fixed-term Parliaments and I have absolutely no problem with the Prime Minister giving up his right to call an 5.16 pm election at any point in time. He can do that and I am happy that he has done so; it is entirely proper. By Hazel Blears (Salford and Eccles) (Lab): I am a little contrast, altering the circumstances under which Parliament worried that the new politics might be encapsulated by can dismiss a failing Government is a massive constitutional the fact that I find myself in agreement with the right change, which goes to the heart of Parliament’s ability hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis), to hold Government to account. One of the leitmotifs and particularly on the 55% rule. Perhaps that is a sign of this Government, I hope, will be giving Parliament of how we will go forward. more powers, not fewer. Such a major change would I am a little worried by the debate today, because there normally involve prior consultation, a prior manifesto has been no mention of what is supposed to be one of commitment, a White Paper and ideally both the the coalition Government’s fundamental propositions: 55 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 56

[Hazel Blears] moment that that disparity should be used in a patronising way—that it should be suggested that poorer people the ideas that have been set out about the . cannot do that—but our Government must give an The issues that have been discussed today—high-level absolute commitment to providing the capacity building, constitutional reform, reform of the second Chamber, the funds, the support and the organisation that will boundary changes, the right to look at alternative voting enable people from those communities to take advantage systems—will merit discussion, and I have no doubt of some of the devolutionary powers that will be created. that, in endless sittings in this Parliament, as has happened The issues involved in those three tests—funding, a previously, we will go over that ground. I hope that we proper framework, and fairness—are the issues on which will resolve some of those issues in the next period. the Government’s real commitment to devolution and However, unless those high-level constitutional changes involving people in their communities ought to be judged. are underpinned by empowered citizens who really feel I want to be a constructive critic on this agenda. It is connected with their political system, we will end up something in which I have believed throughout the talking to ourselves, and we have done that for far too 30 years that I have been involved in politics, but I know long in previous Parliaments. from engagement in my own community that it is not I sought guidance from Mr Speaker about when I easy.We cannot simply shout the slogans about community could raise issues to do with the big society. In five days engagement and hope that people will step up to the of debate on the Queen’s Speech, there has been no plate. We must back them up. We must say that ours is a appropriate point at which those issues could be properly long-term commitment, and that we will not move the debated. That worries me enormously, because those goalposts halfway through the process when people issues are not easy to solve, but they should be permeating have given their own time, commitment and, in many every Department, and they should become cross- instances, their own resources and money to make departmental. I want to say a few words about how projects work in their communities. important it is to reconnect ordinary people with the I think that this issue, just as much as the big, political process at local and central Government level. high-level constitutional issues, will be the test of whether The issues that will be important for us fall into three we are really serious about new politics. New politics is categories. In the time that I have this evening, I want to about trust, but at the moment hundreds of thousands set out three big tests for the Government. If they are of people in the country feel utterly excluded from the really serious about the big society and about how political process. They do not know where the levers reconnecting people with politics is about establishing are, or what they should press to make things work. trust and establishing a new relationship between politicians How can they ensure that the projects that are important and the people in this country, they will have to make to them come to fruition? that real, because otherwise the whole agenda will be We miss a huge opportunity if we simply talk to rhetorical. It might be full of great slogans and great ourselves about how we will rearrange the constitution. ideas, but unless there are three things in place, it will The way in which we run our democracy is hugely simply not work. important, but unless it is underpinned by people who The first test for the Government that I would like to are genuinely empowered and feel that they can make a set out is on funding. It is all very well to talk about difference, that the Government are taking them seriously, involving people in decision making, or about having a and that local government is prepared to support them new big society bank, as I think it is called, and community with money and practical help so that they can turn organisers active in every part of the country, but how their projects into reality, we shall break that trust. much money will be in the big society bank, for instance? There is nothing worse than setting people up to fail. Nobody is telling us where the funds will be available. This whole area has been littered with the shattered Why do the 5,000 new community organisers have to dreams of people who have stepped forward and been raise their own salaries and their own funding? We have prepared to put their families and communities on the genuine concerns, in that if the idea of connecting line. They have not been given backing, and their projects people to politics, sharing power, devolving power and have foundered. I do not want ever to see that happen involving citizens is to be made real, the funding has to again. We need a real commitment to building a big be put in place. However, I am very sceptical indeed that society in which citizens have more power and influence the Government will prioritise the funding to enable over things that matter to their lives. This will be an that to happen in the current financial climate. I therefore incredibly important test of the Government’s commitment seek some reassurance from the Government on that to ensuring that they really mean what they say—that it point. is not just words, slogans and rhetoric—and that they The second serious test is whether there is a proper really mean to make a difference. framework for setting out the ideas around the big society. Are the Government going to say to local government in particular that it has a responsibility to 5.23 pm devolve power to citizens and neighbourhood organisations, Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest) (Con): It is a to people who want to take over assets and run services pleasure to speak after the right hon. Member for Salford in their communities? That will be a big political test. and Eccles (Hazel Blears). I am sure that she means what Are the Government prepared to create not just a she says; I am sure that she wants to see the changes of national framework, but a local framework that works? which she spoke, in her constituency and throughout The third test concerns fairness. There is a massive the country. It is just a great pity that the Government gap between the capacity of people in better-off, more of whom she was a member for 13 years spent all the affluent areas and people in poorer areas to step forward money. She says that we have ideas for the big society, and take positions of responsibility. I do not think for a but the money is not there to do it. She is right. The 57 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 58 money is not there because of the mismanagement of not pieces of land but people. What matters is the number her colleagues for the past decade and a bit, and the of people in a constituency, not its geographical size. country must remember that. Every vote should be of equal value, but the argument I want to make three brief points about constitutional over the alternative vote is a red herring— reform. The first concerns the electoral system itself. As the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw)—I Chris Bryant: A yellow herring. am so used to calling him the Lord Chancellor—rightly said, some good and worthwhile changes are already in Mrs Laing: Yes, I will accept that. AV would not the pipeline. Individual voter registration is a very important create fairness; it would be even less proportional than change, because it will improve the integrity and the first past the post. I ask the House to consider this: why comprehensiveness of the electoral register. It will also should someone who supports a minority party effectively improve the accuracy of the ballot. However, other get two votes in an election, whereas someone who matters also need to be dealt with. votes for a mainstream party have only one vote? More We need a total overhaul of the electoral system, as importantly, although I understand why my right hon. we discovered during the debacle about the timing of and hon. Friends on the Front Bench have agreed to a counts at general elections. I am glad to say that once referendum on AV, the facts have not changed since we again the right hon. Gentleman and I are in complete debated this matter only a few weeks ago, as the right agreement on that: I tried, and he succeeded, in changing hon. Member for Blackburn said. A referendum will the law on it just before the general election. We discovered cost in the region of £80 million. How many special that there is no clear line of accountability for returning needs teachers, how many cancer nurses, could we employ officers. That is wrong. We also discovered at the general for £80 million? How many serious matters could be election the disgrace of people being denied the vote as dealt with in this country for £80 million—matters of the polls closed at 10 pm. That occurred partly because far greater importance in the current economic climate many returning officers think they are a law unto themselves. than arguing about how people are elected? The fact is Under the current system, it is impossible to ensure that the British people do not care about or want a consistency. This matter requires attention, and when referendum on AV. If they did, they would have voted the Government bring forward proposals on it—as I am for it. Far more people said at the general election sure they will—they will have support from both sides “I don’t agree with Nick” than said that they do. of the House. The third point concerns the principle of fixed-term Parliaments, which my right hon. Friend the Member Mr Straw: I rise just to put on record that, yes, it was for Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis) dealt with I who legislated for early counts wherever possible, but extremely well. The general election has changed the that that was on the basis of amendments that the hon. political picture, but it has not changed the constitutional Lady had moved and it would not have happened principle. I cannot speak here today from the Government without them. I entirely accept what she says about the Back Benches and say something fundamentally different lack of accountability of electoral registration officers from what I said at the Opposition Dispatch Box only a and returning officers and the need for change, but does few weeks ago. My principles have not changed and she accept that ring-fencing of the funding for electoral I do not believe that the constitutional principles of this administration would inevitably go with that—that is a House should change. I am very concerned about the conclusion that I reluctantly came to—and that whatever proposed imposition of a 55% threshold, which takes other arguments there might be about ring-fencing, we power away from Parliament and gives it to the have to see this as part of a national system? Government. Perhaps I will be persuaded in due course, but principle does matter. It is the duty of elected Mrs Laing: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his Members of this House to do not what is popular but point, and it gives me great pleasure to be able to say for what is right. the first time in a long time what I actually personally think, because as a Back Bencher I am bound by no 5.32 pm collective responsibility.I agree with him entirely.I personally believe that those funds will have to be ring-fenced and Mrs Jenny Chapman (Darlington) (Lab): Thank you, not simply put into the local government pot, because Mr Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to make my maiden some local authorities, such as Epping Forest district speech today. It is a delight to follow the hon. Member council, handle these matters extremely well, whereas for Epping Forest (Mrs Laing). others do not do so quite so well. I therefore agree with I should like to begin with a few words about a young the right hon. Gentleman that the funds will have to be woman, Ashleigh Hall, who lived in my constituency. ring-fenced, and also that that review of the electoral Ashleigh was 17 years old and lived in the ward that system must be undertaken as a matter of urgency. I represented on Darlington borough council—I was The issue of a fair electoral system is also important. lead member for children’s services—when she made There has been much talk this afternoon about the one fatal error in her life. She was groomed on Facebook alternative vote or AV, but there is a far more glaring by Peter Chapman, who, it transpired, was a 33-year-old anomaly, because as the right hon. Gentleman addressed registered sex offender from Merseyside. in his remarks—I think I mean my right hon. Friend the Peter Chapman, I later discovered through the trial, Deputy Prime Minister, although that is also quite had absconded from his home in Merseyside, and it difficult to say—constituencies should, of course, be of appears that Merseyside police were aware of this. the same size. Every vote cast in a general election I also learned that there was no obligation on Peter should be of equal weight and value. Some Opposition Chapman to register his credentials and his identity Members talked about the size of certain constituencies online, and that any breach of an obligation to do that in terms of square miles, yet we are elected to represent would be met with no action whatsoever. I wrote to my 59 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 60

[Mrs Jenny Chapman] credit and debt advice to those who need it. I agree with the Government that the voluntary and community right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) sectors have a great deal to offer in delivering services about this at the time, and I commend his efforts to get and regenerating communities, but the Government the law changed. I hope that the Government will need to understand that it is worklessness, above all continue those efforts and will ensure that registered sex other causes, that leads to the exhaustion, isolation and offenders are obliged to register who they are online, loss of hope in our communities. and that any such breaches will be taken as seriously as The story of the north-east is not over. Our proud those involving their hanging around outside school industrial heritage strengthens our potential for future gates. success, and new technologies are thriving in the north-east. I want also to say a few words about my predecessor, Thanks in no small part to support from our regional Mr Alan Milburn. Alan was elected to Parliament for development agency, One NorthEast, we have grasped the first time in 1992, bucking the national trend by opportunities to compete globally in new energy production, taking Darlington for Labour from the Conservative, green manufacturing and digital technology, thus bringing the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (), as he new jobs and skills to my region. That has happened now is. Alan was a fierce campaigner for Darlington not by chance, but thanks to the ability of our businesses, and the north-east, speaking in his maiden speech about councils, colleges and universities to work together. the need for investment in skills, education and support Darlington companies such as AMEC, Cummins, for business in our region. Alan spoke powerfully against Marchday and Northgate all show what a great place the proposed Tory cuts of the day in training for young the north-east is to do business, but to stay ahead we people. It is hard not to make similar comments today need, above all else, to keep on improving the skills of regarding cuts to the future jobs fund. our people. Darlington is fortunate to have two outstanding Alan served the Darlington constituency for 18 years. colleges and its schools have some of the fastest-improving His achievements include campaigning for the repeal of results in the country. Those have been achieved despite the unjust “year and a day” rule in murder cases, and the fact that three of our secondary school buildings are working to bring a new university centre to Darlington. in a serious state of disrepair: Branksome, Longfield Alan also served the country as Secretary of State for and Hurworth schools have lost days of education Health where, using his understanding of the practicalities because of heating failures, gas leaks and floods. I am of modern life, he introduced NHS Direct, devolved delighted that they have been successful in getting to the power to localities through primary care trusts and heart of the Building Schools for the Future programme, ended the disgrace of deaths among people who had and I encourage this coalition Government to stick to spent 18 months or more on waiting lists for heart the agreement that we made with the community in operations. Above all else in his political life, Alan Darlington to rebuild those schools. worked to make sure that we are rewarded according to who we are, not what we are. Alan believes in social 5.38 pm mobility, fair access to the professions and encouraging access to higher education for everyone, regardless of Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): Thank you, their background. It is, therefore, no coincidence that Mr Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to make my maiden Darlington is to be home to a new university centre, speech to the House, and I am delighted to be the first which is to be run by Teesside university, this year’s to congratulate the hon. Member for Darlington university of the year. (Mrs Chapman) on her maiden speech. Innovation, entrepreneurship and ingenuity are no I wish to start by paying tribute to my predecessor, strangers to Darlington. My constituency is the birthplace Lynda Waltho, who was a conscientious constituency of the railways and home of the first national newspaper, MP and a powerful advocate for our area’s many voluntary The Northern Echo. Darlington is where the world’s first and charitable organisations, more of which later. She black professional footballer, Arthur Wharton, got his was a teacher by profession and she used her knowledge break and where a local entrepreneur is campaigning of that profession, and of children, to champion the to build a statue in his honour. Darlington people are causes of education and the needs of children, particularly single-minded; they voted “no” to Tesco, no to an those from our most deprived communities. She also elected mayor and no, this time, to Tory cuts to our served as a member of the Select Committee on Children, school-building programme, the police, health and jobs. Schools and Families. I have helped young people in Darlington to establish My constituency lies on the border of north a new charity to organise live music events. Now in its Worcestershire and the old industrial black country. third year, Newblood Live regularly attracts more than For many years, people have argued about where exactly 200 young people a fortnight. Beauty and the Bike is an the black country lies, and I am pleased that, thanks to international, Darlington-based initiative that encourages our local Black Country chamber of commerce and young women to take up cycling. First Stop works with others, we finally have the black country delineated on some of the most disadvantaged people in our town— the Ordnance Survey map. I am very proud to represent people who are homeless and often suffer from problems the old black country towns of Lye, Quarry Bank and with alcohol and drug abuse. The Darlington rape crisis Cradley, as well as the townships that make up modern-day centre works quietly with women who have suffered Stourbridge. violence and abuse. Resident-led community partnerships Lye, Quarry Bank and Cradley have a very proud work in many areas, and our local council for voluntary industrial past of forging, nail-making and chain-making, service, eVOLution, is there to help third sector groups but it is really the glass industry for which Stourbridge and volunteers to improve. Our citizens advice bureau is best known. I was delighted to be invited to 10 Downing and newly formed credit union work to provide affordable street a few weeks ago for drinks. It was my first visit 61 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 62 and I was proud to see all the glass, candelabra and 5.45 pm chandeliers on display, many of which would have been made in Stourbridge. I gather that there is also some Paul Murphy (Torfaen) (Lab): May I say how much fine work on display in Buckingham palace and the I enjoyed the maiden speech of the hon. Member for Mansion House that was made by the famous Stourbridge Stourbridge (Margot James)? She was extremely generous firms, Stourbridge Glass, Webb Corbett and Stuart to her Labour predecessor. Her speech was compassionate Crystal. and I am sure we shall hear a great deal from her in the months and years ahead. I congratulate my hon. Friend The people of Stourbridge are proud not just of our the Member for Darlington (Mrs Chapman) on the wealth creation, but our long tradition of philanthropy. things she said about her predecessor, my old colleague I would like to pick out one individual who inspired me Alan Milburn. Both hon. Ladies have a tremendous as a relative newcomer to Stourbridge. He is buried in career before them. the church of St Mary’s in Old Swinford, near where I am not quite so sure about the third maiden speech I like to walk my dog. Ernest Stevens died in the year I heard this afternoon—the one made by the Deputy I was born, aged 100. He was the son of a miner, and Prime Minister from the Treasury Bench. Like my right tragedy struck him when he lost his young wife in hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw), I childbirth. He created a vast fortune through hard work agreed with some of the right hon. Gentleman’s remarks. and ingenuity in the manufacture of pots, pans, baths The Deputy Prime Minister seemed pretty convinced and kettles. He responded to his wife’s death by acting about the alternative vote, but the hon. Member for in the interests of the town, donating vast sums of Epping Forest (Mrs Laing) probably represents the true money, land and civic buildings. We have our Mary feeling of the Conservative party. Anybody who heard Stevens hospice and many parks and areas of natural what Liberal Democrat spokespeople said about our beauty thanks to him and that philanthropy. The strength proposals for a referendum on the alternative vote some of our voluntary and charitable sector is a testimony to months ago would hardly have found them encouraging. that philanthropy, and we have many such organisations. Only the Labour manifesto proposed the alternative I should like to speak up for Age Concern in Stourbridge, vote, so this conversion is very welcome. where many thousands of older people go, 364 days a year. It is absolutely remarkable what that organisation The Deputy Prime Minister was a bit ungenerous achieves. about what the Labour Government did on constitutional reform over 13 years. After all, we brought in the Social change has been paramount in Stourbridge. Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Human The Muslim community arrived from Pakistan in the Rights Act 1998. We almost completely abolished hereditary 1950s. I have done much work with that community and peers in the other place. By the way, I believe that the others, and I am very proud to represent the community minority parties should be involved in discussions about in Lye with all that it represents to us. the House of Lords. My name is not on any ballot We are very proud, in Stourbridge, of our industrial paper this week, but I agree with what has been said history, and there is sometimes a tinge of regret at what on that issue. many see as its passing, but of course it has not all We brought devolution to Scotland and London and, passed. Many firms and manufacturing and engineering in my own field of ministerial responsibility, there was companies are still doing wonderful work in our devolution for a Welsh Assembly and the establishment constituency, but many people have suffered in the of the Assembly in Northern Ireland. Those huge transition, and there are now families in which no one constitutional changes were brought about by the last works and generations of people live on state benefits. Government, so the Deputy Prime Minister’s references That cannot go on. There is a rising sense of injustice to 1832 are a bit daft and do not accurately reflect the among people who work—many for low pay—and those history of the last 150 to 200 years. who have worked their whole lives and are now on state A million years ago, I was taught by Michael Brock, pensions. The Prime Minister is saying today that there who wrote the best book on the Great Reform Act of is much pain on the way. I feel very strongly that the 1832. He wrote about the Bill’s passage through Parliament people of Stourbridge will face up to the very difficult and how the then Whig—Liberal—Government wanted decisions that the Government and local authorities are to stuff the House of Lords with extra peers to get their going to have to take in coming years. The people of the way. They tried to do the same thing in 1911, probably black country and Stourbridge hold on to certain basic for the best reasons. However, the Deputy Prime Minister truths that are not just old-fashioned notions that can simply did not answer the points made to him today simply be cast aside—for example, that one should about the number of people he and his friend the Prime never borrow what one cannot pay back, that we should Minister intend to put into the House of Lords. That is not foster a culture in which people are led to expect a huge issue that we must all address in the days to something for nothing, and that, in the more elegant come. prose of Abraham Lincoln: My right hon. Friend the shadow Justice Secretary “You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what rightly referred to the fact that for all those 13 years they could and should do for themselves.” Labour could have packed the House of Lords, but did Finally, as a Christian country, and indeed a country not. That was right. Only in 2005 did Labour have the of many faiths, we should always look after those who biggest vote, although not the majority, in the House of cannot look after themselves. During my time of service Lords. Our Government were defeated in the other in the House, I will work to reflect those enduring values place 528 times between 1997 and 2010. No Government for my constituents in Stourbridge. I am so proud to should have an overall majority in the House of Lords. represent Stourbridge, and I am deeply grateful to my They could be the biggest party, but not with an overall constituents for giving me this opportunity. majority. That issue, together with how this House 63 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 64

[Paul Murphy] west. Harrow West abuts the constituency. Harrow East is the most diverse constituency in the country. We have decides on a vote of confidence, is something that the 22 churches—not only of the Anglican and Catholic House of Lords in its capacity as guardian of the faith, but the Greek Orthodox church as well, to the constitution should examine in huge detail in the months south of the constituency. We have two Hindu temples, ahead. I was not convinced by the arguments for 55%. an Islamic centre and, indeed, the first Hindu state- I do not think that people outside—whether academics, sponsored primary school in the country. Some 35,000 political people or the ordinary man in the street—believe residents stem from the state of Gujarat in India. There it either. I am told that at least 8,000 people on Facebook is a broad swathe of Muslim population, some 15,000 Jewish have already said that they disagree with the 55% proposal people and a range of people who come from every for a vote of confidence. country on the planet, including some 5,000 European As for boundaries, the proposal for equal electoral Union citizens who have come from the new emerging districts is okay, so far as it goes, but it would be states. impossible to have absolute, rigid electoral districts. In This Government will do one thing of vital importance Wales, for example, that would produce huge—mostly for all those people: restore civil liberties in this country. Liberal, by the way—constituencies in our rural areas The threat of identity cards, the threat of being detained that Members of Parliament would find it impossible to for 28 days without charge, and the huge amounts of manage. Similarly, in south Wales, people can look at a data on individual people who are innocent of any map and draw lines, but those maps ignore the valleys, crime kept on police DNA databases—the police state the mountains and the geography. The Government that has started to grow in this country—will be swept have made no attempt, so far as I know, to talk to the away. I believe that that is something for which people Welsh Assembly or the Welsh Assembly Government about who are relatively new to this country will feel immensely these changes. The reality is that changing the boundaries grateful. Indeed, right across my constituency, there is a and composition of parliamentary constituencies has a demand for better policing, better law and order and a direct effect on how the Welsh Assembly is elected, as more consistent approach to that whole process. There indeed it does in Scotland. is also great demand in the constituency for more The necessity for wide-ranging reforms is a case that schools, and better schools as well. I look forward to cannot, could not and should not be ignored, but the them being set up under this Administration. way that the Government have done it is a bit clumsy I intend very firmly to hold the new Government to and calculated. They have a big job of work ahead of account on the promises made before the election to them to convince the people of our country that these ensure that the Royal National Orthopaedic hospital in proposals are not about rigging, gerrymandering or the north of my constituency is rebuilt to the standards fiddling the rules to keep themselves in office. This is that everyone expects. That hospital is a national treasure, not new politics, but bad politics of the oldest kind. with people doing brilliant work in sub-standard conditions—standards that should not be accepted in the modern world. I look forward to that rebuilding 5.51 pm starting in 2012. I also look forward to the opportunity Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): Thank you, of safeguarding Northwick Park hospital, which, of Mr Deputy Speaker for inviting me to make my maiden course, has been under threat, with the potential closures speech. I congratulate the hon. Member for Darlington in north-west London under the previous Administration. (Mrs Chapman) and my hon. Friend the Member for I am very proud and privileged to represent the Stourbridge (Margot James) on their impassioned speeches people of Harrow East, and I have set out my course of on behalf of their constituents. Having spent some action over this Parliament to be their representative 24 years in local government and made three previous here, speaking up for them at every opportunity, not to attempts to join the House, I think that I have served my be the House’s representative in Harrow. I intend to apprenticeship, but little did I think that it would take make sure that those people who depend on me will me 25 years to make this speech. I hope that it will be have a stern, very fierce advocate on their behalf. worth waiting for. I pay tribute to my predecessor, Tony McNulty, who 5.56 pm served the House for 13 years as a diligent Member for Harrow East and 11 years prior to that as a councillor Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab): It is a in the area. He rose through the Labour party’s ranks to great privilege to called in this important debate to government and high office and eventually to become make my maiden speech and to be the first to congratulate the , and I am glad to say that that the hon. Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman) on is one of the positions that we have abolished in this his wonderful maiden speech, his description of the new Administration. I have served as a local councillor multicultural Mecca of Harrow and his generous comments in coalitions, Mr Mayor—Mr Deputy Speaker; a Freudian about his predecessor, Tony McNulty, which many Labour slip—and I have spent the past four years in coalition Members share. Let me pay my tribute to my esteemed with the Liberal Democrats. That demonstrates that predecessor, Mark Fisher, who sat in the House for going from one place to another is not such a big step 27 years and conscientiously, effectively and passionately after all. represented the interests of Stoke-on-Trent Central. I speak on behalf of my constituents and pay tribute Mark’s connections to the Potteries began, improbably to my constituency, from the great beauty of Old Reading enough, when he was writing film scripts in Staffordshire in the north to the deprivation of in the Moorlands—an ambitious venture at the best of times south, from the opportunity areas of Edgware in the east in California, even more so in the Roaches of north to the tradition and history of Harrow Weald in the Staffordshire. He then stood for Staffordshire Moorlands 65 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 66 and was selected to succeed Bob Cant in Stoke-on-Trent— This process of economic dislocation—when “All all the while as an old Etonian son of a Tory MP.People That Is Solid Melts Into Air”— has by no means ended, in the Potteries are, as I have discovered, enormously but there are signs of hope. A vibrant university quarter forgiving of one’s past. is springing up around Staffordshire university. Onshoring Mark’s maiden speech to the House in 1983 was a is seeing the return of ceramics jobs to Stoke-on-Trent, heartfelt lament at the state of the national health while a new generation of designer-makers, led by the service in north Staffordshire owing to sustained likes of Emma Bridgewater, are creating high-value, underfunding. He spoke of old buildings, outdated high-design, locally-rooted companies. The Portmeirion operating theatres, waiting lists for general and orthopaedic business, which produces the iconic Spode designs, is surgery of more than 12 months. Now, after 13 years of successfully growing from its Stoke base, exporting to good Labour Government, that decline has been reversed Europe, America and South Korea. and Stoke-on-Trent has a brand new £370 million university However, we have much to do in rebuilding our teaching hospital, springing up around the old City engineering supply chain, raising skills levels across the General—it is the first new hospital for 130 years. In constituency and exploiting the human capital of Stoke- addition, we have new GP surgeries, walk-in centres and on-Trent. While we welcome the Government’s commitment marked improvements in public health. to rebalancing the British economy, perhaps the best Mark was also highly active in the House, working way to do that is not to begin by cutting the regional closely with Tony Wright on reforms to the workings of development agency funds or the Building Schools for Parliament, the all-party parliamentary history group, the Future programme. which, in a different incarnation, I once had the pleasure My seat is an old if not ancient one. It has a proud to address and was mildly surprised at the intimate pedigree. Born of the Great Reform Act of 1832, of knowledge of the right hon. Member for Hitchin and which the Deputy Prime Minister is now such a student, Harpenden (Mr Lilley) of dialectical materialism and it was first represented in this place by Josiah Wedgwood, the life of Friedrich Engels. the son of the potter. Wedgwood was a liberal—in the proper sense of the word. Like his father, he was committed Mark also made a contribution to the management to the abolitionist cause and was a stalwart of the of the art collection in the palace. He was, indeed, an anti-slavery movement. It was a great pleasure to have Arts Minister in 1997 and formed part of the heroic seen that spirit reawaken in the general election this team in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport year as my constituents sent the racist, reactionary and that delivered a great Labour pledge of free entry to frequently criminal British National party packing. Britain’s museums for the people of Britain. As his successor, I will be watching closely the incoming However, Stoke-on-Trent also knows that change has Administration’s commitment to honour that pledge. It to be matched with continuity, and my constituents is now my great privilege to take up his place in Parliament. share a deep apprehension over the Government’s ill- thought-out plans for constitutional reform. They want In an excellent maiden speech, my hon. Friend the to know that when a Government fail to win a vote of Member for Derby North (Chris Williamson) made an confidence, Parliament can be dissolved by 50% plus ambitious play for his city being the birthplace of the one vote, rather than the absurdity of the 55% self-protecting industrial revolution. While I am a deep admirer of the ordinance. Derby silk mill and the Derby arboretum, and even the Derwent valley, we all know that the historic, earth- Then we come to the five-year Parliament—again, a shattering event—the dawn of modernity, the dawn of retrospective, constitutional fix to get this Government industrialisation—began in my constituency with the through some muddy waters, and that is before we get opening of Josiah Wedgwood’s factory in Etruria, near on to flooding of the House of Lords with new Members, Shelton, in 1769. Since the 1770s, Stoke-on-Trent has redrawing the boundaries, leaving 3.2 million voters off become the premier global brand-name for ceramics. the register and underfunding the individual registration scheme. However, my hon. Friends and I will come In a recent programme of his excellent series “A back to those issues in the coming weeks. In the meantime, History of the World in 100 Objects”, I simply thank the House for the indulgence of this, my director Neil MacGregor described the fact that maiden speech, on the Gracious Speech. “human history is told and written in pots… more than in anything else.” 6.4 pm He went on to quote Robert Browning: Mr (Esher and Walton) (Con): Thank “Time’s wheel runs back or stops; potter and clay endure.” you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for calling me at this point in At the heart of the English enlightenment, and indeed the debate. I beg the patience of the House in making global civilization, Stoke-on-Trent makes its place in my maiden speech, and pay tribute to and commend the history, but out of the six towns has emerged more than maiden speeches made by hon. Members on both sides just pottery—from the rise of primitive Methodism to of the House. the works of Arnold Bennett, from the football of For new Members such as me, this is a humbling Stanley Matthews to the lyricism of experience. For me, it is especially daunting, as my and the social justice politics of Jack Ashley. predecessor, Ian Taylor, did such a good job over the The area has also faced profound challenges, and to past 23 years that when he announced his retirement be frank, globalisation has knocked the north Staffs last year, The Times described the constituency as economy sideways. Cheap labour in east Asia sparked a “the closest thing to paradise in the UK”. freefall in ceramics employment, the steel industry could Ian set the bar high. He promoted our diverse local not compete with or India, and enterprise. He fought for our community hospitals, did for the last of our coal mines. which are cherished in Walton, Molesey and Cobham, 67 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 68

[Mr Dominic Raab] Juries are the reality check on bad law and abuse of state power. Lord Devlin famously described trial by and he promoted local charities, from the inspiring jury as philanthropic legacy at Whiteley retirement village to “the lamp that shows that freedom lives”. more modest but no less vital groups such as Lower That light has flickered of late. In 2003, the previous Green Community Association—the “little platoons” Government tried to remove juries from complex fraud that define our local civic spirit, which we must revive cases, and in 2008 an attempt was made to remove juries and empower across Britain today. from coroners’ inquests—both with scant justification. Ian Taylor’s contribution to national life was no less Parliament defeated or diluted both those attempts, but important, particularly as Science and Technology Minister a third attempt landed a more telling blow. at the Department of Trade and Industry from 1994 to The Government enacted part 7 of the Criminal 1997. He pioneered , leading a business delegation Justice Act 2003, allowing for removal of juries where to Cuba in 1994. He was the first British Minister to there is a risk of or actual tampering with a jury. In visit Cuba in 20 years—the only one to return with January, we had under those provisions the first criminal cigars from El Presidente. Ian’s immense contribution trial in 400 years to dispense with a jury. Four men to science and technology will be sorely missed as we stood charged with armed robbery of a Heathrow seek to diversify and reinvigorate our economic base. warehouse. Three previous trials had collapsed, at a The history of Esher and Walton counsels against cost of £22 million to the taxpayer, with evidence of taking anything for granted. The constituency was once jury tampering. The High Court refused on application home to the Diggers—agrarian communists during the to dispense with the jury, but was overturned on appeal. civil war—but later to US President Herbert Hoover, The four men were found guilty in March, and in the the intellectual architect of “rugged individualism”, process we junked a fundamental safeguard of fair trial which inspired the economic of Thatcher and in this country. Immediately after that case, prosecutors Reagan, but also the aspirations of a certain Derek lodged a string of applications to dispense with juries in Trotter from the TV series “Only Fools and Horses”. further cases. When Rodney asks where the tenants will live if all the council homes in Peckham are sold off, Derek shrugs A dangerous precedent has been set. A slippery slope and, unblinking, replies, “Esher, or somewhere like beckons. So I wish to put the question why, for the first that.” time in our history, are we now uniquely incapable of My constituency is an aspirational place, and generally protecting the integrity of our justice system? Why, my constituents enjoy a high quality of life—generally, after the billions invested and the enormous legal powers but not uniformly. Last year, the “Hidden Surrey” bestowed on our police are they today, in 2010, incapable report for Surrey Community Foundation found that of shielding juries in criminal trials? Let no one be in child poverty in Walton Ambleside was double the any doubt. This development is no sign of strength in national average, and that poverty among the elderly in law enforcement, but rather the most feeble weakness, Walton North was two thirds above the national average. and it is not a resource issue, given the huge amounts squandered on the previous trials that collapsed. No county pays more to the Treasury than Surrey’s taxpayers, yet we get back just one third of the national British justice should be firm but fair, two sides of the average level of funding for local services, resulting in same coin. So I urge Ministers to review and consider the neglect that I have mentioned. The “Hidden Surrey” the case for repeal of part 7 of the 2003 Act, in the report concludes that the previous Government had forthcoming freedom Bill. The light that shows that choked money for local services in the area because freedom lives is flickering, but we have an opportunity there was “no electoral cost”. I hope that in the forthcoming to restore it. I hope we can take it. spending reviews we can ensure that the funding formula reflects a truly objective, and less political, assessment 6.11 pm of local needs. Turning to the national picture, there is much to (Don Valley) (Lab): I congratulate the cheer in the coalition Government’s programme, and in hon. Member for Esher and Walton (Mr Raab) on his particular the commitment to defend our freedoms by maiden speech. It is always daunting for Members in all scrapping identity cards and by enacting a freedom Bill parts of the House to make their first contribution to to restore our proud tradition of liberty in this country— Parliament, but I wish him well in his time on the eroded after 13 years of legislative hyperactivity and Conservative Benches. I also congratulate my hon. Friends government by press release. the Members for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Tristram Hunt) In particular, the coalition programme pledges to and for Darlington (Mrs Chapman) on their maiden defend trial by jury—that ancient bulwark of British speeches. In all maiden speeches and the coverage of justice, dating back to Magna Carta. Steeped in our their constituencies, it is important for hon. Members history, it was a jury that acquitted William Cobbett to remember that, whatever happens in the House, they when he was prosecuted for campaigning for social and are first and foremost constituency MPs. If anything political reforms in the 1830s. But that is also relevant weakens that link, it would be a sad day for British today, and not just to whistleblowers and political activists. democracy. Take the vindictive prosecution of Janet Devers, the I shall touch on three topics in the debate. First, east end market trader prosecuted for selling vegetables in relation to the constitution and political reform, I in pounds and ounces. She was convicted in the magistrates understand that the coalition programme for government court of a string of petty offences, but the additional contains an agreement which states: prosecution in the Crown court collapsed on day one “Lords appointments will be made with the objective of creating when faced with the prospect of trying to convince a second chamber that is reflective of the share of the vote...in a jury. the last general election.” 69 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 70

We have already heard today that there are plans to I object to the idea of reducing the Commons arbitrarily reduce the size of the House of Commons and redraw by 10% when, as my right hon. Friend the Member for constituency boundaries to equalise constituency sizes. Blackburn (Mr Straw) said from the Front Bench, the To achieve the first objective would require the creation workload of MPs is growing, not decreasing. In addition, of more than 172 new peers. That would be an increase we have the proposal for a new super-majority of 55% in Tory peers from 186 to 263 and in Liberal Democrat of the Commons. What we see in the coalition’s reform peers from 72 to 167. I question the size of the second package is a manipulation of our democracy, not an Chamber. The House of Lords is already one of the extension of it. It is not new politics to pack the Lords largest parliamentary Chambers in the world. At present, and rig the Commons. it has 734 Members, and 56 new peers were created in The second topic that I shall touch on is the DNA the dissolution honours, taking the total to 790. It is database. The coalition proposal is to remove people extremely unusual to have a second Chamber larger not convicted of a crime from the DNA database. The than the first. Indeed, now that Burkina Faso has database exists to provide justice for victims and their abolished its upper house, there is no other country in families. Having one’s DNA profile held on the database the world with a second chamber larger than the first. is not a punishment. It is intended to assist in the prevention and detection of future crimes, to help eliminate Mr Tyrie: I entirely agree with the right hon. Lady. the innocent from inquiries, and to deal with past She may be interested to know—I have checked—that crimes. So many cold cases have been solved because of the other place is the largest democratic Chamber in the the DNA database. Without the database, thousands of world, except for the national people’s congress in China. crimes would go unsolved and many serious and dangerous We can all make up our own minds about the level of criminals would be walking our streets. democracy available there. Does she agree that the only way we can deal with the issue is to dispense with a Between March 1998 and March 2009, DNA evidence House of patronage and appointment, and get to a helped to solve over 304,000 crimes. In 2008-09, there point where we can have a democratically elected second were 252 homicides and 580 rapes with a DNA scene-subject Chamber? match. In 2008-09, 79 rape, murder or manslaughter charges in England and Wales were matched to the Caroline Flint: I absolutely agree. In previous votes, DNA database from DNA profiles that belonged to I voted to abolish the second Chamber. I do not think individuals who had been arrested but not convicted of that is going to happen, but in the discussion about any crime. The only civil liberties being extended by the changes in the House of Commons, we must also proposal from the coalition Government are those of discuss changes in the House of Lords, as well as the rapists, murderers and other serious criminals to walk purpose of the two Houses, the purpose of constituency the streets for longer to commit crimes because a DNA MPs and whom the other place represents. record has been deleted. The evidence shows that there is a justification for Mark Lazarowicz: Does my right hon. Friend think it retaining the DNA of people who have been arrested possible that those appointed to the House of Lords by but not convicted, because their risk of offending, as the Government in such a generous spirit would find measured by the risk of re-arrest, is higher than that of once they got there that they were not so keen on the general population. Analysis suggests that this risk democratic elections as they might have been previously? is higher than that of the general population for six Perhaps we should insist that any appointment of extra years following the arrest. peers comes after we have changed the democratic basis We should also not forget the potential deterrent of the House of Lords, not before. effect of DNA. People are less likely to commit crime if Caroline Flint: I agree with my hon. Friend, and they know there is a good chance that they could get I have heard rumours of grandfather clauses, which is caught. So if people know that DNA could play a rather frightening. It suggests that whatever system we significant role in securing convictions, they will be less end up with, and whatever voting might take place in likely to commit the crime in the first place. I shall save future for a second Chamber, those who are currently my contribution on the proposal to give anonymity to there could continue until they die. I have many friends defendants in rape trials for my Adjournment debate at in the other place, but this is not the right way to talk the end of the evening. about what we are here to do in both Houses of Parliament. My final point is on police accountability. We all The second chamber that comes nearest to the House agree that there should be police accountability, and of Lords in size is the French Senate. This year it will perhaps we need to look at police authorities and how have 346 members, half the size of the House of Lords. they could be made more accountable. I am worried about We know that the United States Senate has 104 members, the proposal to introduce elected police commissioners. and internationally the average size of a second chamber We must recognise that some of the policing at force is 82. It is a matter not just of size, but of cost. We have level and between forces concerns serious crimes involving heard that one of the reasons for reducing the number organised criminals and organised networks. It is about of seats in this place is cost. In 2007-08, the House of counter-terrorism. Those are always the issues raised by Lords cost £121.5 million, which works out at £168,000 my constituents on the doorstep. We need to make sure per Member. If the House of Lords were reduced in size that in relation to accountability, we do not allow the to, say, 100, it would save more than £115 million a work of the police to be distorted by what is most year—much more than the savings projected by reductions popular in our communities. I understand that there are in the size of the House of Commons by 10%, yet the other sorts of crime that have to be dealt with. coalition is planning on creating nearly 200 additional We have Safer Neighbourhoods teams in Doncaster peers, at a cost of more than £20 million a year, while at and elsewhere around the country because the Labour the same time cutting the number of MPs. Government decided that local policing is important. 71 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 72

[Caroline Flint] furnace will be sold to a new owner and that steel making can be resumed. My constituency also contains The Conservatives opposed them when we introduced the UK’s biggest chemical manufacturing site at Wilton, them. We now have local police teams dedicated to one another powerhouse of the national economy, where particular area who will not be moved to another part I worked for many years. of town and who spend their time out on patrol working To the west of the port, steel and chemical complex with police community support officers and setting lies an area that, to the uninformed visitor, looks like a their priorities with local people. At the regular monthly continuous area of housing—casually referred to as meetings with the public, residents can demand action Greater Eston by Redcar and Cleveland council. People on gangs hanging around near an off-licence, on speeding who live there know that it actually comprises a number cars or on motorbike nuisance. The mixture of local of separate places: the historic villages of Normanby, intelligence and public pressure provides real and practical Nunthorpe and Ormesby; the proud former ironstone accountability.What worries me about the hype surrounding mining village of Eston; and the struggling industrial elected police commissioners is that we will lose not settlements of South Bank and Grangetown. They all only the plot on local accountability, but the commitment have their own distinct centres and unique stories. and funds to ensure that it continues to grow, not I must pay tribute to my learned predecessor, Vera decline and wither on the vine. At the same time, we Baird, QC. Vera has a tremendous capacity for work need effective policing to ensure that the public are and is a formidable campaigner for women’s rights in protected from increasingly complicated crime. particular, fighting on behalf of women who are the On all those issues, there are many questions that the victims of violence and abuse. She was a notable coalition Government have to answer in the days, the parliamentarian, having won Back Bencher weeks and, it would seem, the years ahead. of the year award in 2004 and then rising to ministerial level as Solicitor-General in the previous Government. 6.20 pm I cannot represent Redcar without mentioning Vera’s predecessor, the late Marjorie Mowlam. Had her health Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): Thank you, Mr Deputy remained good, I am sure that she would still be in Speaker, for calling me to make my first speech to the Parliament today. As well as her towering achievements House. I congratulate all those who have also made in government, particularly on the Northern Ireland their first speeches today. I am very struck, and a bit , she was, and still is, much awestruck, by the erudition that they have all displayed. loved in the constituency. She must have had a prodigious As the Member for Redcar, I am proud to be the first ability to consume tea, judging by the number of houses Liberal to represent the area since 1923 and also very that I canvassed where they all said, “We all loved Mo, pleased to hear this afternoon’s debate about potential and she was always popping in for a cuppa.” voting system changes, which might do something to add to the House the 100 Liberal Democrats who ought The No. 1 issue in my area is jobs. The headline to be Members but, due to our current voting system, unemployment figure is about 9%, but that does not tell are not. the whole story. There is a lot of hidden unemployment, a lot of people on incapacity benefit and many other My constituency comprises the north-east corner of people are out of work. A reporter the historic north riding of Yorkshire, flanked by the visited during the general election and had no trouble River Tees to the north, the North sea to the east and finding a woman who had just lost out as one of the Cleveland hills to the south. The coast boasts miles 490 applicants for a job cleaning the local supermarket. of golden beach, the site of the recent British kite-surfing I hope that when this Government carry out the much- championships and is adjacent to Yorkshire’s only proper needed review of benefits policy, they will not unjustly golf links. Redcar is a bustling coastal town, incorporating penalise those who desperately want to work but simply the formerly separate villages of Coatham and cannot find a job. Dormanstown, and it has a race course with one of the There have been numerous job losses in our area: few straight, level miles in the country. There was much 98,000 manufacturing jobs have gone since 1971— excitement in 2007 when for a few weeks our sea front particularly under the previous Government, during became Dunkirk for the shooting of the Oscar-winning whose period in office manufacturing declined from film “Atonement”. 22% of the national economy to just 11%. I am very Local delicacies include chicken parmesans, which pleased that the new Government recognise the value of we all know as “parmos”, and lemon top ice creams— manufacturing and, in particular, want to stimulate the probably not a diet that the Secretary of State for green manufacturing economy. Teesside is a great place Health would choose, but nevertheless absolutely delicious. to do that. Down the coast is the pretty village of Marske, which Before leaving jobs, I must mention Government has history going back to Viking times, and inland we jobs. After recent remarks by the Prime Minister, people have a port and industrial complex of national importance. might have got the impression that any cutbacks in the Teesport is the second biggest port in the UK, and I am civil service would somehow be in the north-east of glad that this Government moved quickly to freeze the England. In fact, of well over 520,000 civil servants, extra taxes that were imposed on PD Ports, because only 36,000 are in the north-east, and of those very few they put it at a disadvantage to ports in mainland are in the Teesside area. I shall constantly press the case Europe. for the Tees valley to be the new location of a Government The Corus steel site still employs more than 2,000 people agency. Indeed, the hon. Member for Stockton South in steel processing, but we were all devastated in February (James Wharton) and I have already written to our when the blast furnace closed, ending 150 years of steel Cabinet colleagues, suggesting Teesside as a good location making on the River Tees. We are hopeful that the blast for the administrative centre of the new green investment 73 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 74 bank. I welcome the Government’s commitment to to note that Sunderland city council once again delivered localism on planning laws and hope to see more local the first and fastest result in returning me as the Member control over schools, rather than the central diktats that of Parliament for Houghton and Sunderland South. went with the Building Schools for the Future programme. In Hetton-le-Hole, George Stephenson, one of the Many of my constituents know how important that is. founding fathers of the railway industry, designed a line It is a fantastic honour and privilege to have been to serve the colliery before designing the more famous chosen to represent the passionate and proud people of Stockton and Darlington route. I am also proud that Redcar, and I shall constantly fight for what I feel is in the tongue of Big Ben, which we hear every time the bell their best interests. sounds, was forged in the historic town of Houghton-le- Spring in my constituency. 6.27 pm We have made tremendous progress in Houghton Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) and Sunderland South. Our area has adapted remarkably (Lab): I am grateful for the opportunity to make my to significant economic, industrial and social change, maiden speech, and I congratulate Members from all much of it not of our choosing during the 1980s and parts of the House on their excellent maiden speeches. 1990s. We are resilient and faced adversity in the past; I am confident that we can now show the same kind of It is an immense privilege to have been elected to determination again in meeting new challenges. serve as the Member for Houghton and Sunderland South. I have lived and worked in Sunderland all my I will be unafraid to speak out where I see injustice life, and I am especially honoured to serve my local that will damage the lives and living standards of my area. I should like to thank the party members and constituents, which have improved so greatly in the past voters who put their trust in me, and I sincerely hope 13 years. I will resist any measure that will damage our that I can repay them. Houghton and Sunderland South economy, our families, and the services on which we all is a new constituency that was formed from the former rely. I remain committed to tackling inequality in all its constituencies of Houghton and Washington East and forms. We have seen significant advances in my constituency Sunderland South. I therefore intend to pay tribute to in the past 13 years, not least in terms of the provision the former Members for both constituencies. and resources in our schools, but it is still all too often the case that children born in my constituency are held Fraser Kemp was elected in 1997 as the Member for back because of their backgrounds and unable to achieve Houghton and Washington East but had worked as an all that they are capable of. organiser for the Labour party since his late teens. He played a pivotal role in making the Labour party electable The north-east led the world during the industrial once again and secured a reputation as a fierce opponent revolution, and I am confident that we can do so again whose success as an organiser and an election strategist in being at the forefront of developing new green was unparalleled. Fraser is a very modest man who technologies and industries. I was therefore concerned never sought accolades or recognition for his achievements, by the Prime Minister’s refusal to confirm whether the but many of us know the debt that we owe to him. I pay Government would honour the £20.7 million grant tribute to Fraser not simply because he is my predecessor, awarded to Nissan to develop the next generation of but because of his values, integrity and decency. He electric cars. The plant is not in my constituency, but fought many cases on behalf of vulnerable and desperate many of my constituents are employed by Nissan or constituents whom he always treated with the utmost indirectly in supply chain jobs. I will continue to press sensitivity and compassion. for answers, not only on the Nissan grant but on the Fraser dedicated his life to the Labour movement, vital, ongoing investment that is necessary to protect and I wish him every success in his life away from the north-east economy. I know that I will have the full front-line politics. I know that Fraser felt it was a huge support of my local newspaper, the Sunderland Echo,in privilege to serve his home seat. I very much share that fighting Sunderland’s corner and championing local sentiment, and I hope that I can show the same dedication business. It remains of deep and lasting concern to me and commitment in fighting for the people of Houghton that unemployment remains higher than is acceptable in and Sunderland South. my constituency and that there are areas of continuing deprivation. The people of Houghton and Sunderland I also pay tribute to Chris Mullin, who represented South need a Government who will support business Sunderland, South from 1987. He was never afraid to and enterprise, not tip us into a second recession. champion unpopular causes and often found himself ostracised in the process. I am sure that there is a lesson I am particularly grateful to be called to make my there for us all—that we should never be afraid to speak maiden speech during the debate on home affairs. Prior out, even if the cause appears at the time to be an to my election, I worked managing a women’s refuge unpopular or a difficult one. based in my constituency for families fleeing domestic My constituency contains a series of mining villages violence. It is through my work with victims of sexual in the former Durham coalfields, and also areas of the violence that I have such deep reservations about proposals city that were built following the post-war expansion, to introduce anonymity for defendants in rape cases. I such as Grindon, Thorney Close and Farringdon. Shiney ask the Government to look carefully at prioritising Row is home to the Penshaw monument. It was erected measures that will increase the number of rape convictions in tribute to the first Earl of Durham, known locally as instead of deterring vulnerable women from coming Radical Jack because of his support for the extension of forward. the franchise in the Reform Act 1832. There has been I give my pledge that I will try to speak often in the much debate today about the Great Reform Act, and I House to raise the concerns of my constituents. I intend am sure that my constituents will follow developments to be a strong and tireless voice here; the people of with great interest. On the issue of voting, I am delighted Houghton and Sunderland South deserve no less. 75 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 76

Several hon. Members rose— adding a sunset clause. Of course, we have not heard all the arguments on the proposal—as I say, it has not been Mr Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst): Order. I published—and I am not going to rush to take a view do not intend to alter the time limit, as that would be on something that I have not even seen, but my instinct unfair, particularly to those who are waiting to make would be to try to entrench fixed terms with something their maiden speeches, but anyone who can clip a minute less radical. Better, for example, to legislate a requirement or so off their speech will certainly gain the gratitude of that the Prime Minister can ask the Queen for a Dissolution some of those we might otherwise find it very difficult only if he has been defeated in a vote of no confidence. to fit in. Of course, he could still manufacture a defeat, but at least the electorate would see that ploy for what it was 6.34 pm and could judge it accordingly at the polls. Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester) (Con): Let me begin I said that I would start with some disagreement, but by saying that that was an outstanding maiden speech I ought to refer to the large measure of agreement by the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland across the House on all sorts of things. The principle of South (Bridget Phillipson). It was full of interesting fixed-term Parliaments is pretty much agreed across the content and probably gives us an idea of where she will House. During the last election, Labour was more concentrate her interests. I was particularly interested in supportive of fixed-term Parliaments than the some of the things that she said about the area she Conservatives; likewise on the idea of a vote on a represents, because I contested the old seat of Houghton Dissolution. On the House of Lords, there is now a and Washington, as it was then known, in 1992, and I huge amount of cross-party agreement. All three parties know well many of the places that she mentioned—the are agreed on the need for a largely or fully elected Penshaw monument, Shiney Row community college, House of Lords. I have to say, as there are a lot of new and much else. I very much take her point about the Members present, that when I was first elected 13 years Nissan plant and the effect that any Government decisions ago it seemed to me that in the only those will have on the whole region if things do not go well. who have received some sort of democratic mandate I was touched by her commitment to speak up on should have the right to make our laws. These days, that behalf of the most vulnerable in her constituency. Having is the majority view right across the House, and in my got to know it quite well, I know what she is talking party too. I strongly welcome that. about as regards those former mining villages. The main opponent of change, of course, will be the It is clear that the two great themes in the Queen’s biggest vested interest in our constitution, by which I Speech are the economy and the constitution: they mean the life peers. They are deeply opposed to any loom large, and they are closely connected. Constitutional meaningful change and may even threaten to wreck the reform is needed, among other things, to restore confidence coalition’s legislative programme if the elected House in our institutions, particularly Parliament and political were to force the issue. At the moment, with the coalition parties. Without some progress on that, the coalition facing the biggest economic crisis since the second Government will struggle to secure legitimacy for the world war, this House may decide that it has other tough economic measures that are now needed. Without priorities. Much depends on the arithmetic of coalition some public trust in politicians, leadership on the economy politics in the Lords and whether a measure could be will be impossible. I think that that is what the Prime whipped through the other place, but I am not optimistic. Minister was trying to make a start with in his speech I cannot see the coalition risking a massive row and today. using the Parliament Act with so much other vital Despite appearances, there is, on both the constitution legislation to get through. It would be a bloody battle and the economy, a great deal of common ground and a rerun of another Lords-Commons clash exactly a across the House about the overall direction of policy century ago. and the importance of acting. However, before I get on In the few seconds remaining to me I add one more to the areas of agreement, let me start with a controversial crucial matter. We must clean up party funding. The measure—the attempt to entrench fixed parliamentary stench in the electorate’s nostrils about the apparent terms with a 55% threshold. That certainly will not be a purchase of access, influence and honours is serious consensus measure; the controversy has been evident and knocks into a cocked hat what we have had on today. We have not seen the proposal written down, so it expenses. The problem can be solved only if all parties might be premature to judge it, but I have to say that I are prepared to bring the big donor culture to an end, do not like what I have heard so far. How could I put it? whether the source is corporate, institutional, trade Let me just say that it could be misconstrued as, or as union or individual. We must find ways to protect looking very much like, an arbitrary fix to bolster this parties that will be adversely affected by that change particular coalition with a constitutional change. After and ensure that democratic politics can remain fair. We all, why 55%, not 60% or some other number? At least, cannot leave things as they are, and I hope very much that is how the other place will see it. Nor does it benefit that the coalition Government will have further talks to from any protection under the convention, try to secure agreement. I find the Queen’s Speech very and I therefore expect that their lordships might carve it exciting, but there is a lot of work to be done and debate up. To sugar the pill for them, I have already asked to be had on it. those on my Front Bench to give it pre-legislative scrutiny. If it survives that, their lordships may be more 6.41 pm accommodating. Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): I The 55% proposal is so clearly born of the particular congratulate the hon. Members who have made their circumstances of this coalition that I cannot see why it maiden speeches. They have been very interesting and should remain on the statute book beyond this Parliament, have paid tribute to the Members who have gone before and I therefore ask my Front-Bench colleagues to consider them. 77 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 78

When I listened to the Deputy Prime Minister’s speech, “to ensure that in future this Parliament and the British people I was very disappointed that he showed a lack of respect have their say on any proposed transfer of powers to the European for the smaller parties in the House. I suggest to him Union.” that he should give minority parties more respect, because We must all hope that the promise of a referendum is he could find himself on the Back Benches shortly. One not another cast-iron guarantee. Perhaps it is cast-iron should never allow power to go to one’s head. We will with only Lisbon-shaped exceptions. The refusal to put today’s episode down to inexperience, and I look allow a referendum in the past has always been driven forward to meaningful exchanges with him in the days by the fear of the House actually hearing what the to come. people of the United Kingdom have to say on the Many matters in the Gracious Speech merit our subject, but hearing the people and acting accordingly attention, and constitutional issues are vital. It states: is what democracy should be all about. We will see how keen the coalition Government are to listen to the UK’s “Measures will be brought forward to introduce fixed term Parliaments of five years.” views on the should the opportunity for a referendum on any subject arise during this Parliament. That would command support from my right hon. and hon. Friends from Northern Ireland and is probably I have a question for the Government. Will only one one of the few examples of the coalition making changes referendum be held on any proposal, or will the tactic that are not designed to improve its own chances in a that was displayed and deployed in the Republic of future election. The governing party—or parties, in this Ireland be used here in the UK? The people of the case—has always had the ability to use a snap general Republic of Ireland were asked about the Lisbon treaty election to its own advantage, and the date selected has and said no to it, and then they were asked again had much more to do with the political fortunes of the because the Government and the rest of Europe did not Government than the national interest. get the answer that they wanted. We cannot treat the people with disrespect. It will be interesting to see what However, there are practical implications to be thought the coalition partners do, as they will probably have through. In Northern Ireland, we already face an election different views and put different opinions to the general practically every year, and the dates involved mean that public. My hon. Friend the Member for Belfast North it could be possible to have a general election, an (Mr Dodds) introduced a Bill in the last Parliament in election to the Northern Ireland Assembly and a local an attempt to ensure that the previous Government government election on the same day. One can imagine would honour their pledge to hold a referendum. People what that would mean to the voters. We are not opposed will rightly be sceptical until the Government give a real to fixed-term Parliaments and see many benefits to demonstration that they are willing to listen to the them, but it will be necessary to consider the practical British people’s views on the issue. All three major implications and the problems that could arise from parties will have heard that being emphasised, and I say attempting to organise up to three elections on one day. to them that there are other parties— We have major concerns about the introduction of the 55% rule. We wish to put a clear marker down on Mr Deputy Speaker: Order. that, and I do that in the House tonight. We must do nothing that diminishes the authority of Parliament or 6.48 pm its right to hold the Government to account. Parliament must have the ability to give the Government a vote of (Oxford West and Abingdon) (Con): confidence when they are worthy of it, or a vote of no I am grateful for the opportunity to give my maiden confidence if they have lost the confidence of the country speech today, although not quite so grateful to follow and the House. the excellent maiden speeches of so many of my colleagues The Gracious Speech also states: on both sides of the House. They have set the bar almost impossibly high. “A Bill will be introduced for a referendum on the Alternative Vote system for the House of Commons and to create fewer and Many Members will know my predecessor, Evan more equal sized constituencies.” Harris, as an energetic and uncompromising Member The problems that have been mentioned today in the of this House, and although we often disagreed on case of certain constituencies in the United Kingdom points of principle, he was one of the few politicians must genuinely be taken into account. Simply to divide who never put popularity above principle. I know that the country up and say that every constituency must he will go on to make a significant contribution elsewhere. have the same number of electors would not be to take Dr Harris was not my only predecessor to make an in the reality of the vast geographical areas of some appearance on the campaign trail. Far too often on the constituencies. Constituencies need to be given appropriate doorstep, constituents would look at me, sigh, and say, and proper service. We represent not land but people, “Well of course, I remember Airey Neave”, or “Now who have a right to the most appropriate and best John Patten, he was a good constituency MP.” It is a possible representation. little too early to work out exactly where I will end up in that illustrious line-up, but I hope that it will be recorded There is to be legislation that I did everything in my power to serve the constituents “to restore freedoms and civil liberties, through the abolition of of Oxford West and Abingdon with integrity and Identity Cards and the repeal of unnecessary laws.” commitment, and that I became the dedicated constituency I can say on behalf of my colleagues that we support representative that they so deserve. the proposal to abolish identity cards, which were introduced Let us be honest—there could not really be a better in probably the most ridiculed piece of legislation that constituency to represent. My home town, Oxford, is the previous Government brought forward. It will be surely one of the most beautiful cities in the world and good to see the end of them. its history of scholars, authors, artists, inventors and There is to be legislation Prime Ministers fills library after library. I am particularly 79 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 80

[Nicola Blackwood] or killed in the name of honour. However, there are still worrying gaps in provision. In theory, the introduction pleased that, even after boundary changes, I still have of sexual assault referral centres is a good thing, but the the opportunity to represent my undergraduate and nearest one for us is in Slough—a long way to go for graduate colleges—St. Anne’s and Somerville. someone who has been brutally raped. To add insult to Oxford university and Oxford Brookes have international injury, my local rape crisis centre currently faces a reputations in field after field. I know that many scholars funding crisis. There is also the gender problem. Although and students are watching the university fees review roughly a third of victims are male, only 1% of refuge with anxiety. I know exactly what it is like to pay tuition space is available for men. In Oxfordshire, there is no fees, having been in one of the first years to do so, and provision for male victims fleeing domestic abuse. we must ensure that university funding reform is open and There is also a serious lack of perpetrator programmes. fair, properly supports students from more disadvantaged Despite the fact that a quarter of male probationers backgrounds, creates an academic environment that and 17% of male prisoners are domestic violence supports research, and enables our top universities to perpetrators, there is such a shortage of places on those remain competitive—and even become more so—on programmes that, recently, some courts were expressly the international stage. prohibited from using them as a sentencing option. No Oxford West and Abingdon’s excellence is not confined perpetrator programmes are available in Oxfordshire. to education. The NHS in Oxfordshire hosts many However, we have one thing to boast about: the centres of excellence and an enormous number of dedicated champions network. When research revealed that victims health professionals—my father for one. I know that can go to as many as 10 agencies before finding the help they join me in welcoming the coalition Government’s that they need, the Oxfordshire county domestic abuse commitment to increasing NHS spending and to service decided to short-circuit the problem and train a introducing the revolutionary idea of letting local health network of volunteers in other agencies. They were professionals set local health priorities. called champions. They are seen as the lead on domestic As we struggle to maintain the recovery, it is ever abuse issues in their agency and they can advise colleagues more important that we support Oxfordshire’s vibrant on management of individual cases and ensure access private sector. That includes ventures at every stage of to local resources. There are now more than 300 champions growth, from start-up university spin-offs in biotech in 60 agencies. They are all volunteers, all trained and and renewables at Begbroke science park to long-standing they all make an enormous impact. As far as I am international publishers such as aware, it is the only network of its kind in the UK. I am and Blackwell. proud to be a champion myself, to speak up for that Beyond the dreaming spires lies Abingdon—a beautiful excellent work. I thank the Deputy Speaker for giving market town that is one of the oldest continuous settlements me the chance to speak in this debate. in the UK. However, Abingdon’s fantastic location on the banks of the Thames and the River Ock has been a 6.55 pm thorn in its side, creating difficult traffic problems and Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): Thank you, allowing terrible floods in 2007. Climate change means Mr Deputy Speaker, for calling me to make my maiden that there is an increasing risk of flooding in that area. speech in this important debate. As research shows, it is incredibly important to maintain I thank the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon our commitment to flood defences, which are far cheaper (Nicola Blackwood) for an eloquent and elegant than the catastrophic results of unmitigated flooding. contribution. I also single out my hon. Friend the Those defences are much needed by the residents of Member for Houghton and Sunderland South (Bridget Osney, Abingdon and nearby villages such as Kidlington. Phillipson). It is so good for the House that women with I look forward to supporting their campaign for them. her experience have been elected to serve. However, I have chosen to speak in today’s debate because of my commitment to another local campaign. It is customary to pay tribute to one’s constituency in Despite chronic under-reporting, research shows that a maiden speech. I am pleased to say that I am not in domestic abuse accounts for 16% of violent crime. It the position of my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing affects one in four women and one in six men. Despite North (Stephen Pound), who appeared to have to work the fact that most people still think of it as a women’s hard in 1997 to find something interesting to say about issue, a third of victims are men. his constituency. However, he managed the story from June 1889, when a giant circus elephant collapsed and The social and economic impact of domestic abuse is died on Castlebar hill. I quote from his maiden speech: becomingly increasingly unsustainable. Domestic abuse “The great pachyderm, with its last few breaths, bravely staggered claims more repeat victims—that is more police time forward, and is, to this day, to be found beneath the road— and more repeat visits to A and E—than any other unfortunately, just over the constituency border in Ealing, Acton crime. It leads to the murder of four women and one and Shepherd’s Bush.”—[Official Report, 10 November 1997; man a fortnight, and affects four children in every class Vol. 300, c. 608.] of 30. All that costs our economy an estimated £23 billion I am delighted that, for me, the task is entirely easy a year, and front-line services bear the brunt. In the and pleasurable. East Lothian is, without doubt, a current economic climate, that will only get worse. constituency blessed in almost every way imaginable. It United Nations research has confirmed what common positively drips with scenic beauty. Not only is it blessed sense has told us for years: unemployment and financial with breathtaking natural beauty, it has a continuous instability exacerbate domestic abuse. golden thread of historical significance. Those golden Surely if those on both sides of the Chamber can colours are reflected in the wonderful art of local artist agree on anything, it is that no one should fear being John Bellany, who grew up in Port Seton. The constituency’s raped or beaten in their own home, forced into marriage natural beauty ranges from magnificent beaches, through 81 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 82 agricultural farm land to rolling hills, and features The common endeavour of the miners, their families everything from Cistercian monks to the resting place and the communities of East Lothian bound them close of Concorde. together, so my constituency is clearly one that does not Even with that embarrassment of riches, I have not easily lend itself to dissection, the arbitrary redrawing mentioned its greatest asset: its people. East Lothian is of boundaries and the random consequence of arid blessed with genuinely close-knit and vibrant communities. mathematical formulas dreamt up in Conservative central It is a part of this country that has a real and thriving office and breathed into life in Whitehall. The coalition sense of self. Its strong sense of identity means that, Government cannot take a community such as East even in these most difficult times for the newspaper Lothian, with its sense of self, its sensible and natural industry, it is served by three local newspapers. The boundaries and institutions, and its hundreds of years existence of the East Lothian Courier, East Lothian and of organic community development, and simply apply Musselburgh News and the Evening News is not a leftover the chainsaw of narrow party advantage in the way that from a past age but the reflection of a community with has been proposed. deep roots and a strong sense of social justice. As I was campaigning, I was proud to mark Labour’s The communities of East Lothian range from former record, and I now want to make a pledge to the people mining and fishing villages through to castles and keeps, of East Lothian: Her Majesty’s loyal Opposition will from the market town of Haddington to the fiercely fight to stop the Government’s proposals to weaken proud mining-built communities of Prestonpans, Tranent, democracy and my role in representing you. I thank the Wallyford, Macmerry, Ormiston, Elphinstone and House. Whitecraig. At the east end of the constituency sits Musselburgh—the “honest toun”—which now has one of the top five race courses in the country. 7.2 pm The constituency’s people have a long history of not Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): Thank being easily pushed around and not tolerating social you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and I am delighted injustice. Those battles have not been fought only in this to have caught your eye to give my maiden speech. May country. The men who left East Lothian to fight against I take this opportunity to congratulate those on both Franco’s fascists in the Spanish civil war have their sides of the House who have given their maiden speeches names inscribed on a plaque in Prestonpans. in this debate? It is an honour and privilege for me to As well as brave men, East Lothian also has a proud have been elected by the people of my home town, history of brave women. My predecessor, Anne Moffat, Northampton, where I was born and brought up, and was the first woman to represent East Lothian. She to represent the Northampton North constituency. began her working life as a nurse and went on to Northampton has sent some distinguished representatives become president of Unison. Becoming the Parliamentary over the years, both for Northampton North and Private Secretary to my right hon. Friend the Member Northampton South. Sally Keeble, my immediate for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle (Alan Johnson) predecessor, was a fine constituency Member of Parliament when he was Secretary of State for Health was a real who dedicated her 13 years in Parliament to public source of pride to Anne. She cared deeply about the service. She was a passionate protector of the disadvantaged NHS and her first-hand experience of working in the and a keen supporter of, and advocate for, the poor, as wards equipped her well for that post. many in the House will have witnessed, particularly in The House will be aware that Anne has suffered poor her work on international development. At an election health in recent months, and I am sure all hon. Members campaign hustings, Sally discretely mentioned that she will join me in wishing her good health and happiness. was missing her son’s 14th birthday party, which is Anne paved the way for other women to represent East evidence of the dedication and commitment that she Lothian—I am sure that I will not be the last—but she gave to representing the constituency. As many in the was not the first woman to stand up for working people House will know, Sally’s late father was an illustrious in my constituency. There is a statue in Tranent, by ambassador from the Court of St James to the Soviet sculptor David Annand, of Jackie Crookston beating Union, and no doubt her dedication to public service her drum with a small child at her side, to commemorate was fostered from an early age. I wish her and her family the massacre of Tranent in 1797. Women from mining all the very best for the future. communities across the county beat their own drums to As I said, Sally was the most recent in a long line of protect their communities during the miners’ strike of distinguished Members whom my home town has sent 1984. That dispute and those months of hardship almost to the House. They have not always been without tore those communities apart as some men returned to controversy. In fact, there is a worrying predilection work. Fiona Hunter, then aged only 12, wrote a poem toward deselection—of both Labour and Conservative called, “Hang on Dad” for a school project: Members. The first Member sent here in 1974 from the “Don’t go down the mine Dad new Northampton North constituency was Maureen Where some of them have gone Colquhoun, who I understand underwent a rather difficult Hang on a little longer Dad time for reasons that were not unconnected to her Don’t let them think they’ve won personal life—reasons that nowadays would be a positive I know it’s hard to feed us Dad attribute to candidacy in the Conservative party. Maureen was followed by Tony Marlow, whose boating blazers But we’ve hung on so long are the stuff of legend in this House. He, too, was It can’t go on much longer Dad threatened with deselection, for reasons that were something Much better times must come.” to do with a place called Maastricht. That would not be It is hard to believe that those are the words of a child a positive attribute for candidacy in the modern of 12. Conservative party, so some things do stay the same. 83 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 84

[Michael Ellis] I hope that my time in the House will help to ameliorate some of those discrepancies and disconnections that Sally Keeble actually bucked the trend, because she now exist in our system. was not threatened with deselection. Instead, she attempted to deselect the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown), the then Prime Minister, in 7.10 pm one of the coup attempts against him. I am sure it will Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): I start by commending be noted by my hon. Friends that I do not intend to the hon. Member for Northampton North (Michael follow those traditions—either of deselection or Ellis) on his excellent and illuminating maiden speech. decapitation. I am sure we will hear much more from him in the years Going back a little further, this House has dealt ahead. I wish well both him and all those who either rather harshly, if I may say, with some Northampton have already or are about to give their maiden speech. representatives. One was imprisoned in the Clock Tower, Since the formation of this Conservative-Liberal another was fined for voting without having sworn the Democrat coalition, we have heard much in the press in Oath of Allegiance, and one——was Scotland about the fact that there is to be a “respect assassinated in 1812 while entering the House. I hope agenda”, with the UK Government improving relations there will be less dramatic opportunities for me to make with the devolved Governments and the parties of my mark on this place. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is thus with Northampton is an historic market town with excellent some regret that I noted the Deputy Prime Minister communications—we are only one hour up the motorway failing even to mention that agenda in his speech; he or from Euston on the railway—and we excel on the made an announcement of important constitutional sporting field. We have the Saints rugby team, the progress on the reform of the House of Lords in respect Cobblers football team and the county cricket ground. of which he saw fit to invite Members from only three The town also has an excellent business ethos, and I parties in this House. invite all hon. Members to visit us. The shadow Secretary of State is not in his place, but As many will know, the town has an ancient history I ask his colleagues to pass on to him the comments that of boot and shoe making. Many in the House—on both I am about to make, because I have not been a blushing sides—have benefited from shoes made in Northampton, violet—or even a shrinking violet; I am now blushing, not least my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord and not for the first time—when it comes to criticising Chancellor. He is often accused of wearing Hush Puppies, the last Labour Government. During the last Parliament, but in fact they are brown suede shoes made in there was much I needed to criticise the Labour Government Northampton—although I was pleased to see that he on when it came to constitutional matters, but in recent did not wear them with the full-bottomed wig when he times the previous Government worked hard on issues gave Her Majesty the Gracious Speech in another place. such as the reform of party and MP finance to include I thought it would be suitable to make my maiden all the parties. Indeed, the then Justice Secretary was speech during the part of the Gracious Speech that exemplary in his relations with the political parties of relates to home affairs, because I have been in practice Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is totally as a for the past 16 years. In 13 of those years, unacceptable that we are to see major constitutional I have witnessed some rather extraordinary events that reforms in the United Kingdom on the basis of excluding reflect the current concern with the criminal justice the parties of government from Scotland, Wales and system in the country at large. Some 3,600 new criminal Northern Ireland. I was pleased to note that other offences have been created in the past 13 years, a rate of Members on the Opposition side, not least the right about one every weekday. You will be reassured to hear, hon. Member for Torfaen (Paul Murphy), recognised Mr Deputy Speaker, that it is now illegal to sell a grey that as an important issue. squirrel and to explode a nuclear bomb. Many hundreds Moving on to discuss the Queen’s Speech, we understand of other pieces of legislation have been passed: 404 forms that progress is to be made on further devolution of of behaviour are illegal now that were not illegal in powers to Scotland. That would mean safer streets and 1997. To give one an idea of the progress—or lack safer communities, which is something that we welcome, thereof—whereas for most of the past 100 years there as we also welcome the willingness to consider improving was about one criminal justice Bill per decade, there the financial powers to be devolved to the Scottish were 60 in the past decade. Government and to the Scottish Parliament. This comes I am afraid that we have not had the progress that we at a time when we are hearing growing calls from would like. To give one example of that quickly, within academics and senior business leaders who want Scottish the last several months at court, several were Ministers to control taxes and social welfare and to kept waiting while prisoners refused to alight from a have borrowing powers. bus because they were worried about losing their places The Campaign for Fiscal Responsibility has been in an overcrowded prison system. The prison officers triggered in part by the new coalition Government’s refused to force them off the bus, because doing so pledge to raise the income tax threshold to £10,000. would breach their human rights. Many were kept Among the leading members of the Scottish business waiting for many hours. One prisoner decided that he community who are calling for fiscal responsibility in needed to use the facilities and was allowed to alight Scotland is Jim McColl, the chairman of business from the bus, go into the cells, use the facilities and go development firm, Clyde Blowers, which is involved in back, voluntarily, and get back on the bus, because to the campaign. He said recently: have forced him to do otherwise would have been a “I believe we’re at the crossroads of a fantastic opportunity to breach of his human rights. Meanwhile, many were take more responsibility in Scotland for its economic health… We kept waiting in court. need to have a financially responsible Parliament where politicians 85 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 86 take full responsibility for raising the money that they spend and comes at last to me, having been selected as the candidate for the economy that they manage. We need the levers to stimulate for South Swindon some six years ago. That means that that economy”. in 2005 I was beaten by my predecessor, , That has been underlined by Ben Thomson, the chairman to whom I pay warm tribute today. She worked extremely of the think-tank Reform Scotland, who said that there hard for her constituency and for her constituents. It is is “surprising” breadth of support for radical change, interesting to note that many of the challenges that she which was further underlined in The Times today by Sir raised in her maiden speech are the challenges that face Tom Hunter, who writes: Swindon today—on jobs, for example. In fact, the “Tinkering is not the answer to these challenges—Scotland unemployment position in Swindon is now twice as bad must take a radical look at itself and change markedly. Scotland as it was back in 2005. Town centre regeneration is needs to control the levers necessary to stimulate growth—and another challenge; the recession has sadly put paid to benefit from the receipts that come from that growth.” many of the fine plans laid out for our town centre. I very much hope that the coalition Government will I do not want to start, however, on an unduly pessimistic take all these voices into account and follow their own note because, like the peal of 10 bells at Christ Church advice on the respect agenda and on working constructively in Swindon, celebrated in the poetry of Sir John Betjeman, with the in pursuing these matters. there is much to ring the praises about when it comes to In the time remaining, I would like to touch on a the town I represent. This is the part of my speech that number of other constitutional reforms: fixed-term is entirely uncontroversial, because it is a known fact Parliaments, the 55% threshold, democratisation of the that Swindon is a cultural hub. We are the home of the House of Lords and reform of the electoral system. We National Trust and the base of English Heritage. We in the have long supported the also have the museum of the Great Western railway—God’s introduction of fixed terms—experience of which, of wonderful railway, in other words—this year celebrating course, we have in the Scottish Parliament. To illustrate 175 years of its existence by Act of Parliament. We are and underline the point made by colleagues from the home to the National Monuments Record office. Democratic Unionist party earlier, it would be a real We have splendid country parks, including Lydiard mistake to set the date of a fixed Parliament to match park, the former ancestral home of the Bolingbroke exactly the date of elections for the Scottish Parliament family—a well known to this House and and the Northern Ireland Assembly. If we are to have to the other place. It is now a delightful country park to fixed terms, why not pick four-year rather than five-year the west and on the western fringes of my constituency. cycles? Experience in the last Scottish Parliament election To the east, we have Coate Water country park, much showed that the more elections one holds on the same loved by local residents, home of a miniature railway day, the more problems can ensue. and, on the edge, home to the museum of the 19th century Turning to the so-called threshold question, we need writer and naturalist, Richard Jefferies. only a simple majority to form or bring down a Government There is much to commend the constituency that I in the Scottish Parliament. If no Government can command represent. It is town, suburb and country, lying as it 50% of support among voting MSPs within 28 days, does between the ancient Ridgeway path and its iron-age Parliament is dissolved. The 66% barrier exists only to forts, and the iron road of the railway that meant so ensure that there is time to allow a new Government to much to the development of Swindon in the 19th century. be formed if an old one collapses. I really hope that the Bisecting my constituency through the middle is that Government listen on this issue. For people who have 20th-century innovation, the M4. Make no mistake practical experience of the system as it works in action, about it, Mr Deputy Speaker: Swindon is well and truly the 55% threshold is a gerrymandering effort to hold on at the heart of our country. to power, just as it is on the issue of boundary reviews, Swindon’s communities, whether they be in the town which seem to take no account of the geographic diversity centre or out in the suburban fringes, are all united by in some parts of the United Kingdom. It is also hard to several concerns. One of those concerns is about the conclude anything but that this is an effort to target need to protect and preserve our green spaces, and to poorer and more rural constituencies. If there is a need ensure that the development that we know will come to to reform the size of constituencies, the Government Swindon—it is a town that has grown over the years must take account of manageable size and geography. and reinvented itself to quite brilliant effect—is sustainable. On democratising the House of Lords, our party is in I therefore welcome a change to the planning regime, so favour of a unicameral set-up, but should there be a that my town can survive, thrive and prosper in the second chamber, it must be elected. On electoral reform, years ahead. if we are to have a referendum, we should include more One issue that comes up time and time again with the than one option: the alternative vote is not proportional people I now represent is their concern about the system representation. of criminal justice in our country. It might sound like In conclusion, we heard today from the Deputy Prime special pleading—I make no apology for that—but Minister in soaring reformist rhetorical tones what was having spent most of my professional life working as a in actual fact his falling at the first fence. Inclusion, barrister in the criminal justice system, I think that I am debate and participation are all fine and well, but they allowed to make some observations about the gap between need to include all— political rhetoric and the sad reality of what is happening in our system today. We have confused legislative Mr Deputy Speaker: Order. hyperactivity with effectiveness. The sausage-factory approach that saw after Criminal 7.17 pm Justice Act has not resulted in a better system; in fact, it Mr (South Swindon) (Con): Thank has made it a great deal worse. The law of unforeseen you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity consequences means that the extra burden placed on to make my maiden speech. It is a maiden speech that the system is causing it to creak at the hinges. 87 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 88

[Mr Robert Buckland] Devolution has played a vital part in the economic and social renewal of Scotland. I have seen the Scottish The words of politicians in this House and other Parliament become firmly embedded in the body politic places sound particularly hollow to those at the chalk of Scotland, with a programme of reform that has a face trying to grapple with the reality. We have spent too deep and lasting impact in my constituency of Glasgow much time concentrating on the consequences of offending, East. That constituency has many challenges to face. It instead of looking at the means of preventing it in the ranges from the relatively prosperous areas of Mount first place. The rhetoric of being tough on crime so Vernon and Garrowhill, through to hard-working loved by a former Prime Minister misses the point. It is communities such as those in Craigend and Carmyle, time for us to be smart on crime, by looking at the all of which include communities that have paid too causes of that criminality and dealing with them, lest high a price for the economic policies of the 1980s. we reap the whirlwind of social problems and increased We once had a steelworks that at its peak employed expenditure. 40,000 workers. Now, United Biscuits, although perhaps When there is no option, we must stop being spellbound the largest employer in the constituency, has 800 workers, by the complexity of things. Prison is there to perform making a vital contribution to the local economy. three simple functions: to protect the public, to punish Work was done by the previous Labour Government offenders and to offer the hope of rehabilitation. None to develop the economic base of the east end of Glasgow. of those important functions seems to have been properly In the past 10 years, there has been an increase of valued, as the events of recent years bear out. It is a businesses of nearly 50%, and increasing every year of scandal that those who have to pass sentences in the that Labour Government. But as I say, Mr Deputy Crown court and other places are influenced by pressures Presiding Officer—forgive me, Mr Deputy Speaker; that on prison numbers. It is simply unacceptable and literally was bound to happen—challenges remain. We have an a denial of justice. unemployment rate of 7.3%, against a Scottish average If we are to deal most effectively with criminality in of 4.3%. However, it is also incumbent on me to say that our country, we need to call criminal offences crime, there is deep resentment across the east end that its move away from the unproductive and costly antisocial many achievements are overlooked or undermined. behaviour structure and all the rhetoric surrounding it, There is much to celebrate in the east end of Glasgow. and remember that at the root of it all, it is crime We have some of the highest-performing state schools, prevention and early intervention, particularly in the in brand-new buildings. In 2014 we will host the lives of young people, that we will see reaping real ; and, of course, we are home to rewards, when we come to look back at our time in one of the world’s best football teams, Glasgow Celtic. office. My plea today is for effective action on crime—for I know that my speech is meant to be uncontroversial, a bit of cleverness, rather than the rhetoric of tabloid but I must challenge a Member who spoke previously newspapers. I look forward to, I hope, playing my part who claimed paradise was in his constituency. Paradise in the debates on crime and other issues that are important is, in fact, in the east end of Glasgow. Let me be clear: to the constituents I represent in the years ahead. Glasgow East is a place of significant opportunity, but much more needs to be done; a place of great aspiration, 7.24 pm too much of it unfulfilled; and a place of enterprise and Margaret Curran (Glasgow East) (Lab): Thank you effort, not always rewarded as it should be. for the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech in this I am sure that in tackling that agenda I would receive august Chamber, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am the first strong support from my predecessor, Mr John Mason. woman from Glasgow East to represent the constituency. Although I did not share his nationalist beliefs or those Indeed, I am delighted that my city of Glasgow has of the Scottish National party, I know that he had a simultaneously provided two women to represent it. We strong dedication to his cause. In an age of spin and are indeed on the march. public relations, that is very much to be respected. I was I was intimidated before coming to this Chamber in the unusual position of having fought John in two and, having listened to so many wonderful speeches, I elections. I witnessed first hand what a strong defender am now completely intimidated—even more so than of our democratic process he is. I am sure that everyone before. I have served in the Scottish Parliament since its in the House would wish John Mason well in his future inception in 1999. The transfer to these Green Benches endeavours. has been daunting; indeed, this is a very different John Mason and I both share an appreciation for the parliamentary experience. work of our mutual predecessor, David Marshall, who I arrive in Westminster at a time of great and momentous served Glasgow, Shettleston—and subsequently Glasgow challenge, in the tailspin of one of the world’s worst East—with great distinction for nearly three decades. financial crises and an unprecedented breakdown in In fact, the east end of Glasgow has produced public confidence in the political class. In such a Chamber, parliamentarians of outstanding character and achievement. we inevitably look to the voices and influences of the Most towering of all was John Wheatley, who combined past. We must learn from and understand them. In this inspiring politics with practical actions and is best era of supposedly new politics, I hope that we do not remembered for the Housing Act 1924, which for the forget the major advances of the past, including those first time provided affordable housing for working people of the preceding Labour Government. Among the most in Scotland. His legacy continues in my constituency. radical acts of that Labour Government was the I am well aware that my constituency is well known to constitutional arrangements that they introduced, including many Members, particularly the Secretary of State for the advent of devolution, which was perhaps one of the Work and Pensions, who claims Easterhouse as part of most significant shifts in Government power that any of the inspiration for his welfare reform. Easterhouse is an us is ever likely to witness. area of genuine warmth and friendliness, and of course 89 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 90 he was welcome. However, I am told that local people equality? But what sort of equality are we to have? I were intrigued: they had never seen a Tory before—and want to ensure that my constituents experience the after he left, they have not seen one since. same equality of quality of service that they can expect The Secretary of State has made great claims for the from their Member of Parliament. In an average weekend, changes that he will introduce. He has raised enormous I spend four, five or six hours in a car in order to see my expectations. I should tell the House that I will endeavour constituents—because why on earth should they come with some energy to ensure that he does not dispense to me?—as well as the 12 hours that I spend commuting that sick old Tory medicine, which is that when times to and from this place. I should not be penalised for are hard, benefits for the poorest are cut and the better-off that. I must tell my right hon. and hon. Friends that a are given tax cuts to see them on their way. His argument constituency that stretched from Shetland to Argyll will be seriously weakened if he tells people that the would be utterly unworkable. It must be possible to take only answer is work when there is no work to go to, and account of the differences, and to achieve a proper cuts all the supports that help individuals and families balance between numbers and size. to get back on their feet. The effects of seem to have taken him by surprise. I do not know Mark Lazarowicz: The hon. Gentleman is right to where he was during those years, but he certainly was emphasise the importance of maintaining the constituency not in Easterhouse then. I will say this about his reform link, but would not including the option of the AV-plus programme: the people of Easterhouse and Glasgow system proposed by the Jenkins commission in the East will be watching his work very closely indeed. proposed referendum on the electoral system make it Mr Deputy Presiding Officer—Mr Deputy Speaker; I possible to maintain that link while at the same time do apologise. I have won elections and I have lost adopting a fairer voting system? That would give us a elections, and from the recent election I draw the conclusion real choice, rather than our being limited to an option that no one party received ringing endorsements, and that neither of the governing parties support. there was a very marked voting pattern throughout the country. I hope that the coalition Government pay close John Thurso: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for attention to the voting patterns in my constituency, my making that point, but I must not become involved in a city and my country, because those people made it very discussion on the subject. I am looking at the clock, and clear that they did not want to return to an agenda of thinking about House of Lords reform. I can usually cuts and unemployment. I hope that, in the spirit of the bore for Britain about House of Lords reform for hours new politics, the Government will pay due attention on end, but I see that I have only four minutes and to that. 48 seconds left. I hear what the hon. Gentleman says, but perhaps we could discuss it on another occasion. 7.30 pm I want to talk first about the “why” and then about the “how” of House of Lords reform. For me, reforming John Thurso (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) the House of Lords represents the linchpin of constitutional (LD): I congratulate the hon. Member for Glasgow reform. Without a legitimate upper House, we do not East (Margaret Curran) on a tremendous maiden speech. have a legitimate Parliament. It is unacceptable for one Those of us who know something about Scottish politics half of our Parliament to debate, with quality, and are well aware that she has a good reputation—a great reach a decision, and for that decision to be rejected by reputation—and I am sure that she will continue her the other half, simply because it is not legitimate—and work in the House of Commons. She spoke with great it is not legitimate because it is not elected. passion and commitment, and she joins a number of There are many countries in the world where appointment ladies from Scotland on the Labour Benches who are a is regarded as legitimate, but in this country—given the tremendous asset to this place. way in which the media in particular, but also this place, May I express a little sympathy with the hon. Lady? have discussed the upper House—the other place can be Having also come to the House of Commons from considered legitimate only if it is either wholly or in another Chamber, I spent my maiden speech addressing very large part elected. When that happens, and it has the assembly as “My Lords”. Happily, I was cured of legitimacy, it will become the true check and balance on the habit pretty quickly, and I am sure that the hon. this place that it ought to be. Lady will soon find it very easy to address the Chair as I am not the slightest bit worried about this House “Mr. Speaker” or “Mr. Deputy Speaker”. losing its primacy. A strong House of Lords, properly I intend to talk about House of Lords reform. However, elected on, I suggest, a different model from this place—a I am tempted first to make a brief comment about fully proportionate model—and operating in the way in boundaries, particularly after hearing the hon. Member which it should, would complement Parliament. A strong for Epping Forest (Mrs Laing) say that absolute numbers upper House means a strong Parliament. I believe that were everything. I politely beg to differ. If, indeed, pure much of which has happened in the past could have mathematics dictates that this Chamber should represent been avoided if Parliament had been strengthened to absolutely the votes cast in an election, the answer is allow two functioning Houses to hold the Executive to extremely simple: it is called the single transferable vote. account, each undertaking its separate functions. We all accept, however—I certainly accept—that there That brings me to the “how”. First, we must consider is something very special about the link between Member the strengths of the House of Lords, of which there are and constituency, which goes beyond simple mathematics. many. The quality of debate is tremendous. The House There are other points to be taken into account. I am has no instructions from the Chair, and Report stages very happy with the argument advanced by my right and Third Readings proceed in a timeous manner. We hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister that we should could learn from those examples in this place. The have more equality, for who could be against more quality of the scrutiny given to legislation, and of 91 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 92

[John Thurso] where there is under-registration. There has been talk about the need to have equalised constituencies, but not debates, is very high in the House of Lords, and the lack so much emphasis has been placed on equalised registration. of a constituency link is essential: we cannot allow a In Blackpool and many other seaside towns, and many competition with a Member of Parliament representing urban centres as well, the issue of transience and of a constituency. It is traditional for peers to discuss their areas of higher deprivation are key, too. If we are truly regions, but they do not become involved in constituency concerned about that process, we need to heed what the cases. I have long held the view that a House based on Electoral Commission has said about the matter. If we large regional constituencies, with one third elected at are truly concerned about connecting with people in a each election for a longish period with no re-election, practical way in addressing voting reform, we ought to would capture the majority of the benefits that currently return to the issue of weekend voting, which has gone exist in the upper House. It would become both a around this place like a miasma, although nobody has smaller and a stronger House. ever actually focused on it. I want to say a little about what has been called Despite the elegant attempts of some Liberal Democrat “grandfathering”. High principle and low politics are Members to defend the indefensible, I must say that involved. The interesting thing about life peers is that they have been sold a pup. They have been given a they all go native. It seems that the hereditaries are the referendum on the alternative vote, which the Prime only ones who are happy to leave. Life peers are seduced Minister and most of the Conservative party, and, by the glories of the place. I propose that they should all sadly—I say that as a supporter of AV—a significant be allowed to stay there, and that we elect the first third, proportion of my party, will campaign against. Its the second third and the third third. We will get there prospects of getting through in a referendum are therefore eventually. The grim reaper will take care of quite a lot relatively small. In return for this, there will be a of them, and I suspect that if—as I suggested on gerrymandered system that will hit hardest at the Liberal Second Reading of the Bill that became the House of Democrats. The Prime Minister gets the gain, and the Lords Act 1999 when I was in another place—we make Liberal Democrats get all the pain. it possible for them to retire, a great many noble Lords There were two interesting quotations when the 55% who have served for a long time and in an illustrious agreement emerged—I think that is the best way to way will take that opportunity. describe them. The Under-Secretary of State for There is also a high principle, however. The high Communities and Local Government, the hon. Member principle is that much of what is good about the House for Hazel Grove (Andrew Stunell), was a leading participant of Lords, and is in its DNA, needs to be passed on. If in the Liberal Democrat discussions that led to the the House of Lords as it is today were changed completely creation of the coalition, and he said on Radio 4 on and became wholly elected, that would be lost. As I 14 May: have said, there is low politics, but there is also that high “It was a small matter for us to say we accept” principle. the Conservative party’s “concerns” and agree to this. As the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth said at the outset, it is nearly 100 years since my Affairs, who was serving on the Conservative team, had party started this process off. Would it not be a fitting a different take, however. He said it was a “considered tribute if we celebrated the hundredth anniversary by constitutional innovation”. Clearly, he had not been in completing it? the same early-hours cabal as the Under-Secretary. It has been said that the Secretary of State for Business, 7.39 pm Innovation and Skills made his reputation by referring to the former Prime Minister as having gone from Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) (Lab): Thus Stalin to Mr Bean. I say that the hon. Member for far, today’s debate has been elegantly poised between Hazel Grove went from Mr Bean to Stalin in an instant. rhetoric and reality. The reality we all face is the economic Whether we have, for good or ill, an unwritten situation, which has been mentioned, and some constitution, we have it, and custom, practice and precedent Members—even among those of us who are not born-again are weighty matters. In that constitution, prerogative cynics—might wonder whether some of the rhetoric issues and the fact that the House cannot bind itself coming from the coalition Government is intended to because of parliamentary sovereignty to future things, mask some of the reality of the pain they are currently the fact that the 55% figure would insulate the Executive proposing. I felt that somewhat when I heard the Deputy against Parliament and the unease that the convention Prime Minister’s speech, with its silken strangulation of of dissolution would be eroded are all significant issues. the public sector: “I feel your pain.” That is why there has been a chorus of protest and Let me turn, however, to some of the specific issues, concern in Parliament and outside. especially voter registration, electoral reform and equal I shall quote a few examples. Peter Hennessy, a boundaries. We have heard in contributions from both leading academic and constitutional expert, has said: sides of the House about the disadvantages of sweeping away all consideration of natural and constituency “It looks as if you are priming the pitch, doctoring it a bit. Not boundaries, and I very much welcome and admire the good. It’s meant to be a different politics, new politics.” remarks of the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland We have heard today of the reservations of the right and Easter Ross (John Thurso) about getting the balance hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis), right, but we all draw on our own circumstances, and I and the hon. Members for South (Richard want to say tonight that behind the rhetoric of individual Ottaway) and for Broxbourne (Mr Walker), and there is registration and equal constituencies lies the reality of a degree of sublime humbug about a Conservative the existing situation in constituencies such as mine leader who hammered away week after week in a general 93 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 94 election campaign about the effect on markets of the Gracious Speech includes our pledge to introduce the uncertainty of a hung Parliament, but who now as annual cap on immigration from outside the EU—and I Prime Minister blithely proposes to impose a system am a little surprised that, as today’s Opposition amendment that, if it led to a lame-duck Government under the highlights, they are still concerned about that measure, 55% rule, would create weeks of turmoil in the markets. which, as I have said, had widespread support in my The Scottish issue has already been discussed in that seat. respect. There is a pattern here in respect of the Prime My predecessor referred in her maiden speech to the Minister, of course. He said on 14 May: importance of putting Amber Valley on the map. I “I’m the first Prime Minister in British history to give up the think I can best describe that as a work in progress. This right…for a dissolution of Parliament…Others have talked about may be the only case that data protection rules allow me it, people have written pamphlets and made speeches…I have to take on from her. The seat is in Derbyshire—not in made that change.” Wales, as some appear to think—running from the It is, however, very much the 21st-century equivalent Nottinghamshire border to the edge of the Peak district, of Louis XIV’s “I am the state”—he is, of course, and includes the towns of Alfreton, Heanor and Ripley, the monarch who was associated with the story of the and many surrounding villages. It is a former mining emperor’s new clothes. We should not take forward the area, which has developed diverse industries since the innovation-on-the-hoof that this Prime Minister is closure of the pits in the 1960s. proposing, and the naivety of the Deputy Prime Minister The seat shares its name with a borough council, in that respect in talking about verdict first, trial afterwards, although that borough council of about 100,000 electors because he had not worked out the details in the debate now has three MPs. Perhaps certain measures in the today, is a telling observation for all of us. Gracious Speech will reduce some of that confusion, I do not have the time to talk about the broader although I will take care in saying that, as part of the issues, but they were touched on by my right hon. council area is also represented by my Chief , my Friend the Member for Salford and Eccles (Hazel Blears). right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales If we do not look at the broader issues of connecting (Mr McLoughlin), and I would hate to be seen to be with people, which would require reforming local trying to steal part of his seat. government, bringing in the third sector and so forth, While some Members might not have been able to we will lose the plot. Substituting the coalition’s rhetoric place Amber Valley on a map, I am sure they are for the hard practice of what connecting with local familiar with some of its businesses. These include people actually means is a big issue. Denby pottery—and I disagree with the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Tristram Hunt) in that I 7.46 pm claim it as the producer of by far the best pottery in the country, and I am disappointed that I have not as yet Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con): I am grateful for found any of its products in use in the House. They also this opportunity to speak in today’s debate, and I include Matthew Walker puddings and congratulate the other Members who have made their Thorntons chocolates. If I indulge in too many of their maiden speeches as they have raised the bar. I also products I can avail myself of the services of another thank the people of Amber Valley for electing me as local business, Slimming World. their Member of Parliament. It is a tremendous honour and privilege to serve them, and I will do my utmost to Of great concern in my constituency is the need to live up to the trust they have placed in me. provide good-quality jobs for local people. A recent sadness has been the final closure of the Butterley The seat of Amber Valley was created in 1983 and plant, in Ripley. My two predecessors referred to the was previously represented by Phillip Oppenheim, whom great steel work made there that forms the roof of I am sure some Members will remember, and since 1997 St Pancras railway station; at least they had the pleasure by Judy Mallaber. I would like to take this opportunity of the business still being around at the time. Part of the to thank her for her work on behalf of the people of Butterley site has already been replaced by houses, Amber Valley. She can be rightly proud of what she much against the wishes of the local council. I therefore achieved, especially on the introduction of the minimum welcome our proposal to change the planning system to wage, on which she worked before entering the House allow local people to have far more of a say not only in as well as while she was here. It is a tribute that something protecting brownfield sites on which we would like to that was originally a political controversy has become keep manufacturing businesses, but in preventing houses accepted on both sides of the House. I wish her well in from being built all over our green belt. her future endeavours. I turn to the issue that prompted me to speak in Whatever our differences on political issues, we have today’s debate. While the tragic events in Cumbria were been in agreement on the need to address the support unfolding last Wednesday, there was also a tragic event for the British National party in Amber Valley; it had in the peaceful village of Holbrook, in my constituency, two councillors elected in 2008. I am sure the whole where a young woman and her two-year-old child were House will share my relief that we are not joined in this stabbed to death by her estranged partner. My thoughts place by any members of that party. I suspect that that are with the family and friends of the victims at this concern is part of the reason for the conversion of the difficult time. This case is made more difficult by the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) to thinking fact that the alleged perpetrator of these offences had the European list system we currently use is a bad idea. been arrested twice by the police the week before, following It is, however, incumbent upon all politicians of the accusations of domestic violence, and had also been mainstream to address constructively the issues that receiving treatment for mental illness. I therefore welcome have been taken up the BNP. Immigration was the issue Derbyshire police’s calling in the Independent Police most often raised in my seat, and I am pleased that the Complaints Commission to review their actions. I in no 95 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 96

[Nigel Mills] On a serious note, it is easy to forget what has been achieved in Northern Ireland, because nothing is more way wish to pre-judge the outcome of that review—it is certain in politics than that, once a commitment is easy to do so with the benefit of hindsight—but I hope delivered, it is human nature to look forward, not back. that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will None the less, Northern Ireland is a safer, more peaceful closely follow the progress of this case. If any lessons place thanks to many people, and Adam Ingram is one need to be learned, I hope they can be learned to ensure of them. that the risk of such tragic events happening again is as After his time in the , Adam low as possible. was moved by to the Ministry of Defence. It is at times like these that we come to appreciate the He became the UK’s longest serving defence Minister in difficulty of the job carried out by our police, and I modern times, dealing with many complex and difficult would like to pay tribute to the courage of the officers problems on the global stage. In total, Adam served for who broke into the house to try to stop those tragic 23 years as the MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and events. I wish them all the best as they come to terms Lesmahagow and its predecessor constituencies, including with the awful situation that they found. 10 years as a Minister. During those 23 years, he never forgot who put him in Parliament, and he always put We know that the size of the budget deficit run up by the interests of his constituents first. I pay tribute to the previous Government means that difficult decisions Adam Ingram’s service to my constituency and to our need to be taken, and Derbyshire police will have to country. take their share of that pain. I note that the amendment that bears the name of the right hon. Member for My constituency is a mix of rural and urban. Its most Blackburn contains a request that the cuts do not densely populated area is East Kilbride, Scotland’s most damage the number of police officers. I point out to the successful new town, where I have lived man and boy. Minister that the police funding review carried out Equally important is our rural area, an eclectic mix of some six years ago noted that Derbyshire police needed villages, each one retaining its distinctive features. Other a significant increase in funding, of approximately Members have asked me, “Which constituency do you £5 million a year. However, that funding has still not represent?” They have been rather baffled by the triple- been provided to this day, due to the damping mechanism. barrelled title of East Kilbride, Strathaven and I urge the Government to have a full review of the Lesmahagow; alternatively, they have had no idea what allocation of funds for police forces, to ensure that I am actually saying. However, they should be grateful Derbyshire police—who are currently being deprived of for the brevity of the title, because many of my constituents the 100 officers whom those funds could be used to remain upset that it does not include their areas of provide—get the fair funding they are entitled to for the Auldhouse, Blackwood, Brockets Brae, Chapelton, level of crime in Derbyshire. Only by ensuring a fair Drumclog, Gilmourton, Glassford, Jackton, Kirkmuirhill, allocation of funding can we make sure that we have Sandford, Stonehouse and Thorntonhall. I suspect that police services that are both effective and efficient. after hearing that list, Members will be grateful that the constituency name was shortened. My constituency has a history of providing jobs in 7.53 pm both new and established industries, and my constituents do not fear hard work—in fact, they relish it. For the Mr Michael McCann (East Kilbride, Strathaven and last 13 years, the constituency has had both private and Lesmahagow) (Lab): I congratulate the hon. Member public sector investment. Public sector investment has for Amber Valley (Nigel Mills) on an excellent maiden led to the building of a new hospital, six new high speech. It is with some trepidation that I rise to address schools, 10 new primary schools, new care homes for the House to make my maiden speech, conscious as the elderly and vulnerable, and new houses. However, I am of the esteem and veneration in which it is held in that investment is now under threat, both from decisions all corners of the civilised world, of the very high that will be made in this House and in the devolved standards set by previous maiden speakers in this debate, Parliament in Edinburgh. We have lost manufacturing and of the very great honour that is mine in representing jobs in the semiconductor sector and other parts of the the people of East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow. economy, but the people of my constituency are resilient. Before I tell the House a little more about my If they are given the opportunities—and their fair share constituency, let me pay a warm tribute to my predecessor of Government support—they will succeed. and friend, the right hon. Adam Ingram. Adam was a I turn now to the constitution. I learned at an early trade union official and local councillor before he was age in the trade union movement, from my former wise first elected to this House in 1987. His talents were soon leader, Mr Barry Reamsbottom, that those who seek to recognised by Labour Front Benchers, and he served in amend constitutions rarely do so with the best intentions. various positions in opposition, working hard with That is why I listened intently to the Prime Minister on others for the election of a Labour Government. It was the day of the Queen’s Speech. I have to say that I was in 1997, when Labour finally took office, that Adam disappointed. In attempting to justify the proposal to took his first ministerial position under Tony Blair, as move to a 55% majority in order to dissolve this House, Northern Ireland security Minister. the Prime Minister used the example of the devolved Some Members may have seen the award winning Administration in Scotland to suggest that the proposal drama “Mo” at the end of January, in which was constitutionally sound. In doing so, he revealed a Adam was portrayed by the actor Gary Lewis. Adam profound misunderstanding of the devolved settlement. explained to me that had Gary Lewis not landed the The devolved Administrations in Northern Ireland, part, both Brad Pitt and Sylvester Stallone were keen to Scotland and Wales were created by legislation in this play the role. House. Under the principle of subsidiarity, decisions 97 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 98 previously taken in this place were devolved to Northern who need to be supported and schools that, despite the Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This House of Commons best efforts of the amazing teaching staff, have been retains its overarching authority over the devolved underfunded and poorly supported for years. I should Administrations because this is the sovereign Parliament also mention our wealth of small and medium-sized of the United Kingdom. For the Prime Minister to pray businesses that need assistance to get through tough in aid rules governing the dissolution of a devolved times. My family has run manufacturing businesses for structure to justify a change in the rules of this House more than 100 years since coming to this country as demonstrates an alarming lack of respect for the status immigrants, so I am acutely conscious of the fact that of the United Kingdom. The argument of the tail the creation of long-term jobs will be at the heart of my wagging the dog does not stand up even to light scrutiny. role as the Member for Hexham. My constituents have been steadfast in their support of Farmers are struggling, hill farmers particularly so, this democratic Chamber, which is rightly revered around and they all say that the Government of the past the world. Do not let us diminish its authority based on 13 years were totally disinterested in the rural way of the result of one election. life. However, our area’s biggest problem is the chronic This House is comprised of people of many different lack of social and affordable housing, which is having backgrounds and talents—business people, lawyers, an impact on the local economy and schools. To put it economists, doctors and academics—but for this place simply, young people cannot afford to buy homes in my to be truly representative we need diversity. It is therefore area. Some planners call this “Cumbriafication”, whereby right that this House should also include trade unionists, a community is simply priced out of its birthright as all plumbers, electricians and people who have worked in the families have to move elsewhere to live. If we do not the voluntary sector. My late father, Charles McCann, stop this process, we will see the ever greater loss of our was a boiler maker/plater, and my mother, Bridget, was vibrant rural communities. But there are answers to this a housewife who brought up five children, three of problem, because what is a speech in this great House whom were born profoundly deaf. I have been a civil without hope, aspiration, and an ability to believe that servant, a trade union official and an elected councillor; one’s reach can exceed one’s grasp? my parents taught me the values that have made me the We face a simple choice between supporting either person I am today. I am proud to have been elected on the British farmer or still higher profits for the big 6 May, and I will strain every sinew to represent to the supermarkets. We in this House have to make that best of my ability the people of East Kilbride, Strathaven decision, because the farmer simply will not survive and Lesmahagow in my role as their new Member of without support in this House. We have a simple choice Parliament. to make, and we should provide local homes for local people, decided upon by local people. We have a simple 7.59 pm choice: do we allow village communities to slip away or (Hexham) (Con): Mr Deputy Speaker, will we halt the closure of post offices, shops and pubs? I am grateful for the opportunity to thank the people of Without such amenities, the rural way of life loses its the Hexham constituency for allowing me to represent heart, its soul and so much more, them in the House of Commons. I will never forget that I have chosen to speak in the home affairs debate they are the people who put me here. I follow on from because I have spent too long as a criminal and civil Peter Atkinson, and I must say that one could not meet barrister watching while Home Secretaries meddle with a kinder, gentler man. He served Hexham for 18 years the criminal justice system to little positive effect. There with great distinction and I pay tribute to the work that have been dozens of criminal justice Bills in the past he did. I will do well to copy his calm and effective 13 years, very few of which were any good. No one has representation. introduced a prison reform Act since 1952. I, like others, The Hexham constituency is the second biggest in have worked at the criminal Bar, prosecuting and defending England, stretching from the outskirts of Newcastle to in many murder trials, and I have seen enough of the the Scottish border, and down to the far reaches of inadequacies of prison life to know that wholesale south and west Northumberland. The town of Hexham, reform is required. To fail to reform the Prison Service with its famous abbey, may be the centre of the constituency, would be a crime, because we are simply not solving the but it is surrounded by hundreds of beautiful villages problem of crime and punishment. We have doubled and towns, Hadrian’s wall, the Pennine way, Kielder the prison population in the past 18 years, yet reoffending forest and reservoir, and Northumbria national park. rates remain in excess of 70%. We send more people to While I am on the subject of tourism, I should mention prison than anyone else in Europe, yet we are not safer. that we are showing the way, as our scenery and history I will campaign for a better focus on sentencing, are second to none; ours is the land of the Romans, rehabilitation, drug testing and simple education in St Oswald, the marcher lords, Harry Hotspur, the border prisons. It is often said that too often Governments reivers and George Stephenson. Our area is at the consult but do not listen. I want to ensure that the heartbeat of history, having survived historical Scottish victim has a voice in this House. I am proud of the fact raids and political Liberal raids—I am pleased to say that the previous Labour Government, in their wisdom, that both those former enemies are now our friends. I gave me two separate national awards, one for my help invite any hon. Member who has not visited our area to to victim support and one for my campaign to challenge do so. Its people are second to none, and I shall do the state on unlawful hospital closures. I expect no such everything that I can to promote such a beautiful part generosity from my hon. Friends in this Parliament. of the north-east. People do not expect government to solve everything; However, this special place also has serious issues in fact, in my experience, people are amazed when that need to be addressed. My area contains hospitals government does anything good at all. But we have a that need to be retained, military barracks full of soldiers fresh chance, after the dark days of economic meltdown 99 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 100

[Guy Opperman] against massive variations in behaviour and performance across police forces? Is incentivised and common-sense and a broken political system, to establish a new beginning. policing still on the agenda? On DNA and reducing the I accept that it will not be easy, but I am ambitious for retention period for DNA profiles—not abolishing them my constituents and for this country. You will probably as a matter of principle, but reducing the period—is the have noticed that I have fallen in love with the constituency Home Secretary convinced that her proposals will not of Hexham and its people, Mr Deputy Speaker—that is result in an avoidable tragedy? How will she sleep at easy to do, because it is a very special place. I hope to night if a murderer or rapist who could have been play my part, however small, in delivering success for all caught goes free and does it again? the people of my constituency—that is an ambition Finally, what are the Government’s intentions in relation worth striving for. to closed circuit television, and what was the purpose of the Deputy Prime Minister’s outburst against it? Is he 8.6 pm merely trying to rekindle his liberal credentials and Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): It is using CCTV as an Aunt Sally? Remember all those probably just as well that this is not a maiden speech, warm words—“It doesn’t have to be like this,” “It can because I would hate to have to compete with the be different,” and “We can change it”? That was rhetoric outstanding contributions that we have heard today, with the shelf-life of a TV debate from someone whose not least that of the hon. Member for Hexham (Guy ambition is now exposed as being to acquire power and Opperman). On the basis of what I have heard, I am hang on to it by any means possible, no matter how sure that he will make a major contribution to this place illiberal or anti-democratic. Let me tell him that it will in the years ahead. This is not a maiden speech, but it is not wash. The people in Selly Oak want CCTV. Of a long time since I have had an opportunity to address course, they want it to be used responsibly, but they the House and I have a new constituency—new Selly want it, and they will not accept any sham diversions. Oak—which I am very proud to represent. I have experience of Lib Dem-Tory coalitions in Apart from the rather dubious proposals on anonymity Birmingham, and I know how poor they are at dealing for rape defendants and the likely impact on rape victims, with crime, antisocial behaviour and victims, and how we have not heard much in the Queen’s Speech about poor they are at using tools that are regularly available the victims of crime and antisocial behaviour. What elsewhere. I warn this Government not to make the plans does the coalition have to ensure that the needs of same mistakes, not to rob us of the very tools that make that group are put at the centre of our criminal justice people feel safe and that assist us in the fight against system? It is the lack of consideration for victims that crime, and, for goodness’ sake, not to do that to help to causes some people to think that the system is broken save face for an already tarnished Deputy Prime Minister. and many to believe that it is weighted entirely in favour of the offender. I have been working with victims for 8.12 pm some time now, the most recent phase of which culminated in an input into Sara Payne’s report. I take this opportunity Mr (Cities of London and Westminster) to wish her well. I hope that she makes a full recovery, (Con): Parliament has returned to a sea of fresh faces, because she is a remarkable lady. but unlike you, Mr Deputy Speaker, I recognise hardly I have become convinced that we need local charters any of them. They include my brother-in-law, my hon. for victims that all criminal justice and public agencies Friend the hon. Member for Dover (), must sign up to so that everyone knows what is expected and my former association chairman, my hon. Friend of them, and that we must reweight the system by the hon. Member for North East Somerset (Jacob Rees- putting the rights and needs of the victim ahead of the Mogg). The party political landscape is transformed demands and desires of the wrongdoer. I ask the and there is a feeling of refreshed optimism, but if we Government to examine how to reshape the criminal do not apply a new way of thinking to fixing our justice system so that the victim becomes our top priority. nation’s problems, the very same old politics will, I fear, I understand the coalition’s desire to abolish identity return. cards. I do not agree with its view, nor do a great many I shall unashamedly concentrate my observations on other people who have worries relating to the contribution economic matters, in my capacity as the Member for the that ID cards can make to combating crime and fraud. City of London, and on constitutional reform, which I Will there be any compensation for those who, in good broadly welcome as a long-time and robust supporter faith, have already purchased ID cards, or are they to of House of Lords elections. I fear that the spirit of the become the first uncompensated victims of the coalition? past couple of years has been uncompromisingly ugly As the databases are dismantled, what will happen to for those of us who instinctively support capitalism, ID cards for foreign nationals? Without that infrastructure, free markets and global trade. There is widespread, how will we tackle illegal immigration? almost open, hostility to banks, bankers, big business, I should like to know more about the priorities on the wealthy, private education, private health and at police reform. Money is tight, so why, as the hon. times even to the profit motive. That stands in stark Member for Epping Forest (Mrs Laing) might well ask, contrast to the last time that the Conservatives came is it a priority to have elections that nobody wants at a into government 31 years ago, when the case for empowering cost of perhaps £50 million per throw? Where will that people, the smaller state and individual responsibility money come from? Can my constituents in Selly Oak had already been made. have an assurance that it will not be stripped from their The election is already behind us, but I fear that we policing budgets? What will happen to the policing have a coalition Government in place that lack any pledge under elected police chiefs? Can it simply be explicit mandate to take the very tough economic decisions ditched? If so, how will the Home Secretary safeguard that are required as a matter of great urgency to get our 101 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 102 public finances back on track. The key problem that Just before the election, I noted that there would be faces the Government is a lack of public support for the public outrage if a business-as-usual approach to House urgent reductions in public expenditure that are now of Lords appointments was adopted by the political absolutely necessary. In large part, that is a result of the class in the months ahead. In particular, it would be reluctance of the entire political class, during the recent totally unacceptable if any retiring Members of this election campaign, to level with the British public about House who have been reprimanded, been obliged to the economic crisis that lies ahead. We are yet to strike apologise to the House or had to repay substantial sums at the core of the former Government’s rhetoric, and following the allowances scandal were now raised to the their narrative remains too dominant for my liking. peerage. The same must apply to the former senior Labour will now be able to sit on the sidelines and parliamentarians from the Commons who led the absolutely blame the new Government for everything that it postponed calamitous efforts to prevent the publication of MPs’ addressing. For example, we acquiesce in levelling higher expenses through the High Court or the inadequate taxes on the wealthy without making clear the very attempts at reform after the entire scandal broke regarding practical reasons why, in an age of unprecedented global the employment of relatives at the beginning of 2008. mobility, the brightest and best of our young people That might be the way that things were done in the past, will simply leave these shores if their plans to create but it cannot be tolerated now. wealth and promote enterprise are stifled. If the coalition It would be unwise to underestimate the challenges is to be a success—and, more importantly, if our country ahead for our nation and the challenges that we in the is to lift itself out of this economic mire—we need first coalition have to take on board. The previous Government to make the case for a smaller, more efficient state left not only a dismal economic legacy, but a discredited through public spending cuts, and, secondly, to be political system and woefully inadequate attempts at strong enough to make the case for an internationally constitutional reform. An extremely tough road lies attractive and competitive tax system. ahead, and I fear that the early popularity of the I understand the public’s appetite for retribution coalition will be very fleeting and that the good will when it comes to the financial services sector, much of towards it will be very temporary in this country.Accepting which is housed in my constituency, and the feeling that that, it would be wise for us to apply integrity, common the banking fraternity should take the lion’s share of sense and principle to every political decision that we new taxes. But we must somehow separate sensible take. That approach is more likely to receive longer-term measures to curb excess and to share fairly the national political support than the pursuit of an agenda set by burden from very punitive measures that are designed public opinion and the media. In looking at both the only to twist the knife and that have great potential to economy and constitutional reform, I believe we need drive away the wealth and employment creators of the only take the efforts of the past 13 years as our lesson. future. Short-termist, incomplete and superficially popular There has been much talk about revitalising Britain’s measures have a terrible habit of unravelling before manufacturing and export-led growth, but this prompts our eyes. the obvious question, in the current economic climate, of who exactly will be doing the importing. The UK 8.19 pm must be eternally grateful that we have stayed out of the Gemma Doyle (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab/Co-op): I eurozone, but the tumultuous events on the continent, thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to which are only starting to play themselves out, will have make my maiden speech today. I congratulate all those a massive effect on us, regardless. After all, that struggling who have made maiden speeches today, particularly the eurozone accounts for 60% of our export market. That hon. Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman), and my is very bad news for the UK. Not only will our European hon. Friends the Members for East Kilbride, Strathaven trading partners be importing less, but the likely rapid and Lesmahagow (Mr McCann), for Glasgow East depreciation in the value of the euro will also detrimentally (Margaret Curran) and for East Lothian (Fiona O’Donnell), affect our exporters. One of the most worrying aspects who spoke with passion and compassion in equal measure, of the UK’s economic performance, particularly in the as I have come to expect from them. past two years, has been our failure to take greater advantage of the significant 20 to 25% devaluation in Representing the constituency of West Dunbartonshire our currency to expand our export markets. That will would be an enormous honour for anyone but it is augur very badly for us if sterling appreciates against particularly special for me, because it is my home. It is the euro in the months ahead. where I am from, where I was born and raised. The reason On constitutional reform, I must confess to being I stood for West Dunbartonshire was to represent the rather less a Conservative and more a radical in this people I grew up with, have lived beside and have area. In my very first speech in the House, nine years known all my life. It is an honour to represent them here. ago, I made very clear my support for a wholly-elected I pay tribute to my predecessor the right hon. John House of Lords, and a few years ago I suggested a set of McFall, not from obligation but from true respect. As a proposals that would have helped to tie up the anomalies Member of this House, John was first and foremost a that had been left by devolution and the incomplete champion for West Dunbartonshire. I read his maiden reform of the House of Lords. As a result of this speech, and I could easily have used his opening paragraph, interest, I have found very disquieting the recent press although I hasten to add that I did not. He spoke with reports that the new coalition proposes—in breach of pride of the honour of representing his home and I both election manifestos—to ennoble 200 men and know that throughout his parliamentary career that women in order to ensure that the composition of the was foremost in his mind. House of Lords is John was a Minister in the Northern Ireland Office “reflective of the share of the vote” and was there at the time of the devastating Omagh in the recent general election. bombing. He is of course best known for his superb 103 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 104

[Gemma Doyle] history of Dumbarton as the ancient capital of Strathclyde and about our rock and castle, which dates back to the chairmanship of the Treasury Committee. It was a Vikings. I could tell the House about the famous Denny’s privilege to visit the constituency with John in the shipyard, the leading innovator of the time in shipbuilding, weeks before the election. Both he and I were welcomed which put the finishing touches to the Cutty Sark. with open arms everywhere we went. Even after all his I could also talk about the proud industrial past of 23 years of elected office, he was not wearied by the job. Clydebank, heralded today by the Titan crane on the It was clear that he would miss his constituents, and this site of the former John Brown’s shipyard, famous for place, immensely. its liners and battleships, where the QE II was built. If I John was also a Co-op MP and I am delighted to had time, I would love to expand on formidable red follow in his footsteps in that respect. I look forward to Clydesiders, such as Davie Kirkwood, another of my promoting and supporting Co-op policies in the House, predecessors. My older constituents still remember singing as I believe they often provide a better answer to some about him at election time and his spirit lives on today problems. in the vital work of the Clydebank asbestos group. I Last week, John was elevated to the other place. could talk about the individuality of all the communities I confess that I am slightly unnerved that he will be that make up the Vale of Leven and the fantastic keeping an eye on me, but his counsel is always welcome. community-led regeneration in Renton, but I hope the He will be a formidable addition to the other Chamber. House will permit me to move on to more pressing Having watched him tackle the bank chiefs, I pity those issues for my constituents. who thought they were rid of him, but John was respected Some people focus too much on the boundaries that on both sides of the House and many will be glad to see divide West Dunbartonshire, while I see a brilliant area, him back in Westminster. with fantastic people, potential and ambition. But we are a people who suffered much under the last Tory I pay tribute, too, to Tony Worthington, the former Government and I fear we have much to lose under the MP for Clydebank and Milngavie. Like John, he was a present one. This Government should pay close attention Minister in the Northern Ireland Office and contributed to what is happening in West Dunbartonshire, because greatly through his work on the Select Committee on they could learn from the mistakes that are being made International Development. there right now. Although I did not have the good fortune to meet Ian My constituency is, I am sorry to say, ahead of the Campbell, who so ably represented Dumbarton before curve in facing swingeing cuts, for we are at the mercy of John McFall, I met his wife Mary during the selection a Scottish National council that wishes to raise £2 million process. Living as she does in the quiet rural village of from local people. The council has ramped up home Gartocharn, she was somewhat surprised to see me at care charges for almost every service it provides. It is her door one night during the selection campaign, as cutting our education services from all sides. Those cuts I chased down every last party member for their vote. and charges are the No. 1 issue raised with me both by She was not, however, as surprised as I was when she local people who use the services and council employees told me that the postman had not driven up to her who are struggling to deliver them. Although it may not house for some months because of the bad weather. At be parliamentary convention to address such an issue in that point, I worried that I might have put my determination a maiden speech, I would be letting down my constituents to be selected as the Labour candidate above any if I did not raise that situation in my first opportunity consideration for the condition of my dad’s car, which to speak in this place. my partner Gregor had driven up the steep muddy track to Mrs Campbell’s house, narrowly avoiding the sheep. One of my first acts as the MP for West Dunbartonshire I hope the car is not still rattling—if so, I am afraid the will be to establish a jobs taskforce, but while I am game is up. Apologies, Dad. planning how to help get people into work, the Government are taking people out of work. My constituents valued The constituency of West Dunbartonshire has the Labour’s future jobs fund. Nowhere was it needed more best of both worlds. We sit between Glasgow, in my than in West Dunbartonshire, because despite Labour’s opinion the best city in the world, and Loch Lomond, success in tackling the desperately high levels of undisputedly one of the most beautiful places in the unemployment left as the Conservative legacy, West world. If Members have never visited the area, I urge Dunbartonshire consistently has one of the highest them to put it on their wish list now. levels of unemployment in Scotland. I do not accept I am in the unique position of having a personal that it is for ever our fate to be at the wrong end of those connection with virtually every part of my constituency. statistics, which is why I welcomed Labour’s future jobs Having been born in the Vale of Leven, I grew up in fund, but that help will now be taken from my constituents, Dumbarton and while I am technically a Son of the and I urge the Government to reconsider their decision. Rock I am also half Bankie, as my dad is from Clydebank I raise the issue not just for its own merit but to and I have family in with the bricks there. My mum and illustrate to the Government that many in the Chamber dad lived in Bowling when they were first married and will disagree with their policies. That is normal and growing up I often visited friends in Old Kilpatrick, healthy in a democracy, but it would not be healthy or Milton and Duntocher, so there is genuinely no part of democratic to bind the House to an arbitrary and my constituency that is unfamiliar to me. I look forward artificial dissolution threshold of 55%. to standing up for all those areas as I promised during I am conscious that I may not have made as traditional my campaign. a maiden speech as is expected, but I am firmly aware of There is so much to be proud of in West Dunbartonshire. the expectations my constituents have of me and I We have an incredible history and potentially a very intend to uphold my promise to them that I will always bright future. I could speak for a long time about the put them first. 105 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 106

8.26 pm cause of the Levellers and, indeed, the Diggers, to which my hon. Friend the Member for Esher and Walton referred (Rochester and Strood) (Con): I earlier. However, it is a cause today that is represented congratulate the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire not by the Opposition, but by the Prime Minister, my (Gemma Doyle) and Members on both sides of the right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), House on the excellent maiden speeches we have heard who represents not just Burford, but democratic ideals today. of the Levellers who lost their lives there. I thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for recognising me I have heard the odd senior police officer oppose for this maiden speech. It is, after all, five years since my those plans, yet there is no suggestion of any intrusion predecessor, Bob Marshall-Andrews, took to the airwaves on the chief constable’s prerogative. The powers that to concede defeat. Many Members may have heard him will be transferred are currently those of police authorities. admit defeat on that occasion, but not all may have Surely, the objection is not merely that directly elected heard him make later what has variously been described individuals will exercise those powers more effectively as an Al Gore-style retraction or a Lazarus-like recovery. than police authorities have done to date. Bob Marshall-Andrews represented the constituents We will also codify operational independence. I would of Medway for 13 years, highly ably holding the caution that that does not mean that the police should Government to account throughout that period. During be allowed to get along with things solely as they wish. that time he faced a pincer attack from my campaign The have a tradition of independence and from his Front Bench. On one occasion, the Labour because we have had a concern to guard against them Whips were so keen to assist my campaign that they becoming the arm of central Government. However, leaked the fact that they had given him permission to our tripartite system is a compromise between counties, undertake legal work in for several weeks where chief constables would occasionally receive while Parliament was sitting. Such things are always instructions, and boroughs, where oversight was much opaque, but I understand that it was in retaliation for greater. Indeed, the watch committee of the borough of Mr Marshall-Andrews having auctioned a series of Preston met twice a day—once in the morning, to give Whips’ letters to recalcitrant MPs, to raise money for the chief constable his instructions, and once in the the Campaign group. early evening, to check that he had carried them out. Bob Marshall-Andrews had a number of great successes. Before I close, I should like to draw the House’s He defended the right to trial by jury—I am delighted attention to what I consider the major trend in policing that my hon. Friend the Member for Esher and Walton of the past 25 years. It is the movement of power from (Mr Raab) took up that cause this evening—and he locally appointed and accountable chief constables to helped to prevent the extension of detention without an organisation that is both a private company and a trial. He played a major part locally in bringing the trade union with a closed shop: the Association of campuses of four universities to our constituency. Chief Police Officers, which has grown to dominate the The counstituency of Rochester and Strood is the field of policing without the sanction of the House. It successor to the Medway constituency. It contains two has its committees and its cabinet, and it issues instructions of the five Medway towns. Rochester, with its castle and to us in on how much we should charge for cathedral, was and should again be a city. Strood, its policing the Faversham carnival or the Maidstone water proud neighbour over the River Medway, grew in the festival. It is right that we should now move and have patriotic fervour of the Boer war, along with Chatham directly elected police commissioners to rebalance the dockyard, and that is recorded in street names such as policing landscape and restore local democracy. Gordon, Kitchener and Cecil. The constituency contains the historic dockyard of 8.33 pm Chatham, which built and served our Navy from before Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ the time of Pepys, to Nelson’s HMS Victory, to the Co-op): I congratulate the hon. Member for Rochester Falklands conflict. We are proud of that heritage, but and Strood (Mark Reckless) on his fine maiden speech. we are also proud that, 25 years on, we have recovered The practical experience that he obviously has on police from the closure of that dockyard. authorities will stand him in good stead in debates in The constituency is two thirds urban, but also a third the House on such matters, even though we may not rural. We have the Hoo peninsula, between the Rivers agree on the contents of what he says. As for his Medway and Thames, which stretches from Grain to generous tributes to his predecessor, I am sure that the Cliffe, and where we saw off the threat of an airport Labour Whips will hope that he is as loyal to the new twice the size of Heathrow. The constituency also contains Government as his predecessor was to the Labour the north downs villages of Cuxton and Halling. Government. On the substance of the debate tonight, I should I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for West declare an interest: I am a member of the Kent police Dunbartonshire (Gemma Doyle) for her fine speech. authority. However, on occasion, turkeys do vote for She also paid a very generous tribute to her predecessor, Christmas, and I should like to welcome the coalition’s John McFall. John McFall is certainly a hard act to proposals to abolish police authorities and replace us follow, but I have no doubt that she has the talent and with directly elected individuals. It must be right that expertise to be a worthy successor to him. She will shine those who exercise the coercive power of the state in the House, although the nice things that I had written should be held to account by those whom they serve. down about her speech came to a stop when she reached That is a progressive cause. It is the cause for centuries the part about Glasgow being the finest city in the of the parish constable against the remote magistracy. It world. Glasgow is a fine place, but that is going a little is the cause of councils and the South too far. I am sure that she will do well, and I wish her Yorkshire police authority through the 1980s. It is the well in her parliamentary career. 107 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 108

[Mark Lazarowicz] threshold for the Government to be able to move Dissolution, but keeping the right of a simple majority I want to say a few things about the issue of the 55% in Parliament to throw the Government out if they no threshold for Dissolution of the House of Commons, longer have the support of the House. That is the kind which is being proposed by the Government coalition. I of debate—the kind of proposal and the kind of do not think that I am the only Member, and not only compromise—that we ought to have over time. It is the on this side of the House, who is disappointed at the kind of debate in which we might get a fair degree of way that the Deputy Prime Minister—the first Liberal consensus across the House. leader since Lloyd George to speak at the Dispatch Box One lesson of the Scottish example is not simply the from the Treasury Bench—performed in the Chamber numbers—the threshold—required to dissolve the Scottish today. I found his refusal to enter into any real debate Parliament, but the approach to politics involved. The and answer questions very disappointing. As the right Scottish Parliament’s arrangements for dissolution and hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis) for no-confidence votes have stood the test of time said from the other side of the Chamber, the proposal because they were not suddenly announced at the last for a minimum threshold is a major constitutional minute, after an election. Originally, we were told that change, and it was not even in either of the Government there would be a binding vote of the House of Commons parties’ manifestos, so it is quite reasonable to ask on the proposals within days of the Government taking questions about the proposal, how it would work and office. That idea at least appears to have been dropped. what it would mean in practice. It is not good enough to The Scottish Parliament proposals had such broad support say, “It is just a few details that we will sort out later.” because they were discussed over time, and not just in The Deputy Leader of the House was taken by surprise, this House. There were weeks, months and years of or ambushed, in an Adjournment debate last week. He discussion in the wider political community in Scotland could be forgiven for not having all the answers, but by as well. I suggest that that is a lesson that the Government now I would have hoped that the Government had should learn from the Scottish experience. answers to the questions that they were asked. I hope As the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr Tyrie) pointed that we see better from the Deputy Prime Minister out, this is not only a question of getting measures in future. through this place; they have to get through the House Given that the Deputy Prime Minister would not answer of Lords as well. No matter how many former Liberal many of the questions that were put to him today, I Democrat councillors, retired Tory MPs or whatever hope that the Home Secretary, who is always courteous, the Government try to stuff into the House of Lords, tries to address in the winding-up speech some of the I predict that, once they are there, they will become issues that the Deputy Prime Minister unfortunately attached to the place along the corridor. failed to address. I congratulate her junior Ministers on If the Government really want to move forward on their promotion to the Treasury Bench and hope that fundamental constitutional reform, the way to do it is they will have a word with her about that before the end to try to get as much consensus as possible across the of the debate. Chamber of the House of Commons. If that happens, Those issues are simple and straightforward. First, there will not be the same opportunity for those in the do the Government accept that if a Government lose a House of Lords who want to stop change to do so. vote of confidence on a simple majority and no alternative majority is formed within a reasonable time, Parliament Let us try to move forward with consensus. I hope will then be dissolved and there will be general election? that the Deputy Prime Minister’s performance today If they say yes and make it clear that that is their was an aberration caused by his excitement at being position, they will deal with many of the objections the first Liberal leader since Lloyd George to sit on the held by Members on the Opposition Benches. Treasury Bench. Perhaps some of the wiser heads in the [Interruption.] The Deputy Leader of the House chunters Lib Dem and Conservative parties will advise him to away from a sedentary position, but the fact is that we think differently and to approach the issues differently have not been given clear answers to these questions. If in future. the Government give clear answers, they will allow the I am sure that we can get consensus in the House on debate to move much further forward. most of those issues. Let us try to move forward on that Secondly, we have to challenge the assertion being basis, rather than force division where no division need made by the Government parties that their proposal for exist. a 55% threshold gives away the Government’s right to call a general election. A 55% threshold does not give away the Government’s right to call an election. As has 8.39 pm been pointed out time and again, the Government (Eastbourne) (LD): I am grateful for parties have 57% of the seats—a majority—so nothing the opportunity to make my maiden speech this evening. has changed. There is no move to a fixed-term Parliament It has been a privilege to listen to so many of my in the measures being proposed, from what we can colleagues making their maiden speeches. I mention understand about what they are meant to provide. particularly the previous three speeches—from the hon. If those on the Government side of the House really Member for Rochester and Strood (Mark Reckless), want to give up the right to be able to call a general who has deep boots to fill as the successor to Bob election at a time that suits the Government parties, Marshall-Andrews; the hon. Member for West perhaps we should go for a higher threshold for a Dunbartonshire (Gemma Doyle); and the hon. Member Government motion to dissolve Parliament. Let us go for Cities of London and Westminster (Mr Field), with for the Scottish higher proportion, as some people have whose comments about House of Lords reform I find suggested. That might be a fair combination: a higher myself agreeing strongly. 109 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 110

There has been much talk over the years about how beast. In a way, democratic politics across the world is statistics can be manipulated to suit the wishes of the the closest that protagonists come to war without actually Government of the day. I am confident that in this era killing each other. It is rather odd, but I am sure many of new politics, as described so elegantly by my right more learned scholars than me have posited that, with a hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime system in which there can be only one winner and the Minister, such statistical innovation will not be a feature stakes are so great, tempers become frayed. As I am of the coalition Government—a Government of whom sure many Members know from experience, public meetings I am a little startled to find myself a Member. can become very heated. On those occasions when I mention the fact of statistics or, to put it another Mr Waterson was in the firing line, I observed that he way, results shifting with the tide, as when I had the was a brave man. He did not crumble or give in, and for honour of being elected at 3.30 am on 7 May by the that I respect his courage. good voters of Eastbourne and Willingdon I had already I should like to turn to the right hon. . I been through a 45-minute process where I had been told never had the pleasure of meeting Mr Gow, but I am that I had lost. It appears that both my and my opponent’s aware that there remain a number of Members who counting agents had made the same mistake. Better to knew him well. I should like to tell them and the House have thought I had lost only to find out that I had won, that he is still remembered with tremendous affection one might say—certainly better than when I fought the by the voters of Eastbourne and Willingdon, across all previous general election in Eastbourne in 2005, where party persuasions. He will be my role model of a good for a similar period of 45 minutes, I was told that I had constituency MP. won, until suddenly another box of ballot papers was I should also hope that in some small way my election discovered, and I had lost. Members will appreciate, I helps to close the circle since the IRA’s appalling and am sure, that I now believe something only after a disgraceful act of assassinating Mr Gow all those years certain amount of time has elapsed, to allow for any ago. I am half Northern Irish, and like many from that variables. In my case, 45 minutes appears to be the island my family was affected by . One of cut-off. my uncles was a senior police officer who survived an Nevertheless, it is a profound honour to have been assassination attempt by the IRA, while other members elected as the MP for Eastbourne. I am the third Liberal of my family were more supportive of the nationalist or Liberal Democrat to have represented such a wonderful cause, and still other members were supportive of the constituency. The others were my colleague Mr Bellotti, Liberal Democrats’ sister party in Northern Ireland, who was elected in the by-election in 1990, and, apparently, the Alliance party. another Liberal MP from over 100 years ago. I believe Therefore, I know more than most how far Northern we were in government at the time, so it is a particular Ireland has come over the past 15 years, and for that I pleasure to be in that position again, though I note that pay a sincere and heartfelt tribute to all the political it was rather upsetting for the hon. Member for Edinburgh parties in Northern Ireland which have moved so far, North and Leith (Mark Lazarowicz). I fervently hope and to both the Conservative and, more recently, Labour that we do not have to wait another 100 years before we Governments for enabling the peace process, proving, are next in government, though I suspect that some perhaps, what I said earlier: for all its Sturm und Drang, hon. Members present may earnestly desire that. democratic politics, red in tooth and claw, really is the I would like to make reference to the contribution of only sane alternative. Otherwise, as we saw in Northern two of my other predecessors, Mr Nigel Waterson and Ireland during the troubles and still see throughout the the right hon. Ian Gow. Mr Waterson had the privilege world, bloodshed ensues and people—innocent people— of representing Eastbourne for 18 years and I am sure lose their lives. Consequently, to represent the same many of his colleagues in the House will join me in constituency that the right hon. Ian Gow died serving is wishing him well for the future. I am aware that the an honour, and I assure the House that his memory and tradition in the House is to speak only good of our legacy live on in Eastbourne. predecessor, and that is how it should be. However, the Talking of Eastbourne, I shall give Members a little recent general election in Eastbourne was a bruising history. Many in the House will know that it is a campaign for all concerned, and at the time and since splendid town with a fine sea front, wonderful architecture I promised my constituents that, come what may, were and flanked by the stunning South Downs. Some Members, I elected I would remain truthful to them, whatever the however, may not know that George Orwell was reputed criteria. to have written “Animal Farm” in Eastbourne. Indeed, As my constituents know, there was not a great deal Friedrich Engels lived for a time in the town and, of love lost between Mr Waterson and myself, and it allegedly, even received the odd holiday visit from Karl would be absurd and dishonest for me to pretend otherwise, Marx. Not perhaps what we would expect— but I would like to pay a fulsome tribute to him on two specific issues. First, Mr Waterson played a key leading Mr Deputy Speaker (Hugh Bayley): Order.Itisan role in the town’s cross-party campaign to stop the excellent maiden speech, but I am afraid that I must closure of maternity services at the Eastbourne district now call the next speaker. and general hospital. His commitment and dedication to that cause played no small part in its eventual success. 8.47 pm I, Eastbourne and the surrounding area thank him Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): I am for that. grateful for the opportunity this evening to address the Secondly, let me provide a little context. Having spent House for the first time, and it is a pleasure to follow the over 20 years in business before coming into politics, hon. Member for Eastbourne (Stephen Lloyd), whom I I had to learn pretty quickly just how brutal a business congratulate on making such an engaging contribution our profession can be. It seems to be the nature of the to this evening’s proceedings. 111 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 112

[Dr Eilidh Whiteford] difficult times for the fishing and processing industries. In the past 10 years, the white fish fleet has halved and It is perhaps appropriate that I contribute to this part many of the current fleet are struggling to stay in of the debate on the Gracious Speech, because I am the business. The underlying problem is the European Union’s first Member for Banff and Buchan to make a maiden common fisheries policy, which has been an unmitigated speech in the Chamber since the significant constitutional disaster at every level. The CFP is not fit for purpose. It changes that brought about devolution and the threatens the economic viability of the industry and the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. Part social fabric of our communities, and it is causing of my duty this evening is to pay tribute to my predecessor, untold environmental damage. Our fishing industry the right hon. , the First Minister of needs urgent action now to create a sustainable future. Scotland. My right hon. Friend made an inimitable As hon. Members will be aware, management of mark on this House. He continues to serve the people of fisheries is a devolved issue, but the key decisions that north-east Scotland as MSP for Gordon, and he continues set the policy framework are made by EU member to make his mark on what remains a live and dynamic states. Scottish fishermen have been repeatedly let down debate about the constitutional future of these islands. I by UK Governments in EU negotiations. Just a few have no doubt that Alex Salmond will play an instrumental weeks ago, at a time of crisis for the industry, we saw the role in shaping the emerging debate, which is now Scottish Fisheries Minister prevented from attending gathering momentum, on new powers for the devolved international talks on the CFP, while an unelected peer Administrations. I have no doubt also that, when future attended on behalf of the previous UK Government. generations reflect on the , Alex Perhaps no issue highlights more acutely the limitations Salmond’s central place in the story of our own times of our current constitutional arrangements. Fishing is will be assured. far more important to the communities I represent than However, some of Alex Salmond’s greatest strengths it will ever be to the UK as a whole. Although I regret as a Member lay in the diligent service that he gave his that there is no mention of fisheries in the new Government’s constituents in Banff and Buchan. He worked hard to coalition agreement, I hope that they will take steps to win the respect of his constituents across the political redress the exclusion of the devolved Administrations spectrum, and I aim to do likewise. I grew up in the from fisheries talks and will, in doing so, put some flesh Banffshire port of Macduff, I am now immensely honoured on the bones of their much publicised, and today rather to represent my home area, and I shall seek to emulate emaciated-looking, respect agenda. the high quality of representation to which the people Banff and Buchan’s agricultural producers face similar of Banff and Buchan have grown accustomed over the representational challenges in ensuring that decisions past 23 years. made in Brussels reflect their interests and needs. Turriff Turning to this evening’s debate, I am the first to is the most sizeable of Banff and Buchan’s rural towns concede that constitutional change can be a dry subject. and is home to one of the UK’s largest agricultural However, for my constituents, a very great deal is at shows and a range of industries, including a large meat stake in our constitutional arrangements. Banff and processing plant that supplies premium produce to Buchan’s local economy depends heavily on agriculture, supermarkets across the country. Turriff is of course fisheries and energy and the manufacturing industries more well known for the famous “Turra Coo”, which associated with them. People do hard physical work to formed part of a celebrated protest by local farmers produce tangible goods and services, and, although the against the taxation policies of the Liberal Government oil and gas industry has brought a degree of prosperity back in 1913. Perhaps there is a warning there for the to the area over the past 30 years, many people—especially present Government to mind how they treat Scottish women—still work in low-paid jobs in the processing farmers. and manufacturing sectors. Many of our older residents The realities of physical geography mean that there therefore face very frugal retirements, despite having are distinct issues for farmers in different parts of the worked hard all their days, and keeping warm in winter UK. Agriculture is also largely a devolved issue, but the is a challenge for many. The constituency has been practice of recent years has often been for UK Ministers badly affected by the recession; in fact, we have experienced to conduct negotiations with the EU Commission, the among the sharpest increases in unemployment anywhere presidency and other member states without the presence in the UK. of devolved Ministers. Once again, I would urge the The constitution matters to Banff and Buchan because new Government to bring the democratically elected our key industries are directly affected by decisions representatives of the devolved Administrations around made at European level negotiated on our behalf by the table. As the EU reforms its common agricultural UK Ministers—too often, I am sad to say, not very policy, the UK needs to move away from the “one size effectively. In my view, further constitutional change is fits nobody” approach of recent years, which does a a necessary precursor to improving the lives and prospects grave disservice to those among my constituents who of the people I represent. earn their livelihoods from the land. The fishing industry is at the heart of our local The other major source of employment in Banff and economy, and it is the lifeblood of our coastal towns Buchan is the oil and gas sector, onshore and offshore, and villages. About two thirds of the UK’s fishing most notably at the St Fergus terminal. However, as we industry is based in Scotland, and much of it is centred look ahead, we have to acknowledge that our future around Banff and Buchan, where Peterhead remains prosperity lies in renewable energy. Banff and Buchan is Europe’s premier white fish port and Fraserburgh is exceptionally well positioned to take advantage of emerging Europe’s largest shellfish port. The fishing industry also opportunities in the development of offshore wind, supports thousands of onshore jobs in fish processing, wave and tidal power. We have the location and a skilled retail and supply. These continue to be exceptionally workforce experienced in offshore technology. However, 113 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 114 to make the most of these opportunities for green jobs, Norfolk, desperately needs the final nine miles to be we need to challenge the current discriminatory transmission dualled to provide better transport and a better economy charges regime, which disincentivises the production of to the whole . At the most northerly renewable energy in the very areas of the UK most point of the constituency, Brandon is a peaceful market equipped to produce it. We also need the UK Government town, but that peace is destroyed as the holiday traffic to release the fossil fuel levy to enable the investment in runs up the high street. Members will not be surprised the infrastructure that is necessary to realise our potential that as a new MP, I support the fully locally funded and to build a prosperous future. proposal to bring a bypass to Brandon. However, they I have no doubt that I will return to these issues in the can imagine my horror when, in preparing for this weeks ahead, and I look forward to bringing the concerns speech, I read the maiden speech of my predecessor 18 of Banff and Buchan’s constituents before the House in years ago and found that he, too, had argued that there future. was a desperate need for a bypass for Brandon. I hope that it will not take a whole 18 years to bring it about. 8.54 pm Just south of Brandon is Mildenhall, famous for the Matthew Hancock (West Suffolk) (Con): It is an Roman Mildenhall treasure and now, of course, home honour to be called to speak and to follow the hon. to a large United States air force base. Finally, I turn to Member for Banff and Buchan (Dr Whiteford), who the town of Newmarket. It is undoubtedly the most spoke so passionately about her new constituency. She famous town in West Suffolk, and its heritage lives and also spoke about a subject to do with the constitution breathes in the 62 studs and racing yards that are woven that I, too, wish to address—the devolution of power to through the town centre. It is a unique town with a people more locally. That is a thread that binds together unique character, and it has unique needs. For instance, all of us on this side of the House. We believe that the it was once illegal to blow one’s nose on Newmarket constitution has become too centralised and that local high street. That rule was in place for the benefit not of people should be given more of a say. That is certainly the local people but of the bloodstock that ran up and true in West Suffolk. down the street. West Suffolk has been represented for the past 18 years Such attention to local need is unfortunately in marked by Richard Spring, who was well loved in the constituency, contrast to the one-size-fits-all, we-know-best attitude worked tirelessly for it and was admired and respected that Newmarket has seen over the past 13 years, and it is in all parts of the House. I cannot recall the number of to that point that I turn in the final moments of my times that, during the election campaign, I knocked on speech. For many years, the constitution has endured a a door and the person who answered said, “Oh, you are creeping centralism. In particular, in planning, John following Richard Spring. Well, you’ve got big shoes to Prescott’s regional spatial strategies have tried to turn fill.” If I can manage to fill those shoes and do as good a every market town into a clone town. The powers of job for West Suffolk as he did over the past 18 years, I local people to resist have been stripped away, but will have done a very good job indeed. I say from the already the new Government are succeeding in giving bottom of my heart that that is what I intend to do. power back to the people. The regional spatial strategy was forcing through an inappropriate proposal to build Richard Spring made the decision early on in his time thousands of homes and an industrial park in the as an MP to, as he put it, “out-liberal the Liberals” in middle of Newmarket, which the council found itself local campaigning. Now that I find myself on the same powerless to reject—but no more. My right hon. Friend Benches as that party, perhaps it is appropriate that I the Secretary of State for Communities and Local have learned a trick or two from the campaigning that Government has given councils the power to make he undertook locally to ensure that West Suffolk was decisions for themselves once again. The people were well represented in the House. His biggest impact on the given their voice and their democratically elected councillors constituency was undoubtedly in the town of Haverhill, voted unanimously to reject the proposal. which is the largest in the constituency. It has a long history and was in the Domesday Book. It is now a So there we have it. After less than a month in office, town on the up, largely thanks to his work and that of the new Government are already improving our constitution St Edmundsbury borough council. It has companies to make it more local, more responsive to the people such as Genzyme that export to China, which is truly and less in hock to unelected, unaccountable quangos. where the future of our manufacturing economy will A law and a quango cannot solve every ill of this world, come from. but by trusting people and sharing responsibility, we can make a start. That principle binds us together on West Suffolk is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful these Benches. I commend the Queen’s Speech to the constituencies in our country. I have heard the claims of House. others, such as my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman)—I look forward to challenging his 9pm claim to have the most beautiful constituency in the country. With villages such as Ixworth, Stanton, Bardwell, Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab): I Hundon and Wixoe, and the Stour valley village of congratulate the hon. Member for West Suffolk (Matthew Thurlow where I now live with my family, all in all there Hancock) on his maiden speech and hope that he enjoys are 42 villages of thatched roofs and pink cottages all his time in the House. through Constable country, which inspired the great It is my first opportunity to make a contribution artist. since the election, and I am pleased to see so many new As well as the most beautiful, West Suffolk is one of faces, particularly so many new women Members of the largest constituencies in England, and that large Parliament, and so many new young women MPs. I area is united by the poor transport links that we find hope that they, too, enjoy their time in the House and throughout it. The A11, which serves the whole of change it for the better. 115 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 116

[Siobhain McDonagh] could not be used to convict them? I do not think so. The DNA database provides the police with more than The election was fascinating in many ways. The pundits 3,000 matches each month, and my constituents do not have been divided about how we ended up with the want to lose that tool in the fight against violent crime, result. However, one thing I know—the election was burglaries and rape. not a referendum on scrapping identity cards or restricting One of the most notorious crimes in my part of south the use of CCTV or DNA. We all know in our hearts, if London in recent years was solved when the killer of not in our speeches that the public did not endorse any poor Sally Anne Bowman, Mark Dixie, was found party to carry out those policies. guilty as a result of DNA evidence. If the Government For many years, my constituents have been telling me have their way, DNA profiles will be retained only for that their priorities are protecting their communities, those arrested for a serious offence, and for only three and not protecting those who commit crimes and antisocial years unless a further court extension is granted. My behaviour, or those who abuse benefits and immigration constituents are worried that they will make it harder to systems. A few years ago, I invited my constituents to catch the Mark Dixies of the future. Parliament to tell me how they wanted the Home Office I take the use of ID cards, CCTV and DNA seriously, to help in their community. I held two packed meetings and my constituents share that view. I find it hard to in Committee Room 14—the biggest Committee room believe that a new Government, with such a broad in Parliament. It was full to overflowing. My constituents church, could come up with the Identity Documents believed almost universally that, in helping tackle crime, Bill. They do not really have an identity of their own, so making antisocial behaviour more difficult and clamping how can they protect anybody else’s? down on immigration abuses and benefit fraud, ID cards would give them more freedom, not take it away. I also find it hard to comprehend how plans to make Out of more than 400 people, more than 90% agreed. it more difficult to use CCTV or DNA evidence could In the recent election campaign, people continued to appear in something called a “freedom” Bill. To whose tell me that ID cards, CCTV and DNA could make a freedom does that refer? We read in the broadsheets and difference. They will not necessarily prevent all the bad hear grand speeches about individuals, but may I suggest things that happen, but my constituents believe that that the freedom of the many—of the community—is they will protect their rights and make life harder for based in DNA retention and the use of CCTV, and a those who would abuse their privileges. If the Government Government who are prepared to stand up for ordinary scrap ID cards or the next generation of more secure people? biometric passports, we are not clear how they would It might be good to make great, eloquent speeches ensure the security of our borders, prevent illegal working about the individual and their inalienable rights, but it or make it harder to defraud the benefit system. is the right of an elderly lady to have the freedom to live I have spoken about ID cards many times in the in her own home without people sitting on her front House, and many constituents have come to me because gate and throwing stuff at her windows; the right of a their identities have been stolen. Sometimes that has woman to use the tube late at night and walk back to meant their being wrongly fined for the congestion her home; and the right of young black men, who are charge, getting the wrong bills and, in more serious the main victims of crime, to walk freely in our town cases, being removed from packed planes because somebody centres without fear. CCTV, the DNA database and ID had used their name and committed a crime. There was cards would make a strong, positive contribution to also the devastated family who watched the drugs squad allowing those people, who are not necessarily represented come through their front door because the police were in the House, their freedom. unaware of the identity of the people next door. There are many simpler cases. The national identity 9.7 pm register and biometric passports are essential to ensure Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): It is the integrity of people’s identity. Many people have a great pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member already obtained ID cards because they are prepared to for West Suffolk (Matthew Hancock) in making a maiden pay for that protection and want to be able to prove speech in this debate. He made a fantastic maiden their age in pubs and travel freely around Europe. They speech and we all now know to be very careful where we are angry that the Government will not support them. blow our noses in his constituency. Nobody has ever come to my advice surgery asking It is a great honour for my family for me to be elected for CCTV to be taken away. I suggest that nobody will for North East Somerset. My father—or my noble ever come to other hon. Members’ surgeries with such a kinsman, Lord Rees-Mogg, as I am now meant to call request. People come to see us because they want more, him—told me that between him, myself and my sister, not less CCTV.People in Gilpin close, Mitcham thought we have tried seven times with one victory. I fear that if that the only way to resolve the problems of antisocial we were a football team, people would be calling for the behaviour, and young people vandalising cars, taking manager to be removed. drugs and threatening other residents, was through introducing CCTV. Thanks to the Labour Government It is also an enormous honour for me to be elected for and the hard work of their councillors, the people of North East Somerset, which is where I was brought up Gilpin close now have that CCTV. Nationally, we heard and where my family have lived for generations. As in the past few days that the main suspect in the everybody knows, Somerset is God’s own county, and Bradford murder case was arrested after a caretaker North East Somerset is God’s own part of God’s own found CCTV footage of one of the victims. county. The same argument applies to DNA. Would a woman I inherit the seat from two very distinguished gentlemen, walking home late at night feel safer knowing that a one of whom is my hon. Friend the Member for Bath criminal had their freedom because DNA evidence (Mr Foster). I am very glad he is now my hon. Friend, 117 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 118 because I discovered when canvassing that a lot of of the legislature was to check and to stop the Executive people who were unaware of boundary changes were exceeding the powers, the rights and the authority that still intending to vote for him. When they discovered it had from time immemorial. they could no longer do so, they turned out to be Let us take these three great Somerset men: Alfred lifelong Conservatives, so I welcome him to the the Great, the first Eurosceptic, who got rid of the Danes coalition that we now have. and made England independent; Alphege, the low-tax The main part of my constituency was the old Wansdyke martyr; and John Locke, standing up for the legislature seat, which I have inherited from Mr Dan Norris, a and the people against the Executive. For however long most distinguished Labour Member, and a Parliamentary I represent North East Somerset, I will take these three Private Secretary to the right hon. Member for South as my great heroes and hope to model my political Shields (). He is probably sorely missed words on their thoughts. at the moment during the Labour leadership election. He was the model of an assiduous constituency MP. He worked tirelessly both as an Avon county councillor 9.13 pm and as an MP and I indeed have large shoes to fill. Mr Tom Harris (Glasgow South) (Lab): I am not sure North East Somerset, which, as I said, is God’s own I am up to the task of following such an eloquent, part of God’s own county, has a great place in British entertaining and, frankly, self-assured maiden speech as history. I am not going to go back at any great length to the one we have just heard from the hon. Member for Bladud, the father of King Lear, who in 683 BC founded North East Somerset (Jacob Rees-Mogg). Not since the Bath—he found some pigs with skin disease in north-east days of have we in this Chamber been Somerset, and washed them in the waters—because he treated to such a colourful, imaginative and evocative is a rather peripheral figure. detailing of our history. I have to say to the hon. Gentleman that I have no doubt that he will do extremely Alfred the Great is more substantial. Alfred the Great, well in this Chamber, and on his own Government’s we must remember, in 678 AD, had just Somerset left, Front Bench at some point soon. I am sure that if he with the Danes all around, as they had begun to take holds on to his seat long enough, after the next general over all of Wessex and already had much of the rest of election, he will make an excellent addition to the England. Alfred, however, brought together the people . of Somerset, Wiltshire and parts of Hampshire and they crossed over from the Somerset levels through I was elected to this House precisely nine years ago north-east Somerset to Edington, near Chippenham, today, and I made my maiden speech a few weeks after and there they fought the great battle on which our that—coincidentally, on the Queen’s Speech debate on freedoms depend. They put paid to Danish occupation. the constitution and home affairs. During that speech, I Alfred was a great law giver—a man we should think made mention of the fact that a commitment to electoral about in this debate particularly, because he did not reform was absent from the Government’s agenda that want to innovate laws; he wanted to codify laws. He year, and I said that I hoped the absence of electoral wanted to tell people what ancient rights they had and reform would be a recurring feature of future Queen’s how they ought to have their liberties. He was able to Speeches. expel the Danes and his grandson became the first King Unfortunately—alas and alack—we now face a of England on borders we would recognise to this day. Government who are committed to a referendum on Moving on a little later, the next great figure from electoral reform, and specifically on replacing first past North East Somerset is Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury, the post with the alternative vote. As for that referendum, born in Weston, a village bordering north-east Somerset I am somewhat bewildered by the fact that in this new and Bath. He is really the first tax martyr. He was called age of Aquarius—this new dawn of democracy, the new upon to pay the Danegeld, and he took £48,000 to the politics—we are left with a Government, both parties of Danes, then at Greenwich, and handed it over. They whom campaigned against a referendum on the alternative said, “Mr Alphege, we would like some more, and if vote, but who are now implementing a referendum on you don’t give us more, we are going to hold on to you the alternative vote. I hope that those of us who use the as a hostage.” And Alphege replied: “I will not give you phrase “the new politics” will henceforth remember to more; I will not put higher taxes on my people; I will indicate the irony of that phrase by perhaps using not have them suffer this imposition.” So they threw ox air-quotes when they say it. bones at Alphege until he died. I hope that people will The Liberals continue to oppose the alternative vote not find it necessary to throw ox bones at me, but as in principle, but they support it in practice, because they another representative from North East Somerset, I will see it as a stepping stone to further electoral reform. stand constantly for low taxation. The Conservatives still oppose the alternative vote in The final figure I am going to mention in this great principle, but they support it in practice, because it is pantheon of wonderful figures from God’s own part of the only way that they can keep hold of their ministerial God’s own county is John Locke. Brought up in Belluton— Oyster cards. There is something peculiarly undemocratic this really is a sop to the Whig coalition that we now about that situation. have—this philosopher of the Whigs was in many ways Personally, I am looking forward to campaigning for the founder of the constitution that we now have, one the retention of first past the post in my constituency that has as its essence the fact that power comes from and throughout the rest of the country. Let me say at the people up to the legislature, which is there to supervise the outset that first past the post is not a good system the Executive. Members will all know that the argument for electing MPs—indeed, it is a rubbish system for at the time was about the divine right of kings and some electing MPs—but it has the unique value of being may now think that we have another form of divine slightly less rubbish than all the alternatives. I do not right of the Executive. Locke made it clear that the duty want us to move through further electoral reform to a 119 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 120

[Mr Tom Harris] I pay tribute to all who have made their maiden speeches today. There was one common theme: each situation where the decision of who forms the Government was better than the last—a pattern that I confidently and who becomes Prime Minister is taken from the expect to bring to an early closure. hands of the electorate and given to a single individual: While I am paying tributes, let me mention my whoever happens to be the leader of the Liberal Democrats. predecessor, Nick Ainger. I do not think that, in the I do not see anything remotely democratic in that. 20-odd years for which I knew him, there was a single Just after the election results were known, a number issue on which we agreed, but that did not mean that we of my colleagues on the Labour Benches went on did not hold him in great regard. I know that he was television to talk about “our friends” in the Liberal respected in the House, but he was also respected in our Democrats. Those “friends” are the same people who part of west Wales, and we wish him well in whatever he have supported electoral reform in some form or other plans to do now. over many years because they hold the view that there is Let me also say what a pleasure it is to enter the a permanent progressive majority in this country that, House alongside my hon. Friends the Members for given the opportunity and the right electoral system, Aberconwy (Guto Bebb), for Vale of Glamorgan (Alun would put in place a permanent anti-Conservative coalition. Cairns), for Cardiff North (Jonathan Evans), and for Leaving aside the dodgy democratic credentials of such Montgomeryshire (Glyn Davies). We are a little short of a proposal, I would ask my hon. Friends whether they the 15 Welsh Members whom we hoped to tally up with still believe that the Liberal Democrats’ centre of gravity a rugby team just before the election, but I hope we now is on the left of British politics. I would ask them to have a broad rural and urban representation that is look across the Chamber and see the evidence before relevant—and what we may lack in size in the Vale of their own eyes. I do not believe that the Liberal Democrats Glamorgan, we undoubtedly make up for in age in would be an appropriate partner for the Labour party Montgomeryshire. in a future coalition Government. After all, I do not I love my hon. Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire want to touch them with a bargepole—I know where like a brother, but I hope he will not mind my regretting, they have been. just slightly, the loss of Mr Lembit Öpik from the My favourite part of the new politics so far has been House. Lembit was a good friend of many people, watching Liberal Democrats arguing that black is white, and—let’s face it—he brought a certain colour to that north is south, and that Short money was ever proceedings on both the inside and the outside. He was intended for Government parties. However, I have some also pioneering unusual coalitions long before they reassurance for Liberal Democrat Members. If they are became a habit in the House. genuinely worried about a closing down of a valued and I fully understand why not many Members have ever regular source of income—I would totally understand been to, or in many cases even heard of, Carmarthen that—I have some words of comfort for them, because West and South Pembrokeshire. It is, after all, quite a although I might be wrong on this, as far as I understand long way west. Let me, however, take a few seconds to it, they now qualify for Ashcroft money. whet Members’ appetites. There has been a bit of a I do not want to take up too much time, so let me competition among the new entry about who can paint conclude. There has been a lot of talk about the the juiciest picture of their constituency. I can tell the Government’s proposed caps on immigration, including House that there is more coastline in my part of the in our considered amendment, but I want to suggest a world than anywhere else except the Isle of Wight, and departure not only from my party’s policy, but from that we have 30 beaches, two estuaries, 12 castles, an oil that of any other party—I am effectively thinking out refinery, a power station under construction, and fantastic loud now, having listened closely and carefully to the farming and tourism industries. If all that is too much views of my constituents during the election campaign. for Members, we have our own island monastery and There is a lot of concern about immigration, but we two nudist camps—not co-located, I might add. cannot avoid the fact that there is a lot of concern Dylan Thomas wrote “Under Milk Wood”, while in not only about non-EU immigration, but about EU a sober state, in my constituency, and Gareth Edwards immigration. I wonder whether we have reached a point is still as happy catching sea trout and salmon on the at which we should at last, like the French citizens until River Towy as he ever was scoring tries at the old Arms two years ago, offer the people of our country a referendum Park. If the hon. Member for Sherwood (Mr Spencer) whenever we decide to enlarge the European Union— was worried about where the beach scene in Russell whether we should give the people ownership of those Crowe’s recent “Robin Hood” epic was filmed, I can decisions, and fight for the arguments in favour of reassure him by saying that it was in Carmarthen West expanding the EU. Those arguments are strong; I think and South Pembrokeshire—and I regret to tell the that they are unanswerable. But I also think that if we, House that Dobby dies in the sand dunes on Freshwater the political elite, insist on making such decisions ourselves West beach in the final film in the Harry Potter series, without consulting the public, we shall reap the whirlwind which comes out next year. [Laughter.] I hope that in terms of disenchantment with the EU and a possible I have not said anything that I should not have said. collapse of support to the far right. It should not be thought that everything is rosy in our 9.20 pm particular garden, however. We have the same economic and social problems as any other constituency, which is (Carmarthen West and South why today’s debate is so crucial. I was encouraged when Pembrokeshire) (Con): I am grateful to you for calling the Deputy Prime Minister nodded in the direction of me, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but not half as grateful as my rurality in the context of constitutional reform. People family and friends in the Public Gallery, who I rather who form just 2% of the electorate cannot help thinking naively suggested should be here at half-past two. from time to time that their votes may not count for 121 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 122 anything at all, and cannot help thinking from time to the context of her opposition to the proposals on time that Governments are there to do things to them anonymity for rape defendants. The hon. Member for rather than for them. If we have learned anything at all Oxford West and Abingdon (Nicola Blackwood) mentioned in rural communities during the election campaign it is her many illustrious predecessors and demonstrated that voters have told us that cheaper is not necessarily what a suitable successor she will be. She was also the the same as better in politics, and that quality was only Member to mention domestic violence, which is an raised much more often than cost in our doorstep important issue in any home affairs debate. conversations. My hon. Friend the Member for East Lothian (Fiona Our voters hope that this new coalition will adopt a O’Donnell) managed to mention all three of her local less-is-more approach to government and will have at newspapers, thus guaranteeing coverage, a good trick its heart four simple objectives: to keep us safe; to keep for those yet to make their maiden speeches. She also us solvent; to keep us healthy; and to keep us free from mentioned her predecessor, Anne Moffatt, who was my prejudice and discrimination. Honour and respect for Parliamentary Private Secretary both at the Department politics and Parliament will be restored only if we apply of Health and the Home Office and whom we all wish those simple rules to every single decision we take in well for a speedy recovery following her serious illness. this House. The hon. Member for Northampton North (Michael Ellis) spoke about his constituency’s worrying predilection 9.25 pm for reselection, and showed why we all expect him to escape that particular curse. The hon. Member for Alan Johnson (Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle) South Swindon (Mr Buckland) delivered an excellent (Lab): I hope the House will appreciate my being unable maiden speech after six years as the candidate; spending to respond to the contributions of all the old retreads, a long time waiting might, perhaps, be a good recipe for so to speak, as I want to concentrate on the remarkable making such speeches, therefore. standard of debate from those making their maiden My hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East (Margaret speeches, and as there were 22 of them by my count, Curran) is a formidable campaigner whom I know very I shall have to go through them very quickly. well. She is the first woman to be elected to represent My hon. Friend the Member for Darlington Glasgow East and is already displaying the benefits that (Mrs Chapman) spoke movingly about the tragic case she will bring to her constituents. I should also note that of Peter Chapman and the lessons to learn from it. The she made one further constitutional change by referring hon. Member for Stourbridge (Margot James) was generous to you, Mr Speaker, as the presiding officer and to your and gracious in her comments about her predecessor, deputies as the deputy presiding officers. The hon. Lynda Waltho, and spoke about the importance of the Member for Amber Valley (Nigel Mills) was the only glass industry to her constituency. The hon. Member Member until my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow for Harrow East (Bob Blackman) spoke about his South (Mr Harris) to mention immigration, which he predecessor, Tony McNulty, who as a former police quite rightly said was one of the biggest issues on the Minister will, I guarantee, have been watching this doorstep during the general election. debate on television all afternoon. The hon. Gentleman My hon. Friend the Member for East Kilbride, described him as having been diligent in his work on Strathaven and Lesmahagow (Mr McCann) rightly behalf of his constituency. He also mentioned the Royal mentioned Adam Ingram’s contribution to the Northern National Orthopaedic hospital. As the Minister who Ireland peace process. The hon. Member for Hexham approved the extra funding for the rebuild of that (Guy Opperman) spoke about the need to retain vibrant hospital, I too hope it goes through under this Government. rural communities and the importance of housing to Having read the books of my hon. Friend the Member that objective. He did much for Victim Support before for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Tristram Hunt), it was a he came to this House, and I am sure he will do even delight to listen to his contribution, and I am sure we more as a new Member of it. will listen to many more for many years to come. He My hon. Friend the Member for West Dunbartonshire spoke about there being the first new hospital in his (Gemma Doyle), in a funny speech, spoke about her constituency for 120 years, and gave a eulogy to the six pride at representing the constituency in which she was towns. The hon. Member for Esher and Walton (Mr Raab) born and raised. She also mentioned the importance of spoke about the contribution his predecessor, Ian Taylor, the co-operative movement, which she will see has been made to science and technology, and spoke well too grasped by the Government—at least for the time being. about his aspirational constituency, but pointed out The hon. Member for Rochester and Strood (Mark that there are pockets of deprivation there as well. The Reckless) gave us an insight into the dark world of the hon. Member for Redcar (Ian Swales) spoke about the Government Whips when he spoke about his predecessor, devastating effects of the closure of the steelworks there and he made an elegant argument on the importance and mentioned his predecessor, , whom I of elected police commissioners—every word of which guarantee is already campaigning vociferously against I disagreed with. the Government’s proposals on anonymity for rape The hon. Member for Eastbourne (Stephen Lloyd) defendants. had the unique experience of being told he had won My hon. Friend the Member for Houghton and when he had lost and lost when he had won. I think the Sunderland South (Bridget Phillipson) had the distinction Whips may avoid him as a teller on any future vote of being the very first Member to be elected to this we have. The hon. Member for Banff and Buchan Parliament. She managed it on 6 May. By and large, the (Dr Whiteford) spoke impressively about how constitutional rest of us followed on 7 May, and some even later. She issues can be of immense importance to the more spoke of her first-hand experience of working with the prosaic, day-to-day issues that affect our constituents. victims of sexual violence, once again putting that in The hon. Member for West Suffolk (Matthew Hancock) 123 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 124

[Alan Johnson] Alan Johnson: I am not sure whether that can be recorded as a slip of the tongue; I think that the right spoke of the beauty of his constituency and of the work hon. Gentleman has made the first U-turn. I believe he of Richard Spring, which many of us in this House also thought that the basic state pension was £33 a admired, despite his obvious failure to secure a bypass week—that was probably a basic slip of the tongue too. for Brandon. This is not a good start for the Deputy Prime Minister, The Member for Tory—[Interruption.] I meant the because Labour Members were behind him in his stated hon. Member for North East Somerset (Jacob Rees-Mogg); preference for the Government to support a referendum I do like to remind myself which party they are from. on devolving power in Wales. We shall see what happens, He made a particularly entertaining speech. It was a but my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Ian little anti-Danish, but on the form he was on tonight, he Lucas) was right in what he said. will avoid having ox bones thrown at him during his I welcome the Home Secretary to the Dispatch Box. time in this House. Labour Members like to think that we smoothed her Finally, the hon. Member for Carmarthen West and path to this position as Home Secretary by helping to South Pembrokeshire (Simon Hart) need not have remove the former , the hon. worried—he maintained that very high standard to the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling), before last. He spoke about his sympathy for his family and he could do any significant damage. Among his many friends, who have been here since 2.30 pm. I very much gaffes was a propensity to be disingenuous about crime sympathise with that—I know how they feel. Given that statistics, which led to his having his knuckles severely he gave away the ending of the latest Harry Potter film, rapped by the UK Statistics Authority. He is now in the I think the Hansard people are having their arms stretched political equivalent of a Siberian salt mine, locked away up their backs to make sure it is not in tomorrow’s somewhere in the Department for Work and Pensions Hansard. and condemned to work with a Lib Dem, the hon. Member For the benefit of the Deputy Prime Minister, I will for Thornbury and Yate (Steve Webb), about whom the mention just three of the contributions from retreads. Deputy Prime Minister once said the following—this The right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden may also have been a slip of the tongue: (Mr Davis) and the hon. Members for Epping Forest “Webb must go...He’s a problem. I can’t stand the man. We (Mrs Laing) and for Chichester (Mr Tyrie) made perhaps need a new spokesman. We have to move him. But…As a , three of the most eloquent speeches against the proposed he’d be a pain in the”. 55% rule. Government Members ought to listen to that A word beginning with “a” follows, but if I said it, argument. I was also pleased that the Deputy Prime Mr Speaker, you would be off yours to call me to order. Minister made his maiden speech at the Dispatch Box. It seems to me that the Prime Minister and the Deputy We were very interested to hear that he has given Her Prime Minister managed to sort out both their little Majesty’s Government’s support to a yes vote in the problems at the expense of the DWP. Welsh referendum on further devolution in Wales. I I am confident that the new Home Secretary will not think we all took that as being a step forward. repeat the mistakes of her predecessor as shadow Home Secretary and that she will confirm, in her reply, that Ian Lucas: Was my right hon. Friend concerned to crime has reduced substantially since her party left read on the BBC News website this evening that officials office in 1997. On violent crime, she will be able to in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Department have described correct the mistake made on page 55 of the Conservative his categorical assurance to me today that the Government manifesto, which said that do support a yes vote in the referendum as a “slip of the “violent crime…has risen sharply under Labour”. tongue”? Does my right hon. Friend agree that that is a great discourtesy to the House, and has he had any It should, of course, have said “reduced” instead of indication from the Deputy Prime Minister that he “risen”. There are three measures of violent crime: the wishes to correct the record or perhaps find out what British crime survey’s figures, which show a decline of Government policy is before he makes pronouncements? 41%; the recorded crime figures, which, since the 2003 changes in the formulation, have shown a 13% reduction; Alan Johnson: I just do not accept what my hon. and the figures from accident and emergency departments Friend has said: this is the new politics, and what is said collated by Cardiff university, to which my right hon. from the Government Dispatch Box will be carried out. Friend the Member for Cardiff South and Penarth I have every faith in the Deputy Prime Minister and that (Alun Michael) drew attention, that show a reduction he will ensure that he sticks by his word on this issue. of 15% since they commenced in 2001. The murder rate is at its lowest for 20 years and the murder rate in May I welcome the Home Secretary— London is at its lowest since 1978. No incoming Home Secretary in living memory has inherited such a consistent The Deputy Prime Minister rose— fall in crime and no incoming Government could have done more to undermine that position in their first few Alan Johnson: Ah! I give way to the Deputy Prime weeks. Minister. On 19 May, in her speech to the Police Federation, the Home Secretary said The Deputy Prime Minister: Let me clarify this by saying that it was indeed a slip of the tongue. The “make no mistake: I will be tough on crime.” Government avidly support a referendum in Wales, but But she could give no commitment to retain the record of course we will leave it to the people of Wales to number of police and police community support officers decide for themselves how they respond to that opportunity who are vital to that objective. How is it that under this to determine their own future. Conservative-led Government the funding for international 125 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 126 development can be guaranteed but the funding for enhancing and increasing the role and responsibilities fighting crime cannot? Labour would have protected of local government. Notwithstanding the comments of them both. Do her Government consider international the hon. Member for Rochester and Strood (Mark development a greater priority? How is it that while Reckless), local authority leaders from all three main front-line services in health and education can be parties oppose this measure, as do the Association of safeguarded, police numbers cannot? Will she stand up Chief Police Officers and the Police Federation. I have for her Department against such warped priorities? yet to meet a single police officer or local councillor When will she ensure that, similar to what happens in who supports it. The measure is, as ACPO says, driven health and education, the savings made within purely by dogma, and I urge the Home Secretary to constabularies are reinvested in front-line policing? How think again before taking it further. will she be tough on crime while restricting the police’s In the time available to me, I cannot deal with every ability to catch criminals? issue that has been raised, but I should like to make a The Government talk of adopting the safeguards of final point. We will discuss identity cards on Wednesday the Scottish system in respect of DNA retention, but on Second Reading of the Identity Documents Bill, but they do not explain whether those are safeguards for the the Deputy Prime Minister has, in a hyperbolic speech victims or the perpetrators of crime. The Scottish system that my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn retains the DNA of those arrested but not convicted, (Mr Straw) has already pointed out was historically but only if they are arrested for a serious crime. That inaccurate, promised the end of the “culture of spying” would be logical only if there was evidence to suggest on British citizens, praying in aid ID cards, the national that it was people in that category who had a higher identity register and CCTV. propensity to be re-arrested, but the best available evidence We are told that CCTV is part of the evil infringement indicates that the type of offence a person is first of our rights and that it must therefore be “properly arrested for is not an indicator of the seriousness of the regulated”, to use the Deputy Prime Minister’s words. offence he or she might subsequently be arrested or Will the Home Secretary tell us what that means, and convicted for in future. will she say if she has ever been approached by a My hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden constituent who wants fewer CCTV cameras? That is (Siobhain McDonagh) and my right hon. Friend the important, because, apparently, as part of the big society, Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) have made which is what most of us thought we would get if we these points, but let me remind the House that, each failed to tackle obesity, the Deputy Prime Minister year, in about 800 cases of rape, murder and manslaughter, promises to ask the public which laws to repeal. We DNA is central to police inquiries. In about 10% of stand on the side of the Home Secretary’s constituents. those cases, matches are made to people who have been An article in the Maidenhead Advertiser, entitled, “CCTV arrested but not convicted, of which a quarter involve will help stop crime in Furze Platt”, which is in her people who have been arrested but not convicted of constituency, says: non-serious offences. That is one reason why in 2008-09, the England and Wales DNA database had a 13% “Almost every resident of Bridle Road, Bridle Close and Calder Close has signed a petition asking the council to put” higher success rate than Scotland’s. CCTV cameras in “as a deterrent.” We are on the side On the period of retention, there is no evidence to of Furze Platt. Indeed, the term could be used as support the Scottish period of three years, which was cockney rhyming slang, as in, the Deputy Prime Minister plucked from the air. The best evidence available shows must be a right Furze Platt if he thinks people want that the so-called hazard curve—the propensity for fewer CCTV cameras. those who have been arrested but not convicted to be re-arrested—remains higher than that for the rest of the The Conservative-led Administration will either recognise population for six years following first arrest. As my the need for control orders, second-generation biometric right hon. and learned Friend the Leader of the Opposition passports, the detention of families and the DNA database, said in the debate last week, the Government should or they will endanger our national security, weaken our “give the benefit of the doubt to the victim.”—[Official Report, controls on immigration, reduce our ability to return 25 May 2010; Vol. 510, c. 43.] failed asylum seekers and restrict the police’s ability to The retention period of six years should remain in force catch dangerous criminals. The Gracious Speech gave until 2012, when we will have, for the first time, six no indication that they recognise those basic facts. years’ worth of statistics upon which to make a further judgment. Why pull that information off the DNA database and then find in 2012 that we should have 9.45 pm kept it? The Secretary of State for the Home Department The Home Secretary intends to be tough on crime (Mrs Theresa May): It is a great pleasure to close this while failing to protect police numbers and restricting debate, which, as the shadow Home Secretary has just their ability to catch criminals, and she intends to do said, was marked by a significant number of maiden that while embroiling them in the operational upheaval speeches, 22 in all. The debate was opened by a rather of having elected commissioners. Aside from the fact uncharacteristically rambling speech from the right hon. that that will lead to years of internal turmoil and cost Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw). He loitered somewhat about £50 million for each police authority area, that over the reforms of 1832, but his history lesson was idea’s time has gone. The debate on accountability has bettered only by the maiden speech of my hon. Friend moved on. It is now focused on making neighbourhood the Member for North East Somerset (Jacob Rees-Mogg) police teams answerable to the public they serve, on who gave everybody in the Chamber a rather more doing more to ensure that police authorities have a eloquent and distinguished historical lesson. I am sure higher profile and more expertise, and, crucially, on we shall hear more from him, as was said earlier. 127 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 128

[Mrs Theresa May] running through the legislation that we seek to pass—a spirit of freedom, fairness and responsibility. Those The right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull West themes are particularly prevalent in the Ministry of and Hessle (Alan Johnson), who has just closed for the Justice and the Home Office. The programme that we Opposition, gave an amusing speech. He ran through have announced will manage the delicate balance of the contributions of every Member who made a maiden protecting our citizens’ safety and liberty. speech today. I do not intend to comment on every one Before I comment on the legislative programme, let of those speeches, but I want to tell all 22 new Members me make this commitment: the Government will never who spoke today that making a maiden speech is a compromise the security of the British people, and we daunting experience for anybody, yet they all rose to the will protect our civil liberties. Where they have been challenge with a remarkable degree of eloquence. Many lost, we will fight to restore them, and we will fiercely of the speeches were extremely amusing. I am not sure preserve those that already exist. That was interestingly what the problem of blowing one’s nose is in West summed up by my right hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, but I dare say we shall find out at some stage. Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis), who said that the We heard delightful, enticing descriptions of constituencies new politics is ushering in ancient rights—it is indeed—and such as the one from my hon. Friend the Member for we will review legislation on a number of counter-terrorism Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire (Simon measures, including on control orders, to which he Hart), although of course it will now only be known as specifically referred in his speech. the site of Dobby’s demise. I particularly want to mention the maiden speeches Keith Vaz: I welcome the Home Secretary to the of my hon. Friends the Members for Stourbridge Dispatch Box. One of her first decisions was to announce (Margot James) and for Oxford West and Abingdon a review of the case of Gary McKinnon, a constituent (Nicola Blackwood), and the hon. Members for West of the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes). Dunbartonshire (Gemma Doyle), for Darlington That decision is welcome. Does she have a timetable for (Mrs Chapman), for Banff and Buchan (Dr Whiteford), when she thinks that she will conclude her review of for East Lothian (Fiona O’Donnell), for Glasgow East that case? (Margaret Curran) and for Houghton and Sunderland South (Bridget Phillipson). They all have one thing in common, which is that they are women. I welcome the Mrs May: I am not able to give the right hon. new intake of women Members to the House of Commons, Gentleman a timetable at the moment. Indeed, I took a which I am particularly pleased to see. decision that we would agree to an adjournment of the judicial review that was due to take place towards the I am especially pleased to welcome my hon. Friends end of May. I was asked whether I would do that and the Members for Stourbridge and for Oxford West and received further representations from Mr McKinnon’s Abingdon, whom I have worked with over the years. legal representatives. I am waiting for those further They represent very well the change that has taken representations to be received. place in the Conservative party and in the make-up of its Members of Parliament. I want to mention two characteristics relating to the Mr David Davis: I thank my right hon. Friend for her maiden speech of my hon. Friend the Member for response to my question. I raised another issue—28-day Northampton North (Michael Ellis). The first was that detention, which is coming up for annual review very his speech referred to the all-important topic of shoes, shortly. There are stories in the press this evening that although I was disappointed that my hon. Friend talked she will review that limit as well. In the light of the about the shoes of my right hon. and learned Friend the Government’s commitment to telling the House before Justice Secretary. My hon. Friend also has the distinction they tell the press, can she tell us anything about that? of being the only person to present me with a bouquet of flowers after I made one of those tours to visit Mrs May: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for organisations in the constituency before the election. giving me an opportunity to respond to that point. As He has indeed started well in this place. he has just said, the decision is up for renewal towards I shall try to cover as much ground as I can, but I will the end of July. No decision has been taken at the not be able to mention every point that has been made moment, but I can assure him that Parliament will be in this important debate. It is the first time I have wound informed of any decision that is taken. That question up a debate opened by the right hon. Member for partly leads on to the freedom Bill. Protecting the Sheffield, Hallam (Mr Clegg). A few weeks ago, I sat at country from terrorist attacks is, of course, of primary the Cabinet table with him for the first time and then concern, but striking the right balance between safety held my first meeting with him. and liberty is something that the previous Administration Coalition Government has brought many first-time got horribly wrong. We have seen a significant erosion experiences for us all, but nowhere is the coalition in individual freedoms, and power has been diverted stronger than in the field of home affairs. After the from the citizen to the state. That is why we are legislating years of encroachment on our freedoms, we will restore to roll back the state, to reduce the amount of Government our civil liberties. After the years of trying to run the interference and repeal unnecessary laws, but our police from Whitehall, we will free the police and empower commitment to protecting the public will not be the communities they serve. After the years of allowing compromised. The freedom Bill will help us to balance immigration to soar out of control, we will bring it back an individual’s right to privacy and liberty against the to the reasonable levels of the 1990s. collective safety and security of the entire country. We have before us a unique opportunity to work At the heart of our reforms is the desire to build a together to make Britain a brighter, safer and fairer stronger society with responsibility and fairness at its place for all. The spirit of the coalition can be found heart. We will enable people to take back responsibility 129 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 130 for themselves and their families. We are determined to we would abolish ID cards. The Liberal Democrat value the British people, to invite them into the debate party was also clear in its opposition to ID cards. As my and to listen to them—something that was sorely lacking hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris under the previous Administration. The right hon. Member Grayling) said on a number of occasions, anybody for Salford and Eccles (Hazel Blears) talked of linking buying an ID card was effectively buying a souvenir. the Government and the people—a worthy aim indeed, That Bill has already been introduced. We will cancel but it is a pity that the last Labour Government did not identity cards and we will cancel the national identity do that. For 13 years, they took powers to the centre register. and away from people and communities. I note the passionate speech made by the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh) about Mr Tom Harris: The first Bill Committee on which I ID cards and CCTV, but what she said about CCTV, served as a Back Bencher after being elected nine years and what the shadow Home Secretary said, betrayed ago was the one that considered the Proceeds of Crime Labour’s approach to these matters: either all in favour Act 2002. Throughout the 39 sittings in Committee, the of something or all against. We are talking about not Conservative party constantly made requests for the abolishing CCTV,but ensuring that it is properly regulated. measures to be watered down. Now that the right hon. I have touched on the delicate balance between the Lady is in government, can she confirm that that Act protection and freedom of our citizens, but part of will not be watered down but, in fact, strengthened? maintaining that balance involves enabling people to take responsibility for themselves. To build a free and Mrs May: The Government and the Conservative fair society—the big society—we all need to work together. party will take no lessons from Labour about being That is why the Government will be introducing the tough on crime. I remember that when I came into the police reform and social responsibility Bill. That legislation House in 1997 the Labour Government had been elected is emblematic of the guiding principles of this Government. on the slogan, “Tough on crime, tough on the causes of We will make police officers more accountable to the crime.” What did we see? Criminal justice Act after public they serve and in so doing replace the bureaucratic, criminal justice Act, new offence after new offence, and centralised control of recent years with local, democratic nothing to do with the causes of crime. accountability. I say to the right hon. Member for Don Valley Alan Johnson: Will the Home Secretary please confirm— (Caroline Flint) that I made that point absolutely clear now she has seen the statistics, now there can be no in the speech that I gave recently to the Police Federation. ambiguity about it—that crime has gone down by 41 per Directly elected individuals will in no way interfere with cent. since 1997? Violent crime is down, burglary is the operational independence of the police. I welcome down, theft is down, domestic violence is down, murder the contribution from my hon. Friend the Member for rates are down. Will she confirm that that is the case? Rochester and Strood (Mark Reckless), who, from the point of view of a member of a police authority, Mrs May: I was rather amused by the right hon. supported our proposals on directly elected individuals. Gentleman’s reference— [HON.MEMBERS: “Yes or no!”] I was rather amused by his reference to the fact that, as It was a great pity in the early stages of the debate an incoming Home Secretary, I was inheriting the best that, on the issue of constitutional reform and the legacy that had been left. I have to say to him that, of dissolution of Parliament, there seemed to be at best a course, figures produced by the House of Commons misunderstanding of the Government’s position among Library have shown that it is wrong to say that violent a number of hon. Members, and at worst a wilful crime has gone down. It has not. It has gone up. The misrepresentation of it. Of course, the powers for the Home Secretary who left a good legacy to his successor House to pass a vote of no confidence in the Government, was in fact the former Member of Parliament for Folkestone on the basis of a simple majority, will continue to exist. and Hythe, the right hon. , under They will be reinforced by powers relating to the dissolution whom crime did indeed go down. of Parliament. A number of hon. Members have referred to the Regarding the Opposition amendment, I thought Identity Documents Bill. As I am sure every Member of that the past 13 years had almost never happened. the House is aware, the new Government have made a Endorse their record on crime, they say. After 50 criminal commitment— justice Acts—

John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): Will Mr John Spellar (Warley) (Lab) claimed to move the the right hon. Lady please give way? closure (Standing Order No. 36). Question put forthwith, That the Question be now put. Mrs May: I am going to make a little progress, if I Question agreed to. may. [Interruption.] I am going to make a little progress. Question put accordingly, That the amendment be The new Government have made a commitment to made. abolish the costly and unnecessary national ID cards. The House divided: Ayes 251, Noes 347. They are typical of the Labour Government’s blatant disregard for public opinion and common sense, and we Division No. 1] [9.59 pm aim to abolish this pet Labour project before the summer recess. AYES I say to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak Abbott, Ms Diane Alexander, Heidi (Steve McCabe), who is one of those who mentioned Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Ali, Rushanara ID cards, that we were always clear in opposition that Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Allen, Mr Graham 131 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 132

Anderson, Mr David Ellman, Mrs Louise Lucas, Ian Robertson, John Austin, Ian Engel, Natascha MacShane, rh Mr Denis Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Bailey, Mr Adrian Esterson, Bill Mactaggart, Fiona Rotheram, Steve Bain, Mr William Evans, Chris Mahmood, Mr Khalid Roy, Mr Frank Balls, rh Ed Farrelly, Paul Mahmood, Shabana Roy, Lindsay Banks, Gordon Field, rh Mr Frank Mann, John Ruddock, Joan Barron, rh Mr Kevin Fitzpatrick, Jim Marsden, Mr Gordon Sarwar, Anas Beckett, rh Margaret Flello, Robert McCabe, Steve Seabeck, Alison Begg, Miss Anne Flint, rh Caroline McCann, Mr Michael Sharma, Mr Virendra Bell, Sir Stuart Flynn, Paul McCarthy, Kerry Sheerman, Mr Barry Benn, rh Hilary Fovargue, Yvonne McClymont, Gregg Sheridan, Jim Benton, Mr Joe Francis, Dr Hywel McDonagh, Siobhain Shuker, Gavin Berger, Luciana Gapes, Mike McDonnell, John Singh, Mr Marsha Betts, Mr Clive Gardiner, Barry McFadden, rh Mr Pat Skinner, Mr Dennis Blackman-Woods, Roberta Gilmore, Sheila McGovern, Alison Slaughter, Mr Andy Blears, rh Hazel Glass, Pat McGovern, Jim Smith, rh Mr Andrew Blenkinsop, Tom Glindon, Mrs Mary McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Smith, Angela (Penistone and Blomfield, Paul Godsiff, Mr Roger McKechin, Ann Stocksbridge) Blunkett, rh Mr David Goggins, rh Paul McKinnell, Catherine Smith, Nick Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Goodman, Helen Meacher, rh Mr Michael Smith, Owen Brennan, Kevin Greatrex, Tom Meale, Mr Alan Soulsby, Sir Peter Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Green, Kate Mearns, Ian Spellar, rh Mr John Brown, Mr Russell Greenwood, Lilian Michael, rh Alun Straw, rh Mr Jack Bryant, Chris Griffith, Nia Miliband, rh David Stringer, Graham Buck, Ms Karen Gwynne, Andrew Miliband, rh Edward Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Burden, Richard Hain, rh Mr Peter Miller, Andrew Thomas, Mr Gareth Burnham, rh Andy Hamilton, Mr David Mitchell, Austin Thornberry, Emily Byrne, rh Mr Liam Hamilton, Mr Fabian Moon, Mrs Madeleine Trickett, Jon Cairns, David Hanson, rh Mr David Morden, Jessica Turner, Karl Campbell, Mr Alan Harman, rh Ms Harriet Morrice, Graeme Twigg, Derek Campbell, Mr Ronnie Harris, Mr Tom Morris, Grahame M. Twigg, Stephen Caton, Martin Havard, Mr Dai Mudie, Mr George Umunna, Mr Chuka Chapman, Mrs Jenny Healey, rh John Munn, Meg Vaz, rh Keith Clark, Katy Hendrick, Mark Murphy, rh Mr Jim Vaz, Valerie Clarke, rh Mr Tom Hepburn, Mr Stephen Murphy, rh Paul Walley, Joan Clwyd, rh Ann Heyes, David Murray, Ian Watson, Mr Tom Coaker, Vernon Hillier, Meg Nandy, Lisa Watts, Mr Dave Coffey, Ann Hilling, Julie Nash, Pamela Whitehead, Dr Alan Connarty, Michael Hodge, rh Margaret O’Donnell, Fiona Wicks, rh Malcolm Cooper, Rosie Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Onwurah, Chi Williamson, Chris Cooper, rh Yvette Hoey, Kate Osborne, Sandra Wilson, Phil Corbyn, Jeremy Hood, Mr Jim Owen, Albert Winnick, Mr David Crausby, Mr David Hopkins, Kelvin Pearce, Teresa Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Creagh, Mary Howarth, rh Mr George Perkins, Toby Wood, Mike Creasy, Stella Hoyle, Mr Lindsay Phillipson, Bridget Woodcock, John Cruddas, Jon Hunt, Tristram Pound, Stephen Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Cryer, John Illsley, Mr Eric Primarolo, rh Dawn Woolas, Mr Phil Cunningham, Alex Irranca-Davies, Huw Qureshi, Yasmin Wright, David Cunningham, Mr Jim Jackson, Glenda Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Wright, Mr Iain Cunningham, Tony James, Mrs Siân C. Reeves, Rachel Curran, Margaret Jamieson, Cathy Reynolds, Emma Tellers for the Ayes: Dakin, Nic Johnson, rh Alan Reynolds, Jonathan Lyn Brown and Danczuk, Simon Johnson, Diana R. Riordan, Mrs Linda Mark Tami Darling, rh Mr Alistair Jones, Graham David, Mr Wayne Jones, Helen NOES Davidson, Mr Ian Jones, Mr Kevan Davies, Geraint Jones, Susan Elan Adams, Nigel Barwell, Gavin De Piero, Gloria Jowell, rh Tessa Afriyie, Adam Bebb, Guto Denham, rh Mr John Joyce, Eric Aldous, Peter Beith, rh Sir Alan Dobbin, Jim Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Alexander, rh Danny Bellingham, Mr Henry Dobson, rh Frank Keeley, Barbara Amess, Mr David Benyon, Richard Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Keen, Alan Andrew, Stuart Beresford, Sir Paul Doran, Mr Frank Kendall, Liz Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Berry, Jake Dowd, Jim Khan, rh Sadiq Bacon, Mr Richard Bingham, Andrew Doyle, Gemma Lammy, rh Mr David Bagshawe, Ms Louise Binley, Mr Brian Dromey, Jack Lavery, Ian Baker, Norman Birtwistle, Gordon Dugher, Michael Lazarowicz, Mark Baker, Steve Blackman, Bob Durkan, Mark Leslie, Christopher Baldry, Tony Blackwood, Nicola Eagle, Ms Angela Lewis, Mr Ivan Baldwin, Harriett Blunt, Mr Crispin Eagle, Maria Lloyd, Tony Barclay, Stephen Boles, Nick Efford, Clive Love, Mr Andrew Barker, Gregory Bone, Mr Peter Elliott, Julie Lucas, Caroline Baron, Mr John Bottomley, Peter 133 Debate on the Address7 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 134

Bradley, Karen Featherstone, Lynne Kelly, Chris Pawsey, Mark Brady, Mr Graham Field, Mr Mark Kirby, Simon Penning, Mike Brake, Tom Foster, Mr Don Knight, rh Mr Greg Penrose, John Bray, Angie Francois, Mr Mark Kwarteng, Mr Kwasi Percy, Andrew Brazier, Mr Julian Freeman, George Laing, Mrs Eleanor Perry, Claire Bridgen, Andrew Freer, Mike Lamb, Norman Phillips, Stephen Brine, Mr Steve Fullbrook, Lorraine Lancaster, Mark Pickles, rh Mr Eric Brokenshire, James Fuller, Richard Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Pincher, Christopher Brooke, Annette Gale, Mr Roger Latham, Pauline Poulter, Dr Daniel Browne, Mr Jeremy Garnier, Mr Edward Leadsom, Andrea Pritchard, Mark Bruce, Fiona Garnier, Mark Lee, Jessica Pugh, Dr John Bruce, rh Malcolm Gauke, Mr David Lee, Dr Phillip Raab, Mr Dominic Buckland, Mr Robert Gibb, Mr Nick Leech, Mr John Randall, Mr John Burley, Mr Aidan Gilbert, Stephen Lefroy, Jeremy Reckless, Mark Burns, Conor Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Leigh, Mr Edward Redwood, rh Mr John Burns, Mr Simon Glen, John Leslie, Charlotte Rees-Mogg, Jacob Burrowes, Mr David Goldsmith, Zac Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Reid, Mr Alan Burstow, Mr Paul Goodwill, Mr Robert Lewis, Brandon Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Burt, Alistair Gove, rh Michael Lewis, Dr Julian Robathan, Mr Andrew Burt, Lorely Graham, Richard Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Robertson, Hugh Byles, Dan Grant, Mrs Helen Lilley, rh Mr Peter Robertson, Mr Laurence Cable, rh Vince Gray, Mr James Lloyd, Stephen Rogerson, Dan Cairns, Alun Green, Damian Lopresti, Jack Rosindell, Andrew Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Greening, Justine Lord, Jonathan Rudd, Amber Carmichael, Mr Alistair Grieve, Mr Dominic Loughton, Tim Ruffley, Mr David Carmichael, Neil Griffiths, Andrew Luff, Peter Russell, Bob Carswell, Mr Douglas Gummer, Ben Lumley, Karen Rutley, David Cash, Mr William Gyimah, Sam Macleod, Mary Sanders, Mr Adrian Chishti, Rehman Hague, rh Mr William Main, Mrs Anne Sandys, Laura Chope, Mr Christopher Halfon, Robert Maude, rh Mr Francis Scott, Mr Lee Clappison, Mr James Hames, Duncan May, rh Mrs Theresa Selous, Andrew Clark, Greg Hammond, rh Mr Philip Maynard, Paul Shannon, Jim Clarke, rh Mr Kenneth Hammond, Stephen McCartney, Karl Shapps, Grant Clegg, rh Mr Nick Hancock, Matthew McCrea, Dr William Sharma, Alok Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hancock, Mr Mike McIntosh, Miss Anne Shelbrooke, Alec Coffey, Dr Thérèse Hands, Greg McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Shepherd, Mr Richard Collins, Damian Harper, Mr Mark McPartland, Stephen Simmonds, Mark Colvile, Oliver Harrington, Richard McVey, Esther Simpson, David Cox, Mr Geoffrey Harris, Rebecca Menzies, Mark Simpson, Mr Keith Crabb, Stephen Hart, Simon Mercer, Patrick Skidmore, Chris Crockart, Mike Harvey, Nick Metcalfe, Stephen Smith, Miss Chloe Crouch, Tracey Hayes, Mr John Miller, Maria Smith, Henry Davey, Mr Edward Heald, Mr Oliver Mills, Nigel Smith, Julian Davies, David T. C. Heath, Mr David Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Smith, Sir Robert (Monmouth) Heaton-Harris, Chris Moore, Michael Soames, Nicholas Davies, Glyn Hemming, John Mordaunt, Penny Soubry, Anna Davies, Philip Henderson, Gordon Morgan, Nicky Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline de Bois, Nick Hendry, Charles Morris, Anne Marie Spencer, Mr Mark Dinenage, Caroline Herbert, Nick Morris, David Stanley, rh Sir John Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Hinds, Damian Morris, James Stephenson, Andrew Dodds, Mr Nigel Hollingbery, George Mosley, Stephen Stevenson, John Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Hollobone, Mr Philip Mowat, David Stewart, Bob Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Holloway, Mr Adam Mulholland, Greg Stewart, Iain Dorries, Nadine Hopkins, Kris Mundell, David Stewart, Rory Doyle-Price, Jackie Horwood, Martin Munt, Tessa Streeter, Mr Gary Drax, Richard Howarth, Mr Gerald Murray, Sheryll Stride, Mel Duddridge, James Howell, John Murrison, Dr Andrew Stuart, Mr Graham Duncan, Alan Hughes, Simon Neill, Robert Stunell, Andrew Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Huhne, rh Chris Newmark, Mr Brooks Sturdy, Julian Dunne, Mr Philip Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Newton, Sarah Swales, Ian Ellis, Michael Hunter, Mark Nokes, Caroline Swayne, Mr Desmond Ellison, Jane Huppert, Dr Julian Norman, Jesse Swinson, Jo Ellwood, Mr Tobias Hurd, Mr Nick Nuttall, Mr David Syms, Mr Robert Elphicke, Charlie Jackson, Mr Stewart O’Brien, Mr Stephen Tapsell, Sir Peter Eustice, George James, Margot Offord, Mr Matthew Teather, Sarah Evans, Graham Javid, Sajid Ollerenshaw, Eric Thurso, John Evans, Jonathan Jenkin, Mr Bernard Opperman, Guy Timpson, Mr Edward Evans, Mr Nigel Johnson, Gareth Ottaway, Richard Tomlinson, Justin Evennett, Mr David Johnson, Joseph Paice, Mr James Tredinnick, David Fabricant, Michael Jones, Andrew Parish, Neil Truss, Elizabeth Fallon, Michael Jones, Mr David Patel, Priti Turner, Mr Andrew Farron, Tim Jones, Mr Marcus Paterson, rh Mr Owen Tyrie, Mr Andrew 135 Debate on the Address 7 JUNE 2010 136

Uppal, Paul Whittingdale, Mr John Political and Constitutional Reform Vaizey, Mr Edward Willetts, Mr David Vara, Mr Shailesh Williams, Mr Mark Committee Vickers, Martin Williams, Stephen Villiers, Mrs Theresa Williamson, Gavin Mr Speaker: It might be for the convenience of the Walker, Mr Charles Wilson, Mr Rob House if I explain that I intend that this motion should Wallace, Mr Ben Wollaston, Dr Sarah be debated together with motions 4, 5 and 6. Ward, Mr David Wright, Jeremy Watkinson, Angela Wright, Simon Yeo, Mr Tim Weatherley, Mike 10.16 pm Webb, Steve Young, rh Sir George Wharton, James Zahawi, Nadhim The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of Wheeler, Heather Tellers for the Noes: the House of Commons (Mr David Heath): I beg to White, Chris Bill Wiggin and move, Whittaker, Craig Roger Williams That the following new Standing Order be made, until the end of the current Parliament:– Question accordingly negatived. (1) There shall be a select committee, called the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee, to consider political and 10.15 pm constitutional reform. The debate stood adjourned (Standing Order No. 9(3)). (2) The committee shall consist of eleven members. Ordered, That the debate be resumed tomorrow.— (3) The committee shall have power– (Jeremy Wright.) (a) to send for persons, papers and records, to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House, to Business without Debate adjourn from place to place, and to report from time to time; and

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (b) to appoint specialist advisers to supply information which is not readily available or to elucidate matters Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing of complexity within the committee’s order of Order No. 15), reference. That, at this day’s sitting, proceedings relating to the Motions (4) Unless the House otherwise orders, each Member nominated in the name of Sir George Young, relating to the Political and to the committee shall continue to be a member of it for the Constitutional Reform Committee, Select committees (Election remainder of the Parliament. and allocation of chairs), Pay for chairs of select committees and (5) The committee shall have power to appoint a sub-committee, Pay for chairs of select committees (No. 2) may be proceeded which shall have power to send for persons, papers and records, to with, though opposed, until any hour, and Standing Order 41A sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House, to adjourn (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.—(Jeremy Wright.) from place to place, and to report to the committee from time to Question agreed to. time. Motion made, (6) The committee shall have power to report from time to time That Private Members’Bills shall have precedence over Government the evidence taken before the sub-committee. business on 22 October, 12 and 19 November and 3 December 2010 and 21 January, 4 and 11 February, 4 and 18 March, 1 April, Mr Speaker: With this we shall discuss the following 13 May and 10 and 17 June 2011.—(Jeremy Wright.) motions on: Select Committees (Election and Allocation of Chairs)— Hon. Members: Object. (1) That Standing Order No. 122B (Election of select committee chairs) be amended by inserting, after line 6: ‘(aa) the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee;’ (2) That the Order of 26 May relating to Select Committees (Allocation of Chairs) be amended by inserting at the appropriate place in the Table: ‘Political and Constitutional Labour’; and Reform (3) That, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (7) of Standing Order No. 122B, the ballot for the election of the chair of the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee shall take place on Wednesday 9 June.

Pay for Chairs of Select Committees— That this House expresses the opinion that the Resolution of the House of 30 October 2003, relating to Pay for Chairs of Select Committees (No. 2), should be further amended by inserting after “the Committee on Members’ Allowances”, “the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee”. Pay for Chairs of Select Committees (No. 2)— That the Resolution of the House of 30 October 2003, relating to Pay for Chairs of Select Committees (No. 2), be further amended by inserting after “the Committee on Members’Allowances”, “the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee”. 137 Political and Constitutional Reform 7 JUNE 2010 Political and Constitutional Reform 138 Committee Committee Mr Heath: This is a fairly straightforward matter, but The motion was tabled for the best of reasons. As the I know that nothing is totally straightforward at this Deputy Leader of the House said, it was done to speed time in the evening and with a full Chamber, so I shall up the elections so that they could coincide with those take a little time to explain what the motions will do. for other Select Committee Chairmen on Wednesday. It Motion 3 will establish a Select Committee on Political was therefore introduced for a noble and proper reason. and Constitutional Reform, which reflects the new portfolio However, there are some questions about the Committee. of the Deputy Prime Minister. Motion 4 will provide As soon as an objection was made, the Leader of the for the Chair of the Committee—[Interruption.] House did not sulk, as the previous Leader of the House used to do. In business questions, he made Mr Speaker: Order. This noise is not fair to the helpful remarks. He explained that the motion had been Deputy Leader of the House, who is trying to explain tabled for speed and for the benefit of the House, but these important matters. There are far too many private also said: conversations taking place in the Chamber, which I am “The consequence” sure will now cease. of not allowing the motion to go through on Thursday Mr Heath: I am grateful, Mr Speaker. “would be that we would lose a bit of time in establishing this new Motion 4 will provide for the Chair of the Committee Select Committee, but it would not be the end of the world if that to be elected from among the Labour Members of the happened—and my hon. Friend” House in accordance with the distribution of Select the Member for Christchurch (Mr Chope) Committee Chairs that you indicated at the beginning of the Parliament, Mr Speaker. Motions 5 and 6 will “could, indeed, raise in that subsequent debate the broader questions about how this proposed new Select Committee would interface provide for the Chair of the Select Committee to be paid. with, for example, the Public Administration and the Justice The Government have committed to establishment Select Committees.”—[Official Report, 3 June 2010; Vol. 510, the Committee as quickly as possible and with cross-party c. 582.] support, to ensure that the House is able to scrutinise In my five years in Parliament, I never heard the Labour the work of the Deputy Prime Minister. I stress that Leader of the House say anything so supportive to the that scrutiny will be in addition to the Deputy Prime House. The new transparency and the idea that we will Minister’s regular questions sessions in this house. It is discuss business after 10 o’clock if necessary are a our intention, if the House so agrees, that the election refreshing change, on which the Leader of the House of the Chair of the Committee will take place on should be congratulated. Wednesday, alongside the election of all other Chairs of Select Committees, to ensure that the Committee can Several little issues have arisen. If we could consider start work as soon as possible. them briefly, that might become the pattern for such little debates, when we have a packed House and people I do not wish to anticipate the debate or any individual can raise some issues. When I sat on the Opposition Member’s contribution, but I shall pick up one point in Benches, we were never given such opportunities. advance. I think that the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr Chope) suggested that a joint Committee of both Some people have asked me forcefully today, “Why Houses might be set up. Perhaps it will be helpful if I waste the House’s time? Why keep it sitting for three or say from the outset that the Government do not believe four hours?” The House will not sit for three or four that a joint Committee is the right way forward. First, hours if I have my way. However, it is wrong, when no other Minister would be scrutinised by a Committee setting up a Select Committee on an issue as important of both Houses. Secondly, the House of Lords Constitution as constitutional change, to deny hon. Members the Committee will continue, as its remit states, to opportunity to raise significant issues. Other hon. Members “examine the constitutional implication of all public Bills coming have said that sitting after 10 o’clock might inconvenience before the House; and to keep under review the operation of the some Members. The fact that the Independent constitution.” Parliamentary Standards Authority has made people I will be interested to hear Members’ comments, to commute makes it difficult for Members to be here late. which I shall respond. However, that is sufficient at this However, we should not be running the House for the stage to introduce the motions. benefit of IPSA, but for that of democracy. It is not the House that should change its hours, but IPSA that 10.20 pm should change its rules. Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): It is the This is not a minor matter: we are talking about a dawn of a new age and I congratulate the Deputy Committee to scrutinise our constitution. I believe that Leader of the House on introducing the debate so ably. such a Committee is thoroughly right. The Deputy When he was on the other side of the Chamber, he was Prime Minister helpfully said that he is proposing the keen on scrutinising the House’s actions. The House is biggest reform of our constitution since the Great Reform not packed by chance tonight with Members wanting to Act of 1832, so we certainly need to ensure that we set see how the business progresses. I am sure that that will up the proposed Committee correctly. On 2 June, the happen on many future occasions. It is a great achievement Prime Minister announced in a statement that by the new Government. “the Deputy Prime Minister has been given special responsibility For new Members, let me explain that, in the past, the for political and constitutional reform”.—[Official Report,2June Government would try to get something through on the 2010; Vol. 510, c. 22WS.] nod, at the end of a sitting. If no one objected, it would That includes major items and reforms such as fixed-term become law. That will not happen under the coalition. Parliaments, holding a referendum on the alternative The Government will table the issues for debate. [Laughter.] vote system, the , all-postal primaries Hon. Members laugh, but let us consider what the and, significantly, a mostly elected second Chamber, so Leader of the House said last Thursday. we need to get the scrutinising Committee right. 139 Political and Constitutional Reform 7 JUNE 2010 Political and Constitutional Reform 140 Committee Committee [Mr Peter Bone] No. 122B, under which 14 days’ notice is required for nominations to be given for Select Committee Chairmen, My hon. Friend the Deputy Leader of the House once the Committee has been set up. It is instead anticipated what I was going to say on that. In the proposed that we set up the Committee tonight, that the previous Parliament, I sat on the Joint Committee on nominations close tomorrow and that the election takes Statutory Instruments and the Select Committee on place the following day. Statutory Instruments. The former dealt with matters I have certain concerns about elections suddenly being that affected both Houses, but the latter dealt only with announced, nominations being opened and elections matters affecting this House. If, as we have been told, being held the following day. Unless there is a really the Deputy Prime Minister is to introduce reforms to good reason for that to happen, it should not. In this the House of Lords, surely the scrutinising Committee particular case, there is a problem, because if Labour should be a Joint Committee. The Deputy Leader of Members have nominated themselves to be Chairmen the House alluded to that in his opening remarks, but of an existing Select Committee, they are ruled out of will he address that specifically in his winding-up speech? putting themselves forward to be Chairman of the Select Committees cost about £500,000 a year to run, proposed Committee, which they did not know would so if we are going to set up a Committee, we must be be established when they put their names forward. sure that another Committee cannot do that work. I do Again, I would like to hear the views of the Government not argue, as I used to hear when I sat on the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the House on that. Benches, that we will not do this or that because it will With that, I finish, having raised the issues that I cost too much money—democracy cannot cost too wanted to raise in the debate. If we can have debates like much—but we must have an answer on that from the this in future—with a packed House in which Members Deputy Leader of the House. Could the powers of can raise issues about House business, rather than one scrutiny have been undertaken by the Select Committee in which things go through on the nod—we will be on Justice? We are trying to cut the cost of government, putting Parliament first. That would be a change in our so could that existing Committee have reviewed the democracy; this coalition has got off to a very good start. activities of the Deputy Prime Minister, at no extra cost? Given that there will be overlap between the Justice Committee, the Select Committee on Public Administration 10.32 pm and the proposed Committee—if it is established—how Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): I welcome the do the Government see those conflicting interests working? formation of this Political and Constitutional Reform We could have the absurd situation in which three Select Committee. I rise to speak because, in common with Committees look at the same item and produce three other Members, I was disconcerted by the Deputy reports. What does the Deputy Leader of the House Prime Minister’s speech today, in which he announced have in mind and how will that tension be resolved? the formation of another constitutional Committee, On a more minor matter, paragraph (4) of the proposed which is not being created as a Committee of this Standing Order states: House and is not going through this careful and laborious “Unless the House otherwise orders, each Member nominated process. When the Deputy Prime Minister announced to the committee shall continue to be a member of it for the the membership thereof, he excluded all the Members remainder of the Parliament.” of the smaller Opposition parties. I thought that that That is fine in itself, but it suggests that the Whips will was, frankly, a disgrace. That initiative to prepare legislation nominate the members of the Committee, whereas other for reform of the second Chamber was really disappointing. Select Committees will be elected by party groups. I do The present proposal, which provides an opportunity not know whether that is just a matter of wording, but for the House properly to scrutinise the other constitutional will the Deputy Leader of the House clarify that matter? reforms offered by the current Government, risks, I On the election of the proposed Committee’s Chairman, think, a combination of cynicism from the Conservatives motion 4 states that he must be a Labour Member, but and over-optimism from the Liberal Democrats who that is wrong, because it should state that a member of have coalesced with them. It is important that constitutional Her Majesty’s official Opposition will chair the Committee. change wins the trust not just of the whole House, but During this fixed-term Parliament, there could be a of the citizens whom we have the privilege to represent. vote of no confidence in the coalition—of course, that It is very important that this Committee gets the same is extremely unlikely—and a change of government, but level of respect and power as all the other Select Committees the Chairman of the Committee would still be a Labour of the House so that it can look at House of Lords Member. That is not the case, of course, with the Public reform as much as at the other issues with which it is Accounts Committee, which has to be chaired by a concerned. I hope to hear from the Deputy Leader of member of Her Majesty’s official Opposition. I wonder the House that that will be case and that the bounced- whether we could look at this further, because I do not forward Committee that was announced earlier today think it was the Government’s intention to bring that will not in any way take powers away from the Select situation into being. A committee looking at constitutional Committee that we are debating tonight. reform should surely be chaired by someone who is not part of the governing party. 10.35 pm Finally—[Interruption.] Finally, in concluding my opening remarks, I would like to deal with Standing Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): I do not think that Orders, which exist to protect this House and the power there is a time in recent history when there was a greater of the Back Benchers. We should always change Standing need for a Committee of the kind that we are discussing Orders with great reluctance and with a lot of thought. this evening. I also believe that the issues that we are This motion changes paragraph (7) of Standing Order concerned with in 2010 largely turn on the question of 141 Political and Constitutional Reform 7 JUNE 2010 Political and Constitutional Reform 142 Committee Committee who governs Britain and how. Those are matters that economy of this country and its stabilisation, not to the Committee should and must look at very carefully mention the City of London, regulation and many indeed. other things. One point that I would like to put to the Leader of Then there is the whole question of human rights. the House—or the Deputy Leader of the House, if he is That is another matter that might overlap to some replying to the debate—is this: are we sure that there extent with another Select Committee, but it is a matter will be an opportunity for the momentous issues put of enormous importance, because it affects the entire forward in the coalition agreement to be considered by social fabric of the nation. The Lord Chief Justice the Committee before the decisions are taken and put himself has recently remarked that we must beware of through? I am thinking, for example, of the question of the manner in which the common law is being superseded the alternative vote and the referendum on it. by the decisions and precedents being taken by our judiciary at the expense of the common law. He mentioned I am also thinking of whether other referendums—of in particular the Strasbourg convention—let alone the the kind that relate to the European Union—would be Human Rights Act itself. In a recent and very important considered by the Committee and given full weight, in speech, Lord Hoffmann, a former Law Lord, pointed the light of the fact that, for so much of the legislation out that the Strasbourg Court aggrandises itself, and that goes through this House, it is in fact incumbent on believes that it is no more than a federal system. us to pass it, because of section 2 of European Communities Act 1972. That raises the question of sovereignty, which In a speech the other day, the Deputy Prime Minister is another matter that has to be considered in the described the Reform Act of 1832 as the basis for the Committee before decisions are taken, because the fact reforms now being proposed. There have been several is that the sovereignty of this House is not just the Reform Acts, but the 1832 Act, in itself, was far less sovereignty of this House; it is the sovereignty of the important than the Reform Act of 1867 and the Acts people who elect us to this House. This is their Parliament, that followed from it, for the simple reason that the not ours. For that reason, sovereignty is another matter Reform Act of 1867 resulted from a massive campaign that needs to be given the most careful consideration. by the people of this country, in the wake of the repeal of the , to ensure that there was a proper and Then there is the issue of fixed-term Parliaments, democratic system whereby the people’s own views would which my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough be expressed in general elections on a scale commensurate (Mr Bone) mentioned, and the 55% rule that is being with the requirements of the time. brought forward. Is that not something that the Committee I must point out, with respect to the Deputy Prime should look at? If we are serious about the importance Minister, that the 1832 Act was necessary to get rid of of a Select Committee to look into such matters, with corrupt rotten boroughs, although it did not prevent powers, as the motion says, rotten boroughs from persisting. The borough of Stafford, “to send for persons, papers and records…to adjourn…and to which I had the honour to represent for about 14 years, report from time to time; and…to appoint specialist advisers,” was up for the chop in 1835. The Bill to disfranchise the is it not incumbent on us in passing it to be aware that it electors of Stafford was passed in the House of Commons, is essential that such matters should be considered by and they were only saved by the intervention of a the Committee before decisions are taken? Otherwise general election. the motion might turn out to be no more than an empty This is an issue of the greatest importance. Parliamentary piece of paper. reform—radical parliamentary reform—is fundamental Then there is the further issue, which my hon. Friend to the future of this Parliament and of this nation. I also mentioned, of the West Lothian question, along believe that the Committee can do the job, but it will with the whole question of devolution—I look across not be able to do the job that is being prescribed for it if the Chamber to the Members from the Democratic decisions have already been made, under the coalition Unionist party and other minority parties. These are Government and agreement or otherwise, which pre-empt huge issues; they are not just minor matters, to be its ability to make recommendations about the seminal rammed through at a moment’s notice. They need careful reforms that are needed to return true democracy to and proper consideration, and the Committee would be this country. able to give them just that. 10.42 pm I should also mention the fact that the coalition agreement contains proposals on the sovereignty issue, Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): I should which has now been taken out of our manifesto like the Leader of the House to clarify a point. This has commitments, much to my regret, and put into what I been a learning curve for everyone. We are now to have hope will not be the long grass, so that there can be a two Committees on constitutional reform, the one proposed proper consideration of the necessity of having a sovereignty by the Leader of the House and the one mentioned by Act—a gold-standard sovereignty Act, if I may say so, the Deputy Prime Minister earlier today. The Deputy along the lines of that which I have proposed, which has Prime Minister did not seem sure of his position; he did been approved by eminent constitutional authorities. not want to take interventions or to answer questions. The reason for that necessity is that there are occasions I want clarity on this issue. If we are to have major already when measures go through—at least three such reforms—radical and far-reaching reforms—surely the measures have gone through the European system—without best possible debate should take place in the House proper consideration by the European Scrutiny Committee, among Members who are representative of the whole of and they are matters that would normally be subject to the United Kingdom. Is it the case that minority parties scrutiny reserve. The Leader of the House has kindly representing people in Scotland, England, Wales and replied to me this evening regarding my concern on Northern Ireland will not be represented in either of the those points. They are huge matters affecting the entire Committees that have been mentioned in the House 143 Political and Constitutional Reform 7 JUNE 2010 Political and Constitutional Reform 144 Committee Committee [Dr William McCrea] It is a pity that this motion was put on Thursday’s Order Paper without any prior notice. We were invited today? Is that what the Deputy Prime Minister was to let it go through on the nod on Thursday evening, saying? Surely it will not be reaffirmed in the House but my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough tonight, for that would be absolutely disgraceful. (Mr Bone) said that that should not happen so he objected to it. We have now rightly got a debate about 10.44 pm it, and I hope that, in the spirit of the new politics, we will have some proper answers, including to the question Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): This is that if this was such a good idea, why was it not thought a very welcome debate, which was promised by my right of initially when we were setting up all the original hon. Friend the Leader of the House when I raised the Select Committees? Why, in other words, does it appear issue on Thursday. It seemed from informal conversations to be rather an afterthought? that I held with him afterwards that the debate would take place in prime time on Tuesday week. It has been brought forward, but that does not mean that people Mr Speaker: With the leave of the House, I invite the should feel they have been detained here and must stay Deputy Leader of the House to reply. here. Let me say, at the risk of inviting a mass exodus, that neither I nor, I am sure, any of my hon. Friends 10.49 pm intend to call a Division this evening; therefore there Mr Heath: First, may I say how gratifying it is that we will not be a vote, and therefore there is no need for so often seem to have a full House late in the evenings? anyone to stay here unless they wish to listen to the That is, perhaps, a sign of the new Parliament’s arguments. commitment. I also must say that I am basking in the In brief, my argument is that when my right hon. approbation of the hon. Members for Wellingborough Friend the Leader of the House introduced this motion (Mr Bone) and for Christchurch (Mr Chope). That is an without notice last Thursday, he said it could have gone unlikely position for a Deputy Leader of the House to through on the nod then but that he would be pleased find himself or herself in. The hon. Member for for questions on it to be put to him, and I would like to Christchurch regretted slightly that this debate was not put some of them to him now. in prime time, but what could be primer time than First, how will this proposed Political and Constitutional 10.49 pm for this House? It is the perfect opportunity to Reform Committee interact with the other Select debate this matter. Committees proposed for the new House, for whose Let me try to respond to the questions that have been Chairmen we will be voting on Wednesday? On the face put. One of the key issues for the hon. Members for of it, this does not seem to be a departmental Select Wellingborough and for Christchurch was how this Committee. If it were a departmental Select Committee, Committee relates to other Select Committees of the it would be the Select Committee on the Office of the House, and whether there is any overlap or crossover. Deputy Prime Minister and would deal with all the Let us first be clear that it could not have been set up activities and responsibilities of that Department, including, last week, because before last Wednesday there had not most importantly, that Department’s budget, but it been the written ministerial statement setting out the appears instead to be a cross-cutting Committee on new ministerial responsibilities and machinery of political and constitutional reform. Therefore, I hope government changes that mean that the Deputy Prime that this question can be responded to in answering this Minister has areas of responsibility not covered by debate: if the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is other Ministers of the Crown. Until that had happened, not going to be scrutinised by this Select Committee, by we were therefore unable to put the matter before the which Select Committee will its responsibilities that fall House in terms of Select Committees. That is an important outside political and constitutional reform be monitored point to make. and held to account? The second point is that as soon as that had happened, Following on from that point is this question: if this those areas of responsibility ceased to be the responsibility is a Political and Constitutional Reform Committee of, for instance, the Ministry of Justice, so they were with a remit to consider political and constitutional then outwith the responsibility of the Select Committee reform, does that mean that all other Select Committees on Justice. Therefore, if this House is properly to scrutinise of this House are precluded from looking at issues of those areas, it is absolutely essential that a Select Committee political and constitutional reform when they think be formed for that purpose. those issues are material to the matters falling within I turn to the third element. Several references were their particular remits? If the purpose of tonight’s made, particularly by the hon. Member for Christchurch, motion is effectively to exclude all other Committees of to the “Office of the Deputy Prime Minister”. Let us be the House from considering political and constitutional absolutely clear: my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime reform, the implications of that should be clearly spelled Minister has an office, but it is within the Cabinet out. Office. It is clear that this Select Committee is being set Finally, how will this new Committee interact specifically up to look at the specific political responsibilities of the with the Justice Committee and the Public Administration Deputy Prime Minister, not the rest of the Cabinet Committee? Prima facie, the Public Administration Office responsibilities, which remain the province of the Committee has a remit that would cover a lot of the Public Administration Committee. I hope that once this day-to-day responsibilities of the Cabinet Office. Will Committee is set up and begins its work—provided that they still be within its remit, or will they instead be the House agrees to it—the Chairs of it, the Justice within the remit of this new Committee? If it will not be Committee and the Public Administration Committee the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Select Committee, will have an early opportunity to ensure that they are why are we not spelling that out in terms? clear about their separate roles and that there is no work 145 Political and Constitutional Reform 7 JUNE 2010 Political and Constitutional Reform 146 Committee Committee overlap, that they seek the advice of the Liaison Committee Mr Cash: The Deputy Leader of the House has if there is any difficulty, and that we have a clear addressed a number of points, but not some of the ones differentiation. that I raised. Would he be kind enough to consider my point regarding whether this Committee might, to put it Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) (SNP): That would in ordinary parlance, be bounced by the fact that decisions appear to make sense at face value, but if we have have been taken under the coalition agreement, or by enhanced Calman proposals on initial devolution to other means, to put through proposals such as the Scotland and the proposed referendum on parliamentary alternative vote and other matters of the kind that I powers in Wales, would they be scrutinised by this mentioned, before the Committee has had a chance to Select Committee, with the Deputy Prime Minister’s consider the issues? In particular, will he state now that powers over the constitution, or by the Select Committees the proposals under the coalition agreement to implement on Scottish and Welsh Affairs? the Wright Committee’s recommendations in full mean just that, and that the wording of the Standing Order Mr Heath: The position would be no different from that will be introduced shortly will be exactly the same that which obtains now in respect of the responsibilities as that of the one proposed earlier this year? of the Justice Committee—at least until the changes in Mr Heath: The hon. Gentleman wished me to answer the machinery of government—where there was that his points before I had dealt with those of other hon. overlap and it was quite proper for the Justice Committee Members, and I am sorry that he had to be a little to look at devolution issues. Indeed, having served as a patient in that respect. He said that decisions have been member of the Justice Committee, I know that we did taken, but Parliament takes decisions on legislation. look at devolution matters, but I do not think that at Perhaps the key difference between this Administration any stage we trod on the toes of the Scottish or Welsh and the previous one is that we want Parliament to take Affairs Committees in the process. It is quite possible to these decisions. It is for the Government to propose and have proper co-ordination that prevents that from for this House to dispose of those propositions. Therefore, happening. it is not wrong in any way for the Government to be Mention was made of Lords reform. Obviously, this committed to a programme of government that is placed is a key area of the Deputy Prime Minister’s responsibilities, before this House for consideration. Both my right hon. so of course, the Committee will have the capacity to Friend the Leader of the House and I are absolutely look at it if it chooses. I am not going to pre-empt the committed to ensuring that this House has the proper work programme that the Committee will agree. It opportunities to have its say. That is the difference would be a huge abuse for a Minister to set out what a between how we do business and how the previous Select Committee should choose to do, but I would Government did it. I am unable to deal with the hon. expect it to be an early priority for the Committee to Gentleman’s point about the Wright Committee, because look at the emerging picture of constitutional reform, that would be completely outside the terms of this which would include Lords reform. motion. However, he will find that his questions on In answer to the hon. Member for South Antrim implementing the Wright Committee recommendations (Dr McCrea), there is also a clear commitment in the will be answered in the very near future. setting up of the proposals for Lords reform that, first, Let me deal briefly with the other points raised, one there would be pre-legislative scrutiny of the proposals of which related to costs. We know that it costs money that emerge, which would involve any Member of this to have Select Committees, but it is equally important House who chose to take an interest. As a constitutional that this House has the opportunity to scrutinise the Bill, when any legislation is introduced—indeed this decisions of every Minister of this House. Thus, this is a applies even to the preliminary motions before the cost that we have to bear, but I must say to the hon. House—it would be taken on the Floor of the House Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone) that we have and involve every Member of the House. Therefore, I abolished a whole tier of Select Committees in the form do not think that he needs to be concerned. of the Regional Select Committees, which were an I listened to what the hon. Member for Slough (Fiona unnecessary and expensive farce. We have got rid of Mactaggart) had to say about how disappointed she them, so we have a little money in the bank, as it were, was about today’s announcement of the Government in terms of the cost of scrutiny. Committee—it will not be a Select Committee of the I was asked whether the membership of this Committee House, and that is an important distinction—to consider would be appointed. No, it will be elected, like that of and introduce proposals for Lords reform. If she was every other Select Committee; this is a perfectly normal disappointed at that announcement, she must have been Select Committee of the House. devastated when her own Justice Secretary—her own Lord Chancellor—did exactly the same thing in the Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central) (Lab): The previous Parliament. I served on that Government Deputy Leader of the House is totally wrong to say that Committee, which did not contain any Members from the abolition of Regional Select Committees will save minority parties; only the three main parties were any money that could be put to this new Committee. represented. She must have been devastated to have That is not true because the Regional Select Committees heard of that arrangement then, so our doing the same were served by staff who already worked on the Select thing has simply added, like Pelion on Ossa, to her Committees that were previously in place. I have inquired discomfiture. That is not a concern that we need to about this and he is wrong to say that there is any saving dwell on, because it is clear that this Government from the abolition of Regional Select Committees. programme of consideration of Lords reform will result in proposals that will receive more than adequate scrutiny Mr Heath: It is an intriguing argument that however in this House. many Select Committees there were operated and could 147 Political and Constitutional Reform 7 JUNE 2010 Political and Constitutional Reform 148 Committee Committee [Mr Heath] to use the good offices of the Liaison Committee when it is set up and to make sure that there is not duplication travel around the country at no cost to the House at all. of effort. On that basis, I hope that I have responded to That is an interesting argument, but not one for today, the debate and that the House will accept the motions perhaps. before us so that we can get the system up and running I was asked why the chairmanship of this Committee as quickly as possible and extend the scrutiny of the House is to be Labour, and it was suggested that perhaps the to the full range of members of the ministerial team. wording should be “the official Opposition”. This was a Question put and agreed to. decision of the House, and it decided that the Speaker Ordered, should allocate the Chairs of the various Select Committees That the following new Standing Order be made, until the end according to the proportion of Members in the House of the current Parliament:– elected from each party. It was the Speaker’s decision— (1) There shall be a select committee, called the Political and based, I am sure, on excellent mathematical principles—that Constitutional Reform Committee, to consider political and this chairmanship should be allocated to the Labour constitutional reform. party. Unless the House decides otherwise, it is not the (2) The committee shall consist of eleven members. Government’s position that the decision that the House (3) The committee shall have power– has already taken should be changed. (a) to send for persons, papers and records, to sit On the time interval for nominations, that is for the notwithstanding any adjournment of the House, to adjourn from place to place, and to report from time convenience of the House. If the House does not like it, to time; and it is at liberty to say that it wants the full period for (b) to appoint specialist advisers to supply information nominations, but I think that most want the Select which is not readily available or to elucidate matters Committees up and running at the earliest opportunity. of complexity within the committee’s order of They want to make sure that people have the opportunity reference. to vote for the Chairs of all the Select Committees at (4) Unless the House otherwise orders, each Member nominated the same time. They want to make sure that the best to the committee shall continue to be a member of it for the people, and not people who have been rejected for other remainder of the Parliament. chairmanships, put themselves forward for the Chairs (5) The committee shall have power to appoint a sub-committee, in which they are most interested. I think that is the which shall have power to send for persons, papers and records, to right way of doing things, but it is for the House to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House, to adjourn decide. from place to place, and to report to the committee from time to time. I think I have dealt with all the points that have been (6) The committee shall have power to report from time to time raised. the evidence taken before the sub-committee.

Mr Chope: Will the Deputy Leader of the House SELECT COMMITTEES (ELECTION AND give way? ALLOCATION OF CHAIRS) Mr Heath: Yes, but this is the very last effort from the Ordered, hon. Gentleman. (1) That Standing Order No. 122B (Election of select committee chairs) be amended by inserting, after line 6: Mr Chope: I am most grateful to the hon. Gentleman ‘(aa) the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee;’ for giving way and for the way in which he has responded (2) That the Order of 26 May relating to Select Committees to the debate. One point that I raised that he has not (Allocation of Chairs) be amended by inserting at the appropriate addressed yet is whether this Select Committee will have place in the Table: exclusive control over the consideration of political and ‘Political and Constitutional Labour’; and constitutional reform, or whether other Select Committees Reform that wish to consider aspects of political and constitutional (3) That, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (7) of reform that fall within their ambit will be free so to do. Standing Order No. 122B, the ballot for the election of the chair of the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee shall take Mr Heath: The hon. Gentleman is right that I did not place on Wednesday 9 June.—(Mr Francois.) answer that point other than tangentially in relation to the question about Wales and Scotland that was raised PAY FOR CHAIRS OF SELECT COMMITTEES by the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Stewart Hosie). Resolved, Every Select Committee has the right to consider matters That this House expresses the opinion that the Resolution of that fall within the ambit of the Department or ministerial the House of 30 October 2003, relating to Pay for Chairs of Select Committees (No. 2), should be further amended by inserting after team that it scrutinises, and nothing will change on that. “the Committee on Members’ Allowances”, “the Political and This Committee is exactly the same as every other Constitutional Reform Committee”.—(Mr Francois.) Select Committee of the House. I expect Committees to be sensible about this and not to duplicate each other’s PAY FOR CHAIRS OF SELECT COMMITTEES activities, but there are no artificial barriers and no one (NO. 2) is going to say to a Committee that has an issue Queen’s recommendation signified. or a constitutional bearing within its departmental Resolved, responsibilities, “You are not allowed to scrutinise that That the Resolution of the House of 30 October 2003, relating because we now have this new Select Committee to do to Pay for Chairs of Select Committees (No. 2), be further the job.” That is not the way that I would expect Select amended by inserting after “the Committee on Members’Allowances”, Committees to work. I would expect the Chairs of “the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee”.— Committees to discuss these matters with one another, (Mr Francois.) 149 7 JUNE 2010 Rape Defendants (Anonymity) 150

Rape Defendants (Anonymity) that they understand that they are not alone—that it is not their fault and they can do something about it. Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Newmark.) Let us consider the case of the black-cab driver, John Worboys. When he was arrested for a string of sex 11.5 pm attacks in 2008, 85 women came forward to say that they, too, had been attacked by him. Offering attackers Caroline Flint (Don Valley) (Lab): I am grateful for the blanket of anonymity will prevent victims from the opportunity this evening to question the Government’s getting the justice they deserve and hinder the police in proposals to give anonymity to defendants in rape protecting the public. trials. However, the real question is this: on what basis do I welcome the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, we distinguish rape defendants from those accused of the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr Blunt) to his new any other serious, violent or sexual offence? What singling position. He is a reasonable man and I know he realises out rape defendants says is that rape victims are less that this issue has caused much concern to many Members. reliable, less credible and less trustworthy—that they I am grateful to my hon. Friends who have stayed in the are to be believed less—than the victims of any other Chamber this evening and I am also grateful to Members crime. It reinforces the myth that women who report on the Government Benches. I hope the hon. Gentleman rape are lying, and gives succour to those who peddle will hear the points that are made tonight. the same old lies about women being responsible for Rape devastates women’s lives. Every 34 minutes a being raped. rape is reported to the police in the UK. Many more Let me be clear that no one doubts the damage that go unreported. The Fawcett Society suggests that false allegations cause—innocent men find their lives 47,000 women are raped every year. Much has been turned upside down, police time is wasted and public done in the past decade. More rapes and sexual assaults money is misused, and they insult genuine victims, are reported to the police, although the conviction rate belittle their suffering and make juries more sceptical is still too low. More rapists are brought to justice, and than they would otherwise be—but in the most recent across the criminal justice system rape victims can and authoritative report, Baroness Stern could find no expect to find greater compassion, respect and sensitivity. evidence that the incidence of false allegations was That is welcome progress, and I pay tribute in particular higher in rape cases than in any other crime. A report by to Vera Baird, not just for her work as Solicitor-General, the Home Office in 2005 came to the same conclusion. but also for the campaigns she led for victims of rape International research in 2007 showed that, even of the and sexual abuse long before she was a Minister or an very small number of false allegations, in most cases no MP, and for her advice to me in preparing for this offender was named—malice was not the motive; it was debate. a cry for help from a distressed woman. Moreover, the Let us be in no doubt, though, that justice still eludes law already deals with those who make malicious complaints too many rape victims in too many parts of the country. against others, because making a false allegation perverts Only one in 20 rapes reported to the police results in a the course of justice and those who do it can, and do, conviction. On whatever measure we choose to use, receive substantial prison sentences. most rapists are never held to account for their actions Rape is, by its nature, an extremely difficult crime to and most victims never see their attacker brought to prove. Most victims are raped by people whom they justice. So what does the coalition plan to do about it? know. It takes people a tremendous amount of courage— In its programme for government, the coalition set more courage than anyone who has never been raped out its solution in just one short sentence proposing can ever understand—to tell someone, anyone, let alone anonymity for defendants in rape trials. Those proposals, the police, that they have been raped. if implemented, would deter victims from coming forward and make it far more difficult for the police to charge Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab/Co- offenders and convict rapists. We know that many rapists op): Does my right hon. Friend agree that there are are serial offenders; their trail of victims often runs into particular issues in relation to young people who have double digits. Many women—for a variety of reasons—do been in the care system in cases of historical abuse and not come forward straight away. They are afraid; they that the Government’s proposal would have a very want to pretend it never happened. They are embarrassed; negative effect on the opportunity for young people to they feel as though they did something wrong. They are come forward, perhaps at a later date? ashamed; they believe that what happened was their fault. They feel alone. Caroline Flint: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. I commend her for all the work in this area that she has Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab/Co-op): Does my done in Scotland. I very much welcomed the time when, right hon. Friend agree that one of the reasons why as a Home Office Minister, I worked with her. She is young women who may be in a dependent relationship right: more and more these days, we hear of people with someone when they are raped do not come forward coming forward later, when they have developed the is that they feel that in some way it was their fault? Only confidence to do so and to talk to others about the subsequently, perhaps when they hear that the person crimes that have been committed against them. Again, has done the same thing elsewhere, do they gain the the serial nature of the crime that we are talking about courage to speak up? is important, because when a crime is reported and people hear the name of the person who has been Caroline Flint: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It charged, they feel confident to come forward and stand is often only publicity about a rape charge that leads by the victims in the modern day, rather than just in other victims to come forward. It is only at that point the past. 151 Rape Defendants (Anonymity)7 JUNE 2010 Rape Defendants (Anonymity) 152

[Caroline Flint] and that we can have a change of policy. Without making a great party claim of victory, the coalition Government If we understand what the evidence actually shows—that have got it wrong, and they should be man and woman women are no more likely falsely to report allegations enough to accept that tonight. of rape than any other crime—what possible justification is there for giving those accused of rape anonymity? Caroline Flint: I thank my right hon. Friend for that The only other possible explanation is that the stigma intervention. I hope that we can end this proposal associated with being accused of rape is of an entirely tonight, because the real issue—the real injustice—is different order to that associated with any other serious, not the rights of defendants, but the plight of tens of violent or sexual offence, but unless we seriously think thousands of women who are raped but never see their that there is less stigma attached to being a paedophile, attacker brought to justice. Our priority must be delivering wife beater or murderer than to a rapist, or that society justice for victims of rape and protecting the public is more understanding of those who sexually abuse from dangerous offenders. children or kill in cold blood, we cannot have anonymity The last time a Government made proposals to grant in rape cases without granting anonymity across the those accused of rape anonymity was 1975. Despite board. That principle is totally alien to our system of making much of their parties’ modern, progressive open, transparent justice, where anonymity is granted credentials during the 2010 election campaign, the coalition only when there are overwhelming, compelling reasons Government’s proposals would take us back to a time to do so. when there was a residual doubt about rape victims I understand that the coalition may be shifting on built into the criminal justice system, which denied this matter—I would welcome that—and that it is perhaps thousands of victims justice. considering limiting anonymity to defendants between When victims of rape are afraid—afraid of what has arrest and charge. That may be worth looking at, but happened, afraid to come forward, afraid that no one only if the same rule is applied to defendants in all will believe them—we must show them that we will violent crimes, not just rape. believe them. When rapists believe that they can attack with impunity, and go on and on wrecking women’s Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): Is it not true that it lives and never face the consequences of their actions, is very often between arrest and charge, when people we must show them that we will bring them to justice. hear that someone has been arrested for something, that other people come forward with similar patterns to When proposals such as this are made—dangerous create the weight of evidence that enables the prosecuting proposals, I am afraid to say, that insult victims of rape authorities successfully to proceed with the charge. and inhibit the ability of the police to catch dangerous criminals—in this House we must show, through the Caroline Flint: Again, my hon. Friend makes a very strength of our case and the passion of our arguments, good point. Where do we draw the line in establishing that we will speak up for those without a voice. someone’s identity—whether on arrest or charge—and then allowing other victims the time to present their 11.17 pm experiences? We are meddling in something that should not be meddled in. Plenty of other parts of the justice The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice system need to be attended to, and this is not one of (Mr Crispin Blunt): I am grateful to the right hon. them. Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) for welcoming me to my new responsibilities and for her kind remarks Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): I share my about my reasonableness. I sincerely hope that she still right hon. Friend’s relief that the Government seem to holds that view when I have concluded my reply to her be showing signs of back-pedalling or U-turning, or at debate. I congratulate her on raising the issue and on least having a serious rethink on the issue, but does she securing the time to discuss it. It is a matter of importance, share my concern that the proposal was not in either of as the exchanges at Prime Minister’s Question Time last the other two parties’ manifestos, yet it suddenly appeared week showed, and it merits very careful consideration if in the coalition agreement? Does she share my hope we are to be fair to all sides of the argument. that the Minister will explain why the proposal ended I would like to remind the House that, long before up in the coalition agreement and who was responsible acquiring my current responsibilities, I took an interest for pushing the idea forward? in these issues. In 1999, I introduced the Sexual Offences Caroline Flint: Yes, it was in neither the Conservative (Anonymity of Defendants) Bill to protect teachers nor the Liberal Democrat manifesto at the general from the consequences of accusations by children who election, although I would have thought that that was have anonymity and the subsequent reporting by a the platform from which to make such a proposal. I sometimes salacious media. My Bill was prompted by really think that it was nine short words that conveyed the suicide of a constituent, Nick Drewett, a popular this policy in that coalition agreement, and those nine and committed teacher who took his own life after short words developed a policy that has not been thought being accused of behaving improperly with pupils in his through, but is very dangerous. care. The accusations fell very far short of any suggestion of rape, but the combination of the way in which the Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab): I have been accusations were investigated by the police and their participating in these late-night Adjournment debates reporting led to his death. His headmaster, who was for 16 years and I have never seen so many Government charged with him but tried alone, was acquitted. Members paying such attention as they are paying to My experience means that I come to this subject with what my right hon. Friend is saying. I pray and hope a predisposition to protect victims, which can sometimes that what she is arguing tonight will be well received include those who are accused. We are in the business of 153 Rape Defendants (Anonymity)7 JUNE 2010 Rape Defendants (Anonymity) 154 reducing the number of future victims of crime, not should discuss things in a calm and reasonable manner, inadvertently creating more. particularly, I suggest to the House, a subject of this Rape is a very serious crime. The rights and welfare nature. of the victim are vital, and we are committed to ensuring that every victim of rape has access to appropriate Mr Blunt: I am grateful, Mr. Deputy Speaker. support. In particular, we are looking to establish new As the Deputy Prime Minister made clear this afternoon, rape crisis centres where there are gaps in provision and our policy on defendant anonymity in rape cases is to put funding for such centres on a stable and long-term sensitive and we will consider all the options carefully footing. There are 39 such centres and we are looking at before bringing proposals to Parliament. This evening’s the possibility of a further 15. debate and the comments of the right hon. Member for The Prime Minister has already made clear in the Don Valley have been an early opportunity to listen to House his view that the low conviction rate in this views, as promised by the Deputy Prime Minister this country is a scandal. It is not good enough and we need afternoon. to improve it. That means, as he has said, working with We will bring a policy to the House setting out our the police and also doing more to help rape victims, preferred option after we have considered each one with including backing rape crisis centres. Our overriding the care that this subject merits. In doing so, we will of aim must be to reduce the incidence of the offence, not course take into account potential implications for victims least by increasing the number of successful rape and for the conviction rate, as well as the reporting prosecutions. issues. There are sound reasons for our approach. Rape The very last thing we want is investigative failures. is such a serious and emotive crime that it attracts both We believe that they can be countered by more intelligence- a high degree of stigma for the defendant and a led policing. We will carefully consider how we can disproportionate degree of media interest. The combination support agencies’ joint working to share intelligence of those factors distinguishes rape from other crimes. and good practice, and to ensure that there is an effective The reality is that sex in all its guises continues to response to rape and victims of sexual violence. Introducing fascinate the media. Reducing the level of prurient anonymity would not prevent the identities of those interest can only be in the interests of victims. suspected and accused of rape from being shared among criminal justice practitioners. Hazel Blears (Salford and Eccles) (Lab): Will the Minister give way? As the Deputy Prime Minister made clear this afternoon, our policy on defendant anonymity in rape cases is Mr Blunt: Giving evidence as a complainant is both sensitive— difficult and stressful, and there are already policies in place to try to make this easier. Anything that can be (Hampstead and Kilburn) (Lab): done to reduce the pressure on witnesses in these Will the Minister give way? circumstances is surely something we should contemplate. Equally, defendants accused of rape and not convicted Mr Blunt: No, if the hon. Lady will forgive me. Let are entitled to some protection. Anybody accused of me get to the conclusion of my remarks. [Interruption.] rape is likely to be subject to minute scrutiny, often I am grateful for the hon. Lady’s sedentary comments. raising matters detrimental to the individual’s reputation It is the debate of the right hon. Member for Don that, in any other circumstances, would be regarded as Valley. I am certain that she and the House will want to trivial or irrelevant. hear my remarks— Caroline Flint: I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving way. Is he really, seriously suggesting that the stigma Mr MacShane: The Home Office wrote them. associated with being accused of rape is no less than that associated with being accused of child abuse, assault, Mr Blunt: Plainly, the remarks have been carefully murder or wife beating? Why does rape stand out? Is it prepared in conjunction with other Government really about the fact that you just believe—[HON.MEMBERS: Departments—[Interruption.]—but not entirely, I am “You?”] Sorry, is it really about the fact that the hon. delighted to say.I have already made clear—[Interruption.] Gentleman just believes that women who come forward The right hon. Gentleman is not behaving in a way that to accuse someone of rape must be putting forward does credit to the subject. It is not one that lends itself false allegations and are not to be believed, when the to barrack-room style interventions from a sedentary evidence shows that that occurs in a complete minority position. I would be grateful if right hon. and hon. of cases? Members on the Opposition Benches would do me the courtesy of listening carefully to these remarks. If they Mr Blunt: No, and no. I should be grateful if the right continue to intervene from a sedentary position— hon. Lady would, as we ought to in handling such cases, try to take the temperature out of the debate and turn Mr Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst): Order. I to evidence rather than supposition. Let me continue am sorry to interrupt the hon. Gentleman. There are with my remarks. certain right hon. and hon. Members who are not If the defendant is acquitted, quite apart from the serving the dignity of the House particularly well at the lingering suspicion of guilt that might remain, there present time. This is a deeply serious subject. It is the might be a range of adverse material about that individual subject of a half-hour Adjournment debate. I do not in the public domain which would otherwise have remained believe that this will be the last time that the subject is private and which cannot even be expunged by an likely to be discussed in the House. At all times we acquittal. Our approach to defendants who are accused 155 Rape Defendants (Anonymity)7 JUNE 2010 Rape Defendants (Anonymity) 156

[Mr Blunt] of convicted or charged rapists might fall into that category, there appeared to be insufficient data to form of rape but not convicted will be based on what is just. a reliable evidential picture. There are a number of possible options on the timing Furthermore, in trying to acquire accurate detail on and scope of anonymity. On timing, it could extend the number of times that convictions have been obtained from the point of the accusation until the time the because the identity of the defendant was known and defendant is charged; or to the beginning of the trial; or further complainants came forward who were crucial to to the point of conviction. securing a conviction, I have again been unable to get a Further options relate to the scope of the anonymity reliable picture or— in so far as the offences are concerned. It could cover anonymity in rape cases, but it could go wider. There Fiona Mactaggart: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? are reasons why it might also be applied to other offences. I remind the House that our coalition agreement Mr Blunt: Let me continue. also states that we will give anonymity to teachers I have again been unable to get a reliable picture or, accused by pupils and take other measures to protect indeed, any firm evidence at all in the time available. I against false accusations. The principle is linked to would welcome help from the right hon. Member for anonymity in rape cases, as the tragic case of Nick Don Valley, and those of her right hon. and hon. Drewett showed. It was the reputational damage that Friends who are supporting her this evening, in identifying caused him to take his own life, and, although we serious analysis that can help us to discuss these issues recognise the difficulties in any extension to particular on the basis of evidence rather than supposition. professions or classes of offence, anonymity for those in positions of trust could apply more widely than to The right hon. Lady referred this morning on the sexual offences. We have not yet discounted any options. radio, in her article in The Independent and again this evening to the Worboys case. The facts of that case are Whatever our conclusions, I can make it absolutely that it was the police who finally identified a mode of clear that we have no intention of extending similar behaviour from several different complainants, identifying protections to rape defendants once convicted. The 12 offences. It was that mode of behaviour which led to media will be able to report the cases of convicted the charging and subsequent conviction of John Worboys defendants in the usual way. A reason in principle for on 19 counts. The police were criticised for the length of bringing forward the proposals is to help to restore the time it took them to identify Worboys, but that name balance in rape cases with the anonymity given to would have meant no more to the complainants than it complainants. It has often been said that the justification did to the police. It was the manner of the offences that for complainant anonymity does not apply to defendants, led to his conviction. on the basis that the purpose of complainant anonymity is to encourage more complainants to come forward—a factor that does not apply to defendants. Fiona Mactaggart: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Mr MacShane: Go on, get someone else in that job. Mr Blunt: No. Shortly before John Worboys’ trial, the police appealed, Mr Deputy Speaker: Order. The right hon. Member with the assistance of the media, for further victims to for Rotherham (Mr MacShane) is behaving disgracefully come forward. The appeal identified 70 to 85 further and not assisting a debate of this kind. Now, he really complainants—to use the right hon. Lady’s numbers; it has enough experience of this House, as a Minister and is 81 according to the briefing that I have received—who as a Back Bencher, to realise that what he is doing is out recognised his modus operandi. However, none of those of tune with how we should conduct our business in this was central to his conviction as the police already had House. I hope that I will not hear from him again. sufficient evidence, and had he been granted anonymity until conviction, it would still have been possible to Mr Blunt: I am grateful, Mr Deputy Speaker. identify those further complainants, and he would still have been convicted. So to understand the issues as Complainant anonymity was introduced against a perfectly as possible, if the right hon. Lady, and all background of public concern about the lurid reporting those who have helped her to prepare, can identify cases of the cross-examination of complainants in rape trials. where anonymity until conviction would have prevented Of course, the protection from reporting provides the an initial conviction being secured, I would be anxious inducement to complainants to come forward. The to learn of them. underlying problem of exposure to publicity applies to defendants and complainants alike, and I want to make it clear that we have no plans to withdraw in any way the Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): rights of complainants to anonymity. Our proposals are Will the hon. Gentleman give way? based on sound precedents. Defendant anonymity was the norm in rape cases for many years, and, of course, Mr Blunt: No, if the hon. Gentleman will forgive me. defendant anonymity continues to be the rule in all If the right hon. Lady and others have further examples, criminal proceedings in the youth court. it will come down to a question of balance. That is why Let me address some of the points that the right hon. we have said that we intend to reflect on the provisions Lady made. She said this morning on the radio, in The carefully before we bring forward legislation. Independent and repeated this evening that we know Probably the most commonly encountered criticism from the evidence that many rapists are serial offenders. is that defendant anonymity inhibits the reporting of I feel this to be true, but when I asked for evidence of criminal trials, but one might say the same of any how many rapists were serial offenders, and what proportion anonymity for the parties to criminal proceedings, including 157 Rape Defendants (Anonymity)7 JUNE 2010 Rape Defendants (Anonymity) 158 complainant anonymity in rape cases and cases involving Fiona Mactaggart: Will the hon. Gentleman give way other sexual offences. The question is where the balance before he concludes? properly lies. We have no difficulty with full and robust reporting of defendants convicted of rape. That is entirely Mr Blunt: In conclusion, the Government want informed proper. But we believe that because the possibility of contributions on the basis of evidence which will help pre-emptive vilification of those accused of rape is so us to bring forward proposals that will command the great, the stronger arguments are in favour of anonymity. confidence of the House. The right hon. Lady has contributed to that process today; I rather regret that The related argument is sometimes made that defendants one or two of her right hon. and hon. Friends have not suspected of, or charged with, a wide range of offences conducted themselves in the manner that this subject may experience discomfort even if acquitted. For example, merits. [Interruption.] I am inviting the right hon. people working in the City—the right hon. Lady alluded Lady, and other right hon. and hon. Members, to to some of these points—and charged with fraud could contribute evidence properly and sensibly rather than also argue that they are likely to suffer fundamental simply proceed on the basis of supposition. [Interruption.] reputational damage. That is true, but it overlooks the The right hon. Lady has contributed to that process, particular vulnerability of rape defendants to vilification and I am grateful to her. The Government have the to which I have already referred. It is that vulnerability, interests both of victims and of unconvicted defendants and the unique statutory anonymity for complainants, fully at heart, and the Government will proceed upon that distinguishes rape from other crimes. the evidence. Some people argue that defendant anonymity in rape cases would imply that the Government, and perhaps Mr Deputy Speaker: The Question is that this House by extension the criminal justice system as a whole, felt do now adjourn—[Interruption.] Order. The House that complainants were unreliable and so deter complainants must not behave in this manner. This was a half-hour from coming forward. I absolutely and robustly reject Adjournment debate, which was perhaps too short a that argument, as did my right hon. Friend the Prime time to contain all the opinions that, understandably, Minister during Prime Minister’s questions last week. hon. Members have on this matter. It would be a pity, The justification for defendant anonymity in rape cases however, to ruin the reputation of the House by bawling is the stigma attached to an accusation of rape. It has from a sedentary position. nothing to do with the likelihood or otherwise of acquittal. Question put and agreed to. There is no implied view in our proposals of the prevalence or otherwise of false allegations in rape cases. 11.35 pm In conclusion— House adjourned.

1WS Written Ministerial Statements7 JUNE 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 2WS

The next item, though not formally on the Council Written Ministerial agenda, was a discussion over lunch and then a formal meeting between member states on the seat of the Statements BEREC (Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications) secretariat. BEREC was established under the telecoms package agreed in autumn 2009. Monday 7 June 2010 The meeting formally endorsed the Latvian offer (the only one on the table) to host the secretariat in Riga. Finally, the presidency introduced a number of items under “Any Other Business”. Commissioner Kroes gave BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS an update on the results of the consultation the Commission had initiated on universal service, which they will summarise Telecoms Council in a Communication after the autumn. She indicated there were divergent roles on the wisdom of introducing an obligation on the supply of broadband (though it The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, was clear majority of respondents were not in favour). Innovation and Skills (Mr Edward Vaizey): I am pleased The Commission was also asked to present their “Progress to be able to report back on the topics discussed and the Report on the Single European Electronic Communications views put forward at this Council under the auspices of Market 2009” and the “Europe’s Digital Competitiveness the Spanish presidency, which took place during the Report”. Commissioner Kroes emphasised how the former, morning (and lunch) on Monday 31 May in Brussels. I while noting the progress being made on broadband represented the United Kingdom. deployment in all member states, noted divergence of regulatory approaches (which she did not welcome) and The main (and sole discussion) point on the agenda the clear need for a rigorous and correct implementation was the Commission communication on the European of the telecoms package. On the latter, she welcomed digital agenda and Council conclusions on that, along the clear evidence base of the impact of ICT to the with the presidency paper on a European code of rights. wider economy and noted how here proposals under The presidency insisted on a single table round of the EDA included an annual benchmarking exercise of discussion on all three of these topics. This was initiated member states. The presidency also briefly informed by Commissioner Kroes who spoke about the importance Ministers of the outcome of the ministerial meeting of the EU digital agenda to the economic performance EU- America and Caribbean Countries: “Digital of the European Union both in terms of GDP growth Content for a Digital Society” in March 2010. and productivity. She recognised that the agenda was ambitious (a multitude of proposals and initiatives) but Just before the meeting concluded, Belgium, as the noted that the EU needed to be bold if we were to incoming presidency, confirmed their programme for match the US and other countries in our leverage of the next six months, which will include discussion on a ICT for economic benefit. She was particularly critical decision on a new spectrum programme, an agreement on broadband deployment and use across the community on the future mandate for ENISA (the European and urged member states to set more ambitious targets. Information Security Agency), Council conclusions on the EU broadband strategy and on the roaming report There was then a table round where nearly all member and a discussion on e-Government. states spoke. There was overwhelming endorsement for the European digital agenda with many Ministers concentrating on the importance of the digital single TREASURY market (for example, with respect to copyright) but also Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance on broadband deployment and usage. There were, though, in Tax Matters differing views on the importance of the code of rights. While the majority of us could see benefit in the codification of existing rights in such an instrument, there was The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David considerable opposition to an extension of rights in Gauke): The United Kingdom signed an amending such a code (something the Commission were protocol to the joint Council of Europe/OECD Convention contemplating). No one spoke in opposition to the on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters Council conclusions themselves, which were formally on 27 May 2010. The text of the convention and of the adopted. protocol is published on the websites of both organisations. In my intervention, I thanked Commissioner Kroes A copy of the amending protocol has also been placed for the ambitious scope of the European digital agenda, in the Libraries of both Houses. Draft legislation agreed with her on the importance of leveraging the incorporating the provisions of the protocol into domestic economic importance of ICT (especially in the current law will be laid before the House of Commons for economic circumstances) and agreed on the need for us approval in due course. all to work together in promoting the deployment and use of broadband on a competitive basis. I also noted ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE the importance to the UK of issues such as digital piracy and updating copyright legislation, where the EU Energy Council Commission should set out a clear roadmap. On the code of rights I noted the utility for both business and consumers in having a single point where existing rights The Minister of State, Department of Energy and were brought together but said the UK were not currently Climate Change (Charles Hendry): I represented the minded in adding new rights to such a code. UK at the Energy Council in Brussels on 31 May. 3WS Written Ministerial Statements7 JUNE 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 4WS

The first item on the agenda was a report by the implementing existing legislation, creating the markets presidency on the progress of negotiations with the and networks necessary for a low-carbon future, supporting European Parliament on the proposal for a regulation and developing new technologies, making progress on on security of gas supply. The presidency noted the energy efficiency and diversifying supply routes and likelihood of a first reading deal with the European sources. In his intervention, Commissioner Oettinger Parliament by the end of June and there was a short focused on implementation of the internal market package discussion. and the questions confronting the development of energy The Commission then reported on their dialogue infrastructure in the EU, as well as the need to maintain with member states on targets under the Europe 2020 a focus on research into new energy technologies despite growth strategy, in particular achieving the objective of the economic climate. He confirmed that the Commission moving towards an increase of 20% in energy efficiency would publish an “Energy Strategy for Europe 2011-2020” across the EU. The Commission stressed that, if the EU in time for the December Energy Council. The Commission was to meet the target, then a clear definition of the would also produce a roadmap to 2050 and a package task and who does what would be necessary. In discussion, of measures to promote infrastructure development. In a number of member states raised questions about the addition, there would be a focus on energy policy at the methodology of calculating targets and the importance European Council early in 2011. Belgium indicated that of national targets taking account of national circumstances. as the next presidency it would take forward work on The Commission will now launch a study on how best the strategy and Ministers agreed high-level Council to set targets to secure improvements in energy efficiency conclusions setting out high-level principles for the new and will look to member states to provide information energy strategy. on their national energy efficiency targets/programmes in due course. The presidency will report on discussions Finally, the Commission and presidency gave of the target to the General Affairs Council in preparation presentations on a number of international items, on for the June European Council. amending the regulation on the European energy The main debate at this Council focused on the EU’s programme for recovery to use non-allocated funds, future energy policy, with most member states intervening. and on the Commission response to the oil spill in the During the discussions, I noted the importance of Gulf of Mexico. 1P Petitions7 JUNE 2010 Petitions 2P

problems for Josie and for all residents by immediately Petitions implementing a programme of access and safety improvements for all these excellent local residents. Monday 7 June 2010 And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Bob Spink, Official Report, 6 May 2009; Vol. 492, c. 317.] OBSERVATIONS [P000362] Observations from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), currently Size Zero Models places landlords and those who manage rented premises, The Petition of the students of Coloma Convent High and commonhold associations, under a duty in certain School and the people of Croydon, circumstances to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people who are either tenants or occupiers of those Declares that size zero models set an unhealthy and rented premises, or the owners or occupiers of units in unrealistic example to young girls, and influence the commonhold premises. They are only required to make incidence of eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia. the adjustments where these are requested by the disabled The Petitioners therefore request that the House of person and the duty is limited to making reasonable Commons urges the Government to introduce industry adjustments to policies, practices or procedures, or the guidelines for the responsible employment of health provision of auxiliary aids or services. The DDA duties models and guidelines for the media to ensure the do not extend to requiring landlords and managers etc. responsible portrayal of women. to make physical adjustments to the let premises themselves. And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by However, provisions in housing legislation allow disabled Mr. Andrew Pelling, Official Report, 6 April 2010; Vol. 508, people to make alterations to the let premises, in certain c. 944.] circumstances. The DDA provides for a disabled person, to whom the provisions in the housing legislation do [P000817] not apply, to seek consent to make alterations to the Observations from the Secretary of State for Culture, premises that they rent and the landlord or manager Olympics, Media and Sport: cannot unreasonably refuse to give consent. The Government take seriously all matters of health and wellbeing, including the prevention of eating disorders, A Government review, completed in 2005, looked at and would like to see all those working in the fashion problems faced by disabled people in accessing communal industry taking a strong lead on the promotion of a areas of residential property (for example, a communal healthy body image, particularly to young people. lounge or garden, or entrance hall to a block of flats). The Government keep these matters under review The Review Group on Common Parts carried out a and this Department remains in regular touch with the thorough review of the issues and made a number of principal regulatory bodies in the media whose responsibility recommendations. In particular, the Group recommended it is to ensure that that matters of serious public concern that the Government should establish, through consultation, continue to be addressed by their codes. whether new legislation was required to solve the difficulties that people face when they need an adjustment made to the common parts of let residential premises, and that it WORK AND PENSIONS should seek views on the Group’s specific proposals for Wheelchair Access for Care Home Residents England and Wales. These proposals included, for example, a requirement that the landlord, where reasonable, should The Petition of Maureen Faith, residents of sheltered make an adjustment to physical features of the common accommodation at Kitkatts Road, Canvey Island, and parts of residential let premises to improve access for a others, disabled tenant, lessee or occupier when requested to do Declares that elderly residents in sheltered so by the tenant or lessee. Similar provisions were to be accommodation at Kitkatts Road, Canvey Island are in developed for commonhold premises. significant danger and unable to easily get around communal areas of their home due to the lack of In response to consultation, the Equality Act 2010, ramps, trip hazards and other minor changes to assist when it comes into force, will place a new duty on those their mobility around their home and make it easier and who are responsible for the common parts of premises. safer; notes that Josie Cooper at the home is wheelchair They will be required to make disability-related alterations bound and has not been out of her home for two years to the common parts of let residential premises or units due to access issues with the structure of her home and owned on a commonhold basis, where the alteration is particularly the lack of a ramp at her back door and the requested by, or on behalf of, a disabled tenant, occupier inability of her wheelchair to pass through her door or commonhold unit holder, and it is reasonable in all frame, which leaves her isolated and unable to enjoy her the circumstances of the case to make the alteration. garden or join in any of the community activities, However, the disabled person may be obliged to pay the denying her choice and quality of life although she costs of the alteration. remains extremely positive and caring towards others. It will fall to the relevant authority responsible for the The Petitioners therefore request that the House of provision of sheltered housing accommodation at Kitkatts Commons urges the Government to encourage the local Road, Canvey Island, to decide how best to implement Council and wheelchair service providers to resolve the access arrangements in respect of the residents there.

1W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 2W

Sir George Young: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answers to reply I gave him on 2 June 2010, Official Report, column 45W. There is no ministerial responsibility for the Questions Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Leader of the House who Monday 7 June 2010 provides the (a) external audit and (b) internal audit functions for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. [1186]

LEADER OF THE HOUSE Sir George Young: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Walsall North Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers (Mr Winnick) on 2 June 2010, Official Report, column 45W. There is no ministerial responsibility for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Helen Goodman: To ask the Leader of the House how many special advisers (a) he and (b) the Parliamentary Secretary (i) has appointed and (ii) Members: Allowances plans to appoint. [326] Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Leader of the Sir George Young: I refer the hon. Member to the House if he will bring forward proposals to end the answer given by the Prime Minister on 3 June 2010, payment of allowances to hon. Members who do not Official Report, column 99W. take their seats. [242]

European Union: Parliamentary Scrutiny Sir George Young: The payment of allowances to hon. Members is now a matter for the Independent Mr Cash: To ask the Leader of the House what recent Parliamentary Standards Authority. discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the compliance by Ministers with the terms of the Resolution hon. Member for Walsall North (Mr Winnick) on 2 June of the House of 17 November 1998 on the scrutiny of 2010, Official Report, column 45W.There is no ministerial European business, with particular reference to agreements responsibility for the Independent Parliamentary Standards given in (a) the Council of Ministers and (b) the Authority. European Council to any proposals which are still subject to scrutiny by the House under the terms of the Members: Security Resolution; and what steps he plans to take to ensure that the House is notified of the Government’s position on proposals still subject to scrutiny, with particular Bob Russell: To ask the Leader of the House if he reference to (i) the decision of the extraordinary meeting will bring forward proposals for funding from the of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) public purse for hon. and right hon. Members to of 9 May 2010 in respect of EU Document 9606/10, provide such security measures at their constituency proposed Council Regulation establishing a European offices of his and right hon. Members as police forces financial stabilisation mechanism, (ii) the decision at may advise; and if he will make a statement. [894] the ECOFIN meeting of 18 May 2010 in respect of EU Document 6795/3/10, proposed Directive on Alternative Sir George Young: The payment of allowances to Investment Fund Managers and (iii) the Commission hon. Members is now a matter for the Independent Communication of 26 May 2010, COM(2010) 254, on Parliamentary Standards Authority. bank resolution funds; and if he will make a statement. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the [904] hon. Member for Walsall North (Mr Winnick) on Wednesday 2 June 2010, Official Report, column 45W. Sir George Young: I have had no discussions about There is no ministerial responsibility for the Independent the specific documents to which the hon. Gentleman Parliamentary Standards Authority. refers. The Government are committed to complying with the terms of the House’s Scrutiny Reserve Resolution Bob Russell: To ask the Leader of the House if he and looks forward to working closely and constructively will discuss with the Independent Parliamentary with the European Scrutiny Committee when it is Standards Authority the provision of funding for established. security measures at constituency offices of hon. and right hon. Members; and if he will make a statement. Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority [895]

Mr Winnick: To ask the Leader of the House if he Sir George Young: The payment of allowances to will discuss with the Chair of the Independent hon. Members is now a matter for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) (a) the Parliamentary Standards Authority. further requirements for documentary evidence IPSA I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 2 June required from hon. Members in support of their claims 2010, Official Report, column 45W to the hon. Member and (b) the basis for the assumption by IPSA that the for Walsall North (Mr Winnick). There is no ministerial costs incurred in claims so submitted are being met by responsibility for the Independent Parliamentary Standards another until demonstrated otherwise. [621] Authority 3W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 4W

Parliamentary Questions David Mundell: The Scotland Office keep its staffing complement under constant review to ensure that the Mr Watson: To ask the Leader of the House if he most efficient use is made of public resources. It has will review his advice to Ministers on responses to made not made any recent decisions to reduce staff parliamentary questions to take into account the numbers. determination of the Information Commissioner on Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers the application of commercial confidentiality criteria to a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (reference FS 50688016); and if he will make Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for a statement. [649] Scotland how many special advisers (a) he, (b) the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and (c) the Sir George Young: Individual answers are a matter Advocate General (i) has appointed and (ii) plans to for the relevant Minister. Guidance issued on the Cabinet appoint. [328] Office website suggests that commercial confidentiality may be a reason for not providing information in response David Mundell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer to a written question. While requests under the Freedom given to her on 3 June 2010, Official Report, column 99W. of Information Act 2000 and written parliamentary Departmental Official Hospitality questions are different, we do however advise that Ministers should be as open as possible with Parliament and the public. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what budget his Department has allocated for The hon. Gentleman may wish to write to me with entertainment, including alcohol, in each of the next further information on the issue that he raises. three years. [1321]

David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not separately SCOTLAND record entertainment costs, including alcohol. Any such costs will be met from within the Office’s hospitality Departmental Billing budget. The budget for future years will be calculated once the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for is announced. Scotland what percentage of invoices from suppliers to All expenditure incurred is in accordance with the his Department were paid within 10 days of receipt in principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury (a) March and (b) April 2010. [1286] handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office paid 99.7% of Departmental Public Expenditure invoices from suppliers within 10 days of receipt in March 2010 and 98.2% in April 2010. Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when and in what form he plans to publish a Departmental Electronic Equipment list of all items of expenditure by his Department over £25,000. [282] Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) plasma and (b) LCD David Mundell: The Prime Minister has written to televisions there are in Ministerial offices in his Cabinet Ministers reiterating transparency commitments Department. [396] made in the Coalition Programme for Government, and setting out a timetable for achieving them. In particular, David Mundell: There are no plasma or LCD televisions all new items of central Government spending over in ministerial offices. £25,000 will be published online in an open format from November 2010. Departmental Manpower Trade Unions

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many full-time equivalent staff at each Scotland what plans he has to consult trade unions in Civil Service grade are employed in the private office of his Department concerning deficit reduction plans. each Minister in his Department. [119] [613]

David Mundell: Information on staff numbers, including David Mundell: Any deficit reduction plans which numbers of staff working in Private Office, is published affect staff will be shared with staff and the relevant routinely in the Office’s Annual Report, copies of which trade unions, as appropriate. are in the House Library. One member of staff is a member of the Senior Civil Service and the others range between the equivalent of Senior Executive Officer WORK AND PENSIONS down to Executive Officer level. Carers’ Benefits

Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his estimate is of the cost to the public Work and Pensions what plans he has to amend the purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front regimes affecting (a) benefits and (b) other assistance line staff in his Department and its agencies. [496] provided by his Department for carers. [503] 5W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 6W

Maria Miller: The Government recognise that the Maria Miller: Section 14 of the Coalition document UK’s 6 million carers play an indispensable role in confirms the Government’s commitment to ending child looking after friends or family members who need poverty in the UK. support. It also acknowledges the important role that The Child Poverty Act commits Government to meeting both cash benefits and employment assistance play, targets towards ending child poverty by 2020. The especially in enabling many carers to combine care Government must also publish a strategy to show how giving with paid employment. they will meet these targets by March 2011. We have set out our commitment to simplify the The latest figures (2008-09) show that 2.8 million benefit system in order to improve work incentives and children remain in poverty, well off the target set by the encourage responsibility and fairness. We will consider previous Government of reducing this to 1.7 million by carefully the needs of carers as we develop our thinking 2010-11. It is important that over the next 12 months a on welfare reform. Additionally, over the coming months robust strategy be put in place to put the 2020 commitment we will be considering the services that Jobcentre Plus back on track. currently provide for carers along with other issues affecting their daily lives such as flexible working. In doing so we will want to listen to and consult with a wide range of bodies. Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission We believe that the best way to tackle this issue is to address the root causes of poverty. It is only by doing Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work this that we can effectively improve the outcomes for and Pensions what plans he has for the future of the children in a sustainable way. Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. [336] Unemployment Benefits: Medical Examinations

Maria Miller: The Government are committed to John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work supporting families, ending child poverty and encouraging, and Pensions what criteria must be met before an where possible, shared parenting from the earliest stages individual may be judged medically unfit for work; and of pregnancy. For families where both parents do not under what circumstances an individual may be live together, helping to deliver financial support is an deemed unable to work again. [715] important part of achieving these broader objectives. The 2010-11 business plan for CMEC sets out their role in this process. Chris Grayling: Eligibility for employment and support allowance is assessed using the work capability assessment. http://www.childmaintenance.org/en/pdf/Business-Plan- The work capability assessment focuses on the functional 2010.pdf effects of an individual’s condition on their physical Detailed future plans are subject to review, along and mental capabilities, rather than on the condition with all areas of Government expenditure. itself. The criteria are set out in Parts 5, 6 and Schedules 2 and 3 of the Employment and Support Allowance Departmental Redundancy Pay Regulations 2008 (SI 2008 No. 794). It is important that we move away from previous Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work practices of parking people on this benefit, so anyone and Pensions (1) what his most recent estimate is of the getting employment and support allowance will have a annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments new assessment if and when their individual circumstances for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his and functional abilities are expected to have changed. If Department and (ii) its agencies; [627] at this point the decision-maker determines that they no (2) what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse longer meet the eligibility criteria, they will be found fit of proposed reductions in numbers of non-front line for work. staff in his Department and its agencies. [501]

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available. ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE Future Jobs Fund: Bristol Electoral Register Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on Work and Pensions how many people in Bristol East the Electoral Commission with reference to the Answer constituency have received assistance from the Future of 6 May 2009, Official Report, columns 222-3W, on Jobs Fund. [1164] the electoral register, which electoral registration officers identified themselves as below the standard for Chris Grayling: The information requested is not using information sources to verify entries on the available. register of electors and identify potential new electors. [164] Poverty: Children Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work that in 2008, 18 Electoral Registration Officers were and Pensions if he will bring forward proposals to seek below performance standard 1, ‘Using information sources to eliminate child poverty in the lifetime of this to verify entries on the register of electors and identify Parliament. [337] potential new electors’. 7W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 8W

The Commission further informs me that in 2009, The Commission further informs me that it has published three Electoral Registration Officers were below the full financial data for each local authority in Great same performance standard. Britain, covering the 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial The relevant officers are listed by local authority as years. The information can be found on the Commission’s follows. website: EROs below Performance Standard 1 www.electoralcommission.org.uk/performance-standards/ financial-information 2008 The Commission is collecting information for the Barnsley financial year 2009-10, which will be published on its Berwick-upon-Tweed website next year. Blaby Blackburn with Darwen General Election 2010: Young People Brentwood Chester-le-street1 : To ask the hon. Member for South West 1 Durham Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Harborough Electoral Commission what recent estimate the Electoral Commission has made of the number and proportion North East Derbyshire of people aged 18 to 24 who voted in the last general North Lanarkshire2 election. [893] Nottingham Sutton Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me South Lanarkshire2 that it has made no such estimate. However, Ipsos Three Rivers MORI estimate that 44% of 18 to 24-year-olds voted in the last general election. Windsor and Maidenhead Weymouth and Portland Walsall 2009 DEFENCE Bradford Nottingham Armed Forces: Health Services Sefton 1 Chester-le Street and Durham are now part of County Durham Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State unitary authority. for Defence what targets have been set for the 2 North and South Lanarkshire are covered by one ERO. recruitment of armed forces medical personnel. [852]

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South Mr Robathan: Figures for the medical trades/corps West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on for which recruitment targets have been set are shown in the Electoral Commission in which local authorities the following tables: electoral registration officers have declared themselves to be underperforming in one or more areas of Royal Navy electoral registration. [174] Financial year 2010-11 Officers Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me Queen Alexandra Royal Navy Nursing 5 that in 2008, 297 Electoral Registration Officers were Service below at least one performance standard. In 2009, 185 Environmental health officer 2 Electoral Registration Officers were below at least one Doctors 19 performance standard. A list of the Electoral Registration Dentists 3 Officers by local authority has been placed in the Library. More information about Electoral Registration Officers’ Ratings performance against the standards can be found at: Naval nurse (qualified) 11 http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/performance- Naval nurse (student) 4 standards/results_and_analysis Medical assistant 32 Medical assistant (submarines) 7 Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South Dental surgery assistant 7 West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission how much each local Army officers authority spent per elector on electoral registration in Financial year the last year for which figures are available. [180] 2010 2011

Royal Army Medical Corps 70 70 Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me Royal Army Veterinary Corps 3 3 that it has placed a document in the Library which shows local authority spending per elector on electoral Royal Army Dental Corps 12 12 Queen Alexandra Royal Army 24 24 registration for the financial years 2007-08 and 2008-09, Nursing Corps where the information is available. 9W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 10W

Soldiers Personnel over Army harmony Financial year 2010-11 Arm/Service guidelines (%) Combat medical technician 140 RAMC 7 Environmental health technician 2 QARANC 5 Biomedical scientist 3 Note: Operating department practitioner 3 The statistics relate only to trained regular officers and soldiers as at 1 Pharmaceutical technician 1 January 2010. Dog trainer 20 It should be noted that, because some personnel do Veterinary technician 1 not record the reason for their separated service on the Dental support specialist 5 JPA system, the above figures may not capture all Registered Nurse adult health 31 personnel over harmony guidelines. Registered Nurse mental health 0 RAF RAF Financial year 2010-11 Personnel over RAF harmony Branch/Trade guidelines (%) Medical Officer 33 Medical Officer 5 Dental Officer 4 Nursing Officer 7 Nursing Officer 16 Medical Support Officer 9 Registered Nurses 14 RAF Medic 4 Student Nurses 12 Nurse 4 Physiotherapist 14 Note: Data derived from statistics for 1 January 2010. Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 29 March Armed Forces: Housing 2010, Official Report, column 639W, on armed forces: health services, whether the analysis of the extent to Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for which armed forces medical personnel are in breach of Defence what powers the (a) Ministry of Defence the single service harmony guidelines is (a) complete Police and (b) Royal Military Police have in respect of and (b) available. [898] responding to criminal and anti-social behaviour involving civilians living in or visiting former Ministry Mr Robathan: More comprehensive data on medical of Defence housing at the Colchester Garrison; and if personnel in breach of individual Service harmony he will make a statement. [357] guidelines are now available and are shown in the following tables. However, this information is not available against Mr Robathan: Essex police lead on investigating criminal individual medical trades in the Army. Investigations offences at Colchester garrison as they do across the on whether this will be possible given the nature ofthe country. As the Ministry of Defence police have full data are ongoing. constabulary powers they can, at the request of Essex Royal Navy police, investigate crimes and antisocial behaviour. The Royal Military Police jurisdiction is limited to offences Personnel over Royal Navy committed by service personnel. Branch/Trade harmony guidelines (%) Dental hygienists 1 Armed Forces: Recruitment Medical assistant 1 Note: Data covers 36 month period up to 1 April 2010. Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much (a) the , (b) the Army RoyalNavyand(c) the Army spent on recruitment in The following table details the number and proportion each of the last five years. [666] of Army personnel within the Royal Army Medial Corps and the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Mr Robathan: The total recruitment spend for the Corps Arms/Services that breach the Individual Harmony Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy and the Army in each Guidelines. of the last five years is as follows:

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

Royal Navy — — 34.80 36.39 36.86 Army 86.40 86.50 108.90 129.60 129.60 RAF 37.14 38.49 41.43 55.43 52.18 Note: Figures for Royal Navy spend can only be provided for the last three years due to difficulties in recalling data from historic records. 11W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 12W

The total spend is made up by the following: manpower Mrs Gillan: In March and April 2010 respectively, (military and civilian wages), marketing, recruiting 98.8% and 95.6% of invoices were paid by the Wales incentives, recruitment vehicles and fuel, equipment Office within ten days. support, rent, infrastructure, utilities and depreciation (costs for recruiting offices etc.) and the IT system used Departmental Electronic Equipment during the application process. Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for how many (a) plasma and (b) LCD televisions there Defence how much his Department spent on are in ministerial offices in her Department. [398] recruitment advertisements in national and local media in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland Mr David Jones: None. and (d) Wales in each of the last five years. [667] Departmental Manpower Mr Robathan: The majority of advertising conducted by the Ministry of Defence is targeted at the recruitment of personnel to the armed forces and civil service. In Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales addition, the Department may promote other initiatives how many full-time equivalent staff at each Civil such as Armed Forces Day. Service grade are employed in the private office of each Minister in her Department. [121] The data is not held or listed against country as requested, but represents UK-wide activity. Information Mrs Gillan: There are currently 3.63 full-time equivalent for 2009-10 is not yet available. (fte) staff in my office and 3.0 fte in the Parliamentary Advertising spend Under-Secretary of State’s office. The following table £ million shows a breakdown of the ftes by grade: Print Online and (press and interactive TV and Number poster) TV cinema Radio Grade SofS office PUSS office Total

2004-05 2.0 0.8 15.9 2.3 Senior Civil 1.0 — 1.0 2005-06 2.5 1.6 15.2 2.2 Service 2006-07 2.0 2.3 10.1 1.3 Senior — 1.0 1.0 2007-08 3.7 3.0 18.7 1.6 Executive Officer 2008-09 4.9 4.6 17.4 1.5 Executive 2.0 2.0 3.0 Royal Fleet Auxiliary Officer Admin 0.63 — 0.63 Officer Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Total 3.63 3.0 5.63 Defence what plans he has for the future of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; and if he will make a statement. [1037] Departmental Mobile Phones Nick Harvey: The arrangements for delivering maritime operational support through the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales have been under review since the end of last year. This which Ministers in her Department have been issued work has not yet been completed and may in any case with (a) a Blackberry, (b) an iPhone, (c) another be affected by the Strategic Defence and Security Review. make of mobile telephone and (d) a personal digital It would be premature to speculate about its outcome at assistant supplied by the Department. [1421] this stage. Mr David Jones: Both the Secretary of State and I Trident have been issued with a standard mobile telephone.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Official Cars Defence whether plans for the replacement of Trident will be included in the Strategic Defence Review. [1300] Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many Government (a) cars and (b) drivers are Dr Fox: Both the value for money review of the allocated to Ministers in her Department. [304] Trident programme and the re-examination of the UK’s declaratory nuclear policy will be conducted within the Mrs Gillan: The current interim arrangements for framework of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. The Wales Office are (a) three cars and (b) two drivers allocated to departmental Ministers. Two cars are in London and one is in Cardiff. This is supplemented by WALES the use of pool cars as needed. The new , published on 21 May Departmental Billing 2010, contains changes that affect ministerial entitlement to travel by Government car. It states that: Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for “the number of Ministers with allocated cars and drivers will Wales what percentage of invoices from suppliers to be kept to a minimum, taking into account security and other her Department were paid within 10 days of receipt in relevant considerations. Other Ministers will be entitled to use (a) March and (b) April 2010. [1284] cars from the Government Car Service Pool as needed.” 13W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 14W

The and its Government Car Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control and Despatch Agency are working with Departments to effect the transition to the new arrangements. Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for The Ministerial Code, published on 21 May 2010, is Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent available on the Cabinet Office website. assessment she has made of the effectiveness of culling badgers as a means of controlling TB in cattle; and if Departmental Public Expenditure she will make a statement. [892]

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales Mr Paice: The Government have committed that, as when and in what form she plans to publish a list of all part of a package of measures, we will introduce a items of expenditure by her Department over £25,000. carefully-managed and science-led policy of badger [284] control in areas with high and persistent levels of bovine TB. Mrs Gillan: The Prime Minister has written to Cabinet We need to consider all the issues carefully, including Ministers1 reiterating transparency commitments made the scientific evidence, to work out the detail of the in the Coalition Programme for Government, and setting package to ensure we get it right. We will be looking at out a timetable for achieving them. In particular, all vaccine and culling options as part of that package. new items of central Government spending over £25,000 will be published online in an open format from November Cattle: Animal Welfare 2010. 1 http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/statements-and-articles/ Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010/05/letter-to-government-ng-up-data-51204 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will bring forward proposals to (a) set standards for welfare in cows and (b) prohibit the factory farming of dairy cows; and if she will make a statement. [1125] ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Mr Paice: The welfare of livestock, including cows, is Agriculture: Subsidies protected by the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006. : To ask the Secretary of State for There are codes of recommendations published on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her DEFRA website which farmers are required by law to Department allocated for potential disallowances and have access to, and be familiar with, which encourage penalties for claims made against the Rural Payments high standards of husbandry. Enforcement action can Agency in each of the last five years. [424] be taken against farmers who do not comply with this legislation. Mr Paice [holding answer 2 June 2010]: The following The Government welcome innovative and entrepreneurial financial provisions were created in the Department’s efforts by dairy farmers to improve their global annual accounts in each of the last five years for potential competitiveness, while protecting the environment and disallowances and late payment penalties arising from meeting animal welfare standards. All dairy cattle, in the Rural Payments Agency’s administration of CAP whatever system they are kept, are protected by schemes. These provision figures represent the Department’s comprehensive animal welfare legislation in England. It estimate of what disallowance was expected to arise in is important to recognise that poor welfare can occur in future years. In most cases the actual amounts are only both intensive and extensive systems, and the most known several years later. Please note that the following significant influence on the welfare of livestock is the figure for the 2009-10 financial year has not yet been stock-keeper, not the system in which it is reared. audited by the NAO. Departmental Manpower £000

2005-06 115,750 Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for 2006-07 197,812 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her 2007-08 -15,0001 estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in her 2008-09 0 Department and its agencies. [489] 2009-10 58,383 1 The reduction in 2007-08 was due to a reassessment of potential Richard Benyon: The Chancellor’s statement about disallowance upon receipt of further information from the EC. savings of £6.2 billion across the public sector outlined Biofuels that DEFRA and its arms length bodies would contribute to £162 million of this saving. As a department we have Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for identified some specific areas where savings will be Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy achieved in addition to the efficiencies being implemented is on increasing the number of anaerobic digestion across the Civil Service. facilities for the production of biogas. [547] At present, no decisions have been taken on reductions in the numbers of staff. Richard Benyon: We will introduce measures to promote a large increase in energy from waste through anaerobic It is therefore not possible to make an estimate of the digestion. Central to this will be work to facilitate an cost. increase in the number of anaerobic digestion facilities Any staff reductions will be made in line with business producing biogas from waste. need and with a view to providing value for money. 15W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 16W

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers Flood Control

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she (a) has special advisers (a) she and (b) each named Minister had and (b) plans to have with (i) the Environment in her Department (i) has appointed to date and (ii) Agency and (ii) other flood partners on (A) the plans to appoint. [309] recommendations of the Pitt Review and (B) the provisions of section 14 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 on the sharing of information with local authorities Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for and local flooding working groups. [1187] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) political appointments and (b) other personal Richard Benyon: Ministers have had initial discussions appointments she has made since her appointment; and with the Environment Agency and are starting to meet at what estimated annual cost to the public purse. [372] others with an interest in flood and coastal erosion risk management. Officials have regular discussions with the Richard Benyon: I refer the hon. Member to the reply Environment Agency, local authorities and others about given by the Prime Minister on 3 June 2010, Official the Pitt Review recommendations and the Flood and Report, column 99W. Water Management Act. Incinerators

Departmental Official Cars Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for plans to bring forward proposals to require incinerator Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many operators to install continuous emission monitoring Government (a) cars and (b) drivers are allocated to systems for the detection of dioxins and heavy metals Ministers in her Department. [294] including mercury in flue gas emissions. [549] Richard Benyon: Monitoring requirements for waste Richard Benyon: Under the arrangements inherited incinerators are set out in the Waste Incineration Directive from Ministers in the previous Government, the current (2000/76/EC). They are implemented in England and interim arrangements for DEFRA are (a) two cars and Wales by the Environment Agency or—for very small (b) two drivers allocated to departmental Ministers, incinerators—local authorities through the Environmental supplemented by the use of pool cars if needed. Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. The new Ministerial Code, published on 21 May Proposals for detailed changes to EU requirements 2010, contains changes that affect ministerial entitlement have come from other countries during the negotiation to travel by Government car. It states that “the number of the proposed industrial emissions directive, now of Ministers with allocated cars and drivers will be kept approaching its Second Reading in the European to a minimum, taking into account security and other Parliament. It is not yet clear whether these will be relevant considerations. Other Ministers will be entitled incorporated in the finalised directive and become binding to use cars from the Government Car Service Pool as upon member states. needed”. DEFRA Ministers have decided not to have allocated Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for cars and drivers. DEFRA is working with the Department Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what for Transport and its Government Car and Despatch assessment she has made of the merits of alternatives Agency to effect the transition to the new arrangements. to mass burn incineration; and whether she plans to provide assistance to local authorities to implement The Ministerial Code, published on 21 May 2010, is alternative schemes; [550] available on the Cabinet Office website. (2) what her most recent assessment is of the level of efficiency of energy generation from (a) mass-burn incinerators and (b) alternative forms of energy Departmental Public Expenditure generating waste disposal facilities including anaerobic digesters. [554] Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate Richard Benyon: DEFRA and DECC are jointly leading she has made of the cost to her Department of the (a) a cross-Government Energy from Waste (EfW) project implementation of penalty clauses and payments in its that will report towards the end of the year. This will contracts and (b) potential legal action arising from produce a clear policy framework through which the the deferral and cancellation of contracts and projects most environmentally, socially and economically beneficial under her Department’s plans to achieve cost savings; outcomes can be achieved. The project will consider the and whether those estimates are included in the total range of technologies and waste feedstocks and recommend which feedstocks are suitable to produce EfW, and cost savings to be achieved by her Department. [561] which technologies are best for individual waste feedstocks.

Richard Benyon: Our plans for achieving the Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Department’s share of the £6 billion savings announced Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has by the Chancellor on 24 May 2010 will not, as far as we made a recent assessment of the cost of building new are aware, raise the issue of meeting any such claims. mass burn incineration facilities. [551] 17W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 18W

Richard Benyon: DEFRA funds the Waste and Resources DEFRA including its agencies will use its existing Action Programme (WRAP), which performs an annual consultation processes to discuss future deficit reduction survey to assess gate fees charged for a range of alternative plans with our trade unions. options in the treatment and disposal of waste, including incineration plants. Further details can be found on Water Charges WRAP’S website: www.wrap.org.uk Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Construction costs for Energy from Waste (EfW) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of the plants (incinerators) are project-specific dependent on recommendations of the Walker Review of charging size, specification and location of plant; and timing for household water and sewerage services he plans to relative to external events like exchange rate movements implement. [988] and the availability and cost of finance. Richard Benyon: Ministers will consider the Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for recommendations made in the Walker Review ahead of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she taking decisions around implementation. for the future number of mass-burn incineration facilities. [552] Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment Richard Benyon: Local authorities have the responsibility she has made of the effectiveness of the WaterSure for deciding how waste is managed in their respective system in protecting vulnerable water customers. [989] areas. The choice of technology must reflect local circumstances, which will vary, and it is important that Richard Benyon: The Walker Review of charging for any plans for Energy from Waste facilities emerge out of household water and sewerage services examined the local waste strategies to ensure the optimisation of WaterSure scheme. Ministers will consider the conclusions reuse, recycling and composting activities. of the Walker Review, including the recommendations regarding WaterSure, and respond to them in due course. Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Whales: Conservation Department plans to increase the level of reduction, reuse and recycling of municipal solid waste for the Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State purpose of minimising the amount of such waste for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps which is sent for incineration or landfill. [553] she plans to take in respect of the possible end to the International Whaling Commission’s moratorium on Richard Benyon: Local authorities are responsible for whaling. [1180] the management of waste disposal in their areas and they are encouraged to follow the waste hierarchy, in Richard Benyon: This Government oppose the which energy from waste ranks higher than landfill but resumption of commercial whaling, and protecting the below waste prevention, re-use, and recycling. moratorium on commercial whaling is of great importance. We will strive to ensure long-term protection and Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for conservation of whale populations worldwide, and are Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy taking every opportunity to build strong support for a is on mass-burn incineration of municipal solid waste. continuation of the moratorium, including raising this [555] matter with Ministers in Europe. Richard Benyon: DEFRA is working to manage waste as far up the waste hierarchy as possible—with energy from waste ranking higher than landfill but below waste prevention, re-use, and recycling. NORTHERN IRELAND There will always be some waste streams that cannot Bloody Sunday Tribunal of Inquiry be re-used, recycled or composted and recovering energy from that waste, including by incineration, results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to the Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State alternative of landfill. Recovering energy from waste is for Northern Ireland when he expects the report of the complementary to and will not displace waste reduction Saville Inquiry to be published; and if he will ensure methods further up the waste hierarchy. that the cost to the public purse of all expenditure in relation to the Saville Inquiry is published at that time. [240] Trade Unions Mr Paterson: I refer the hon. Member to my statement Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for of 26 May 2010, Official Report, column 5 WS, where I Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she informed the House that the report of the Bloody has to consult trade unions in (a) her Department and Sunday Inquiry, chaired by Lord Saville, will be published (b) its agencies on cost reduction plans. [605] on Tuesday 15 June. Financial information relating to the Inquiry has Richard Benyon: It is standard practice to consult the previously been published in this House. I intend to Department’s trade unions on all matters concerning publish the most up-to-date financial information available the contractual terms and conditions of its employees. at the same time as the Inquiry’s report is published. 19W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 20W

Departmental Manpower contracts and (b) potential legal action arising from the deferral and cancellation of contracts and projects Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for under his Department’s plans to achieve cost savings; Northern Ireland how many full-time equivalent staff and whether those estimates are included in the total at each Civil Service grade are employed in the private cost savings to be achieved by his Department. [560] office of each Minister in his Department. [118] John Penrose: The Department’s key contracts are Mr Paterson: There is a joint Private Office in London currently under review. As such, no estimate has yet which supports my work and that of the Minister of been made of the total potential cost in the event of (a) State. In Belfast, Ministers do not have a dedicated the implementation of penalty clauses and payments in Private Office but have access to central support staff contracts and (b) potential legal action arising from the that carry out a broad range of functions for the deferral and cancellation of contracts and projects. Department. The breakdown of staff in London office is as follows: Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Number Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for A1Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will assess B1 1 the merits of withdrawing the proposals for switchover B2 1 from FM to digital radio. [582] C 2 full-time and 1 part-time D1 1 Mr Vaizey: We will be looking closely at the proposals D2 1 part-time for a digital radio upgrade; however, around a quarter of all radio listening is now to digital, so a future There is also an agency typist. transition to digital radio continues to gain impetus. The breakdown of central support staff in Belfast is Any transition to digital radio will not necessarily as follows: mean switching off FM radio in its entirety, and it is important that any switchover date is realistic in terms Number of consumer engagement, technical advances, in particular B2 1 as regards car radios, and financial constraints. C1 D1 1 full-time and 1 part-time Olympic Games 2012: Tickets D2 1 full-time and 1 part-time Departmental Responsibilities Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether tickets for the London 2012 Olympics have been Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State designated for allocation to (a) Ministers and (b) civil for Northern Ireland what the ministerial responsibilities servants. [854] are of (a) him and (b) the Minister of State for Northern Ireland. [241] Hugh Robertson: Three quarters of the 10 million tickets available will be open to the public through a Mr Paterson: The ministerial responsibilities are as public ballot process. The remaining tickets will be follows: primarily for overseas fans and as travel packages within Secretary of State the UK, as well as for sponsors and rights holders. In overall responsibility for all aspects of the Department’s work; addition, Government and other Games public sector and delivery partners will be entitled to purchase a small relationships with the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly, number of tickets from the London Organising Committee on the Department’s overall strategy, and on the Government’s of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). The approach to the past, constitutional issues, national security and Government have not decided whether to take up this budgetary priorities. offer. All tickets need to be purchased from LOCOG—there Minister of State are no free tickets. Leads on human rights, day-to-day national security matters, sponsorship of the Parades Commission, equality and electoral Trade Unions law. He also supports the Secretary of State across the range of the Department’s responsibilities in Northern Ireland and in Westminster. Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT its agency on cost reduction plans. [601] Departmental Public Expenditure John Penrose: The Department is already in informal discussions with both staff and trade unions, both at Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for departmental and agency level. We will continue to talk Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he to our staff and, where relevant, their trade unions too, has made of the cost to his Department of the (a) and will enter into formal consultations wherever there implementation of penalty clauses and payments in its is a requirement to do so. 21W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 22W

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Mr Jeremy Browne: We are aware of reports of the discovery of foetuses and babies’ bodies in the Guangfu Africa: Peacekeeping Operations River in March this year, and of reports that hospital workers connected to it were suspended or removed Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for from their posts pending an investigation. We have no Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the further information on the case. UK has provided to the UN mission (a) MONUC, Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign (b) MINURCAT, (c) UNAMID, (d) UNMIL, (e) and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what reports he has UNMIS and (f) UNOCI in the last three years. [1158] received since his appointment on the operation of a one child policy by the ; and if he Mr Bellingham: Over the last three years the UK has will make a statement; [75] contributed between 7.8 and 8.1% towards the costs of (2) what discussions (a) he has had since his appointment UN Peacekeeping. Assessed contributions to UN and (b) plans to have with the Government of China peacekeeping missions are paid in US Dollars. on its population planning policies; and if he will make Our sterling costs for those missions covered in the a statement; [76] question, over the last three UK financial years, are as (3) what recent discussions officials in the British follows: Embassy in China have had with officials of the Government of China on (a) reports of forced abortion £ and sterilisation and (b) birth control quotas in China; 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 and if he will make a statement; [77] MONUC (Democratic 39,728,447 49,272,772 61,892,423 (4) if he will make representations to the Government Republic of Congo) of China seeking the relaxation of its population planning MINURCAT (Chad/ 5,771,218 18,153,470 29,474,421 policy; and if he will make a statement. [78] Central African Republic) Mr Jeremy Browne: Since his appointment, my right UNAMID (Darfur) 37,228,728 55,229,550 68,961,432 hon. Friend the has not received UNMIL (Liberia) 25,403,196 25,324,767 25,687,061 reports about China’s one child policy, and has not had UNMIS (Sudan 28,920,533 29,807,091 40,761,445 any discussions with the Chinese Government about it. UNOCI (Cote 15,184,311 19,968,023 23,775,607 We are concerned about the implementation of China’s D’Ivoire) Population and Family Planning Law. This issue was last raised in detail under the previous Government The figures for 2009-10 are estimates, as we cannot with the Chinese authorities at the 16th round of the confirm final figures until the Foreign and Commonwealth UK/China Human Rights Dialogue in January 2008. Office’s resource accounts are closed. These figures do We do not dispute China’s right or need to implement not include any bilateral assistance or training to troop family planning policies but we do believe they should contributing countries. be based on principles of consent. Departmental Manpower Burma: Elections Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for and Commonwealth Affairs how many full-time equivalent Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment staff at each Civil Service grade are employed in the he has made of the security situation in Burma in private office of each Minister in his Department. [113] respect of the forthcoming elections. [1157] Mr Lidington: The number of civil service staff (excluding Special Advisers) employed in each Foreign and Mr Jeremy Browne: Burmese elections planned for Commonwealth Office ministerial office is as follows: later this year are set to be held under deeply oppressive conditions. Recently passed election laws and existing Number security provisions place severe restrictions on campaigning and participation in the process. Over 2,100 political Foreign Secretary’s Office prisoners, including , remain under SMS2 1 detention, and arbitrary arrests continue. The regime D7 1 has rejected offers of international election observers. D6 2 In such circumstances, elections will not have legitimacy B3 5 or international credibility. Tensions between the military A2 8 government and Burma’s ethnic ceasefire groups have Al 1 also increased, as they resist the regime’s attempt to absorb their armed wings into the Burmese army. Henry Bellingham’s Office D6 l China: Family Planning C4 2 B3 1 Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign A2 1 and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the discovery of foetuses and bodies of Jeremy Browne’s Office babies in the Guangfu river, Jining City, China; D7 1 whether he plans to make representations to the C4 l Government of China on that matter; and if he will B3 2 make a statement. [74] 23W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 24W

Alistair Burt: The £55 million will be delivered from Number cutting waste and inefficiency, and reducing lower priority A2 1 spend including through: reduced spend on consultancy and support functions; David Liddington’s Office more collaborative procurement with other Departments who D6 l have a presence overseas, such as the Department for International C4 2 Development; B3 1 increasing asset sales in less-used parts of Foreign and A2 1 Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) overseas estates; and a review of the FCO’s programme spend to be led by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. The right hon. Lord Howell of Guildford’s Office C4 l Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for A2 1 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the (a) implementation of penalty clauses and payments in its Alistair Burt’s Office contracts and (b) potential legal action arising from D6 1 the deferral and cancellation of contracts and projects C4 2 under his Department’s plans to achieve cost savings; B3 1 and whether those estimates are included in the total A2 1 cost savings to be achieved by his Department. [563]

Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Alistair Burt: The ministerial announcements of 31 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate May 2010 relating to the £6.2 billion of cuts included an is of the cost to the public purse of proposed intention to conduct a review of major projects and reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in his renegotiate major contracts with top suppliers to Department and its agencies. [491] Government to seek efficiencies. These programmes will be led by the Office of Government Commerce Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (OGC) on behalf of central Government. To achieve expects to achieve all its currently anticipated reductions maximum savings, the analysis of contingent liabilities in UK civil service staff through a recruitment freeze will form part of the review methodology. Contract and natural wastage. These would not incur compensation deferral and termination is taken very seriously by costs. Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The OGC will also take into account any potential costs associated with Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for those areas during their review. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) front-line and (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Departmental Redundancy Pay Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies. recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department [537] of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its Alistair Burt: The average number of permanent agencies. [637] front-line Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) civil servants, in London and overseas, in financial year Alistair Burt: We have not made any estimates of 2009-10 was 2,868. The forecast salary cost for these redundancy costs as we currently have no plans to make staff is £157.3 million. In addition, approximately 10,000 any staff redundant. locally engaged staff at overseas posts were employed during financial year 2009-10 costing £186.5 million. Iran: Sanctions There were an average of 1,562 other UK based FCO civil servants employed during financial year 2009-10 costing £85.7 million. Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign The FCO Services Trading Fund employed an average and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take of 927 UK based staff during financial year 2009-10 to tackle the shipment of weapons and funds from Iran costing £44.8 million. to (a) Afghanistan, (b) , (c) Lebanon and (d) Gaza in the next six months; and if he will make a Wilton Park Agency employed an average of 77 UK statement. [R] [69] based staff during financial year 2009-10 costing £2.5 million. Alistair Burt: Iranian support in the form of weapons, funding and training to the Taleban, Iraqi militia groups, Departmental Public Expenditure Hezbollah, Hamas and other Palestinian Rejectionist Groups is unacceptable. It further undermines international Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for confidence in the Iranian regime’s intentions, and is at Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he odds with the regime’s claim to the international community plans to take to save £55 million from his Department’s and its own people, that it supports stability in the budget for 2010-11. [103] Middle East and Afghanistan. 25W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 26W

The UK has worked with and will continue to work reconstruction materials into Gaza at the next with International Security Assistance Force to interdict discussion of the Middle East Quartet; and if he will shipments of weapons to the Taliban, including from make a statement. [1193] Iran. We will work with international partners and in the UN to urge Iran to comply with international law, Alistair Burt: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign including UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR). Secretary made clear in his public statement on 5 June Iran’s transfers of weapons to the groups mentioned are 2010, we continue to press the Government of Israel to contrary to UNSCRs 1737, 1747, 1803, 1701 (Hezbollah) lift Gaza’s closure. The Foreign Secretary is also discussing and 1860 (Gaza). these issues urgently with our international partners— including during his ongoing visits to EU capitals. We Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign welcome Quartet discussion of these issues. and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take at the United Nations to seek to prevent (a) weapons and (b) funds from the Government of Iran being sent Middle East: Politics and Government to terrorist groups in (i) Afghanistan, (ii) Iraq, (iii) Gaza and (iv) Lebanon in the next six months; and if Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for he will make a statement. [70] Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps the Government have taken to increase the level of Alistair Burt: Following a series of sanctions violations political stability in the Middle East; and if he will by Iran in 2009 (including the interdictions of weapons make a statement. [93] from Iran on the Hansa India, Monchegorsk and Francop vessels), the UN Sanctions Committee on Iran issued an Implementation Assistance Notice in January 2010. Alistair Burt: The UK continues to press both sides This urged all UN member states to be especially alert to show the courage, commitment and compromise to further violations, in particular to exercise enhanced needed to make real progress on the peace process. vigilance over all Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping We remain determined to do everything possible to Lines activity, including subjecting its cargo to enhanced work towards a two state solution that achieves a viable scrutiny. and sovereign Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel, We and E3+3 partners are leading efforts to secure a with its right to live in peace and security recognised by UN resolution imposing further sanctions on Iran in all its neighbours. The proximity talks that are under the light of the Iranian Government’s continued refusal way are more important than ever to help pave the way to abide by UN Security Council Resolutions on its towards a comprehensive peace in the region. nuclear programme. We are seeking targeted measures, My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister underlined including against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, our commitment in his recent conversations with Israeli which funds and supplies proxy groups in the region. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President We will pay close attention to these issues and consider Abbas. And my right hon. friend the Foreign Secretary further means of constraining Iran’s ability to cause also made this clear in the House. instability in the region. The proximity talks that are under way, between the Israelis and Palestinians, are Nigeria: Politics and Government more important than ever to help pave the way towards a comprehensive peace in the region. Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Middle East: Armed Conflict Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department’s most recent assessment is of the security : To ask the Secretary of State for situation in Nigeria, with particular reference to Jos; Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment and whether he has made representations to the he has made of the compatibility of Israel’s blockade government of Nigeria on that situation. [1235] of Gaza with the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention. [1190] Mr Bellingham: The security situation in Jos remains fragile following several disturbing outbreaks of violence Alistair Burt: Although there is no permanent physical since January. We have conveyed our concerns at a Israeli presence in Gaza, given the significant control senior level to the Government of Nigeria and the that Israel has over Gaza’s borders, airspace and territorial Plateau State Government. We have made clear publicly waters, Israel retains obligations under the fourth Geneva that those who have committed atrocities should be convention as an occupying power. held accountable. We believe a way forward must be The UK has been clear that the current restrictions found for the communities of Jos to live together in a are unacceptable and counterproductive and it is the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue. We continue to people of Gaza who suffer from them. My right hon. work with our international partners to support a long Friend the Foreign Secretary made this clear in his lasting peaceful solution to the intercommunal violence conversation with the Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor in Jos. Lieberman. We will continue to work with international partners and press the Israeli government to allow Occupied Territories: Housing unfettered access of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press the and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has EU to raise the restrictions placed by the government received on the proposed demolition of houses in East of Israel on access for humanitarian aid and Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement. [899] 27W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 28W

Alistair Burt: We are aware of proposals by the Sudan: Politics and Government Mayor of Jerusalem regarding demolition of homes in East Jerusalem. Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for The Government believe that any attempts by Israel Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment to alter the character or demography of East Jerusalem his Department has made of the security situation in are unacceptable and damaging to the peace process. Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [1155] House demolitions cause suffering to Palestinians, increase tension within the city and make it more difficult for Mr Bellingham: Insecurity in Sudan is of serious Palestinians life to continue in East Jerusalem. concern and continues to have a devastating impact on the lives of many Sudanese across the country. The UK Both my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and continues to support work towards the peaceful the Foreign Secretary have reiterated in contacts with implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement Israeli and Palestinian counterparts, the importance of and an inclusive and lasting settlement in Darfur which proximity talks and overall progress on the peace process. is essential for long-term peace in Sudan. In Darfur security has deteriorated considerably in Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign the past few months, including the resumption of fighting and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had recent between Government forces and Darfuri movements, discussions with his Israeli counterpart on the intertribal conflict, attacks on peacekeepers and proposed demolition of houses in East Jerusalem. [900] humanitarian workers and civil unrest in North Darfur. The fighting in Eastern Jebel Mara, and around Jebel Alistair Burt: I would like to make clear, with few Moon, is particularly worrying, with potentially severe exceptions, house demolitions in occupied territory, humanitarian consequences for the civilian population. including in East Jerusalem, are in direct contravention We continue to urge all sides to immediately cease of article 53 of the fourth Geneva convention. hostilities and to allow humanitarian access. Evictions of Palestinian families and the destruction We are also concerned by the situation in South of Palestinian homes and property are also deeply Sudan. In 2009 over 390,000 people were forced from unhelpful to the wider Middle East Peace Process. their homes and 2,500 were killed, a trend that has Both my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and continued in 2010. Current insecurity in Jonglei and Foreign Secretary have reiterated, to their Israeli Unity states are particularly worrying. We continue to counterparts, the importance we attach to making progress urge the Government of South Sudan and the United towards a two state solution. Nations Mission in Sudan to respond proactively to and reduce the risks of violent clashes. We are also working to improve the capacity of the Government of South America: Embassies South Sudan to respond to and reduce insecurity. Trade Unions Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for for the future of diplomatic posts in (a) Peru, (b) Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has Colombia, (c) Venezuela, (d) Uruguay and (e) Chile. to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) [1111] its agencies on cost reduction plans. [607]

Mr Jeremy Browne: We have no plans that would Alistair Burt: Discussion of how the Foreign and affect the future of diplomatic posts in those countries. Commonwealth Office will meet its current savings targets is underway. We will share relevant information with the trade unions and consult as necessary. Sudan: Elections Turkey: EU Enlargement Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the citizens are based in Sudan as election observers; and Government supports Turkey’s application to join the what steps his Department is taking in response to European Union. [515] President al-Bashir’s threat to remove foreign observers. [1156] Mr Lidington: The Government strongly support Turkey’s application to join the EU, subject to the rigorous Mr Bellingham: Five British citizens participated in application of the accession criteria. the EU Election Observation Mission which was deployed for the Sudanese elections in April 2010. We are also aware that a number of British citizens also participated in a privately-organised election monitoring mission. HOME DEPARTMENT Our embassy staff in Khartoum and Juba also Alcoholic Drinks: Prices participated in diplomatic observation efforts. The UK was concerned at President Bashir’s threats Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the towards election observers. We raised our concerns at a Home Department what steps she plans to take to senior level with the Government of Sudan and sought prevent the sale of alcohol below cost price; and if she reassurance that such threats would not be repeated. will make a statement. [857] 29W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 30W

James Brokenshire: We are determined to tackle the Damian Green [holding answer 2 June 2010]: The sale of alcohol below cost price, and clamp down on UK Border Agency has not deported any Polish nationals irresponsible sales where this has been shown to impact for reasons other than criminal convictions or other on crime and disorder. The Government are considering criminal proceedings in any of the last three years. the detail of what ″below cost selling″ constitutes and Total numbers of removals and voluntary departures how the ban will be enforced. We will work closely with of Polish nationals, including deportations, were 80 in other Government Departments including BIS and the 2007, 135 in 2008 and 160 in 2009. OFT, as well as representatives of the licensed trade, including the supermarkets, to determine how best to Detention Centres: Children effectively implement this commitment, without unduly adding a bureaucratic burden for businesses. Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the British Nationality: Assessments Home Department how many children have been transferred from Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre to centres elsewhere in the UK since 6 May 2010. [655] Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people with learning Damian Green: Four children (from two families) difficulties have applied to be exempted from the have been transferred from Dungavel Immigration Removal citizenship test; how many have been exempted; and Centre to centres elsewhere in the UK since 6 May how many who were not exempted subsequently (a) 2010. passed and (b) failed the test. [522] The data are normally used for management information Damian Green: Neither requests for exemption from only and are not subject to the detailed checks that the requirement to demonstrate a sufficient knowledge apply for National Statistics publications. of life in the United Kingdom nor the outcomes of such requests are recorded centrally. The information requested Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the could be obtained only by detailed examination of Home Department what plans the Government has to individual case records at disproportionate cost. end child detentions at all immigration removal centres in the UK. [656] Crimes of Violence: Females Damian Green: This Government are committed to ending the detention of children for immigration purposes Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the and we have already begun a review to find a way Home Department whether her Department plans to forward which protects the welfare of children, while implement the cross-departmental strategy to tackle ensuring the removal of those who have no right to be violence against women published in November 2009. in the UK. [842] Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the James Brokenshire: Violence against women and girls Home Department whether Ministers in her Department remains prevalent in our society. This is unacceptable have signed authorisations for the continued detention and there should be a cross-departmental approach to of children at immigration removal centres beyond 28 addressing it. I look forward to discussing with colleagues days since taking office. [657] across Government how we will take forward our approach in this area as both coalition parties planned in opposition. Damian Green: Local management information indicates As a first step, the coalition programme for government that no authorisations have been sought for the continued pledges to consider how to use proceeds from the victim detention of a child beyond 28 days since 12 May 2010. surcharge to deliver up to 15 new rape crisis centres, and give existing rape crisis centres stable, long-term funding. These data are normally used for management information only and are not subject to the detailed Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the checks that apply for National Statistics publications. Home Department whether she plans to extend the pilot project for women with no recourse to public Identity Cards funds beyond August 2010; and whether she plans to make this initiative permanent. [843] Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many identity cards were James Brokenshire: A Home Office pilot project for issued before 11 May 2010 (a) in total and (b)to women with no recourse to public funds is due to run residents of Greater Manchester. [467] until the end of August 2010. It is being monitored on a monthly basis with a full evaluation taking place following Damian Green [holding answer 2 June 2010]: There completion of the pilot. This will assist in informing were approximately 13,200 identity cards issued before our next steps. 11 May 2010, around 6,000 of which were issued in Greater Manchester. Deportation: Poland Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for the John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether those identity cards Home Department how many Polish nationals have that have already been issued will remain valid for a full been deported from the UK for reasons other than 10 years; [468] criminal convictions or other criminal proceedings in (2) if she will make arrangements to offer a refund to each of the last three years. [53] individuals who have paid for an identity card; [469] 31W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 32W

(3)whether individuals who have paid for an identity Departmental Public Appointments card will be offered a credit when they next renew their passport. [470] Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many (a) political Damian Green [holding answer 2 June 2010]: Currently appointments and (b) other personal appointments he Identity Cards remain valid until the date of expiry on has made since his appointment; and at what estimated the card. However, the Identity Documents Bill was laid annual cost to the public purse. [373] before Parliament on 26 May 2010. The Bill proposes the scrapping of ID Cards and the National Identity Gregory Barker: I refer the hon. Member to the Register. Cards would remain valid for one month after answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister Royal Assent. The Identity and Passport Service is on 3 June 2010, Official Report, column 99W to the writing to each cardholder informing them of progress hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman). and contact details for further advice. Card refunds or credit for a future passport application will not be offered. Departmental Public Expenditure Oakington Immigration Removal Centre Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the of the cost to his Department of the (a) Home Department what recent steps have been taken implementation of penalty clauses and payments in its to review policy and procedures at the Oakington contracts and (b) potential legal action arising from Immigration Centre; and if she will make a statement. the deferral and cancellation of contracts and projects [67] under his Department’s plans to achieve cost savings; and whether those estimates are included in the total Damian Green [holding answer 2 June 2010]: All cost savings to be achieved by his Department. [562] immigration removal centres are governed by the Detention Centre Rules 2001, which are underpinned by a set of Gregory Barker: The Department is continuing to operating standards. assess the possibility of costs arising from penalty clauses Centres are subject to a programme of inspection or legal action arising from cancellation of contracts to visits by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, and the UK achieve the cost savings. Our current estimate is that no Border Agency considers carefully any comments about such costs are likely to be incurred. the operation of the Centre. The last inspection report for Oakington was published in December 2008 and has a service improvement plan to address areas where Transocean UKBA accepted the recommendations. A copy of the plan is available in the House Library. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many oil rigs operating in UK waters (a) are owned by Transocean and (b) were registered in (i) the Marshall Islands, (ii) , (iii) ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Liberia and (iv) the Bahamas. [1175]

Departmental Billing Charles Hendry: The information requested is as follows: Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) There are around 10 Transocean rigs in UK waters at the Energy and Climate Change what percentage of moment, with a further four currently idle and stacked. invoices from suppliers to his Department were paid (b) I understand that, of the 10 rigs currently operating here, within 10 days of receipt in (a) March and (b) April (i) two are registered in the Marshall Islands, (ii) two in Panama, (iii) three in Liberia, and (iv) none in the Bahamas. Of the 2010. [1268] remaining three, two are registered in Vanuatu and one in Germany. Gregory Barker: The percentage of invoices from suppliers paid by the Department within 10 days of Warm Front Scheme receipt was 96% in March and 96.2% in April 2010. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers and Climate Change what his policy is on the continuation of the Warm Front scheme beyond the Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010-11 financial year; and if he will make a statement. Energy and Climate Change how many special advisers [845] (a) he and (b) each named Minister in his Department (i) has appointed to date and (ii) plans to appoint. Gregory Barker: Funding for the scheme is just over [316] £1.1 billion for the current three year spending period to March 2011. This includes a cash provision of Gregory Barker: I refer the hon. Member to the £345 million for 2010-11. Funding for future years will answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister be considered as part of the budget and spending on 3 June 2010, Official Report, column 99W. review processes. 33W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 34W

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES Line: Finance

Departmental Redundancy Pay Dr Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which private-sector organisations have committed Mr Anderson: To ask the Minister for Women and financing to Crossrail in (a) 2010-11 and (b) each of Equality what her most recent estimate is of the annual the two subsequent financial years; and how much each cost to the Government Equalities Office of has committed. [414] redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff. [646] Mrs Villiers: Private sector commitments to Crossrail include a number of commercial agreements with private Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office sector companies to provide contributions to Crossrail, has not made any redundancy payments since its inception given the benefits which will flow to businesses as a and is not proposing to make any redundancy payments result of the scheme. in 2010-11. There are specific agreements with Canary Wharf Group (for £150 million), City of London (for £350 million), BAA (for £230 million), and Berkeley Homes TRANSPORT Group (to construct the Woolwich Station box) as well as wider contributions being made through Business Aviation: Taxation Rate Supplements, the planned Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 developer contributions. John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to implement his proposal to Construction of the Canary Wharf Crossrail station replace (a) air passenger duty with a per-plane duty is currently under way and good progress is being made. and what account the proposed new scheme will take of It is envisaged, on the current rate of construction, that air freight movements and (b) routes for which the £150 million Canary Wharf Group contribution to alternative forms of transport which have less Crossrail will have been put in to the project by June 2011. environmental impact are available. [870] The other contributions are not due within the next three financial years and are subject to conditions being Justine Greening: I have been asked to reply. met which are set out in the specific agreements. The coalition agreement includes a switch from a per passenger to a per plane duty; the Government are considering options for doing so, and welcome the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Road Traffic Control views of interested parties. Announcements on tax policy will be made in the Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for usual way. Transport what steps he is taking to reduce traffic congestion at the . [154] Biofuels

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Mike Penning [holding answer 2 June 2010]: The Transport what his policy is on encouraging the use of Highways Agency is developing a package of technology measures to improve journey times and hence reduce methane from biogas as a transport fuel. [548] congestion at the Dartford Crossing. These include: Norman Baker: The coalition agreement included a Installing average speed cameras on the southbound carriageway commitment to between A282 junction 31 and the Toll Plaza. “measures to promote a huge increase in energy from waste Installing average speed cameras on the northbound carriageway through anaerobic digestion”, between M25 junction 2 and A282 junction 1a. and to Improving information to drivers by variable message signing. “seek to increase the target for energy from renewable sources, Implementing variable speed limits during periods of congestion subject to the advice of the ”. between M25 junctions 3 and 2, south of the crossing. The use of biomethane as a transport fuel will be The Department for Transport is investigating further considered as part of this process. measures to improve performance at the existing crossing in the medium-term. The potential options for additional Crossrail Line crossing capacity are also being considered. Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Government’s plans are for the Departmental Electronic Equipment future of Crossrail. [909]

Mrs Villiers: As we made clear in the coalition agreement, Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Government support Crossrail. The project will Transport how many (a) plasma and (b) LCD support and enable growth—now, and in the future, in televisions there are in Ministerial offices in his London and across the UK as a whole. At the same Department. [397] time, we need to ensure that every pound invested in the project is well spent and that the scheme remains affordable. Norman Baker: There are no plasma televisions and Crossrail Ltd. is focused on optimising value for money four LCD televisions in the ministerial offices in the through effective management of risk and best value Department for Transport. These were all purchased engineering solutions to achieve this goal. prior to May 2010. 35W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 36W

Departmental Public Expenditure Norman Baker [holding answer 2 June 2010]: The issue of how best to assess the delivery of the Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Cambridgeshire Guided Bus scheme, and how the contract Transport when and in what form he plans to publish a for the scheme has worked, is a matter for the scheme list of all items of expenditure by his Department over promoter, Cambridgeshire county council. However, I £25,000. [283] have asked my officials to begin investigating options for a review of guided bus policy, which will draw on the Cambridgeshire experience, among others. I will write Norman Baker: The Prime Minister has written to to my hon. Friend shortly to confirm details of this Cabinet Ministers review. http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/statements-and-articles/ 2010/05/letter-to-government-departments-on-opening-up- Funding for the Luton Dunstable Busway scheme data-51204 was approved by the previous Government under the reiterating transparency commitments made in the Coalition arrangements at that time for assessing and approval of Programme for Government, and setting out a timetable local major transport schemes. for achieving them. In particular, all new items of central Government spending over £25,000 will be published Midland Main Railway Line online in an open format from November 2010. Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Redundancy Pay Transport what the timetable is for electrification of the Midland Main Line rail route. [1296] Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Mrs Villiers: We are in the early stages of the new Department of redundancy payments for (a) front line Government and Ministers are considering the full and (b) other staff employed by (i) his Department and range of transport policy. The Government support rail (ii) its agencies. [644] electrification as it helps to reduce carbon emissions and cut running costs. No decisions have been made on Mr Philip Hammond: The Department for Transport the electrification of the Midland Main Line. has introduced restrictions on recruitment in order to reduce the numbers of staff in non-frontline roles, with Network Rail exceptions for frontline staff and business critical positions with appropriate control measures. John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for There are no departmental or agency specific redundancy Transport what steps he plans to take to ensure that programmes and the cost of capturing this information Network Rail (a) is more accountable to its customers for individual cases is available only at disproportionate and (b) puts the interests of passengers first; and when cost. he plans to publish his proposals. [867] The cost to the Department of redundancy and other exit payments this year will be disclosed in our Annual Mrs Villiers: The Government have a commitment to Report and Resource Accounts for 2010-11. make Network Rail more accountable to its customers. We are investigating options for implementing this and Driving Offences: Insurance no final decisions on specific measures have yet been taken. At the same time, we are also investigating options for turning the Office of Rail Regulation into a powerful : To ask the Secretary of State for passenger champion. Transport what steps his Department plans to take to reduce the number of people who drive without insurance; and how many vehicles were seized for being John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for driven without insurance in the most recent year for Transport when he plans to implement his proposal to which figures are available. [702] specify Network Rail as a body to which the Freedom of Information Act 2000 applies. [869] Mike Penning: We are working in collaboration with the insurance industry to implement continuous insurance Mrs Villiers: The Government are considering a range enforcement early in 2011. This will involve regularly of options for delivering its commitment to increase the comparing the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s accountability and transparency of Network Rail. vehicle database with the Motor Insurance Database to identify uninsured vehicles and to follow up with Office of Rail Regulation enforcement action against their keepers. In 2009, 178,000 uninsured vehicles were seized by the police. Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he plans to ensure the Office of Rail Guided Bus Projects Regulation effectively represents the interests of passengers. [911] Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will hold a public inquiry into the Mrs Villiers: The Government have a commitment to Cambridge Guided Bus project; and for what reasons turn the Office of Rail Regulation into a powerful his Department decided to allocate funding to the passenger champion. We are currently investigating options Luton and Dunstable Guided Bus project. [66] for the implementation of this policy. 37W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 38W

Official Cars therefore currently in a position to give any commitments on projects such as a new railway station at Kirkstall Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Forge. Transport how many civil servants are entitled to use Railways: Bus Services the Government Car Service; and how many will be entitled to use the service in the future. [107] John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mike Penning: Civil servants use public transport Transport when he plans to implement his proposal to wherever possible although in some circumstances they require Network Rail to refund a third of the ticket can use a ″taxi″-style service provided by the Government price if a passenger has to take a rail replacement bus Car and Despatch Agency, bookable on demand. Four service as a consequence of engineering work; and senior civil servants currently have allocated Government from what budget such refunds will be provided. [868] cars and drivers, three of whom have notified their Mrs Villiers: I have made no specific proposal. However, intention to cancel existing arrangements. the Government have a commitment to reform Network Rail to make it more accountable to its customers. We Public Expenditure are in the process of considering a number of options to implement this, and no decisions on specific measures John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for have yet been made. Transport what the breakdown is of the planned £683 Railways: Construction million reduction in his Department’s expenditure. [359] Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the proposed High Speed Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 2 June 2010]: I Rail links to be operational; and if he will make a have agreed to contribute £683 million to the £6 billion statement. [763] of in-year budget reductions sought in the emergency budget. The breakdown of these reductions is as follows: Mr Philip Hammond: HS2 Ltd’s report estimates that Local authority grants—A £309 million reduction in the a high speed line from London to the Department’s specific grants to local authorities. could be operational from 2026. As the Government —I am consulting with the Mayor on a review this work we will consider any options for proposed £108 million reduction in the Department’s grant to accelerating this timetable. Transport for London. Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Network Rail will reduce spend by £100 million. Transport what recent representations he has received The Department is also making £112 million savings on the possible route of the proposed High Speed Rail in its direct expenditure through a range of measures link through ; and if he will make a statement. including a recruitment freeze, reduction in discretionary [764] spend, and re-negotiation of contracts with major suppliers to reduce their cost. Mr Philip Hammond: I have received no such recent It has also been necessary to defer £54 million that representations, but I do support the inclusion of Leeds would have been spent on a small number of lower in a high speed rail network for the UK. Full consultation priority rolling stock and highway improvement schemes. will take place before final decisions are taken on the preferred route for any section of the high speed rail network. Railway Stations: Leeds Railways: Electrification Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding his Department has allocated Transport on what railway lines the Government to the proposed new railway station at Kirkstall Forge; proposes to introduce railway electrification. [910] what recent discussions he has had on the allocation of that funding; and if he will make a statement. [760] Mrs Villiers: We are in the early stages of the new Government and Ministers are considering the full Mrs Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to my answer range of transport policy. The Government support rail given to the hon. Member today (UIN 765). electrification as it helps to reduce carbon emissions and cut running costs. Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Railways: North West Transport what plans his Department has for the proposed new railway station at Kirkstall Forge in West Dr Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Leeds; what recent discussions he has had on the how much his Department has allocated to capital building of that proposed station; and if he will make a expenditure on rail infrastructure in the North West in statement. [765] (a) 2010-11 and (b) each of the two subsequent financial years. [421] Mrs Villiers: The Government’s key priority at present is to tackle the budget deficit. The Department for Mrs Villiers: Network Rail is responsible for delivering Transport will consider the funding for local authority the majority of investment in rail infrastructure across and Passenger Transport Executive major transport the UK rail network. The High Level Output Specification schemes as part of the Government’s spending review, (HLOS) developed by the Department for Transport to be carried out by the autumn. The Department is not that formed the basis on which Network Rail’s income 39W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 40W was set by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) for the The Government have made clear their most urgent current regulatory control period (CP4) in 2008. This priority is to tackle the UK’s record deficit. The first specifies a number of investments in the north-west of step to achieve this was announced by the Treasury on England that are designed to improve services in the 24 May, setting out details of how the Government will region. These include extra capacity in Manchester and save £6.2 billion from spending during this financial Liverpool, longer trains on the West Coast Main Line year by cutting waste and low value programmes. and improvements in operational performance for regional Local government will take its fair share of these services. There are also other improvements to the rail savings, resulting in a reduction of £1.165 billion in network that are being undertaken outside of the north-west grants paid to local authorities during 2010-11 of which that will deliver benefits to the region. £309 million will be from regional and local transport Full details of how Network Rail propose to deliver grants. The Government will shortly announce in more these are set out in their business plan which is available detail the implications for individual grants. on their website at: www.networkrail.co.uk That said, Government funding for the railway is not EDUCATION allocated on a regional basis. It is for Network Rail to deliver their obligations to individual regions as set out Building Schools for the Future in the HLOS within the funds that have been made available to them by the ORR. The sources of these 18. Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for funds come from train operators and direct grants from Education what plans he has for the Building Schools the Government. Full details of the funding allocation for the Future programme. [000818] are set out in the ORR’s income determination for CP4. Copies of this document are available in the Libraries Michael Gove: I am currently reviewing the methods of the House. by which capital has been allocated to ensure we can build schools more effectively and cost-efficiently in the future. Railways: Overcrowding 19. Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his plans are for the Building Schools Transport what his policy is for reducing overcrowding for the Future programme in the metropolitan borough on trains. [908] of Trafford; and if he will make a statement. [000820]

Mrs Villiers: We are assessing our policy for managing Michael Gove: I am currently reviewing the methods crowding on the rail network in the light of likely by which capital has been allocated to ensure we can spending constraints over the next few years. Proposals build schools more effectively and cost-efficiently in the by the previous administration for the purchase of future. additional carriages will be reappraised and assessed for affordability. It is also the Government’s aim to improve All-through Schools efficiency in procurement practices in relation to rolling stock. 20. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of the performance of three-to-18 schools. [000821] Rapid Transit Systems: Tees Valley Michael Gove: There are currently 35 schools nationally Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for operating as all-through, 26 of which have opened in Transport what assessment he has made of the merits the last three years. It is therefore too soon to make a of a Metro system for the Tees Valley area; and detailed assessment of their performance, but we will whether he plans to allocate funding to such a system. keep under review their progress and the lessons that [507] can be learned.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has Free Schools not made an assessment of any plans for a Metro system for the Tees Valley area. Nor has it received a 21. Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for formal funding request for such a proposal. Education what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of implementation of the free schools Transport: Finance policy. [000822] Michael Gove: Decisions about the level of funding Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for available to set up and run new schools will be dependent Transport what mechanism he intends to use to review on the outcome of the spending review in the autumn. regional transport board expenditure in 2010-11. [579] But the clear principle is that we will fund free schools on a comparable basis to other state-funded schools Norman Baker [holding answer 2 June 2010]: The and that, as now, money should follow the pupil. Government do not allocate capital funding for transport projects to regional transport boards, although regions Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for have advised the Secretary of State on the priorities for Education what estimate he has made of the number of allocating capital funding to local authorities for major free schools which will be established in each of the transport schemes in 2010-11. next five years; and if he will make a statement. [248] 41W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 42W

Mr Gibb: The number of free schools established How many open academies do over the next few years will depend on the level of Name of sponsor they sponsor demand from parents and communities. Absolute Return for Kids 8 (ARK) Academy: Gloucester Academies Enterprise Trust 4 (AET) 22. Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State Barnfield College Further 2 for Education what plans he has for the establishment Education Corporation of a new academy school in Gloucester; and if he will Bob Edmiston 3 make a statement. [000823] Brian Scrowcroft 2 Cornwallis Online Learning 2 Michael Gove: This Department has been planning to Corporation of London 3 open a new academy in Gloucester in September 2010. David Meller 2 The academy, sponsored by Prospects Education Services Diocese of London 3 as lead sponsor and Gloucestershire college as co-sponsor, Diocese of Manchester 2 has been planned as a merger of two predecessor schools, Diocese of Oxford 2 the Central Technology college, a boys-only school, and Diocese of Southwark 2 Bishops’ college, a co-ed school. The academy has been Dixons Academy Trust 2 planned to be a mixed secondary school with sixth form Edge Foundation 2 provision, and will offer specialisms in digital technology, Edutrust Academies Charitable 8 computing and vocational education. Trust (EACT) Emmanuel Schools Foundation 3 Academies Girls’ Day School Trust 2 (GDST) 23. Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Haberdashers’ Livery Company 2 Education what recent progress has been made on the Harris Federation of South 9 academies programme; and if he will make a statement. London Schools [000824] John Cabot Academy 2 Leigh CTC 2 Michael Gove: There are currently 203 academies Oasis Community Learning 11 open in 83 local authorities. More academies will open Outwood Grange College of 2 in September, with numbers continuing to grow each Technology year now that the programme has been opened up to all Priory Fundraising Trust 3 schools. For the academies with results in 2008 and RC Archdiocese of Southwark 2 2009 the increase in the proportion of pupils achieving Samworth Brothers 2 at least five A*-C GCSEs including English and maths Schools Partnership Trust 2 is 5.0 percentage points, an increase on last year’s Stanton Lane Trust 2 academy improvement rate of 4.3 percentage points The Manchester College 2 and double the average national increase. The Mercers Company 2 The Ormiston Trust 7 Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for The Ridings Education Trust 2 Education what his policy is on the number of parent The Society of Merchant 2 governors allocated places on the governing body of Venturers any Academy school. [258] Thomas Telford Online 2 United Learning Trust (ULT) 17 Mr Gibb: We value the role of parental engagement Weston Foundation 3 in schools; however no decisions have yet been taken on Woodard Corporation 2 the number of parent governors allocated places on academy governing bodies. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will make it a requirement for Education what his policy is on the publication of Academy schools to comply with the national financial accounts by Academy schools. [259] curriculum; and if he will make a statement; [405] (2) if he will bring forward proposals to prevent Mr Gibb: All academy trusts (which includes charitable Academy schools downgrading or removing from their trusts running more than one academy) are required to curriculums any of the subjects of (a) geography, (b) publish annual accounts in accordance with the Companies history, (c) each of the sciences and (d) modern Act 2006. languages; and if he will make a statement. [408] Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which organisations administer two or more Mr Gibb: We trust teachers and head teachers to run Academy schools; and how many Academy schools their schools. This will include giving academies freedom each such organisation administers. [262] from following the national curriculum and enabling them to raise standards by tailoring the curriculum to Mr Gibb: The requested information is shown in the the needs of their students. Academies will still be following table. required to provide a broad and balanced curriculum. 43W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 44W

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for CAFCASS: Complaints Education what recent research he has evaluated on the effects on the examination results of Academy schools Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for of concentration of resources by those schools on Education how many complaints the Children and vocational courses instead of academic courses; and if Family Court Advisory and Support Service has he will make a statement. [407] received about its services in each year since its inception. [142] Mr Gibb: It is for schools to decide the most appropriate range of courses and qualifications to offer to their Tim Loughton: The number of complaints received students. There is no evidence that academies are by CAFCASS in its services is an operational matter for concentrating resources on vocational courses instead CAFCASS. The chief executive of CAFCASS, Anthony of academic courses. The latest examination results for Douglas will write to the hon. Member and a copy of 2009 show that academies have seen a 5.0 percentage his response will be placed in the House Libraries. point increase in the proportion of pupils achieving at Letter from Anthony Douglas: least five GCSEs at A*-C including English and maths (for those academies with results in 2008 and 2009), I am writing to you in response to Parliamentary Question that you tabled recently. double the average national increase of 2.5 percentage points. The table below indicates the number of complaints received by Cafcass since its inception in April 2001.

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Number of complaints received Education what recent assessment he has made of progress on the academies programme; and if he will 2001/02 1476 make a statement. [819] 2002/03 440 2003/04 500 Michael Gove: There are currently 203 academies 2004/05 484 open in 83 local authorities. More academies will open 2005/06 474 in September, with numbers continuing to grow each 2006/07 640 year now that the programme has been opened up to all 2007/08 709 schools. For the academies with results in 2008 and 2008/09 1,030 2009 the increase in the proportion of pupils achieving 2009/10 1,310 at least five A*-C GCSEs including English and maths 1 132 of these relating to work carried out prior to the establishment is 5.0 percentage points, an increase on last year’s of Cafcass on 1 April 2001. academy improvement rate of 4.3 percentage points January 2009 saw the introduction of a revised complaints and double the average national increase. procedure that was intended to enable a larger proportion of service users’ feedback to be dealt with within the boundaries of the revised procedure. Thus, the figures for 2008/09 and 2009/10 Duchess’s High School, Alnwick are not directly comparable with those from earlier years. Children: Exercise 24. Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will visit Alnwick to discuss the Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for rebuilding of the Duchess’s high school. [000825] Education (1) how much his Department has spent on tai-chi programmes in schools in the last three years for Michael Gove: I am currently reviewing the methods which figures are available; which five companies or by which capital has been allocated to ensure we can charities have received the largest sums in such funding; build schools more effectively and cost-efficiently in the and how much each has received; [265] future. But I hope that I or one of the ministerial team (2) what recent assessment he has made of the value will have the opportunity to visit Alnwick again in due for money of his Department’s expenditure on course. provision of tai-chi courses. [38]

Apprentices Mr Gibb: Neither the Department nor its predecessor has spent any money directly on Tai-Chi programmes in Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for schools in the last three years. Any Tai-Chi programmes Education what steps he plans to take to increase the in schools would be funded directly by the schools number of 16 and 17 year-olds who (a) start and (b) themselves. We do not collect data relating to the value complete apprenticeships; and if he will make a for money of schools provision of Tai-Chi for their statement. [94] pupils. History: Curriculum Mr Gibb: We intend to increase the number of apprenticeship places for people of all ages, and we are Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for committed to improving the quality of apprenticeships Education if he will make it his policy to include the to make them better suited to the needs of employers history of the 20th century in the National Curriculum; and learners. and if he will make a statement. [251] We will seek ways to support the creation of apprenticeships, internships, work pairings, and college Mr Gibb: We are currently considering our priorities and workplace training places as part of our wider for the national curriculum, including what it should programme to get Britain working. cover. We will be announcing our plans in due course. 45W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 46W

Music: Education that strategy; what (i) short and (ii) long-term targets he plans to set as part of that strategy; and if he will make Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for a statement. [68] Education how much his Department has spent on singing programmes in schools in the last three years Mr Burstow [holding answer 2 June 2010]: The for which figures are available; which five companies or Government are committed to addressing the needs of charities have received the largest sums in funding; and people with autism and their families. The Autism how much each has received. [264] Strategy for adults with autism in England—“Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives—was published on 3 March 2010 Mr Gibb: Tenders were invited in 2007 to provide and copies placed in the Library. support for the Singing Ambassador, Howard Goodall, To assist the and local authorities in developing and delivering the national singing to implement the strategy locally, the Department will programme. The “Sing Up” consortium with Youth fulfil the commitment set out in the Autism Act 2009 Music, the Sage Gateshead, Faber Music and Abbot and consult on and publish guidance in December Mead Vickers submitted a successful bid in July 2007. 2010. Consultation will begin in the next few weeks. Funding to the “Sing Up” Consortium was £7.4 million in 2007-08, and £9 million in each of 2008-09 and The Autism Programme Board, which includes health 2009-10. In addition £1 million was paid in each of professionals, third sector voluntary organisations and those years to the Choir Schools Association for the people with autism, has been established and will meet Chorister Outreach Programme, a part of the national quarterly to monitor progress of the strategy and determine singing programme. if targets are required. This board will be co-chaired by me as the Minister of State for Care Services, and Mr David Behan, the Director General for Social Care, HEALTH Local Government and Care Partnerships. Alcoholic Drinks: Rehabilitation

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Blood: Contamination what steps he plans to take to improve treatment of people with alcohol problems. [257] : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the Government’s policy on Anne Milton: Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are responsible provision of compensation for NHS patients with for arranging to meet the local needs of those with haemophilia who were infected with hepatitis C through alcohol-related problems from their resources and for treatment with contaminated blood products. [742] ensuring that services commissioned are of the required quality. David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for The Department’s Alcohol Improvement programme Health what support he plans to provide for those supports the NHS to help PCTs commission improvements people who were infected with hepatitis C as a result of in prevention and treatment, through: receiving contaminated blood in the 1970s and 1980s. Regular data from the National Alcohol Treatment Monitoring [744] System on improvements in treatment in each PCT and local alcohol profiles for England to help PCTs understand local need in relation to alcohol harm; Anne Milton: The national health service provides treatment for patients diagnosed with hepatitis C, in Publication each quarter by PCT of the vital signs indicator on alcohol-related hospital admissions, to show how local improvements accordance with the National Institute for Health and in prevention and treatment are reducing harm; Clinical Excellence recommendations. Guidance on effective commissioning and treatment, for example Individuals who were inadvertently infected with hepatitis “Models of care for Alcohol Misusers” (2006) and “Signs for C by NHS supplied contaminated blood and blood Improvement—commissioning interventions to reduce alcohol-related products are also eligible to receive financial assistance harm” (2009); and from the Skipton Fund. We are carefully considering A national support team for alcohol, which supports PCTs and policy in this area, and we will announce a decision in their partner organisations in areas with the highest rates of due course. alcohol related hospital admissions to review their commissioning and delivery systems for alcohol harm reduction and identify what improvements can be made. Alcohol is a major public health issue. We intend to Care Homes ensure a proper focus on public health within the NHS. This will include prevention of alcohol-related illness. Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health We are also determined to help the NHS effectively if he will undertake a review into the funding and commission services, with a focus on good outcomes provision of residential care for the elderly for the from treatment, including treatment for alcohol dependence. purposes of assessing the merits of different mechanisms We will set out our plans in more detail through for allocating the funding of such care. [1303] announcements in the coming months. Autism: Health Services Mr Burstow: “Freedom, Fairness, Responsibility”, the Coalition’s Programme for Government set out Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health plans to establish a commission which will consider what recent progress has been made on the Adult Autism how to ensure responsible and sustainable funding for Strategy; what guidance he plans to provide to (a) the long term care. The Commission will be established as NHS and (b) local authorities on implementation of soon as possible and report within a year. 47W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 48W

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust However, local drug partnerships will have information on their arrangements for inpatient detoxification, including Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for specialist treatment centres. Contact details for each Health (1) when he expects the and Isles of partnership can be found via the Home Office website: Scilly primary care trust to reach its target level of http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100419081707/ funding; [685] http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/dat/directory/ (2) what estimate he has made of the dates on which Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) (b) the first and the last primary care trust to reach Health how many patients were waiting for access to target funding will do so. [686] in-patient detoxification facilities in each National Treatment Agency region on the latest date for which Mr Simon Burns: We have guaranteed that health figures are available. [330] spending will increase in real terms in each year of the Parliament. However, health care spend will also be Anne Milton: Published national drug treatment statistics, looked at as part of the next Spending Review. This will recorded by the National Drug Treatment Monitoring inform the speed at which primary care trusts move System, record the number of people who wait under towards their target revenue allocations. and over three weeks for their first and subsequent drug treatment. They do not report waiting times for specific Departmental Electronic Equipment treatments.

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Fluoride: Drinking Water how many (a) plasma and (b) LCD televisions there are in ministerial offices in his Department. [391] Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether it remains his policy that fluoridation Mr Simon Burns: There are no plasma televisions and of the water supply in Totton and Southampton should seven LCD televisions in Ministerial Private Offices in not take place without the consent of a majority of the the Department. local population. [1011]

Departmental Public Expenditure Mr Simon Burns: Section 58 of the Water Act 2003 empowers strategic health authorities (SHAs) to contract Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with water undertakers to fluoridate a water supply which (a) grants and (b) other funding made available after conducting public consultations. It is essential that for (i) joint working between central and local any consultation gives people a real opportunity to government and (ii) local government-led services will make their views known and that those views are taken be affected by his Department’s planned spending into account before a final decision is made. reductions; and if he will make a statement. [980] The decision by South Central SHA to approve the fluoridation of water supplies to the Southampton area Mr Burstow: With regards to local government grants, is the subject of a judicial review, which is likely to be no Department of Health grants for adult social care heard in the autumn, and so due to the legal challenge will be reduced in 2010-11. So, in 2010-11, the Department the Department is unable to comment. will fund over £1.4 billion of grants to local government for adult social care, as planned. Homeopathy The Department for Communities and Local Government will shortly be announcing the Government’s Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health detailed proposals for local authorities. (1) what steps he is taking to increase the accuracy of With regards to other funding made available for labelling of licensed homeopathic products; [10] joint working between central and local government, (2) if he will ensure that no further clinical trials of health funding is protected from the £6.2 billion of homeopathy are funded by the NHS; [12] cross Government spending reductions announced recently. (3) what recent assessment he has made of the Efficiency savings identified in 2010-11, for example cost-effectiveness of homeopathic treatments funded from programme budgets which are not consistent with by the NHS; [13] the Government’s priorities, will help ensure we protect front line services. (4) when the Government plan to respond to the Science and Technology Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2009-10, Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy, Drugs: Rehabilitation HC45. [222]

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Anne Milton: The issues mentioned were all raised by Health how many specialist in-patient (a) drug and the Science and Technology Committee’s report Evidence (b) alcohol detoxification beds were available on the Check 2: Homeopathy: The Government are currently latest date for which figures are available. [261] considering the report, including the issues mentioned, and will respond in due course. Anne Milton: Data on the total number of in-patient detoxification beds available in England across national Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health health service and independent sector settings is not what his policy is on the prescription of placebo available centrally. treatments. [11] 49W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 50W

Anne Milton: The issue mentioned was raised by the A properly qualified, trained and competent workforce Science and Technology Committee’s report “Evidence is required to meet the complex needs of children with Check 2: Homeopathy”. The Government are currently autism and related mental health problems. considering the report, including the issue mentioned, and will respond in due course. Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish his Department’s guidance to Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health commissioners of child and adolescent mental health what guidance his Department has issued on the services of the services they are required to provide in prescribing of homeopathic treatments on the NHS. respect of the availability of 24 hour care to meet [221] urgent mental health needs in order to meet the criteria for (a) national indicator 51, proxy measure 3 and (b) Anne Milton: The issue mentioned were all raised by vital signs indicator 12. [886] the Science and Technology Committee’s report Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy. The Government are currently Mr Burstow: The guidance to commissioners on considering the report, including the issue mentioned, completing the Vital Signs Monitoring Return asks and will respond in due course. “Are arrangements in place to ensure that 24 hour cover is available to meet the urgent mental health needs of children and Hospitals: Wynyard young people and specialist mental health assessments undertaken within 24 hours or during the next working day where indicated?” Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State The guidance recognises that there will be a variety of for Health (1) if he will ensure that £464 million ways of providing this provision. In most cases it will expenditure for the new hospital at Wynyard is involve informing possible referral points such as accident maintained; [872] and emergency departments, general practice out of (2) whether all funding for capital projects agreed by hours services, police, of appropriate contact information his Department since 1 January 2010 will be for on call Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services maintained. [873] specialist staff.

Mr Simon Burns: As with all significant spending Mental Health Services: Finance commitments made between 1 January 2010 and the election on 6 May, the proposed new hospital scheme at Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Wynyard for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation what estimate he has made of the effect, in cash terms, Trust will be subject to the Government’s re-examination on (a) the budget for mental health services and (b) of such approvals to ensure they are consistent with the funding for mental health research, including joint Government’s priorities and good value for money. work between his Department and the university sector of his Department’s planned spending reductions; and Marie Stopes International if he will make a statement. [979]

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mr Burstow: No such estimate has been made. how much the NHS spent on (a) pregnancy counselling, Decisions on spending on mental health services, in (b) abortions and (c) other counselling, including post- common with other areas of health spending, are made abortion counselling provided by Marie Stopes International locally by primary care trusts and local authorities. The in each of the last five years; and how many people Department has no plans to reduce current expenditure received each such service in each such year. [196] on mental health research. Anne Milton: This information is not collected centrally. National health service spending is protected from the planned £6.2 billion cuts to Government spending The cost to the national health service of abortions in 2010-11. Decisions on NHS funding beyond 2010-11 performed in NHS hospitals in 2008-09 was £82.1 million. will be made during the next spending review this This figure does not include abortions performed by autumn. Health spending is a priority for this Government independent sector organisations, such as Marie Stopes and we have committed to increase the overall level of International, under contract to the NHS. In 2009, 60% health funding in real terms during each year of the of NHS funded abortions were performed under contract current Parliament. We will also identify NHS efficiency by the independent sector. savings, which we will reinvest in frontline services. Mental Health Services: Children Mental Health Services: Young People Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) qualifications and (b) competencies Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health are required of specialist child and adolescent mental what steps he plans to take to maintain the level of health service staff working with children with autism funding of child and adolescent mental health services. and related mental health problems. [885] [981]

Mr Burstow: Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Mr Burstow: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Health Services staff have a professional qualification Services (CAMHS) is funded locally by both the NHS in one of a number of disciplines, such as psychology, and local authorities. psychiatry, social work or education. Many will also We have set out our intention to protect the national hold post-professional awards in specific therapeutic health service budget in line with inflation over the approaches. course of the next spending review, and NHS funding 51W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 52W for CAMHS is within this total. Funding for local In the meantime, SHAs will continue to have a vital government, including that provided for CAMHS will role in supporting the delivery of financial control and be determined as part of the spending review later this performance, and driving improvements in quality and year. productivity. NHS: Public Consultation Mobile Phones: Health Hazards Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to introduce direct elections for what research his Department has evaluated on the members of the boards of primary care trusts. [891] effects on human health of use of mobile telephones Mr Simon Burns: Proposals on elections to the boards for more than 30 minutes a day. [36] of primary care trusts will be brought forward in due course. Anne Milton: The Health Protection Agency keeps the relevant research publications under continual review through its Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (AGNIR), and provides advice to Government on health effects of electromagnetic fields from various sources Afghanistan including radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones. Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for AGNIR is currently conducting a further comprehensive International Development what the (a) mode, (b) review of the health risks from radiofrequency radiation, class and (c) total cost of travel was of his recent visit which will take into account findings from the recently to Afghanistan. [15] published international Interphone study, which reported on mobile phone use and the risk of brain cancer. Mr Andrew Mitchell: On my recent visit to Afghanistan AGNIR is also considering other relevant research that I travelled business class on a return BA commercial has been published since its last review in 2003. AGNIR’s flight from London to Bahrain, the total cost of which new review is expected to be completed over the next was £1,839.63. From Bahrain I flew on a return RAF 12-24 months. Further information is available at: flight to Kabul. www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/Radiation/UnderstandingRadiation/ China: Family Planning UnderstandingRadiationTopics/ElectromagneticFields/ MobilePhones/info_INTERPHONE_agnir/ Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International The independently managed Mobile Telecommunications Development what assessment he has made of the and Health Research (MTHR) programme, jointly funded effectiveness of the United Nations Population Fund in by Government and industry, has supported a number promoting non-coercive approaches to family planning of studies into the possible health effects of radiofrequency in China since October 2009; and if he will make a technology, including two studies for the United Kingdom statement. [81] part of the Interphone project. The MTHR programme published its first report in September 2007. The report Mr Andrew Mitchell: It is a major priority for the UK and details of these and ongoing studies can be found Government to improve sexual and reproductive health on the MTHR website at: and rights, including access to modern family planning www.mthr.org.uk/research_projects/research.htm methods and promoting women’s choice, in the developing MTHR supports a long term cohort study on mobile world. phone use and health (COSMOS) which will capture The Department for International Development (DFID) information on patterns of mobile phone use, including is currently reviewing its bilateral and multilateral call duration, and changes in the frequency of specific development assistance, including funding of the United symptoms over time, such as headaches and sleep disorders, Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to ensure effectiveness and also the risks of cancers, benign tumours, neurological and value for money. and cerebrovascular diseases. Departmental Cost-effectiveness

NHS Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms he plans to use to review value for money in his Department’s Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for expenditure. [998] Health what plans he has for strategic health authorities. [676] Mr Andrew Mitchell: We will fundamentally change the way in which we look at the value for money of aid, Mr Simon Burns: The coalition agreement made clear moving from a focus on inputs to what our money that the Government intend to establish a new independent achieves, the outputs and outcomes we secure. We will NHS Commissioning Board, to allocate resources and gain maximum value for money for every pound through provide commissioning guidelines. greater transparency, rigorous independent evaluation The NHS Commissioning Board will combine functions and an unremitting focus on results. currently provided by the Department and strategic Departmental Electronic Equipment health authorities (SHAs), and deliver these in a more streamlined way. The remit of SHAs will change: the Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for NHS Commissioning Board will exercise its functions International Development how many (a) plasma and through regional offices that will report directly to the (b) LCD televisions there are in Ministerial offices in Chief Executive. his Department. [393] 53W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 54W

Mr Andrew Mitchell: There is a total of two LCD Departmental Public Expenditure televisions in ministerial offices in the Department for International Development (DFID). These were purchased Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for in July 2007 and January 2010. International Development when and in what form he plans to publish a list of all items of expenditure by his Department over £25,000. [279] Departmental Manpower Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Prime Minister has written Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for to Cabinet Ministers reiterating transparency commitments International Development how many full-time equivalent made in the coalition programme for Government, and staff at each Civil Service grade are employed in the setting out a timetable for achieving them. In particular, private office of each Minister in his Department. [116] all new items of central Government spending over £25,000 will be published online in an open format from Mr Andrew Mitchell: Details of full-time equivalent November 2010. staff at each civil service grade working in each private Global School Partnerships office at the Department for International Development (DFID) are provided in the following table. Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Equivalent International Development what plans he has to traditional continue to support the Global School Partnerships DFID Civil Service No. members Programme. [132] Minister DFID grade grade of staff

Secretary of B2 EO 2 Mr Andrew Mitchell: As part of the Department for State International Development’s (DFID’s) wider development B1(D) Fast Stream 2 awareness work in the UK, the Global School Partnerships A1 G6 1 Programme is subject to review. A decision on future support to this area of work will be made in due course. Deputy G5 1 Director Malawi: Overseas Aid Minister of C1 AO 1 State B2 EO 1 Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid the B1 HEO 2 Government provided to Malawi in (a) 2008 and (b) A1 G6 1 2009. [556] Parliamentary C1 AO 1 Under Mr Andrew Mitchell: The amount of Official Secretary of Development Assistance (ODA) provided to Malawi by State the UK Government is published in Statistics on B2 EO 1 International Development, which is available on the B1 HEO 1 Department for International Development’s (DFID’s) A2 G7 1 website at: http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-DFID/Finance-and- performance/Aid-Statistics/Statistics-on-Intemational- Departmental Official Cars Development-2009/ In 2008 the UK Government provided £81.4 million in ODA to Malawi. The figure for 2009 has not yet been Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for finalised and will be published later this year. International Development how many Government (a) cars and (b) drivers are allocated to Ministers in Niger: Droughts his Department. [299] Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Andrew Mitchell: The current interim arrangements for International Development what assessment he has for the Department for International Development (DFID) made of the likelihood of drought in Niger in the next are (a) three cars and (b) three drivers allocated to six months; and whether he plans to offer assistance to departmental Ministers. Niger to alleviate the effects of any drought. [1179] The new Ministerial Code, published on 21 May 2010, contains changes that affect ministerial entitlement Mr Andrew Mitchell: Over 7.1 million people in Niger to travel by Government car. It states that already face severe or moderate food insecurity following “the number of Ministers with allocated cars and drivers will poor rains, harvests and pastures in 2009. The Africa be kept to a minimum, taking into account security and other Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development relevant considerations. Other Ministers will be entitled to use latest forecast is for normal levels of rainfall during the cars from the Government Car Service Pool as needed”. next six months. We will continue to monitor the situation The Department for Transport and its Government Car carefully. and Despatch Agency are working with Departments The Department for International Development (DFID) to effect the transition to the new arrangements. has already provided over £9.5 million to United Nations The Ministerial Code, published on 21 May 2010, is agencies and non-governmental organisations to respond available on the Cabinet Office website. to the most urgent needs in Niger. Our funding will 55W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 56W provide food aid to 118,000 people for three months; The Department for International Development’s treat 20,000 children with severe acute malnutrition; (DFID’s) funding to International Planned Parenthood provide cash for work or payments to 20,000 households; Federation (IPPF) is unrestricted. Guidance on the use support 15,000 vulnerable households maintain a minimum of DFID’s funding is contained in a Partnership Programme number of livestock and provide seeds to more than Arrangement (PPA) which was agreed in 2008. The 81,000 households. An additional £1 million has been PPA states that funding is provided in support of provided to strengthen the longer term resilience of reproductive health. communities to future disasters. DFID provides up to £20 million of unrestricted funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Overseas Aid: Family Planning per year. Guidance on how these funds should be used is contained in a Memorandum of Understanding between Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International DFID and UNFPA. Release of funding is subject to Development how much funding his Department has progress against targets that relate to the objectives in allocated to the (a) International Planned Parenthood UNFPA’s Strategic Plan. Federation and (b) United Nations Population Fund in In 2008 DFID also agreed to provide £100 million to each year since 1997. [198] UNFPA’s Global Programme for Reproductive Health Commodity Security (GPRHCS) for the period 2008-13. Mr Andrew Mitchell: Details of the Department for Guidance in the Memorandum of Understanding between International Development’s (DFID’s) core unrestricted DFID and UNFPA states that this funding can only be funding to the International Planned Parenthood used to meet the aims of the GPRHCS. Federation (IPPF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in each year since 1997 are provided in Palestinians: International Assistance the following table. Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for £ million International Development if he will visit Gaza to IPPF UNFPA assess the humanitarian situation as a matter of urgency. [1189] 1997-98 5 13 1998-99 5.5 13 Mr Andrew Mitchell: I am extremely concerned about 1999- 5.5 15 the humanitarian situation in Gaza and hope to visit as 2000 soon as possible to assess the conditions for myself. 2000-01 5.5 15 2001-02 4.5 15 Officials from my Department are closely monitoring 2002-03 4.5 15 events on the ground, including through regular visits to Gaza. I also met this week with John Ging, Head of 2003-04 10.5 18 the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)’s 2004-05 6 20 operations on Wednesday 2 June, who briefed me in 2005-06 0 20 detail on the current situation. 2006-07 7.5 20 2007-08 7.5 20 USA: Family Planning 2008-09 8.6 20 2009-10 8.6 22.06 Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department plans to discuss In addition to this core unrestricted expenditure, with the US administration the implications for his payments are made through our country offices to Department’s policies of its decision to (a) reinstate support reproductive and maternal health programmes. the US contribution to the United Nations Population From 2007 to 2009 a further payment of £4 million Fund and (b) rescind the Mexico City policy; and if he was allocated to the Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF), will make a statement. [82] a trust fund that IPPF manages. DFID also supports UNFPA’s Global Programme Mr Andrew Mitchell: Department for International for Reproductive Health Commodities with a five year Development (DFID) officials are in regular contact contribution of up to £100 million. DFID’s contribution with their US counterparts about sexual and reproductive in 2009-10 was £20 million. health and rights and other health issues, and I have personally spoken to the new USAID Administrator, Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Dr Rajiv Shah. As my hon. friend will know, this is a International Development whether his Department particular priority of the Government. places restrictions on the purposes for which funds The UK Government welcome US President Obama’s allocated to the (a) International Planned Parenthood decision of January 2009 to restore funding for the Federation and (b) United Nations Population Fund United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and to are used; what guidance his Department has issued to rescind the Mexico City policy. each such organisation on the use of such funds in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [199] Zimbabwe: Overseas Aid

Mr Andrew Mitchell: It is a major priority for the UK Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for International Government to improve sexual and reproductive health Development what recent assessment he has made of and rights, including access to modern family planning the effectiveness of bi-lateral UK assistance to Zimbabwe; methods and promoting women’s choice, in the developing and what measures are being taken to ensure such aid is world. not affected by corruption. [161] 57W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 58W

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International No consent or permission is required to fly any Development’s (DFID’s) programme in Zimbabwe has country’s national flag at any premises provided nothing helped deliver Anti-Retroviral Treatment to 58,000 people, is added to the design of the flag or to any flagstaff and provide essential medicines to approximately 1,300 primary it complies with the standard conditions that apply to care clinics and rural hospitals, and contributed to a all advertisements. programme to give every primary school child access to school materials. Local Government Finance None of the funds provided by the UK are channelled through the Government of Zimbabwe. DFID works Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for through established partners such as the United Nations Communities and Local Government to which grants and non-governmental organisations. to local authorities the de-ring-fencing proposals announced on 24 May will apply. [207] In the coming months, I will be reviewing DFID’s aid programme in Zimbabwe to determine how we can Robert Neill: An announcement on the specific grants achieve better value for money for the British taxpayer that will be de-ring-fenced in 2010-11 will be made and accelerate progress towards the Millennium shortly. Development Goals. Local Government: Public Consultation

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing: Construction Communities and Local Government in what circumstances he intends to grant a public right of veto Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for of council tax increases. [1145] Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take in relation to planning the supply of Robert Neill: We will give residents the power to veto housing in central Oxfordshire. [206] excessive council tax rises that go above a set threshold. Robert Neill: We have committed, in the coalition We will set out our proposals on the threshold and the Government document, “The Coalition: our programme mechanism for initiating a referendum in a consultation for government”, that we would radically reform the document later this year. planning system to give neighbourhoods far more ability Regional Planning and Development to determine the shape of the places in which their inhabitants live, based on the principles set out in the Mr : To ask the Secretary of Conservative Party publication “Open Source Planning”. State for Communities and Local Government what In terms of planning the supply of housing, we have set assessment he has made of the effects of the abolition out our intention to rapidly abolish regional spatial of regional spatial strategies on the joint core strategies strategies and return decision-making powers on housing which are being developed by local councils; and if he and planning to local councils. We will provide more will make a statement. [973] details on our approach shortly. Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State Robert Neill: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of for Communities and Local Government whether he State has written to all local authority leaders and the will accept further representations from (a) local residents Planning Inspectorate confirming the Government’s and (b) other interested parties, on planning application intention to abolish regional strategies and saying that 07/00680/OUT at Innsworth, Gloucestershire; and if he he expects them to have regard to his letter as a material will make a statement. [974] consideration in decisions on applications and local development frameworks, including core strategies. A Robert Neill: It is not the Secretary of State’s copy of the letter has been placed in the Library of the intention to accept any further representations from House. local residents or other interested parties on planning We want local authorities to put local plans in place application 07/00680/OUT at Innsworth, Gloucestershire. as soon as possible, including joint plans where appropriate, Representations have in fact already been received. My to provide greater certainty for communities and investors. right hon. Friend will issue his decision on or before However authorities may wish to review elements of 30 June, as advised to all main parties. their local development frameworks in the light of the Licensed Premises: Planning Permission impending abolition of regional strategies. Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has issued guidance to local planning JUSTICE authorities on their powers to control the flying of Departmental Official Cars national flags outside licensed premises. [975] Robert Neill: Flags are classified as advertisements Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice and are controlled by local planning authorities, under how many Government (a) cars and (b) drivers are the Town and Country Planning (Control of allocated to Ministers in his Department. [300] Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007. Guidance on these Regulations has been issued in CLG Circular Mr Blunt: The current interim arrangements for the 03/2007, available at: Ministry of Justice are (a) four cars and (b) four http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningand drivers allocated to departmental Ministers. This is building/circulartown supplemented by the use of pool cars as needed. 59W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 60W

The Home Office provides the arrangements in relation Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. to The Minister of State for Policing and Criminal Responsibility for registering electors lies with individual Justice, who also has ministerial responsibilities at the electoral registration officers (EROs) based within local Ministry of Justice. authorities. EROs do not have statutory registration The new Ministerial Code, published on 21 May targets in terms of numbers registered, but operate 2010, contains changes that affect ministerial entitlement within a performance standards framework. to travel by Government car. It states that: Sections 9A and 9B of the Political Parties, Elections “the number of Ministers with allocated cars and drivers will and Referendums Act 2000 empower the Electoral be kept to a minimum, taking into account security and other Commission to set and monitor performance standards relevant considerations. Other Ministers will be entitled to use for electoral registration officers. As part of this monitoring cars from the Government Car Service Pool as needed”. role, the Commission recently published its second The Department for Transport and its Government Car assessment of “The Performance Standards for Electoral and Despatch Agency are working with Departments Registration Officers in Great Britain (March 2010)”. to effect the transition to the new arrangements. The Government understand that the Commission The Ministerial Code is available on the Cabinet has committed to contacting all EROs who have fallen Office website. below certain criteria to identify the reasons for poor Departmental Public Expenditure performance and then to develop appropriate methods to ensure improvement. Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when and in what form he plans to publish a list of all Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice items of expenditure by his Department over £25,000. with reference to the answer of 9 March 2009, Official Report, column 88W, on the electoral register, what [280] progress has been made on standardising the wording Mr Kenneth Clarke: The Prime Minister has written and layout of rolling registration forms. [166] to Cabinet Ministers1 reiterating transparency commitments made in the Coalition Programme for Government, and Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. setting out a timetable for achieving them. In particular, The Government have committed to speeding up the all new items of central Government spending over implementation of Individual Electoral Registration. £25,000 will be published online in an open format from We also need to make sure that—for those who are November 2010. entitled to vote—it is as straightforward as possible to 1 http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/statements-and-articles/ register. As part of that, we will give consideration to 2010/05/letter-to-government-departments-on-opening-up-data- whether all electoral registration forms, including a 51204 rolling registration form, should be prescribed. In the meantime the design of rolling registration forms under Elections: Fraud the current system of electoral registration is a matter for Electoral Registration Officers. Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department is taking to reduce Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the level of electoral fraud; and if he will undertake a what assessment has been made of the socio-economic review of current legislation with a view to restricting profile of citizens who are eligible to be on the electoral on-demand postal and proxy votes. [706] register and are not on it. [168] Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. The Government are committed to tackling electoral fraud by speeding up the introduction of individual The Electoral Commission in its report “The electoral registration. This will enhance the accuracy of Completeness and Accuracy of Electoral Registers in the register, ensuring that only those entitled to vote are Great Britain” published in March 2010 found that case registered. studies confirmed that registration rates were especially low among young people, private renters and those who Postal and proxy voting, along with all other areas of had recently moved home. electoral law, are kept under review. As part of this process, we will carefully consider the findings and any It found that the highest concentration of under- recommendations contained in the reports of the Electoral registration was likely to be in metropolitan areas, smaller Commission into the conduct of the recent general towns and cities with large student populations and election. coastal areas with significant population turnover and high levels of social deprivation. The Government will work closely with the Electoral Commission, police, political parties and returning officers to raise awareness and strengthen systems to ensure that Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice fraud is detected and prosecuted. with reference to the answer of 4 March 2009, Official Report, column 1708W, on the electoral register, what Electoral Register the outcomes were of the 2007 financial information survey; and what period elapsed between the survey Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice sampling exercise and the production of the final what recent steps his Department has taken against report. [169] local authority electoral registration departments that have not achieved registration targets. [163] Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. 61W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 62W

The Electoral Commission has informed me that The Government have committed to speed up the they will be publishing their report into the cost of introduction of individual electoral registration (IER). electoral administration covering the 2007-08 and 2008-09 Work is under way to consider how implementation will financial years in early June 2010. The deadline for the be carried out. survey covering the 2007-08 financial year was 31 July 2008 and that for the 2008-09 financial year was 31 July Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 2009. After this information was collated, the data were how many full-time equivalent personnel were verified, analysed and checked and the findings are to employed in electoral registration departments in each be published shortly. The information will be placed on local authority on the latest date for which figures are the Commission’s website when it is published. available. [695] Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice I understand from the Electoral Commission that it what assessment has been made of the effects of has collected this information for the 2007-08 financial functional illiteracy on the ability of people to fill in year only. I also understand that it will be published on electoral registration forms; and what steps have been the Commission’s website alongside its report into the taken to assist functionally illiterate people to register. cost of electoral administration, covering the 2007-08 [170] and 2008-09 financial years, which it expects to publish in early June. Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. The Government have not made an assessment on Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the effects of functional illiteracy on the ability of which local authorities have achieved the highest people to fill in electoral registration forms. increase in levels of voter registration in the last two years; and what steps his Department has taken to The Electoral Commission is responsible for guidance ensure that the practices leading to such increases are for electoral registration officers (EROs). The Commission adopted in other local authorities. [697] recommends that the electoral registration office and contact staff are trained to deal with inquiries from Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. people who have low level reading and writing skills and According to data supplied by the Office for National suggests that EROs may want to produce easy-read Statistics, the five local authorities with the highest literature to enable greater understanding of the registration cumulative increase in levels of voter registration over process. the last two years were Sheffield city council, Birmingham city council, the London borough of Hackney, Manchester Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice city council and the London borough of Barnet. with reference to the answer of 4 March 2009, what the The Electoral Commission provides guidance to electoral results were of the pilot data matching schemes under registration officers (EROs) in undertaking electoral which public authorities will provide registration registration, and sets and monitors performance standards officers with information to assist them in maintaining for EROs. an accurate and comprehensive register. [171] The Electoral Commission published research on electoral registration and a report on EROs’ performance Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. in March 2010: “The Completeness and Accuracy of The Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 makes Electoral Registers in Great Britain”; and the “Report provision for the piloting of data-matching schemes to on Performance Standards for Electoral Registration test which data sets help to maintain the completeness Officers in Great Britain”. and accuracy of the register. As yet, no pilots have been The Government are considering the findings of the carried out under this legislation. reports and the issue of electoral registration as part of the wider context of the move to Individual Electoral Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Registration in Great Britain. if he will bring forward proposals to register Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice unregistered voters before the implementation of any if he will commission research on the effects of levels of review of parliamentary constituency boundaries. [663] functional illiteracy on electoral registration rates. [698]

Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. It is important that all eligible individuals should The Government have no current plans to commission exercise their democratic right to register and vote. The such research. The Government have committed to Government have committed to speed up the introduction accelerate the introduction of individual electoral of individual electoral registration (IER). We will be registration (IER). Work is under way to consider how considering how the electoral registration system can be implementation will be carried out. The design of forms improved in that context. and access issues will clearly be relevant to any changes to the electoral registration system. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate his Department has made of the effect with reference to the answer of 26 February 2009, on the size of the registered electorate of the Official Report, columns 988-89W, on the electoral introduction of individual voter registration. [664] register, what progress the Office for National Statistics made on publishing figures for the 2008 annual Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. canvass. [724] 63W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 64W

Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. General Election 2010 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published the figures for the 2008 annual canvass in February Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009. The number of parliamentary electors in the UK Justice what the name was of each returning officer in grew by 111,595 to 45,194,449 and the number of local the 6 May 2010 general election; what the full-time job government electors in the UK grew by 227,374 to was of each; what fee each received for acting as a 46,147,877. returning officer; and from which budget those fees In February 2010, the ONS published the figures for were paid. [409] the 2009 canvass. The number of parliamentary electors grew by 226,359 to 45,420,808; and the number of local Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. government electors grew by 308,013 to 46,455,890. A list of the names of each of the returning officers in the 6 May 2010 general election will be placed in the Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Libraries of both Houses. with reference to the answer of 24 June 2008, Official In England and Wales, the Representation of the Report, columns 243-4W, on the electoral register: fines, People Act 1983 provides for the duties of a returning which local authorities have initiated proceedings for officer in respect of the conduct of the election to be failure to complete and return an annual registration. discharged by the electoral registration officer for the [727] constituency as ″acting returning officer″. Accordingly, in respect of England and Wales, the list referred to Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. above will set out the names of each of the acting This information is not collected centrally. Electoral returning officers. Details of the full-time employment Registration Officers (EROs) have a statutory duty to of those individuals in England and Wales are not held maintain a complete and accurate electoral register. It is by the Government. In Scotland, the returning officers for individual EROs to decide on what action to take in for the 6 May 2010 general election were all local relation to non-completion of an individual annual authority chief executives. In Northern Ireland, the canvass form. Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland is the returning officer for the parliamentary general election. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice The returning officer’s fee is calculated in relation to how much his Department paid electoral registration the number of electors in the constituency. The amounts officers in local government for work on election which returning officers receive for the services rendered administration in the last 12 months. [730] and expenses incurred in administering UK parliamentary elections are paid from the Consolidated Fund under Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply section 29 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA) 1983. The overall maximum amount which a Funding for electoral registration activities is met returning officer is entitled to recover is set out in the through the Revenue Support Grant (RSG), administered Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officer’s Charges) by the Department for Communities and Local Order 2010. This order also sets out the maximum Government. Once these funds are allocated, decisions amount a returning officer may recover in respect of on how they are utilised are a matter for the local specified services and expenses. authorities concerned. The order provides different amounts for when a Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice parliamentary election is conducted on its own, or when how many people resident in each parliamentary a parliamentary general election is taken together with constituency were added to the electoral register in (a) the ordinary day of election of councillors in some constituencies in 2010. February, (b) March and (c) April 2010. [732]

Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. General Elections The Electoral Commission has received some information from returning officers about increases to the register Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice ahead of the general election and I understand that it if he will assess the merits of holding the next general will include such information in its election report, election at a weekend. [335] which it expects to publish in July. Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. Fathers4Justice The Government will keep under review ways in which the democratic process can be enhanced. We will consider the reports of the Electoral Commission into Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the conduct of the most recent general election and what plans he has to meet representatives of the respond in due course. Fathers 4 Justice campaign. [7]

Mr Djanogly: The Government welcome opportunities Government Departments: Data Protection for constructive dialogue with key interest groups about reform of the family justice system. Ministers will consider Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice meeting requests on an individual basis. A request from which Minister in his Department has responsibility for Fathers 4 Justice was received on 18 May and is being policy on data sharing between Government considered. departments; and if he will make a statement. [20] 65W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 66W

Mr Djanogly: My noble Friend the Minister of State Business for Justice (Lord McNally) has ministerial responsibility for policy on data protection, which includes policy on Mr Binley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer the sharing of personal data between Government how many small businesses are registered for VAT. Departments. [1009] While the Ministry of Justice has this policy responsibility, it has no role in relation to individual data sharing Mr Gauke: There are currently 1.94 million VAT initiatives between other Government Departments. registered businesses. Using the turnover threshold of Departments—as data controllers for the purposes of £5.6 million used in the Companies Act 2006 definition the Data Protection Act 1998—are responsible for ensuring of a small business, 1.90 million of these businesses their own compliance with the Act, including how data would be classed as small. are shared. Huntercombe Young Offender Institution

John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the what the timetable is for changes to the future status of Exchequer what representations he has received on the Huntercombe Young Offenders Institution; and what Government’s proposed changes to capital gains tax, consultation he plans to have with (a) residents local with particular reference to the effect on the housing market; and if he will make a statement. [875] to the institution and (b) its staff. [970]

Mr Blunt: The de-commissioning of HMYOI Mr Gauke: We have received a number of representations Huntercombe has commenced and is taking place over on the proposals to reform capital gains tax. In line with the coming weeks to ensure a safe and smooth transition coalition agreement the Government is seeking ways of for the existing prisoner population. A project group taxing non-business capital gains at rates similar or has been set up and is meeting to consider the essential close to those applied to income, with generous exemptions work to be completed in the establishment in regard to for entrepreneurial business activities. staffing profiles, budgets, contractual requirements and any structural and physical adjustments deemed necessary Child Trust Fund prior to re-role as a Category C Male prison at the end of 2010. Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Senior NOMS officials will meet local residents to Exchequer what estimate has been made of the number reassure them about the re-role in the near future. Once of children (a) in each region, (b) in each socio- final decisions are made in regard to the proposals economic group and (c) nationwide who will be born under discussion, full consultation will take place with in the first 12 months after abolition of the child trust all stakeholders, including all staff and local residents. fund. [100] Mr Hoban: To contribute to the reduction of the Budget deficit, the Government intend to reduce and TREASURY then stop all Government contributions into child trust Annuities funds. It is intended that vouchers to open new accounts will no longer be issued for children born from 1 January 2011. Existing accounts will continue to operate as Mr Wallace: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer before. From 2011-12 onwards, the funding allocated to if he will bring forward proposals to reform legislation disability payments into the child trust funds of disabled regarding the compulsory purchase of pension children will be redirected to provide additional respite annuities by those aged 75; and if he will make a care. Every pound paid into this scheme there is an statement. [1003] extra pound of public debt. By ending Government Mr Hoban: The Government are committed to removing payments into the scheme we also save the £5 million the requirement to purchase a pension annuity by age annual cost of administering it. 75. Further details, including information on when the The Government’s current estimates of the number Government intends to implement these proposals, will of children per region and nationwide predicted to be follow in due course. born in the 12 months from 1 January 2011 are tabled as follows. Data on numbers per socio-economic group are not available. All figures are Official Statistics published by the Office for National Statistics. Mr Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Projected population of children born in 2011 by country and region who holds the capital stock of the Bank of England on Region or country Number (thousand) behalf of the Government; and what plans he has for a redemption of the 20-year bond issued at the time the North East 30 Bank was taken into public ownership. [997] North West 86 66 Justine Greening: The entire capital of the Bank is 53 held by the Treasury Solicitor on behalf of HM Treasury. West Midlands 70 There are currently no plans to redeem the bond East 70 issued at the time the Bank was taken into public London 126 ownership. South East 100 67W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 68W

Projected population of children born in 2011 by country and region Departmental Manpower Region or country Number (thousand)

South West 56 Mr Watson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many full-time equivalent staff at each Civil Service grade are employed in the private office of each England 657 Minister in his Department. [112] Wales 35 Scotland 58 Justine Greening: The following table gives details of Northern Ireland 25 the total number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed in the private offices of each Treasury Minister United Kingdom 775 as at 27 May 2010, by civil service equivalent pay grade. Source: Office for National Statistics 2008-based. Office Pay grade FTE Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many child trust fund accounts at the (a) Chancellor of the Exchequer AO 3 standard and (b) higher rate have been opened in each EO 3 constituency since the introduction of the fund. [1020] HEO/SEO 2 Grade 6/7 2 Mr Hoban: Statistical information is published on SCS 1 HM Revenue and Customs’ website regarding the Child Trust Fund. The information includes data regarding Chief Secretary to the AO 3 the initial payments into accounts and account opening Treasury data for all Westminster parliamentary constituencies EO 1 as at November 2008. It can be viewed at: HEO/SEO 3 http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ctf/stats.htm Grade 6/7 1 Information on the additional payments to children in low income families is also included in these statistics but is not available at constituency level. Commercial Secretary to the AO 1 Treasury EO 1 Credit Unions HEO/SEO 1 Grade 6/7 1 Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many separate credit unions are registered in each Economic Secretary to the AO 1 (a) London borough and (b) region. [1174] Treasury EO 1 Mr Hoban: Statistics for individual London boroughs HEO/SEO 2 are not available, but I can provide the following: Grade 6/7 1

Number Exchequer Secretary to the AO 1 42 Treasury East Midlands 21 EO 1 East of England 32 HEO/SEO 2 North East 43 Grade 6/7 1 North West 85 South East 16 Financial Secretary to the AO 1 South West 41 Treasury West Midlands 45 EO 1 Yorkshire and the Humber 38 HEO/SEO 2 England 363 Grade 6/7 1 Wales 28 Scotland 117 Northern Ireland 182 Economic Growth

Richard Harrington: To ask the Chancellor of the Departmental Electronic Equipment Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to increase economic growth. [999]

Mr Watson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Gauke: The Government are taking action to how many (a) plasma and (b) LCD televisions there support enterprise and create a fair, competitive, and are in Ministerial offices in his Department. [388] efficient tax system in order to deliver the private-sector led recovery that will be the foundation of future growth. Justine Greening: There is one plasma and eight LCD Fundamental to this strategy will be tackling the budget televisions currently in use in Ministers’ private offices deficit and providing a stable macroeconomic environment at 1 Horse Guards road. that will underpin private-sector investment and growth. 69W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 70W

Further details of the action the Government will Justine Greening: The Coalition Agreement states take to secure the UK’s future growth will be included that in the Emergency Budget on 22 June 2010. “deficit reduction, and continuing to ensure economic recovery, is the most urgent issue facing Britain”. Financial Ombudsman Service The Chancellor has announced the first step in tackling the deficit, setting out details of how to save over £6 : To ask the Chancellor of the billion from spending during this financial year. The Exchequer how many Financial Services Ombudsman fastest and most collegiate spending review in recent cases went to judicial review in each of the last three history. years; and in how many such cases the complaint was These savings have been found by cutting waste and upheld. [882] low value programmes across Government. The majority of these savings will be used to reduce the deficit this Mr Hoban: The table shows the number of applications year. for judicial review (JR) against the Financial Ombudsman At the Emergency Budget on 22 June, the Chancellor Service in the last three years. None of the cases succeeded. will set out a comprehensive plan to accelerate reduction of the UK’s deficit over the course of this Parliament. Cases resolved JR applications

2007-08 99,699 13 Christopher Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the 2008-09 113,949 6 Exchequer what mechanism he intends to use to share 2009-10 166,321 10 data with the Bank of England in respect of its role in advising on budgets and public spending reductions in 2010-11; and what data his Department intends to Public Expenditure provide. [1148]

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Mr Hoban: The Governor of the Bank of England Exchequer pursuant to the written ministerial and the Chancellor discuss economic and financial statement of 26 May 2010, Official Report, columns developments on a regular basis. 2-3WS, on savings (2010-11), what assessment he made In addition, the Bank of England Act 1998, which of effects on the economy of allowing devolved sets out the role and composition of the Monetary administrations to defer their share of savings until the Policy Committee (MPC), provides that: next financial year; and for what reasons central Government departments were not allowed to defer “A representative of the Treasury may attend, and speak, at any meeting of the Committee”. their allocated savings. [849] The non-voting Treasury representative plays a key role Danny Alexander: The Government’s top priority is in liaison between the Treasury and the Bank to ensure to tackle the deficit. Tackling the deficit this year will appropriate co-ordination of fiscal and monetary policy. promote confidence and support the economic recovery. For example, the Treasury representative will brief the Since budgets have already been set for devolved MPC confidentially in advance of major events such as administrations it is for them to assess whether they the Budget and the pre-Budget report. wish to defer their share of the savings until next year. Public Expenditure: Wales Tony Baldry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the when he expects his Department’s review of IR35 to be Exchequer pursuant to his announcement of 24 May completed. [864] 2010, if he will list the identifiable non-devolved public expenditure savings for Wales. [586] Mr Gauke: The Government intend to review IR35 as part of a wholesale review of small business taxation. Danny Alexander: On 24 May the Government Further details will be announced in due course. announced the Welsh Assembly Government’s share of the £6.2 billion savings, which was £187 million together Taxation: Business with consequential of recycled savings amounting to £24 million. Richard Harrington: To ask the Chancellor of the It is for the Welsh Assembly Government to decide Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to whether to defer the savings until next year. assist businesses to become more competitive through Any savings impacting on Wales in respect of savings reform of the corporate tax system. [1000] made by Government Departments in non-devolved areas of spending are a matter for the relevant Government Mr Gauke: The coalition agreement sets out the Departments to decide. Government’s aim to, “reform the corporate tax system by simplifying reliefs and Public Finance allowances, and tackling avoidance, in order to reduce headline rates. Our aim is to create the most competitive tax regime in Richard Harrington: To ask the Chancellor of the the , while protecting manufacturing industries.” Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to Further announcements will be made by the Chancellor reduce the budget deficit. [1001] through the Budget process. 71W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 72W

Taxation: Holiday Accommodation CABINET OFFICE

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Average Earnings: Pendle Exchequer whether he plans to implement the proposed changes of taxation rates for furnished Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Minister for the holiday letting properties in April 2011. [688] Cabinet Office whether an estimate has been made of the average earnings of full-time employees in Pendle Mr Gauke: The Government have committed to take constituency for April of each year since 2000. [1114] measures to satisfy their EU treaty obligations in regard to the taxation of furnished holiday letting that do not Mr Maude: The information requested falls within penalise UK-based businesses. We are considering how best the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have to deliver that commitment. In the meantime the existing asked the authority to reply. furnished holiday lettings rules will continue to apply. Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2010: As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER asking whether an estimate has been made of the average earnings Constituencies of full-time employees in Pendle constituency for April of each year since 2000. (1114) Andrew George: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister The Office for National Statistics carries out the Annual Survey what average population for each parliamentary of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) each April. This is the most constituency he plans to propose; and on what basis comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. Levels of earnings are estimated from ASHE and are this figure will be determined. [677] provided for employees on adult rates of pay, whose pay for the Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. survey period was not affected by absence. The Government have announced that legislation will I attach a table showing the median gross weekly earnings for be introduced to provide for the introduction of the full-time employees in Pendle constituency for April of each year alternative vote in the event of a positive result in the from 2000 until 2009, the latest period for which figures are available. referendum, and the creation of fewer and more equal sized constituencies. Further details will be announced Median gross weekly earnings (£)—for full-time employee jobs1: in due course. Pendle Constituency £/week CV Electoral Systems 2000 344 * Mr Watson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what 2001 323 * plans he has to change the voting system for elections 2002 321 * to the House of Commons; and if he will make a 2003 318 * statement. [136] 20042 340 * Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. 20043 339 * As indicated in the Gracious Speech, the Government 2005 376 * will shortly bring forward legislation providing for a 20064 382 * national referendum on the alternative vote system for 20065 382 * future elections to the House of Commons, and measures 2007 389 * to create fewer and more equal sized constituencies. 2008 420 * The Government will announce further details of 2009 383 * how it intends to take forward this commitment in due 1 Full-time employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period course. was not affected by absence. As at April of each year. 2 2004 results excluding supplementary survey for comparison with House of Lords: Reform 2003 3 2004 results including supplementary survey designed to improve Andrew George: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister coverage of the survey (for more information see National Statistics (1) what his proposals are for the (a) scrutiny and (b) website) www.statistics.gov.uk legislative role of a reformed second chamber; [672] 4 2006 results with methodology consistent with 2005 (2) what proposals he is considering for the (a) 5 2006 results with methodology consistent with 2007 minimum and (b) maximum membership of any Guide to Quality: reformed second chamber. [673] The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect the population These important issues will be considered by the average to be within the range 180-220. Committee which will be established to bring forward Key: proposals for a wholly or mainly elected second chamber. *CV>5%and<=10% Source: Lobbying Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics. 2000 to 2009 Mr Watson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to introduce a statutory code for lobbyists. Business [137] Mr Binley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. how many small businesses generated a turnover of (a) We have no current plans to introduce a statutory between £70,000 and £100,000 and (b) over £100,000 code for lobbyists. in the latest period for which figures are available. [1008] 73W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 74W

Mr Maude: The information requested falls within (2) what measures are in place to ensure that the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have voicemail accounts associated with mobile telephones asked the Authority to reply. issued to (a) Ministers and (b) officials in (i) 10 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2010: Downing Street and (ii) the Cabinet Office cannot be [546] As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I accessed without appropriate authorisation. have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many small businesses generated a turnover of Mr Maude: Cabinet Office does not currently issue between (a) £70,000 and £100,000 and (b) over £100,000 in the mobile telephones with the factory loaded security setting latest period for which figures are available. [1008] to staff in (a) and (b) the Cabinet Annual statistics on business counts are available from the Office. When issuing mobile devices they are reset manually ONS release UK Business: Activity, Size and Location at by our telecoms specialists before they are given to staff. www.statistics.gov.uk. The attached table contains data from Cabinet Office currently provides default security for 2009 and shows the count of VAT and/or PAYE based enterprises voicemail retrieval on mobile telephones for (a) Ministers by employee and turnover size band. and (b) officials in (i) 10 Downing street and (ii) the Count of VAT or PAYE enterprises by employee and turnover size Cabinet Office. Only the registered handset can retrieve Turnover size band (£000) access to the associated voice mailbox and in the event Employee of a lost/stolen handset the mobile telephone is cancelled. size band 0 to 69 70 to 99 100 Total The registered user has the option to upgrade the security Small 0 to 49 583,695 320,565 1,206,305 2,110,565 settings for voicemail retrieval by adding a personal PIN number to enhance the security. This is encouraged. EcovertFM Charities: Bexley Mr Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Mr Evennett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which Minister in his Department has lead Office how many organisations based in the London responsibility for monitoring his Department’s Borough of Bexley have been granted charitable status. contract with Ecovert FM. [21] [459] Mr Maude: As Minister for the Cabinet Office I am Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsible for monitoring the EcovertFM contract. responsibility of the Charity Commission. I have asked Electoral Register the Commission to reply. Letter from Andrew Hind dated 27 May 2010: Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet As the Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, I have Office what estimated percentage of electors are registered been asked to respond to your written Parliamentary Question in each parliamentary constituency in the UK. [165] (459) how many organisations based in the London Borough of Bexley have been granted charitable status. Mr Maude: The information requested falls within Organisations are automatically considered to be charities if the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have their activities benefit the public in a way the law agrees is asked the Authority to reply. charitable. Most charities with an annual income of over £5,000 have to register with the Charity Commission. Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2010: I can confirm that there are 373 registered charities in Bexley. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, 1 have been asked to reply to your question asking what estimated I hope this is a helpful response to your question. percentage of electors are registered in each parliamentary constituency in the UK (165). The table shows the number of people who were registered to Departmental Billing vote in parliamentary elections as a percentage of the estimated resident population aged 18 and over for each parliamentary Stewart Hosie: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet constituency in the UK for 2007. This is the latest year for which Office what percentage of invoices from suppliers to estimates of the usually resident population are available by parliamentary constituency for the UK. A copy of the table has the Prime Minister’s Office were paid within 10 days of been placed in the House of Commons Library. receipt in (a) March and (b) April 2010. [1248] This percentage is the nearest approximation to the percentage registered to vote that can be provided but is not an electoral Mr Maude: The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral registration rate. This is because the estimated resident population part of the Cabinet Office, and the answer provided is is not the same as the population who are eligible to vote. The therefore for the whole of the Cabinet Office. population eligible to vote in parliamentary elections includes In March and April 2010 respectively, 97.9% and British Citizens or qualifying Commonwealth citizens resident overseas (who are not included in the UK resident population) 91.6% of compliant invoices were paid by the Cabinet and excludes foreign citizens from outside the British Commonwealth Office within 10 days of receipt. and Republic of Ireland resident within the UK (who are included in the estimated resident population). In addition, figures for the registered electorate may be inflated Departmental Mobile Phones because people who have more than one address may register in more than one place (e.g. students may register at parental and term-time addresses) and electoral registration officers vary in Mr Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet how quickly they remove people from the registers after they have Office (1) whether mobile telephones issued to staff in moved away from an area or died. This may lead to percentages of (a) 10 Downing Street and (b) the Cabinet Office are over one hundred per cent and can affect the comparability of issued with factory setting security codes; [545] figures across parliamentary constituencies. 75W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 76W

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Electoral registration percentage rates for each region in England and Office what the electorate was in each year since 1997 UK constituent country in 20081 in the 100 parliamentary seats which have had the Area Percentage rate largest decrease in the number of electors on the Yorkshire and the Humber 92 register since that date. [179] East Midlands 95 West Midlands 96 Mr Maude: The information requested falls within East 94 the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have London 85 asked the Authority to reply. South East 95 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2010: South West 96 As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your question asking what the electorate was in each year since 1997 in the 100 parliamentary Wales 96 seats which have had the largest decrease in the number of electors on the register since that date (179). Scotland 94 The following table shows the number of people registered to Northern Ireland 85 vote in parliamentary elections from 1997 to 2008, for the 100 1 The rates have been calculated using the mid-2008 population parliamentary constituencies with the largest decrease in the estimates of those aged 18 and above, and the number of people number of people registered to vote over that time period. This is registered to vote in parliamentary elections on 1 December 2008. the latest year for which comparable data are available. A copy of Source: the table has been placed in the House of Commons Library. Office for National Statistics, General Register Office for Scotland The table covers only parliamentary constituencies in England and Electoral Office for Northern Ireland and Wales. There are no Northern Ireland constituencies which fit the criteria. Figures have not been provided for Scotland as Lobbying boundary changes which came into effect in 2004 mean that electoral registration figures will not be comparable across this time period. Mr Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will review the Government’s response to Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet the First Report of the Public Administration Select Office what the electoral registration rate is for each Committee, Session 2008-09, on lobbying: Access and Influence in Whitehall, HC 36, for the purposes of region of the UK. [245] implementing in full the Committee’s recommendations. Mr Maude: The information requested falls within [647] the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Mr Harper: Many of the proposals in the Committee’s report have been implemented. This Government will Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2010: introduce a statutory register of lobbyists. We see no As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I compelling reason to review the Government’s response have been asked to reply to your question asking what the to the report. electoral registration rate is for each region of the UK (245). The attached table shows the number of people who were registered to vote in parliamentary elections as a percentage of Manufacturing Industries the estimated resident population aged 18 and over for each region in England, and UK constituent country, for 2008. This is the latest year for which electoral estimates by parliamentary Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Minister for the constituency are available for the UK. Cabinet Office how many people were employed in the manufacturing sector in (a) Lancashire, (b) the North This percentage is the nearest approximation to the percentage registered to vote that can be provided but is not an electoral West and (c) England (i) in 1997 and (ii) at the latest registration rate. This is because the estimated resident population date for which figures are available. [1032] is not the same as the population who are eligible to vote. The population eligible to vote in parliamentary elections includes Mr Maude: The information requested falls within British Citizens or qualifying Commonwealth citizens resident the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have overseas (who are not included in the UK resident population) asked the Authority to reply. and excludes foreign citizens from outside the British Commonwealth and Republic of Ireland resident within the UK (who are included Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2010: in the estimated resident population). As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I In addition, figures for the registered electorate may be inflated have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking because people who have more than one address may register in how many people were employed in the manufacturing sector in more than one place (e.g. students may register at parental and (a) Lancashire, (b) the North West and (c) England (i) in 1997 and term-time addresses) and electoral registration officers vary in (ii) at the latest date for which figures arc available. (1032) how quickly they remove people from the registers after they have Table 1, attached, shows the number of people employed in the moved away from an area or died. This can affect the comparability manufacturing sector resident in (a) Lancashire, (b) the North of figures across parliamentary constituencies and potentially regions. West and (c) England for the 12 month periods ending February Electoral registration percentage rates for each region in England and 1998, and September 2009 which is the latest period for which UK constituent country in 20081 figures are available. These estimates are derived from the Annual Area Percentage rate Population Survey which collects employment data by residence rather than by workplace. England 94 National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant North East 96 count are available on the NOMIS website at: North West 97 http://www.nomisweb.co.uk. 77W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 78W

Table 1: Number of people employed in the manufacturing sector ONS produces the United Kingdom’s National Accounts. The resident in Lancashire, north west and England. National Accounts are an internationally comparable accounting Thousands framework that describes the activities in a national economy, For the 12 month period ending including the transactions that take place between sectors of that economy. The relevant international manuals are the System of February 2008 September 20091 National Accounts 1993(SNA93) and the European System of England 4,173 *2,682 Accounts 1995 (ESA95) in particular. Northwest 616 *396 As part of the process of producing the National Accounts, Lancashire 118 ** 79 ONS decides on the classification of institutions and transactions within the economy. This well-established process is published on 1 Coefficients of Variation have been calculated as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality below. the ONS website at: Guide to Quality: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/national_statistics/cop/ The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, downloads/NAclassification.pdf the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely Over recent years, ONS has investigated the classification of a to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 number of bodies related to the Nuclear Industry, and have with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be classified the major bodies related to the decommissioning process— within the range 180-220 The Nuclear Decommissioning Agency (NDA), the Nuclear Key Coefficient of Variation (CV) (%) Statistical Robustness *0≤ CV<5 Estimates are considered precise Generation Decommissioning Fund Ltd (NGDF) and its successor ** 5 ≤ CV <10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise body the Nuclear Liabilities Fund Trust Company (NLF) as *** 10 ≤ CV <20 Estimates are considered acceptable public sector bodies. **** CV ≥ 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical This will mean the costs of decommissioning borne by these purposes bodies will be recorded within the public sector accounts. The Source: cost of future decommissioning is a contingent liability and as Annual Population Survey and Annual Labour Force Survey such is outside the definitions of public sector net debt. Under current decommissioning arrangements, the expenditure on actual decommissioning will impact on public sector net borrowing at Ministerial Policy Advisers the time it occurs. These classification decisions were taken during 2007 in the Mr Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet case of the NDA, and during 2003/4 in the case of the NGDF Office (1) how many (a) political appointments and and NLF. (b) other personal appointments he has made since his The decisions were taken independently by ONS and approved appointment; and at what estimated annual cost to the by the National Accounts Classification Committee (or its predecessor the Public Sector Classifications Committee). ONS has received public purse; [379] no representations in the last two years on this subject. (2) how many special advisers are based in (a) 10 Downing Street, (b) the Cabinet Office and (c) the Deputy Prime Minister’s office. [25] BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Mr Anderson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the name is of each assigned Aimhigher Programme to work with each Minister. [420] Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Maude: I refer the hon. Members to the answer for Business, Innovation and Skills what his plans are given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 for the AimHigher programme. [472] June 2010, Official Report, column 99W. Mr Willetts [holding answer 2 June 2010]: The need to attract more students from disadvantaged backgrounds Nuclear Power Stations: Decommissioning into higher education is written into the coalition agreement. The Government are clear about the need to make sure all spending is well targeted and properly evaluated. In Mr Cash: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office respect of higher education funding, we will await Lord on what occasions the Office for National Statistics Browne’s final report and judge its proposals against received representations on the cost to the public purse the criteria set out in the coalition agreement. of nuclear decommissioning as a proportion of net public sector (a) borrowing and (b) debt in each of Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State the last two years; from whom each such representation for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his was received; and if he will place in the Library a copy Department has allocated to the AimHigher programme of that Office’s response in each case. [1195] (a) nationally and (b) in the West Midlands for 2010-11. [473] Mr Maude: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Mr Willetts [holding answer 2 June 2010]: In the asked the authority to reply. 2010-11 financial year, £87 million has been allocated to Letter from Stephen Penneck: Aimhigher nationally1, 2. 1 As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I This includes £9 million allocated to Aimhigher Associates. have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question 2 This includes £29 million from the Higher Education asking on what occasions the Office for National Statistics received Funding Council for England and £0.6 million from the representations on the cost to the public purse of nuclear Department for Health decommissioning as a proportion of net public sector (a) borrowing and (b) debt in each of the last two years; from whom each such Of this, £10.4 million has been allocated to Aimhigher representation was received. (1195) partnerships in the West Midlands. 79W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 80W

Beer Businesses based in the Reading East constituency also received assistance via SEEDA programmes operating Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for in wider-, such as the Continuing Employment Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the Support Service. change in the number of jobs in the UK dependent on More detailed information can be found in the SEEDA- the pubs and beer industry in the last 30 months. [954] produced background information.

Mr Prisk: An estimate of the number and change in Mr Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for jobs in Great Britain (GB) in the pubs and beer industry Business, Innovation and Skills with which business over the last 30 months, between June 2007 and December organisations in (a) Reading East constituency and 2009, is given in the following table. (b) Berkshire his Department has held discussions in the last 12 months. [984] Thousand Jobs in the pubs and beer December 30 month industries, GB June 2007 2009 change Mr Prisk: In the last 12 months, representatives from SEEDA and GOSE have maintained ongoing engagement Manufacture of beer1 14.1 12.9 -1.1 with key business organisations in Berkshire and the Wholesale of wine, beer, 19.3 18.8 -0.5 Reading East constituency on behalf of the Department spirits and other for Business, Innovation and Skills by: alcoholic beverages1, 2 (i) attending meeting of the Berkshire Economic Strategy Retail sale of alcoholic 29.1 24.7 -4.4 Board, which is a cross Berkshire board made up of representatives and other beverages in from both the private and public sector, responsible for delivering specialised stores1, 3, 4 the Regional Economic Strategy across Berkshire; Bars and licensed clubs5 536.4 500.9 -35.5 (ii) meeting with representatives from the Reading Community 1 Estimate includes an adjustment derived from the Annual Business Interest Company, which is responsible for Economic Development Inquiry. 2 Includes non-beer alcoholic beverages. in Reading; and 3 Includes non-beer alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. (iii) engaging in the Reading Diamond for Investment and 4 Excludes sale and related jobs in supermarkets and other non- Growth, which was defined by the South East Regional Economic specialised stores. Strategy as a significant, urban functional area with the potential 5 Excludes sale and related jobs in other licence premises such as to act as a catalyst for wider prosperity. restaurants and hotels. Source: Employee jobs data, ONS Business: Regulation

Business: Reading Berkshire Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills by what mechanisms he Mr Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for plans to implement his proposals to give the public the Business, Innovation and Skills what assistance the opportunity to challenge the worst regulations. [862] South East Regional Development Agency provided to businesses in Reading East constituency during the Mr Prisk: We are committed to giving the public the economic downturn. [983] opportunity to challenge the worst regulations, thus putting power back in the hands of businesses and Mr Prisk: The South East Development Agency citizens, making regulations less complicated and boosting (SEEDA) provided the strategic lead for the response to enterprise by cutting red tape. We are working to develop the economic downturn across the South East. innovative and practical ways for individuals, business In the summer of 2008 SEEDA reprioritised its budget and others to have their say on regulation. I will make a to support services to businesses to help them out of the statement to the House with more details in due course. recession. It put together a £15 million rapid response rescue package, including a £3 million transition loan Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for fund, an enhanced service, expanded Business, Innovation and Skills which regulations he grants for business investment and extra help for exporters. has identified as primary candidates for abolition During the economic downturn (covering the period under the one in-one out rule for business regulations. between 1 April 2008 and 31 December 2009) SEEDA [1065] provided assistance to over three hundred businesses in the Reading East constituency: Mr Prisk: The ’one-in, one-out’ rule will change the 270 businesses received intensive assistance via Business Link incentives for policy makers across Government, services; encouraging as much focus on identifying regulations 11 companies received assistance via the Manufacturing Advisory to be repealed, simplified or replaced by alternative Service; policy approaches, as on developing new regulation. Three businesses received support via the Designing Demand service; Responsible Departments will take forward the identification of regulations that can be removed or Eight internally-owned businesses were assisted to establish their first operation in Reading East or to expand an existing simplified. All relevant regulations are within scope. one; Nine businesses were supported via the Innovation and Growth Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Team; Business, Innovation and Skills by what mechanism he Three businesses received assistance in accessing finance through plans to implement his proposal to give the public the Finance South East services. opportunity to challenge the worst regulations. [1068] 81W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 82W

Mr Prisk: We are committed to giving the public the Departmental Billing opportunity to challenge the worst regulations, thus putting power back in the hands of businesses and Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for citizens, making regulations less complicated and boosting Business, Innovation and Skills what percentage of enterprise by cutting red tape. We are working to develop invoices from suppliers to his Department were paid innovative and practical ways for individuals, business within 10 days of receipt in (a) March and (b) April and others to have their say on regulation. I will make a 2010. [1264] statement to the House with more details in due course. Mr Davey: In March and April 2010 respectively, 97.5% and 93.2% of invoices were paid by the Department Credit Cards: Interest Rates of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) within 10 days. The results are published on the BIS website and can Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for be accessed via the following link Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to http://www.bis.gov.uk/About/procurement/prompt-payment/ implement proposals to enable regulatory bodies to (a) bis-payment-performance define and (b) prohibit excessive interest rates on credit Departmental Manpower and store cards. [858] Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Davey: The Government’s proposals to prohibit Business, Innovation and Skills how many full-time excessive rates on credit and store cards are one of a equivalent staff at each civil service grade are employed number of consumer protection commitments included in the private office of each Minister in his in the coalition agreement, including our plans to introduce Department. [123] a cooling off period for store cards. I will be setting out detailed plans on how the Mr Davey: Staff are currently allocated as follows Government will be taking these commitments forward although because the Department now has fewer Ministers shortly. these allocations are not yet final.

SCS G7 SEO HEO/FS EO and below Total

DrVinceCableMP111216 David Willetts MP — 1 —315 Mark Prisk MP — 1 —236 John Hayes MP — — 1 — 3 4 EdwardDaveyMP———235 Baroness Wilcox — — —224

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers The Department for Transport and its Government Car and Despatch Agency are working with Departments Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for to effect the transition to the new arrangements. The Business, Innovation and Skills how many special Secretary of State will use a pool car and will not have advisers (a) he and (b) each named Minister in his an allocated car or driver. Arrangements are being Department (i) has appointed to date and (ii) plans to made to put this into effect in an orderly way. appoint. [315] The Ministerial Code, published on 21 May, is available on the Cabinet Office website. Mr Davey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer Departmental Redundancy Pay given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 June 2010, Official Report, column reference 99W. Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his most recent Departmental Official Cars estimate is of the annual cost to his Department of redundancy payments for (a) front-line and (b) other Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its Business, Innovation and Skills how many Government agencies. [628] (a) cars and (b) drivers are allocated to Ministers in his Department. [286] Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has at present no plans for compulsory Mr Davey: BIS Ministers inherited cars and drivers redundancies and has therefore made no estimate of allocated to previous departmental Ministers. new costs. The forecast legacy costs of previous exit The new Ministerial Code, published on 21 May, schemes (both compulsory and voluntary) is estimated contains changes that affect ministerial entitlement to at £6.1 million in 2010-11. travel by Government car. It states that I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency “the number of Ministers with allocated cars and drivers will Service, Companies House, the National Measurement be kept to a minimum, taking into account security and other Office, the Intellectual Property Office and the Skills relevant considerations. Other Ministers will be entitled to use Funding Agency and they will respond to the hon. cars from the Government Car Service Pool as needed”. Member directly. 83W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 84W

Letter from Gareth Jones: 2010. As in previous years, final allocations taking into I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary account any further changes will be announced in July Question tabled 26 May 2010, UIN 628 to the Secretary of State this year. for Business, Innovation and Skills. Companies House is a Trading Fund and of Higher Education: Student Numbers the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Companies House has not budgeted for any redundancy costs; however, as a Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Trading Fund any costs would be met by fees from our customers for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he and would represent no cost to the public purse. has made of the likely change in the number of student Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 27 May 2010: places in universities in the West Midlands between The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11. [762] and Skills has asked me to reply to your question regarding what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to his Department Mr Willetts [holding answer 2 June 2010]: The number of redundancy payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff of students in each institution will depend upon the employed by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies. recruitment decisions taken by individual institutions. The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department However, we are making available funding for an additional for Business, Innovation and Skills had no annual cost for redundancy 10,000 places in academic year 2010/11 which will be payments for (a) front line and (b) other staff employed in the last financial year 2009/10. allocated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Surplus staff were identified during 2009/10 but we were able to absorb them elsewhere within The Service by the release of Local Enterprise Partnerships temporary workers. Letter from John Alty, dated 2 June 2010: Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer to your Parliamentary Question tabled 26 May 2010, to the of 2 June 2010, Official Report, column 43W, on One Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. North East, (1) what arrangements he plans to put in place to establish local enterprise partnerships on a (i) The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is a Trading Fund and local, (ii) sub-regional and (iii) regional basis; [1396] Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The IPO has not budgeted for any redundancy (2) how many local economic partnerships he costs; however as a Trading Fund any costs would be met by fees expects to be created in the North East region to from users and would represent no cost to the public purse. replace One North East. [1397] Letter from Peter Mason, dated 1 June 2010: Mr Prisk: The Government will provide further detail I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 26 May to the on the future of the regional development agencies and Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and how we propose to take forward our proposals for local Skills, asking about estimates of the annual cost of redundancy enterprise partnerships shortly. payments for staff employed by the Department and its Agencies. The cost to the Agency of any redundancy or other exit Motor Industry: Finance payments this year will be disclosed in its Annual Report and Accounts of 2010/11. As matters stand, however, we do not Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, envisage having to make such payments during the current year. Innovation and Skills (1) what recent discussions he Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 2 June 2010: has had with Ford on the provision of Government I am replying on behalf of the Skills Funding Agency to your loans and guarantees to that company; [1359] Parliamentary Question tabled on 26 May, to the Secretary of (2) what recent discussions he has had with GM on State for Business, Innovation and Skills, concerning annual costs the provision of Government loans and guarantees to of redundancy payments for the Department and its agencies that company; [1360] (UIN 628). (3) what recent discussions he has had with Nissan The Skills Funding Agency was set up as an agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 01 April 2010. on the provision of Government loans and guarantees As a new agency, we are currently looking at the implications of to that company. [1361] the recent announcements and the impact on the future shape of the organisation. Mr Prisk: I have spoken to Ford, General Motors/ The cost to the agency of any redundancy and other exit Vauxhall and Nissan in the past week about a range of payments this financial year will be disclosed in the accounts for issues. Government are reviewing commitments made 2010/11, which will be published online in 2011. since 1 January 2010, including to these three companies. Where projects are good value for money and consistent Higher Education: Finance with Government’s priorities, they will go ahead. We have asked HM Treasury to fast track a decision to give clarity as soon as possible to the companies and their Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for work forces. Business, Innovation and Skills what the planned reduction in previously planned expenditure for Post Offices 2010-11 is for each university in the North East. [101] Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Willetts: The Higher Education Funding Council Business, Innovation and Skills how many Post Office for England announced provisional allocations to branches closed between 1997 and 2010; and what his institutions for academic year 2010-11 on 18 March policy is on the future of the Post Office network. [1113] 85W Written Answers7 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 86W

Mr Davey: The Department does not hold the Mr Prisk: The Government will provide further detail information requested on post office closures. I have on the future of the regional development agencies and asked David Smith, the Managing Director of Post how we propose to take forward our proposals for local Office Ltd., to respond directly to the hon. Member and enterprise partnerships shortly. a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries. Summertime As set out in “The Coalition: our programme for government” we will ensure that post offices are allowed Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for to offer a wide range of services in order to sustain the Business, Innovation and Skills if he will bring forward network, and we will be working with Post Office Ltd. proposals for the introduction of British Summer Time to develop new sources of revenue, including considering and Double British Summer Time for a trial period. the case for a Post Office Bank. [840]

Regional Development Agencies Mr Davey: We are aware that there are a range of views on this subject. While the Government do not Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for propose to change current arrangements, we continue Business, Innovation and Skills by what mechanism he to listen to representations we receive and consider any will assess whether a regional development agency is evidence presented to us. popular. [1064] Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Prisk: The Government will provide further detail Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment on the future of the regional development agencies and he has made of the merits of introducing British how we propose to take forward our proposals for local Summer Time and Double British Summer Time; and enterprise partnerships shortly. if he will make a statement. [841]

Dr Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Mr Davey: The Government have no current plans to Innovation and Skills what plans he has for the future commission a review of the existing arrangements but operation of schemes (a) contracted and (b) will continue to listen to arguments for and against change. commenced by regional development agencies. [1197] Supermarkets: Competition Mr Prisk: The regional development agencies have been allocated budgets for 2010-11 and are continuing Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for to deliver schemes in line with their priorities. The Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to (a) Government will provide further detail on the future of bring forward and (b) implement proposals for an the regional development agencies and how we propose Ombudsman in the Office of Fair Trading to enforce to take forward our proposals for local enterprise the Grocery Supply Chain Code of Practice. [1029] partnerships shortly. Mr Davey: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for to my hon. Friend the Member for St Ives (Andrew Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for George) and the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (John the future of Advantage West Midlands; and if he will Mann) on 2 June 2010, Official Report, column make a statement. [1444] reference 44W.

ORAL ANSWERS

Monday 7 June 2010

Col. No. Col. No. EDUCATION...... 1 EDUCATION—continued Academies...... 8 Children’s and Youth Services ...... 16 Academies...... 10 Primary School Places...... 12 Academies...... 13 Pupil Premium ...... 14 Autonomy for Schools ...... 3 School Building...... 13 Building Schools for the Future ...... 4 School Discipline ...... 16 Building Schools for the Future ...... 15 Science and Maths Graduates (Teaching) ...... 1 Building Schools for the Future Special Educational Needs...... 9 (Nottinghamshire) ...... 7 Topical Questions ...... 17 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Monday 7 June 2010

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 1WS TREASURY ...... 2WS Telecoms Council...... 1WS Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters ...... 2WS ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 2WS EU Energy Council...... 2WS PETITIONS

Monday 7 June 2010

Col. No. Col. No. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT...... 1P WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 1P Size Zero Models ...... 1P Wheelchair Access for Care Home Residents ...... 1P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 7 June 2010

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 78W CABINET OFFICE—continued Aimhigher Programme...... 78W Lobbying...... 76W Beer...... 79W Manufacturing Industries ...... 76W Business: Reading Berkshire ...... 79W Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 77W Business: Regulation ...... 80W Nuclear Power Stations: Decommissioning...... 77W Credit Cards: Interest Rates ...... 81W Departmental Billing ...... 82W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 57W Departmental Manpower...... 82W Housing: Construction...... 57W Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 81W Licensed Premises: Planning Permission ...... 57W Departmental Official Cars...... 81W Local Government Finance ...... 58W Departmental Redundancy Pay ...... 82W Local Government: Public Consultation...... 58W Higher Education: Finance ...... 83W Regional Planning and Development...... 58W Higher Education: Student Numbers...... 84W Local Enterprise Partnerships...... 84W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT...... 19W Motor Industry: Finance ...... 84W Departmental Public Expenditure ...... 19W Post Offices ...... 84W Digital Broadcasting: Radio...... 20W Regional Development Agencies...... 85W Olympic Games 2012: Tickets...... 20W Summertime...... 86W Trade Unions ...... 20W Supermarkets: Competition ...... 86W DEFENCE...... 8W CABINET OFFICE...... 72W Armed Forces: Health Services ...... 8W Average Earnings: Pendle...... 72W Armed Forces: Housing ...... 10W Business ...... 72W Armed Forces: Recruitment ...... 10W Charities: Bexley ...... 73W Royal Fleet Auxiliary ...... 11W Departmental Billing ...... 73W Trident ...... 11W Departmental Mobile Phones ...... 73W EcovertFM ...... 74W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 71W Electoral Register...... 74W Constituencies...... 71W Col. No. Col. No. DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER—continued HEALTH—continued Electoral Systems...... 71W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 47W House of Lords: Reform...... 71W Drugs: Rehabilitation...... 47W Lobbying...... 71W Fluoride: Drinking Water ...... 48W Homeopathy ...... 48W EDUCATION...... 40W Hospitals: Wynyard...... 49W Academies...... 41W Marie Stopes International ...... 49W Academy: Gloucester...... 41W Mental Health Services: Children ...... 49W All-through Schools...... 40W Mental Health Services: Finance...... 50W Apprentices...... 43W Mental Health Services: Young People...... 50W Building Schools for the Future ...... 40W Mobile Phones: Health Hazards ...... 51W CAFCASS: Complaints...... 44W NHS...... 51W Children: Exercise ...... 44W NHS: Public Consultation ...... 52W Duchess’s High School, Alnwick ...... 43W Free Schools...... 40W HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 28W History: Curriculum ...... 44W Alcoholic Drinks: Prices ...... 28W Music: Education...... 45W British Nationality: Assessments...... 29W Crimes of Violence: Females...... 29W ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 6W Deportation: Poland ...... 29W Electoral Register...... 6W Detention Centres: Children ...... 30W General Election 2010: Young People ...... 8W Identity Cards ...... 30W Oakington Immigration Removal Centre...... 31W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 31W Departmental Billing ...... 31W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 52W Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 31W Afghanistan ...... 52W Departmental Public Appointments...... 32W China: Family Planning ...... 52W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 32W Departmental Cost-effectiveness...... 52W Transocean...... 32W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 52W Warm Front Scheme ...... 32W Departmental Manpower...... 53W Departmental Official Cars...... 53W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Departmental Public Expenditure...... 54W AFFAIRS...... 13W Global School Partnerships ...... 54W Agriculture: Subsidies...... 13W Malawi: Overseas Aid ...... 54W Biofuels...... 13W Niger: Droughts...... 54W Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control...... 14W Overseas Aid: Family Planning ...... 55W Cattle: Animal Welfare...... 14W Palestinians: International Assistance ...... 56W Departmental Manpower...... 14W USA: Family Planning...... 56W Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 15W Zimbabwe: Overseas Aid...... 56W Departmental Official Cars...... 15W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 15W JUSTICE...... 58W Flood Control...... 16W Departmental Official Cars...... 58W Incinerators...... 16W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 59W Trade Unions ...... 17W Elections: Fraud...... 59W Water Charges...... 18W Electoral Register...... 59W Whales: Conservation ...... 18W Fathers4Justice...... 63W General Election 2010...... 64W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE .... 21W General Elections...... 64W Africa: Peacekeeping Operations ...... 21W Government Departments: Data Protection ...... 64W Burma: Elections ...... 21W Huntercombe Young Offender Institution ...... 65W China: Family Planning ...... 21W Departmental Manpower...... 22W LEADER OF THE HOUSE...... 1W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 23W Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers ...... 1W Departmental Redundancy Pay ...... 24W European Union: Parliamentary Scrutiny ...... 1W Iran: Sanctions...... 24W Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority... 1W Middle East: Armed Conflict...... 25W Members: Allowances ...... 2W Middle East: Politics and Government...... 26W Members: Security ...... 2W Nigeria: Politics and Government ...... 26W Parliamentary Questions...... 3W Occupied Territories: Housing ...... 26W South America: Embassies...... 27W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 18W Sudan: Elections ...... 27W Bloody Sunday Tribunal of Inquiry ...... 18W Sudan: Politics and Government...... 28W Departmental Manpower...... 19W Trade Unions ...... 28W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 19W Turkey: EU Enlargement ...... 28W SCOTLAND...... 3W HEALTH...... 45W Departmental Billing ...... 3W Alcoholic Drinks: Rehabilitation ...... 45W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 3W Autism: Health Services ...... 45W Departmental Manpower...... 3W Blood: Contamination ...... 46W Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 4W Care Homes ...... 46W Departmental Official Hospitality...... 4W Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust .... 47W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 4W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 47W Trade Unions ...... 4W Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT ...... 33W TREASURY—continued Aviation: Taxation ...... 33W Credit Unions ...... 67W Biofuels...... 33W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 67W Crossrail Line...... 33W Departmental Manpower...... 68W Crossrail Line: Finance ...... 34W Economic Growth...... 68W Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Road Traffic Financial Ombudsman Service...... 69W Control ...... 34W Public Expenditure...... 69W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 34W Public Expenditure: Wales ...... 69W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 35W Public Finance ...... 69W Departmental Redundancy Pay ...... 35W Tax Avoidance ...... 70W Driving Offences: Insurance...... 35W Taxation: Business ...... 70W Guided Bus Projects...... 35W Taxation: Holiday Accommodation...... 71W Midland Main Railway Line ...... 36W Network Rail ...... 36W WALES...... 11W Office of Rail Regulation ...... 36W Departmental Billing ...... 11W Official Cars...... 37W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 12W Public Expenditure...... 37W Departmental Manpower...... 12W Railway Stations: Leeds ...... 37W Departmental Mobile Phones ...... 12W Railways: Bus Services ...... 38W Departmental Official Cars...... 12W Railways: Construction...... 38W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 13W Railways: Electrification ...... 38W Railways: North West ...... 38W WOMEN AND EQUALITIES...... 33W Railways: Overcrowding...... 39W Departmental Redundancy Pay ...... 33W Rapid Transit Systems: Tees Valley ...... 39W Transport: Finance...... 39W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 4W Carers’ Benefits...... 4W TREASURY ...... 65W Child Maintenance and Enforcement Annuities...... 65W Commission...... 5W Bank of England...... 65W Departmental Redundancy Pay ...... 5W Business ...... 66W Future Jobs Fund: Bristol ...... 5W Capital Gains Tax ...... 66W Poverty: Children ...... 5W Child Trust Fund ...... 66W Unemployment Benefits: Medical Examinations ... 6W

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CONTENTS

Monday 7 June 2010

List of Government and Principal Officers of the House

Member Sworn [Col. 1]

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 1] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Education

Debate on the Address (Fifth Day) [Col. 25] Amendment—(Mr Straw)—on a Division, negatived Debate adjourned

Political and Constitutional Reform Committee [Col. 136] Motion—(Mr Heath)—agreed to

Rape Defendants (Anonymity) [Col. 149] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 1WS]

Petitions [Col. 1P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 1W] [see index inside back page]