Monday Volume 563 20 May 2013 No. 8

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday 20 May 2013

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2013 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 881 20 MAY 2013 882

Ann McKechin: The Minister will be aware that the House of Commons rate of successful appeals has actually increased, which would appear to suggest that the reforms to the system Monday 20 May 2013 are not yet working. Does he intend to investigate the claims made by Greg Wood, a former medical assessor for Atos, who said that the system was skewered against The House met at half-past Two o’clock the claimant and made several serious allegations about how people’s claims were assessed?

PRAYERS Mr Hoban: As I said, we are in the process of implementing Professor Harrington’s recommendations. I would make the point to the hon. Lady, however, that [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] when her party was in government, one in 10 people received the full employment support allowance, but as Speaker’s Statement a consequence of our reforms, three in 10 people now receive it, which demonstrates that the system is an 2.34 pm improvement on the one that we inherited. Mr Speaker: I wish to report to the House that the Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): I thank the Minister rooms of a Member were searched yesterday pursuant for that answer. Does it not indicate that the Government to a warrant issued by the circuit judge in Preston take ESA very seriously and are being diligent in providing Crown court on 16 May. The warrant related to the unconditional support to those who need it? investigation of a serious arrestable offence. I should remind Members, as did my predecessor in Mr Hoban: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I want 2008, that the precincts of Parliament are not a haven a system that gives the right support to the people who from the law. In accordance with the protocol issued by need it the most. We should also recognise that because my predecessor on 8 December 2008 on the execution of our reforms and improvements to the process, only of search warrants within the precincts of the House of 15% of fit-for-work decisions are successfully overturned. Commons, I considered the warrant personally and was advised by Officers of the House that there were no Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab): lawful grounds on which it would be proper to refuse its Will the Minister explain the successful appeals? What execution. In addition, as provided for in paragraph 6 factors underlie the success rate? of the protocol, I consulted the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General, who concurred in this advice. I Mr Hoban: The tribunal has published a list setting am very grateful to them. The Clerk of the House was out the reasons why appeals are successful. In most kept fully informed throughout, and also concurred. cases, it is a consequence either of oral evidence presented The Serjeant at Arms and Speaker’s Counsel were at the tribunal or newer evidence being presented. present when the search was conducted. Undertakings have been given by the police officers as to the handling Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): The Minister of any parliamentary material until such time as any will be well aware that there have been issues of public issue of privilege is resolved. The investigation is continuing confidence in Atos ever since it was first commissioned and it would not be right to comment further. I will not to do this work by the last Government. Are the take questions on my statement. Government looking into and making progress on Professor Harrington’s alternative assessment process for those with hidden and fluctuating conditions, which is a very Oral Answers to Questions important area? Mr Hoban: My hon. Friend raises an important issue. As a consequence of Professor Harrington’s recommendations, we are considering a range of different WORK AND PENSIONS descriptors. We are working closely with medical experts and charities to assess those descriptors and will report later in the year on the effectiveness of the programme. The Secretary of State was asked— Work Capability Assessment Enterprise Allowance

1. Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): What steps 2. Paul Uppal (Wolverhampton South West) (Con): he plans to take to implement the recommendations What recent assessment he has made of the new enterprise made by Professor Harrington in his final report on the allowance. [155860] work capability assessment in November 2012. [155859] The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Mr Mark Hoban): I believe that the new enterprise (Mr Mark Hoban): As with each of Professor Harrington’s allowance has been very effective in helping people reports, we have adopted all recommendations to set up their own business. As at the end of November improve the process we inherited from the previous last year, 31,540 have received or are receiving Government. We are in the process of implementing support from a mentor, and more than 15,000 have those recommendations. commenced trading. As my hon. Friend knows from his 883 Oral Answers20 MAY 2013 Oral Answers 884 own experience, self-employment not only enables people Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): Does my hon. to take responsibility for themselves and their family’s Friend agree that, as well as providing opportunities to welfare, but gives others the chance of a job as the get into self-employment, the small businesses generated business grows. are potential generators of many jobs? Has he seen the academic work showing that in business cycle after Paul Uppal: Does my hon. Friend agree with me— business cycle, small businesses created during a recession I speak as somebody who ran their own business for have a much higher chance of survival than those 20 years before coming to this place—that the role of created at other points in the cycle? volunteer business mentors is crucial in that step between the classroom and self-employment? Mr Hoban: That is a very good point. When I have visited jobcentres, I have seen examples of people who have created employment opportunities for themselves Mr Hoban: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I and others as a consequence of setting up their own congratulate the voluntary mentors who are taking business. That is a testament to the strength and resilience their role seriously, helping people to get into work and of the sector. identify ways of setting up their own business. On Thursday, I was in Bradford talking to a group called Inspired Neighbourhoods, which promotes self-employment Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Does in its area and provides many voluntary mentors to help the Minister realise—I tell him this as someone who has people take advantage of those opportunities. employed a lot of people in social enterprise—that social enterprise is also a good destination for entrepreneurs? Is he aware of the critical importance of high-quality Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): Given the difficulties mentoring? I know he went to Bradford; he could have and challenges in setting up a business, does the Minister come to Huddersfield to see the Enterprise Foundation. agree that it is essential that the advice given ensures The quintessential success of that operation was down that people can succeed, so that they do not end up in a to good mentoring and trained mentors who carry on worse situation than if they had not gone down that mentoring over the long term. route in the first place? Mr Hoban: Indeed. I went to Portsmouth last month Mr Hoban: The hon. Gentleman is right. That was to see the Cathedral Innovation Centre, which was one of the lessons from Inspired Neighbourhoods, which working with people from the Royal Society of Arts sat down with people and said, “This is the amount of and Portsmouth university business school, as well as money you need to make from your business to ensure volunteers, to provide the right sort of mentors to you become free from benefits and help your family to enable social enterprises to get set up and be successful. look after themselves.” Employment and Support Allowance (Appeals) 21. [155879] Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con): I am sure my hon. Friend will join me in welcoming last 3. Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): What financial week’s employment figures, which show that the number support his Department makes available to sick and of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance in Reading disabled people while their claim for employment and East is now at its second lowest level since February support allowance undergoes mandatory reconsideration 2009. Given Labour’s poor track record of securing prior to the formal appeal. [155861] sustainable employment, does he agree that the Opposition’s proposed job guarantee would fail to provide as many positive outcomes as the new enterprise allowance? The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Mr Mark Hoban): Jobseeker’s allowance is available to those found fit for work. Alternatively, employment and Mr Hoban: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to support allowance can be paid for those who subsequently highlight the fact that the number of people claiming decide to appeal. ESA can be backdated to include the JSA fell by 7,000 last month, which also saw the reconsideration period. Those who are put in the work- 11th consecutive monthly fall in the number of young related activity group, but appeal because they want to people claiming jobseeker’s allowance. The measures we move to the support group, will continue to be paid are taking demonstrate the effectiveness of our programmes, ESA at the assessment rate, as now. particularly the new enterprise allowance. Sheila Gilmore: I thank the Minister for that answer. Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): A number of my constituents who have claimed for JSA Can the Minister explain why people on the Work have been told that they are not fit for work—they have programme are not allowed to take up the new enterprise a medical certificate—and are therefore not eligible allowance and why he does not do more to encourage because they are not available for work. What are Work programme participants into self-employment? people supposed to do in that situation? Will it not drive them into the hands of payday lenders? Mr Hoban: The hon. Lady should be aware that a large number of Work programme providers see self- Mr Hoban: First, if someone is found fit for work, employment as a route out. For example, I know from they should be eligible for jobseeker’s allowance. The talking to Avanta, which operates the Work programme hon. Lady will be aware, as I am, of some of the in the north-east and elsewhere, that it sees lots of hardship arrangements that are in place to help people, opportunities for people to get into self-employment but it is absolutely right to try to encourage those and supports them to do so. claiming incapacity benefit to be reassessed, to ensure 885 Oral Answers20 MAY 2013 Oral Answers 886 that those who are fit for work can get back into work, living allowance and was told that he would be caught rather than be written off and face a lifetime of inactivity, up by the new military system that is soon to be put in as happened under previous Governments. place. I hope that he will be caught up by it, but will the Minister ensure that this never happens again, and that Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): More broadly, when a soldier serving his nation is never refused a benefit to the Select Committee on Work and Pensions looked at which he is entitled? this issue, we were interested in claimants’ experience of face-to-face interviews and, in particular, claimants with Mr Hoban: I am not familiar with the details of the mental health problems. Can the Minister update the case to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but we are House on his assessment of those areas? working on arrangements with the Ministry of Defence and, in future, such cases will be dealt with by the Mr Hoban: As a member of the Work and Pensions Ministry rather than by the Department for Work and Committee, my hon. Friend speaks knowledgeably about Pensions. However, the assessment is about functionability, this issue. When the employment and support allowance not about someone’s condition. The old system, under was introduced under the previous Government, a third which people were judged on their condition, resulted of those with a mental health condition received it. As a in many people being written off for decades because of consequence of the reforms we have introduced, that their illness. number has now gone up to 43%. Offshore Safety Inspections (North Sea) Mr Peter Hain (Neath) (Lab): Is the Minister aware of the representations that I have made to the Secretary 4. Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) of State about a constituent of mine who has been (Lab/Co-op): What assessment he has made of the suffering from mental illness for 13 years? Three months arrangements for offshore safety inspections in the North before his Atos test, he tried to commit suicide. Nevertheless, sea. [155862] he was immediately refused a continuation of his benefit and was put into the limited liability group. Does the The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions Minister not realise that there are some horrendous (Mr Mark Hoban): I meet the chairman and chief cases of punitive action being taken against people who executive of the Health and Safety Executive regularly are completely innocent in this respect? That constituent to discuss health and safety matters, including those was without any visible means of income, and I had to relating to the offshore sector, as appropriate. The refer him to the food bank in order to prevent him from departmental Select Committee and the Maitland review, starving. Is the Minister proud of such consequences of which was commissioned after the Deepwater Horizon his policies? episode, both concluded that we had a strong offshore regulatory system. Mr Hoban: I remind the right hon. Gentleman that he was in the Government who introduced the work Tom Greatrex: The Minister will be aware—or at least capability assessment and the employment and support he should be—that next month will be the 25th anniversary allowance. I have set out the improvements that we have of the Piper Alpha disaster, which precipitated the made to the system that we inherited from the previous present health and safety approach taken in the North Government, which was not working. We are continuing sea. Does he share the concern expressed by the trade to make reforms, and that is demonstrated by fact that unions operating in the North sea that the Health and the proportion of people claiming employment and Safety Executive’s energy division was set up without support allowance has tripled under this Government. any consultation with the unions, and that the division undertakes not only offshore inspections but others as Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): I am afraid well? Will he guarantee that neither the number of that appeals to tribunals following refused ESA claims inspectors available to conduct offshore inspections nor are taking far too long. The Leicester office, which deals the number of such inspections will change as a result with appeals from my constituents, now has a waiting of this? list of 40 weeks. I know that this is not the responsibility of the Minister’s Department, but will he liaise with the Mr Hoban: We have brought together various aspects Ministry of Justice to get this sorted out as quickly as of the energy sector in a single department. That bringing possible? together of complementary skills is a sensible response to the increased diversification of the energy sector. I Mr Hoban: I agree with my hon. Friend that the can assure the hon. Gentleman that there is no slackening whole process is taking far too long. That is why we are of focus on the offshore sector; indeed, we are recruiting working closely with the Ministry of Justice to reform more offshore inspectors. the system, to ensure that appeals can be heard more quickly. We are also working with charities to see what State Pension additional support we can give to people claiming employment and support allowance, to ensure that the 5. Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): right information is made available as soon as possible What assessment he has made of the effects of planned to enable claims to be processed as quickly as possible. changes to the state pension on women born between April 1952 and April 1953. [155863] Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): What would the Minister say to my constituent, Philip Gillespie, who The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions served our nation in Afghanistan and lost his right leg (Steve Webb): We have published a detailed assessment in an explosion there? Last month, he lost his disability of women in that group, and we have found that an 887 Oral Answers20 MAY 2013 Oral Answers 888 overwhelming majority will receive more pension over Under-occupancy Penalty (Wales) their lifetime than under the existing system than would a man born on the same day who receives a single-tier 6. Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): How many pension. households in Wales have been affected by the under- occupancy penalty to date. [155864] Roger Williams: I thank the Minister for that reply, and for the work that he has done on this matter. Given The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions the fact that the new system and the current one will run (Steve Webb): Our equality impact assessment estimates concurrently after the implementation of the single-tier that around 40,000 claimants will be affected by the pension, can he reassure women in the affected age removal of the spare room subsidy in Wales. A formal group that none will lose out in the transition, compared evaluation of the policy will be carried out over a with women who are eligible for the proposed single-tier two-year period with initial findings available early next pension? Would he also consider meeting a group of year. women from my constituency to discuss the matter? Paul Flynn: BBC Wales reports that for every 70 victims of the bedroom tax, only one alternative unit of Steve Webb: Obviously, women in the age group we accommodation is available. That means that 69 out of are talking about get a basic state pension based on every 70 will have no choice but to endure this tax, 30 years, whereas those under single tier will need which is unfair, impractical and will further impoverish 35 years and those a few years older need 39 years. Each the already poor. group has a different system, but the key point is that the new system will cost exactly the same as the system it replaced. We are not putting extra money into new Steve Webb: The hon. Gentleman is right that we are pensions and ignoring today’s pensioners; it is the same asking social tenants to pay £2 a day towards a spare amount of money, but spent in a simpler way. room—something that private tenants had to do under Labour’s local housing allowance scheme. Within Wales, a quarter of all social accommodation is one-bedroom Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): There properties. If we can deal with overcrowding and people are 900 of my constituents who are female and were on the waiting list in Wales, we will be doing the right born between 6 April 1951 and 6 April 1953, and who thing by the people of Wales. will not receive these new pension entitlements while men of the same age will. Will the Minister take this Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): I opportunity to apologise to those 900 women and bring am pleased that £50 million-worth of discretionary forward proposals to look again at making sure that we housing payments have been made available to ease the have proper equality in the system? transition in difficult cases and to support families. How will the Minister ensure that my constituents are aware of this extra support? Steve Webb: I think that the hon. Gentleman might have written his question before he heard my earlier answer. Comparing those women in his constituency Steve Webb: My hon. Friend makes an important with men born on the same day, as he did, misses the point. We need local authorities and social landlords, point that those men will have to wait several years with which we have been working, to alert tenants to the longer for their pension. They would far rather be in the fact that over £150 million has been made available to position of the women who get their pension at 62 or local authorities this year to help individuals in hard 63. cases. Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab): Monmouthshire Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and council has allocated over a third of its £121,000-worth Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): The Minister’s response to of discretionary housing payments in the six weeks my hon. Friend the Member for Denton and Reddish since the bedroom tax came in. Given that the demand (Andrew Gwynne) is to say that these women are in a and the need is so high, does the Minister really believe far better position than equivalent men. Let me push that the Government have given enough money? him a little on this. How did he come to a calculation suggesting that these women are better off? My Steve Webb: It was always the case that there would understanding is that, under the Government’s plan, be an initially high level of demand at the start of the 700,000 women currently aged between 60 and 62 will year, because unlike other discretionary housing payments on retirement receive a lower state pension every week that arise randomly through the course of the year, this than a man of the same age. Will he tell us specifically will apply for the whole year. We expected and planned by how much a week on average these women will for a higher rate of demand at the start of the year. We receive on retirement than a man of the same age? do keep these things under review, of course, and we are in close contact with local authorities in Wales to monitor Steve Webb: As the hon. Gentleman knows, two the early implementation of this policy. things matter: how much people get, and when they get it, and he ignores the second thing. A man born on the Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): What will the Minister same day has to wait until he is 65, but the women he is do to ensure that councils actually use the discretionary talking about will get a pension at 61, 62 or 63. The fact funding that has been given and do not hide the money that they get the pension for years longer more than away in order to make a political point against this offsets a lower average receipt. particular policy? 889 Oral Answers20 MAY 2013 Oral Answers 890

Steve Webb: My hon. Friend is right. We need to Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): Last week I held ensure that local authorities use the money that has my second jobs fair, at which 30 local employers met been given to them to assist households when an extra 300 jobseekers in my constituency to talk about more contribution would be helpful. We have given a huge than 300 vacancies. Can my right hon. Friend confirm amount of taxpayers’ money to councils for that purpose, that there is currently a record number of vacancies in and we expect them to use every penny of it. the United Kingdom?

19. [155877] Glenda Jackson (Hampstead and Kilburn) Mr Duncan Smith: That is correct. On average, about (Lab): Government changes already require the British half a million vacant jobs are advertised, and that may taxpayer to find nearly £2 billion more to rehouse not represent all the work that is available. Our universal vulnerable families. How many families does the jobmatch scheme ensures that claimants look for and Minister think will need to be rehoused as a result of apply for jobs, because they must be mandated on to the this punitive bedroom tax? system. The number of private sector jobs has increased by 1.25 million since the election, and every six jobs Steve Webb: I do not recognise that number at all. In created over the last six years correspond with one job fact, many of the scare stories that have come from the loss in the public sector. hon. Lady and others have proved not to transpire. When we capped rents in the private rented sector, we Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op): The House were told that there would be mass evictions and that hears what the Secretary of State has to say about youth vast droves of people would be moving all over London, unemployment, but there is a youth unemployment but the evidence has not borne that out. crisis among young black men in particular. What action will he take to lower the present 50% level? Employment Mr Duncan Smith: I agree that there is a particular 7. Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): What problem in that regard. I am talking to all the voluntary recent estimate he has made of the number of people in sector groups as well as to providers, including all our full-time employment. [155865] staff at the DWP, and also to Opposition Members. We need to make more progress, because youth unemployment The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain is not good regardless of the numbers involved, and we Duncan Smith): There are more than 21 million people cannot do enough to drive it down. I can give the hon. in full-time work, and the number has risen by over Gentleman a guarantee that we will make more efforts 600,000 since the general election. to deal with this particular problem.

Pauline Latham: I thank the Secretary of State for Benefits (Immigration) that answer. Can he confirm that the number of people claiming the main out-of-work benefits since the 2010 election has fallen? 8. Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): What steps he plans to take to restrict access to benefits Mr Duncan Smith: Yes; this is an intriguing figure. As for new migrants from other EU member states. we have succeeded in enabling people who, when the [155866] last Government left office, were inactive but of working age to find employment, the total number of people 14. Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): without jobs has fallen by 380,000 since 2010. That fall What steps he is taking to reduce the eligibility to UK has been driven by a fall in the rate of inactivity that benefits of nationals of other EU member states. was left by the last Government. As a result, the number [155872] of people receiving incapacity benefit and a number of other benefits—including lone parents—is at its lowest The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions for some two decades. (Mr Mark Hoban): We are taking steps to tighten further the rules relating to all migrants, not just new David Wright (Telford) (Lab): Unemployment, including migrants. We are strengthening the habitual residence youth unemployment, is stubbornly high in Telford. test; the Home Office is creating a statutory presumption Does the Secretary of State still talk to the Chancellor that European economic area jobseekers and workers of the Exchequer or indeed the Prime Minister, because who are involuntarily unemployed will not have a right there was nothing in the Budget about youth to reside here after six months unless they can demonstrate unemployment, and there was nothing about it in the they are actively seeking work and have a genuine Queen’s Speech? Is he talking to them at all? chance of finding a job; and we will prevent those with no entitlement to work in the UK from claiming Mr Duncan Smith: I talk to them regularly, and they contributory benefits. talk to me. What I tell them constantly is that the figure for youth unemployment is lower than the figure that Andrea Leadsom: Does my hon. Friend agree that it we inherited. We have also introduced the youth contract, may be a good idea in the longer term to consider a which provides us with extra money so that we can give more contributions-based system of benefits for all? many people below the age of 24 a real chance to benefit One of the biggest problems for many people is although from work experience programmes and apprenticeships. they may have worked and paid into the system for Many more people will go into apprenticeships under many years, if they are out of work for a period they this Government than ever went into them under the receive little more than someone who turned up only last Government. last week. 891 Oral Answers20 MAY 2013 Oral Answers 892

Mr Hoban: My hon. Friend raises an interesting Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con): point, but she might be aware that in a contributory One of the barriers to pension planning is uncertainty. benefits system those benefits can be exported to other Does the Minister agree that auto-enrolment and the EU member states, and she may think that is a disadvantage single-tier pension will give the certainty that both of the contributory system. pensioners and the pension industry need?

Mr Chope: Why do the Government not insist that Steve Webb: My hon. Friend is right: we cannot build out-of-work benefits paid to non-United Kingdom citizens a building on an uneven foundation. That is why we had should be paid at the rate of benefit prevailing in the to get state pension reform right with a single, simple, claimant’s home country? Should we not insist on that predictable state pension. That makes private saving being a red line in the welcome forthcoming renegotiation? and automatic enrolment far more effective, and I am grateful for his support for that principle. Mr Hoban: My hon. Friend is aware that we are, in part, operating within a framework determined by the Universal Credit (IT System) European Union. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met his German counterpart last week, and further meetings are planned for next month with European 10. Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab): What employment Ministers to discuss these very issues. assessment he has made of the preparedness of the universal credit IT delivery system. [155868] Pensioners The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain Duncan Smith): The IT system to support the pathfinder 9. Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire) (Con): roll-out from April 2013 is up and running. As Members What steps he is taking to help pensioners. [155867] would expect, we continue to monitor, test and learn. That system is a crucial aspect of our pathfinder The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions approach—although not all of it, by any means—which (Steve Webb): Even where we have had to take difficult will guarantee the careful and deliberate wider roll-out decisions on welfare spending, we have systematically of universal credit. protected pensioners from the impacts of changes. Indeed, we have gone further: we have permanently increased Mr Betts: I thank the Secretary of State for that the cold weather payment to £25, and the basic state answer, but will he confirm that three of the pathfinders pension is now a higher share of average earnings than are not going ahead precisely because the computer at any time in the past 20 years. system is not ready? Will he also confirm that in the one pathfinder that is going ahead, the staff have one computer Gavin Williamson: Unlike the Opposition, we on this screen on which to record information, and the rest of side of the House recognise that it is not right to the claimant information has be written down by pen increase basic state pensions by 75p: we give proper on a notepad? That is the situation, is it not? How can increases. What more is the Minister doing to ensure the Secretary of State possibly come to this House and that retirement incomes continue to rise in the future? justify that as being satisfactory, after years of preparation?

Steve Webb: As my hon. Friend knows, our goal is to Mr Duncan Smith: The hon. Gentleman is fundamentally have a retirement income based on the foundation of a wrong. All the pathfinders are going ahead. The IT simple, single, decent state pension—the legislation on system is but a part of that, and goes ahead in one of this was announced in the Queen’s Speech—complemented the pathfinders. The other three are already testing all by automatic enrolment into a workplace pension, so the other aspects of universal credit and in July will, people have a pension based on their national insurance essentially, themselves roll out the remainder of the and a pension of their own with a contribution from pathfinder, and more than 7,000 people will be engaged both the employer and the taxpayer. That is a good in it. All that nonsense the hon. Gentleman has just said combination to build on. is completely untrue.

Mr Nick Raynsford (Greenwich and Woolwich) (Lab): 22. [155880]David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con): What does the Minister have to say to my constituent, a The pilot commenced on time and substantially on 91-year-old pensioner who is occupying a four-bedroom budget at one of the pathfinder locations, implying that property and has been told that, because the priority much of the application must be working. Does that has to be given to allocating smaller homes to people not contrast well with the failed big-bang approach currently being hit by the bedroom tax, she has no taken by the last Government in similar implementations? immediate prospect of being housed in smaller, more suitable accommodation? Mr Duncan Smith: I repeat to my hon. Friend what I said to the hon. Member for Sheffield South East Steve Webb: We expect social landlords to manage (Mr Betts): the reality is that it is far better for us to do their housing stock effectively, and many social landlords this carefully, and to check each time that the systems have put in place schemes to enable older tenants to work and that those who are meant to be using them trade down, which many of them would want to do. If know what they are doing, so we learn the lessons from the right hon. Gentleman’s constituent is 91, I would the whole system. The last Government went for a think the housing association in question has had plenty big-bang approach in one project after another, and of time to do something about that. most of them literally did just that: they blew up. 893 Oral Answers20 MAY 2013 Oral Answers 894

Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): The Secretary of being in hospital. Will the Minister explain why she is State will recall that I wrote to him in November 2010 prepared to leave disabled people worried about going to warn that the IT system could not possibly be delivered into hospital and potentially losing their Motability car, in the time scale he was claiming—unfortunately, that losing their deposit and having to restart the whole has proved to be the case. In November 2011, he announced process again when they come out? They will be worried that 1 million people would be receiving universal credit about what it will mean for them to reapply for a new by April 2014. What is his latest estimate of the number car with new adaptations that requires a new deposit. of people who will be receiving universal credit by April Additional administration will fall on the Department 2014? for Work and Pensions, so who will bear the cost incurred when the exclusively and specifically adapted Mr Duncan Smith: Let me remind the right hon. Motability cars have to be returned— Gentleman of a quote from the Institute for Fiscal Studies about the way we are rolling the system out. It Mr Speaker: Order. I think that the hon. Lady’s essay said: —perhaps even her thesis—has been completed. “The level of problems caused to tax credit claimants and employers as the new tax credit systems went live in April 2003 Esther McVey: Obviously, I do not know the specific demonstrated that there were undetected gaps in the design of the details of the case, but when somebody is in hospital for testing regime for the systems.” a long time they will not need the Motability car. This system is a success. We have four years to roll it However, every case is taken on its specifics and everything out, we are rolling it out now, we will continue the is dealt with in the most sensitive way. That has always roll-out nationwide and we will have a system that been the case with Motability cars. works—and one that works because we have tested it properly. Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): A constituent with a severely disabled daughter who is Stephen Timms: In November 2011, 1 million people dependent on disability living allowance and a Motability were going to be claiming by next April: now, the car came to see me. Will my hon. Friend assure me that Secretary of State has not the faintest idea how many my constituent will be entitled to an appeal before those there will be—so much for this project being on schedule. things are arbitrarily removed? There were supposed to be four pathfinders, but now there is only one, under which the only people who can Esther McVey: At the moment, we are considering get universal credit are those in the most straightforward working age people and that is where the changes are circumstances. How long will it now realistically be happening, so we would not be specifically considering before he has an IT system that can cope with, for the case my hon. Friend mentions. However, if she is example, applicants with children? talking about what happens at the end of a fixed-term period for which the child has entitlement the assessment Mr Duncan Smith: Interestingly enough, I had the would be the same as it always was for DLA. The focus right hon. Gentleman and the right hon. Member for of the reforms is to ensure that the billions of pounds Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr Byrne) in to see me last we are spending every year—a figure that is going up year and I told them exactly how we were rolling the over this Parliament—will be focused on those who system out—[Interruption.] No, no. I told them that most need it. the pathfinder would continue first of all with single claimants. As for the idea that somehow things have changed—he knew about that then and the situation is Dame Anne Begg (Aberdeen South) (Lab): The Minister exactly the same now. really needs to look at the specifics of this. Her regulations have changed: a person in hospital will now lose their higher mobility rate after four weeks, instead of 13 weeks. Disability Living Allowance/Motability Their Motability car will have to go back, even though they may have spent thousands of pounds on adaptations 11. Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) (Lab): What to it. The Minister really has to look at how her regulations steps he is taking to publicise the potential effects of have changed. planned regulation changes on claimants currently in receipt of (a) the disability living allowance higher rate Esther McVey: Obviously, I do indeed look at those and (b) Motability cars. [155869] regulations, but, as I said, every case is looked at on a case-by-case basis, to see what is required in that specific The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work instance. and Pensions (Esther McVey): We wrote to every DLA claimant earlier this year, as well as holding stakeholder engagement events and MPs’ events. Online, there is a Mrs Anne McGuire (Stirling) (Lab): The Minister personal independence payment checker and a PIP and the Secretary of State have recently been found out toolkit. As the hon. Lady asks specifically about the using figures that show a dramatic increase in the highest rates of both components, I am sure that she number of people receiving disability living allowance. will pleased to know that we have increased those rates To quote the Secretary of State, they wanted under PIP from 16% to 23%, which is an increase of “to get in early, get ahead of it”— seven percentage points. that is, the PIP. However, Department for Work and Pensions statistics show that there was a significant Rosie Cooper: It came as a great shock to my constituents decrease in the number of working-age people—that is, that the new regulations will see the removal of the those affected by the changes—getting the benefit, so Motability lease payments after 28 days of a person’s much so that The Economist said: 895 Oral Answers20 MAY 2013 Oral Answers 896

“Over the past few months…questionable numbers have floated discretionary housing payments, which we have already out of Iain Duncan Smith’s office into the public debate like raw given them, in negotiations with the landlord, to find a sewage.” way to avoid eviction. Those are the words of The Economist, not mine. Will the Minister take this opportunity to correct the figures Barry Gardiner: The Secretary of State is precisely on the record, and to resolve to use accurate figures avoiding the point. He knows very well that landlords only? As The Economist puts it, are using as an excuse for getting rid of tenants, and as a “they shouldn’t manipulate…and distort” reason to evict them, the fact that they are on the figures benefits cap. He said that the benefits cap would be a “to tell stories that aren’t actually true.” way of bringing rents down, but it is not; it is a way of evicting tenants who are living on benefits. That is Esther McVey: I will put on record that we do use appalling, and he needs to do something about it. correct figures. We use the right figures, and we make sure that people know exactly what is happening, because Mr Duncan Smith: On the implementation of the cap, that is only right. We are dealing with the most vulnerable people have had over a year to work on this, and I know people in society, and it is only right that they get the that local authorities are working with them; we keep in correct information. We will continue doing that. constant contact with them. We will have given local authorities more than £380 million in discretionary moneys. It is very clear that if the issue is only the cap, Jobseeker’s Allowance (Claimant Sanctions) there is no requirement for people to be evicted. This is a reality, and authorities must work with them. The 12. Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow) (Lab): What assessment hon. Gentleman needs to talk to his party, because it he has made of the effect of sanctions on jobseeker’s wants to make the cap worse by regionalising it. allowance claimants. [155870] Credit Unions The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Mr Mark Hoban): Sanctions have played a key role in ensuring that jobseekers meet their commitments to the 15. Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): What steps he taxpayer in return for jobseeker’s allowance, and 40% of is taking to support credit unions. [155873] claimants say that they are more likely to look for work due to the threat of a sanction. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain Duncan Smith): I congratulate my hon. Friend, as I Mr Hepburn: In my constituency, the number of always make a point of doing, on his persistence in jobless people chasing each vacancy is more than double supporting credit unions. I know that he is a member of the national average, yet my local citizens advice bureau his local one, which has about 300 members. I hope that informs me that there has been an increase in the he will welcome the award of a contract for £38 million number of people who have been to see it who have to the Association of British Credit Unions Limited, been kicked off benefits because of sanctions. When which will help 1 million people, and will act as an will the Government—more specifically, the Tories—stop alternative to loan sharks and payday loans. demonising the unemployed for not having a job, and when will they stop this relentless war against the poor? Sir Bob Russell: I thank my right hon. Friend for that helpful answer. I know that he would like to praise the Mr Hoban: I point out to the hon. Gentleman that volunteers at Colchester credit union for all they do. there are people in his constituency who are paying Will he discuss with his ministerial colleagues in the their taxes and working, and who expect jobseekers to Department for Communities and Local Government do all they can to look for work, so that they can look and the Department for Education the importance of after themselves and their families. That is the contract encouraging all of us, particularly children, to undertake that underpins the welfare state—the contract that the regular saving? previous Government signed up to; I am surprised that he seems to be backing away from that. Mr Duncan Smith: My hon. Friend is right and his campaigns have helped us shape some of our thinking Housing Benefit Cap (Evictions) on that. It is worth noting that for the first time financial education will be on the national curriculum, which is extremely important. Through universal credit we are 13. Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): What making available a series of financial planning devices redress is available to tenants whose landlords seek to and special bank accounts, so we hope this will drive evict them on the grounds that they are housing benefit people in the right direction. The crackdown on payday recipients subject to the benefits cap. [155871] lenders who abuse their position has already started and is yielding real results. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain Duncan Smith): Landlords must support their tenants in maintaining their tenancy. All those affected by the Disability-related Benefits cap have already been contacted, most of them more than a year ago, so tenants uncertain about their situation 16. Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): What assessment should have asked for a review by now, to check that he has made of whether people who claim disability-related they are receiving all the benefits to which they are benefits are also more likely to receive housing benefit; entitled. The local authority may consider paying and if he will make a statement. [155874] 897 Oral Answers20 MAY 2013 Oral Answers 898

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work My officials are in regular contact with Scottish local and Pensions (Esther McVey): As I am sure the hon. authorities to look at the issues there, as well as in other Lady knows, there are different types of benefit for parts of the country. We have formal evaluation over disabled people, including disability living allowance, the next year and two years, and we are monitoring the which is paid irrespective of whether the claimant is in situation on the ground to see how these reforms are work or not, as well as income replacement benefits working. such as employment and support allowance, so a person could receive ESA and DLA or wages and DLA. Around T5. [155888] Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): I a third of households in receipt of disability living am proud to have given full-time jobs to two young allowance or attendance allowance also receive support people who did some short-term work experience in my for their housing costs. constituency office. That was work experience, not an internship. What evidence has my hon. Friend that Fiona Mactaggart: I have been driven to ask this as work experience helps people get back into work? an oral question by my being refused a reply to a number of written questions on the grounds that it The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions would cost too much money. I have been able to discover (Mr Mark Hoban): An evaluation that we published that there are 678,000 housing benefit claimants who last year shows that young people who have had work are also receiving ESA, so there are at least two thirds of experience have a better chance of getting off benefit a million disabled people in receipt of housing benefit. and into work. I am grateful to everybody, including my In Slough landlords— hon. Friend, who makes available work experience places to give young people a chance to get out of unemployment Mr Speaker: May we have a question? We must move and into employment. on. Mr Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Hodge Hill) (Lab): Fiona Mactaggart: What is the Minister going to do Can the Secretary of State give the House his personal to protect disabled people in private housing when forecast for when this year’s allocation for the discretionary landlords refuse to accept people on housing benefit, housing payment fund will run out? which is common in my constituency? Mr Duncan Smith: No, because the reality is that we Esther McVey: We have supported people with have also said that there is three years’ worth of discretionary housing payments amounting to £360 million. payments—that is the point of the word “discretionary”, The authorities are working with credible landlords. We by the way. Local authorities can use the money for are supporting those people. Perhaps the hon. Lady precisely the kinds of reasons they want, and their could not get an answer to her question because she was observance is to spend it. We keep it under review, as we looking for something that was not there. have said we will do persistently. I cannot understand the point of the right hon. Gentleman’s question. Topical Questions Mr Byrne: Let me tell the Secretary of State the point T1. [155884] Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) of the question: across the country discretionary housing (Lab): If he will make a statement on his departmental payment fund money is about to run out. In my home responsibilities. city of Birmingham applications are up five times on last year. That policy means that in places such as the The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain north-east three-bedroom houses are now standing empty Duncan Smith): Today I welcome the step that we are because people cannot afford to move in. There are now taking to support those suffering from mesothelioma 53,000 households in our country being put up in and their families, which is a vast improvement on temporary accommodation, which is costing the taxpayer previous taxpayer-funded schemes. The Mesothelioma billions of pounds. When will he admit the truth: the Bill will correct the failings of the insurance industry to hated bedroom tax now costs more than it saved? It is keep proper records, speeding up tracing and setting up time to scrap it, and scrap it for good? the scheme whereby insurers will make payments to some 300 people a year who cannot trace their past Mr Duncan Smith: Discretionary housing payments employers’ insurers. The Bill is a laudable and long-overdue are given to councils, as the right hon. Gentleman step towards redress for sufferers of this terrible disease knows. They set the scheme up. They can top the money and I welcome its Second Reading in the other place. up as they wish—[Interruption.] One moment they want discretionary moneys, and the next they do not. Mr Bain: Seven weeks in, the true devastating That falls into the pattern for the Opposition. When consequences of the bedroom tax are becoming clear: they were in government they lost control of the housing claims for discretionary housing payments up 338% in a benefit bill, which doubled, and it was due to rise by month, and in Glasgow rising to 5,500, the highest in another £5 billion. Every time they come to the Dispatch the entire country. Is it not the case that the Secretary of Box and oppose what we are doing, it means another State has not provided local councils with the resources spending commitment. They have gone from old Labour they need to deal with a crisis of his making? to new Labour and now to welfare Labour.

The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions T6. [155889] Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Steve Webb): We have substantially increased the budget (Con): What progress has my hon. Friend made on for discretionary housing payment, so it is not surprising transforming the lives of the most disadvantaged that there is a rising number of people applying for it. individuals and families in our society? 899 Oral Answers20 MAY 2013 Oral Answers 900

Mr Hoban: My hon. Friend will recognise that we The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work have seen a big fall in the number of people who are out and Pensions (Esther McVey): As of today, of the 1,100 of work and a reduction in the number of people Remploy staff who have come forward for help, 351 are claiming the main out-of-work benefits. I am confident in work and about the same number are in training. We that our reforms to universal credit will further improve are working closely with former Remploy staff to ensure the lives of those who are out of work and those who that we get this as good as possible. I will also say that are on low incomes. when the previous Government closed 29 factories in 2008, absolutely no support or monitoring was put in T2. [155885] Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): For place, something that this Government have done and many, retirement is a welcome liberation from demeaning got right. drudgery. For others, it is an unwelcome end to their useful lives, often leading to ill health. What are the T8. [155891] Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) Government doing to ensure more choice in the age of (Lab): The Secretary of State and his ministerial colleagues retirement? have taken a number of questions on Atos and the work capability assessment, and I think that many people Steve Webb: One of the measures we implemented listening to these proceedings would consider their answers early on, and of which I am proudest, was the abolition relaxed to the point of complacency. Does he recognise of forced retirement. The previous Government talked that people who have intermittent, real problems with about it a lot, but we abolished it, so people can no working—people with brain damage and with mental longer be forced out of their jobs simply for turning 65. health problems—are not being served properly by the However, there is much more to do. We are working work capability assessment? Does he recognise that this with employers’ groups on attitudes to older workers to is a problem or not? If he does, what, in practice, is he encourage them to retain them and enable them to stay going to do about it? in the work force if they wish to do so. Mr Hoban: The hon. Gentleman needs to remember T7. [155890] Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham) that his party in government introduced the work capability (Con): Ministers will be aware of the long-overdue assessment, so Labour Members cannot shirk their changes to shared parenting in the current Children responsibilities. Since we came into office we have and Families Bill. Will they liaise with their hon. implemented the findings of Professor Harrington, and Friends in the Department for Education to ensure that the fourth independent report is under way.The proportion non-resident fathers are not deterred from engaging in of people going into support groups has tripled under their children’s lives as much as possible because of this Government. That is a consequence of the reforms welfare changes that might make it difficult for them to that we have introduced to fix a system that the previous secure appropriate accommodation when their children Government created. come to stay?

Mr Duncan Smith: First, may I welcome the fantastic T10. [155893] Guto Bebb (Aberconwy) (Con): Will the work my hon. Friend did when he was in that job? He is Minister join me in welcoming last week’s figures from absolutely right, and I will ensure that we liaise with the Office for National Statistics showing a fourth colleagues and make that argument strongly, but it is consecutive quarter of significant growth in the employment one that I think they already bear in mind strongly. of UK nationals? Will he contrast that performance with the performance of the previous Government between T3. [155886] Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): 2004 and 20011, when we saw a significant increase in I keep hearing of homeless people having particularly the employment of non-UK nationals in the economy? difficult and negative experiences of the Work programme. Crisis has told me of a woman who lives in Mr Hoban: The former Prime Minister used to bang a hostel and has serious mental health problems, some on about British jobs for British workers, but in reality of which relate to being homeless, yet she was referred the majority of new jobs went to non-UK nationals. We to a sub-contractor specialising not in mental health, have reversed that trend, and now nine out of 10 new but in learning difficulties, who was obviously no use to jobs go to UK nationals. her whatsoever. What will the Secretary of State do to sort out the people who are supposed to be offering Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): A constituent services and support that are appropriate to people’s of mine who lives in Haddington was recently asked to needs and end the failure of his Work programme? attend a tribunal for her disability living allowance in Glasgow, which, because she had to use public transport, Mr Hoban: There are some excellent examples of would have meant a round trip of six hours. That is not how the Work programme has worked with people who only unacceptable for her but places a strain on welfare are homeless and those who have mental health problems. rights in my constituency. Does the Minister think that The important thing is to learn from where practice is that is acceptable? excellent. We will ensure that that happens and that good practice is shared. Esther McVey: No, I do not think that a round trip of that long is acceptable. I will look into that case. T9. [155892] Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con): Will my hon. Friend please update the House on what recent assessment she has made of the number of Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) Remploy staff who have made it into employment or (LD): The transition to the personal independence payment training? is a good thing in theory, but some people are telling me 901 Oral Answers20 MAY 2013 Oral Answers 902 that they are concerned that the threshold for qualification strategy, refreshed in February last year, and we are is unacceptably high and they feel unsupported in trying convicting and punishing more people. There were almost to work out how to make a difficult choice among the 10,000 convictions for benefit fraud in 2011-12, up variety of suppliers available. more than 40% on 2009-10.

Esther McVey: I was not exactly sure where the right Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ hon. Gentleman was going with that question. The PIP Co-op): The Secretary of State blithely told us earlier was introduced to support the most vulnerable and to that if the budget given to local councils for discretionary make it as easy as possible to do so, and to ensure that housing payments runs out, they should just top it up. people who could not fill in a self-assessment form Where exactly does he think they should get the money could see somebody on a one-to-one basis. This is the from to top up their budgets, and, if he is not prepared biggest ever change in welfare. I thank all the people to accept the failures of the bedroom tax, why does he who have helped with it in Jobcentre Pluses, and the not at least agree to top up the budgets himself in order stakeholders. Over 1,000 disabled people got involved to make up for the deficiencies of his own policy? to make sure that the system was right, and I thank Mr Duncan Smith: I have said all along that we will them for making it a good transition to a new benefit. keep this under review and talk to local authorities. The Opposition have not once apologised—they did not do Mr Speaker: The Minister can always have a cup of so when in government, either—for the fact that, under tea with her right hon. Friend if any further clarification them, house building fell to its lowest level since the is required. 1920s and that there was more overcrowding. There are 1.5 million spare rooms and 250,000 people live in Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ overcrowded accommodation. There were record levels Co-op): Many of my constituents rely on the sub-prime under the previous Government. Why do they not say lending sector to manage from day to day and to build sorry for the mess they left housing in? their credit record. What conversations has the Secretary of State’s Department had with the Financial Conduct Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): I know that Authority in its efforts to improve that sector and to Ministers want to be on the side of those who work make sure that my constituents get a good service rather hard to get on, including a constituent of mine—about than, in some cases, being driven into the hands of whom I have written to the employment Minister—who illegal moneylenders? worked hard for many years before undergoing chemotherapy for blood cancer. Two years ago he spent Mr Duncan Smith: That is a very good question. My a month between jobs, during which time he chose not noble Friend Lord Freud is conducting those discussions, to claim benefits, but he has been told by the benefits which are in line with all his discussions with the office that, as a result of this gap in his contribution banking and finance sector in advance of universal history, he is not eligible for contributory employment credit coming in. The hon. Lady makes a very valuable support allowance. Will the Minister meet me so that point, and she is absolutely right. I will ensure that we we can examine this case and try to make sure that rigid press people very hard on this. bureaucracy does not prevent us from helping people in such situations? Stephen Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire) (Con): My right hon. Friend will be aware that the Department Mr Hoban: I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend suffered £1.2 billion of fraud losses last year and recovered to discuss the case in more detail. just under £50 million. Will he look again at the scope Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): A recent judgment for greater data sharing with the private sector, which is said that homeless people using night shelters are not often targeted by the same fraudsters, to see whether eligible for any housing benefit payments. Given that risk-averse legal advice within the Department is hampering night shelters will not be able to continue without an these recoveries? income from their service users, what action is being taken to address this problem? Mr Duncan Smith: Yes. When we came into office, the fraud and error in tax credit loan bills stood at some Mr Duncan Smith: We are looking at this issue with £11.6 billion—money lost by the previous Government. my noble friend Lord Freud and my right hon. Friends. Since then, we have published a new fraud legislative I will definitely write to the hon. Lady about the outcome. 903 20 MAY 2013 Syria 904

Syria All the efforts of the United Kingdom are devoted to bringing about such a political settlement and to saving lives. We have provided more than £12 million in non-lethal 3.31 pm assistance, including to the Syrian National Coalition. That includes vehicles with ballistic protection, body The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth armour, trucks and forklifts, solar power generators, Affairs (Mr William Hague): With permission, Mr Speaker, water purification kits, equipment to search for survivors I will make a statement on the conflict in Syria, which in the aftermath of shelling, computers, satellite phones, continues to worsen. and office equipment to help people in opposition-held The Syrian regime’s military offensive against areas. opposition-held areas around Damascus, Homs, Idlib, We have provided human rights training and support Hama and Aleppo is intensifying, with complete disregard to members of Syrian civil society. We have supported for civilian life. The death toll has doubled in the first human rights investigation teams to collect documentary, five months of this year and now stands at an estimated photographic and interview evidence of abuses, and 80,000 people. There have been well-verified reports of trained medical staff to gather forensic evidence of massacres around Damascus by regime security forces, torture and sexual violence. That material is being made and of communities killed in cold blood in villages available to the UN commission of inquiry and other around Baniyas. Online footage has shown bodies heaped international investigative bodies so that those involved in the streets and children butchered in their homes. Ten in human rights violations can be held to account. We thousand people are believed to have fled the area in the therefore welcome the resolution sponsored by Qatar, panic created by these brutal killings, and last week which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on there were unconfirmed reports of further attacks using 15 May by 107 votes to 12, urging accountability for chemical weapons. human rights violations and progress on a political More than 4 million Syrians are internally displaced transition, as well as humanitarian assistance to Syria. and a total of 6.8 million are in desperate need, including The Prime Minister announced last week that we would 3 million children. It is horrifying to imagine what life double our non-lethal assistance this year to £20 million. must be like for these children, witnessing violence and That will be used to provide services to the Syrian death on a daily basis, and enduring trauma, malnutrition, people, deliver assistance to them on the ground, forge disease and shattered education. links between different communities and opposition This suffering has devastating consequences. It is groups, and support better communications. undoubtedly contributing to a radicalisation in Syria. Our humanitarian funding to date totals £171.1 million. Syrian people are facing a regime that is using warplanes, That includes £30 million, which was also announced helicopters, heavy artillery, tanks, cluster munitions and by the Prime Minister last week, to support people in even ballistic missiles against them, often without them need in opposition-held and contested areas in Syria. having the means to defend themselves and their Much of our funding is going to support refugees in communities. The conflict is therefore creating opportunities Lebanon and Jordan. We have provided food for more for extremist groups. Syria is now the No. 1 destination than 150,000 people, clean drinking water for more for jihadists anywhere in the world today, including than 900,000 people and more than 280,000 medical approximately 70 to 100 individuals connected with the consultations for the sick and injured. The Government United Kingdom. have worked hard to urge other countries to meet their The conflict is also endangering regional peace and commitments to the UN humanitarian appeal for security, with more than 50 people killed in a bombing $1.5 billion. That is now 71% funded and we will continue in Turkey last week, the kidnapping of United Nations to urge other countries to do more. peacekeepers in the Golan Heights, and cross-border We are increasing the support that we are providing shelling and clashes on the Lebanese-Syrian border. to Syria’s neighbours. We are providing equipment to Half a million Syrians have become refugees in the past the Jordanian armed forces to help them deal with the 10 weeks alone, bringing the total number of refugees immediate needs of Syrian refugees at the border and to 1.5 million, 75% of whom are women and children. transport them safely to international humanitarian The UN assesses that, on these trends, by the end of this organisations. We have provided funding to the Lebanese year more than 3.5 million, or 15% of Syria’s total armed forces for four border observation towers to help population, will have become refuges in other countries. reduce cross-border violence in key areas and to protect The Foreign Minister of Jordan has warned that Syrian and reassure local communities. We are also working refugees are likely to make up 40% of his country’s with the Syrian National Coalition and key international population by the middle of next year, with similar supporters to develop plans for transition and Syria’s numbers predicted for Lebanon. post-conflict needs, building on the conference that we One of two scenarios lies ahead for Syria. On the one held at Wilton Park in January. hand, there could be an ever more savage conflict and The international focus must above all be on ending military stalemate, producing an even bigger humanitarian the crisis. To that end, we are stepping up our efforts to disaster, greater radicalisation and deeper sectarian divisions, support the opposition and increase pressure on the further massacres, and even the collapse of the Syrian regime in order to create the conditions for a political state and disintegration of its territory. On the other transition. On 20 April, I attended the meeting of the hand—and this is what we must strive for—there could core group of the Friends of the Syrian People in be a negotiated end to the conflict that ends the bloodshed Istanbul, where a new compact was agreed with the and leads to a new transitional Government, enabling Syrian National Coalition. The coalition issued a refugees to return to their homes and extremism to be declaration committing itself to a political solution contained. and transition, promising to guarantee the rights of all 905 Syria20 MAY 2013 Syria 906

Syria’s communities, and rejecting terrorism and extremist Syria for as long as it hopes it can win militarily. We also ideology. It pledged to preserve the Syrian state, uphold have to persuade the opposition to come to the table, international law, guarantee the safety and security of recognising how difficult it is for them to enter into chemical weapons, and work to keep weapons out of negotiations with a regime engaged in butchering thousands the hands of extremist groups—commitments which I of people. am sure the whole House will welcome. In return, the There is a growing body of limited but persuasive core group nations agreed to expand support to the information showing that the regime used—and continues coalition and its military council, as the United Kingdom to use—chemical weapons. We have physiological samples already has done. As I speak, we are working to broaden from inside Syria that have shown the use of sarin, and unify further the Syrian opposition. although they do not indicate the scale of that use. Our On 8 May in Moscow, Secretary Kerry and Foreign assessment is that the use of chemical weapons in Syria Minister Lavrov agreed the basis for a new international is very likely to have been by the regime. We have no conference to bring together representatives of the regime evidence to date of opposition use. We welcome the UN and the opposition. The Prime Minister visited Russia investigation, which in our view must cover all credible on 10 May for talks with President Putin to cement allegations and have access to all relevant sites in Syria. understanding of the purpose of the conference. He We continue to assist the investigation team and to held further talks with President Obama in Washington work with our allies to get more and better information on 13 May and spoke again to President Putin last about these allegations. Friday. In our view, the conference, which should be The United Kingdom holds the presidency of the held as soon as possible, should focus on agreeing a UN Security Council next month, and we remain in transitional governing body with full executive powers favour of the Security Council putting its full weight and formed by mutual consent, building on the agreement behind a transition plan if it can be agreed. All our that we reached at Geneva last year. efforts are directed at ensuring that the coming conference We are urging the regime and the opposition to in Geneva has the greatest possible chance of success. attend the conference and to take full advantage of the We are entering in the coming weeks into a period of opportunity to negotiate. In the end there will have to the most intense diplomacy yet, to bring together permanent be a political and diplomatically supported solution, if members of the UN Security Council, to attempt to there is to be any solution at all. There is no purely create real negotiations, and to open up the possibility military victory available to either side without even of a political solution. The Prime Minister is fully greater loss of life, the growth of international terrorism, committed personally to those efforts, and the central and grave threats to neighbouring countries. role of the Foreign Office over the coming weeks will be The Prime Minister and I have both spoken to UN to support that process. At the same time, our work to Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon about the conference, save lives, to help stabilise neighbouring countries, and and we continue to support special envoy Lakhdar to support the national coalition inside Syria will continue Brahimi in his role. I am in constant contact with to be stepped up. Secretary Kerry about the preparations. Tomorrow I With every week that passes we are coming closer to will travel to Jordan to meet him and other Foreign the collapse of Syria and a regional catastrophe, with Ministers of the core group on Wednesday, and on the lives of tens of thousands more Syrians at stake. We Monday I will go to Brussels for the EU Foreign Affairs are determined to make every effort to end the carnage, Council on this subject. The EU should give strong to minimise the risks to the region, and to protect the support to this diplomatic process, including by agreeing security of the United Kingdom. further amendments to the arms embargo, without taking any decisions at present to send arms to the 3.43 pm Syrian opposition. Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire The case for further amendments to the EU arms South) (Lab): I thank the Foreign Secretary for coming embargo on Syria is compelling, in order to increase the to the House and giving his statement, and for advance pressure on the regime and give us the flexibility to sight of that statement. We have all watched events respond to continued radicalisation and conflict. We unfold in Syria with increasing horror, yet the whole have to be open to every way of strengthening moderates House has not had the opportunity to discuss the and saving lives, rather than the current trajectory of conflict in Syria for some weeks. extremism and murder. We have not sent arms to any Let me begin my questions with the key issue of side during the conflicts of the Arab spring. No decision arming the rebels, which in recent months the Prime has been made to go down that route, and if we were to Minister has suggested is key to “tipping the balance” pursue this, it would be under the following conditions: and creating peace in Syria. Indeed, in his statement in co-ordination with other nations; in carefully controlled today the Foreign Secretary added: “The case for further circumstances; and in accordance with our obligations amendments to the EU arms embargo on Syria is under national and international law. The United Kingdom compelling, in order to increase the pressure on the and France are both strongly of the view that changes regime and give us the flexibility to respond to continued to the embargo are not separate from the diplomatic radicalisation and conflict. We have to be open to every work, but essential to it. We must make it clear that if way of strengthening moderates and saving lives”. This the regime does not negotiate seriously at the Geneva signal should not surprise us. Indeed, in recent weeks, conference, no option is off the table. there have been newspaper reports of a confidential There remains a serious risk that the Assad regime document that sets out a range of options that would will not negotiate seriously. That is the lesson of the last allow the UK to send lethal support to Syria’s opposition. two years, in which the regime has shown that it is The Foreign Secretary has again chosen his words carefully prepared to countenance any level of loss of life in today, but I believe that the risk of a decade-long 907 Syria20 MAY 2013 Syria 908

[Mr Douglas Alexander] that he delivers on the pledge he made at the G8 Foreign Ministers meeting, which he chaired: he said that his sectarian civil war in Syria, fuelled in part by weapons immediate priority was supplied by the UK, should give him serious pause for “ensuring that donors who generously pledged their support at thought before embracing that course. the Kuwait conference fulfil their commitments”. The struggle in Syria today is between forces funded How will he ensure that that all those commitments are and armed by outside sponsors, notably Saudi Arabia, indeed turned into payments to help to rebuild Syria? Qatar and Iran. Also participating are foreign religious There is common ground between the Government groups that are not directly controlled by their sponsors, and Opposition on supporting humanitarian efforts to namely the Sunni Salafist and Iranian-aligned militias, assist the people of Syria; supporting the work of the together with intensely anti-western al-Qaeda fighters. I human rights observers; supporting UN investigations would therefore be grateful if the Foreign Secretary into the use of chemical weapons; and encouraging a addressed himself to this point: if, as he states, his diplomatic resolution to this continuing conflict. However, priority is a negotiated end to the conflict, is contemplating if the Government wish to take the step of arming the arming the rebels the crucial question? Surely the crucial rebels, I ask and urge the Foreign Secretary to come question is how to create a sustainable political settlement back to the House before that decision is made and in a complicated and fractured country. The conflict is make the Government’s case to Members on both sides so vicious today in part because the stakes are so high of the House who, along with the President of the for each of the communities involved. Does the Foreign United States, continue to have concerns about the Secretary accept that Syria is awash with weaponry? wisdom of that proposed course of action. What is his assessment of how much weaponry would be required to tip the balance against Assad, and how, Mr Hague: I am grateful, as always, to the right hon. in practical terms, will the Foreign Secretary ensure that Gentleman. While there are some differences—I will weapons supplied do not fall into the arms of al-Qaeda- reply to his questions—there is also a great deal in supporting jihadists? common across the House. As he knows, I regularly The choice for the international community is not come back to the House whenever there is the slightest between sending military support to Syria’s opposition variation in the situation, so if there are any developments and doing nothing at all. Assad is sustained by external in the Government’s policy I would certainly seek to do support from Russia and Iran and the foreign cash that so. He said that we had not had the opportunity to allows him still to pay his forces. Will the Foreign discuss this matter for a while. I must just make the Secretary explain why he did not place more emphasis observation that, most unusually, the Opposition chose in his statement on the practical steps that could be not to devote any day of the debate on the Queen’s taken to choke off Assad’s finances and the country’s Speech to foreign affairs. We could have discussed Syria energy supplies through effective enforcement of sanctions? and all other issues at great length. That was a mysterious Any future actions or policies of the UK Government decision and I do not want to speculate on the reasons should be adopted only on the basis of their capacity to for it, but the opportunity was there. contribute to a peaceful outcome. There is a lot of agreement on many issues. The right I agree with the Government that they should seize hon. Gentleman asked about humanitarian support. the opportunity afforded by the proposed US-Russia Since the G8 Foreign Ministers meeting, far more countries conference to try to end the fighting and prevent the have supplied the funding they committed to at Kuwait. Lebanonisation of Syria. That is exactly the type of As I mentioned in my statement, the UN appeal for engagement with the Russians that the Opposition have $1.5 billion is now 71% funded. However, that was an urged for many months, as the Foreign Secretary will appeal to cover the period from January to June. We recollect. have to expect, in the near future, a new UN assessment Syria has experienced minority rule for 40 years, so of the humanitarian aid that will be required, which any comprehensive peace settlement for Syria must, by could be well above the previous appeal of $1.5 billion. its nature, be inclusive. It would be wrong to underestimate This is already the biggest ever UN humanitarian appeal, the fear, particularly in the Alawite community, that a demonstrating the scale of what we are dealing with. I change from minority rule to democracy provokes. Will pay tribute to my colleagues in the Department for the Foreign Secretary therefore assure the House that International Development—the Minister of State is that is the approach he will advocate in Jordan tomorrow here—for all their efforts to get other countries to meet and in his further discussions ahead of the conference? their commitments, as we in the UK have. In conclusion, we have learnt from recent history that The right hon. Gentleman asked about post-conflict when a country with such a range of religious and planning. We have led the way internationally, with the ethnic identities emerges from a bloody war, communities conference earlier this year at Wilton Park. Understandably, are slow to trust one another again. Will the Foreign many minds in the opposition, and in the regime for Secretary explain the Government’s assessment of the that matter, are turned to the conflict rather than post- scale of post-conflict planning currently under way by conflict planning. It would be good if all sides could the international community? What role are the UK spend more time on post-conflict planning, but we Government playing in facilitating that? continue to give advice and discuss the matter with our The Opposition strongly support and welcome the partners on the Security Council. It may well be that we Government’s humanitarian funding for the Syrian people, will hold other events ourselves to ensure that that but does the Secretary of State accept that Britain alone planning exists. cannot take on the burden of upscaling the humanitarian I agree with the right hon. Gentleman about the need response in Syria in the wake of any peace agreement, for a political settlement to be inclusive—that is absolutely which all hon. Members wish to see? It is therefore vital critical. The compact we made with the National Coalition 909 Syria20 MAY 2013 Syria 910 at our Istanbul meeting includes a clear commitment to forthcoming conference to seek a political solution, a democratic and non-sectarian Syria; a Syria without when he continues to receive weapons of all descriptions retribution, other than against those who have committed from Russia and Iran? I know that my right hon. Friend war crimes; and a Syria in which the institutions of the has slowly and reluctantly come to the view that military state are not dismantled. The Syrian National Coalition support may be necessary. I strongly commend that is concerned to learn lessons from Iraq, where too many conclusion and urge him to do what he can—in the institutions of the state were dismantled. On all those cautious manner I know he will adopt—to ensure that points, I think I can entirely satisfy him and be in the civilian communities in Syria are protected from accord with him. the merciless onslaught from the present Syrian The right hon. Gentleman was, however, going too Government. far to suggest that there is somehow an alternative policy by which sanctions could be better enforced. The Mr Hague: As he has done consistently over a long European Union enforces its sanctions tightly, but the time, my right hon. and learned Friend argues the case House must remember that the EU is alone in the from the other perspective. As I said, this would be an world, as a grouping, in enforcing sanctions. The United important foreign policy decision and moral choice. We States and some of the other Arab states enforce sanctions certainly need to apply additional pressure on the regime on Syria, but there are no UN sanctions of that kind, in order to make for a successful negotiation, because and there are routes around such sanctions over time. It without that pressure the regime might well believe that is not within the power of the EU to change that; it is it can sit tight for much longer yet, even with a collapsing within the power of the UN Security Council, but society and economy underneath it. I think he puts the Russia and China have never supported resolutions on case very well. that subject, so that is not an available alternative policy. Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): I entirely understand I did indeed choose my words carefully on the question the frustration about the situation—we all share it—but of arms. We are seeking amendments to the embargo, if the arms embargo is lifted, is there not a risk that it not to immediately use those amendments. In the discussions could just lead to an escalating arms race between the we have in the EU in the coming week, we think is very west and Russia and Iran, whose interest in the conflict important in making the Geneva negotiations take place, is as existential as Assad’s? let alone be a success. We need more pressure on the regime. We need more encouragement to the opposition Mr Hague: There are no options here without risks. that they will not for ever have to endure, if all negotiations There are risks with every possible course of action, fail and there is no way forward, people—who may be and of course there is evidence of large flows of weapons described as rebels, but are men, women and children into Syria from Russia and Iran taking place now. That sitting in their communities—suffering virtually every is part of what is radicalising some communities in kind of weapon that man has ever invented being Syria. I do not want to pretend to the House that there dropped on them while most of the world denies them is any option without risks. We must do everything to the means to defend themselves. If we come to a choice ensure that these negotiations succeed, but we will have about that, it is a very important foreign policy and to weigh fully the risk of people indefinitely having moral choice, which of course should be discussed fully every weapon devised by man used against them without in this House. It is a very important choice indeed. We the means to defend themselves. We will have to weigh have to bear it in mind, however, that one of the drivers the risk of what that might do for the creation of of radicalisation is the availability of weapons to extremist extremist groups and the permanent destabilisation of groups and to the regime, but often not to moderate the entire region. It is a choice between risks. opposition groups. Of course there are legitimate differences over all such issues, and it would be a very difficult Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): What is the foreign policy choice. We are clear that we need amendments current balance of strength between moderate, democratic to the arms embargo to take EU policy in the right forces and undemocratic, violent, extreme forces within direction, which is what I will be working for over the the opposition? We do not want to help the latter. coming week. Mr Hague: I cannot give my right hon. Friend a Several hon. Members rose— precise percentage—obviously such a thing does not exist—but from everything that can be gathered and Mr Speaker: Order. A great many right hon. and hon. ascertained, the great majority of opposition fighters Members are seeking to catch my eye, but I remind the and supporters support the National Coalition or groups House that the business to follow, on the Marriage affiliated to it. That coalition is committed to a democratic, (Same Sex Couples) Bill, is also of intense interest to non-sectarian future for Syria, but the extremist groups right hon. and hon. Members in all parts of the House, are undoubtedly growing in strength. I would argue and it is my duty, as best I can, to protect time for that one reason for that is that somebody who wants to debate on it. I therefore issue my usual appeal to Members join an extremist group can get a rifle and training to offer the House single, short, supplementary questions, immediately, whereas those who go to support a moderate without preamble, and to the Foreign Secretary, as ever, group cannot. We have to bear that in mind in the to provide us with his pithy replies. debate we have started to have in the House.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind (Kensington) (Con): I soberly Mr Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East) (Lab): The disagree with the shadow Foreign Secretary in his opposition Foreign Secretary does not appear to deny that the to military support for the Syrian National Coalition. provision of lethal aid to the opposition would be a What incentive does President Assad have to use a huge thing to do in such a complicated situation as 911 Syria20 MAY 2013 Syria 912

[Mr Bob Ainsworth] is what is happening on the current trajectory. I will not follow him into all his historical analogies, but he will be Syria. Is he guaranteeing to the House—because many well aware that Winston Churchill pretty much pursued of us are really worried about this—that he will return the policy he was just talking about. here for a decision before that line is crossed? Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): Given Mr Hague: As I said to the shadow Foreign Secretary, the accelerating humanitarian crisis in Syria, the Foreign I return to the House whenever there is a major development Secretary will know that Oxfam and other humanitarian or change in Government policy. In all my time in organisations are warning not only of the importance government, I have never been one to try to deny the of diplomacy, but about the amount of weapons going House an opportunity to make a decision about something. into the country. Will he give serious consideration to the fact that if the embargo is lifted and more weapons Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): If the Foreign go in, it will be akin to pouring petrol on a fire? Secretary cannot get agreement from his fellow EU member states to amend the arms embargo, will he veto Mr Hague: Of course I always take very seriously its renewal? what is said by Oxfam and other NGOs. We will all have to weigh heavily all the different sides of the argument, Mr Hague: My hon. Friend will understand that but we must bear it in mind that, as things stand, people negotiations with other EU states about the arms embargo who have done nothing wrong—except to want dignity are going on now, and there are different forms of for their country and freedom for themselves—are being amending it. We will meet as Foreign Ministers in butchered. We must bear in mind what that does to Brussels next Monday to look at those discussions in their political opinions and whether that is acceptable, detail. I can say to my hon. Friend that we are prepared to us in the western world or to any part of the world. to do that if necessary, but of course we are looking for We will have to make our choice about that. agreement with other EU member states. Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): I welcome the Mr Peter Hain (Neath) (Lab): Surely the right hon. Foreign Secretary’s remarks, including those relating to Gentleman accepts that his remorseless drive towards the EU arms embargo. Does he agree that the negotiated British military intervention through supplying arms— political solution that we all want would become less because that is what it is—will make the civil war even likely if either the murderous Assad regime or the worse. Having said that, I welcome his commitment to extremist jihadi militants believe that they can defeat a negotiated solution, although the only way it has a those fighting for democracy and win by force and chance of succeeding is by not maintaining the precondition terror alone? that Assad must go. Of course we all want to see an end to his barbarous rule, but so long as the precondition Mr Hague: My hon. Friend is absolutely spot on. that he must go is maintained, the conference will never That is absolutely right, which is why, in everything we get off the ground. are doing to send help into Syria and to deliver humanitarian assistance, we are trying to bolster the Mr Hague: If is of course our opinion—I suspect it is more moderate opposition forces with the practical the opinion of everyone in the House—that Assad help that we have given so far. Otherwise, it will become should go, but we are not producing any new precondition a contest between a murdering criminal regime on the for the conference or recommending that anybody else one hand and the extremists on the other. That would should do so. Our starting point for the conference is be the worst situation of all for the world to be left in. the outcome of last year’s Geneva conference, which agreed that there should be a transitional Government Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): The brutality with full Executive powers formed by mutual consent—that of the regime is hardly in question, but have not both the regime and opposition should each be content with sides committed terrible war crimes against humanity? those forming that transitional Government. It would Why should the House believe that the sending of arms be wrong to retreat from what was agreed last year—that to the rebels will help to resolve this terrible conflict, is the only basis for peace and democracy in Syria—and rather than escalating it? we are not adding any further precondition to that. Mr Hague: As the hon. Gentleman will know, having Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): Although listened to my statement, I am not asking this country historical analogies are dangerous, I fear that if we were to make that choice at the moment. We are talking in 1917 now, the Government would be advocating about amending the arms embargo. He is quite right to backing the Russian revolution on the basis that the say that crimes have been committed by both sides. He Mensheviks might come out on top and not the Bolsheviks. should also know that the military and civilian leadership Is it not a fact that thousands of al-Qaeda fighters are of the National Coalition have expressed their utter fighting in order to overthrow Assad? If they get their horror at such things, and that they are doing their hands on his chemical weapons stocks, woe betide us in utmost to ensure that they are not done in their name. the west. We can all understand, in a country with so many different groups fighting in such a disparate way, that Mr Hague: My hon. Friend is quite right about the extremist groups and others do things that are not importance of extremist groups not getting their hands within the control of those commanders. The United on chemical weapons stocks. That is one reason for Kingdom is resolutely against any such crimes and strengthening more moderate groups in Syria, rather wants the perpetrators to be held to account, whether than letting the extremists gain greater strength, which they are in the Government or the opposition. 913 Syria20 MAY 2013 Syria 914

Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con): I welcome the fact constant contacts, is he in any position to ascertain that the Secretary of State has made crystal clear the exactly the US Administration’s position? Why have catastrophic consequences of a failure to deliver a negotiated they failed to act on President Obama’s so-called red settlement. I also welcome the recognition of the fact, line? Does the US support arming of the rebels or will it ugly or otherwise, that the Russians are absolutely consider a no-fly zone? central to the process and are now being seriously engaged. Given that both sides in the conflict are Mr Hague: There is no mystery about the position of increasingly steeped in blood, and that many players on the United States. In public as well as in private, the US both sides are guilty of war crimes, does my right hon. is driving the initiative put together with Russia on Friend agree that we might need to be flexible on the 8 May to have the Geneva conference. Secretary Kerry question of retribution for such crimes if we are to deliver is therefore working very hard on the diplomatic side of a settlement that will take Syria out of this wretched all this work. The US is very sympathetic to any means crisis? of putting greater pressure on the regime ahead of the conference, including the European Union matters I Mr Hague: I hope that such judgments will be a have been talking about, while fully recognising that it matter for the Syrian people in their own state and is for EU states to decide on that. It is the view in through their own judicial system. I know that that America, as it is our view, that it is important for the seems a long way away today, but I hope that that will facts on chemical weapons to be established in the eyes be the way forward. It will also be open to a future of the world. We have sent our evidence to the UN Syrian Government to refer their own country to the team, and particularly after what happened in the last International Criminal Court. These matters must be decade it is important for our claims about the existence dealt with through the proper processes and I do not or misuse of weapons to be established, preferably by want to speculate about how many people have committed the United Nations. war crimes, but, on the regime side at least, it will be a very large number. Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): What discussions has the Foreign Secretary had with the Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): If United Arab Emirates regarding its funding of decent it is important not to dismantle the institutions of the facilities and medical care for Syrian refugees in Jordan, state, is anyone talking to the Alawites to see what a and the contribution that it has made to the humanitarian post-Assad Syria would look like? effort to date? Mr Hague: That is partly the purpose of the negotiations. Mr Hague: The UAE makes a big contribution. I We want the regime and the opposition to engage in have had many discussions with the UAE Foreign Minister serious negotiations about how a transitional Government and will do so again in Jordan this year. It has given would work. The National Coalition has set out its substantial assistance—I do not have the figures with commitment to a non-sectarian Syria, which would me and it does not necessarily publish all the figures—to include the role of the Alawites. We do not have any setting up humanitarian camps, including in Jordan. such vision from the regime, because it has not set out a We encourage it, as we do all other countries, to increase vision other than one in which President Assad stays in such work. power and negotiations take place only with the tamer elements of the opposition. I hope that the negotiations are sufficiently successful that they get into the matter Mark Hendrick (Preston) (Lab/Co-op): What leads of the nature of a Syria after transition. the Foreign Secretary to believe that the commitments made by members of the Syrian National Coalition in Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con): No the compact are worth the paper they are written on? option is without risk, but given the west’s poor track record of arming groups and individuals—the mujaheddin Mr Hague: I suppose that one could ask that question and Saddam Hussein, for example—and given that about almost any statement by most opposition groups certain rebel groups are allying themselves to al-Qaeda, in many parts of the world, or indeed by many Governments will the Foreign Secretary answer the one question that in many parts of the world. It is our view, as Foreign he has so far failed to answer? How would he prevent Ministers of the core group, that the Syrian National the arms that are being poured into the area from Coalition is sincere in its commitments, which is based getting into the wrong hands? on our knowing the people involved over some months and seeing how the opposition has developed. They Mr Hague: My hon. Friend is getting ahead of where know that the commitments are very important to their we have reached in our policy making. We could supply future success and they have discussed them at great arms only in carefully controlled circumstances, and length. They contain and comprise a steadily broadening with very clear commitments from the opposition side. I group of people of different ethnicities, origins and cannot at this stage go into what arrangements could be professions. I believe the sincerity of the commitments, made—some of them would necessarily be confidential— but I also believe that the coalition is worried about the but we would want to be able to assure the House and growth of extremist groups and knows that support the country that we had confidence in any such would be lost over time unless it gets enough support arrangements. That is a subject that we might have to from the rest of the world. return to. Mr Ben Wallace (Wyre and Preston North) (Con): Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): The Foreign Across the middle east, Shi’as are becoming increasingly Secretary said that he was in constant contact with targeted by Sunni extremists, and it is partly for that US Secretary of State John Kerry. As a result of those reason that Iran is backing the regime and indeed the 915 Syria20 MAY 2013 Syria 916

[Mr Ben Wallace] we cannot pass any resolution on this subject without working with Russia. Therefore, rather than expressing Alawite community. If the Foreign Secretary is genuinely optimism or pessimism, I say that we must do our serious about trying to resolve at an international conference utmost to succeed—to have a successful negotiation—and a political and diplomatic-supported solution, will he must create all possible conditions to allow it to be perhaps entertain the prospect of allowing Iran to successful. The first of those conditions was agreeing contribute to that conference, which is also the wish of with Russia on holding the negotiation; now we must Russia? try to make it a success.

Mr Hague: Iran did not attend the previous conference Mr Pat McFadden (Wolverhampton South East) (Lab): in Geneva and our baseline or starting assumption— The scale of the suffering outlined in the Foreign Secretary’s although this is a matter for all the nations involved—is statement is truly appalling. May I ask him to say a little that the next Geneva conference should involve the more about the evidence of the regime’s use of chemical same group of nations. Of course, that does not exclude weapons, and about the impact that that evidence is creating mechanisms to consult other nations that are having on discussions about possible arms supplies to not at the conference. Iran has many motives, which are the opposition, both within Europe and with the United perhaps more complex and substantial than those my States? hon. Friend mentions, and it certainly plays a major role in bolstering the Assad regime. It was not our view at the time of the previous Geneva conference that Mr Hague: As I said in my statement, we have some Iran’s presence would be conducive to reaching any credible evidence about the use of chemical weapons, agreement on anything or any solution at all, and particularly sarin; but, as I also said in my statement, therefore we were not in favour of including Iran at the that does not give us evidence about the scale of use. first Geneva conference. These matters are for discussion There are a number of reports and accounts, and in with all the nations involved. some cases there is actual physical evidence, of the use of chemical weapons on a small, localised scale, which Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): The Foreign could easily mean that the regime is testing how the Secretary gave a rather disappointing answer to the last world will react. The use of such weapons is, of course, question. Clearly, if the humanitarian crisis and all the totally unacceptable on any scale, but, in our view, that killing are to end, there must be a political solution; and is the pattern that is emerging. a political solution must involve all the countries, all of What is important now is for the United Nations which have complex demands and aims, including Iran. investigation for which we called, and which is being May I ask the Foreign Secretary to be much more mounted by the UN, to have access to all the relevant specific? What contact is he having with the Iranian sites, but so far the regime has denied it access. That is a Government, and what preparations are being made to rather telling point in itself. Of course, the regime’s include them seriously in any conference on the future preparedness to use any weapons at all against the of Syria? people of its own country should affect the debate that we have about how we are to help those people. Mr Hague: The hon. Gentleman is entirely entitled to be disappointed with my previous answer, but it was my Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con): answer. Let me put it differently. I doubt whether, if What discussions has the Foreign Secretary had with Iran had been represented at the Geneva conference last his Russian counterpart about the status of the port of year, we would have reached agreement even on the step Tartus, and about the alleged presence of tens of thousands of being in favour of a transitional Government formed of Russians in Syria today? by mutual consent. At least the permanent members of the Security Council and the other nations present were able to agree on that at last year’s conference, but I am Mr Hague: I have had many discussions with my sceptical about whether we would have agreed on it if Russian counterpart about all the issues concerning Iran had been in the room. Syria. We are not denying Russia’s relationship with Syria in any way. Indeed, we think that whatever that Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con): If relationship is, it would be best preserved by a peace weekend reports are correct, the Russians have beefed settlement in Syria, and we are happy for Russia to take up their fleet in the Mediterranean and supplied anti-ship the credit for that if it plays a constructive and leading weapons. Does that not mean that they are upping the role. We are not saying that Russia is not entitled to be ante? Has my right hon. Friend any cause for optimism in Syria, and we are not calling on any future Government that if the Russians turn up to the next peace conference, of Syria not to allow any Russian presence or port they will negotiate in any meaningful manner? facilities. While my hon. Friend is quite right to refer to the issue, it does not constitute an obstacle to our Mr Hague: I think that we have to try, although my efforts to work with Russia on a negotiated settlement. hon. Friend’s question is entirely valid. Of course we disapprove strongly of continued arms sales to the Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): The Secretary regime. Those arms are being used by the regime in of State told us that evidence has already been gathered the present conflict, and there has been the recent of crimes of sexual violence. How will his preventing announcement about anti-ship missiles. I do not think sexual violence initiative ensure that those guilty of that that helps in the present circumstances. At the same those vile crimes are brought to justice, and what expertise time, we must work with Russia, which is a partner on is there in the PSVI in order to support children to the United Nations Security Council. As time has shown, access justice? 917 Syria20 MAY 2013 Syria 918

Mr Hague: I am grateful for that question. The hon. countries. We have subtler ways of putting it, but I Lady knows that one of the first deployments of a team know what my hon. Friend means, and we are engaged of experts on preventing sexual violence has been to the in that. Syrian borders, in order to gather evidence about these crimes, and to make it easier for others to do so. It is the Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) (Lab): It is gathering of evidence that is always very difficult in absolutely understandable that most of the questions these situations. I anticipate that there will be many have concentrated on the agonising choices that the further deployments throughout this year, including to Foreign Secretary has had to make, but may I press him the Syrian border. That expertise also helps to address a little further on humanitarian intervention, and in issues of violence against children, which is all too particular on non-governmental organisations seeking common. I will keep the House regularly updated on much clearer action to secure humanitarian access to this. the 4.25 million people displaced inside Syria? What further information can the Foreign Secretary give us Several hon. Members rose— on that?

Mr Speaker: Order. I would like to move on at 4.30 pm, Mr Hague: There are many diplomatic moves on preferably—if at all possible—having accommodated that, including the resolution that was carried in the everyone, so that is the bar for Members and the Foreign United Nations General Assembly. We continue to appeal Secretary. at all times for that access. This could, of course, be one of the angles explored at the Geneva conference, since it Mr Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): I have listened should be something on which all sides can agree, but so very carefully to what the Foreign Secretary has said, far the regime has proved very resistant to allowing and I shall try to throw him another lifeline regarding international NGOs, for instance, uninhibited access to Iran. Given that Iran is supplying arms, money, men the areas where that is needed. and intelligence, does he agree that the elections in Iran in four weeks’ time, after which Mr Ahmadinejad will Dr Phillip Lee (Bracknell) (Con): Britain bears a no longer be in place, may present an opportunity for us heavy responsibility for the drawing of the current to press the reset button in our relations with Iran? boundaries across the Levant, many of which did not respect traditional tribal boundaries. To what extent Mr Hague: I will give very short answers from now does the Foreign Secretary share my concerns about the on, following your injunction, Mr Speaker. We must potential for an overspill from the Syrian crisis across always have hope about elections in other countries, but these fluid borders, especially into Jordan and Saudi I am not over-optimistic, let us say, about a major Arabia? change on this issue, although we are open, of course, to an improvement in our relations with Iran in the Mr Hague: I share those concerns very much indeed, right circumstances. and that is why we are giving the assistance to Lebanon and Jordan to which I referred in my statement. I shall Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ discuss the issue further with the Foreign Minister of Co-op): The opposition in Syria is clearly already being Jordan on my visit there on Wednesday. supplied with, and is obtaining, arms from outside the country, which implies that to make a difference in the Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): The reluctance of balance between the opposition and the regime there the Christian minority to support the Assad regime or will have to be a qualitative and quantitative increase, the opposition coalition has led to reports filtering back or change, in the type of supplies being provided to that that minority is being denied humanitarian aid. them from outside. Does that not run the risk of creating Will the Foreign Secretary give the House an assurance the very spiral of violence and further aggression and that that matter will be looked into and that the Christian conflict about which those on both sides of this House minority will have access to the £171.1 million of are clearly so concerned? humanitarian aid that he said was available?

Mr Hague: Those decisions are for the future. As I Mr Hague: Yes. As I mentioned, £30 million of that said earlier, there are risks in any course of action or assistance is for communities inside Syria, if we, NGOs inaction on this issue, but that is a decision for the and others can get it to them—that concern is partly to future. All we are deciding at present in the European do with the issue about which we were talking a moment Union are the terms of the arms embargo. ago. We absolutely want to get the assistance to all concerned and we will raise that point at the forthcoming Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): In welcoming conference. my right hon. Friend’s remarks on assisting refugees and fragile neighbouring states, may I suggest that the Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): Given our upcoming enormous growth of the terrible refugee camps is providing presidency of the UN Security Council, what discussions a breeding ground for al-Qaeda, and that it is in our have been had about the option of a no-fly zone over western interests, as well as a demand of humanitarianism, Syria? to squeeze the wealthy local countries to do more to help these people? Mr Hague: There is no agreement in the UN Security Council on those options. My hon. Friend knows that Mr Hague: Since I and my colleagues at the Department Russia and China have vetoed much less radical resolutions for International Development try to do that diplomatically, and an effort at the UN to introduce a no-fly zone we do not normally express it as squeezing the wealthy would meet the same vetoes. It must also be said that 919 Syria20 MAY 2013 Syria 920

[Mr Hague] Mr Hague: Yes, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is important to have a functioning state in Syria in the great majority of the weaponry being used against which all people have their own legitimate stake and to the people of Syria is not delivered from the air, so there have the democratic, non-sectarian Syria that I have are fundamental problems with such a proposition. been describing.

Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) It is clear that there are no good options in Syria, and (Lab): What action has been taken to date to bring only a series of bad ones, including doing nothing, together the different factions of the opposition and which will have consequences in itself. If we are asked to what are the Foreign Secretary’s plans for that in the lift the EU arms embargo, will the Foreign Secretary be future? able to give us any reassurances about the future end use of those weapons or will it simply be a leap in the Mr Hague: Many of those factions have come together dark? in the National Coalition. We have been working on that and we have a special representative to the opposition Mr Hague: I hope that I covered that point earlier, at ambassador level who works with them daily on all and we will not do anything that is a leap in the dark. the issues and encourages them to come together. Further The choice must be made based on the balance of risks, meetings are taking place about broadening support, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I will not particularly with more Kurdish involvement, and that stand at the Dispatch Box and ask the House to undertake work is going on. a complete leap in the dark. Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): I served as Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): part of a very effective no-fly zone over northern Iraq in Senator Kerry has said that President Assad cannot be the 1990s in Operation Warden. Did my right hon. part of any transitional Government. Does the Secretary Friend notice the television pictures last week of the of State agree with that view and will he clarify the alleged use of chemical gas weapons, which were delivered Russian view on that statement? by helicopter, rather than by artillery shells?

Mr Hague: My view, like Secretary Kerry’s, is that Mr Hague: Yes. I was not implying, in my answer to Assad should have left long ago in order to save lives in an earlier question, that there is no regime air activity, his own country. The terms that we are working on, but a huge amount of its activity is through shelling and from Geneva last year, are that a transitional Government mortars, and if chemical weapons are used, they can be should be formed by mutual consent. Of course, mutual fired from artillery. Air activity is one factor, and that is consent between the opposition and the regime is unlikely the complication when it comes to advocating a no-fly to include opposition consent for President Assad to be zone. a feature of an Administration. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Are we confident Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): Was the intervention in our assessment of Turkey’s intentions with regard to by Israel helpful? Syria?

Mr Hague: I could of course give a long answer to Mr Hague: Yes, Turkey plays a very important role that question, but I would be disobeying your request, in all our diplomatic work on Syria. Of course, it is Mr Speaker. I have always taken the position that all extremely anxious about the extent of the crisis, and is countries in the region are entitled to protect their grateful for the deployment of NATO Patriot missiles national security. That applies to Israel as well and of inside Turkey. We should pay tribute to the Turkish course it is very important for those who have weapons people, who are showing their hospitality to huge numbers in the region not to transfer them to Hezbollah or other of refugees while enduring outrageous bomb attacks, groups that will misuse them in further conflicts. such as the one that we saw a few days ago.

Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham) (Con): Mr Speaker: I hope that the Foreign Secretary will be I have visited Syria twice and on the last occasion met signing copies of his textbook on the timely handling of President Assad, and it is quite clear that he does not questions to Ministers. There were 36 Back-Bench questions necessarily run the country—rather, it is run by a shadowy in 35 minutes of exclusively Back-Bench time. I point regime of military and Assad family members. May I out to the House that there is a further opportunity to gently suggest to the Foreign Secretary that the inevitable consider these matters tomorrow in the Chamber, as the fall of Assad should not be treated as an end in itself? relevant Minister has kindly just informed me. 921 20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 922 (Programme) (No. 2) Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill A programme motion was agreed to on Second Reading, (Programme) (No. 2) and it has already delivered a full day on Second Reading, at which more than 70 Members, of all views and from across the House, spoke. It also delivered four detailed 4.30 pm evidence sessions and three weeks in Committee; there will now be two days for Report and Third Reading. The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media This motion is self-explanatory, and I look forward very and Sport (Hugh Robertson): I beg to move, much to debate on the issues, so I commend the motion That the Order of 5 February 2013 (Marriage (Same Sex to the House. Couples) Bill (Programme)) be varied as follows: (1) Paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 of the Order shall be omitted. 4.31 pm (2) Proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading shall be taken in two days in accordance with the following provisions of Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): We agree. this Order. (3) Proceedings on Consideration shall be taken on the days 4.32 pm shown in the first column of the following Table and in the order Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I do not so shown. agree. The problem is that if we debate the programme (4) Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously motion, we eat into time that is required for us to debate concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the times specified in the the subject, but it is absurd that such a major constitutional second column of the Table. change is being rushed through under a timetable motion. Table Today, we should have been able to speak until any hour. This is such an important issue; we should debate Proceedings Time for conclusion of proceedings it fully, but this will be a joke. First day 7pm Mr Tom Harris (Glasgow South) (Lab): I am intrigued; New Clauses relating to any of if the hon. Gentleman believes that no constitutional the following: measure should have a programme motion attached to (a) sex education, (b) conscientious or other it, will he make exactly the same argument when and if objection to marriage of same we come to debate a European referendum? sex couples, (c) equality law, Mr Bone: I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman. (d) religious organisations’ He is fundamentally right that there should not be these opt-in to marriage of same sex programme motions, and I congratulate him on pointing couples, and (e) protection that out. When we divide on the motion, I look forward against compulsion to to him going into the same Lobby as me. solemnize marriages of same sex couples or to carry out This happens when the three main parties agree on a activities in relation to the controversial motion. They try to force it through without solemnization of such proper scrutiny. Tonight, the amendments relating to a marriages amendments to referendum will probably not even be reached. It was Clause 2 other than really appalling when Labour acted in this way, and it is amendments to the definition of ‘relevant marriage’ in absolutely appalling that we are doing the same thing subsection (4), amendments to now. Clause 8, and amendments to Schedule 7 relating to section 4.33 pm 403 of the Education Act 1996. Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): I agree with New Clauses relating to civil 10.00 pm the Minister and the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris partnership or other kinds of Bryant), and disagree strongly with the hon. Member legally recognised for Wellingborough (Mr Bone). Two days is quite a lot relationships between persons, of time in which to get through these stages, and I fear amendments to Clause 1, that there will be rather more heat than light thrown on amendments to Part 3 of to the issues in some cases. I will not waste time with a Schedule 4, New Clauses long speech on why two days is satisfactory. I hope that relating to referendums, and amendments to Clause 18. the hon. Member for Wellingborough will not take up lots of time with a Division. I hope that we get on to Second day One hour before the moment New Clauses and New of interruption on the second amendment 15 and the other amendments in the same Schedules relating to humanist day. group, which are on transgender issues. They are not marriage, remaining the main thrust of the Bill, but they are very important amendments to Clause 2, for a number of people around the country. amendments to Clause 5, amendments to Schedule 7 4.34 pm relating to section 46 of the Marriage Act 1949, and Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Such contributions remaining proceedings on as I make in the next two days, I make in my capacity as Consideration. Second Church Estates Commissioner. I put on record (5) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously at the outset of this important Report and Third Reading concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption stage that we are very grateful for the time that the on the second day. Secretary of State and other Ministers have taken to 923 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 924 (Programme) (No. 2) (Programme) (No. 2) [Sir Tony Baldry] 4.37 pm Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/ discuss with me, the Bishop of Leicester and others our Co-op): I commend the work of the Bill Committee in concerns about the Bill. It has been a constructive examining the Bill in great detail and subjecting it to dialogue, and that should be placed on the record. close scrutiny. It heard from many expert witnesses who We still have concerns about some of the freedom of discussed many of the issues before us today in the conscience issues that will be part of the first group of amendments that have been selected, so I would not amendments to be debated this afternoon, but if we want to leave the House with any mistaken idea that the deal with the timetable properly, there is no reason why Bill had not enjoyed full scrutiny before it reached this all the issues of concern cannot be properly discussed stage. I recommend to all Members that they read the over the next two days. transcripts of those debates. We went through many of the issues in great detail and I believe the Bill has had 4.35 pm the scrutiny that it deserves. Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): I do not want to take 4.38 pm up very much time in opposing the programme motion, but I want to put on record an expression of grave Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): My hon. Friend concern on behalf of myself and many hon. Members the Member for Worthing West (Sir Peter Bottomley) in the House that we will have less than three hours for has been typically generous to those with whom he is the first group of amendments, which contain key issues not in agreement, but I point out politely to him that of conscience and of serious concern not only to us, but although there was a majority in the House in favour of to many people across the nation. Second Reading, there was not a majority of Conservatives. The majority of Conservatives who voted voted against 4.36 pm the measure. It was not in any party’s mandate at the last general election. It is therefore presumptuous of the Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con): May I Government to seek to railroad the measure through add to what the Second Church Estates Commissioner the House. said? Obviously, the Churches and faith groups have This is a very sensitive issue on which there are things to say and things to think about, and decisions profoundly different views and huge concerns about the that they may have to make, assuming the Bill makes protections available to those who take a contrary view progress. to that of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. So it I had intended, if this had been a livelier programme is unfortunate that we have not had more time to debate motion debate, to reflect briefly on some of the other the matter, and it is extremely unfortunate that, with significant changes to people’s lives that have passed one exception, no amendment was accepted by the through this House, including one of the great reform Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Bills, which passed by one vote, the frustrations that Sport, who was in charge of the Committee stage of the William Wilberforce had in his time, and the reasons Bill. That exception was to do with something that he that people gave against extending the vote to women, and I have in common—a concern for our armed forces. but I shall confine myself to saying that the programme motion allows it to be understood that those who were Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con) rose— among the 400 saying yes on Second Reading have to accord some respect to the 175 who said no. It would be Mr Speaker: Sir Edward Leigh. a very good idea if those who comment on our proceedings realised that by more than two to one we were in a Mr Leigh: No, Mr Speaker, I am not—[Interruption.] majority on Second Reading. If we are going to extend the opportunity and the right to marry to eligible people Mr Speaker: I am ever hopeful, against the odds, for of the same sex— the hon. Gentleman.

Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): Will my hon. Mr Leigh: The real problem is that we have only two Friend give way? and a half hours to discuss serious issues relating to equality protection. Given that we have a very light Sir Peter Bottomley: I was going to try to finish my legislative Session, surely the Government could have sentence, if I might. given more time for that. If we are going to extend the opportunity and the right to those who qualify and who choose to do so to Sir Gerald Howarth: My hon. Friend, whose elevation get married, and recognise the difference between a civil I hope you have quite rightly foreseen, Mr Speaker, is partnership, now accepted, and an equal civil marriage absolutely right. The Queen’s Speech did not contain where they are allowed to say “I do” and “I declare”, many measures. I happen to be a Conservative who that is not the biggest thing the House has done. I hope believes that we should be repealing measures and that we manage to get through these two days and pass the it is a good thing that we do not have too heavy a Bill on Third Reading and that it gets through another Session. place as well. That would be a good programme. Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): My Sir Gerald Howarth rose— hon. Friend will have heard the comment that the Bill has had adequate scrutiny in Committee, but the reality Mr Speaker: I think the hon. Gentleman has finished is that the people who scrutinised it were the dissenters, his speech. rather than the cheerleaders on the Opposition Benches. 925 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 20 MAY 2013 926 (Programme) (No. 2) Is not the purpose of the remaining stages to allow all Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill Members the opportunity to provide effective scrutiny? The other place will certainly be watching with concern [1ST ALLOCATED DAY] as we curtail our scrutiny of the Bill. Consideration of Bill, not amended in the Public Bill Committee Sir Gerald Howarth: I would like to put it on the record, I hope on behalf of the whole House, that my hon. Friend has worked like a Trojan to ensure that the New Clause 1 concerns that we believe reflect the views of the majority of people in this country, if not in the House of Commons, EDUCATION ACT 1996 have been courteously but firmly made clear. I thank ‘(1) Section 403 of the Education Act 1996 (sex education: him for what he has done and hope that others will manner of provision) is amended as follows. share that gratitude. (2) After subsection (1D) insert— It is unfortunate that the Government did not allow “(1E) For the purposes of subsection (1A)— the Committee stage to be taken on the Floor of the (a) No school shall be under any duty as a result of the House, where many of the issues that concern us and guidance issued to promote or endorse an understanding many of our constituents and clergy could have been of the nature of marriage and its importance for more properly debated, and at greater length. However, family life and the bringing up of children that runs we are where we are and, as my hon. Friend the Member contrary to the designated religious character of the school. for Gainsborough (Mr Leigh) has said, there is not (b) This subsection is without prejudice to any guidance much time, so I will leave it at that. issued by the Secretary of State regarding the legal Given the state of the country and the huge problems status of marriage.”.’.—(Mr Burrowes.) it faces with regard to clearing up the catastrophic Brought up, and read the First time. destruction of the public finances levied upon Britain by the Labour party, that is the issue we should be 4.43 pm concentrating on, not a matter that is very divisive and Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): I beg strikes at the heart of the profound beliefs of a number to move, That the clause be read a Second time. of Members on both sides of the House. My parting shot is this: I hope that the Opposition Chief Whip will Mr Speaker: With this it will be convenient to discuss allow her right hon. and hon. Friends a free vote on all the following: the amendments, not just Third Reading. New clause 2—Conscientious objection— Question put and agreed to. ‘(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, no registrar shall be under any duty, whether by contract or by any statutory or other legal requirement, to conduct, be present at, carry out, participate in, or consent to the taking place of, a relevant marriage ceremony to which he has a conscientious objection. (2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall affect the duty of each registration authority to ensure that there is a sufficient number of relevant marriage registrars for its area to carry out in that area the functions of relevant marriage registrars. (3) The conscientious objection must be based on a sincerely- held religious or other belief. (4) In any legal proceedings the burden of proof of conscientious objection shall rest on the person claiming to rely on it.’. New clause 3—Conscientious objection: transitional arrangements— ‘(1) No person shall be under any duty, whether by contract or by statutory or other legal requirement, to conduct a marriage to which he has a conscientious objection if he is employed as a registrar of marriages on the date this Act comes in force. (2) For the purposes of this section, a “conscientious objection” exists where the refusal to conduct a marriage is only that it concerns a same sex couple, and is based on the person’s sincerely held religious or other beliefs. (3) This section is without prejudice to the duty of a registration authority to ensure that there is a sufficient number of registrars and superintendent registrars in that area to carry out the required functions. (4) In any legal proceedings the burden of proof of conscientious objection shall rest on the person claiming to rely on it.’. New clause 4—Chapter 2 of the Equality Act 2010— ‘(1) In the Equality Act 2010, after section 19, insert the following section— 19A For the purposes of this Act discussion or criticism of same sex marriage shall not be taken of itself to be discrimination.”.’. 927 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 928

[Mr Speaker] debate today will put to the test whether those laudable aims are indeed real. Indeed, the amendments, including New clause 5—Public sector equality duty—beliefs new clause 1, which stands in my name and those of about marriage— many hon. Members on both sides of the House, will at ‘(1) In the Equality Act 2010, after section 149(9), insert — least ensure that we can take the Secretary of State at “(10) Compliance with the duties in this section requires her word. She has said from the beginning that she ensuring that a belief regarding the definition of marriage as would never introduce a Bill that encroached on religious being between a man and a woman is respected and that no freedom. Here is her opportunity to make good that person should suffer any detriment in respect of the holding or commitment by supporting the amendments. the reasonable expression of such a belief.”.’. It will not have gone unnoticed—indeed, it was New clause 6—Beliefs about marriage— mentioned in the debate on the programme motion—that ‘(1) In the Equality Act 2010, after section 10(3), insert — there is limited opportunity to scrutinise, debate and “(4) The protected characteristic of religion or belief may ensure that the new clauses enable us properly to respect include a belief regarding the definition of marriage as being the crucial issues of freedom of speech and conscience. between a man and a woman.”.’. Nor will it go unnoticed, including in the other place, New clause 7—Legal proceedings against a person— that Labour Members lack a free vote, ironically denying ‘(1) A decision by a person not to undertake an opt-in activity them the freedom of expression regarding their consciences shall not be questioned in any legal proceedings whatsoever. that is at the heart of the new clauses for which I, and many other hon. Members, seek the support of the (2) Expressions used in this section have the same meaning as the expressions used in section 2 of this Act.’. House. New clause 8—Domestic protection for persons— New clause 1 goes to the heart of one of the many serious issues regarding the Bill’s implications for freedom ‘(1) For the purposes of this Act “compelled” includes, but is not limited to— of speech in schools. The law requires that schools and teachers must not only relay the legal facts on marriage (a) less favourable treatment of a person by a public authority, but promote legal understanding of it. John Bowers QC, one of the leading counsels who has given his (b) the imposition of any criminal or civil penalty, and opinion, has said that the Bill would create a duty to (c) any legal proceedings against a person as a result of a promote and endorse the new definition of marriage. decision not to opt-in, conduct, be present at, carry out, participate in, or consent to the taking place of, I do not propose to speak for long about these new relevant marriages. clauses, or other amendments, because I have had my (2) Expressions used in this section have the same meaning as say, particularly in the Bill Committee, and this debate the expressions used in section 2 of this Act.’. is an opportunity for other Members to have their say. Amendment 2, in clause 2, page 3, leave out lines 21 However, I must point out that this issue is different and 22. from divorce or abortion, for example, in relation to the guidance provided to teachers. Teachers are required to Government amendment 23. teach about marriage and, as the guidance says, Amendment 4, page 4, line 10, at end insert— “its importance for family life and the bringing up of children” ‘(1A) For the avoidance of doubt, a person does not provide a in a way that that they are not required to teach about service or exercise a public function when the person— abortion or divorce. This issue already matters to teachers. (a) refrains from undertaking an opt-in activity, or According to a recent poll, 40,000 teachers are not (b) undertakes an opt-out activity.’. happy to promote or endorse a different understanding Amendment 3, page 4, line 13, at end insert— of marriage and would risk their employment if they ‘(6) For the purposes of section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, were required to do so. New clause 1 focuses particularly no regard may be had by any public authority to any decision by on seeking to ensure that Church schools are not obliged a religious organisation not to opt-in, conduct, be present at, to promote or endorse same-sex marriage, which would carry out, participate in, or consent to the taking place of, be contrary to the religious ethos of their school. relevant marriages.’. New clauses 2 and 3 address similar concerns in Government amendment 24. relation to registrars. No registrar should be compelled Amendment 50, in schedule 7, page 52, line 26, at end to act against their conscience or be sacked because of add— their views on marriage, which are held not only by a ‘Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64) majority of the parliamentary Conservative party but by millions of others in this country. It is important to 42 (1) The Public Order Act 1986 is amended as follows. ensure that the state should not marginalise those citizens. (2) For Section 29JA (protection of freedom of expression (sexual orientation)) substitute— Mr George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab): If the Bill “Section 29JA (protection of freedom of expression goes through all its stages here and in the other place, it (sexual orientation)) will be the law of the land. Does not the hon. Gentleman In this part, for the avoidance of doubt, the discussion or accept that it would be appropriate for teachers, in the criticism of sexual conduct or practices or the urging of persons to refrain from or modify such conduct or course of any lesson that covers these issues, to make it practices or the discussion or criticism of same-sex clear that it is the law of the land? What would be wrong marriage shall not be taken of itself to be threatening with that? or intend to stir up hatred.”.’. Mr Burrowes: I welcome that intervention. I am Mr Burrowes: This is undoubtedly a significant Bill merely seeking, with the support of other hon. Members, that Ministers have said has at its heart the aims of to provide a conscientious objection clause that would equality and religious liberty. The amendments we will not necessarily have any detrimental effect on the Bill. 929 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 930

This is not unprecedented. For example, section 4 of the are calling for me to give way, but I am not sure whether Abortion Act 1967 allows individuals with a conscientious they will be allowed to exercise their conscience when it objection to abstain from participating in abortions. comes to voting on the Bill, or whether they are even Section 38 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology free to get involved in this debate. They will be whipped Act 1990—the right hon. Gentleman will remember the into voting against me whatever I say or think, so I am debate on that—allows any person conscientiously to not sure whether it is worth listening to them at this object to participation in work involving the treatment precise moment. and development of human embryos. Paragraph 2(3) of New clauses 4, 5 and 6 and amendment 50 seek to the relevant national health service regulations allows protect freedom of speech, which, along with freedom medical staff to refrain from providing contraceptive of conscience, we should all cherish dearly. We should services. Atheist teachers are not required to conduct cherish the fact that we are able to stand up and make collective services or to teach religious education. Those our points, whether they be for or against the Bill’s are just a few of the conscientious objection clauses that principles, and that we can all—Liberal Democrats and are already enshrined in law and do not seek to go Conservatives can, at least—exercise our conscience on against the principle of the legislation concerned. What the amendments. We are concerned about constituents is appropriate for GPs and teachers should also be who will not be able to do that as easily, so we need to appropriate for registrars. ensure that the Bill has clarity. The new clauses would strike a proper balance between The Bill has provoked undoubtedly strong feelings the right of marriage and the right of conscience. If the across the country. People from all strands and strata of Bill is passed, they should not in any way hinder the society have deeply held, carefully considered and, indeed, ability of same sex-couples to marry. As a precondition, principled views. Some have tried to say that this is an an appropriate number of registrars should be available. issue for the young, not the old, and for metropolitan, That is a reasonable proposal. not rural areas, but people—whether they are young or New clause 3 is even more reasonable. It is a transitional old, or deeply religious or assertively secular—have real measure similar to a provision in the Netherlands, which concerns. Polls come up with a different figure for the has led the charge in legalising same-sex marriage. numbers for or against, depending on the question asked. The nation is as divided as the Conservative Mr Tom Harris (Glasgow South) (Lab): Will the hon. parliamentary party on this issue. Indeed, we have Gentleman give way? picked an issue on which our division shows that we are very much in touch with the nation. Mr Burrowes: I am afraid not, because I want to At the very least, we need to ensure that we properly make progress to allow other hon. Members to speak. protect those who do not agree with the way in which Dutch registrars who were already employed before the state wants to redefine marriage. This Bill is undoubtedly the legislation was passed are able to exercise their a divisive measure, but it is meant to be permissive. conscience and object. If it is good enough for those However, due to a lack of attention or time, it does not Dutch registrars, it is good enough for UK registrars. provide against causing further division and isolation During the Bill Committee, one hon. Member suggested or against ostracising the millions out there who are that people should realise that the writing is on the wall passionately against the principle of the Bill. for their employment and that they should jolly well This country has a great and honourable tradition—a recognise that they will have to stick to the law and not civilised and progressive belief that we do not censor or exercise their own conscience, or get out now while they ostracise those who hold different views from our own. have the chance. That is disgraceful and amounts to Indeed, we will defend that right however much we serving people with a notice to quit. It means that this might disagree with those views. The new clauses ask will be not just a marriage Bill, but an unfair dismissal the House a basic and reasonable question: will we Bill. stand firm in that tradition? Will we stand with the Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham) (Con): greats of our political heritage to defend the whole Is not the situation worse than that? In Committee, the breadth of society, or will we consider only our own Government, in effect, designed a hierarchy of exemptions. particular views, needs and rights? Tomorrow we will A Catholic surgeon is perfectly entitled to refuse to gather again to debate the Bill’s Third Reading and we conduct an abortion paid for by public funds, but a will divide in our usual way to vote on whether we agree Catholic registrar, who is similarly in public service paid with its very principle. We need to ensure that we stand for by public funds, could lose his position if he declined, together, despite the Labour Whip, and provide clarity. out of a conscientious objection, to perform a same-sex The Bill Committee heard a lot of evidence and I am marriage. Where is the fairness in that? not sure whether everyone has had the chance to pore over the minutiae of our deliberations. We heard from a Mr Burrowes: I agree. This Bill is supposed to be about solicitor called Mark Jones, who represents a number of fairness and ensuring appropriate freedom and liberty, campaigners whose beliefs are being trumped by equality. which goes beyond what happens in a marriage service. When asked about freedom of speech, he replied that the Bill will have an impact Stephen Williams (Bristol West) (LD): Will the hon. “anywhere where there is a conversation.”––[Official Report, Marriage Gentleman give way? (Same Sex Marriage) Public Bill Committee, 14 February 2013; c. 161, Q417.] Mr Burrowes: No. The hon. Gentleman and I were I was reminded of that just three days ago—on members of the Committee, where we had a chance to Friday—when a street preacher in Cambridge was nearly have our say. I will not give way, because I want people arrested for arguing for the traditional view of marriage. to be able to have their say. That is the point of this A member of the public called the police and told the debate. [HON.MEMBERS: “Give way!] Opposition Members preacher: 931 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 932

[Mr Burrowes] Mr Bradshaw: I am just asking the hon. Gentleman to give way. “Anyone who believes in man/woman only marriage should be sent to jail. Equality overrides free speech”. Mr Burrowes: Will the right hon. Gentleman have a The street preacher was filmed on mobile phones and a free vote? Will he be exercising his conscience? If not, small crowd declared that they had evidence to put him I will carry on. in jail. Two police officers duly arrived and were shown There is a chill wind blowing for those who uphold the evidence. A police officer listened intently to the traditional marriage. All the new clauses and amendments preacher’s words. Thankfully, common sense prevailed tabled in my name and supported by other hon. Members and the police went away, but it was a close call and that would ensure that the Government mean it when they was before the change to the law. [Interruption.] The say that they support religious liberty. Actions speak Minister of State may well laugh, but if he saw somebody louder than words. The Government have the opportunity exercising their freedom of speech and experienced that today to use both: they can act to put the right words in chill factor, I hope that he would stand alongside them the Bill. and defend their right. I am sure that he is as concerned as others. Amendment 50 aims to avoid the extraordinary Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/ situation of somebody being criminalised for exercising Co-op): I want to re-emphasise the point that the Bill their right to support traditional marriage. received detailed, respectful and expert scrutiny in Committee, in contrast to the objections expressed by Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD) rose— Government Members. I appreciated the scrutiny that the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes) Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab) rose— gave to the Bill and we all listened to it extremely carefully. There were disagreements in Committee and Mr Burrowes: I will make some progress. there will be disagreements in the House today and tomorrow, but that does not mean that the Bill has not Mark Jones warned that individuals without the benefit received the scrutiny or the time it deserves. of pro bono leading counsel arguing their corner will be terrified that their careers and reputations will be swept I am grateful that the Government have responded to from under them. As he said, the concerns of people on both sides of the debate about a range of issues, including the position of religious “The majority of them simply resign quietly.”––[Official Report, organisations, teachers, schools and civil registrars. I Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Public Bill Committee, 14 February 2013; c. 163, Q421.] have been reassured by the responses to a number of those concerns. If anything, my view that this is a We do not have sight or sound of them. permissive and protecting Bill has been reinforced. That I will make one final point because I want to allow other view was certainly reinforced by what I heard in Committee. hon. Members to speak. New clause 8 and amendment 4 I urge the House to look at the evidence that was relate to whether the Government’s locks will apply presented. properly. I commend the Government for doing all that they can, particularly through working with the Church Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): Will the hon. of England, to ensure that the locks are adequate. The Gentleman record his distaste at those who sought to Church of England is satisfied that the Bill will do what shout down the preacher to whom my hon. Friend the it says. However, it shares the concerns of others that go Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes) referred? beyond that. Large denominations such as the Catholic Will he and his colleagues put it on the record that it is Church and small independent Churches are concerned utterly unacceptable to intimidate people by calling the that they may be discriminated against because of their police in order to shut down freedom of expression on decision to opt out. The Bill takes us on to new terrain, this issue? and not just with regard to the definition of marriage; there is the new terrain of legal challenge. The Government 5pm need to be as clear as possible to avoid encroachments on religious liberty. Stephen Doughty: I believe in freedom of speech in this country and in people’s ability to say what they want. It has been made clear that no further was action Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): There was was taken in that case, and the person was not prosecuted. apparently a great degree of merriment when my hon. I believe in that and in people in this House being able Friend said that nobody was arrested in the case that he to express their views, as I have said on a number of mentioned. However, that misses the point. The trouble occasions. is that most people will do anything to avoid a scene and are terrified of the police being involved in any way. Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): I find There is therefore a danger of self-censorship and of the example given very distasteful, just as I find fanatics people being worried about speaking up. In this country, who attack British troops on the high streets of our people should not be so worried. towns distasteful. However, if we are to protect freedom of speech, do we not have to tolerate that sort of thing, Mr Burrowes: Whether it is laughter or jeers that we unless an obvious offence is being committed? hear, there is a chill wind blowing. Stephen Doughty: I thank my hon. Friend for that Mr Bradshaw: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? intervention. I wish to draw the House’s attention to the verbal and Mr Burrowes: I will give way if the right hon. Gentleman written evidence presented by Lord Pannick, which I will have a free vote on my amendments. think addressed many of the concerns expressed by the 933 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 934 hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate and other members the position of LGBT staff. I believe that a dangerous of the Committee regarding the protections and legal precedent would be set by giving special exemptions status of various people in the Bill. His memorandum to registrars in particular, and for state employees not to to the Bill states: have to apply the law of the state. “The legal position is clear beyond doubt. The Bill states, in unambiguous terms, that no religious organisation or representative Stephen Williams: I thank the hon. Gentleman for is required to marry a same sex couple;” giving way as it allows me to say what I would have said and he mentions the opt-in and opt-out mechanisms. to the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes), He also makes clear that: who did not give way but who obliquely referred to me “For the European Court of Human Rights to compel a by saying that someone said in Committee that registrars religious body or its adherents to conduct a religious marriage of should perhaps rethink their position. The difference a same-sex couple would require a legal miracle much greater between a registrar and an abortion surgeon is that a than the parting of the Red Sea”. registrar’s sole duty is to conduct marriage. If they are He made that point clearly and ended his submission by unhappy about the central purpose of their job, then of stating: course they should reconsider what they are doing. A “For the reasons set out above, the arguments of those who surgeon has lots of things to do and—hopefully—abortion oppose the Bill are not assisted by legal concerns.” is a tiny, tiny part of what they might be called upon to do. That is why the exemption is there; that is the key Mr Bradshaw: Does my hon. Friend share my surprise distinction. that some Government Members do not seem to believe the Education Secretary who, in clear evidence about Stephen Doughty: I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I freedom of speech for teachers, said: should point out that registrars have never previously been given opt-outs, including on performing civil “If I thought any legislation, however well intentioned, would make life more difficult for great teachers and great schools, I partnerships or re-marrying divorcees, even on the grounds wouldn’t support it. I have complete confidence in the protection of profoundly held religious beliefs. There is an important our law offers freedom of conscience and speech.”? distinction to be made. He said that no change to the proposed legislation was necessary. Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab): Like a number of Opposition Members, I tried to catch the eye of the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes). I Stephen Doughty: I totally agree with my right hon. wanted to ask him whether he believed that registrars Friend. The Education Secretary made his point clearly should have a right not to re-marry divorcees. I believe and was put under detailed scrutiny by Government they should not have such a right, but he did not Members. mention it. Will my hon. Friend allow the hon. Gentleman I have held conversations with members of the Church to respond on that point now? of England and the Church in Wales since the Public Bill Committee, and they seem reassured by a number Stephen Doughty: I do not know whether the hon. of the measures put forward and the questions raised. I Member for Enfield, Southgate wishes to respond, but I also point to the simple passion of witnesses such as worry about the precedent such a measure would set. Alice Arnold, who stated their clear wish to get married Things could go further: if people with strongly held and not to have to answer questions about that ambiguously, objections to marrying divorcees have an opt-out, those as they do at the moment. I remind the House of the with objections to marrying those in inter-faith relationships passion for equality that exists. might ask for one. That is an important distinction I regret that there have been further attempts to when we are talking about state employees. muddy the waters by opponents of the Bill outside the House. As I said, the debate in Committee was respectful, James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con): but matters have been raised in the press and media over Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the registrar trade the past few days that cause concern. I have received a body has not made representations to the Government number of confused and concerning e-mails and e-mails to ask for such an arrangement? It is somewhat bizarre from people who are absolutely behind the House and that the Government are offering the trade body something the clear majority expressed on Second Reading and for which it is has not even asked. behind the polls that show the public’s clear support for the Bill, notwithstanding their respect for those who Stephen Doughty: Indeed—the hon. Gentleman makes feel differently. I therefore feel that there is simply no a strong point. need for a number of the amendments proposed, and New clauses 2 and 3 undermine the fundamental having seen some of the evidence presented I would concept that everyone should be equal under law, regardless have thought some of them might have been withdrawn. of their sexuality. Public services—we should remember that registrars perform a public service—should be Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): In relation to available to all without discrimination. We risk undermining teachers, surely we must also think about the children that concept. of same-sex couples who could be made to feel in the classroom that the love of their parents is in some way Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con): If the less worthwhile and valued. hon. Gentleman believes it is right that the Church of England has a quadruple lock to protect its religious Stephen Doughty: Absolutely. I agree with my hon. freedom, why will he not accept small amendments to Friend and we heard passionate evidence from school protect people of other faiths who wish to be protected representatives on issues of homophobic bullying and under this Bill? 935 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 936

Stephen Doughty: My understanding from the evidence Mr Leigh: I wish to speak to new clause 6, which has presented is that the Church of England, as the established 44 co-signatories and is based on a ten-minute rule Bill Church in England, has special requirements to marry I introduced earlier this year. It states: people who come to it. It has other statuses under “The protected characteristic of religion or belief may include canon laws. The situation of the Church in Wales is a belief regarding the definition of marriage as being between a different—it is disestablished, but also has special provisions. man and a woman.” Other religions will not be compelled by the law to It addresses the important issue of what would happen marry people if they do not want to do so. As has been to people who believe in a man-woman marriage and made clear at numerous points, the Bill is a permissive goes to the heart of the concern many have about the Bill that will allow those who wish, such as liberal Jews, Bill, irrespective of our views on same-sex marriage. We the Unitarians, the Quakers and others, to opt in, and are told that the Bill is all about freedom, but what others to do so in time if they so wish. about the freedom of those who disagree with it? Surely their freedoms are as precious as the freedoms of the Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): I wanted people who support the Bill. We believe that new clause 6 to emphasise that point. I agree with my hon. Friend. provides the bare minimum of protection that such Other religions can opt in if they so choose. On the people would need. other hand, they are not forced to do anything. The Equality Act 2010 outlaws discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion or Stephen Doughty: My hon. Friend makes the point belief, gender reassignment and so on—it is pretty perfectly. comprehensive. One would have thought that a person’s belief on traditional marriage, which may go to the heart Jake Berry: I probably did not make my earlier point of their most sincere beliefs, was covered by “religion or correctly. I was speaking to the proposals that seek to belief”. However, the evidence of all the cases I have protect people in faith schools. Given that the hon. studied and that we have seen in recent years is that it Gentleman believes that a direct provision in the Bill on does not: there is no protection for these people. Whatever the protection of religious freedom is worth having and our views on the Bill, we are worried about what will necessary, what is his objection to a specific protection happen in the workplace and ensuring protection for in the Bill for people of belief who work in faith people who take a traditional view of marriage. schools? The Government have apparently done a lot of work to protect churches from being compelled to approve Stephen Doughty: I once again draw the hon. Gentleman’s same-sex marriage by having to solemnise them. I give attention to the Secretary of State for Education’s credit to the Government, although they overstate the statements. He has been clear about the protections that case slightly when they say that the Church of England exist and how they should be applied. is now entirely happy. The Church of England briefing On amendment 24, on the Church in Wales, I am on Second Reading stated: pleased that the Government listened to the evidence “we doubt the ability of the government to make legislation presented in the Committee by a number of my hon. watertight against challenge in the European courts or against a Friends and I, and that the Lord Chancellor will introduce ‘chilling’ effect on public discourse.” legislation so that the Church in Wales can choose to It is important to bear in mind that “chilling” effect, allow same-sex marriages at a future point—I hope something I mentioned in my intervention. and pray it will do so. I am not entirely sure why the Government did not accept that proposal in Committee, Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): Although I understand but I am nevertheless pleased they have introduced that the hon. Gentleman’s argument about the chilling effect, measure now. Many in the Church in Wales to whom I I think he has fundamentally misunderstood the original have spoken this weekend and others will be pleased Equality Act. No belief—transubstantiation, the virgin with the amendment. birth, the resurrection or any other belief—is expressly In conclusion, I shall address the idea that the Bill mentioned in the Act, so to elevate this single viewpoint, has been railroaded through and that we have not had which may be held by a religious or non-religious person, enough time. I draw the House’s attention to the fact in the Bill is surely bizarre. that opponents of the Bill took up the vast majority of time in Committee raising their concerns, which have Mr Leigh: No, I do not think it is bizarre. We are at been heard—there has been a deep degree of listening. I the centre of public discourse and I will deal with have responded with respect to many in my constituency precisely that point. Is what I am proposing a step too who are opposed to the Bill. I have had many positive far? I do not believe so, and I want to refer to recent comments for the way in which I have responded, as cases. I will finish my point on the Church of England I am sure many of my hon. Friends have had. and come back to the hon. Gentleman’s point, which is I draw the House’s attention to the significant serious and I want to address it. international developments—in some US states and in The Church of England briefing went on to state: New Zealand—since we last debated the Bill. Hon. “We retain serious doubts about whether the proffered legal Members would be wise to consider the celebrations protection for churches and faiths from discrimination claims and happiness in the House of Representatives in New would prove durable. Too much emphasis, we believe, is being Zealand when same-sex marriage legislation was signed. placed on the personal assurances of Ministers.” We heard the singing of love songs, and some Members To be fair to the Government, they have at least put of that House achieved equality. I hope hon. Members something in the Bill to protect churches, but what feel such happiness when we pass this Bill, although about individual conscience? There is not a word in the perhaps there will be no singing. Bill about that. 937 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 938

I have to say straight away that new clause 6 is Dr McCrea: Will the hon. Gentleman acknowledge absolutely not a wrecking amendment. It does not that quite a number of very eminent scientists believe in stand the remotest chance of blocking the Bill, nor the scriptures and the creation? would it elevate or bring the law into an area wholly different from where it has been before. I want to make Mr Leigh: Some people hold these beliefs passionately, it absolutely clear that at 7 o’clock hon. Members can and they should have a right to speak out and not lose be strongly in favour of the Bill and still vote for new their job as a result. clause 6. Those who support the Bill but are worried about freedom of conscience should back new clause 6, Dr Huppert: Is the hon. Gentleman actually saying because it is about an individual’s freedom in the workplace that if a teacher believes in creationism, they should be to say, “I’m sorry, but I think that marriage can only allowed to teach it to pupils in their class? That is very ever take place between a man and a woman.” In a different from a privately held belief. moment, I will outline the case law and explain the problem. Mr Leigh: I am afraid that my hon. Friend is deliberately 5.15 pm trying to take me down a track completely what I am John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): I support arguing about. I am not arguing in favour of creationism the Bill, but I also have some concerns, which is why I or against it; I am simply making the point that if have signed new clause 6. Does my hon. Friend agree someone has a profound religious belief—having read that we need to start understanding people’s sensitivities, the Koran or the Bible—that marriage is between a man instead of trying to impose a secular consensus on the and a woman, and if they state that on Facebook, in the faith organisations? classroom or anywhere else, they should be protected. That is the profound and simple point. Let us not get dragged down various alleyways and byways, because Mr Leigh: Absolutely. My hon. Friend, who speaks we need to do something. from the Liberal Democrat Benches, makes the point in a calm and measured way, far better than I could. It is true that people talk about controversial issues in the workplace all the time, but I think that same-sex Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): I am most marriage is different. It seems to many of us that if grateful to my hon. Friend for making such a powerful someone dares to disagree with the new orthodoxy that speech. In the last few weeks, on a very different subject—a gay marriage is the best thing since sliced bread, they deportation case—we have seen another example of the are somehow breaking a new social taboo and doing courts making it clear that neither the views expressed something in their workplace, particularly in the public by Ministers nor a resolution of the House are enough sector, that they should not be doing. Some people say to persuade them, when they have taken a fixed view that the new clause is not necessary, but it is, because, as on a human rights point. Only legislation can pin this we all know, the tenor of debate on same-sex marriage down. is often characterised, I am afraid—not here, but in the public marketplace; we have heard of cases in the past Mr Leigh: Absolutely. The courts made that quite —by hectoring, bullying and name calling. Given that, clear recently. as I have said, most decent people will do anything to avoid a scene or do anything that risks the police getting Before somebody leaps to their feet and tries to make involved, it would have a chilling effect. out that we are defending people being beastly to gay people in the workplace, let me deal with this important point and make a statement of the obvious: protecting Mr Bradshaw: Why does the hon. Gentleman doubt freedom of conscience does not mean protecting the the word of the man who is often described as the darling freedom to be beastly to anybody. Equality law protects of the Conservative right—the Education Secretary—on sexual orientation, gender, race and belief, but no one this very matter? would say it provides for the right to be horrid to people who disagree with on any of these things, so there is no Mr Leigh: Why should the Education Secretary tell danger of that happening with new clause 6. me what to do about my own conscience? I do not see the point. Mr George Howarth: On the logic of his argument, does the hon. Gentleman think that a science teacher, Mr Bradshaw rose— for example, should be free to teach creationism? Mr Leigh: No, no; the right hon. Gentleman is making Mr Leigh: It may happen that creationism or some a silly point. He is just trying to play games with other belief becomes a quasi-religious belief. In fact, something that is very important. many people believe it is a religious belief. If I was a The hatred that is sometimes poured on those of us passionate creationist— who simply believe that marriage is between a man and a woman is rather sad in many ways. We are elected Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP) rose— politicians. We are tough enough to put up with it, and we get reinforcements from our own constituents who, Mr Leigh: Let me finish. I have at least got to answer by the way, overwhelmingly—certainly in my constituency the question. —support my point of view. We are tough politicians, If that formed the basis of my deepest religious but what about ordinary members of the public who are beliefs, I personally think it would be wrong if I was picked on at work in this way for believing in traditional victimised in my workplace for speaking in favour of—or marriage? Some refuse to believe that this happens, but indeed against—creationism. we have evidence to prove it does. 939 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 940

[Mr Leigh] with traditional points of view—whether on gay marriage or immigration—somehow feel that they are being In January, I introduced a ten-minute rule Bill, which marginalised in political debate. This leads to alienation was backed by a good 86 votes to 31 in the Division. and more people voting for protest parties. This is going I called it the “Adrian Smith Protection Bill”—I said I on and we should recognise it. These people are dismissed would come to the evidence of what is now happening as bigots because they object to having their marriages in the workplace and this is it. I named the Bill in redefined over their heads by rewriting the Marriage honour of a gentleman who was demoted for “gross Act, under which they got married, which is the most misconduct”. This was a man with a perfect work important thing in their lives. record who lost 40% of his salary. What did he say? Was he guilty of homophobic behaviour? No; all he said was Mr George Howarth: The hon. Gentleman is being that same-sex marriage in a church was an “equality too very generous in giving way. May I give him some far”, and he put that on a Facebook page. He said it on reassurance? I do not think for one minute that he is his private Facebook page, but a colleague at work took swivel-eyed—just myopic. umbrage. He raised it with his superiors at Trafford Housing Trust and they pounced on it. They were up, I have to say, for some new gay rights award—nothing Mr Leigh: I take that as a serious intervention, but I wrong with that—and clearly they wanted to burnish do not think I am myopic. There is a real sense of their PC credentials. They threw the book at poor alienation in this country among people with traditional Adrian Smith—just a chap with a perfect work record views. They are decent people and I believe that they who had not said anything nasty, beastly or homophobic have a right to feel comfortable in society, and particularly in any sense. He had simply expressed his profound in their workplace, expressing those views and speaking beliefs. out for what they believe in. I do not think that that makes me myopic at all. Adrian Smith was told by his bosses that he deserved to lose his job, but that they would commute his sentence to demotion, in view of the high quality of his work. He Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): Does my hon. did not have the money to take the case to an employment Friend accept, however, that the real alienation, which tribunal and—this is the important point—on the basis has taken place over centuries, is felt by people in of existing case law, lawyers said that he would not have schools who are homosexual? Sexuality is fundamental won anyway, because of the current state of employment to who children are, and that should be acknowledged and equality law. When there is a clash between gay and they should be made to feel that they have equal rights and religious freedom, I am afraid that gay rights rights and equal value in our society. come first in our case law. Then an organisation came along that offered to cover his legal bills and, with some Mr Leigh: My hon. Friend makes an obvious point, expert creative legal advice, he was able to take a High and of course we have moved on from the 1950s and Court action. He won a ruling that his employers had 1960s. People have to feel comfortable with their own breached his contract. The Government say, “Well there sexuality, but surely they should also feel comfortable you go—he won. What’s the problem?” expressing a traditional viewpoint. That is all that the The problem is that employment and equality laws new clause is trying to achieve. were not in Adrian Smith’s favour. He won only a If cases such as that of Adrian Smith can happen contract action. The Court did not have the power to now, before the law is changed, we can be absolutely give him his job back—he never got it back. It could not certain that there will be many more in the future. We even give him proper compensation—he never got that cannot yet be sure what will happen in churches and either. In fact, the judge lamented the fact that he got elsewhere, but we can be sure that there will be more the enormous sum of £100 for all the upset he had been such cases if the Bill is passed unamended. Equality law caused, simply for expressing a very moderate point of is meant to protect all beliefs, religious and otherwise. view. The whole exercise cost £30,000 in legal fees, Some people believe in man-woman marriage for religious which would have been well beyond his means if he had reasons, and they have a right to that belief. Others not had the backing of campaign organisations, and he believe in it for non-religious reasons. Both ought to be was one of the lucky ones. protected, but case law so far suggests that neither is. The Government are refusing to recognise that they Apart from Adrian, no traditional marriage supporter are not legislating to redefine marriage through this Bill who has been on either end of a legal action has ever in a vacuum. They are legislating in a culture that has won. been so coloured with political correctness that people I have already said that Adrian’s victory was somewhat like Adrian Smith—mild-mannered people expressing pyrrhic. Equality law was no help to him. He won an reasonable beliefs in moderate tones—are treated like old-fashioned contract law claim. New clause 6 would villains. The outlandish views of the loony left of the address the obvious inequality in the law by ensuring 1980s—the views of the Lambeth councils—have now that a belief in traditional marriage was protected on become embedded in high places. In typical leftish the “religion or belief” ground. It would not, of course, fashion, all those who disagree with those views are guarantee that a person with traditional views would treated with hatred and contempt in order to marginalise win in every case. I am not suggesting that. All other their point of view. considerations of equality law would still apply, as My wife says that as I get a bit older, sometimes, very would all the other discrimination grounds. The new late at night, I get a bit cross-eyed, but if you accuse me clause would not guarantee that a person with traditional of being swivel-eyed, Mr Speaker, I could take you to views would win the race; it would simply get them a court on disability grounds. Unfortunately, many people place on the starting blocks. That is all we are trying to 941 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 942 do. This is a moderate, sensible measure and I hope that The hon. Member for Gainsborough should also the Government will consider it, because we are about recall that this House deliberated for 20 years—he will to create a whole new generation of victims. know the name of William Wilberforce—on the abolition Let me read what Mr Smith said: of the slave trade. [Interruption.] Conservative Members “I tried reasoning with my bosses, but they dug their heels in. I may tut, but they know that this House was split for was left with no option but to go to court to clear my name. It 20 years on the issue of whether black human beings took the better part of two years, which was a living nightmare were human or chattel. There were Christians in this for my family and me. In November the High Court ruled in my House who sought to suggest that black human beings favour. But they didn’t have the power to order my reinstatement were chattel, and that somehow it was a matter of so I was left in a demoted job which carried a lower salary. I have conscience and we should not end the slave trade. That now found a job with a different employer. I shouldn’t have been is why this is a noble fight and why no hon. Member treated like an outcast, and my family shouldn’t have had to suffer should have truck with the exception that is being put like they did.” forward. All the warm words of Ministers are worthless if someone is sitting in a housing association office in Bury being Sir Gerald Howarth: It is rather disappointing to hear told that they are some kind of villain for saying that the right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) same-sex marriage is an “equality too far”. Ministerial introducing such an emotive subject of 180 years ago, assurances from the Dispatch Box are no help when but let me get to the point of the amendments. people are stigmatised for a sincerely held belief and struggling financially because they have had 40% knocked I strongly support my hon. Friend the Member for off their salary. They need real legal protection against Gainsborough (Mr Leigh), and I want particularly to the bullies. New clause 6 would give them that protection, home in on two issues: education and the armed forces. and I hope that hon. Members will support it. First, on education, I think that there is complete confusion. To a certain extent, the right hon. Member for Tottenham put his finger on the point: those who Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): I have been have a view contrary to his will not be allowed to express moved to make a small contribution to the debate. It is it in our schools, without being punished for so doing. important, in responding to the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr Leigh), to put on record that there Richard Drax: May I confirm that the view stated by are many religious people who do not recognise the the right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) is, caricature that he has put before the House today. They in essence, a direct attack on free speech in this country, understand that the House is deliberating on what will which has been held dear for hundreds, nay thousands, become law if the Bill passes through another place, of years? and that, at other points in its history, Members have had to make similar difficult determinations about what should become law. Once this measure becomes law, Sir Gerald Howarth: With respect to my hon. Friend, there will be an obligation on public servants such as I do not think that the right hon. Gentleman is attacking registrars, and certainly on teachers, to understand this free speech, but he is professing a view of which ordinary matter and to teach it as the law. We should therefore people out there will take note. That is what is leading draw a distinction between the promotion or endorsement to the chilling effect, the intimidation—[Interruption.] of a personal view and what is the law. It is no good the hon. Member for West Ham (Lyn Brown) looking in astonishment; she should talk to 5.30 pm some of the staff in this place and find out how intimidated they feel about expressing a view on these matters. I say gently that Members will recognise that not that Surely Opposition Members have also had the experience long ago, in deliberating on matters of race, this House of expressing a forthright view when talking to constituents made changes to its position and sought to end the —I am not politically correct, and given my certain age, discrimination of minority people, many of whom had I tend to express a forthright view—and of being told arrived in this country in the Windrush generation. My that we may say such things but that they cannot do father was one of those people, and he certainly recollected so. They tell me in words of one syllable that they fear a period in his lifetime when it was commonplace for they will lose their jobs if they articulate the same view those applying for a job or housing or meeting certain as I express. public officials to encounter either the attitude or the sign of “No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs”. We moved to Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): Will the hon. say that that behaviour was not right. It remained racist Gentleman give way? and people had strong views on it, but legally we arrived at a position where this House declared that it was wrong. Sir Gerald Howarth: No, I will not give way yet. In a sense, what we are doing here is declaring that The House ignores at its peril the chilling effect that the sort of prejudice that stops gay men and women already exists out there—although it is now okay for us marrying is wrong. If we arrive at a place in the coming to discuss immigration, thanks to the Leader of the months where we decide that that sort of prejudice is Opposition, who has recognised that there is huge public illegal, it cannot be right for any teacher to be entitled concern and has graciously sanctioned our speaking to have a separate view and to propagate such a view to about it in terms that, in previous times, he might have children. dismissed as being racist. There are people out there who will be intimidated by Richard Drax (South Dorset) (Con) rose— this legislation. I have to say to my hon. Friend the Minister that I entirely agree with my hon. Friend Mr Lammy: I am not going to give way. the Member for Canterbury (Mr Brazier), who made 943 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 944

[Sir Gerald Howarth] happy. Well, actually, the Church of England is not happy. The briefing that we have just received from it—also the point that, at the end of the day, his assurances, and dated 16 May—points out: those of his Front-Bench colleagues, are utterly worthless. “The Secretary of State for Education has a duty, under We have ceded the power of the House of Commons section 403 of the Education Act 1996, to issue guidance so that not to the courts of this land, but to the European pupils in maintained schools ‘learn the nature of marriage and its Court of Human Rights. That Court will be the ultimate importance for family life and the bringing up of children’.” determinant of what is to prevail, the right of the The guidance also states, at section 1.7: teacher expressing a profoundly religious view or the “Schools of a particular religious ethos may choose to reflect public equality duty. that in their sex and relationship education policy.” Opposition Members speak effortlessly of their belief Let me give another quote: in freedom of expression, but I am afraid that the “Whilst Church of England schools will fulfil the duty to teach reality out there is very different. Our constituents do about the factual nature of marriage in its new legally redefined feel intimidated. They fear that they will be accused form, there is residual unclarity over how that will interact with of a hate crime. That, in my view, is a new and wholly the continuing need for schools to reflect their religious ethos in pernicious development of the law. their SRE policies. There is also at present nothing to prevent future Secretaries of State withdrawing Section 1.7 of the guidance, or amending the guidance as it currently stands.” Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): The notion of a “chilling effect” is new to me, but I recall in the 1980s, The Church of England is concerned that teachers in and even the 1990s, what I would describe as a freezing Church of England-maintained schools will not be able effect on the lives of gay people and other minorities. At to preach as the Bible says—that marriage can only be that time, the majority were at liberty to discriminate the union between a man and a woman—and who in against us in employment, and in practically every other this House feels that even if the European Court of walk of life. As for speech—goodness! I recall some Human Rights does not intervene, some other court outrageous verbal aggression from those days. Let me will be on the side of a teacher who fears they cannot ask my hon. Friend this. Does he not think that some of express their view? As Charles Moore said: the legislation that has been passed over the years and “If marriage is redefined by statute to include same-sex marriage, to which he seems to object, historically, has actually then a teacher who refuses to teach this as right is in breach of his levelled the playing field rather than going too far in the public sector equality duty.” opposite direction? The Minister must answer these questions—to the extent that he possibly can, of course, as I submit that Sir Gerald Howarth: I greatly respect my hon. Friend, he cannot answer them, because at the end of the day it whom I consider to be a very decent person and who will be up to the ECHR. There is complete confusion has expressed her view very courteously. However, I about what is actually going to happen in our schools. warn her, and Members in all parts of the House, that Before I move on to the issue of the armed forces— I fear that the playing field is not being levelled. I believe that the pendulum is now swinging too far in the Mr George Howarth: Will the hon. Gentleman give opposite direction. There are plenty in the aggressive way? homosexual community who see this is as but a stepping stone to something even further. Sir Gerald Howarth: No, I will not, as the right hon. Gentleman made rather a silly intervention last time. Several hon. Members rose— Let me give another quote: “Marriage is a sacred contract between a man and a woman Sir Gerald Howarth: No, I will not give way. that cannot be redefined. We believe that marriage between a man I say to my hon. Friend that striking the right balance and a woman is the cornerstone of family life and the only is, of course, important—[Interruption.] NowIam institution within which to raise children. being shouted down for expressing a view in the House We are concerned that this radical change to the institution of of Commons with which others do not agree. marriage will impact on what is taught in schools. Muslim teachers will be forced into the contradictory position of holding private beliefs, while teaching a new legal definition of marriage.” Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): Will the hon. Gentleman give way? For the word “Muslim”, insert “Christian”: they are interchangeable here. The faiths—whether Muslim or Christian—have real concerns about the impact on their Sir Gerald Howarth: I will not give way, no. ability to teach centuries-old tradition to our children, My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for and I fear the Government are just going to leave it to Culture, Media and Sport has said this, issued four days the courts to decide who will win. ago: “Let me make it absolutely clear that no teacher will be Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): Will the required to promote or endorse views which go against their hon. Gentleman give way? beliefs. Teachers will teach the factual position that, under the law, marriage can be between opposite sex couples and same sex couples, but, as is the case now, can make clear that their faith Sir Gerald Howarth: I am sorry, but I will not give teaches that marriage can only be between two people of opposite way. sex.” I want to address the matter of military chapels. As We have been assured time and again that the Church Members will know, I am one of the churchwardens at of England—the established Church of these islands, of the Royal Garrison church of Aldershot. I pay tribute which Her Majesty the Queen is the supreme governor—is to my hon. Friend the Member for East Worthing and 945 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 946

Shoreham (Tim Loughton) for the sterling work he did will happen to them? Will they, as public employees, be in Committee, where he raised on my behalf the concerns subject to some form of legal action? My right hon. in the military. There are concerns about what will Friend shakes his head, but I do not think that he is in a happen to chaplains. I understand that amendment 23 position to give me the assurance I seek, although I will is designed to meet the concerns about chaplains, whether welcome his endeavours to do so. These are fundamental employed in the NHS or the armed forces, who express points about how the legislation will have a practical a view. Can my right hon. Friend the Minister confirm impact. that that is what amendment 23 is designed to do? Let me finish, as I have spoken for 15 minutes. It is unacceptable that a measure that will have such an The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media impact on our national life and that strikes at the heart and Sport (Hugh Robertson): With the hon. Gentleman’s of 1,000 years of religious and cultural tradition in this leave, I can confirm that is correct. country has been restricted to a couple of hours’ debate in which we can explore its practical consequences, Sir Gerald Howarth: I am your hon. Friend, Minister. some unintended. I hope that the Minister has some I have now had the benefit of having read the delegation good answers because, as he is a former serving soldier, of powers memorandum produced by the Department my constituents will expect him to have them. to deal with this issue. It says: “Since military chapels are Crown land, used for the purposes Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) of the State, it is necessary not only to accommodate the concerns (Lab): I rise to speak in the debate not because I have an of the religious organisations which use them but also for the entirely unequivocal view on the issue or because I Secretary of State to ensure that the interests of same sex couples believe strongly that either side of the argument is who may wish to get married in such a chapel are taken into absolutely right, but because I can see both sides. I have account. In relation to shared civilian places of worship, the Bill deliberated long and hard before deciding to speak and requires that in certain circumstances all of the organisations how to vote, both on the amendments and on Third using the building must consent to its registration for marriage of same sex couples. However, it is not possible to replicate that Reading. provision as military chapels are Crown land, used for the purposes My views, like those of many people in the Chamber of the State. The regulation-making power is designed to offer today, are inextricably bound with my experience, as is maximum flexibility to the Secretary of State in balancing the case with any conscience vote. I come from a large the…considerations.” Roman Catholic family and am the third child of eight. There we have it: “in balancing these considerations”. They say that the family that prays together stays together The state, in defining such matters, will surely err on the and that is very much the case with us. We are a side of the legislation and not on the side of those of us close-knit unit, sometimes to the point of that being with profound beliefs. overbearing, but whenever there is a crisis or something to celebrate, we are all there in droves. 5.45 pm A big part of my childhood was spent with my Although I recognise that the memorandum relates brother, who is two years older than me and he shared to chapels, what will happen to the Royal Garrison with us the fact that he was gay in his early 20s. He was church in Aldershot if a same-sex couple want to be my best friend growing up—my playmate, my partner in married in that church, which is funded by the state? crime and my defender when in trouble—and I found it Let us forget about the Royal Garrison church of All challenging when the announcement came because of Saints, as that is a Christian church. I have four military my Catholic faith. It has been a journey in which I have churches in the garrison, so what will happen to the had to question my faith and understanding of the Roman Catholic cathedral in Aldershot if a same-sex world, but I believe that the experience has not only couple want to take advantage of the measure to get kept my faith intact but renewed and enriched it. married there? Will it be protected? Furthermore, what My children are growing up alongside their uncle will happen to ensure that the chaplain is protected? and his partner, who are just that: partners in life. My children do not put titles on it, or boundaries on its Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): Does meaning. They do not put judgments on its worth. They the hon. Gentleman recognise that one of the considerations see two people who love and care for each other, and should be the pastoral care that those chaplains owe to who face the joys and trials of life together. the gay and lesbian soldiers, sailors and airmen who I appreciate the intention behind the amendments have openly served our country in conflict for many and new clauses that have been brought forward, and years now? I have studied them at length. I have heard many representations from constituents who have concerns Sir Gerald Howarth: Yes, of course, and I am sure about marriage being redefined. I have not always agreed that they are perfectly capable of doing that, but their with the constituents who have contacted or come to see first allegiance is to their religion. They are men and me, but I hope that they feel that they have been listened women of the cloth and our religion is absolutely crystal to with sincerity and respect. The Bill will not serve the clear on this point. The Church of England is clear that cause of equality if it creates intolerance on either side it does not support same-sex marriage and that is why of the debate. the Government have had to go to inordinate lengths to I will always fight passionately for religious freedom. try to preserve its position. I believe that our society is richer for its diversity, and Let me ask my right hon. Friend the Minister of State enhanced by the mutual tolerance that is, for the most about the other people working in the office. What part, shown. I therefore contemplated the scenarios in about the organist? What about the choristers? If they which that freedom might be compromised by the Bill. say that they do not wish to provide their services, what I have spoken to teachers on the front line, both those in 947 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 948

[Catherine McKinnell] by and large, that is not the substance of the new clauses and amendments tabled today. It seems to have been faith schools and those in other schools. I understand broadly accepted that the protections written into the the pressures; it is always a challenge to explain the world Bill are indeed substantial. to children in a way that promotes their understanding without shattering unnecessarily soon any illusions that Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): The religious they may have. I also feel strongly that however they are institutions—the Church of England and the Roman taught about relationships, it should be done in an Catholic Church—do not accept that the protections inclusive and tolerant way. Children should have the are there, and that is why amendment 4 has been tabled: opportunity to learn, as I did, what their Church’s to make that clear in the Bill. teaching is, and what the reality is for couples, individuals and families living together, up and down the country. Nick Herbert: I said “by and large”. By and large, it is My religious education—in an all-girls convent school, accepted by the religious institutions that they will not I might add—was thorough but balanced. We were be forced to conduct same-sex marriages, which is of taught the Catholic Church’s view, the humanist view, fundamental importance to those who, in conscience, the atheist view, and the views of other faiths, and we object to the Bill, particularly religious groups. The discussed and debated issues, from abortion to euthanasia, Church of England, in its latest briefing, of which hon. with a broad and balanced approach. That is what I Members from across the House will be aware, says: want for my children, and I believe that that is entirely “The ‘quadruple lock’ does, in our view, achieve the Government’s possible as a result of the Bill as drafted. policy intentions in this area”, and that is important. The substance of the amendments Helen Jones (Warrington North) (Lab): My hon. Friend tabled goes beyond the direct effect of whether religious is making a powerful speech. Does she agree—I speak organisations should be required to conduct same-sex as someone who supported the Bill on Second Reading— marriages. It is common ground in this House that no that there are concerns about some issues, including religious institution should be forced to conduct such a how the subject will be dealt with in schools? If the marriage, and that is what the Bill achieves. Minister cannot accept new clause 1, perhaps he can give us some assurances on the subject from the Dispatch Instead, the amendments relate to the fear that my Box, because Catholic schools in particular will want to hon. Friends have expressed about whether there will be teach what is legal, but will also want to ensure that the what they describe as a chilling effect, or interference Church’s view is put to their pupils. None of us would with the reasonable exercise of conscience when people want that not to happen. set out their views. Free speech is, of course, curtailed by legislation in all sorts of areas in this country. In the main, we would all agree on the areas in which it should Catherine McKinnell: I thank my hon. Friend for that be curtailed. We do not accept that people have the intervention. She anticipated my next remark; I was right to exercise free speech in a way that is inflammatory about to say that I would be grateful if the Minister in respect of race relations—that is outlawed—or that is provided clarity on whether my understanding is correct. hateful. The House of Commons has passed successive I want to put on record that I will support the Bill, measures to ensure that incitement to hatred—whether but I have taken on board the issue of receiving confirmation racial hatred or, most recently, hatred on grounds of regarding faith education and having protections in sexual orientation—is outlawed, but the bar that we place, so that people are free to learn of different rightly set in that legislation was high. Members on all views—views about Christian marriage and what the sides of the House of Commons felt at the time that it state teaches. Also, I seek clarification on protection was perfectly proper that hatred towards gay people from compulsion, which is dealt with in new clauses 7 should be outlawed, but that reasonable comment and and 8, and in Government amendment 23, which free speech, which may be unwelcome to people, should acknowledges that clarification is required in that regard. not be outlawed unless it actually incited hatred and I believe in a society and state that do not discriminate violence in a way that properly brought in the province on the grounds of race, gender, age, disability, sexual of the criminal law. orientation or religious belief. I appreciate that those Those debates have given rise to a concern that the rights must always be balanced, and the state has a role criminal law, or legislation, may be used in a way that to play in ensuring that that balance is always struck, so steps further than the intention of Parliament. A number I am otherwise reassured that the Bill provides for those of cases have been cited in which public authorities have with a religious view of marriage to practise and teach behaved in a way that hon. Friends—I think with some their understanding of marriage, where that is done in cause—fear has been heavy-handed, and in a way that an open, inclusive and tolerant way. My greatest hope is interferes with the reasonable expression of views that that one day we will reach an understanding that we may not be welcome to particular communities, but all share, and will no longer even have to engage in this should not be classified as amounting to a criminal debate. offence. That is my hon. Friends’ concern, and I understand it. So often, this amounts to a question of the sensible Nick Herbert (Arundel and South Downs) (Con): It application of the law by the public authorities—for is interesting how the debate about religious freedom instance, by the police. If it turns out that arrests can be has moved on during consideration of the Bill. Before, made, or investigations pursued, that were not merited—and the debate was very much about whether the protections one of my hon. Friends gave an example of such a being given to religious institutions were sufficient, and case—it is not necessarily that the law has drawn the there was a strong claim made that those protections line in the wrong place; it is that the application of the would be challenged or would be too weak. Interestingly, law has been unfortunate. 949 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 950

It should not be the purpose of any legislation to Richard Drax: Does my right hon. Friend think racism prevent the expression of what my hon. Friend the is the same as stamping on conscience and religious Member for Aldershot (Sir Gerald Howarth) described belief? Personally, I do not see how the two are connected. as forthright views, particularly in relation to schools. There is a case for the Government helping to explain Nick Herbert: My hon. Friend has a point to this what the proper balance is. My understanding is that extent: for example, the bar that we set in relation to teachers will be under a legal duty to teach the fact of racial hatred is the highest bar of all, and when we came the law of the land and that same-sex marriages are to the incitement of hatred in relation to sexual orientation, available to people and lawful, but they will also be able a lower bar was set as to the speech that would be to exercise their conscience and say that the belief of the allowed. A stronger free-speech threshold was built institution for which they work is that same-sex marriage in, precisely because it was recognised that religious is wrong. organisations might otherwise have difficulty in expressing their objection to particular attitudes. That in itself is 6pm controversial. Most of us agree that there should be limits on that I return to the question that I posed. If, in the case of freedom, and that were teachers to overstep the mark an application to have a wedding, it is wrong for a and start discussing the issue in a way that was hateful registrar to turn someone away on the grounds that they or unpleasant and that was deeply upsetting to children, are black or a member of an ethnic minority, why would something should prevent that. The question is whether it be right for a registrar to turn away a gay person? that is the proper realm of the criminal law or whether it That is the essence of the question and that is why new amounts to good teaching, good practice in schools and clause 2, in seeking to protect the conscience of that the sensible intervention of head teachers. Further clarity registrar, who is performing a public service, goes too from the Government about what is and is not to be far and opens up the possibility that we would provide permitted in schools would be welcome. all sorts of protections for the exercise of conscience, most of which—maybe not all—Members of this House Mr Leigh: My right hon. Friend is making a thoughtful would find deeply unpalatable. and interesting speech. The right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) seemed to imply that teachers Mr Burrowes: I take seriously the views of my right should not be allowed to express a separate point of hon. Friend and particularly welcome his comments view. May we get this clear? My right hon. Friend about new clause 1. Like him, I wait to hear the thinks that if I am a teacher in a Catholic school and I Government’s response on clearing up issues of guidance. say that same-sex marriage is wrong, I should be allowed With reference to new clauses 2 and 3, he should be to say that. If that is the case, why can he not accept one careful not to misguide the House on the purpose of of the new clauses to make that absolutely clear? new clause 3. It is not about turning away any couple. Nick Herbert: I am waiting to hear what the Government No same-sex couple would be turned away and prevented say about the implications of the new clause, but I from having their marriage registered. The point of the understand what my hon. Friend is trying to achieve. new clause is to enable registrars privately to express I agree that it is important that we have clarity in this their objection. Another registrar would have to be area and I am sure the Minister will respond. available to conduct the marriage. Where would the discrimination or the grievance be for that same-sex There should, however, be no doubt about the position couple? of public employees in the application of the law of the land. It is much more clear-cut that registrars, for instance, should not be able to discriminate against Nick Herbert: I accept that distinction from my hon. people who are gay, as new clause 2 provides that they Friend. The couple would not necessarily be turned should, on the grounds that that would be to exercise away from the register office, but that individual would their conscience. They are delivering a public service have been able to object to performing that service, and the principle that this House has tended to apply—for whereas we would not accept such an objection in instance, in relation to the provision of bed-and-breakfast relation, for instance, to race. accommodation—is that once the law is passed, it should be applied in an even-handed way. One has only to Chris Bryant: I urge the right hon. Gentleman not to think through the implications of licensing an individual accept the point that has just been made by the hon. to exercise his or her conscience and to turn somebody Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes), because away, decline to admit somebody for bed-and-breakfast there are plenty of local authorities where the register accommodation or decline to conduct a same-sex marriage. office has only one registrar. If that person turns the couple One must think through the implications of other grounds away, they have been turned away from the register office. on which they might decline such an application to realise the dangers of pursuing this approach. Nick Herbert: That is an interesting intervention. The What if a registrar were to turn down on the grounds hon. Gentleman will have his opportunity to speak. of race an application from somebody to get married? In conclusion, we should not dismiss concerns about What would we think about that? Is it the position of the reasonable expression of views with which the majority my hon. Friends or of any hon. Member in the House may disagree. Public attitudes to homosexuality have that that registrar should be free to do so? If it is not—I changed extraordinarily rapidly in this country. Not hear a deafening silence—why do we think a registrar everybody approves of homosexuality, still less of same-sex should be free to do so in relation to same-sex marriage, marriages, but, as we have seen across the western world, when that same-sex marriage will be lawful, according the majority of the public now approve of homosexuality. to the Bill which we expect will be passed? That, in my view, has been a welcome change, and it 951 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 952

[Nick Herbert] concerns expressed by the hon. Member for Aldershot are covered by that statement, as I am sure will be seems increasingly clear that a majority are in favour of confirmed. In fact, he was—unintentionally, I am sure— same-sex marriage. That trend is reflected across the slightly disingenuous. He read out a statement from the western world. Since the vote on Second Reading of the Church of England indicating that a future Government Bill in February, two nations have passed same-sex could of course repeal that or change the regulations. marriage legislation, New Zealand and France, and last That applies to all legislation. It could be argued that no week two more states in the United States of America legislation should be passed because it might be changed passed such legislation. in future. Attitudes are changing fast, but there are people who do not agree. It should be possible for them to disagree Sir Gerald Howarth rose— reasonably, but not in a way that is hateful or goes beyond the bounds of the proper exercise of free speech. Mr Howarth: Unlike the hon. Gentleman, I will give That is the balance that we need to strike. My hon. way. Friends should remember that if a child in school is gay, just to hear that their teacher disapproves of homosexuality Sir Gerald Howarth: I am grateful to the right hon. is, believe me, tough enough to hear. Their teacher is Gentleman for giving way, because I meant no slur on free to say to them that being gay is wrong or that him. He and I have worked together, not least on the homosexual conduct is wrong and the House is asking Armed Forces Bill many years ago, and I have great for a licence to enable that teacher to say that, but do respect for him—after all, he has a splendid surname. not underestimate how difficult that will be for the child The principal point made in the Church of England to hear. We must take care that in providing these submission was that there is “residual unclarity”. I am protections for the exercise of conscience, we do not do not sure whether “unclarity” is a word in the dictionary, a great injustice and allow the continuation of language but we know what is meant. and attitudes that have caused a great deal of unhappiness for a long time. Mr Howarth: I am glad the hon. Gentleman has sought to give that clarification, but in fact it has not in Several hon. Members rose— the least changed the argument I am making. I think that that argument is disingenuous. Mr Speaker: Order. May I point out to the House I will finish with another point the hon. Member for that there is much interest, but it is only right that there Aldershot made. He chose to introduce into his speech should also be an opportunity for those on the Front the old chestnut of political correctness. Political correctness, Benches to set out their position? There is a balance to as far as he is concerned, seems to be anything he does be struck. I am keen to accommodate everybody and I not agree with. If someone does not agree with him, it is am in the hands of the House. Members need to help because they are pursuing political correctness. He referred me to help them to help each other. to conversations he has had with constituents. I accept Mr George Howarth: Throughout this debate I have that his constituency is dramatically different from mine, made a practice with my constituents of arguing that but I must say—I am sure that other right hon. and whatever our views we should express them with respect hon. Members will agree—that it is very rare that and sensitivity. In that context it is a pleasure to follow constituents ever complain to me about political correctness. the right hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs In the handful of conversations I have had on that, (Nick Herbert), who made his case very well. usually at election time and in heated conversations in the town centre or on a doorstep, I have asked, “What The speech made by my hon. Friend the Member for exactly do you mean by political correctness?” I will not Newcastle upon Tyne North (Catherine McKinnell) quote some of the responses I have had, but I must tell was a model of how to put that case in a balanced way the hon. Gentleman that when people use the term as and without causing offence while, at the same time, a defence, it usually means they are unable to use arriving at a conclusion. I congratulate her on doing so. inflammatory or incendiary language when discussing The hon. Member for Aldershot (Sir Gerald Howarth) some subjects. It is a very easy phrase to use as a refused to give way to me because my previous intervention, defence, but I find that it is often applied to protect he claimed, had been “silly”. I must say that to be called people from being penalised for holding grotesque views. silly by the hon. Gentleman, given the speech he made, I regret that the hon. Gentleman decided to accuse brings to mind an expression involving pots and kettles. me of being silly. I decline to enter into any kind of I do not believe that my intervention on the hon. tit-for-tat discussion, other than to say that I do not Member for Gainsborough (Mr Leigh) was in the least think that he proved his case with his speech or enhanced bit silly. If the argument is that a person can exercise his argument by making it. religious conscience by teaching in any way, right across the spectrum, then it would be perfectly reasonable, were the get-out clause to be introduced, for a science 6.15 pm teacher to teach creationism. I can think of a dozen Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) more examples where that could apply. (LD): I will make a short contribution, in the same vein, The fact is that we have a national curriculum. We I hope, as the last three. I pay tribute to the hon. teach bodies of knowledge that are specified and known. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne North (Catherine There is the opportunity, certainly in faith schools—I McKinnell) for her extremely helpful and sensitive am sure the Minister will confirm this later—to say, contribution and to my right hon. Friend the Member “This is the legal position on same-sex marriage, but for Arundel and South Downs (Nick Herbert). I hope the Church’s teaching is this.” It seems to me that the that those listening to the debate will draw some obvious 953 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 954 conclusions: not all gay people take a strict view that Berwickshire, now Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope. We everything in this set of proposals is absolutely perfect opposed it and spoke and voted against it. I understand and that there are no questions; not all straight people exactly that hope. It is absolutely important that we do think that the Bill is a terrible abomination; not all not prevent the discussion of homosexuality and different Christians share the view of the hierarchy of the Roman sexuality in the context of a loving and supporting Catholic Church or the Church of England; and not all school. I absolutely share her perfectly proper view and people who do not have faith might not have problems believe that I have always been as consistent on that with the Bill. I hope that we have got across the message position as she has. that the debate is much more complicated. My second question is about public officials. I have I have three relevant interests. First, I have struggled not signed new clause 2 but I have signed new clause 3, with the issue of sexuality since I was a teenager, like my with which my right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel hon. Friend the Member for Bristol West (Stephen and South Down is also sympathetic. There is a difference Williams). I remember that at school it was not an easy between saying to somebody, if this Bill is passed, “The issue in the slightest. Everybody knew that there were law of the land says there are same-sex marriages and gay people at school, but it was never taught or spoken you can’t expect to be a public official and not carry about formally. Secondly, I am chair of the board of them out”, and expecting somebody who is currently a governors of a Church of England primary school. registrar, having taken the job not knowing that there Thirdly, I am a trustee of a Church of England secondary would ever be same-sex marriages, to perform them. school. We have excellent teachers who do their jobs The transitional new clause is a good one, and I ask the very well, but I have to say that there is still some Government to accept it, or something along those nervousness. lines. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport very courteously appeared before the Joint Committee Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): Like the right hon. on Human Rights last week. She knows that there is Gentleman, I voted against Second Reading and the still some nervousness that the safeguards are not yet programme motion because we wanted to test these and sufficient, and that nervousness is still felt by the Church other issues. Is he aware that if the new law were of England formally and by the Roman Catholic Church. extended to Northern Ireland there would be a big I think my right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel difference between new clause 2 and new clause 3, and South Downs was very fair when he said that he, because new clause 2 would lead to people being asked too, is looking for some reassurance that teachers will about their religious beliefs during recruitment? have the protection of being able to get the balance right and to teach that God loves everybody irrespective Simon Hughes: That is why I ask the Minister to look of their sexuality, whether they are 11, 14 or 17, but that at this issue. We do not yet necessarily have the right the Church should be able to say not that homosexuals balance. are sinners but that it takes a different view on who We must have free speech. People may still be arrested should be married and that civil partnerships or unions because of, or quizzed about, what they say. People are fine but same-sex marriage is not. should be able to say that they think that homosexuality There is still a lot of prejudice to confront. Only is wrong or right and whether this Bill is appropriate. yesterday a member of a church in my constituency told Although the Committee did a good job, as has another me that anyone who is gay is defective. We still have to Committee in taking evidence, out there in the real challenge that sort of prejudice, which thinks than an world a lot of people think that there is not yet sufficient individual can do something about being gay and that protection for people in expressing their views. I hope it is easy to deal with. I am just asking for a little that Ministers will give thought to that to see how we reassurance—or perhaps more than a little—from the can better protect the freedom of speech that people Minister on the issue of guidance for schools. The wish for. churches do not yet think that we have the necessary protection, so I am sympathetic to the amendments, Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): First, let me say although I have not signed them. I hope that the House unequivocally that I am opposed to same-sex marriage, will take them seriously. as most Members will know; it is not a secret. I am here to speak on behalf of the many millions of people with Fiona Mactaggart: I might be the only Member in the religious views who also oppose it. Specifically, I want House who was a primary school teacher when section 28 to speak to new clauses 3 and 4. was in force. I am concerned that in this debate we are New clause 3 deals with marriage registrars. As the thinking much more about the conscience rights of hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth (Stephen teachers, rather than the rights of children. In my class Doughty) said, there have been similar changes to the there was a child who was being brought up by same-sex law in lands across the whole of Europe and, indeed, all partners, but I could not talk about her family because over the world, so precedents have been set. In Holland, of section 28. We must ensure that the rights of children protection of the religious views of registrars on same-sex being brought up by same-sex partners are as protected marriage is enshrined in the law. The Dutch courts as teachers’ rights of conscience. recently ruled that registrars should not be compelled to solemnise same-sex marriages against their conscience Simon Hughes: I absolutely share the hon. Lady’s if they were employed as registrars before the law was view and am grateful to her for that prompt. I was here introduced. A month or two ago, the hon. Member for when clause 28 was being debated and opposed it on the Congleton (Fiona Bruce) and I went to an event in record, including in Committee, where I served with Portcullis House where people on a panel gave their my hon. Friend the then Member for Roxburgh and legal opinions. One person said that marriage registrars 955 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 956

[Jim Shannon] The Secretary of State has responded to these concerns by saying that her clear understanding is that would not be covered by the new law, while the other “discussion or criticism of same sex marriage would not be ‘of two people said that they are covered. We are very itself’ discrimination under the current law.” conscious of the Ladele case. The Church of England has produced a paper in which it is very clear about its Dr McCrea: Does my hon. Friend believe that if a position on marriage registrars. teacher were taken to court and said that the Secretary I want to talk about the importance of freedom of of State has suggested that they should be protected, speech for all. Unless an amendment such as new clause 4 the court would find that sufficient? is made, freedom of speech could be unduly restricted. It is difficult to be comprehensive about the circumstances Jim Shannon: My hon. Friend is absolutely right; we that may give rise to a breach of freedom of expression need this protection, and it must be enshrined in legislation as a result of such detrimental treatment. However, by this House to ensure that it means something. We there is a real danger that a teacher, for example, might cannot just depend on an interpretation that some be accused of discriminating against a person because people might have. he or she has expressed a view against same-sex marriage. The Secretary of State continued: There is a risk that employees might be limited in their freedom of expression inside and outside the workplace “This would only happen if the discussion or criticism took because their criticism of same-sex marriage could be place in an inappropriate manner or in a context which resulted in discrimination against, or a detriment to, a particular pupil or considered to be unlawful discrimination based on sexual group of pupils.” orientation under the Equality Act 2010. This is a particular danger in the context of education, where a She said that the same is true of discussion or criticism teacher may criticise same-sex marriage inside or outside of same-sex relationships generally, and concluded: the classroom and be found to have discriminated as “Nothing in the Bill affects people’s ability to hold and express a result. These are very important issues that we must their belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman.” be concerned about. However, this assurance fails sufficiently to protect freedom of expression, as my hon. Friend suggested. Jonathan Reynolds: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): Perhaps we Jim Shannon: If the hon. Gentleman is very quick. should go further. For example, is there protection of freedom of speech for preachers who fundamentally Jonathan Reynolds: We dealt with this in some detail believe that the scriptures teach that such things are in the Bill Committee, and I recognise that it is one of wrong? the principal issues that has been discussed today. It is already clear that someone can express a view—a personal Jim Shannon: My hon. Friend is right: we desperately opinion—to which no one would have any objection, need that protection. but if they did so in a way that bullied or stigmatised, or in any way went beyond what is reasonably acceptable, Other questions are likely to arise, such as whether they would be going too far. This is no different from the expression of a view on the superiority of opposite-sex many of the issues that teachers deal with every single marriage to same-sex marriage will be regarded as day. On all those issues, yes, we issue guidance, but we resulting in detriment to a particular group of people— never do anything as prescriptive as putting into primary namely, those who are homosexual or who are raised in legislation certain rights and responsibilities that would families in which the parents are in a same-sex marriage. be unacceptable in any other field. The answer is quite possibly yes. There is therefore likely to be a chilling effect on freedom of speech in particular contexts. The case of Smith has already Jim Shannon: The hon. Gentleman and I clearly have shown a marked move in that direction. He was, as the a difference of opinion; he will not be surprised about hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr Leigh) said, deemed that. In the Bill Committee, we heard that in a poll to have discriminated against same-sex couples after he 40,000 teachers had expressed concern about this. We wrote a comment on his Facebook wall. Surely hon. cannot ignore that number of teachers. Members do not intend there to be such a chilling effect The danger is made more real in the light of the case on freedom of speech. of Stewart v. Cleveland-Guest (Engineering) Ltd, where One of the ways in which this can best be addressed the court interpreted is by putting the Secretary of State’s reassurances in “discrimination on the grounds of sex” the Bill. as including some conduct that would fall into the category of “harassment”. Therefore, by analogy, the Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): Will the use of so-called offensive language may be held to hon. Gentleman give way? amount to sexual orientation discrimination. Moreover, under EU anti-discrimination law, the European Court of Justice held in the case of Firma Feryn that offensive Jim Shannon: I am sorry but I cannot. statements may sometimes amount to discrimination. That can be done via new clause 4, which would John Bowers QC has raised similar issues in his advice ensure that freedom of expression is protected by stating to the Coalition for Marriage. Members heard the same that discussions of same-sex marriages cannot be regarded legal opinion expressed in the Bill Committee, as I did as unlawful discrimination for the purposes of the in the seminar that I went to with the hon. Member for Equality Act 2010. I commend the new clause to the House Congleton. and ask Members to support it. 957 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 958

Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Much of this debate entirely that context and the way in which views are has revisited the issues that we discussed on Second expressed are important—amount to discrimination or Reading, but we need to put that into context. On harassment of another, that will provide reassurance Second Reading, I voted against same-sex marriage, as and a degree of legal protection for both employers and did many colleagues, but the House voted for it. It is in employees who express their views in a reasonable way. the interests even of those who voted for it and want I hope that my right hon. Friend the Minister will this Bill to be passed that that we get this right. agree that those suggestions will ensure that the Bill, if As my right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel enacted, will not cause division in the country—nobody and South Downs (Nick Herbert) correctly stated, the wants that—and that it will work. I hope he will not say Church of England acknowledges that the quadruple that everything is covered, but that he will reflect on locks that the Government have introduced will give today’s contributions and that, when the Bill goes to protection not only to the Church of England but to another place, he will give the specific clarity and reassurance other faith groups. We are grateful for that. The Government needed to help improve the Bill, from anyone’s point of have delivered on what they said, which is that no faith view, if it is passed. group will be obliged to celebrate same-sex marriages if they do not wish to do so. Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): I have The new clauses seek to ensure that down the line, if about five minutes to make a 10-minute speech, so I and when the Bill is passed, we do not find ourselves in hope that hon. Members will forgive me if I do not take situations that no one would want. The Government any interventions. I wish to discuss protection from have tabled further amendments and I am grateful to compulsion and the meaning of “compelled”. I would them for amendment 23, which will protect ministers of have liked to have spoken to new clause 7, on protection religion employed by secular organisations, such as from legal proceedings, and amendment 4, but time is hospital and university chaplains, who do not wish to against me. carry out same-sex marriages from claims being made The Government have sought to reassure religious against them personally under the employment provisions individuals and organisations that they will not be of the Equality Act 2010. required in any circumstances to conduct same-sex marriages if they object to them. Clause 2 provides one 6.30 pm of the main ways in which the Government have sought I ask my right hon. Friend the Minister to reflect on to make good on that reassurance by giving protection two issues between now and when the Bill goes to from compulsion. The term “compulsion” is, therefore, another place. First, on the guidance given in schools, if central to the protection provided by the Bill for religious the Bill is enacted, Church of England schools will, of individuals and organisations, and constitutes one part course, fulfil the duty to teach about the factual nature of the Government’s widely publicised quadruple lock. of marriage in its new legally redefined form. However, At first sight, the term might appear wide-ranging there is uncertainty about how that will interact with and comprehensive, which is what the Government the continuing need for schools to reflect their religious would have us believe. However, in reality, the protection ethos in their sex and relationship education. All we are may be very narrow in scope, because there is no suggesting—there should not be a great divide on this—is definition of “compelled” in the Bill. This omission that in order to ensure that schools can continue to creates uncertainty and potentially limits the scope of teach an understanding of marriage that is consistent the protection afforded by the clause. Although the with their religious foundations, this Bill should amend recognition that protections are necessary is welcome, the Education Act 1996 to ensure that any guidance the Bill does not adequately address the problem. Without issued by the Secretary of State must take account of further clarification, this may turn out to be not much the religious character of the school. That is not asking of a lock at all. for much, but it will give clarity and I hope that my right New clause 8 and amendment 5 are identical, but hon. Friend will reflect on it. they relate to different parts of the Bill. They would clarify the meaning of “compelled” for the purpose of Geraint Davies: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? clause 2 and thus ensure that the lock provides the intended protection. The need for clarification was made Sir Tony Baldry: No, because others want to get in. all the more pressing when the Minister said in Committee My right hon. Friend the Minister, who supports the that the word “compelled” was Bill, will not want it to have unintended consequences “absolutely not borrowed from the Matrimonial Causes Act.”–– six or nine months or a year down the line. That would [Official Report, Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Public Bill Committee, not help anyone. 28 February 2013; c. 280.] Secondly, reasonable expressions of opinions or beliefs That made it unclear from where, if anywhere, the word on the nature of marriage ought not to be the subject of “compelled” has been borrowed. Apart from the Civil claims against individuals under existing discrimination Partnership Act 2004, in which the word is used but the or harassment provisions in the Equality Act. As my scope is much narrower than in this Bill, the obvious hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Mr Leigh) source was section 8 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1965, has pointed out, some high-profile cases have highlighted which uses the term in a similar way to this Bill. the potential risk in the workplace, and I do not think If the word was not borrowed from the 1965 Act, that any hon. or right hon. Member feels comfortable perhaps we should consider other sources from which it about the details of such cases. All we are suggesting is may have been borrowed. According to case law, which that if the Equality Act were amended to put it beyond is limited, compulsion seems to provide protection only doubt that someone’s expression of an opinion on or from the imposition of criminal penalties—for example, belief in traditional marriage did not of itself—I accept individuals are protected from being compelled not to 959 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 960

[Robert Flello] and was very well thought of. He served everyone, regardless of their situation, but he lost his job because incriminate themselves. Clause 2 as drafted, therefore, of private remarks on his private Facebook page, and may not provide protection to religious individuals and he is now doing charitable work in Africa because his organisations from civil legal penalties; may not prevent job was taken away from him. The hon. Member for public bodies from treating religious organisations less Newcastle upon Tyne North (Catherine McKinnell) favourably if they decide not to opt in to providing said in her excellent contribution that she hoped that same-sex marriage; and may not protect religious people will be dealt with in an inclusive and tolerant organisations from the threat of other legal actions, way. I say to her, with great respect, that I hope she such as judicial review, if they decide not to opt into would want such inclusiveness and tolerance to be given same-sex marriage. For example, a religious organisation to people such as Adrian Smith, who did not receive it. could be refused contracts, denied the use of spaces I say to colleagues on the Government Benches that such as halls or denied funding in an attempt to compel unless we get the legislation right, this issue will run and it to opt in to providing same-sex marriages. The protections run until 2015 and will keep coming back. I gently in clause 2 may in reality be narrow in scope and remind colleagues on the Opposition Benches that no provide relatively little protection. less a campaigner for homosexual rights than Peter The Minister has made it clear that the Government Tatchell supported Adrian Smith. He did not agree with intend to provide greater protection than mere protection his views, but believed passionately in his ability to state against criminal penalties. Indeed, in Committee the them and thought it wrong that his job was taken away, Minister said that clause 2 would have the effect of as was that of Rev. Willie Ross, the chaplain to Strathclyde “preventing any type of conduct that would have the effect of police. It is such things that we must guard against. forcing a person to do something protected under that clause…The imposition of any penalties on or subsequent unfavourable treatment Chris Bryant: I want to start by paying tribute to the of a religious organisation or individual in order to compel that hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes). organisation to opt in to same-sex marriage is already unlawful Although I disagree with him passionately on every under the Bill”.––[Official Report, Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Public Bill Committee, 28 February 2013; c. 280.] element of the Bill, I none the less enjoyed sitting on a panel with him at a school in his constituency to tackle The assurances are welcome: it is comforting to know the problem of homophobic bullying in the area. I pay that that is the Government’s intention. However, clause 2 tribute to the work that he has done on that issue. does not seem to provide that level of protection. I understand that many people of religion disagree I would love to speak at further length on this issue fundamentally with every element of the Bill. I hope but, given the time and the fact that at least half a dozen that one day they will be amazed that they ever held more Members want to speak to this group of amendments, those views. Some have said that the Church used to I will move to a conclusion. I could go through a long support slavery and that it no longer does. A better list of areas that need to be adequately addressed. I urge analogy might be the Church’s attitude to the role of the Minister to accept new clause 8, but if he does not women and, for that matter, women in marriage 100 years do so I hope we will be allowed to test it in the Lobby, ago, compared with its views today. For those who have because even people who support the Bill—my position a strong a religious bent, I note that the Church of is clear—want to ensure that such fundamental protections Scotland has voted today to allow homosexual clergy. are in place. I think that Churches will change and I do not want to lock them in so many ways that they are not able to Several hon. Members rose— do so. I and my hon. Friends believe that equality under the Mr Speaker: Order. May I just explain that the hon. law is a vital principle. The Equality Act 2010 is a subtle Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) on the Opposition and intelligent piece of drafting which ensures that Front Bench must start his speech no later than 6.40 pm? people’s religious belief is as protected as their sexual orientation. I worry about some of the new clauses and Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): I amendments before us, because they would upset that rise in support of new clause 5, which says that balance. “no person should suffer any detriment in respect of the holding or the reasonable expression” Hon. Members have referred to the chilling effect of what they call “political correctness” and of this kind of of a belief in marriage as that between a man and woman. legislation. I say simply that if they look around the My hon. Friend the Member for Stourbridge (Margot world and listen to the experiences of many gay and James) has reminded the House of the hatred, abuse, lesbian children in schools, they will see that hateful aggression and, indeed, the discrimination that she and speech is alive and well. That is why a gay or lesbian others have suffered. That was wrong, so it is with child is six times more likely to commit suicide than a humility that I ask her to bear in mind that others who heterosexual child. We need to take seriously the fact take a contrary view to hers on the Bill may also find that the language that people use merely because they themselves subject to discrimination. oppose same-sex marriage adds to that sense of hatred The question is this: should there be space in public and unpleasantness. To make the point, one has only to life for people who hold to the current definition of mention the names of Stuart Walker, who was burned marriage? That is not a theoretical question. The case of to death only a few years ago for being gay, and Jody Adrian Smith has already been discussed. I will not go Dobrowski, who was murdered not far from this House. through it again, because time is short, but I remind I want to deal with the new clauses and amendments. hon. Members that he was a dedicated local authority New clause 1, to which many hon. Members have housing officer who then worked for a housing association referred, is fundamentally ill-conceived. I do not doubt 961 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 962 that some people are concerned about what teachers are lawful, how can it be right for somebody to be rejected? will be able to teach in schools. However, some of the Why do we not introduce a clause that says that sextons, understandings of teaching that I have heard this afternoon who are public employees, can refuse to bury suicides, are completely misplaced. The hon. Member for Aldershot or that a registrar can refuse to marry a divorcee? Of (Sir Gerald Howarth), belted knight that he is, elided course we have never done that, because we believe that preaching and teaching. My fundamental point is that everybody should be treated equally under the law. How not much teaching should be preaching. That is the can we say that commercial enterprises, such as bed and experience in every religious school in this country. breakfasts, cannot discriminate in the provision of goods Such schools want people to embrace the central and services, but that the state can discriminate in the understanding of every religion, which is that conscience provision of marriage services? I hope that hon. Members trumps everything else. If that is the case, why would will think twice about supporting those new clauses. they want people to adhere to a line or to be indoctrinated? Likewise, hon. Members should think twice about They would not. They want people to learn how to supporting new clauses 4, 5 and 6, which would effectively understand the facts and the world in which they live so drive a coach and horses through the Equality Act 2010. that they can make good decisions for themselves. I say to the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate The Education Act 1996 states very clearly: (Mr Burrowes) that there is a fundamental misconception “The Secretary of State must issue guidance designed to secure about how the Act works. It does not protect the that when sex education is given to registered pupils at maintained individual belief within religion; it protects the religion. schools…they learn the nature of marriage and its importance for It is not transubstantiation that is protected, but family life and the bringing up of children”. Catholicism. It is not a belief in the afterlife that is I do not think that anybody disagrees with that. Secondly— protected, but Christianity. It would be invidious to and this is vital to the point that some hon. Members introduce any special provision that breached that. have made—it states that pupils must be “protected from teaching and materials which are inappropriate Andrew Selous: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? having regard to the age and the religious and cultural background of the pupils concerned.” Chris Bryant: I will not, I am afraid, because we are Therefore, the Act already embodies precisely what new very short of time. clause 1 seeks to achieve. I gently suggest to hon. Members that the language Where new clause 1 fails is that it undermines the that is used in some of the new clauses and amendments next bit of the Act, which states: comes far too close for the liking of many people to a “In discharging their functions under subsection (1) governing repeat of section 28. That did damage and we do not bodies and head teachers must have regard to the Secretary of want to see it again. State’s guidance.” I urge Members not to drive a coach and horses The new clause would make the Secretary of State’s through the equality legislation, which treats everybody guidance completely and utterly irrelevant. equally, regardless of their religion or sexuality.

6.45 pm Hugh Robertson: The Government have listened extremely carefully on Second Reading, in Committee The guidance is extremely balanced. It states: and today to the concerns that have been expressed. We “Within the context of talking about relationships, children will do everything that we can to provide the safeguards should be taught about the nature of marriage and its importance that are necessary to meet colleagues’ concerns, where for family life and for bringing up children. The Government recognises that there are strong and mutually supportive relationships those concerns are justified. outside marriage. Therefore, children should learn the significance Time is short because I believe that my hon. Friend of marriage and stable relationships as key building blocks of the Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes) wants community and society. Teaching in this area needs to be sensitive to speak at the end of the debate, so I will quickly go so as not to stigmatise children on the basis of their home through a few of the issues that have been raised. I circumstances.” ought to start by speaking to Government amendment 23, That applies equally to children who are gay or who which will provide further protection for chaplains, have gay family members and to those who grow up in a such as hospital and university chaplains, who are employed religious background and do not want to be stigmatised by secular organisations. We made a commitment in on the basis of their religion. Committee to look at that matter again and we have I say to those who support new clauses 2 and 3 that accepted that something further can be done. If the everybody should be equal under the law. How can possibility of a marriage conducted by a chaplain is a somebody who turns up at a register office be told that benefit to employees offered in the context of that the registrar will not marry them just because of their employment, a refusal to conduct such a service by a sexuality? chaplain for an employee could conceivably fall foul of provisions in part 5 of the Equality Act 2010. We have Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): Will the hon. Gentleman therefore tabled amendment 23, which I believe puts the give way? issue beyond doubt. Amendment 24 addresses a point raised by the hon. Chris Bryant: I will not give way to the hon. Lady if Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) about the Church she does not mind. I would normally be very generous, in Wales and places a statutory duty on the Lord but there is not much time. Chancellor. Once he or she is satisfied that the governing A registrar is there solely to register that which is body of the Church in Wales has resolved that the law lawful. They are paid by all taxpayers, not just by some should be changed to allow for the marriage of same-sex taxpayers. If Parliament decides that same-sex marriages couples according to its rites, he or she “must” by order 963 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 964

[Hugh Robertson] servants who should carry out the will of Parliament, and allowing exemptions according to conscience in my make such a provision. That meets a commitment made view sets a difficult precedent. Furthermore and crucially— in Committee and is a simple amendment that gives the this is important—the consultation with the national panel Church in Wales the reassurance it sought. for registrars revealed absolutely no concerns whatsoever Let me turn to education, faith schools and new about conscience, and it would be unusual for the clause 1. I am extremely grateful to my hon. Friend the House to pass a new clause if the national representative Member for Enfield, Southgate for his speech, and body did not ask for such an exemption. hope to provide him with some reassurance. As he On new clause 4, I know that some Members continue knows from Committee, no school or individual teacher to have concerns that employees and organisations will is currently under a duty to promote or endorse a risk action being taken against them under the Equality particular understanding of marriage, or would be as a Act if they express the view that marriage should be result of the Bill or any revised future guidance. There only between a man and a woman. However, discriminating are two clear reasons for that. First, the guidance is to against someone because they hold such a belief, whether secure that pupils for religious or philosophical reasons, is unlawful under “learn the nature of marriage and its importance for family life that Act, and I am happy to place that on the record. and the bringing up of children,” The case of Adrian Smith has been mentioned by a not to secure that teachers promote or endorse any number of Members. He won his case in the end but his particular view of marriage—in a sense it is the difference award was so small because he failed to bring the case between explaining and promoting. Secondly, teaching within the time laid out in the employment tribunal. We in this area should always be balanced and sensitive to looked into the case carefully in Committee, and the pupils’ backgrounds, which for many will be reflected judge made it absolutely clear that had Adrian Smith in the school’s ethos. Guidance contrary to that ethos applied in time, there was every reason to suggest that would not meet those criteria. the tribunal would have been able to award him “substantial If Members want further reassurance, I draw their compensation”. The fact that the case was not brought attention to Lord Pannick, who I think is universally in time led to that particular result. recognised to be an expert in this area. He said that it is “inconceivable”that a teacher could be lawfully disciplined Andrew Selous: I believe that Adrian Smith had to for explaining to a child of an appropriate age that find £30,000—or it was found for him. What happens to the law allows for same-sex marriage but that many poor people who suffer that type of discrimination and religions—or indeed the teacher—do not believe in it. do not have that money? Finally, I draw the House’s attention to evidence given to the Committee by the Secretary of State for Education. Hugh Robertson: That example shows the danger of However, it is clear from the number of hon. Members trying to make law on the basis of one individual case, who have signed new clause 1 that many remain concerned particularly when—as in that case—the litigant failed about the level of protection for teachers. Although I to apply and follow the relevant legal processes, making am confident that the existing protections are sound, it difficult to take further action on that basis. I am aware of concerns raised by the Church of England On amendment 3 to new clause 5, the important and mentioned by many hon. Members. With that in thing about the public sector equality duty is that it is a mind, I commit to the House that we will take the issue duty to think, rather than to achieve, a particular outcome. away and discuss it further with religious groups with It could not possibly be used to justify an act of whom we have been engaging throughout this process. discrimination because of a belief by a public authority. We have been in close contact with all of them, and will New clause 6 seeks to make it explicit that the belief consider all available means—including an amendment that marriage should be between a man and a woman if necessary—to put the issue beyond any doubt in the may be a religious or philosophical belief, and that is other place. indeed protected by the Equality Act 2010. Philosophical I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for beliefs are protected if they are genuinely held, and we Enfield, Southgate for tabling amendment 50, which are entirely confident that the belief that marriage amends the Public Order Act 1986. We debated it at should be only between a man and a woman meets some length in Committee, and since then we have been those criteria 100%. thinking further to try and meet the concerns of many I know that my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, colleagues. Regrettably, the wording used in the amendment Southgate would like a few minutes to wind-up the could—no doubt entirely unintentionally—give the debate, so I will finish where we started. We ran through impression that this aspect of criminal law is not to be all these issues in Committee at some length and we will applied even-handedly, and for that reason I cannot take note of the will of the House tonight and listen to accept it as it stands. The provision is already there, it carefully. Where we find a need to act, we will take however, and we fully understand the concerns and will action. work to table an amendment in the other place to try and satisfy them. Mr Burrowes: I appreciate there is limited time for a Let me turn briefly to marriage registrars, although debate on serious issues, and what I believe is a consensus the news is rather less promising. We debated the issue across the House—to ensure that religious liberty, and at length in Committee and I am afraid my views rather liberty in general, is properly protected. I welcome the hardened as the debate went on. I do not believe it is recent good news: after weeks of toil in Committee we appropriate or right to allow marriage registrars to opt now have progress from the Government on new clause out of conducting same-sex marriages either permanently 1 and an undertaking given to the House that they will or on a transitional basis. Like it or not, they are public take away and seek to amend any guidance. That will 965 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 966 ensure, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel Brought up, and read the First time. and South Downs (Nick Herbert) properly said, that Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:— the Bill is crystal clear and that we understand the The House proceeded to a Division. balance, and further clarity is welcome. I recognise that as I am sure does the whole House. Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Will the New clause 1 is not objectionable in any way and I Serjeant at Arms investigate the delay in the No Lobby encourage all hon. Members to read it and see that we and see if he can unblock it? are trying to make it clear that no teacher should be obliged to promote or endorse a view of marriage that The House having divided: Ayes 150, Noes 340. is contrary to their belief or, as in the new clause, to the Division No. 6] [7 pm ethos of the school. I welcome that undertaking from the Minister and do not wish to take up the House’s AYES time by pressing new clause 1 to a vote. I also welcome Adams, Nigel Gray, Mr James the Minister’s assurance that he is concerned, as are a Afriyie, Adam Green, rh Damian number of hon. Members, to ensure that we have freedom Aldous, Peter Halfon, Robert of speech not just for Members but for our constituents, Amess, Mr David Hames, Duncan and that he will work on amendment 50 and the Public Anderson, Mr David Hayes, rh Mr John Order Act 1986. Baker, Norman Henderson, Gordon This has been called the live-and-let-live Bill, but we Baker, Steve Hermon, Lady must ensure that it is not a live-and-let-live Bill only as Baldry, Sir Tony Hinds, Damian Barclay, Stephen Hoban, Mr Mark long as someone agrees with the state’s redefinition Beith, rh Sir Alan Hollobone, Mr Philip of marriage. Bellingham, Mr Henry Holloway, Mr Adam On the basis of the assurances that have been given, I Benton, Mr Joe Howarth, Sir Gerald will not press new clause 1 to a Division. However, on Beresford, Sir Paul Howell, John new clause 3, on registrars, there is a tradition and a Berry, Jake Hughes, rh Simon precedent for conscientious objections. I therefore wish Bingham, Andrew Jackson, Mr Stewart to press new clause 3 to a Division, along with new Birtwistle, Gordon Johnson, Gareth clause 6, which was signed by my hon. Friend the Bone, Mr Peter Jones, Mr Marcus Member for Gainsborough (Mr Leigh). Equality legislation Brady, Mr Graham Kelly, Chris Brazier, Mr Julian Latham, Pauline did not give justice to Adrian Smith, who had to rely on Bridgen, Andrew Leadsom, Andrea contract law. We need to ensure that the Equality Act 2010 Brine, Steve Lee, Dr Phillip is fit for purpose to protect belief in respect of marriage. Bruce, Fiona Lefroy, Jeremy Finally, I wish to press new clause 8 to a Division. It will Buckland, Mr Robert Leigh, Mr Edward ensure that the Catholic Church and others will not be Burns, rh Mr Simon Leslie, Charlotte compelled—we need a clear understanding of “compelled” Burrowes, Mr David Lewis, Dr Julian so that they are not discriminated against for their Burstow, rh Paul Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian decision to opt out of same-sex marriage. Carswell, Mr Douglas Lilley, rh Mr Peter I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion. Cash, Mr William Lord, Jonathan Chope, Mr Christopher Loughton, Tim Clause, by leave, withdrawn. Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Luff, Peter Cox, Mr Geoffrey Main, Mrs Anne 7pm Crabb, Stephen Maynard, Paul Proceedings interrupted (Programme Order, this day). Crausby, Mr David McCrea, Dr William Davies, David T. C. McDonnell, Dr Alasdair The Speaker put forthwith the Questions necessary for (Monmouth) McIntosh, Miss Anne the disposal of the business to be concluded at that time Davies, Glyn McPartland, Stephen (Standing Order No. 83E). Davies, Philip McVey, Esther Davis, rh Mr David Mills, Nigel Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Morris, Anne Marie New Clause 3 Dobbin, Jim Morris, David Dodds, rh Mr Nigel Morris, James CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION: TRANSITIONAL Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Mudie, Mr George ARRANGMENTS Drax, Richard Neill, Robert Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Nuttall, Mr David ‘(1) No person shall be under any duty, whether by contract or Durkan, Mark O’Brien, Mr Stephen by statutory or other legal requirement, to conduct a marriage to Elphicke, Charlie Offord, Dr Matthew which he has a conscientious objection if he is employed as a Evans, Jonathan Ollerenshaw, Eric registrar of marriages on the date this Act comes in force. Farron, Tim Paice, rh Sir James (2) For the purposes of this section, a “conscientious Field, rh Mr Frank Paisley, Ian objection” exists where the refusal to conduct a marriage is only Field, Mark Parish, Neil that it concerns a same sex couple, and is based on the person’s Fox,rhDrLiam Paterson, rh Mr Owen sincerely held religious or other beliefs. Fuller, Richard Pawsey, Mark (3) This section is without prejudice to the duty of a Gale, Sir Roger Penning, Mike registration authority to ensure that there is a sufficient number Garnier, Sir Edward Perry, Claire of registrars and superintendent registrars in that area to carry Garnier, Mark Phillips, Stephen out the required functions. George, Andrew Pincher, Christopher (4) In any legal proceedings the burden of proof of conscientious Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Pritchard, Mark objection shall rest on the person claiming to rely on it.’.— Glen, John Pugh, John (Mr Burrowes.) Glindon, Mrs Mary Raab, Mr Dominic 967 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 968

Randall, rh Mr John Teather, Sarah Esterson, Bill Johnson, rh Alan Redwood, rh Mr John Tredinnick, David Evans, Chris Johnson, Joseph Rees-Mogg, Jacob Turner, Mr Andrew Evans, Graham Jones, Andrew Reevell, Simon Uppal, Paul Fabricant, Michael Jones, Graham Ritchie, Ms Margaret Vickers, Martin Farrelly, Paul Jones, Helen Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Wallace, Mr Ben Featherstone, Lynne Jones, Mr Kevan Robertson, Mr Laurence Walter, Mr Robert Fitzpatrick, Jim Jones, Susan Elan Rosindell, Andrew Webb, Steve Flint, rh Caroline Jowell, rh Dame Tessa Rutley, David Wheeler, Heather Flynn, Paul Kawczynski, Daniel Shannon, Jim Whittaker, Craig Foster, rh Mr Don Keeley, Barbara Sharma, Mr Virendra Whittingdale, Mr John Fovargue, Yvonne Kendall, Liz Shepherd, Sir Richard Wiggin, Bill Francis, Dr Hywel Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Simpson, David Williamson, Gavin Freer, Mike Kirby, Simon Smith, Henry Wilson, Mr Rob Fullbrook, Lorraine Knight, rh Mr Greg Stevenson, John Wright, Jeremy Gapes, Mike Lammy, rh Mr David Stewart, Bob Tellers for the Ayes: Gardiner, Barry Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Stride, Mel Karl McCartney and Gauke, Mr David Lavery, Ian Sturdy, Julian Andrew Selous Gibb, Mr Nick Laws, rh Mr David Gilbert, Stephen Lazarowicz, Mark Gilmore, Sheila Lee, Jessica NOES Glass, Pat Leslie, Chris Abbott, Ms Diane Caton, Martin Goldsmith, Zac Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Abrahams, Debbie Champion, Sarah Goodman, Helen Lewell-Buck, Emma Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Chapman, Jenny Goodwill, Mr Robert Lewis, Brandon Alexander, rh Danny Clark, rh Greg Gove, rh Michael Lloyd, Stephen Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Clark, Katy Grant, Mrs Helen Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Alexander, Heidi Clegg, rh Mr Nick Greatrex, Tom Love, Mr Andrew Ali, Rushanara Clwyd, rh Ann Green, Kate Lucas, Caroline Allen, Mr Graham Coaker, Vernon Greening, rh Justine Macleod, Mary Andrew, Stuart Coffey, Ann Greenwood, Lilian Mactaggart, Fiona Ashworth, Jonathan Collins, Damian Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Mahmood, Shabana Bailey, Mr Adrian Colvile, Oliver Griffith, Nia Malhotra, Seema Bain, Mr William Connarty, Michael Griffiths, Andrew Mann, John Balls, rh Ed Cooper, rh Yvette Gummer, Ben Marsden, Mr Gordon Banks, Gordon Corbyn, Jeremy Gwynne, Andrew Maude, rh Mr Francis Baron, Mr John Creagh, Mary Gyimah, Mr Sam May, rh Mrs Theresa Barron, rh Mr Kevin Creasy, Stella Hague, rh Mr William McCabe, Steve Beckett, rh Margaret Crockart, Mike Hain, rh Mr Peter McCarthy, Kerry Begg, Dame Anne Crouch, Tracey Hamilton, Mr David McCartney, Jason Benn, rh Hilary Cruddas, Jon Hamilton, Fabian McClymont, Gregg Benyon, Richard Cryer, John Hammond, Stephen McDonagh, Siobhain Berger, Luciana Cunningham, Alex Hancock, Matthew McDonald, Andy Betts, Mr Clive Cunningham, Mr Jim Hands, Greg McFadden, rh Mr Pat Blackman-Woods, Roberta Curran, Margaret Hanson, rh Mr David McGovern, Alison Blenkinsop, Tom Dakin, Nic Harman, rh Ms Harriet McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Blomfield, Paul Danczuk, Simon Harper, Mr Mark McKechin, Ann Blunkett, rh Mr David Davey, rh Mr Edward Harris, Rebecca McKenzie, Mr Iain Blunt, Mr Crispin David, Wayne Harris, Mr Tom McKinnell, Catherine Boles, Nick Davidson, Mr Ian Harvey, Sir Nick McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Bottomley, Sir Peter Davies, Geraint Healey, rh John Meacher, rh Mr Michael Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben De Piero, Gloria Heath, Mr David Meale, Sir Alan Brake, rh Tom Denham, rh Mr John Heaton-Harris, Chris Mearns, Ian Brennan, Kevin Dobson, rh Frank Hemming, John Menzies, Mark Brokenshire, James Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Hendry, Charles Miliband, rh Edward Brooke, Annette Doran, Mr Frank Hepburn, Mr Stephen Miller, rh Maria Brown, Lyn Doughty, Stephen Herbert, rh Nick Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Dowd, Jim Hillier, Meg Moon, Mrs Madeleine Browne, Mr Jeremy Doyle, Gemma Hilling, Julie Moore, rh Michael Bryant, Chris Dromey, Jack Hodge, rh Margaret Mordaunt, Penny Buck, Ms Karen Duddridge, James Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Morden, Jessica Burden, Richard Dugher, Michael Hopkins, Kelvin Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Burley, Mr Aidan Duncan, rh Mr Alan Hopkins, Kris Morris, Grahame M. Burnham, rh Andy Eagle, Ms Angela Horwood, Martin (Easington) Burt, Alistair Eagle, Maria Howarth, rh Mr George Mosley, Stephen Burt, Lorely Edwards, Jonathan Hunt, Tristram Mulholland, Greg Byles, Dan Efford, Clive Huppert, Dr Julian Munn, Meg Byrne, rh Mr Liam Elliott, Julie Irranca-Davies, Huw Munt, Tessa Campbell, Mr Alan Ellis, Michael Jackson, Glenda Murphy, rh Mr Jim Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Ellison, Jane James, Margot Murray, Ian Campbell, Mr Ronnie Ellman, Mrs Louise Jamieson, Cathy Nandy, Lisa Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Ellwood, Mr Tobias Jarvis, Dan Nash, Pamela Carmichael, Neil Engel, Natascha Jenkin, Mr Bernard Newmark, Mr Brooks 969 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 970

Newton, Sarah Stephenson, Andrew Bellingham, Mr Henry Lord, Jonathan O’Donnell, Fiona Stewart, Iain Benton, Mr Joe Loughton, Tim Onwurah, Chi Stringer, Graham Beresford, Sir Paul Luff, Peter Opperman, Guy Stuart, Ms Gisela Berry, Jake Main, Mrs Anne Osborne, rh Mr George Stunell, rh Andrew Bingham, Andrew Maynard, Paul Osborne, Sandra Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Birtwistle, Gordon McCartney, Karl Ottaway, Richard Swales, Ian Blackwood, Nicola McCrea, Dr William Owen, Albert Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Brady, Mr Graham McDonnell, Dr Alasdair Pearce, Teresa Swinson, Jo Brazier, Mr Julian McIntosh, Miss Anne Percy, Andrew Syms, Mr Robert Bridgen, Andrew McPartland, Stephen Perkins, Toby Tami, Mark Brine, Steve McVey, Esther Phillipson, Bridget Thomas, Mr Gareth Brokenshire, James Metcalfe, Stephen Pickles, rh Mr Eric Thornberry, Emily Bruce, Fiona Morris, Anne Marie Poulter, Dr Daniel Thornton, Mike Buckland, Mr Robert Morris, David Pound, Stephen Thurso, John Burrowes, Mr David Morris, James Qureshi, Yasmin Tomlinson, Justin Carswell, Mr Douglas Mudie, Mr George Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Truss, Elizabeth Cash, Mr William Neill, Robert Reed, Mr Jamie Turner, Karl Chope, Mr Christopher Nuttall, Mr David Reed, Mr Steve Twigg, Stephen Clark, rh Greg O’Brien, Mr Stephen Reid, Mr Alan Umunna, Mr Chuka Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Offord, Dr Matthew Reynolds, Emma Vaizey, Mr Edward Coffey, Dr Thérèse Ollerenshaw, Eric Reynolds, Jonathan Vaz, Valerie Crausby, Mr David Paice, rh Sir James Davies, David T. C. Paisley, Ian Riordan, Mrs Linda Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Robertson, rh Hugh (Monmouth) Parish, Neil Walley, Joan Robertson, John Davies, Glyn Paterson, rh Mr Owen Watkinson, Dame Angela Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Davies, Philip Pawsey, Mark Watson, Mr Tom Rogerson, Dan Davis, rh Mr David Penning, Mike Weatherley, Mike Rotheram, Steve Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Phillips, Stephen Roy, Lindsay White, Chris Dobbin, Jim Pincher, Christopher Ruane, Chris Whitehead, Dr Alan Dodds, rh Mr Nigel Prisk, Mr Mark Rudd, Amber Willetts, rh Mr David Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Pritchard, Mark Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Williams, Mr Mark Drax, Richard Pugh, John Sanders, Mr Adrian Williams, Roger Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Raab, Mr Dominic Sandys, Laura Williams, Stephen Durkan, Mark Redwood, rh Mr John Sawford, Andy Williamson, Chris Elphicke, Charlie Rees-Mogg, Jacob Seabeck, Alison Wilson, Phil Evans, Jonathan Reevell, Simon Shapps, rh Grant Winnick, Mr David Farron, Tim Ritchie, Ms Margaret Sharma, Mr Virendra Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Fox,rhDrLiam Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Sheerman, Mr Barry Wollaston, Dr Sarah Freeman, George Robertson, Mr Laurence Simpson, Mr Keith Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Gale, Sir Roger Rosindell, Andrew Skidmore, Chris Wright, David Garnier, Sir Edward Rutley, David Skinner, Mr Dennis Wright, Mr Iain Garnier, Mark Selous, Andrew Slaughter, Mr Andy Wright, Simon Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Shannon, Jim Glen, John Smith, rh Mr Andrew Yeo, Mr Tim Shepherd, Sir Richard Smith, Miss Chloe Glindon, Mrs Mary Young, rh Sir George Simpson, David Smith, Julian Gray, Mr James Zahawi, Nadhim Smith, Henry Smith, Nick Halfon, Robert Stevenson, John Smith, Owen Tellers for the Noes: Harris, Rebecca Stewart, Bob Smith, Sir Robert Sir Bob Russell and Hayes, rh Mr John Stewart, Iain Soubry, Anna Karen Bradley Heald, Oliver Hemming, John Stride, Mel Sturdy, Julian Question accordingly negatived. Henderson, Gordon Hermon, Lady Teather, Sarah Tredinnick, David New Clause 6 Hinds, Damian Hoban, Mr Mark Turner, Mr Andrew BELIEFS ABOUT MARRIAGE Holloway, Mr Adam Vara, Mr Shailesh ‘(1) In the Equality Act 2010, after section 10(3), insert — Howarth, Sir Gerald Vickers, Martin Howell, John Walker, Mr Robin “(4) The protected characteristic of religion or belief may Hughes, rh Simon Wallace, Mr Ben include a belief regarding the definition of marriage as being Jackson, Mr Stewart between a man and a woman.”.’.—(Mr Burrowes.) Walter, Mr Robert Johnson, Gareth Brought up, and read the First time. Wheeler, Heather Jones, Mr Marcus Whittaker, Craig Question put, That the clause be read a Second time. Kelly, Chris Whittingdale, Mr John The House divided: Ayes 148, Noes 339. Latham, Pauline Wiggin, Bill Division No. 7] [7.15 pm Leadsom, Andrea Williams, Mr Mark Lee, Dr Phillip Williamson, Gavin AYES Lefroy, Jeremy Wilson, Mr Rob Leigh, Mr Edward Adams, Nigel Baker, Steve Wright, Jeremy Afriyie, Adam Baldry, Sir Tony Leslie, Charlotte Aldous, Peter Barclay, Stephen Lewis, Dr Julian Tellers for the Ayes: Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Mr Peter Bone and Amess, Mr David Bebb, Guto Lilley, rh Mr Peter Mr Philip Hollobone Bacon, Mr Richard Beith, rh Sir Alan 971 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 972

NOES Hamilton, Mr David McDonald, Andy Hamilton, Fabian McFadden, rh Mr Pat Abbott, Ms Diane Cunningham, Alex Hammond, Stephen McGovern, Alison Abrahams, Debbie Cunningham, Mr Jim Hancock, Matthew McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Curran, Margaret Hands, Greg McKechin, Ann Alexander, rh Danny Dakin, Nic Hanson, rh Mr David McKenzie, Mr Iain Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Danczuk, Simon Harman, rh Ms Harriet McKinnell, Catherine Alexander, Heidi Davey, rh Mr Edward Harper, Mr Mark McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Ali, Rushanara David, Wayne Harris, Mr Tom Meacher, rh Mr Michael Allen, Mr Graham Davidson, Mr Ian Harvey, Sir Nick Meale, Sir Alan Anderson, Mr David Davies, Geraint Healey, rh John Mearns, Ian Andrew, Stuart De Piero, Gloria Heath, Mr David Menzies, Mark Ashworth, Jonathan Denham, rh Mr John Heaton-Harris, Chris Miliband, rh Edward Bailey, Mr Adrian Dobson, rh Frank Hendry, Charles Miller, rh Maria Bain, Mr William Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Hepburn, Mr Stephen Mills, Nigel Baker, Norman Doran, Mr Frank Herbert, rh Nick Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Balls, rh Ed Doughty, Stephen Hillier, Meg Moon, Mrs Madeleine Banks, Gordon Dowd, Jim Hilling, Julie Moore, rh Michael Baron, Mr John Doyle, Gemma Hodge, rh Margaret Mordaunt, Penny Barron, rh Mr Kevin Dromey, Jack Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Morden, Jessica Beckett, rh Margaret Duddridge, James Hopkins, Kelvin Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Begg, Dame Anne Dugher, Michael Hopkins, Kris Morris, Grahame M. Benn, rh Hilary Duncan, rh Mr Alan Horwood, Martin (Easington) Benyon, Richard Eagle, Ms Angela Howarth, rh Mr George Mosley, Stephen Berger, Luciana Eagle, Maria Hunt, Tristram Munn, Meg Betts, Mr Clive Edwards, Jonathan Huppert, Dr Julian Munt, Tessa Blackman-Woods, Roberta Efford, Clive Irranca-Davies, Huw Murphy, rh Mr Jim Blenkinsop, Tom Elliott, Julie Jackson, Glenda Murray, Ian Blomfield, Paul Ellis, Michael James, Margot Nandy, Lisa Blunkett, rh Mr David Ellison, Jane Jamieson, Cathy Nash, Pamela Blunt, Mr Crispin Ellman, Mrs Louise Jarvis, Dan Newmark, Mr Brooks Boles, Nick Ellwood, Mr Tobias Jenkin, Mr Bernard Newton, Sarah Bottomley, Sir Peter Engel, Natascha Johnson, rh Alan O’Donnell, Fiona Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Esterson, Bill Johnson, Joseph Onwurah, Chi Brake, rh Tom Evans, Chris Jones, Andrew Opperman, Guy Brennan, Kevin Evans, Graham Jones, Graham Osborne, rh Mr George Brooke, Annette Fabricant, Michael Jones, Helen Osborne, Sandra Brown, Lyn Farrelly, Paul Jones, Mr Kevan Ottaway, Richard Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Featherstone, Lynne Jones, Susan Elan Owen, Albert Browne, Mr Jeremy Fitzpatrick, Jim Jowell, rh Dame Tessa Pearce, Teresa Bryant, Chris Flint, rh Caroline Kawczynski, Daniel Percy, Andrew Buck, Ms Karen Flynn, Paul Keeley, Barbara Perkins, Toby Burden, Richard Foster, rh Mr Don Kendall, Liz Perry, Claire Burley, Mr Aidan Fovargue, Yvonne Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Phillipson, Bridget Burnham, rh Andy Francis, Dr Hywel Kirby, Simon Pickles, rh Mr Eric Burstow, rh Paul Freer, Mike Knight, rh Mr Greg Poulter, Dr Daniel Burt, Alistair Fullbrook, Lorraine Lammy, rh Mr David Pound, Stephen Burt, Lorely Gapes, Mike Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Qureshi, Yasmin Byles, Dan Gardiner, Barry Lavery, Ian Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Byrne, rh Mr Liam Gauke, Mr David Laws, rh Mr David Reed, Mr Jamie Campbell, Mr Alan George, Andrew Lazarowicz, Mark Reed, Mr Steve Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Gibb, Mr Nick Lee, Jessica Reid, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Ronnie Gilbert, Stephen Leslie, Chris Reynolds, Emma Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Gilmore, Sheila Lewell-Buck, Emma Reynolds, Jonathan Carmichael, Neil Glass, Pat Lewis, Brandon Riordan, Mrs Linda Caton, Martin Goldsmith, Zac Lloyd, Stephen Robertson, rh Hugh Champion, Sarah Goodman, Helen Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Robertson, John Chapman, Jenny Goodwill, Mr Robert Love, Mr Andrew Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Clark, Katy Gove, rh Michael Lucas, Caroline Rogerson, Dan Clwyd, rh Ann Grant, Mrs Helen Macleod, Mary Rotheram, Steve Coaker, Vernon Greatrex, Tom Coffey, Ann Green, rh Damian Mactaggart, Fiona Roy, Lindsay Collins, Damian Green, Kate Mahmood, Shabana Ruane, Chris Colvile, Oliver Greening, rh Justine Malhotra, Seema Rudd, Amber Connarty, Michael Greenwood, Lilian Mann, John Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Cooper, rh Yvette Griffith, Nia Marsden, Mr Gordon Russell, Sir Bob Corbyn, Jeremy Griffiths, Andrew Maude, rh Mr Francis Sanders, Mr Adrian Creagh, Mary Gummer, Ben May, rh Mrs Theresa Sandys, Laura Creasy, Stella Gwynne, Andrew McCabe, Steve Sawford, Andy Crockart, Mike Gyimah, Mr Sam McCarthy, Kerry Seabeck, Alison Crouch, Tracey Hague, rh Mr William McCartney, Jason Shapps, rh Grant Cruddas, Jon Hain, rh Mr Peter McClymont, Gregg Sharma, Mr Virendra Cryer, John Hames, Duncan McDonagh, Siobhain Sheerman, Mr Barry 973 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 974

Simpson, Mr Keith Vaizey, Mr Edward Davies, David T. C. McCrea, Dr William Skidmore, Chris Vaz, Valerie (Monmouth) McDonnell, Dr Alasdair Skinner, Mr Dennis Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Davies, Glyn McIntosh, Miss Anne Slaughter, Mr Andy Walley, Joan Davies, Philip McKinnell, Catherine Smith, rh Mr Andrew Watkinson, Dame Angela Davis, rh Mr David McPartland, Stephen Smith, Miss Chloe Watson, Mr Tom Djanogly, Mr Jonathan McVey, Esther Smith, Julian Weatherley, Mike Dobbin, Jim Mills, Nigel Smith, Nick White, Chris Dodds, rh Mr Nigel Morris, Anne Marie Smith, Owen Whitehead, Dr Alan Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Morris, David Smith, Sir Robert Willetts, rh Mr David Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Morris, James Soubry, Anna Williams, Roger Drax, Richard Mulholland, Greg Stephenson, Andrew Williams, Stephen Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Murphy, rh Paul Stringer, Graham Williamson, Chris Durkan, Mark Neill, Robert Stuart, Ms Gisela Wilson, Phil Elphicke, Charlie O’Brien, Mr Stephen Stunell, rh Andrew Winnick, Mr David Evans, Jonathan Offord, Dr Matthew Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Evennett, Mr David Ollerenshaw, Eric Swales, Ian Wollaston, Dr Sarah Farron, Tim Paice, rh Sir James Swinson, Jo Wood, Mike Flello, Robert Paisley, Ian Syms, Mr Robert Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Fox,rhDrLiam Parish, Neil Tami, Mark Wright, David Freeman, George Paterson, rh Mr Owen Thomas, Mr Gareth Wright, Mr Iain Fuller, Richard Pawsey, Mark Thornberry, Emily Wright, Simon Gale, Sir Roger Penning, Mike Garnier, Sir Edward Perry, Claire Thornton, Mike Yeo, Mr Tim Thurso, John Garnier, Mark Prisk, Mr Mark Young, rh Sir George Tomlinson, Justin Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Pritchard, Mark Zahawi, Nadhim Truss, Elizabeth Glen, John Pugh, John Turner, Karl Tellers for the Noes: Glindon, Mrs Mary Raab, Mr Dominic Twigg, Stephen Mr Desmond Swayne and Goggins, rh Paul Randall, rh Mr John Umunna, Mr Chuka Karen Bradley Gray, Mr James Redwood, rh Mr John Griffiths, Andrew Rees-Mogg, Jacob Question accordingly negatived. Gwynne, Andrew Reevell, Simon Halfon, Robert Ritchie, Ms Margaret New Clause 8 Harvey, Sir Nick Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Hayes,rhMrJohn Robertson, Mr Laurence DOMESTIC PROTECTION FOR PERSONS Hemming, John Rosindell, Andrew ‘(1) For the purposes of this Act “compelled” includes, but is Henderson, Gordon Roy, Mr Frank not limited to— Hermon, Lady Rutley, David (a) less favourable treatment of a person by a public Hillier, Meg Selous, Andrew authority, Hinds, Damian Shannon, Jim Hoban, Mr Mark Shelbrooke, Alec (b) the imposition of any criminal or civil penalty, and Howarth, Sir Gerald Shepherd, Sir Richard (c) any legal proceedings against a person as a result of a Howell, John Simpson, David decision not to opt-in, conduct, be present at, carry Hughes, rh Simon Smith, Henry out, participate in, or consent to the taking place of, Jackson, Mr Stewart Stevenson, John relevant marriages. Johnson, Gareth Stewart, Bob (2) Expressions used in this section have the same meaning as Jones, Andrew Stride, Mel the expressions used in section 2 of this Act.’.—(Mr Burrowes.) Jones, Helen Sturdy, Julian Brought up, and read the First time. Jones, Mr Marcus Teather, Sarah Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:— Kelly, Chris Tredinnick, David The House divided: Ayes 163, Noes 321. Latham, Pauline Turner, Mr Andrew Leadsom, Andrea Vara, Mr Shailesh Division No. 8] [7.29 pm Lee, Dr Phillip Vickers, Martin AYES Lefroy, Jeremy Walker, Mr Robin Leigh, Mr Edward Adams, Nigel Bridgen, Andrew Wallace, Mr Ben Leslie, Charlotte Afriyie, Adam Brine, Steve Walter, Mr Robert Lewis, Dr Julian Aldous, Peter Bruce, Fiona Wheeler, Heather Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Amess, Mr David Buckland, Mr Robert Whittaker, Craig Lilley, rh Mr Peter Bacon, Mr Richard Burns, rh Mr Simon Whittingdale, Mr John Lord, Jonathan Baker, Steve Burrowes, Mr David Wiggin, Bill Loughton, Tim Baldry, Sir Tony Carswell, Mr Douglas Williamson, Gavin Luff, Peter Barclay, Stephen Cash, Mr William Wilson, Mr Rob Main, Mrs Anne Beith, rh Sir Alan Chope, Mr Christopher Maynard, Paul Tellers for the Ayes: Bellingham, Mr Henry Clark, rh Greg McCabe, Steve Mr Philip Hollobone and Benton, Mr Joe Clarke, rh Mr Tom McCartney, Karl Mr David Nuttall Beresford, Sir Paul Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Berry, Jake Coffey, Dr Thérèse Bingham, Andrew Collins, Damian NOES Birtwistle, Gordon Cooper, Rosie Abbott, Ms Diane Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Blackwood, Nicola Cox, Mr Geoffrey Abrahams, Debbie Alexander, Heidi Bone, Mr Peter Crausby, Mr David Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Ali, Rushanara Brady, Mr Graham Cruddas, Jon Brazier, Mr Julian Cunningham, Mr Jim Alexander, rh Danny Allen, Mr Graham 975 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 976

Anderson, Mr David Denham, rh Mr John Hopkins, Kelvin Nandy, Lisa Andrew, Stuart Dobson, rh Frank Hopkins, Kris Nash, Pamela Ashworth, Jonathan Doran, Mr Frank Horwood, Martin Newton, Sarah Bailey, Mr Adrian Doughty, Stephen Howarth, rh Mr George O’Donnell, Fiona Bain, Mr William Dowd, Jim Hunt, Tristram Onwurah, Chi Baker, Norman Doyle, Gemma Huppert, Dr Julian Opperman, Guy Balls, rh Ed Dromey, Jack Irranca-Davies, Huw Osborne, rh Mr George Banks, Gordon Duddridge, James Jackson, Glenda Osborne, Sandra Baron, Mr John Dugher, Michael James, Margot Ottaway, Richard Beckett, rh Margaret Duncan, rh Mr Alan Jamieson, Cathy Owen, Albert Begg, Dame Anne Eagle, Ms Angela Jarvis, Dan Pearce, Teresa Benn, rh Hilary Eagle, Maria Jenkin, Mr Bernard Percy, Andrew Benyon, Richard Edwards, Jonathan Johnson, rh Alan Perkins, Toby Berger, Luciana Efford, Clive Johnson, Joseph Phillips, Stephen Betts, Mr Clive Elliott, Julie Jones, Graham Phillipson, Bridget Blackman-Woods, Roberta Ellis, Michael Jones, Mr Kevan Pickles, rh Mr Eric Blenkinsop, Tom Ellison, Jane Jones, Susan Elan Poulter, Dr Daniel Blomfield, Paul Ellman, Mrs Louise Jowell, rh Dame Tessa Pound, Stephen Blunkett, rh Mr David Ellwood, Mr Tobias Kawczynski, Daniel Qureshi, Yasmin Blunt, Mr Crispin Engel, Natascha Keeley, Barbara Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Boles, Nick Esterson, Bill Kendall, Liz Reed, Mr Jamie Bottomley, Sir Peter Evans, Chris Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Reed, Mr Steve Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Evans, Graham Kirby, Simon Reid, Mr Alan Brake, rh Tom Fabricant, Michael Knight, rh Mr Greg Reynolds, Emma Brennan, Kevin Farrelly, Paul Lammy, rh Mr David Reynolds, Jonathan Brokenshire, James Featherstone, Lynne Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Riordan, Mrs Linda Brooke, Annette Fitzpatrick, Jim Lavery, Ian Robertson, rh Hugh Brown, Lyn Flint, rh Caroline Lazarowicz, Mark Robertson, John Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Foster, rh Mr Don Lee, Jessica Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Brown, Mr Russell Fovargue, Yvonne Leslie, Chris Rogerson, Dan Browne, Mr Jeremy Francis, Dr Hywel Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Roy, Lindsay Bryant, Chris Freer, Mike Lewell-Buck, Emma Ruane, Chris Buck, Ms Karen Fullbrook, Lorraine Lewis, Brandon Rudd, Amber Burden, Richard Gapes, Mike Lloyd, Stephen Ruddock, rh Dame Joan Burley, Mr Aidan Gardiner, Barry Love, Mr Andrew Sanders, Mr Adrian Burnham, rh Andy Gauke, Mr David Lucas, Caroline Sandys, Laura Burstow, rh Paul George, Andrew Macleod, Mary Sawford, Andy Burt, Alistair Gibb, Mr Nick Mactaggart, Fiona Seabeck, Alison Burt, Lorely Gilbert, Stephen Mahmood, Shabana Shapps, rh Grant Byles, Dan Gilmore, Sheila Malhotra, Seema Sharma, Mr Virendra Byrne, rh Mr Liam Glass, Pat Mann, John Sheerman, Mr Barry Cable, rh Vince Goldsmith, Zac Marsden, Mr Gordon Simpson, Mr Keith Campbell, Mr Alan Goodwill, Mr Robert Maude, rh Mr Francis Skidmore, Chris Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Gove, rh Michael May, rh Mrs Theresa Skinner, Mr Dennis Campbell, Mr Ronnie Grant, Mrs Helen McCarthy, Kerry Slaughter, Mr Andy Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Greatrex, Tom McCartney, Jason Smith, rh Mr Andrew Carmichael, Neil Green, Kate McClymont, Gregg Smith, Miss Chloe Caton, Martin Greening, rh Justine McDonagh, Siobhain Smith, Julian Champion, Sarah Greenwood, Lilian McDonald, Andy Smith, Nick Chapman, Jenny Griffith, Nia McFadden, rh Mr Pat Smith, Owen Clark, Katy Gummer, Ben McGovern, Alison Smith, Sir Robert Clwyd, rh Ann Gyimah, Mr Sam McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Soubry, Anna Coaker, Vernon Hague, rh Mr William McKechin, Ann Stephenson, Andrew Coffey, Ann Hain, rh Mr Peter McKenzie, Mr Iain Stewart, Iain Colvile, Oliver Hames, Duncan McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Stringer, Graham Connarty, Michael Hamilton, Mr David Meacher, rh Mr Michael Stuart, Ms Gisela Cooper, rh Yvette Hamilton, Fabian Meale, Sir Alan Stunell, rh Andrew Corbyn, Jeremy Hancock, Matthew Mearns, Ian Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Creagh, Mary Hands, Greg Menzies, Mark Swales, Ian Creasy, Stella Hanson, rh Mr David Miliband, rh Edward Swinson, Jo Crockart, Mike Harman, rh Ms Harriet Miller, rh Maria Syms, Mr Robert Crouch, Tracey Harper, Mr Mark Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Tami, Mark Cryer, John Harris, Rebecca Moon, Mrs Madeleine Thomas, Mr Gareth Cunningham, Alex Harris, Mr Tom Moore, rh Michael Thornberry, Emily Curran, Margaret Healey, rh John Mordaunt, Penny Thornton, Mike Dakin, Nic Heath, Mr David Morden, Jessica Thurso, John Danczuk, Simon Heaton-Harris, Chris Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Tomlinson, Justin Davey, rh Mr Edward Hendry, Charles Mosley, Stephen Truss, Elizabeth David, Wayne Herbert, rh Nick Munn, Meg Turner, Karl Davidson, Mr Ian Hilling, Julie Munt, Tessa Twigg, Stephen Davies, Geraint Hodge, rh Margaret Murphy, rh Mr Jim Umunna, Mr Chuka De Piero, Gloria Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Murray, Ian Vaizey, Mr Edward 977 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 978

Vaz, Valerie Winnick, Mr David (6) In this section “five year post-commencement period” means Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Winterton, rh Ms Rosie the period of five years beginning with the day on which this Act Walley, Joan Wollaston, Dr Sarah is passed.’.—(Maria Miller.) Watkinson, Dame Angela Wood, Mike Brought up, and read the First time. Watson, Mr Tom Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Weatherley, Mike Wright, David The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport White, Chris Wright, Mr Iain (Maria Miller): I beg to move, That the clause be read a Wright, Simon Whitehead, Dr Alan Second time. Willetts, rh Mr David Yeo, Mr Tim Williams, Mr Mark Young, rh Sir George Williams, Roger Zahawi, Nadhim Mr Speaker: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Williams, Stephen Tellers for the Noes: Williamson, Chris Mr Desmond Swayne and Amendment (a) to new clause 16, leave out from Wilson, Phil Sir Bob Russell ‘practicable’ to end of clause and insert— ‘and include a full public consultation.’ Question accordingly negatived. New clause 10—Part 1 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004— ‘(1) Part 1 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 is amended as Clause 2 follows. (2) In section 1, subsection (1), leave out “of the same sex”.’. MARRIAGE ACCORDING TO RELIGIOUS RITES: NO New clause 11—Part 2 of the Civil Partnership Act COMPULSION TO SOLEMNIZE ETC 2004— Amendment made: 23, page 3, line 43, at end insert— ‘(1) Part 2 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 is amended as follows. ‘( ) In section 110 of the Equality Act 2010 (liability of employees and agents), after subsection (5) insert— (2) In section 3, subsection (1), after “if—”, leave out— (5A) A does not contravene this section if A— “(a) they are not of the same sex”.’. (a) does not conduct a relevant marriage, New clause 13—Repeal of Civil Partnership Act 2004— (b) is not present at, does not carry out, or does not ‘(1) The Civil Partnership Act 2004 is repealed. otherwise participate in, a relevant marriage, or (2) Secondary legislation made under that Act shall continue in (c) does not consent to a relevant marriage being force unless it is subsequently amended or repealed, and any such conducted, amendments or repeals may be made by statutory instrument for the reason that the marriage is the marriage of a same sex subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either couple. House of Parliament. (5B) Subsection (5A) applies to A only if A is within the (3) This section shall have effect from the date that the meaning of “person” for the purposes of section 2 of the Marriage Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act comes into force.’. (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013; and other expressions used in Amendment 10, in schedule 4, page 26, line 12, leave subsection (5A) and section 2 of that Act have the same meanings out paragraphs 3 and 4 and insert— in that subsection as in that section.”.’.—(Hugh Robertson.) ‘Divorce 3 (1) Section 1 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (divorce Clause 8 on breakdown of marriage) is amended as follows. (2) Leave out subsection (2)(a). POWER TO ALLOW FOR MARRIAGE OF SAME SEX COUPLES IN CHURCH IN WALES Annulment of marriage Amendment made: 24, page 8, line 17, leave out ‘may’ 4 (1) Section 12 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (grounds and insert ‘must’.—(Hugh Robertson.) on which marriage is voidable) is amended as follows. (2) Leave out paragraphs (a) and (b).’. Government amendments 53, 51, 52 and 54. New Clause 16 Maria Miller: The Bill has a single important and REVIEW OF CIVIL PARTNERSHIP straightforward purpose: to extend marriage to same-sex ‘(1) The Secretary of State must arrange— couples. I am delighted that the major political parties’ (a) for the operation and future of the Civil Partnership Front Benchers are unanimous in the view that that is Act 2004 in England and Wales to be reviewed, and an essential objective, and I am grateful for their unwavering (b) for a report on the outcome of the review to be support. It has been reassuring to see the other parties produced and published. sharing my determination to ensure that nothing derails (2) Subsection (1) does not prevent the review from also or delays this important measure. dealing with other matters relating to civil partnership. Marriage is the bedrock of our society, providing a (3) The arrangements made by the Secretary of State must provide for the review to begin as soon as practicable after the stable foundation for families and communities. We end of the five year post-commencement period. want to ensure that people are not prevented from marrying, simply because they love someone of the (4) The Secretary of State is not required by this section to arrange a review if, within the five year post-commencement same sex. But as a result of the Government’s determination period, the Secretary of State has already arranged a review to tackle this unfairness, other arguments have been put which, in the Secretary of State’s view, deals with the same forward, including the idea of an extension of civil matters as the review required by this section. partnerships to opposite-sex couples. I have listened (5) Arrangements under this section may provide for the carefully to the different views of hon. Members on that Secretary of State or one or more other persons to undertake the issue, and I respect the strength of feeling of some review, produce the report, or publish the report. Members. However, our principal objective here today 979 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 980

[Maria Miller] Tim Loughton: Of course, it would also not be right to be putting out spurious figures. The figure of £4 billion is to open up marriage to a group of people who have is not the result of an official cost impact assessment by never had that opportunity before, and I do not want the Department for Work and Pensions. It is an entirely anything to delay, deflect or distract from achieving hypothetical figure based on every cohabiting opposite-sex that objective. New clause 10, which would shoehorn in couple choosing to convert to a new civil partnership, an extension of civil partnerships, would run the risk of with maximum pension liabilities. Is not that actually doing precisely that. where the figure has come from?

Caroline Lucas: Will the Minister explain why she Maria Miller: I really do thank my hon. Friend for thinks that the proposal would cause such a delay? his intervention, because he has made my point for me. Many of the consequential amendments about including At this point in time, there is of course no independent civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples were considered impact assessment because the issues have not been when civil partnerships were first introduced, so why looked at in the kind of detail that hon. Members are we suddenly being told that this would create a huge would expect before legislation is enacted. I hope that I delay? will be able to change my hon. Friend’s mind about Maria Miller: The hon. Lady is getting to the core of pressing his new clause to a vote. I hope that he will see the issue in her own style. If she will bear with me, I will that we need to get more evidence on this issue. come to those matters later in my speech. Dr Huppert: My right hon. Friend is arguing that Hon. Members will be aware that a large number of there is a cost to the state whenever people get married questions emerged when we looked in more depth at the or enter into a civil partnership. Is this part of a new issue of extending civil partnerships. After all, the Civil austerity drive in which she will try to persuade people Partnerships Act 2004 contained more than 250 sections not to get married or have a civil partnership so that we and 30 schedules and took more than two years to pass can save on the pensions bill? That does not seem to be into law. It is an enormously complex area and the a very sensible approach. legislation cannot simply be transposed to opposite-sex couples. Maria Miller: My hon. Friend seems to be driving at the same issue—namely, that we do not have the necessary 7.45 pm information to hand. I think that hon. Members expect The hon. Lady asked for particular examples of the us to legislate based on fact, not on supposition or proposal causing delay. I can say to her directly that the hypothesis. Much of what has been said on this matter Civil Partnership Act was designed specifically for same-sex has not really been based on facts. He is right to suggest couples, and a number of policy areas would have that we want to encourage people to get married, but at different applications to opposite-sex couples, especially the moment we do not know the exact implications of areas such as adultery and consummation. If opposite-sex the proposal to extend civil partnerships. I think we would civil partnerships were to emerge, it is not clear whether need to amend other legislation, including the Civil pension rights would be in line with same-sex civil Partnership Act and the Gender Recognition Act 2004, partnerships or with opposite-sex marriages. So if we which show that it is not just in the area of pensions were to go down this path now, a lot of fundamental where we would need to look at making significant policy questions would need to be answered. There progress in our understanding of the impact, as it would be questions of policy, of implementation and of would apply across a number of different pieces of financial implication. legislation. It would be wrong for us to take decisions Steve Brine (Winchester) (Con): I am listening carefully today without first having done that work. to the Minister, as always. She says that it is not clear what the implication of such an extension would be for Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con): pension rights, so please will she explain where the May I clarify that one issue preventing us from rushing figure of £4 billion has come from? We all understand into immediate implementation and explaining why that these are times of great austerity, and we do not there has to be a review is that of civil partner pension want to vote for something that would cost the taxpayer rights? In a heterosexual marriage, people accrue survivor £4 billion that we do not have. spouse pensions from the date the pension scheme was joined, not from the date of the marriage. For a surviving Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The civil partner, however, the partner might have been in Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, the scheme since it was joined but the pension rights my hon. Friend the Member for Thornbury and Yate accrue only from the date the civil partnership became (Steve Webb), attended the Joint Committee on Human law. That is one of the basic problems that we need to Rights with me last week, and he has gone into a great review. deal of detail on this matter. He and his Department have estimated that the potential liability could be some Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is right that there is an £4 billion. It might be less, but at the moment we simply anomaly here, and these decisions were taken at the do not know. The cost of the equalisation of survivor time of the Equality Act 2004. My point is a much rights in contracted-in and contracted-out schemes could broader one. Inasmuch as many assertions are being account for about £90 million. We would also need to made that extending civil partnerships to opposite-sex look at the equalisation of the rights of widowers with couples could impact on many different areas of policy, the rights of widows, at which point the bill would start my simple point is that we do not have the evidence base to rack up. It would not be right for Parliament to at the moment, and a great deal of work needs to be legislate when so many issues are outstanding. done. 981 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 982

Sir Tony Baldry: Do not all these exchanges simply own home and work to care for an elderly parent, lives highlight the fact that extending civil partnerships to in the parent’s home and then suffers capital gains tax heterosexual couples was never consulted on and was when the parent dies. Alternatively, what of elderly never part of this Bill when it first came to the House? siblings who have cared for each for 50 years and do not There has never been a proper opportunity for consulting know how to save capital gains tax so that the one who on the matter. Let me make it clear that the test must survives can go on living in the home they have shared? surely be whether this is going to enhance the institution Those are the issues where the potential unfairness of marriage, and it is difficult to see how extending or needs attention, but I do not believe that we can solve setting up a rival competition to marriage will enhance such issues tonight. the concept of marriage. Let me make it clear to my right hon. Friend, too, that the Archbishop of Canterbury Maria Miller: My hon. Friend raises an important and the Church of England strongly oppose extending issue, but it is not really the right place to discuss it in civil partnership to heterosexual couples simply because the context of this Bill. My message is that if we really it will further undermine marriage. want to make sure that we make progress on this Bill, in this place and in the other place, we need to focus on Maria Miller: I am pleased that my hon. Friend has what it is trying to deliver, which is to make marriage taken the opportunity to put that on the record so that available to people who have not had that opportunity my hon. Friends know the position of important before. The issues surrounding the extension of civil organisations such as the Church of England on this partnerships and the issue just raised by my hon. Friend matter. I think my hon. Friend is right that the detail of the Member for Worthing West have a great deal of the potential impact of these measures has not been importance and legitimacy, but now is not the time or looked at in the way I think Members would expect. An here the place to discuss them. enormous amount of work would need to be done on the legal status of opposite-sex civil partners when they Margot James: Will my right hon. Friend give way? travel abroad or even respecting their legal status in the constituent parts of the UK. At the moment, we have Maria Miller: Will my hon. Friend allow me an not done that work. The hon. Member for Rhondda opportunity to make a tiny bit more progress? (Chris Bryant), who is in his place on the Opposition As I said, now is not the time to legislate to extend Front Bench, will know that it is important to have civil partnerships to opposite-sex couples and, as the alignment both with Scotland and Northern Ireland on Second Church Estates Commissioner, my hon. Friend how to move forward; at the moment those issues have the Member for Banbury (Sir Tony Baldry) has said, not been discussed. On each of those issues and more this position is clearly supported by the Church of besides, it will take time to work out the detail and to England and, indeed, by Stonewall. That is why I propose get it right. to undertake an immediate review of this area. I have moved new clause 16 to allow such a review to take Mark Durkan: When the civil partnership issue came place so that we can answer the many questions that my up on Second Reading and in previous stages, the hon. Friends have raised this evening. The review will Government’s argument was that it was not germane provide the answers on legal policy and implementation and that there was no real demand for it. The argument that are currently unanswered. Without those answers the Secretary of State is making now, however, implies and without that evidence, it is not responsible for the that there could be too much demand for civil partnerships, House to legislate at this point. with all sorts of costs and consequences. Which is it: either it is an issue or it is not; is there a demand or is Margot James: I thank my right hon. Friend for there not a demand? giving way. I believe in principle that civil partnerships should be available to heterosexual couples. However, Maria Miller: That shows why we need a detailed I think that the nature of the debate over these short look at the issue: we simply do not have the answer to 20 minutes demonstrates that considerably more thought the question about the potential liabilities around pensions. needs to be given to the proposal that the Minister We may be able to say that there is a potentially significant outlines. May I ask her why this needs to take five years? liability, but we do not know whether this extension of Would she consider at least a slightly shorter time frame civil partnerships would meet the needs of an important within which to consider these matters, which I readily constituent group of heterosexual couples. We do not accept require consideration outside this Bill? have that evidence base either. That is my answer to the question put by the hon. Member for Foyle (Mark Durkan). Maria Miller: I know my hon. Friend will have studied the new clause in some detail, so she will see that there is Several hon. Members rose— an opportunity for us to conduct a review after five years. Equally, there are provisions within it for us to ensure Maria Miller: I give way to my hon. Friend the that the review is immediate. That is what I would like Member for Worthing West (Sir Peter Bottomley), but to say today—that in bringing forward new clause 16, then I must make some progress. we would plan for an immediate review to take place. I was delighted to see the Labour party deciding to Sir Peter Bottomley: We greatly appreciate how the commit its support for this approach this afternoon, Minister is allowing the debate to evolve. One consideration and the Government’s original amendment, which allows that would need to be taken into account in respect of for an immediate review, could stand altered, but I am civil partnerships—whether it be in five years’ time more than happy to accept the Opposition amendment or straight away—is some of the tax implications. We to clarify the point if that will provide them with further should think of the elderly orphan who gives up their comfort. I am very happy to do that. 983 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 984

Mr Burrowes: Given that the issue of extending civil some of the Government’s amendments are trying not partnership was raised in Committee and an amendment to wreck the Bill but trying to make it better, and to was tabled and voted on some months ago, why did the ensure that the concept of equality applies to civil Government not provide any assessment of the impact partnership as well as marriage. of its going through Committee? In the time between then and now, what assessment has there been to ensure Maria Miller: I entirely understand my hon. Friend’s that the Government are fully informed of the costs so intentions. I assure him that we intend to proceed that they can decide how much is too much when it swiftly with the review of civil partnerships, although comes to a price for equality? we naturally want to take full account of discussions of the Bill in the other place. We would not want to Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is right that we have, pre-empt those discussions by embarking on a review of course, done some preliminary work on this issue. before their conclusion, but we will certainly consider The Committee concluded at the end of February, and how we can proceed with a consultation speedily, given he will know that through March and April we looked the strength of feeling. in detail at many of the issues raised. The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, my Mr Shaun Woodward (St Helens South and Whiston) right hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid (Lab): I do not for a moment doubt the Minister’s Kent (Hugh Robertson) showed evidence of that in the commitment to marriage between same-sex partners, proposals he made in the earlier debate this evening. but let me point out that her Department conducted, The evidence on pensions is another matter I would for the Government, a massive consultation exercise, draw to my hon. Friend’s attention. Now is not the time, and at the end of last year found that a majority of the however, for full discussion with officials and other public supported the extension of civil partnerships to groups that have a clear interest in how this might move opposite-sex couples. The Government, however, were forward. I encourage the hon. Members concerned to not convinced. What will be different about this review? withdraw new clauses 10 and 11. Will it be genuinely open, so that if a majority is again found to be in favour, the Government will introduce Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con): Will my right legislation to extend civil partnerships to everyone? hon. Friend give way?

Maria Miller: I would like to make a bit of progress Maria Miller: I can certainly reassure the right hon. before my hon. Friend intervenes. If new clause 10 is Gentleman that the review would be genuine and open. not withdrawn, I urge Members to vote against it. I would not undertake a review on any other terms. I think that this review will provide the sort of policy I was pleased to learn that the Opposition would not detail that was not provided by the earlier consultation. support new clause 10. It would be a very odd state of I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman would not affairs if the House supported an immediate review, want to be party to legislation that had not been subject and in the next breath prejudged the position and to that degree of thought and detail. I can give him a announced that it would vote in favour of an extension strong undertaking that we will look carefully at the of civil partnerships. I am sure that that is not lost on detail of policy implementation, and at how it would the House, and that all Members want to proceed in a affect the various issues that we have already discussed. sensible fashion that has been thought through properly. However, we simply cannot legislate on something for which we have no evidence base. It is important for us to 8pm understand what the demand is among individuals who might wish to embark on such an arrangement. New clause 13 takes a very different tack: it seeks to abolish the Civil Partnership Act. We believe that that would disadvantage those who are already in civil Simon Hughes: As one who supported civil partnership partnerships, not only in England in Wales but in other and voted for it, I want to be certain that the Minister areas of the United Kingdom where this is a devolved understands that there are currently differences in law matter. On that basis alone, I urge Members not to between civil partnership and marriage. It would be press the new clause to a vote. helpful if we could confirm that she and the Government understand that. Amendment 10 seeks to make a substantive change to the way in which adultery and non-consummation I also want to make it clear that there is a strong wish are treated. The Bill does not need to make such changes for the two issues to be dealt with at the same time, for the purpose of opposite-sex marriages, and I think not just among people who do not necessarily support that we ought to look carefully at the implications of same-sex marriage but among members of the gay their removal as key concepts in marriage law. I therefore lobby, such as Peter Tatchell, who think that equality in urge Members not to press the amendment. respect of marriage requires equality in respect of civil partnership as well. Will the Minister explain why those Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) (Con): issues are not being dealt with at the same time? Does my right hon. Friend accept that many of us—even on this side of the House—are firmly in favour of Maria Miller: I agree with my right hon. Friend that same-sex marriage, and voted and will vote for it on there are differences between the concept of marriage Second and Third Reading, but are none the less very and the concept of civil partnerships—by definition, concerned about the lack of equality that applies to given that they are set out in different pieces of legislation. civil partnerships? We want the Government to act on However, I must take issue with what he says about that with some urgency. However, we also want to make equality. We are trying to create ways in which individuals clear that those of us who would otherwise have supported who have never had access to marriage can have that 985 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 986 access, at a time when those who are in heterosexual Mr Speaker: Order. I must gently say to the hon. relationships already have it. There is no inequity, as Member for Christchurch (Mr Chope), who has had such, in what we are trying to do. We are trying to right three goes at it, that there is no evidence at this stage the inequity that prevents same-sex couples from having that the Minister will give way. If she does not, he must access to something which we know that society values not hector from a sedentary position—or even from a very strongly. standing position. Is the Minister going to give way? No. Charles Hendry (Wealden) (Con): I support the Bill because I believe in equality, but a direct consequence Maria Miller: Only because I want other Members to of that equality is a new inequality for heterosexual have an opportunity to speak, Mr. Speaker. couples. That is why I think that we need to think about I think that using the Bill as a vehicle for the extension whether the issues can be considered at the same time. of civil partnerships risks its progress, and that supporting the review proposed in new clause 16 will give us an Maria Miller: Let me gently point out to my hon. opportunity to find an informed way forward—something Friend that what we are trying to do is provide access to that those on all sides of the argument can support. marriage for a group of people who have not had that access to date. It is clear that there is an inequality Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): We were affecting individuals who are in same-sex relationships grateful to you, Mr Speaker, for accepting our manuscript and who have not had access to marriage. amendment (a) to new clause 16 this morning. We are not trying to create two tiers of marriage; we Let me start by repeating what my hon. Friend the are trying to right a wrong of the past. It does not strike Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) made very clear me as entirely logical to want to delay the Bill and give in Committee: the Labour equalities team supports the rise to more debate in the other place and more issues principle of extending civil partnerships to opposite-sex involving policy development in order to provide for couples. We recognise that it would provide equality something that straight couples would not necessarily before the law. It would also recognise the choice some want anyway. We do not have the evidence base that opposite-sex couples want to make not to marry but that would require, and the research that has been none the less to formalise their relationship. As civil carried out so far suggests that we do not have a clear partnerships will rightly continue for gay and lesbian line of sight in terms of the end result. people under this legislation, it would ensure, too, that they are not perceived simply as some sort of residual arrangement pending everyone moving to same-sex Karl McCartney (Lincoln) (Con): My right hon. Friend marriage. We can expect that many existing civil partners is being very gracious in giving way. Does she not accept will want their civil partnerships to continue; they will that there is an inequality in the fact that same-sex not want to regard the history of the past nine years as couples will have a choice between a civil partnership a history of second best. and a gay marriage, whereas heterosexual couples will not have that choice? Are not the Government creating Dr Huppert: Does the hon. Lady also agree that some that inequality? people will still prefer to have a civil partnership now, even if marriage is available? This is not just about the Maria Miller: There is currently a glaring inequality, history; there will be people who will still want a civil in that same-sex couples have no access to the civil partnership in the future. marriage that those of us who are in heterosexual relationships take granted. That is the issue with which Kate Green: I entirely agree. There are many reasons the Bill is designed to deal. What the review will do is why some couples may feel that the historical or religious examine the issue of civil partnerships in more detail to connotations of marriage are not for them, but who ensure that if there is a requirement for them, we can none the less wish to make the public commitment deal with it in a measured manner. to each other that gay and lesbian people already do through civil partnerships. Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): Will my Sadly, Ministers have until now been reluctant to right hon. Friend give way? recognise that the position they have been taking—in effect, privileging marriage—has led to the situation Maria Miller: I hope that my hon. Friend will bear we are in now. There are a number of concerns about with me. We have only a short time for this debate, and moving forward to regularise opposite-sex civil partnerships, I want to end my speech so that others have a chance to but there is a complete absence of analysis of, and contribute to it fully. evidence for, the concerns Ministers have raised. Yet we Same-sex couples have waited for a very long time for have been raising the issue of the genuine concerns the right to marry, and I think that they have waited about opposite-sex civil partnerships ever since the long enough. Using the Bill as a vehicle for the extension— introduction of this Bill. On the face of it, the anxieties highlighted by the Mr Chope: Will my right hon. Friend give way? Secretary of State today are not insignificant. On 14 May, her colleague the Pensions Minister, the hon. Member for Thornbury and Yate (Steve Webb), put a high Maria Miller:—as a vehicle for the extension of civil potential price tag on the extension of civil partnerships partnerships— to opposite-sex couples: the sum was between £3 billion and £4 billion. The Secretary of State has also suggested Mr Chope: Will my right hon. Friend give way? there may be international and devolution implications. 987 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 988

[Kate Green] details; it should not be about the principle. The principle is about equality, and that is what should be enshrined The predicted costs involve some big and untested in the Bill tonight. assumptions, however. We do not know how many opposite-sex civil partnerships will be formed. There is Kate Green: I absolutely agree with the hon. Lady, uncertainty about the number of public sector pension and I hope the Secretary of State will take on board her schemes that do not already allow a cohabiting partner comments. to be a named recipient for survivor benefits. There is also uncertainty about the assertion that extending civil Mr Chope: Will the hon. Lady give way? partnerships to opposite-sex couples will reopen the whole question of widowers’ pension entitlements. Kate Green: Yes. Following the Cockburn case, we might feel somewhat sceptical about that. Mr Chope: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for giving way; she is, typically, demonstrating courtesy. Does she Mrs Anne Main (St Albans) (Con): Given the hon. agree that the review should be carried out in time to Lady’s principled support for the extension of civil enable any consequent amendments to be brought forward partnerships to heterosexual couples, does she not have in the other place? Is she not amazed that the Government concerns that the proposal is a promise of jam tomorrow think this needs to take an enormous amount of time to through a review, rather than a guarantee of the inclusion achieve, when in France there is equal access both to of heterosexual couples, which is what the hon. Member civil partnerships and now to marriage? for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) said he wanted? Kate Green: It is very good to hear the hon. Gentleman Kate Green: The hon. Lady is right about our concerns holding up the situation in France as an example of the about unwarranted delay. That is why I tabled the practice to which we should aspire, and I could not manuscript amendment this morning. It enables us to agree with him more. We see no reason for this review to move forward and reach a proper conclusion much more be excessively protracted. Indeed, we think it can be swiftly. conducted very swiftly. It would be welcome if it could While we support the principle of opposite-sex civil be completed well before we have completed the passage partnerships, we agree with the Government that the of the Bill, so that we can take account of the outcome issues should be properly reviewed before Parliament of the review and we can swiftly—indeed, within the reaches a decision. Indeed, we say they should have next few months—make both opposite-sex civil partnerships been reviewed already. and same-sex marriages available . This morning there were some who were concerned Geraint Davies: I agree with my hon. Friend. Does about the fate of this Bill if new clauses 10 and 11 were she agree that there is a large, and potentially massively agreed to. We are anxious to ensure that same-sex increasing, constituency of people who may be interested marriages arrive on the statute book as swiftly as possible, in this, in particular couples with children, who have and we know the Secretary of State is, too. We would not chosen to make the jump into marriage but who not want anything to put that ambition and the Bill’s might welcome a civil partnership? If we are to go along progress in jeopardy, but this morning it appeared that this path, we need to get things costed and get the detail the failure of those on the Government Benches to right so that it fits their particular needs. We should reach a common position might do so. We are pleased therefore carry out the review and not delay equal-sex that by this evening it had been recognised that the best marriage. way to deal with the concerns the Government have—late in the day—raised while also ensuring things are dealt 8.15 pm with speedily is to introduce the most rapid review Kate Green: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is possible. important that we adhere to the principle and that we I therefore hope Members will support new clause 16 get the detail right so that we achieve the outcome we as amended by manuscript amendment (a). I hope that want, which is to offer the protections of civil partnership they will also recognise that new clauses 10 and 11 are, if appropriately to opposite-sex couples and their families. not wrecking amendments, at best premature and should That is why we have tabled manuscript amendment (a) not be supported, and that they will follow the Secretary to new clause 16. We believe the Government proposal of State in relation to the other new clauses and for a review that would not even start until five years amendments. after the legislation had been implemented introduces an unnecessary delay, and we are very pleased that it Tim Loughton: An awful lot of rubbish has been appears there is now agreement to move to a swifter spoken and reported in the media over the last few days. review. Not all of it has been attributed to me. There have been We also propose that the review must include full claims of wrecking amendments, of leadership bids, of public consultation. There has been a degree of that in Front-Bench mischief and of U-turns. Members will be relation to the Bill. Although it was rather cursory, it forgiven for being in a state of some confusion as to did show support for the principle, but we want the where we have arrived at tonight, therefore. public to have a full opportunity to express their views. Let me explain what I can make out from the late amendments put before us. We appear to have a last-minute Caroline Lucas: There is, indeed, strong support for amendment from the Government to kick the whole the principle. I welcome the review to the extent that it issue into the long grass. The Government have now put speeds up the process, but it should only be about the the frighteners on the Opposition, who have tabled a 989 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 990 last-minute manuscript amendment to a last-minute clauses are passed, they will remove some of the anomalies new clause on the basis of spurious figures and non-existent and flaws in the Bill and make it more palatable. If that delay, aimed at kicking the new clauses into the slightly is wrecking, I am not doing a very good job of it. less long grass. We have now just heard from the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green) that Mr Tom Harris: Does the hon. Gentleman understand the Opposition would like the review to be done and why there are those who are briefing the media and dusted and to have reported before the Bill is passed, so accusing him of tabling wrecking amendments, given that such a provision can be added through amendments his full-throated opposition to the principle of the Bill to it. I do not think that that is the grubby deal that in the first place? It is hard to believe that his motivation those on the Front Bench have negotiated and there is a is anything other than to stop the progress of the Bill degree of misunderstanding that must be clarified. when it gets to the other place. If that is not the case, he Today we have also heard the Deputy Prime Minister has been ill-used and ill-spoken of, but does he at least urging hon. Friends in his party to vote against a understand why people are reading that into his motivation? measure that is party policy for the Liberal Democrats— Tim Loughton: I can understand why people are but we have been there before. We have also had the trying to cause mischief on that basis. I approach the extraordinary scene of certain hon. Members, who have new clauses in the expectation that the Bill will probably signed up to new clauses 10 and 11 and have spoken in become law, whether I and other hon. Members like favour of them in other places, to opinion pollsters and it or not. We must therefore plan on that basis. I think it in Committee, now being apparently prepared to do a could become better law if it provided for equality in complete volte-face by voting this evening against something civil partnerships which we could give to opposite-sex with which they apparently agree in principle. I am very couples, and I now want to explain why. confused. The idea was proposed in Committee three months Mark Field: I hope that I will not add to my hon. Friend’s ago by the hon. Member for Bristol West (Stephen confusion, but does he not accept that the amendment Williams) and supported by the hon. Member for Rhondda proposed by the Opposition—even though it is late in (Chris Bryant). Bizarrely, neither of them voted for it. the day—at least means that there will be some urgency In our witness sessions, it was strongly supported by about the issue of equality in civil partnerships, which is experts such as Lord Pannick and Baroness Kennedy, close not just to his heart but to mine? With that, we can who clearly said that they thought that the addition of at least begin to make some progress. the extension of civil partnerships would greatly improve the Bill. Supporters of the proposals have included those in favour of the Bill, those against it and those Tim Loughton: I hope that we have achieved something, who have abstained. They have not just come out of in that a provision that the Government thought was nowhere. Several hon. Members have mentioned the not necessary only days and weeks ago has become a Government’s consultation on the original Bill. Many matter that merits review, albeit at least five years away people responded and 61% said that they were in favour and with no guarantee that it will take place. Now it has of extending civil partnerships to opposite-sex couples. apparently become a bit more urgent. We seem to be This is not an idea that we have cooked up at the last moving in the right direction, but the extraordinary minute to wreck the Bill; the Government’s research thing is that everyone seems to agree that the change is shows that the public—our constituents, our voters—are right in principle. If it is right in principle, it should be in favour of it. However, the Government went into the right in practice and this is the Bill through which it can subsequent production of the Bill completely and utterly be achieved. ignoring the clear wish of the people as shown by their own consultation. Mrs Main: Does my hon. Friend share my concern There are two rationales, as far as I am concerned, for that tonight we will vote to enshrine an inequality in supporting the amendments. First, they will correct law with the hope that a review will redress it? Rather what is, I am sure, an unintended but glaring inequality than voting for what people think is right in principle, that would result from the Bill in its current form. If the we would be waiting for a review to see whether it is Bill goes through, as I expect, same-sex couples will be cost-effective. entitled to continue in a civil partnership, to take up a civil partnership or to take up the new form of marriage. Tim Loughton: My hon. Friend is right. The trouble Opposite-sex couples will have only the option of traditional is that, given that there has been such fast movement in marriage, albeit by a larger range of religious institutions. various peoples’ positions, goodness knows what the That is not fair. It gives rise to an inequality in what is position will be after the vote has taken place. intended to be a Bill about equalities. Secondly, a very I want to support new clauses 10 and 11, tabled in my positive reason for pushing forward with the amendments name and those of other hon. Members on both sides is family stability, and I will come to that in a minute. of the House and on all sides of the argument, and in Highly divisive as the Bill has been, particularly on the doing so I must oppose the last-minute Government Government Benches, surely that is one issue on which new clause and the manuscript amendment from the we can all agree and rally round. Labour party. This is a Back-Bench debate—let us have I acknowledge that the quadruple lock that the a Back-Bench debate without Whips and party politics Government have put in the Bill largely does the job trying to put pressure on hon. Members to change their that they intend it to do. That is why many of the votes, which should be based on their free will. Church institutions have been reassured by the safeguards Let me be clear once and for all that the new clauses that they have been given. Earlier, we also heard about are not wrecking amendments. They are supported by amendments that tried to give safeguards to people in passionate supporters of the whole Bill. If the new public service who might fall foul of the legislation. 991 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 992

[Tim Loughton] my conventional marriage of 20 and a half years’ standing to my wife as any more valid than a civil partnership, be Let me return to why people seem to be in rather a it gay or, potentially, heterosexual; it is just different. difficult position. ComRes carried out an opinion poll However, there is a major plus to achieving equality of among 159 Members of this House—quite a large civil partnerships, and opening them up to opposite-sex sample—and some 2,012 members of the public. couples: family stability, which the Government seem to Interestingly, that recent opinion poll found that 73% of have ignored completely, although it is something that hon. Members in this House support the amendments. we Conservative Members strongly support. Among Conservative Members, there was 72% support; The Prime Minister and supporters of the Bill say among Labour Members, 76%; and among Liberal that they are huge fans of marriage, partly because it Democrats, 67%. If the amendments do not get the full helps to create sustainable families and, particularly, backing of 73% of hon. Members tonight, what has stability for the children brought up in them. I agree, so changed in the space of just a few days, since that opinion should we not do more to achieve that stability for poll was carried out in private? families who choose not to get married, but who might In 2010, an Office for National Statistics report said cement their relationship through the civil partnership that there were almost 3 million—2,893,000, to be precise— route, giving them public recognition and, importantly, cohabiting opposite-sex couples in this country. That is rights and responsibilities under the law? almost double the figure reported some 15 years earlier. In 2012, the Relationships Foundation calculated the Some 53% of all birth registrations are to married parents, cost to this country of family breakdown at £44 billion— but 31% are to unmarried parents who are living together, some £1,470 per year to every taxpayer, or 1.8% of and 40% of unmarried couples living together choose gross domestic product. That is a big problem—a growing to have children. Indeed, cohabitation is the fastest-growing problem that is costly, financially and socially, in our form of family in this country, and we need to recognise society. Fewer than one in 10 married parents have split that our society is changing, whether or not we approve. by the time a child reaches the age of five, compared People choose not to get involved in the whole with more than one in three of those who are cohabiting paraphernalia of formal marriage for a variety of reasons: but not married, and 75% of family breakdowns involving it is too much of an establishment thing to do; it is too children under five result from the separation of unmarried much of a religious institution for some, and even if parents. The Centre for Social Justice has produced a done in a register office, it has religious connotations; raft of statistics showing that a child who is not in there is a patriarchal side to it; it is a form of social a two-parent family is 75% more likely to fall out of control—there are a whole load of complex motives as school and 70% more likely to be addicted to drugs, and to why many of our constituents do not go down the is more likely to get in trouble with the law, be homeless, formal marriage route. They are mostly still in committed, and not be in employment, education or training. We loving relationships, but they have no way of demonstrating know that marriage works, but we also know that civil that in the eyes of the public and the law, if they do not partnerships are beginning to show empirical evidence want to go down the traditional marriage route. of greater stability for same-sex couples, including those In Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol who have children, be it through adoption, surrogacy or West (Stephen Williams) made a very good point about whatever. There is a strong case for believing that extending the common misconception that there is such a thing as civil partnerships would improve that stability for many a common-law wife or husband, as a woman typically more families in different forms. finds out abruptly on the death of a partner, when there is a tax bill on the estate, and potentially on the family Dame Angela Watkinson (Hornchurch and Upminster) home. Even a couple engaged to be married have more (Con): My hon. Friend is making a compelling case for rights than a cohabiting couple. I have received many extending civil partnerships to opposite-sex couples. In e-mails and letters in support of this proposal, and one fact, I have not detected any resistance to the idea in any summed up the position: part of the House, so there seems to be agreement that “I am 60 yrs and have been with my partner for over 20 years. it would be beneficial. The point of argument is when it We have two boys ages 16 and 18 yrs. Neither of us wish to get can be achieved, for the many reasons that he touched married but we would like to have the same rights as a married on. Benefits, pensions, inheritance and tax are very couple. We see the civil partnership as discriminatory towards us complex; it will take time to cost the proposal properly, as a couple, especially as we have children. A great number of rather than introducing it before we know exactly its friends and acquaintances are in a similar position to ourselves implications. and do not wish to be married although we are all in a lifelong family commitment. My other issue with this is that, as I am Tim Loughton: I hear the point that my hon. Friend much older than my partner, I will probably die before her and she would not receive the same tax benefits as a married woman makes and it has been made before. I will come on to or those in a civil partnership, which in turn would be discriminatory say that all that work was done in 2004. I am trying towards our children.” purely to mirror the sort of arrangements that were Why should those who have chosen not to go for a made back in 2004 when civil partnerships were introduced. traditional marriage not have the opportunity to have If just one in 10 cohabiting opposite-sex couples were the same rights, responsibilities and protections in the to enter a civil partnership, that would be some 300,000 or eyes of the law that we rightly, and not before time, so couples and their children, giving them greater security, extended to same-sex couples back in 2004? greater stability, less likelihood of family breakdown, better social outcome and better financial outcome. 8.30 pm That surely is progress. My hon. Friend the Member for Bristol West referred One interesting witness, who has been named already to equalising same-sex and opposite-sex civil partnerships in our deliberations in the witness stage, was Alice as achieving “parity of esteem”. I agree. I do not regard Arnold, who is in a civil partnership with Clare Balding. 993 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 994

She is very much in favour of the Bill. I entirely respect the Government, as a contingency at least, have done some where she is coming from. One thing she said was that preparatory work on what would be involved if there when she is asked, “Are you married?” she has to say, was a call to change the law, as all the opinion polls “No, but—” because she is in a civil partnership, not show and as I am now calling for. what she regards as a marriage. There is currently a It was reported in a newspaper this morning that one problem with civil partnerships. If someone fills in a of the Ministers involved, in objecting to my amendment, form, goes for an interview or responds to a question had and says that they are in a civil partnership, they are “said such a radical change must not be introduced in a ‘rush’. automatically admitting their sexuality which, for some She added that civil partnerships should be reviewed once gay people, is uncomfortable. If civil partnerships were extended marriages had been operating for five years.” to everybody, people could be in a civil partnership and their sexuality would not be questioned or questionable. If we take it to 2019, civil partnerships will have been operating for almost 15 years, which seems more than There is a further application. Many people who have enough time to gauge whether they are working and strong religious beliefs, particularly if they are Catholics, should be extended. I must say that there has been and have ended up getting divorced, which is in conflict some pretty scurrilous and disingenuous last-minute with certain religious teachings, may not be inclined to scaremongering by certain parties on the Front Bench. get married again if they meet a new partner, because supposedly their Church believes they should be married Mr Woodward: I accept in good faith the hon. for life. They would, however, in many cases be able to Gentleman’s remarks. He has obviously thought about square that position by entering into a new formal the matter in some detail, so what is the maximum time commitment through an opposite-sex civil partnership. frame in which he would instruct civil servants to conduct So there are a number of practical applications where and complete such a review, and what process would he civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples will achieve recommend by which the Government could bring forward something very positive—not wrecking, but achieving the proposals to ensure that same-sex couples are not something for which people have a requirement. obliged to wait an undue period of time for the Bill to Opposite-sex civil partnerships are not something proceed? cooked up in this country. Let us look at various overseas experiences. In South Africa the Civil Union Tim Loughton: There is a trade-off, because if the Bill Act 2006 gave the option for some same-sex and opposite- goes through in its current form an inequality will be sex couples to register a civil union by way of a marriage created and there will be a delay—we do not know for or a civil partnership on the same basis. In France, as how long—for opposite-sex couples, who are unable to has been mentioned, the pacte civil de solidarité, or access civil partnerships, with no commitment that it PACS, as it is known, was introduced in 1999 as a form will be addressed, while same-sex partners will be able of civil union between two adults of the same sex or the to access marriages in fairly short order. opposite sex, and now gay marriage has been added to that. Interestingly, 94% of PACS that took place in 2012 I have a few more remarks to make on how quickly I were between opposite-sex couples. Even more interestingly, think that can happen. I think that the whole argument in France one in 10 PACS has been dissolved, against about delay is a complete red herring. The cost of one in three marriages ending in divorce. There is evidence £4 billion is completely and utterly spurious. I asked for to show that some of these civil partnerships have a Library note on the cost impact assessments done at created greater stability, whether those are opposite-sex the time of the Civil Partnership Act 2004. Part of it or same-sex partnerships. says that the cost to the Government was divided between total one-off fixed costs of £19.8 million for changes Many people would not want to do such a trade-off in administration and rising annual costs each year in for religious reasons. We need to recognise that society both low and high take-up scenarios. The annual cost to is changing. What does not change is the desire to create the Government in 2010 was estimated at £1.5 million as much stability as possible for couples and children in for the low take-up scenario and £3 million for the those families. In the Netherlands in 1998 registered high-take up scenario, and that that would rise to partnerships were created for same-sex and opposite-sex £11.6 million and £22.2 million a year in each scenario partners which provide the same rights and responsibilities by 2050. The components of the annual costs were state as married partners, except in relation to children, to do pensions for spouses and bereavement benefits for surviving with overseas adoptions and so on. This is not rocket civil partners, and public funding for civil partnership science—it already happens. dissolutions. The note refers throughout to tens of I contend that a great deal of work was done at the millions of pounds, but nowhere near the figure in the time of the Civil Partnership Act 2004—complicated billions that has been plucked out of the air with work, as the Secretary of State said, which took a while absolutely no empirical evidence and which was never to bring into operation, but that work has been done. I intended as an official impact assessment from the want identical terms to apply, as applied back in 2004. DWP when the Pensions Minister made his statement The Government also say that the proposal would to the Joint Committee on Human Rights last week. require big changes to lots of other legislation. Introducing same-sex marriage will require big changes to lots of Mark Field: Does my hon. Friend not see that the other legislation; why cannot the two types of change amendments proposed tonight, particularly from those be made in parallel? on the Opposition Front Bench, would go a considerable Last year, as we said, the Government consulted on way towards what he is trying to achieve? I share some the whole issue, as the right hon. Member for St Helens of his concerns about the spurious figures in the billions South and Whiston (Mr Woodward) reminded us, and a that we all heard quoted on the radio this morning, clear majority said that they were in favour of it. Surely which seem to have been plucked from the sky, and 995 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 996

[Mark Field] The fourth reason that the Minister came up with was that in the Government’s consultation 61% of those about the talk of a massive delay, but does he not realise who answered an online response form said that opposite- that the urgency with which we are now looking at this, sex couples should be able to register a civil partnership. because of amendment (a), means that in the House of I like and respect my right hon. Friend, who is not in his Lords there will be a rapid sense of trying to move place at the moment, and I recognise that he has been ahead in the time frame he has in mind? I regret, as he dealt a pretty bum hand in having to steer this Bill probably does, that these things often happen in the through the House. However, I think he will regret other place, rather than here in the House of Commons, adding the rider that more than half the people who but does he not recognise that he has won most of the answered the question identified themselves as lesbian, battle? Instead of making the strong case he is making, gay or bisexual. So there we have it: in a skewed voting with which I think many of us agree, why does he not system that would put Eurovision to shame, the vote of recognise that he has won much of the battle and can someone who is gay sometimes does not count as much happily withdraw his new clause? if the Government say so. This needs investigating. Another example of inconsistency that came out in Tim Loughton: If what my hon. Friend has just said Committee concerned the hierarchy of people who were true, I would be delighted, but I think that what should be given exemptions if, on an issue of conscience, the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston said might they cannot carry out various public functions. However, have raised a few eyebrows on the Government Front I do not wish to digress and will move swiftly on to the Bench. If she is saying that part of the deal is that the Minister’s fifth reason: that we would need a raft of review, which would be an added consultation on the changes to other legislative provisions that would involve back of the one we had before the Bill was introduced, other parts of the United Kingdom. However, this is will take place and result in concrete proposals coming already being addressed in the Bill and those provisions forward that can be added to the Bill before it completes could be addressed in parallel. I am afraid that this sort its passage through both Houses, I would be perfectly of mess and confusion is what happens when we rush happy, but I do not think that will happen. I do not see through a Bill with far-reaching consequences that have how it can happen given the complexities that the not been properly thought through. Secretary of State has claimed still need to be addressed as regards all the legislative changes, costs, and so on. There is no excuse not to do this now, or very urgently. The Government were warned by 61% of people in the consultation but rushed ahead. They should have looked 8.45 pm at the wider issues. They could have said that they Perhaps the right hon. Member for St Helens South wanted to abolish civil partnerships and just have marriage, and Whiston (Mr Woodward) would like to repeat his but then what would happen to the people in an existing question to the Minister in the wind-ups. If he gets the civil partnership—would they just be sidelined and answer, “Yes, we think this can be done during the wither away? It would not be fair on them. That has not progress of this Bill”, I will be delighted to withdraw my been thought through. Where are the impact assessments amendment, because that is what I am trying to achieve. and cost calculations on the numbers who are supposedly I do not care whether it happens tonight in this House going to convert from a civil partnership to a same-sex or in a few months’ time in another place or when the marriage? In fact, the number of opposite-sex couples Bill comes back here; I just want it to happen, because taking up a new civil partnership could produce a we all seem to agree that it should and that it is right saving if less money were spent on family breakdown. and fair in principle. We have no details about how the figures have been When we raised this subject with my right hon. worked out, about a start date when civil partnerships Friend the Minister of State in Committee, he gave five for opposite-sex couples might be introduced, or about reasons explaining why, supposedly, it was not necessary what level of retrospective financial entitlements they to act and that we were talking about an irrelevance. His may qualify for. first reason was that the aim of the Civil Partnership I want to be helpful to the Government because Act 2004 was not to provide an alternative to marriage I recognise that this has become a bit of a pickle. As I but to give same-sex couples broadly equivalent rights. said, I will be perfectly happy if the Bill continues its Yet now opposite-sex couples will be denied those broadly progress on the timetable that the Government have set. equivalent rights if they are not inclined to marry and If the Government agree to my proposed new clause in are unable to get such civil partnerships. His second principle, they will have time, during the later stages of reason was that to get the legal rights, responsibilities the Bill, to announce specific details about the start and protections that marriage brings, people should date, the commencement of entitlements and so on. I just marry. The Secretary of State Marriage has described for one would be perfectly favourable to delaying the marriage as the gold standard, but the Government are implementation date of opposite-sex civil partnerships choosing to limit people’s choices. if the Government agree to the principle. If they needed The third contention by the Minister, whom I like two, three or four years to sort out the detail before the greatly, was that the Government were not convinced measure would be able to commence, I would be happy that there is a group of people campaigning for opposite-sex with that if the Bill addressed this inequality and we civil partnerships. Well, I have quoted the opinion poll. recognised that opposite-sex civil partners have a place— The Government cannot have it both ways. They are I think it is a growing place—in our society. scaremongering about the excessive cost of this measure The Government would have to acknowledge that, in and, at the same time, saying that there is no real the meantime, they were creating an inequality, albeit a demand for it, in which case it would not cost anything. temporary one. They certainly cannot delay this until They cannot have their cake and eat it. 2019. A reviewing amendment represents the worst of 997 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 998 all worlds if the issue is kicked into such long grass. there have waited far too long to enjoy a principle that Have the Government learned nothing from recent many hon. Members take for granted. I therefore hope experiences with Europe about promising votes in the that tonight, he will join us in voting for the manuscript next Parliament? Apparently it is acceptable to defer a amendment tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for decision on an equality issue for at least six years unless Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green). it was not promised in a manifesto and has all of a The hon. Gentleman must understand that fear continues sudden become urgent. to play an important part in this country. Although I There are no complications involved in my proposal. take at face value everything that he has said, he will I want opposite-sex civil partnerships to be offered on know that, for some, this is an opportunity for a wrecking exactly the same basis as same-sex civil partnerships. It amendment. He will know that some people paid close would not be possible for someone to become a civil attention to the Government’s consultation last year, partner with a close family member or if they are already which found that a majority of people were in favour of in a union, and the partnership needs to be subject to extending the principle of civil partnerships to everyone the same termination criteria. It is simple. Surely the in this country. He will know that the Government’s case is overwhelming. response was to say simply, “We are not convinced.” I do not do wrecking. I have never voted against my For some, there is a genuine worry that the Government party or my Government in my 16 years in this House, will launch into another review, take months if not and I do not want to start now. I have been entirely years to conduct it and, even if they find that the cost is open, transparent and consistent in my opposition to not that great, conclude that civil partnerships cannot the Bill. I am happy for it to progress on the Government’s be extended to everyone in this country. Alternatively, time scale, if that is the will of the House. However, the they might give the old excuse that there is no time in House must respect the right of all Members to act the legislative timetable. according to their conscience, and my objections to the Bill have not been on primarily religious grounds. I have Mrs Main: The right hon. Gentleman is making a spent most of my time, like other Back Benchers, thoughtful speech. Has he not presented a greater argument scrutinising the Bill’s safeguards on the likely basis that to vote for new clauses 10 and 11, because otherwise he it will become law. The job of Back Benchers is to will be voting for a review that he has said he has no scrutinise legislation, hold the Executive to account and confidence in? Tonight is the time to say that if there is draw attention to anomalies, inconsistencies, injustices to be equality, there must be equality for heterosexual or, as in this case, inequalities, and urge practical action, couples as well. which is what new clauses 10 and 11 do. A clear inequality is being created and I am sure that all fair-minded Mr Woodward: The Secretary of State made it clear Members will want to address it as a matter of urgency. that the new review will be very different from the last My new clauses would clearly achieve that. review, which reached conclusions that were dismissed We are in danger of being party to a last-minute by the Government. I can only take at face value what stitch-up between those on the Front Benches, but this the Secretary of State has said. I believe that the compromise is a free vote, not on a conscience issue, but on a simple that has been found by my hon. Friend the Member for matter of equality that Members can support—indeed, Stretford and Urmston is the best way forward. from what has been said so far, many Members do support it—whether they are whipped to support the Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): Is the right hon. Bill or whether they defy the Whip to oppose it, and it Gentleman really telling the House that to rectify what has the added bonus of improving family stability. The he calls one blatant unfairness, he will create another only chance to bring that about is through these new obvious unfairness? clauses. A delay until 2019 or similar will not hold water. A review without detail and the potential dragging Mr Woodward: I understand the spirit behind the on of headlines until the election certainly will not do hon. Gentleman’s question. I understand that some will Government Members any favours. see the delay to the extension of civil partnerships as If hon. Members believe that this principle is right, unfair. However, let me be very clear that same-sex now is the time to vote for it. Let us vote on principle. couples have no justice at all. It is not about fairness; Let us not vote for fudge. Surely we can all earn respect there is no justice, because they cannot be married. It from our constituents for voting for what we believe in would be grossly unfair to perpetuate that injustice, and for what we have told pollsters in private that we especially if the spirit of the proposal put forward by believe in. We should not be pressured by Whips or by my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston parties. Let’s just do it. were accepted tonight. I fear that some—I say again that I do not believe Mr Woodward: The amendments deal with some that this is the sentiment of the hon. Member for East extremely important principles, such as equality, but we Worthing and Shoreham—want to use the principle of are also dealing with the absolutely essential need to extending civil partnerships to delay indefinitely or correct a gross injustice that has lived for far too long wreck this House’s enactment of same-sex marriages. and prevented gay men and women from enjoying the same rights as everybody else. The hon. Member for Tim Loughton: I hear what the right hon. Gentleman East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) spoke is saying. No doubt there are some Machiavellian Members extremely eloquently and this House would be wise to of the House who have such motives. He knows, because take him at his word when he says that his proposed new of the clear votes that we have had on Second Reading clause 10 is in no way a wrecking amendment. At the and this evening, that there is every likelihood that the same time, we must understand that many people out Bill will pass through this House and the other. I will 999 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 1000

[Tim Loughton] organisations recognise relationships in accordance with their own beliefs. Instead of dealing with that point, undertake to do everything in my power to stick to the however, the Bill has sought to build on the confusion Government’s timetable if my proposal is part of it. and conflate the two issues even further. The result, That is not wrecking the Bill. I am afraid, is something of a mess. Mr Woodward: Again, I accept the hon. Gentleman’s I want to vote on, and will always support, the state word. I simply ask the Secretary of State to hear what giving equal right to equal recognition of adult relationships, her colleagues are saying about the spirit and speed with which then conveys equal rights as a result of that equal which they wish the review to be conducted. She is far legal recognition. However, not only does the Bill not more qualified than I am to give the hon. Gentleman do that, it makes a complicated and unequal situation and the House comfort by saying how quickly it would worse. Let me be clear about what the Bill will produce be possible to conduct such a review and when the if it is passed, as it inevitably will be tomorrow. There Government would intend to implement it. She could will be two different definitions of civil marriage for give an assurance that if a majority were again found to same-sex couples, and another definition for opposite-sex be in favour of the proposal, instead of remaining couples. There will not be an equal definition. The Bill unconvinced of its need, she would introduce it. will allow two different legal recognitions of a relationship for some couples but not for others. It will fail to None the less, in passing this Bill it is important that equalise pension rights for some couples, which is one the Government find time to introduce legislation for reason we are having this debate and why legislation is civil partnerships for everyone. It is also important to needed. The Bill will continue to allow ministers of look in the review at a glaring injustice of the Civil some faiths to conduct a marriage in the eyes of the law, Partnership Act 2004—the second-class pension provision and yet people of other religions and faith-based systems for same-sex men and women. That is clearly iniquitous will not be allowed to do so. The Bill is unequal on four and should be addressed, and I hope that those on the counts. As I have made clear, there is a better way. Any Opposition Front Bench will make an undertaking that, liberal would suggest finally properly separating the should this Government not do it, a future Labour civil and the religious rather than building on what we Government will seek to put right that injustice. have. I will speak about that more when we debate another group of amendments. 9pm My new clause 13 must be seen in the context of the The hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham amendment I have tabled for debate tomorrow—both concluded his remarks by talking about a stitch-up. I are part of dealing with the situation properly. The say simply that if this review is used to cause undue and measures are radical. They would repeal—this might untimely delay to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) not make me popular with anyone—the Marriage Act Bill, that would be the stitch-up. The moment has 1994 and the Civil Partnerships Act 2004 so that we end finally come for those who have waited far too long for up with a single definition for all couples. We are not at this moment of fairness and equality to arise, and I that point, which I accept, but we cannot institutionalise hope that honourable colleagues will support the a new inequality during the passage of a Bill that is amendment tabled by the Opposition. supposed to be about equalising marriage. Hon. Members Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): This is should remember that civil partnerships were introduced the first time I have had the opportunity to speak on to give same-sex couples another form of relationship. this subject, but I have been working with others to deal In many people’s eyes, it is a lesser form of relationship. with some of the obvious flaws in this albeit well-intentioned We must not institutionalise that. If civil partnerships Bill. I thank the Secretary of State and her ministerial are worth having, we must allow them to be a different colleagues for the way in which they have engaged and form of legal recognition for all, or do what I suggest in listened without question. As a result of that, however, new clause 13 and abolish them altogether. Either way, I find it disappointing that they have failed to make we would end up with proper equality. some of the obvious—and in my opinion necessary— Ministers and shadow Ministers and others have amendments to deal with the Bill’s flaws. suggested that the Bill is not the measure with which to I have been called anti-gay rights and anti-Christian; deal with that inequality. I am afraid that that argument I have been called homophobic and at the same time is simply absurd. Some say that we should not introduce accused of not being a proper Catholic. I have been that equality because of the cost—the figure of £4 billion accused of being worryingly conservative, yet at the has been mentioned. That is entirely to fall into the trap same time dangerously libertarian. I am none of those of those who oppose any change to traditional civil things. What I am, very proudly, is a liberal, and I want marriage. They argue that we should not introduce any to support a sensible, liberal way of dealing with the measure because of the cost. As a liberal, let me be clear inequities that we undoubtedly have in our current that we change civil rights and introduce genuine equal system with regard to the recognition of adult couples legal recognition because it is the right thing to do, not in a relationship. We have not gone about this Bill the because it costs the state money. The argument that we right way, and many of its flaws are because it has been should not do something because it costs the state pursued from a very conservative perspective, rather money is a slippery slope. I should tell the Minister that than a radical liberal one. whoever introduced that argument to the debate made a For the avoidance of doubt, the role of the state, very huge mistake. simply, is to decide how to recognise relationships between My amendment 10 would be the genuine, liberal way adult couples, and which adult couple relationships to of dealing with the situation—properly redefining how recognise in that way. That should be entirely separate the state recognises adult relationships. The amendment from any consideration of how religions and belief-based would get rid of clearly Christian concepts that come 1001 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 1002 directly from Church of England canon law and are I have been writing to the Government—for example, shared by certain other Christian faiths. It would mean back in May 2011—and calling on them to support civil that we would not count on the statute book adult partnerships for opposite-sex couples. I have done so on couples’ sexual practices with each other. Currently, a number of occasions, so this is not a new idea or one adultery is a reason to allow some couples but not that has only just now come on to the agenda. others to dissolve their civil marriage. Most absurdly of The Government have had time to consider the cost all, lawyers dictate that certain couples and not others implications and should not now be using their failure must consummate their marriage in a certain way. to do so as an excuse for denying people equality, It is embarrassing and ludicrous, when we are rightly especially when the projections on the pension costs are dealing with the inequities of the current civil partnership so speculative—in the space of five days they have gone regime that does not bestow the same rights, status or up from £3 billion to £4 billion. One gets the sense that recognition on same-sex couples, that the Bill will continue they are being done on the back of a cigarette packet. If to enshrine ancient Christian concepts in the statute civil partnerships for mixed-sex couples really would book and apply them to some couples only. If there had generate £4 billion of cost liabilities and cause more been more listening and more acting on that listening, than two years’ delay, let us see the evidence, but so far new clause 10, which has been discussed at some length, there has been none. would not be necessary. It should not be necessary. A clear part of any redefinition of how the state defines 9.15 pm and recognises adult relationships should have always Colleagues will be aware that there has been heavy been either to keep civil partnerships and make them briefing claiming that to support the new clauses would open to all adult citizens, or wipe them away and have a be tantamount to enabling the Bill to be scuppered by single, equal definition for all. whomever. I do not know who is trying to scupper the Bill, but I do know that there has been heavy briefing to For all the sophistry and arguments from those on the effect that the Government would be happy for the the Front Benches, in their heart of hearts they know new clauses to go ahead and therefore for the Bill to this to be true. That is why I urge everyone in this House have less chance, perhaps, in the other place. My bottom who regards themselves in any way as a liberal and who line is that I do not want the chance presented by the wants to see equal rights and recognition to vote for Bill being scuppered. I do not want it delayed—I want it new clause 10. That is the only way people can have given a swift and safe passage—and if that means that I confidence that the real motivation—I believe it is the need to abstain on the new clauses, I will, but what an real motivation, even though it has been expressed indictment it is of the political processes of this place, badly—is to deal with the inequities currently in the particularly of the Government, who are playing political Bill. Even at this late stage, I urge the Secretary of State games with an issue that matters hugely to my constituents to listen, disregard the cost of human rights and, either and to many others up and down the country. through changing marriage or changing civil partnerships, ensure that all adults can have their relationships recognised Surely, if the Government were really committed to in one equal or two equal ways. equal marriage, they would not be implying that their support for the Bill was conditional. Ministers need to explain exactly why opening up civil partnerships would Several hon. Members rose— delay the implementation of gay marriage and why, for example, it is not possible to work on the basis set out in Mr Speaker: Order. Several colleagues are seeking to 2004, when some of the essential consequentials were catch my eye. I am keen to accommodate them. The House put in place for civil partnerships. Of course, the issues will appreciate that it is only right that the Minister for same-sex couples are different from those for opposite- should have a reasonable opportunity to wind up on her sex couples, but I struggle to see how it could take two own lead new clause in the group, at approximately years or more, if the political will was there to sort it 9.50 pm. I appeal to colleagues to help me to help them out. to help each other. Furthermore, the Bill does not allow employers and pension providers to award gay spouses and civil partners Caroline Lucas: I will be brief. the equivalent survivor benefits payable to a partner in I put my name to new clauses 10 and 11 in good faith. a mixed-sex marriage, hence my amendment on pensions Opening civil partnerships to opposite-sex couples is and gay marriage couples, which we will be discussing something that I have campaigned on for years, so I am tomorrow. That substantive inequality remains in the hugely disappointed to see such political games being Bill, but could be considered at the same time as civil played. partnerships for opposite-sex couples. I put my signature to those new clauses because I There is no procedural reason why the new clauses on want to promote equality. It is important to allow civil partnerships need wreck the chances of introducing everyone—same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples—to legal same-sex marriage. As I say, I believe that the enjoy a civil partnership or marriage as they choose. proposals are being used to play political games, but I This is a question of equal love. It is not about asking do not think that my constituents want me to play such for special treatment for gay couples or straight couples; games; they want equality fair and square and they it is about everyone enjoying the same rights regardless expect a Government who have stated their support for of their sexuality. It is worth noting that equal rights are equal marriage to stay the course and to do so without already enjoyed in countries such as France, where creating new inequalities and in a way that provides for many heterosexuals want and can get the legal security equal marriage and partnerships for everyone. This is of a civil union if they do not want to get married. I do about equality. Are we really saying that people are not understand why straight couples in Britain should equal only if it does not cost us too much and if it is not not have that right, too. That is why, for several years, too complicated? We need to meet those cost arguments 1003 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 1004 and other objections head on, rather than allowing the review in as timely a fashion as possible and drop them to undermine the basic rights to full equality for this five-year business from the Bill. I have to say to my every couple. right hon. and hon. Friends on the Front Bench that the In summary, we need to guarantee comprehensive way in which we have managed this whole process has equality for opposite sex and same-sex couples; to open not reflected very well on any of us. Frankly, it does not up marriage and civil partnerships to all; to use the Bill reflect terribly well on Opposition Front Benchers that to deliver the same pension arrangements for couples they have undertaken this manoeuvre right at the last regardless of their sexuality or whether they are in a moment. All this was predictable and was predicted, marriage or civil partnership; and to do all that without not least by me. The conclusion is that we will have the playing games with the lives of people up and down this opportunity to have all this entertainment all over again country who care deeply about what is happening in the at some future date, when we finally address the issue of House and who are watching us tonight and cannot equality and put a measure that promotes complete believe the kinds of games that it would appear are equality on the statute book. I regret that that is where being played. the corpus of opinion appears to be now. If we could rescue things and introduce a proper measure of equality— Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con): I could begin my which is what the amendments tabled by my hon. remarks by saying, “I don’t want to say, ‘I told you so’”, Friends the Members for Bristol North West and for but that would not actually be true. I said on Second Leeds North West would do—that is what I would wish Reading that if we did not deal then with the equality for. I regret that we are in this position, but I am going issue, elaborated very well by my hon. Friend the Member to bow to the inevitable, accept second best and look for Leeds North West (Greg Mulholland) and the hon. forward to the opportunity to do this all over again at Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas), we some future date. would have to do it all over again at a later date. Regrettably, that is the position in which we seem now Mr Tom Harris: I have a great deal of time for the to find ourselves. hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Personally, I entirely endorse what my hon. Friends Loughton)—who may or may not have been about to the Members for Leeds North West and for Bristol leave the Chamber as I stood up. I would have been North West (Charlotte Leslie)—the latter also signed proud if the work he did as children’s Minister, particularly the new clauses—said about the intention of the new on adoption, had been done in the name of a Labour clauses. If we want to do the job properly, we need to Government. I was disappointed to see him leave the differentiate religious and civil marriage. My hon. Friend Front Bench—although presumably not as disappointed the Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim as he was. He has started, in an excellent speech, to Loughton) asked whether the word “marriage” and its open my mind on this issue with his arguments—I am associations might prevent people from taking up a civil not yet convinced, but I am happy to support new commitment of legal union. Without dancing on the clause 16 as amended. head of a pin, however, over the different legal obligations When we legislated in this House 10 years ago, we of a union between two people of whatever sex, it stopped short of legalising same-sex marriage for the should not be beyond the wit of the House or the simple reason that it was considered a step too far. We Government to introduce measures to achieve the equality did not legislate for civil partnerships because we had objective in a way entirely congruent with the position arrived at a perfect alternative institution to marriage. put forward by my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds We stopped at that point. We deliberately and intentionally North West. However, I have to tell him that my judgment created something that was not as good as marriage, is that where we have got to on this—the work done in because politically we did not feel we could get it at that Committee and, frankly, the failure to take the opportunity time. We did so for the best reasons possible and it was a to address the issue properly—means that it will not get huge step forward, not just for gay couples but for the done. I am influenced to a degree by the position taken whole nation. I am extremely proud to have voted for by Stonewall and my right hon. Friend the Member for that legislation, but let us be honest about what civil Arundel and South Downs (Nick Herbert), who, along partnerships were. They fell short of marriage—they with others, is extremely anxious to get this Bill on the were second best—because we could not get as far as statute book. marriage. That is why, a decade later, we are debating In the end, the conclusive position is that of Opposition this reform. In a perfect world, it would have been Front Benchers. It is their decision that will dictate what delivered long before now. The case for allowing same-sex actually happens. I would have come to a conclusion couples to marry is not that they have been denied it so that agreed with my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds far; it is that marriage is better than a civil partnership. North West: that if we cannot do it properly, which is how he wanted to do it, then doing it in a second-best Kate Green rose— fashion and having two levels of union or marriage—civil partnerships or civil marriage, with religious marriage Chris Bryant rose— associated with it—would at least deliver equality. Understandably, the Opposition have—in my view properly Mr Harris: I will give way to my hon. Friend the and responsibly—made a judgment about whether the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green). route offered by new clause 10 might threaten the timely passage of the Bill and thereby delay matters for those Kate Green: I do not think that many of the people who are anxious to get on and take advantage of the who have entered into successful and happy civil opportunity to enter a same-sex marriage. partnerships would agree that those partnerships were It is a messy compromise, but I will support the in some way second best. In 2004, we might not have known Opposition’s amendment, to ensure that we get on with where this journey would lead us, but nine years on we 1005 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 1006 can see that the civil partnership legislation has been extent, equality must mean symmetry. If we are going extremely successful in its own right. It ought to be to make the dramatic and historic move to exercise celebrated. equality across marriage, we must have symmetry. It is extraordinary that, despite the alarms that have been Mr Harris: I accept what my hon. Friend says, but let raised and the warnings that have been given about the me ask her a question. Had we been able to legislate to failure to extend civil partnerships symmetrically to allow same-sex marriage 10 years ago and had such a different-sex couples, three amendments have been law been put on the statute book, would we be having tabled on this subject only at the eleventh hour. This this debate today? Would we be spending more than a does not seem to have been thought through before few seconds debating whether to introduce civil partnerships now. That is a disappointing state of affairs for a Bill for straight and gay couples? Of course the answer is no. that so loudly claims to have equality at the centre of everything it does. Like every other Member, I have received letters and e-mails warning me that legislating for same-sex marriage If we are to be logically and intellectually consistent, will, in some undefined way, undermine the institution I do not see how we can pass a Bill that extends equality of marriage. I take a very different view. I believe that in marriage without extending civil partnerships to the real threat to marriage will come from the continuation different-sex couples. It is not as if such symmetry was a of civil partnerships and their extension to heterosexual surprise or not much covered in the debate. When couples. As things stand today, the legal security and would the next opportunity be? We have already seen recognition offered by marriage can be enjoyed only by the amount of controversy created by rearranging marriage, straight couples. The legal security and recognition which is so connected with the fundamental roots of offered by civil partnerships can be enjoyed only by our establishment and the relationship between the same-sex couples, although I hope that that is about to state and the Church. It is unlikely, I think, that many change. Needlessly telling all couples that they can now Governments will rush to introduce such legislation opt for a second-best arrangement that nevertheless again. offers all the same legal privileges and protections as marriage would surely undermine marriage far more 9.30 pm than extending the qualification for marriage to same-sex As well as supporting new clause 10, I support the couples. From the day the Bill becomes law, the choice new clause tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for offered to all couples will be the same as the choice that Leeds North West (Greg Mulholland), as I believe that has up to now been offered to all straight couples: either we have missed a fundamental opportunity genuinely get married or don’t—it is your choice. to modernise marriage in the world in which we live. Because we have indulged in this debate, we have Some may say that that is a very difficult, complex and failed to address anther issue. Many individuals—mostly, controversial operation to undertake; I would agree. but not always, women with dependent children—need Some may say that it is not an operation that should be to be offered more security when they are living with a undertaken lightly; I would agree. If we are to undertake partner and perhaps depending on him financially. But it, however, perhaps we should tackle one of the biggest if that partner is unwilling to commit to marriage, he anomalies we face, which is the role of the Church of will probably be equally reluctant to enter an alternative England in how we see marriage in a multi-faith, often arrangement that offers the same level of legal and secular world. financial responsibilities. What those partners and families What have we learned from this debate that has been need is some kind of passive legal recognition, perhaps so played out in the newspapers over the past months? similar to what used to be known as common law It is that the concept of marriage is—we should hold marriage, a state that used to prevail in Scotland but our breath—controversial. People believe different things. which, since 2006, no longer does so. Moves to make Some fervently believe—and, they would say, with good civil partnerships available to all might, on the face of reason—that marriage, by description, is a union between it, look like a progressive move, but they will do nothing a man and a woman. Others with equal fervour—and, to help those vulnerable women, and their children, they would say, with equal reason—believe that it is who are in relationships with partners who simply refuse a union between two individuals who are committed to bind themselves with legal red tape. and love each other very much. As marriage is a social As for those who have already entered into a civil construct, it is difficult to say which one of those should partnership and who do not wish to enter into the state reign supreme. Certainly, since this is in the realm of of marriage as provided by this Bill, I have to say that it subjective individual attitudes towards people’s relationship should not be beyond the wit of the Government or this with each other, I as a Conservative do not think that House to frame legislation that would recognise each the state should be stepping into it and dictating with existing civil partnership until it was dissolved either such vigour. legally or by the death of one partner, while preventing I therefore support civil partnerships for same-sex any more civil partnerships from being entered into. and different-sex couples and, if that does not come The hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham about, the removing of civil partnerships for same-sex says that he wants full equality. I concede that making and different-sex couples for the reason of symmetry. civil partnerships available to straight couples is one The state should take control of that which belongs to way of achieving that. Another way would be to make the state—the objective and our tax and legal affairs—and civil partnerships available to no one. the genuine, subjective view of one person towards another and what their relationship signifies in the eyes Charlotte Leslie (Bristol North West) (Con): I want of any higher authority that they choose to name to put on record that I support new clause 10, because should be in the realm of the subjective and the civic the Bill is fundamentally about equality and, to some arena. 1007 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 1008

If we had before us a controversial and historic Bill must acknowledge that no group or lobby is telling for which we would be remembered, I and many people Members of Parliament that this is what they want. Indeed, across the country could support it. Given the duty very few people are doing so. That stands in stark placed on this House to exert influence and create contrast to those who have been urging for some time— equality for its citizens, my grave reservation is that we have missed a very big opportunity. We risk putting an Tim Loughton: Will my hon. Friend give way? equality sticking plaster on a fundamentally anachronistic and rather flawed system. I will see how the House votes Nick Herbert: I hope that my hon. Friend will forgive on the amendments this evening before deciding how to me if I make some progress. vote tomorrow, but I regret this great missed opportunity for those who believe in genuine and not just cosmetic As it does not appear that there is a constituency that equality. is in favour of the change, we do not know how many people would enter into such a commitment. The findings Mark Durkan: Like the hon. Member for Brighton, of a poll that was conducted by YouGov at the weekend Pavilion (Caroline Lucas), I signed new clause 10 in suggested that the uptake would be relatively low. Given good faith and I stand by it in good faith. As someone the number of cohabiting couples, we must start to who voted for the Bill’s Second Reading and who has consider what are the proper policy solutions. defended my position on the Bill since, I am quite clear In 2007, the Law Commission produced a set of that if provisions are there to extend equality, then proposals that would have imposed duties on cohabiting equality is what should be extended and provided for. couples when it came to separation and their responsibilities The fact that some supporters of new clause 10 oppose for children. My hon. Friend—who I know has a fine the Bill will not intimidate me into not supporting it. record, having been a Children’s Minister—did not mention Equally, the fact that the hon. Member for Glasgow that. According to the Law Commission, South (Mr Harris), who will be supporting new clause “cohabitants have not made the distinctive legal and public 16 as amended, wants to emerge from the review potentially commitment that marriage entails.” the abolition of civil partnerships for anyone will not The truth is that the arrangement into which they enter intimidate me into not supporting the review if it is is completely different from the arrangement that we intended to look at some of the issues that arise. would create in respect of civil partnership. I think that It is perfectly possible for Members to vote for new more work needs to be done to assess the real level of clause 16, as amended, and for new clause 10 precisely demand and determine what are the right cohabiting because, as the hon. Member for East Worthing and policy solutions. Shoreham (Tim Loughton) made very clear, the two could be reconciled if the Government committed The second issue that I wish to raise was described by with Opposition support to bringing forward an my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol North West additional amendment with a qualified commencement (Charlotte Leslie) as the need to ensure symmetry. Let date for new clause 10 that relates to the review provided me point out that no symmetry will be created even if by new clause 16. An entirely false tension has been the Bill is passed, as I very much hope that it will be. created between them. Sensible good legislators can If passed, it will be a huge step forward in allowing support both, and sensible good legislators should demand marriage for same-sex couples, but no symmetry will be that both Front-Bench teams get their acts together created, because the principal Churches will not allow properly and come out with a competent Bill that not marriage for same-sex couples. The Church of England only gives equality now for those who need it, but will not be allowed to do it, and the Catholic Church promises equality in the future for those who are clearly will choose not to do it. It is a false argument to suggest saying, “Why are we being left behind and left in that a symmetry will be created, or that the Bill will limbo?” create an asymmetry that it will be possible to correct by extending civil partnerships to a completely unquantified Nick Herbert: I have no objection in principle to the and unknown group of people. extension of civil partnerships to heterosexual couples—far from it—but I am concerned about what is proposed by Ian Paisley: Is it not the case that in a mad rush to put my hon. Friend the Member for East Worthing and same-sex marriage on the statute book, the right hon. Shoreham (Tim Loughton), and the effect that it could Gentleman is prepared to ditch and discard everyone have. else’s rights irrespective of the cost? First, let us look more carefully at the policy intent that lies behind new clause 10. It has been claimed that Nick Herbert: I have already said that I have no some 3 million cohabiting couples have not married and objection to the principle, but there is no evidence that that the new clause would give them an incentive to there is a demand for the measure. formalise their arrangements, but why do they not wish That brings me to the third point that I wish to make. to formalise their arrangements at the moment? What We now have the prospect of achieving an incredibly evidence or assessment should lead us to believe that important step forward for same-sex couples by introducing any proportion of those 3 million people would seek to marriage for them, and I am very anxious about the enter into a commitment that is as exacting as a marriage possibility that that will be put at risk—I do not put it commitment, with all that it entails? any more strongly than that—if we add to the Bill an The fact is that none of us, on either side of the uncertain and unquantified element for which there House, can quantify the demand. We are struggling does not appear to be a genuine demand. I believe the with the figures relating to the potential pension and other place may then add greater difficulty into the Bill taxation impact, for instance, because we do not know than would otherwise be the case. It will have two issues the extent of that demand. If we are honest about it, we to deal with, rather than one. I therefore urge all of 1009 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 1010 good faith who support marriage for same-sex couples I urge those who wish to see a very important and to be very cautious before supporting the amendment genuine step forward for equality to recognise the sense in question. Indeed, I urge them to oppose it, and to do of the compromise that the Government and the official the straightforward thing of agreeing to the review. I Opposition have agreed, which is to review this matter support the Opposition amendment to ensure that the immediately in order to assess whether there is a genuine review is immediate. Given the complexity of these need for such a change. Let us make sure we genuinely issues, that is an eminently sensible way forward. take forward this step for equality now, and that we are not seduced by false arguments. Tim Loughton: My right hon. Friend clearly said we do not know the cost of the proposals in the amendments. Dr Huppert: It is a great honour and a privilege—and Will he therefore put on record that it was entirely also a challenge—to follow the right hon. Member for irresponsible and misleading for the Government to Arundel and South Downs (Nick Herbert), who is very brief that the cost could be £3 billion, £4 billion or, as passionate about this issue and who has championed they said today, between £4 billion and £8 billion, and the cause of same-sex marriage with great authority. that that may have falsely swayed the argument? People will want to arrange their relationships in a number of different ways. Some will want to have marriages; some will want to have civil partnerships; Nick Herbert: With the greatest respect to my hon. some will simply want to cohabit. The state should Friend and constituency neighbour—indeed, my constituent enable all those things to happen. The right hon. Gentleman —for whom I have a lot of time, he cannot have it both rightly mentioned the Law Commission report and the ways. He suggested that the proposal would be a way of Bill proposed in the other place by Lord Lester, and I dealing with the £44 billion cost of family breakdown. hope we will see progress on that. I am delighted that If the impact is small and very few heterosexual people my party acknowledges those different options. Three want to take up civil partnerships, it will have little years ago, in a conference motion entitled “Equal Marriage impact on the cost of family breakdown. The answer is in the United Kingdom”, we said that the Government that he does not know, the Government do not know should: and the Opposition do not know, because the work has not been done. “Open both marriage and civil partnerships to both same-sex and mixed-sex couples.” I fully accept that some Members genuinely wish to I absolutely stand by that. support the amendment because they believe it would somehow provide an extension of equality, and that 9.45 pm they would therefore do so for the best of intentions, We know that there are people who would like to but let us be clear: some Members are supporting this have mixed-sex civil partnerships. We know that there amendment for precisely the opposite reason. I do not was a consultation, although that was denied earlier, include my hon. Friend in that. Some Members are that expressed a clear view. It has been argued that not breathing the word “equality” for the first time. It sticks many people would want such partnerships, but I do in the craw of many of us to be lectured suddenly now not see that as a problem. Equality matters. Even if only about equality by Members who have been opposing a few people are being discriminated against, we should this Bill and equality and every single measure that has all want to stop any such discrimination. come forward to promote equality in the first place, Arguments have also been made about costs and, as including civil partnerships. a matter of principle, I do not think that costs should be Some of the Members who have put their name to a bar to equalities legislation. It would, I suspect, be a this amendment and who intend to vote for it, proclaiming lot cheaper to deny women the vote or to restrict voting the need to ensure equality and symmetry, voted against even further to wealthy men above a certain age, but I the civil partnerships legislation in 2004. One of those do not think that anybody in the House would argue Members described that civil partnerships legislation that to save money at election time we should reduce the as a buggers’ muddle and thought that was a funny number of people who could vote. thing to say at the time. Suddenly, within less than a I am also concerned about the idea of cost as a decade, almost no Member of this House will say that matter of policy, and I tried to raise that issue earlier they did not support the civil partnerships legislation, with the Secretary of State. It would save the country and suddenly some of the Members who did not support money in pensions if we actively discouraged people it stand up now and say, “Oh, it’s terribly important from getting married or having relationships, but I do on equality grounds that this category of civil not think that that is the right way to go. If people partnerships”—which they did everything they possibly would like to have those relationships, the fact that they could to oppose—“is extended to heterosexual couples.” will get some pension rights should not stop us from It is a faux attachment to equality and it should not be allowing them. taken at face value. I believe passionately in equal civil marriage, but I I do not take anything away from those who genuinely also agree with the right hon. Member for Arundel and think that it would be a sensible status to create. I am South Downs that we must not give up hope on same-sex with them, but we must not imperil this Bill by allowing marriage to try to get that. That would be the wrong others to play their political games. I assure Members choice. That is why I welcome the review and the fact on both sides of the House that those in the other place that it will now be an urgent, prompt review rather than are waiting for the opportunity to declare that this Bill one that sits in the long grass for five years. It is not just will need more time and they will have to look at it in a question of when we start it, however, but of when we much greater detail, and then suddenly we will find that finish it. That must also be prompt. It is not the starting it will not be returned to us, or that it will be returned to time that will make a difference to people who want us in a form we do not like. such a provision, but the finishing time. 1011 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 1012

We also need a commitment to act when the review Lords, which will provide a prompt response, in terms concludes. I hoped to intervene on the Secretary of of a consultation; perhaps that will give him the reassurance State earlier to hear that there would be a commitment that he is looking for. to legislation, if such a recommendation is the outcome of the review and consultation. That is what we are all Tim Loughton: We have a dilemma here, because if expecting and, whether it happens in this Bill or in a my right hon. Friend goes ahead with new clause 16 on future Bill, we want to see it. the basis that the review could take until 2019, we must vote against it. She has just said that an immediate I want to see progress towards equality, equal marriage review is possible. Will she clearly tell Government and equal civil partnerships. We have a decision to Members whether she agrees with the hon. Member for make as a House about how best to get there. It is a Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green), who has made it question of balance and there are those who, for the clear that she thinks a review can have taken place come best of reasons, will want to support new clause 10 so Report in the Lords, and that its findings could be that we can plough ahead. I understand that reasoning added to the Bill before it has gone through both and it is a close call, but I think that they are risking a Houses? If that is the case, I would be delighted to lot. They are risking the failure of the rest of the Bill’s support my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and provisions on same-sex marriage and I hope that they drop my new clauses, but she needs to make it clear will not do that. That might not be the intention of the whether she thinks that is practically doable. hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton), but it might be the consequence, and I am Maria Miller: What I can be absolutely clear about is alarmed at that prospect and by the decisions that the that I am committed to undertaking an urgent review, Prime Minister might face if that happened. There is a and that the review will come through promptly, and in tough balance to be struck in how we make the most the way that my hon. Friend would expect. The Bill is progress we can on equalities, but I think that we must due in the House of Lords in two weeks. It would not be support the review and not new clause 10. feasible—no Member of the House would expect it—for me to undertake a proper consultation in that time Maria Miller: Clearly, we have had a vigorous debate frame, but I undertake further to discuss the timetable today. Let me wind up before we move to a vote. for the review with my hon. Friend, and it will absolutely It is clear that adding the whole new concept of the go forward in a prompt fashion. That is what he would extension of civil partnerships threatens delaying and expect us to say. even potentially derailing the Bill. New clause 16 offers My right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and a considered way forward, ensuring that the questions South Downs (Nick Herbert) made an impassioned that hon. Members on both sides of the House have speech. He properly talked about the importance of rightly asked can be answered. There has been a great getting the right solutions for cohabiting couples, and deal of talk about fairness, and the fairness that this Bill the extension of civil partnerships may or may not be enables is that same-sex couples can marry for the first that right solution. We need to do the right policy work time. We should not be trying to rectify other issues to ensure that we take these decisions for the right reasons, before we rectify that. and in the right way. We must make it clear, as those on both Front The right hon. Member for St Helens South and Benches have done already, that an immediate review is Whiston (Mr Woodward) put his finger on it when he possible to assess the need for the extension of civil said that the gross unfairness is the fact that same-sex partnerships. I am absolutely happy to accept the couples cannot get married. That is what the House manuscript amendment tabled by the Opposition and needs to focus on today. By voting for new clause 16 and to make it clear that we will facilitate a speedy review. It amendment (a) to it, we can get to a position in which is clear from today’s debate, however, that there are we can deal with the issue of extending civil partnerships policy and cost implications and we should ensure that to heterosexual couples without it getting in the way of we know them before we move forward. I will not allow making sure that the unfairness that he rightly identifies the extension of civil partnerships to heterosexual couples is dealt with swiftly. He talked eloquently about the to delay the Bill, and I think that all three main parties inequities in pension provision. If that was a simple agree on that. issue to rectify, presumably his Government would have addressed the issue back in 2004. The hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate The hon. Member for Glasgow South (Mr Harris) Green) rightly said, in her considered contribution—I talked about same-sex marriage being a step too far in welcomed the tone that she took—that to date there 2004. I was not a Member of the House at that point, had been “cursory” consultation in this area. I welcome but I understand the sentiment behind his comments. her desire for further elucidation of the issues that we I can say to the House today that this is not a step too have talked about, and her desire for the Bill’s passage far. It is not something that we should shy away from. not to be delayed. New clause 16, and amendment (a) to We have to be clear in our commitment to focusing on it, will give us a considered way forward. I also welcome extending marriage to same-sex couples, and should not the fact that she will not support new clauses 10 and 11, be distracted by trying to incorporate into the Bill, at and I hope that those proposing those new clauses will this point in time, issues that would create further delay consider not pressing them as a result. and debate in the other place. My hon. Friend the Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) gave an interesting and Sir Gerald Howarth: Will my right hon. Friend provide passionate display of argumentation. He will see that the House with her assessment of the fundamental there is a clear undertaking around new clause 16, and difference between a civil partnership and same-sex that a review will take place while the Bill is in the marriage, save the marriage bit? 1013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 1014

Maria Miller: That issue has been raised at every “This Bill does not undermine or weaken the importance of stage of the debate—on Second Reading and in Committee. marriage and we do not propose to open civil partnership My hon. Friend will know by now that there are some to opposite-sex couples.”—[Official Report, House of Lords, technical differences in the way that the Bill will work, 22 April 2004; Vol. 660, c. 388.] but the biggest difference of all is that we are for the first time enabling same-sex couples to have access to Mr Blunt: Will my right hon. Friend ensure that the something that heterosexual couples have taken for review that takes place will include the proposition put granted for many decades and hundreds of years and forward so ably by our hon. Friend the Member for that society values intrinsically. We have to ask ourselves Leeds North West (Greg Mulholland)? why we should deny people the ability to take part in something that so many of us know is a rich and Maria Miller: I think that my hon. Friend has heard important part of our lives. me say already that what we are very clear about and focused on is ensuring that the passage of the Bill is not impeded and that we will look carefully and in detail at Ian Paisley: Can the Secretary of State confirm to the the way civil partnerships could be taken forward in House the special arrangements that she has put in future but we have to do that in the right way. The place for Northern Ireland—that if a same-sex couple House would expect us to come forward with a considered get married under new laws here and move to Northern recommendation that has been fully consulted on, and Ireland, in law it will be regarded as only a civil partnership? that is what we intend to do. Maria Miller: The hon. Gentleman raises an important I think that we have had a full and frank debate, and I issue. These are matters that have been decided in thank all Members who have taken the time to contribute. Northern Ireland and I respect entirely the decisions I think that the manner of the debate has been in the that have been taken. I will continue to work with best fashion of this House. We have listened to each colleagues in the Northern Ireland Assembly to make other and considered the arguments. We will ensure that sure that the will of that part of the United Kingdom is the Bill, as it goes forward for its second day on Report dealt with in the appropriate way. What he rightly tomorrow, can be considered in the proper manner. describes is the situation for civil partnerships that take place in other parts of the world already. The Northern 10 pm Ireland Assembly recognises, as we would expect it to, a Debate interrupted (Programme Order, this day). civil partnership that took place, for example, in Canada The Speaker put forthwith the Question already proposed or Spain. We are simply asking for marriages of same-sex from the Chair (Standing Order No. 83E), That the couples to be recognised in the way that civil partnerships clause be read a Second time. from other countries are recognised. I am sure the hon. Gentleman would agree with that. The House divided: Ayes 391, Noes 57. Division No. 9] [10 pm Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): Will the Secretary of State give way? AYES Abbott, Ms Diane Blenkinsop, Tom Maria Miller: Perhaps my hon. Friend would forgive Abrahams, Debbie Blomfield, Paul me if I draw my remarks to a close, as the House has Afriyie, Adam Blunkett, rh Mr David had a great deal of discussion on the matter today and I Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Blunt, Mr Crispin am not sure he was available for the earlier discussions Alexander, rh Danny Boles, Nick Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Bottomley, Sir Peter on this group of amendments. Alexander, Heidi Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben I say to colleagues across the House that we must Ali, Rushanara Brake, rh Tom show our commitment to the ability of same-sex couples Allen, Mr Graham Brazier, Mr Julian to be married. We have to show that we are not diverted Anderson, Mr David Brennan, Kevin but that we will make sure that we consider in full the Andrew, Stuart Brokenshire, James opportunities of extending civil partnerships to heterosexual Ashworth, Jonathan Brooke, Annette couples. We can achieve that if colleagues vote through Bailey, Mr Adrian Brown, Lyn new clause 16, as I said, but we need to make sure that Bain, Mr William Brown, rh Mr Nicholas we are prioritising now the need for the choice for Baker, Norman Brown, Mr Russell Baldry, Sir Tony Browne, Mr Jeremy same-sex couples to be able to get married, not further Balls, rh Ed Bryant, Chris choice among heterosexual couples. That is an important Banks, Gordon Buck, Ms Karen measure that the Government can put forward today Barclay, Stephen Burden, Richard and it has support from both those on the Labour Front Barron, rh Mr Kevin Burley, Mr Aidan Bench and the Liberal Democrat Front Bench. Barwell, Gavin Burnham, rh Andy Many of the issues that we have discussed today were Beckett, rh Margaret Burns, rh Mr Simon discussed when the Bill was before the House back in Begg, Dame Anne Burstow, rh Paul 2004. When the issue of extending civil partnerships to Beith, rh Sir Alan Burt, Alistair opposite-sex couples came before the House, the then Benn, rh Hilary Burt, Lorely Minister, Jacqui Smith, ruled it out, saying: Benyon, Richard Byles, Dan Berger, Luciana Byrne, rh Mr Liam “That is not a matter for the Bill”—[Official Report, 12 October Berry, Jake Cable, rh Vince 2004; Vol. 425, c. 179.] Betts, Mr Clive Cameron, rh Mr David That is the stance that we are taking today. The then Bingham, Andrew Campbell, Mr Alan Minister in the House of Lords, Baroness Scotland, Blackman-Woods, Roberta Campbell, rh Sir Menzies said: Blackwood, Nicola Campbell, Mr Ronnie 1015 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 1016

Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Freer, Mike Jones, Andrew Munt, Tessa Carmichael, Neil Fullbrook, Lorraine Jones, Graham Murphy, rh Mr Jim Caton, Martin Gapes, Mike Jones, Mr Kevan Murray, Ian Champion, Sarah Gardiner, Barry Jones, Susan Elan Nandy, Lisa Chapman, Jenny Garnier, Mark Jowell, rh Dame Tessa Nash, Pamela Clark, rh Greg Gauke, Mr David Kawczynski, Daniel Newmark, Mr Brooks Clarke, rh Mr Tom George, Andrew Keeley, Barbara Newton, Sarah Clegg, rh Mr Nick Gibb, Mr Nick Kendall, Liz O’Donnell, Fiona Clwyd, rh Ann Gilbert, Stephen Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Ollerenshaw, Eric Coaker, Vernon Gilmore, Sheila Kirby, Simon Onwurah, Chi Coffey, Ann Glass, Pat Knight, rh Mr Greg Opperman, Guy Collins, Damian Goggins, rh Paul Lammy, rh Mr David Osborne, rh Mr George Colvile, Oliver Goldsmith, Zac Lancaster, Mark Osborne, Sandra Connarty, Michael Goodman, Helen Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Ottaway, Richard Cooper, rh Yvette Goodwill, Mr Robert Lavery, Ian Owen, Albert Corbyn, Jeremy Gove, rh Michael Laws, rh Mr David Pearce, Teresa Crausby, Mr David Grant, Mrs Helen Lazarowicz, Mark Penning, Mike Creagh, Mary Grayling, rh Chris Leadsom, Andrea Percy, Andrew Creasy, Stella Greatrex, Tom Lee, Jessica Perkins, Toby Crockart, Mike Green, rh Damian Leigh, Mr Edward Perry, Claire Crouch, Tracey Green, Kate Leslie, Chris Phillips, Stephen Cryer, John Greening, rh Justine Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Phillipson, Bridget Cunningham, Alex Greenwood, Lilian Lewell-Buck, Emma Pickles, rh Mr Eric Cunningham, Mr Jim Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Lewis, Brandon Poulter, Dr Daniel Curran, Margaret Griffith, Nia Lilley, rh Mr Peter Pound, Stephen Dakin, Nic Griffiths, Andrew Lloyd, Stephen Randall, rh Mr John Danczuk, Simon Gummer, Ben Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Davey, rh Mr Edward Gwynne, Andrew Lord, Jonathan Reed, Mr Jamie David, Wayne Gyimah, Mr Sam Love, Mr Andrew Reed, Mr Steve Davidson, Mr Ian Hague, rh Mr William Lucas, Caroline Reevell, Simon Davies, Geraint Hain, rh Mr Peter Luff, Peter Reid, Mr Alan De Piero, Gloria Halfon, Robert Lumley, Karen Reynolds, Emma Denham, rh Mr John Hames, Duncan Macleod, Mary Reynolds, Jonathan Dobson, rh Frank Hamilton, Mr David Mactaggart, Fiona Riordan, Mrs Linda Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Hamilton, Fabian Mahmood, Shabana Ritchie, Ms Margaret Doughty, Stephen Hammond, Stephen Malhotra, Seema Robertson, rh Hugh Dowd, Jim Hancock, Matthew Mann, John Robertson, John Doyle, Gemma Hands, Greg Marsden, Mr Gordon Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Dromey, Jack Hanson, rh Mr David Maude, rh Mr Francis Rotheram, Steve Duddridge, James Harman, rh Ms Harriet May, rh Mrs Theresa Roy, Mr Frank Dugher, Michael Harper, Mr Mark McCabe, Steve Roy, Lindsay Duncan, rh Mr Alan Harris, Rebecca McCarthy, Kerry Ruane, Chris Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Harris, Mr Tom McCartney, Jason Rudd, Amber Durkan, Mark Harvey, Sir Nick McClymont, Gregg Rutley, David Eagle, Ms Angela Healey, rh John McDonagh, Siobhain Sanders, Mr Adrian Eagle, Maria Heath, Mr David McDonald, Andy Sawford, Andy Edwards, Jonathan Heaton-Harris, Chris McDonnell, Dr Alasdair Seabeck, Alison Efford, Clive Hemming, John McFadden, rh Mr Pat Shapps, rh Grant Elliott, Julie Hendry, Charles McGovern, Alison Sharma, Mr Virendra Ellis, Michael Hepburn, Mr Stephen McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Sheerman, Mr Barry Ellison, Jane Herbert, rh Nick McKechin, Ann Simpson, Mr Keith Ellman, Mrs Louise Hilling, Julie McKenzie, Mr Iain Skidmore, Chris Ellwood, Mr Tobias Hinds, Damian McKinnell, Catherine Skinner, Mr Dennis Engel, Natascha Hodge, rh Margaret McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Slaughter, Mr Andy Esterson, Bill Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Meacher, rh Mr Michael Smith, rh Mr Andrew Evans, Chris Hoey, Kate Meale, Sir Alan Smith, Miss Chloe Evans, Graham Hollobone, Mr Philip Mearns, Ian Smith, Julian Evennett, Mr David Hopkins, Kelvin Menzies, Mark Smith, Nick Fabricant, Michael Hopkins, Kris Miliband, rh Edward Smith, Owen Farrelly, Paul Horwood, Martin Miller, rh Maria Smith, Sir Robert Farron, Tim Howarth, rh Mr George Milton, Anne Soubry, Anna Featherstone, Lynne Howell, John Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Stephenson, Andrew Field, rh Mr Frank Hughes, rh Simon Moon, Mrs Madeleine Stewart, Iain Field, Mark Hunt, Tristram Moore, rh Michael Stewart, Rory Fitzpatrick, Jim Huppert, Dr Julian Mordaunt, Penny Stuart, Ms Gisela Flello, Robert Irranca-Davies, Huw Morden, Jessica Stunell, rh Andrew Flint, rh Caroline Jackson, Glenda Morgan, Nicky Sturdy, Julian Flynn, Paul James, Margot Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Foster, rh Mr Don Jamieson, Cathy Morris, Grahame M. Swales, Ian Fovargue, Yvonne Jarvis, Dan (Easington) Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Francis, Dr Hywel Jenkin, Mr Bernard Mosley, Stephen Swinson, Jo Freeman, George Johnson, Joseph Munn, Meg Syms, Mr Robert 1017 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 1018

Tami, Mark Willetts, rh Mr David New Clause 10 Thomas, Mr Gareth Williams, Mr Mark Thornberry, Emily Williams, Roger PART 1 OF THE CIVIL PARTNERSHIP ACT 2004 Thornton, Mike Williams, Stephen ‘(1) Part 1 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 is amended as Thurso, John Williamson, Chris follows. Tomlinson, Justin Wilson, Phil (2) In section 1, subsection (1), leave out “of the same sex”.’. Truss, Elizabeth Winnick, Mr David —(Tim Loughton.) Turner, Karl Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Brought up, and read the First time. Twigg, Stephen Wollaston, Dr Sarah Question put, That the clause be read a Second time. Umunna, Mr Chuka Wood, Mike Uppal, Paul Woodward, rh Mr Shaun The House divided: Ayes 70, Noes 375. Vaizey, Mr Edward Wright, David Division No. 10] [10.16 pm Vaz, Valerie Wright, Mr Iain AYES Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Wright, Jeremy Walker, Mr Robin Wright, Simon Afriyie, Adam Loughton, Tim Walley, Joan Yeo, Mr Tim Aldous, Peter Lumley, Karen Watkinson, Dame Angela Baker, Steve Main, Mrs Anne Young, rh Sir George Watson, Mr Tom Beith, rh Sir Alan Maynard, Paul Zahawi, Nadhim Weatherley, Mike Benton, Mr Joe McCartney, Karl Webb, Steve Tellers for the Ayes: Bingham, Andrew McDonnell, Dr Alasdair White, Chris Karen Bradley and Brady, Mr Graham McIntosh, Miss Anne Whitehead, Dr Alan Sir Bob Russell Bridgen, Andrew McVey, Esther Brine, Steve Mills, Nigel NOES Buckland, Mr Robert Morris, David Burley, Mr Aidan Mulholland, Greg Aldous, Peter McCartney, Karl Chope, Mr Christopher Murphy, rh Paul Bone, Mr Peter McCrea, Dr William Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Nuttall, Mr David Bridgen, Andrew McIntosh, Miss Anne Cooper, Rosie O’Brien, Mr Stephen Brine, Steve McVey, Esther Crausby, Mr David Bruce, Fiona Mills, Nigel Davies, David T. C. Offord, Dr Matthew Buckland, Mr Robert Morris, David (Monmouth) Pincher, Christopher Campbell, Mr Gregory Nuttall, Mr David Davies, Glyn Qureshi, Yasmin Chope, Mr Christopher Offord, Dr Matthew Davies, Philip Redwood, rh Mr John Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Paisley, Ian Dobbin, Jim Rees-Mogg, Jacob Cooper, Rosie Pawsey, Mark Durkan, Mark Ritchie, Ms Margaret Davies, David T. C. Pincher, Christopher Evans, Jonathan Rosindell, Andrew (Monmouth) Redwood, rh Mr John Field, rh Mr Frank Shelbrooke, Alec Davies, Glyn Rees-Mogg, Jacob Gale, Sir Roger Smith, Henry Davies, Philip Shannon, Jim Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Dodds, rh Mr Nigel Shelbrooke, Alec Glindon, Mrs Mary Stewart, Bob Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Simpson, David Gray, Mr James Vickers, Martin Elphicke, Charlie Smith, Henry Hendry, Charles Wallace, Mr Ben Evans, Jonathan Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Hollobone, Mr Philip Walter, Mr Robert Gale, Sir Roger Stevenson, John Hughes, rh Simon Wheeler, Heather Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Stewart, Bob Jackson, Mr Stewart Whittaker, Craig Gray, Mr James Vickers, Martin Johnson, Gareth Whittingdale, Mr John Hermon, Lady Wallace, Mr Ben Jones, Mr Marcus Wiggin, Bill Jackson, Mr Stewart Walter, Mr Robert Kelly, Chris Williamson, Gavin Johnson, Gareth Wheeler, Heather Latham, Pauline Jones, Mr Marcus Whittaker, Craig Leadsom, Andrea Tellers for the Ayes: Kelly, Chris Whittingdale, Mr John Lee, Dr Phillip Mr Rob Wilson and Latham, Pauline Williamson, Gavin Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Charlotte Leslie Lee, Dr Phillip Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Tellers for the Noes: Loughton, Tim Mr Rob Wilson and NOES Main, Mrs Anne Charlotte Leslie Abbott, Ms Diane Barron, rh Mr Kevin Abrahams, Debbie Barwell, Gavin Question accordingly agreed to. Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Beckett, rh Margaret Alexander, rh Danny Begg, Dame Anne New clause 16 read a Second time, and added to the Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Benn, rh Hilary Bill. Ali, Rushanara Benyon, Richard Allen, Mr Graham Berger, Luciana The Speaker then put forthwith the Questions necessary Anderson, Mr David Berry, Jake for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that Andrew, Stuart Betts, Mr Clive time (Standing Order No. 83E). Ashworth, Jonathan Blackman-Woods, Roberta Bacon, Mr Richard Blenkinsop, Tom Amendment made to new clause 16: (a), leave out Bain, Mr William Blomfield, Paul from ‘practicable’ to end of Clause, and insert Baker, Norman Blunkett, rh Mr David Baldry, Sir Tony Blunt, Mr Crispin ‘and include a full public consultation’.—(Kate Green.) Balls, rh Ed Boles, Nick New clause 16, as amended, added to the Bill. Banks, Gordon Bottomley, Sir Peter Barclay, Stephen Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben 1019 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill20 MAY 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 1020

Brake, rh Tom Efford, Clive Hodge, rh Margaret Milton, Anne Brazier, Mr Julian Elliott, Julie Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Moon, Mrs Madeleine Brennan, Kevin Ellis, Michael Hoey, Kate Moore, rh Michael Brokenshire, James Ellison, Jane Hopkins, Kris Mordaunt, Penny Brooke, Annette Ellwood, Mr Tobias Horwood, Martin Morden, Jessica Brown, Lyn Elphicke, Charlie Howarth, rh Mr George Morgan, Nicky Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Engel, Natascha Howell, John Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Brown, Mr Russell Esterson, Bill Hunt, Tristram Morris, Grahame M. Browne, Mr Jeremy Evans, Chris Huppert, Dr Julian (Easington) Bruce, Fiona Evans, Graham Irranca-Davies, Huw Mosley, Stephen Bryant, Chris Evennett, Mr David Jackson, Glenda Munn, Meg Buck, Ms Karen Fabricant, Michael James, Margot Munt, Tessa Burden, Richard Farrelly, Paul Jamieson, Cathy Murphy, rh Mr Jim Burnham, rh Andy Farron, Tim Jarvis, Dan Murray, Ian Burns, rh Mr Simon Featherstone, Lynne Jenkin, Mr Bernard Nandy, Lisa Burstow, rh Paul Fitzpatrick, Jim Johnson, rh Alan Nash, Pamela Burt, Alistair Flello, Robert Johnson, Joseph Newmark, Mr Brooks Burt, Lorely Flint, rh Caroline Jones, Andrew Newton, Sarah Byles, Dan Flynn, Paul Jones, Graham O’Donnell, Fiona Byrne, rh Mr Liam Foster, rh Mr Don Jones, Mr Kevan Ollerenshaw, Eric Cable, rh Vince Fovargue, Yvonne Jones, Susan Elan Onwurah, Chi Cameron, rh Mr David Fox,rhDrLiam Jowell, rh Dame Tessa Opperman, Guy Campbell, Mr Alan Freer, Mike Kawczynski, Daniel Osborne, rh Mr George Campbell, Mr Gregory Fullbrook, Lorraine Keeley, Barbara Osborne, Sandra Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Fuller, Richard Kendall, Liz Ottaway, Richard Campbell, Mr Ronnie Gapes, Mike Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Paice, rh Sir James Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Gardiner, Barry Kirby, Simon Paisley, Ian Carmichael, Neil Gauke, Mr David Knight, rh Mr Greg Pearce, Teresa Caton, Martin Gibb, Mr Nick Lammy, rh Mr David Penning, Mike Champion, Sarah Gilbert, Stephen Lancaster, Mark Percy, Andrew Chapman, Jenny Gilmore, Sheila Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Perkins, Toby Clark, rh Greg Glass, Pat Lavery, Ian Perry, Claire Clegg, rh Mr Nick Goldsmith, Zac Laws, rh Mr David Phillips, Stephen Clwyd, rh Ann Goodman, Helen Lazarowicz, Mark Phillipson, Bridget Coaker, Vernon Goodwill, Mr Robert Lee, Jessica Pickles, rh Mr Eric Coffey, Ann Gove, rh Michael Leigh, Mr Edward Poulter, Dr Daniel Collins, Damian Grant, Mrs Helen Leslie, Chris Pound, Stephen Colvile, Oliver Grayling, rh Chris Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Randall, rh Mr John Connarty, Michael Greatrex, Tom Lewell-Buck, Emma Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Cooper, rh Yvette Green, rh Damian Lewis, Brandon Reed, Mr Jamie Corbyn, Jeremy Green, Kate Lewis, Dr Julian Reed, Mr Steve Creagh, Mary Greening, rh Justine Lilley, rh Mr Peter Reevell, Simon Creasy, Stella Greenwood, Lilian Lloyd, Stephen Reid, Mr Alan Crockart, Mike Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Lord, Jonathan Reynolds, Emma Crouch, Tracey Griffith, Nia Luff, Peter Reynolds, Jonathan Cryer, John Gummer, Ben Macleod, Mary Riordan, Mrs Linda Cunningham, Alex Gwynne, Andrew Mactaggart, Fiona Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Cunningham, Mr Jim Gyimah, Mr Sam Mahmood, Shabana Robertson, rh Hugh Curran, Margaret Hague, rh Mr William Malhotra, Seema Robertson, John Dakin, Nic Halfon, Robert Mann, John Robertson, Mr Laurence Danczuk, Simon Hames, Duncan Marsden, Mr Gordon Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Davey, rh Mr Edward Hamilton, Mr David Maude, rh Mr Francis Rotheram, Steve David, Wayne Hamilton, Fabian May, rh Mrs Theresa Roy, Mr Frank Davidson, Mr Ian Hammond, Stephen McCabe, Steve Roy, Lindsay Davies, Geraint Hancock, Matthew McCarthy, Kerry Ruane, Chris De Piero, Gloria Hands, Greg McCartney, Jason Rudd, Amber Denham, rh Mr John Hanson, rh Mr David McClymont, Gregg Russell, Sir Bob Dobson, rh Frank Harman, rh Ms Harriet McCrea, Dr William Rutley, David Dodds, rh Mr Nigel Harper, Mr Mark McDonagh, Siobhain Sanders, Mr Adrian Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Harris, Rebecca McDonald, Andy Sawford, Andy Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Harris, Mr Tom McFadden, rh Mr Pat Seabeck, Alison Doughty, Stephen Harvey, Sir Nick McGovern, Alison Selous, Andrew Dowd, Jim Hayes, rh Mr John McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Shannon, Jim Doyle, Gemma Heath, Mr David McKechin, Ann Shapps, rh Grant Doyle-Price, Jackie Heaton-Harris, Chris McKenzie, Mr Iain Sharma, Mr Virendra Dromey, Jack Hemming, John McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Sheerman, Mr Barry Duddridge, James Hendrick, Mark Meacher, rh Mr Michael Simpson, David Dugher, Michael Herbert, rh Nick Meale, Sir Alan Simpson, Mr Keith Duncan, rh Mr Alan Hermon, Lady Mearns, Ian Skidmore, Chris Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Hillier, Meg Menzies, Mark Skinner, Mr Dennis Eagle, Ms Angela Hilling, Julie Miliband, rh Edward Slaughter, Mr Andy Eagle, Maria Hinds, Damian Miller, rh Maria Smith, rh Mr Andrew 1021 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 20 MAY 2013 1022

Smith, Miss Chloe Walker, Mr Robin Business Without Debate Smith, Julian Walley, Joan Smith, Nick Watkinson, Dame Angela Smith, Owen Watson, Mr Tom FOREIGN AFFAIRS Smith, Sir Robert Weatherley, Mike Soubry, Anna Webb, Steve Ordered, Stephenson, Andrew White, Chris Stewart, Iain Whitehead, Dr Alan That Mr Bob Ainsworth be discharged from the Foreign Stewart, Rory Willetts, rh Mr David Affairs Committee and Sandra Osborne be added.—(Geoffrey Stringer, Graham Williams, Mr Mark Clifton-Brown, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) Stuart, Ms Gisela Williams, Roger Stunell, rh Andrew Williams, Stephen Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Williamson, Chris PETITION Swales, Ian Wilson, Phil Swinson, Jo Winnick, Mr David Bedroom Tax Syms, Mr Robert Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Tami, Mark Wollaston, Dr Sarah 10.32 pm Thomas, Mr Gareth Wood, Mike Thornton, Mike Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): I am pleased to be Tomlinson, Justin Wright, David able to present the petition on behalf of residents of Truss, Elizabeth Wright, Mr Iain Turner, Mr Andrew Scunthorpe on the impact of the bedroom tax, particularly Wright, Simon in the light of headlines over the weekend reporting the Turner, Karl Yeo, Mr Tim Twigg, Stephen huge leap in demand for emergency hardship handouts Young, rh Sir George Umunna, Mr Chuka for tenants as a result of this pernicious policy. Zahawi, Nadhim Uppal, Paul Vaizey, Mr Edward Tellers for the Noes: The petition states: Vaz, Valerie Mr Desmond Swayne and Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Karen Bradley The Petition of residents of the UK, Declares that the Petitioners believe that the spare room subsidy or ‘bedroom tax’ is an unjust and immoral tax on the Question accordingly negatived. most vulnerable in society. Clause 18 The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to abolish this tax. SHORT TITLE AND COMMENCEMENT And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. Amendment made: 53, page 14, line 17, leave out [P001178] ‘comes’ and insert ‘and section (Review of civil partnership) come’.—(Maria Miller.) Bill to be further considered tomorrow. 1023 20 MAY 2013 1024

Marine Management Organisation All seems fine, but he continues: (Data Accuracy) “EU scrutiny regarding data reporting systems has included working through from the initial ‘raw’ data on activity right Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House through to the detail reported to the Commission to ensure do now adjourn.—(Nicky Morgan.) completeness and accuracy in the capture, processing and final reporting of data. These inspections and the checks built into the 10.33 pm systems, in addition to MMO’s own checks and balances, give the Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): The team high confidence in the robustness of the system”. establishment of the Marine Management Organisation “Great”, we thought, “No need to worry”, but when was deemed at the time to be a sensible approach, we asked for sight of all these reports demonstrating the although the decision to move to the north-east was one robustness of the statistics, the CEO’s officials eventually I argued against. The loss of expertise within the had to respond and admit that he was wrong and that organisation was never going to be easy to rebuild no audits of processes and raw data handling had been overnight, and the use of consultants is expensive and carried out by any of these organisations. It is of grave never quite provides the degree of continuity an organisation concern that the senior official at a non-departmental needs—it loses its embedded knowledge. Good catch public body is willing to try to hoodwink stakeholders data management and information are at the heart of and does not even know himself whether statistics are fisheries management, stock assessment, targeted fit for purpose. Despite the fact that Ms Portman has enforcement strategy and the sustainable use of our written to him and the chair of his board, neither has marine environment. Our national fleet, and the responded to the assertions made by him. communities and livelihoods they support, depend on It may be helpful to outline another specific instance. them. For some years, the UK has overfished and not reported When I was contacted by a scalloper in my constituency, to the Commission the correct western waters scallop Terri Portmann, about her problems making sense of effort figures for some years. From local fisheries officers the figures available via the MMO, DEFRA and the to the chief executive of the MMO; from directors of EU, it became clear that there was a mismatch that in departments within the MMO to the chairman of the turn was causing serious problems for those in the board; from DEFRA officials through to the Minister industry.For 18 months, we have been trying to understand himself—all have received assurances that the Commission what the problems are and where they lie so that the was fully aware of this and accepted it because of the industry, hand in hand with officials, can try to make early “close out” of statistics in the subsequent year. the system work better for everyone. Ms Portmann has, through her own diligence, been pursuing clarification, Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I thank the hon. and I have asked a series of parliamentary questions. Lady for giving way on this important issue. She mentioned Others have also been pressing the Minister on this fisheries, which are an important issue for me as well. In matter. Northern Ireland, fishermen and the Department of Unfortunately, I have encountered a worrying pattern Agriculture and Rural Development’s fisheries division of obfuscation and inaccuracy. The MMO and DEFRA have carried out data-gathering exercises in the Irish sea have both offered assurances that everything is fine, but showing that the numbers of white fish and cod fish when we have asked for evidence of this, every—and I have increased greatly. Does that not underline her mean every—request for information made either through point that the data collection seems right, but that its a freedom of information request or environmental imposition, and how it might improve the fisheries information regulations has met with time extensions division, is not carried through? and the need to request internal reviews. There has been constant delay. Every internal review has required that a Alison Seabeck: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his complaint be made to the Information Commissioner’s intervention. He emphasises a point I will make later, Office and, importantly, every complaint so far—more which is that because of our concerns about the scallop are still pending final outcomes—has been upheld, as a data, those fishing other species are rightly concerned result of which the result the MMO has been ordered to that the data on which their activity is based are also provide information it had previously withheld or to inaccurate. admit that there is no such evidence. I must repeat that Even the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee final point: no such evidence. received assurances from the MMO and DEFRA, through The ICO’s decisions have demonstrated that in every the National Audit Office, that the EC was aware and case when requests have been made to substantiate had sanctioned the statistics. However, documents that claims made by officials about statistics and management, the MMO was recently forced to disclose by the Information either there has been no evidence to support the MMO’s Commissioner’s office show this to be simply untrue. position or quite the opposite—there has been evidence E-mails from the MMO’s statistical unit to DEFRA only to the contrary. The chief executive officer of the officials at the time we started questioning the unreported MMO, James Cross, wrote to Ms Portmann in August overfishing state that the EC was not aware of the 2009 last year after a meeting at which concerns were raised overfishing, for example—specifically, that the EC had about the statistics. He wrote: not been told—and admit that only a 95% uptake was “As mentioned at the meeting, the systems operated within the reported, when in reality there was an overfish of 10. MMO, and by the other UK Fisheries Administrations, to collect Because of overfishing of effort or quota, the UK runs and process data from fishermen are subject to ongoing external the risk of being fined—as I am sure the Minister is well EU inspections on various aspects of their operation. Commission aware—and facing infraction proceedings. staff, inspectors from the European Fisheries Control Agency, and the EC Court of Auditors have all visited to check on the Although I have been able to identify 2009 as the first UK’s compliance with obligations; issues are from time to time year in which that occurred, it appears to have happened raised but these are then rectified as quickly as possible.” in 2010, 2011 and 2012 . We have heard time and again 1025 Marine Management Organisation 20 MAY 2013 Marine Management Organisation 1026 (Data Accuracy) (Data Accuracy) from officials that this is all due to the EC imposing met—we have encountered the usual freedom-of- short timescales for monthly and end-of-year close-out. information handling by the MMO and, as a result, That ought to be a nonsensical claim, as western waters MMO complaints. There is no evidence that these targets vessels are fitted with e-logs. Landing declarations are were all met. In fact, the MMO has been forced to made in real time and sales notes are required to be release evidence confirming that they were not all met. submitted within a week of landing, so how can the The Information Commissioner’s findings question a UK not meet the monthly close-out targets due by the number of the MMO’s assertions. 15th of the following month or the year-end target of There are other targets for which we are still waiting six weeks for the end of year? Indeed, why is the UK for a response, some months after they have been asked still some months behind in some cases? The MMO about, and we are also looking for further evidence controls and enforces e-logs and sales notes. There has linked particularly to the business plan that the MMO been no substantial action against vessels or processors has produced for 2013-16. We really do not want the in the submitting of data. Despite that, MMO staff MMO to get caught out again. We want the figures that have grown in number since 2010, from 190 to 320, so are given to us and placed before Parliament to be what on earth are all those people doing? Clearly they factually correct. are not involved in meeting the UK legal requirements Further requests relating to other basic and core for data submission. functions such as ensuring that licences and variations DEFRA must also bear a heavy responsibility for the are issued in accordance with the relevant laws have met western waters scallop debacle. Documents released by with evidence that they are in fact not, and that there is DEFRA show that officials were aware of the effort not even guidance in place for staff to follow to ensure problem for some years. Indeed, internal DEFRA memos compliance. If we add into this pot staff conferences at show that the person who eventually took over the four-star hotels, a hospitality bill that appears not to western waters job in 2010 questioned why nothing had meet the suggested standard pricing, and total bills for happened. By then, towards the end of 2010, DEFRA the hotel alone that were in excess of £80,000, we can still did not act or, importantly, speak to the industry see why people in the industry who are struggling are properly. Through May and June 2011, officials had getting angry. I would suggest that in austere times some meetings and discussions with selected members some of those costs should be looked at again. of industry, but did not advertise, publicise or engage I find it deeply disturbing that an organisation of with this fragmented industry of vessels and processors—the which we should be genuinely proud has a culture of people who did not belong to national associations. By promoting secrecy and obfuscation from the top down late August 2011, DEFRA had decided a closure was when challenged by those most affected by its decisions. likely. In early September it finally started to make that It is an organisation that goes to great lengths to hide its publicly known and closed the fishery in October. Even failings. It is only through the persistence of my constituent, the internal e-mails from that period show that, behind who is in the Gallery tonight, and others in the industry the scenes, DEFRA was withholding its full intentions that we have managed to get the necessary information from the industry and even discussing the necessity of to surface. The Information Commissioner’s Office has further consultation, if only for the appearance of also played a key part in this. consultation and to avoid criticism later—at least that would be my view. I put it to the Minister that the time has come for a full and detailed investigation into the nature of these The easy answer was a realignment of effort. After figures, not least because companies such as that of my my meeting with the Minister last May, Ms Portmann constituent are going out of business. Ms Portmann has wrote to the EC, which suggested that this was a good lost her business, and that is in part due to the fact that idea. There was a further meeting with officials, who, it there are inaccurate data available, and that people in was felt, were not in favour of even trying to get an the industry are not clear about the nature of the effort uplift. As more recently released documents show, that that they can get or the activity that they can undertake. option was being positively considered, yet somewhere The Minister really should take this seriously and not along the line they simply changed their minds. Will the continue simply to accept the papers that are put in Minister say what the basis for that was? front of him by officials. This needs to be properly Scallops might be a specific area where the MMO investigated. and DEFRA are failing at marine management. However, because of the questionable data trails—this touches on 10.47 pm the point made earlier—and the clear attempts to prevent TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforEnvironment, me and other interested parties from gaining access to Food and Rural Affairs (Richard Benyon): I shall start by all the information, we decided to dig elsewhere to see addressing the last point that the hon. Member for whether the problem was specific to scallops. What we Plymouth, Moor View (Alison Seabeck) raised. That discovered was more of the same—other sections of the really is a very serious allegation. To say that the work industry may want to question the data following this of my Department or a part of the DEFRA family has debate. I am sure it is in the interest of both industry resulted in the failure of a business is one of the most and organisations such as the Marine Conservation serious accusations that she could possibly make, and it Society to ensure that we fully understand what is is one that I would refute. I would refute it because the happening, rather than rely on what at times seems little industry is increasing its turnover, as I shall discuss in a more than guesswork. moment. I regret that anybody should find themselves We questioned the MMO’s annual report for 2011-12, in the circumstances that the hon. Lady has described in which was laid before this House. So far, for all the talking about that business but, to use my words carefully, targets listed as “met” that we have questioned—we if such a serious allegation were made outside this have asked for sight of evidence that they were indeed House, I would have to seek advice on it. 1027 Marine Management Organisation 20 MAY 2013 Marine Management Organisation 1028 (Data Accuracy) (Data Accuracy) [Richard Benyon] of the Sea—area VII, an expanse of sea that extends westwards from the channel around the Irish sea and an I am not standing here trying to sound as though I area where effort is restricted under the western waters am the voice of another organisation or spouting words regime. that I have just been given. I have looked closely into The profitable nature of this fishery has been increasingly this issue, and as the hon. Lady rightly said, I have met attractive to vessels from all parts of the UK. However, her and her constituent. I do not know whether another for over-15-metre vessels, the UK has exceeded the individual has tied up more time and resources in my limits on fishing effort—that is, days at sea—set under Department and the Marine Management Organisation the western waters regime. Such overfishing risks effort than Ms Portmann, but I can assure the House that that penalties, which would be a severe blow to one of the is my impression from discussing this with officials. I most successful, productive and highest-earning fisheries recognise the hon. Lady’s commitment and dedication found in our waters. As a result, a management regime to the country’s fishing industry. She has been a good for the area VII fishery has been agreed with the scallop voice for her constituents on many of these issues. In industry and the four UK fisheries administrations who turn, I am committed to preserving fishing opportunities are working together to ensure that activity remains for this generation and the next through the reform of within our effort limits. the common fisheries policy, and to protecting the fish On my examination of this matter, I would say that stocks in our seas. DEFRA staff and MMO staff have worked really hard This matter needs to be set in context. We are undergoing to keep this fishery open in recent years by helping to a quiet revolution in how we manage our seas, not only find swaps and in being successful in doing so. Yes, the through the reform of the common fisheries policy. Part hon. Lady is right that it required us to close the fishery of the uplift in the numbers that the hon. Lady has for one period, but it has been a Herculean task to keep described is due to the introduction of marine planning, it open in the face of the effort limitations that this area which will have a dramatic effect on her constituency has faced. and on many of the businesses that function from it and off it, out at sea. An industry advisory group has been established, involving catchers and processors of scallops from around We are also changing and leading the way in which the country. Those are key players in this problem. That we deliver marine conservation in Europe. There is provides industry with a lead role in taking responsibility great cause for pride in that, but it has huge resource for the management of the fishery. The MMO is an implications for my Department and the MMO. We important source of information. It provides advice on have created new organisations to regulate and police levels of uptake in the fishery to inform management our seas, not least the inshore fisheries and conservation discussions. authorities and, yes, the Marine Management Organisation. As the hon. Lady knows, the MMO was formed three At the same time as the management regime was years ago, and it is the principal marine fisheries enforcement being established, over-15-metre UK vessels were moving body in England and acts as the UK authority to from paper-based reporting to the electronic logbook co-ordinate and control activities across all four fishing system, as the hon. Lady rightly stated. Vessel operators administrations. have needed to install new on-board equipment and to I have seen at first hand and take a great interest in revise the way in which they record their fishing activity. how the MMO works. It works with industry and other All the fisheries administrations have had to make parts of the Government to achieve pragmatic fisheries corresponding changes in their systems for handling management and management of the marine environment. data to deal with the new sources of information. That The MMO, like any other regulator, relies on its ability has been a major change for UK fishermen, given that to collate and analyse data so that it can make sound the paper-based logbook has been largely unchanged management decisions. It carries out statutory obligations for the past 30 years. for the UK, which include reporting data to the European Generally fishermen still provide the same information, Commission on quota uptake and fishing effort. This is but the way in which they provide it has changed a significant task. By working closely with UK fishing completely. In respect of data management for the administrations, the MMO has dealt with data covering western waters scallop fishery, the MMO has responded approximately 230,000 vessel landings a year. I say with to the challenges by working closely with the scalloping great respect to the hon. Lady—it is sincere in this case, sector and other administrations to develop new analytical which it is not always when that line is delivered from systems for collected data. this Dispatch Box—that she is receiving information on this issue from one source, whereas I receive it from a lot Alison Seabeck: I appreciate that this is a complex of other organisations, including businesses within this issue and that change is always difficult, but does the sector, and I get a very different story. Minister not share my view that in many respects the These landings range from small boats that go out for MMO has not helped itself by persistently insisting that only a few hours a day to vessels that may be 20 times everything must be done through a freedom of information bigger and are at sea for weeks at a time. Last year, the request, or that we apply to the Information Commissioner? MMO had to deal with significant challenges to the Will he please at least accept that when a member of the over-15-metre scallop fishery, one of the UK’s most industry asks for information, it should not be treated valuable fishing assets, under the western waters regime. as if it were top secret? Scalloping is highly profitable for the UK fishing fleet and accounts for about 9% of the total tonnage and Richard Benyon: The hon. Lady is right. There are no value of fish landed by the UK fleet. Much of this state secrets here. There is no market-sensitive information, activity, as the hon. Lady is well aware, takes place or at any rate very little. I think the hon. Lady would in ICES—International Council for the Exploration admit, however, that the plethora of FOI requests from 1029 Marine Management Organisation 20 MAY 2013 Marine Management Organisation 1030 (Data Accuracy) (Data Accuracy) her constituent has reached confetti proportions. When scalloping sector has enough effort to remain economically they are responded to—as they are—there is a follow-up, active and profitable all year round. Generally, its efforts and another and another. If that information were vital have been well received by the industry. to the results of information being passed to the European I am aware of the concerns raised by the scalloping Commission, I would understand. sector about time lags and the frustrations these can However, it is true that sometimes it has been found cause, and the hon. Lady also rightly raised them. Data that the MMO has not given exactly the right detail. lags are caused by the need to validate data and conduct I am not complacent, and I want everyone in my quality checks required under European legislation before Department to provide information of a high standard data are reported to the Commission. The Commission at all times, but let me suggest respectfully that the way acknowledges these time lags are an inherent part of the in which information has been applied for has rather control systems that all member states are required to given the impression that the perfect is the enemy of operate. They are caused by the nature and extent of the the good. validation processes that need to take place. Logbook data need to be checked with satellite vehicle monitoring The new data processes make use of a key benefit systems data and with other notes. That cannot be done from the electronic logbooks, allowing near real-time overnight. monitoring of scalloping effort, and allowing each However, the House should note that these reports administration to monitor individual near real-time are not used to make management decisions, or to vessel activity as part of the enforcement of days-at-sea monitor the fishery. As of 2013 and the introduction of limits. Engagement with the industry has been a priority, electronic logbooks, these decisions are based on real-time and we have sought for it to take responsibility for the data systems that have been developed since the introduction management of the fishery. Over the last 18 months, of e-logbooks, which virtually eliminate the impact of administrations have worked closely with the scallop data lag for management purposes. I hope that reassures industry consultation group. A management system has the hon. Lady about the way this issue is moving. been agreed which sets quarterly days-at-sea limits for I recognise the immense challenges faced by fishermen vessels affected by the regime. Industry compliance has and those working in the fishing industry. The hon. been strong, and improved significantly throughout Lady raised a point about the accuracy of corporate 2012 and into 2013. reporting. As I said earlier, the MMO is three years old. The use of the monitoring system, supported by a It continues to evolve, striving for better services and, close working relationship between MMO coastal staff driven by Ministers, to make sure it is as efficient as and vessel operators, helped to produce circumstances possible. Transparency and accountability are key to its in which no English vessels exceeded their days-at-sea decisions. limits for the first quarter of 2013. In 2012, that working The MMO’s openness to feedback and willingness to relationship allowed the fishery to stay open throughout address issues are admirable, although we clearly have a the year, and virtually all effort available to the UK was problem, and perceptions to all extents and purposes used. As I have said, that involved a Herculean effort on are reality, so I want to address the point she raised. I the part of a great many people. know that a query was raised against an annexe to the Despite effort restrictions, the scalloping sector remains last annual report and accounts which presented an profitable. That is very important. Last year, sales of end-of-year status on whether targets were met or were UK scallop landings reached almost £70 million, an not met. Following feedback, the MMO has recognised increase from £64 million in 2011 and from £55 million the potential for misinterpretation of the information. in 2010. Furthermore, last year the over-15-metre fleet The MMO will provide a clarification in the next annual fishing in ICES area VII landed more than 27,000 tonnes, report, to be published this summer. In future, it will worth £29 million, which was a substantial increase report with additional granularity against performance on the 14,000 tonnes, worth £17 million, which were measures and key steps delivered during the year. landed in 2008. We want this profitable industry to I can give the hon. Lady, and other Members, every continue to be the success that those figures have proved assurance that I will work with them to make sure that it to be. concerns are addressed. I have asked DEFRA and MMO officials to pursue compliance through consultation The MMO works collaboratively with the industry and mutual co-operation. and the UK Administrations, setting days-at-sea limits Question put and agreed to. and organising industry-sourced international effort swaps to provide additional effort to the industry. This 11.2 pm collaborative approach has helped ensure that the UK House adjourned.

51WS Written Ministerial Statements20 MAY 2013 Written Ministerial Statements 52WS

consumer protection because of EU requirements that Written Ministerial member states have their own schemes for protecting customers’ deposits. The paper also examines the Statements implications of independence on individual’s personal finances, including from bank accounts, pensions, savings, Monday 20 May 2013 insurance products and mortgages. The analysis concludes that Scotland has a strong and vibrant financial services industry. As part of the CABINET OFFICE UK, firms and individuals benefit from a world-leading “State of the Estate 2012” financial services sector and a large, integrated domestic market for financial services with few barriers to business The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster conducted between Scotland and the rest of the UK. General (Mr Francis Maude): I have today laid before Consumers benefit from clear and effective arrangements Parliament, pursuant to section 86 of the Climate Change for protecting their savings and deposits. This position Act 2008, “State of the Estate in 2012”. This report would be put at risk if Scotland were to become provides an assessment of the efficiency and sustainability independent, fragmenting the market and the bodies of the Government’s Civil Estate and records the progress that have been put in place to protect customers, creating that Government are making. The report is published additional difficulties and costs for households and on an annual basis. businesses, as well as for financial services firms themselves. The paper published today follows the Government’s paper outlining the currency and monetary policy TREASURY implications of independence, published on 24 April. That paper concluded that the UK currently enjoys a Scotland Analysis full monetary, political, fiscal and currency union and that none of the currency options under independence The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander): would serve Scotland as well as the current arrangements The Government have today published the third paper within the UK. The paper also set out that the economic in the Scotland analysis series to inform the debate on rationale for the UK to enter a currency union with an Scotland’s future within the United Kingdom. independent Scotland was not clear. “Scotland analysis: Financial services and banking” Future papers from the Scotland analysis programme examines how the financial services and banking sector will be published over the course of 2013 and 2014 to currently operates across the UK, and the implications of ensure that people in Scotland have access to the facts a vote for independence on the industry and its customers. and information ahead of the referendum. The analysis shows that financial services and banking sector employs around 7% of the total Scottish workforce and contributes more than 8% of onshore GDP to the COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Scottish economy. As part of the UK, Scotland benefits from and contributes to the UK’s position as a global Fire Services: Knight Review leader in financial services. The UK is seen as having a strong tax and regulatory environment which supports TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities a competitive financial centre. The size of the industry and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): As outlined in relative to the UK economy means the UK is resilient my written statement of 17 December 2012, Official to financial shocks and has in the Bank of England a Report, column 70WS, Sir Ken Knight, former firefighter strong and credible lender of last resort. Consumers and Government chief fire and rescue adviser, has are in turn protected by the UK’s financial services undertaken a review into the operational efficiency of compensation scheme which guarantees deposits in UK the services delivered by fire and rescue authorities in banks up to £85,000. England. In the event of a vote for independence, there would I asked Sir Ken to identify ways fire and rescue be consequences for the financial sector and for its authorities can pinpoint sensible savings and practical customers, including all individuals and businesses. The improvements without reducing the breadth and quality most profound implication is that independence would of life-saving services that the country’s firefighters are create two separate financial jurisdictions: the continuing known for. UK and a new, independent Scotland, which would On Friday, I received and published his report, “Facing require its own legal and regulatory framework. the Future”. A copy has been placed in the Library of An independent Scotland would have an exceptionally the House and is available on my Department’s website large financial services sector compared to the size of its (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/facing- economy, making it more vulnerable to financial shocks the-future). than as part of the UK. The assets of the whole UK This is an independent report and does not, as such, banking sector around 492% of total UK GDP. By represent Government policy. contrast, Scottish banks have assets totalling around I now wish to take time to consider Sir Ken’s findings, 1,254% of Scottish GDP, assuming that firms did not and intend to listen to chairmen of fire and rescue make significant changes to their group structure. authorities, chief fire officers, and representative bodies The UK has established effective arrangements for for their thoughts on the recommendations in the report. protecting consumers of financial services. These ensure The Government will then respond formally in due that customers benefit from consistent standards and course, later this year. fair treatment across the whole UK. An independent I would like to thank Sir Ken for his report, and all Scottish state would need to establish its own financial those who took part. 53WS Written Ministerial Statements20 MAY 2013 Written Ministerial Statements 54WS

DEFENCE received—subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act—will be published alongside the final report and will be available on: www.gov.uk/review-of-the-balance- Armed Forces Pay Review Body: Medical and Dental of-competences. Officers Our Departments will pursue an active engagement process, consulting with departmental select committees, The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): the devolved Administrations, businesses and civil society The 2013 main report of the Armed Forces’ Pay Review in order to obtain evidence to contribute to our analysis Body (AFPRB) and Government response was published of the issues. Our EU partners and the EU institutions on the 14 March 2013. In line with convention, the will also be invited to contribute evidence to the review. AFPRB has today published a supplement to its main The resulting report is intended to be a comprehensive, report making recommendations on the pay of service thorough and detailed analysis of EU competence for medical and dental officers. The supplement is later environment and climate change and what this means than the main AFPRB report to allow the review body for the UK. It will aid our understanding of the nature to take into account recommendations from the NHS of our EU membership and will provide a constructive Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body. The Government and serious contribution to the wider European accept the recommendations of the report in full. I wish debate about modernising, reforming and improving to express my thanks to the chairman and members of the EU. The report will not produce specific policy the review body for their work in producing the report. recommendations. Copies of the AFPRB report are available in the Vote I am placing this document and the call for evidence Office. in the Libraries of both Houses. They will also be published on: www.gov.uk/review-of-the-balance-of- competences. ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Balance of Competences Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Taskforce

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): I wish to inform the House Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): I would like to update the that the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate House on the work of the tree health and plant biosecurity Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston taskforce which publishes its report today. This is further and Surbiton (Mr Davey), and I have today published to my written ministerial statement of 6 December 2012, the call for evidence relating to the environment and Official Report, column 74WS in which I outlined the climate change report as part of the balance of competences Government’s response to Chalara and the early work review. of this taskforce. This report, which will be completed by the end of I asked DEFRA’s chief scientific adviser, Professor 2013, will focus on the application and effect of the Ian Boyd, to establish the taskforce in response to the EU’s competence in relation to the environment and rise in plant pests and diseases that threaten the UK. I climate change. Much of the UK’s environment and welcome the taskforce’s report, and would like to thank climate change policy is now agreed at EU level, with the chairman, Professor Chris Gilligan, and the other comparatively few areas remaining exclusively within members, for their hard work over the past few months. the competence of member states. One example of I pay tribute to their insightful approach. I believe their national competence is land use planning, although recommendations will lay the groundwork for a radical there are an increasing number of EU requirements reappraisal of what we can do to protect the UK from affecting planning and development. All aspects of EU these threats. I am placing a copy of the report in the environment policy are potentially covered by this report Libraries of both Houses. including, but not limited to, air quality, water quality, Healthy trees are essential to the natural environment nature protection, chemicals and waste. in the countryside and in our towns and cities. They are The climate change aspects of the report will include also central to the economic resilience of our forestry international climate change negotiations, the reduction industry, and at the core of our commitment to protect, of collective EU member state greenhouse gas emissions improve and expand forests and woodlands. Crops and via burden-sharing arrangements and the EU emissions horticultural plants are vital to our food supply and our trading system. It will not include renewable energy or rural economy. Some of the pests and diseases that energy efficiency, both of which will be discussed in the threaten our trees and crops, such as “Chalara fraxinea” energy report, to be launched in the autumn. are now established in the UK; there are many others The call for evidence period will be open for 12 weeks. on the horizon which have yet to reach these shores, but My Department and the Department for Energy and may do so in the future unless action is taken. In its Climate Change will draw together the evidence and final report, which is published today, the taskforce policy analysis into a first draft which will subsequently makes recommendations on what we can do—in a go through a process of scrutiny before publication national and international context—to manage established towards the end of 2013. pests and diseases and to improve biosecurity at our We will take a rigorous approach to the collection borders to prevent further incursion. and analysis of evidence. The call for evidence sets out Given the importance the Government attach to plant the scope of the report and includes a series of questions health, I intend to act immediately on some of the key on which contributors are invited to focus. The evidence recommendations of the taskforce. A single, prioritised 55WS Written Ministerial Statements20 MAY 2013 Written Ministerial Statements 56WS plant health risk register will be produced. This will The Government, in collaboration with the Care Quality help ensure that we are able to identify risks from Commission, Monitor, NHS England and the NHS Trust specific pests and diseases and agree priorities for action. Development Authority, are today issuing a joint policy statement It will take account of all the potential pathways of to provide further information on the changes to the regulation and oversight of NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts proposed entry and establishment that our globalised world presents. in the Government’s initial response to the Mid Staffordshire Alongside this, new procedures for preparedness and NHS Foundation Trust public inquiry and related clauses in contingency planning will be developed to ensure we part 2 of the Care Bill. can predict, monitor and control the spread of pests The policy statement has been placed in the Library. Copies and pathogens. This will help ensure the UK is ready to are available to hon. Members in the Vote Office and to noble deal effectively with future incursions of diseases into Lords in the Printed Paper Office. this country and is also better able to respond to those that are already established. HOME DEPARTMENT Proposals for a new EU regime for plant health were published on 6 May and provide us with a timely Criminal Records Bureau opportunity to strengthen biosecurity across Europe and help protect the UK from pests from around the world. The principles set out in the taskforce’s report The Minister of State, Home Department (Mr Jeremy will inform our response to those proposals and I will Browne): My hon. Friend the Minister for Criminal negotiate vigorously to ensure that the new system Information, Lord Taylor of Holbeach, has today made provides stronger protection for the UK from plant the following written ministerial statement: pests and diseases. The 2012 annual report and accounts for the Criminal Records Bureau for the eight-month period up to 1 December 2012 is Government alone cannot make the radical changes being laid before the House today and published on www.gov.uk. needed to protect our trees and plants from disease. As Copies will be available in the Vote Office. we implement the recommendations of the taskforce, we will engage and involve industry, environmental Protection of Freedoms Act/National DNA Database groups and the general public who all have a role to play in helping us to protect our trees and plants from disease. The Government will respond more fully to the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home work of the taskforce before the summer recess once it Department (James Brokenshire): My hon Friend the has had a chance to discuss the recommendations with Minister for Criminal Information, Lord Taylor of stakeholders, at which point I will provide a further Holbeach, has today made the following written ministerial update to this House. statement: There has been significant progress in preparation for the commencement of the DNA and fingerprint provisions in part 1, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE chapter 1 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. To date, 1,136,000 DNA profiles belonging to innocent individuals have Great Britain-China Centre (Triennial Review) been deleted from the national DNA database. A total of 6,341,000 DNA samples containing sensitive biological material, no longer The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth needed as a DNA profile has been obtained, have been destroyed. Affairs (Mr William Hague): I am today announcing DNA sample destruction is due to be completed by the end of the beginning of the triennial review of the Great this month, and DNA profile and fingerprint deletion by the end of September. By the time the Act commences in October, only Britain China-Centre (GBCC). Triennial reviews of non- those convicted of a criminal offence will have their DNA and departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are part of this fingerprints retained indefinitely. Government’s commitment to ensuring that NDPBs The national DNA database (NDNAD) annual report for continue to have regular challenge on their remit and 2011-12 was today published on the Home Office website: governance arrangements. www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/dna- The review will examine whether there is a continuing database-documents. need for the GBCC’s function and its form and whether A report covering the period 2009-11 is also available from the it should continue to exist at arm’s length from Government. website. Should the review conclude there is a continuing need The figures in these reports show the size of the NDNAD for the GBCC, it will go on to examine whether its before work began to delete DNA profiles in line with the Protection of Freedoms Act. Following the deletions described control and governance arrangements continue to meet above, the NDNAD will now be considerably smaller. the recognised principles of good corporate governance. These reports, however, still provide valuable detail on the I would welcome contributions from Members and activities and effectiveness of the NDNAD, and are an important peers to the review. I will inform the House of the part of the Government’s aim for transparency and public confidence outcome of the review when it is completed and I shall in the use of DNA. also place a copy of the review in the Libraries of both A copy of both of the reports will be placed in the House Houses. Library.

HEALTH TRANSPORT Care Bill Route-based Strategies The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Dr Daniel Poulter): My noble Friend Earl Howe, the The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department Our motorways and trunk roads play a vital role in of Health, has made the following written ministerial the economic prosperity of this country. This is why this statement: Government are committed to implementing a robust 57WS Written Ministerial Statements20 MAY 2013 Written Ministerial Statements 58WS approach to identifying, prioritising and planning where create healthy pipelines of investment and crucially vital investment is needed on this network, to help keep deliver investment where it is needed most to boost the traffic moving and facilitate economic growth, housing economic growth and competiveness of this country. and jobs. In May 2012 we set out in our response to Alan Cook’s review of the strategic road network in England, WORK AND PENSIONS plans for a new smarter approach to investment planning for this network, through route-based strategies. As Child Maintenance part of this we made clear that these documents would see greater collaboration with local stakeholders through local authorities and local enterprise partnerships to The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions determine the nature, need and timing of future investment (Steve Webb): On 19 July 2012, the Government published that might be required on the network. Central to this “Supporting separated families; securing children’s futures” would be the need to understand local economic growth (Cm 8399), a public consultation on the draft Child aspirations and priorities to ensure that investment Support Fees Regulations 2013 and the draft Child plans better balance local as well as national needs. Support (Ending Liability in Existing Cases and Transition to New Calculation Rules) Regulations 2013. We further outlined that the Highways Agency would produce a small number of strategies to test this new This statement summarises the changes the Government approach and learn lessons before developing a wider intend to make in response to the consultation. We will programme. Today the Highways Agency is publishing publish a full response later this year. the first three route-based strategies which cover; the As previously outlined, once the 2012 scheme has M62 between Leeds and Manchester; the A12 between been opened to all applicants and has been shown to be its junction with the M25 and A14 and the A120 east of working well, the Government intend to begin a gradual Colchester; and the A1 West of Newcastle. These documents process of ending liabilities on cases in the previous are available on the Highways Agency website. Child Support Agency schemes. Parents in these “CSA” schemes will be invited to consider making their own We now intend to roll out route-based strategies family-based arrangements for maintenance or to apply across the entire network. The production of the first to the new child maintenance service, which operates three strategies has generated some key lessons which the 2012 scheme. have informed our thinking on how best to deliver the network wide programme of strategies and prioritise The Government will also begin charging application, the outcomes. collection and enforcement fees in the 2012 scheme. We have listened to concerns that the proposed 7% parent The strategies will be developed in two stages. In the with care collection fee is too high a figure and therefore first stage the Highways Agency will work with local we will be reducing the proposed fee to 4%. The proposed stakeholders to develop a uniform set of route-based fee for non-resident parents will remain at 20% calculated strategies for all routes on the network. The strategies on top of the maintenance calculation. will identify performance issues on routes and future In addition, we will extend the list of organisations to challenges, taking account of local growth challenges which an incident of domestic violence and abuse may and priorities. The emphasis for this stage will be on be reported in order to qualify for the exemption from establishing the evidence base as opposed to identifying the application fee to include local authorities, legal solutions, which will take place in the next stage. It is professionals and specialist support organisations. intended that this first stage will be completed by spring 2014. Separately, we have reconsidered our position on the flat rate of maintenance and have decided to set the The Highways Agency and the Department will then 2012 scheme flat rate at £7 rather than £10 as previously use this evidence to prioritise and take forward a programme proposed. of work to identify indicative solutions which will cover We intend to carefully manage the process of ending operational, maintenance and if appropriate, road liabilities on cases in the CSA schemes so as to minimise improvement schemes to inform investment plans for the risk of disruption to child maintenance, particularly the next full spending review in 2015 and beyond. The where maintenance is flowing as a result of enforcement Highways Agency will ensure they engage further with action, such as deduction from earnings orders. We aim local stakeholders as the indicative solutions are developed to do this in different ways. and it is anticipated that this second stage will commence in spring 2014 and complete by March 2015. First, we will change the proposed order in which liability is ended on CSA cases, starting with those CSA Over the next few months the Highways Agency will cases where a nil liability has been calculated, and be talking to key stakeholders to: seek further views and therefore there is no possibility of payment disruption. lessons learnt on the production of the first three strategies; We expect around 50,000 previously nil-assessed cases share their plans on delivery of the wider programme; to be positively assessed in the 2012 scheme, resulting in and to start to seek input to developing the evidence maintenance flowing to these children for the first time; base for the wider programme of strategies. I have seen we will then end liability on cases that are not currently first hand the willingness of stakeholders to work with compliant, again because there is no current payment the Highways Agency to identify priorities and needs arrangement to disrupt; followed by any cases that are and do hope that they will continue to do so as the compliant but not subject to enforcement action, starting strategies are developed. with those cases managed clerically. Finally, we will end I am confident that this strong evidence-led approach liability on CSA cases that are in legal enforcement—and will enable us to develop investment plans with a longer-term where money is flowing—or where money is only flowing focus and that better balance national and local needs, as a result of an enforced method of payment. We 59WS Written Ministerial Statements20 MAY 2013 Written Ministerial Statements 60WS anticipate this process of ending liability in CSA scheme parents who refuse or fail this invitation will, if a case is cases to take approximately three years from start to opened on the 2012 scheme, be placed on the same finish. enforcement method that they were subject to in the Children living in lone parent families tend to be at CSA schemes, thereby minimising the potential for greater risk of falling below low-income thresholds. By payment disruption. prioritising those cases where no maintenance is flowing, we aim to maximise the contribution of the statutory Finally, although this statement concerns changes to scheme to the welfare of these children. the statutory scheme, our reforms go wider than this. Our starting point is that children tend to do better Second, we will take a firmer line on which non-resident when they have a positive relationship with both parents, parents will be given the choice of paying the parent so we are supporting both parents to play an active with care directly.We will offer a “compliance opportunity” and positive role in the life of their child through to those non-resident parents who are subject to enforced the help and support for separated families (HSSF) methods of payment, such as deduction from earnings programme. As part of this, we have launched the orders. We will write to non-resident parents nine months sorting out separation web app; an HSSF mark; the before their CSA maintenance liabilities are due to end, HSSF telephony network; and an innovation fund to offering them the opportunity to prove their compliance test and evaluate new interventions to help separated voluntarily by paying via an unenforced method of parents work together. payment such as direct debit for the final six months of their CSA liability. Taken overall, these reforms are an important part of Those non-resident parents who accept the invitation the Government’s wider social justice strategy, strengthening and then comply would have access to the “direct pay” the support we provide to families and promoting the option and thereby avoid the collection fee. Non-resident welfare of their children.

403W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 404W

undertake learning and development activities, the majority Written Answers to of which are provided through the parent bodies’ learning and development portals at no direct cost to the Office. Questions The Office does not maintain a central record of training courses attended. However, the following table shows direct spending by the Scotland Office on training Monday 20 May 2013 and the monetary value of the 10 highest training course fees.

£ SCOTLAND 10 highest training Direct spending course fees Clothing 2008-09 23,144.94 11,792.50 2009-10 25,297.21 15,173.21 Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 2010-11 12,671.69 9,740.00 how many officials in his Department have made a 2011-12 3,111.33 2,189.00 claim for evening dress allowance in each of the last 2012-13 7,314.61 5,565.78 five years; and what the total cost of such claims has been. [155455] Travel David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not separately record claims for evening dress hire. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officials in his Department claimed Conditions of Employment reimbursement for travel subsistence expenses in each of the last five years; what the total cost was of such Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for claims; and what the monetary value was of the 20 Scotland how many people in his Department are highest subsistence claims in each such year. [155415] employed on zero hours contracts. [156171] Michael Moore: The Scotland Office travel subsistence David Mundell: No staff in the Scotland Office are expenses information for the last five years is supplied employed on a zero-hours contract. in the following table.

Inflation Number of officials claiming Monetary Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland reimbursement value of the 20 if he will list the purposes for which his Department for travel highest uses (a) the retail price index measure of inflation, (b) subsistence Total cost of subsistence the consumer price index measure of inflation and (c) expenses claims (£) claims (£) any alternative measure of inflation. [154970] 2008-09 37 25,952 10,743 2009-10 42 21,826 7,591 David Mundell: The Scotland Office uses measures of 2010-11 37 20,414 7,442 inflation for a range of analytical purposes, including in 2011-12 38 13,404 4,453 respect of the Scottish economy. 2012-13 32 8,421 4,950 Public Opinion

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Scotland whether his Department has conducted any polling or surveys since May 2010. [155930] Apprentices David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not conducted any polling or surveys since May 2010. Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many apprenticeships were created Training by her Department in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012. [154889] Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officials in his Department enrolled in Hugh Robertson: DCMS is fully committed to the publicly funded training courses in each of the last five apprenticeship scheme and, with The Royal Parks, has years; what the total cost has been of such courses; and agreed to provide at least five apprenticeships every what the monetary value was of the 10 highest training year, going forward. Apprenticeships created by DCMS: course fees in each such year. [155435] Number

David Mundell: All staff that join the Scotland Office (a) 2010 15 do so on an assignment, or loan from other Government (b) 2011 9 bodies, principally the Scottish Government and the (c) 2012 6 Ministry of Justice. The Office encourages all staff to 405W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 406W

We do not hold information for our arm’s length broadband markets in Europe as shown by the European bodies. Broadband Scorecard published by Ofcom in March 2013. Broadband The Scorecard, which focuses on the five leading economies in the EU (UK, France, Germany, Italy and Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Spain), found that the UK has some of the lowest fixed Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to and mobile broadband prices among the comparator tackle the practice of slamming in the broadband countries and the proportion of fixed lines operated by the incumbent was the lowest (BT at 31%) and the industry. [155598] market share of the largest mobile operator is the joint lowest (EE, with 33%). Mr Vaizey: This is a matter for the independent communications regulator, Ofcom. DCMS officials have Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for spoken with Ofcom and can advise that: Culture, Media and Sport what assessment her Department Slamming is where someone’s broadband or telephone has made of the effectiveness of the regulatory structure line is switched to another provider without their consent. of the UK retail super-fast broadband market. [155850] Ofcom is committed to tackling slamming and has a number of rules in place to prevent it. Ofcom rules Mr Vaizey: Ofcom, the independent communications explicitly prohibit all companies from engaging in dishonest, regulator, is responsible for monitoring the broadband misleading or deceptive conduct, and oblige providers market within a regulatory framework set by the EU. to ensure consumers fully understand and consent to a Consequently It regularly carries out market reviews to contract before it is agreed. ensure competition across all telecommunication services. There are also a number of safeguards built into the Where Ofcom finds there is insufficient competition, switching process which are specifically designed to that is, there is a dominant supplier which is not constrained protect consumers from being slammed. According to by competition, it is required to introduce regulation to these rules, consumers must receive a letter informing address this. them of the imminent switch, with a 10-day switchover Ofcom has recently commenced a new review of fixed period during which the order can be stopped. Typically, access markets and this will also help ensure any future the consumer will receive letters from both companies regulatory framework for the retail super-fast broadband involved. This gives them the ability to cancel any market remains effective. inadvertent transfer before it happens. Since the introduction of these rules three years ago, the number of average Clothing monthly mis-selling and slamming complaints has fallen from 845 per month in the 12 months prior to these Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, rules being introduced, to 460 complaints per month in Media and Sport how many officials in (a) her Department the last 12 months. and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which Ofcom can and will take action if companies repeatedly she is responsible have made a claim for evening dress breach these rules and has the power to fine providers allowance in each of the last five years; and what the up to 10% of annual turnover. total cost of such claims has been. [155444] In addition, Ofcom is currently reviewing the switching process for broadband and landline services delivered Hugh Robertson: There have been no claims made for over BT’s copper telephone network. Ofcom has been evening dress by any officials of the Department for consulting on proposed changes to the current process Culture, Media and Sport in the last five years. Information aimed at ensuring there are no undue barriers to switching relating to our ALBs is not held centrally and could be and guarding against unintended consequences, such as obtained only at disproportionate cost. slamming. Football: Tickets Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department for Culture, Media and Sport if she will commission an is taking to promote retail competition in the super-fast investigation into recent trends in football season ticket broadband market. [155849] prices and the effects on consumers of any price rises. [155661] Mr Vaizey: The Government is committed to achieving a transformation in broadband in the UK by 2015 and Hugh Robertson: While the Government acknowledges we already have a highly competitive retail broadband supporters’ concerns over recent rises in football season market ticket prices, the matter is one for individual football Ofcom, the independent communications regulator, clubs and not for Government. is responsible for monitoring the broadband market Where it finds evidence of insufficient competition, or a ICT position of significant market power, Ofcom is required to regulate to promote competition. For example, in the Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, past, Ofcom has required BT to provide access to its Media and Sport how many (a) computers, (b) mobile street cabinets, through a process known as sub-loop telephones, (c) BlackBerrys and (d) other pieces of IT unbundling, and to provide access to its duct and pole equipment were lost or stolen from her Department in infrastructure. These actions in support of competition (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if she will have led to the UK having one of the most competitive make a statement. [156422] 407W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 408W

Hugh Robertson: The information requested is set out and funded by a range of bodies, including Government in the following tables: Departments, arm’s length bodies, the GLA, local 2012-13 authorities, LOCOG and private sector organisations, Item Number and relate to sport and healthy living, communities, the economic legacy, regeneration of East London and Computers 3 disability. Mobiles 0 Blackberries 0 Public Lending Right Other 3 Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, 2010-11 Media and Sport whether the transfer of public lending Item Number rights functions to the British Library will require Computers 0 primary legislation. [156146] Mobiles 2 BlackBerrys 2 Mr Vaizey: The Registrar of Public Lending Right is Other 1 listed in Schedule 1 of the Public Bodies Act 2011, which confers a series of order-making powers on Ministers 2011-12 to abolish, merge, or modify constitutional or funding Item Number arrangements, or modify or transfer functions of public bodies through secondary legislation. Computers 1 Mobiles 0 Public Libraries BlackBerrys 4 Other 5 Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what information she holds on the Mobile Phones charges levied by public libraries for the loan of audio books; and what the income received by each local Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, authority area from this service in the last 12 months Media and Sport which company holds the largest was. [156110] contract to provide mobile telephony services to her Department; how much was paid under the contract in Mr Vaizey: The financial information requested is the last year for which figures are available; how many not held centrally by this Department as it is a matter individual services are covered by the contract; when for individual authorities. The Chartered Institute of the contract was awarded; when the contract will next Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)collects financial be renewed; and for how long. [155635] information from library authorities annually, including information relating to the hiring of audio and visual Hugh Robertson: The largest providers of mobile material and copies of CIPFA statistics are available in telephone services to the Department for Culture, Media the House Library. and Sport are O2 (for BlackBerry smartphones) and Vodafone (for other mobile phones, pagers and tablets). Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, These are employed via call-off agreements from a Media and Sport how many audio-book loans have Government Procurement Service framework, which been recorded in UK public libraries in each year since operates on a rolling one-year contract. The contract 2010. [156111] was last renewed in February this year and will be reviewed towards the end of the year to decide what the Mr Vaizey: The data requested is not collected by this requirements of the Department will be moving forward. Department. However the Chartered Institute of Public The table sets out how much the Department has Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) collects, annually, paid to Vodafone and 02 in 2012-13. information relating to audiobook loans from the library authorities and copies of CIPFA statistics a re available Paid to company in in the House Library. Company 2012-13 (£) Number of handsets Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, O2 88,963.45 270 Media and Sport (1) what steps she is taking to support Vodafone 17,977.13 46 the continued operation of libraries in deprived areas; and whether the degree of social deprivation in an area Olympic Games 2012 for which library closures are proposed is given weight in deciding whether to launch an inquiry into the Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for closures; [156112] Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of Olympic (2) what steps she is taking to ensure the survival of legacy funding has been spent on (a) sports and (b) branch libraries in areas of deprivation that face the arts; and what proportion remains unspent. closure. [156152] [155616] Mr Vaizey: Responsibility and accountability for Hugh Robertson: There has never been a single central individual library services is vested in local authorities. Government or other pot for funding the various legacy Authorities must be able to show that they have discharged programmes that have been developed as part of the their statutory duty to understand the local needs for London 2012 Games. The legacy programmes are owned library services in their area and to provide a comprehensive 409W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 410W and efficient library service to meet those needs. DCMS regulations introduced by her Department in each continues to monitor and assess proposals and decisions month since May 2010; and which of those regulations being made about changes to library services across have been (a) subject to the (i) one in one out and (ii) England. one in two out procedure and (b) (i) revoked and (ii) amended; [155811] Regulation (2) if she will provide the estimated cost of each regulation introduced by her Department since May Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, 2010; and what the estimated benefits of each Media and Sport what processes her Department has regulation (a) amended and (b) revoked were. [155955] put in place to (a) monitor, (b) collate cost information on, (c) review and (d) respond to requests to amend or revoke regulations introduced by her Department. Hugh Robertson: The information requested is provided [155789] in the following table, based on the following definitions: Regulation: a measure within scope of the One-in, One-out Hugh Robertson: The Department for Culture, Media (OIOO) or One-in, Two-out (OITO) and Sport (DCMS) monitors and collates cost information Introduced: the date at which a regulation came into force on regulations introduced through the Statement of Business impact: the annual net cost to business (negative New Regulation. The Statement of New Regulation is a should be interpreted as benefits) Government wide publication that lists regulatory and The One-in, One-out rule came into force in January deregulatory measures and their expected impact on 2011. The One-in, Two-out rule replaced the One-in, businesses. One-out rule from January 2013. EU derived regulatory DCMS has used the Red Tape Challenge process to measures are out of scope of OIOO and OITO. The review existing regulations, and in particular invite requests machinery of government change brought the Government from stakeholders to amend or revoke regulations that Equalities Office (GEO) under control of the Secretary impose unnecessary burdens on business. of State for Culture, Media and Sport in September 2012. This table also covers the period when GEO was Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, under the control of the Secretary of State for the Media and Sport (1) what the title was of each set of Home Department.

Title of regulation Introduced Legislation Business impact (£ million)

Positive Action—recruitment and 6 April 2011 New 0.0 (OIOO) promotion in employment (s159 Equality Act 2010) The Media Ownership (Radio and 15 June 2011 Amend 0.0 (OIOO) Cross-Media) Order 2011 The Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming 13 July 2011 Amend -8.6 (OIOO) Machines in Adult Gaming Centres and Bingo Premises) Order 2011 The Marriages and Civil Partnerships 5 December 2011 New 0.0 (OIOO) (Approved Premises) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 The Local Television Programme 14 February 2012 Amend 0.0 (OIOO) Services Order 2012 The Gambling (Operating Licence and 6 April 2012 Amend -0.7 (OIOO) Single-Machine Permit Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 The Gambling Act 2005 (Amendment 22 June 2012 Amend -0.1 (OIOO) of Schedule 6) Order 2012 The Broadcasting (Local Digital 12 July 2012 Amend 0.0 (OIOO) Television Programme Services and Independent Productions) (Amendment) Order 2012 The Video Recordings (Labelling) 30 July 2012 Amend 0.0 (OIOO) Regulations 2012 The Live Music Act 2012 1 October 2012 Amend -0.4 (OIOO) (Commencement) Order The Equality Act 2010 (Age 1 October 2012 New 0.0 (OIOO) Exceptions) Order 2012 The Legal Deposit Libraries (Non- 6 April 2013 Amend -0.8 (OITO) Print Works) Regulations 2013

Rugby: World Cup with regard to the sale of Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets on the secondary market. [156275]

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Hugh Robertson: I have regular meetings with the Culture, Media and Sport (1) if she will bring forward chair and chief executive of England Rugby 2015 and legislative proposals to prevent the unauthorised resale the DCMS representative on the board. We are in tickets to the Rugby World Cup 2015; [156244] discussions with ER 2015 about how best Government (2) what discussions she has had with the Rugby can help them deliver a great tournament. This is one of Football Union and other representatives of the sport the issues my officials are looking at with them. 411W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 412W

Scotland Hugh Robertson: Through VisitBritain, we have created the biggest ever international tourism campaign, as we Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for look to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by Culture, Media and Sport what (a) her Department 2012. Government has invested £50 million in a £100 million and (b) its non-departmental public bodies procured tactical marketing campaign and £34.5 million in the from companies based in Scotland of a value in excess tourism pillar of the GREAT Britain image campaign. of £25,000 since May 2010; and what the cost to the Together they will deliver 4.7 million extra visitors and public purse was of each such procurement contract. £2.3 billion additional spend over four years. All the [155765] UK will continue to benefit from this funding.

Hugh Robertson: The information requested could be compiled only through incurring disproportionate costs. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Sports: Public Appointments Biofuels Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for with (a) Sport England, (b) UK Sport and (c) other Energy and Climate Change when his Department Secretaries of State about the appointment of the new plans to begin applying the findings of its new Biomass [156039] chairs of (i) Sport England and (ii) UK Sport. Emissions calculator. [154810] Hugh Robertson: The appointments were made in Michael Fallon: We are developing a model to investigate accordance with the OCPA Code, regulated by the the possible carbon impacts of different bioenergy Commissioner for Public Appointments. In accordance feedstocks and different land uses, to help ensure we with that Code both organisations advised on the skills have robust evidence behind our bioenergy policies. A needed to chair both boards. preliminary version of the tool has been discussed with Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for stakeholders, as part of a peer review process. We are Culture, Media and Sport what recommendations the aiming to publish this tool in the summer. The model is interview panel chaired by Sir Keith Mills gave on the not intended as a tool for regulation. appointments of the new chairs of (a) UK Sport and (b) Sport England. [156040] Coal Gasification

Hugh Robertson: The appointments were made in Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for accordance with the OCPA Code, regulated by the Energy and Climate Change if he will make a statement Commissioner for Public Appointments. In accordance on underground coal gasification technology. [155014] with the Code, an independent selection panel was chaired by a public appointments assessor, appointed Michael Fallon: Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) by the commissioner. The panel report described the involves the partial in-situ combustion of deep underground conduct of the selection process and is confidential. coal seams to produce a gas for use as an energy source. UCG is very much in its infancy at this stage, but I am Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, keen that we play our part in creating a regulatory Media and Sport by what process the new chair of (a) environment which helps rather than hinders those with Sport England and (b) UK Sport was appointed. ambitions in the sector. Our NDPB, the Coal Authority, [156041] is very much in the lead as the freehold owner of the coal resource and the licensing body for the exploitation Hugh Robertson: The appointment process was of coal. The authority has to date issued some 14 conducted under the terms of the OCPA Code. conditional near offshore UCG licences to companies keen to pursue the technology further in Great Britain. Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for These enable prospective operators to secure the rights Culture, Media and Sport what recommendation the to the coal while projects are developed but importantly (a) Minister of State for Sport and Tourism and (b) do not permit UCG operations to commence until all the Olympics Legacy Ambassador made about the other rights and permissions are in place. appointments of the new chairs of (i) UK Sport and (ii) Sport England. [156042] Energy Efficiency Deployment Office Hugh Robertson: The appointments were made in accordance with the OCPA Code. My views were taken Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for into account, as part of the appointments process. The Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has Olympics legacy ambassador was not involved in the made of the progress of the Energy Efficiency Deployment appointment process. Office in delivering its national energy efficiency strategy. [155851] Tourism Gregory Barker: The Energy Efficiency Deployment Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Office (EEDO) is currently implementing the Energy for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department Efficiency Strategy, which we published in November is taking to promote the whole of the UK as a holiday 2012. We are actively monitoring progress against our destination to international tourists. [156257] commitments, and will report on this and the Government’s 413W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 414W other energy efficiency achievements and priorities in Ofgem is currently taking forward reforms to address the Energy Efficiency Strategy update in November liquidity concerns and we are encouraged by its indication 2013. of a strong preference for intervention, with a decision expected by summer 2013. Given the importance of Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for liquidity to competition Government is also seeking Energy and Climate Change what the total cost of the backstop powers in the current Energy Bill to address Energy Efficiency Deployment Office has been to date. the issue if it proves necessary. [155853]

Gregory Barker: Since its launch in February 2012, Energy: Foreign Investment in UK the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s Energy Efficiency Deployment Office (EEDO) has incurred Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for running costs of £5.83 million (total confirmed Energy and Climate Change with reference to the answer administrative costs for financial year 2011-12 and 2012-13). of 14 March 2013, Official Report, column 464, on new In addition, EEDO co-ordinates a research and generating capacity (investment), what evidential basis development budget (total £3.53 million to end 2012-13) he used to state that the UK is one of the most attractive which supports the wider International Climate Change places in the world to invest in energy infrastructure. and Energy Efficiency business group. EEDO now has [155063] responsibility for the Salix Fund (to which it has provided £38 million capital spend, to end 2012-13). EEDO Michael Fallon: The UK is an attractive and welcoming initially had responsibility for a £22.5 million Rural destination for energy investment and is attracting interest Development Agencies programme, but it has since from potential new investors across renewables, nuclear transferred to the Department for Business, Innovation and carbon capture and storage. Ernst & Young’s most and Skills. recent attractiveness indices rated the UK as one of the top six worldwide destinations to invest in renewable Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for energy (February 2013). The UK has the most installed Energy and Climate Change how many of his Department’s offshore wind capacity in the world and we have the officials work at the Energy Efficiency Deployment four largest offshore wind farms. We also have more Office. [155854] installed wave and tidal capacity than any other country. The current Energy Bill will further improve the Gregory Barker: As of 16 May 2013, 41 of the attractiveness of the UK market, with Contracts for Department of Energy and Climate Change’s officials Difference, providing long-term revenue stabilisation worked within the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office for low-carbon generators, and powers to introduce a (EEDO). In addition, EEDO employs a non-executive capacity market to incentivise reliable capacity. chair (part-time) and an engineering specialist, who are not departmental officials. As EEDO also hosts a number of EEDO economists who work to support other teams, Energy: Housing and has several vacancies, they expect to operate at around 50 FTE for the rest of 2013-14. Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for A number of EEDO officials provide dedicated support Energy and Climate Change how many off-gas grid to specific energy efficiency programmes like the Green installations he expects to be delivered under the Deal and others have cross-cutting roles across the renewable heat premium payment. [154769] wider International Climate Change and Energy Efficiency group. Gregory Barker: Phase 1 of the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) scheme delivered 5,417 off-gas Energy: Competition grid installations. The Energy Saving Trust is still processing outstanding claims made under phase 2 and a small Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for number of existing projects have until 30 June 2013 to Energy and Climate Change with reference to the complete, but we estimate that a further 9,000 off-gas answer of 14 March 2013, Official Report, column 465, grid installations will be delivered. on energy market competition, what assessment his In addition, we are hoping to see at least another Department has made of the effect of low liquidity in 9,000 off-gas grid installations this financial year following the wholesale power market on new market the extension of the scheme. participants entering the energy market. [155062] Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Michael Fallon: We believe low wholesale market Energy and Climate Change what steps the Government liquidity, in the forward markets especially, is acting as a is taking to ensure that off-grid customers benefit from barrier to entry for new market participants. fuel efficiency and other assistance programmes In order to compete in the generation and retail commensurate with assistance available to on-grid markets, new entrants and potential new entrants, need households. [154780] to be able to manage their risks by trading forwards. Poor liquidity in the forward markets, therefore, reduces Gregory Barker: We are helping people to cut their risk management opportunities and, along with the energy waste through a variety of policies that are cost of trading, acts as a key barrier to entry and greater available to consumers whether they are on or off-grid competition. such as the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation. 415W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 416W

We also provide Ofgem with enabling powers to measure of inflation, (b) the consumer price index ensure that around 9,000 consumers in remote communities measure of inflation and (c) any alternative measure can receive gas at a similar price to consumers elsewhere of inflation. [154978] in GB. This protects some of the most vulnerable gas customers. Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change uses relevant inflation indices where Energy: Subsidies appropriate. Significant applications are: The Retail Price Index John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) how much his The DECC statistics team republishes the energy components Department has given in subsidy to RWE Npower in of the RPI within tables 2.1.1, 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 of our Quarterly Energy Prices publication. The DECC statistics and fuel poverty each of the last five years; and to what projects such teams use the data for price indicators for non-metered energy money was allocated; [154591] fuels. We are likely to switch from using the RPI to the CPI later (2) how much his Department has given in subsidies this year following recent changes to the designation of the RPI to EDF in each of the last five years; and to what series by the UK Statistics Authority. projects such money was allocated; [154592] Where contractually obliged, the Department refers to relevant (3) how much his Department has given in subsidies RPI indices when assessing specific historic energy liabilities. to E.ON in each of the last five years; and for which These are payments for historic fuel liabilities resulting from the British Energy restructuring in 2005, and the cost of providing projects this money was earmarked; [154606] either solid fuel or a cash alternative to ex-miners and their (4) how much his Department has given in subsidies dependents under the National Concessionary Fuel scheme. to British Gas in each of the last five years; and to The Levy Control Framework does not use any particular which projects such money was allocated; [154607] inflator, but constituent schemes (Warm Homes Discount, Renewable (5) how much his Department has given in subsidies Obligation, Feed in Tariffs, FiTs Contract for Difference) are to SSE in each of the last five years; and to which uplifted where necessary using either the RPI or CPI, as dictated by the relevant policy. projects such money was allocated; [154608] For the Renewable Heat Incentive, the RPI is used to express (6) how much his Department has given in subsidies prices in nominal terms. This means that the tariff received, and to Scottish Power in each of the last five years; and to the total spend under the RHI, is expressed in the price level of which projects such money was allocated. [154609] the year in question. For the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme the methodology used Michael Fallon: The data are not collected in the to project the revenue to Government from the sale of CRC format requested, and could be provided only at allowances is based on the prices announced by Government disproportionate cost. adjusted in line with Retail Price Index thereafter. The Consumer Price Index Green Deal Scheme The CPI is used for the gas price projections in the latest published DECC fossil fuel price projections (2012). Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many Green Deal Alternative measures of inflation assessments took place in (a) Scotland, (b) England The DECC statistics team use the GDP deflator published by and Wales, (c) Wales in (i) January, (ii) February, (iii) the Office for National Statistics to show data in real or constant price terms. March and (iv) April 2013. [156033] Coal price projections use the International Monetary Fund’s Gregory Barker: The latest Green Deal and Energy GDP deflator. Company Obligation monthly statistics, as released on 14 May: Natural Gas: Wales https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-deal-and- energy-company-obligation-eco-monthly-statistics-may-2013 Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy report the following number of Green Deal Assessments and Climate Change (1) what assessment he has made lodged in each month, for the whole of Great Britain: of the quantity of coal gas off the coast of North Wales; [154437] Number (2) what public consultation has taken place January 2013 74 concerning the exploration and extraction of coal gas February 2013 1,729 off the coast of North Wales; [154445] March 2013 7,491 (3) what licences have been issued for the purpose of April 2013 9,522 coal gas exploration and extraction off the coast of North Wales; [154446] DECC will publish, on 27 June, our first quarterly Official Statistics publication which will contain more (4) what assessment he has made of the potential detailed analysis of Green Deal Assessments lodged up environmental effect of coal gas exploration off the to the end of March. North Wales coast; [154447] (5) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Inflation health and safety procedures used for the flooding of the Point of Ayr colliery pit; what information his Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Department holds on any proposed gas and mineral and Climate Change if he will list the purposes for extraction from the (a) onshore and (b) offshore areas which his Department uses (a) the retail price index near to the pit; and if he will make a statement; [154448] 417W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 418W

(6) what licences have been issued for the purpose of Michael Fallon: The UK argued successfully for a mineral and gas extraction in North Wales in each of directive, as opposed to a Regulation, on Offshore the last 10 years; what the name was of each company Safety. to whom a licence was granted; and in which year each As the draft directive largely duplicates our existing such licence was issued. [154449] UK regime the workforce will continue to be protected by a robust framework and the economic effects on the Michael Fallon: “Coal gas” could refer to production industry are therefore likely to be far less than those of by in-situ combustion of coal of a mixture of combustible a regulation. gases, a process usually known as underground coal gasification or UCG; or extraction of methane from An impact assessment will be prepared when legislative coal seams by drilling, usually known as coal bed methane proposals are made to implement the final text of the or CBM. directive. As regards licences for areas off the coast of North Pay Wales: In January 2013 the Coal Authority issued a conditional Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for licence to Cluff Natural Resources plc for the potential development Energy and Climate Change what the (a) average and of a UCG project in the Dee estuary. (b) total amount paid in bonuses to staff at his Seaward Production Licence P1481 was issued by the Department [154932] on 13 June 2007 and it is currently held by Island Gas Ltd. Department was in 2012-13. No assessment has been made by DECC of the Gregory Barker: The details of the average and the magnitude of either resource, or of potential environmental total amount of the in-year and end-of-year non- effects, and no public consultation has been conducted. consolidated performance related awards paid by the It is expected that any near-shore development of either Department of Energy and Climate Change for 2012-13 type would in practice be carried out from facilities are shown in the following table. located onshore, but no planning application for either activity has been made to date. It would be for the Description 2012-13 (£) relevant planning authority, as and when any such application may be made, to consider the environmental Average amount of bonus 792 effects and conduct appropriate public consultation. Total amount of bonus paid 1,098,883 In the last 10 years five Petroleum Act licences covering acreage some or all of which lies in North Wales have Radioactive Waste been issued: PEDL147 was awarded 1 April 2005 and is currently held by Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy GP Energy Limited; and Climate Change what meetings (a) he and (b) PEDL184 was awarded 8 October 2008 and is currently held Ministers in his Department have had since 30 January by Island Gas Limited; 2013 on the reviewing of the Managing Radioactive PEDL185 was awarded 3 September 2008 and is currently held Waste Safely programme; and if he will place in the by Dart Energy (West England) Limited; Library and (b) post on his Department’s website PEDL186 was awarded 4 September 2008 and is currently held minutes of each such meeting. [155267] by GP Energy Limited; and PEDL187 was awarded 4 September 2008 and is currently held Michael Fallon: The Secretary of State for Energy by GP Energy Limited. and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston In addition, PEDL107, currently held by Island Gas and Surbiton (Mr Davey), and the Parliamentary Under- Limited, was issued on 11 March 2002; it is included Secretary of State for Energy (Baroness Verma), had here because its licensed area lies close to Point of Ayr. one meeting in February with the hon. Member for None of these licences are specific to particular forms Copeland (Mr Reed), and the hon. Member for Workington of gas; they all cover all native hydrocarbons. They do (Sir Tony Cunningham), and the leaders of Allerdale not give permission for any specific operations. Any borough council and Copeland borough council. The questions about what a licensee plans to do in the future minutes of this meeting have been released publicly: should be addressed to the licensee himself. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ A licence for surface mining of coal was granted to attachment_data/file/138342/ Brymbo Developments on 4 December 2003. The site, FOI_EIR_13_0235_for_website.pdf at Brymbo near Wrexham, worked from January 2004 The noble Baroness attended the February meeting until September 2005 and produced some 87,500 tonnes of the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s of coal. The licence expired on 15 November 2005. Nuclear NGO Forum, which was also attended by the Health and safety considerations around the closure Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the Environment of any coal mine are matters for the operator in conjunction Agency, where she discussed the Managing Radioactive with the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Waste Safely (MRWS) programme with a range of Agency. non-governmental organisations, listed in the answer given today to your parliamentary question 154473. Offshore Industry: Safety Minutes of this meeting will be published on the gov.uk website in due course. Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Both meetings were in the context of the Government’s Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he efforts to learn the lessons of the MRWS programme’s has made of the effect on the offshore oil and gas (a) experience to date. A public call for evidence on the site workforce and (b) industry of the draft European selection process of the MRWSprogramme was announced Union Directive on Offshore Safety. [155908] on 13 May 2013. 419W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 420W

Radioactive Waste: Cumbria The Department publishes its own Statements of New Regulation, and it also publishes Impact Assessments Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy on all regulations which impose significant cost to and Climate Change which organisations and stakeholder business. These Impact Assessments are available from: groups (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department www.legislation.gov.uk have met as part of the review of nuclear waste management The Department includes review or sunset clauses in strategy following the decision of Cumbria county council new regulations where appropriate, to ensure they continue on the Managing Radioactive Waste Safely programme to be scrutinised. We also have a strong programme of since 30 January 2013; and when the Geological Disposal monitoring and evaluation embedded in our systems Implementation Board last met to discuss the matter. for policy and programme management. Specific focus [154473] is given to policies and programmes that are high risk or high uncertainty, large-scale or high-profile, amenable Michael Fallon: The Secretary of State for Energy to real learning or pilots. The Department will also be and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston producing scrutiny memoranda on certain Acts for and Surbiton (Mr Davey) and the Parliamentary Under which it is responsible to enable the Select Committee Secretary of State for Energy, Baroness Verma, had one on Energy and Climate Change to decide whether a meeting in February with the hon. Member for Copeland fuller post-legislative inquiry would be appropriate in (Mr Reed), the hon. Member for Workington (Sir Tony relation to any of them. Cunningham), and the leaders of Allerdale borough We consulted our stakeholders on DECC’s regulations council and Copeland borough council. as part of the Red Tape Challenge and we are in the The noble Baroness attended the February meeting process of implementing the outcomes. We are always of the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s happy to consider new suggestions for how our regulations Nuclear NGO Forum, which was also attended by the can be improved. Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the Environment Agency, where she discussed the Managing Radioactive Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Waste Safely programme with the range of non- and Climate Change what the title was of each set of governmental organisations present: Blackwater Against regulations introduced by his Department in each New Nuclear Group, Parents Concerned About Hinkley, month since May 2010; and which of those regulations Shepperdine Against Nuclear Energy, Low Level Radiation have been (a) subject to the (i) one in one out and (ii) Campaign, Bradwell for Renewable Energy, Ayrshire one in two out procedure and (b) (i) revoked and (ii) Radiation Monitoring Group, Greenpeace, Nuclear Free amended. [155815] local authorities, Stop Hinkley, Save Our Lake District, People Against Wylfa-B, West Cumbria and North Gregory Barker: I will write to my hon. Friend and Lakes Friends of the Earth, Nuclear Information Service, will place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the Socialist Environment and Resources Association, and House. the Low-level Radiation and Health Conference. Both meetings were in the context of the Government’s Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy efforts to learn the lessons of the MRWS programme’s and Climate Change if he will provide the estimated experience to date. A public call for evidence on the site cost of each regulation introduced by his Department selection process of the MRWSprogramme was announced since May 2010; and what the estimated benefits of on 13 May 2013. each regulation (a) amended and (b) revoked were. [155959] The Geological Disposal Implementation Board has not met since the decisions by the local authorities in Gregory Barker: I will write to my hon. Friend and Cumbria. will place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House. Regulation Renewable Energy Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what processes his Department Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for has put in place to (a) monitor, (b) collate cost Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has information on, (c) review and (d) respond to requests made of the remit of the low carbon communities to amend or revoke regulations introduced by his challenge; and if he will make a statement. [154938] Department. [155793] Gregory Barker: We conducted an evaluation of the Gregory Barker: Every six months the Government Low Carbon Communities Challenge project and published publishes overarching Statements of New Regulation. a report synthesising the results in July 2012, available These statements list the regulations that each Department at: expects to introduce over the coming six months. They https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-carbon- also include an account of the Government’s performance communities-challenge-evaluation-report under “One In One Out” and, more recently, “One In Two Out”, broken down by Department, showing the Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy net business impact of the regulations added and removed and Climate Change what assessment his Department by each Department. Published Statements of New has made of incentives that will exist for the purchase Regulation are available at: of renewable energy from independent generators when www.gov.uk the renewables obligation ends. [155499] 421W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 422W

Michael Fallon [holding answer 16 May 2013]: During The renewable obligation (RO) and the feed-in tariffs our call for evidence last year, we heard concerns that (FITs) scheme provide market-based support for large some independent renewable generators are finding it scale and small scale low carbon technologies. more difficult to secure long-term contracts to sell their Officials from ORED are in regular dialogue with power on viable terms, and that this situation may related offices in the devolved Administrations on a persist as we move from the renewables obligation to number of issues of joint interest, such as support the contract for difference support mechanism. mechanisms available to renewable technologies, investment The Government’s view is that contracts for difference opportunities in renewables and the UK renewables (CfDs) will open up new opportunities for independent supply chain. generation developers and will support the development Likewise, ORED officials engage with EU institutions of a more competitive market for power purchase to promote and develop renewable energy technologies. agreements. Government is working closely with industry For example, officials are currently working to support to smooth the transition to the new regime, and has the delivery of two tidal projects funded through the included powers in the Energy Bill to give it the flexibility EU New Entrant Reserve (NER) 300 fund. to act to improve the route to market for independents if it becomes necessary. Government is also considering Wind Power whether there is a case for further action to ensure that the market is ready for the CfD and that independent Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy generators are able to actively participate in it. and Climate Change when the Onshore Wind call for evidence will be published. [156302] Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the Michael Fallon: We are finalising the Government amount of funding provided by (a) wind energy Response to the Onshore Wind call for evidence and companies and (b) coal or gas companies for will publish a report on Part A (Community Engagement community benefit schemes. [155622] and Benefits) and Part B (Costs) shortly. Gregory Barker: The Government has not made an estimate of the amount of funding provided by wind energy, coal or gas companies. However, some companies COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT provide community benefits on a voluntary basis. Carbon Monoxide Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which projects are currently prioritised Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for by the Office for Renewable Energy Deployment; what Communities and Local Government how many financial support is currently provided for each such instances of carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of project; what roadshows have been held promoting the faulty solid fuel burners there have been in each year take up of these technologies; what liaison the Office since 2010. [156079] has had with the related offices in each of the devolved Administrations on each project; and which projects are Mr Foster: The information requested is not held jointly being developed with EU institutions having the centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate mission to promote and develop renewable energy cost. technologies. [156006] The most recent statistics available on carbon monoxide poisoning are set out in the annual report of the Cross Gregory Barker: The Office for Renewable Energy Government Group on Gas Safety and Carbon Monoxide Deployment (ORED) does not prioritise individual Awareness. This is available on the Health and Safety renewable energy projects. Executive’s website at: In 2011 ORED published a Renewable Energy Roadmap www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/cross-government-group.htm that sets out how the Government expects to reach its The impact assessment supporting the Building and goal of generating 15% of energy use from renewable Approved Inspectors (Amendment) Regulations 2010 sources by 2020. The Roadmap, as updated in 2012, SI. No. 719 includes an analysis of fatalities caused by focus on eight key technologies that have either the carbon monoxide poisoning from solid fuel appliances greatest potential to help meet the 2020 target in a for the years 2002 to 2008. This is available on the cost-effective and sustainable way, or offer the greatest Legislation.Gov.UK website at: potential for the UK in the decades that follow. In no priority order, these technologies are: www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2010/88/pdfs/ukia_20100088.pdf onshore wind Change of Use offshore wind marine energy Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for biomass electricity Communities and Local Government pursuant to his biomass heat statement of 9 May 2013, Official Report, columns 4-6WS, air source and ground source heat pumps on planning: re-use of buildings, (1) what assessment he has made of the likely effect on the number of public renewable transport houses of his proposal to allow businesses currently solar. covered by A1, A2 and A3 use classes to open up in ORED has not held any roadshows promoting any of premises currently used as a public house without having these technologies. to apply for planning permission; [155899] 423W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 424W

(2) what discussions he has had with the Secretary of restrictive planning red tape. This provided for discussions State for Health on the likely effect on public health of with key partners and other Government Departments enabling fast food premises to open up using the new to inform the final policy. permitted development rights in A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, D1 and D2 premises; [155900] Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of (3) what permission will businesses that have opened State for Communities and Local Government (1) what up using permitted development rights in A1, A2, A3, timescale he has put in place to assess the effect of the A4, A5, B1, D1 and D2 premises have to apply for once new office to residential permitted development right; two years have elapsed. [155901] [155988] (2) what plans his Department has to consider Nick Boles: Existing permitted development rights further exemptions from the new office to residential allow for public houses to change use to businesses permitted development right; [155989] within the Al, A2 and A3 use classes. The new relaxations (3) what plans his Department has to review the will not change this position. Hot food takeaways are areas excluded from the new office to residential within the A5 use class. The new permitted development permitted development right; [155990] rights allow for change of use away from A5 use but not (4) for how long exemptions from the new office to for conversion to A5 use. Businesses using the new residential permitted development right will remain in temporary permitted development rights can seek full place; [155991] planning permission at any time during the two-year period. Ministers meet regularly to discuss Government (5) what criteria were used to decide which areas business, and these changes were agreed across Government should be exempt from the new office to residential in the usual way. permitted development right; [155992] (6) how many local authorities submitted a request Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of for exemption, for all or part of their local authority State for Communities and Local Government (1) what area, from the new office to residential permitted assessment he has made of the likely effect on pubs of development right. [155993] the introduction of a flexible use class to ease temporary change of use on the high street; [155985] Nick Boles: Our approach to monitoring and review of the changes is set out in the Explanatory Memorandum (2) how his Department will monitor the effect on his to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted decision to introduce a new flexible use class on (a) the Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2013 which high street and (b) agricultural communities; [155986] is available at: (3) to which organisations (a) he and (b) Ministers http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1101/memorandum/ in his Department spoke in advance of the contents announcement made last week that new permitted The Department for Communities and Local development rights would be put in place for change of Government received requests for exemption from the use on the high street. [155987] permitted development rights for change of use from office to residential uses from 165 local planning authorities. Nick Boles: A final impact assessment for the new A robust and thorough assessment of all requests was permitted development rights to promote the reuse of carried out against the criteria set out in the Chief existing buildings, taking account of consultation responses, Planner’s letter of 24 January, taking into account the is available at: strength of the case and the robustness of the supporting https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ evidence. Following this assessment process there will attachment_data/file/197804/reuse_of_existing_buildings_- not be another opportunity to request an exemption _impact_assessment.pdf during the three-year period that the new rights are in We are committed to supporting community pubs, place. and local authorities have tools they can use where locally appropriate to protect pubs, for example by Children: Barnsley introducing an article 4 direction or including relevant policies in their local plan. Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for We will continue to keep the operation of the use Communities and Local Government (1) how many class system under review. Our approach to monitoring children in Barnsley Central constituency are currently and review of the changes is set out in the Explanatory living in temporary accommodation; and what such Memorandum to the Town and Country Planning (General figures were in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order [155539] 2013 which is available at: (2) how many households with children in Barnsley http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1101/memorandum/ Central constituency were accepted as homeless in (a) contents 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13. [155562] The changes set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Mr Prisk [holding answer 16 May 2013]: The following Order 2013 were the result of a call for evidence on tables show (i) the number of children living in temporary changes to handling change of use in 2011 and a formal accommodation as at 31 December (a) 2010, (b) 2011 consultation exercise on proposals for making better and (c) 2012 and (ii) the number of households with use of existing buildings in 2012. They also implement children accepted as homeless in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 recommendations from Mary Portas’ review to reduce and (c) 2012-13. 425W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 426W

Number of children in temporary accommodation—Barnsley Nick Boles: No. Applications for new fracking sites, As at end 31 December each whether for exploratory drilling or full production, are year: Number already within the scope of the Town and Country 2010 10 Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 9 2011. Whether an environmental impact assessment is 2012 5 required will depend on the circumstance of each application. Number of families with children accepted as being homeless— Barnsley Housing: Disability Number

2010-11 49 Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities 2011-12 31 and Local Government (1) what discussions he has had 2012-13 (April-December) 19 with Ministers in the devolved Administrations on best Source: practice in provision of housing for individuals with DCLG P1E Homelessness returns (quarterly) disabilities; [154869] (2) when he or Ministers in his Department last met Figures for children in temporary accommodation as representatives of people with disabilities to discuss at 31 March 2013 and families accepted as homeless housing provision. [154874] during January to March 2013 will be published on 6 June. Mr Prisk: Details of Ministers’ meetings with external The Barnsley Central constituency falls wholly within organisations are routinely published on my Department’s the area of Barnsley council. The area of Barnsley website. council also includes parts of the parts of Penistone Ministers within the Department for Communities and Stocksbridge, Wentworth and Dearne, and Barnsley and Local Government regularly engage with colleagues East constituencies. from the devolved Administrations and discuss a range We are determined to tackle the problem of homeless of matters. families. Since 9 November 2012, local authorities have My Department secured £725 million for the Disabled had new powers under the Localism Act to use good-quality facilities Grant during the current spending review period private rented sector accommodation to end the main (2011-12 to 2014-15). Over the last two years, the homelessness duty. Families will no longer need to Government has provided a further £60 million for the always be placed in temporary accommodation while grant, bringing the total over the spending Review they wait for social housing to become available. period to £785 million. At the same time, we have also put in place extra As part of last year’s Social Care White Paper, the protection for the most vulnerable. The Homelessness Government launched the Care and Support Specialised (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2012 Housing Fund, making up to £300 million available to will help prevent the use of temporary accommodation support and accelerate the development of the specialised which is long distances from the families previous home housing market for older and disabled adults. and community. Local Government: Employment For households already in temporary accommodation the local authority has a duty (under section 193 of the Housing Act) to find that family settled accommodation. Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Local authorities should continue to work with these Communities and Local Government what rules exist households to discuss alternative housing options as regarding the employment of outgoing council employees they become available. by private employers with whom their former council has a contractual relationship. [155576] Fire Stations: West Midlands Brandon Lewis [holding answer 16 May 2013]: Local authorities are independent employers in their own Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for right. As such, it is for each to ensure that they manage Communities and Local Government how many fire their work forces, including the appointment and departure stations there were in (a) Birmingham and (b) the of staff, in a way that protects against conflicts of west midlands in each year since 2010. [156281] interest. While there is no statutory requirement for authorities to have in place a code of conduct for Brandon Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the answer officers, many have established such arrangements locally. to his question of 15 May 2013, Official Report, column 286W. Non-domestic Rates: Hartlepool

Fracking: Planning Permission Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will ensure that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of hon. Member for Great Yarmouth, provides a formal State for Communities and Local Government whether response and actions to be taken following the meeting he plans to publish regulations outlining the circumstances held on 26 February 2013 between himself, the hon. in which an environmental impact assessment is required Member for Hartlepool and representatives from Hartlepool to accompany a planning application for a new fracking borough council in respect of business rates and the site. [155994] impact from Hartlepool nuclear power station. [155898] 427W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 428W

Brandon Lewis: Since my meeting with the hon. Member opportunities to share learning for communities doing for Hartlepool and Hartlepool borough council we neighbourhood planning. The impact assessment produced have made regulations to introduce a safety net which in 2012 discussed the potential costs of neighbourhood effectively guarantees authorities 92.5% of their baseline planning. It can be found at: funding under the rates retention scheme. This will http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2012/9780111525050/ provide support to authorities who experience a significant pdfs/ukdsifia_9780111525050_en.pdf decline in business rates income, for example, as a result Neighbourhood planning forums will incur no cost of unplanned outages at large power stations. We have for holding a neighbourhood planning referendum; these also adjusted the starting position for local authorities costs will be covered by the local authority.The Government so that they have extra financial head room to reflect has agreed that all new burdens placed on local authorities the costs of future appeals losses. And we have established by central Government must be assessed and fully and a new working group with local government to look at properly funded. Local authorities can claim up to the implementation of the rates retention scheme. £30,000 per neighbourhood planning area to enable them to meet legislative duties on neighbourhood planning, Planning Permission including the cost of making arrangements for a referendum. Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what Planning Permission: Bassetlaw criteria will be used to determine the proportion of the possible £7,000 a neighbourhood forum will receive John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for towards their costs. [155983] Communities and Local Government how many homeowner planning applications made in Bassetlaw Nick Boles: Under the new Supporting Communities constituency were (a) approved and (b) rejected in in Neighbourhood Planning programme, which opened 2012; and how many such applications were approved for applications on 1 May 2013, communities undertaking or rejected at (i) officer and (ii) plans sub-committee neighbourhood planning can apply for grants of up to level. [154166] £7,000 per neighbourhood area, to contribute to costs incurred by the group in preparing a neighbourhood Nick Boles: In 2012 there were a total of 332 householder plan or order, as long as the group has a plan for how to applications decided in the local authority of Bassetlaw, spend it, and the costs cannot be met from other sources. of which 303 were approved and 29 were rejected. Applications for a grant from eligible applicants will Information is not centrally available on the number of be assessed based on the information provided in the such applications approved or rejected at officer or application form and against the following criteria: sub-committee level. 1. Is all the proposed expenditure eligible? (the total amount of This approval rate of 91% illustrates the scope for grant awarded will be reduced for any items of ineligible expenditure) reforms of the householder planning process, to take 2. Is there a clear need for the project spend? uncontroversial, small-scale applications for home 3. Is there evidence of how the planned activities will help the improvements out of the full planning system. group progress towards a neighbourhood plan for their area? Regulation 4. Is the project realistic and achievable? Can the activities be delivered in the timetable given? Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities 5. Are the project costs reasonable and do they add up? and Local Government what processes his Department 6. Does the project demonstrate value for money in terms of has put in place to (a) monitor, (b) collate cost information the relationship between cost and benefit? on, (c) review and (d) respond to requests to amend or Details, application forms and guidance can be found revoke regulations introduced by his Department. at: [155788] http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/neighbourhood-planning/ Neighbourhood planning groups can also apply for Nick Boles: The Government introduced a One-In, direct support, and can receive both direct support and One-Out system for regulations on 1 September 2010 grant. applying to regulations from 1 January 2011, which was replaced by a One-In, Two-Out system on 1 January Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of 2013. All measures that have a regulatory or deregulatory State for Communities and Local Government what impact on business and civil society organisations are in recent assessment he has made of the total cost to a scope of these systems. Regulations introduced by the neighbourhood planning forum of drawing up and Department, that are in scope of the One-In, One-Out holding a referendum on a draft neighbourhood plan. or One-In, Two-Out system, are monitored in the [155984] Statements of New Regulation. These statements also collate cost information for each regulation. In addition, Nick Boles: Neighbourhood planning is a flexible the statements include EU regulations and any Red tool designed to enable communities to make their own Tape Challenge measures. The most recent Statement of choices as to what issues they wish to address in their New Regulation can be found at: neighbourhood. As a consequence the costs of preparing https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dclg-statement- Neighbourhood Plans will vary depending on the of-new-regulation-1-january-to-30-june-2013 complexity and size of the proposal, and the available The Red Tape Challenge is a cross-Government supporting evidence. We anticipate that the costs of programme through which we review and improve our neighbourhood planning will decrease as experience stock of regulation. The Department leads two Red builds and there are more examples, templates and Tape Challenge themes; one on Housing and Construction 429W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 430W and one on Planning Administration. Through the Red In addition, the removal of the spare room subsidy Tape Challenge the Department’s regulations within will be monitored and evaluated over a two year period these themes are reviewed on the Red Tape Challenge from April this year, with initial findings available in website. Requests to keep, amend or revoke regulations 2014 and a final report in late 2015. Among other are considered in the resulting proposals which are put questions, the evaluation will consider the impact of the to the Reducing Regulation Committee. measure on landlords’ finances, by means of small scale primary research with a range of social landlords. Sign Language The 2012 Global Accounts of housing providers, published by the Homes and Communities Agency in Sir Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for March, show that tenant arrears have fallen in the last Communities and Local Government (1) what assessment year and the overall financial performance of the sector he has made of the equality of access available for deaf has improved compared to the year before. people whose first language is British Sign Language in terms of communicating with (a) local councillors and Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities local government workers and (b) the agencies and and Local Government how many people are currently public bodies for which he is responsible; and if he will on a waiting list for social housing in (a) Barnsley make a statement; [155494] Central constituency, (b) South Yorkshire and (c) (2) what measures his Department has in place to England; and how many such people are currently ensure that deaf people have the opportunity to homeless. [155561] communicate in British Sign Language with (a) local councillors and local government workers and (b) the agencies and public bodies for which he is responsible. Mr Prisk [holding answer 16 May 2013]: Statistics on the number of households on social housing waiting [155496] lists for each local authority district in England in Brandon Lewis: The responsibility for providing 2011-12 are published in the statistical dataset accompanying appropriate support to enable meaningful communication the Department’s Local Authority Housing Statistics with deaf people lies with local public bodies. All local release, which is available at the following link: authorities, other public bodies and agencies listed under https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/local- schedule 19 of the Equality Act 2010 have a legal authority-housing-statistics-data-returns-for-2011-to-2012 responsibility under section 20 and 29(7) to make (see tab C) ’reasonable adjustments’, which means for example The dataset also records the number of households providing information in an accessible format to allow on waiting lists that fall into the following reasonable deaf people to have equal access to their services. preference groups: Social Rented Housing people who are homeless within the meaning of part VII of the Housing Act (regardless of whether or not they are owed a statutory homelessness duty) Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for people owed a homelessness duty. Communities and Local Government what representations he has received from social housing providers on the Through the Localism Act we have given local authorities effect on their budgets of planned welfare reform changes much greater flexibility to manage their housing waiting and the risk of increased movements of tenants, non- list; and we have broken the link between homelessness payment of rent and number of voids. [R] [155553] and social housing by giving authorities the freedom to end the homelessness duty with private rented Mr Prisk: Ministers and officials from the Department accommodation. for Communities and Local Government are in regular This information is not available at a constituency contact with social housing providers across a range of level. issues. My Department and the Department for Work and Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Pensions recognise the importance of protecting the Communities and Local Government how many social budgets of social housing providers as our welfare housing units there are in England; how many such reform changes are implemented. This is shown through houses are unoccupied; and what the annual turnover our close working with a group of social landlords on of occupancy rate of such housing has been in each of the direct payment demonstration projects, which are the last five years. [155568] testing the impact of the payment of housing benefit direct to tenants. A key aim of the demonstration projects is to explore how we can best protect social Mr Prisk [holding answer 16 May 2013]: Information landlords, and tenants themselves, from the risk of is collected about social housing dwelling stock and increases in rent arrears. We intend to use the evidence vacant properties owned by both private registered providers gathered from the projects to inform the design of (housing associations) and local authorities. Statistics universal credit, including the safeguards needed to on private registered provider and local authority dwelling protect the financial position of social landlords and stock and vacant properties in England for the period prevent tenants from falling into significant debt. We from 2007-08 to 2011 -12 are published in the Department’s are also co-funding a learning network to capture the live tables 104 and 615, which are available at the lessons from the demonstration projects, and encourage following link: the sharing of best practice and information, to help https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live- social landlords prepare for direct payment. tables-on-dwelling-stock-including-vacants 431W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 432W

The Department does not collect or publish statistics inspectors to make recommendations relating to allegations on the turnover of occupancy rate of social housing but of cruelty and bad practice at Imperial College, London; based on stock and lettings figures this can be estimated and if she will place the findings of this inspection in to be approximately 10% each year for the period from the Library. [155043] 2007-08 to 2011-12. James Brokenshire: The use of living animals in scientific procedures which may cause pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm is strictly regulated under the Animals HOME DEPARTMENT (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Alcoholic Drinks: Crime We are determined to ensure animal research is carried out humanely and only when necessary and any reports Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the suggesting that individuals or establishments are falling Home Department (1) how many alcohol licence reviews short of the high standards required by the 1986 Act are have taken place due to the premises in question selling taken extremely seriously. non duty paid alcohol in the last three years; [156058] Home Office inspectors are investigating the allegations (2) how many licence reviews have taken place due to of cruelty and bad practice at the Imperial College the premises in question serving customers that were Hammersmith campus as a matter of urgency and will drunk, in the last year for which figures are available; submit a preliminary report on 13 May 2013. A fuller [155775] report and recommendations will be completed by mid-July 2013. A copy of that report will be placed in the (3) how many cumulative impact zones there are in Library. England and Wales. [155777]

Mr Jeremy Browne: The Home Office collects data on Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the reasons for licence reviews within the Alcohol, Home Department what level of risk rating was assigned Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Statistical to Imperial College London by her Department’s Animals Bulletin. However, this information cannot be broken in Science Regulation Unit during 2012; and if she will down further to the requested level of detail. make a statement. [155045] Based on returns received from 336 of the 350 licensing James Brokenshire: It is not Home Office policy to authorities in England and Wales, there were 160 cumulative disclose the risk assessment of an establishment licensed impact areas in place on 31 March 2012. under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 Alcoholic Drinks: Designated Public Places Orders other than to the relevant establishment. The risk assessment is reviewed after each visit of inspection and is discussed at least annually with the establishment licence holder. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the The risk assessment is used to determine the frequency, Home Department how many designated public place duration and style of inspection and may vary as any orders there are in England and Wales. [155779] relevant risks change. From January 2012 to March 2013 inclusive, Home Office inspectors made 48 visits to Mr Jeremy Browne: The Home Office does not publish Imperial College in line with the risk assessment at that official statistics on the number of designated public time. place orders (DPPO) in force. Based on data provided by local authorities, who are requested to notify the Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Office whenever a DPPO is made, we believe Home Department if she will increase the number of there have been a total of 852 DPPOs issued nationally inspectors employed within her Department’s Animals since their introduction in 2001. This data is correct as in Science Regulation Unit; and if she will make a of 15 May 2013. statement. [155068] Alcoholic Drinks: Sales James Brokenshire: We have no plans to do so. However, Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Inspectorate staffing is kept under regular review taking Home Department what assessment her Department account of the expected workload. We are committed has made of the effect on businesses of the ban on to maintaining a strong and properly resourced inspectorate multi-buy alcohol promotions in Scotland; and if she and a full, risk-based programme of inspections. will make a statement. [155776] Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government recently consulted Home Department if she will suspend or revoke the on whether to introduce a ban on multi-buy promotions establishment licence for Imperial College London to in the off-trade. The Government is currently analysing conduct animal research under the Animals (Scientific all responses and available evidence and will publish a Procedures) Act 1986; and if she will make a statement. response to the consultation in due course. [155387]

Animal Experiments James Brokenshire: We have no current plans to do so. The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 provides Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the powers for the Secretary of State to suspend or revoke a Home Department with reference to the answer from licence issued under the Act in any case in which it the Leader of the House of 18 April 2013, Official appears appropriate to do so. The Home Office Inspectorate Report, column 503, when she expects her Department’s is investigating recent allegations of cruel treatment of 433W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 434W animals, poor training and poor supervision at the illicit trafficking in wild fauna and flora, and to implement Imperial College London Hammersmith Campus and measures to prevent and combat illicit trafficking in delivered a preliminary report on 13 May 2013. This did wild fauna and flora, including the adoption of the not recommend immediate suspension or revocation of necessary legislation for the prevention, investigation any relevant licences held at Imperial College London. and prosecution of such trafficking; [155596] The Inspectorate will provide a fuller report and (3) what role she expects the National Crime Agency’s recommendations by mid-July 2013. Further decisions organised crime command to play in tackling wildlife on any action that may be appropriate will be considered crime following the UN Commission on Crime Prevention in the light of those recommendations. and Criminal Justice’s adoption of a revised draft resolution on crime prevention and criminal justice responses to Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the illicit trafficking in protected species of wild fauna and Home Department whether the level of risk rating flora, reference E/CN.15/2013/L.20/Rev. [155591] assigned to Imperial College London by her Department’s Animals in Science Regulation Unit has changed in the Mr Jeremy Browne: The UK supported E/CN.15/2013/ last six months; and if she will make a statement. L20/Rev, which was adopted on 26 April 2013. [155388] The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and the United Nations James Brokenshire: The Home Office does not assign Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) referred to a risk rating to the Animals in Science Regulation Unit in E/CN.15/2013/L20/Rev were ratified by the UK in (ASRU). ASRU maintains a register of operational and February 2006. The Government will consider how other risks and associated mitigating actions which it those respective conventions can be used as part of its reviews regularly and adjusts as and when necessary. ongoing approach to tackling the illicit trafficking in Antisocial Behaviour wild fauna and flora. The UK has already implemented tough measures to Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the prevent and tackle illicit trafficking in wild fauna and Home Department if she will introduce a maximum flora. The Convention on the International Trade in reporting cap for the activation of the community Endangered Species (CITES) is currently one of the trigger; and if she will make a statement. [156057] UK’s wildlife crime priorities. The Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 Mr Jeremy Browne: We have proposed a national (COTES) provides a specific legal basis for prosecuting maximum threshold of three complaints to activate the CITES offences, carrying a five year maximum sentence. community trigger as set out in the Anti-Social Behaviour, CITES offences may also be prosecuted under the Customs Crime and Policing Bill. However, local agencies are and Excise Management Act 1979, which carries a able to set the threshold even lower if they believe it seven year maximum sentence. would better reflect the needs of their community. Where wildlife crime is sufficiently serious, organised or complex, the National Crime Agency will ensure that Clothing partners across the law enforcement community benefit from its coordination, tasking and intelligence arrangements, Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the as well as being able to access its specialist capabilities, Home Department how many officials in (a) her as appropriate. Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible have made a claim for Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for evening dress allowance in each of the last five years; the Home Department (1) with reference to the Third and what the total cost of such claims has been. [155451] Report of the Environmental Audit Committee, Session 2012-13, on Wildlife Crime, HC 140, what assessment James Brokenshire: The Department’s accounting system her Department has made of the feasibility of making does not identify information of this kind. wildlife crime offences recordable and notifiable offences; [155593] Crime: Nature Conservation (2) with reference to the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice’s adoption of a revised Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for draft resolution on crime prevention and criminal justice the Home Department (1) with reference to the United responses to illicit trafficking in protected species of Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal wild fauna and flora, reference E/CN15/2013/C.20/Rev), Justice’s adoption of a revised draft resolution on crime if her Department will investigate the viability of making prevention and criminal justice responses to illicit trafficking wildlife crime offences recordable and notifiable offences. in protected species of wild fauna and flora, reference [155597] E/CN.15/2013/L.20/Rev, whether the Government plans to support the resolution; [155592] Mr Jeremy Browne: The Home Secretary has committed (2) with reference to the United Nations Commission to seeking reductions in individual crime classifications on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice’s adoption wherever possible and any expansion must deliver a of a revised draft resolution on crime prevention and clear and tangible benefit that outweighs the additional criminal justice responses to illicit trafficking in protected burdens they create. The Home Office is not convinced species of wild fauna and flora, reference E/CN.15/2013/ that implementing specific wildlife crime codes would L.20/Rev, what her policy is on the request to fully deliver the benefits envisaged by the Environmental utilise the UN conventions against transnational organised Audit Committee. The statistics that would result would crime and against corruption to prevent and combat only reflect crimes recorded and dealt with by the police 435W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 436W and not by the various other agencies who have investigatory James Brokenshire [holding answer 14 May 2013]: and prosecuting powers and who are frequently the lead The Communications Capabilities Development agency in these matters. It is for the police to liaise with Programme funds communications service providers those other agencies to gather the intelligence they for the delivery of Communications Data (CD) and require to understand and combat wildlife crime. Lawful Intercept (LI) capabilities. The vast majority of the programme expenditure to date has been on CD Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for and LI delivery under existing legislation, including the Home Department which (a) agencies, (b) Government payments to communications services providers, law Departments and (c) groups her Department works enforcement training and programme costs. with on tackling wildlife crime in the UK. [155594] Entry Clearances: India Mr Jeremy Browne: The Home Office works with a number of partners to tackle wildlife crime, including the national police leads for wildlife crime in England, Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Wales and Scotland, the National Wildlife Crime Unit Home Department what provision for biometric (NWCU), the Department for Environment, Food and facilities there is in India for Indian nationals applying Rural Affairs, the Scottish Government and the Northern for a visa to visit the UK. [155375] Ireland Environmental Agency. Mr Harper: There are 12 visa application centres in The Home Office is also part of the UK Tasking and India where applicants can make their visa application— Coordinating Group, which sets the UK’s wildlife crime including enrolling their biometric information. They priorities, and includes additional partners such as the are located in the following cities: South Mumbai, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Royal Botanical North Mumbai, Pune, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Gardens at Kew and the Animal Health and Veterinary Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Jalandhar Laboratories, and a member of the Partnership for and Kolkata. These are managed by our commercial Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) which brings partner, VFS Global. together a wide range of non-government organisations with an interest in wildlife law enforcement, such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for with UK Visas and Immigration on the provision of the Home Department what assessment she has made service for the introduction of the same-day business of the prevalence and threat of wildlife crime in the visa service for Indian nationals. [155482] UK; and what steps her Department is taking to tackle it. [155595] Mr Harper [holding answer 16 May 2013]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 May Mr Jeremy Browne: Every six months, the National 2013, Official Report, column 341W. Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) produces a tactical assessment of wildlife crime in the UK. The tactical Entry Clearances: Peru assessment is based upon scientific advice and intelligence from individual members of the UK Tasking and Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Coordinating Group (UK TCG) and police forces, and Home Department how many people from Peru visited uses a risk-based approach to identify current, emerging the UK in each of the last three years; how many visa and future threats. The tactical assessment is considered applications from that country were refused; and whether jointly by the Home Office, the Department for she has given consideration to ending the existing visa Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and other members requirement between the UK and Peru. [155273] of the UK TCG, and ultimately informs the priorities and activities of the UK TCG. Mr Harper: There were 4,560, 4,880, and 5,420 Databases: Telecommunications admissions (numbers of journeys) of Peruvian national visitors respectively in 2009, 2010 and 2011 (the latest Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the available data). Home Department what proportion of the money spent The latest available published statistics for applications on the Communications Capabilities Development for visas to the UK, their issue and refusal for Peruvian Programme has been paid to service providers under nationals (including visitors) for 2010 to 2012 is given in the cost recovery system to date. [155077] the following table:

Entry clearance visas applied for, issued and refused to Peruvian Nationals, 2010-12 Of which: Applications Resolved Issued Refused Withdrawn or Lapsed

2010 total 5,488 5,463 4,887 550 26 Of which: Visitors n/a n/a 4,028 n/a n/a

2011 total 5,488 5,527 5,002 479 46 Of which: Visitors n/a n/a 4,211 n/a n/a 437W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 438W

Entry clearance visas applied for, issued and refused to Peruvian Nationals, 2010-12 Of which: Applications Resolved Issued Refused Withdrawn or Lapsed

2012 total 5,753 5,755 5,422 296 37 Of which: Visitors n/a n/a 4,677 n/a n/a n/a = Not available. Note: Figures include dependants. Source: Immigration Statistics, October to December 2012, Tables be.02.q and be.06.q.o

The Home Office keeps visa regimes under regular GPC spend per senior civil servant review. There are no current plans to change the visa £ requirement for Peruvian nationals. 201020112012 The latest Home Office immigration statistics on HO 21 11 27 entry clearance visas are published in the release UKBA 25 0 0 Immigration Statistics October to December 2012, which UKBF n/a n/a 0 is available from the Library of the House and on the Department’s website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration- Illegal Immigrants statistics-october-to-december-2012 Entry Clearances: Sports Competitors Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people arrested in each of the last five years were found to be living in the UK Sir James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the illegally. [154960] Home Department what recent discussions her Department has had with sporting bodies regarding Mr Harper [holding answer 14 May 2013]: In terms the use of Tier 5 visas. [156019] of arrests made by the police, we do not hold this data; Mr Harper: Officials met the British Horse-Racing each force would need to be approached separately were Authority on 2 May 2013 to discuss their endorsement we to want accurate figures from a police perspective. criteria for Tier 5 overseas sports persons working in We work closely with the police to combat illegal the horse racing sector. That was the most recent meeting, immigration; for example, in London we have established beyond day to day contact with the various sports Operation Nexus targeting immigration offenders in governing bodies on routine matters. London. The Home Office makes arrests in the course of G4S immigration enforcement visits where an individual is suspected of committing an immigration related offence. Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Data on the reason for arrests are only held at the Home Department what further discussions she has level of coordinated paper case files or within the notes had with G4S on their suitability as a Government section of the Home Office’s National Operations Database contractor. [156001] (NOD). Such data is not aggregated in national reporting James Brokenshire: The Home Department regularly systems, which would mean this question could be reviews all contracts with G4S on a quarterly basis at answered only through a disproportionately expensive Executive Oversight Board meetings which are attended manual case search to collate the data. by senior executives from G4S and senior officials from the Home Department. However, we can confirm that the Home Office arrested It also contributes regular updates on G4S to the 42,340 for immigration related offences between April Cabinet Office Supplier Relationship programme Crown 2008 and March 2013. This includes arrests made during representative. the course of immigration visits, and those people arrested by police and subsequently transferred to the Home Government Procurement Card Office.

Arrests for immigration related Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Financial year offences Home Department what the mean average spend using a government procurement card was per senior civil April 2008 to March 2009 9,557 servant in (a) her Department, (b) the UK Border April 2009 to March 2010 7,429 Agency and (c) the UK Border Force in (i) 2010, (ii) April 2010 to March 2011 7,731 2011 and (iii) 2012. [156325] April 2011 to March 2012 7,879 March 2012 to April 2013 9,744 Mr Harper: The information requested on average Government Procurement Card spend per senior civil All figures quoted have been derived from management servant, for the Home Department, UK Border Agency information and are therefore provisional and subject and UK Border Force, can be found in the following to change. This information has not been quality assured table: under National Statistics protocols. 439W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 440W

Immigration Border Agency’s Immigration Rules), under what circumstances commission-based earnings will be Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the taken into account to meet the financial requirement. Home Department what the process is for obtaining a [156081] slot at the Public Enquiry Office at Lunar House for indefinite leave to remain applications. [156330] Mr Harper: Under paragraph 18(b) of Appendix FM-SE to the Immigration Rules commission-based Mr Harper: A customer can book an appointment earnings from employment in the six or 12 months prior for an indefinite leave to remain appointment at the to the date of application can be counted as income Public Enquiry Office at Lunar House by using our under the minimum income threshold to be met in a “Apply online” booking system or (in exceptional spouse visa application, where the requirements of that circumstances) by phone. To book an appointment appendix in relation to that employment are met. online a customer must create an account with our “Apply online” booking system by visiting our website: Manchester Airport: Immigration Controls https://apply.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/secure/secure.portal Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Once the user account is activated a customer can Home Department with reference to the answer of then select the category under which they wish to apply 26 March 2013, Official Report, column 1021W, on and select an available appointment slot. Once their Manchester Airport: immigration controls, for what appointment has been booked the customer will receive reasons no queuing data was collected at Terminal 3 in a confirmation text message or email that details the (a) November and (b) December 2012. [156323] time and date of their appointment. A representative who is registered with the Office of Mr Harper: The Department’s data assurance the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) can programme identified weaknesses in the methodology also make an appointment on behalf of their customers used at Manchester Airport Terminal 3, which meant by emailing that the data collected during November-December [email protected] 2012, was not deemed sufficiently robust. These weaknesses between 09:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday (excluding were remedied during November-December 2012 and public holidays). Once an appointment has been booked robust reporting is now in place. the representative will receive a confirmation email detailing the time and date of their appointment. Overseas Students

Immigration: Children Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration she has given to John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the removing international students from the migration Home Department how many children from each country statistics. [155543] of origin arrived in the UK unescorted in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and how many such children have Mr Harper: Students will continue to count in the subsequently been returned to their country of origin. Office for National Statistics (ONS) net migration figures [155640] because students who stay for more than 12 months are long-term migrants, according to the UN definition. Mr Harper: We do not collect data on all unescorted The ONS has recently changed its methodology so that children arriving in the UK. We do know the number of in future it will be possible to identify students in non-British citizen children who were subject to further emigration as well as immigration flows. This will begin examination at the border, however, determining how to provide a more accurate measure of the contribution many were unescorted and were subsequently returned of students to overall net migration from August 2013. to their country of origin, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Police and Crime Commissioners

Immigration: Married People Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a meeting was held between Ministers Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State of her Department and police and crime commissioners for the Home Department when the damages ordered in the week commencing 22 April 2013. [154829] by the European Court of Human Rights to be paid to Mr Ilyas Elmi Hode and Ms Hawa Aden Adbi in its Damian Green [holding answer 13 May 2013]: Home judgement of 6 November 2012 were paid. [153899] Office Ministers have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues and others as part of the process of policy Mr Harper: Following the European Court of Human development and delivery. As was the case with previous Rights judgment of 6 November 2012, which became administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to final on 6 February 2013, payment was made on 16 provide details of all such meetings. April 2013. Police: Recruitment Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 13 May Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2013, Official Report, column 10W, on immigration: Home Department how many police and community married people and in paragraph 18(b), Appendix support officers have become police officers in each of FM-SE (Family members-specified evidence to the UK the last five years. [156043] 441W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 442W

Damian Green: The Home Office retains information Telecommunications only on the number of police community support officers (headcount) in England and Wales that have left their Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for the police force to become a joined regular, by force transfers Home Department pursuant to the answer of 14 May and voluntary resignations. These figures are provided 2013, Official Report, column 119W,on telecommunications, within the table for the last five years. Recruitment to which local authorities provided further information; the police is managed locally, and information is retained and if she will make a statement. [156359] on local systems. James Brokenshire: The Local Government Association, Private Finance Initiative the National Anti-Fraud Network, the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers and the London Borough Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for the Fraud Investigators’ Group submitted the principal Home Department which private finance initiative projects responses outlining the continuing requirement for local relating to her Department have been refinanced in authorities to have access to communications data. each year since May 2010; what the value is of each such project; what the refinancing gain has been in each Training such case; and how much any such gain the relevant Government body received through a (a) lump sum Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the and (b) reduction in the unitary charge. [156003] Home Department how many officials in (a) her Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies James Brokenshire: The Home Department has not for which she is responsible enrolled in publicly-funded refinanced any private finance initiative projects since training courses in each of the last five years; what the May 2010. total cost has been of such courses; and what the monetary value was of the 10 highest training course Repatriation fees in each such year. [155431]

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the James Brokenshire: To provide this response would Home Department how many foreign nationals killed incur disproportionate cost to the Department. in the UK were repatriated in each of the last five Travel years; and at what cost to the public purse in each such year. [154621] Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Harper: The Home Department does not hold Home Department how many officials in (a) her this information. Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible claimed reimbursement for Scotland travel subsistence expenses in each of the last five years; what the total cost was of such claims; and what the Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for monetary value was of the 20 highest subsistence claims the Home Department when she last met (a) the in each such year. [155411] Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Justice and (b) any other Scottish Government Minister; and what James Brokenshire: The total cost to the Home was discussed at any such meeting. [155673] Department and its non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) of travel subsistence expenses claims in each James Brokenshire: Home Office Ministers and officials of the last five years was: have meetings with a wide variety of international partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the Total (£) public and private sectors, as part of the process of 2008-09 46,069,190 policy development and delivery. Details of these meetings 2009-10 79,523,017 are passed to the Cabinet Office on a quarterly basis 2010-11 62,321,404 and are subsequently published on the Cabinet Office 2011-12 64,092,921 website. 2012-13 68,970,691 Staff The figure for 2008-09 does not include NDPB expenditure as the reporting mechanism used does not Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the allow detailed travel subsistence expenses to be extracted. Home Department how many officials of her Information relating to the number of claims and what Department are working on the proposed EU police the monetary value was of the 20 highest claims cannot and criminal justice opt-out. [156322] be provided without incurring disproportionate costs. James Brokenshire: The Department currently has a Written Questions dedicated project team of four full-time officials working on the proposed EU police and criminal justice opt-out. Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Another official spends 50% of their time working on Home Department how many holding answers her this matter. However, the complexity of the decision to Department provided to written parliamentary questions be made means that the team is supported by a wide in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) the first quarter range of policy, finance, and legal experts within the of 2013; and what estimate she has made of the cost of Department, the numbers of which cannot be quantified. providing such answers. [156324] 443W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 444W

Mr Harper: The Home Department provided the Coastal Erosion following holding answers respectively: (a) 672 Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for (b) 600 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment (c) 603 he has made of the effectiveness of the Coastal Change (d) 170 Pathfinders in helping communities at risk of coastal erosion; and what plans he has to provide further help The Home Department does not provide estimates of to such communities. [154939] PQ costs and does not plan to do so. Parliamentary questions on Government and Equalities Richard Benyon: A high level review of the Coastal are included in the figures up until 4 September 2012 Change Pathfinders Project was published in March when the Government Equalities Office (GEO) moved 2012 together with an evaluation of the five biggest to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. projects, many of which are currently ongoing. One of This is management information, it is provisional the key proposals of Pathfinders was ’rollback’ or ’rolling and subject to change. back properties at risk’. Various proposals within the pathfinders moved properties or people away from the coast; this is known as ’rollback’. We will be seeking further evidence on the rolling back properties at risk DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER and until this is available, final decisions on the Pathfinders will not be taken. Electoral Register Environment Protection: Seas and Oceans Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent assessment he has made of using private credit Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for reference agencies in helping to improve electoral Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has registration rates. [154455] taken steps under section 56 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to publish the Direction issued under Miss Chloe Smith: As part of our work on electoral section 55 of that Act, and to draw this to the attention registration data matching pilot schemes over the last of those persons likely to be interested or affected by it. two years, we considered the possibility of a pilot that [154221] would use credit reference agency data, but we were unable to do so within current legislation. We continue, Richard Benyon: The UK Marine Policy Statement however, to work with data holding organisations to was published on 18 March 2011. It described the explore which datasets can best be used to ensure the principal marine planning functions for the English completeness and accuracy of the electoral register. inshore and offshore areas that had been delegated to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). I will ensure that the section 55 Direction itself is published, ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS including on the MMO website, as soon as possible. Birds Flood Control

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to assessment his Department has made of changes in the the answer of 11 December 2012, Official Report, number of ground-nesting birds. [154135] columns 257-8W, on flood control, what the planned spending on flood and coastal erosion risk Richard Benyon: DEFRA has not undertaken a specific management was in each year since 1996; and in each assessment of changes in the number of ground-nesting case what the actual spending was as a proportion of birds. There are many types of bird that nest on the the planned spending. [154252] ground; these include wildfowl and waders, gamebirds, many seabirds and some song-birds associated with Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not hold historical open habitats, such as skylarks and meadow pipits. records of the difference between planned spending and These species vary in their habitat requirements, their actual spending going back to 1996. I can confirm that ecology and the threats to which they are exposed. in 2011-12, DEFRA was able to provide an additional The UK Government publishes annual statistics on £22.3 million to the Environment Agency due to internal trends in wild bird populations for the UK and England. reprioritisation of budgets. Combined trends are published for farmland, woodland, The Environment Agency is able to make full use of wetland and seabirds. Ground nesting species are included any funding made available by DEFRA through efficient in the wetland bird trend and, to a lesser extent, in the project management of its flood and coastal erosion seabird and farmland bird trends. These statistics are risk management programme. based on data from a range of sources, including the Breeding Bird Survey, which is undertaken by the British Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trust for Ornithology with additional funding from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Royal funding his Department obtains from (a) the private Society for the Protection of Birds. These organisations sector and (b) other sectors for the purposes of flood also publish trends for individual species. defence. [154271] 445W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 446W

Richard Benyon: The following table provides details Local Authority Amount spent (£) of contributions towards flood defence in England between 2012-13 and 2013-14. For the financial year East Sussex County Council 294,997 2012-13 the actual spend has been provided. For 2013-14 Great Yarmouth Borough 126,059,700 the current best estimate has been provided based on Council allocations made in February. Somerset County Council 0 At present, contributions are classified into three Hampshire County Council 254,000 categories: local levy contributions, which are provided South Hams District Council 0 by Regional Flood and Coastal Committees, public Hastings Borough Council 115,625 sector (contributions provided via local authorities) Lincolnshire County Council 214,111,100 and private sector (contributions provided by private Tendring District Council 32,817,800 sector organisations. North Norfolk District Council 4410,500 DEFRA does not include local levy funding when Scarborough Borough Council 1,000,000 reporting totals of partnership funding contributions Waveney District Council 101.00 because this funding stream was in place prior to the 1 With £15,760,200 expected in 2013-14. introduction of the new partnership funding policy. We 2 With £7,720,000 expected in 2013-14. 3 With £525,000 expected in 2013-14. are on track to bring forward a total of £148 million of 4 With £3,100,000 expected in 2013-14. contributions over the period from April 2011 to March 2015. This is on top of the £2.3 billion the Government Floods: Insurance will be spending over the same period. Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of £ million State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Financial progress he has made towards replacing the Statement year Public Private Local levy of Principles for insurance against flooding. [156285] 2012-13 8 3 31 2013-14 42 16 31 Richard Benyon: The Government has made significant progress in discussions with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) on how its flood re-proposal could be Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for made to work. This is a complex issue and no deal has Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will ensure been reached but we aim to conclude negotiations as that there is a balance between capital and revenue soon as possible. spend on flood defence measures so that any asset ABI members have voluntarily agreed to continue to created has maintenance funding to ensure that it abide by the statement of principles for a further month, remains viable for the lifetime of the asset. [154374] to 31 July, to allow more time to reach agreement. If the ABI’s proposal cannot be made to work, other options Richard Benyon: Investment in flood risk management are also available. The Water Bill is the obvious vehicle requires a balance between maintenance of the asset to take any powers needed. base and the targeted capital investment to improve or replace assets. Assessment of the capital investment in Hedgehogs new assets is based on the whole life cost of the asset including maintenance. Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for assessment his Department has made of changes in the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which coastal hedgehog population in England and Wales in each of towns have benefited from flood defences under the the last five years. [154134] Coastal Change Pathfinders Scheme; and how much has been spent on coastal defences in each such community Richard Benyon: The decline in the hedgehog population since the termination of that scheme. [154587] is well documented. The report ‘The State of Britain’s Hedgehogs’, which was published in 2011 by the British Richard Benyon: The purpose of the pathfinder scheme Hedgehog Preservation Society and the People’s Trust was to explore new approaches to planning for and for Endangered Species, states that there were an estimated managing adaptation to coastal change, rather than 30 million hedgehogs in the 1950s but that this estimate defence. The funding supported areas within the selected had declined to approximately 1.5 million by 1995. authorities where flood defences were not sustainable Both organisations have conducted various other hedgehog or affordable. The 15 local authority areas chosen as surveys. pathfinders, and the amounts spent on coastal defences Since the 1990s, the British Trust for Ornithology, the under the separate Flood and Coastal Risk Management Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Game and Grant in Aid funding for these authorities since the end Wildlife Conservation Trust and other organisations of the scheme, are as follows: have provided evidence of continued decline in hedgehog numbers and that the population may have decreased Local Authority Amount spent (£) by approximately 25% over the last 10 years. Chichester District Council 450,000 Under the work to develop the implementation plan Dorset County Council 0 for Biodiversity 2020 (the Government’s strategy for Sefton Metropolitan Council 0 England’s wildlife and ecosystem services), Natural England East Riding of Yorkshire 1,200,000 has commissioned work to review all species listed on Council Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural 447W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 448W

Communities Act 2006 to identify priorities for action Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for and to determine what those actions should be. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance hedgehog is being considered within this context by the has been provided to local authorities regarding the safe Mammal Taxon Group which comprises specialist disposal of compact fluorescent lightbulbs. [154281] organisations, led by Natural England. Richard Benyon: Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), the most common type of energy efficient bulbs, are Inflation covered by the UK waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations. All local authorities in England Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, work with producer compliance schemes to provide Food and Rural Affairs if he will list the purposes for designated collection facilities for WEEE. Information which his Department uses (a) the retail price index about which sites take back CFLs and other types of measure of inflation, (b) the consumer price index WEEE is available on the recycle-more website at: measure of inflation and (c) any alternative measure of www.recycle-more.co.uk inflation. [154977] The collection network established under the WEEE regulations allows the householder to return CFLs and Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA uses the consumer other electrical equipment free of charge to designated price index (CPI) and retail price index (RPI) for indexing collection facilities (generally local authority civic amenity rates in contracts and they are widely used for removing sites) or retailers. Separate arrangements exist for business the effects of price changes in statistical time series and end-users. impact assessments. Producer compliance schemes, acting on behalf of The precise index series used will be reviewed, for those that originally placed the product on the market, example when new contracts are negotiated. must finance the collection of bulbs from these facilities and ensure that they are treated and recycled to the treatment standards laid down in the regulations and Light Bulbs: Waste Disposal guidance documents. We would expect producer compliance schemes, retailers and local authorities to work together Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for to ensure the safe collection and recovery of CLFs. This Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent would include compliance with the duty of care for assessment he has made of public awareness of appropriate waste, which requires waste producers to use a registered disposal of compact fluorescent lightbulbs. [154280] waste carrier for the transport of waste and to ensure that waste is only transferred to a permitted or exempt Richard Benyon: DEFRA has made no assessment of waste management facility. DEFRA has issued statutory public awareness of the appropriate disposal of compact guidance on the duty of care for waste and this is fluorescent light bulbs. available on the Environment Agency website. Low-energy light bulbs contain a small dose of mercury DEFRA has not issued specific guidance to local and should be disposed of responsibly. Recent legislation, authorities about the recycling of CFLs. However, such which implements two EC directives on electrical and lamps are classified as hazardous waste and DEFRA electronic equipment, limits the amount of mercury has issued guidance relating to the management of which such bulbs may contain and sets up a framework hazardous waste, including a guide on the rules relating for disposing of them in an environmentally safe manner. to mixing such waste. This includes advice about local The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) authority collections and the need to keep this type of Regulations 2006 enable local authorities to work together waste separate, to provide clearly labelled receptacles so with retailers of electrical and electronic equipment in that members of the public can put the waste in the their local areas to let householders know where they right place, and to separate out items placed in the can deposit old equipment (including low-energy light wrong receptacles unless to do so would pose a health bulbs) for treatment and recycling. and safety risk to civic amenity site staff. These regulations require all distributors (retailers, As waste policy is a devolved matter, this response mail-order companies and internet sellers) of low-energy relates only to England. light bulbs, referred to in the legislation as gas discharge lamps, to provide information to consumers and other users. This includes information on the requirement not Marine Management Organisation to dispose of such bulbs as unsorted municipal waste, and on the return and collection systems available to Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for them. Some retailers discharge this function by providing Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he issued a in-store take back of waste compact fluorescent light Direction to the Marine Management Organisation bulbs. (MMO) under section 55 of the Marine and Coastal The 2006 WEEE Regulations also place a responsibility Access Act 2009, empowering the MMO to carry out on producers to mark low-energy light bulbs with the marine planning functions; and when the MMO consented crossed-out wheeled bin symbol, and to finance their to that under section 55. [154222] collection, treatment, recovery and recycling when deposited at designated collection facilities or returned to designated Richard Benyon: A Direction to the Marine Management distributors by householders. Organisation (MMO) under section 55 of the Marine As waste is a devolved matter, this response relates and Coastal Access Act 2009 was jointly agreed by only to England. DEFRA and the MMO on 18 March 2010. 449W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 450W

Natural England: Staff his Department issues on the actions that would result in the suspension or removal of a bonus payment to an Martin Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for official in his Department; what the process is for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff clawing back such bonuses; and on how many are employed by Natural England; and how many such occasions this has happened in each of the last five staff are designated as managers. [154229] years. [154997]

Richard Benyon: On 30 April 2013, Natural England Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA has not issued guidance had 2,393 staff. on the actions that would result in the suspension or removal of non-consolidated performance payments to Of these, 216 had responsibility for managing the an official or what the process is for clawing back such performance of staff and resources to deliver Government payments. Any such instances would be considered on priorities. Managers have people management and front-line an individual basis. delivery responsibilities. No payments have been suspended, removed or clawed Natural Resources back in each of the last five years.

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Publications Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contribution his Department is making towards the launch of a new Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for critical resources contribution dashboard. [155547] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on subscriptions to academic journals Richard Benyon: The development of a pilot critical published by (a) Reed-Elsevier, (b) Wiley-Blackwell, resources dashboard is being led by the Environment (c) Springer and (d) any other academic publisher in Sustainability Knowledge Transfer Network (ESKTN). each of the last five years. [154494] As outlined in the March 2012 Resource Security Action Plan, DEFRA is working closely with the ESKTN to Richard Benyon: This information is not held centrally. help steer the development of the dashboard and has However, most academic journals are ordered through contributed funding to support development of the site. the core DEFRA library service. Pay The spend by this service on subscriptions to academic journals published by (a) Reed-Elsevier, (b) Wiley- Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Blackwell, (c) Springer and (d) any other academic Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance publisher in each of the last five years is as follows:

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

Reed-Elsevier 4,644.42 8,375.42 5,380.77 4,596.34 0 Wiley-Blackwell 502.98 771.26 1,164.57 557.97 56.00 Springer 0 0 0 0 0 Other 22,626.21 28,769.38 11,121.06 11,105.99 11,611.28 Total 27,773.61 37,916.06 17,666.40 16,260.30 11,667.28

Risk Assessment five years; and what the total cost of such claims has been. [155458] Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition Stephen Crabb: In the last five years no claims for of the precautionary principle is used by his evening dress allowance have been made by officials in Department. [154809] the Wales Office. Richard Benyon: DEFRA uses the definition in the Fire Extinguishers 1992 United Nations Rio Declaration on Environment and Development: Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what recent representations he has received from “In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Members of the Welsh Assembly in support of the Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of introduction of fire sprinklers in new homes; [155623] full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing (2) what estimate he has made of the cost of cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.” introducing sprinkler systems into homes in Wales. [155624]

WALES Mr David Jones: I have received representation from Ann Jones AM, expressing support for the Domestic Clothing Fire Safety measure. Welsh specific building regulations, including the requirement for all new homes in Wales to Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales be fitted with sprinklers, was also a matter I discussed how many officials in his Department have made a with the Welsh Government Finance Minister at our claim for evening dress allowance in each of the last bilateral on 29 April 2013. 451W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 452W

Wales’s largest independent house builder Redrow Department introduces relate to elections to the National has estimated that Welsh specific building regulations, Assembly for Wales. These are either amended or revoked including the requirement for all new homes to be fitted before each Assembly election, following discussion with a sprinkler, is estimated to impose an additional with the Welsh Government, Electoral Commission, £13,000 to the unit building cost in Wales. I have written political parties and electoral administrators in Wales. to the Welsh Government urging them to give further consideration to the impacts of those regulations on the Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) construction industry in Wales. what the title was of each set of regulations introduced by his Department in each month since May 2010; and ICT which of those regulations have been (a) subject to the (i) one in one out and (ii) one in two out procedure and Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (b) (i) revoked and (ii) amended; [155828] how many (a) computers, (b) mobile telephones, (c) (2) if he will provide the estimated cost of each BlackBerrys and (d) other pieces of IT equipment were regulation introduced by his Department since May lost or stolen from his Department in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2010; and what the estimated benefits of each regulation 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. (a) amended and (b) revoked were. [155971] [156437] Mr David Jones: The Wales Office has not introduced, Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office had no reported amended or revoked any regulations since May 2010. losses of computers, BlackBerrys or other pieces of IT equipment in financial years 2010-11 to 2012-13. One Training mobile phone was reported lost in 2011-12; no mobile phones were reported lost in the other two years. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many officials in his Department enrolled in Regulation publicly-funded training courses in each of the last five years; what the total cost has been of such courses; and Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the monetary value was of the 10 highest training what processes his Department has put in place to (a) course fees in each such year. [155438] monitor, (b) collate cost information on, (c) review and (d) respond to requests to amend or revoke Stephen Crabb: The following table sets out how regulations introduced by his Department. [155805] many officials in the Wales Office enrolled in publicly-funded training courses in each of the last five years; what the Mr David Jones: Due to the nature of its role, the total cost was of such courses; and what the monetary Wales Office rarely introduces, amends or revokes value was of the 10 highest training course fees in each regulations. Most of the Statutory Instruments that the such year:

2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-131

Number of officials enrolled in publically 40 20 11 19 2 funded training courses

Total cost of training courses (£) 16,086.93 19,857.75 12,347.81 10,530.98 1,593.00

10 highest paid training course fees (£) 6,495.00 10,500.00 2,240.00 2,100.00 796.50 860.00 908.50 1,315.00 2,040.00 — 500.00 868.00 675.00 740.00 — 495.00 805.00 650.00 635.00 — 494.00 665.00 601.31 590.00 — 390.00 552.00 576.00 576.00 — 385.00 546.25 450.00 499.99 — 325.00 425.00 446.50 495.00 — 279.00 399.00 395.00 360.00 — 250.00 395.00 360.00 250.00 — 1 In 2012-13, one course attended by two officials.

Travel Stephen Crabb: The following table sets out Wales Office expenditure on travel and subsistence expenses in each of the last five years; what the total cost was of such claims; and what the monetary value was of the 20 Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales highest subsistence claims in each year: how many officials in his Department claimed reimbursement for travel subsistence expenses in each of the last five years; what the total cost was of such claims; and what the monetary value was of the 20 highest subsistence claims in each such year. [155418] 453W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 454W

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

Total travel and subsistence claimed (£) 44,813.70 34,087.44 13,335.58 14,469.85 18,124.20

Total number of Wales Office staff to claim 54 52 33 38 37

Top 20 subsistence claims (£) 1,942.13 476.94 190.47 132.00 131.32 561.23 476.70 142.40 100.00 130.59 439.50 426.54 78.99 85.00 120.00 427.35 397.85 72.99 84.00 117.72 387.13 332.92 66.42 43.15 95.00 369.40 332.00 25.00 37.00 85.00 346.74 314.57 23.70 36.50 75.00 332.96 286.45 21.03 34.50 50.00 330.05 283.34 21.00 29.00 49.68 312.51 258.82 20.00 22.30 43.60 311.73 223.95 19.95 21.00 36.00 291.81 192.72 19.00 20.85 35.47 284.28 179.20 18.75 20.20 34.50 270.90 150.10 18.64 20.00 32.00 266.80 146.58 18.25 19.52 30.25 264.10 122.05 18.14 19.00 25.30 261.90 118.26 18.00 18.99 25.00 261.55 90.48 17.65 18.93 24.50 259.69 83.00 17.38 18.33 22.44 256.85 16.70 17.30 18.00 21.00

UK Trade and Investment Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible have made a claim Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for for evening dress allowance in each of the last five Wales what steps he is taking to encourage UK Trade years; and what the total cost of such claims has been. and Investment to co-ordinate its trade promotion [155454] activities with the Welsh Government. [156090] Mike Penning: Following the devolution of policing Mr David Jones: The UK Government has extended and justice functions on 12 April 2010, and subsequent the secondments of two UKTI officials into the Welsh reconfiguration of the Northern Ireland Office, my Government to ensure that trade promotion activities Department does not hold figures for the periods prior are coordinated in Wales. I am delighted that preliminary to 2010; attempting to obtain this information would figures from UKTI show that foreign investment created incur disproportionate cost. 2,605 new jobs in Wales and helped to safeguard a Since April 2010, no officials in my department have further 4,857 in 2012-13. The total number of jobs made a claim for evening dress; there is no provision or secured through foreign investment increased by 61.5% allowance for this. on the previous year. My Department has two non-departmental public bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission NORTHERN IRELAND and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland; and one advisory non-departmental public body—the Boundary Clothing Commission for Northern Ireland. As such bodies are independent of Government, my hon. Friend may wish Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for to write to the Commissions direct on these matters— Northern Ireland how many officials in (a) her contact details are set out in the following table:

ALB Status Contact details

Parades Commission for Northern Ireland Executive NDPB [email protected]

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Executive NDPB [email protected]

Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland Advisory NDPB [email protected] 455W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 456W

Public Appointments Northern Ireland were on 1 January 2013; and what the (i) ethnicity, (ii) term of office and (iii) remuneration is Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern of each such member. [156253] Ireland who the members of the (a) Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland, (b) Northern Ireland Human Mike Penning: The information requested as at 1 Rights Commission and (c) Parades Commission for January 2013 is shown in the following table:

Public body Name Start date of current term End date of current term Remuneration (£)

Boundary Commission Mr Justice McCloskey 2 September 2012 1 September 2015 0 for Northern Ireland Richard McKenzie 1 November 2012 31 October 2013 505.50 per day William Smith 16 May 2009 15 May 2015 505.50 per day

Northern Ireland Michael O’Flaherty 19 September 2011 18 September 2016 77.000 per annum Human Rights Commission Christine Collins I September 2011 31 August 2014 10,000 per annum John Corey 1 September 2011 31 August 2014 10,000 per annum Milton Kerr 1 September 2011 31 August 2014 10,000 per annum Grainia Long I September 2011 31 August 2014 10,000 per annum Alan McBride 1 September 2011 31 August 2014 10,000 per annum Marion Reynolds 1 September 2011 31 August 2014 10,000 per annum Paul Yam 1 September 2011 31 August 2014 10,000 per annum

Parades Commission for Peter Osborne 1 January 2011 31 December 2013 500 per day Northern Ireland Douglas Bain 1 January 2011 31 December 2013 250 per day Delia Close 1 January 2011 31 December 2013 250 per day Brian Kennaway 1 January 2011 31 December 2013 250 per day Catriona King 1 January 2011 31 January 2013 250 per day Frances Nolan 1 January 2011 31 December 2013 250 per day Robin Percival 1 January 2011 31 December 2013 250 per day

Statistically information on the public bodies sponsored Of the small number of regulations concerned, many by my Department, including ethnicity, is published relate to making minor amendments to existing elections annually by the Cabinet Office and is available at: and security legislation. Since May 2010, my Department http://resources.civilservice.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/ has introduced/revoked the following regulations: 09/PB12.pdf The Electoral Law (Polling Station Scheme) (Northern Ireland) Regulation Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/1532); The Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Regulations 2013 (No SR number); Ireland (1) what processes her Department has put in Identification and Traceability of Explosives (Amendment) place to (a) monitor, (b) collate cost information on, (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2012 (SR 2012/123); (c) review and (d) respond to requests to amend or Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) revoke regulations introduced by her Department; (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (SR 2012/429); [155801] Identification and Traceability of Explosives (Amendment) (2) what the title was of each set of regulations (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2013 {SR 2013/48) (note: these regulations revoked the 2012 regulations cited above and earlier introduced by her Department in each month since 2010 regulations). May 2010; and which of those regulations have been (a) subject to the (i) one in one out and (ii) one in two Training out procedure and (b) (i) revoked and (ii) amended; [155823] Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern (3) if she will provide the estimated cost of each Ireland how many officials in (a) her Department and regulation introduced by her Department since May (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which she is 2010; and what the estimated benefits of each regulation responsible enrolled in publicly-funded training courses (a) amended and (b) revoked were. [155967] in each of the last five years; what the total cost has been of such courses; and what the monetary value was Mike Penning: The Northern Ireland Office has of the 10 highest training course fees in each such year. responsibilities chiefly on constitutional, electoral and [155434] national security matters. Due to the nature of its role, my Department rarely introduces, amends or revokes Mike Penning: Following the devolution of policing regulations. and justice functions on 12 April 2010, and subsequent 457W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 458W reconfiguration of the Northern Ireland Office, my 3. £1,760—Prince2 Practitioners Department does not hold figures for the periods prior 4. £1,350—Prince2 Foundation to 2010; attempting to obtain this information would 5. £1,350—Prince2 Practitioner incur disproportionate cost. 6. £1,210—Parliamentary Government and the Civil Service For the three years since devolution the figures are as 7. £1,020—Personal Effectiveness follows: 8. £894—Financial Training 9. £740—Finance for Non-Finance Managers Number of staff 10. £480—Public Accountability and Governance for the Senior attending Total cost (£) Civil Service. 2010-11 1— 20,014 2011-12 41 14,305 2012-13 2012-13 85 19,911 1. £3,858—Leading with Purpose 1 Not held. 2. £3,858—Leading with Purpose The 10 highest training course fees for each year 3. £1,518—Centre for Applied Learning, courses attended were: November 2012 4. £1,086—Centre for Applied Learning, courses attended 2010-11 December 2012 1. £16,584—Departmental contribution to National School 5. £1,074—Prince2 Training Course for Government Core Learning programme 6. £416—Bill Team Training 2. £1,025—Open University degree course 7. £395—Centre for Applied Learning, courses attended June 2012 3. £1,000—Introduction to Information Assurance 8. £256—Developing your Leadership Style 4. £440—Custodian course 9. £252—Achieving More with Less 5. £400—Management coaching and mentoring course. 10. £236—Briefings and Submissions. It is not possible to provide other individual course My Department has two non-departmental public costs for 2010-11 as these were covered by our contribution bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to the Core Learning Programme which meant that and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland; and courses provided by NSG were free. one advisory non-departmental public body—the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland. As such bodies are 2011-12 independent of Government, my hon. Friend may wish 1. £1,989—Records and Information Management to write to the Commissions direct on these matters. 2. £1,775—Information Assurance Contact details are set out in the following table:

ALB Status Contact details

Parades Commission for Northern Ireland Executive NDPB [email protected] Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Executive NDPB [email protected] Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland Advisory NDPB [email protected]

Travel to 2010; attempting to obtain this information would incur disproportionate cost. The information requested by my hon. Friend for the Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern period since the devolution of policing and justice Ireland how many officials in (a) her Department and functions is not held in a form which would allow us to (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which she is respond without considerable manual review of electronic responsible claimed reimbursement for travel subsistence and physical files. This would incur disproportionate expenses in each of the last five years; what the total cost. cost was of such claims; and what the monetary value was of the 20 highest subsistence claims in each such My Department has two non-departmental public bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission year. [155414] and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland; and one advisory non-departmental public body—the Boundary Mike Penning: Following the devolution of policing Commission for Northern Ireland. As such bodies are and justice functions on 12 April 2010, and subsequent independent of Government, my hon. Friend may wish reconfiguration of the Northern Ireland Office, my to write to the Commissions direct on these matters. Department does not hold figures for the periods prior Contact details are set out in the following table:

ALB Status Contact details

Parades Commission for Northern Ireland Executive NDPB [email protected]

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Executive NDPB [email protected]

Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland Advisory NDPB [email protected] 459W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 460W

LEADER OF THE HOUSE Clothing

Scotland Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Leader of the House non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible if he will list the legislation his Office has sponsored have made a claim for evening dress allowance in each which has devolved powers to the Scottish Parliament of the last five years; and what the total cost of such and powers within such legislation since 1998. [156234] claims has been. [155457]

Mr Lansley: None. Sajid Javid: Information relating to the evening dress allowance is not separately identified within our accounting system. This is a taxable benefit and is paid through staff salary; to attempt to extract this information would TREASURY exceed the disproportionate cost threshold. All staff must refer to the Department’s travel and Banks subsistence policy when making a claim for evening dress allowance and must obtain pre-approval from a Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer director for the expenditure. what steps he plans to take to make the operation of banks more transparent; and if he has considered requiring Conditions of Employment banks to make public details of (a) the source from which they take savings and (b) the postcodes in which they lend. [156008] Pamela Nash: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in his Department are Greg Clark: The Government is already taking forward employed on zero hours contracts. [156095] a number of measures to make the operations of banks more transparent. Sajid Javid: HM Treasury does not employ any staff on zero-hour contracts. Specifically, the Government is working with the industry—through the British Bankers Association (BBA) and other interested parties—to secure a commitment Economic Situation from the banks that they will publish postcode level lending data broken down by institution. If it is not Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Chancellor of the possible to reach a satisfactory industry-led agreement Exchequer what assessment he has made of whether the Government will introduce amendments to the Banking the UK National Reform Programme is a submission Reform Bill to ensure that the data is published. the basis of which falls within the scope of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993. Banks: Wales [154851]

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Greg Clark: The Government do not consider that Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the the National Reform Programme falls within the scope Welsh Government about the creation of a public bank of section 5 of the European Communities 1993 of Wales. [156082] (Amendment) Act. The National Reform Programme does not include any material that has not previously Danny Alexander: I have had no discussions with the been published. Welsh Government about the creation of a public bank of Wales. Enterprise Investment Scheme

Bridges: River Thames Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the merits of providing incentives Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Chancellor of the through the Enterprise Investment Scheme for energy Exchequer (1) what assessment Infrastructure UK has service companies to invest in projects delivering permanent made of the need for additional crossings of the and verifiable savings on electricity consumption. Thames in East London; [155938] [155630] (2) what economic analysis has been undertaken by his Department on the need to improve road transport Mr Gauke: The Enterprise investment scheme (EIS) infrastructure in East London to support economic currently covers a very wide range of industries. Energy growth. [155939] service companies, are able to benefit from EIS provided that they are not benefiting from the Feed-in Tariff, Danny Alexander: The Department for Transport is conducting trading activities that involve leasing or the lead Department on road transport infrastructure letting assets on hire, or conducting trading activities and Transport for London has a specific role leading on that involve various forms of financing. These restrictions improving local road infrastructure in London. No exist to ensure that EIS meets its aim to incentivise additional economic analysis or assessment has been investment in risky, smaller companies that have difficulties undertaken by the Treasury or IUK on the need to accessing finance. improve road transport infrastructure in east London The Government keeps all aspects of tax policy under including the need for additional crossings. review. 461W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 462W

Financial Services Financial Services: Taxation

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Jim Sheridan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what other avenues are available to address Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with his losses caused by the actions of financial services European counterpart on the financial transaction tax. companies, where allegations are made in the public [154760] domain regarding financial irregularities by such companies and an individual is reluctant to submit a Greg Clark: The European Commission’s proposal complaint to the Financial Ombudsman. [156258] for a financial transaction tax under the enhanced co-operation procedure continues to be frequently raised in discussions between the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Greg Clark: Individuals with complaints about financial my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr service companies who are reluctant to submit a complaint Osborne), and his European counterparts. to the Financial Ombudsman Service may be able to pursue compensation through the courts. Fraud Where there has been a breach of relevant requirements, the Financial Conduct Authority has powers to intervene Stephen Barclay: To ask the Chancellor of the in certain circumstances and may be able to require Exchequer if HM Revenue and Customs use (a) Atos firms to take remedial action. For example, it has powers or (b) any other company for the provision of to impose industry or single firm redress schemes. However, counter-fraud activities and related services. [156471] it is not within its remit to resolve individual cases. Mr Gauke: HMRC do not use Atos for counter-fraud and related services although they are available to HMRC Financial Services: EU Law on the Government Procurement Service’s Data Access, Processing and Analytics (DAPA) framework. HMRC Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Chancellor of the use other companies to provide counter-fraud activities Exchequer what progress has been made by the Court and related services. of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in hearing the UK’s case regarding Regulation (EU) No 236/2012; Green Investment Bank when he expects judgment on that case to be given by the CJEU; and if he will place in the Library the Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the written legal submissions made by the Government to Exchequer how much his Department has paid into the the CJEU in that case. [154852] Green Investment Bank to date. [156027] Sajid Javid: The Government has committed to provide Greg Clark: On 31 May 2012, the UK launched a £3 billion funding for the Green Investment Bank. legal challenge to the CJEU regarding article 28 of regulation (EU) No. 236/2012. The case is ongoing and, Income Tax: Scotland in accordance with its usual procedure, the court is not able to disclose when a judgment can be expected. Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the As is the usual case, legal submissions made by the Exchequer if he will publish the membership of the Government to the CJEU in the case regarding regulation three technical groups set up by HM Revenue and (EU) No 236/2012 will not be placed in the Library of Customs to examine consequential issues arising as a Official Documents. result of the introduction of the Scottish rate of income tax, referred to in the First Annual Report on the Implementation and Operation of Part 3 (Financial Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Chancellor of the Provisions) of the Scotland Act 2012. [156357] Exchequer what progress has been made by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in hearing Mr Gauke: The following organisations were represented the UK’s case regarding the European Central Bank’s on the three technical groups set up by HM Revenue proposed location policy for central counterparties and Customs to examine consequential issues arising as dealing in euro-denominated financial products; when a result of the introduction of the Scottish rate of he expects judgment on that case to be given by the income tax: CJEU; and if he will place in the Library the written Association of British Insurers, Association of Chartered Certified legal submissions made by the Government to the Accountants, Association of Member-directed Pension Schemes, CJEU in that case. [154853] British Computer Society, Confederation of British Industry, Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals, Charities Aid Foundation, Greg Clark: On 15 September 2011, the UK launched Charity Finance Directors Group (now known as Charity Finance its legal challenge, regarding the location policy of the Group), Charity Tax Group, Chartered Institute of Taxation, Chartered Institute of Taxation (Scotland), Church of Scotland, European Central Bank for central counterparties dealing Federation of Small Businesses, Institute of Chartered Accountants in euro-denominated financial products. The case is in England and Wales, Institute of Chartered Accountants of ongoing at the General Court of the European Union Scotland, Institute of Directors, Institute of Fundraising, Law and, in accordance with usual procedure, the court is Society, Law Society of Scotland, Low Income Tax Reform not able to disclose when a judgment can be expected. Group, National Association of Pension Funds, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, National Employment Savings Trusts, As is the usual case, legal submissions made by the Scottish Charity Finance Directors Group, Scottish Council for Government to the CJEU in the case regarding regulation Voluntary Organisations, Scottish Government, Scottish Widows, (EU) No 236/2012 will not be placed in the Library of Small Charities Coalition, Society of Pensions Consultants, Society Official Documents. of Trusts and Estates Practitioners, Standard Life, Stewardship. 463W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 464W

Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the although the LCF also collects information on household expenditure, Exchequer with reference to First Annual Report on it is not possible to produce from this a reliable estimate of the the Implementation and Operation of Part 3 (Financial proportion of income put towards savings. Provisions) of the Scotland Act 2012, what costs have ONS also publish within the Quarterly National Accounts, the been incurred in respect of the project to implement the households’ savings ratio Scottish rate of income tax; and what proportion of http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/naa2/quarterly-national- such costs will be borne by the Scottish Government. accounts/q4-2012/stb-quarterly-national-accounts-q4-2012.html [156358] This is calculated from total-UK aggregates and for many of these (e.g. household final consumption expenditure) a breakdown Mr Gauke: As set out in paragraph 12 of the Annual by income decile is not available. Report, HMRC invoiced the Scottish Government for £165,141; this is the total cost of the implementation project for the Scottish rate of income tax in 2012-13. Poverty: Children The full amount was paid by the Scottish Government on 19 April. Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the Institute for Fiscal Investment Studies’ report on the projected increase in childhood poverty in the UK up to 2020. [155511] Richard Graham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much in foreign bond holdings has Sajid Javid: The Institute for Fiscal Studies’ projections been held by the Government in each of the last five are based on a narrow measure of child poverty. The years; and how much in UK bonds has been purchased focus on this measure has resulted in policies that use by foreign governments in each such year. [155383] benefits and tax credits to change income at the margin; it does not capture the full impact of government Sajid Javid: The Government’s foreign bond holdings spending on low to middle income households, including are held in the Exchange Equalisation Account (EEA). the value of education and health services which have a The exact composition of the reserves assets is market real positive impact on children’s life chances. sensitive information; however, information about debt The Government has sought a wide range of views as securities held in the EEA can be found in the EEA part of a consultation on better measures of child Annual Accounts. The Government held £32 billion in poverty, which include income but also wider measures foreign currency debt securities in the year ended March to tackle the root causes of poverty including worklessness, 2012. educational failure and family breakdown. The consultation Data produced by the Office for National Statistics has now closed and the Government will respond in the (ONS) shows that overseas investors have been net summer. purchasers of gilts over each of the last five years, with net purchases totalling £203 billion between 2008 and 2012, of which around £27 billion can be attributed to Public Appointments purchases by foreign central banks. Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Personal Savings who the members of the (a) Office for Budget Responsibility and (b) Royal Mint Advisory Committee Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the design of coins, medals, seals and decorations what the average proportion of individuals’ after-tax were on 1 January 2013; and what the (i) ethnicity, (ii) incomes that were put towards savings in each decile of term of office and (iii) remuneration is of each such the working population was in each of the last 30 years. member. [155843] [155764] Sajid Javid: The OBR is led by the three members of Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the the Budget Responsibility Committee (BRC): Robert Cabinet Office. Chote (chair), Stephen Nickell CBE and Graham Parker The information requested falls within the responsibility CBE. Details of the terms of office and remuneration of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority of the BRC, including original letters of appointment, to reply. are all published on the OBR’s website. All OBR BRC Letter from Glen Watson, dated May 2013: members have declared their ethnicity as “white British”. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I As of 1 January 2013, the members of the Royal have been asked to reply to your recent question to the Chancellor Mint Advisory Committee were: Lord Waldegrave of of the Exchequer, asking what the average proportion of individuals’ North Hill, Professor Sir David Cannadine, Mr John after-tax incomes that were put towards savings in each decile of Maine RA, Mr Stephen Raw, The right hon. The Earl the working population was in each of the last 30 years (155764). Peel GCVO DL, Mrs Jana Khayat, Mr Tim Knox, ONS does not have the data required to answer your question. Mr Edmund de Waal, the Garter Principal King of ONS’s annual publication, ‘The Effects of Taxes & Benefits on Arms (currently Mr Thomas Woodcock CVO DL). Household Income’ http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/household-income/the-effects- All committee posts are unpaid and all members of of-taxes-and-benefits-on-household-income/2010-11/index.html the committee declared their ethnicity as white. All does contain information on after-tax income by decile for non-retired members of the committee are on five-year terms of households, going back to 1977. This publication is based on the office, with the exception of Mr Thomas Woodcock Living Costs and Food Survey (LCF), which is a sample survey CVO DL, who was there in his role of the Garter covering approximately 5,000 households in the UK. However, Principal King of Arms. 465W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 466W

Public Sector: Staff Month Clearances Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer October 2012 487 pursuant to the Note 7.3 of the Whole of Government November 2012 491 Accounts: year ended 31 March 2011, if he will provide December 2012 348 an update on the latest figures providing the average January 2013 486 number of full-time equivalent persons employed in February 2013 470 (a) the public sector and (b) central government and March 2013 622 associated agencies; and if he will provide an updated estimate of annual consolidated staff costs. [155981] There is no link between the number of calls and the number of cases, as many of the calls are related to Danny Alexander: The Whole of Government Accounts progress updates. for year ended 31 March 2011 was published on 31 October 2012. The Treasury are working towards publishing the The response time for each case depends on individual Whole of Government Accounts for year ended 31 March employers agreeing to pay the outstanding statutory 2012 before summer recess 2013. This will include the payments to their employees. latest figures for full-time equivalent persons employed This can range from immediate clearance by phone in the public sector with a split to show central Government following a discussion with the employer to over three separately.It will also provide the latest actual consolidated months if an employer has ceased to trade. Employers staff costs. who dispute can take an indefinite period of time to resolve, often being issued with a penalty for non- Renewable Energy compliance. As the case progresses, the individual is updated on a regular basis. Sir James Paice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the total cost to the Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (a) public purse and (b) consumer of supporting renewable how many staff are employed at the Statutory Payment energy at the target of 20% of total energy generation. Dispute Team in Newcastle to (a) answer telephone [156015] enquiries in relation to the payment of statutory maternity pay and (b) process cases; and if he will Michael Fallon: I have been asked to reply on behalf make a statement. [155236] of the Department for Energy and Climate Change. The target of 20% of total energy generation is an Mr Gauke: There are currently 19 staff in the Statutory EU-wide target, and is not specific to the UK. Payments Dispute processing team. All staff in the The EU Commission published an impact assessment team respond to telephone calls and process casework alongside the RED that assessed the potential costs of for the various types of statutory payments. meeting this target. Revenue and Customs Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff were employed at the Statutory Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Payment Dispute Team in Newcastle in each month how many telephone enquiries were received by the since January 2012; and if he will make a statement. Statutory Payment Dispute Team in Newcastle in each [155237] month since January 2012; how many cases were resolved by the Statutory Payment Dispute Team in Mr Gauke: Staff employed since January 2012 are Newcastle in each month since January 2012; what the shown in the following table: standard response time for case resolution is; and if he will make a statement. [155235] Staff

Mr Gauke: Since January 2012, the Statutory Payments January 2012 25.41 Dispute team in Newcastle has received an average of February 2012 23.80 140 incoming calls per day. This equates to an average March 2012 24.38 of 2,800 calls each month over the year in question. April 2012 20.52 In the same period the Statutory Payments Dispute May 2012 19.57 team resolved the following number of cases: June 2012 19.82 July 2012 20.47 Month Clearances August 2012 18.81 September 2012 18.80 January 2012 495 October 2012 19.69 February 2012 410 November 2012 17.12 March 2012 676 December 2012 18.92 April 2012 386 January 2013 21.83 May 2012 390 February 2013 18.77 June 2012 479 March 2013 17.90 July 2012 435 August 2012 472 These totals include staff who answer telephone inquiries September 2012 445 and process cases, as well as administrative support. 467W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 468W

Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Tax Allowances: Video Games how many staff employed at the Statutory Payment Dispute Team in Newcastle were absent from work in Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer each month since January 2012; and if he will make a what steps he plans to take to defend the competitiveness statement. [155238] of the UK video game industry in respect of the European Commission scrutiny of tax relief for video games Mr Gauke: The attendance policy ensures that HM investment in the UK; and if he will make a statement. Revenue and Customs are able to deliver business priorities [155200] by allowing only 20% of staff to be absent on leave at any one time. There have been no significant absence Mr Gauke: The Government is committed to bringing trends in the year in question. in the video games tax relief at the earliest opportunity. The process for, and duration of, the Commission’s Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if investigation are determined by the Commission itself. he will make available an MP hotline to facilitate casework Nevertheless, the Government is working closely with enquiries with the Statutory Payment Dispute Team in industry to provide the Commission with the evidence it Newcastle; and if he will make a statement. [155239] needs to conclude its investigation as quickly as possible.

Mr Gauke: HMRC National Insurance Contributions Tax Evasion and Employer Office (NIC & EO) currently has no plans to introduce a dedicated hotline to enable MPs to Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer contact the Statutory Payments Dispute Team. The what steps he has taken since May 2010 to combat tax team can be contacted on the number published on the evasion by UK registered companies; what resources internet. have been committed to each such initiative; and how many (a) HM Treasury and (b) HM Revenue and Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Customs’ personnel respectively are currently employed in what circumstances staff at the Statutory Payment on tackling tax evasion. [155512] Dispute Team in Newcastle can prioritise cases for resolution; and if he will make a statement. [155240] Mr Gauke: The Government has been robust in its response to tax evasion taking action to prevent detect Mr Gauke: Given the nature of statutory payment and tackle such behaviour. We have underlined our dispute work and in recognition of the needs of this commitment to tackling non-compliance in those areas customer group, all statutory payments dispute cases by investing over £900 million in HM Revenue and are treated as high priority. The Statutory Payments Customs (HMRC) over the Spending Review 2010 period. Dispute Team operates a standard policy of dealing That will allow HMRC to better tackle evasion, criminal with all cases in date order, ’first in first out’, to provide attacks, unpaid tax debt and avoidance. the fairest customer service to all. On 3 December 2012, in Autumn Statement, the Government announced we will provide an additional Scotland £77 million in additional funding to expand HMRC’s anti-avoidance and evasion work. This investment will focus on evasion and avoidance by wealthy individuals Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the and multinationals. It will cover the current Spending Exchequer what (a) his Department and (b) its non- Review period, which finishes at the end of March departmental public bodies procured from companies 2015. based in Scotland of a value in excess of £25,000 since May 2010; and what the cost to the public purse was of HMRC will therefore now aim to raise total additional revenues of £22 billion a year by the end of 2014-15. each such procurement contract. [155684] This is £9 billion more than it would have been without this Government’s near £1 billion investment. Sajid Javid: The Treasury does not hold information based on the geographical location of its suppliers. In HMRC are responsible for the operation of the tax order to obtain the information the Treasury would be system and lead the work on tackling evasion. HM required to undertake a manual review and assessment Treasury (HMT), supported by HMRC, leads on strategic of large volumes of records; this would be at a work and policy development. HMT and HMRC together disproportionate cost to the Department. develop policy across a range of HMT business areas and tackling evasion and avoidance is an integral part Since January 2011, central Government Departments of policy development. Therefore the HMT and HMRC have been required to publish information for all contracts resource in this area can be disaggregated only at awarded (£10,000+ excluding VAT). The information disproportionate cost. for Treasury can be found on the ‘Contracts Finder’ HMRC tackles a wide range of behaviour involving portal: non-compliance with the tax system, including tax evasion, www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/ error, tax avoidance, fraud and criminal attack. HMRC In addition, Departments are required to publish works on a risk basis, and HMRC compliance officers details of spend with suppliers that is in excess of and investigators may work on cases involving several £25,000 (excluding VAT) each month. The information behaviours and risks at any time. for Treasury can be found at: Within HMRC compliance and investigation work is https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury/ primarily carried out by staff in the Enforcement and series/25000-spend Compliance line of business. All staff in Enforcement 469W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 470W and Compliance support the fight against evasion either £ directly or indirectly. The number of staff, as at 2012-13, HM Treasury currently employed (full-time equivalent) by Enforcement Financial year training costs Total costs1 and Compliance is 26,601. 2008-09 2,282,714 2,695,428 2009-10 2,369,560 2,924,727 Taxation: Rolling Stock 2010-11 2,274,560 2,399,562 2011-12 808,608 1,017,710 Maria Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the 2012-13 656,790 772,795 Exchequer how much the Exchequer has received from 1 Includes Debt Management Office (all years), Office of Government the train leasing companies (a) Eversholt Rail, (b) Commerce (2008-10), Asset Protection Agency (2010 to October 2012), UK Financial Investments Limited (2011-13), and Office and Angel Trains and (c) Porterbrook Rail Finance (i) in Budget Responsibility (2011-13). total and (ii) in capital gains tax in each year since 1994. [155733] No central records are held relating to how many officials enrolled in publicly-funded training courses, or Mr Gauke: Treasury Ministers do not have access to the monetary value of the 10 highest training course the details of companies’ or individuals’ tax affairs, as fees, and information could be obtained only at a the tax system is administered by HM Revenue and disproportionate cost. Groups have delegated training Customs (HMRC). HMRC has a statutory duty of budgets that are used for the provision of external taxpayer confidentiality and so cannot disclose this training and all training requests are subject to line information to either HM Treasury or to the wider manager approval. In addition, training across the civil public, other than in very limited circumstances. service is now mostly delivered through Civil Service Learning, which oversees the purchase of training across Government ensuring best value and reducing costs through collaborative purchasing. Tonnage Tax

John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the CABINET OFFICE Exchequer what revenue accrued to the Exchequer from shipping companies in the tonnage tax scheme in Civil Servants: Business Interests each year since 2000-01. [155242] Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Sajid Javid: The following table shows estimated tax Office what guidance his Department issues to liabilities due to tonnage tax for each financial year Government departments regarding the employment of from 2000-01 to 2010-11 (the latest year for which full outgoing civil servants by private employers with data is currently available). whom their former Department has a contractual relationship. [155507] Tax year Tax liabilities (£ million) Mr Maude: The Business Appointment Rules which 2000-01 1.4 apply after leaving office, can be accessed at: 2001-02 2.1 http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/resources/civil-service- 2002-03 2.6 management-code 2003-04 3 2004-05 3.6 Clothing 2005-06 3.7 2006-07 4.4 Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 2007-08 4.3 how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the 2008-09 4.5 non-departmental public bodies for which he is 2009-10 4.6 responsible have made a claim for evening dress 2010-11 4.7 allowance in each of the last five years; and what the total cost of such claims has been. [155442] Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office does not have an Training evening dress allowance. Conditions of Employment Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the Pamela Nash: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet non-departmental public bodies for which he is Office (1) how many people in No. 10 Downing street responsible enrolled in publicly-funded training are employed on zero hours contracts; [156096] courses in each of the last five years; what the total cost (2) how many people in his Department are has been of such courses; and what the monetary value employed on zero hours contracts. [156278] was of the 10 highest training course fees in each such year. [155437] Mr Maude: The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to Sajid Javid: Information on total cost of publicly the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sunderland funded training courses for HM Treasury and its executive Central (Julie Elliott) on 28 January 2013, Official agencies is follows: Report, column 676W. 471W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 472W

Death: Drugs Table 1. Number of deaths related to drug poisoning where GHB/GBL, BZP/TFMPP, a cathinone (including khat) or desoxypipradrol was mentioned on the death certificate, UK, deaths registered between 2007 and 20111,2,3,4 John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Registration year Deaths Office how many deaths in the UK were attributed to 2011 41 legal highs in each of the last five years. [155656] 1 Cause of death related to drug poisoning was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD 10) codes shown in Box 1. 2 Deaths were included where the underlying cause was drug-related, Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the and where one or more of the following substances was mentioned on responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have the death certificate: GHB/GBL, BZP/TFMPP, a cathinone (eg asked the authority to reply. mephedrone), khat or desoxypipradrol. 3 Figures include deaths of non-residents. 4 Letter from Glen Watson, dated May 2013: Figures are based on deaths registered, rather than deaths occurring in years 2007 to 2011. Due to the length of time it takes to hold an inquest, it can take months for a drug-related death to be registered in As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I England and Wales and Northern Ireland. Registration delays do not have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many exist in Scotland. Additional information on registration delays for deaths in the UK were attributed to legal highs in each of the last drug-related deaths can be found in the annual statistical bulletin: five years. (155656) www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/subnational-health3/deaths-related-to-drug- poisoning/index.html There is no official definition of the term ’legal high’. However Box 1. ICD-10 codes used to define deaths related to drug poisoning the Office for National Statistics does monitor deaths from drug-related poisoning, allowing analysis of deaths by specific substances Description ICD 10 Codes involved. Mental and behavioural disorders due to drug F11-F16, F18-F19 use (excluding alcohol and tobacco) In recent years a number of novel psychoactive substances have been controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. These Accidental poisoning by drugs, medicaments X40-X44 include gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursor gamma- and biological substances butyrolactone (GBL), piperazines (benzylpiperazine - BZP and Intentional self-poisoning by drugs, medicaments X60-X64 trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine–TFMPP), pipradrols such as and biological substances desoxypipradrol, and cathinones such as mephedrone. Cathinone Assault by drugs, medicaments and biological X85 is one of the active ingredients in herbal Khat (Catha edulis), substances although Khat is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological Y10-Y14 All of these substances have been mentioned in association with substances, undetermined intent the term ’legal high’, although it should be noted that once a substance is added to the list of substances controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, it is no longer ’legal’. Death: Young People

The following table provides the number of drug-related deaths mentioning these substances for the UK, in each registration year Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet from 2007 to 2011 (the latest year available). It is important to Office what the 10 most frequent causes of death note that around 60% of these deaths mentioned more than one amongst 15 to 30-year-olds were in each of the last 30 substance on the death certificate, and it is not possible to tell years. [156442] which was primarily responsible for the death. More information on how to interpret data on drug-related deaths can be found in Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the the bulletins mentioned. responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have The number of drug-related deaths registered in England and asked the authority to reply. Wales between 1993 and 2011 are available on the ONS website: Letter from Glen Watson: As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/subnational-health3/deaths-related- been asked to reply to your recent question asking the Minister to-drug-poisoning/2011/index.html for the Cabinet Office what the top ten causes of death amongst The number of drug-related deaths in Scotland is available on 15 to 30 year olds in each year were in each of the last 30 years. the National Records of Scotland website: [156442] Table 1 provides the number of deaths for the top 10 causes of www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/vital-events/deaths/ death amongst 15 to 30-year-olds in England and Wales for drug-related/index.html deaths registered between 2001 and 2011 (the latest year available). A copy of Table 1 has been placed in the House of Commons The number of drug-related deaths in Northern Ireland is Library. available on the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency Individual causes of death are coded by ONS using the website: International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). www.nisra.gov.uk/demography/default.asp30.htm The causes of death shown in the table are groups of codes designed for the tabulation of deaths according to ’main’ causes. Table 1. Number of deaths related to drug poisoning where GHB/GBL, Equivalent information is not readily available for years before BZP/TFMPP, a cathinone (including khat) or desoxypipradrol was 2001, when an earlier version of the International Classification mentioned on the death certificate, UK, deaths registered between of Diseases was in use. 2007 and 20111,2,3,4 The number of deaths registered in England and Wales each Registration year Deaths year, by sex, age group and underlying cause is published annually on the ONS website. This publication also includes data showing 2007 9 the leading causes of death for males and females of all ages: 2008 25 www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/mortality-statistics--deaths- 2009 33 registered-in-england-and-wales--series-dr-/index.html 2010 35 A copy of the table will be stored in the Library of the House. 473W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 474W

Electronic Government (2) if he will estimate the projected total budget of the Single Intelligence Account in each of the next five Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet years. [155365] Office what plans he has to make gov.uk’s other government digital services IPv6 addressable. [156468] The Prime Minister: Estimates are voted on by Parliament each year. The information is available in the Vote Mr Hurd: Services are not currently IPv6 addressable, Office. but this is kept under review by the Government Digital Service (GDS). Jobseeker’s Allowance

Employment Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether claimants of jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet not currently receiving benefit because they have received Office how many and what proportion of the residents a sanction, but otherwise meeting the conditions for of each constituency in England and Wales were entitlement to JSA, are included in the JSA claimant classified by the 2011 census as working in (a) public count published in the monthly labour market statistics. administration and (b) the defence industry. [154792] [156340]

Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. asked the authority to reply. Letter from Glen Watson, dated May 2013: Letter from Glen Watson: As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, (a) how many and (b) what the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether claimants of jobseeker’s proportion of the residents of each constituency in England and allowance (JSA) not currently receiving benefit because they have Wales were classified by the 2011 census as working in (i) public received a sanction, but otherwise meeting the conditions for administration and (ii) the defence industry in rank order. [154792] entitlement to JSA, are included in the JSA claimant count A file containing a specially commissioned table (CT0046— published in the monthly labour market statistics. (156340) Industry 4 digits) from the 2011 Census which provides the The Claimant Count published in the Labour Market Statistics information you have requested for Westminster Parliamentary Bulletin is a count of the number of live benefit claims for Constituencies in England and Wales, will be stored in the Library unemployment related purposes, whether the claimant is in receipt of the House. of money or not. Consequently all cases where JSA claimants are not currently receiving benefit because they have received a sanction, Employment: Scotland but are otherwise meeting the conditions for entitlement to JSA, are included in the Claimant Count, provided the claimant continues to keep their claim live during the sanction period through the Margaret Curran: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet normal signing on process. If a claimant chooses to not keep their Office what assessment he has made of the total loss to claim live during a sanction period, the claim is no longer a live the economy as a result of underemployment in Scotland. claim and they would not be included. [153940] Legal Costs Miss Chloe Smith [holding answer 13 May 2013]: This is not a matter for Cabinet Office Ministers. Sadiq Khan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Fundraising Standards Board Office (1) how much his Department has spent in total on external legal advice (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012; Alun Cairns: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet [156025] Office how his Department scrutinises the Fundraising Standards Board; when a review was last conducted; (2) how much his Department has spent in total on and what the outcome was of this review. [153902] external legal advice from QCs (a) between 7 May 2010 and 4 September 2012 and (b) since 4 September 2012. Mr Hurd: Lord Hodgson assessed the Fundraising [156026] Standards Board (FRSB) as part of his review of the Charities Act 2006 and concluded in his report ‘Trusted Mr Maude: My Department engages the Treasury and Independent: Giving charity back to charities’ that Solicitors for the majority of its legal work. As was the it had broadly met 10 of the 12 success criteria set out case under previous Administrations, the Cabinet Office when it was established in 2006. The FRSB and Cabinet may engage other legal firms, for example when specialist Office are members of the Steering Committee established advice is required. External legal advice is not separated in response to Lord Hodgson’s recommendations to from other legal costs in the Cabinet Office’s accounting drive forward further progress in strengthening self- system. regulation. Military Medals Review Intelligence Services: Finance Mr Burley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Angus Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet (1) when the next stage of Sir John Holmes’ Military Office (1) what the budget of the Single Intelligence Medals Review will be completed; and if he will make a Account has been in each of the last 10 years; [155364] statement; [156511] 475W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 476W

(2) what timescale has been set for the completion of Sovereignty: Scotland Sir John Holmes’ Military Medals Review into the National Defence Medal. [156510] Gregg McClymont: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what assessment he has made of the Mr Maude: Sir John Holmes has been invited to potential risk of losses to the public purse arising from undertake further work to implement the recommendations applying the current accounting officer conventions in set out in his Military Medals Review, published on 17 the period leading up to the referendum on Scottish July 2012. This includes a review of the case for some independence in 2014; [154017] form of National Defence Medal, to recognise all military (2) what discussions he has had with officials in his service. Work on this has begun, but—as Sir John noted Department on how the accounting officers’ conventions in his report of July 2012—the National Defence Medal would apply to investment in Scotland in advance of is an issue of broad national significance which would the referendum on Scottish independence in 2014. require a broad political and public consensus and consideration by the Government as a whole, in consultation [154018] with other political parties and concerned organisations. No fixed completion date has therefore been set. Danny Alexander: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury. Public Appointments The UK Government is not planning for independence as it believes that people in Scotland will vote to remain within the UK. As such, the Government has made no Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office assessment of the risk of losses to the public purse, and who the members of the (a) Senior Salaries Review has no plans to change accounting officers conventions. Body, (b) Security Vetting Appeals Panel, (c) House of Lords Appointments Commission, (d) Committee on Thromboembolism Standards in Public Life, (e) Civil Service Commission, (f) Boundary Commission for Wales, (g) Boundary Commission for England, (h) Big Lottery Fund and Mr Raab: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (i) Advisory Committee on Business Appointments how many people died as a result of thromboembolism were on 1 January 2013; and what the (i) ethnicity, (ii) diseases in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011 and (d) 2012. term of office and (iii) remuneration is of each such [155945] member. [155846] Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Mr Maude: The Commissioner for Public Appointments responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have collates and publishes information on the members asked the authority to reply. including information on declared ethnic minority Letter from Glen Watson, dated May 2013: backgrounds. The Commissioner’s annual report is available As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I here: have been asked to reply to your recent question asking the http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk Secretary of State for Health how many people died as a result of Copies are also available in the Library of the House. thromboembolism diseases in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011 and (d) 2012 [155945]. A list of the members of these bodies including their Table 1 provides the number of deaths where one of the terms of office and remunerations (as at 1 January following conditions was the underlying cause of death: 2013) will be published shortly and a copy will be (a) Strokes specified as being due to thromboembolism placed in the Library of the House. (b) Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis Sign Language (c) Arterial thromboembolism Figures are for England and Wales, for deaths registered between 2009 and 2011 (the latest year available). Sir Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Thromboembolic disease may occur as a complication of Office (1) what assessment he has made of the equality other conditions such as cancer. In such cases the other condition of access available for deaf people whose first language may be specified as the underlying cause of death and is British Sign Language in terms of communicating thromboembolism shown as a contributing factor. Table 2 provides with (a) civil servants and (b) the agencies and public the number of deaths where or one or more of these conditions bodies for which he is responsible; and if he will make a were mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, either as the underlying cause or as a contributory factor. statement; [155493] When interpreting the figures in Table 2, it is important to be (2) what measures his Department has in place to aware that some deaths may have more than one of the requested ensure that deaf people have the opportunity to conditions mentioned. Therefore, some deaths may be counted in communicate in British Sign Language with (a) civil more than one of the categories listed. servants and (b) the agencies and public bodies for Table 1. Number of deaths where the underlying cause of death was which he is responsible. [155495] thromboembolism, England and Wales, deaths registered between 2009 and 20111, 2, 3 Mr Maude: My Department and its agencies and Underlying cause 2009 2010 2011 public bodies deal primarily with other Government Arterial 137 133 123 bodies rather than the general public, but where there is thromboembolism interaction with the public, we would always seek to Pulmonary embolism 6,659 6,748 4,923 make suitable arrangements—including sign language— and deep vein when necessary. thrombosis 477W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 478W

Table 1. Number of deaths where the underlying cause of death was the last five years; what the total cost has been of such thromboembolism, England and Wales, deaths registered between 2009 courses; and what the monetary value was of the 10 and 20111, 2, 3 highest training course fees in each such year. [155422] Underlying cause 2009 2010 2011

Thromboembolic 340 360 43 Mr Maude: My Department does not hold information stroke centrally on the full cost of training. 1 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). The specific causes of death Travel categorised in this table, and their corresponding ICD codes, are shown in Box 1 on the definition page. Deaths were included where Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office one of these causes was the underlying cause of death. 2 Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the 3 Figures are based on deaths registered, rather than deaths non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible occurring in the years 2009-2011. Further information on claimed reimbursement for travel subsistence expenses registration delays for a range of causes can be found on the ONS in each of the last five years; what the total cost was of website: such claims; and what the monetary value was of the 20 www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/health-and-life- [155403] events/impact-of-registration-delays-on-mortality-statistics/ highest subsistence claims in each such year. index.html Mr Maude: Information on expenditure on travel and Table 2. Number of deaths where thromboembolism was mentioned on subsistence is published in my Department’s annual the death certificate, England and Wales, deaths registered between accounts, available in the House of Commons Library. 2009 and 20111, 2, 3, 4 Cause 2009 2010 2011 Unemployment

Arterial 543 556 496 thromboembolism Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Pulmonary embolism 12,740 13,194 12,692 Office what proportion of people live in families in and deep vein which no one has worked for (a) two generations and thrombosis (b) three generations. [156444] Thromboembolic 521 540 91 stroke Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the 1 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have of Diseases. Tenth Revision (ICD-10). The specific causes of death asked the authority to reply. categorised in this table, and their corresponding ICD codes, are shown in Box 1 on the definition page. Deaths were included where Letter from Glen Watson: one of these causes was mentioned anywhere on the death As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have certificate: been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the 2 Please note that some deaths may have more than one of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of conditions mentioned and so may be counted in more than one of the causes listed. Therefore you should not add up all rows to obtain people live in families in which no one has worked for (a) two the total number of deaths mentioning thromboembolism, as this generations and (b) three generations (156444). may double count deaths. Estimates of the proportion of people living in families in 3 Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. which no one has worked for (a) two generations and (b) three 4 Figures are based on deaths registered, rather than deaths generations are not available from ONS. Questions about the occurring in the years 2009-2011. Further information on working status of previous generations are not asked to respondents registration delays for a range of causes can be found on the ONS of the Labour Force Survey or any of our household surveys. website: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/health-and-life- Unemployment: Coastal Areas events/impact-of-registration-delays-on-mortality-statistics/ index.html Box 1: International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD- Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet 10) codes used to define thromboembolism Office with reference to the answer of 13 May 2013, Cause ICD 10 code(s) Official Report, columns 77-78W, on unemployment: coastal areas, what the level of unemployment is in all Thromboembolic strokes I63.1 and I63.41 other seaside towns in Wales, Scotland and Northern Pulmonary embolism and deep I80.1-I80.3, I80.9, I82.9 and I26 Ireland. [156440] vein thrombosis Arterial thromboembolism I74 Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the 1 The number of deaths coded to cerebral infarction due to responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have embolism of cerebral arteries (I63.4) declined significantly in 2011 due to an ICD-10 coding change. The software used by the Office asked the authority to reply. for National Statistics for cause of death coding was updated in Letter from Glen Watson, dated May 2013: January 2011 from the International Classification of Diseases, As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I Tenth Revision (ICD-10) v2001.2 to v2010. More information on the have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking impact of this coding change is available on the ONS website: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/subnational-health3/results-of-the- the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the Answer icd-10-v2010-bridge-coding-study--england-and-wales--2009/2009/ of 13 May 2013, Official Report, column 77-8W,on unemployment: index.html coastal areas, what the level of unemployment is in all other seaside towns in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (156440). Training Although not a standard ONS geography, the concept of principal seaside towns in Great Britain was covered in the report “The Seaside Economy”, by Beatty and Fothergill (Sheffield Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Hallam University, June 2003 (updated June 2010)) and has been how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the referred to in parliamentary debate and used for other parliamentary non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible questions on a number of occasions since. There is no equivalent enrolled in publicly-funded training courses in each of definition of seaside towns for Northern Ireland. 479W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 480W

Estimates of unemployment are not produced for the principal Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General on seaside towns in Scotland and Wales. Instead we have provided how many occasions the Crown Prosecution Service estimates relating to the local authorities associated with each of applied to the Crown to quash its own indictment in these towns. each of the last 10 years. [156261] ONS compiles unemployment statistics for local authorities using a model based on the Annual Population Survey (APS) and The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service Claimant Count. (CPS) hold figures for the number of prosecutions (by These figures, along with a wide range of other labour market defendant) dropped because the indictment was stayed data for parliamentary constituencies and local authorities, are in each of the last seven years: also published on the Office for National Statistics’ Nomis website: http://www.nomisweb.co.uk Indictment stayed Table 1: Unemployment level and rate for people resident in local authorities, January to December 2012 2006-07 188 Principal seaside Local Level Rate 2007-08 215 town authority (Thousand) (Percentage) 2008-09 231 2009-10 255 Porthcawl Bridgend 6 8.7 2010-11 244 Llandudno/ Conwy 3 6.6 Colwyn Bay/ 2011-12 222 Conwy 2012-13 208 Rhyl/ Prestatyn Denbighshire 3 7.1 Barry The Vale of 5 7.8 This type of application is usually made by the defence, Glamorgan but it can be used by the prosecution to abandon Dunoon Argyll and 3 6.3 proceedings in which the indictment is defective and it is Bute not possible to cure the defect by amendment. Greater Ayr South 5 9.2 The CPS does not separately collect figures which Ayrshire show the number of applications made by the defence Source: as opposed to those made by the prosecution. This Model Based Estimates of Unemployment. information could be obtained only by examining all of the files prosecuted by the CPS, which would incur a disproportionate cost. ATTORNEY-GENERAL Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General whether the Logica tablets used by the Crown Prosecution Service Clothing will (a) have to be returned at the end of the contract, (b) be subject to an automatic upgrade and (c) be Priti Patel: To ask the Attorney-General how many compatible with his Department’s IT strategy on electronic officials in (a) the Law Officers’ Departments and (b) working. [156313] the non-departmental public bodies for which they are responsible have made a claim for evening dress The Solicitor-General: The Logica tablets will become allowance in each of the last five years; and what the the property of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) at total cost of such claims has been. [155441] the end of the contract (March 2015). There is a notional asset transfer charge of £0.01p. There is no automatic The Solicitor-General: The Treasury Solicitors’ upgrade of the tablets included in the purchase price. Department have recorded one claim for evening dress The tablets, and their use in court, are a key component allowance in July 2008. The total cost was £75 for the of the Department’s digital strategy. They remove the hire of full evening dress, required to attend an official need to print and then transport large case files for engagement. advocates in court, delivering both efficiency and cost There have been no other recorded claims for evening savings. dress allowance among the remaining Law Officers’ Departments. Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General whether the Logica tablets used by the Crown Prosecution Service were originally equipped with DVD players. [156314] Crown Prosecution Service The Solicitor-General: The Logica tablets used by the Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) were not originally many costs have been awarded against the Crown equipped with DVD players. Stand-alone DVD players Prosecution Service for disclosure failings in each of are provided when required for operational reasons. the last six years for which figures are available. [155934] Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many (a) Crown Advocates, (b) Crown Prosecutors The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service and (c) Associate Prosecutors were in post in the maintains records of the overall value of costs payments Crown Prosecution Service in 2012. [156372] made but does not distinguish between the various reasons for the award of costs against. To ascertain the The Solicitor-General: The following table shows the reason for individual costs awards made over the last six number of (a) Crown Advocates, (b) Crown Prosecutors years would require a review of each individual case and (c) Associate Prosecutors employed by the Crown which would incur a disproportionate cost. Prosecution Service and in post at 31 December 2012. 481W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 482W

The figures in the following table represent the number Number of such decisions made in the fourth quarter of 2012-13. FTE (Full-time Grade Headcount equivalent) 2012-13, Q4 (a) Crown 582 553.7 Non-compliance: Number Percentage Advocates (b) Crown 7 6.6 Charge 97 73.5 Prosecutors No prosecution 17 12.9 (c) Associate 399 371.7 Continue with variation 18 13.6 Prosecutors Perjury Crown Prosecution Service Mary Macleod: To ask the Attorney-General what Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General guidance he gives to police forces and the Crown what the cost to the Crown Prosecution Service was of Prosecution Service on criteria to be met when deciding trials rendered ineffective because of court whether a false accusation could be a prosecutable administration errors in each year since 2007. [156289] criminal offence. [155997] The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service The Solicitor-General: I do not provide the police or (CPS) maintains no central record of the proportion of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) with guidance on trials that were ineffective because of court administration this matter, however the CPS has published legal guidance errors. Such data could not be reasonably obtained for prosecutors on the range of offences which involves locally or nationally other than by undertaking a manual conduct that hinders or frustrates the administration of exercise of reviewing individual case files at a justice, including that of falsely accusing a person of an disproportionate cost. Court data are held by Her Majesty’s offence they did not commit. Guidance on the charging Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS), but while data standards to be met under each offence can be found in are held on the number of ineffective trials due to court the legal guidance document available on the CPS website reasons it does not record a category of “court at: administrative errors”. http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/p_to_r/public_justice_ Miscarriages of Justice offences_incorporating_the_charging_standard/ The CPS has also published legal guidance for Mary Macleod: To ask the Attorney-General what prosecutors dealing with cases where there has been a support his Department makes available to people who false allegation of rape and/or domestic violence. This are falsely accused of a crime in England and Wales. too can be found on the CPS website at: [155996] http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/p_to_r/ perverting_the_course_of_justice_-_rape_and_dv_allegations/ The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service Police Cautions (CPS) does not provide direct support to persons who have been falsely accused of a crime, unless that person Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General on subsequently becomes a victim or witness to any public how many occasions the Crown Prosecution Service justice offence(s) (such as perverting the course of justice has solicited the views of a victim before issuing a or wasting police time) charged against the person who caution instead of a criminal charge in each of the last made the original accusation. In those circumstances, seven years. [156292] the CPS will apply its usual policies and procedures to support victims and witnesses and to deliver justice. The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service The CPS has a commitment to support the effective (CPS) maintains no central record of the occasions in participation of victims and witnesses at all stages in which the CPS solicited the views of a victim before the criminal justice process and provides its prosecutors issuing a caution instead of a criminal charge. This with guidance on the key considerations they should information could be obtained only by examining all of take into account when dealing with victims and witnesses the files in which the CPS determined that a caution as outlined in the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the would be more suitable, which would incur a application of the Code of Practice for Victims of disproportionate cost. Crime (Victims’ Code). Prosecutions Offenders Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what many additional hearings have taken place to resolve proportion of offenders who breached the conditions of prosecution disclosure errors; and what the cost to the their caution were subsequently charged by the Crown Crown Prosecution Service was of such hearings in Prosecution Service in the fourth quarter of 2012-13. each of the last six years for which figures are available. [155936] [155935]

The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains a central record of the number of (CPS) maintains no central record of the number of decisions made, including decisions to charge, following additional hearings which take place to resolve prosecution non-compliance with a conditional caution. disclosure errors, nor the cost these may incur. 483W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 484W

This information could be obtained only by examining monitor, (b) collate cost information on, (c) review all of the files prosecuted by the CPS, which would and (d) respond to requests to amend or revoke regulations incur a disproportionate cost. introduced by the Law Officers’ Departments. [155786]

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how The Solicitor-General: The three statutory instruments many proceedings against a defendant were stayed due introduced by the Attorney-General since May 2010 to prosecution disclosure failures in each of the last six together extend both the range of offences which the years for which figures are available. [155937] police may prosecute as specified proceedings, and the circumstances in which the police may continue the The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service prosecution. Implementation of a best practice model (CPS) maintains no central record of the number of for specified proceedings, including the application of defendant proceedings which were stayed due to prosecution these provisions, is being overseen by the Home Office, disclosure failures. This information could be obtained Attorney-General’s Office, Ministry of Justice, HM only by examining all of the files prosecuted by the Courts and Tribunals Service, and the Crown Prosecution CPS, which would incur a disproportionate cost. Service. An evaluation is ongoing and will be completed later this year. Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions prosecutions ceased because the Priti Patel: To ask the Attorney-General what the court ordered all charges to be left to lie on the file in title was of each set of regulations introduced by the each of the last 10 years. [156373] Law Officers’ Departments in each month since May 2010; and which of those regulations have been (a) The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service subject to the (i) one in one out and (ii) one in two out (CPS) does not maintain data which show the number procedure and (b) (i) revoked and (ii) amended. of cases where the court ordered all charges to be left to [155808] lie on the file (as opposed to those cases where the consent of the court to leave charges to lie on the file was requested by the prosecution). This information The Solicitor-General: The Law Officers have introduced could be obtained only by examining all of the files three statutory instruments since May 2010, details of prosecuted by the CPS, which would incur a which are outlined in the following table. As the Law disproportionate cost. Officers’ Departments have made only a very small number of regulations, and only in the area of Specified Regulation Proceedings, there was no need to follow the one in one out procedure. Each Order amended the Prosecution of Priti Patel: To ask the Attorney-General what processes Offences Act 1985 (Specified Proceedings) Order 1999. the Law Officers’ Departments have put in place to (a) None has been revoked.

Department Date laid before Parliament Title of Regulation/Order Publication cost (£)

AGO 26 June 2012 The Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (Specified Proceedings) 1316 (Amendment) Order 2012 AGO 10 August 2012 The Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (Specified Proceedings) 1316 (Amendment No. 2) Order 2012 AGO 26 October 2012 The Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (Specified Proceedings) 1316 (Amendment No. 3) Order 2012 1 Including VAT.

Priti Patel: To ask the Attorney-General if he will Serious Fraud Office provide the estimated cost of each regulation introduced by the Law Officers’ Departments since May 2010; and Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how (a) what the estimated benefits of each regulation many (a) convictions, (b) prosecutions, (c) civil settlements (b) [155952] amended and revoked were. and (d) investigations were brought about by the Serious Fraud Office in 2012-13. [155202] The Solicitor-General: The three statutory instruments introduced by the Attorney-General since May 2010 have the effect of transferring the prosecuting role from The Solicitor-General: 14 offenders were convicted in the Crown Prosecution Service to the police in certain 20 prosecutions in 2012-13, There were two civil settlements specified circumstances. The police-led model for and 14 investigations were begun. prosecutions is designed to be cost-neutral, with the cost to police of preparing and presenting cases offset Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General whether through orders to pay costs made by the court in it falls within the remit of the Serious Fraud Office to successful cases. The evaluation of the police-led prosecution investigate allegations of oil-price manipulation by oil pathfinders will consider the cost to police, as well as companies operating in the UK. [156355] how far this has been offset by recovered court costs, and any savings made by the Crown Prosecution Service The Solicitor-General: If there are allegations of criminal in no longer dealing with these cases. acts they will be assessed in the context of the Serious No record is kept of the costs incurred by departmental Fraud Office (SFO) remit to investigate fraud, bribery officials in preparing these orders and such information and corruption. If appropriate, relevant matters will be could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. considered for criminal investigation in line with SFO 485W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 486W internal procedures. The SFO does not comment on its Mr Robathan: On current plans, the Afghan National assessments or their status at any one time but does Army Officer Academy mentor team will have eight publish on its website details of those cases formally female only positions filled by Ministry of Defence adopted for criminal investigation, whenever this is personnel. These posts are dedicated to the support of possible without prejudice to the investigation. female cadet training. In addition to the mentoring roles, the UK will Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General whether deploy a number of personnel in related support positions. the Serious Fraud Office plans to work alongside the We expect these will be open to female personnel, but European Commission in investigating allegations that will not know the total number deployed until decisions oil prices were manipulated by oil companies operating around deployments are made nearer the time. in the UK. [156356] All positions will be subject to review as lessons are learnt during the initial mentoring phase. The Solicitor-General: The Serious Fraud Office is aware of the allegations of oil price manipulation and is David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for in dialogue with a number of agencies. It would not be Defence if he will take steps to allow interpreters appropriate to comment further at this stage. working for UK armed forces in Afghanistan to settle Travel in the UK. [156074] Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply on behalf of Priti Patel: To ask the Attorney-General how many the Home Department. officials in (a) the Law Officers’ Departments and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is We are currently reviewing the provisions provided to responsible claimed reimbursement for travel subsistence support locally employed civilians, including interpreters, expenses in each of the last five years; what the total as we draw down our combat mission in Afghanistan. cost was of such claims; and what the monetary value No decision has been taken on what part, if any, relocation was of the 20 highest subsistence claims in each such to the UK will take in the package of support offered to year. [155402] locally engaged staff. But we will honour our commitment to consider their safety and security beyond the term of The Solicitor-General: It is not possible to provide the their employment with Her Majesty’s Government. information requested for the Treasury Solicitor’s Department, Attorney-General’s Office and HM Crown Armed Forces: Basic Skills Prosecution Service Inspectorate, as extracting the necessary data would require extensive analysis of paper records Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for over the past five years which would incur a disproportionate Defence with reference to the answer of 22 April 2013, cost. Official Report, columns 611-13W on armed forces: Tables have been deposited in the Library of the basic skills, what proportion of candidates in the (a) House containing recorded information on the number RoyalNavyand(b) Army passed the initial assessment of officials in the Crown Prosecution Service and Serious results for (i) numeracy and (ii) literacy at the levels Fraud Office who claimed reimbursement for travel referred to in that answer. [156031] subsistence expenses in each of the last five years, the total cost of these claims and the monetary value of the Mr Robathan: The conduct of an Initial Assessment 20 highest subsistence claims in each year. on numeracy and literacy provides a diagnostic tool used to establish starting levels of recruits and as such it does not have pass or fail criteria. The figures supplied previously are the results of all of the initial assessments DEFENCE that were conducted by the armed forces in the time period concerned. Afghanistan Armed Forces: Death Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions a Reaper UAV has Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for launched a weapon in Afghanistan. [154982] Defence (1) who has responsibility of determining whether to carry out an internal review or a service inquiry in Mr Robathan: Reaper is the UK’s only armed Remotely the case of service personnel killed in action; [155190] Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). As at 11 May 2013, (2) what the criteria are for determining whether to 335 Hellfire precision guided missiles and 51 GBU-12 carry out an internal review rather than a service inquiry laser guided bombs had been released from UK Reapers recommended by a coroner in the case of service personnel in support of UK and coalition forces in Afghanistan. killed in action. [155191] Weapons are only released by RPAS under the command of trained pilots. Mr Francois [holding answer 14 May 2013]: If a member of the armed forces is killed in action, a convening Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for authority must be appointed to decide whether there is Defence how many of the Ministry of Defence to be a service inquiry. The convening authority is an personnel who will be deployed to the Afghan National officer of or above the rank of Naval Captain, Colonel Army Officer Academy to provide training and related or Group Captain who is normally in the chain of support will be female; and if he will make a statement. command of the ship/unit/establishment of the personnel [155696] involved in the matter to be investigated. 487W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 488W

The test to be applied by the convening authority is Armed Forces: Offences Against Children laid down in the Armed Forces (Service Inquiries) Regulations 2008. The regulations state that the convening Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence authority must cause a service inquiry to be held, if how many allegations of child abuse there were by (a) he/she considers that anything of consequence to the service personnel and (b) civilian staff against (i) service armed forces which is not apparent from the death may personnel and (ii) civilian staff based in Germany by be learned by the armed forces by means of a service service in each year since 2005; how many of those were inquiry. In making a decision the convening authority (A) referred for prosecution and (B) resulted in a conviction; will no doubt have regard to any recommendation and if he will make a statement. [155250] made, or views expressed, by a coroner. However, coroners do not have the authority to determine the way in which Mr Robathan: For information held on child sexual their recommendations are taken forward, including offences I refer the hon. Member to the answer the requesting a service inquiry. The convening authority Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, will also take into account other work connected to the my right hon. Friend the Member for Rayleigh and incident, such as a wider review of policy, processes and Wickford (Mr Francois), gave on 10 April 2013, Official procedures to capture lessons and implement measures Report, column 1128W. The Ministry of Defence holds to help prevent a recurrence. the following information recorded by the service police on other child abuse1 allegations involving service2 or civilian personnel based in Germany in the period between Armed Forces: Domestic Violence the implementation of the Armed Forces Act 2006 on 1 November 2009 and 31 December 2012. Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence The total number of cases relating to allegations of with reference to the answer of 12 June 2012, Official child abuse in Germany in this period is 35. Of these Report, column 446W, to the hon. Member for Luton cases a total of 29 were alleged by either service personnel North, on armed forces: domestic violence, whether the or civilian staff and are broken down by year as follows. domestic abuse protocol has been rolled out to all garrison areas; and if he will make a statement. [155256] Allegations made by Allegations made by service personnel civilian staff based in based in Germany the Germany Mr Francois: The domestic abuse protocol in place between the Service Police (which at that time meant the 2009 1 0 Ministry of Defence Police, the Royal Military Police 2010 17 1 and the Royal Air Force Police) and Hampshire 2011 6 0 Constabulary has been expanded to include Thames 2012 3 0 Valley police and the Royal Navy Police and now relates Total 28 1 to the handling of incidents within Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Thames Valley. The remaining six cases were alleged by civilian dependants. No further expansion has yet taken place. Of the 35 overall cases, the total number of allegations made against either service personnel or civilian staff is Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 22. These cases are broken down by year as follows. what steps he has taken to evaluate the effectiveness of the JSP 913 Tri-Service Policy on Domestic Abuse and Allegations made Allegations made Sexual Violence; and if he will make a statement. against service against civilian staff [155260] personnel based in based in Germany Germany

Mr Robathan: All Joint Service Publications are subject 2009 1 0 to periodic review to ensure they continue to meet the 2010 13 0 needs of the user and reflect current departmental 2011 6 0 policy.This process also serves to evaluate their effectiveness. 2012 1 1 Such a review and revision of JSP 913 is scheduled Total 21 1 this year to reflect recent changes introduced as part of the Government strategy to tackle domestic and sexual The remaining 13 cases were alleged against civilian violence. dependants solely. Of the 35 overall cases, 16 were referred for prosecution. Of the 16 cases referred, 10 comprised service personnel Armed Forces: Housing and one of civilian staff. The remaining cases comprised civilian dependants solely. Of the 10 service personnel referred for prosecution, Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for four were convicted of offences in relation to the alleged Defence how many service family accommodation incident. No civilian staff were convicted of offences. properties have had a Green Deal assessment to date. 1 [154858] ‘Child Abuse’ has been interpreted as offences that would be categorised under ’Child Cruelty’. This definition comprises offences under Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and Mr Francois: Green Deal Energy Company Obligation also Section 27 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. assessments have been carried out on 300 service family 2 All of the recorded information regarding service personnel in accommodation properties to date. this period relates to Army personnel. 489W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 490W

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in the period between the implementation of the Armed with reference to the answers of 10 April 2013, Official Forces Act 2006 on 1 November 2009 and 31 December Report, column 1128W and 10 April 2013, Official 2012. Report, column 1129W,on armed forces: sexual offences, whether any of the allegations made by service personnel Allegation made relate to children placed in schools funded by the continuity against service Allegation made of education allowance; when such allegations were personnel against civilian staff made; and if he will make a statement. [155254] 2009 1 0 2010 4 0 Mr Robathan: The information is not held in the 2011 6 l format requested. However the Ministry of Defence 2012 4 l takes the issue of the safeguarding of children very Total 15 2 seriously, including in relation to service children undergoing education with the support of the continuity of education The above allegations comprise of a total of 17 cases. allowance (CEA) scheme. In rare cases where an issue Detailed as follows is the status of the cases, divided by arises with a school, parents are permitted to move their year. children to another school of their choice without loss of CEA if they wish. Outcome 2009 2010 2011 2012 Cases investigated but did 1211 Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence not result in a person with reference to the answer of 10 April 2013, Official being referred to a Report, column 1128W,on armed forces: sexual offences, prosecuting authority which Department is responsible for investigations in under the Armed Forces lieu of local authority responsibilities under child protection Act 2006. Cases resulting in persons 0110 legislation; what training is made available to staff in being referred to a order to conduct investigations into child sexual offences; prosecuting authority and if he will make a statement. [155255] under the Armed Forces Act 2006 but did not Mr Robathan: The British Forces Social Work Service— result in Courts Martial or other disciplinary delivered by the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Families proceedings. Association (SSAFA) under contract to the Ministry of Cases which resulted in 0110 Defence, is the provider of a statutory social work Courts Martial or other service in British Forces Germany (BFG). disciplinary proceedings All new child protection cases in BFG are investigated which resulted in a conviction. by a team comprising SSAFA social workers and the Cases ongoing. 0 0 4 4 Royal Military Police. However, as in the UK, the nature and circumstances of the allegation will determine Total 1 4 7 5 if the investigation is a single agency lead, for example, 1 This includes all indecent images of children as defined by the police only or social work only. Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the Protection of Children Act 1978. All SSAFA social workers are registered with the appropriate professional body, Health and Care Professions Council and are senior practitioners, with a number of Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence years experience, recruited from the UK, and they bring with reference to the answers of 10 April 2013, Official with them demonstrable experience in statutory children Report, column 1128W and 10 April 2013, Official services. They are trained in ’Achieving Best Evidence Report, column 1129W,on armed forces: sexual offences, in Criminal Proceedings’. The Royal Military Police are how many allegations made (a) by and (b) against also trained to deal with child abuse and safeguarding service personnel were referred to local authorities for issues. investigation under child protection legislation; which local authorities were notified; and if he will make a BFG has a Local Safeguarding Children Board which statement. [155259] has responsibility for ensuring the quality of safeguarding practice and inter-agency working across BFG which Mr Robathan: The Minister for Defence Personnel, will involve all interested parties such as health workers, Welfare and Veterans, my right hon. Friend the Member teachers and welfare services. for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Francois), will write to the hon. Member shortly. Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many allegations relating to the possession of Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence indecent images have been made against (a) armed how many allegations of child abuse were made (a) by forces personnel and (b) civilian staff based in Germany and (b) against (i) service personnel and (ii) civilian in each year since 2005; how many such allegations have staff based in the UK in each service in each year since (i) been referred for prosecution and (ii) resulted in a 2005; how many such allegations (A) were referred for conviction; and if he will make a statement. [155258] prosecution and (B) resulted in a conviction; and if he will make a statement. [155264] Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence service police hold the following recorded information on allegations Mr Francois: For information held on child sexual relating to the possession of indecent images1 made offences I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave against service or civilian personnel based in Germany on 10 April 2013, Official Report, column 1127W. 491W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 492W

For the other child abuse offences1 the Ministry of The cost of recruiting in 2012-13 will be available Defence police (MDP) and the service police have no later this year. record of any allegations made by or against members of the armed forces or civilian staff in the UK between Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 November 2009 and 31 December 2012 in which the Defence with reference to the answer of 22 April 2013, service police or the MDP were the investigative lead. Official Report, columns 619-20W, on armed forces: 1 “Child Abuse” has been interpreted as offences that would be recruitment, if he will represent the data giving the categorised under ‘Child Cruelty’. This definition comprises offences numbers who (a) were tested and (b) passed for each under Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and of the three services in each of the last 20 years. [155160] section 27, Offences Against the Persons Act (OAPA) 1861. Armed Forces: Qualifications Mr Francois: The armed forces fitness testing regimes have changed several times in the last 20 years. The Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for information available covers the last seven financial Defence how many members of the armed forces who years. started phase 2 training had not reached entry level 3 The numbers of recruit applicants who were fitness skills in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012. [156028] tested for service and passed the test for the Naval Service and the RAF is shown in the following table: Mr Robathan: The armed forces training regime is structured, phased and progressive. No personnel started Tested Passed phase 2 training before they had reached entry level 3 2006-07 skills between 2010-12. RN1 5,576 5,012 Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for RAF 1,697 1,531 Defence what consideration he has given to mandating GCSE training during (a) Phase 1 and (b) Phase 2 2007-08 training. [156029] RN 5,600 5,035 RAF 3,480 2,881 Mr Robathan: The qualifications linked to initial training are Functional Skills and Apprenticeships, 2008-09 underpinning the practical approach embodied in the RN 6,597 5,946 military. There is currently no intent to mandate their RAF 4,691 4,054 replacement with GCSEs. However, all personnel are encouraged to engage in personal development throughout their careers and they may elect to study for further 2009-10 qualifications, including GCSEs. RN 9,671 8,607 RAF 3,721 3,107 Armed Forces: Recruitment 2010-11 Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for RN 7,859 6,898 Defence what the average cost of recruitment was per RAF 2,125 1,767 armed forces recruit; and what the total cost to the public purse was of recruitment for all new personnel 2011-12 into the (a) Royal Air Force, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Army in each year since 2010-11. [154863] RN 7,684 6,503 RAF 2,625 2,262 Mr Francois: The cost of regular armed forces recruiting in 2011-12 was £205.5 million which can be broken 2012-13 down by service as follows: RN 6,505 6,400 RAF 2,059 1,768 £ million 1 The Naval Service figures include those who have been re-tested.

Royal Navy 32 The Army does not separate its fitness test results Army 134.5 from the overall result of a three-day selection process. RAF 39 As a result it is not possible to identify the pass rate of the fitness test. The total number of contacts from individuals seeking information about a military career in this period was Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 162,412, with applicants totalling 49,208. The selection what assessment he has made of the implications for process produced a total of 14,810 successful recruits, recruitment to the armed forces of plans to raise the from which an average cost of £13,875 can be derived. school leaving age to 18; and if he will make a statement. The cost of generating a contact through our recruiting [155524] and marketing operations was approximately £1,250. Capturing the total cost of recruiting across the Mr Robathan: The implications for recruitment of armed forces is a complex and resource-intensive task. the raising of the participation age for all 16 and For 2010-11, when both the recruitment budget and 17-year-olds accords well with the armed forces approach recruitment targets were below normal levels, these to recruitment. Of the three options available to 16 and calculations were not carried out. 17-year-olds to meet this obligation, the Ministry of 493W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 494W

Defence provides two, undertaking an apprenticeship 2009 and taking full-time employment that includes structured Sexual training. The armed forces recognise this and as the assault by Sexual largest national deliverer of apprenticeships, regard the Rape penetration assault continued participation of 16 and 17-year-olds in this Cases not investigated because the 000 way as central to the professional and personal development complaint was not pursued of this cohort. Experience shows that, in general terms, those who are recruited at 16 and 17 often become Cases investigated but not resulting 001 in a person being referred to a particularly effective members of the armed forces. prosecuting authority under the Armed Forces Act 2006

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Cases resulting in persons being 100 Defence how many young people have been recruited referred to a prosecuting authority under the Armed Forces Act 2006 into each of the armed forces at the age of 16 or 17 in but did not result in Court Martial each of the last five years from (a) independent or other disciplinary proceedings. schools, (b) public schools and (c) state schools. Cases resulting in a conviction 0 0 0 [156406] Cases which resulted in a Court Martial 000 or other disciplinary proceedings which Mr Robathan: The information is not held centrally resulted in a conviction for a lesser and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. offence Cases resulting in a Court Martial 000 Armed Forces: Scotland or other disciplinary proceedings which did not result in a conviction

Cases ongoing 0 0 1 Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 10 April 2010 2013, Official Report, column 1125W, on armed forces: Sexual assault by Sexual Scotland, what the name is of each of his Department’s Rape penetration assault properties in Scotland (a) currently and (b) anticipated to be subject to commercial negotiation. [155642] Cases not investigated because the 000 complaint was not pursued Cases investigated but not resulting 001 Mr Robathan: A list showing Ministry of Defence in a person being referred to a properties in Scotland, exclusive of Service Family prosecuting authority under the Armed Forces Act 2006 Accommodation, will be placed in the Library of the Cases resulting in persons being 211 House. referred to a prosecuting authority under the Armed Forces Act 2006 Any of these properties may currently or in the future but did not result in Court Martial be subject to commercial negotiation. The information or other disciplinary proceedings. for all properties in Scotland could be provided only at Cases resulting in a conviction 0 0 3 disproportionate cost. Cases which resulted in a Court Martial 000 or other disciplinary proceedings which resulted in a conviction for a lesser Armed Forces: Sexual Offences offence Cases resulting in a Court Martial 001 or other disciplinary proceedings which Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence did not result in a conviction with reference to the answer of 10 April 2013, Official Cases ongoing 0 0 0

Report, column 1126W,on armed forces: sexual offences, 2011 if he will provide a breakdown by year for (a) rape, (b) Sexual sexual assault and sexual assault by penetration of (i) assault the number of cases not investigated (ii) cases investigated by Sexual but not resulting in a person being referred to a prosecuting Rape penetration assault authority under the Armed Forces Act 2006, (iii) cases Cases not investigated because the 000 resulting in persons being referred to a prosecuting complaint was not pursued authority under the Armed Forces Act 2006 but did not Cases investigated but not resulting in 110 a person being referred to a prosecuting result in Court Martial or other disciplinary proceedings, authority under the Armed Forces (iv) cases resulting in a conviction, (v) cases which Act 2006 resulted in a Court Martial or other disciplinary proceedings Cases resulting in persons being referred 102 which resulted in a conviction for a lesser offence, (vi) to a prosecuting authority under the Armed Forces Act 2006 but did not cases resulting in a Court Martial or other disciplinary result in Court Martial or other proceedings which did not result in a conviction and disciplinary proceedings. (vii) cases ongoing; and if he will make a statement. Cases resulting in a conviction 0 0 1 [155265] Cases which resulted in a Court Martial 010 or other disciplinary proceedings which resulted in a conviction for a lesser Mr Francois: The following tables detail the breakdown offence by year of the outcomes on allegations of rape, assault Cases resulting in a Court Martial or 001 by penetration and sexual assault made by armed forces other disciplinary proceedings which did not result in a conviction personnel serving in Germany since 1 November 2009 Cases ongoing 1 0 0 to 31 December 2012. 495W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 496W

2012 Mr Francois [holding answer 15 May 2013]: The Sexual total number of personnel who left the armed forces assault by Sexual Rape penetration assault over the requested timeframe is as follows:

Cases not investigated because the 000 Number complaint was not pursued Cases investigated but not resulting 0002007-08 24,760 in a person being referred to a 2008-09 21,650 prosecuting authority under the Armed Forces Act 2006 2009-10 18,270 Cases resulting in persons being 0002010-11 18,140 referred to a prosecuting authority 2011-12 21,370 under the Armed Forces Act 2006 but did not result in Court Martial Full details of outflow from UK Regular Forces or other disciplinary proceedings. broken down by service can be found in chapter 2 of the Cases resulting in a conviction 0 0 0 ‘UK Defence Statistics 2012’ publication at the following Cases which resulted in a Court Martial 010 or other disciplinary proceedings which website: resulted in a conviction for a lesser http://www.dasa.mod.uk/modintranet/UKDS/UKDS2012/c2/ offence table220.php Cases resulting in a Court Martial 110 or other disciplinary proceedings which did not result in a conviction British Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association Cases ongoing 0 0 5 Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Since my earlier answer two previous cases have been Defence whether he has been invited to attend the updated and are no longer shown as ongoing. British Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association Conference in Coventry from 24 to 26 May 2013; and if he will Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence make a statement. [155695] pursuant to the answer of 10 April 2013, Official Report, columns 1127-30W, on armed forces: sexual offences, Mr Robathan: There is no record of the Secretary of what power a commanding officer has to (a) refer and State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for (b) not refer an allegation for investigation; under what Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), having (i) statutory and (ii) non-statutory authority that power received an invitation to the British Nuclear Test Veterans is exercised; who carries out any such investigation; and conference. if he will make a statement. [155761]

Mr Robathan: A commanding officer is obliged to British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre refer all allegations of sexual offences listed in schedule 2 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 to the service police, in Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for accordance with the Act and the Manual of Service Defence (1) how many times submarines have been Law. Where allegations are made relating to sexual berthed in Loch Goil as part of testing at the British offences not listed in schedule 2, commanding officers Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre in each of the still have a duty to investigate these appropriately but last five years; [156113] they cannot deal with them summarily. In practice it is (2) on how many occasions the Royal Navy has used likely they will be reported to the service police. the Z-berths at (a) Loch Goil and (b) Loch Ewe in Investigations by the service police will comply with the each of the last five years. [156151] relevant provisions of Armed Forces Act 2006, subordinate legislation under the Act and other applicable legislation Mr Dunne: The terms Z berth and X berth refer (such as the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 specifically to berths suitable for use by operational (Application to the Armed Forces) Order 2009). nuclear powered warships (NPW) within HM naval bases authorised for work on nuclear systems, namely Armed Forces: Termination of Employment at Devonport and Clyde. All berths for operational NPWs outside these two HM naval bases are referred to Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for as operational berths. Defence how many people left the armed forces in (a) Loch Goil and Loch Ewe have operational berths, 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012. [155299] which have been used by the Royal Navy as follows:

Operational berth location Type of berth 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20131

Loch Goil Mooring 84333 2 Loch Ewe Alongside 00000 0 1 The figures for 2013 are up to and including 15 May 2013.

The Loch Goil mooring does not form part of the Climate Assessments British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre and as such no visits to that mooring have been conducted as part of that testing. Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many climate assessments in relation to equality and diversity have been conducted by each of the three 497W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 498W services since 2010; if he will place a copy of each such case 75% of the cost may be recovered through the assessment in the Library; and if he will make a allowance. However this is only available once in every statement. [155257] 10 years.

Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence is committed Defence Support Group to ensuring a working environment free from harassment, intimidation and unlawful discrimination. Each of the Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence services, as a high priority, is actively educating their with reference to the answer of 24 April 2013, Official personnel to encourage a military culture in which each Report, column 903W, on Defence Support Group, individual is valued, respected, and encouraged to realise whether the dividend returns from Defence Support their full potential. In addition, each service analyses Group represents a net gain to the public purse; and if qualitative evidence gathered through regular surveys he will make a statement. [155261] and also employs specific management tools to ensure progress and develop effective equality and diversity Mr Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I strategies at unit level. gave to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Moor View Climate assessments are a confidential tool which the (Alison Seabeck) on 4 March 2013, Official Report, Army have found very useful in identifying and resolving column 846W. equality and diversity issues as they arise locally. In the timeframe requested, the Army has carried out 209 Defence: Expenditure such assessments. The Navy and the RAF do not routinely conduct Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for formal climate assessments. The Navy uses a biennial Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the system of programmed visits to units to advise and letter referred to by the Permanent Under-Secretary of support the implementation of equality and diversity State, Ministry of Defence, in his evidence to the Public policies and procedures. Where there is a requirement to Accounts Committee on 4 February 2013 which sets do so, such visits can occur more frequently. In total, out defence expenditure assumptions. [155019] since 2010 the Royal Navy have conducted 116 such visits. Similarly, the RAF task their Personnel Casework Mr Philip Hammond: No. The letter in question was teams to conduct regular assurance visits to RAF stations, addressed to me from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury with the aim of monitoring trends and identifying areas and relates to discussions of funding between spending requiring attention. reviews and other matters that would not normally be released. I do not intend to place copies of climate assessments I can, however, say that the letter confirmed the in the Library of the House. These assessments capture departmental expenditure limits for the current spending frank and open discussions provided on the understanding review period and that the 10-year funding profile for that information will remain confidential. Releasing the Equipment Programme had not changed. this information could reduce the confidence of service personnel in speaking out about inappropriate behaviour Defence: Procurement in this way, and therefore undermine the effectiveness of these reports. Sir Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has contributed Clothing towards expenditure on urgent operational requirements since May 2010. [155552] Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the Mr Dunne: The vast majority of Urgent Operational non-departmental public bodies for which he is Requirements (UOR) expenditure is funded from HM responsible have made a claim for evening dress Treasury Reserve. Information on any UOR expenditure allowance in each of the last five years; and what the funded from the Department’s core equipment programme total cost of such claims has been. [155445] is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Mr Robathan: The costs of evening dress allowance and the number of personnel who have claimed it are Enfield set out in the following table: Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Staff in receipt of evening dress allowance Defence how much funding (a) his Department and Financial year Total (£) Number of recipients (b) each of the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible has allocated to the London 2008-09 4,668.33 30 borough of Enfield local authority in each of the last 2009-10 2,605.03 15 five years. [154511] 2010-11 2,963.78 13 2011-12 2,554.73 8 Mr Francois: The UK defence budget is not allocated 2012-13 3,001.99 14 or planned on a regional basis. The Ministry of Defence therefore does not allocate any money to the London This allowance is for the hire of evening dress by borough of Enfield. We may make some payments to civilian staff for official functions, or for the purchase the borough, such as parking charges, but these are not of it if more than three functions are foreseen, in which collated separately. 499W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 500W

Guided Weapons: USA Pensions: Ministry of Defence

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Defence how many UK weapon systems currently in he will estimate the percentage that will be deducted service were acquired through the Foreign Military from the salaries of members of the (a) Defence Fire Sales system; how many such systems have conducted and Rescue Service and (b) Ministry of Defence Police testing in the US; and what estimate he has made of the in employee pension contributions in 2015-16 when cost of that testing. [154739] their normal pension age is (i) the state pension age or (ii) 60 years old. [154951] Mr Dunne: 11 in-service UK weapons systems have been acquired through the US Foreign Military Sales Mr Francois [holding answer 14 May 2013]: The system. Of these, three have been tested in the US at an average pension contribution for members of both the overall cost of £16.6 million. Defence Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) and Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) in 2015-16, when their normal pension age (NPA) is the state pension age, will be 5.6%. Mobile Phones Those who are within 10 years of their normal retirement age as at April 2012 will pay additional contributions Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for but they will not see any increase in the age at which Defence which company holds the largest contract to they can draw their pension benefits in full. All others provide mobile telephony services to his Department; will see their normal pension age increase in 2015-16. It how much was paid under the contract in the last year is not possible to specify what the impact on contributions for which figures are available; how many individual would be, if the NPA were to be reduced to 60 for either services are covered by the contract; when the contract DFRS or MDP personnel. This would depend on how was awarded; when the contract will next be renewed; the additional costs, when they are known, would be and for how long. [155653] shared between the Ministry of Defence and its employees. In line with the requirement set out in the Public Sector Mr Dunne [holding answer 16 May 2013]: The majority Pensions Act 2013 we have recently started a review of of mobile telephones supplied to the Ministry of the normal pension age for both groups which will Defence (MOD) are provided by Vodafone through an address these issues. enabling arrangement through the Defence Fixed Telecommunications Service (DFTS) contract with British Publications Telecom. The MOD paid a total of £5.3 million (including VAT) for mobile services in financial year 2012-13. Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for A variety of services are covered by the Vodafone Defence how much his Department spent on subscriptions contract but at the simplest level they can be divided in to academic journals published by (a) Reed-Elsevier, to voice accounts and data accounts. At the end of (b) Wiley-Blackwell, (c) Springer and (d) any other March 2013 there were 34,924 voice accounts and 8,517 academic publisher in each of the last five years. data accounts. [154491] The Vodafone element of the DFTS contract was renewed following competitive processes in 2011 and is Mr Francois: The information is not held centrally due to expire in 2015. Renewal of this contract is and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. currently an element of a wider re-procurement activity for Defence Core Network Services. Reserve Forces

Pay Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many service personnel received their bounty in each unit of the (a) Territorial Army, (b) Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Royal Air Force Reserve, (c) Royal Navy Reserve and what guidance his Department issues on the actions (d) Royal Marine Reserve in each of the last three that would result in the suspension or removal of a years; [154734] bonus payment to an official in his Department; what the process is for clawing back such bonuses; and on (2) how many service personnel are in each unit of how many occasions this has happened in each of the the (a) Territorial Army, (b) Royal Air Force Reserve, last five years. [154994] (c) Royal Navy Reserve and (d) Royal Marine Reserve. [154735] Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence performance Mr Francois: Training bounty is paid to entitled related pay system is retrospective and based upon work individuals who complete a specified annual training already carried out and reported upon; therefore, no requirement. guidance is required in relation to the suspension or removal of a bonus. We do not have a process to claw The information is not held in the format requested. performance awards back and there is no record of this The readily available data are shown in the following having occurred in the last five years. Bonuses are tables. awarded on a performance basis and for the last Territorial Army—15,510 personnel received a bounty performance year it is anticipated that changes to the as at 1 March 2013 against a trained strength of around system will result in reductions to the overall cost of 19,000. It is not possible to break this total down by some £13 million. unit or to provide data for the previous two years. 501W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 502W

Royal Auxiliary Air Force Reserve—Details of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force personnel by Squadron (unit) at 1 April 2011 number of Royal Auxiliary Air Force Reserve who Number of Number receiving Percentage received their bounty and the number of personnel for Squadron personnel bounty payment receiving bounty each of the past three years are shown in the following 600 70 50 79 tables: 602 30 20 81 Royal Auxiliary Air Force personnel by Squadron (unit) at 1 March 2013 603 50 30 61 Number of Number receiving Percentage 606 120 80 66 personnel bounty payment receiving bounty 609 70 30 49 612 50 30 61 All personnel 1,380 920 67 1359 30 20 61 501 80 50 68 2503 70 50 64 504 60 40 73 2620 60 40 58 600 80 50 66 2622 70 40 61 602 30 20 70 2623 50 40 66 603 80 50 59 4624 190 130 66 606 110 80 73 4626 110 80 70 609 70 40 52 7006 70 30 50 612 70 40 63 7010 40 20 64 1359 30 20 57 7630 30 10 41 2503 70 40 53 7644 10 10 67 2620 70 40 57 Tactical 40 20 54 2622 60 40 63 Provost Wing 2623 60 30 48 Unit 80 60 74 unknown 4624 180 120 70 4626 100 90 83 7006 60 40 75 Strengths include mobilised personnel and those serving 7010 40 30 83 on Additional Duties Commitments and High Readiness 7630 20 20 89 Reserve contracts. Those on Full Time Reserve Service 7644 20 10 73 are excluded. Tactical 50 40 65 Provost Wing Data are considered provisional. A number of individuals are not attached to a squadron. Unit 60 40 67 unknown Bounty data represent the number of individuals Royal Auxiliary Air Force personnel by Squadron (unit) at 1 April 2012 currently on strength who had received a bounty payment Number of Number receiving Percentage at any time during the preceding 12 months. Squadron personnel bounty payment receiving bounty Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10, except for All personnel 1,380 860 63 those ending in ‘5’ which are rounded to the nearest 20 501 70 40 62 in order to prevent systematic bias. 504 60 40 71 Royal Navy Reserve (RNR)—Details of the number 600 70 50 73 of Royal Navy Reserves and Royal Marine Reserves 602 20 20 73 (RMR) who received their bounty and the number of 603 70 20 30 personnel relating to RNR and RMR Units as at 1 606 120 80 70 March 2013 is shown in the following table. It is not 609 70 30 45 possible to provide data for the previous two years 612 60 40 60 RNR personnel by unit at 1 March 2013 1359 20 10 52 Number of Number receiving Percentage 2503 70 50 64 personnel bounty payment receiving bounty 2620 60 30 50 2622 60 40 63 Total 1,980 1,320 66 personnel 2623 50 30 65 RNR Air 310 200 64 4624 180 130 72 Branch 4626 120 70 60 RNR Media 50 40 75 7006 60 50 74 Operations 7010 40 30 70 Fleet CMR 20 10 76 7630 20 20 71 HMS 110 90 85 7644 20 10 60 Ferret— RNRIU Tactical 50 30 53 Provost Wing HMS 120 80 72 Calliope Unit 70 50 63 unknown HMS 90 60 65 Cambria Royal Auxiliary Air Force personnel by Squadron (unit) at 1 April 2011 HMS 80 50 68 Number of Number receiving Percentage Dalriada Squadron personnel bounty payment receiving bounty HMS Eaglet 140 100 70 HMS Flying 80 60 76 All personnel 1,380 890 64 Fox 501 80 50 68 HMS 90 70 75 504 60 40 69 Forward 503W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 504W

RNR personnel by unit at 1 March 2013 (2) how many veterans of the UK armed forces Number of Number receiving Percentage receive concessionary (a) bus fares and (b) train fares. personnel bounty payment receiving bounty [154085] HMS 100 60 60 Hibernia Mr Francois: The provision of concessionary travel HMS King 190 120 63 to veterans of the UK armed forces is a matter for the Alfred public transport operating companies. The Ministry of HMS 220 130 61 President Defence does not provide any concessions but is grateful HMS Scotia 110 80 73 to those companies that do; for example, Transport for HMS 70 40 58 London runs the veterans concessionary travel scheme, Sherwood which includes free travel on all forms of London HMS Vivid 120 70 58 public transport, designed for veterans in receipt of war HMS 80 50 59 pension scheme or armed forces compensation scheme Wildfire payments. Other units 20 10 53 Veterans may also gain travel concessions through RMR personnel by unit at 1 March 2013 the existing, publicly available schemes, such as family Number of Number receiving Percentage or pensioners cards supplied by the operating companies. personnel bounty payment receiving bounty We hold no records of those who apply for or receive Total 650 340 53 these concessions. personnel RMR Bristol 140 80 54 RMR London 150 80 56 Veterans: Employment RMR 160 80 52 Merseyside Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for RMR 120 50 45 Scotland Defence (1) how many individuals who left the armed RMR Tyne 60 40 69 forces in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012 found RM Poole 10 — 36 employment lasting (i) less than and (ii) more than six Other units 10 10 43 months; [155300] (2) how many individuals who left the armed forces Strengths include mobilised personnel and those serving found employment lasting (a) less than and (b) more on Full Time Reserve Service, Additional Duties than six months through the Career Transition Commitments and High Readiness Reserve contracts. Partnership in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012. [155301] Bounty and unit data represent the number of individuals currently on strength who had received a bounty payment Mr Francois [holding answer 15 May 2013]: Participants at any time during the preceding 12 months. in the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) programme Units with fewer than 10 RMR personnel have been are sent a questionnaire six months after they leave the grouped into ’’Other Units’. Numbers are rounded to armed forces to monitor their employment status. the nearest 10, except for those ending in ‘5’ which are Over the last four years, returns indicate an average rounded to the nearest 20 in order to prevent systematic 93% of former CTP participants who were looking for bias. work found employment within six months of leaving Data are considered provisional and ‘—’denotes zero service. The duration of employment is not recorded. or rounded to zero. Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 25 April 2013, Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Official Report, column 1284W on Employment: Defence (1) whether he plans to include measures regarding veterans, (1) what the size of the sample used in the reservists in the Defence Reform Bill announced in the sampling exercise is; [156395] Queen’s Speech; [154884] (2) how the employment rate at the six month point (2) whether he plans to publish the Reserves White post-discharge is calculated; [156396] Paper before introducing the Defence Reform Bill to Parliament. [154885] (3) how many service-leavers referred to in that Answer went on to have sustained employment for (a) six and (b) 12 months in each year since 2008-09; Mr Francois [holding answer 14 May 2013]: As stated [156397] in the Queen’s Speech on 8 May 2013, measures will be included in the Defence Reform Bill which will strengthen (4) how many people have been employed for (a) six, the Reserve Forces. The exact dates for publication of (b) five, (c) four, (d) three, (e) two months and (f) the Reserves White Paper and introduction of the Defence one month at the six month point post-discharge. Reform Bill have yet to be finalised. [156398]

Veterans Mr Robathan: Defence Statistics are currently reviewing the methodology for calculating the employment outcomes of ex-service personnel who have used the Career Transition Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Programme. Official Statistics on this subject will be Defence (1) what the annual cost is of providing veterans published in June 2013. The release date will be announced of the UK armed forces with concessionary (a) bus on the Defence Statistics website in accordance with the fares and (b) train fares; [154084] UK Statistics and Registration Act. 505W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 506W

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Defence what routine engagement his Department has and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has with employers on veterans’ employment. [156407] had with representatives of the Afghan Government with regard to Afghan women participating in all peace Mr Robathan: The Career Transition Partnership negotiations; and if he will make a statement. [155525] (CTP) provides the connection for hundreds of employers seeking to employ service leavers which results in numerous Alistair Burt: We are committed to working to ensure opportunities and offers of employment not only for that women play as full a part as possible in securing a leavers but also veterans. The Ministry of Defence peaceful and prosperous future Afghanistan, and that continues to engage with all industry sectors commercial, the Afghan political system and Afghan-led peace process public and community, voluntary to identify and foster are inclusive and reflect the needs and aspirations of all both transition and post-service support opportunities Afghan citizens, including women and girls. for those leaving the armed forces. Service leavers move The Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the out of the CTP process two years after discharge. At right hon. Baroness Warsi discussed women’s vital this stage they are also entitled to life-long job finding contribution to building peace, security and prosperity support through either the Officers Association or the in Afghanistan with the Afghan Government and wider Regular Forces Employment Association. Afghan authorities, leading female parliamentarians I am delighted that the skills and qualities that service and other government and civil society representatives leavers possess are recognised and sought by so many of during her visit to Afghanistan in March this year. the UK’s leading organisations. Angola FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Afghanistan Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on trends in (a) greater transparency and Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign (b) democratic accountability in Angola. [156470] and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the levels of recruitment and retention of Mark Simmonds: Since the end of civil war in 2002, women in the Afghan National Police; what discussions Angola has made steady progress in building a more he has had with representatives of the Afghan Government transparent and accountable democratic system, including on measures to increase levels of recruitment and retention through the two national elections held in 2008 and of women; and if he will make a statement. [155522] 2012. Alistair Burt: In line with the Afghan National Police Angola rose 11 places in Transparency International’s Strategy, the Government of Afghanistan and the 2012 perceptions index reflecting the Angolan Government’s international community are working to create opportunities stated intent to tackle corruption. On democratic for women within the police force. The Afghan Ministry development, planning is under way for the first ever of the Interior has stated a goal of adding 1,333 women local government elections—which should further to the ranks of the police every year. The Ministry is not strengthen democratic principles. During my visit to yet meeting this target; as of April 2013 there are Luanda in November last year, I was able to meet a approximately 1,489 female officers in the ANP.However, range of Government Ministers, civil society and opposition we will continue to raise this issue and are encouraging parties. These meetings allowed me to hear a diverse and supporting the Ministry of the Interior to work spectrum of thoughts on the current—and future—state towards meeting its goal. of democracy in Angola.

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Ascension Island and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Afghan Government Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for regarding measures to protect Afghan women human rights Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which non-target defenders; and if he will make a statement. [155523] marine species have been recorded as being caught by Alistair Burt: We share the widespread concern about the commercial fishery in Ascension Island in (a) each the attacks and intimidation faced by the dedicated and of the last five years and (b) 2013 to date. [156030] courageous women who work tirelessly to defend the rights and fundamental freedoms of others. This year Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved the UK has provided £500,000 in funding to the Afghan issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Independent Human Rights Commission to help it act Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was set to protect human rights defenders, investigate and catalogue up in October 2010. Data from before this period is violence, and support those seeking justice. unavailable. Human rights, particularly women’s rights, were a The non-target marine species caught in Ascension key priority for the visit of the Senior Minister of State, Island waters since October 2010 were: my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi to Striped Marlin Afghanistan on 4-6 March. She raised women’s rights Black Marlin with Afghan parliamentarians, civil society organisations and the Afghan Foreign Minister, Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, Sail Fish who was very clear that gains made on women’s rights Blue Marlin must not be lost. Other—comprising various species of shark 507W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 508W

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for The total value of fishing licences sold to date from Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total when records began is: £2,790,000. tonnage of (a) target fish species and (b) non-target species caught by the commercial fishery in Ascension £ Island was in (i) each of the last five years and (ii) 2013 2010 585,000 to date. [156035] 2011 1,051,500 Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved 2012 451,500 issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension 2013 702,000 Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was set up in October 2010. Data from before this period is Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for unavailable. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the flag state Total amount to date: was of each vessel licensed to fish in the waters of Target species: 6101.57 MT (Metric Tonnes) Ascension Island in (a) each of the last five years and Non-target species: 678.6 MT (b) 2013 to date. [156038] Amount in each year—2013 Target species: 1450.39 MT Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Non-target species: 92.31 MT Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was set Amount in each year—2012 up in October 2010. Data from before this period is Target species: 1913.63 MT unavailable Non-target species: 314.4 MT 2010—China (1), Japan (2), Korea (5), Philippines (2) and Amount in each year—2011 Taiwan (29) Target species: 2601.86 MT 2011—Belize (1), Japan (21), Korea (3), Philippines (4) and Taiwan (36) Non-target species: 261.86 MT 2012—China (1): Japan (6), Korea (1) and Taiwan (19) Amount in each year—2010 2013—China (1), Japan (9), Philippines (1) and Taiwan (28) Target species: 135.70 MT Non-target species: 10.03 MT Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for he has made of the effect on non-target species of the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many vessels commercial fishery in Ascension Island. [156348] were licensed to fish in the waters of Ascension Island in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2013 to date; and what fish each such vessel was licensed to catch. Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved [156036] issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Island Government. The commercial fishery was recently licensed in 2010 on a trial basis and there has yet to be a Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved formal assessment of the impact of the fishery on issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension non-target species. The Foreign and Commonwealth Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was set Office continues to work with the Island authorities to up in October 2010. Data from before this period is implement a sustainable fisheries plan. unavailable. The number of licenses issued each year is as follows: Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times Number foreign commercial fishing vessels have docked at Ascension 2010 39 Island in each of the last five years; and what the flag 2011 65 states of such vessels were. [156349] 2012 27 2013 39 Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Each license is valid for one year only. The license Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was permits the catching of target fish species only. licensed in October 2010. Data from before this period is unavailable. Commercial fishing vessels do not call at Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Ascension Island. Exceptionally, the Argos Georgia Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the value of (flag state: St Helena) called in March 2010 during a fishing licences sold for use in the waters of Ascension dedicated monitoring expedition to assess catch potential, Island was in (a) each of the last five years and (b) and to observe for potential illegal, unlicensed and 2013 to date. [156037] unregulated vessels.

Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Island Government. A pilot commercial fishery was set independent observers have recorded target and non-target up in October 2010. Data from before this period is catch levels in the Ascension Island fishery in (a) each unavailable. of the last five years and (b) 2013 to date. [156350] 509W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 510W

Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved system, compromises global security and is a barrier to issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension economic development. The Foreign and Commonwealth Island Government. The commercial fishery was recently Office’s overseas network therefore works on behalf of licensed in 2010 on a trial basis and to date there has yet HMG to build international partnerships to combat to be an independent observer on board vessels to this repugnant trade. record target and non-target catch. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has offered funding for the Cyprus use of an independent observer. Ascension Island Government is keen to lake advantage of this offer. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for discussions he has had with the Cypriot government on Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates of urban development within the UK sovereign base areas fish stocks were made for target fish species in the since the Cypriot president’s statement on 19 April Ascension Island fishery (a) prior to the issuing of 2013 concerning an agreement between Cyprus and the licences in 2010 and (b) to date. [156351] British sovereign base areas on urban development; and if he will make a statement. [156089] Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Mr Lidington: Neither the Secretary of State for Island Government. There was no local assessment of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. fish stocks for target fish species in the Ascension Island Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), fishery prior to the issuing of licences on a trial basis in nor I, have had any discussions with the Government of 2010. The fishery must not exceed catch limits (quota) Cyprus on urban development within the UK sovereign available to each participating country, which are set base areas. However, officials will be discussing this and regulated at an international level by the International issue further with their Cypriot counterparts, with the Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. aim of reaching a mutually acceptable outcome. Licensing this fishery has provided the mechanism to ensure that catches are now reported on at a local level, Fiji which is a key element of any future, more localised, fish stock assessment. Ascension Island Government, Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for along with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment other key stakeholders, are exploring mechanisms to he has made of the UK’s investment in public transport better police and regulate the fishery. in Fiji; and if he will make a statement. [155619]

British Indian Ocean Territory Mr Swire: The Export Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD) has acted as guarantor to loans made by a Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for German bank to the government-owned aviation company Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions Air Pacific. This was to enable Air Pacific to purchase a the British Indian Ocean Territories administration has Rolls-Royce engine. We are not aware of any other UK intervened or apprehended vessels under suspicion of investment in public transport in Fiji. illegal fishing in the last year. [155321] Gibraltar Mark Simmonds: In accordance with the British Indian Ocean Territory Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Ordinance 2007, four vessels have been arrested for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has illegal fishing, 10 have been given warnings and five any plans to extend the UK’s claim to a territorial have been cautioned in the year up to 12 May 2013. water surrounding Gibraltar from three to 12 nautical miles. [156092] Crime: Nature Conservation Mr Lidington: We have no plans at present to extend Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for British Gibraltar Territorial Waters to 12 nautical miles Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to but we retain the option to do so, as enshrined in the the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Justice’s adoption of a revised draft resolution on crime prevention and criminal justice responses to illicit trafficking Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign in protected species of wild fauna and flora, reference and Commonwealth Affairs how many incursions into E/CN.15/2013/L.20/Rev, how his Department plans to British Gibraltar territorial waters there have been over respond to this resolution to tackle wildlife crime, including the last six months. [156133] links to serious organised crime. [155590] Mr Lidington: There have been 176 unlawful incursions Mark Simmonds: Wildlife crime is a matter of great into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters by Spanish concern to the whole of Her Majesty’s Government. state vessels in the period from 1 November 2012 to Policy responsibility for wildlife crime and its links to 30 April 2013. serious organised crime lies with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May). From a foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to policy perspective, it is a matter which undermines the deter illegal incursions into British Gibraltar territorial rule of law, impacts on the rules based international waters by Spanish Civil Guard boats. [156134] 511W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 512W

Mr Lidington: The Royal Navy challenges Guardia Mark Simmonds: I refer the hon. Member to my Civil vessels whenever they make unlawful incursions answer of 25 March 2013, Official Report, column 905W. into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW). We also make formal diplomatic protests to the Spanish Libya Government about all such incursions. We will continue to do all that is necessary to uphold British sovereignty Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign over BGTW. and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide an update on progress made in bringing to justice those Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign responsible for the desecration of British war graves in and Commonwealth Affairs how many times the Spanish Libya. [155498] Ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office over the last 12 months in respect of Spanish incursions Alistair Burt: The British Government remains shocked into British Gibraltar territorial waters. [156135] and appalled by the damage to British war graves in Libya in March last year, as was the Libyan Government. Mr Lidington: The Spanish ambassador has been We have raised this issue with the Libyan authorities publicly summoned to the Foreign and Commonwealth and urged them to bring those responsible to justice. Office once in the last 12 months in respect of unlawful However, the Libyan Government’s priority at the moment incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters by continues to be focused on the overall security situation Spanish state vessels. in Benghazi and as such they are unlikely to have the capacity to investigate this particular crime. Nevertheless, Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign we have made progress with the Libyan authorities in and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to taking action to repair the damage and introduce measures ensure that Spain complies with its obligation under to prevent such an act from happening again. the Cordoba Agreements. [156136] Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Lidington: As part of regular diplomatic engagement, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports the UK Government continues to encourage Spain to he has received on the security situation in Libya; and comply with its commitments under the 2006 Cordoba whether such reports affect the right of Libya to hold Agreement, which represented a significant step forward the trials of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi in co-operation between the UK, Spain and Gibraltar. within its national borders alongside the trials of other The UK Government continues to recognise the value members of the former Gaddafi regime. [155513] of dialogue and supports a return to a trilateral process in which Gibraltar is actively involved. We make this Alistair Burt: We are concerned about the recent position clear to the Spanish Government whenever it is events in Libya in which armed militias surrounded and appropriate to do so. We have also ensured that the blockaded the Foreign and Interior Ministries in an European Commission is aware of the UK position. attempt to force through the vote on the Political Isolation law. We, the US and France issued a joint statement to Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for express our concern. We welcome the agreement reached Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Chief on 10 May that allowed the Ministries to return to Minister of Gibraltar has been put under pressure by work. We do not believe that recent events affect the his Department to allow Spanish fishermen to fish right of Libya to hold the trials of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi illegally in British Gibraltar territorial waters; and and Abdullah al-Senussi, but it is crucial that Government what assessment he has made of the recent evidence Ministries are permitted to function during this transitional from Dr Tydeman to the Environmental Audit period in order to ensure a fair and effective justice Committee on 17 April 2013 alleging that such pressure system. has been applied. [156142] Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Lidington: My Department has regular discussions Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations with the Government of Gibraltar and has supported he has made in respect of technical assistance to Libya their efforts to find a solution to the fishing dispute, in pursuing its right to hold the trials of Saif al-Islam encouraging all parties to show restraint and cooperate Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi within its national with the Government of Gibraltar. borders alongside the trials of other members of the The UK Government has a single policy on Gibraltar, former Gaddafi regime. [155515] which is agreed across Whitehall Departments including the Ministry of Defence and discussed with the Governor. Alistair Burt: We have not offered assistance to Libya I will write to the Chair of the Environmental Audit specifically with regard to the trials of Saif al-Islam Committee about the Gibraltar related-issues raised in Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi. We recognise the the oral evidence that the Committee has taken from Dr importance of security and justice sector reform in Tydeman. Libya more widely, and will continue to work with our international partners to provide Libya with the support it needs. To that end, we have sent a detentions advisor Ilois: Resettlement to Libya to assist with a prison reform project on which we are working with the Libyan authorities. Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will make Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for an announcement on the future of the Chagos Islands Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is his and the future resettlement of the islanders. [155322] policy to support the Libyan state in its right under the 513W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 514W principle of complementarity to hold national trials in Dr John Hughes (Chair); Dr Ruth Kosmin (Deputy Chair); the cases of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Michael Birshan; Professor Bob Deacon; Timothy Hornsby; Carol al-Senussi alongside the trials of other members of the Madison Graham; Simon Morris; Professor Eric Thomas and Professor Nigel Thrift. former Gaddafi regime. [155516] Commissioners are appointed for three year terms: all positions are unpaid. Alistair Burt: The UK remains a steadfast supporter of the International Criminal Court. We are fully committed As at 1 January 2013, the members of the Board for to the principle that there should be no impunity for the the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) most serious crimes of concern to the international were as follows: community. We recognise Libya’s right to try Saif al-Islam Ann McKechin MP; Lord George Foulkes; Pete Wishart MP; Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi, as enshrined in the Andrew Rosindell MP; John Glen MP; Gary Streeter MP; Tina Rome Statute. However, it is for the International Criminal Fahm; Ken Jones: John Osmond and Bronwen Manby. Court to decide whether the cases of Saif al Gaddafi Board members are appointed for three year terms, and Al-Senussi should be transferred to Libya. which are unpaid (save for travel expenses). As at 1 January 2013, the following were members of Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the British Council Board: Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will recommend Claire Ighodaro CBE; Professor Pamela Gillies; Sue Hoyle to the United Nations Security Council the exercise of OBE; Raoul Shah; Howell James CBE; Simon Fraser CMG; the power to order the deferral of proceedings against Martin Bean; Baroness Usha Prashar CBE; Richard Gillingwater; Gareth Bullock; Rosamund Marshall; James Boyle; Sir Vernon Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi under Ellis (Chair); and Professor Stephen Jones BSc PhD. Article 16 of the Statute of the International Criminal Court in order to support Libya in its right to hold the Council Board appointments are for three year terms trials within its national jurisdiction alongside the trials and are unpaid. of other members of the former Gaddafi regime. As at 1 January 2013, the Foreign Compensation [155517] Commission (FCC) Chair (and only member) was Dr John Barker. Dr Barker was appointed for five years Alistair Burt: It is for the court to decide whether the and his remuneration was a judicial per diem of £468 cases of Saif al Gadaffi and Al-Senussi should be per day. returned to Libya. We continue to urge Libya’s full As at 1 January 2013, the Board members of the cooperation with the International Criminal Court. Great Britain China Centre (GBCC) were: Peter Batey OBE (Chair); Chris Fitzgibbob, Lorna Ball (Vice Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Chair); Hugh Davies (Vice Chair); Sir Christopher Hum (Vice Chair); Liam Byrne MP; Richard Graham MP; Duncan Hames Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will promote MP; Clare Hammond; John Hughes; Madelaine Sturrock; Joanna an agreement between Libya and the International Roper; Martin Davidson and Dr Rod Wye. Criminal Court (ICC) whereby the ICC can provide Board members are appointed for three year terms technical assistance to Libya to hold national trials in which are unpaid. the cases of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi alongside the trials of other members of the Pakistan former Gaddafi regime. [155521] Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Alistair Burt: It is for the Libyan Government and and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he International Criminal Court (ICC) to reach a mutual has had with the incoming Government of Pakistan on agreement on the provision of technical assistance to that country’s blasphemy law; [156353] facilitate the effective handling of the cases of Saif (2) what discussions he has had with the incoming al-Islam Gadaffi and Abdullah al-Senussi, as well as Government of Pakistan on that country’s position on those of other members of the Gadaffi regime. We will religious freedom. [156354] support any decision that is reached. We stand ready to offer assistance to both Libya and the ICC if so requested, Alistair Burt: It is vital that Pakistan guarantees the in addition to the assistance that we already provide to rights of all its citizens, regardless of their faith, gender the Libyan justice system. or ethnicity. On 22 January, the Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi Non-departmental Public Bodies hosted a global ministerial conference on Freedom of Religion and Belief in London and she was able to discuss these issues in detail with the human rights Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign adviser to the then Pakistani Prime Minister. and Commonwealth Affairs who the members of the Once a new government has been established in Pakistan, (a) Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, (b) we will raise human rights issues, including blasphemy Westminster Foundation for Democracy, (c) British laws, with them. Council, (d) Foreign Compensation Commission and (e) Great Britain China Centre were on 1 January Russia 2013; and what the (i) ethnicity, (ii) term of office and (iii) remuneration is of each such member. [155847] Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Mr Swire: As at 1 January 2013, the members/ representations his Department has received from non- Commissioners of the Marshall Aid Commemoration governmental organisations on political freedom in Russia. Commission (MACC) were as follows: [156165] 515W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 516W

Mr Lidington: Human rights is a priority area in our Somalia bilateral relationship with Russia and supporting the development of a strong civil society forms a key part of Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign this. We have regular direct contact with non-governmental and Commonwealth Affairs how many women attended organisations (NGOs) based in Russia and the UK. In the conference on Somalia held on 7 May 2013 in recent months we have received representations from London as delegates; what proportion of the total various NGOs about legislation governing the operation delegates were women; and if he will make a statement. of civil society. We are concerned about the series of [155229] laws passed in 2012, including the “foreign agents” NGO law. I raised this subject with Deputy Foreign Mark Simmonds: No formal note was made of the Minister Titov during my visit to Moscow in February. gender of delegates that attended the Somalia conference In a statement in March, I urged the Russian authorities on 7 May in London. In total, representatives from 54 not to place advocacy groups under special scrutiny. countries and organisations attended the conference, Senior officials also raised our concerns about the treatment which was co-chaired by the Prime Minister and by the of civil society at the 2013 UK-Russia Human Rights President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Deputy Dialogue held in Moscow on 8 May, and provided a Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Federal debrief for NGOs in London on 17 May. Government of Somalia, Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam, also attended. Prominent women members of HMG who attended included the Secretary of State for the Home Scotland Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), and the Secretary of State for Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met Member for Putney (Justine Greening). (a) the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for As part of the preparations for the conference, the Culture and External Affairs and (b) any other Foreign and commonwealth Office, the Department for Scottish Government Minister; and what was discussed International Development and the Home Office jointly at any such meeting. [155676] hosted a seminar event on 29 April in which prominent civil society members from Somalia and the UK Diaspora Mr Lidington: Foreign and Commonwealth Office came together to discuss issues facing women in Somalia Ministers have regular contact with devolved today. Administration Ministers in the Joint Ministerial Committee (Europe) (JMC(E)) to discuss European business which Spain touches upon devolved responsibilities. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign (Mr Hague) met the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the for Culture and External Affairs at the JMC(E) on British Ambassador in Madrid has been summoned to 3 December 2012 to discuss European business affecting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid over the last devolved Administrations and prepare for the December seven days. [156132] European Council. I am also in regular contact with the Cabinet Secretary, both in the context of the JMC(E) Mr Lidington: We respect the confidentiality of private and on other aspects of EU business. diplomatic communications and we do not disclose their content. The Foreign Secretary has not had meetings with any other Scottish Government Ministers. Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there has been Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for any formal complaint received from the Spanish Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) his government in respect of the Queen’s Speech. [156137] Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies procured from companies based in Scotland of a value Mr Lidington: We respect the confidentiality of private in excess of £25,000 since May 2010; and what the cost diplomatic communications and we do not disclose to the public purse was of each such procurement their content. contract. [155774] Taiwan Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not hold a central record of contracts which details the location of the supplier organisation. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment FCO Services, one of our largest non-departmental he has made of the protocols on UK relations with the public bodies (NDPB) has spent a total of £2,076,611.44 Republic of China (Taiwan) recognising that country’s with companies in Scotland on Technical Support; Vehicles status. [156139] and Vehicle Parts; and Translation Services between May 2010 and March 2013. We do not hold the data for our other NDPBs. Mr Swire: Our position on Taiwan remains unchanged. Her Majesty’s Government actively promotes and facilitates Further details of the Department’s expenditure the strong and flourishing UK-Taiwan relationship which (including contracts data) can be found here: is based on trade, investment, cultural, educational and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications other links. 517W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 518W

Travel Conference have been (a) allocated to projects, (b) approved, (c) disbursed and (d) pledged by the UK Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Government. [155381] and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public Alistair Burt: The Friends of Yemen was not created bodies for which he is responsible claimed reimbursement as a donor forum. Its principal aim is to co-ordinate for travel subsistence expenses in each of the last five political support from the international community for years; what the total cost was of such claims; and what the Government of Yemen as it seeks to implement the monetary value was of the 20 highest subsistence reform. The right hon. Member will be aware of last claims in each such year. [155409] year’s Donor Conference in Riyadh. We have also seen smaller announcements of aid at recent Friends of Mr Lidington: The information requested, relating to Yemen meetings. In New York in September 2012 an the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and its additional $1,462 billion was promised and at the meeting non-departmental public bodies, is not held centrally in March $70 million was pledged. and is available only at disproportionate cost. Since The Government of Yemen stated in March that of January 2010 the FCO has moved to a system where the $7.9 billion pledged in 2012, $2.7billion has been staff only claim for ‘actual’ expenditure necessarily approved and $1.8billion disbursed. The creation of the incurred as part of their duties. Actual expenses are Executive Bureau, a government body designed to facilitate either claimed back or processed on Government faster delivery of aid in a co-ordinated and transparent Procurement Cards. This replaced the ‘subsistence’ fixed way, is expected to hasten the disbursement of pledges. based system which was in use prior to 2010. The Together with the World Bank, the Bureau is in the current FCO policy ensures accountability and transparency process of creating a matrix of projects to absorb donor in all our travel claims as they are regularly audited, aid. while all transactions made on Government Procurement The UK, through the Department for International Cards over £500 are published on a monthly basis as Development, announced a three-year plan for Yemen part of our transparency obligation. in 2012—including a pledge of £196 million of Official A list of all Government Procurement Card financial Development Assistance. £173.9 million of the pledge transactions spending over £500 made by the FCO, as has to date been allocated, including £70 million to part of the Government’s commitment to transparency humanitarian projects, £4.4 million to support National in expenditure, can be found at: Dialogue, and £7 million to fund preparations for next http://data.gov.uk/dataset/government-procurement-card- year’s elections. To date, £68.2 million of the UK’s spend-over-500-apr-to-aug-2011 pledged funds has been spent. A list of all Government Procurement Card financial transactions spending over £500 made by FCO Services can be found here: http://data.gov.uk/dataset/government-procurement-card- spend-over-500-in-fco-services INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Yemen Angola Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for made of the outcomes of the Friends of Yemen International Development what support her Department Conference on 7 March 2013 in London. [155380] provides to economic and democratic development in Angola. [156469] Alistair Burt: At the meeting the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Lynne Featherstone: Although DFID does not have a Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), bilateral aid programme in Angola, the UK continues focused discussion on the National Dialogue, election to support the economic and democratic development planning, and progress towards allocating donor aid; of Angola through our share of contributions to multilateral and restated the UN’s position that anyone seeking to organisations such as the European Union (EU) and disrupt political transition would face further measures. through regional programmes. The Government of Yemen delegation presented its For example, the 2008-13 EU Angola Country Strategy election plan and Friends of Yemen pledged money to a provides ¤214 million in total financing, contributing to UN-administered election fund. I have recently been sustainable economic development and support for the assured by YemeniForeign Minister al-Qirbi that progress Angolan Government’s strategy to combat poverty and has been made on deciding an appropriate mechanism achieve the millennium development goals (MDG). to ensure eligible voters can participate in elections next year. Since the 7 March meeting the National Dialogue The EU and Angola signed a new cooperation Conference has finally begun, and I am encouraged by partnership agreement in July 2012, the EU-Angola Yemeni-led efforts to establish an Executive Bureau to Joint Way Forward (JWF) which agreed on the principles hasten the delivery of donor aid. of democracy and abidance by human rights and good governance. Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign The World Bank is also currently revising its Country and Commonwealth Affairs how much and what Partnership Strategy with the Government of Angola proportion of funds pledged at each Friends of Yemen for the next three to four years. 519W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 520W

CDC Developing Countries: Health Services

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what safeguards her International Development what proportion of her Department has put in place to ensure the new Department’s support for health services has been provided Commonwealth Development Corporation-managed as (a) general budget and (b) sector budget support for Impact Fund investments in health will reach the poorest each year between 2008 and 2013. [156338] and those most in need. [156336] Justine Greening: Details of the total expenditure on Justine Greening: Investment agreements will identify health are published in Statistics on International a target number of beneficiaries by income level that Development (SID), which is available in the House funds will reach through their investments. Fund Library or online at performance will be assessed against those targets. http://www.gov.uk Indicators, developed with support from the Global Figures for support for health services provided as (a) Impact Investing Network (GIIN), will also monitor general budget and (b) sector budget support are and evaluate the impact of investments on development reproduced as follows: outcomes including health. As a percentage of total DFID bilateral Conditions of Employment aid to health 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people in her General budget support 8 8 6 4 Department are employed on zero hours contracts. Sector budget support 19 17 15 12 Subtotal of budget 27 25 21 16 [156169] support as proportion of health bilateral spend Mr Duncan: None. Developing Countries: Third Sector Consultants Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department International Development how many contracts provides funding to guarantee safe spaces for community awarded to private contractors in the last three years organisations’ leaders and local communities to meet required her Department to release funding beyond the and hold discussions. [156104] original tender. [154430] Lynne Featherstone: The UK Government recognises Justine Greening: DFID’s standard terms of contract that safe spaces for community organisations’ leaders with suppliers provide the ability to vary or extend and local communities, to meet and hold discussions, funding. are essential for effective civic engagement and delivering better outcomes for poor people. Although the Department Developing Countries: Armed Conflict for International Development does not specifically provide funding to organisations for holding meetings Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for and discussions, we encourage organisations that work International Development what assessment she has closely with DFID to support and protect spaces for made of the compliance of her Department’s policies civic engagement. In discussions with other governments in respect of funding for aid agencies operating in and international institutions, the UK Government also situations of armed conflict with the (a) general consistently emphasises the value and importance of principle of the supremacy of the Geneva Conventions protecting space for legitimate civil society activities. and (b) principle of provisions of non-discriminatory medical care to survivors of rape defined under EU Aid international law as wounded and sick; and if she will make a statement. [155627] Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which organisations and Mr Duncan: UK funding of humanitarian agencies individuals are responsible for (a) operating and (b) to meet the needs of those affected by armed conflict is scrutinising EuropeAid and the European Development aligned to HMG’s Humanitarian Policy. Policy Goal 6 Fund; and if she will make a statement. [156251] states that HMG will “implement the appropriate political, security, humanitarian Lynne Featherstone: European Commission Directorate- and development actions necessary to uphold respect for international General EuropeAid and the European External Action law, protect civilians and to secure humanitarian access”. Service are primarily responsible for the operation and In conflict situations UK-funded medical care is provided delivery of aid programmes under the European through humanitarian organisations. These organisations Development Fund and EU aid instruments under the work according to humanitarian principles including General EU Budget. the provision of non-discriminatory aid provided according A UK Representative sits on all the committees to to need and need alone. Where rape has been perpetrated, take decisions on funding and programming of EU survivors are provided assistance by humanitarian agencies development spend under the European Development which include medical, psychological and social care. Fund and the EU aid instruments under the General 521W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 522W

EU budget. I and my officials have regular dialogue Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for with our EU counterparts, including EuropeAid and International Development when she expects the High the External Action Service about EU development Level Panel on the Sustainable Development Goals to policies. produce its report. [155367] The European Court of Auditors is responsible for scrutinising the funding and performance of these aid Justine Greening: The high level panel on the post-2015 programmes to examine whether financial operations development agenda will deliver its report to UN Secretary have been properly recorded and disclosed, legally and General Ban Ki-moon on 30 May 2013. The report will regularly executed and managed so as to ensure economy, be publically available from 31 May 2013. efficiency and effectiveness. Details of the individuals responsible within EuropeAid Overseas Aid and the External Action Service can be found on the respective organisations’ websites: Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/who/whoswho/index_en.htm International Development how her Department channels http://www.eeas.europa.eu/background/organisation/ aid in a way that encourages cross-sector collaboration. index_en.htm [155389] Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Justine Greening: Country operational plans ensure Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for that a holistic approach is taken to development across International Development what (a) financial and (b) sectors. other support the UK has provided to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria since the inception Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for of the Fund; and if she will make a statement. [155692] International Development what steps she is taking to improve the integration of her Department’s programmes Lynne Featherstone: The Global Fund keeps its accounts between its Whitehall and in-country offices. [155390] in US dollars. Since its inception, the UK has contributed the pound sterling equivalent of $1,875 million. We are Justine Greening: In-country offices are supported by currently the fund’s third largest contributor. In addition regional teams in the UK, to help ensure consistency of to financial support, the UK continues to be an active approach and spread best practice. and engaged member of the fund’s governance bodies in Geneva. The UK sits on the fund’s governing board, and is a member of the fund’s finance and operational Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for performance committee. For the last two years the International Development how much and what chairman of the fund’s governing board has been a UK proportion of her Department’s overseas development official, though he acts in an independent capacity. assistance budget has been spent in the UK in each of the last 10 years. [156105] At the country level the UK, through DFID country offices, provides a range of complementary funding and other support to national plans and Global Fund supported Mr Duncan: Over the last 10 years, DFID will have programmes, as well as advice and support through spent some of its budget in the UK through for example in-country governance bodies, most notably the Country its operating expenses, grants to UK civil society Co-ordinating Mechanisms which manage Global Fund organisations and development awareness programmes. Grants. The Department’s systems do not separately identify resources spent in the UK and it would incur International Assistance disproportionate cost to identify this spending for the last 10 years. Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what recent discussions Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for she has had on the role of corporate transparency in International Development what policies her Department the UN post-2015 development framework; and if she has in place to ensure (a) the poorest people and (b) will make a statement; [155366] women benefit from her Department’s private sector (2) what recent discussions she has had with the team investments on education, health and water and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills sanitation. [156168] on corporate reporting and the UN post-2015 development framework; [155368] Justine Greening: DFID’s private sector approach (3) what her policy is on the inclusion of corporate paper sets out how we will deliver results for poor transparency in the UN post-2015 development people including more accessible, better quality healthcare, framework. [155369] schooling and water and sanitation (WASH) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-engine-of- Justine Greening: The UK is supportive of including development-the-private-sector-and-prosperity-for-poor- economic, social and environmental reporting by businesses people in the post-2015 Framework, and we are working with others in the international community to explore how Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for this could be addressed. International Development how her Department’s private I have regular discussions with officials, NGOs and sector team will spend £17 million on education, health other ministerial colleagues on the post-2015 agenda. and water and sanitation. [156337] 523W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 524W

Justine Greening: The total value of PSD’s current Commonwealth Scholarship Commission project portfolio on health, education, and water and Commissioners name Term Remuneration (£) sanitation programmes is almost £56 million. Details of Professor Nyovani 1 May 2008 to 250 per day 2 to the health and education programmes are available at Madise 30 April 2014 3 days per year https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/international- Kathy Mansfield 1 June 2009 to 250 per day 2 to development/development-funding-business 31 May 2015 3 days per year Professor Jeff Waage 1 January 2011 to 250 per day 2 to More information on PSD’s WASH programmes can 31 December 2013 3 days per year be found at: Ros Wade 1 January 2009 to 250 per day 2 to https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/helping-developing- 31 December 2014 3 days per year countries-economies-to-grow/supporting-pages/helping- Professor Jonathan 1 August 2008 to 250 per day 2 to developing-countries-to-improve-their-infrastructure Wastling 31 July 2014 3 days per year Private Education Independent Commission for Aid Impact Commissioners name Term Remuneration (£)

Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Graham Ward (Chief 12 May 2011 to 600 per day up to International Development how much her Department Commissioner) 11 May 2015 65 days per year spent in aid on the payment of private school fees (a) Mark Foster 12 May 2011 to 300 per day up to 11 May 2015 55 days per year by country and (b) in each year since 2010. [156170] Diana Good 12 May 2011 to 300 per day up to 11 May 2015 55 days per year Lynne Featherstone: DFID works to ensure the best John Githongo 12 May 2011 to 300 per day up to possible quality of education for all children in each of 11 May 2015 55 days per year the countries in which we work. Alongside our large-scale programmes to support public sector delivery, we also DFID records and retains anonymised data of ethnicity work to support the children who are outside the public for statistical purposes only, and does not publish an system, whether out-of-school, or enrolled in non-state individual’s ethnic details. schools. Regulation For example, in Pakistan, in 2012-13 we provided £5 million to the Punjab Education Foundation to enable poor children to attend low cost private schools. In Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Sindh, we are piloting an innovative private sector fund, International Development (1) what the title was of which in 2011-12 DFID provided £1,027,000 to two each set of regulations introduced by her Department non-government organisations to support 17,687 poor in each month since May 2010; and which of those children attend low cost private schools. regulations have been (a) subject to the (i) one in one out and (ii) one in two out procedure and (b) (i) Public Appointments revoked and (ii) amended; [155821] (2) what processes her Department has put in place Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for to (a) monitor, (b) collate cost information on, (c) International Development who the members of the review and (d) respond to requests to amend or revoke (a) Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and (b) regulations introduced by her Department. [155799] Independent Commission for Aid Impact were on 1 January 2013; and what the (i) ethnicity, (ii) term of Mr Duncan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I office and (iii) remuneration is of each such member. gave to her on 16 May 2013, Official Report, column 390W. [155845] Scotland Mr Duncan: DFID has two non-departmental public bodies, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for (CSC) and the Independent Commission for Aid Impact International Development when she last met (a) the (ICAI). Currently CSC has 13 members and ICAI has Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for External four. Details of the current membership, term of office Affairs and International Development and (b) any and remuneration are in the following tables. other Scottish Government Minister; and what was Commonwealth Scholarship Commission discussed at any such meeting. [155677] Commissioners name Term Remuneration (£) Justine Greening: I regularly visit DFID staff in East Professor Tim Unwin 1 January 2009 to 6,000 per year (chair) 31 December 2014 Kilbride and plan to meet Scottish Government Ministers Professor Mark Cleary 1 May 2008 to 250 per day 2 to 3 days on my next visit. 30 April 2014 per year Richard Burge 1 July 2012 to 250 per day 2 to 3 days Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for 30 June 2015 per year International Development what (a) her Department Anthony Cary 1 July 2012 to 250 per day 2 to 3 days and (b) its non-departmental public bodies procured 30 June 2015 per year from companies based in Scotland of a value in excess Professor Lorna 1 July 2012 to 250 per day 2 to 3 days Casselton 30 June 2015 per year of £25,000 since May 2010; and what the cost to the Professor Graham 1 January 2011 to 250 per day 2 to 3 days public purse was of each such procurement contract. Furniss 31 December 2013 per year [155768] Professor Christine 1 May 2008 to 250 per day 2 to 3 days Humfrey 30 April 2014 per year Mr Duncan: DFID’s online supplier portal registers Richard Middleton 1 June 2009 to 250 per day 2 to 3 days UK suppliers at the UK level only, complying with 31 May 2015 per year European Union regulations. 525W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 526W

Travel Stephen Hammond: In the 2011 National Infrastructure Plan, the Government made a commitment to building Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for International a new crossing across the Lower Thames, and launched Development how many officials in (a) her Department the analysis of three options to inform a consultation in and (b) the non-departmental public body for which 2013. It is my intention, before the House rises, to she is responsible claimed reimbursement for travel launch a consultation inviting views on the merits of subsistence expenses in each of the last five years; what three options for locating a new road based river crossing the total cost was of such claims; and what the monetary in the Lower Thames area and a variant of one of these value was of the 20 highest subsistence claims in each three options. such year. [155412] Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Mr Duncan: DFID’s financial records do not enable how much and what proportion of the Lower Thames identification of the number of officials claiming Crossing has been provided by (a) local authorities, reimbursement for travel subsistence expenses, without (b) private companies and (c) central Government. incurring disproportionate cost. [155741]

Stephen Hammond: In the 2011 National Infrastructure Plan, the Government made a commitment to building TRANSPORT a new crossing across the Lower Thames, and launched A14 an analysis of options to inform a consultation in 2013. No decisions have yet been taken about the nature of Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for any scheme to introduce a new Lower Thames crossing Transport what progress he has made on alternative or the means of providing it. It is my intention, before approaches to resolving issues along the A14 corridor; the House rises, to launch a consultation inviting views and if he will make a statement. [155739] on the merits of identified options for locating a new road-based river crossing in the Lower Thames area. Stephen Hammond: On 18 July 2012 the Secretary of State for Transport announced plans for improving the A14 between Huntingdon and Milton, north of Cambridge. Bus Services: Disability The announcement on 18 July also stated Government support for desirable rail investment to enable more Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for freight to be carried between Felixstowe and Nuneaton, Transport what assessment he has made of progress and a package of public transport improvements. Details towards the 2015 and 2020 targets for all buses to be are available at: fully accessible to disabled people. [155725] https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/a14-challenge In the interim we are making small improvements to Norman Baker: Statistics on the number of buses the A14 over three years, through a package announced which meet the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility at the 2011 autumn statement and two Pinch Point Regulations, as well as the number of low floor buses schemes. are collected as part of the Department’s annual Public Additionally, work will begin in 2013-14 on major Service Vehicles survey. The results are published in the improvement schemes between junctions 7 and 9 at autumn on the .GOV website. The latest figures, published Kettering and at Catthorpe Interchange where the A14 in 2012, show that 71% of buses in England meet the intersects with the M1 and M6, subject to the completion Accessibility Regulations. of statutory processes.

Air Passenger Duty Bus Services: Fares

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has made to the Transport whether any local authorities have placed a Chancellor of the Exchequer on the effect of air requirement on bus service operators in their area to passenger duty on the UK’s tourism, aviation and charge an adult fare only to persons aged 18 years or airport industries. [155245] over; and if he will consider the merits of supporting Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport, any local authority which wishes to do so. [155721] my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin), meets with the Chancellor as part of Norman Baker: Local authorities which are Travel his day to day business, during which a wide range of Concession Authorities (TCAs) have powers to implement issues are discussed. Decisions on taxation, including discretionary schemes which put an obligation on bus air passenger duty, are taken by the Chancellor. operators to accept concessionary fares for groups of people. In 2011/12, 28 out of 89 TCAs outside London Bridges: River Thames offered concessions to young people. In addition, bus operators in 80 TCA areas offered their own commercial Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for discounts. The age restrictions applicable to each local Transport when he plans to announce the potential scheme vary. Statistics on the provision of youth discounts locations for the new Lower Thames Crossing; when he can be found in National Statistics Table BUS0842 at: plans to launch a consultation; and if he will make a https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/bus08- statement. [155740] concessionary-travel 527W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 528W

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for £ million Transport if he will consider the merits of introducing 2013-14 a statutory definition of an adult fare on all bus 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 (to date) Total services. [155723] Borrowing 800 700 699 200 2,399 Direct 32 336 120 — 488 Norman Baker: The Government appreciates that the contribution fares offer for young people using buses varies significantly Total 832 1,036 819 200 2,887 across the country, and that greater consistency would be fairer and could make bus travel more attractive. The Mayor of London reports regularly on the Crossrail Business Rate Supplement and the borrowing that it The majority of bus operators already operate some supports. Further information on the Business Rate form of discount for young people, and I have encouraged Supplement can be found here: them to continue improving their offers. http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/ supporting-enterprise/crossrail-business-rate-supplement Bus Services: Tickets Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Transport whether the funding for Crossrail rolling what recent progress he has made on introducing smart stock to be met by the Government will be secured ticketing for all bus services for young people; and if he through the UK Guarantees scheme. [155743] will make a statement. [155724] Stephen Hammond: The Government, the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) announced Norman Baker: The coalition Government has recently on 1 March 2013, a move to a fully publicly funded announced two smart ticketing initiatives: the Smart procurement for the delivery of the new fleet of trains Cities Partnerships and the Managed Service Pilot. In and maintenance facilities for Crossrail thereby helping these, we are working closely with local authorities and to ensure that passenger services can open as scheduled operators to increase smart ticketing coverage. We also in late 2018. This change was proposed by the Mayor of pay a smartcard incentive component in Bus Service London and agreed by the Secretary of State. Operator Grant (BSOG) to encourage operators to install smart ticketing. Over 50% of commercially operated The previous proposal to procure Crossrail rolling buses in England outside London are now smart-equipped, stock included a £350 million public sector contribution. and the number continues to rise. The types of tickets The revised arrangement will see the public sector finance offered using smart ticketing technology is a matter for increase to 100% or around £1 billion. The additional bus operators and local authorities to decide. funding is expected to be provided by increased TfL borrowing. Clothing In light of the decision to fund the procurement publically the UK Guarantees scheme is no longer required. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials in (a) his Department Cycling and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible have made a claim for evening dress Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for allowance in each of the last five years; and what the Transport when he expects the Government to issue a total cost of such claims has been. [155456] cross-departmental cycling action plan; and if he will make a statement. [155703] Norman Baker: Allowances claimed for evening dress are not recorded separately from travel and subsistence Norman Baker: The coalition has a commitment to and therefore could only be provided at disproportionate support sustainable travel, including cycling. The “Creating cost. Growth, Cutting Carbon”White Paper and the Department for Transport’s Door to Door Strategy set out actions and funding to deliver on this commitment. Crossrail Line The Government also welcomes the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group (APPCG) inquiry and Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport report. We are currently looking at the recommendations whether he expects the Greater London Authority to carefully and will respond in due course. raise the £4.1 billion towards its agreed contribution for In addition, the Department for Transport has been the total cost of Crossrail from a new business rates co-ordinating a cross-departmental effort to promote supplement. [155742] cycling, in particular with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department of Health. Stephen Hammond: Yes. Of the £4.1 billion that Greater We now plan to take this further by establishing a London Authority (GLA) was to provide toward the project team involving more Departments. Crossrail project from business rates, some £2.9 billion has already been raised by the GLA through borrowing Driving: Young People secured against future income from the Crossrail Business Rate Supplement, and directly from the Crossrail Business Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Rate Supplement itself. A breakdown is provided in the Transport when he plans to publish his young drivers following table: Green Paper. [155729] 529W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 530W

Stephen Hammond: We plan to publish the young Stephen Hammond: In September 2011, Hutchison drivers Green Paper this summer. Port Holdings opened the first two berths of the Felixstowe South development. This provided the first new deep Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for water container capacity for some years in the UK. I Transport what representatives of young people were understand that Hutchison Port Holdings are proceeding present at the March 2013 summit for the motor with the second phase of Felixstowe South, which, industry hosted by his Department. [155731] depending on demand for capacity and economic growth, may be completed around 2018. Stephen Hammond: None. However, the Department published its research into young people and parents Gatwick Airport views of driving and insurance on 25 March which is available on the: Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for www.gov.uk Transport how much and what proportion of the cost of the Gatwick capital investment programme has been website. Young people are also free to give their views contributed by (a) local authorities, (b) private on the options in the forthcoming Green Paper. companies and (c) central Government. [155702]

East Coast Railway Line Mr Simon Burns: Gatwick airport’s capital investment programme is funded entirely by the airport operator, Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Gatwick Airport Ltd. how much and what proportion of the funding for the Hitchin Flyover and North Doncaster Chord on the Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for East Coast Main Line has been contributed by (a) Transport what recent progress has been made on the local authorities, (b) private companies and (c) central Gatwick Capital Investment Programme; and if he will Government. [155713] make a statement. [155706]

Mr Simon Burns: All of the funding for both the Mr Simon Burns: Gatwick airport’s capital investment Hitchin Flyover and the North Doncaster Chord on the programme is funded entirely by the airport operator, East Coast Main Line is provided by Network Rail. Gatwick Airport Ltd. The airport is in the fifth year of its programme for the period 2008 to 2014 (or Q5 plus Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for 1), with significant progress having already been made Transport what recent progress has been made on the on refurbishing and redeveloping the north and south (a) Hitchin Flyover and (b) North Doncaster Chord terminals at the airport. Further information can be on the East Coast Main Line. [155714] found about the improvements on the airport operator’s website at: Mr Simon Burns: Network Rail report that the Hitchin http://www.gatwickairport.com/business/transforming- Flyover will be ready for commissioning in June 2013 gatwick/capital-investment-plan/ and that full train service introduction is planned for Great Western Railway Line the timetable change date in December 2013. Network Rail also report that work started at the Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for North Doncaster Chord site in November 2012 and Transport how much train operating companies will that good progress is being made on the construction of provide towards the £704 million for electrification of the new rail flyover and road bridge. This project is due the Great Western Main Line between Cardiff, Bristol to be completed in spring 2014. and Didcot. [155711]

Electric Vehicles Mr Simon Burns: The train operating companies are contributing expertise and resource in developing the Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport project specification and operating outcomes. They are how many people have received the maximum discount not contributing towards capital costs. on the cost of a new (a) car and (b) van as a result of Heathrow Airport the Government’s Plugged-in Places scheme. [155728]

Norman Baker: The Government’s Plugged-in Places Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for scheme was established to make funding available to Transport how much and what proportion of the cost eight areas in the UK to install charging infrastructure of the Heathrow capital investment programme has to support electric vehicles. It follows therefore that been contributed by (a) local authorities, (b) private nobody has received discounts on the costs of new cars companies and (c) central Government. [155699] or vans as a result of the Plugged-in Places scheme. Mr Simon Burns: Heathrow airport’s capital investment programme is funded entirely by the airport operator, Felixstowe Port Heathrow Airport Ltd.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Transport what recent progress has been made on the what recent progress has been made on Heathrow terminal construction of Felixstowe South; and if he will make a 2A; and whether the system installation has been completed. statement. [155705] [155700] 531W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 532W

Mr Simon Burns: Heathrow terminal 2A is expected Stephen Hammond: London Gateway, the new port to be ready for passenger use in 2014. A timeline for the and logistics park, is being financed and built by DP work and updates on progress can be found on the World. It has already taken delivery of the first five airport operator’s website at: quay cranes. I have been assured that London Gateway http://www.heathrowairport.com/about-us/company-news- is still on schedule to open its first berth this autumn. and-information/improving-heathrow/heathrow’s-new- terminal-2 Motorways: Construction

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on the Transport (1) at what stage of construction the M1 Heathrow capital investment programme; and if he will junctions 10 to 13 project has reached; and when he make a statement. [155701] expects the project to be completed; [155734] (2) at what stage of construction the transport schemes Mr Simon Burns: Heathrow airport’s capital investment (a) M62 junctions 25 to 30, (b) M4 junctions 19 and 20 programme is funded entirely by the airport operator, and M5 junctions 15 to 17, (c) M6 junctions 5 to 8, (d) Heathrow Airport Ltd. The airport is in the fifth year of M1 junctions 32 to 35A, (e) M1 junctions 28 to 31 and its programme for the period 2008 to 2014 (or Q5 plus (f) M25 junctions 5 to 6 and 7 have reached; and when 1), with significant progress having been made on he expects each to be completed; [155735] refurbishing and redeveloping the terminals at the airport, (3) how much and what proportion of the final cost in particular the new terminal 2. Further information of the transport schemes (a) M62 junctions 25 to 30, can be found about the improvements on the airport (b) M4 junctions 19 and 20 and M5 junction 15 to 17, operator’s website at: (c) M6 junctions 5 to 8, (d) M1 junctions 32 to 35A, http://www.heathrowairport.com/about-us/company-news- (e) M1 junctions 28 to 31, (f) M25 junctions 5 to 6 and and-information/improving-heathrow 7, (g) M1 junctions 39 to 42, (h) M60 junctions 8 to 12, (i) M60 junctions 15 to 12 and (j) M62 junctions 18 to High Speed 2 Railway Line 20 has been contributed by (i) local authorities, (ii) private companies and (iii) central Government; Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for [155736] Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of (4) at what stage of construction the transport schemes High Speed 2 on forests and woodland. [R] [155532] (a) A23 Handcross to Warninglid trunk road and (b) A11 Fiveways to Thetford dualling scheme have reached; Mr Simon Burns: The draft Environmental Statement and when he expects each to be completed; [155737] published on 16 May 2013 assesses the impact on forests and woodland on a local basis. The permanent (5) how much and what proportion of the total cost route-wide effect on forestry land is currently being of the transport schemes (a) A23 Handcross to Warninglid assessed and this assessment will continue to be refined trunk road, (b) A11 Fiveways to Thetford dualling up to the deposit of the formal Environmental Statement, scheme and (c) A556 Knutsford to Bowden has been alongside the hybrid Bill later this year. contributed by (i) local authorities, (ii) private companies and (iii) central Government; [155738] King’s Cross Station (6) how much and what proportion of the cost of the transport schemes (a) A453 widening scheme, (b) M25 Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for junctions 23-27, (c) Manchester Airport link road, Transport what recent progress has been made on the second phase, (d) M1/M6 junction 19, (e) A14 Kettering King’s Cross station improvements; and if he will make Bypass, (f) A45/A46 Tollbar End, (g) M3 junctions a statement. [155710] 2-4a, (h) M1 junctions 39-42 and (i) M6 junctions 10a-13 has been contributed by (i) local authorities, (ii) Mr Simon Burns: Network Rail has commenced work private companies and (iii) central Government; on the final stage of the £550 million enhancement and [155747] renewal scheme at King’s Cross station. The work on (7) at what stage of construction the transport schemes the new Southern Square is due to be completed in late (a) A453 widening scheme, (b) M25 junctions 23-27, September 2013. (c) Manchester Airport link road, second phase, (d) This will mark the end of the programme that has M1/M6 junction 19, (e) A14 Kettering Bypass, (f) seen the construction of the new Western Concourse, A45/A46 Tollbar End, (g) M3 junctions 2-4a, (h) M1 which opened in March 2012, a new platform as well as junctions 39-42 and (i) M6 junctions 10a-13, announced the complete refurbishment of the existing platforms in the Autumn Statement, have reached; and when he and roof in the main train shed. expects each to be completed. [155748]

London Gateway Port Stephen Hammond: The information requested has been provided in a table titled “Stage of construction and cost information of Highways Agency major schemes” Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for has been placed in the Libraries of the House. Transport (1) what progress has been made on the construction of London Gateway; and if he will make Northern Line a statement; [155698] (2) when he expects the first quayside container Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for cranes and port equipment to be delivered to the Transport what recent progress has been made on the London Gateway site. [155704] Northern line extension to Battersea; and how much 533W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 534W and what proportion of the funding of the project has Railways: North West been contributed by (a) local authorities, (b) private companies and (c) central Government. [155697] Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what stage of construction the Ordsall Chord element Stephen Hammond: Transport for London submitted of the Northern Hub has reached; and how much and a Transport and Works Act Order application to the what proportion of the funding of the project has been Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend contributed by (a) local authorities, (b) private companies the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin), and (c) central Government. [155707] on 30 April seeking planning approval for the proposed Northern line extension to Battersea. This marks the start of the statutory process during which people or Mr Simon Burns: Network Rail is consulting on the organisations can make representations to Government Ordsall Chord prior to submitting an application for with their views on the proposed scheme. planning consent in the summer. Subject to receiving development consents, the scheme is scheduled to be Funding for the proposed extension is guaranteed by completed by late 2016. The scheme is to be funded the UK Guarantee finance package confirmed by the through the Government’s Rail Investment Strategy. Chancellor in his 2012 autumn statement. The UK Guarantee will allow the Mayor of London to borrow £1 billion at a new preferential rate to support the Railways: Oxfordshire scheme, subject to the agreement of a binding funding and development agreement with developers, the Mayor Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport of London and partner authorities during 2013. While how much and what proportion of the funding for the the borrowing will be done by the public sector, the Oxford to Bicester rail improvement scheme has been funding to repay this borrowing will come from the contributed by (a) local authorities, (b) private companies private sector. The Greater London Authority and and (c) central Government. [155716] Transport for London are currently finalising arrangements for the financing of the extension with the developers, Mr Simon Burns: The Oxford to Bicester rail scheme central Government and the local authorities. includes a number of elements. Work is under way to integrate the Chiltern Railways Evergreen 3 scope of Railways work for Oxford to Bicester into the wider East West Rail scheme, which extends from Oxford to Bletchley Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for and Bedford. The cost of Chiltern Railways’ Evergreen Transport what recent progress has been made on the 3 scope of works will be funded by them. The wider Northern rail connectivity scheme from Liverpool to Oxford to Bicester works required for the East West Newcastle including the Northern Hub; and if he will Rail Project, including double tracking, are being funded make a statement. [155708] largely by Network Rail and were included in their Strategic Business Plan published in January 2013. Mr Simon Burns: Network Rail is on schedule to Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plan estimated deliver the connectivity improvements contained within their contribution to the whole East West Project at Northern Hub in two phases. In December 2016, services £351 million in Control Period 5 (in 2012-13 prices). between Liverpool and Newcastle will use the Chat This excludes Chiltern Railways’ contribution for the Moss route via Manchester Victoria giving substantial scope of the Evergreen 3 works. In addition the East journey time reductions. From December 2018 West Rail consortium of local authorities along the electrification between Manchester and York will be route has agreed to contribute up to £50 million towards completed giving further journey time savings. the project. A separate breakdown of the detailed cost of the Railways: Electrification Oxford to Bicester element is not available because it is under development and subject to commercial negotiations. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for The Department for Transport has provided £2.4 million Transport how many miles of rail track will have been for the delivery of early design and survey work to electrified by 2015; and what timetable he has set for enable the Evergreen 3 scope to be integrated into the rail electrification projects. [155712] wider East West Rail plans. This work was completed in 2012. Mr Simon Burns: The Government has committed to 850 miles of electrification by 2019 and by 2015 expects Network Rail to have made significant progress on the Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport electrification of the Great Western, Trans Pennine, what recent progress has been made on the construction North West England, Cardiff Valley Lines, Midland of the Oxford to Bicester rail improvement scheme. Main Line and East West Rail routes ready for the [155717] phased introduction of electric services by 2019. As a minimum 50 miles will be complete by 2015 which will Mr Simon Burns: Chiltern Railways and Network facilitate new electric services over a much wider part of Rail are working together on the delivery of the Oxford the network including between Liverpool and Manchester to Bicester route as part of the larger East West Rail and between Manchester Airport and Scotland. This Project, which extends from Oxford to Bletchley and calculation excludes the test site that will be provided Bedford. Recent progress includes the granting of Transport for new IEP trains between Reading and Didcot by and Works Act construction powers for the Oxford to 2015. Bicester work (appeal currently under way), and design 535W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 536W and survey work to integrate Chiitern’s Evergreen 3 scheme Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for with the wider East West Rail plans. Major work on the Transport which train operating companies have been route is anticipated to begin later in 2013. given permission by his Department to close ticket offices since May 2010; and in respect of which stations Railways: Tickets such permission has been given. [155727]

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Simon Burns: With the exception of London Transport what progress has been made on smart rail Midland, no operators have been given permission to ticketing in London and the South East; and if he will close ticket offices since May 2010. Ministers approved make a statement. [155715] the closure of the London Midland ticket offices at Cheddington, Lye, Witton and Wythall in September Norman Baker: Two train operators in the South East 2012 as a necessary step in improving the efficiency of already have smart ticketing infrastructure in place, and the rail network. are running small scale pilots with passengers, as a result of obligations contained within their franchise agreements. Reading Station The South East Flexible Ticketing (SEFT) programme commits £45 million to a wider roll out of smart ticketing Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for on rail in the South East. My officials have been working Transport what recent progress has been made on the with train operators and Transport for London to agree Reading station area redevelopment programme; and if the details of the scheme and how it will work for he will make a statement. [155709] passengers. There are several technical and commercial issues to be addressed, but good progress has been Mr Simon Burns: I am pleased with the progress of made, and under current plans smart ticketing should Reading station redevelopment. Passengers are now be available to passengers in the South East before using the new concourse and subways while new platforms March 2015. have been brought into use. Depot and bus station works have been progressing towards completion later Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in the year. Overall, the Reading project is on course to what communications have taken place between his be finished a year early and under budget. I would like Department and the operators of (a) Thameslink, (b) to thank the industry for working together to make this TransPennine, (c) South Western, (d) Northern, (e) happen. National Express East Anglia and Abellio, (f) C2C (Thameside), (g) First Great Western, (h) Merseyrail, Roads: Accidents (i) West Coast Main Line, (j) Cross Country, (k) Arriva Trains Wales, (l) Chiltern, (m) Southeastern, (n) Southern, (o) London Midland, (p) East Coast Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Main Line, (q) London Overground and (r) Scotrail Transport what proportion of people who were killed on the closure of station ticket offices in the last 12 or seriously injured in road accidents in 2011 were months; and on what dates each such communication involved in a collision where at least one driver was took place. [155726] aged (a) between 24 and 35, (b) between 35 and 45, (c) between 45 and 55, (d) between 55 and 65 and (e) Mr Simon Burns: There have been no communications 65 years and over. [155732] with these operators with the exception of London Midland, where there have been communications in Stephen Hammond: The number and proportion of connection with the closure of nine ticket offices, of casualties killed and seriously injured in 2011 in accidents which five were rejected and four approved by Ministers are given in the following table, grouped by the age of at in September 2012. least one of the drivers involved.

Age band of at least one driver in the accident (years)

24 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over

Fatal casualties

Number of casualties 563 548 537 329 347

Percentage of all casualties 30 29 28 17 18

Seriously injured casualties

Number of casualties 6,544 5,900 5,503 3,450 3,106

Percentage of all casualties 28 26 24 15 13

Fatal or seriously injured casualties

Number of casualties 7,107 6,448 6,040 3,779 3,453 537W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 538W

Age band of at least one driver in the accident (years) 24 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and over

Percentage of all casualties 28 26 24 15 14 Notes: 1. Casualty figures exclude accidents which involve any combination of only non-motorised vehicles (i.e. pedal cycles, ridden horses or pedestrians) and those where the age of all drivers was unknown. However, proportions are calculated as a proportion of all road casualties. 2. Age bands refer to all ages inclusive of the top and bottom of the band. 3. Some casualties will be counted in more than one age band—e.g. a casualty from an accident involving drivers of different age bands will be counted in all the relevant age band categories. Therefore the proportions sum to more than 100%.

Roads: Lighting 2014-15 to local highway authorities in England, including Transport for London, for highways maintenance which Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for could include repairing pothole damage. Transport (1) how many streetlights, which had been In addition, and in recognition of the damage caused switched off by a local authority, have been turned back by the severe winter weather of 2010-11, in March 2011 on following (a) a coroner’s report and (b) resident the Department for Transport allocated an additional pressure in the latest period for which figures are available; £200 million to local authorities in England, including [155275] London authorities. (2) what recent assessment he has made of the effect The Government also recognises the need for improved of turning off streetlights on increasing the fear of highways maintenance over the longer-term and has crime; [155276] taken action. In April 2011 we announced a £6 million (3) what recent assessment he has made of the effects programme for Highways Maintenance Efficiency to of turning off streetlights on the emergency services; look at longer-term maintenance strategies. This programme [155277] is providing practical and adaptable efficiency solutions, for authorities to make informed local investment decisions (4) what recent assessment he has made of the effect to support their local community and economy. As part of streetlights on social activities; [155278] of the Programme, an initiative was announced to help (5) whether he has an Invest to Save strategy for assist local authorities deal with potholes on the local streetlights; [155279] highway network. A final report has been and is available for download from the following web address: Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/pothole-review/pothole- not hold information on how many street lights switched review.pdf off by a local authority have been turned back on following (a) a coroner’s report or (b) resident pressure. Speed Limits It is for each local highway authority responsible for street lighting in their area to decide the level of service Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for they wish their street lighting network to deliver. No Transport which local authorities have implemented 20 assessment has been made by the Department for Transport miles per hour speed limit zones. [155730] on the effects of turning off street lights and the fear of crime, on emergency services or on social activities. Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does It is important that local authorities consider the not collect information about which local authorities safety, cost and environmental savings before switching have implemented 20 miles per hour speed limits and off lighting columns, reducing the hours of operation zones. Any decision about whether to implement 20 or dimming lighting levels within their areas. miles per hour speed limits and zones is a matter for This Government is providing over £3 billion from local authorities to determine. 2011 to 2015 to highway authorities in England for highways maintenance, including street lighting. If a Thameslink Railway Line local highway authority is considering upgrading or improving their street lighting stock, the Department Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for for Transport encourages them to consider the ″Invest Transport what recent progress he has made on the to Save″ Guidance produced by the Association of Thameslink rolling stock contract; and if he will make Directors of Environment, Planning and Transport a statement. [155718] (ADEPT) which is available from the Institution of Lighting Professionals: Mr Simon Burns: We are working closely with Siemens www.theilp.org.uk and Cross London Trains to finalise the contractual documentation, and completing the due diligence checks Roads: Repairs and Maintenance and governance approvals needed before award of a major contract. We expect to award the contract shortly. Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what extra financial help his Department is Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport making available to local authorities to help clear by what date he expects the upgrade of Thameslink rail potholes. [155398] to be fully operational. [155719]

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport Mr Simon Burns: We expect to see the full 24 trains announced on 18 December 2012 that it was allocating per hour service operating on the upgraded infrastructure a further £140 million in 2013-14 and £75 million in in December 2018. 539W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 540W

Training 24 are under construction (Walton Bridge, Reading Station Highway Improvements, Nottingham Express Transit Phase 2, Rochdale Interchange, Midland Metro Birmingham City Centre Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Extension, Manchester Cross City Bus, White Rose Way Improvement Transport how many officials in (a) his Department (opening 24 May), Kingskerswell Bypass, A43 Corby Link Road, and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which A57 M1 J31 Todwick Crossroads Improvement, Ipswich Transport he is responsible enrolled in publicly-funded training Fit for 21st Century, Bath Transportation Package, Portsmouth courses in each of the last five years; what the total cost Northern Road Bridge, Evesham Bridge, Weston Package Phase 1, has been of such courses; and what the monetary value Portsmouth Tipner Interchange, Worcester Integrated Transport, Camborne-Pool-Redruth Transport Package, Loughborough Town was of the 10 highest training course fees in each such Centre Improvement, London Road Bridge (Derby), Access York year. [155436] Phase 1, Beverley Integrated Transport Plan, Luton Town Centre, and Bexhill Hastings Link Road); Norman Baker: The Department for Transport is 28 are securing the necessary legal powers or completing committed to investing in its staff and ensuring people procurement following which a bid for final approval will be have the skills they need to perform their job effectively. submitted (Mersey Gateway Bridge, A18-A180 Link, A45 Westbound We actively encourage staff to take five days training a Bridge, Beadle/Aiskew/Leeming Bar Bypass, Ashton Vale to Temple year through initiatives including the Civil Service’s Meads Bus Rapid Transit, North Fringe to Hengrove Bus Rapid Campaign for Learning programme. Transit, Chester Road, Coventry-Nuneaton Rail Improvement, Crewe Green Link Road, Croxley Rail Link, Darlaston Access The Department does not centrally record the number Improvement, Elmbridge Transport, Heysham-M6 Link Road, of officials who have taken training courses: to provide Hucknall Town Centre Improvement, Leeds Inner Relief Road this information, along with the ten highest training Maintenance, Leeds New Generation Transport, Leeds Rail Growth, course fees, would incur disproportionate costs. Leeds Station Southern Access, Lincoln Eastern Bypass, Morpeth Northern Bypass, Norwich Northern Distributor Road, Nottingham The Department spent the following amounts on Ring Road, Pennine Reach, South Yorkshire Bus Rapid Transit training in each of the last three years: North, South Bristol Link, Sunderland Strategic Corridor, Taunton Northern Inner Distribution Route and Thornton to Switch Amount spent on training (£) Island); one (A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road) has yet to receive 2009-10 4,475,000 initial, Programme Entry, approval; 2010-11 6,653,000 one (Sheffield Supertram Additional Vehicles) is being funded 2011-12 3,433,400 through the proposed Tram-Train scheme; and The information for the previous two years is not the future of the Isles of Scilly Link scheme is still under consideration. held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs. As regards the specific schemes listed on which the following information was requested: Transport: Finance (a) what stage of construction the scheme is at (b) completion date Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (c) how much and what proportion of the funding of the local (1) what progress has been made on his Department’s authority major transport schemes has been contributed by (i) Investment in Local Major Transport schemes package local authorities, (ii) private companies and (iii) central Government. published in January 2012; and what stage of construction The answers are: each scheme has reached; [155744] Heysham-M6 Link Road: (2) how much and what proportion of the funding of (a) awaiting completion of remaining statutory procedures the local authority major transport schemes (a) (b) completion date dependent on outcome of the recent Heysham-M6 Link Road, (b) Midland Metro, (c) Judicial Review Manchester Metro Link Phase 3A, (d) Birmingham New Street, (e) Nottingham Express Transit and (f) (c) ( i) £12.64 million, (ii) £0 million, (iii) £123.569 million Tyne and Wear Metro renewal has been contributed by Midland Metro (Birmingham City Centre Extension): (i) local authorities, (ii) private companies and (iii) (a) Under construction central Government; [155745] (b) services on new line scheduled to start in 2015 (3) at what stage of construction the local authority (c) (i) £53.2 million, (ii) £0 million, (iii) £75.4 million major transport schemes (a) Heysham-M6 Link Road, (b) Midland Metro, (c) Manchester Metro Link Phase Manchester Metro Link Phase 3A: 3A, (d) Birmingham New Street, (e) Nottingham Express (a) Rochdale and Chorlton extensions both open. Transit and (f) Tyne and Wear Metro renewal have (b) see above reached; and when he expects each to be completed. (c) (i) £330.7 million, (ii) £0 million, (iii) £244.3 million [155746] Birmingham New Street: Norman Baker: Good progress is being made on the (a) Phase 1 completed on 28 April 2013 programme of major local authority promoted schemes (b) Phase 2 scheduled to be completed in 2015. contained in the Investment in Local Major Transport (c) (i) £110 million, (ii) £200 million, (iii) £160 million. In schemes package published in January 2012. The 58 addition £128 million is coming from Network Rail schemes on which decisions were made by this Government Nottingham Express Transit: are at the following stages: (a) Under construction three are complete (East of Exeter Improvement, Mansfield Interchange, A164 Humber Bridge to Beverley); (b) Services on the new extensions are due to start in late 2014. 541W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 542W

(c) Scheme being procured as a DBFO PFI scheme. The By working in partnership local authorities and bus Government is providing funding up to a maximum present value operators hold the key to unlock access to local transport of £371 m towards the total maximum scheme cost of £570m. for young people, and I remain committed to working There is no private funding. with the industry to improve things further. Tyne and Wear Metro renewal: (a) Under construction Travel (b) 11 year renewal programme started in 2010 (c) (i) £35 million, (ii) £0 million, (iii) £350 million. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible Transport: Young People claimed reimbursement for travel subsistence expenses in each of the last five years; what the total cost was of such claims; and what the monetary value was of the Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 20 highest subsistence claims in each such year. [155416] (1) what assessment he has made of the affordability of transport for people aged 16 to 18 who are (a) apprentices Norman Baker: The information requested is not held and (b) in full-time education; [156254] centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate (2) which (a) transport providers and (b) local cost. However, between 2009-10 and 2012-13, total authorities are currently providing concessionary fares expenditure on travel and subsistence for the central to 16 to 18 year old (i) apprentices and (ii) full-time Department has fallen by 16%. students. [156255]

Norman Baker: On the national rail network discounted fares for young people are available through the 16-25 WORK AND PENSIONS Railcard. The card costs £30 for one year or £70 for three years. It saves around one third on a wide range of Fraud tickets including all Standard and First Class Advance fares. 17. Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for The legislation which regulates the bus industry, and Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of which we inherited in 2010, does not require bus operators his Department’s counter-fraud activities. [155875] to offer reduced fares for young people, including those accessing training or further education. However, in Mr Hoban: At a cost of £5.8 billion a year, benefit many areas reduced fares are available from bus operators and tax credit fraud and error is still too high. or through local authority concessionary fare schemes. The level of discount and age at which it applies varies This is why we are piloting a Single Fraud Investigation from one operator to another, creating a confusing Service to bring together the expertise of fraud agencies patchwork of fares. across Government. In 2011/12, 28 out of 89 Travel Concession Authorities We have introduced tougher punishments for benefit (TCAs) outside London offered concessions to young fraud, including a minimum penalty of £350, and loss people. In addition, bus operators in 80 TCA areas of benefit for up to three years for those convicted by offered their own commercial discounts. That the courts. notwithstanding, I am working with the bus industry and others to see how the offer to young people might Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for be improved. Work and Pensions whether (a) his Department or (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is Statistics on the provision of youth discounts can be responsible or any of its agencies and (c) his found in National Statistics Table BUS0842 at: Department’s Executive agencies use (i) Atos and (ii) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/bus08- any other company for the provision of counter-fraud concessionary-travel activities and related services. [156472]

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Hoban: The Department does not use Atos or Transport what recent progress he has made on any other company to deliver counter-fraud activities delivering discounted travel to all persons aged 18 years on our behalf. We do, however, use two other companies and under. [155722] to help us to deliver some fraud-related services. We recently completed a data matching pilot which used Norman Baker: Affordable and accessible transport is information provided by Experian to help us identify important for enabling young people to make progress potentially fraudulent cases, and we also work with in education, training and employment. I have challenged Equifax to obtain financial information to assist the bus industry to improve their offer to young people, departmental fraud investigators in their work. and I am pleased that progress is already being made. Since January 2011, central Government Departments have been required to publish on Contracts Finder Over 90% of the bus industry is now represented on information on the contracts they award: the BUSFORUS web portal, and upcoming developments will bring together fares information with real-time www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/ data, providing a significant step-change in the accessibility In addition, Departments publish details of spend in of travel information aimed at young people. excess of £25,000. 543W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 544W

Separated Parents Universal Credit Pathfinder

18. Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for 24. Claire Perry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to help Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of separated parents work together in the best interests of the introduction of the universal credit pathfinder. their children. [155876] [155883]

Steve Webb: I have today announced next steps in Mr Hoban: It is too early to make a formal assessment reforming the child maintenance system in a way that of universal credit yet. incentivises separated parents to collaborate in the interests of their children. Children: Maintenance This is supported by up to £20 million of investment in the Help and Support for Separated Families initiative. Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for So far, we have awarded £6.5 million to seven organisations, Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 7 to provide 280,000 families with assistance, which we March 2013, Official Report, column 198W on will carefully evaluate. children: maintenance, what plans he has to ensure that Personal Independence Payment parents with care who benefit from active arrears collection arrangements and who do not have a Child Support Agency (CSA) case with a current liability will 20. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for continue to receive the child maintenance arrears they Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of are legally owed once their CSA case is closed. [155540] the implementation of the personal independence payment to date. [155878] Steve Webb: It is the intention that parents with care who do not have a current CSA child maintenance Esther McVey: Personal independence payment liability, but benefit from arrears collection, will continue successfully went live in the controlled start area, supported to have those arrears collected where their case details by a brand new IT and delivery system, on 8 April. are transferred to the new child maintenance system. This has been one of the biggest, most challenging and significant reforms of the welfare system to date. I Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all Work and Pensions what proportion of Child Support those people who have been involved in helping us get Agency (CSA) assessed cases with a positive liability, to where we are now, including both staff and stakeholders excluding maintenance direct cases, have been fully such as user-led organisations. compliant with the payments required to be made State Pension under the Child Support Act 1991 in each of the last four quarters; and how many such cases are (a) fully compliant without deductions being made from a 23. Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for paying parent’s earnings or benefits and (b) fully Work and Pensions which groups will benefit from the compliant where the CSA is making deductions from reforms to the state pension planned for 2016. [155881] earnings or benefits. [155950]

Steve Webb: All pensioners retiring under the single Steve Webb: The following table shows over the last tier will benefit from greater certainty of income in four quarters the number of CSA cases where maintenance retirement under single tier, providing a firm foundation has been paid in full, split by whether payment is being to support people in saving for retirement. made by a deduction from earnings or deduction from The single-tier pension will be fairer for women, benefits and the number of cases where the method of especially those that have spent time in low-paying jobs collection is not a deduction from earnings or deduction or caring for others in the past. from benefit eg standing order, direct debit. Self-employed people will also be brought fully into Figures are based on the method of collection at the the state pension. end of each quarter.

Of which: Number of cases where Number of cases where Number of cases where maintenance is due Number of cases paying method of collection is method of collection is (excluding in full (excluding deduction from benefit not deduction from Maintenance Direct Maintenance Direct Percentage of cases or deduction from benefit or deduction Quarter ending: cases) cases) paying in full earnings from earnings

June 2012 681,900 339,700 50 167,500 172,200 September 2012 689,100 337,300 49 162,200 175,100 December 2012 696,300 329,200 47 154,700 174,500 March 2013 691,800 342,100 49 170,600 171,500

Cases are classed as having maintenance due if an Method of collection is not available for off system ongoing liability to pay maintenance exists, or if arrears cases, figures have therefore been increased proportionately of maintenance exist and payment has been requested. to account for off system performance so the totals shown are representative of our case load as a whole. 545W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 546W

Conditions of Employment New Enterprise Allowance

Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for and Pensions how many people in his Department are Work and Pensions what progress he has made on the employed on zero hours contracts. [156097] introduction of the new enterprise allowance in (a) England and (b) Northamptonshire. [156094] Mr Hoban: I can confirm that there are no people employed by the Department for Work and Pensions on Mr Hoban: From January 2011 up to and including a zero-hour contract. November 2012 there have been 27,160 starts with a new enterprise allowance (NEA) business mentor and Fuel Poverty 13,150 starts to the weekly allowance in England. These figures are based upon official Get Britain Working Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for statistics available via the DWP website: Work and Pensions what recent progress he has made http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/pwp/pwp_gbw_feb13.pdf on reducing fuel poverty. [155977] We have not published data at county level but have published data on the number of NEA mentor starts Gregory Barker: I have been asked to reply on behalf and weekly allowance starts by local authority, Jobcentre of the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Plus district and parliamentary constituency. This can This Government is strongly committed to helping be found at: households, especially low income and vulnerable http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/adhoc_analysis/2013/ households, heat their homes at an affordable cost. nea_by_la_jcp_district_parl_c.xls On 16 May 2013, the latest official statistics were Note: published. They show that the number of households in The numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. fuel poverty in 2011 was lower than in 2010, as measured under both the 10% indicator and the low income high Social Security Benefits costs (LIHC) indicator proposed by Professor John Hills in his independent review of fuel poverty. The statistics also reveal an increase in the fuel poverty gap Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for in 2011 compared to 2010. The full statistics are available Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of at: the effectiveness of the introduction of the benefit cap. www.gov.uk/government/publications/fuel-poverty-report- [155882] annual-report-on-statistics-2013 Mr Hoban: The benefit cap was successfully implemented Housing Benefit in four London boroughs on 15 April. Households are now being capped and support continues Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for to be provided to help claimants adjust their circumstances. Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the potential effects of eviction on the (a) Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work education and (b) emotional stability of children. and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number [154311] of sanctions that have been placed on (a) employment and support allowance and (b) jobseeker’s allowance Steve Webb: No such assessment has been made. claimants as a result of a missed appointment or the claimant failing to follow-up written correspondence. The Government do not expect an increase in evictions. In respect of universal credit, the Department published [156408] on 11 February 2013 guidance on personal budgeting support for claimants and those who may provide advice Mr Hoban: The information requested on claimants to them. who fail to follow-up on written correspondence is not recorded as a reason for sanction and is therefore not Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work available. and Pensions what provision is made in housing benefit In response to part (a); regulations to cover the situation in which a household The information requested on the number of sanctions member is absent for part of the year in residence at an that have been placed on employment and support educational institution. [155762] allowance (ESA) claimants for failure to attend is not readily available and to provide it would incur Steve Webb: Details can be found in: disproportionate cost. The Housing Benefit Decision Maker’s Guide, In response to part (b); Chapter A3, paragraphs 3.370 to 3.372: The latest statistics on the number of jobseeker’s http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/hbgm-a3-liability-to-make- allowance (JSA) sanction and disallowance referrals, payments.pdf where a decision has been made, by reason for referral, Chapter A5, paragraph 5.504: including “Failure to attend advisory interview (post http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/hbgm-a5-calculating-benefit.pdf April 2010)” and “Failure to attend place on training Chapter C1, paragraph 1.140: scheme/emp prog”, can be found at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/hbgm-c1-aggregation-of- http://83.244.183.180/sanction/sanction/LIVE/dec_fix_dec/ needs.pdf q_2gp/dct_gp/a_stock_r_q_2gp_c_dct_gp_oct12.html 547W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 548W

Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work single-tier state pension as a result of an expectation of and Pensions what representations he has received being able to rely on their husband’s contributions to from (a) employment and support allowance and (b) provide entitlement to a basic state pension. [156401] jobseeker’s allowance claimants who have not attended meetings relating to their claim or failed to take Steve Webb: Estimates of the impact on women of required actions because they did not receive a letter the ending of derived entitlement to basic state pension notifying them of these. [156409] based on a partner’s national insurance contribution record are presented in section 3.2 of the recent update Mr Hoban: The DWP does not hold a record of the to the impact assessment of “The single-tier pension: a information requested. The information requested on simple foundation for saving”. This is available at claimants who fail to take required actions due to them https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ not receiving an appropriate letter by the Department is attachment_data/file/197841/single-tier-ia-april-2013.pdf not recorded as a complaint reason and is therefore not available. Statistics Sodium Valproate Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions his Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of Department has been rebuked by the Chair of the UK the potential implications for the benefits system of the Statistics Authority for misusing statistics since May effects of sodium valproate on (a) the women who 2010. [155948] took it during their pregnancy and (b) their children. [155920] Mr Hoban: Correspondence between the UK Statistics Authority and the Department for Work and Pensions Mr Hoban: Although we record the conditions of is published on the authority’s website: people claiming disability benefits and other benefits http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/reports--- relating to their condition, we do not record the specific correspondence/correspondence causes of their condition ie disability due to mother taking prescribed drugs during pregnancy which caused birth defects. Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the letter sent to State Retirement Pensions him from the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, dated 9 May 2013, whether he plans any changes to his Department’s procedures in response. [155949] Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people in receipt of the state pension who contracted Mr Hoban: DWPs Permanent Secretary wrote to the out of additional elements are now worse off than they UK Statistics Authority on 14 May 2013, addressing would have been had they not done so. [155832] the issues raised in Mr Dilnot’s letter of 9 May 2013. This correspondence is available on the Authority’s Steve Webb: The information is not held and no website: reliable estimates could be obtained. http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/reports--- correspondence/correspondence John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish an updated Unemployment: Young People version of his Department’s paper, State Pension entitlements derived from a current or former spouse’s or civil partner’s national insurance contributions to Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work take into account the changed introduction date of the and Pensions what assessment he has made of the single-tier state pension. [156400] International Labour Organisation report published on 8 May 2013 on the societal implications of the failure to Steve Webb: The Department has no plans to update increase work opportunities for young people. [155509] this document. This is because the principles and mechanics of this aspect of the single-tier reforms have remained Mr Hoban: The International Labour Organization unchanged following the announcement that the single-tier (ILO) makes a valuable contribution to sharing information pension will be implemented in 2016. Reference to the and best practice from around the world and we welcome implementation date should be understood as ‘April its report, “Global Employment Trends for Youth2013”. 2016’, and not ‘April 2017 at the earliest’. This is made We will consider the report and will continue to engage clear on the Gov.uk website. with the ILO on employment issues, including at the The assertion that approximately 8,000 women will forthcoming G20 Labour and Employment Ministers benefit from the reduced rate election transitional protection meeting. measures would not change substantially with a 2016 There are no specific references to the UK in the start date. report; however, the labour market for young people in the UK is showing signs of improvement. The ILO John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for measure of 16-24 unemployment is down 57,000 over Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the the past year, and the number of young people claiming number of women nearing state pension age who will jobseeker’s allowance has fallen for the eleventh consecutive be financially disadvantaged by the introduction of the month. 549W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 550W

Universal Credit IBM United Kingdom Ltd Mckinsey and Company Inc. Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Notum Associates Ltd Work and Pensions what steps his Department has Xantus Consulting. taken to recognise the situation of self-employed people and the unpredictable flow of income such people may Winter Fuel Payments: Northern Ireland receive in designing the universal credit system. [155754] Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Hoban: Self-employed earnings will be reported for Work and Pensions how many households are in on a simplified “cash accounting” basis which asks for receipt of winter fuel allowance in each parliamentary the total income from receipts into the business and constituency in Northern Ireland. [156256] details of payments out of the business under defined categories. The requirements have been designed to be Steve Webb: This is a matter for Ministers in the as simple as possible and to align, where possible, with Northern Ireland Executive. HMRC’s new cash basis and simplified expenses system, in order for claimants to easily report their earnings. Work Programme We are aware that self-employed earnings often fluctuate from month to month. We are therefore looking at the Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work feasibility of introducing a mechanism for carrying and Pensions what assessment his Department has forward profits and losses in universal credit. made of payments by results in the context of the Work programme; and whether it will continue. [156360] Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Hoban: It is too soon to judge the Work programme Work and Pensions how many universal credit staff payment by results model; however, it is already clear ambassadors are working with Ashton-under-Lyne that the Work programme is helping people off benefit Jobcentre Plus to assist with the introduction of universal and into employment. We will be publishing further credit. [155947] data on Work programme outcomes on June 27 2013. Mr Hoban: The role of the universal credit ambassador The Department remains committed to payment by is to cascade key messages, help staff at a local level to results and to the Work programme. understand what universal credit means to them and why we need to think and act differently to deliver it successfully, and to promote a new culture where we HEALTH expect more from our claimants. Accident and Emergency Departments We have one universal credit ambassador in Ashton- under-Lyne with this person being part of a wider local Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health support team. how many patients waited four hours or more in accident and emergency departments in (a) each London hospital Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for trust and (b) all such trusts in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 Work and Pensions how much his Department has and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. spent on external consultants for the universal credit [156480] project, in addition to spending on the universal credit IT system, since May 2010. [156341] Anna Soubry: Officials are currently collating the information requested. I will write to the hon. Member Mr Hoban: The total cost of the consultants employed with the information when it is available and place a on the universal credit programme in each of the last copy in the Library. three years is as follows: £5.6 million in 2011-12 and £3.2 million in 2012-13. Accident and Emergency Departments: Bassetlaw There was no consultancy expenditure in 2010-11 recorded against the universal credit programme. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in Bassetlaw constituency have had Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for to wait more than four hours before being treated at an Work and Pensions which external consultants have accident and emergency facility in the latest period for worked on the universal credit project, other than on which figures are available. [155639] the universal credit IT system, since May 2010. [156343] Anna Soubry: The information is not held in the format requested. For the week ending 5 May 2013, Mr Hoban: The following consultancy firms have data published by NHS England shows that 184 patients worked on the universal credit project: waited longer than four hours for admission following a Bramble Ltd decision to admit at the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals Capgemini UK plc NHS Foundation Trust. CESG Note: Compass Management Consulting Data showing how many patients waited longer than four hours Deloitte LLP before being treated at an accident and emergency facility is not available at constituency level. Ernst and Young Source: Emergn Ltd NHS England statistics, accident and emergency waiting times Evolve Business Consultancy Limited and activity. 551W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 552W

Broadmoor Hospital While the Trust was developing the business case, work was undertaken to agree the size of high secure hospital sector and commissioned bed numbers, and to Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health confirm service requirements at Broadmoor. (1) what assessment he has made of whether the number of beds proposed under the redevelopment of Broadmoor As a result, the Trust submitted the outline business Hospital is consistent with (a) reductions in the length case (OBC) to the Department in 2010. Due to a of stay in high secure hospitals over the last 10 years number of site-specific issues around ecology and the and (b) the Quality, Innovation, Productivity and listed buildings, the Trust was required to apply for full Prevention programme; [155533] planning permission before OBC approval could be given. This required the Trust to undertake further (2) what steps he is taking to evaluate alternative detailed work, which resulted in full planning permission proposals to the redevelopment of Broadmoor Hospital being given in March 2012. Following this, the OBC to meet future needs of the High Secure Service. was approved by the Department and HM Treasury in [155534] June 2012. The full business case for the £286 million redevelopment Norman Lamb: National health service commissioners of Broadmoor Hospital was approved by NHS London undertook a capacity review in 2009. Since then the strategic health authority in January 2013 and is currently Offender Personality Disorder Strategy has been being reviewed by the Department to assess the scheme’s implemented, reconfiguring services so that increased affordability to the Trust, and it will need approval by numbers of high harm offenders with personality disorder HM Treasury before a final approval decision can be are treated within the prison system. made. The Department would expect to be able to make This year NHS England is required by The High an approval decision shortly. Security Psychiatric Services (National Health Service Commissioning Board) Directions 2013 to undertake an assessment of the needs of the people of England for Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health high secure psychiatric services and the availability of what the reasons are for the length of time it has taken services to meet those needs. to develop a business case for the redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital. [156345] The Capacity Review undertaken in 2009 considered a number of factors including length of stay. The National High Secure Services Strategic Commissioning Plan Norman Lamb: The redevelopment of Broadmoor (2010 to 2015) set out how high secure services, including hospital has followed the Department’s process for the the proposed redevelopment of Broadmoor Hospital, development and approval of major capital build schemes would contribute to the NHS Quality, Innovation, of this size and complexity to ensure it demonstrates Productivity and Prevention programme by improving affordability and has commissioner support in order to quality and achieving sustainable efficiency. deliver care in a modern, safe and secure environment NHS England has responsibility for arranging the for patients and staff. provision of high security psychiatric services in England. West London Mental Health National Health Service It will evaluate alternative proposals to meet future Trust began work developing the strategic outline case needs as part of that responsibility. for the redevelopment of Broadmoor hospital in 2004. The strategic outline case was approved by London Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health strategic health authority in November 2005. (1) what the reasons are for the length of time taken to While the trust was developing the business case, develop the business case for the redevelopment of work was undertaken to agree the size of high secure Broadmoor Hospital; [155535] hospital sector and commissioned bed numbers, and to (2) on what date the process to develop a business confirm service requirements at Broadmoor. case for the redevelopment of Broadmoor Hospital As a result, the trust submitted the outline business began; [155902] case (OBC) to the Department in 2010. Due to a (3) what assessment he has made of the business case number of site-specific issues around ecology and the for the redevelopment of Broadmoor Hospital. [155903] listed buildings, the trust was required to apply for full planning permission before OBC approval could be given. This required the trust to undertake further Norman Lamb: The redevelopment of Broadmoor detailed work, which resulted in full planning permission Hospital has followed the Department’s process for the being given in March 2012. Following this, the OBC development and approval of major capital build schemes was approved by the Department and HM Treasury in of this size and complexity to ensure it demonstrates June 2012. affordability and has commissioner support in order deliver care in a modern, safe and secure environment The full business case for the £286 million redevelopment for patients and staff. of Broadmoor hospital was approved by NHS London strategic health authority in January 2013 and is currently West London Mental Health National Health Service being reviewed by the Department to assess the scheme’s Trust began work developing the strategic outline case affordability to the trust, and it will need approval by for the redevelopment of Broadmoor Hospital in 2004. HM Treasury before a final approval decision can be The strategic outline case was approved by London made. The Department would expect to be able to make strategic health authority in November 2005. an approval decision shortly. 553W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 554W

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for More generally, NHS Improving Quality (NHS IQ), Health what assessment he has made of whether the the new NHS Improvement body, has made number of beds proposed under the redevelopment of “ensuring that experience of care is central to commissioning Broadmoor Hospital is consistent with (a) reductions and care delivery” in lengths of stay in high secure hospitals over the last one of its 10 key work programmes for 2013-14. NHS 10 years and (b) the Quality, Innovation, Productivity IQ will be working on the design and testing of an and Prevention Agenda. [156346] improvement framework for engaging, involving and improving experience of care; a capability building Anna Soubry: National health service commissioners programme for commissioners and providers; and specific undertook a capacity review of the high secure estate, interventions to improve experience, such as the NHS Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton hospitals, in 2009. Friends and Family Test, where, since April 2013, patients Since then the Offender Personality Disorder Strategy are being asked whether they would recommend hospital has been implemented, reconfiguring services so that wards and accident and emergency departments to their increased numbers of high harm offenders with personality friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment. disorder are treated within the prison system. This year NHS England is required by the High Security Psychiatric Services (National Health Service Clinical Commissioning Groups Commissioning Board) Directions 2013 to undertake an assessment of the needs of the people of England for Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for high secure psychiatric services and the availability of Health whether financial incentives will be attached to services to meet those needs. the Clinical Commissioning Group Outcome Indicator The capacity review considered a number of factors Set to reward the high quality commissioning of including length of stay. The National High Secure services. [155529] Services Strategic Commissioning Plan (2010-15), published in 2011, set out how high secure services, including the Anna Soubry: The Quality Premium will be paid to proposed redevelopment of Broadmoor Hospital, would clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in 2014-15 (to contribute to the NHS Quality, Innovation, Productivity reflect the quality of the services commissioned by them and Prevention (QIPP) programme by improving quality in 2013-14) and will be based on four national measures and achieving sustainable efficiency. and the three local measures (that are agreed between CCGs and their local Health and Wellbeing Board). Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The four national measures are based on indicators what steps he has taken to evaluate alternative proposals in the NHS Outcomes Framework, which are also to the redevelopment of Broadmoor Hospital to meet included in the CCG Outcomes Indicator set. CCGs, the need for a highly secure service. [156347] should they wish, may also choose to select their three local quality premium measures from the Outcomes Anna Soubry: NHS England has responsibility for Indicator set. For each of these measures (national and arranging the provision of high security psychiatric local) where the identified quality threshold is achieved services in England. It will evaluate alternative ways to the CCG will be eligible for the indicated percentage of meet future needs as part of that responsibility. the overall funding. However, the primary purpose of the CCG Outcomes Cancer Indicator Set is to provide CCGs and Health and Wellbeing Boards with clear comparative information about the quality of health services commissioned, and as far as Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for possible the associated health outcomes. Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people accessing specialised cancer services have a Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for positive experience of care. [155400] Health how he will incentivise clinical commissioning groups to work in collaboration with cancer strategic Anna Soubry: The mandate requires NHS England to clinical networks. [155530] deliver continued improvements in relation to patients’ experience of care, including specialised cancer care. Anna Soubry: Strategic clinical networks (SCNs), The national report and 160 trust level reports from including cancer SCNs, hosted and funded by NHS the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2011-12, England, will help local commissioners of national published in August 2012, continue to support both health service care to reduce unwarranted variation in commissioners and providers to drive and inform local services and encourage innovation. service improvement. The trust level reports provide Active involvement and engagement in the SCNs by benchmarked data both nationally and between teams. NHS commissioners will not be mandated; however, it This supports providers to identify priority improvement is expected that commissioners will want to actively areas and enables clinical commissioning groups to engage in SCNs to enable them to provide assurance better commission high quality cancer services for local that they are fulfilling their core purpose of quality populations. improvement. Where commissioners are not actively Work on the National Cancer Patient Experience engaged and as a consequence are not achieving the Survey 2012-13 is currently under way. It is anticipated improvements required, there will be an opportunity for that national and trust level reports will be published in the SCN support team to raise concerns through its summer 2013. responsible area team medical director. 555W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 556W

By clinical commissioning groups and SCNs working As well as ensuring those who need it can get urgent together across all domains of the NHS Outcomes care, the Government is committed to ensuring those Framework, and using evidence-based improvement tools, who seek it can access regular dental care. More than it is expected that we will continue to see improvements 29.8 million people were seen by an NHS dentist in the in cancer care and outcomes. 24 month period ending 31 March 2013. Over a million and a quarter more people have been seen by an NHS Clothing dentist since May 2010, and the latest information published on 16 May 2013 shows a further rise. The Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Government is committed to increasing access to NHS how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the dentistry and recently invested an additional £30 million non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible of in-year funding in order to achieve this. have made a claim for evening dress allowance in each of the last five years; and what the total cost of such Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for claims has been. [155450] Health what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the NHS of treating patients who have Dr Poulter: The Department’s Travel and Expenses complications arising from dentistry home remedies. Policy does not explicitly cover claims for evening dress [156107] allowances. Consequently, the Department does not hold records of claims made for evening dress allowances. Dr Poulter: The Department does not hold this The six non-departmental public bodies that were in information. existence at 31 March 2013 have informed us that no Dermatology official has made a claim for evening dress allowance in each of the last five financial, years. Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer to Baroness Masham of Defibrillators Ilton of 10 April 2013, Official Report, House of Lords, column 291W,if he will request NHS England to designate Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health a named individual in the Medical Directorate to have a if he will commission research on the effectiveness of specific remit for dermatology. [155526] investment made in the availability of defibrillators in (a) Vancouver, (b) Stavanger and (c) other cities and Norman Lamb: We understand from NHS England states that have invested heavily in defibrillators in that there are no plans to introduce a national clinical order to assess the case for greater investment in director for dermatology. However, we are informed defibrillators in England. [155647] that they are continuing to discuss with the British Association for Dermatology the best ways to improve Anna Soubry: The Department has no plans to outcomes for patients with skin conditions. commission research on the effectiveness of investment As stated in the response to Baroness Masham of made in the availability of defibrillators in (a) Vancouver, Ilton on 10 April 2013, NHS England is accountable for (b) Stavanger and (c) other cities and states that have improving outcomes for patients across all five domains invested heavily in defibrillators in order to assess the outlined in the NHS Outcomes Framework. The Mandate case for greater investment in defibrillators in England. for NHS England sets out the improvements in health More generally, ambulance trusts have had responsibility and health care outcomes that the national health service for sustaining the legacy of the National Defibrillator is expected to deliver. It is for NHS England to decide Programme since February 2007. They are best placed how they achieve the objectives set out in the Mandate. to understand the requirements for their local populations. Diabetes As set out in the Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Strategy, NHS England will work with the Resuscitation Council, the British Heart Foundation and others to Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health promote the site mapping and registration of defibrillators what guidance his Department has issued to clinical and to look at ways of increasing the numbers trained commissioning groups for diabetes screening for GPs. in using defibrillators. [155376]

Dental Services Anna Soubry: The Department has not issued any guidance to clinical commissioning groups on diabetes screening for general practitioners. However, diabetes is Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for included in the “Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Health what steps he is taking to ensure that those Strategy”, which reiterates our commitment to the NHS needing NHS dentistry do not resort to home remedies. Health Check programme. [156106] Local authorities have been delivering the NHS Health Dr Poulter: There should be no need for anyone to Check programme since April 2013, and NHS England resort to home remedies for dental problems rather has an objective in the mandate to work with Public than seeking national health service care. NHS England Health England to support local government in this has a legal duty to commission dental services to meet work. local need. Anyone seeking urgent care who cannot find The NHS Health Check is aimed at everyone aged an NHS dentist should contact the relevant NHS local between 40 and 74 years of age and assesses an individual’s area team. The new NHS 111 service is also able to risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease signpost patients to urgent dental services. and supports them to reduce their risk through individually 557W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 558W tailored advice. Preventing diabetes is a key element of The programme budgeting data collection is complex, the programme and a systematic way of tackling diabetes therefore when considering the information relating to prevention is one of its key drivers. the treatment of diabetes it is important to note that The programme has a strong evidence base and could figures are best estimates rather than precise measurements. prevent 4,000 people a year from developing type 2 Due to the following complexities, not all expenditure diabetes and detect at least 20,000 cases of diabetes or on the treatment of diabetes will have been captured in kidney disease earlier, allowing for the better management the diabetes category: of a patient’s condition and quality of life in the long-term. Some primary care activity cannot be reasonably estimated at The NHS Health Check programme is a clear priority disease specific level so primary care expenditure is separately for both NHS England and NHS Improving Quality, identified as a sub-category of ’other’ expenditure, programme category 23A. Therefore, the diabetes expenditure total will not whose role it is to drive the implementation of the NHS include all expenditure relating to diabetes in primary care. Operating Framework through effective improvement programmes. Expenditure is allocated to programme budgeting categories, based on the primary health care condition of the patient. Therefore, the diabetes expenditure total will not include expenditure on Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health patients with diabetes who have other conditions which were what plans he has to issue quality and outcome framework identified as the primary reason for treatment. targets to GPs for diabetes screening. [155377] When it is not possible to reasonably estimate a programme budget category, expenditure is classified as ’Other—Miscellaneous’, Anna Soubry: The national Quality and Outcomes so some expenditure on patients with diabetes may be included in Framework (QOF) is a voluntary incentive scheme that the ’Other—Miscellaneous’ sub-category. The allocation of provides additional reward to general practitioner (GP) expenditure to programme budgeting sub-categories is not always practices for how well they care for patients based on straight forward, and some expenditure on patients with diabetes performance against a number of agreed indicators. may be included within the ’Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Problems—Other’ sub-category. Since 2004, GPs have been paid incentives for providing the nine basic checks on people with diabetes. Performance The following table includes estimated expenditure and patient care has improved considerably as a result on diabetes for Hounslow, London and England for the of this. years 2009-10 to 2011-12. Programme budgeting data for 2012-13 has not yet been collected. The latest list of indicators is available here: http://www.nhsemployers.org/Aboutus/Publications/ Programme budgeting data cannot be used to analyse Documents/gof-2013-14.pdf changes in investment in specific service areas between years. In order to improve the quality of the data, the Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if calculation methodology is continually refined, as are he will estimate the cost to his Department of the underlying data sources which support programme rebranding NHS Diabetes to NHS Improving Quality. budgeting. [155379] Estimated expenditure on diabetes £000 Anna Soubry: NHS Diabetes was a time-limited 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 programme which closed in March 2013 as planned. Hounslow1 4,280 5,881 6,686 NHS Improving Quality is a new joint venture between London2 192,628 247,004 258,595 NHS England and the Department and is hosted by England3 1,271,069 1,462,468 1,545,739 NHS England. NHS Improving Quality brings together 1 Figures for Hounslow are based on the Hounslow PCT return. the legacy work of several improvement teams of which 2 Figures for London are based the total estimated expenditure of all NHS Diabetes was one. PCTs within NHS London Strategic Health Authority for this sub-category. 3 NHS England advises that no NHS Diabetes work or Figures for England are based on the aggregate of all PCT estimated expenditure for this sub-category. materials have been rebranded and existing materials Source: will be used with the old branding until stock runs out. Annual PCT programme budgeting returns. NHS England also advises that new branding has been developed for NHS Improving Quality and that this work was carried out in-house with an estimated Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for development cost of £235. Health what estimate he has made of the number of (a) men and (b) women who have been diagnosed with diabetes in (i) Hounslow, (ii) London and (iii) England. Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on the [156414] treatment of diabetes in (a) Hounslow, (b) London and (c) England in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 Anna Soubry: The Department does not hold the and (iv) 2012-13. [156411] information as requested. We are able to provide the number of diabetes patients Anna Soubry: Programme budgeting data provides by gender registered in Hounslow Primary Care Trust an estimate of national health service expenditure on (PCT), in London Strategic Health Authority (SHA), diabetes. The programme budgeting data collection requires and nationally, according to the 2011-12 National Diabetes primary care trusts (PCTs) to analyse their expenditure Audit (NDA). by specific health care conditions. Diabetes is treated within the programme budgeting framework as a sub- The following table details registrations by gender for category within the main category ‘Endocrine, Nutritional patients with all types of diabetes from the 2010-11 and Metabolic Problems’. audit period. 559W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 560W

Anna Soubry: This information is not collected centrally. Number Total (including Men Women unknown sex) Health Education

Hounslow PCT 7,344 5,811 13,155 London SHA 171,978 142,424 314,404 Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for England 1,190,661 959,946 2,150,634 Health how much his Department has spent on public awareness campaigns directed at (a) smoking, (b) The NDA records diabetes registrations in primary alcohol, (c) obesity and (d) drugs in each of the last and secondary care but participation is not mandatory. five years. [156318] The NDA 2010-11 comprised data from 6,774 of the more than 8,150 general practitioner practices in England. Anna Soubry: The Department of Health’s spend on Eating Disorders: Young People public awareness campaigns directed at (a) smoking, (b) alcohol, (c) obesity and (d) drugs in each of the last five years is outlined in the following table: Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to promote positive £ million body image amongst young people. [156123] 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-131

Norman Lamb: We recognise that poor body image is Smoking 23.38 24.91 0.46 3.16 8.21 a common problem not only for young people but, Alcohol 4.77 4.65 0 0.98 1.84 according to the findings of the All Party Parliamentary Obesity 7.69 16.16 1.32 2.07 3.56 Group on Body Image, more than half of the population. Drugs 1.45 1.66 0 0 0 It is a factor in eating disorders and other mental health 1 Spend from 2012-13 is provisional, as figures have not yet been audited. problems. The drug spend is the Department’s contribution to a Half of all people with lifelong mental health problems, joint campaign with the Home Office. not including dementia, develop them by the time they The FRANK drug campaign and service was launched are fourteen, and early intervention is necessary to in May 2003, providing young people and their families prevent the mental health problems of young people with advice and information about all drugs. Historically, from becoming lifelong problems. That is why the FRANK has been managed jointly by the Department Department is funding the Children and YoungPeople’s of Health, the Home Office and the Department for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies project, Education. which is transforming Child and Adolescent Mental Currently, the Home Office fund advertising and Health Services providing training for staff in National marketing interventions to raise awareness of the FRANK Institute for Health and Care Excellence approved best service. The Department of Health funds and manage evidence-based therapies and embedding intensive, session the FRANK service which comprises the helpline, email, by session outcome monitoring to make sure children SMS, live chat and website. Responsibility for the FRANK and young people have improved access to the best service moved from the Department to Public Health possible psychological therapies in a way they find England on 1 April 2013. acceptable and relevant. This amends the answer given to my hon. Friend the In year one, 2011-12, the therapies offered were cognitive Member for Enfield North (Nick de Bois) on 18 January behavioural therapy and parenting programmes for three 2013, Official Record, columns 942-3W. to 10-year-olds. In 2012-13 two further therapies were added, systemic family therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy. Together these will help support children, Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for young people and their families and address some of Health how much his Department has spent on public the major mental health problems of adolescence, including awareness campaigns in each of the last five years; and eating disorders. how much it intends to spend on public awareness campaigns in the current year. [156319] We are also developing a suite of interactive e-learning programmes to extend the skills and knowledge of all staff working with children and young people, including Dr Poulter: The Department’s spend on public awareness health professionals, teachers, social workers and others campaigns in each of the last five years is outlined in the to help them understand and recognise emotional and following table. mental health problems and offer early and effective interventions. These interventions in support of children’s Overall media spend (£ million) mental health will, of course, help support the valuable 2008-09 53.16 work of the Body Image Campaign led by the Government 2009-10 79.80 Equalities Office and the Department of Culture Media 2010-11 4.66 and Sport. 2011-12 12.40 1 General Practitioners: Bassetlaw 2012-13 25.06 1 Spend from 2012-13 is provisional, as figures are not fully reconciled. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health On 1 April 2013, responsibility for public awareness on how many occasions GP out-of-hours services in campaigns transferred to Public Health England. Bassetlaw constituency had fewer than the contracted The total budget allocation for all marketing in 2013-14 number of GPs available in each month of (a) 2012 is £54.7 million (subject to the usual caveats). Budget and (b) 2013 to date. [155644] profiles are being finalised, and so projected spend on 561W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 562W public awareness campaigns is not currently available. Hospitals: Greater London Further detail on this is available in the PHE Marketing Plan: Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-health-england- how many operations were cancelled (a) by each marketing-plan-2013-14 London hospital trust and (b) in total in London in (i) The Department has no plans to spend on public 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will awareness campaigns in 2013-14. make a statement. [156476]

Health Education: Drugs Anna Soubry: The information requested is not available in the format requested. Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Tables containing quarterly information held by the Health what plans he has to increase public awareness Department for each London hospital trust for 2010-11, of the dangers of new psychoactive substances. [156404] 2011-12, and 2012-13 (three quarters) have been placed in the Library. Anna Soubry: The FRANK drug information campaign provides young people and their families with advice On 1 April 2013, responsibility for publishing this and information about all drugs, including new psychoactive information transferred to NHS England. substances. The campaign is managed jointly by the Department of Health and the. Home Office. We Human Papillomavirus: Sussex continually review the FRANK service to ensure that it provides effective and up to date information. Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for The Home Office funds advertising to raise awareness Health (1) what information his Department holds on of the FRANK service. The Department has funded when all women in (a) Mid Sussex and (b) West and managed the FRANK service which comprises the Sussex attending for their cervical screen will be tested helpline, e-mail, SMS, live chat and website and on 1 for HPV as a triage and test-of-cure; [156166] April this responsibility passed to Public Health England. (2) when he envisages that women in (a) Mid Sussex and (b) West Sussex will benefit from HPV testing as a Health Services: Scotland primary screen. [156167] Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Anna Soubry: NHS Cancer Screening Programmes Health when he last met (a) the Scottish Government gave approval for human papilloma virus (HPV) testing Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and (b) to begin across Sussex and East Surrey (which covers any other Scottish Government Minister; and what was Mid and West Sussex) in early July 2012, and testing discussed at any such meeting. [155674] commenced on 25 July 2012. In year one of implementation, HPV testing for triage was done on the first occurrence Norman Lamb: The Secretary of State for Health, the of low grade abnormalities in eligible women routinely right hon. Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), invited for screening (women aged 25 to 64), along with spoke to the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary HPV test-of-cure for newly treated women with normal for Health and Wellbeing in October 2012, to update or low grade abnormalities six months after treatment. him on the Mental Health (Approval Functions) Bill. In year two, from July 2013, HPV testing as triage will Ministers and officials in the Department work closely be extended to all women with low grade abnormalities, with their counterparts in the Scottish Government on and HPV test-of-cure extended to all women treated for various topics of mutual interest. abnormalities who have normal or low grade abnormalities six months after treatment. Health: Finance The pilot of HPV testing as primary screening began in May 2013 at two of the six pilot sites. None of the six Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for pilot sites covers the Mid and West Sussex areas. The Health (1) if he will take steps to reduce any inequality pilot will be formally evaluated and, based on the in the public health funding settlement for 2014-15; results of the evaluation, HPV testing as primary screening [156108] will be rolled out across England. Timetables for this (2) what calculations his Department used to roll-out will be determined once we have the results of calculate the regional public health funding settlement the evaluation. for 2014-15. [156109] Mental Health Services Anna Soubry: The allocation of the public health grant is based on a formula developed by the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA), an Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health independent committee of general practitioners, public (1) what consideration he has given to proposals on health experts, national health service managers and how innovative approaches to the secure mental health academics. Allocations informed by the formula have pathway will affect future demand for bed capacity been made for 2013-14 and 2014-15. within that sector; [156160] The formula is designed to enable action to improve (2) what proposals he has considered in respect of population wide health and reduce health inequalities. how innovative approaches to the secure mental health Full details of ACRA’s methodology have been placed pathway could affect future demand for bed capacity in the Library. within this sector. [156344] 563W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 564W

Anna Soubry: In April 2011, the Centre for Mental Anna Soubry: NHS England’s role in oversight of Health published pathways to unlocking secure mental NHS 111 is threefold: to support clinical commissioning health care. This report examined how pathways into groups (CCGs) in their local implementation of the and through secure mental health services could be NHS 111 service; through its area teams, to work with improved to ensure patients are treated in the most CCGs to help stabilise performance in any site not appropriate setting. meeting the necessary standards; and to manage national NHS England is now responsible for commissioning functions of NHS 111, such as the telephony infrastructure. services for the secure services pathway. It will evaluate The board of NHS England is accountable, through the innovative approaches to meet future needs as part of chief operating officer, for the oversight of these functions. that responsibility. Dame Barbara Hakin has been the chief operating officer since 19 April 2013. Mental Illness: Debts On 1 April 2013 responsibility for commissioning NHS 111 transferred to CCGs. As such, individual CCGs are accountable for commissioning local services Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State and money spent, including for NHS 111. for Health (1) what steps his Department is taking to As chief executive of NHS England, Sir David Nicholson reduce psychological damage caused by high levels of is the accounting officer for all NHS England and CCG household debt; [155625] spend. (2) if he will meet representatives of the StepChange Debt Charity to discuss its recent investigation into NHS: Internet psychological damage caused by high levels of household debt. [155626] Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department launched the new website for Norman Lamb: We know that debt can be associated NHS Improving Quality; and how many hits it has with, and even cause, mental health problems. The received since its launch. [155378] mental health strategy, ‘No Health Without Mental Health’, has several aims, one of which is to improve Anna Soubry: NHS Improving Quality is a joint quality of services and make the most of the resources venture between NHS England and the Department of that we have. In pursuit of this aim, the Strategy Health and is hosted by NHS England. recommends broadening the approach taken to mental NHS England advises that NHS Improving Quality health in order to tackle the wider social determinants does not currently have its own website; rather it has a and consequences of mental health problems. The Strategy page on the NHS England website. NHS England advises suggests that this could include face-to-face debt advice, that on 15 May 2013 this page had received 12,072 page which we know can be cost-effective within five years. views (the total number of visits) and 7,877 unique page The initial cost of debt advice can be offset by savings views (the number of visits to the website during which to the national health service, which include legal aid the specified page was viewed at least once) since its and gains in terms of employment productivity, even launch on 11 March 2013. before taking into account the costs saved by creditors. NHS: Reorganisation I would be pleased to meet with StepChange Debt Charity to discuss the important work they have recently John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for carried out on reducing the mental ill health caused by Health how many NHS reconfiguration proposals have the pressure and stress related to debt. been referred to him or his predecessor since May 2010; what proportion this represents of all reconfigurations Museum of Liverpool Life proposed in that period; and what the outcome was of each referral. [156399] Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to support the work of the Anna Soubry: Information concerning referrals to the Museum of Liverpool’s House of Memories project. Secretary of State for Health since May 2010 is given in [155855] the following table. Local cases for the reconfiguration of services are Norman Lamb: The Department fully supports National determined by the national health service. As such, we Museums Liverpool’s House of Memories programme cannot determine centrally what proportion of total and provided funding for the initiative in 2011-12 and reconfigurations this figure represents overall. 2012-13, as part of its wider work to implement the Except where indicated in the table, the Secretary of commitments on education and training set out in the State for Health commissioned advice from the Independent National Dementia Strategy and the Prime Minister’s Reconfiguration Panel, which he subsequently accepted Challenge on Dementia. in full on each occasion.

NHS 111 Date referred to the Secretary of State for Name of scheme Health

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Changes to homeopathy services (Sefton overview 15 June 2010 Health what NHS England’s role in oversight of the and scrutiny committee) 111 service is; who the senior responsible owner of the Changes to A&E provision at Hartlepool hospital 17 September 2010 111 service is; and who the accounting officer is for all (Hartlepool health overview and scrutiny committee—referral subsequently withdrawn) money spent on the 111 service to date. [156474] 565W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 566W

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Date referred to the Secretary of State for Name of scheme Health Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Portsmouth—closure of end of life care ward 6 October 2010 Health what information he holds on the number of (Portsmouth health overview and scrutiny never events that took place during surgical episodes at committee) North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust in Meeting Patients’ Needs—changes to health 30 November 2010 services in East Lancashire (Lancashire health each of the last four years. [155201] scrutiny committee) Health for north east London (Redbridge health 7 January 2011 Dr Poulter: None. However, we are advised that NHS scrutiny committee) England operates the Strategic Executive Information Health for north east London (outer north 26 January 2011 System (STEIS) which is used by provider organisations east London joint health overview and scrutiny and commissioners to record and manage serious incidents committee) in the national health service, including never events. Health for north east London (Barking and 7 February 2011 Dagenham) We understand that North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Barnet, Enfield and Haringey clinical review 20 February 2011 Foundation Trust has reported two never events to (Enfield health scrutiny panel) STEIS. Both occurred as part of surgical episodes after Closure of Wesham hospital (Lancashire health 28 February 2011 the never events framework was introduced in 2009-10. scrutiny committee—referral subsequently One occurred in 2010-11 and one in 2012-13. withdrawn) Health for north east London (Havering health 7 March 2011 Nurses overview and scrutiny committee) The Newark Review (Nottingham health and 5 April 2011 wellbeing standing committee) Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Review of Nottingham Walk in Centres 5 April 2011 how many registered nurses worked for (a) each (Nottingham health and wellbeing standing London hospital trust and (b) in all such trusts in (i) committee) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will Manchester—relocation of Walk in Centres 31 October 2011 make a statement. [156477] (Manchester health and wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee) Dr Poulter: The number of qualified nursing, midwifery Safe and Sustainable review of children’s 13 January 2012 congenital cardiac services (Yorkshire and the and health visiting staff employed in the former London Humber joint health overview and scrutiny Strategic Health Authority area by organisation as at 30 committee) September in each specified year are shown in the The Newark Review (Nottingham health and 17 February 2012 following table. wellbeing standing committee) Safe and Sustainable review of children’s 27 March 2012 NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified nursing, midwifery and congenital cardiac services (Kensington and health visiting staff in the former London Strategic Health Authority area and Chelsea environmental health and adult social by organisation as at 30 September each specified year care scrutiny committee) Full-time equivalent Endoscopy and dermatology services—any 17 July 2012 2010 2011 2012 qualified provider (Poole health and social care overview and scrutiny committee) London Strategic Health Authority area 51,839 51,785 51,886 Safe and Sustainable review of children’s 27 July 2012 Barking and Dagenham Primary Care 18 15 3 congenital heart services (Lincolnshire health Trust (PCT) scrutiny committee) and currently being processed Barking, Havering and Redbridge 1,638 1,866 1,870 Cheshire and Merseyside—review of vascular 31 July 2012 and 27 University Hospitals NHS Trust services (Wirral health and wellbeing overview September 2012 Barnet and Chase farm Hospitals NHS 1,301 1,313 1,357 and scrutiny board) Trust Manchester—relocation of Wythenshawe Forum 31 August 2012 Barnet PCT 278 279 — and Ancoats Walk in Centre (Manchester health Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental 652 824 798 and wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee) Health NHS Trust Safe and Sustainable review of children’s 7 September 2012 Barts and the London NHS Trust 2,435 2,531 — congenital heart services (Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland joint health overview and scrutiny Barts Health NHS Trust — — 4,488 committee) and currently being processed Bexley Care Trust 7 7 7 Cheshire and Merseyside—review of vascular 3 October 2012 Brent Teaching PCT 211 9 10 services (Halton, St Helen’s and Warrington Bromley Healthcare — — 197 joint health overview and scrutiny committee) Bromley PCT 236 212 12 Safe and Sustainable review of children’s 27 November 2012 Camden and Islington NHS Foundation 542 492 415 congenital heart services (Yorkshire and the Trust Humber joint healthy overview and scrutiny committee) and currently being processed Camden PCT 211 228 — The Friarage (North Yorkshire health scrutiny 20 December 2012 Central and North West London NHS 1,286 1,189 1,591 committee) Foundation Trust Central London Community Healthcare — 687 957 A new Health Deal for Trafford (Trafford and 8 February 2013 NHS Trust Manchester’s joint health overview and scrutiny committee) Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS 1,050 1,040 1,076 Foundation Trust Cumbria and Lancashire—review of vascular 19 February 2013 services (Cumbria health scrutiny committee) City and Hackney Teaching PCT 261 26 16 and currently being processed Croydon Health Services NHS Trust 941 920 884 North West London—Shaping a Healthier Future 19 March 2013 Croydon PCT 30 — — (Ealing Council) and currently being processed Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 524 1,059 1,071 East Midlands Ambulance Service—“Being the 25 March 2013 Ealing PCT 242 10 11 Best” (Lincolnshire health scrutiny committee) East London NHS Foundation Trust 888 1,147 1,040 and currently being processed Enfield PCT 196 1 — 567W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 568W

NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified nursing, midwifery and NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in the former London Strategic Health Authority area and health visiting staff in the former London Strategic Health Authority area and by organisation as at 30 September each specified year by organisation as at 30 September each specified year Full-time equivalent Full-time equivalent 2010 2011 2012 2010 2011 2012

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals 1,268 1,322 1,317 Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS 1,141 1,162 — NHS Trust Trust Great Ormond Street Hospital For 1,092 1,061 1,137 Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 783 1,199 1,154 Children NHS Foundation Trust Your Healthcare 141 148 156 Greenwich Teaching PCT 221 5 5 Notes: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation 3,026 3,543 3,663 1. Full-time equivalent figures are rounded to the nearest whole number. Trust 2. As a consequence of TCS (Transforming Community Services) the former Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 37 15 12 provider arm of some PCTs may have transferred into local acute Trusts. This can be seen in the large decreases in PCT staff numbers, and broadly equivalent Haringey Teaching PCT 144 10 — increases in staff numbers in acute Trusts over time. Harrow PCT 146 — — 3. Data Quality: Havering PCT 528 449 2 The Health and Social Care Information Centre seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation 746 753 720 lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being Trust updated to improve data quality where changes impact on figures already Hillingdon PCT 231 233 7 published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are Homerton University Hospital NHS 746 1,012 1,018 not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. Foundation Trust 4. Barts Health NHS Trust was formed on 1 April 2012 by the merger of Barts and The London NHS Trust, Newham University Hospital NHS Trust and Hounslow PCT 2 2 2 Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust. Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 3,206 3,229 3,165 Source: Islington PCT 222 5 25 Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census. Kensington and Chelsea PCT 700 3 3 Obesity and Diabetes King’s College Hospital NHS 2,154 2,263 2,410 Foundation Trust Kingston Hospital NHS Trust 764 729 754 Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Kingston PCT 2 — — when the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Lambeth PCT 250 4 5 Public Health last met Dr Jonathan Valabhji, National Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust 802 955 950 Clinical Director for Obesity and Diabetes. [156331] Lewisham PCT 184 94 86 London Strategic Health Authority 2 1 2 Anna Soubry: I have not met with Dr Jonathan Valabhji Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS 320 350 348 since his appointment as National Clinical Director for Foundation Trust Obesity and Diabetes for NHS England in April. As Newham PCT 281 — — Diabetes and obesity are priority areas, I will look to Newham University Hospital NHS Trust 750 753 — meet with him in the near future. North East London NHS Foundation 711 714 1,617 Trust North Middlesex University Hospital 720 730 694 Organs: Donors NHS Trust North West London Hospitals NHS 1,501 1,489 1,556 Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Trust Health what discussions have taken place between his Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust 794 1,009 1,016 Department and the Welsh Government on arrangements Redbridge PCT 84 85 15 for organ donation following the introduction of presumed Richmond and Twickenham PCT 292 269 283 consent. [155550] Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS 1,027 1,079 1,079 Foundation Trust Anna Soubry: Ministers have been in contact with the Royal Free London NHS Foundation 1,547 1,560 1,416 Welsh Government and discussions are on-going at Trust official level about the policy, financial, operational and Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust 735 743 994 legal implications of presumed consent for the United Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital 338 351 350 NHS Trust Kingdom donation programme. South London and Maudsley NHS 1,530 1,472 1,472 Across the UK, we have made considerable progress Foundation Trust over the last five years with a welcome significant South London Healthcare NHS Trust 1,809 1,809 1,745 improvement in organ donor rates. I wish to be certain South West London and St George’s 693 671 599 that this progress can be maintained. Mental Health NHS Trust Southwark PCT 210 — — Osteoporosis St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust 2,287 2,319 2,329 Sutton and Merton PCT 258 239 — Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation 14 14 15 Health how much his Department has spent on the Trust treatment of osteoporosis in (a) Hounslow, (b) London Tower Hamlets PCT 304 — — and (c) England in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 University College London Hospitals 2,123 2,202 2,231 and (iv) 2012-13. [156415] NHS Foundation Trust Waltham Forest PCT 10 4 3 Anna Soubry: The Department does not hold expenditure Wandsworth PCT 15 33 28 data on treatment that is specific to osteoporosis as this West London Mental Health NHS Trust 1,290 1,199 1,080 information is not available centrally. However, estimates West Middlesex University Hospital 698 638 612 of national health service spend relating to problems of NHS Trust the musculoskeletal system are available from programme Westminster PCT 8 3 6 budgeting data. 569W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 570W

The programme budgeting collection requires primary Radon Gas: Health Hazards care trusts (PCTs) to analyse their expenditure by specific healthcare conditions. It is important to note that Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health programme budgeting data cannot be used to analyse with reference to the answer of 23 January 2013, Official changes in investment in specific service areas between Report, column 361W, on radon gas: health hazards, years. In order to improve the quality of the data, the whether the Health Protection Agency or its successor, calculation methodology is continually refined, as are Public Health England, has now published the report the underlying data sources which support programme on the potential areas of public health impact that budgeting. might arise from the environmental aspects of hydraulic The following table includes estimated expenditure fracturing; if he will place in the Library a copy of any on ’Problems of the musculoskeletal system’ for Hounslow, such report; and if he will supply details of how the London and England for the years 2009-10 to 2011-12. report can be accessed online. [155649] Programme budgeting data for 2012-13 has not yet been collected. Anna Soubry: Public Health England (PHE) is preparing a report identifying potential public health issues and Estimated expenditure on problems of the musculoskeletal system concerns, including radon (release/emissions) that might £000 be associated with aspects of hydraulic fracturing, also In: 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 referred to as fracking. The report is due out for public Hounslow1 13,549 23,424 26,008 consultation in the summer. Once released for public London2 610,652 614,165 677,727 consultation, the report will be freely available from the England3 4,612,297 5,023,711 5,159,631 PHE website. 1 Figures for Hounslow are based on the Hounslow PCT return. 2 Figures for London, are based the total estimated expenditure of all PCTs Scotland within NHS London Strategic Health Authority for this sub-category. 3 Figures for England are based on the aggregate of all PCT estimated expenditure for this sub-category. Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Source: Health what (a) his Department and (b) its non- Annual PCT programme budgeting returns. departmental public bodies procured from companies Psoriasis based in Scotland of a value in excess of £25,000 since May 2010; and what the cost to the public purse was of each such procurement contract. [155770] Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what resources he is making available to train general Dr Poulter: Information held by both the Department practitioners and other health professionals to implement of Health and its non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) (a) NICE guidelines on Psoriasis and (b) the NICE where available from May 2010 to 31 March 2013 is Quality Standard for Psoriasis; [155536] contained in the following tables, and has been derived (2) how he plans to incentivise the uptake of the from both post code and location details. Responses Quality Standard for Psoriasis when it is published in have been provided for the years that each NDPB has August 2013; [155537] been in existence. Where NDPBs do not hold information, (3) how he is incentivising the uptake of NICE an entry of ‘NIL response’ has been declared. guidance on Psoriasis. [155538] The six NDPBs were: NHS Commissioning Board, Monitor, Care Quality Commission, Human Fertilisation Norman Lamb: The National Institute of Health and and Embryology Authority, Human Tissue Authority Care Excellence’s (NICE) Psoriasis guideline is not and Health Protection Agency (HPA). mandatory. It represents evidence-based best practice Department of Health May 2010 to 31 March 2013 and we would expect national health service organisations Brief description of each to take it fully into account as they design services to Financial Amount procurement contract meet the needs of patients. It is for NHS organisations year Supplier (£) item to consider how best to implement the guideline safely. 2010-11 Frontline Consultants 32,674 I&I—consultancy Ltd services in embedding In relation to the Quality Standard on Psoriasis, and sustaining the NICE quality standards provide a clear description of decision tool as a what high-quality health and social care services look resource to support the like and NHS England and clinical commissioning groups economic case for PPE Hammersmith Grove 31,438 SO4500—part 11th are legally required to have regard to them. Gp Ltd floor, West Wing, The mandate for NHS England sets out the Building 1, 26-28 Hammersmith Grove, improvements in health and healthcare outcomes that Hammersmith, London the NHS is expected to deliver. It is for NHS England to W6—Hammersmith decide how they achieve the objectives set out in the Grove Gp Ltd—rent Hammersmith Grove 94,313 SO4500—rental part mandate. Gp Ltd 11th floor West Wing NHS England and NICE share the objectives of 26-28-Hammersmith facilitating high quality care and improved outcomes Grove London Hudson Global 62,598 Business Case— for patients, while guiding practitioners and those who Resources Ltd Commercial Manager support them in providing effective and cost effective David DuPreez— practice. We understand that the two organisations have 6 September 2010 a partnership agreement in place and will work together Hudson Global 40,950 FESC Commercial and Resources Ltd Financial Lead, May to to enhance the dissemination and adoption of NICE July 2010 (Turkan Ince, guidance and quality standards. Hudson Global) 571W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 572W

Department of Health May 2010 to 31 March 2013 Non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) Brief description of each Brief description of Financial Amount procurement contract Amount each procurement year Supplier (£) item Financial year Supplier (£) contract item

Search Consultancy 64,000 Mini tender via OGC 2010-11 Richard Irvin 58,000 Works to install 3 x Ltd Buying Solutions for Building Broag Quinta 85 wall two Technical Support Services hung condensing Managers boilers, and remove old. 2010-11 325,973 total 2010-11 Dieselec Thistle 200,000 5% Retentions Generators Limited 2011-12 Hammersmith Grove 45,000 SO4500— 2010-11 Transgenomic 70,000 Wave Navigator Frag Gp Ltd Hammersmith— Limited Analysis Sys Hammersmith Grove Md14500Ht,220 V Gp Ltd—Dilapidations Uk at lease end 2010-11 Dieselec Thistle 38,000 Replacement Hammersmith Grove 125,750 SO4500— Generators generator in the Gp Ltd Hammersmith— Limited boiler house. Hammersmith Grove Sub-total 2010-11 393,000 Limited Partnership— rent following service of break notice. 2011-12 Glasgow City 30,000 Rates For HPA Hudson Global 118,800 David DuPreez— Council Glasgow—1 April Resources Ltd Commercial Manager 2011 to 31 March Hudson Global 79,860 Roxanne Clark— 2012 Resources Ltd Communications 2011-12 BCF 25,000 Digital X- Ray Advisor Technology System Iron Mountain (UK) 127,944 Year six file storage and Limited Ltd retrieval contract 2011-12 UK Atomic 27,000 UKAEA pension Search Consultancy 26,499 Extension for services of Energy administration Ltd Matt Grey Authority charges (1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012) Search Consultancy 28,324 Extension for services of Ltd Paul Corkrum 2011-12 Life 94,000 7500 Fast: Rt-Pcr: Technologies Ab Assurance 2011-12 552,177 Ltd (Applied Contract total Biosystems (Comprehensive, Division) Parts, Labour Pm) 2011-12 Life 83,000 Ion Torrent 2012-13 Frontline Consultants 39,275 Professional services Technologies Sequencing System as Ltd PSBC 2317. Call for Ltd (Applied per quote 20777296 Evidence Data Biosystems Management. Division) Iron Mountain (UK) 249,393 Decant of Nelson 2011-12 Life 25,000 7500Qst Fast With Ltd Filestore Technologies Laptop Quote Iron Mountain (UK) 82,226 File storage and Ltd (Applied Ltd retrieval services Biosystems Division) Iron Mountain (UK) 33,629 File storage and Ltd retrieval services ( PO 2011-12 Life 37,000 Train-Sds3 : Well 493599) Technologies Real Time Per: Viia7 Ltd (Applied Real-Time Per The Breastfeeding 75,000 Provision of specialist Biosystems System With Fast Network contact centre services Division) 96-Well Block to support breastfeeding Module And mothers. Six months at Notebook Computer £12,500. Contact Mary Broadfoot 2011-12 Life 37,000 Train-Sds3: Real Technologies Time Per; Viia7 Real- 2012-13 479,523 Ltd (Applied Time Per System total Biosystems With Fast 96-Well Division) Block Module And DH grand 1,357,673 Notebook Computer total 2011-12 Life 79,000 Viia 7 Real Time Per Notes: Technologies System and Taqman 1. The data were taken from Code DH Business Management System (BMS) on Ltd (Applied Array Card Blocks 14 May 2013. Biosystems 2. Relates to purchase orders (POs) raised for suppliers whose registered address Division) is based in Scotland. Non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) 2011-12 Life 55,000 Abi Via 7 Real Time Technologies Per System Brief description of Ltd (Applied Amount each procurement Biosystems Financial year Supplier (£) contract item Division) 1. Public Health 2011-12 Life 26,000 7500 Real Time Per England (on behalf Technologies System W/Laptop of the Former Ltd (Applied Health Protection Biosystems Agency) Division) 2010-11 UK Atomic 27,000 UKAEA pension 2011-12 Life 69,000 Quantstudio Real Energy administration Technologies Time Per Machine, Authority charges—1 April Ltd (Applied Plus Kits And 2010 to 31 March Biosystems Training 2011 Division) 573W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 574W

Non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) Non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) Brief description of Brief description of Amount each procurement Amount each procurement Financial year Supplier (£) contract item Financial year Supplier (£) contract item

2011-12 Life 92,000 Seqa, Seqscape, 2012-13 Life 28,000. Complement Technologies Varrep and Gm Technologies 3-4Week Frozen 100 Ltd ( Applied (W/Royalty) Sw Ltd (Applied MI Biosystems Biosystems Division ) Division) 2011-12 Life 28,000 7500 Fast Real-Time 2012-13 Bioreliance 30,000 Characterisation of Technologies Per System Biotech Ltd E.Coli Cell Banks (1 Ltd (Applied X Mcb and 1X Web) Biosystems 2012-13 Life 53,000 Viia 7 Fast 96-Well Division) Technologies Inst Laptop 2011-12 Life 266,000 Upgrade 3730 To Ltd (Applied Computer Technologies 3730X1 With 50Cm Biosystems Ltd ( Applied Arrays Division) Biosystems 2012-13 Life 112,000 Equipment: part Division) Technologies numbers 2011-12 Life 53,000 Viia 7 Fast 96-Well Ltd (Invitrogen 4458570,4432470, Technologies Inst Laptop Division) Ed000650, 4432557, Ltd (Applied Computer 4432250, 4453546, Biosystems 4453544,4453543, Division) 4432488 as per quote 2011-12 Life 73,000 Quotation number number 20859386 Technologies 20801464 upgrade of 2012-13 Life 37,000 GBGA0001: Well Ltd ( Applied 3730S S/N 20139-013 Technologies Real Time PCR and Biosystems Ltd ( Applied UPS Division) Biosystems 2011-12 Bioreliance 44,000 Characterisation of Division) Biotech Ltd E.Coli Cell Banks 2012-13 Gen-Probe Life 109,000 Panther Platform A 2011-12 Life 28,000 Complement 3-4 Sciences Ltd Fully Automated Technologies Week Access Molecular Ltd (Invitrogen Instrument Division) 2012-13 NHS Greater 28,000 Supply of electricity 2011-12 David H Allen 85,000 Space Utilisation Glasgow and water 2012-2013 (Joiners and Project At CRCE Sub-total 2012-13 1,175,000 Building Scotland Contractors) Ltd 2. NHS England —Nil — Sub-total 2011-12 1,256,000 (on behalf of the return former NHS Commissioning 2012-13 Glasgow City 31,000 Rates For HPA Board) Council Glasgow—1 April 3. Monitor — Nil — 2012 to 31 March return 2013 4. Care Quality —Nil — 2012-13 The Placement 27,000 Med Lab Agency Commission return Group (UK) Staff —8 May 2012 5. Human —Nil — Ltd to 8 November 2012. Fertilisation & return 2012-13 Heathrow 220,000 Heathrow Airport Embryology Airport Limited Ltd: T3 Rent, Authority Heating And 6. Human Tissues —Nil — Maintenance Charges Authority return 02 Notes: 2012-13 Heathrow 160,000 Heathrow Airport 1. Since January 2011, central Government Departments have been required to Airport Limited Ltd: T4 Rent, publish information on the contracts they award on Contracts Finder: Heating And www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/ Maintenance Charges In addition, Departments publish details of spend in excess of £25,000. Ql 2. The results reflect the total amount GBP of contracts and purchase orders 2012-13 Heathrow 170,000 Heathrow Airport (PO), grouped to financial years based upon the date raised. Airport Limited Ltd: T5 Rent, 3. Location has been derived, based upon the post code of the supplier’s Heating And address, for each contract or PO. Maintenance Charges 4. Heathrow Airports Limited uses a Purchase 2 Pay Process Team, as part of 04 a shared business service that operates from Glasgow G52 4YG. Although the services relate to rental fees at Heathrow airport, the purchase order was sent 2012-13 Life 38,000 7500 Fast Real Time to Glasgow, invoices were raised by Glasgow, and payment was remitted to Technologies Per System—1 Glasgow. Ltd (Applied September 2012 to 31 Biosystems August 2013 Annual Division) Maintenance 2012-13 Heathrow 49,000 Heathrow Airport Social Services Airport Limited Ltd: Car Parking Charges Q4 2012/ Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for 2013 Health with reference to his Department’s analysis of 2012-13 Life 42,000 Service Contract For Technologies DNA Analyzer Abi public expenditure on care and support by wealth quintile Ltd (Applied Prism 3730X1—17 of care users (2012-13 prices); if he will place the Biosystems February 2013 to 16 data from which the graph was generated in the Library. Division) February 2016 [155848] 2012-13 The Placement 41,000 Med Lab placement Group (UK) agency staff—4 Ltd September 2012 to 3 Norman Lamb: A copy of the data underlying this March 2013. chart has been placed in the Library. 575W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 576W

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for The number of officials attending corporately funded Health with reference to his statement of 11 February training in 2012-13 was 2,151 and 2011-12 it was 1,230. 2013, Official Report, column 593, on social care Details of numbers attending prior to 2011-12 were not funding, if he will publish the evidential basis for his recorded centrally. statement that up to 100,000 more people will receive The total spend for corporately funded training only, financial support with their care further to the over the last five years is set out in the following table. implementation of a cap on care costs. [155858] Costs (£) Norman Lamb: The evidential basis is available in the impact assessment on funding reform at: 2012-13 578,928 www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-government- 2011-12 347,139 published-a-series-of-impact-assessments-alongside-the-care- 2010-11 1,352,501 bill 2009-10 1,801,041 The evidence for the number of people expected to 2008-09 1,926,563 benefit from these reforms is based upon a departmental Data on the 10 highest value training courses over the model that simulates individual care journeys using last five years is not available centrally and to extract data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging. the data would incur disproportionate costs. The detail of the modelling procedure is provided in annex B of the impact assessment. The Department does not hold centrally information about its non-departmental public bodies publicly-funded Independent projections from the Personal and Social training courses. Consequently data was sought from Services Research Unit project that these reforms will the individual bodies and the information provided has help 115,000 more people in 2030. been placed in the Library.

Travel Streptococcus Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the Health (1) what assessment his Department has made non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible of the potential effectiveness of a point of care test for claimed reimbursement for travel subsistence expenses group B streptococcus carriage in maternity settings; in each of the last five years; what the total cost was of and if he will make a statement; [155690] such claims; and what the monetary value was of the 20 (2) what steps his Department is taking to develop a highest subsistence claims in each such year. [155410] point of care test for group B streptococcus carriage in pregnant women considered to be at high risk; what Dr Poulter: The answer is restricted to those bodies time-scale has been set for the introduction of such a that were executive non-departmental public bodies test; and if he will make a statement. [155691] (ENDPBs) for the periods in question and are still in existence as an ENDPB, or as part of another body. Dr Poulter: The National Institute for Health Research (a) Department of Health Health Technology Assessment programme is planning to publish a call for research proposals in July this year Amount of travel subsistence on rapid testing for group B streptococcal colonisation Number of officials reimbursed (£) in pregnant women considered to be at high risk. 2012-13 888 182,859.68 2011-12 911 166,321.37 2010-11 1,419 263,205.80 Training 2009-10 1,305 344,511.94 2008-09 1,254 362,146.50 Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The monetary value of the 20 highest subsistence how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the claims is shown in the following table. This includes non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible subsistence for overseas travel which is also used to pay enrolled in publicly-funded training courses in each of for hotel costs. the last five years; what the total cost has been of such courses; and what the monetary value was of the 10 Individual claims can range from one journey up to highest training course fees in each such year. [155430] multiple journeys over a period of three months.

Dr Poulter: The Department does not centrally hold £ all of the information requested. 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 The Department provides publicly funded training to 1 2,156.00 2,840.88 2,063.00 5,695.90 4,648.17 its officials via a central corporate training and development 2 2,003.74 1,526.38 1,912.50 5,425.50 2,287.91 budget and also via its directorate’s local training budgets. 3 1,943.00 1,450.69 1,908.05 1,775.39 2,116.00 Extracting the information required from these local 4 1,641.85 1,253.01 1,811.40 1,664.00 1,947.54 budgets would incur disproportionate costs. 5 1,499.16 1,001.25 1,716.38 1,480.93 1,947.00 6 1,325.41 1,000.00 1,697.64 1,356.93 1,811.43 Therefore data has only been provided for the corporately 7 1,298.61 994.00 1,351.72 1,343.13 1,541.50 funded training only and does not reflect the total 8 1,172.19 958.00 1,347.50 1,275.00 1,538.80 Department expenditure on all training and development 9 913.21 889.03 1,298.28 1,257.26 1,496.24 for its officials. 577W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 578W

£ Amount of travel subsistence 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 Number of officials reimbursed (£)

10 887.18 810.86 1,236.00 1,234.80 1,282.28 2008-09 n/a n/a 11 832.00 796.81 1,207.00 1,207.74 1,269.18 The monetary value of the 20 highest subsistence 12 812.57 787.50 1,175.10 1,034.48 1,261.60 claims for NHS England is shown in the following 13 797.03 764.64 1,152.24 1,031.60 1,231.48 table: 14 766.08 752.94 1,127.75 1,030.99 1,226.00 15 761.00 726.11 1,043.00 1,019.80 1,225.00 £ 16 756.89 650.01 1,040.00 1,019.74 1,177.00 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 17 755.13 640.14 1,035.00 1,011.20 1,177.00 18 735.14 613.42 1,030.00 1,009.57 1,161.16 1 295.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a 19 732.33 600.19 861.00 995.97 1,070.16 2 266.03 n/a n/a n/a n/a 20 732.33 600.17 857.40 989.78 1,038.44 3 240.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a 4 205.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a 5 205.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a (b) Non-departmental public bodies 6 205.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a Health Protection Agency (HPA)—Part of Public Health 7 190.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a England from 1 April 2013 8 180.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a 9 180.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a Number of officials Amount of travel subsistence 10 170.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a reimbursed (£) 11 165.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a 2012-13 1,249 190,310.00 12 165.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a 2011-12 1,212 245,515.00 13 160.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a 2010-11 1,308 204,963.00 14 160.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a 2009-10 1,503 227,171.00 15 150.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a 2008-09 n/a n/a 16 130.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a 17 130.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a The monetary value of the 20 highest subsistence 18 130.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a claims for the HPA is shown in the following table. Data 19 120.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a for the financial year 2008-09 is not included as the 20 115.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a details are held in an archived expenses system and to retrieve the information would be at disproportionate cost. Human Tissue Authority (HTA)

£ Amount of travel subsistence Number of officials reimbursed (£) 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2012-13 52 26,437.00 1 602.25 887.73 963.27 533.66 n/a 2011-12 54 27,027.00 2 581.13 744.26 785.20 512.27 n/a 2010-11 64 32,307.00 3 550.00 586.47 777.87 473.90 n/a 2009-10 57 44,854.00 4 548.99 515.83 689.12 473.90 n/a 2008-09 50 48,770.00 5 543.00 499.52 688.00 473.90 n/a 6 486.03 481.32 655.27 473.83 n/a The monetary value of the 20 highest subsistence 7 470.03 473.77 609.63 426.00 n/a claims for the HTA is shown in the following table: 8 470.03 465.94 595.01 410.81 n/a 9 453.71 452.16 488.66 407.00 n/a £ 10 446.22 435.00 477.72 407.00 n/a 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 11 435.80 425.60 475.00 406.07 n/a 1 661.62 595.68 560.92 1,246.36 2,247.63 12 427.04 424.70 423.32 399.98 n/a 2 642.22 594.08 479.89 1,163.38 2,186.23 13 425.02 415.27 423.00 398.55 n/a 3 547.22 581.30 469.39 1,108.80 1,394.55 14 425.05 407.93 420.00 398.55 n/a 4 511.08 558.18 469.39 861.14 1,392.52 15 422.63 402.12 414.00 393.24 n/a 5 390.00 518.28 466.49 792.00 1,273.59 16 414.62 385.00 412.23 387.12 n/a 6 355.94 509.08 464.89 633.60 1,200.40 17 412.84 367.10 407.93 387.12 n/a 7 335.78 505.08 454.89 633.60 1,177.52 18 408.42 356.13 394.62 375.90 n/a 8 300.52 391.49 452.89 633.60 1,108.46 19 407.00 355.00 393.76 374.99 n/a 9 297.81 352.52 452.89 612.88 767.95 20 395.25 348.00 388.40 373.44 n/a 10 291.62 335.75 450.39 529.83 761.38 11 286.18 328.65 450.30 450.04 715.35 NHS England 12 282.55 301.75 446.49 430.57 659.66 13 271.10 279.40 433.89 429.99 642.00 Amount of travel subsistence 14 257.43 274.04 425.74 427.00 525.50 Number of officials reimbursed (£) 15 256.57 262.20 421.00 426.29 518.28 2012-13 21 5,188.39 16 255.50 258.25 387.00 423.79 518.88 2011-12 n/a n/a 17 252.00 244.90 356.54 415.96 497.75 2010-11 n/a n/a 18 242.84 243.45 318.75 414.79 464.55 2009-10 n/a n/a 19 234.49 242.65 291.32 401.29 439.65 579W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 580W

Anna Soubry: NHS Prescription Services captures £ and holds certain data to allow reimbursement and 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 remuneration to be made to dispensing contractors for 20 234.10 230.76 281.80 397.29 408.10 items, supplied in primary care for England via FP10 prescription forms and to allow for those costs to be Monitor recharged to the prescribing organisation. NHS Prescription Services does not capture the reason for prescribing a Amount of travel subsistence particular drug therefore it is not possible to provide the Number of claims1 reimbursed (£) spend on the treatment of vitamin D deficiency.

2012-13 325 5,519.08 However, NHS Prescription Services is able to provide 2011-12 416 4,628.08 data for the period requested relating to the net ingredient 2010-11 324 3,347.16 cost (NIC) of drugs contained in the British National 2009-10 n/a 4,962.12 Forumulary paragraph 9.6.4: Vitamin D. 2008-09 n/a 2,922.22 Although the heading of this BNF paragraph is 1 Some officials will have claimed multiple times, and others not at all, so in Vitamin D, it does contain products not primarily prescribed terms of numbers of people claiming subsistence this would involve interrogating for vitamin D deficiency, and there may be some products each individual expense claim or designing a bespoke report and could be done only at disproportionate cost. containing vitamin D that are not included within BNF The monetary value of the 20 highest subsistence 9.6.4. claims for Monitor is shown in the following table. Top The following table provides the NIC relating to 20 data for the financial years 2008-09 and 2009-10 are items contained within BNF 9.6.4: Vitamin D for each not included as the details are held in an archived financial year as requested. NIC is shown for prescribing accounting system and to retrieve the information would in Hounslow Primary Care Trust (PCT), London Strategic be at disproportionate cost. Health Authority (SHA) and England. Net ingredient cost of vitamin D (BNF 9.6.4) £ £000 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 1 127.05 120.00 135.56 n/a n/a Hounslow 423,125.62 637,749.33 834,085.45 898,929.69 2 123.83 115.00 97.93 n/a n/a PCT 3 104.08 95.40 90.00 n/a n/a London 10,623,062.90 14,603,654.96 18,862,173.76 19,755,260.59 4 97.35 95.00 77.25 n/a n/a SHA 5 90.00 91.80 74.91 n/a n/a England 56,675,115.62 68,356,512.52 78,712,417.66 84,255,089.75 6 90.00 88.00 74.30 n/a n/a The NIC is the basic price for drugs as described in 7 90.00 85.25 66.00 n/a n/a the Drug Tariff Part II Clause 8. NIC does not include 8 88.15 85.10 65.30 n/a n/a any other cost associated with the prescribing and dispensing 9 84.00 82.00 64.25 n/a n/a items containing vitamin D such as payment for containers 10 83.82 80.90 64.10 n/a n/a and consumables, out of pocket expenses and dispensing 11 81.12 72.54 62.35 n/a n/a fees. 12 80.00 71.39 60.55 n/a n/a 13 77.20 70.05 60.00 n/a n/a Source: 14 74.54 69.10 53.45 n/a n/a ePACT.net 15 74.23 68.11 53.00 n/a n/a 16 73.20 62.15 51.75 n/a n/a 17 70.10 60.00 44.60 n/a n/a EDUCATION 18 70.05 60.00 39.30 n/a n/a Apprentices 19 70.00 56.07 38.45 n/a n/a 20 70.00 54.05 38.20 n/a n/a Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effectiveness Care Quality Commission (CQC) of the National Apprenticeship service website as a tool CQC cannot provide the requested details without for young people to find apprenticeships since its inception. incurring a disproportionate cost as their accounting [155505] system does not differentiate between travel and subsistence. Matthew Hancock: The Apprenticeship vacancy website Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is excellent. It is now widely used as a free recruitment The HFEA has estimated that, in order to provide service across England by employers and training the information requested, it would be at disproportionate organisations to advertise apprenticeship vacancies and cost as the data would not be apparent from the accounting by individuals looking to apply for an apprenticeship. entries alone. For senior officials and authority members, The number of apprenticeship vacancies advertised all of the HFEA data is published on: this year has increased by 24% and almost 120,000 are www.data.gov.uk expected to be advertised by the end of August. There Vitamin D has been an increase of 35% in the number of applications being made with 958,000 applications in the last nine Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for months. Health how much his Department has spent on the The majority of applications are from young people treatment of vitamin D deficiency in (a) Hounslow, in the 16 to 24 age range, often helping them into their (b) London and (c) England in (i) 2009-10, (ii) first job and giving them the opportunity to gain valuable 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2012-13. [156412] skills required for their future career. 581W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 582W

The Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching system itself died while in care of local authorities in the last 10 is under constant review with a programme to update years in each local authority area; and if he will make a and improve its functionality to make it easier for statement. [155195] people to access and use. The National Apprenticeship Service actively promotes Apprenticeships and Apprenticeship vacancies to young Mr Timpson: Information on the number of children people and to schools across the country and there are a who die while in the care of local authorities in England range of schools resources and literature available on is shown in the following table. Figures are given for the website: each English region for the year 2003 to 2012. http://apprenticeships.org.uk/ Since January 2011, the apprentice landing page on The number of children who die while in the care of apprenticeships.gov.uk has had 2.1 million visits. This local authorities in England is low, typically around 50 page provides support and advice for potential apprentices, children per year. Due to these low numbers and to including real life case studies and how to apply. protect their identities, figures cannot be provided for each individual local authority. Children in Care: Death

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children under 18 years old have

Number of looked-after children who have died while being looked after by a local authority,1, 2, 3, year ending 31 March 2003 to 2012, England 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

England 60 60 70 60 70 50 50 50 50 40 North East 0 4— 4— 4— 4— 4— 4— 4— 4— 4— North West 10 10 10 10 20 10 10 10 10 4— Yorkshire and the Humber 10 4—104—104— 4—101010 East Midlands 4— 4— 4— 4—104— 4— 4— 4— 4— West Midlands 10 10 10 4—10101010104— East of England 10 10 10 4—104—104—104— London 10 10 10 20 20 10 10 10 10 10 Inner London 10 10 4—10104—1010104— Outer London 10 10 10 10 10 4— 4— 4— 4—10 South East 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 4—10 South West 4— 4— 4— 4— 4— 4—104—104— 1 Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. 2 Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements. 3 Regional figures do not add up to England total due to rounding. 4 Figures not shown in order to protect confidentiality. Source: SSDA 903.

Children: Day Care Andreas Schleicher said: “Results from PISA show that high performing education systems consistently prioritise the quality of their staff over the Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for size of classes. OECD’s work on early childhood education Education whether he has received representations (Starting Strong 3) underlines the importance of having staff with from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and proper educational qualifications and that staff qualifications are Development in support of the relaxation of childcare the best predictor of the quality of early childhood education and care.” ratios. [155127] Children: Poverty Elizabeth Truss: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for a number of reports that compare the early years systems Education what assessment he has made of the within member countries, including looking at the different accuracy and effectiveness of the statistics used for staffing and qualification requirements. The Department measuring child poverty in the UK; and if he will make for Education has engaged directly with the OECD to a statement. [155759] better understand their research findings, and to see what their evidence suggests could improve the English Mr Laws: The Government is committed to tackling system. I have corresponded with Andreas Schleicher, child poverty and to the Child Poverty Act 2010. However, Special Adviser on Education Policy to the Secretary- we do not believe that the targets set in the Act, looked General of the OECD, who is supportive of improving at in isolation, capture the full reality of poverty in the staff qualifications and says the best education systems United Kingdom. This is why we have consulted on prioritise quality of staff over class sizes. He has better measures of child poverty. The targets in the Act, acknowledged the importance of the proposals in ‘More which are separate from the statistics used to monitor great childcare’, published by the Government in January them, can drive perverse policy decisions designed to 2013, including our intention to bring England more move families above an arbitrary income line, rather into line with comparable countries. than tackling the underlying root causes of poverty. 583W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 584W

The statistical methodology of collecting the statistics (2) what measures he has implemented to improve is not in question. The relative low income, absolute low understanding of child sexual exploitation in schools. income, and combined low income and material deprivation [156405] child poverty target measures are sourced from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) publication. Elizabeth Truss: All schools have statutory responsibilities This publication has been designated as a National to safeguard and promote the welfare of their pupils. Statistic by the UK Statistics Authority; this means it is As part of this, we expect schools to ensure that pupils fully compliant with the principles in the Code of understand the risks that they may face and how to Practice for Official Statistics. These principles include keep themselves safe. that the statistics be produced using sound methods, Schools can teach pupils about these issues in sex and and are quality assured, taking account of internationally relationship education (SRE), which is compulsory in agreed practices. maintained secondary schools. When teaching SRE, The statistics within the HBAI publication are largely schools must have regard to the Secretary of State’s based on data collected through the Family Resources SRE guidance, which makes clear that all young people Survey (FRS) which are considered to be robust and of should understand how to avoid exploitation and abuse, good quality. Like all sample surveys of this type they and how the law applies to sexual relationships. are subject to both sampling error as well as bias from To support schools to deliver high quality SRE, we non-sampling error. However rigorous checks and analysis have asked Ofsted to report on effective practice, as well are carried out to ensure that consistent valid and as providing grant funding to the PSHE Association to reliable results are produced which are statistically fit undertake work advising schools in developing curricula, for purpose against the targets set out in the Child improving staff training and promoting the teaching of Poverty Act 2010. consent in SRE. Children’s Centres Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for likelihood of meeting the child poverty targets set out Education (1) what estimate he has made of the total in the Child Poverty Act 2010; and if he will make a number of children’s centres; [155133] statement. [155760] (2) how many children’s centres there were in each local authority area on (a) 6 May 2010 and (b) 6May Mr Laws: The Government is committed to tackling 2013. [155129] child poverty and to the Child Poverty Act 2010. The Elizabeth Truss: Information supplied by local authorities targets in the Act are based on measures of median on the Sure Start On database showed that at the end of income and therefore rely on the performance of the April 2013, there were 3,116 Sure Start children’s centres economy, on people’s behaviours and on Government in England. Local authorities tell us that there have policy. As the recent IFS report on poverty in Northern been only 35 outright closures since 2010. The rest of Ireland acknowledges, these cannot be predicted with the change is a result of reorganisations and mergers of certainty over this time scale. The Government has existing centres. recently consulted on how best to measure child poverty, reflecting the ongoing commitment to tackling the root In many cases, there has simply been a merger of causes of poverty. management with children’s centre functions still being provided on the same number of sites. It would therefore be inaccurate and misleading to claim that these figures Children: Protection show how many children’s centres have “closed” in each local authority. Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for The following table shows the breakdown of children’s Education (1) what steps he is taking to integrate child centre numbers by local authority at 30 April 2010 and protection and child sexual exploitation awareness into at 30 April 2013. The Department for Education records the school curriculum; and if he will make a statement; these data at the end of each month, based on information [156320] supplied by local authorities.

Number of designated children’s centres Number of designated children’s centres Region Local authority at 30 April 2010 at 30 April 2013

LON Barking and Dagenham 18 12 LON Barnet 20 13 YH Barnsley 19 19 SW Bath and North East Somerset 11 11 EE Bedford Borough 15 15 LON Bexley 16 10 WM Birmingham 75 61 NW Blackburn with Darwen 13 13 NW Blackpool 13 10 NW Bolton 18 18 SW Bournemouth 98 SE Bracknell Forest 8 4 YH Bradford 41 41 585W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 586W

Number of designated children’s centres Number of designated children’s centres Region Local authority at 30 April 2010 at 30 April 2013

LON Brent 19 17 SE Brighton and Hove 15 13 SW Bristol, City of 31 25 LON Bromley 18 10 SE Buckinghamshire 35 35 NW Bury 14 14 YH Calderdale 16 16 EE Cambridgeshire 40 40 LON Camden 17 15 EE Central Bedfordshire 22 9 NW Cheshire East 19 13 NW Cheshire West and Chester 20 16 LON City of London 1 1 SW Cornwall 40 18 WM Coventry 23 17 LON Croydon 26 13 NW Cumbria 28 28 NE Darlington 75 EM Derby, City of 18 18 EM Derbyshire 54 54 SW Devon 43 43 YH Doncaster 21 21 SW Dorset 23 22. WM Dudley 20 20 NE Durham 43 43 LON Ealing 28 27 YH East Riding of Yorkshire 20 18 SE East Sussex 35 31 LON Enfield 24 24 EE Essex 85 85 NE Gateshead 15 10 SW Gloucestershire 39 39 LON Greenwich 24 16 LON Hackney 20 13 NW Halton 88 LON Hammersmith and Fulham 15 6 SE Hampshire 81 54 LON Haringey ¦19 16 LON Harrow 16 6 NE Hartlepool 84 LON Havering 14 13 WM Herefordshire 12 9 EE Hertfordshire 82 82 LON Hillingdon 17 18 LON Hounslow 18 18 SE Isle of Wight 88 SW Isles of Scilly 11 LON Islington 16 16 LON Kensington and Chelsea 8 9 SE Kent 96 96 YH Kingston upon Hull, City of 20 10 LON Kingston upon Thames 11 10 YH Kirklees 32 29 NW Knowsley 15 13 LON Lambeth 29 26 NW Lancashire 79 79 YH Leeds 58 54 EM Leicester, City of 23 23 EM Leicestershire 41 35 LON Lewisham 19 19 EM Lincolnshire 48 25 NW Liverpool 26 17 EE Luton 23 7 NW Manchester 40 39 587W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 588W

Number of designated children’s centres Number of designated children’s centres Region Local authority at 30 April 2010 at 30 April 2013

SE Medway 19 19 LON Merton 11 5 NE Middlesbrough 13 9 SE Milton Keynes 20 20 YH NE Lincolnshire 14 10 NE Newcastle upon Tyne 18 15 LON Newham 20 20 EE Norfolk 54 53 YH North Lincolnshire 12 12 SW North Somerset 14 14 NE North Tyneside 12 12 YH North Yorkshire 37 37 EM Northamptonshire 50 50 NE Northumberland 20 20 EM Nottingham, City of 18 18 EM Nottinghamshire 58 58 NW Oldham 16 16 SE Oxfordshire 45 43 EE Peterborough, City of 15 15 SW Plymouth, City of 17 17 SW Poole 88 SE Portsmouth 16 16 SE Reading 13 13 LON Redbridge 22 17 NE Redcar and Cleveland 12 7 LON Richmond upon Thames 10 ″6 NW Rochdale 16 7 YH Rotherham .22 22 EM Rutland 22 NW Salford 16 8 WM Sandwell 21 21 NW Sefton 15 11 YH Sheffield 36 29 WM Shropshire 18 12 SE Slough 10 10 WM Solihull 14 14 SW Somerset 41 41 SW South Gloucestershire 15 6 NE South Tyneside 12 6 SE Southampton 14 14 EE Southend on Sea 14 11 LON Southwark 21 17 NW St Helens 12 8 WM Staffordshire 54 26 NW Stockport 19 12 NE Stockton on Tees 11 12 WM Stoke on Trent 16 16 EE Suffolk 48 48 NE Sunderland 17 5 SE Surrey 69 58 LON Sutton 14 14 SW Swindon 14 14 NW Tameside 17 17 WM Telford and Wrekin 13 13 EE Thurrock 15 9 SW Torbay 72 LON Tower Hamlets 23 12 NW Trafford 16 16 YH Wakefield 23 23 WM Walsall 18 18 LON Waltham Forest 17 6 LON Wandsworth 23 15 NW Warrington 12 8 WM Warwickshire 39 39 589W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 590W

Number of designated children’s centres Number of designated children’s centres Region Local authority at 30 April 2010 at 30 April 2013

SE West Berkshire 10 10 , SE West Sussex 49 45 LON Westminster, City of 15 3 NW Wigan 20 20 SW Wiltshire 30 31 SE Windsor and Maidenhead 10 2 NW Wirral 16 16 SE Wokingham 10 8 WM Wolverhampton 18 17 WM Worcestershire 34 29 YH York, City of 99 Total 3,631 3,116

Clothing English Language: Immigrants

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many officials in (a) his Department Education what steps he is taking to support the provision and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which of English language tuition and other educational support he is responsible have made a claim for evening dress for the children of migrant families prior to and during allowance in each of the last five years; and what the their school years. [156064] total cost of such claims has been. [155446] Mr Laws: The Government’s approach is to give Elizabeth Truss: The Department does not hold the school leaders greater power and responsibility to drive level of detail in the financial accounting system required improvement in their schools. This provides them with to answer this question. the freedom and flexibility to offer the right learning opportunities for their pupils for whom English is an Conditions of Employment additional language. This approach fits within a broader legal context Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for whereby local authorities have a duty to ensure that Education how many people in his Department are education is available for all children of compulsory employed on zero hours contracts. [156098] school age that is appropriate to their age, ability, aptitudes and any special educational needs they may Elizabeth Truss: The Department does not employ have. This duty applies irrespective of a child’s immigration any people on zero hours contracts. status, country of origin or rights of residence in a particular area. Education: Bassetlaw The evidence suggests that effective outcomes for children learning English as an additional language John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for (EAL) are achieved by schools promoting rapid language Education how much capital expenditure there has acquisition so that these pupils can be included in been in the education sector in Bassetlaw constituency mainstream education as quickly as possible. Pupils in each year since 2010. [154155] learning EAL are generally taught in a mainstream class alongside their peers. Newly arrived pupils are Mr Laws: The Department allocates capital funding usually given additional help in learning English by at either a local authority level or to individual schools specialist teachers or by bilingual classroom assistants. through Devolved Formula Capital and the Academies Capital Maintenance Fund. The Department does not Advice and case studies on how to help schools hold information as to how capital is expended at a address the needs of EAL learners are available on the constituency level. Department’s and Ofsted’s websites. Email First Aid: Curriculum

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Education whether he still uses the Mrs Blurt email if he will commission research on the effectiveness of account to send and receive emails for the purpose of the introduction of mandatory teaching of CPR skills official government business; and if he will make a in the school curriculum in (a) France, (b) Denmark statement. [155852] and (c) Norway in order to inform an assessment of the case for such skills being mandatory in England. Elizabeth Truss: The Secretary of State and his special [155648] advisers use equipment and systems provided by the Department and their own IT equipment as appropriate, Elizabeth Truss: In response to the recent consultation depending on their location and circumstances. Where on the national curriculum, we have had representations information is generated in the course of conducting from a range of organisations setting out the case for Government business, it is stored on departmental systems. including CPR skills. The joint response from the British 591W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 592W

Heart Foundation and Resuscitation Council UK provided and is no longer being so used or is about to cease being evidence to support their recommendation, including so used, then under the Academies Act 2010 the Secretary on international practice. We do not propose to commission of State has powers to make a scheme to transfer land additional research. held by a local authority to a person concerned with We are currently reviewing the consultation responses, running an academy or free school. including those from organisations and individuals The Department for Education does not have a role supporting the inclusion of CPR skills, and will publish or any powers in determining the outcome of planning a final version of the new national curriculum later in applications for free schools: this role falls to the Local the year. Planning Authority.

Free School Meals Free Schools: Brighton

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will bring forward proposals to ensure Education if he will prevent the proposal to build a that children of recipients of universal credit are new free school site on a playing field used by Cardinal automatically (a) entitled to and (b) provided with Newman Catholic School, Brighton and Hove Sixth free schools meals. [155198] Form College and Stanford Junior and Infant schools; and if he will make a statement. [155071] Mr Laws: We estimate that extending free school meal entitlement to all families in receipt of universal Mr Timpson: No decision has yet been taken by credit would result in more than half of children being Ministers. The plans under discussion mean just 3.6 entitled to free school meals in England, at a cost of up acres will be used for a much-needed new school—out to an extra £1 billion per year. In the current economic of a total site of 22 acres. The amount of open space climate this is not affordable. which will still available to the local community is equal Universal credit will change the benefits by which to around 17 full-size football pitches. children are entitled to free school meals (FSM); but it Brighton and Hove is seeing heavy pressure on school will not change the process, in education legislation, places. We want to work with the council to get the right through which families become entitled. Under section result for Brighton and Hove’s children. 512ZB of the Education Act 1996, a child or his or her parents must first make a request for free school meals Inflation to the school or local authority to become eligible for free school meals. The Department for Education aims Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education to ensure that, as universal credit is introduced from if he will list the purposes for which his Department 2013, the new FSM entitlement criteria are easily integrated uses (a) the retail price index measure of inflation, (b) into local FSM administrative and delivery systems. the consumer price index measure of inflation and (c) We are working to encourage all families who meet any alternative measure of inflation. [154979] the criteria to register for free school meals. We want disadvantaged children to benefit from a nutritious Mr Laws: The key purposes for which the Department meal, and their schools to be able to receive pupil uses different measures of inflation include: premium funding to help raise disadvantaged pupils’ (1) The Teacher’s Pension Scheme (TPS): attainment. Pensions and benefits accrued and paid under the TPS are currently uplifted in each year by the consumer Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for prices index (CPI). Furthermore, there are provisions in Education whether students attending university technical the TPS relating to historical purchases of additional colleges will be eligible for free school meals. [155504] pension by scheme members, which are indexed by the retail prices index (RPI) in very limited circumstances. Mr Laws: Students attending university technical colleges are entitled to free school meals, in the same (2) Published impact assessments: way that free school meals are available in all academies. In accordance with the guidance given in HM Treasury’s Green Book, GDP deflators (a whole economy measure Free Schools of inflation) are used in published impact assessments to express the costs and benefits of policy proposals in Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for real terms. Education what legislative or other powers he has to (3) School building and maintenance contracts: override the position of a local authority that objects The Department uses the BIS public sector (non-housing) to an education funding agency proposal for a new free index (which measures the movement of tender prices school. [155072] for building contracts in the public sector) when setting the maximum price against which contractors may bid Mr Timpson: The Department for Education and the for ’design and build’ contracts under the Priority Schools Education Funding Agency work with approved free Building Programme (PSBP). RPIX (RPI minus mortgage school proposers to support the development of each interest payments) is used to calculate part of the unitary school, including securing a suitable site. charge that is paid to providers under long-term private In some cases, free schools are located on sites owned finance agreements, to ensure that payments to operate by local authorities, often through the agreement of a premises for the life of the contract—typically 25 years—are long term lease for a nominal sum. Where a site has in line with the costs of providing services like building been used for a school within the previous eight years, maintenance. 593W Written Answers 20 MAY 2013 594W

(4) Long-term contracts with service providers: given in such awards but there have been no occasions The TPS is administered under contract by Capita, in the last five years when it has been necessary to whose contract fee is uplifted annually by the CPI. recover a performance award. Payments in relation to the contract to manage the Pupil Exclusions marking of key stage 2 tests are also linked to the CPI. Pay Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children and young people were Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) permanently excluded and (b) temporarily Education what guidance his Department issues on the excluded from schools in (i) Barnsley Central actions that would result in the suspension or removal constituency, (ii) Barnsley local education authority of a bonus payment to an official in his Department; area, (iii) South Yorkshire and (iv) England in (A) what the process is for clawing back such bonuses; and 2010-11, (B) 2011-12 and (C) 2012-13. [155560] on how many occasions this has happened in each of the last five years. [154995] Elizabeth Truss: The available information on the number of pupil enrolments with a permanent exclusion Elizabeth Truss: The Department rewards up to 25% or with one or more fixed period exclusions in Barnsley of its highest performing staff based on their performance Central constituency, Barnsley local authority, South in the previous year. The awards are retrospective and Yorkshire and England is shown in the table. subject to evidence based moderation. The Department’s Information for 2011/12 will be available in the summer. disciplinary policy allows for the recovery of money Information for 2012/13 has not yet been collected.

State-funded primary, state-funded secondary and special schools1,2,3,4: Number of permanent exclusions 2010/11: Barnsley Central constituency, South Yorkshire and England State-funded primary schools1,2 State-funded secondary Special schools4 Total1,2,3,4 schools1,3 No. of No. of No. of No. of permanent % of school permanent % of school permanent % of school permanent % of school exclusions population5 exclusions population5 exclusions population5 exclusions population5

England 610 0.01 4,370 0.13 110 0.12 5,080 0.07

South Yorkshire6 5 0.00 40 0.05 0 0.00 40 0.02 Barnsley local 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 authority Doncaster local x x 20 0.10 0 0.00 20 0.05 authority Rotherham local x x 16 0.08 0 0.00 20 0.04 authority Sheffield local xxxx00.00xx authority

Barnsley Central 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 constituency 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Includes primary academies. 3 Includes city technology colleges and secondary academies (including all-through academies). 4 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. 5 The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of pupils (excluding dually registered pupils) each January. 6 South Yorkshire consists of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield local authorities. Note: National and total numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. ‘x’ = less than 5 pupils, or a rate based on less than 5 pupils. Source: School Census State-funded primary, state-funded secondary and special schools1,2,3,4: Number of pupil enrolments receiving one or more fixed period exclusions 2010/11: Barnsley Central constituency, South Yorkshire and England State-funded primary schools1,2 State-funded secondary schools1,3 Special schools4 Total1,2,3,4 No. of pupil No. of pupil No. of pupil No. of pupil enrolments enrolments enrolments enrolments with one or with one or with one or with one or more fixed more fixed more fixed more fixed period % of school period % of school period % of school period % of school exclusion population5 exclusion population5 exclusion population5 exclusion population5

England 37,790 0.91 271,980 8.40 14,340 15.66 324,110 4.34

South Yorkshire6 1,040 0.94 8,470 10.36 290 13.05 9,810 5.05 Barnsley local 198 1.03 424 3.35 x x 630 1.95 authority Doncaster local 173 0.66 3,061 15.15 35 7.06 3,270 7.00 authority Rotherham local 280 1.23 2,100 11.10 21 3.85 2,400 5.69 authority 595W Written Answers 20 MAY 2013 596W

State-funded primary, state-funded secondary and special schools1,2,3,4: Number of pupil enrolments receiving one or more fixed period exclusions 2010/11: Barnsley Central constituency, South Yorkshire and England State-funded primary schools1,2 State-funded secondary schools1,3 Special schools4 Total1,2,3,4 No. of pupil No. of pupil No. of pupil No. of pupil enrolments enrolments enrolments enrolments with one or with one or with one or with one or more fixed more fixed more fixed more fixed period % of school period % of school period % of school period % of school exclusion population5 exclusion population5 exclusion population5 exclusion population5

Sheffield local 389 0.93 2,884 9.61 232 24.97 3,510 4.80 authority Barnsley Central 89 1.18 50 1.16 x x 140 1.17 constituency 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Includes primary academies. 3 Includes city technology colleges and secondary academies (including all-through academies). 4 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. 5 The number of pupil enrolments receiving fixed period exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of pupils (excluding dually registered pupils) each January. 6 South Yorkshire consists of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield local authorities. Note: National and total numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. ‘x’ = less than 5 pupils, or a rate based on less than 5 pupils. Source: School Census

Pupils: Disadvantaged Schools: Inspections

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for on what date he plans to publish his Department’s Education with reference to paragraph 18 of the Framework guidance note on the use of pupil premium for learning for the inspection of local authority arrangements for outside the classroom. [154251] supporting school improvement, what criteria he will follow when requesting that Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector Mr Laws: The Department has not given schools inspect a local authority. [156328] guidance on how to use the pupil premium as head teachers are best placed to make decisions about how to Mr Laws: We are currently considering the criteria support their disadvantaged pupils and close the attainment which would be used to inform any such requests. gap between them and their peers. Ultimately, head teachers are accountable for those decisions through Schools: Transport their Ofsted inspection and school performance tables. The Department has published a series of evidence Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education notes which head teachers can draw on when making what assessment he has made of the need to update any decisions about how to spend the pupil premium, available statutory guidance given to local authorities regarding at: transport for 16 to 25 year olds with special educational http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/premium/ needs following passage of the Children and Families how Bill. [156327]

Schools: Buildings Mr Laws: Local authorities have a legal duty to set out transport arrangements for students aged 16 and over in a post 16 transport policy statement, which they Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Education are required to publish every year. These arrangements what funding his Department makes available to primary do not necessarily have to include free or subsidised schools to build eco-friendly buildings. [155749] transport, but the needs and requirements of students must be taken into account, alongside the availability of Mr Laws: The Government is providing over £18 local resources. The statement should also include the billion of capital support for investment in schools in specific arrangements for learners with learning difficulties England over the current four year spending period, and/or disabilities aged up to 25. The requirements are 2011-12 to 2014-15; including nearly £4 billion this set out in statutory guidance for local authorities. financial year. How this is spread between primary, The Children and Families Bill proposes requiring secondary and special schools varies according to the local authorities to publish a local offer of overall specific priorities in each local authority area. educational provision for young people with special All new school buildings must satisfy the building educational needs in its area. It includes a requirement regulations, which include requirements for energy on local authorities to include in the local offer information conservation and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions about the arrangements for travel to and from school from buildings. In addition, the Department specifies a and post-16 education institutions. sustainable approach to the design and construction of This will not replace the current post 16 transport school buildings in its capital programmes. This covers duty on local authorities or place any additional issues such as maximising the use of natural ventilation requirements regarding the provision of support for and daylight in classrooms and minimising water use transport. We therefore do not plan to update the post and waste, both in a building’s construction and during 16 transport guidance, which will remain in place. However, its operation. subject to passage of the Children and Families Bill, 597W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 598W additional statutory guidance in the form of the SEN Special Educational Needs Code of Practice will be issued; this will make it clear that local authorities will be expected to co-ordinate Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for their activity in support of both sets of responsibilities Education (1) whether visually-impaired children with so that parents and young people have access to clear special educational needs will be entitled to (a) an and current information. education, health and care plan and (b) specialist support from birth where appropriate to their assessed Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for needs; and if he will make a statement; [155693] Education by what date local authorities need to (2) whether all children and young people with severe produce their transport policy statement for students of sight loss will receive an education, health and care sixth form age for the 2013-14 academic year. [156329] plan; and if he will make a statement. [155694]

Mr Laws: Local authorities must publish their post Mr Timpson: The Children and Families Bill will 16 transport policy statements for the 2013/14 academic ensure that eligibility for an Education, Health and year by the end of May 2013. Care plan (EHC plan) remains the same as it is now for a statement of special educational needs (SEN) or post-16 Learning Difficulty Assessment (LDA), including Secondary Education: Admissions for children and young people with a visual impairment. Decisions about whether an individual child or young person will require an EHC plan will be made by local Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for authorities on a case by case basis. Education what proportion of children in (a) England Many children and young people with a visual and (b) Harlow constituency secured places at (i) their impairment currently have a statement of SEN currently. first choice and (ii) one of their top three choices of In 2012 there were a total of 8,900 pupils recorded as secondary school during the most recent application having a visual impairment as their primary need. Of period. [155506] these, 5,305 were receiving support through School Action Plus and 3,595 had a statement of SEN. Mr Laws: The Department collects data from local EHC plans will be built on a much stronger, streamlined authorities on how many families received an offer of a assessment process which includes parents, children and place at one of their preferred secondary schools. The young people, and focuses more clearly on their outcomes most recent data relates to the start of the 2013/14 and aspirations. This will be underpinned by a new duty academic year. Figures for England and the local authority in the Children and Families Bill for local authorities of Essex, which includes Harlow parliamentary and health commissioners to plan and commission constituency, are given in the following table. services for children and young people with SEN jointly. The Bill includes a duty on the health service to bring a The figures are gathered at local authority level only child under school age to the attention of the local so data for Harlow parliamentary constituency is not authority, where they believe the child has (or probably available. has) SEN. This will enable earlier identification and Applications and offers for entry to secondary schools in England and Essex local provision of support, including for visual impairment. authority in academic year 2013/14 Percentage of children: Essex LA England Local authorities have duties to support disabled children under the Children Act 1989. Local authority Offered first preference 86.9 86.7 sensory support services work with families from, birth school to support the child’s development. In addition, the Offered one of top three 96.6 96.5 preferences Department has awarded a contract to the National Note: Sensory Impairment Partnership costing £1.1 million Data collected from local authorities on National Offers day, 1 March 2013. over two years. This contract includes specific work on Braille support and supporting local authorities to develop These figures were published on 26 March 2013 in the an effective local offer for children and young people statistical first release “Secondary school applications with sensory impairments. and offers in England: March 2013”, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/secondary- Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for school-applications-and-offers-in-england-march-2013 Education what steps he plans to take to ensure that waiting times for education, health and care plans are shorter than those for the current statements of special Secondary Education: Kingston Upon Thames educational needs. [155837]

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Timpson: In March, we published indicative Education what timetable he has set for his regulations and a draft code of practice regarding special Department to come to a decision on funding for a educational needs (SEN), to support parliamentary scrutiny secondary free school in North Kingston. [155628] of the Children and Families Bill. The indicative regulations prescribe clear time scales for the assessment and planning process for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, Mr Timpson: We expect to inform all applicants to and reduce the maximum time a local authority can the latest round of the outcome of their free school take to issue an EHC plan, following a request for applications very shortly. assessment, from the current 26 weeks to 20 weeks. 599W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 600W

The indicative SEN regulations and draft code of Public appointments—Ethnicity practice make clear that the time scales are a maximum. Appointees who have Wherever possible, assessment and planning processes declared an ethnic should be completed more quickly to meet the needs of Department Total appointments minority status children, young people and their families most effectively. Government Equalities Office 14 1— The draft code of practice emphasises that there should be effective joint working between agencies to help Her Majesty’s Treasury 35 1— ensure families and young people do not have to repeat Home Office 186 6 the same information, and save time through avoiding Ministry of Defence 374 1— duplication. The SEN pathfinders are demonstrating how to reduce time scales for assessment and planning Ministry of Justice 3,251 186 in practice. Northern Ireland Office 45 1— Staff Scotland Office 3 0 Total 8,742 464

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 1 Represents numbers of less than five. who the members of the (a) School Teachers’ Review Table 1: Children’s Commissioner Body, (b) Office of the Children’s Commissioner and Children’s (c) Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Commissioner Term of office Remuneration (£) Service were on 1 January 2013; and what the (i) ethnicity, Dr Maggie Atkinson Appointed for five-year 140,000 per (ii) term of office and (iii) remuneration is of each such termon1March2010 annum member. [155844] Table 2: Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service Mr Timpson: The names, terms of office and Remuneration paid remuneration arrangements for the Children’s Board member Term of office in 2012-13 (£) Commissioner and Board Members of the School Teachers’ Claire Tyler Three years—appointed 23 44,000 Review Body and Children and Family Court Advisory (Chair) January 2012 and Support Service are provided in the following tables. Mary Macleod Appointed initially 1 May 2009 20,039 (Deputy) Appointment to Deputy Chair The ethnicity of individual members is collected on a 1 April 2012 to 22 January 2015 voluntary and self-defined basis. This information is Professor Ian Appointed initially 1 May 2009 10,039 classed as “sensitive personal data” under the Data Butler for three years Appointed for an additional two years on 1 May Protection Act 1998. There is, however, information in 2012 the public domain which gives an overview of public Kamaljit Singh Appointed initially 1 April 2010 10,039 appointees’ ethnicity on an “aggregate” basis. This for three years Appointed for an information can be found in the Cabinet Office document additional two years on 1 April “Public Bodies 2012”, which can be accessed via the 2013 Terence Connor Appointed initially 1 April 2010 10,039 following link: for three years Appointed for an https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ additional one year on 1 April attachment_data/file/79258/public-bodies-2012_1.pdf 2013. Stuart Smith Three years—appointed on 10,039 The relevant table from this document is replicated 1 April 2012 for ease. Fay Selvan Two years—appointed on 1 April 10,039 2012 Public appointments—Ethnicity Francis Plowden Three years—appointed on 10,039 Appointees who have 1 April 2012 declared an ethnic Department Total appointments minority status John Lakin Three years—appointed on 10,039 s 4 February 2012 Cabinet Office 91 5 Honor Rhodes Three years—appointed on 7,975 Department for Business, 592 8 15 June 2012 Innovation and Skills Geoff Bush (Co- Two years—appointed on 4,589 Department for Communities 91 7 opted member) 1 October 2012 and Local Government Table 3: School Teachers’ Review Body Department for Culture, 450 38 Media and Sport Remuneration paid in Board member Term of office 2012/13 (£) Department for Education 41 8 Department for Environment, 724 23 Dame Patricia Three years—appointed 19,950 Food and Rural Affairs Hodgson (Chair) 1 February 2012 Department for International 19 0 Stella Pantelides Three years—appointed 9,300 Development 25 February 2012 (2nd term Department for Transport 98 1— of office) Department for Work and 102 6 Jill Pullen Three years—appointed 9,900 Pensions 16 December 2012 (2nd term of office) Department of Energy and 78 1— Climate Change Dr Patricia Rice Three years—appointed 8,700 1 April 2011 Department of Health 2,307 158 Jonathan Three years—appointed 3,300 Export Credits Guarantee 80 Crossley-Holland 1 November 2012 Department Peter Batley Three years—appointed 4,800 Food Standards Agency 101 1— 1 November 2012 Foreign and Commonwealth 53 1— Debbie Meech Three years—appointed 3,300 Office 1 November 2012 Forestry Commission 79 1— 601W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 602W

Teachers Mr Laws: The Secretary of State regularly meets leaders in education, trade unions and professional Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for associations to discuss, among other issues, teachers’ Education what steps he is taking to implement the pay. He has also received and continues to receive a conclusions of Great teachers: attracting, training and range of correspondence on the issue of pay reform, retaining the best: Government response to the which includes performance-related pay. Education Committee’s Ninth Report of Session 2010-12, First Special Report of Session 2012-13, In addition, formal consultation responses were received following the recommendations of the independent School HC524, published on 16 July 2012. [155460] Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) in their 21st Report, Mr Laws: We have reformed teacher training and the which was published on 5 December 2012, and in best graduates are selecting teaching as a high status response to subsequent revisions to the School Teachers’ profession of choice. 71% of graduates undertaking Pay and Conditions Document. initial teacher training (ITT) in 2012/13 have a 2:1 or higher degree, the highest proportion recorded. More schools recruit and select their own trainees, work with the accredited teacher training provider of their choice Teachers: Qualifications and also tailor courses to suit their own needs. Over 9,400 places have been allocated to schools under the School Direct programme in 2013/14. There are now Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for 360 Teaching Schools representing 301 Teaching School Education with reference to the answer of 24 April alliances, working together to ensure high quality school-led 2013, Official Report, column 966W, on teachers: ITT and offering professional development opportunities. qualifications, how many teachers in secondary schools New Teachers’ Standards and appraisal regulations are teaching subjects in which they do not have a came into force on 1 September 2012, making it easier degree in each local education authority. [155502] for teachers and head teachers to assess teachers’ performance. Our reforms to teachers’ pay, to be implemented in schools from September 2013, will Mr Laws: Information in the form requested could be strengthen the link between pay and performance, and compiled only at disproportionate cost. provide head teachers with the flexibility to target any Information on the number of teachers teaching school-level recruitment and retention problems. individual subjects in secondary schools by the level of Teachers: Pay their qualification is published in Table 13 of the ’School Workforce in England, November 2012’ Statistical First Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Release, which is available at the following link: Education what representations he has received on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce- performance related pay for teachers. [156295] in-england-november-2012

Table 13: Highest post A level qualifications1,2 held by publicly funded secondary school teachers (head count) in the subjects3 they taught to year groups 7-13 in 2012, November 2012, England Percentage Highest level of qualification1 held in a relevant subject3,4 Degree or higher5 Bachelor of Postgraduate Other qualification6 Education Certificate of Education Any relevant No relevant Total post A level post A level head qualification qualification count Subject3 %±CI7 %±CI7 %±CI7 %±CI7 % % (thousand)

Mathematics 45.1 ± 1 5.7 ± 0 20.8 ± 1 5.4 ± 0 76.9 23.1 32.8 English 64.4 ± 1 3.4 ± 0 8.4 ± 0 3.7 ± 0 79.9 20.1 36.6

Physics8 55.4 ± 2 2.0 ± 1 7.4 ± 1 1.0 ± 0 65.9 34.1 6.0 Chemistry8 66.0 ± 1 1.7 ± 0 7.0 ± 1 1.0 ± 0 75.7 24.3 7.2 Biology8 79.0 ± 1 2.5 ± 0 4.8 ± 1 0.9 ± 0 87.1 12.9 8.7 Combined/ 77.0 ± 1 3.3 ± 0 9.1 ± 0 2.3 ± 0 91.6 8.4 32.7 General science8 Other Sciences8 77.4 ± 2 2.8 ± 1 2.8 ± 1 1.1 ± 1 84.1 15.9 2.4

History 63.0 ± 1 2.4 ± 0 5.9 ± 1 1.5 ± 0 72.8 27.2 15.8 Geography 59.7 ± 1 2.4 ± 0 4.8 ± 1 1.2 ± 0 68.1 31.9 14.2

French 50.1 ± 1 3.6 ± 0 19.3 ± 1 2.3 ± 0 75.3 24.7 14.3 German 52.9 ± 2 1.7 ± 1 13.1 ± 1 1.6 ± 0 69.3 30.7 5.2 Spanish 33.3 ± 2 1.3 ± 0 12.8 ± 1 2.1 ± 1 49.5 50.5 6.8 603W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 604W

Table 13: Highest post A level qualifications1,2 held by publicly funded secondary school teachers (head count) in the subjects3 they taught to year groups 7-13 in 2012, November 2012, England Percentage Highest level of qualification1 held in a relevant subject3,4 Degree or higher5 Bachelor of Postgraduate Other qualification6 Education Certificate of Education Any relevant No relevant Total post A level post A level head qualification qualification count Subject3 %±CI7 %±CI7 %±CI7 %±CI7 % % (thousand)

Other Modern 23.5 ± 3 0.2 ± 0 10.2 ± 2 4.8 ± 1 38.7 61.3 3.0 Languages

Design and 56.2 ± 1 13.0 ± 1 9.2 ± 1 6.3 ± 1 84.7 15.3 13.8 technology9

Electronics/ 59.4 ± 4 15.2 ± 3 5.9 ± 2 3.6 ± 1 84.2 15.8 1.2 Systems and Control9 Food 45.6 ± 2 14.9 ± 1 9.3 ± 1 9.1 ± 1 78.8 21.2 4.9 Technology9 Graphics9 65.0 ± 2 11.4 ± 1 10.3 ± 1 4.3 ± 1 91.0 9.0 3.6 Resistant 63.0 ± 2 14.6 ± 1 7.7 ± 1 4.4 ± 1 89.7 10.3 4.2 Materials9 Textiles9 61.3 ± 2 9.1 ± 1 10.4 ± 1 6.4 ± 1 87.2 12.8 3.1 Other/ 53.1 ± 1 12.3 ± 1 9.5 ± 1 5.8 ± 0 80.7 19.3 15.4 Combined Technology9 Engineering 16.0 ± 5 0.5 ± 1 0.7 ± 1 1.2 ± 2 18.5 81.5 1.5 ICT10 25.8 ± 1 1.7 ± 0 10.4 ± 1 5.1 ± 1 43.0 57.0 16.3

Business/ 55.0 ± 1 4.2 ± 1 4.4 ± 1 20.5 ± 1 84.1 15.9 10.4 Economics Religious 33.3 ± 1 2.5 ± 0 8.5 ± 1 13.0 ± 1 57.2 42.8 15.4 Education11

Music 76.3 ± 1 3.6 ± 1 3.7 ± 1 2.3 ± 0 86.0 14.0 7.4 Drama 41.5 ± 1 2.6 ± 0 8.2 ± 1 4.1 ± 1 56.4 43.6 10.5 Art and design 73.8 ± 1 4.3 ± 0 7.0 ± 1 2.1 ± 0 87.2 12.8 12.8 Media Studies 18.5 ± 2 0.6 ± 0 2.4 ± 1 0.9 ± 1 22.4 77.6 6.1

Physical 59.2 ± 1 14.1 ± 1 6.7 ± 0 2.7 ± 0 82.6 17.4 24.7 education

Citizenship 3.9 ± 2 0.1 ± 0 2.8 ± 2 0.9 ± 1 7.7 92.3 8.2 ‘*’ = Not applicable. ‘—’ = Nil or negligible. 1 Where a teacher has more than one post A level qualification in the same subject, the qualification level is determined by the highest level reading from left (Degree or higher) to right (Other Qualification). For example, teachers shown under PGCE have a PGCE but not a Degree. 2 Not including qualifications in Special Educational Needs provision. 3 Teachers are counted once against each subject which they are teaching. Head counts are used, so a teacher teaching French and German would be counted once in each. 4 A full list of what was deemed as a ’relevant’ qualification subject for each curriculum subject taught can be found in the SFR home page. 5 Includes Doctorates and other Level 8 qualifications, Masters and other Level 7 qualifications (e.g. Post Graduate certificates and diplomas), first degrees (excluding BEds) and other level 6 qualifications (e.g. graduate certificates and diplomas). 6 Includes Certificate of Education, Non-UK Qualifications where the level was not provided and Other Qualification at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 4 or 5 and above e.g. diplomas or higher education and further education, foundation degrees, higher national diplomas and certificates of higher education. 7 Confidence intervals have been calculated around the proportions as not all schools were able to submit curriculum information, and not all qualifications returns were complete. Qualifications information was either not provided, or the subject field was missing for 12% of the teachers in schools submitting curriculum data. The confidence intervals show the statistical accuracy for the data, and give a range within which we can be reasonably sure (95% certain) that the true value actually lies. 8 Teachers qualified in biology, chemistry, or physics are treated to teach both combined/general science and other science. 9 Teachers qualified in each of the specialist design and technology subjects are treated as qualified to teach other/combined design and technology. 10 Information and Communication Technology is abbreviated as ICT and Personal Social and Health Education is abbreviated as PSHE. 11 Includes philosophy. Notes: 1. Percentages are row percentages, and based on the number of teachers for whom curriculum and qualifications information was provided. 2. Numbers rounded to the nearest 100 and numbers below 50 are shown as nil or negligible. 3. Totals may not appear equal to the sum of the component parts because of rounding. Base: 163,835 secondary level teachers (unweighted head count). Source: School Workforce Census 605W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 606W

Training £

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Bristol, City of 204,438 Education how many officials in (a) his Department Bromley 38,997 and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which Buckinghamshire 10,957,412 he is responsible enrolled in publicly-funded training Bury 501,488 courses in each of the last five years; what the total cost Calderdale 1,265,881 has been of such courses; and what the monetary value Cambridgeshire 10,776,737 was of the 10 highest training course fees in each such Camden 45,264 year. [155426] Central Bedfordshire 3,937,740 Cheshire East 4,754,670 Elizabeth Truss: The following table sets out expenditure Cheshire West and Chester 1,027,744 for the Department for Education (and its predecessors) City of London 0 on learning and development. It reflects the data on our Cornwall 9,936,147 Resource Management System against the appropriate Coventry 572,646 learning and development account codes. Croydon 0 Cumbria 8,701,611 £ million Darlington 1,636,163 2012-13 3.2 Derby 118,201 2011-12 2.1 Derbyshire 2,900,783 2010-11 3.4 Devon 16,580,077 2009-10 1.6 Doncaster 1,000,798 2008-09 2.8 Dorset 7,188,655 Dudley 475,169 In April 2011 the Department’s Executive agencies Durham 9,247,537 became part of the core Department and figures after Ealing 0 that date include their expenditure on learning and East Riding of Yorkshire 6,747,717 development. East Sussex 0 Budgets are devolved to NDPBs, therefore the Enfield 77,486 Department does not hold data on their expenditure. Essex 17,644,786 We do not hold details of all training courses taken Gateshead 209,554 by staff centrally, and could collate details only at Gloucestershire 8,497,140 disproportionate cost. Greenwich 32,537 Transport: Schools Hackney 41,870 Halton 235,032 Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Hammersmith and Fulham 0 Education how much each local authority spent in Hampshire 10,476,481 fulfilling the statutory duties in respect of home school Haringey 2,542,037 travel arrangements for young people aged up to 16 Harrow 0 years in the latest period for which figures are available. Hartlepool 522,985 [155720] Havering 321,559 Herefordshire 4,889,270 Mr Laws: The available information on how much Hertfordshire 9,214,182 was spent on home to school travel arrangements as Hillingdon 48,642 reported by each local authority for schools in England Hounslow 0 for the financial year 2011-12 is set out in the following Isle of Wight 2,926,234 table. This is the latest year for which data is available. Isles of Scilly 57,426 Islington 0 £ Kensington and Chelsea 52,333 Kent 16,549,498 Barking and Dagenham 0 Kingston upon Hull, City of 5,551 Barnet 213,027 Kingston upon Thames 16,918 Barnsley 1,043,000 Kirklees 837,416 Bath and North East Somerset 2,452,848 Knowsley 178,317 Bedford Borough 3,259,072 Lambeth 0 Bexley 10,000 Lancashire 11,899,100 Birmingham 1,556,371 Blackburn with Darwen 675,592 Leeds 3,896,609 Blackpool 542,357 Leicester 582,806 Bolton 738,370 Leicestershire 9,180,816 Bournemouth 469,594 Lewisham 7,528 Bracknell Forest 382,271 Lincolnshire 19,426,598 Bradford 3,515,238 Liverpool 1,870,869 Brent 12,130 Luton 992,705 Brighton and Hove 20,519 Manchester 2,290,034 607W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 608W

£ £

Medway 1,161,298 Warrington 1,260,936 Merton 154,088 Warwickshire 10,044,573 Middlesbrough 523,618 West Berkshire 2,164,649 Milton Keynes 3,754,841 West Sussex 8,504,970 Newcastle upon Tyne 354,835 Westminster 0 Newham 0 Wigan 127,539 Norfolk 12,969,675 Wiltshire 0 North East Lincolnshire 545,861 Windsor and Maidenhead 660,610 North Lincolnshire 2,507,250 Wirral 114,793 North Somerset 1,328,822 Wokingham 985,777 North Tyneside 536,743 Wolverhampton 696,200 North Yorkshire 18,816,025 Worcestershire 7,368,233 Northamptonshire 6,786,499 York 1,548,696 Northumberland 10,195,821 Nottingham 529,748 England 426,848,329 Nottinghamshire 5,440,760 Source: Oldham 0 Section 251 Outturn 2011-12. Oxfordshire 9,911,399 Peterborough 1,911,592 Young People: Mental Illness Plymouth 352,649 Poole 643,835 Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Portsmouth 273,156 Education what proportion of people of school and Reading 239,841 college age had one or more psychological conditions Redbridge 837,811 in each of the last 30 years; and what assessment he has Redcar and Cleveland 1,805,936 made of the effect of such conditions on the ability of Richmond upon Thames 39,173 those students to learn. [156448] Rochdale 434,292 Mr Timpson: This information is not collected centrally. Rotherham 0 However; two surveys have been carried out by the Rutland 946,833 Office for National Statistics. Salford 97,834 Sandwell 307,577 In 1999, the Office for National Statistics carried out Sefton 188,630 a survey on behalf of the Department of Health, the Scottish Health Executive and the National Assembly Sheffield 894,802 for Wales. They found that 9.5% of five to 15-year-olds Shropshire 6,643,002 had a clinically recognisable mental disorder. Slough 302,458 Solihull 659,329 In 2004, they conducted a further survey entitled the Somerset 11,784,996 ‘Mental health of children and young people in Great South Gloucestershire 2,856,371 Britain’, 2004 (ONS 2005), which stated that 9.6% of five to 16-year-olds had a clinically recognisable mental South Tyneside 390,289 disorder. Southampton 337,307 Southend-on-Sea 275,098 Attainment data is collected by the Department for Southwark 4,434,047 Education. The latest figures, released in March 2013, St Helens 355,946 show that young people who were identified as having some form of special educational need (SEN) at age 15 Staffordshire 7,803,194 have considerably lower attainment levels at 19 compared Stockport 758,201 to young people without any identified SEN. This is Stockton-on-Tees 1,278,586 across all forms of SEN, not just those with psychological Stoke-on-Trent 765,229 conditions. Suffolk 10,675,044 Sunderland 84,661 Surrey 10,991,183 Sutton 0 JUSTICE Swindon 1,153,378 Tameside 758,928 Bill of Rights Commission Telford and Wrekin 1,150,233 Thurrock 1,738,208 Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State Torbay 595,853 for Justice which people and organisations the (a) Tower Hamlets 42,298 Chairman and (b) Secretary of the Commission on a Trafford 520,558 Bill of Rights have met to discuss the Commissions Wakefield 3,416,542 work since the Commission was established excluding Walsall 0 (i) seminars, (ii) meetings with parliamentary committees Waltham Forest 0 and (iii) meetings during visits to Strasbourg, Belfast, Wandsworth 78,588 Cardiff and Edinburgh. [153903] 609W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 610W

Mrs Grant: The list of people and organisations the The number of penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) Commission on a Bill of Rights met since it was established issued to offenders aged 16 and over for offences related in March 2011 is Annex A in the second volume of the to the misuse of fireworks, in South Yorkshire and Commission’s final report, which was published on 18 Nottinghamshire police force areas, in each year between December 2012. 2007 and 2011 (latest available) can be viewed in the The full report is available at: table. These data are not available at parliamentary http://www.justice.gov.uk/about/cbr constituency level. Information on the use of PNDs in 2012 is planned Community Orders for publication in May 2013. Number of penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) issued to offenders aged 16 and over for offences related to the misuse of fireworks, in South Yorkshire and Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Nottinghamshire police force areas, 2007 to 2011 Justice on how many occasions the Crown Prosecution Police force area/Offence 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Service has advised the police to dispose of an offence via a community resolution order instead of charging South Yorkshire in each of the last three years. [156290] Throwing fireworks1 32 15 14 21 31 Breach of fireworks curfew2 30111 The Solicitor-General: I have been asked to reply. Possession of category 4 20220 firework2 The Crown Prosecution Service is not involved in Possession by a person 70566 advising the police to dispose of an offence via a under 18 of adult firework2 community resolution order instead of charging. A community resolution can be issued by a police Nottinghamshire officer to both adults and youths as a proportionate Throwing fireworks1 661334 response to lower level crime. Breach of fireworks curfew2 01000 Possession of category 4 00000 2 Employment Tribunals Service firework Possession by a person 20250 under 18 of adult firework2 John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 Offences under the Explosives Act 1875, S.80: Throwing, casting or firing Justice when he expects to publish the research on any fireworks in or into any highway, street, public place etc. 2 Offences under the Fireworks Regulations 2004 under s11 of the Fireworks non-payment of employment tribunal awards referred Act 2003. to in paragraph 103 of the Government response to Mr Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and Justice Underhill’s review of tribunal rules of procedure. complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted [156402] from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those Jo Swinson: I have been asked to reply on behalf of data are used. the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Source: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Justice Statistics Analytical Services within the Ministry of Justice. has commissioned IFF Research to carry out this research Legal Aid Scheme project and work is currently under way. The final report is due to be completed in late July to early August, after which the findings will be made publicly Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice available. whether, within the consultation on reform of criminal legal aid, any consideration has been given to how a service based on geographical areas might impact on Fireworks: Fixed Penalties specialist firms who may have to act outside their area. [154286] John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many fixed penalties were issued relating to the Jeremy Wright: The Government is currently consulting misuse of fireworks in (a) Bassetlaw constituency, (b) on a proposed model of competitive tendering via the South Yorkshire and (c) Nottinghamshire in each of “Transforming Legal Aid: delivering a more credible the last five years. [154158] and efficient system” consultation which closes on 4 June 2013. We have been clear we must continue to bear Jeremy Wright: The penalty notice for disorder (PND) down on the cost of legal aid, including the £1 billion of scheme was introduced in all 43 police force areas, in taxpayers’ money spent on criminal legal aid a year, to England and Wales in 2004, under the provisions of the ensure we are getting the best deal for the taxpayer. As Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. Under the scheme, we have made clear on numerous occasions, we believe the police are able to issue penalty notices to persons the single most effective way of doing this is to move aged 16 and over for a range of offences related to the away from the current complex system of administratively misuse of fireworks including throwing fireworks, breach set fees, through the introduction of competitive tendering, of fireworks curfew (11 pm to 7 am), possession of a where providers compete to offer their services at the category 4 firework and possession by a person under best possible price. We are actively engaging with 18 of adult firework. All these offences attract the stakeholders on the proposals and welcome all responses higher tariff of £80. The aim of the PND scheme is to to the consultation. provide operational officers a quick and effective alternative Under the proposed model, a contract to deliver disposal option for dealing with low-level, anti-social criminal legal aid defence services in one procurement and nuisance offending. area would not permit a provider to deliver services in 611W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 612W another procurement area except where a case crossed providers are allocated ’duty slots’ in which they obtain procurement area boundaries. This restriction would clients whose cases arise during that session. For civil only apply to those classes of work against which we face to face work, providers are allocated a number of propose to set the price by the competition. All other ’matter starts’ which authorise them to undertake initial services, for example, prison law services, would not be advice for clients which attracts a fixed fee. However, restricted to delivery in the specific procurement area. cases that subsequently require legal representation are However, every contractor awarded a new contract funded on a case by case basis with costs agreed accordingly. following competitive tendering would be obliged to For CLA contracts, the contract value in practice is deliver all services as prescribed under their contract. determined by the number of calls received nationally. The proposed model would ensure that providers The Legal Aid Agency does not record the number of would be guaranteed a specific share of the work available individuals who receive legal aid. Instead it records the (and control of the case from beginning to end). By number of ’acts of assistance’. One individual may awarding longer and larger contracts with greater certainty receive a number of separate acts of assistance if they of volumes, providers would have increased opportunities have a range of problems or need different levels of to grow their businesses, become more efficient, and service eg advice and representation at Court. Estimates thereby reduce cost to the taxpayer. are not made of the total number of acts of assistance The Ministry of Justice has provided an impact at a regional or individual firm level. Although there is assessment of the proposals set out in the consultation an estimation of the number of ″matter starts″ allocated paper which is based on the data they currently hold at a firm and procurement area level (which roughly and would welcome information on other factors that corresponds to a local authority area) there is no should be taken into consideration when evaluating the corresponding estimation of certificates granted to impact of the proposals. The Ministry of Justice would individuals. This is because the number of legal aid welcome feedback on the proposed model via the Ministry’s certificates granted is dependent on the number of website at: applications that satisfy the legal aid eligibility criteria. 1 https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/ Procurement area boundaries differ by area of law, for example, transforming-legal-aid for the purpose of the Standard Crime Contract, the contracting area (Criminal Justice Service area) that includes Cornwall encompasses the whole of Devon and Cornwall. Detail has Legal Aid Scheme: Cornwall therefore been provided for organisations whose procurement area covers Cornwall, although in some instances providers may not be located in this specific area. Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for Annex A Justice which providers have been chosen to deliver the (a) Standard Crime—As at 10 May the following (a) Standard Crime, (b) Standard Civil, (c) Family organisations within the Devon and Cornwall Criminal and (d) Community Legal Advice legal aid contract in Justice Service area held a Standard Criminal Contract: Cornwall; what the value is of each such contract; and what estimate he has made of the number of people Foot Anstey LLP assisted through each such contract. [154441] Trobridges Almy & Thomas Jeremy Wright: The providers selected to deliver legal Gowmans 1 aid contracts in the Cornwall procurement area in the Qualitysolicitors Dunn & Baker categories of Standard Crime, Standard Civil and Family @Cornwall Law LLP are detailed in the annex. Slee Blackwell Standard Crime Contracts commenced in July 2010. Windeatts All face to face civil legal aid work is delivered under a Standard Civil Contract. Contracts for Family work, WBW Solicitors along with Immigration and Asylum and Housing and Julian Jefferson Debt commenced in April 2013. Contracts for all other Toller Beattie LLP civil legal aid work commenced in November 2010. Bazeley Barnes & Bazeley Organisations may deliver work across more than one Woollcombe & Yonge category of law/contract but are counted once only in Coodes each of (a), (b) and (c) above. Details provided exclude Brewer Harding & Rowe Family Mediation providers. Walters & Barbary Civil Legal Advice (CLA) (formerly Community Legal Rundlewalker Advice) specialist telephone advice contracts are national contracts, which are not split into separate procurement Ralph & Co. LLP areas by region but cover the entirety of England and DB Law Wales. Current CLA contracts commenced on 1 April DBLAW and offer civil legal advice in Family, Housing and Owen Lawton Debt, Education and Discrimination. At 9 May 2013 Michael Oerton the organisations holding CLA contracts are shown at C Nicholls Solicitors the annex: Darby & Darby For the Standard Crime and Standard Civil contracts, Walker Lahive there is no ’value’ assigned and as such the Legal Aid Agency cannot provide this information. This is because Alan Harris Solicitors Ltd the contracts issued authorise organisations to undertake Tony Dart Solicitor & Advocate work but do not guarantee income. For criminal work, Parlbys Solicitors 613W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 614W

Bay Advocates Ltd The Children’s Legal Centre Bay Advocates Ltd t/a Teign Advocates Tower Hamlets Law Centre Howell Hylton Ltd Discrimination: Nunn Rickard Solicitor Advocates Stephensons St James Solicitors Howells Hansell Drew & Co. Ltd Phoenix Solicitors & Advocates Merseyside Employment Law Smiths Solicitors David Teague Solicitors Legal Aid Scheme: Wales Cox Burley Solicitors Michael Crumley Solicitor Glanville Robinson Ltd Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Trinity Advocates how many firms received criminal legal aid payments in (a) (b) Cornwall Defence Solicitors LLP Wrexham constituency and north Wales in each of the last three years for which figures are Smith Leaning Criminal Advocates available. [154855] Baileys Law LLP Boyle Leonard Willden Ltd Jacobs & Tricks Jeremy Wright: The Legal Aid Agency records costs relating to firms by legal aid procurement area, which is (b) Standard Civil (Non-Family authorisation)—As broadly based on local authority boundaries. The at 10 May, the following organisations with an office in information requested falls under the remit of the Legal Cornwall held a Standard Civil Contract with authorisation Services Commission, however, the same applies as the to undertake civil non-family work: information has historically been recorded by local Follett Stock authority. Coodes This information is provided in the following table in Preston Goldburn relation to the Wrexham local authority and the north CVC Solicitors Wales region. Conroys Trobridges Criminal legal aid firms 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 John Boyle & Co. Solicitors LLP Shelter—Cornwall North Wales: 677 Wrexham (c) Standard Civil (Family authorisation)—As at 10 North Wales: Others 23 23 22 May, the following organisations with an office in Cornwall North Wales: Total 29 30 29 held a Standard Civil Contract with authorisation to undertake Family work: Please also note that solicitor-advocates are treated Blight Skinnard as barristers and not included as part of the firm. Stephens & Scown LLP Ralph & Co. LLP Brains Solicitors Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many firms received criminal legal aid payments in C Nicholls Solicitors (a) Alyn and Deeside constituency and (b) north G & I Chisholm Wales in each of the last three years. [155157] Walters & Barbary DB LAW Jeremy Wright: The Legal Aid Agency records costs DBLAW relating to firms by legal aid procurement area, which is Trobridges broadly based on local authority boundaries. The @Cornwall Law LLP information requested falls under the remit of the Legal Coodes Services Commission, however, the same applies as the John Boyle & Co. Solicitors LLP information has historically been recorded by local authority. (d) At 9 May 2013 the following organisations held CLA contracts: Therefore, this information is provided in the following Family: table in relation to the Flintshire local authority and the north Wales region, as the Flintshire local authority Duncan Lewis covers the area of Alyn and Deeside. Cooperative Legal Services Housing and Debt: Criminal legal aid firms 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Duncan Lewis North Wales: Alyn 666 DHA and Deeside (Sir Y Shelter Fflint/Flintshire local authority) Carillion Energy Services North Wales: Others 23 24 23 Education: North Wales: Total 29 30 29 MG Law Ltd 615W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 616W

Please also note that solicitor-advocates are treated Jeremy Wright: The number of prisoners directed to as barristers and not included as part of the firm. hospital for treatment under sections 47 (sentenced prisoners) and 48 (unsentenced prisoners) of the Mental Parole Health Act 1983 in each of the past five years is set out in the following table. The table also shows these numbers as a proportion Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice of the total prison population at the end of each period. how many licence breaches there were in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012. [154433] Prisoners transferred Proportion of total to hospital under prison population at Jeremy Wright: Where offenders are released on license Mental Health Act year end and they fail to comply with their licence conditions or 1983 (percentage) their behaviour indicates that it is no longer safe for 2008-09 990 1.2 them to remain in the community they can be returned 2009-10 922 1.1 to custody. The total number of recalls for breach of 2010-11 922 1.1 licence conditions in 2010, 2011 and 2012 were 15,424, 2011-12 947 1.1 16,227 and 16,481 respectively. 2012-13 930 1.1 These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry Prisons: Counselling and processing. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Prisoners’ Transfers how many hours of counselling are paid for annually from the public purse for prisoners. [155055] Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what reasons were recorded for the transfer Jeremy Wright: The provision of counselling to prisoners of prisoners out of each prison establishment in often forms a discrete part of a more complex service, a England and Wales in each year from 2008 to 2012; specific psychological intervention for example, which [154927] makes it difficult to disaggregate the precise numbers of hours allocated to counselling activity without having (2) what the average number of transfers was to conduct detailed enquiries, incurring disproportionate between prisons establishments per inmate serving a cost in the process. sentence of (a) six months or under, (b) between six and 12 months, (c) between one and four years, (d) between four and 10 years and (e) over 10 years in Prisons: Visits each year from 2010 to 2012. [154941]

Jeremy Wright: Prisoners are held in establishments Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for that provide appropriate levels of security, are suitable Justice with reference to the answer of 15 April 2013, for their gender, age and legal status, provide facilities Official Report, column 114W, on Prisons: Visits, what to reduce their risk of reoffending and, wherever possible, the cost to the public purse was of facilitating such at the lowest cost to the taxpayer. visits. [154422] We do not generally hold data on the individual Jeremy Wright: The cost of facilitating inter-prison reasons for a prisoner’s transfer or on the average visits is met locally by individual prison establishments. length of time a prisoner spends in a prison before a The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) transfer. Where this is available, the information could Central Accounting System does not record these costs be obtained only at disproportionate cost as it would centrally. involve a manual trawl through the individual records of every prisoner. Reoffenders Prisoners: Families Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for (1) how many of those released from prison on licence Justice how many prisoners are in the same prison as that were (a) low risk, (b) medium risk and (c) high other members of their family. [154395] risk committed criminal offences while on licence in each of the last five years; [155557] Jeremy Wright: This information could be determined (2) what the average number of offences committed only at disproportionate cost. is by those released from prison while on licence that were (a) low risk, (b) medium risk and (c) high risk in each of the last five years. [155559] Prisoners: Mental Illness Jeremy Wright: The figures cannot be provided. The Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice information held centrally on prison discharges (which how many and what proportion of prisoners have been is used to identify those released on licence) does not sectioned in each of the last five years. [155463] currently include an assessment of risk. 617W Written Answers20 MAY 2013 Written Answers 618W

Sentencing: Appeals Mrs Grant: As Mr Beggs was tried and convicted under Scottish criminal law the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in this case, including the payment of any costs and damages, Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State is the responsibility of the Scottish Government. for Justice when the costs and damages ordered by the European Court of Human Rights to be paid to Mr William Beggs in its judgment of 6 November 2012 [Continued in Column 619W] were paid. [153901] 9MC Ministerial Corrections20 MAY 2013 Ministerial Corrections 10MC

Ministerial Corrections 2010-11 2011-12

England 212,622,518 221,821,825 Monday 20 May 2013 City of London 0 0 Camden 1,185,171 2,672,686 Greenwich 976,985 1,129,743 JUSTICE Hackney 1,043,584 984,790 Hammersmith and 0 742,773 Fulham Fines: Surcharges Islington 1,549,902 1,093,436 Kensington and 789,987 1,444,987 Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State Chelsea for Justice what assessment he has made of the Lambeth 1,312,930 689,957 effectiveness of the victim surcharge. [148688] Lewisham 157,384 439,978 Southwark 428,112 0 [Official Report, 26 March 2013, Vol. 560, c. 1106W.] Tower Hamlets 2,584,061 2,105,684 Letter of correction from Mrs Grant: Wandsworth 1,931,824 1,563,037 An error has been identified in the written answer Westminster 455,399 310,613 given to the hon. Member for Gillingham and Rainham Barking and 1,505,492 1,342,826 (Rehman Chishti) on 26 March 2013. Dagenham Barnet 1,437,643 1,053,332 The full answer given was as follows: Wakefield 4,433,209 2,889,280 Gateshead 207,178 653,634 Mrs Grant: Since its introduction in 2007, the victim Newcastle upon Tyne 2,632,901 2,730,275 surcharge has raised £41.2 million, which has funded North Tyneside 2,089,243 2,218,232 vital services for victims and witnesses of crime. The South Tyneside 0 0 reforms to increase and extend the surcharge, introduced Sunderland 305,697 955,138 by this Government, will see more offenders take Isles of Scilly 9,984 17,160 responsibility for the harm they have caused. They will Bath and North East 935,961 647,047 contribute up to an additional £50 million per year Somerset towards the cost of victims’ services. Bristol, City of 0 840,576 The correct answer should have been: North Somerset 845,000 958,182 South Gloucestershire 1,790,000 1,272,860 Mrs Grant: Since its introduction in 2007, the victim Hartlepool 610,151 1,181,170 surcharge has raised £41.9 million, which has funded Middlesbrough 547,223 509,254 vital services for victims and witnesses of crime. The Redcar and Cleveland 1,101,427 939,540 reforms to increase and extend the surcharge, introduced Stockton-on-Tees 715,993 798,120 by this Government, will see more offenders take Kingston Upon Hull, 148,675 1,370,228 responsibility for the harm they have caused. They will City of East Riding of 1,026,763 762,796 contribute up to an additional £50 million per year Yorkshire towards the cost of victims’ services. North East 1,802,173 1,729,748 Lincolnshire North Lincolnshire 1,004,032 1,034,989 North Yorkshire 2,628,282 1,985,074 EDUCATION York 87,354 1,487,414 Luton 1,068,394 2,115,234 Children: Disability Bedford 2,202,973 1,525,751 Central Bedfordshire 2,069,563 1,536,370 Buckinghamshire 0 0 Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Milton Keynes 545,135 673,425 Education how much each local authority has spent on Derbyshire 3,330,432 232,852 short breaks for disabled children in each financial year Derby 111,423 555,860 since 2010-11. [151030] Dorset 0 0 [Official Report, 17 April 2013, Vol. 561, c. 475-77W.] Poole 926,461 115,607 Letter of correction from Edward Timpson: Bournemouth 385,437 379,732 An error has been identified in the written answer Durham 3,079,175 2,763,939 given to the hon. Member for Washington and Sunderland Darlington 353,548 455,579 West (Mrs Hodgson) on 17 April 2013. East Sussex 2,623,526 2,687,433 The full answer given was as follows: Brighton and Hove 0 693,398 Hampshire 0 2,866,988 Mr Timpson: Data on how much each local authority Portsmouth 378,633 388,019 spends on short breaks for disabled children is collected Southampton 634,233 611,687 through the section 251 return. Data from the section Leicestershire 1,247,045 2,273,904 251 returns for 2010-2011 and 2011-12 are set out in the Leicester 922,982 66,360 following table. Data for 2012-13 will be available at the Rutland 98,796 241,510 beginning of 2014. Staffordshire 1,332,968 1,270,870 11MC Ministerial Corrections20 MAY 2013 Ministerial Corrections 12MC

251 returns for 2010-11 and 2011-12 are set out below. 2010-11 2011-12 Data for 2012-13 will be available at the beginning of Stoke-on-Trent 1,791,640 1,777,665 2014. Wiltshire 100,625 981,725 Swindon 0 802,437 2010-11 2011-12 Bracknell Forest 874,137 627,799 England 212,622,518 221,821,825 Windsor and 1,034,349 856,666 Maidenhead West Berkshire 1,011,071 1,167,194 City of London 0 0 Reading 338,558 140,562 Camden 1,185,171 2,672,686 Slough 29,522 475,237 Greenwich 976,985 1,129,743 Wokingham 710,290 1,140,987 Hackney 1,043,584 984,790 Cambridgeshire 2,955,482 1,131,728 Hammersmith and 0 742,773 Peterborough 0 0 Fulham Halton 0 440,540 Islington 1,549,902 1,093,436 Warrington 1,281,038 2,544 Kensington and 789,987 1,444,987 Chelsea Devon 4,296,518 4,151,334 Lambeth 1,312,930 689,957 Plymouth 631,069 1,739,962 Lewisham 157,384 439,978 Torbay 296,160 368,682 Southwark 428,112 0 Essex 3,654,700 3,573,117 Tower Hamlets 2,584,061 2,105,684 Southend-on-Sea 801,475 472,119 Wandsworth 1,931,824 1,563,037 Thurrock 821,328 785,486 Westminster 455,399 310,613 Herefordshire 931,379 576,159 Barking and 1,505,492 1,342,826 Worcestershire 3,062,066 2,436,297 Dagenham Kent 7,418,927 6,818,894 Barnet 1,437,643 1,053,332 Medway 1,440,668 1,264,450 Bexley 883,000 510,000 Lancashire 9,470,544 9,838,558 Brent 1,294,483 1,111,800 Blackburn with 981,049 434,606 Bromley 592,737 581,690 Darwen Croydon 3,032,225 834,814 Blackpool 609,674 364,570 Ealing 2,245,266 1,343,591 Nottinghamshire 1,994,752 6,452,155 Enfield 1,267,718 1,386,997 Nottingham 2,085,354 1,943,336 Haringey 2,350,295 3,501,999 Shropshire 1,710,298 2,240,991 Harrow 865,279 608,185 Telford and Wrekin 1,257,646 1,103,832 Havering 241,373 639,354 Cheshire East 1,222,140 93,608 Hillingdon 1,181,696 1,346,643 Cheshire West and 1,623,696 2,057,503 Chester Hounslow 744,576 605,363 Cornwall 1,594,192 5,109,973 Kingston upon Thames 2,555,075 2,531,701 Cumbria 2,411,705 2,643,349 Merton 344,986 132,376 Gloucestershire 3,645,842 2,965,597 Newham 2,476,118 2,726,337 Hertfordshire 1,374,093 4,437,671 Redbridge 61,585 37,987 Isle of Wight 1,178,074 1,045,534 Richmond upon Thames 1,024,001 871,548 Lincolnshire 2,520,764 1,604,543 Sutton 1,019,424 1,690,435 Norfolk 36,560 752 Waltham Forest 2,689,314 1,996,866 Northamptonshire 516,979 1,811,013 Birmingham 230,872 218,802 Northumberland 222,483 1,973,316 Coventry 100,242 296,701 Oxfordshire 2,988,827 2,074,785 Dudley 1,260,540 764,779 Somerset 1,506,299 471,746 Sandwell 675,441 1,099,230 Suffolk 120,075 51,766 Solihull 852,061 811,747 Surrey 6,496,545 8,063,783 Walsall 2,098,125 3,031,659 Warwickshire 1,045,165 3,259,999 Wolverhampton 31,033 1,218,640 West Sussex 4,911,687 2,848,712 Knowsley 614,771 1,304,824 Notes: Liverpool 3,100,693 2,436,153 1. Information is as provided by local authorities in the s251 outturn St. Helens 442,215 617,012 collection. Sefton 1,217,414 1,033,624 2. Short breaks (respite) for disabled children includes all provision for short- breaks (respite) services for disabled children in need but not looked after. This Wirral 2,897,615 3,034,423 includes the costs of short breaks utilising a residential setting—including Bolton 2,439,353 1,567,997 overnight stays; day care and sessional visits to the setting; family based Bury 1,403,060 1,342,638 overnight and day care short break services—including those provided through contract and family link carers; sitting or sessional short break Manchester 685,695 122,336 services in the child’s home; or supporting the child to access activities in the Oldham 1,275,134 1,320,244 community. The field excludes short breaks for looked after disabled children; Rochdale 2,262,916 2,138,151 any break exceeding 28 days continuous care; costs associated with providing disabled children’s access to universal day services such as formal childcare, Salford 917,290 839,066 youth clubs; or extended school activities. Stockport 1,748,027 1,500,956 The correct answer should have been: Tameside 710,680 641,440 Trafford 891,698 703,624 Mr Timpson: Data on how much each local authority Wigan 1,112,187 1,580,700 spends on short breaks for disabled children is collected Barnsley 2,450,532 1,765,331 through the section 251 return. Data from the section Doncaster 1,132,735 427,812 13MC Ministerial Corrections20 MAY 2013 Ministerial Corrections 14MC

2010-11 2011-12 2010-11 2011-12

Rotherham 2,004,083 2,282,180 Windsor and 1,034,349 856,666 Sheffield 3,836,087 3,501,204 Maidenhead Bradford 2,124,820 2,043,651 West Berkshire 1,011,071 1,167,194 Calderdale 612,443 632,822 Reading 338,558 140,562 Kirklees 2,188,259 2,832,452 Slough 29,522 475,237 Leeds 1,841,458 1,621,581 Wokingham 710,290 1,140,987 Wakefield 4,433,209 2,889,280 Cambridgeshire 2,955,482 1,131,728 Gateshead 207,178 653,634 Peterborough 0 0 Newcastle upon Tyne 2,632,901 2,730,275 Halton 0 440,540 North Tyneside 2,089,243 2,218,232 Warrington 1,281,038 2,544 South Tyneside 0 0 Devon 4,296,518 4,151,334 Sunderland 305,697 955,138 Plymouth 631,069 1,739,962 Isles of Scilly 9,984 17,160 Torbay 296,160 368,682 Bath and North East 935,961 647,047 Essex 3,654,700 3,573,117 Somerset Southend-on-Sea 801,475 472,119 Bristol, City of 0 840,576 Thurrock 821,328 785,486 North Somerset 845,000 958,182 Herefordshire 931,379 576,159 South Gloucestershire 1,790,000 1,272,860 Worcestershire 3,062,066 2,436,297 Hartlepool 610,151 1,181,170 Kent 7,418,927 6,818,894 Middlesbrough 547,223 509,254 Medway 1,440,668 1,264,450 Redcar and Cleveland 1,101,427 939,540 Lancashire 9,470,544 9,838,558 Stockton-on-Tees 715,993 798,120 Blackburn with 981,049 434,606 Kingston Upon Hull, 148,675 1,370,228 Darwen City of Blackpool 609,674 364,570 East Riding of 1,026,763 762,796 Nottinghamshire 1,994,752 6,452,155 Yorkshire Nottingham 2,085,354 1,943,336 North East 1,802,173 1,729,748 Shropshire 1,710,298 2,240,991 Lincolnshire Telford and Wrekin 1,257,646 1,103,832 North Lincolnshire 1,004,032 1,034,989 Cheshire East 1,222,140 93,608 North Yorkshire 2,628,282 1,985,074 Cheshire West and 1,623,696 2,057,503 York 87,354 1,487,414 Chester Luton 1,068,394 2,115,234 Cornwall 1,594,192 5,109,973 Bedford 2,202,973 1,525,751 Cumbria 2,411,705 2,643,349 Central Bedfordshire 2,069,563 1,536,370 Gloucestershire 3,645,842 2,965,597 Buckinghamshire 0 0 Hertfordshire 1,374,093 4,437,671 Milton Keynes 545,135 673,425 Isle of Wight 1,178,074 1,045,534 Derbyshire 3,330,432 232,852 Lincolnshire 2,520,764 1,604,543 Derby 111,423 555,860 Norfolk 36,560 752 Dorset 0 0 Northamptonshire 516,979 1,811,013 Northumberland 222,483 1,973,316 Poole 926,461 115,607 Oxfordshire 2,988,827 2,074,785 Bournemouth 385,437 379,732 Somerset 1,506,299 471,746 Durham 3,079,175 2,763,939 Suffolk 120,075 51,766 Darlington 353,548 455,579 Surrey 6,496,545 8,063,783 East Sussex 2,623,526 2,687,433 Warwickshire 1,045,165 3,259,999 Brighton and Hove 0 693,398 West Sussex 4,911,687 2,848,712 Hampshire 0 2,866,988 Notes: Portsmouth 378,633 388,019 1. Information is as provided by local authorities in the s251 outturn Southampton 634,233 611,687 collection. 2. Short breaks (respite) for disabled children includes all provision for short- Leicestershire 1,247,045 2,273,904 breaks (respite) services for disabled children in need but not looked after. This Leicester 922,982 66,360 includes the costs of short breaks utilising a residential setting—including overnight stays; day care and sessional visits to the setting; family based Rutland 98,796 241,510 overnight and day care short break services—including those provided Staffordshire 1,332,968 1,270,870 through contract and family link carers; sitting or sessional short break Stoke-on-Trent 1,791,640 1,777,665 services in the child’s home; or supporting the child to access activities in the community. The field excludes short breaks for looked after disabled children; Wiltshire 100,625 981,725 any break exceeding 28 days continuous care; costs associated with providing Swindon 0 802,437 disabled children’s access to universal day services such as formal childcare, youth clubs; or extended school activities. Bracknell Forest 874,137 627,799

ORAL ANSWERS

Monday 20 May 2013

Col. No. Col. No. WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 881 WORK AND PENSIONS—continued Benefits (Immigration)...... 890 Jobseeker’s Allowance (Claimant Sanctions)...... 895 Credit Unions ...... 896 Offshore Safety Inspections (North Sea)...... 886 Disability Living Allowance/Motability ...... 893 Pensioners...... 891 Disability-related Benefits ...... 896 State Pension...... 886 Employment ...... 889 Topical Questions ...... 897 Employment and Support Allowance (Appeals) .... 884 Under-occupancy Penalty (Wales) ...... 888 Enterprise Allowance ...... 882 Universal Credit (IT System) ...... 892 Housing Benefit Cap (Evictions)...... 895 Work Capability Assessment...... 881 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Monday 20 May 2013

Col. No. Col. No. CABINET OFFICE...... 51WS HEALTH...... 55WS “State of the Estate 2012”...... 51WS Care Bill...... 55WS

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 52WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 56WS Fire Services: Knight Review ...... 52WS Criminal Records Bureau...... 56WS Protection of Freedoms Act/National DNA DEFENCE...... 53WS Database...... 56WS Armed Forces Pay Review Body: Medical and Dental Officers...... 53WS TRANSPORT ...... 56WS Route-based Strategies ...... 56WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS...... 53WS Balance of Competences...... 53WS TREASURY ...... 51WS Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Taskforce ...... 54WS Scotland Analysis...... 51WS

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 55WS WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 58WS Great Britain-China Centre (Triennial Review)...... 55WS Child Maintenance ...... 58WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 20 May 2013

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 479W CABINET OFFICE—continued Clothing...... 479W Legal Costs ...... 474W Crown Prosecution Service...... 479W Military Medals Review...... 474W Crown Prosecution Service...... 481W Public Appointments ...... 475W Miscarriages of Justice...... 481W Sign Language ...... 475W Offenders ...... 481W Sovereignty: Scotland...... 476W Perjury ...... 482W Thromboembolism...... 476W Police Cautions ...... 482W Training ...... 477W Prosecutions...... 482W Travel ...... 478W Regulation ...... 483W Unemployment ...... 478W Serious Fraud Office ...... 484W Unemployment: Coastal Areas ...... 478W Travel ...... 485W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 422W CABINET OFFICE...... 470W Carbon Monoxide...... 422W Civil Servants: Business Interests ...... 470W Change of Use ...... 422W Clothing...... 470W Children: Barnsley ...... 424W Conditions of Employment...... 470W Fire Stations: West Midlands ...... 425W Death: Drugs ...... 471W Fracking: Planning Permission ...... 425W Death: Young People ...... 472W Housing: Disability ...... 426W Electronic Government ...... 473W Local Government: Employment...... 426W Employment ...... 473W Non-domestic Rates: Hartlepool...... 426W Employment: Scotland...... 473W Planning Permission ...... 427W Fundraising Standards Board ...... 473W Planning Permission: Bassetlaw ...... 428W Intelligence Services: Finance...... 473W Regulation ...... 428W Jobseeker’s Allowance ...... 474W Sign Language ...... 429W Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— EDUCATION—continued continued Pupils: Disadvantaged...... 595W Social Rented Housing...... 429W Schools: Buildings...... 595W Schools: Inspections...... 596W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 404W Schools: Transport ...... 596W Apprentices...... 404W Secondary Education: Admissions...... 597W Broadband ...... 405W Secondary Education: Kingston Upon Thames ..... 597W Clothing...... 406W Special Educational Needs...... 598W Football: Tickets ...... 406W Staff ...... 599W ICT ...... 406W Teachers...... 601W Mobile Phones ...... 407W Teachers: Pay ...... 601W Olympic Games 2012 ...... 407W Teachers: Qualifications...... 602W Public Lending Right...... 408W Training ...... 605W Public Libraries...... 408W Transport: Schools ...... 605W Regulation ...... 409W Young People: Mental Illness...... 608W Rugby: World Cup ...... 409W Scotland...... 411W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 412W Sports: Public Appointments ...... 411W Biofuels...... 412W Tourism...... 411W Coal Gasification ...... 412W Energy: Competition...... 413W DEFENCE...... 485W Energy Efficiency Deployment Office ...... 412W Afghanistan ...... 485W Energy: Foreign Investment in UK ...... 414W Armed Forces: Basic Skills...... 486W Energy: Housing ...... 414W Armed Forces: Death...... 486W Energy: Subsidies ...... 415W Armed Forces: Domestic Violence ...... 487W Green Deal Scheme...... 415W Armed Forces: Housing ...... 487W Inflation...... 415W Armed Forces: Offences Against Children ...... 488W Natural Gas: Wales...... 416W Armed Forces: Qualifications...... 491W Offshore Industry: Safety...... 417W Armed Forces: Recruitment ...... 491W Pay...... 418W Armed Forces: Scotland...... 493W Radioactive Waste...... 418W Armed Forces: Sexual Offences...... 493W Radioactive Waste: Cumbria...... 419W Armed Forces: Termination of Employment ...... 495W Regulation ...... 419W British Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association...... 496W Renewable Energy...... 420W British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre..... 496W Wind Power ...... 422W Climate Assessments...... 496W Clothing...... 497W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Defence: Expenditure...... 498W AFFAIRS...... 443W Defence: Procurement...... 498W Birds ...... 443W Defence Support Group...... 498W Coastal Erosion ...... 444W Enfield ...... 498W Environment Protection: Seas and Oceans...... 444W Guided Weapons: USA...... 499W Flood Control...... 444W Mobile Phones ...... 499W Floods: Insurance ...... 446W Pay...... 499W Hedgehogs ...... 446W Pensions: Ministry of Defence ...... 500W Inflation...... 447W Publications ...... 500W Light Bulbs: Waste Disposal ...... 447W Reserve Forces ...... 500W Marine Management Organisation ...... 448W Veterans ...... 503W Natural England: Staff...... 449W Veterans: Employment ...... 504W Natural Resources...... 449W Pay...... 449W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 443W Publications ...... 450W Electoral Register...... 443W Risk Assessment ...... 449W

EDUCATION...... 580W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 505W Apprentices...... 580W Afghanistan ...... 505W Children: Day Care ...... 581W Angola ...... 506W Children in Care: Death...... 581W Ascension Island...... 506W Children: Poverty ...... 582W British Indian Ocean Territory...... 509W Children: Protection...... 583W Crime: Nature Conservation ...... 509W Children’s Centres ...... 584W Cyprus ...... 510W Clothing...... 589W Fiji ...... 510W Conditions of Employment...... 589W Gibraltar...... 510W Education: Bassetlaw ...... 589W Ilois: Resettlement...... 511W Email ...... 589W Libya...... 512W English Language: Immigrants ...... 590W Non-departmental Public Bodies ...... 513W First Aid: Curriculum ...... 590W Pakistan ...... 514W Free School Meals...... 591W Russia ...... 514W Free Schools...... 591W Scotland...... 515W Free Schools: Brighton...... 592W Somalia...... 516W Inflation...... 592W Spain...... 516W Pay...... 593W Taiwan ...... 516W Pupil Exclusions...... 594W Travel ...... 517W Col. No. Col. No. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE— HOME DEPARTMENT—continued continued Telecommunications ...... 442W Yemen ...... 517W Training ...... 442W Travel ...... 442W HEALTH...... 550W Written Questions ...... 442W Accident and Emergency Departments ...... 550W Accident and Emergency Departments: Bassetlaw. 550W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 518W Broadmoor Hospital...... 551W Angola ...... 518W Cancer ...... 553W CDC ...... 519W Clinical Commissioning Groups ...... 554W Conditions of Employment...... 519W Clothing...... 555W Consultants...... 519W Defibrillators ...... 555W Developing Countries: Armed Conflict...... 519W Dental Services ...... 555W Developing Countries: Health Services ...... 520W Dermatology...... 556W Developing Countries: Third Sector...... 520W Diabetes ...... 556W EU Aid ...... 520W Eating Disorders: Young People ...... 559W Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and General Practitioners: Bassetlaw...... 559W Malaria...... 521W Health Education...... 560W International Assistance...... 521W Health Education: Drugs ...... 561W Overseas Aid...... 522W Health: Finance ...... 561W Private Education...... 523W Health Services: Scotland...... 561W Public Appointments ...... 523W Hospitals: Greater London ...... 562W Regulation ...... 524W Human Papillomavirus: Sussex ...... 562W Scotland...... 524W Mental Health Services ...... 562W Travel ...... 525W Mental Illness: Debts ...... 563W Museum of Liverpool Life...... 563W JUSTICE...... 608W NHS 111 ...... 563W Bill of Rights Commission...... 608W NHS: Internet ...... 564W Community Orders ...... 609W NHS: Reorganisation...... 564W Employment Tribunals Service...... 609W North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Fireworks: Fixed Penalties ...... 609W Trust ...... 566W Legal Aid Scheme ...... 610W Nurses...... 566W Legal Aid Scheme: Cornwall...... 611W Obesity and Diabetes ...... 568W Legal Aid Scheme: Wales...... 614W Organs: Donors ...... 568W Parole...... 615W Osteoporosis ...... 568W Prisoners: Families...... 615W Psoriasis...... 569W Prisoners: Mental Illness...... 615W Radon Gas: Health Hazards ...... 570W Prisoners’ Transfers...... 615W Scotland...... 570W Prisons: Counselling ...... 616W Social Services...... 574W Prisons: Visits...... 616W Streptococcus...... 575W Reoffenders...... 616W Training ...... 575W Sentencing: Appeals...... 617W Travel ...... 576W Vitamin D ...... 579W LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 459W Scotland...... 459W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 431W Alcoholic Drinks: Crime...... 431W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 453W Alcoholic Drinks: Designated Public Places Clothing...... 453W Orders...... 431W Public Appointments ...... 455W Alcoholic Drinks: Sales...... 431W Regulation ...... 455W Animal Experiments ...... 431W Training ...... 456W Antisocial Behaviour...... 433W Travel ...... 457W Clothing...... 433W Crime: Nature Conservation ...... 433W SCOTLAND...... 403W Databases: Telecommunications ...... 435W Clothing...... 403W Entry Clearances: India ...... 436W Conditions of Employment...... 403W Entry Clearances: Peru...... 436W Inflation...... 403W Entry Clearances: Sports Competitors...... 437W Public Opinion...... 403W G4S...... 437W Training ...... 403W Government Procurement Card ...... 437W Travel ...... 404W Illegal Immigrants...... 438W Immigration...... 439W TRANSPORT ...... 525W Immigration: Children ...... 439W A14 ...... 525W Immigration: Married People...... 439W Air Passenger Duty ...... 525W Manchester Airport: Immigration Controls...... 440W Bridges: River Thames...... 525W Overseas Students ...... 440W Bus Services: Disability ...... 526W Police and Crime Commissioners...... 440W Bus Services: Fares...... 526W Police: Recruitment...... 440W Bus Services: Tickets ...... 527W Private Finance Initiative ...... 441W Clothing...... 527W Repatriation...... 441W Crossrail Line...... 527W Scotland...... 441W Cycling...... 528W Staff ...... 441W Driving: Young People...... 528W Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT—continued TREASURY—continued East Coast Railway Line ...... 529W Investment ...... 463W Electric Vehicles ...... 529W Personal Savings ...... 463W Felixstowe Port ...... 529W Poverty: Children ...... 464W Gatwick Airport ...... 530W Public Appointments ...... 464W Great Western Railway Line...... 530W Public Sector: Staff...... 465W Heathrow Airport ...... 530W Renewable Energy...... 465W High Speed 2 Railway Line ...... 531W Revenue and Customs...... 465W King’s Cross Station...... 531W Scotland...... 467W London Gateway Port...... 531W Tax Allowances: Video Games...... 468W Motorways: Construction ...... 532W Tax Evasion ...... 468W Northern Line...... 532W Taxation: Rolling Stock ...... 469W Railways...... 533W Tonnage Tax ...... 469W Railways: Electrification ...... 533W Training ...... 469W Railways: North West ...... 534W Railways: Oxfordshire ...... 534W WALES...... 449W Railways: Tickets ...... 535W Clothing...... 449W Reading Station ...... 536W Fire Extinguishers...... 450W Roads: Accidents ...... 536W ICT ...... 451W Roads: Lighting ...... 537W Regulation ...... 451W Roads: Repairs and Maintenance...... 537W Training ...... 452W Speed Limits ...... 538W Travel ...... 451W Thameslink Railway Line...... 538W UK Trade and Investment...... 453W Training ...... 539W Transport: Finance...... 539W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 542W Transport: Young People...... 541W Children: Maintenance ...... 544W Travel ...... 542W Conditions of Employment...... 545W Fraud ...... 542W Fuel Poverty...... 545W TREASURY ...... 459W Housing Benefit ...... 545W Banks...... 459W New Enterprise Allowance...... 546W Banks: Wales...... 459W Personal Independence Payment...... 543W Bridges: River Thames...... 459W Separated Parents ...... 543W Clothing...... 460W Social Security Benefits...... 546W Conditions of Employment...... 460W Sodium Valproate ...... 547W Economic Situation...... 460W State Pension...... 543W Enterprise Investment Scheme ...... 460W State Retirement Pensions...... 547W Financial Services ...... 461W Statistics...... 548W Financial Services: EU Law ...... 461W Unemployment: Young People...... 548W Financial Services: Taxation ...... 462W Universal Credit...... 549W Fraud ...... 462W Universal Credit Pathfinder ...... 544W Green Investment Bank ...... 462W Winter Fuel Payments: Northern Ireland...... 550W Income Tax: Scotland ...... 462W Work Programme...... 550W MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS

Monday 20 May 2013

Col. No. Col. No. EDUCATION...... 9MC JUSTICE...... 9MC Children: Disability...... 9MC Fines: Surcharges...... 9MC Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. The Bound Volumes will also be sent to Members who similarly express their desire to have them. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied. Corrections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy containing the Corrections must be received at the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

not later than Monday 27 May 2013

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CONTENTS

Monday 20 May 2013

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 881] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Syria [Col. 903] Statement—(Mr Hague)

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill [Col. 926] Programme motion (No. 2)—(Hugh Robertson)—agreed to Not amended, considered

Petition [Col. 1022]

Marine Management Organisation (Data Accuracy) [Col. 1023] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 51WS]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 403W] [see index inside back page]

Ministerial Corrections [Col. 9MC]